Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 DWT went out on a limb-- not just making a random prediction about how many seats would flip red to blue but doing what so few pundits ever do-- On Sunday,went out on a limb-- not just making a random prediction about how many seats would flip red to blue but doing what so few pundits ever do-- predicting which seats would flip . It's the most optimistic view you've ever seen, partially because we follow the races on a granular level and partially because we picked up earlier than most that the determining issue for voters when they cast their ballots in a month would be what George Mason University's School of Policy and Government poll found this week as their #1 issue: Trump. strength of Trump as a determinant-- at least in 69 seats the pollsters foresee as battleground districts-- isn't reflected in the poll, just that he's more important to a plurality of voters than the economy, the Supreme Court, health care, immigration, Putin-Gate, gun violence, tariffs or anything else. Why is this very bad for the GOP? Theof Trump as a determinant-- at least in 69 seats the pollsters foresee as battleground districts-- isn't reflected in the poll, just that he's more important to a plurality of voters than the economy, the Supreme Court, health care, immigration, Putin-Gate, gun violence, tariffs or anything else. Why is this very bad for the GOP? Trump's job approval/disapproval among likely voters this weekend was a daunting 40/53%. And among Independents it is 38/53%. That's a GOP doomsday scenario. seem very swingy at all. The PVI is R+6 and Trump beat Hillary there 50.5% to 44.0%. (It's worth noting that Hillary did about the same as Obama but that Trump did significantly worse than both McCain and Romney.) This cycle, Brat is being challenged by conservative Democrat and an ex-CIA agent Abigail Spanberger. As you see, the 538 Forecaster gives her just a 1 in 3 shot (32.3% chance) of ousting Brat. That's a very, very conservative view of the unfolding race. First thing Monday, Reuters sent out a piece by James Oliphant, State Of Play: Republicans fear Democratic 'blue wave' spreading to once-safe districts . The district he focused in on is in central Virginia-- Dave Brat's sprawling 7th district. Most of the voters live in the Richmond area, which doesn'tvery swingy at all. The PVI is R+6 and Trump beat Hillary there 50.5% to 44.0%. (It's worth noting that Hillary did about the same as Obama but that Trump did significantly worse than both McCain and Romney.) This cycle, Brat is being challenged by conservative Democrat and an ex-CIA agent Abigail Spanberger. As you see, the 538 Forecaster gives her just a 1 in 3 shot (32.3% chance) of ousting Brat. That's a very, very conservative view of the unfolding race. As of the June 30 FEC reporting deadline they had both raised about the same amount of money-- $1,347,694 for Spanberger and $1,319,825 for Brat. It barely matters in a wave election and in an election where most voters will have Trump on their minds when they cast their ballots. Oliphant picked up on the Trumpiness of the election. He starts by talking about two local women, one a Republican and one brainless enough to have not bothered to even vote in 2016. This time they both agree on one thing: "Donald Trump. They dont like the president, and they werent about to vote for anyone, like Brat, who supports him." Voters such as Sneed and Lesser are a significant reason why Democrats now believe that in the Nov. 6 congressional midterm elections, the party can win more than the 23 seats they need to seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Some predict Democrats could take as many as 40 seats by flipping districts like Brats in Virginia. Earlier this year, Brats seat was considered safe. But if a so-called blue wave materializes, it would roll through a district like his, which includes pockets of suburban voters who increasingly have been turning away from Republicans. Republicans are playing defense in more and more places, said Doug Heye, a former official at the Republican National Committee. The Democrats map continues to get bigger. The Republicans map continues to get smaller. Thats a real problem. Democrats have poured resources not only into Brats district, but others that have come onto their battleground list, in places such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Southern California and other parts of Virginia such as the district currently represented by Republican Scott Taylor. ...The firestorm over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault while in high school, came at a perilous moment for Brat, given his already difficult reputation with some women voters. Trump has played a part. Both Sneed and Lesser were angry that he chose to attack Kavanaughs accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, at a rally last week. It was disgusting, Lesser said. ...A 39-year-old former officer for the Central Intelligence Agency, Spanberger looks like she could be the face of the Resistance, the woman-driven protest movement against Trump. But she has been careful to not alienate the independent and moderate voters she needs to win the district. At the Spotsylvania event, she didnt mention Trump, Brat or Kavanaugh, focusing on domestic-policy issues such as healthcare and education. Asked for her position on Kavanaughs nomination, her campaign declined to comment. Instead, Spanberger touched on the thing that attracted voters such as Meg Sneed to her: turning down the volume in the civic discourse. Weve reached a place where we need to restore a level of civility to our conversations, she told the crowd. Tom Davis, a former Republican congressman from Virginia, said it remains Brats race to win, and that Kavanaugh may be the issue that pulls him over the finish line. Its still a southern district, Davis said. Theres nothing like a good fight to keep your base in line. Spanberger is counting on her base to stick with her because they hate Trump and Trump rubber-stamps like Brat. She's offering them nothing much at all and couldn't even come out against Kavanaugh. If the ant-red wave is big enough, garbage like Brat will be swept out and garbage like Spanberger will be swept in. If she wins she'll be a waste of a congressional seat-- something you'd expect from some idiot campaigning on "turning down the volume"-- and will be defeated in the anti-blue wave of 2022. Thanks for nothing, DCCC. And forget any of this stuff... The Dems will be the Scrooge Party of PAYGO. UPDATE: More Democrats Running Ruse (Bulgaria) (AFP) - A Romanian man who had been detained as part of the investigation into the killing of a Bulgarian journalist in the northern town of Ruse will be freed, police said on Tuesday. The brutal murder of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova -- who presented a current affairs talk programme called "Detector" for the small TVN television channel -- has shocked the country and drawn international condemnation. Ruse police chief commissioner Teodor Atanasov said Tuesday that a man had been detained, adding that "we're still checking his alibi so he is not officially a suspect for committing the crime yet". However Atanasov later told journalists that "at this moment there are no new facts or information which we can announce". "The Romanian citizen will be released," he said. Marinova's body was discovered on a riverside path in Ruse on Saturday. Authorities have said she died from blows to the head and suffocation. She was also raped. Prosecutors have said "all leads" are being considered, including possible links to Marinova's professional activity. An episode of her programme aired on September 30 featured interviews with two investigative journalists from Bulgaria and Romania who had been working on corruption allegations. Marinova is the third journalist to be murdered in Europe in the past 12 months after Jan Kuciak in Slovakia in February and Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta in October 2017. Meghan McCain made an emotional return back to The View where she has been absent since her father Sen. John McCain passed away in August. McCain thanked her co-hosts for all their supports during her fathers yearlong fight with brain cancer and used her return appeal to unity in the United States. I understand how divided and how scared lot of people are. It looks like the fabric of democracy is fraying. We do not surrender, Im not surrendering, so you have to join me in not surrendering, she said. Also Read: Watch John McCain's 2002 Turn as 'SNL' Host Tonight (Video) McCain also took a veiled swipe at Trump, who clashed with her father in his final years. When someone says something racist at a rally you push back. That is what America is, she said, a reference to a moment during the 2008 presidential campaign when Sen. McCain defended Barack Obama from a racist smear by one of his supporters. Trump has often been accused of peddling racism by his critics. "I really want to thank all of America with being so kind with my family."@MeghanMcCain returns to @TheView for the first time since her father Sen. John McCain passed away in August: "He wanted me to come back here, which is why I'm here." https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/BwYtgRZdC3 The View (@TheView) October 8, 2018 He believed in American exceptionalism. He believed America is the greatest country in the history of the world, said McCain of her father breaking down during several moments. He believed that when your candidates opponent says something racist in a rally, you push back. That is John McCain and that is what America is. She gave a particular shoutout to co-host Whoopi Goldberg, who she said her father always loved and whose dressing room she would often cry in as Sen. McCains illness progressed. Once a surrogate for her fathers campaigns, Meghan McCain emerged as a personality in her own right as a host on Fox News and then on The View. She remains the primary Republican on the shows panel, but has not been shy about continuing her fathers legacy of disagreeing with Trump. Read original story Meghan McCain Makes Tearful Return to The View': Fabric of Democracy Is Fraying At TheWrap Mexico City (AFP) - A couple detained in Mexico while transporting human body parts in a baby carriage has admitted killing 20 people, twice the number originally suspected, the chief investigator on the case said Monday. The man also admitted raping some of his women victims and selling some of their body parts, said state prosecutor Alejandro Gomez of Mexico state. The man and woman were arrested Thursday in Ecatepec, a violence-hit suburb northeast of Mexico City, on suspicion of killing 10 women. The man gave detailed accounts of those 10 murders, and told investigators that he and his wife had killed 10 other people as well, according to Gomez. Prosecutors are now trying to establish whether that is true, or the boast of a "psychopath" and "serial killer," he said. "He described it in a completely natural way... I would say he actually seemed happy to have done this," Gomez said in an interview with Mexican radio network Formula. "He wants people to see his picture, to know his name... I would obviously classify this person as a murderer, a serial killer." The couple also admitted to selling the two-month-old baby of one of their victims to another couple, who was also arrested, according to the newspaper El Universal. - Baby clothes as bait - The arrested suspects are being identified only as Juan Carlos "N" and his wife, Patricia "N," in accordance with Mexican law. He has "a mental disturbance consistent with psychosis and a personality disorder," while she has been "mentally disabled since birth, and also has acquired induced delirium," said Gomez. He cited a psychiatric exam presented by prosecutors at the man's initial court appearance Sunday. "But both can distinguish between right and wrong," Gomez added. The couple were living with their three children, including a baby. When authorities searched their two houses, they found human remains in cement-filled buckets and wrapped in plastic bags inside a refrigerator, as well as articles of clothing apparently belonging to some of their victims. Story continues The man told investigators that he and his wife lured their victims, many of whom were young mothers, with offers of discount clothing for their babies. "They were single mothers... and they needed someone who could help them find inexpensive baby clothes," said Gomez. Investigators tracked down the couple by tracing cell phone calls the missing women had placed to them, he said. - Candles and protests - The case has triggered shock in Mexico, even by the standards of a country plagued by a surge in violent crime. Hundreds of people protested in Ecatepec on Sunday, carrying candles and white flowers to demand action by the authorities to deal with an explosion of violence against women and girls. Seven women and girls are killed in Mexico every day, according to UN Women. Mexico State, where Ecatepec is located, led the country in femicides last year, with 301 women and girls murdered, according to official figures. Across Mexico, there were a record 28,702 murders last year. The number has surged since 2006, when the government deployed the army to wage war on the country's violent and powerful drug cartels. La Paz (AFP) - President Evo Morales will send a letter to his Chilean counterpart to explore the possibility of talks after the world court rejected Bolivia's demand for access to the sea from its neighbor, an official said. "The president has made it known that he is sending a letter to the government of Chile to enter into dialogue on this issue of the court," said the official, Juan Carlos Huanca. Huanca, a leader of the National Coordination for Change -- which brings together the biggest social movements aligned with the presidency -- was speaking after a meeting with Morales. He said that a Bolivian diplomat in The Hague had met earlier with Morales to "prepare notes with a view to what may be involved in the new dialogue with Chile." Chile's President Sebastian Pinera said the court had clearly established that Chile had no obligation to negotiate sea access with Bolivia. Huanca said Morales would also send a letter to the United Nations, making it aware of Bolivia's objections to the court ruling. The Hague-based International Court of Justice ruled on October 1 against landlocked Bolivia in a row with Chile over access to the Pacific Ocean that dates back to the 19th century. The ICJ said Chile had "no legal obligation to negotiate" sea access with its neighbor. ICJ judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said however he hoped that "with willingness on the part of both parties meaningful negotiations can be undertaken." Morales took Santiago to the top UN court in The Hague in 2013 to try to force it to the negotiating table over its lack of sea access, a long-running strain on relations between the two South American countries. The leftist Bolivian president said afterwards he hoped Chile "respects the last paragraph of the ruling where the court invokes us to continue talking about the issue of the sea." Bolivia and Chile maintain ties only at the consular level since 1978, after failing to agree a maritime settlement. Story continues Huanca also said Morales would travel to southern Peru next Sunday to oversee the landing of 9,000 tons of cargo at the port of Ilo. After the ICJ ruling, Morales' government announced it would reduce its dependence on the Chilean ports of Arica, Iquique and Antofagasta, which accounts for the bulk of its trade. It now intends to boost cargo traffic through Peru and construct an inter-ocean railway linking it with the Pacific coast of Peru and the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Bolivia lost its route to the sea in a 1879-1883 war with Chile. And Santiago has rejected every attempt since by its smaller, poorer neighbor to win it back. Beirut (AFP) - Jihadists and Turkish-backed rebels in Syria's last major opposition stronghold have withdrawn heavy weapons from nearly all of a planned buffer zone, a monitor said Tuesday, a day ahead of deadline. The pullback is the first major test of a deal brokered by government ally Russia and Turkey last month to avoid what the United Nations warned would be the appalling humanitarian consequences of a major government offensive. Under the agreement, all factions have until Wednesday to withdraw heavy weaponry from the 15- to 20-kilometre (nine- to 12-mile) wide buffer zone, which rings Idlib province and adjacent areas of the northwest. And by Monday, the buffer zone must be free of all jihadists, including those of the region's dominant armed group, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria branch. Analysts had expected Ankara to have a difficult time enforcing the September 17 deal but by Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the heavy weapons pullout was nearly complete. "Rebel and jihadist factions have withdrawn their heavy arms from most positions inside the planned buffer zone except for the northern Latakia countryside," the head of the Britain-based monitor said. "We did not observe any movement of heavy weapons outside that area. They could have been moved to trenches or secret locations," Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. The Idlib region consists of a large part of the province of the same name, as well as adjacent rebel or jihadist-held areas of the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces. - Tanks and artillery guns - On Tuesday, an AFP correspondent saw tanks and artillery guns that pro-Ankara rebels had withdrawn from the buffer zone some 20 kilometres (12 miles) away. They moved the armoured vehicles into pits surrounded by mounds of earth, and wrapped up artillery guns for protection. HTS and smaller jihadist factions quietly began withdrawing their heavy arms on Saturday in an operation that continued through Monday night, the Observatory said. Story continues The pro-Ankara National Liberation Front said it had completed its weapons pullback on Monday. HTS, which controls more than two-thirds of the buffer zone around Idlib along with other jihadists, has not given any formal response to the September 17 truce deal. But by beginning to pull out its weapons, the group was "de facto" implementing it, Abdel Rahman said. "No faction, rebel or jihadist, would be able to withstand the consequences of any escalation if the deal's terms were not met," Abdel Rahman said. A source close to HTS told AFP it had come under pressure to fall in line to avoid further hardship for the rebel zone's three million residents, many of whom have fled previous bloody government offensives on other parts of Syria. "Everybody has been forced to agree to the initiative, though reluctantly, so that people can enjoy a bit of security and safety after long years of suffering," the source said. - Jihadists withdrawal? - The source said HTS was satisfied that the presence of the Turkish troops, whose numbers have increased in recent weeks, would prevent any Russian-backed government offensive. Under the terms of the deal, the buffer zone is to be patrolled by Turkish troops and Russian military police. But rebels objected to the Russian presence in the zone, and said they received guarantees from Turkey that Russian patrols had been dropped. For the zone to come into effect, "radical groups" -- interpreted as meaning HTS and other jihadists -- must also leave the area by next Monday. It is still unclear whether the jihadists will comply with this second deadline. Nawar Oliver, an analyst from the Turkey-based Omran Centre for Strategic Studies, said he thought HTS would comply with the deal even if it did not publicly announce its support. "It'll still have a presence in Idlib and is not handing over any weapons or fighters, but is handing over the (buffer) zone to a neutral side, Turkey, and to the NLF," he told AFP. Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have retaken swathes of territory in Syria since Russia intervened in September 2015. A series of offensives this year saw a succession of longtime rebel strongholds surrender. A similar Russia-backed assault had been expected against Idlib before the deal was announced last month. Despite progress in implementing the accord, Assad insisted on Sunday it was a "temporary measure" and Idlib would eventually return to state control. The Syrian war has killed more than 360,000 people since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Brussels (AFP) - NATO's largest exercise since the end of the Cold War will see 50,000 troops deploy into the first snows of a Norwegian winter to show Russia that the alliance is ready to repel any attack, officers said Tuesday. Officially, November's Trident Juncture exercise will simulate an attack from a fictional country, but it will bring a huge force into one of Moscow's neighbours just months after Russia's vast Vostok war games. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo said that the exercise "must show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone." And he noted that Norway has a frontier with Russia and that the huge force, backed by 150 aircraft, 60 ships and some 10.000 vehicles, would demonstrate that they can mobilise quickly to defend an ally. "The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres from the Russian border," said Norwegian General Rune Jakobsen, who will run the exercise headquarters. "There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise." Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. These will be the biggest such movement of NATO personnel and vehicles since at least the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, although smaller than the Vostok-18 exercise staged by Russia and China last month. The Western allies have stepped up their military posture, with rotating garrisons in eastern Europe and the Baltic States, in the four years since Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Exercises like Trident Juncture 18 are designed to teach troops how to move a large force quickly in the event of an invasion against a NATO member triggering the allies' "Article 5" mutual defence clause. - German brigade - The first part of this year's exercise will simulate an effort to halt an offensive launched from northern Norway southwards by part of the force playing an adversary, Canadian General Christian Juneau told AFP. Story continues Once the "invader" is halted, the second stage will see NATO forces figuring our how to force it back. While the exercise is deigned to show the 29-nation alliance's unity and strength, it may also bring Western forces face-to-face with some of their own shortcomings. US President Donald Trump has criticised many of the allies for underspending on defence and in February a German parliamentary report found that its own military has outdated equipment, often in a state of disrepair. Officers in NATO headquarters share the concerns, but Juneau told AFP that Germany would contribute a 6,000-strong brigade to the exercise and that the bulk of its troops and vehicles are already in Norway. The rest of the build-up is expected to be complete by October 25, with forces from across Europe and North America arriving by sea and by plane on the alliance's northern flank. The British contingent will land in Europe in the Netherlands and make its way to Norway by road through Germany, Denmark and Sweden to test the alliance's ability to coordinate transport on civilian roads. Once in Norway the multinational force will conduct multinational training exercises -- dealing with traffic and the first snows of winter -- and the main invasion exercise Londons clearing business is one the most lucrative part of the financial services industry. Photo: Reuters The business of euro clearing is one of Londons most lucrative elements to the financial services industry and is under threat of being stripped away after Brexit. But according to a new technical notice from the UK government, Whitehall will be able to protect the 817bn (930bn, $1tn) industry temporarily after Britain leaves the European Union on 29 March 2019. Thats even in the event of a no-deal Brexit. When banks and other financial institutions trade, those transactions need to go through a clearing process before they are settled. London is the international centre for euro clearing, which is the settlement of trades done in euros. The government is releasing 84 technical notices intended to explain how everyone, from the farmers and financiers, will be affected by a no-deal Brexit, also known as a hard Brexit. In one of the latest technical notices, the UK government said that it will use legislation under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, known as the Act, to introduce a range of transitional arrangements that will maximise continuity and minimise disruption to firms and consumers as we leave the EU, including in the no-deal scenario. This includes a Temporary Permissions Regime (TPR) and a Temporary Recognition Regime (TRR). In the event of a no-deal Brexit: The TPR will allow firms and funds that currently use financial passporting, which allows UK-based companies to do business in European Economic Area (EEA) nations and within the bloc, to continue to do business as usual for a limited amount of time. The TRR will allow relevant non-UK Central Counterparties (CCPs) to continue operating for a limited period after Brexit. CCPs are financial institutions that take on counterparty credit risk between parties to a trade and provide clearing and settlement services. However, the UK government didnt specify how long the limited time period would be, although its likely that it would be within the agreed transition period with the EU. While its widely expected that the transition period will be until the end of 2020, reports have surfaced that prime minister Theresa May is looking to extend it to 2023. Washington (AFP) - Nobel peace prize winner Nadia Murad wants to see members of the Islamic State jihadist group face justice -- not death, but trial in a courtroom, she said on Monday. Murad was one of thousands of young women from the Yazidi religious minority who were kidnapped by IS in Iraq four years ago and held in sexual slavery, but was able to escape. Older women and men faced summary execution during the IS assault on the Yazidis, which the United Nations has described as a genocide. "For me, justice doesn't mean killing all of the Daesh members who committed these crimes against us," she said at the National Press Club in Washington, using an Arabic acronym for IS. "Justice for me is taking Daesh members to a court of law and seeing them in court admitting to the crimes they committed against Yazidis and being punished for those crimes specifically," she said. Many IS members have been killed on battlefields of Iraq and Syria, while those who do make it to court in Iraq are usually tried on terrorism charges. Murad was jointly awarded the Nobel peace prize on Friday along with Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege "for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict." She said she aims to defend persecuted peoples and victims of sexual violence in the Middle East and around the world, but that she cannot do it alone. "A single prize and a single person cannot accomplish these goals. We need an international effort," she said. "I call on all governments to fight genocide and sexual violence. The world should bear its moral and legal responsibility and ensure proper and fair accountability." Speaking about her home country, Murad said she hopes Iraq will soon have a new government after months of political deadlock. "Our hope is that the new government of Iraq will be established soon and we can work with them to make sure that the areas that have suffered the most like Sinjar are being rebuilt and people can go back to their homes," she said, referring to the ancestral hub of the Yazidis in the country's north. Responding to a question about the "Me Too" movement and its potential to bring change, Murad said she hopes all survivors of sexual assault will be heard. "My hope is that all women who speak about their experience of sexual violence are heard and accepted ... and they feel safe to share their stories and feel safe to speak about their experiences." Oslo (AFP) - Norwegian police have formally accused several foreign nationals over a 1993 attack on the Norwegian publisher of "The Satanic Verses", thus preventing the statute of limitations from closing the case. The National Criminal Investigation Service said Tuesday "foreign nationals who are not in Norway" were suspected of "attempted murder" in the attack on William Nygaard. But the agency did not specify their number, identity or nationality. William Nygaard was seriously wounded when he was shot three times in the back near his home in Oslo on October 11 1993. No one was arrested for the attack, but police believe it was linked to the 1989 publication of the Norwegian version of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" by a publishing house that Nygaard ran. This latest move by the police prevents the usual 25-year statute of limitations closing the case. It would have taken effect on October 11. "I am relieved and pleased with the development in this case, not least that the authorities and the police say the attack appears to have targeted freedom of expression," 75-year-old Nygaard said. The case led to diplomatic tensions between Norway and Iran in the 1990s. After the 1988 publication of the "Satanic Verses", deemed blasphemous by some in the Muslim world, Iran's former supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a "fatwa" calling for the death of Salman Rushdie and his editors. By Stephanie Kelly NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose about one percent on Tuesday on growing evidence of falling Iranian crude exports before the imposition of new U.S. sanctions, as well as a partial production shutdown in the Gulf of Mexico because of Hurricane Michael. Brent crude futures rose $1.09 to settle at $85.00 a barrel, a 1.30 percent gain. The global benchmark hit a four-year high of $86.74 last week but slipped as low as $82.66 on Monday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 67 cents to settle at $74.96 a barrel, a 0.90 percent gain. Iran's crude exports fell further in the first week of October, according to tanker data and an industry source, as buyers sought alternatives ahead of U.S. sanctions that take effect on Nov. 4. Iran, OPEC's third-largest producer, exported 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in that seven-day period, Refinitiv Eikon data showed. An industry source who also tracks exports said October shipments so far were below 1 million bpd. That is down from at least 2.5 million bpd in April, before U.S. President Donald Trump in May withdrew the United States from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions. The figure also marks a further fall from 1.6 million bpd in September. A vessel carrying 2 million barrels of Iranian oil discharged the crude into a bonded storage tank at the port of Dalian in northeast China on Monday, according to Refinitiv Eikon data and a shipping agent with knowledge of the matter. The country previously held oil in storage at Dalian during the last round of sanctions in 2014 that was later sold to buyers in South Korea and India. Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, last week said it would increase crude output next month to 10.7 million bpd, a record. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh on Monday described a Saudi claim that the kingdom could replace Iran's crude exports as "nonsense." Story continues "There is growing concern that suppliers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia will struggle to compensate for potential production declines from Iran and Venezuela, which has supported oil prices in today's trading session," said Abhishek Kumar, senior energy analyst at Interfax Energy in London. Meanwhile, producers in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday cut oil production by about 40 percent as Hurricane Michael approached the Florida coast, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) said, citing reports from 27 companies. If forecasts prove accurate, the hurricane would largely miss major oil-producing assets, analysts said, but a change of track could widen the impact. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its global economic growth forecasts for 2018 and 2019, saying trade tensions and rising import tariffs were taking a toll on commerce while emerging markets struggle with tighter financial conditions and capital outflows. Industry and government data on U.S. crude inventories will be delayed by one day this week because of Monday's U.S. Columbus Day holiday. The American Petroleum Institute is due to release data on Wednesday, while the U.S. Energy Information Administration is due to publish on Thursday. (Reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York, Christopher Johnson in London and Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo; Editing by Susan Thomas and Marguerita Choy) On Tuesday, Nikki Haley said she plans to leave her position as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations at the end of the year. It has been an honor of a lifetime. It has really been a blessing, she told reporters during a joint Oval Office appearance with President Trump. Haley is one of the few women in the Trump administration and also stands out as one of the most prominent, distinct voices on foreign policy. As the daughter of immigrants, a moderate Republican, and an advocate for free markets and global trade, Haley has taken stances that have often clashed with the priorities of the president. However, the president told her, You have done a fantastic job, and I want to thank you very much. Outgoing Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley talks with President Trump in the Oval Office after the president accepted Haleys resignation, Oct. 9, 2018. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Heres what you need to know about Haley: The former governor of South Carolina has served as ambassador to the U.N. since 2017 Much of Haleys life has been spent in public office and blazing trails in politics. In 2004, she was elected to the South Carolina Statehouse, where she served for six years until being elected governor. As an Indian-American, the youngest governor in the U.S., and South Carolinas first female governor, Haley earned a spot on Times cover in September 2017 as one of the women who are changing the world. During her tenure at the U.N., shes pushed for American diplomacy and has led the U.S. out of the U.N. Human Rights Council, which Haley called the organizations greatest failure. She was an early critic of Trump before her appointment in 2016 Bless your heart, Haley once responded, in proper Southern fashion, to Trump tweets accusing her of being very weak on immigration and calling her an embarrassment to her state. During the 2016 election, Haley publicly criticized Trump for harsh campaign rhetoric and supported establishment candidates during the primary. During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation, Haley said. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country. Story continues Haley endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the Republican primary and then Texas Sen. Ted Cruz after Rubio dropped out. However, the governor ultimately went on to vote for Trump, despite being not a fan of him or Hillary Clinton at the time. Haley, however, stuck with Republican policies of the time, opposing the resettlement of Syrian refugees in South Carolina and President Barack Obamas health care law. Shes the daughter of Indian immigrants Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, Nikki Haley grew up in the small town of Bamberg, S.C. a town of just 3,000 people. She was raised in a Sikh household, converted to Christianity, and now attends a Methodist church, according to the BBC. We were the only Indian family in town. My father wore a turban, my mother wore a sari, and we were different, Haley wrote for Time. But my parents always said that the things that make you different make you special. Growing up as an outsider, Haley said, taught her the importance of finding similarities with the people around her, which carried on to her political life. I grew up trying to show people what we have in common. She was unafraid to voice her opinion on key policy issues, like her stance on Russia With all due respect, I dont get confused, Haley remarked in response to a White House officials claim she had a momentary confusion when speaking about Russia sanctions, leading to one of the most viral moments during her tenure as ambassador. Following the notorious New York Times anonymous op-ed this year, Haley spoke out about how she advised and disagreed with Trump. I dont agree with the president on everything, Haley wrote for the Washington Post in September. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person. Shes been rumored to be considering a presidential run Like most candidates who have spent their professional lives in politics, Haley has been the focus of several rumors about an eventual presidential run. Haley, however, has denied such ambitions. Everyone thinks that Im ambitious, and everybody thinks Im trying to run for something, and everybody thinks I want more, she told CNN in 2017. I cant imagine running for the White House. During Tuesdays press conference, she said, I dont have anything set on where Im going to go. Its been eight years of intense time, and Im a believer in term limits, she added. I think you have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside. The Daily Beast Photo by Mark Hertzberg-Pool/Getty ImagesA misdemeanor gun charge against Kyle Rittenhouse was dismissed just hours before jurors were expected to begin deliberating the fate of the teenager accused of murdering two people and trying to kill a third during a police-violence protest last August.Hours later, prosecutors made a last-ditch attempt to convince jurors he belonged in prison.During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger tried to convince jurors that Rittenhouse was Lyon (AFP) - Poland should withdraw from a UN pact on migration that will be formally adopted in Morocco in December, the country's interior minister said on Tuesday. Hungary and the United States already pulled out of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which aims to boost cooperation to address the world's growing number of migrants. "I'm going to advise (Polish) Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to withdraw," Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski said, according to a tweet by the ministry. "In our opinion the GCM draft agreement doesn't provide a guarantee of security for Poland. It also risks encouraging illegal migration." Brudzinski is currently in Lyon for a meeting with his EU counterparts. He said the agreement goes against the Polish government's priorities for the safety of Polish citizens and controlling migrant flows. Brudzinski is a member of the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party which has staunchly refused to welcome any refugees arriving in Greece and Italy, garnering it criticism from some of its EU partners. The global pact lays out objectives to open up legal migration and better manage flows of people as the UN estimates the number on the move worldwide has increased to more than 250 million. UN member states backed the final text of the GCM in July after 18 months of negotiations. The US backed out of negotiations on the pact last year, while Hungary said it was withdrawing in July. The document will be formally adopted during a conference in Morocco on December 10-11. WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's interior minister is recommending Warsaw quits a U.N. migration pact before its final approval as it may encourage more illegal migrants, the ministry said on Tuesday. Hungary has already announced it will not sign up to the Global Compact For Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which was approved in July by all 193 U.N. member nations except the United States, which pulled out last year. The pact, due to be adopted in December, addresses issues including why people migrate, how to protect them and how to integrate them into new countries. Poland, along with Hungary and Czech Republic, has taken a tough stand against resettling migrants, putting it at odds with the European Union, but striking a chord with voters by arguing that irregular immigration threatens European stability. "I will recommend to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to opt out from the Global Compact (GCM) deal, which is due to be signed in December in Marrakech," Joachim Brudzinski was quoted by the Interior Ministry Twitter feed as saying. "In our opinion the draft of the agreement does not guarantee Poland's safety. It may also encourage illegal immigration." The government's press office had no immediate comment on the recommendation. Brudzinski was speaking at the G6 summit in Lyon, France, where he met his Italian counterpart Matteo Salvini, among others, the ministry tweeted. Brudzinski retweeted the Tweet. Poland's ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party built its 2015 parliamentary election landslide victory in part on kindling the fear of migrants. That year, Europe saw the biggest influx of refugees and migrants since World War Two. Nonetheless, Poland, with a population of 38-million people and record low unemployment of 5.8 percent, has taken in a large influx of foreign workers, mainly from Ukraine, but also from Belarus and parts of Asia, as the fast developing economy struggles with a lack of workers. (Reporting by Marcin Goclowski; Additional reporting by Anna Koper; Editing by Alison Williams) By Michael Martina BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi aired their grievances in the open on Monday during a brief visit to Beijing by Washington's top diplomat, amid worsening relations. While the exchange included typical diplomatic pleasantries, and the two officials emphasized the need for cooperation, their remarks before journalists at the start of their meeting at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guest House were unusually pointed. "Recently, as the U.S. side has been constantly escalating trade friction toward China, it has also adopted a series of actions on the Taiwan issue that harm China's rights and interests, and has made groundless criticism of China's domestic and foreign policies," Wang said at a joint appearance with Pompeo. "We believe this has been a direct attack on our mutual trust, and has cast a shadow on China-U.S. relations," he added. "We demand that the U.S. side stop this kind of mistaken action." Wang also urged the United States to stop selling arms to Taiwan and to cut off official visits and military ties with the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement. Pompeo, who was briefing Wang following his visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said, "The issues that you characterized, we have a fundamental disagreement. "We have great concerns about the actions that China has taken, and I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss each of those today because this is an incredibly important relationship." Pompeo and Wang openly disagreed over which side had called off a two-way security dialogue that had been planned in Beijing this month. "PROFOUND CHANGES" Last week, Vice President Mike Pence stepped up the U.S. pressure campaign against Beijing, going beyond the trade war by accusing China of both "malign" efforts to undermine President Donald Trump ahead of next month's congressional elections and of reckless military action in the South China Sea. Pompeo also met China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi, a Politburo member who heads the ruling Communist Party's foreign affairs commission, though remarks before reporters took a more conventional tone, even as both agreed relations faced many challenges. Pompeo did not have a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a fact that a senior U.S. State Department official on the trip said was not strange, even though top U.S. officials often meet Chinese heads of state on visits. Pompeo wished Xi a happy birthday when the two met on a trip to Beijing in June. But the senior U.S. official said the United States still expected cooperation with Beijing on efforts to denuclearize North Korea, whose chief ally is China. "I would certainly expect so," the official said. "That's a very important issue, and they recognize that, and accept that, and realize that." If ties between the two countries continued to deteriorate, there could be "profound changes" in the strategic environment for such regional issues as North Korea, China's state-backed Global Times tabloid warned in an editorial. "For Asia, the severity of China-U.S. frictions is taking up much attention and is, to some extent, diluting attention paid to the Korean peninsula issue," it said. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Additional reporting by Christian Shepherd; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by Paul Tait and Clarence Fernandez) By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The devil is alive and well and working overtime to undermine the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis says. In fact, the pope is so convinced that Satan is to blame for the sexual abuse crisis and deep divisions racking the Church that he has asked Catholics around the world to recite a special prayer every day in October to try to beat him back. "(The Church must be) saved from the attacks of the malign one, the great accuser and at the same time be made ever more aware of its guilt, its mistakes, and abuses committed in the present and the past," Francis said in a message on Sept. 29. Since he was elected in 2013, Francis has made clear that he believes the devil to be real. In a document in April on holiness in the modern world, Francis mentioned the devil more than a dozen times. "We should not think of the devil as a myth, a representation, a symbol, a figure of speech or an idea. This mistake would lead us to let down our guard, to grow careless and end up more vulnerable," he wrote in the document. The Church has recently been hit by one sexual abuse scandal after another, from Germany, to the United States, to Chile. At the same time, a deepening polarization between conservatives and liberals in the Church has played out on social media. Francis' use of the term "the great accuser" to describe Satan hit a raw nerve with one of the pope's harshest conservative critics, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the Vatican's former ambassador to Washington. CHURCH DIVISIONS In an 11-page statement published on Aug. 26, Vigano launched an unprecedented broadside by a Church insider against the pope and a long list of Vatican and U.S. Church officials. He accused Francis of knowing about sexual misconduct by a former U.S. cardinal with male adult seminarians but not doing anything about it. Vigano, concluding that his former boss had singled him out as the devil in disguise, complained in his next statement that Francis "compared me to the great accuser, Satan, who sows scandal and division in the Church, though without ever uttering my name". On Sunday, a top Vatican official issued a scathing open letter accusing Vigano of mounting a "political frame job devoid of real foundation" and contesting his accusations against the pope point by point. Francis is so convinced that Satan is ultimately to blame for both the sexual abuse scandals and the divisions within the Church that he has enlisted the aid of spiritual big gun - St. Michael the Archangel. Michael is mentioned several times in the Bible as the leader of the angels who ousted Lucifer, the fallen angel, from paradise. Catholics are being asked to recite the rosary daily in October and conclude it with a prayer to St. Michael that was said after Mass until 1964 but then fell into disuse. The prayer reads: "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls." (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Gareth Jones) Ouagadougou (AFP) - Burkina Faso's opposition and civil society leaders warned Saturday against a military takeover and called a mass rally after the army stepped into the power vacuum left by the ouster of president Blaise Compaore. The military named a high-ranking officer, Isaac Zida, to lead the country's transition a day after Compaore was forced to resign as his plans to extend his 27-year rule exploded into violent protests that saw parliament set ablaze. The protests have led some observers to draw a parallel with the Arab Spring, and were closely watched across a continent where other veteran heads of state are also trying to cling to power. Zida, who beat out a rival claim by the landlocked west African nation's army chief to fill the post, vowed to work closely with civil society. But opposition and civil society leaders swiftly issued a statement warning the military against a power snatch, demanding instead a "democratic and civilian transition". "The victory born from this popular uprising belongs to the people, and the task of managing the transition falls by right to the people. In no case can it be confiscated by the army," they said in a statement. They also called a new mass rally in capital Ouagadougou on Sunday at the site where up to a million people had gathered earlier this week to demand Compaore's resignation. The civil society's call appeared to be backed by the African Union, which urged a "civilian-led and consensual transition" in the former French colony. - 'Smooth democratic transition' - Zida, the second in command of the presidential guard, said he had assumed "the responsibilities of head of the transition and of head of state" to ensure a "smooth democratic transition". The transition will be carried out "together with the other components of national life," he said, referring to the political opposition and civil leaders. Story continues The army's endorsement was signed by General Nabere Honore Traore, who initially said he would himself assume power, a claim Zida had dismissed as "obsolete". Hours after taking over, Zida reopened the country's air space, but land borders remained closed, a statement said. "The aspirations for democratic change" of the Burkina youth "will be neither betrayed, nor disappointed", he said. Speaking on television early Saturday, the military officer also said the ousted president was "in a safe place" and his "safety and well-being are assured". In neighbouring Ivory Coast the presidency confirmed reports that Compaore, who left Ouagadougou on Friday according to French diplomats, was in the country. A local resident said he saw a motorcade of around 30 cars heading for a luxury hotel in the Ivorian capital, which is also used as a semi-official residence for foreign dignitaries. "The services of the President hotel in Yamoussoukro served him (Compaore) dinner yesterday (Friday) and breakfast this morning (Saturday)," according to a hotel employee. - Compaore's 'henchman' - In the Burkina Faso capital, calm returned to the streets, with shops reopening and calls by protest organisers for a cleanup of the debris left behind after violent mass protests. The uprising was sparked by plans to change the constitution to allow Compaore to stand once again for elections next year. Defying dramatic protests which drew tens of thousands of people, Compaore initially rejected calls to resign. He eventually withdrew plans for a vote on the constitutional changes but vowed to stay in power for another year, before announcing on Friday that he was stepping down. Later the same day army chief Traore said he was assuming power, after ordering the dissolution of the government and a dusk-to-dawn curfew. But many protesters were deeply opposed to Traore, seeing him as a close ally of Compaore. "We do not want General Traore in power. We need someone credible. Traore is Blaise Compaore's henchman," said Monou Tapsoaba, an activist with the opposition People's Movement for Progress. France's President Francois Hollande vowed that Paris would "contribute to calming" the situation in Burkina Faso, while Washington urged "a transfer of power in accordance with the constitution". The EU called for the people of Burkina Faso to have the final say in who rules their country. Compaore was only 36 when he seized power in a 1987 coup in which his former friend Thomas Sankara was ousted and assassinated. His bid to hold on to power particularly angered young people in a country where 60 percent of the population of almost 17 million is under 25. Many have grown up under the leadership of one man and are disillusioned by the establishment that has led a country which is languishing near the bottom of the UN human development index. Known in colonial times as Upper Volta, the country won independence from France in 1960 and its name was changed to Burkina Faso ("the land of upright men") in 1984. (ANKARA) A week after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul for some routine paperwork, the mystery over his disappearance remains unresolved: Turkish officials allege he was killed in the compound; the Saudis say he left the building unharmed. The case has alarmed human rights activists concerned over Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans crackdown on dissent and strained already-tense relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The United States and other Saudi allies have taken a cautious approach toward Khashoggis disappearance, expressing concern but refraining from any strong comments against the oil-rich kingdom. I am concerned about it. I dont like hearing about it, President Donald Trump told reporters as he returned to Washington from Florida. And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it. The 59-year-old contributor to the Washington Post spent last year in the U.S. in self-imposed exile after he fled Saudi Arabia amid a crackdown on intellectuals and activists who criticized the policies of Prince Mohammed. He was last seen by his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, entering the consulate to obtain a document needed for their marriage. She and Turkish officials say he never emerged, even though Saudi Arabia insists he left the building. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Khashoggi left the consulate. Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials, Erdogan said during a visit to Hungary. Dont you have cameras and other things? Why dont you prove it, you have to prove it. Turkish officials have said the authorities believe that Khashoggi was most likely slain inside the consulate building and that his body was later removed from the premises, though they havent provided any evidence. Turkeys state-run news agency, quoting police, has said 15 Saudi nationals arrived in Istanbul on board two planes and were inside the consulate building when Khashoggi disappeared. The private DHA agency said the planes, which it identified as a two Gulfstream jets belonging to a Riyadh-based company that hires private aircraft, landed at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport on the day Khashoggi vanished. Story continues With these departures and arrivals there were certain people who came from Saudi Arabia, Erdogan said. Our relevant agencies, our security forces, our intelligence agency, all of them, the foreign ministry work together and well see the reports that our prosecutors prepare. Turkey summoned the Saudi ambassador Sunday to request the kingdoms full cooperation in the investigation, a Foreign Ministry official said. The Turkish private NTV television said Ankara asked for permission for its investigators to search the consulate building, but a Foreign Ministry official would not confirm the report. Ties between Ankara and Riyadh are at a low point over Turkeys support for Qatar last year in its dispute with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Turkey sent food to Qatar and deployed troops at its military base there. Saudi Arabia is also annoyed by Ankaras rapprochement with its archrival, Iran. Turkey is maintaining a very delicate balance in its relations with Saudi Arabia. The relations have the potential of evolving into a crisis at any moment, said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Funds Ankara office. He expected a measured response from Turkey, which is suffering a currency crisis and would be reluctant to chase away investment from Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states. Ankara would likely wait and see what Washingtons reaction to the disappearance would be, before initiating any action against Saudi Arabia, Unluhisarcikli added. The U.S. so far has said very little. Prince Mohammed has ties to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law to Trump, who visited Saudi Arabia on his first overseas trip. However, ties have been strained by the presidents recent comments implying Saudi Arabia wouldnt last two weeks without U.S. guaranteeing its safety as global oil prices continue to rise. Saudi Arabia long has faced allegations of capturing and sending rambunctious royals and dissidents back to the country by private jet. Last year, the kingdom even brought Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Riyadh, where he suddenly resigned in a TV broadcast, only to return to Beirut and renounce his resignation, sparking speculation he was forced to do so. Many initially believed the same fate befell Khashoggi until Turkish officials began anonymously telling journalists the writer had been killed at the consulate. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations as baseless, but unlike in the Hariri incident, Khashoggi has not appeared on state television or Saudi-owned satellite networks since Turkey began expressing its fears he was dead. While in the U.S., Khashoggi began writing columns for the Washington Post. That was in part due to the atmosphere surrounding the rise of 33-year-old Prince Mohammed, next in line to the throne now held by his 82-year-old father, King Salman. Although there have been some reforms, such as allowing women to start driving cars, Prince Mohammeds reign has seen businessmen, royals, activists and others rounded up and arrested. Still, killing someone like Khashoggi, who long had ties to the royal family and the Saudi intelligence apparatus, in a consulate would be a major escalation in the princes rise. I think the Saudis may have crossed the line. It puts the U.S. in a corner will it defend its ally or will it stand up for human rights and free speech and free journalism? said Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, a top Israeli think tank, and a former adviser to the Israeli prime minister on Iran and Gulf affairs. Sultan al-Saad al-Qahtani, the editor of the Riyadh Post website and a supporter of the crown prince, called it a Hollywood movie scenario. There is no country that kills opponents of its policy inside an official building in a foreign country, he said. The responsibility of preserving Mr. Khashoggis life rests with the Turkish government. Lynn Maalouf, Middle East Research Director for Amnesty International, said if the reports of Khashoggis death are true, this would be taking yet to another level the continuing crackdown on any form of dissent thats been going on in Saudi Arabia over the past year. Adam Austen, a spokesman for Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, said it was aware of and concerned by these reports. Canadian officials are actively seeking more information. In August, Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador and froze all new business with Ottawa over its criticism of the kingdoms arrest of womens rights activists yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadhs newly assertive foreign policy. In the U.S., Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted Monday that if theres any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship. He said there would be a heavy price to be paid economically and otherwise. Graham is close to Trump and said he has talked with leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Khashoggi. He said it is imperative that the Saudis give a clear answer about what happened. Journalists and activists gathered outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul also demanded information on Khashoggis fate. We demand from the international community to pressure Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Salman to tell us exactly what happened, said Mohamed Okad, a friend of Khashoggi and founder of Insight into Crisis, a conflict advisory group. Among the protesters was Tawakkol Karman, the Yemeni journalist and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner. She accused Saudi Arabia of state terrorism and called on the international community to take action against the kingdom. A Saudi-led coalition has been at war with Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi rebels since March 2015. President Donald Trumps back and forth with fellow celebrities is anything but over. Following Taylor Swifts Instagram endorsement of Democratic Tennessee candidates Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives in the upcoming Tennessee election, the President himself weighed in. Trump only just recently held a Make America Great Again rally last week to drum up support for Bredesens rival Republican candidate Marsha Blackburns campaign, who Swift vehemently criticized. In the past Ive been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn, Swift wrote in her lengthy post. Story continues On Monday at the White House, Trump doubled down. Marsha Blackburn is doing a very good job now in Tennessee, he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Shes leading now substantially, which she should. Shes a tremendous woman. Im sure Taylor Swift doesnt know anything about her. Lets say I like Taylors music about 25% less now, OK? A reporter had only just explained to Trump that the pop superstar took a side Sunday night after years of silence on political matters. So Trump was answering the question off the cuff. Trump praised Swifts music in 2012. But for Swifts part, she did not wade into the 2016 election, and has famously never voiced an opinion about Trumps administration. So after years of opting not to be vocal about politics with some exceptions, when she spoke up, it mattered. By Saleh Salem GAZA (Reuters) - Two trucks brought fuel across Israel's border into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in a Qatari- and U.N.-backed effort to ease conditions in the enclave and stem any escalation in Palestinian-Israeli violence. The shipment was a potential slap to the Western-backed administration of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which opposed the foreign relief plan. Gaza is controlled by Abbas's rival, the Islamist Hamas group, and the Palestinian president has been using economic pressure in order to wrest back control. Under a blockade by Israel and Egypt designed to isolate Hamas, Gaza has plunged into poverty. Over the last half year it has seen weekly, often violent Palestinian border protests and lethal counter-fire by the Israeli military. "The Secretary-General expresses his deep appreciation to the Government of Qatar for its $60 million contribution, which made this delivery possible and will allow its continuation for the coming months," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York. Each of the two trucks entering Gaza carried some 35,000 litres of fuel and seven more trucks are expected on Wednesday, Dujarric said. Qatar's donation is intended to provide fuel to Gaza's power plant for six months, local sources said. The cash-starved plant has been providing Gazans with only around four hours of electricity daily. The United States' Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, tweeted: "The U.S. appreciates the efforts of the U.N., Egypt, Qatar and Israel to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts to achieve the goal of an enduring ceasefire." "PALESTINIAN UNITY" A spokesman for the Abbas-appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, voiced disapproval of the fuel delivery. "Any international financial aid to the Gaza Strip should be through, or with the coordination of, the Palestinian government," he said, in order "to preserve Palestinian unity" and to stop any plans to separate Gaza from the West Bank. A Qatari official, speaking to Reuters on Sunday, said Doha planned to help with Gaza's power crisis "at the request of donor states in the United Nations, to prevent an escalation of the existing humanitarian disaster". Israel's energy minister, Yuval Steinitz, told Reuters on Monday that Qatar "was trying to help" prevent a Gaza flare-up. Steinitz accused Abbas, who has restricted funding for Gaza, of "seeking to make gains on two counts: by encouraging a conflict in which Israel will clobber Hamas and over which he will then be able to clobber Israel on the world stage". Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008. Months of Egyptian-mediated reconciliation talks between Hamas and Abbas have been held up by power-sharing disputes. "Abbas believes that if he keeps the Gaza closure tight, it will make Hamas accept his reconciliation plan, which would give the Abbas government full control - or the people in Gaza will launch a revolution against Hamas," said Palestinian political analyst Hani al-Masri. "This is making it easy for others to bypass the Palestinian Authority ... They are trying to give them (Gazans) a sedative, sometimes through Egypt, and this time through Israel." Palestinians launched the border protests on March 30 to demand an easing of the Gaza blockade and the right of return to lands that Palestinian families fled or were driven from on Israel's founding in 1948. Israeli forces have killed at least 195 Palestinians since. Israel has lost a soldier to a Gaza sniper and tracts of forest and farmland to fires set in cross-border incendiary attacks. (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Ghaida Ghantous in Dubai and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Dan Williams and Ori Lewis, Editing by William Maclean and Gareth Jones) Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Qatari-bought fuel arrived at the Gaza Strip's only power station after entering through Israel on Tuesday in a bid to alleviate conditions in the Palestinian enclave, a Hamas spokesman and sources said. The delivery could help ease months of protests and clashes along the border between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli blockade for more than a decade. But it was met with criticism by officials close to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, whose rival administration was not involved. UN officials and Egypt have in recent weeks pursued indirect talks between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel. Israeli officials however refused comment on the delivery. A spokesman for the United Nations Secretary General hailed Qatar's $60 million donation for the fuel, which is expected to be spent over several months. "Additional fuel for the Gaza power plant remains the fastest and most immediate way to increase electricity and help alleviate the humanitarian and related public health needs on the ground," Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing in New York. He said two trucks carrying 70,000 litres of fuel had entered, while deliveries were set to increase to 15 trucks daily in the coming days. A Palestinian source at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza -- the only goods crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel -- earlier put the number at six trucks and a far higher number of litres. AFP journalists saw at least one truck arriving at the power station in Gaza City. "The Qatari fuel to the Gaza Strip's power plant today is aimed at partially improving electricity (supply) in Gaza," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP. - 'No political motives' - For months Gaza residents have been receiving only four hours of mains electricity a day on average. The United Nations has warned that Israel's 11-year blockade of the enclave has resulted in a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation. Story continues A Qatari official said the supply of fuel was intended to "to avert an escalation in the existing humanitarian disaster from becoming worse." "There are no political motives behind this step," the official added. "It is important to note that this operation is taking place through the United Nations which is authorised to seek the necessary permissions." In a statement Tuesday Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior official close to Abbas, threatened retaliatory measures if the fuel deliveries continued. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas's Palestinian Authority in a 2007 near civil war. Multiple reconciliation attempts aimed at restoring the PA to power in Gaza have failed. Qassem said that the deliveries were facilitated "through the United Nations because of the vacuum left by the PA." Abbas says that making deals with Hamas amounts to recognising their control over Gaza in place of the PA. - 'They lash out' - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Abbas was exacerbating Gaza woes and thereby fuelling its residents' aggression toward Israel. "Abu Mazen is strangling them economically and they lash out at Israel," he told a press conference in his Jerusalem office, referring to Abbas by his Arabic nickname. Netanyahu did not specifically refer to the oil shipment but spoke of "attempts to reach a practical solution so that he will stop this strangulation." He said that if Gaza tension reached boiling point and brought an uptick in attacks on neighbouring southern Israel "the price they will pay will be very great." "I'm not looking to launch unneccessary wars," he said. "But if there's no alternative you wage war with all your strength." Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008 and the recent unrest has raised fears of yet another conflict. But there have been attempts in recent weeks by UN officials and Egypt to reach a long-term truce between the sides through indirect talks. Much of the international community considers Hamas a terrorist organisation. It has rejected calls for it to disarm and recognise Israel. Israel says its blockade of Gaza is necessary to isolate Hamas. burs/scw/rsc Donald Trump has said had a great meeting with Rod Rosenstein aboard Air Force One following weeks of speculation that he was going to fire the deputy attorney general. Rumours have abounded in recent weeks that the president was set to fire the second highest ranking official in the US Justice Department and the man charged with overseeing the investigation into alleged collusion between Mr Trumps presidential campaign team and Russian officials. The speculation about his position mounted after The New York Times reported that he had discussed recruiting cabinet members to invoke the 25th amendment of the US constitution, which provides for the removal of a president if he is deemed unfit for office. It also claimed that he had suggested secretly recording Mr Trump to expose White House turmoil and dysfunction. Mr Rosenstein called the allegations "inaccurate and factually incorrect". Following his meeting with Mr Trump White House spokesman Hogan Gidley confirmed the pair had spoken for approximately 30 minutes. The White House did not disclose any details about the conversation but noted the pair were not alone in the room. When asked earlier in the day if he had plans to sack Mr Rosenstein, Mr Trump replied quickly: No, I dont. He said that the pair had a good relationship, adding: "I didn't know Rod before, but I've gotten to know him, and I get along very well with him. The president has saved much of his ire for Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the Russia probe because he was a member of Mr Trump's campaign team. Sacking Mr Rosenstein or special counsel in charge of the FBI investigation Robert Mueller, less than a month ahead of the 6 November mid-term elections would have led to severe criticism from Democrats, some political commentators have claimed. The last known imageof Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Istanbul consulate on October 2 - CCTV via Hurriyet The BBC is facing criticism for publishing off-air comments Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi made before a radio interview three days before he disappeared in Turkey. BBC Newshour released a recording of the journalist speaking informally to presenters before the show went live, when he said: I dont think I will be able to go home [to Saudi Arabia] because of the fear of arrest." The BBC posted on Twitter: We wouldn't normally release this conversation but we've decided to make an exception in light of the circumstances. Mr Khashoggi, a prominent journalist who had at times been critical of Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been heard from or seen since entering Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday. Turkish officials have said they believe he was murdered inside the diplomatic mission and his body spirited away, claims they have not provided any proof for and which the kingdom has denied. The door which Mr Khashoggi entered before his disappearance Credit: Photo by Onur Coban/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The BBC's decision was widely criticised on social media by people who said the broadcaster should not have aired the off-the-record comments without Mr Khashoggis consent and could further endanger him if he is still alive. I find this unacceptable, and it makes me think twice about any conversations I'll have off-air with any medium, tweeted HA Hellyer, senior nonresident fellow and the Royal United Services Institute. If I am detained (and I have been) the last thing I want is someone recklessly releasing off the record conversations I've done about my captors. A BBC Spokesperson said: We took great care in deciding to broadcast Mr Khashoggis words and considered the implications carefully. In light of the circumstances, his view that the deteriorating environment for free speech in Saudi Arabia meant he could not return to live there, is important and relevant information. "We do not believe this broadcast could endanger him further, especially considering his longstanding criticism of the Saudi authorities, expressed far more stridently in his newspaper columns. Story continues After more than a week of silence, the UK government on Tuesday urged Saudi Arabia to provide urgent answers on the 59-year-old's fate. Mr Khashoggi's fiancee said she was still holding out hope that he was alive Credit: AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File The US State Department later called on Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr. Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation. Turkish investigators are focused on two private Gulfstream jets which landed in Istanbul on the day Mr Khashoggi disappeared, according to several pro-government Turkish newspapers. One jet, carrying nine people, allegedly landed in the early hours of October 2. Its passengers checked into two hotels near the consulate and booked rooms until October 5. However, all nine apparently checked out the same day and returned to the airport, where they flew on to the UAE. The second jet, carrying six people, reportedly landed later in the day. Its passengers went straight to the consulate and then left in the evening for Egypt. Both flights allegedly later returned to Riyadh. Investigators reportedly believe that Mr Khashoggis body might have been smuggled out of the consulate in diplomatic vans and then carried onto one of the planes. The details will add to pressure on the Saudi government to explain who the 15 Saudis were and what they were doing during their brief trip to Istanbul. Close to two days after Turkish government sources first said prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed at a Saudi consulate in Turkey, Saudi authorities have yet to publicly identify his whereabouts to senators in the U.S., Khashoggis employer The Washington Post or journalists and experts closely following the case. Semi-official sources are filling the gap pushing a counter-narrative designed to protect Saudi Arabia from international criticism and turn Khashoggis weeklong disappearance into just one more battle in an information war between the kingdom and its regional foes. High-profile figures close to the governments of Saudi Arabia and its key ally, the United Arab Emirates, are using social media notably Twitter, which is popular in the region to suggest that the global concern over Khashoggi is the product of a conspiracy. The tactic allows them to stoke Saudi nationalism, preparing the kingdoms subjects and supporters to eventually defend any kind of behavior, and play victim, forcing third parties seeking real information to bend over backwards to show theyre being fair to the Saudis. All of that, of course, draws attention away from the central issue: Where is Khashoggi? Ive never seen such a coordinated attack against a country like Saudi Arabia in past few days, all based on a piece of fake news by an unnamed Turkish official via Qatari media, analyst Ghanem Nuseibeh wrote on Monday. Islamist extremists want Saudi Arabia to fall, but this has created even greater unity amongst Saudis. The references to Turkey and Qatar, whose governments have had years of tensions with the Saudis and the UAE, are a way to underscore the fake news argument. Qatar owns the television network Al Jazeera, one of the many media organizations reporting on Khashoggis disappearance, and Turkish sources were responsible for the first reports that he had been killed. But what Nuseibeh and his ilk are distracting from is that it was Reuters, a source neither Turkish or Qatari, that made the professional news judgment to publish the Turkish claims, and that The New York Times and others have since published follow-up reporting on the allegation including quotes from named officials. Story continues When Kristian Ulrichsen, a Rice University professor, responded to Nuseibehs tweet with a question about Khashoggis location, Nuseibeh had a curt response that again deflected attention from the Saudis: Ask Erdogan and Tamim, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatars ruler Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Human rights activists and friends of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi hold his picture during a protest outside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 8. (Photo: Murad Sezer / Reuters) The real problem is the global media, according to a Monday tweet from Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, an academic in the UAE who is close to the countrys leadership. He said press coverage had been rushed and unfair to Khashoggi. And in a follow-up tweet, he argued that the entire episode had become simply a cudgel with which to bash Saudi Arabia echoing a favorite message of human rights violators around the world, who frequently claim any information about abuses is simply unfair press, while simultaneously denying and justifying their behavior. Scattered throughout messages like these are references to regional forces the Saudis dislike, like Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood movement, and claims of respect for Khashoggi. The implicit signal, particularly to supporters of the regime, is that its time to close ranks and that even demands for clarity are attacks. The spin campaign even has its own branding: the hashtag Qatari intelligence murders Khashoggi began trending on Twitter over the weekend, activist Iyad el-Baghdadi noticed. Researchers and the press have previously documented huge social media campaigns by the governments of the Persian Gulf to delegitimize each other amid their internecine spats. Traditional media has a role to play too. What Khashoggis disappearance really shows is that Saudis cannot feel safe in Turkey, a popular tourist destination in the region, the government-friendly Saudi newspaper Okaz is telling its readers. On Sunday, the Saudi-owned television network Al-Arabiya reported that it had interviewed Khashoggis family members and they challenged a key detail in the story of his disappearance: that he was engaged to be married. They are wrong, wrote Margherita Stancati, a veteran Wall Street Journal reporter. She said her team had independently confirmed Khashoggis engagement. Responding to Al-Arabiyas claim that the family was confident in Saudi authorities handling of the case, Middle East Institute analyst Randa Slim and others noted that Khashoggis family members had been subjected to travel bans and were still inside the kingdom very much within the reach of Saudi officials. One week after Khashoggis disappearance at the Saudi facility in Istanbul, the official Saudi line remains that the kingdom is as confused as everyone else. Top Saudis who are generally in frequent contact with Washington wont even offer answers to American counterparts at the level of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to the Post. The consulate was opened to Reuters with the caveat that its cameras apparently were not working the day Khashoggi came in but Turkeys claims about the killing made it to the agency the same day. Both Riyadh and Ankara say their investigations will continue, with Turkey now suggesting the journalist may still be alive but sticking to the idea that he is in Saudi custody. And despite rising anger in Congress, the Trump administration hasnt publicly ramped up pressure. For now, it appears theres just not enough of an incentive to ditch the spin and tell the truth the worst possible outcome for Khashoggi, his friends and family and many other Saudis who suddenly feel far more vulnerable. I believe Jamal Khashoggi deserves better than partisan spin and rumors driven by political agendas, former State Department official Tamara Cofman Wittes posted on Twitter. #TruthForJamal. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. By Ece Toksabay and Daren Butler ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey said on Tuesday it would search Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi vanished last week, and close ally Britain called on Riyadh to provide "urgent answers" over his disappearance. Khashoggi was last seen one week ago entering the consulate in Istanbul to get documents related to his forthcoming marriage. His fiancee, waiting outside, said he never emerged and Turkish sources said they believe Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, was killed inside the mission. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan asked Saudi Arabia on Monday to prove its assertion that Khashoggi left the consulate. The U.S. State Department said it did not know what happened to Khashoggi and whether he was alive or not. "We don't know what has happened to him. We don't have any information on that," spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters adding: "We don't want to make any judgments about what happened." Saudi Arabia has dismissed as baseless accusations that it killed or abducted Khashoggi, and on Tuesday Turkey's state-owned Anadolu agency said Riyadh had invited Turkish experts and other officials to visit the consulate. Britain urged the Saudi government to explain what happened. "Just met the Saudi ambassador to seek urgent answers over Jamal Khashoggi," U.K. foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter. "Violence against journalists worldwide is going up and is a grave threat to freedom of expression. If media reports prove correct, we will treat the incident seriously - friendships depend on shared values," he wrote. Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the investigation was "continuing intensively". The Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations allowed for consulates to be searched by authorities of a host country with consent of the mission chief, he said. Story continues "The consulate building will be searched in the framework of the investigation," Aksoy said in a written statement. There was no immediate comment on the report from the Saudi authorities. News agency Anadolu later reported that a private plane that had arrived from Saudi Arabia at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport was searched last Tuesday, the day Khashoggi was last seen. The search proved fruitless and the plane took off again afterwards, it said. A Turkish security source had previously told Reuters that a group of 15 Saudi nationals, including some officials, had arrived in Istanbul in two planes and entered the consulate on the same day Khashoggi was there, and later left the country. It was not immediately clear if the Anadolu report referred to one of those aircraft. "FORCED DISAPPEARANCE" Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post newspaper. His disappearance sparked global concern. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he plans to speak with the Saudis without elaborating. Speaking at the White House, he said he did not have details about Khashoggi's disappearance The U.N. human rights office urged both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to investigate what it called the "apparent enforced disappearance" and possible murder of Khashoggi. "We call for cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to make the findings public," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a Geneva news briefing. The two countries have such an obligation under both criminal law and international human rights law, she said. In July, the U.N. human rights office called on Saudi Arabia to release all peaceful activists, including women held for campaigning against a ban on driving as it was being lifted. Khashoggi was once a Saudi newspaper editor and is a familiar face on political talk shows on Arab satellite television networks. He used to advise Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States and Britain. His disappearance is likely to further deepen divisions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Relations were already strained after Turkey sent troops to the Gulf state of Qatar last year in a show of support after its Gulf neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, imposed an embargo on Doha. The two Turkish sources told Reuters on Saturday that Turkish authorities believe Khashoggi was deliberately killed inside the consulate, a view echoed by one of Erdogan's advisers, Yasin Aktay, who is a friend of the Saudi journalist. Erdogan told reporters on Sunday that authorities were examining camera footage and airport records as part of their investigation. He has also said Turkey has no documents or evidence regarding the case. The European Union fully supports U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called on Riyadh to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance, EU policy chief Federica Mogherini said. (Additional reporting by Sarah Dadouch and Ali Kucukgocmen in Istanbul, Andrew MacAskill in London, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Robert Rampton in Washington; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by William Maclean and Alison Williams) By Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that he had accepted the resignation of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and appointed former central bank governor Tito Mboweni as his replacement. Nene faced calls to resign after he admitted visiting the Gupta brothers, friends of scandal-plagued former president Jacob Zuma who have been accused of high-level influence-peddling, and failing to disclose the meetings earlier. Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing. The rand firmed moments before Mboweni was announced finance minister at a ceremony in Cape Town. Ramaphosa said he had received a resignation letter from Nene and had decided to accept it. "It's a measure of his character and commitment to the country that he has decided to resign despite not being implicated in any wrongdoing," the president said. "I am confident that Mr Mboweni will bring the leadership that is needed now," Ramaphosa said. "As former governor of the Reserve bank and before that as minister of labour Mr Mboweni brings with him vast experience in areas of finance, economic policy as well as governance." Nene became a divisive figure in the scandal after acknowledging in a hearing that he had visited the Gupta brothers at their homes in Johannesburg, a confession his opponents said tarnished his credentials. He publicly apologized on Friday. The Gupta brothers - Ajay, Atul and Rajesh - have been accused of using their friendship with Zuma, Ramaphosa's predecessor, to siphon off billions of rand in state funds and of inappropriately influencing cabinet appointments. The crisis over the finance minister had thrown a spotlight on Ramaphosa's promise to crack down on corruption and boost economic growth. (Additional reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo, Alexander Winning and Mfuneko Toyana in Johannesburg; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Jon Boyle) California resident Dan Marker-Moore captured video of SpaceXs first West Coast landing after it launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California, on October 7. This footage shows the rocket lighting up the sky above Los Angeles, California. The launch sparked increased Google searches for UFO after the rockets separation left a dramatic glowing cloud in the sky. The Falcon 9 carried Argentinas SAOCOM 1A satellite, which was deployed 12 minutes after launch. Credit: Dan Marker-Moore via Storyful Ruins from the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi taken by Paddy Dowling: Paddy Dowling The sweet stench of death hangs thick and heavy in the early evening air at Perumnas Balaroa, Palu, Indonesia. Approximately 300 families perished in this area alone on 28 September in an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale. There were 1,763 recorded deaths (now 1,948 and counting), 2,632 injured and 62,659 internally displaced people (IDP) camps in Mamuju and Makassar. To an expansive backdrop of devastation on an apocalyptic scale, locals gather together to recite the Quran and pray for friends and relatives lost. Positioned on a mound, Budi, 35, head of media for Indonesian based NGO, Garbi who deliver emergency meals, drinking water and medical services, looks down to the ruins of where his parents house once stood. His solitary figure motionless, heavy, and silent, he scrambles down the bank and pulls a box from between the shards of concrete, which contains his mothers shoes, a memory for him to hold on to. Beyond the banana and coconut trees is the ruin of Darul Muttaqin Mosque where 35 bodies are being excavated after being cocooned in the buildings that swallowed them. Bubba, 65, who lives 220km from here in Pose, has waited patiently for eight days for news of his missing son feared buried below the rubble. Aged 28, he worked as a laptop repair specialist in the shadow of the mosque at JL Kenanga street. The endless excavated bodies hang limp hands and feet protruding from every bucket of mud dumped in long piles. Body bags zipped up then lined up. Men, women and children the youngest no more than three years in age. The hot air astir with flies. In the centre of Palu, Lewi Kai, 44, sits and waits alongside emergency workers dressed in an array of orange, green and yellow overalls. The rescue team work in rotation searching for Lewis wife, her body still trapped in the five-storey building that collapsed on her. They cut sections through the reinforced concrete floor layer by layer to reach her. With the search now in its eighth day, all hopes of finding her alive have faded. His eyes heavy from grief, he realises she will inevitably form another number in the toll of those that so tragically lost their lives in north Sulawesi. Story continues With nightfall, an eerie silence falls across the town of Palu, in contrast to the sound of enormous machinery grinding through rocks and metal searching for the victims of this disaster by day. Muhammadiyah University, which once taught the next generation of young professionals in the region, has now been repurposed as makeshift accommodation for search and rescue teams, aid workers and IDPs. Lewi Kai sat and waited for news of his wife next to the building that collapsed on her as rescue workers rotated in shifts around the clock to recover her body (Paddy Dowling) The coastal town of Donggala, situated an hours drive north of Palu, was once a popular tourist hotspot for many Europeans. Now it is littered with overturned vehicles jammed in against the few trees left standing. The only westerners left in the area are the very few permitted to operate as NGOs, as Indonesias government keep the humanitarian assistance in-house and in-country. The exceptions only being made to those with local delivery partners on the ground. Fadlullah Wilmot, head of mission for Muslim Aid Indonesia, says: Even though Indonesia is used to earthquakes, this event is significant and has prompted the government to announce it as a national disaster. A long road lies ahead for government humanitarian agencies and the people involved to rebuilding their lives and their livelihoods. YKMI, the Indonesian partner of UK-based NGO Muslim Aid, is cooperating with other local partners to deliver food, clean drinking water and shelter. 850km south of Donggala, the smell of burning rubbish fills the air at the Sudiang Hajj home in Makassar, south Sulawesi Indonesias newest IDP camp providing temporary housing for around 10,000 people flown out of Palu by Indonesian Air Force Hercules transport planes. An endless stream of small open top trucks arrives in an overwhelming public display of solidarity, bringing donations of food, bottled water and clothing to assist the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in north Sulawesi. International NGOs such as GlobalMedic from Canada wait for permits to access the disaster zones around Palu, helping where they can. Daniel Cyr and his colleagues arrive on site at the IDP camp in Makassar to help repurpose bottled water greatly needed in the affected areas. Their small-sized AR3 emergency water purification system is capable of treating 14,400 litres of water per day enough to provide 3,500 people with the drinking water they need. Streams of new arrivals step down wearily off buses from Makassar airport, assisted by the military, carrying what little possessions they have left from their homes, a majority who fled with just the clothes on their back. An elderly gentleman is carried into the makeshift processing hall. Too exhausted to walk, Rahman, 75, from Palu, clings to the back of an army soldier who carefully places him into a chair. He sits alone, quietly, in shock, staring at his hands in his lap as he nervously twiddles his thumbs. His cap casting enough shadow over his eyes to hide the emotion from view, he says: The sea reared up like a cobra before it swallowed every main road and alleyway. Rahman and his family ran for their lives: They were right beside me but when I looked back they were gone. He lost 10 members of his family that day. This tragedy, although a harsh reminder of the fragility of mankind in the face of mother nature, has failed to dull the spirit and compassion of the residents of north Sulawesi. Their incredible resilience in the face of adversity will prove vital to rebuilding their towns, villages and lives. Paddy Dowling is a humanitarian photojournalist who collaborated with Muslim Aid as part of his research for this article Tehran (AFP) - A twice-stolen ancient Persian artefact is in Tehran's national museum after a New York court ordered it returned to Iran. "It now belongs to the people who made it in the first place, and who are now going to preserve it, and is part of their identity," Firouzeh Sepidnameh, director of the ancient history section of the National Museum told AFP on Tuesday. The limestone relief was handed over to Iran's representative at the United Nations last month and was personally brought back to Iran by President Hassan Rouhani, returning from the UN General Assembly. The bas-relief, approximately 25 centuries old, depicts the head of a soldier from a line of Immortal Guards. It was discovered in an archaeological dig in the early 1930s at Persepolis, capital of the Achaemenid Empire near today's central Iranian city of Shiraz. The artefact was stolen four years after it was found, and ultimately ended up at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts where it was again stolen in 2011. It was seized by the Manhattan district attorney's office in 2017 when it resurfaced and was put on sale at an art fair. "The international community has evolved enough to realise every artefact must return to its point of origin," said Sepidnameh. WASHINGTON (AP) The moment conservatives have dreamed about for decades has arrived with Brett Kavanaugh joining the Supreme Court. But with it comes the shadow of a bitter confirmation fight that is likely to hang over the court as it takes on divisive issues, especially those dealing with politics and women's rights. With Kavanaugh taking the place of the more moderate Anthony Kennedy, conservatives should have a working majority of five justices to restrict abortion rights, limit the use of race in college admissions and rein in federal regulators. The newly constituted court also might broaden gun rights, further relax campaign finance laws and halt the expansion of the rights of LGBT people, who three years ago won the right to marry nationwide with Kennedy in the majority. Yet Kavanaugh may have a hard time putting behind him the tumultuous confirmation process, which ended with the Senate voting 50-48 to confirm him Saturday, the narrowest margin of victory for a Supreme Court nominee in 137 years. "In the public mind, there will always be this dark cloud hanging over the court, even if Kavanaugh is eventually embraced by all his colleagues on the court," said Elizabeth Wydra, president of the liberal Constitutional Accountability Center. That cloud stems from allegations of sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior by Kavanaugh while he was in high school and college, along with his politically charged testimony that labeled the look into his past a political hit job by Democrats. Kavanaugh has forcefully denied any inappropriate behavior with women. He also acknowledged in a Wall Street Journal column that some of his testimony went too far, but did not apologize for anything he said. The bitter partisan fight over the confirmation could continue in another form if Democrats take control of the House after the November elections. Key House Democrats have said they would investigate Kavanaugh. In the meantime, the focus will be on the court's new majority's willingness to take on controversial issues. Story continues A potential early test is two cases involving state efforts to strip public money from Planned Parenthood. The justices are considering appeals from Kansas and Louisiana. Lower courts have blocked the states from going forward. The court could announce Tuesday that it has rejected the appeals, if the justices voted that way in their private conference Friday. But they also could defer action to allow Kavanaugh to weigh in. It is far from certain that the court will move precipitously on this or any high-profile issue. "It's not going to be lost on anyone on the court that everybody is going to be watching the new court to see which issues they engage in," said Paul Clement, solicitor general under President George W. Bush. The justices could look for cases that are more likely to produce consensus, including those about privacy protections in the digital age, Clement said. Some contentious issues, though, will be harder to avoid because federal law compels the court's involvement. In coming months, the issue of drawing political districts for partisan advantage will return to the court in a case from North Carolina. Last term, the justices failed to set limits on the practice known as partisan gerrymandering in cases from Maryland and Wisconsin. Kennedy was seen as the conservative justice most likely to side with liberals on the issue. His retirement dimmed the hopes of proponents of such limits. New state restrictions on abortion could make their way to the Supreme Court soon, along with challenges to the Affordable Care Act and protection from deportation for young immigrants. The leader of an anti-abortion group that supported Kavanaugh foreshadowed the fight to come in a statement issued just after the confirmation vote. "Judge Kavanaugh's distinguished judicial career has been built upon his constitutionalist approach to law, and we trust that this will serve all Americans well when Roe v. Wade inevitably comes before the Supreme Court for review," said Catherine Glenn Foster, president of Americans United for Life, referring to the court's landmark 1973 abortion rights ruling. Kavanaugh's arrival on the court after the most tumultuous confirmation battle since Clarence Thomas faced allegations of sexual harassment by Anita Hill in 1991 hardens the alignment of party and ideology: five conservatives appointed by Republican presidents and four liberals by Democrats. That was true with Kennedy on the bench, but he voted with the liberals in cases that preserved abortion rights and affirmative action, expanded LGBT rights and limited capital punishment. Two of those liberal justices, speaking Friday at Princeton University, talked about the court's legitimacy, without mentioning their new colleague. "Every single one of us needs to realize how precious the court's legitimacy is. You know we don't have an army. We don't have any money. The only way we can get people to do what we think they should do is because people respect us," Justice Elena Kagan said. Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the nine justices recognize the small world they inhabit, suggesting that the tense atmosphere surrounding Kavanaugh's nomination is unlikely to be replicated on the court. "We have to rise above partisanship in our personal relationships. We have to treat each with respect and dignity and a sense of amicability that the rest of the world doesn't always share," Sotomayor said. Chief Justice John Roberts has been especially sensitive to portrayals of the court as a political institution. That perception has waxed and waned over the years, but it was particularly strong following the Bush v. Gore decision that sealed Bush's 2000 election. On a practical level, the four liberal justices need a vote from the right side of the court in which they otherwise divide on the familiar ideological fault lines. Kennedy and Sandra Day O'Connor were justices "who found the center," Kagan said, "and that's enabled the court to look as though it was not owned by one side of the other. It's not so clear that you know going forward that that sort of middle position it's not so clear whether we'll have it." In stressing Kavanaugh's frequent agreement with Judge Merrick Garland on the federal appeals court in Washington, the new justice's backers seem to be suggesting that Kavanaugh's vote cannot be taken for granted. "I saw him rule in favor of liberal parties. I saw him rule in favor of criminal defendants who were unsympathetic. For 12 years, I saw him rule where the law led and I expect him to do the same on the Supreme Court," said Justin Walker, a University of Louisville law professor and former Kavanaugh law clerk. But the more widely held expectation among court watchers is that Roberts, who joined with the liberal justices to uphold President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, will determine how far and fast the court moves. "You might think of him as the swing vote, but it's less that he will be up in the air in various cases. But he will be important in determining which cases the court takes, how quickly they move and how they decide cases," Clement said. For Wydra, the new role for Roberts underscores the court's shift to the right. "I guess he is now the new center, which is rather frightening considering how conservative he is," she said. ___ Associated Press writer Mike Catalini contributed to this report from Princeton, New Jersey. ___ More reporting on the Supreme Court and Kavanaugh can be found at: http://apne.ws/IHcZXad Damascus (AFP) - Syria's President Bashar al-Assad issued a general amnesty Tuesday for army deserters and those who have avoided compulsory military service during the country's seven-year civil war, state media said. Tens of thousands of Syrian soldiers have deserted since the start of the war in 2011, some of them joining rebel factions and others either hiding at home or escaping abroad. A similar number is estimated to have avoided completing compulsory military service. The fear of being sent to the front line has kept many male Syrian refugees from returning to their home country. On Tuesday, Assad declared "a general amnesty from any penalties for military deserters inside and outside the country," SANA said. Those who had been charged with deserting but who were on the run inside the country would have to hand themselves in within four months to Syrian authorities. Charged deserters who fled outside Syria would have six months to present themselves to authorities, SANA said. It did not specify whether defectors who then went on to fight the Syrian army were included in the pardon. While it mentions being exempt from "penalties", Tuesday's decree did not specify if defectors or draft dodgers would ultimately be sent to serve. The decree includes "a general amnesty from any penalties for crimes under Law 30 for Military Service", which governs the country's conscription. Before Syria's conflict erupted in 2011, men aged 18 and older had to serve up to two years in the army, after which they became reserves available for call-up in times of crisis. In the past seven years, fatalities, injuries and defections are estimated to have halved the once 300,000-strong army. To compensate, the force has relied on reservists and militias as well as indefinitely extending military service for young conscripts. An estimated 150,000 Syrian men are dodging compulsory military service, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Story continues Several similar pardons have been granted in recent years but it is unclear how many Syrians made use of them. More than 360,000 people have been killed and millions displaced from their homes since the war started with the brutal repression of anti-Assad protests. In May, the army issued orders for men conscripted for compulsory service in 2010 to return home after eight years of fighting. TAOYUAN, Taiwan (AP) Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen hosted her Paraguayan counterpart Tuesday at a military exercise in a sign of the island's determination to withstand China's diplomatic onslaught. The joint land and air training exercise simulated an attempt by Chinese forces to attack a Taiwanese air base in the north of the island. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has been whittling away at the self-governing island's pool of diplomatic allies, leaving it now with just 17, including Paraguay. Defense Ministry spokesman Chen Chong-chi said inviting Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez to view the exercise alongside Tsai would "help strengthen the friendship between the two countries" and boost future civilian and military exchanges. Taiwan and China separated amid civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control by force if deemed necessary. Last month, the United States recalled its envoys to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama after decisions by those nations to cut ties with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with China. While Washington formally recognizes only China, it remains a close Taiwanese ally and maintains a de facto embassy in the island's capital, Taipei. China cut off contacts with Tsai's government shortly after her 2016 inauguration and has repeatedly demanded that she endorse the "one-China" principle that designates Taiwan as a part of China. Along with poaching diplomatic allies, China has blocked Taiwan's participation in international meetings such as the World Health Assembly and has pressured multinational companies ranging from fashion brands to airlines to describe Taiwan as part of China. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also sent warships, bombers and fighter planes on training missions circling the island in an attempt to intimidate Tsai's supporters. Xi has declared that the issue of bringing Taiwan under Chinese control cannot be postponed indefinitely and some analysts believe he is determined to accomplish that feat during his time in office. DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh has dismissed as "nonsense" claims by the Saudi crown prince that Saudi Arabia can replace sanctions-hit Iranian oil in the market. "(Mohammed) bin Salman's remarks and such bragging can only satisfy (U.S. President Donald) Trump. No one else will believe him. Iran's oil cannot be replaced by Saudi Arabia nor any other country," Zanganeh was quoted as saying on his ministry's website. Prince Mohammed told Bloomberg on Friday that the kingdom had met its promise to Washington to make up for Iranian oil supplies lost through U.S. sanctions, reimposed when the United States exited a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six powers. Washington is pushing allies to cut imports of Iranian oil to zero and will impose a new round of sanctions on Iranian oil sales in November. But Iran, OPECs third-largest producer, has repeatedly said that its oil exports cannot be reduced to zero because of high demand levels in the market and has blamed Trump for an oil price rally caused by imposing sanctions on Tehran. "The price hike in the market is the best evidence to state that ... the market faces a supply shortage and it is worried," Zanganeh said. Zanganeh accused Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia of bowing to U.S. pressure, saying such remarks had no "real impact on the market" but were part of a psychological war launched against Iran. "Any country that makes such claims ... just wants to display its support for the U.S. sanctions against Iran," Zanganeh was quoted as saying. "What the Saudis had been supplying the market with, were not from Riyadh's spare capacity but from tapping its oil stocks," Zanganeh said, according to the website. Iran has warned that if it cannot sell its oil due to U.S. pressure, then no other regional country will be allowed to do so either, threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. government official said on Friday that the administration was considering waivers on Iran's oil sanctions. Oil dropped to around $83 a barrel on Monday. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by Dale Hudson and Jason Neely) Zaudaika (Ukraine) (AFP) - More than 12,000 people were evacuated after ammunition stored at an arms depot in northern Ukraine began exploding early on Tuesday sparking a huge fire, authorities said. Security services said they were investigating "possible sabotage" in the incident at a defence ministry depot near the village of Druzhba, in the northern Chernigiv region around 135 kilometres (85 miles) northeast of Kiev. Emergency services said they had no information of any fatalities, while regional authorities said more than 60 people required medical help for smoke inhalation. Grey and white smoke billowed and a fireball briefly lit up the sky above the depot, an AFP photographer saw, while explosions rumbled every one to two minutes. A defence ministry official said Tuesday afternoon the fire had been localised and "the intensity of the explosions is continuing to go down." The fire and explosions began around 3:30am local time (0030 GMT) at the Number Six depot, which covers an area of about 700 hectares (1,700 acres), the emergency services said. Four explosions went off in different parts of the depot before a fire broke out, said the deputy head of Ukraine's General Staff, Rodion Tymoshenko, adding that "this mean it's most likely sabotage," implying Russia's involvement. Kiev forces have been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country since 2014 in a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people. More than 12,000 people were evacuated from the area at risk, the emergency services said. In the nearby small town of Ichnya, streets appeared deserted and were patrolled by police and the National Guard. Shells "flew over the house at three o'clock in the morning, whistling overhead," said Ichnya resident Pavlo Grebenyuk who returned to put out the flames after taking his family to a safe location. "It was scary, very scary." President Petro Poroshenko called a meeting of the heads of security forces and promised to give residents all the necessary help, his spokesman wrote on Facebook. Story continues Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman travelled to the scene and chaired a meeting of emergency services officials. "The main thing is to preserve people's lives. Whatever's destroyed, we will rebuild," he wrote on Facebook. Authorities closed the airspace in a 30-kilometre radius around the site, as well as rail and road traffic. More than a hundred firefighters worked at the scene, while the defence ministry sent firefighting tanks. - 'Possible sabotage' - The defence ministry denied a claim by the emergencies service that the depot contained 88,000 tonnes of ammunition, while saying the real quantity was a secret. More than half the ammunition had already been removed from the depot and taken to safer sites before the fire broke out, Tymoshenko of the General Staff said. The SBU security service confirmed that it was looking into "possible sabotage." Ukrainian infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan claimed on Facebook that for those seeking the cause of the incident: "there is only one answer: Russia-Moscow-Kremlin." Military prosecutors opened a probe into possible negligence by officials, however. Stockpiles of outdated ammunition dating back to the Soviet era often cause fires and explosions in Ukraine and Russia. This was the sixth major fire in three years at an arms depot of the Ukrainian army. In March 2017, a huge fire set off explosions at a depot in the town of Balakliya in the Kiev-controlled part of eastern Ukraine, killing one person and injuring five others. Ukrainian authorities blamed that incident on an "act of sabotage". phot-dg-ant/am/ma/pvh The president also claimed the allegations of sexual assault or misconduct were all made up and a disgrace Donald Trump talks to reporters before he departs for a speech in Florida on Monday. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Donald Trump has said newly-confirmed supreme court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault or misconduct by three women, was caught up in a hoax that was set up by the Democrats. Speaking to reporters before departing for a speech in Florida on Monday, Trump said the allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh were all made up, it was fabricated and its a disgrace. Kavanaugh was accused by several women of sexual misconduct, including California professor Dr Christine Blasey Ford, who testified under oath that he assaulted her at a party when the two were in high school. Kavanaugh has denied all the allegations. Trump had once said he found Fords testimony credible, telling reporters after she testified on Capitol Hill that she was a very credible witness. She was very good in many respects. However, he has since increasingly questioned her testimony, openly mocking her at a campaign rally last week in Mississippi. However, the use of the word hoax marked Trumps most direct attack on Kavanuaghs accusers overall throughout the confirmation fight, which culminated in the judges confirmation on Saturday by the US Senate by a vote of 50-48. He hailed the vote at a campaign rally later that night in Kansas where he told a crowd I stand before you today on the heels of a tremendous victory for our nation, our people and our beloved constitution. Speaking later on Monday afternoon Trump amplified his views about Kavanaughs treatment by Democrats during the confirmation fight, when he gave a speech in Orlando, Florida, before the International Association of Police Chiefs. It was a disgraceful situation brought about by people who are evil, said Trump, who also described Kavanaugh as flawless. The president also told reporters on Monday morning that he thinks many Democrats will vote Republican in next months midterm elections because they are angry about Kavanaughs treatment. Republican strategists in races across the country have pointed to a surge of energy among conservative voters in recent weeks, particularly in Senate races. Story continues One top Republican strategist, who preferred not to be named, told the Guardian: The Kavanaugh issue has reset the playing field in a major way that I frankly didnt expect at all. Its got our side energised. However, the Republican cautioned that it remains to be seen whether this lasts for the next three weeks or not. Although Kavanaugh was formally sworn in as a supreme court justice on Saturday evening after the final vote while angry protesters banged on the huge front doors of the court building in Washington there was due to be a ceremonial swearing at the White House on Monday evening where Trump himself will administer the oath of office. There is no-one more qualified in the world to become the next US ambassador to the United Nations than Ivanka Trump, her father Donald has claimed. Speaking to the media on the White House lawn, the US president described his second child as "dynamite". He told reporters that he has heard the 36-year-old's name discussed for the post, but said if he selected her he'd be accused of nepotism. The position became available after Nikki Haley announced she would be resigning from the role and will be leaving the administration by the end of 2018. Video: Nikki Haley Resigns From Post As UN Ambassador For more news videos visit Yahoo View. Mr Trump, who referred to Ms Haley as a "very special" person during a media appearance in the Oval Office, said he had known for six months that she may want to take time off from the role to spend time with her family. She in turn paid tributes to Ivanka and her husband Jared, who are both presidential advisers. "I can't say enough good things about Jared and Ivanka," she said. "Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands. Ivanka has just been a great friend. They do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about because we are a better country because they're in the administration." Ms Haley announced her decision to resign on Tuesday morning(AP) While discussing potential replacements, the president acknowledged he'd be "accused of nepotism" if he selected his daughter for the role. But he was nevertheless enthusiastic about her potential suitability for the position, saying: "Ive heard Ivanka, how good would Ivanka be? "It has nothing to do with nepotism but people who know know that Ivanka would be dynamite. Id be accused of nepotism even if theres no one more competent in the world." An attempt to place Ivanka in the role could spell more drama on Capitol Hill after weeks of wrangling over the new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh - as the cabinet-level position needs approval from the Senate. Story continues Ms Haley, a former governor, had her nomination approved 96-4. Following her resignation, the president discussed the possibility of Ms Haley "hopefully" returning to the Trump administration "in a different capacity." Washington (AFP) - A top Senate ally of President Donald Trump warned Monday of a "devastating" impact on the US alliance with Saudi Arabia if allegations are confirmed that the kingdom killed a prominent journalist. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Riyadh must provide "honest answers" after a Turkish government source said that the Saudis killed Washington Post opinion contributor Jamal Khashoggi when he visited the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. "We agree that if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid -- economically and otherwise," Graham tweeted. "Our country's values should be and must be a cornerstone of our foreign policy with foes and allies alike," he said. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned in a tweet against governments attacking journalists outside their countries. "I have raised Jamal's disappearance personally with the Saudi ambassador, and while we await more information, know we will respond accordingly to any state that targets journalists abroad," he wrote. Trump and his administration have not commented on the fate of Khashoggi, whom Saudi Arabia insists left the Saudi consulate. Graham has a close relationship with Trump, especially on defense policy. A military hawk, Graham has enthusiastically supported Trump's policy of working with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states to contain the influence of Iran. Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for a thorough and open probe by Washington's ally Saudi Arabia into the disappearance of Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi, after President Donald Trump voiced concern for the journalist. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and US resident, had written articles critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of Khashoggi's planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate on October 2 and has not been seen since. Turkish officials allege he was murdered inside the consulate. Riyadh denies that and claims he left the compound on his own. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement. State Department senior officials have spoken with Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about the matter, the top US diplomat added. Pompeo's statement came after Trump earlier on Monday told reporters at the White House: "I am concerned. I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully that will sort itself out." "Right now, nobody knows anything about it. There are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," he added The issue threatens to strain the close relationship Prince Mohammed has forged with the Trump administration, which until now has been willing to turn a blind eye to alleged Saudi human rights violations in Yemen, where it leads a coalition bombing Houthi rebels that has killed thousands of civilians. Trump has instead focused on US and Saudi shared interests in ratcheting up pressure on Iran. But two senior senators of Trump's Republican party warned Monday that the relationship could be imperiled if the stories about Khashoggi are correct. - 'A heavy price' - Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Riyadh must provide "honest answers" about the journalist. Story continues "We agree that if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid -- economically and otherwise," Graham tweeted. "Our country's values should be and must be a cornerstone of our foreign policy with foes and allies alike," he said. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned against governments attacking journalists outside their countries. "I have raised Jamal's disappearance personally with the Saudi ambassador, and while we await more information, know we will respond accordingly to any state that targets journalists abroad," he wrote. Vice President Mike Pence said he was "deeply troubled" about reports of Khashoggi's fate. "If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights. The free world deserves answers," Pence said on Twitter. The Washington Post, for which the self-exiled Khashoggi wrote columns over the past year, pressed for release of evidence. "If Mr Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate, it will cast the Saudi regime and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a new and disturbing light and require a thorough reevaluation of US-Saudi relations," the newspaper said in an op-ed. Khashoggi, 59, had a long career as a senior journalist in Saudi Arabia and also as an advisor to top officials. But since the emergence of Prince Mohammed, 33, as the center of power in the kingdom last year, Khashoggi has been openly critical of the monarchy. He has assailed the prince's reforms as hollow, accusing him of introducing a new Saudi era of "fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming." Turkish police have not yet been inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul - AFP Turkey has demanded that Saudi Arabia allow police to search the Istanbul consulate where a prominent Saudi journalist disappeared last week, a Turkish official said, as the US called for a "thorough investigation". Yasin Aktay, an advisor to the Turkish president, said Saudi Arabia had not yet agreed to let investigators search the facility as part of their investigation into the fate of Jamal Khashoggi. Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who criticised the Saudi government, has not been seen since last Tuesday, when he entered the consulate to file paperwork. Turkish officials have said privately they believe Mr Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered inside the consulate but Turkeys government has not publicly made the explosive accusation. Donald Trump, in the first expression of concern by his administration on Mr Khashoggi's disappearance, said he was troubled by reports about the journalist's fate. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," the US president said. Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since last Tuesday Credit: AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, later called for a thorough and open probe by Saudi Arabia into Mr Khashoggi's disappearance. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Mr Pompeo said in a statement, adding they had seen "conflicting reports". Saudi Arabia has insisted Mr Khashoggi left the consulate on Tuesday and that the Saudi government had nothing to do with his disappearance. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, challenged Saudi officials to prove their claim that Mr Khashoggi had left the consulate. "Consulate officials cannot save themselves by saying that he left the building," Mr Erdogan said. "If he left, you have to prove it with footage." Story continues The Turkish authorities have demanded to be allowed to search inside the consulate but they are still waiting for a response from the Saudi side, Mr Aktay told The Telegraph. Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, said last week his country had nothing to hide and would not object to a search of the consulate. The Saudi consul-general allowed journalists into the consulate but police have yet to search the facility for forensic evidence. Mr Aktay said he did not know whether Mr Khashoggi had been murdered. I can confirm he entered the consulate and he didnt come out. Everything is possible: either he was killed, or he was extracted from the consulate, or something else. Turkish investigators are looking at a group of 15 Saudi nationals who landed in Istanbul on private jets on the day of Mr Khashoggis disappearance and left the country immediately after, Mr Aktay said. Mohammed bin Salman has said his country "has nothing to hide" Credit: REUTERS/Amir Levy/File Photo Investigators are focusing on two black vans with Saudi diplomatic plates which left the consulate shortly after Mr Khashoggi entered the building, according to the Sabah newspaper. The vans may have been used to move Mr Khashoggi or his body. The Washington Post called on the US government to demand answers from Saudi Arabia about Mr Khashoggis disappearance and urged Turkey to make public any evidence it has of murder. The US State Department has said it is following the case but gave no indication it was putting pressure on Saudi Arabia. Mr Aktay said Turkey would make an official declaration very soon but that first the investigation must be completed. The Foreign Office called the murder allegations extremely serious and said it was working urgently to establish the facts. The pro-Saudi al-Arabiya site published an interview with Motasem Khashoggi, a relative of the journalist, who said the family had trust in the Saudi government and its handling of the case. He accused foreign media of using his brothers disappearance to attack our country for negative purposes. Many supporters of Crown Prince Mohammed have made similar claims online, saying the case was part of a Muslim Brotherhood plot to damage Saudi Arabia. By Gulsen Solaker ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish police detained 90 people on Tuesday over suspected links to outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels, the government said, and the main pro-Kurdish party decried the arrests as a politically motivated crackdown. The operation across eight provinces was continuing, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The arrests come days after President Tayyip Erdogan warned he would replace any mayors elected in next year's local elections if they were deemed to have links to terrorism. Erdogan accuses the main pro-Kurdish party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), of links to the PKK. The HDP denies this and says it is unjustly targeted by the government. More than 140 HDP members had been detained over several days, the party said on Sunday. Ninety-four of 102 municipalities in Kurdish-majority cities and towns are now administered by trustees, rather than their elected mayors. Authorities removed those mayors, elected in the last municipal elections in 2014, in the security crackdown that followed an attempted military coup in 2016. "Elections are nearing," Erdogan said at a meeting of his AK Party (AKP) over the weekend, referring to the March 2019 local vote. "If those involved with terror come out of the ballot box, we shall appoint trustees without delay." One prominent HDP lawmaker, Garo Paylan, said the arrests were politically motivated, and were part of the AKP's campaign strategy for the 2019 election. "The AK Party has started its local election campaign from Diyarbakir by detaining journalists, politicians and theologians," Paylan said on Twitter. Diyarbakir is the largest city in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The autonomy-seeking PKK, deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and Europe, has waged an insurgency against the state since 1984. Violence across the southeast escalated after the collapse of a ceasefire in 2015. Turkey has in recent months conducted regular strikes on PKK bases in northern Iraq, especially the insurgents' stronghold in the Qandil mountains, where Ankara has also threatened to carry out a ground offensive. The PKK killed a Turkish soldier and wounded four others in a missile attack on Tuesday on a military post in Turkey's Cukurca region, the local governor's office said. The missiles were fired from northern Iraq, it added. (Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by David Dolan/Mark Heinrich) ISTANBUL With diplomatic tensions boiling over a missing and presumed dead Saudi journalist, a team of Turkish police waited outside the heavily guarded Saudi Consulate in Istanbul Tuesday as officials from the kingdom said they would agree to allow local authorities to search the premises. The standoff caps a dramatic week that started when Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi writer, went on a routine trip to complete some simple paperwork. But after he walked into the Saudi Consulate last week, he never walked out. The international murder mystery has sent shockwaves throughout the region as accusations fly over the disappearance of a Saudi citizen on the diplomatically immune grounds of Saudi Arabias compound in Istanbul. This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet and made available Tuesday is reported to show Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018. (Image: CCTV/Hurriyet via AP) Public CCTV images from the street outside the consulate showed Khashoggi entering it on Tuesday, but dont show how he left. Saudi officials said their security cameras were not recording on the day of Khashoggis visit. Turkish police are investigating whether Khashoggis body may have been hacked into pieces and removed in boxes loaded into black vans with diplomatic license plates, pro-government Turkish newspaper Sabah reported. We believe that the murder was premeditated and the body was subsequently moved out of the consulate, Turkish officials said Saturday. Theres some pretty bad stories going around I do not like it, President Trump told reporters at the White House Monday night after several U.S. senators warned of potential consequences for Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. The Saudis have denied any knowledge of what happened to Khashoggi, but the Turks are not convinced. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is personally following the investigation, and told reporters the consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying, he has left. Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi speaks at an event hosted by Middle East Monitor in London on Sept. 29, 2018. (Photo: Middle East Monitor/Handout via Reuters) Khashoggi is of the Arab worlds most prominent journalists. Over his decades-long career, he regularly appeared on television as a commentator on Middle East politics, and in 1988, he even interviewed U.S.-backed militants in the late-Cold War campaign against Soviet rule in Afghanistan. Among them was another Saudi citizen named Osama bin Laden, who would go on to become the infamous leader of al-Qaida and the mastermind of 9/11. Story continues Before becoming a critic of the monarchy, Khashoggi had long been close to the Saudi elite, once serving as an advisor to the kingdoms chief of intelligence. But he left Saudi Arabia in 2017 after an aggressive power grab by the young Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and he began writing columns speaking out against the government. Though initially applauded internationally as a reformer, the crown prince quickly showed his preference for ruling with an iron fist purging disloyal royals on corruption charges, arresting scores of activists and womens rights campaigners, and pursuing an unpopular and devastating war in Yemen. It was painful for me several years ago when several friends were arrested. I said nothing. I didnt want to lose my job or my freedom, Khashoggi wrote last September. I have made a different choice now. I have left my home, my family and my job, and I am raising my voice. Members of the Turkish-Arab journalist association hold posters with photos of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi as they hold a protest near the Saudi Arabia Consulate in Istanbul on Monday. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Friends of Khashoggi say he repeatedly told them he feared for his life, and was apparently nervous ahead of his visit to the kingdoms consulate on Oct. 2. He needed to file papers finalizing a divorce so he could marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting for him outside the consulate. Before going in, he gave her his phone and told her that if anything happened, she should contact Turkish officials. Unfortunately, when she called us, it was already too late, said Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan. We never had the chance to protect him or help get him out while he was alive, Aktay told Yahoo News. Saudi officials first told Reuters that reports that Khashoggi had gone missing were false and baseless. Then, in a prescheduled interview with Bloomberg reporters in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed touched on the debacle, saying, My understanding is he entered and he got out after a few minutes or one hour. He added, We have nothing to hide. But the Turks say something isnt adding up. Turkeys state news agency reported investigators are paying special attention to a team of 15 Saudis who arrived in Istanbul by plane, visited the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi, and left the same day. So far, Erdogan has been cautious not to escalate the situation. Turkey has been at odds with the House of Saud since they found themselves on opposite sides of the Qatar-Gulf crisis last year, but they have yet to clash directly. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves during a rally in Kizilcahamam, central Turkey on Sunday. Asked by journalists about Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished Tuesday while on a visit to the Saudi Consulate, Erdogan said, God willing, we will not be faced with the situation we do not desire. (Photo: Presidential Press Service via AP, pool) This is a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-dont situation for the Turks, says Selim Sazak, an analyst at the Washington, D.C.-based think-tank the Century Foundation. Inaction after a brazen killing on foreign soil could be seen as giving Saudi Arabia a green light to continue clamping down on dissidents without any repercussions, says Sazak. If the Americans and Europeans arent willing to do more than give MBS a slap on the wrist, then Turks are going to have to ask themselves, Can we fight this fight alone? Sazak told Yahoo News, using an acronym to refer to Crown Prince Mohammed. The crown prince has been emboldened in recent months after a diplomatic spat with Canada that started with a tweet and ended with none of Canadas allies coming to its aid after it faced massive sanctions from the Saudis for criticizing its record on human rights. The worst impulses of brutal regimes are coming forward because no one is standing up against them, says Ned Price, former National Security Council spokesman in the Obama White House. The Saudis obviously have a lot of leverage, as we saw with their attempts to bully the Canadians, Price told Yahoo News, adding, I suspect the Turks wouldnt want to risk the massive retaliation the Saudis can muster. A security guard walks in the Saudi Arabia Consulate in Istanbul Tuesday. Turkey said Tuesday it will search the consulate as part of an investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Relations between Turkey and the U.S. have never been worse, amid economic and political crises, and anger over Americans jailed on charges of links to terrorist groups. Trump is known to be staunch supporter of the Saudi royal family, and White House appointees have rarely criticized the kingdom. But a number of Democratic and Republican senators have stepped out of line to warn Saudi Arabia that while it may be an ally, its actions could have repercussions. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said there will be a heavy price to be paid, economically and otherwise if the Saudi government is found to be guilty of any wrongdoing. Shawn Carrie is a journalist covering conflict, migration and human rights in Iraq, Syria and Turkey. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today he would not have given the concessions given in January 2015 if it was he who had been finance minister at that time. He told a media briefing that in any case he would not disassociate himself with the decision to give concessions by this government of which he was also a minister. What we inherited from the previous government's crony capitalist system was a fiscal time bomb, the minister said and admitted to the fact that most of the MPs had imported vehicles by the time the government had decided to suspend duty-free vehicle permits. The minister said the government would have to re-visit the need if any for the vehicle permit system any longer. He said by October this year 1.4 million LCs had been opened for the import of vehicles and some 1.6 million vehicles were to be imported. At this rate, Sri Lanka no doubt, will experience a vehicle tsunami, the minister said and added that it was essential for Sri Lanka to adopt an export driven economy and would submit with more proposals to control imports and enhance exports in the wake of the rupee devaluation. There are false notions on the rupee devaluation. It would not have been too bad if the country was not affected by a debt burden as it is the case at present, he said and underscored the fact that the countrys debt servicing would amount to Rs.4 trillion during the next two years. The minister said the releasing of dollars from our reserves was not an effective solution to devaluation and citing an example he said the rupee was devalued by 14 per cent despite the decision taken by the previous regime to release US$250 million from the reserves. He said the Indian rupee has devalued more than the Sri Lankan rupee though India had released $40 billion from its reserves. Moving on to politics, the minister said the report that efforts were being made to form a interim government was a story fabricated and planted by the opposition to scare off investors and pointed out that such a government was a day dream of the 16 SLFP dissidents who had crossed over to the opposition. (Yohan Perera) Video by RM Ankara (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has agreed to let Turkish authorities search the kingdom's Istanbul consulate after prominent journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi went missing last week, the Turkish foreign ministry said Tuesday. "Saudi authorities said they were open to cooperation and that a search can be conducted at the consulate building," the ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement. The search will take place as part of the official investigation, which was being conducted "in an intense manner", he said without giving any date. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who wrote for Arab and Western media, vanished last Tuesday after visiting the consulate to obtain official documents. Turkish police were looking into two private aircraft which landed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport on Tuesday at different times carrying 15 people of interest in the case, as well as the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and taken aboard one of the planes, local media reported. Previously Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg that Riyadh would be ready to welcome Turkish officials to search the premises. Ankara sought permission Sunday to carry out a search after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time, Turkish television reported. Riyadh's envoy in Ankara was first called to the ministry on Wednesday. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government adviser, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year fearing possible arrest. He has been critical of some policies of the crown prince and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen. - Mystery team of 15 - While Riyadh claimed he had left the consulate after his visit, Turkish police said Khashoggi did not emerge from the building. Government sources said police believe the journalist was killed inside the consulate. Police also said a team of 15 Saudis were sent to Istanbul and were in the building at the same time as Khashoggi. Story continues Turkish security officials were working to identify the 15 individuals, English-language state broadcaster TRT World reported, adding that Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have taken the consulate's CCTV footage with them when they returned to Saudi Arabia. According to pro-government daily Sabah, the team arrived in Istanbul on two private planes, one which landed after 03h00 (0000 GMT) on Tuesday while the second plane landed around 17h00 (1400 GMT) after Khashoggi entered the consulate. The individuals checked into two hotels close to the consulate, the daily said. Both planes later returned to Riyadh with one stopping in Dubai and the other in Egypt, Sabah reported, adding the police were looking into the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped. The planes belonged to a company based in Saudi Arabia which has links to the state. Istanbul police experts were analysing vehicles which entered and left the consulate, some of which were then seen on camera last Tuesday at the consul-general's residence, 200 metres away, the daily said. The newspaper also claimed that Turkish employees at the residence were "hastily" told to take a holiday on the day Khashoggi went missing. BUDAPEST/ANKARA, WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called on Riyadh to prove its claim that Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing since last week, left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, while the Washington called on Saudi Arabia to support an investigation into his disappearance. The disappearance of Khashoggi, previously a prominent newspaper editor in Saudi Arabia and an adviser to its former head of intelligence, has sparked global concern, particularly after Turkish sources said over the weekend that authorities believed he was killed inside the consulate. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year, saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy in the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent. He entered the consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday to get documents for his forthcoming marriage. Saudi officials have said that he left shortly afterwards but his fiancee, who was waiting outside, said he never appeared. "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying 'he has left'," Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest, where he is on an official visit. Erdogan, who said he was personally following the case, added that Turkey had no documents or evidence regarding the case. A Saudi source at the consulate has denied that Khashoggi had been killed at the mission and said that the accusations were baseless. The consulate has also denied that Khashoggi was abducted. Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince's brother, echoed these comments in a statement, adding that his country has sent a security team, with Turkey's approval, to assist in the investigation. U.S. President Donald Trump, in the first expression of concern by his administration on Khashoggi's disappearance, said he was troubled by reports about the journalist's fate. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," he told reporters at the White House. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged the conflicting reports about the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi. He said that senior state officials have been in communication with Riyadh. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr. Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," he said. Vice President Mike Pence said, "Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights. The free world deserves answers" in a Tweet on Monday evening. Khashoggi is a familiar face on political talk shows on Arab satellite television networks and used to advise Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States and Britain. His disappearance is likely to further deepen divisions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Relations were already strained after Turkey sent troops to the Gulf state of Qatar last year in a show of support after its Gulf neighbors, including Saudi Arabia, imposed an embargo on Doha. TURKEY ASKS TO SEARCH Turkey has asked for permission to search Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, broadcaster NTV said on Monday. A Turkish official said Saudi Arabia's envoy to Ankara had been summoned to the foreign ministry for a second time on Sunday. "It has been conveyed to him that we expect full coordination in the investigation process," the official said. The two Turkish sources told Reuters that Turkish authorities believe Khashoggi was deliberately killed inside the consulate, a view echoed by one of Erdogan's advisers, Yasin Aktay, who is a friend of the Saudi journalist. Erdogan told reporters on Sunday that authorities were examining camera footage and airport records as part of their investigation. Saudi Arabia's consul in Istanbul opened his mission to Reuters on Saturday in an effort to show that Khashoggi was not on the premises. (The story is refiled to remove extraneous words in headline.) (Reporting by Gergely Szakacs in Budapest and Tuvan Gumrukcu, Ece Toksabay, Tulay Karadeniz in Ankara, Jeff Mason and Yara Bayoumy in Washington, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Writing by David Dolan Editing by Toby Chopra, Dan Grebler, Toni Reinhold) Following the news of UN Ambassador Nikki Haleys resignation on Tuesday, Twitter was abuzz with speculation that she could be replaced by first daughter Ivanka Trump. When talking about her decision to vacate her post, Haley offered praise for Ivanka Trump and described her husband, Jared Kushner, as a hidden genius that no one understands. The outpouring of tweets on the topic included, If TRUMP actually launches Ivanka as a new US ambassadorIm not going to be surprised at all! Im going to be rolling my eyes but surprised? NO..! and, Wouldnt surprise me if Nikki Haleys replacement was Ivanka. Video: Nikki Haley Resigns From Post as UN Ambassador For more news videos visit Yahoo View. Actor Michael Ian Black offered a possible scenario of how that appointment could play out over time, writing: Hes going to make Ivanka UN Ambassador. Then hell run her as VP in 2020. Then shell be president, life will finally catch up to House of Cards, and then we can cancel Netflix. What Im saying is, in the long run, Nikki Haley quitting could save us 8 bucks a month. Another Twitter user imagined a chain-of-events as well, noting, Ivanka likely wants to go back to New York. UN ambassador would give her job & platform at UN. If Trump fires Sessions, Graham replaces him as AG, Trump would have AG who would do his bidding. Haley would be appointed Senator of SC by Republican Gov. Notably, Haleys kind words about Jared did not go overlooked. Among the tweets acknowledging them were, Nikki Haley thanks Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, says they do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about, and, Why do I get the hype Nikki Haley gave Jared is trying to line him up for her position hidden genius. I thought it was going to be Ivanka. You know it is going to be someone that is highly controversial anyway. By Roberta Rampton, Steve Holland and Michelle Nichols WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Nikki Haley, a rising Republican star, said on Tuesday she was stepping down as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but knocked down speculation that she might challenge President Donald Trump at the next election. Sitting beside Trump in the Oval Office, Haley said her 18-month stint at the United Nations had been "an honor of a lifetime" and that she would stay on until the end of the year. A former governor of South Carolina and the daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley, 46, is the highest profile woman in Trump's Cabinet and has often been seen as a possible presidential candidate. Haley criticized Trump during the 2016 election campaign but has been the face of his "America First" policies at the United Nations, steering the U.S. withdrawal from several U.N. programs and ardently defending his hard-line policies against Iran and North Korea over their nuclear programs. Haley said in her resignation letter to Trump that she would "surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020" and would instead support his re-election bid. She referred to returning to the private sector and some media reports said she had debts to pay off. But Haley also said she did not have any future plans set, and her decision surprised many at the White House and the United Nations. Speaking to reporters later on Tuesday aboard Air Force One, Trump said he had five people on his short list for U.N. envoy, including former White House adviser Dina Powell, a friend of Haley's. Trump said U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, was not on the short list but that he was willing to consider him. Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, who is a senior adviser to her father, ruled herself out of consideration in a Twitter post. He had said she would be "incredible" in the role and acknowledged he would be accused of nepotism if he nominated her. HIGH PRAISE Trump said Haley had told him six months ago that she was thinking of leaving by the end the year "to take a little time off." He was effusive in his praise of her. "She has done an incredible job. She is a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody that gets it," Trump said on Tuesday. "She's done a fantastic job and we've done a fantastic job together." Haley's name has come up as possible Republican running mate in the last two presidential elections and she could also become a U.S. senator if fellow South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham takes up a job in the Trump administration, as is often speculated. Trump suggested the two of them jointly announce Haley's departure in the Oval Office, an administration official said, noting that Haley was the only outgoing senior member of Trumps administration to be feted in this way. Returning the favor, Haley praised Trump and his family for their support. She described Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and aide, as "such a hidden genius that no one understands" for his work on renegotiating the NAFTA trade deal and preparing a long-awaited Middle East peace plan that has not yet been released. The feel-good nature of her resignation was markedly different from other high-profile departures from Trump's Cabinet. Trump unceremoniously announced his firing of former secretary of state Rex Tillerson in March in a tweet. Haley was seen by her counterparts at the United Nations as a voice of clarity in a U.S. administration that often gave off mixed signals on foreign policy, diplomats say. "Nikki Haley is one of the most talented, most authentic U.S. government officials that I have ever met," said U.N. ambassador for France, Francois Delattre. But she has been overshadowed in recent months by the appointments of Trump loyalist Mike Pompeo as secretary of state and hawk John Bolton as White House national security adviser. Pompeo has led policy on talks with North Korea, while Bolton has taken the lead on trying to implement Trump's hard line against Iran. DOMESTIC CREDENTIALS A convert to Christianity in her 20s after being raised a Sikh, Haley is popular with religious conservatives in the South. Her status as a potential candidate for national high office was boosted in 2015 when she ordered the Confederate battle flag to be pulled down at South Carolina's state capitol grounds after a white supremacist gunman shot dead nine black worshipers at a church in Charleston. Haley has also applauded women who come forward to denounce sexual abuse or misconduct by men and said they should be heard, even if they are accusing Trump. "Women who accuse anyone should be heard," Haley said last December after accusations against three members of Congress. "They should be heard, and they should be dealt with." Referring to women whose accusations brought down powerful men, like movie producer Harvey Weinstein, Haley said: "I'm proud of their strength. I'm proud of their courage." Haley has long taken a tougher public stance on Russia than Trump, who has sought better relations with President Vladimir Putin. Haley raised eyebrows within the administration when she announced in April that Washington was going to impose sanctions on Moscow over its support of Syria's government. Trump then decided not to go ahead with the move. Haley fought against what she called anti-Israel bias at the United Nations, and sometimes seemed to be channeling Trump's abrasive style of diplomacy. Last year, she upset U.S. allies and foes alike by warning that the United States would be "taking names" of countries that backed a U.N. resolution criticizing Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Echoing previous statements from Trump, Haley said on Tuesday that the United States under his presidency is now respected around the world. "Now the United States is respected. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. They know that if we say we're going to do something, we follow it through," she said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton, Steve Holland in Washington and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; additional reportng by Doina Chiacu, Makini Brice, Susan Heavey, Patricia Zengerle and Lisa Lambert in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell; editing by Mary Milliken, Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool) HOUSTON (Reuters) - Nearly 40 percent of daily crude oil production was lost from offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico wells on Tuesday because of platform evacuations and shut-ins ahead of Hurricane Michael. Oil producers - including Anadarko Petroleum Corp , BHP Billiton , BP and Chevron Corp - have since Monday evacuated personnel from 75 platforms as the storm made its way through the central Gulf on the way to landfall on Wednesday on the Florida Panhandle. The country's largest privately owned crude terminal, the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port LLC, said on Tuesday it had halted operations at its marine terminal. The facility is the only port in the United States capable of fully loading and unloading tankers with a capacity of 2 million barrels of oil. Companies turned off daily production of about 670,800 barrels of oil and 726 million cubic feet of natural gas by midday on Tuesday, according to offshore regulator the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The evacuations affected about 11 percent of the occupied platforms in the Gulf, it said. U.S. crude futures settled up less than 1 percent at $74.96 per barrel, reflecting the declining importance of the Gulf of Mexico in output because of the growth of production from the nation's onshore shale fields. Crude output lost in the two days of storm shut-ins represents about 9 percent of the U.S. production of 11.1 million barrels per day, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. In addition to shutting in wells, oil producers also halted most offshore drilling operations by evacuating three drilling rigs and moving eight others out of the storm area, BSEE said. Coastal and onshore energy businesses also started preparations for what is expected to become a Category 3 storm packing winds of at least 111 miles per hour (178 km per hour). Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspectors at Southern Co's Farley Plant near Dothan, Alabama, about 100 miles (160 km) from the coast, were observing final storm preparations at the 1,751 megawatt (MW) nuclear power station on Tuesday, NRC spokesman Joey Ledford said in an email. One megawatt can power about 1,000 U.S. homes on average. Story continues The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday closed the ports of Panama City and Pensacola, Florida, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway east of Perdido Pass to vessel traffic, citing expectations for gale force winds within 12 hours. Other ports further west were still operating normally. However, operations including rail car loadings will cease at 5 p.m. at the State of Alabama's Mobile port, spokeswoman Sheri Collins said. Pilots who bring vessels into the port's ship channel halted transport due to rough seas and will resume after the storm passes, she said. (Reporting by Gary McWilliams and Scott DiSavino; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Marguerita Choy) By Hyonhee Shin and David Brunnstrom SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday hailed "significant progress" in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the weekend and said the sides were "pretty close" to agreeing details for a second summit between Kim and President Donald Trump. However, experts questioned what Pompeo had achieved on Sunday on his fourth visit to Pyongyang this year. They said the North Korean leader appeared simply to be repackaging and dragging out past pledges. Pompeo told reporters Kim had said he was ready to allow international inspectors into North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site and the Sohae missile engine test facility as soon as the two sides agreed on logistics. However, Pompeo declined to say whether there had been any movement on North Korea allowing inspectors to visit its Yongbyon site, which produces fuel for nuclear weapons, as the United States has sought. North Korea has said it could permanently close Yongbyon if Washington took "corresponding measures," of which there has so far been no sign. In May, North Korea blew up tunnels at Punggye-ri and called this proof of its commitment to end nuclear testing, but a senior White House official accused Pyongyang at the time of breaking a promise to allow experts to witness dismantlement of the site, which meant there was no one there to verify what actually occurred. Pompeo did not say when inspectors would be allowed to Punggye-ri, and the State Department did not respond when asked if they would be Americans or others from international nuclear bodies. "There's a lot of logistics that will be required to execute that," Pompeo told a news briefing in Seoul before leaving for Beijing, where the frosty tone of talks will raise worries about China's willingness help maintain a tough U.S.-led sanctions regime on North Korea. "SELLING THE SAME HORSE TWICE" Experts said the offer on inspections amounted to dressing up of an old, unfulfilled pledge as a new concession. "The real takeaway from this Punggye-ri pledge is that Kim has mastered the art of milking a single cosmetic concession for months to burn clock," Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said on Twitter. "We are still talking about Punggye-ri and Sohae 6 months after he pledged to dismantle them. Brilliantly selling the same horse twice." Even so, Pompeo said both sides were "pretty close" to agreement on the details of a second summit, which Kim proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump in a letter last month. "Both the leaders believe there's real progress that can be made, substantive progress that can be made at the next summit," Pompeo said. Trump and Kim held an historic first summit in Singapore on June 12 at which Kim pledged to work toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. However, his actions have fallen short of Washington's demands for a complete inventory of its weapons and facilities and irreversible steps to give up its arsenal. Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea who accompanied Pompeo to Pyongyang, said he offered to meet his counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, "as soon as possible" and they were in discussion over time and place. Pompeo told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday his latest trip to Pyongyang was "another step forward" to denuclearization, but there were "many steps along the way". INSPECTION At last month's inter-Korean summit, the North expressed its willingness to close Yongbyon if Washington took corresponding action, which Moon said would include a declaration of an end to the 1950-53 Korean War. Moon also said the North would "permanently dismantle" Sohae missile engine testing site in the presence of experts from "concerned countries". Pyongyang's failure to keep its pledge to allow international inspections at Punggye-ri in May fanned criticism that the move could easily be reversed. In July, satellite imagery indicated it had begun dismantling the engine test site, but also without allowing outside verification. The 38 North project said last week that no dismantling activity had been spotted since Aug. 3. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Kim had invited inspectors to visit Punggye-ri to confirm it had been irreversibly dismantled. Skeptics of Trump administration policy said it was difficult to see what Pompeo had achieved. "Did Mike Pompeo go all the way to Pyongyang for party planning purposes?" Daniel Russel, the chief U.S. diplomat for East Asia until last year, said on NBC. "Is this just to set up a yet another summit without a clear understanding of what thats going to generate?" Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency was upbeat. It said on Monday Kim lauded his talks with Pompeo and "explained in detail the proposals for solving the denuclearization issue." "Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over the productive and wonderful talks with Mike Pompeo at which mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged," KCNA said. Kim said the bilateral dialogue would continue to develop "based on the deep confidence between the two leaders", and expressed gratitude to Trump for making a sincere effort to implement the agreement made at their June summit, KCNA said. KCNA also said the two sides agreed to hold working negotiations for the second summit as early as possible. But it made no mention of inspections. North Korea had denounced Pompeo on his previous trip to Pyongyang in July for making "gangster-like demands". Pompeo did not meet Kim on that trip. Moon also spoke positively of Pompeo's latest meeting with Kim. He said it set up conditions for another Trump-Kim summit and help denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Moon said Kim was expected to visit Russia soon and that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was also expected to travel to North Korea, but did not elaborate. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had invited Kim to visit, but the time and place had yet to be agreed. (This version of the story corrects 4th paragraph to make clear that Washington has been seeking inspection of Yongbyon. North Korea has offered conditionally to close the site, but has not made a public comment on its inspection.) (Reporting by Joyce Lee and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Peter Cooney, Michael Perry and Paul Tait) When Dara Khosrowshahi was biking around San Francisco with his wife and children a few months ago, a guy drove by and shouted, Couldnt afford an Uber? Khosrowshahi served as the CEO of Expedia (EXPE) for 12 years, but his leadership experience did not prepare him for the scrutiny hed face when he became the CEO of Uber. Speaking at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit 2018 on Tuesday, Khosrowshahi said he was most scared of the public profile of the job. Despite Expedia being a consumer-facing company, Khosrowshahi was hardly a household name. Now, he gets recognized on the street, in restaurants, and everywhere in between, much to his familys chagrin. Im still honestly getting comfortable with it. My wife gets pissed at me because people come by our table to chat. Most of it is pretty positive. Theres a lot of ideas that come out, he said. At Expedia, I had a chairperson with whom I was aligned. We built a company together without the public glare that we have now on Uber. Its exciting when you read about it and you can try to imagine what its like, but until youre in the seat you really dont know how it feels, he added. After Uber founder Travis Kalanick was ousted as CEO in June, Khosrowshahi inherited a beleaguered company that had endured months of scandals and negative press. Over Khosrowshahis tenure, Uber has invested heavily in advertising campaigns and countless public appearances to prove that the company is turning over a new leaf. The culture change is still happening, but it doesnt happen overnight. There was a very different view of Uber from the inside versus the outside. We believe that we can be a force for good. We demonstrated that externally on how weve approached regulators, cities, and on the safety front. Were deeply rooted in what were doing, which is democratizing movement for everybody. You never stop working on the culture of a company, he said. Dara Khosrowshahi says he was most nervous about one thing before taking the helm of Uber last year. He insists theres no bad blood between him and Kalanick, despite the founders unceremonious departure. Story continues I interact with Travis at board meetings. Offline we talk every once in a while. I think he wants to help the company, but he also wants to do his own thing. Hes an entrepreneur at heart hes off to building another business. Hes provided me advice when I need it, he said. When asked whether hes nervous about Kalanick vying to take back the company post-IPO, which is on track to happen in 2019, Khosrowshahi said hes not worried. I want to be in my job as I deserve this job. Im focused on building a team and creating a company that we as a team can be proud of. The job will take care of itself. Melody Hahm is a senior writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm. Read more: Uber CEO: Were going after groceries next Elon Musks brother Kimbal is personally delivering Tesla Model 3s London (AFP) - British and Irish ministers on Tuesday played down hopes of a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations at an EU summit next week, suggesting it would take until November to clinch a divorce deal. European Union leaders have demanded real progress by the October 18 meeting, to allow time for any deal to be approved by the bloc's parliaments before Britain leaves in March next year. British Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told MPs the October meeting "will be an important milestone, we expect that to be a moment where we will make some progress". But on actually getting a deal, he said: "We've always been clear we would aim for the October council but there would be leeway, that it might slip into November. We're still clear on that." Raab declined to say when London would publish its updated plan on how to keep open the border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, a key sticking point in the talks. In Dublin, where the Irish government unveiled a 1.5-billion euro ($1.7 billion) "rainy day fund" to cushion the country from major economic shock of Brexit, foreign minister Simon Coveney also looked to November. Negotiations had "intensified signficantly this week" on trying to resolve the Irish issue, he said. But, he added:"I suspect November will probably be needed as well as October to get agreement on that." EU leaders have held out the possibility of a special November summit to seal the overall divorce deal, but only if there is progress before then. - Northern Irish opposition - British Prime Minister Theresa May's Europe advisor Olly Robbins is in Brussels this week as the two sides step up private negotiations in what some have called a "diplomatic tunnel" leading up to the summit. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said last week the chances of a deal were now rising, but London has been trying to dampen expectations, insisting it will not pressured. Story continues Coveney speculated that Britain would not formally publish its Irish plan, instead preferring to thrash it out with the EU behind closed doors. The issue is particularly sensitive for Prime Minister Theresa May, because her majority in the House of Commons depends on the support of a small Northern Irish party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). DUP leader Arlene Foster was in Brussels on Tuesday for talks with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. She made it clear she would reject any deal that, with the goal of keeping the Irish land border open, established new checks between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. "We could not support any arrangement that would give rise to customs or regulatory barriers within the UK internal market," she told reporters after the talks. London believes frontier checks can be avoided through a new trade deal with Brussels, but accepts the need for a fall-back plan, or backstop, to address the issue until that deal is agreed. It has rejected the EU proposal that Northern Ireland stay aligned to the bloc's customs and regulatory rules, saying this would effectively carve off the province from the rest of Britain. But it has yet to publish its own alternative, offering only a partial plan to keep the whole of Britain aligned with EU rules for a limited time. This has been rejected by both Brussels and many British eurosceptics. May's proposal for the future trade deal, meanwhile, has also been roundly rejected by the EU. Raab repeated May's demand that the EU give ground, however, saying Britain had made ambitious and pragmatic proposals. "It is quite right now to expect the EU to move in our direction and if they do match that ambition, if they do match that pragmatism, I am confident that we can still reach a deal," he said. On Friday, the EU ambassadors from the 27 non-British member states will meet in Luxembourg to discuss Brexit in the run-up to the summit, a diplomatic source said. burs-ar/jj London (AFP) - Britain warned Monday there were still "big issues" to resolve in Brexit negotiations with the European Union, even as hopes grow in Brussels of a breakthrough just days before a crucial summit. Technical discussions resume in Brussels this week, with both sides racing to bridge their differences over the toughest issues of the Irish border and future trading ties. The EU summit on October 18 has been characterised by the bloc as a "moment of truth" in the divorce talks, just months before Britain leaves on March 29, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said at the weekend that the chances of a deal are now rising. British Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said the government was "working hard for a deal this autumn and that continues at pace". But he added: "There remain big issues to work through and as the prime minister has said, this will require movement on the EU side. "There is a difference between people talking optimistically about a deal, and a deal including both the withdrawal agreement and the future framework actually being agreed," he said. - 'Precise' trade declaration - As months of negotiations come to a head, tensions erupted last month at a summit in Salzburg where the EU roundly rejected May's plan for close economic ties after Brexit. But she is sticking to her proposal, which she argues would protect cross-border trade while also resolving the problem of how to keep open Britain's land border with Ireland. The first sign of any common ground will come on Wednesday, when EU negotiator Michel Barnier will present the first draft of his proposed statement on post-Brexit economic and security ties to ambassadors of the EU's other 27 member states. A senior EU official involved in the Brexit negotiations told AFP that the document may be intentionally vague, in case Britain wants to change its red lines in the future. Story continues However, May's spokesman said Britain was seeking a "precise" declaration on the shape of the future relationship. He noted that MPs in the House of Commons will have to approve the statement alongside the Brexit divorce deal, and would want to do so "on an informed basis". The divorce deal covers the issues of Britain's financial settlement and EU expatriates' rights, which are largely resolved, as well as the issue of Ireland. London and Brussels agree they want no return to physical border checks between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, but disagree on how to achieve this. Britain believes checks can be avoided through a new trade deal, but accepts the need for a fall-back plan -- a backstop -- to ensure this until that deal can be agreed. London has rejected the EU's proposal but has yet to put forward in full an alternative, promising only it will be published "shortly". The problem stems from Britain's desire to leave the EU's single market and customs union after Brexit, which would inevitably mean the reintroduction of checks in Ireland. Britain is keen to develop its own independent trade policy, and welcomed a declaration by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday that it could join the Pacific trade deal. Business leaders, meanwhile, called for politicians to focus on getting a Brexit deal. "No matter how fed up we are with the running in circles of it all, we have to do everything within our power to avoid no deal," said Carolyn Fairbairn of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) lobby group. burs-ar/dt/nla The doctor, who was involved in the Boralesgamuwa accident in which a Police Inspector was killed, was re-remanded till October 16 by the Gangodawila Magistrate today. The Inspector attached to the Police Field Force Headquarters was killed while his wife and two children were injured in a head-on collision between their vehicle and the Jeep driven by the doctor on September 30. Traffic DIG Ajith Rohana said the police had asked for the doctor to be re-remanded because the investigations into the tragedy were still not completed. She was undergoing treatment at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital under police custody. The Police said the doctor was under influence of liquor at the time of the accident. A breathalyzer test soon after the accident and shown she had more than 80 milligrams of liquor in her blood stream. (Darshana Sanjeewa) Niamey (AFP) - Algeria must immediately stop collective expulsions of African migrants across its border with Niger, a UN report said, after rights groups accused Algiers of rounding up and expelling thousands of people to the desert. Algeria has sent around 35,600 Nigeriens back to Niger since 2014, according to International Organisation for Migration (IOM) figures cited in the report, including more than 12,000 since the start of the year. "These collective expulsions from Algeria to Niger are in utter violation of international law," Felipe Gonzalez Morales, UN special rapporteur on human rights for migrants, said in the report, a copy of which was provided to AFP on Tuesday. "I call on the government of Algeria to abide by its international obligation and halt with immediate effect all collective expulsions of migrants to Niger." The North African state has denied abandoning migrants in desolate border areas but said it faces an influx of sub-Saharan Africans crossing over from Mali and Niger. - Rounded up at night - Niger is a major trafficking route for migrants trying to reach Europe, with the EU estimating 90 percent of West African migrants pass through the country before moving on to Algeria, Libya or elsewhere. Sub-Saharan migrants have regularly been rescued from the Niger desert -- or their bodies discovered -- after attempting to cross in soaring temperatures with little food or water. The UN report said migrants are rounded up from their homes in Algeria often at night without having time to get dressed, or collect their belongings or money. Some of them have lived and worked in the country for years with children going to local schools, it said. Others are beaten and held at police stations before being transported by bus to the border, where they are forced to walk through the desert to the nearest town, the report added. Algeria says it faces "unfounded criticism" and its efforts have stopped thousands of migrants crossing its territory in their attempts to reach Europe. Morales in the report also calls on Niger to reform its anti-trafficking law, saying it penalised migrants as well as smugglers. By Mayela Armas CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government said on Monday that a jailed opposition lawmaker killed himself by jumping from the 10th floor of the state intelligence agency headquarters (SEBIN) where he was being held, but his party said that he was murdered by the government. Municipal lawmaker Fernando Alban, 56, was jailed last Friday for alleged involvement in the explosion of two drones during a military parade in August that was led by President Nicolas Maduro, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said in a post on Twitter. "At the moment he was going to be transported to court, while he was in the SEBIN waiting room, he jumped from the window of the building and fell, causing his death," Reverol wrote. That account differed from the one by Chief Prosecutor Tarek Saab, who said in televised statements that Alban had asked to use a bathroom and jumped from there. The opposition First Justice party, to which Alban belonged, said it was holding Maduro's government responsible. "With great pain and thirst for justice we tell the people of Venezuela ... that Councilman Fernando Alban was murdered at the hands of the regime of Nicolas Maduro," the party said. First Justice's national coordinator, Julio Borges, said Alban's lifeless body was thrown from the SEBIN's headquarters on Caracas' Plaza Venezuela. He did not provide evidence for this nor did he say what led him to believe that Alban was killed. The party said that Alban's arrest was owing to statements he made at the United Nations General Assembly last month in New York City denouncing humans rights violations in Venezuela. The government had previously given no reason for his arrest. On Monday, Reverol said Alban had also been investigated for "destabilizing activities directed from abroad." Alban's assistant, Mileidy Blanco, told Reuters outside the SEBIN, "I was telling him to leave the country, for him to go with his family. And he didn't do it. He loved the country too much." Alban's lawyer, Joel Garcia, told reporters that when he last saw him on Sunday "he was not beaten, he was fine." He said Alban told him that he had been interrogated but not tortured. The opposition and rights groups have said that Maduro's administration is holding hundreds of political prisoners on trumped-up charges intended to stifle dissent. The United Nations has said detainees are often subjected to ill treatment, including some documented cases that amount to torture. Authorities have arrested at least 30 people linked to the drone explosions on Aug. 2, which injured seven soldiers. The government has denied that it is detaining people as political prisoners and has said that they were fairly jailed. Jorge Millan, another Justice First legislator, said a delegation of lawmakers had immediately gone to SEBIN's headquarters to request answers on Alban, who was municipal counselor for a Caracas district and had two children. The Organization of American States (OAS) condemned Alban's death. "Direct responsibility of a regime that tortures and murders. This criminal dictatorship must go now from Venezuela," OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said on Twitter. (Reporting by Mayela Armas Additional reporting by Corinas Pons and Vivian Sequera; Writing by Angus Berwick Editing by Brian Ellsworth and Peter Cooney) Heres a daily overview of some key companies and business developments that the Yahoo Finance UK team is monitoring in Europe and abroad: Jaguar Land Rover pausing production Britains biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover will close its Solihull plant for two weeks later this month after it reported a nearly 50% fall in sales to China. The closure is being blamed on new import duties and Chinas trade war with the United States, which has hurt Chinese demand. Additionally, about 45% of the firms sales are diesel models, which have been hit by clampdowns and tax rises in some countries as governments try to cut air pollution. As part of the companys continued strategy for profitable growth, Jaguar Land Rover will align supply to reflect fluctuating demand globally as required, a spokesman said in a statement. Jaguar Land Rover manufactures nearly one in three British-made cars. Shares in Jaguar Land Rovers parent company Tata Motors (TATAMOTORS.BO) fell by about 13% on the Bombay Stock Exchange after the news came out. Tata Motors shares in New York (TTM) are also down sharply premarket. LVMH earnings The luxury powerhouse LVMH (MC.PA), which owns brands including Fendi and Christian Dior, is set to report its third quarter results on Tuesday after trading in Paris closes for the day. Shares in the company have surged by more than 15% since the start of this year. Pakistan: New bailout plan Pakistans government says it plans to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilize its shaky economy and avoid a wider crisis. The countrys currency (PKRUSD=X) has fallen by roughly 20% since December versus the US dollar as investors have pulled out of emerging markets and directed their money back into a strengthening US economy. In 2013, the IMF lent Islamabad $6.7 billion. Its expected Pakistan will need a bigger sum this time around. But the IMF is likely to demand painful economic reforms that would clash with the political agenda of new Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had promised to build an Islamic welfare state. This could be the countrys 13th IMF bailout since 1988. With files from Reuters After a bruising confirmation battle, partisan tension remains the order of the day in Washington. With a rebuke that is sure to be reprised ahead of Novembers midterm elections, President Trump once again scolded Senate Democrats as he presided over a ceremonial swearing of in Brett Kavanaugh as the newest justice of the United States Supreme Court in the East Room of the White House on Monday. Kavanaughs actual swearing in was on Saturday night, shortly after he was confirmed by the Senate. I would like to begin tonights proceedings differently perhaps than any other event of such magnitude, Trump began. On behalf of our nation, I would like to apologize to Brett and and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and destruction. What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process. Our country a man or a woman must always be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. And with that I must state that you, sir, under historic scrutiny were proven innocent. In fact, an investigation like that performed by the FBI last week lasting just five days and involving nine interviews did not prove innocence. The FBI simply failed to find corroboration for the allegations against Kavanaugh. President Trump and new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at Mondays ceremony. (Photo: Susan Walsh/AP) Christine Blasey Fords testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee divided the nation. She and two other women accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, but the president avoided mentioning their names and accusations during Mondays ceremony. All of the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee praised Ford for offering her account of Kavanaughs alleged sexual assault, and many Senate Republicans said they found her testimony believable. With the fate of his nominee still uncertain, the president even called Ford a very credible witness. Story continues Brett Kavanaugh is ceremonially sworn in on Monday by retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, with Kavanaughs wife and daughters and President Trump looking on. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) After being sworn in by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the man whose seat on the court he will now occupy, Kavanaugh veered away from the sharp partisan tone he employed when testifying before the Judiciary Committee. In a combative prepared statement on Sept. 27, Kavanaugh lashed out at Democrats for what he called a calculated and orchestrated political hit. On Monday, however, he cited his support for the advancement of women and announced that he had hired four female law clerks, calling it a first in the history of the Supreme Court. The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional, Kavanaugh said. That process is over. My focus now is to be the best justice I can be. I take this office with gratitude and no bitterness. On the Supreme Court, I will seek to be a force for stability and unity. My goal is to be a great justice for all Americans. As he did in a striking op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal last week, Kavanaugh portrayed himself as a judge who would not harbor resentment of the process he had just endured. I was not appointed to serve one party or one interest, but to serve one nation, Kavanaugh said. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: * Sara Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing * Charges focus on catered meals at PM's residence * Prosecutors say meals cost state more than $100,000 * Rules ban such catering if cook employed at home By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus wife, Sara, appeared in court on Sunday for the first hearing in the fraud trial against her, in which she is alleged to have misused state funds in ordering catered meals. According to the indictment filed in June, Sara Netanyahu, along with a government employee, fraudulently obtained from the state more than $100,000 for hundreds of meals supplied by restaurants, bypassing regulations that prohibit the practice if a cook is employed at home. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. She was charged in June with fraud and breach of trust and of aggravated fraudulent receipt of goods. If convicted, Sara Netanyahu could face up to five years in prison. Looking tense as she walked into Sunday's hearing, she made no comment to reporters and sat on a bench behind her lawyers. Israeli media reports said the session would deal with procedural matters. Sara Netanyahus lawyers contend the indictment does not hold up because the regulations for ordering meals were legally invalid and a household employee had requisitioned the food despite Netanyahu's protestations. "If we even get to the stage of presenting evidence, I do believe Your Honour may laugh," one of her attorneys, Yossi Cohen, told the court. She was not asked to enter a plea. The prime minister, who himself is embroiled in a series of corruption investigations, has called the allegations against his wife absurd and unfounded. Sara Netanyahu, 59, has inspired a multitude of headlines in the past over what family spokesmen call an undeserved reputation for imperiousness. In 2017 the Netanyahus won a libel suit against an Israeli journalist who said Sara once kicked her husband out of their car during an argument. In 2016, a Jerusalem labour court ruled that she had insulted and raged at household staff in the prime ministers official residence. Story continues It seemed unlikely Sara's present legal woes would cause significant political damage to her husband, now in his fourth term as Israels leader and riding high in opinion polls despite the allegations against him. Accusations he has made against the Israeli media of orchestrating a politically motivated witch-hunt against him and his wife appear to have struck a chord with his right-wing voter base, which has rallied in support of the 68-year-old leader. The next national elections in Israel are scheduled for November 2019, but some political analysts predict a snap election will be held sooner. (Writing by Maayan Lubell Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Dale Hudson) The planet is even closer to catastrophe than scientists previously predicted, according to a new report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report, that took 3 years to create and included 91 authors from 40 countries, says the planet will reach the crucial threshold of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels as early as 2040. Scientists predict that any higher than 1.5C and the effects will be irreversible. There is extreme urgency and countries were giving their pledges after the Paris agreement and so far, the progress has not been good enough, said World Meteorological Organizations secretary, Petteri Taalas. Earth is already two-thirds of the way to reaching this disastrous level, and according to co-chair of the IPCC, Panmao Zhai, the planet is already feeling the effects through more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and diminishing Arctic sea. The report also says in order to limit global warming, governments around the world must take rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society. But President Trump has long-criticized climate change measures. My plan also includes a promise to cancel billions and billions of dollars in climate change spending for the United Nations, he said in a campaign speech in 2016. Back in 2017, President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, an environmental action accord signed by 195 nations to help stop climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron, who helped lead the Paris Climate Agreement reiterated his passion to stop climate change in a tweet. The #IPCC brings scientific proof: we have everything we need to combat climate change. But everyone has to act now! #OnePlanetSummit @COP24 @UNFCCC https://t.co/IiEOVdrgt1 Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 8, 2018 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his country wont contribute any more money to the Global Climate Fund, while the White House has yet to comment on the report. If temperatures rise even .5C higher than the crucial point, almost all coral reefs would be wiped out, and nearly 10 million people would be affected due to sea levels rising .1 meters. Because what is the meaning of our life, really, if we work and live destroying the planet, one sacrifice things for the future of our children, said French President Emmanuel Macron. By Daniel Trotta NEW YORK (Reuters) - People who were born in New York City and do not identify as male or female can now opt for a third gender category of X on their birth certificates. Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the provision into a law on Tuesday, making New York City the fifth place to do so after California, Oregon, Washington state and New Jersey. Three states and Washington, D.C., also allow gender-neutral driver licenses. Transgender advocates have been pressing governments to allow identity documents to be more easily changed to match gender identity. They say strict male and female categories are a form of discrimination against transgender people that labels them against their will. The New York City law allows nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people to change their birth certificates from the M or F designation they were assigned at birth to X with a personal affidavit. No document from a doctor is required. "This change may seem small but it is monumental," said Tanya Asapansa-Johnson Walker, a transgender activist who took part in the signing ceremony and spoke of the anxiety that goes with living with gender-mismatched identification. "Imagine having to out yourself over and over and over again to strangers," Walker said. "Future generations will not have to suffer." Among those participating in the ceremony was actor Asia Kate Dillon, a nonbinary person who plays one on the cable television series "Billions." Assigned female at birth, Dillon identifies as neither male nor female and uses they, them and their as pronouns. The gender-neutral birth certificate follows a 2014 law that allowed transgender people in New York City to easily change the gender on their birth certificates from male to female or vice versa by removing the requirements of a legal name change and surgery. Now non-binary people can choose the third option. The issue of what happens when another state does not recognize the X designation has yet to be tested in the courts. Story continues To change passport gender, the U.S. government requires a physician to confirm the person has received clinical treatment for gender transition. So far there are only male or female designations on passports, but a U.S. District Court in Denver ruled in September that the State Department cannot deny a gender-neutral passport to an intersex person. De Blasio said the law afforded New Yorkers the freedom to "tell the government who they are and not the other way around." "Imagine if you were told you were something that you did not consider yourself to be," de Blasio said. To transgender New Yorkers, he said, "You be you. Live your truth. And know that New York City will have your back." (Reporting by Daniel Trotta; editing by Lisa Shumaker and Cynthia Osterman) By Peter Szekely NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lawyers for the family of a limousine driver who died along with 19 others in an upstate New York accident and the owner of the vehicle are clashing over the cause of the deadliest U.S. transport accident in nearly a decade. New York State police said the driver, 53-year-old Scott Lisinicchia, did not have the proper license to operate the 2001 Ford Excursion limousine that crashed in Schoharie, New York, on Saturday night and that the vehicle had failed inspection last month. A lawyer for Prestige Limousine, which owned the vehicle, said the safety violations that led it to fail inspection last month were largely minor and did not cause the crash. "I dont think that these infractions were what led to the tragedy, attorney Lee Kindlon told CBS News in an interview. Reuters was not able to reach Prestige Limousine for comment and the company's listed phone number was disconnected. But a lawyer for the driver's family said the limo had problems. "The family believes that unbeknownst to him he was provided with a vehicle that was neither roadworthy nor safe for any of its occupants," the lawyer, George Longworth, said in a statement. Lisinicchia's twin brother Keith said Scott was an experienced and conscientious driver who was properly licensed. "I know that he always kept his license up. I mean it was a CDL (commercial driver license) license," Keith Lisinicchia told WRGB TV in Albany, New York. Before the limousine crashed on the way to a birthday party, one of the victims, Erin McGowan, texted a friend that the limousine appeared to have engine trouble, the New York Times reported. McGowan's aunt, Valerie Abeling, told CNN her niece had texted a friend saying the company had sent the stretch limousine to replace a vehicle that had broken down. All three vehicles owned by Prestige Limousine, which is based in Gansevoort, New York, had violations when they were inspected last month, U.S. Department of Transportation records show. Story continues The inspection of the limousine that crashed had turned up several violations, including some involving anti-lock brake malfunction indicators and inoperative or defective windshield wipers. Those killed in the crash included two pairs of newlyweds, four sisters from one family and two brothers from another. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered flags in the state lowered to half-staff, adding on Twitter that "It is hard to fathom the extent of this tragedy." At Monday's Columbus Day Parade in New York City, Cuomo told reporters that Prestige Limousine was being sent a cease-and-desist order to halt operations until authorities investigated the accident. State police and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which are investigating the cause of the crash, will look at safety regulations for limousines, whose passengers are not required to wear seat belts. The vehicle ran a stop sign at a highway intersection in Schoharie, about 40 miles (65 km) west of Albany, police and the NTSB said. It crashed into an unoccupied parked car and two pedestrians before coming to a rest in a shallow ravine, officials said, killing the driver, all 17 passengers and the two pedestrians. (Reporting by Peter Szekely, Gabriella Borter and Joseph Ax in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Bernadette Baum and Bill Berkrot) By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini wants President Cryil Ramaphosa to sign an agreement promising to exclude territories that the monarch controls from a government land reform drive, the eNCA news channel reported on Monday. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is targeting white-owned land for expropriation while also seeking to provide security of tenure to the 17 million people - a third of South Africa's population - who reside on tribal lands controlled by traditional leaders. The king controls 2.8 million hectares under an entity called the Ingonyama Trust. Last month a senior ANC official said the land reforms will include issuing title deeds to small-scale farmers on tribal lands, a departure from statements by Ramaphosa, who has pledged to the king that he would not to touch the land he controls. ENCA reported that the Zulu monarch said a signed agreement on the matter was needed during an address he made to thousands of his subjects in the port city of Durban on Sunday. "The President must come here to tell me and the Zulu nation, which I will call to gather here. He must tell us and then sign an agreement that the land of the Zulus will not be touched," the king was quoted as saying. In July, the king warned of conflict over the issue. Other traditional leaders also publicly told the ANC not to undermine their authority on the 13 percent of South African territory they rule. Tribal authorities in these areas - the former homelands where most blacks were confined under apartheid - have wide powers of land allocation and curtailing their power could have implications for a range of actors including mining companies which cut deals with the chiefs to access minerals. Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize told Reuters on Friday the government had not yet decided how land reform would happen in the tribal areas. "We havent yet reached consensus. It is a somewhat slippery issue, we are still trying to find the best solution," Mkhize said. He said his ministry was discussing with traditional leaders and rural communities how best to ensure security of tenure for people living in tribal areas, whether through title deeds or other solutions. (Additional reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by James Macharia and Angus MacSwan) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Colombo is surrounded by wetlands which not only add some colour to its pale concrete landscape, but serves multiple purposes in terms of protecting its citizens from natural disasters. One of the wetlands in the country and situated 19 kms off North of Colombo is Muthurajawela which is identified as the most important wetland with its contribution to controlling floods. However, over the past few years Muthurajawela has been filled and used to the point that its 6300 hectare expanse of land has now been reduced to 3068 hectares. On top of that, it also turns out that the Government is eyeing its only buffer zone, imposing greater threats to the overall ecosystem on the long-run. In its run-up to install as many power plants as possible, the next bait seems to be Muthurajawela for all the valid reasons which from an environmental perspective seem invalid. Hence the Daily Mirror sheds light on the current status of Muthurajawela, the proposed LNG power plant and the importance of protecting this wetland. Change in landcover between 1992 and 2002. Image courtesy: Researchgate Environmentalists concerned over 110 acres of protected area being de-gazetted and the proposal to setup a LNG power plant The Deputy Minister of Environment and Mahaweli Development held two meetings and in both it was suggested that this particular area will be taken for the project in the national interest HEMANTHA JAYASINGHE Therefore the purpose of the buffer zone was to insulate the protected area up to a certain degree. But in the filledup area everything from heavy industries was allowed while in the buffer zone several low intensity activities were allowed Therefore the purpose of the buffer zone was to insulate the protected area up to a certain degree. But in the filledup area everything from heavy industries was allowed while in the buffer zone several low intensity activities were allowed JAGATH GUNAWARDENA Now this area is outside the buffer zone, so it doesnt have any impact. There are groups who are trying to stop us from moving forward with these projects. So far we have had to stop 11 such projects due to various interferences DR BATAGODA The project As one of the most important ecosystems in the country, Muthurajawela boasts of a rich biodiversity spanning across 6300 hectares of land. According to a study done by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Muthurajawela consists of 209 species of animals along with 194 species of trees, 40 species of fish, 31 species of reptiles, 102 species of birds and 48 species of butterflies. In addition to that 18 out of 22 mangrove species could also be found at the Muthurajawela wetland. However the Daily Mirror learns that with adverse developmental projects the entire area has now been reduced to 3068 hectares of land. Out of this area, 1777 hectares of land has been demarcated as a wildlife sanctuary. Environmental enthusiasts opine that measures should be taken to protect it. But despite such attempts, the Ministry of Power and Energy recently took steps to de-gazette a 110 acre area of land for a proposed LNG power plant. This would in turn affect the fisheries and the tourism industries which have sought potential within the area. While the President himself has taken up the responsibility to be the subject minister, it is quite appalling to find out that he himself has given the green light for this project. The main urban wetland in Sri Lanka Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Convener of Rainforest Protectors Sri Lanka (RFPSL) Jayantha Wijesinghe said that the Ministry of Power and Energy had declared an extent of 110 acres for this proposed LNG power plant project. Filling the Muthurajawela protected area is already illegal and its not a justification to set up a power plant. Any wetland, whether filled illegally or whether its a private land that they have claimed ownership over, cannot have an industrial operation running. Even Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) which are being done dont have reliable information. LNG is better than coal, but we are pushing the Government to implement several renewable power generation projects which are pending. Muthurajawela is the main urban wetland in Sri Lanka. Recently there were claims that Colombo has been nominated as a Ramsar Focal Point when its wetlands are getting filled up almost every day. It is appalling to find that the so-called experts and academics do not see the bigger picture. We will have to restrict the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda. At the Paris Agreement we setup compliance strategies. But setting up an LNG power plant is against the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) discussed at the Paris Agreement. The Ministry of Power and Energy should focus on solar and wind energy. UTHURAJAWELAHAS NOW BEEN REDUCED TO 3068 HECTARES Wijesinghe further said that wetlands such as Bellanwila/Attidiya, Kotte/Beddagana, Bolgoda/Karadiyana and Diyawannawa/Thalangama need to be protected. Applying for RAMSAR doesnt look at the history of the wetland. I see that the Government is greenwashing the problems at hand by blindly going for such nominations. Urban wetlands are an absolute necessity in terms of flood regulation. They control the ground water table. Muthurajawela is the main place that charges the ground water table. Only 1777 acres are being protected by the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance, but there are no demarcations done as yet. Therefore theres no monitoring nor regulation being done, said Wijesinghe. 110 acres of protected area de-gazetted Airing his views regarding this issue, Director General of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Hemantha Jayasinghe said that Cabinet approval was submitted through the Ministry of Power and Energy to release 110 acres of land from Muthurajawela. This was from the environmentally protected area. The Deputy Minister of Environment and Mahaweli Development held two meetings and in both it was suggested that this particular area will be taken for the project in the national interest. The justification came about with the fact that the energy load was identified in and around Colombo and the LNG power plant should be in the vicinity of Colombo. Therefore if taken further away the transmission lines would have to be upgraded and there could be a loss. Hence, Muthurajawela was the best option for them. According to them, in order to fulfill the future energy requirement, the country needed more power plants. Therefore as the CEA we had to consider and then the President himself intervened with his powers and the area was de-gazetted. But we had an issue in moving forward without an EIA. So far they havent decided who the contractor would be, but the site selection has been made. We are concerned about the EIA and if it fails we would not allow them to go ahead with the project. But in the long-run we are identifying the areas that need to be protected and will be demarcating a wildlife zone. This will be done in compliance with the FFPO, said Jayasinghe. Identification as a LNG park When contacted Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy, Dr. B.M.S Batagoda said that the said area had already been identified as an LNG park. It has the West Coast Power Plant on one side, the Litro Gas gas filling terminal on the other and a sand-filling point owned by the SLLRDC. The buffer zone has already been filled and the entire site is used for developmental purposes. Now this area is outside the buffer zone, so it doesnt have any impact. There are groups who are trying to stop us from moving forward with these projects. So far we have had to stop 11 such projects due to various interferences. said Batagoda. MUTHURAJAWELA CONSISTS OF 209 SPECIES OF ANIMALS ALONG WITH 194 SPECIES OF TREES Bad precedent Airing his concerns, senior environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardena said that the story starts with the Muthurajawela Master Plan where they decided that a certain area would be reclaimed and developed while another area would be declared as a wildlife sanctuary to help the lagoon to thrive as a fisheries area. It was also done for the sake of wildlife protection and flood prevention. In between the filled-up area and the sanctuary a buffer zone was declared, so that it would reduce the human impacts on the protected area. Therefore the purpose of the buffer zone was to insulate the protected area up to a certain degree. But in the filled-up area everything from heavy industries was allowed while in the buffer zone several low intensity activities were allowed. At that time the buffer zone could have been declared only under one law which is the National Environment Act under the provision of Section 22c to declare it as an environmental protection area. This was very positive when compared to other laws that conditions could be decided depending on the situation. The conditions are given under Section 24 d which provides for modifications according to the needs and sensitivities of the particular system. Here certain activities were permitted while others were prohibited. said Gunawardena. So many years after the declaration we find that this area is well-preserved because it is somewhat looked after by the CEA, he continued. The developed area is filled with factories and other industries. In the context of the present day, in comparison to the period when it was first designated, the necessity of the buffer zone has become an absolute necessity in view of all the development and other activities that have taken place. Here suddenly we find out that one portion of this buffer zone will be declared as outside the buffer zone and they are going to setup an LNG power plant. The LNG plant may or may not have an effect on the surrounding areas. But firstly they need to conduct an EIA and find out whether this area is suitable for this project and what mitigation measures need to be taken. But before they wanted this area to be taken out, the Ministry of Power and Energy should have tentatively earmarked this area and done an EIA report before getting it from the other end. What they are doing now is that they have identified the land, de-gazetted it, gotten the President to lay the foundation stone and then they conduct the EIA. They should have checked for other possible land before arriving here. Then they could have negotiated with the environmental authority and presented a compromised solution. As a compromise they should have done an EIA an EIA is done to identify the localities where less environmental harm could occur, and if there was no solution they should have selected the land in the national interest, Gunawardena added. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTHUSIASTS OPINE THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT IT He further said that in the present context, the Ministry of Environment, the CEA, the Wildlife Conservation Department and the President himself as the Environment Minister are in a rather embarrassing position because of the short-sightedness of certain bureaucrats and officials. This act is creating a bad precedent because most of the time when an area is declared as a buffer zone and protected as the environmental protection area, in most instances the authority has maintained the position that no one can go beyond the permitted uses. But because of this incident, if there are people who are big enough to throw their weight about they can even cut off parts of the protected area totally disregarding the needs of this area to maintain the ecological balance and other situations. The officials havent checked the status of the land ; firstly the Master Plan and they havent made inquiries from the relevant ministries. If the relevant ministries havent provided the relevant information then they too should be held accountable. Im quite unhappy about the fact that the Ministry of Mahaweli Developement and Environment didnt come forward stating that this is a protected area because in that case the President would never have given the green light for such projects. On the other hand they should have sought other areas rather than look at their convenience in other words they are going against a sustainable concept. Hence the above concerns need further probing. said Gunawardena. Aerial photo taken in April 2018 - Credit - Dinusha Nanayakkara Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. While the debate whether the government should go ahead with the Grade 5 scholarship exam continues another set of young candidates, mostly from not so prestigious schools, has emerged top rankers at this years exam as well. Interestingly five of the ten top slots, including a first place for which there was a tie, went to a relatively unknown school in the Kesbewa electorate. For the past decade or so Somaweera Chandrasiri Primary School in Piliyandala has been churning out Grade 5 Scholarship winners at a rate that it can give the so called prestigious Colombo schools a run for their money. Unknown to many tens of thousands of parents struggle to get their children enrolled at Somaweera Chandrasiri Primary School for grade 1 every year. Largely owing to a team of dedicated staff this peripheral school in the Colombo district has been performing a miracle of sorts for years and one hopes that the Ministry of Education makes a note of that. Besides once again proving the fact Gampaha is giving a tough competition to Colombo as a seat of primary education two candidates from Gampaha have got first and second slots while none of the so-called prestigious schools has got any. Its also heartening to witness the rise in the numbers of the northern and eastern students who clinch top slots. Jaffna Hindu College continues to shine with a student of its primary school emerging second tied with a candidate from Reggie Ranatunga Primary School Minuwangoda. Besides, students from small towns like Tellippallai in Jaffna and Nelukkulam in Vavuniya too have fared exceptionally well. For the bulk of nearly 15,000 young candidates who got through the exam this is the only opportunity they get to join a school in their provincial capitals or Colombo before the O/Ls. Given the disparities in the standards of education between the village schools and the city ones from grade 6 onward, these young achievers hardly have a choice in the matter. While the winners are feted its difficult to forget the fact that the results have given heartache to another nearly 285,000 of ten year olds who could not get through the exam. Besides, the tortuous path trodden by both the winners and losers for nearly three years is certainly not something that these youngsters deserve to walk on at that tender age. Psychiatrists and many others have already protested against the decision to continue with the examination. Education Minister AkilaViraj Kariyawasam is on record that he would take a decision on the exam next year. Several countries in the world have done away with challenging exams such as GCE O/L and Grade 5 scholarship exams which impose a mental pressure on the students and parents as well. We have still not decided on anything yet, but a decision would be taken on the two exams after speaking to educationists, Minister Kariyawasam has reportedly said. However still theres no guarantee that the minister would do away with the exam as for majority of students especially those in outstation schools this is the sole opportunity they get to get enrolled at a leading school in a city before the O/Ls. One may well argue that government should improve the standards of the outstation schools before taking such a decision. While that is not something thats going to happen in the near future it is also not ethical to subjecting a batch of nearly 300,000 ten-year-olds every year to this harassment. The IDF, Shin Bet and the Border Police operated overnight Tuesday in the village of Shweiki near Tulkarem, where the terrorist who murdered two people in the Barkan industrial area lived. In addition, the forces arrested a number of people in the village of Beit Sira near Ramallah. A video from Monday afternoon's protests in Gaza shows several Palestinian rioters sabotaging the border fence in the Zikim area and breaching it. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter At the height of the violent clashes on Monday, some 5,000 Palestinians were rioting by the border fence, throwing explosives, grenades and stones at IDF soldiers, and setting fire to tires that sent up thick smoke billowing throughout the area. X One of the protesters was able to breach the border fence and enter Israel, but returned to the Palestinian side within minutes. Also during the clashes, a grenade blew up in the hand of the Palestinian trying to throw it at IDF soldiers. Both the Palestinian holding the grenade and others in his vicinity were injured. Eleven rioters were wounded from IDF fire, according to the Gaza health ministry. At the Gaza shore, several dozens of vessels sailed Monday afternoon towards Israeli waters in an attempt to break the naval blockade on the strip. The Palestinians also set fire to tires placed on rafts in the water. This was the 11th flotilla that was launched as part of the "March of Return" campaign. Meanwhile, the Qatari Red Crescent announced a $15 million investment in Gaza for medical and water-related projects. Among other things, the money will be used to buy dialysis and ultrasound machines, as well as medicine and fuel for hospitals, in addition to funding a system to collect and purify rainwater and to the development of a sewage system. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming that Ashraf Na'alwa, who carried out the terror attack in the Barkan industrial area, will receive payments by the Palestinian Authority. "The Palestinian terrorist who murdered Kim Levengrond Yehezkel & Ziv Hajbi will be paid a monthly salary for life by the Palestinian Authority, thus incentivizing more murderous terrorism against Israelis," said the statement published via an official Twitter account. Rick Gates, a former aide in US President Donald Trump's campaign, sought a proposal from an Israeli intelligence firm for a smear campaign against Trump's Republican rivals as well as his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton during the 2016 elections, the New York Times reported on Monday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter According to the Times, Gates wanted to mount a disruption effort using fake online identifies, social media manipulations and intelligence gathering to win the elections. The investigative report, written by Times journalists Mark Mazzetti, Ronen Bergman, David D. Kirkpatrick and Maggie Haberman, presented a document dated April 2016, which said Israeli company Psy-Group "was asked to provide a proposal ... for campaign intelligence and influence services." President Trump (Photo: AP) The company proposed to employ "veteran intelligence officers" to use various methods to influence some 5,000 Republican delegates ahead of the Republican National Convention by obtaining "unique intel" via different means, including "covert sources." Psy-Group employees would then study the leanings of the delegates and use "authentic looking" fake online identities to send specially tailored messages to up to 2,500 of the delegates to sway them in favor of Trump, according to the documents obtained by the Times. Among other things, the bogus online personas would warn Republican delegates of Senator Ted Cruz's "ulterior motives or hidden plans," appearing to be former Cruz supporters or other influential figures sharing the same views and ideology as the target. Pricing the smear campaign at over $3 million, Psy-Group proposed to double its size by hiring some 50 new employees, including American citizens, and rent new office spaces, the Times reported, quoting former employees of the company. The proposal to sabotage Clinton included information about her and her close associates obtained through complementary intelligence activities, according to the interviews conducted by The New York Times. (Photo: The New York Times) An additional Psy-Group proposal suggested to take advantage of the already existing inner divisions between Trumps opponents and their campaigns, as well as target undecided voters in battleground statesagain through fraudulent online profiles. The secretive project was labeled Project Rome, and referred to Trump, Clinton and Cruz as Lion, Forest and Bear respectively. According to The New York Times, the alleged conspiracy was first unveiled during Robert Mueller's investigatigation into Russia's interference with the 2016 election campaign, when Mueller's staff obtained copies of Psy-Group's proposals. Gates first heard about the Israeli intelligence firm in March 2016, shortly after joining Trump's presidential campaign, during a meeting with George Birnbauma Republican advisor with connections to Israeli government officials. Rick Gates (Photo: EPA) This year, Gates pleaded guilty to several corruption charges, as part of the Mueller investigation, which included financial fraud and tax evasion. According to an interview Birnbaum gave to The New York Times through his lawyer, Gates believed technology in general and social media in particular would be the best tools for manipulating the Republican delegates into favoring Trump over Cruz. He was interested in finding the technology to achieve what they were looking for, Birnbaum said. The report noted it is unclear whether Trump campaign eventually used the services of Psy-Group or whether the proposals in question violated American laws. Also, it is believed that Gates lost interest in the project once other campaign advisors came up with other social media strategies. Nevertheless, Trump is reported to have met with the intelligence firms representatives on August 3, 2016, at Trump Tower, where Joel Zamel, the founder and one of the owners of Psy-Group, presented Trump and his aides the general outline of the proposals. Zamel was questioned about the August 2016 meeting by Mueller's investigators. Additionally, "at least two FBI agents working on the inquiry" traveled to Israel to interview Psy-Group employees, and this year, after receiving a US federal government court order, the Israel Police seized the companys computers. The company is now in the process of being liquidated. Zamels attorney said his client never discussed specific proposals with Trump or anyone working for his campaign. Despite this, Zamel was reportedly paid some $2 million after the election by one of Trump's associates, George Naderadvisor to the United Arab Emirates crown prince. The New York Times writes that when questioned about the payment, Zamel and Naderwho was also present at the 2016 meetinggave different accounts as to why the payment was made in the first place. During the meeting at Trump Tower, Nader had allegedly supported Zamels proposal due to UAEs desire to put Trump in office. The Mueller investigation is currently looking into the payments initial intent. The investigation is also trying to establish whether any other countries, besides Russia, had interfered with the 2016 elections in order to assist Trump, report stresses. Nader has reportedly been questioned in connection with the case by authorities in Washington DC, New York, Atlanta and Tel Aviv. Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel left Cairo on Tuesday for a series of meetings in the Palestinian Authority, Israel and Jordan, during which he is expected to press Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to cooperate with the Egyptian-mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire in Gaza. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter According to Egyptian sources speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Kamel will pass on a clear message to Abbas from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi: Either he cooperates with the negotiations, or Egypt will stop its mediation efforts. Kamel, according to the paper, is trying to prevent further escalation by either Israel or Hamas in an effort to maintain the ceasefire until a long-term agreement is reached. Palestinian leader Abbas; Egyptian President Sisi (Photos: AFP) The meetings, the paper said, are meant "to resolve several issues that are stuck." "The conditions have never been better to reach an agreement to improve the situation of the Gaza residents, but the only obstacle in the way of that is Abbas's unjustified position," one source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Earlier this week, senior Palestinian Authority officials admitted to the Associated Press that Abbas has in recent weeks thwarted a series of internationally backed initiatives aimed at rehabilitating the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. With Gaza expected to be the centerpiece of the US peace plan, Abbas has given himself a virtual veto over the expected American initiative. The deadlock over Gaza appears to be a key reason behind the repeated delays in unveiling the plan. The US is trying to use the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a tool to implement its plan, said Mohammed Ishtayeh, a top Palestinian official. We say that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian lands, and solving the problems of Gaza should be in the context of a broad political framework. Abbas has two main concerns. First, he fears that any interim ceasefire deal in Gaza will deepen Hamass control over the territory. Second, after Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital and his attacks on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Abbas fears the US is trying to remove sensitive issues from the negotiating agenda. For him, Gaza is the last obstacle preventing the US from forcing what he sees as an unacceptable plan on him. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) told Ynet on Tuesday that he believes early elections are all but guaranteed, estimating Israelis will likely go to the polls in March 2019. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "Everyone knows the matter can be resolved," Deri said about the Israeli Defense Service Law , which could lead to the collapse of the coalition over the issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox youth to the IDF. However, he said, the issue "will not be resolved without effort, and no one is making such an effort. That is why the legislation won't pass." Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) The existing Israeli Defense Service Law expires on December 2, 2018, after the High Court of Justice deemed it unconstitutional, meaning that the Knesset is obliged to pass an alternative law before then. Last year, the HCJ made a majority ruling canceling an amendment to the Israeli Defense Service Law ratified by the Knesset almost two years prior, which lowered the annual quota on the number of Haredim required to draft into the IDF. The new proposed legislation includes planned cuts to the yeshivot's budgets and the use of economic incentives to pressure the Torah study institutions to encourage enlistment, but no criminal sanctions. The enlistment objectives, as stated in the proposal, are that 3,000 yeshiva students will be drafted in the first stage and 600 will volunteer for national service. The plan will be given a two-year adaptation period, in which sanctions wont be imposed if the yeshivot fail to meet the draft quotas. In the third year, yeshivot who fail to encourage enlistment will be hit with economic sanctions if they drop below a 95-percent target. The ultra-Orthodox factions in the government coalition vehemently oppose the proposed bill, with Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman announcing that he would resign from the government if the law was approved. "During the last party leaders' meeting, I couldn't understand clearly whether the prime minister wants to go to elections or not. I don't think he has a fully formed opinion on the matter," the Shas leader told Ynet. "One thing I do knowno one convened us, no one sat down with us and the Defense Ministry to see how we could reach a formula that would be acceptable to everyone." Deri estimated that "after the municipal electionsbarring any unexpected changeswe'll agree on a date" for the general elections. "It won't be in January or February, but it might be around March." He was not, however, concerned about the future of his Shas party, telling Ynet that "Shas is actually one of the most veteran parties in Israel, and it will continue being strong and be part of the next government... I spent a lot of time out in the field, I see the results, and I'm very optimistic." Five years after Shas's founder and spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef passed away, Deri was asked what the rabbi would've said if he could see the party today. "He would've said 'Be strong and of good course, be strong and be blessed' for continuing this massive endeavor despite all of the difficulties. I have no doubt he would've strengthened and encouraged me, and tell me 'Keep listening to the Council of Torah Sages,'" he said. It is highly unlikely that any member would leave power for a coming administration Any idiot can face a crisis - its day to day living that wears you out. - ~Anton Chekhov Those who are greedily awaiting the comeback of the Rajapaksas are intensely engaged in this campaign- one of gossip and rumour-mongering. Their wish that the current Parliament led by the United National Party (UNP) could be defeated by this method or that has gained currency at many a quarter, especially amongst the Colombo-based commission-traders, whose only ambition is to facilitate a return of the Rajapaksas to the office. These ugly and avaricious merchants of political power seek no limits; they seem to be answerable to no one; their thirst for illegitimate commissions and ill-gotten money is unquenchable and the insatiable desire of the fairer gender of this commission-cabal has overtaken the commonsensical pursuit of a place in the sun among the elite of Colombo. Their sarees and jewellery purchased in the Indian marketplace cannot be left to gather dust. Attendance at the various cocktail parties hosted by the Rajapaksa allies is a must for that obscene ride to the top of the elite. In order to topple the current coalition Government, crossover of a sizeable number of UNP Parliamentarians is indispensable; in the context of Ranil Wickremesinghes unchallenged leadership in the Party, it is unthinkable that, leave alone a sizeable number, a possibility of even one single Parliamentarian crossing over is far too remote. If there is one political party that is united today it is the United National Party; it is not owing to the genius of its leader but due to the fact that what is in power is a UNP-led Government. It is never or highly unlikely that any member of the Government would leave power in search of or a mirage of position in a coming administration. It doesnt happen, period. Most of these pundits and so-called intelligentsia do not understand that simple truth; political power is enormously attractive and its aphrodisiacal powers are unmatchable. There is only one incident in our post-independence history that a number of parliamentarians crossed over from government ranks and joined the then Opposition and that was in 1964 when C P de Silva and some of his SLFP-clan did the political somersault. As was related to this writer by J. R. Jayewardene himself, the architect of that political coup de grace, the only concession C. P. de Silva demanded from Dudley/JR duo was that his crossover would result in the toppling of the then Sirimavo-led SLFP Government. And it did happen. Therefore, in the absence of such a defection of UNP Parliamentarians from the Party, it is inconceivable even to theorize that the dream of the Joint Opposition (JO) could come true. Much trust and faith have been placed on Basil Rajapaksa, the younger brother of Mahinda, to negotiate a deal between the parties. Basil, whose interest in politics had been sparked by his one-time close associate Anura Bandaranaike, when both were young. Basils performance as the virtual second-in-command in the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, has come into question since the fall of that regime in 2015. His reputation now is one of suspect, to say the least. Being in charge of allegedly uncountable and unaccountable stash of cash, he, during the 2015 Presidential Election campaign, had apparently attempted to literally purchase the votes of an unsuspecting public. And he failed. Once again, it is he who is supposed to have come forward to negotiate a deal between the opposing parties. What is even more astonishing than anything else is the inclusion of President Maithripala Sirisena as a piece in the proverbial political chess game. Whether President Maithripala Sirisena would willingly take part in such a diabolical political dynamic is anybodys guess. What seems to have left the curious minds of all those who are grossly engaged in the current stream of politics is Sirisenas pledge at the time he took oaths as the new President of Sri Lanka on January 9, 2015, that his Presidency would be limited to one term. As was reported in the breaking news at the time, newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena says he will not contest for another term. Addressing the nation soon after being sworn in as the sixth President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena vouched he had no intention to run for a Presidential Election for the second time at the end of his first term. We are notorious for having rather a very short memory; what is broadcast from atop a political platform is, more often than not, considered frivolous and short-lived. Yet at a time when one dictatorial President, who Mahinda Rajapaksa was, was dethroned and a new Master is enthroned, the people would undoubtedly take the term of office as one of a grave character, not only of the nature of the pledge, but more so of the man who is making such a pledge. It is still not officially known whether Maithripala Sirisena has any intention of offering himself as a candidate at the forthcoming Presidential Election in 2020. But what we must essentially bear in mind is the corrupting character of the institution of political power. Political power, among its debasing features, has the total capacity to corrupt its holder beyond all imagination. The political power, as much as its capacity for corrupting its holders, also has that intrinsic ability to being an obsessive charm of luxurious life; its glories have been penned and stored in history books so that the readers themselves get glued to its riveting nuances and society-changing appeals. However, to place Maithripala Sirisena among such dregs of politics is a disservice to the man. With all his shortcomings, one cannot discard his simplicity in character and be ever ready to be identified with the commoner, Maithripala Sirisena, in fact, is a blessing that befell our nation in 2015. The fastened bond that put President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe together has apparently loosened and its not too late to bond them once again. Yet, what must be emphasized is the term of office President Sirisena talked about in the wake of his being sworn in on 2015 January 9 as the new President of Sri Lanka. But if President Sirisena has changed his mind about the term of office, due to whatever reason, it is his responsibility and burdensome duty to declare it to the country with valid and legitimate arguments. If such arguments are forthcoming and they appear to be authentic and credible, then its up to the electorate firstly and the coalition partners secondly, to accept or reject those arguments. Keeping the whole electorate in limbo is neither favourable to the current political equilibrium nor is it acceptable in a real sense of morality and ethics. Taken in such a dubious context of political uncertainty, the rumoured discussions among the trio of Sirisena and Rajapaksa brothers do matter. It affects the marketplace badly. The most effective way of affecting the economy of the country, especially its equity market, is this lingering uncertainty among its key players. It seems to have had its repercussions; coupled with the depreciation of the rupee, our currency, the ballooning prices of essential commodities, this uncertainty needs to be exiled in a hurry. If not, the worst material conditions to follow, would result in a crisis the current administration doesnt look to be equipped to handle. Ranil Wickremesinghe, with all his reputation and experience in governance, seems to have lost his grip on priorities. His abject failure to be realistic and down-to-earth is being exploited to the fullest by the JO and its chief propagandists. What is even more appalling is Wickremesinghes failure to be decisive when it is of crucial significance. His failure to recognize the enormity of the ramifications of the infamous Bond-Scam has had its ill effects running to the core of the United National Party. What could have been nipped in the bud by asking the responsible parties to leave their respective offices, such as Governor of the Central Bank and the Minister of Finance is now coming to haunt not only Ranil Wickremesinghe himself, it is affecting the UNP and its parliamentarians in a thoroughly adverse way. Dwelling on what has happened is of zero value unless one learns the lessons it teaches us. The UNP and its leadership seem to have lost their way down in the middle of their governing stretch. Political power, as was repeatedly enunciated in this column itself, is a maddening dose that could either cleanse the whole system or act like an obsessive drug that can destroy very adventurous cells in a body. Right throughout history, its destructive powers have shown their ugly way. It has produced such cruel leaders as Hitler, Stalin and Idi Amin, to mention a very few in our post-industrial revolution times. Although Ceylon has not had the misfortune of being cursed by such demonic leaders, we have also not been blessed with truly great ones whose moral compass had not been broken. The real tragedy is not realizing the nuanced characteristics of our own history and trying to follow them. The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com The person who heads the Bank of Israel must be independent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday after naming Wharton finance professor Amir Yaron as the new bank chief. "We want to ensure that the head of the Bank of Israel will be a person with great ability, independence and top professional capabilities," Netanyahu told journalists at a news conference in Jerusalem. Finance professor Amir Yaron has been chosen as Bank of Israel governor, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon announced on Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Yaron, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, will replace Karnit Flug, whose term ends next month. Flug, who opted not to seek a second five-year term, has had a number of disagreements with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon over the past three years, mainly over fiscal policy and Kahlon's preference for lowering taxes. Amir Yaron (Photo: The Wharton School) Prof. Yaron was selected over three other candidates: Prof. Ben-Zion Zilberfarb, Prof. Efraim Sadka and Dr. Mario Blejer. Netanyahu said the new central bank chief must be independent. "We want to ensure that the head of the Bank of Israel will be a person with great ability, independence and top professional capabilities," Netanyahu told a news conference. "Prof. Yaron will lead the Bank of Israel responsibly, and the system that survived the big crisis a decade ago will continue under his leadership to meet its goals." Yaron was not present at the news conference. Yaron's research interests include asset pricing, macro-finance and applied time series economics, according to the university website. He received a doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1994. In a 2015 research paper, he wrote that the net effects of investor uncertainty are greater than previously thought, and that they are not always bad. Yaron will still need the approval of an appointments committee. It was not immediately clear when that is due to happen. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Tuesday once again warned the High Court of Justice not to interfere in the Knesset's legislation of Basic Laws, particularly the controversial Nation-State Law, saying such an interference would be "foolish behavior." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Eight petitions have been filed to the High Court of Justice demanding it to strike down the contentious law, and Shaked has already warned any intervention by the court would lead to a war between the judicial and legislative authorities. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked Such interference by HCJ justices "is dangerous and is liable to topple any regime element," Shaked said at a conference Tuesday organized by the Kohelet Policy Forum. "In a democracy, the court is not part of (writing) the constitution." The justice minister argued that the High Court striking down Basic Laws would undermine the state's democratic foundations and the principle of the separation of powers, "for the sake of a constitutional illusion, something that doesn't existall to save us using a cure that won't help against an illness that won't come." She also rejected the claim by former High Court chief justice Aharon Barak, who said he adopted the mechanism of striking down laws from America law. "There's nothing like this situation in the world... In every other country there is an agreed upon constitution, and the new authority the court took upon itself was to reject, based on that constitution, laws that contradict it. But we never had an agreed upon constitution," Shaked explained. Opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who spoke at the conference after Shaked, slammed the justice minister and accused her of trying to undermine the Declaration of Independence. "What was good then (when the declaration was signed), should be good for the Israeli government today as well. And if the government is incapable of voting in favor of that, then we truly did lose Zionism," Livni said. Livni went on to lament the fact there's an argument over the question "what is democracy." Opposition leader Tzipi Livni "When the justice minister claims democracy is the majority rule and that's it, then we have a fundamental problem in the perception of democracy," she said. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin also spoke at the conference, calling on the HJC to reject all petitions currently being considered against the contentious law. Were witnessing a new era where a minority is trying to forcefully repeal the law despite the needs of the majority of the population and despite the mechanisms of the democratic regime. I am calling on the HCJ judges to reject all petitions against the Nation-State Law, all the way, he exclaimed. Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Adelstein, said at the onset of the conference the notion that the controversial law is racist or nationalistic is incorrect. Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Adelstein The opponents of this law have found it fascist, racist and nationalistic. The truth is that the law is 180 degrees the opposite of that. I know this because I grew up in a country where human dignity gets trampled on. I cannot be suspected of lending my support to the law that would destruct democracy, Adelstein vented. "This law does not intend to turn the nation-state into a state solely for Jews, but rather to defy its non-Jewish citizens," said Yuval Diskin, former Shin Bet chief. The law tries to propose a magic solution to preserve the State of Israel as Jewish, but it undermines the states existence as a democratic state. It is not the law that will preserve the Jewish nature of the state, but only the Jewish majority living here," Diskin stressed. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin Former Justice Minister Haim Ramon who also spoke at the conference said that "The Nation-State Law is not meant to abrogate the Basic Law: Human Dignity, rather to stress the fact the State of Israel is the national home to the Jewish people." "If the center-left bloc was to lose in the upcoming elections, it would be because it has blurred the line between the Zionist Left and the non-Zionist Left. This will take a heavy toll at the ballot box," Ramon explained. Since its approval in July, the controversial Nation-State Law has sparked uproar. The law enshrines the status of the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, declares that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country, defines Jerusalem as Isreal's capital, Hebrew as the official language, establishes that the state will be open to Jewish immigration and stresses the connection between the state and the Jewish Diaspora as well as the importance of preserving Jewish culture and history. Before and after the approval of the law, opposition members as well as Israel's minorities headed by the Druze community launched a high-profile protest against it, claiming the Nation-State Law is discriminative and racist. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed Tuesday he does not wish to call early elections and will work to resolve the crisis in the coalition over the IDF draft law. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter During a press conference to announce the appointment of Prof. Amir Yaron as the new Bank of Israel governor, Netanyahu surprised journalists by agreeing to take questionssomething he rarely does. When asked about the crisis with the ultra-Orthodox parties over the IDF draft law, Netanyahu said his government is "making an effort to resolve the draft issue and other issues, and this effort will continue. If we find a way, we'd be happy to continue (with this government) until the end of the year. If not, we would have to call early elections." Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters) "The elections are set for November, and we want to have it on time... we're thinking of how to do that without hurting stability," he added. Earlier, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri told Ynet that he believes early elections are all but guaranteed, estimating Israelis will likely go to the polls in March 2019. "Everyone knows the matter can be resolved," Deri said. However, it "will not be resolved without effort, and no one is making such an effort. That is why the legislation won't pass." The existing Israeli Defense Service Law expires on December 2, 2018, after the High Court of Justice deemed it unconstitutional, meaning that the Knesset is obliged to pass an alternative law before then. Last year, the HCJ made a majority ruling canceling an amendment to the Israeli Defense Service Law ratified by the Knesset almost two years prior, which lowered the annual quota on the number of Haredim required to draft into the IDF. The new proposed legislation includes planned cuts to the yeshivot's budgets and the use of economic incentives to pressure the Torah study institutions to encourage enlistment, but no criminal sanctions. The enlistment objectives, as stated in the proposal, are that 3,000 yeshiva students will be drafted in the first stage and 600 will volunteer for national service. The plan will be given a two-year adaptation period, in which sanctions wont be imposed if the yeshivot fail to meet the draft quotas. In the third year, yeshivot who fail to encourage enlistment will be hit with economic sanctions if they drop below a 95-percent target. The ultra-Orthodox factions in the government coalition vehemently oppose the proposed bill, with Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman announcing that he would resign from the government if the law was approved. During the press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu was also asked about the rising tensions on the Gaza border. "We're trying to bring a solution that would restore the quiet and security to the Gaza border communities," the prime minister said. "We're working from time to time with great decisiveness. Because of our operations, there's caution on the Palestinian side, and I think they too understand that a conflict will exact a big price from the Palestinian side," Netanyahu added. "On the other hand, they're suffocating. Why? Because (Palestinian President) Abbas is suffocating them economically, and then they lash out at Israel," he explained. "We won't tolerate this situation, and they know this, and that is why there are attempts to reach a practical solution that would stop this suffocation." He also stressed that "I am not eager to launch needless wars." When asked about the corruption investigations against him, Netanyahu said he doesn't believe an indictment will be filed against him, and so he will not have to seek immunity. Hamas issued a statement Tuesday regarding Qatar's transfer of diesel fuel to the Gaza Strip. "The Qatari fuel grant for the operation of the Gaza power plant came this morning through the United Nations, despite the threats of Palestinian Authority's (PA) Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh. The residents of the Gaza Strip should live in dignity without siege and without war. The PA's attempts to prevent the move have failed," the statement read. A truck brought fuel across Israel's border into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in what sources said was a Qatari and UN-backed drive to ease conditions in the enclave and stem any escalation in Palestinian-Israeli violence. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The shipment was a potential slap to the Western-backed administration of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which opposed the foreign relief plan. Gaza is controlled by Abbas's rival, the Islamist Hamas group and the Palestinian president has been using economic pressure in order to wrest back control. Gaza power plant (Photo: AP) blockade by Israel and Egypt designed to isolate Hamas, Gaza has plunged into poverty . Over the last six months it has seen weekly, often violent Palestinian border protests , prompting the IDF to retaliate. The truck that entered Gaza brought the first delivery out of a $60 million fuel donation by Qatar meant to provide the power plant with enough fuel to operate for six months, local sources said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: AP) The cash-starved plant has been providing Gazans with only around four hours of electricity daily. A spokesman for the Abbas-appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who is based in the West Bank, voiced disapproval of the fuel delivery. "Any international financial aid to the Gaza Strip should be through, or with the coordination of, the Palestinian government," he said, in order "to preserve Palestinian unity" and to stop any plans to separate Gaza from the West Bank. A Qatari official, speaking to Reuters on Sunday, said Doha planned to help with Gaza's power crisis "at the request of donor states in the United Nations, to prevent an escalation of the existing humanitarian disaster". UN officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz (Photo: Avi Moalem) Steinitz accused Abbas, who has restricted PA funding for Gaza, of "seeking to make gains on two counts: by encouraging a conflict in which Israel will clobber Hamas and over which he will then be able to clobber Israel on the world stage". The US appreciates the efforts of the UN, Egypt, Qatar and Israel to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts to achieve the goal of an enduring cease fire. The US thanks Qatar for its contribution to providing additional electricity to Gaza for the coming period. Jason Greenblatt, US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, welcomed the diesel fuel transfer. "The US appreciates the efforts of the UN, Egypt, Qatar and Israel to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts to achieve the goal of an enduring cease fire. The US thanks Qatar for its contribution to providing additional electricity to Gaza for the coming period," Greenlatt tweeted. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008. Months of Egyptian-mediated reconciliation talks between Hamas and Abbas have been held up by power-sharing disputes. Gaza border riots (Photo: Reuters) "Abbas believes that if he keeps the Gaza closure tight, it will make Hamas accept his reconciliation plan, which would give the Abbas government full controlor the people in Gaza will launch a revolution against Hamas," said Palestinian political analyst Hani al-Masri. "This is making it easy for others to bypass the Palestinian Authority ... They are trying to give them (Gazans) a sedative, sometimes through Egypt, and this time through Israel," al-Masri concluded. US President Donald Trump has accepted the resignation of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Axios news site reported on Tuesday, citing two sources familiar with the matter. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Haley would not confirm the report to Reuters when asked about it during a visit to the White House. Trump and Haley held a press conference during which the US envoy to the UN announced she would be leaving her position by the end of the year. Nikki Haley, and Trump at press conference (Photo: Reuters) "Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office," Trump tweeted. Trump said that Haley is a "very special" person, adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off. Trump said that together, they had "solved a lot of problems." Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he praised her for having done an incredible job and said he hoped she could come back to the administration serving in another position. "We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose (you). ... Hopefully, you'll be coming back at some point. Maybe a different capacity. You can have your pick," Trump said. Nikki Haley (Photo: AP) It's the latest shake-up in the turbulent Trump administration just weeks before the November midterm election. No reason for the resignation was immediately provided. Haley, 46, was appointed to the UN post in November 2016 and last month coordinated Trump's second trip to the United Nations, including his first time chairing the UN Security Council. Haley and Trump at press conference (: ) X Before she was named by Trump to her UN post, Haley was governor of South Carolina, the first woman to hold the post. She was reelected in 2014. Last month Haley wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post discussing her policy disagreements but also her pride in working for Trump. It came in response to an anonymous essay in The New York Times by a senior administration official that alleged there to be a secret "resistance" effort from the right in Trump's administration and that there were internal discussions of invoking the 25th amendment to remove Trump from office. "I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country," Haley wrote. "But I don't agree with the president on everything." Trump and Haley (Photo: Reuters) Echoing previous statements from Trump, Haley said the United States under his presidency is now respected around the world. "Now the United States is respected. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. They know that if we say we're going to do something, we follow it through," she said. Earlier this year, Haley told Reuters that, "Every day I feel like I put body armor on," to protect US interests at the United Nations. As governor, she developed a national reputation as a racial conciliator who led the charge to bring down the Confederate flag at the Statehouse and guided South Carolina through one of its darkest moments, the massacre at a black church. Being the daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and a possible candidate for the 2020 presidential elections. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally tweeted that Haley "has a very bright future and will be a key player in both the future of the Republican Party and our nation as a whole for years to come." However, she said she would not be running in 2020 and would campaign for Trump. The top diplomat is considered an enthusiastic supporter of Israel in at the UN, and has shared Trump's criticism of the UN institutions. The United States announced in June it was leaving the United Nations' Human Rights Council, with Haley calling it "an organization that is not worthy of its name." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Haley for her support of the Israel at the UN and said she had fought hypocrisy at the organization. "I would like to thank Ambassador Nikki Haley, who led the uncompromising struggle against hypocrisy at the UN, and on behalf of the truth and justice of our country," Netanyahu tweeted. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, echoed Netanyahu's remarks, applauding her stance towards the Jewish State. "Thank you, Nikki Haley! Thank you for representing the values common to Israel and the United States. Thank you for your support, which led to a change in Israel's status in the UN. Thank you for your close friendship. You will always be a true friend to the State of Israel," Danon said. Trump said he would name her successor within two or three weeks. Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon thanked Tuesday US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, following her resignation. "Thank you for representing the values common to Israel and the United States. Thank you for your support, which led to a change in Israel's status in the UN. Thank you for your close friendship. You will always be a true friend to the State of Israel," he said. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman referred Tuesday to the manhunt for the terrorist who carried out the terror attack in the Barkan industrial area. "I met with the special Mista'arvim Unit of the Duvdevan Brigade. I have been closely following the tremendous efforts to capture the terrorist who murdered Kim Levengrond Yehezkel and Ziv Hagbiwe are getting closer, his time is running out," he said. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday plans were being made for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and he thinks "incredible" progress has been made in US talks with the long-isolated country. "Well it is happening and we're setting that up right now," Trump told reporters at the White House after announcing the resignation of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Trump also said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had very good talks with Kim over the weekend and that three or four locations were being considered for the two leaders' next summit. "Timing won't be too far away," he added. Templeton Rye whiskey has made an agreement with Thirsty Camel in New Zealand and Happy Spirits Korea in South Korea for the distribution of its entire portfolio. Templeton is currently implementing a global roll out of its portfolio as it prepares to take on increased stock production from the new Templeton distillery in Iowa that opened in August 2018. Shane Fitzharris, executive vice president of global sales for Templeton Rye said: We believe that Thirsty Camel and Happy Spirits Korea are perfect fits for Templeton in New Zealand and South Korea. With the growth of the Templeton brand as well as the opening of our state of the art distillery in Templeton, Iowa this year, we believe we are perfectly placed to meet the growing demand for high quality rye and American whiskies around the world. It was reported before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today, that a sum amounting to Rs. 20 million had been spent through an account belonging to the Welfare Society of the Maga Neguma Construction Equipment company to fund the political activities of Hirunika Premachandra who is currently a member of Parliament. The OIC of the FCID unit 07 Chief Police Inspector Anura Premarathne submitted to courts the above facts as per a complaint lodged on 20th March, by the Chief Internal Auditor of the Peliyagoda Maga Neguma Construction Equipment Company Maragala Mudiyanselage Sarath Kumara. The FCID had reported to courts that the IGP had handed over this matter to the FCID for the conduct of an investigation. It had been further stated that the Welfare Society had been established in 2007. In terms of the institution of this Welfare Society a sum of Rs. 100 had been recovered from its members as membership fees, and from 2017 this membership fee had been increased to Rs. 150, which is been continued at present. The report states further that the former Chairman of the Maga Neguma Construction Equipment Company Kingsley Ranawake had on 28th December 2012 presented a Board Paper to increase the Non-refundable amount of 0.1% from the value of the contract recovered from the sub contractors and in addition to this 0.1% another 0.2% to be recovered from them. The FCID in its report further states that he has obtained the board approval for the above increase and additional charges. The report also states that in 2013 a General Meeting of the Maga Neguma institute had been held and an Auditor had been appointed to the Welfare Society. Audits had been conducted for the balance six months of the year 2012 and annual audits for the years 2013 and 2014 conducted. From these audits, it has transpired that in 2013 Rs 1,217,750.00, and in 2014 a sum of Rs 17,647,179.67 from the funds of the Employees Welfare Society had been obtained in violation of the constitution of the Society, and the amounts paid to Hirunika Premachandra and Lanka Phosphate Company had been supported by bills as reported to courts. In addition to the funds provided as proved by bills, the expenditure of additional amounts are not supported by bills which could be subjected to audit. Accordingly, the FCID reported that the audit officer had mentioned in his report that the Committee of Patrons, the Chairman and the Treasurer should be held responsible for the welfare activities, and the reports of 2013 and 2014 years clearly indicates that a sum of Rs 18,864,929.67 from the account of the Welfare Society had been used for political and other activities. (Nimanthi Ranasinghe) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Tuesday Nikki Haley, the outgoing US ambassador to the United Nations, for her support of Israel and said she had fought hypocrisy at the organization. "I would like to thank Ambassador Nikki Haley, who led the uncompromising struggle against hypocrisy at the UN, and on behalf of the truth and justice of our country," Netanyahu said on Twitter. Haley announced her resignation on Tuesday. The IDF published Tuesday footage of the Gaza security fence breach, showing a Palestinian rioter setting fire to an abandoned military post near the fence. The IDF's documentation was released almost 24 hours after a video of the incident was distributed by the Palestinians. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The unusual incident took place during the violent riots along the northern Gaza border fence on Monday, which were attended by thousands of Palestinians. During the disturbance, Palestinian rioters caused damage to the security fence in the Palestinian side and set it on fire. Several Palestinian rioters breaching the border fence near Kibbutz Zikim The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that the fire in the military post was immediately put out, and no casualties were reported. IDF footage of the Gaza security fence breach (: ") X The Palestinian video of the events shows several Palestinian rioters sabotaging the border fence near Kibbutz Zikim and breaching it. According to the IDF Spokesman's Unit, "the incident was observed and controlled by the IDF and at no point did it get out of hand. The troops responded with crowd dispersal measures and live fire, in accordance with the rules of engagement." Eleven rioters were wounded from IDF fire, according to the Gaza health ministry. During the riots, a relatively unusual incident occurred when a grenade exploded in the hand of a Palestinian who tried to throw it at IDF soldier. The Palestinian holding the grenade and others in the surrounding area were injured as a result. Meanwhile, several dozens of vessels sailed Monday from Gaza's shores towards Israeli waters in an attempt to break the naval blockade imposed on the strip. The Palestinians also set fire to tires placed on rafts in the water. Gaza flotilla (Photo: AFP) This was the 11th flotilla that was launched as part of the "March of Return" campaign. At the height of the violent clashes Monday, some 5,000 Palestinians were rioting by the border fence, throwing explosives, grenades and stones at IDF soldiers, and setting fires which caused thick black smoke to cover the area. Eleven rioters were wounded from IDF fire, according to the Gaza health ministry. Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for transferring funds to Hamas. "If Hamas thinks that as a result of this plight it can attack Israel it will be making a major mistake. Our response will be harsh, very harsh. I hope that it is possible to halt this strangulation but I also reiterate that Israel will act with all necessary strength to defend itself and its citizens," Netanyahu stressed. "The situation in Gaza may be divided in two. First, the permanent effort by Hamas to arm itself and organize against Israel. Second, in the last year Abbas has made the situation in Gaza more difficult by choking off the flow of funds from the Palestinian Authority to Gaza," he explained. "Abbas has interfered in all UN attempts to ease the plight in Gaza, including now. Many countries, today I can say that even the donor countries are condemning him for this, and rightly so," the prime minister added. A senior Israeli cabinet minister sent a letter Monday to the University of Michigan president over campus incidents that the politician described as showing a "vitriolic hatred against the Jewish state." Naftali Bennett, the minister responsible for education and diaspora affairs, admonished university President Mark Schlissel over a lecture last week at the Ann Arbor school. In it, artist Emory Douglas shared his work, including a collage of side-by-side images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler and the phrase "guilty of genocide" across their faces. They call the next round of elections the "wasted elections". Who are they? Likud ministers, two party leaders and two potential candidates. This column is based on a summary of observations made during a string of conversations I had with them. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter This is not exact science. If the wind changes and polls prove otherwise, their opinion of what is to come will change as well. There are no great principles here but one: Netanyahu. Members of the Likud party (Photo: Motti Kimchi) The attitude towards Netanyahu is a resource in Israel of 2018. The flatterers do this for political reasons, the silent players are unable to butter up, and so they prefer to talk about political birds flying according to the migration season. The holidays of Tishrei are a time of reckoning filled with children's noise, at least for me. Part of the process is political self-examination. I write this without mentioning names because there is no other way. They talk a lot, always circling around the answers when asked about Netanyahu, they are afraid, perhaps politically wise. Unfortunately, in these talks, moral issues are rarely raised, what is right for the state, the way leaders present themselves, setting a personal example, integrity, and many other terms seem to apply to the common taxpayer alone. What comes up in these talks are possibilities and connections, situations that can instigate a political storm and those that cannotI heard enough to know that they expect things to change in the upcoming elections. They want to be in the race, without losing too much. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu The assumption of my interlocutors is that Netanyahu will be re-elected prime minister in the next elections. He enjoys public's support more than ever before. His political path is accepted by most Israelisincluding yours truly. The populist method of pointing fingers at the left and the media works for him as well. When he stands on the podium and speaks impeccable English at the United Nations, while demonstrating tremendous rhetorical skills, everyone around him seem like grasshoppers. He is destroying the Bayit Yehudi party and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman we will touch upon it soonand collects odd mandates here and there, including those belonging to Shas. Those who support the prime minister, in particular, apparently do not mind the prime minister's affairs currently being investigated, they apparently do not care about his corruption and hedonism. Some of them are sworn 'Bibists' who support him through thick and thin. Others rely on cost-benefit considerations and are willing to turn a blind eyea healthy logic that cannot be discounted, even if I think otherwise. That is how these senior politicians reach a point of despair, or make peace with the situation, or waityou decide. On the one hand, they can't tolerate the prime minister's mixing of the personal and national, the character assassination, and, perhaps mainly, his attitude towards them. On the other hand, they have no choice. They must go with Netanyahu because it is not possible to go anywhere without him. Their words are more severe than any newspaper article Netanyahu enjoyes criticizing, but outside they are the teacer's pet,expert at evasions and staying silent. Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Yoav Dudkevitch) One of them fantasizes about a deal in which Netanyahu resigns before the next elections and all cases against him drop. He clings to the fact that one of his lawyers, Eyal Cohenwho once represented Dep. Comm. Roni Ritman, and Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit specializes in closing criminal cases quietly, through deals. In my opinion, this fantasy is based on wishful thinking, since even if Netanyahu wants a deal, it is better for him to sign it as prime minister. The others talk about a ticking clock that will start ticking immediately after the elections and the formation of the next coalition. The time for filing indictments is a mystery that depends on Mandelblit. The police should submit another recommendation in case 4000, followed by a hearings and decision making. One of the biggest failures in Israel is the slow pace of the justice system. Innocent and guilty people alike are being crushed by the wheels of justice. They suffer from injustice and delay of justice, but this is the reality nowadays. Netanyahu, according to their assessment, will enter the next elections as a strong and successful leader on one hand and as a victim of the system on the other. Publicity-wise, he is branded as a right-wing leader, right as the Bayit Yehudi partyin words, not in deeds so they are not really needed, Shas is on the election threshold, and so is Lieberman. Minister Naftali Bennett (left) and Defense Minister Lieberman (Photos: AP, EPA) That is why Bennett abandoned his plan to create an alternative to the Likud party, and combine different groups into one audience. He gathers around Netanyahu, trying to preserve what is, while attacking Lieberman and refraining from mentioning the prime minister in public. This is why Lieberman hopes the election threshold, which he himself has raised, will drop again under Netanyahu's command. This is also the reason for the public squabbling over the strategy regarding Gaza and HamasA strategy that does not exist. The next step according to agreed upon scenario is the looming indictment. For that reason, the next elections could take place in the middle of 2019 and a month later an indictment would be filed, which will shuffle the cards all over again. A year may pass. In a just world, a prime minister cannot serve as prime minister when going in and out of court. There were those in the Likudincluding Netanyahu who said in the past that a prime minister under investigation cannot function properly. They forgot that statement. People protest against Netanyahu's corruption (Photo: Amit Shabi) That is why Netanyahu will try to reach a coalition agreement in the next elections which will allow him to serve in office even if an indictment against him is filed. What is such an agreement worth? Nothing. Netanyahu knows that best of all. And so, the scenario of the "wasted elections" comes into play: the coalition will be taken apart, a month or six months after Netanyahu's indictment and his ensuing downfall, maybe via a plea deal. And they will wait, and let Miri Regev and Ayoob Kara keep up their good flattery work, paying lip service. "What do you want me to do?" a Likud member asked, "that's the last act" Netanyahu will go and they will take his place. The problem is that after a strong leader leaveschaos comes knocking. It is reasonable to assume that the stock exchanges will fall, as will the shares of the ruling party. No one is going to get the title of the running prime minister from others, especially not those I talked to. They wait together, careful not to stand out by presenting alternatives, or criticizing the prime minister, thus successfully avoiding their own beheading. Only one element was left out of this discussion: the element of surprise. US President Donald Trump surprised Hillary Clinton in America. Netanyahu surprised even himself in the last elections, when he received 30 mandates. Before Netanyahu there were Lapid, the Pensioners Party and others. Parties can fail to pass the election threshold. Benny Gantz, Orly Levy-Abekasis , Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon, Aryeh Deri, Lieberman and BennettEach and every one of them entered the casino. By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] IRONWOOD The city of Ironwood must pay $170,000 as its share of the costs regarding the 2012 gasification plant clean-up project by the Environmental Protection Agency. The consent decree with the EPA for claims under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act relating to the gas plant site was approved Monday by the city commission on a 3-0 vote. Joe Cayer Jr. and Kim Corcoran were absent. Mayor Annette Burchell and City Clerk Karen Gullan were authorized to sign the agreement. The city had previously been granted... Much has been said about the falling property market of Sydney, but many people fail to maximise the opportunities in the suburbs such as the west, which continues to benefit from renovations. The October report from property valuation and advisory firm Herron Todd White confirmed that a lot of Aussies were able to grow their capitals via home refurbishments in the western suburbs. House flippers often take on the form of small scale tradesmen as a side project. They look to take advantage of their own skills and contacts within the building industry to minimise costs and maximise profits that can be made in a relatively short time frame, the study stated. It was noted that the market was largely supported by investors, who are looking for above average rental returns, and homeowners who are trying to earn additional income. While most of these financial goals were achieved by means of granny flat construction, Western suburbs can provide more options for first home buyers looking to renovate or rebuild. The area boasts of a broader range of affordable properties, growing population and extensive infrastructure projects currently underway (such as West Connex and Western Sydney Airport). Careful decision making, though, is essential before starting any home improvements. As capital values level off throughout New South Wales capital, there might be a rise in homeowners opting to renovate, and while this move has always been deemed to increase the value of ones asset, it is important to note that renovations and extensions come at a price. Another factor that needs to be considered when renovating an existing property is the exit and entry costs link to selling and buying property in Sydney. Growing families are often faced with the choice of selling and upsizing their family home or potentially extending and renovating. Exit costs are one consideration, with other factors such as existing location and surrounding infrastructure such as public transport and local schools, explained Herron Todd White. The good news? Although renovations can be costly, homeowners were observed to have many years of strong capital growth with which to leverage borrowed funds if required. In addition, renovations in recent years were able to deliver satisfying profits. [They] have generally paid off and minor mistakes or budget blowouts have been somewhat mitigated by the increasing capital values of property throughout Sydney. Recent research from CoreLogic showed that home market continued to weaken through September, with national dwelling values declining 0.5% over the month. This marked a year of consistently dropping values across the property data providers national hedonic home value index. After the national index hit its peak the preceding year, home values have decreased by 2.7%, making for a slower rate of decline than the last housing market downturn. During the slump between June 2010 and February 2012, values fell by 3.0% over the first twelve months. For this current decline, CoreLogic Head of Research Tim Lawless noted that Sydney and Melbourne two of the biggest capital cities led the downward trend. While the housing market downturn is well entrenched across Darwin and Perth where dwelling values remain 22.1% and 13.2% lower relative to their 2014 peak, Sydney and Melbourne are now the primary drag on the national housing market performance, he said. Weve seen Sydney dwelling values drop 6.1% over the past twelve months and Melbourne values are 3.4% lower. Not only are these amongst the largest annual falls across the capital cities, but considering Sydney and Melbourne comprise approximately 60% of the national value of housing, the weak conditions in these cities have a substantial drag down effect on the overall national housing market performance. The pace of hikes has significantly slowed in Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra, despite the yearly increase in these cities home values. Data showed that in 2017, the annual gain in Brisbane was trailing at 2.9% and has since decelerated to just 0.8% over the past twelve months. Adelaide values were climbing at the annual rate of 5% a year ago, slowing to 0.7%. Meanwhile, Hobart saw its annual growth rate slow from 14.3% to 9.3%. Lastly, annual increases drastically decreased in Canberra from 7.8% to 2%. Bucking the trend were Perth and Darwin, whose yearly rate declines have eased. The report also highlighted the more challenging situation of regional markets, given that this segment has been more resilient to falls than in the capital cities. While regional Western Australia (WA) was the only rest of state region to record a decline in dwelling values over the past year, the September quarter saw values declining in more areas. Apart from WA, which was down by 3.4%, the following registered decreases in the quarter: Regional New South Wales (-1.3%),Regional Victoria (-0.2%), Regional Queensland (-0.6%), and Regional South Australia (-0.3%). Within the period from 2012 to 2014, the then SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe had allocated Rs.2.4 million for an apartment for a female Sales Support Officer in Dubai but previously it was claimed as an accommodation for executive trainees, it was told at the SriLankan Airlines Commission yesterday. SriLankan Airlines, Head of Finance, Yasantha Dissanayake informed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on irregularities at SriLankan airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka that the then Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe had directed the company finance division to allocate a monthly payment for an apartment in Dubai stating it was for executive trainees in Dubai but it was allocated for a person called Shehani Rodrigo, a Sales Support Officer in Dubai. He said that the invoices of the particular apartment mentioned the particular female Sales Support Officers name and not the company name. By the time we got to know about the incident she has taken the apartment on lease and was not a member of any training program. Periodically when we checked the stations we noticed the name of the invoices given as Shehani Rodigo and she was also paid with housing allowance as specified in the appointment letter, he said. At the Commission, SriLankan Airlines Manager, Human Resources and Administration, Lasantha Liyanage informed that the particular female Sales Support Officer had previously served as a Flight Attendant at SriLankan and she had personally requested Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe to grant her no pay leave for a period of one year. He said the Chairman had granted her one year no pay leave with a transfer to Airport Services and her first appointment was in Singapore as a Sales Support Officer. He said that this appointment was not informed to the HR division and it was not an approved position by the HR. He also informed the Commission that by the time she resigned from SriLankan Airlines, the Company IT division had changed her designation to SriLankan Manager, Ticket office and Marketing in UAE, which was not approved by the HR division. (Yoshitha Perera) News Washington, DC - Because so little is known about the Russian hacker group APT 28 or Fancy Bear, we sometimes attribute near-mythical qualities to it and its activities. After all, its carried out high-profile digital espionage campaigns against elections in the US and Ukraine and were behind a major breach at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) right before the last Olympics. And maybe that perception is correct from a technical standpoint. But, after the Dutch police unmasked several of them at a press conference last Thursday, its become clear that these guys are hardly master spies. So what happened, how did they get caught and what does this do to the overall perception of the group known as Fancy Bear? When Man-in-the-Middle goes Wrong This story starts with the Dutch police. As all good cybercrime tales do. And you may think Im joking but when you go through some of the highest profile digital busts in historythe Dutch police have their hands all over them. Most recently theyve been going after the dark web. Last year they quietly seized a black web marketplace called Hansa, then shut down the more prominent Alpha Bay. When the criminals that had been hawking their wares on Alpha Bay needed a new black web marketplace, they migrated to Hansa in drovesright into the hands of the Dutch police. Dont mess with the Dutch. Last Thursday, at a press conference announcing the indictments, the Dutch police went into exquisite detail about the hapless and bungling group of hackers that turned out to be part of APT 28 or Fancy Bear. And if the intention was to demystify Fancy Bear, they nailed it. Last April, outside of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Dutch police happened upon a car filled with four Russian gentlemen that appeared to be attempting to hack into the OPCWs wireless network. Unfortunately, while the Dutch authorities spared no details in describing the comedy of errors committed by the group, they werent as forthcoming about some of the specifics of the groups hacking attempts. From the available information it appears the group was attempting to set up some kind of man-in-the-middle access point meant to steal credentials after spoofing the real connection. We have this mental image of hacking as an activity done remotely. Thats not really accurate though. A lot of times physical proximity is critical for an attack or exploit to work. Thats why public WiFi can be so risky and its why WiFi networks are one of the biggest points of vulnerabilities for many organizations. [Sometime in the next week or so, our resident IT savant Ross Thomas is going to write about best practices for securing WiFi networks and other access points. So keep an eye out for that.] Unfortunately for Fancy Bear, this attempt at creating a MITM scenario ended in spectacular fashion. From Russia with What?! After discovering the hired car containing said Russians parked in close proximity to the OPCW, things just started unraveling for the Dutch police. In the car itself they found a bounty of intelligence information (with even more back at the hotel the men were staying at), equipment used for WiFi penetration, a laptop with a data trail leading back to several high-profile incidents one of which was the WADA hack there was even a photograph of the hacker taken at the 2016 Rio Olympics on the device. As more and more was discovered, the connection to Russias GRU intelligence agency became harder and harder to denyas did the fact these guys made really lousy spies. One of the men had a taxi receipt in his pocket for a trip to the airport from GRU headquarters on the day the group flew to the Netherlands. All four also decided to use their real names instead of traveling under an alias. A move that looked even more brilliant because one drives a car thats publicly registered to the GRUs cyberwarfare department. When the Dutch followed up by checking on other cars registered to that same GRU address, they potentially unmasked up to 300 more agents. They even got a signed confession from one of the Russians stating that he works for the GRU. The bust has led to the four arrests, all of whom (plus three additional Russians) have now been indicted by the US, too. The method the Dutch used to unmask the GRU operatives was done in a way meant specifically to demystify and discredit the GRU. This is actually the second such press conference by the Dutch police just this year. By shining a light on the methods and missteps of APT 28, theyre helping to puncture the perception many people have about Fancy Bear. Ironically, the Russians actually invented this method of disclosure in 2006 when they outed a British spy operation. News Orlando, Florida - Orange County Convention Center - Remarks by President Trump at International Association of Chiefs of Police: THE PRESIDENT: Please. Thank you very much. You can sit. (Laughter.) Its great to be with you. And I want to thank Chief Dekmar for that wonderful introduction and for your lifetime of distinguished service. A very special friend of mine. Im thrilled to be here in the great state of Florida, with the incredible men and women of law enforcement. On behalf of all Americans, I want to express our eternal gratitude for what you do every single day to protect our families, defend our streets, and take down criminals. And what you do is keep America safe, and nobody does it better than you. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) And I also want to thank your amazing families. Because you know that, without them, you couldnt do it. And theyre here. And they are indeed fantastic people. So thank you to the families. Appreciate it very much. (Applause.) We are thrilled to be joined today by a true friend of law enforcement, Governor Rick Scott. And I will tell you that Rick has been incredible when it comes to law enforcement. Anytime you need funds from the federal government, hes on the phone. Mr. President, we need more funds. Whats it for this time, Rick? (Laughter.) Its for law enforcement. And I say, You got them. And speaking of that (applause) oh, you got them. You got them. When law enforcement wants it and they always theyre reasonable. They want it. And what you do is so incredible. So I just want to say, Rick is a tremendous governor, and he is your biggest fan. So thank you very much. And also, another one of your big fans, I will tell you that, is Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is with us today. And thank you, Pam. Thank you very much, wherever you may be. Shes in this big room someplace. (Applause.) Thank you. Incredible woman. Thank you as well to our Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for being here. Flew down together. The press wants to know, What did you talk about? (Laughter.) But we had a very good talk, I will say it. That became a very big story, actually, folks. (Laughter.) We had a good talk. As Hurricane Michael nears landfall, we are working with state and local officials in Florida to take all necessary precautions. And we urge all residents to be prepared and to heed local officials. I told Rick Scott that we are ready for you. We have already briefed FEMA, and FEMA is getting prepared. And it looks like a big one. Can you believe it? It looks like another big one. But weve handled them well. We have handled them very well. And that includes the one that just left us in Florida. It never ends. But were all prepared, and hopefully it wont be as bad as its looking. It looked, to me looked, a couple of days ago, like it was not going to be much. And now, its looking like it could be a very big one. So were prepared. And good luck. Today, I also want to extend my very special thanks to Orlando Chief John Mina and the entire Orlando Police Department for hosting us in this great city. (Applause.) John. Where is John? Thank you, John. Great job. Great city. Safe city, too, John. Thank you very much. Great job. I also want to thank the board of IACP, and congratulations to your incoming President, Chief Paul Cell. Where is Chief? (Applause.) Chief. Good, Chief. I have a lot of respect for the Chief; I know the Chief. That means I guess I have to be here next year, Chief. Is that right? (Laughter.) Looking like that, right? Thats okay. For you guys, anything I can do, Ill do. Very importantly (applause) I want to recognize our law enforcement partners from around the world who have traveled here to share their experiences and to strengthen the vital cooperation that we all practice together. We have great, great cooperation all over the world. We deeply value your friendship and your partnership, and thank you very much for being here. Thank you. (Applause.) This year, we proudly celebrate the 125th anniversary of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Its a great group. Today, I stand before you, as the President of the United States, to tell you that my administration will always honor, cherish, and support the men and women in blue. And we are proud to do it. (Applause.) Working together, we have achieved extraordinary progress in the fight against violent crime. We understand that reducing crime begins with respecting law enforcement. For too many years, we have watched politicians escalate political attacks on our courageous police officers. And Ive never seen it more than over the last few years. Its disgraceful. Politicians who spread this dangerous anti-police sentiment make life easier for criminals and more dangerous for law-abiding citizens. (Applause.) And they also make it more dangerous for police. And it must stop, and it must stop now. (Applause.) Before I took office less than two years ago, our nation was experiencing a historic surge in violent crime. In 2015, 2016, an additional 128,000 violent crimes were committed nationwide compared to the two previous years. Thats a tremendous number of additional crime. Over the same period, we witnessed the steepest two-year consecutive increase in murders in nearly half a century. But we are turning that tide around very rapidly, as you all know in this room. We are taking back our streets from drug lords, gangs, and crimes. We are being tough. Were being smart. By the end of this year, murders in major cities are estimated to drop by close to 10 percent from their levels in 2016. And I have directed the Attorney Generals office to immediately go to the great city of Chicago to help straighten out the terrible shooting wave. We want to straighten it out. We want to straighten it out fast. Theres no reason for whats going on there. (Applause.) Ive told them to work with local authorities to try to change the terrible deal the city of Chicago entered into with ACLU, which ties law enforcements hands; and to strongly consider stop-and-frisk. It works, and it was meant for problems like Chicago. (Applause.) It was meant for it. Stop-and-frisk. And Rudy Giuliani, when he was mayor of New York City, had a very strong program of stop-and-frisk. And it went from an unacceptably dangerous city to one of the safest cities in the country and, I think, the safest big city in the country. So it works. Its got to be properly applied, but stop-and-frisk works. The crime spree is a terrible blight on that city, and well do everything possible to get it done. I know the law enforcement people in Chicago, and I know how good they are. They could solve the problem if they were simply allowed to do their job and do their job properly. And thats what they want to do. So, Chicago, were going to start working with you, as of today. (Applause.) Thank you. In the Fiscal Year 2018, my administration brought charges against more federal firearm defendants and more violent criminals than ever before in the history of our country. And to help former inmates become law-abiding and productive members of society, we are also working on a prison reform bill a very, very big and comprehensive one. And the best thing that could happen, I think weve already done: We have record numbers of jobs right now in the United States. There has never been a time when more people are working in our country than right now. (Applause.) And our unemployment numbers in almost every category are at record lows. They are record lows. African American best in history. Asian American best in history. Hispanic American best in history. We are doing incredibly well as a as an economy. And thats a great thing when you talk about people coming out of prison unable to get a job, totally unable to get a job; its a hopeless situation. Now, theyre getting jobs to a certain extent and to a large extent because were doing so well, and employers are forced to take people that they maybe wouldnt have done. And some of those employers call me and get back to me. And they say, Mr. President, its amazing how good these people are. And not all of them not all of anybody or any category is going to be great. But tremendous response. And these people have been given a second or even, in some cases, a third shot at it. And theyre doing really well. So the economy being so great, and the jobs picture being so strong people are getting an opportunity, and theyre doing an incredible job. So I just want to thank everybody in law enforcement. I know you agree with me on this. Its a great thing. (Applause.) And in particular, I have to thank the IACP for working with us on this effort and for endorsing important prison reform legislation all over the country. And were doing federal legislation, but all over the country. You folks have been fantastic. Every single day of my administration, we will stand for law, order, and justice. Just two days ago, the Senate confirmed a supremely qualified nominee who will be a faithful defender of the rule of law (applause) and will defend the United States Constitution the newest Supreme Court Justice, Brett Kavanaugh. (Applause.) And I will tell you, when I decided on Brett and we have tremendous talent in our legal system. But I decided on Brett. I said, Hes flawless. Hes a flawless person. The best student. The best scholar. The great intellect. Incredible record over many years. And yet, hes a young man. I said, Brett, congratulations. This is going to be a piece of cake getting you confirmed. (Laughter.) This is going to be so easy. It should go quickly, nicely. Dont even worry. He was so thankful. (Laughter.) He said, Mr. President, its the greatest honor of my life United States Supreme Court. The greatest of my life. So I havent heard him say that again to me, but I think he still believes it. (Laughter.) But hes a great person, and it was very, very unfair what happened to him false charges, false accusations, horrible statements that were totally untrue that he knew nothing about. Frankly, terms that he probably never heard in his life. He was this. He was that. Hed never even heard of these terms. It was a disgraceful situation brought about by people that are evil. And he toughed it out. We all toughed it out together. And I have to thank the Republican senators that fought so hard for this because it wasnt easy. And it was a great honor to be involved in this situation. A lot of people would have said, Oh, lets give it up. Lets go a different direction. We dont give up. You dont give up. We dont give up. Just dont do it. (Applause.) Hes going to be a great Supreme Court justice watch. A great one. He will be a great one. We will perform the swearing-in tonight at 7 p.m., at the White House. Thats very exciting. So I leave here, and I go home, and I swear in a man who will be a truly great United States Supreme Court Justice. Thats going to be my honor. (Applause.) Thank you. And Im going to tell him about the spontaneous applause. Before I even finished you people. (Laughter.) Because you knew what I was about to say, but I didnt even say it. And you started before I completed. So thats the kind of all over the country, Im doing rallies, and people are loving that man and loving that choice. So I think were all going to be very happy. In order to keep every American safe, we are also making officer safety a top priority. (Applause.) In 2016, an officer was assaulted in America on an average of every 9 minutes. Is this even believable? Last week, seven officers were shot in Florence, South Carolina incredible state. One was killed; numerous were really badly injured. Our hearts break for the family of fallen Officer Terrence Carraway. We pray for his loved ones and for the officers who are still recovering. When a police officer is assaulted or killed, it is a wound inflicted upon our entire nation. (Applause.) It is. And I have to say this, I dont think you understand one thing: how much our country loves you and the job you do. You dont hear it from them. (Applause.) You dont hear it from them. They dont tell you the real feeling. (Applause.) They dont tell you the true feeling, but I know the true feeling. I know the true feeling. You dont hear it from the media, but I can tell you, I know the feeling. And these people the people of our country love you. So I just want you to know it direct. AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Trump! THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. I love him, too. Hes just not my type, Im sorry. (Laughter.) Hes not my type. Thank you. One of my very first actions as President was to direct my administration to take all necessary action to protect law enforcement from acts of violence against all of you. We believe that criminals who kill our police officers should immediately, with trial but rapidly as possible; not 15 years later, 20 years later get the death penalty. (Applause.) And importantly, we are also making sure you have the equipment you need to do the job. (Applause.) Thats why we are allowing local police to access surplus military equipment. (Applause.) And weve been doing this since the very first day of my administration, whereas others didnt want you to have that equipment for very strange reasons. (Laughter.) They said it looked too tough, it looked too strong; its not a good look. You have people shooting at you, and theyre worried about your look. (Laughter.) Someday youll explain that one to me, please. I dont quite get it. (Applause.) Explain it. This equipment doesnt only protect your lives and safety, it protects the lives and safety of every citizen that you serve. During Hurricane Harvey, surplus military equipment helped rescue more than 9,000 people. (Applause.) We are also taking unprecedented action to help our local police fight the worst drug epidemic in our history the opioid crisis which took nearly 50,000 American lives last year. We have secured the most funding in history to give you the tools and resources that you need to hunt down the traffickers, stop these poisonous drugs from coming into our country, and to save American lives. In fact, today Im announcing another $42.4 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program to attack this epidemic. (Applause.) This grant funding will go to more than 50 innovative projects targeting the greatest drug threats facing the United States. And I will tell you that, last year in the budget this year also last year, we got $6 billion $6 billion to work on the opioid problem at every level, including people really helping people that are in need of help. Last year, we increased the average federal sentence for drug trafficking to its highest level since 2013. For the first time in years, we are ensuring there are real, tough consequences for those who flood our streets with deadly poison. Thanks to your partnership, last year, our brave ICE agents seized 1 million pounds of narcotics, including almost 7,000 pounds of heroin and more than 2,300 pounds of fentanyl saving thousands upon thousands of American lives. And this year, were way ahead of those numbers. Last year alone, ICE removed nearly 130,000 criminal aliens from our country. And, as you know, my competitors dont like that. They dont like that. Thats the other thing youre going to have to explain to me someday. Including thousands of vicious gang members and MS-13 predators. Theyre gone. Theyre gone. (Applause.) Yet, these brave ICE officers have been subjected to shameless attacks by leading members of the Democrat Party, including outrageous calls to abolish ICE. And also, theyre not a big help to us in law enforcement. They dont want to give us the kind of funds that you people are requesting. But youre getting them anyway because were giving them to you. But they fight us at every turn. (Applause.) The Democrats fight us at every single turn. Whether its law enforcement or military, they fight us at every turn. But we win. We condemn the vilification of law enforcement and law enforcement officers, and we stand proudly with the heroes of ICE, and Border Patrol, and law enforcement in general. We also strongly oppose efforts from politicians to shackle local police departments and prevent them from cooperating with their federal partners. So lets see whether or not Chicago as an example, locally accepts help. They need it. And well straighten it out fast. Were going to straighten it out fast. I assume they want to straighten it out. Sometimes I think, Maybe is it possible that they dont? But were going to be there. Were going to try and help them. Every day, these sanctuary city policies force the release of criminal aliens and gang members right back onto our streets, putting innocent civilians at grave risk many people being killed. I will fight every day for your right to cooperate with federal law enforcement and to protect your communities as you wish. And I know most of you in this room I think probably everybody in this room works brilliantly with our federal authorities. And its our honor to do it including funding, by the way including funding. Thank you. (Applause.) Last week, my administration also provided historic levels of funding to improve school safety. Through STOP School Violence grants, we are giving local schools and police departments the resources they need to hire more officers, and train more teachers, and better detect and address early warning signs of mental illness before its too late. I made a lot of strides in the last year. (Applause.) Heavy funding but youve made a lot of strides. In every action we take, we are defending American safety and treasuring the extraordinary I mean, were just helping as much as we can the extraordinary men and women who protect our communities. Here with us today are all four nominees for the IACP Police Officer of the Year Award. Officer Taylor Rust serves with the Plano, Texas Police Department. Good place. (Applause.) Wheres Taylor? Taylor. Wheres Taylor? Come on up here, Taylor. Run up here. Theyll let you up. Come on up. Well get all of them up. Come on. (Applause.) A year ago, Taylor raced to the scene of an active shooter in a neighborhood, entered the house without any backup at all, and shot and killed the murderer it turned out to be somebody with a lot of bad past saving the lives of four civilians. Officer Rust, we salute you and your remarkable courage. You are a great gentleman. Stay up here with me, okay? (Applause.) Say come on, say couple of words. OFFICER RUST: Thank you. Thank you. Youll have to forgive me, Im much more comfortable in the situation Mr. President described than being up here. (Laughter.) Its a tremendous honor for me to be here. I appreciate everything IACP has done for us, my family. My wife, Amber, is here. Shes been a tremendous support, as well, through this whole thing. (Applause.) Its been a very humbling experience for me, and its been an honor to be spoken in the same breath with the other three officers that are sitting over there today. Thank you very much. (Applause.) THE PRESIDENT: That was a good job. Hell be running for office soon. You watch. (Laughter.) Thank you very much, Taylor. Last May, Officer Mark Dallas was on duty at Dixon High School, in Illinois, when he heard gunshots. Within listen to this three seconds, he was at the scene, right outside the auditorium where the entire senior class was gathered and was in a lot of trouble. The shooter fled and fired shots at him, but Officer Dallas chased him down before a single student was injured. (Applause.) Officer Dallass son Joshua was one of the seniors inside that auditorium. Afterwards, Joshua said, I wasnt scared for my life at all because I knew my dad would protect us. How good is that? (Applause.) Thank you, Officer Dallas. Where are you? Officer Dallas, come on up here. Thats pretty good. Thats pretty good. (Applause.) So his son had a little confidence in him. Thats not bad. Thats beautiful. Beautiful. OFFICER DALLAS: Public speaking is not my best, but Im Im extremely nervous. (Laughter.) Mr. President, I appreciate everything, and the support you give us. And Im honored to be here with the IACP and the other nominees. My son said he wasnt scared because dad was out there. I was dad to 182 other kids in that gymnasium. (Applause.) I just want to say thank you. Im honored and blessed to be here. Thank you. THE PRESIDENT: Beautiful story. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thats a beautiful story. And your son was right. In October of last year, Washington State Trooper Nathaniel Dawson pursued a car that violated a traffic law. When the car stopped, two gunmen began shooting at Trooper Dawson, and shooting very violently. Despite heavy fire, Trooper Dawson got out of his vehicle and fired back until the shooters ran away and were later apprehended. They were very dangerous criminals. Our streets are safer, and our criminals recoil in fear because of brave officers like Trooper Dawson. And I want to thank you. Come up, please, Trooper Dawson. (Applause.) TROOPER DAWSON: Wow. Its a great honor to be here tonight. Thank you all for coming Mr. President. I think we all would say the same: Were just doing our job. And to be recognized is just extra. So thank you again. (Applause.) THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. These people have a lot of respect for you. They dont sit down when youre up here. (Laughter.) They have a lot of respect, right? (Applause.) Thats great. Beautiful. Finally, Sergeant Luis Celis of the Doral I know it well Florida Police Department they are fantastic responded to the call that you all read about a big story at the time that a shooter was in the lobby of Trump National Doral. Can you believe this is happening to me? And I didnt say, Put this man I knew what he did. But they put him. Threatening a lot of people that were in the hotel, including the employees. Sergeant Celis entered the building, engaged in a vicious shooting attack, and captured the criminal before anyone was hurt which was incredible, actually. (Applause.) Sergeant Celis, that was really a job well done. People are still talking about it. It was an amazing job. Please come up. (Applause.) SERGEANT CELIS: I guess hes a tough act to follow (laughter) what the guy said over here. Thanks everybody for being here. My wife, Olga. And congratulations to everybody else. Thank you. (Applause.) THE PRESIDENT: And just to conclude, I have to say, in each of these stories we see the unmatched strength, and character, and courage of our amazing heroes in blue. Every day, our police officers race into darkened allies and deserted streets, and onto the doorsteps of the most hardened criminals people you dont want to be dealing with. And you deal with them well. Incredible. They see the worst of humanity, and they respond with the best of the American spirit. Americas police officers have earned the everlasting gratitude of our nation. In moments of danger and despair, you are the reason we never lose hope because there are men and women in uniform who face down evil and stand for all thats good and just and decent and right. No matter what threat you face, you never give in. You never back down. You are people of tremendous courage and strength. We appreciate it. (Applause.) Appreciate it. Nothing can break your spirit or bend your will Ive seen it over many years because you are the proud men and women of law enforcement. We thank you. We salute you. We honor you. And we promise you: We will always have your back. Now and forever, we will have your back. (Applause.) So its my great honor to be with you today, and I thank you and I thank everyone in this incredible room of heroes the International Association of Chiefs of Police. You have very, very special, very smart, very brave, brave people. And on behalf of our incredible country our country thats getting stronger and bigger and richer and just better were making it greater. (Laughter.) And thats okay. Its greater. Were making it greater. (Applause.) I want to say God bless you, God bless your families, and God bless America. Thank you very much. Great honor. Thank you. Living Section San Luis, Arizona - On Tuesday, October 23rd, the San Luis Library will present Spooky USA at 5:00 p.m. Prepare for chills and thrills as we tour the most haunted places in the United States, especially the Desert Southwest! There is no charge to attend. The San Luis Library is located at 1075 N 6th Avenue in San Luis, Arizona. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - The City of Yumas quarterly Household Hazardous Waste collection day returns 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 13, in the east parking lot of the Yuma Civic Center (1440 W. Desert Hills Drive). Leftover household products that are flammable, corrosive, toxic or reactive under certain circumstances are considered household hazardous waste (HHW). The City's HHW Day provides a free opportunity for residents to safely dispose of these products, such as paint, batteries, pesticides and cleaners, by simply dropping them off. This type of waste requires special care to be properly disposed of. To participate, collect your unwanted household hazardous waste items and take them to the Civic Center parking lot, where traffic control devices will show vehicles to the drop-off site. Then, describe the types of waste to be collected. From there, staff will provide instructions for which station(s) to stop to drop off waste. The following items will be accepted at the HHW collection event: Motor oil Paint Antifreeze Household cleaners Solvents Pesticides Batteries Fertilizers Tires (limit of five; must be off the wheel) No business/commercial waste, ammunition, pressurized gas, radioactive waste, explosives, prescription drugs or needles will be accepted. Approximately 345 vehicles stopped by the most recent HHW Day on October 17 to drop off unwanted hazardous waste. E-waste items for drop-off include: Home computer components TV sets VCRs/DVD players Cell phones Home phones Residents may bring the following household items to the drop-off site to be recycled: Aluminum cans Paper E-Waste Cardboard material Paper documents Plastics Next HHW collection dates: Oct. 13, 2018 (8 a.m. to noon) Jan. 12, 2019 (8 a.m. to noon) Questions? Please call the City's Public Works Department at (928) 373-4500. Ellie Mae, Inc. provides cloud-based platform for the mortgage finance industry in the United States. It provides Encompass, an enterprise solution that engages in running the business of originating mortgages, including marketing and lead management; loan origination and processing; underwriting; preparation of mortgage applications, disclosure agreements, and closing documents; loan funding and closing; compliance with regulatory and investor requirements; and enterprise management. The company's Encompass Digital Lending Platform helps lenders and investors across their workflow from the prospective customers to the point of loan delivery. In addition, the company provides education and training services; professional and technical support services; and loan product, policy, and guideline data and analytics services. Ellie Mae, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California. Read More There is not enough analysis data for Mongolia Growth Group. 4.5 Community Rank Outperform Votes Mongolia Growth Group has received 35 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Mongolia Growth Group has received 16 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Mongolia Growth Group has received 68.63% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Mongolia Growth Group and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe YAK will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe YAK will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next iShares MSCI Chile ETF's stock was trading at $25.05 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, ECH stock has increased by 8.6% and is now trading at $27.20. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have instructed the top officials in Polonnaruwa to invite Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for official functions, it is learnt. The President gave such instructions to the officials in the district before he left for Seychelles. There are numerous government functions such as openings and launches in Polonnaruwa. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF's stock was trading at $35.66 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWL stock has increased by 42.7% and is now trading at $50.87. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. Uber Ghana contact number might mean getting home 30 minutes earlier than usual. It is both affordable and safe. All Uber drivers are vetted as an enrollment requirement before becoming part of the group. This means your safety is guaranteed, and in case you are not satisfied with the services, you can easily file a complaint with the management. In addition to these, Uber provides comfort that is seldom found in the public transport sector. READ ALSO: Ursula Owusu-Ekuful enstooled development chief of Akyem Asuom Uber Ghana contact number is of interest to many people in Ghana. Uber in Ghana can be found in different towns and cities, including Accra. The company deals majorly in providing private transport from point A to point B without compromising your security, comfort and most importantly, your time. To crown it all, the services are charged per mileage. Uber works in a simple and straightforward manner. First, the driver registers as an Uber driver and downloads the Uber Driver App, which he/she uses to outsource clients. The clients or people who want to use Uber register for the Uber app and download it onto their smartphones. The contact number of Uber Ghana Uber Accra contact number Uber Accra contact number has not been made available. However, their physical address has been provided. Make a walk-in and meet an Uber expert to solve your problem. Golden Lilly Hall, Ghana International Trade Fair Centre Mon-Fri: 9am - 4pm help.uber.com Uber Kumasi contact number Uber Kumasi contact number is yet to be made available. Nonetheless, this article has made it easy for you to identify Uber Kumasi address, allowing you to give Uber a physical visit in their offices. Plot No. 16B Block O, Nhyiaeso Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm help.uber.com Uber Ghana customer care contact number Customer care is a crucial part of any organization, both to the management and the consumers of the service. Uber understands this and has put all measures necessary to ensure that all your issues are resolved. However, the Uber Ghana customer care number has not been made available. This is unfortunate. You can, however, reach Uber support by following the process below: Press ACCOUNT in your driver app Press HELP Press the blue phone icon at the top right corner of your screen Press CALL SUPPORT In addition to these, you can reach Uber Ghana using; Uber Ghana website: www.uber.com It is important to note that Uber Ghana contact email is available on their app's help service. Their emails are not available anywhere else. If you have ever received any email from them, look there again for any of their emails. If not, you may have to download their app to be able to reach them. Uber Ghana offices are located in Accra and Kumasi. If you are a driver, walking into their offices for help might be the best option for you to get your issue resolved. In Accra, it is located at Golden Lilly Hall, Ghana International Trade Fair Centre, whereas in Kumasi, it is located at plot No. 16B Block O, Nhyiaeso. READ ALSO: Photos: KIA's Terminal 3 draws praise from Ghanaians, foreigners When a client wants to use the services of an Uber driver, he/she inputs their destination detail, which is processed by the app, and the approximate fare is provided. The app then connects you to the closest available Uber driver who comes to the pickup location, i.e. where you are. Once you arrive at your destination, the Uber app would give the total payable amount to both you and the Uber driver. Uber Ghana contact number allows you to be in touch with your favourite transport partner. Uber has invested heavily in public transport allowing you to reach your destination without a hassle. This has been done with security, customer experience and growth in mind. Next time you catch a ride, try to pay attention and prove to yourself whether these three aspects have been well met. For the drivers and car owners, employment is assured, and cash flow is sustainable. The app avails clients with little strain. All you have to do is get your car in shape and make it part of Uber to reap the benefits of the Uber dream turning into reality. READ ALSO: Guinness Ghana breweries contacts and offices UTV Ghana contact numbers and email addresses Source: Yen United Television Ghana (UTV) is a famous TV network in Ghana. UTV Ghana contact can be of use to everyone. It is without a doubt that television facilitates communication in our day. In Ghana, UTV enjoys extensive coverage across the country, delivering information using Ghanaian local languages. This allows Ghanaians to enjoy their favourite TV programs in Ghanaian local languages, especially Twi. With this kind of journalism, people get to understand the information made available to the extent where they become part of the conversation. However, for them to send their feedback, they must have the right contact information. READ ALSO: Bride whose husband died in tragic accident speaks after her coma United Television Ghana (UTV) contact information might not be easy to come by. This lowers your chances of getting your voice heard on the station or locking you out of UTV services. Do not despair. This article seeks to outline the crucial UTV Ghana contact that you can use, whenever you want to get in touch with the company. UTV Ghana contact number Office address: Abeka Junction, Accra. Get in touch: +233-(0)-302-257903. Contact the UTV newsroom on the following numbers: Phone 1: 0288700200. Phone 2: 0288700100. Phone 3: 0302406669. Their social media handles: Twitter handle: @utvghana. Facebook: @utvghana. UTV Ghana postal address Address: 3rd Floor, Ship House, Abeka Junction, Tesano. Postal address: 17470. City: Accra. Region: Greater Accra. UTV Ghana telephone number: 0302 243524. UTV Ghana email address: info@utvghana.com. wiafe@utvghana.com. Categories: Pay TV. TV Broadcasting. READ ALSO: 2019 US Visa Lottery opened from October 3 to November 6 UTV Ghana contact address and any other contact for UTV Ghana named above should help serve as a means to secure communication with UTV. Whether it is for a job recruitment opportunity or adding value to the conversations on air, UTV Ghana contact will help you establish a solid contact with the television station. Nonetheless, it is always essential for you to get your story straight before you call. This will help you be the person everyone remembers for giving a valuble opinion. Source: Yen Guinness Ghana breweries is a name most Ghanaians can relate with quite profoundly, especially those who like a taste of fineness. The company has its brands across different classes of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The company is healthy in business, as much as it is healthy in coming up with the right recipe for their drinks. Some of their celebrated brands across the world include Baileys, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff. Guinness Ghana breweries limited runs its daily activities from two different sites - Kaasi in Ashanti region, where its headquarters is located and at Achimota, in the Greater Accra region. It boasts of being the only beverage company listed on the Ghana stock market. READ ALSO: Menzgold's George Quaye resigns with immediate effect Guinness Ghana Breweries limited (GGBL) is a beverage-only business in Ghana. It is known for producing big brands not only in Ghana but also internationally. The company has a vision of being the best performing, most trusted and the most respected consumer-goods business in the country. The company seeks to realize this vision by strengthening its premium brands, developing skills in its employees, extending its route to consumers, and coming up with new innovations to meet the needs of consumers. The company ensures there is efficiency in operations and minimum effect on the environment. Apart from this, Guinness Ghana breweries is an employer with a significant impact on Ghanas employment figures. As an employer, GGBL has provided jobs to many Ghanaians directly and indirectly. READ ALSO: 7 key things you must know before marrying a pastor Guinness Ghana Breweries limited contacts The Corporate Relations Department manages all media enquiries relating to Guinness Ghana's corporate and brand activities. Guinness Ghana Breweries ltd head office P. O. Box 3610, Achimota Accra. Tel: 233 (0)302 428000. Fax: 233 (0)302 428102. Email: GGBL@diageo.com. Guinness Ghana Breweries limited official website www.guinnessghana.com Guinness Ghana Breweries Kumasi Company name: Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd. Address: Kaasi Industrial Area, Kumasi, Ghana. Phone: 0322083333. Fax: 0322083521. READ ALSO: Bride whose husband died in tragic accident speaks after her coma With the Guinness Ghana Breweries contact provided above, anyone with the need to reach the company can easily do so using the Guinness Ghana Breweries address and contact information provided. This will allow you to get the necessary services or get answers to your questions about the company. Source: Yen.com.gh - Former president John Mahama said he has never lied for power before - He said he always told the truth, and never made lofty campaign promises he knew he couldnt fulfill - Mahama accused Akufo-Addo and the NPP of telling lies for power Former President John Mahama has said unlike President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he has never told a lie for power before. According to Mahama, he has no record of telling lies to win power, but that cannot be said of Akufo-Addo and his government. He added that though the Akufo-Addo government lied its way into power with lofty promises, he Mahama, has always been truthful with the people of Ghana and never told them a lie for the sake of winning power. John Mahama Source: UGC READ ALSO: 5 top Ghanaian pastors and their alleged political affiliations This is contained in a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Classfmonline.com. The former president reportedly made these statement when he was speaking with delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Wa Central Constituency of the Upper West Region. He was on a tour in that region as he campaigns for the flag bearer slot of the NDC party. Mahama told the delegates who had gathered at the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies that it is not his nature to deceive Ghanaians with promises just so he can win power. READ ALSO: Akufo-Addo was not meant to be president spiritually Badu Kobi He further accused Akufo-Addo of being the master of lies for power, who would just make any promise for the sake of winning political power. The former president added that those who tell lies for power forget that they cannot use lies to govern once they win the power they used lies to get. But there are some people: He says it doesnt matter what promises you make, you promise everything just to get political power, but the point is: You forget that when you get the political power, you cannot use those promises and lies to govern the country, Mahama stressed. READ ALSO: Fella Makafui heartlessly snatches Medikal from Deborah Vanessa In a bid to expose the president, Mahama revealed that Akufo-Addo had made weird promises to give each student a chocolate day, plus an egg a day; however, these promises have been thrown to the dogs after the NPP lied its way to power in 2016. Apparently there was another promise that each child in school will get one chocolate a day, do you remember? Theres was another promise that theyll give each child one egg a day, do you remember? I mean why? Why do you do this to yourself? John Mahama querried. Touching on why he lost the 2016 election, Mahama said it was the doing of God to enable Ghanaians compare him and his government with Akufo-Addo and the NPP. With what he described as poor performance by the NPP, John Mahama is hopeful of winning the 2020 elections for the NDC. READ ALSO: Medikal praises Fella Makafuis body and fans can't keep calm Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Fans attack Moesha over her latest wild twerking video Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page Source: Yen - President Akufo-Addo says building a National Cathedral is one of his government's topmost priorities - The president said the edifice was going to be an iconic centre for thanksgiving and to worship God for His mercies President Akufo-Addo has described the building of a National Cathedral as a priority among priorities in defence of the controversial project. A year ago, government revealed plans to construct a National Cathedral to serve as a national non-denominational Christian worship center. However, the decision has been widely criticised by a section of Ghanaians who believe its a misplaced priority. President Akufo-Addo. Source: Presidency.gov Source: Facebook READ ALSO: St Louis SHS teacher arrested after paying student rape victim GHS10K to shut up There were also concerns raised after it emerged that some 14 judges have to be evacuated from their homes to make way for the construction of the cathedral. President Akufo-Addo has, however, defended his administrations decision to go ahead with the project despite the criticisms. Speaking an investment forum in London, he explained that the National Cathedral will serve as a national symbol for all Ghanaians. To this end, the President described the construction of the National Cathedral as a priority among priorities. People will ask if it (national cathedral) is a priority. It is a priority among priorities. Well never find enough money to do everything we want to do. But we have to begin, and thats what we have started, Nana Addo remarked. 70 percent of the population is Christian. This is the focus that strengthens the community. We find ourselves in need of a symbol that the Ghanaian nation can rally behind. We see elsewhere in the huge world monuments, and we are going to find the means to sort it out, he added. Corroborating the Presidents account, founder of the Danquah Institute, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, said there is no turning back now, adding that the construction of the National Cathedral is a great idea. READ ALSO: Pastor apologises for sending nude photos to married women The Cathedral is a great idea. The location is perfect. The means of funding, not with public funds, is refreshing. The Cathedral must be built. The judges will be housed and even more recently, the NPP bigwig stated. The Christian community is set to fund the project, while government will provide the land required for its construction. Ghana News Today: President Akufo-Addo Narrowly Escapes Jet Crash | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: The 2 most wanted Ghanaians on Interpol list Share your views on this with us in the comments section below. Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook/Instagram page. Source: Yen.com.gh The online portal, MyNewsGH.com, has reported that former president, Jerry Rawlings, used some tough descriptions against former president John Kufuor. The online media portal claims that Jerry Rawlings was heard making those statements while addressing an audience. READ ALSO: Pastor apologises for sending nude photos to married women Below are the direct write-up sourced from MyNewsGH.com: Starting from Atta Mills, Mr Rawlings said Wantumi any hu!, referencing Mills ability to right wrongs of the past. For Mr. Mahama, Rawlings said he wasted his opportunity but when it got to Akufo-Addo, Mr Rawlings said he doesnt understand why people dont respect that man, because in his words, that man is cultured. The last person is John Agyekum Kufuor whose name Mr Rawlings did not mention but said some former presidents are Hypocrites, wicked creatures. Stressing and repeating the words, he said yes, hypocrites! Wicked creatures!. This is not the first time Jerry Rawlings has made such comments. He earlier made a telling statement on how much he detests former presidents John Mahama and John Agyekum Kufuor. According to the founder of the NDC, he will not mind spending eternity in hell than to see Mahama and Kufuor share a place with him in Heaven. In an address to members of the party in the Volta Region, Jerry Rawlings argued that both former presidents have failed to develop Ghana despite their campaign promised to do so. I know with my integrity when I die, I will go to heaven but when I see these corrupt leaders, I will ask permission from God and flog them. If they dont leave heaven for me, I will go and leave the heavens and join Satan in hell because I cannot stay in the same place with them, Jerry Rawlings stated. Rawlings made these statements when the chiefs and people of Mepe in the North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region paid a courtesy call on him to officially invite him to the final funeral rites of Mamaga Awusi Sreku II, queen of the Mepe Traditional Area. READ ALSO: 5 top Ghanaian pastors and their alleged political affiliations In fact, the words of Jerry Rawlings come as no surprise to followers of Ghanaian politics. Founder of the NDC has held massive rallies in the past especially against former president John Kufuor. Rawlings subsequently apologized for the words used against Kufuor. Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh Share your views on this with us in the comments section below. Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook/Instagram page. Source: Yen - 7 illegal miners were reportedly arrested on Saturday, October 6, 2018, by a committee tasked to clamp down on illegal mining - 6 of the suspects, all Ghanaians, however escaped from police custody, leaving the 7th, a Chinese national - The Chinese national will be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for action to be taken against him The Excavator Tracking Taskforce of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining has arrested six Ghanaians and a Chinese national for illegal mining. The arrests took place on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region. The Ghanaian suspects however escaped from police custody, leaving the unidentified Chinese national behind. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining Source: Supplied Source: UGC READ ALSO: SHS teacher in trouble for forcing himself on a student YEN.com.gh understands that the Chinese national will be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for the necessary action to be taken. Items seized from the suspects included five pump action guns, ammunitions, CCTV monitors, a recorder and some quantities of sand containing gold ore. A member of the Excavator Tracking Taskforce, Meniru Ahmed, revealed that the taskforce had a tip-off, which led to the arrest of the illegal miners. He added that the suspects were undertaking illegal mining under the pretext of reclaiming some mined out areas in the Amansie West District. According to him, the suspects were handed over to the police so that they could follow up on another leads to an illegal mining site. However, upon return to the police station, they did not meet any of the police personnel who took custody of the suspects, while the six Ghanaians were reported to have escaped from custody. Ahmed expressed surprise that while they were at the mining site, some police personnel came there to cause their arrest, upon a request by one of the illegal miners. He, therefore, appealed to the government to assist the taskforce in their efforts to halt illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey. READ ALSO: General Mosquito's position in NDC in serious danger - Ben Ephson Ghana News Today: President Akufo-Addo Narrowly Escapes Jet Crash | Yen.com.gh Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on or Instagram now! Source: Yen.com.gh There is always something sparkling when it comes to celebrity weddings. And in Ghana the situation is not any different when two celebs decide to wed. First, there is all the buzz that comes with the announcement of the wedding. Interestingly, no matter how private the ceremony is, it is certain that it would be leaked before the D-day. In recent years, many Ghanaian celebs have gotten married in colorful ceremonies that got the whole country talking. READ ALSO: St Louis SHS teacher arrested after paying student rape victim GHS10K to shut up But the most interesting part of these weddings is not the reception or the dignitaries that grace the occasion, it is rather the moment that the groom kisses his bride. In fact, that is the very moment that many people look forward to. So, lets take a look at some of the best wedding kisses involving Ghanaian celebrities: 1. John Dumelo and wife Mawuyna Photo credit: Konkonsa.com Source: UGC Wild photo of John Dumelo kissing his wife for the first time after their wedding excites Ghanaians. John Dumelo finally hung up his suit and married Gifty Mawunya, in a simple but classy traditional wedding ceremony in Accra. 2. Actress Bibi Bright and husband Actress Bibi Bright and her husband in a passionate kiss at their marriage ceremony. The Zylofon Media Signee and actress Bibi Bright went off the market when she tied the knot to Akwesi Boateng at a private ceremony. 3. Chris Attoh and his wife Photo credit: Ameyawdebrah.com Source: UGC The actor married his new love, Bettie Jenifer. Chris's marriage to Bettie is coming barely a year of after divorcing Nigerian Damilola Adegbite with whom he has a son. 4. Sarkodie and wife Tracy Photo credit: Myjoyonline.com Source: UGC Sarkodie was finally off the market in July 2018. The Adonai hitmaker and his long-time girlfriend, Tracy, tied the knot. The two dated for 10 years and have a two-year-old daughter together. 5. Naa Ashorkor and husband Photo credit: Rogue Lens Source: UGC Naa Ashorkor got married to the love of her life, Ahuma Kabutey and the couple seem to be in love with each now, more than ever. Ghana News Today: Ebony Wins Big at 2018 Ghana Music Awards UK | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: National Cathedral a priority among priorities - Nana Addo Share your views on this with us in the comments section below. Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook/Instagram page. Source: Yen In life he shared a radiant smile and in death I saw him, without any exaggeration, retaining that smile, as I paid my last respects to SHIBLY AZIZ on October 8 at his residence in Lake Drive, Colombo. The residence was packed to capacity with mourners. They were from all walks of life, but with a noticeable representation from the legal fraternity. I was privileged to pay my respects in the company of former Chief Justice Asoka de Silva. Presidents Counsel Aziz was the Leader of the Official Bar as the then Attorney General of Sri Lanka (1995 to 1996), but more importantly he became the only one in recent times to be also elected as the Leader of the Unofficial Bar when he was voted to office as President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (2010-2012). There is little doubt that he earned this unique recognition of the countrys influential Bar not only because of his 50 years of contribution to the development of our legal system, but also because of his unwavering humility, a wonderful feature of a highly respected man the country just lost. He passed away in the early hours of Monday (October 8) and was laid to rest at the Jawatte Mosque Cemetery, the same evening amidst a very large gathering. He was a member of the Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka representing the civil society, the last of several high positions that he held. He had also served as a member of the Law Commission of Sri Lanka and was also a member of the Council of Legal Education. He was widely recognised as the most knowledgeable authority in Sri Lanka on aviation and shipping law and was also a lecturer both at the Sri Lanka Law College in shipping and aviation law as well as at the University of Colombo. Shibly Azeez PC was well-known as an eminent Legal Counsel. But he was not motivated by the craze to become a money making machine. I do remember a number of instances when he gave free advice and at times appeared for individuals who were in financial difficulty. He also served as an active President of the Ahadiya Association, the Sunday School of religious education which is an islandwide network of schools. Ahadiya movement was founded by his late father Marhoom Advocate M H Abdul Aziz of Galle. It remains a great institution that has guided many. It continues to guide thousands of youth away from wrongful conduct and take the path of offering a beneficial service to others. He has left us leaving an endearing smile in our hearts. May the Almighty grant him Jennathul Firdouse. (M.M. Zuhair) - A man of God, Prophet Badu Kobi, has stated that Ghana's 1992 constitution is of no use to Ghanaians - He explained that the constitution should give Ghanaians the right to remove a government if it isn't working in their best interest - Prophet Badu added that Ghana's challenges are both physical and spiritual and as such President Akufo-Addo should carefully find solutions to them The Founder and Leader of the Glorious Wave Church International, Prophet Emmanuel Badu Kobi, has blamed Ghanas 1992 constitution for the challenges the country faces. To him, the countrys constitution gives too much power to the president, who abuses it by doing as he pleases. According to a report by GHIssues.com, he added that President Akufo-Addo and his government have misused their powers, resulting in the hardships being faced by Ghanaians. READ ALSO: Illegal mining: Chinese national left behind as 6 Ghanaian suspects vanish from police custody Prophet Kobi went on to say that it makes no sense for citizens to he held bondage by the constitution for four years, when the government is performing as it should. In his opinion, the citizens should be given the opportunity to remove a government that isnt working in their interest. He added that the four-year term should either be reduced or made flexible so that the countrys government could be changed if it isnt performing. Our system isnt the best, that we will have a leader to be in the realm of affairs for four years before we have the chance to change the person. It is a wrong system. If the person becomes president and is not performing, he needs to be changed. If after two years of becoming the president the person doesnt perform, we have to organize elections and kick them out. Is that not the practice in other jurisdictions? In other jurisdictions, someone is voted into office but within two years, the people pass a vote of no confidence and he is voted out. Dont you hear of such? That is why we are suffering; we need to adopt that system in Ghana Badu Kobi said on Kofi TV. Prophet Kobi went on to say that Ghanas current hardships has both spiritual and natural underpinnings and President Akufo-Addo must therefore tread cautiously and find solutions to these factors. READ ALSO: General Mosquito's position in NDC is in serious danger - Ben Ephson Ghana News Today: Ebony Wins Big at 2018 Ghana Music Awards UK | #Yencomgh Use the comments section below to share your views on this story. Do you have a story to share or you have information for us? Get featured on YEN.com.gh. Message us on Facebook or Instagram Source: Yen Founding president of Believers Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, displayed his dancing skills during her daughters wedding. Pastor Chris daughter, Sharon Oyakhilome, tied the knot with her Ghanaian sweetheart, Philip Frimpong, last Saturday, October 6, 2018. The well celebrated wedding held at the Christ Embassy Headquarters in Lagos and had in attendance Pastor Benny Hinn, who officiated over the ceremony. READ ALSO: My kind of man should have the cash - MzVee After the church services, the wedding guests were treated to a royal reception and one interesting highlight of the evening was the dancing session where Pastor Chris was spotted hilariously dancing shaku shaku with his daughter and son-in-law. Shaku shaku is a trending Nigerian dance step that has gone global and has taken over the mainstream media in Nigeria. Video credit: Browngh.com In other news: Ghanaian broadcaster and actor Chris Attoh has remarried after divorcing Nigerian actress Damiola. READ ALSO: Shatta Wale advises Samini, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie to quit music Chris married Betty Jennifer, who is a Caribbean bust based in America. The event came off last Saturday, October 6, 2018 at North Kaneshie in Accra. Watch: Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page. Source: Yen - Jessica Padgett was looking forward to wed Kendall Murphy on 29 September - However, an alleged drunk driver took Kendall's life - Jessica wore her bridal gown and visited Kendall's grave on 29 September to honour him A woman from Indiana, United States, visited the grave of her late fiance on the day they were supposed to have their wedding. Jessica Padgett made the emotional gesture to honour Kendall Murphy on 29 September, Fox News reports. Her dreams of spending the rest of her life with Kendall were shattered in November 2017 when an alleged drunk driver hit and killed him. READ ALSO: Unperturbed ex-wife of Chris Attoh puts her beauty on display Kendall was a firefighter and was helping an accident victim when the tragic incident occurred, YEN.com.gh gathered. Jessica wore a bridal gown while visiting Kendall's grave. Family and community members accompanied her as she paid tribute to her late fiance. READ ALSO: My kind of man should have the cash - MzVee Read Katrina Murphy, Kendall's mom, is the one who came up with the photoshoot idea. Her aim was to help Jessica heal while honouring Kendall at the same time. Community members wrote Jessica letters of support and handed them over to her on the same day. She also posed with Kendall's firefighting gear, including his uniform, helmet, and boots. READ ALSO: Shatta Wale advises Samini, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie to quit music Jessica's photos have touched many people after going viral on Facebook, racking up thousands of reactions and comments. One commenter wrote: My heart breaks for you Jessica Padgett. You are an incredibly strong person and have the best guardian Angel by your side forever. May God Bless you always honey. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Watch: Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page. Source: Yen Ghana Ghana has been ranked the seventh wealthiest country in Africa with a total wealth of 63 billion dollars (US$bn 63) as of December 2017. The figures were contained in The AfrAsia Bank Africa Wealth Report 2018 published in September. The report covers wealth, luxury, prime property and wealth management trends in Africa from 2007 to 2017, with projections to 2027. Ghana ranked seventh wealthiest African country. Souce: New World Wealth Source: UGC READ ALSO: St Louis SHS teacher arrested after paying student rape victim GHS10K to shut up Ghana's capital city Accra also maintained its 2017 ranking as the 10th wealthiest African city with a current total wealth of US$38 billion in the report. "Major sectors in the city include basic materials, manufacturing and financial services," the report said. The country was also found to have a wealth per capita of $2,500 which was dwarfed in comparison to Mauritius ($32,700), South Africa ($12,900) and Namibia ($12,600). The report defines total wealth as private wealth held by all the individuals living in each country. It includes all their assets such as property, cash, equities and business interests less any liabilities. South Africa (1st), Egypt (2nd), Nigeria and Morocco (3rd) were ranked the top three wealthiest nations on the resource-rich African continent with US$722 Billion, US$330 Billion, US$253 Billion and US$122 Billion respectively. The report projected that the total private wealth in the continent will rise by 34 per cent over the next 10 years, reaching US$3.1 trillion by the end of 2027. Ghana ranked seventh wealthiest African country Source: UGC READ ALSO: The 2 most wanted Ghanaians on Interpol list We expect Mauritius, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda to be the strongest performing wealth markets in Africa during this period, reads the report. South Africa, Angola, Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and Nigeria, however, got less favourable predictions, although still positive. The AfrAsia Bank Africa Wealth Report 2018 provides insights gathered by, New World Wealth, on wealth trends in Africa over the past 10 years, with projections for the next 10 years. The report also provides comprehensive wealth breakdowns for 17 African countries and 23 African cities. Ghana News Today: Ebony Wins Big at 2018 Ghana Music Awards UK | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Ghanaian celebrity wedding kisses that will wow you Share your views on this with us in the comments section below. Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook/Instagram page. Source: Yen Newspaper Mr. Tharaka Ranwala, Senior Deputy General Manager Consumer Banking, Sampath Bank PLC (4th from left) handing over the Banks sponsorship cheque to Hon. Minister of Education, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam in the presence of Ms. Nadi B. Dharmasiri, Head of Marketing, Sampath Bank PLC (2nd from left) and other dignitaries at the Colombo International Book Fair Sampath Bank joined hands with the Colombo International Book Fair organized by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association(SLBPA) as the official banker of the event for the 14th consecutive year. This longstanding partnership is a testament to the Banks commitment to helping nurture the habit of reading amongst all Sri Lankans. In a bid to offer greater convenience to the over 450 exhibitors as well as the 1.5million plus visitors, Sampath Bank operated a branch as well as an onsite ATM and Cash Deposit Machine at the venue. Open from 9am to 9pm all through the 10 days of the fair, the branch offered an extensive suite of financial services. The branch proved to be of particular value to exhibitors, who were able to deposit their cash balance at the end of every day, get change money and do other transactions without having to leave the premises. Visitors too availed the services of the branch for everything from withdrawing additional funds required to purchase their favorite books to depositing any money left with them. Members of MyBook Club, a novel initiative by Sampath Bank in partnership with the SLBPA and ITN aimed at nurturing and promoting the habit of reading amongst all Sri Lankans, were offered free entry to the Book Fair as well as discounts at partner bookstores. As a homegrown national bank that is committed to adding value to the lives of all Sri Lankans, we, at Sampath Bank, are delighted to partner with the Colombo International Book Fair for the 14th consecutive year. We believe that, over the years, this forum has played a significant role in promoting the habit of reading amongst the young and the old, alike, and consider it our duty to support such an endeavor, said Mr. TharakaRanwala, Senior Deputy General Manager Consumer Banking, Sampath Bank PLC.We are also glad to have been able to offer our extensive suite of financial services to exhibitors and visitors at the event, through our onsite branch. As part of the partnership, Sampath Bank will be funding the publication of selected pieces of poetry penned on the Ketapath Pawura or Mirror Wall by visitors to the Book Fair. Sampath Bank also sponsored the 11th Swarna Pusthaka Awards, for the 8th consecutive year, as part of its commitment to supporting arts and literature in the country. The awards, held alongside the Book Fair, seek to recognize the best work of Sinhala fiction published in the preceding year. Five Sinhala novels, chosen through three rounds of judging, were shortlisted from 125 entries. Known as Sri Lankas richest literary prize, the awards come with a purse of Rs.1.25 million Rs.750,000 to the winner and Rs 100,000 each to the five finalists all funded by Sampath Bank. Mr. Tharaka Ranwala, Senior Deputy General Manager Consumer Banking, Sampath Bank PLC, was the Guest of Honor at the grand awards ceremony held at the BMICH. Saman Wickramarachichi received the 2018 Swarna Pusthaka Award which comes with a cash prize of Rs.750,000 for his novel Appachchi Ewith. Jayatilaka Kammellaweera, Darshana Shammi Wijethilake, Wimal Udaya Hapugodaarachchi, and Padmini Seneviratne received cash prizes of Rs.100,000 each for having made it to the final five. A soldier and an Army deserter had been arrested with a T56 assault rifle and a T-56 magazine believed to be stolen from the Ambepussa Army Camp last month. Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said the suspects were arrested following information given by another soldier, who was in remand custody over a murder. Earlier, the Peliyagoda Division Crimes officials arrested two soldiers attached to the Ambepussa Army Camp, in connection with an incident where T56 weapon was stolen after a 21 year-old Soldier was stabbed to death at one of the guard posts in the same camp on September 21. The stolen T-56 rifle and the knife used for the killing were recovered by the Police along with the suspects on September 25. The arrested soldiers A.P. Chanaka Wikumsinghe (29) of Kotadeniyawa and N.V. Danushka Lakmal (27) of Kantale were remanded till October 11 after they were produced in the Attanagalle Magistrates Court. SP Gunasekera said the further investigation into the incident had revealed that another T56 rifle and T-56 magazine at the camp were stolen by the first suspect (Chanaka Wikumsinghe) on August 2. He said the stolen rifle and the magazine had been sold to an Army deserter trough a soldier of the camp at Rs. 200,000. The Spokesman said the deserter, Manjula Welikala (39) a resident of Hokandara and the soldier, Pradeep Ruwan Katiyawa (30) resident of Katiyawa arrested on Monday (08) in Hokandara and Biyagama areas.(Darshana Sanjeewa) KABUL (Reuters), OCTOBER 8, 2018-The Taliban on Monday directed Afghans to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections and demanded a complete withdrawal of foreign forces as the only solution to end the 17-year-old war as they ramped up attacks in strategic provinces. The statement from the hardline Islamic militant group coincided with the visit of top U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been appointed to lead peace efforts with the Taliban. Khalilzad met President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul to strategize ways to hold Afghan-led peace talks with the Taliban, whose 1996-2001 rule was ended by U.S.-led troops. Peace is a holy process, and the U.S. government and people are united with the Afghan government and people in this process, Khalilzad was quoted by Ghanis office in a statement as saying. Khalilzad, an Afghan-born former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, joined the U.S. State Department team in September. He is scheduled to visit Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week as he seeks to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. The Government Analysts report states that the voice samples provided by DIG Nalaka de Silva and Namal Kumara have tallied with those in the tape, the CID said. It submitted the relevant voice samples to the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court today after they received the samples from the Government Analyst on Monday. The Magistrate had wanted to check whether the DIGs voice matched with that in the recorded telephone conversation between him and dNamal Kumara. (Nimanthi Ranasinghe) This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Leonardo Offers Eurofighter T1 to Bulgaria The page you requested is only available to subscribers. 1. If you are a Premium Service subscriber, please log in here to access this story: Log-in : Password : 2. If you are not a subcriber, you can: -- buy access to this page: unlimited access for seven days costs 3.00 EUR + VAT (at 20%) if applicable. Clicking on the "Ok" button below will place the item in your shopping cart and return you to our home page, where you will be able to select additional stories. -- select additional stories and services from our home page and pay for them at the same time. -- see your shopping cart. You can also see the contents of your shopping cart at any time by clicking on the "Order" tab on the navigation bar at the top of any page, or by clicking on the "Your order" light blue link in the top right-hand corner of our home page, immediately under the log-on box. The cover of Broad Awakening Courtesy It took Encinitas author Mickey Brent 13 years to get her first book into print last fall and only a year to see her second novel published. New York State-based Bold Strokes Books will officially release Broad Awakening, on Oct. 16, she said. The firm has been distributing advance copies and publicizing the work, a sequel to Brents initial effort, Underwater Vibes. Both books are available through www.boldstrokesbooks.com as well as online distributors such as Amazon. Things are moving along quite well, said Brent by phone from Boston in a recent interview. Finally having people read my work is exciting. From Boston, she was traveling to Provincetown, Mass., to participate in several Bold Strokes-sponsored events as part of the annual Womens Week, a lesbian-oriented cultural festival in keeping with the publishers focus on LGBTQ literature. The appearance is one of numerous talks and book signings Brent will be doing in the aftermath of the Broad Awakening release, including several presentations lined up in North San Diego County and La Jolla. I wrote the books because I love writing and because I wanted to give a voice to LGBTQ characters, Brent said. The more I speak and talk about it, its almost a form of activism because Im trying to give a voice to these characters representing people who have traditionally been marginalized. She will be at the Cal State San Marcos Library Reading Room from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18; the Del Mar Library at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24; Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, and Warwicks book store in La Jolla from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18. The latter is limited to a signing and conversation with the author. More information on Brents events and books is available at www.mickeybrent.com. Broad Awakening continues where the first book left off in narrating the odyssey of the main character, 40-year-old Brussels resident Helene Dupont, from an unhappy marriage with an insensitive, self-centered husband to an intimate relationship with a younger woman. Underwater Vibes traces the budding friendship between Helene and her swimming instructor, Sylvie, a Greek immigrant to Belgium whom Helene describes as a goddess. The friendship blossoms into a full-fledged romance in the sequel, while both women wrestle with guilt, fear, and mistrust, given their circumstances. Whereas Helene questions herself about the appropriateness of her feelings for Sylvie and suspects the latter as having another love interest, Sylvie grapples with her history of badly ending entanglements with married women. The narrative achieves simmering tension largely because Sylvie is given much more of an individual presence as a character than in the first book. Brent, which is the authors pen name, credited her Bold Strokes Books editor for urging her to escalate Sylvies prominence. I was worried that if I had more coming from Sylvies head, she would have doubts and feelings like Helene and they would seem like really similar characters, Brent said. Thats why I was hesitant. My editor said a lot of people reading the book, especially lesbians, want to see the emotional connections. She convinced me and she was right. Also, Brent provides a variety of settings, with scenes in Brussels and Greece, and characters, including a gay male couple, one of whom is in a wheelchair, a homeless man, and a grandmotherly psychic. Brents third book, on which she is already working, promises to offer even more diverse characters and will be set in San Francisco, where Brent grew up before living in Belgium for 17 years. Im about 120 pages into the new book, which is in an entirely different location and has entirely different characters, she said. Through her books as well as her public appearances, Brent said, she will continue to promote understanding, tolerance and acceptance. I think this is a small step toward getting us toward world peace, she said. Were all one and we shouldnt be fighting and having wars. Over the past years, Vietnam-Japan trade relations have grown rapidly, and Japan has always been among the top four trade partners among more than 200 countries and territories exporting to and importing goods from Vietnam. The number of Japanese companies investing in Vietnam has been on the rise along with their investment scale. Economic ties between the two countries are opening more cooperation opportunities in many areas. After 45 years of establishing diplomatic relations, Vietnam and Japan have become increasingly important partners of each other in many fields. Since the two countries upgraded the bilateral relationship to the level of Extensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in 2014, Vietnam-Japan ties has developed strongly, comprehensively and practically. Statistics from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, as of early October 2018, Vietnams total export value to Japan reached USD13.82 billion, up 12.2 percent over the same period of 2017. Japan is also one of the four markets to which Vietnam's export turnover exceeded the USD10 billion benchmark. Especially, Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of 141 million USD in two-way trade with Japan so far this year. Vietnam's export staples to Japan in the reviewed period were garments and textiles (USD537 million); transport vehicles (USD365.2 million); machines and equipment (USD259 million). Remarkably, Vietnams main exports to Japan recorded a stable growth compared to the same period last year. According to a survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), up to 70 percent of asked Japanese enterprises want to invest in Vietnam and 66.6 percent of Japanese enterprises operating in Vietnam plan to expand their production and business activities. As of April 2018, Japan had 3,693 valid FDI projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of over USD49.8 billion, ranking second among 116 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. This is a positive sign and a foundation to believe that the flow of of Japanese direct investment into Vietnam will continue to increase in the coming years. Hoang Quang Phong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said that, to attract more Japanese investments, Vietnam needs to continue reforming its administrative procedures and improving competitiveness of enterprises, increasing labour productivity, and maintaining commitments among investors, and take full advantages of cooperation potential in new fields such as agriculture and tourism, human resources training and development, transportation and distribution. Together with the Japan-Vietnam Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) and the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP), along with the positive economic outlook of Japan, Vietnams export of agricultural products, and seafood are forecasted to see bright prospects in 2018. According to the VJEPA, the average tariff imposed on Vietnamese exports to Japan will gradually decrease to 2.8 percent in 2018. When the agreement takes effect, at least 86 percent of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products and 97 percent of industrial products of Vietnam exported to Japan will be entitled to tax incentives. In return, the average tariff levied on Japanese imports to Vietnam will be reduced to 7 percent by 2018. Over the last decade, under the agreement, Vietnam and Japan have basically completed the tax reduction roadmap to build a complete bilateral free trade area. Accordingly, 94.53 percent of Vietnamese exports turnover and 87.6 percent of Japanese exports will be exempted from import taxes. Vietnam and Japan need to promote economic cooperation by fostering cooperation in trade and investment, implementing effectively the VJEPA to realise the goal of USD60 billion in two-way trade in 2020, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said. During a meeting with Nishikawa Koya, Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Japan, Anh praised Japan as one of the first countries to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as well as the countrys role in leading and creating a driving force and strong influence on the ratification of the trade deal in other countries. He affirmed that bilateral relations between Vietnam and Japan have rapidly improved and developed strongly not only in economy and trade but also in other fields. In particular, when a series of new-generation free trade agreements have been signed, they will create a thrust to spur trade flows among nations and stakeholders, he added. Both sides should create favorable conditions for agricultural and aquatic products to enter each others market, he noted, adding that action plans of six selected industries in the Vietnam Industrialization Strategy within the framework of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation towards 2020, vision 2030 should be implemented. Vietnamese enterprises should devise marketing strategies to promote exports to the Japanese market, Anh said, noting that this is a prerequisite for sustainable export to the Japanese market and contributes to boosting bilateral trade in the coming time. Experts from the Ministry of Industry and Trades AsiaAfrica Market Department warned that Vietnamese enterprises need to improve their business capacity and monitor quality standards of export goods, along with actively working on trade promotion to fully tap the potential from the Japanese market and make full use of advantages brought by the trade agreements./. By Coral Davenport 7 October 2018 INCHEON, South Korea (The New York Times) A landmark report from the United Nations scientific panel on climate change paints a far more dire picture of the immediate consequences of climate change than previously thought and says that avoiding the damage requires transforming the world economy at a speed and scale that has no documented historic precedent. The report , issued on Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists convened by the United Nations to guide world leaders, describes a world of worsening food shortages and wildfires, and a mass die-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040 a period well within the lifetime of much of the global population.The report is quite a shock, and quite concerning, said Bill Hare, an author of previous I.P.C.C. reports and a physicist with Climate Analytics, a nonprofit organization. We were not aware of this just a few years ago. The report was the first to be commissioned by world leaders under the Paris agreement, the 2015 pact by nations to fight global warming .The authors found that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, the atmosphere will warm up by as much as 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above preindustrial levels by 2040, inundating coastlines and intensifying droughts and poverty. Previous work had focused on estimating the damage if average temperatures were to rise by a larger number, 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius), because that was the threshold scientists previously considered for the most severe effects of climate change.The new report, however, shows that many of those effects will come much sooner, at the 2.7-degree mark.Avoiding the most serious damage requires transforming the world economy within just a few years, said the authors, who estimate that the damage would come at a cost of $54 trillion. But while they conclude that it is technically possible to achieve the rapid changes required to avoid 2.7 degrees of warming, they concede that it may be politically unlikely. For instance, the report says that heavy taxes or prices on carbon dioxide emissions perhaps as high as $27,000 per ton by 2100 would be required. But such a move would be almost politically impossible in the United States, the worlds largest economy and second-largest greenhouse gas emitter behind China. Lawmakers around the world, including in China, the European Union and California, have enacted carbon pricing programs.President Trump, who has mocked the science of human-caused climate change, has vowed to increase the burning of coal and said he intends to withdraw from the Paris agreement. And on Sunday in Brazil, the worlds seventh-largest emitter of greenhouse gas, voters appeared on track to elect a new president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has said he also plans to withdraw from the accord. []Absent aggressive action, many effects once expected only several decades in the future will arrive by 2040, and at the lower temperature, the report shows. Its telling us we need to reverse emissions trends and turn the world economy on a dime, said Myles Allen, an Oxford University climate scientist and an author of the report. To prevent 2.7 degrees of warming, the report said, greenhouse pollution must be reduced by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, and 100 percent by 2050. It also found that, by 2050, use of coal as an electricity source would have to drop from nearly 40 percent today to between 1 and 7 percent. Renewable energy such as wind and solar, which make up about 20 percent of the electricity mix today, would have to increase to as much as 67 percent.This report makes it clear: There is no way to mitigate climate change without getting rid of coal, said Drew Shindell, a climate scientist at Duke University and an author of the report. [ more ] Major Climate Report Describes a Strong Risk of Crisis as Early as 2040 INCHEON, Republic of Korea, 8 October 2018 (IPCC) Limiting global warming to 1.5C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, the IPCC said in a new assessment. With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting global warming to 1.5C compared to 2C could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said on Monday.The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C was approved by the IPCC on Saturday in Incheon, Republic of Korea. It will be a key scientific input into the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December, when governments review the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change.With more than 6,000 scientific references cited and the dedicated contribution of thousands of expert and government reviewers worldwide, this important report testifies to the breadth and policy relevance of the IPCC, said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the IPCC. Ninety-one authors and review editors from 40 countries prepared the IPCC report in response to an invitation from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when it adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015. The reports full name is Global Warming of 1.5C, an IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty.One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes, said Panmao Zhai, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I.The report highlights a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5C compared to 2C, or more. For instance, by 2100, global sea level rise would be 10 cm lower with global warming of 1.5C compared with 2C. The likelihood of an Arctic Ocean free of sea ice in summer would be once per century with global warming of 1.5C, compared with at least once per decade with 2C. Coral reefs would decline by 70-90 percent with global warming of 1.5C, whereas virtually all (> 99 percent) would be lost with 2C. Every extra bit of warming matters, especially since warming of 1.5C or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes, such as the loss of some ecosystems, said Hans-Otto Portner, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II.Limiting global warming would also give people and ecosystems more room to adapt and remain below relevant risk thresholds, added Portner. The report also examines pathways available to limit warming to 1.5C, what it would take to achieve them and what the consequences could be.The good news is that some of the kinds of actions that would be needed to limit global warming to 1.5C are already underway around the world, but they would need to accelerate, said Valerie Masson-Delmotte, Co-Chair of Working Group I. The report finds that limiting global warming to 1.5C would require rapid and far-reaching transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities. Global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) would need to fall by about 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching net zero around 2050. This means that any remaining emissions would need to be balanced by removing CO2 from the air.Limiting warming to 1.5C is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics but doing so would require unprecedented changes, said Jim Skea, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III. Allowing the global temperature to temporarily exceed or overshoot 1.5C would mean a greater reliance on techniques that remove CO2 from the air to return global temperature to below 1.5C by 2100. The effectiveness of such techniques are unproven at large scale and some may carry significant risks for sustainable development, the report notes.Limiting global warming to 1.5C compared with 2C would reduce challenging impacts on ecosystems, human health and well-being, making it easier to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, said Priyardarshi Shukla, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III. The decisions we make today are critical in ensuring a safe and sustainable world for everyone, both now and in the future, said Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II.This report gives policymakers and practitioners the information they need to make decisions that tackle climate change while considering local context and peoples needs. The next few years are probably the most important in our history, she said. The IPCC is the leading world body for assessing the science related to climate change, its impacts and potential future risks, and possible response options.The report was prepared under the scientific leadership of all three IPCC working groups. Working Group I assesses the physical science basis of climate change; Working Group II addresses impacts, adaptation and vulnerability; and Working Group III deals with the mitigation of climate change. The Paris Agreement adopted by 195 nations at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in December 2015 included the aim of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change by holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.As part of the decision to adopt the Paris Agreement, the IPCC was invited to produce, in 2018, a Special Report on global warming of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. The IPCC accepted the invitation, adding that the Special Report would look at these issues in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. Global Warming of 1.5C is the first in a series of Special Reports to be produced in the IPCCs Sixth Assessment Cycle. Next year the IPCC will release the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, and Climate Change and Land, which looks at how climate change affects land use. The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) presents the key findings of the Special Report, based on the assessment of the available scientific, technical and socio-economic literature relevant to global warming of 1.5C. The Summary for Policymakers of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C (SR15) is available at http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/ or www.ipcc.ch . Key statistics of the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C 91 authors from 44 citizenships and 40 countries of residence 14 Coordinating Lead Authors (CLAs) 60 Lead authors (LAs) 17 Review Editors (REs) 133 Contributing authors (CAs) Over 6,000 cited references A total of 42,001 expert and government review comments(First Order Draft 12,895; Second Order Draft 25,476; Final Government Draft: 3,630) Contact By Tiffany Crawford 2 October 2018 (Vancouver Sun) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is celebrating the single largest private investment in Canadian history with the $40-billion liquefied natural-gas export terminal on B.C.s North Coast. Trudeau was in Vancouver on Tuesday to formally announce the giant energy projects go-ahead, along with Premier John Horgan, LNG Canada, and First Nations leaders. LNG Canada was given final approval late Monday to move to construction by a consortium of oil-and-gas companies headed by Royal Dutch Shell. Trudeau also announced $275 million in federal support, and pledged that once built, the project will have the lowest carbon intensity of any large-scale LNG facility in the world. Todays announcement by LNG Canada represents the single largest private-sector investment project in Canadian history, Trudeau said. It is a vote of confidence in a country that recognizes the need to develop our energy in a way that takes the environment into account, and that works in meaningful partnership with Indigenous people.Trudeau said providing Asia with natural gas will help many countries kick their coal habit, and shows Canadas commitment to combating the problem of climate change by driving down emissions worldwide.Climate change knows no borders, and as we reduce and replace coal plants around the world, LNG, done properly, done responsibly, here in British Columbia and across Western Canada, thats good news for all of us, he said. []Still, not everyone celebrated the announcement Tuesday. B.C. Green party Leader Andrew Weaver said he was deeply disappointed that the government went ahead with the project.Adding such a massive new source of (greenhouse gases) means that the rest of our economy will have to make even more sacrifices to meet our climate targets, said Weaver.He said he believes B.C. can create far more jobs in other industries that wont drastically increase emissions.It breaks my heart that the young people of today must watch as politicians who once professed to champion climate action and a hopeful vision for the future instead succumb to the temptation of short-sighted political wins, he said. By Jennifer Kay and Gary Fineout 8 September 2018 MIAMI (AP) Residents of Floridas Panhandle frantically filled sandbags, boarded up homes and secured boats Monday as they anxiously awaited Hurricane Michael, which forecasters warned could smash into the states Gulf Coast as a dangerous major hurricane within days. Fueled by warm tropical waters, Michael gained new strength by nightfall and could reach major hurricane status with winds topping 111 mph (179 kph) before its anticipated landfall Wednesday on the Panhandle or Big Bend area of Florida, forecasters warn. Florida Gov. Rick Scott called Michael a monstrous hurricane with a devastating potential from high winds, storm surge and heavy rains. Scott declared a state of emergency for 35 Florida counties from the Panhandle to Tampa Bay, activated hundreds of Florida National Guard members and waived tolls to encourage those near the coast to evacuate inland. Scott also said Monday afternoon that state health officials are reaching out to hospitals and nursing homes to be prepared. Following Hurricane Irma last year, 14 people died when a South Florida nursing home lost power and air conditioning. Of the elderly and infirm patients, Scott had a blunt message for their caregivers: If youre responsible for a patient, youre responsible for the patient. Take care of them.In the small Panhandle city of Apalachicola, Mayor Van Johnson Sr. said the 2,300 residents are frantically preparing for a major hurricane strike that could be unlike any there in decades.Were looking at a significant storm with significant impact, possibly greater than Ive seen in my 59 years of life, Johnson said of the city, straddling the shore of Apalachicola Bay, a Gulf of Mexico inlet that reaps about 90 percent of Floridas oysters.By Monday evening, lines had formed at gas stations and grocery stories as people sought emergency supplies even as evacuations were expected to intensify in coming hours. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents of barrier islands, mobile homes and low-lying coastal areas in Gulf, Wakulla and Bay counties.In a Facebook post Monday, the Wakulla County Sheriffs Office said no shelters would be open because Wakulla County shelters were rated safe only for hurricanes with top sustained winds below 111 mph (178 kph). With Michaels winds projected to be even stronger than that, Wakulla County residents were urged to evacuate inland.This storm has the potential to be a historic storm, please take heed, the sheriffs office said in the post. [more] ByJonathan Watts and Matthew Taylor 8 October 2018 (The Guardian) World leaders have been told they have moral obligation to ramp up their action on the climate crisis in the wake of a new UN report that shows even half a degree of extra warming will affect hundreds of millions of people, decimate corals, and intensify heat extremes.But the muted response by Britain, Australia, and other governments highlights the immense political challenges facing adoption of pathways to the relatively safe limit of 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures outlined on Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).With the report set to be presented at a major climate summit in Poland in December, known as COP24, there is little time for squabbles. The report noted that emissions need to be cut by 45 percent by 2030 in order to keep warming within 1.5C. That means decisions have to be taken in the next two years to decommission coal power plants and replace them with renewables, because major investments usually have a lifecycle of at least a decade.Mary Robinson, a UN special envoy on climate, said Europe should set an example by adopting a target of zero-carbon emissions by 2050. Before this, people talked vaguely about staying at or below 2C we now know that 2C is dangerous, she said. So it is really important that governments take the responsibility, but we must all do what we can.The UK, which has gone further than most nations by cutting its annual emissions by 40% since 1990, will need to step up if the more ambitious goal is to be reached.But there is increasing pushback by the worlds powerful fossil fuel and agribusiness interests, who are supporting politicians who are apathetic or hostile to climate action. The new IPCC report stressed the urgent need for reforestation and greater forest protection, but within hours of its release the first round of the Brazilian presidential election ended with a huge lead for Jair Bolsonaro, who has promised to quit the Paris accord and open up the Amazon rainforest to farmers and miners. By Oliver Milman 27 September 2018 (The Guardian) The worlds governments are nowhere near on track to meet their commitment to avoid global warming of more than 1.5C above the pre-industrial period, according to an author of a key UN report that will outline the dangers of breaching this limit. A massive, immediate transformation in the way the worlds population generates energy, uses transportation and grows food will be required to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5C and the forthcoming analysis is set to lay bare how remote this possibility is.Its extraordinarily challenging to get to the 1.5C target and we are nowhere near on track to doing that, said Drew Shindell, a Duke University climate scientist and a co-author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, which will be unveiled in South Korea next month.While its technically possible, its extremely improbable, absent a real sea change in the way we evaluate risk. We are nowhere near that.In the 2015 Paris climate pact, international leaders agreed to curb the global temperature rise to 2C above the era prior to mass industrialization, with an aspiration to limit this to 1.5C. The world has already warmed by around 1C over the past century, fueling sea level rises, heatwaves, storms and the decline of vulnerable ecosystems such as coral reefs.Shindell would not share exact details of the IPCC report, but he said that the more ambitious 1.5C goal would require a precipitous drop in greenhouse emissions triggered by a rapid phaseout of fossil fuels, particularly coal, mass deployment of solar and wind energy and the eradication of emissions from cars, trucks and airplanes.Even then, emerging technology will be required on a global scale to capture emissions at the source and bury them in the ground or remove carbon directly from the air.The penetration rate of new technology historically takes a long time, Shindell said. Its not simple to change these things. There arent good examples in history of such rapid, far-reaching transitions.The fading prospect of keeping the global temperature rise to below 1.5C has provoked alarm among leaders of low-lying island nations that risk being inundated should the world warm beyond this point.Every country must increase the ambition of their existing targets, said Hilda Heine, president of the Marshall Islands, which announced a plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the UN general assembly in New York this week. If we can do it, so can everyone else.The UN general assembly has again pitted the worlds countries against Donald Trump when it comes to climate change, with the US president using his keynote speech to praise clean coal. Trump has vowed to exit the Paris accord, a stance that Emmanuel Macron, the French president, told the UN should be met with consequences such as a refusal by countries to enter into trade deals with the US.Its a lot more difficult without the US as a leader in climate change negotiations, Ola Elvestuen, Norways environment minister, told the Guardian. We have to find solutions even though the US isnt there. []We are moving way too slowly, Elvestuen said. We have to do more of everything, faster. We need to deliver on policies at every level. Governments normally move slowly but we dont have the time. [more] Subscriber content preview KENAI, Alaska (AP) A century-old Russian Orthodox chapel in Kenai will undergo renovations next year after receiving nearly $28,000 in grant funding. The historic St. Nicholas Memorial Chapel received a nearly $15,000 grant last month from the Alaska Historical Commission, and it received a $13,000 grant last year from the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America, the Peninsula Clarion reported last week. . . . Subscriber content preview OLYMPIA It's probably not a good idea to build a school or a big subdivision next door to an army training ground. But there are less obvious ways civilian developments can interfere with military operations and vice versa. That's why the Washington State Department of Commerce is drafting a guidebook on military and community compatibility. The guidebook will offer technical guidance to planning professionals, and offer useful tools to help community members, local governments and the military work together on local planning. . . . Subscriber content preview SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) A Northern California school district has drafted a plan to convert schools into housing for area teachers amid soaring housing costs. The East Bay Times reports that San Jose Unified's proposal to consider building housing on nine district-owned properties has drawn a backlash from area residents who want to preserve schools they say are the heart of their communities. . . . 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairman of the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Toshihiro Nikai (Source: VNA) The PM expressed his pleasure at the development of Vietnam-Japan relationship, including the ties between the two legislatures, the exchange of the two countries parliamentarians, while valuing highly the sentiments and contributions of the alliances Chairman and members. PM Phuc suggested the alliance continue promoting high-level meetings between the two ruling parties, governments, and parliaments, as well as supporting further cooperation enhancement in trade, investment, and cultural and locality-to-locality exchanges. He also proposed the alliance speed up the simplification of visa procedures for Vietnamese tourists to Japan, thus facilitating people-to-people exchange between the two countries. Chairman Nikai and the alliances members affirmed that the organisation will continue making efforts to promote the extensive strategic partnership between Japan and Vietnam. They hoped Vietnam would be one of the first six member countries to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in order to swiftly enforce the deal, bringing benefits to people. They also expressed that they would like to see the Vietnamese Government pay greater attention to the Vietnam-Japan University project to turn it into a symbol of the two countries relations. Chairman Nikai took this opportunity to highly appreciate the contributions of Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong during his term of office in the country, boosting the two countries ties. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation are in Tokyo to attend the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting and visit Japan from October 8th-10th./. "Life-changing" - that's how Samantha Souter has described her experience volunteering in an orphanage in South America. The Learning Disability Nursing student from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) visited Peru with international experience programme #DMUglobal in co-operation with International Volunteer HQ, to work with children with special needs. She feels the overall experience has been "great" for both her nursing career and personal life. Sam said: "I feel my time made such a difference to their lives. "The children in the orphanage were amazing and the staff were great too. "All their basic needs were met by nurses and the other students and I were there to spend quality time with them, something they don't usually get." Sam wanted to give a bit extra and decided to do some fundraising in memory of her late sister Jodie. "I raised 160 for toys for the children," she said. "This may not sound a lot of money but to them it meant a great deal and went a long way. "It was really rewarding seeing them play with the toys, as there was very little for the children to play with." Another highlight was the students' "home from home" with a local Peruvian family. "We stayed with mum, dad, two children, grandma and uncle and it was fab," she said. "It was great to experience the local culture and helped us fit in." RELATED NEWS "Think outside the box - don't be limited to what people assume a Learning Disability Nurse should be" Find out more about Learning Disability Nursing at the next DMU Open DMU's Katie is named student nurse of the year Back in Leicester, Sam is still reaping the rewards. "I have shared my experiences with other nurses and colleagues, who say they don't know anyone who has been able to do this and think it's fantastic," she said. "It has also taught me to appreciate things more." Sam is making the most of being a university student - as it's not something her teenage self thought possible. "I didn't reach my full potential in school, leaving without good grades due to dyslexia, which wasn't known at the time," said the 31-year-old from Nottinghamshire. "I never thought for one minute that I'd be at university." It was the birth of her second child that inspired Sam to go back to college, resitting her English GCSE alongside a maths qualification. "After a lot of hard work and dedication I did this and was awarded the student progression of the year award," said Sam, who progressed to a university access course and passed her Maths GCSE. Sam chose to study Learning Disability Nursing because of her older sister. "Jodie was born with cerebral palsy. She had a profound learning disability and severe epilepsy. Throughout my childhood I helped care for Jodie along with my three sisters," she said. "Sadly, Jodie passed away when she was 17. Having this background of knowledge, care and compassion, I knew I wanted to give this care to others with a learning disability." Enrolling at DMU in September 2016, Sam's dyslexia was diagnosed. "I do not let this stop me," she added. "I am really enjoying my course, especially the placements. "The course doesn't come without its stresses. Having a young family, assignments, exams and placements to juggle can be tricky at times, however I have a supportive husband and family who make all this possible for me. I also find my lecturers and the university as a whole very supportive." Jillian Pawlyn, Senior Lecturer and Subject Lead - Learning Disabilities, said: "As Sam's personal tutor, I was really pleased that she had selected to go on the trip to Peru. "This particular #DMUglobal trip was clearly a highly rewarding experience for Sam and I am proud of the difference she has made to the lives of the people she visited on the trip and through sharing her experience to inspire others. "Sam continues to aim high and I am confident she will be an excellent Learning Disability Nurse." National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan addresses the Turkey-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum in Istanbul, Turkey on October 8th (Photo: VNA) Addressing the Turkey-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum in Istanbul, Turkey on October 8th which drew about 200 Turkish and Vietnamese firms the top legislator said that after over the past 30 years of reform, Vietnam has maintained good growth levels and become a middle-income country. She noted that Vietnams GDP has reached USD240.5 billion, with a trade value of more than USD475 billion and a population of 95 million at a demographic golden age. Vietnams investment and business environment has seen an improvement, she said, citing the World Economic Forums competitiveness ranking in 2017 in which Vietnam jumped five places to 55th position among 137 countries. Vietnam also leaped 14 spots on the World Banks Doing Business Report in 2016 to the 68th position out of 190 economies. Vietnam is becoming a strategic production hub for many international firms in the region thanks to the countrys attractive policies and the friendliness of the investment environment, stated the NA leader. She briefed participants on Vietnams international integration process with a network of new generation free trade agreements (FTA) that are paving the way for greater cooperation and development. Vietnam is an open economy with a two-way trade scale of USD475 billion, nearly two times higher than its GDP, she said, adding that Vietnam shares trade partnerships with 200 countries and territories, is home to 26 types of goods with export revenue exceeding more than USD1 billion each, and significant potential for better engaging in global supply chains. The NA leader said that as a responsible and positive member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Vietnam has actively strengthened international integration. Along with 10 already signed and implemented FTAs, the Vietnam-EU FTA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will be ratified in the near future, bringing about high preferential policies from a large market of nearly 40 developed countries. Vietnam has also actively engaged in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. In order to become a modern industrial country, Vietnam is striving to maintain a GDP growth of 6.5-7 percent per year until 2020, with GDP scale reaching USD320-350 billion and trade value of USD600 billion, said NA Chairwoman Ngan. Regarding the Vietnam-Turkey economic and trade partnership, she said that since the two countries set up trade ties in August 1997, their partnership has thrived. From only several hundreds of thousands of US dollars in the 1990s, two-way trade reached USD2 billion in 2017. In the Middle-East region, Turkey is the biggest non-oil partner of Vietnam. By the end of August 2018, Turkish investors had 18 projects in Vietnam with a combined investment of USD708.2 million, ranking 26th out of 126 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. However, the NA leader commented that the figures have yet to meet the cooperation potential and expectation of both sides, stressing her hope that the two sides will seek effective measures to optimise the strengths of each country. NA Chairwoman Ngan said that she hopes the business communities of Vietnam and Turkey will bring fresh ideas and provide renewed motivation in trade and investment partnerships, contributing to reinforcing and diversifying the sound sentiments between the two countries and peoples. Vietnam will continue to keep its door wide open for Turkish enterprises seeking cooperation, business, and investment opportunities, she declared. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Turkey-Vietnam Business Council Ali Tezolmez said that the forum is a good chance for Turkish investors to grasp investment and business partnership opportunities in Vietnam for the future. Head of Turkeys Foreign Economic Relations Board Nail Olpak said that both Vietnam and Turkey are facing challenges as a result of the trade wars, requiring businesses of both sides to foster collaboration and make full use of business opportunities. He clarified that trade diplomacy and trade liberalisation hold great power as foundations for the growth of business partnerships, adding that Vietnam-Turkey business affiliations should be based on these regulations. During the forum, the initiative of a fund for investment in Vietnam was also introduced./. 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Delivered to you twice a week. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at their talks in Tokyo on October 8th (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese leader is on a trip to attend the 10th Mekong Japan Summit and visit the Northeast Asian nation. At the talks, the two sides applauded the substantive expansion of the countries friendship and cooperation in all aspects like economy, politics, security defence, agriculture and human resources training. They welcomed the numerous activities held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties this year. PM Phuc congratulated Abe on being re-elected President of the Liberal Democratic Party, expressing his belief that under the leadership of PM Abe, Japan will play an increasingly important role in the region and the world, and the countries relations will be reinforced even more strongly. On behalf of the Japanese Government and people, the host offered the deepest condolences on the passing of former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Do Muoi and President Tran Dai Quang. He spoke highly of the twos contributions to bilateral connections. At the event, the PMs agreed to continue to enhance political trust by maintaining high-level visits and meetings, and promote substantive defence security cooperation, particularly in training manpower, transferring defence technology and equipment, military medicine, cyber security, joining United Nations peacekeeping missions, addressing war consequences through clearing unexploded ordnance and supporting dioxin victims in Vietnam, and sharing experience in building policies on sustainable sea-based economic development in Vietnam. They agreed to push ahead with the countries economic connectivity in a mutually beneficial manner. Vietnam and Japan will step up partnerships in supporting industries, energy, hi-tech agriculture and high-quality infrastructure. They will create conditions for their fruits, including oranges and apples of Japan and lychees, longans and star apples of Vietnam, to enter each others markets. The leaders also discussed ways to accelerate some ongoing projects. PM Abe said the Japanese Government attaches importance to the sustainable development of Vietnam and will make efforts to promote this through ODA and investment projects of Japanese businesses. His country will further assist the Southeast Asian nation in e-Government building, administrative reforms and labour productivity improvement, thereby helping Vietnam create a favourable investment climate to attract more direct investment from Japan. Japan will also support Vietnam to improve medical workers capacity within the framework of the Asia Health Initiative, he added. The PMs welcomed the two countries launch of negotiations on a mutual legal assistance agreement on criminal matters and another on the transfer of convicts. They also agreed to foster collaboration in health care, education and labour, noting that Japan is ready to receive more Vietnamese practitioners. PM Phuc asked Japan to consider exempting income and residence taxes on Vietnamese practitioners and create more favourable conditions for granting visas for tourists from Vietnam. Regarding regional and international issues, the leaders pledged cooperation to ensure the success of the 10th Mekong Japan Summit and promote ASEAN Japan relations when Vietnam serves as the coordinator of ASEAN Japan ties for 2018 2021. They affirmed the resolve to push the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) into force at an early date and to step up talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). At the talks, they also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of shared concern, voicing the support for relevant parties efforts to promote peace, stability and denuclearisation in this peninsula. As for the East Sea issue, PMs Phuc and Abe reiterated the importance of ensuring security and safety of navigation and aviation, solving all disputes and differences by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, fully and effectively implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and soon finalising a substantive, effective and legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea./. It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover Greece: Turkey opened the doors to Syrians Greece is blaming Turkey due to the increase in the number of refugees coming to the close of the Evros border with Turkey. Greece is blaming Turkey due to the increase in the number of refugees coming to the close of the Evros border with Turkey. "LOCAL OFFICIALS WORSENING THE SITUATION" A senior official talked about this situation and, On the Evros border, there is a huge accumulation. At the same time the rupture of communication between Greece and Turkey, local officials worsening the situation." "500 THOUSAND REFUGEE WILL COME TO GREECE" Greece has some worries about refugees who came from Iran and Iraq. The officials think that 500 thousand refugees will first come to Turkey and then to Greece. Last footages of Jamal Khashoggi After Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has entered the Consulate of Saudi Arabia, Khashoggi's latest footages appeared. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is still on the loose after he entered the Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Levent. Terrible claims are spoken about the journalist. WAS HE CUT INTO PIECES? Jamal Khashoggi, who was opposed to the Saudi royal family because of the ongoing war in Yemen, was taken out after he was killed in the consulate building. THERE ISN'T ANY OTHER EXIT While the anxious awaiting about Jamal Khashoggi continued, the Washington Post published a photo of the Saudi journalist's moment of entry into the consulate. 2ND OCTOBER In the photograph, Khashoggi appears entering to the consulate on 2 October at 13.14. Mossad suspicions on Jamal Khashoggi murder In the case of the possible murder of Khashoggi inside the S.Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Mossads name started to be mentioned. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has lived in exile in the United Staes for the past year fearing retribution for his critical views on Saudi policies, entered the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday to secure documentation for his forthcoming marriage. He has not been heard of since. HE DIDN'T LEAVE THE BUILDING Since then, Turkish officials have offered conflicting accounts of his disappearance, with Ankara saying there was no evidence that he had left the diplomatic mission although Riyadh saying he exited the premises the same day. Now rumors started to swirl as Saudi Arabia fails to convince the public over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. In the connection with the journalists possible murder, Israeli intelligence Mossads name started to be mentioned. MOSSAD'S INVOLVEMENT Israeli writer and journalist Yossi Melman hints that Mossad could be involved in the murder. Melman mentioned the close relations between Saudi Arabia by adducing Mossads involvement in the murdering of Mehdi Ben Barka. Melman posted a tweet about the Mossad help on the case, but right afterward that tweet was deleted. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? It is common for companies to organize various informal events where workers can come with their partners. One of those... Weather to finally dry out for harvest With the weather drying out from now until Monday, we should be seeing average rainfall and a return to the dry summer we are used to for the rest of the year. Chinese authorities said Monday they detained the president of Interpol during an investigation for bribery and other financial crimes. Meng Hongwei had disappeared a week earlier while in China on a visit home. He resigned Sunday as Interpols president. He had served two years of his four-year term. Mengs wife had appealed to France for help finding her husband. Chinas Ministry of Public Security said Monday that Meng, 64, was being investigated for accepting bribes and other willful crimes. Paris-based Interpol the International Criminal Police Organization isnt a police force. Its an information clearing house that promotes international police cooperation. Meng was also the vice minister of Chinas national police. In its bio of him, Interpol said Meng had almost 40 years experience in criminal justice and policing . . . related to legal institutions, narcotics control, counter-terrorism, border control, immigration and international cooperation. Chinas Public Security Minister Zhao Kezhi said Monday, We should deeply recognize the serious damage that Meng Hongweis bribe-taking and suspected violations of the law have caused the party and the cause of public security and deeply learn from this lesson. Interpol is best known for its Red Notices requests by Interpol members (all countries except North Korea) for other members to detain and extradite a wanted individual. ____ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. The Voice of America said it intends to remove fifteen members of an African language service after an investigation found the individuals had accepted improper payments from a foreign official from West Africa. The alleged payments were made in or near the main VOA offices in Washington, D.C. earlier this year, according to a senior VOA official. The director of the federally funded news organization Amanda Bennett said the terminations came after simultaneous investigations by VOA staff and the Office of the Inspector General. The investigations focused on allegations of improper conduct by members of the service, which involved accepting improper payments from an official in the coverage area. It is therefore with a very heavy heart that I must tell you that we have terminated or (in accordance with all applicable Federal laws and regulations) proposed to terminate 15 members of the Hausa Service, Bennett said in an agency-wide email. Individuals within VOAs Africa Division said the investigation produced no evidence that any programming was affected by the alleged payments. A separate investigation has been launched to determine if any coverage by VOA was improperly influenced, Bennett said. The terminations cut the 26-member Huasa team to eleven permanent government employees and contractors to produce content for the service that reaches 20 million people each week in Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Chad, and Cameroon. Hausa is spoken by around 63 million people, most of them living in Nigeria and Niger. VOA is a federal news agency that delivers news in more than 40 languages to more than 230 million people each week. If any other instances of improper payments are discovered in any service anywhere in VOA, we are committed to investigating them thoroughly and dealing with them promptly as well, Bennett said. ____ Harry Cassin is the managing editor of the FCPA Blog. HE PRESIDENT JIOJI KONROTES NATIONAL ADDRESS FIJI DAY 2018 Ni sa bula vinaka, namaskar, asalaamu alaykum, ni hao, kona mauri, noaiae mauri and warm greetings to you all.It is my privilege to address the Fijian people across the nation, and everywhere they may be in the world, on Fiji Day 2018 as we celebrate the 48th year of our independence and sovereignty.As we celebrate this Fiji Day, we do so as proud daughters and sons of a united nation. We do so as common and equal citizens, in a genuine parliamentary democracy. And we do so from a position of strength and success unrivalled in the 48 years of our independent history; a nation that is finally fulfilling its destiny. A nation on a path to greatness. A nation that stands firmly on a foundation of security and stability, and a nation that is headed towards an even brighter tomorrow; one that holds promise for all of our people, and all those who come after us.This is the third year that I have had the honour of addressing the nation on Fiji Day, and I am humbly grateful that this years message will be seen more widely than ever before thanks to the introduction of the Walesi free-to-air digital television platform throughout all of Fiji.Every year I have watched with ever-increasing pride and optimism as our nation has reached new and greater heights; realising achievement that only a generation ago would have seemed unimaginable. There have been challenges, surely. But with every setback we have encountered, together, Team Fiji has overcome. Every opportunity in front of us, we have seized for our benefit. And like any good team, every member of Team Fiji has been key to our victories and has shared equally in our successes.This year again, we have witnessed even greater, unprecedented prosperity sweep across the country, bringing us our ninth consecutive year of economic growth, bringing us new jobs that have brought unemployment to its lowest point in decades, and bringing us new opportunities that have entered the lives of all Fijians, everywhere in our country, especially for young people. More Fijian children are in school than ever before. In fact, we have achieved universal access to primary and secondary school education now that education is finally free for all students in Fiji.Those who are vulnerable, and those on the margins of society are being cared for by a vastly expanded network of social security. And families in Fiji, the heart of our society, are receiving a level of support that is unparalleled in Fijian history.Our status as the preeminent nation in the Pacific is stronger than ever. We are the hub of trade, finance, communications and innovation, and we have joined hands with our neighbours to fight together on the issues that matter most to our citizens. The world has been guided by our leadership in confronting some of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced; including that of climate change and the preservation of our oceans. And, as we have welcomed our prosperity, we are seeing the benefits of that success felt widely, by all of our people, in every corner of our country. Our development is reaching every Division. In urban centres and in the most remote and rural pockets of the country, we are seeing new and upgraded roads, new schools built to higher standards, new and better government services, greater flows of trade and investment, and higher paying jobs coming to Fiji, that give our people the chance to do more, earn more and learn more valuable skills in our modern economy.This year I will be attending our national celebrations in Labasa; the first time in history that our national Fiji Day festivities have been brought to the Northern Division. Again, we are making history, as we did in the West last year, by bringing our national celebrations throughout all of Fiji. That, my fellow Fijians, is what it means to be an inclusive nation. And we are setting a new example and a new expectation for the participation of all Fijians in our national life.Like with our prosperity, like with all of the new opportunities coming to our country, our national celebrations must be by and for all Fijians, regardless of where they live. Because we are equally deserving of the joy of our national life and celebrations just as we are equally entitled to the tremendous benefits of Fijian progress, regardless of our province, regardless of our background, our religion, our ethnicity, our ability, our gender or our social status. That is the great and sacred promise of equality enshrined for all time in the Fijian Constitution, and that is the standard we must set for the next generation of Fijians who one day inherit the reigns of leadership in our country.This has been a historic year in so many respects. But especially so given we have concluded the first term of our genuine parliamentary democracy of equal votes of equal value. For four years, that democracy has served our national interest by realising the great promise of the Fijian Constitution: that all Fijians be treated equally and that all Fijians matter.We are now approaching our second parliamentary elections under the 2013 Fijian Constitution. That election represents a crossroads; and the path we choose will define the future for our children, their children and their children after them. Because elections shape more than the next four years, they can shape the direction of the country for decades to come, by either laying a foundation for our long-term success, or by bringing consequences that ripple for generations of history. So the importance of our elections cannot be overstated, and, as was the case in 2014, our election will be held in a transparent manner and to the highest international standards.It is not a time for fear, and none of us can tolerate any efforts to sow hatred or division among our people. It is a time for truth, not for lies that damage our economy and degrade our unity; the very fabric of our national life. Because regardless of whatever political differences exist among us, the bonds of nationhood and common citizenry must always triumph. That must also hold true on social media. We cannot allow social media platforms to be used as a weapon to spread lies and misinformation, we must think carefully about what we are seeing and reading, and call out lies when we see them, for the benefit of our democracy and our fellow Fijians.It is a time to listen to all of the positions of the different political parties. It is a time for all of us to make our voices heard by voting for the political party we believe is the best suited to take Fiji forward; based on their record, based on the promises they have made and, on their ability to deliver on those promises for the Fijian people.There will be many disagreements and debates in the coming weeks. But I know we can agree that Fijis success in recent years is owed to the fact that Fijians are finally participating equally in our nations progress, and benefitting equally from our national prosperity. We are moving forward, together. We are making history, together. We are leading the world to solve great challenges, together. And we are driving the next Fijian century of exceptionalism and achievement, together. And only, together, can our success continue.This Fiji Day, as we gather in celebration, let us all reaffirm the love we hold for those who are dear to us, all of the members of our families, and our communities, and to our larger Fijian family that stretches all across the world. Including to our brave peacekeepers who are serving in conflict areas in regions torn apart by strife and violence. Let us all keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers and give gratitude for their strength and sacrifice.My wife, Sarote, joins me in sending our best wishes for a happy, safe and blessed Fiji Day.May God Bless the Fijian people, and may God continue to bless Fiji.Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you. Acorus Networks, a Paris, France-based company specialized in protecting enterprise and service providers network and web platform infrastructure from distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS), raised 5m in funding. Backers included Elaia Partners, Partech and Kima Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations and its business reach. Co-founded in 2014 by Benjamin Schilz and Raphael Maunier, Acorus Networks specializes in protecting enterprises from distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS), a service especially important for companies whose business activity, data or image depends on the Internet. A customized portal allows clients to visualize their legitimate traffic in real time and counter DDoS attacks manually or automatically. The company protects customers whose business activity relies on the Internet, including hosting services, e-commerce sites, media companies, carriers, banks, governments and healthcare companies, among others. FinSMEs 09/10/2018 Forerunner Ventures, a San Francisco, CA-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on commerce, closed its latest fund, at $360M. Forerunner Fund IV will be dedicated to partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs who are addressing the challenges and opportunities of todays changing commerce landscape. The fund will continue to leverage the firms thesis-driven approach to investing by pairing retail expertise and knowledge of changing consumer behaviors with brand building and focus on customer experience to identify strong leaders and guide them in their efforts to build meaningful companies. Led by Kirsten Green, Founder and Managing Partner, Forerunner Ventures has invested in sush successful companies as Dollar Shave Club and Jet.com, and has Away, Birchbox, Bonobos, Glossier, Hotel Tonight, and Warby Parker, among others (49 in total) in its current portfolio. The fund will back founders looking to bring new products and services to life, and address large audiences and unmet needs through innovative new models and distribution strategies. It will support companies challenging norms within their categories, either taking on incumbents with superior offerings and models, or leveraging new technologies to meet emerging potential. Investment themes will include: Relationship retailing Attention to transparency and integrity Micro-influences collection of networks online across multiple platforms, both on and offline reach beyond the store and magazines design unlock new approaches to supply chain and manufacturing address the shift from goods to experiences Beyond Green, Forerunners team also include: Eurie Kim, Partner Brian OMalley, Partner Jason Bornstein, Principal Nicole Johnson, Principal KJ Sidberry, Associate Melissa Grillo Aruz, Head of Talent & Business Development Jennifer Mariska, Head of Ops & Finance Ashley Rogers, Executive Support FinSMEs 09/10/2018 Frontify, a St Gallen, Switzerland-based brand management platform, raised $8.3m in Series A funding. The round was led by Blossom Capital. Seed investors included Doodle cofounder Myke Naef, former Googler Thomas Duebendorfer, and Cedric Waldburger of Tenderloin Ventures. The company intends to use the funds for product development, hiring, a US office in New York City, and deeper expansion into the US market. Founded by CTO Roger Dudler in 2013 and led by CEO Andreas Fischler, Frontify provides a platform for businesses to manage their branding across human, physical, and digital touchpoints. Employees across an organization can access to an up-to-date platform where they can access their companys brand portal, media library, pattern library and style guides. Frontifys cloud platform also allows employees typically marketing and branding teams, as well as designers and software engineers to collaborate internally and externally on new branded content using a tool called Workspace. The companys main markets are the USA, UK, Germany, and Switzerland but it plans to focus on the USA and to expand into Benelux, Northern Europe, Latin America, Spain, and France. Frontify already has several hundred enterprise customers including Lufthansa, IBM, Allianz, Vodafone, and Deliveroo, as well as many other household names. The company, which is also partnering with some of the leading agencies worldwide, including Interbrand, Sapient, Bold, and Praekelt, has 70 employees across two offices in St Gallen, Switzerland, and Frankfurt, Germany. FinSMEs 09/10/2018 Glympse Bio, a Cambridge, Mass.-based company advancing in vivo sensing technology dedicated to transforming disease monitoring, raised $22m in Series A funding. The round was co-led by LS Polaris Innovation Fund and ARCH Ventures, with participation from new investors Charles River Ventures, Gilead Sciences, Yonghua Capital, and Inevitable Ventures and existing investors GreatPoint Ventures, Heritage Provider Network and Rivas Capital. Polaris Amy Schulman, diagnostics industry veteran Stan Lapidus, and seven-time Forbes Midas List recipient Theresia Gouw will join Glympses Board of Directors, the company added. The company intends to use the proceeds to conduct clinical trials for its novel platform A spin-out from the laboratory of Sangeeta Bhatia, M.D., Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Glympse Bio is advancing a novel platform which uses bioengineered activity sensors to noninvasively detect human diseases and to monitor drug response. This financing follows an initial $6.6 million seed round in 2015 led by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw at Biocon India Ltd and Theresia Gouw at Aspect Ventures. Glympses activity sensors are bioengineered to be transported to the site of disease in patients, directly interrogate the biological activity of the diseased tissue, and emit a signal which can be detected noninvasively from the recipients urine. The sensors can be administered in a minimally invasive manner, and the analytical read-out can be selected based on the disease characteristics or market needs for the test. The companys lead indication targets non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Glympse has signed multiple collaborations in NASH with pharmaceutical companies. The co-founders of the company are: Sangeeta Bhatia, M.D. Ph.D., the John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Gabriel Kwong, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech School of Engineering and Emory School of Medicine. FinSMEs 09/10/2018 Netlify, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a platform to build, deploy, and manage modern web projects, raised an additional $30m in Series B funding. The round was led by Kleiner Perkins with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and the founders of Slack, Yelp, GitHub and Figma. Led by Mathias Biilmann, Founder and CEO, Netlify provides a large base of web developers with a tech platform where content and applications are created directly on a global network, bypassing the need to ever setup or manage servers. The companys Application Delivery Network removes the remaining dependency on origin infrastructure, allowing companies to host the entire application globally. More than 300,000 developers use Netlify. FinSMEs 09/10/2018 Paladin Cyber, a San Francisco, CA-based cyber protection company focused on defending small and medium businesses against security threats, secured $3.6m in funding. The round, which brought total funding to $4.5m, was led by Lighbank with participation from Aquiline Technology Growth, Haystack, Argo Ventures and Clocktower Technology Ventures, and existing investors Ground Up Ventures, Hemi Ventures, Sutardja Ventures and Y Combinator. In conjunction with the funding, Lightbank Managing Director Vic Pascucci will assumes a new seat on Paladin Cybers Board of Directors. The company intends to use the funds for continued national insurance expansion and for further investment in its proprietary security platform. Established in 2017 by CEO Han Wang, Paladin Cyber offers a suite of proprietary tools and resources for small and mid-sized businesses and government entities throughout the U.S. to assess and manage cyber exposures. From training simulations to identify phishing scams to innovative software solutions to protect against malicious code and hacking incidents, the company works with clients to discover potential vulnerabilities to cyber events, manage cyber-liability exposures, and remediate incident-related damage. Paladin Cyber also announced that its comprehensive commercial cyber insurance policy is available on an admitted basis in Arizona. It will followed by Oregon, Colorado and Nevada later this year. Underwritten by National Specialty Insurance Company with Boost Insurance serving as program administrator, the new policy will have limits ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. The policy will provide first- and third-party coverage for a wide range of costs associated with hacking attacks, breaches and other cyber-related incidents including: Forensic expenses to determine causality, quantify loss and remediation costs Privacy notifications, call centers, employee overtime, credit monitoring and other expenses related to handling a breach Expenses associated with addressing extortion threats Data replacement or restoration Business income and extra expense associated with downtime arising from cyber incidents Limited public relations expenses Computer fraud, including loss of funds resulting from a network breach Payment card industry fines and penalties Cyber/privacy defense and liability costs Businesses enrolling in Paladin Cybers software solutions and services can obtain insurance terms with competitive premium rates. The services include phishing inbox protection, cross-site-scripting protection and public WiFi protection, as well as a browser content filter, password manager, and qualified resources for cyber education and incident response. FinSMEs 09/10/2018 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, saying that China and the United States should follow the right path of win-win cooperation, rather than go astray toward conflict and confrontation. Wang said Pompeo proposed his visit to China and the Chinese side was willing to arrange meetings. Recently the United States escalated its trade friction with China, took actions that jeopardized China's rights and interests on the Taiwan issue and unwarrantedly condemned China on its domestic and foreign policies, Wang said. Stressing that these moves have directly impacted on the mutual trust and cast shadows on the prospects of China-U.S. relations, Wang urged the United States to stop making negative remarks immediately. "I know that during your visit, you also want to exchange views with the Chinese side on regional hotspot issues including the situation in the Korean Peninsula," Wang said, adding that this demonstrates as two major powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the United States should strengthen communication and cooperation, so as to live up to the responsibilities entrusted by the international community. Saying the two sides' cooperation should be supported by healthy and steady bilateral ties, Wang expressed his hope that Pompeo's Beijing visit will play a positive role in realizing the goal. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] . , - , , . , , , ... SEARCH A minimum of 3 characters are required to be typed in the search bar in order to perform a search. Fountains are already spraying in Bad Neuenahr : Preparations are underway for the fifth Klangwelle BAD NEUENAHR The preparations for the fifth Klangwelle in Bad Neuenahrs Kurpark are in full swing. The spectacle, which starts on Thursday 11 October, requires a raft of technology. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Moscow Bad Neuenahr Qatar. This is the current Klangwelle tour. Last Monday, two 30 tonne articulated lorries arrived in Bad Neuenahrs Kurpark. Since then, they have been setting up for the light, water, music and firework spectacle that will celebrate its fifth opening in Bad Neuenahr on Thursday evening. It is a spectacle that needs a lot of technology. 14 people helped show designer Mischa Anton from Austria in recent days and now there are still five people at his side in the programming phase. The 37-year-old is responsible for the programme, for which he requires 75 jets and 60 spotlights. The pool, from which at present the water fountains shoot up during the day higher than the giant trees growing in the Kurpark, is 22 metres long and six metres wide. Monday afternoon: photo shoot with Mischa Anton. I have to quickly clear something away; its part of the show and should be a surprise, says the man controlling the entire Klangwelle from a container. Okay, nothing given away. But we are told that the cable alone laid for the show would reach from Kirchdaun to Ramersbach as the crow flies. Meanwhile, spa guests marvel at the rainbow that has formed in the English Park. Rainbows are supposed to bring good luck. The Klangwelle creators could use some. Roland Nenzel from Bonn is second in the team. As artistic director, he is responsible for the music selection, which is the icing on the cake for the show. We wont repeat ourselves, says Anton. Each programme is tailored to the relevant venue. As is the case for Bad Neuenahr, which for Anton as a venue is something special. Here, we get feedback from all sides. The people know us and look forward to seeing us. Klangwelle lasts for two hours per performance, as well as two 15 to 20 minute intervals and a two hour pre-programme. A full-length experience that takes place from Thursday 11 October to Sunday 14 October and from Thursday 18 October to Sunday 21 October. For the fifth edition, everything revolves around the number five. In the classical part in the first act, it appears as Five continents Symphony of the continents, the Fifth Season follows as a singalong concert, followed by five decades of German hits and Five Elements in an intoxication of the senses. Including the finale, there are then five acts for spectators to take in. Last year, a total of 16,000 people followed the spectacle on eight evenings. Information and tickets are available at www.die-klangwelle.de Lawyer lodges appeal : Siegaue rapist does not accept sentence After the revision of his prison term, Eric X, the defendant in the Siegaue case, has also appealed the new sentence. The Bonn district court had sentenced him to ten years. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken The Siegaue rapist Eric X, who was sentenced by the district court for a second time last Friday to ten years imprisonment for particularly severe rape and serious extortion, is also not accepting this sentence. A spokesperson for the court confirmed on Monday that defence lawyer Martin Morsdorf has appealed the sentence for the second time. The case had to be heard a second time because the Federal Supreme Court, while confirming the guilty verdict in the first conviction to eleven and a half years imprisonment, had overturned the sentence and referred the length of sentence back to another Bonn criminal court for a review of criminal responsibility. However, the 3rd criminal court also found, on the basis of expert opinion, that Eric X was criminally responsible when he attacked a couple camping in a tent in the Siegaue at the start of April 2017 and raped the female student. The lawyer explained he had first lodged the appeal as a precaution to comply with time limits. Tourists watch as Lantern Festival is celebrated in Pingxi, New Taipei City, Taiwan, last year. [OU DONGQU/XINHUA] The ancient tradition is coming under fire from critics who complain of environmental damage and fire risks. Yuan Quan and Jia Zhao report for Xinhua. The Chinese custom of flying lanterns goes back centuries. However, while the lanterns are symbols of peace and good fortune, they are now under threat. Traditional sky lanterns are made from paper wrapped round a bamboo frame. After rising 300 to 500 meters in the air, the flame suspended from the base goes out and the lantern falls to the ground. This makes them "flying garbage" and a "safety threat", according to critics who want the lanterns abolished. In response, Taiwan entrepreneur Shao Ai-ting, 26, argues that the lanterns should be made so they burn up in mid-air, leaving no debris to cause pollution or damage. "The sky lantern is an important cultural attraction in Taiwan," Shao said. "If we just stand by and do nothing, they really could be banned. That would be a great pity, wouldn't it?" 4 1 [ Editor: Xueying ] TOKYO, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks d lower Tuesday as exporter-linked issues lost ground following the yen's rise against the U.S. dollar. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 314.33 points, or 1.32 percent, from Friday to the day at 23,469.39. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 31.53 points, or 1.76 percent, lower to finish at 1,761.12. Electric appliance, transportation equipment and mining-oriented issues comprised those that declined the most by the of play. Markets here were d on Monday for a national holiday. [ Editor: WPY ] Ngan lauded the initiative to establish the MSEAP by the State Duma and the Republic of Koreas National Assembly. She expressed her belief that MSEAP 3 will be a success and the mechanism will continue to be held in the future. The themes of this meeting, which include economic affairs, environmental protection and sustainable development, are concerns of all countries, Ngan said. Regarding Vietnam-Russia relations, both Ngan and Volodin agreed that the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership are developing well. Notably, many new agreements signed during an official visit to Russia in early September 2018 by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong will create new momentum for the bilateral ties, they stated. Ngan told Volodin that Vietnam is preparing for his official visit slated for later this year, during which, she believes, both sides will have in-depth discussions on how to deepen relations between the two nations and parliaments as well as issues of mutual concern. Volodin reiterated proposals made by Vice Chairwoman of the State Duma Olga Epifanova during her working session with Ngan in Hanoi in late September, including an initiative to set up a Vietnam-Russia inter-parliamentary committee. He stressed the need for the two countries to lift bilateral ties to a new height, create a mechanism to solve issues related to their citizens and work together to raise two-way trade. The Vietnamese top legislator agreed with Russias proposal on the establishment of the Vietnam-Russia inter-parliamentary committee, and asked both sides to discuss the issue further during Volodins visit. Volodin took the occasion to invite Ngan to pay an official visit to Russia. Ngan accepted the invitation, saying she would visit Russia in the coming time. kejguv at 9-10-2018 04:55 PM (3 years ago) (m) Nigerians are reportedly no longer eligible for visa on arrival in Tanzania, as disclosed by a Nigerian Twitter user @supersanusi. According to the Nigerian Twitter user, other countries too are affected by the recent development and any Nigerian who shows up without a visa will get deported. He further advised travelers to call the Tanzanian embassy to avoid embarrassment. Nigerians are reportedly no longer eligible for visa on arrival in Tanzania, as disclosed by a Nigerian Twitter user @supersanusi. According to the Nigerian Twitter user, other countries too are affected by the recent development and any Nigerian who shows up without a visa will get deported. He further advised travelers to call the Tanzanian embassy to avoid embarrassment. Read his tweet below; Nigerians, (& a host of other countries actually) are no longer eligible for Visa on arrival in Tanzania. You wont find this info anywhere at the moment (even airlines dont know, cos it started 2 days ago), but best believe ur bum will be deported if you show up without a Visa. So if you already have a trip scheduled, or youre planning one, Ill suggest you call their embassy before you leave to avoid the embarrassment. @toberixng who also confirmed the recent development wrote; Read his tweet below;Nigerians, (& a host of other countries actually) are no longer eligible for Visa on arrival in Tanzania. You wont find this info anywhere at the moment (even airlines dont know, cos it started 2 days ago), but best believe ur bum will be deported if you show up without a Visa.So if you already have a trip scheduled, or youre planning one, Ill suggest you call their embassy before you leave to avoid the embarrassment.@toberixng who also confirmed the recent development wrote; Quote A country where Nigerians are not allowed to visit, has lost her touch of realities. Nigerians make things happen even though we are saddled with so many challenges we still put a smile on our faces, strong and always find our ways around things. I just spoke to the immigration authorities in Tanzania and confirmed that the visa on arrival policy no longer applies to Nigerians and a bunch of others (Mali, Niger, Yemen, Somalia, etc). Now, we have to apply in advance at the embassy to have a Tanzanian visa I just spoke to the immigration authorities in Tanzania and confirmed that the visa on arrival policy no longer applies to Nigerians and a bunch of others (Mali, Niger, Yemen, Somalia, etc). Now, we have to apply in advance at the embassy to have a Tanzanian visa Post Reply Writing is my passion and facts-proofing is my hobby, I have been writing at Gistmania for close to a decade now and It is one of the most exciting things I do. Outside writing, I love enjoying time with my loved ones - if you have any tip for me, please do get in touch Posted: at 9-10-2018 04:55 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac NDO Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN Leaders Gathering (ALG) on the occasion of the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bali, Indonesia, and pay a working visit to Indonesia from October 11 to 12. Your digital subscription allows you to view any content, comment on any issue and submit your own news to our newsroom. Digital subscriptions do not include home delivery of the Tracy Press. To receive the paper at home, sign up for Premium Membership. Three months after the U.S. Supreme Court's Janus ruling, teachers appear to be sticking with their union, even though they are no longer required to pay dues or a fee in lieu of their dues."I'm at 100 percent give or take a percent," Laura Franz, president of the Albany Public School Teachers Association (APSTA) said of her members' decisions to overwhelmingly remain in the union.The city school district recently asked the union to provide union cards from its members in order to ascertain that the district's list is up to date. Under state law, a public employer such as a school district withholds dues from union members and sends that money to the union.With just one or two exceptions, almost all of the union's 974 members agreed to continue paying dues, Franz said.APSTA's parent organization, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), has seen similar results. In the wake of the Janus decision, NYSUT instituted a new rule that provided a one-month window, in August, during which union members could leave the union and halt their dues payments.But just 200 members from a total of 450,000 statewide have left the union in recent months, said NYSUT spokesman Carl Korn.Korn stressed that the union for some time has been working to convince members that it's worthwhile to retain their memberships. That was in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling which came in June.In Janus v. AFSCME, the court overturned a four-decade tradition in which public employees who weren't members of their unions had to pay the equivalent of dues through a separate fee. Union supporters said the decision was an attack on public sector unions, while opponents said people shouldn't be forced to pay for union activities that they may not support.But there doesn't seem to have been a wholesale exodus from public sector unions at this point.Still, the changes have led to some extra work for unions and employers. In gathering and providing the district its list of union cards, APSTA's Franz said she redacted some information such as personal emails of union members.Emails became an issue days after the Janus decision when teachers in various districts, including some in New York state, received email blasts from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative group that opposes teacher unions.The emails said that teachers are no longer required to pay dues-like fees and could quit their union and save money.Franz said in the case of many APSTA members, spam filters caught those emails and blocked them.A few other school districts have requested union cards from their teachers, especially if they didn't have the cards on file, said Michael Borges, executive director of the state Association of School Business Officials.Additionally, at least one county board of supervisors, in Saratoga County, earlier in the summer said it needed copies of union cards from workers represented by the Civil Service Employees Association, or CSEA.A similar episode cropped up between the Syracuse school district and its CSEA workers.CSEA spokeswoman Shannon Hutton said members are by and large continuing to pay dues into the 300,000-member organization.At another state worker union, the Public Employees Federation (PEF), the number of members who have left since the decision is "minimal," said spokeswoman Jane Briggs. She added that PEF in recent months has gotten several hundred people who used to pay fees rather than dues to become full-fledged members.Public sector union dues such as those paid by teachers vary depending on salaries. They can run from several hundred to approximately $1,000 annually.Union opponents are keeping up their push, however."We're running ads," said Robert Bellafiore, spokesman for New Choice NY.The group is a nonprofit that Bellafiore says informs public employees about their rights. Funded by some national donors who are critical of public unions, New Choice NY has been focusing on Janus-related issues since the court decision.The organization has recently purchased radio spots that talk about how public employees can still get the benefits of collective bargaining including pensions and health care as well as dental and vision benefits, even if they no longer pay dues. The group also has put up billboards along commuter routes in the Albany area.In Albany, teachers' union members this week are voting on a new contract proposal. They are going into their third school year without a new contract. Under state labor law, though, many of the terms for the old contract remain in place. "We're hoping to settle," said Franz. Rating Held by D Held by R Tied Total Lean Republican 0 5 1 6 Tossup 1 3 1 5 Lean Democrat 3 3 0 6 Total 4 11 2 17 How Big Will the 2018 Blue Wave Be? Legislative Ratings: State by State ALABAMA ALASKA ARIZONA ARKANSAS CALIFORNIA COLORADO CONNECTICUT DELAWARE FLORIDA GEORGIA HAWAII IDAHO ILLINOIS INDIANA IOWA KANSAS KENTUCKY LOUISIANA MAINE MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS MICHIGAN MINNESOTA MISSISSIPPI MISSOURI MONTANA NEBRASKA NEVADA NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW JERSEY NEW MEXICO NEW YORK NORTH CAROLINA NORTH DAKOTA OHIO OKLAHOMA OREGON PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA SOUTH DAKOTA TENNESSEE TEXAS UTAH VERMONT VIRGINIA WASHINGTON STATE WEST VIRGINIA WISCONSIN WYOMING The last time we handicapped the state legislatures in May , the Democrats were in a good position to gain ground this fall. Five months later, their chances look even better.Since then, Democrats' chances of gaining the majority have improved in nine chambers, compared to just one for the Republicans. Republicans currently have 11 chambers at risk of flipping party control, compared to just four for the Democrats.In addition, we're rating the Minnesota Senate for the first time this cycle. After a vacancy emerged in late May, the previously Republican-held chamber became tied. A special election in November will decide control. We're rating it lean Republican.Our assessment is based on interviews with dozens of state and national political sources. We rate chambers on the following scale: safe Republican, likely Republican, lean Republican, tossup, lean Democratic, likely Democratic and safe Democratic. The categories labeled "lean" and "tossup" are considered competitive or in play.All told, we see 17 competitive chambers at this point, very close to the number of competitive chambers in May and to the number in 2014 -- the most recent election cycle with a strong partisan wave.Of those competitive chambers that are controlled by Republicans, three lean Democratic (the New Hampshire Senate and House and the New York Senate); three are tossups (the Colorado Senate, the Maine Senate and the Wisconsin Senate); and five lean Republican (the Arizona Senate, the Florida Senate, the Iowa House, the Michigan House and the Minnesota House).Among the competitive Democratic-held chambers, none currently lean Republican, and only one rates as a tossup -- Alaska's House. Three others are vulnerable enough to fall into the lean Democratic category: the Connecticut House, the Delaware Senate and the Maine House.There are two tied chambers -- the senates in Connecticut and Minnesota -- that are also in play. Connecticut is a tossup and Minnesota is lean Republican.Of the nine chambers moving in the Democrats' direction since our May ratings, three are no longer considered competitive and are rated likely Democratic: the Colorado House and the Washington state House and Senate. Three chambers moved out of tossup and into the lean Democratic category: both chambers in New Hampshire and the New York Senate. And one chamber moved from lean Republican to tossup -- the Wisconsin Senate.The only chamber moving in the Republicans' direction since May is the Alaska House, which moves from lean Democratic to tossup.Currently, the GOP holds control of more than two-thirds of the nation's legislative chambers: 65 in all, compared to 31 for the Democrats. (This tally counts New York's Senate as Republican and Alaska's House as Democratic, but both states are led by bipartisan coalitions. Meanwhile, Nebraska's unicameral legislature, which is nonpartisan, isn't included in our count.)It's worth noting that the degree of Republican vulnerability in 2018 is smaller than it was for the Democrats in 2010 . That year, we considered 25 Democratic chambers to be in play. Of course, that election was held prior to the 2010 Census round of redistricting, which ultimately bolstered Republican legislative prospects in a number of previously competitive states. Those 2010-drawn lines now protect Republicans in many states, limiting Democratic options for flipping chambers this year.In a neutral political environment -- one without a partisan wave -- our handicapping might produce a net Democratic gain of two to three chambers. But Election Day 2018 is not shaping up to be a neutral political environment.As we wrote in May, if a wave only favors the Democrats modestly, we might see a four- to seven-chamber gain for the Democrats. If a larger wave materializes, Democrats could take a bigger bite out of the GOP's state-by-state advantage -- a net switch of eight to 14 chambers.Despite the Democrats' strong position, it's worth injecting a note of caution. Even a net switch of 14 chambers toward the Democrats would leave Republicans with a national edge in chambers of 51-46.Listed below these maps are our ratings, with state-by-state analysis. For a more interactive version of the maps, and ratings for other races, click here The data for the current partisan breakdown in each chamber comes from the National Conference of State Legislatures; seats that are vacant or held by third-party politicians are not included in the totals.Alabama is so red that it will take more than a Democratic wave to change the partisan status quo in the legislature.Alaska's Senate is safely in Republican hands, but control of the House -- governed by a narrow, Democratic-led coalition -- is up for grabs. A wide lead by Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Dunleavy in the three-way race against incumbent Independent Gov. Bill Walker and Democrat Mark Begich could boost Republican chances for a takeover.Democrats are three seats away from flipping the Arizona Senate. But to ultimately take control, they would have to unseat some battle-tested Republican lawmakers. In addition, early indicators suggest that enthusiasm among Latino voters, a crucial electorate for Democrats, is not as strong as has been expected. Unless they turn out, the Arizona Senate could stay in Republicans' hands.Arkansas Democrats might be able to snag a few extra seats this fall, but the GOP's majorities are wide enough to remain secure.Thanks to President Trump's unpopularity in the state, Democrats, who already possess lopsided control of both chambers, may be able to expand their margins even further this fall.The Democrats continue to have high hopes of flipping the GOP-controlled Colorado Senate. Democratic allies, including EMILY's List, have been spending millions in an effort to flip the closely held chamber.Meanwhile, with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jared Polis ahead by a few points in recent polls, the GOP's hope of flipping the Democratic-held House faces longer odds.Thanks to a close race for governor, both chambers are in play. Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy's unpopularity has been a major source of concern for his party. But Democrats are breathing a little easier since polls showed their nominee, Ned Lamont, leading Republican nominee Bob Stefanowski by the low-double digits.Ten of the Senate's 21 seats are up this year. It's hard to imagine the blue state of Delaware losing Democratic seats in 2018, but as early as 2017, the chamber was been tied when a special election for a vacant seat was held. The stakes then were so serious that the contest drew national attention and money. Given that a single seat flipping to Republicans could change control, this remains lean Democratic.For the first time in a quarter-century, Florida Democrats have a genuine chance of seizing control of a state legislative chamber -- contesting more seats than they have in recent election cycles. While the party stands a good chance of picking up seats in both chambers, they'd have to make up too much ground in the House to make it genuinely competitive.The much closer Senate, though, should be in play. The deciding factor will be the governor's race, which pits a staunch liberal against a staunch conservative. Its impact on turnout is uncertain; it's possible we could shift either or both chambers further in the Democrats' or Republicans' direction before Election Day. But until the situation clarifies itself, we're keeping both chambers' ratings unchanged.Like Florida, Georgia has a sharp ideological contest for governor this fall, with an uncertain impact on turnout. But demographic changes and political shifts should produce some Democratic gains this fall, especially in the Atlanta suburbs. That said, the margins in Georgia remain too wide for Democrats to be optimistic about flipping either chamber outright in 2018.The extreme Democratic lead in both chambers make the Hawaii Legislature among the safest in the nation for Democrats.There's a possibility of minor Democratic gains given the few GOP retirements and departures -- but nothing big enough to change the makeup of either chamber.With Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner facing a rough reelection battle -- and the state unhappy with President Trump -- this doesn't look like the year for Republicans to make gains in either chamber. A bonus for Democrats is that gubernatorial nominee J.B. Pritzker is heavily funding his own campaign, leaving pro-Democratic outside groups able to devote their money and time to shoring up control of the legislature.Pritzker is going through a bad patch, though. Earlier this month, Cook County's inspector general declared that Prizker cheated taxpayers through fraudulently representing his mansion to secure $330,000 in property tax breaks. Still, Rauner is in such a big hole that it may not be enough to stop Pritzker's juggernaut.Republicans, meanwhile, are less than unified as they grapple with an internal war between establishment Republicans and a more staunchly free-market wing championed by deep-pocketed donor Richard Uihlein. In a strong year for Democrats, this will hurt them even further. Rauner already struggled to beat an underfunded rival running to his right during the primary.The Democrats are targeting five Republican seats in the Senate, but while they could ultimately flip a few, the GOP edge is so big that it won't matter. In the House, the Democrats could flip anywhere from five to nine seats, but again, the GOP margin is wide enough to maintain the majority.Iowa, which shifted dramatically toward Trump in the 2016 election, appears to be swinging back in the other direction this year. In the Senate, Republicans may be able to maintain or increase their majority. But Democrats are poised to eat into the GOP's margin in the House. With the combination of Republican retirements and Democratic enthusiasm, they have an outside chance of taking the majority.The Kansas House, which is the only chamber in the state to be contested this fall, will remain in Republican hands. But if moderate Republicans manage to gain enough ground, they could work with Democrats to shape key bills.Kentucky, which has all but completed its transition into a solidly Republican state, is not promising territory for Democrats to gain back legislative ground, even in a favorable year like 2018. Expect continued Republican control in both chambers.Neither chamber in Louisiana is contested this year.Both chambers in this swing state remain in play, especially with a highly competitive gubernatorial race. A few more House Republicans are term-limited this year than are House Democrats, opening up some opportunities for the party. In the Senate, though, a competitive race by Republican gubernatorial nominee Shawn Moody may help Republicans keep their narrow lead.Both chambers in Maryland are solidly Democratic. The only issue is whether Republican Gov. Larry Hogan -- who's popular in the blue state despite his party affiliation -- can run well enough to oust enough incumbents to sustain vetoes. Currently, both chambers are veto-proof; the Democrats have more than the 85 representatives and 29 senators they need to override Hogan's vetoes.Massachusetts' lopsidedly Democratic majorities remain solid in 2018 and beyond.In the Senate, 27 seats will be open due to term limits, most of them Republican. Still, the GOP margin is solid enough that a flip in control is unlikely.A smaller percentage of seats are open in the House. But since it is more narrowly divided than the Senate, it could be in play -- especially with the governor's race leaning the Democrats' way.The tied state Senate will be decided by a special election for a seat that became vacant in late May after Republican Michelle Fischbach was appointed lieutenant governor. The seat is in a Republican-friendly district, but both sides are throwing everything at the seat since it's the key to controlling the chamber.As for the House, one of the most competitive seats has already effectively flipped after the GOP candidate withdrew amid allegations of sexual assault from his daughter. In addition, at least 15 suburban GOP members are facing a significant backlash thanks to Trump's growing unpopularity there. We're shifting the rating from likely Republican to lean Republican.Neither chamber in Mississippi is contested this year.With Missouri's Republican governor, Eric Greitens, out of the way -- he resigned after allegations of sexual impropriety -- Democrats don't look as likely to benefit in legislative races. The party may be able to gain a few seats, but the GOP's margins are too big to lose control in one cycle.While Trump's popularity in the state has waned somewhat in recent months, it's not likely to affect legislative races in Montana.Nebraska's unicameral legislature is officially nonpartisan, so we don't handicap it.In the Senate, despite the tight margin, Democratic incumbents look solid. The Assembly, meanwhile, doesn't appear to have enough vulnerable Democratic seats to flip, either.In recent election cycles, New Hampshire has been one of the nation's most closely divided states and most likely to swing. Despite the state House's enormous size, it has been known to flip control during wave elections. And even with GOP Gov. Chris Sununu showing an edge in his reelection bid, independent observers think Democrats are gaining momentum in legislative races. We're shifting both chambers from tossup to lean Democratic.Neither chamber in New Jersey is contested this year.New Mexico is a state where the Democrats can expect a boost this fall. They are already in control of both chambers, and modest gains in the House are possible; Democrats are favored in the gubernatorial race following two terms by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, and the national Democratic environment doesn't hurt.The state Senate has long been under Republican control, even when that required forming a cross-party coalition with renegade Democrats. But that increasingly looks likely to come to an end. There are numerous open seats, many of them in competitive areas such as the Hudson Valley, and progressive candidates exhibited substantial energy in primaries. We're shifting the chamber from tossup to lean Democratic.The Democrats are poised to pick up seats in both chambers, especially in the House. The national energy has helped the party field candidates in every legislative district. There would have to be a significant wave for the GOP to lose control -- the GOP-drawn map gives Republicans an edge -- but it's looking likelier than a few months ago that the Democrats could pick up enough seats to break the GOP supermajority in either chamber, handing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper a weightier veto threat.North Dakota's strong Republican margins are not in danger of eroding this year.The House is vulnerable to GOP losses thanks to scandals and leadership squabbles. But the GOP edge in the House is wide and should be able to outlast even a sizable Democratic wave.Only half the seats in the Ohio Senate are up in any cycle, which makes it less susceptible to wave conditions. But the Democrats could gain a modest number of seats in the chamber.The Oklahoma Senate is certain to stay in Republican hands, with only 24 of 48 seats up this cycle and a big GOP edge. But dissatisfaction with Republican Gov. Mary Fallin and a battle over education funding has energized Democrats, producing a surprisingly close gubernatorial race. If any Democratic gains are to materialize, it's likelier to happen the House.The Democratic margins in the Oregon Legislature are modest, but it's a blue enough state in a blue enough year to be considered safe. Democrats may even be able to secure the one seat in each chamber that they need to gain a three-fifths supermajority. But amid a closer-than-expected gubernatorial race for incumbent Democrat Kate Brown, the chances of that happening have diminished somewhat since our last ratings.One might think that Pennsylvania would be a good prospect for flipping a Republican chamber or two, given the Democrats' strong edge in races for U.S. senator, governor and several House seats. But redistricting has provided legislative Republicans some insurance even in a difficult political environment. Still, the Democrats should be able to gain back a modest number of seats.Despite a competitive gubernatorial race, the large Democratic majorities in the state legislature look solid for 2018. That said, there could be an ideological shift to the left within the Democratic caucus, and that could provoke a leadership fight that unseats Speaker Nick Mattiello.In this solidly red state, the GOP will be in good shape to retain its sizable majority in the House.The open-seat gubernatorial contest is turning surprisingly competitive for the Democrats, but the Republicans are in no danger of losing significant ground in legislative races. The only contest of note will be between conservative Republicans and very conservative Republicans.There may be a few more seats in play than usual in Tennessee, thanks in part to former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen's credible run for the U.S. Senate. Still, significant Democratic gains are unlikely in this formidably red state.Even though Democrats are excited about Beto O'Rourke's chances of knocking off Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, don't expect major Democratic gains in the state legislature. In the Senate, only one seat is considered genuinely in play, and that district leans Republican.Democratic gains are likelier in the House, though, where Democrats are contesting an unusually large number of seats. That said, a double-digit increase seems like a stretch. Perhaps more important is the question of who might succeed the retiring speaker, Joe Straus, a moderate Republican backed by a mix of Democrats and Republicans.Democrats might be able to make some marginal gains, but Utah Republicans are in no danger of losing significant clout in this red state.Democrats will hold on to both chambers in Vermont. The more pressing question is whether Republicans will lose enough races to lose their ability to sustain a veto by GOP Gov. Phil Scott.Neither chamber in Virginia is contested this year.Even Republicans in the state are downbeat about the prospects of flipping either chamber in a blue state in a blue year. Despite the narrow margins, we're moving both chambers in this blue state from lean Democratic to likely Democratic.West Virginia remains Trump country, and the GOP's margins in both chambers are sizable. Democratic gains, if any, should be modest.Democrats are optimistic about their chances in the state Senate, where they need only net two seats to take control. They've already flipped two seats in special elections. Democrats are benefiting from Trump's unpopularity in the suburbs and a competitive governor's race between GOP Gov. Scott Walker and his Democratic opponent, Tony Evers. Given this, we're shifting the Senate to tossup. By contrast, the GOP's margin in the Assembly should be large enough to hold, despite the possibility of some modest losses.The Republican majorities in Wyoming have nothing to worry about in 2018. Last month, the mayor of Hallandale Beach, Keith London, bizarrely accused fellow commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub of profiting from bleaching her sphincter, causing public outrage and series of #MeToo posts on social media. Now, Lima-Taub is the one under fire for apparently comparing the mayor to Adolf Hitler during Wednesday night's regularly scheduled commission meeting.Both the mayor and Lima-Taub are Jewish, so did the commissioner really compare the mayor to Hitler? The vice mayor says yes. She and the mayor are offended. Lima-Taub says absolutely not.Whatever the interpretation, the commissioner did throw out the names Hitler and Fidel Castro in her comments focused on London. Here's what happened.The first item on the Wednesday night agenda was a proclamation, sponsored by London, to make October 2018 Domestic Violence Awareness month in Hallandale Beach. During her opening comments, Lima-Taub called London "the biggest, most corrupt criminal to ever grace the city" and said the mayor's domestic violence proclamation a was a "joke" before making the following statement:"A man who sat here a month ago and dared to talk about my private parts, sponsoring a proclamation for domestic violence. Wow. That's like Hitler having a proclamation for Jews. Or Fidel Castro having freedom day for Cubans."Moments later, Vice Mayor Michele Lazarow and Commissioner Mike Butler got up from the dais. That meant the commission no longer had a quorum and the meeting had to halt until they returned. Lazarow later called the commissioner's comments "disgusting" and demanded a public apology."I know you don't like the mayor, and I know that he has made inappropriate comments and remarks for which he has apologized. As a Jew, to listen to you sit here and compare anyone to Hitler makes me sick to my stomach," Lazarow said toward the end of the meeting. "There was one Hitler. Only one. Hitler murdered millions of innocent people. Murdered millions of innocent people. No one is like Hitler. There is one Hitler. The worst in our society are not like Hitler."London remained silent Wednesday but admitted he was offended in a statement made to the Miami Herald on Thursday."Of course I'm offended, but more so for Holocaust survivors in our community who shouldn't have their experiences trivialized for petty politics and personal attacks," London wrote. "I've said controversial things from time to time. I've apologized for doing so. I hope Commissioner Taub will learn from my example and do the same."Lima-Taub did not apologize. Instead, after the meeting, she took to Facebook and doubled down on her comments."A man who has a history of abuse of women, firefighters and African-Americans, sponsoring a domestic violence proclamation (to deflect from his humiliating sexual inappropriate comments about my private parts) in an attempt to garner more votes is sickening," Lima-Taub wrote. In the post, she called the mayor's accusations about anal bleaching last month "abusive" and repeated both the Hitler and Castro comments almost verbatim.Since the anal bleaching comment -- possibly a reference to her mother's med spa -- Lima-Taub has continued to accuse London of what she calls abusive behavior, including unwanted touching of her rear-end.Her late-night post ended with the following:"I am incensed that this man tries to legitimize his actions via this proclamation. How disrespectful for every woman who has endured sexual, physical or mental abuse at the hands of men. When will people say enough is enough!!!!!"A day, and much public criticism later, and Lima-Taub said she still does not think her comments were offensive."I think if you want to make it offensive to politicize it like the vice mayor, you can," Lima-Taub said. "I didn't compare him to Hitler. But I do compare him to every man who has ever sexually harassed a woman." The CPVCC's Secretariat Vuong spoke highly of the achievements Laos has recorded in its three years of implementing both the resolution adopted at the 10th National Party Congress as well as the eighth five-year socio-economic development plan. He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party, the management of the Government, and the supervision of the NA, Lao people will be able to overcome any difficulties and challenges to reap greater attainments during the renewal process. The official noted with pleasure the progress made in the special solidarity between the two countries across many fields, which, he said, is attributable to the contribution of Vietnamese and Lao legislative bodies. The progress has brought pragmatic benefits to the people of each country, as well as solidifying peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. Vietnam will do its utmost to preserve and deepen the special solidarity, the CPVCC's Secretariat affirmed. He used the occasion to thank the Lao Party, NA, Government, and Lao Front for National Construction for their activities to commemorate former General Secretary of the CPVCC Do Muoi and President Tran Dai Quang who passed away recently. The CPVCC's Secretariat Vuong also extended sympathies to residents in Attapeu province over the great losses caused by the dam collapse last July. Applauding the past cooperation between the two legislative bodies, the official voiced his belief that the legislatures and their committees will step up the affiliation and exchange of information and experience, as well as instructing ministries, agencies, and localities to implement high-level agreements between the two countries and cooperation programmes reached by the NAs. He urged the two NAs to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, as well as sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and work together to deepen collaboration and connectivity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He proposed the Lao NA Chairwoman instruct the revision of existing mechanisms, policies, and laws and the making of necessary supplements and amendments in order to bolster trade and investment ties between the two countries. Speaking of the Lao NA House a gift from the Vietnamese Party, State, and People to Laos , the CPVCC's Secretariat called on the Lao side to adopt specific mechanisms to facilitate the construction. For her part, Pany Yathotou congratulated Vietnam on the past achievements the country has reaped and said she believes that under the CPVs leadership, the Vietnamese people will be able to gain even more in the reform process. She expressed her delight at the development of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, adding that the Lao Party, State, and people will make all-out efforts together with Vietnam to cultivate the relationship. The Lao top legislator told her guest that Vietnamese and Lao legislatures will effectively realise their cooperation agreement, covering the sharing of information and experience in law-making, supervision, and decision-making on major national matters. The same day, the CPVCC's Secretariat Vuong visited former General Secretary of the LPRP and former President of Laos Chummaly Sayasone at his private home. The CPVCC's Secretariat Vuong conveyed Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese leaders regards and wishes of good health to the former Lao leader, while briefing him on the general situation in Vietnam, as well as the specific results of his visit. The CPVCC's Secretariat thanked the Party, State, and people of Laos for supporting Vietnam in both the past struggle for independence and the current national construction and defence, while expressing his hope that Chummaly Sayasone will continue contributing to the reinforcement and development of Vietnam-Laos ties. For his part, Chummaly Sayasone showed his delight at the growth of the special solidarity and friendship between the two countries. He thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for giving Laos timely and effective help in the past, underlining that he hopes the two sides will collaborate closely in efficiently implementing agreements reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and countries. During his stay in Laos, the CPVCC's Secretariat also had a working session with officials of the Embassy of Vietnamese in Vientiane, and visited the Laos National Assembly building and the branch of the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam. Wisconsin prison officials investigated more than 100 complaints of correctional officers and staff sexually abusing or harassing inmates in one year, state records show.Among the allegations reviewed, Department of Corrections officials found enough evidence to prove just 11 percent of the claims, or 15 cases involving correctional staff in positions of power creating intimate interactions or relationships with inmates they were charged with supervising, according to documents released under the state open records law.The prison staff including one guard trained in preventing such behavior are accused of having sexual intercourse and forging romantic relationships with inmates, spanking them and making sexually harassing comments, among other allegations.In one case, a male prison nurse is accused of having sexual intercourse and sexual contact with a female inmate multiple times in an exam room. In two other cases, female prison staff developed romantic relationships with male inmates by touching or kissing and writing romantic and sexual letters back and forth. Governments around the nation are working to design the best vaccine policies that keep both their employees and their residents safe. Although the latest data shows a variety of polarizing perspectives, there are clear emerging best practices that leading governments are following to put trust first: creating policies that are flexible and provide a range of options, and being in tune with the needs and sentiments of their employees so that they are able to be dynamic and accommodate the rapidly changing situation. Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday rejected President Donald Trump's call for Chicago police to start using stop-and-frisk tactics to get the city's violent crime under control, saying "the failed policies he's talking about" would damage the work to build public trust in police.In the latest example of Trump highlighting Chicago violence, he told the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Florida on Monday that he would send representatives from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' office to Chicago "to help straighten out the terrible shooting wave."The president said he wanted officials to "work with local authorities to try to change the terrible deal the city of Chicago entered into with ACLU, which ties law enforcement's hands, and to strongly consider stop-and-frisk.""It works, and it was meant for problems like Chicago," Trump said. "It was meant for it. Stop-and-frisk. And Rudy Giuliani, when he was mayor of New York City, had a very strong program of stop-and-frisk, and it went from an unacceptably dangerous city to one of the safest cities in the country and I think the safest big city in the country. So it works."Trump's mention of the ACLU deal is an apparent reference to the agreement between the American Civil Liberties Union and the city, which required police officers beginning in 2016 to more thoroughly document street stops to try to curb racial profiling and other unconstitutional practices. Police street stops plummeted between 2015 and 2016, and some critics blamed that for an increase in homicides in Chicago in 2016.Asked about Trump's comments Monday, Emanuel pointed to statistics showing gun violence down in Chicago since 2016. As he has repeatedly since Trump took office and began singling out Chicago's crime problem, the mayor said he would welcome federal help in the form of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI to cooperate with police on combating gang crime and gun violence."But the failed policies he's talking about have no place for a city that's working together with communities, about how to build not only trust, but a collaborative and cooperative relationship," Emanuel said at a far Northwest Side event to announce more money for sidewalk repairs. "So while resources are always welcomed ... the idea of what President Trump's talking about is not only not welcome, it's antithetical to what we're working on. And that is about a strong proactive professional police department."The president's comments came just days after a Cook County jury convicted Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery in the 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald.Sessions criticized the 2015 deal between the ACLU and the city of Chicago while speaking last month to law enforcement officials at a police training conference in Waukegan.The agreement, overseen by a retired federal judge, was reached following an ACLU study that found African-Americans were stopped by police at a higher rate than Hispanics and whites. In the settlement, the Chicago Police Department agreed to keep track of all investigatory street stops and protective pat-downs.The 2015 ACLU of Illinois study found that Chicago police made street stops at a far higher rate than New York City cops did at the height of their controversial stop-and-frisk practices. The ACLU considered suing the Chicago Police Department over the practice, condemning it as racial profiling, but the department agreed to changes that required officers to more thoroughly document their street stops. The changes also were incorporated in a new state law.As a result, at the start of 2016, Chicago police officers had to fill out more detailed street stop forms, which required them to more comprehensively justify their reasonable suspicion for stopping people. At the time, the Tribune reported that officers complained about how much longer the paperwork took to fill out, keeping them from their street duties.All the questions on the new forms also increased their anxiety about being second-guessed on whom they stopped and whether the stops were legally justified. As a result, the number of street stops plummeted.Chicago ended 2016 with more than 4,300 people shot and over 760 killed, the worst violence the city had seen in two decades. Some officers within the department that year blamed the street-stop changes for the rise in violence, in that they prevented cops from policing the streets more aggressively. But crime experts have dismissed that explanation for the spike in violence and the ACLU has contended that the drastic drop in street stops is an indication that officers likely began making fewer unconstitutional stops.What's more, the city has seen steady drops in homicides and shootings since a disastrous 2016. Through September of this year, Chicago recorded 419 homicides, a 19 percent drop from the first nine months of 2017 when 520 people were slain in the city, according to official police statistics. Shooting incidents also have dropped by 17 percent during the first nine months of 2018 compared with last year.Karen Sheley, director of the police practices project for the ACLU of Illinois, said Trump's remarks come as no surprise and show he is out of touch with Chicago. She also said if the Chicago Police Department returns to its old street-stop policy, that would further alienate Chicagoans, especially African-Americans and Latinos, from the officers."This administration has been encouraging unlawful behavior and strong-arm tactics through the police since they came into office," Sheley said of the Trump administration in a brief telephone interview Monday. "What they're trying to do is make a community policing issue a political issue."Trump has repeatedly referenced Chicago violence since taking office. He threatened via tweet to "send in the Feds!" shortly after his inaugural address, and has subsequently brought it up occasionally in speeches. Description GIS 09 October, 2018: A Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) training, aimed at establishing a national cadre for Officials to undertake needs assessment and formulate recovery frameworks in Mauritius, kicked off yesterday at La Canelle, Domaine Les Pailles. The Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Etienne Sinatambou, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ms Marjaana Sall, the Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr Laurent Musango, and other personalities were present at the opening. In his address, Minister Sinatambou highlighted that Mauritius remains the 13th country with the highest disaster risk and the seventh most exposed to natural hazards according to the World Risk Report 2017. The development of the PDNA training and Disaster Recovery Framework Guides represent a unique outcome towards a harmonised and standardised approach in government-led efforts to estimate the needs for recovery after a disastrous event and to plan and implement recovery strategies, he pointed out. The training, the Minister underscored, will contribute in ensuring a better post disaster needs assessment for the benefit of the country and will render the Mauritian society more disaster resilient, in conformity with the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. He made an appeal to participants to make judicious use of this opportunity so as to pave the way for a better future for Mauritius. For her part, Ambassador Sall, remarked that the training is particularly relevant to Mauritius and Rodrigues which face natural hazards such as cyclones and flash floods. The PDNA is the first step towards developing a holistic recovery programme that promotes equity and inclusion, she stated. The United Nations remains committed to support the Mauritian Government in the implementation of the Sendai Framework, said the Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr Musango, in his speech. He further commended the authorities keen interest in pursuing efforts to build resilience. PDNA training The five-day training is organised by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The training aims at informing high level management and technical staff from the Mauritian Government of the benefits of applying a standardised approach and methodology to conduct post disaster needs assessments, formulate a recovery strategy and plan for its successful implementation. Resource persons are from the UNDP and the European Union. As we head into the final days before the 2018 elections, the media coverage of election security has never been greater. Sadly, much of the news is not very encouraging. For example:Indeed, just this week, Vice President Mike Pence accused the Chinese government of meddling in the upcoming U.S. elections , although some cybersecurity experts disagree.The administrations own secretary of homeland security, Kirstjen Nielsen, said: We currently have no indication that a foreign adversary intends to disrupt our election infrastructure.We know they [the Chinese] have the capability and we know they have the will. So were constantly on alert to watch. But what we see with China right now are the influence campaigns, the more traditional, longstanding, holistic influence campaigns, Nielsen said on Tuesday at a Washington Post cybersecurity conference Others are much more concerned with Russian election interference again Going back more than two years, this blog covered this election cybersecurity topic from numerous angles. In March of 2016, I was one of the first to ask:On the weekend before the 2016 vote, I wrote,[Note: this piece was written when most people thought Hillary Clinton would win.]After the 2016 election, we discussed views on the trouble with recounts in the name of hacking and later recapped the good, bad and ugly with those vote recounts that did occur.In January 2017, after more was known about deficiencies with state voting machines, I wrote about what election technology steps were needed , and earlier this year, I took another stab at the election topic from a state government and association perspective.I mention these specific blogs because they are all part of an ongoing election narrative which is coming to a culmination over the next few weeks (and in two years) in the November 2018 and the 2020 elections.As I posted these previous pieces, many security experts agreed with my analysis while others challenged my viewpoints. Sometimes, respected cyberexperts like David OBerry, openly argued another narrative.While I view David as a trusted colleague who I have known for a decade and who has an amazing security acumen, seeing his adamant, well-researched comments on my LinkedIn posts (and other forums) was eye-opening and sometimes even unnerving.Stated simply we disagreed on various hacking points after the 2016 election. (At the same time, we always agree on numerous points as well, such as the serious nature of the election cyberthreat and the need for urgent action to protect future elections.) I always learn from him, and truly enjoy the engaging dialog. I find his professional approach to be both refreshing, challenging and sincerely helpful so much so that I want to bring his insights and perspectives to you before the 2018 election. David OBerry speaks with a wealth of knowledge and cybersecurity experience. He doesnt pull punches, and yet offers a kind, humble demeanor in one-on-one cyberdiscussions. You can get a sense of David's style from this brief YouTube video from 2015.I first met David when he was the South Carolina government cybersecurity lead at MS-ISAC meetings , and we have been friends ever since. After leaving South Carolina government, he held senior positions with McAfee and VMware and other security organizations. He currently is the co-founder and chief innovation officer at PreCog Security Inc. He also serves on several cyberstartup advisory boards and is a mentor for several cybersecurity leaders around the country.Now, on to the election interview.No, I do not believe that the vast majority of the states are even close to ready for the mid-term elections as it relates to their cybersecurity posture, and anyone that says differently is either spinning it or has no idea what they are talking about. I do believe there are going to be some states that may have a better handle on it than others but that number is far less than 30 or 40 percent, and once you factor in the various voting machine issues and the way the precincts are set up ... the way the roles are handled via databases, etc. It is not a question of if they are vulnerable, its a question of how bad will it be and will it undermine the confidence of the vote.DO: I think my largest concern continues to be the voting rolls, phishing attacks that keep divulging astronomical amounts of targeted user data, voting machines without a paper trail, and voting machines that are hackable with their only defense being lack of physical access.The lack of a paper trail is a horrific design, period, and on the other front the voting machine companies are now trying to say that vulnerability/penetration testing is not a real-world environment because they have physical access. That is just ridiculous, and if they ever visited the various places these things are in with the mostly volunteer or low-paid staff and no physical security per se, then they would understand how insane that position is in general. If they have not visited the various places they serve, then it's malfeasance.As far as the voting rolls, my contention has all along been that without an immutable record of the rolls where every change and modification is kept in high fidelity, etched in a blockchain of some sort, we will never know what has been done or can be done to disenfranchise voters in general. When you used to get a phone book, it was only as good as the data inside it. If that data was corrupted at the source, then you were done. The checks and balances to these things right now are ad hoc at best and there is no blockchain-based (read as immutable record ... whatever that tech may be) to compare against.I had a personal experience seeing three minority voters in 2016 turned away (military and female) in the 45 minutes I was standing in line to early vote. It was very clear something was either amiss or I was in the middle of the largest of timely coincidences. I wrote about it back then, as a matter of fact.DO: I think rather than relying on various personal conversations which could be considered subjective and anecdotal, the following score-card from the Center for American Progress lays out both the methodology and the grading system for how they went about assessing the state post-2016. I would make the comment that there were no A's but a few B's, and there should NEVER be D's and F's, yet they too were abundant. When you look at the full chart, they are giving credit for FAIR for a number of even these B's, which is just mind-boggling to me. B's: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio (borderline C), Oregon, Rhode Island D's and F's: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Hawaii (borderline C/D), Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, TexasSo that means we have nearly 50 percent more D's and F's than B's with no A's, and FAIR is being counted as OK in current-state to grade to a B. Think about that?This issue cannot be left to the states because it is a matter of national security and it cannot be treated as some line-item that state leadership can just cut or zero out in any given year. It is the very backbone of what we are as a nation and when it is compromised, it poisons our collective soul.DO: I believe election problems are both at present and include the locals as well. That is one of the single largest issues is the cross-jurisdictional mess this often is and as scary as it sounds I do think that the government (via a non-party-based governing committee or group along the lines of maybe [Federal Election Commission] expanded) should federalize the elections and take this guessing game out of the hands of people who at times are just woefully under-equipped to stave off the likes of Russia or any other nation-state that targets them.As much as it pains me to say it, because I was 20 years in South Carolina state government and saw so many states just do amazing work with so little in the way of resources. Something as important as the confidence in a duly elected federal, state or local representative has to be maintained at all costs. It does not help that the hyper-partisanship has created a situation where it was actually advantageous for one party to hold up funding for protections to the election system, meaning that even now with grants available, it is way too little too late for 2018 and more than likely for 2020 as well. I have seen estimates that shoring up the system to an acceptable level will take till at least 2021. Think about that.DO: Hmm ... I think hackers are at times too good, but I also think that we continue to fail at making targets hard to find, attack and subvert. Companies continue to spew out device after device with little thought to anything besides sales and profit, and while I get that capitalism is supposed to weed out the wrong-doers, it is simply not an effective means of doing so when something as critical as voting is at stake. The lag times are too great.Companies don't have to care who wins or if the vote is accurate because either way, they keep selling machines. It is not unlike medical devices and the current disastrous state they are in or IoT as a whole. I have taken to calling it "The Iniquity of Ubiquity" and recently modified that to "The Iniquity of Insecure Ubiquity." Ubiquity without security threaded through it is just a beatdown waiting to happen ... and in most cases it is not waiting to happen ... it is happening constantly. So combine the above with the fact that humans have this awful tendency to short-cut just about anything ... patching ... site surveys ... cabling plant ... door locks ... insecure ceiling tiles ... and what do you have? The Digital Titanic running into the Cyber-Iceberg over and over and over again ...DO: Wherefore art thou "Fairness Doctrine" and a legal definition of news told from both sides, if not the center?All jokes aside ... I am incredibly concerned about that entire situation because the opponents (and even many of the political commentators in this country) are absolute masters at affecting the minds of others. Not to call out names, but a certain autocratic ruler of a certain semi-rogue nation-state has outright admitted to wanting to influence the 2016 elections, and it's clear they are not stopping there. The challenge is that human psyches are absolutely fragile and so easy to manipulate especially in the ridiculously hyper-partisan environment we are in right now. A number of psychological constructs explain this situation. Dunning-Kruger, The Backfire Effect, Herd/Mob Mentality, etc. When people are able to stoke fear and hate, find a scapegoat, and then bend facts and outright lie while making it seem as though they are telling the truth, it can create a mentally and psychologically debilitating and dangerous environment.Historically this type of thing has repeated over and over again, but I would be invoking "Godwin's Law" if I pointed out the most recent parallel that many would be familiar with. :) Again, Ubiquity ... is not a bad by itself, but Irresponsible Ubiquity poisons minds. There are not multiple versions of the truth or alternative facts. If we could all just stop yelling at one another from the far right and far left long enough to find some middle ground, then this country would rapidly be far better off than it is at this point in time. We allow the nuts from the far right and far left who make up less than 10 or 15 percent on each side control the 70 to 80 percent of us who are center, center-left and center-right. It has to change but it wont until there is less money in hate and intolerance and loudmouths than there is in common sense and a sense of duty to not only the country but [also] to the community around each of us.DO: I expect them to go deeper and deeper and to run more and more silent ... transient ... disposable-type malware that takes the concept of in memory and fractionalizes what even that means such that it can be hyper-dispersed and agnostic to where it hides and even where it runs. I encapsulated all of that in a theory/conjecture of sorts from back around 2005 that I called "Decepticon Class Malware." I wrote about it and was published in the ISMH 2008, 2009, 2010 (RIP Hal) ... and I think the 2010 chapter specifically mentioned this type of new hyper-malware as a prologue to calling for us to all work together across real-time information-sharing standards on a path toward what I call "Autonomic Security." Until the last year, we were still missing a couple of the attributes in the wild to make this reality but all but one has evolved and even been diagnosed since then.DO: I fear the die has been cast and yes they will. They will also dominate the headlines from 2018 to 2020 and probably beyond that because it is the fear, uncertainty and doubt that breaks confidence and trust.If this had occurred and it had been owned at the highest levels without all of this spin, then we would be in a better place. The systems of systems that enable the ability to cast a vote for every legal citizen in the U.S. did not just come under attack from the illegal hacking perspective. Our very foundations have been assailed such that without drastic change (blockchain, a revamp of policies and procedures, and possibly federalization) it may never recover to the levels it was trusted before 2016.DO: I don't think we can implement anything drastic like blockchain or federalization of the elections by 2020, but there is a large sum of money ($380 million) that has been allocated for grants to shore up the system. I believe a prescriptive solution (not homogeneous, but certainly not haphazard) from a non-biased, non-partisan NGE group of experts should be the goal, which means that there would be vetted solutions available to procure and install as plug and play as possible in every state.I believe that at least the rolls of each state should be handled by a non-partisan, non-biased group of providers who make sure the fidelity via blockchain (or some other similar solution) is maintained and verifiable by anyone such that there is no hint of a possibility of someone making changes without there being an unmodifiable trail. I also believe that we can look at what a country (as small as it is) like Estonia has done post being one of the very first victims of illegal Russian cyberaggression and learn from them rapidly.I think this qualifies as a national security emergency, and while we should be absolutely transparent in the process, we should not allow procurement issues or state's rights issues (lobbies included) to stand in the way of a revolutionary change in the way we vote and count the vote in this nation. There is NO REASON we should have 50 states doing so many different things with so little control, input, or even checks and balances from really anyone outside of their own state. I am sorry ... this is far too important to not take every conceivable path to some type of more certain outcome.David OBerry (DO): I am a citizen of this country, no matter who I vote for, and the reality is that as a citizen I want to know that my vote matters or is at least counted fairly along with everyone else. As a technology and business leader, I see a problem that just should not exist in this day and age, and I see solutions that can be fashioned rapidly to raise the tide for all boats. It did not get like this in a day and it will not be fixed in a day, but while the very best time to attack this was 15 or 20 years ago, the next-best time is right now. As we have seen, we already have low participation in elections as a general rule ... anything that diminishes that threatens to horribly skew the direction of our country.Our country is changing and it should be the goal of our election system to allow every man, woman or child (18- to 25-year-olds qualify as children at times ... lol) of voting age who maintains legal voting privileges to vote from anywhere within the next decade. What is the argument against that? Do we not want voters to actually vote? I know I do, and if someone does not, then I expect they need to take a look in the mirror and figure out exactly when and where they lost their way, because they absolutely have.This situation is bigger than me or you or the reader ... it is bigger than any party and any person ... and one of our greatest national priorities should be to restore faith and trust in this key process so that we can move toward more civil discourse and build from there. Tennessees technology shop has changed hands after more than a decade, its top two IT executives confirmed toOct. 8.Chief Information Officer Mark Bengel, who assumed the role in July 2007 after more than three years as chief technology officer/deputy CIO, has shifted to a 90-day advisory role and will retire Dec. 31. Hes now listed as CIO emeritus on LinkedIn The new CIO is Stephanie Dedmon, a state employee of more than a decade who became deputy CIO nearly three years ago . She was, Bengel told, groomed for the role and her first day as CIO was Oct. 8.Bengel, who is believed to be the longest-serving state-level CIO, said he had told the administration in January of his plans to retire at years end and characterized Dedmon as increasingly taking over responsibilities since last January.She was just the perfect natural candidate, Bengel said, describing the ongoing changes to the CIO role as tremendous since his arrival as CTO/deputy CIO in June 2004.When I arrived in 2004, we were basically the CIO ran a central mainframe shop and a network, Bengel said, noting that today, infrastructure has been consolidated along with a similar effort in data and most of the app-dev in most agencies. Its a completely different animal and the focus is completely different, changing from a technical focus to business solutions delivery, he added.Dedmon, who first joined the state in March 2005 as director of Project Edison, a new enterprise resource planning system that replaced more than 20 legacy solutions, agreed.One of the ways I think we see the role evolving is just more of a customer service advocate and really instead of being focused on the technical side of what we need to deliver, to also focus on understanding what are our customers business needs, she said in a separate conversation withHis biggest challenge, Bengel said, was likely being able to quantify value to your customers, and despite presiding over the consolidation of executive branch IT from 21 agencies into Strategic Technology Solutions (STS), he said his greatest achievement is creating a good group to carry IT forward.Thats really the most important thing a CIO can do. If you can build a strong team that is going tocontinue to deliver to their customers year after year after year, after youve gone, thats a tremendous accomplishment, said Bengel, who was recognized as one ofs Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers of 2014 Working closely, he and Dedmon pushed out the consolidation of executive branch IT to all agencies except the states Medicaid agency, and its departments of education and transportation swelling STS IT staff from around 400 to around 1,100 as employees migrated. The remaining three departments, Dedmon said, will likely be transitioned in next year, under the successor to current Gov. Bill Haslam, who is term-limited.The consolidation, the new CIO said, was guided by a study from an outside consultant that revealed more IT resources and a more strategic, less transactional approach to IT were needed. It challenged officials to provide to agencies in a more shared services fashion. The results, she said, yielded significant cost avoidance as the state was able to centralize, for example, data scientists to work with a variety of agencies.Also under their tenure, Bengel and Dedmon last year stood up a center of excellence around data, aimed at working with state agencies to enable more data sharing, data analytics and more business decisions based on data. The effort, Dedmon said, is now organizationally in place with standards developed, and STS is beginning to work with agencies to assess data maturity and offer recommendations.Our hope for this is that we can make better business decisions that help us be more efficient, effective, save money, provide better service. Whether thats where we should build new roads, where we should place more offices; or contrary, where should we close offices because the foot traffic is decreasing. Things like that, said Dedmon, one ofs Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers of 2018 But another initiative more than two years in the making could be transformational for residents and state employees alike, the CIO emeritus and the states new CIO agreed, with Bengel calling it one of the most important things that we can be doing as CIOs. Its the development of the My TN app, which when complete should provide residents single sign-on access to a variety of state services and de-silo the agency view on the back end to provide staff a unified viewpoint with the goal of improving services.We definitely see this initiative as something that we hope the new administration will embrace and be willing to see that as, long-term, as a way to potentially lower our cost in terms of brick-and-mortar buildings that our citizens have to go to in some cases to get services, Dedmon said, adding the state hopes to go live with the first app early in 2019.Its really about moving government services online, to 24/7 service delivery for our customers, Bengel said. Catalyst for Change Mapping Healthy Lives (TNS) Jens Werner has long suspected people in her St. Paul, Minn., neighborhood didnt live as long as people elsewhere in the state.Now, she has new data, compiled by a national foundation and detailed all the way down to census tracts, to back up her hunch. A pocket of her Summit-University neighborhood has the lowest life expectancy in the state just less than 65 years.People have been saying it for a long time, said Werner, executive director of the nonprofit neighborhood planning council , who says residents point to several factors and inequities that cut life short. Sometimes, people dont trust lived experience. I think this data backs it up, which helps them be heard.The notion of helping others and giving back may be inspired by the heart, but increasingly, foundations and nonprofits are turning to numbers and data to set priorities, make funding and policy decisions and measure results. Its also increasingly necessary to lure donors who have grown used to seeing big data explain whats happening around them.The Minneapolis Foundation created a new position director for impact, analysis, evaluation and learning to better use data to identify needs and chart a path forward. The St. Paul & Minnesota Foundations created East Metro Pulse to survey residents and gather data to better inform their work. And nonprofit leaders and policymakers focused on childhood hunger who met in Minneapolis last week for a national conference didnt just swap success stories of kids eating fruits and vegetables. They heard a panel, moderated by a representative of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, discuss return on investment.R.T. Rybak, CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, said the push for data aims to address a plea he hears often from donors: Show me something that works. I am exhausted by funding things that dont seem to be moving the dial.The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation , based in Princeton, N.J., and focused on health, examined the life expectancy data nationwide to support groups working on those issues where they live. Werner, for example, plans to use the foundations data as she pushes for improvements when the Dale Street bridge over Interstate 94 is reconstructed.Data can be a catalyst in changing policies that benefit the whole community, said Abbey Cofsky, a managing director with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.Minnesota Compass, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary, was an early leader locally in data work. Its seven-member staff, part of nonprofit Wilder Research , crunches data in a variety of areas, from education to housing to economy and workforce issues, and feeds those results to foundations, nonprofits and lawmakers. Allison Liuzzi, Compass project director, said appetite for the information and analysis continues to grow.When you can take data, use it to tell stories, create strategy around it and move it into action, its beautiful to watch, Liuzzi said.The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundations launched the East Metro Pulse a few ago. The voluntary survey asks residents how they feel about community connectedness, economic opportunity and security and education. The data are then shared publicly, ensuring that community leaders, policymakers and others have access to comprehensive and meaningful information about the region.It also gives community members a voice in philanthropy instead of subjecting them to prescribed solutions, said Nadege Souvenir, St. Paul and Minnesota Foundations associate vice president of community impact.The community is in the best position to articulate its priorities, Souvenir said.Nonprofit Hunger Impact Partners , founded in 2015, wants to feed children in need, but it doesnt serve meals. Instead, it compares data sets from the Minnesota health, education and human services departments to find neighborhoods and schools where there is high need but low participation in federally funded meal programs. Then it works with schools and nonprofits to start or expand meal programs, said CEO Ellie Lucas.Nobody was doing was we were doing looking at the issue from 30,000 feet and trying to drill down and figure out the best strategies, said Lucas, whose organization co-hosted the national conference in Minneapolis last week.Since the nonprofit began pushing access to summer meal programs across the state two years ago, the number of sites serving meals has jumped by more than 100 to 662. Summer meals served climbed by 400,000 to 3.4 million. Thats an additional $1.3 million in federal reimbursements coming to Minnesota just for summer meals, Lucas said. Those numbers wow donors and policymakers more than anecdotal talk of hungry kids, Lucas said.Our supporters want to be able to see some return on their investment, Lucas said. Those hard numbers are very impactful.In the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation analysis of life expectancy, the data lay bare the stark differences among parts of Minnesota.While residents in part of Werners St. Paul area have a life expectancy shy of 65 years, residents in the west metro city of Medina can expect to live to almost 92. In many cases, residents live longer in places where people are wealthier and, some believe, may have more access to nature and healthy food.Libby Starling, director of regional planning at the Metropolitan Council, cautioned against using just one measure. For instance, the presence of a nursing home may skew life expectancy results from a neighborhood because death certificates are issued according to a last place of residence.Still, she said, The life expectancy data are meaningful because it really encapsulates to what degree people are living healthy lives.Thats why Werner sees it as supporting her case for bridge improvements. With better sidewalks and crosswalks, the Dale Street bridge could be a connector, giving residents an active path to the library or the grocery store, instead of deterring people and dividing them from amenities because crossing seems unsafe.The report is important because it helps illustrate a story we have been trying to tell for a long time, Werner said. From a community standpoint, its a good opportunity to consider where we are investing, to consider how weve gotten to where we are and figure out a way to ensure all people in St. Paul, in Minnesota and this country can live very long and happy lives. Global clean energy investment was $67.8 billion in the third quarter of 2018, down 6% from the same period last year, according to the latest Clean Energy Investment Trends report from research company Bloomberg NEF (BNEF). The slip in the July-September quarter leaves clean energy investment for the year so far running a modest 2% below that in the first nine months of 2017leaving open the possibility that 2018 as a whole will end up matching last years total, particularly if a few more multibillion-dollar offshore wind deals are concluded before Christmas. BNEF includes equity raising by specialist electric vehicle companies in its clean energy investment totals, and this element was a conspicuous bright spot in the latest quarter. There was a $1-billion initial public offering by NIO, a $585-million Series C venture capital round by Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors and a $294-million pre-IPO round by Zhejiang Dianka Automobile. Colin McKerracher, head of advanced transport analysis at BNEF, said that there is a growing amount of money chasing Chinas electric vehicle boom. Were seeing more companies raising funds as they look to make the jump from concept cars to high-volume manufacturing. But the market looks increasingly crowded and consolidation is likely. Colin McKerracher Looking at the third-quarter global investment figures by type, asset finance of utility-scale renewable energy projects came to $49.3 billion, down 15% on 3Q 2017, while the purchase of small-scale solar systems of less than 1MW totaled $13.5 billion, up 9% on a year earlier. Public markets investment in clean energy jumped 120% to $3.1 billion, helped by the NIO flotation mentioned above but also by a $1.3-billion convertible issue from waste-to-energy specialist China Everbright International and a $311-million IPO by US fuel cell developer Bloom Energy. Venture capital and private equity investment increased even more sharply, by 378% to $2.4 billion. VC/PE fundings of specialist clean energy companies have reached $7.5 billion in the first nine months of 2018, making this year certain to be the strongest since at least 2011. The largest six VC/PE new equity deals of 2018 so far have all involved Chinese electric vehicle firms, including the two mentioned above during 3Q. The three biggest renewable energy asset financings in the quarter were the 860MW Triton Knoll project in UK waters at an investment cost of $2.6 billion, the Enel Green Power South Africa portfolio, at $1.4 billion for 706MW, and the Guohua Dongtai offshore wind farm phase four in Chinese waters, at an estimated $1.2 billion for 300MW. A country split of the overall numbers shows China as yet again the largest investor in clean energy in 3Q at $26.7 billion, marginally above the numbers for the same period of 2017. However, there were further signs of one important, expected change: a cooling-off in the countrys solar installation surge, in the face of deliberate action by policy-makers. In 3Q, Chinese solar investment was $14.2 billion, down 23% on a year earlier. Other countries and trading blocs investing in clean energy in excess of $1 billion in 3Q 2018 were: SEAT and the Association Francaise du Gaz Naturel pour Vehicules (AFGNV) signed a strategic agreement to promote joint innovation projects and expand the use of natural gas in the area of mobility in France. This long-term partnership is a further step in SEATs strategy to spearhead growth in the segment of cars fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG). The AFGNV is an organisation which gathers French public, economic and industrial stakeholders, and its goal is to promote the development and use of natural gas and biogas as fuels in France. Its members include the Association Francaise du Gaz, vehicle manufacturers, businesses in the gas, automotive and mechanical sectors, and natural gas distributors and suppliers. SEAT is the European brand with the most comprehensive CNG model lineup following the arrival of the Arona TGI, which was just presented at the Paris Motor Show. The company sells its gas-powered vehicles mainly in Spain, Germany and Italy. By the end of this year, SEAT is going to begin selling CNG cars for the first time in France, with the SEAT Leon TGI. SEAT is committed to CNG as it as a technology which already exists and can be widely offered to customers. Its benefits include the reduction of CO 2 and NO x emissions, fuel price savings, refueling time and similar vehicle costs compared to diesel or gasoline cars. In addition to technological development, SEAT is also working to promote the implementation of infrastructures and services that facilitate the expansion of the CNG vehicle fleet. SEAT is a member of GASNAM, the Iberian association that promotes the use of natural gas for mobility in all sectors of economic activity, and engages with institutions and businesses to further the use of this fuel. In this context, for example, SEAT signed a strategic agreement in 2017 with the Spanish company Naturgy in order to promote the introduction and marketing of vehicles fueled with compressed natural gas. This partnership has enabled both companies to work together on a household natural gas refueling programme aimed at private customers, backed by the Administration in order to comply with the regulatory aspects related with this activity. The strategic agreement also includes a greater implementation of gas powered vehicles and the promotion of CNG in the area of public services. The event, themed Economic Cooperation, Environment and Sustainable Development in Eurasia, attracted the participation of 40 parliamentary delegations. At the opening, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that Eurasian parliamentary cooperation plays a very important role in promoting the cooperation and friendship for peace, friendship, stability and democracy among countries in the region and the world as a whole, particularly in the context of unpredictable changes in the world situation. Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Binali Yildirim said the SMEAP 3 aims to seek solutions to global challenges, which is a difficult task but he believed it could be done with the cooperation of parliaments of countries in the region. He names some of the challenges such as environmental pollution, war, poverty, disease, terrorism, natural disasters, trade protectionism, food security, among others. As co-chair of MSEAP3 along with Turkey and Russia, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Moon Hee-sang said MSEAP member parliaments should share law-making experience and professional knowledge for the common prosperity of Eurasia. He underlined that the proactive sharing of information will help parliaments quickly find effective solutions to problems facing countries. Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin expressed the hope that the meeting will discuss economic, humanitarian and peace issues on the basis of non-interference into each others internal affairs and respect for member countries sovereignty and rules. He said it is time to promote more discussion among Eurasian parliaments. NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan is to deliver a speech at the first plenary session the same day. MSEAP is a Eurasian parliamentary cooperation mechanism initiated by the Chairman of the State Duma of Russia and the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. The annual meeting offers a chance for legislative bodies in the region to coordinate for action and improve the role of parliamentary diplomacy. The final document of MSEAP is the Joint Statement signed by heads of the participating delegations. Vietnam took part in its first edition in Russia in 2016 and the second meeting in the RoK in 2017. Danny Meyer. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images Danny Meyer wants to be your delivery man. His private-equity fund Enlightened Hospitality Investments has led a new funding round into Goldbelly, the online food market that brings local specialties to a national audience. Following the success of Shake Shack, Meyer once a neighborhood restaurateur who didnt even stray far from Union Square has been busy investing in food businesses like Los Angeles chain Tender Greens and Portland ice-cream maker Salt & Straw. Goldbelly isnt another delivery platform like Seamless, but a one-stop resource for American regional foods that smartly capitalizes on peoples food obsessions. It provides a platform for some 350 producers, giving consumers access to foods like Princes hot chicken, Central Grocerys muffulettas, O&H Danish Bakerys kringles, and Robertas pizza. The internet has, by and large, done a number on retail, contributing in New York to a significant rise in retail vacancies. The shift toward online shopping will keep going so long as theres the internet, and it makes sense that Meyer would invest in this particular delivery platform. Sport VIDEO: Australia beat New Zealand to win maiden cricket T20 World Cup title Australia finally ended their jinx by winning the elusive T20 World Cup title in the seventh attempt. This was the only silverware, which was missing from their trophy-laden cabinet. Before this, they had come closest to lifting the crown in 2010, only to be denied by England in the final. Mitrofanova is paying a visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 15th founding anniversary of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Hanoi. At the meeting, Deputy FM Vinh expressed his delight over the positive development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, notably the official visit to Russia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in September. The nations will organise the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam for 2019-2020 to mark both the 25th anniversary of the signing of a treaty on basic principles for the Vietnam-Russia friendship and the 70 years of diplomatic ties, he noted. The Deputy FM spoke highly of contributions of the Rossotrudnichestvo to promoting Russian culture, language, education, and science in Vietnam, along with enhancing people-to-people exchange and the humanitarian cooperation of both countries, bolstering mutual understanding and bilateral relations. He voiced his hope that the Russian agency will actively participate in the organisation of the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam, as well as provide support for collaboration in education-training, culture, and science between Vietnam and Russia, and the nations localities in particular. On the occasion, he presented a certificate of merit signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh to the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Hanoi. For her part, Mitrofanova pledged to bolster the activities of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in the time to come which, she said, in turn will deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership of the two nations. ICRC Available To Facilitate Release Of Detainees The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is prepared to facilitate the release of detainees for all parties to the conflict in South Sudan. JUBA, 09 October 2018 [Gurtong] This is in-line with the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which mentions the ICRC as a facilitator of persons detained in relation to the conflict. We have offered our services to all sides and confirmed our readiness to act as a neutral facilitator for the release of detainees, said Francois Stamm, the head of delegation for the ICRC in South Sudan. The ICRC has previously acted as a neutral intermediary in release operations in South Sudan and we will do so again at the request of the parties to the conflict and with the consent of detainees. As a neutral intermediary, the ICRC is not involved in any negotiations preceding any release of detainees. The ICRC facilitates the release with the consent of those detained who have the opportunity to share their concerns confidentially and then provides them with safe transport. The ICRC is in confidential dialogue with the parties to the conflict. Haiti - Army : The Minister of Defense signs a military cooperation agreement with Mexico Monday on the sidelines of the XII Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas, taking place in Cancun, Mexico, after a fruitful meeting with the Inter-American Defense Council, Enold Joseph the Minister of Defense of Haiti and the Secretaries of Defense of Mexico General Cienfuegos Zepeda and Vidal Francisco Soberon (Navy) signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Mexico and Haiti on Defense Cooperation : exchange of experience, training and cooperation in military matters including support activities logistics in the event of major natural hazards, this is the first defense and military training instrument signed between the two countries. Following this signature, during his speech at the Conference of Ministers, Enold Joseph declared : "[...] The Ministry of Defense of Haiti rehabilitated only in 2012 has for main mission the restoration of the demobilized armed forces since more than two decades. [...] I will focus on this army playing a quality score in the concert of government action that strives to project Haiti an image of freedom and fulfillment for which fought our peoples. This armed force, in addition to its traditional role of defending the integrity of the national territory against external aggressions and ensuring peace within our borders, is also entrusted with the mission of participating in the development tasks of the country, the rotection of the environment, as prescribed (the White Paper on Security and National Defense for Haiti's Economic, Social and Sustainable Development). Facilitated by the Inter-American Defense Junta. We take this opportunity to thank the administration of President Pena Nielo and the Mexican people for this cooperation, which is expected to last beyond a presidential term. [...] Counting on this active solidarity which you will be able to show with regard to Haiti, for your support to help us set up this new defense force so dear to our fathers of the Fatherland." Download the White Paper on Security and National Defense of Haiti : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Livre_Blanc.pdf See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23373-haiti-army-presentation-to-the-oas-of-the-white-paper-on-national-defense-of-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23367-haiti-politic-the-minister-of-defense-in-washington-dc.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-14332-haiti-security-a-new-step-towards-the-return-of-an-army-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12079-haiti-politic-1st-workshop-on-the-development-of-the-white-paper-on-defence-and-security.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12059-haiti-security-workshop-on-the-developmentof-white-paper-on-defence-and-national-security.html HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Humanitarian : Cuba alongside the victims of the earthquake in the North Early Sunday, Cuba sent two teams of surgeons to Haiti to assist the victims of the earthquake on October 6 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25744-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-59-in-the-north-of-haiti.html , said Evelio Betancourt the General Coordinator of the Cuban Medical Brigade. For his part, Cuba's Ambassador to Haiti, Luis Castillo, confirmed that the staff of all Cuban missions in Haiti were in perfect health and that no material damage had been reported in their buildings. Cuban doctors will hold a mobile clinic in Port-de-Paix to treat post-earthquake diseases that pose a threat to health, said Oscar Fonseca, Coordinator of the Artibonite Department, explaining that after extreme natural phenomena, contagious diseases tend to reappear, which can endanger many human lives. The actions of Cuban doctors, scheduled for October 13, target communes such as Bassin Bleu and others strongly affected by the earthquake. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25765-haiti-flash-15-people-dead-333-wounded-7-000-homes-destroyed-or.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25758-haiti-earthquake-other-aftershocks-could-occur-in-the-coming-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25755-haiti-flash-42-earthquake-north-of-turtle-island.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25754-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-52-in-the-north-of-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25753-haiti-flash-saturday-night-earthquake-12-dead-and-188-wounded.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25747-haiti-flash-earthquake-cell-crisis-and-call-for-calm.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25745-haiti-flash-saturday-night-earthquake-10-dead-and-135-wounded.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25744-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-59-in-the-north-of-haiti.html S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : The last assessment of the earthquake is heavier Following the magnitude 5.9 earthquake on the Richter scale https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25744-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-59-in-the-north-of-haiti.html which occurred Saturday night in the north of Haiti, the Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) has published a new assessment of the situation, from Sunday noon to Monday, October 8 14:00 p.m... Recall that in addition to this earthquake, two new aftershocks were felt. The first Sunday around 4:00 pm an earthquake of magnitude 5.2 was felt https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25754-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-52-in-the-north-of-haiti.html to 16 kilometers north-northwest of Port-de-Paix. The second of magnitude 4.2, was recorded Monday morning to Monday at 1:04 and 26 seconds to 32 kilometers North-West of Port-de-Paix. Partial balance of damage : Human losses : This new partial assessment amounts to 17 deaths, 9 in Port-de-Paix, 1 in Saint-Louis du Nord (North-West) and 7 in Gros Morne (Artibonite). At least 333 people are injured, most of them in hospitals in the North West, Artibonite and North departments. Hundreds of homes are destroyed or damaged. According to initial assessments, 7,783 families are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in the North West, Artibonite and North departments due to the partial or total destruction of their homes. Habitat : The first evaluations of the teams deployed in the field reported 353 houses destroyed and 7,430 heavily or slightly damaged, some of which have cracks. Most of the damage was recorded in Port-de-Paix (North-West) and Gros-Morne (Artibonite). Infrastructures : Infrastructure assessments are beginning to become clearer as sector teams are deployed. Some service infrastructures have suffered damage. In the Artibonite, 42 institutional buildings, schools, churches and other service institutions are heavily or slightly damaged in Gros Morne. Four national and private schools are destroyed in Pilate in the North. Sympathy messages : "Our Haitian land trembled Saturday night. This tragedy has added to the sufferings of our compatriots. I express to them my great sympathy and my strong solidarity. We must act quickly and well, "Senator Joseph Lambert, Speaker of the Senate. "I extend my sympathy to the victims of the recent earthquake and those who have lost loved ones during this tragedy. I take this opportunity to ask the Government to mobilize public assistance for the benefit of these communities," Gary Bodeau, President of the Chamber of Deputies. The Senator of the North, Nawoon Marcellus "expresses his sympathies to all the victims of the earthquake of October 6 and expresses particular thoughts on the populations of Limbe, Milot, Borgne, Pilate, the faithful of the Parish of Plaisance . The threats are still present Senator Marcellus invites the public to be cautious and respect the safety instructions established by the town halls and the Directorate of Civil Protection." "I am deeply moved by the images of the October 6th earthquake in northwest Haiti. My prayers are with those families who are crying today. An nou mete tet ansam pou ede youn lot menm jan nou te fe 12 janvye 2010," Bocchit Edmond, Minister of Foreign Affairs. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25765-haiti-flash-15-people-dead-333-wounded-7-000-homes-destroyed-or.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25758-haiti-earthquake-other-aftershocks-could-occur-in-the-coming-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25755-haiti-flash-42-earthquake-north-of-turtle-island.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25754-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-52-in-the-north-of-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25753-haiti-flash-saturday-night-earthquake-12-dead-and-188-wounded.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25747-haiti-flash-earthquake-cell-crisis-and-call-for-calm.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25745-haiti-flash-saturday-night-earthquake-10-dead-and-135-wounded.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25744-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-59-in-the-north-of-haiti.html HL/ TB/ HaitiLibre The official made the statement while meeting with Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on the sidelines of the third Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries Parliaments (MSEAP 3) in Antalya, Turkey, on October 9. The NA Chairwoman said frequent meetings between parliamentarians of Vietnam and Belarus reflect the solid and traditional friendship between the two nations and two parliaments in particular. On the occasion, NA Chairwoman Ngan expressed her gratitude to Belarusian leaders for sending a high-ranking delegation to the funeral of President Tran Dai Quang. She stressed that Vietnam always remembered and highly valued the support of Belarus during the countrys national liberation in the past and national building and defence at present. NA Chairwoman Ngan voiced her hope that the two sides will continue to support each other at international organisations and forums, especially the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. Vietnam is looking to enhancing cooperation in economy-trade and other spheres, including national defence, science-technology, culture, and education with Belarus, along with the effective implementation of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU), to expand economic-trade cooperation and investment between the countries, she said. In response, Andreichenko spoke highly of the achievements of Vietnams economic development and the countrys rising position in international arena. He also affirmed the significant role and contributions of the two countries parliaments to the fruitful results of the bilateral relations. He took the occasion to repeat the invitation for NA Chairwoman Ngan to pay a visit to Belarus, voicing his expectation to welcome a Vietnamese business delegation in order to bolster bilateral economy-trade and investment towards 500 million USD in two-way trade. The two sides are expected to discuss the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two parliaments as well as measures to promote bilateral cooperation during the visit. At the meeting, both sides also agreed to enhance collaboration at multilateral international parliamentary forums and strengthen cooperation in areas which hold great potential. Sitra on Monday stated that the need to shift the focus of taxation away from labour and entrepreneurship towards environmental impacts arises from the much-discussed report published earlier yesterday by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra has urged the next government to embark on a comprehensive tax reform in an attempt to reduce emissions. The additional revenues generated by higher emission, consumption and resource taxes can be allocated by means of income and corporate tax cuts to support employment and cost competitiveness, says Saara Tamminen, a leading climate solutions specialist at Sitra. The government, she says, should also consider introducing lump-sum returns to low-income households most affected by the tax hikes and new subsidies for research and development efforts that reduce emissions further. This sort of a tax shift can be used to support employment, cost competitiveness and economic growth and, simultaneously, reduce emissions. We need a tax reform urgently, as soon as during the next electoral term, and it should be considerably broader than the previous reform attempts, outlines Tamminen. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi A Night in Provence | Mill at Sonning | Thursday, September 27 VERY, very funny thanks to some determined performances; rude, knowing, naughty and satisfying A Night In Provence is a delight from beginning to end and is building a zinger of a late-year season for the Mill at Sonning. I wonder sometimes if I praise this theatres output too much, but then I see the shows and say no. The Mill produces the ultimate in professional theatre great movement, great diction, imaginative staging and real storytelling. And A Night in Provence continues those admirable traits. Robin Hawdons lively comedy was written 15 years ago but director Keith Myers has made sure to keep up to date with lots of Brexit references to give it even more bite. The play presents us with a clash of cultures: sophisticated, sultry worldly French couple come up against a lairy pair from England and a bouncy Irish husband and wife. The English and the Irish are boistrous fun-seekers who think theyve booked a holiday villa on the Cote dAzur; the French couple are the owners and have accidentally set aside the same fortnight. Thats the framework for the story, then add Amber Edlins dutiful but frustrated wife spurning her husbands advances in anticipation of lots of illicit nookie with their Irish friend Shaun. Theyve been at it for years and use the annual holiday as a cover for their affair. Whats great about Robin Hawdons plays farces and comedies is that he gets the sex in early; theres no waiting about as people strive unsuccessfully to have it away and ultimately fail. With Hawdon the deed is done and the comedy comes in dealing with the consequences. All four of the unwelcome guests have a separate agenda, but the French couple wonderfully authentic performances from Laila Alj and Adrian Irvine are united in their dislike of being taken over in their own home. The Brexit jokes thread through this production, making astute observations without ever seeming to be partisan. The whole cast throw themselves into the show with such conviction that you cant help being swept along in the turmoil. It would be impossible not to like Mark Pearces down to earth Fred his expression and timing are perfect. And Janine Leighs turn as unsuspecting betrayed wife is well judged managing to be funny and sad when necessary. Amber Edlins femme fatale, Judy, gives a finely nuanced performance of guilt, lust and affection a tough ask and brought off well. And Dan Marchs wisecracking, boozy, lusty Shaun should have us annoyed with him, but he manages to present himself so warmly that we cant help but like him. We care about every character and the plots nips along at a fast but not furious pace. This is a play for everyone, be they bawdy or sophisticates. Until November 17. Mike Rowbottom Deputy PM and FM Minh had a meeting on October 9 with Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox, during which the two sides acknowledged the good growth of trade-investment ties between the two countries in recent years. Two-way trade reached US$ 6 billion in 2017, up 11 percent from 2016, while total UK investment in Vietnam climbed to US$ 3.71 billion, putting the UK at the 15th place among 129 countries and territories investing in the country. Deputy PM Minh said he believed Brexit would not create negative impacts on the trade-investment tires between Vietnam and the UK. He asked the UK to continue backing Vietnam in enhancing ties with the European Union and advocating the early signing of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement. The Vietnamese Deputy PM thanked the UK government for providing development aid for Vietnam over the past more than 20 years, assisting with Vietnams socio-economic development and international integration. He asked the UK to continue helping Vietnam access capital from its Prosperity Fund to improve the business environment and cope with climate change. The two sides welcomed the acceleration of negotiations on a bilateral free trade deal in order to further intensify trade-investment ties and cooperation in the framework of the World Trade Organisation after Brexit, thus contributing to deepening the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership. Secretary Fox appreciated Vietnams role in the Asia-Pacific, and expressed the wish to maintain and expand economic-trade relations with Vietnam. He affirmed that in its Global Britain strategy announced in 2017, the UK gives priority to enhancing economic cooperation with important partners, including Vietnam. Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM had a meeting with Viscount Astor, who recalled his good impression of the Vietnamese land and people during his visit to the country in 2013. Viscount Astor presented the Vietnamese guest with a special issue on Vietnam published by the First Magazine on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties. During the visit, Deputy PM Minh also had a working session with executives of several big British groups. Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Le Tuan, Deputy Minister of Health, said that domestic health financing is reforming in the direction of improving equity and efficiency, therefore, the gradual transformation towards advanced medical payments, under the DRG model, is Vietnams priority policy. The deputy minister revealed that his ministry is implementing the method at Hanois Ba Vi District Hospital, while proceeding to build a DRG-based payment system for provincial medical services, gradually replacing the fee-for-service payment model, with the support of Thai experts. Comments at the workshop were an important basis for the Ministry of Health to expand the new payment method, he added. Keiko Inoue, from the World Bank, suggested that Vietnam should make an appropriate transition in medical billing in order to maximise success and minimise risks. Through referencing the experiences of foreign countries, including Thailand, Vietnam could change the payment method towards a DRG model without affecting the financial situation of the medical facilities or the medical care plans, she proposed. Keiko Inoue stressed that Vietnam has made important, solid foundations for the transition to the DRG payment method, as the combination of the e-health insurance payment database and the information standardisation policy at health facilities shows that Vietnam has the necessary IT and data infrastructure to vigorously carry out the transfer. At a recent meeting on the development of DRG payment methods in Southeast Asia, hosted by Vietnam, a proposal was adopted to establish a regional network on cooperation in the development of DRG payment methods. The World Bank has committed to support this regional network and will support Vietnam to continue implementing reforms towards the payment, in which the international financial institution supports the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Social Security to simulate the impact of the new payment mechanism. At the workshop, participants shared information about the importance, the necessary steps, and international experience related to the methods and conditions for developing systematic DRG payment systems. More than 200 Dusters served in Vietnam. Deeply loved for its firepower, the M42 Duster self-propelled anti-aircraft gun arose as a replacement for the M19 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun developed in World War II. The M42 employed a slightly expanded variant of the M19 turret mounted on the M41 Walker Bulldog light tank chassis. The Dusters 500-horsepower gasoline engine, broad tracks and light weight gave it exceptional mobility in South Vietnams soft soil and uneven ground. The M42s twin 40mm Bofors cannons fired two rounds per second each, delivering devastating firepower, and its single .30-caliber M1919A4 Browning machine gun or 7.62 mm M60 machine gun provided a close-in punch. Although the Dusters welded steel construction and 25 mm armor protected the drive train and driver from small-arms fire and shell fragments, its open turret left the crew exposed to enemy action. Another concern was the vehicles dangerously flammable gasoline. Nonetheless, the M42A1 remained a prized asset for artillery bases and troop convoy commanders. General Motors Corp. produced 3,700 Dusters between 1952 and 1960. By 1963, however, the Army considered the M42 ineffective against jet aircraft and removed them from all but one active duty unit. After U.S. combat troops went to Vietnam in 1965, the Army reactivated three M42 air defense artillery battalions to counter possible attacks from North Vietnamese aircraft. In November 1966 the 1st ADA Battalion, 44th Field Artillery Regiment, was the first to arrive in-country. When the threat of North Vietnamese air attacks never materialized, the Dusters soon turned their guns on enemy ground forces. Their high ground clearance made them mine resistant, and the 40 mm cannon was effective against field fortifications. More than 200 Dusters served in Vietnam, seeing action along the Demilitarized Zone, in relief of Marine base at Khe Sanh in early 1968, at key engagements in the Central Highlands and in defense of Saigon. When the ADA battalions eventually withdrew, they turned their M42s over to the South Vietnamese. The last M42 was retired from U.S. service in 1986, but some remained active with Vietnam and American allies into the 1990s. This article was published in the December 2018 issue of Vietnam. Angela Zombek, assistant professor of history at University of North Carolina-Wilmington, grew interested in military prisons during a visit to Camp Chase, a Union facility in Ohio. Over time, her studies turned to the 19th-century penitentiary movement, where incarcerated criminals were subjected to solitary confinement and conditions designed to evoke penitence and rehabilitation. How that tradition influenced Union and Confederate military prisons during the crisis of the Civil War is the subject of her book Penitentiaries, Punishment, and Military Prisons. CWT: Tell me about the pre-Civil War state of prisons. AZ: Long term imprisonment developed at the turn of the 19th century when the middle class thought having a public pillory wasnt a good idea anymore because the danger in that, or in having a public execution, is arousing sympathy for criminals. Penitentiaries and a long-term system of punishment develops. Corporal punishment and executions moved behind penitentiary walls, away from the public. CWT: Yet sometimes the public could participate? AZ: Penitentiary executions were advertised as spectacles, if you were basically middle class, you could buy a ticket to see that. They also decided that they could charge admission so people could see the operation and see how inmates interacted with the guards. Those things came up later in military prisons. Governor David Tod of Ohio, for example, allowed curious people to tour Camp Chase for 20 cents. CWT: How many were imprisoned? AZ: People have estimated that about 490,000 people total were incarcerated during the war. That number is just limited to military prisons that got established by the Union and the Confederate governments. That number wouldnt necessarily include the people who werent POWs or were suspected of treason. CWT: Did prisons in the North and South face different challenges? AZ: I think they really did. That is apparent at Andersonville, Ga., which is established late in the war. There arent clear lines of authority. Thats not just related to Andersonville. When the prison at Salisbury, N.C., gets established, the first commandant is appointed by the state governor and he doesnt know if he has the authority to do anything. That was the case at both Andersonville and Salisbury.The commandants had very little authority over prison conditions. Take Henry Wirz, the commander at Andersonville. He became a scapegoat at the end of the war when he was executed. But the things he could actually do to administer the camp were few and far between. For example, he had no power over the commissary. He had the rank of captain. There were literally some commanders of the guard regiments who outranked him. CWT: Was there a general understanding about how POWs should be treated? You mention political philosopher Francis Liebers 1863 General Orders No. 100 on the conduct of war. AZ: Both prisoners and officials are looking back on penitentiary imprisonment in the earlier part of the 19th century for guideposts. Thats what Lieber did because he was held as a political prisoner in Europe [in his native Prussia in the 1820s]. He was well aware of the standards that wardens in the state should use to treat incarcerated criminals, and those standards are basically transferred in terms of food, clothing, and cleanliness, over to military prisoners. Ohio Governor David Tod allowed people to tour Camp Chase for 20 cents CWT: Prisoners were also worked as laborers in some cases, although Union soldiers often refused to be clerks for the Confederacy. AZ: Those were basically efforts by Confederate officials to make up for lack of manpower. If they wanted a prisoner to be a clerk, for example, he was made to swear allegiance to the Confederacy. If Union prisoners had to go out to collect wood, thats one thing because its for survival, but if they are going to work in a position sanctioned by the government, that is basically shooting arrows at their own cause. There was a lot of resentment toward prisoners who decided to take those positions in the Confederacy. CWT: What other kinds of work did prisoners do? AZ: Lieber wrote in the General Orders No. 100 that prisoners may be made to work for their captors. So officials on both sides used prison labor to make improvements to the camp, to build barracks or forms of shelter, to dig ditches, to clean up waste in various forms. CWT: You also mention Confederates who brought slaves to prison. AZ: That was an issue that caused controversy in Columbus, Ohio, when Confederate officers held in Camp Chase brought their slaves with them. Once the civilians in Columbus got wind of that, they were absolutely irate, had no tolerance for it, started writing editorials to local newspapers drawing attention to it and contacting the Lincoln administration to stop that practice, which they eventually did. CWT: What happens at wars end? AZ: Officials try to send prisoners home as quickly as they could. The Union did it by rank and were much more likely to send home privates than officers. They wanted to keep closer tabs on the people who actually led the companies, maybe even led the armies. That process is slow. The prisons in the South, especially in Richmond, were taken over by the U.S. government and used to help keep order in the city. Thats basically the case with Castle Thunder. CWT: Is there a takeaway for the wars impact on our current prison system? AZ: Number one, it got the federal government involved. Before the Civil War, there was only one federal prison, the D.C. penitentiary. It was shut down in September 1862. It got reopened toward the end of the war due to the need for space. But in the latter part of the 19th century we start to see the opening of federal prisons. Number two, the Civil War generates another reform wave because of Congress investigation in 1867 of Southern military prisons and because of what had gone on during the war. The National Prison Association forms in 1870, and is drawn again to the same issues, such as the conditions, the crowding, the food, the treatment. But again the actual reform of the institutions falls by the wayside. CWT: Anything else youd like to add? AZ: The correspondence that prisoners in both military prisons and penitentiaries had with people at home was so moving. In correspondence from family members on both sides, I saw so profoundly that relatives of convicts and relatives of POWs say you have to trust in God and put faith in him. Interview conducted by Senior Editor Sarah Richardson European armies increasing reliance on railways culminated in one of the worlds bloodiest wars. On the afternoon of July 30, 1914, government telegraph offices in St. Petersburg burst into staccato chatter. Almost immediately, railroad yards in Moscow, Gdansk, Smolensk, and across the far-flung Russian Empire came alive with activity. Guards were quickly dispatched to railheads and railway bridges. Locomotives along the Polish frontier were called home. Rail companies jettisoned civilian freight from boxcars and readied passenger cars for masses of soldiers, who would be marching to board them from concentration points across Russia. In Vienna, then Berlin, then Paris, similar telegraphs clattered. Sealed orders were opened, and rail yards in Cologne, Innsbruck, Rouen, and countless other cities began implementing plans for general military mobilizations. No Frenchman had yet fired on a German. Not one Austrian had looked down his rifle at a Russian. But World War I had begun, and its first battle would be a race to the rail yards. The velocity of warfare had changed since the great national wars of Napoleon 100 years earlier. The advent of efficient railway and telegraph systems connecting distant parts of each country accelerated the speed with which a nation could commit its troops to the battlefield. When European officers had returned home after observing the American Civil War, they brought with them a Pandoras box of ideas that would help consume a generation of young men a half-century later. The potential for using the railway system as a military tool was not new. The earliest large-scale troop movement by rail took place in 1839, when the British army moved its 10th Regiment of Foot over the Liverpool & Manchester Railway to suppress a threatened uprising in Manchester. The troops arrived quickly, intact, and without being exhausted by a long march. In 1850 Austria bullied Prussia into diplomatic submission by using rail cars to move 75,000 soldiers and 8,000 horses to the Silesian border in three weeks, and in 1859 France moved 130,000 soldiers to Genoa by rail during its war with Austria. The military value of the iron horse was not lost on Prussia, the Continents rising power. In 1843 a young Helmuth von Moltke wrote, Every new railway development is a military benefit, and for national defense it is far more profitable to spend a few million on completing our railways than on new fortresses. In 1860 von Moltke backed up his words; as chief of the Prussian general staff, he added a Railway Section to the military council. A contemporary would write that von Moltke never made an important decision without consulting the German railway timetables. Four years later, Prussia made sporadic use of its rail lines in its war against Denmark, moving more than 15,000 men and 4,600 horses 175 miles in six days. However, it was not until 1866, after military planners had digested reports of the U.S. conflict, that Prussia established its first military railway units. These 200-man detachments, modeled after the U.S. Construction Corps, were commanded by army engineers but staffed by Prussian state railway employees who were responsible for railway maintenance and wartime destruction. In the summer of 1866, when war with Austria broke out, von Moltke used trains to move troops to the Bohemian border. Because Prussian rail lines generally radiated from Berlin, his plan resulted in an arc-shaped front of some 200 miles, an arrangement that became known as his strategy of external lines. In all, nearly 200,000 troops and 55,000 horses rode the rails to the front. Once they arrived there, however, the system broke down. The arrangements for unloading supplies were nowhere near as well planned as they were for loading supplies, so freight car after freight car backed up from the railheads, forcing soldiers to forage for their food. Four years later, von Moltke would use the same basic approach to mobilize against France. Unlike the Austrians, however, the French had a highly efficient railway system that could quickly be adapted to defensive needs. Their practice of issuing soldiers their rations aboard trains made travel much faster than the German method, which required the trains to stop while soldiers disembarked for coffee and food. Furthermore, France had fewer large railway companies, allowing greater track-gauge standardization. Unlike the German lines, four-fifths of the French rail network was double-tracked, which allowed trains to run to and from the frontier without needing to find a siding or build return runs into already-complicated timetables. The importance of railroad timetables hearkened back to the American Civil War experience. Then, poor coordination between military and civilian railway managers in the Confederacy had led to dreadful incidents of trains being sent in the wrong directions by local commanders. Entire rail lines were backed up while conscripted railway employees spent days or even weeks locating trains and moving them out, one by one, until all trains were heading in the right directions. The United States, less concerned about protecting private property rights, moved quickly to place major railroad companies under semi-national control, but even that system gave commanders fits, as thousands of cars shuttled men between hundreds of often-in-compatible lines. Both North and South took far too long to realize that interconnected railroad systems handling hundreds of cars cannot simply change directions at the whim of a local commander. Prussia took these lessons to heart. Fearing that the French armies would beat Prussian forces to the Franco-German border, von Moltke sent his advance units to the frontier by rail as rapidly as possible. Meanwhile, thirteen corps prepared to move toward the front along nine Prussian and German railway lines. A commission of military and civilian officials supervised each of the lines. By following complicated timetables and curtailing civilian traffic, Prussia moved nearly a half-million men, with horses, guns, and equipment, to their concentration areas in 11 days. As in the Austro-Prussian War, however, mobilization outpaced supply. Sending men into France to seize the initiative, von Moltke created a gap between his soldiers and their forward rail depots that widened as his troops advanced. Supplies did not arrive at the depots on time, and what did arrive was not processed quickly. The supplies then had to be taken by wagons to the rapidly advancing troops. At the front, the end result was a significant shortage. So, as in Bohemia, Prussias troops foraged for provisions. Prussian engineers did try to advance their railheads westward to facilitate logistics once the armies were in France, but fortresses at Toul, Metz, Rheims, and other strategic locations kept critical railway lines under French guns, preventing the Prussians from using those extended lines for the balance of the war. Despite the best efforts of Prussian engineers to lay tracks around French fortresses and repair lines destroyed by the retreating French army, military livestock died in idle boxcars, and ambulance trains returning to Germany were often kept waiting for intolerable periods. The only German line running into eastern France, the LandauNancy line, was so backed up that trains took two days to cover the first 18 miles, and one out of seven trains sent from Germany returned without ever reaching Nancy. On the French side, the Est (East) Railwaythe major line from Paris to the Rhinealong with its sisters, the Nord (North) and the ParisLyon Mediterranee lines, had performed admirably at the wars outset. During the conflicts first three weeks, some 300,000 men, 65,000 horses and 6,600 guns were conveyed to the front with only two train accidentsan impressive record. However, French military officials failed to have units ready to board their trains on time. Some left half empty while others contained several different amalgamated units that had disembarked at the wrong times. At the other end of the line, French commanders failed to have destination orders ready when the trains arrived, resulting in rolling stock backing up as whole regiments waited in their cars for instructions. In retrospect, the French railways performed just as efficiently as their Prussian counterparts, and often more efficiently. But lack of adequate coordination and planning by the French government negated Frances natural advantage in rail assets, and the generally fine performance by civilian railway officials has been largely overlooked. In the end, the French military was not able to quickly assemble enough troops to follow through with its plan to launch a major invasion of Germany. The Franco-Prussian War provided valuable lessons that Europes other powers tried to incorporate into their own systems. Ambulance trains, previously used only sporadically and with little success in Europe, were now incorporated into the military rail systems of the major European armies. Furthermore, during the small wars that field artillery, and heavy artillery. Detailed traffic and deployment plans were made with input from the Railway Section of the general staff, down to the time allowed for disembarking a train-load of infantry (15 minutes), horses (20 minutes), or artillery (two hours) and for meal stops (45 minutes to one hour). To deal with the realities of mobilization, German staff officers were put through railway maneuvers, or war games in which rail lines were declared destroyed or deployment plans were abruptly changed, forcing officers to improvise. After the Franco-Prussian War, the Germans had modified their railways to accommodate military requirements. The Prussian gauge became the standard track width throughout Germany. French tunnels and bridges, however, tended to have lower clearances than German bridges. To prevent German locomotives from losing their smokestacks in France, the Railway Section required engines to adopt two-piece chimneys, giving rise to the cynical but accurate observation during the interwar years that Germans designed their military trains to fit the clearances of their neighbors railways. On the other side of the Rhine, the French general staffs Fourth (Transport) Section, through its Service des Chemins de Fer, worked closely with Est Railway officials to ensure that enough double-tracking, loops, and signal stations were in place in case of war with Germany. Plan XVII, approved in 1913, called for 56 pairs of trains to run every 24 hours along the main double-track lines. The most immediate military needs would be met by moving units with their supplies during the first 11 days. Then a 12-hour break would allow the rail systems to make up for any delays or mishaps, followed by a five-day general mobilization. Austria-Hungary also had railway deployment plans, but because it faced different possible combinations of enemies, its plans were much more complex than those of Germany or France. The Austrian chief of staffs War Case B envisioned a war only against Serbia, but by 1912 consideration was given to War Case R, which foresaw such a war bringing Russias weight against Austria. Among the Great Powers, only Britaincomfortably isolated from the Continentand vast, mismanaged Russia lacked thorough, updated rail deployment plans. The wild card, in German thinking, was Russia, with a standing army of more than 1.4 million men, compared to Germanys 856,000. Because the average Russian soldier had to travel 600 to 700 miles to the front, the countrys 7.5-million-man reserves could be defeated in detail if Germany could mobilize its 4 million reserves, defeat France, and get to the Eastern Front in time to defeat Russias slowly advancing forces. Furthermore, since Russias eight major rail lines radiating from the MoscowSt. Petersburg axis were woefully inadequate to move armies in a north-south direction, Germany would have an advantage shifting forces between theaters on the Eastern Front. In making his calculations in the early 20th century, Schlieffen had realistically assumed that Russia could move no more than 200 military trains per day. After 1910, however, Nicholas II allocated funds to improve railways serving the Polish frontier, and the French government provided additional railway loans; by 1914, 360 Russian trains could reach the front daily. As a result, Russias mobilization plans put the army on a schedule such that it would take its forces only three days longer than Germanys to reach the front. The German high command was aware of some of the Russian improvements, and from its standpoint, 1914 was probably the last year that the Schlieffen Plan would have any chance of success. An oft-repeated story is that the requirements of mobilization, the child of the European railway systems, dictated the rapid progression from crisis to war in the last six days of July 1914. There is some truth to it. When Kaiser Wilhelm II realized that his assurances of support to Austria-Hungary could lead to a war involving most of Europe, he took tentative steps to limit the conflict to the Eastern Front. Summoning Chief of Staff Helmuth von Moltke (nephew of the Franco-Prussian Wars von Moltke) on August 1, Wilhelm informed him of a tentative proposal to guarantee British and French neutrality in a Russo-German war. Now we can go to war against Russia only, he declared to the astonished general. We simply march the whole of our army to the East. Von Moltke, seeing years of careful preparation thrown into chaos by this last-minute change, flatly objected. Your majesty, he pleaded, it cannot by done. The deployment of millions cannot be improvised. If your majesty insists on leading the whole army to the East it will not be an army ready for battle but a disorganized mob. The kaiser chided von Moltke, Your uncle would have given me a different answer. That day, Germany declared war on Russia. On August 2, upon word that the proposal for Franco-British neutrality had been a misunderstanding, von Moltke was given the green light to send German forces to the west against France and to the east against Russia. The following day, Germany declared war on France. The refusal of France to remain neutral in the event of a Russo-German war, not Germanys railway schedules, made the Schlieffen Plan an attractive option for Germany and prompted the preemptive strike envisioned by German planners since the 1890s. As to the irreversibility of mobilization, von Moltke had overstated the case. Freezing mobilization to buy time for a diplomatic solution was by no means impossible. The head of the German high commands Railway Section, General Hermann von Staab, argued vehemently after the war that, if given the command on August 1, his railways could have transferred four of Germanys seven armies to the Eastern frontier by August 15, leaving three to guard against a French incursion into German territory. When war came, Germanys mobilization moved ahead with Prussian precision. The kaiser approved mobilization on August 1, and August 2 became mobilization day 1. Civilian rail traffic exploded as Germans, French, and Italians frantically bought tickets to make their way home. Freight cars were unloaded and laden with military stores; in many cases, boxcars had their sides removed to make room for artillery pieces. Soldiers erected loading platforms, and in the first hostile act on the Western Front, an armored train bearing cars full of German infantry crossed into neutral Luxembourg to take control of the tiny principalitys railway network. On August 4, mobilization day 3, the generals put the railroads on war timetables and discontinued civilian passenger trains, except for those carrying reservists called up by their units. Six German infantry brigades embarked to capture Liege, Belgium (the violation of Belgian neutrality prompted Great Britain to declare war on Germany), and by mobilization day 5 (August 6), masses of troops were being sent into German-occupied Alsace-Lorraine to blunt French offensives expected in that sector. By August 18, 11,000 German trains had completed more than 3 million military passenger journeys, carried 860,000 horses, and moved thou-sands of tons of military supplies, all with remarkably few mishaps. Germany beset Europe, Asia, and Africa prior to 1914, and in strategic planning for the next great war, the major powers went to great lengths to take advantage of the iron horse in order to increase their armies speed and efficiency. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, for instance, Tsar Alexander II had 189 miles of track built through Romania to connect Russias Southwestern Railway with Galatz, on the Turko-Romanian frontier. Alexanders minister of war wrote around that time: Railways are now the strongest and most decisive element of war. Therefore, regardless even of financial difficulties, it is exceedingly desirable to make our railway network equal that of our enemies. The inefficiency of Southwestern Railway officials and a shortage of spare locomotives and rolling stock, however, hampered Russian efforts. Great Britain, a pioneer in military railway use, established the Engineer and Railway Staff Corps in 1865. Commanded by railroad executives and civil engineers who had been commissioned as military officers, the corps prepared wartime plans for the quick, coordinated movement of troops to concentration areas along the nations many railroads. Near the centurys end, General Horatio Kitchener incorporated railroads into his campaign strategy to avenge the 1885 death of General Charles Chinese Gordon at Khartoum. Between 1896 and 98, British engineers constructed a 216-mile railway that followed Kitcheners southward advance through the Sudan. His victory at the September 2, 1898, Battle of Omdurman, securing Britains hold over the region, was won by troops moved and supplied by rail. Railroads had by then become an indispensable component of British military planning. Lines began stretching in all directions from East India to the Suez, often driven by enlightened commercial considerations more than military ones, as efficiency of transport was of paramount concern to both mercantile and military leaders. During the 1899-1902 Boer War, the British army introduced an innovation that presaged the development of the tank: the armored train, which was typically equipped with quick-firing naval guns, one-pounder pom-pom guns, Maxim machine guns, and firing ports for riflemen. By 1902 Britain had fielded a total of 20 such trains in South Africa. The British also mounted heavy long-range naval guns on modified rail cars, although both armored trains and rail guns were too vulnerable and too limited by their tracks to be of much use against the Boers until later in the war. In France Paul Decauville, an agricultural machinery manufacturer, developed light, portable field rails that would prove enormously useful in the next two major wars. Set on a two-foot-gauge track, prefabricated Decauville railways were well suited for military purposes. The engines and rolling stock were kept in storage until needed, then transported by rail car, animal power, or their own steam to the theater of operations, where they would run on tracks laid as needed by military engineers. Railroads played an important role in the twentieth centurys first major conflict, the Russo-Japanese War. By February 1904, when Japan launched its surprise attack on Port Arthur, Russias Trans-Siberian Railway, though a source of alarm to Tokyo, was as yet incapable of adequately supplying Tsar Nicholas IIs forces south of Vladivostok, because the line was broken for a stretch around Lake Baikal. During that conflict, Japan made ex- tensive use of the captured Chinese Eastern Railway to move troops from Port Arthur through Manchuria. They routed the Russians at the Battle of Mukden by, among other things, send- ing General Maresuke Nagis Third Army to threaten the tsarist armys rail lines. The badly managed Trans-Siberian Railway eventually moved nearly a million men across the Eurasian landmass about the time that Japan agreed to a negotiated peace. During the decades preceding World War I, Germany, facing hostile powers to its west and eastFrance and Russiathoroughly understood that transporting troops by rail would be the key to victory in a future war. The Schlieffen Plan, developed between 1891 and 1905, envisioned a rapid mobilization to the west. This would be followed by a wheeling attack on foot through Belgium and France, striking Paris from the north and west. Resupply of the quickly moving army would presumably be along captured French railways, the railheads lagging no more than 75 miles behind their client armies. After Frances defeat, trains would transport Germanys army to East Prussia, where its attack would fall just as the lumbering Russian army was invading the German homeland. It was a dangerous gamble, and it would depend heavily on Germanys rail systems being up to the task (an estimated 650 military trains would have to run to France each day through Cologne alone). The AachenLanden line would have to move 2,700 tons of oats and 3,200 tons of hay each dayfeed for 445,000 animals accompanying the advance. To implement the Schlieffen Plan, Germanys general staff dedicated specific rail lines to each of the operations major components. General Maximilian von Prittwitzs Eighth Army, for instance, was assigned three double-track lines heading to the Eastern Front, while four such lines were allocated to connect the Western Front with the East. Along the French frontier, four designated lines made it possible for the German high command to transfer four entire corps from Cologne to Strasbourg in only three hours. The Schlieffen Plan was modified every year, to account for changing rail facilities and to fine-tune military priorities. The operation called for a three-phase deployment. First, western defense troops would man the frontiers in response to a premobilization threat of war. Second, covering troops would be rapidly transported to deployment zones to protect those areas as general mobilization proceeded. This phase would last through the fourth day of mobilization. Finally, on the fifth day the main body of troops would begin moving to its designated deployment zones to begin strategic operations. The final phase would require each rail line to run 50 trains every 24 hours, with a four-hour pause built in to deal with unforeseen problems. The order of deployment was as follows: essential administrative staff first, then pioneer units and field bakeries, followed by cavalry, infantry, had been somewhat hampered by the loss of key railroad workers called up as reservists, but the only significant snags occurred when the commander of Germanys Third Army, General Max Klemens von Hausen, demanded that two of his corps be deployed farther west than originally planned, an order that would have seriously upset the established schedules. Railway officials knew better than to upset the general staffs intricately laid timetables, and they refused to comply. Mobilization proceeded to a successful conclusion, and hundreds of thousands of men were duly sent into the cauldron of war. In France mobilization went almost as smoothly under Plan XVII. Over 20 days of mobilization trains moved 42 French corps (each corps required 85-car trains)more than a million men, 400,000 horses, and accompanying suppliesto the frontiers. At Troyes, where the Est intersected north-south lines, more than 400 trains would pass on peak days, averaging one train every four minutes. The French, unlike the Germans, exempted critical railroad workers from reserve service, but many of them, caught up by the wave of patriotism that swept France that summer, flocked to the tricolor as volunteers. As in Germany, a few incidents marred the otherwise stellar performance of the Est Railway and its associated lines. Most were rear-end collisions. Some accidents caused delays, but railway officials did a commendable job rerouting trains to their final destinations. Farther north, Belgium quickly spirited as many trains to France as possible once it was invaded. Some 1,250 locomotives, which German planners assumed would fall into its armys hands, made their way to safety via rail lines into northern France. These engines were later distributed among the Allies. (Several were sent by sea to assist the Russian war effort, only to be captured by the German armyduring World War II.) The British Expeditionary Force (BEF), for its part, planned to move from the English Channel to the front by rail. Mobilization and rail transport were naturally the most chaotic where the British troops were landingin Boulogne, Le Havre, and Cherbourg because the French government could not control their arrivals and deployments. Ships unloading at the ports carried wildly varying numbers of men and types of equipment, and French efforts to standardize train capacities for trans- porting the British proved pointless. Trains began taking on soldiers as they disembarked from transports, and by September some 115,000 men and 46,000 horses of the BEF had ridden on 361 trains to the Belgian frontier. On the Eastern Front, Russian mobilization exceeded all expectations, partly because Schlieffen had downplayed improvements to Russian railways. By the end of mobilization, Tsar Nicholas was able to send some 1.3 million fighting men to the Austro-German front, although disaster awaited many of them in the forests of Tannenberg. Austrian mobilization against Russia, however, was somewhat confused. Its initial mobilization was only directed at Serbia, in the belief that German pressure would keep Russia out of the local conflict. When Russia mobilized, Austria followed suit, but its chief of staff, General Count Conrad von Hotzendorf, unclear as to Russias intentions, sent two of his three army groups south to the Balkans against Serbia, rather than north to Galicia as a bulwark against the coming Russian onslaught. By the end of August 1914, the railroads of the European powers had come to play a vital role in the conduct of mechanized war. Back in the 1850s, British rail car manufacturer and inventor William Bridges Adams had concluded that Wars cannot be carried on without railways, and the railway is emphatically the offspring and tool of civilization. The conduct of European warfare between 1866 and 1914and particularly the onset of World War I, strongly driven by the dictates of railway timetablesvividly illustrated how civilizations iron horse had changed military strategy, making it possible for large armies to quickly engage the enemyand consume the blood and treasure of a continent at a rate never before seen. JONATHAN W. JORDAN writes from Marietta, Georgia. This article originally appeared in the Summer 2005 issue (Vol. 17, No. 4) of MHQThe Quarterly Journal of Military History with the headline: Reign of Railroads Want to have the lavishly illustrated, premium-quality print edition of MHQ delivered directly to you four times a year? Subscribe now at special savings! Known for its insane asylum, this small town endured bedlam as the proud Old Dominion broke apart Trailside is produced in partnership with Civil War Trails Inc., which connects visitors to lesser-known sites and allows them to follow in the footsteps of the great campaigns. Civil War Trails has to date 1,552 sites across five states and produces more than a dozen maps. Visit civilwartrails.org and check in at your favorite sign #civilwartrails. Until West Virginia joined the Union as a new state in June 1863, Confederate forces tried valiantly to keep that from happening. After all, loss of the resources available in what became known as the Mountaineer Statecoal and salt in particularand its identity as an essential trade corridor posed dire consequences for the South. The month-long Jones-Imboden Raid in 1863 would prove the last gasp in a run of ambitious efforts by Southern forces to keep western Virginia in the fold. Launched on April 24 and ending on May 22, the Confederate raid would cover more than 1,100 miles, as two cavalry columns commanded by Brig. Gens. William E. Grumble Jones and John D. Imboden set out to disrupt the states Unionist government, recruit for the Southern armies, capture supplies, and break up Union infrastructuremost important, bridges used by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. According to local historian Gerald D. Swick, Imboden captured nearly 700 prisoners, 1,000 head of cattle, and 1,200 horses, and Jones reported burning more than 150,000 barrels of oil. The two forces also torched 16 bridges, a railroad tunnel, two trains of cars, and several boats. Today, several towns along the raiders route are well worth a visit, including Buckhannon, Philippi, Beverly, and Fairmontall with interesting Civil War histories (Fairmont was the site of the largest pitched battle fought during the Jones-Imboden Raid). One of the most captivating of these towns in central West Virginia is Weston, tucked along the banks of the West Fork Riveras picturesque and serene today as it was in the 1860s. The towns residents and occupants played instrumental roles both before and during the war to help shape its course. That included the immortal Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson, who lived in Weston from the age of 6 until leaving to attend the U.S. Military Academy in 1842. Also spending time in Weston were future Presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley of the 23rd Ohio Infantry, which occupied the town in the summer of 1861Hayes as a major and McKinley a private. A majority of the people here are friendly and glad to have us here to protect them from the Secessionists, wrote Hayes. This part of Virginia naturally belongs to the West; they are now in no way connected with eastern Virginia. Chris Howland Jacksons Mill 160 Jackson Mill Rd. At the turn of the 19th century, Colonel Edward Jackson, a Revolutionary War veteran, established a farm and mill just north of town, laying the foundation for three generations of Jacksons to live and prosper there. It was here that 6-year-old Thomas Jonathan Jackson and his sister, Laura Ann, would be left under the care of their uncle, who would later send the boy off to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Thomas of course made history as Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Laura, despite marrying Jonathan Arnold, a man with Southern sympathies, remained an outspoken Unionist throughout the war. There is still a working mill on-site. Guided tours of the property, which can also be rented for special events, are available. Consider staying the night in one of the mills multiple lodging options, which range from private suites and camp cottages to a lodge for larger parties. jacksonsmill.wvu.edu Weston Colored School/Mountaineer Military Museum 345 Center Ave. Built in 1882, the school was the fourth school erected with public funds for African-American children in the state. For 72 years, until desegregation in 1954, the school served the community and continued to be used as a classroom, archive, library, and welcome center. The buildings Mission-style design is unique for the area, and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the building houses the Mountaineer Military Museum, which interprets the role of Lewis County from the Civil War through the Spanish-American War all the way to Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is a repository for many Civil War artifacts, such as this local soldiers discharge medal. The museum also has the rifle carried by William Osborne of the 10th West Virginia Infantry, a local boy killed while fighting in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. This English-produced weapon was eventually returned to the family and was recently donated to the museum. The museum is open most Saturdays between April and December, or by appointment. For more information, go to: www.mountaineermilitarymuseum.com Exchange Bank of Virginia 133 Center Ave. The structure here served as a branch of the Exchange Bank of Virginia at the time of the war. At dawn on June 30, 1861, Colonel Erastus Bernard Tyler and the 7th Ohio Infantry swept into town to capture gold being held in a vault for construction of the asylum. Banker Robert J. McCandlish lived on the second floor and reportedly answered the door to the demands of the Union soldiers. All but about $2,000 of the goldneeded to pay the asylum workerswould be sent at first by wagon (reportedly a hearse) to nearby Clarksburg, then by train to Wheeling. Francis Pierpont, governor of the so-called Restored Government of Virginia, used this money (about $30,000) to enact legislation establishing the state of West Virginia. The Wheeling Intelligencer defended acquisition of the funds, concluding in its July 4 edition: We need money almost as badly as they do down at Richmond, and are in no particular need of a Lunatic Asylum.Just now coin is indefinitely preferable to crazy people. George Jackson Arnold House 104 Center Ave. Down the street from the Exchange Bank site is the home of George Jackson Arnold. Siding with Unionists pushing to break from the Confederate-leaning Old Dominion, Arnold drafted the legislation to do so. That made him a wanted man when Confederate raiders under Imboden and Jones came to town on May 4, 1863. To evade capture, Arnold crawled into a hiding spot under his house. Stone Splendor The spectacular Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, closed as a medical facility in 1994, was constructed between 1858 and 1881. An architectural phenomenon, it is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America. Opening to patients in 1864, the buildings Civil War history is unique, to say the least. In fact, the architect, Richard Snowden Andrews, who also designed the Maryland governors mansion in Annapolis and a wing of the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, D.C., would serve as a Confederate artillery commander. Andrews was nearly killed at Cedar Mountain in August 1862 when an exploding shell ripped a hole in his side. After convalescing for eight months and having a metal plate attached to his side, he returned to action, only to get wounded again at Second Winchester in June 1863. Only one of the asylums wings had been completed by the outbreak of the war, but the central structure was under construction. Three separate raids, including the one by Jones and Imboden, reduced the supplies allocated for the patients there and scattered Camp Tyler, a Union garrison located on the grounds. Weston flourished after the war, the asylum a leading factor for that. Today the asylum operates as a museum. Visitors can enjoy a variety of tours and special programs there. For a fascinating look at the facilitys history, read Lunatic, by Edward S. Gleason. 71 Asylum Dr. trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com Throughout history, artists have portrayed the military events of their times. We think of images of Napoleons victories, the hell of the Western Front, and an aerial bombardment of a small Basque town during the Spanish Civil War. The majority of these pictures were painted with conviction and motivation, albeit for different reasons. One can make the case that some of the artists working for Napoleon may not necessarily have approved of his policies, but in order to maintain their careers and secure commissions, they had to produce paintings acceptable to the French emperor. The official artists of World War I may have been similarly critical of their governments handling of the fighting on the Western Front. Rather than producing images for public esteem, they decided to depict the war as they saw it, warts and all, and let their pictures speak for themselves. Hence we see results such as Christopher Nevinsons once-censored Paths of Glory, with two dead British soldiers entangled in the wire face down. It is rare, however, to find an artist creating images that on the one hand reflect a particular ideology while at the same time surreptitiously condemning that ideology through discreet pictures intended to show the truth behind the lies. Such an artist was Ivan Vladimirov. Born in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 1869 to a British mother and a Russian father, Ivan Alekseevich Vladimirov spent many of his early years traveling. For example, he worked on a coal ship when he was only twelve. Later he joined the Russian army, serving in the 210th Izhora Battalion as a volunteer, and in 1894 attended the Military Infantry School. His skills as an artist, however, became obvious to many, and he was invited to attend the Imperial Academy of Art in St. Petersburg, where his studies included battle painting. Vladimirov went on to earn awards in the 1890s for various war pictures, such as scenes from the Russo-Turkish War of 1877, Capturing a Turkish Fortification and The Defeat of the Kabarda Men on the Malka River. Around that time, he went abroad to hone his skills as a military artist and spent part of 1897 in Paris studying with the great battle painter Edouard Detaille. His mother had schooled him in English, and in 1910 he and some friends went to London, where they organized a Russian art exhibition. At the outbreak of war in 1914, a London weekly pictorial newspaper, The Graphic, commissioned Vladimirov to cover the fighting on the Eastern Front as one of its special artists. This was not his first personal experience of battle as a war artist; in August 1904, at the request of Count Leo Tolstoy, the vice president of the Academy of Art, he had covered the Russo-Japanese War, witnessing several battles. This was the same conflict in which the great Russian military painter Vasily Vereshchagin was killed during the naval battle at Tsushima Strait. Returning home following the disastrous campaign, Vladimirov witnessed the breakdown of Russian society in the cities, sketching and painting the events. His paintings showed demonstrators near the Winter Palace in 1905, the arrest of students, and revolutionaries manning barricades. These were a portent of things to come. In 1912 he reported on the First Balkan War for the Russian pictorial paper Niva. His initial World War I picture for The Graphic appeared on Saturday, November 21, 1914, and depicted Russian infantry- men storming Austrian positions on the outskirts of the town of Jaroslav in Galicia. The artist was identified as John Wladimiroff. Thereafter, his drawings appeared frequently throughout the war, with the approval of the Russian military censors. More than one hundred of his pictures were published in The Graphic. Meanwhile, he also worked for Russian publications, including Niva, and several of his watercolors were published as recruiting posters, showing aspects of the Russian army. All Must Help Our Glorious Troops, 1916, depicted Russian soldiers in a trench, while All for the Victory, that same year, showed a convoy of motor vehicles carrying supplies to the front. In December 1915, The Graphic profiled Vladimirov in an article that opened with the statement, No people have approached war from the point of view in art so poignantly as the Russians. The piece informed readers that the artist had spent the past year with the Russian army in Galicia, during which time he had sustained a slight wound. While convalescing, he finished many watercolors based on the sketches that filled his notebooks. In the late summer of 1915, he had exhibited 125 war pictures at the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of Arts in Petrograd. There they were viewed by members of the royal family, including Dowager Empress Marie, the mother of Tsar Nicholas II, who purchased a painting depicting Siberian infantry and Cossacks capturing a field gun. Another picture, Our Cossacks Will Catch Them, was acquired by Grand Dutchess Victoria Feodorovna, whose husband was Nicholas cousin. The London weekly newspaper published pictures of the fighting in Poland and Galicia in 1916, but by 1917 Russia was once again embroiled in revolution. As he was on the spot in Petrograd, Vladimirov took full advantage to document the scenes for The Graphic and other publications. When he was not present for the action, he was able to secure firsthand information for his sketches from others. For instance, his sketch of the abdication of Tsar Nicholas that appeared in April was drawn from notes supplied by General Nikolai Ruzsky, who had helped to persuade the monarch to step down. Today he is chiefly remembered for his thrilling visual renderings of the October Revolution that brought the Bolsheviks to power and of the subsequent Russian Civil War. Some of his earliest pictures of the uprising showed rioters shooting down Cossacks on a bridge across the Neva River, and navy rioters capturing a vehicle. That he was sympathetic to the plight of the workers and soldiers in the months leading up to the 1917 revolutions is suggested by his arrest by the tsarist authorities for portraying scenes of workers on strike. So vivid were his pictures that it prompted the editors of The Graphic to boast at the beginning of 1918 that theirs was the only paper in Britain featuring accurate illustrations of the Russian Revolution. It reproduced a photograph on January 5 with the caption: Our Russian Artist. Mr. John Wladimiroff, the special artist of The Graphic, sitting in a shell hole at the Riga-Dvinsk front. Mr. Wladimiroff enables The Graphic to be the only paper in the country giving realistic drawings of the revolution. Vladimirov traveled to Moscow and witnessed the terror of the commune and the barricades near the Kremlin, and back in Petrograd he captured the drama of the street fighting, the breakdown of authority, and the emergence of the Bolsheviks. Throughout the year, The Graphic brought its readers numerous images of the crisis in Russia from the pencil of Vladimirov, and informed its readers that their artist had run great risks on several occasions in Petrograd. His pictures were captioned to heighten the tension: Anarchy in Russia, Red Revolution in Russia, The triumph of the Leninists, and Revolution, rapine and robbery. Vladimirovs last picture for the paper appeared on Saturday, September 14, 1918, and was a reconstruction of Red Army troops plundering a train at a station on the PetrogradMoscow line. Thereafter, the products of his labor mysteriously disappeared from the eyes of British readers, but he was far from finished documenting the revolutionary events. Vladimirov was about to enter a difficult stage of his career that forced him to lead a double life. In order to be accepted by the new Bolshevik authorities and to gain access to various artistic academies, he began painting stirring scenes of the revolution that were widely accepted and won for him the Order of the Workers Red Banner. Later, his role under the Soviet regime was as a Batalist, or painter of battles, and one of his classic canvases from this period, Down with the [Tsarist] Eagle, was praised by the authorities. From then on until his death in Leningrad in 1947, he produced paintings extolling the heroics of the Soviet Union that were acquired by various galleries throughout Russia. In the 1920s and 30s, most of his paintings reflected revolutionary themes such as The Flight of the Bourgeoisie from Novorossiisk in 1920, The Shooting at the Factory, The Reds Capture Ufa, and Soviet Troops Come to Vyborg. He portrayed V.I. Lenin and Josef Stalin in conference in the summer of 1917, and later did a painting of Lenin walking with Maxim Gorki, the novelist and revolutionary propagandist. Around 1940 he portrayed the events of Bloody Sunday, January 22, 1905, in a large oil painting showing a line of imperial troops firing upon unarmed workers, execution-style, by the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Westerners first viewed many of Vladimirovs paintings at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1937, at which Pablo Picassos Guernica was unveiled. Exhibitions of works in his homeland confirmed his reputation as Comrade Vladimirov, a staunch Communist supporter of the Soviet Union. In 1938 some of his pictures were shown in Moscow at a show titled Twenty Years of the Workers and Peasants Red Army. World War II provided material for similar thematic canvases painted during the war in Leningrad. Pictures from this period include The Partisans Rout the German Punitive Unit, painted in 1942, The Battle for Tikhvin the following year, and Combat in the Streets of Berlin. In 1946 he was awarded the title Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. Vladimirov was sympathetic to the plight of the army at the front in 1916, and while he supported in principle the need for reform, he came to despise the Bolsheviks following the 1917 revolution and particularly during the civil war. Although he followed the party line by creating heroic pictures, he was secretly recording the excesses and atrocities committed by Leon Trotskys Red Army and the regime. The first signs of the artists disaffection with the Bolsheviks actually began to appear in his sketches in The Graphic starting in September 1917. For instance, one of his pictures from August 1918 is headlined Blight of Bolshivik Barbarism and shows three Socialist leaders being consigned to the flames by Red Army ruffians. Another image from the same issue is titled The Chaos Resulting from Leninite Misrule. Many of Vladimirovs anti-Bolshevik pictures were smuggled out by Western collectors. One of them was a native Russian, Frank Golder, who was acquiring material for the Hoover War Library at Stanford University in California, as well as monitoring Herbert Hoovers Russian relief program. While he was producing his covert art during the 1920s, Vladimirov was also an active member of the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia and was teaching at the state-sponsored Industrial Art Studios. Golder visited the artist on several occasions during this period and purchased as many pictures as he could get, at five dollars eacha significant sum of money in Russia at the time. Apparently some of the pictures were lost in transit, but many arrived safely in the United States, and Hoover himself had three paintings hanging in his Waldorf-Astoria apartment, while librarians at the Hoover War Library pasted over the artists signature for fear of reprisals against Vladimirov. Had his pictures been discovered by the authorities in Russia, the artist would have been shot. For decades many of his anti-Soviet paintings were kept locked away. Others began to emerge in the West, including 10 watercolors that were sold in New York in 1953, six years after the artists death, suggesting that this body of work was far more extensive than originally thought. In the paintings that reached the West, we see a different face on the events in Russia between 1917 and 22. Gone are the heroic revolutionaries, replaced by struggling civilians searching for food, ruthless soldiers pillaging a church, the humiliation of former tsarist generals, and priests forced to work in farmyards. We see secret executions and cruelties toward peasants. One painting shows a portrait of Tsar Nicholas II being tossed onto a public bonfire, and in another, little boys vandalize statues on the grounds of a former royal palace. In these works, Vladimirov displays a humanity that is wholly absent in his official paintings, and shows a real sympathy and an affinity for the victims of the repression. Why he painted them at great risk to his survival is unclear, but he may have felt a duty to record the suffering that was suppressed by official Soviet propaganda. Whatever his reasons, his pictures provide a glimpse of the true horror of the Russian Revolution that history sometimes glosses over. PETER HARRINGTON is the curator of the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection at Brown University Library and the author of numerous articles, books, and catalogs about artists and war. This article originally appeared in the Summer 2005 issue (Vol. 17, No. 4) of MHQThe Quarterly Journal of Military History with the headline: Views of War and Revolution in Russia Want to have the lavishly illustrated, premium-quality print edition of MHQ delivered directly to you four times a year? Subscribe now at special savings! Turbidity currents have historically been described as fast-moving currents that sweep down submarine canyons, carrying sand and mud into the deep sea. But a new paper in Nature Communications shows that, rather than just consisting of sediment-laden seawater flowing over the seafloor, turbidity currents also involve large-scale movements of the seafloor itself. This dramatic discovery, the result of an 18-month-long, multi-institutional study of Monterey Canyon, could help ocean engineers avoid damage to pipelines, communications cables, and other seafloor structures. Geologists have known about turbidity currents since at least 1929, when a large earthquake triggered a violent current that traveled several hundred kilometers and damaged 12 trans-Atlantic communications cables. Turbidity currents are still a threat today, as people place more and more cables, pipelines, and other structures on the seafloor. Turbidity currents are also important to petroleum geologists because they leave behind layers of sediment that comprise some of the world's largest oil reserves. Despite almost a century of research, geologists have struggled to come up with a conceptual model that describes in detail how turbidity currents form and evolve. The Coordinated Canyon Experiment was designed, in part, to resolve this debate. During this 18-month-long study, researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Hull, the National Oceanography Centre, the University of Southampton, the University of Durham, and the Ocean University of China combined their expertise and equipment to monitor a 50-kilometer-long (31-mile) stretch of Monterey Canyon in unprecedented detail. During the experiment, researchers placed over 50 different instruments at seven different locations in the canyon and made detailed measurements during 15 different turbidity flows. Almost all of the flows began near the head of the canyon in water less than about 300 meters (1,000 feet) deep. Once initiated, the flows traveled at least several kilometers down the canyon. The three largest flows traveled over 50 kilometers, sweeping past the deepest monitoring station in the canyon at a depth of 1,850 meters (6,000 feet). This extensive research program showed that turbidity currents in Monterey Canyon involve both movements of water-saturated sediment and of sediment-laden water. As described in the recent Nature Communications paper, the most important part of the process is a dense layer of water-saturated sediment that moves rapidly over the bottom and remobilizes the upper few meters of the preexisting seafloor. This is very different from previous conceptual models of turbidity currents, which focused on flows of turbid, sediment-laden water traveling above the seafloor. The authors of the recent paper did observe plumes of sediment-laden water during turbidity events, but they suggest that these are secondary features that form when the pulse of saturated sediment mixes into the overlying seawater. "This whole experiment was an attempt to learn what was going on at the bottom of the canyon," said Charlie Paull, MBARI marine geologist and first author of the recent paper. "For years we have seen instruments on the bottom move in unexpected ways, and we suspected that the seafloor might be moving. Now we have real data that show when, where, and how this happens." Among the instruments used in the experiment were current meters mounted on seven moorings distributed along the canyon floor. Analyzing the data from these instruments and measuring the time it took for the flows to travel between the moorings, the researchers were surprised to find that the flows appeared to travel down the canyon at speeds greater than the actual measured water currents. Although tilting and other movements of the current meters could explain some of these observations, the scientists eventually concluded that their instruments were not simply being moved by currents of turbid water flowing above the seafloor. The researchers also placed beach-ball-sized sensors called benthic event detectors (BEDs) in the seafloor. The BEDs were designed to be transported by turbidity flows while carrying instruments that recorded their depth, horizontal and vertical movement, and rotation. Other motion sensors were mounted on large, steel frames weighing up to 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds). These were designed to remain stationary while the flows passed around them. However, both the BEDs and the heavy frames were carried far down the canyon during strong turbidity events. In fact, the heavy, awkwardly-shaped instrument frames often traveled just as fast as the relatively light, streamlined BEDs. The researchers also noticed large sand waves, up to two meters (6.5 feet) tall, on the floor of the canyon. Repeated bottom surveys showed that these sand waves shifted dramatically during turbidity events, remolding the upper two to three meters of the seafloor. But the researchers still weren't sure exactly how this remolding occurred. Data from the BEDs provided an important clue. During many events, the BEDs did not just move down the canyon into deeper water, but traveled as fast or faster than the overlying water. They also moved up and down within the flow as much as three meters at regular intervals. The researchers concluded that, rather than being "dragged" along the bottom by a strong current, their instruments were being "rafted" by a dense, bottom-hugging layer of water-saturated sediment. They hypothesized that the up-and-down motions of the BEDs occurred as the instruments traveled over individual sand waves. As Paull noted, "The BEDs provided an essential kernel of new data that allowed us to understand the movement of the seafloor for the first time." "Textbooks and modelling efforts have traditionally focused on dilute flows of sediment-laden water over the bottom," Paull added. "But we now know that dilute flows are just part of the equation. It turns out that they are the tail end of the process, which really begins at the seafloor. " Source: Press Release Alaska's land mass is equal to the size of one-fifth of the continental United States, yet stores about half of the country's terrestrial - both upland and wetland - carbon stores and fluxes. The carbon is not only stored in vegetation and soil, but also in vital freshwater ecosystems even though lakes and ponds, rivers, streams, and springs only cover a small amount of landmass in Alaska. Alarmingly, recent studies show that Alaska is warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the country. The fate of the large state's plentiful carbon, and how carbon management policy is structured there, has implications on national, and even international, scales. A collection of articles in the Ecological Society of America's journal Ecological Applicationsprovides a synthesis of the Alaska terrestrial and aquatic carbon cycle. "Taken as a whole, the set of papers in the invited feature provide a comprehensive view of a critical region, and one that could be a model for other regions within the U.S. and globally," USGS researcher David McGuire writes in the feature's introduction. The warming climate in northern ecosystems such as Alaska's can release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases into the atmosphere through many pathways, including but not limited to the thawing of methane-laden permafrost and increased carbon emissions from more frequent wildfires. However, other aspects of the carbon cycle could counter the increased carbon release. Warmer, longer growing seasons and more available nutrients may result in more green growth to take up more atmospheric CO2, providing a sink. The types of forests that grow at high latitudes could shift from more flammable conifer forest to less flammable deciduous forest, meaning fewer wildfires. Together, the papers provide new syntheses of Alaskan carbon stores and fluxes, fire dynamics, vegetation change, forest management, permafrost soil thaw, and many other facets of historical (1950-2009) and projected (2010-2100) carbon balance in these sensitive ecosystems. These papers stem from efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, and university scientists to assess past and future carbon fluxes as mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The original report, a first-of-its-kind assessment published in 2016, revealed the vulnerability of carbon stored in high latitude ecosystems and how soil carbon losses in Alaska are amplified by wildfires with the warming Arctic climate. McGuire explains ways in which future assessments can be even more comprehensive, such as modeling the future methane emissions from lakes and including the effects that fire disturbances have on insects and abrupt thawing. In addition, he recommends that future assessments extend to 2300 given that many effects of permafrost thaw and elevated atmospheric CO2 have not yet fully manifested, and those assessments should include societal impacts of climate change in Alaska. As demonstrated by the 2016 report, and further emphasized by these new publications, it is absolutely vital to pursue a field-based understanding of the carbon cycle of the Earth in various settings in order to better understand both the natural and the human-influenced mechanisms of climate change. Source: Press Release Researchers from Keele University have worked with an international team of astronomers to find for the first time that a white dwarf and a brown dwarf collided in a 'blaze of glory' that was witnessed on Earth in 1670. Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile observed the debris from the explosion This is the first time such an event has been conclusively identified The dual rings of dust and gas - the debris from the explosion - resemble an hourglass Studying the remains of the merger, the researchers were able to detect the tell-tale signature of lithium The remains are also rich in organic molecules such as formaldehyde (H2CO) and methanamide (NH2CHO) The brown dwarf star was 'shredded' and dumped on the surface of a white dwarf star, leading to the 1670 eruption and the hourglass we see today Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, the international team of astronomers, including workers from the Universities of Keele, Manchester, South Wales, Arizona State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Warmia & Mazury, and the South African Astronomical Observatory, found evidence that a white dwarf (the remains of a star like the Sun at the end of its life) and a brown dwarf (a 'failed' star without sufficient mass to sustain thermonuclear fusion) collided in a short-lived blaze of glory that was witnessed on Earth in 1670 as Nova Cygni - 'a new star below the head of the Swan.' In July of 1670, observers on Earth witnessed a 'new star', or nova, in the constellation Cygnus - the Swan. Where previously there was no obvious star, there abruptly appeared a star as bright as those in the Plough, that gradually faded, reappeared, and finally disappeared from view. Modern astronomers studying the remains of this cosmic event initially thought it was triggered by the merging of two main-sequence stars - stars on the same evolutionary path as our Sun. This so-called 'new star' was long referred to as 'Nova Vulpeculae 1670', and later became known as CK Vulpeculae. However, we now know that CK Vulpeculae was not what we would today describe as a 'nova', but is in fact the merger of two stars - a white dwarf and a brown dwarf. By studying the debris from this explosion - which takes the form of dual rings of dust and gas, resembling an hourglass with a compact central object - the research team concluded that a brown dwarf, a so-called failed star without the mass to sustain nuclear fusion, had merged with a white dwarf. Professor Nye Evans, Professor of Astrophysics at Keele University and co-author on the paper appearing in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society explains: "CK Vulpeculae has in the past been regarded as the oldest 'old nova'. However, the observations of CK Vulpeculae I have made over the years, using telescopes on the ground and in space, convinced me more and more that this was no nova. Everyone knew what it wasn't - but nobody knew what it was! But a stellar merger of some sort seemed the best bet. With our ALMA observations of the exquisite dusty hourglass and the warped disc, plus the presence of lithium and peculiar isotope abundances, the jig-saw all fitted together: in 1670 a brown dwarf star was 'shredded' and dumped on the surface of a white dwarf star, leading to the 1670 eruption and the hourglass we see today." The team of European, American and South African astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array to examine the remains of the merger, with some interesting findings. By studying the light from two, more distant, stars as they shine through the dusty remains of the merger, the researchers were able to detect the tell-tale signature of the element lithium, which is easily destroyed in stellar interiors. Dr Stewart Eyres, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales and lead author on the paper explains: "The material in the hourglass contains the element lithium, normally easily destroyed in stellar interiors. The presence of lithium, together with unusual isotopic ratios of the elements C, N, O, indicate that an (astronomically!) small amount of material, in the form of a brown dwarf star, crashed onto the surface of a white dwarf in 1670, leading to thermonuclear 'burning', an eruption that led to the brightening seen by the Carthusian monk Anthelme and the astronomer Hevelius, and in the hourglass we see today." Professor Albert Zijlstra, from The University of Manchester's School of Physics & Astronomy, co-author of the study, says: "Stellar collisions are the most violent events in the Universe. Most attention is given to collisions between neutrons stars, between two white dwarfs - which can give a supernova - and star-planet collisions. "But it is very rare to actually see a collision, and where we believe one occurred, it is difficult to know what kind of stars collided. The type we believe that happened here is a new one, not previously considered or ever seen before. This is an extremely exciting discovery." Professor Sumner Starrfield, Regents' Professor of Astrophysics at Arizona State University comments: "The white dwarf would have been about 10 times more massive than the brown dwarf, so as the brown dwarf spiralled into the white dwarf it would have been ripped apart by the intense tidal forces exerted by the white dwarf. When these two objects collided, they spilled out a cocktail of molecules and unusual element isotopes. "These organic molecules, which we could not only detect with ALMA, but also measure how they were expanding into the surrounding environment, provide compelling evidence of the true origin of this blast. This is the first time such an event has been conclusively identified. "Intriguingly, the hourglass is also rich in organic molecules such as formaldehyde (H2CO), methanol (CH3OH) and methanamide (NH2CHO). These molecules would not survive in an environment undergoing nuclear fusion and must have been produced in the debris from the explosion. This lends further support to the conclusion that a brown dwarf met its demise in a star-on-star collision with a white dwarf." Since most star systems in the Milky Way are binary, stellar collisions are not that rare, the astronomers note. Professor Starrfield adds: "Such collisions are probably not rare and this material will eventually become part of a new planetary system, implying that they may already contain the building-blocks of organic molecules as they are forming." Source: Press Release The Balaroa village was sucked down into the earth due to liquefaction following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit the Central Sulawesi's provincial capital of Palu on September 28. The quake has made soil beneath the village liquefying, eventually sucking all houses and buildings above, burying alive the occupants. Indonesia Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto said that the option to end the search and build a mass grave monument in Balaroa had already been consulted with local government and religious figures. The Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency has announced that the search and evacuation of bodies would be called off on Thursday, October 11. "If the search takes too long time, it would be not good for the people there. They might get sick from diseases (generated from the site)," Wiranto said. The other thing that leads up to the option was the risk for the searching activities as the muddy ground remained unstable and could drag down the excavators below the ground. Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency estimated earlier that at least 1,000 residents of the village were buried along with their houses deep in the ground. The figure came up from the estimated 1,000 houses affected by the liquefaction in the village, according to the agency. Wiranto said the government expected to complete the rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the provinces' earthquake and tsunami-affected areas within two years. He also said that the government would build temporary houses for families for those losing their houses from the disaster. "Those houses were for temporary use before we build permanent houses for them," he added. The multiple disasters in the province have severely damaged infrastructure, power and telecommunication networks, public houses as well as government buildings. The situation was worsened by the looting of stores, supermarkets and banks due to the lack of food and supplies, eventually paralyzing the economy in the city in the aftermath of the disasters. Indonesian foreign ministry said that the government has received fund assistance commitments conveyed by several foreign countries to help Indonesia in dealing with efforts to mitigate impacts of the disasters. Deputy Foreign Minister Abdurrachman Mohammad Fachir said that besides funds, the foreign assistances were also offered in the form of supplies and equipment. Fachir said the foreign fund assistance would possibly be allocated to finance the rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the affected areas. Apart from the fund assistance, Indonesia also received aircraft assistance commitments from foreign countries. Indonesian Air Forces Commander Marshall Yuyu Sutisna said that 23 foreign planes would assist in delivery of supplies to Palu airport. They will fly those supplies from Jakarta and Balikpapan, and were expected to accelerate delivery process of those supplies. Of those committed planes 10 have already in service as of Saturday (October 6), he added. On October 7, Indonesian authorities said that death toll recorded from the retrieved bodies had risen to 1,944, while 2,549 people were being treated in hospitals. The multiple disasters have displaced over 62,000 people, who are currently being sheltered in 147 locations, the Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency said. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. 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OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. * Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad turned up late Monday in a show of support for his designated successor and former deputy Anwar Ibrahim for the latter's bid to return to the parliament through a by-election. * At the meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Yang Jiechi, calling on the two major countries to "follow the right path of win-win cooperation, rather than go astray toward conflict and confrontation." * Russia needs to restore its relations with the European Union (EU) and believes that many governments want the same, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday. * India will grow at 7.3 percent this year and 7.4 percent in 2019, the International Monetary Fund has predicted. * French President Emmanuel Macron on October 8 urged international community to take swift moves to combat global warming that triggered wave of drought, high level sea and torrential rainfall. * The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut growth forecasts for the global economy to reach 3.7 percent in 2018 and 2019 (0.2 percentage points lower than its previous forecasts in July) as escalating trade tensions could dent business sentiment and trigger financial market volatility. * Top parliamentary officials from Algeria and Canada met on Monday in Algiers and discussed counterterrorism, the upper house of the Algerian parliament said in a statement. * Colombian President Ivan Duque said on October 8 that peace talks with National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas will remain suspended until the rebels stop fighting. * Hurricane Michael formed Monday morning in the Caribbean Sea and is forecast to make a landfall as a major hurricane with gusts and rains in southeastern US state Florida on Wednesday (October 10). * Russia has decided not to involve the Kuril Islands it disputes with Japan in its recent military drills, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday. * German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said at the German Forum on Security Policy Monday that Germany and the European Union (EU) should make more contribution to the security and stability in the world, in which "the old certainties break away." * Cypriot marine police rescued 21 migrants by towing their flimsy boat into port after receiving a report, the ministry of defense said on Monday. * Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel said on Monday that a tripartite meeting with Egypt and Tunisia will be held in Cairo later this month to discuss the development in war-torn Libya, state radio channel I reported. * A senior Iranian lawmaker said on Monday that the European Union renewed the call for opening an office in Iran's capital Tehran, Tasnim news agency reported. * The Brazilian presidential candidate for the Social Liberal Party (PSL), Jair Bolsonaro, on Monday confirmed that he would debate with Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party (PT) ahead of the second round of elections slated for October 28. * Spanish Maritime Rescue Services have saved almost 1,500 people attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Spain in about three days over the weekend. * Asia-Pacific overtook North America to be the world's leading source region for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2017, Wavteq, the global FDI technology and consulting company from Turkey, announced on Monday at the ongoing Dubai Investment Week Conference. * Cameroon's ruling party, Cameroon People Democratic Movement (CPDM), on October 8 called for calm as the country awaits the final results of the previous day (October 7) presidential poll. * The Central Bank of Algeria allocated loans of more than US$80 billion to public and private sectors in the first half of 2018, a 6-percent increase compared wiht a year ago, according to a report issued by the bank on October 8. WASHINGTONToday personal care giant Unilever has announced its support for Humane Society Internationals #BeCrueltyFree campaign aimed at banning animal testing for cosmetics across the globe within five years. Unilevers support includes an ambitious new collaboration aimed at accelerating regulatory acceptance of modern, non-animal approaches to consumer safety assessment. Unilever, known for such popular brands as Dove, Degree and TRESemme, is the second largest beauty company globally and the first among the sectors top 10 to actively support legislative reform to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics. The organizations hope that this new collaboration will accelerate policy change in the cosmetics sector globally toward a shared goal of animal testing bans in 50 major beauty markets worldwide by 2023. HSI Vice President for Research & Toxicology Troy Seidle said: Every company will tell you it supports alternatives to animal testing for cosmetics, but Unilever is the first of the beauty giants to throw its weight behind banning it altogether. With hundreds of thousands of animals still used in toxicity tests for cosmetic purposes each year around the world, Unilever is to be commended for standing with Humane Society International to end this cruelty once and for all. We urge other large beauty brands to follow this example and join us on the right side of history. Take the global pledge to #BeCrueltyFree. The new collaboration will include: Unilevers support for legislation around the world led by HSI and its partners to prohibit both domestic animal testing for cosmetics as well as the sale of cosmetics that have undergone any form of new animal testing after the ban comes into effect, consistent with the precedent established in the European Union. Launch of a multi-year, open collaboration to develop capability across companies and regulatory authorities so safety decisions for cosmetics are based exclusively on non-animal approaches. Investment in the training of our future safety scientists in non-animal next generation risk assessments to build capability for the long-term. Unilever Chief Research and Development Officer David Blanchard added: We are delighted to collaborate with Humane Society International to bring the era of cosmetic animal testing to an end, and would welcome other companies, regulators, and other interested stakeholders that want to join this important initiative. Across the globe, lawmakers in 37 countries so far have already enacted legislation to fully or partially ban animal testing for cosmetics. HSI played a key role in securing enactment of the final phase of the EU ban in 2013, and in subsequent victories in India, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Korea, Guatemala and seven states in Brazil. Today HSI and its partners are driving forward 10 more legislative efforts in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the United States. Animal tests carried out in the cosmetics sector include eye and skin irritation experiments, in which a cosmetic product or ingredient is rubbed onto the shaved skin or dripped into the eyes of rabbits; skin allergy tests using guinea pigs or mice; and force-feeding studies that last weeks or months. These tests inflict considerable pain and distress, which can include blindness, swollen eyes, sore bleeding skin, internal bleeding, organ damage, convulsions and death. Pain relief is seldom if ever provided, and at the end of a test the animals are killed, normally by asphyxiation, neck-breaking or decapitation. Unilevers press release is here. Unilevers position on alternative approaches to animal testing (October 2018) is available here. ENDS Media contacts: MONTREALToday personal care giant Unilever has announced its support for the #BeCrueltyFree campaign aimed at banning animal testing for cosmetics across the globe within five years. Humane Society International, the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund lead the #BeCrueltyFree campaign. Unilevers support includes an ambitious new collaboration aimed at accelerating regulatory acceptance of modern, non-animal approaches to consumer safety assessment. Unilever, known for such popular brands as Dove, Degree and TRESemme, is the second largest beauty company globally and the first among the sectors top 10 to actively support legislative reform to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics. The organizations hope that this new collaboration will accelerate policy change in the cosmetics sector globally toward a shared goal of animal testing bans in 50 major beauty markets worldwide by 2023. HSI Vice President for Research & Toxicology Troy Seidle said: Every company will tell you it supports alternatives to animal testing for cosmetics, but Unilever is the first of the beauty giants to throw its weight behind banning it altogether. With hundreds of thousands of animals still used in toxicity tests for cosmetic purposes each year around the world, Unilever is to be commended for standing with Humane Society International to end this cruelty once and for all. We urge other large beauty brands to follow this example and join us on the right side of history. Take the global pledge to #BeCrueltyFree. The new collaboration will include: Unilevers support for passage of Canadas Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act (Bill S-214), which would prohibit both domestic animal testing for cosmetics as well as the sale of cosmetics that have undergone any form of new animal testing after the ban comes into effect, consistent with the precedent established in the European Union. Launch of a multi-year, open collaboration to develop capability across companies and regulatory authorities so safety decisions for cosmetics are based exclusively on non-animal approaches. Investment in the training of our future safety scientists in non-animal next generation risk assessments to build capability for the long-term. Unilever Chief Research and Development Officer David Blanchard added: We are delighted to collaborate with Humane Society International to bring the era of cosmetic animal testing to an end, and would welcome other companies, regulators, and other interested stakeholders that want to join this important initiative. Across the globe, lawmakers in 37 countries so far have enacted legislation to fully or partially ban animal testing for cosmetics. HSIs #BeCrueltyFree campaign played a key role in securing enactment of the final phase of the European Union ban in 2013, and in subsequent victories in India, Taiwan, Guatemala, New Zealand, South Korea, and seven states in Brazil. Today HSI and our partners are driving forward 10 more legislative efforts in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the United States.. HSI predicts that the next country in line to ban cosmetics cruelty could be Canada, with Bill S-214 having reached the half-way mark in Canadas federal legislative process. It was endorsed by the Senate in June of this year, and is currently awaiting first reading in the House of Commons. According to polling by The Strategic Counsel on behalf of HSI and Animal Alliance of Canada, 88 percent of Canadians agree that testing new cosmetics is not worth animal suffering, and 81 percent support a national ban on animal testing of cosmetics and their ingredients. Canadians wishing to support this legislation are urged to contact their Member of Parliament via becrueltyfree.ca. The facts: Animal tests carried out in the cosmetics sector include eye and skin irritation experiments, in which a cosmetic product or ingredient is rubbed onto the shaved skin or dripped into the eyes of rabbits; skin allergy tests using guinea pigs or mice; and force-feeding studies that last weeks or months. These tests inflict considerable pain and distress, which can include blindness, swollen eyes, sore bleeding skin, internal bleeding, organ damage, convulsions and death. Pain relief is seldom if ever provided, and at the end of a test the animals are killed, normally by asphyxiation, neck-breaking or decapitation. Canadas Food and Drugs Act requires that all cosmetic and other personal care products sold in Canada be safe when used as intended, but does not specifically require animal testing to substantiate safety. Unilevers position on alternative approaches to animal testing (October 2018) is available here. ENDS Media contacts: Christopher Pare, cpare@hsi.org WASHINGTONPersonal care giant Unilever has announced its support for the #BeCrueltyFree campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics across the globe within five years. Humane Society International, the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund lead the #BeCrueltyFree campaign. Unilevers support includes an ambitious new collaboration aimed at accelerating regulatory acceptance of modern, non-animal approaches to consumer safety assessment. Unilever, known for such popular brands as Dove, Degree and TRESemme, is the second largest beauty company globally and the first among the sectors top 10 to actively support legislative reform to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics. The organizations hope that this new collaboration will accelerate policy change in the cosmetics sector globally toward a shared goal of animal testing bans in 50 major beauty markets worldwide by 2023. HSUS Vice President for Animal Research Issues Kathleen Conlee said: We commend Unilever for making this commitment to ending cosmetic animal testing once and for all. We look forward to working with them to stop this unnecessary cruelty in the United States and across the globe and urge all cosmetics companies to join us in making cosmetic animal testing a thing of the past. This is a tipping point in the fight to finally ban new animal testing of cosmetics and their ingredients and we applaud Unilever for throwing their weight behind this legislation in the U.S. and beyond, said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. We have been working decades for this moment which will end this use of hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide and we urge other companies to join Unilever in this quest. The new collaboration will include: Unilevers support for passage of the U.S. Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790), which would prohibit both domestic animal testing for cosmetics as well as the sale of cosmetics that have undergone any form of new animal testing after the ban comes into effect, consistent with the precedent established in the European Union. Launch of a multi-year, open collaboration to develop capability across companies and regulatory authorities so safety decisions for cosmetics are based exclusively on non-animal approaches. Investment in the training of our future safety scientists in non-animal next generation risk assessments to build capability for the long-term. Unilever Chief Research and Development Officer David Blanchard added: We are delighted to collaborate with the Humane Society family of organizations to bring the era of cosmetic animal testing to an end, and would welcome other companies, regulators, and other interested stakeholders that want to join this important initiative. HSI Vice President for Research & Toxicology Troy Seidle said: Every company will tell you it supports alternatives to animal testing for cosmetics, but Unilever is the first of the beauty giants to throw its weight behind banning it altogether. With hundreds of thousands of animals still used in toxicity tests for cosmetic purposes each year around the world, Unilever is to be commended for standing with us to end this cruelty once and for all. We urge other large beauty brands to follow this example and join us on the right side of history. Across the globe, lawmakers in 37 countries so far have already enacted legislation to fully or partially ban animal testing for cosmetics. HSI played a key role in securing enactment of the final phase of the EU ban in 2013, and in subsequent victories in India, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Korea, Guatemala, and seven states in Brazil. Today HSI and its partners are driving forward legislative efforts in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and in the United States via HSUS and HSLF. Last month, California became the first state in the United States to prohibit the sale of animal-tested cosmetics. As the worlds fifth largest economy, Californias decision to remove animal-tested cosmetics from its store shelves will no doubt have a huge impact and highlights the need and urgency for Congress to pass the Humane Cosmetics Act, federal legislation that would end the production and sale of animal-tested cosmetics in the United States. Animal tests carried out in the cosmetics sector include eye and skin irritation experiments, in which a cosmetic product or ingredient is rubbed onto the shaved skin or dripped into the eyes of rabbits; skin allergy tests using guinea pigs or mice; and force-feeding studies lasting weeks or months. These tests inflict considerable pain and distress, which can include blindness, swollen eyes, sore bleeding skin, internal bleeding, organ damage, convulsions and death. Pain relief is seldom if ever provided, and at the end of a test the animals are killed, normally by asphyxiation, neck-breaking or decapitation. Getting Started With Email Newsletters As A Musician While most artists likely already have some presence on social media, a great way to strengthen your platform and better connect with fans is to implement an email newsletter into your strategy. Here we look at some tips and ideas for getting started. ____________________________ Guest post by by Freddie Tubbs of the Symphonic Blog Building a platform is an important thing for anyone these days, and thats especially true for writers. A platform gives you a wider reach. You probably already have a website and some social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You might even have a Pinterest board. However, all of your efforts to connect with your audience could be improved by adding a simple feature to your strategyan email newsletter. Social media is quite unstableyou could post something fascinating only to have it buried under other posts on your readers feed. With an email newsletter, you have a great opportunity to reach them on a personal level and be present in their minds for a longer time. Newsletter platforms and plugins have made creating a newsletter much simpler these days. Here are some tips and ideas to help you get started with email newsletters. Build Your Email Newsletter List For building your email list, youll need a website or a blog where readers can subscribe. If youve yet to create a website, check out our absolute beginners guide to making one. Newsletter Platforms Other than your professional website or a blog, you should sign up for one of the email newsletter management services. There are plenty of options available and most of the time they are quite easy to use. Mailchimp is one of the most popular email management services which works well with various platforms and offers a lot of great features. It has a free plan which allows you to send up to 12,000 emails and have up to 2,000 subscribers. They also give good support to new users and various tutorials. Tiny Letter is by far the simplest email management service out there. The downside, however, is it offers no special features, no integrations with other platforms and no templates. All it lets you do is create your landing page, create your emails and send them. You can have up to 5,000 subscribers for free. Constant Contact is a beginner friendly newsletter management service. It allows you to easily manage email lists, templates, contacts and so on. It also offers a lot of storage, great support and built-in social media marketing tools. They offer a 60-day free trial after which you will have to pay the fee of $20 on a monthly basis. One of the biggest rules of email newsletters is that you should never add people to your list without permission. It violates the CAN-SPAM Act. People need to give you consent before you can send them emails. Before you set up your subscribe form, here are some things to consider. Sign-up Form Any service you choose will provide you with a few ways to do this. You could link to the signup form directly at your service provider site, or embed the signup form on your website. The latter works best because you dont have to direct a visitor away from your website. The newsletter platform service will provide a code that you simply paste onto a website page to set everything up. Form Customization The form could contain any kind of questions. People usually prefer to fill shorter forms since it doesnt take as much time and its less complicated but questions about their age, preferences, reasons for signing up and so on could help you segment your email list and target your messages. If you do wish to include more questions, separate the form into a few parts and add a tracker so they can see their progress. Your Mailing Address It is required by law that everyone sending email in bulk should include an unsubscribe option and a physical mailing address. However, if you need to maintain your privacy, you could avoid this up to a point by adding a post office box instead of your full address but being honest about your state and country. Manage And Grow Your Email Newsletters Your main goal should be to grow and manage your email list. Over time, you might notice that your open rates and engagement are decreasing email newsletter management service of your choice will give you this data. This means that your audience is no longer opening your emails and that your topics are not attractive to them. This is your cue to spice things up, add something new and change your strategy a bit. Try the following to boost engagement: Personalize your email newsletter be conversational and direct People like to feel like you are talking to them specifically. Ask them for feedback and opinions on what they would like to see next. Also, make sure that your emails are accurate. A ton of grammar and spelling mistakes wont win your readers confidence in your skills as a writer. Here are some tools that could help: Grammarix is a great tool for proofreading and editing as it recognizes mistakes in grammar, spelling and overall readability and style. It offers many features that can help you write better and tighter content. If you opt to pay for it, you get an upgraded service which comes along with more style editing and a plagiarism checker. Hemingway App and Oxessays are tools similar to Grammarly which can help make your writing more concise and to the point. It works in browser and its main premise is that it compares your work to the writing of Earnest Hemingway who was famous for his concise writing. Study Demic offers email writing guides that could help you with your style and tone. Boomessays is an email editing tool mentioned on Bestbritishessays that can assist you with eliminating mistakes. Academ Advisor and Essayroo are grammar checkers that can revise your emails and catch any grammar mistake. Revieweal is an online proofreading tool helpful in catching misspelled words. My Writing Way can check your work for plagiarism. Ukwritings and Paperfellows are formatting tools that can help your email look good and readable. Segmentation Segmentation is a process of separating your email list into targeted groups of people which share some similarities like age or location, for instance. You could segment your email list based on information that they give you in their subscription forms, their engagement and so on. This helps in making your messages more optimized to their interest. For instance, if you have written a thriller with some elements of romance, you could segment your list into two groups those who prefer the thriller part and those who would enjoy the romance. You could then proceed to market your thriller to one group as it is and put a bit more emphasis on the romance part with the other book. Most services can offer a good support in this aspect and your subscribers will be more satisfied if the newsletter you are sending is tailored to their interests rather than bulk-sent. Serializations Serialization means that you are sending a series of connected emails to your audience. Each email is related to the previous one and they are all there to offer a better overview of a certain topic. For instance, if you decide to offer a free course on self-editing to your subscribers, you could serialize it into 20 emails, one of which arrives every day or every week. It contains valuable information and it can have a cliffhanger at the end. Auto-responder emails are a great option in this case because you can create your email series only once and have an auto-responder send it to every new subscriber. Craft Plans For Your Email Newsletter Before you start, you might want to review some of the following points and devise good strategies for your email newsletter: Create a schedule and be consistent You could send emails weekly or monthly even daily if thats what you feel like would suit you best. However, what matters the most is that you stick to it no matter what. Being consistent helps build some excitement over your newsletter arriving. Be direct with your subscribers Tell people what they can expect once they subscribe to your email newsletter what kind of articles theyll read and how often. This transparent approach will help you create a more high-quality list. Increase your chances of being noticed People get a lot of emails from various writers and sites and they all require time. You could increase your odds by creating an interesting subject line, making your content easy to skim through, highlighting the most important parts in bold colours etc. Take your readers time seriously, Bertha Archer, an Email Marketer at Bestaustralianwriters and Academized writer. Different Types of Newsletters Take a look at some of the models of newsletters that might fit your needs: RSS-based email newsletter This means that your subscribers will get notified every time there is a new blog post or update on your site or blog. Paid subscription Is the content that you are providing is attractive enough for readers to pay for it? Subscriptions are hard to sell, but if you do go this route, remember that your newsletter should be more about serving your readers and providing them with something valuable other than marketing. Auto-responders Auto-responders, as previously mentioned, are tools that send pre-made emails to your audience. You set it up once and then anyone new to the list starts receiving it as well. For instance, you could set up a series of welcoming emails for new subscribers or a course. Even though there are plenty of ways to build a platform, email newsletters might be the best of them all. They can help you build a community of people that truly appreciate your work and are interested in engaging with you. The key is to be creative, personal and above all, human. Think about what you would enjoy in an email newsletter and implement it. Share on: The Selectmen voice support for Cumberland Farms plans for a convenience store on Commercial Street, hoping a compromise can be reached with the neighbors. Adams Selectmen Want to Find Compromise With Cumberland Farms ADAMS, Mass. The Selectmen say they will continue to support the proposed Cumberland Farms and hope a compromise can be found. At the end of Wednesday night's meeting, Chairman John Duval said the board supports the Commercial Street development because it will represent new growth. "When they came to this board we, as a board, supported it. The town of Adams needs growth and growth comes in several different ways," he said. "This impacts our taxes and we will continue to support this and meet with them. We will find a resolution." Cumberland Farms withdrew its application last week with the Zoning Board of Appeals to build a convenience store/gas station at 95 Commercial St. The company had planned to demolish Al's Service Center at 95 Commercial St. and two other structures that currently sit on the property. The project met steadfast and vocal opposition from abutters who voiced their concerns over a series of public hearings that ultimately ended with Cumberland Farms withdrawing its application. Company representatives say they will schedule a community meeting to try to work out a solution with the neighborhood. Cumberland Farms has a smaller convenience store farther north on Commercial Street that was built in the 1980s. There are a number of commercial activities on the street, which is Route 8, including two restaurants, a redemption center, liquor store, pub and Aladco. The side streets, however, are heavily residential. Duval said he understood the concerns but felt a community meeting could yield a compromise of some kind. "I do not dismiss the neighborhoods concerns and I am sure we would all have the same concerns we just need to work together and try to figure this out," he said. "This is important for this community to grow." Duval reminisced about past projects such as the roundabout and the Berkshire Scenic Railway that at first were met with opposition but eventually have become generally accepted as good things for the community Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan said the Commercial Street corridor is a focus area and that the town needs to determine what kind of commercial activity it wants to allow. "I am not talking about making it the Route 8 to the north because it is a very neighborhood focused area, but we should still be able to accommodate businesses that have the right character and are the right scale," she said. "Our zoning does not support that now and I think this is something we need to pursue." Duval added that next week there will be a public meeting with the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District Superintendent John Vosburgh and the School Committee to go over the district's statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority statement of Interest. "I urge residents to attend this meeting and express in the positive or in the negative their views," he said. The district regularly makes these submissions and the application includes both renovating Hoosac Valley Elementary School and building a new elementary school on the Hoosac Valley High School campus. Duval did ask that residents stay informed and noted a new building may not necessarily reverse enrollment decline in the district. "When we went through the process we built a brand-new school with the best technology and everything was new and the students still all left so when you see that in the future just remember that was the same stance we made when we did the Hoosac Valley renovation project," he said. "So please educate yourselves and I will be listening to the parents and the townspeople to hear which way the community wants to go." In other business, Cesan said the town is awaiting word from its architect before awarding a bid for the Town Hall roof repair project. Silktown Roofing came in as the high bidder with a base bid of $209,000. Titan Roofing came in as the low bidder with a base bid of $163,000. Cesan recommended going with Titan. "We have worked with them in the past. They did the Memorial Building roof," she said. "We will send a notice out to the contractor and try to get that underway very quickly because winter is coming." Cesan said the town should be able to afford an alternate bid of $47,000 to fix the clock tower. iciHaiti - Croix-des-Bouquets : Good start for the Rosary Festival Friday for the first of the 3 days of the traditional Rosary Festival organized by the Municipal Council of Croix-des-Bouquets https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-25715-icihaiti-croix-des-bouquetsrosary-festival.html the atmosphere was at the rendezvous in front of the premises of the City Hall, where thousands of festival-goers, despite a light rain, gathered in front of the official stand to dance to the performances of the DJ's Ascoli Mix and WillyMix Son, artists and one of the tenors of root music, the group Racine Mapou de Azor. On Saturday, hundreds of Catholic faithful participated in the streets of the Commune, in the religious procession, with the icon of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Mayor of Croix-des-Bouquets, Rony Colin, accompanied by his Head of Cabinet, Jacky C. Pierre and other executives of the City Council, participated on foot from Marassa crossroads to the Parish, alongside the faithful to this religious parade. The Festival continued to the delight of the carnivals who came in large numbers with the DJ Dave who marched on sound tank Marassa crossroads to the front of the Town Hall, Mixes DJ's Ascoli Mix and WillyMix Son, and the performance of Koudjay and Roody RoodBoy and other guest artists. IH/ S/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - Chile : Working session between the Minister of Culture and the Chilean Ambassador Monday, Jean Michel Lapin the new Minister of Culture accompanied by its Director General of Culture, Yves Penel, Pradel Henriquez and Roland Belizaire respectively Director and member of cabinet, of Stephanie St Louis, Director of Artistic and Literary Creation and Ronald Verdiner, Director of Cultural Development, met with Chile's ambassador to Haiti Patricio Utreras around the prospects for cultural exchanges between the two countries. Minister Lapin also spoke about the situation of Haitians living on the Chilean soil, pleading for a better consideration towards our Haitian compatriots who "need to keep in touch with their culture" convinced that cultural exchanges will allow the two peoples to come closer together. IH/ iciHaiti Yang Jiechi (R), a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday urged the United States to immediately correct wrongdoings and stop actions damaging its rights and interests, calling on the two major countries to "follow the right path of win-win cooperation, rather than go astray toward conflict and confrontation." Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Noting the current China-U.S. ties were at a critical phase, Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said China had "openly demonstrated its position and lodged solemn representations to the U.S. side on the negative remarks it had made against China." He said China would firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. Yang called on the United States to "make right choices and meet China halfway to seriously implement important consensus the two heads of state have reached in their several meetings." "To guarantee bilateral relations follow the right path, the two countries should properly handle differences on the basis of mutual respect and expand pragmatic cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit," he said. Yang reiterated China's positions on trade, the Taiwan issue and the South China Sea issue. Pompeo said the United States was committed to realizing cooperation and win-win results with China, and is willing to strengthen communication with the Chinese side to seek for a constructive plan to tackle challenges the current bilateral relations are faced with. He said the U.S. side would adhere to the one-China policy and continue to maintain communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues. The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Pompeo's trip to China came after his visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Pompeo earlier on Monday. Wang said that the United States had "escalated trade friction with China, took actions that jeopardized China's rights and interests on the Taiwan issue and unwarrantedly condemned China on its domestic and foreign policies." Stressing that the moves directly impacted mutual trust and cast a shadow over China-U.S. relations, Wang urged the United States to immediately stop making negative remarks. Wang expressed his hope that Pompeo's Beijing visit would play a positive role in supporting healthy bilateral ties. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the United States. "The past four decades have witnessed tremendous changes in both countries and substantial benefits from mutual exchanges," Wang said. "The most important lesson is that cooperation leads to win-win results while conflict ends up with a loss for both sides." He said China would maintain peaceful development and continue reform and opening-up, to realize rejuvenation while avoiding the "power leading to hegemony" stereotype. He called on the U.S. side to stop "groundless accusations against China and wrong actions undermining China's core interests." Wang illustrated China's positions on trade friction with the United States, as well as the Taiwan issue and the South China Sea issue. He said a trade war would never solve problems and promised that China was still willing to negotiate with the United States "on the basis of equality, honesty and solemnity." "China completely respects all countries' decisions, and will never intervene in other countries' domestic affairs," Wang said, noting China has a clear conscience in this respect. "China urges the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the regulations of the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, stop official and military contact with Taiwan, revoke arms sales to Taiwan, stop unreasonable intervention in countries that have established or are hoping to establish relations with China, restrain 'Taiwan independence' forces, so as to maintain China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait through practical actions," he said. Pompeo said that despite obvious differences on many issues between the two sides, the United States did not mean to oppose China's development, and there was no policy to fully contain China. As the world's two largest economies and most powerful countries, the United States and China shoulder important responsibilities for world peace and prosperity, he said. Pompeo called for more communication, trust and cooperation based on rules and promised that the U.S. side adhered to the one-China principle. He briefed Wang on his visit to the DPRK, voiced the U.S. side's appreciation of China's consistent position on the Korean Peninsula and its efforts on denuclearization, and expressed a willingness to continue related cooperation. Wang said China's position was "clear, consistent and will never change." He called on the U.S. to attach importance to the DPRK's reasonable demands for safety and development with positive responses. "China supports direct dialog between the United States and the DPRK, Wang said. "Based on mutual respect and accommodation of each other's concerns, China is willing to continue its unique and important role." To access our in-house intelligence please request a trial here. Read this article and more for a 30 day period. Are you already an IFLR subscriber? Login here By Andre Vltchek October 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - How could a country win her fight against Western imperialism, how could it become truly independent, if its people are fully conditioned, through the mass media and education, by the North American and European doctrines and world view? Wherever I work and struggle in this world, I am always amazed, even shocked, by how powerful the Western tools of indoctrination are, how effective its propaganda is. Even in such countries like Vietnam, where one would think, Communism won at a tremendous cost of millions of lives, people are now increasingly indoctrinated by the West. They are apathetic and progressively ignorant about the world. Yes, of course, officially the country is in solidarity with so many struggling and oppressed parts of the world, but ask common people on the streets of Hanoi what they know about the horrific things that are being done by multi-nationals in Africa or even in Indonesia; the great majority would say that they know close to nothing. And if you press harder, chances are that you will be told that they do not really care. It is because the Western official narrative has already infiltrated, entered everything here, from social media to NGOs. It also began influencing arts, television and education. Ideological war is on, and it is real. It is tough, ruthless and often more destructive than a war fought by conventional weapons. The victims of this war are human brains, human minds, culture, and sometimes entire political systems. Your country loses an ideological battle, then another one, and soon you can find yourself living in a system which is totally foreign to you and to your people; to their history, traditions and desires. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter * I am writing this essay in the city of Puebla, in Mexico. You know, the people of Mexico just recently voted, and overwhelmingly, they elected the left-wing Presidential candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. For three weeks I travelled all around the country. I spoke to hundreds of people. Most of them were hopeful; most of them were instinctively longing for socialism. Usually, they do not call it socialism, because for decades they were told not to use this word in any positive context, but what they describe when they dream, is clearly a form of socialism, nevertheless. But how can they define the position of their country in the world, or even their own position inside their country? You turn on the television set, and all you see is CNN in Spanish (Mexican edition), or the extreme right-wing FOX, or some corporate-owned local TV station. Almost all international news in Mexican newspapers is taken from the Western press agencies. Can socialism be built like this, based on the Western indoctrination, disinformation system? Telesur is not even available on most of the cable television systems, so how? * Again, this is really nothing new. For instance, since the beginning of the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, the mainstream media outlets were firmly in the hands of the right-wing individuals, and big business. Not all, but definitely most of them. It used to be truly grotesque, and it still is: while most of the journalists supported Chavez, and later Maduro, they were too scared to write anything positive about the government, fearing that they would lose their jobs. The insults (and lies) they were paid to regurgitate against the revolutionary system, would easily land them in jail in the United States and definitely in the UK a country with draconic defamation laws. In Venezuela, most of them were allowed to write to write garbage and outright lies. The more uncensored the hostile outburst were, the more unfree the West called the Venezuelan media environment. The usual stuff, the usual logic of the propaganda: black is white, and cats are rats. Repeat it thousand times, and millions will believe it. Revolutionary Bolivia is facing the same problems, and so was Ecuador during the previous, socialist administration (now, there, it is business as usual, with the Western media openly operating in the country, almost unopposed). Brazil is living through the aftermath of something that could be loosely described as a constitutional coup perpetrated by the right-wing establishment, against Dilma and her highly successful PT (socialist) government. The coup was only possible, because the mass media of Brazil, fully backed and fueled from abroad, consistently smeared all the great achievements of the left-of-center administration, putting individuals under a microscope, while describing as corruption things that would be absolutely acceptable in Europe or the United States, not to speak about the right-wing countries all over the Latin America. The smear campaign against Cristina in Argentina, is another example of the right-wing madness which pays. But how would people know all this, if almost all sources of information are coming exclusively from one right-wing camp? They feel something is happening they feel it intuitively but they find it extremely difficult to formulate what they feel precisely. I witness this all-over Latin America, all over Africa, Asia Pacific, India and the Middle East. It is a confusion, an unhealthy confusion, manufactured somewhere else, somewhere far away. * Lets face it: this is a truly bizarre situation. The Western public is discovering new and powerful media outlets, which are coming from the non-Western countries. Many people in London or New York are now hooked on RT, CGTN, Press TV, or Telesur. Masses are reading magazines like NEO (New Eastern Outlook, edited in Russia), or Countercurrents (India). But in those countries that are clearly victims of the Western interventions and brutal neo-colonialist policies, almost all information sources available comefrom the West from the very centers of the present world order. * What can be done? Lately there was plenty of poor us, or they are after all of us statements in the alternative press, at least in the West. Of course, they are! Well, Comrades, war is war, even an ideological one! What did you expect? That, after we start attacking the system that has been literally raping the planet for several centuries the system would quietly die, or go away? That is not realistic. The news that is actually lately coming our way is very good: Many powerful media outlets that are opposed to the official Western narrative are already in place, or emerging. In the non-Western world, there are above mentioned RT, PressTV, CGTN, Al-Mayadeen, Telesur. There is New Eastern Outlook (NEO), Sputnik, TASS, Countercurrents, and hopefully soon, Prensa Latina will rejuvenate itself. They are all on air, already running, fully functional and counting on some of the best writers and thinkers on this Planet, as their contributors. So, what is next? We have to, and this is absolutely essential, to reach people in the non-Western countries. Some new media, even if it is totally anti-imperialist and in support of the oppressed world, is still using old methods, like interviewing almost exclusively people with either British or US accents, as if this would be giving them some enhanced credibility. Also, there is too much accent on covering the West, and too little on covering what is happening in Africa, Latin America, Asia or the Middle East. The people of Africa have had enough of Europeans and North Americans telling them what they really are, and what they should do. They have plenty to say about their own lives and their own countries. The same goes for the Asians. In order to reach Africans, we have to talk to the African thinkers, revolutionaries, and of course, to their common people; to talk to them on the record, not to listen to ourselves preaching to them. Our media outlets should be different truly global but above all, internationalist. Chinese CGTN has adopted precisely this philosophy, and it works wonders. People are watching all over Africa and all over Asia. RT did a tremendous job through their Spanish language broadcast. NEOs greatest strength is in its in-depth coverage of Asia the biggest continent on Earth. Above all, we have to reach as many people in the entire occupied and oppressed word. If some big television stations with substantial budgets (like RT or CGTV) can afford to advertise, they should. And if they cannot convince the cable or satellite providers in Latin America, Asia or Africa to carry their broadcasts, they should concentrate on convincing millions of individuals to watch their programs online, through the internet, as I am doing right now, in Mexico. * Things can be turned around, when there is dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism. Russia, China and Iran are great examples. Soviet media during Gorbachev and Yeltsin eras was totally humiliated and forced into submission. For several dark years, all that the West was saying and writing was expected to be considered as pure gold by millions in both Russia and the former Soviet republics. But the West did not come to Russia with an olive branch. Dependency on the Western narrative was most likely one of the main reasons, why the Soviet Union, and then Russia itself, virtually collapsed. Western propaganda was aiming at bringing the Russian people to their knees. It was clearly a vehicle of hostility and destruction. But Russia soon regrouped. It got back to its feet. And its media has completely and brilliantly reinvented itself. Now, it is strong, brave and intellectually superb. China also went through a period when everyone educated was expected to parrot Western dogmas. Chinese universities and media outlets got infiltrated from abroad. Hostility towards Communism was steadily injected into Chinese students who were graduating from the European and North American universities. The main goal of the West has always been to derail the Chinese socialist system, and to make China subservient to the West. In the end, it did not happen. China quickly identified the subversion, and since then, has been taking appropriate measures. Its media, too, reformed. The once out-of-date CCTV changed into a sleek, attractive, informative one, a clearly left-wing CGTN. Its newspapers have improved as well. Now Russian, Chinese, Venezuelan and Iranian international (and internationalist) media outlets are on the correct track. They are broadcasting in various languages, offering non-Western, anti-imperialist alternatives.The distribution of the messages is, however, still limping behind the quality of the news bulletins. I am working all over the world, often in such corners of the planet where hardly any journalist goes. And this is my friendly warning: our interpretation of events, our worldview, our coverage of the world events in not reaching many of the places, where such coverage is desperately needed. Not everywhere, but often: the poorer the country, the more it is at the mercy of Western propaganda. It is our obligation, our internationalist duty, to reach the people who are suffering the most. We are slowly but surely winning the ideological war. Now let us reach out to our brothers and sisters in the poorest, most devastated, as well as the most indoctrinated parts of the world. If we dont, then what are we fighting for? Therefore, we will. * [First published by NEO New Eastern Outlook] Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Three of his latest books are Revolutionary Optimism, Western Nihilism, a revolutionary novel Aurora and a bestselling work of political non-fiction: Exposing Lies Of The Empire. View his other books here. Watch Rwanda Gambit, his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky On Western Terrorism. Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and the Middle East, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website and his Twitter. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy October 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Three years ago, as Americans debated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iranpopularly known as the Iran dealI highlighted a troubling media trend on FAIR.org (8/20/15): For nearly all commentators, regardless of their position, war is the only alternative to that position. In the months since US President Donald Trump tore up the JCPOA agreement, his administration has been trying to make good on corporate medias collective prediction. Last week, John Bolton (BBC, 9/26/18), Trumps national security advisor and chief warmonger, told Irans leaders and the world that there would be hell to pay if they dare to cross us. That Boltons bellicose statements do not send shockwaves of pure horror across a debt-strapped and war-weary United States is thanks in large part to incessant priming for war, facilitated by corporate media across the entire political spectrum, with a particular focus on Iran. Back in 2015, while current resistance stalwarts like the Washington Post (4/2/15) and Politico (8/11/15) warned us that war with Iran was the most likely alternative to the JCPOA, conservative standard-bearers such as Fox News (7/14/15) and the Washington Times (8/10/15) foretold that war with Iran was the agreements most likely outcome. Three years hence, this dynamic has not changed. To experience the full menu of US medias single-mindedness about Iran, one need only buy a subscription to the New York Times. After Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, the Times editorial board (5/8/18) wrote that his move would lay conditions for a possible wider war in the Middle East. Susan Rice (New York Times, 5/8/18), President Barack Obamas national security advisor, agreed: We could face the choice of going to war or acquiescing to a nuclear-armed Iran, she warned. Cartoonist Patrick Chappatte (New York Times, 5/10/18) was characteristically more direct, penning an image of Trump alongside Bolton, holding a fictitious new agreement featuring the singular, ultimate word: WAR. On the other hand, calling Trumps turn against JCPOA a courageous decision, Times columnist Bret Stephens (5/8/18) explained that the move was meant to force the Iranian government to make a choice: Either accede to US demands or pursue their nuclear ambitions at the cost of economic ruin and possible war. (Hardly courageous, when we all know there is no chance that Trump or Stephens would enlist should war materialize.) Trumps latest antics at the United Nations have spurred a wave of similar reaction across corporate media. Describing his threat to totally destroy North Korea at the UN General Assembly last year as pointed and sharp, Fox News anchor Eric Shawn (9/23/18) asked Bill Richardson, an Obama ally and President Bill Clintons ambassador to the UN, whether Trump would take the same approach toward Iran. That aggressive policy we have with Iran is going to continue, Richardson reassured the audience, and I dont think Iran is helping themselves. In other words, if the United States starts a war with Iran, its totally Irans fault. Politico (9/23/18), meanwhile, reported that Trump is risking a potential war with Iran unless he engages the Islamist-led country using diplomacy. In other words, if the United States starts a war with Iran, its totally Trumps fault. Rice (New York Times, 9/26/18) reiterated her view that Trumps rhetoric presages the prospect of war in the Persian Gulf. Whoever would be the responsible party is up for debate, but that war is in our future is apparently all but certain. Politicos article cited a statement signed by such esteemed US experts on war-making as Madeleine Albright, who presided over Clintons inhuman sanctions against Iraq in the 90s, and Ryan Crocker, former ambassador for presidents George W. Bush and Obama to some of Americas favorite killing fields: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria. James Clapper, Obamas National Intelligence Director, who also signed the letter, played an important role in trumping up WMD evidence against Saddam Hussein before the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. When it comes to US aggression, theyre the experts. Vanity Fair (9/26/18) interviewed John Glaser of the Cato Institute, who called Trumps strategy pathetic, and also warned that it forebodes war. In an effort to one-up Obama, Glaser explained, Trumps plan is to apply extreme economic pressure and explicit threats of war in order to get Iran to capitulate. Sound familiar? As Glaser implies, this was exactly Obamas strategy, only then it wasnt seen as pathetic, but rather reasonable, and the sole means for preventing the war that every US pundit and politician saw around the corner (The Hill, 8/9/15). When everyone decides that war is the only other possibility, it starts to look like an inevitability. But even when they arent overtly stoking war fever against Iran, corporate media prime the militaristic pump in more subtle yet equally disturbing ways. First among these is the near-complete erasure of Iranian voices from US airwaves (FAIR.org, 7/24/15). Rather than ask Iranians directly, national outlets like CNN (9/29/18) prefer to invite the prime minister of Israel, serial Iran alarmist and regional pariah Benjamin Netanyahu, to speak for them. During a jovial discussion this weekend over whether regime change and/or economic collapse is Irans most likely fate, Netanyahu explained to the audience that, either way, The ones who will be happiest if that happens are the people of Iran. No people of Iran were on hand to confirm or deny this assessment. Bloomberg (9/30/18) similarly wanted to know, Whats not to like about Trumps Iran oil sanctions? Julian Lee gleefully reported that they are crippling exports from the Islamic Republic, at minimal cost to the US. One might think the toll sanctions take on innocent Iranians would be something not to like, but Bloomberg merely worried that, notwithstanding the windfall for US refineries, oil at $100 a barrel would be bad news for drivers everywhereincluding those in the US. Another prized tactic is to whitewash Saudi Arabia, Irans chief geopolitical rival, whose genocidal destruction of Yemen is made possible by the United States, about which corporate media remain overwhelmingly silent (FAIR.org, 7/23/18). Irans involvement in Yemen, which both Trump and the New York Times (9/12/18) describe as malign behavior, is a principal justification for US support of Saudi Arabia, including the US-supplied bombs that recently ended the brief lives of over 40 Yemeni schoolchildren. Lockheed Martins stock is up 34 percent from Trumps inauguration day. Corporate media go beyond a simple coverup of Saudi crimes to evangelize their leadership as the liberal antidote to Irans theocracy. Who can forget Thomas Friedmans revolting puff piece for the Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman? Extensively quoting Salman (New York Times, 11/23/17), who refers to Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the new Hitler of the Middle East, Friedman nevertheless remains pessimistic about whether MBS and his team can see their stand against Iran through, as dysfunction and rivalries within the Sunni Arab world generally have prevented forming a unified front. Oh well, every team needs cheerleaders, and Friedman isnt just a fair-weather fan. While Friedman (New York Times, 5/15/18) believes that Trump has drawn some needed attention to Irans bad behavior, for him pivotal questions remain unanswered, such as who is going to take over in Tehran if the current Islamic regime collapses? One immediate fix he proposed was to censure Irans metaphorical occupation of Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Isnt this ironic coming from an unapologetic propagandist for Washingtons decades-long, non-metaphorical occupation of the two countries to the east and west of Iran (FAIR.org, 12/9/15)? In a surprising break from corporate media convention, USA Today (9/26/18) published a column on US/Iran relations written by an actual Iranian. Reflecting on the CIA-orchestrated coup against Irans elected government in 1953, Azadeh Shahshahani, who was born four days after the 1979 revolution there, wrote: I often wonder what would have happened if that coup had not worked, if [Prime Minister] Mosaddeq had been allowed to govern, if democracy had been allowed to flourish. It is time for the US government to stop intervening in Iran and let the Iranian people determine their own destiny, she beseeched readers. Shahshahanis call is supported by some who have rejected corporate medias war propaganda and have gone to extreme lengths to have their perspectives heard. Anti-war activist and Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin was recently forcibly removed after she upstaged Brian Hook, leader of Trumps Iran Action Group, on live TV, calling his press conference the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen (Real News, 9/21/18). Benjamin implored the audience: Lets talk about Saudi Arabia. Is that who our allies are? How dare you bring up the issue of Yemen, admonished Benjamin as she was dragged from the room. Its the Saudi bombing that is killing most people in Yemen. So lets get real. No more war! Peace with Iran! Code Pink is currently petitioning the New York Times and Washington Post to stop propagandizing war. Sadly, no matter whom you ask in corporate media, be they spokespeople for Trumps America or the resistance, peace remains an elusive choice in the US political imagination. And while the public was focused last week on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaughs perjurious testimony, the Senate finalized a $674 billion defense budget. Every single Democrat in the chamber voted in favor of the bill, explicitly naming Iran as persona non grata in the United States world-leading arms supply network, which has seen a 25 percent increase in exports since Obama took office in 2009. The US governments imperial ambitions are perhaps its only truly bipartisan projectwhat the New York Times euphemistically refers to as globalism. Nowhere was this on fuller display than at the funeral for Republican Sen. John McCain (FAIR.org, 9/11/18), where politicians of all stripes were tripping over themselves to produce the best accolades for a man who infamously sang bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran to the tune of a Beach Boys song. McCains bloodlust was nothing new. Nearly a hundred years ago, after the Wests imperial competition culminated in the most destructive war the world had ever seen, the brilliant American sociologist and anti-colonial author WEB Du Bois wrote, This is not Europe gone mad; this is not aberration nor insanity; this is Europe. Iranian leaders have repeatedly said they do not want war with the US (AP, 9/27/18), but US corporate media, despite frequently characterizing Trump as a mad king (FAIR.org, 6/13/18), continue to play an instrumental role in rationalizing a future war with Iran. Should such an intentional catastrophe come to pass, we can hardly say that this would be America gone mad; war is not aberration, it is always presented as the next sane choice. This is America. This article was originally published by " FAIR " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy US tech giant Apple Inc has sent a letter to the US Congress, denying media reports claiming attacks to its supply chain by Chinese hackers, reported Reuters. In the letter, the company's top security officer said that it had found no evidence of its servers being implanted with chips that would allow for backdoor transmissions to China. Customers select products at an Apple store in New York, the United States, Aug. 2, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Wang Ying] Apple also denied other claims of infiltrations or attacks by Chinese hackers reported in a Bloomberg Businessweek article published on Thursday. The Bloomberg Businessweek article, titled "The Big Hack: How China Used a Tiny Chip to Infiltrate U.S. Companies", claimed that there had been infiltrations through Chinese chips to American companies like Apple and Amazon as well as the security department of the US government. In response, Apple, Amazon and Supermicro had all said the claims in the article were not true. Apple Vice President for Information Security George Stathakopoulos told Reuters that the company's proprietary security tools are continuously scanning for precisely this kind of outbound traffic and nothing was ever found. Stathakopoulos added that Apple has never been contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about the existence of malware or other malicious activity and said he would be available to brief Congressional staff on the issue this week. Earlier, both Britain's National Cyber Security Centre and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued statements saying that they have no reason to doubt Apple and Amazon's denial that they had discovered backdoored chips. The U.N.'s Climate Report Exposes How Badly Wrong Leaders Like Trump Have Got Climate Change By Ban Ki-moon October 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Climate change is a global challenge demanding global solutions. No one country can face it alone, no matter that nations political, economic or military might. From the richest to the poorest, we all share one planet, and we all have a stake in its survival. This is why the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) makes for such alarming reading and demands immediate, concerted action from everyone particularly our leaders. The report sets out starkly that, without a rapid change of course, global temperatures will rise above the 1.5C level that scientists view as the bare minimum to avert catastrophic climate change, including rising sea waters, desertification and droughts. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter This change will not happen, however, unless leaders in politics and business put their money where their mouth is and finally deliver the billions of dollars needed to make the transition to a green economy. Nearly a decade ago, leaders of developed countries committed at the 2009 Copenhagen climate conference to mobilizing $100 billion per year of public and private finance by 2020 for climate action in developing countries. The pledge was reiterated in Paris, but funds committed to date are nowhere near the target; according to global NGO Oxfam, climate finance in 2015-16 amounted to $48 billion per year, but only $9 billion went to least-developed countries. According to NASA, global temperatures are already 0.9 degrees Celsius higher than at the end of the nineteenth century. The past few months alone have shown us what this means in terms of extreme weather events: wildfires from California to the Arctic Circle, hurricanes battering the Eastern Seaboard of the United States and unprecedented drought in Australia. Three years ago, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I was proud to have helped secure the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. All 193 U.N. member states signed up to this deal a rare feat in international diplomacy which acknowledges the existential threat climate change poses to us all. Today, I continue to believe that the Paris Agreement offers the best hope of delivering a robust and just transition to a zero-carbon, climate-resilient economy that protects lives and livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable of the worlds population. But I am alarmed and disappointed at the inadequate pace of progress, especially by the major polluting economies. The IPCC report makes it clear that the time for talking is over this is literally a matter of life and death. To give just one example, Yale scientists predict that the difference between a 1.5 degree and 2 degree rise in global temperatures could cut corn yields in parts of Africa by half. President Donald Trumps decision in June 2017 to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement was politically short-sighted, and scientifically wrong. I am afraid he will be judged as standing on the wrong side of the history. I have been heartened over the past year by the determination of countless Americans to reaffirm their commitment to the Paris Agreement and to keep taking climate change seriously, from state governors and city mayors to business leaders, labour unions, faith groups and ordinary citizens. However, this groundswell of civic responsibility should not let President Trump off the hook or indeed any other leader tempted to shirk or diminish their responsibilities. They need to be held to account in international fora, by national electorates and in the wider court of public opinion. This means developing comprehensive national adaptation and implementation strategies, but also especially for the rich, industrialized nations providing the necessary climate finance to help least-developed countries. The private sector also needs to step up and play its part. Industries and investors need to be bold and far-sighted, for example by cutting all links to fossil fuels and supporting a carbon price. If they act now, they can seize new opportunities from innovative technologies, rather than risk onerous costs as climate change makes previous business models unsustainable. The International Labour Organisation predicts that the green economy will create 24 million jobs by 2030, and that those at the vanguard of climate action are best placed to benefit from this economic transformation. Without responsible governance, it will not be possible to deliver a just transition to a new, sustainable and green economy. We need to invest in new technology and new training, and we need to ensure access to clean, reliable energy for all to lift even more people out of poverty. Important steps are already being taken. On Oct. 16, Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands and a dozen global leaders, including United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will launch a Global Commission on Adaptation to lift even more people out of poverty. I will be honored to chair this Commission together with Bill Gates and Kristalina Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank. This Commission will submit its flagship report to the Climate Change summit convened by U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres in September 2019, the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Our collective challenge is daunting. Equity, inclusivity and cooperation must underpin our response to meet the 1.5-degree targets. Climate change respects no borders; our actions must transcend all frontiers. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy By Paul Atwood October 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The claim that the national security of the United States requires that more than half the nations discretionary budget must be devoted to the maintenance of armies, global strategic bases and massive armaments is false. Until we can convince the majority of the public of this fiction, and surmount the wall of disinformation, nothing will change and we will continue down the road to a hellish future. This statement of course contradicts the incessant indoctrination emanating from Washington and the corporate media that U.S. foreign policy is devoted to the maintenance of global peace and a liberal and just world order in the face of enemies who wish to destroy that order. The facts controvert such declarations yet to emphasize them is to be accused of disloyalty, a lack of patriotism, and conspiracy mongering. The U.S. propaganda system relentlessly broadcasts the malevolent machinations of Russia, Iran or North Korea or Syria and China as well as of armed gangs like ISIS, al Qaeda and the Taliban. The drumbeat that mortal danger is on our doorstep is so ceaseless and all-encompassing that the public either accepts the claims as true or remains blind to very real dangers posed by our governments own militarized policies that call forth various forms of opposition to those policies. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The reality is that all of the wars, assassinations, and coups carried out by Washington of the last half century have been matters of choice based not on genuine threats to our national security but on jeopardy to the profits of giant arms manufacturers and their allies- the so-called military industrial complex that extends its tentacles into every major institution in American lifeCongress, the CIA, the media and universities. The complex requires at the very least the implied threat of war to ensure its existence. How many citizens are aware that at the end of World War II the chief of wartime production exclaimed that the country needed a permanent war economy. His rationale centered on the fact that in the absence of massive war production, and the guaranteed profits that flowed from war contracts, numerous corporations that had grown to gargantuan proportions would suddenly be bankrupted. There was also the problem of millions of returning veterans who would be in no mood to stand in bread lines again. Since a permanent war economy required a permanent enemy Washington hawks duly asserted that the nation needed a national security state and a renamed Department of War to contain the new purported threat to global peace and security, namely the Soviet Union and international communism. The reality was that the USSR was extremely weakened by its overwhelming losses in the war and posed no military threat anywhere and was relatively easily contained. So unthreatening was the world environment in reality that Washington deliberately chose war in Korea to set the permanent warfare state in motion. Secretary of State Dean Acheson was even heard to exclaim Thank God, Korea came along in gratitude that he could then salvage the tripling of the so-called defense budget. Understand that both world wars were emerging well before widespread and all-out conflict erupted. The Great Game was the same then as it is now and always revolves around the issue of which nation and which national oligarchy is to profit most from the control of resources, markets and access to the cheapest sources of labor at the expense of rivals. Massive arms races co-evolved with this economic competition and soon led to worldwide conflagration. As the world fractures into ultra-nationalism yet again, and mutual distrust and suspicion intensifies, it is no exaggeration to warn that our very species is at stake Total defense spending since 9-11 has more than doubled almost to a trillion dollars annually. Thus as accelerated arms spending has coupled with bellicose policies masquerading as defense, we witness that alleged adversaries and enemies have quadrupled. Since 9-11 military operations employing the latest and most expensive high-tech weapons began in Afghanistan and have since spread to Iraq to Libya to Syria to Yemen and to various nations in Africa. The U.S. maintains more than 800 military bases around the world, American naval fleets patrol all oceans, and U.S. troops and missiles are now in many eastern European nations including on the very borders of Russia itself. Only the other day Kay Bailey Hutchison, ambassador to NATO, declared that the U.S. should take out certain missiles in Russia. Last week reports surfaced that American B-52 bombers are overflying areas in the South China Sea claimed by China. This week a U.S. Navy destroyer entered the same area, thereby deliberately increasing tensions with that growing superpower. Meanwhile the beneficiaries of investments in the arms industries, like Massachusetts own Raytheon corporation, enjoy ever fast-tracked profits from missiles rained down on Yemen. They quite literally are making a killing from killing. Mounting public pressure against Washingtons support for the illegal Saudi war against Yemen almost led to the de-certification of the pending sale of 120,000 precision-guided missiles by Raytheon to the Saudis and United Arab Emirates. The Wall Street Journal recently revealed that the Acting Assistant Secretary of State, was a longtime lobbyist for Raytheon, and played a key role in salvaging this two billion dollar arms deal for the company. In the aftermath of the depression of 2008 the Federal Reserve Bank injected trillions of dollars fabricated out of thin air into the largest banks including those that had caused the financial breakdown, and which then refused to loan it to ordinary Americans who had been ruined by the crisis and who needed it most. How much of the nations $13.2 trillion of household debt could have been remedied with such a sum or the $1.5 trillion in unsustainable student debt? Such an amount could have financed free college, universal health care, federal jobs programs, aid for underwater mortgages, and clean energy and many more socially necessary projects. The reprehensible existence of mass homelessness and hungry children could be resolved. A government dominated by the merchants of death drains the lifeblood of civil society, and portends another economic collapse, and ultimately threatens all with global war. Until we can persuade the public to face these harsh facts honestly nothing will change. The stakes are nothing less than critical. Paul Atwood is the author of War and Empire: the American Way of Life. This article was originally published by " Counterpunch " - ==See Also== By Finian Cunningham October 08, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The macabre case of a missing Saudi journalist is prompting speculation within the US political establishment about a historic parting of ways between Washington and Saudi Arabia. Its not clear yet what actually happened Jamal Khashoggi, a 59-year-old prominent commentator who worked for the Washington Post, among other major news outlets. He has been missing for almost a week after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2. Turkish police have launched a murder inquiry, on the suspicion that he was killed inside the consulate building. If confirmed, the case is a shocking violation of international law and norms of human decency. Saudi authorities deny any wrongdoing. They say Khashoggi left the building on the same day he arrived. And Riyadh has invited Turkish authorities and media to inspect the premises. Nevertheless, the Saudi authorities are implicated in responsibility for accounting for the whereabouts of the dissident journalist. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter What makes the case all the more perplexing is that Jamal Khashoggi was once closely connected to the House of Saud royal court, having served as a media advisor to top Saudi rulers. More recently, he had gone into self-imposed exile, writing articles for US media in which he voiced critical views albeit mildly worded of the Saudi rulers and policies. Khashoggi went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week to obtain routine documents he required for an intended marriage. He reportedly told his fiancee he feared being detained. It was her phone call that alerted Turkish authorities to his disappearance. The disappearance of Saudi dissidents is nothing new. Thousands of political opponents and human rights activists end up in Saudi jails. Some of them like female activist Israa al Ghomgham are facing execution by decapitation. But the Saudi rulers appear to have broken the limits this time in the case of Jamal Khashoggi. If the journalist was killed and we still dont know yet of his fate then that would be politically explosive, because of his international profile and in particular his association with the Washington Post. The newspaper published an editorial earlier this week demanding answers over the disappearance, and urged the Trump administration to suspend military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, if it is confirmed that Khashoggi was indeed murdered. In another Post article, it was posited: "This could be the moment Saudi Arabia loses Washington." Other senior Washington pundits have denounced the alleged murder as a "monstrous outrage" which should compel the US government to fundamentally review its strategic alliance with the oil-rich kingdom. The conjecture over Washington parting ways with Saudi Arabia seems to have a growing momentum among US analysts. Last week, President Trump made highly derogatory comments about the Saudi royals in which he demanded they "pay for our military protection". Trump fulminated the House of Saud "wouldn't last two weeks without our military support". There has also been mounting concern in the US Congress about the Saudi military operation in Yemen. The US is implicated in war crimes because of its vital military support for Riyadh. Then there is the backdrop of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York in 2001 in which Saudi rulers have long been suspected of having at least a tangential role from sponsoring the jihadists involved in that incident, which led to some 3,000 deaths among American civilians. That atrocity has served to sour US-Saudi relations among lawmakers, pundits and public. So, is a decisive rupture in US-Saudi relations on the cards, prompted by the latest apparent murder of a Washington-connected Saudi journalist? Despite the recent outcry, the chances of such a breakdown in bilateral US-Saudi relations are negligible. Simply put, the American ruling class needs the despotic House of Saud as much as the latter needs US patronage. It's a strategic axis that is inviolable. Trump may harrumph about the Saudis needing to pay for military protection, but US imperialist planners know all too well that American hegemonic ambitions in the oil-rich Middle East are totally dependent on Washington ensuring that the House of Saud remains propped up. That's partly because of the decades-old petrodollar system worked out between the US and Saudi Arabia in which the world's top oil producer swore to always nominate the dollar as the currency for global energy trade. If the petrodollar system were to collapse, from say a political implosion of Saudi Arabia, then the American economy would also crash. Washington, as Trump seems to misunderstand, is not giving military protection to Saudi Arabia as some kind of benevolent act of kindness. American military power shoring up the Saudi monarchs is a necessary linchpin for US geopolitical survival. The American "protection racket" for that's what it is also comes with the added incentive of gargantuan weapons sales to the Saudis. Just last year, Trump and the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, the 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signed an arms deal worth over $100 billion. This racket is essential for US capitalism and its systematic dependence on a military-industrial complex to ever be abandoned. Another crucial role played by the Saudis for US imperialism is that the kingdom has long bankrolled CIA black operations around the world, which is a neat way for highly criminal American activities of subversion and regime-change wars to avoid political oversight by Congress. All in all, US global power is dependent on maintaining the despotism of Saudi rulers intact. No purported strategic realignment is possible under existing conditions and imperatives of American corporate capitalism and its imperialist function in the Middle East or beyond. The latest shocking incident of a Saudi journalist apparently being lured to his death in a Saudi consulate is an appalling wake-up call of lawlessness and barbarity. The latest shocking incident of a Saudi journalist apparently being lured to his death in a Saudi consulate is an appalling wake-up call of lawlessness and barbarity. American media are no doubt jolted by the brutalism and apparent flouting of international law. But calls for a substantial change in US-Saudi relations are delusional. Because such calls fail to understand the real, heinous nature of US power and how it operates in the world. As in Yemen and towards individual dissidents, Saudi rulers are allowed to get away with murder because Washington relies on this very ruthlessness for its own imperialist objectives. Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. This article was originally published by " Sputnik " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Out going Governor of Ekiti state has said he might leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because Aminu Tambuwal didnt clinch the partys presidential ticket. According to Fayose, they stood by the party when everyone else left, and for that hoped that Tambuwal would pick the ticket. He however said his membership of the party might be withdrawn. In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the Governor said thus: We have no regret aligning with Governor Wike to support Governor Tambuwal for the presidential ticket. We have no apologies either. We kept the party alive and strong when most men became ladies. We never compromised. If any group feels it can do it alone, we will see how far they can go I may renounce my membership of the party, if the need arises In the main time, myself and others will continue with our consultations while watching the turn of events. We cannot but appreciate leaders that have intervened so far, but this release became necessary to avoid fresh crisis or misrepresentation, In his words: Nigerian lender, Fidelity Bank Plc on Monday unveiled a novel account opening initiative, just as it launched a new savings promotion campaign aimed at rewarding new and existing customers of the bank. The new account opening initiative, the first of its kind in the Nigerian banking industry, enables members of the public to open online savings accounts through a Quick Response (QR) code which can be scanned from any of the promotional materials such as roll up banners, fliers, posters and newspaper adverts. This is expected to significantly ease the process of enrollment of new accounts and deepen the penetration of the new savings promo tagged; Get Alert in Millions Season 3 explained Executive Director, Shared Services and Products, Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, during the launch ceremony at the banks corporate Head Office in Lagos Monday. This new savings promo is the 8th in 11 years. As with the previous ones, we are motivated to continue to empower our customers by rewarding them with cash and gift items, whilst at the same time promoting the savings culture, in line with the financial inclusion drive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said Mrs. Ugochukwu, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Promo Committee. Speaking shortly before formally flagging off the promo, Fidelity Bank CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo thanked customers, stating that the bank is motivated to continue to incentivize them for their patronage. He said it was imperative to acknowledge the contributions of customers to the growing fortunes of the bank. Last week, we joined other institutions across the world to observe the 2018 Customer Service Week and I want to use this opportunity to again thank all our customers. Our impressive half year results attest to your support and with your continued patronage, we are on course to delivering on our financial targets for the year he said. As a customer-centric bank, Mr. Okonkwo said Fidelity Bank would continue to leverage technology, in line with its digital retail strategy, to better serve customers, through innovative products, services and solutions. He reeled our some of the products to include the newly upgraded Fidelity Online Banking, *770# Instant Banking and Flashkey. Our online banking solution enables you to transfer foreign exchange seamlessly just as we are the first bank to introduce a chat banking solution that is known as Flashkey. This solution enables you to effect monetary transfers whilst on any social media platform, without recourse to the online banking platform installed on your mobile device he stated. GAIM Season 3, as the new savings promo is called, is expected to run for 9 months till June 2019. The bank, within this period will give out over N120 million in cash and consolation prizes, including weekly airtime rewards. To participate, Head, Retail Banking, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Richard Madiebo said customers can open a savings account and grow it to N20, 000 or top up an existing account with N10, 000 or more to qualify for the monthly draws to win N1million or N2 million. To qualify for the star prize of N3m, he explained that customers are expected to grow their account balances by N50, 000 monthly whilst accounts that maintain a minimum of N200,000 qualify for the grand prize of a whooping N10 million. As a bank with branches across the country, the draws ceremonies will be done to ensure that everybody, irrespective of where their accounts are domiciled, stand equal chances of winning he explained. There will be a total of six draws to produce 77 cash and 108 consolation prize winners over the duration of the exercise. The launch ceremony had in attendance the press, regulatory bodies and some winners from previous savings promotion campaigns. Alhaji Gaffar Abdullateef; a previous winner thanked Fidelity Bank for the N3m he won in the last promo, saying that it significantly gave boost to his business. Assistant Director, National Lotteries Regulatory Commission, Joy Okuna, praised Fidelity Bank for the transparency displayed in the last promos. As regulators, our duty is to ensure that promos are conducted transparently and I must attest to the high degree of transparency that we see with all Fidelity Bank savings campaigns and we expect no less from this she stated. A Nigerian girl has revealed how she escaped from her traffickers after the alleged killing of two Nigerian housemaids in Saudi Arabia. According to Satellite Times, the escapee had travelled to Saudi Arabia to work as a maid, while her family thought she was living and working in Europe. She said she decided to flee to Oman, a country close to Saudi, following reports of the killing of the two Nigerian maids by their bosses. However, after her arrival in Oman, she discovered that her new boss, a woman had allegedly killed her last maid in cold blood. Following the shocking discovery, she attempted to flee but could not due to the contract she signed with a recruitment agency in Nigeria and counterpart recruitment agency in Oman which restricted her from even leaving the house. She then decided to do something in order to escape, hence her move to feign madness by uttering gibberish words, to the shock of everyone in the house, even guests. Embarrassed by the strange manifestation, her new employer called the recruitment agency after two days and queried them for giving her a mad girl as a maid. The housemaid continued her display for three more days without food nor water and the agency was left with no choice than to buy her a plane ticket and ordered a driver (as seen in the picture) to take her to the airport to ensure she was removed from the country. Vanguard WINNER of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Representatives Federal Constituency for Bende Federal Constituency, Imo State, Dr. Chima Anyaso has called on the party leadership to be wary of moves to use women affirmative action to reverse the outcome of the election. Thisday The All Progressives Congress has taunted Senate President Bukola Saraki over his dismal run for the presidency of Nigeria at the Port Harcourt convention of the Peoples Democratic Party. The Sun Command as a police officer, Inspector Ebri Ogban, was shot dead by armed bandits. Daily Times Says spurious allegations will not help Buhari The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it has noted the uneasiness, apprehension and nervousness in the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as Presidential candidate of the PDP. Leadership The State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, yesterday said the direct primary option adopted by the party has helped the party in recording successful national assembly shadow election, saying President Muhammadu Buhari is strongly opposed to p Daily Trust The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba has said the Federal Government would soon announce a new minimum wage as the Tripartite Committee had completed its assignment for onward submission to President Muhammadu Buhari. The Nation A man, who posed as an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Paschal Ugwu, has been arrested by the police over alleged N900,000 fraud. Tribune IT is no longer news that the screening of aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with some of its interesting outcomes, has come and gone. peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has assured Nigerians that, funding for the 2019 general elections is not under any threat, according to earlier speculations. The Speaker while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly said, there is already provision to take care of such contingencies that may arise in the Service Wide Votes. According to Speaker Dogara, there is about three hundred billion naira service wide votes provision in the 2018 budget that can be used to service election funding. In his words: You see we are servants of the people by our calling as Representatives of Nigerians and we dont have the right to put our interests forward before the interests of the people. We are here to serve public good, these issues are outstanding and it was never going to be threatened in any way as was widely perceived, because we have a provision in the budget for service-wide votes, about three hundred billion and whatever was the emergency would have been met from that service-wide fund that we have allocated in the budget. As we are back, we have set ourselves to accomplish what is there in the interest of the people. Even if it means in a day or two we will accomplish that, even if it means handling it as we did for the ease of doing business bills. There were times that within a week we went through the first, second and third reading and passed it into law just because we saw the need for us to expand the economic space and improve citizen participation and wealth creation and the expansion of our economy, especially during these days of economic recession. So nothing is impossible and I can assure you that as soon as we get the reports submitted from the various committees hopefully within the week, in no time, we should be able to deal with them. Whether it is the Electoral Act or the funding for elections and the appropriate funds for INEC is approved, and I can assure you that in no time, even if it is to be done within a day, we are committed to doing it because the only thing that guarantees democracy is free, fair and transparent elections, and we do not joke with it as politicians because we are aware that there are times when you will run into occasions when the will of the people in the process of transmitting their consent into government positions are truncated. It will not serve the interest of democracy, so whatever is needed, apart from even these two issues that we have spoken of, we are committed to passing and dealing with them in no time to ensure that we have a very credible, fair and transparent election in 2019. Charles Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy has lambasted young Nigerians for hailing the emergence of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). The veteran musician and activist even queried those who claimed Atiku is a lesser evil and wondered when evil became lesser. He further expressed his displeasure at young people for not queuing behind young presidential candidates like Kingsley Moghalu, Oby Ezekwesili, Fela Durotoye and Sowore. In a tweet on Tuesday, Charly Boy noted that evil is evil, and that there is no such thing as lesser evil. In his words: Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state had threatened to leave his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the just concluded presidential primaries didnt go in the favour of his choice candidate. The announcement sparked a lot of reaction among many Nigerians. However, PDP chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode has begged the outgoing governor not to leave the party. In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the former Aviation minister, urged Governor Fayose to sheath his sword as there is major battle to be fought, wherein he(Fayose) is really needed. See what he wrote below State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi greets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Monday. Wang said any new negotiations must be based on equality, integrity and seriousness. FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY Diplomats meet with Pompeo in Beijing, advocate talks to manage differences Senior Chinese diplomats urged the United States on Monday to halt wrongdoing and stop conduct that damages China's interests. They said the country will take necessary measures and firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. China-US relations are at a critical stage and face great challenges, said Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Yang spoke in a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Beijing. Partnership is the only right choice for the two major countries, Yang said. China hopes the US will make the right choice and work along with China to manage differences based on mutual respect and develop pragmatic cooperation based on mutual benefit, he added. In a separate meeting, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed US moves for escalating trade tensions and condemned Washington's recent actions regarding Taiwan and other matters. He said a trade war is no solution. China is still ready to solve disputes through negotiations, but they must be based on equality, integrity and seriousness, he said. Wang urged the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques and to stop official exchanges and military links with Taiwan as well as arms sales to the island. While demanding the US stop interfering with countries that have established or hope to establish diplomatic ties with China, Wang said Washington should take concrete actions to restrain Taiwan independence forces and uphold the China-US relationship and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. Pompeo's visit came as relations have deteriorated amid tit-for-tat trade frictions. Before Beijing, he also visited Tokyo, Pyongyang and Seoul. Pompeo responded by saying the US means neither to oppose China's development nor contain China in a comprehensive manner despite marked disparities on some issues. He reaffirmed that the US upholds the one-China principle, saying the two sides should strengthen communication, build mutual trust and intensify rules-based cooperation. Pompeo exchanged views with the Chinese diplomats about his trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, expressed appreciation for China's consistent position and efforts in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and expressed hope to continue to strengthen cooperation with China on the issue. Wang said China supports direct dialogue between the US and the DPRK and will play its unique and crucial role in peninsula denuclearization on the basis of mutual respect and taking into account respective concerns. Zhou Fangyin, a researcher of China's foreign policies at the Guangdong Institute for International Strategies, said that with the voices of hard-liners toward China on the rise in the US administration and trade issues having reached an impasse, high-level exchanges and communication are significant in helping avoid unexpected situations. "The US considers China a strategic competitor, which affects US policy toward China," Zhou said, adding that China will continue to seek strategic stability in China-US relations. Jeremy D. Morley concentrates on International Family Law. The firm works with clients around the world from its New York office, with a global network of local counsel. Mr Morley is the author of "International Family Law Practice", the leading treatise on international family law in the U.S., and "The Hague Abduction Convention", published by the American Bar Association. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a former law professor. Opinion Policies Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue. Feedback policy If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com). Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com). Column Policy Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions. Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020 Apple is the worlds most valuable company with a slate of expensive devices that are typically in high-demand more often than not. Which makes it a pretty big target. In a new in-depth report from The Information, a years-long effort on Apples part has been revealed as the company attempted to combat a iPhone fraud in China. It starts with a reflection on an event that took place in 2013, at Apples only physical retail store in Shenzhen at the time. According to the report, the storefront had to close down for a short period of time as it was inundated with customers looking for repairs on their iPhones. That store apparently logged more than 2,000 warranty claims a week, which was more than any other Apple retail store in the world. Apple had to look into the matter, considering the high number, and the company revealed a sophisticated, large-scale fraudulent scheme being run against it. The reports sources state that these rings of fraudsters were either buying iPhones, or outright stealing the devices, and then removing important pieces under the hood, including logic boards, display panels, and more, and replacing them with fake components. Which sometimes included gum wrappers: After some investigation, Apple discovered the skyrocketing requests for replacements was due to a highly sophisticated fraud scheme run by organized teams. Rings of thieves were buying or stealing iPhones and removing valuable components like CPUs, screens and logic boards, replacing them with fake components or even chewing gum wrappers, more than a half-dozen former employees familiar with the fraud said. The thieves would then return the iPhones, claiming they were broken, and receive replacements they could then resell, according to three of those people. The stolen components, meanwhile, were used in refurbished iPhones sold in smaller cities across China, two of the people said. It took Apple four years to make a dent, but, as the report indicates, Apple has dramatically reduced the rates of fraud related to repairs in China. Interestingly, the report also indicates that while Apple obviously has to fight back against the fraudulent schemes, the company is wary to leverage local law enforcement for fear that it may lead to a negative image within the country. Apple was fighting an uphill battle back then in China, and still is to this day, between its own warranty options that werent too great for customers in the area at the time, and Chinese smartphone companies that are eating up market share. This effort is likened to a car chop shop, where the original model cars are taken apart, piece-by-piece, and then those parts are sold off. Apparently some fraudsters would actually stand outside Apples stores with suitcases filled with iPhones, most of which were already installed with fraudulent parts, and have people they hired to return the devices. Thieves would stand outside stores with suitcases full of iPhones with some of the original components stripped out and replaced with inferior parts, two of the people said. The fraudsters would hire people to pretend to be customers to return them, each taking a device to stand in line at the Genius Bar, the people said. Once the phones were swapped, the actors would pass the new phones to the fraudsters and get paid for their time, the people said. The fraudsters actually went above and beyond, too, even gaining Apple customer information to try and line up their devices with serial numbers and warranty information, even with the fraudulent pieces inside. The police in China have indeed broken up rings of data thieves in the region, which have been acquiring Apple customer data. The fraudulent efforts are not stopping, and the report indicates that while Apple may have gained a strong foothold in China, it is seeing nefarious activity in other regions where it is starting to launch its devices. And lets not forget that rings of thieves are in the United States, too, as a recent report revealed following several arrests and arrest warrants being issued. The full report is definitely worth checking out through the source link below. [via The Information Ever since Bloomberg published its explosive story of Apple and other tech giants using compromised servers with hidden spy chips from China, all companies named in the report have strongly refuted it with multiple statements. Even law enforcement agencies from the U.S. and other security researchers have also claimed that the report is baseless. However, Bloomberg has continued to stick to its original report claiming 17 insiders it talked to confirm the presence of spy chips in Apples servers. One hardware security expert mentioned in the original report says that his comments have been taken out of context. Joe Fitzpatrick made these comments on the Risky Business podcast I spent a lot of time going back and forth explaining how hardware implants worked. And as any researcher is excited to talk about their work, I was delighted to have someone who seemed interested to actually learn about how things worked as opposed to only looking for the buzzword byline that you wanted to throw into a story [] But what really struck me is that like all the details that were even remotely technical, seemed like they had been lifted from from the conversations I had about theoretically how hardware implants work and how the devices I was making to show off at black hat two years ago worked [] It was surprising to me that in a scenario where I would describe these things and then he would go and confirm these and 100% of what I described was confirmed by sources. Even the story of the chip used in the report by Bloomberg is of something entirely different. When Bloombergs reporter Jordan Robertson told the entire story he planned to run for Bloomberg, Fitzpatrick told him it did not make sense at all. So late August was the first time Jordan disclosed to me some of the attackers in the story. I heard the story and It didnt make sense to me. And thats what I said. I said wow I dont have any more information for you, but this doesnt make sense. Im a hardware person. My business is teaching people how to secure hardware. Spreading hardware fear, uncertainty and doubt is entirely in my financial gain. But it doesnt make sense because there are so many easier ways to do this. There are so many easier hardware ways, there are software, there are firmware approaches. There approach you are describing is not scalable. Its not logical. Its not how I would do it. Or how anyone I know would do it. Overall, he says the report has many of the technical aspects confused and it didnt make sense, though its not outright wrong. Ultimately, it looks like Bloombergs report is inaccurate and the reporters behind the story got their facts messed up. No wonder then that Apple has so strongly denied the report multiple times. [Via Risky Business An employee works on an electric bus at BYD's factory in Lancaster, California on Sunday. Photo: Ding Gang/GT The unemployment rate of Lancaster, California has fallen from 24 percent to 4 percent since construction of a factory for Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD started there in 2013, said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris Saturday. BYD has become a model and its arrival prompted more investment in the city. Parris made the remarks during a visit by a Chinese media delegation to the city. The mayor said that to facilitate BYD's investment, he helped the company find factory builders, canceled all administrative fees, and eased administrative obstacles. Even Wang Chuanfu, CEO and president of BYD, joked that Parris was "insane" during a phone call between the two. Indeed, Parris is not "insane," and what he has done was based on his 10 years of experience as the mayor. He knows what the citizens really want and what it means to be in power. He said that he worked like a mayor of China, bringing the parties together and reaching an agreement through prompt consultations and negotiations. The BYD factory in Lancaster, which was completed in 2017, is the largest electric bus plant in North America, helping BYD obtain top technology, market share and sales in the field of electric bus manufacturing in the region. With an annual production of 1,500 electric buses, the plant sells its products to a wide range of customers in more than 30 states, including Stanford University and Facebook. BYD has grown into a leading manufacturer of electric buses from a small company that sold cellphone batteries when it entered the US in 1999. BYD is the world's largest manufacturer of electric cars. The factory in Lancaster has created nearly 1,000 jobs for the town of 160,000 inhabitants. Though Lancaster is home to factories of renowned firms such as Boeing and Space X, BYD has become a new choice for locals thanks to the long-term and stable jobs it offers. Since the arrival of BYD, the crime rate of the city has dropped by 40 percent. The mayor told the media delegation that one day, a stranger came up and shook hands with him. "Thank you for supporting BYD to build its factory here!" the man said. "I have a job. My two children also have jobs. One of them bought his first house." Parris noted that BYD has set a prime example of cooperation between countries with different cultural backgrounds. He also expressed concerns over the possible negative impact on the cooperation that may be caused by Washington's policies. But he still looks on the bright side of China-US cooperation, saying confrontation will only lead to mutual losses. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) strategic partnership. In the message, Li said that China in 2003 acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and is the first country to build a strategic partnership with ASEAN. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. [Photo: China Plus] With the concerted efforts of China and ASEAN countries in the past 15 years, the development of bilateral relations have maintained a healthy and stable momentum, said Li, adding that the two sides have enjoyed deepening political mutual trust, closer economic and trade ties, fruitful mutual-beneficial cooperation and dynamic people-to-people exchanges. The premier said the development of China-ASEAN relations have brought tangible benefits to the 2 billion people of the two sides and promoted regional and global peace, stability and prosperity. Noting that China-ASEAN relations have entered the mature period for quality upgrading and are faced with new opportunities, Li said China has always regarded ASEAN as a priority in its neighboring diplomacy and is willing to be ASEAN's good partner for common development, jointly-building peace, openness and win-win progress, innovation, inclusiveness and mutual learning. China is ready to work with ASEAN to lift their strategic partnership to a higher level, build a stronger community with a shared future and bring their relations to an even brighter future, said Li. Lee, in his message, said that over the past 15 years, the cooperation between the two sides have been deepened and broadened around three pillars, namely political security, economy and trade, social and people-to-people exchanges. ASEAN and China are committed to enhancing their connectivity and promoting the alignment between the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative, Lee said. The prime minister is looking forward to the adoption of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 at the 21st ASEAN-China Summit, which, he hopes, will set the strategic direction for the future development of bilateral relations. Singapore is now the rotating chair of ASEAN. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Michaelle Jean, Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, is shown at OIF Headquarters in Paris, France on Monday, April 16, 2018. The contest between Jean and Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo for la Francophonie's top post goes far beyond the spending questions that have plagued the former Canadian governor general.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam. Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut: Jika Anda ingin bermain roulette di situs kasino online, caranya sangat sederhana. Anda dapat bermain di Kasino ION, Kasino Sbobet, dan Situs Kasino. Di bawah ini adalah artikel panduan bermain di mana Anda dapat mempelajari roulette langsung dan memainkannya di situs judi online mana pun. tangkapan layar Sebelum Anda bermain, Anda perlu mengetahui apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk masuk ke dalam permainan roulette kasino online ini. Jika Anda sudah mendaftar di situs judi casino online dan sudah memberikan user ID, login terlebih dahulu dan pilih menu live casino yang tertera di situs judi online tersebut. Pertama pilih dealer dan putuskan sendiri, lalu pilih meja atau kursi di dalam ruangan. Jika namanya tertera dan berwarna coklat, maka kursi tersebut sudah ditempati oleh pemain lain, dan pilihlah kursi kosong berwarna hitam. Panduan Bermain Online Kasino Roulette Kasino Roulette adalah salah satu permainan paling populer di situs perjudian kasino. Jadi dalam permainan ini kamu harus menebak angka berapa yang akan keluar. Ada 36 nomor berbeda dalam permainan populer ini di mana sebuah bola kecil diputar dan dilemparkan ke dalam mesin roulette. Anda harus menebak dari mana bola kecil itu masuk dan di nomor berapa ia berhenti. Ada banyak jenis pilihan angka dari 0-36, dan mereka dihitung secara berbeda. Sebagai agen casino terpercaya, panduan permainan roulette ini juga memberikan informasi tentang jenis pilihan dan nama permainan roulette casino online sebagai berikut: 1. Straight Up: Penempatan angka tunggal dari 0 hingga 36. Contoh perhitungan straight up adalah mengalikan taruhan dengan 35. Ini adalah jenis taruhan tertinggi dalam permainan roulette kasino, jadi 50 dikalikan dengan 35 memberi Anda 1750, mengapa jenis taruhan ini menghasilkan pengembalian yang begitu tinggi? Hal ini karena tidak mudah untuk memenangkan pilihan nomor dengan memilih hanya satu nomor dari banyak. 2. Taruhan split: Jenis taruhan yang ditempatkan pada dua angka atau di antara dua angka yang berbeda. Misalnya, menempatkan di sela-sela angka 9 dan 12 atau 13d dan 14 dihitung sebagai jenis taruhan split. Setiap nomor dapat ditempatkan dalam jenis ini selama nomor tersebut berdekatan dan persis seperti Gambar A dan B. Untuk taruhan ini, jika Anda memenangkan contoh dan mengalikannya dengan 850, Anda akan menerima jumlah taruhan yang dikalikan dengan 17. . 3. Taruhan jalanan: bertaruh dengan 3 angka ke bawah, misalnya 1,2,3 atau 10,11,12. Semua taruhan jalan akan menerima kemenangan dikalikan dengan 11. Misalnya, 50 dikalikan 550. 4. Taruhan sudut: Jenis taruhan di mana empat angka ditempatkan saling berhadapan, seperti 13,14,16,17 atau 19,20,22,23. Semua angka valid karena terdiri dari 4 angka yang diisi seperti kotak dan taruhan dikalikan 8 (misalnya 50 kali 800). 5. Taruhan baris: Atau, Anda dapat mengatakan bahwa ada 6 jenis taruhan yang terdiri dari 2 baris, tetapi 6 poin dengan 2 peregangan, seperti taruhan jalanan. Misalnya, jika Anda memilih angka 7 hingga 12 dan 13 hingga 18, taruhan 50 adalah 5 kali dan kemudian dikalikan dengan 250 kemenangan. 6. Kolom Inner Bet: Jenis taruhan vertikal dengan 12 poin berturut-turut, seperti kolom numerik 1,4,7,10,13,19,22,25,25,28,22,24,34 atau kolom lainnya. Dan jika dia memenangkan kolom, 50 taruhan digandakan dan 100 taruhan. 7. Lusin : Jenis taruhan menempatkan 12 angka tetapi menempatkannya pada kotak berbentuk seperti contoh Kolom A dengan angka 1 sampai 12 dan odds dengan kolom lain untuk dipilih dengan memilih 1 kotak pertama untuk Kolom A. Kalikan dengan 2, 50 taruhan 100. 8. Zero part : Cara bertaruh 0.1,2,3 sama persis seperti di gambar, karena berdekatan dengan angka 0, anda hanya bisa bertaruh 0.1,2,3. Menempatkan taruhan ini mengalikannya dengan 50. hingga 8. 9. Zero Corner: Bertaruh pada angka 0.1,2 atau 0.2,3 adalah dua pilihan karena Anda hanya bertaruh mendekati angka nol. Jenis taruhan ini dikalikan 11 jika taruhan menang. 10. Two Dozen: Jenis taruhan dengan hanya dua pilihan: 1-18 atau 19-36. Jika taruhan Anda adalah 50, itu dikalikan dengan 1 hingga 50 jika Anda menang. 11. Merah atau Hitam: Masukkan taruhan Anda dengan memilih Merah atau Hitam sebagai warna angka yang muncul saat taruhan 50. 12. Genap/Ganjil: Pilih angka yang menghasilkan jumlah jenis taruhan ganjil. China saw strong consumption during the seven-day national holiday, which concluded yesterday, with an upsurge in online shopping, according to Alibaba, China's leading e-commerce giant, and other online retailers. Spending on smart products was the highlight, and intelligent appliances were the most popular online products, according to data released by Alibaba's Tmall. For example, the sales of smart robots and portable translators rose 332 percent and 361 percent respectively year-on-year. "Consumption during the national holiday was in line with Alibaba's market expectation since 2018," said Jin Ke, director of Alibaba's Taobao. "Online spending remains robust." Chinese people also spent more money on cross-border online shopping. NetEase, China's leading cross-border e-business platform, continued its double-digit growth. Maternal and baby products, cosmetics and household products remained the best sellers. Tmall's cross-border turnover grew over 100 percent year-on-year during the holiday. Chinese consumers pay close attention to the quality of products when placing orders. A survey of 4,000 NetEase users showed that 34 percent only buy high quality products while 66 percent consider price only after quality. In offline shopping, Yintai department store, a famous retail chain, saw surging sales. In the first three days of the holiday, customer volume and sales of Yintai's department stores across China grew by 30 percent annually. Freshhema's store in Hangzhou, a national seafood retail chain, welcomed 80,000 visitors on Oct 1. Total sales of Freshhema's stores across China were up over 500 percent. In addition to food consumption, other recreational spending across China also increased. For example, money spent on indoor amusement parks rose by 50 percent. Chinese people's spending during the holiday was geared towards younger consumers, diversified consumption and quality-driven shopping, according to Alibaba. ALBERT LEA, Minn. A man facing charges in North Iowa and southern Minnesota for a high-speed chase is now pleading guilty in both states. Michael Anthony Livingston, 31 of Albert Lea, entered guilty pleas Tuesday in Freeborn County District court to domestic assault and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. He was arrested on May 22 after a pursuit that hit speeds of 120 miles per hour from southern Freeborn County into east-central Winnebago County. Law enforcement says it tried to pull over Livingston in connection with a domestic assault reported earlier in the day, but he took off and eventually crashed into a field. Livingston now has a sentencing date set in Freeborn County on December 21. He previously pleaded guilty to eluding in Winnebago County and his next court appearance there is scheduled for October 24. KIMT News 3 - Each week leading up to the election we are featuring races on your ballot and making sure you are informed. We begin this week with a look at how President Donald Trump's visit to Rochester is impacting major races in Minnesota at a pivotal point in the election cycle. Republicans are working to maintain their majority in the house and senate, but they are facing some threats. The president made special reference to GOP candidate Karin Housley, who is up against Tina Smith in a special senate election. Right now polls have Smith with a slight edge over Housley. The winner of this race fills the seat left vacant when Al Franken resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations. Another key seat on the republicans radar, the first congressional district seat in the House of Representatives. President Trump also shined a light on Jim Hagedorn on Thursday who is running for this seat for the third time. He has come close to securing it too, so he is hoping this endorsement by the president will give him the edge he needs. We asked Hagedorn and his competitor, Dan Feehan about how to ensure people have access to health care. We want to make sure we have private healthcare in our country, not have government control over Mayo Clinic or our fine rural hospitals. They would underfund medicine; put at risk all the 30-40 thousand people who are tied to their jobs here at Mayo Clinic. All the progress of building of hotels and businesses that would be at risk, we can't have that. I would never allow it, says Hagedorn. Areas that I would want to see expanded is the idea of a public option introduced so people have something to simply compete with what the individual market offers them right now. Take farmers for example who have no choice in their healthcare. They either take this expensive option that is out there but what if there was a second option, a public option, that competed so health care options could go down in the first place, says Feehan. Feehan tells KIMT he takes it as a compliment to his campaign that President Trump came to this district. This will be a tight one and one to watch on November 6th. Meanwhile, the community is getting to know the two people running for an office a little closer to home, Rochester Mayor. Candidates Kim Norton and Charlie OConnell went head to head in front of a room of area business owners. The main topic: how government plays a role in helping local businesses. Norton and OConnell gave their opinions on raising the minimum wage, how they would like to see the Mayo Civic Center and Experience Rochester be structured for success, and they answered the question Should Rochester have city owned and operated broadband? I am not necessarily supportive of city owned broadband but what I do think the city can do and what the city has done is change some regulations to make it more possible for other companies to come in, says Norton. I would never support the city saying we are going to get into the broadband business because that industry itself is ever changing, says OConnell. He says that would lead to mounting costs for the city and would be an irresponsible decision and like Norton, OConnell would also like to see more competition move in. For more of their opinions you can head to kimt.com, this story is under local news. If you've been waiting for your chance to vote early in Iowa, Monday the 8th is the day. The absentee ballots are ready to be mailed out or you can vote at your county auditors office. But at the last minute the Cerro Gordo County Auditor's Office had to fix an issue and reprint their ballots. According to acting Auditor, Pat Wright, there were too many independent candidates running for county auditor. Four of the six were listed as independents when there can only be one for each race. That is now fixed and the ballots are ready to go. In Minnesota, absentee voting started on September 21st and we're learning it's off to a strong start. According to the Secretary of State, as of Thursday, October 4th, voters requested more than 155,000 absentee ballots. 42,000 are already in the hands of election officials. This is a 204% increase over the same time in the 2014 mid-term election. This can mostly be attributed to the unusually high number of competitive races this fall. ROCHESTER, Minn. Driving away from a traffic stop is landing a Rochester man in prison. Rochester police said they tried to stop Michael Alan Bunnell, 25, on November 8, 2017, but he drove away. Bunnell was later arrested at his home and officers said they found him with 16 grams of methamphetamine and some marijuana. Bunnell pleaded guilty in March to one count of 2nd degree sale of drugs and was sentenced Monday to seven years behind bars, with credit for 74 days already served. MASON CITY, Iowa A North Iowa man is going to jail for a little over a year on multiple combined sentences. Nicholas Dean Mostrom, 30 of Clear Lake, was found unconscious on May 7 in a running car in the 600 block of South Vermont Avenue in Mason City. Police say a search of the vehicle found more than five grams of meth and a black revolver, which Mostrom claimed was a pellet gun. He eventually pleaded guilty to assault, possession of methamphetamine-1st offense, carrying weapons, and OWI-2nd offense. On Monday, Mostrom was sentenced to seven days in jail for assault, 363 days for meth possession, and two years of probation for the other two charges. The jail terms are to run consecutively. Mostom must also pay $2,190 in fines. AUSTIN, Minn.-Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated by the end of this month. The flu season can last up until spring and if you've ever had the flu you wouldn't want to get again. Doctors and nurses are asking people to get the vaccine soon, to ensure that the body builds up defenses to fight the virus. We see a lot of flu around this time of year, said Kenitz. Hes a licensed practical nurse, studying at Riverland Community College to become a registered nurse. He knows first hand why its important to get the vaccine. I experienced it myself i was out for a couple days with a fever, hot and cold flashes I was on the couch for a couple days, said Elijah Kenitz. During the 2017-2018 flu season, 900,000 people in the US were hospitalized with influenza. Jan Woerner, director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), has said that ESA welcomes more cooperation with China's space program, and several European astronauts are now learning Chinese for preparation. "I am very much in favor of international collaboration, and China is part of this world," Woerner told Xinhua, who added that Europe and China have a lot of cooperation in space science, and astronauts from both sides have done some training together in China. Matthias Maurer, an ESA astronaut with German nationality, told Xinhua earlier that he had learnt Chinese for over six years, and said that he hoped to fly work with astronauts from China and other countries in the Chinese manned space station, which was planned to be completed around 2022. "Besides Matthias, several of our astronauts are learning Chinese, It's a kind of preparation," said Woerner. China and EU signed an agreement in 2015 concerning the cooperation in manned space program, stipulating that the period from 2015 to 2017 was the stage of technological exchanges, and the two sides take part in each other's astronauts' training programs. Woerner said ESA is also discussing about using Chinese manned spacecraft Shenzhou to send European astronauts into space in the future. "Although it is not on the agenda, it's a possibility," said Woerner. Zhang Kejian, deputy minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, and head of the China National Space Administration, said at the International Astronautical Congress in Bremen that China is willing to cooperate with other countries in space program. Zhang also noted that Chang'e-6, China's second sample return lunar mission, will provide 10 kg of payloads on the orbiter and lander for international partners, an invitation for cooperation. KIMT NEWS 3 - Minnesota health officials are left baffled, and urging doctors to keep their eyes out for a rare condition that can lead to paralysis. Since late September, six children under the age of 10 have been diagnosed with Acute Flaccid Myelitis, or AFM. None of those cases are in Olmsted County, but it's still a concern across the state. Olmsted County Public Director of Public Health Graham Briggs tells KIMT the polio-like illness is rare, but that the virus has been on health officials' radar for the last couple of years. "There's lots of childhood viruses that cause sniffles and coughs," Briggs said. "The concerning part about this virus is that in those rare situations or circumstances, it can cause a severe syndrome that can lead to paralysis." AFM is a condition that affects the body's nervous system, targets the spinal cord, and could lead to paralysis. Symptoms include limb weakness, facial drooping, and trouble swallowing or speaking. If parents see any of the symptoms in their kids, doctors are urging them to seek medical care as soon as possible. Many parents hadn't heard of the virus, and tell KIMT they want answers. "It's always good to know what's going on when you have kids," Andrea Lory, a Rochester parent, said, "so you can be prepared and know what to expect." Currently there is no treatment for AFM, and the exact cause is unknown. "Protecting your children against viruses or protecting ourselves against terrorism and things like that," Tiffany Lanier, another parent, said, "you can't really protect against these things they just happen." The Minnesota Health Department, as well as the CDC will continue to collect information an evaluate the cases. AUSTIN, Minn. Someone broke into a Pepsi truck over the weekend and stole a large amount of product. The theft happened from a parked truck in the 700 block of 11th Street Northeast. The Mower County Sheriffs Office says two compartments inside the truck were damaged and its not immediately clear how much was stolen or what repairing the damage with cost. The Sheriffs Office says the theft was discovered when the truck driver went to work. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call 507-437-9400. WASHINGTON (AP) The Trump administration is moving to allow year-round sales of gasoline with higher blends of ethanol, a boon for Iowa and other farm states that have pushed for greater sales of the corn-based fuel. President Donald Trump is expected to announce he is lifting a federal ban on summer sales of high-ethanol blends during a trip to Iowa on Tuesday. "It's an amazing substance. You look at the Indy cars. They run 100 percent on ethanol," Trump said at the White House before leaving for Iowa. He said he wants more energy production and to help farmers and refiners. "I want more because I don't like $74," Trump said referring to the current price of a barrel of crude oil. "If I have to do more whether it's through ethanol or another means that's what I want. I want low prices." The long-expected announcement is something of a reward to Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman led a contentious but successful fight to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The veteran Republican lawmaker is the Senate's leading ethanol proponent and sharply criticized the Trump administration's proposed rollback in ethanol volumes earlier this year. Grassley called the proposal "a very good victory for agriculture," ethanol workers and the environment. "Everything about this is good, good, good," Grassley said Tuesday after he and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, met with Trump at the White House. A senior administration official said Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency will publish a rule to allow high-ethanol blends as part of a package of proposed changes to the ethanol mandate. The official spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of Trump's announcement. The change would allow year-round sales of gasoline blends with up to 15 percent ethanol. Gasoline typically contains 10 percent ethanol. The EPA currently bans the high-ethanol blend, called E15, during the summer because of concerns that it contributes to smog on hot days, a claim ethanol industry advocates say is unfounded. In May, Republican senators, including Grassley, announced a tentative agreement with the White House to allow year-round E15 sales, but the EPA did not propose a formal rule change. The senior administration official said the proposed rule intends to allow E15 sales next summer. Current regulations prevent retailers in much of the country from offering E15 from June 1 to Sept. 15. Lifting the summer ban is expected to be coupled with new restrictions on trading biofuel credits that underpin the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, commonly known as the ethanol mandate. The law sets out how much corn-based ethanol and other renewable fuels refiners must blend into gasoline each year. The Renewable Fuel Standard was intended to address global warming, reduce dependence on foreign oil and bolster the rural economy by requiring a steady increase in renewable fuels over time. The mandate has not worked as intended, and production levels of renewable fuels, mostly ethanol, routinely fail to reach minimum thresholds set in law. The oil industry opposes year-round sales of E15, warning that high-ethanol gasoline can damage engines and fuel systems of older cars and motorcycles. Some carmakers have warned against high-ethanol blends, though EPA has approved use of E15 in all light-duty vehicles built since 2001. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, many from oil-producing states, sent Trump a letter last week opposing expanded sales of high-ethanol gas. The lawmakers called the approach "misguided" and said it would do nothing to protect refinery jobs and "could hurt millions of consumers whose vehicles and equipment are not compatible with higher-ethanol blended gasoline." The letter was signed by 16 Republicans and four Democrats, including Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. A spokeswoman for the Renewable Fuels Association, an ethanol industry trade group, said allowing E15 to be sold year-round would give consumers greater access to clean, low-cost, higher-octane fuel while expanding market access for ethanol producers. "The ability to sell E15 all year would also bring a significant boost to farmers across our country" and provide a significant economic boost to rural America, said spokeswoman Rachel Gantz. CLEAR LAKE, Iowa A longtime North Iowa auto dealer is returning to Clear Lake. Pritchard Family Auto Stores says it officially acquired is newest location at 2005 Willow Creek Court on Saturday. The company says its Pre-Owned employees will transfer from their old location just outside Mason City to the larger, state-of-the-art facility. This move is very important for the entire Family of our customers and our employees, says Joe Pritchard. We consider North Iowa our family, and we couldnt be happier for them and appreciate their loyalty. A grand opening celebration is planned for some point in the future. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Candidates are kicking their campagins into high gear, trying to win over voters in the last few weeks of election season. On Sunday, voters got the opportunity to learn more about Democratic candidate for Minnesota's first congressional district, Dan Feehan. It was a listening session hosted by a number of organizations including Faith in Minnesota, Communities United for Rochester Empowerment (CURE), SEIU Heatlhcare and The Sierra Club, which endorsed the candidate in September. At the event, Feehan shared his views on topics from community members including climate change, affordable housing, and immigration. When asked by the audience he also remarked on the recent confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. "That is how we handled a victim coming forward, was what happened in the last two weeks," Feehan said. "And that in no shape or form is what I believe to be a good process moving forward." Sunday's listening session was scheduled to be a debate between Feehan and his GOP opponent, Jim Hagedorn. Hagedorn is defending his decision not to participate. In a statement to KIMT, he had this to say about his competitor's campagin: "They prefer to limit their debate appearances to left-leaning groups in and around Rochester. We do not think this is the best way for the most people across this large, 21-county district to have access to the candidates." "When I found out my opponent wasn't going to be here, I was unsurprised but alarmed," Feehan said. "It's unfortunate he didn't take the opportunity to hear directly from the people he is hoping to be his constituents." While Hagedorn may still be riding the coattails of President Trump's visit to Rochester last week, Feehan said he's not too concerned. "I believe people are looking for an independent voice and nothing that happened on Thursday made me change that belief," he said. To learn more about Dan Feehan, click here. To learn more about Jim Hagedorn, click here. The neurobiologist Monte Westerfield (University of Oregon, Eugene, USA) was honoured with the Christiane Nusslein-Volhard Award by the European Society for Fish Models in Biology and Medicine. Prof. Westerfield has made outstanding contributions to biomedical research in the areas of brain, ear, muscle and eye development. He is amongst the first scientists pioneering the zebrafish as genetic model organism and has made significant achievements in the development of this experimental system. Prof. Westerfield is the founder of the Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN) , a web database used by thousands of scientists worldwide and the initiator and director of the Zebrafish International Resource Centre (ZIRC), stocking tens of thousands of mutant and transgenic zebrafish lines and delivering them to the scientific community. Monte Westerfields work and community-centered initiatives have a global impact by disseminating information and zebrafish genetic lines to support excellence in international research. jho, 08.10.2018 (Kitco News) - Sentiment in the gold market has been pretty dire lately as the price has been unable to push above $1,200 an ounce, but one firm sees potential for higher prices for gold and silver through to 2019. In a report published Tuesday, Georgette Boele, coordinator of foreign exchange and precious metals at ABN AMRO, said that her team is keeping the faith that precious metals markets have bottomed. The Dutch bank thinks silver has potential to rally even as it lowers its price forecast through the rest of the year and 2019. In its updated forecast, the bank said that it expects silver to rally to $15.50 an ounce by the end of the year, down from its previous forecast of $16 an ounce. At the same time, the firm sees silver prices rising to $18 an ounce by the end of 2019, down from its initial forecast of $20 an ounce. Despite the downgrade, ABN AMROs forecast represents a gain of more than 7% from current levels. December silver futures last traded at $14.43 an ounce, up 0.50% on the day. For gold, the bank has left its forecast unchanged as it sees gold prices rising to $1,250 an ounce by the end of the year and pushing to $1,400 an ounce by the end of 2019. The banks gold forecast represents a nearly 5% gain from current levels. December gold futures last traded at $1,192.40 an ounce. Boele said that she expects that golds August lows and silvers July lows to mark the bottoms in the precious metals space. Boeles outlook comes as U.S. treasury yields, a significant headwind for precious metals, rose to their highest level in 7-years. Despite the recent weakness in precious metal prices, we expect prices to set a bottom above previous lows and to recover. We are of the view that the U.S. dollar has peaked across the board. We also expect that 10y US treasury yield will peak around current levels and that US economic growth will peak this quarter. Along with a weaker U.S. dollar and lower bond yields, Boele said that they see potential for a recovery in the Chinese yuan. The steps that the Chinese government to stimulate its domestic economy in the face of a growing trade war with the U.S. should help support gold prices, she said. We already see a stepping up of fiscal stimulus by the Chinese authorities, as well as a tweaking of its financial deleveraging campaign. Against that background, we expect that the Chinese yuan will stabilize and recover. This should calm investors and improve investor sentiment towards precious metals. Although ABN AMRO is optimistic on gold and silver, the Boele warned that any escalation in the global trade war could pose further risks for the precious metal. There is always the possibility that prices could go lower. But we think the risk reward for entering precious metals positions is quite attractive, Boele said. BEIJING, Oct 9 (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said remarks by a U.S. Treasury official about the yuan's depreciation were groundless and irresponsible. China will not use the yuan exchange rate as a tool in the trade dispute with the United States, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters in a regular briefing. On Monday, a senior U.S. Treasury official said the United States remains concerned about China's recent yuan depreciation and is closely monitoring yuan developments. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Writing by Stella Qiu Editing by Shri Navaratnam) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Just three days after he was narrowly confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court despite facing allegations of sexual assault, Brett Kavanaugh is set to take his seat on the bench on Tuesday morning, solidifying a conservative majority for years to come. Kavanaughs confirmation hearing was marked by loud protests and on Tuesday a handful of demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court, chanting This isnt over, were still here. Kavanaugh, 53, will join the eight other justices to hear arguments in cases involving a federal criminal sentencing law, bringing the nine-member court back up to full strength after the retirement of Anthony Kennedy in July. Kavanaughs confirmation gave Republican President Donald Trump a major victory, with his second lifetime appointee to the nations highest judicial body. Neil Gorsuch joined the court last year. Trump, in two tweets on Tuesday morning, said he was very proud of Kavanaugh and blasted those protesting the new justice. The bitterly divided U.S. Senate voted 50-48 on Saturday to confirm Kavanaugh, with just one Democrat supporting him. Kavanaughs elevation to the high court had been considered safe until California university professor Christine Blasey Ford went public with explosive allegations that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her in 1982, while they were in high school. Two other women also accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. Kavanaugh denied the allegations and in a blistering partisan attack during a Senate hearing on Sept. 27, accused Democrats of an orchestrated political hit. He wrote later in a newspaper opinion piece that he regretted some of his comments but critics said it raised questions about whether he would treat all who come before him fairly. Hundreds of law professors, as well as retired Justice John Paul Stevens, a Republican appointee, said Kavanaughs remarks should have disqualified him from the job. Other analysts said the courts reputation could suffer as it becomes perceived as a political, rather than a legal, institution. At a White House ceremony on Monday night, Kavanaugh sought to put the confirmation battle behind him, saying he was starting his new job without bitterness. Although the Senate confirmation process tested me as it has tested others, it did not change me, he said. PUSHING COURT TO RIGHT Kavanaugh moves to the Supreme Court after spending 12 years as a judge on the influential U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, where he built a conservative judicial record and a reputation for being affable and well-prepared. In the 1990s, before becoming a judge, Kavanaugh was part of special counsel Kenneth Starrs team that investigated Democratic President Bill Clinton. The new justice is widely expected to push the court further to the right as he is replacing Kennedy, a conservative who sometimes voted with the liberal justices on key social issues, including in pivotal cases on gay rights. Kavanaugh can be expected to cast crucial votes on a matters including abortion, gun control, immigration, and voting rights. His views on presidential powers could be tested within days in a dispute over whether Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross should submit to questioning by lawyers suing the Trump administration over a decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. If an appeals court does not stop Rosss deposition, the administration is expected to turn to the high court. Although his reputation was tarnished by the sexual misconduct claims, Kavanaugh said during his confirmation hearings that he had a record of promoting women in the legal profession. All four of the law clerks Kavanaugh has hired this term are women, which is a first for a Supreme Court justice. Kavanaugh has moved into the chambers previously occupied by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who has taken over Kennedys chambers. The oral arguments on Tuesday concern the 1984 Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), a three-strikes-and-youre-out criminal sentencing law that boosts prison sentences after multiple violent felonies or drug offenses. The cases challenge the types of crimes that qualify as violent felonies under the ACCA and can lead to 15-year mandatory minimum sentences for the defendant. In one case, the justices will review a Florida robbery conviction. The other two cases relate to burglary convictions in Tennessee and Arkansas. (Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are steady to modestly up in early U.S. trading Tuesday. Some short covering in the futures markets and bottom-fishing in the cash markets are featured in both metals today, following Mondays solid losses. The safe-haven metals are so far seeing little benefit from an uptick in risk aversion early this week. December gold futures were last up $1.70 an ounce at $1,190.40. December Comex silver was last up $0.006 at $14.34 an ounce. Global stock markets were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are poised for weaker openings when the New York day session begins. There are now early chart clues the U.S. stock indexes have put in at least near-term market tops, if not major tops. World equity markets are still rattled by rising government bond yields that are pulling investor interest away from stocks. The benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury note on Tuesday hit a yield of 3.25%, which is a 7.5-year high. The worlds two largest economies are continuing to escalate their trade war that has also now turned into a war of words. The U.S. secretary of state and Chinese foreign minister exchanged harsh words on Monday. The International Monetary Fund on Monday lowered its world economic growth forecasts due to the U.S.-China trade war and the presently shaky secondary world currency markets. This week, the Chinese yuan is in focus as it continues to depreciate against the U.S. dollar even as Chinese monetary officials work to stem the yuans slide. The key outside markets today find the U.S. dollar index again higher, on safe-haven demand. Meantime, November Nymex crude oil prices are higher and trading just below $75.00 a barrel. U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, and the IBD/TIPP economic optimism index. Technically, gold bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Gold bulls' next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close in December futures above solid resistance at $1,220.70. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at the August low of $1,167.10. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of $1,195.80 and then at $1,200.00. First support is seen at the September low of $1,184.30 and then at $1,175.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.5 December silver futures bears have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $15.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the September low of $13.965. First resistance is seen at $14.50 and then at Mondays high of $14.70. Next support is seen at $14.195 and then at $14.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 2.0. People attend the Columbus Day parade on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in New York, the United States, on Oct. 8, 2018. Thousands of people participated in the celebration of the Italian American culture and heritage here on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) NEW YORK, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Gloomy overcast skies on Monday did not stop thousands of people, mostly Italian-Americans, to march up the iconic Fifth Avenue of New York City to celebrate Columbus Day, which marks the landing of the Italian-born explorer Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean in 1492. The heart of midtown Manhattan was shut down for the 74th annual Columbus Day parade included bands, floats, performers and 35,000 marchers. And over a million people were estimated to have lined the streets -- from 44th to 72nd street, to watch the festivities that "celebrates the spirit of exploration and courage that inspired Christopher Columbus's expedition" and "the important contributions Italian-Americans have made to the United States," according to the organizers. "My grandparents were from Italy and I was raised with that heritage and the Italians believe in what New Yorkers believe in - education, discrimination of none, opportunity for all," said New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo who marched in the parade. However, Columbus, Ohio, the largest city named for Christopher Columbus, has called off its observance of the federal holiday this year. Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus recently announced that the city will stay open on Monday (during Columbus Day). The city of 860,000 would instead go on holiday for Veterans Day on November 12. The Ohio's capital city joined a growing list of U.S. states and cities that do not recognize Columbus Day and either recognize other holidays or practice non-observance. In recent decades, Native Americans and other groups have protested the celebration of the Columbus Day and called for replacing it with Indigenous Peoples Day in an effort to recognize the damage of colonialism in the Americas. Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Oregon, South Dakota and Vermont have officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, as cities include Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Cincinnati. GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) - The only solution to Scotlands Brexit problem is to split from the United Kingdom, Nicola Sturgeon told her Scottish National Party (SNP) on Tuesday. Britains 52-48 percent 2016 vote to leave the European Union has put the four-nation United Kingdom at loggerheads; England and Wales voted to leave but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay. Sturgeon, who is also Scotlands first minister, said that the contempt shown by the British government toward Scotland during Brexit negotiations so far showed the UK was not a union of equals. Brexit is a serious problem for Scotland, she told the SNP conference, arguing that Brexit had made it even more evident that Scotlands future was not in its own hands because it would leave the EU against its will. The only solution to that is to become an independent country, she said, adding she was more and more confident it would happen. Sturgeon urged her supporters to be patient to win over new fans for independence. She has said she will make a decision about a new drive for secession once the terms of Brexit are clear. The following statements were posted to the verified personal Twitter account of U.S. President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) The opinions expressed are his own. Reuters has not edited the statements or confirmed their accuracy. @realDonaldTrump : - The paid D.C. protesters are now ready to REALLY protest because they havent gotten their checks - in other words, they werent paid! Screamers in Congress, and outside, were far too obvious - less professional than anticipated by those paying (or not paying) the bills! [0832 EDT] - Great evening last night at the White House honoring Justice Kavanaugh and family. Our country is very proud of them![0837 EDT] - Will be going to Iowa tonight for Rally, and more! The Farmers (and all) are very happy with USMCA! [0910 EDT] - Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10:30am. [1018 EDT] -- Source link: (bit.ly/2jBh4LU) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his next meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is happening and officials are in the process of setting it up. Trump, speaking in the Oval Office after announcing the resignation of U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a great meeting with Kim and that three or four locations were being considered for the two leaders next summit. Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Lisa Lambert Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. * China role in Pakistan can bring benefits and risks - economist* Pakistan seen facing financing gaps, low reserves* PM has said Pakistan might need to turn back to IMF(Adds details on Pakistan seeking IMF talks this week) By David Lawder and Yawen Chen NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Pakistan has not yet formally approached the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance, but if bailout talks get underway this week, the goal will be to help Pakistan reach its full potential, the IMF's chief economist said on Tuesday. Addressing a news conference at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bali, the IMF's Maurice Obstfeld cautioned that increased Chinese involvement in Pakistan's economy could bring both benefits and risks. Obstfeld said Pakistan is facing financing gaps as it has been hit by a large fiscal and current account deficit, a low level of reserves and a currency he described as "too rigid" and over-valued. Pakistan's Finance Ministry Asad Umar said on Monday the government would seek to open talks with the IMF in Bali this week for emergency financial assistance. New Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier sought alternatives to a second bailout program in five years from the IMF as it impose austerity and limit his vision of an Islamic welfare state. Obstfeld said that if the IMF does enter into talks with Pakistan this week on a possible new financing program, the goal would be reforms that would help Pakistan reach its "immense potential" without providing specific details. "The government has expressed its desires to enact deep structural reforms that might break the cycle of Pakistan needing financial support from the Fund," he said. INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS Pakistan needs more infrastructure development, Obstfeld added, and the country could benefit from China's role in supporting its project financing. But China's involvement could also bring potential risks, he said. "It is important that the design of the projects... be solid and excessive debts which cannot be repaid are avoided," the IMF chief economist said. Islamabad has cut the size of the biggest Chinese "Silk Road" project in Pakistan, a reconstruction of the main rail line between the port city of Karachi and Peshawar in the northwest by $2 billion, citing government concerns about the country's debt levels. The changes are part of Islamabad's efforts to rethink key Belt and Road Initiative projects in Pakistan, to which China has pledged about $60 billion in financing. The Trump administration has been critical of China's Belt and Road initiative, saying that it has saddled some developing countries with debts they cannot afford to repay. In July, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was "no rationale" for an IMF bailout of Pakistan that pays off Chinese loans to Pakistan. Chinese officials have rejected criticism that the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects have burdened Pakistan with unsustainable debts. Instead, the Chinese maintain, they have boosted the country's economic growth and provided 70,000 jobs. (Reporting by Yawen Chen and David Lawder; Editing by Richard Borsuk & Simon Cameron-Moore) Messaging: yawen.chen.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) An investigation of Meng Hongwei, vice-minister of public security, whose suspected lawbreaking includes taking bribes, shows China's strong determination to fight corruption, the ministry said in a statement on Monday. "The investigation of Meng is very timely which shows that there's no privilege or exception in the face of laws, and no person can escape punishment if he or she violates the law," said the statement, released after a ministry meeting chaired by State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi. The National Supervisory Commission announced late on Sunday that 64-year-old Meng is being investigated for suspected lawbreaking without giving details, but the ministry statement made it clear that he is suspected of taking bribes. The news received huge attention worldwide because Meng also served as president of Interpol, which is based in France. In November 2016, Meng was elected president of Interpol at its 85th members' meeting in Indonesia, becoming the first Chinese to hold the post. He was to serve a four-year term. Before his election as Interpol president, Meng was vice-minister of public security and had served as head of the China Coast Guard. After becoming Interpol president, he still held the position of vice-minister of public security in China. On Monday, Interpol said in a statement that the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon received Meng's resignation as president of Interpol with immediate effect. According to the statement, the senior vice-president serving on Interpol's executive committee, Kim Jong Yang of South Korea, became the acting president under the terms of Interpol's Constitution and internal regulations. Interpol's 87th General Assembly Session will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Nov 18 to 21, at which time the organization will elect a new president for the remaining two years of the current mandate. On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that China will continue to support Interpol and cooperate with its member states in fighting transnational crimes. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible country, China will continue fulfilling its role in international affairs and multilateral institutions, Lu said at a regular news conference. Speaking of selecting a new head of Interpol, Lu said that China thinks its member states will make reasonable arrangements according to the Constitution of the organization. Previous high-ranking officials were placed under graft probes by both the National Supervisory Commission and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, but Sunday's announcement only states that Meng is being investigated by the supervisory commission. Jiang Laiyong, a researcher at China Anti-Corruption Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the change might be because supervisory inspectors first discovered Meng's suspected illegal acts, and they intervened in a timely fashion. "During the investigation, if discipline officers found Meng also had violated Party rules, he would face punishment within the Party as well," he said. According to the statement of the meeting of the Ministry of Public Security on Monday, efforts should be made to fully understand the harm Meng's case has brought to the Party and the public security sector, and draw lessons from it. There should be a lasting momentum to fight corruption and continuous efforts to build a clean and honest police force, according to the meeting's statement. It also said the lingering negative effect of Zhou Yongkang must be completely cleared, it said. Zhou, formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee who was in charge of the country's legal affairs, was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2015 for accepting bribes, abusing his power and deliberately disclosing State secrets. Zhou Jin contributed to this story. On Naver, typing in "Koo Ha-ra" in the search box shows a list of auto-complete keywords related to the K-pop star, including the controversy involving a sex video allegedly filmed by her former boyfriend. Capture from Naver. By Ko Dong-hwan Koo Ha-ra When police found that the former boyfriend of K-pop star Koo Ha-ra filmed the couple having sex and sent it to her via a mobile text-messaging app, the discovery turned into breaking news and prompted search words on Korean portal sites like "Koo Ha-ra video" and "Koo Ha-ra sex." The words went viral and became auto-complete keywords on the sites a series of words automatically listed under a certain search word as related terms. The danger of the auto-complete keywords, in the case of the former member of the now defunct KARA, is that those unaware of the issue who searched her name can see the controversial words listed. The chance then is that they will start looking for the video and, at least, remember the star by those search words. Yoo Young-kuk's "Work" (1967) / Courtesy of the artist and Kukje Gallery By Kwon Mee-yoo Late artist Yoo Young-kuk as a student in Japan in the late 1930s-early 40s / Courtesy of the Yoo Youngkuk Art Foundation By Lee Kyung-min Korea's financial bigwigs will gather in Bali, Indonesia, from Oct. 12 to 14 for the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG). The primary purpose of their visit is to attend IMF meetings but some are expected to meet their counterparts from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries to discuss business opportunities there. The attendees include Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Cho Yong-byoung, KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo, NongHyup Financial Group Chairman Kim Gwang-soo and Hana Financial Group CEO Kim Jung-tai. Woori Bank CEO Sohn Tae-seung and Industrial Bank of Korea CEO Kim Do-jin alongside many leaders of the state-run financial firms will also attend the event. The rare high participation rate indicates a collective fervor toward expanding business opportunities in Southeast Asia amid saturation of the local financial market. Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Cho Yong-byoung KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo Hana Financial Group CEO Kim Jung-tai NongHyup Financial Group Chairman Kim Gwang-soo Woori Bank CEO Sohn Tae-seung Industrial Bank of Korea CEO Kim Do-jin Given the confirmed attendance of Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon, expectations are growing that he could have an impromptu meeting with high-profile finance figures. In a state visit to three ASEAN member countries in November 2017, Moon announced the New Southern Policy, a move to expand the economic influence of Asia's fourth-largest economy in the region. The so-called "3P" vision, with core emphasis put on people, prosperity and peace, seeks to boost ties among ASEAN member nations. Over the past few years, many banks and financial groups have been expanding their presence in Indonesia. In September, Shinhan arranged a deal under which it will be able to supervise the issuance of the "kimchi bond," set to be issued by an Indonesia firm. The comprehensive management concerning non-won-denominated bonds is part of its move to enter investment banking (IB) via enhanced collaboration with local subsidiaries. It was the first time for a Korean securities firm to manage the issuance of a kimchi bond for an Indonesian firm. Similarly, KB Kookmin Bank acquired a 22 percent stake in Indonesia's Bank Bukopin and became that bank's second-largest shareholder in July. The acquisition enabled Korea's largest lender by assets to re-enter the South East Asian market after it left in 2008 by selling off stakes in BII Bank to Malaysia's Maybank. PT KEB Hana Bank, an Indonesian subsidiary of KEB Hana, enjoyed double-digit growth in 2017, with the goal of joining the league of top 20 lenders there. The IMF and WBG annual meetings will continue from Oct. 8 to 14. Gathered at the meeting are central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics. They will discuss issues of global concerns including the world economic outlook, economic development, poverty eradication and aid effectiveness. By Jhoo Dong-chan Mirae Asset Life, which has decided to introduce a voluntary retirement program, and other life insurers are rushing to downsize their workforces, according to industry analysts Tuesday. The move is to secure more capital by reducing labor costs to comply with IFRS17, a new set of strengthened international reporting standards that will go into effect January 2021. Concerns are mounting among insurers that such a downsizing trend could spread to the nation's insurance industry as a whole, the analysts said. According to investment bank and insurance circles, Mirae Asset Life started receiving applications for voluntary retirement from its employees in their 40s and older, who worked more than seven years, Oct. 5. It is said the insurer will pay up to 40 times the monthly salary at one time to the applicants. The voluntary retirement program is expected to cost 30 billion won ($26.32 million). "It seems some insurers are experiencing difficulties in securing enough capital necessary for satisfying IFRS17 standards," said a Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) official. "They seem to have no option but to reduce payroll costs." The average salary of an employee of Mirae Asset Life was 98 million won for men and 83 million won for women last year. It added 75 male and 70 female employees when it acquired PCA Life in March. Fears are growing throughout the industry because a number of insurers are also experiencing similar difficulties and could take the same measure. According to FSS data, the risk-base capital (RBC) ratio of Samsung Life Insurance, the nation's largest life insurer, failed to reach 100 percent in its latest simulation, far less than the government's minimum recommendation of 150 percent. The RBC requirement refers to a rule that establishes minimum regulatory capital for financial institutions. Other insurance giants Hanwha and Kyobo Life have conducted voluntary retirement programs over the last three years, but are said to be continuously reducing fixed costs through various measures such as peer evaluation. Fubon Hyundai Life, formerly Hyundai Life, has also carried out a massive restructuring since December through early this year before it was acquired by Taiwanese Fubon Group in which it dismissed 250 employees who had worked fro more than three years for the company. Hyundai Life's RBC ratio was only 157.8 percent in January, but is expected to reach nearly 250 percent by the end of the year thanks to the Taiwanese capital. The capital increase by major shareholders is aimed at preparing for new global financial standards, such as IFRS17. These new accounting rules will evaluate liabilities based on market value. According to FSS data, the number of workers at the nation's 25 life insurers was 25,483 as of end-June, down 510 from a year ago. The figure has constantly dropped by about 500 every year since 2015. By Jung Min-ho New Zealand can now fine you up to $NZ5,000 ($3,200) if you refuse to give your phone or laptop passwords to customs officials at the country's border. New Zealand's Customs and Excise Act 2018, which came into force early this month, allows customs officials to demand passwords for travelers' electronic devices. Those who refuse to cooperate could face fines as well as prosecution and their devices could be confiscated. But officials should have "reasonable cause" to suspect someone of breaching customs rules or of committing other crimes to demand a search. The new law has triggered resistance from rights groups, which have expressed privacy concerns. "Modern smartphones contain a large amount of highly sensitive private information including emails, letters, medical records, personal photos and very personal photos," said Thomas Beagle, the chairman of the NZ Council for Civil Liberties. Local media reported that New Zealand border officials carried out 537 preliminary searches of devices last year. The South Korean prime minister on Tuesday reaffirmed the government's will to restart efforts to compile a unified Korean-language dictionary with North Korea as his country observed Hangul Day, which marks the invention of the Korean alphabet more than five centuries ago. "The Roh Moo-hyun government began a project to jointly publish the 'Gyeoreomal-keunsajeon' with North Korea in 2005 but it has been suspended amid the ups and downs of inter-Korean relations," Lee Nak-yeon said during a national ceremony for the 572nd Hangul Day at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. "Gyeoreomal-keunsajeon" means "Grand Korean Dictionary." Hangul was invented by King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) in 1446 to promote literacy and give the state, which had relied on Chinese characters, its own alphabet. "We were of one nation when King Sejong invented Hangul. But the Cold War divided the Korean tribe and its territory into two," Lee said. "The 70 years of division is changing the meaning and use of Korean words in the South and the North." The premier said the country should no longer delay efforts to understand differences with the North and narrow the gap. "I believe if this kind of thing accumulates, the Koreas can become one, as in the years ruled by King Sejong," he emphasized. The remarks come as the two Koreas seek ways to hold a working-level meeting this month in Kaesong, a North Korean town just north of the inter-Korean border. They will discuss a possible resumption of regular meetings of scholars on the project in late November or early December, according to the South Korean side committee on the program. The last regular meeting was held in Dalian, China, in December 2015. The program was suspended in 2016 after a spate of nuclear and missile tests by the North. (Yonhap) By Lee Min-hyung With Washington and Pyongyang agreeing to hold a second U.S.-North Korea summit at the earliest date possible, expectations are that it will take place sometime before the U.S. mid-term election which falls Nov. 6. In a meeting with President Moon Jae-in late Sunday at Cheong Wa Dae, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at a summit that "should be held as soon as possible," according to a written brief issued by Moon's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan. But there was no mention of a specific time or even location for the second summit. Political analysts in Seoul argue the second Washington-Pyongyang summit may take place earlier than expected in consideration of Pompeo's agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about holding it "as soon as possible." "My view is that leaders from the two countries can meet in the very near future, possibly before the U.S. election, as Pompeo is likely to have had an in-depth discussion with Kim on the timeline of the North's denuclearization steps such as abolishing its nuclear and missile facilities," Kim Sang-ki, director of the policy division at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Monday. On top of that, Washington and Pyongyang have expressed their strong determination to resume dialogue, and at the moment, there is nothing to block the peace momentum, according to Kim Sang-ki. The United States and North Korea have in recent months failed to make substantial progress in taking steps toward the North's nuclear disarmament since the leaders from the two sides met for the first time in Singapore this June. Pompeo's meeting with the North Korean leader made headlines Monday at the regime's propaganda media outlet. "Both sides reaffirmed their strong desire and determination to make big progress in achieving bilateral goals surrounding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during the planned second Pyongyang-Washington summit," the Rodong Sinmun quoted Kim as saying during his meeting with Pompeo. The state-controlled newspaper went on to speak highly of the meeting, saying Kim Jong-un and Pompeo also exchanged expectations and concerns in detail over the ongoing denuclearization talks. "Kim said both sides will soon come up with plans to hold the second summit between the North and the U.S.," it said. Pope Francis greets faithful at the end of his meeting with youths attending the Synod, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. AP-Yonhap By Oh Young-jin North Korean leader Kim Jong-un North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will invite Pope Francis to the communist nation's capital Pyongyang, promising a "fervent welcome" during the papal visit, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. In a briefing, presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said Kim's invitation would be delivered to the Pope when President Moon Jae-in visits Vatican City. Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon speaks at a dinner reception in Pyongyang last week, held as part of an event commemorating the 11th anniversary of the 10.4 Declaration reached between leaders of the Koreas in 2007. / Joint Press Corps By Kim Bo-eun Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon plans to visit Washington, D.C., next month to persuade high-profile U.S. officials about Seoul's engagement-centric policy toward North Korea and to brief them about the latest developments on the nuclear disarmament talks, the ministry said, Tuesday. Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said specifics of the minister's trip have yet to be fixed, but added the minister may travel to the U.S. to speak at the Korea Global Forum, an event that will be held Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C. During his visit, the minister is scheduled to meet with key U.S. officials to share with them the South's updated North Korean policies and the country's stance to push forward and improve inter-Korean relations. "He may elaborate about how better inter-Korean ties will help enhance progress on the North's denuclearization," Baik said. North Korea has yet to carry out any denuclearization measures, though its leader Kim Jong-un affirmed his commitment for complete denuclearization during his third in-person meeting with President Moon Jae-in, last month. The United States is asking North Korea to take concrete and verifiable denuclearization measures. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a meeting with reporters before leaving for China, said Kim Jong-un has allowed some international inspectors to monitor nuclear sites in the country. He noted that at least one site, the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, was on the list of "permissible sites" for inspection. Still, it remains unclear which inspectors and when North Korea would allow them in. Inter-Korean exchanges are accelerating since the third inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. Last week, a large-scale event was held in Pyongyang to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the Oct. 4 Declaration reached between the leaders of the Koreas in 2007. Attending the event from the South was a 150-member delegation comprised of government officials, lawmakers, local government officials and civic group members. At the event, the South proposed holding an inter-Korean parliamentary meeting in Pyongyang next month. Local governments are also preparing for exchanges with the North. In addition, the Koreas are seeking to conduct inspections of a section of railway in the North this month, as part of preparations for a project to connect the rail networks between the South and North. The leaders of the two Koreas agreed for a groundbreaking ceremony to connect the railways to be held within the year, and inspections of the railway sections in the North are necessary to enable this to happen within the agreed timeframe. However, construction cannot begin unless sanctions on the North are lifted. The U.S. has maintained that sanctions will remain intact until full denuclearization is achieved. The U.S. is seen to have disapproved of the preparations as North Korea has yet to take verifiable denuclearization steps. The chief of the United Nations Command (UNC), who is also the head of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), put the brakes on a plan in August for a South Korean train to head to the North to inspect a rail line along the West Cost. The UNC commander holds the authority to approve or deny South Korean personnel and equipment to cross the military demarcation line (MDL). North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the U.S. Secretary of State raise their glasses during Mike Pompeo's recent visit to Pyongyang. Pompeo said the North would allow outside nuclear inspectors. Yonhap By Oh Young-jin Put the ongoing beehive of activities for North Korea's denuclearization together and it would look as if a resolution were within immediate reach. But one expert warns that this is nothing but an illusion and it may take 10 years or more to defang the North's nuclear capability because of a lack of mutual trust. "It would be more a decadal timeframe than an annual timeframe," Ernest J. Moniz, a former U.S. energy secretary, recently told The Korea Times. "We start off and will have for a long time a situation where there is lack of trust on both sides ... we can't just wake up one morning and say now we trust." The North's leader Kim Jong-un is said to be offering denuclearization within two years, which U.S. President Donald Trump seems happy going after to appeal to American voters in the coming midterm elections. Moniz, a nuclear physicist, worked for U.S. President Barrack Obama, who was behind the now in tatters Iran nuclear deal and ineffective policy of "strategic patience" toward the North. "Don't trust and verify, verify, verify," is Moniz's advice for the U.S. in working for the North's denuclearization. The phrase is his version of the Russian proverb "Trust but verify," made famous when President Ronald Reagan used it regarding nuclear disarmament negotiations with the Soviet Union. Moniz cited the failed U.S.-North Korea 1994 agreed framework to have the North give up its nuclear program in return for economic help. "It is a short document that didn't put many constraints on anything. Of course, it didn't survive," Moniz said. He said the new agreement would resemble the "Iranian agreement that is 150 pages long, very specific and has very strong verification measures," such as quarterly certification of compliance. He recalled Defense Secretary James Mattis telling the Congress in April that he found the Iranian deal he read three times was a document that expected Iran to cheat. "That is the mindset we need." However, Moniz is not skeptical about the North's denuclearization. "I don't want to be Pollyannaish," he said, adding that the North's nuclear program can still be reversed. "It would be very bad if we are not open enough to pursue negotiations that can lead to meaningful results." The trick lies, he said, in a "step-by-step" approach to help the North recognize that verifiably giving up its nuclear weapons will lead to overall net benefits in terms of national security and greatly enhance its economic opportunities. Ernest Moniz, CEO of nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative and former U.S. secretary of energy, speaks to The Korea Times during an interview at the Westin Chosun Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Oh Young-jin Two Chinese tourists spending National Day holiday in the Jungfrau Region in Switzerland. A report by Chinese travel services provider Ctrip showed that Chinese tourists have left their footprints on more than 1,000 cities in nearly 100 countries during the 7-day National Day vacation. The report, issued on Oct. 8, indicated that Thailand ranked the hottest tourist destination for Chinese in this years vacation, followed by Japan, Chinese Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore. According to previous data released by related Thai department, a total of 7.73 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in the first 8 months of 2018, growing 16.51 percent year on year. They created tourism revenue of 90.1 billion yuan ($13 billion) for the Thai government. During the 7-day vacation, the number of Chinese tourists flying to the US saw a decline of 42 percent from a year ago, said travel fare aggregator website Skyscanner. By the end of this September, the total number of Chinese tourists visiting the US was down by 5 percent. The decline was partly due to the ongoing trade war between China and the US, explained Liu Jiaming, a researcher with the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Chinas mobile payment service provider Alipay said that the per capita consumption of Chinese tourists on its platform saw an increase of 30 percent during the holiday. However, a noticeable shift happened this year that more and more Chinese tourists tended to spend their money on in-depth travel experiences rather than shopping. A tourist named Ye Qiu who went to France during the vacation said that the in-depth travel experiences, which allowed him to explore the exotic world, were of more significance for him than shopping. Jiang Yiyi, director of the Institute of International Tourism Development under China Tourism Academy, noted that such shift showcased the upgrading of Chinese tourism. Quarantine officials spray pesticides to kill red fire ants that were found in a warehouse in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Monday./ Yonhap By Jung Hae-myoung Quarantine authorities are on alert against the possible spread of foreign red fire ants to inland regions after a swam of the insects was found in a warehouse in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, while they had been found at ports in most previous cases. They have yet to confirm if there was a "queen ant," which lays up to 1,500 eggs a day, in the swarm, and whether it was exterminated. They received a report at 10:30 a.m. Monday that red fire ants were found in mounds in a container box at an Ansan warehouse of a steam vacuum cleaner manufacturing company. The container contained vacuum cleaners which the company made in China through original equipment manufacturing. The Ansan city government examined the site with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency and the Ministry of Environment and confirmed there were 5,900 ants. Quarantine officers sprayed pesticides near the container to prevent the spread of the insects and fumigated the container. The container departed Guangdong, Sept. 8, and arrived at Incheon Port, Sept. 11. It was kept at the port for almost a month before being moved to the warehouse in Ansan Monday morning. Workers who were unloading cargo found the ants. "We think the chance is low that they traveled to other areas because most of them were found in the container within several hours after the container was moved to the warehouse," a city government official said. "But we'll decide whether to take additional disinfecting measures after discussing the problem with experts." This was the eighth occasion that red fire ants have been found in Korea since they were first discovered in September last year. The last case was this September when a mound of red fire ants, with a queen, was found at a construction site in Daegu. Red fire ants have a level of venom similar to bee stings. This is not detrimental to healthy people, but can be critical to some of the elderly and those with weak immune systems who are vulnerable to infections. By Oh Young-jin Thomas Vandal, 59, a retired U.S. Lt. Gen. who commanded the Eighth U.S. Army (EUSA), the mainstay of U.S. Forces Korea, died Sunday. Kim Jong-wook, honorary chairman of the KATUSA Veterans Association, told The Korea Times that he had received word of the death from associates in the United States. "My heart goes out to the deceased Vandal and his wife Doreen," Kim said. Vandal retired in January after about 40 years of military service. He spent nearly five years in South Korea. Vandal, from Rhode Island, graduated from West Point in 1982 and served in Korea as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division before being promoted to EUSA commander. He is credited for his forthrightness shown when he called a press conference in July 2017 to defend the decision to deploy the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area, defense system in Korea to protect against North Korea's missile threat. This angered China so much that it slapped a sweeping boycott on Korean goods and services. Vandal said without THAAD, 10 million South Koreans would be exposed to the North's threat. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was battling it. By Jung Min-ho A woman, 39, is being investigated for allegedly stealing cash and jewelry from a shaman, 50, police said Monday. According to Busan Yeonje Police Station, the suspect, whose identity is being withheld, was apprehended recently on suspicion of stealing 14.1 million won ($12,400) of cash and jewelry from her "teacher." The suspect approached the shaman in May, saying she wanted to be her student. But three months later, she stole the valuables and ran away while her teacher was asleep. Police apprehended the suspect on Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province. Inspectors look around a charred oil storage tank in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. /Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki By Lee Suh-yoon The recent explosion of an oil tank in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province and the ensuing fire that consumed 2.6 million liters of gasoline over 17 hours has revealed the lack of adequate safety regulations at oil storage sites in the country. The explosion Sunday was caused by a sky lantern released by a young Sri Lankan migrant worker, about 300 meters from the oil storage site, police said. The grass around the storage compound caught fire as the sky lantern, lifted by a burning flame inside, landed there, CCTV footage showed. As there were no fire detectors installed outside the oil tank, the operators were unaware of the danger until the explosion came 18 minutes later, the police revealed in a briefing Tuesday. Police suspect the explosion occurred as sparks from the burning grass made contact with oil and natural gas vapors emitted from the tank's ventilation hatch. It was found the oil storage facility, owned and operated by Daehan Oil Pipeline Corp. (DOPCO), did not have oil vapor collection devices. These could have prevented the fire, but was not installed to cut down on costs. They are not compulsory for oil storage facilities, only at retail gas stations since last year. A car is stuck in the ditch next to a road on Jeju Island in this 2017 photo. The police found the driver made a mistake due to inexperience. / Courtesy of Jeju Provincial Police Agency By Jung Hae-myoung Residents of Jeju Island are threatened by inexperienced drivers who go to the resort island to practice their driving skills. There are a surging number of blog posts encouraging the beginners practice driving on Jeju where the traffic is relatively light compared to mainland cities. The reviews include tips and safety warnings for novice drivers. "I even traveled at 108 kilometers per hour on the expressway. The place is good for beginners because there are not many cars around here," a blogger wrote in August. "Jeju Island is less complicated compared to traffic situations in Seoul," a college student surnamed Han, 26, told The Korea Times. "It is more cost effective to drive rather than take public transport." The car rental cost on Jeju is around 20,000 won ($17.5) per day, and even lower during the off-season. However, the high number of inexperienced drivers has led to an increase in traffic accidents. In a 2016 report by Jeju Research Institute, 35.4 percent of people who rented cars on the island had less than five years of driving experience. Rental car accidents are continuously on the rise from 525 cases in 2015 to 2,011 cases in 2017, according to the Jeju Provincial Police Agency. "Many local drivers feel anxious whenever they see license plates of rented cars," Kim Woo-hyun, a Jeju resident, told The Korea Times. Rented cars can be distinguished by their license plates that start with "ha," "ho," or "heo" in Korean letters. "It is hard to get around tourist places especially during the summer holiday season," she said. July and August had the most accidents with 568 and 628 cases respectively, according to the 2016 report. "There have been many accidents by drivers of rental cars: In one case, the driver turned left regardless of the traffic light. In another, a car blocked a bike path. In yet another, a vehicle fell into a stream after making a hasty turn on a mountain road. Many accidents were caused by novice drivers who just received their drivers' licenses," an official at the regional police agency said. "They are mostly dependent on navigation systems and make poor decisions." These drivers also often show their inexperience, parking at the wrong places and leaving for sightseeing without leaving any contact number, the official said. Car rental companies also try to make profits out of increasing tourists, and make loose checks on their drivers' licenses. According to the report, only two out of 30 rental companies in Seoul and Jeju made thorough checks of the qualifications of their customers, such as whether their licenses had been suspended. Some car rental businesses say they will not demand compensation for accidents, trying to lure more customers with less driving experience who seek cheap prices. The customers are free from damage costs and the business owners go to unlicensed repair shops to increase profits. The increasing number of traffic accidents caused by rental cars has been a headache to the local government as well. As part of the solution, the provincial government said it would decrease the total number of rental cars from 33,388 to 25,000 by June 2019. The provincial council passed a special act in February to restrict the number of rental cars and adopt stricter standards for new registration. Now some business owners are protesting the new rule, saying they will sue the government for interfering with their business. Experts say decreasing the number of rental cars is not a fundamental solution to curb the number of accidents. "Most of the accidents on Jeju Island are caused by exceeding the speed limit and the drivers' lack of experience," said Chang Gyeong-wook, a senior researcher at the Korea Road Traffic Authority. "The local government should enforce stricter punishment for speed limit violations and more actively promote safe driving." 'Definite progress' seen in pledge for denuclearization By Lee Min-hyung North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's pledge to let international inspectors examine his regime's "former" nuclear test site is a small yet meaningful step to continue building trust with U.S. President Donald Trump. As momentum for the second Kim-Trump summit builds up, experts here said Tuesday it was too early to interpret the move as a "political show" seeking to lift economic sanctions. Arriving in South Korea Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Kim had extended an invitation to international inspectors for them to check on the Punggye-ri site, in an apparent move reiterating his willingness for complete denuclearization. Despite the invitation, concerns have also surfaced that Kim may seek to gain the upper hand in the ongoing denuclearization talks with the U.S. by pretending to make a big concession with the decision. "North Korea wants to show that the recent dismantling of the Punggye-ri site is irreversible," Dongguk University professor Koh Yu-hwan said Tuesday. "At the moment, it is premature to say the decision is primarily aimed at lifting sanctions imposed on the regime, even if the North wants international society to ease the heavy economic sanctions on it in the long run." Denuclearization is a long-term process, and the U.S. is also aware of that and believes Pompeo's recent Pyongyang visit generated tangible results, according to the North Korea expert. Kim Sang-ki, director of the policy unit at the Korea Institute for National Unification, concurred by saying Kim Jong-un's latest pledge was "definite progress" in the denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang. "Critics have so far argued that North Korea unilaterally dismantled the site without inspections from outside experts, but Kim Jong-un took into account the pessimistic voices by making the latest decision," he said. The North's denuclearization is still in its infancy and complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization (CVID) cannot be achieved without corresponding measures from the South and the U.S., he said. "A common bond has to be established among Seoul, Pyongyang and Washington to achieve smooth progress in the North's ongoing denuclearization," he said. "In this regard, the U.S. should also take corresponding steps to build trust and keep the North on the right track for denuclearization." He also shared his views on how the group of inspectors may be formed. "Most of the experts will consist of government officials and nuclear experts from the U.S.," he said. "Inspectors from other countries including those from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can also be included, but the U.S. will drive the inspection process." Political commentator Lee Jin-gon, who served as a professor at Kyung Hee University, said the Trump administration is on track to slow the pushing ahead of its previous hard-line policy against North Korea. "It is a somewhat meaningful outcome for the U.S. to block the North from engaging in any violent and provocative activities for a certain period of time, even if the North fails to achieve denuclearization in the long run," he said. "This is a win-win for Trump and Kim Jong-un in that they have made global headlines this year with their efforts for peace," Lee said. No one knows what is on Kim Jong-un's mind, according to the expert, but he said the chances of the North will completely give up its nuclear arsenal are slim. "Kim Jong-un puts top priority on maintaining his totalitarian power, and the goal can only be achieved through violence," Lee said. "But he also seeks to win trust from the North Korean public and the regime cannot be self-sufficient without the lifting of global economic sanctions. In the end, Kim will continue to enhance ties with Trump and international society." By Kim Yoo-chul North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has officially invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. "President Moon Jae-in will deliver Kim's invitation to Pope Francis when he meets him next week during a trip to Europe," presidential office spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said in a media briefing. Greg Burke, the director of the Holy See's Press Office, said on Tuesday that pope Francis will "receive in audience" Moon on Oct. 18 at 12 p.m., according to Yonhap. "During the third summit between President Moon and Kim last month in Pyongyang, Moon suggested Kim meet Pope Francis citing his great interest for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. Shortly after the suggestion, Kim accepted it by saying Pope Francis will be more than welcome to visit Pyongyang," the spokesman added. President Moon will travel to France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark and Italy from Oct. 13 to 21. The spokesman said President Moon will visit France and Italy from Oct. 13 to 18 either on a state or an official visit. "The main issues that will be discussed during Moon's visit to those countries will be how to develop South Korea's relations with France and Italy. In a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, President Moon plans to discuss issues relating to the development of bilateral partnerships in diplomacy and security. Given Italy's expertise in advanced technologies, Moon is set to explore new opportunities to boost South Korea's tie-up with Italian new businesses," the spokesman said. During the European trip, Moon will hold a summit with the head of the European Commission on the sidelines of his participation in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which will be held in Belgium Oct. on 18 and 19. "Moon plans to present ways on how South Korea's engagement-centric growth can help the international community seek sustainable growth," the spokesman said. Government officials prepare for the National Assembly's annual audit at the Central Government Complex in downtown Seoul, Tuesday, a day before its beginning. The Assembly will conduct the audit for 20 days beginning Wednesday. / Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung The National Assembly will begin its annual audit of the government and public bodies Wednesday, with rival parties expected to clash fiercely, particularly on President Moon Jae-in's defense and economic policies. The Assembly audit, which will take place for 20 days, is a check on government spending in its introduction and implementation of policies. This year's audit will focus particularly on verifying the effectiveness of the Moon administration's economic policy drives. Even before the audit, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) expressed its determination to raise criticism of Moon's economic and defense drives. "The LKP will take issue with the Moon administration's illusive policies, most of which are short on details," LKP floor leader Rep. Kim Sung-tae said. "They include the government's income-led growth policy, which has ended in failure, and its dogmatic inter-Korean military agreements," he said. Income-led growth is the key to President Moon's economic policy under which the government seeks to boost the national economy by raising the incomes of salaried workers and thus increase private spending. But statistics have recently shown that the livelihoods of the people have not improved and millions of self-employed workers have expressed their frustration in the wake of the government's decision to raise the minimum wage. The opposition parties have in recent months also stepped up their criticism on the government's real estate policy, as it has failed to stabilize home prices in Seoul. Since the Moon administration took office in May last year, the government has pushed ahead with a series of tough regulatory measures on the nation's real estate market. Last month, housing prices in Seoul posted a 10-year record-high increase, according to statistics from the Korea Appraisal Board. The average housing price in Seoul increased by 1.25 percent, compared to a month ago, and this monthly growth is the highest in 10 years, according to the data. The LKP also plans to denounce the government for carrying out its "pro-North Korea" policies without close consultation with the Assembly. "We are going to look into the North Korea policies pushed by the government at a time when the North is not taking any practical denuclearization measures," Kim said. "It is time for us to correct the policy errors of the government," he said. In time with the audit, the government should stop coming up with unrealistic and illusive economic and social policies, Kim added. By Andrew Hammond This autumn marks the 10th anniversary of the height of the international financial crisis, considered by many economists to have been the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s. A decade on from the global financial system teetering on the precipice, the fallout has been profound, and not just economically. The last decade has also witnessed very significant international political turbulence. What has captured most headlines in recent years is the rise of anti-establishment populists riding the anti-globalization mood across much of the world. This may have reached its apotheosis in 2016 with the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, and the United Kingdom voting to leave the EU. What was so striking about both these events was that two of the countries previously known for their political stability, and being traditional rule makers of the international order, made the world a significantly more uncertain place. However, while 2016 may prove to be a potentially defining year for historians, significant political volatility has actually been a feature of international politics for much of the post-crisis period. This had been predicted, to some degree, as early as February 2009 when then-U.S. Director of National Intelligence Admiral Dennis Blair asserted that "the primary U.S. security concern is now the destabilizing global political fallout" of the financial crisis, and then-Secretary of State Hilary Clinton argued that "this economic crisis, left unresolved ... will upend governments, [and] it will unfortunately breed instability." One of the interesting features of the political turmoil since then is that it has impacted emerging and developed markets alike. Most eye-catching have been the political revolutions, popular uprisings and protests in emerging markets. This includes the so-called "Arab Spring" which began in Tunisia and subsequently spread to include revolutionary changes of power in Egypt and Libya; transfer of power in Yemen; plus demonstrations and uprisings in countries as disparate as Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco and Oman. There was also the Ukrainian revolution of 2014, which resulted in the ousting of pro-Moscow President Victor Yanukovych; the Brazilian demonstrations of 2013, the largest in the country for some two decades; and the 2011 Azerbaijani protests against the government. Developed countries have also taken a political hit too. In Europe, for instance, millions have taken to the streets and administrations in more than half of the 27 EU states fell or were voted out of office from spring 2010 to 2012 alone. Within the core eurozone, 11 of 14 governments collapsed or lost elections during that same two years. To be sure, this broad range of political instability has diverse origins with economic issues not the only driver. Unrest in the Arab world stemmed from deep-seated political and socioeconomic discontent that pre-dates the financial crisis. Post-2008, however, factors including liquidity crunches, increased food prices, and unemployment spikes, have exacerbated these longer-standing grievances. In Europe, meanwhile, the role of economic downturn and austerity was central to unrest in numerous countries, especially those most impacted by the eurozone crisis. Even here though, unrest has tapped into pre-existing disquiet with established political parties, hence the meteoric rise of new groups like Syriza in Greece. Nevertheless, this disparate range of political disruption across the world has reportedly been described as "a revolutionary wave, like 1848" by Sir Nigel Inkster, former director of operations for the U.K. Secret Intelligence Service. Others have compared the situation to 1914, 1968 and 1989. Whatever the validity of these historical analogies, it is clear that there are some genuinely new factors to the post-2008 period. This includes the disruptive role of social media and other technologies. There remains debate about how instrumental social media has been in fomenting political instability. However, whether one sees it as an essential component that translated discontent into concrete action, or accentuated what was already-inevitable, indisputably it has played an enabling, mobilizing role that may only grow as technology advances and proliferates. Going forward, a key question is whether political instability will now tail off, especially if economic growth sustains itself in much of the world in coming years. While this is possible, the consequences of the financial crisis endure for many, including the young. In Europe, for instance, Angela Merkel had spoken of her fears of a "lost generation" with youth unemployment spiking above 50 percent in Greece and Spain. This puts many at risk of long-term damage to earnings potential and job prospects, fuelling discontent that may well continue to fuel protest. Secondly, the political salience of economic inequality has also grown in many countries. Both the populist right, and left, have capitalized on this factor as shown by Trump's 2016 win, and the 2018 landslide victory of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico, both of whose victories were framed in the anti-globalization backlash of the moment. On the 10th anniversary of the crisis, significant prospect of political volatility therefore remains across the world in 2018 and beyond. While circumstances will vary from country to country, future political instability will potentially be fuelled not just by economic inequality and legacies of the financial crisis such as higher youth unemployment, but also longer-standing political and socioeconomic discontent which social media is giving fresh impetus to. Andrew Hammond (andrewkorea@outlook.com) is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics. By Choi Sung-jin President Moon Jae-in's approval rating has reclaimed the 60-percent mark thanks to the progress in talks to denuclearize North Korea. When the major economic statistics come out later the month, Moon's support rate may fall below 50 percent again. Throughout this year, the President has been repeating the same process losing popularity because of the economy after winning it from diplomacy. A leader enjoys support and popularity when they are good in dealing with both external and internal affairs that is, foreign policy and economic growth. U.S. President Donald Trump boasts he is one of such leaders but most commentators give generous marks only to Trump's economic accomplishments. President Moon seems to be the opposite case, at least as seen by his performances this year. Economic gloominess is spreading rapidly in Korea these days. Monthly job creation in the third quarter dwindled to several thousand from hundreds of thousands a year ago. The income of the bottom 20 percent plunged, but that of the top 20 percent soared, widening the gap to 5.23 times. Major think tanks, both here and abroad, have revised downward this year's growth projection for the Korean economy from 3.0 percent to 2.7 percent or even 2.5 percent. Some critics have already begun to cry wolf, saying the nation's economy is to fall into another crisis like the one it experienced during the 1997-98 Asian financial turmoil. "Korea's yearly economic growth rate is hovering even below those of the U.S. and Japan, which have economies 10 times and four times larger than ours, respectively," one commentator said. Another complained, right or wrong, Korea is the only major economy suffering a slump while the rest of the industrial countries are enjoying a boom. The main culprit is Moon's "income-led growth" policy, they say in unison. How correct is the diagnosis, however? The liberal Moon administration raised the minimum wage by 16.4 percent to 7,530 won ($6.60) per hour this year while shortening the workweek to 52 hours. It was part of his pledge "to put people workers at the center of the economy." Moon and his economic aides want to create a virtuous circle, in which higher income leads to more brisk consumption which in turn fuels economic recovery. It was a policy in the right direction because the profit-led growth policy of the previous administrations had failed to produce the loudly trumpeted "trickle-down" effects. Moreover, all of Moon's contenders in the presidential elections in May 2017 made the same promise to raise the minimum wage to 10,000 won. Narrowing the ever-widening gap in income and wealth was, and is, the call of the times transcending ideological differences. The road to hell must not be paved with goodwill, as Moon's political opponents claim. It is also true, however, good intentions alone cannot always produce desired results. The Moon government made a mistake in implementing the policy. Because of the reality in Korea where the ratio of owner-operators is twice larger than those of other major economies, the minimum wage hike resulted in a fight between small business owners and low-wage workers. The business cycle was also unfavorable to the new government, as its two predecessor administrations failed to restructure the troubled shipbuilding and automobile industries, which resulted in mass layoffs. This notwithstanding, the conservatives are wrong to call for the government to drop income-led growth and go back to a profit-led one. The Moon administration is the child of the "candlelit revolution" the months-long vigil to replace an economy dominated by corporate behemoths called chaebol, or family-controlled conglomerates, with one led by smaller but innovative enterprises, and narrow the gap of income and wealth under a fairer and more just economic system. It may take a longer time and more sophisticated action plans but a return to the old days cannot be the answer. The shift has only begun. The income-led growth alone cannot bring about the intended outcome unless accompanied by expansionary fiscal operation for other steps promoting equity, including a broader yet denser social safety net for basic welfare and relocation training. Conservative economists and media outlets urge the Moon administration to learn from what they praise as the "pro-business and pro-market policies" of America and Japan. What they do not remember is Korea cannot be like those giant economies. President Trump is prying open foreign markets without hiding his intention to use any means to do so, including raw power. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pouring money from helicopters as the U.S. did years ago. This is possible because the Japanese yen is one of the key global currencies. Korea has neither the political muscle of the U.S. nor a major currency. Moreover, there are no chaebol in the U.S. and Japan. Both the Moon administration and its political opponents ought to have more patience. Income-led growth is a time-consuming policy that requires changes in Korea's economic physique. The critics, in particular, should not make the mistake of judging a long-term policy based on short-term side effects. The economy may slide further in the course of pursuing the right path. However, the nation can ill afford to stop its journey to a normal state. Some conservative newspapers assume Korea's economy were headed for collapse. They commonly claim policies for the underprivileged will ruin the national economy. Even if their analyses are right in the short term, Korea cannot abandon the minimum wage hike and reduced workweek. If the Korean economy is to crumble just because the nation tries to make society more livable, and prevent the strong from exploiting the weak, what is the use of its growth? To normalize inter-Korean relationships will take years, if not decades. So will economic normalization. Choi Sung-jin is a Korea Times columnist. Contact him at choisj1955@naver.com. Editors note: US Vice President Mike Pence spoke on the US China policy on October 4, which sparked a heated discussion in China. This article is what several Chinese youths have to say about his speech. US Vice President Mike Pences latest speech talked a lot about historical events between China and the US from the perspective of God, but unfortunately, his words are mostly selective memories, many of which are not in line with historical facts. In the speech, Pence also talked about Chinas current development from Gods perspective and the superiority of the Savior behind his words is undoubted. Pence mentioned that the US gave Beijing open access to its economy, and brought China into the World Trade Organization (WTO). The implication is that China should thank their acceptance. However, he did not mention Chinas hard work in joining the WTO, nor did he mention that Chinas access to the WTO was the result of several rounds of multilateral negotiations, not the unilateral gift from the US. As Pence said, over the past 17 years, Chinas GDP has grown nine-fold; its become the second-largest economy in the world, but behind all this, its Chinas 287 million migrant workers, 20 million private entrepreneurs and millions of families trying to change their own destiny that made this happen. There are also countless Chinese people who would leave their homes in the process of urbanization and are willing to seize the meager profit in the process of globalization. No one knows more about the meaning of self-reliance than the Chinese. Chinas development, without exporting revolutions and refugees, is based on its own hard work one step at a time. If such diligence is also a mistake, then which is the so-called correct path? Pence believes that there was a great trade deficit between China and the US, so it can be said that the US rebuilt China over the last 25 years, but he deliberately avoided the essence of free trade, which is that two parties buy and sell at their own will. In June, the research report released by Deutsche Bank said the US actually obtained more commercial net benefits than China in China-US bilateral trade. In those years, China had to sell hundreds of millions of shirts to import a large passenger plane. Profits obtained by China and the US were 5% and 84%, respectively, when China exports suits worth $450. Not to mention Apple mobile phones used by young Chinese: an Apple 7 mobile phone sells for a minimum of $649, but its production cost Apple paid for Chinas factories accounts for less than 1%. We wonder how Pences theory can have a leg to stand on when he faces such facts. We know that Chinas reform and opening up is a great process of development and progress of China and the world. We believe that people in many parts of the world have felt the goodwill of the Chinese people and Chinese government. This is also why Chinas Belt and Road Initiative can attract many countries to participate and why Chinas idea of a community with a shared future for humanity is included in UN documents. We regret to see that the US still holds a double standard in todays economic globalization. Pence accused Chinese warships of driving away the US warships, but did not mention that the US warships sailed 12 nautical miles within the Nansha Islands of China. He said China militarizes the South China Sea, but did not mention the US is always engaged in military exercises in this region, sending large amounts of advanced weapons to the South China Sea and constantly constructing new military bases. Pence complained that Chinas military spending is higher than all countries in the Asia-Pacific region combined, but didnt mention that the US military spending in fiscal year 2019 reached more than 700 billion dollars, not only the highest in its history, but also more than the rest of other big countries combined. On one hand, Pence said that the Chinese Communist Party is rewarding or coercing American businesses, movie studios, universities, think tanks, scholars, journalists, and local, state, and federal officials; on the other hand, the US interfered in Chinas internal affairs and diplomacy, intervening in Chinas opening-up policy, Made in China 2025 policy and the Belt and Road Initiative. In his speech, Pence could not even bear Chinas Social Credit Score construction, criticizing it for controlling virtually every facet of human life. However, he forgot that the US has built a credit system for more than a century, reluctant to admit that every American is required to apply to the federal government for a lifetime social security number (SSN) when they are born, and unwilling to recognize that one can go nowhere in the US without credit. As for Pences accusation that China has initiated an unprecedented effort to influence American public opinion, the 2018 midterm elections, and the environment leading into the 2020 presidential elections, not only does China feel wronged, but US Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said on October 3 that theres no indication that China intends to interfere in the midterm elections. Its the US that should reflect on how it has used its social networking sites to make turbulence in the Middle East and trigger a chain of revolutions. China has shown great patience, dignity and sobriety to face the increasingly provocative and aggressive anti-China words of the US, British scholar Martin Jacques said. He said that if China follows the same approach to confront the US, China-US relations will sharply decline, bringing serious consequences to the entire world. There is a line in the movie Spiderman which goes, With great power comes great responsibility. As the worlds biggest superpower, the US should match its words with action. Regrettably, people have become more and more disappointed over the years. The US withdrew from the Paris Agreement, UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council...In October, the country withdrew from the treaty of friendship signed with Iran and also the optional protocol and dispute resolution to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The previous free trade standard bearer has now become the base of protectionism and has frequently set limits on various trade activities, claiming national security. US products such as the iPhone can be found everywhere in China, which we dont regard as a threat. However, if someone buys a Huawei phone in the US, it seems to some people that it threatens US national security. Is the US, the worlds number one superpower, so vulnerable? We are glad to see the US become great again, but such greatness should not be based on superpower dominance or suppression over other countries. Over the past 40 years, the leaders of China and the US made a historic breakthrough in China-US relations and realized a handshake across the Pacific with the political courage and wisdom of strategists. Chinese President Xi Jinping held night talks at Yingtai with former US President Barack Obama and had a tea break at the Forbidden City with US President Donald Trump. At that time, the whole world could see that there was enough space on both sides of the Pacific Ocean to accommodate the two great powers. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US. As members of the young generation, we believe that if the US develops the right way, China will benefit from it, and vice versa. After all, China and the US are the two largest countries in the world today. If the two countries get along with each other, huge positive energy could be generated not only for the two but also for the world. The renowned US writer Mark Twain once said that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Just as a Western saying put it, a bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers. We hope that fewer people hold hammers and more carry roses. The world, after all, belongs to those who open their arms rather than clench their fists. The value of unpaid housework was estimated to be 361 trillion won ($319 billion) in 2014. Statistics Korea said the amount was equivalent to 24 percent of the nominal gross domestic product (GDP). It was also translated into the hourly wage of 10,569 won, about double the minimum wage four years ago. Women accounted for about 75 percent of unpaid labor at home worth 272.5 trillion won, more than three times higher than men's 88.3 trillion won. Unpaid domestic chores include childcare, meal preparation and housecleaning. It marked the first time the government's statistics office estimated the value of household work. However, the United Nations said, as early as 1985, "Women's economic contribution, mostly in the form of unpaid domestic chores, should be reflected on national accounts and economic statistics." About 20 countries, including France, Finland, Switzerland and Japan, have been making such tallies. The latest statistics report was welcome, if overdue. Statistics Korea says these figures will be of help in calculating the GDP growth rate precisely as well as shaping and evaluating welfare policies. What makes the recent statistics even more meaningful is they can play a decisive role in changing Korea's male-oriented patriarchal culture. Housework is demanding and often requires the use of the brain. Korean society, however, has ignored or depreciated the value of housewives' work. That has posed a stumbling block to realizing gender equality while strengthening the country's macho syndrome. Korean men's rate of sharing housework is the lowest among OECD member countries. If Korea moves toward recognizing the value of household labor correctly, it can result in upgrading women's standing at workplaces and in society. That will work as an occasion to move closer toward a fairer and more democratic society. For instance, they can help make damage calculations more objectively when homemakers have traffic accidents. All this shows why Statistics Korea should evolve the numbers related to housework's value more precisely. Other government agencies also ought to make such statistics permeate in various sectors of society and make the best use of those tallies. Measures needed to ensure safety of oil storage tanks The police announced Tuesday the results of their investigation into a massive fire at an oil storage tank in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on Oct. 7. The tank exploded and caught fire allegedly after a sky lantern, which is like a mini hot-air balloon, set fire to nearby grass. According to a press briefing by Goyang Police Chief Kang Shin-gul, a sky lantern launched by a foreign male was the cause of the explosion of the oil tank. The police detained a 27-year-old from Sri Lanka who released the sky lantern from a nearby construction site about a kilometer from the facility. The police suspect the fire was started when the lantern ignited grass near the oil tank. CCTV footage showed the fire started after the lantern landed on the grass. It is suspected a fire spark entered the ventilation system of the oil tank, leading to the massive explosion. Smoke was seen as far as southeastern Seoul, which caused much concern for citizens within and outside Goyang over the weekend. No one was hurt and the blaze was contained by early Monday morning after burning for 17 hours. It is also a huge relief that the blaze did not spread to the 13 other oil tanks located in the facility, which hold oil to be transported to gas stations in some parts of Seoul and northern Gyeonggi Province. But it was frightening to think what might have happened if the fire had not been contained swiftly. If it had spread to other tanks, it could have caused an enormous amount of damage. Although there were no casualties, the accident has highlighted the need for reinforcing safety measures at oil storage facilities. It is hard to believe such a huge explosion was triggered by a grass fire. It is highly alarming that the oil storage facility was vulnerable enough to explode due to a fire spark from a sky lantern. Weak management of the site by the Daehan Oil Pipeline Corporation is also blamed for the accident. It took about 18 minutes after the grass started to smoke before the tank exploded, but no one knew about the fire during that time which could have been used to prevent the explosion. It is urgent to equip such facilities with better fire detectors. To prevent future accidents, the authorities need to check similar facilities in other parts of the country, such as Pangyo in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and Daejeon, among others. By Park Jae-hyuk BHC and other fried chicken franchises have made inroads into other franchised businesses to diversify their income sources amid the market saturation, according to industry officials Tuesday. The franchises have seen their bottom lines deteriorate in recent years, due to intensifying competition and rising costs, and to bolster their profitability, they have advanced into less-crowded fields of business. According to data compiled by the Fair Trade Commission, the number of franchised chicken restaurants dropped 7.24 percent in 2017 from a year earlier. Against this backdrop, the franchises have begun taking over other restaurant brands and entering overseas markets for survival. NeNe Chicken's recent acquisition of BonGousse is an example. The nation's No. 4 chicken franchise reduced the number of its franchised restaurants to 1,167 in 2017 from 1,201 in 2015 as their average annual sales decreased to 212 million won in 2017 from 251.4 million won in 2014. After taking over the famous rice burger chain, NeNe said it will widen its field of business with its knowhow of running franchises. "Based on our experience of running franchises, we will create a synergy effect with BonGousse and stabilize the quality of products to become a company specializing in the restaurant business," a NeNe official said. NeNe has expanded its presences in overseas markets. Since it entered the Singaporean market in 2012, the company has opened restaurants in Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia. It recently declared it will open stores in Dubai and Taiwan as well. BHC Chicken, the nation's No. 2 fried chicken franchise owned by a U.S.-based investment management company the Rohatyn Group, bought a franchise selling sundaeguk, Korean-style blood sausage soup, and a beef restaurant chain named Gram-Gram in 2016. In particular, the sundaeguk chain has maintained the top spot in the market with 437 franchised restaurants. BHC has run a premium beef restaurant chain, Changgo 43, since it acquired the brand in 2014. BHC Chairman Park Hyun-jong said his company will continue acquiring sluggish restaurant brands to implant the company's DNA of success in them and to contribute to the development of the nation's franchise industry. Business bellwether Kyochon F&B, which sells its chicken in the United States, China, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, owns premium Korean food restaurant Dam Gim Sssam. The food firm is reportedly seeking to acquire another restaurant brand, rather than increasing the number of its fried chicken restaurants from 1,037. Genesis BBQ, which holds the third-largest share in the domestic market, runs Japanese-style pork cutlet chain, Ukuya, and fast food brand Alltokk, in addition to franchises specializing in fried and barbequed chicken. Butler, IN (46721) Today Cloudy skies. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 28F. Winds light and variable. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Some early morning breaks in the overcast, otherwise cloudy. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 28F. Winds light and variable. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe The fatal shooting of a 35-year-old father, Tristan Beaudette, as he slept in his tent with his two young daughters in June, put Malibu Creek State Park in the spotlight. Since then, the campground has been closed, and sheriff's deputies have been searching for his killer -- without much luck. This weekend, however, helicopters and bloodhounds were used to search the area for a burglary suspect who's been on the run for a week. Deputies aren't saying if he could be linked to Beaudette's homicide -- but they aren't ruling it out. The burglary happened the Sunday before at a commercial building north of the park. Surveillance footage showed a man carrying a rifle and wearing what deputies called tactical gear. They said he stole food. A park worker said he spoke to a man matching the description from the footage, so deputies began a manhunt in the park. The man wasn't found. Then this Saturday, a maintenance worker at Tapia Park, about a mile south of Malibu Creek State Park, told deputies that he talked to someone who also matched the surveillance footage. That man said he needed a ride out of Malibu Canyon because there were so many police officers in the area. So a second manhunt started later that afternoon, with deputies bringing in three helicopters and bloodhounds, plus more than a dozen officers. The search was called off after dark for safety. Over the last two years there have been a number of shootings in the area. But officers have not been able to find the gunman -- or link the incidents together. Park rangers say the campground has remained closed largely because of a homicide in June. (Photo by Caleigh Wells/LAist) While the campground is closed, hikers, cyclists and fishers are still coming to the park for day trips. Park rangers say the numbers are about as high as they were before the homicide in June. This weekend's news hasn't stopped people like Priscila Echenique. She and her family are avid fishers, and they'd heard about the park online. So they picked Columbus Day to take the kids out of school and make the drive from Pasadena. She said she'd heard about the killing but didn't realize this park was the scene of the crime. "To tell you the truth I didn't know it was here," she said. "I knew it was a murder somewhere around but not here." But even after she'd heard about the burglary, she said it wouldn't stop her from coming. "No, I don't think so," she laughed. "I have my husband." The sheriff's department said Monday that it won't be doing another search until there's more information. But it's hoping for a tip from the public through Crime Stoppers. Hey, thanks. You read the entire story. And we love you for that. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you, not advertisers. We don't have paywalls, but we do have payments (aka bills). So if you love independent, local journalism, join us. Let's make the world a better place, together. Donate now. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe You love eating Indian food and you want to try preparing it but you want to move beyond the greatest hits -- tikka masala, dal, saag paneer, naan -- and explore the deep cuts. Junka, thalipeeth, usali, pachadi. Where do you go? Sure, there's the internet. But without an auntie or a patient friend, how do you make these dishes the right way? Enter the League of Kitchens. It only sounds like a band of culinary superheroes. League of Kitchens is actually a one-of-a-kind cooking school where all the classes are taught by recent immigrants, in their own kitchens -- and it opens in Los Angeles on Oct. 13. Lisa Gross, whose mother is a Korean immigrant, launched the school in New York in 2014. She missed her Korean grandmother, who had passed away, and was struggling to cook Korean food from recipes. As part of earning her MFA at Tufts University, she developed a project featuring cooking classes in the homes of immigrant New Yorkers. The initiative was so successful it blossomed into a school. Four-and-a-half years later, Gross was determined to expand the venture to America's other great immigrant metropolis, Los Angeles. For the past eight months, she and her staff have been finding and training instructors in L.A. while running the school in New York, where Gross still lives. "Our instructors have a wide range of stories," Gross says. "Some arrived here two years ago. Some have been here since the 1970s, '80s or '90s. Some have the story of coming here by choice. Some were escaping hardship or tragedy." Smitha Sindagi, an instructor at League of Kitchens, teaches a cooking class in Los Angeles. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) Smitha Sindagi, from southwestern India, will teach one of the school's first L.A. classes at her home in Palms. Born in Hubli, the second largest city in North Karnataka, she moved around as a child, learning to cook from female relatives in different cities, especially an aunt who lived in Bijapur. After studying electronics and communication at Visvesvaraya Technological University, Sindagi immigrated to L.A. in 2013 to work as a software engineer. She craved the culinary comforts of home and dreamed of opening a restaurant. Sindagi loves serving as an informal ambassador for North Karnatakan cuisine, with its pronounced differences from most of the Indian food available in the United States. The cuisine leans heavily on sprouted beans, chickpea flour, flattened rice and other specialty grains. Sindagi had trouble sourcing these ingredients until she discovered Little India in Artesia. Then she became a regular at Pioneer Cash & Carry, which has two markets in the city. There, she can find ingredients like chickpea flour, green chilis, tamarind, and jaggery (a concentrated cane juice). When you sautee them in a pan with onions, scallions, garlic, mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves and turmeric, you get junka, a dry, crumbly "curry." It's one of the dishes that students will learn to make, under the watchful eye of the Ganesha print hanging in Sindagi's kitchen. Snacks prepared by students in an Indian cooking class at League of Kitchens in Los Angeles. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) Students will also learn some culinary history, like the fact that "curry" was invented by British colonizers as a blanket term for a meat dish in a western gravy seasoned with Indian spices and served with rice. The word first appeared in print in 1747, in Hannah Glasse's The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy. Sindagi will teach students the multi-step process for sprouting moth beans -- small, drought-resistant beans popular in dry regions of India -- without spoiling them. She adds four cups of water to two cups of dried moth beans then covers and stores them in the refrigerator for at least four hours, maybe overnight. After soaking them, she drains the beans and places them in a sprouting bag or in a few large layered sheets of cheesecloth so they don't dry out. She ties the sack tightly so the beans are cocooned and lets them sit refrigerated overnight, or for at least eight hours, before she cooks with them. With these tiny sprouts, students will make an aromatic Karnatakan specialty: moth bean usali, a dish that Sindagi refers to as a "curry" but may look more like a salad to students. The earthiness of the sprouted moth beans comes through even after she has added them to a thin tomato sauce with onions, green chilies, shredded coconut and assorted spices. Smitha Sindagi, an instructor at League of Kitchens, teaches a cooking class in Los Angeles. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) While instructing students, Sindagi tells anecdotes about going to the farmers markets in North Karnataka as a child. The stories offer mini-lessons in agriculture and geography. "There is a lot of rice grown in south India but a lot of wheat in Punjab and north India," Sindagi says. "That's why there's more roti and bread in the north, more rice in the south and in the midwest there are both." A typical breakfast in her hometown of Hubli might include aballaki, a salad consisting of rice that has been pounded flat, and uppittu, a hot porridge made with semolina grains. The combo of rice and wheat reflects North Karnataka's location between northern and southern India. Sindagi never thought differences in India's regional cuisines would interest students but Jessica Yoon, League of Kitchens' L.A. manager, encouraged her to share history and stories from her homeland. Sindagi also cooks without tablespoons or measuring cups, like many home chefs. That's fine if you already know what you're doing but confusing for beginning cooks. These are a few of the challenges in transitioning from home chef to cooking teacher, so League of Kitchen provides every instructor with 40 hours of paid training. The process helps chefs figure out specific measurements, identify potential pitfalls and contextualize dishes with relevant cultural info. They also develop their patter so they can chat as they cook, a skill that's harder than it looks. A professional recipe tester works with each instructor to perfect the grocery shopping info and recipe packets that students take home. So far, Sindagi is one of only two League of Kitchen instructors in Los Angeles. Finding people to teach classes has been the most unpredictable aspect of expanding the business. "We're looking for exceptional people -- immigrants who are amazing home cooks, who use traditional techniques and methods, who are warm and engaging, speak English and are willing to host groups of strangers in their homes. Sometimes we find people quickly, sometimes it takes time," Yoon says. The school plans to hire and train more instructors to start teaching this winter. Elmira Avetian, an instructor at League of Kitchens in Los Angeles, teaches a cooking class in her Glendale home. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) "I've already learned a lot," says Elmira Avetian, the school's other Los Angeles instructor. "I thought it would be really easy, but it's not. You have to be careful and pay attention. It's easy for you, but not for people who don't have experience in your cuisine. I add a pinch but people want to know how much that is." Avetian left Georgia (the former Soviet republic not the U.S. state known for its peaches) and settled in Glendale more than two decades ago. With diplomas in accounting, international exporting, music and cosmetology, she's something of a polymath but cooking is her passion. In L.A., she struggled to find Georgian spices and vegetables and turned to Mexican produce trucks. Those trucks began to open stores. Then, Kozanian's Ranch Market opened in Glendale. It sold a wealth of products made by Anush, an Armenian company founded by relatives of the people who own Kozanian's. Elmira Avetian, an instructor at League of Kitchens in Los Angeles, shops at Kozanian's Ranch Market in Glendale. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) Avetian could, once again, buy jars of Armenian red pepper paste for adjabsandali, an eggplant stew, and preserved grape leaves to make tolma, a generic Armenian term for any vegetable leaf stuffed with meat and rice. Before Avetian's students touch a stove, she'll take them on a shopping trip to Kozanian's, where they'll pick out the proper ingredients for khinkhali (dumplings filled with minced lamb, beef or pork), khachapuri (a salty, tangy cheese bread) and pkhali (a minced vegetable spread). The dishes reflect her upbringing during the Soviet era. Khachapuri, a Georgian cheese-filled bread, prepared by Elmira Avetian, an instructor at League of Kitchens in Los Angeles. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) Avetian was born in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, but her parents are Armenian, giving her a window into both cuisines. She can explain the different spices used by each as well as the beverages they favor: semi-dry and dry wines in Georgia versus sweet wines, vodkas and cognacs in Armenia. As Avetian teaches students how to make pali, meat-stuffed cabbage leaves, she will explain that Armenians make a similar dish using grape leaves. During these lessons, she shares stories about how she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother. She might tell you how, after school, her mother would instruct her, over the phone, on what to prepare for the family dinner. Or she might tell you about the time she catered a wedding feast for her brother and 150 ravenous guests. She'll do it all inside her cozy Glendale home, where neighbors often poke their heads through the kitchen window to say hello. Pkhali, a Georgian minced vegetable spread, prepared by Elmira Avetian, an instructor at League of Kitchens in Los Angeles. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) Avetian spends most of her time taking care of her mother, so she loves having visitors. Georgians and Armenians also have a strong tradition of welcoming guests. "It's very common for people to come over and for us to host them for long dinners," she says. "Our tradition in Georgia and Armenia is to think of guests as coming from God. God sent this person. We try to treat them as the best person." If students want, Avetian will even read their coffee grounds and tell their future. Like many Angelenos, Avetian loves Mexican food and occasionally shops for produce at Mexican grocery stores. She is learning Spanish, her fifth language, and she might want to swap tips with you, en espanol, on your favorite taco trucks. Elmira Avetian, an instructor at League of Kitchens in Los Angeles, shops at Kozanian's Ranch Market in Glendale. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) Speaking of L.A.'s dominant cuisine, League of Kitchens is looking to recruit people who can teach Mexican cooking. Down the line, they're also looking to hire people who know Persian, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and El Salvadorean food. "There are so many iconic immigrant communities in L.A. We're actively hiring and recruiting two to four more instructors in the next year," Gross says. League of Kitchens charges $120 for a 2.5-hour "Taste Of" course and $175 for a 4.5-hour immersive. Each class is limited to six people so students receive personal attention. Beyond contributing to immigrant women's incomes, Gross hopes that students benefit from the cross-cultural exchange. "Some part of the world that may have felt abstract and different now feels personal because of connection and experience, and that's powerful," she says. "What we're really doing is humanizing, recognizing and celebrating the incredible expertise, knowledge and richness that individual immigrants contribute to our culture and society." Classes at the League of Kitchens begin on October 13. The organization is actively recruiting and hiring more Los Angeles-based instructors. Email instructors@leagueofkitchens.com to apply. A spread of Georgian food prepared by Elmira Avetian, an instructor at League of Kitchens in Los Angeles. (Courtesy League of Kitchens) You made it! Congrats, you read the entire story, you gorgeous human. This story was made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism costs $$$$$. And now that LAist is part of KPCC, we rely on that support. So if you aren't already, be one of us! Help us help you live your best life in Southern California. Donate now. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe More than one in four middle and high school students in the U.S. say they've been bullied, according to the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics. In recent years, bullying and cyberbullying prevention have been the goal of campaigns by the Los Angeles Unified School District, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and even First Lady Melania Trump's "BE BEST" initiative. Now, the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood is trying a novel approach: Seven students there are trying to get bullies to change their tune. So, they wrote songs about their own experiences being bullied and supporting friends who have been bullied. It was all part of the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood's "Spread Love, Not Hate" project. The organization connected them with music industry professionals to write, record, and produce their songs. The result? A two-song EP. Today on @KPCC: Students from @BGCHkids want bullies to change their tune. So, they wrote songs about their experiences being bullied, and how to end the cycle. #artsed pic.twitter.com/EIVaI8VrlO Carla Javier (@carlamjavier) October 8, 2018 The lyrics of "Don't Be A Bully" were inspired, in part, by the experiences of a 12-year-old girl named Mia. [We are using only her first name to protect her privacy at the request of the Boys & Girls Club.] "I was called things that shouldn't have been said basically, and they talked about my mom, and racial slurs have happened," she explained. "And I just didn't think that was okay, at all." The students performed the songs and answered questions about them at the iHeartMedia performance studio in Burbank. "Big artists perform here," Real 92.3 radio host and Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood mentor Nina Chantele said at the event. "You've got Maroon 5, Adam Levine, you guys are performing on main stages right now." Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood CEO Mel Culpepper said she was nearly brought to tears by the experience. "I watched them transform from the shy sort of introverts, to speaking out, to being really in your face about this issue," Culpepper said. "And they seem proud. They seem really proud." We have excerpts from the two songs -- "Don't Be A Bully" and "Above" -- below. If you click on the play buttons, you can hear the students explain the lyrics: "Don't Be A Bully" by Mia, Joseph, Kali, and Melany If you wanna be heard Just listen to these words Forgiveness is the key To set your soul free If you want to break the cycle Just tell them how you feel Maybe you could understand What's the real deal When you get bullied, just be strong That's why we wrote this song Don't be a bully at school, 'Cause you know you're gonna make them feel bad You gotta spread love, not hate, you can change it all You gotta spread love, not hate, Pick them up when they fall Pick 'em up, pick 'em up, don't hate on 'em Pick 'em up, pick 'em up when they fall down Pick 'em up, pick 'em up, spread love now Spread love now Spread love now "Above" by Madeline, Emma, and Benjamin If they try to tear you down, Stand up make things right, So there won't be any fights Keep your feet on the ground, Dark days can turn bright, Let them guide your life If you need a friend to go and just be by your side And know that everything will be alright Don't ignore the ones that just want to be by your side Don't be afraid; you'll be alright Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh If you know that you're above, you will feel the love, from being above If you know that you're above, you will feel the love, from being above Being above Being above Editor's note: A version of this story also aired on our radio station, KPCC. You can listen to it here. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe If you find yourself inspired to travel downtown to Los Angeles City Hall to witness democracy in action, you'll hear civic-minded words like "motion," "resolution" and "committee." Chances are you'll also hear more colorful words -- like hard-core profanities and a variety of racial slurs. Welcome to the public comment period, where anyone can step up to the microphone and say pretty much anything they want, and some sure do, sometimes from the audience or after their speaking time has ended. Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson (Chris Pizzello/AP) That's not a new thing at city council and committee meetings, and L.A. is not unique in having racist, vulgar words echo in its city hall. But some councilmembers say disruptions during public meetings have increased recently, and that's why they approved new rules Tuesday aimed at limiting the behavior, arguing it will "increase public comment overall." The original motion, presented by Council President Herb Wesson and councilmembers Nury Martinez and Mitch Englander, passed with 14 "yes" votes and will amend council and committee rules to "curb the actions of people who chronically disrupt council and committee meetings." In council chambers Tuesday, a couple frequent critics of city leadership used their public comment time to come out in favor of the rule change, but not for the reason you might think. Instead, they're excited about the restrictions because they believe it opens the city up to lawsuits on First Amendment grounds. And, let's just say they're eager to pursue that option. "Just get kicked out of public meetings and collect a check," one public speaker said before his time expired. During the pledge of allegiance at the beginning of the city council meeting, protesters kneel in the aisle and chant, More power to the people. Several are removed for disrupting the meeting. pic.twitter.com/T9PfkwYnAk Caleigh Wells (@cgrey307) October 9, 2018 In the council agenda for the motion, city officials noted a "significant exposure to litigation." Despite that risk, the new rules will go into effect Jan. 1, 2019. The council's desire to limit disruptions is not surprising, given some high-profile incidents in recent years. Wesson has been at the center of a series of episodes with one City Hall regular, even getting a restraining order against him. Frequent City Hall critic and Encino-based attorney Wayne Spindler took a plea deal last year after facing a weapons charge of illegally possessing an assault rifle. Spindler surrendered four firearms as part of his plea deal. That charge came after he was arrested at City Hall in May 2016 for submitting a public comment card depicting a burning cross, a KKK hood, a racial slur and a person hanging from a tree. Wesson viewed the drawing as a racist threat against him and filed a restraining order. The comment card that led to Wayne Spindler's arrest at City Hall in May 2016, with a slur covered. (Courtesy photo) Spindler filed a federal lawsuit against the city in Jan. 2017, saying his civil rights had been violated when he was arrested. He still shows up for council and committee meetings and exchanges words with Wesson. Spindler has attended meetings wearing white hoods, at least once with a swastika on the front. In a committee meeting in September, he dropped several f-bombs and racial slurs, among other words, before being escorted out of the room. You can listen here at 52:20 (definitely NSFW. We recommend headphones). It's that sort of behavior that city councilmembers are attempting to put a stop to with the new rules. It's basically a five-step policy of increasing bans. It's written in typical convoluted cityspeak so we're attempting here explain how it works (note that "days" refer to calendar days on which a council and/or committee meeting is held): If you disrupt a council or committee meeting, you're barred from the rest of that meeting If you disrupt another council or committee meeting that same day, or within the following three days, you're banned for the rest of that day and the following day If you come back and disrupt another council or committee meeting within three days of your second ban, you are banned for three days If you come back again and disrupt another meeting within the first three days after your three-day ban, you're barred for the rest of that day and the next six days THEN, if you return and disrupt a meeting within the first three days after that six-day ban, you're banned for the rest of that day and the next six days No word on what happens if someone were to disrupt again after all those bans. Herb Wesson's office did not reply to a request for comment. LAist/KPCC reporter Caleigh Wells contributed to this report. Clarification: The phrase "significant exposure to litigation" appears in the City Council agenda item for the motion, not the motion itself. Hey, thanks. You read the entire story. And we love you for that. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you, not advertisers. We don't have paywalls, but we do have payments (aka bills). So if you love independent, local journalism, join us. Let's make the world a better place, together. Donate now. The 93-year-old Chinese academician Professor Cui Kun donated another 1.8 million yuan to aid excellent universities students from poor families, raising the total donation amount to 6 million yuan, according to central Chinas Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) on Oct. 7. Early in 2013, Cui Kun and his wife Zhu Huinan, both professors at HUST, initiated a stipend with 4.2 million yuan they had saved for years to aid poor undergraduates, despite the fact that they didnt buy a house property or any up-to-date furniture. Its known that the generous old couple has been leading a frugal life. Still, two professors, together with their daughter, decided to repay society in this way. Adding the latest donation, the couple has given out 6-million-yuan deposits for the use of education. Cui summarized his some 90 years life as diligent and dedicated to the country. Thus, he emphasized that the targets he subsidized must be diligent. Meanwhile, theyre also urged to contribute to their motherland after gaining achievements in study. Born in 1925 in east Chinas Jinan, Cui spent his teenage time under Japans war of aggression. In 1944, he was enrolled in the department of mechanics of Wuhan University and started lecturing there after graduation. In 1958, he was funded by the Chinese government for a two-year study in Russia, furthering his study of the metallography and heat treatment. After returning to China, he and his colleagues established a metal materials and heat treatment laboratory. From 1981 to 1991, the professor was successively recognized by three state awards for inventions. Its estimated that Cuis study has created economic benefits worth 200 million yuan, recalled Mei Shiyan, then deputy secretary of HUST party committee. In 1997, Cui Kun was elected as an Academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Its pretty clear Bob Iger has plenty on his plate, now that Walt Disney Co. is poised to swallow much of 21st Century Fox for $71.3 billion sometime next year. But on Tuesday, at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit in Beverly Hills, presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin couldnt resist hinting about the chief executives well-known presidential ambitions. Iger shook his head. I am not doing that.... We keep coming back to some of these themes, but no, Iger said later in the discussion. That is off the table. Advertisement It was a year ago at the same conference that Iger spoke passionately about gun control, leading some in Hollywood to openly speculate that he was testing a potential campaign theme. But history took a different course, and within a month, word leaked out that Disney was on its own campaign to buy Foxs prolific television and movie studio, FX cable channels and international properties. After reaching a preliminary deal for the Fox properties in December, Iger once again extended his contract to remain CEO of Burbank-based Disney, this time through June 2021. On Tuesday, Iger spoke about rising early at 4:15 a.m. to enjoy some quiet time before his day begins. He talked about the importance of maintaining a firewall from technology so that he could instead channel energy to be a good leader and take part in other pursuits, including biking and, occasionally, taking his grandchildren to Disneyland. He recalled that when he was 23, one of his first bosses dismissed him as being un-promote-able. He wryly said he wished that boss were still around to have seen his career trajectory. Iger also noted his own optimism about life and business which he said was one of the keys to his success. He listed Walt Disney and Steve Jobs as his two role models. Neither Goodwin nor Iger delved deeply into Disneys big swing in buying much of Fox from Rupert Murdoch, but there was a slight undercurrent of his motivations. If you are going to fail, fail daringly, Iger told Goodwin and the crowd. In this day and age, if you are timid and not capable of taking risks, you are not going to enjoy success or make success for your company. He did acknowledge to Goodwin who has written books on Abraham Lincoln, Lyndon Johnson, Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as Leadership in Turbulent Times that he does enjoy a good presidential biography. meg.james@latimes.com Twitter: @MegJamesLAT Activist investor Bill Ackman has taken a stake in Starbucks Corp., the once fast-expanding coffee chain that has seen its growth stall. Ackman announced the move at a conference in New York, according to a person in attendance. The stake is worth about $900 million, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the matter is not public. The coffee chain has been struggling with slow afternoon sales and a decline in its signature Frappuccino line. Its also been facing pressure as customers who once saw Starbucks as high-end trade up for more premium coffees. In June, it announced plans to close about 150 company-operated stores in densely penetrated U.S. markets next fiscal year. Thats three times the number it historically shuts down annually. Advertisement Last month, the company said it was also planning structural changes, including layoffs, starting at the top levels in order to help it make decisions faster. It named a new chief financial officer Monday. Patrick Grismer joins Starbucks from Hyatt Hotels Corp., where he was CFO. In June, former CFO Scott Maw announced plans to retire this year, which spooked investors already worried about stability after visionary leader Howard Schultz departed the same month. U.S. sales growth has stalled, although business abroad has been booming and the chain has been increasingly adding more cafes. Starbucks also faced backlash this spring after two black men were arrested at one of its stores in Philadelphia while waiting for a meeting to begin. Starbucks is rapidly expanding in China a market it sees as eventually surpassing the U.S. It aims to triple revenue there over the next five years and have 6,000 stores by the end of fiscal year 2022. Starbucks shares closed up $1.17, or 2.1%, to $57.71 on Tuesday. The company issued a statement in response to Ackmans announcement. We view the active, engaged dialogue that we have with shareholders as critical input into our strategic approach, and we value constructive feedback on delivering long-term shareholder value, a spokesperson for Starbucks said in the statement. We look forward to maintaining a productive dialogue with Mr. Ackman as we do with all of our shareholders. Ackman said in August that his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, had built up a new position valued at about $800 million in a company he didnt identify. This year, Ackman has also disclosed new positions in industrial manufacturer United Technologies Corp., where he is advocating for a breakup of the company, and retailer Lowes Cos., where he said he was supportive of Chief Executive Marvin Ellisons efforts to improve the companys performance. He also sold a stake in Nike Inc. this year at a profit of about $100 million in just a few months. In August, Ackman reduced his stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. as part of a portfolio rebalancing. He sold about $401 million worth of his stock in the burrito chain, reducing his position to 7.4% from 10.4%, according to a filing. Ackman pledged in March to end three years of underperformance at Pershing Square, calling its most recent returns at the time particularly unsatisfactory. That period of time was marred by his exit from a disastrous short stake in Herbalife, the Los Angeles nutritional supplement company. The company, which Ackman thought would be ruled a pyramid scheme, is still in business after a $200-million negotiated settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. Last week, Pershing Square reported a net return of 15.8% on its investments year to date through the end of September compared with gains of about 8% for the S&P 500 during the same period. The firms assets under management have fallen about 10% this year to about $8.4 billion, though that total is up from about $8.3 billion at the end of August. Pershing Square had a net loss of 4% in 2017, after a decline of 13.5% in 2016. Times staff writer Laurence Darmiento contributed to this report. UPDATES: 3:30 p.m.: This story was updated with Starbucks closing share price. This story was published at 12:40 p.m. A major U.S. telecommunications company discovered manipulated hardware from Super Micro Computer Inc. in its network and removed it in August fresh evidence of tampering in China of crucial technology components bound for the United States, according to a security expert working for the telecom company. The security expert, Yossi Appleboum, provided documents, analysis and other evidence of the discovery following the publication of an investigative report in Bloomberg Businessweek that detailed how Chinas intelligence services had ordered subcontractors to plant malicious chips in Supermicro server motherboards over a two-year period ending in 2015. China put spy microchips in servers used by Amazon and Apple, report says Appleboum previously worked in the technology unit of the Israeli Army Intelligence Corps and is now co-chief executive of Sepio Systems in Gaithersburg, Md. His firm specializes in hardware security and was hired to scan several large data centers belonging to the telecom firm. Bloomberg is not identifying the firm due to Appleboums nondisclosure agreement with the client. Unusual communications from a Supermicro server and a subsequent physical inspection revealed an implant built into the servers Ethernet connector, a component used to attach network cables to the computer, Appleboum said. Advertisement The executive said he has seen similar manipulations of different vendors computer hardware made by contractors in China, not just products from Supermicro. Supermicro is a victim, he said. So is everyone else. Appleboum said his concern is that there are countless points in the supply chain in China where manipulations can be introduced, and in many cases, deducing them can be impossible. Supermicro, based in San Jose, said it didnt know of the manipulated hardware. The security of our customers and the integrity of our products are core to our business and our company values, it said in a statement. We take care to secure the integrity of our products throughout the manufacturing process, and supply chain security is an important topic of discussion for our industry. We still have no knowledge of any unauthorized components and have not been informed by any customer that such components have been found. Supermicro said after an earlier article that it strongly refutes reports that servers it sold to customers contained malicious microchips. Chinas embassy in Washington did not return a request for comment Monday. In response to the initial Businessweek investigation, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs didnt directly address questions about the manipulation of Supermicro servers but said supply chain security is an issue of common concern, and China is also a victim. Supermicro shares plunged 41% on Thursday, the most since it became a public company in 2007, after Businessweek published the revelations about the hacked servers. They slid 15.5% to $12.46 on Tuesday after the latest article. The more recent manipulation is different from the one described in the Businessweek report, but it shares key characteristics: Theyre both designed to give attackers invisible access to data on a computer network in which the server is installed, and the alterations were found to have been made at the factory as the motherboard was being produced by a Supermicro subcontractor in China. Based on his inspection of the device, Appleboum determined that the telecom firms server was modified at the factory. He said Western intelligence contacts told him that the device was made at a Supermicro subcontractor factory in Guangzhou, a port city in southeastern China. Guangzhou is 90 miles upstream from Shenzhen, which is dubbed the Silicon Valley of hardware and is home to giants such as Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Huawei Technologies Co. The tampered hardware was found in a facility that had large numbers of Supermicro servers, and the telecom firms technicians couldnt say what kind of data was pulsing through the infected one, said Appleboum, who accompanied them for a visual inspection of the machine. Its not clear whether the telecom firm contacted the FBI about the discovery. An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment on whether the agency was aware of the finding. AT&T Inc. spokesman Fletcher Cook said, These devices are not part of our network, and we are not affected. A Verizon Communications Inc. spokesman said were not affected. A Sprint spokeswoman said her company does not have Supermicro equipment deployed in our network. T-Mobile U.S. Inc. didnt respond to requests for comment. Sepio Systems board includes Chairman Tamir Pardo, former director of the Israeli Mossad, the national defense agency of Israel, and its advisory board includes Robert Bigman, former chief information security officer of the CIA. U.S. communications networks are an important target of foreign intelligence agencies because data from millions of mobile phones, computers and other devices pass through their systems. Hardware implants are key tools used to create covert openings into those networks, perform reconnaissance and hunt for corporate intellectual property or government secrets. The manipulation of the Ethernet connector appeared to be similar to a method also used by the U.S. National Security Agency, details of which were leaked in 2013. In emails, Appleboum and his team refer to the implant as their old friend because, he said, they previously saw several variations in investigations of hardware made by other companies that do manufacturing in China. In Businessweeks report, one official said investigators found that the Chinese infiltration through Supermicro reached almost 30 companies, including Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc. Both Amazon and Apple also disputed the findings. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it has no reason to doubt the companies denials of Businessweeks reporting. People familiar with the federal investigation into the 2014-2015 attacks say it is being led by the FBIs cyber and counterintelligence teams, and that DHS may not have been involved. Counterintelligence investigations are among the FBIs most closely held. Few officials and agencies outside of those units are briefed on the existence of those investigations. Appleboum said he has consulted with intelligence agencies outside the United States that have told him theyve been tracking the manipulation of Supermicro hardware, and the hardware of other companies, for some time. In response to the Businessweek report, the Norwegian National Security Authority said last week that it had been aware of an issue connected to Supermicro products since June. It said it couldnt confirm the details of Bloombergs reporting but has recently been in dialogue with partners over the issue. Hardware manipulation is extremely difficult to detect, which is why intelligence agencies invest billions of dollars in such sabotage. The United States is known to have extensive programs to seed technology heading to foreign countries with spy implants, based on revelations from former CIA employee Edward Snowden. But China appears to be aggressively deploying its own versions, which take advantage of Chinas grip on global technology manufacturing. Three security experts who have analyzed foreign hardware implants for the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that the way Sepios software detected the implant is sound. One of the few ways to identify suspicious hardware is by looking at the lowest levels of network traffic. Those include not only normal network transmissions, but also analog signals such as power consumption that can indicate the presence of a covert piece of hardware. In the case of the telecom firm, Sepios technology detected that the tampered Supermicro server actually appeared on the network as two devices in one. The legitimate server was communicating one way, and the implant another, but all the traffic appeared to be coming from the same trusted server, which allowed it to pass through security filters. Appleboum said one key sign of the implant is that the manipulated Ethernet connector has metal sides instead of the usual plastic ones. The metal is necessary to diffuse heat from the chip hidden inside, which acts like a mini computer. The module looks really innocent, high quality and original but it was added as part of a supply chain attack, he said. The goal of hardware implants is to establish a covert staging area within sensitive networks, and thats what Appleboum and his team concluded in this case. They decided it represented a serious security breach, along with multiple rogue electronics also detected on the network, and alerted the clients security team in August, which then removed them for analysis. Once the implant was identified and the server removed, Sepios team was not able to perform further analysis on the chip. The threat from hardware implants is very real, said Sean Kanuck, who until 2016 was the top cyber official inside the office of the Director of National Intelligence. Hes now director of future conflict and cybersecurity for the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington. Hardware implants can give attackers power that software attacks dont. Manufacturers that overlook this concern are ignoring a potentially serious problem, Kanuck said. Capable cyber actors like the Chinese intelligence and security services can access the IT supply chain at multiple points to create advanced and persistent subversions. One of the keys to any successful hardware attack is altering components that have an ample power supply to them, a daunting challenge the deeper into a motherboard you go. Thats why peripherals such as keyboards and mice are also perennial favorites for intelligence agencies to target, Appleboum said. In the wake of Bloombergs reporting on the attack against Supermicro products, security experts say that teams around the world, from large banks and cloud computing providers to small research labs and start-ups, are analyzing their servers and other hardware for modifications, a stark change from normal practices. Their findings wont necessarily be made public, because hardware manipulation is typically designed to access government and corporate secrets, rather than consumer data. National security experts say a key problem is that, in a cybersecurity industry approaching $100 billion in revenue annually, very little of that has been spent on inspecting hardware for tampering. Thats allowed intelligence agencies around the world to work relatively unimpeded, with China holding a key advantage. For China, these efforts are all-encompassing, said Tony Lawrence, chief executive of VOR Technology, a Columbia, Md., contractor to the intelligence community. There is no way for us to identify the gravity or the size of these exploits we dont know until we find some. It could be all over the place it could be anything coming out of China. The unknown is what gets you and thats where we are now. We dont know the level of exploits within our own systems. Robertson and Riley write for Bloomberg. The PR firm FleishmanHillard came out with a study the other day intended to help companies navigate an issues-laden environment that quickly tests corporate values. The idea is that we live in turbulent times, and businesses need to demonstrate that what consumers care about, they care about issues such as sexual harassment, ethnic diversity, racism and gender discrimination. A lot of these issues have exploded on the public and theres a lot of activism surrounding them, said Kristin Hollins, who heads FleishmanHillards regional corporate reputation practice group. Increasingly, she told me, consumers are saying that they want companies to have positions. Advertisement Im not so sure about that. Nor am I entirely comfortable with this squishy notion of corporate values, as if making money wasnt a good enough reason for a corporation to exist. It makes no more sense to attribute values to a corporation than to a wheelbarrow, said Ian Maitland, a professor of strategic management and entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota. The corporation has been designed to maximize profit and, as if by an invisible hand, thereby to increase our welfare, he said. If we believe that there are other values far greater than profit, then fine, lets start nonprofits. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a corporation as a body formed and authorized by law to act as a single person ... and legally endowed with various rights and duties. This idea of corporate personhood is important, but it wasnt always the case. The Founding Fathers were conspicuously wary of corporate power. Thomas Jefferson said in 1816 that he wanted to crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country. James Madison noted in 1827 that incorporated companies with proper limitations and guards may, in particular cases, be useful; but they are at best a necessary evil only. Until the 19th century, corporations were viewed in this country as artificial creations the property of owners. After the Civil War, as the economy rapidly grew, corporations became increasingly bold in seeking ways to advance their interests. Business leaders zeroed in on the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which says no state can deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. In the 1886 lawsuit Santa Clara County vs. Southern Pacific Railroad Co., the company claimed it had been forced to pay an unfairly high amount of taxes and thus had been deprived of equal protection under the 14th Amendment. There it was: A corporation defining itself legally as a person. And the U.S. Supreme Court, without discussion or explanation, accepted this argument. Corporations have enjoyed legal personhood ever since, with all the rights any American enjoys not least the right to free speech, which is at the heart of the high courts Citizens United ruling, allowing companies to make virtually unlimited political contributions. The FleishmanHillard study is called Navigating Zero Gravity. It advises companies that on issues of importance, especially those carrying expectations that companies will weigh in on, you cannot sit on the sidelines. Two-thirds of consumers surveyed by the firm said they stopped using a companys products or services because the companys response to an issue does not support their personal views. However, 61% said that even if they disagree with a business stance, they believe it is important for companies to express their views. FleishmanHillards Hollins said the important thing is that a company back up its words with action. Otherwise, she said, consumers will see an authenticity gap. Yeah, maybe thats a thing. Or maybe consumers would settle for companies just keeping their noses clean. The duty of corporations, as corporate citizens, is to follow the law. Or as Google put it in the companys code of conduct: Dont be evil. (It quietly removed the phrase earlier this year.) Youre not there to make political decisions, said Charles Elson, director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware. Youre there to sell a well-made product. Wells Fargo says it has five core values that guide every action we take. These include placing customers at the center of everything we do, and being committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and principled performance. The bank has been fined over a billion dollars in recent years for a variety of missteps, including opening millions of accounts without customers permission. Who cares that Wells has core values? The only thing most people care about is that the company understands the difference between right and wrong. Or, barring that, legal and illegal. Determining the right thing to do needs to be grounded in the values of your organization, a long-term perspective and deep commitment to carrying forward a company position, the FleishmanHillard study concludes. No, determining the right thing to do needs to be grounded in knowing the right thing to do, as defined by state and federal law, and by a broader awareness of ethical conduct. The Founding Fathers were correct to fear corporations gaining undue influence over society. Corporations have neither bodies to be punished, nor souls to be condemned, Edward Thurlow, the 18th-century lord chancellor of England, famously observed. They therefore do as they like. Thats not personhood. Thats HAL, the crazed computer from 2001. This kabuki play of corporate values is little more than feel-good propaganda, which may be beneficial from a team-building or marketing perspective, but has nothing to do with a business day-to-day operations. Again, theres nothing wrong with making money or the pursuit of profit. Whats wrong is pretending you have loftier goals in mind. David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com. US Vice President Mike Pence's accusations against China's domestic and foreign policies have made Chinese youths feel shocked and confused about how China-US relations will develop. Mr. Pence said that competition does not always mean hostility, but regrettably, a big part of his speech embodied a kind of hostility. Pences speech was criticized by Taiwan writer and television personality Huang Zhixian, whose remarks were shared by many people. China has never owed anything to the US, and China didnt achieve its prosperity and stability today by invading or colonizing other countries, but by relying on the wisdom, sacrifice, and diligence of its people, Huang said. Compared with the former presidents passionate speech about China-US relations, Mr. Pences words were an ignorance of the basic facts between China and the US and were full of pride and prejudice, said a middle-aged professor who listened to former US President Ronald Reagans speech in Fudan University years ago. Pences history remarks are not the full story In his speech, Mr. Pence talked a lot about facts on China-US relations. But they are not the full story, and a lot of them are against truth; therefore, they couldnt enlighten people in an effective way. Mr. Pence claimed that when China suffered through indignities and exploitations during the Century of Humiliation, America refused to join in. However, he didnt mention that the US sent more than 2,100 people to join the eight-power allied forces to plunder China. The Americans were the first to climb onto the Tiananmen gate tower and at the time they even raised the American national flag. The vice president said that in the aftermath of the Second World War, America ensured that China became a charter member of the United Nations, and a significant shaper of the post-war world. But he didnt mention the fact that the US handed Chinas administration over the Diaoyu Islands to Japan. Mr. Pence also said that after 1949, China began to pursue authoritarian expansionism, and China and the US fought each other in the mountains and valleys of the Korean Peninsula. But he didnt mention that it was the US that interfered in the Korean War and even involved China into the war. Our ancestors told us that they fought the Korean War to protect our homeland. The US is not the savior of China Mr. Pence said America brought China into the World Trade Organization (WTO), a move he thought China should feel grateful to the US. However, Chinas accession to the WTO was a result of conquering numerous hardships and holding rounds of multilateral negotiations, not a gift from the US. Chinas efforts to join the WTO dragged on for 15 years, long enough to turn black hair white, said former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji. That Mr. Pence said Chinas GDP has grown nine-fold, and its become the second-largest economy in the world over the past 17 years is the result of the efforts of all Chinese. The vice president thinks the USs trade deficit with China has made it rebuild the latter in the last 25 years. But he was avoiding the fact that the essence of free trade is willingness of both sides for trading. The economic prosperity of the US is also attributed to fast-growing Chinese economy and the large consumer market in China. A report by the Deutsche Bank indicated that the US actually gained more benefits than China in doing business with the latter. Double standards on China-US ties In his speech, Mr. Pence said recently a Chinese naval vessel forced a US ship to maneuver to avoid a collision. But what he didnt mention was that the US ship had sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Chinese islands in the South China Sea. The US vice president said China seeks to militarize the South China Sea. But it is the US that has been carrying out military drills there, deploying many advanced weapons and continuously building new military bases there. The US vice-president complained that China now spends as much on its military as the rest of Asia combined. But the 2019 US military budget reaches $700 billion, a historic high and more than other major countries combined. Mr. Pence claimed that China now exerts pressure on Hollywood, American universities, think tanks, companies and even local governments, and uses economic, academic, public opinion and political tools to influence the US comprehensively. But in the speech, he himself was interfering in Chinas domestic and foreign affairs, and pointing fingers at Chinas reform and opening up policy, "Made in China 2025" strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative. In the speech, the US vice president said Chinas social credit system aims to control virtually every facet of human life. But what he didnt mention was that the social credit system construction has a history of more than a century in the US. He said that China has initiated an unprecedented effort to influence American public opinion, the 2018 elections, and the environment leading into the 2020 presidential elections. This accusation is totally groundless. Even the Trump administrations secretary of homeland security Kirstjen Nielsen said on Oct. 3 that We currently have no indication that a foreign adversary intends to disrupt our election infrastructure. The US should reflect on how it created the Middle East unrest by using social media platforms. It has become a concern that Chinese as a whole are being demonized in the US. Chinese studying or working in the US, even Chinese Americans, have to be very careful when they send an email to China because if not, they will be regarded as undertaking espionages in the US and will be attacked and excluded because of that. British scholar Martin Jacques said that China reacted to the US provocative and invasive remarks with great patience and dignity, as well as a clear mind. If China responds to the US in the way it is provoked, the China-US relations will plummet sharply, which will bring severe damages to the world. We are happy to see the US become great again. But this greatness is not based on outshining other countries, or on pressuring them. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of the Joint Communique between China and the US on establishing diplomatic relations. We Chinese youths believe the development of China and the US is mutually beneficial. By working together, the two countries will be able to create great positive power and benefit the development of themselves and the world. Kumi James was pursuing her MFA at Columbia University in 2013 when she began to experience back pain. The pain worsened over time as the discs in her back and neck continued to wear down. For the multidisciplinary artist and deejay, the muscle spasms she suffers as a result of spinal arthritis have made it difficult to stand or sit for long periods of time. James physical limitations meant that she often finds herself underemployed for sustained periods of time. After seeking treatment with physical therapy, James has found that integrative medicine such as massage and acupuncture have been the most effective at relieving her pain. They work for my condition in way physical therapy didnt, says James, who was previously insured by Medi-Cal before recently starting a PhD program at USC that provided health benefits. These treatments can be costly, and are often not covered by health insurance policies. Its a common problem. Even with the wider availability of affordable insurance plans after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, many people still find themselves unable to seek care because of the cost of co-pays or deductibles, or treatments that arent covered by their plan. To help bridge some of these gaps in coverage, the Womens Center for Creative Work, an L.A. nonprofit that focuses on feminist creative practices, launched an emergency healthcare grant in 2016. In the last three years, the womens center has distributed $200,000 in small grants (usually $2,000 to $3,000) to artists with medical needs. Advertisement Executive directors of the Womens Center for Creative Work Sarah Williams, left, and Nicole Kelly. The womens collective is creating healthcare grants for uninsured female artists. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Funded in large part by an anonymous donor, the grants support artists working in any media, but they must live in L.A., Orange, San Bernardino or Riverside counties and have to identify as female, trans, nonbinary, low-income, or as a person of color. After the first funding cycle in 2016, Metabolic Studio, a Chinatown nonprofit run by artist Lauren Bon, agreed to match the donation for two years. With those two years now expired, the WCCW finds itself looking for a new funding partner. As the grant expanded, so did the WCCWs roster of community partners. This year, in order to broaden the network of artists and reach deeper into underserved communities, the WCCW teamed with community organizations Mujeres de Maiz, Sustainable Little Tokyo, and artist Cori Alegria, who works primarily in South L.A. Each organization spreads the word and leads a grant-writing workshop in the communities, explains Sarah Williams, WCCWs co-founder and executive director. The application and promotional materials were also translated into five languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. The approach has been effective the grant received just under 150 applications this year, a jump from 80 the previous year. Artists need not just space or money. They need all kinds of support. Sarah Williams Kumi James, who was the recipient of a healthcare grant from the Womens Center for Creative Work. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Artists apply online via a Google form. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, the application asks for a brief artist statement, resume and a work sample. There is also a series of questions about the medical need, including what a day in the life of the applicant looks like while living with their condition, and if the grant wont cover the full amount of the treatment needed, how will it help the applicant receive the care needed. The questions are designed to help the four panelists on the steering committee determine the recipients. The panelists consist of Nicole Kelly, the programming director at the WCCW, and individuals from the three partner organizations. Each applicant was evaluated based on their artistic practice, the urgency of need, the degree to which the condition was harming quality of life, and the grants presumed efficacy. In other words, the WCCW wanted to know that the relatively small grant could have a real impact on the [medical] issue, says Williams. This year, the WCCW awarded 30 individual grants for a total of $80,000. Grantees also receive time with social worker Tricia Smith. Its a benefit 90% of this years recipients took advantage of in order to discuss additional resources. The needs covered by the grants are diverse, including help with medical debt, dental work and gender-affirming care. Inside the Womens Center for Creative Work in Frogtown in northern L.A., a collective of women creating healthcare grants for uninsured artists. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) While the national debate over healthcare rages, the ACAs effect on artists, many of whom are self-employed and previously couldnt qualify for or afford healthcare insurance, is significant. In 2013, before most of the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act were enacted, an online survey by the Future of Music Coalition and Artists Health Insurance Resource Center found that of the 3,402 respondents, 435 lacked health insurance. The national estimate of uninsured at that time was 17% for the general population. Nearly nine out of every 10 respondents said the main reason they were uninsured was the cost. Its difficult to find reliable data on how many artists are insured after the ACA provisions have been phased in and Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California) expanded. However, the uninsured rate for the general population fell to 10% by the end of 2016, though its begun to creep back up in the past two years. Renata Marinaro, national director of health services at the Actors Fund who worked on the survey, admits cost is still a barrier. While deductibles can vary by plan and state, a high deductible can be prohibitive for a lot of creative professionals, Marinaro says. They think, Why am I spending $300-$400 per month if I cant see my primary care physician? Cost is still a barrier, she says. Its still an issue and will become more of an issue the more the government tries to undermine the law. These kinds of costs may be why crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe have become de facto health insurance providers. In 2017, one-third of the money raised on the site globally is for medical campaigns, or about $650 million. The campaigns arent solely covering medical bills. Many cover travel for treatment, lost wages due to prolonged illness, and caregiver expenses, highlighting some of the shortcomings of the social safety net. And for people like James, whose treatment options fell outside of coverage, there is an additional burden. A lot of people are interested in integrative medicine like acupuncture but its not covered by most plans, Marinaro says. Trying to prevent injuries and stay healthy can run up big bills because its not covered by standard insurance. The deficiencies of the system arent new. Faith-based organizations and hospital charity care often step in when the medical establishment falls short, says Marinaro. We need community solutions to healthcare, says Williams, who would prefer a more holistic system. Artists need not just space or money. They need all kinds of support. For anyone who thinks there are no new stories, or ways to tell them, from the lore of the Old West, The Sisters Brothers would like a word. The movie is the English-language debut of French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, whose 2009 drama A Prophet was nominated for a foreign-language film Academy Award and whose 2015 film Dheepan won the Cannes Film Festivals Palme dOr. Bringing a snaking, sneaky storytelling to the tale of two brothers in 1851 trying to find out if there can be more to their lives than their jobs as killers-for-hire, The Sisters Brothers, which opened in L.A. on Sept. 21 and has steadily been expanding, is by turns rawhide rough and violent, comedic, lyrical and settles upon an unlikely grace. As adapted by Audiard and his frequent collaborator Thomas Bidegain from the 2011 novel by Patrick deWitt, the story continually reinvents itself as it reorients the viewer within its world, turning the Wild West into an expansive place of wide-open emotions. I dont think the world needs another western, it needs something else, Audiard said recently in Los Angeles. Advertisement I really loved the book, its a great story. But Im French, so the western is not my history, he said. For me its just a period piece. It happens during the gold rush, with men on horses, wearing hats and guns, thats what they did at that time. So what we liked about it was the fairy-tale quality, there was something about it that really appealed to us. John C. Reilly, left, is Eli Sisters and Joaquin Phoenix is Charlie Sisters in Jacques Audiards The Sisters Brothers. (Magali Bragard / Annapurna Pictures) Theres no reason to make a western for a westerns sake. ... So Jacques made a personal film out of this material. John C. Reilly on filmmaker Jacques Audiard The film tells the story of Eli and Charlie Sisters (John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix), bound together by a life of trauma and crime, as they set out to track down two men, the refined dandy John Morris (Jake Gyllenhaal) and idealistic chemist Hermann Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed). The project had its origins when producer Alison Dickey optioned deWitts book even before it was published in 2011, as she was working on the film Terri, based on another of the writers stories. She shared the book with Reilly, also her husband, and he decided to be a producer on the project as well. The two of them, along with producer Michael De Luca, took it to Audiard, and his producers at Why Not Productions, Pascal Caucheteux and Gregoire Sorlat, signed on too. I dont really know of any other filmmaker that works the way that he does and who can accomplish what he does in the film, said Dickey of why they took the project to Audiard. Hes often described as being very visceral and even gritty and tough, but theres always this sort of undercurrent of emotion thats so real and palpable. Thats what we were looking for, to put the story in the capable hands of someone who was going to take it and make a really personal story out of it, Reilly said. We werent interested in making another cliched western, theres no reason to make a western for a westerns sake. Theres plenty of them out there. Great ones. So Jacques made a personal film out of this material. If there was any risk in trusting a classically American story to the hands of a filmmaker who had never made a movie in English before, the bet appears to have paid off. Following the films world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Audiard won the festivals prize for best director. Audiards multicultural, polyglot vision of the Old West depicted in front of the camera was mirrored by the production itself, with many different languages being spoken on-set among the cast and crew. Rather than working along the Oregon trail where the story is set, the film was shot in Spain and Romania. Audiard used Belgian cinematographer Benoit Debie, known for his work with Gaspar Noe and Harmony Korine. French-born, two-time Oscar winner Alexandre Desplat, a longtime collaborator with Audiard, composed the score. Italian-born Milena Canonero, a four-time Oscar winner going back to Stanley Kubricks Barry Lyndon, designed the films costumes. John C. Reilly, left, and Joaquin Phoenix star opposite each other in Jacques Audiards The Sisters Brothers. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Audiards innovations were on every aspect of the film, both big and small. He and Bidegain elevated the characters of Morris and Warm from the book, turning the storys middle section into something of a four-hander where one pair of men chase the other pair of men until they come together for a momentary, utopian idyll. The character of a frontier towns boss, a man in the book, was cast with British actress Rebecca Root. For Audiard, working with American performers like Reilly, Phoenix and Gyllenhaal or the British-born Ahmed was a big part of the projects appeal. He was immediately impressed by the amount of preparation done by the actors. They come and the character is there from the start, he said. In France its different, you have to bring the actors to the character, and here the characters are already there. They own their characters. The unpredictability of Phoenix in particular was exciting for Audiard and Reilly alike. From a director, he really asks simple questions, Audiard said of Phoenix. If you tell him to go left, you can be totally sure hes going to go right. No one does what Joaquin does, added Reilly. In some ways its like watching a wild animal on one of those nature cams, like What is it going to do now? And thats a real accomplishment, given all the planning and preparation that goes into filmmaking, to be able to be that alive. If you tell him to go left, you can be totally sure hes going to go right. Jacques Audiard on working with Joaquin Phoenix Joaquin Phoenix, from left, and John C. Reilly work with director Jacques Audiard on the set of The Sisters Brothers. (Magali Bragard / Annapurna Pictures) Phoenix first read the book and then the script and was pulled in by all the ways in which the story deviated from a traditional western. I dont really know westerns, said Phoenix in an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival just ahead of beginning work on the highly-anticipated Joker project. I have this idea thats probably inaccurate, but I feel like the characters in westerns are always stoic. And with [The Sisters Brothers] I felt like there was an opportunity for a different kind of character and a personality that we hadnt really seen before. Which I thought was just refreshing and interesting. The movie was the fourth Phoenix has made in the stretch of one year, after having not worked for two years, and he was initially reluctant to depart for shooting in Europe. He and Reilly had briefly met before the project came about through their mutual friend, filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. In creating the bonds of brothers who had spent every sunrise and sunset together for years and years, the two actors lived as roommates for part of the production, when Phoenix stayed in the spare room of Reillys rental accommodations. I think it forced us to be close, Phoenix noted. And it was great to go to work and come back. Id make some fancy sauce and wed have some pasta and it was great. We basically just started spending all of our time together. It was as simple as that, said Reilly. The relationship between us became by the end of shooting a lot like the relationship of Eli and Charlie, minus the murder. For Reilly and Dickey, their initial idea of reaching out to a filmmaker like Audiard has paid off in ways they never would have predicted, to create a film that exceeded their expectations. Theres a lot of relevance here because one of Jacques main concerns to begin with was, Why should we do this? said Reilly. And then we set about finding the film inside of the book and inside that film was all kinds of questions about masculinity and the future and optimism and facing your past and dealing with your family relationships and what is predetermined and what is a choice. This idea that even the worst people or the people who have done terrible things are still capable of transformation and change I think thats a really cool idea. SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter Mark.Olsen@latimes.com Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus Broxton The Janss Dome in Westwood is now a brewery, bar and restaurant called Broxton. Its the latest opening from Tony Yanows Artisanal Brewers Collective, which also includes 6th and La Brea, and Beelmans. On the menu are burgers, wood-grilled steaks and fried chicken. There are also 14 beers on draft, and cocktails such as the Old Fashioned, made with port barrel-aged bourbon and black walnut bitters. 1099 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 933-9949, www.broxtonla.com. Prima Cocina At this Montana Avenue Mexican restaurant, former NoMad and Momofuku sous chef Carlos Arciniega oversees a Baja-inspired menu that goes beyond fish tacos. At Prima Cocina, Arciniega is serving entrees such as enchiladas verdes, gambas a la plancha and grilled branzino with cilantro pesto and habanero. The restaurant is also serving Mexican wines and California beers. 1405 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (424) 581-6511, www.primacocina.com. Advertisement Konbi Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto, who cooked at Momofuku and Osso, have opened a Japanese deli/cafe called Konbi in Echo Park. Expect pork tonkatsu, egg salad and omelet sandwiches with a side of hojicha green tea lattes, European pastries and composed vegetable plates. The restaurant is open only for breakfast and lunch. 1463 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 278-0007, konbila.com/. An egg sandwich from the new Konbi restaurant in Echo Park. (Alicia Cho) Sichuan Impression The restaurant made Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants Lists and is generally agreed to be among the countrys superlative Sichuan restaurants. Now, the San Gabriel Valley favorite is open in a Westwood strip mall. The restaurant is serving the fiery dishes its known for, including the wontons in chile oil, toothpick lamb, bobo chicken and ginger rabbit. 11057 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 444-7171, www.facebook.com/Simpression1900. Wallys A Santa Monica location of the Westside food and wine shop is now open on Wilshire Boulevard at 2nd Street. Former Patina/the Royce chef David Feau is serving a menu of pizza and pasta, salads and uni toast, wagyu tartare and caviar. A cellar named the Vault is stocked with sought-after Bordeaux, Burgundy and California wines. 214 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (424) 293-5500, www.wallywine.com. food@latimes.com Twitter: @latimesfood Alta Adams, the new West Adams restaurant by chef Daniel Patterson, isnt technically related to Locol, the fast-food concept he opened in Watts three years ago with Roy Choi. But in spirit, the similarities are clear: Both are located in historically underserved communities, with affordably priced menus designed to appeal to African American customers. When it opens Thursday, Alta Adams staff will include half a dozen former Locol workers; chef Keith Corbin was a line cook there before working his way up to become kitchen manager. For the record: A previous version of this story called the adjoining restaurant Alta Coffee Shop. It is Adams Coffee Shop. The link is so strong, Patterson says, that we think of it as a sister restaurant. During a walk-through last month of the space and in subsequent interviews, the two frequently mention Locol, which in August shut its remaining two restaurants to focus on catering. Theyve spent a lot of time reflecting on the formidable hurdles it faced, and say theyve applied those lessons to Alta Adams and the adjoining Adams Coffee Shop, which opened last week. Advertisement Alta Adams and Adams Coffee Shop. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Among the takeaways, according to Corbin: Patience. Training. Covering our bases, just making sure that the team is on board, and we dont open too early and we dont open before were ready. Patterson hopes the two businesses will be a hub for the neighborhood first and foremost, but also a draw for residents outside the immediate area something Locol struggled with after its initial opening drew hordes of curious diners to Watts from around L.A. When we started Locol, we started from ground zero in terms of experience and that was maybe more of a challenge than we realized going in, Patterson says. So one thing thats different is, after three years, theres knowledge and communication and shared understanding that we worked hard at. Chefs Keith Corbin, left, and Daniel Patterson sitting in one of the booths at Alta Adams. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Alta Adams is the second Los Angeles restaurant venture for the Bay Area-based restaurateur, best known for his three-Michelin-starred seafood spot Coi near the Embarcadero, and is the latest addition to his Alta Group. The restaurant empire also includes the restaurants Aster, Besharam and Kaya in San Francisco and Dyafa and Plum Bar in Oakland. For Alta Adams, Patterson bypassed Hollywood and other buzzy neighborhoods, settling instead on a corner of West Adams Boulevard and South Burnside Avenue. There are a couple of beauty salons, churches and auto shops nearby, as well as a CrossFit gym, but not much in the way of full-service restaurants. It just felt right here, Patterson says. The right space, the right community, the right time. Patterson gravitates toward such overlooked areas, frustrated by the inequities he sees among different social groups and neighborhoods around the country. He is motivated, he says, by the notion of shared humanity. I get asked a lot, Why do you care? and I say, Why dont you care? he says. People who have privilege have a moral responsibility to do what they can to try and make the world around them more equitable through their actions. Surrounded by more affluent areas and with a large number of mom-and-pop shops, West Adams, Corbin says, reminds him of his hometown of Watts. Its an area that needed some opportunity and we came in the same way we went into Watts: what the community wanted and not what we wanted to impose on them, Corbin says. Chef Keith Corbin in the kitchen at Alta Adams. He worked as a line cook at Locol before being promoted to kitchen manager. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) He and Patterson have knocked on doors and asked their new neighbors what theyd like in a restaurant. They note that the host of Alta Adams is a 65-year-old lifelong West Adams resident who had lived a block away for 46 years before being evicted from his home recently. Theres a responsibility to be respectful, Patterson says. You cant stop how neighborhoods evolve, but you can set a marker for intention. Sandwiched between Culver City and Jefferson Park, and just south of the 10 Freeway, West Adams lies in a geographically favorable part of the city, with the potential to draw customers from several adjacent neighborhoods and crosstown commuters. Whereas Locol focused on burgers and folded tacos ordered at a counter, the Alta Adams menu is built around what Corbin calls California soul. It includes cornbread, grilled pork collar, seared oxtail, and black-eyed pea fritters with an herb sauce almost like a hush puppy in a sense, he says with nearly all dishes priced between $3 and $23 and many larger dishes intended to be shared. Pork collar with chow chow relish is plated by Alta Adams chef Keith Corbin. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Patterson gave me the go-ahead to start experimenting and I started doing soul food with expressive fresh vegetables and herbs. It was taking something I love and enhancing it with fresh products, taking something thats old and making it new again, says Corbin, who learned to cook from his grandmother and honed his cooking skills during a stint in prison for armed robbery. Alta Adams is open for dinner only. Adams Coffee Shop is open for breakfast and lunch, and serves food including pastries, sandwiches and a beef shank stew over red beans and rice. With its long communal table and the work of local artists adorning the walls, the coffee shop space could be used at night for neighborhood events, open-mike nights and poetry readings, Patterson says. Alta Adams Where: 5359 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles When: 5-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5-10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday Info: (323) 571-4999, www.altaadams.com, @altarestaurant Adams Coffee Shop Where: 5357 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles When: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Info: www.adamscoffeeshop.com, @adamscoffeeshop andrea.chang@latimes.com Twitter: @byandreachang Instagram: @byandreachang Civil rights lawyers have settled a lawsuit accusing the Los Angeles Superior Court of improperly ordering drivers license suspensions for people who couldnt afford to pay their traffic ticket fines, saying the court has agreed to notify drivers that they can ask a judge to evaluate their ability to pay. Courts were required by law to look at a persons ability to pay a fine before ordering the suspension of a drivers license, said Antionette Dozier, an attorney with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, in a statement. In Los Angeles, they didnt follow the law. The court did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement agreement. An attorney representing the court could not immediately be reached for comment. The lawsuit centered around Gloria Mata Alvarado, who was hit with a $712 fine for not wearing her seat belt while in the car with her husband. According to the suit, Alvarado and her husband are disabled and living on fixed retirement and disability payments of $1,514 a month. When she explained her situation in court, the judge reduced the fine to $600, the suit said. Advertisement She couldnt afford that fine, so the court directed the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend her license. Her attorneys said there are many others like her. Tens of thousands of people, primarily poor African American and Latino residents, illegally lost their right to drive, said Lisa James, an organizer with the human rights group All of Us or None. That meant they were prevented from fully living their lives, leading to lost jobs, missed doctors appointments, and other personal and family difficulties. Since the lawsuit was filed in 2016, the court has agreed to notify people cited for traffic violations in writing of their right to demonstrate their inability to pay a fine, according to the settlement. The court will also train employees on the ability-to-pay process and provide data to civil rights attorneys who will monitor compliance for a year. This settlement is a victory for low-income Los Angeles residents, who have been facing skyrocketing costs of living in recent years, Devon Porter, an attorney with the ACLU of Southern California, said in a statement. Now, courts are required to provide an accessible process for people to get traffic tickets reduced based on financial hardship. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown approved legislation that prevents courts from suspending someones drivers license simply because of unpaid fines. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to crack down on people who repeatedly disrupt their meetings at City Hall, defying attorneys and activists who charge that the new rules trample on free speech rights. Beginning in January, people who are repeatedly ejected from City Council or committee meetings for shouting from the audience or other disruptive acts can be banned from attending other meetings that day and for up to six additional meeting days at a time. Activists from the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, the Los Angeles Community Action Network and other groups vigorously opposed the plan at City Hall, calling it a tool to squelch dissent. Youre actually limiting our ability to protest, to say no, to use our bodies to say we are standing up for our communities, said Jamie Garcia, a member of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition. Advertisement Garcia continued to speak after her minute to comment had ended. Council President Herb Wesson told her she was disrupting the meeting. Everybody gets one minute, Wesson said as Garcia repeatedly yelled back, What you are doing is wrong! Los Angeles City Council president Herb J. Wesson, Jr., notifies speakers their time is up as protesters speak before the council votes to crack down on people who repeatedly disrupt their meetings at Los Angeles City Hall. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Others in the crowd joined in support of Garcia, shouting, We do not approve! and We will not be silenced! before she was escorted out of the council chambers by police. The measure passed 14 to 0, with Councilman Mike Bonin absent. None of the council members spoke on the change in rules. Bonin said he missed the vote because of child care issues and refused to say how he would have voted. Im not getting into it, he said. Council members first proposed new rules regarding meeting disruptions last month and have repeatedly met behind closed doors to discuss possible changes. A spokesman for City Atty. Mike Feuer said last month that council members wanted to be able to consult with their lawyers after David Zuma Dogg Saltsburg warned he might take legal action. Saltsburg and another meeting attendee sued the city nine years ago after they were cut off or ejected from city meetings, and in some cases temporarily banned from speaking. A federal judge concluded in 2013 that the city had run afoul of the 1st Amendment in its enforcement of the rules and warned that the council cannot sacrifice political speech to a formula of civility. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California urged the council to reject the new rules, arguing that any disruptive conduct should be punished as it occurs, not by banning people from future meetings. The civil liberties group said that the new system of punishment would exacerbate the problems with the existing rules, which categorize a wide array of expressive activity as disruptive. Under those rules, disruptive conduct can include clapping, whistling, repeatedly waving arms and the utterance of loud, threatening or abusive language from the audience, as well as any other disruptive acts. Carol Sobel, a civil rights attorney who has sued the city in the past, said many of the actions that the council rules define as disruptive are in fact absolutely protected expression under federal court rulings. For instance, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a man who was ejected from a Santa Cruz City Council meeting for silently giving a Nazi salute from the audience, she said. David (Zuma Dogg) Saltsburg addressing the council during public comment on September 18, 2018. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Disruption alone is not enough, Sobel said. The courts have been very clear: It has to be prolonged. It has to interfere with their ability to conduct the meeting. Federal courts have also found that public speakers cannot be removed simply for uttering profane or offensive words. Racist slurs and profanity have become routine from a handful of regular attendees at L.A. city meetings, spurring some complaints. Lisa Sarkin, a former board president with the Studio City Neighborhood Council, said many neighborhood volunteers avoid council and committee meetings to avoid cursing, racial slurs, and interruptions from the audience. On one occasion roughly six years ago, Sarkin said, an audience member called her a dirty Jew with a black heart after she testified in favor of restrictions on cannabis businesses. On another, Sarkin said a police officer walked her from a committee meeting to the elevator because of concerns over her safety. I dont think people bring children there anymore, because its so vile, Sarkin said. The language they use? You cant. Its despicable. Council members argue that unruly behavior and outbursts from the crowd have made other attendees feel unwelcome at public meetings, infringing on their rights to participate. City staffers stated in a report that audience disruptions have been on the rise and are often caused by the same few individuals. Wesson declined to comment Tuesday but said last month that the city had a responsibility to protect and make other visitors feel comfortable that come to our council meetings. No one is talking about limiting free speech, he said at the time. Protesters hold signs as General Dogon speaks before the Los Angeles City Council votes to crack down on people who repeatedly disrupt their meetings. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Gina Viola, who belongs to the group White People for Black Lives, said that audience disruptions had not dissuaded her from attending City Hall meetings. Instead, Viola said, those disruptions show that the public doesnt feel like its being heard here. This motion is a move toward an authoritarian regime, Viola added. Two years ago, council members cut the period of time that members of the public could weigh in on each agenda item from two minutes to one. At the same time, they reduced the maximum time that members of the public could devote to multiple agenda items during a single council meeting from five minutes to three. The council has also shortened the time period for people to speak at committee meetings. And it routinely prevents people from speaking about an issue before the entire council if there has already been public comment on the issue at a committee meeting, a practice that has sometimes surprised and irritated residents who show up expecting to be able to speak before a decision. Critics also complain that the council has not fairly applied its rules about disrupting meetings, allowing groups that its members consider to be allies to clap, shout and make other noise from the crowd. Over the past year, audience members have also interrupted or disrupted council meetings in other California cities, including Chico, National City and Sacramento, in many cases to protest responses to homelessness or allegations of police abuse. City officials in Sacramento grew so frustrated that in July, they drafted a proposal to bar repeatedly unruly audience members from attending council meetings for up to 90 days. When the proposal came up for a vote, council members decided not to take it up. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg concluded that the proposal was unnecessary and decided to pursue additional strategies for listening to his constituents in their communities, said Kelly Fong Rivas, his chief of staff. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes david.zahniser@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidZahniser UPDATES: 4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from City Council President Herb Wesson. This article was originally published at 12:35 p.m. Several people were injured in Hollywood late Monday when Los Angeles police showed up to rapper Phoras event, prompting the large crowd to run away and trample one another, authorities said. Eight people including teenagers and young adults were taken to hospitals, while two others were evaluated at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Their injuries appeared to be related to an outdoor crowd surge and were not life-threatening, the Fire Department said. The rapper was hosting the event at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, drawing a large crowd to the intersection, said Officer Mike Lopez. He did not know the rapper, but social media posts identify him as Phora, an Anaheim-raised artist who announced a new album last week. Not sure who I he hell Phora is, but this is nuts!!! #HollywoodandHighland #Phora pic.twitter.com/uVbICuqZGJ Jabari Barrett (@Jab_Noles) October 9, 2018 Advertisement Overwhelmed by the large crowd, event security called the police. When officers showed up, people started running away, Lopez said. The Los Angeles Police Department was working to disperse the crowd. Were there, on the ground, just to disperse the big crowd that was there, Lopez said. Social media posts indicate that Phora was having a meet-and-greet at Shoe Palace. A man who answered the phone at the Hollywood store would not confirm whether it was hosting the artist for the promotional event. Everything that happened happened outside, he said. He would not elaborate and then hung up on a reporter. Phora responded on Twitter to a news report that several people were injured at the event. Na na na everyone good I made sure, he wrote. someone passed out but she is okay now, her name is Alejandra and she says hi. Na na na everyone good I made sure someone passed out but she is okay now, her name is Alejandra and she says hi https://t.co/QyWl9y7KiB PHORA (@PHORAONE) October 9, 2018 This post will be updated as more information becomes available. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek UPDATES: 11 p.m.: This article was updated with information from the Los Angeles Fire Department. 10:35 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from Shoe Palace and Phora. This article was originally published at 10:20 p.m. The ResultsAs They Happen The ResultsAs They Happen WorldTempus brings you all the Only Watch news direct from the auction WorldTempus brings you all the Only... The San Bernardino Roman Catholic diocese on Monday released a list of 34 priests accused of sexually abusing children, including six who were convicted of criminal charges. The Diocese of San Bernardino County listed clergy who were the subject of credible allegations of molestation since the diocese formed in 1978, according to its website. All but one were removed from the priesthood, permanently banned from ministry in the diocese or are dead. The remaining priest left the diocese in 1993, and his whereabouts are unknown, according to the list. Apologies at this point can seem hollow, and I acknowledge that, because I cant imagine how painful this has been in the lives of many victims and their families. Still, I do want to state my sincere apology for our offenses and failures, Bishop Gerald Barnes said in a video message. Advertisement The diocese has 1.7 million parishioners in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The bishop urged anyone who has been abused by a priest or knows of a victim to report it. The most recent allegation came from a boy who said that a priest made advances while driving him to a retreat in Palm Springs in 2014. The diocese reported the allegation to child welfare authorities, diocesan spokesman John Andrews told the San Bernardino Sun. The list includes the Rev. Edward Ball, a former priest. He was convicted in 1992 of molesting three boys in the 1970s and spent nine months in jail. In 1999, he was convicted of molesting two brothers who were altar boys from about 1979 to 1986. Under a plea agreement, he received a three-year sentence. The brothers sued and in 2003 received a $4.2-million settlement from the diocese and from Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Aurora, Ill., where Ball was ordained. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Diocese of Orange and the Diocese of San Diego previously released lists of priests accused or convicted of molestation and have updated them. In 2007, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached a $660-million settlement with more than 500 victims of clergy abuse. UC Davis police are investigating anti-Semitic fliers posted near the schools student union Monday morning, authorities said. Chancellor Gary May said in a statement that the fliers, which violated posting policy, were removed and that the university was working to identify who put them up. Students reported seeing the same posters at UC Berkeley. The message on these fliers is reprehensible and does not represent who we are as a community, he said. Our Principles of Community expresses our dedication to mutual respect, understanding, compassion and caring for everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation, culture, ethnicity or gender. I ask each of you to uphold those values. The black-and-white fliers portrayed figures, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, professor Christine Blasey Ford, billionaire George Soros and attorney Michael Avenatti, with a Star of David or the words Good Goy on their foreheads. They surrounded an image of new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the phrase: Every time some anti-white, anti-american, anti-freedom event takes place, you look at it and its Jews behind it. Advertisement The flier included the address of the website of the Daily Stormer, a white supremacist publication. Publisher Andrew Anglin said in an email that the Daily Stormer was not involved. It is an Alex Jones flier, he said, referring to the conspiracy theorist and host of the Infowars radio show. My students found this flyer throughout their school in UC Davis.... Blatant anti-semitism should have no room in a college campus! pic.twitter.com/X0NPuT8MMN Yoni Michanie (@jmich019) October 8, 2018 UC Davis Police Sgt. Bill Beermann said a student first reported the fliers to university police about 7:45 a.m. Monday, and more fliers were brought in during the day. The bills were posted on the Memorial Union building, which has no surveillance cameras, police said. Were trying to find out who left the posters, Beermann said. Right now, its not a criminal investigation. We want to talk to them to find out what their intent was. The universitys student government leaders are planning a workshop on anti-Semitism following the incident. Anti-Semitism is alarmingly prevalent on college campuses, and needs to be acknowledged for what it is: blatant racism, student body President Michael Gofman said in a statement Tuesday. The ASUCD Executive office is deeply upset and angered by these flyers, and we find it intolerable and inexcusable. Justin Greenwald, a UC Berkeley student government senator, released a similar statement on Facebook about the posters The imagery and rhetoric of the flyers seen on these campuses argue that the opposition to Justice Kavanaughs confirmation was orchestrated by influential Jewish figures, evoking the familiar anti-Semitic trope that Jews are the architects of all evil, he said. Mondays postings were not the first racist attack on college campuses of late. Last week, students at Sacramento City College found derogatory comments toward African Americans and swastikas written in black marker in a mens restroom, prompting a student protest on campus, university spokeswoman Kaitlyn MacGregor said. On Monday, more swastikas were found on a gymnasium bulletin board. MacGregor said the college is not aware of any link between the racist graffiti at Sacramento City College and the fliers posted at UC Davis. She said the college is encouraging students with information about either incident to make a report. The Los Rios Police Department is investigating the incidents at Sacramento City College. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra UPDATES: 1:50 p.m. Oct. 8: This article was updated with information about fliers found at UC Berkeley and a comment from Daily Stormer publisher Andrew Anglin. This article was originally published at 1:20 p.m. Oct. 9. Thirteen suspected members of a notorious Mexican drug cartel are behind bars, and more than $10 million worth of illicit drugs have been seized as part of a months-long investigation in Ventura County, authorities announced Tuesday. The arrests, which authorities say include high-ranking Sinaloa drug cartel members, were made as part of a multi-agency investigation that began last year, Ventura County Undersheriff Gary Pentis said. Omar Rangel, 29, of the San Fernando Valley, was the local leader of the ring, according to a statement from the Sheriffs Department. Pentis said the drugs were smuggled from Mexico to stash houses in Southern California, where they were distributed to lower-level dealers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Authorities say the proceeds from drug sales are sent back to the cartel in Mexico. Advertisement Several search warrants were served throughout the year, resulting in the seizure of 161 pounds of methamphetamine, 121 pounds of cocaine, 13 pounds of Mexican heroin, more than 6 pounds of fentanyl and 600 fentanyl pills that were branded to look like oxycodone. The drugs were displayed on tables during Tuesdays news conference. This type of economic seizure dismantles and disrupts these organizations, Pentis said. I hope theres a significant disruption because of this. The Ventura County Sheriffs Department released a list of 14 additional people who are either under arrest or whose arrests are imminent in connection with the ring. They are: Bryan Vega, 20, of Reseda; Nancy Romero, 33, of Canoga Park; Cesar Alvarez Serrano, 30, of Winnetka; Alma Ceja, 47, of Downey; Richard Kevin Riley, 48, of Hollywood; Rhonda Harvey, 47, of Van Nuys; William Kragthorpe, 54, of Sherman Oaks; Xavier Lozano, 27, of Imperial Beach; Jose Florentino Soto, 40, and Joseph Rigoberto Soto, 21, of Los Angeles; Jorge Antonio Jimenez, 43, of Sylmar; Alondra Banuelos, 23, of Sylmar; Melissa Arnold, 45, of Oxnard; and Joshua Grimes, 34, of Simi Valley. One of the first drugs seized as part of the investigation was fentanyl, a potent opioid thats 50 times stronger than heroin. The white powder is increasingly being mixed into other drugs to produce a stronger high, authorities said. Pentis likened law enforcements crack down on illegal drug trafficking to a constant cat-and-mouse game. This is just one of the groups, Pentis said. Its a huge problem, but the problem were centering on is the deaths and destruction caused from fentanyl. Why fentanyl? Its cheap and it improves potency. Its about dollars and nothing else. Overdose deaths in Ventura County rose 42% from 2016 to 2017, in part because of the rise of fentanyl use, the undersheriff said. Data show overdose deaths also are rising statewide. Fentanyl deaths in California tripled between 2016 and 2017, according to state health department data. Authorities said they intend to make additional arrests as part of the investigation. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry UPDATES: 4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with the names of the suspects. This article was originally published at 1:45 p.m. It is exceedingly difficult to qualify an initiative for the Los Angeles County ballot, so the Reform L.A. Jails movement achieved something remarkable earlier this year when it gathered nearly a quarter-million signatures on a petition to require a reexamination of jail funding and to enhance oversight of the Sheriffs Department. Now the Board of Supervisors must choose whether to allow the measure to proceed to the March 3, 2020, presidential primary ballot or to short-circuit the process and grant the activists instant victory by passing the substance of their measure into law. If only the activists demands werent so maddeningly modest. They want the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission to study how to reduce the county jail population and redirect the resulting savings to non-jail alternatives, presumably including substance and mental health treatment and other rehabilitation programs. And they want the commission to have the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, to better keep tabs on the Sheriffs Department and its personnel. Theres nothing wrong with those suggestions, but they miss the point. In fact, the Board of Supervisors has already created an Office of Diversion and Reentry that has redirected hundreds of would-be inmates to treatment, but its work is stymied by a dearth of community-based service organizations that can care for rising numbers of patients and that have the expert personnel and funding to meet acceptable standards of service. Furthermore, theres fierce resistance from would-be neighbors to housing and clinics for patients who might otherwise be in jail. Advertisement County supervisors and the sheriff have done an abysmal job at communicating just what they are doing on alternatives to incarceration. County supervisors and the sheriff have done an abysmal job at communicating just what they are doing on alternatives to incarceration. And it may be that some county officials are quite comfortable with their failure to publicly outline their program, because without clear numerical targets and timetables for reducing the jail population and offering safe and useful alternatives, there can be no meaningful oversight of their efforts no determination that they must pick up their pace, no outside evaluation of their efficiency and effectiveness. They may be unbothered by the fact that their recalcitrance has led to the petition drive and ballot measure. As for subpoena power, the Los Angeles Times supports it, but recognizes that its value may be more symbolic than substantive. The files that activists appear to want most documenting deputy misconduct and discipline are either beyond subpoena power because of privacy laws or already within reach, without subpoenas, because of a recent change to state law. Witnesses could be ordered to appear before the commission, but it is not a court and would lack power to enforce its orders. Attempting to compel testimony could run afoul of the 4th and 5th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Activists may have fetishized or mythologized subpoena power, investing it with greater potency than it actually has. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion But there is a more basic and more sweeping kind of power, and reallocating it might make the supervisors and the sheriff more responsive to the needs of their constituents. Thats what happened in the city of L.A. after the beating of Rodney King led to public demands for Los Angeles Police Department accountability, and the police chief and department brass responded defiantly. Reformers went to the ballot in 1992 with a landmark measure (known as Charter Amendment F) that stripped the chief of civil service protection and virtual lifetime tenure and generally reallocated political power among him, the mayor and the Police Commission. Los Angeles County was due for its Charter Amendment F following the resignation and conviction of Sheriff Lee Baca and other department personnel, but it still hasnt gotten it. Structural reform would be a taller order than the citys version, because, under the state constitution, the sheriff is unaccountable to anyone but the electorate (and criminal prosecutors). Until now, serious efforts to impose the right changes seemed futile because implementing them seemed politically impossible. But the Reform L.A. Jails movement has demonstrated that there is a hunger for change, and that activists have the ability to get a reform measure on the ballot. The measure they have may be fine as far as it goes, but change of a more fundamental sort is needed. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. Confirming Brett Kavanaugh was the best outcome at the end of a hellish decision-tree that left the country with no ideal option. Reasonable people may differ on that. But what seems more obvious: Its all going to get worse. Because everyone is taking the wrong lessons from the Kavanaugh debacle. Lets start with the president. In an interview Saturday night on Fox News Channels Justice with Judge Jeanine, President Trump said that he was the one who evened the playing field for Kavanaugh when he mocked Christine Blasey Ford at a Mississippi rally last Tuesday. Well, there were a lot of things happening that werent correct, they werent true and there were a lot of things that were left unsaid, Trump told host Jeanine Pirro. It was very unfair to the judge. So I evened the playing field. Once I did that, it started to sail through. Advertisement This is mostly nonsense. Once Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona had forced the FBIs reinvestigation of Fords sexual assault allegation, Kavanaughs confirmation hinged on the FBI findings and the votes of three Republican senators: Flake, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Gloating and total war is the new statesmanship. The presidents comments mocking Ford, meanwhile, were singularly unhelpful. Collins called them Just plain wrong. Flake: It was appalling. Murkowski: Wholly inappropriate. Even Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) told the president to knock it off. Nor did Kavanaughs nomination sail through after that. Instead, the headwinds got stronger, the water got choppier and the sharks hungrier. As Trump chummed the water, his nominee was rescued by a Team of Rinos. It was Flakes FBI gambit, Collins sense of decency and decorum, and the steely determination of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that got Kavanaugh confirmed. (Remember when Steve Bannon was declaring McConnell public enemy No. 1 of MAGA Nation?) Trump cheerleaders could use a reminder of why Kavanaugh was the nominee in the first place. Trumps Supreme Court list brimming with GOP legal establishment types, of whom Kavanaugh is the crown prince was imposed upon him by skeptics who feared he might nominate someone like Judge Jeanine Pirro. But so much is forgotten, left behind in the locker room as Trump and team celebrate on the field. The president, who perhaps deserves some conservative praise for picking Kavanaugh off the Federalist Societys menu and sticking by him, is credited for the win. But in fact, the president himself repeatedly and credibly accused of sexual assault was largely a hindrance in the fight. And hes now doing further disservice to the new justice and to the Supreme Court by holding Kavanaugh up like a partisan trophy. Such gloating and total war is the new statesmanship. Ryan Williams, the president of the Claremont Institute, argues that the Kavanaugh battle retroactively vindicates Michael Antons famous Flight 93 argument of 2016: That the presidential election was a charge the cockpit or you die moment for American conservatives. Now, Williams says, the middle has collapsed, the parties are pulling farther apart, and its Flight 93 for as far as the eye can see. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute The left largely sees this situation this way, too. In the wake of their failure to destroy Kavanaugh, Democrats and liberal activists insist they must fight dirty as political scientist David Farris argues in his book, Its Time to Fight Dirty. Liberals have convinced themselves Democrats lose because they are too nice. This, not ironically, was exactly the view conservatives like Anton held about the GOP in 2016; many voters rallied to Trump on the grounds that at least he fights. Stormy Daniels grandstanding lawyer Michael Avenatti is auditioning to be the lefts counter-puncher. In response to the GOPs Kavanaugh win, he tweeted, When they go low, we hit harder. There is far too much at stake for any other approach. Nevermind that it was Avenattis harder-hitting allegations that steeled the GOPs resolve to keep Democrats from railroading Kavanaugh. There are other echoes of 2016 on the Democratic side. Many now flock to the banner of socialism the way the Bannonites rallied for nationalism. And both sides are doubling down on identity politics Trumpists rushing to the defense of men, and leftists calling out white women who dont toe the line as gender traitors. This is how we got here. It will get worse because there are no incentives to be better. It wont end well either, but at least it will feel familiar. jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com In a scathing denunciation of China last week, Vice President Mike Pence accused Beijing of using tariffs, quotas, currency manipulation, intellectual property theft, and industrial subsidies to rack up a colossal trade surplus with the United States. Pence promised that the Trump administration would double down on its policy of raising tariffs, which already total around $250 billion in goods. But Pence didnt focus solely on Chinas unfair trade practices. He also charged Beijing with trying to induce American universities, think tanks, businesses, and even state and local governments, to adopt pro-China positions and accused China of flexing its muscles against Japan, militarizing the South China Sea, and ramping up repression at home. The indictment confirmed what many have suspected Trumps trade war with China isnt really about trade. Despite commentary that identifies the presidents primary motives as jobs and money, the White House is embarked on a larger effort to contain a rising China. And Chinas leaders understand this full well. Even before Pences speech, Beijing viewed Trumps tariff increases alongside steps he has taken outside the economic realm. These include his recent approval of a $300-million arms sale package to Taiwan. Even though it was the second smallest such deal in over a decade, Beijing was incensed, doubtless because it followed a $1.4-billion arms package to Taiwan last year. Advertisement For Beijing, the economic pain is worth enduring to achieve its long-term goal of shifting the global balance of power. Trump also signed a law in March authorizing high-level contacts between Taiwanese and American officials despite the fact the U.S. doesnt formally recognize Taiwan. During a dinner with a group of American CEOs in August, Trump claimed that Chinese students in the United States serve as spies. While addressing the U.N. Security Council last month, he accused Beijing of trying to influence the midterm elections. His secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, publicly condemned Beijings repression of the Uighur people, in the Turkic-Muslim Xinjiang region. And the U.S. Navy has been challenging Chinas territorial claims in East and Southeast Asia. Chinas leaders, however, arent backing down. The stakes are way too high. Trumps tariff increases have been met with countermeasures, and China appears undaunted by the presidents threat to raise the tariffs to 25% by years end. Beijing has also ruled out trade talks, claiming that the U.S. is holding a knife to its throat, and for good measure, the Chinese canceled a mid-October meeting on security that Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis had been scheduled to attend. Alongside these demonstrations of resolve, China has portrayed itself to the world as outward-looking and pro-globalization. It wants to turn Trumps trade war to its advantage by playing on widespread fears that his protectionist trade policies will hurt all countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly hailed the benefits of free trade and presented China as the responsible adult when it comes to managing the international economy. This strategy dates back at least to last years Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Trump used his appearance there to encourage Asias leaders to turn inward; Xi called for partnerships based on mutual trust, inclusiveness and cooperation. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Chinese officials echoed this refrain at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, presenting their Belt and Road global infrastructure project as a deal designed to lift all boats. The Trump administration, by contrast, paints it as a strategic offensive, which it has sought to counter with its own $113-million aid plan for Asia paltry compared to the $900 billion China plans to pour into the Belt and Road initiative. Chinas strategy has been paying off in increments. New polling data from the Pew Research Center show that while many countries still prefer U.S. global leadership, they also recognize Chinas growing importance and that their confidence in Americas capacity to lead has declined. Chinas leaders understand that Trumps tariffs are likely to reduce Chinese economic growth, which relies heavily on exports. But they also believe that backing down in the tariff war will only encourage the United States to turn up the pressure on other fronts, whether Taiwan, Xinjiang or the South China Sea. For Beijing, the economic pain is worth enduring to achieve its long-term goal of shifting the global balance of power. Chinas quest for primacy, and the White Houses determination to prevent the replacement of Pax Americana by Pax Sinica, means that a long, difficult U.S.-China cold war lies ahead. Pence confirmed it. Jeffrey Kucik is an assistant professor in the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona. He maintains the trade policy site www.trademonitoronline.com. Rajan Menon is a professor of international relations at the Powell School, City College of New York/City University of New York. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook The small town of Bagley, Minn., looked set to be the scene for one of the nations most interesting airings of the climate controversy this week. Three people went on trial there on Monday for shutting down a pipeline from Canadas tar sands in 2016 one of them, after warning the company, turned the valve that shut the pipe, and then they sat and waited for the police to arrive. They were arrested and charged with felony destruction of public property. The judge had originally signaled that they would be allowed to mount a full necessity defense, and argue that climate change presented such a severe threat that they had little choice but to break the law. On Friday, however, he decided not to allow the team of expert witnesses including me to testify about the main points at issue: the danger of global warming, the lack of alternatives to civil disobedience and the effectiveness of direct action. Then on Tuesday, after a jury had been selected, the judge dismissed the case, announcing that the activists actions didnt meet the seriousness of the charges. Im glad the protesters in Minnesota arent facing 10 years in prison, but its almost too bad. The case for climate activism needs to be made. If Id had the chance to testify, here are the points I would have tried to impress on the jury. First, it is as bad as the scientists say, and you dont need to know a thing about degrees Celsius or parts per million CO2 to understand why. As weve burned fossil fuel, weve raised the temperature, and now were feeling the results. Last year, Hurricane Harvey dropped more water than any storm in the history of the country 60 inches in parts of Houston because warm air holds more water vapor than cold. This year Hurricane Florence broke every rainfall record for the East Coast. This is not some future threat its happening right now, and absolutely anyone can imagine what it would be like to have five feet of rain fall on your roof. Advertisement Politics as usual is not working to address the climate emergency, save for a few outliers like California or Norway. And a few outliers is not enough. The victims of these changes are now numerous, and they are concentrated among those who have done the least to cause the problem: People forced to migrate because their islands are sinking beneath ocean waves or because their farms have withered in the face of devastating drought, for instance. Polar bears too, but by no means polar bears mostly. Second, our political system is not working to address the challenge. Some of us have been trying for 30 years to make change in the obvious, rational ways. Weve met with politicians, testified before Congress and legislatures, written letters to politicians and to newspapers, organized seminars. And gotten not much of anywhere the U.S., famously, has withdrawn from the Paris climate accords. This political problem is not confined to America, which produces more fossil fuels than any other country. Russia, which comes in second, poisons critics of its government, including its energy policies. Saudi Arabia, which is third, is now apparently dismembering critics of its oil-saturated regime. Around the world, carbon emissions continue to rise. Politics as usual seems not to be working to address the climate emergency, save for a few outliers like California or Norway. And a few outliers is not enough. Lastly, much of what progress has been made toward mitigating climate change has largely come through protest. When demonstrators went to jail in record numbers against the Keystone XL pipeline, they not only stopped its construction but fired up people around the world to take similar steps against every new piece of fossil fuel infrastructure: Kayakers blocked Shells drilling rigs in the Seattle harbor, for example, which led to the companys retreat from plans to open the Arctic to oil drilling. Pension funds and endowments worth $7 trillion have begun divesting their holdings in fossil fuel companies Shell said in a recent report to shareholders that that movement had become a material risk. In other words, protest has weakened the very industry that has made political progress on climate change all but impossible. Its the long campaign of deceit and misinformation by the oil industry, above all else, that is responsible for our governments inaction. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion And like peaceful protest during the civil rights movement, civil disobedience has helped shift the zeitgeist away from the idea that coal, oil and gas are the natural and obvious sources of power for our societies. Protest helps overcome the inertia that is slowing our transition to cheaper solar and wind power. If normal politics ever does work on the issue of climate change, it will be in part because its been prodded by the unconventional kind. These points are logical, I think. Necessity of the most desperate kind motivated the three activists who were on trial in Bagley, and they were right to turn the pipeline valve. In another sense, though, its clearly crazy that people have to risk going to jail to make these points. Science has been offering us an unambiguous warning for three decades. As a society, and as a planet, we decided to ignore it. And we prosecute the people who remind us of our failings. The valve turner and her compatriots should have been judged not guilty in Minnesota. But the system under which we live is still on trial, and the verdict is all too clear. Bill McKibben is co-founder of the climate campaign 350.org, a faculty member in environmental studies at Middlebury College, and the author of the forthcoming Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out? Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook To the editor: The Times Editorial Board asks about Californias standardized test results, Whats with that abysmal showing by 11th-graders? I have taught 11th grade English for 13 years, and I have been the primary state test administrator at my school. The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress results are not a true representation of 11th-graders abilities or skills. These tests are essentially compulsory, and 11th-grade students must take four hours of online testing in English and another four hours of testing in math. When presented with eight hours of intense examination, 11th graders ask, Does this affect my semester grade or college admissions? The answer being no, most students dont do their best work. In contrast, many high school students are motivated to give their very best efforts on SAT and ACT tests. Advertisement David Waldowski, Laguna Woods .. To the editor: The Times asks the right question: Are schools using funding the right way to help disadvantaged students? Research gives us a clear direction. Reading achievement is strongly related to how much pleasure-reading students do, which in turn is strongly related to access to books, which in turn is related to school and public library quality. For students living in poverty, libraries often provide their only access to books. School libraries in California have improved in the last decade, with increased numbers of books per student, but there is one area they need help. Research shows that presence of credentialed school librarians makes a strong contribution to improving reading achievement. Only 9% of California school libraries have credentialed librarians, compared with the national average of 66%. Stephen Krashen, Los Angeles The writer is a professor emeritus of education at USC. .. To the editor: Your editorial about the problems with our education system that lead to flat or diminishing test scores makes a few assumptions that are not true. For one thing, not all high school students want or need to go to college. Many go straight into the workforce or the military. They have no need or motivation to score well on the standardized tests, and their scores are counted in the percentages. Perhaps more significant is the assumption that the tests results are an accurate reflections of students ability to handle college or a good job. The goal of the teachers at my school is to prepare the students for college academics, not to score well on the arbitrary standardized tests. The tests do not impact grades. Ive seen students pass Advanced Placement exams but score poorly on the state standardized tests. Kenneth Jaffe, Los Angeles Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: President Trump has no sense of shame but plenty of nerve. He actually stood there in the White House, apologizing on behalf of our nation to [Supreme Court Justice Brett] Kavanaugh and his family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. Kavanaugh will have to endure being paid a annual salary of about $214,000 to hold his lifetime seat. He will help decide serious and life-changing issues that will affect Americans lives for decades. He has already demonstrated his bias very loudly and belligerently. Meanwhile, Christine Blasey Ford and others had the courage to come forward with their allegations of sexual misconduct at great risk to themselves and their families. For this, they were ridiculed and made to feel as if they didnt matter. The apology is owed to Ford. She and the #MeToo movement are the real profiles in courage. Advertisement Frances Terrell Lippman, Sherman Oaks .. To the editor: Trump correctly stated that one must always be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. However, his claim that Kavanaugh was proven innocent was erroneous. More accurately, if anything was proven, it was that Kavanaugh was not guilty rather than innocent. Unfortunately for Ford, to overcome the legal presumption of innocence, she had to produce strong and convincing evidence to support her compelling allegation of sexual assault. And for the 50 senators who voted to confirm Kavanaugh, this burden was too difficult to overcome. Hopefully, those unhappy with this decision can look forward and try to elect those who will support their goals and objectives. Any attempt to reverse this confirmation would probably be a waste of time and energy. Irwin Zeke Warsaw, Marina del Rey .. To the editor: Hey ladies, did you hear it? The sound of us becoming second-class citizens (again)? The message was sent last week loud and clear. Women dont matter. Your opinion doesnt matter. Why else this close to the midterm election would the Republican Party risk alienating half the population? Lets face it: The political strides we thought we had made in the last 30 years are simply not there. We still make less money for the same work and we still are worrying about our right to choose being taken away. Being a second-class citizen in this country includes almost all of us now black, brown, Muslim, sexual assault victims, immigrants, hurricane survivors and war heroes. The only ones left with a real voice are the far left and the far right. When did they get all the power? Women need to send the message now that we have a voice, and that comes in the form of a vote. In less than 30 days, we should show these men that we wont head back to the kitchen without a fight. Sharon Petris, Huntington Beach Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Newsoms budget proposes $3 million for Alzheimers research, brain task force By Melody Gutierrez Amyloid plaques, shown here in human brains, are a hallmark of Alzheimers disease. (UCLA School of Medicine) Gov. Gavin Newsom will call for the creation of a brain health task force and dedicate $3 million annually from the states general fund to Alzheimers disease research in the budget proposal he will release Thursday, a source close to the administration said. The money for Alzheimers research would target the new grants at understanding why the disease is more prevalent in women and people of color. Former California first lady and Alzheimers activist Maria Shriver pushed for the funding to be included in the state budget. Shriver said in a statement Wednesday that the funding would make California the first state to make understanding our brains a priority. The states former first lady, whose late father Sargent Shriver was diagnosed with Alzheimers, founded the Womens Alzheimers Movement, an advocacy group raising awareness about womens increased risk for developing the disease. In 2011, she wrote a comprehensive assessment on the disease, to which Newsom then mayor of San Francisco contributed a portion called What one city is doing. This is personal to me, just like it is to millions of California families, Shriver said. Alzheimers is one of the largest medical, social and economic crises in our state, and of our time. I am so proud that, once again, California is leading the way. Wiping out Alzheimers is going to require bold thinking, and there is no doubt in my mind that California is home to bold thinkers who can make this happen. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Gavin Newsom orders reinvention of troubled California DMV By Patrick McGreevy A line of people stretches around the South L.A. location of a California Department of Motor Vehicles Office on Aug. 7. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered an overhaul of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which has been plagued by hours-long wait times at field offices, computer crashes and voter registration errors involving tens of thousands of customers. Just a few days after taking office, Newsom appointed a top advisor to a new DMV Reinvention Strike Team to revamp the beleaguered agency over the next six months. By any metric, California DMV has been chronically mismanaged and failed in its fundamental mission to the state customers it serves and the state workers it employs, Newsom said in a statement, adding Its time for a reinvention. The governor appointed state Government Operations Agency Secretary Marybel Batjer to lead the strike team with a goal of modernizing the agency and enacting changes that improve customer satisfaction, employee performance and transparency. Newsom also ordered an accelerated review of initial findings of an ongoing audit ordered last year by Gov. Jerry Brown. The action was welcomed by lawmakers who have been critical of the DMV, including Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield). The egregious management failures of the DMV have been self-evident, which is why I have been calling for new leadership and a comprehensive independent audit of this troubled state agency over and over again as the problems grew significantly worse, Fong said. Last summer, Californians seeking new driver licenses complained of wait times of four to six hours at DMV offices, which the agency blamed partly on snafus caused by a rush of people trying to get Real IDs, a new identification card design required for airline passengers starting in late 2020. Delays were also blamed on computer crashes at DMV offices as the agency struggled to update its aging automation systems. The DMV also admitted that there were an estimated 23,000 errors as people either were unknowingly registered to vote or mistakes were made in their registration status as part of the states new motor voter program. The agency registered to vote as many as 1,500 people with legal U.S. residency but no citizenship. Last month, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto retired from the agency. Legislators were angered earlier this week when the DMV said it needed an additional $40 million to prevent the return of long lines at its field offices. In addition, the agency has been under fire for issuing driver licenses in the last year that do not comply with the federal Real ID standards requiring two forms of identification by applicants. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California police unions are preparing to battle new transparency law in the courtroom By Maya Lau Just as a landmark police transparency law is going into effect, some California police agencies are shredding internal affairs documents and law enforcement unions are rushing to block the information from being released. The new law, which begins to unwind Californias strictest-in-the-nation protections over the secrecy of law enforcement records, opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. But the lawsuits and records destruction, which began even before the law took effect Jan. 1, could tie up the release of information for months or years, and in some instances, prevent it from ever being disclosed. The fact that police unions are challenging this law is on some level not surprising, said Peter Bibring, director of police practices at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, one of the principal supporters of the new law. They have a long history of fighting tooth and nail against transparency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Secretary of State Alex Padilla begins second term with challenge to ensure every Californian is counted By Jazmine Ulloa Secretary of State Alex Padilla takes the oath of office as his family stands by his side on Monday in Sacramento. (Jazmine Ulloa / Los Angeles Times) Secretary of State Alex Padilla was sworn in for a second term on Monday, saying he would continue the battle to protect the right to vote at a time when voter suppression efforts, online disinformation campaigns and interference from foreign adversaries have polarized the public and threatened to undermine trust in U.S. elections. I am doubling down on our fight here in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C., to defend our democracy, he said. Working on the front lines with so many of you, I know that our collective resolve has never been stronger. But the loudest applause came when Padilla promised to fight back against the Trump administrations changes to the U.S. census, saying he will ensure every Californian gets counted. Padilla, a former state senator and Los Angeles City Council member from the San Fernando Valley, led the cause for a new motor voter registration law in 2015, and a new system for online business registrations. But the programs have had experienced problems: More than 23,000 Californians were registered to vote incorrectly by the state DMV, the agency reported last year. On Monday, Padilla said he would continue to push back against false claims of voter fraud in California and pointed to the states voter turnout as proof that his office was involving more people in the democratic process, a promise he made when he was first sworn in four years ago. More than 12.7 million voters cast ballots in the Nov. 6 midterm election, representing roughly 65% of the states registered voters, the highest number of any midterm election since 1982, according to state certified results. I made that promise based on a shared belief that we are a stronger democracy and a better California when we hear all voices from all corners of California, and when those voices are not just heard but counted, Padilla said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Ricardo Lara, Californias first statewide officeholder to come out as gay, sworn in as insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara on the floor of the state Senate in 2016. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Ricardo Lara took the oath of office as California insurance commissioner on Monday, pledging action to boost healthcare coverage and combat climate change. Lara, a Democrat from Bell Gardens, is the first elected statewide officeholder in California who has come out as gay. He began his speech in downtown Sacramento by thanking LGBTQ leaders who came before him and celebrated the occasion. Today, because of you, weve shattered the pink ceiling, Lara said. In his inaugural speech, Lara announced the creation of an executive position in his office to address climate change. There is no other industry that has the necessary expertise to ensure that California is prepared to mitigate and reduce risk to our communities and our environment, Lara said. Our planet cant wait. Im ready, and I hope you are too. Lara served as a state legislator and in 2017 introduced a bill to create a single-payer healthcare system in the state. He promised to work with new Gov. Gavin Newsom to expand coverage across California. Lara was sworn in by retired U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who declared unconstitutional Californias Proposition 8 gay marriage ban. State Sen. President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) was on hand for the ceremony along with multiple other state lawmakers. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis says she will help expand access to universities in the state New Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, center, is shown in June talking with attendees at the Power to the Polls rally in Sacramento. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) More Californians should be given access to public universities, Eleni Kounalakis said as she took the oath of office Monday to become the states first woman elected lieutenant governor. Kounalakis was given the oath of office by Gov. Gavin Newsom, her predecessor in the job, who pledged they would work together. As lieutenant governor, Kounalakis serves on the University of California Board of Regents and the California State University Board of Trustees, she noted in a speech at her swearing-in ceremony at the main Sacramento Library. In that role, she said, she will be committed to expanding access to affordable public higher education here in our state. Its wise, its smart and it is the best way to address our rapidly changing digital economy. Kounalakis is former president of a development company founded by her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, and served during the Obama administration as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary. In November, she won her first run for statewide office. Also attending the ceremony were House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California meets Dutch Newsom, who steals the show at his fathers inauguration By Taryn Luna Gov. Gavin Newsom gives his inaugural address while holding his youngest son, Dutch. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) In the California political world, all eyes were on Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday until his 2-year-old son stole the show. Dutch, the youngest of four children in the Newsom brood, climbed onstage in the middle of his fathers inaugural address in a tent outside the Capitol on Monday. The unplanned moment saw the 51-year-old governors big day interrupted by the toddler, bringing levity to the ceremony. Newsom was recounting Gov. Jerry Browns last inaugural speech and reference to the Sermon on the Mount, a biblical story about two men who built separate homes on sand and rock, when Dutch approached his father, a pacifier in his mouth and blanket in hand. Now more than ever we Californians know how much a house matters and children matter, Newsom said, improvising as he scooped the boy into his arms. The governor kissed Dutch on the cheek and held him for several minutes as he continued with the speech. This is exactly how it was scripted, Newsom joked. Newsom eventually put his child down and Dutch walked to the edge of the stage before retreating behind the podium to hide from his mother, First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The crowd roared. Siebel Newsom was able to briefly divert her son only for him to return to the stage minutes later. She grabbed him again and this time, the crying toddler did not reemerge. When fires strikes, when kids cry and the earth shakes, well be there for each other, Newsom said. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who said the moment humanized Newsom, threw cold water on any theories that Dutchs cameo was planned. No, I know it was not, Garcetti said with a laugh after Newsoms speech concluded. I could see that look of absolute abject terror [on Newsoms face]. Weve all been there. Kids always think its about themselves and theyve proved it. California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) agreed. I worked in early childhood education for 20 years and theres no way you can ever get a child to do anything when you want them to do it, Rendon said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fiona Ma takes oath as Californias new treasurer By Liam Dillon State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Fiona Ma took the oath of office in Sacramento on Monday as the states 34th treasurer, promising to boost Californias economy. Ma previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, in the state Assembly and on the California Board of Equalization. I want to thank everyone for entrusting me with this important job. I understand my role here as your state treasurer is to build that financial wall around California so that we will remain the fifth-largest economy, Ma said in brief remarks. That is my promise to you. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye administered the oath to Ma. Following the ceremony, Ma held an ice cream social for guests. On Wednesday, she will host a public event in San Francisco to celebrate her swearing-in. State Treasurer Fiona Ma takes the oath of office. (Liam Dillon / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Expectations are high for newly sworn-in state schools chief Tony Thurmond Tony Thurmond shakes hands with retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco after taking the oath of office. (Melody Gutierrez / Los Angeles Times) Tony Thurmond took the oath of office as Californias state superintendent of public schools on Monday, promising a labor-friendly agenda before the teachers, students and Democratic officials who filled an auditorium at McClatchy High School in Sacramento to watch him being sworn in. We cant close the achievement gap without a great teacher at the head of every class, Thurmond said Monday to applause. We have to make sure we provide quality compensation and support to our teachers and our classified staff and all the educators who support our kids. Thurmond, a Bay Area Democrat who served in the state Assembly, won a hotly contested and expensive race with the help of labor leaders against charter school executive Marshall Tuck. The race took several days to sort out after Tuck held an initial lead in early returns on election night before falling behind thereafter. Thurmond was sworn in Monday by retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco. He was joined on stage by labor rights leader Dolores Huerta and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). Thurmonds former colleagues in the state Assembly took turns praising him and promising to be an ally in improving schools. Many said they expected Thurmond would be a strong leader focused on improving student outcomes. We know we are going to work hard to give you the money you need and the budget you need to fully fund education and our schools so we can put our money where our mouth is and make sure our children have everything they need, Assemblywoman Connie Leyva (D-Chino Hills) said. As state superintendent, Thurmond will oversee the education of 6.2 million students at 10,000 schools. Thurmond was a member of the West Contra Costa County School Board and a Richmond city councilman before he was elected to the state Assembly. Tony is the right man at the right time to fight the federal, Donald Trump, Betsy DeVos anti-child, anti-education, anti-civil and -human rights agenda, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said. Tony is going to do that for us. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State Controller Betty Yee takes oath of office with call for more affordable housing and healthcare State Controller Betty Yee California Controller Betty Yee took the oath of office Monday for a second term, saying she still has work to do addressing problems that include a lack of affordability in housing, healthcare and higher education. A San Francisco native, Yee is the chief financial officer of California the fifth-largest economy in the world having first won election to the post in 2014 before winning reelection in November. No region is spared from the widening inequality and increased poverty that plague our state, fueled by the lack of affordable, stable housing, the cost of healthcare and transportation, limited educational opportunities, student loan debt, displacement caused by disasters and more, she said. Yee was administered the oath of office by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento before an overflow crowd that included state Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. As a public official it is about governance that delivers results and stays accountable while upholding the underlying value of dignity for all, Yee said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra begins new term promising to fight Trump policies California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Monday took the oath of office for a new term, saying he would continue his role as a leading challenger to Trump administration actions that he believes are counter to the states interests. Becerra, a former 12-term congressman, has become a national opposition figure to Trump, having sued the federal government 45 times since he was appointed as the states first Latino attorney general in 2017. Weve been a little busy stopping the dysfunction and insanity in Washington, D.C., from infecting California, Becerra told an audience during a swearing-in ceremony at the California Museum in Sacramento. Whether its the criminals on our streets or the conman in the boardrooms or highest office of the land, Becerra said, the California Department of Justice, well, weve got your back. Becerra won his first statewide election as the states top cop in November, two years after he filled the post vacated when predecessor Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. He has peppered the Trump administration with lawsuits challenging federal policies on healthcare, the U.S. census, the environment and immigration. Our state builds dreams, not walls, he said in a direct criticism of Trumps proposal to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Just last week, Becerra led a coalition of 17 Democratic attorneys general in announcing an appeal of a federal judge in Texas that ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The ACA has been the law for nearly a decade and is the backbone of our healthcare system, Becerra said last week. This case impacts nearly every American workers covered by employers, families, women, children, young adults and seniors so we will lead the ACAs defense as long and far as it takes. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California Democratic Party Vice Chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall announces bid to lead group By Christine Mai-Duc Daraka Larimore-Hall. (Dominic Parisi / Courtesy of Daraka Larimore-Hall) Daraka Larimore-Hall, a top official at the California Democratic Party, said Monday hes running to replace former chairman Eric Bauman, who resigned abruptly in November after being confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct. Larimore-Hall, a longtime state party activist and former chairman of the Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County, was one of the party leaders who urged Bauman to resign following the allegations. In an email to supporters announcing his bid, he urged both structural and cultural change at every level of our Party. He also repeated his call for a top-to-bottom investigation of the allegations, the party and its culture. In a Times investigation, 10 party activists and staff members said Bauman made crude sexual comments and engaged in unwanted touching and physical intimidation in professional settings. In order to be where we need to be for 2020, we have to confront the culture of abuse and fear that allowed someone to behave in such a vile way for so long, Larimore-Hall said in an interview. We cant brush it aside or think that our activists or our candidates or our donors are going to forget about this overnight. Larimore-Hall said his first priority would be to fully investigate the allegations and restore rank-and-file confidence in the partys leadership. The second would be to refocus the party on political priorities as the 2020 presidential election nears. The Bauman episode, Larimore-Hall said, threatens to derail the Democrats plans to help defeat President Trump and keep the seven congressional seats gained in the midterm elections. Its definitely a crisis, Larimore-Hall said. But the component parts the energy, the enthusiasm, the volunteers, the infrastructure its still there. We just need to direct it toward something. Larimore-Hall was elected vice chairman of the state party in February following Baumans razor-thin victory over Bay Area activist Kimberly Ellis. Ellis has announced another bid for the chairmanship and former state Senate leader Kevin de Leon is also mulling a run. The vote will take place at the partys May convention in San Francisco. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom will vow to seize this moment, and swipe at Trump in Monday inaugural address By Melanie Mason Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family attend an Inauguration Family Event at the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Building on the theme of California exceptionalism that defined his campaign, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will depict the state as a guardian of progressive values and a counterweight to President Trump in his inaugural address Monday, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks. What we do today is even more consequential, because of whats happening in our country, read the excerpts obtained by The Times. Peoples lives, freedom, security, the water we drink, the air we breathe they all hang in the balance. The country is watching us. The world is waiting on us. The future depends on us. And we will seize this moment. The speech casts Californias political stakes in a decidedly national scope, promising an agenda that will unify and be an example to the rest of the country. It contrasts the governing goals of Newsom, a Democrat, with that of Trump, the incoming governors perennial foil. We will offer an alternative to the corruption and incompetence in the White House, the excerpts say. Our government will be progressive, principled, and always on the side of the people. Newsom campaigned on an ambitious and wide-ranging platform, promising sweeping solutions on housing, healthcare, education and other issues that rank among Californians top concerns. In the weeks after his election, he struck a more muted tone, taking pains to emphasize his fiscal caution and need for patience in achieving those goals. The inaugural excerpts indicate a return to lofty pledges. While Newsom will vow to prepare for uncertain times ahead by building budgetary reserves and paying down debt, the prepared remarks quickly turn to a vow to be bold. Newsom has already floated several proposals for his first budget that carry significant price tags, including a nearly $2-billion plan to boost early childhood development for low-income families and a dramatic expansion of paid family leave from six weeks to six months. When asked for a preview of his inauguration speech during a news conference Sunday evening, Newsom predicted pundits would criticize his address as short on specifics. Well, of course, Im at an inaugural, Newsom said. But Ill be very detailed in the budget, a few days later. And then we will architect, in much more nuance and detail, in state of the state. I really see this as three opportunities to communicate over the next few weeks our agenda, our vision for the state. Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom-hosted benefit concert raises nearly $5 million for wildfire victims By Taryn Luna Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom speaks at a concert to benefit wildfire victims at the Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) On the eve of the gubernatorial inauguration, Californias political class rubbed elbows in Sacramento for a benefit concert hosted by Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and headlined by the rapper Pitbull. Newsom told the crowd gathered at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday evening that the fundraiser brought in nearly $5 million for the California Wildfire Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that supports the families of fallen firefighters and communities affected by wildfires. You know, a lot of folks feel anxious about not just politics, but government, Newsom said on stage before introducing the rapper and activist Common. But those firefighters, they are the antidote to the fear and cynicism; they are the manifestation of why government matters and why you should care. Top sponsors, including Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente and other interest groups, paid up to $1 million each to support the cause and curry favor with the new administration. Nathan Click, a spokesman for Newsom, said organizers sold more than 7,000 tickets. Several state lawmakers attended the concert alongside Capitol staff, lobbyists and business types, who mingled on the floor of the arena and offstage in private VIP areas. The rock band X Ambassadors and a duo called the Cold Weather Sons from the town of Paradise, which was destroyed by fire in November, were among several performers who entertained the crowd during the four-hour event. The California Rises concert is the final in a series of festivities held Sunday to celebrate the inauguration of Californias 40th governor. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum and his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Newsoms inauguration is set to begin at 11 a.m. Monday on the steps of the Capitol. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Inauguration fever hits Sacramento as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom prepares to take office By Phil Willon Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom holds his son, Dutch, as he and his family attend an inaugural event at the at the state Railroad Museum Sunday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Incoming Gov. Gavin Newsom doesnt officially take the oath of office until Monday, but the parties celebrating his inauguration were in full swing all day Sunday. Newsom and his family were mobbed by well-wishers at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront in the afternoon, where his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families. He just has charisma. Hes able to really connect with people, said Rosielyn Pulmano, an attorney from Elk Grove who came to see Newsom with her husband, two sons and her niece. I think he cares about working Californians and a lot of their issues. Newsom arrived with his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four young children, and the governor-elect spent a good deal of his time wading through crowds, taking selfies with supporters and signing autographs as music boomed in the background. As the family toured the inside of the museums locomotives and the bevy of exhibits, Newsoms two-year-old son, Dutch, was wide-eyed, impressed by all the train cars and seemingly a little overwhelmed by the crowd. Newsom said that for his son, all that was missing from the museum was Thomas the Train, popular fictional locomotive in childrens books and cartoons . If theres one thing I can contribute to Sacramento maybe its getting a Thomas the Train exhibit for the two years olds, Newsom joked when talking with reporters afterward. Newsom said he wanted to include such an event in his inaugural festivities to highlight families and children, whose wellbeing will be among the top priorities of his administration. Youll see that not only as a preamble to the inaugural and the budget that well be submitting next week, but I think itll be a big part of the administration, Newsom said. The museum event followed a private, high-dollar brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum. A steady rain failed to dissuade as many as 200 guests who sipped wine and dined on chicken and salmon while waiting for a photo with Californias new first couple. Seen at the event were representatives of some of the states most powerful political interests, among them organized labor, healthcare companies and tribal gaming interests. A few other high-profile guests attended, too, including Larry Baer, CEO of the San Francisco Giants, and Erika Jayne, a singer and cast member of the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Im excited to see someone like Gavin young, vibrant taking over the state and leading us into the future, Jayne said after attending the brunch with her husband, attorney Tom Girardi. Hes got a lot of great plans. Attendees said the event, which was closed to reporters and held under a tent in the museums outdoor atrium, did not include prepared remarks by Newsom. Among those seen leaving the event were representatives of AT&T, the California Medical Assn., Uber, Kaiser Permanente and the State Building and Construction Trades Council. A fundraising invitation obtained by The Times offered bundled tickets to all of the inauguration events, including those on Sunday and the Monday ceremony, ranging in price from $25,000 to $200,000. The money will be collected by a committee specifically organized to pay for Newsoms inaugural weekend. Sundays festivities are scheduled to end with a benefit concert headlined by Pitbull at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBAs Sacramento Kings, to raise money for the victims of Californias recent deadly wildfires. Among the attendees at @GavinNewsoms pre-inaugural leadership brunch: Real Housewife of Bev Hills @erikajayne. Im excited to see someone like Gavinyoung, vibranttaking over the state and leading us into the future. Hes got a lot of great plans. pic.twitter.com/561NHiy2XQ Melanie Mason (@melmason) January 6, 2019 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement As Newsom inaugural events begin, he unveils more state budget promises on education and paid family leave Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, seen here last April, will propose new state budget efforts on paid family leave and education subsidies. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Californias incoming governor, who must send his first state budget plan to the Legislature this week, has already signaled a significant new focus on programs to help families and children from infancy to college. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom campaigned on a platform that included a number of child-focused efforts specifically aimed at helping lower-income families. The price tag for the initial efforts is expected to approach $2 billion a cost paid out of an unrestricted tax revenue windfall that could be one of the largest in state history. Newsom may also seek help for families through new subsidies paid by California employers. The governor-elect is expected to propose a dramatic expansion of paid parental leave from six weeks to six months according to an internal document provided by a source close to the Newsom transition team, first reported on Sunday by the New York Times. The document doesnt offer a full explanation for how the program will be funded, saying instead that the budget will set a goal of ensuring that all newborns and newly adopted babies can be cared for by a parent or a close family member for the first six months. Employers across the state are currently assessed a payroll tax that helps offer a subsidy to parents who temporarily leave their job to care for a newborn. Newsoms plan, according to the document, would pay for some of the new costs by shrinking the mandated cash reserve of the state fund that administers the program, allowing more of the money to be paid in benefits. The increase in paid leave would not all happen at once but instead be phased in over a multi-year period. A task force to help implement the expanded care plan is also envisioned, according to the document. It would determine whether two parents could split the six months of paid leave and whether an extended family member could be enlisted to help care for the child of a single parent over the six-month period. The incoming administrations focus on young children will also include $1.8 billion in new spending on early childhood education programs, with a particular focus on training childcare workers and pushing for more California schools to offer full-day kindergarten. Those costs, according to an overview memo obtained by the Los Angeles Times, are considered to be a one-time expense while leaving the long-term costs of the effort to be determined later. More community college students would get free tuition under a third initiative expected in the new governors budget plan. Newsom will propose spending $40 million to offer a second year of tuition-free college to California students, according to an outline provided by a transition official, first reported by Politico. Students are already eligible for a single year of paid tuition under a plan agreed to by Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers in 2017. The incoming governor embraced the idea of free community college during the 2018 campaign as part of a broader focus on additional investments in higher education. Education is an economic development strategy, Newsom said at a higher education forum last spring. We need to significantly increase the investment from the general fund of this state on higher education. Theres no greater higher return on investment. Whether the proposal would be targeted to students based on a familys financial need is unclear. Many low-income students are already eligible for fee waivers at community colleges. The new governor must submit his full state budget plan to lawmakers no later than Thursday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gavin Newsom and his family decide Sacramento is the place to be The Old Governors Mansion State Historic Park in Sacramento. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will move his family into the mansion. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family will give up the Marin County life and move to the Victorian-style governors mansion in Sacramento after he takes the oath of office Monday. Newsom and his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, had debated whether or when to relocate to the state capital since his election in November. The couple have four young children and expressed reservations about moving in the middle of a school year. To best serve the people of California while also maximizing family time together, the Newsoms have therefore decided to move to Sacramento, said Newsoms spokesman, Nathan Click. On Monday, they will move into the Governors Mansion along with their four children, their two family dogs, and their family bunny rabbit and reside there for the immediate future. The Newsoms currently live in Marin County. Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife, Ann Gust Brown, moved into the grand house in 2015 after it underwent $4.1 million in renovations to update electrical and plumbing systems, as well as to remove lead-based paint and install a fire sprinkler system and other security features. The mansion was built in 1877 and has been home to 14 governors, but before Brown it had not housed a California governor for nearly half a century. The state bought the mansion from a wealthy Sacramento hardware merchant, Albert Gallatin, in 1903 for $32,500. It was one of the few California homes at that time to have indoor plumbing. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom announces top labor, business liaisons as he prepares to take office Julie Su will be secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency for Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday named two advisors on issues related to the California economy, each recognized for their expertise on business and labor. The incoming governor will appoint Julie Su as secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and Lenny Mendonca as chief economic and business advisor and director of the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development. Su, 49, has served as state labor commissioner under Gov. Jerry Brown since 2011 and has led an office tasked with the enforcement of Californias labor laws. She won a MacArthur Foundation genius grant in 2001 and previously worked as a civil rights attorney representing low-wage workers. In her new position, Su will be tasked with coordinating the work of several workforce departments in state government, including those that administer unemployment benefits and oversee the relationship between agriculture workers and employers. Mendonca, 57, has been a longtime advocate for rethinking government operations as co-chairman of the nonprofit organization California Forward. Previously, he was partner at McKinsey & Co., a global management consulting firm. While he will be a key advisor to Newsom on the states economy, Mendonca will also lead the office often referred to as Go-Biz, designated as a high-level way to encourage job growth and economic development. In his new role, Mendonca will help ensure that California is rolling out the welcome mat to current and future California businesses and growing a sustainable economy for every Californian, said a statement from the Newsom transition team. Newsom will take the oath of office as governor Monday. He has previously selected key advisors on the state budget, legislative affairs and the executive branchs wide array of agencies and departments. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Joshua Groban, aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, sworn in to California Supreme Court By Taryn Luna California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban gives remarks after he is sworn into the court by Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday. (Taryn Luna) California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban, a lawyer and longtime aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, was sworn into the states highest court Thursday in Sacramento. The ceremony marked Browns fourth appointment to the state Supreme Court and gave the seven-member bench a Democratic majority. We live in a highly chaotic, ever-changing and ever-confusing world, Groban said in prepared remarks at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building. But Im happy to report that Im joining an institution whose fundamental purpose, at core, is to provide stability and consistency amidst this chaotic place we live. I look forward to doing that with a sense of reflection, respect, fidelity to the law and compassion. None of Browns appointees, Groban included, have judicial experience. Groban served as legal counsel to Browns 2010 gubernatorial campaign and joined the administration as a senior advisor to the governor, overseeing the appointments of some 600 judges over the last eight years. Prior to working with Brown, Groban, 45, practiced law for more than a decade. In perhaps his final public appearance before his successor, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, takes office next week, Brown pushed back on notions that he stacked the court. I dont want this to be known as a Brown court, the governor said before administering the judicial oath of office. First of all, the so-called Brown appointments do not agree with themselves and nor should they. They are individuals. They will differ. Its not anybodys court. The governor called the court a high calling and said Groban possesses the values for the job. Probably, next to my wife, Ive talked to no person as much as Ive talked to Josh Groban, Brown said. I think youve talked to him more, Californias First Lady Anne Gust Brown interjected. I cant tell you what the hell hes going to do, Brown later quipped. I warned him, dont screw up, at least not at first. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California campaign watchdog agency seeks law barring use of campaign funds to fight harassment claims Former state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). ( (Steve Yeater / Associated Press)) Elected officials accused of harassment or discrimination would be barred from using political contributions to cover their legal defense costs under legislation proposed by Californias campaign watchdog agency. The state Fair Political Practices Commission has agreed to pursue a law change to clear up confusion after an attorney for one former state lawmaker argued political funds could be used in such legal defenses. Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said putting a prohibition into the law would provide some much needed clarity. As chair, I would like to show the public their lawmakers are held to a standard that is above reproach, Germond said in a statement. People dont give money to campaigns for lawmakers to use it to defend their own bad behavior, so lawmakers shouldnt be able to use it in that manner. The issue came up a year ago when an attorney for former Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) sought a formal opinion from the FPPC after the Senate launched an investigation that later concluded Mendoza likely engaged in a pattern of harassment against female aides. Mendoza resigned in February under threat of expulsion by the Senate. In a Jan. 10, 2018, letter, Cassandra Ferrannini, an attorney for Mendoza, wrote to the FPPC that she believed Mendoza should be allowed to establish a legal defense fund able to defray his legal expenses in defending himself against the allegations. The use of campaign funds for attorneys fees under these circumstances would fall squarely within the scope of legislative matters, since it involves the alleged conduct of a legislator with regard to legislative staff that he supervised, Ferrannini wrote. The commission staff originally issued an advice letter that said Mendoza may use campaign and legal defense funds to defend himself from claims of sexual harassment that arose directly out of his activities or status as a candidate or elected officer. But the panel later rescinded the letter after some members questioned using campaign funds to fight sexual harassment claims. That left uncertainty about what was allowed, which Germond said could be cleared up by a new law. The FPPC is still looking for a legislator to carry the bill, a spokesman said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias landmark police transparency law takes effect after court denies police union effort to block it California Supreme Court building (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) A new state law allowing the public disclosure of internal police shooting investigations has gone into effect after the California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a bid by a police union to block it. The law opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. challenged the law last month, asking state Supreme Court justices to decide that the law only apply to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. The court rejected that request Wednesday, allowing members of the public to seek all applicable records held by police departments. Union president Grant Ward said in a statement that his organization was disappointed with the decision and is now seeking other legal options. We feel this is a statewide issue and should be considered accordingly, Ward said. Last month, the city of Inglewood authorized the destruction of more than 100 police shooting investigations and other records in advance of Jan. 1, when the disclosure law was scheduled to take effect. California law requires police departments to keep such records for five years, and Inglewood City Council voted to destroy records older than that. Mayor James T. Butts has said the decision had nothing to do with the new law. In Los Angeles, Police Chief Michel Moore has said that complying with the new disclosure rules could take hundreds of thousands of hours of work. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of the transparency law, has said she has no immediate plans to propose changes to it. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Few complaints of racial profiling are sustained by police agencies in California, state panel finds CHP Officer J. Nelson stands outside the office of Gov. Jerry Brown as activists in 2015 support requiring the tracking of police stops. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Law enforcement agencies in California sustain few citizen complaints of racial or identity profiling, according to a report Wednesday by a state panel set up to help reduce bias in policing. The states Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board recommended in its annual report that law enforcement agencies improve training and adopt clear guidelines for tracking and reporting data on who is stopped by officers. The panel said that 453 law enforcement agencies in the state received 9,459 civilian complaints in 2017, including 865 complaints alleging racial or identity profiling. Of the racial and identity complaints that reached a disposition that year, 1.5% were sustained, 14.6% resulted in officers being exonerated and 83.9% of complaints were not sustained or were determined to be unfounded, the report said. A clearer picture of the issue is expected from a 2015 law that requires police agencies to report demographic data on all detentions and searches. The first reports by the eight largest agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, are due to be submitted in April. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, whose office oversees the board, said tracking of all detentions and searches will be helpful to understand the scope of the issue. The Boards recommendations will help make our law enforcement agencies more transparent and promote critical steps to enhance, and in some cases, repair the public trust, Becerra said in a statement Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California housing crisis podcast: What Minneapolis decision to end single-family zoning might mean for California A view of downtown Minneapolis in 2014 (Stephen Maturen / Getty Images) Theres a national movement brewing to roll back zoning rules in cities that only allow one house on a plot of land. The epicenter of that movement is Minneapolis, which passed a plan last month to eliminate single-family zoning citywide and let landowners build duplexes and triplexes on residential property. On this episode of Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast, we talk about the reasons why Minneapolis leaders took this action, including their desire to combat a history of racial exclusion and spur more housing density to fight climate change. We also debate how Minneapolis decision might affect housing politics in California. Our guest is Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender, who helped shepherd the new zoning rules to passage and a former San Francisco city planner. The episode also crowns 2018s Avocado of the Year the most ridiculous story exemplifying Californias housing woes and includes our predictions for the most under-the-radar important themes in housing politics in 2019. Gimme Shelter, a biweekly podcast that looks at why its so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CALmatters. You can subscribe to Gimme Shelter on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play and Overcast. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement How young immigrant Dreamers made flipping control of the House a personal quest By Jazmine Ulloa Gabriela Cruz, who was brought to the U.S. illegally when she was 1, couldnt vote, but in the final hours before the Nov. 6 election, she was making one last run to get people to the polls. The sun was setting in Modesto when she found Ronald Silva, 41, smoking a cigarette on a tattered old couch behind a group home. He politely tried to wave her off until she reminded him he had a right that she as an immigrant without citizenship didnt have. It could really make a change for us, said Cruz, 29. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose almost $2 billion for early childhood programs (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Seeking to frame his new administration as one with a firm focus on closing the gap between children from affluent and poor families, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose spending some $1.8 billion on an array of programs designed to boost Californias enrollment in early education and child-care programs. Newsoms plan, which he hinted at in a Fresno event last month, will be a key element in the state budget proposal he will submit to the Legislature shortly after taking office Monday, a source close to the governor-elects transition team said. The spending would boost programs designed to ensure children enter kindergarten prepared to learn, closing what some researchers have called the readiness gap that exists based on a familys income. It would also phase in an expansion of prekindergarten and offer money to help school districts that dont have facilities for full-day kindergarten. The fact that hes making significant investments with his opening budget is really exciting, Ted Lempert, president of the Bay Area-based nonprofit Children Now, said Tuesday. Whats exciting is the comprehensiveness of it, because its saying were going to focus on prenatal through age 5. A broad overview document reviewed by The Times on Tuesday shows that most of the outlay under the plan $1.5 billion would be a one-time expense in the budget year that begins July 1. Those dollars would be a single infusion of cash, an approach favored by Gov. Jerry Brown in recent years. Most of the money would be spent on efforts to expand child-care services and kindergarten classes. By law, a governor must submit a full budget to the Legislature no later than Jan. 10. Lawmakers will spend the winter and spring reviewing the proposal and must send a final budget plan to Newsom by June 15. Though legislative Democrats have pushed for additional early childhood funding in recent years a key demand of the Legislative Womens Caucus those actions have typically come late in the budget-writing season in Sacramento. Quite frankly, to start out with a January proposal that includes that investment in Californias children reflects a new day, state Sen. Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) said. The governor-elect will propose a $750-million boost to kindergarten funding, aimed at expanding facilities to allow full-day programs. A number of school districts offer only partial-day programs, leaving many low-income families to skip enrolling their children because kindergarten classes end in the middle of the workday. Because the money would not count toward meeting Californias three-decades-old education spending guarantee under Proposition 98, which sets a minimum annual funding level for K-12 schools and community colleges, it will not reduce planned spending on other education services. Close behind in total cost is a budget proposal by Newsom to help train child-care workers and expand local facilities already subsidized by the state, as well as those serving parents who attend state colleges and universities. Together, those efforts could cost $747 million, according to the budget overview document. An expansion of prekindergarten programs would be phased in over three years at a cost of $125 million in the first year. The multiyear rollout would, according to the budget overview, ensure the system can plan for the increase in capacity. Lempert said the Newsom proposal is notable for trying to avoid the kinds of battles that in recent years pitted prekindergarten and expanded child care against each other for additional taxpayer dollars. The reality is we need to expand both simultaneously, he said. Another $200 million of the proposal would be earmarked for programs that provide home visits to expectant parents from limited-income families and programs that provide healthcare screenings for young children. Some of the money would come from the states Medi-Cal program, and other money from federal matching dollars. Funding for the home visits program was provided in the budget Brown signed last summer; the Newsom effort would build on that. Emphasizing a policy area with broad appeal in his first state budget could reflect Newsoms political sensibility about the challenges ahead. Democratic lawmakers and interest groups will be especially eager to see how Newsom addresses the demand for an overhaul of healthcare coverage in California especially after a 2017 effort to create a single-payer, universal system fizzled. The path forward on healthcare is complex and costly, making early childhood education a more achievable goal in the governor-elects early tenure. Newsom is likely to face considerable demands for other additional spending. In November, the Legislatures independent analysts projected that continued strength in tax revenues could produce a cash reserve of some $29 billion over the next 18 months. Almost $15 billion of that could be in unrestricted reserves, the kind that can be spent on any number of government programs. Kim Belshe, executive director of the child advocacy organization First 5 LA and a former state health and human services secretary, said the initial Newsom budget proposal suggests the next governor will focus on a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for children from low-income families. School-ready kids deserve quality early learning, strong and well-supported families, and access to early screening services, Belshe said. Newsom understands the whole child, multifaceted needs of our kids and is clearly ready to lead. Mitchell, the chair of the Senate budget committee, said shes eager to see the details of the governor-elects proposal to determine whether it might signal the beginning of an even broader expansion of early education efforts. Similar efforts have been hindered by a lack of money and ongoing debate over which services to help children 5 and younger need state funding the most. Universal preschool, in particular, has been debated for more than a decade. California voters rejected a ballot measure to fund a full prekindergarten system in 2006. Its clear theres a new movement afoot trying to engage on investment for universal preschool, Mitchell said. How we invest, and how we prioritize that investment, is going to be a great conversation for the coming months. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Politics Podcast: A final conversation with Gov. Jerry Brown No Californian has served longer as governor, signed more laws, granted clemency to more felons or waged more high-profile campaigns than Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown will leave behind a unique legacy when he packs his last belongings for the trip from the governors mansion in Sacramento to his Northern California ranch. His final two terms in office could be his most consequential. The governor reviewed some of the more notable moments from the past eight years in a far-reaching interview with The Times on Dec. 22. This weeks podcast episode includes extended portions of that conversation. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement A sagging economy could doom a 2020 ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes, Gov. Jerry Brown says Gov. Jerry Brown, at his Colusa County home on Saturday, said a ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes could struggle in 2020. (Randall Benton/For The Times) An effort to remove commercial property in California from the tax limits imposed by the landmark Proposition 13 could be felled by an economic slowdown, Gov. Jerry Brown said. In a Saturday interview with The Times at his Northern California ranch, Brown said liberal activist groups that have successfully placed the proposal on the November 2020 statewide ballot shouldnt read too much into early poll numbers showing support for the plan. That isnt as easy as you think, Brown said. Because youre going to be in a downturn of the business cycle. And youre talking many kinds of business. And the cost of doing business in California is already high. The ballot measure would allow counties to more frequently assess the market value of commercial property in California than allowed under Proposition 13, a 1978 ballot initiative that amended the state constitution to place strict limits on assessing property values and taxation for both homeowners and businesses. An analysis of the new measure, which qualified in October for the 2020 ballot, estimates it could bring in some $10.5 billion a year in new tax revenue. The business community will fight it, Brown said. And the minimum wage, the family leave, the environmental rules business[es] have left California, thats going to be the big argument. And I think thats something you really have to think a lot about. The governor, who leaves office early next month due to term limits, declined to either endorse or oppose the ballot measure. He said Californias economic health in two years time could be a key factor in how voters weigh the proposal. Well be in a recession by then, Brown said. So its anybodys guess. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Inglewood to destroy more than 100 police shooting records that could otherwise become public under new California law By Jack Dolan Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) The city of Inglewood has authorized the shredding of more than 100 police shooting and other internal investigation records weeks before a new state law could allow the public to access them for the first time. The decision, made at a City Council meeting earlier this month, has troubled civil liberties advocates who were behind the state legislation, Senate Bill 1421, which takes effect Jan. 1. The law opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The legislature passed SB 1421 because communities demanded an end to the secrecy cloaking police misconduct and use of force, Marcus Benigno, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said in a statement. Inglewood PDs decision to purge records undermines police accountability and transparency against the will of Californians. California law says police departments must retain records of officer shootings and internal misconduct investigations for five years. The city of Inglewood, however, had kept records longer than that, including case files of police shootings dating to 1991. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of SB 1421, intended for her bill to allow public access to all qualifying records held by a department, no matter the date of the incident. Inglewood City Council approved the destruction of records that have been in the police departments possession more than 100 cases longer than required by law. The city staff report and council resolution describing the action makes no mention of the new police transparency law. Instead it says the affected records are obsolete, occupy valuable space, and are of no further use to the police department. It added the traditional method of destroying such records is to shred them. It is unclear whether the records have since been destroyed. A spokesman for the Inglewood Police Department along with Inglewoods city manager, attorney, clerk, four council members and Mayor James T. Butts, a former Santa Monica police chief, did not respond to requests for comment. Inglewoods City Hall is closed the last two weeks of December. The Inglewood Police Department has a reputation for secrecy and using excessive force. In 2008, the departments officers fatally shot four men in as many months, three of whom turned out to be unarmed. The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe and found significant flaws in the way the department oversaw use-of-force cases and investigated complaints against officers. Civil rights advocates still question why Inglewood police opened fire on a couple found sleeping in a car in 2016, killing them both. California police have a long history of shredding records to avoid scrutiny of their actions. In the 1970s, the LAPD famously destroyed more than four tons of personnel records after defense attorneys began requesting them as part of criminal cases against their clients. The move resulted in the dismissal of more than a hundred criminal complaints. In response, the Legislature demanded that records be preserved but then took other measures, supported by police unions, to ensure the public had very little access to them, making California the most secretive state in the nation when it comes to police misconduct. Skinners legislation begins to unwind those laws, which have been on the books since 1978. No video or audio of the Dec. 11 council action is available on the citys website and neither are meeting minutes or any record of the decision. A city spokeswoman, Courtney Torres, confirmed that the council had voted in favor of the police records purge, and said all the relevant reasons for the decision were included in the city staff report. The Jan. 1 implementation for SB 1421 has prompted other police officials to act. A police union in San Bernardino is asking the state Supreme Court to determine that Skinners bill only applies to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner earlier this month warning that complying with the law in regard to older records in the departments possession could take hundreds of thousands of work hours. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Federal officials question California DMVs process for issuing Real IDs (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has notified the California Department of Motor Vehicles that its process for providing residents with federally recognized identification cards is not adequate. DMV spokesman Armando Botello said Friday that 2.3 million residents who received Real IDs under the current process will have to submit additional documentation when their cards are renewed in five years but will be able to use them in the meantime. The DMV is developing a way for residents to submit more documentation online or via email to comply with the stricter federal requirement, he said. But some state legislators are upset about delays in notifying them of the problem and say Homeland Security could eventually require additional documentation provided by current holders. The DMV has known for a month that millions of Real IDs theyve been dolling out are potentially invalid, Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) said. The DMVs only hope is that the Department of Homeland Security takes pity on California and gives the DMV more time to fix this mess. Real IDs are a new kind of driver license and identification card that federal law will require legal residents to present when boarding domestic flights or visiting military bases and other federal facilities starting Oct. 1, 2020. The DMV has only been requiring one form of documentation, including a current lease or utility bill, to verify the residence of a card applicant. But the federal government said in a Nov. 21 letter to the agency that two such documents are needed. On Friday, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto released a letter defending the current process but said her agency will start requiring a second document to prove residency in April. In order to minimize confusion among our customers, the CADMV will work to inform individuals who have been issued a Real ID under the current process that their card will be accepted for official federal purposes, even if their renewal occurs after the October 1, 2020, final enforcement date for Real ID, Shiomoto wrote to the federal agency. Legislative officials worry there is still a possibility that those issued Real IDs in the past might be required to present a second document to have their cards designated as compliant. The more complex process for obtaining Real IDs has led to hours-long waits for customers at DMV field offices this year, although wait times have been reduced recently by an increase in staffing. Shiomoto last month announced that she is retiring amid problems with the motor voter registration system and after the governor ordered an audit of her agency in response to the long wait times. On Friday, Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido blasted the DMV for waiting a month to tell legislators of the problem. This is unacceptable and flies in the face of security for our citizens, which is what Real ID was created for in the first place, she said in a statement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom taps Keely Bosler to be his finance director Keely Bosler, the director of the California Department of Finance, will continue in that role under Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (California Department of Finance) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday appointed Keely Martin Bosler as director of the California Department of Finance, continuing the role she has served under Gov. Jerry Brown since August. Bosler will become Newsoms chief fiscal advisor, and will play a pivotal role in shaping Newsoms spending plan for the state that will lay the foundation for his top policy priorities. Newsom must roll out his first budget plan within days of taking office on Jan. 7. Californias brighter future depends on a strong, stable fiscal foundation, Newsom said in a statement released Friday afternoon. Keely is an accomplished public servant of sound fiscal judgment. She understands that state budgets are more than numbers on a page they are value statements affecting the fate and future of millions of families reaching for the California Dream. We are fortunate to have her on our team. Prior to being appointed finance director, Bosler served as Browns cabinet secretary for two years and, before that, as the chief deputy director for budget in the Finance Department for three years. Earlier this year, Brown picked Bosler to lead an audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which had come under fire for long wait times at DMV field offices and numerous computer problems, including errors in the new motor voter program that registered Californians to vote. As we have discussed, long wait times at the Department of Motor Vehicles do not reflect the high standards of service that Californians expect from their state government, Bosler wrote in a letter in September to DMV Director Jean Shiomoto. The audit is still ongoing, but Shiomoto has since announced she will retire at the end of the year. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias legislative analyst, after decades of nonpartisan research for lawmakers, calls it a career Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor, who has led the state research unit since 2008, will retire on Dec. 31. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Only five people have led the independent research office of the California Legislature since its creation in 1941. And each of them has had a pretty simple mantra to live by in reviewing public policy proposals and government programs: Call it like you see it. The job of any analyst, to me, is you maintain that nonpartisanship, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor said. Taylor, 65, will retire from the post at the end of December after a four-decade career with the research team that began, as he likes to tell it, just after the passage of the landmark property tax rollback, Proposition 13, in 1978. He became the leader of the office, with the title of legislative analyst, in October 2008. Two months later, state government found itself in arguably the worst fiscal crisis in its history a projected shortfall that ultimately grew to $42 billion by the following winter. There were forces beyond our control, Taylor said of that time. But dont underestimate the policy changes that were made afterward. Those changes, most notably a boost in taxes paid by high-income earners and a robust state budget cash reserve fund, have helped lead to successive years of fully funded government services. The state is projected to have some $24 billion in reserves by the end of the current fiscal year. Taylor announced his intention earlier to step down this year. Leaders from both houses of the Legislature select the analyst, who leads a staff of almost five dozen researchers. The office provides in-depth reports on pending legislation, as well as on broader policy topics like education and healthcare, and produces an independent analysis for every proposed ballot measure. A succession of lawmakers and governors alike have praised or panned the work of the Legislative Analysts Office based on their own political worldview. Taylor said his staff is mindful that they work for legislators, but try to ignore the rhetoric that follows the release of a major report. People are going to do what theyre going to do with our information, he said. They dont always like it, but they appreciate that we give them our best advice. Taylor oversaw a transformation in the way the Legislative Analysts Office distributes its information, embracing the release of research reports through social media instead of relying on traditional printed copies and journalist roundtable events. But he said the work of the researchers has remained largely unchanged through the decades. Having an independent take on things, I think, is good for the Legislature, he said. No replacement for Taylor has been announced, which means a short transition for his eventual successor before Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom sends his first budget proposal to lawmakers in early January. Taylor, who lives in the Sacramento suburbs, said he will honor the tradition of his predecessors in stepping away from public policy debates in order to give the new analyst space to lead the team as he or she sees fit. He said he hopes to travel in the coming years and spend time with his children who have moved to the East Coast. Forty years in state government, Taylor said in why he was stepping aside now. Isnt that enough? Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Jerry Brown sues to save California sentencing laws By Don Thompson, Associated Press (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown sued Thursday to protect one of his signature actions in office, a voter-approved measure that allows most prison inmates to seek earlier release and participate in rehabilitation programs. His administration filed a lawsuit challenging a pending 2020 initiative that seeks to toughen criminal penalties as part of an effort to roll back reforms adopted by voters within the last decade. Browns lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court contends the measure lacked enough valid signatures to overturn a previously approved constitutional amendment. County officials and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla certified the signatures in July but said they were submitted too late to qualify for last months election. The lawsuit names Padilla and the ballot measures official proponent, Nina Salarno Besselman, president of the advocacy group Crime Victims United. Padilla said the measure exceeded the required roughly 366,000 valid signatures, equal to 5% of votes cast for governor in 2014. Browns lawsuit says he used the wrong threshold. It says changing the state Constitution requires 8%, or more than 585,400 signatures. That makes the pending initiative more than 150,000 signatures short, the lawsuit says. Hes wrong, said Jeff Flint, a spokesman for the campaign backing the measure. He predicted a judge will be reluctant to reject a measure that already has qualified for the ballot. The secretary of state told us how many signatures are required, and thats how many we collected, Flint said. Padillas office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The measure would reverse reforms adopted by voters through Proposition 47 in 2014 and Proposition 57 in 2016. Proposition 57 allows most inmates to seek earlier paroles, and Proposition 47 reduced some drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. The combination has helped keep Californias inmate population below a population cap set by federal judges. Corrections department spokeswoman Vicky Waters said the measure gives corrections and parole officials broad discretion to protect our communities and fashion a rational system of rehabilitation and punishment. This new initiative unlawfully seeks to supplant the departments constitutional authority to implement these critical reforms to our criminal justice system. The pending initiative would shorten the list of crimes that qualify for earlier parole and change some theft crimes from misdemeanors back to felonies. It would also increase the number of crimes for which DNA is collected, a list that was limited when some crimes went from felonies to misdemeanors. Those supporting the tougher penalties say easing criminal penalties has increased the number of dangerous criminals on the streets, but those backing the changes say they have helped reduce mass incarceration and rehabilitate convicted criminals. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Supreme Court orders records unsealed in pardon of ex-state Sen. Roderick Wright Former state Sen. Roderick Wright (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times) The California Supreme Court has granted a request to unseal court records involving Gov. Jerry Browns decision last month to pardon former state Sen. Roderick Wright for felony convictions involving lying about living in his legislative district, officials said Thursday. The court order was in response to a request by the nonpartisan First Amendment Coalition, which argued that the public has a right to know what information went into the governors decision to grant clemency to Wright. This is an important victory for public access to court files involving the exercise of executive clemency, said coalition spokesman Glen A. Smith. We are gratified the court has recognized that these decisions should be subject to the same public access rules that apply to other judicial records under California law. The court gave Browns office until Jan. 2 to redact confidential material before giving the court documents that can be released to the public. The court files submitted by the governors office include letters of support for a pardon and an internal review of Wrights case. The court denied a motion to unseal the records of all clemency cases but left open consideration of requests on other individual cases. Browns office is currently evaluating the courts decision, said spokesman Brian Ferguson. The governor argued against unsealing records in a recent court filing that said confidentiality is consistent with historical practice and is supported by state law. In pardoning Wright on Nov. 22, the governor wrote: He has shown that since his release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law abiding citizen. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California political watchdog agency fines BART, urges prosecution over using public funds for campaign A Bay Area Rapid Transit train leaves the station in Oakland in this 2013 file photo. (Ben Margot / AP) Californias state political watchdog agency on Thursday imposed a $7,500 fine against the Bay Area Rapid Transit District and called for a possible criminal or civil prosecution over allegations the district used public resources to campaign for a 2016 bond measure. The state Fair Political Practices Commission levied an administrative fine against BART for its failure to disclose spending on YouTube videos, social media posts and text messages to promote Measure RR, which authorized $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds. Though the panel lacks authority to seek criminal charges over the misuse of public funds, it also urged county district attorneys in the BART service area and the state attorney general to pursue possible criminal or civil charges over the spending of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes, Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said. It is the concept of misusing public funds that I think we all here are very disturbed about, and we want to send a warning and not create a precedent that is a minor, little slap on the wrist, Germond said, adding that the referral to criminal prosecutors would further send a message that this is wrong. Commissioner Brian Hatch also called for the state Legislature to consider granting the FPPC power to go after public agencies that spend taxpayer money on campaigns. Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) called on the agency to increase the fine to the maximum level of $33,375. The proposed $7,500 fine represents a slap on the wrist for a very serious violation of the law and the publics trust, Glazer said in a letter to the panel. In supporting the fine recommended by the staff, Germond said BART has agreed to pay the penalty. Somebody did something wrong and they have admitted it, she said. A staff report said there were factors in favor of a fine below the maximum. Although the Commission considers BARTs violations to be serious, the absence of any evidence of an intention to conceal, deceive, or mislead; the voluntary filing of the delinquent campaign statement; and the absence of a prior record are mitigating, the report said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California police union seeks state Supreme Court review of new law disclosing internal investigation records Los Angeles Police Department officers. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A police union is asking the California Supreme Court to block the release of internal officer investigations before a new state law takes effect next year. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. filed a petition Tuesday asking justices to rule that only investigations of incidents that occur after Jan. 1 would be available under the law and not those the department has on file from years prior. The litigation comes after this years passage of Senate Bill 1421, which opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has told the union it intends to make available in response to public records requests all the information it has. The union is very concerned about any plans to retroactively apply Senate Bill 1421, Grant Ward, the unions president, said in a statement. We believe retroactive application violates our members rights and we hope the California Supreme Court will consider the serious issues raised by our legal challenge. The bills author, Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), does not agree with the unions interpretation. She has said her legislation should apply to all the records in a police departments possession because the law simply declared that affected records were no longer confidential. If the record exists, its disclosable, Skinner said. A decision on what records will be available under the law is key to how far-reaching it will be. If the court restricts access to incidents that occurred prior to 2019, those cases will not be subject to public scrutiny. The police union in San Bernardino County is not the only one raising concerns about the law. Earlier this month, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner expressing concern that his agency would be overwhelmed if the law required the department to disclose older incidents. Even if the law only applied to the previous five years, Moore wrote, it could take nearly 300,000 hours of work to comply with its provisions. The LAPD operates with a guiding principle of Reverence for the Law; as such, we will diligently comply with SB 1421, Moore wrote. We maintain, however, that a retroactive implementation of SB 1421 will be exceptionally burdensome and would require significant reallocation of front-line investigative personnel. Skinner said if complying with the law becomes untenable for law enforcement agencies that maintain records for a long time, she would consider modifications. But she said agencies did not raise this concern during discussion over the bill. SB 1421 went through multiple committee hearings, multiple floor debates, extensive opportunity for all parties to weigh in on concerns with its structure, she said. That was not an issue that was raised by law enforcement at the time. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Brown warns of backlash for Republicans in 2020 if Obamacare repeal is upheld Gov. Jerry Brown at the National Press Club in April. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Gov. Jerry Brown warned Republicans on Tuesday that repeal of the Affordable Care Act would devastate the partys political chances in the 2020 election. Brown, speaking at a Sacramento Press Club event moderated by Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton and Brown family historian Miriam Pawel, said a federal judges ruling last week to strike down the 2010 law if upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court will build such a backlash that the Democrats will not only take over the Senate, theyll win the presidency and will win with the kind of momentum, particularly on the issue of healthcare, that [the law] will be replaced probably with something even better. The governor, who leaves office in less than three weeks, said he did not believe the ruling by a Texas judge would ultimately prevail. I think the decision will probably be overturned, Brown said. Few states have embraced the law championed by former President Obama more than California, both through its healthcare exchange, Covered California, and by expanding access to government-funded services under Medi-Cal. Some 12 million Californians now receive healthcare through Medi-Cal, and Brown said a final ruling affecting the federal dollars that subsidize that care would be a serious blow. California would not be able to afford it without the subsidy, the governor said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Bars in Los Angeles, San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks (acuna-hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses, and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors, and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bars in Los Angeles and San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks. (Acuna-Hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias DMV director announces retirement amid problems with motor voter program (Kent Nishamura/Los Angeles Times) The director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles will retire at years end with a number of questions unanswered about the implementation of a major voter registration system and long wait times experienced by customers for much of the past summer. Jean Shiomoto will not continue in her current role as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom takes office, and announced to staff several weeks ago her intent to retire at the end of the year after 38 years in state service, spokesman Armando Botello said in an email to The Times on Friday. Newsoms transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on who might lead the department in 2019. Shiomoto was appointed DMV director by Gov. Jerry Brown in the fall of 2013, having served in prior leadership roles with the department. DMV officials have been sharply criticized by lawmakers in recent months for delays in serving customers at its field offices across the state. Last week, DMV officials revealed errors in registering California voters for the November election mistakes that followed a series of problems in the rollout of the states new motor voter registration system. Secretary of State Alex Padilla last week said he had lost confidence in Shiomotos leadership as a result of the voting registration problems. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New law could break the stalemate over housing on the site of a near-vacant Cupertino mall By Liam Dillon For more than a decade, developers have tried to build new housing on the site of an all-but-empty mall in Cupertino, a city in the heart of Silicon Valley and home to Apple headquarters. A well-organized group of neighbors, upset about traffic, building heights and the potential loss of the communitys suburban lifestyle, turned away every plan. Now, for the first time, the stalemate might be broken thanks to a decision made in the state Capitol. In an effort to address Californias housing affordability problem, legislators passed a law last year that requires cities and counties to approve housing projects if they comply with local zoning rules and other standards, forcing some resistant communities to agree to new homebuilding. In September, the city of Cupertino, citing the state law, approved developer Sand Hill Property Co.s proposal to build an office park and more than 2,400 homes where the Vallco Shopping Mall sits. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Local government was a last bastion for struggling California Republicans. Not anymore By Mark Z. Barabak Theres no shortage of watery metaphors to describe the disaster that befell California Republicans this midterm election. A blue wave. A Democratic tsunami. But the most apt may be a flood, with the casualties steadily rising as the vote count climbed in the days and weeks following Nov. 6. Eventually half the GOP congressional delegation was washed away, along with the entire slate of statewide Republican candidates. In Sacramento, Democrats claimed 29 of 40 state Senate seats and seized three-quarters of the 80-member Assembly the largest number since 1883, when Chester A. Arthur was serving in the White House. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For the Republicans left in Californias Legislature, fewer lawmakers will have to do more work By John Myers From January to late summer every year, the California Legislature is a perpetual motion machine. And in the new year, the people most likely to struggle in keeping up will be Republicans, vastly outnumbered but still responsible for representing millions of the states residents. There are 22 standing committees in the state Senate, plus at least a dozen more subcommittees or special committees. And after Novembers election, only 11 Republican senators will be left to divvy up the work. To the victors go the spoils. To the vanquished go the extra assignments. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Californias DMV failed to finish registering 329 new voters before November election (Los Angeles Times) Officials at the California Department of Motor Vehicles said Friday that the agency failed to send information for 329 new voters to state elections officers in time for the November election, the latest revelation in a string of mishaps regarding voter registration. Secretary of State Alex Padilla responded with a blistering letter, calling on Gov. Jerry Brown or Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom to replace Jean Shiomoto, the DMV director. The Director of DMV has lost my confidence and trust, Padilla wrote. In all, the agency revealed that 589 mailed voter registration records that should have been processed under election deadlines werent sent to Californias secretary of state until late November, including forms from 260 drivers who had intended to update their address on existing voter registration records. The DMV had been instructed to not send registration forms that came in after Oct. 22, but the voters in question had forms that were postmarked before the deadline. In some cases, when the postmark wasnt legible, the agency said, documents inside indicated the voter had intended to finish their registration in time for the Nov. 6 election. The DMV recognizes the pause in transmittals was an error and affected the timing of the registration of the 589 individuals referenced above relative to the November election, Shiomoto wrote in a letter to Padilla on Friday. The pause was due to a misunderstanding on the part of the department, for which we take responsibility. Those who were trying to update their address for voter registration would not have been blocked from casting ballots. But officials said its unclear whether any of the 329 new voters were able to participate in the election. Shiomoto said in her letter that DMV will work with elections officials. The errors were not related to previous DMV mistakes about registering voters, problems associated with the rollout of the states new motor voter law. In those cases, multiple registration forms were sent to local elections offices for some voters, some people were assigned the wrong political party preference and others who are noncitizens were incorrectly placed on the list of registered voters. DMV officials have yet to respond to questions posed by The Times over the last several weeks about who knew of those mistakes and when. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom appoints a labor advocate and a former staffer as his chief deputy Cabinet secretaries By Taryn Luna A labor advocate and a San Francisco political operative have accepted positions in Gov.-elect Gavin Newsoms new administration. Angie Wei, a Capitol insider with deep ties to organized labor in California, will serve as a chief deputy Cabinet secretary with a focus on policy development. As a legislative director and chief of staff at the California Labor Federation, Wei has represented more than 1,200 unions and 2.1 million workers in Capitol fights over a host of policy issues, including drug-pricing transparency and paid family leave. The governor-elect also tapped Jason Elliott, a policy advisor to Newsom during his time as mayor of San Francisco and a chief of staff to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, as another chief deputy Cabinet secretary overseeing executive branch operations. Elliott and Wei will serve under Ana Matosantos, Newsoms previously In the beginning was the Radiomir. This iconic watch created for the Italian navy embodies Officine Panerais military heritage. Its name comes from a rhodium-based powder developed and patented by Panerai to provide maximum visibility underwater for combat divers. The ten prototype watches originally made in 1936 led to the first production run in 1938. The 1940 model Panerai While the model has evolved over the years to meet increasingly higher demands, particularly in terms of water resistance, readability and power reserve, some aesthetic aspects have passed down almost unchanged. Thus, the four Arabic numerals (3, 6, 9, 12) and their eight accompanying markers, the sandwich-type dial made of two layered plates that allow light to filter through, and the cushion-shaped case have all been present since 1938. To improve the watchs water resistance, the 1940 version brought in an innovative case with integral lugs, and this new element can also be found on the 2018 models. Back to the source This year, the Radiomir is back with new dial colours to evoke the ocean depths. The latest shades are a nod to the watchs origins, and its horological ancestors, which were specially designed for the Italian navys combat divers. The new dial is made using an exclusive manufacturing process that creates a kaleidoscope of different shades of blue. The dark blue perimeter contrasts with the light blue centre, recalling the azure glints of the sea. The satin-brushed sunray finish is reminiscent of the suns light beating down through the waves. Case back view Panerai On the caseback, the nautical theme continues on the sapphire crystal, which is decorated with an undulating pattern of ripples. The Radiomir 1940 3 Days quintet Unlike the original 1940 models, which displayed just hours and minutes, the Radiomir Mediterraneo watches have a few additional functions. The Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Acciaio (PAM00933), fitted with the automatic calibre P.4000 inside its 42 mm polished AISI 316L steel case, shows hours, minutes and small seconds. Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Acciaio - PAM00933 Panerai This model also comes in a 45 mm red gold case. The Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso (PAM00934) offers the same 72-hour power reserve (3 days), but it has a depth rating of 50 metres (compared with 100 m for the steel version). Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso - PAM00934 Panerai The Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio (PAM00932) offers the same functions as its siblings, but is driven by the manual P.3000 movement. It comes in an imposing 47 mm case made of polished AISI 316L steel. Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio - PAM00932 Panerai For those who require more functions, the final two models display not just the hours, minutes and seconds, but also offer a date, second time zone, 24-hour indicator, power reserve gauge and a seconds reset function. While both these automatic timepieces share the same functions and come in a 45 mm polished AISI 316L steel case, they are not identical. The Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio (PAM00945) is fitted with the P.4001 calibre, while the Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Power Reserve Automatic Acciaio (PAM00946) is driven by the P.4002 movement. On the former, the power reserve is found on the back, while on the latter its visible on the dial. Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio (PAM00945) and Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Power Reserve Automatic Acciaio (PAM00946) Panerai Exclusive to Panerai boutiques These Mediterraneo editions are available exclusively from Panerais own boutiques around the world. They come fitted with a blue alligator strap to complement the dial, and beige topstitching to match the luminescent markers. All the models are delivered in a lacquered blue cherry wood case, and come with an extra strap blue rubber for the 45 mm and 47 mm, and blue fabric for the 42 mm version. Additional strap in blue rubber (45 and 47 mm versions) or in blue fabric (42 mm version) Panerai Pricing is as follows: CHF 9,000 for the Radiomir 1940 3 Days Acciaio (PAM00932), CHF 10,100 for the Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Acciaio (PAM00933), CHF 11,400 for the Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio (PAM00945), CHF 11,800 for the Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Power Reserve Automatic Acciaio (PAM00946) and CHF 22,400 for the Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso (PAM00934). Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. #Georgia Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush. The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump as recently as Tuesday continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops You really are our heroes, he said as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see. James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes he last won reelection by a 14-point margin suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election again, in blowout fashion but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10. Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters... Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children the older ones are 5 and 2 about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican she the race felt m Justice Brett Kavanaugh took his seat on the Supreme Court for the first time Tuesday and quickly joined the questioning as justices struggled to make sense of a federal law that imposes longer prison terms on criminals who have three violent felonies on their records. At 10 a.m., the justices emerged from behind the chambers red velvet curtain, and Kavanaugh, after surviving one of the ugliest Senate confirmation battles in modern history, took his seat at the far end of the bench next to Justice Elena Kagan. They laughed and chatted until the argument got underway. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. paused at the start to welcome the courts new member. Justice Kavanaugh, we wish you a long and happy career in our common calling, he said. It was quiet and orderly in and around the court on Tuesday, in sharp contrast to Saturday afternoon when a crowd of loud and angry demonstrators occupied the front steps of the building after Kavanaugh won confirmation in the Senate a block away. Advertisement Kavanaughs first case involved how to interpret the federal sentencing law. No one was disputing the aim of the Armed Career Criminal Act, which is supposed to lock up repeat violent criminals. Rather, lawyers were arguing whether a purse snatching or breaking into a recreational vehicle counts as a violent felony that could lead to an extra 15 years to life in prison. For their part, the justices seemed to be in a lighter mood than normal. When Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked about whether a sharp pinch counts as violent force, she turned as though ready to pinch Justice Neil M. Gorsuch seated next to her. He recoiled in mock horror. The court heard two cases interpreting the same law. In Stokeling vs. United States, a lawyer for Denard Stokeling, a Florida man, argued that his 20-year-old conviction for unarmed robbery for snatching a womans necklace should not be deemed a violent felony. Government lawyers disagreed and argued robbery by sudden snatching involves a use of physical force. Kagan asked a government lawyer whether grabbing a womans handbag from her shoulder would qualify as a violent felony. Yes, the attorney said. Kagan was not convinced. Im walking down the street and somebody grabs my handbag. Im not happy about it. But it doesnt have that violent aspect of it in ordinary language like beating somebody up or putting a gun in their face. Kavanaugh then cited a 2015 opinion written by the late Justice Antonin Scalia that turned on whether there was a substantial degree of force involved. If so, that would qualify as a violent felony, he suggested. Over the two hours, Kavanaugh asked at least a dozen questions. The justices did not sound split along ideological lines. Instead, all of them said they were seeking a legal formula for meshing the 1986 federal law with the wide range of state felony laws. In a second case, United States vs. Sims, a lawyer for Jason Sims, an Arkansas man, argued that breaking into an unoccupied recreational vehicle should not qualify as a violent felony. In the past, judges have ruled that breaking into a home counts as a violent crime, but not breaking into a vehicle. Stanford law professor Jeffrey Fisher, who was appointed to represent Sims, said the court should continue to draw a line between burglaries of homes and vehicles, including RVs. Home burglaries are the more serious crimes because there is greater chance they could result in injuries and violence. By contrast, breaking into a vehicle is far less likely to result in violence, he said. And if so, the criminal will be charged with assault or robbery and get a longer prison term, he said. Kavanaugh said he was not impressed with the argument that the defendant had not been given proper notice that a harsher penalty was possible. I think if you are convicted three times of breaking into an RV, you should be on some notice that you shouldnt be possessing a firearm under federal law, he said. On Wednesday, the court will hear a major immigration case in which Kavanaugh could hold the deciding vote. It pits the American Civil Liberties Union against the Trump administration and arose from a class-action lawsuit in California. At issue is whether legal immigrants who have a past crime on their record, including drug possession, can be detained for deportation by immigration authorities even long after theyve served their time for the crime and held in jail without a bond hearing. The federal immigration law says the government shall take into custody any alien with certain crimes on their record when the alien is released. The ACLU sued on behalf of lawful noncitizens such as Eduardo Padilla, who came to the United States in 1966 as an infant and became a lawful permanent resident in the Sacramento area. He has five children and six grandchildren, all of whom are U.S. citizens. Padilla had two convictions for drug possession in 1997 and 1999 and served 90 days in jail in 2002 for having an unloaded pistol in a shed. In 2013, federal agents arrested him for those past crimes and held him in jail for deportation. But the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the mandatory detention provision did not apply to immigrants such as Padilla who were released years ago. He was released on a $1,500 bond because a judge decided he did not present a danger and was not likely to flee. However, in Nielsen vs. Preap, the administration is urging the court to overturn the 9th Circuit and uphold mandatory detention for criminal aliens, even if they have served time for their crimes years ago. The latest from Washington More stories from David G. Savage david.savage@latimes.com Twitter: DavidGSavage UPDATES: 1:15 p.m.: This article was updated with more details from the court arguments. 10:15 a.m.: This article was updated with Justice Brett Kavanaughs comments during the argument. 7:25 a.m.: This article was updated with details about the immigration case. This article was originally published at 3 a.m. With the midterm election now four weeks away and the fight over Justice Brett Kavanaughs confirmation receding into the past, President Trump and his party have embarked on an effort to keep conservative anger fresh, even at the potential cost of further alienating some women voters. The approach reflects a judgment that with an energized Republican base, the party has a chance now to lock down key races for the Senate, protecting its majority there. If the necessary tactics drive some House races more firmly into Democratic hands increasing the odds that Republicans lose control of that chamber thats a risk the party appears increasingly willing to run. On Monday morning, Trump denounced the sexual assault accusations against Kavanaugh as a hoax that was set up by the Democrats, and warned that his opponents would try to impeach the newly confirmed justice if they won control of Congress. Democrats have shifted so far left that well end up being Venezuela. This country would end up being Venezuela, he added in comments to reporters before leaving Washington for Florida, where he appeared with the Republican candidate for the Senate, Gov. Rick Scott. Advertisement Later he returned to Washington to preside over a high-profile, ceremonial swearing-in for Kavanaugh, who already took the judicial oath over the weekend. At the ceremony, Trump declared that he wanted to apologize to Kavanaugh on behalf of our nation for what he and his family had gone through. In our country a man or woman must be proved innocent unless or until proven guilty, Trump said. You, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent. Trump last week lashed out at Kavanaughs main accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, over her inability to recall some details of the evening more than three decades ago during which she says Kavanaugh assaulted her. Until Monday, however, the president had stopped short of calling the account fraudulent, sticking with a Republican strategy of trying to avoid overt attacks on Ford that could drive away women voters. As Trump shifted to a harder-edged approach, so too did some Republican Senate candidates. In Missouri, for example, state Atty. Gen. Josh Hawley, who has made his support for Kavanaugh a major part of his campaign against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, said in a call with reporters that he agreed with Trump that this process was a sham, and it was a disgrace. Its a very scary time for the rule of law, Hawley said. Over the weekend, Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, running against Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, criticized the #MeToo movement, labeling it in an interview with the New York Times as a movement toward victimization. Get the latest news from the nations capital on Essential Washington >> Those sorts of comments could increase the anger of women who feel that Republicans in the Kavanaugh fight belittled the experience of sexual assault victims, said Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg. The GOP strategy involves significant risk, Greenberg said. Anything that boosts womens turnout just strikes me as really, really bad for them, she added. At the House level, its a huge problem for them. Republican strategists say they see less downside. Democratic voters are already at a 10 in intensity, said veteran Republican pollster Neil Newhouse. They cant go to 20. They cant vote twice. In any case, Republicans may see the risk as justified if it prolongs the current trend of higher levels of interest in the election on the part of their voters. The Kavanaugh hearings polarized rather than shifted opinion, said Charles Franklin, a professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee and a longtime polling expert. In other words, both favorable and unfavorable views increased, he wrote in an email. On balance, I think that helps Republicans, who had shown some signs of a weakening embrace of Trump, he added. The problem for Republicans is that the impact of such events tends to fade quickly. In the current news cycle speed, it is remarkable that the court nomination held center stage, dominating news, for two whole weeks, Franklin said. It has been rare this year for an issue or event to dominate for two whole days. The Republican strategy of maximizing party turnout could pay off in the conservative states in which key Senate races are being fought this year, said Mike Murphy, the longtime Republican strategist who now serves as co-director of USCs Center for the Political Future. In states where you have a strong red advantage, playing red doesnt hurt, Murphy said. That approach, however, has fewer benefits in less solidly Republican areas because it has little appeal to independent voters, Murphy added. In those areas, the idea that if both sides turn out, well win by an inch doesnt work because the coalition of Democrats and independents is a bigger group of people. The GOP may have little choice, however, given Trumps deeply ingrained approach to political fights, added Murphy, who is a persistent critic of the president. Trump only has one strategy, whatever the occasion, which is to appeal to Republican primary voters, he said. (Los Angeles Times Graphics) The reason the Kavanaugh issue potentially could help Republicans in the contest for the Senate, but hurt them in House races, involves the very different contours of the fight over each chamber. In the House, where Democrats need to add 23 seats to their current total to gain the majority, the most contested races mostly are taking place in suburban districts where college-educated white women have turned heavily against Trump. Nearly 70 House districts around the country are up for grabs this year, and the vast majority of them are held by Republicans. That gives Democrats a long list of targets. Nationwide, women in the most contested House districts favor the Democratic candidate by 54% to 40%, while men split much more evenly, favoring Republicans 51% to 46%, according to a new poll of 69 battleground House districts released Monday by the Washington Post and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University in Virginia. Trump carried 48 of those 69 districts in 2016, but today voters in those districts who disapprove of his performance in office outnumber those who approve, 51% to 43%, with 47% strongly disapproving of him, the poll found. By contrast and by Republicans luck of the draw control of the Senate mostly turns on states where Trump supporters outnumber opponents, including North Dakota, Missouri and Indiana, where incumbent Democratic senators face difficult contests, and Montana and West Virginia, where Democratic incumbents have remained in the lead despite the conservative leanings of the states voters, according to recent polls. In several of those Senate races, the Kavanaugh hearings probably improved Republican chances by accelerating the process of people getting back to their partisan corners, said Mark Mellman, a longtime Democratic pollster. The Kavanaugh fight moved voters on the center and left toward the Democrats, but moved the center and right toward the Republicans, he said. (Los Angeles Times Graphics) Strategists in both parties say that despite the improvement in Republican voters enthusiasm over the last couple weeks, Democrats continue to hold an advantage in the House, with a good chance of picking up a net of 35 or more seats. But that outcome is far from certain most of the contests remain very close. In the five most hotly contested Southern California districts, for example, recent polls for The Times by UC Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies found only one in which the Democratic candidate had a clear lead. In two others, the Democrat had an advantage that was within the polls margin of error while the remaining two were dead heats. The Republican strategy in those districts for most of the last year was to try to focus on local issues and the national economy, avoid a referendum on Trump and hope that independent voters who have often sided with the GOP will return to the fold, despite their antipathy toward the president. Trump has repeatedly gotten in the way of that effort, and a focus on keeping alive the partisan feelings about Kavanaugh probably would continue to prevent it. For now, the battle over Kavanaugh has noticeably increased Republican interest in the election, which should pay off in higher turnout, Newhouse said. Theres been a big intensity gap, now its even, he said. But, he added, The problem is, were 29 days out. There are several political lifetimes between now and then. David.Lauter@latimes.com For more on Politics and Policy, follow me @DavidLauter A staple of President Trumps rallies is criticism of the news media, which he has often labeled as enemies of the people. What do the people think? A slight majority think Trump is basically just blowing off steam. But Americans also think his words can be dangerous. Asked if Trumps words were an example of his expressing frustration or whether he was issuing a serious warning when he makes those kinds of remarks, 45% said they believed he was serious compared to 55% who said he was expressing frustration, according to a recent USC-Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. Advertisement The public also split closely on whether Trumps remarks are potentially harmful. A 56% majority called Trumps language dangerous, while 44% called it harmless. (Los Angeles Times) People who disapprove of Trump were more likely to see his labeling the press as enemies as an example of frustration, rather than a serious warning. But they were also more likely than supporters to see his words as dangerous. Overall, about one in four of those surveyed said they viewed Trumps language as harmless venting. More, about three in 10, said that he was venting, but that his words were still dangerous. Another one in four said they believed his words were serious and dangerous while a slightly smaller group, about one in five, said that Trump is serious in what he says, but that its harmless. At the same time, the public overwhelmingly rejects the idea that government officials should have the power to limit what the news media publishes or broadcasts. The poll asked people to choose between two statements: News organizations should have the freedom to publish or broadcast any stories they choose, except in very limited cases on topics such as national security or government officials should have broad authority to limit the information that news organizations publish or broadcast. By 85% to 15%, the public said that news organizations should be free to publish. A majority across all major demographic and political groups took that view. About one in five Trump supporters, however, said they believed that government officials should have the authority to limit whats published. Women were more likely than men to support limits on the press, although a large majority of both genders opposed the idea. Similarly, people without college degrees were more likely than those with a college education to support limits. This USC Dornsife/Times poll, overseen by survey director Jill Darling and co-sponsored by the universitys Center for the Political Future, was conducted online among 5,045 adult Americans. The poll respondents were drawn from a probability-based panel maintained by USCs Center for Economic and Social Research for its Understanding America Study. Responses were weighted to accurately reflect known demographics of the U.S. population. The survey was conducted Aug. 22-Sept. 24. The margin of error is 2 percentage points in either direction. A full description of the methodology, poll questions and dataare posted on the USC website. Get the latest news from the nations capital on Essential Washington >> David.Lauter@latimes.com For more on Politics and Policy, follow me @DavidLauter Voters will choose three candidates from a pool of four for the Fountain Valley School District board of trustees. Incumbents Sandra Crandall, Jim Cunneen and Lisa Schultz are seeking reelection Nov. 6. Candidate Jennifer Weimer is the only newcomer challenging for a seat on the five-member board. The district contains seven elementary and three middle schools. The Daily Pilot sent a questionnaire to all the candidates to get a better idea of who they are, why theyre running and what issues they feel are most pressing. Some responses have been edited for formatting, brevity or clarity. Schultz did not respond. Sandra Crandall Age: 70 Professional occupation: Retired teacher of lower primary grades for 39 years in Fountain Valley School District Education: Bachelor of Arts in sociology, minor in education, teaching credential with specialty in early childhood education Time lived in the district: 24 years Neighborhood in which you live, and how long youve lived there: Mariposa, 24 years Public service, activism and volunteerism: Fountain Valley School District board, 2010 to present; Fountain Valley Community Foundation Activities Committee; Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center volunteer; National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation Immediate family members: Husband Larry Crandall, son Mark McCollom, stepdaughters Erica Bauer and Jillian Clausi, four grandchildren What are the three issues you believe are the most important facing the district and why? 1. Communicate frequently and with transparency with parents and the community during implementation of state-driven compliance issues. This is important, as many decisions are being taken out of the realm of local control. 2. Maintain a fiscally sound budget in order to deliver high-quality instruction in light of the rising costs of pensions and doing business. This is important to sustain quality programs, high-quality staff and safe and clean facilities for the long term for all our students. 3. Deliver our modernization projects at all 10 schools on time and within budget. This is important because the taxpayers opened up their wallets to fund, after 50 years, the modernization of our schools, including installing air conditioning, and they are owed a complete and quality project. Jim Cunneen Age: 50 Professional occupation: California-licensed civil engineer; business development manager for Group Delta Consultants Inc. Education: Juris doctor Time lived in the district: 25 years Neighborhood in which you live, and how long youve lived there: Rancho Mesa, 23 years Public service, activism and volunteerism: Fountain Valley Planning Commission; Fountain Valley Community Foundation; Fountain Valley Community Housing and Development; Cox Elementary School Site Council; Fountain Valley Rotary Club; Knights of Columbus, Holy Spirit Catholic Church Immediate family members: Wife Mimi, children Dominic, Delaney, Delilah, Dahlia and Daniel What are the three issues you believe are the most important facing the district and why? 1. Safety: Keeping students and staff safe on campus in an era of increased violence has received increased focus and attention. Our district will be convening a new Safe Schools Task Force this fall that will be charged with all aspects of student safety, including positive school/work culture, safe physical environments, training and mental health. 2. Spending: As school modernization has begun at multiple campuses, diligent and watchful spending of precious school dollars, including the community contribution from the Measure O school bond, is important to maintain good fiscal health. As FVSD is not a district that receives much additional Local Control Funding Formula funding beyond the base, coupled with increasing STRS and PERS contributions annually, we must stretch revenue and continue to be creative in generating alternative streams of income from steady sources, such as our Fund 40 account from past surplus property sales. 3. Scores: FVSD students have been well-prepared and have performed increasingly better each year on the California standards testing for English language arts and math, in addition to science and classroom performance. However, our district continues to make learning for all kids a top priority with more and much earlier academic rigor, such as reading in the early kindergarten stages. Lisa Schultz Did not respond. Jennifer Weimer Age: 43 Professional occupation: Process safety engineer for Chevron Education: Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering, Cal Poly Pomona Time lived in the district: Almost 12 years Neighborhood in which you live, and how long youve lived there: Did not answer Public service, activism and volunteerism: West Orange County Consortium for Special Education Community Advisory Committee; Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for Measure O; Hope United Methodist Church (Torrance) finance chairwoman Immediate family members: Husband Bruce, daughter Erin, son Jeremy What are three issues you believe are the most important facing the district and why? 1. Safety: Ensure that preventive measures (mental health, counseling) are instituted along with administrative and physical deterrent systems. 2. Community engagement: Advertise the district needs to the residents and attract involvement. A strong community will help alleviate safety concerns and allow time for teachers to train and the children to learn in a better environment. 3. Effective use of Universal Design for Learning: This would allow for more-inclusive classrooms for special-needs students as well as increase learning for all levels of children, including English-language learners and gifted students. Priscella.Vega@latimes.com Twitter: @vegapriscella Don the Beachcomber may be gone, but theres a new tiki lounge in Huntington Beach. The 2,000-square-foot slice of Surf City beach culture is called Jan & Deans Tiki Lounge, and its on the second floor of the Rubys Diner on the city pier. It officially opened for business Monday. The beach hut features bamboo walls, tiki-inspired totem poles, dim lighting and artwork from Disney contributing artist Jeff Granito. Visitors can order from Rubys standard menu along with a new collection of appetizers such as Huli-Huli Wings and Mini Ahi Tacos and tropical cocktails featuring Sabe Gold Rum or Sabe Yuzu Citrus Vodka. For dessert, theres the popular pineapple soft serve ice cream Dole Whip. The lounges name pays tribute to pioneering surf music duo Jan and Dean, which included Huntington Beach resident Dean Torrence and is known for hits such as Surf City, The Little Old Lady from Pasadena and Dead Mans Curve. Bamboo walls and tiki-inspired totem poles decorate the inside of Jan & Deans Tiki Lounge in the Rubys Diner on the Huntington Beach Pier. (Courtesy of Tad Belshe) Rubys Executive Vice President Tad Belshe said the restaurant chain known for its 1940s diner theme wanted to give a nod to surf culture and the historic Huntington Beach element that weve been very lucky to be a part of as long as we have. Construction on the lounge was completed in about a month, with guidance from a renowned tiki-bar builder known as Bamboo Ben. A lot of people have been peeping in, Belshe said. Were seeing a lot of people with smiles on their face. We didnt miss the mark. Jan & Deans Tiki Lounge is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Priscella.Vega@latimes.com Twitter: @vegapriscella The wife of the former Interpol president who disappeared in China revealed that she had received a threatening phone call warning of agents coming for her but said she would keep fighting for information about her husbands fate. In her first one-on-one interview since Meng Hongwei went missing, Grace Meng denied bribery allegations against her high-profile husband, and told the Associated Press that speaking out about his disappearance was placing her in great danger. Meng Hongwei who is also Chinas vice minister of public security vanished while on a trip home to China late last month. A longtime Communist Party insider with decades of experience in Chinas sprawling security apparatus, the 64-year-old is the latest high-ranking official to fall victim to a sweeping purge against allegedly corrupt or disloyal officials under President Xi Jinpings authoritarian administration. Grace Meng, the wife of missing Interpol President Meng Hongwei, who does not want her face shown, consults her mobile phone recently in the lobby of a hotel in Lyon, France, where the police agency is based. (John Leicester / AP) Advertisement Speaking to the AP late Monday at a hotel in Lyon, France, where Interpol is based, Grace Meng said her husband had been gone for more than a week on a trip to China when she got a threatening call on her mobile phone from a man speaking in Chinese. She had just put their two young boys to bed at home in Lyon and recalled that her last contact with her husband was by text message, on Sept. 25, when Meng wrote wait for my call and sent her an emoji image of a knife after traveling back to China. But Meng did not call. Instead, a man who didnt identify himself did. You listen but you dont speak, she described him as saying. He continued: Weve come in two work teams, two work teams just for you. She said the only clue the caller gave about his identity was saying that he used to work for Meng, suggesting that the man was part of Chinas security apparatus. He also said he knew where she was. As a result, Grace Meng is now under French police protection. By speaking out about her husbands fate, she has taken a step practically unheard of in Chinese politics, where such moves are seen as confrontational. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Tuesday in Beijing. Chinese authorities said Monday that Meng Hongwei was being lawfully investigated for taking bribes and other crimes that were a result of his willfulness. Hours earlier, Interpol said Meng had resigned as the international police agencys president. It was not clear whether he did so of his own free will. His wife suggested that the bribery accusation was just an excuse for a lengthy detention. As his wife, I think hes simply incapable of this, she said. She said she would be willing to make their bank accounts public. She said that she spoke out in hopes that doing so might help other families in similar circumstances. I feel like I have a responsibility to stand up. Only when youve been through this much pain can you understand that even more people have been suffering, she said. She refused to provide her real name to the AP, saying she was too afraid for the safety of her relatives in China. It is not customary for Chinese wives to adopt their husbands names. Grace Meng said she has done so now to show her solidarity with her husband. Her English name, Grace, is one she has long used, she said. Grace Meng talks to journalists on Sunday in Lyon, France, during a press conference during which she did not want her face to be shown. (Jeff Pachoud / AFP/Getty Images) A French judicial official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the AP that police are investigating the threat against Grace Meng, but said the probe has yet to determine whether there were indeed Chinese teams sent to Lyon. Chinas move to go after Meng, an official with an international standing, was unusually audacious even for an administration that under Xis leadership has sought to assert its interests more aggressively on the global stage. Polands interior minister, Joachim Brudzinski, told AP on the sidelines of a meeting in Lyon on Tuesday that Beijing could act in an ostentatious way, without limit because it has learned how to act with impunity. Grace Meng wouldnt speculate on why her husband may have fallen out of favor, saying he had stayed above the secrecy-shrouded world of factional party politics. She described her husband as a man of modest beginnings, the fifth of six children whose parents were schoolteachers. He rose through the ranks based on his own merit, she said, and always remained an idealist who longed to see the rule of law established in China. But Chinas beleaguered rights activists point out that as someone with a seat atop the countrys powerful public security apparatus, Meng has helped build the opaque system of largely unchecked power wielded by the ruling Communist Party to which hes now fallen victim. Once an issue becomes political, there is no law. This has happened even to Meng Hongwei himself, said Hu Jia, a Beijing-based rights activist who is frequently placed under house arrest for his critical comments. If his wife werent in France and speaking to the media, his case would have been locked in a black box. Earlier this year Chinese officials established the National Supervision Commission, a party-led anti-corruption agency empowered to detain suspects for up to six months and to operate independent of the Cabinet, courts and prosecutors. If Meng Hongwei werent an Interpol chief, people would have no idea what kind of a police empire China has become, said Hu, the activist. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants Pope Francis to visit the officially atheist country, South Korea said Tuesday. South Koreas presidential office said in a statement that Kim told President Moon Jae-in during their summit last month that the pope would be enthusiastically welcomed in North Korea. Kim has been intensely engaged in diplomacy in recent months in whats seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons program for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure. North Korea strictly controls the religious activities of its people, and a similar invitation for then-Pope John Paul II to visit after a 2000 inter-Korean summit never resulted in a meeting. The Vatican insisted at the time that a papal visit would be possible only if Catholic priests were accepted in North Korea. Advertisement Moon plans to convey Kims desire for a papal visit when he travels to the Vatican next week. Moon said on Monday that he expects Kim to visit Russia soon and possibly hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a press conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sept. 19. (Pyongyang Press Corps Pool) The Vatican did not comment on the possibility of a papal visit. But immediately after the news, the Vatican press office released a statement confirming that the pope would receive South Koreas president in an audience at the Vatican on Oct. 18. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the audience will come a day after the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, celebrates a Mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula in St. Peters Basilica, where Moon will participate. Francis visited South Korea in August 2014. On the plane ride back to Rome, he expressed hope that the divisions would be overcome, saying the two Koreas are brothers, they speak the same language. When you speak the same language it is because you have the same mother, and this gives us hope, the pope said. The suffering of the division is great, and I understand this and pray that it ends. North Koreas reported overture comes a few weeks after the Vatican signed a landmark deal with Communist China, North Koreas closest ally, over bishop nominations, aimed at ending decades of tensions that contributed to dividing the Chinese church and hampered efforts at improving relations between China and the Vatican. Following an unusually provocative run of weapons tests last year, Kim has been on a diplomatic offensive since the start of this year. He initiated offers for summits with Seoul and Washington, which led to three meetings with Moon and a highly choreographed June summit with President Trump at which they issued an aspirational goal of a nuclear-free peninsula, without describing how or when it would occur. Kim has presented himself as an international statesman, sharing food, wine and laughs with South Korean officials and appearing thoroughly at ease during his meeting with Trump in Singapore. But post-summit nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States got off to a rocky start, with the North accusing Washington of making gangster-like unilateral demands for denuclearization, and calling for sanctions to be lifted before any further progress in nuclear talks. There are doubts whether Kim is willing to fully relinquish his countrys nuclear weapons, which he may see as a stronger guarantee of survival than whatever security assurances the United States could provide. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Kim in Pyongyang, North Koreas capital, on Sunday for talks on setting up a second summit with Trump. The Vaticans priests were expelled by North Korea long ago and state-appointed laymen officiate services. Estimates of the number of North Korean Catholics range from 800 to about 3,000, compared with more than 5 million in South Korea. The Syrian government Tuesday announced an amnesty for army deserters and those who avoided military service, a gesture that could draw thousands of refugees who fled violence back to the country. Syrian President Bashar Assad issued the decree, granting a general amnesty from all punishment to deserters inside and outside the country, said the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency. The amnesty applies to those who turn themselves in within four months if they are in Syria or within six months if they are abroad, according to the decree. It does not include defectors who have fought against the government. Syrian men over 18 must serve in the army for two years unless they are university graduates, who are required to serve 18 months. Desertion and draft dodging carry stiff punishments, including years of imprisonment, extension of military service and fines. Advertisement Elie Samaan, an official with the Reconciliation Ministry, said the amnesty helps deserters and draft dodgers by canceling punishment, but that military service is still required. Soldiers who deserted or those who avoided conscription often send relatives to the ministry asking for a special clemency. Now theres no need for that, Samaan said in a phone interview Tuesday. Tens of thousands of security personnel deserted after war started in Syria in early 2011. Army and intelligence officers would post a declaration of defection on social media sites such as YouTube, often announcing they had joined the oppositions nascent insurgency under the banner of the Free Syrian Army or Islamist factions. As army casualties mounted and people fled the violence, the government intensified its recruitment drives: It placed billboards exhorting people to join the fight, created all-volunteer paramilitary groups as well as privately funded militias and set up road checkpoints to ensnare draft dodgers. It also kept troops fighting well beyond the two-year period. Fighting-age men in Syria, fearing that enlistment would be effectively a death sentence, would pay thousands of dollars to be smuggled out of the country or have their names expunged from recruitment lists. Many of those who couldnt afford to pay to leave the country would join paramilitary groups or live in hiding, and men living abroad often stayed away for fear of being caught. The edict comes as part of a larger effort by the Syrian government to bring back the 5.6 million registered refugees residing outside the country and reintegrate about 6.1 million internally displaced people. In recent months, the government has coordinated with neighboring Lebanon and Jordan to facilitate convoys of tens of thousands of returnees, while embassies have held conferences and events explaining procedures and reassuring potential returnees they would not be punished. Those who have fought as part of the rebels cadres viewed as terrorists by the government would fall under a different so-called reconciliation agreement that would grant them amnesty as long as they abandoned their arms and pledged not to fight the state again. As the government picked off one rebel enclave after another, hundreds of thousands of fighters, along with their families, refused the offer, fearing punishment as well as forced conscription. Samaan said militants would be included in the amnesty once they reconciled with the government. Russia, a key ally of the Syrian government, said it supported the move to draw people back to the country. Touching on the issue of pardoning deserters, probably, this is a step toward national reconciliation, toward creating conditions which would suit those refugees who want to come back to Syria and internally displaced persons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday, according to Tass news agency. We actively encourage this determination of the Syrian leadership. The amnesty demonstrates Assads growing confidence that the fighting is drawing to a close with him as the victor. Before [this year] it was a vicious war, so many people were afraid to join the army. Now the war is practically at its end, which means enlisting is no longer such a fearful situation, Samaan said. We expect well have very large numbers taking advantage of the amnesty. Twitter: @nabihbulos Turkey said Tuesday it will search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a missing Saudi contributor to the Washington Post, a week after he vanished during a visit there. The announcement came as the Post published a surveillance image of Jamal Khashoggi walking into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, just before he disappeared. Turkish officials have said they fear the columnist was killed inside the premises. Saudi Arabia has called the allegations that it killed 59-year-old Khashoggi baseless but has offered no evidence over the last seven days to show that he ever left the building. Tuesdays statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministrys spokesman, Hami Aksoy, said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were open to cooperation and would allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry did not say when the premises would be searched. Advertisement Officials in Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The surveillance image released by the Post bore a date and time stamp, as well as a Turkish caption bearing Khashoggis name and that he was arriving to the consulate. The Post said a person close to the investigation shared the image with them, without elaborating. The door Khashoggi walked in through appeared to be the main entrance of the consulate in Istanbuls 4th Levent neighborhood, a leafy, upscale district near the citys financial hub thats home to several other consulates. However, the consulate has other entrances and exits as well, through which Saudi officials insist he left. A view of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Oct. 7. (DHA / Abaca Press) Its unclear which camera the image came from, nor who operated it. However, a number of closed-circuit surveillance cameras surround the area. Friends of Khashoggi say Turkish police have taken possession of video from the neighborhood as part of their investigation. The Saudis have offered no surveillance video or evidence to corroborate their claims, nor have Turkish authorities offered proof to show why they believe the columnists was killed there. If the story that was told about the murder is true, the Turks must have information and videotape and other documents to back it up, Fred Hiatt, the Posts editorial page editor, told the Associated Press. If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out ... after half an hour, if thats true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that up. Hiatt added that the idea of a government luring one of its own citizens onto its own diplomatic property in a foreign country to murder him for the peaceful expression of his views would be unimaginable. Khashoggi had gone to the consulate in Istanbul for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancee. He had been living since last year in the United States, in a self-imposed exile, in part due to the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman. As a contributor to the Post, Khashoggi has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticizing its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. All those issues have been viewed as being pushed by Prince Mohammed, who similarly has led roundups of activists, businessmen and others in the kingdom. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Khashoggi left the consulate. Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is [the duty] of the consulate officials, Erdogan said during a visit to Hungary. Dont you have cameras and other things? Why dont you prove it, you have to prove it. Turkey summoned the Saudi ambassador on Sunday to request the kingdoms full cooperation in the investigation, a Foreign Ministry official said. Turkeys private NTV television outlet said Ankara asked for permission for its investigators to search the consulate building, but a Foreign Ministry official would not confirm the report. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters about the subject. Ties between Ankara and Riyadh are at a low point over Turkeys support for Qatar in its yearlong dispute with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Turkey sent food to Qatar and deployed troops at its military base there. A Sunni power, Saudi Arabia is also annoyed by Ankaras rapprochement with the kingdoms Shiite archrival, Iran. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia faced increased scrutiny over Khashoggis disappearance from officials in the United States, the kingdoms longtime ally. Even President Trump, who took his first overseas trip as U.S. president to the kingdom and whose son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has close ties to Prince Mohammed, said he had concerns. I dont like hearing about it. And hopefully that will sort itself out, Trump said. Right now, nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it. 'We stress that we hold the highest esteem for the actress Drew Barrymore and we are aware of how successful she is and how many admirers she has around the world,' the agency said in a statement Al-Ahram Advertising agency issued a statement on Monday aiming to clarify the circumstances around the recent controversy triggered by the publishing of an interview with Hollywood star Drew Barrymore in the October isssue of Horus, the in-flight magazine of Egypts national carrier EgyptAir. Al-Ahram Advertising Agency said in the statement that as the party which is responsible for editing, printing and publicity for Horus it wanted to present the facts regarding the rumours that the interview did not take place and that it was fabricated. The interview was a shorter version of an original interview with the actresss conducted by well-known Egyptian journalist Aida Takla, and first published in August in Nisf Al-Dunya, an Arabic language womens weekly published by Al-Ahram Establishment. The Horus version of the interview, which was in English, went viral last week after a traveller tweeted pictures of some of the quotes, and social media users commented on the way the piece had quoted and described the American actress. In the statement, which was signed by Horuss editor in chief Amal Fawzy and Al-Ahram Advertising Agencys general director Hassan Abdel-Monsef, the agency said that the interview was was submitted to us by Dr. Aida Takla, our correspondent in Hollywood who is a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the elected president of the HFPA four times in the past, and a voting member for the Golden Globe Awards. The statement then explained that Takla has affirmed, on her personal Twitter account, that she corresponds for both Horus magazine and Nisf Al-Dunya magazine and that she conducted the interview during a meeting between HFPA members and the actress Drew Barrymore. HFPA has confirmed this in the statement it released which affirms that the members of HFPA met with the star several times, the statement said. Following the controversy after the publication of the Horus version of the interview, representatives for Barrymore informed Takla by phone that the actress had not conducted an interview with Horus, the statement read, without realising that HFPA member Takla corresponds for Horus magazine, along with other publications. The agency said that since Arabic is the primary language for reporting to Horus, all interviews conducted in foreign languages and submitted to the magazine are translated into Arabic first. This is also necessary because our organisation is an Egyptian institution, as is the national carrier [EgyptAir], the statement read. The agency then accounted for the difference in the number of words between the Nusf Al-Dunya version and the Horus version. The agency said that since interviews submitted by Takla are usually done at length, so for purposes of convenience, the translator, who is responsible for writing the Arabic version of the text, shortens the piece in accordance with space available for it in the magazine. The agency then responded to accusations that the interviewer had formulated a lead to the interview that some found disrespectful and insulting to Barrymore. With regard to the questions surrounding the lead, this was not written by the author of the interview, the statement explained. It is a common practice that, in the event there is no lead from the author of an interview, the editor or translator in charge writes one in a manner that he believes will entice people into reading the article. As is generally accepted, the lead is not part of the text of the article. It is a product of the editors creativity produced on the condition that it contains no information that is contrary to the truth. To clarify to readers not familiar with methods of correspondence between intra-governmental agencies in Egypt, the statement said that Arabic is the language of communication between Egyptian government agencies and the Arabic text is shown to EgyptAir solely to ensure that the published material does not conflict with the companys current regulations. The text of the magazine is then translated into English by another translator who engaged with us to ensure that the translated version conforms to the Arabic text. The translator is responsible solely for the accuracy of the translation to English. We are about to investigate this by checking thoroughly the source material that the translator depended on to write the interview. We stress that we hold the highest esteem for the actress Drew Barrymore and we are aware of how successful she is and how many admirers she has around the world. We apologise for any misunderstanding that might be interpreted as an offence to the great artist. Takla explained in a tweet last week that we interviewed [Barrymore] several times, I saw her grow up before my eyes she is charming and talented." On Monday, EgyptAir issued a brief statement, saying that as most international and regional airlines deal with advertising agencies for their inflight publications, EgyptAir has signed an agreement with Al-Ahram Advertising Agency - one of the editing, publishing & advertising agencies in Egypt to edit and publish various news, articles, ads, interviews and stories in its in-flight magazine Horus. Barrymore, 43, is an accomplished American actress, producer, director, author, model and entrepreneur. She first achieved fame as a child actress with her role in the classic film ET (1982). During her career she has won a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and been nominated for a BAFTA. ---------- Full Text of Statement of Ahram Advertising Agency In reference to the circumstances surrounding the publication of the article on the actress Drew Barrymore and the rumors that the interview did not take place and that it was fabricated, we, the Ahram Advertising Agency, which is responsible for editing, printing and publicity, present the following facts: First, the interview was submitted to us by Dr. Aida Takla, our correspondent in Hollywood who is a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) ), the elected president of the HFPA four times in the past, and a voting member for the Golden Globe Awards. She has affirmed, on her personal Twitter account, that she corresponds for both Horus magazine and Nisf al-Dunya magazine and that she conducted the interview during a meeting between HFPA members and the actress Drew Barrymore. HFPA has confirmed this in the statement it released which affirms that the members of HFPA met with the star several times. Secondly, in a telephone communication with Dr. Aida Takla, the representative for Drew Barrymore, mentioned that: Drew Barrymore did not have an interview with EGYPTAIR magazine Horus, not knowing that HFPA member Dr. Aida Takla corresponds with Horus magazine, along with other publications. Thirdly, generally, interviews submitted by Dr. Aida contain a large number of pages and words. For purposes of convenience, the translator who is responsible for writing the Arabic version of the text shortens the piece in accordance with the space available for it in the magazine in which it is to be published. Fourthly, with regard to the questions surrounding the lead, this was not written by the author of the interview. It is a common practice that, in the event there is no lead from the author of an interview, the editor or translator in charge writes one in a manner that he believes will entice people into reading to the article. As is generally accepted, the lead is not part of the text of the article. It is a product of the editors creativity produced on the condition that it contains no information that is contrary to the truth. We are about to investigate this by checking thoroughly the source-material that the translator depended on to write the interview. Fifthly, Arabic is the primary language for reporting. As some interviews from correspondents are submitted in foreign languages, such as French and German, as well as English, all material submitted to the magazine is translated into Arabic first. This is also necessary because our organization is an Egyptian institution, as is the case with the national carrier. Arabic is the language of communication between Egyptian government agencies and the Arabic text is shown to EGYPTAIR solely to ensure that the published material does not conflict with the companys current regulations. The text of the magazine is then translated into English by another translator who engaged with us to ensure that the translated version conforms to the Arabic text. The translator is responsible solely for the accuracy of the translation to English. Finally, we stress that we hold the highest esteem for the actress Drew Barrymore and we are aware of how successful she is and how many admirers she has around the world. We apologize for any misunderstanding that might be interpreted as an offence to the great artist. Sincerely, Amal Fawzy, Editor-in-Chief, Horus; Hassan Abdel Monsef General Director, Ahram Advertising Agency Cairo. Search Keywords: Short link: The sleepless nights show in the dark circles under Hatice Cengizs eyes as she recounts the last moments she saw her fiance before he disappeared into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to finalize papers for their wedding. She is accompanied by two plainclothes Turkish police officers for protection. She is scared. I no longer feel like I am really alive, she said. I cant sleep, I dont eat. It has been nearly a week since Cengiz, 36, last saw the man she planned to marry, Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and critic of the Saudi government. She is the only witness to his disappearance inside. She said shed wait for him near the front entrance. Fine, my darling, he said, before turning his back and heading into the squat yellow structure, which lacks the grandeur of many of the kingdoms diplomatic buildings. Advertisement Khashoggi, 59, has not been heard from since. Turkish officials have said they believe that he was killed inside in a planned murder. A team of 15 Saudis arrived on two planes to carry out the killing, officials have said. Cengiz has not been told whether Khashoggi is alive or dead. On Monday, she was interviewed for the second time by police. They took some of his clothes and other personal items for DNA samples, she said. Saudi officials insist that Khashoggi left the consulate alive, through a back entrance. Officials at the consulate declined interview requests. If his death is confirmed, it would represent a new level of audacity in Saudi Arabias clampdown on dissent under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While painting himself as a reformer, he has shown himself to be ruthless in confronting any challenge to his power, jailing activists and dissenters. Once close to the Saudi establishment, Khashoggi had in the last year become one of its most high-profile critics, living in Virginia in self-imposed exile and contributing to the Washington Posts Global Opinions section. Key to the Turkish investigation could be surveillance video from the streets adjacent to the consulate. At least six closed-circuit cameras are positioned at the front entrance of the consulate next to its barbed-wire-topped walls. Some of them are maintained by Turkish police. When Cengiz was first interviewed by the police, on the day Khashoggi disappeared, she was presented with a still from one of the cameras showing him walking in. Is this him? they asked her. She confirmed that it was, in the dark jacket that he had been wearing. At least four cameras keep watch on the car garage and the back entrance. Three more are pointed at the road next to the back entrance, mounted at a primary school across the way. The video has been retrieved by Turkish intelligence, according to ISS, which handles security at the site. Cengiz said she skipped her classes at the university where she is studying for a doctorate, to accompany Khashoggi to the consulate at about 1 p.m. last Tuesday. They spent the taxi ride there discussing their future. Cengizs father had consented to the marriage last month when Khashoggi went to ask for her hand. Turan Kislakci, a friend of Khashoggis who went along to translate, said her father had initially been skeptical because of the age gap. Khashoggi had bought an apartment for them in Istanbul that they had just furnished. She recounted their love story, as she had for the police earlier in the day. The pair met at a conference in May. Cengiz has an interest in the Persian Gulf states, and she said shed admired his work before they met. He was a speaker at the conference, and she asked him a question. Afterward, she asked if they could talk in more depth. They sat in a corner and chatted. They stayed in touch, then met when he visited Istanbul. The connection got stronger and stronger, she said. Since Khashoggis disappearance, some pro-Saudi accounts online have questioned whether Cengiz is part of a plot to discredit the kingdom. As a response, she scrolls through selfies of the two of them in the summer, smiling and pressed close. I really exist, and he is my fiance, she said. Khashoggi was relatively at ease as they approached the Saudi Consulate, she recalled. He had been concerned before their first visit to the mission a week earlier. He said at some point, Maybe its better if I dont go, she said. He was worried that something might happen. But he changed his mind. Kislakci, who is head of the Turkish-Arab Media Assn., said he had sought assurances about Khashoggis safety from people he knew who were close to Mohammed, as did another friend in London, who declined to be named. Khashoggi was determined to get married, Cengiz and friends said. To wed a Turkish national in Turkey, he needed a document that proved that he was divorced. He had been treated well when he had first visited the consulate and was told to return in a week. It was around 4 p.m. when Cengiz started to realize that something was really wrong. She checked the consulates closing time on the internet 3:30 p.m. Thats when I began to ask, Where did Jamal go? she said. She called a friend as she walked to the gate. My friend told me that I didnt sound normal when I called her, she said. I was out of my mind. She asked a guard: Where is Jamal? She called the consulate: Where is Jamal? I am waiting at the entrance, Jamal entered and didnt come out. A man came to the entrance. Theres no one inside, he said. Khashoggi had previously told her to call an advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan if anything happened to him. She did. And she reported the disappearance to police. But solid information has been slow in coming from Turkish authorities. She is frustrated with the lack of information she has received. As his fiancee, as someone close to Jamal and in love with Jamal, I am waiting for information from my government about what has happened to him, she said. Where is Jamal? Ultimately though, she said, it is up to the Saudis to back up their story. It is the responsibility of Saudi Arabia to explain and prove how Jamal exited and from where and when, she said. Until she has proof otherwise, Cengiz continues to believe he may be alive. She scrolls back to her last text message from him. The house is beautiful, like its owner, he wrote of their apartment. I am not giving up hope, she said. I hope we will soon learn what happened to him, and I still have hope that he is alive. But I need to know, where is Jamal? I have to know what has happened to him. Motoring Oct 12, 2018 | By LUXUO In a joint statement issued today by Andy Treadwell, CEO of Verventia Pte Ltd, owners of the Thailand Yacht Show, Gael and Olivier Burlot, owners of Asia RendezVous, and Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina, it was announced that the three parties have agreed to collaborate in producing one combined boat show in Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) next January 10th-13th. Event Organisers Unite to show Support for Yachting Industry and Government The move was precipitated by a request earlier in the year from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to gather the industry together in one major event in Thailand so as to demonstrate united support for the governments yacht tourism initiative. At the same time, since the announcement in August of a new Phuket Yacht Show, the yachting industry voiced their strong opinion that there should only be one boat show and requested just such a get together. The three organisers were able to come to an agreement in principle last week to merge the Phuket Yacht Show team into the already-announced Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous. Andy Treadwell explained: Its obvious that we had to make this agreement, and great that weve been able to do so in a relatively short space of time entirely thanks to the industry coming together and getting everyone to agree. The TAT, our partners and main sponsor of the Thailand Yacht show, also asked us earlier in the year to get everyone working together instead of competing and dividing the industry. Were all now looking forward to getting on with the job, and building this event over the next few years into a proper international marketing platform for the yachting industry and for Thailand as a world-class yacht tourism destination. Gael Burlot added: We are very pleased to have everyone on board and a clear plan to develop the show after a successful 2018 edition. A key highlight to kick-off the Thailand Yacht Show and RendezVous on 9th January will be the Christofle Yacht Style Awards 2019 after a memorable first edition this year. The luxury industries are starting to prosper again in this region, and with the right collaborative promotion in the right strategic places like Thailand, the yachting industry should start to see significant growth in this beautiful part of the world, where there is so much opportunity. Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina, said I am delighted to be welcoming the combined teams to work together to produce the best boat show ever in Phuket at RPM in January. The industry and the government can rest assured that I personally and all my staff will be doing our best to make sure that this show achieves our common objective to help make Phuket and Thailand the central marina hub for the whole of Asia. The Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous will take place from 10th 13th January 2019, at the Royal Phuket Marina in Phuket. For all enquiries and reservations, please contact info@asia-rendezvous.com Egypts interior ministry said "it has killed ten terrorist elements in a shoot-out during a pre-emptive raid against terrorism Al-Arish in North Sinai." In an official statement released on Tuesday, the ministry said the terrorists were killed after security forces attempted to raid a deserted farm used as a shelter, leading to a shoot-out between both sides. According to the statement, the intelligence gathered before the raid, which was provided by the ministrys national security sector, showed that suspects were planning hostile actions. Those killed were found to be in possession of three machine guns, two birdshot guns, and two explosive devices, as well as a large amount of ammunition. Search Keywords: Short link: Construction Companies to Watch For in 2019 Build, build, build. The construction industry can help drive the economy of a certain nation, a collective of countries, and the world for that matter. The construction sector is important because it generates jobs that spill over to other aspects such as spending, according to Dr. Sitsabo Dlamini in his graduate paper for the University of Reading. In Europe alone, the industry accounts for 9% of the whole regions economy and generates 18 million jobs according to the European Commission (EC). It works both ways; the construction sector is also driven by a good economy. More are likely to invest in retail and commercial construction because of the higher demand brought by higher wages. When looking at sprawling or sky-high structures, do you ever wonder who is the construction firm behind it? It is interesting to know contractors with the most impressive, if not the most extensive, portfolio. Something to watch out for in 2019 as some of the construction projects are delivered by that time. Asia and the Worlds Biggest Contractor A 2017 Constructional Global report named China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd as the biggest contractor in the world. What makes this private firm global: $160 billion in revenues, 270,000 employees, and countless projects from Algiers to New York to date. The company is involved in the construction, design, development, and improvement of a host of projects: shopping centres, hotels, buildings, apartments, bridges and religious places of worship like mosques. It also plans to invest in education and healthcare facilities as it expands its business. CSCEC has received numerous rewards for its contracting work, taking pride in its top construction methods and precision work for all projects done. Dynatect Manufacturing has been making machine and automation tools for the industry 70 years and counting. Europes Real Estate Magnate Paris-based Unibail-Rodamco has been hailed as the largest real estate developer in Europe, according to a separate 2017 list from Constructional Global. Its numbers are astounding: $2.34 billion in net sales, $51.92 billion in asset portfolio, and $2.75 billion in the bottom line (income net of taxes, put simply). In Continental Europe alone, its real estate portfolio includes 60+ shopping centres, 13 office buildings, and 10 convention centres. Where there is a dynamic city, you can expect Unibail-Rodamco to own and operate the citys prime retail assets. Unibail-Rodamco acquired Westfield Corporation in 2017. When the takeover was completed in 2018, the company came to be known as Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. Australia and Asia-Pacifics Top Contracting Company Looking at CPB Contractors Ptys projects, its easy to see why its ranked as the no. 1 contractor in Australia. Its projects span roads, buildings, defence facilities, hospitals, and healthcare centres. One recent addition to its portfolio is the Metro Tunnel project from the Victorian Government. CPB Contractors was awarded $400 million for the project. Notably, the company is the construction arm of CIMIC that is part of the Rail Infrastructure Alliance that was awarded $1 billion for the related construction project. CPB Contractors has 20,000+ employees in its native Australia and the Asia-Pacific. United States Top Contractor San Francisco-based Bechtel ranked as the no. 1 contractor on the top 400 list compiled by ENR (Engineering News-Record) for 2017. In its 120 years of existence, Bechtel takes pride in its 25,000 projects that took it to 160 countries around the world. These projects are far reaching, including but not limited to: The GBP480 million contract for the London City Airport; an Energy Facility in Carroll County, Ohio that will power 740,000 homes; a 100-km rail that is named Elizabeth Line in England; $1 billion NSC Chernobyl Shelter and Confinement in Ukraine that will seal off the radioactive material; Sydney Metro that is tagged as the the biggest public transportation project in Australia. With numerous projects under its belt with a delivery timeline between here and the next year or so, its no wonder why Bechtel is everywhere. Based on the foregoing, it can be seen that governments, local and national/federal, also lend a hand in construction booms. Their routine and sometimes hiked capital spending can lead to new or improved airports, road networks, motorways, rails, and other public infrastructure projects that benefit their respective constituents through job creation and better services. By Dylan M. 2018 Copyright Dylan M. - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Once again, this autumn, Marxist students have been hitting campuses up and down Britain, signing up eager students to university Marxist societies. This year has been the most successful yet for the Marxist Student Federation (British youth organisation of the IMT), with thousands signing up to join societies across 33 campuses, and hundreds attending meetings all over the country. Scotland The term kicked off with the Edinburgh and Glasgow university freshers fairs. A successful meeting on What is Marxism? in Edinburgh was followed by a 50-strong meeting on the same topic in Glasgow. Glasgow After their meeting, the attendees at the Glasgow Marxists meeting went on a Red Clydeside pub crawl, on which they took the Glasgow subway to various spots of revolutionary significance around the city. These include the location of the 1915 rent strike and the site of the 1919 Battle of George Square, during which British tanks were used against striking Glasgow workers. Edinburgh Members of both the Glasgow and Edinburgh Marxist societies marched alongside tens of thousands of others in Edinburgh last weekend for the biggest ever demonstration for Scottish independence. North In the North, the Manchester Marxist society, which this year has dual registration at both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, had a first meeting of 30 students. An excellent freshers fair in Hull, and a superb first meeting in Sheffield was accompanied by 50 people at the first meeting of the Leeds Marxists to tackle The Myths about Marxism, which dealt with questions of human nature, economic determinism, and the feasibility of revolution in Britain. Sheffield In Liverpool, the chair of the Universitys UCU branch spoke at the Marxist societys first meeting about the ongoing strike ballot amongst university staff. The Liverpool Marxists also participated in the Labour Party Conference by building support for the Labour4Clause4 campaign amongst delegates. Liverpool This year, the Durham Marxist society has been officially re-registered as a society and signed up almost 100 new people. The Newcastle Marxists meanwhile had 30 at their first meeting and are excited about setting up a Marxist society at Northumbria University this year. South On the south coast, a new Marxist society is being registered at Portsmouth University, after a successful freshers fair. And in Sussex and Southampton, which had 40 new people between them at their first meetings, the Marxist societies are looking to make big steps forward this year. In the last week alone, the Southampton Marxists have held a meeting on What would socialism look like?, a reading group, and a film screening of Leon Trotsky: Life of a Revolutionary. Sussex Meanwhile, the Kent Marxists signed up 120 new people to the society this year, have held a very successful first meeting and established a Communist Manifesto reading group. Midlands New Marxist societies have been set up in Nottingham and Birmingham this year. Elsewhere in the Midlands, the Leicester and De Montfort Marxist societies signed up almost 130 new students between them. The first meeting of the Warwick Marxists attracted 25 new people to discuss revolutionary ideas. And the Oxford Marxists signed up an astonishing 300 new people to the Marxist society this year! Nottingham At the end of September, Birmingham was the site of the Tory party conference. Marxist students from Sheffield, Leicester, Warwick and Manchester joined the trade unionists and other activists in descending on Birmingham and joining the demonstration to oppose the Tories. Oxford West In the West, a new Marxist society has been set up in Bath, to which over 50 people signed up in just one day, and who will be holding their second event of term this week: a reading group on The Communist Manifesto. Cardiff Meanwhile, in Wales, the freshers fairs in Swansea and Cardiff signed up almost 100 new students and have set the Marxist societies up for what will be the best year yet for Marxism in Wales. East In the East of the country, the Marxists at the University of East Anglia have kicked off the year as the largest and most dynamic political society on the entire campus. And with 200 new people signed up to the Cambridge Marxists, the forces of revolutionary socialism in this part of the country are going from strength to strength. Cambridge London In London, Marxist students were at the Westminster freshers fair and are setting up new Marxist societies at Brunel University and Imperial College. Already there is a newly registered Marxist society at Goldsmiths. This expansion is on top of the Marxist societies that have had a great start to the year at UCL, KCL, LSE, Queen Mary, and SOAS. Altogether, just over 700 students in London have signed up to Marxist societies this year. King's College London All the London Marxist societies, as well as the Sussex Marxist society, joined the hospitality workers from McDonalds, Wetherspoons, and TGI Fridays on strike on 4 October. We were on the picket lines and at the rallies in Leicester Square and in Brighton to participate in this exciting new development for trade unionism in Britain and to offer our solidarity to the workers risking victimisation and intimidation from management for exercising their right to organise. Queen Mary, London A couple of days later, this was followed by a highly enjoyable Marx Walk around London, touring the places that Marx lived, worked, and socialised for the 34 years of his life he spent in the city, including where he wrote Capital, and where the Communist League commissioned Marx and Engels to write The Communist Manifesto. The 40 people who came along had a great time and were thoroughly inspired to continue the work of Karl Marx today, despite the pouring rain! Join the revolution Overall, thousands of students have signed up to Marxist societies across 33 campuses this September, and hundreds of new people have attended meetings to discuss revolutionary ideas. Well be holding meetings, running reading groups, organising campaigns, and linking up with the labour movement nationally and internationally. The forces of Marxism have never been stronger. There has never been a better time to be a revolutionary. The best-selling author of books like "The Fault in Our Stars," opens up to 60 Minutes about exploring his fears through his writing While you may not have heard of the author John Green, be assured that the teenagers in your life have. He is Americas answer to J.K. Rowling, with his mega best-sellers spawning blockbuster movies. Green has become wildly popular thanks largely to his loyal teenage audience. Green is also the rare literary talent who doubles as a podcaster and a YouTube star. By Jon Wertheim https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-fault-in-our-stars-author-john-green-on-reaching-young-adults-and-dealing-with-mental-illness-60-minutes/ *** Meet Missoulas Hank Green, one of Americas most popular science teachers http://www.matr.net/article-67880.html VidCon, created by Missoula entrepreneur Hank Green, is sold to Viacom http://www.matr.net/article-81389.html Vlogbrothers Hank and John Green trade YouTube for live audience http://www.matr.net/article-79597.html Dear Members and Friends, Global Gauntlet was a global success, thanks to so many of you, and its a success that translates to a significant expansion of global education for youth across Montana! Please save the date for next years Global Gauntlet, Friday, October 18, 2019! Join us for a rousing, global good time. October meanwhile, is going to be a very busy month with some dynamic speakers and events, so please read on for a full listing of upcoming programs. Its also time for membership renewal so if yours is about to expire, we hope youll renew soon. Look for new special membership cards as well, currently being designed so youll always be able to know when to renew or when your membership expires! Also, on this months agenda, our program staff is traveling nearly 2000 miles round trip across the state to meet with schools, educators and students letting them know about MWACs Global Education Initiatives. Our goal is to meet these students and schools in person and help to make it possible for them to participate in our global education initiatives like Academic WorldQuest, in order to bring the world to Montana and Montana to the world in the most meaningful way. We look forward to sharing a post road trip summary. https://mailchi.mp/montanaworldaffairs/upcoming-october-events?e=cbcdc9b569 Upcoming Events: A fire broke out at the electricity ministry in Abbasiya district in Cairo on Tuesday, injuring at least eight people, health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said. The injured, who were transported to nearby hospitals, suffered from smoke inhalation, according to Megahed. Preliminary reports show that the fire broke out due to a short circuit, electricity ministry spokesman Ayman Hamza said. Eight firefighting engines put out the blaze. Roads around the busy district in central Cairo, where the ministry is located, were blocked for several hours. Search Keywords: Short link: Al-Ahram Establishment (the Distribution Department) participated in the 63rd Annual Distripress Congress held in Rome last week, which was organised by the Association for the Promotion of the Global Circulation of the Press. Al-Ahram was one of the first establishments that contributed to founding this association. Under the topic of Digital Journalism, this years congress was held over four days, with more than 500 delegations from 47 countries attending. They discussed practical ways of increasing newspaper and magazine circulation in the face of huge and threatening technological developments. Fabrizio Carotti, director of the Italian Federation of Newspaper Publishers (FIEG), inaugurated the congress by presenting a bird's eye view on the most important Italian newspapers. He stressed the importance of regaining confidence between readers and editors by offering authenticated news in order to boost circulation numbers. Carotti said there is a revolution in publishing, and that mobile phones contribute immensely to spreading news. He also called attention to the importance of identifying the target audience and points of convergence between the readers, publishers and distributors so as to present suitable services. Carine Nevejans, the Distripress president, said that the role of the association is not restricted to searching for local governments support regarding the future of the publishing industry, but rather shedding light on challenges that our members face for the sake of freedom in their homelands. Tracy Jones, the managing director of Distripress, said that the congress significance lies in the presence of several investors who are looking forward to investing in newspaper circulation. She added that this congress facilitates the discussion of sales and distribution as well as new ideas for distributing magazines. Jones also spoke about the history of Distripress as a non-profit trade association established in 1955 to support and promote the global circulation and distribution of press products (newspapers and magazines) in print and digital formats. She further explained that their members are publishers, printers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers, plus complementary product and service providers, all engaged in the end-to-end press supply chain. Jones also said that their global community has over 230 members in more than 60 countries and meets once a year at an annual congress event, and that Distripress is registered as an association in Zurich while their executive headquarters is in London. She stressed that their main objective is increasing the number of the association members as well as circulation rates. Mohamed Al-Salami, the Tunisian Press Company managing director, said that the third highest circulation rates in Tunisia are that of Egyptian newspapers after Tunisian and German newspapers. He indicated that the period following the Arab revolutions witnessed a sharp decrease in circulation rates due to the economic crisis. He called on newspapers to focus more on publishing analyses and explanations, not on reporting. Al-Salami added that the future will be that of specialised journalism, especially when it publishes reports that are similar to academic studies, such as issuing a special issue on the Pharaohs or on the Nile. He explained that the prices of these special issues are somewhat high but they have very high circulation rates. He said that the press in European countries is really the fourth estate, while the executive power in the Arab countries is still a little bit more controlling of the press. Nicolas Meire, the CEO of Ubiway, Belgium, Michael Bergmeijer, Reporters Without Borders board of directors member, and Tyler Brule, editor-in-chief of Monocle (a global affairs and lifestyle magazine, 24-hour radio station, website, retailer and media brand) gave lectures at the event. Jim Bilton, managing director of Wessenden Marketing, said that the Distripress 2018 report mentions that this year will determine the future of the press and that the rate of change in the publishing industry is accelerating while our industry is swinging within a period of trouble. He asserted that survival will be of the most intelligent publishers and distributors who are capable of innovation and development. Regarding the biggest challenges facing distributors in Egypt and the Arab World, Omar Abo-Saleh, Saudi Research and Marketing Group representative, identified the price increase of imported publications, especially the British and French ones, and also the price of shipping those publications. He added that this in turn raises distribution costs. On the sidelines of the congress, an exhibition was held where publishers and distributors displayed their products while investors presented ways of investment in the field of printing and publishing. Search Keywords: Short link: We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Tuesday ways to boost cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in a meeting in Cairo with the agencys director-general Adnan Amin, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. Amin and President El-Sisi discussed the latest developments concerning IRENA as well as a number of topics concerning renewable energies. El-Sisi also discussed the Egyptian governments plan to generate 20 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2022 and 42 percent by 2035. The Egyptian president expressed his appreciation for IRENAs role in spreading the culture of renewable energy worldwide as well as supporting efforts to achieve sustainability in energy through boosting regional and international cooperation to achieve the UN's sustainable development goals by 2030. Amin praised the latest achievements made by Egypt in the renewable energy sector. He also stressed the importance of coordination between IRENA and Egypt, especially in upgrading African countries in the field of renewable energy. Amin is currently visiting Egypt to take part in the Renewable energy week in Egypt event, which is organised by the Ministry of Electricity. The meeting was attended by Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker. Search Keywords: Short link: Jim Wenson When Local 58 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) decided to modernize its Corktown Detroit union hall four years ago, it pulled out all the stops to transform it into a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) facility. That's a term used to describe buildings where the sum total of energy used in a year is approximately equal to the amount of renewable energy produced on-site during the same time.IBEW Local 58 which represents more than 4,700 journeymen electricians in Southeast Michigan now operates the largest ZNE facility in the state. In fact, the union local even changed the name of their 33,000-square-foot building to reflect this. Its headquarters is now known as Zero Net Energy Center.Originally constructed in 1964, the retrofitted union hall features a 600-solar panel array and solar DC-to-AC power inverters, geothermal grid, environmentally-friendly heating and cooling system, more than 500 LED lights, energy efficient windows and doors, synthetic rubber roofing system, and structurally insulated panel and Vaproshield water resistance barrier systems for walls. There's also a virtual energy monitoring system that keeps lights off when people aren't around."We've paved the way by being the first commercial ZNE building of its kind in Michigan," says Onurkan Karabulut, a Local 58 journeyman inside wireman who's been working the trade for half a decade.Since the renovation, energy use has plummeted 76 percent, and the union expects its annual electric bill to drop by nearly $57,000.The dramatic transformation of the union hall has not gone unnoticed. On Sept. 5 this year, Gov. Rick Snyder recognized IBEW Local 58's work on the building with a Governor's Energy Excellence Award, given to them during a ceremony at Goei Center in Grand Rapids."Let's just say we may not always be on the same side as the sitting governor, but it felt great to win that award," says Jim Wenson, assistant business manager with IBEW Local 58.Wenson, the project manager for ZNE Center, has been with the effort since it kicked off in 2014. Originally, the local had just planned to replace an old boiler furnace, but Wenson's boss at the time, Mike Richard, had just returned from a conference in San Mateo, California, where he saw a Zero Net Energy facility and was eager to make it happen back in Detroit. So they brought aboard Green Team Coalition, an energy consulting and engineering firm based in Sterling Heights, to do an energy audit.Then, in September of 2016, things really got rolling.Local 58 spent several million dollars over 10 months doing an extensive rebuild of their headquarters. During that time, the IBEW staff was moved to temporary trailers in the parking lot."We used to have a glass wall that ran along the whole street of Porter," says Wenson. "We now have six inches of insulation with new energy efficient windows."Beyond that, Local 58 also bored 39 wells each a minimum of 340-feet-deep on their property and connected it to a heating and cooling system that runs throughout the building. A 20 percent propylene glycol solution runs through pipes deep in the ground and returns heated to warm the facility during the colder months.At the peak of construction, a crew of between 30 and 40 people put their sweat and muscle into the renovation effort, with IBEW electrical workers taking responsibility for installing the equipment. All the resources for the project were obtained from in-state businesses like Michigan Solar Solutions in Grand Rapids and Strategic Energy Solutions in Berkley.The Green Team Coalition conducted a feasibility study, developed a preliminary budget, assisted with bidding for outside architects and engineers, and helped out with project management and construction."It was pretty intense from an engineering standpoint, because it hadn't been done before on that scale in Michigan," says Diana Nash, president and founder of GTC. "It had been done in different climates like California, but not so much in the Midwest."They took a big risk and invested in their belief of their people and really walked the talk," she adds.While there have been unanticipated hurdles like the maintenance crew having to sweep off solar panels on snowy winter days the payoff has been significant.The facility generates about an average of 13.7 kilowatts an hour and the local's electric bills are only $1.67 a month, all fees and taxes. With all the savings it'll be generating, Wenson expects the money his union spent on the modification to be repaid in eight-to-10 years. And though it's been a lot of work and upgrades like the solar storage batteries the union is looking into are ongoing Local 58 expects to officially achieve Zero Net Energy this coming February.Wenson is proud of what his fellow union brothers and sisters have done with ZNE Center. And beyond that he sees the facility as a showcase for what can be done today with renewable energy and energy efficiency."You just need the right people and the will to do it," he says.Photos courtesy of IBEW Local 58. Egypt's security forces raided the home of two antiquities traffickers in Beni Suef governorate where a large collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts was found, the Ministry of Interior said on Tuesday. The suspects, who are brothers, are currently on the run. Among the findings were several sarcophagi, small gold statues, busts as well as several ushabti statues from ancient Egypt. Police also found 5,450 coins from the Greco-Roman era. The Beni Suef prosecution is currently investigating the case and security forces are searching for the two suspects. Search Keywords: Short link: SKIPPACK TOWNSHIP .One step at a time. It's a sobering experience to walk into a prison, and of course you dont walk in. It takes many doors, many metal detectors, and a lot of bulletproof glass. Its a very sobering, sobering experience, said U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th Dist. Dean went to the State Correctional Institution Phoenix in the Montgomery... Veterans Day program at Pennridge North Middle School thanks those who served By By: Dr. Francis R. Souder, 85, formerly of Telford, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 in the skilled nursing unit of Peter Becker Community, Franconia Township. He and his wife Marion R. (Parker) Souder celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in July. Born in Souderton, he was a son of the late Elvin B. and Mary (Rittenhouse) Souder. A 1938 graduate of Souderton High School, he received his undergraduate degree in 1941 from the University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Souder went on to receive his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in 1944 and completed his internship at Hahnemann Hospital from Oct. 1944 July, 1945. He served with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps for 30 months in San Diego and Long Beach, Calif. during WW II and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant prior to his discharge. He entered his second tour of duty during the Korean War where he served in Panama City, Fla. as the medical officer for the Panama City Naval Air Station and the Tyndal Air Force Base. Dr. Souder owned and operated his family practice on Main Street in Telford from 1947-1989. He served on the staff of Grand View Hospital, and as its president, and taught at the Grand View Hospital Nursing School. He was a member of the Pa. Medical Society, the Bucks County Medical Society, Diplomat American Academy of Family Practices, and served on the board of trustees at Grand View Hospital, Sellersville. He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Telford, where he sang in the church choir. He was also a member of the MacCalla Lodge #596 in Souderton, the Raja Shrine, and Lehigh Consistory. In addition to his widow, he is survived by a son, Dr. Ronald L. Souder, and his wife Susan L. of Green Lane; a daughter, Susan J. Souder, and her husband Stephan Russo of New York, N.Y.; five grandchildren: Jennifer A. Souder of Philadelphia; Emily E. Souder of Philadelphia; Kathryn A. Souder of Washington, D.C.; Noah Russo of New York, N.Y., and Rebekah Russo of New York, N.Y., and two brothers: Attorney Elvin B. Souder of Souderton and Dr. Lawrence Souder of Souderton. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. in Trinity United Church of Christ, 101 S. Main St., Telford, with calling hours following the service. Interment will be private in Trinity UCC Cemetery Telford. Memorial contributions may be made to Grand View Hospital, 700 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, Pa. 18960. Arrangements are by Sadler-Suess Funeral Home, Telford. Letter to editor: Congress can get this right Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will visit Crete, Greece on Wednesday to participate in the sixth round of the tripartite summit of the leaders of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, the Egyptian presidency announced. The summit aims to build upon what has been achieved in the past five summits as well as evaluate cooperation between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus in different fields. The summit also will discuss boosting political talks and consultations between the three countries on facing common threats in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. The visit will also include a meeting between President El-Sisi and Greek PM Alexis Tsipras to discuss bilateral relations. President El-Sisi will also meet with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to discuss boosting economic and commercial relations between the two countries. The tripartite summit was first held in Cairo in 2014. Search Keywords: Short link: October 09, 2018 Syria Sitrep - The Turkish-Russian Agreement Holds - S-300 Air Defense Arrives The situation in Syria is relatively calm. The government (red) has consolidated the areas it retook during the year. The Syrian army received new air defense (see below) and other materials and is busy integrating it. Some Syrian army units are currently moving east to Al Bukamal on the border with Iraq. Others have been sent to their home bases. The only place where the Syrian army is still actively engaged is in the southern desert near As-Suwayda where some 1-2,000 ISIS fighters (grey) hold on to a small enclave in the mid of a large area of volcanic rock. The terrain is difficult to cross with tanks and the infantry fight there is bloody. The Turkish Russian agreement over a demilitarized zone in the 'rebel' controlled Idleb government seems to hold. The 'rebels' controlled by Turkey have moved their heavy equipment (tanks and artillery) out of the demilitarized area (ocher). The jihadi factions, Tahrir al Sham and the Turkmens around Jisr al Shugur, are not following the agreement. The Syrian Observatory reports that they dug ditches to hide their weapons in place. It is Turkey's responsibility to remove them. The assassination campaign in Idleb governorate continues with now more than 380 casualties. Some mid-level commander of this or that group gets killed each day. It is not know who - ISIS sleeper cells, the Turkish MIT or Russian spetsnaz - is behind the campaign. A similar troubled area is the Kurdish canton Afrin in the northwest which Turkish troops and associated 'rebel' gangs occupied. There is an immense amount of looting going on and the various groups fight each other. In the eastern Deir Ezzor governorate the U.S. military and its Kurdish proxy force (yellow) is still fighting against entrenched ISIS forces (grey). Those forces had been left alone for nearly a year and used the time to dig in. The attackers take casualties from IED's and ISIS sleeper cells. U.S. and British forces bomb the area several times per day and French and U.S. artillery is adding to the carnage. Still, the progress seems to be extremely slow. There are unconfirmed reports that U.S. marines came in to reinforce the unwilling Kurdish proxy force. Some of the ISIS fighters crossed the Euphrates to attack government controlled (red) areas but were defeated. While the overview map shows triangle south of Deir Ezzor city as ISIS held (grey) there have been no reports of any recent activities in that desert area. The U.S. controlled al-Tanf zone in the south east (marked green) is relatively quiet. The U.S. soldiers there still train some local goons but there is no reasonable future for that position. The ten thousands of family members of 'rebel' and ISIS fighters in the nearby Rukban refugee camp on the border to Jordan are desperate. Jordan does not allow any supply for them. Food is smuggled in from government controlled areas but the people ran out of money and can not pay for it: When the US cut funding for FSA-affiliated factions operating in the eastern Badia desert last year, hundreds of fighters lost their primary source of income, which had often been used to support family members living in Rukban, Ahmad al-Abdo Brigade spokesperson Seif says. There have been negotiations with the Syrian government to move some 'rebels' and their families from Rukban to the north into the Turkish controlled zone but several announcements of such a move passed without any transfer happening. Russia donated three battalion sets of S-300PM air defense systems to Syria. Each battalion headquarter has an acquisition radar and a command post. There are two companies (batteries) to a battalion. Typically each company has a fire direction radar and a fire control vehicle. There are four missile launchers in a company with four missile canisters each. Two additional vehicles carry spare ammunition and have cranes to reload the launchers. Each battalion will receive 100 missiles, enough to fight off several waves of attacks. The spares can be transported on normal truck trailers. The system is very flexible. Additional launchers can be added to a company and radar information can be shared. The systems are relatively modern and still widely used within Russia's own air defense. The systems Syria received are used ones from Russian battalions which recently upgraded to the new S-400 systems. They were refurbished before being delivered to Syria. The S-300PM systems are mounted on wheel based vehicles. They arrived by air transport (vid) from Russia. To protect the long-range S-300 air defenses each company will likely be accompanied by a Pantsyr-S1 short range air defense systems. In addition to the air defense systems Syria also received Karsukha-4 electronic warfare systems which allow to detect and jam enemy radio traffic and radar. One of the battalions will likely stay in Latakia governorate and reinforce the Russian air defense already stationed there. Another battalion will protect Damascus. The third battalion is a bit of a wild card. It could either stay in west Syria near Homs to reinforce the other units or move east to Palmyra or even to Deir Ezzor to give the U.S. contingent there some thought. The newly positioned 96 ready-to-launch S-300 missiles will make it difficult for Israel to continue its attacks on Syria. Israel would love to to do so but the only way it might be able to continue its attacks is by flying its jets very low over Lebanon to be covered by the mountain range towards Syria. They would then have to 'pop-up' to fire their missiles into Syria but there is no guarantee that the firing jets would survive. Flying low over Lebanon also entails the risk of a surprise meeting with one of Hezbullah's short range air defense missiles. The Syrian president Bashar al Assad just issued a decree that grants amnesty to those who deserted the army or ran away from serving their conscription time. If the deserters and draft dodgers turn themselves in within the next six month to fulfill their service they will escape all punishment. The Gulf Arabs, except Qatar which is allied with Turkey, have given up on removing President Assad and are making nice: In one of the more surprising developments amid a flurry of diplomatic meetings surrounding the U.N. General Assembly, Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmad al-Khalifa was seen greeting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem with hugs and kisses at a pan-Arab meeting last week. Bahrain, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, has been a vocal critic of Assad and other regional allies of Iran, but the top diplomat said: "the Syrian government is the ruler in Syria and we work with countries even if we disagree with them." Days later, Assad conducted his first interview with an Arabian Peninsula newspaper since 2011, telling Kuwait's Al-Shahed that he had reached a "major understanding" with a number of Arab states and that "Western and Arab delegations have already begun to come to Syria to arrange their return, whether diplomatic, economic or industrial." This change in the Arab rulers sentiment might well influence the U.S. position in Syria. Posted by b on October 9, 2018 at 16:42 UTC | Permalink Comments Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. Turkish police detained 90 people on Tuesday over suspected links to outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels, the government said, and the main pro-Kurdish party decried the arrests as a politically motivated crackdown. The operation across eight provinces was continuing, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The arrests come days after President Tayyip Erdogan warned he would replace any mayors elected in next year's local elections if they were deemed to have links to terrorism. Erdogan accuses the main pro-Kurdish party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), of links to the PKK. The HDP denies this and says it is unjustly targeted by the government. More than 140 HDP members had been detained over several days, the party said on Sunday. Ninety-four of 102 municipalities in Kurdish-majority cities and towns are now administered by trustees, rather than their elected mayors. Authorities removed those mayors, elected in the last municipal elections in 2014, in the security crackdown that followed an attempted military coup in 2016. "Elections are nearing," Erdogan said at a meeting of his AK Party (AKP) over the weekend, referring to the March 2019 local vote. "If those involved with terror come out of the ballot box, we shall appoint trustees without delay." One prominent HDP lawmaker, Garo Paylan, said the arrests were politically motivated, and were part of the AKP's campaign strategy for the 2019 election. "The AK Party has started its local election campaign from Diyarbakir by detaining journalists, politicians and theologians," Paylan said on Twitter. Diyarbakir is the largest city in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The autonomy-seeking PKK, deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and Europe, has waged an insurgency against the state since 1984. Violence across the southeast escalated after the collapse of a ceasefire in 2015. Turkey has in recent months conducted regular strikes on PKK bases in northern Iraq, especially the insurgents' stronghold in the Qandil mountains, where Ankara has also threatened to carry out a ground offensive. Search Keywords: Short link: Saudi Arabian officials invited Turkish experts and related officials to visit its consulate in Istanbul, Turkey's state-owned news agency Anadolu said on Tuesday, following the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi a week ago. Turkey's Foreign Ministry said a search would be conducted there, while the United Nations human rights office urged both countries to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously told Bloomberg that Riyadh was "ready to welcome the Turkish government to go and search our premises", which is Saudi sovereign territory. Khashoggi entered the consulate last Tuesday and has not been heard of or seen since, his fiancee and friends say. Turkish officials told Reuters at the weekend they believed he had been killed inside the Saudi consulate. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the investigation was "continuing intensively", and that the Vienna Convention allowed for consulates to be searched by the authorities of the host country with the consent of the mission chief. "The consulate building will be searched in the framework of the investigation," Aksoy said in a written statement. There was no immediate comment on the report from the Saudi authorities. The United Nations human rights office voiced deep concern on Tuesday at the "apparent enforced disappearance" and possible murder of Khashoggi and urged the two countries to investigate. "We call for cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to make the findings public," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a Geneva news briefing. The two countries have such an obligation under both criminal law and international human rights law, she said. Khashoggi was previously a prominent newspaper editor in Saudi Arabia and an adviser to a former head of intelligence. His disappearance has sparked global concerns, particularly after Turkish sources said over the weekend that authorities believed he had been killed inside the consulate. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday asked Riyadh to prove its claim that Khashoggi had left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, while Washington urged Saudi Arabia to support an investigation into his disappearance. Search Keywords: Short link: Our data does not support claims ... Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday he hoped a new government would be formed after President Michel Aoun returns from a trip abroad, after all sides made concessions. In the more than five months since a parliamentary election in May, politicians have been unable to agree a unity government that can get to work on badly needed economic reforms. "There are concessions from all sides, including the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM)," Hariri told reporters. "We hope for the formation of a government after the return of the president from Yerevan, because the economic and social situation calls for speedy government formation," he said. Aoun is expected to return from Armenia on Friday. Rivalry between the two leading Christian parties - the FPM, allied to the Shia Islamist Hezbollah movement, and the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces (LF) is widely seen as the main obstacle to a deal. Hariri said on Thursday the government would be formed within a week to 10 days because the economy could not tolerate further delay, and called on all sides to make concessions. Search Keywords: Short link: International Kim invites Pope to visit N Korea Seoul, Oct 9 (IANS) | Publish Date: 10/9/2018 12:40:10 PM IST North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, the South Korean presidential office said on Tuesday. The invitation was revealed during a press briefing here about South Korean President Moon Jae-ins upcoming visit to Europe, which includes a trip to the Vatican on October 17 and 18. Chairman Kim (Jong-un) said he will ardently welcome the Pope if he visits Pyongyang, said presidential spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom, according to Yonhap news agency. Moon and Kim have met three times this year, with the last meeting taking place in September in Pyongyang. Moon will deliver this message from the Pyongyang leader when he meets the Pope, the spokesperson said, adding that the South Korean leader will also seek the Vaticans support for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. The Pope has in the past supported dialogue between the two Koreas and the historic summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump, which took place in Singapore on June 12. The Pontiff visited South Korea in August 2014. International Taliban attacks kill 15 Afghan policemen Kabul, Oct 9 (AP) | Publish Date: 10/9/2018 12:39:52 PM IST An Afghan official says a Taliban assault in northern Jawzjan province has killed 12 members of the security forces and wounded another 10. Gen. Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani, provincial police chief in Jawzjan, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the attack took place in Qush Typa district late on Monday. Jawzjani says the assault was a failed attempt to capture the district. He says 30 Taliban were killed and 19 wounded. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the insurgents are claiming responsibility for the attack. He, however, claimed a higher number of casualties among the Afghan police. The Taliban often exaggerate their claims. Also on Monday, the Taliban attacked a district in southern Ghazni province, killing three members of the security forces. Police Chief Farid Mashal says five were wounded. At least 40 lawmakers in Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party are willing to vote down her possible Brexit deal if it leaves the United Kingdom 'half in and half out' of the European Union, a senior rebel lawmaker said on Tuesday. "My estimate is that there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept a 'half in, half out' Chequers deal or indeed a backstop that leaves us in the internal market and the customs union," lawmaker Steve Baker told BBC radio. "Colleagues will not tolerate a half in, half out Brexit," said Baker, who served as a junior Brexit minister in May's government until he resigned in protest at her Brexit proposals. Search Keywords: Short link: By PTI MUMBAI: Cash-strapped Jet Airways Tuesday paid the balance amount of August salary to its senior management, pilots and engineers. The Naresh Goyal-promoted full service carrier was scheduled to clear the remaining 50 per cent of the August salary to these personnel on September 26 as part of a staggered-payment plan. Jet Airways, however, could pay only half of the amount on the scheduled date due to paucity of cash and deferred the payment of the remaining amount to October 9. "We have received the remaining 25 per cent of our salary on Tuesday and with this payment, the airline has cleared our August salary dues. But it has still to disburse the September salary," a Jet Airways pilot associated with the National Aviator's Guild (NAG) told PTI. Notably, the airline management had on October 5 assured its domestic pilots body, NAG, of disbursing the remaining amount of August salary by Tuesday. The airline, which is struggling to raise capital for its various payment obligations, including payment of salaries to its 16,000 employees, received a breather from its loyalty programme Jet Privilege Private (JPPL), its joint venture with Etihad, which offered it about Rs 258 crore for the advance purchase of discounted tickets. JPPL is 50.1 per cent owned by Etihad Airways, while the rest 49.9 per cent is with Jet Airways. On September 6, the airline had informed that its senior management, pilots and engineers will receive their monthly salaries in two instalments till November. The August salary was to be paid in two instalments - half by September 11 and the other half by September 26. By PTI NEW DELHI: Bullish on the Indian economy, Russia's sovereign wealth fund RDIF plans to invest in the country's infrastructure and technology sectors, according to a senior official. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has reserved capital of USD 10 billion under management, is also looking for more investments in technology and other sectors in India through its portfolio companies. "In the next 12 months, our investment through portfolio companies would be more than USD 100 million. Definitely, we believe that it can increase more," RDIF Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev told PIT in an interview. Noting that the fund will encourage more technological cooperation between Russia and India, he said there is a big opportunity for more investments in technology. "We would (also) like to invest in Indian infrastructure. We believe that there are lot of opportunities here. We would like to invest in hydropower plants in India, including small generation ones. We believe Indian economy is growing very well," he said. Dmitriev was in the national capital last week, as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India. "We are encouraging our portfolio companies to expand. One is Russian Helicopters to invest in India. It is one of the portfolio companies," RDIF Chief Risk Officer Kishan Reddy said. On October 5, the RDIF, Russia's PhosAgro and Indian Potash Ltd inked a pact for investments in production of mineral fertilisers in both countries. Under the pact, Indian Potash has agreed to import up to 2 million tonnes of fertilisers worth USD 1 billion (over Rs 7,300 crore) from PhosAgro, the world's leading producer of phosphate-based nutrients, over the next three years. The main areas of cooperation between India and Russia are nuclear energy, defence, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, engineering and technology. According to the RDIF, it is ready to become a base for providing "technological breakthrough" in partnership with Indian companies. Set up in 2011, the RDIF has reserved capital of USD 10 billion under management and attracted more than USD 40 billion of foreign capital into the Russian economy through long-term strategic partnerships, as per its website. By PTI MUMBAI: The BSE Sensex erased all its early gains to end lower by 175 points in see-saw trade Tuesday, posting its fourth fall in five sessions due to widespread selling in auto, consumer, realty, oil and gas and banking stocks amid worries over weakening rupee and boiling crude oil prices. Market sentiments were further dampened on unabated foreign fund outflows and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgrading outlook for world economy to 3.7 growth on Tuesday. The Indian currency collapsed to a new lifetime low of 74.27 in intra-day trade, raising concerns on the macroeconomic front. A mixed trend at other Asian markets and a lower opening in the euro zone too triggered selling on the domestic bourses here. The 30-share Sensex opened higher at 34,651.82 points but slipped into the negative zone to hit a low of 34,233.50 before concluding at 34,299.47, recording a fall of 174.91 points, or 0.51 per cent. Similarly, the NSE Nifty after shuttling between 10,397.60 and 10,279.35 points, ended 47 points, or 0.45 per cent, lower at 10,301.05. Selling was more pronounced in consumer durables, auto, oil and gas, FMCG, realty, PSU and banking stocks that dragged the indices into the negative zone. Among Sensex constituents, Tata Motors was the worst hit, plunging 13.40 per cent to end at multi-year low of Rs 184.25, after the company-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported 12.3 per cent decline in global sales in September. Other laggards include Asian Paints falling 3.95 per cent, Maruti Suzuki 3.07 per cent, HUL 2.73 per cent, Bharti Airtel 2.29 per cent, Bajaj Auto 1.85 per cent, ITC 1.81 per cent, RIL 1.58 per cent, ICICI Bank 1.50 per cent, M&M 1.36 per cent, SBI 1.26 per cent, NTPC 1.22 per cent, Axis Bank 0.67 per cent and HDFC Bank 0.17 per cent. In contrast, Adani Ports emerged as the top gainer by rising 4.52 per cent, followed by HDFC falling 2.59 per cent. Vedanta, Tata Steel, Coal India, Yes Bank, Sun Pharma, Wipro, TCS, L&T, Infosys, IndusInd Bank and Kotak Bank too showed strength, gaining up to 2.44 per cent. Shares of oil marketing companies such as HPCL, BPCL and IOC were down up to 4.20 per cent as global crude oil prices again rose on reports of decline in crude export from Iran. Sectorally, the BSE consumer durables index emerged worst performer by falling 3.91 per cent, followed by auto at 2.62 per cent, oil and gas 1.92 per cent, FMCG 1.68 per cent, PSU 1.19 per cent, realty 1.06 per cent, power 0.62 per cent, bankex 0.47 per cent, infrastructure 0.41 per cent, capital goods 0.25 per cent. However, metal, healthcare, tech and IT indices managed to close in the positive zone by rising up to 1.01 per cent. Elsewhere in rest of Asia, Japan's Nikkei fell 1.32 per cent, Straight Time shed 0.49 per cent, while Shanghai rose 0.17 per cent. In the eurozone, FTSE, CAC and DAX were little changed in their late morning deals. By PTI NEW DELHI: The US government's development finance institution OPIC is keen to invest in the development of India's infrastructure, port and solar energy sectors, a top US official said Tuesday. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Executive Vice-President David Bohigian, who is visiting India, further said that India is a clearly the anchor of US government's Indo-Pacific strategy. OPIC is a self-sustaining US government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. "We are looking across all sectors (of India for investment) including infrastructure development, port development and solar energy sector, not just in venture capital," Bohigian said in an interaction with reporters. He, however, added that OPIC does not have any numerical target for investments in India, and the development finance institution is looking at the merits of the projects in India. "We are proud to announce our investments in Iron Pillar, a mid-stage India-focused venture capital fund," Bohigian said. He also noted that when countries take development finance from any source, then the policymakers must ensure the sovereignty of the host country, rights and transparency in project funding. Bohigian said the OPIC has USD 23 billion portfolios across 90 countries in the world in every sector from small, medium size ventures up to major infrastructure projects. In India, it has around 40 projects with total investments valued at USD 1.5 billion, he added. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Making a strong case for startups in the country contributing to the defence sector, senior bureaucrat and Secretary Defence Production Ajay Kumar on Monday cautioned that in war, there are no runners up. The best wins. If we are left playing catch-up, do we really hope to be the best? he said. He was talking about the urgent need for innovation in India's defence set-up which according to him, was playing catch-up for the longest time, instead of being at the forefront of innovation. Kumar was addressing a gathering of startups at the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) outreach meet. "We have taken steps and started this journey. No country can be completely sovereign without being self-reliant for its defence needs. There are some limitations to the present setup," he said. Taking the example of the T72 and T90 tanks operated by the Indian army, Kumar said while the engines for both tanks had been successfully indigenised, it was not possible to upgrade the T72 tank by installing the 1000HP engine of the T90 tank manufactured locally as the form factor was different. "We cannot make those changes locally to the engine and so will have to go in for technology transfer again," he said. Kumar also invited startups to participate in next year's Aero India air show, to be held in the city between February 20 and 24. He said the Ministry of Defence is open to suggestions on how startups could be incorporated as an integral part of the biennial air show. "Aero India will not be successful unless you (startups) are there. This is beyond a mere invitation. We want to focus and highlight the startup capability of India in aerospace. Please send us your suggestions and we will incorporate these in a larger startup event we plan to hold alongside Aero India," he told the gathering. By Express News Service CHENNAI: An international syndicate of exotic wildlife smugglers having links to Chennai was busted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence which seized 100 different species of foreign birds and animals. In a coordinated swoop on the syndicate smuggling exotic wildlife like birds and animals, the officers of the DRI here in tandem with the officers of Aizawl, Guwahati, Kolkata carried out operations. Officials said the searches were carried out at two locations in Chennai. These include residential premises and a farmhouse on the outskirts of the city. The searches resulted in the seizure of 70 species of wildlife consisting of birds like a scarlet macaw, harlequin macaw, blue gold macaw, various varieties of conure, cockatoos, etc. The searches also resulted in the seizure of wildlife animalChennais such as squirrel monkey, Callithrix monkey and a pair of a red iguana. One of the masterminds was apprehended in Chennai during the operations conducted. The raids were carried out after sleuths at Aizwal in Mizoram and Kolkata intercepted a consignment of assorted wildlife of foreign origin consisting of 35 birds of various species, animals and one baby marmoset and one Bengal cat at the Kolkata airport, which was smuggled through the porous Indo-Myanmar border. The kingpin, who was arrested at the weekend by the DRI unit at Aizawl in Mizoram, confessed to his role in the smuggling and also named the persons, for whom he is indulging in the smuggling activity and who are based out of Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai etc., DRI sources said. The import, export, and re-export of any live animal or plant of a species listed in the CITES Appendices (or of any part or derivative of such animal or plant) require a permit or certificate. International trade in all wild fauna and flora in general, and the species covered under CITES in particular, is regulated jointly through the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Foreign Trade (Development Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy of the Government of India and Customs Act, 1962. As per Customs Act, 1962, the offenses are punishable with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine. Further investigation is in progress. Kingpin arrested The kingpin, who was arrested at the weekend by the DRI unit at Aizawl in Mizoram, confessed to his role in the smuggling and also named the persons, for whom he is indulging in the smuggling activity and who are based out of Mumbai, Pune and Chennai. Species were smuggled through the Indo-Myanmar border By IANS CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Police suffered en embarrassment as a court freed senior Tamil journalist "Nakkheeran" Gopal, hours after he was arrested on charges of allegedly defaming Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Gopal, 59, was taken into custody at Chennai airport while waiting to fly to Pune on a complaint from Raj Bhavan. The police slapped him with Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code. which refers to assault on President or Governor to restrain them from exercising their lawful power. As his arrest drew widespread condemnation in the state, Chief Metropolitant Magistrate Gopinath rejected a police request for remand of Gopal. The offending articles published in "Nakkheeran" in May linked the Governor to Nirmala Devi, an Assistant Professor who was arrested for allegedly luring college girls to provide sexual favours to officials of Madurai Kamaraj University. After his arrest at the airport, Gopal was taken to Chintadripet police station and from there to a hospital for medical check-up before being taken to a court. Following the release of Gopal, MDMK leader Vaiko, who had been arrested as he protested outside the police station where Gopal was taken to, was also freed. Gopal's lawyer V.T. Perumal argued that Section 124 cannot be applied as the police could not prove that the Governor and Gopal had ever met and so there could not have been any "assault" -- as defined in the Penal Code. Interestingly, the court heard senior journalist N. Ram of The Hindu Group who submitted that there was no relation to Secton 124 and the case in question. Ram told the judge that if such an arrest was allowed, it would set a dangerous precedent and police all over India would resort to this. And no journalist had been arrested under this section, Ram said. A grateful Gopal later thanked all political leaders who came out in his support. "I bow to the court which has stood for media freedom," he told reporters. The "Nakkheeran" Editor said if the Governor had any complaint about the story his magazine had published, he could have issued a rebuttal or taken recourse to other remedies. Vaiko demanded to know why BJP leader H. Raja was not arrested for his derogatory remarks about the judiciary and police. The MDMK leader said Gopal's arrest was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party to suppress media freedom. DMK President M.K. Stalin accused the Modi government and the Tamil Nadu Governor of enforcing an undeclared Emergency in the state. Stalin earkuer said that the state government was subservient to the central government and demanded the withdrawal of all cases filed against Gopal. PMK founder S. Ramadoss said if the articles were defamatory, then defamation cases could be filed. Gopal's arrest was also denounced by actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan. Gopal was once the emissary of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments to negotiate with sandalwood smuggler Veerappan after the latter abducted Kannda star Rajkumar. Like Veerappan, Gopal's handlebar moustache became his trademark. Gopal has also faced several defamation cases filed by the AIADMK government led by the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Students of Delhi University (DU) on Monday protested at the campus over several issues faced by women students, such as curfew timings. Clashes also erupted between students and policemen during the protest. The protest was launched days after the Women students group Pinjratod submitted a list 21 demands to university Vice-Chancellor. The demands included removal of curfew timings from all womens hostels in the university campus as well as affiliated colleges, the construction of new womens hostel for those with physical disabilities and non-discriminatory accommodation for all women. Mounica Sreesai of Daulat Ram College said, There 2.5 lakh students in DU, while only 5,000 hostel seats are available. It is difficult to afford living in Delhi for other students. Also, theres disparity between mens hostel and womens hostels. The women have to pay double the fees in the name of safety and security... IIT, JNU have no curfew. In Jamia, the seniors were able to push the curfew timings from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm. We are aiming for the same but we need complete removal of curfews, said Tridisha, a student of Miranda House. One major demand is also hostels for disabled students... added Purnima Vijaya, another student. A male student, also protesting, said, The rules imposed are absolutely ridiculous. People are locked in. You are not allowed to order food. The worst part is this isnt the case with mens hostel. Aihik Sur By Express News Service HYDERABAD: There are thousands of people from Telangana trapped in the Middle East at any given point of time. Of them, only a handful are able to return home as a result of concerted and laborious efforts by local leaders, the ministry of external affairs and, of course, and with a bit of luck. An 18-year-old beautician, Malan Shaik Noor, who had been trafficked to Kuwait earlier in the year and managed to return to the city a week ago, is one of them. In April, Malan, a resident of Hafeez Baba Nagar in the city, was offered a job as a beautician in Kuwait by local agents Tasleem Begum, her husband Nawaz and another man Saleem. They promised her a salary of 100 Kuwaiti dinars (KWD), which is equivalent to Rs 25,000, a month. Malan, whose father works as a painter and was hardly able to support the family of three, readily agreed. The above-mentioned agents arranged a passport, Aadhaar and EPIC for Malan, fudging her age and showing it as 22 years. Her troubles started right after she landed in Kuwait. Soon she realised that there was no beautician job waiting for her. Rukiya Begum, Malans mother, said, She was taken to Kuwait on May 8 on a visit visa that was set to expire on May 13. Upon reaching Kuwait, she was received by another agent, taken to a remote place in Kuwait and was asked to work as a housemaid. Speaking to Express from her house in Hafeez Baba Nagar, Malan Shaikh Noor said, I was tortured a lot. I was working in four different houses as a housemaid and was also tending to one of the house-owners baby simultaneously. I worked for 15 hours at a stretch everyday. They did not even provide me with food. I had to sneak out of the house to get food every time. No wonder, the inhuman working conditions took a toll on her health and soon she was taken ill. Her mother said, Malan was denied medical facilities and, on top of that, was not even allowed to contact us. Malan soon realised that she would be in a worse condition if she didnt look for an exit from Kuwait. I approached my kafeel (sponsor) and asked him to return my passport. I was stunned to hear from him that he had bought me for Rs 3 lakh from the agents and would let me return to India only if I paid him that much money. It was then that, one day, she sneaked out of her kafeels house when he was away and dashed for the Indian embassy. Meanwhile, back in the city, Malans mother Rukiya Begum and her father approached Majilis Bachao Tehreek spokesman Amjed Ullah Khan to help her in the matter. Khan approached the Kanchanbagh police and Minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj, highlighting Malans ordeal. Kanchanbagh police station house officer P Rajesh told Express, We contacted Saleem, one of the agents involved in the case. We asked him to get in touch with his agent in Kuwait and facilitate the repatriation process. Saleem got in touch with his field agent in Kuwait and who, in turn, approached the embassy over there. The embassy, where for around two weeks Malan took refuge, helped her by providing with a new passport. They made an entirely new passport for me and we did not even have to pay anything, said Malan, adding that she was currently thinking about taking up further studies. Uncertain future and prospects Though the State government has been advising migrant workers to avail UAEs amnesty scheme, Tomcom GM Nagabharati thinks that it would not be very effective. It is like a cycle. When these migrants come back, they cannot integrate into the system here, which is aggravated by lack of jobs. Their steady source of income in the Middle East stops when they return. It is often their families who convince them to return in order to maintain their new lifestyle, she said and added that a majority of migrant workers in the UAE would not want to return to their country for that reason. Finally liberated Malans parents approached Minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj. And that led to the Indian embassy in Kuwait helping her by providing with a new passport Aihik Sur By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Seeking employment in the Middle East is soon going to be passe and Telanganites might be, in the near future, heading for the Far East and northern Europe looking for jobs with better pay, less exploitation and better security. According to the Telangana Overseas Manpower Company (Tomcom), a State government undertaking, Japan and Scandinavian countries would be the next job hotspots for migrants in the future. Speaking to Express, Tomcom General Manager Nagabharati said, We expect a lot of jobs in Japan and Scandinavian countries in the future. The vacancies in jobs in Japan and European countries would predominantly be in the hospitality industry apart from IT and construction sectors. The main reason for the demand in the hospitality sector in Japan and Scandinavian countries, Nagabharati said, is because these countries have a large number of population aged above 60 years. Since life expectancy in these countries is high and a large section of the population is aged above 60 years, there would be a need for nurses and other similar jobs in the hospitality sector. Japan, which is ageing at a fast pace, is in need of labour and reports suggest that the shortage of workers would become acute in the future. Such will be the scenario that the nations working age, between 15 and 64, would decrease by more than 40 per cent in the next 50 years. Similarly, those aged above 75 years would make up for more than a quarter of the population. Another major area of work would be the construction sector where only 11 per cent of the workforce is aged below 29 years. The demand is rising in view of the Olympic Games to be held in that country in 2020. Nagabharati opines that it would be a better deal for Telanganites whose current job destinations are the middle-eastern and south-eastern Asian countries. The Japanese are particular about their work. There is considerably less pollution and better pay. Nikki Haley announced on Tuesday she is resigning as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but the rising Republican star immediately denied she was preparing to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Sitting beside Trump in the Oval Office, Haley said her 18-month stint at the United Nations had been "an honor of a lifetime" and said she would stay on until the end of the year. A former governor of South Carolina who is the daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley is the highest profile woman in Trump's Cabinet and is often seen as a possible presidential candidate. But she said in her resignation letter to Trump she would "surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020" and would support his re-election bid. She told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday: "No, I am not running for 2020." Haley said she did not have any future plans set and did not give a reason for quitting but Trump said she had told him some six months ago that she was thinking of leaving by the end the year "to take a little time off." Haley's fast rise from a Southern state's legislature to the world stage suggests the 46-year-old may have greater political ambition. Describing her U.N. tenure as "fantastic" and "incredible," Trump was effusive in his praise for Haley. He accepted her resignation and said he would name her successor within two or three weeks. Haley has been the face of Trump's "America First" policy at the United Nations, steering the U.S. withdrawal from several U.N. programs and ardently defending his hard-line policies against Iran and North Korea over their nuclear programs. But Haley has also sometimes distanced herself from Trump. HIGH PRAISE FROM TRUMP "She has done an incredible job. She is a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody that gets it," Trump said on Tuesday. "She's done a fantastic job and we've done a fantastic job together." Haley's name has come up as possible Republican running mate in the last two presidential elections and she could also become a U.S. senator if fellow South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham takes up a job in the Trump administration as if often speculated. Trump suggested the two of them jointly announce Haley's departure in the Oval Office, an administration official said, noting that Haley was the only outgoing senior member of Trumps administration to be feted in this way. Returning the favor, Haley praised Trump and his family for their support. She described Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and aide, as "such a hidden genius that no-one understands" for his work on renegotiating the NAFTA trade deal and preparing a long-awaited Middle East peace plan that has not yet been released. Haley was seen by her counterparts at the United Nations as a voice of clarity in a U.S. administration that often gave off mixed signals on foreign policy, diplomats say. But she has been overshadowed in recent months by the appointments of Trump loyalist Mike Pompeo as secretary of state and hawk John Bolton as White House national security adviser. Pompeo has led policy on talks with North Korea, while Bolton has taken the lead on trying to implement Trump's hard line against Iran. Senator Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Haley's resignation "yet another sign of the Trump Administration's chaotic foreign policy." "I am deeply concerned about the leadership vacuum she leaves and the national security impact of her departure at this time of continued disarray," Menendez said in a statement. Haley is the latest in a long line of high-profile departures from the administration, such as former secretary of state Rex Tillerson, who was fired in March, and Steve Bannon, Trump's chief strategist, who left in August 2017. DOMESTIC CREDENTIALS A convert to Christianity in her 20s after being raised a Sikh, Haley is popular with religious conservatives in the South. Her status as a potential candidate for national high office was boosted in 2015 when she ordered the Confederate battle flag to be pulled down at South Carolina's state capitol grounds after a white supremacist gunman shot dead nine black worshipers at a church. Haley has also applauded women who come forward to denounce sexual abuse or misconduct by men and said they should be heard, even if they are accusing Trump. "Women who accuse anyone should be heard," Haley said last December after accusations against three members of Congress. "They should be heard, and they should be dealt with." Referring to women whose accusations brought down powerful men, like movie producer Harvey Weinstein, Haley said: "I'm proud of their strength. I'm proud of their courage." Haley has long taken a tougher public stance on Russia than Trump, who has sought better relations with President Vladimir Putin. Haley raised eyebrows within the administration when she announced in April that Washington was going to impose sanctions on Moscow over its support of Syria's government. Trump then decided not to go ahead with the move. Search Keywords: Short link: By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam executive officer V Koteswaramma said, Devotees coming to the Kanaka Durga temple for free darshan are our main concern. The queue lines have been set up. We will offer drinking water and prasadam to those coming in queues from Vinayaka temple on Canal Road to the hilltop. Allaying fears of a stampede, she wondered how can it happen when the devotees are disciplined. On October 15 (Moola Nakshatram), Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will offer silk robes to the deity for the good of the State and the welfare of the people. She said, on that day, we will request devotees not to come and stand in queues from midnight; they can come at any time during the day. Also we have given special timings for VIPs and have asked them to come during the said time slots. Addressing media here on Monday, Koteswaramma said, with a budget of `8.3 crore, arrangements have been made to receive an estimated 15 lakh of devotees this year. This Dasara, 27 lakh laddus are being prepared by the temple kitchen. The prasadam counters have been increased to 12 from 10. Koteswaramma promised to set up some more counters if the need arises. Upon our request, the police have deployed more than 5,560 personnel, which is 1,000 more compare to last year. Also, we are roping in large number of sanitation workers to keep the temple premises clean. We are making all the necessary arrangements for the nine-day festival and are trying our best to give a satisfying experience to the devotees. There has been no increase in the vehicle passes from previous year; not one additional pass has been given to anyone, she said. The temple has decided to operate free bus services from the Vijayawada railway station, bus station and other identified spots to the bathing ghats and the Vinayaka temple. A free bus will operate from Ashoka Pillar to Indrakeeladri for the elderly and the physically challenged. By Express News Service MUMBAI: Taking cognizance of the complaint filed by Tanushree Dutta, the Maharashtra State Womens Commission on Tuesday issued notices to actor Nana Patekar, director Rakesh Sarang, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and Sameer Siddiqi, directing them to file a reply within 10 days. The commission directed state police to file a report on the update in the investigation of Duttas complaint and also asked the actress to appear before it in person to record her statement. The commission directed the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and other associations of cine and television artists to form committees for redressal of such issues and asked the police to file a report on whether these associations are capable of taking any action in such cases. Dutta had lodged a formal complaint with the police on Monday and with the womens commission through her lawyer. She has alleged that Patekar harassed her on the sets of a film in 2008 while shooting for a special dance number and the others named in the complaint also teamed up against her. She had lodged a complaint in this regard with CINTAA in March 2008. Patekar has denied the allegations and sent a legal notice to the actress. Meanwhile, the CINTAA said a show-cause notice would be sent to actor Alok Nath, whom writer-producer Vinta Nanda has accused of rape. Assuring that the association would extend full support to her, CINTAA general secretary Sushant Singh urged Nanda to file a formal complaint. Nanda levelled the rape charge against Nath in a Facebook post. By PTI MUMBAI: Writer-lyricist Varun Grover has categorically denied the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by an anonyms person, who referred herself as his junior in Banaras Hindu University (BHU). In a screenshot of the post, that has been doing the rounds on social media, the woman said the incident happened in 2001 while they were working on a play for the annual festival. The "Sacred Games" writer said the screenshot was "untrue" and "misleading". He said he would soon issue a detailed statement. "I completely, totally, categorically deny all the allegations being made. The screenshot in question is untrue, misleading, and defamatory to say the least," Grover posted on Twitter. Filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan, who have frequently collaborated with Grover, supported him. "This man I have known so closely and so so long that I refuse to believe any allegations about him. #believethevictim and investigate the claims and also be careful to not let vested interests sabotage a long pending genuine movement," Kashyap tweeted. Ghaywan, who has worked with Grover on "Maasan", said it was impossible for him to believe that the writer could do such a thing. "I know Varun for the large part of my life. I can never believe he would do such a thing. Never. Those allegations reek of vindictive behaviour and not a shred of truth in them. Absolutely, 100 per cent, in solidarity with his statement below," he tweeted. The director said it was appalling how "such slanderous allegations are trying to sabotage the #MeToo movement in India." "Varun is someone who is truly putting his weight and career behind for this movement. It is horribly irresponsible of whoever is behind this to malign him," he added. Ghaywan said his response to the allegations against Grover was emotional. "This is my truth, what I believe in and I wanted to put it out there. You can wait for the truth to come in due course." By Associated Press NEW YORK: Google's new Pixel phones mirror the industry trend moving the devices toward lusher, bigger screens and add new twists on the camera for taking better selfies and other pictures. The Pixels have barely made a dent in the market since their debut two years ago, but Google is hoping to change that with the latest models unveiled Tuesday at an event in New York. Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif. (Photo | AP) Google uses the phones to highlight what it considers to be best features of its Android operating system, while challenging Apple and Samsung with a device tailored for affluent consumers. The third generation of Pixel phones comes in two sizes, and both feature high-definition screens that span from one edge to another. It's the first time Google has embraced the format, which Apple adopted last year with its ballyhooed iPhone X. Google is undercutting Apple on the pricing of its phones. It's also hiring photographer Annie Leibovitz to take pictures with the new Pixel in an effort to persuade consumers its camera is superior to the iPhone XS that Apple released last month. The Pixel 3 will be available Oct. 18 and sell at prices starting at $799. That's $200 below the least expensive iPhone XS. Google also rolled out a new device called Home Hub that couples a small display screen with an internet-connected speaker. That's similar to Amazon's Echo Show and a new Facebook device called Portal. But again Google is attacking its rivals on the pricing front. The Home Hub will sell for $149 when it comes to stores Oct. 22. The new version Echo Show starts at $229, while the least expensive Facebook Portal sells for $199. As usual, the Pixels focus heavily on Google's search engine, maps, digital assistant and YouTube video service. While all those service are hugely popular, the Pixels so far have generated more media attention than sales. Google has sold an estimated 7 million Pixels over the past two years, almost imperceptible next to the 3.6 billion phones shipped during that time, according to the research firm International Data Corp. Google doesn't disclose its phone shipments, unlike Apple, which has sold about 388 million iPhones since the first Pixel came out in October 2016. "If you have a Google tattoo on you, then these are the phones for you," IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said of the Pixel's limited appeal so far. Google has been somewhat restrained in its distribution and marketing of the Pixel phones, Llamas said, because it doesn't want to alienate Samsung and hundreds of other device makers that feature Android in their own phones. Because Android highlights Google services, it's key to Google's business of selling ads through its search engine and other mobile apps. The iPhone also features Google's search engine, but Google may be paying Apple as much as $9 billion annually for that privilege, based on the estimates of Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall. By PTI NEW DELHI: Top Army commanders will deliberate on operational challenges and various reform initiatives during a week-long conference starting Tuesday. During the Army Commanders' Conference, to be held from October 9 to 15, a host of issues ranging from operational, administrative, logistics and human resources will be discussed, an official statement said. As part of the conclave, commanders and directorates at the Army Headquarters will in a collegiate deliberate on important studies that have been ordered to meet future operational challenges, it said. There are four studies examining the operational and optimisational issues of the Army and the headquarters as also human resources management aspects. These studies aim to improve the teeth to tail ratio, with the purpose of strengthening the structures within the Army, to make it combat ready for the future, the statement said. Various issues related to reform initiatives in the force will also be discussed during the conference, sources said. Last month, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat and top commanders held detailed deliberations on ways to make the force "leaner and meaner", which included carrying out an extensive organisational restructuring and downsizing of the force. The Defence Ministry has already announced a series of reform measures for the Army which include redeployment of nearly 57,000 officers and other ranks as well as ensuring better utilisation of resources. By ANI JAIPUR: While Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making efforts to make India open defecation free, Rajasthan minister Shambhu Singh Khetasar was caught urinating in public in Ajmer. Defending his act, the minister said that that urination alone doesn't contribute to uncleanliness. "As far as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is concerned, urination alone doesn't contribute to uncleanliness. That place did not have urinals for kilometres at a stretch," Khetasar told ANI. Khetasar, who was spotted relieving himself near a wall that had a poster of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said, "There was a wall and some posters stuck at some distance on it. I had not paid attention." "It is not right to urinate in open but it's a natural call. Urinating in a crowded area is wrong," he added. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: The anticipatory bail plea of former Bihar social welfare minister Manju Verma, who was forced to resign from the cabinet in the wake of the Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual abuses case, was on Tuesday rejected by Patna High Court. The JD(U) leader had approached the HC after her anticipatory bail application was rejected by a local court in Begusarai on August 25. Justice Sudhir Singh rejected her application in the case of recovery of 50 live cartridges at her house at Cheria Bariyarpur in Begusarai district by CBI during a raid on August 17 in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual abuses case. ALSO READ | Sex abuse in shelter homes: Things are not all that good, says SC CBI had filed an FIR against Verma and her husband, former JD(U) MLC Chandrashekhar Verma, under the Arms Act. The anticipatory bail pleas of Chandrashekhar Verma were rejected both by a Begusarai court and Patna High Court recently. Police in Begusarai had obtained an arrest warrant against Chandrashekhar Verma from a local court and conducted several raids to arrest him on September 21, a day after the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition on the shelter home case, asked Bihar police to look into the recovery of live cartridges from the Vermas house with some seriousness. Manju Vermas residence in Patna wore a deserted look on Tuesday. Sources said she and her husband had not visited the premises for over a fortnight. The couple has turned underground facing arrest. Neither Manju Verma nor her husband has also been seen at their houses in Begusarai district for over a fortnight, said a JD(U) leader from the district. With the HC rejecting the anticipatory bail, the former minister has little option other than surrendering to police and seek regular bail. Bihars main Opposition RJD has been accusing the Nitish Kumar-led government of shielding her and her husband mainly because they belong to the OBC Kushwaha caste, a group both the ruling JD(U) and BJP are trying to keep in good humour for electoral gains. Manju Verma was forced to resign from the state cabinet on August 8 after her husband was accused of frequenting the Muzaffarpur shelter home, where 34 minor girls were subjected to sexual abuses, and having close links with the main accused in the case, Brajesh Thakur, who is currently in jail. The 50 cartridges of different bores recovered from the Vermas house were later found to be illegal. Nineteen of them belonged to prohibited guns such as self-loading rifles (SLR). Civilians are not allowed to own SLRs. A probe had found that the cartridges in possession of the 16 bodyguards and house guards deployed with the couple were intact. By PTI NAGPUR: BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agrawal, arrested on charges of espionage, was in touch with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives through two Facebook accounts -- 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan', according to the Uttar Pradesh Police. The UP Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATC) stated this in the court of Junior Magistrate First Class S M Joshi here Tuesday while seeking Agrawal's transit remand for taking him to Lucknow for a detailed interrogation. The court granted three-day transit remand to the UP ATS, Additional Public Prosecutor S J Bagde, who appeared for Maharashtra ATS, said. Agrawal was arrested Monday in a joint operation by the ATS units of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra police at BrahMos' Wardha Road facility for allegedly leaking "technical information" to Pakistan. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 'Military Industrial Consortium' (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. The Investigating Officer of the UP ATS told the court that Agrawal was in touch with two Facebook accounts, operated under the names 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan'. These accounts, based out of Islamabad, are believed to be run by Pakistan's intelligence operatives, the ATS officer siad. Such fake accounts are reportedly used to approach senior officials in India and Agrawal too was approached by those operating these two Facebook accounts, the IO told the court. Agrawal, despite being engaged in "highly sensitive work", was "casual" on the internet and made himself an "easy target", the ATS officer said. He said Agrawal was active on LinkedIn also. Top classified information had been loaded on the accused's personal laptop, the officer said. He added that classified registered files with red markings were found stored in PDF (portable document format) in the accused's personal laptop. "These are all top classified information which (if) shared could be a threat to the country. We want to conduct a detailed interrogation and produce him in the special court in Lucknow, and, hence, request three days transit remand," the IO told the court. The accused has been charged under sections 3,4, 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, sections 419,420, 467, 468, 120 (B) and 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code as well as 66 (B) of the Information Technology Act. ATS sources in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Monday said a computer was seized from his Nagpur residence which contained secret documents. They said such documents should not be present on a personal computer. The sources said an old computer was also seized from Agrawal's residence in his native town, Roorkee, and its contents were being investigated. They said since a jawan was arrested in September after allegedly being honey-trapped by the ISI, the ATS was keeping a close watch on fake Facebook accounts of women, being operated from Pakistan, which were in touch with people working in sensitive places. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The arrest of Nishant Agarwal , a Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) employee suspected of sharing classified information about the nuclear capable BrahMos Cruise missile jointly produced by India and Russia, to Pakistan evoked a guarded response from Russian sources. Stressing that they did not have enough knowledge about what exactly had been leaked, sources said Russia was fully confident in Indias ability to protect sensitive material, but obviously such incidents should be of concern to both nations. Russia would be very happy to help augment security for such material, only if required or requested by the Indian side, said one source, reiterating that this incident would in no way undermine the relationship between the two nations. The fact that the person was caught is sign of the robustness of the Indian security system, and this incident will make absolutely no impact on our strategic partnership, reinforced during President Putins recent visit to India, said another source. Billed as the fastest cruise missile in the world, the BrahMos medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile was developed as part of a joint venture between the Russian Federations NPO Mashinostroyeniya and Indias DRDO. Last November, an Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet successfully launched a variant of the BrahMos missile from the air, completing Indias nuclear Triad, or the ability to launch a nuclear missile from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land. Indo-Russian defence Though there have been attempts to diversify sources, Russian equipment still forms the backbone of Indias military backbone, and reports estimate that Russian equipment still forms between 60 to 70% of the Indian arsenal, imports. By PTI AHMEDABAD: The exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants from Gujarat after attacks on them in several parts of the state showed no signs of abating on Tuesday, as the issue snowballed into a political slugfest involving the BJP, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Police, meanwhile, intensified patrolling in areas near industrial estates and places where migrant workers stay in a bid to instill confidence among the people. In Vadodara, hundreds of police personnel carried out a flag march in industrial areas which are home to several big and small factories where more than 25,000 migrants worked, police said. Also Read | Nitish Kumar asks Biharis to stay 'firmly' in Gujarat, says officials in touch with Guj counterparts The minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said a total of 533 people were arrested and 61 cases registered so far. Separately, 7 cases were filed under the Information Technology(IT) Act and 20 people arrested for spreading hate messages on social media, he added. Hindi-speaking factory workers continued to flee the state by taking trains and buses, which were running jam-packed, according to available accounts. Read | Exodus of migrant workers continues in Gujarat; CM Vijay Rupani hits out at Rahul Gandhi There were also reports of bus fares being raised in view of the increased demand coming in from some places. "Some people came to our area last night and asked me to leave the place immediately and go back to my home state or they will thrash me," a migrant worker, who did not want to be identified, told reporters at the Ahmedabad railway station. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. He claimed that people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. In a series of tweets, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani asked whether Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat". The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence. "Congress first incites violence against migrants. Congress President tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress President not have any shame?" Rupani said in a tweet. "If the Congress President is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against its own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat. Tweeting is not the solution, taking action is! But will he act?" he further tweeted. Rupani said his government is "working hard to ensure trust and confidence among all citizens that they are safe and secure in Gujarat". Rahul Gandhi brought up the exodus of the Hindi-speaking migrants at his rally in poll-bound Rajasthan, saying youths from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are being attacked and forced to leave. "Youth trusted Modi but Modi betrayed their trust," he charged, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a Facebook post earlier in the day, Gandhi said attacks on the migrant workforce in Gujarat are not good for business and the economy and that the Government must act decisively to restore peace and ensure safety of every Indian. He said there is growing frustration and anger with the government's "inability" to create jobs. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Congress of instigating violence against the migrants and demanded that Rahul Gandhi expel Alpesh Thakor for his alleged "venomous" speeches to incite locals in attacking outsiders. Alpesh Thakor on his part said targeting of migrants is wrong and he is "totally against it", refuting the BJP's allegations against his outfit. "Most of the attackers are from Thakor community. But the allegation that his outfit was responsible for the attacks is an effort to suppress the popularity that I have gained with my outfit in 16 states. I am being defamed. Not a single case has been filed against either me or my people. Our truth will win," he told reporters. After the rape of the 14-month-old girl, who belonged to his community, Thakor had blamed in public a "non-Gujarati" for the crime. A video in which Thakor is purportedly seen making a speech against migrant workers has gone viral and allegedly led to the violence against the Hindi-speaking population. "Additional police force has been deployed in industrial areas for the security of Hindi-speaking migrants. No untoward incident has been reported in these areas," Vadodara Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said. West Bengal Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the attacks as a "very dangerous trend" and accused the BJP government in Gujarat of failing to control it. "This (the attacks) is a very dangerous trend. A disastrous situation. The problem is very serious. I do not understand why the BJP (government in Gujarat) is not controlling it," she told reporters in Kolkata. "All the people are scared. I am also scared." Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said top officials from the state were in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat and appealed to people from the state living there to stay firmly where they were. By PTI GWALIOR: BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday sought to project the forthcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan as a contest between "individual-centric" parties and those driven by ideologies. He said the elections in the three states can "change the nation". Addressing a convention of youths here, the Bharatiya Janata Party chief said the parties that lack leadership and policies cannot provide a stable government. "Upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will prove to be ones that can change the nation because the contest will decide whether people elect parties which are individual-centric or those driven by ideology," Shah said in an apparent reference to political dynasties. Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the next two months in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram. While first three of the above states are currently ruled by the BJP, the Congress is in power in the northeastern state. Telangana was ruled by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) before Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao dissolved the assembly. Lok Sabha elections are slated to be held next year. "How is it possible for these parties to provide a strong government when they don't have any leader and even their policies are not yet decided," Shah said. Targetting the Congress, he said the only agenda of that party is "Modi Hatao" (defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi) in contrast to the PM's goal of "eradicating poverty and corruption" from the country. He said the BJP is the only party where an ordinary worker can go on to become a prime minister or a chief minister of a state. "This is the reason why a tea-seller has become the prime minister of our country. Is this possible in Congress, BSP or SP? The main aim of the opposition parties is to make their sons and daughters an MLA or an MP and there is no place for an ordinary worker to claim these positions," he said. Shah said most political parties in the country lacked "democracy". "How can leaders of such parties will protect democracy of the nation?" he asked. "In such a scenario, there is no possibility of any development in the country. The Congress ruled for 55 years but failed to usher in development," Shah said. Referring to the prime minister's ambitious schemes that are aimed at providing power and toilets in every village of the country, Shah said the Modi government is working hard to fulfil this objective. Before addressing the convention, Shah visited memorials of Rani Lakshmibai and Vijayaraje Scindia, popularly known as 'Rajmata'. The Scindia family had ruled Gwalior state during the pre-independence period. "Those people who lived for the country can only inspire the youth," he said. Referring to the 2016 Uri attack and subsequent surgical strike, Shah said, "Within 10 days of the attack at (the Army camp in) Uri, Indian soldiers entered Pakistan and killed terrorists". Shah said Madhya Pradesh was brought out of BIMARU tag and turned into a developed state by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The BJP chief also took potshots at the state Congress which is known to be a divided house. "The Congress has not yet decided on its chief ministerial face while in the BJP, Shivraj Singh Chouhan will become a chief minister again," he said. Similarly, it is not yet clear who will be the Opposition leader in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, but Narendra Modi will become prime minister again from the BJP, he said. Earlier in the day, Shah addressed party workers in Shivpuri and conducted a roadshow in Guna, the Lok Sabha constituency of senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress Tuesday hit out at BJP MP Udit Raj over his remarks against the #MeToo movement saying it reflects the ruling party's "anti-woman" mindset. Raj termed the #MeToo movement in India as a "wrong practice" and questioned the relevance of making sexual harassment allegations against anybody after 10 years. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned the remarks saying these "reinforce the anti-women mindset of the ruling BJP". "The remarks are extremely contempt-worthy," she said. Observing that one should go case-by-case, Raj said there are several instances where women did this after taking money and then moved on to the next target. Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: Nine employees of the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a flagship company of the state-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), were burnt to death and at least 14 others sustained injuries owing to the explosion and consequent major fire that broke out near the coke oven battery and the supply line in the plant, about 30 km east of Raipur on Tuesday. Around a half-a-dozen others miraculously escaped unhurt when the fire broke out. The SAIL has ordered an inquiry into the incident (See Box)According to the hospital sources the condition of four are very critical. "At round 10:30 there was a fire erupted on the plant job which was being taken up by BSP employees from different department near the Coke Oven section eleven and the gas pipeline adjacent to it. Nine BSP staffers were killed. The 14 injured were rushed to Bhilai Sector-9 hospital where they are undergoing medical treatment. We are not in a position to reveal the names of those identified", the BSP spokesperson and DGM Vijay Mairal told The New Indian Express. he BSP workforce were infuriated over the BSP management for not declaring the identity of those killed in the incident, though some bodies have been recognised but the management appeared reluctant to officially announce it. As per the information reaching the state capital, around thirty employees were working at the spot when the incident took place. The rescue team supported by the district police to offer assistance at the site. To a query on whether the fire broke out owing to the leakage of gas, the BSP management said that only the investigation will divulge the lapses. The TNIE has learned from the reliable sources that no safety audit have been undertaken for long in the BSP. "It's sad not much attention are being given on maintenance and preventive care. More focus remains on newer projects", a former BSP officer told on condition of anonymity. On June 14 this year, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the SAIL's state-of-the-art expanded unit of BSP in Chhattisgarh. Union steel minister of state for steel Vishnu Deo Sai and SAIL chairman A K Chaudhary reached the BSP late evening. The opposition Congress blamed the callous and careless approach of the BSP management responsible behind the tragic incident. "It's shocking", the state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel said. "Had the requisite routine maintenance works carried out in the plant such tragic incident could have been averted", asserted the former chief minister Ajit Jogi. By Online Desk Pilot Vikas Jyani, a resident of Adampur's Sarangpur village, surprised the people in his native when he arranged air travel for 22 residents from his village who were aged above 70. Vikas had made all the arrangements to ensure that the elders travel from New Delhi to Amritsar and to Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Wagah Border. According to the reports from TOI, the passengers consisted 90-year-old Bimla, 80-year-old Amar Singh, 78-year-old Ramamuti, 78-year-old Kankari Devi, 75-year-old Giradawari Devi, 75-year-old Surjaram, 75-year-old Khemaram, 72-year-old Atmaram amongst others. The emotional elders had stated that they had never imagined that would board a plane one day. Ramamuti and Kankari Devi claimed that this travel was the best moment of their life. The proud father of Vikas, Mahendra Jayani, a senior bank manager claimed that his son has always respected the elders and this gift of his was his dream. Mahendra said, "He fulfilled his dream and thats the most important thing for me. All youth should follow Vikas example and we should all respect our elders." Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service DHOLPUR: Three days after the declaration of the elections in five states, Rahul Gandhi came out all guns blazing against BJP in Rajasthan. Rahul is on a two-day campaign tour in the state and was speaking in the CM Vasundhara Raje's hometown, Dholpur. He tore apart BJP on various issues making it clear that unemployment, corruption and plight of farmers are going to be the key weapons of Congress to take BJP down in the Assembly Elections. There was a huge turn out at the Roadshow and Rahul in an aggressive mode addressing a rally spoke for half an hour on demonetization, government helping Nirav, Mallya and Lalit Modi escape with exchequer's money, Rafale deal alleged corruption. Rahul mentioned the difference between his style of politics and the politics of Narendra Modi. "I don't make false promises. I don't make speeches where I say I will bring 15 lacs Rupees and I will give employment to 2 crore people. What I say I make sure is implemented. I don't lie. If we make a government here, everybody will benefit from farmers to youth, to small businessmen and they will feel that their voices will be heard directly by the government. The government runs on intentions not on false promises", he exclaimed.He also levied criticism on the BJP government for having done very little for the poor. "In four and a half years not a single program was introduced to help the poor and the farmers' loans were not waived off. The poor people were asked to take a broom and sweep the area clean while Nirav Modi, Anil Ambani, Mehul Chowksi, Lalit Modi, and Vijay Mallya were asked to clean the banks. Nirav Modi can run away with 35000 crore rupees and Vijay Mallya can run away with 9000 crore rupees but farmers' loans cannot be waived off by even one rupee", he added. The rally saw a large gathering which swayed to Rahul's tunes. When he asked the crowd that the government had promised everyone 15 lakh rupees but has anyone got it in their account, there was a huge cry of -"no-" from them. On the issue of unemployment, he said that crores of young people trusted Narendra Modi to give them jobs but Modi could not deliver. "Modi ji made speeches on Make in India and startup India, but if you turn your mobile phone around it will say made in China, not made in Rajasthan. All the products being sold are from China, it is the Chinese youth who are benefitting not the youth of our country. Our youth is just beaten and tortured like the current incident in Gujarat, where North Indians were beaten and asked to leave the state. Prime Minister should ask the BJP workers not to divide the country. Modi ji has failed at the centre and Vasundhara Raje has failed in the state", Rahul remarked. On the issue of alleged corruption in the raffle deal Rahul said the contract was taken away from HAL( Hindustan Aeronautical Limited ) and given to Anil Ambani on a platter. "HAL was supposed to make the craft in 526 crore rupees but Anil Ambani sealed the deal for 30,000 crore rupees. If HAL would have made the craft, workers of our country would have benefited. The government only takes care of the rich and neglects everyone else", he said. Rahul in his previous rally in Rajasthan had called PMModi a thief over the alleged corruption in Rafale deal he did not hesitate on talking about demonetization and attacked Modi. "Modi ji made everyone stand in a line whether it was a farmer, a young man or a worker but did you see any rich people standing in the line? The 'chaukidar' converted the black money of the thieves into white with the scam", Rahul addressed the gathering. ( Chaukidar ne desh ke choro ke kale dhan ko safed mein badal diya )Along with Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi also directed his criticism towards CM Vasundhara Raje. "You are seeing hotels made, Palaces being made and your own CM is building them but Lalit Modi does business with her son , escapes the country. Nobody talks about it, then Modi ji says that he is against corruption and stands with Vasundhara Raje in the elections", he said. In his closing remarks, he assured everyone that Congress government will work for everyone. -"Congress will make a government here soon and we will work 24 hours for the youth. We will also waive the farmers' loans. When industrialists can't repay the loan, they are termed as Non Performing Assets(NPA), and when farmers can't pay their loans, they are termed as defaulters. Modi ji is helping only the top 15-20 businessmen of the country. We will make sure that this does not happen when we come to power", Rahul exclaimed. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: In its attempt to smash the expanding espionage network being run by Pakistans intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which has trapped a number of Indian defence personnel for extract sensitive information, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has kept two more defence personnel, based respectively in Kanpur and Agra, on its radar for allegedly possessing and passing on vital information across the border. Both the personnel, believed to be accomplices of Brahmos engineer Nishant Agarwal arrested in Nagpur on Monday, were operating in association with him. UP and Maharashtra ATS teams in coordination with military intelligence had arrested mechanical engineer Nishant Agarwal, 28, associated with Brahmos Aerospace Private Ltd, for possessing classified information about the missile on his personal laptop in breach of the Officials Secret Act. The police action against Agarwal came through after the law enforcement and probe agencies collected evidence of his involvement in passing on sensitive information to ISI handlers on the other side of the border. An ATS officer privy to the probe claimed that the Facebook chats of the both the Kanpur and Agra based defence personnel with suspected ISI agents were under the scanner. "Their movements and activities are being closely monitored and they can be taken into custody only after the ATS gets incriminating evidence of spying for ISI against them," he added. As per ATS sources, ISI was honey-trapping Indian defence personnel and influential civilians through fake Facebook accounts to extract vital information about sensitive installations, movements of battalions, defence research and development projects and other activities. Abhijit Mulye By Express News Service MUMBAI: The guardian ministers would review the drought situation in the 201 out of 358 talukas in the state, the council of ministers under the chairmanship of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis decided at their meeting here on Tuesday. The situation in the rural area is grim with almost 200 of 367 talukas battling the scarcity conditions. "We are following the drought manual prepared by the Centre in 2016 and that has helped us in planning everything well in advance. We are collecting information on several aspects related to the drought condition and for that purpose, we decided at the council of ministers that all the ministers would tour the talukas to review the process of collection of the information on drought," Fadnavis told the reporters after the meeting here at the state secretariat. "One of the main reasons behind the drought is the low rainfall. Only 77 percent less of the average rainfall has been recorded in 201 of the 358 talukas of the state," he added. "Be it water-scarcity issues or crop damages, the ministers have been instructed to make a detailed plan after they visit the drought-hit talukas. This would not only helps in understanding the situation but allows to counter-check. Above all, we are all prepared to control the situation that we have to face," Fadnavis said. The state government had last week launched "Maha Madat" website and App to keep track of monsoon activity in the state, the crop situation, moisture content in the soil and underground water table. Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Chandrakant Patil had said while launching the app that a survey using remote sensing satellite imagery would be done and based on six parameters laid down by the Center in determining drought conditions between October 5 to October 25, the drought would be declared by October 31. While officials from agriculture department informed the council of ministers during today' meeting that nine districts in the state are worst affected by the drought, minister of state for agriculture Sadabhau Khot said that the cotton is the worst hit crop due to the drought. "According to primary reports received from the disaster management teams, as of today, 201 talukas from Yevtamal, Chandrapur, Nanded, Jalgaon, Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dhule, Satara and Sagli districts are in alarming situation. Among these districts, the yield on 1,41,255 hectare agriculture land is badly affected by the drought as it the rains were below average," the minister said adding that cotton, soybean, Tur (pigeon pea), Urad (Black Gram) and Moong (Green Gram) are the most affected crops in the state. A Surya Prakash By The recent judgment of the Supreme Court on the criminalisation of politics has taken voters a few steps towards making an informed choice in exercising their franchise, but the hopes of debarring those facing criminal cases from contesting elections seem a bit too distant. This is because of the apex courts view that while entry of criminals into legislative bodies is like a termite to the citadel of democracy, it cannot make the law to keep them out. That, the court said, is the domain of Parliament, an institution that is yet to show a firmness of resolve to stem the rot. Over the years the apex court has spearheaded measures to ensure that voters have adequate information on election candidates. The courts directives have ensured that candidates have to file affidavits containing their educational qualification, assets and liabilities and criminal record. In the latest judgment, the court has gone further and said political parties that give tickets to persons with criminal cases pending against them must publicise the information on the party websites. In addition, the candidate and the political party must issue a declaration in widely circulated newspapers about the candidates criminal records and must give wide publicity to this at least thrice on the electronic media after the nomination is filed.The court expressed immense anguish at the rising number of individuals with criminal records entering legislative bodies in the country, but refrained from debarring such individuals from contesting elections. It said the time has come for Parliament to make law to ensure that persons facing serious criminal cases do not enter into the political stream. The court recalled the opinion of the Law Commission that persons against whom serious criminal charges have been framed in a court be barred from contesting elections. The Commissions recommendation vividly exhibits the concern of the society, the court said. The court also wanted Parliament to make it mandatory for political parties to revoke the membership of persons charged with heinous and grievous offences and not give them tickets to contest elections. It said this will go a long way in decriminalising politics.This judgment reminds us of the Supreme Courts verdict in the infamous JMM case, which was about the bribing of MPs to ensure the defeat of a no-confidence motion brought against the P V Narasimha Rao government in 1993. Rao headed a minority government and the numbers in the Lok Sabha were precariously stacked against him. He was accused of buying the support of ten MPs to survive the vote in the Lok Sabha. Four of these MPs belonged to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and they were paid `2.8 crore in total in lieu of their support. This cash-for-vote deal helped Rao defeat the no-confidence motion on 28 July 1993 by 265 votes to 251. What happened before and after the vote in the House was nothing short of a scandal. A prominent party leader from Karnataka flew to New Delhi with the bribe money in a huge suitcase. The suitcase burst open on the conveyor belt in the Delhi airport and fellow passengers were aghast to see bundles of currency notes strewn all over the place. Even more hilarious was what happened after the vote in the Housethe JMM MPs took the bribe money in gunny sacks to a branch of a nationalized bank in Delhi and asked the manager to deposit it in their accounts! But none of these MPs was punished for accepting a bribe to vote in a certain way in the Lok Sabha and deposit the bribe money openly in a bank. These corrupt MPs went scot free because the Supreme Court held that Article 105 of the Constitution shielded them from prosecution. Article 105(1) says MPs shall enjoy freedom of speech in Parliament. Article 105(2) says no MP shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament. In this case, the MPs who took bribes were prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act. But the MPs argued that they cannot be prosecuted for what they said or did in Parliament. The court found merit in this argument. It said the alleged bribe-takers who had voted in the House were entitled to the immunity conferred by Article 105(2). However, the court said the bribe-givers should be prosecuted, as also the bribe takers who did not vote. It said only those who voted were protected by Article 105(2). While the Supreme Courts constitutional correctness is understandable, the consequence of all thisespecially the precipitous fall in the quality of men and women entering our legislaturesis plainly evident.We need not be surprised if many legislators see this as licence for gross misconduct, and assume they are outside the moral and ethical framework within which the law and the courts expect public servants to live. It would be futile to expect Parliament, which has been, at best, just a spectator to the criminalisation of politics, to now suddenly pay heed to the apex courts recent judgment. The decision to give party tickets is based on the ability of the candidate to win, and the number of legislators with criminal records has been on the rise over the years. Will Parliament share the apex courts concern and anxiety and bring in a law to keep criminals out? Indias apex legislature must prove the sceptics wrong! By Express News Service SRIKAKULAM: After the heavy exchange of fire on Sunday afternoon at Sunki area under Pottangi PS in Koraput district of Odisha, Maoists were suspected to have fled to the safe zone. Meanwhile, the joint operation by the SOG and BSF forces has been continuing in the dense forests in Koraput district. ALSO READ | Are Maoists perceiving educated youths as their new enemy? The dump that was busted by the forces contained medicines, books, fuel and oil cans and hand bags. Police also suspect that though 15 Maoists took part in the exchange of fire, yet about 60 people were in the camp. As it was a hilly terrain with thick forest cover, the Maoists managed to escape from the spot easily despite being surrounded by the forces. Sources said that the police even suspect that the top Maoist leaders, including Chalapathi, Arunakka and RK, managed to escape on Sunday. Special forces have been deployed in the Maoist-affected police stations in Srikakulam district, including Bhamini, Bathili, Kotturu, Seethampeta, Meliaputti, Patapatnam, Vajrapukotturu and Mandasa, said CM Trivkram Varma, the Srikakulam SP. He also said that the cordon search was conducted at Manumakonda village of Battili mandal, under which 168 houses were searched while 685 people were enquired. The surrendered Maoists and suspected sympathisers were also summoned to the nearby police stations for an enquiry. G Ramesh Babu By Express News Service SRIKAKULAM: What started out as a modest attempt by a youngster in a small town in Andhra Pradeshs Srikakulam district a year ago to help those in dire need of blood, is now a source of life-line for thousands of patients across the state. Realising that blood banks in the district are unable to meet the rising demand for blood, Mamidi Govinda Rao, or MGR, roped in a small group of volunteers who would be available anytime anywhere to donate blood. Mamidi Govinda Rao (extreme right) with members of his MGR mobile blood bank in Srikakulam (Photo | EPS) A year later, it has grown to become a full-fledged mobile blood bank with over 3,600 members not just in Srikakulam but in neighbouring Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts, too, making blood unit just a call away. This is how the MGR Mobile Blood Bank works: Those who want to donate blood register their names by submitting details of their blood group, hemoglobin levels and residential address with contact numbers. Upon receiving a phone call or a WhatsApp message from a patients relative seeking a specific group of blood, no less than four donors rush to the hospital to donate blood. Since the launch, members have donated blood to more than 1,500 patients. With rising instances of a drop in platelets count due to seasonal fevers, the demand for blood has shot up in the recent past, says Rao. We have donated the blood to about 500 victims in the past two months alone, he adds. To contact MGR Blood Bank, call or WhatApp on 7702044449. 5 units donated each day We donate not less than five units of blood each day, says Mamidi Govinda Rao.No death should take place due to lack of blood. That is the motto of the mobile blood bank, he adds. Brexit negotiations will probably need to run into November to finalise a withdrawal treaty, including a so-called "backstop" agreement to avoid a hard land border on the island of Ireland, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Tuesday. "There is an expectation that the UK side will introduce some legal text which I hope can be helpful. Whether or not that can be the basis for a significant step forward between now and the (EU) Council meeting next week, we simply don't know yet," Coveney told a news conference. "What we do know is that the talks process has intensified this week on trying to find a way forward on the backstop but I suspect November will probably be needed as well as October to get agreement on that but we'll know an awful lot more next Monday and Tuesday." Search Keywords: Short link: By Express News Service JAGATSINGHPUR: CRACKS have developed in paddy fields of Jagatsinghpur district for non-supply of irrigation water. Canals in the district have dried up and many lift irrigation points are lying defunct. Thousands of hectares of paddy fields with standing crops in Nuagaon, Balikuda, Raghunathpur and other areas have developed cracks as irrigation water does not reach tail end of canals. At present, the crops are in flowering stage and farmers apprehend if the situation does not improve within a week, the crops may wither away. According to official reports, 22,825 hectares (ha) of paddy field are irrigated by water of Taladanda canal, 34,083 ha by Machgaon canal, 8,000 ha by lift irrigation points, 11,180 ha by shallow tubewells, 2,550 ha by Mahanadi barrage and 1,920 ha by other water sources. This crop season, 75,386 ha were irrigated and water did not reach 25,062 ha for inadequate rainfall, defunct LI points and shallow tubewells that have dried up. In many areas like Tiruna, Gajrajpur, Alana, Ghodansa, Dabar, Galadhari and Deriki, irrigation water does not reach the tail end of canals. Although lift irrigation points have been lying defunct for a long time, the structures have not been repaired or renovated. Tulasi Swain, Sarpanch of Deriki, said there are four lift irrigation points in Deriki panchayat that were installed in 2002 but have not been put in use since then. The branch canal no 7 of Machgaon canal - Dhanipur to Gopalpur stretch - has not supplied irrigation water for the last three months. The canal irrigates 5,000 ha of crop land. Executive Engineer, Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation, Cuttack division, Pabitra Mohan Parida informed that of 717 lift irrigation points, 235 are not functioning and 22 defunct points are not in a condition to be revived. We have sent a proposal for renovation of 23 defunct life irrigation points and installation of another 24 points to the corporation for approval, he said.Meanwhile, farmers have warned of agitation if water is not provided for irrigation at the earliest. Defunct facilities At present, the crops are in flowering stage and farmers apprehend that in the absence of water, the crops will not ripen Although lift irrigation points have been lying defunct for a long time, the structures have not been repaired or renovated Thousands of hectares of paddy fields with standing crops in Nuagaon, Balikuda, Raghunathpur and other areas have developed cracks as irrigation water does not reach tail end of canals By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Its election time and poll promises are aplenty. The Congress, BJP and even the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi, in a bid to woo voters, are promising them the moon. But can the political players keep their promises? Is it viable or even possible for them to implement their assurances? No, say economic experts TNIE spoke to. Most said the assurances would be very difficult to implement, if not impossible. READ| Has TRS left the rivals behind in poll campaign? They opine that the entire budget of the State would be insufficient to meet the financial requirements of some of the promises made by the parties. The Congress, which has been in the Opposition for five years, is determined to wrest power this time and has stirred up a hornets nest by assuring waiver of an Rs 2-lakh crop loan in one go. Four years back, the TRS waived crop loans up to Rs1 lakh, which cost the exchequer Rs16,124.37 crore. It was, however, waived in four instalments spreading four budget years. The grand old party, if voted to power, will need a whopping Rs 32,000 crore to waive the crop loan at one go. However, the announcement has made the ruling TRS jittery as it has been opposing the Rs 2-lakh waiver, but it remains to be seen whether the TRS will also include the loan waiver in its manifesto. Another promise made by the Congress was to provide six domestic gas cylinders free of cost per year to all below poverty line (BPL) families. There are around 30 lakh Deepam connection households in the State, and so the burden on the exchequer will be thousands of crores of rupees. At present, without subsidy, each gas cylinder is priced at Rs 800. Asara hike Currently, the State government grants Rs1,000 to each person under Asara. If the amount is doubled, then the State has to shell out Rs 10,000 crore every year. Under tremendous pressure, the ruling TRS too has jumped the bandwagon and assured that Asara pension would be hiked. The promise will be stated in the partys manifesto which is likely to be released shortly. Though TRS leaders initially belittled the promises of the Congress, the party is now mulling over how to counter the Opposition and win the hearts of the people. We will release our manifesto very soon. We will make our own manifesto and not depending on what the Opposition is assuring to the voters, TRS manifesto committee chairman K Keshava Rao said. In the run-up to the elections, the State BJP too is not lagging behind in showering poll promises. BJPs manifesto committee chairman NVVS Prabhakar already announced the payment of house rent to the poor up to Rs 5,000 per month, till the poor got own houses. This promise was dismissed by TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao by saying: Such a scheme does not exist anywhere in the world. KTRs story Heckling the promises of the Congress, Rama Rao is repeatedly telling an interesting story of a tailor who lost his needle. Once, a tailor lost his needle. And vowed that he will give five kg jaggery and five kg sugar to god if his needle is found. His wife shouted at him, you mindless fellow, who will offer expensive gifts to god for the sake of just 10 paise needle? But, the tailor is cool and said: If needle is found, who will realise vows? Whether god will come to us and demand them? In the same manner, the Congress, in order to get the power, is promising everything. This story of Rama Rao is going well with voters, yet TRS is a little bit shaky about Oppositions promises. Senior Congress leader and manifesto committee member T Jeevan Reddy said that as per government figures, the growth rate is 22 per cent and it will further increase which means that there will be enough money to implement all promises made by Congress party. State government advisor (Finance) GR Reddy, the man behind the new State presenting budgets, said: The implementation of promises of the Opposition are almost impossible. The Opposition should explain where they are going to get the required money. Mere making promises is not sufficient. The liabilities of the state and the source of resources for new promises too should be explained to voters. By UNI DHAKA: The first batch of 6,000 Rohingya refugees would be sent back to Myanmar soon, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said. As Bangladesh tries to mount pressure on Myanmar to take back Rohingya refugees whose number has swelled to 1.2 million in refugee camps in Cox's Bazaar district of Bangladesh, diplomatic efforts with the help of India and United Nations are being mounted on Myanmar for return of Rohingyas who have fled Myanmar and taken shelter on Bangladeshi soil. ''India has almost completed construction of 250 houses in Rakhine state of Myanmar and China has promised to build another 1,000 to facilitate the return of Rohingyas. There was a joint meeting held recently in New York between India, Bangladesh and China which was also attended by UN Secretary-General as well as UN's special envoy to Myanmar. The effort is to make repatriation of Rohingyas possible,'' he said. READ| NRC is India's problem, says Bangladesh foreign minister Mahmood Ali Addressing a delegation of international journalists in Dhaka on Sunday, Mr Ali said that as part of the joint working group mechanism, Myanmar officials have visited the Rakhine state and the only long lasting solution to Rohingya refugee problem was to create conducive conditions for them to go back to their own country. He admitted that Rohingya problem was affecting cooperation between Bangladesh and Myanmar. He said that Bangladesh has developed an island in the Bay of Bengal and readied shelter facilities with strong concrete pillars where a majority of Rohingya refugees could be shifted. ''Entire world has congratulated our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving shelter to Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds but it is a temporary measure. Only permanent solution is to send them back. There are concerns in Bangladesh as the number of Rohingyas has overtaken local population in Cox's Bazaar area where they have been housed temporarily. We have no other long term solution but to repatriate them. Ultimately, we would like to send them back,'' the Foreign Minister said. He also pointed to ongoing efforts between Bangladesh-Myanmar to strengthen their cooperation in a number of fields like tourism, development of Buddhist circuit and civil aviation despite the recent Rohingya refugee issue. By IANS LASHKAR GARH: An election candidate was among eight killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan on Tuesday, officials said, days ahead of a parliamentary vote that militants have vowed to disrupt. Another 11 people were wounded when the attacker blew himself up inside Saleh Mohammad Asikzai's campaign office in the southern city of Lashkar Gah, Helmand provincial governor spokesman Omar Zhwak told AFP. Asikzai, a young first-time candidate, was campaigning on a platform of "positive change." There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Helmand has long been a stronghold for the Taliban, which was toppled from power in a US-led invasion in 2001. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and said Afghans who believed in democracy would not allow "terrorists" to stop the elections. It is not clear how many people were inside the room at the time of the blast, which comes a day after the Taliban warned candidates to pull out of the "bogus" election scheduled for October 20. Describing the polls as a "malicious American conspiracy" and urging voters to boycott them, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants would pull no punches to disrupt the ballot. It was the second suicide attack to target a parliamentary candidate since campaigning officially kicked off on September 28. An attack on a rally in the eastern province of Nangarhar on October 2 killed 13 people and wounded more than 40. The Islamic State group claimed the attack, which the candidate survived. Violence had been expected to escalate ahead of the poll, which more than 2,500 candidates are contesting. Tuesday's attack takes the number of candidates murdered in targeted killings to at least six. Hundreds of civilians also have been killed or wounded in poll-related violence in recent months. Preparations for the ballot, which it is a test run for next year's presidential vote, have been in turmoil for months and there has been the debate about whether the vote should go ahead. Bureaucratic inefficiency, allegations of industrial-scale fraud and an eleventh-hour pledge for biometric verification of voters threaten to derail the process, which is three years late. Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces will be responsible for protecting more than 5,000 polling centers on election day. But there are concerns over how they will manage as the Taliban and IS step up attacks across the country. In other violence, "hundreds" of Taliban fighters stormed a military post in the northern province of Jowzjan on Monday, provincial police chief Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani told AFP. At least 12 soldiers and 30 Taliban fighters were killed in the attack, he said. By UNI DHAKA: Khaleda Zia, 73, a long-running rival of Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was on an order from the High Court, transferred to hospital on Saturday following poor health. The widow of assassinated President Zia-ur-Rahman was jailed in February for corruption and is on trial in a special room in the abandoned Dhaka Central Jail on graft charges that her supporters say are politically motivated. ''Her symptoms have worsened in the last few months," Abdul Jalil Chowdhury, one of the physicians at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital who has since examined her, told UNI. "She has developed deformity of left hand in the last few months due to long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Khaleda can not use her left hand," he said. ''In addition, she has developed left frozen shoulder," he said. Khaleda also suffers from neck and back pain and is a diabetic. Lawyers for Khaleda, prime minister from 1991-1996 and 2001-2006, had argued that the government was putting her health at risk by refusing her specialised care in prison. When Khaleda who leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party -- was jailed in February for corruption, the sentence triggered clashes between police and thousands of her supporters. She was found guilty of embezzling money intended for an orphanage. Khaleda is appealing against the verdict--which bars her from standing in the general election set for December -- and was granted bail earlier this year. However, she remains in custody while she fights dozens of other violence and graft charges. Last month, the authorities turned a room of the jail into a court -- a move her lawyers said was illegal. Khaleda already had health issues including arthritis, diabetes and knee replacements when she was sentenced. She is the only inmate in Dhaka Central Jail, built in the 19th century under British colonial rule and in 2016 declared abandoned. Her party boycotted the 2014 election in which Sheikh Hasina Wazed returned to power but is expected to contest the polls due in December. By ANI WASHINGTON: South Asia Minorities Alliance Foundation (SAMAF) chairman Nadeem Nusrat urged Pakistan's Supreme Court to drop unfounded blasphemy charges against death row convict Asiya Bibi, and ordered her immediate release. The Mohajir leader, in a statement, said that for years, Bibi has been kept in prison under charges that clearly lack credibility and mock the norms of justice. She has already suffered enough and there is no reason to keep her in prison, he added. Nusrat's statement comes a day after Pakistan's Supreme Court reserved its judgement on the blasphemy case lodged against Bibi, the only woman in Pakistan to be facing a death penalty for blasphemy. Press Release - Release #AsiaBibi immediately. Minorities have become a hostage to religious extremist forces in Pakistan: Nadeem Nusrat. pic.twitter.com/JJiPwJMDxX Nadeem Nusrat (@nadeem_nusrat) October 9, 2018 Bibi, a Christian woman, was allegedly involved in an argument with three Muslim women after they refused to drink from a cup that she had touched, according to Al Jazeera. The three women later claimed that Bibi, in an ensuing argument, insulted Prophet Muhammed, a charge that carries capital punishment in Pakistan. In 2010, a court in Sheikhupura sentenced her to death by hanging. Since then, several appeals against the death sentence have not been able to give Bibi a relief. Last year, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar declined to hear her case. Meanwhile, the SAMAF chairman, who also heads the Voice of Karachi, added that it is a common knowledge that blasphemy charges in Pakistan are routinely used against the country's religious minorities and Asiya Bibi's case is no exception. "In most cases, the real reasons behind blasphemy charges are very different and have nothing to do with the charges levelled against the accused persons," said Nusrat. He further added that Pakistan's own military establishment has been fanning religious extremism in the country for decades, which has not only emboldened religious extremists but also made it "very convenient for anyone to accuse members of religious minorities of blasphemy." Such reckless policies of the military establishment, Nusrat said, have created an environment of hatred and intolerance where not just religious minorities, but every peace-loving, secular-minded individual seems to be under threat. In this Nov. 20, 2010, file photo, Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman, listens to officials at a prison in Sheikhupura near Lahore, Pakistan. (Photo | AP) "The killing of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer is just one example of this growing madness where religious and ethnic minorities have become a hostage to religious extremist forces and standing up to them is becoming increasingly dangerous," he added. Apart from demanding the release of Bibi, the SAMAF chairman also urged Pakistani lawmakers to amend the current blasphemy laws, stating that the present laws allow religious extremists to conveniently accuse members of religious minorities of unfounded blasphemy charges. By AFP WASHINGTON: Nikki Haley, who has resigned as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, was a virtual unknown on the national and international stage when she joined the cabinet. After nearly two years as one of America's top voices on foreign policy, the 46-year-old South Carolina native will leave at year's end with a strong global profile -- and a reputation for standing up to the mercurial Trump. READ | Donald Trump's UN Ambassador Nikki Haley resigning; she gives no reason With speculation already building about her political future, she quickly denied any plans to challenge her boss in 2020, instead saying in the Oval Office on Tuesday it was "time to stand aside." "I don't have anything set on where I want to go," Haley said, with the president at her side. But wanting a break from the punishing Trump news cycle would surely be understandable. During her time at the United Nations, Haley -- a fellow Republican who previously served as South Carolina's governor -- was unafraid to speak her mind, often in fairly undiplomatic language. She was the face of the White House to the world on everything from North Korean denuclearization to the war in Syria. And the daughter of Indian immigrants, who was raised as a Sikh but identifies as Christian, was the face of diversity in a cabinet criticized for being too white. Outsider perspective Haley was not exactly on the Trump train from the get-go -- she endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio during the Republican primary race in 2016 before backing Senator Ted Cruz. Indeed, she called the brash Manhattan property baron "everything a governor doesn't want in a president," and just weeks before the election, she admitted she was "not a fan" of the candidate. So understandably, eyebrows were raised when Trump chose Haley -- who had little foreign policy experience -- as Washington's voice at the United Nations. But, as she said herself, she had a track record in shaking up staid, traditional government bodies -- a quality that surely appealed to Trump. "Institutions always benefit from an outsider's perspective," she told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank last year. "In South Carolina, I was the first minority governor and -- a real shock to the state -- the first girl governor as well." Born in 1972 in Bamberg, South Carolina, Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa rose quickly in the southern state's politics, serving in its House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011 when she was elected governor. She was reportedly considered as a possible vice presidential pick by 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Her conservative views and plainspoken but warm style were popular in her home state. She then won national attention in 2015 by supporting the removal of the Confederate flag from the state house after a white gunman opened fire at a black church, killing nine parishioners. Haley is married to Michael Haley, an officer in the South Carolina National Guard and has two children. 'I don't get confused' At the United Nations, she found her voice, quickly outshining the secretary of state at the time, Rex Tillerson. She was a fierce defender of Israel, and also a ferocious critic of Russia -- even more so than her boss. And when a White House aide suggested in April this year that "confusion" had led her to mistakenly announce fresh sanctions on Russia, she quickly fired back. "With all due respect, I don't get confused," Haley said. She wanted to see what was happening on the ground, traveling to Israel, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Latin America. In recent months, her star had faded a bit, with Tillerson replaced by the brash Mike Pompeo and John Bolton taking over as national security advisor. By PTI WASHINGTON: US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley indicated in her resignation letter to President Donald Trump that she might be moving to the private sector as she ruled out a 2020 presidential bid and promised to support his re-election. "It has been an immense honour to serve our country in your Administration. I cannot thank you enough for giving me this opportunity," 46-year-old Haley said in her resignation letter. READ | Donald Trump's UN envoy Nikki Haley resigning; she gives no reason While she publicly announced to resign on Tuesday, the resignation letter is dated October 3. She said that to give time to Trump to select a replacement, and to give the Senate time to consider his selection, she is prepared to continue to serve until January 2019. "At that point, I will once again become a private citizen. I expect to continue to speak out from time to time on important public policy matters, but I will surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020. "As a private citizen, I look forward to supporting your re-election as President, and supporting the policies that will continue to move our great country toward even greater heights," she said in the letter. Haley recalled in the letter that when Trump had offered her the position of United States Ambassador to the United Nations in November 2016, she had accepted the offer based on some conditions. "Those conditions included serving in your Cabinet and on the National Security Council and being free to speak my mind on the issues of the day. You made those commitments and you have absolutely kept them all. For that too, I will always be grateful, she said. Read | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praises Nikki Haley after she quits UN post Listing the "great successes" achieved during her tenure at the UN, Haley said the US passed the toughest sanctions against any country in a generation, pressuring North Korea toward denuclearization. "We passed an arms embargo on South Sudan that will help reduce violence and hopefully bring peace to that troubled country. "We stood up for our ally Israel and began to roll back the UN's relentless bias against her. We reformed UN operations and saved over USD 1.3 billion. We spoke out resolutely against dictatorships in Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, and yes, Russia," she said. Through it all, the US stood strong for American values and interests, always placing America first. "I am proud of our record," she said. Noting that she is a strong supporter of term limits, Haley said she has long believed that rotation in office benefits the public. "Between the UN Ambassadorship and serving in the South Carolina Governorship and General Assembly, I have been in public office for fourteen straight years. As a businessman, I expect you will appreciate my sense that returning from government to the private sector is not a step down but a step up." Haley, the senior most Indian-American official in any US administration, emerged as an outspoken and fearless envoy during her tenure as the top American diplomat at the world body. Acknowledging her policy disagreements with the president in an op-ed in the Washington Post last month, she had said, "I, too, am a senior Trump administration official. I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country. But I don't agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person." In December, she said that women who had accused Trump of sexual misconduct "should be heard." When a White House adviser said Haley had been confused in prematurely announcing more sanctions against Russia, she said simply, "With all due respect, I don't get confused." Haley had just completed a successful month as President of the UN Security Council in September, when the world body hosts its annual high-level UN General Assembly session. She was born Nimrata Randhawa to Ajit Singh Randhawa and mother Raj Kaur Randhawa, who had emigrated from Punjab to Canada and then to the US in the 1960s. She had become the first Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration when she was named US Ambassador to the UN. A rising Republican star, Haley was approved overwhelmingly for the position by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with wide bipartisan support, 96-4. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, in response to Haley's resignation, thanked her for standing with the truth without fear. Haley had become known for her tough position on Iran and for being one of the strongest advocate of Israel. By AFP SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to visit, saying he would be "ardently welcomed", South Korea's presidency said Tuesday, adding it would pass on Pyongyang's message to the Vatican. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will have an audience with the Pope during a visit to the Vatican from October 17 to 18. "During the meeting with Pope Francis, he (Moon) will relay the message from chairman Kim Jong Un that he would ardently welcome the pope if he visits Pyongyang," Moon's spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom, told reporters. Moon is embarking on a nine-day tour of Europe from October 13 to 21 that will include stops in France, Italy, and Denmark on top of the Vatican. The doveish Moon has pushed rapprochement with Kim, meeting him three times in the last year. During the most recent face to face -- visit to Pyongyang last month -- Moon was accompanied by South Korean Archbishop Hyginus Kim Hee-Joong. During a conversation with the visiting archbishop, Kim urged him to let the Vatican know his intention to build peace, according to Moon's spokesman. The young leader of the isolated, impoverished but nuclear-armed North has taken a series of reconciliatory gestures since early this year, including a land summit with US President Donald Trump in June. During last month's summit, Kim also reaffirmed efforts to ease military tension on the flashpoint peninsula but remained vague on measures on how to dismantle his widely-feared atomic arsenal. Religious freedom is enshrined in the North's constitution, but all religious activity is subject to extremely tight restrictions and completely banned outside of state-sanctioned institutions. In the early 20th century before the division of the peninsula, Pyongyang was a regional missionary hub with scores of churches and a thriving Christian community that earned it the title of "Jerusalem of the East". But Kim Il Sung, the North's late founding leader and the current ruler's grandfather, viewed Christianity as a threat to his authoritarian rule and eradicated it through executions and labour camps. The North's regime since then has allowed Catholic organisations to run aid projects in the impoverished country, but direct relations with the Vatican are non-existent. When Pope Francis visited South Korea in 2014, he held a special mass in Seoul dedicated to reunification of the two Koreas. A 2014 survey by Korea Gallup showed 22 percent of South Koreans identify themselves as Buddhist, while nearly 30 percent are Christian. By IANS ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has announced its decision to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for balance-of-payments support and enter into a stabilisation programme, the media reported on Tuesday. Finance Minister Asad Umar left for Indonesia on Monday night to participate in the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank at Bali, scheduled to run until October 12, and formally request a bailout programme, reports Dawn news. "The government has decided to approach the IMF for stabilisation and an economic recovery programme," said the Finance Ministry in a statement after the stock market suffered an over 1,300-point plunge, losing almost 270 billion Pakistani rupees ($2 billion) of its capitalisation - the highest single-day loss in a decade. ALSO READ | IMF calls for more action in Pakistan, but no word on bailout The market capitalisation is estimated to have shrunk by almost half a trillion rupees during the current month as the 100-index dropped to a 10-month low. The decision to seek a bailout comes after Prime Minister Imran Khan sought alternatives to the IMF, but without success. Pakistan had a trade deficit of $17.99 billion in the last financial year (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018), which was $12.4 billion in 2016-17 and $4.9 billion the year before that, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The country's fiscal deficit stands at 6.6 per cent of its gross domestic product. Pakistan's foreign currency reserves have fallen to $9 billion, half of what they were two years ago, according to the State Bank of Pakistan, despite GDP growth of 5.8 per cent, the highest in a decade, reports Efe news. The situation is similar to 2013, when after the elections, the new government in Pakistan obtained $5.3 billion from the IMF to reinvigorate its ailing economy. Pakistan paid back the loan in October last year, marking the first time in its history it repaid the IMF in full. If the negotiations are a success, it would be the 13th IMF package for Pakistan. Sales of U.S. military equipment to foreign governments rose 33 percent to $55.6 billion in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, a U.S. administration official told Reuters on Tuesday. The increase in foreign military sales came in part because the Trump administration rolled out a new "Buy American" plan in April that loosened restrictions on sales while encouraging U.S. officials to take a bigger role in increasing business overseas for the U.S. weapons industry. There are two major ways foreign governments purchase arms from U.S. companies: Direct commercial sales, negotiated between a government and a company; and foreign military sales, where a foreign government typically contacts a Department of Defense official at the U.S. embassy in their capital. Both require approval by the U.S. government. About $70 billion worth of foreign military sales notifications went to Congress this year, slightly less than the year before, the administration official said. The $55.6 billion figure represents signed letters of agreement for foreign military sales between the United States and allies. The largest U.S. arms contractors include Boeing Co, Lockheed Martin Corp, Raytheon Co, General Dynamics Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp. Search Keywords: Short link: By PTI LAHORE: Pakistan's top anti-graft body has summoned Salman Shahbaz, son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif, on Wednesday in a case pertaining to the accumulation of assets beyond the known sources of income. Shehbaz has already been in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore till October 16 in a physical remand in the Rs 1,400 crore Ashiyana housing scam case. The NAB on Monday issued summons to Salman to appear before a joint investigation team on Wednesday in a complaint regarding building assets beyond his known sources of income. Salman is managing the business affairs of the Shehbaz family. The NAB arrested Shehbaz on Friday last for allegedly awarding the contract of the housing project to a favorite firm after cancelling the contact of the successful bidder. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has alleged that Shehbaz was arrested at the behest of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said NAB's action against the Sharif family members is a political victimisation. The PML-N has said it will launch a protest movement against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led coalition government for targeting its political opponents. The decision to launch protests was taken during a Central Executive Committee meeting of the PML-N chaired by Nawaz, the elder brother of Shehbaz. The PML-N central executive committee also adopted a resolution against the arrest of its leadership days before the October 14 by-elections. This was the first formal party meeting that Nawaz, 68, chaired since after his release from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi last month. The former premier, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar were released from prison on September 19 after the Islamabad High Court suspended their sentences in the Avenfield corruption case. The Islamabad High Court has suspended their sentences and granted them bail till the disposal of their appeals. Since then, Nawaz stayed away from media and political activities and the party leaders defended him by claiming that he was in a state of mourning over the death of his wife Kulsoom in London and that he would soon start his political activities. However, the PML-N leaders now claim that due to the "sudden arrest" of his 67-year-old younger brother, the three-time former premier has been forced to jump into the political arena in order to boost the morale of the party workers. Meanwhile, PML-N lawmaker and former minister Rana Sanaullah said that the party would stage protests outside the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly on Wednesday if their sessions are not called by then. "If Imran Khan did not pay attention to this protest, then this protest will not remain confined to the parliament," he warned and demanded Shehbaz, who was leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, should be brought to the NA session. By AFP ANKARA: Turkey's president has demanded Saudi officials prove their claim that missing journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, as the US called for a thorough probe into his disappearance. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments on Monday came after media reports said his government sought permission from Saudi authorities to search the consulate premises in Istanbul. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, vanished last Tuesday after entering the consulate to receive official documents ahead of his marriage to a Turkish woman. A person close to the investigation shared a still from CCTV camera he said showed Jamal Khashoggis last known seconds, as he stepped inside the consulate door. https://t.co/CxlVrwDc8d pic.twitter.com/y6uNRzT7AC Erin Cunningham (@erinmcunningham) October 9, 2018 "Consulate officials cannot save themselves by saying that he left the building... Don't you have a camera?" Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest. "If he left, you have to prove it with footage. Those who ask Turkish authorities where he is should ask what happened." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement late Monday urged "the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation". Turkish police said at the weekend that around 15 Saudis, including officials, arrived in Istanbul on two flights last Tuesday and were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi. Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. (Photo | AFP) A Turkish government source told AFP at the weekend that the police believe the journalist "was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day". Riyadh vehemently denies the claim and says Khashoggi left the consulate. Turkey on Monday sought permission to search the consulate premises, Turkish NTV broadcaster reported. The move came after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time Sunday over the journalist's disappearance. A Turkish diplomat confirmed Monday that the Saudi envoy had met deputy foreign minister Sedat Onal. "The ambassador was told that we expected full cooperation during the investigation," the source said. The ambassador was first summoned to the ministry on Wednesday. Erdogan said Turkish police and intelligence were investigating the case. "The airport exits and entrances are being examined. There are people who came from Saudi Arabia," he said. "The chief prosecutor's office is investigating the issue." US President Donald Trump said he was "concerned" about the journalist's disappearance. "Right now, nobody knows anything about it. There are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House. Awful crime Protesters gathered outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday with banners reading "We will not leave without Jamal Khashoggi", demanding to know what had happened to him. Members of the Turkish-Arab journalist Association hold posters with photos of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, as they hold a protest near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Monday, Oct. 8 (Photo | AP) Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said it would be an "awful crime" if the claims of his death were true. "Killing him is like killing us. This policy is just a terror policy. There's no difference between the state terror and other terror actions," she added. Khashoggi went to the consulate to obtain official documents required for his marriage to Hatice Cengiz. Turkish police quickly said he never left the building as there was no security footage of his departure. The consulate rejected claims that the journalist was killed there as "baseless". Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously told Bloomberg that Riyadh was "ready to welcome the Turkish government to go and search" the consulate, which is Saudi sovereign territory. The entrance to the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Turkey has summoned the Saudi ambassador to request the kingdom's "full cooperation" in an investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who Turkish officials say was killed while visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The 59-year-old Khashoggi went missing last Tuesday while visiting the consulate for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancee. (Photo | AP) "We will allow them to enter and search and do whatever they want to do. If they ask for that, of course, we will allow them. We have nothing to hide," Prince Salman said in an interview published on Friday. Khashoggi had been critical of some of the crown prince's policies and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen in Arab and Western media. He compared the 33-year-old prince to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a column for the Washington Post in November 2017. "As of now, I would say Mohammed bin Salman is acting like Putin. He is imposing very selective justice. The crackdown on even the most constructive criticism the demand for complete loyalty with a significant 'or else' remains a serious challenge to the crown prince's desire to be seen as a modern, enlightened leader," he wrote. Devastating impact Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a top Senate ally of Trump, warned of a "devastating" impact on the US alliance with Saudi Arabia if allegations are confirmed. Saudi Arabia launched a modernisation campaign following Prince Mohammed's appointment as heir to the throne with moves such as lifting a ban on women driving. But the ultra-conservative kingdom, which ranks 169th out of 180 on RSF's World Press Freedom Index, has been strongly criticised over its intolerance of dissent with dozens of people arrested including intellectuals and Islamic preachers. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Senior US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday held talks with Pakistani officials here to help bring the Taliban into negotiations in order to end the over 17-year war in Afghanistan. Khalilzad, who is the US Special Representative for Afghan reconciliation, arrived from Afghanistan where he had discussions with the top leadership over the issue of peace in the war-torn country. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Faisal said in a series of tweets that Khalilzad held delegation-level talks with senior officials led by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Khalilzad also met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and discussed various bilateral and regional issues with the focus on the Afghanistan unrest. Faisal said that Qureshi "reiterated Pakistan's efforts for achieving peace in Afghanistan." The foreign minister said Pakistan will continue to play its role for a political solution to the Afghan conflict. He said Pakistan welcomes US efforts for peace in Afghanistan. Afghan-origin Khalilzad served as a special envoy of President George W Bush following the fall of the Taliban government in 2001. He also served as US ambassador to Afghanistan. He is seen in Pakistan as a hawk who has often accused Islamabad of supporting Taliban militants. By PTI LAHORE: A Pakistani court on Tuesday sentenced a 60-year-old disabled man to six-year imprisonment for sexually abusing an eight-year-old girl. Lahore's Additional District and Sessions Judge Rahmat Ali announced the verdict as prosecution established the case that suspect, Muzaffar Hussain, sexually abused the girl at his house. However, the prosecution failed to establish that the suspect committed rape. The convict was present in the court on a wheelchair when the judge announced the verdict. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 500,000 on him. In case of his failure to pay the fine, he will have to serve five more years in jail. Lahore police had lodged a case in 2017 against the convict under sections 376, 364, and 377-A & B of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The sections deal with offence of rape, kidnapping and sexual abuse. The incident took place at Batapur area close to Wagah border. Police arrested the suspect later last year. Advocate Hashim Niazi, the convict's counsel, argued in the court that police medical report had clearly established that Hussain was unable to perform the alleged act of rape, therefore, police at a later stage on investigation included offences of sexual abuse and kidnapping in the FIR. He claimed that the girl's father implicated Hussain in a false case only to settle a property dispute with him. Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat has launched a new alliance between the ministry and a number of Egyptian and international media and marketing companies to promote tourism in Egypt worldwide, after a previous contract with J. Walter Thompson (JWT) marketing company ended. The companies include the Egyptian advertising and film production firm Synergy, and multinational IPG/MCN, which operates in more than 100 countries around the world. The three-year contract with JWT, assigned to promote Egypt touristically abroad, ended in mid-September, and so we needed to think what our next step was, the minister said at a press conference in Cairo on Monday. Some of the companys campaigns were successful, she said, but it is time to change and to modernise our campaigns, she said, adding that the ministry needed a mechanism that enables it to become flexible in marketing. She also said that the ministry had to act fast and to choose a new company, but with more flexible conditions. Synergy and IPG signed an agreement a month ago and that made it easy for the tourism ministry, she said, adding that the ministry chose them to fill the gap left by JWT quickly. The minister said that it was the vision of the tourism ministry to have an Egyptian partner that could generate partnerships with international marketing, PR, advertising and crisis management companies, which would enable the ministry to exist in more countries flexibly. The aim of the alliance is to support Egypt and to promote everything Egyptian all over the world and give us a competitive advantage in the Egyptian tourism product, Hassan Kamel, the CEO of Synergy, said at the press conference. We have been working over the past two months to translate the vision of the Ministry of Tourism into strategies and plans to promote tourism in Egypt abroad, Sahar El-Zoghby, the CEO of IPG/MCN Egypt, explained. El-Zoghby also spoke about the history of IPG/MCN as well subsidiaries working under its umbrella internationally and their roles, saying they had promoted tourism in 20 countries, among them Spain, Greece, Mexico and Thailand. According to El-Zoghby, IPG/MCNs subsidiary FP7 Egypt and Craft Company will be responsible for the digital content and social media campaigns targeting youth, while Universal Media and Initiative will be responsible for media planning, including digital and online media. She added that IPG/MCNs subsidiaries Momentum and Jack Morton would be responsible for organising exhibitions and events to promote tourism in Egypt, while Weber Shandwick would be responsible for public relations and crisis management. Al-Mashat stated the true launch of the new Egyptian campaign would be at the upcoming World Travel Market 2018 in London in November. The Egyptian partition is different than anything before; it will be a surprise, she said, adding that the partition will be digitalised. The minister also said that the campaign aims to change the perception not of Egypt only but also of Egyptians and their traits, so that they are perceived as they actually are: progressive, productive, passionate and peaceful. According to the minister, the big event Egypt is waiting for is the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza in 2020. It is Egypt's gift to the world for real, she said. We need to understand that the issue in the tourism industry is not only about receiving a huge number of tourists or revenues, but it is about creating the proper infrastructure in tourism, whether people or hotels or markets, that are based on scientific principles to make the tourism sector stronger, she said. The minister added that Egypt has a very special touristic product but there should be lots of efforts made to see that it is used properly. Budget for new alliance, fate of tourism offices Al-Mashat also said that the ministry was re-evaluating the role of the eight Egyptian tourism board offices located abroad, in light of the new partnership. She said that the agreement with Synergy and IPC/MCN was did not have a set timeframe, adding that this gives the ministry more flexiblity. Although Al-Mashat did not reveal the budget for the new alliance, she said that a one-year budget was agreed by the cabinet last week. The cabinet has already put a ceiling on the budget, she added. During the press conference, the minister said that the meeting of the Egyptian Tourism Federation would be held on 31 October. She also added that in the upcoming period the tourism ministry would focus on a structural reform programme targeting the whole tourism sector. This programme will be launched in October too, Al-Mashat said, adding that there will be another press conference then to discuss the programme. Officials from the ministry attended the event along with MP Amr Sedki, the new head of the tourism and aviation committee in the House of Representatives. Search Keywords: Short link: Champaign, IL (61820) Today Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 42F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low near 30F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Egypt's first smartphone maker is looking to enter the broader African market by the end of 2018 or early 2019 as it seeks to boost exports, its sales director said. Silicon Industries Corporation (SICO), which already exports to the Gulf, aims to start selling phones in Kenya, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique and Ghana, Sales Director Mahmoud Ali told Reuters. "It's a promising market and there's much less competition than in the Gulf," Ali said, noting big demand for affordable phones in Africa. He said he mostly expected to sell smartphones in the $50 to $60 price range to African customers outside Egypt. SICO, which was set up last year with capital of 150 million Egyptian pounds ($8.4 million), sells phones under the brand name Nile X and has said it uses a Chinese design of 3G/4G U.S. technology. Private investors hold 80 percent of the company and the remaining 20 percent is held by Egypt's Ministry of Communication. In 2019 the company aims to export 40 percent of its production and keep 60 percent local, Ali said. It also wants to expand its market share in Egypt from 12 percent to 15 percent in 2019, he said. He said it was too early to set a sales target for exports to African countries, but he expected to export more to customers in Africa than in the Gulf next year. "We are still entering the market and talking to people," he said. "We are working with several operators and hoping that [the phones] will be available at their branches at the end of 2018 or early 2019." The company expects to triple its total production from 500,000 units in 2018 to 1.5 million units in 2019, Ahmad el-Sawaf, SICO's international business development manager said. Of the 1.5 million, 900,000 would be sold in Egypt while 600,000 would be sold abroad, he added. He said the company targets sales of 400 million pounds this year, tripling to 1.2 billion pounds next year. The target for 2020 is 2.5 billion pounds, he said. The smartphone maker plans to introduce new phones next year, offering a total of 14 products, he said. SICO currently offers six products, including smartphones and a tablet, he said. Search Keywords: Short link: We had a problem with regalia during our campaigning period. The regalia was done in China and it was finished in time. The problem came when we wanted to pay the supplier his money. He said he was not going to release the regalia until we wired his payment into his account. Egypts coastal city of Burullus has been decorated by 42 volunteer artists from 18 countries during the fifth Burullus Symposium for Drawing on Walls and Boats, currently taking place from 1 to 14 October under the supervision of Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Mohsen. Images have been captured of the joy and excitement of the people of the fishing town of Borg El-Borollos, in northern Egypts Kafr El-Sheikh governorate. The initiative started in 2014 with the aim of decorating the town's houses with murals and adorning fishing boats with vibrant paintings. The Abdel-Mohsen Foundation for Culture, Arts and Development invites Egyptian and international artists as well as the town's own residents to contribute to the project. In a 2015 interview with Ahram Online, Abdel-Mohsen, founder of the organisation behind the event, talked of how the festival can over time change the infrastructure of the impoverished area and enrich its community. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Install the Newser News app in two easy steps: 1. Tap in your navigation bar. 2. Tap to Add to Home Screen. (Newser) Fascism's shadow hung over Spain Monday as a former doctor was found guilty of stealing newborns for infertile couplesbut still went unpunished, the BBC reports. A Madrid court ruled that gynecologist Eduardo Vela, 85, had taken newborn Ines Madrigal from her biological mother in 1969 and gave her to another woman who was wrongly certified as Madrigal's birth-mother. But judges said the 10-year statute of limitations for "unlawful detention" had expired, since Madrigal became an adult in 1987 and only brought the complaint in 2012, per the Guardian. "I didnt know about any of that in 1987," says Madrigal. "But Velas lawyer brought up the statute of limitations again and again during the trialright from the start." story continues below And Madrigal isn't alone: Thousands of similar cases have been reported, since General Franco's fascist regime allowed doctors to take newborns from "left-wing" mothers and give them to pro-Franco families, per the AP. Priests and nuns made lists of parents seeking children while doctors allegedly lied to mothers about what became of their kids. Even post-Franco, Spaniards often kept quiet in a society that respected the Roman Catholic Church and embraced a so-called "pact of forgetting" during the 1970s transition to democracy. But with the European Parliament pressing Spain to take action, this drama appears far from overexcept for Vela, who ducked a prison sentence that prosecutors wanted to last for 11 years. (Read more Spain stories.) (Newser) One of the two suspects in the poisoning of an ex-spy in England is a trained doctor who works for Russian military intelligence and traveled to Britain under an alias, investigative group Bellingcat reported Monday. Bellingcat says on its website that the man British authorities identified as Alexander Petrov is actually Alexander Mishkin, a doctor working for the Russian military intelligence unit known as GRU, per the AP. British officials say when they brought charges against two Russians in the March nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter that they believed Petrov was an assumed name. The other suspect also traveled to Salisbury, England, under an aliasRuslan Boshirovand is in fact a decorated Russian agent named Anatoliy Chepiga, Bellingcat reported last month. story continues below The poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian agent who was convicted of spying for Britain, became a major international incident. British authorities said Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were sickened by a Soviet-made nerve agent. The Skripals survived after a lengthy hospital stay in intensive care. But the nerve agent killed a British woman , Dawn Sturgess, and seriously sickened her partner. The Bellingcat report says Mishkin, the doctor it said works for Russian intelligence, was born in 1979 in the Archangelsk District in northern Russia and graduated from the elite Military Medical Academies, where he was trained for medical work in the Russian navy. Mishkin was recruited by the secretive GRU and stationed in Moscow, where he was given the undercover identity of Alexander Petrov, the investigative group says. (Read more Russia stories.) (Newser) Stormy Daniels thinks she might have gone a little too far in new memoir Full Disclosure when she including a graphic description of President Trump's private parts. The porn actress, who likened Trump's genitals to "the mushroom character in Mario Kart" during a two-page description of an alleged sexual encounter in 2006, told 60 Minutes Australia Sunday that she actually feels "pretty terrible" now that the book is out, USA Today reports. "Because, in a way, it's body shaming," Daniels said. She said she included the details to prove she was telling the truth, and justified it to herself by saying "this is a man who said much worse things about women multiple times. So, here's a taste of your own medicine." story continues below Danielswho described the alleged encounter with Trump as the "least impressive sex" she had ever hadsaid that if she was going to lie about sex with a celebrity, she would pick "somebody way less embarrassing than Donald Trump." On Monday, Daniels told CNN that she has forgiven former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen now that he has admitted she was telling the truth when she said he arranged a $130,000 "hush money" payment on orders from Trump. She said she passed Cohen at New York's LaGuardia Airport recently, and he looked "happy and healthy," like "he had a weight off his shoulders." (Eric Trump was also allegedly involved in the effort to silence Daniels.) (Newser) Vets with tranquilizer darts, drones, and even a powerful breed of hunting dogs haven't been able to track down and take out a dangerous tiger in India suspected of killing 13. So now, forest rangers near Pandharkawada are turning to a bottle of something they hope will make the tigress "roll and cheek-rub" and send her into "absolute heaven." That would be Calvin Klein's Obsession cologne, the latest weapon in the hunt for the tigress named T1, who has been eluding searchers for months, and who spurred a Supreme Court ruling last month allowing her to be killed if necessary, per the Independent. The CK men's fragrance is being deployed because it's like catnip for some big cats, thanks to a compound called civetone, originally derived from a small mammal called the civet but now made artificially, per the New York Times. story continues below "Whatever is in that, cats love it," a carnivore expert told Scientific American a few years back. T1's apparent killing spree has been going on for at least two years, and it's been a violent one: Victims have been dragged away by their necks and their flesh eaten in chunks. One of India's most well-known hunters says T1 has become more clever with each capture attempt, and that even though tigers don't typically eat humans, once they do, they often prefer the taste. T1 has now gone "psycho," he adds. Still, some locals protest the plan to shoot and kill T1, per the Times of India, with a petition begging to let her and her two cubs live. For now, the plan is to spritz the CK near camera traps, wait for T1 to show up, then try to tranquilize her or, if that fails, to kill her. (A rare white tiger killed a zookeeper in Japan.) (Newser) James Franco is a "bully" who shoved her to the ground on the set of Freaks and Geeks, Busy Philipps writes in new memoir This Will Only Hurt a Little. In a leaked excerpt confirmed by the Hollywood Reporter, Philipps says Franco freaked out and broke character after she followed the script's direction to nudge his character in the chest. "He grabbed both my arms and screamed in my face, 'DONT EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN!'" Philipps writes. "And he threw me to the ground. Flat on my back. Wind knocked out of me." story continues below Philipps says everybody on the set of the 1999 sitcom was appalled by Franco's behavior, Yahoo reports. She says her co-star apologized to her the next day, having been ordered to do so by the episode's director and producers, but he was never punished. Franco, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by five women, has yet to respond to the latest allegations. The Reporter notes that in her book, which is due out Oct. 16, Philipps also describes her experience of being raped when she was 14 years old. She decided to share the story for the first time last week soon after Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her alleged assault by Brett Kavanaugh. (Read more Busy Philipps stories.) (Newser) Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke approved a 20-year ban on new mining claims in the towering mountains north of Yellowstone National Park on Monday after two proposed gold mines raised concerns that an area drawing tourists from the around the globe could be spoiled. As Zinke signed the mineral ban at an outdoor ceremony in Montana's Paradise Valley, a bank of clouds behind him broke apart to reveal the snow-covered flank of Emigrant Peak, the AP reports. The picturesque, 10,915-foot mountain has been at the center of the debate over whether mining should be allowed. story continues below The former Montana congressman was joined by local business owners and residents who pushed for the ban after companies began drafting plans for new mines in an area frequented by wolves, elk, bears, and other wildlife. "I'm a pro-mining guy. I love hardrock" mining, Zinke said. "But there are places to mine and places not to mine." Zinke's order extends a temporary ban imposed in 2016 under former President Obama on new claims for gold, silver, and other minerals on 47 square miles of public lands in the Paradise Valley and Gardiner Basin. Most of the land is within the Custer Gallatin National Forest. (Read more Ryan Zinke stories.) (Newser) A rare attack from a rare tiger killed a zookeeper in Japan on Monday. Officials say 40-year-old Akira Furosho was found bleeding from the neck in a cage in the Hirakawa Zoological Park in the southern city of Kagoshima, the BBC reports. They believe he was attacked by Riku, one of the zoo's four white tigers. The 375-pound animal, a 5-year-old male, was sedated with a tranquilizer gun. Police are investigating procedures at the zoo, where the manual states that keepers are not allowed to enter display cages until tigers have been moved to their sleeping chambers, reports the Japan Times. (Last year, two white tiger cubs killed a novice zookeeper in India.) (Newser) Hitler became Hiller, then Stuart-Houston. The name changes allowed Adolf Hitler's last living descendants on his father's side to keep a quiet life in New York, the New York Post reports via German newspaper Bild, which recently visited Hitler's three great-nephews on Long Island. Sons of Hitler's UK-born nephew William Patrick Hitlerwho reportedly received a tongue-lashing from his uncle for interviews with the press before joining the US Navy in World War II and then moving to PatchogueLouis and Brian Stuart-Houston shooed away a reporter with eight lawn sprinklers. But eldest brother Alexander Stuart-Houston, who lives about 45 minutes away from his siblings, answered his door. story continues below Commenting on what Bild calls "the curse of the worst family name in world history," the 68-year-old said one of the three brothers was engaged to a Jewish woman, but she ended up calling it off, per AFP. Alexander, whose middle name is Adolf, appeared focused on the present, however, touting his support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "She's good. She seems to be an intelligent and smart person," he said. Describing himself and his siblings as steadfast Republicans, he added, "The last person I would say I admire is Donald Trump. He is definitely not one of my favorites ... I just don't like liars." (Read more Adolf Hitler stories.) (Newser) Police in Mexico had been tracking a couple, suspecting them of being tied to the disappearance of three women and a 2-month-old baby. So when cops spotted them pushing a baby carriage Thursday in the Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec, they were hopeful they'd find the infant inside. Instead, they made a grisly find: The baby carriage was filled with body parts, the BBC reports. The couple, referred to as "Juan Carlos N" and "Patricia N," have been arrested, and they're now suspected of being linked to the murders of at least 10 women, though Juan Carlos told a court over the weekend he'd actually killed 20 women, per the Independent. He also says he turned his victims' flesh into pet food, and their bones into fertilizer, El Universal newspaper reports. Prosecutors say Juan Carlos also confessed to sexually assaulting some of the victims before they were killed. story continues below Investigators searched two properties, including the couple's apartment, and found even more body parts stored in a refrigerator and in pails filled with cement. Prosecutors say the couple had been selling body parts from their victimsincluding 28-year-old Nancy Huitron, who vanished in early September with her infant daughter, Valentinaand neighbors say whenever they saw the pair, they were pushing the baby carriage. Investigators say at least three of the victims, including Huitron, apparently knew the couple, and that Patricia had lured them onto their property by saying she had food and clothing for sale. In the only bright spot, the couple confessed they'd sold Valentina for about $800, and the cops were able to find the baby and return her to her grandmother. The BBC notes that Mexico state, where Ecatepec is located, accounts for the highest number of disappeared women in the country. (Read more Mexico stories.) (Newser) Critics are accusing the Venezuelan regime of murdering a suspect in the drone assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro in August. Fernando Alban, a 56-year-old city councilor in Caracas, died in a fall from a 10th-floor window of the country's top intelligence agency on Monday, two days after his arrest. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said Alban threw himself out the window after asking to go to the bathroom, reports CNN. Alban's lawyer, however, doesn't buy it, saying the high level of security and Alban's "deep spiritual convictions" make that highly unlikely, per CBS News. In the US, Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, has called for an explanation. (Read more Venezuela stories.) (Newser) Moon Jae-in will visit the Vatican next week, and the South Korean leader will go bearing a special invite for Pope Francis. The New York Times reports Moon will serve as the messenger for Kim Jong Un, who's requesting that the pontiff pay him a visit in North Korea. "If the pope visits Pyongyang, we will give him a rousing welcome," Kim told Moon when the latter met with him in Pyongyang in September, per Moon's spokesman. Although the Times considers an RSVP of "yes" as "highly unlikely"no pope has ever visited North KoreaMoon, a Roman Catholic, is said to desire the get-together as a chance to recruit the pope to help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The Times notes that North Korea was ranked No. 1 on a list of the worst nations for Christians by the Christian group Open Doors. (Read more Kim Jong Un stories.) (Newser) A surprise move in the Trump administration: Nikki Haley has resigned as ambassador to the UN, reports Axios. The reason why the former governor of South Carolina stepped down wasn't immediately clear, but President Trump said she would be gone by the end of the year. Haley "has been very special to me, she's done an incredible job," Trump said while sitting next to Haley in the Oval Office on Tuesday, per the Washington Post and CNN. Haley didn't shed light on her decision. "No, I'm not running in 2020," she told reporters, per the AP. While Haley had criticized Trump during the 2016 campaign, she strongly pushed his policies upon being appointed to her UN post. In fact, she once warned that she would be "taking names" of countries who crossed the US. story continues below The New York Times has some quick background, noting that Haley's appointment to the post had been seen as an "olive branch" given her criticism of Trump the candidate. She hasn't always been in sync with White House talking points. Late last year, she said that women accusing the president of sexual misconduct "should be heard." In April, however, she said that her relationship with the president was "perfect," reports Politico. Haley also wrote a recent op-ed saying that when she disagreed with Trump's decisions, she never hesitated to confront him about it. The piece was her response to the anonymous author of an op-ed who criticized the White House from within. (Read more Nikki Haley stories.) (Newser) It's not a strategy that typically comes up in investment planning: plant a field of pine trees. But as the Wall Street Journal reports, it made much sense to thousands of Southerners about 30 years ago, thanks in part to a federal incentive to reforest the land. "If you work and you didn't want to put all your money in the stock market, you'd buy 40 acres and plant trees and they'd be ready to cut by the time your kid went to college," explains a timber broker in Alabama. "It's like a 401(k)." One problem: Three decades later, the trees are ready to harvest, but a glut of timber hardly makes it worth the effort. The price of Southern pine is down 45% since 2007. story continues below "We figured we'd plant trees and come back and harvest it in 30 years and in the meantime go into town to make a living doing something else," says Clayton George of Mississippi. The 57-year-old isn't sure whether to harvest or hang on and hope prices rebound. In the meantime, some of his trees already have gotten too big for local mills and would have to be pulped instead, which brings even less money. Those getting pinched aren't just individual landowners. The nation's largest pension fundthe California Public Employees' Retirement Systemonce bought $2 billion worth of Southern timberland, but the fund had to sell much of that land over the summer at a loss. Read the full story. (Read more trees stories.) (Newser) Hillary Clinton says President Trump turned Brett Kavanaugh's ceremonial swearing-in at the White House Monday night into a "political rally." At what the Washington Post refers to as a "boisterous" event, Trump apologized to the newest Supreme Court justice "on behalf of our nation" for what he called "a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception" Kavanaugh endured during the confirmation process. In an interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN Tuesday, Clinton accused Trump of "further undermin[ing] the image and integrity of the court" with his behavior. Asked by a reporter about Clinton's accusation, Trump replied, "I guess thats why she lost. She doesnt get it." (Read more Hillary Clinton stories.) (Newser) A Tennessee inmate set to be executed this week is asking the state to allow him to die by electric chair over lethal injection because it's the "lesser of two evils." Attorney Kelley Henry confirmed that Edmund Zagorski made the request roughly two hours before the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled the state's three-drug lethal injection protocol is constitutional. The decision paved the way for the execution of Zagorski on Thursday, the AP reports. "Faced with the choice of two unconstitutional methods of execution, Mr. Zagorski has indicated that if his execution is to move forward, he believes that the electric chair is the lesser of two evils," said Henry in a statement. "10-18 minutes of drowning, suffocation, and chemical burning is unspeakable." story continues below In Tennessee, death row inmates whose offenses came before January 1999 can choose the electric chair or lethal injection. The last time Tennessee put someone to death by electric chair was 2007. Tennessee is one of only nine states that allow electrocutions, and just 14 of the 871 inmates executed in the United States since 2000 have been killed in the electric chair, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Zagorski was sentenced in 1984 in the slayings of two men during a drug deal. Prosecutors said Zagorski shot John Dotson and Jimmy Porter, then slit their throats after robbing them in Robertson County in April 1983. The victims had planned to buy marijuana from Zagorski. Along with the request for the electric chair, Henry will ask for a stay of Zagorski's execution to allow the Supreme Court time to review the case. (Read more electric chair stories.) (Newser) Nikki Haley will be gone as ambassador to the UN by the end of the year, and she explains in her resignation letter that it's time for a break from public service after 14 straight years. "As a businessman, I expect you will appreciate my sense that returning from government to the private sector is not a step down but a step up," she wrote to President Trump. Read the letter in full here. In it, the former South Carolina governor also pledges that she will "surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020" and looks forward to supporting Trump's re-election. Related coverage: Ivanka, Jared: In her news conference with Trump in the Oval Office, Haley singled out Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump for praise, reports the Hill. She called Kushner a "hidden genius," lauding his work on revising NAFTA and in the Middle East. "They do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about," she said of the couple. "Were a better country because theyre in this administration." In her news conference with Trump in the Oval Office, Haley singled out Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump for praise, reports the Hill. She called Kushner a "hidden genius," lauding his work on revising NAFTA and in the Middle East. "They do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about," she said of the couple. "Were a better country because theyre in this administration." Who's next? Mediaite notes that one hot rumor is that Trump will thus pick either Kushner or daughter Ivanka. CNN's Jake Tapper, for instance, finds it interesting that Ivanka suddenly started following several Defense Department accounts. Another Mediaite post, asserting that either pick is an extreme long shot, notes that Ivanka reportedly laughed when she heard the speculation. story continues below Maybe more likely: The pro-Trump Washington Examiner, meanwhile, thinks the current ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, is a name to watch. The New York Times agrees, and adds former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell's name to the short list. Trump says he'll make his pick in two to three weeks. The pro-Trump Washington Examiner, meanwhile, thinks the current ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, is a name to watch. The New York Times agrees, and adds former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell's name to the short list. Trump says he'll make his pick in two to three weeks. What's next? Haley insists her next move won't be in politics, but that hasn't stopped the speculation. The State of South Carolina notes that supporters are floating the idea she could challenge Trump or perhaps run against Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2020. Graham, for his part, lavished praise on Haley's time at the UN and said she'll play a big role in the GOP for "years to come." Haley insists her next move won't be in politics, but that hasn't stopped the speculation. The State of South Carolina notes that supporters are floating the idea she could challenge Trump or perhaps run against Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2020. Graham, for his part, lavished praise on Haley's time at the UN and said she'll play a big role in the GOP for "years to come." A stunner: At CNN, conservative SE Cupp writes that "this news is indeed startlingHaley is one of the most respected officials in the administration, both internally and internationally, among America's allies." Cupp writes of a "palpable and collective anxiety in some circles," given that Haley often served as a "stabilizing" force in the Trump universe. At CNN, conservative SE Cupp writes that "this news is indeed startlingHaley is one of the most respected officials in the administration, both internally and internationally, among America's allies." Cupp writes of a "palpable and collective anxiety in some circles," given that Haley often served as a "stabilizing" force in the Trump universe. Educated guess: Haleys "advisers have long tended to her political image, and stepping away now could be a logical end point if she wants to preserve her own political future," writes Maggie Haberman of the Times. "But in the short term, people familiar with her thinking said that she is likely to work in the private sector and make some money." Haleys "advisers have long tended to her political image, and stepping away now could be a logical end point if she wants to preserve her own political future," writes Maggie Haberman of the Times. "But in the short term, people familiar with her thinking said that she is likely to work in the private sector and make some money." Popular: An April Quinnipiac poll found that Haley was the only Trump Cabinet member to have majority approval ratings among Democrats, Republicans, and independents, reports the Washington Post. And overall, 63% approved of her performance at the UN. An April Quinnipiac poll found that Haley was the only Trump Cabinet member to have majority approval ratings among Democrats, Republicans, and independents, reports the Washington Post. And overall, 63% approved of her performance at the UN. Keeping track: The New York Times has a comprehensive list of all the Trump White House departures, including four communications directors. (Read more Nikki Haley stories.) (Newser) Cross Gretchen Carlson and Regina Hopper at your peril, apparently. As individual states called for the two leaders of the Miss America Organization to step down in advance of last month's pageant, little was said by the women, who act as the chairwoman and CEO, respectively. Now, action: Four states have had their licenses terminated by the organization in what the AP calls a "purge of rebellious state officials." Those statesGeorgia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and one undisclosed onewill have to relinquish any bank accounts containing scholarship money and install new leadership, and they cannot publicize any affiliation with the national organization. story continues below But they're not necessarily out for good, per Deadline: They can request an appeal hearing in front of Miss America's executive committee. They're also not exactly alone. An estimated 15 states have been threatened with probation and asked to detail, in writing, the motivation for their actions. All but five state pageant organizations had called on Carlson and Hopper to resign, and the Miss America Organization would not elaborate on why this particular group of states was targeted beyond calling the entire licensing process "confidential." The drama first emerged with an open letter from Miss America 2017 Cara Mund, who accused Carlson and Hopper of bullying her. Read more on Mund's accusations here. (Read more Miss America stories.) Recently, Governor Jerry Brown of California signed a number of new gun control bills into law while vetoing several others.Even though California already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, the Democratic-controlled legislature met and pushed a number of gun control bills through both houses that were then sent to the Governors desk.The proposed new bills were written largely in response to the Parkland Florida school shooting in February of 2018 that claimed the lives of seventeen students and teachers.In many ways, the bills that Governor Brown signed into law echo very similar laws that were passed and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott of Florida. That being said, Governor Brown also signed a number of laws that are far more restrictive than the ones Governor Scott signed into law earlier as well.Perhaps the most notable of the bills that Governor Brown signed into law was raising the legal age from eighteen to twenty one years to purchase rifles and shotguns from licensed dealers. Governor Scott signed a very similar bill for Florida earlier this year. The California law applies not only to California residents buying guns from licensed dealers in the state, but also those making online purchases.Governor Brown also signed into law a bill that imposes a lifetime ban on owning firearms for California residents who have been convicted of serious domestic violent charges as well as those who have been hospitalized twice within one year AND who have been deemed by medical health professionals to be a danger to themselves and/or the general public. However, the law also includes a provision that those subject to the law will have the right to petition the California court for the right to purchase and possess a firearm.Another bill that became California law after Governor Browns signature was a requirements that applicants for concealed gun licenses must complete a minimum of eight hours of firearms safety training under an approved instructor, and that the training must furthermore include a live firing exam to demonstrate that the applicant is competent with the firearm.Yet another law that restricts guns in the state is one that strengthens a previous law banning bump stocks and other trigger devices like the ones that were used in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting that claimed the lives of nearly sixty people.All that being said, Governor Brown also vetoed a handful of the bills that were passed by the legislature as well. For example, he vetoed a bill that would have limited California residents to only purchasing one long gun a month, as well as another bill that would have required the California Department of Justice to create a system that would allow gun owners to voluntarily surrender their firearms to the state.Soon after Governor Brown signed the bills into law, the National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit against the bill that raised the legal age limit to purchase rifles and shotguns, just like the lawsuit that was filed after Governor Scott signed a similar bill into Florida law as well.https://www.activistpost.com/2018/10/what-the-new-california-gun-control-bills-mean.html The Cabinet chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday gave directives to all ministries and government departments to remain committed to the Fiscal Balance Programme. All ministries were directed to consolidate fiscal sustainability while ensuring the continuity of efforts to improve the quality of government services. The Cabinet welcomed the fraternal stance of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait following the signature of the framework arrangements for fiscal cooperation between their governments and the Government of Bahrain. The session extended deepest thanks and appreciation to the three brotherly countries for their supportive stances towards Bahrain in various fields, stressing that the noble stances of the leadership of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait are a role model for true relations among brotherly countries. The session affirmed the strength of the deep-rooted ties between them and Bahrain which have always been based on common destiny and unified goals, a statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser Al Nasser, said. An award-winning US-based company who are pioneers in nano-mechanics aims to make Bahrain its regional hub by setting up a production plant here. NanoMech, which owns around 3,000 patents, is a pioneer in nano-manufacturing - an innovative process that takes manufacturing to nanoscale which is one billionth of a meter. The technology is able to help multiply the efficiency and durability of machinery, devices, and automobiles. The company, which manufactures and ships lubricants and coatings among other things, designs and engineers products at nano-scale, caters to industries in the manufacturing, energy, automotive, and defense sectors. James Phillips, Chairman, and CEO of NanoMech told Tribune that the technologies available with the company can increase the efficiency of machines by 200 or 1,000 times. In technology today, its a big deal if youre 5 percent or 10pc better, were typically somewhere between around 200pc and thousand percent better in what we do and in terms of our products. He said that the implications of the science of Nanoscale are huge as it will be the driver for the future with huge involvement in areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Big data, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, autonomy are driven by Nanoscale. We are the leader in the United States in terms of developing nano inventions. Currently, we focus heavily on several sectors such as oil and gas, transportation which includes trucking, automotive, retail, manufacturing, and military. Bahrains banking sectors contribution to the GDP is at 17 percent and is expected to play a crucial role in the growth of the GDP this year, it was revealed. Banks are playing an important role in the growth of Bahrains economy, said Adnan Ahmed Yousef, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB). He was speaking during The Open Dialogue Forum held yesterday. The event was organized by the Bahrain Association of Banks. He said that the bank financing portfolio grew by BD500 million during the first half of this year to BD 9.2 billion, while the contribution of the sector reached almost 17 percent in GDP and employs 14,093 employees, of whom 66pc are Bahrainis. Let me stress at the outset that the successes achieved by the Association and the banking sector in Bahrain have taken place against the backdrop of a supportive local economic environment. According to the EDB, Bahrains non-oil sector is expected to grow by 4.3pc in 2018, with GDP growth estimated at 3.4pc. The outlook follows a strong performance in 2017 as Bahrains fastest-growing economy in the GCC region grew by 3.8pc with a growth rate of 4.8pc in the non-oil sector. The expected growth is mainly supported by strong growth in the lending sector by banks in Bahrain in 2018, he said. The High Criminal Court yesterday accepted the request made by the defense lawyer to subject the suspect to mental health tests in imam murder trial, Tribune learned. The 35-year-old Bangladeshi defendant earlier admitted to murdering his victim before the High Criminal Court. According to court details, the suspect killed imam Abduljaleel Hmood by hitting him in the head with an iron rod. He then cut the body into pieces along with the co-defendant before dumping it in plastic bags near the scrapyard in Askar. The co-defendant has pleaded not guilty in the case. Sources say the suspect, a muezzin at the mosque in Muharraq, where the imam was working, was trading in free visas and the imam had warned him against engaging in the illegal act. I ran was accused of hypocrisy yesterday after its parliament voted to join a global convention to cut off terror financing. The regime in Tehran is routinely accused of being the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism and boasts of its support for groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which are widely viewed as terrorist organizations. This is an absurd and preposterous move by the Iranian leaders, the Iranian-American Harvard scholar Dr Majid Rafizadeh was quoted by Arab News. Twenty people have been killed after a limousine careened out of control in what investigators described Sunday as the most deadly transportation accident in the United States for nearly a decade. All 18 occupants of the SUVstyle stretch limo died along with two pedestrians on Saturday afternoon in upstate New York, police deputy superintendent Christopher Fiore told a news conference. He said the 2001 Ford Excursion had failed to stop at an intersection and continued into a parking lot, ultimately crashing into a parked car. Investigators have not yet established if the victims were wearing seatbelts. Twenty fatalities is horrific... This is one of the biggest losses of lives that we have seen in a long, long time, added National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman Robert Sumwalt. This is the most deadly transportation accident in the country since February of 2009, he added -- referring to the Colgan Air Flight crash from New Jersey to New York, which killed 49. Pictures posted on Twitter by Jesse McKinley, the Albany bureau chief for the New York Times, showed a hair brush and a fragment of tail light in the grass at the side of the road, in the aftermath. Deep muddy tire tracks disappeared into woodland beyond. The tragedy unfolded outside the Apple Barrel Country Store and Cafe in the town of Schoharie, southwest of the state capital Albany and a three-hour drive north of New York City. That limo was coming down that hill probably over 60 mph... I dont want to describe the scene. Its not something I want to think about, manager Jessica Kirby was quoted as saying. The Columbus Day weekend is the busiest of the year for the store, Kirby said, noting that it was full of customers from New York City, New Jersey and Albany at the time of the crash. A team of Russian historians and archaeologists have used a Nazi bomber pilots photograph to help them pinpoint the location of mass graves in Moscow containing the remains of thousands shot by Stalins secret police. The existence of a mass grave in the Kommunarka district in southwestern Moscow first came to light in the dying days of the Soviet Union when the KGB opened up its archives. It was one of three killing fields in the city used by Stalins NKVD secret police in the 1930s. Historians believe at least 6,609 people were shot and thrown into mass graves in Kommunarka between 1937 and 1941. The gated forested area was once used by NKVD chief Genrikh Yagoda, who had a holiday cottage there. But he fell foul of the regime and was removed from his post in 1936 and shot in 1938 -- with his body most likely also disposed of in Kommunarka. Until recently, the mass graves were believed to be located in one area of the forest, where victims relatives put up a memorial. But historians now believe the graves location was misidentified. An aerial shot of Kommunarka taken by a Nazi pilot flying over Moscow in 1942 -- when the graves were fresh -- was key to the investigation. Crucially, it showed the height of the trees in the area at the time. Historians came to the conclusion that some of the trees had been planted over fresh graves -- a tactic often used by the NKVD to cover up its executions. The next step, Romanov said, is to identify in which specific pits the bodies of victims were placed. In a small one there could be 30 people and in another there could be 100 -- we want to know who is buried where. 7ewar Forum, the first of its kind in Bahrain, is the latest youth initiative to be launched by the Rotary Club of Adliya, it was announced. The initiative held on a quarterly basis includes a series of panel discussions and workshops to facilitate meaningful dialogue between young professionals (Millennials) and senior management (Generation X and Baby-Boomers). Each 7ewar will have a different theme, which will be explored through discussion panels and group debates. The aim is to enhance professional understanding between the generations and create innovative solutions for improving workplace productivity. The first 7ewar, powered by BBK and supported by BIBF, Dadedo, AMG and Obai and Hill, was a one-day event (9am-2pm) held in November 2018 with the main theme of What does productivity mean in todays world? The discussion panel included three young professionals from the Millennial generation and three HR experts and executives from the Generation X and Baby-Boomer generations. Durry Atasi, President of RCA and Reyadh Sater, BBK Chief Executive earlier discussed the importance of the initiative and how it will enhance employee engagement. Sponsorship of the first quarter was handed over during the meeting. Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, says the 2019 polls is not under threat over the delay in the passage of budge... Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, says the 2019 polls is not under threat over the delay in the passage of budget for the polls. He said there is a N300 billion in the 2018 budget set aside to take care of contingencies like the conduct of the elections. Before the lawmakers embarked on their annual recess in July, President Muhammadu Buhari had sent a supplementary budget of N242 billion to be passed for the 2019 elections. Although the budget has been considered by the relevant committees, it has not been passed about four months to the elections. This has raised fears that the delay might affect the conduct of the elections. But addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Dogara said the national assembly is committed to ensuring a smooth conduct of the elections. Recalling there are days bills were passed within one week, the speaker said the lawmakers would give it accelerated hearing once they get the committees report. You see we are servants of the people by our calling as representatives of Nigerians and we dont have the right to put our interests forward before the interests of the people, he said. We are here to serve public good, these issues are outstanding and it was never going to be threatened in any way as was widely perceived, because we have a provision in the budget for service-wide votes, about N300 billion and whatever was the emergency would have been met from that service-wide fund that we have allocated in the budget. As we are back, we have set ourselves to accomplish what is there in the interest of the people. Even if it means in a day or two we will accomplish that, even if it means handling it as we did for the ease of doing business bills. The All Progressives Congress (APC) says senators should reject Senate President Bukola Saraki just like delegates of the Peoples De... The All Progressives Congress (APC) says senators should reject Senate President Bukola Saraki just like delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did at the weekend. The national assembly will resume Tuesday after more than seven weeks of recess. During the recess, the APC repeatedly called on Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, to vacate their offices. At the PDP convention to pick a presidential candidate, Saraki polled 317 votes. Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, polled 693 votes to come second. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar polled 1,532 votes to emerge PDP presidential flag bearer. In a statement, Yekini Nabena, acting spokesman of the APC, said Sarakis disappointing performance at the convention is an end to the ambition of a greedy, untrustworthy and double-dealing politician. Nabena said as senate president, Saraki has always been at loggerheads with the executive. The delegates of the PDP have rejected Saraki as their presidential candidate. Let the Senators also do likewise by rejecting the greedy, deceitful and unreliable Senate President as their leader. A new President of the Senate, free from all allegations of criminality is needed now, the statement read. The disappointing performance of Sen. Bukola Saraki at the presidential election convention of the PDP is a befitting end to the ambition of a greedy, untrustworthy and double-dealing politician. With a miserly 317 votes, behind Aminu Tambuwals 693 votes and Atiku Abubakars 1532 votes, the PDP delegates have given clear indication that they are fed up with Sarakis political style. When a leader cannot be trusted, cannot be relied upon, and cannot keep agreements, the people take due cognisance and records of these actions and respond with their votes at the appropriate time. How will someone who emerged senate president through conspiracy with members of the opposition Party and against the wishes and interests of his own party be trusted to be elected as the presidential candidate of a party? Even on his being elected to the position, did Saraki acquit himself creditably? Throughout Sarakis tenure as senate president, it has been one confrontation between the national assembly leadership with the executive or another. Confirmation of executive nominees sent to the senate has been delayed unnecessarily, annual national budgets delayed. For instance, the supplementary budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general election is continually delayed due to Sarakis selfish political machinations. A selfish Saraki will rather than perform his constitutional legislative functions by ensuring timely consideration and passage of executive bills, will rather sabotage the efforts of the executive in furtherance of his treacherous politics. Nabena said Saraki could not continue to preside over the senate which is dominated by the APC. Having sabotaged the President Muhammadu Buhari government while in the APC, he later showed his true colours by formally joining the opposition PDP, the statement read. Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Tuesday visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he had a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari for two hours.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Amosun had on Thursday met separately with President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over political developments in Ogun State.NAN reports that though the agenda of todays meeting between President Buhari and the governor was not made public, the governor is likely to have informed the president about the political happenings that trailed the conduct of All Progressives Congress primary election in his state.The APC National Working Committee panel sent to Ogun State for the conduct of the governorship primary had on Wednesday night declared Prince Dapo Abiodun as the partys governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections. Although the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed its members in the senate to oust Senate President ... Although the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed its members in the senate to oust Senate President Bukola Saraki, TheCable understands that the senators are more interested in restoring peace to the upper legislative chamber than doing this. Saraki has been under pressure to step down since he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the APC. Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the APC, had asked senators of the ruling party to remove the senate president. Saraki will not be the first to be impeached and I doubt if he is going to be the last but definitely he will be impeached according to law and according to the democratic norms. The only way Senator Saraki can avoid impeachment is for him to do what is honourable by stepping down, Oshimohole had said when the national assembly was on recess. On Monday, Ovie Omo-Agege, an APC senator from Delta state, had said the nations number three citizen would be removed at the slightest opportunity. His utterance on the eve of resumption of the parliament after more than two months had given the impression that the lawmakers were in for a stormy session. Ahmad Lawan, leader of the APC caucus in the senate, with Saraki during a meeting at the senate presidents office on Tuesday But when the senators resumed on Tuesday, they went into a closed-door session. Sources revealed that the issue of calming frayed nerves was the major agenda of the meeting they had. But when the senators resumed on Tuesday, they went into a closed-door session. Sources revealed that the issue of calming frayed nerves was the major agenda of the meeting they had. A legislative source said despite the provocation over the defection of the senate president, the lawmakers agreed to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance. The senators have seen that the APC is not even fair to them Frank discussions about the future of the eighth senate as it goes into its last stage held at the closed-door session, the source said. They agreed that nothing would distract them till the end of their tenure. Another source said the leadership of the APC caucus in the upper legislative chamber got a promise from Saraki that national interest would be paramount in the dealings of the senate. Following their closed-door meeting, the senators agreed not to allow external forces to cause disaffection or disturbance within the legislative arm of government, the source said. Efforts to reach Omo-Agege and Abdullahi Adamu, senator representing Nasarawa west, to get their reactions to the development were not successful as their phones rang out and text messages were not replied. Omo-Agege and Adamu have been on the frontline of the anti-Saraki campaign. Senate President Bukola Saraki says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is wallowing in confusion. Saraki said this while reacting... Senate President Bukola Saraki says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is wallowing in confusion. Saraki said this while reacting to the ruling partys reaction to his performance at the convention of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Saraki had placed a distant third behind Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state, and ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who clinched the PDP ticket. Responding to this, Yekini Nabena, acting spokesman of the APC, had said the senators should reject Saraki the same way the delegates at the convention did. But Saraki wondered why Nabena and the APC are always concerned about the developments in the PDP. He said the civil war Nabena and Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the APC, ignited in their party has left it wallowing in confusion. We have noted the irresponsible statement issued by the APC spokesman, Yekinni Nabena. We know that he and the leadership of the APC are always incensed and disturbed at the mere hearing of the name, Saraki, he said in a statement which Yusuph Olaniyonu, his spokesman, issued on his behalf. Security Watch Organization of Nigeria, NDSWON, Tuesday, said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, committed a travesty of justice by nominating a notorious decampee and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as presidential standard bearer for the 2019 general elections.The group in a statement by the president, Dickson Bekederemo, said: If political gain is the thrust of Atikus choice as PDPs flag bearer, then the party has shot itself at the hip for jettisoning loyalty and commitment amongst its members.It is a sad commentary that PDP as a party did not learn any enduring lesson from its travails in the hands of these self-seekers in the 2015 general elections. The party has not been able to purge itself from money politics that bogged it down in previous elections.It asserted: Though, the biblical prodigal son was welcomed by his father into the family, but he did not usurp the place of the dutiful son. Unlike the biblical story, the PDP threw the dutiful and loyal son overboard and enthroned instead an unrepentant antagonist, someone reputed as an inordinately ambitious son as the crown prince.Thus, the reward for the loyal and committed party members over the last three years was an orchestrated defeat at the PDP elective National Convention in Port Harcourt by a notorious decampee, who did everything in the book to scuttle the electoral victory of the party in the 2015 general elections. This is a travesty of justice. It negates equity, justice and fair play in every sense of it, NDSWON said.The group added: While it is incontestable that nomination and election of candidates for general elections is an exclusive right of the members of a party, we deem it necessary to condemn the attitudes of the delegates saddled with this onerous task. They placed premium on monetary gains at party conventions or primary elections above the gain of loyalty and commitment to the party.Its words: It is an empirical fact that Abubakar dumped PDP at a crucial moment during the electioneering campaigns in 2015. It was a slap too many on the cheeks of the PDP chieftains when they needed his political clout, network of friends and financial leverage most. Some perceived of his stance as a breach of trust having benefitted so much from the PDP superstructure. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, withdrew from the 19 suits filed last year in respect of the validity or otherwise of Mr. Ibrahim Magu remaining the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.The decision was in connection with the ongoing trial of the judges husband and former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako; and her stepson, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, bordering on corruption charges before another judge of the court, Justice Okon Abang.Justice Nyako, who announced her withdrawal from the suits in the court on Tuesday, said her decision was influenced by EFCCs repeated formal requests to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, demanding the re-assignment of the matters to another judge of the court.After withdrawing from the cases on Tuesday, she adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely) pending when the Chief Judge would re-assign the cases to another judge. As the national assembly resumed from recess on Tuesday, aides of lawmakers staged a protest over their unpaid allowances. The aid... As the national assembly resumed from recess on Tuesday, aides of lawmakers staged a protest over their unpaid allowances. The aides, under the aegis of National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF), took over the lobby of the assembly from which the upper and the lower legislative chambers can be accessed. They displayed placards with inscriptions which read Lack is killing aides S.O.S , Omolori pay us our money. Speaking with journalists, Nyakari-Abasi Etuk, president of NASSLAF, said they did not have issues of payment of allowances under the last leadership of the assembly. He said most of the aides could not meet basic needs of their family. Etuk lamented that six months to the end of the assembly, there is no talk about severance packages. Some of us they are owing us up to one point something million and these are funds we use to go on errands and other miscellaneous things. The last leadership of the national assembly paid us up to date, he said We are not talking about training, the issue of training is also there, we are supposed to have four trainings in a year. Ever since we started we have not had training. The training that we had was sponsored by the national assembly service commission. All we are asking for is our entitlements. We have tried we are calling on the leadership so we are telling the world that they are owing us, they are taking us to the point where we have to address everybody. This is our plight this is our concern, we are telling everybody today is the resumption date most of the aides, some have died, some dont have money to send their children to school. The leadership as a matter of urgency we are calling on the leadership to ensure that our allowances, to ensure we collect our duty tour allowances. Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Monday dared Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani to a popularity contest. El-Rufai threw th... Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Monday dared Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani to a popularity contest. El-Rufai threw the challenge while addressing the media in Abuja. The governor accused the lawmaker of working against the party, staying that the people were not happy with him. Shehu Sani cannot even campaign in the market. I challenge him, let us go to Kaduna Central and lets see who will come out unscathed, El-Rufai stated. The duo have been at loggerheads since 2016. Recently, El-Rufais attempt to block Sani from returning to the Senate failed as the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leadership affirmed his candidature. But the governor insists his aide, Uba Sani, will be the partys senatorial candidate for the district in 2019. Meanwhile, Sani has reacted to a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari that he did not send out any letter to any Governor to deal with him or anyone else. Buhari had declared that he never authorized El-Rufai or any governor to deal with traitors and disloyal members of APC, especially Senator Shehu Sani. His spokesman, Garba Shehu, said: We wish to confirm that the President is not aware of any such letter, let alone authorising anyone to deal with any party member. Given President Buharis record, it is inconceivable that he would usurp the role of the party leaders and instruct anyone to punish a party member. In the light of above, we would like to appeal to the general public, especially members of the press, to ignore false or unauthorized information intended to attribute to the President any action which is not in line with his character. Reacting, Shehu Sani wrote: Thank you President Buhari for clearing the air on the calumnious memo. Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo is currently in a closed-door meeting with chieftains of Afenifere, a Pan Yoruba socio-political g... Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo is currently in a closed-door meeting with chieftains of Afenifere, a Pan Yoruba socio-political group. It was learnt that Afenifere Chieftains were led by Ayo Adebanjo, including Sen. Femi Okurounmu, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, among others. According to Independent, Afeniferes team arrived at the Olusegun Obasanjos Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun state around 4pm. However, as at time of filing this report, the reason for the meeting has not been disclosed yet. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday dismissed claim by the All Progressives Congress, APC, over alleged vote-buying during it... The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday dismissed claim by the All Progressives Congress, APC, over alleged vote-buying during its just concluded presidential primary election. PDP said the uneasiness, apprehension and nervousness in the drowning Buhari Presidency and the fading All Progressives Congress (APC) since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as Presidential candidate of the PDP was noted. A statement by PDPs spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan said such nervousness in the deflated party has led to a renewed attempt at smear campaign with spurious allegations against our Presidential candidate; a defeatist approach that shows that the APC and the Buhari Presidency are afraid of the Atiku candidacy and have reached their wits end, well ahead of the elections. The claims, by APC, of vote-buying at our national convention, is therefore, not only false but completely unfounded and symptomatic of a party that has totally lost bearing and now engaged in rumour mongering. For us as a party, such allegation from the APC is not unexpected given that it had tried everything possible to scuttle our national convention and Presidential primary but woefully failed, hence the desperation to engage in attempt to discredit the process that has been acclaimed as the best in our political history. Unlike the APC that has an unpopular Presidential candidate, who has failed in governance, foisted on it without an election, the whole world watched with excitement as 12 aspirants contested the PDP Presidential primary, where delegates drawn from respected Nigerians across the country, freely voted for a candidate of their choice. To the amusement of Nigerians, the APC conducted a non-contested convention in which it declared President Buhari as winner with over 14 million fictitious votes. In their desperation, they forgot that Winning as a word connotes contest. Strangely, the APC declared a candidate as having won when there was never a contest a charade by a deceptive party with duplicitous leaders! While we note that the APC is suffering from a pre-defeat trauma, we caution this fading party and its presidential candidate, who had failed our nation, to steer clear of our party and get ready for issue-based campaign ahead of the 2019 elections. The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, in Kaduna on Tuesday visited the central market popularly known as Sheikh A... The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, in Kaduna on Tuesday visited the central market popularly known as Sheikh Abubakar Gumi and interacted freely with traders and other citizens who were in the market to carry out their business activities. The Senator moved from one part of the market to the other, interacting with traders on the prices of their goods and other Nigerians who were in the market to carry out their normal business activities. The Senator was warmly received wherever he turned to as people kept praising him for identifying with the course of the common man in the discharge of his national activities in the Senate. Recall that governor El-Rufai had while addressing newsmen in Abuja dared Senator Shehu Sani to test his popularity by going to the central market, if he would go unhurt, accusing the lawmaker of working against the party, and that the people were not happy with him. But a trader, Mohammed Sani said, Senator Shehu Sani remains one of the outstanding Senators in the country that has truly identified with his people and carried them along on anything that has to do with their welfare. He, Shehu Sani is one of true Nigerians that will always stand for his people and defend their course not minding the repercussion. I can assure you that if there is any politician that will get the support of the people, it is Senator Shehu Sani because he is always with his people irrespective of tribe or religion. I think he is one politician among many that can unite Nigerians and ensure peace, unity and development in the country. Mohammed Sani explained that the popularity and acceptance of Senator Shehu Sani could be seen in the way and manner people who were in the market hailed him irrespective of tribe, religion, political affiliations or sectional difference. It is only when we have politicians like Senator Shehu Sani who truly means well for the people that the country will feel the impact of the dividends of democracy. Shehu Sani has truly identified with his constituency throughout his tenure at the National Assembly and to me, he deserves another tenure as a Senator of Kaduna Central, he observed. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce have dragged the Inspector-General of Police,... President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce have dragged the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to court. The move was over their invitation by the Nigeria Police. The lawmakers were among the three leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party who led a protest march to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday to protest against the outcome of the Osun State governorship election. The police had invited only Melaye and Murray-Bruce to appear before the Federal Capital Territory Command over alleged assaults on its men and destruction of its property. The lawmakers, however, failed to answer the invitation. Instead, they are praying the court to, among others, direct the defendants to jointly and severally pay the applicants the sum of N500m only, same being the pecuniary and exemplary damages arising from the humiliation, intimidation, harassment and unlawful attempt to arrest the applicants by the agents of the second respondent (Commissioner of Police). Diran Odeyemi, deputy national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to Ayodele Fayose, governor of ... Diran Odeyemi, deputy national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti, not to dump the opposition party. Fayose on Monday said he may pull out of the PDP, over what he described as an attempt by some people to take over the structure of the party and sideline him and others. We have no regret aligning with Governor Nyesom Wike to support Governor Tambuwal for the presidential ticket and no apologies either, he said. We kept the party alive and strong when most men became ladies. We never compromised. If any group feels it can do it alone, we will see how far they can go. I may renounce my membership of the party if the need arises.In the main time, I and others will continue with our consultations while watching the turn of events. We cannot but appreciate leaders that have intervened so far, but this release became necessary to avoid fresh crisis or misrepresentation. Reacting to the threat, the PDP deputy spokesman urged the outgoing governor not to take any decision in anger. We appeal to him not to leave the party, he has been an asset and he has benefited from the party. Even when he left, he still came back to the party, so he should consider all that and not abandon the party when we need him most. He should consider the fact that all those who left the PDP for other parties regretted that they left. Watch Anderson .Paak And Robert Glasper Cover Slum Village In New York City Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When The Oxnard artist made a surprise appearance during the pianists Blue Note Jazz Club residency. Anderson .Paak and Robert Glasper took on a Slum Village classic during the latters Blue Note Jazz Club residency Sunday night. WATCH: Robert Glasper Goes in on Lauryn Hill, Says She Stole The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill From Other Musicians In a video, .Paak and Glasper can be seen covering the Detroit rap groups The Look of Love, with the Oxnard drummer who recently released his Kendrick Lamar collaboration Tints updating the lyrics to speak on Instagram thots. He also sings the hook to the groups other well-known song Fall In Love while covering The Look of Love. Recently, Glasper offered an update on his criticism against Lauryn Hill. During a panel appearance a part of the Mondo.NYC conference he was asked if he regrets the comments he made about Hill, to which he responded: My thing was Lauryn was back in 2008 or 2007 Ive never spoken about her in public. But everything I say is 100% true and its been going on for 20 years. And all of my friends are affected. A lot of people with kids are affected. So you have to separate yourself from being a fan and think what if it was your dad who wasnt getting paychecks, you know what I mean? So my thing is just on a basic human level, I would never work with anybody that tells me You cant look at me.' He continued: We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Not to be dramatic, but also to be really fucking dramatic, our planet is hurtling towards an environmental crisis that is now predicted to affect all of us in our lifetimes. In a report issued on Monday by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, scientists presented sobering and extensive evidence that we are running out of time to reverse the effects of climate change. As per the New York Times, the scientists describe: "a world of worsening food shortages and wildfires, and a mass die-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040a period well within the lifetime of much of the global population." The report found that if greenhouse gas emission continue to increase at the current rate, our atmosphere will arrive at 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels by 2040. The 2016 Paris Agreement set out to cap the climate increase at 2.7 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures, and bookmarked a 3.6 degree increase as the threshold for the most terrifying social and economic consequences of climate changea figure that has become widely accepted as a red alert. However, at the request of the vulnerable nations, the the UN team did a new investigation on what the effects of a 2.7 degree warm-up could be. Their report found that many of the dire consequences will manifest at the arrival of the lower, 2.7 figure, including heat waves, damage to agriculture, more rain and snow, higher sea levels, intensifying droughts and poverty, and the displacement of millions of people. Zooming out from the physical landscape, the report says that the United States could expect to "lose roughly 1.2 percent of gross domestic product for every 1.8 degrees of warming." The conclusion are "quite a shock, and quite concerning," said Bill Hare, a physicist with Climate Analytics who has authored previous I.P.C.C. reports told the New York Times, "We were not aware of this just a few years ago." The report reveals that correcting course in time to avoid the most severe consequences would mean "transforming the world economy within just a few years," and come at a cost of $54 trillion. To escape a 2.7 degree increase by 2040, but we would need to cut emissions in half before 2030, and reduced 100% (carbon neutrality) by 2050. The report states that rapid change is technically possible, but all evidence indicates that such rapid and radical change to the global environmental efforts is politically unlikely. "It's telling us we need to reverse emissions trends and turn the world economy on a dime," said Myles Allen, an Oxford University climate scientist and an author of the report told the New York Times. However, Donald Trump, the president of the world's second largest carbon emitter, has systematically rejected climate science and policy, vowing to withdraw the United States from the Paris agreement, mocking the scientific basis of climate change, and proposing increases in the burning of coalall as apart of his "America First" doctrine. And even if all world leaders fully committed to implementing the Paris agreement (right now, most countries aren't on track to meet their pledges) the report shows that it's reduction pledges would still not be enough to avoid the even more dire 3.6 degree increase. "...limiting global warming to 1.5C is still physically possible and could be in principle achieved, although it requires rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society." Sonia Seneviratne, a climate change scientist at ETH Zurich told WIRED. Scientists trying to get around the bleak reality of political indifference have considered elaborate, tech-driven methods like "Geoengineering" (bouncing the sun's radiation back into space by spraying aerosols in the atmosphere or by brightening clouds) as a possible loophole to sidestep the herculean political and organizational effort of enforcing a radical carbon emissions reduction program. The taxation of carbon dioxide emissions will be one of the most crucial solutions, the report emphasizes, estimating that to be effective carbon would need to be taxed "$135 to $5,500 per ton of carbon dioxide pollution in 2030, and from $690 to $27,000 per ton by 2100." The Obama administration had previously proposed a $50 per ton taxed, an estimate that the Trump administration lowered to $7 per ton, the New York Times reports. Despite our governments' and corporations' historical refusal to take cutting carbon emissions seriously, analysts of the report emphasize that it is the only real solution to diverting the planet from disaster. We have a timeline in our hands that makes abundantly clear: we have one decade to change things before before we will all suffer at the hands of climate change, with the poorest countries and citizens being hit first and hardest. However it's not clear when our lawmakers will realize that climate change is no longer an ideological matter up for debate, which one can have a side on, but a question about the viability of everyone's future that it has become desperately self-destructive and socially violent to ignore. For millennials, the report describes a bleak portrait of the world that we're no longer in the position to fret about if our children will experience, but which we're on track to spend the rest of our adult lives in. But there is a path backward, away from that 2.7 degree mark and that portrait, albeit a terrifyingly difficult one to achieve. So if you're blisteringly overwhelmed, sad and scared like me, check out The Guardian's guide to taking action in your everyday life, register to vote right now; and make a plan for how you'll vote in the November midterms because there are people out there who have the political will to follow that path but they aren't anywhere near Congress, the Supreme Court, or the White House right now. Photo via Getty Are you tired? We're so tired. The world is ending in 22 years, our new Supreme Court Justice is this dude, and Kanye West is doing his Kanye thing. After wearing a MAGA hat on Saturday Night Live and lecturing the audience about his love for Donald Trump, the New York Times reports that Kanye West is headed to the White House to meet with Jared Kushner and to have lunch with President Donald Trump. West previously met with the President at Trump Tower shortly after he was elected. According to the Times, West plans to follow his wife Kim Kardashian's lead and discuss criminal justice reform with Kushner, focusing on "job opportunities for former convicts." He also plans on discussing the creation of manufacturing jobs in the Chicago area. Trump recently urged the police in Chicago to implement the "stop and frisk" policy to curb shootings in the city. Stop and frisk policies are commonly associated with racial profiling a mayoral spokesperson in Chicago told the Washington Post that "even someone as clueless as Donald Trump has to know stop-and-frisk is simply not the solution to crime." Kardashian managed to secure the release of a non-violent drug offender, Alice Marie Johnson, through her meetings with Trump. Hopefully West will have some similar success. Photo via Getty In what has quickly become the most talked about and anticipated sneakers of the fall, artist, designer, and filmmaker, Tom Sachs, is set to release his newest collaboration with Nike this Thursday, October 11th. Having made films about going to Mars and papering his Instagram with NASA iconography, Sachs keeps with his affinity for space travel for the Mars Yard Overshoe. The tundra-ready boot, features Sachs' previous collaboration with Nike, the Mars Yard 2.0 which was initially developed for simulated Martian terrain at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, stitched in to a waterproof Dyneema bag that cinches with magnetic ladderlock buckles. A cross between a moon boot and hazmat cleaners' shoes, the Mars Yard Overshoe is as much about looks as it is about functionality. Thick rubber souls and multi-layered protection make the sneaker perfect for weathering anywhere from a dirty and slushy NYC winter to "a walk of the surface of Jupiter's moon, Europa" says Sachs. Related | Virgil Abloh Designs a Nike Capsule for Serena Williams The launch of the shoes coincides with the release of Sachs' latest film, Paradox Bullets. A spiritual sequel to his previous film, Ten Bullets about rules for working in the studio, the new film will look at how break and invert those rules in order to achieve a similar outcome. Narrated by legendary documentarian, Werner Herzog, and starring iconic painter, Ed Ruscha, the film follows the narrative of a man who loses his keys in Mojave Desert while delivering an important package guided home by a set of rules called the "Paradox Bullets." "I think Ed and Werner are like my dads, like my art dads," Sachs told Vogue "My writing style, the movies that Van [Neistat] and I write together, are always kind of in Werner's voice." Paradox Bullets was produced with the help of Nike and premiered as a part of Frieze Art Fair in London ahead the shoe's limited release later this week. Photo Courtesy of Nike Later this morning Google will be introducing their Pixel 3 smartphone that will mimic the face of the iPhone XS with its camera notch and full display. According to a new report today, Google has only sold 4.93 million Pixel phones over its first two years in existence. It's pretty clear that Google will have to do something drastic today in order to finally make their Pixel brand a contender instead of a joke. Google intends to have ten Pixel 3 events around the world today in order to make it personal for these markets. Yet with Google's latest revelation about Google+ shutting down due to 500,000 or more of its customer accounts data possibly being breached, it's hard to believe that Google is going to try and sell security as a major feature of the new Pixel 3. Yesterday Google released a "Safety and Security" post yesterday titled "Project Strobe: Protecting your data, improving our third-party APIs." I'm sure that everyone who has had their data compromised by Google over the years will laugh at their turning a new leaf on security, trying to match Apple's commitment to privacy. CNBC reported yesterday that "Google didn't disclose the breach when it first discovered it in March to avoid regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage." While the "reputational damage" is already baked into their brand, their admission of hiding the breach reveals Google's true sleazy and untrustworthy nature. We're also learning Today that the Irish Government wants to know more about this latest security breach admission. In my view, the only way that Google's Pixel 3 will be able to make a dent in the U.S. and markets around the world is if they drop its price to mid-range price levels starting at around $499 U.S. Will Google try to shock the market today with aggressive pricing to move into a position of mass production or will they remain stubborn and continue to go toe-to-toe with Apple's iPhone XS and XS Max on price? We'll know the answer to that in the next couple of hours, so stay tuned for our follow-up report later today. Iranian-American Among Five Environmentalists Charged in Iran After Eight Months in Prison 10/09/18 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Five out of the eight environmentalists who have been detained in Iran since January 2018, including an Iranian-American dual national, have been issued preliminary indictments eight months into their imprisonment. Preliminary indictments issued for five Iranian environmentalists The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) calls upon the authorities in Iran to immediately release all eight of the environmentalists, who have been imprisoned unjustly and denied their rights to due process. "Iran's judiciary kept these individuals behind bars without access to counsel for eight months while the Revolutionary Guards cooked up charges against them," said Hadi Ghaemi, CHRI's executive director. The detained environmentalists who have received preliminary indictments are Iranian-American dual national Morad Tahbaz, Taher Ghadirian, Niloufar Bayani, Houman Jowkar and Sepideh Kashani. Those who have not yet been charged are Amir Hossein Khaleghi, Abdolreza Kouhpayeh and Sam Rajabi. Attorney Mohammad Hossein Aghasi told CHRI on October 7, 2018, "The only charge mentioned so far is espionage. However, nobody except the judicial authorities has been able to see the indictments." No trial dates have been scheduled. Aghasi also told CHRI that he has not been officially allowed to represent Ghadirian and Rajabi but has been working on their cases. Since January, Iran's judiciary has forced detainees held on national security-related charges to pick their counsel from a list of 20 lawyers hand-picked by the judiciary. The eight environmentalists were arrested on January 24 and 25, 2018, by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Intelligence Organization. They are all former and current staff members of the Iran-based non-profit organization, the Persian Heritage Wildlife Foundation (PHWF). The PHWF's Iranian Canadian chairman, Kavous Seyed-Emami, died in Evin Prison under highly suspicious circumstances two weeks after he was arrested. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei publicly claimed on February 15 that Seyed-Emami had committed suicide before there was an autopsy report. Despite calls for an investigation by the UN and Canada, no one has been held accountable for Seyed-Emami's death. Instead, Iran has subjected Seyed-Emami's widow, Maryam Mobeini, to home raids and interrogations and banned her from leaving the country. The environmentalists have been kept behind bars in Iran with extremely limited access to counsel despite calls for their release from inside and outside the country. In May 2018, the head of Iran's Department of Environment, Vice President Isa Kalantari, refutedaccusations that the environmentalists were spies, pointing to the conclusions of Rouhani's own Intelligence Ministry and fact-finding committee. "It has been determined that these individuals were detained without doing anything," Kalantari said. "The Intelligence Ministry has concluded that there is no evidence that these individuals were spies." "The [Rouhani] government's fact-finding committee [also] concluded that the detained activists should be released because there's no evidence to prove the accusations leveled against these individuals," he added. Kalantari went further in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on August 13, 2018, saying, "The judiciary has ordered us not to get involved...They told us this is none of our business and we shouldn't pursue it." Kalantari added, "The esteemed intelligence minister has repeatedly said there is no evidence that the detainees had spied and yet the judiciary has still not resolved their situation. Almost all of our NGOs are at a standstill because they don't know to what extent they can operate without being accused of spying." President Hassan Rouhani has remained silent on the imprisonment of the environmentalists, and he has not responded to a letter by 800 Iranian environmentalists calling for their detained colleagues' release. "President Rouhani should join the chorus of voices from the UN, around the world, and inside Iran who have demanded the release of the environmentalists - yet he remains silent," noted Ghaemi. In September 2018, the environmentalists' families sent a letter to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei calling for their loved ones' freedom. "We beseech you to immediately order the release of our loved ones and pave the way for a fair judicial process with access to legal counsel," said the letter dated September 18, 2018. In February 2018, shortly after Seyed-Emami's death, the UN issued a statement urging Iran to free the environmentalists and stop arbitrarily arresting them. "The detention and punishment of environmentalists for their work to conserve and protect the natural environment cannot be justified," said several UN human rights experts in a joint in a February 2018 statement. "Nowhere in the world, including Iran, should conservation be equated to spying or regarded as a crime. Detention of human rights defenders for their work is arbitrary in nature." Dozens of other environmentalists have been taken into custody throughout Iran since January but their conditions and judicial statuses are unknown. "Iran recently took a complaint to a UN court but has ignored the UN's calls for these environmentalists to be freed," said Ghaemi. "The rule of law means you can't have it both ways-use the law when it suits you, trample it when it does not." Iran Hit Hard By Floods In the North, Dust Storms In The South 10/09/18 Source: Radio Farda Massive dust storms have hit the two southern provinces of Kerman and Sistan and Baluchistan, while six northern provinces of the country are submerged in floods. Dust Storm in Kerman, Iran (photo by Mehr News Agency) More than 150 have been hospitalized for pulmonary complications and other medical issues resulting from a dust cloud that descended over Kerman and Sistan and Baluchistan in last few days. The level air quality is still dangerous in the cities of Kerman, Fahraj, and Rigan, the head of Kerman province's Environment Department Reza Jazinizadeh told the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)-run news agency, Tasnim, October 7. The concentration of fine dust in the province currently stands at 300 micrograms per cubic meter, while the normal volume of fine particle concentration is 150 micrograms per cubic meter, Jazinizade said. The spokesman for the Iran Emergency Organization Mojtaba Khaledi said 26 of the victims are still hospitalized. The sand storm and winds with an average speed of 104 km (roughly 65 miles) per hour increased the volume of dust particles hanging in the air to nineteen times the permissible level, forcing schools in the city of Hirmand to close October 7. Schools in most of the cities of Kerman and Sistan and Baluchistan will be closed today if dust particle levels remain hazardous. The mainly Sunni populated Sistan and Baluchistan province, the second largest province of Iran with 180,726 km2 (69,779 sq. mi) area, is the poorest region in the country, and has been repeatedly hit by several natural disasters, including storms, floods, and draughts. Sistan and Baluchistan is not the only province to experience dust storms. In recent years, sand and dust storms in parts of southwestern Iran, including the oil rich province of Khuzestan, have caused periodic closures of schools, government offices, and businesses, bringing life to a standstill for residents. Many also fear the impact on their health. Draught, dust storms, and air pollution in recent years have forced residents of Khuzestan to emigrate to the neighboring provinces. The Islamic Republic authorities, including President Hassan Rouhani, have repeatedly blamed excessive dam construction in Turkey for kicking up dust and drying out the land, worsening the dust storms that periodically hit Iran. Sixty wetlands in Iran, including nearly 44 percent of Iran's total marshlands, have dried up, the deputy head of the Environment Department for wetlands says. "There are some 105 wetlands in Iran stretching three million hectares of land. About 1.3 million hectares of these wetlands are affected by drought, which led to total the dryness of some 60 wetlands," state-run Iran Labor News Agency (ILNA) quoted Masoud Bagherzadeh as saying June 1. Meanwhile, at least four people were killed in the floods that have been devastating Iran's northern province of Mazandaran since late Friday, Tasnim reported Saturday quoting the region's medical emergency center. Three people drowned, while another victim was killed by a lightning strike. The disaster also damaged buildings and cut electricity in some parts of the province. "The Flooded villages left without water and food" (source: Iranian daily Emtiaz) - see more photos Over the past two days, the four northern provinces of Mazandaran, Gilan, Ardabil, and West Azarbaijan were hit by floods. Analysts say the Islamic Republic has no real strategy in place to respond to these natural disasters. Nearly a decade ago, scientists and researchers published climate diagrams and cautioned that because of the change in the pattern of winds blowing and global warming, the southern half of Iran would face severe drought, while the northern half of it would struggle with overwhelming floods. Yet the caution fell on deaf ears, the experts insist. Without an effective government plan to curb the problems stemming from climate change, Iran is expected to experience more natural disasters in the future. Qatar Airways will continue flights to Iran, unfazed by US sanctions 10/09/18 Source: Press TV Qatar Airways Group has expressed its commitment to continuing flights to Iran, saying it will not be affected by the US sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Qatar Airways Addressing a high-profile business conference in the Qatari capital of Doha on Monday, the airline's Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said services to Iran would continue despite a tightening economic and political squeeze on Iran by the United States. "Aviation is not a sanctioned industry, Qatar Airways will continue to operate into the cities we are currently operating in Iran," he said. He added, "Our flights to Iran will not be affected." According to the website of Qatar Airways, the airline's Iran destinations include the cities of Mashhad and Shiraz and daily flights to the capital of Tehran. The United States imposed a first round of its sanctions on Iran in August, targeting the Islamic Republic's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector after Washington withdrew in May from a 2015 international nuclear deal. A second round, forthcoming on November 4, will be targeting Iran's oil sales and its Central Bank. US President Donald Trump said in August that companies doing business with Iran will be barred from the United States. "These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up to yet another level. Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States. I am asking for WORLD PEACE, nothing less!" Trump tweeted. In response to Trump's tweet, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the world is "sick & tired" of Washington's unilateralism by the US president. "Tantrums & CAPPED TWEETS won't change the fact that the world is sick & tired of US unilateralism. Stopping US trade and killing 100K US jobs is fine with us, but the world won't follow impulsive tweeted diktats. Just ask EU, Russia, China & dozens of our other trading partners," Zarif tweeted. Major European airlines including Air France and British Airways have previously stopped flights to Iran, following the reinstatement of the US sanctions. Russia's Sukhoi Civil Aircraft said in May that its plans to sell planes to Iran will not change despite the US re-imposing sanctions. The company announced that it would continue to cooperate with Iranian airlines within the framework of interim agreements on the delivery of SuperJet 100 (SSJ100) passenger planes. Former Member of Parliament for Bantama constituency, Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu has said his party and government in power do not enjoy blaming the previous government on its bad policies that have led the country into extreme hardship. He said, rather, the government in power must make the citizens aware of what they inherited and how far they have reached correcting those mistakes. People keep asking why we keep blaming the previous government after two years in government. Why not? if the level of mess created is taking us more time than we expected to fix it, he said. Speaking on UTVs Adekye Nsroma programme, he affirmed we will continue to remind ourselves what we inherited and the changes we have made so far, therefore, the blame game can never be taken out even though the ordinary Ghanaian is not interested in that, but I believe they will soon understand the basics of the past awareness. According to him, they have identified the problems facing the country and the solutions to those problems have as well been outlined, but the work cannot be done in a day. We know the problems and their respective solutions but we must make citizens aware of where we took over from. We must also let the past be our guide to know how far we have come . . . he said. Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video There are many political imbeciles in the country. Their varying level of imbecility reflects the sickness that has afflicted Mother Ghana and thrown many things asunder. President Akufo-Addo and his team are doing extra work just so the effects of the baggage from the bad old days created by such persons are reversed for the good of Ghana. Such behavioral shortcomings impacting negatively on the country should not extend beyond adult circles; last week though they did with Joshua Akamba being the originator. Engaging children in an SHS to do the bidding of a bad politician is an enactment which should not be entertained in any decent society. Showering vitriolic on personalities is not a good practice except under unusual circumstances as the one presented on the political space by the said Joshua Akamba. As we pointed out in a previous editorial, commenting on the silliness of individuals is not our hallmark. We have been compelled, however, not to let go the nonsense enacted by this man in a public school without subjecting it to vitriolic treatment. Who does partisan politics in a school whose pupils have not even attained the voting age? Only clowns do and unless they are stopped, their toxin would infect other areas which should be spared such stupidity. We are at our wits end as to why a headmaster would succumb to the request of a man whose cognition is anything but in acceptable order. Inciting young school pupils to rain invectives on the President of the country as the man under review did is a reflection of the state of the largest opposition party in the country, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This is a party which can for their parochial political gains ignore moralities and contaminate the standards of discipline even in a school for young Ghanaians. Turning round to tell Ghanaians what fortunes awaits the country under their stewardship is simply put, hogwash and hypocritical and should be disregarded by all who cherish a good Ghana. It is unsurprising that Akambas party has not found it necessary to denounce his action or otherwise. The silence in this instance obviously presupposes acquiescence. Instilling the culture of lies and indiscipline at a time when faith establishments, teachers and parents are not resting on their oars in their near desperate bid to salvage the ebbing discipline in Ghana as the NDC, represented by the said Akamba, is trying hard to undo the gains made, is enough evidence about why the former ruling party should not be entrusted with the fortunes and heritage of this country again. This country deserves to be ruled by persons of conscience and impeccable pedigree; of course not by persons who act and talk before thinking about the repercussions of these and for whom the end justifies the means. God save this country from the dictatorship of nincompoops. Source: Daily Guide/Editorial Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former Board Member of the Ghana Gas Company, Valerie Sawyerr has gone to court seeking nullification of the Ghana Gas Forensic Audit report by governments Cabinet Committee. She stated in her writ that, The Audit Report completed and submitted to the 2nd Respondent was made in breach of the rule of natural justice, audi alteram partem. The report - of the Cabinet Committee Responsible for the Coordination of the Investigations/Forensic Audit - which came out a few weeks ago, showed that helicopters purchased from China Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation were never used for the purpose for which they were purchased. The report also alleges that equipment for the helicopters were never delivered even though they were part of the initial contract price. These discoveries the Committee alleged, resulted from inflated contract sums, non-performance, non-enforcement and breach of contracts, and caused the State over $60 million dollars in financial loss. However, Dr. Sawyerr, in a sworn affidavit to the Court, said the report was intent to breach her right after praying the court to annul the report, its findings, observations and recommendations. A declaration that the Audit Report which implicated me, as a former board member of Ghana National Gas Company Limited, was done in breach of my right to administrative justice and my right to a fair hearing. A declaration that the Audit Report which implicated me, as a former board member of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited, contravenes Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution. An order of Certiorari bringing up into this Court for purposes of being quashed and quashing the Audit Report which was completed and submitted to the 2nd Respondent, and which implicated me as a former board member of Ghana National Gas Company Limited, portion of the writ reads. She therefore asks the Court to quash the report, its findings, observations and recommendations. An order of Certiorari bringing up into this Court for purposes of being quashed and quashing the Audit Report which was completed and submitted to the 2nd Respondent, and which implicated me as a former board member of Ghana National Gas Company Limited, the writ added. Valerie Sawyerr also wants the court to restrain the security agencies involved in the case to stop inviting her for questioning since to her such invitations are a form of harassment. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana currently has adequate capacity for cross border transmission of energy to neighbouring countries. This is because the implementation of regional projects, including the 225kv Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou Interconnection, which would allow for the export of power from Ghana to Burkina Faso, to serve the purpose of the creation of the West African Power Pool, the Minister for Energy John Peter Amewu has said. According to the Minister, given the huge financial outlay for electricity infrastructure, particularly for power generation infrastructure, it is only appropriate that such facilities were shared within the Region. John Amewu was addressing the inauguration ceremony on Friday, 5th October, 2018, of the 225 kilovolts Bolgatanga to Ouagadougou Power Interconnection Project, which will see up to 100 megawatts of power supplied directly to Burkina Faso from Ghana. Implementation of regional projects, like this 225kv Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou Interconnection one, would allow for the export of power from Ghana to Burkina Faso to serve the purpose of the creation of the West African Power Pool, the Energy Minister said. He encouraged power utility companies in West Africa to intensify their collaboration in the development of projects under the West Africa Power Pool, urging countries within the region to create the necessary atmosphere in order to attract investments in pursuit of common projects. Doing the inauguration, President Akufo-Addo stated that the successful completion of the project was credit to the strong bond of friendship and co-operation that exist between Ghana and Baukina Faso. He was hopeful that upon full completion of the 330kv Aboadze-Prestea-Kumasi-Bolgatanga transmission backbone project, the target of 100 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso will be achieved. He said the implementation of the project of the West African Power Pool, has also achieved the objective of strengthening regional integration under the ECOWAS protocols and the realization of a Regional Electricity Market. Source: New Crusading Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video African Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) has been launched successfully in Accra as part of efforts to help champion the cause of animals in Africa. ANAW will work assiduously to engage and mobilize all stakeholders especially the government and all animal lovers to canvas for proper and definite legislation and policies on Animal Welfare. Speaking at the launching ceremony in Accra, the Chairman of African Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) Hon. Stephen Attatsi, noted that in Ghana and in most African Countries there is no appropriate platform,legislation and policy on Animal Welfare. This he said, records shown that African countries especially the East African countries such as : Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania including some Southern countries like ; South Africa and Namibia have made tremendous strides in that regard by enacting eloquent Acts of Parliament to deal with Animal Welfare. According to him, the United Kingdom is the first country in the world to implement laws protecting animals. It is on record that in 1822 Act to prevent the cruel and improper treatment of cattle was passed by the British Parliament. The UK government has publicly stated that animals are sentient beings and mere commodities and has in unequivocal terms confirmed its commitment to the highest possible standards to support and protect animals. The first general animal protection law in the UK, called the Protection of Animals Act, was introduced in 1911 and has gone through several updates and reviews since. Hon. Stephen Attatsi, however underscored the need for Ghana to join forces with the global world community to give it much more attention by putting in place the necessary structures and institutions like ANAW and the appropriate legislations and policies to help champion the warfare of all animals. It is envisaged that all Animals lovers and Animal Welfare Activists, Animal breeders, Researchers and pet owners, will actively collaborate with ANAW to enable it come to reality. Should this vision be achieved, then ANAW can boast of the following benefits Serve as a one stop shop for all Animal Warfare issues. Serve as a focal point to discuss and share issues on Animal Welfare. Serve as a platform to coordinate matters regarding Animals Welfare including the following : 1. Animal Vaccines and consumables 2. Animals medication 3. Transportation 4. Cross Breeding 5. General Animal health among others. Hon. Stephen Attatsi, therefore called on all and sundry especially the government to support ANAW in order to champion the cause of Animal Welfare in Ghana and beyond. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A few days ago, the news that one New York-based Ghanaian was describing the intended creation of a new region out of Volta as a land-grabbing agenda for Akans in Ghana was very unfortunate because the Constitution of Ghana makes it very clear in Article 5 (2) as to how new regions can be created in the country. Any group of people who want the creation of a new region for themselves may petition the President after which the President will set up a committee to look into the matter. The purpose of looking into the matter is to find out whether there is a genuine case for the creation of the new region concerned. When the request came from chiefs, opinion leaders, as well as residents of the northern part of the Volta Region to the President for the creation of a new region, the President had no choice but to look into the matter. Together with requests from leaders from other regions, the President referred the matter to the Council of State to study after which it told the President that there was the need to go ahead with the issue, leading to the setting up of a committee of enquiry that completed its work not too long ago. Having paved the way for this, the Constitution requires the country to organise elections in the regions where the residents concerned are looking forward to the creation of new region(s). The main focus of arguments that have come up for the creation of the new regions is the desire to extend development programmes to these areas that feel left out in the development agenda. The creation of new regions is not automatic and requires at least 50 per cent of votes in the area to turn out to vote after which at least 80 per cent must vote in favour of the decision to create new regions. It is, therefore, unfortunate that any Ghanaian based anywhere in the world should canvass ethnic sentiments in relation to the issue as a way of creating confusion in the country, as well as disaffection for the government that has been petitioned by some other Ghanaians to carry out the exercise. The danger of tribalism in Ghana and Africa has resulted in deaths, destruction of properties and other antagonistic attacks against fellow citizens on various parts of the continent. Instead of remaining united, some unfortunate utterances from certain people in the country have tended to foil the progress of nation-building. It is unfortunate that these developments are taking place at a time when we need to be more united than ever before. The lack of progress in Ghana today is partly the result of irresponsible and negative tribal tendencies engineered by people in various parts of the country. What constitutes Ghana today was originally made up of four main regions, namely, Northern Territories, Ashanti, Gold Coast Colony and what is now known as Volta. After independence, further regional demarcations were carried out to bring the number of regions to 10. This process will continue in the interest of the people provided there is still the need for the creation of new regions based on the genuine needs from the people themselves in line with their wishes and aspirations and also in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution. All Ghanaians, irrespective of where they come from, must be treated with equal respect, meaning that any request from any group of people must be carefully examined and investigated and, where necessary, the issues raised addressed for the general or overall growth of the country. In the light of this, any misplaced tribal agenda or ethnocentric sentiments ought to be pushed aside without delay for the nation to move on as expected in its development agenda. This is what the country needs today and in the days ahead. Thus such negative tribal tendencies ought to be pushed aside before causing any damage so that the rest of the country can come together in unity for the smooth, speedy, uninterrupted growth and progress of the country all geared towards the attainment of our much-revered and desired as well as not-to-be-compromised national goal. As a united country, we should never look back or be distracted by such negative tendencies but look forward with great expectations to ensure that our national objectives as a people are attained within the general framework of our positive socio-economic agenda. The writer is the Director of Corporate Communication, Ghana Standards Authority Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Dramani Mahama has dispelled reports suggesting the head of security for his campaign team, Major General Sampson Kudjo Adeti, is still serving as an officer in the Ghana Armed Forces. According to the former President, Major General Sampson Kudjo Adeti who is the former Chief of Staff at General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at Burma Camp, retired from the army since February 10, 2017. A publication carried by Daily Guide suggests Major General Sampson Adeti, is yet to retire from the GAF but has been made the security coordinator for former President John Mahamas campaign team. The report detailed how Major General Adeti moves around with Mahama on his campaign tours to help him (Mahama) convince NDC supporters to elect him as flagbearer for the party in the 2020 presidential election. According to the publication, the head of the security team was spotted in Tamale during Mahamas recent visit to the Northern regional capital. Checks by Daily Guide revealed the army chief is violating military rules by using his leave period prior to retirement to engage in partisan politics. The report further disclosed that Major General Adeti is still occupying his official residence at Burma Camp, hence, his present job as security coordinator for the former presidents campaign team is a breach of military standards. General Adeti, who had been tipped to become Army Commander had John Mahama been retained, is among some senior military officers who have taken cover under the umbrella since NDC lost power. Immediately the NDC lost the elections, the same general allegedly lobbied vigorously for an ambassadorial post, claiming that he had nothing to do with the NDC and traced his roots to Nsawam and not the Volta Region, the report by Daily Guide revealed. Reacting to the above claims in relation to Major General Adetis appointment as Head of Security for his Campaign Team, former President John Mahama in a brief statement, described the publication as mischievous and unfounded. The statement signed by former President Mahamas spokesperson, James Agyenim-Boateng faulted Daily Guide for failing to verify the facts, adding that the newspapers deliberately set out to publish falsehood to mislead the public. The statement further explained that Major General Adeti was forced to go on retirement by the NPP government on February 10, 2017. For the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight, Major General Sampson Kudjo Adeti is a retired distinguished officer of the Ghana Armed Forces. His terminal leave ended on 13th August, 2018, after nearly 37 years of dedicated and professional service to Ghana, the statement clarifies. The John Mahama 2020 Campaign Team also expressed their delight in having Major General Adeti who has impeccable academic qualifications as well as a sterling record of military service on board. Read the full statement below PRESS STATEMENT SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT: MAJOR GENERAL SAMPSON KUDJO ADETI (RETIRED) Our attention has been drawn to two false, mischievous and unfounded newspaper publications today regarding the appointment of Major General Sampson Kudjo Adeti (Rtd) as the Security Coordinator of the John Mahama 2020 Campaign. The syndicated publications create a misleading impression that Major General Adeti is a serving officer of the Ghana Armed Forces. It is obvious that either no effort was made to verify the facts or that the newspapers deliberately set out to publish falsehood to mislead the public. For the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight, Major General Sampson Kudjo Adeti is a retired distinguished officer of the Ghana Armed Forces. His terminal leave ended on 13th August, 2018, after nearly 37 years of dedicated and professional service to Ghana. Until his retirement, he had served in various important Command and Staff positions in the Ghana Armed Forces, including Instructor in training institutions. From 2013 to 2016, Major General Adeti (Rtd) was the General Officer Commanding the Southern Command of the Ghana Army and Chief of Staff, a Member of the Military High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces from January 2016 till he was compulsorily retired by the NPP government on 10th February 2017. Major General Adeti has impeccable academic qualifications as well as a sterling record of military service. He holds four Masters Degrees in International Affairs, Development Studies, Business Administration and Defence and Strategic Studies, and the John Mahama 2020 Campaign Team is proud of his inclusion. ***END*** James Agyenim-Boateng Spokesperson MONDAY, 8TH OCTOBER 2018 WA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has condemned a recent attack by members of pro-NPP vigilante group, Delta Force, on the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei. According to the Commission, the activities of the group, and other similar vigilante groups in the country, pose a serious threat to the countrys peace and security. Addressing journalists on the matter, the Chairperson of the NCCE, Josephine Nkrumah, called on the government ensure that the culprits are duly punished. Political party vigilantes have no space in Ghanas democratic culture. The NCCE expresses it repulsion at confirmed reports of self-styled leaders of vigilante group Delta Force, associated with the ruling political party, the NPP striking again. Delta Force hoodlums have become notorious for the use of force and violence in total disregard for law and order, it said. Some heavily-built men over the weekend stormed a meeting of constituency executives which was being chaired by the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Pankrono Constituency, who doubles as Minister of state for Monitoring and Evaluation. The men disrupted the meeting and allegedly wanted to physically abuse the Member of Parliament over failed election promises. The Member of Parliament, however escaped unhurt. The NCCE says such actions must not be condoned. It said at the press conference that all political parties must commit to disbanding such groups in the interest of public safety. The leadership of the NPP must demonstrate to the people of Ghana that the law applies equally to all, by actively pursuing security agencies and the judiciary to swiftly and decisively prosecute vigilante groups, the NCCE said. The NCCE observed that the members of the Delta Force had been emboldened to perpetrate such crimes following lenient sentences handed them after they besieged a court premises in the Ashanti Region to free some of their colleagues who were standing trial for a similar offence. The apparent leniency with which delta force vigilantes were handled when they struck at law courts to free perpetrators had further emboldened them to continue to act in such impunityThis for us is a national crisis, it said. The NCCE also asked politicians to desist from interfering in the recruitment processes of personnel into the various security services, saying such practice breeds indiscipline among the security officers. Source: The Finder/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A team made of sympathisers of ex-president Mahama, have noted with grave concern the widening gap between policies that are well explained by the New Patriotic Party and that of the National Democratic Congress. For this reason, the VICTORY FOR MAHAMA group have issued a statement informing the former president to ensure messages he delievers on campaign platforms are well rehearsed and understandable. In a statement released by the group, they noted that "It is no more a secret that elections in Ghana now are won on how well you define your policies and programmes to the electorate and explaining with all tenacity how these policies could be executed but, not consistently counter attacking the policies of your opponent." They also explained that "In the wake of these, it's important we in the NDC goes into the 2020 elections with some attractive polices to brighten our prospects. So, in this regard, we call on ex President Mahama to review his campaign strategies by spelling out clearly his policies and programmes instead of stressing on reviewing policies made by the NPP, because that can not win us power in 2020." Full statement below... MAHAMA'S CAMPAIGN: LET'S FIND A MESSAGE As sympathisers of Ex President Mahama and the NDC, we have followed the campaign of Mr. Mahama closely and we have made these important observations which we believe they should be seriously considered. It is sad seeing ex President Mahama campaigns on only the counter opinions of the policies and programmes of the NPP, same strategy we used in the 2016 elections and it backfired. It is no more a secret that elections in Ghana now are won on how well you define your policies and programmes to the electorate and explaining with all tenacity how these policies could be executed but, not consistently counter attacking the policies of your opponent. Citing some few examples, then Candidate Akufo Addo in 2016 won the elections clearly on how consistent he was with his free SHS policy, One Village One Dam, One District One Factory etc. policies. A fact we in the NDC must frankly admit and do same. In the wake of these, it's important we in the NDC goes into the 2020 elections with some attractive polices to brighten our prospects. So, in this regard, we call on ex President Mahama to review his campaign strategies by spelling out clearly his policies and programmes instead of stressing on reviewing policies made by the NPP, because that can not win us power in 2020. Also, it's an undenable fact that, the free SHS policy introduced by the NPP government has been widely accepted as a good policy. But, our checks on the grounds reveal to us that, a lot of people think 'Mr. Mahama is against the free SHS policy and will collapse the policy on his second coming'. A notion that can affect our chances, so to refute this claim, we advice that you clearly explain your stands on that matter to the well meaning Ghanaians. Also, during the 2016 elections, the NPP tagged you as incompetent, an unfortunate tag which some Ghanaians thought you rightfully deserved it. To refute this claim too, let's put up intriguing campaign messages and policies to tell the electorate you are directly the opposite of what you were or are being tagged. For now, these are our few concerns and it is very important you address these issues passionately and comprehensively. We wish you the best of luck in your quest to lead the NDC again. ...Signed... Musah A. Alhassan President, Victory for Mahama. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Pakistan will reportedly import 48 Chinese drones in what a Chinese military observer said must be the largest such arms deal of its kind. Announcing the deal on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team did not reveal how much it was worth, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered. But the air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones. Wing Loong II, made by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company, is a high-end reconnaissance and strike multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system. It made its maiden flight in February last year, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The largest overseas order for Wing Loong IIs was obtained even before the maiden flight, Xinhua reported. The report did not specify the buyer. A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Monday. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm the deal when reached by the Global Times as of press time. It makes sense the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators. The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, Song said. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost. "Chinese UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) like Caihong series also has clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia," Song said. As a candidate, Gov. Murphy called for a "time out" on charter-school expansion. His education department recently denied two charter school applicants, bringing to a close an applicant round that saw no charter proposals approved by the state. Read more Gov. Murphy wanted a "timeout" for New Jersey charter schools after years of growth under his predecessor, Chris Christie. So far, he appears to be getting it. State officials received 13 applications for new charter schools during the latest round of submissions. None was approved; the last two rejections came Sept. 28, for schools proposed for Trenton and Jersey City. The New Jersey Department of Education did not give reasons for the two most recent denials, but said it would provide explanations to the applicants. The other 11 were previously disqualified or rejected. "We're extremely disappointed," Harold Lee, interim president of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association, said last week. "We're hopeful that this is not a stealth moratorium on charter schools in the state, pushed by anti-charter interests." About 49,000 students were enrolled in New Jersey charter schools last year a population that more than doubled during the tenure of Christie, a Republican, beginning in 2010. Fewer than 4 percent of public-school students statewide attend charter schools, and enrollment is concentrated in certain districts. In Camden, more than half of students attend charter schools. Advocates like Lee say the demand for charter schools hasn't been met, with 35,000 students on waiting lists, according to figures reported by charter schools to the association. But the publicly funded and independently run schools have been controversial, with questions about whether they divert money from traditional public schools and whether their student bodies are representative of the communities they say they serve. During his campaign, Murphy, a Democrat, called for a hold on charter school expansion. Earlier this year, the Department of Education said it would review the state's charter program. The department is planning 11 visits to charter schools and five evening community focus groups as part of a statewide effort to examine the charter law. "Our goal is to engage as many individuals and organizations as possible," spokesman Mike Yaple said. Charter advocates expressed concern about the recent denials, which they said the department issued without interviewing the applicants. Department officials say interviews aren't required. Unlike in Pennsylvania, where local school districts can approve charter schools, in New Jersey only the Department of Education can authorize charters. This was not the first time the state declined to approve any new charters in an application round: It did so in October 2016, said department spokesman Mike Yaple. In fact, most charter applications aren't approved. Of 180 received by the department since March 2013, 22 have received final approval, he said. The round of applications in October is for proved charter operators, however, and draws fewer applications than the one in March, said Lee, who worked in the department's Charter Schools Office from 2011 through 2016. "It is my understanding" that in past March rounds, at least one charter was approved, Lee said. The department earlier this year approved one charter school, to be located in Salem County, but the application was pending before Murphy took office in January. Nationally, the number of charter schools opening each year has fallen after peaking in 2013, according to the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. But most state education agencies that authorize charters are consistently approving new ones, according to the association. While Murphy has not announced a moratorium on charters, his transition team recommended a "pause" in new charter approvals. Steve Baker, a spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association, whose president served on the transition team, said, "We don't have any say" on charter approvals, though "we have supported Gov. Murphy's call for taking time to take a look at New Jersey's charter-school law." Baker said an evaluation of the law is overdue. "It's almost 25 years old now," he said. "It's definitely time to take a look." In letters Sept. 28 denying the two applicants, Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet said that "the department is committed to developing a strong pipeline of charter schools in New Jersey and providing a high-quality education for New Jersey students." Paul Disdier, whose proposed Capital City Charter School in Trenton was denied, said the school's backers were "very disturbed, upset." He said last week he wasn't sure if he would appeal the denial, since he had not learned the reason for it. Am I surprised? Not completely, said Disdier, who works as a senior portfolio manager at a municipal bond firm in Princeton and has supported another charter school, Foundation Academies, in Trenton. Theres been talk that the governor, the union, has been pushing the governor to review the charter-school system. Unfortunately, it seems as though its politics over education. CAIRO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian military court sentenced on Monday four defendants to death and 17 others to life in prison over terror charges, state-run Ahram Online news website reported. The prosecutor-general's office charged the defendants with joining a terrorist group, conspiracy, the use of weapons and bombs that resulted in the death of 20 police personnel and an employee at the authority of roads and bridges, as well as destroying public property. The case is known in the media as the "Giza Province" case. The court also handed down a 15-year sentence to two defendants, six years to ten, and five years to five defendants in the same case, while 17 defendants were acquitted in the same case, according to Ahram Online. Monday's verdicts can be appealed in a military court of appeals. The court also ruled that nine defendants are to pay compensation for damage caused to roads and bridges. The case involved the trial of members of a terrorist organization formed in Egypt's Giza governorate with links to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. Egypt's security apparatus has said that this group attempted to form a terrorist cell in Egypt's Giza governorate to be known as the "IS State in Giza." Officials have also said that this group targeted the Egyptian foreign ministry building and attacked the authority of roads and bridges in February 2016, which resulted in the death of an employee and the injury of several others. The terrorist organization was reportedly formed in August 2014. Terrorism rose in Egypt following the military ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. Terror attacks gradually expanded from North Sinai province bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip to other provinces including the capital Cairo and started to target the Coptic minority via church bombings and shootings. NASA's MAVEN spacecraft recently celebrated its fourth Earth year in Mars orbit by snapping a selfie to celebrate the occasion. The spacecraft entered orbit on 21 September 2014 to figure out what happened to Mars' atmosphere, and how that relates to the planet's transition from a warm, wet past to its inhospitable current state state. MAVEN, which stands for Mars Atmosphere Volatile EvolutioN Mission, is not equipped with a standard visible light camera, but it has an ultraviolet spectrograph imager that is used to measure the composition of Mars' atmosphere. Mission managers were able to rotate the imager, which sits at the tip of a 1.2-meter boom, back towards the spacecrafts body and collect 21 frames that were stitched together to create a partial selfie. Not all of the spacecraft can be seen due to the imagers limited rotation range. Officer Samuel Galluzzi was shot about 10:30 p.m. (Photo: Metro Nashville PD) A 24-year-old Metro Nashville PD officer was shot twice during a fatal officer-involved shooting Friday. He continued to recover in the hospital on Monday morning, authorities said. Officer Samuel Galluzzi, who suffered gunshots to his thigh and ankle during a fatal exchange of gunfire with a shooting suspect, underwent surgery Saturday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, reports the Tennessean. Police on Monday said Galluzzi, a two-year veteran with the police department, was injured about 10:30 p.m. Friday night near the city's Bordeaux neighborhood. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Sershawn Martez Dillon, 31, of Nashville, died in the shooting. Dillon is believed to be the same individual responsible for a stranger sexual assault that occurred in the same neighborhood just prior to his encounter with law enforcement, the TBI reported. Metro police said two other officers, Detective Zachary Ronan and Officer John Petriello, "returned the gunman's fire." They were not injured. As of Monday morning, TBI had not yet released what led up to the shooting. Police in San Jose, CA, are reportedly searching for 40-year-old Andrew Trujillo, who is suspected of stealing an officer's patrol car while in custodyaccording to KGO-TV. Police say Trujillo was handcuffed in the rear seat of the patrol car when he somehow escaped and drove off in the stolen squad car. The cruiser was later found abandoned, with all the weapons in the car accounted for. Police say they were initially questioning Trujillo in connection to a possible stolen semi-truck incident. A federal judge sentenced a former Jersey City officer on Tuesday to one year and one day behind bars over the ex-officer's role in a scheme to accept cash for off-duty jobs he never worked, according to NJ.com. Jimmy Cardinali said at the proceedings, "I stand here before you a man filled with shame and regret. I've embarrassed myself, the Jersey City Police Department and of course my family." Cardinali is the fourth former officer to receive a prison sentence in scandal. Six others have received probation, including former chief Phil Zacche. Cardinali was also ordered to forfeit $39,587, which represents the money he pocketed, and pay $166,255 in restitution to Jersey City. By He Lei Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has actively promoted its national defense and armed forces building and made historic achievements in the military development, providing strong support on safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and injecting strong positive energy to regional and world peace and stability. China's development of military power is an inevitable choice in history and reality. The modern history of China has profoundly demonstrated that without solid national defense and strong armed forces, a country would be destined to suffer foreign aggression and bullying, and could never achieve national independence, freedom and prosperity. China is a country with both land and maritime borders. It is also one of the countries with the most neighbors and facing the most complex challenges in regards to frontiers and maritime rights and interests: its border stretches over 22,000 kilometers on land and the coastline of mainland extends well over 18,000 kilometers, and it has 14 land neighbors and faces six countries across the sea. At present, it's in territorial and maritime rights disputes with some countries. Meanwhile, terrorist and extremist activities are frequent in Central Asia, and the situation of cross-strait relations is more complicated and severe. The "Taiwan independence" forces clamor for "referendums" and "revision of the constitution", incite cross-strait hostility, undermine the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. With the development of China's economy, its overseas institutions, personnel and assets have extended throughout the world, and its interests and security challenges related to overseas energy resources and strategic channels have become increasingly prominent. To meet the above security challenges, China cannot do without the guarantee of strong military power. China's development of military power is a reliable guarantee for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. China is at a critical juncture closer to the great national rejuvenation, and encounters unprecedented resistance, pressure and disturbances. Without solid national defense and strong armed forces, the Chinese dream cannot be realized. China has always regarded self-development as the foundation for safeguarding its own interests and maintaining world peace. China is the second largest economy in the world. A few major scientific and technological achievements have reached world-class levels, laying foundation and providing support for military development. China will neither follow the old road of focusing on cultural and economic prosperity while neglecting its military development and resulting in a weak state, nor take the evil road of exhausting all resources for its military buildup and carrying out arms races. China adheres to the path of military-civilian integrated development and integrates national defense modernization into the overall strategy of national modernization. China has consistently adhered to a defensive national defense policy. China firmly adheres to the path of peaceful development, pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, adopts a defensive national defense policy and implements the military strategic guideline of active defense. The development of China's military power does not pose a threat to any country. No matter how far it develops, China will never seek hegemony, engage in expansion, or take part in an arms race. Based on the reduction of 1.7 million troops since the 1980s, the number of troops has been cut back by another 300,000 in recent years. Chinas national defense expenditure has accounted for about 1.3% of GDP for a long time which is far below the world average of 2.3% to 2.5% and much less than the 3% plus of military powers such as the United States and Russia. China adheres to self-defense and will never take the initiative to provoke troubles, but it will never tolerate any provocation or aggression. China has always advocated peaceful settlement of international disputes and hot topics. China has been insisting on not interfering in other countries' internal affairs, opposing the threat or use of force, opposing subversion of other countries legitimate political power, and opposing hegemonism and power politics. China is committed to closely combining the maintenance of its legitimate rights and interests with the maintenance of regional and world peace and stability, and closely integrating the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the advancement of building a community of a shared future for mankind. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed promoting the construction of new international relations, promoting the building of a human community of a shared destiny, advocating the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of a new, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept. China firmly upholds the international security system with the UN as its core and is committed to addressing and resolving international and regional security hot topics within the UN framework. China actively promotes international and regional security cooperation, actively participates in the resolution of major international security issues, and jointly addresses security challenges. China holds fast to the global governance concept of jointly discussing, building and sharing, actively guides and promotes the reform of the global governance system, actively participates in the formulation of rules in the emerging security fields, and promotes international fairness and justice. China strives to provide more public goods for the maintenance of world peace. It is the country sending the largest number of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and its peacekeeping funds rank second in the world. With a view to developing constructive military relations with countries around the world, China advocates enhancing strategic mutual trust, strengthening crisis control and properly handling territorial and maritime rights and interests disputes. History shows that China's military power has always been the builder of world peace. Disclaimer: The author is Lt. Gen. He Lei, vice-president of the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The article was published on the PLA Daily on Oct. 9. It is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. Excellency, Distinguished Representatives of the Swiss Government, Dear Mr. Director, Dear Faculty and Students, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, It has been 72 years since Winston Churchill, standing here in the auditorium of the University of Zurich, made his bold call for the creation of the United States of Europe. Today his famous address is universally seen as one of the starting points of the European integration. It is my strong conviction, however, that Churchills Zurich speech always needs to be read together with his other famous text from the same 1946 in which he made a bitter but accurate observation that an iron curtain descended across the European continent from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic. There, in Fulton, Missouri, and here, in Zurich, the British statesman was deeply concerned about the future of Europe. The connection between the two speeches becomes evident in the following sentence of the Zurich speech: I quote. If at first all the States of Europe are not willing or able to join a union we must nevertheless proceed to assemble and combine those who will and who can. It reflects the drama of the early stages of European integration. When the concepts of European integration were born, not all European nations were able to make free choices concerning their future. Unfortunately, at that time my country Poland was in no position to be part of any unification efforts, because our country was in the Soviet sphere of influence. The authorities in Moscow simply did not allow Poland to join any western integration processes. The descending of the iron curtain meant that Poland and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe were denied their rights to independent policy choices. The Western allies did not object that Central and Eastern Europe was cut off from the West. This was manifested in a dramatic way at the London Victory Celebrations that took place in the same year as Churchills two speeches. The Polish Armed Forces, were excluded from the festivities although they had fought together with allied troops right from the first days of World War Two. The British did not want to risk worsening their relations with the Soviet Union. And let me be clear here. The fact that Poland found herself on the eastern side of the iron curtain was the outcome of the bargain made in 1945 at the Yalta conference between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. It was not the decision of Poland. It was taken behind our backs. And let me be frank, they sold us. The Cold War divide was an attempt to cut Poland off from her natural European political environment. It was not only a loss for Poland and Eastern Europe, but also for Western Europe. The iron curtain separated Central and Eastern Europe from the West just as much as it separated the West from Central and Eastern Europe. And in this way it created that unnatural fracture in the European world. How shocking it was for Poles is best illustrated by the story of Jozef Czapski a Polish painter and writer, and an officer in the Polish Army. Czapski, a son of Polish nobility, was born in Prague in the very end of the nineteenth century. He studied first in Petersburg, and then in Warsaw after Poland regained her independence in 1918. In the 1920s and 30s, Czapski lived in Paris and had exhibitions of his works in various European capitals. Among his friends was a Swiss painter and writer Richard Aeschlimann who exhibited Czapskis works in his gallery in Switzerland as late as the 1970s. Some of you may have even come accros them. According to Czapskis biographers, he was a European to his fingertips. After World War Two, when he returned to Paris and found very few young people from Central and Eastern Europe there. Then he understood that in the minds of many Western Europeans there could be a Europe without countries like Poland. I quote Czapskis words from 1950: Yes the blood of Europe flows to distant continents and here in Europe [we see] attempts to break the spiritual ties that have bound the broad masses of our continent for centuries. End of quote. It meant that the Soviet idea of divided Europe had achieved one of its main goals. The division of Europe was accepted not only on the political level, but it also started penetrating the minds of Europeans. It was not only politically imposed, but it started to bear fruit in peoples opinions. Over decades, it cemented in Western European societies a conviction that what was left behind the iron curtain was less European. In this context, I am even more grateful to all those who against that conviction were helping Poles and other nations of Central and Eastern Europe in those hard times since 1945, especially during the surge of the Solidarity movement in 1980 and after that during the martial law in Poland in 1982 and 1983. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, I have no doubts that when after 1989, Poland and other countries of the region came back on the natural path to integration with the European institutions, they not only had to overcome the geopolitical rift with the West. We also had to fight against misunderstandings and the false stereotype of our cultural otherness. I am saying this only because it is very painful for us to hear in the political rhetoric of todays leaders the echoes of the same stereotypes rooted in the iron-curtain-era Europe. These are the voices of those who would like to have a more compact Union, or a Union built around a hard core, limited only to the western countries. In their opinions, the EU could get rid of the baggage of what they call the periphery states of Central and Eastern Europe. We cannot follow these footpaths. Recreating bad emotions and false divisions in Europe will always work against the ideas that Churchill put forward in his Zurich address. The process of European integration must be open to those who want and can. Nobody can be excluded. The iron curtain divided Europe from the Baltic to the Adriatic. What we are doing now is connecting Europe from the Baltic to the Adriatic to the Black seas. Through projects such as the Three Seas Initiative. This is what makes the Europe of the future different from the Europe of the past. Let us be the people of Europes future not the echoes of Europes past. Ladies and Gentlemen, Today, seven decades after both Churchills speeches, we are again thinking about the future of the European community with anxiety. Brexit, the euro zone financial and migrant crises, to name just the three most important challenges, have raised the question about the direction of the European integration and cost us the loss of peoples trust. Therefore, I would like to present you with the Polish perspective on the future of the European integration. This year Poland is celebrating the centennial of her regained independence. This anniversary makes us reflect very deeply on the history of our country which was filled with struggle for freedom. For us, Poles, being in the possession of a fully sovereign state is not something obvious it is, however, an obvious value. We treat our membership in the Euro-Atlantic institutions as a way to express our sovereignty and an opportunity to pursue our interests within a broader community. Let me elaborate now on what I see as the three pillars the European Union should stand upon. The first pillar is the community of equals. The respect for every country and equal rights of all states are the foundations of the uniting Europe. In his Zurich address, Churchill saw it this way: I quote. Small nations will count as much as large ones and gain their honour by a contribution to the common cause. End of quote. This idea of equality is of utmost importance to me because I view it as the basis of peaceful cooperation on the international stage. I mean it not only in the European context. Not long ago, I stressed it during my address at the United Nations General Assembly. I said that the international order must be based on the concept of the sovereign equality of all states, as defined in the UN Charter. We all acknowledge differences in the potential of states in terms of their size, military capacity, economy, demographics, etc. However, those differences in themselves give such an advantage that they do not need additional underlining by legal or political decisions. Community in Europe can be built only by loyal cooperation of states equal in their rights. Each state has an equal right to self-determination and this right must be protected in Europe. It also means the need to defend the integrity of internationally recognized state borders. Borders in Europe cannot be changed by force. Unfortunately, we have seen it happening in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014. In both cases it was done by Russia. Understanding objective differences between states, European integration must be first and foremost based on our common effort to redress those inequalities in order to provide a level playing field. Our history teaches us, Europeans, that the concert of powers always leads to conflicts and bloodshed. World War One was a classic example of this. The idea of the European integration was intended as an antidote. The principle of equality that Poland advocates means that Europe cannot become an exclusive club. For centuries, one of the main doctrines of the Polish strategic culture has been nihil novi sine communi consensus, or nothing new without the common consent. That is why for Poland multilateralism and the rule-based order must be built on the provision that the same rules and proportional responsibilities bind all parties. We advocate international relations of equal states and free nations, not of usurpation and hierarchy. Let me provide a practical example. It is very important for Poland that the region of Central Europe becomes more integrated in terms of efficient infrastructure. We try to implement this idea through the already mentioned initiative called the Three Seas, which involves 12 countries situated in the part of the EU from the Baltic to the Adriatic to the Black Seas. The Three Seas emerged from the need to build better connections along the North-South axis. The countries of the Initiative simply need to make up for the infrastructural gaps dating from the communist era. However, ironically, for a long time, Brussels deemed the Initiative to be counterproductive to the integration effort. That was absolutely ununderstandable for us. I believe that our efforts to bridge the gaps and reduce inequalities should not be limited to the countries inside of todays European Union. Right since the beginning of our membership, we have advocated bringing our eastern neighbours closer to the EU and to the West. In particular, I am referring here to Ukraine and Georgia as well as Western Balkans. We have always stressed that the door to the EU must remain open. We want these countries to become part of the EU in the future. They have equal rights to become members, if they fulfill the conditions from the EU Treaties. And we owe them our support. We have to guarantee those countries an equal right to self-determination. Ladies and Gentlemen, The second pillar of our vision of Europe is the Community of Ethics. Speaking here about the European integration in 1946, Winston Churchill emphasized the fact that the community of free European countries must be established on solid foundations. Therefore, we should never think about the European Union as a purely technical or bureaucratic construction. There has always been a moral dimension to the integration process based on a set of universal values. By these values I mean loyalty, solidarity or forgiveness. They are universal, not political, because they cannot be simply voted upon. If we turn to the Churchills Zurich speech once again, we will find that he many times referred to moral and spiritual ideas as the basis for European integration. He speaks about moral acts and integrity in the similar way to the Fathers of Europe of the same time: Schumann, Adenauer, De Gasper. All of them understood that Europe can be a successful project only if it is deeply rooted in moral acts of societies. Those common values gave birth to the first institutions of the united Europe. It was not by mistake that they were called communities. It was because the word community assumes axiological unity of their members. I believe that in order to survive the European Union must return to the values which are pre-political. We cannot limit ourselves just to the paragraphs of the Treaties. Today when many politicians talk about the European Union, they stress the primacy of European institutions. They believe that the more Brussels bureaucracy there is, the more unity we have. And in fact the reality is exactly the opposite. If we reduce the European integration only to that administrative dimension, we forget about its substance. Values are deeply rooted in our common cultural heritage. Europe cannot reject its history. To the contrary, it needs to draw from it. Let me advance a thesis that out of three foundations of the European identity: Greek philosophy and its concept of democracy, the Roman sense of law, and the Judeo-Christian ethics, in todays political discourse, we refer the least to our spiritual and ethical roots. It stands in total opposition to Churchills line of argumentation in his Zurich speech. It was from the ethical basis that Churchill developed his political and legal concepts which were to become Europes future. Without the debate about the common values, there will be no united Europe. Europe which is connected only by law and institutions, without the base of values and morality, is easy to manipulate and open to conflicts of interests. To give an example, I have no doubt that in Europe that sticks to common values there would be no room for projects beneficial only to one country and undermining energy security of others. By this, I mean Nord Stream II. The return to values is also the basis for regaining societys trust in European integration. EU citizens must be again confident that European institutions fulfill their needs. They must be confident that their choices, including the political ones, are respected. That there is an effort made to understand their motivations. Nobody can be excluded from Europe only because we do not agree with their political views or decisions. Unless, of course, they act in a secret and dishonest way to harm others. The third pillar of the European Union should be freedom. Europe can be only built by the free will of nations. We, Poles, know its true value and for centuries we did not hesitate to pay the highest price of human life for it. Before Poland returned to the map of Europe in 1918, for one hundred and twenty three years my country was partitioned between Russia, Austria and Prussia. For the whole nineteenth century, every generation of Poles stood up for their freedom organizing uprisings. It may astonish many here in Switzerland, and maybe especially here in this historic room, but the current generation of Poles is the first one in 300 years that will inherit wealth from their parents. In the past, the economic achievements of every generation were wasted in the turmoil of those uprisings for freedom in the nineteen century, then World War One, then World War Two, Soviet communism and the drastic economic transformation of 1989. Only today, Poland is becoming a rich and developed economy, mostly thanks to the bred-in-the-bone determination of its citizens and free access to markets. But please, stop and think for a moment, what would todays Poland look like, if for the last three centuries we could pass our wealth on from generation to generation? Poles can use economic freedom to their advantage when they have such an opportunity. But freedom is not limited to the economic dimension. Most of all it is a political principle. Poland has always treated its fight for independence as part of some bigger struggle for freedom in Europe. Throughout history many Poles got involved in the common fight of European peoples against the oppressive empires of the time. Our national motto is for your freedom and ours. That is why Poland strongly believes that the European Union should respect the freedom of debate and political choices. To us, this unity springs from respecting the will of governments elected by the nations. This is the foundation of the European democracy. Freedom and democracy cannot be decreed. They need to be rooted in the respect for citizens, because only then we create real communities, not imaginary ones. Therefore, European institutions must be strong within the limits of their competences. But only those which were defined in the European Treaties by democratic governments of member states. European institutions cannot determine their roles by themselves. They are servants, rather than masters of European nations. That is how I understand freedom in the united Europe. Ladies and Gentlemen, Poland is one of the strongholds of the European integration, which is proven by a very large popular support for the European Union. This position is a natural consequence of our history and the lesson we learned from it. Poland always benefited from peace and cooperation in Europe. It was losing when European politics was about divisions, spheres of influence, and when the rights of weaker states were disrespected. We, Poles, are aware why we need the European community and what kind of community we need. I am not the only one who advocates a stronger Europe today. There are many voices, from different countries and political groupings, which are saying the same: it is high time to rescue Europe. Jozef Czapski, whom I quoted today, believed that the European integration requires a lot of compromise and a lot of dedication from everyone. Therefore, I am calling on us all to create a united Europe as an ethical community of free states and nations, based on the equality of all its members. In conclusion, let me surprise you. Do the three pillars of the European integration I have just mentioned: three communities of equality, freedom and ethics, ring a bell in your ears? For me they do. They are nothing more but a translation to the language of international relations of the motto of the French enlightenment: liberte, egalite, fraternite. I am not trying to start a revolution here, but it is worth giving these values a second thought. Thank you very much. TORONTO, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. ("CellCube" or the "Company") (CSE: CUBE) (OTCQB: CECBF) (Frankfurt: 01X) is pleased to announce that a master service agreement (the "Agreement") has been signed between its wholly-owned subsidiary, EnerCube Switchgear Systems Ltd. ("EnerCube") and Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina"). EnerCube has executed several projects over the past three years providing engineered equipment, electrical buildings (e-houses) including integration to Pembina valued between $12-15 million dollars, however, the Agreement involves a new chapter in the relationship, where EnerCube will provide ongoing services to Pembina with respect to its electrical switchgear needs. The Company has received its initial purchase order from Pembina. The Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading transportation and midstream service provider that has been serving North America's energy industry for over 60 years. Pembina owns an integrated system of pipelines that transport various hydrocarbon liquids and natural gas products produced primarily in western Canada. The Company also owns gas gathering and processing facilities and an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. Pembina's integrated assets and commercial operations along the majority of the hydrocarbon value chain allow it to offer a full spectrum of midstream and marketing services to the energy sector. Source: http://www.pembina.com/ "The opportunity to have an agreement with Pembina allows EnerCube to install and maintain Switchgear for several existing and new Pembina sites," says Brian Ricker President & CEO of EnerCube. "We are currently extremely busy writing proposals for both EnerCube switchgear and CellCube energy storage and 2019 looks to be a very exciting year for EnerCube in North America." Terms The term of this Agreement shall be for one (1) year from the date hereof and shall be automatically renewed for up to four (4) additional terms of one (1) year. EnerCube Leadership Team Since becoming President & CEO of EnerCube in March 2018, Brian Ricker has initiated several significant changes to the company's business and has built a management team with a strong background in, and knowledge of, commercialized switchgear and energy storage. Brian Ricker, President & CEO brings over 30 years of business experience in the electrical industry, including 15 years in senior management roles. He recently left Eaton Corporation (a multi-national power management company) where he was responsible for managing domestic and international projects in the engineered equipment space. Olivia Metcalfe, Director of Operations, has 8 years of experience working for national and multinational companies in management roles in the Irish civil construction industry. Olivia manages operations of the company including overseeing of procurement, HR & business processes. Vineeth Vijay, Director of Projects, has over 10 years of leadership experience in executing turnkey electrical power distribution projects for worldwide customers. He has been a key player in developing and implementing business strategies for multinational corporations. His previous position was at Honeywell International where he provided engineering solutions to large customers in North and South America. He holds a Master of Engineering degree, specializing in Electrical Power Systems, from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He is a registered Professional Member with APEGA and a trained PMP member. Gordon Orser, VP of Power Haz, is a Master Electrician with 19 years experience in the electrical trade. He has experience in commercial and industrial sectors specializing in control and power systems designs and, installations, for oilfield, heavy industry, hazardous and non-hazardous area installations. He also has experience in electrical and project management for small to large installations, including complete drilling rig power and control systems, industrial and commercial installations, and industrial power machinery and equipment along with specialized training in low-voltage, standard and high-horsepower VFD systems. Adam Zarowny, Director of Production, has been involved in the custom electrical industry for the last 16 years. Before joining the EnerCube team, Adam spent time in various roles with Jet Power and Controls, Stahl Canada and Ceda as a Steel and Structural related Project Manager. As a journeyman welder. Adam has experience on the fabrication side of the electrical industry which involves E-Houses and Switchgears. Adam is CWB & PMP Certified. About Enercube Switchgear Systems Inc. EnerCube Switchgear Systems Inc. (formerly Jet Power and Controls) is a leading-edge provider of custom and off-the-shelf electrical equipment and systems. The company has been providing innovative and high-quality products for over ten years to heavy power users, pipeline companies, refineries, manufacturers, municipalities and infrastructure providers. It offers a "one stop shop" to its customers in terms of complete turn-key engineering & electrical solutions and equipment. Its key products include electrical switchgear, motor control switchers, solar power inverters and vanadium storage battery installation. EnerCube designs, manufactures, assembles, integrates, and tests a complete range of industry leading, innovative and dependable power control systems and accessories. About CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. CellCube is a Canadian public company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (symbol CUBE), the OTCBB (symbol CECBF), and the Frankfurt Exchange (Symbol 01X) focused on the fast-growing energy storage industry which is driven by the large increase in demand for renewable energy. CellCube supplies vertically integrated energy storage systems to the power industry and recently acquired the assets of Gildemeister Energy Storage GmbH, now Enerox GmbH the developer and manufacturer of CellCube energy storage systems. CellCube recently acquired EnerCube Switchgear Systems (formerly Jet Power and Controls Ltd.) and Power Haz Energy Mobile Solutions Inc. (formerly HillCroft Consulting Ltd.) and has also invested in an online renewable energy financing platform, Braggawatt Energy Inc. CellCube develops, manufactures, and markets energy storage systems on the basis of vanadium redox flow technology and has over 130 project installations and a 10 year operational track record. Its highly integrated energy storage System solutions features 99% residual energy capacity after 11,000 cycles with the focus on larger scale containerized modules. Basic building blocks consist of a 250kW unit family with 4, 6 and 8 hours variation in energy capacity. On Behalf of CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc., Mike Neylan, CEO, Director This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements are discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at http://www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Glenda Kelly, Investor Communications Telephone: +1-800-882-3213 Email: info@cellcubeenergystorage.com http://www.cellcubeenergystorage.com SOURCE CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Marathon 2021 Runners of all racing stripes took part in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon on November 7. Racing categories in this, the largest marathon... Mount Sinai Queens Opening New Infusion Center The last week of October was marked by an expansion of health care capacity in the borough, as Mount Sinai Queens celebrated the opening of... The Unofficial Election Results The unofficial election results from the general election on November 2, 2021, with well over 90% of scanners reported: MAYOR: Eric Adams (D) decisively... By Yang Shuangquan, Meng Zhuolin and Liu Wei BEIRUT, Oct. 8 (ChinaMil) The 17th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon hosted the "China International Night" cultural event at the "Blue Helmet" camp on the evening of October 6, attracting over 800 officials and peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from more than 30 countries. The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. To deepen foreigners understanding of China, the Chinese peacekeeping force played "China", "PLA Today" and other videos prior to an art performance. After the screening, a series of performances including the gongs and drums, Peking Opera Masks, Mongolian dance, Xinjiang dance, traditional costume performance of the Han Dynasty, martial arts, and cucurbit flute show were presented. International students from the UNIFILs Chinese martial arts class were also invited to the performance. Chinese and foreign peacekeepers performed martial arts on the same stage, which became a highlight of the friendly exchange between Chinese and foreign officers and soldiers. The Chinese peacekeepers have made careful planning in terms of food guarantee, stage layout, and performance preparation in order to fully demonstrate the charm of Chinese culture. Three areas including photo exhibition of development achievements, food and culture exhibition, and cultural performance were established during the event. In the photo exhibition area, the "Marching Ahead for 69 Years" National Day theme photo exhibition was specially arranged to introduce the development and progress of China and share Chinas achievements with foreign friends. In the food and culture exhibition area, Chinese peacekeepers interacted with foreign friends and played games together. Everyone enjoyed themselves through catching ping-pong balls with chopstick, learning Chinese surnames, ionscape and musical chair. Foreign peacekeepers also experienced the unique charm of the Chinese culture. Another highlight of the party was the on-site cooking of Chinese cuisine. The Chinese-style barbecue attracted many foreign friends, and more than 800 servings of Chinese food were consumed in just one hour. "We Chinese peacekeepers are the 'name card of China' when we are abroad. Maintaining peace and spreading friendship is the bounden duty of each Chinese peacekeeper," said Kong Ying, a Chinese peacekeeper. The event concluded with the song of "Auld Lang Syn" and foreign friends all came to the stage to take photos with the cast members. The "China International Night" event is one of a series of activities to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by the Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon. It is also a further expansion of the peacekeeping exchanges. Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Snow this morning will taper off and give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 38F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 29F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Russian nationalist Martsinkevich to stay in detention until December 19 RIA Novosti, Mikhail Fomichev 13:59 09/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 9 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court has upheld extended detention for infamous Russian nationalist Maxim Martsinkevich charged with robbery and hooliganism, RAPSI correspondent reports from the courtroom. Earlier, the Babushkinsky District Court of Moscow extended detention of Martsinkevich until December 19. The case is being reviewed for the second time. In May, the Moscow City Court overturned specific part of the defendants 10-year prison sentence concerning robbery and hooliganism and ordered review of the case. The court also mitigated sentence for three associates of Martsinkevich, who were also defendants in the case. Dmitry Sheldyashev and Alexander Shankin were sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in a penal colony while Roman Maksimov received 4 years and 10 months. In June 2017, the Babushkinsky District Court found Restruct movement leader Martsinkevich guilty of inciting hatred and enmity, hooliganism, robbery and property destruction. Ten members of the movement were sentenced to prison terms varying from 3 to 10 years. According to case documents, under pretense of drug interdiction, the group attacked people in 2013-2014 in Moscow using electro shockers, gas sprayers and metallic pipes, leaving several people traumatized and one person dead. Martsinkevich, one of the more well-known Russia nationalists, has a history of clashes with the law. In 2014, he was sentenced to five years in prison for publishing extremist content on the Internet. He has already been convicted of publishing online a video of staging an execution of a Tajik drug dealer and extremist statements. He has received 3.5 years in prison in two cases taken together. Number of terrorist crimes dropped more than twice in Russias Caucasus official RIA Novosti 14:59 09/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 9 (RAPSI) - The Federal Security Service (FSB) chief Alexander Bortnikov said during the National Anti-Terrorist Committees meeting on Tuesday that the number of crimes of a terrorist nature dropped more than twofold in Russias North Caucasus over the past year. According to Bortnikov, starting 2018, 6 terrorist attacks were prevented in the North Caucasian Federal District, 50 terrorists were killed, and 63 militants were arrested. However, a terrorist threat continues to exist in the region. Primarily, this owes to the international terrorist organizations intent to extend their activity to the North Caucasus, Bortnikov said. Emissaries of international terrorist organizations place their focus on terrorist propaganda among young people, he stressed. In August, several attacks were committed against police officers in the Republic of Chechnya. Four out of five assailants have not reached the age of 18, the FSB chief added. Moreover, terrorists try to provoke interconfessional tensions in the region choosing religious objects as targets for their terrorist attacks, according to Bortnikov. Russian prosecutors reveal $3 mln embezzlement at Defense Ministrys design institute RIA Novosti 15:59 09/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 9 (RAPSI) Prosecutors have revealed embezzlement of 188 million rubles (about $3 million) from the Defense Ministrys design institute of special construction, the press service of Russias Prosecutor Generals Office reports. According to the results of a prosecutor's inspection, between 2012 and 2013, Radiostroy engineering company received 188 million rubles from the institute as a down payment under a subcontractor agreement but failed to fulfil its obligations to perform survey and design works. The institutes management in turn did not take timely measures to return the unearned advance and therefore rendered the moneys recovery impossible, the statement reads. The inspections results have been sent to military investigators. A criminal case has been opened, according to the Prosecutor Generals Office. "I thought all Koreans students were really rich. They all lived in addresses with names like 'castle' or 'palace,'" says an American who has been teaching English at a university in Seoul for seven years. "Tra-Palace," "Lotte Castle" or "Royal County" were some of them. "I finally asked my students and discovered that they were brand names of apartments." There has been some concern over the increasing use of foreign words in everyday life, and the names of apartment complexes are no exception. Last year, 43.9 percent of Koreans were living in apartments, more than the 42.9 percent of the population living in houses. According to Real Estate 114, out of seven new apartment complexes across the country that started selling a total of 2,907 units from September, only one had a Korean name. The foreign brand names included "Hill State," "I PARK" and "Well County." The preference for foreign names became prevalent after 2000. In early 2000, Samsung was the first to begin selling apartments under the name "Raemian." This led to other broken English names by the builder, including the premium "Tower Palace" and "Tra-Palace." Then property developers like Daelim, Kumho and Lotte featured apartments under names like "Acrovista," "Richensia" and "Castle." Studies showed that by 2005, 47.8 percent of new apartments had foreign brand names. Apartment brand names using Hangeul or the Korean alphabet, which were popular during the construction of satellite cities around Seoul in the 1990s, were no longer favored. Many of the foreign names of apartments are codes that cannot be understood without explanations. LG's "Xi" line of apartments made popular in ads featuring actress Lee Young-ae, Kumho's "Richensia" and "Enigmaville" in Cheongdam-dong are the result of combining several different words or a mysterious mixture of different letters. The widespread use of foreign-sounding names for apartments could lead to a widening rift between the rich and poor, because they are mostly used for expensive apartments. Among the 100 most expensive apartments sold during the first half of last year, 74 had foreign names. Among the expensive apartments, only a handful had Korean names. Those were in the affluent Apgujeong and Ichon-dong areas that were built before 2000. In contrast, many low-cost, rental apartments had names using Korean words or mixtures of Korean and foreign words. The only apartment complex that had a Korean name out of the seven new complexes was a rental complex outside Seoul. In 2001, when the boom in foreign names began, 12 out of 17 rental apartment complexes had names that were either Korean or mixed with foreign words. "The preference for foreign names is a typical advertising gimmick to flatter consumers," said Chae Wan, a professor of Korean Language and Literature at Dongduk Women's University. "Eloquent-sounding foreign names are used to get potential buyers to feel like they should know such words, since they are well educated," Chae wrote in a thesis. Another advertising expert said, "Most English words have been used, so builders are having to turn to German, French and even create new words." The expert added, "Nowadays, it's awkward to use Korean names." Make no mistake, legally Chanda Kochhar was not and still is not obliged to quit. But quitting earlier would have placed her personally and as a leader on a very high pedestal, indeed where she belonged until this lapse, says S Muralidharan, former managing director, BNP Paribas. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com The Great Corporate Suspense is over: The swashbuckling Female Flynn (Erroll, not Gen Michael) who once scythed through the Indian banking scene like a modern-day Maid of Orleans has finally fallen on her sword. Not an entirely unexpected end to a glittering banking career which will come to be remembered for this sordid saga rather than for the great heights it achieved and the prejudices it overcame. No substantial new facts have come to light since I last commented on it for her to take this step now. An inquiry commission has been constituted and is presumably going about its work diligently. As commissions of inquiries are wont to, this one too will sit for long and after much moaning and groaning drop the matter with a big report. The 'matter' is likely to be just as useful and malodorous as its scatological cousin. It will probably not find any wrong-doing on her part but spread the blame around for 'systemic failures'. Everyone will be held responsible, no one accountable. She weathered the non-stop 24x7 electronic media hyperventilation and all manner of speculative articles in the print and online media. The media attention has since waned into insignificance, distracted by exploding bad loans, truant tycoons, and petulant politics. She had effectively seen the spotlight of attention shift focus to other things by merely gritting her teeth and maintaining a dignified silence. So why did she fall on her sword now? Why not earlier or why not brazen it out some more and await the investigation reports? Although she doesn't need the pay cheque, a complete vindication would be nice. I have been of the opinion that she should not only have been above suspicion, but seen to have been above suspicion. Clearly that has not been the case here. Bad odour in your neighbourhood has a habit of clinging to what you are wearing. Her husband's financial shenanigans are clinging to her now. The board with its ham-handed attempt to exonerate her (and thus itself) did not help matters. But legally she was well within her rights not to have to fall on her sword, for there have only been innuendos and allegations of quid pro quo, as far as she is concerned. Where her husband is concerned, there was a lot of quids, that much is known. As far as she is concerned, it seems to be correlation than causation. At any rate, none in the public domain. Being married to someone with a faulty moral compass is not a crime. So what has changed for her to do this now? The pressures of adverse media attention could not have been easy to manage. In these days of 24x7 television coverage and freedom of expression courtesy social media and unquestioning, ubiquitous, and ovine 'forwards' of asinine comments, it is easy to metaphorically tar and feather anyone and hang their shredded reputation out to dry. Just imagine the impact of this on one's image in the eyes of self, family, and circle of friends and acquaintances. She must have been walking around like a zombie the last few months. But that pressure has eased significantly as the media looks elsewhere for newer, juicier, and hotter issues much like a compulsive womaniser seeks his next conquest, or a serial killer his next victim. Perhaps the pressure got to her finally, despite her abilities at handling pressures. Some have suggested -- uncharitably, I thought initially -- that she was hanging on in order to have some clarity on the fate of her stock options which are reportedly substantial. In their statement accepting her resignation the board made a cryptic reference to her 'retirement benefits'. In the world of stock options the benefits can be withheld or denied altogether under certain circumstances. Having been stung by the public criticism of its hasty clean chit to Ms Kochhar when the scandal first surfaced, the board must have decided to play safe and not commit to protecting her benefits. Not until the enquiry commission publicly cleared her, anyway. This line of argument suggests that with the board unable to reassure her on the options, she saw no point in hanging around doing nothing, thus prolonging her agony. After having dwelt at length on this suggestion, my initial conviction as to its lack of charity is considerably weaker now. I said so earlier and will do so again: It is unlikely that Ms Kochhar will be found guilty of knowingly favouring a business group for a quid pro quo. But certain events did happen: A business group was given loans; an investment was made in her husband's firm by that group; the investment was effectively written off by the investor; and the transactions were made so devious so as to cover someone's tracks. While one or more parties knew the precise intent behind these acts (because they designed it as such?), I doubt if Ms Kochhar was complicit. But at a certain point she had been made aware by her husband that one of her clients had invested in his business. Did she advise the board immediately? Did she tell (order?) her husband to back off from the transaction? Did she keep herself abreast of the locus of that investment (had she done so, she might have found out at some point that it had indeed crossed a red line) or did she turn a blind eye to it? Legality is one thing. Ethicality is something else. Notwithstanding the attempts of a 'rockstar' justice of the Supreme Court to paint it as such, our society is not one just of Law and Liberty; it has been for millennia defined by morals, or 'dharma' if you will, and thank god for that. There can be plenty of Law but very little Justice as is often said about the USA. Law can only tell you what you cannot do, not what you should. Law only goes so far; morality goes much further, even beyond one's grave. Where the law stops, as at the frontiers of science, it is one's own moral compass that must decide if one should go forward. When the father of the atomic bomb J Robert Oppenheimer, realising what he had done, spoke against developing further bombs, his amoral colleague Edward Teller went on to design and build something far more destructive. Despite being humiliated, investigated and consigned to oblivion for this stand, Oppenheimer is better known, far better than is Teller. Law is about getting caught. If you are not caught, for whatever reason, then you are not guilty. Not getting caught can be as much the result of prosecutorial incompetence or misconduct, or systematic subversion of justice by the accused, as it could be about actual innocence. In our own backyard, we know only too well how the CBI can be expertly incompetent when they choose, our police is incapable of proving guilt and how the law enforcement can act so as to get a case tossed out by the courts. Law is often shaped by money and power so as to perpetuate the reign of those who have them. Most analysts and commentators agree that the financial crisis of 2008 was caused by bankers acting within the law but not ethically -- why break the laws if you can have them changed? Often the movers and shakers tend to conflate acting within the law with acting ethically, especially in the financial community. Lest it be misunderstood, you can act lawfully and still be unethical. Legality is a matter of facts, laws, and compliance; ethicality is about making judgements, often in very difficult circumstances. Her situation in my view was much like the trolley problem in ethics. For those unfamiliar with this problem, it poses the question, what would you do when you are in a position to save a few lives by diverting a runaway trolley knowing that such a diversion would certainly claim a different life? What should you do? Without getting into the details, suffice to say that simply doing nothing is not a good choice as it would cost a number of lives when you had the power to save those lives. Ms Kochhar cannot justify doing nothing when she became aware of her husband's business deal. She was in a position to have stopped the train wreck when she became aware of the deal, but she didn't Such a position is not legally untenable, merely morally reprehensible. Laws are based on the past; they look back and make provisions to prevent the past misdeeds from recurring. Being 'legal' is about the letter, but not the spirit. While it seeks to protect against history repeating itself, laws do nothing to stop history mutating and recurring in a slightly different form. New laws will be needed to prevent that happening again and so on and so forth, ad nauseum. Placing all of one's faith in the law is like driving your car forwards while looking backwards. Law does not enable us to drive forward in the face of unforeseen and unknown hazards. We need a strong moral compass to do that. This diatribe on the law is not an idle essay into jurisprudence and ethics. In our present instance, while Ms Kochhar may have acted legally, did she act ethically? That I would suggest is the core question Justice B N Srikrishna should address. My own take is that she did not seem to possess an ethical judgement as finely calibrated as her financial one -- or that it failed her in this instance. I am not saying she actively colluded in anything improper. By not taking a firm stand against her husband's association with her bank's clients, she appeared to have done nothing to prevent the 'improper' happening. Then the 'improper' happened. She stood by as the trolley barrelled down and mowed down five people. She might like to take solace in the argument that she did not participate; I would argue that while she did not murder those in the path of the trolley, her act of non-participation in itself constitutes an act that had a tragic consequences. When all hell broke loose around her, and quitting that poisonous atmosphere would have been the wisest thing to do, she chose to carry on. Brave, but not wise. The line between bravery and foolhardiness is a very thin one. This to me is further proof of impaired judgement that could not tell between what was legal and what was right. Make no mistake, legally she was not and still is not obliged to quit. But quitting earlier would have placed her personally and as a leader on a very high pedestal, indeed where she belonged until this lapse. Caesar's wife must be seen to be above suspicion and not merely be Not Guilty. S Muralidharan retired as managing director, BNP Paribas, after serving the bank for 20 years. The unions term the introduction of fixed-term employment as a 'modern labour slavery system' introduced through the 'back door'. Ten central trade unions have declared a two-day nationwide strike on January 8-9, protesting against job losses caused by the Centre's policies leading to an economic downturn and violations of the labour law. The strike call was given by unions at the National Convention of Workers. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh will not participate in the strike. "Most of the issues raised by unions from time-to-time are related to enforcement of existing labour laws. Trade unions should focus on pressurising enforcement agencies, mostly the state government, as labour is a concurrent subject, instead of diverting and politicising the issue," says BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadhyay. The BMS, Upadhyay adds, will not compete with other unions in terms of calling its own strike and said it has been protesting on various forums. The unions registered their protest against price rise, divestment of public sector units, job losses caused by demonetisation, Goods and Services Tax, economic downturn and labour law violations, among others. The unions opposed the Centre's move to introduce fixed-term employment for all industries and demanded scrapping of the contract worker system for work that is perennial in nature. The unions will hold state-level, district-level and industry-level joint conventions during October and November. These will be followed by the submission of the strike notice, jointly with demonstrations, between December 17 and 22. 'The Centre not only refused to respond to the just and genuine demands of the organised agitation of the working class, but has been increasing its aggression against the rights of workers, employees and trade unions,' the four-page declaration signed by the 10 unions said. These unions include the Congress-affiliated Indian National Trade Union Congress and Left-affiliated unions such as the All India Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre among others. The bank employees' union, under the banner of United Forum of Bank Unions, will also join the strike on January 8 and 9, said C H Venkatachalam, association general secretary, All India Bank Employees. Defence sector workers have called for a separate strike from January 23-25 against privatisation of the defence sector, and the National Pension System under implementation since 2006. The National Convention also condemned the Centre's move to deprive INTUC from all representations in the tripartite and bipartite forums and committee meetings. The Centre had barred INTUC from attending such meetings after two factions within the union had claimed to be leading it. The unions termed the introduction of fixed-term employment, a form of contract system with fixed-term tenure for workers, as a 'modern labour slavery system' introduced through the 'back door' via a notification. 'The estimates by independent surveys and those sponsored by employers' organisations revealed loss of 70 lakh (7 million) jobs with closure of 234,000 small factory units in the first few months of demonetisation,' the declaration said, adding 60 million people lost their jobs in the informal sector. The unions also registered their protest against the merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, saying the government should fix problems of non-performing assets and corporate defaults instead of going ahead with this move. Industry estimates suggest that the extent of value addition in the handset space remains at a mere 10 per cent. That effectively means, value-wise 90 per cent of all components used in making a handset continues to be imported. *Photograph: Movie still from movie Bodygaurd Many got to click selfies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently when he decided to take the airport-bound metro rail for an event in the capital. Soon after, in his address, the PM referred to mobile handsets that made those selfies possible, pointing out how those phones are turning around the manufacturing fortunes of India. He said as 80 per cent of the mobile handsets were being manufactured in India, India was able to save around Rs 3 trillion in cell phone import bills during the last four years. That's good saving in a country consuming 275 million mobile handsets a year. But that's only half a story. India produced handsets worth Rs 2.79 trillion, between 2014 and 2017 Data shows that between 2014 and 2017, manufacturing facilities in India produced handsets worth Rs 2.79 trillion. In addition, the import of finished handsets had fallen to 60 million units in 2017 from 190 million in 2014. But, what is commonly referred to as local manufacturing often boils down to assembling of imported components in an India-based factory. In fact, the level of value addition made locally -- a measure of on ground progress in reduction of imports for a country -- remains below par, even when compared to the government's own Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) targets, analysts said. Photograph: Courtesy mi.com Industry estimates suggest that the extent of value addition in the handset space remains at a mere 10 per cent. That effectively means, value-wise 90 per cent of all components used in making a handset continues to be imported. Take the selfie camera, for instance, in a smartphone. The front cameras are totally imported from countries such as China, Vietnam and Taiwan. Put together, the front and real camera of a handset constitute close to eight per cent of a handset's cost, a company executive pointed out. According to the PMP announced last year, by 2018-19 companies were supposed to begin sub-assembling a bunch of sophisticated components like camera modules, printed circuit boards (PCB) and connectors. However, none has expressed interest in making camera modules here. Photograph: Courtesy mi.com "There is no denying that the number of brands manufacturing in India has grown. But the challenge remains in value addition," said senior industry analyst Faisal Kawoosa, who now leads research and consulting firm TechArc. According to India Cellular Association, the size of mobile handsets market stood at Rs 1.56 trillion in 2017. But the industry is far from meeting the PMP goals -- 26 per cent local value addition for smartphones and 37 per cent for feature phones by March 2020. Currently, the extent of value addition in feature phones stand at 15 per cent -- thanks to manufacturers shifting production of low-value components like batteries and chargers to India. Only Samsung and Xiaomi -- the two smartphone majors -- assemble PCBs here. While, Samsung began in a small scale in 2007, Xiaomi started PCB assembly at its units with Foxconn more recently. Companies that Business Standard spoke to said they had no immediate plans for other complex parts like camera modules and display panels (that form 17 per cent of total value). PCBs, which cost over 50 per cent of a handset, are only being assembled here, industry representatives said. Status Check 10 per cent local value addition remains much below the desired level Two vendors are assembling printed circuit boards locally 37 per cent and 26 per cent local value addition target set under Phased Manufacturing Programme Rs 300 billion mobile imports in 2017 remain at par with the import bill for 2011 "Some of the companies have already begun assembling PCBs. While it may take more time than estimated, eventually more companies will join in. Already 90 per cent of them are assembling phones here," said Jaipal Singh, analyst with IDC. Two big players Vivo and Oppo, which now hold the third and fourth spots respectively in the smartphone market, behind Samsung and Xiaomi, also have plans to start assembling PCBs in India soon. Both are willing to set up plant in Noida to start complete knocked down level manufacturing. Vivo has set aside Rs 3 billion and Oppo plans to invest Rs 22 billion. Meanwhile, a falling rupee is eroding the benefits so far earned from the 120-odd assembly units set up in India by various vendors as components continue to be imported. According to Kawoosa, the fluctuating rupee-dollar exchange rate is only offsetting the benefits that the industry was going to accrue. "The government has to work on improving the rupee value to take Make in India to the next level, where the focus is more on value rather than growing volumes," he said. *Image used only for representational purpose. A blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh killed nine employees and injured 14 on Tuesday, the police said. IMAGE: Fire fighters look on as fire rises after a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant of state-owned SAIL in Durg. Photograph: PTI Photo The explosion at the plant of the state-owned Steel Authority of India Limited took place around 10.30 am, the police said. The explosion took place in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town, located around 30 km away from the state capital Raipur, said Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh. As per preliminary information, over 24 employees were working at the spot when the accident occurred, he said. Police personnel and a rescue team rushed to the spot, Singh said, adding that all the victims were taken to a local hospital. Superintendent of Police of Durg district Sanjeev Shukla said 9 people were killed in the incident. Union Minister of State for Steel Vishnudeo Sai said, A four-member high-level committee has been constituted (by SAIL) to probe the incident. Adequate compensation will be given to the families of the deceased, Sai said, adding that the injured, admitted to the burns unit of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital in Bhilai, are being provided the best possible medical treatment. IMAGE: Injured employees being taken for treatment after a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant of state-owned SAIL in Durg. Photograph: PTI Photo Sai was speaking to mediapersons after visiting the injured in the hospital late in the evening. A union leader described the incident as the worst mishap at the plant in the recent years. A statement issued by the SAIL also put the death toll at 9 and said 14 injured were undergoing medical treatment. It said there was a fire in gas pipeline of Coke Oven Battery Complex No. 11 during a scheduled maintenance job. The fire has been controlled, the SAIL said. All resources have been mobilised to provide adequate care to the injured, the statement said. Singh said most of the injured employees were in a serious condition and undergoing treatment at the hospital. After getting the post-mortem report of the deceased, a case under IPC section 304 (A) (causing death by negligence) will be registered followed by an inquiry into the incident, the IG said. Chhattisgarh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Raman Singh condoled the death of employees and wished for speedy recovery of the injured. I extend my deepest condolence to the family members of the deceased, Patel said in her condolence message. The Governor also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. The chief minister tweeted, I am deeply pained over the incident at Bhilai Steel Plant. I pay my tribute to brothers who have lost their lives in the incident. I pray to god to give strength to the bereaved families and for speedy recovery of the injured. A union leader said an uneven pressure in the gas pipeline in the coke oven battery No. 11 was being reported from the last two days and it was to be rectified. All the standard protocol which also included arrangement of fire brigade and ambulance, was followed for the maintenance. However, during coupling of the pipeline, the explosion took place, said S P Dey, a worker of the Coke Oven Battery section and president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Bhilai Steel Plant unit. After the massive blast, a huge fire raged across the section, said Dey, who was on duty when the incident took place and immediately reached the spot. Around 25 employees of two departments -- EMD (energy management department) and fire brigade -- were engaged in the work at the time of the mishap, he said. Dey said it was the worst mishap at the plant in the recent years. In June 2014, six persons, including two deputy general managers, were killed and many others affected when a poisonous gas leaked in the plant, he said. He alleged that the Bhilai Steel Plant is the only unit of SAIL which does not have a safety committee since July 2017. The panels role is very important to prevent such incidents, he said, and urged the plant management to constitute the committee as soon as possible. Chhattisgarh Revenue Minister Premprakash Pandey, state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel and other party leaders besides senior company officials visited the injured in the hospital. Former chief minister Ajit Jogis party, the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J), has demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the kin of each of the deceased. As per SAILs website, the Bhilai Steel Plant is Indias sole producer and supplier of world class rails for the Indian Railways, including 260 metre long rails, and a major producer of a large variety of wide and heavy steel plates and structural steel. With an annual production capacity of 3.153 MT of saleable steel, the plant also specialises in other products such as wire rods and merchant products. BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agrawal, arrested on charges of espionage, was in touch with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives through two Facebook accounts -- Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police. The UP Polices Anti-Terrorism Squad stated this in the court of Junior Magistrate First Class S M Joshi on Tuesday while seeking Agrawals transit remand for taking him to Lucknow for a detailed interrogation. The court granted three-day transit remand to the UP ATS, Additional Public Prosecutor S J Bagde, who appeared for Maharashtra ATS, said. Agrawal was arrested on Monday in a joint operation by the ATS units of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra police at BrahMos Wardha Road facility for allegedly leaking technical information to Pakistan. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Military Industrial Consortium (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. The Investigating Officer of the UP ATS told the court that Agrawal was in touch with two Facebook accounts, operated under the names Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan. These accounts, based out of Islamabad, are believed to be run by Pakistans intelligence operatives, the ATS officer said. Such fake accounts are reportedly used to approach senior officials in India and Agrawal too was approached by those operating these two Facebook accounts, the IO told the court. Agrawal, despite being engaged in highly sensitive work, was casual on the internet and made himself an easy target, the ATS officer said. He said Agrawal was active on LinkedIn also. Top classified information had been loaded on the accuseds personal laptop, the officer said. He added that classified registered files with red markings were found stored in PDF (portable document format) in the accuseds personal laptop. These are all top classified information which (if) shared could be a threat to the country. We want to conduct a detailed interrogation and produce him in the special court in Lucknow, and, hence, request three days transit remand, the IO told the court. The accused has been charged under sections 3,4, 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, sections 419,420, 467, 468, 120 (B) and 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code as well as 66 (B) of the Information Technology Act. ATS sources in Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow on Monday said a computer was seized from his Nagpur residence which contained secret documents. They said such documents should not be present on a personal computer. The sources said an old computer was also seized from Agrawals residence in his native town, Roorkee, and its contents were being investigated. They said since a jawan was arrested in September after allegedly being honey-trapped by the ISI, the ATS was keeping a close watch on fake Facebook accounts of women, being operated from Pakistan, which were in touch with people working in sensitive places. JD-U leaders believe Prashant Kishor's entry would benefit its case for contesting a larger number of seats in Bihar in next year's general election. Satyavrat Mishra reports. IMAGE: Prashant Kishor with Nitish Kumar on joining the Janata Dal-United. Photograph: PTI Photo It was in early 2015 that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asked political strategist Prashant Kishor to manage his re-election bid in the assembly election later that year. As Kishor set up camp at Kumars residence in Patna, it is said that the chief minister sent his tailor to stitch a few white kurta-pyjamas for his poll manager. Kishor objected to it -- as he was not a politician, he didn't need the whites. Kumar, however, insisted. "Oh! But you are. You would need them," Kumar reportedly told him with a smile. Three years later, Kumar, also national president of the Janata Dal-United, inducted Kishor into the party on September 16. The Bihar chief minister welcomed Kishor into the party by presenting him an angavastram. He was given a seat next to Kumar at the state executive meet. The whole process indicated the position Kishor enjoys in the party and within Kumars inner circle. A few days later, he was assigned to negotiate a seat-sharing formula between the JD-U and the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar for the 2019 general election. Political analysts think that Kishor's induction would have both positive and negative impacts on the JD(U)-BJP relations in Bihar. Several JD-U leaders believe his arrival would benefit the party in 2019, but some think that it would raise questions over the role of several top leaders, including R C P Singh and Sharwan Kumar. The BJP, however, gave a muted response to Kishors arrival. The wooing After he ran the election campaign for the Bihar assembly in 2015, which resulted in a third consecutive win in the state election for Kumar, Kishor was appointed special adviser to the chief minister. The Bihar Vikas Mission, a consultancy within the state government, was his brainchild. Kishor, however, soon found himself flooded with work as the Congress contacted him for the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh polls. Last year, after Kumar broke away from the mahagathbandhan and returned to the National Democratic Alliance, Kishor 'conveyed his inability' to continue as the CM's adviser. But, Kumar couldn't stay away from his dependable poll manager. As the saffron party refused to give 'big brother' status to the JD-U, the Bihar CM knew that his party needed an expert to present its case. The political strategist met senior JD-U leaders several times earlier this year. Kumar met Kishor on May 5, when the former was in the national capital on official business. It was here that Kumar asked him to join active politics. Kishor, however, asked for time to think. Almost a month later, Kumar invited him to a meeting of senior party functionaries at his official residence on June 3 to discuss party's strategy as an NDA ally in the 2019 election. The meeting concluded with a decision to project Kumar as the top-most leader of the NDA in the state. "The real purpose of the meeting was to send a clear message to senior leaders -- Kishor will be running the 2019 campaign for the JD-U. All left was a formal induction, which happened three months later," said a senior party leader. The benefits JD-U leaders believe that Kishor's entry would benefit its case for contesting a larger number of seats in Bihar in next year's general election. Most of them think that Kishor enjoys a close relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, given his past work with both in the Gujarat assembly election in 2012 and Modis 2014 campaign. "The JD-U joined back the NDA in July 2017, but its not the BJP which Kumar knew and had worked with previously. "All the decisions are now taken at the top and Kumar had no direct line there anymore. He desperately wanted someone who knew the inner workings of the new BJP...," said a JD-U leader. The party has appointed Kishor as its chief interlocutor in the seat-sharing talks. He has spoken with Shah and is in constant touch with senior BJP functionaries considered close to the PM and the BJP chief. With Kishor heading the negotiations, the JD-U is now bargaining hard for seats. To add weight to the JD-U's case, he has also brought Union minister Ram Vilas Paswans Lok Janshakti Party closer to the JD-U. In the last three-four months, the LJP has openly supported Kumars demands of special status and a larger share of central taxes for Bihar. Kumar and Paswan have been seen together on multiple occasions. On the other hand, another ally, Upendra Kushwaha, is consciously being pushed aside. The BJP has proposed a 20:20 formula to its alliance partners in Bihar. Under this formula, the BJP would contest 20 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the rest would go to its allies. Of this, the JD-U would get 12, the LJP five and Kushwahas Rashtriya Lok Samata Party three seats. But, the JD-U is unwilling. The risks While JD-U leaders are happy with the way Kishor is heading the negotiations for the party, some point to the risks. Many feel that the entry of Kishor at such a high-level would lead to dissatisfaction -- if not destabilisation -- within the party and/or its alliance with the BJP. The entry of Kishor has raised questions about the future role of top lieutenants of Kumar, most importantly R C P Singh, an MP. Singh, a 1984-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, was Kumars most trusted officer till 2010, when he took voluntary retirement from the civil services to join politics. He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2010 and then re-elected in 2016. Singh is from the same caste and the district to which Kumar belongs, and is considered Number 2 in the JD-U. Kishors elevation could trigger a power struggle within the party. When asked about the possibility of him being downsised, Singh joked: I am 5-feet-4-inches, how can you downsize me any further? BJP leaders in the state are also not happy with Kishors induction in the JD-U. Apart from Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, no other leader from the party has issued a statement on the matter. Many saffron leaders believe that Kumar inducted him to send the BJP leadership a message and cut the state unit to size as Kumar would now have a direct line to Delhi. It (Kishors entry) will not have any impact on next years election. The election will be fought in the name of PM Modi. Moreover, Kishor has not helped win a single election... "In 2014, it was Modis magic and in 2015, it was Lalu Prasads skills that snatched the election from us. Dont you remember what happened to the Congress in Uttar Pradesh last year? said a BJP minister. Even the name of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is in English only on the glass wall of the lobby and signboards. Due to Koreans' general preference for English over Korean, the names of coffee shops, cosmetics shops, and building signboards are written in English only. Hangeul is taking a back seat to English even at prime Korean cultural sites. About one-third of the signboards along Sejongno, named for King Sejong the Great who is credited with inventing the Korean alphabet, make do without any Korean lettering at all. The Chosun Ilbo on Sunday found that 18, out of 58 signboards were written in English only. A study by the Korean Language Society and DongA University of signboards in Seomyeon, Busan in 2007 found that 286 out of 1,339 were in English. Yu Woon-sang at the Korean Language Society said, "Just like having good knowledge of Chinese characters was regarded as a status symbol in the past, today people who speak English well are thought to be smart." Yoo Kyung, a social worker, said, "Many senior citizens enroll in English classes offered by local welfare centers because they cannot read English words they come across in daily life such as 'push,' 'coffee,' or 'stop.'" The Nowon Senior Welfare Center in North Seoul had to select students by ballot because its basic English course for senior citizens drew more than double the applicants for the planned class size of 30. Kim Se-jung of the National Institute of the Korean Language, said, "By law, public signboards, placards, wall posters and leaflets should be written in Korean, at least jointly with other languages, but the ambiguous clause on penalties considerably compromises the validity of the regulation. Even in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in China, the prefecture requires everything to be written both in Korean and Chinese. But in Korea, nobody really takes the law seriously." 'These are sexual harassment allegations. You are a woman minister in charge. Will there be a probe on the allegations?' External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday, October 9, dodged questions on sexual harassment allegations against her ministry colleague M J Akbar. As the #MeToo campaign gains momentum in India, Minister of State for External Affairs Akbar is among the latest to face the flak by some women journalists who accused him of sexual misconduct during his years in journalism. In October last year, when the #MeeToo campaign peaked in Hollywood, journalist Priya Ramani had written an article for Vogue India magazine, titled 'To the Harvey Weinsteins of the world' and narrated her ordeal about the gut-wrenching incident of sexual misconduct she faced during a job interview with a renowned journalist who had 'transformed Indian journalism'. Ramani, recently on Twitter, claimed that the journalist she was referring to was Akbar. Ramani is amongst several women journalists who have levelled similar allegations against Akbar. Another woman journalist said she declined a job offer after being interviewed by Akbar in a hotel room in Kolkata because she felt 'deeply uncomfortable'. 'I must clarify, however, that he didn't actually 'do' anything. But the whole experience of an interview sitting on a bed in a hotel room followed by an invitation to come over for a drink that evening, was rattling and deeply uncomfortable,' wrote Shuma Raha. In a video shot by a journalist, Swaraj can be seen evading questions related to allegations on Akbar, asked by some women scribes. 'There are serious allegations...these are sexual harassment allegations. You are a woman minister in charge. Will there be a probe on the allegations?' journalists can be heard asking in the video. Swaraj, however, walked away without answering. The #MeeToo movement first began in 2017 in Hollywood just a few days after The New York Times and the New Yorker magazine published stories about movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's decades-long sexual predatory behaviour. This movement gained momentum in India last week after a number of women from different fields of work revealed their stories of harassment and leveled an allegation against many known personalities. It started with Tanushree Dutta accusing actor Nana Patekar of harassment on the sets of a 2008 film. In a surprise move, Indian-American Nikki Haley Tuesday resigned as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, becoming the latest casualty in the dysfunctional Trump administration just weeks before the crucial mid-term elections. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump meets with UN Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters US President Donald Trump, who accepted her resignation, said Haley has done an incredible job as the top American diplomat at the United Nations. Haley said she plans to stay in this position till year end. In a rare, the US president made the formal announcement about Haleys resignation in the Oval Office and applauded her work. I wanted to do this (Oval Office send-off) because Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations, has been very special to me. Shes done an incredible job. Shes a fantastic person, very importantly. But she also is somebody that gets it, Trump said in the Oval Office in a hastily arranged session with reporters. She told me probably six months ago, Trump told reporters, I want to take a little time off. Haley, considered as a moderate Republican alternative to Trump, ruled out a 2020 presidential bid and said that she would be campaigning for Trumps re-election in two years from now. The first ever Indian-American in any presidential cabinet, 46-year-old Haley said this has been an honour of a lifetime to serve in this position. It has been an honour of a lifetime. I -- you know, I said I am such a lucky girl. To have been able to lead the state that raised me and to serve a country I love so much has really been a blessing and I want to thank you for that, she told Trump. Trump applauded Haley as having done an incredible job in her position as the top US diplomat at the United Nations. She got to know the players. She got to know China, Russia, India. She knows everybody on a first-name basis, and they like her, except maybe a couple, which is normal, he said. The daughter of Indian immigrants from Punjab, Haley said she wants to take a break after nearly eight years of hectic pubic life including six years as the governor of South Carolina. You have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job, she said. In response to a question why she was leaving this position, Haley said its time for her. My family is very supportive. So no, theres no personal reasons, she said. After becoming the US envoy to the UN, Haley travelled across the globe including a highly successful trip to India in June and made an incredible impact at the New York-based world body. Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: Trump told Haley that you have been very special to me, and that she has done an incredible job. Trump said Haley has done a fantastic job. Weve done a fantastic job together. Weve solved a lot of problems and were in the process of solving a lot of problems. At the beginning, North Korea was a massive problem, and now were moving along. Its moving along really nicely, he said. I can speak for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He thinks the world of Nikki. And so, were all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose, hopefully youll be coming back at some point, Trump said. The US is respected; countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. They know that if we say were going to do something, we follow it through, she said. Trump said, many people are interested in succeeding Haley and a replacement will be named in two or three weeks or maybe sooner. Born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, Haley was the senior most Indian-American official in the Trump administration. Her resignation just ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in November came as a shock and surprise to the American foreign policy and national security experts who believe it was a big loss to the Trump Administration. She is latest Republican to exit the Trump administration. US President Trump had fired his National Security Adviser Lt Gen H R McMaster in April. In March, one of Trumps longest-serving and trusted aides Hope Hicks resigned as the powerful communications director. Also, White Houses top economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned over his differences with Trump on trade policy. Trump had sacked his beleaguered Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo in March. Haley was confirmed as UN Ambassador four days after Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. Her nomination was a turning point for the Indian-American community which is increasingly playing greater role in American politics. She was critical of Trump during the primary campaign. However, before the elections, she switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump. Haley and her husband, Michael, a Captain in the Army National Guard and combat veteran who was deployed to Afghanistans Helmand Province, have two children, Rena and Nalin. Heartful thanks to Ambassador Nikki Haley for her extraordinary service as the US Ambassador to the UN. Haley served our nation with distinction, faithfully advancing President Trumps America First agenda and she will be missed, Vice President Mike Pence said. Her frank and clear-eyed assessment of global threats as well as much-needed reform at the UN was in the best tradition of American leadership, he said. Haley has been a clear, consistent, and powerful voice for Americas interests and democratic principles on the world stage. She challenged friend and foe to be better, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said Haley has a very bright future and will be a key player in both the future of the Republican Party and the US as a whole for years to come. In an embarrassment for Tamil Nadu police, a well-known editor of a vernacular weekly was arrested on Tuesday on a complaint from Raj Bhavan over articles that allegedly disparaged Governor Banwarilal Purohit but walked free within hours after a court rejected the polices plea for his remand. IMAGE: Senior journalist R Gopal, who heads the Tamil weekly magazine Nakkheeran, surrounded by lawyers, supporters and media personnel as he is being taken to court, in Chennai. Photograph: PTI Photo R Gopal, the editor of Tamil magazine Nakkheeran, who had written articles on a sex scandal involving a woman college teacher, was picked up by police from the airport before he could board a flight to Pune, officials said. As he walked free from police custody, Gopal thanked the court and the media fraternity for standing by freedom of expression and freedom of press. He also thanked political leaders including Dravida Munnetra Kazagham president MK Stalin for support. Gopal was arrested under Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code which relates to assaulting President, Governor etc with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power. Gopals advocate said application of Section 124 was challenged in a city court where he was produced after arrest. An assault on the governor has two sides. One -- use of force; two -- stop him from discharging his duties. If force were to be used, they should have met at the same place. It has not been mentioned in the complaint how the governors duties were affected, Gopals counsel later told reporters. He said the magistrate accepted the contention and rejected the polices plea for remand. Veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu N Ram also presented his views before the court deprecating the use of Section 124 in Gopals case. This release is a great hope for freedom of expression and freedom of press. Nakkheerans work will continue, Gopal, who got huge media attention when he successfully negotiated the release of Kannada film superstar Rajkumar, held captive by forest brigand Veerappan in 2000, told reporters. Rajkumar was released after spending 108 days in captivity after several rounds of talks by Gopal in the forests where Veerappans writ ran large. Tuesdays police action followed a complaint from Raj Bhavan over publication of a series of articles in Nakkheeran related to an assistant professor of a private college who allegedly asked girl students to extend sexual favours to university officials in return for marks and money. Assistant professor Nirmala Devi, who taught at the college in Aruppukottai affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University, was later arrested. The scandal came to light in April this year after an audio tape of a purported conversation between Nirmala Devi and some students surfaced. Governor Purohit had rejected the professors claim which she purportedly made in the audio tape about knowing him and having access to him. Purohit insisted he did not know her. The governor also ordered an inquiry by a retired IAS officer into the scandal in his capacity as the chancellor of universities. Gopals arrest was condemned by the principal opposition party DMK and other political outfits which alleged an undeclared emergency prevailed in the state. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, however, claimed there was a conspiracy to falsely implicate the governor in the sex scandal as several politicians feared their career could be doomed if the entire truth came out. DMK chief MK Stalin, who met Gopal at the hospital where he was taken after arrest, sought withdrawal of the case and his immediate release. The Madras Reporters Guild, Madras Union of Journalists and the Chennai Press Club condemned the arrest as reprehensible, undemocratic and against the canons of free speech and expression. Vaiko, who was denied permission to meet Gopal at the police station where he was kept, staged a dharna against police action. He was detained and moved to a marriage hall before being let off later in the day. United States President Donald Trump has apologised to new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family for the terrible suffering they had to endure, saying the fair-minded judge deserves a dignified evaluation and not a campaign based on lies and deception. IMAGE: US Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh looks at his daughter Liza as his wife Ashley and daughter Margaret and US President Donald Trump look on, during his ceremonial public swearing-in at the East Room of the White House in Washington. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Judge Kavanaugh, 53, was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday in a 50-48 vote following an acrimonious debate over his nomination triggered by a series of sexual assault allegations during the last phase of his confirmation process. His confirmation is a personal political victory for Trump as the opposition Democratic party had mounted an unprecedented resistance to his nomination. "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure," Trump said at a White House ceremonial swearing in ceremony of Kavanaugh. "Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception. What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process," Trump said. The ceremony was attended by Kavanaugh's family members, other judges of the Supreme Court, top Senators, members of the Trump administration and a battery of reporters. Kavanaugh was accused by three women of sexual misconduct, including California professor Christine Blasey Ford, who testified under oath that he assaulted her at a party when the two were in high school. Deborah Ramirez, a medical technician, had alleged through an article that she was a victim of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh in a university dormitory. Julie Swetnick, a web developer, was the third woman to make the sexual misconduct allegation. Kavanaugh vehemtly denied all the allegations, saying they were from the Twilight Zone. Our country, a man or woman must always be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. And with that, I must state that you, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent," Trump said amidst applause from the audience. Kavanaugh replaces Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement early this year. Describing Kavanaugh as a man of outstanding intellect and a brilliant scholar, Trump said his credentials were unsurpassed. "Known as a judge's judge, he is fair-minded, unbiased, and even-handed person. He understands that justice must be divorced from the passions of the day -- tethered instead to the enduring foundation of our republic: the Constitution," he said. Justice Kavanaugh fills the place left by Anthony Kennedy. Soon, Justice Kennedy will administer the Judicial Oath to Brett Kavanaugh, just as he did last year for Justice Gorsuch, Trump said. This will be the first time a Supreme Court Justice has ever sworn in a former clerk to take his seat - a beautiful moment which reminds us that freedom is a tradition passed down from generation to generation," Trump said. IMAGE: President Donald Trump speaks next to Kavanaugh as they participate in a ceremonial public swearing-in. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters After his ceremonial swearing in, Kavanaugh told the audience that all his new law clerks at the Supreme Court were women -- a first in the history of the Supreme Court. Noting that the Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional, he said his focus now is to be the best Justice he can be. "I take this office with gratitude and no bitterness. On the Supreme Court, I will seek to be a force for stability and unity. My goal is to be a great Justice for all Americans and for all of America. I will work very hard to achieve that goal," Kavanaugh said. Kavanaugh sought to play down the political maelstrom that surrounded his confirmation, and said he would serve one nation. "I was not appointed to serve one party or one interest, but to serve one nation. America's Constitution and laws protect every person of every belief and every backgrounds. Every litigant in the Supreme Court can be assured that I will listen to their arguments with respect and an open mind. Every American can be assured that I will be an independent and impartial Justice devoted to equal justice under law," he said. "Although the Senate confirmation process tested me, as it has tested others, it did not change me. My approach to judging remains the same," he said. A good judge must be an umpire, a neutral and impartial decider who favours no litigant or policy. A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law, he said. A judge must interpret statutes as written. And a judge must interpret the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent, Kavanaugh said. Rabri Devi's lawyer told a Delhi court last week that the former chief minister did not have a passport, and that she has never had one, reports M I Khan. She is probably the only chief minister who never went overseas despite serving a full term in office. Rabri Devi, former Bihar chief minister and wife of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, still has no passport in her name. Rabri Devi, the first woman CM of Bihar who served in office, thrice from 1997 to 2005, has no desire to go abroad. It was revealed by her lawyer to a Delhi court last week when the court asked to surrender her passport after it granted bail to Rabri Devi, her son Tejashwi Yadav and others, in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) scam case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Tejashwi has started the process to submit his passport to the court. But Rabri's lawyer informed the court that she hasn't had a passport so far. "Rabri Devi has no passport," the court was told. The IRCTC case relates to alleged irregularities in the allotment of contracts of IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri in 2006 -- when Lalu was railway minister -- to a private firm, for which a three-acre commercial plot at a prime location in Patna was allegedly given as quid pro quo. The Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet in August and had named Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi, his party colleague P C Gupta and wife Sarla Gupta, firm Lara Projects and 10 others as accused. All of them are booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Lalu as Bihar CM and later as railway minister visited several foreign countries, including Pakistan. So did Tejashwi while serving as the youngest deputy CM of the state. Interestingly, two of Lalu and Rabri's seven daughters are living outside India. "Rabri Devi has never visited a foreign country despite the fact that most of her family members went abroad many times. It may not be known to people," RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav said. Unlike other top politicians' wives, Rabri Devi never accompanied her husband on a foreign tour. "Rabri Devi is happier to look after her home. She is a typical desi gharelu mahila despite being in politics for over two decades," another RJD leader said. Rabri Devi is currently the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar legislative council. Rabri served as CM for nearly eight years, a year longer than her husband did. In 1997, Rabri, then 38 and a political novice, became the chief minister after Lalu was forced to step down from the post following corruption charges in the multi-crore fodder scam. Since then, opposition leaders had often alleged that Lalu continued to rule Bihar with his school dropout wife as a proxy. Rabri, a housewife-turned-politician, is known for her down-to-earth approach in public life, too. Even as CM, she was once photographed cooking in the kitchen and serving food to Lalu and her children. She observed the Chhath festival -- involving fasting for 36 hours -- every year in the traditional way. Clad in her usual colourful cotton sari with a red bindi on her forehead and surrounded by her daughters, Rabri's Chhath celebration is popular as politicians, irrespective of party affiliations, and people from all faiths and communities visit their house during the festival. Rabri is also the proud owner of 62 cows and 42 calves. She has revealed this in the affidavit submitted to the court. 'While wishing the Tibetan leader a long and healthy life, one can hope for a 'selection' of the Tibetan leader in the Indian Himalayas.' 'It is vital for Tibetan Buddhism, but it is also in India's political interests,' says Claude Arpi. Photograph: M I Khan for Rediff.com IMAGE: His Holiness The Dalai Lama delivers a sermon at the Kalachakra Puja in Bodh Gaya, January 2017. Recently, an article titled 'The Dalai Lama has chosen his successor' appeared on an Indian Web site. Tibet watchers did not take the content seriously because the same author had earlier announced the Dalai Lama's imminent death. One has just to look at the report of the Dalai Lama's recent visit to Europe to understand that the Tibetan leader's health is fine even if he may have less energy than a few decades ago. Who of his age would not? However, the Dalai Lama's succession is a subject which concerns India as the religious leader took refuge in this country in March 1959 and more than a lakh of his followers live in India today. Whether the Dalai Lama decides not to reincarnate (which is doubtful), or to take a new body or else to 'emanate' during his own life time into a young child, Delhi and the people of India are personally and politically concerned. In this sense only, the article cited above is relevant. While the situation around his 'return' is rather unclear, the Dalai Lama remains a rock of serenity, virtues and stability in the chaotic world of Tibetan Buddhism. It is not necessary to mention here the scandals which have recently rocked the Tibetan Buddhist world, with some so-called high Lamas being accused of sexual misbehavour and debauchery. The 'Succession' is probably the reason why a meeting of the heads of the different schools of Buddhism has been called in November in Dharamsala (incidentally, when the first such meeting was organised in 1966, also in Dharamsala, India was represented by Kushok Bakula Rinpoche of Ladakh). IMAGE: His Holiness The Dalai Lama with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at the Thubchog Gatsel Ling Monastery Bomdila in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, April 2017. Photograph: PTI Photo In the Dalai Lama's own Yellow School, the situation is rather confused. Traditionally in Tibet, the Panchen Lama was the second most prominent religious figure. Following the passing away of the 10th Panchen Lama in January 1989, the Dalai Lama formally proclaimed a six-year-old boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as his reincarnation on May 14, 1995. Three days later, the Chinese government arrested him; he has never been seen again. Another boy, Gyalsten Norbu, sponsored by the Communist regime, presently seats on the throne in Shigatse in Tibet (in fact he is mostly in Beijing). Recently, the Dalai Lama said 'according to reliable sources, (Gedhun) is alive and carrying normal education.' IMAGE: The Karmapa Lama with the Dalai Lama at Kangra airport, May 16, 2011. Photograph: Reuters IMAGE: The Karmapa Lama with the Dalai Lama at Kangra airport, May 16, 2011. He also said that the existence of two 11th Panchen Lamas may not be all that unusual in Tibetan Buddhism; he was citing historical instances for this. Not easy to understand for common men: Two Karmapas, two Panchen Lamas! But nobody wants two Dalai Lamas in the future. What are the alternatives? The Dalai Lama always urges his followers to think rationally. Reason tells us that it makes no sense for the Dalai Lama to not reincarnate, his presence is needed too much by the people of Tibet for him to dispense himself from 'returning'. Further, his 'non-reincarnation' would be a boon for China who is bound to discover its own 'Dalai Lama'. Returning in the West makes not much sense either; apart from being close to a large following among the Western neo-Buddhists, what would the Tibetan leader gain? Returning in Tibet under the present circumstances is not viable, it can therefore be discarded as a place of rebirth; in any case the Communist authorities have already planned his 'return' through Communist party regulations. The 15th Dalai Lama would have to be a Communist first and then a religious leader. Further, he would not be permitted to stay in Tibet (even Gyaltsen Norbu, the Chinese-recognised Panchen Lama, is only allowed sporadic visits to Tibet). Other Asian countries also seem difficult as the Tibetan leader is today not welcome in most Asian Buddhist countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar or Bhutan. This is due to 'political' pressure from China, but also due to the fact that some of these countries practice Theravada Buddhism. IMAGE: Gyaltsen Norbu, the 11th Panchen Lama officially appointed by the Chinese government at a forum in Hong Kong. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters The best bet would, of course, be India, where he would be most welcome by both the people and the government (even if Delhi does not say so openly, to not upset China). The Dalai Lama has repeatedly stated that he is a Son of India and his favorite food is dal and chapattis; further, for him, India is Aryabhumi, the Land of the Buddha. The choice is between a reincarnation and an emanation; the latter seems more adapted to a modern system of governance which cannot afford a gap of 20 years or so in leadership. Historians realise that the 'Rule by Reincarnation' has in the past cost Tibet its independence as the regents were most of the time incapable of ruling the country. In 1947, Tibet was even on the brink of a civil war due to the infighting between the two regents. During the 19th century, the Manchus may have found the trick, before the new Dalai Lama would reach majority, he would suddenly pass away in mysterious circumstances. This allowed the Ambans, the Chinese representative of the emperor, to impose their diktats in the Land of Snows. What would be a positive solution? This leaves little alternative to the Tibetan leader who will have ultimately to take the call. But for India, the best would be if he announces that he will 'return' as the 15th Dalai Lama from Ladakh or alternatively from another Himalayan region such as Kinnaur or Spiti. It could be either in a new body or as an emanation in a young boy born in a refugee family. An emanation would have the advantage that the chosen boy could be groomed and 'initiated' for several years by the present Dalai Lama himself. IMAGE: His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Baba Ramdev at the World Peace and Harmony conclave in Mumbai, August 13, 2017. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters Ladakh has many advantages: The present Dalai Lama is deeply connected with the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir which he visits every year. Ladakh would be an interesting alternative as it would also be a political statement. The fact that Beijing keeps the border between Tibet and Ladakh closed since 1962 despite Beijing's great love for old trade routes is telling. Why has Beijing never permitted the reopening of the traditional route to Kailash Manasarovar via Demchok in Ladakh? Simply because China has never officially accepted Jammy and Kashmir's accession to India in 1947. Ultimately, the Dalai Lama's presence in India is crucial, especially for the stability of the border areas. China is preparing the Dalai Lama's rebirth In the meantime, China is already prepared to have its own Dalai Lama. In July 2007, the party-State announced the 'State Order number '" or 'Management Measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism'. The 14 articles of the Regulation effectively control the system of reincarnation. For example, Article 7 says: 'No group or individual may without authorisation carry out any activities related to searching for or recognizing reincarnating living Buddha soul children.' It means that only the Communist party, through the State's Buddhist Association, can decide. While Article 8 forces the 'applicant' to go through the Golden Urn system, traditionally rarely used in Tibet: 'Living Buddhas which have historically been recognised by drawing lots from the golden urn shall have their reincarnating soul children recognized by drawing lots from the golden urn.' This would indeed facilitate all sort of manipulation. China is presently extremely active on the 'succession' front. Xinhua recently reported that Gyaltsen Norbu worshipped at the Lhamoi Lhatso lake in Gyatsa county of Lhoka prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The official Chinese news agency asserted that it was the first time that Gyaltsen Norbu visited the holy lake, famous for the visions that a regent or a high lama can have in it. It is the way the present Dalai Lama was found. Regent Reting Rinpoche went to the lake in 1935 and had several visions; he saw the roofs of the house of the young Dalai Lama who was just reborn in a remote village of Amdo province (now Qinghai). In August, Xinhua reported: The Panchen Lama, together with more than 30 monks, started to lead sutra chanting, praying for peace, prosperity, and stability.' 'The ritual also had other activities, including throwing cereals and planting a blessed bottle in the middle of the lake as sacrifice.' There is no doubt that China is preparing for the rebirth of the present Dalai Lama. In the present planetary turmoil, while wishing the Tibetan leader a long and healthy life, one can hope for a 'selection' of the Tibetan leader in the Indian Himalayas. It is vital for Tibetan Buddhism, but it is also in India's political interests. A large group of Chinese athletes and sports officials arrived in North Korea on Monday in the latest sign of a thaw in relations between the two countries this year. The Chinese group is led by Gou Zhongwen, the director of China's General Administration of Sports. He was greeted at Pyongyang's airport by North Korea's minister of sports, Kim Il-guk. China's official Xinhua News Agency said the Chinese delegation includes men's and women's basketball teams. They are expected to take part in friendly matches with North Korean teams this week. KAZAKHSTAN: Senate approves more religious freedom restrictions Publisher Forum 18 Publication Date 28 October 2018 Cite as Forum 18, KAZAKHSTAN: Senate approves more religious freedom restrictions, 28 October 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bbc5b214.html [accessed 15 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Iraqi Kurdistan's Regional Elections Test a Brittle Status Quo Publisher International Crisis Group (ICG) Author Maria Fantappie Publication Date 28 September 2018 Cite as International Crisis Group (ICG), Iraqi Kurdistan's Regional Elections Test a Brittle Status Quo, 28 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bbc60804.html [accessed 15 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Voters in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will choose the 111 members of the Kurdistan National Assembly, in the fourth election since the body was founded in 1992 and the first since the Kurdish independence referendum on 25 September 2017. At stake, as usual, is the equilibrium between Iraqi Kurdistan's dominant political parties the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). This time, however, the fate of the PUK also hangs in the balance, as it faces a challenge from opposition rivals, the Gorran and New Generation movements. At issue is also the relationship of the Kurdish region's institutions the Assembly, the judiciary and the executive, including the presidency to the KDP and PUK. These institutions have long been dependent on the twin parties, and as long as that remains the case, elections not only shift the balance of power between the two but also transform these institutions' role in the region's political system. The main parties' duopoly is also now buffeted by the shock waves of the backlash to the 2017 referendum, in which more than 90 per cent of participants voted for independence from Iraq. In response, the Iraqi government sent its troops into oil-rich Kirkuk and other disputed territories lands claimed by both Baghdad and the Kurdistan regional government which the Kurdish parties' security forces had previously controlled. The territorial losses pitted the KDP and PUK against each other and divided each party internally. Yet, all things considered, the KDP and PUK remain indispensable to one another, and the KDP in particular is still a favourite in the 30 September contest. Who are the main parties competing, and how cohesive are they? Old and new players are competing. Though it was mainly responsible for the referendum and the backlash it provoked, the KDP has weathered its internal disputes well. Masoud Barzani, who served as the region's president from 2005 to 2017 and remains KDP leader, has used the proven method of managing divisions between senior party members within its family-based structure by assigning them to security and administrative posts. The KDP has no major competitors in its territorial strongholds, the Erbil and Dohuk provinces, and holds its own against the PUK in Suleimaniya province. In the elections, the KDP aspires to strengthen its grip on the regional government, reverse the political and territorial losses of 2017, and lead the Kurdish region out of the post-referendum crisis. The PUK, on the other hand, has faced serious difficulties in containing its divisions. After its co-founder Jalal Talabani died in 2017, about a week after the referendum, the party has lacked a unifying figure. Instead, its leadership has fractured along lines of personal and family rivalries, creating multiple decision-making poles. The PUK's splintering may aid the KDP in its aspiration to consolidate its hold on the region's institutions. It may also benefit the PUK's other rivals in Suleimaniya, the only province where the PUK still enjoys significant support. But Gorran, which split off from the PUK in 2009 in opposition to the KDP-PUK duopoly, faces an internal crisis of its own following the 2017 death of its founding leader, Nowshirwan Mustafa. This leaves New Generation, a movement founded by Shaswar Abdulwahid, which has taken in Gorran defectors. How has the political landscape changed since the referendum? The KDP-PUK strategic partnership, a power-sharing deal between Barzani and Talabani, has framed the Kurdish region's political system for more than a decade. Since the KDP and PUK each maintain their own security forces in their respective areas of control, this partnership is paramount to sustaining governance. But the two parties' arrangement was already in crisis after the 2013 Assembly elections, due to the PUK's poor showing, and it totally unravelled after the referendum and Talabani's death, with each blaming the other for the severity of the backlash from Baghdad. The PUK's decline and the KDP's ambitions are challenging this arrangement, which kept the region in balance internally as well as with its neighbours, Turkey and Iran. Gorran, which has been around for ten years, has yet to find its place in the new KDP-dominated landscape. It has been unable to replace the PUK as the KDP's strategic partner in Suleimaniya. In 2014, it agreed to participate in government, but then quit in protest two years later, costing itself credibility as both an opposition force and a potential ruling party. This background explains the emergence of New Generation as an anti-establishment movement giving voice to popular disillusionment with the political leadership and the governing system as a whole; effectively, it has been able to pick up open support in Suleimaniya only. Kurdistan's institutions also have suffered amid the turmoil. The KDP's dispute with Gorran over the extralegal extension of Barzani's presidency paralysed the Assembly, which has been unable to convene since 2015. The regional government has been compelled to operate with six acting ministers since Gorran and the Kurdistan Islamic Group withdrew their ministers from the cabinet, including those holding the Peshmerga (defence) and finance portfolios. And the region has been without a president since Barzani stepped down following the referendum debacle, although he remains the ultimate arbiter behind the scenes as KDP leader. How strong is the opposition to the KDP and PUK? Voters are equally dissatisfied with both parties. Yet the KDP faces less opposition in Erbil and Dohuk than the PUK does in Suleimaniya. The KDP's cohesion has helped it maintain support through a mix of co-optation and control, which has shrunk the space for genuine political competition. Its control over resource flows, public finances and employment has made many voters dependent on it for their livelihood. Opposition to its rule manifests itself through non-participation rather than voting for another party. The PUK has been unable to use a similar strategy in Suleimaniya because of its fragmentation: rival politicians share and compete for key economic and security portfolios. This fragmentation leaves margins within which opposition groups can thrive. Yet it is unclear if opposition parties in Suleimaniya can do more than just voice discontent. Groups such as New Generation, like Gorran and the Coalition for Justice and Democracy before it, may actually turn out to be useful for the ruling establishment. With its inflammatory rhetoric and undefined ideas for reform, New Generation is channelling anger on the streets and creating the appearance of open democratic debate without posing a real challenge to the twin parties and the political system they have built. Independent journalists and intellectuals have reproached opposition parties for playing what they call a farcical game, one these parties are fated to lose because the critics claim elections are not free and fair and the KDP-PUK duopoly has an iron grip on the region's institutions. Kurdish youth widely share this sentiment. Alienation from politics and distrust of elections encourages people to acquiesce in the status quo and merely seek their share of the top-down wealth distribution through party patronage. Do people still have confidence in elections in the wake of fraud allegations during Iraq's parliamentary polls in May? Trust in elections is at its lowest point in Iraqi Kurdistan's modern history. The region's parliamentary system helped ensure a degree of respect for democratic institutions, mechanisms and practices. Since the fall of the Baathist regime, the region has held three parliamentary elections (in 2005, 2009 and 2013), two rounds of provincial and local elections (in 2005 and 2013), and a presidential election (in 2009). (It also held elections during the period 1991-2003, when it was independent all but in name, but virtually cut off from the outside world, including Baghdad. Iraq in those years was under comprehensive UN sanctions, and the Baathist regime imposed a second, internal embargo upon the three majority-Kurdish provinces.) Despite its shortcomings in passing legislation, the Assembly was an effective platform for multi-party debate and oversight over the executive. The region had a vibrant civil society that mobilised in 2011 in tune with protesters throughout the Middle East and North Africa to protest KDP-PUK control over public institutions, denounce top-level corruption and demand better governance. The war against the Islamic State in 2014-2017 weakened Iraqi Kurdistan's young democratic institutions. The failure of popular uprisings in the Middle East, the subsequent geopolitical turmoil and the outcome of the referendum led political leaders to distrust parliamentary democracy as an effective governing system and put security and stability above democratic processes. Popular trust in democratic mechanisms eroded in tandem. But another factor was that democracy proved incapable of removing a discredited leadership, a perception compounded by allegations of widespread fraud in the Kurdish region and disputed territories during the Iraqi parliamentary elections in May 2018. The KDP and PUK unexpectedly won almost the same number of seats in the Council of Representatives in Baghdad as they had in 2014, despite their decreasing popularity and post-referendum political and military setbacks. In many Iraqi Kurds' view, elections have become a formality, a way for the established elites to legitimise their rule rather than an avenue for political change. Under what conditions could violence occur? The formula for an explosion would be the total absence of avenues for meaningful political participation plus blatant electoral fraud and continued poor governance. Yet geopolitical threats posed by the growing U.S.-Iran competition in the aftermath of the war against the Islamic State, the ongoing budget crisis and the persistent political-military standoff with Baghdad after the referendum are deterring the Kurdish public from again taking to the streets, unhappy as many people are. The new normal, in the short to medium term, is to settle, however reluctantly, for the status quo. Shin Seung-hyun, the founder of Funtastic Korea, said she was inspired to start her own business after hearing about the travel needs of her many international friends. Funtastic Korea is a travel website for foreign visitors to Korea, and it offers a choice of over 400 tour programs in various languages including Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese and Thai. Its services range from selling discounted tickets to popular destinations such as Nami Island, Lotte World and Everland amusement parks to offering various tour programs. They include a visit to Gyeongbok Palace in hanbok or traditional Korean dress, a bar crawl in the trendy Hongik University area, a trip to long-established Korean restaurants and making one's own K-pop studio album and music videos. She took a typical elite course, graduating from a top foreign language high school and then going on to Seoul National University, Korea's most prestigious university, where she studied business administration. She felt stifled by what was expected of her for the future: getting a high-paying job at a sought-after company, marrying at a suitable age and having a good family life. She learned to think outside the box after spending a year as an exchange student at Kyushu University in Japan when she was a sophomore. "In Japan I had a chance to make friends with people from all over the world. I watched my friends freely pursuing their goals and constantly thinking 'outside the box.' I started to wonder whether what everybody else wants is really what I want," she said. The Namchon Country Club in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province had planned to change its name to something more English-sounding when it carried out renovations two years ago since all its competitors were using faux-posh foreign names like Trinity and Hillside. But management eventually decided to stick to the original name, and it paid off. At the start of globalization, English or French words were heavily favored over indigenous Korean shop names and labels as they were deemed more exotic and sophisticated. But that has changed, and now Hangeul is considered cooler both at home and in other parts of Asia. This is mainly due to young people who have embraced Korean pop culture. Designer Choi Sung-hee said, "People now think names or logos with big-sounding foreign words or phrases are embarrassing and outdated." Only three years ago a major newspaper complained that more than half of the store signs in university areas were in foreign languages. Now all that has changed. A quick stroll through the alleys near Seoul National University reveals many more signs in Korean than in foreign languages. Kim Eun-kyul, a 26-year-old student, said, "Many people of my generation have traveled abroad a lot and are able to speak foreign languages, so we feel it's cooler to see plain Hangeul than foreign languages used badly or wrongly." Lee Yang-in, a 31-year-old cafe owner in Itaewon, Seoul, said, "Hangeul signs are easy to understand and are pretty much self-explanatory. Plus they look cute and simple, so young people like it very much. It's not a marketing strategy riding on patriotism, it's a trend and style." Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (RHHBY), announced Tuesday new positive results from a number of studies across its oncology portfolio of approved and investigational medicines. The company plans to present positive Phase III results from cancer immunotherapy development program across multiple tumor types, positive Alecensa (alectinib) data from the Phase III ALESIA study and new pivotal data for entrectinib, a tumor-agnostic investigational medicine that targets NTRK gene fusion-positive solid tumors. The first positive Phase III study of a cancer immunotherapy combination in breast cancer showed encouraging results for Tecentriq plus nab-paclitaxel in people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, specifically in the PD-L1-positive population. The company noted that these new results will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology or ESMO 2018 Congress, taking place from October 19-23 in Munich, Germany. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News German exports declined for a second straight month in August, defying expectations for an increase, preliminary data from the statsitical office Destatis showed on Tuesday. Merchandise exports fell a calendar and seasonally-adjusted 0.1 percent from July, when they decreased 0.8 percent. Economists had expected a 0.4 percent increase. Imports dropped 2.7 percent after a 2.8 percent rise in July. Economists were looking for a 0.1 percent gain. The trade surplus rose to EUR 17.2 billion in August from EUR 16.5 billion in the previous month. Economists had predicted a surplus of EUR 16.2 billion. The current account surplus was EUR 15.3 billion versus EUR 15.1 billion in July. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Austria merchandise exports for July strongly increased from a year ago, preliminary figures from Statistics Austria showed on Tuesday. Exports rose 11.8 percent year-on-year to EUR 12.82 billion and imports grew 8.5 percent to EUR 12.94 billion. That resulted in a trade deficit of EUR 0.12 billion. On a working-day adjusted basis, exports rose 7.6 percent and imports increased 5.9 percent. Exports to the EU grew 11.7 percent and imports from the region rose 7.2 percent. Non-EU exports were higher by 11.9 percent. For the January to July period, exports grew 6.6 percent and imports rose 5.6 percent from a year ago. The trade balance showed a deficit of EUR 2.40 billion. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. President Donald Trump apologized to the new Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family for enduring "terrible suffering" over a "campaign of lies" during the prolonged and controversial Senate confirmation process. Despite facing multiple sexual assault allegations and rigorous questioning by Senators, especially by Democrats, the 53-year old federal appeals court judge was narrowly confirmed by the Senate last week in a 50 to 48 vote. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a clinical psychology professor at Palo Alto University, had accused Kavanaugh of trying to rape her on the sidelines of a party in Maryland more than three decades ago, when they were teenagers. Later, 53-year old Deborah Ramirez alleged she had endured sexual misconduct from Kavanaugh when he was her classmate at Yale University. Kavanaugh denied the accusations, and described the allegations raised against him as part of a coordinated effort to destroy his good name. Speaking at a White House ceremony on Monday to mark his promotion to Associate Justice of the Supreme Court following an official swearing-in over the weekend, Trump offered his apology. "Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception," Trump told the gathering in the East Room of the White House. "What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process." Trump thanked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and all the Republican senators on the committee who fought hard for Kavanaugh's confirmation. Trump said Kavanaugh is "a man of outstanding intellect, a brilliant scholar, and his credentials are unsurpassed." For the last 12 years, Kavanaugh was a judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, where he authored over 300 opinions. Justice Kavanaugh fills the place left by Justice Anthony Kennedy, under whom he served as law clerk in 1993. Speaking after Trump, Kavanaugh said the Supreme Court is a team of nine and claimed he will always be a team player. Referring to the "contentious and emotional" Senate confirmation process, he said he takes the new office with gratitude and no bitterness and that his focus now is to be "a great Justice for all Americans." He assured every litigant in the Supreme Court that he will listen to their arguments with respect and an open mind. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Activist investor Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management, L.P. is exploring a takeover bid for pizza chain Papa John's International Inc. (PZZA), the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Shares of Papa John's are gaining more than 6 percent in Tuesday's regular trading session. The activist hedge fund, which holds a 13 percent stake in Wendy's Co. (WEN), recently contacted Papa John's to collect information as it explores a possible bid, according to the WSJ report. The pizza chain has been embroiled in a dispute with its founder John Schnatter for the last several months. Schnatter stepped down as chair of the company's board in July, after it was reported that he used a racial slur and other inflammatory languages during a conference call that was arranged between Papa John's executives and marketing agency, Laundry Service. According to the WSJ report, Trian is one of the several parties to express interest in Papa John's after it put itself up for sale amid its dispute with Schnatter. Schnatter, who remains on the company's board and owns 29 percent of the shares, has said he would not give up the control of the company without a fight. There are said to be several other potential bidders for Papa John's, including companies and private-equity firms. Louisville, Kentucky-based Papa John's is the world's third-largest pizza delivery chain after Domino's Pizza Inc. (DPZ) and Yum Brands Inc.'s (YUM) Pizza Hut. Founded by Schnatter in 1984, the company has more than 5,000 locations in 45 countries. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG,GOOGL) Google has decided not to compete in Pentagon's multi-billion dollar cloud computing contract, saying that the project might not align with its artificial intelligence or AI principles. The Pentagon's Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure or JEDI cloud contract could be worth up to $10 billion over a decade if all options are exercised. Google, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle have been vying for the contract. The project involves transitioning massive amounts of data and processing power related to the Defense Department to the cloud. The bids by companies for the JEDI contract are due on Friday, October 12. In late July, the Defense Department officially began accepting proposals for the controversial contract, which will be awarded to a single cloud provider so as to enable the rapid adoption of . Google confirmed on Monday to Bloomberg that it has dropped the bidding process as the project conflicted with its new AI principles. "We are not bidding on the JEDI contract because first, we couldn't be assured that it would align with our AI Principles. And second, we determined that there were portions of the contract that were out of scope with our current government certifications," a Google spokesman told Bloomberg. Google's AI principles prevent the use of its AI software in weapons and services that violate international norms for surveillance and human rights. In April, thousands of Google employees urged CEO Sundar Pichai to pull out of Project Maven, a Pentagon program that uses artificial intelligence to analyze video imagery used by military drones. Google later said in June that it will not allow its artificial-intelligence products to be used in military weapons. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) is seen as a top contender for the JEDI cloud contract. Amazon Web Services or AWS is the only company approved by the U.S. government to handle secret and top secret data. In August, Oracle Corp. (ORCL) filed a pre-award protest against the Pentagon's decision to award the JEDI contract to a single company instead of allowing for multiple winners. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Hillary Clinton described new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's ceremonial swearing-in at the White House on Monday a "political rally" that "further undermined the image and integrity of the court." "What was done last night in the White House was a political rally. It further undermined the image and integrity of the court," Clinton said in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday. "And that troubles me greatly." "It saddens me," she added. "Because our judicial system has been viewed as one of the main pillars of our constitutional government." Clinton, who lost to President Donald Trump in the 2016 election, suggested reactions to the ceremony will predictably reflect the divide between those who supported Kavanaugh and those who opposed his confirmation. The comments from Clinton came after Trump apologized to Kavanaugh and his family for the "terrible pain and suffering" they were forced to endure during his contentious confirmation process. "Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception," Trump said. "What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process." The Senate narrowly confirmed Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court by a vote of 50 to 48 on Saturday despite the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Clinton called Trump's remarks "true to form," accusing the president of repeatedly insulting, attacking, and demeaning women. "He has insulted, attacked, demeaned women throughout the campaign really for many years leading up to the campaign," Clinton said. "And he's continued to do that inside the White House." (Photo: Gage Skidmore) For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News China remains world's second-most valuable national brand From:ChinaDaily | 2018-10-09 00:15 China has maintained its spot as the world's second-most valuable national brand, with its worth rising 25 percent to $12.8 trillion, according to a new report, second only to the United States of America, whose value is $25.9 trillion. The latest Nation Brands Report announced by London-based brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance revealed that China continues to perform well despite the prospects of a protracted trade dispute with the US, confirming the already established robustness of the Chinese economy. The Brand Strength Index, also known as BSI, is determined by performance on dozens of data points across key pillars including goods and services, investment and society. Topping the table as the world's most valuable nation brand, the USA's brand value has gone up 23 percent over the past year to $25.9 trillion. The US economy has expanded at a speedy pace with growth expected to continue in the months to come. Alongside the GDP, its consumer sales, construction orders, car output and other indicators of growth have each seen an increase proving the US economy truly is booming. This rise of China's brand value is down to the world class infrastructure and highly educated workforce of booming cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, putting them among the world's best places to do business, the research suggested. In recent years China has shifted its focus from commoditized production to building world-class brands, such as Huawei and Alibaba, and this success in turn reinforces the strength of the nation brand. David Haigh, chief executive of Brand Finance, said the rising value of China's nation brand was a consequence of its position of global leadership, a pro-business outlook, and a determination for the country to create brands rather than just products. "The current government's renewed commitment towards free trade, opening up of the Chinese market, and enhancing protection of intellectual property will make for a yet improved business environment in the years to come," Haigh said. Singapore has claimed the title of the world's strongest nation brand once again this year, earning a BSI score of 92.4 out of 100. "Just like for a consumer brand, it is important for a nation to have a compelling proposition to attract talent, investment, tourism and more. Singapore has managed to do that extremely well with their new positioning of 'Passion Made Possible' which cuts across segments and stakeholders, thereby contributing to the strength of Brand Singapore in every possible way," Haigh said While China's brand strength remains relatively low at 73.5, it has grown faster than any other big nation brand, with whole two points added to the country's BSI score over the past year. The improvement comes as China steps up its role on the global stage, championing free trade and leading the efforts to combat climate change at a time when the US is turning toward protectionism and prioritizing own interests over a collaborative energy policy. Behind the US and China, Germany solidifies third position with the fastest-growing brand value in top 50, up 28 percent to $5.1 trillion, while despite the uncertainty of Brexit, the UK's nation brand has recorded a solid 20 percent growth year on year to $3.8 trillion, replacing Japan in fourth place. "Britain's performance in this year's study of the world's nation brands shows that perceptions of Brexit go against the economic reality," Haigh said. "What the exact scenario and consequences of exiting the EU will be still remains to be seen, but both current market conditions and economic forecasts for the coming years reaffirm Britain's ability to make the most of its post-Brexit future." Crude oil prices moved up on Tuesday amid reports about falling crude exports from Iran ahead of the U.S. sanctions against the country. According to reports from Refinitiv Eikon, crude exports from Iran dropped to 1.1 million barrels per day in the first week of October, from 1.6 million barrels per day in September. In April, Iran's crude exports stood at about 2.5 million barrels per day. Another reason for crude's uptick was the news that Hurricane Michael will make landfall along the Gulf Coast by Wednesday, as a category 3 storm. The National Hurricane Center's bulletin said the center of Michael will continue to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico and then move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico later on Tuesday. Following the hurricane warning, offshore producers including Anadarko Petroleum Corp, BHP Billiton, BP and Chevron Corp have reportedly evacuated workers from 13 oil and gas platforms in the Gulf. Crude oil futures for November delivery ended up $0.67, or 0.9%, at $74.96 a barrel. On Monday, crude oil futures declined to a low of $73.08 a barrel before recovering to close at $74.29 a barrel, losing 5 cents. While some reports say Hurricane Michael could hit Panhandle, a 200-mile strip on northwest Florida, which has the state's largest crude and natural gas fields, a report from Reuters suggested the hurricane's track would largely avoid major oil-producing assets in the Gulf, although a change in that path could widen its impact. Meanwhile, Investors were looking ahead to the weekly oil report from the American Petroleum Institute, due later in the day, and the official inventory data from the Energy Information Administration, due on Wednesday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Japan will on Wednesday release August numbers for core machine orders, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Core machine orders are expected to sink 3.9 percent on month and rise 1.8 percent on year after surging 11.0 percent on month and 13.9 percent on year in July. Japan also will release preliminary September figures for machine tool orders; in August, orders were up 5.1 percent on year. Australia will see October results for the consumer confidence index from Westpac Bank; in September, the index shed 3.0 percent on month to a score of 100.5. New Zealand will provide September data for credit card spending; in August, overall electronics spending was up 1.1 percent on month and retail card spending advanced 1.0 percent. The Philippines will release August numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In July, imports were worth $9.40 billion and exports were at $5.85 billion for a trade deficit of $3.55 billion. Finally, the in Taiwan are closed on Wednesday for the National Day holiday and will re-open on Thursday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. New models boost holiday spending From:ChinaDaily | 2018-10-09 06:48 New and growing spending models, such as mobile payment and online shopping, and emerging ways to travel, such as tailored tours, have helped bolster domestic consumption, pushing retail and food service sales to 1.4 trillion yuan ($202 billion) during the past weeklong National Day holiday, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Sunday. Analysts said the changes in spending and travel show that the country's updated consumption structure will help boost overall national economic growth. The average daily retail and catering sales were up by 9.5 percent year-on-year during that period, according to the ministry. Sales of products that reflect an updated consumption structure, such as organic food, smartphones and smart home furnishings and vehicles, have registered fast growth, the statement added. Sales of some ultra high-definition televisions with large screens surged by five times year-on-year during that period, and the sales of water purifiers, washer-dryer combinations, air conditioning and smart toilet lids grew 100 to 200 percent year-on-year, the statement said. Trends such as internet shopping and ordering food online remained popular. During last week's holiday, the sales of some e-commerce platforms expanded by more than 20 percent year-on-year, and orders placed with online food sites monitored by the ministry jumped more than 50 percent year-on-year, it added. Travelers also have pushed for higher-quality and more tailored tourism experiences, the ministry said. "Chinese consumers, especially those born in the 1980s and 1990s, are increasingly pursuing travel experiences that are comfortable, tailored and individualized," said Neil Wang, president of consulting company Frost& Sullivan China. "The change in the demand side will stimulate the change of the supply side, and both sides will together drive the growth of the sector and the overall economy." Online travel agency Ctrip said that during the National Day holiday, the number of travelers who chose tailored tourism services surged by 150 percent year-on-year, and their average spending per person exceeded 6,000 yuan. The most popular overseas destinations for tailored tours included Japan, Southeast Asian countries and tropical islands, and domestic destinations like Lijiang in Yunnan province, Xining in Qinghai province and Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. "Tailored tours are an upgraded form of travel," said Li Fan, general manager of the domestic tour department at Ctrip. They include such things as an exclusive driver and tour guide. A traveler can even put together a tailored group, and the schedule will be highly flexible to satisfy the specific demands of the travelers, Li said. Xin Zhiming contributed to this story. Congress President Rahul Gandhi (file photo) Attributing the violent attacks on migrant workers in Gujarat to frustration among unemployed youth, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the migrant workforce is "critical" for economic growth and must be curbed immediately. "Across Gujarat, poor economic policies, demonetisation and poorly executed GST (Goods and Services Tax) have devastated industry resulting in the shutting down of factories and industrial units, leading to massive unemployment," the Congress chief said in a Facebook post. He said that amongst the "youth" there was "growing frustration and anger" with the government's inability to create jobs. "This anger and frustration is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants, across the state of Gujarat," he added. "The migrant workforce is critical to our economic growth. Attacks on them create an environment of fear and insecurity that is not good for business and our economy." Gandhi urged the state government to act "decisively", "and do all it can to restore peace and ensure safety of every Indian". His remarks came amid the incidents of attacks on migrant labourers from north India spurred by rape of a 14-month-old girl in a village near Himmatnagar town, around 100 km from Ahmedabad. After the rape of the toddler, there were widespread attacks on migrant labourer residents, especially from north India, believing that some from the community were responsible for the ghastly crime. The police had arrested a labourer originally from Bihar, Ravindra Sahu, for the crime. Sahu was working in a ceramic factory. Gujarat Police have filed 35 complaints and detained around 450 persons for attacking the migrant community residing in the state. Nikki Haley, the first Indian-American to serve on the United States cabinet and the highest profile woman and non-white in the current administration, has resigned her position as the Permanent Representative to the UN, she and President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday. In the surprise announcement, she said she will leave at the end of the year. She said that she did not know as yet what she will be doing next, but ruled out a run for president in 2020 saying she would campaign for Trump. After eight years of public service -- two as a governor and two as UN ambassador - she said that she wanted a change after the stressful tenures and that government officials should limit their terms in office so that there are new people coming in. Trump praised her for her role at the UN saying that she was respected by leaders and diplomats at the UN and that the US is more respected. He called her a "special friend" and said he hoped to see her back in some capacity in the administration or politics. The daughter of Sikh immigrants from Amritsar district, Haley had a meteoric rise in Republican politics and was the megaphone of President Donald Trump's aggressive global policy at the UN often using harsh rhetoric at opponents. She was the first woman and non-white to be elected governor of South Carolina before she was appointed the UN ambassador -- a cabinet post in the US. Haley is very popular among Republicans. But she was despised by Democrats -- especially Indian Americans -- who hold that non-white persons should not be in the Republican Party and hold a high government office in Republican Administration. The resignation of the highest profile woman in Trump's cabinet less than a month before the mid-term elections roils the political situation just after widespread protests by women's groups and polarisation over the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual harassment, to the Supreme Court. Her main achievement was getting China and Russia to stringently adhere to Security Council sanctions on North Korea, which ultimately led to its Kim Jong Un agreeing to negotiate denuclearisation with the US. Trump praised her role on North Korea, which led to his diplomatic coup. She also backed the moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, which led to the virtual isolation of Washington at the UN, with even allies abandoning it. She also backed cutting US aid to the UN agency for Palestinians. In addition, she was behind the US pulling out of the UN Human Rights Council because, she said, it included several human rights violators. Despite promoting the Trump's policies, she also had differences with him, pursuing a far more aggressive policy towards Russia than Trump does. While Rex Tillerson was the Secretary of State, she had a higher profile, which dimmed somewhat after Michael Pompeo took the job and assumed a more public role. She was also hemmed in by National Security Adviser John Bolton, a former US Permanent Representative, with his own foreign policy agenda that was sometimes at odd with Pompeo on North Korea and Russia. Haley had been a critic of Trump during the campaign for Republican Party nomination for president in 2016 and supported Marco Rubio. But after Trump won the nomination, she supported for him. She acknowledged that she had differences with Trump while at the UN but could air her views with him. In an op-ed in The Washington Post, she wrote, "I don't agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person." After her departure, among the high-ranking Trump administration officials are Ajit Pai, the Federal Communications Commission Chairperson, and Seema Verma, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Neither are at cabinet level. Tourism Ministers of the Pacific have concluded deliberations on regionalism and ways to further stimulate visitor growth through sustainable tourism development. The 28th Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting culminated a week of meetings in Apia, Samoa on the theme, Protecting our Blue Pacific, our Livelihood and our Home. The blue Pacific and the blue continent is indeed a common identity for our Pacific people, said Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, who chaired the meeting. It directly defines us and provides iconic images and branding of pristine environments, beautiful and friendly people of exotic and artistic cultures in our international tourist source markets. The theme of our conference is befitting as the Blue pacific is indeed our home and our livelihood, and we indeed collectively own 25 million square kilometers of the Blue Pacific Ocean. It is a thriving resource pool that greets and blesses us in our everyday lives and those of our tourists, and it is irreplaceable if lost. It is imperative that sustainable tourism development strategies are robust so that the industries are successful and our peoples prosper. The outgoing Chairman of the Council, Bob Loughman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism for Vanuatu also delivered his address, and acknowledged continued partnership and cooperation within the region. The Council elected Tuilaepa as the new Chairman. During the meeting, the Ministers endorsed: - Applications from Rapa Nui, Wallis & Futuna and Tokelau to become new members of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (S.P.T.O.) - Resolutions from the S.P.T.O. Board of Directors meeting - S.P.T.O. 2019 Work Plan and Budget - The S.P.T.O. member countries fully support the China Pacific Tourism Year 2019 (CPTY 2019) - Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (C.R.O.P.) Charter The Ministers were briefed and noted presentations from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (P.I.F.S.), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.), The Pacific Community (S.P.C.), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Pacific Office (U.N.E.S.C.O.) and Elemental Water Makers. Attending the Council meeting were Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Bob Loughman- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism of Vanuatu, Tai Tura - Cook Islands, Dennis Momotaro - Republic of the Marshal Islands, Bartholomew Parapolo - Solomon Islands, with other member Islands represented by proxies including American Samoa, China, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Tonga. Organised by S.P.T.O. and the Samoa Tourism Authority, the Council meeting was held at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Greys Hotel & Bungalows. The next meeting to be hosted by Niue in October 2019. Amendments to the role of Head of State and functions of the Office have become so commonplace in Samoa that nothing surprises us anymore. Depending on what suits the mood of the Government on any given day, the countless amendments to the Constitution passed by Parliament over the years are shameful. If anything, these changes have only reduced the sanctity of the Office so that today, the mana the once sacred position once had has been eroded so much we get the feeling it will soon become just another H.R.P.P. political appointment, if that isnt the case already. Which is the irony of what is happening in Samoa today, so many changes yet many of them seem so unnecessary. Take the role of the Head of State for instance. In the past few years, weve lost count of how many times this Government has amended the Constitution in relation to the role. Can you imagine how the person occupying the role must be feeling? Imagine if that were you, how would you feel? Last week, more amendments popped up under the guise of the Government moving to make the Office a lot more professional. The Head of State Amendment Bill 2018 seeks to bring the entitlements and salaries of the Head of State and members of the Council of Deputy to be in line with the public service salary scale. According to Tuilaepa, a lot of articles in the Constitution in relation to the Head of State no longer apply which is why the amendments are necessary. A lot has changed and now the tenure is limited to five years. This means the conditions at the time were specifically for first two Heads of States, Tupua and Malietoa. This is why we are moving to amend the Act. He made it clear that anyone is entitled to become the Head of State now, as long as they are a chief and elected by Members of Parliament. The amendments also touch on how to address the Head of State. It proposes that instead of His Highness, it should be the Afioga i le Ao o le Malo. The same goes for the Masiofo. In Parliament, Member of Parliament for Vaimauga Sasae, Sulamanaia Tauiliili Tuivasa, objected. The use of the Afioga i le Ao o le Malo is a bit shallow. It does not reflect the sacredness of the title as used before with His Highness, he said. Sulamanaia also took issue with the plan for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to administer the affairs of the Head of States Office. The Head of State is appointed by Parliament, said Sulumanaia. Then there are Cabinet Ministers who appoint their own secretaries. Why cant the Head of State appoint his own secretary? At that point, Tuilaepa intervened and said the executive are paying for the salaries, therefore the selection must come from them. So lets just get this right. This is not really about making the office more professional, is it? The truth is that it is all about money, its all about power and who wields it. Ladies and gentlemen, we get the feeling that certain people in positions of power and influence want to erase everything in our history so that they create a new legacy for themselves. One defined by greed, money and lust for more power. The question is that, are all these changes really necessary? Would someone die in Samoa if these changes to the role and Office of Head of State are not made? The answer is an emphatic no. If its not broken, dont fix it. Its that simple. Now think of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. Think of it as the convention that holds the wisdom and dreams of both our forebears and our children to come. The reality today is that our forefathers who shed their blood in fighting for our independence and eventually drafted the original Constitution would probably not even recognise what has become of it today. Which is a real tragedy. Weve always maintained that leaders of today must tread carefully every time they amend the Constitution. They are medalling with the hopes, dreams and the vision our forebears had for this nation. And in doing so, they are taking this country down a path our forefathers did not want. Look at Samoa today, people are beginning everywhere. Why are so many children hustling on the streets day and night? Are they there by choice? Or are they and their families that desperate? What would our forefathers say about this? Did they envision that Samoa would one day be like this? Now whats the point of political independence when our Government is so desperate it is prepared to sing any countrys tune for the sake of monies, aid and hand outs? Getting back to the issue of the Head of State, heres an idea. Since Prime Minister Tuilaepas government just cant stop meddling with the once sacred office of the Head of State, they should come up with one supreme law to end all madness. Since we see the Government moving to make the role nothing more than a government appointment, which anybody can occupy, why dont we run like any other political role and take a vote on it every five years? We could even advertise it in Samoa and on social media to seek the best candidates and have them interviewed by the Prime Minister and his group. That way, they can even change the name the title of the position from the Head of State of Samoa to the Head of State of the H.R.P.P. What do you think? Share your thoughts with us. Have a wonderful Wednesday Samoa, God bless! Samoa Airways has assured that it has remedied the first major disruption to its flight schedule since its launch in November last year. The assurance was issued by the Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Tupuivao Seiuli Tuala, in a statement issued yesterday where they blamed the disruption of flights on maintenance of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft in Auckland, New Zealand. The maintenance meant the Airline chartered the Nauru Airlines Boeing 737-300 and Fiji Airways Airbus A330 aircraft to operate flights between Apia and Auckland and Apia and Sydney outside of their own respective schedules. The maintenance works were completed on Monday night and the plane resumed its regular schedule yesterday with its flight out of Auckland touching down at Faleolo International Airport in the afternoon. Safety is our paramount priority and we do apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused, said Tupuivao. We thank our passengers for their patience and understanding as we worked with them to rearrange their travel plans. We want to assure you that Samoa Airways is committed to continue to provide a safe and quality service to our passengers. During the maintenance, Samoa Airways assisted with alternative travel arrangements. We are grateful to our Pacific Island partners who came to our aid during this time, said Tupuivao. This was the first major disruption to Samoa Airways jet- operation since its launch last year. But its now back to business as usual for Samoas airline, as it prepares to welcome in its first birthday with a host of special fares to its newest destination, Brisbane, next month. The Government has baulked at Tiavea Village Councils $5.58 million price tag for 23 acres of land to build the countrys newest airport. Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang, told Samoa Observer that the Government will not pay $5.58 million and the project could be cancelled if the village continued to push that price tag. The amount Tiavea wants is way too much and out of our budget. They stand to benefit from this airport with the developments in their village yet what they want a ridiculous that is not going to happen. The Government will not pay that amount, might as well not build that airport, he said. Last month, Tiaveas Village Mayor, Sola Siuele Seiuli told this newspaper that the Government is offering $30 per square meter. But the families from the village, who are offering their land for the proposed airport, want $60 per square meter. But Papalii yesterday appealed to the villagers to consider the offer by the Government, as he claimed that they stand to be the long-term beneficiaries of such a project. The village should also consider the offer by the Government, it is better to get something than nothing, he said. Sola told this newspaper last month that the land will not be leased to the Government, as most of the affected families wanted an outright purchase. Most of the families do not want to lease their land, and would rather the Government made an outright purchase." There are nine families and the village who plays a vital role in negotiating the deal and we are the 10th party to the matter. The families have agreed to allow the Government to start the project, he said. The site of the proposed airport is on customary land, which the Government can get using provisions of the Land Taking Act and compensate the affected families. As reported earlier, the Tiavea airport in Tiavea is 1000 meters long and is of the same length as the Fagalii Airport. The construction of the runway will take up to four months to complete. The Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) is aware of a Asco Motors campaign to get the owners of two Toyota vehicle models to bring them in to check for defective airbags. Asco Motors Chief Executive Officer, August Huch, said this yesterday in an interview with the Samoa Observer. This followed the publication of an article on Monday, which alerted owners of Toyota models Rav4 ACA21 and Yaris NCP92, to the possibility that their vehicles could have a defective Takata airbag. Asco Motors, the authorised vehicle dealer for Toyota in Samoa, is offering to replace defective Takata airbags in Rav4 ACA21 and Yaris NCP92 vehicles free of charge. Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, Mr Huch said only Asco Motors can provide this service in Samoa. Only Asco Motors can offer this service to the public and the Land Transport Authority has been advised of this campaign, he said. The company has identified 11 vehicles in Samoa comprising eight Rav4 and three Yaris that will be checked and have their Takata airbags replaced. Out of the 11, checks have only been done on three of the five Rav4 vehicles, according to Mr Huch. The three Yaris cars were moved to Fiji by their owners, he added, and now become the responsibility of the authorised Toyota dealer in Fiji. Rav4 ACA21 and Yaris NCP92 vehicles imported from Australia and New Zealand can also be checked, but Mr Huch indicated that authorisation has to come from the Toyota Motor Corporation headquarters in Japan before they can proceed. Vehicle owners in Samoa who have the models in question can call into Asco Motors and quote their 17-digit vehicle identification number (V.I.N.). The staff will use the V.I.N. to determine whether their airbag is defective. L.T.A. has not responded to queries made by this newspaper at the time of going to press. Asco Motors campaign to get the affected vehicle owners to visit their workshop has a slot on local radio station FM 89, which goes on air every Tuesday and will run until next month. Mr Huch said the campaign by the company is just a precaution for Toyota vehicle owners, and emphasised that the defective airbags were manufactured by Takata Corporation, which is a separate company from Toyota Motor Corporation. Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday have given priority to a host of issues from political, sociocultural and economic spheres. From politics, key issues to get featured on the broadsheet covers are the meeting of ruling Nepal Communist Party and statements made by the main opposition Nepali Congress about contemporary political issues including the government decision to hand over Budhigandaki Hydropower Project to a Chinese firm. As the 15-day festival of Dashain, which is considered the biggest festival for most of the Nepalis, is beginning tomorrow, newspapers have published stories about Dashain as well. Annapurna Post has published two supplements covering different dimensions of the festival. Important Bamdev Gautam likely to contest Kathmandu bypoll The ruling Nepal Communist Party is preparing to ask its lawmaker Rambir Manandhar, who represents Kathmandu-7 in the House of Representatives, to tender his resignation so as to let its senior leader Bamdev Gautam get elected to the vacant position after a byelection, according to reports in Kantipur and Naya Patrika. Kantipur claims Manandhar has already expressed his readiness to agree on the proposal if the party thinks it is necessary. Naya Patrika adds he has already filed an application in the party to let him resign. Pant murder probe report not sufficient to file case The Office of the Attorney General has stated that the report made by the Ministry of Home Affairs about the rape and murder of Nirmala Pant does not give any evidence to let the government file a case against perpetrators, The Himalayan Times reports. Police have to move the probe further to collect sufficient evidence for the legal action, according to the report. Rajdhani in its lead story says police are trying to approach the case from additional perspectives. On the other hand, locals have demanded action against police and Bam sisters, according to a box story in Republica. Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government could not find the perpetrators behind the incident as no one cooperated with him, according to Annapurna Post lead story. PMs consultant tapping private data? Lead stories in Nagarik and Republica claim that Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis IT consultant Asgal Ali has put pressures on officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide private information about members of the general public that he could use for commercial benefits. Ali is also the Chief Executive Officer of eSewa Fonepay Private Limited. Meanwhile, a case has been filed against Ali at the National Vigilance Centre demanding investigation, according to the reports. Ignored Constitution amendment issue will be settled soon, assures PM Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government will decide before Dashain, which is just one week away, if a constitution amendment proposal will be tabled anytime soon, according to Gorkhapatra lead story. Responding to a delegation of the Rastriya Janata Party in Kathmandu yesterday, the Prime Minister said he was positive about the amendment, the report informs quoting RJPN leader Anil Kumar Jha. NAC lends planes without competition The countrys national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, has been found lending its aeroplanes to private companies without competition, Nagarik reports in a snippet. Newly appointed Executive Chairman of Madan Kharel has lent the aircraft to travel agencies for chartered flights at a cheap rate, the report claims. Govt tells sugar factories to pay farmers in five days As Nepalis are preparing to celebrate their greatest festival of Dashain, the government has urged sugar factories to pay outstanding dues to the farmers within next five days, according to Abhiyan. The factory owners say they are yet to pay Rs 1.5 billion to the farmers, expressing commitment to clear the dues at the earliest. Interesting World Bank predicts hopeful economy for Nepal this year The World Bank has revised its prediction for Nepals economic growth for this fiscal year, and said it would be around 5.9 per cent, according to a snippet in Naya Patrika. However, the figure is still lower than the government target of 8 per cent. Earlier in June, the Bank had said it would be around 4.5 per cent. 17 per cent rise in tourist arrival in first 9 months of 2018 Total 772,816 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first nine months of 2018 as per data maintained by Nepal Tourism Board, according to a two column story in Karobar. This is 17 per cent more than the number recorded last year, according to the report. The next three months are likely to receive more tourists and the total number of foreign tourists for this year will be around 1.2 million, claims NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi. WASHINGTON (AP) Preventing an extra single degree of heat could make a life-or-death difference in the next few decades for multitudes of people and ecosystems on this fast-warming planet, an international panel of scientists reported Sunday. But they provide little hope the world will rise to the challenge. The Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its gloomy report at a meeting in Incheon, South Korea. In the 728-page document, the U.N. organization detailed how Earth's weather, health and ecosystems would be in better shape if the world's leaders could somehow limit future human-caused warming to just 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit (a half degree Celsius) from now, instead of the globally agreed-upon goal of 1.8 degrees F (1 degree C). Among other things: Half as many people would suffer from lack of water. There would be fewer deaths and illnesses from heat, smog and infectious diseases. Seas would rise nearly 4 inches (0.1 meters) less. Half as many animals with back bones and plants would lose the majority of their habitats. There would be substantially fewer heat waves, downpours and droughts. The West Antarctic ice sheet might not kick into irreversible melting. And it just may be enough to save most of the world's coral reefs from dying. "For some people this is a life-or-death situation without a doubt," said Cornell University climate scientist Natalie Mahowald, a lead author on the report. Limiting warming to 0.9 degrees from now means the world can keep "a semblance" of the ecosystems we have. Adding another 0.9 degrees on top of that the looser global goal essentially means a different and more challenging Earth for people and species, said another of the report's lead authors, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, director of the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland, Australia. But meeting the more ambitious goal of slightly less warming would require immediate, draconian cuts in emissions of heat-trapping gases and dramatic changes in the energy field. While the U.N. panel says technically that's possible, it saw little chance of the needed adjustments happening. In 2010, international negotiators adopted a goal of limiting warming to 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) since pre-industrial times. It's called the 2-degree goal. In 2015, when the nations of the world agreed to the historic Paris climate agreement, they set dual goals: 2 degrees C and a more demanding target of 1.5 degrees C from pre-industrial times. The 1.5 was at the urging of vulnerable countries that called 2 degrees a death sentence. The world has already warmed 1 degree C since pre-industrial times, so the talk is really about the difference of another half-degree C or 0.9 degrees F from now. "There is no definitive way to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 above pre-industrial levels," the U.N.-requested report said. More than 90 scientists wrote the report, which is based on more than 6,000 peer reviews. "Global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degrees C between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current rate," the report states. Deep in the report, scientists say less than 2 percent of 529 of their calculated possible future scenarios kept warming below the 1.5 goal without the temperature going above that and somehow coming back down in the future. The pledges nations made in the Paris agreement in 2015 are "clearly insufficient to limit warming to 1.5 in any way," one of the study's lead authors, Joerj Roeglj of the Imperial College in London, said. "I just don't see the possibility of doing the one and a half" and even 2 degrees looks unlikely, said Appalachian State University environmental scientist Gregg Marland, who isn't part of the U.N. panel but has tracked global emissions for decades for the U.S. Energy Department. He likened the report to an academic exercise wondering what would happen if a frog had wings. Yet report authors said they remain optimistic. Limiting warming to the lower goal is "not impossible but will require unprecedented changes," U.N. panel chief Hoesung Lee said in a news conference in which scientists repeatedly declined to spell out just how feasible that goal is. They said it is up to governments to decide whether those unprecedented changes are acted upon. "We have a monumental task in front of us, but it is not impossible," Mahowald said earlier. "This is our chance to decide what the world is going to look like." To limit warming to the lower temperature goal, the world needs "rapid and far-reaching" changes in energy systems, land use, city and industrial design, transportation and building use, the report said. Annual carbon dioxide pollution levels that are still rising now would have to drop by about half by 2030 and then be near zero by 2050. Emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, also will have to drop. Switching away rapidly from fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to do this could be more expensive than the less ambitious goal, but it would clean the air of other pollutants. And that would have the side benefit of avoiding more than 100 million premature deaths through this century, the report said. "Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming" the report said, adding that the world's poor are more likely to get hit hardest. Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer said extreme weather, especially heat waves, will be deadlier if the lower goal is passed. Meeting the tougher-to-reach goal "could result in around 420 million fewer people being frequently exposed to extreme heat waves, and about 65 million fewer people being exposed to exceptional heat waves," the report said. The deadly heat waves that hit India and Pakistan in 2015 will become practically yearly events if the world reaches the hotter of the two goals, the report said. Coral and other ecosystems are also at risk. The report said warmer water coral reefs "will largely disappear." The outcome will determine whether "my grandchildren would get to see beautiful coral reefs," Princeton's Oppenheimer said. For scientists there is a bit of "wishful thinking" that the report will spur governments and people to act quickly and strongly, one of the panel's leaders, German biologist Hans-Otto Portner, said. "If action is not taken it will take the planet into an unprecedented climate future." WASHINGTON (AP) U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is resigning later this year in the latest shake-up to President Donald Trump's turbulent administration, the announcement Tuesday raising questions in the White House about the timing and Haley's own possible political future. The news blindsided many congressional Republicans involved in foreign policy matters and some key U.S. allies. It means the departure of one of the administration's highest-profile women and a top official who has offered strikingly different perspectives on world events from her more isolationist-minded boss. Haley, who is not personally wealthy, hinted in her resignation letter to Trump that she is headed to the private sector. "I have given everything I've got these last eight years," she said, referring to her six years as South Carolina governor as well as her time at the U.N. "And I do think it's good to rotate in other people who can put that same energy and power into it." There has been speculation that Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, will return to government or politics at some point. "No, I'm not running in 2020" for president, she joked, quickly adding that she would be supporting Trump. Haley has two children to put through college and the potential to make much more money in the business world. The decision to announce the latest shake-up came less than a month before the congressional elections, even as the White House has made a concerted effort to hold off on major changes at the Justice Department and elsewhere before then. Trump was asked why the announcement was made now since Haley is staying until the end of the year. Instead of answering directly, he recounted how she has had to work on tough issues, such as Iran and North Korea. White House officials had sought to put a hold on record-setting administration turnover in the run-up to the Nov. 6 elections, with aides being asked months ago to step down or commit to stay through Election Day to avoid adding to a sense of turmoil. Still, the prospect of post-midterm changes has loomed over the West Wing, and Haley's exit was one of those discussed, according to a senior administration official not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations. Despite Trump's calm words, her sudden announcement rattled a number in the White House, who openly speculated that the timing was meant to preserve the ambassador's own political future, according to the official and another White House official. Trump said Haley first discussed leaving the administration with him six months ago. The official noted that their conversation coincided with the appointment of Mike Pompeo as secretary of state and John Bolton as national security adviser. Haley had expressed some frustration that her voice had been diminished as the two men became the aggressive new faces of Trump's foreign policy, the official said. More recently, there was an awkward moment at the U.N., when Trump's boasting of American economic strength under his leadership drew laughter at a General Assembly session. He insisted later that the delegates were laughing with him, not at him. The six-month timeline also coincides with a high-profile spat between Haley and the White House in April, when she drew the president's ire for previewing in a television appearance the administration's planned imposition of a new round of sanctions on Russia. When the sanctions never materialized, White House officials said the plans had changed without Haley being briefed, and top economic adviser Larry Kudlow suggested Haley was confused. "I don't get confused," Haley said in a sharply-worded rejoinder to the West Wing. Haley, 46, was appointed to the U.N. post in November 2016 and last month coordinated Trump's second trip to the United Nations, including his first time chairing the Security Council. A rookie to international politics, the former South Carolina governor was an unusual pick for to be U.N. envoy. "It was a blessing to go into the U.N. every day with body armor," Haley said, saying her job was to defend America on the world stage. At the U.N., she helped spearhead the administration's efforts to combat what it alleged to be anti-American and anti-Israel actions by the international body, including the U.S. decision to leave the Human Rights Council and to stop funding the U.N. agency for Palestinian Refugees, known as UNRWA. Haley also secured three successively tougher Security Council sanction resolutions against North Korea which the administration has credited with bringing Kim Jong Un to the negotiating table and an arms embargo against South Sudan. But under Haley's tenure at the U.N., the U.S. has faced strong opposition from Russia when it comes to addressing the seven-year-old war in Syria, and frustration from European allies over reimposing nuclear sanctions against Iran. Trump said he was considering many candidates for Haley's job and that a successor would be named in two to three weeks or maybe sooner. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley clashed with then-candidate Trump during the 2016 campaign, denouncing "the siren call of the angriest voices" that disrespected America's immigrants. Trump tweeted that "The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley." "Before she was named by Trump to her U.N. post, Haley was elected the first female governor of South Carolina. She was re-elected in 2014. As governor, she developed a national reputation as a racial conciliator who led the charge to bring down the Confederate flag at the Statehouse and helped guide the state through one of its darkest moments, the massacre at a black church. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally tweeted that Haley "has a very bright future and will be a key player in both the future of the Republican Party and our nation as a whole for years to come." Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Haley's leaving is "yet another sign of the Trump administration's chaotic foreign policy and setback from promoting American values and priorities." On Saturday, Rozsa and Aaron Harris will be among some 600 audience members at the Forum for Healthy Minds at Cal State San Marcos. It will be the third year in a row that the San Marcos couple will attend the free, all-day conference in memory of their son, also named Aaron, who died by suicide in 2015 at the age of 21. The forum was launched 12 years ago by the Community Alliance for Healthy Minds to provide the community with support, education, resources and stigma-reducing strategies about treating mental illness and suicide prevention. The Harrises say theyre impressed and grateful for the forums wealth of information for families and individuals in crisis, as well as for educators and health professionals. They just wish theyd discovered these tools before they lost their son. Advertisement It wasnt until after he died that we became educated, said Rozsa, 54. Sometimes I wish I could travel back in time so that maybe the outcome could be different. Photographs of Aaron, the eldest of the Harrises three children, fill the living room wall of their home. The couple shes an optician, he runs a mobile personal training business love talking about him, even when it brings up a few tears. Aaron was a straight-A student, a gifted musician, a computer wizard and a loving person with many friends. But he was also extremely quiet and rarely shared his pain. After he graduated from San Marcos High School in 2011 and prepared to attend Palomar College, he silently began to struggle with depression. His parents were stunned when he attempted suicide the first time at age 19. They did everything they knew to help him. He went to counseling and was prescribed antidepressants but eventually stopped taking the drugs because they hurt his stomach. Fortunately, things went well for Aaron for a couple of years. He thrived at Palomar, performed in the colleges guitar ensemble, made many new friends, got a job at a movie theater and had a steady girlfriend. But when that relationship ended in early 2015, he spiraled downward. On his own, he went back to counseling and back on medication. But it would not be enough. In the early morning hours of April 17 as his family slept, he drove his car to the center span of the Coronado Bridge, parked and jumped over the side to his death. He didnt leave a note for his family but he texted a goodbye to his ex-girlfriend. The next morning, his parents went to the Sheriffs Department to report him missing. As soon as they identified themselves to the clerk, a trauma counselor walked in and asked them to sit down. Police had run the cars license plates overnight and IDd the owners. The Harrises said they were crushed by their loss but they found support in family, friends at the Palomar faculty, who offered the campus theater for Aarons memorial. But they also had some friends who suddenly disappeared from their lives. Some people felt the Harrises should stop talking about their son after the memorial. Others were uncomfortable with the manner of his death. I think in order to empathize with someone you have to be able to relate to the experience theyre going through, said Aaron Harris, 52. They dont want to hear about suicide because its too upsetting for them to think about it happening in their lives. It wasnt until three months after their sons death that the Harrises found kindred spirits at a meeting of Survivors of Suicide Loss. The San Diego organization, known as SOSL, hosts 13 support group meetings a month in communities from Chula Vista to Sun City. Thats where they met Rex and Connie Kennemer of Rancho Bernardo. They created the Community Alliance for Healthy Minds, and the forum it presents each year, after they lost their 25-year-old son, Todd, to suicide in 2005. Like the Harrises, the Kennemers struggled to find resources and information on mental illness after their son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder just 11 months before he hanged himself in his Seattle apartment. Connie Kennemer said the stigma of mental illness keeps many sufferers from coming forward for treatment. Also, the shame of a suicide in the family sometimes causes survivors to avoid sharing their story or seeking help with their grief. The Harrises were devastated by the loss of their son Aaron, but eager to share within a group of survivors, Kennemer said. They wept openly and often, but quickly shifted into a desire to advocate, speak out, contribute to the cause of breaking the silence surrounding suicide. Rozsa said the forum and SOSL meetings give them strength because they provide her and her husband with the freedom to process their emotions in a safe environment. Now Rozsa and Connie co-facilitate their SOSL group in Rancho Bernardo and Rozsa is training to become a series speaker. Rozsas best gift to me is her humor, Connie said. She has a natural ability to draw humor out and into every meeting. She lightens the room with her laughter. Survivors need that. Aaron said events like the forum and the SOSL group not only help him deal with his grief, they also allow him the chance to give other parents some hope for the future. The worst meetings are the ones where there are new members and their grief is raw and brand new, he said. I want to tell them, youre not going to be crying every day for the rest of your life. And when you think of them, it wont just be the incident (of their death) but it will be happy memories. And I want to tell them theyre not alone. This years forum, co-hosted by the California State University Institute for Palliative Care, will offer panel discussions and breakout sessions on mental wellness, recovery and palliative care in a shame-free atmosphere. San Diego County Chief Medical Officer Nicholas Dr. Nick Yphantides will open the program followed by a screening of the documentary Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope. The film examines how many college-age adults who experienced trauma in childhood carry those memories and the anxiety it creates into their adult years. For the fifth year in a row, the conference keynote speaker is Baltimore psychiatrist Dr. Mark Komrad, author of the bestselling book You Need Help!: A Step-by-Step Plan to Convince a Loved One to Get Counseling. One of the breakout sessions will focus on the connection between mental illness and substance abuse disorder. Another, led by CSUSM Palliative Care Department director Dr. Sharon Hamill, will focus on building resiliency for a higher quality life. The program will close with a performance by stand-up comic Andrew Norelli, who has been open about his own mental health issues. The event will also include a resource fair with more than 40 booths hosted by local community organizations and programs. Forum for Healthy Minds When: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Cal State San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos Admission: Free (includes lunch with online registration) Registration: cahmsd.org pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com An initiative that would require voters countywide to approve large housing developments in the backcountry will appear on the March 2020 ballot. The Board of Supervisors, four of whom have gone on record opposing the referendum, had little choice Tuesday under state law but to approve putting the question to voters. They spent only one minute on the matter during their regular meeting. Enough verified signatures to put the measure on the ballot were collected earlier this year, but too late to have it voted on this November. The Save Our San Diego Countryside measure would take the power to approve big housing projects in unincorporated parts of the county out of the hands of the supervisors. If a project were approved via the normal planning process, voters would then have to give it the thumbs up. Advertisement If this passes, what do we need a Board of Supervisors for? said Supervisor Bill Horn. Of the 13 privately initiated General Plan Amendments currently being processed by the county, six would need voter approval if the initiative were in effect today. However, some may be approved prior to March 2020, and would not be subject to a countywide vote. Projects that would need voter approval if the initiative passes and the projects havent been approved at that time include Lilac Hills Ranch (1,636 housing units in Valley Center); Warner Ranch (768 housing units in Pala); and Warner Springs Ranch Resort in Warner Springs (692 housing units in Warner Springs). The other three are smaller developments spread across the county. Warner Ranch and Lilac Hills are tentatively scheduled to go before the supervisors for approval in December. However, a legal challenge having to do with the way greenhouse gas emissions are mitigated may delay the votes indefinitely. The approval last month of the 2,135-unit Newland Sierra project will not need voter approval. Opponents of that development north of Escondido are gathering signatures for a separate measure that would overturn the supervisors approval. If they can get enough signatures by the end of this month, that measure would also appear on the March 2020 ballot. In preparation for Tuesdays decision, the supervisors had asked for an impact report to be prepared by county staff. That report will be made available to voters. For the most part it paints a dire picture. Among other things, it says each measure that would appear on a ballot during a regularly scheduled election could cost anywhere from $950,000 to $1.3 million. If a stand-alone special election was held, it would cost $8 million to $10 million. The county would have to pay the costs; however, the supervisors could adopt an ordinance that would force the developer to pay for the election. Any additional expenses (incurred by the developer), such as increased holding costs while waiting up to one and a half years for the next election, could result in costs being passed on to home-buyers and renters, the impact report states. There are two ways General Plan Amendments could receive the required voter approval. The first would be to hold an election after it was approved by the supervisors. The second way would be for the developer to place an initiative on the ballot seeking approval directly from voters, like Lilac Hills Ranch unsuccessfully tried to do in 2016. The impact report states local control would be lost under the provisions of the initiative. Voters from National City to the City of Oceanside would decide whether a GPA within the incorporated community of Julian would be approved, it states as an example. The report also warns that the initiative could increase the time, cost and uncertainty of the GPA process due to the voter approval requirement. Such delays and costs could discourage developers from even trying, thereby reducing the potential number of homes that can be built in the county during what is an accepted housing crisis. However, the report does say the measure is somewhat consistent with the countys goals of encouraging development near urban areas or in areas of the unincorporated county called villages where higher density is desired. Pockets of land in places like central Valley Center and Fallbrook that are mostly not being developed now because the current zoning makes the land more expensive, might become more attractive to developers, the report states. Dan Silver, chief executive officer of the Endangered Habitats League, which was a major funder of the SOS initiative, said the impact report has deficiencies. In a couple ways, the report doesnt provide a complete or objective analysis, Silver said. For instance, he said, the costs of the elections are exaggerated because the county could group a number of planned amendments into one ballot question. Silver said he expects the impact report will be used by the building industry and opponents as a marketing tool. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Plans to build 26 single-family homes, including two with accessory dwelling units often called granny flats on seven acres near Lincoln Middle School have been approved despite objections from many of the nearby residents. Safety near the projects entrance on Grandview Street, a narrow road with curves and no sidewalks, was the biggest concern of most people, though some said the high-density development would not fit in with the larger lots nearby in the older Fire Mountain neighborhood. This is the wrong project at the wrong location, said resident Janet Bledsoe Lacy, an attorney and former Oceanside Unified School District board member. We are imploring the city to reject this project, which is so incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood and will have a devastating impact on the city of Oceanside as a whole. Only one of about nine speakers on the issue at the Oct. 3 City Council meeting, ONeil Straub, supported the project. He said it would bring a much-needed, gravity-fed sewer connection for his neighborhood. Advertisement All of our neighborhoods are changing, Straub said. It seems like a very nice development. Its well thought out. Traffic needs to be addressed but thats not this development. The City Council voted 3-2 to approve the project, with Esther Sanchez and Chuck Lowery opposed. I realize that people do not like projects in their neighborhood, said Councilman Jerry Kern. People that have housing dont want any more housing. Yet earlier in the meeting people had said Oceanside needs to do something about its growing homeless problem, Kern said, and to do that the city needs to build more housing. We do not solve homelessness (or) the housing crisis without building more housing, Kern said. We need housing, and we need to build it. The Oceanside Planning Commission voted unanimously last year to oppose the Grandview project, based on the developers designation of the two granny flats as the affordable housing units. The commission said the affordable housing units should be the same size as the market rate housing in the project. The developer, Grandview Community Homes, LLC., appealed the decision, and, initially, at a meeting in June the City Council upheld the Planning Commissions decision and denied the appeal. However, some council members said at the meeting that they would reconsider the project if the low-income housing concern could be addressed. As a result, the developer designated two of the full-sized homes, instead of the granny flats, to be reserved for affordable housing. The granny flats remain at the other homes. The property on Grandview, between Crouch and Hunsaker streets, is in a transitional area between the homes of Fire Mountain and the industrial area to the north along Oceanside Boulevard. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl A major new report on global warming makes a chilling prediction: Without swift and sweeping worldwide intervention, some devastating effects of climate change will hit harder and decades sooner than previously expected. The report, released Monday by a U.N. organization, served as a stark reminder of President Trumps status as a global outlier in terms of climate change and illustrated the degree to which California is at loggerheads with the White House on environmental questions. For the record: An earlier version of this article was accompanied by a graphic showing various risks depending on how much global temperatures increase above pre-industrial levels. The range of temperatures listed should have been between 0 and 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit, not 0 and 36.5 F. Trump has rejected the 2015 Paris agreement signed by 195 nations to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, expressed skepticism about human-caused climate change and vowed to increase coal-burning. A State Department official, asked about the report, declined to endorse specific findings or recommendations, saying that was not the role of governments. Gov. Jerry Brown, however, said the report showed that the world must radically change. Advertisement The big powers the United States, China, India and the European Union must show the way, the Democratic governor said in a statement. We can do it, but only if the deniers, the skeptics and the comfortable wake up to what the scientists are telling us. Without dramatic steps to reduce use of fossil fuels and lessen the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air, global temperatures could reach a tipping point in only a dozen years, the 728-page report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned. (Swetha Kannan / Los Angeles Times) That could mean that within less than a generation, the planet could see even more catastrophic wildfires, worsening food shortages and a mass die-off of coral reefs, among other effects, the authors said. Written and edited by 91 leading climate scientists from across the globe, the report amounts to a blaring klaxon call for change, experts said but one rendered in dry, dispassionate scientific language. Not only is this report the scientific gold standard, if theres anything wrong with it, its that the assumptions are conservative, said Joel Clement, a senior fellow at Harvards Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. The reality, he said, may be even worse. The first major international scientific survey commissioned under the landmark Paris climate accord, the report offered a roadmap for staving off some of the most damaging environmental effects. It called for keeping future human-caused warming to 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit, as opposed to the previous agreed-upon cap of 1.8 degrees F. Global temperatures have already risen an average of about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels. Holding the warming increase to that lower range would still mean plenty of environmental harm, but with less dire projected consequences. The report predicted that sea-level increases would be 4 inches less than otherwise; it might be possible to prevent the irreversible melting of the vast West Antarctic ice sheet, and only half as many people would be afflicted by lack of water. The panel, considered the worlds most definitive body on climate change, acknowledged that recommended steps, while technically feasible, would entail rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society energy, transport, land use, urban planning. French President Emmanuel Macron, who has championed the Paris accord, tweeted that the report brings scientific proof: we have everything we need to combat climate change. But everyone has to act now! he said. In California, Brown in recent years has signed legislation to power the states electric grid via 100% clean sources by 2045, and to by 2030 reduce the states carbon emissions by 40% below 1990 levels with both goals the most aggressive in the nation. Brown is termed out of office this year, and the leading candidate to replace him, Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, said he wants to continue Browns legacy on climate change. This is Californias great foreign policy, Newsom said during a gubernatorial debate Monday. Newsoms opponent, Republican businessman John Cox, said he believes climate change is real, but indicated he would slow down on the states efforts to combat it. Legislation such as the bill Brown signed to decarbonize the electric grid is too costly, Cox said during the debate. Were going to keep pounding this state into poverty, he said. One of the reports contributors said predicted temperature increases will be greater in the semi-arid climate of the American West. Diana Liverman, a professor of geography and development at the University of Arizona, said this would lead to even more intense heat waves, droughts, fires and downpours than California is already experiencing. Liverman praised Californias responses to climate change so far, but said the state could be investing more in technological research on capturing carbon in the atmosphere and battery storage for renewable energy. California is definitely making decisions that are consistent with our report, she said. They might not be quite enough still. The coal industry responded coolly to the report. The London-based World Coal Assn.s interim chief executive, Katie Warrick, said in a statement that the document was being reviewed, but experts continue to see a role for coal for the foreseeable future. Domestic critics of White House policies on climate change called the report one more indication of an America out of step with the rest of the world. The United States is the worlds second-largest emitter of carbon. If the US continues to put its head in the sand when it comes to climate change, the only thing for sure is that there will be a lot more sand, tweeted Richard Haass, president of the the Council on Foreign Relations. Our policy of denial and inaction will rightly be condemned by future generations who will pay an enormous price. Many of the worlds emerging economies took the report as jarring but expected. Those include India, whose 4,600-mile coastline and a large population dependent on agriculture and fisheries make it one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. The Center for Science and Environment, an influential Indian think tank, said the climate panels prognosis was incredibly grim. The report has served us a final warning that we must get our act together now and quickly, Sunita Narain, the centers director general, said in a statement. India was once seen as a potential spoiler in world climate talks because its leaders said their priority was economic development, not clean energy. But in recent years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has set ambitious targets to reduce use of fossil fuels and emerged as a leader in installing new solar power. Asked about the report, a senior official in Indias environment ministry, A.K. Mehta, said India recognizes climate change to be a real threat. Denying the reality of climate change, he said, is not going to help anyone. Times staff writer King reported from Washington, staff writer Dillon from Sacramento and staff writer Bengali from Mumbai. Staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. laura.king@latimes.com liam.dillon@latimes.com shashank.bengali@latimes.com UPDATES: 12:10 p.m., Oct 9: The graphic in this article was updated to show a progression from 32 Fahrenheit. The previous graphic incorrectly showed a progression from 0. 3:20 p.m., Oct 8: This article was updated throughout with Times reporting. This article was originally published at 12:40 a.m., Oct 8. October 9, 1970 The San Diego Union The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year. Friday, October 9, 1970 In 1970 a grand jury indicted San Diego Mayor Frank Curran and several other elected officials on charges they took bribes from the Yellow Cab Co. in exchange for supporting a rate increase. The bombshell proved to be a dud, however. Seven of the eight politicians were exonerated, and one, Councilman Allen Hitch, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge, paid a $750 fine, and kept his seat on the City Council. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: Mayor, Hom, 7 Others Indicted In Bribe Case 4 Councilmen, 2 Supervisors Named By Jury By Homer Clance Mayor Curran, Assemblyman Tom Hom, four city councilmen and two county supervisors were indicted late yesterday on felony charges. The indictments alleged irregularities in Yellow Cab Co. contributions to the defenders. They were among nine persons named in eight indictments the county grand jury returned to Superior Court Judge Verne O. Warner shortly after 5 p.m. The identity of the other defendant remained a secret until his arrest by sheriffs deputies or his surrender. More than $17,935 is alleged in the indictments to have been given in bribes by the Yellow Cab Co. to obtain a fair increase. The defendants are expected to be arraigned Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Lee Neilsen, presiding criminal court judge. Hom, the only indicted official who must face the voters in the Nov. 3 election, voluntarily drove to the county jail to be booked on the charges. Booked in the county jail, and released on their own recognizance on Warners orders, were: Curran, charged with two counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to pervert and obstruct justice. Hom, charged with three counts of accepting bribes, one count of conspiracy to pervert and obstruct justice, and one count of conspiracy to violate election laws. Councilman Mike Schaefer, charged with two counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to pervert and obstruct justice. Supervisor Harry Scheidle, a former councilman, charged with accepting a bribe, conspiracy to pervert and obstruct justice, and conspiracy to violate election laws. Councilman Allen Hitch, charged with two counts of accepting bribes, conspiracy to pervert and obstruct justice, and conspiracy to violate election laws. Councilman Helen Cobb, charged with conspiracy to pervert and obstruct justice and conspiracy to violate election laws. Superviser Jack Walsh, a former councilman, charged with conspiracy to pervert and obstruct justice and conspiracy to violate election laws. Councilman Floyd Morrow, charged with conspiracy to violate state election laws, conspiracy to obstruct justice and receiving a bribe. View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories. And then there were six. For years, lawyers from the California Innocence Project have been pushing Gov. Jerry Brown to grant clemency to a dozen people the organization says have strong cases for innocence but have exhausted all of their legal avenues for relief. They are known as the California 12 a group of men and women convicted of crimes such as robbery and first-degree murder. Over the last five years, four men and one woman have been released from custody. Soon, one more member of the California 12 could win his freedom. Advertisement Last month, Quintin Q.T. Morris was granted parole by the state Board of Parole Hearings. He has not been released from Folsom State Prison. Morris, now 53, was sentenced to prison in 1994. He was convicted in Los Angeles County of three counts of attempted murder in connection with a 1991 shooting that targeted a group of teenagers returning home from a double date. But according to the Innocence Project, based at California Western School of Law in downtown San Diego, Morris conviction was based on faulty witness identifications of both the gunman and the getaway car. An appellate attorney found that another man confessed to the shooting, prompting a judge to reverse Morris conviction. The Los Angeles County district attorneys office appealed, and the appellate court ruled it was too late for Morris to raise the issue of the other mans confession because he could have but failed to do so at trial. The court also found that the witness identification of Morris was strong. Eventually, the California Innocence Project took up the case. About a week ago, project Director Justin Brooks announced that Morris would be freed after 24 years behind bars. Attorney Alissa Bjerkhoel represented him at the parole hearing last month. On Sunday afternoon, Brooks stood on the steps of the state Capitol, where he led a rally his latest attempt to draw attention to the California 12 and persuade Brown to grant clemency to its remaining members. Brooks and others who work with or support the Innocence Project walked more than 700 miles from San Diego to Sacramento in 2013 to hand-deliver a dozen clemency petitions. Since then, Brooks has been tweeting at Brown and the governors dog, Colusa Brown daily. Hes been told that the governor has received the messages. In an acknowledgment of that 2013 march and to mark Browns last 100 days in office, Brooks walked 100 miles from from the UC Berkeley campus to the Capitol, arriving Sunday. Videos posted on social media showed Brooks, dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt that read XONR8 and shouting Free the California 12! as he and others marched. Lets scream it loud so Jerry Brown can hear us! Brooks said into his megaphone. When Morris is let out of prison, he will be the sixth member of the California 12 to have won his release, according to the Innocence Project. The others are: Michael Hanline, convicted of first-degree murder in Ventura County William Richards, convicted of murder in San Bernardino County Alan Gimenez, convicted of second-degree murder in San Diego County Guy Miles, convicted of robbery in Orange County Kimberly Long, convicted of second-degree murder in Riverside County. We have freed four of the 12 through litigation and two through the parole process, Brooks said via text message. Jerry Brown has 92 days left in office to look at these six remaining cases. I am confident that if he reads through the files and really examines the evidence we have gathered he will conclude that these six Californians are innocent and he will free them. Those remaining on the list are: Suzanne Johnson, convicted of assault on a child causing death in San Diego County Dolores Macias, convicted of second-degree murder in Los Angeles County Rodney Patrick McNeal, convicted of two counts of second-degree murder in San Bernardino County Kiera Newsome, convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County JoAnn Parks, convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County Ed Contreras, convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County. Littlefield writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. A former Border Patrol agent who was caught trying to smuggle a chemical used to make fentanyl into Mexico had also been smuggling something else: threatened and protected wildlife. Cesar Daleo last week pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to smuggle and import sea cucumbers and sea horses from Mexico into the United States. Both animals are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES. The agreement signed by 183 nations regulates trade of protected, threatened and endangered wildlife, requiring licenses for importers and exporters. The sealife are considered delicacies in China and frequently smuggled from Mexico to customers in the U.S. and beyond. Advertisement According to the plea agreement, Daleo coordinated with another man, Jesus Padilla, to get the animals to the United States for sale. He would either provide the products to others to smuggle, or he would cross the border with them himself, he admitted. In December 2014, authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry confiscated 20 pounds of dried sea cucumber and 7 pounds of sea horse hidden in his SUV, according to the plea agreement. Another time, Daleo said the seafood was groceries. At times, he would retrieve an already-smuggled load in San Diego and deliver it to others for a $300 to $500 per week fee, the plea agreement states. In one instance, after a woman had driven across 61 pounds of sea cucumber into the U.S., prosecutors accused Daleo of providing Padilla a false invoice to give to U.S. investigators that stated the importation was legal, according to the indictment. The charges go on to list a near-monthly coordination of shipments with Padilla, from late 2014 to late 2016. The plea comes months after Daleo pleaded guilty in the fentanyl case. Prosecutors said shipments of 4ANPP a chemical used to make fentanyl would come from China to a post office box in San Ysidro. Law enforcement intercepted a one 2-pound shipment, disguised in a lotus root starch package, replaced it with a harmless substance, and sent it to the post office box. Daleo was seen picking it up and driving it toward Tijuana before being arrested in August 2017. Daleo, who worked as a Border Patrol agent from 1992 to 2003, was living in a condo in Mexico at the time of his arrest. He is set to be sentenced in the drug case on Nov. 9 and the wildlife case on Dec. 21. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Home Just In Is chocapocalypse looming? Why we need to understand whats at stake Is chocolate a sustainable market? Pxhere No more chocolate by 2050? Several articles have pointed recently that we are heading to a major chocolate crisis. Global chocolate market value keeps reaching new highs, potentially doubling by 2025 compared to its 2015 level. Consumption is mainly driven by perceived health benefits such as anti-aging, antioxidant effects, stress relieve, blood pressure regulation and others. So where are the biggest chocoholics located? Traditionally, more than half of all chocolate produced is eaten in Western Europe and North America. New chocolate markets But even though developed markets are at the forefront of chocolate indulgence, future growth opportunities could be elsewhere. One way to look is toward China and India, with populations over 1 billion people each. Rapid urbanization, growing middle class and changing consumer tastes have triggered increasing appetite for chocolate. India is currently one of the fastest-growing chocolate markets, with demand steadily rising over the past years. In 2016, over 228,000 tons were consumed, an increase of 50% in comparison to 2011. Indians have a fling for anything sweet and chocolate has become one of their favourite treats as they perceive it as healthy, hence they do not hesitate when it comes to snacking. As for China, in the wake of economic reforms in early 1980, chocolate was considered as a rare delicacy. Since then, the country has lagged behind others in chocolate consumption, with less than 1kg consumed per year by an average Chinese. But things are changing as new trends like coffee culture emerge, affecting ways chocolate is used and consumed. Also, millions of affluent Chinese shop online for high quality foreign delicacies, pushing retailers such as Alibaba to rethink their business models in order to stay on top of their game. Endangered chocolate production Yet chocolate producers are struggling. Cocoa, the delicate plant behind chocolate needs humid tropical climates and shades of rainforests, which limits areas where you can grow it. Leading regions are found in West Africa, with Ivory Coast and Ghana alone contributing to more than 50% of the entire worlds production. However, as a result of global warming, cocoa cultivation in these areas is expected to literally move uphill to maintain optimal growing conditions. The challenge remains in the limited areas of land available, as many of these locations are currently banned from cultivation or might not be suitable for it. Contagion and alternative products Enemies of cocoa trees come in different shapes and sizes, two being disease and pests. Estimates indicate that these nuisances cause yearly losses of 30% to 40% of the total global cocoa production. In June of this year, Ivory Coast announced it will have to take out an entire cocoa plantation of 100,000 hectares contaminated by swollen-shoot plant virus to stop it from spreading further. It will take at least five years before the area can be it replanted again. As a result of natural hazards coupled with price fluctuations, cocoa farmers consider switching to alternatives potentially more profitable and easier to produce. Indonesia, the worlds third-largest cocoa producer, experienced declining cocoa output since 2010 due to poor weather and aging cocoa trees. Consequently, some farmers shifted production to crops such as corn, rubber or palm oil. Producers look east and south These general threats and high demands from new markets send a clear signal to major cocoa producers. Ghana, worlds second largest cocoa supplier, has its eyes on Asia and specifically China as the next big thing. To boost its yearly cocoa production, Ghana is trying to secure a $1.5 billion loan from Chinese Eximbank. Collaboration is backed by governments of both countries as mutual interest is obvious, reflected in the potential the Chinese chocolate market. Other hot destinations are found across Middle East and Africa. United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are leaders in chocolate spend per person, well above the regional average. Consumers in these markets perceive chocolate as a wealth symbol, driving demand for premium brands. Chocolate confectionery in Algeria has a healthy performance as well, driven by different rationale. According to Euromonitor, Algerians consider chocolate to be an energy booster making individual consumption thrive particularly among youth, while it is less present in gift giving. Is sustainable chocolate real? The largest chocolate producers take an active part in sustainability initiatives such as Rainforest Alliance, UTZ and Fairtrade. US-based Mars Wrigley Confectionary, leading global candy maker by net sales in 2017, dedicated $1 billion funding to help create more heat-resistant cocoa. Moreover, in 2009 Mars was the first major chocolate company to commit to 100% certified cocoa by 2020, followed later by its competitors Hersheys, Ferrero and Lindt. Mondelez International wants all of its cocoa sustainable as well. Milka is the latest one of its brands to join Cocoa Life, launched in 2012, aiming to empower cocoa farmers. While these initiatives are a great leap forward, main supply-chain stakeholders admit that theyre not sufficient to bring cocoa farmers out of poverty, which is one of the major problems they face. An example is Ivory Coast, a primary cocoa producing country. A UTZ-certified cocoa farmer will only earn an additional yearly income of 84 to 134 approximately 16% more in comparison to the non-certified one. UTZ (compiled by ConfectionaryNews) Other constraints emerge, such as limited reach of certification. Farmers should be members of cooperatives to benefit fully from the process. In the case of Ivory Coast only around 30% of them are currently in. Another difficulty is to ensure that no child labour is used over the entire supply chain, something thats basically impossible to control. Local cocoa producers in Africa have plans of their own, with an announced OPEC-like initiative. They want to have more influence over global cocoa prices by better coordinating production levels and sales policies between countries. This could better protect small cocoa farmers who are vulnerable to price swings in global market. While claims of a looming chocapocalypse might be overblown for the time being, risks are real and we need to be mindful of them. It is optimistic to see that main stakeholders in the process of chocolate manufacture are pitching in with their own contribution. Whether it will be enough to secure the future of chocolate remains to be seen. Jovana Stanisljevic, Professor in International Business, Department People, Organization, Society, Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Thousands of people across a vast stretch of the Gulf Coast rushed to board up their homes and businesses Tuesday as Hurricane Michael strengthened into a Category 3 storm, threatening Floridas Panhandle with powerful winds, life-threatening storm surge and torrential rain. At its current strength, Michael would be the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. mainland this year. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami warned late Tuesday that the storm would intensify to a Category 4, with winds topping 130 mph, before making landfall. #HurricaneMichael will be the strongest storm to impact portions of Florida in more than 100 years, Floridas State Emergency Response Team posted on Twitter on Tuesday night. DO NOT IGNORE #EVACUATION ORDERS. Advertisement Earlier, Florida Gov. Rick Scott also had words of warning. Let me be clear: Hurricane Michael is a monstrous storm, and the forecast keeps getting more dangerous, he said Tuesday at a news conference at the Citrus County Emergency Operations Center in Lecanto. The time to prepare is right now. If you dont follow warnings from officials, this storm could kill you. In Panama City, a coastal town that is home to about 37,000 people and two military bases, many homes were empty and boarded up. Downtown, almost all businesses ice cream and coffee shops, craft beer emporiums and seafood restaurants, pharmacies and law firms were shuttered. Still, many residents had not left, flouting mandatory evacuation orders in effect in low-lying areas. Jessica Langston, 78, a retired electronic technician in Panama City who lives alone in a one-story home with a view of St. Andrew Bay, tried to reassure her daughter in Miami via cellphone that she would be OK. Im going to stay put, she said firmly as she swayed in a white pergola swing under a cluster of live oaks and gazed at the waves gently lapping the shore. Not only is her home separated from the ocean by a two-lane highway, she said, but it sits atop an Indian mound and is buffered by Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island across the bay. Her windows were boarded up and her trees freshly trimmed, and she had already cooked and stockpiled food: cheese tamales, squash soup and seven-bean soup with sausage. A 96-year-old neighbor is staying too, and Langston planned to check on him. Im blessed I have people who care, but Im here because I want to be, she said. This is home and there are people here who need me. Haskel Johnson, from left, Daniel Tippett, Jennifer Tippett and Nobuko Johnson fill sandbags in Lynn Haven, Fla., on Monday. (Patti Blake / News Herald) On Tuesday evening, Michael was about 255 miles south of Panama City, moving north with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. A hurricane warning was in effect from the Alabama border to the Suwannee River mouth in Florida, and a storm surge warning was in effect from Floridas Okaloosa-Walton county line to the Anclote River near Tampa. Scott had already declared a state of emergency for more than 35 counties and activated 2,500 Florida National Guard troops. On Tuesday, President Trump signed a pre-landfall disaster declaration giving the region access to federal resources and assistance. Trump urged Floridians to prepare for Michael, which he warned could be more powerful than Hurricane Florence, the slow-moving Category 1 hurricane that inundated the Carolinas with rain last month. Michael intensified rapidly over 24 hours Sunday and Monday, growing from a tropical storm with sustained winds of 40 mph to a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph. Good news is, the folks in the Pan Handle can take care of anything. @FEMA and First Responders are ready - be prepared! Trump said in a Twitter post. The National Hurricane Center expects Michael to keep strengthening as it moves north across the eastern Gulf of Mexico overnight. It is forecast to move inland over the Florida Panhandle or the states Big Bend area on Wednesday, then weaken as it moves northeast across the southeastern United States on Wednesday night and Thursday. The hurricane center warned coastal residents that a combination of a dangerous storm surge and high tide could cause normally dry areas to be flooded. Storm surges along the Florida coast could be as high as 12 feet from Indian Pass to Cedar Key. Michael is expected to lash coastal areas of Florida, Alabama and Georgia with as much as 12 inches of rain. Farther inland, damaging winds, torrential rain and life-threatening flash floods are forecast for parts of Georgia and Alabama. The last big storm to strike this part of the Gulf Coast was Hurricane Hermine, which in 2016 left hundreds of thousands of residents including more than 80% of residents of the state capital, Tallahassee without electricity. About 10 miles to the west of Panama City in the beach resort town of Panama City Beach, sno-ball shacks, karaoke bars, henna tattoo stores, saloons, a miniature golf course and an oyster pub were shuttered along the main strip. THANKS MICHAEL FOR RUININ OUR VACATION, someone had spray-painted on plywood boards covering windows outside the Tropix beach shop on Front Beach Road. A few blocks from the ocean, John Greathouse, an 81-year-old retiree who has lived in his two-story home on Bay Avenue for 25 years, said he was confident it would survive Michael. After all, he had made it through Hurricane Opal, a powerful Category 3 hurricane that made landfall at Pensacola Beach in 1995. Im staying, he said as he ambled along his quiet residential street Tuesday afternoon. This is the highest point on Panama City Beach. Exhausted after getting up at 4 a.m. to get gas, Greathouse had already installed shutters on his front and rear windows. But he still had to take his porch swing down and move his potted plants inside. As some neighbors piled clothes and pets into their cars; others were leaning toward staying. Im pretty freaked out, Denese Goldberg, a 65-year-old retired legal secretary, said as she sat in her neighbors carport a few blocks from the ocean playing poker with quarters. Goldberg moved to Panama City Beach from Monroe, Ga., 18 months ago and had never been through a hurricane. She said if Michael intensified, she might evacuate. But for now, she planned to ride it out with her four cats in her neighbors brick home. Were just gonna judge it as it comes, said the neighbor, Marion Staples. Sometimes they say its terrible and it turns out to be nothing. Bobby Smith boards up the windows at Janis Ceramics in Panama City, Fla., on Monday in preparation for Hurricane Michael. (Patti Blake / News Herald) UPDATES: 8:25 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting. 2:40 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect the hurricane upgrading to a Category 3 hurricane. 12:15 p.m.: This article was updated with the hurricane closing in on the Florida Panhandle. 5:30 a.m.: This article was updated with Michael growing into a Category 2 hurricane. This article was originally published at 2:50 a.m. The announcement on Tuesday that Nikki Haley soon plans to step down as ambassador to the United Nations underscores the degree to which President Trump has surrounded himself with advisors willing to press his nationalist America first agenda, leaving her on the periphery of policymaking. Haleys departure, effective at the end of the year, is yet another sign that Trump is feeling freer to act more boldly, even unilaterally, as many of the administration officials he believed were trying to thwart him in his first year have been replaced by men with Trumps trust, notably Michael R. Pompeo and John Bolton. Though the announcement caught many in the administration by surprise, Trump said Haley told him six months ago that she planned to leave after serving two years in the post. He said he would name a successor within the next two or three weeks. Their earlier discussion about her exit plans would roughly coincide with a period of staff changes that diminished Haleys clout within the administration, when Trump appointed Pompeo as secretary of State and Bolton as national security advisor. Both men have larger personalities, more aggressive policy agendas and closer ties to Trump than their predecessors, Rex Tillerson and H.R. McMaster, respectively. Advertisement Haley has had to run issues by the two men before going public. Previously, she had enjoyed relative autonomy. It was also widely rumored at the time that she had wanted the secretary of State job, and there was considerable tension between her and Pompeo and even more with Bolton. Speculation immediately swirled on whom Trump will appoint as Haleys replacement. Though Trump praised his daughter Ivanka Trumps qualifications, he said that choosing her would invite controversy; she later tweeted she would not replace Haley. Late Tuesday, the president told reporters on Air Force One that he had a short list of five candidates, including Dina Powell, his former deputy national security advisor, who reportedly spent the weekend with Haley. He said he would consider Richard Grenell, current ambassador to Germany, but that Grenell is not on the list and hed rather keep Ric where he is. Grenell has antagonized allies in Europe, openly supporting right-wing parties there. Trump could also choose to appoint his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Haley lavishly praised Kushner and Ivanka Trump during her exit remarks, asserting that Kushner has been a hidden genius that no one understands as an advisor to the president on trade and Middle East policy. With Bolton gaining prominence, the U.N. ambassadorship may be downgraded below Cabinet level, making the lines of authority clearer. Bolton detests the U.N. and most global institutions. Trump effusively praised Haley, telling reporters, Shes done a fantastic job, and weve done a fantastic job together. He said hed be happy to have her back in another position. Haley made clear she wants to make more money. In her resignation letter, dated Oct. 3, she told Trump that as a businessman, I expect you will appreciate my sense that returning from government to the private sector is not a step down but a step up. Her personal financial disclosure form reveals two credit card debts one ranging between $15,001 and $50,000 and another ranging from $10,001 and $15,000 as well as a line of credit between $250,001 and $500,000. Haleys announcement marked a rare example of a senior Trump administration official making a graceful exit. The president said she brought glamour and prestige to the position. He allowed her to address reporters from the Oval Office, seated beside him in matching yellow chairs a break from the abrupt tweets Trump often has used to announce staff changes. Haley, in turn, thanked Trump and praised his wife, daughter and son-in-law before mentioning her own family. She also moved quickly to squelch speculation about her political ambitions. No, I am not running in 2020, she said without being asked, adding she would campaign for Trumps reelection. Haley, who called herself a lucky girl, said she was leaving because she needed to take time out after an intense six years, four as governor of South Carolina followed by two tumultuous years at the U.N. She has served at the U.N. since the start of Trumps presidency. In her first year she benefited enormously from the vacuum left by Tillerson, veteran diplomat Aaron David Miller said in a tweet: Now with Pompeo and Bolton around the job is no longer fun. Ian Bremmer, president of the analytical Eurasia Group, said Haleys departure is a big loss for the administration. Easily one of the most capable and successful appointees in the administration, he tweeted. With Trump beside her, Haley praised the effectiveness of his foreign policy efforts, which have drawn widespread criticism. Now, the United States is respected, she said. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. A recent survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center showed public opinion toward the United States has plummeted in many countries since Trump took office. Haley cited Trumps tough trade policy and his decisions to leave the multinational Iran nuclear deal and to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, which infuriated many allies and regional partners. Trump, she said, is showing the rest of the world we will put our embassy where we want to put our embassy. She also took credit for cutting the U.S. contribution to the U.N. budget, characterizing it as a move toward more efficiency. Haley achieved a rare feat in the administration, maintaining her personal popularity despite the presidents polarizing politics. An April Quinnipiac University poll found 63% of voters approved of her job performance, compared with 17% who disapproved. That included a majority, 55%, of Democrats. The 46-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants has been viewed as a rising star within the Republican Party and is widely believed to harbor ambitions for higher office. During the 2016 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, Haley endorsed one of Trumps party primary opponents, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Trump recalled their past differences but said hed become close to Haley. Establishment Republicans, many of them suspicious of Trumps America first approach, have tended to give her the benefit of the doubt, even as she carries out his agenda. They are pleased, for example, that she has been more outspoken against Russia than Trump. Nikki Haley has been a clear, consistent and powerful voice for Americas interests and democratic principles on the world stage, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said in a tweet. She challenged friend and foe to be better. I am saddened that she is leaving the administration, but so grateful for her service. Haley sometimes used less-than-diplomatic language when she spoke at the U.N. whether to scold the body for what she called an anti-Israel bias, to threaten to take names of countries that oppose American policy toward Israel, or to threaten Syria with attack if President Bashar Assad again attacked his people with chemical weapons. If the Syrian regime uses this poisonous gas again, the United States is locked and loaded, she said at the Security Council in April. That same month, Haley got into a public spat with the White House when she went on television to announce new sanctions against Russia. Trump balked at imposing them, and his senior economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, then went before cameras to say that Haley must have been confused. I dont get confused, Haley snapped back. It was her public loyalty to Trump that kept her in his good graces. When the New York Times recently published an anonymous opinion piece on resistance to the president from within, claiming he occasionally acts impulsively against the countrys best interests, Haley quickly responded in the Washington Post, in part to deflect any suggestions that she wrote the Times piece. She defended Trump and said that when she has disagreements, she goes to Trump in person. UPDATES: 4:05 p.m.: The article was updated throughout with additional context, comments from Trump about possible successors to Haley, and Ivanka Trumps tweet about not being her replacement. 8:40 a.m.: The article was updated with comments from the meeting between Haley and Trump. 7:55 a.m.: The article was updated with quotes from the resignation announcement. The article was originally published at 7:10 a.m. A British man was killed by a sea snake bite while working on a trawler off the coast of northern Australia. Harry Evans, 23, from Dorset, was pulling up a fishing net when he was bitten Thursday. He was working in a job he loved and was living his dream, his mother Sharon Evans told the Press Association. He had contact with his family and friends at home regularly and couldnt have been any more loved. We couldnt have been prouder of him. Advertisement After being bitten, he didnt show any signs of illness until his condition quickly worsened. They were four hours from land and there were other boats in the area and they rushed to help, Evans told The Sun. But there was very little that anyone could do. St. John Ambulance spokesman Craig Garraway estimated Evans died within two hours of getting bit. Bryan Fry, an associate professor from the University of Queensland, told the BBC that Evans death was a tragically unlucky accident. By and large they are very gentle animals, and people do go scuba diving with them all the time, he said. All sea snakes discovered so far are venomous and produce some of the most dangerous venoms known in the animal kingdom but most species are considered to be non-aggressive, according to the Marine Education Society of Australasia. With News Wire Services Hurricane Michael is a Category 3 storm, making it a major hurricane, as of the 5 p.m. Tuesday advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The latest forecast shows Michael coming ashore midday Wednesday. A hurricane warning extends from the Florida-Alabama border to the mouth of the Suwannee River in the middle of the states Big Bend, which refers to the Gulf Coast where the Panhandle curves down to the peninsula. Rain prediction for Hurricane Michael over the next three days. (Greg Good/TNS) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, TCN - OUTS ** (Greg Good / TNS) Advertisement As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the hurricanes peak winds were 120 mph with higher gusts. And it is anticipated to keep getting stronger. Some additional strengthening is expected, and Michael is forecast to be a major hurricane at landfall in Florida, said the hurricane centers 5 p.m. advisory. Michael was about 300 miles south of Panama City Beach and was moving north at 12 mph. Hurricane-force winds were extending out about 45 miles from the eye of the storm. Tropical storm-strength winds were radiating out up to 175 miles from the core. (NOAA/GOES-East) While Florence took five days between the time it turned into a hurricane and the moment it rolled into the Carolinas, Michael gave Florida what amounted to two days notice. It developed into a hurricane on Monday, and by Tuesday, more than 140,000 people were under mandatory evacuation orders. We dont know if its going to wipe out our house or not, Jason McDonald, of Panama City, said as he and his wife drove north into Alabama with their two children, ages 5 and 7. We want to get them out of the way. Coastal residents rushed to board up their homes and stock up on bottled water and other supplies. Julie Logsdon loads her dogs Tobias and Luna into her car in Panama City, Fla., as Hurricane Michael approaches on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. She is evacuating with her husband, four pets and belongings that could get damaged if the house leaks. (Joshua Boucher/News Herald via AP) (Joshua Boucher / AP) Storm surge from Michael has the potential to be life-threatening. When Michael hits land, it could bring dangerous rushes of water, perhaps as much as 13 feet in some areas, and could dump as much as a foot of rain as it moves inland. On Tuesday afternoon forecasters at the National Hurricane Center were saying Michael was already pushing storm surge into the Florida Panhandle, hours before the storms expected landfall. Storm surge unit chief Jamie Rhome said water levels along the Gulf of Mexico were much higher than normal by mid-afternoon Tuesday. The Okaloosa Sheriffs Office posted images on social media of water creeping up yards and under boat docks of waterfront homes. In Bay County, the sheriffs office posted images of a flooded road under gray skies. 1 / 107 Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in Mexico Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Search-and-rescue teams fanned out across the Florida Panhandle to reach trapped people in Michaels wake Thursday as daylight yielded scenes of rows upon rows of houses smashed to pieces by the third-most powerful hurricane on record to hit the continental U.S. (SevereStudios.com) 2 / 107 Damage from Hurricane Michael is seen in Mexico Beach, Fla. on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Search-and-rescue teams fanned out across the Florida Panhandle to reach trapped people in Michaels wake Thursday as daylight yielded scenes of rows upon rows of houses smashed to pieces by the third-most powerful hurricane on record to hit the continental U.S. (SevereStudios.com) 3 / 107 Firefighter Austin Schlarb performs a door to door search in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 4 / 107 Rescue personnel perform a search in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 5 / 107 A storm chaser climbs into his vehicle during the eye of Hurricane Michael to retrieve equipment after a hotel canopy collapsed in Panama City Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 6 / 107 In this aerial view, storm damaged boats are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. - Residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devastation Thursday after Michael tore a path through the coastal region as a powerful hurricane that killed at least two people. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images) 7 / 107 A storm damaged motel is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. - Residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devastation Thursday after Michael tore a path through the coastal region as a powerful hurricane that killed at least two people. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images) 8 / 107 In this image released by the US Coast Guard (USCG), Coast Guard crew members aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane fly over damaged homes near Apalachicola, Florida, on October 11, 2018, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. - Residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devastation Thursday after Michael tore a path through the coastal region as a powerful hurricane that killed at least two people. (ASHLEY J. JOHNSON / AFP/Getty Images) 9 / 107 In this aerial view, storm damaged boats are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. - Residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devastation Thursday after Michael tore a path through the coastal region as a powerful hurricane that killed at least two people. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images) 10 / 107 In this aerial view, a storm damaged church is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. - Residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devastation Thursday after Michael tore a path through the coastal region as a powerful hurricane that killed at least two people. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images) 11 / 107 Mishelle McPherson looks her friend Agnes Vicari in the rubble of her home, since she knows she stayed behind in the home during Hurricane Michael, in Mexico Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 12 / 107 A boat sits amidst debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 13 / 107 A boat sits amidst debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 14 / 107 Boats are seen piled up in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. - Residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devastation Thursday after Michael tore a path through the coastal region as a powerful hurricane that killed at least two people. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images) 15 / 107 Rescue personnel perform a search in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 16 / 107 A boat sits amidst debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 17 / 107 People hold hands as they walk amidst destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 18 / 107 This photo made available by NASA shows they eye of Hurricane Michael, as seen from the International Space Station on Oct. 10, 2018. (NASA) 19 / 107 A storm chaser films from underneath a hotel canopy during Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 20 / 107 Kathy Coy stands among what is left of her home after Hurricane Michael destroyed it on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. She said she was in the home when it was blown apart and is thankful to be alive. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 21 / 107 The Cooter Stew Cafe starts taking water in the town of Saint Marks as Hurricane Michael pushes the storm surge up the Wakulla and Saint Marks Rivers which come together here on October 10, 2018 in Saint Marks, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 4 storm. (Mark Wallheiser / XX) 22 / 107 Mitchell Pope tries to salvage what he can from his mobile home as Hurricane Michael pushes the storm surge up the Wakulla and Saint Marks Rivers which come together here on October 10, 2018 in Saint Marks, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 4 storm. (Mark Wallheiser / XX) 23 / 107 Shields Marina starts taking water in the town of Saint Marks as Hurricane Michael pushes the storm surge up the Wakulla and Saint Marks Rivers which come together here on October 10, 2018 in Saint Marks, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 4 storm. (Mark Wallheiser / XX) 24 / 107 Bo Lynns Market starts taking water in the town of Saint Marks as Hurricane Michael pushes the storm surge up the Wakulla and Saint Marks Rivers which come together here on October 10, 2018 in Saint Marks, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 4 storm. (Mark Wallheiser / XX) 25 / 107 Drivers line up for gasoline in Tallahassee, Fla., on Oct. 8, 2018 as Hurricane Michael bears down on Floridas northern Gulf coast. (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) 26 / 107 A trash can and debris are blown down a street by Hurricane Michael on Oct. 10, 2018, in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 27 / 107 From left, Haskel Johnson, Daniel Tippett, Jennifer Tippett and Nobuko Johnson fill sand bags at the Lynn Haven Sports Complex in Lynn Haven, Fla., on Oct. 8, 2018, to prepare for Hurricane Michael. (Patti Blake/News Herald) 28 / 107 A hotel employee holds a glass door closed as it breaks from flying debris during Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 29 / 107 Carol Cathey spray paints the words Calm down Michael on the plywood over her daughters business in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 9, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 30 / 107 A tourist attraction is seen with its doors boarded up to offer protection from Hurricane Michael on Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Fla. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images) 31 / 107 A storm chaser climbs into his vehicle during the eye of Hurricane Michael to retrieve equipment after a hotel canopy collapsed in Panama City Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 32 / 107 Patrons who so far have chosen not to evacuate gather at Busters Beer & Bait for drinks in on Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Fla. (Gerald Herbert/AP) 33 / 107 A damaged home is seen after hurricane Michael passed through the area on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 34 / 107 Chris Seaman works on placing plywood over the windows of a CVS store as he prepares it for the arrival of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 9, 2018, in Port St. Joe, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 35 / 107 An American flag flies from a broken flag pole after hurricane Michael passed through the downtown area on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 36 / 107 People visit the beach while waiting for Hurricane Michael on Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Fla (Brendan Smialwoski/AFP/Getty Images) 37 / 107 Debris is seen after hurricane Michael passed through the downtown area on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 38 / 107 Mike Lindsey stands in his antique shop after the winds from hurricane Michael broke the windows in his shop on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 39 / 107 Xavier McKenzie puts a bag of ice into his familys car on Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City, Fla. (Joshua Boucher/News Herald) 40 / 107 Port St. Joe Lodge number 111, at right, lay in ruins on Oct. 10, 2018, in Port St. Joe, Fla., after Hurricane Michael made landfall. (Douglas R. Clifford / Tampa Bay Times) 41 / 107 Joy Brown goes through paper work at her market, Bo Lynns Grocery, prior to the arrival of Hurricane Mitchell on Oct. 9, 2018, in Saint Marks, Fla. (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) 42 / 107 Carol Ralph walks through downed trees blocking her heavily damaged neighborhood just after Hurricane Michael passed through in Panama City, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 43 / 107 People look out to the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Michael approaches Oct. 9, 2018, in Panama City Beach, Fla. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images) 44 / 107 Dorian Carter looks under furniture for a missing cat after several trees fell on their home during Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 45 / 107 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration public affairs officer Dennis Feltgen updates the progress of Hurricane Michael on a large map on Oct. 9, 2018, at the Hurricane Center in Miami. (Wilfredo Lee/AP) 46 / 107 View of damages to the Presbyterian school in Panama City, Fla., downtown area after Hurricane Michael made landfall along Floridas Panhandle on Oct. 10, 2018. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald) 47 / 107 Tad West and Caitlyn Martin hang out on an empty Shell Point Beach as the sun sets prior to the arrival of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 9, 2018 in Crawfordville, Fla. (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) 48 / 107 Brian Bon inspects damages in the Panama City, Fla., downtown area after Hurricane Michael made landfall along Floridas Panhandle on Oct. 10, 2018. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald) 49 / 107 David Gage and Christal Gage and their dog, Bear, relax on the back of their pickup truck next to the ocean on Oct. 9, 2018, as they wait for the arrival of Hurricane Michael in Parker, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 50 / 107 Cars are consumed by Hurricane Michaels floodwaters in Panama City, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2018. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) 51 / 107 People hang out on the beach on Oct. 9, 2018 in Panama City Beach as Hurricane Michael approaches Florida. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images) 52 / 107 A television reporte stands watching as Hurricane Michael whips the trees in Panama City Beach, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2018. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) 53 / 107 A customer enters a boarded up gas station ahead of Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach, Florida, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Luke Sharrett / Bloomberg) 54 / 107 An American flag battered by Hurricane Michael continues to fly in the in the rose colored light of sunset at Shell Point Beach in Crawfordville, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2018. (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) 55 / 107 Pets are checked in, as people seek safety in a shelter as Hurricane Michael approaches on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) 56 / 107 A man takes some tobacco products from a damaged store after hurricane Michael passed through the area on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 57 / 107 Waves from the Choctawhatchee Bay pound the seawall on Wednesday Oct. 10, 2018, on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. as Hurricane Michael closes in on land. (Nick Tomecek / Northwest Florida Daily News) 58 / 107 Phlomena Telker stands on what was her covered porch after hurricane Michael tore the roof of her home as it passed through the area on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 59 / 107 People photograph the surf from encroaching Hurricane Michael, which is expected to make landfall today, in Panama City Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 60 / 107 Charles Swaney sits in a motel office after Hurricane Michael Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) 61 / 107 A car is seen in a parking lot while flooding begins as Hurricane Michael approaches on October 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) 62 / 107 A woman and her children wain near a destroyed gas station after Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida on October 10, 2018. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) 63 / 107 People seek safety in a shelter as Hurricane Michael approaches on Oct. 10, 2018, in Panama City, Florida. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) 64 / 107 Amanda Logsdon begins the process of trying to clean up her home after the roof was blown off by the passing winds of Hurricane Michael on October 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 65 / 107 Residents clear a road of fallen trees in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) 66 / 107 Kevin Futch, an employee at the Aloft Hotel tosses furniture into the pool at daybreak as Hurricane Michael approaches on Oct. 10, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Mark Wallheiser / Getty Images) 67 / 107 Debris is seen in the trees after hurricane Michael passed through the area on Oct. 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 68 / 107 Kristasia Crawford and Tammy Crawford stand in front of their home that is covered with fallen trees and was heavily damaged by the passing winds of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 69 / 107 A view of a hotel room with a collapsed wall in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 11, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) 70 / 107 Kathy Eaton takes what she can from her home as she tries to get out of the way of the storm as the outerbands of hurricane Michael arrive on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City Beach, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 4 storm. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 71 / 107 Hector Benthall, right, gets a hug from his neighbor Keito Jordan after remnants of Hurricane Michael sent a tree crashing into Benthalls home on October 11, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. Jordan was the first responder to the accident that sent at least one person to the hospital. (Sean Rayford / Getty Images) 72 / 107 Emily Hindle lies on the floor at an evacuation shelter set up at Rutherford High School, in advance of Hurricane Matthew, which is expected to make landfall today, in Panama City Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 73 / 107 This infrared satellite image made available by NOAA shows Hurricane Michael approaching the Florida panhandle on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 at 11:40 a.m. EDT. (NOAA) 74 / 107 The town of Saint Marks goes underwater as Hurricane Michael pushes the storm surge up the Wakulla and Saint Marks Rivers which come together here on October 10, 2018 in Saint Marks, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 4 storm. (Mark Wallheiser / XX) 75 / 107 Scott Brazer and his dog Franklin take shelter in a parking garage as Hurricane Michael passes through the area on October 10, 2018 in Panama City. The hurricane made landfall as a Category 4 storm. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 76 / 107 Debris is blown down a street by Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018 in Panama City. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 77 / 107 A trash can and debris are blown down a street by Hurricane Michael on October 10, 2018 in Panama City. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 78 / 107 Frank Gaetano takes shelter in a parking garage as Hurricane Michael passes through the area on October 10, 2018 in Panama City. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 79 / 107 Derik Kline takes shelter in a parking garage as Hurricane Michael passes through the area on October 10, 2018 in Panama City. The hurricane made landfall in Floridas Panhandle as a Category 4 storm. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 80 / 107 Hotel employees look at a canopy that just collapsed, as Hurricane Michael passes through in Panama City Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 81 / 107 An electric transformer explodes in the distance as heavy rains and wind from Hurricane Michael blanket the Florida State University campus Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Chris OMeara / AP) 82 / 107 Waves crash against the Malecon, triggered by the outer bands of Hurricane Michael, as tourists drive past in a classic American car in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. A fast and furious Hurricane Michael is churning toward the Florida Panhandle with 110 mph winds and a potential storm surge of 12 feet, giving tens of thousands of people precious little time to get out. (Ramon Espinosa / AP) 83 / 107 Waves crash against a seawall as Hurricane Michael approaches on Oct. 9, 2018, in Eastpoint, Fla. (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) 84 / 107 An unidentified person takes pictures of the surf and fishing pier on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2018, as Hurricane Michael approaches the Florida Gulf Coast. (Devon Ravine / Northwest Florida Daily News ) 85 / 107 Cameron Sadowski walks along where waves are crashing onto the beach as the outer bands of hurricane Michael arrive on Oct. 10, 2018 in Panama City Beach, Florida. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 86 / 107 Heavy surf from the approaching Hurricane Michael pounds the fishing pier on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2018. (Devon Ravine / Northwest Florida Daily News) 87 / 107 Derik Kline takes shelter in a parking garage as Hurricane Michael passes through the area on October 10, 2018 in Panama City, Florida. The hurricane made landfall on the Florida Panhandle as a category 4 storm. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) 88 / 107 A woman checks on her vehicle as Hurricane Michael passes through, after the hotel canopy had just collapsed, in Panama City Beach, Fla., Oct. 10, 2018. (Gerald Herbert / AP) 89 / 107 MEXICO BEACH, FL - OCTOBER 09: Carol Cathey spray paints the words Calm down Michael on the plywood over her daughters business in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Michael on October 9, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 3 storm. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle / ) 90 / 107 EASTPOINT, FL - OCTOBER 09: Waves crash against a home seawall as the surge starts pushing the tide higher as Hurricane Michael approaches on October 9, 2018 in Eastpoint, Florida. The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 3 storm. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) (Mark Wallheiser / Getty Images) 91 / 107 People look out to the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Michael approaches October 9, 2018 in Panama City Beach, Florida - Hurricane Michael strengthened to a Category 2 storm with winds over 100 miles per hour on Tuesday as Floridas governor warned it could bring total devastation to parts of the southern US state. The storm -- currently located over the Gulf of Mexico -- is sweeping toward the Florida coast at around 12 miles (19 kilometers) per hour and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon, bringing with it life threatening storm surges and heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center said. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images) 92 / 107 Krystal Day, of Homosassa, Fla., left, leads a sandbag assembly line at the Old Port Cove restaurant Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, in Ozello, Fla. Employees were hoping to protect the restaurant from floodwaters as Hurricane Michael continues to churn in the Gulf of Mexico heading for the Florida panhandle. (AP Photo/Chris OMeara) (Chris OMeara / AP) 93 / 107 TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 08: Drivers line up for gasoline as Hurricane Michael bears down on the northern Gulf coast of Florida on October 8, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Michael was forecast to become a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph when it makes landfall in the Florida panhandle later this week. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD ** (Mark Wallheiser / Getty Images) 94 / 107 TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 08: Drivers line up for gasoline as Hurricane Michael bears down on the northern Gulf coast of Florida on October 8, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Michael was forecast to become a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph when it makes landfall in the Florida panhandle later this week. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD ** (Mark Wallheiser / Getty Images) 95 / 107 TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 08: People line up for gasoline as Hurricane Michael bears down on the northern Gulf coast of Florida on October 8, 2018 outside Tallahassee, Florida. Michael was forecast to become a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 mph when it makes landfall in the Florida panhandle later this week. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD ** (Mark Wallheiser / Getty Images) 96 / 107 Julie Logsdon loads her dogs Tobias and Luna into her car in Panama City, Fla., as Hurricane Michael approaches on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. She is evacuating with her husband, four pets and belongings that could get damaged if the house leaks. (Joshua Boucher/News Herald via AP) (Joshua Boucher / AP) 97 / 107 Bobby Smith boards up the windows at Janis Ceramics in Panama City, Fla., on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Michael. (Patti Blake/News Herald via AP) (Patti Blake / AP) 98 / 107 Bobby Smith boards up the windows at Janis Ceramics in Panama City, Fla., on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Michael. (Patti Blake/News Herald via AP) (Patti Blake / AP) 99 / 107 Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Andrew Gillum, left, helps Eboni Sipling fill up sandbags in Tallahassee, Fla., Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Residents in Floridas Panhandle and Big Bend are getting ready for Hurricane Michael, which is expected to make landfall by midweek. (AP Photo/Gary Fineout) (Gary Fineout / AP) 100 / 107 From left, Haskel Johnson, Daniel Tippett, Jennifer Tippett and Nobuko Johnson fill sand bags at the Lynn Haven Sports Complex in Lynn Haven, Fla., Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, to prepare for Hurricane Michael. (Patti Blake /News Herald via AP) (Patti Blake / AP) 101 / 107 Rob Docko ties a knot while securing his boat at the St. Andrews Marina in Panama City, Fla., Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, to prepare for Hurricane Michael. (Patti Blake /News Herald via AP) (Patti Blake / AP) 102 / 107 Capt. Steve Haeusler, left, and Wyatt Ferreira take down the sign for Haeuslers charter fishing boat First Light on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Boat captains in this fishing community were relocating their vessels to safer locations in advance of Hurricane Michael. (Devon Ravine/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) (Devon Ravine / AP) 103 / 107 Wyatt Ferreira gets ready to move the charter fishing boat First Light from its mooring in the harbor in Destin, Fla., Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Boat captains in this fishing community were relocating their vessels to safer waters in advance of Hurricane Michael. (Devon Ravine/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) (Devon Ravine / AP) 104 / 107 Aaron Smith carries a couple hundred feet of anchor rope as prepares to move his charter fishing boat Sea Fix from the Destin Harbor in Destin, Fla., on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Boat captains in this fishing community were relocating their vessels to safer locations in advance of Hurricane Michael. (Devon Ravine/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) (Devon Ravine / AP) 105 / 107 Commercial boats leave the Destin Harbor in Destin, Fla., on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Residents of this Florida panhandle city were busy Monday readying themselves for Hurricane Michael, which is predicted to make landfall somewhere around Panama City, Fla. (Devon Ravine/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) (Devon Ravine / AP) 106 / 107 Pictures: Hurricane Michael (National Hurricane Center) 107 / 107 This NOAA/RAMMB satellite image taken on October 8, 2018 at 16:45 UTC shows Hurricane Michael off the US Gulf Coast. - Tropical storm Michael strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane October 8, 2018 as it barreled toward the US Gulf Coast packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, meteorologists said. The weather system was located between Mexicos Yucatan peninsula and the west coast of Cuba by 1500 GMT and was heading slowly towards the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said. (Photo by HO / NOAA/RAMMB / AFP) (HO / AFP/Getty Images) During a news conference Tuesday morning in Tallahassee, Governor Rick Scott said Hurricane Michael is expected to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades. On the Florida Panhandle, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan bluntly advised residents who choose to ride out the storm that first responders wont be able to reach them during or immediately after Michael smashes into the coast. If you decide to stay in your home and a tree falls on your house or the storm surge catches you and youre now calling for help, theres no one that can respond to help you, Morgan said at a news conference. Aside from blustery weather and some tropical rains, Michael is not expected to significantly affect South Florida. (National Hurricane Center(National Hurricane Center)) In the small Panhandle city of Apalachicola, Mayor Van Johnson Sr. said the 2,300 residents are frantically preparing for a major hurricane strike that could be unlike any there in decades. Were looking at a significant storm with significant impact, possibly greater than Ive seen in my 59 years of life, Johnson said of the city, straddling the shore of Apalachicola Bay, a Gulf of Mexico inlet that reaps about 90 percent of Floridas oysters. The U.S. Geological Service said Hurricane Michael will likely cause beach erosion along three-quarters of the Floridas Panhandle, wiping away sand right up to the dunes. Workers finish boarding up the upper level of Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar at Gulf Place on Tues. Oct. 9, 2018 in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., ahead of Hurricane Michaels possible landfall in the next 24 hours in South Walton County. (Michael Snyder/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) (Michael Snyder / AP) The agency said erosion could be even worse in about a fourth of the Panhandles white-sand beaches, particularly areas east of the eye, as a storm surge on top of high surf could see waves as high as 16 to 20 feet washing over the top of the protective dune line. The agencys research oceanographer Kara Doran said wave heights in the open Gulf of Mexico are expected to reach as high as 40 feet. As the storm approaches the coastline, she said this water will flow over a shallow sea bed and overwhelm the dunes, which are relatively low and narrow. In Gulf County beach town Cape San Blas, contractors are pulling out equipment for a long-planned beach renourishment project. Gulf Countys coordinator of the beach project, Warren Yeager, tells the Pensacola News Journal that roadways and sewer lines could wash away. Other systems: * A newly identified area of disturbed weather over the western Caribbean Sea could develop by the weekend. Forecasters are giving the system a 20 percent chance of development over the next five days. Boards cover windows on businesses at The Boardwalk on Tuesday Oct. 9, 2018, on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in preparation for Hurricane Michael. (Nick Tomecek/Northwest Florida Daily News via AP) (Nick Tomecek / AP) * What had been Tropical Depression 15 became Tropical Storm Nadine midday Tuesday in the eastern Atlantic off the coast of Africa. Nadine, with winds of 40 mph as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, poses no threat to land and is expected to fizzle out and dissipate in the open waters after running into wind shear, drier air and slightly cooler ocean temperatures, the hurricane center said. * Lingering Tropical Storm Leslie still was spinning in the open waters of the Central Atlantic on Monday. Its winds were 60 mph and some strengthening is expected although Leslie is not expected to reach hurricane strength. A white Oregon substitute teacher allegedly hit a black student on the head with a clipboard and called him the n-word, according to a new lawsuit filed against Portland Public Schools by the boys mother. Lamar Warrens attorney told the Oregonian that Lamar and his friends at Martin Luther King Jr. School, a Pre-K-8 school, were talking in class in October 2017 when the teacher, Bruce Niemann, went over and allegedly hit him on the forehead with the metal clip. Later, when Lamar was telling his friends about the incident, Niemann allegedly walked over and called them the n-word and voiced his support for President Trump. Deputy District Attorney Nicole Hermann, however, said there were different accounts of the alleged assault, including a guardian of one of the boys who expressed skepticism. A memo from the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office also said that video from the day showed one of the boys touching Niemann, but no contact initiated by the substitute teacher. Advertisement Lamars mother, Elisha Warren, claims in the lawsuit that her son suffered humiliation, anger, loss of trust, hypervigilance and anxiety, as well as head pain (and) discomfort. Shes suing for $300,000 in damages. A Shanghai-bound Delta flight returned to Detroit when a passenger suffered a medical emergency, but the passenger died by the time the plane landed. Delta Flight 583 left Detroit at 4:35 p.m. Monday, and around 7:15 the medical emergency was declared, a Delta spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press. The flight returned to Detroit Metropolitan Airport at 10:35 p.m. and the passenger, Yury Rubel, was pronounced dead. Rubel died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease which is associated with high blood pressure and his death was ruled as natural, the Wayne County Medical Examiners Office said in a statement Tuesday. No additional information about Rubel was released. Delta Airlines did not respond to the Daily News questions on why the flight returned to Detroit instead of diverting to another airport along the route. Advertisement The flight was rescheduled for Tuesday morning and left Detroit at 8:20 a.m. With News Wire Services Residents grabbed fire extinguishers and tried to put out a fire in a Chula Vista apartment that left two people displaced Monday night, a fire official said. When firefighters arrived at the complex on Oaklawn Avenue near H Street around 10:30 p.m., they found heavy smoke and fire showing from the windows of the second-story unit, said Chula Vista Deputy Fire Chief Harry Muns. Before crews arrived, residents tried to tackle the flames. A lot of residents saw the fire, so they started grabbing extinguishers and tried to do their best, but they were unsuccessful in trying to knock down the fire, Muns said. Advertisement The cause of the fire is under investigation. A damage estimate wasnt immediately released. The most significant damage was in the kitchen area, Muns said. No one was injured. Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com Dozens of San Diego law enforcement officers spent hours Tuesday searching for a 3-year-old boy reported missing by his mother, but the childs caretaker later called police to report the boy had been dropped off by his mother earlier in the day and was safe, and the mother was later arrested. Maria De Jesus Rivas Flores, 35, was booked into jail on suspicion of filing a false police report, San Diego police Lt. Eric Hays said. Jail records showed she was being held Tuesday night at Las Colinas Detention Center in Santee in lieu of $1,000 bail on the misdemeanor charge. The search, which involved dozens of police officers, sheriffs deputies and other law enforcement personnel, lasted roughly five hours during the late morning and early afternoon before the caretaker reported the boy was unharmed and in good health. Advertisement We are very happy the little boy was found safe, San Diego police Lt. Brent Williams said. It all began just before 10:15 a.m. when Flores called police to report the missing boy, who will turn 4 in January, according to information released by police. She told authorities he was in the family room of their apartment on Ulric Street near Fulton Street when she went to another room about 10 a.m. She came back about five minutes later, and he was gone, she told investigators. She said she searched frantically for about 10 minutes before calling 911, police Lt. Christian Sharp said. She told officers the front door was closed both when she left the room and when she returned, that her child did not have a history of wandering off and that there were no apparent custody issues. The clock is ticking for us, Sharp told a reporter with OnScene TV before the boy was found. Were extremely worried. With assistance from search dogs and police helicopters, about 30 officers were combing the area by noon, with more law enforcement personnel joining the search as it continued for several more hours. Sharp said police triple-checked the apartment complex and the surrounding area and expanded their search into the neighborhood. Police said there were some nearby canyons that posed a concern. Then, sometime a little after 3 p.m., about five hours after he was reported missing, the boys babysitter called police after seeing something on the news or social media, said Williams, a police spokesman. The caretaker asked why officers were searching for the boy, since he was safe with the babysitter. According to the lieutenant, the caretaker told police that Flores dropped off the child earlier in the morning sometime before he was reported missing. The boy was safe the entire time at a location on Mesa College Drive, about two miles from the familys apartment, the babysitter told officers. It appears that the child was dropped off with a babysitter, and the mother had forgotten, Williams told reporters, adding that he didnt know if it was a licensed daycare facility or something else. The child was safe and in good health. Both the mother and the caretaker, who typically watches the child during the daytime, were being interviewed Tuesday afternoon to try to get clarification about what happened, Williams said. Upon further investigation, it was learned Flores had provided police with false information about her sons whereabouts, Hays said in a statement. Police did not say what they think motivated Flores to allegedly file the false report. Investigators from the San Diego Police Departments western division were handling the investigation, which was ongoing Tuesday night, Hays said. Police had custody of the child Tuesday afternoon as they tried to sort out what happened, Williams said. It was unclear who had custody of the boy after Flores arrest. Per department policy, police will notify county Child Welfare Services of the missing-child report, and that agency is expected to conduct its own investigation, Williams said. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 7:20 p.m.: This article was updated with information about Flores arrest. 3:50 p.m.: This article was updated with information about how and where the child was found. 3:15 p.m.: This article was updated with the boy found. This article was originally published at 1:15 p.m. Home Just In Land revenue data from across Nepal to be kept in online system within one year Kathmandu, October 9 The government says it will record all data about land of individual landlords from across the country in an online system by the end of this fiscal year, mid-July 2019. The Land Record Information Management System (LRIMS) will be implemented at all land revenue offices across the country, according to the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. The system was launched around three years ago at the Land Revenue Office in Kalanki of Kathmandu. So far it has been launched in 19 other offices. The system also records biometric information about landlords. Asian Development Bank has provided a grant assistance to launch the system. Meanwhile, stakeholders have raised questions about safety of the personal data as the software was made in India and its server is in India currently as well. Randall Marquis has lived in California for 31 years, but he knew it was a mistake when he received a notice last month that said he was newly registered to vote. He may have a state drivers license, but hes a citizen of Canada. When I saw that card, I just threw it out, Marquis said. I know Im not going to vote. Im not allowed to vote, its stupid that I should be registered to vote. The Newport Beach resident, who has a green card and is married to a U.S. citizen, was one of some 1,500 people who the California Department of Motor Vehicles said on Monday were wrongly registered to vote between late April and late September. These errors, which included other non-citizens, are in addition to the roughly 23,000 registration mistakes disclosed by the DMV last month. Marquis contacted The Times on Sept. 30 to say that his attempt to get a replacement drivers license at a DMV field office in late August ended with him being sent a registered voter notice by elections officials. DMV officials, in responding to a request for comment from The Times, then discovered additional errors that were blamed on employees making data entries. Advertisement We have worked quickly with the Department of Technology to correct these errors and have also updated the programming and added additional safeguards to improve this process, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a written statement. Shimoto and Amy Tong, the director of the states technology department, notified Secretary of State Alex Padilla of the errors on Monday. The revelation prompted Padilla who held a conference call with elections officials across California to discuss the new issues to ask for an independent audit of the implementation of the motor voter system. Padilla said in a letter to Shiomoto and Tong that he is deeply frustrated and disappointed after the repeated errors. Immediate and transparent action is imperative, Padilla wrote. Elections officials canceled the registrations. And though absentee ballots will begin going out this week, they said the bar code on each individual ballot would ensure that no votes would be tallied on election day. More than 23,000 Californians were registered to vote incorrectly by state DMV A DMV spokeswoman said a department employee mistakenly changed Marquis citizenship information and his eligibility to vote, then correctly updated the information to show he is not a U.S. citizen. But that did not stop the documents from being sent to elections officials, and state records last week identified him as an unaffiliated voter who could cast a ballot in the Nov. 6 election. Marquis said the mistake left him worried about how it might affect the national debate over voter security. Just weeks after the 2016 election, President Trump alleged that widespread voter fraud was the reason why he lost the state to Democrat Hillary Clinton. But he never offered any proof of systemic issues, and state officials have sought to tamp down any notion that the problems are anything other than isolated in nature. What bothers me the most about this is that there could be 10,000 errors out there, or more, Marquis said. I dont want this current administration being able to say, Look we were right, there were illegal voters! The revelation of additional errors could heighten scrutiny of how DMV and state technology officials rolled out the new motor voter system in April, a process by which eligible Californians have to opt out of registering to vote when applying for a new or updated license. In addition to the 23,000 registration errors disclosed last month, the system mistakenly sent out double registration forms for some Californians who had visited the DMV in the spring. Though Marquis is not a U.S. citizen, he is legally allowed to live and work in the country. DMV officials have said that those who are not and who can be issued a special California drivera license as a result are treated uniquely by the departments computer system and have not been registered to vote in error. john.myers@latimes.com Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast UPDATES: 6:28 p.m.: This article was updated with information about what happens in the event the mistaken registrations result in ballots cast in November. 4:30 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect Secretary of State Alex Padilla requested an independent audit on Monday. This article was originally published at 3:50 p.m. Jared Kushner has a fan in Nikki Haley. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations praised Kushner as a hidden genius Tuesday during an appearance in the Oval Office in which she revealed her plans to step down from her post at the end of the year. I cant say enough good things about Jared and Ivanka, Haley gushed as she sat beside President Trump. Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands. I mean, to redo the NAFTA deal the way he did. . . . What Ive done working with him on the Middle East peace plan, it is so unbelievably well done. Kushner, 37, currently serves as a senior adviser to Trump, his father-in-law. He married the Presidents daughter, Ivanka, in 2009. Advertisement Ivanka, an adviser to her father, also received glowing approval from Haley, who called her a great friend. Nikki Haley resigns as United States ambassador to the United Nations They do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about, Haley said, because were a better country because theyre in this administration. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, announced that she will leave her position at the end of the year after two years in the administration. My goal is that we make sure that everything is in good place for the next ambassador to come in, but its a great day in the United States, she said. Im proud to have been part of the team. . . . Its been an honor of a lifetime. She added that she has no plans as to whats next, but doesnt intend to run for office in 2020, and will instead campaign for Trump. Lawyers for the County of San Diego are once again being accused of snooping through confidential records to defend a civil lawsuit, the third time in recent months that plaintiffs have leveled such an allegation. The new accusation was contained in a motion plaintiffs lawyers filed last Thursday in U.S. District Court, where the mother of a man who died in sheriffs custody three years ago claimed her son was not properly supervised at the Vista Detention Facility. According to the filing last week, the county asked medical personnel to review patient files written by Anne Brantman, the psychiatric nurse hired by the county to treat inmates at the Vista jail. Advertisement Brantman evaluated Jason Nishimoto at the lock-up in 2015 and noted that he was suicidal. Nishimoto, then 44, managed to hang himself even though deputies were told when he was jailed that he had tried to kill himself and required special supervision. The County Counsels Office wants to use language in Brantmans medical reports in other cases to impeach her testimony at trial, the motion says, without specifying what might be in the other files. County officials did not respond Monday to questions about whether it is appropriate to examine confidential records unrelated to a pending lawsuit as a legal defense strategy. Instead, they issued issued a one-sentence statement. The county does not comment on pending litigation, but County Counsel complies with HIPAA when defending the County, spokesman Michael Workman wrote. HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law that protects confidential medical information. The plaintiffs in the Nishimoto case said it was not clear whether the county obtained federal privacy waivers before accessing Brantmans other medical records. They want access to the same documents and more time to collect evidence in the case. Since the county was able to review all of the prior notes created by Anne Brantman, and examine her on some of the language contained therein, defendant is entitled to the same information, the motion states. The law office representing Brantman directed questions about the legal strategy to the county of San Diego. The current court schedule calls for discovery the process of collecting evidence to conclude by Oct. 29. The plaintiffs are asking Judge Roger T. Benitez to extend the deadline to Jan. 28. San Diego lawyer Christopher Morris, who represents Nishimotos mother, Rochelle Nishimoto, said he was disappointed to learn that the county had accessed the medical files of unrelated inmates to defend the claim brought by his client. To me, its more than just a HIPAA violation, Morris said. It shows the lengths the county will go to in order to avoid taking responsibility for a death they could have easily prevented. The Nishimoto lawsuit is the third recent case in which county lawyers were noted to have used unrelated confidential files to defend civil litigation. In August, one of two brothers suing the county for allegedly ignoring abuse claims at the hands of their foster parent filed a separate suit complaining that county lawyers wrongly accessed his private files. Last month, the county agreed to pay $3 million to settle both lawsuits. Workman would not discuss the merits of the settlements or explain why it was a worthwhile use of tax dollars. He did not specify how much of the $3 million went to resolve the negligence lawsuit and how much went to close the invasion-of-privacy case. Two weeks ago, another group of foster-care children filed a similar complaint against the county and two attorneys in the County Counsels Office. That suit, which is requesting class-action status, also claims that county lawyers wrongly examined confidential juvenile files in order to defend an underlying suit. Legal scholars and other experts questioned the appropriateness of county lawyers digging into records that are not available to the general public. Robert Fellmeth, the University of San Diego law professor who also runs the Childrens Advocacy Institute, said plaintiffs and defendants have to have access to the same information for a civil dispute to be resolved in an equitable manner. County Counsel needs serious instruction on how it should handle a case against an aspect of its operation that involves liability of county employees -- particularly in the context of privacy concerns that either side may abrogate, he said earlier this year. County lawyer Erica Cortez, one of the co-defendants in the lawsuit, defended the practice during a hearing earlier this year. I would maintain that we need to review our clients records in its entirety in order to serve in our multiple roles as in-house counsel, Cortez told the judge in May. The defendants have not proven that I am going into their records and getting information willy-nilly in order to sandbag them or attack them. That case is pending at the U.S. District Court in San Diego. The judge in the Nishimoto litigation has yet to rule on the motion to allow plaintiffs access to the same records and additional time to conduct discovery. Staff writer Morgan Cook contributed to this report. Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35 jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald On Monday morning, gubernatorial candidates John Cox and Gavin Newsom finally debated. The lively, informative radio forum was ably moderated by Scott Shafer on KQED, the San Francisco-based Public Broadcasting Service affiliate. But in this era of pics or it didnt happen, the forum left many onlookers wanting far more face time. Cox, a Republican businessman from Rancho Santa Fe, scored points arguing he was the change candidate, while Lt. Gov. Newsom, the former San Francisco mayor, took successful shots at Coxs grasp of housing issues and Coxs belief NIMBY-dominated local governments dont make the housing crisis worse. Heres an idea: How about several more Cox-Newsom debates? Californians would benefit. While were on the subject of debates, it must be noted that Sen. Dianne Feinstein no longer has the Brett Kavanaugh nomination hearings as an excuse to duck debates. Former state Senate President Kevin de Leon has spent months making the case that Feinsteins polite, moderate liberalism is out of touch with California Democrats. Lets have them talk about it. A Feinstein-de Leon debate could be more entertaining than the Cox-Newsom scrap. Feinstein ducked debates in her 2006 and 2012 campaigns as well, apparently seeing them as an unnecessary step to re-election. That may have been true when she was a darling of the Democratic Party. But in a house divided, she does no one including herself any good by refusing to debate. Advertisement Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Re Measure Q will decide the fate of Chula Vistas pot future (Oct. 5): There are a lot of reasons to vote no on Q. Chula Vista is just not capable of managing legal marijuana. The ordinance is ridiculous. Measuring from front door to front door instead of from property lines would put businesses too close to schools, homes, parks, etc. They have no plans or staff (lowest staff to resident ratio in county) to regulate and manage these businesses. There are nine illegal stores in the Southwest now. Instead of passing an emergency ordinance to close down and seize all assets of any business operating without a license after 10-day notice they go to court for a year and businesses relocate. This ordinance could make us the biggest marijuana marketplace in the county with one code enforcement officer for the entire west side and no plans for management or enforcement. Theresa Acerro Advertisement Chula Vista Thanks for a balanced article. I and other Chula Vista residents are shocked at the City Councils attempt to convert Chula Vista into Pot Central for San Diego County, as well as by their effort to hide the fact that a vote for a marijuana tax is actually also a vote for marijuana expansion, which detail is not included in the ballot measure language. The council deliberately approved marijuana expansion back in March, separately from the tax, so the voters would not know that they are actually approving both. There is no such thing as a regulated marijuana industry, due to the inherently mind-altering nature of the drug as well as the dark financial motives of the large pot cartel, which is salivating over Chula Vistas vote. Big Tobacco out, Big Pot in. Same playbook. Its time for pot out, and city council out. John Humiston Chula Vista Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Re Sand mining project in rural Lakeside facing community ire (Oct. 4): El Monte Sand Mining Project proponents stated, the land was zoned for sand extraction. While zoning protects the sand from uses that preclude future extraction, actual extraction is not a by right use. Extraction projects require a major use permit, with a set of required favorable findings, that include harmony in bulk and scale, compatibility with traffic and road structure and that the project does not have a harmful effect on desirable neighborhood character. Lakeside has been uniquely tolerant of sand extraction, including a recently approved sand mine. The difference is El Monte Valley, a scenic rural area, is a treasure for the community and the region. To get an idea what Mission Valley looked like generations ago, take a drive out to the El Monte Park and the El Capitan Dam and see what you think. Gordon Shackelford Blossom Valley Advertisement Key points were missing from the article about sand mining in Lakeside. Popular recreation destinations El Monte Park and El Capitan reservoir would be rendered inaccessible by incessant sand removal trucks. Gaping pits abandoned by the same company (now artfully reincarnated as El Monte Nature Preserve LLC) after removing sand illegally in 1997, defy belief in promised restoration. Pueblo water rights beneath the valley belong to the City of San Diego, not the mining company. Removal of 115,000 tons of sand daily for years, to depths of potentially 100 feet, will destroy a vast aquifer, leaching chemicals, including herbicides, into the ground, causing pollution of residents wells, requiring expensive connection to city water, depleting the general water supply in this era of prolonged drought. The city must speak out immediately and assert its rights to avert environmental catastrophe. Gillian Jones Lakeside Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. TALLAHASSEE Residents of Floridas Panhandle and the Big Bend braced for Hurricane Michael on Monday as the rapidly intensifying storm barreled toward them, with forecasters predicting it would become a major storm by landfall. The National Hurricane Center expects Michael to move inland in the Panhandle or Big Bend on Wednesday, and then move northeast Wednesday night and Thursday across the Southeast U.S., possibly as strong as a Category 3 with winds topping 111 mph. As of 11 p.m. Monday, the storm had 90 mph winds and was about 450 miles from the city of Apalachicola in the Panhandle. Steady to rapid strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and Michael is forecast to become a major hurricane by Tuesday or Tuesday night, the National Hurricane Center warned. Advertisement Michaels large size, strong winds and heavy rains could produce hazardous flooding along a stretch of Floridas Gulf coast, said Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham. This is a part of the Gulf of Mexico that is incredibly vulnerable to storm surge, Graham said. Gov. Rick Scott urged residents to be careful. Youve got to take care of yourself, said Scott after a briefing at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center in Southport. Scott said emergency officials are doing everything they can to get everybody ready. But Scott said the storm is different from hurricanes that have hit Florida the past couple of years. Its fast, this is coming very fast, Scott said. It could speed up. It could slow down. We dont know. And we dont know exactly where its going to hit yet. Scott has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties and activated 500 members of the Florida National Guard. In Tallahassee, residents flocked to stores and lined gas stations to stock up on needed supplies ahead of Hurricane Michaels arrival. The mood among residents was one of urgent preparation but not panic. The experience of Hurricane Hermine in 2016 after 10 years without a hurricane helped residents update their storm preparation checklists. Been here all my life, said Tallahassee resident Adrian Coates as he waited in line to get gas. Theyre coming more frequently now. Coates said he planned to ride out the storm with his two dogs and had already stocked up on needed supplies. Henry Hunter, 67, another Tallahassee resident, said he planned to see how the storm develops before making a decision on whether to evacuate. This one seems weird. We didnt really pay attention to it until today, Hunter said. Its heading directly north; most of them slant off to the west. This one reminds me of the course that Katrina took. It wasnt a big storm but it got stronger as it came closer to land. Florida State University announced it had canceled classes at its Tallahassee and Panama City campuses through Friday. Students are encouraged to discuss possible travel plans with family and friends. DO NOT travel into the path of the storm, FSU said. Two years ago, Hermine knocked out power for days in Tallahassee and caused widespread flooding as it came up through the Gulf Coast. Michael already has disrupted the hectic campaign season, as Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, suspended campaign events to prepare the city for the hurricane. Scott, who is running for the U.S. Senate again incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson, was in contact with local officials Sunday and Monday. Scott and Gillum, who traded barbs over how Hurricane Hermine was handled, spoke with each other Sunday and say theyre on the same page in preparing for Michael. At a news conference, Gillum warned Michael would likely [be] worse than Hermine. Well be able to get folks back up, but know that this is not a light storm, he said. Later in the day, Gillum went to a park in midtown Tallahassee to help residents fill sandbags. Staff writer David Harris, News Service of Florida and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Kathmandu, October 9 The government-run electricity distributor, Nepal Electricity Authority, has begun signing performance contract with key staff across the country in its bid to control power leakage during the distribution process. The Authoritys Managing Director Kul Man Ghising signed the contract with Nepalgunj regional office Chief Manoj Kumar Singh during a function in Nepalgunj of Banke district yesterday. At the same function, the Authoritys Distribution and Consumer Service Directorates Deputy Executive Director Hararaj Neupane exchanged the contract with chiefs of 16 distribution centres. Minister for Energy Barsha Man Pun and the Ministry Secretary Anup Upadhyaya were also present at the function. The Authority says it has extended the contract system to other places after an experiment at Biratnagar office last year proved successful. In the first phase, the Authority will sign contracts with chiefs of eight distribution centres. Whereas the power leakage was 20.45 per cent last year, the Authority has intended to restrict it to 11.65 per cent this year. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/08/2018 -- The asthma and COPD drugs market in US and China is expected to show a consolidated competitive landscape. In 2015, the leading players within the US and China asthma and COPD drugs Market accounted for 64% of the total Market, according to a recent research report by transparency market research TMR. The names of the leading players within the US and China asthma and COPD drugs market are: Merck & Co. Inc., Astrazeneca plc, Novartis AG, GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Boehringer Ingelheim. According to the TMR report, the US and China asthma and COPD drugs market will be worth US$18.7 bn by 2024. On the basis of different types or classes of drugs come on the market is segmented into anti-inflammatory drugs, combination drugs, bronchodilators, and monoclonal antibodies. Among these, it is the combination drug segment which is witnessing highest growth. The segment accounted for 54% of the total US market in 2015. The combination drug segment is expected to continue to lead throughout the focus period on account of positive recommendations from organizations such as Global initiative for asthma and Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease, which state that blends the dates are more secure course of treating asthma and COPD. Request A Sample Copy @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=15857 US Accounted for 81% of Market in 2016 On the basis of geography, among the US and China, it is the US which is dominating in the asthma and COPD drugs Market on account of High awareness level among the people regarding the availability of drugs and treatment options. Regular product launches and continues Investments by leading players in the research and development sector will also help the market to grow in the US. In 2016, the US accounted for a whopping 81% of the total market. Growing Air Pollution Behind Growth in China Asthma and COPD Drugs Market China on the other hand accounts for the relatively small share in the asthma and COPD drugs Market, but is expected to present liquid growth opportunities for Market players in the coming years. China is expected to exhibit at 10% in the asthma COPD drugs Market. The factors associated with the increasing number of asthma patients, Rising air pollution, and vast unmet medical needs of the patient population. The increasing number of smokers is also an important factor contributed to the growth of the market in China. Request Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15857 Rising Number of Deaths due to COPD and Asthma Behind High Demand for Treatment According to the lead author of this report, asthma and COPD are two disorders which are affecting a large number of population today and is behind the growth of the US and China asthma and COPD drugs market. These two disorders are increasingly becoming a factor for increased number of deaths and therefore effective treatment is highly in demand. The FDA endorsements for novel treatment options is expected to contribute to the growth of the US and China asthma and COPD drugs market. So the other factors helping the market to grow is the growing geriatric population, lifestyle changes, increasing number of smokers, increase in pollution, and rising industrialization. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Kathmandu, October 9 Nepal Tourism Board says it will host an event to give evolving tourism entrepreneurs an opportunity to strengthen their business idea and gather investment support. The Tourism Udhyami Seed Camp will be held in Nepals tourism capital, Pokhara, from October 30 to November 4. Interested entrepreneurs can file their applications till October 15. From among the applicants, 20 finalists will be selected on the basis of the criteria prescribed along with the uniqueness and viability of the idea proposed. The participating teams of two to four members in each team will be provided with full-fledged mentorship and guidance from the entrepreneurs and experts, to access to entrepreneurial communities, help them in developing the business model, refine and validate their business ideas with the objective of transforming their idea into business. Following the boot camp, the 20 teams shall make an intense research, work on their business model for a month and again shall make an investment pitch for the Demo Day to be hosted in Kathmandu at larger scale in the presence of public and private sector leaders as well as investors. Udhyami Innovations Pvt Ltd is partnering with the NTB to host the event. Harrisburg, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/09/2018 -- "China Furniture Market with Focus on Custom Furniture: Industry Analysis & Outlook (2018-2022)" Chinese furniture market witnessed a healthy growth in 2017, owing to the factors such as urbanization, economic growth and favorable demographics. But most importantly, the market was driven by higher exports. Even western countries import furniture from China due to the cheap prices and high quality. Many American retailers import Chinese furniture and sell it in their stores. Chinese furniture export market would continue to grow at a robust CAGR for the next five years. Order a Copy of This Report (USD $800) at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/report/purchase/0926870975?mode=su?source=releasewire&Mode=07 Essential points covered in China Furniture Market 2018 Research are:- - What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2022? - What are the key factors driving the China Furniture market? - What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the China Furniture market? - What are the challenges to market growth? - Who are the key vendors in the China Furniture market? - What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the China Furniture market? - What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the China Furniture market? This independent 61 pages report guarantees you will remain better informed than your competition. With tables and figures examining the Furniture market, the report gives you a visual, one-stop breakdown of the leading products, submarkets and market leader's market revenue forecasts as well as analysis to 2022. Furthermore, the report provides a detailed analysis of the China Furniture market with analysis of market size by value and volume. Along with this, an analysis of penetration rate and the average revenue generated per user (ARPU) in the market has also been done. Request Sample Copy of this Report: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0926870975/china-furniture-market-with-focus-on-custom-furniture-industry-analysis-outlook-2018-2022/inquiry?source=releasewire&Mode=07 Custom furniture refers to furniture that craftsmen build according to the customer's specifications. It allows customers to decide on the color, type of material used, finish, and design, among other things. Chinese custom furniture market is tremendously growing with rising domestic demand of kitchen cabinets and wardrobes due to their exclusivity and cheap prices. Millions of aspirational households are turning to custom furniture to furnish their homes, creating a huge demand in the custom furniture industry. Many companies offer personalized product design, have factories capable of large-scale production, and provide installation services. Custom furniture market is still considered as an emerging market and in next five years, there would be a notable growth in the market. Renovation industry is also playing a vital role in the growth of this industry. Though, the market is expected to rise in future. But there are some factors such as real estate cycles and high raw material prices, which can have adverse effects on market growth. In terms of competitor analysis, the market is highly fragmented. Oppein Homes, Holike, Suofeiya and Shangpin were the key players of the market. There is a constantly increasing entrance of new players in the market due to the greater business opportunities and foreign companies are also entering the market. Though, the market is highly fragmented, key players of the market tend to consolidate with smaller players of the market. Browse Full Report at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0926870975/china-furniture-market-with-focus-on-custom-furniture-industry-analysis-outlook-2018-2022?source=releasewire&Mode=07 The report focuses on China major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. What's more, the Furniture industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. The research includes historic data from 2013 to 2017 and forecasts until 2022 which makes the reports an invaluable resource for industry executives, marketing, sales and product managers, consultants, analysts, and other people looking for key industry data in readily accessible documents with clearly presented tables and graphs. The report will make detailed analysis mainly on above questions and in-depth research on the development environment, market size, development trend, operation situation and future development trend of Furniture on the basis of stating current situation of the industry in 2018 so as to make comprehensive organization and judgment on the competition situation and development trend of Furniture Market and assist manufacturers and investment organization to better grasp the development course of Furniture Market. The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors. About MarketInsightsReports MarketInsightsReports provides syndicated Market research reports to industries, organizations or even individuals with an aim of helping them in their decision making process. These reports include in-depth Market research studies i.e. Market share analysis, industry analysis, information on products, countries, Market size, trends, business research details and much more. MarketInsightsReports provides China and regional Market intelligence coverage, a 360-degree Market view which includes statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. Contact Us: Irfan Tamboli (Head of Sales) Market Insights Reports Phone: + 1704 266 3234 Mob: +91-750-707-8687 sales@marketinsightsreports.com irfan@marketinsightsreports.com Connect with us on: https://www.linkedin.com/company/13411016/ https://www.facebook.com/marketinsightsreports/ https://twitter.com/MIRresearch Oklahoma City, OK -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/09/2018 -- Vigilant SEO plays an essential role in the digital marketing space by providing result-oriented solutions to businesses, both large and small. They provide search engine optimization, pay-per-click marketing and social media marketing. To make it in this competitive industry, this SEO agency simplifies complex digital marketing processes in the most transparent way. They respect the fact that businesses have to dedicate resources to enhance their online visibility, and so they provide massive value to their clients. Their team helps businesses to to develop solutions for their websites. 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Contact Details Company: Vigilant SEO Address: 3120 Rockhampton Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73179 USA Email: ben@vigilantseo.com Phone: 405-510-0577 Website: https://www.vigilantseo.com Home Just In Pant murder probe: Two more police personnel suspended Kathmandu, October 8 Nepal Police on Monday suspended two more police personnel as it continued investigating into the role of its staff in the rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Pant in Bhimdatta Nagar of Kanchanpur, and destruction of the evidence. Those suspended today are assistant subinspector Harasingh Dhami and constable Chandani Saud. Nepal Police spokesperson Shailesh Thapa Kshetri says the personnel were suspended as their activities were found to be suspicious. Saud is said to have washed the victims trousers after the incident, which could have been used as evidence. SP Dilli Raj Bista, DSPs Angur GC and Gyan Bahadur Seti, Inspectors Jagarish Bhatta and Ekendra Khadka and SI Ram Singh Dhami are facing suspension in connection with the case. Meanwhile, the probe committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs has hinted at police officials carelessness in handling the case, suggesting further investigation. The report was made public yesterday. #drug trafficking Criminal organization charges filed against drug traffickers for 1st time Prosecutors have pressed charges of organizing and operating a criminal ring against 15 drug traffickers accused of distributing drugs via Telegram messenger, the first time such c... #urea solution S. Korea to import more urea solution to ease supply shortage South Korea said Monday local firms have inked deals to import urea solution from other countries, including Malaysia and Mexico, a move expected to help ease a supply shortage of ... Following a brief docking under the supervision of Columbia Cruise Services (CCS) at Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Resolute set sail yesterday for Nova Scotia. CCS has been appointed by OOE to provide deck & engine, hotel operations and crewing services. Many hundreds of voyages Hanseatic spent 25 years with Hanseatic Tours and, since the company's acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd in 1996, 677 voyages have operated. These included 128 Antarctica cruises as well as 11 Northwest Passage transits and two Northeast Passage expeditions. Further north than any non-icebreaker Hanseatic, in fact, became the first non-Russian vessel to sail through the Northeast Passage. She also came very close to the North Pole, within 480 kilometers/298 miles, and thereby holds the record of having been further north than any other passenger ship that was not an icebreaker. For many years, Hanseatic retained her original livery with a funnel brand resembling Deutsche Atlantik-Linie. Only in 2011 was the corporate branding of charterer Hapag-Lloyd Cruises adopted. Built as Society Adventurer The 146-passenger ship was built in 1993 as Society Adventurer for Society Expeditions by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland. In a deal with an enterprise value in excess of $12bn Rowan shareholders will receive 2.215 Ensco shares for each Rowan share with Ensco and Rowan shareholders owning approximately 60.5% and 39.5% of the merged company. Ensco president and ceo Carl Trowell, who will serve as executive chairman of the combined company, while Rowan president and ceo Tom Burke, who will serve as president and ceo. Read: Transocean acquisition of Ocean Rig bets on ultra-deepwater market recovery The merged company will have a fleet of 28 semi-submersible rigs and drillships, and 54 jack-up rigs serving more than 35 customers, including the largest national oil companies, international majors and independent exploration and production companies. The companies is aiming for $150m in synergy savings annually, with more than 75% in the first year. Trowell said: The combination of Ensco and Rowan will create an industry leader in offshore drilling across all water depths, with significant advantages to capitalize on future opportunities and better serve our customers. Burke added: By merging our high-quality rig fleets and infrastructure covering the worlds most prolific offshore basins, we increase our scale while maintaining a shared focus on high-specification assets that will include ultra-deepwater drillships and versatile semisubmersibles, as well as harsh environment and modern jack-ups. Sign up for the seminar - Decommissioning of Offshore Platforms - at Seatrade Maritime Middle East The merged company will operate in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, West Africa, North Sea, Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia. Saudi Aramco, Rowans joint venture partner in ARO Drilling has given its approval for the merger. Ensco shareholders will uniquely benefit from Rowans strategic joint venture with Saudi Aramco, ARO Drilling, Trowell said. ARO Drilling has a 20-rig newbuild programme. Failure to demonstrate compliance with standards of certification for the STCW Convention could result in Filipino officers being barred from serving on some 10,000 EU-registered vessels. A full audit by EMSA last March found some 59 aspects in which the Philippines failed. There are reported to be 100,000 seafarers serving on EU vessels. The Philppines submitted a correction plan to EMSA in September 2017 but this lacked support evidence and was sent back and was then given until April this year to submit a correction plan with supporting evidence and until October to fully implement it. Read more: Shipowners should be 'very worried' over Philippines seafarers and EMSA audit compliance With the October deadline now upon the country and Philippines Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade is reported as saying that it is now fullly compliant. We will show the world that we are compliant [with] international standards and that we continue to value and produce competent, disciplined and well-trained Filipino seafarers who carry with them the brand of excellence and hard work that Filipinos are known for everywhere, he was quoted as saying in the local press. Maritime Industrial Authority (Marina) administrator Leonardo B. Guerrero, who is in charge of the process, said, We have already submitted our initial report. We intend to submit our compliance status this month, and by the end of October, we expect that somebody from Emsa will be contacting us for us to demonstrate the proof of evidence for compliance. Included were an extensive review and revision of seven existing national provisions and the development of six training course packages, all of which, Guerrero said, are ready for implementation. Despite these reassurances it does not necessarily look that positive for the Philippines with elements only now being put into place despite multiple failed EMSA audits in process that has now dragged on for 12 years. Read more: Yet another EMSA audit deadline looms over Filipino seafarers Last chance saloon as Philippines awaits EMSA audit results While the Philippines does have many high quality seafarer training institutions there remains a substantial part of its seafarer training industry that seems more concerned in making money from the process than producing trained men and women who will ever actually go to sea. Marina's data shows that only 20% - 5,000 out of 25,000 - who graduate from the country's maritime schools actually find jobs at sea. Even after all this time it would appear measures are only ready for implementation rather than being a corrective that is fully implemented. An online system that will allow for the verification of seafarer documents will only be ready next year. It is not hard to see why some EU members are saying that enough is enough and if the Philippines does fail the audit again real sanctions should be put in place. Has the Philippines done enough? Only time will tell and many seafarers and managers will be watching nervously in the coming months. As shipowners rush to install scrubbers ahead of the 1 January 2020 global sulphur cap Yara has landed 200 to 300 scrubber deliveries over the last 36 months and expects this number to more than double in the coming years. Sales are up significantly in 2018, with anticipated revenue of NOK700m ($84.4m), and we expect this growth to continue in 2019, said Peter Strandberg, ceo of Yara. To meet the demand the company is looking to hire another 60 80 employees in addition to its current workforce of 100. Market demand for our inline SOx exhaust gas cleaning systems, able to operate in both open and closed loop, is huge and growing. We have increased production by several hundred percentages at all our facilities in Europe, North America and Asia, said Strandberg. According to DNV GL's Overview of Scrubber Installations as of September there 1,320 scrubbers either ordered for or installed on vessels. Yara's inline scrubbers can be installed in 10 20 days, which can be done in transit meaning there is no downtime due to the vessel being in dock. "The direction of the (cannabis) industry and the perception of cannabis is only going one way," Adam Rosenberg says. "It's toward more of a cultural acceptance and more of an understanding of its medicinal benefits." In 2017 Rosenberg founded Green Wolverine, a University of Michigan (U-M) student organization with the mission of promoting the legal aspects of the cannabis industry. The organization emphasizes that people can enter the industry without ever taking the legal risk of touching or even seeing a marijuana plant. Marketing, real estate, software, hardware, and packaging are some of the industries Rosenberg lists to contextualize the vastness of cannabis-related business opportunities. "'Cannabis industry' isn't an accurate term because there is a combination of infinite industries within it," Rosenberg says. Green Wolverine attracted over 100 members in its first semester. Within a few months, the organization became a nonprofit and went national. Rosenberg now serves as executive director of the national organization. There are now Green Wolverine chapters at Washtenaw Community College, U-M Dearborn, University of Maryland, University of California Berkeley, Syracuse University, and Binghamton University. Rosenberg, 22, wears a button-down shirt, a navy blazer, dress pants, and blue dress socks with white marijuana leaf patterns. An almost unnoticeable diamond-gold pendant dangles by his collar it's a miniature pot leaf. "With everything I do, with the way that I come to school everyday, dressed well with pot socks, it's just epitomizing the idea that you can have a career in cannabis, you can have a curiosity of cannabis, and you don't have to be weighed down by stigma," Rosenberg says. Rosenberg grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, and attended high school at Cranbrook. His mother is an attorney, and his father is a physician who specializes in pain management. "Of course it is ironic, my path with the cannabis industry," Rosenberg says. He had planned to be a doctor, and pursued internships and job shadowing in medical facilities. While working in a drug testing lab at a pain center, he noticed how many patients tested positive for THC. He says he "came to this epiphany that my job was ensuring patients were taking opioids and weren't using alternative medicines like cannabis." This realization led him away from his career path in medicine, and on to deepen his understanding of cannabis by working at Ann Arbor dispensary Liv Wellness. He gained firsthand experience working as a budtender, a person who advises on and dispenses medical marijuana to clients. That work introduced Rosenberg to the business side of cannabis, which inspired him to apply to U-M's Ross School of Business for his bachelor's degree. He gained confidence to openly discuss his passion for alternative medicine in academia. He now works alongside fellow students like Juan Aguirre, 22, Green Wolverine's medical research chair, who is a senior in U-M's School of Nursing undergraduate program and a Gates Millenium Scholar. Aguirre wants to go into mental health, and he says his hours of clinical experience have shown him that healthcare professionals know very little about the medical potential of cannabis. He notes that CBD has immense ability to alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. When Aguirre graduates he plans to work full-time on Duber, a cannabis education company he and a few friends started in June. The company plans to disseminate information about cannabis through an iOS platform that will include interactive components such as videos and surveys. In addition to networking and strengthening individual business projects, Green Wolverine has also created public-facing cannabis programming. On Sept. 29 the organization hosted its first Science Symposium, a free public event spotlighting evidence-based research on cannabis. The symposium was presented in collaboration with the U-M School of Nursing, U-M College of Pharmacy, and Ross School of Business. The cannabis industry could see its next big shift if Michigan voters approve Proposal One, which would legalize marijuana for all uses by those aged 21 and up, in November's election. Rosenberg says he believes the proposal will pass, but Green Wolverine doesn't take a political stance. He says the proposal's failure would simply encourage interesting conversation at Green Wolverine about the political aspects of cannabis. "The industry is already a decabilion-dollar industry regardless of if Michigan legalizes or not," Rosenberg says. Afaf Humayun is a reporter, poet, artist, and activist who works to preserve and expand the future of the humanities while staying engaged on issues of inclusion. You can find some of her writings at The Keel Port Huron and The Arab American News. She lives in Ypsilanti. All photos by Doug Coombe. Sen. Bam continues education advocacy, dedicates new bills for Filipino teachers to his grandparents Sen. Bam Aquino has filed two measures for the benefit of Filipino teachers and to celebrate their role in the country's development. "Ang mga panukalang ito ay pagkilala sa halaga ng ating mga guro sa pagpapalago ng kaalaman ng mga Pilipino," said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor of the law for free college education. "Dedicated kay Lola Vicky at Lolo Dondoy ang mga panukalang ito. Para ito sa lahat ng mga teacher na piniling ilaan ang kanilang buhay sa edukasyon para tulungan ang kabataan," added Sen. Bam, referring to his grandparents from his mother's side, Dondoy and Vicky Aguirre, who worked on establishing the University of Mindanao in Davao and worked as educators until their retirement. On Monday, Sen. Bam submitted Senate Bill No. 2057 or the Teachers Compensation and Support Act of 2018 and Senate Bill No. 2058 or the National Teachers Day Act. Senate Bill No. 2057 aims to ensure just salaries and ensure reasonable working conditions for private and public school teachers. The measure would create a Private School Teachers Salary Subsidy (PSTSS), which will allow government to ensure that the salaries of qualified teachers from accredited private basic education institutions match those of public school teachers. The PSTSS will prioritize private school teachers in schools and areas that primarily serve students from lower income families. There will also be free legal assistance, free counselling services, and an education subsidy for qualified and financially disadvantaged teachers who wish to pursue further education. The Teachers Compensation and Support Act has the support and participation of various organizations, including the Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAPSCU), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines, Inc. (NAPSPHIL), and the PEAC-Fund Assistance to Private Education (PEAC-FAPE). With the help of the Teachers Dignity Coalition, Sen. Bam also filed Senate Bill No. 2058 to make Oct. 5 a paid non-working holiday for all teachers. 10 Sen. Bam has passed 27 laws including Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act making education free in public universities and colleges. Dispatch from Crame No. 397: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on police visits to media outfits 10/9/18 Recent reports indicated that members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been visiting media outfits "to embark on partnerships" with the press. This, however, did not sit well with journalists, as they caught police officers taking photos of their offices and personnel without their consent. While engaging stakeholders, such as journalists, is necessary, it should not be used as a pretext to conduct surveillance nor to intimidate reporters. If the PNP or any government agency for that matter is really bent on partnering with the press, the only thing it needs to do is respect its right to cover and report without any fear of reprisal. There is a reason why media is called the Fourth Estate. It has the mandate to check abuses of those in power by exposing the truth and enabling the public to participate in public discourses. If the government intrudes on this function of journalists, then democracy is in real trouble. Couple these police "visits" with "red-tagging" of universities and churches critical to the administration and we see a fresh wave of initiatives towards authoritarian rule. Press Release October 9, 2018 GORDON BILL REPEALS OLD SSS LAW TO ENSURE LONGER LIFE FOR PENSION FUND, BETTER BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS To ensure that more Filipinos would be covered by the Social Security System (SSS) so they could build better nest eggs for their retirement, the Senate has passed on third and final reading Senator Richard J. Gordon's bill which proposes a new SSS law. Senate Bill No, 1753 or the Social Security Act of 2018 seeks to rationalize and expand the powers and duties of the Social Security Commission to ensure the long-term viability of the SSS and thereby guarantee better benefits for members of the state-run pension fund. "The bill is an enhancement of the previous laws; it ensures hope that the people would not be a burden to the country; that they are partners of the government not by way of exaction of taxes but by their contribution so that their welfare is assured. The passage of the bill would expand, protect and increase the SSS fund so that when the time comes, there would be available pension for the people. It will ensure a more meaningful social security protection to members and their beneficiaries against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden," the principal author said. The bill would give the SSS the power to determine the salary credit and monthly contributions of members, which would now allow the commission to increase contributions "depending on the actuarial survey." It would also empower the SSS to invest its Reserve Funds to "grow the wealth of SSS and ultimately yield higher income." However, the investments must satisfy requirements of liquidity, safety/security and yield "to ensure the actuarial solvency of the funds of the SSS." "We want to develop a culture of work, save, invest, prosper. The bill envisions a benefits-based system--what you invest is what you get; no investment, no benefit. But the maximum profitability of investible funds and resources of the program shall be ensured through a culture of excellence in management grounded upon sound and efficient policies employing internationally recognized best practices," Gordon further explained. The bill also calls for the compulsory SSS coverage of both land-based and sea-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), provided they are not over 60 years of age. Sea-based OFWs would enroll through their manning agencies. For land-based OFWs, meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment and all their agencies involved in deploying OFWs for employment abroad are mandated to negotiate bilateral social security and labor agreements with the OFWs' host countries to ensure that the employers of land-based OFWs pay the required SSS contributions. Otherwise, land-based OFWs will be compulsory members of the SSS and considered in the same manner as self-employed persons. All benefit provisions under this Act shall apply to all covered OFWs. The benefits include, among others, retirement, death, disability, funeral, sickness and maternity. "The bill does not promise an abundance of wealth. Ang sinasabi lang po dito ay pagka nagkaroon sila ng aberya sa kanilang buhay, meron silang panghahawakan. Meron po silang hinahawakan na masasandalan. Meron silang lifeline that they, themselves, created. Na sila mismo ang nag-contribute with other Filipinos towards the benefit of their own posterity," Gordon stressed. A bicameral conference was held to reconcile the Senate-approved version of the bill with its counterpart passed in the House of Representatives. Press Release October 9, 2018 HONTIVEROS CONDEMNS KILLING OF PDEA AGENTS IN MINDANAO Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday condemned the killing of six agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Lanao Del Sur on Friday after unknown assailants allegedly opened fire at them while they were in the performance of their duty. The Senator called on PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino to act swiftly on this case to do justice to the PDEA agents and the families they left behind. "The death of our PDEA agents in Mindanao is deplorable. The government must leave no stone unturned as they conduct a swift and judicious investigation of the incident. The perpetrators of this atrocious crime must be held accountable and justice served immediately," Hontiveros said. Hontiveros added that she will support any additional fund allocation request of the agency to ensure the safety and security of their agents while on duty. "From the start, I have asserted that PDEA, possessing the mandate to push for efficient law enforcement in the fight against illegal drugs, should be the lead agency in the government's anti-drug campaign," Hontiveros said. "Thus, in the deliberation of the proposed 2019 national government budget, we will try to look at areas where PDEA needs additional funding so its agents can perform their duties while ensuring their safety," Hontiveros added. Hontiveros also questioned the effectiveness of the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao. "The declaration of Martial Law in the entire Mindanao was presented to the public as a magic bullet that would address rampant violence and lawlessness in the region. The brutal murder of our PDEA agents has belied this claim. This should serve as a wake up call to the government. A Martial law-centric strategy to promote law and order in Mindanao is unsustainable. What is needed is a multi-dimensional approach that weaves together effective law enforcement, equitable distribution of social services and the full implementation of peace agreements, including the Bangsamoro Basic Law," Hontiveros said. Press Release October 9, 2018 Senate repeals SSS law to expand SSS coverage to OFWs, other reforms Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may soon avail of programs offered by the Social Security Systems (SSS), as part of reforms introduced in a Senate bill overhauling the SSS charter. Senate Bill No. 1753, or the proposed "Social Security Act of 2018" was approved by the Senate Monday on third and final reading. The bill was authored and sponsored by Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. "The SSS must be given a chance to do what they can for the people because the government could not base its policies on fear but on trusting the people, especially those with tremendous responsibility," Gordon said. Apart from Gordon, the bill was also authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Minority Franklin Drilon, along with Senators Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Cynthia Villar, Antonio Trillanes IV, Joel Villanueva, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay. The bill was approved with 20 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and no abstention. According to Gordon, the bill effectively repeals the 21-year old Social Security Law, or Republic Act 1161, as amended by Republic Act 8282 and expands the power of the SSS to ensure the long-term viability of the said system. "The bill is an enhancement of the previous laws; it ensures hope that the people would not be a burden to the country, that they are partners of the government not by way of exaction of taxes but by their contribution so that their welfare is assured," Gordon said. "The passage of the bill would expand, protect and increase the SSS fund so that when the time comes, there would be available pension for the people," he added. Among the new powers and key reforms under SBN 1753, Gordon said, is the compulsory coverage of both land-based and sea-based OFWs to the SSS, "provided that they are not over 60 years of age." He said that under the bill, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment would be the primary agencies that "would negotiate for the OFWs, especially those working in Middle East countries while "enhancing the functions of the Philippine embassies therein to enable them to collect the SSS contributions." Gordon said that although at present, there are only 500,000 OFW workers who are covered by the SSS, the bill may help expand that number to two-and-a-half million members. "Even the Filipinos who became naturalized Americans and retired in the United States may be invited to invest in the provident fund," he said. He said that the bill would also give the SSS Commission the power to determine the salary credit and monthly contributions of members, which would now allow the commission to increase contributions "depending on the actuarial survey." "The bill envisions a benefits-based system--what you invest is what you get; no investment, no benefit -- through which the SSS contributions could be raised without seeking the approval of the President or the endorsement of Congress because the discretion to increase contributions could be left to the better judgment of the SSS board of directors provided it would generate more suitable pensions," Gordon said. Gordon said the expanded powers are needed since it would allow the SSS management to increase the salary credit and contribution of employees "considering that at present it is only limited to PI6,000 which yields very little benefit." Under the new reforms, Gordon said, the SSS would also be empowered to invest its Reserve Funds to "grow the wealth of SSS and ultimately yield higher income." However, he said that these investments must satisfy requirements of liquidity, safety/security and yield "to ensure the actuarial solvency of the funds of the SSS." "The bill does not promise an abundance of wealth but to secure people in case they would encounter unwanted situations in their lives through a lifeline that they themselves created through their contribution," he said. Clarification on Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III's statement on Facebook: In yesterday's ambush interview, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III was quoted to have said that 583,000 fake accounts were removed by Facebook. This was relayed to him when Facebook Philippines officials paid him a courtesy call at the Senate. But after a review of the transcript of the said interview, the Senate President's attention was called as it was pointed out that the fake accounts that were actually removed worldwide for the first quarter of the year were 583 million. For further reference on this matter, please visit: https://transparency.facebook.com/community-standards-enforcement#.... New Zealand spending on electronic cards grew in every sector for a second month running amid upbeat consumer confidence and increased government support for households. Seasonally adjusted total retail spending on credit and debit cards rose 1.1 percent, matching the increase in August. Core retail spending, which strips out expenditure on petrol and vehicles, also rose 1.1 percent in September, a faster pace than the 0.9 percent recorded in August. Spending rose in all sectors in the month, led by 1.3 percent gains in spending on services and other non-retail industries. Spending on consumable items rose 1 percent and was up 0.9 percent on apparel. Expenditure on vehicles and durable goods were each up 0.8 percent, while spending on fuel and on hospitality each gained 0.4 percent. The widespread increases during the past two months follows the July introduction of the government's Families Package, targeting low-income households with financial support. However, it predates Auckland's regional fuel tax hike this month. The ANZ Roy Morgan consumer confidence survey last month showed consumers were still in good heart, although households were less likely to buy big ticket items than they have been for the past three years. And the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's quarterly survey of business opinion showed retailers remained pessimistic as rising costs that they weren't able to pass on squeezed profitability. Westpac Banking Corp senior economist Satish Ranchhod said he expects retail spending to continue rising, but at a more moderate pace. "While spending is now being supported by the governments Families Package, disposable income growth still remains fairly modest," he said. "In addition, many households are finding their spending power is being crimped by rising costs for necessities like fuel." Today's data show actual spending on electronic cards rose to $6.92 billion in September, up 4.9 percent from a year earlier. Of that, core retail spending was up 5.1 percent to $4.39 billion. Spending on petrol jumped 11 percent to $640 million and hospitality spending rose 7.3 percent to $997 million. Credit cards were more popular than debit cards, accounting for 52.3 percent of 143 million transactions, compared to 49.3 percent of 137 million transactions in September last year. The value per transaction was $48, unchanged from a year earlier. Reserve Bank data show total credit cards billings in New Zealand rose an annual 7.7 percent to $3.73 billion in August while total advances outstanding was up 5.9 percent at $7.17 billion. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Just Life Group Limited (NZX: JLG) Dividend Announcement Vector Limited (NZX: VCT) Launches Retail Bond Offer 15th November 2021 Morning Report Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Sets Interest Rate for Green Capital Bonds Rakon Limited (NZX: RAK) Upgrades Earnings Guidance 12th November 2021 Morning Report The Warehouse Group Limited (NZX: WHS) FY22 First Quarter Sales Update Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) Interim results for the period ended 30 September 2021 11th November 2021 Morning Report Goodman Property Trust (NZX: GMT) Delivers Interim Profit Before Tax of $570 Million Infratil and Mercury NZ say their offer for Tilt Renewables is attractive given the increased regulatory risk in the sector and will not be increased. The companies today extended the deadline for the offer by two weeks to Oct. 29. Infratil is offering $2.30 a share for the 22 percent of Tilt the pair do not already own. That price is "final and will not be increased." The pair say the offer is fair compensation for the value of Tilts existing business and its development pipeline, including the 336 MW Dundonnell wind project it is close to proceeding with. They dont believe the shares will trade within the $2.45 to $3.01 value range independently assessed by Northington Partners any time soon. Should the offer not reach the 90 percent threshold for compulsory acquisition the stock is likely to fall below $2.30, they said. Also, shareholders not planning to participate in the planned A$280 million capital raising for Dundonnell risk having their holdings diluted. Infratil said investors should consider whether they are comfortable with the change in Tilts risk profile as it starts developing large-scale projects during a period of regulatory uncertainty. There is significant increased political and regulatory pressure in the Australian renewable energy sector at this time, creating uncertainty over Tilt Renewables' outlook and value and the broader prospects for the renewable energy industry. Infratil is an experienced investor with strong insight into the renewable energy sector and is not prepared to pay a significant additional premium for Tilt Renewables given the uncertainty and strong evidence of comparable market pricing for similar assets. Tilt shares recently traded unchanged at $2.30, down about 1.7 percent this month. Investors holding about 2.6 million Tilt shares less than 1 percent of the company have so far accepted the offer. Yesterday Tilts independent directors again urged shareholders to reject the offer. A commitment by the Victorian state government to buy 37 percent of Dundonnells output for 15 years was worth about 22 cents a share, the directors said, citing Northingtons assessment. That was secured after the offer opened. Tilt is planning to meet half the cost of the A$560 million project through a renounceable rights offer. The directors say any unexercised rights will be sold to other investors through a shortfall book-build. While there is no guarantee as to price the rights will achieve, the scheme is intended to ensure that shareholders not subscribing for new shares are not made worse off by that decision, they said. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Just Life Group Limited (NZX: JLG) Dividend Announcement Vector Limited (NZX: VCT) Launches Retail Bond Offer 15th November 2021 Morning Report Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Sets Interest Rate for Green Capital Bonds Rakon Limited (NZX: RAK) Upgrades Earnings Guidance 12th November 2021 Morning Report The Warehouse Group Limited (NZX: WHS) FY22 First Quarter Sales Update Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) Interim results for the period ended 30 September 2021 11th November 2021 Morning Report Goodman Property Trust (NZX: GMT) Delivers Interim Profit Before Tax of $570 Million Abano Healthcare predicts 2019 margins will get squeezed as it speeds up plans to acquire new dental practices while business across the Tasman still struggles. Chief executive Richard Keys told shareholders at today's annual meeting he expects a short-term impact on gross margins and earnings per share as Abano scales up the dental business at a faster pace, while contending with a softer start to the year. The company's Lumino brand in New Zealand registered same-store sales growth of 1.2 percent in the first quarter and Abano expects an annual increase of at least 2 percent. The Maven brand in Australia reported a 2.3 percent decline in same-store sales, with August offsetting positive months in June and July. "Unlike some of our competitors who are looking at short to medium term exit plans including private equity sale or IPOs, we are investing for the long term," Keys said. "We believe that to create a long-term, strong and sustainable business it is essential to invest into the areas that matter. In FY19 we will continue to focus on network growth, patient care and technology." Abano focused on its dental businesses after selling the bulk of its audiology divisions in 2010 and 2009. As at May 31, 2010, its Lumino The Dentists unit had 50 practices in New Zealand and its Dental Network in Australia had 26, accounting for $92 million of Abano's $178 million of annual revenue. In 2018, its 225 practices contributed $250.2 million of Abano's $259.5 million, with 19 dental practices acquired in the year. So far this financial year, Abano has bought six Australian practices and one New Zealand practice expected to deliver annualised gross revenue of $14.2 million. Keys said the company is assessing a number of larger and more profitable practices in Australia and recently increased its banking facility to $200 million to support that growth. Alongside the acquisition pipeline, Abano is investing in data warehousing to develop analytics aimed at making the company more efficient. It's trialling a service chatbot using artificial intelligence to help triage patients, providing simple information and directing them to an appropriate clinic for an easier booking system. The annual meeting in Auckland was director Ted van Arkel's last before his retirement. Chair Trevor Janes also stepped down from helming the board at the end of the meeting and will retire next year. His deputy Pip Dunphy assumed the chair at the end of the meeting. Abano shares fell 1.2 percent to $8.50 today in a down market. Since the end of May 2010, the shares have climbed 74 percent, lagging behind a 121 percent gain on the S&P/NZX All Index over the same period. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Just Life Group Limited (NZX: JLG) Dividend Announcement Vector Limited (NZX: VCT) Launches Retail Bond Offer 15th November 2021 Morning Report Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Sets Interest Rate for Green Capital Bonds Rakon Limited (NZX: RAK) Upgrades Earnings Guidance 12th November 2021 Morning Report The Warehouse Group Limited (NZX: WHS) FY22 First Quarter Sales Update Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) Interim results for the period ended 30 September 2021 11th November 2021 Morning Report Goodman Property Trust (NZX: GMT) Delivers Interim Profit Before Tax of $570 Million The government has paid $25.6 million in compensation claims related to Mycoplasma bovis and remains committed to phased eradication, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor. One of the biggest challenges for farmers has been navigating the compensation process and Ardern and O'Connor announced a new recovery package aimed at making that easier. The package includes a team of rural professionals who understand both farming and the compensation process who can sit down and work with farmers on their claims. The Ministry for Primary Industries has also produced an improved compensation form and guide and an online calculator of milk production losses. It will also provide regional recovery managers for key areas. "I know its been an extremely tough time for many farmers, Ardern said. Losing herds, pets and years of stock genetics built up over decades is an incredible hit to take for New Zealands one shot to protect our national herd and economic base." The government opted to attempt phased eradication last May, nearly a year after the disease was first detected in New Zealand. The estimated cost was $886 million over 10 years and phased eradication involves ongoing depopulation of any infected properties. According to the government, of New Zealands 24,000 farms, 74 have been infected to date with 36 subsequently de-stocked and cleared of Mycoplasma bovis. All the infected properties remain linked to a single strain of the disease and the government remains "committed to phased eradication, which is progressing well, and to helping farmers get back to business, Ardern said. O'Connor was quoted by Radio New Zealand as saying the eradication process was well underway, and he expects a proper update on whether it was proving successful by Christmas. As of Oct. 5, the government had received 387 claims and had completed or made part payments on 169. The remainder are claims where MPI is awaiting information from the claimant, claims under assessment, pending assessment or awaiting sign out, an MPI spokesperson said. It also includes claims that are on hold, withdrawn or declined. The total value of the claims assessed so far is $35.5 million. Each claim has to go through a rigorous assessment and verification process, which can take time, a ministry spokesperson said. A total of 216,029 tests had been carried out and 43,004 animals culled. According to the latest data, there are currently 38 infected properties, 32 on the South Island and 6 on the North Island. There are 211 properties under "notice of direction," which restricts the movements of animals and goods off a farm which has likely received cattle from an infected farm and where testing is underway. There are also 343 farmers under "assessment," where there is a risk of Mycoplasma bovis and testing is also underway. The ministry noted that only a small portion of farms under assessment will go on to be placed under a Restricted Place notice and even fewer will be confirmed as infected properties. For example, only around 30 percent of all properties issued a Notice of Direction are confirmed infected, the MPI spokesperson said. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Just Life Group Limited (NZX: JLG) Dividend Announcement Vector Limited (NZX: VCT) Launches Retail Bond Offer 15th November 2021 Morning Report Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Sets Interest Rate for Green Capital Bonds Rakon Limited (NZX: RAK) Upgrades Earnings Guidance 12th November 2021 Morning Report The Warehouse Group Limited (NZX: WHS) FY22 First Quarter Sales Update Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) Interim results for the period ended 30 September 2021 11th November 2021 Morning Report Goodman Property Trust (NZX: GMT) Delivers Interim Profit Before Tax of $570 Million Assuring security to the migrants, the Gujarat government said 431 people were arrested and 56 FIRs registered in connection with the attacks, as Chief Minister Vijay Rupani appealed to people not to engage in violence. : Additional forces were deployed in industrial areas in Gujarat for the security of Hindi-speaking migrants after attacks on them sparked their exodus that prompted the state government on Monday to make an appeal for their return amid a political slugfest. Claiming that no untoward incident had taken place during the last 48 hours, Rupani said the situation has been brought under control by police. We are committed to maintaining law and order, and people can call police in case of trouble. We will provide them security. he told reporters in Rajkot. Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar --Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar -- and Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party ally Ram Vilas Paswan, who hails from Bihar, spoke to Rupani to voice their concern. Since the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people, police said. Police have arrested Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a local ceramic factory, for the crime. Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad president Maheshsingh Kushwah claimed that over 20,000 people belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar had fled Gujarat due to the prevailing situation. Over 20,000 migrants from these states have fled due to fear as Hindi-speaking people are being attacked in different parts of the state. All non-Gujaratis should not be seen as culprits for the misdeeds of one person, he said. A leader of the Janata Dal-United, which is headed by Nitish Kumar, dashed off a two-page open letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, blaming his party for the violence against Biharis. You appointed your Gujarat MLA Alpesh Thakor as one of the national secretaries in-charge of Bihar and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena is driving out migrant Biharis, Neeraj Kumar, JD-U MLC and spokesman, alleged. Without naming opposition Congress, Gujarat Home Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja said efforts were underway to find out whether it (attacks) is a conspiracy by those who are out of power in Gujarat since the last 22 years. But senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel gave a clean chit to Thakor, alleging that the BJP government was trying to politicise the issue. Rahul Gandhi said targeting of migrant workers in Gujarat is completely wrong and he is totally against it. Taking to Twitter, he said the root cause of violence in Gujarat is the closure of factories and unemployment there due to which both the system and the economy are reeling. Making migrant labour their target is completely wrong. I stand totally against it, he said in Hindi on Twitter. Jadeja asserted it is the responsibility of the state government to provide security to those who come to Gujarat for employment from other states and appealed to those who have fled to come back to the state. He told a press conference in Gandhinagar the Centre had been apprised of the steps taken by the state government to bring the situation under control. The attack on migrant workers is highly condemnable. The chief minister has instructed us to take all necessary steps to stop the attacks. I also appeal to people not to be misled by those who are inciting people for their political gains, Jadeja said. Jadeja said only a handful of people are involved in the violence. We have deployed additional forces in industrial areas for the security of migrants. We have also decided to set up points (camps) for the State Reserve Police and increase patrolling in such areas. While police have arrested several members of the Thakor Sena in connection with the attacks and also named the outfit in some of the FIRs, its president and Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor alleged that youth from the community were being falsely implicated. Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it must be remembered he has to contest general elections from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Modi represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha. Condemning the rape incident, Nitish Kumar said the guilty must be punished but an entire community must not be tarred with the same brush. Our government is aware and alert. I spoke to the Gujarat chief minister yesterday. Our Chief Secretary and DGP are also in touch with their counterparts in Gujarat, Kumar told reporters in Patna. If somebody has committed a crime, he must be punished severely. But on account of one incident, people must not generalise and hold a grouse against an entire state. Adityanath said the Gujarat chief minister told him that his government has ensured the safety of all and that are all welcome. Rupani also informed there had not been any incident since the past three days and he has also appealed to people against paying any heed to rumours, Adityanath told reporters in Lucknow. Adityanath said Gujarat is a peace loving state and a model of development and that those do not want development spread rumours. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdc095f70)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc0a40f8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdc095f70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc0a40f8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdc0a7a18)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc0a40f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc0a40f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdb512730)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc073e10)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc073e10)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdbc2c1f0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbb4c820)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdbc2c1f0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbb4c820)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdbc7efc0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbb4c820)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbb4c820)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbb45ae8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdb743180)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdb743180)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdc011230)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc07c910)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdc011230)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc07c910)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fdc047b70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc07c910)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc07c910)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdb741f88)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc0ea200)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc0ea200)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 If John Lennon were alive today, he would be 78. In honour of the lyrical legend, we've made a list of what we feel are the best covers that do his songs justice. What a life Lennon had. From rocketing to fame with The Beatles through the 1960's, to marrying Yoko Ono and becoming an extremely vocal political activist, to his shocking assassination outside of his home in New York city in 1980 at the age of 40. Lennon lives on through his songwriting however, and is regarded by many as one of the best songwriters that there has ever been. Now, before we get started on our list, let's get one thing straight - this was an unbelievably hard decision to make. There are literally thousands of John Lennon and The Beatles covers out there to choose just a few covers was a difficult task. Our list of John Lennon songs is in no particular order (to keep the peace!): Beck - 'Love' Originally appearing on his debut solo album 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band', the song was never released as a single, with 'Mother' being the only single released from the album in 1970. Beck sings a stellar cover that doesn't stray too far from the original. U2 - 'Instant Karma' The 2007 album 'Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur' was released to raise money for the crisis in Darfur, and featured many artists singing various covers of Lennon songs. U2's offering is the first song on the album. Arcade Fire - 'Mind Games' Performed as part of their Lollapalooza set in 2017, the Canadian band do justice to the title track of Lennon's third studio album in typical Arcade Fire fashion, urging concert-goers "don't believe everything you read". The Roots - 'Mother' Recorded as part of Lennon's 75th birthday celebrations in NYC three years ago, Jimmy Fallon's best friends added extra lyrics to their version of 'Mother'. Other artists who paid tribute on the night included Brandon Flowers, Paul McCartney, and Yoko Ono. Lady Gaga - 'Imagine' Lady Gagas take on 'Imagine' is beautiful. Her rendition of the song at the European Games Opening Ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan is very popular - not only for her performance, but also because of the lyrics that she is singing in front of Vlavimir Putin. Roxy Music - 'Jealous Guy' In a case of the cover possibly being more famous than the original, Roxy Music released their 80's synth version of the song in 1981, 10 years after the original. Elton John - 'Imagine' One of the most covered songs in the world, Lennons Imagine has been covered by everyone from Avril Lavigne, to Neil Young, to the late Chris Cornell. However, Elton John covering 'Imagine' in New York a mere couple months before Lennon was shot and killed, speaks volumes. *Honourable mention* The Corrs - Merry Xmas (War is Over) Here are the Corrs singing 'Merry Xmas (War is Over)', because it's never too early. Let us know what you thought of our list, and if there's any that you think we should have included. Trouble for Hubble: gyro fails on space telescope Washington, Oct 8 (AFP) Oct 08, 2018 The Hubble space telescope, which has been in orbit since 1990, has temporarily suspended operations because of a gyroscope failure, the US space agency said Monday. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said Hubble went into "safe mode" on Friday. "Hubble entered safe mode after one of the three gyroscopes actively being used to point and steady the telescope failed," NASA said in a statement. "Safe mode puts the telescope into a stable configuration until ground control can correct the issue and return the mission to normal operation," it said. "Hubble's instruments still are fully operational and are expected to produce excellent science for years to come," NASA added. Hubble is equipped with six gyroscopes to orient the telescope. Hubble is currently down to two working gyros and needs at least three for optimal operations. But it can continue to provide observations with just one functioning gyroscope. Dr. Rachel Osten, the deputy head of the Hubble mission, said it had been a "very stressful weekend." "First step is to try to bring back the last gyro, which had been off, and is being problematic," Osten said on Twitter. NASA said staff at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute were conducting tests and analysis to get the gyro working again. NASA said if they are unable to recover the malfunctioning gyro Hubble will resume science operations using just one device. "While reduced-gyro mode offers less sky coverage at any particular time, there is relatively limited impact on the overall scientific capabilities," NASA said. Hubble has made numerous outstanding observations of the cosmos since it was deployed in 1990. The James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to Hubble, is scheduled to be launched in March 2021. Video ad business booming in US: market tracker San Francisco, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 The video ad business is booming the US, with spending expected to grow 30 percent this year to $27.82 billion, an eMarketer forecast released Tuesday showed. Video ads will account for a quarter of overall digital ad spending this year, the market tracker predicted. Facebook, including its Instagram messaging service, was expected to rake in nearly a quarter of all money spent on video ads with the amount tallying about $6.8 billion. "In-feed video has been a successful ad format for both Facebook and Instagram," eMarketer principal analyst Debra Aho Williamson said in a statement. "A newer video ad format, in-stream advertising in Facebook Watch shows, is still relatively new, but we think advertisers will increase their usage of it because it is similar to linear TV advertising." Video ads will account for more than half the revenue at Twitter and Snapchat this year, according to eMarketer. The market tracker said paid video ads appearing in feeds, games and apps on social platforms were included in the forecast. Video ads are a main driver of revenue at Google-owned YouTube expected to generate $3.36 billion in a rise of 17 percent from last year. However, eMarketer noted, YouTube tends to spend more money than its rivals acquiring online traffic. EU ministers split on auto emission curbs Luxembourg, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 EU ministers battled Tuesday over the extent of emission cuts to be imposed on carmakers, in the wake of a warning by UN experts on the dangers of global warming. Auto-making power Germany is leading a fierce resistance to a compromise plan tabled by Austria, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. The Austrain plan would see a 35 percent CO2 reduction for new cars by 2030 -- nine years later than the 2021 date in current plans. German opposition is backed by eastern European member states -- while Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Nordic states are pushing for more ambitious reductions. Austria's proposal is greater than the target of 30 percent suggested by the European Commission, the EU executive, but it remains well below the 40 percent cut advocated by the European Parliament in a vote last week. German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, a social democrat, said that she would have liked to be able to support a more ambitious cut on behalf of Berlin, particularly after the alarm signal sent by IPCC experts. But she admitted that her coalition partner the CDU, the party of Chancellor Angela Merkel, was pushing the tougher line, which she would defend at the Luxembourg meeting. Germany -- home to Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW -- is worried that if targets are set too high it would hurt exports and threaten jobs. "I will represent the coordinated position," Schulze said. The ministerial talks in Luxembourg are expected to drag on late with any compromise achieved set for tough negotiations with MEPs and the commission in the coming weeks. France, home to Renault and Peugeot, wants "a 40 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from cars in 2030", French Environment Minister Francois de Rugy said as he arrived for the talks. Countries pushing for a more ambitious position pointed the finger directly at Berlin. "The German car industry is pushing the German environment policy against the wall, we want to put an end to this today," Luxembourg's Secretary of State for Sustainable Development, Claude Turmes, said. In the absence of consensus, a European official said the decision could go to a majority vote, which Berlin risks losing. Member States will also have to agree on targets for the share of electric vehicles in the overall fleet of car manufacturers, set at 35 percent by 2030 and 20 percent by 2025 by the European Parliament. Tuesday's meeting is also expected to adopt the EU's position at COP24, the UN climate summit to be held in December in Katowice, Poland. On Monday, UN climate experts urged policy makers to adopt "rapid" and "unprecedented" reforms if they want to adequately limit global warming caused by CO2 gas emissions. bur-arp/dc/jh VOLKSWAGEN DAIMLER Renault Hurricane Michael reaches Category 2, threatens southern US Miami, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Hurricane Michael strengthened to a Category 2 storm with 100-mile-per-hour winds on Tuesday as Florida's governor warned it could bring "total devastation" to parts of the southern US state. The storm -- currently located over the Gulf of Mexico -- is sweeping toward the Florida coast at around 12 miles per hour and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, bringing with it "life threatening" storm surges and heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center said. "It is a monstrous storm and the forecast (keeps) getting more dangerous," Florida Governor Rick Scott said. "The time to prepare is now." It "poses a deadly threat and as it grows stronger, we can expect it make landfall as a major Category 3 storm," said Scott, warning that it "could bring total devastation to parts of our state, especially in the panhandle." A hurricane warning was up across the Florida panhandle, a low-lying area of beachfront resort and retirement communities on northeastern Gulf coast. Forecasters warned of coastal flooding with storm surge and tides projected to raise water levels by as much as eight to 12 feet in some areas. Rainfall of four to eight inches, and as much as a foot in isolated areas, "could lead to life-threatening flash floods," according to the NHC, which also warned that the storm's approach could spawn tornados in northwestern Florida. - 'A big one' - Michael was forecast to have the power to uproot trees, block roads and knock out power for days by the time it hits Florida Wednesday. It is expected to weaken as it moves up into the southeastern United States. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has been in contact with officials about the incoming storm -- which he termed "a big one" -- and that the government, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was ready. "We are very well prepared. FEMA's ready. We're all ready. Spoke with Governor Scott, spoke to everybody that you have to speak to," Trump told journalists at the White House. The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month. It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches of rain. Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the western Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Hurricane Harvey -- causing a record-equaling $125 billion in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make cyclones more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima. Facebook seeing growth in business network Workplace San Francisco, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Facebook on Tuesday hosted its first global summit spotlighting a growing Workplace platform launched two years ago as a private social network for businesses. While Facebook would not disclose exact figures, it said Workplace -- a rival to collaboration services like Slack, Salesforce, and Microsoft -- has been a hit and that ranks of users have doubled in the past eight to 10 months. The list of companies using Workplace included Walmart, Starbucks, Spotify, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic. "It is growing very fast," Workplace by Facebook vice president Julien Codorniou told AFP. "We started with big companies, because that is where we found traction. It is a very good niche." Workplace is a separate operation from Facebook's main social network and is intended as a platform to connect everyone in a company, from counter or warehouse workers to chief executives, according to Codorniou. Workplace claimed that a differentiator from its competitors is that it connects all employees in businesses no matter their roles, even if their only computing device is a smartphone. "That really resonates with a new generation," Codorniou said of Workplace's "democratic" nature. "Millennials want to know who they work for and understand the culture of the company." He cited cases of top company executives using Workplace to get feedback from workers at all levels, bringing a small company feel to big operations. Workplace is rolled out to everyone in companies, which then pay $3 monthly for each active user. - No 'Candy Crush' - The software-as-a-service business began as an internal collaboration platform used at Facebook and was launched as its own business in 2016. Workplace is used by 30,000 companies and has its main office in London, according to Codorniou. Interaction with the platform plays off how people use Facebook, and Workplace adopts innovations from the leading social network. But, it is billed as a completely separate product. "This is coming from Facebook Inc., but has nothing to do with Facebook," he said. "You cannot play 'Candy Crush' on Workplace, but people ask. We just take what makes sense." The conference was used to announce new Workplace features including a version of Facebook safety check designed as a way for companies to quickly determine the status and well-being of workers in event of disaster or tragedy. Workplace also introduced the ability to have group voice or video chats with people routinely worked with outside a company. gc/rl Google launch event overshadowed by privacy firestorm Washington, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Google faced a fresh privacy backlash Tuesday over a glitch that may have exposed data from half a million users, overshadowing the Silicon Valley's launch of a new smartphone and other devices. The Silicon Valley giant said Monday it shut down its Google+ social network for consumers after it found and fixed a bug exposing private data in as many as 500,000 accounts, but drew fire for initially failing to disclose the incident. The revelation heightened concerns in Washington over privacy practices by Silicon Valley giants after a series of missteps by Facebook that may have leaked data on millions. "In the last year, we've seen Google try to evade scrutiny -- both for its business practices and its treatment of user data," Senator Mark Warner said in a statement. Warner said that despite "consent" agreements with the US Federal Trade Commission with Google and Facebook, "neither company appears to have been particularly chastened in their privacy practices." "It's clear that Congress needs to step in" for privacy protections, he added. Marc Rotenberg, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said the latest breach suggests the FTC has failed to do its job in protecting user data. "The Congress needs to establish a data protection agency in the United States," Rotenberg said. "Data breaches are increasing but the FTC lacks the political will to enforce its own legal judgments." Senator Richard Blumenthal said the news shows that "to truly end this cycle of broken promises, we need a national privacy framework that protects consumers." Security researcher Graham Cluley said in a blog that "the big story is that Google knew months ago that user data had been exposed and chose to keep the fact quiet." "Did no one tell them that cover-ups are always worse than coming clean?" he added. Princeton University researcher Arvind Narayanan noted in a tweet that Google revealed a "vulnerability" rather than a data breach but he noted that "Google has no way to know if the vulnerability was exploited in the past -- precisely because of (its) privacy by design." Bloomberg News reported meanwhile that Germany's data protection commissioner had begun a probe potential privacy protection violations. - Rising tensions - The internet search leader had already faced tensions with lawmakers after it decided against sending its top executive to testify at a hearing on privacy and data protection, prompting the committee to leave an empty seat for the company. Last month, Google indicated it would send chief executive Sundar Pichai to testify before Congress. Google has also been in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump, who alleged that its search results were biased against conservatives, although there was little evidence to support the claim. The rising tensions come with Google holding an event in New York widely expected to release its Pixel 3, the upgraded premium smartphone that aims to compete with high-end devices from Apple and Samsung. The Pixel phone is part of a suite of hardware products Google is releasing as part of an effort to keep consumers in its mobile ecosystem and challenge rivals like Apple and Amazon. Google also launched a new version of its connected speaker, with a touchscreen display designed to be a hub for smart home devices, but left out a camera for privacy reasons. On Monday, Google said it was unable to confirm which accounts were affected by the bug, but an analysis indicated it could have been as many as 500,000 Google+ accounts. Google did not specify how long the software flaw existed, or why it waited to disclose it. The Wall Street Journal reported that Google executives opted against notifying users earlier because of concerns it would catch the attention of regulators and draw comparisons to a data privacy scandal at Facebook. Earlier this year, Facebook acknowledged that tens of millions of users had personal data hijacked by Cambridge Analytica, a political firm working for Donald Trump in 2016. Google has also faced increasing tensions over a reported search engine which would be acceptable to Chinese censors, and over its work for the US military. On Tuesday, Google confirmed it is dropping out of the bidding for a huge Pentagon cloud computing contract that could be worth up to $10 billion, saying the deal would be inconsistent with its principles. MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has sought acceptable rate of return based on size of the potential investment in crude oil refining, marketing, distribution and related downstream sectors subject to applicable laws and regulations both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, well-informed sources in Petroleum Division told Business Recorder. Recently, Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Saudi Arabia wherein he discussed issues related to economic development of the country with special reference to the Pak-Saudi relationship. In the wake of this visit by the Prime Minister, a Saudi delegation visited Pakistan and proposed an MoU for cooperation in the field of oil and gas through respective state owned nominated commercial entities. Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd (PSO) has been proposed to be nominated as the commercial entity from Pakistan side and Saudi Aramco was nominated as Saudi commercial entity. In the light of discussions, a draft MoU was prepared and finalised by the representatives of Government of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The non-binding Memoran-dum of Cooperation and Understanding (MoU) was signed in Islamabad by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. According to the MoU, whereas the parties intend to promote their commercial goals and enhance their mutual interests through exploring and advancing investment opportunities for their respective commercial benefits; and whereas Government of Pakistan had proposed to Saudi Arabia opportunities for Saudi companies to invest in the Pakistan energy markets and petrochemical sectors by utilizing Saudi Arabian crudes. Now, therefore, in the spirit of promoting this collaboration and understanding in all pertinent matters, the parties agreed on the following Article 1 (objective): The MoU sets forth the parties basic understanding with respect to the objectives and scope of the collaboration. Specifically, the parties desire to work together, either bilaterally or in coordination with the related government and nominated state owned entities. PSO and Saudi Aramco will conduct study investment opportunities in the refining/ chemicals, distribution, marketing and related downstream sectors in order to evaluate the economic and technical feasibility of these opportunities in Pakistan while taking into account all logistical and regulatory factors including: (i) securing favourable investment incentives for an acceptable rate of return based on size of the potential investment; (ii) the allocation of appropriate lands to accommodate the initial investments and any potential expansions; (iii) the allocation of appropriate easement and entry rights to freely access the investment sites and freely transfer the feedstock and products to and from such site, including via roads, vessels, pipelines and any other means of transfer and transportation in the country; (iv) the allocation of appropriate tax exemption as per policy; (v) the allocation of natural gas as feedstock for refining activities at mutually agreed prices; (vi) facilitating obtaining adequate assurance that the necessary infrastructure for the success of any potential investment will be made available including the ability to utilize existing and upcoming power and infrastructure developments; (v) facilitating access to regional demand centres and marketing outlets; (vi) facilitate obtaining the requisite licences and government approvals to enter the refining, distribution and marketing sectors in all regions of the country as per applicable laws; (vii) encouraging the participation of third party investors in the proposed investment opportunities, subject to the approval of both parties; and (viii) ensuring that the investments attract international financing at competitive terms. Article 2( areas of cooperation): Facilitation related to the collaboration may include, but not limited to, the following, (i)( study visits between the parties, in coordination with related government and commercial entities and the exchange of specialists and researchers based on the resources availed by each party; (ii) the exchange of information and lessons learned in fields of mutual interest within the scope of the MoU; and (iii) engagement on joint studies in areas that improve the level of collaboration and realise the goals of the MoU. Article 3( means of cooperation): Parties intend to draw upon their mutual resources and expertise to undertake studies and activities in areas of shared interest within the scope of this MoU and coordinate with the related governmental and commercial affiliated entities, to assist the parties in promoting investment opportunities in Pakistan especially in the refining of Arabian crude, distribution, marketing and related downstream sectors, subject to the laws and regulations in force and applicable in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Article 4(confidentially): Unless expressly authorised in this MoU, the parties undertake not to disclose the terms of, and/or any information exchanged pursuant to this MoU to any third party without express written consent of the other party. Notwithstanding, both parties may disclose any or all information associated with the matter of this MoU to their relevant Ministries and board members. This MoU shall come into force on the Effective Date and shall remain in effect unless terminated by either party, with or without cause, pursuant to a written notice, while the commitments made herein do not create any binding obligations on the parties or their respective governments and affiliates, the parties nevertheless sign this MoU in recognition of their common interest and as a token of mutual goodwill and understanding Article 6 (Settlement of Disputes):Under this MoU and any disputes arising thereto shall be governed and Interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales without regard to any conflict of law provisions. Article 7 (Implementation of MoU): In order to ensure the effective implementation of and coordination under this MoU the Parties shall designate their representative Focal Points. Article 8: This MoU constitutes the entire understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter contained herein and there are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein. This MoU supersedes all previous agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter. Article 9 (Amendment or Modification): This MoU may not be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or violated except as expressly consented to in writing by both parties. Neither party may transfer or act on any rights or obligations arising out of this MoU, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other party. Fire and explosions erupt at Ukraine arms depot Kiev, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Some 12,000 people were evacuated after a fire and a series of explosions at an arms depot containing thousands of tonnes of ammunition in the north of Ukraine early Tuesday, authorities said. Emergency services said they had no information on any deaths or injuries in the incident near the town of Ichnya, more than 170 kilometres (100 miles) from Kiev. The fire and explosions began around 3:30am at the defence ministry's depot No. 6, which is spread over about 700 hectares (1,700 acres), the emergency services said in a statement. The size of the area affected was not known. Emergency services said in a statement that "there are approximately 88,000 tonnes of ammunition in the stores." Video posted on the emergency services website showed smoke rising up to regular thudding sounds of explosions. Almost 12,000 people were evacuated from the area at risk, including the inhabitants of 38 villages, regional authorities said, while gas and electricity were cut off to prevent accidents. President Petro Poroshenko called a meeting of the heads of security forces and promised to give residents all the necessary help, his spokesman wrote on Facebook. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman travelled to the scene and chaired a meeting of emergency services officials. Authorities closed the airspace in a 30-kilometre radius around the site, as well as rail and road traffic as more than a hundred firefighters worked at the scene. Military prosecutors opened a probe into possible negligence by officials, Interfax Ukraine news agency reported. Stockpiles of outdated ammunition dating back to the Soviet era often cause fires and explosions in Ukraine and Russia. It was the sixth major fire in three years at an arms depot of the Ukrainian army, which has been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country since 2014 in a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people. In March 2017, a huge fire set off explosions at a depot in the town of Balakliya in the Kiev-controlled part of eastern Ukraine, killing one person and injuring five others. Ukrainian authorities blamed that incident on an "act of sabotage". dg-ant/am/wdb PM-designate asks Iraqis to apply online for cabinet Baghdad, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Iraq's prime minister designate Adel Abdel Mahdi launched a website on Tuesday to allow candidates to apply for a ministerial position online as he struggles to form a government. The unprecedented measure comes as Abdel Mahdi, a former Iraqi vice president, battles to overcome sharp party political differences and forge a viable governing coalition. Abdel Mahdi was named prime minister on October 2 and, under the terms of the constitution, has until November 1 to form his government. The new website gives would-be candidates a three-day opportunity -- from Tuesday morning until Thursday afternoon -- to register online for a ministerial post. Applicants must register their personal data, indicate their political orientation and state whether they belong to any political party, according to the terms of registration found online. Both men and women may apply. Applicants must have a university degree or equivalent qualification -- a mandatory requirement for joining the government. Candidates can then choose the ministry they wish to head and must write a short statement of their vision of what makes a "successful leader" and "how to manage teams effectively". Applicants are also asked to set out in their vision statement how they would tackle the problems facing their ministry of choice and "practical solutions" for doing so. Abdel Hadi, 76, is a veteran of Iraq's fractious political scene. He is seen as an independent who brings years of experience to the job, culminating in a spell as oil minister under his predecessor Haider al-Abadi. A Shiite and native of Baghdad, the premier-designate is an economist by training and has the blessing of both of Iraq's feuding foreign power brokers -- Iran and the United States. He was assigned to form a government by new President Barham Saleh, a moderate Kurd who was elected by parliament on October 2 defeating the candidate of veteran nationalist leader Massud Barzani. Thousands evacuated as explosions spark fire at Ukraine arms depot Zaudaika, Ukraine, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 More than 12,000 people were evacuated after ammunition stored at an arms depot in northern Ukraine began exploding early Tuesday and set off a huge fire, authorities said. Security services said they were investigating "possible sabotage" in the incident at a defence ministry depot near the village of Druzhba, around 135 kilometres (84 miles) northeast of Kiev. Emergency services said they had no information on any deaths, and regional authorities said more than 60 people required medical help for smoke inhalation. Grey and white smoke rose up from the horizon on Tuesday morning, an AFP photographer saw, while explosions were going off every one to two minutes. A defence ministry official said the fire was raging in five storage areas, covering about 10 percent of the total of about 700 hectares (1,700 acres). The fire and explosions began around 3:30am local time (0030 GMT) at the Number Six depot, the emergency services said. Four explosions went off in different parts of the depot before a fire broke out, the deputy head of Ukraine's General Staff, Rodion Tymoshenko, said, suggesting this meant the incident could be "sabotage," a thinly veiled jab at Russia. Kiev forces have been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country since 2014 in a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people. More than 12,000 people were evacuated from the area at risk, the emergency services said. President Petro Poroshenko called a meeting of the heads of security forces and promised to give residents all the necessary help, his spokesman wrote on Facebook. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman travelled to the scene and chaired a meeting of emergency services officials. "The main thing is to preserve people's lives. Whatever's destroyed, we will rebuild," he wrote on Facebook. Authorities closed the airspace in a 30-kilometre radius around the site, as well as rail and road traffic. More than a hundred firefighters worked at the scene, while the defence ministry sent in a firefighting tank. - 'Possible sabotage' - The defence ministry said the intensity of the explosions had lessened in the morning and that the current explosions were from rifle ammunition, not shells. Tymoshenko denied a claim by the emergencies service that the depot contained 88,000 tonnes of ammunition, while saying the real total was a secret. More than half the ammunition was safely removed from the depot before the fire broke out, he said at a briefing. The SBU security service said it was looking into "possible sabotage." Military prosecutors opened a probe into possible negligence by officials. Stockpiles of outdated ammunition dating back to the Soviet era often cause fires and explosions in Ukraine and Russia. This was the sixth major fire in three years at an arms depot of the Ukrainian army. In March 2017, a huge fire set off explosions at a depot in the town of Balakliya in the Kiev-controlled part of eastern Ukraine, killing one person and injuring five others. Ukrainian authorities blamed that incident on an "act of sabotage". phot-dg-ant/am/as/wdb Israel must continue Syria strikes despite S-300 delivery: Netanyahu Jerusalem, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he told Russia's vice premier in talks on Tuesday that Israel must continue to hit hostile targets in neighbouring Syria, despite Moscow's decision to equip Damascus with advanced air defence missiles. Netanyahu said at a press conference that he told Maxim Akimov in talks in Jerusalem that Israel would continue to fight what it says are Iranian attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria and channel advanced weaponry to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. Despite the delivery of the S-300 air defence systems to the Syrian military, Israel was committed as a matter of self-defence to continue its "legitimate activity in Syria against Iran and its proxies, which state their intention to destroy us", Netanyahu said. It was his first publicised meeting with a senior Russian official since the accidental Syrian downing of a Russian plane during an Israeli air strike in Syria, an incident that raised tensions between Israel and Russia. Fifteen Russians were killed in the September 17 incident that Moscow blamed on Israel, accusing its pilots of using the larger Russian plane as cover. Israel disputes the Russian findings and says its jets were back in Israeli airspace when the plane was downed. In response, Moscow announced new measures to protect its military in Syria, including equipping Damascus with S-300 air defence systems. Russia and Israel set up a hotline in 2015 to avoid accidental clashes in Syria, but the new measures have led to concern among Israelis that their strikes will now be limited there. Netanyahu, who met Akimov on the sidelines of meetings of a bilateral economics committee, said he believed that the current dispute with Moscow would be resolved. "I think that with common sense and goodwill we can come to a solution that will allow the continuation of the good coordination between the Russian and Israeli militaries," he said. At the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss coordination. The leaders have spoken at least three times by phone since the September incident. Both Iran and Hezbollah -- enemies of Israel -- are supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in his country's civil war alongside Russia. Israeli planes have carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets. Yemen raids kill 79 rebels in 48 hours Aden, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Saudi-led coalition air strikes in Yemen have killed almost 80 Huthi rebel fighters over 48 hours in the western province of Hodeida, military and medical sources said Tuesday. The strikes on Hodeida, site of a vital port and target of a renewed coalition offensive, also left seven civilians dead, they said. Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen at the head of a military coalition to support the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after the Huthis ousted it from the capital Sanaa and swathes of the country's north. The coalition has used air power to oust the Iran-backed rebels from much of the country's south. But the Huthis continue to hold Sanaa and the key Red Sea port of Hodeida. Following the collapse of United Nations-backed talks in September, the coalition announced it was relaunching an assault on Hodeida city and its port. The port is the main conduit for aid and commodities into Yemen, which is teetering on the brink of famine. The fighting has since eased and the coalition has focused its raids on the city limits and other parts of the surrounding province. However, in the past 48 hours, coalition raids have hit two farms, two rebel training camps and an area close to the city's port, according to rebel military sources. Rescue personnel and medical sources have confirmed that 79 rebel fighters were killed and their bodies taken to hospitals in the province. Yemen's war has left 10,000 people dead, mostly civilians, since the coalition intervened in 2015, and triggered what the UN has labelled the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Planned Kim summit narrowed down to 'three or four' locations: Trump Washington, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that planning for his next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is advanced and that "three or four locations" have been short-listed. Trump said at the White House that the meeting would "probably" not be in Singapore, where their historic first talks took place in June. The pair discussed ending the reclusive state's nuclear weapons program and hostilities between Washington and Pyongyang. Trump said that in terms of timing, the summit "won't be that far away." He also said that "eventually" there could be a meeting on US soil. "On their soil also," he added. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim on Monday in Pyongyang to discuss a future summit and told reporters the North had made "significant progress" toward denuclearization. He said international inspectors would be allowed into the country to inspect a nuclear test site that Pyongyang has said it dismantled. "I think we've made incredible progress," Trump said Tuesday, hailing the absence of missile or nuclear tests this year and the recent return of remains of US service members killed during the Korean War. "No nuclear tests, no rockets, and we have a very good relationship with Chairman Kim, which is very important," Trump said. "I like him, he likes me, the relationship is good." Defectors to Trump: Put rights in any N. Korea deal Washington, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 North Korean defector Ji Seong Ho in January raised his crutches triumphantly during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, symbolizing his journey from near starvation to a place of honor in the US Capitol. On Tuesday, Ji was back in Washington, this time in an office building several blocks from the White House, where he had a message for Trump: make any declaration negotiated in his burgeoning relationship with Kim Jong Un contingent on human rights. "I think there should be a declaration of the end of abuse, not just a declaration of the end of war," Ji told a news conference at the National Press Club called by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea advocacy group. "Why can't we talk about human rights at the same time? We know they want something. Well, let's ask them for something that we want," he said. - Pompeo sees progress - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who met Kim on Sunday during his fourth visit to Pyongyang told reporters Tuesday that his trip had made "real progress" in the goal of "the full and final verified denuclearization of North Korea." Trump has hinted that he is ready to declare an end to war with Pyongyang, formally closing the 1950-53 conflict that resulted in an armistice rather than a formal treaty. Trump met in June with Kim in Singapore -- the first-ever summit between the two countries -- and said Tuesday he had narrowed down the possible locations for a second meeting to three or four. The real estate mogul turned president has declared himself "in love" with Kim and cast his sudden, rapid diplomatic push as a signature foreign policy achievement, saying he has kept Americans safe as Pyongyang has held off on further nuclear and missile tests. For Kim, an official end to the war and subsequent peace treaty would provide coveted international recognition and security guarantees for North Korea, ruled by three generations of his family with an iron fist. - Mass camps and starvation - Ji made an improbable escape from North Korea, widely seen as one of the most repressive regimes in the world, while hobbling on wooden crutches. He fell off a train while stealing coal to barter for food during the devastating famine in the 1990s and had his left arm and left leg amputated without anesthesia. He was fitted with prosthetic limbs after escaping to South Korea. Ji was joined at the news conference by Kang Chol Hwan, who was jailed for a decade from the age of nine after the totalitarian state accused his grandfather of treason. Kang -- whose story came to a wide audience through the book "The Aquariums of Pyongyang," written with French journalist Pierre Rigoulot -- accused dovish South Korean President Moon Jae-in of offering a lifeline to Kim's regime. "The North Korean economy is on the verge of collapse and they wouldn't have a lot of choice if the US and South Korea dictated certain terms," Kang said. "The reverse is what is happening. North Korea is dictating the terms and apparently the US and South Korea are being deceived by the North Korean leader and his regime." A landmark UN Commission of Inquiry released in 2014 found that North Korea was imprisoning 80,000 to 120,000 political prisoners in four large camps, with inmates deliberately starved as a means of control. While the United States still lists human rights concerns in regular reports, the Trump administration says its negotiations with North Korea are focused squarely on its nuclear and missile capabilities. "Mr Trump, please discuss human rights with Kim Jong Un whenever you see him. Because human rights are fundamental," he said. "If you want to give a gift of a declaration of the end of war, then I ask that you ask Kim Jong Un in exchange to dismantle all of the gulags in North Korea. That would be fair." The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. Bir-lehlou, October 8, 2018 (SPS) President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, has congratulates President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Mr.Yoweri Museveni, on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the Independence Day of this brotherly country. On behalf of the Saharawi People and on my own behalf, I extend my sincere congratulations on the 56th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Uganda, said the President of the Republic. I would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation and gratitude of the steady solidarity of Uganda in defending the struggle of the Sahrawi People for their right to self-determination and independence. I strongly believe, Excellency, that the bilateral relations established between the People of Republic of Uganda and the People of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, have played a crucial role in bringing them closer, based on mutual respect and common approach towards key challenges regarding peace and development. In addition, it has for sure enhanced the core role of the African Union to take its natural place in the International arenas, added the President of the Republic. (SPS) 062/SPS TO VIEW MORE NEWS STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON NEWS TAB ON MAIN MENU BAR Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Mr. Ciruli is the Director of the Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Denvers Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He is an adjunct professor teaching public opinion and foreign policy. The Crossley Center conducts research and presents live and virtual programs on foreign policy, politics, public policy and public opinion. Mr. Ciruli holds a law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and a bachelors degree cum laude in political science from UCLA. He is a member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), and is the past-president of the Pacific Chapter of AAPOR (PAPOR). Mr. Ciruli is a board member of the Social Science Foundation of the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies and past-president of the Georgetown Law Alumni Board and the Denver Athletic Club. The belltower in the neighbouring San Agustin church marks the passing of time and tells us we have spent more than an hour in conversation with the artistic director of the Museo Picasso Malaga, Jose Lebrero, in the patio of the cafeteria there. Lebrero has been in the post for more than half of the 15 years since the museum opened and his experience makes him the ideal person to reflect upon the past, present and future of this cultural institution. The first question has to be: how do you see the 15 years of the Picasso museum's existence? Those who took the decision and had the ambition to make a Picasso museum possible in Malaga undoubtedly had a view of how its future would evolve. I imagine that with so much work involved they were very concerned with the present, though, because creating this space, building this museum, opening it, must have taken a tremendous amount of energy and effort. Nobody could have been sure that 15 years later Malaga would be as identified with the Picasso museum as it is, that Picasso would become, I think for the good but sometimes also for the bad, a sign of the city's identity. They couldn't have known that the inauguration would result in Malaga becoming known nationally as the city of museums. This is all good news. The city has been transformed. Maybe in the short or medium term we could imagine it without some museums, but imagining it without a Museum of Malaga or a Picasso Museum would be unthinkable. "We have to transmit Picasso's values to younger generations; it doens't seem enough to hang pictures in a gallery" You mentioned other museums. When the MPM opened, there was really only the CAC in Malaga but things are very different now. Do you think the museum should change its role because of that? Those of us in the world of museums and culture know that things are happening very quickly nowadays, processes are shorter. We know that a book can be written and within a year an unknown author can be a star. We know that economic factors govern part of the art world, and in a cruel way too, sometimes. We know we always have to be thinking about who the public are, what do the people who visit this type of museum want. History is being re-read and people are reacting. We know that today the Picasso Museum in Malaga is what it is, but tomorrow it will have to be something else. What should it be? I would like it to be a museum involved in the digital world. I think it would be a complicated challenge, but a very interesting one: to be able to translate the values of Picasso's work and the values of his time, from the late 19th century to the 1970s, and transmit those aesthetic values, and also some ethical values, to younger generations in a way they find attractive. It doesn't seem enough to me, although it is necessary and our raison d'etre, to hang some pictures in a gallery. If we want to be part of the contemporaneity we see around us, we have to be aware that sometimes those pictures on a wall might not attract a 17-year-old from Morocco or Helsinki as much as an interpretation that we could give of those values, those contents and those forms. It is a challenge, but it is also a necessity. With regard to young people and the need to attract their attention, is that why the museum has featured contemporary art under your management? The term 'contemporary' is a slippery one. What do we mean by contemporary? The Picasso Museum in Malaga at this time does not, as I understand it, have the priority function of highlighting what the best creators of the world are doing in response to the major questions of today. It is not a way of making a type of Contemporary Art Centre mark 2, as maybe some people may believe, think or not understand. It is a way of remembering that Pablo Picasso was very important for Jackson Pollock, a way of contrasting the masculinity of Pablo Picasso's work with the femininity of the work of Louise Bourgeois, a way of understanding why an artist like Andy Warhol was not particularly interested in Pablo Picasso, and that it was a sign that times were changing in the USA. All this is to do with a willingness to understand artistic work in a more anthropological way. The museum presented the Andy Warhol exhibition, which ended recently, as the most ambitious in its history but it attracted less than half the number of visitors as in Barcelona and Madrid. Why was that, do you think? They are three very different cities and the behaviour of visitors, or tourists, differs. We don't denigrate the term 'tourist' here, as it seems some places do... that's not us. We are delighted... Why do you believe some museums are not keen on tourism? I believe they don't really understand the function they need to develop, nor do they properly understand what the term 'tourist' means. A tourist isn't just a young man who comes to a European country to get drunk and throw up in the streets; 'tourist' also means something like those British romantics, or the travels of Matisse and Duchamp. I don't think it's the right way to understand tourism. Are we going to give the industry an ugly reputation? It shows a lack of reflection about handling a topic like tourism, especially among cultural institutions. Those who do not recognise that their work as cultural mediators is going to be more legitimised if more people visit the places where they are, have a rather particularistic view, shall we say, of the question. So do you consider the number of visitors to be a good indication of how well a museum is doing? Of course it is. Many people will go to one place, but not to another which is very similar. Let's analyse it. Why do fewer people go to see contemporary art? Why are more people going to see modern art? What are the museums offering? What tools do we provide people with? I believe we have to avoid maximalist statements, including demagogical ones in these matters. We have to be pleased that many people want to come, otherwise there is a danger to society, a danger of becoming slaves and victims of the banalisation and commercialisation of culture. That is what is happening to us. I believe we have lost the thread... We'll come back to the numbers for Warhol later, but to continue along these lines, as the director of a museum in the historic centre of Malaga, do you share the view that the oldest part of the city is being turned into a theme park for tourists? As the Museo Picasso Malaga we try to comply with our mission and mandate to be a rigorous cultural institution. What happens outside the museum is something that affects us as citizens. If the area deteriorates, becomes gentrified, becomes cheap in a banal way, if it is populated by speculators who are only interested in short term benefit, putting pressure on the tourists who come, we don't like that. Obviously we are not going to like it, whether we are residents or tourists. The danger in this city is exactly that, it is clearly evident. The danger lies in the wild feeding of a tourism bubble in which everything seems to be going well, but nobody can testify to the sustainability of the model. Maybe the city has been finding all that out, but let's talk about it. By listening and talking, maybe we can find ways of stopping the process of deterioration which is affecting the historic city centre. Speaking of tourism, how many visitors to the MPM live in Malaga? Fewer than 20 per cent of the total. It is not an optimal figure; our ambition has always been for as many people as possible to know the museum. We are working on a project to reach outside the city and into the province more. It is also true that on one hand the number of passers-by who visit a museum is increasing, but the number of residents who do so is not. There are indications that this is to do with the ability to surprise people, to offer them something different. Is that why the presentation of the collection has changed? Indeed, and as well as the temporary exhibitions, the cultural activities too. Under the agreement with the foundation created by Picasso's heirs, the collection changes every three years. Doesn't that model make the museum a sort of Picasso family franchise? No... I don't believe so. A franchise museum would have to close if there were a mother museum which took that decision. It seems unthinkable to me that the MPM would close because somebody just decided it should. Also, the Picasso museum has its own collection. Let's go back to what we were saying about the Warhol exhibition. Why didn't more people come and see it at the Picasso Museum? It comes down to figures. For example, the population of the three cities, Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga differs. Another factor is the type of visitors to these cities and the institutions which have hosted the exhibition. They are all different. Is Malaga more international? Malaga has fewer residents. We have a very large number of people who visit us from elsewhere. The main reason people come to the MPM is to see the work of Picasso. Long may that continue. Given that interest, have you thought about creating a single-ticket system as other museums in the world are doing? I hope I don't see that happen. I'm not in favour of it. I believe diversification is a positive thing. Not everyone is able to pay for everything. If we are in need of income, we should be more imaginative than that. There are other ways. I believe in diversified models. You say you hope you won't see that happen. Nothing is eternal. I say that because your contract has a year to run. I believe the museum works well and it isn't something we have considered. We are working on the programme for the next few years. It isn't on the table? No. Not at present. We have other priorities. What are they? To continue growing in quality and quantity. The museum is able to generate income. It has shown that it can grow and I believe it can do so even more, and qualitatively. What's important, I believe, is that it grows but grows well. We need to develop a critical spirit with regard to the institution itself. Being so pleased with yourself can lead to internal routines which result in a certain intellectual desertification. That can be avoided through growth. Around 400 health experts, the majority of them doctors and researchers, have signed a letter sent to the Spanish minister for Health, Maria Luisa Cancedo, calling for immediate action against pseudoscientific therapies such as homeopathy. On too many occasions, they say, these remedies have led patients to abandon conventional medical treatments which has caused their death. The specialists refer to cases such as that of Rosa Morillo, an economist who died last year after rejecting specialist treatment when she was diagnosed with a malign tumour in her breast. Her condition suffered a major deterioration after several months of treatment with only homeopathic products. The signatories of the letter call for the minister to use the law - or make new ones if necessary - to prevent registered doctors from offering their patients pseudotherapies; to prevent people without the precise training and qualifications to publicly offer therapies with no scientific basis; and to prevent pseudoscientific products, such as homeopathic remedies, from being sold in pharmacies "despite being ineffective". Spain's Asamblea Nacional de Homeopatia, which represents doctors, pharmacists and vets who specialise in homeopathy, responded with a statement. Its signatories reject homeopathy being offered as a unique therapy or a substitute for surgery or chemotherapy, but support its use as a complementary treatment and one to reduce side effects. Hurricane Michael reaches Category 2, threatens southern US Miami, Oct 9 (AFP) Oct 09, 2018 Hurricane Michael strengthened to a Category 2 storm with winds over 100 miles per hour on Tuesday as Florida's governor warned it could bring "total devastation" to parts of the southern US state. The storm -- currently located over the Gulf of Mexico -- is sweeping toward the Florida coast at around 12 miles (19 kilometers) per hour and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon, bringing with it "life threatening" storm surges and heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center said. "It is a monstrous storm and the forecast (keeps) getting more dangerous," said Florida Governor Rick Scott, who has activated 2,500 members of the National Guard in response. "The time to prepare is now." It "poses a deadly threat and as it grows stronger, we can expect it to make landfall as a major Category 3 storm," said Scott, warning that it "could bring total devastation to parts of our state, especially in the panhandle." A hurricane warning was up across the Florida panhandle, a low-lying area of beachfront resorts and retirement communities on the northeastern Gulf coast, and a state of emergency has been declared in 35 of the state's counties. A mandatory evacuation for Bay County, located in the panhandle, affects some 120,000 residents, Sheriff Tommy Ford said. Forecasters warned of coastal flooding, with storm surge and tides projected to raise water levels by as much as eight to 12 feet (2.5 to 3.5 meters) in some areas. Rainfall of four to eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters), and as much as a foot in isolated areas, "could lead to life-threatening flash floods," according to the NHC, which also warned that the storm's approach could spawn tornados in northwestern Florida. - 'A big one' - Michael was forecast to have the power to uproot trees, block roads and knock out power for days by the time it hits Florida. It is expected to weaken as it moves up into the southeastern United States. Televised images showed long lines at gas stations and residents hurrying to fill sandbags, while tolls were suspended on some roads to aid movement ahead of the storm's landfall. "Since 6:00 am it's been backed up, we're just now running out of regular (gasoline)," Danny Hess, an employee at a gas station in Panama City, told local WJHG television. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has been in contact with officials about the incoming storm -- which he termed "a big one" -- and that the government, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was ready. "We are very well prepared. FEMA's ready. We're all ready. Spoke with Governor Scott, spoke to everybody that you have to speak to," Trump told journalists at the White House. The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month. It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches of rain. Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the western Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Hurricane Harvey, which caused a record-equaling $125 billion in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make cyclones more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima. In the case of United States v. Windsor, the Supreme Court found that the Constitution required formal, legal, and constitutional recognition of homosexual marriage. And yet if the Court had followed its own precedents, it would have ruled that Edith Windsor lacked the legal standing to file her original lawsuit In Lawrence v. Texas (2003), the Supreme Court overturned its precedent seventeen years earlier in Bowers v. Hardwick (1986) in which the Court had upheld Texas sodomy law. Responding to Justice Antonin Scaliawho argued in dissent that by principle and logic the decision pointed to the next step of homosexual marriageJustice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the Lawrence majority, said that the decision does not involve public conduct or prostitution. It does not involve whether the government must give formal recognition to any relationship that homosexual persons seek to enter. Ten years later in United States v. Windsor (2013), the subject of this essay, the Court overturned that part of the Lawrence precedent and did indeed find that the Constitution required formal, legal, and constitutional recognition of homosexual marriage. The inevitable Edith Windsor and her female spouse had been married in Canada in 2007, when even the state of New York did not have homosexual marriage. When the spouse died in 2009, she left her estate to Ms. Windsor, who because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) establishing natural marriage as the definition of marriage for purposes of federal law, had to pay substantial taxes on her inheritance. The IRS, citing DOMA, refused to recognize her as a surviving spouse. DOMA, a defensive measure formally defining what the United States Congress said had always been implicit in federal law, was enacted in 1996 precisely in anticipation of the Supreme Court inevitably attempting to give formal recognition to homosexual marriagethat is, even before the Supreme Court in Lawrence in 2003 had said that it would not do so. In Romer v. Evans (1996), the Court had invalidated a new amendment to the Colorado state constitution approved by citizen referendum that forbade affirmative action for homosexuals. Passed four months after and in response to the Supreme Courts Romer decision, DOMA provided that under all federal laws and regulations, marriage concerned a legal union between one man and one woman. It did not prevent states from enacting homosexual marriage in their own laws. DOMA passed the House by a vote of 342-67 and the Senate by a vote of 85-14. The Courts 2003 decision in Lawrence had strengthened the homosexual judicial cause established in Romer seven years earlier. Four months after Lawrence, the Massachusetts Supreme Court in Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Heath, had cited Lawrence as the principal basis for inserting homosexual marriage in that states constitution. However, the homosexual movement then stalled out; only five states enacted homosexual marriage by legislation. The obvious next step was the federal Constitution. Plaintiff Windsor alleged that DOMA was in violation of the judicially created element of the equal protection element of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Alleging that as a spouse she was exempt from estate taxes, she asked for a refund of the estate taxes that she had paid. The IRS, citing DOMA, refused to issue the refund. The faithfulness of the President As soon as the case was filed in federal district court in New York and before any ruling by that court, the Obama Justice Department filed a historically unprecedented notice with the district court that it would not defend the constitutionality of natural marriage as provided by DOMA. In that notice, DOJ said that the President has concluded that classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a heightened standard of scrutiny. The President, DOJ said, had instructed the Department [of Justice] not to defend the statute. However, at the same time, the Department continued to enforce the IRSs ruling against Ms. Windsor. Otherwise, there would have been no adversarial proceeding, no case or controversy. Neither Ms. Windsor nor the Department of Justice would have had any standing to be in court. According to the Article II of the Constitution, the President must take care to see that federal laws are faithfully executed. At infrequent times in recent American history, the Department of Justice has notified the Court of its intention not to defend a statute because of an adverse lower-court ruling that had demonstrated irreconcilable contradictions in the statutes wording or with other federal statutes. Even rarer have been cases in which a lower federal court has found a federal statute to be unconstitutional, for in that situation, DOJ is in direct opposition to the Congress whose laws it was bound to faithfully defend, as well as to its own Executive who had signed the law (see the Chadha case below). But there was no precedent whatsoever for the Executive not defending so fundamental a statutethe Windsor Court said it applied to more than 1,000 federal lawswhich the Congress had held to have been always implicit in the history and tradition of all federal laws, and before a ruling by a lower court against it. And Justice Kennedy, writing for the majority, recognized the difference because DOJs position, he said, had not been preceded by an adverse judgment. He said that President Obamas decision not to defend the statute reflected the Executives own conclusion. As a substitute for the Executive and in order to ensure that DOMA was defended, the Court allowed the House of Representatives, by its Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG), to file a brief as an intervenor. When Attorney General Eric Holder notified the Court that it would not defend DOMA, he acknowledged the Departments longstanding practice of defending the constitutionality of duly-enacted statutes if reasonable arguments can be made in their defense. Thus did the Obama Administration conclude that the only definition of marriage in world history could not reasonably be defended. The only possible precedent for Windsor is the case of INS v. Chadha (1983), in which the Supreme Court ruled that the one-house legislative veto provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act was an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers. Mr. Chadha was a Kenyan national residing in the United States on a temporary visa. With his visa expiring, Mr. Chadha successfully petitioned the Immigration and Nationalization Service (INS) to suspend deportation proceedings against him. When the House of Representatives voted to cancel the suspension and resume Mr. Chadhas deportation, Mr. Chadha sued and argued that the one-veto was unconstitutional. Whereupon, the Reagan Administrations Department of Justice agreed with Chadha about the constitutional issue but, as in Windsor, continued to enforce his deportation. Both the House and the Senate joined the suit in defense of the one-house veto. In Windsor, Justice Kennedy said that Windsor and Chadha were comparable because in both cases the plaintiff was liable for personal injury: taxes or deportation. Indeed, Chadha is central to the majority opinion in Windsor. But, there are at least four differences. First, in Chadha, there were two genuine cases or controversies below: by the INS and by the House, that later triggered the larger constitutional issue. In contrast, Windsor was from the beginning an invented, activist attempt to overturn a comprehensive federal law. Second, both houses of Congress were parties in Chadha from the beginning, not mere permissive intervenors as in Windsor. Third, Chadha, unlike Windsor, involved an inevitable and direct constitutional dispute between the legislative and executive branches. Windsor was an agreement by the executive branch to support an attack on a federal law. Fourth, in his case, Mr. Chadha himself was individually and uniquely at risk by governmental action. Plaintiff Windsor, who had the same tax status as every other American taxpayer, chose on her own to create a case against herself. Thus, the Obama Administration colluded with Ms. Windsor rather than opposing her by faithfully defending DOMA. And the Supreme Court colluded with the Obama Administration in allowing its Department of Justice to appear in court with the self-contradictory strategy of both opposing DOMA and supporting its enforcement against Ms. Windsor. Justice Kennedy called this only a complication. A taxpayers suit Ms. Windsor, a taxpayer, sued to have her estate taxes refunded. That was the basis of her standing to be in court. She had the opportunity to sue DOMA only because and on the basis of her standing to seek that tax refund. Suits by plaintiffs identifying themselves as taxpayers have been almost impossible to pursue. Since the 1923 case of Frothingham v. Mellon, the Supreme Court has ruled that the paying of taxes does not give a taxpayer standing to challenge federal laws by alleging that his only injury is the paying of taxes. Frothingham had challenged a new federal program as an invasion of the sovereignty of the states under the Tenth Amendment. The Court ruled that did not have a direct, personal injury distinct from other taxpayers. The Court made an exception in Flast v. Cohen (1968), which concerned federal funds going to religious schools, but limited the exception to when a taxpayer is challenging the expenditure of federal funds under a Congressional spending measure, federal funds to religious schools. More recently, in Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation (2007), the Court called Flast v. Cohen a narrow exception and ruled that taxpayers did not have standing to challenge expenditures of the executive agency, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Despite these precedents, Justice Kennedy for the Windsor majority pointedly identified Ms. Windsors case as a taxpayers suit. He said that she had suffered a redressable injury because she was required to pay estate taxes from which, in her view, she was exempt on account of the unconstitutionality of DOMA. Yet, the no-taxpayer-suits cases all concerned federal expenditures. Ms. Windsors suit actually concerned federal income. More importantly, her status as a taxpayer was simply a cover to allow her to attack DOMAunlike Chadhas case which had nothing to do with constitutionality when it began with proceedings in the INS. As in Frothingham and Hein, Ms. Windsor was subject to the same taxes as everyone else. The injury she alleged was the paying of taxes. In that regard, she had the same status as a general taxpayer and, thus, the same general purpose as the plaintiffs in all taxpayer suits. On to marriage The unprecedented paths discussed in this essay that led to a decision in Windsor on the merits of marriage, the separation of powers, and federalism were apparently all just complications to the Windsor majority. The Court decided to plough ahead: Still, there is no suggestion here that it is appropriate for the Executive as a matter of course to challenge statutes in the judicial forum rather than making the case to Congress for their amendment or repeal. The integrity of the political process would be at risk if difficult constitutional issues were simply referred to the Court as a routine exercise. But this case is not routine. And the capable defense of the law by BLAG ensures that these prudential issues do not cloud the merits question, which is one of immediate importance to the Federal Government and to hundreds of thousands of persons. These circumstances support the Courts decision to proceed to the merits. Editors Note: This essay is part of a series on Supreme Court precedents established and then overturned or ignored in the fifty-year history of the right-of-privacy and homosexual-marriage cases. The Imaginative Conservative applies the principle of appreciation to the discussion of culture and politicswe approach dialogue with magnanimity rather than with mere civility. Will you help us remain a refreshing oasis in the increasingly contentious arena of modern discourse? Please consider donating now. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 08:13 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776b8916 4 Editorial hoax,#Editorial,Ratna-Sarumpaet,#2019PresidentialElection,2019-presidential-election,social-media,fake-news Free Last week, the nations focus on handling the devastating impacts of the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi was briefly distracted by unnecessary hubbub resulting from a hoax that has now put a theater actor-cum-government critic behind bars. The police, without much fanfare compared with the deafening reactions condemning the states silence on the reported violence, were quick to discover facts that forced 69-year-old Ratna Sarumpaet to confess her lies and apologize. The police arrested Ratna on Thursday evening as she was boarding a flight to Santiago, Chile, for an international women playwrights conference. Perhaps fairly, accusations were raised that the police were unusual in their quick response just because Ratna was a member of the campaign team for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, the single challenger to the incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo in next years presidential race. Nevertheless, the case has sent an alarming message about this nations vulnerability to hoaxes. Prabowo, his team and followers, who had acted in defense of Ratna when the fake news spread, have claimed to be victims of a hoax. But if highly educated people like them are easy prey to a falsehood, then we can imagine what would happen to millions of others. Social cohesion, billed as the characteristic of Indonesia, was in danger thanks in part to the spread of lies through mainstream and social media platforms ahead of the 2014 presidential election and the regional elections held afterward. We have seen that the trick is far from dying down given the continuing hostility between the warring camps in the virtual world, with the help of their cyber armies and buzzers. Both presidential candidates contesting the 2019 race share a common interest in giving no room for hoaxes, they said; but the realization of their pledge remains to be seen. In this era of non-stop information flow, a contender could win office not because of his or her track record, but the ability to discredit rival candidates, including through lies. Progress of information technology has made the job easier, not to mention the electorate who lack internet literacy. The Ratna case is a blessing in disguise that reminds us as a nation to build a defense mechanism against hoaxes. We cannot solely rely on the police through their enforcement of the laws, aimed to create a deterrent effect, as fake news will be produced and reproduced even after the elections are over until we believe it as truth. It will take time to improve internet literacy, particularly in a society where critical thinking is alien and the result is more worthy of credit than process. Worse, as access to internet is no longer a luxury, people are actually segregated based on certain information that they like and this accelerates the spread of fake news. A grassroots movement in a Yogyakarta neighborhood that keeps children from gadgets and provides them enough time and space to play together, is a simple initiative but it gives us hope we can win the war on hoaxes. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Kurniawan Ulung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 09:35 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776bc43d 4 Art & Culture FX-Harsono,human-rights-violations,human-rights,Indonesian-artists,artist,art-and-culture Free Award-winning artist Franciscus Xaverius Harsono is not afraid to throw shade at human rights violators and artists whose works mean nothing to society. At a recent art fair, he did not linger for long, as he simply looked around and left even though he was aware that many of the young participating artists graduated from prestigious art schools both at home and abroad. For him, the displayed works were meaningless since they aimed to satisfy the market. Their works are just artistically beautiful, unique and highly decorative. Thats it, the 69-year-old said. The way they understand visual art is on the surface only. Harsono said the contemporary art world had changed, with the quality of artwork not just determined by craftsmanship but also the idea and concept that the artist raises, what they mean to society and how deeply and thoroughly they are understood and expressed. Craftsmanship is no longer important in the making of an artwork, said one of the founders of Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru (New Art Movement) in 1975, which significantly influenced the development of contemporary art in Indonesia. The beauty in a work of art today, he said, was not just about a harmonious combination of colors. An artwork is beautiful if it manages to fully deliver on the idea or concept the artist has, said the laureate of the Prince Claus Award in 2014. Harsono has made a name for himself as a leading and influential contemporary artist in Indonesia, winning various awards, including the prestigious Joseph Balestier Award for the Freedom of Art in January 2015. He contributed his success to ideas, which he said could come not only from new things but also from history, which mattered since it was not just about what happened in the past, but also about the present and the future. Born as Oh Hong Bun, Harsono is known for work that comes with strong social commentary and his critical voice against social and political oppression in the country, including discrimination against the Chinese-Indonesian community. How can we talk about the future if we know nothing about our past? If I do not know my past, I might not love this country and then leave it, the versatile artist said, recalling discrimination he faced as a Chinese Indonesian. One of his world-recognized seminal works is Writing in the Rain a series of videos where the artist uses ink brush to write his name in Chinese characters on a glass wall as rain slowly washes the ink away. FX Harsono (-/A.Kurniawan Ulung) The critically acclaimed videos, which represents authoritarian president Soehartos ban on anything related to Chinese identity, including name, was screened every midnight in January this year at Times Square in New York. At his latest solo exhibition titled Reminiscene in Singapores Gillman Barracks, he displayed installations and a series of drawings about what happened when he was born in 1949 in his hometown of Blitar, East Java: the genocide of Indonesians of Chinese descent in Java from 1947 to 1949. Harsono, whose father was a photographer, learned of the tragedy after accidentally finding his fathers photographs of the excavation of a mass Chinese graveyard full of genocide victims in Blitar. One of the displayed installations in Singapore was The Light of Spirit. Replicating a gravesite with a chandelier of over 200 electric candles on top, it functioned as a monument to pay tribute to the victims of the massacre. The perpetrators of historical violence have a tendency to edit history. A great nation learns from the past. Acknowledging history might be painful, but it will help future generations to avoid from making the same mistake. Denying the past will allow history to repeat itself, he explained. I am not angry, but I want you to know what happened. Nobody should forget it. The artist has exhibited his works at home and abroad but rarely holds solo exhibitions since it can take him months or even years of research to make a work of art. He conducted research for nine years about the killing of Chinese-Indonesians from 1947 to 1949, explaining that, since 2009, he has been actively learning about the little known mass gravesite of the murdered Chinese. Harsono said that in the making of artwork, research was a must to help artists fully understand the idea or topic they were trying to convey something that he always points out when teaching. In August, he completed his job as a mentor in SKS, a new contemporary art school project initiated by Erudio Indonesia. The four-month program was special for Harsono since most of its participants were professionals who had never studied visual arts formally in art schools. I believe that everyone can be an artist, he said. SKS students also showcased their works in an exhibition titled Titik Temu (Meeting Point) at the National Gallery, Jakarta. Although the program was short, Harsono said he was satisfied with their work because of the various issues they raised and their research. The Light of Spirit by FX Harsono (Courtesy of FX Harsono/-) One of SKS participants was Adriani S. Sumantri, an anthropologist who has researched death philosophy and spirituality since 2017. She made an installation entitled Mati, Death. Another work, Sedo, which comprised batik cloth, a book, smells and audio, aimed to encourage people to learn about death to understand life. In addition to the SKS project, Harsono runs an alternative art school called Exi(s)t, which he founded with graphic designer Hermawan Tanzil in 2011 as a response to the public and private art schools across the archipelago that he was disappointed with because of their use of market-oriented curriculum. In the curriculum, research is largely ignored because what matters is craftsmanship, not idea. Therefore, in formal art schools, students are just trained to make artwork that can meet market demand instead of artwork that means something to society. It is one of the reasons why he prefers to teach visual arts in alternative projects like Exi(s)t and SKS, because he formulated their curricula. His efforts have brought him a sense of accomplishment, as some of the project graduates have received recognition in the contemporary art scene at home and abroad. My student, Elia Nurvista, for example, is now undergoing a residency for a year in Berlin, Germany. She did research about how people in the deserted area of Gunung Kidul in Yogyakarta survive. What kinds of foods are they eating? Her artwork is about that, Harsono said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yoon Min-sik (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) Seoul Tue, October 9, 2018 13:02 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776caba7 2 Entertainment BTS,K-pop,#KPop,South-Korea Free K-pop sensation BTS is being commended for its contributions in spreading Korean culture and language, the presidential office said Monday. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said it had been decided at a Cabinet meeting held earlier in the day to award the seven members of the boy band with a fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit. Many young people overseas are now singing Korean lyrics, one of the examples of (BTS) contributing to not only spreading Hallyu, but also Hangeul, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon was quoted by Kim as saying. Tuesday marks Koreas annual Hangeul Day. Actor Lee Soon-jae will also receive the Hwagwan medal, while the Grand Order of Mugunghwa -- the top order of any kind in Korea -- will be bestowed upon French President Emmanuel Macron for his contribution to the relationship between the two countries. Read also: BTS dazzles New York with history-making stadium concert The Order of Cultural Merit is awarded by the president to those deemed to have given outstanding meritorious services in the culture and arts field serving the interest of promoting Korean culture. Actor Bae Yong-joon, who contributed to spreading the word for Hallyu to encompass Korean arts with his popularity in Japan, received the Hwagwan award in 2008. BTS is among the most popular, and perhaps singularly most successful, Korean musical acts internationally as of today. It remains the only K-pop artist to top the Billboard 200 albums chart -- having done so with Love Yourself: Tear and Love Yourself: Answer -- while no other Korean artist had even cracked the top 30. The boy band also has a number of accolades under its belt, including the top social artist award at the Billboard Music Awards and being featured on a number of popular US shows, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Late Show. Topics : This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Celine Cornu (Agence France-Presse) Milan, Italy Tue, October 9, 2018 14:00 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776cbeaf 2 Lifestyle Benetton,brands,artistic-director Free Italian group Benetton on Monday named veteran fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac as artistic director of its men's and women's collections. "We are happy to welcome Jean-Charles de Castelbajac into our big family," United Colors of Benetton boss Luciano Benetton said in a statement, hailing his ability to "forecast tomorrow's social and fashion trends". Born in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1949, De Castelbajac debuted with a collection he launched with his mother in 1968. Since then he has had a long career spanning fashion, advertising, painting and street art. He has inspired trends including "anti-fashion" and likes to make alternative use of objects, including a "fur coat" of teddy bears worn by Madonna. "Born from a mix of punk and pop, his style is characterized by the use of strong colors and pop icons, the mix of old and new and a whimsical and irreverent touch," said Benetton, whose company has sufferdc dwindling sales for a decade. "United Colors of Benetton and I have always had a similar take on fashion, characterized by the passion for knitwear and the love of pop and rainbow Colors," Castelbajac said. - 'Witty and flamboyant' - The company said it shared a passion for "contaminating fashion with art" with Castelbajac, who has worked with Andy Warhol, Miguel Barcelo, Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, M.I.A and Lady Gaga. Thanks to social networks, fashion today is visible to everyone. But it remains affordable only to a few, Castelbajac said. Read also: Carlo Benetton, co-creator of 'United Colours' brand dies Together, United Colors of Benetton and I will seek to create tomorrows wardrobe, bringing beauty and style to everyday life, at prices that everyone can afford. London's Victoria and Albert Museum exhibited Castelbajac's work in 2006, including a Campbell's soup can dress, the teddy-bear fur coat, giant Snoopy t-shirts and inflatable ponchos. The museum hailed the maverick Castelbajac's "witty and flamboyant" designs that have dressed stars from Farah Fawcett in 1970s series "Charlie's Angels" to Mick Jagger and Elton John. His rainbow flag vestments for Pope Jean-Paul II earned him further fame, reminiscent of the iconoclastic photographs of Oliviero Toscani for United Colors of Benetton. "Castelbajac's childhood was spent surrounded by the bleak colours of a military boarding school," the museum said. "He 'highjacked' materials in his first show, refashioning materials such as oilcloth sponges and floor cloths into an award-winning collection. The star of the show was the coat cut from his boarding school blanket." Benetton was founded by three brothers, Luciano, Carlo and Gilberto, and their sister Guiliana who launched a homemade production line in Ponzano Veneto, a village near Venice, in the 1960s. Their sweaters proved popular items in local stores and a brand was born. Their signature soft wool jumpers made in a variety of colours quickly seduced the masses. The company went from strength to strength especially between 1982 and 2000 -- its fame fuelled by daring ad campaigns by Toscani, such as a 1989 poster which featured a black woman breastfeeding a white baby. But for over a decade the brand has battled dwindling sales. In 2017, following heavy losses, Luciano Benetton announced he was coming out of retirement at the age of 83 to retake the reins of the company. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Tue, October 9, 2018 22:15 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776dd81f 2 Entertainment trump,kanyeWest,White-House Free The rapper Kanye West, one of Donald Trump's most glamorous supporters, will head to the White House for a meeting with the president and his son in law Jared Kushner on Thursday, officials said. Trump, who came under fire this week from another music superstar, Taylor Swift, will lunch with West, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. West -- best known as Kanye but recently stating that he wants to be known as just Ye -- will also meet with Kushner. "Topics of discussions will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago," Sanders said. West is planning to discuss the opening of employment opportunities for former prison convicts, a subject already being studied by the White House, according to The New York Times. West's wife, the TV celebrity Kim Kardashian, has previously met with Trump at the White House. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nedi Putra AW (The Jakarta Post) Batu Tue, October 9, 2018 08:18 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776b95a6 4 Art & Culture Panji-Tales,Panji,Literature,Indonesian-literature,manuscript,art-and-culture Free The romance story of Panji Asmarabangun and Dewi Sekartaji, widely recognized as originating in East Java, has spread throughout Indonesia and even further to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, appearing in diverse artistic manifestations. The widespread distribution of the Panji lore is inseparable from its popularity during the era of the Majapahit Kingdom, during which the story was carved onto reliefs on numerous temples. Visually, the Panji tale is often depicted in wayang beber (painted scrolls) and wayang topeng (masked dance). In the present day, the Panji story remains relevant as it concerns the elements of ibu pertiwi, or the motherland, with its noble values. This narrative can be reinterpreted by incorporating the national issues of today. Such translations are on display during the sixth Fine Arts Exhibition (PBSR) organized by the Education and Culture Ministry at two venues; the Graha Pancasila Building at Batu City Hall and the hall of the Batu mayors official residence in Batu, East Java. The exhibition features the works of 101 visual artists from Java and Madura islands in an attempt to present the latest artistic achievements of those regions. Under the theme Panji Sebagai Penguat Karakter Bangsa (Panji as a strengthener of national character), the exhibition, which lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 11, depicts the story in variations mediums such as paintings, installations and even contemporary audio visual works. Taking notes: Visitors look at the work of Abdul Rokhim, who expresses his anxiety about the lack of concern for the nations culture through The Last Mask. (-/Nedi Putra AW) Co-curator Asy Syams Elya Ahmad said some of the artists primordial concept of Panji was the real challenge. Their thematic responses mostly still centered around traditional models, Syams said. Therefore, Syams and chief curator Djuli Djatiprambudi provided conceptual and thematic input for the artists from July to early August, challenging them to re-interpret the Panji tale and translate it to the contemporary era. According to the fine art lecturer from Surabaya State University, the artists were eventually able to produce Panji-based works with heterogeneous creativity, in terms of their dimensional perspectives, structural characters, technical explorations, media, esthetic idioms and personal features. The artists different socio-cultural backgrounds also allowed for broader explorations. Sugiyo from Tulungagung, East Java, for example, presented his work Panjikosmos, which represents the lores values and realities in diverse forms on 385 stones weighing 2 quintals, laid on a round table with a diameter of 2 meters. Abdul Rokhim from Batu expressed his anxiety about the lack of concern over the nations culture through a painting titled The Last Mask. The combination of the Panji mask with Batman and Spiderman offers a critique of the alteration and erosion of local culture by foreign culture in an era of rapid advancement in communication and information technology. The same phenomenon in agriculture is also critically perceived by the artists, such as Bambang AW from Malang and Gelar Soemantri from Tangerang, Banten. Bambang and Gelar picked Dewi Sri, a mythical goddess associated with the origin of paddy, in their own interpretations and portrayals. Circle of faces: Visitors look at versions of Panji from the past to the present time, as depicted on 385 stones weighing 200 kilograms. (-/Nedi Putra AW) Bambang showcases a satirical installation titled Sri Hamil, which displays a statue of paddy-haired Dewi Sri during pregnancy, while Gelars unique work comprises a rice cooker and LCD monitor broadcasting news under the title Sri Magic and the 2nd Myth, depicting how technology has made human life easier in all matters including rice cooking. Many artists also delved into constructive concepts. Deddy PAW appeals to men to become present-day Asmorobangun through The Spirit of Panji: Spreading Love to the Whole Archipelago. The artist, who is based in Magelang, Central Java, exhibits a life-size fiberglass and stainless steel statue of Panji taking care of Dewi Sekartaji, a personification of the Motherland. Grace Tjondronimpuno, also from Magelang, depicts Panjis spirit by means of mixed media and lighting to illustrate youths erecting large rocks to form the word Indonesia. With love: Panji takes care of Dewi Sekartaji, who personifies the motherland, in artwork crafted by Deddy PAW. (-/Nedi Putra AW) Tamar Saraseh from Sumenep, Madura, reflects Panjis creative and persevering personality through his painting, whereas Sugihartono from Gresik in East Java casts Indonesias fourth president, the late Abdurrahman Gus Dur Wahid, as a national figure inheriting the spirit of Panji Nusantara. For Syams, the sixth PBSR was the biggest event so far in its coverage of artistic creations and said he was also surprised by the tremendous interest shown by the public, especially students. Im sure 85 percent of the messages conveyed will be absorbed and that this exhibition will also prompt teachers to learn more about Panji and increase their understanding of fine art, he said. Syams also expressed appreciation for the support of the regional administration, which had made the realization of the exhibition and its promotion of art among the youth possible. Hopefully our fruitful cooperation with Batu city can be maintained for events in the coming years, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 07:30 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776b707e 2 City online-prostitution,Bekasi Free Three men suspected of operating an online prostitution ring were arrested by Bekasi Police over the weekend at an apartment in Bekasi, West Java, allegedly used as the base of the illicit business. Investigators apprehended Mustakim, Saputra and Jenio along with 20 sex workers and one witness at the Center Point apartment building in South Bekasi district on Saturday. The three suspects allegedly offered sex services via social media platforms Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, head of the Bekasi Police criminal unit Adj. Sr. Comr. Jairus Saragih said. Once a client expressed interest, they would meet in the [apartments] pool or lobby. After making a deal, the suspects would give the access card to the clients to go upstairs where the girls were waiting in the rooms, he said on Monday as reported by kompas.com. The suspects allegedly charged Rp 500,000 (US$32.82) to Rp 800,000 for the service. The person managing the social media allegedly received Rp 100,000 per deal, while Rp 300,000 went to the man who arranged the room, Jairus said adding that the remaining money would be given to the sex worker. The three men reportedly told the police that they had been running the online prostitution ring for the past seven months. Investigators are still on the look out for another suspect named Mami, Jairus added. From the raid, the police confiscated Rp 4.5 million in cash, three mobile phones and four wallets. The alleged sex workers and the witness were all released. The police have charged the three suspects under articles 296 and 505 of the Criminal Code, which carry a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tue, October 9, 2018 22:20 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776de55a 2 World #Malaysia,#Chile,#Crime,Chile,tourists,appeal,Malaysia,death-penalty Free Defence lawyers for two Chilean tourists facing the death penalty in Malaysia for murder said Tuesday they are seeking a review of the charge, as the mother of one of the accused pleaded for prayers. Fernando Candia, a 32-year-old chef, and Felipe Osiadacz, 28, are on trial for allegedly killing a Malaysian man in a hotel lobby less than 24 hours after they arrived in the country for a holiday on August 4 last year. If found guilty of murder, they face the death penalty which in Malaysia is carried out by hanging. Both men, who are being held in prison, have pleaded not guilty and their lawyers claim they acted in self-defence after the Malaysian attacked them first. A defence counsel said Tuesday they have written to the Attorney-General's Chambers, Malaysia's chief state prosecutor. "We have written an appeal letter... to reconsider the charge against both of them," defence counsel R. Alagendra told AFP. "We are confident the right thing will be done for them," she added. The court has fixed October 24 for the outcome of the appeal. At least 10 prosecution witnesses have taken the stand so far, including a toxicologist who found traces of drugs in the urine and blood of the deceased. After Tuesday's court hearing, Maritza Olcay, the mother of Candia, said she had been praying for her son and appealed for others to pray for him as well. "I am always praying. I urge all the people to pray for my son," she told reporters outside the court as she struggled to hold back tears. Also present in court was Osiadacz's girlfriend from Belgium who told AFP she also longed for his freedom. "I want to take him home. He has lost some weight but is psychologically strong. I really believe the judiciary in Malaysia is fair and just," said the girlfriend, who gave her name as Gaelle. A court official told AFP the prosecutors hope to wrap up the case by November with three more witnesses remaining, including a policeman and a doctor. The next hearing is set for two days from November 14. Non-active Aceh governor Irwandi Yusuf filed a pretrial motion against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday for naming him a suspect in a graft case involving the province's special autonomy funds. KPK officers arrested Irwandi in July along with non-active Bener Meriah regent Ahmadi and eight other individuals following suspicious transactions allegedly involving provincial and regency officials. Soon after, Irwandi and four others were named suspects and accused of scheming to embezzle Rp 8 trillion (US$557 million) from the provinces special autonomy funds. In the pretrial motion, which was filed at the South Jakarta District Court, Irwandi and his legal team claimed that he never asked for or received any money relating to the special autonomy funds and cited his return of Rp 39 million to the KPK as a gratuity report. The KPK said it respected Irwandi's right to file the motion but requested that the court delay the hearing until next week. "However, from our preliminary reading [of the motion], we feel that the suspect talks about many other things that have no direct connection [with the case] and also talks more about the main case, which should not be the domain of a pretrial hearing," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said. "The KPK prepared strong evidence during the investigation process and has even named [Irwandi] a suspect in another case." The KPK named Irwandi a suspect in a separate case on Monday regarding unlawful gratuities he allegedly accepted in connection with botched pier construction in Sabangs free-trade area in Aceh. (ipa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 13:01 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776ca1b8 4 Business rupiah-against-dollar,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,external-pressure Free Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said that external pressures on the Indonesian economy would likely continue into the coming year on the back of the strengthening US dollar and economy. The minister was commenting on the rupiah's continuing depreciation, which has left the currency hovering above Rp 15,000 per US dollar in the past few days. The Jakarta Interbank Spot Dollar Rate (JISDOR) quoted the rupiah at 15,233 per US dollar on Tuesday, or 0.26 percent lower than its position on Monday. Sri Mulyani said the US dollar would continue to strengthen, as the US Federal Reserve was still expected to increase its rate once more this year and twice or three times next year. It means that we will see [the US dollar] strengthen [further], she said in Bali on Monday as quoted by tribunnews.com. Sri Mulyani also said that the improvement in the US economy was also supported by data on a strong increase in the 10-year US Treasury yield, which stood at 3.4 percent on Monday. So the [rupiah-dollar] equilibrium has not been reached. The increase [in the US dollar] will continue into next year, she said, adding that Bank Indonesia and the government would continue to implement a fiscal-monetary policy mix. So the government and BI will implement a policy mix in accordance with our respective domains to manage the exchange rate, Sri Mulyani said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 17:12 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776d8050 1 National #KPK,KPK,police,#Police,corruption,#corruption Free The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that it had already investigated allegations that two police officers formerly assigned to the antigraft body tampered with evidence. The internal affairs team had conducted an investigation into the parties that were suspected of knowing or conducting activities that violate KPK employee disciplinary [rules], KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said on Monday. During the investigation process, the KPK received a request to return the officers to the National Police because they were needed there, so the two KPK employees were returned to their original institution. The accusations came to light on Monday through a report published by IndonesiaLeaks, an independent whistleblower platform co-founded by Indonesian media outlets and civil society organizations. The report found that CCTV footage from April 2017 allegedly show Adj. Sr. Comr. Roland Ronaldy and Comr. Harun, who were assigned to the KPK as investigators at the time, tearing and altering pages from a financial records book. The book was among the evidence that was confiscated in a bribery case involving meat-importing businessman Basuki Hariman and former Constitutional Court justice Patrialis Akbar both were sentenced to jail in September 2017. Febri said the KPK's internal investigation stopped when Roland and Harun returned to the police in late 2017. Despite the allegations, Roland has since been promoted to Cirebon Police precinct chief in West Java, while Harun is the head of a subdivision in the Jakarta Police's Special Crimes Directorate. (kuk/kmt/ipa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Aman Rochman (The Jakarta Post) Malang Tue, October 9, 2018 21:41 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776dc957 1 National graft,KPK,regional-transfer-funds,Malang,corruption-case Free The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has searched the house of Malang Regent Rendra Krisna and several other properties over alleged graft related to government funds to support education in the regions. KPK personnel raided the regents official residence on Monday night and seized documents from the property, in addition to his private residence as well as the home of an unspecified civil servant and a private office in Malang, East Java. KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah confirmed that a team had been dispatched to raid several offices of the Malang regency administration. Rendra said he had signed several legal documents to officially acknowledge the KPKs operation, which included the confiscation of personal items, when the antigraft agency officials searched his house. The raid was related to graft allegations concerning [special allocation funds] for education in 2011. In 2017, I and several other officials of the Malang administration were also investigated by the KPK. According to the documents Ive received, Ive been considered a suspect in the case, said Rendra. However, the KPK has denied naming Rendra a suspect. Febri said the investigators were still probing the case. We will release further information as soon as the investigation is completed. We expect officials of the Malang administration to support [the investigation], he said. (rfa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yoolim Lee (Bloomberg) New York, United States States Tue, October 9, 2018 11:11 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776c624d 2 Business #Microsoft,#Grab,Microsoft,investment,Grab,platform,#technology Free Microsoft Corp.will invest an unspecified amount in Grab as the ride-hailing giant adopts the US companys Azure as its preferred platform for cloud services. Under the five-year deal, the companies will collaborate on technologies including big data, artificial intelligence and connected car platforms. Grab counts Amazon Web Services among its existing cloud suppliers and has worked in the past with major shareholder Didi Chuxing to adopt new technologies. Microsoft is trying to catch up with Amazon.com Inc. in winning large business customers for Azure, which runs cloud computing applications and stores data. Grab, which operates in eight different countries, wants the US companys natural language processing capabilities to provide real-time translations for passengers and their drivers. We see so many companies that use tech in new, unique ways to build businesses in the region, Peggy Johnson, Microsofts executive vice president of business development, said in a joint interview with Grab President Ming Maa. Together, we can produce a number of new, exciting services we may not even visualize yet. The Microsoft investment is part of a targeted $3 billion of funding that Singapore-based Grab expects to raise by the end of the year, Maa said. They declined to specify the size of the investment. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 12:21 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776c9dfc 1 National #environment,#ForestFire,palm-oil,forest-fires,company,punishment Free The Pekanbaru High Court in Riau has declared an executive of palm oil company PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa (JJP) guilty of burning 1,000 hectares of peatland in Rokan Hilir regency, Riau. JJP plantation head Kosman Vitoni Immanuel Siboro was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay Rp 3 billion (US$ 196,914) in fines. However, the company has challenged the courts verdict by suing expert witnesses who were instrumental in providing scientific evidence throughout the trial. Among them is Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) lecturer Bambang Hero Saharjo, who said the companys lawsuit was not based on [prevailing] law. The court has to reject the lawsuit. Otherwise, expert witnesses would be less inclined to assist the government in the court, Bambang was quoted by kontan.co.id as saying on Monday. Meanwhile, the Environment and Forestry Ministrys law enforcement director general, Rasio Ridho Sani, said on Monday that the ministry was committed to defending Bambang against the lawsuit. Previously, the Rokan Hilir District Court imposed a Rp 1 billion fine on JJP, which was represented by company director Halim Gozali. The Supreme Courts cassation ruling also ordered JJP to pay an additional Rp 491.03 billion fine for environmental rehabilitation. The Environment and Forestry Ministry has imposed administrative sanctions on 518 companies involved in environmental crimes. (rfa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali Tue, October 9, 2018 16:21 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776d47b2 1 Business pertamina,agreement,IMF-WB-meeting,bali,#IMFWBG Free State energy holding company Pertamina is set to ink at least two infrastructure financing agreements on Thursday on the sidelines of the 2018 International Monetary Fund - World Bank (IMF-WB) Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali. With Taiwanese energy firm CPC Corporation, Pertamina will sign a deal on a naptha cracking plant, while with Italian oil and gas giant ENI S.p.A, the company will sign an agreement on an environmentally friendly refinery, said State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Rini Soemarno in Bali on Tuesday. The total investment value of the naptha cracking plant project will amount to US$ 5 billion, she said, adding that the goal of the agreement with ENI S.p.A was to absorb the technology to produce 100 percent biodiesel (B100). Currently, Indonesia can only produce 20 percent blended biodiesel (B20). Since 2015, the company [ENI] has produced B100 using as a raw material palm oil from Indonesia. The collaboration is to alter our refineries [to be able to produce B100]. We expect we can reduce crude oil imports, she said. Meanwhile, Pertamina president director Nicke Widyawati explained that the decision to pick ENI S.p.A as a partner for the green refinery project was based on the latters vast experience in altering conventional refineries to become biorefineries. Similar [technology] is likely to be implemented in our refineries in Dumai and Plaju, the locations of large palm oil plantations, Nicke said. The two deals are part of 21 SOE projects worth Rp 200 trillion ($13.1 billion) in direct investment. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 14:34 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776ccd21 1 National #Jokowi,#statue,Jokowi,plan,statue,controversy,East-Nusa-Tenggara Free The plan to build a statue of President Joko Jokowi Widodo in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) as part of an effort to boost tourism in the region has been met with a mixed response from various political figures. The Democratic Partys advocacy and legal division head Ferdinand Hutahaean said the construction of such a statue would be counterproductive as the funds could be allocated to bolster existing tourism programs in the region instead. [The Jokowi] statue would be a sensitive symbol. Im worried that it would face the same fate as the statue of [former Iraqi dictator] Saddam Hussein, which was eventually destroyed, he said on Monday, as quoted by tempo.co, adding that the Tourism Ministry should reconsider its plans to build the statue. Meanwhile, the Prosperous Justice Partys (PKS) Hidayat Nur Wahid said the statue should not be considered a priority as it would only serve as a tribute to a figure who had already passed. I doubt Jokowi would be comfortable with a statue of himself, he said. However, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto said the statue represented a collective appreciation of the Presidents accomplishments from the people of NTB. The people [of NTB] would like to thank the President for his accomplishments, Hasto said. The plan to build a statue of Jokowi in Belu regency was originally proposed by the NTB administration to Tourism Minister Arief Yahya during the Fulan Fehan Festival in the region last Saturday. (rfa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 11:54 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776c7eff 4 City Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,traffic-accident,Jakarta-police Free The East Jakarta Police have opened an investigation into a woman who allegedly overtook the presidential motorcade along the Jagorawi toll road last month, naming her as a suspect in the traffic violation case East Jakarta Police traffic unit head Adj. Comr. Agus Suparyanto confirmed that the woman, Anisa Dwi, had been named as a suspect for an alleged violation of the Traffic Law. The suspect has not been detained, but she is required to report [to police], Agus told tempo.co on Monday, adding that regardless, the police had opened an investigation into the incident. Anisa reportedly overtook the President's convoy as it was traveling on the toll road on Sept. 24. She said that she was unaware that the convoy was escorting President Joko Jokowi Widodo, and that she became confused when a traffic police officer tried to approach her vehicle, and that she panicked and "inadvertently" bumped the officer. Anisa was accused of violating three traffic regulations during the incident: overtaking the presidential motorcade, evading the law and vehicular assault on a police officer. She could face one year and three months in prison for the vehicular assault charge, said Agus. The police were currently questioning several witnesses. Police also planned to question experts on the effects of benzodiazepine, a sedative, which was found in the suspect's blood. We will ask experts about the effects of benzodiazepine on the drivers behavior, he said. At the time the incident occurred, Anisa was driving with a friend, Tania Mailianda Nurlitasari. who has subsequently become a witness in the case. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Bali Tue, October 9, 2018 11:00 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776c2f34 1 Business Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,IMF,loan,statement,#IMFWBG,IMF-WB-meeting Free Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has given an assurance that the Indonesian government has no plan to seek a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On the question of whether we will seek a loan from the IMF, I say no. The IMF is an institution that only lends to countries that face a crisis in balance of payments, Sri Mulyani told a press conference on the sidelines of the 2018 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bali on Monday. She explained that Indonesia got a loan from IMF during the monetary crisis in 1997 to 1998 because Indonesia faced a major deficit in its balance of payments caused by uncontrollable private sector debts that affected the whole economy. Indonesia is in a much better state now compared to 20 years ago. So, I assure you that we do not need a loan from the IMF. Many have tried to create the idea that [we need to borrow from the IMF], she said. Sri Mulyani said that as an IMF member, Indonesia strived to make a positive contribution in the form of thoughts and ideas for the interest of Indonesias own economy as well as global economic stability. A similar statement was made by IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, who confirmed that Indonesia did not need a loan from the IMF. "An IMF loan was not an option because the Indonesian economy does not need it: it is being very well managed by President Jokowi, Governor Perry, Minister Sri Mulyani and Minister Luhut and their colleagues," she said when visiting earthquake-hit Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara along with Sri Mulyani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, and West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkieflimansyah on Monday. (bbn) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad are scheduled to visit disaster-stricken areas in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto said Tuesday. The two guests plan to visit Palu, which suffered damages because of a recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali, Wiranto said. "We have to make best arrangements to secure their visit to Palu and ensure their safe trip," Wiranto said after a coordination meeting to discuss preparations for their visit at his office. Wiranto said planes to Palu were busy carrying humanitarian supplies, while disaster-response and relief efforts were still ongoing in the disaster-affected areas. "Amid the situation, we have to receive the guests and, thus, we should make arrangements, including to decide on [...] who will provide guidance and which [places] will be visited," he added. Meanwhile, National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Ari Dono Sukmanto said that Guterres and Mahathir would probably visit Petobo subdistrict in Palu, and Sigi and Donggala regencies and the authorities would ensure security for them. "We will prepare security measures on certain routes to ensure a smooth visit [for the guests]," he said. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali Wed, October 10 2018 Womens power: Finance Minister Sri Mulyani (right) talks with International Monetary Fund (IMF) chairwoman Christine Lagarde during a seminar on womens empowerment in the Third World at the 2018 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings at the Bali International Convention Center in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday.(ICom/AM IMF-WBG/Puspa Perwitasari) The short-term economic prospects for both Indonesia and the world are not as bright as before, as only some countries have shown signs of recovery, while other countries remain lagging behind, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted in its latest edition of its World Economic Outlook (WEO) report. The IMF acknowledged that its initial growth-rate projection of 3.9 percent for the world economy for both 2018 and 2019 was overoptimistic, as the actual figure stands at 3.7 percent. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Yangon, Myanmar Tue, October 9, 2018 14:42 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776cd571 2 SE Asia #SoutheastAsia,#Myanmar,Myanmar,Rohingya,abuse,UnitedNations Free Myanmar is "unable and unwilling" to investigate its abuses against Rohingya Muslims, a UN rights envoy has said, bolstering calls for the country's generals to be hauled before an international court. A UN fact-finding mission has called for Myanmar's top brass to be investigated for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes over a brutal crackdown against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state that forced more than 720,000 of the beleaguered minority to flee the country to Bangladesh. Myanmar has dismissed the allegations, slamming the UN body as biased, and the government has set up its own committee to investigate the crimes. But UN special rapporteur to Myanmar Yanghee Lee -- who has been barred from entering the country since December -- said the government has shown little capacity for an unbiased probe into the violence, saying it has taken "limited and insufficient steps". "[Myanmar] is unable and unwilling to discharge its obligation to conduct credible, prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations and prosecutions," Lee said in a report she published via her Twitter account on Monday. Given Myanmar's refusal to hold itself accountable, she added, it was up to international courts to seek justice. "The onus is on the international community to take action," she warned. "Any delay in instituting justice will only result in more violations." In her conclusions she recommended the UN should "refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court immediately". The northern part of Rakhine has been on lockdown since the violence broke out last August, with journalists and observers only allowed to visit on short, chaperoned trips. UN investigators -- who authored the explosive fact-finding report -- were not allowed into the country while Lee has been barred from entering Myanmar since December for her sharp criticisms of the government's treatment of the Rohingya. Lee said she had asked India for permission to meet Rohingya refugees there but received no response from Delhi. Myanmar's de facto leader Suu Kyi -- once lionised by the international community as a democracy icon -- has seen a sharp fall from grace following her refusal to speak out against the military. The UN fact-finding mission has pointed out that her government's attempts to whitewash facts had worsened the situation for the embattled Rohingya. Lee also raised alarm over declining press freedom in Myanmar after Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were jailed for seven years each after reporting on the military's role in the massacre of 10 Rohingya men in Inn Din village in northern Rakhine. Describing their prosecution as "spurious", she called for the pair to be released immediately. The military has denied almost all accusations of genocide levelled against it, insisting that "clearance operations" were necessary to fight Rohingya militants. The International Criminal Court has ruled that an investigation will go ahead as Bangladesh -- which has received the Rohingya refugees fleeing across the border -- is a signatory of the Rome statute that created the court. Myanmar has not signed the statute, and a minister told the UN General Assembly that his government rejected the "dubious intervention". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 10:39 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776c23e9 4 News East-Nusa-Tenggara,Joko-Widodo,Tourism-Minister-Arif-Yahya,Tourism-Ministry,statue,Timor-Leste,Belu Free Residents of Belu, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), are planning to build a statue of President Joko Jokowi Widodo at the border between Indonesia and Timor Leste. The Belu village had said residents wished to build the statue of Jokowi in Tulakadi village, to promote its tourism, Guntur Sakti, head of the Tourism Ministrys public communications bureau, told tempo.co on Monday. He added that the statue will be built from plastic, similar to a mannequin. Guntur said the idea was expressed to Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, who visited the Fulan Fehan Festival in Timor Leste on Saturday. The minister then said he supported the residents effort to develop the areas potential in tourism. Guntur also stressed that the idea came from the residents and not the ministry, contrary to what recent rumors might have said. Read also: Taman Bacaan Pelangi opens its 100th library in eastern Indonesia "As it happens, there is a big tamarind tree in Tulakadi village and it was named the Jokowi Tamarind Tree. At that precise spot is where residents wish to place the Jokowi statue, Guntur said. The President visited Belu to observe the Motaain cross-border post (PLBN) in December 2014. On that occasion, Jokowi spoke to local residents under said tamarind tree. Since then, it has been known as the Jokowi Tamarind Tree. Residents have also placed down stones arranged in a way that they form a seating place. Since Jokowis visit, the area has become a favorite destination for both residents and tourists. The area is currently in development to be a digital destination. The ministry has also stated its support, saying, We will provide assistance and strengthen its digital features. (wng) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sri Wahyuni (The Jakarta Post) Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta Tue, October 9, 2018 11:32 1133 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308776c6f46 1 News Gunungkidul,Yogyakarta,tourism,travel,destination,New-Bali Free Until several years ago when talking about Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta, most people would probably have thought of a barren, dry and economically poor region suffering from recurrent clean water scarcity. This is no longer the case. Gunungkidul is currently a popular tourist destination offering mostly natural beauty. It is also rich in Javanese culture where traditional performances and rituals are still well preserved. Clean water supply is also no longer an issue as new resources have been developed to answer the problem. The natural beauty on offer ranges from exotic beaches, rare views of a karst mountain range, a prehistoric river and mountains, geoparks, challenging caves to explore, rocky routes to adventure and attractive spots to take pictures in. Even the meandering, up and down, roads in the hilly area heading to the tourist sites are no less interesting. During the rainy season they offer beautiful green views of mostly teakwood forests. During the dry season they offer exotic views of grayish, almost leafless teakwood trees along both sides of the roads. In some sections, like the one on the route that connects Gunungkidul regency's Panggang district and Bantul regency's Imogiri, travelers are spoiled with the view of karst cliffs on one side and the distant view of the blue Indian Ocean on the other. Economic observer Cyrillus Harinowo Hadiwerdoyo once called this particular section the Monterrey of Gunungkidul, because he sees it as similar to the road section called Seventeen Mile Drive in Monterrey, California, in the United States, known for its beautiful meandering route that follows the contours of its mountain range area. Gunungkidul is extraordinary, Harinowo said during his visit to the regency recently. He said that Gunungkidul as he saw it had been transforming itself from previously one of the poorest regions in the country into a favorite tourist destination. Read also: Gunungkidul seeks to promote less-popular destinations And this is just a beginning, said Harinowo, expressing confidence that within the next five to 10 years Gunungkidul will really transform into a New Bali. Providing an example, he said that the elite Nusa Dua tourist area in Bali was previously also a barren hilly area. Thus, it is quite possible that the hilly karst area of Gunungkidul will also be transformed into an elite tourist destination in the near future. The current development of Java Islands Southern Route (JLS) that also directly connects Gunungkiduls coastal area with the New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA), planned to start operation next year, will further speed up the transformation process. He said it was this confidence that moved him to jointly invest in the tourism sector in Gunungkidul by developing the Radika Paradise Hotel at Indrayanti Beach with a local investor, offering cottages and villas for overnight stays. The response has been beyond our expectations, he said, describing how foreign and domestic tourists had started staying in his hotel even though some facilities of the hotel are still under construction. Gunungkidul Tourism Agency's planning sub-division head Supriyanta concurred, saying that the regency had for the last few years been enjoying a steady increase in tourist visits by up to 400,000 a year. Last year it had 3.2 million tourists visiting, of whom 21,600 were foreign tourists. He said the majority of tourists visiting Gunungkidul so far chose the beaches as their main destinations. Among the most popular beaches are Baron, Kukup, Sepanjang, Drini, Krakal, Sadranan, Ngandong, Sundak, Indrayanti, Nglambor, Siung and Wediombo. Each offers distinct charms and characters. We have a target of promoting four new beaches a year, said Supriyanta, adding that of the regencys 121 registered beaches, only 40 had been developed and exploited as tourist destinations. To help attract more tourists, the regency administration is currently building a central parking lot on 3 hectares in Krakal where visitors are expected to park their vehicles and continue their trip to the beaches in shuttle buses provided by the authority. The facility will also come with other public facilities, including kiosks for souvenirs and culinary outlets. We expect to have the development of these facilities completed by the end of this year so that by next year they will be ready for operation, Supriyanta said. (kes) Oct 09 2018 11:04 am UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, a staunch and open supporter of Israel, has resigned. The Ambassador told Trump approximately six months ago that she intended to take a break at the end of this year. Speaker Ryan released the following statement: Nikki Haley has been a clear, consistent, and powerful voice for Americas interests and democratic principles on the world stage. She challenged friend and foe to be better. I am saddened that she is leaving the administration, but so grateful for her service. Thank you, Nikki. With three seats opening up on the Riverview Board of Education and only one incumbent seeking re-election, the Nov. 6 election is guaranteed to usher in at least two newcomers. Amy Wright and Sherry Irving, both holding seats that expire Dec. 31, have opted not to seek re-election. The sole incumbent on the ballot, Sheila Walker, was appointed to fill a vacancy created upon the resignation of Shawn Filkins in January 2017. The four other candidates are Matthew Dominski, Michael Pelkey, Matthew Toth and Megan Walter. Dominski, 40, is a first-time candidate for public office. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Riverview, as well as of the Memorial Elementary Parents Club. He and his wife, Kelly, have three daughters. Pelkey, 49, is not a true newcomer, as he previously served on the Riverview school board. He is a member of the Riverview Zoning Board of Appeals and the Economic Development and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two children. Toth, 37, is a first-time candidate for an elective office. He is the founder and director of Hallpass, a nonprofit organization. He and his wife, Kirsten, have three young children, including 1-year-old twins. Walker, 57, had not previously served in public office until her 2017 appointment to the school board. She and her husband, Gary, have eight children. All of the couples children are graduates of Riverview Community High School, with the exception of their youngest children. Mark is a senior and Jordan is in third grade. Walker is a 2016 Riverview Hall of Fame inductee. She currently serves in two positions at Riverview United Methodist Church: finance chairperson and staff/parish chairperson. She was the 2017-18 treasurer of the Riverview Community High School boys varsity swim team. In 2006, the Ennis Center for Children named her Foster Parent of the Year. Walter, 32, is a first-time candidate for elective office. She did not list membership in any organization. She and her husband, Tim, have two children. The News-Herald asked each candidate the same set of questions about why they want to serve on the board. NH: Why are you seeking election and what is the one reason people should vote for you? Dominski: I am seeking election to make sure that all students of Riverview Community School District receive the best possible education and that we continue to attract and retain great educators. As a vocal advocate for our schools I will continue to be a strong voice for all students. Pelkey: I am passionate to have the best for my children, my neighbors children and willing to do what it takes to accomplish this task. By being a part of the school board, I can be part of the decision-making process, lending knowledge and experience to move the district forward. Toth: I believe that a school board must listen and collaborate with parents, staff, students and the community. An open dialogue is the best way to ensure growth and improvement. I believe each trustee must be accessible, receptive and responsive to the community. With my experience in hospitality and my degree in psychology, I believe I am especially well-equipped for this duty. I enjoy hearing from each parent, teacher, student and anyone else who voices their concerns; the people of Riverview have proven themselves to be some of the most dedicated and passionate people when it comes to their school district. Walker: I am seeking a seat on the school board so I can continue to serve the community and the children of Riverview Community Schools. I would be honored for the voters to elect me. I have an extensive background as an advocate for children and have a personal interest in improving and preserving our school system. Walter: I am seeking election because our school district needs a change. I am a concerned parent, and want to help make that change and create a better relationship between our district and our school board. NH: What specific improvements need to be made to ensure students at all levels succeed? Dominski: To help improve academic performance, the district should provide proper and adequate training for all teachers. This should include a clear written plan for the district. One not dictated by the district but as a collaborative effort between teachers and administrators. This would ensure they are delivering the curriculum to the students in the best way possible. This way, the teachers can be confident that they have all the tools necessary to teach our students. Pelkey: Schools renovation and technology infrastructure needs to be updated. With outdated and obsolete equipment, we are making teachers difficult task of educating students even harder. Classrooms need to be modernized, placing our children in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning in todays environment. Ensuring our teachers have all the tools they need to be successful, from updated classrooms and technology noted above, to comprehensive explanation from administrations on curriculum, to fans in the classrooms during hot days. Toth: The obvious answer to this question is to help improve overall academic achievement and test scores, but it takes a lot of work behind the scenes to accomplish this ultimate goal. Increasing students engagement in their schools and community is one of my top priorities. I would also like to improve communication between faculty, administration and parents in order to encourage transparency. Lastly, I would like to focus on ensuring the success of any efforts to improve the infrastructure and programming in each school to ensure the safest and most effective learning environment. Walker: We need to ensure that the highest level of safety is in place at each school. We need to continue to expand the technology programming so our elementary through high school children are introduced to the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum that will help them be successful when they graduate from high school. We need to address the maintenance of our schools in the district. We need to continue improving communication between administrators, teachers, parents and the community. Walter: I would love for the bond to pass so that we can make the necessary changes so that our students attend school in a safe environment. I want to make sure that all of our technology is up to date. I would also like to look into the student-to-teacher ratios and see if we can make smaller classes so that the teachers have more one-on-one time with the students who may need it. NH: Describe your decision-making process when considering difficult issues. Dominski: I would keep an open mind, taking all parties input into consideration. Then collect all the needed data and information in detail that pertains to the decision at hand. I would process the information and make sure there are no other alternatives and the decision will be the best possible solution. Once a solution is reached, you need an execution plan that would include communication on why the decision was made. Pelkey: To start, fully understand what we are trying to accomplish. Next, ask questions to both internal and external persons. Gather data (Google is a wonderful tool). Formalize all information obtained and weigh options. Ensure alternate solutions are considered. Have specific, logical reasons to back up my decision. Toth: I approach issues from a broad perspective and narrow it down to a specific decision. I refer to expert opinion and research for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. I confer with the people directly affected by any decision to get a pulse on what they consider to be our specific needs as a community. I am then able to combine these aspects into a decision that is well-informed, supported by evidence, and promoted by the community in order to best serve our schools and students. I encourage voters to visit my Facebook page at facebook.com/matthew.toth.rcsd. Walker: Deciding tough issues needs to be addressed from several avenues. First, is the issue in the best interest of the children? Second, is it a fiscally responsible issue that is being implemented? Lastly, is it an issue that has a positive outcome for children, teachers and the community? Every decision cannot encompass all of these, but I strive to make the best decisions for the children. Walter: I like to go through every aspect and every possibility before making a decision. I want to make sure I can think of every outcome to make the best choice for any issue. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. MBABANE Its more troubles for Kangfa Knitwear Swaziland (PTY) Limited. The troubled Siteki-based textile company has been taken to court by SIPA, where it is demanding over E2.6 million in respect of arrear rentals. SIPA is the Swaziland Investment Authority, a government department which is responsible for the promotion of investment and trade in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Demanding The exact amount which SIPA is demanding from the textile company is E2 633 896 64. The plaintiff (SIPA) does not only want the textile company to pay the aforementioned amount but is also seeking for the cancellation of the lease agreement and subsequent ejectment from its premises. This is not the first time the company finds itself in trouble as since 2011, it has been rocked by violent strike actions which most often were sparked by salary delays, poor and unsafe working conditions. Roaming At some point, workers demonstrated over dogs, which belonged to the company director, which were roaming the premises and attacking workers during working hours. This resulted in the closure of the company. In the present case, SIPA stated that on July 1, 2010, the parties entered into a lease agreement in terms of which the plaintiff as a lessor, leased to the defendant (Kangfa Knitwear Swaziland) factory premises at Portion 1, Farm 713, Siteki in the Lubombo Region. It is alleged that in terms of the agreement, the lease was to commence on July 1, 2010 and terminate on December 31, 2013 with a 12 months renewal option. According to SIPA, when the agreement was concluded, it was represented by Phumelele Dlamini and the defendant by James Zhang Binhum. The lease between the parties was entered into in line with the plaintiffs policy to attract and/or promote foreign direct investment, by providing factory space to investors at a subsidised cost of establishment and operations at initial stages of their businesses, reads part of the particulars of claim filed by SIPAs lawyers from Howe Masuku Nsibandze Attorneys. MBABANE Nhlangano Spar could soon be acquired by Lojaf. Lojaf is managed by African Alliance Swaziland Limited an investment holding company listed on the Swaziland Stock Exchange (SSX). According to a notice of sale issued yesterday, it has been disclosed in terms of section five, subsection one of the Registration of Businesses Act number 42 of 1933 (as amended), that Siyaspa (Pty) Ltd trading as Nhlangano Spar Supermarket, intends to sell and transfer as a going concern, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. Intentions When African Alliance was asked to confirm whether it was indeed true that there were intentions to acquire the business, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nelsiwe Mabuza, clarified that African Alliance was not the interested party. She mentioned that it was Lojaf instead. Also note that any such prospective partnership is still only in principle at this stage and nothing has been confirmed (finalised) as yet. Best put, negotiations are still ongoing, said Mabuza. When quizzed as to what were the conditions precedent which would have to be fulfilled before the intended sale and transfer of Nhlangano Spar was finalised, Mabuza said these would be standard regulatory conditions. Mabuza was also asked to state the value of the transaction or the current value of the business which Lojaf is in the process of acquiring, to which she responded: The value (current or otherwise) once ascertained would always remain private between the prospective parties. Explaining why Lojaf views the acquisition of Nhlangano Spar as a viable investment, Mabuza said the institution was already operating in the retail sector. Operation She pointed out that the drive was to grow their footprint in areas that make business sense in terms of reach, to a healthy customer base, provision of quality service and product to ensure that they grow their business operation as a whole. This strategy ultimately informs the return on investment that our local shareholders, who include Eswatini pension funds, other local businesses and persons, get to realise, said Mabuza. MANZINI It is about 70 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted, but the struggle to achieve full realisation of human rights remains a pressing reality. As a result, the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) in partnership with COSPE and Foundation for Socio Economic Justice (FSEJ) has compiled a report titled; Alignment of Eswatinis Domestic Laws with Recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms. The UDHR is a historic document that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its third session on December 10, 1948 as Resolution 217 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France. The report, which has a number of recommendations, ranging from respect of civil and political rights to respect of economic, social and cultural rights, was funded by the European Union (EU). In terms of respecting civil and political rights, the report recommended that government should ratify outstanding international and regional human rights instruments. Government should amend the Constitution to allow a multi-party democracy and to increase oversight mechanisms within government, reads part of the report. It also suggested that government should review the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2017 (as ammended) to include provisions allowing organisations to challenge an order listing them as terrorists before such order was finalised. MBABANE The gloves are off between Human Rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and government in the battle over the countrys name change. Maseko contended that if it were true that the Kingdom of Eswatini was democratic, it meant that when decisions such as this (name change) were made, it should have been taken in a democratic way. In his answering affidavit, Maseko averred that democracy, by its nature incorporated the right to participate in decision-making process. The rights to freedom of expression, which guarantees the right to public participation, can only be restricted in so far as reasonably justifiable in a democratic society, submitted Maseko Maseko contended that changing the name of the country without public participation was prejudicial to the rule of law and constitutionalism. According to the human rights lawyer, it was respect for the rule of law that guaranteed members of the public rights to participate in the decision to change the name of the country. He told the court that the countrys name change was prejudicial in at least two aspects. The change of name of the country was done without public involvement, public consultations and public participation, he argued Maseko told the court that members of the public, were deprived of the basic right to take part in the crucial decision. He further argued that even Parliament as the representative of the people in terms of Section 84(1) of the Constitution, was not involved in the decision, yet the power vested in it in terms of Section 106 of the Constitution. Maseko averred that, had the process of changing the name done constitutionally, the applicants would have participated in the legislative process through Parliament. To put this matter beyond doubt, we can demonstrate that when the legislative process to amend the Suppression of Terrorism Act and to repeal the Public Order Act, members of the public whether as natural of legal persons, participated in the process, he argued. Maseko said the right to participation was an essential element of a democratic society and the country espoused itself as one. According to the human rights lawyer, democracy as enshrined in the Constitution, incorporated a labyrinth of rights, such as freedom of expression and opinion. He argued that, in changing the name of the country, members of the public ought to have been heard in accordance with the provisions of Section 84(1) as read with Section 24 of the Constitution. Maseko also disputed the submission by government that the name change was reverting to the countrys original name. He said government did not place any evidence to show that what it alleged was true. Maseko submitted that it was a principle of law that he who alleges must prove. MBABANE Government will have to part with at least E20.8 million next month as a payout to former legislators. This follows that 56 former legislators stand to pocket about E372 000 as their ex-gratia payment in accordance with the provisions of Finance Circular No.2 of 2013. The 56 former legislators are those who did not make it back to Parliament this term. According to the circular, the money is defined as a grant that is payable to former parliamentarians to assist with the costs of adjusting to non-parliamentary life. The total amount which is due to the outgoing legislators is E555 816 before tax. However, there are fears from certain quarters regarding the availability of the funds. We are aware that government is currently broke. However, we are hopeful that a provision was made to cater for the ex-politicians exit packages, said a source who wished to remain anonymous. This figure is made up from the once off payment that is equivalent to 12 months basic salary. The former Members of Parliament (MPs) earn a basic salary of E46 318 per month. However, after the 33 per cent tax deduction, the former lawmakers are expected to receive at least E372 396. However, it should be noted that the ex-gratia payment would only be available to all parliamentarians who failed to be re-elected or re-appointed into the new Parliament. This essentially means that about nine members of the House of Assembly will not be receiving the ex-gratia because they won the Secondary Elections. Among these are Ntfonjeni MP-elect Sifiso Magagula, Mpolonjeni MP-elect Jacob Siwela, Matsanjeni North MP-elect Phila Buthelezi and Lobamba Lomdzala MP-elect Marwick Khumalo. The rest are Maseyisini MP-elect Mduduzi Dlamini, Sigwe MP-elect David Ngcamphalala, Piggs Peak MP-elect Jabulani Mabuza, Maphalalenis Mabulala Maseko and Ntondozi MP-elect Moses Vilakati. One of the outgoing MPs, who was interviewed yesterday, confirmed that upon enquiry, they had been informed that they could be getting their payout in November 2018 and their last salary would be this month at the basic of E46 318. The next process is that of the House electing the new Speaker, and the four women and the senators, said the former MP. He said thereafter His Majesty King Mswati III was expected to release his list of 20 senators and thereafter announce who the next prime minister would be once Sibaya was summoned. The legislator said after emabandla and others commissions were put in place, including the entire government then they would receive their ex-gratia payment. It should be noted that the ex-gratia payment does not include other pension funds which the members may have been part of. The circular further states that in the event that a parliamentarian does not fully serve the five year term, the ex-gratia payment would be pro-rated taking into account the actual period served. Under no circumstances will a part year served be considered as a full year, reads the circular. It further states that should the parliamentarian be dismissed or removed from office due to misconduct or incompetence, the ex-gratia payment would be forfeited. Records do, however, reveal that all former MPs would receive their full payout. The same scenario will apply to former members of Senate once the entire chamber has been constituted. By Trend At the autumn session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA), held in Bishkek, Azerbaijan expressed concern about the current situation with the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani MP, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Azay Guliyev said. He drew the attention of the session participants to the topicality of the problem. Guliyev stressed that at each session, the Azerbaijani delegation represented in the OSCE PA is trying to demonstrate maximum activity, bring issues that meet the national interests of Azerbaijan to the attention of colleagues, makes efforts for corresponding decisions to be made in the OSCE. "This session was not an exception, he added. The discussed issues covered the region and were devoted to ensuring peace and security in the region, the Central Asian countries, as well as cooperation with the regional countries in addressing global threats and challenges. Of course, the number one issue for us is the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia is always trying to stop discussions on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because the discussion of this issue is not in its interests, Guliyev said. "The reason is simple, he said. Each time during the discussions we expose the aggressor essence of Armenia. Each of our speeches is based on serious arguments and facts. We refer to the norms of international law, adopted UN resolutions, CoE and OSCE PA resolutions. Therefore our speech is full, comprehensive and justified. However, the Armenian side has no arguments, so all other delegations do not take their speeches seriously, Guliyev said. When we start speaking in the language of arguments, Armenians turn out to be in miserable and hopeless situation. In this respect, I think that OSCE PA has enough information on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. OSCE PA supports and respects our position and understands the essence of Armenias aggressive policy." The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. By Trend Uzbekistan and Germany will attract financial resources to accelerate the implementation of projects for construction of the Mazar-i-Sharif-Herat railway, the Surkhan-Pul-i-Khumri transmission lines, roads of various lengths and other infrastructure facilities in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan stated on Oct. 8. On Oct. 8, special representative of the president of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, met with special representative of the German government for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Markus Potzel. The sides exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan and the prospects for the peace process in the country. The main attention was paid to interaction in the implementation of provisions and recommendations of the Tashkent Declaration, which was adopted on March 27 at an international conference on Afghanistan in the capital of Uzbekistan. The Uzbek side noted importance of the participation of the German side in the educational projects initiated by Uzbekistan, in particular, at the educational center in Termez for training Afghan citizens, as well as in creation of the International Fund for Education Support in Afghanistan. Hi, this is basically a simple question needing a simple answer. To anyone with experience using older Lenovo, HP, Compaq & Dell laptops: Are all HP, Compaq & Dell laptop-screens very dimmable, similar to Lenovo thinkpads? More specifically: On my vintage Lenovo Thinkpads, the displays are very easily highly dimmable via the FN button, so they're therapeutic for my eyes which require the dimmest screen possible. The reason i'm asking, is that approx. 20 yrs. ago, i had a touted "low-flicker" Samsung LCD stand-monitor, which literally fried my eyes (i developed permanent meibomian gland atrophy and dry-eyes from it, aside from severe headaches & worse). Long story re: the Samsung, and yes, i found out - too late - that they were dimmable via some nested Windows process. Samsung's rep. certainly never enlightened me on that. Cyprus Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, announced the completion of five weeks program of excavation, survey, and study at Maniki Harbor under the direction of Joan Breton Connelly, Professor of Classics and Art History of the New York University. An international team of scholars gathered at Maniki Harbor to participate in the innovative multi-disciplinary program of research. The small, ancient port at Maniki served as the main harbor for Geronisos and the ancient settlement at Agios Georgios of Pegeia from the Hellenistic through the early Byzantine times. Dr. Theotokis Theodoulou, Head of the Cretan section of the Ephorate for Underwater Antiquities in Greece, Dr. Alexandros Tourtas of University of the Aegean, and Konstantinos Kostakis of Plano S.L.A., Crete, executed a coastal and underwater survey of Maniki Harbor. This included aerial mapping, 3D modelling (Figures. 1 and 2), video-recording, snorkeling and reconnaissance diving. A custom-made platform bearing a digital camera was used to photograph the western seabed of the cove. Rounded rock-cut bollards for mooring ships were spotted at the west side of the promontory, as well as in the middle of the harbor. Rock cut channels preserved in the limestone shelf at harbors edge may have accommodated wooden frameworks for loading and unloading or hauling ships and boats. Dr. Georgia Andreou of Cornell and Brown University undertook coastal analysis employing ArcGIS, Agisoft PhotoScan and Digital Shoreline Analysis Software. She produced georeferenced 3D models of the harbor, contour and bathymetric maps, and a digital elevation model that is suitable for visualization and viewshed analysis (Figure 3). Miltiadis Polidorou of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens undertook geomorphological surveys of Geronisos Island and coastline from Agios Georgios to Maniki, with drone mapping, 3D modelling, and orthomosaics. Excavation focused on three stratigraphic sections dug through the vast dumps of late Roman transport amphorae at the harbors edge. Prof. Thomas Tartaron, Chair of the Graduate Program in Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania, directed a surface survey along with the excavation of one section through the dump. Prof. Jolanta Mynarczyk of the University of Warsaw identified the dominant amphora type as southwestern Cypriot in origin, dating from the 5th to mid-7th century A.D. Also prevalent are Palestinian bag-shaped amphorae of the 5th-6th centuries and Gaza jars dating from the 4th to 6th centuries A.D. This assemblage attests to pilgrimage movement between the basilicas of Agios Georgios of Pegeia and the famous monastic centers of south Palestine, especially during the years of Justinians reign. According to reports in some tabloids like NW, Angelina Jolie and Keanu Reeves have been quietly dating since July 2017 when they supposedly took a top-secret trip to the Greek island of Paxos together. Jolie is said to have met the actor after she and her six kids moved next door to his moms house in Los Angeles. Theyve never worked together and didnt really get to know each other until last year, notes a supposed source. Keanu is very close to his mom and visits her a lot. The alleged insider goes on to say that Jolies kids approve of her relationship with the actor, who also enjoys being around Anges children. The questionable tipster continues, He loves kids and has been a good influence on Ange. Hes so kind, giving and genuine all the qualities Ange now wants in a man. Shes done with the drama. As for Reeves, the insider says hes drawn to mysterious women like Ange who have a darker side. The source goes on to say that Jolie and Reeves are keeping their relationship firmly under wraps for now, but the actors mom wants the two to go public. Shed love to see Keanu finally settle down and Ange would fit right in with the family, insists the suspicious tipster. However, other media outlets dispute the news, calling it pure fiction. Magazine Gossip Cop checked with a source close to Jolie, who told it on the condition of anonymity that the actress is single and entirely focused on her children. She didnt vacation with Reeves in Greece in July 2017. Source: thefrisky.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Arxoland License: CC-BY-SA Investors are taking advantage, with new hotels popping up across Athens in response to a surge in tourism Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, who is currently in the process of courting Asian investors, has encouraged them to tap into the country's economic rebound and grab the "first-mover advantage" now enjoyed by China, ANA reports. Early investors will get in just as prices start to rise, Tsakalotos noted in a recent interview with the Nikkei Asian Review in Athens, adding that he saw a "lot of investment opportunities from real estate to the gas market to agricultural products, chemicals and so on." He plans to meet with investors in Singapore and Hong Kong this month as part of his trip to the Indonesian island of Bali for the annual gatherings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Sinn Fein License: CC-BY-SA The proposition for the country is about EUR 1.5 billion more in relation to 2014-2020 A rise in EU funds in the next programming period 2021-2027 was announced for Greece by Regional Policy Commissioner Ms Corina Cretu in an interview with the newspaper Kathimerini. In particular, it is stated that the proposition for the country is about EUR 1.5 billion more in relation to 2014-2020. The Commissioner also noted that the Competitiveness funds would focus on enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and said that the European Strategic Investment Fund is expected to mobilize EUR 11 million in investment and support 20,000 of these businesses in the country. At the same time, on the issue of solid waste management and the implementation of programs in the field of digital technologies and e-government, the Commissioner pointed out that, despite the progress made, Greece should apply greater efforts in these areas. Read more at int.ert.gr RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Andrikkos License: CC-BY-SA ASTA The American Society of Travel Advisors is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. George Paliouras as Greece Chapter President. Mr. Paliouras was an instrumental part of the FedHatta organizing team that worked with ASTA for their successful recently concluded 2018 ASTA Destination Expo in Athens. George has the necessary expertise, leadership quality and industry connections to make our Greece Chapter one of the most successful in the world, quotes Bob Duglin, ASTA Vice President, International Membership & Expansion. He further goes on to say, As the Greek recovery continues, we realize that U.S. travel advisors can play a key role in working with their Hellenic counterparts in growing the number of inbound visitors from the United States to Greece. Member of the Board of Directors and General Commissioner of the Association of Tourist and Travel Agencies in Greece (HATTA), member of the board, responsible for strategic development and communication, of the Federation of Greek Travel and Travel Agencies Associations (FedHATTA), representative to the National Cruise Steering Committee of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, George Paliouras is the Business Development Manager of Rhapsody Travel in Greece. With a strong 25 year background in sales, marketing, and management of Greek cruise lines and tour operators, focused on the cruise and travel business of the Mediterranean, paired with a continuous involvement as board member with Greek tourism associations and committees George has deep knowledge of the Greek and international markets and the opportunity to build strong relations between the Greek Chapter members and the thousands international members of ASTA. ABOUT ASTA Rebranded in 2018 as the American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally-based members, ASTAs history of industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information about the Society, visit ASTA.org. For more information regarding ASTA Greece Chapter you can contact George Paliouras: gdpaliouras@gmail.com & gpaliouras@rhapsody.gr Leading international construction consultancy Linesight has announced that it is currently working on projects worth more than $10 billion across the Middle East region covering a wide range of sectors. The company, which is celebrating a decade of its UAE operations - since opening its regional Middle Eastern office at Dubai in 2008 - has registered an average annual revenue growth of 6.6 per cent. A key player in the region, Linesight offers consultancy services, focusing on cost and project management, across a wide number of industry sectors including retail, commercial, hospitality and data centre. Its most notable projects include the $430-million Bahrain Marina mixed-use development, the $4-billion Thakher City mixed-use development in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and the MAF City Centre Ishbiliyah retail development, in Riyadh. In addition to the project and design management for Bahrain Marina, Linesight is currently involved in the Al Sahel Hotel Development in Bahrain. On completion, the Bahrain Marina will boast a 250-berth marina, a five-star hotel, a host of F&B (food and beverage) and leisure amenities, luxury villas and a 600-unit residential tower overlooking the sea, said the comopany in its statement. Elsewhere in the GCC, Linesight is involved in several projects in Saudi Arabia, including the $293-million Al Faisaliah District redevelopment project in Riyadh, which involves the upgrade of Al Khozamas retail, hospitality and commercial assets starting with the refurbishment of the Al Faisaliah Mall. According to Linesight, the UAE continues to be a key market, with multiple public and private sector projects in the pipeline. The company is providing cost and project management for several developments including hospitality and residential marquee developments on the Palm. This is in addition to several real estate projects, including the Californian Residences in Dubailand where the companys experienced team is project managing the mixed-use $150-million project, it added. Damien Gallogly, the regional director for the Middle East, said: "Over the last 10 years, we have witnessed significant regional business growth, underscored by our expansion into both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain." "Our success in the region comes from the close relationships weve developed with our clients, our service offering, the quality of work that we deliver and our in-depth understanding of the Middle East market. We have a proven track record on prestigious projects, high referral rates and strong repeat business within our network. Clients have confidence in our ability to deliver their projects on time, and within budget," he added. Linesight has a global reach, with staff located in 20 offices around the world including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the US. The company is currently involved in projects in 150 countries.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain-based Batelco Group, a top telecom provider, recently participated in the Carriers World Middle East 2018 two-day conference which was held at the Ritz Carlton DIFC, Dubai in conjunction with the Telecoms World Middle East 2018. Currently in its fifth consecutive year, the event brings together C-suite executives in the technology, media and telecom sectors (TMT) from across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, to discuss topics related to the industrys growth opportunities, diversification, digital transformation, virtualization and Digital Disruption. Karl Michael Henneking, chief strategy and business development officer of Batelco Group was invited to give the keynote speech, while Ahmed Abdel-Latif, chief wholesale officer of Batelco Group, participated in the kick-off panel entitled Middle East: Opportunities Galore focusing on culture transformation, business strategy diversification and game-changing innovation in the industry. Karan Ponnudurai, chief digital officer of Batelco Group shared his views on digital transformation and driving industry change with future proof networks and disruptive technologies. Ihab Hinnawi, chief executive officer of Batelco Group said: We are living in a digital era in a rapidly changing world; it is crucial for digital operators to maintain pace with the transformation of technology in order to provide an enriched customer experience. We always welcome the opportunity to participate in significant industry events in the likes of the Telecoms World Middle East where we can meet, engage with and exchange valuable knowledge with fellow industry players in an effort to shape the future of the telecommunications sector. TradeArabia News Service Chairman of Action Hotels, Sheikh Mubarak AM Al Sabah hosted a round of meetings at Kuwaits White Palace recently with the chairman and CEO of Accor International, Sebastien Bazin. The discussions focussed on the further growth of tourism and hospitality in Kuwait and the region, and included Accors chief executive officer, Gaurav Bhushan, as well as other team members. Several ideas were discussed regarding the activation and development of tourism in Kuwait, and the enhancement of opportunities for cooperation with France and other countries in which the Accor manages hotels. The spotlight was placed on the underserved demand for economy and midscale hotels. The Action-Accor relationship is able to design, develop and operate high quality, affordable, branded accommodation catering to the discerning, budget-savvy business and leisure traveller. Action Hotels is already a leading owner, developer and asset manager of branded three- and four-star hotels in prime locations in the Middle East and Australia. The companys portfolio currently consists of 14 operating hotels, of which 10 are in the Middle East and four in Australia. This includes 11 hotels managed by Accor across three flags - ibis, Mercure and Novotel. Meanwhile, the Mercure Riyadh Olaya and the Novotel Dubai Creek are set to open in 2019. - TradeArabia News Service The Turkish Culture and Tourism Office is sponsoring two key digital events at this years WTM London and the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards. The sponsorship deals are part of a wider focus on social media for the popular tourist destination. The tourist office is sponsoring both the WTM Digital Influencers Speed Networking and Best Digital Influencer Award at the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards (ITTAs). Previously called the Bloggers Speed Networking, this years WTM London Digital Influencers Speed Networking event will be the biggest so far. The hugely popular 90-minute session takes place on November 7 at 9am in the Global Stage Networking Area (AS1000). It will see 120 leading industry digital influencers hold quick-fire business meeting with exhibitors interested in increasing their media exposure. This year, there will be an increased focus on YouTubers and Instagrammers. Volkan Akgul, director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in London, said the sponsorship is part of the countrys increasing focus on social media as a strategy to promote tourism. Its attractions, such as the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, as well as breathtaking scenery and ancient sites elsewhere in the country, have made Turkey one of the most prominent destinations on sites such as Instagram. He said: Turkey hosts many riches from Asia to Europe, from the Turquoise Coast to the lush Black Sea forests, from rich culture and history to delicious Turkish cuisine. All this is the winning formula for an 'Instagrammable' destination. Continuing the digital theme, Turkey is also sponsoring the category of Best Digital Influencer in the Industry at the brand new International Travel & Tourism Awards (ITTAs), presented by WTM London. Taking place at a glittering showcase in Tobacco Dock on November 6, the new ITTAs celebrate the success of national, regional and city tourist boards and recognises outstanding private sector companies and individuals. Akgul continued: Social media is one of the main promotional tools for Turkey. We are one of the top destinations in the world that uses social platforms effectively to interest, educate and attract travellers to Turkey." Turkey's social media campaign is called Turkey Home, with many slogans emphasising that Turkey is the home of coffee, baklava, tea and civilisations, among others." Like many tourism boards, our aim is to co-operate with companies and influencers; to create content for Turkey. WTM London offers opportunities for us to communicate with like-minded influencers." As Turkey Home, we wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and sponsor this years speed networking event and award ceremony." Over the years we have steadily increased our budgets for digital and social media campaigns and have huge growth in interest about Turkey on social media." We are constantly in contact with influencers and companies that have an impact in this field, and we worked on various collaborations tremendous results. We are excited to be the sponsor for WTM Digital Influencers' Speed Networking and the Best Digital Influencer category at the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards." We place social and digital channels at the centre of our campaigns in order to reach the right people at the right time, in the right place and with the right messages. WTM London, press and PR Manager and ITTAs co-founder, Paul Nelson, said: Turkey is a great example of how a destination is keeping up with the times by using the latest tech and social media advancements to showcase its rich history and natural wonders to the rest of world." Images of Turkeys picture-perfect coastline, ancient wonders, enticing food, vibrant markets and welcoming people have been shared endless times around the world on social media so much so that popular city-break destination Istanbul could well be renamed Instanbul in recognition of its popularity among Instagrammers, he said. - TradeArabia News Service Last week the New York attorney generals office landed a powerful blow in favor of the regulators, with a new report that illuminates the shadowy inner workings of 10 popular cryptocurrency exchanges. The report could dial up pressure on the exchanges to move toward greater transparency and better consumer protection. Like it or not, that could be a boon for the cryptocurrency industry??at least, if mainstream adoption is the goal. In April, the AGs office asked 13 popular exchanges to respond to a detailed questionnaire covering a wide range of topics, from trading fees to anti-money-laundering policies to methods for keeping customer assets secure. Ten chose to comply, and the newly released analysis of their responses paints a bleak picture. In particular, Attorney General Barbara Underwood lamentedthe widespread lack of necessary policies and procedures to ensure the fairness, integrity, and security of exchanges. Its not the first time New York has shaken up the cryptocurrency exchange scene. In 2015, it introduced BitLicense, a first-of-its-kind licensing regime for digital currency companies that imposed rules meant to prevent money laundering and provide some consumer protections. As in 2015, the state says its intervening now because its necessary to shield investors from fraud. No federal agency has the authority to directly oversee cryptocurrency exchanges. This has allowed exchanges to operate free of the extensive rules that the US Securities and Exchange Commission imposes on traditional securities marketplaces like stock exchanges and broker-dealers. Meanwhile, recent academic research has suggested that traders may be manipulating Bitcoins price, and the US Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the matter. The New York AGs office is uniquely equipped to fill the void. It has broad authority to police fraud in the states securities and commodities markets, and they know how traders can abuse marketplaces, says Aaron Wright, a professor at the Cardozo School of Law in New York (because, you know, Wall Street). The new report hammers exchanges for lacking robust real-time and historical market surveillance capabilities, like those found in traditional trading venues, to identify suspicious trading patterns. It says conflicts of interest are rampant. And it raises concerns about an industry-wide lack of transparency regarding several things, including: why exchanges list certain coins and not others whether listings involve payment and how much whether a given exchanges employees own any of its listed coins. As when New York introduced BitLicense, the probe has been met with substantial resistance. Several exchanges??Binance, Gate.io, Huobi, and Kraken??declined to participate, claiming that they dont allow trading in New York. The AGs office looked into those claims, though, and has referred Binance, Gate.io, and Kraken to the states Department of Financial Services for potential violation of New Yorks virtual currency regulations. Jesse Powell, Krakens CEO, lashed out via Twitter, calling state regulators abusive. Powell has argued that being protected from market manipulation doesnt matter to most crypto traders. Wright, however, says the report is a good thing for crypto, because it will push the good actors to make their processes fairer to customers. I think ultimately, as this industry matures, the marketplaces that are the most safe and sound and secure will tend to win, he says. ON THE MOVE: Citi Hires Rahbari for FX, Bash-Polley to Retire from Goldman Sachs In a memo seen by Traders Magazine, Citi hired Ebrahim Rahbari for its FXLM business as Global Head of FX Analysis and Content and as Citis Chief G10 Currency Strategist. He will be responsible for developing and implementing Citis FX analysis strategy. He will take over from Tom Fitzpatrick who has been leading these teams in an interim capacity. Tom will continue to oversee the CitiFX Technicals team and report to Ebrahim. Ebrahim joined Citi in 2010 and has held senior economics roles within Citi Research in New York and London, most recently as Head of Global Macroeconomics. He holds a PhD in Economics from London Business School and a BA Hons in Economics and Management from Oxford University (Balliol College). Ebrahim will be based in New York and report to Itay Tuchman. If you have a new job or promotion to report, let me know at jdantona@marketsmedia.com Coinbase snagged Instinet alum Jonathan Kellner as a managing director for its institutional coverage group. Kellner will help bring Coinbases suite of institutional crypto trading products to professional investors. He most recently served as chief executive of institutional brokerage firm Instinet. He has also held key positions at Charles Schwab and Morgan Stanley. Stacy Bash-Polley, a previous Traders Magazine Wall Street Woman winner (Excellence in Leadership Award in 2011), who has played a key role with clients in Goldman Sachs' trading business, plans to retire at year-end, according to an internal memo sent on last week. Goldman Sachs trading co-heads Ashok Varadhan, Marty Chavez and Jim Esposito cited Bash-Polley as role model to women at Goldman and in the financial services industry in the memo, which was seen by Reuters. She was a Partner and Co-Head, Fixed Income Sales in the Americas. Bash-Polley began as an associate at Goldman Sachs in 1994, after a stint as an information specialist with Ernst & Young. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, but she also obtained a masters in information science. 1 2 3 next For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: By democratizing security vulnerability reporting and utilizing tokenized incentives, Secure Planet aims to better secure Open Source software, with an emphasis on projects critical to the next generation of IoT devices. SINGAPORE, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Secure Planet, the creator of the first crowdsourced, security vulnerability knowledge platform, announced today its token generation event (TGE). By democratizing security vulnerability reporting and leveraging tokenized incentives, Secure Planet will better secure Open Source software (OSS), with an emphasis on those projects critical to the next generation of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Secure Planet is an independent Foundation, created and spun out of Insignary, a global leader in binary-level software composition analysis. Security-conscious organizations try to mitigate open source security risks by leveraging centralized vulnerability databases, such as the popular National Vulnerability Database. However, these platforms are operated by a closed, centralized group of managing authorities, said Tae-Jin (TJ) Kang, CEO of Secure Planet. As a result, they are susceptible to information bottlenecks and bias in vulnerability reporting. Additionally, the existing system does not deploy financial incentives to motivate the OSS security community to participate in the bug reporting process. Through Secure Planets platform, a blockchain-based solution equipped with a tokenized incentive system, we aim to overcome these issues that pervade todays OSS security landscape. Industry analyst firms are projecting there to be 20.4 billion IoT devices in operation by 2023, yet highly publicized intrusion events like automobile and Wi-Fi camera hacks attest to the fragile security of our increasingly connected world. According to a Wall Street Journal report, 99.9% of hacking incidents are executed through the exploitation of known software bugs and security issues. To mitigate these known flaws, enterprises leverage centralized and thus problematic security information databases. Secure Planet is building an alternative, independent and self-sustaining platform that addresses and overcomes the issues inherent in currently available, centralized options. In order to continually feed this new data platform with up-to-date information, Secure Planet will initiate OSS bug bounty programs that utilize tokenized incentives to crowdsource white hat hackers and the open source community. Additionally, Secure Planets OSS security database will harness the power of blockchain technology and assign hash values to serve as seals on the stored information, thereby making potential tampering of the data obvious and transparent. Secure Planet is not the first to introduce bug bounty programs to the vulnerability management market. In addition to using their internal security teams, various enterprises have increasingly enlisted outsiders to detect security flaws in their proprietary software. Unfortunately, most OSS projects, which comprise approximately 77% of software in development, do not enjoy such corporate support. As a result, they are not covered under the traditional bug bounty programs that focus on commercial software. Secure Planet will address this gap by funding bug bounty programs for OSS by selling access to the security database that will be created as a result of the programs themselves. By collaborating with Insignary, Secure Planet can address the particularly urgent challenges in the IoT industry, where security is less aggressively managed. By using its fingerprint-based, binary code scanner Insignary Clarity to analyze both public and private software, Insignary has been growing a database of the OSS projects that are most commonly deployed in IT infrastructure, including IoT devices. Secure Planet will use these statistics of OSS usage to prioritize bug bounty programs About the Secure Planet TGE Secure Planets TGE began in September 2018 and is currently in the phase for private investors, and will be available for the public at a later date. Secure Planet is raising $20 million USD for 40% of token sales (out of a total of 2.25 billion tokens). A portion of the raised funds will be for research and further platform development, while the majority will be made available to incentivize the finding, reporting and cataloguing of OSS security vulnerabilities. About Secure Planet An independent Foundation based in Singapore, Secure Planet is the creator of the first, crowdsourced security knowledge platform. By democratizing security vulnerability reporting via tokenized incentives, Secure Planet aims to secure Open Source Software, with an emphasis on OSS projects critical in the development of IoT devices. For more information please visit www.secureplanet.io. Secure Planet and the Secure Planet logo are trademarks or servicemarks of SecurePlanet. Insignary, Insignary Clarity and the Insignary logo are trademarks and servicemarks of Inisgnary, Inc. All other brands, trademarks or servicemarks are the property of their respective owners. Media Only Contact: Ed Schauweker AVID PR for Insignary, Inc. ed@avidpr.com 703-963-5238 Jeanne, 40, is a widow and lives in the Madiabuana neighbourhood in Beni with her 3 sons and 3 daughters. She hosts 4 around 80 people on her plot of land. UNHCR/Natalia Micevic GOMA, Democratic Republic of the Congo When armed assailants attacked their village in the Beni Territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congos North Kivu province last October, 42-year-old Agness only thought was getting her six children to safety. The assailants came to Kamambia village at night, she recalled. One of my daughters fled beforehand with her sister, and I fled on foot with my four other children. We slept in the bush, on the bare ground. It was so scary. Displacement continues to rise in DRCs Beni region on the countrys northeastern border with Uganda, fueled by a spate of deadly attacks on civilians by armed groups. Across North Kivu province it is estimated that more than half a million people have fled their homes this year alone, creating the highest concentration of internally displaced people in the conflict- and Ebola-affected central African country. Tens of thousands in Beni and surrounding areas have already abandoned their homes in search of safety, and the total continues to rise. At the same time, many of those displaced up to a year ago like Agnes still have no proper place to stay. "I don't know how to raise my children living like this." Unable to return home due to the ongoing violence, Agnes and her daughters spend each night squatting in a school in the town of Oicha along with dozens of other displaced families. We have to collect our belongings every morning and vacate the premises when classes start. We are left without shelter, even if its raining, Agnes explained. We dont have access to firewood or clean water. I dont know how to raise my children living like this. Its impossible to live this way. Across this vast country, UNHCR the UN Refugee Agency is doing what it can to help the most vulnerable families, through shelter projects, small-scale cash grants, and protection monitoring and support to survivors of human rights violations. Agnes and her family will soon be moved to a family compartment in a collective shelter set up by the Agency. But they are among the very lucky few, with UNHCRs relief efforts being severely curtailed by acute levels of underfunding. So far the Agency has received just 31 per cent of the US$369 million funding requested for the response for displaced people in DRC and for Congolese refugees in other African host countries this year. "Our main challenge is the lack of resources" As a result, the Congolese situation is one of the six worst-hit refugee and displacement crises globally affected by UNHCRs current funding crunch, new figures released today showed. Work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo brings a lot of challenges, said Ann Encontre, UNHCRs Regional Representative and Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Congolese Situation based in DRCs capital, Kinshasa. We need to operate in war zones and areas controlled by armed groups. In many areas, there are hardly any roads. Still, we find a way to reach the people that need our help. But our main challenge is the lack of resources, she added. Our dedicated staff in the field could do a lot more to support those displaced by conflict if only there were more means. As a result, UNHCR is forced to make difficult choices that result in many of those in dire need not getting the assistance they require. "I just want war to be over." Only one in every eleven of the most vulnerable families in DRC currently gets shelter assistance, according to an analysis covering the first nine months of this year. Those living in makeshift shelters or staying with host families in overcrowded conditions are forced to fend for themselves. One such individual is Paluku, 38, who fled his home in Kiharo on the outskirts of Beni city five months ago when violence erupted suddenly one evening. He is now staying with 80 other people on a plot of land in another part of the city owned by local resident Jeanne, 40. The assailants came and attacked two old men with machetes one evening in Kiharo, Paluku said. The entire neighbourhood fled to other parts of the city. I still have my house there but its too dangerous to go back. So we are staying with Jeanne, who is kind enough to host us. I would be the happiest person on earth if peace returned, he added. We can deal with every other problem, as long as we have peace. I just want war to be over. Burundian returnees gather in Higiro Village, northern Burundi for the arrival of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. UNHCR/Georgina Goodwin Funding for the worlds forcibly displaced and stateless people is becoming increasingly squeezed, with barely more than half of needs being met, and worsening hardship and risks for many refugees, other displaced people and the communities they live among. This is according to a new report released today by the Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization Service of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. With 68.5 million people forcibly displaced worldwide as of the start of this year, funding by governments for refugee and other displacement situations has seldom been more pressured. Based on contributions to date we expect funding for 2018 to meet just 55 per cent of the $8.2 billion that is needed. This compares to 56.6 per cent in 2017 and 58 per cent in 2016. In short, donor funding is falling increasingly behind as the number of forcibly displaced worldwide has grown. And the consequences for refugees and internally displaced people in particular are becoming all too real. In situation after situation we are seeing increases in malnutrition, health facilities being overcrowded, housing and shelters becoming increasingly dilapidated, children either in overcrowded classrooms or doing without school altogether, and growing protection risks because of shortages of personnel to deal with unaccompanied children or victims or sexual violence. Six refugee and displacement situations globally are particularly badly hit. These include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syria and Somalia situations. UNHCR expresses particular thanks to donors of flexible funding whose critical support has been essential to mitigating the impact by allowing us to direct funds where they are most needed. Burundi situation The Burundian refugee situation is at present the lowest funded of any situation globally. At present just 28 per cent of the US$206 million needed has been received. The impact on the 400,000 refugees in neighbouring countries is acute. Food ration cuts have left refugees with insufficient to feed families. Shelters are in desperate conditions in places, health centres are struggling to cope with the number of patients, classrooms are overcrowded, and capacity to help unaccompanied children and survivors of sexual violence is very limited. In Tanzania, some 52 per cent of the 232,716 Burundian refugees there are still living in emergency shelters designed for short term use even years after their arrival. In the absence of school buildings, almost 18,000 refugee children are making do with classes beneath trees. In Ugandas Nakivale settlement thousands of refugee families are using overcrowded communal latrines, with risk of disease outbreaks, little privacy, and exposure of women and children in particular to protection risks. Education is very basic, with insufficient learning materials and overcrowded classrooms. The lack of funding has stopped UNHCRs cash-based assistance programme in Rwandas Mahama camp for 19,500 families, severely affecting refugees ability to meet their own basic needs. Congolese situation In conflict-affected Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as countries hosting Congolese refugees, of the total US$369 million needed for its programmes and those of its partners UNHCR has so far received just 31 per cent. Limited funding is affecting the ability of humanitarians to provide livelihood activities, especially to young people, and access to education and health. In countries of asylum that are hosting nearly 800,000 refugees, settlements and camps are full to capacity but still need to accommodate new refugee arrivals. Minimum standards in food distributions, nutrition, health and other basic needs are often hard to meet. Inside DRC, funding is urgently needed to decongest camps for the displaced and sites to stem the spread of communicable diseases. Afghanistan situation As the conflict nears its fourth decade, some 2.4 million Afghans live in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as refugees and some 1.9 million people are displaced inside Afghanistan. The requirements for these three UNHCR operations for 2018 are 32 per cent funded against the needs of US$304 million. Inside Afghanistan, the lack of funding is affecting UNHCR projects in 60 locations. These projects include assisting some 132,700 Afghan families with rehabilitation and construction cash-for-work, provision of solar panel home lightening systems, support to micro-business or provision of youth and women friendly spaces. In Pakistan, which is hosting some 1.4 million Afghan refugees, the lack of funding is affecting free primary education to 57,000 refugee children as well as basic health services across 54 refugee villages. A lack of access to social services, such as health and education, and reduced livelihood training opportunities risks forcing refugees to move onwards. In Iran, the shortage of funding means fewer vulnerable refugees are benefitting from a subsidised premium for the national health insurance scheme and the most vulnerable refugees would not be able to afford enrolment. Lower support for the primary health care system reduces the availability of services in remote locations. Less investment in the education system limit the number of Afghan children able to enrol in schools. South Sudan situation The ongoing conflict in the worlds youngest nation has forced some 2.4 million people into becoming refugees, while an additional two million are displaced inside the country. There the needs of US$783 million are just 33 per cent funded. Without enough funds the food pipeline for refugees is being frequently interrupted. High rates of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rates are reported in asylum countries, compounding pre-existing protection challenges faced by the South Sudanese refugees prior to their flight in particular for women, children and youth. Full rations have only been available in in Kenya and Uganda and to three-quarters of refugees in the Central African Republic. Only some 7 per cent of South Sudanese refugees live in semi-permanent shelter. In Sudan, about 80,000 refugees are still without access to latrines across all 10 camps. In some cases over 70 people have to use a single communal latrine. Some 57,000 refugees living in informal settlements in Khartoum are going without any assistance. In Uganda, limited resources means not having enough staff to ensure quality of child protection services and adequate follow up on children in care arrangements. There is one caseworker for every 150 children, and children make up some 63 per cent of the refugee population. Water provision to refugees also remains below what is required. Syria situation Some 5.6 million Syrian refugees in the region and another 6.2 million displaced inside the country are directly affected by the funding shortfall. UNHCRs requirements of US$1.968 billion for the Syria situation are currently only 35 per cent funded. UNHCR is working with partners to provide winter protection and help for 1.3 million Syrian refugees in the region, and 1.35 million internally displaced people and returnees inside Syria. Winter cash assistance is particularly important in Lebanon and Jordan, and is an efficient and critical means of support to refugees during the cold weather. Without more funding, the cash assistance will stop in November. This could have a devastating impact on refugee families in Jordan and Lebanon, where the majority live below the poverty line. Funding is badly needed for around half a million refugees to pay rent, meet daily needs and maintain access to essential services. Rising health care costs are increasing the risk of refugee families not getting even the basic medical services they need, such as child immunizations. Resources are needed to provide health care support for some 35,000 vulnerable Syrian refugees in the region, particularly in Jordan and Lebanon. Somalia situation Over a million Somali refugees are hosted in six countries with another two million displaced inside the country. UNHCR requirements of US$522 million for Somalia situation are so far 37 per cent funded. After decades of conflict, Somalis have made some progress, but the situation remains fragile and needs continued support. Failure to support refugees and host communities risks a deterioration in humanitarian conditions, a perception of lack of support to host communities, and could precipitate returns before the Government of Somalia is ready to receive and absorb them. More details about the most underfunded situations can be found in the brochure available here. For more information on this topic, please contact: Over 4,000 Venezuelans enter Colombia every day looking to stay or continue their journey southwards. Thousands do it on foot, crossing Simon Bolivar International Bridge. Beneath an unforgiving sun, they drag worn-down suitcases, carry giant sacks on their shoulders or cradle young children in their arms. With their country facing a deteriorating situation, many are in need of international protection. The constant flow of Venezuelans entering Colombia generates monumental challenges to address their humanitarian needs, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi while visiting Villa del Rosario on Sunday. UNHCR is committed to intensifying our presence and help. Grandi is visiting Colombia and other Latin American countries to assess the needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as the countries hosting them, and to discuss regional approaches to address the increasing outflow with more international support. Nearly two million Venezuelans have left their country since 2015. About one million are now in Colombia, where the government is seeking to ensure they can work legally and access social services, through issuance of a special permit. Nearly 400,000 Venezuelans have obtained permits to legally work and access social services in the country, according to the Colombian government. Venezuelans without access to a legal status are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination, Grandi said. The constant flow of Venezuelans entering Colombia generates monumental challenges to address their humanitarian needs. Venezuelans say they are compelled to leave for multiple reasons. They include insecurity and violence, lack of access to food, medicine and essential services, as well as a loss of income as a result of the current political and a socio-economic situation. The North of Santander region is the busiest border crossing in Colombia, accounting for 75 per cent of all entries by land. National and local authorities are working with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the International Organization for Migration and other entities in the area to better address the most basic and immediate needs of those arriving, including Venezuelan refugees and migrants and 300,000 Colombian returnees. I am impressed by Colombias efforts to document, feed, shelter and care for thousands of Venezuelans arriving every day, Grandi said. This extraordinary solidarity needs more international support. Over 4,000 Venezuelans enter Colombia every day. Thousands do it on foot, crossing Simon Bolivar International Bridge. UNHCR/Fabio Cuttica During his visit to the international bridge Simon Bolivar, UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi met Yinaica Quintero and her 9-month-old daughter Shaina. They crossed to Colombia to access health care services. UNHCR/Fabio Cuttica UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi visited the international bridge Simon Bolivar and its facilities, where UNHCR supports a child care area. UNHCR/Fabio Cuttica UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi visiting a Venezuelan family in Las Delicias, Cucuta hosted by Colombian families who were themselves displaced by the armed conflict. UNHCR/Fabio Cuttica The first stop for many Venezuelans is the Divina Providencia community kitchen. It serves 3,000 free breakfasts and 3,000 lunches each day. Refugees and migrants start lining up as early as 6 a.m. By 11:30 am, there is rarely any food left. The centre relies on some 80 to 100 Colombian and Venezuelan volunteers. Among those Grandi met was Irene Navajo, 35, from Caracas. She explained how, after her husband lost his construction job, the family could not make ends meet on her salary as a cleaner at a health clinic. The couple crossed to Cucuta eight months ago, leaving their four children back in Venezuela, with Irenes mother. It is sad to abandon your country, but theres nothing else we can do, she said as she rinsed forks and spoons in a big blue plastic bucket. Shortly after reaching Cucuta, Irenes two suitcases with all her belongings got stolen. She and her husband slept on the streets for two months. Then a woman told her about Divina Providencia, and the morning after, at 7 a.m. sharp, she was lining up for breakfast. She now volunteers there, cooking and washing dishes, and has been made to feel welcome. I feel among family, she says. When I get nostalgic and think about my children, I feel that my family is here too. Beyond food, the centre also offers basic medical consultation and legal information services thanks to UNHCRs support. The growing number of Venezuelans has strained the regions health care services. To boost capacity, the UN Refugee Agency supported the creation of a new health centre in Villa del Rosario. It aims to provide first aid care and family planning services to some 300 people per day, including refugees, migrants and the local community. I lost everything I had, I arrived in a new place with empty hands. Now Venezuelans are going through the same that I went through. During his visit, Grandi also highlighted the solidarity of Colombians towards Venezuelans who had to leave their homes. He met with the neighbours of Las Delicias, where over 20 families of Colombians who were forcibly displaced by the armed conflict years ago are now opening their doors to Venezuelans. This was the case of Graciela Sanchez. More than a decade ago, she fled her home in Caqueta, in eastern Colombia, and arrived in Las Delicias in 2007. She came with nothing but her two daughters. Now 39, she is hosting five Venezuelan families in her hilly plot 18 people in total. I lost everything I had, I arrived in a new place with empty hands. Now Venezuelans are going through the same that I went through, Graciela told Grandi when he visited her home. We dont know what may happen tomorrow. It might be us too. Next to Simon Bolivar International Bridge, on the Colombian side of the border, hundreds of Venezuelans wait in line to get their passports stamped. For many, their official entry into Colombia inks the first step in a long journey towards other parts of the country, or even Ecuador or Peru, where they are looking for a better future for them and their families. In the coming days, the High Commissioner will follow the flow of Venezuelans in Argentina, Peru and Ecuador to assess the regional implications of their humanitarian needs and to discuss with the hosting countries best approaches for a coherent response. Priyanka suffering from high fever, postpones Moradabad visit 15 Nov 2021 | 10:06 PM Moradabad, Nov 15 (UNI) Congress General Secretary and In-Charge of Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra postponed her visit to Moradabad on Monday after she developed high fever. see more.. TMC begins door-to-door campaign in Goa 15 Nov 2021 | 10:05 PM Panaji, Nov 15 (UNI) Trinamool Congress on Monday launched the door-to-door campaign in Goa which will go for polls early next year. see more.. Meghalaya CM announces package for Nongkhnum Island 15 Nov 2021 | 10:04 PM Shillong, Nov 15 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday announced Rs. 13 crore special financial package for development of tourism infrastructure and amenities at the scenic Nongkhnum Island in West Khasi Hills district of the state. see more.. Pondy CM urges centre to enhance grant every year 15 Nov 2021 | 10:02 PM Puducherry, Nov 15(UNI) Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Monday urged the centre to increase the grant provided by it to the UT by ten percent at least every year. see more.. TORONTO, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Nextech AR Solutions (the Company or Nextech) in partnership with CFN Media is excited to announce the launch of its AR live streaming platform at the New West Cannabis Summit in Oakland CA October 11th-13. The New West Summit is the ideal venue for Nextech AR live streaming to be showcased as its the only cannabis conference to focus exclusively on game changing disruptive technology. CFN Media and Nextech signed a partnership agreement on June 12th, 2018 where Nextech will supply the augmented reality technology and CFN Media will productize, market and sell the technology to its Cannabis clients. For this first augmented reality live streaming event Stephanie Karasick the founder of Strainprint will be live streamed as a Hologram from Toronto to Oakland CA. On October 11th at 1:30 pm EST (10:30 am PST) Nextech will be streaming live from its Toronto broadcast studio to CFN Medias booth in the media center of the New West Summit in Oakland, CA plus onto mobile devices worldwide through the Aritize App. Everyone is invited to watch this live event at New West Summit from work, home or wherever you can get a wifi signal. To view the Cannabis augmented reality live streaming event: Download the Aritize App Type in the code #CFN iPhone Download: https://apple.co/2AKybaw Android Download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.NexTechAR.ARitize&rdid=com.NexTechAR.ARitize This live streaming event is groundbreaking for the Cannabis industry as it allows for brands and company executives to imagine a future where they can interact and engage with consumers and investors in real time as a live hologram, this is the genie out of the bottle moment for the industry, comments Evan Gappelberg CEO of Nextech. We are extremely thrilled to pioneer new technology to help us build our community. Strainprint was built by patients for patients and we always want to ensure were providing engaging content for our users. This is a great opportunity, says Stephanie Karasick, founder of Strainprint. CFN media prides itself in leveraging technologies that help form deeper connections between cannabis companies and their constituents. Nextechs AR platform will allow us to rollout a full suite of augmented reality products, especially AR live streaming, which will enhance and add value to what we already provide our clients, comments Frank Lane, President of CFN Media. Our clients will be able to communicate broadly to their investors, customers and other stakeholders in a much more memorable, personal and realistic way than ever before allowing them to rise above the industry noise. For the past year Nextech has been developing a full suite of augmented reality product offerings which includes, AR live streaming, AR enhanced powerpoints, AR brochures, AR University for 3D learning on demand, and large format AR holographic teleportation displays all to be viewed with the companys Aritize app. CFN Media will showcase this technology for the first time to the Cannabis industry in its booth at the New West Summit in Oakland, CA on October 11-13th. About Strainprint Founded in Toronto in 2016, StrainprintTM Technologies Ltd. is the leading demand-side cannabis data and analytics company. With the worlds largest longitudinal, observational data-set of its kind and a mission to advance the scientific understanding of cannabis and its legitimization as a mainstream therapy, Strainprint helps medical cannabis patients and doctors to use cannabis in the most effective and responsible way possible. StrainprintTMdata supports global cannabis research and provides advanced business intelligence and treatment guidance to producers, retailers, medical practitioners, pharmacies, government and industry. Strainprint is HIPAA, PIPEDA and PHIPA privacy compliant, military-grade encrypted and all patient data is completely anonymized and at rest in Canada. Strainprint can be seamlessly embedded or integrated with most electronic medical records (EMR) and seed2sale software systems. Strainprint Analytics is accessed by customer subscription. The Strainprint App is free to patients and can be downloaded from both the iOS App Store and GooglePlay Store. www.strainprintanalytics.com. facebook, twitter, linkedin. About CFN Media For Visitors and Viewers CFN Media's Cannabis Financial Network (CannabisFN.com) is the destination for savvy investors and business people profiting from the worldwide cannabis industry. Viewers will see breaking news, original coverage and exclusive interviews of the people, companies and investments shaping the space. For Cannabis Businesses & Companies CFN Media is a leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the cannabis industry. We help private, pre-public and public cannabis companies in the US and Canada attract capital, investors and media attention. Our powerful media and distribution platform conveys a company's message and value proposition directly to accredited and retail investors and national media active in the North American cannabis markets. Since 2013, CFN Media has contributed to the capital and public markets success of the world's preeminent cannabis companies. About NexTech NexTech is bringing augmented reality to the Cannabis market by turning 2D products into exciting 3D consumer experiences. NexTech is currently developing a proprietary and disruptive Augmented Reality (AR) advertising and education platform that uniquely engages by connecting brands and retailers through a fully immersive 3D AR experience called Native AR. NexTech launched its ARitize app in August 2018, which is capable of hosting many brands 3D objects and augmented reality experiences. NexTech also owns a large and diverse revenue generating App Portfolio that is deployed on the iTunes and Google play store which it intends to ARitize. On behalf of the Board of NexTech AR Solutions Corp. Evan Gappelberg CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Evan Gappelberg Chief Executive Officer info@nextechar.com Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, will, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the Companys estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of NexTech to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. NexTech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. China-Vietnam rail corridor sees increase in goods KUNMING, Oct 9 (UNI) More than 400,000 tonnes of freight have traveled across the border on the meter-gauge railway connecting China and Vietnam so far this year, According to China Railway Kunming Group more than 250,000 tonnes were exported from China which is an yearly increase of 13.26 percent, said Tass in a report. Launched in 1910, the China-Vietnam meter-gauge railway is an important international passage between China and Southeast Asia. After a series of discussions, a regular freight train was launched in December 2017 between southwest China's Kaiyuan County and Vietnam's coastal city of Haiphong, to meet growing freight demand. Nepal: NC opposes deal with Chinese firm on Gandaki project Kathmandu, Oct 9 (UNI) The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has expressed its serious concern over the government decision to renew negotiations with China Gezhouba Group Company Limited to develop the Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project, saying that awarding the project without competitive bidding process was against the national interest. Taking exception to the Cabinets decision for holding a fresh round of negotiations with the Chinese firm whose contract was terminated by the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government last year, the party also called on the government to develop the project with internal resources, said a report in The Kathmandu Post. A study team formed by the then NC-led government had concluded that Budhi Gandaki Project should be developed on domestic investment. The government has started public participation to raise funds where billions of rupees have been collected, the Nepali Congress said in a statement issued after its central working committee meeting on Monday. Moscow, Oct 9 (UNI) Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has said that military drills, including the strategic Vostok-2018 maneuvers, are focused just to defend its territory. At a meeting with Chief of the Joint Staff of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano on Monday, Shoigu said Russia heard the Japanese sides proposals and did not involve the territory of the Kuril Islands in the Vostok-2018 drills, TASS reported. "We invited your observers and your attaches to the Vostok-2018 drills. Unfortunately, we did not see your presence and your participation in these maneuvers. We hope that further on we will be able to show the entire peaceful tone of our drills aimed solely at defending the frontiers of our country," Shoigu said. Under the guidance of the leaders of both countries, cross years of Russia and Japan were officially opened in May this year in Moscow, the Russian defence chief said, a new meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was held in September on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Remembering the previous visit by the chief of the Joint Staff of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces, the Russian defence minister said "Six years have passed since the previous visit. This is a very long term. We pin big hopes on the upcoming talks." The last visit by the chief of the Joint Staff of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces was held on June 26-28, 2012. UNI XC TV RSU 0926 Syrian President Assad grants amnesty to army deserters Damascus,Oct 9 (UNI) Syrian President Bashar Assad granted general amnesty on Tuesday to army deserters both within Syria and those outside the country. In the decree issued on his social media feeds on Tuesday, President Assad said the amnesty covered all punishments for desertion inside or outside Syria, reports Press TV. Men inside Syria will have four months to turn themselves in to authorities for investigations while those outside will have six months, according to the decree. NOIDA, India and CHENNAI, India, Oct. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the IoT India Congress 2018, Aeris, a preferred Internet of Things (IoT) technology partner for enterprises, today announced that it was awarded a contract by Sify Technologies Limited (SIFY), an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions and services leader, for delivery of IoT solutions to their customer, Paragon, Indias no. 1 footwear brand. Paragon aimed to address the issues of unexpected delays due to vehicle breakdown or wrong routes taken, leading to unpleasant incidents. This led to the search for an IoT-based solution to remotely track and monitor Paragons fleet in real-time in order to prevent vehicle misuse, idle time in the logistics chain and even driver behaviour. Since footwear is a distributor-retailer led business, all of these were critical to ensure that supplies reach the market on time, every time. Paragon decided to use technology to manage their nationwide fleet. After a thorough research of the information technology (IT) vendor landscape and as a first step towards digitizing their supply chain, Paragon decided to implement the Aeris solution across its nationwide fleet, thus making them a single connected entity. Adoption of IoT is on the rise in India. The number of IoT devices in India is expected to increase significantly from roughly 200 million units in 2016 to 2.7 billion units by 2020, according to a NASSCOM report. By focusing on innovation and generating new opportunities, IoT is bringing retailers, consumers and every object in the value chain into the digital realm. To address the growing need of data management arising from the accelerated growth projection of IoT in India, Aeris collaborated with Sify Technologies, to develop niche IoT offerings with managed services for the Indian enterprises. At the core of Sifys Digital Transformation model is the cloud iteration of IoT services. Specific to this strategic alliance was a distinctive portfolio of managed Wi-Fi and Internet Service (ISP)-related offerings from Sify with proprietary IoT solutions and managed services from Aeris. Aeris offers end-to-end IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions and services for the automobile, insurance, fleet, healthcare, utilities and manufacturing industries. Its comprehensive Aeris Mobility IoT Platform (AMP) helps enterprises enhance revenue, create new services and business models. Aeris allows enterprises to embark on their digital transformation journey across a portfolio of business solutions. Aeris has successfully created a unique IoT ecosystem for enterprises, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technologists, system integrators and solution providers across many vertical sectors. Aeris empowers organizations to optimize human intervention and attain real-time remote monitoring of machines, equipment, and other assets along with enabling predictive and preventive maintenance of various products and assets within enterprises. CLICK TO TWEET : Aeris ( @AerisM2M ) & @sifytech work together to help @paragonfootwear improve operations via #InternetofThings solution & managed services in #India. #IoT #AerisIoT #paragon #sifytech http://www.aeris.com/news/ Supporting Quotes Abraham Chacko, Vice President of Human Resources, Paragon Polymer Products Pvt Ltd. With the successful deployment of an Aeris and Sify integrated IoT solution, we now have an advantage of minimizing the idle time, tracking a vehicle in real time, control and take timely action on the misuse of the vehicle in case a driver takes a wrong route, and quick loading and unloading based on the vehicle arriving information. This has significantly improved our distribution channel and dropped the number of complaints on late shipments. Daniel Alex, President of Telecom, Sify Technologies This is a highly customised IoT proposition. The Aeris and Sify IoT solution helped Paragons sales and distribution achieve an optimal fleet utilisation in terms of cost/kms and turnaround time at the retailers end. Dr. Rishi Mohan Bhatnagar, President, Aeris India We are delighted to share that Aeris IoT technology and our partnership with Sify has helped Paragon take the first step towards a connected supply chain with our connected fleet and managed IoT services solution. Paragon has realised full potential of IoT and gained quantifiable benefits though this engagement. Digital Assets Supporting Resources About Paragon Paragon made its foray into the Indian market in 1975 with a production capacity of 1,500 pairs/day. Today, with a total production capacity (in-house) of four Lakhs pairs per day, Paragon's distribution of footwear is networked through 18 depots across India with more than 450 distributors and 25 direct company-owned retail shops delivering stocks to every corner of the country in the shortest possible time. Paragon also has an in-house footwear design team dedicated to creating new designs and models to keep up with market demand. While non-rubber footwear continues to be its leading product, Paragon brings its longstanding assurance of quality and durability to a full range of other footwear products. Catering to millions with the promise of long-lasting footwear, Paragon has grown to become the No. 1 footwear brand in the country. Paragon has advanced laboratories, attached to each of its factories to test raw materials, semi-finished and finished products with a rigorous quality control. Its procedures in manufacturing a suitable blend of synthetic and selected natural rubber products have made it the most durable rubber and non-rubber footwear in the Indian market. About Aeris Aeris is a global technology partner with a proven history of helping companies unlock the value of IoT. For more than a decade, weve powered critical projects for some of the most demanding customers of IoT services. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Aeris strives to fundamentally improve businesses by dramatically reducing costs, accelerating time-to-market, and enabling new revenue streams. Built from the ground up for IoT and road tested at scale, Aeris IoT Services are based on the broadest technology stack in the industry, spanning connectivity up to vertical solutions. As veterans of the industry, we know that implementing an IoT solution can be complex, and we pride ourselves on making it simpler. About Sify Sify is the largest ICT service provider, systems integrator, and all-in-one network solutions company on the Indian subcontinent. We have also expanded to the United States, with headquarters in the heart of Californias Silicon Valley. Over 8500 businesses have become Sify customers. We also partner with other major network operators to deliver global network solutions. Our customers can access Sify services via Indias largest MPLS network. Among the very few enterprise class players in India, Sify, today has presence in more than 1600 cities in India and in North America, the United Kingdom and Singapore. For more details visit www.sifytechnologies.com . For more information, contact: Shweta Berry Shweta.Berry@aeris.net +91 9873418147 Ritika Kapoor Genesis Burson Marstellar for Aeris Ritika.Kapoor@bm.com +91 124 441 7623 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ee59d91-b9cc-4a3b-b12d-0d950e07b756 Shepard Foundations Heart Challenge Set at UW Matthew Shepard Memorial Group committee members Jess Fahlsing and Kaila Mills help set up the Matthew Shepard Foundation's Heart Challenge memorial fence at UWs Coe Library. (Ty Tedmon-Jones Photo) A moving installation to remember murdered University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard is now on display at Coe Library. The installation will be moved in various UW venues in coming weeks. The local on-campus sponsorship of the Matthew Shepard Foundation's Heart Challenge is part of the 20th memorial of Shepards death and the founding of the foundation. The Matthew Shepard Memorial Group committee is sponsoring monthlong remembrance events on campus and in the community. The memorial piece is a white picket fence with yellow and green colors. People wore those same colors on armbands when Shepard, a UW student from Casper, was murdered in 1998. Help spread love, erase hate and remind other LGBTQ+ folks that they have allies by challenging someone you know to cut out a heart, write a message and place it on the fence, says a statement from the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Listed is the schedule of the Heart Challenge fence installation and locations on campus: -- Oct. 8-15: Coe Library. -- Oct. 16-18: Washakie Dining Center. -- Oct. 19-21: Coe Library. -- Oct. 22-26: Wyoming Union breezeway. -- Oct. 27-Nov. 10: TBA. To volunteer to staff the table, email www.slottr.com/sheets/12826086. For more information, call Ty Tedmon-Jones in the University Counseling Center at (307) 766-2187 or email ttedmon@uwyo.edu. SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the IoT India Congress 2018, Aeris, a preferred Internet of Things (IoT) technology partner for enterprises, today announced that it was awarded a contract by Sify Technologies Limited (SIFY), an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions and services leader, for delivery of IoT solutions to their customer, Paragon, Indias no. 1 footwear brand. Paragon aimed to address the issues of unexpected delays due to vehicle breakdown or wrong routes taken, leading to unpleasant incidents. This led to the search for an IoT-based solution to remotely track and monitor Paragons fleet in real-time in order to prevent vehicle misuse, idle time in the logistics chain and even driver behavior. Since footwear is a distributor-retailer led business, all of these were critical to ensure that supplies reach the market on time, every time. Paragon decided to use technology to manage their nationwide fleet. After a thorough research of the information technology (IT) vendor landscape and as a first step towards digitizing their supply chain, Paragon decided to implement the Aeris solution across its nationwide fleet, thus making them a single connected entity. Adoption of IoT is on the rise in India. The number of IoT devices in India is expected to increase significantly from roughly 200 million units in 2016 to 2.7 billion units by 2020, according to a NASSCOM report. By focusing on innovation and generating new opportunities, IoT is bringing retailers, consumers and every object in the value chain into the digital realm. To address the growing need of data management arising from the accelerated growth projection of IoT in India, Aeris collaborated with Sify Technologies, to develop niche IoT offerings with managed services for the Indian enterprises. At the core of Sifys Digital Transformation model is the cloud iteration of IoT services. Specific to this strategic alliance was a distinctive portfolio of managed Wi-Fi and Internet Service (ISP)-related offerings from Sify with proprietary IoT solutions and managed services from Aeris. Aeris offers end-to-end IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions and services for the automobile, insurance, fleet, healthcare, utilities and manufacturing industries. Its comprehensive Aeris Mobility IoT Platform (AMP) helps enterprises enhance revenue, create new services and business models. Aeris allows enterprises to embark on their digital transformation journey across a portfolio of business solutions. Aeris has successfully created a unique IoT ecosystem for enterprises, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technologists, system integrators and solution providers across many vertical sectors. Aeris empowers organizations to optimize human intervention and attain real-time remote monitoring of machines, equipment, and other assets along with enabling predictive and preventive maintenance of various products and assets within enterprises. CLICK TO TWEET : Aeris ( @AerisM2M ) & @sifytech work together to help @paragonfootwear improve operations via #InternetofThings solution & managed services in #India. #IoT #AerisIoT #paragon #sifytech http://www.aeris.com/news/ Supporting Quotes Abraham Chacko, Vice President of Human Resources, Paragon Polymer Products Pvt Ltd. With the successful deployment of an Aeris and Sify integrated IoT solution, we now have an advantage of minimizing the idle time, tracking a vehicle in real time, control and take timely action on the misuse of the vehicle in case a driver takes a wrong route, and quick loading and unloading based on the vehicle arriving information. This has significantly improved our distribution channel and dropped the number of complaints on late shipments. Daniel Alex, President of Telecom, Sify Technologies This is a highly customized IoT proposition. The Aeris and Sify IoT solution helped Paragons sales and distribution achieve an optimal fleet utilization in terms of cost/kms and turnaround time at the retailers end. Dr. Rishi Mohan Bhatnagar, President, Aeris India We are delighted to share that Aeris IoT technology and our partnership with Sify has helped Paragon take the first step towards a connected supply chain with our connected fleet and managed IoT services solution. Paragon has realized full potential of IoT and gained quantifiable benefits though this engagement. Digital Assets Supporting Resources About Paragon Paragon made its foray into the Indian market in 1975 with a production capacity of 1,500 pairs/day. Today, with a total production capacity (in-house) of four Lakhs pairs per day, Paragon's distribution of footwear is networked through 18 depots across India with more than 450 distributors and 25 direct company-owned retail shops delivering stocks to every corner of the country in the shortest possible time. Paragon also has an in-house footwear design team dedicated to creating new designs and models to keep up with market demand. While non-rubber footwear continues to be its leading product, Paragon brings its longstanding assurance of quality and durability to a full range of other footwear products. Catering to millions with the promise of long-lasting footwear, Paragon has grown to become the No. 1 footwear brand in the country. Paragon has advanced laboratories, attached to each of its factories to test raw materials, semi-finished and finished products with a rigorous quality control. Its procedures in manufacturing a suitable blend of synthetic and selected natural rubber products have made it the most durable rubber and non-rubber footwear in the Indian market. About Aeris Aeris is a global technology partner with a proven history of helping companies unlock the value of IoT. For more than a decade, weve powered critical projects for some of the most demanding customers of IoT services. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Aeris strives to fundamentally improve businesses by dramatically reducing costs, accelerating time-to-market, and enabling new revenue streams. Built from the ground up for IoT and road tested at scale, Aeris IoT Services are based on the broadest technology stack in the industry, spanning connectivity up to vertical solutions. As veterans of the industry, we know that implementing an IoT solution can be complex, and we pride ourselves on making it simpler. About Sify Sify is the largest ICT service provider, systems integrator, and all-in-one network solutions company on the Indian subcontinent. We have also expanded to the United States, with headquarters in the heart of Californias Silicon Valley. Over 8500 businesses have become Sify customers. We also partner with other major network operators to deliver global network solutions. Our customers can access Sify services via Indias largest MPLS network. Among the very few enterprise class players in India, Sify, today has presence in more than 1600 cities in India and in North America, the United Kingdom and Singapore. For more details visit www.sifytechnologies.com . For more information, contact: Kevin Petschow Kevin.Petschow@aeris.net +1.312.985.9182 Shweta Berry Shweta.Berry@aeris.net +91 9873418147 Ritika Kapoor Genesis Burson Marstellar for Aeris Ritika.Kapoor@bm.com +91 124 441 7623 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/75ad6aaa-b06f-4b61-9569-2ae76c18926f Vacation Express introduces new packages to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril ATLANTA, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vacation Express is excited to announce new and exclusive, non-stop flights to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica from Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) every Saturday from May 25, 2019 to June 22, 2018 for six-night packages. The introduction of these new vacation packages for Vacation Express seventh season in New Orleans reaffirms the citys desire for new routes to tropical destinations. Kevin Hernandez, VP Marketing and Sales at Vacation Express USA, said, "We are excited about the addition of Jamaica as a non-stop destination from New Orleans. We know our vacation packages to the popular cities of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril will be a success, as we have had requests from many passengers and travel agents in the area who are looking for great deals to this popular Caribbean destination. In addition to the new service to Jamaica, Vacation Express returns their seasonal service to Punta Cana from MSY for both four and six-night packages. The four-night packages to Punta Cana will depart every Thursday from May 23, 2019 to June 27, 2019 and the six-night packages will depart every Friday from May 24, 2019 to July 26, 2019. As with all of Vacation Express exclusive, non-stop flights, both the service to Punta Cana and to Jamaica will feature early morning departures and late afternoon returns in order to maximize time spent on the beach. Vacation Express non-stop flights to Jamaica and Punta Cana are operated by Swift Air, LLC. on Boeing 737 series aircraft. These value-packed flights enable travelers to sit back and relax while enjoying a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and snack. Each traveler is permitted one free carry-on bag and the option to upgrade to a money-saving deal. Money-saving bundles start at only $45 each way with the Preferred Plus upgrade which includes two complimentary alcoholic beverages, a snack box, roomy front-row seating and a free checked bag weighing up to 50lbs. Flights to Jamaica will also offer First Class for only $99 each way which includes the perks of Preferred Plus in addition to two-by-two seating with extra leg room as well as priority check-in and boarding. While travelers may purchase airfare only for non-stop, roundtrip flights most travelers are booking vacation packages with air and staying at all-inclusive resorts. Packages can be booked online at VACATIONEXPRESS.com, by calling 1-800-309-4717 or through a local travel agent. About Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the primary commercial airport in the State of Louisiana serving over 80% of all passengers flying into the state. Armstrong International Airport is owned by the City of New Orleans. The New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB), an unattached board of the City of New Orleans, oversees the administration, operation, and maintenance of Armstrong International. The Airport has 15 airlines providing service to 54 non-stop destinations, including seven international destinations. A new world-class terminal complex is currently being constructed. The new terminal will be complete by May 2019. For more information, please visit www.flymsy.com. About Vacation Express: Based in Atlanta, Vacation Express, part of Sunwing Travel Group, is a tour operator specializing in quality, affordable vacation packages to over 30 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica. Now in business for over 25 years, Vacation Express is one of the countrys largest and most trusted tour operators. Travelers looking for the most affordable, all-inclusive vacations may book Vacation Express exclusive, non-stop packages through their travel agent, directly by phone seven days a week at 1-800-309-4717 or online at VACATIONEXPRESS.com. Exclusive charter flights are operated by Sunwing Airlines, Allegiant Air, Swift Air, LLC., VivaAerobus and Miami Air International. See Operator/Participant Agreement for details. Additional Notes: Small service fee of $10 applies when booking through Vacation Express Call Center. For full terms and conditions, hotel and description of all services, please refer to the Vacation Express 2018 Brochure, www.vacationexpress.com or call 1.800.309.4717. Vacation Express now accepts debit cards that offer the same consumer protection as credit cards. See Operator/Participant Agreement for details. Public charter flights are operated by Sunwing Airlines, Allegiant Air, Swift Air, LLC., VivaAerobus and Miami Air International. All flights subject to DOT approval. Packages are limited and subject to change without prior notice. Airfares are per person, reflect lowest available airfare at time of printing, are subject to change and based upon availability of class of service. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Registered Florida seller of travel no. St 38441. State of California Seller of Travel Certificate of Registration #2107538-40. Facebook: www.facebook.com/vacationexpress Twitter: www.twitter.com/vacationexpress Instagram: www.instagram.com/vacationexpress MEDIA CONTACT Pamela Caltabiano | Public Relations Manager pcaltabiano@vacationexpress.com | 800.309.4717 x3098 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac1cccf6-cb09-417c-b376-69538ee3e86a VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evrim Resources Corp. (TSX.V:EVM) (Evrim or the Company) is pleased to announce that the permit to conduct drilling at the Cuale high sulphidation epithermal gold project in Jalisco, Mexico has been received and crews are on site to commence the program. Evrim has planned a minimum 3,000 metre diamond drilling program comprising between 10 to 15 drill holes. Stewart Harris, VP of Technical Services commented, The first drill holes at Cuale are planned at La Gloria to test the depth extent of the high grade gold mineralization encountered in trenches 1 and 4, followed by other high priority drill targets throughout the trenched area. Drilling is also planned at four step-out areas to test geophysical targets within the anomalous gold in soil geochemical and rock chip halo, including the North Dome which extends up to 1,000 metres north of the trenched area. This drilling program represents a significant milestone for Evrim and a unique opportunity for our shareholders. La Gloria and step-out drill targets Seven holes are planned within the extent of surface trenching at La Gloria (Figure 1). The first two holes (denoted CUA-A and CUA-B in Figures 1 and 2) will be drilled beneath trench 1, which returned 193.5 metres grading 2.09 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, and trench 4, which returned 156.2 metres grading 9.57 g/t gold. Gold mineralization at surface is associated with a brecciated and pervasively saccharoidal quartz altered tuff unit. This alteration is strongly resistive and the CSAMT geophysical survey suggests a similarly resistive zone may extend over 200 metres deep by 300 metres wide beneath the trenched area. The first two drill holes are planned with opposing orientations to test for structural controls and to select a preferred orientation for additional drilling in the trenched area. Four additional step-out holes are planned to test prospective alteration, moderate to strong gold anomalies and resistive highs within the Wifi Zone, Hematite-Silica Breccia Zone (immediately north of the trenched area) and the North Dome. About the Cuale Property The Cuale project is 100%-owned by Evrim and comprised of a 232 square kilometre property prospective for high sulphidation epithermal gold mineralization. The project is located 185 kilometres west of Guadalajara and 35 kilometres southeast of Puerto Vallarta in the Cordillera Madre del Sur. Regionally, the project is located within the Talpa de Allende area of Jalisco near Agnico Eagle Mines' Barqueno project (645,000 ounces gold and 38 million ounces silver) and Endeavour Silver's Terronera project (436,000 ounces gold and 42 million ounces silver). The area is close to infrastructure with roads and powerlines crossing the property. Cuale is subject to a 1.5% net smelter royalty ("NSR") for precious metals and a 1.0% NSR for base metals payable to Altius Minerals. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa55e1ba-8795-4665-a03c-816c33c1c23f http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67900ad3-14a7-4279-b9d1-ac0f40738210 Qualified Person Statement Evrim's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Stewart Harris, P.Geo. Vice President, Technical Services for the Company. Mr. Harris serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. Readers are cautioned that rock chip, grab and channel samples are selected samples and are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. About Evrim Resources Evrim Resources is a mineral exploration company whose goal is to participate in significant exploration discoveries supported by a sustainable business model. The Company is well financed, has a diverse range of quality projects and a database covering substantial areas of Mexico and portions of southwestern United States. The Companys projects are advanced through option and joint venture agreements with industry partners to create shareholder value. Evrims business plan also includes royalty creation utilizing the Companys exploration expertise and existing projects. On Behalf of the Board EVRIM RESOURCES CORP. Paddy Nicol President & CEO To find out more about Evrim Resources Corp., please contact Paddy Nicol, President, or Charles Funk, VP New Opportunities and Exploration at 604-248-8648, or Donna Yoshimatsu at 416-722-2456. Visit our website at www.evrimresources.com. Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward looking statements". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Evrim Resources Corp. (the "Company) expects to occur, are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company 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 may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. 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. The current situation extending from the Russian response to the destruction of its Ilyuchin-20 to the US mid-term elections on 6 November - is uncertain. All the protagonists of the war in Syria are waiting to see whether the White House will be able to pursue its policy of breaking away from the current international order, or if Congress will become the opposition and immediately trigger the process for the destitution of President Trump. The origins of the war It has become clear that the initial project by the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar will not be realised. The same goes for France and Turkey, two powers that entered the war against Syria somewhat later. What we need to remember is not the way in which we were informed about the start of the events, but what we have discovered about them since. The demonstrations in Deraa were presented as a spontaneous revolt against dictatorial repression , but we now know that they had been in preparation for a long time [1]. We also need to free ourselves of the illusion that all the members of a Coalition, united in order to achieve the same goal, share the same strategy. Whatever the influence of one or the other, each State conserves its own history, its own interests and its own war objectives. The United States pursued the strategy of Admiral Arthur Cebrowski, which was the destruction of the State structures in the Greater Middle East [2]. For this they relied upon the United Kingdom, which implemented Tony Blairs strategy aimed at placing the Muslim Brotherhood in power throughout the region [3]. And also on Israel, which rebooted the strategy of Oded Yinon [4] and David Wurmser [5] for regional domination. The necessary weapons were stored in advance by Saudi Arabia in the Omar mosque [6]. Qatar stepped in by inventing the story about the children whose nails were torn out. At that time, Saudi Arabia was not seeking to impose a new form of politics on Syria, nor even to overthrow its government. Riyadhs intention was exclusively to prevent a non-Sunni from becoming President. By some strange historical evolution, the Wahhabites, who, two centuries ago, considered both Sunnis and Chiites as heretics and called for their extermination if they failed to repent, are today presenting themselves as the defenders of the Sunnis and the killers of the Chiites. As for the tiny emirate of Qatar, it was exacting its revenge after the interruption of its gas pipeline in Syria [7]. France, which should have taken part in the conspiracy by virtue of the Lancaster House agreements, was sidelined because of its unexpected initiatives in Libya. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alain Juppe, attempted to push France into rejoining the conspirators, but the ambassador in Damascus, Eric Chevallier, who could see the distortion of facts on the ground, resisted as far as humanly possible [8]. When France was once again admitted to the group conspiracy, it continued its 1915 objective of the colonisation of Syria, pursuing the Sykes-Picot-Sazonov agreements. Just as the French mandate over Syria was considered to be transitory compared with the lasting colonisation of Algeria [9], it is considered, in the 21st century, as secondary to control of the Sahel. Besides which, while attempting to realise its old engagement, Paris pushed for the creation of a national home for the Kurds, on the model used by the British in 1917 for the Jews in Palestine. In order to do so, it allied itself with Turkey [10] which, in the name of Ataturks national oath [11], invaded the North of Syria in order to create a State to which the Turkish Kurds could be expelled. While the war objectives of these first four aggressors are mutually compatible, those of the latter two are not compatible with the others. Besides which, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey are three old colonial powers. All three are now trying to impose their power over the same throne. The war against Syria has thus reactivated their old rivalries. The Daesh episode within the war against Syria and Iraq At the end of 2013, the Pentagon revised its plans within the framework of the Cebrowski strategy. It modified its initial plans, as revealed by Ralph Peters [12], and substituted the plan by Robin Wright for the creation of a Sunnistan straddling Syria and Iraq [13]. However, in September 2015, the deployment of the Russian army in Syria, as an obstacle to the creation of Sunnistan by Daesh, ruined the projects of the six principal partners in the war. The three years of war that followed had other objectives - on the one hand, to create a new state straddling Iraq and Syria within the framework of the Cebrowski strategy, and, on the other, to use Daesh to cut the Silk Road that Xi Jinpings China were seeking to reactivate - thus maintaining continental domination over the Western part. The Syrian / Russian victory and the reversal of the United States The affair of the destruction of the Ilyuchin-20 on 17 September 2018 handed Russia the occasion to terminate this extended war and come to an agreement with the White House to stand against other aggressors. This is a rerun, on a smaller scale, of the Russian / US reaction to the Suez crisis of 1956 [14]. Moscow has not only given the Syrian Arab Army anti-aircraft missiles (S-300s), but has also deployed an entire integrated surveillance system. As soon as this system is operational, and Syrian officers have been trained to use it, which will take three months at the most, it will be impossible for Western armies to over-fly the country without permission from Damascus [15]. President Trump announced in advance that he intends to withdraw US troops from Syria. He went back on this decision under pressure from the Pentagon, then agreed with his general officers to maintain pressure on Damascus as long as the United States were excluded from the peace negotiations in Sotchi. The deployment of the Russian armies for which the White House had probably given its agreement provided President Trump with the occasion of forcing the Pentagon to back off. It would have to withdraw its troops, but it could maintain the presence of its mercenaries (as it happens, these would be the Kurds and Arabs from the Democratic Forces) [16]. The Syrian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Walid el-Mouallem, speaking before the General Assembly of the UNO, demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the foreign forces of occupation, US, French and Turkish [17]. If the United States leave, then the French and Turkish troops will be unable to stay. The Israelis would no longer be able to overfly and bomb the country. The British have already left. However, Tel-Aviv, Paris and Ankara still hope that President Trump will lose the elections of 6 November and will be fired. They are therefore awaiting the results of this fateful election before they decide. If it happens that Donald Trump should win the mid-term elections in Congress, another question will arise. If the Western powers give up on the battle in Syria, where will they go to continue their endless war? This is indeed a reality on which all experts agree the Western ruling class has become so swamped in bad blood and hubris that it is unable to accept the idea of being geared back behind the new Asian powers. Wisdom would dictate that once the war is lost, the aggressors should withdraw. But the intellectual disposition of the West prevents them from doing so. The war here will cease only when they find a new bone to gnaw on. Only the United Kingdom has given its response any thought. It is clear by now that although London maintains its diplomatic pressure on Syria via the Small Group, its attention is already focused on the revival of the Grand Game which saw the Crown confront the Tsar throughout all of the 19th century. After having invented the Skripal affair, and on the model of the Zinoviev Letter [18], London has just caught the Russian Exterior Intelligence Services red-handed in their attempt to discover what is being plotted against them by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPWC). This geopolitical doctrine is independent of the events which serve as its pretext. The Grand Game was the strategy of the British Empire. Its resumption by the current United Kingdom is the consequence of Brexit and the policy of Global Britain . Just as in the 19th century, this anti-Russian configuration will lead in time to an exacerbated rivalry between London and Paris. On the contrary, should Theresa May fail, along with the questions concerning Brexit and the maintenance of the United Kingdom in the European Union, all these projections will be cancelled. If France is now studying the possibility of leaving the Middle East in order to concentrate on the Sahel, the position of the United States is a lot more problematic. Since 9/11, the Pentagon has enjoyed a certain autonomy. The ten combat Commanders of the armed forces no longer receive orders from the president of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, but only from the Secretary of Defense. With time, they have become the veritable viceroys of the American Empire - a function which they do not wish to see reduced by President Trump. Some of them, like the Commander for South America (SouthCom) [19], intend to continue with the Cebrowski strategy, despite the admonitions of the White House. So there remains much uncertainty. The only positive step taken concerns Daesh for three years, the Western powers pretended to be fighting this terrorist organisation, while at the same time supplying them with weapons. Today, Donald Trump has ordered the cessation of this experience of an explicitly terrorist state, the Caliphate, and the Syrian and Russian armies have pushed the jihadists back. The Westerners have no desire to see their friends, the moderate rebels , now qualified as terrorists , turn up in their countries en masse. Consequently, whether they admit it or not, they hope they will all be killed in Syria. It is the US mid-term elections which will decide whether the war continues in Syria or move on to another battle field. In the 1970s, Ocalan and his comrades fought for the democratic rights of the Kurds and the people of Turkey. The Turkish state killed some of them, others were imprisoned, and others were forced into exile to the mountains. And thats because the Turkish state is afraid of democracy, because it does not want to give democratic rights to the people of Anatolia. In the 1980s, Ocalan put the Kurdish Issue in the global spotlight and sought its political solution in order to give democratic rights to the Kurdish people and the other ethnic and religious groups in Anatolia. The Turkish state has been conducting an international campaign, and by taking advantage of the strategic value of Anatolia for NATO and the West, it has made them jointly involved in the crime it is committing against the Kurds and the other ethnic and religious groups in Turkey. In the 1990s, with social, political and democratic struggles, Ocalan liberated women from the oppression that they were suffering for decades and brought them to the forefront of social, cultural and political life. In the 1990s, Ocalan spread to the other ethnic and religious groups of Anatolia the love and the need for common struggle for Freedom and Democracy. In the 1990s he sought Peace with the Turkish state. He pursued peace many times, with a unilateral ceasefire, and each time the Turkish state closed the doors of the reconciliation and responded with torture, imprisonment, unresolved murders of men, rape of women, setting villages on fire, bombing and desolating Kurdistan. The last call for peace was on September 1, 1998, when he sent an open letter to the Turkish government, asking for peace to prevail and stop the war and the blood. The response of the Turkish state was threats towards Syria in order to extradite him. Then an international conspiracy began to take place to arrest the leader of the Kurdish liberation struggle, Mr. Ocalan. His trip from Damascus to Athens, his departure on the same day for Moscow, where he stayed for 33 days, and his subsequent trip to Italy, where he stayed for 66 days. He then went to Russia, from there to Tajikistan, then to San Petersburg, and after that came his transfer to Athens and the adventure in Minsk, Belarus and Nairobi. For much of this adventure, I was next to Mr. Ocalan. I saw Netherlands and Belgium launching F-16 fighter jets and sealing their airspace in order to refuse entrance to the airplane that was carrying Mr. Ocalan. I saw Germany violate its own Constitution and cancel the arrest warrant pending against the Kurdish leader so that Italy will not extradite him into Germany. I saw US Undersecretary of State Strobe Talbot moving to Rome until he succeeded in deporting Ocalan from Italy. I saw Italy becoming self-ridiculed and urging the Kurdish leader to leave the country, the same time that the President of the Italian Republic, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice made public statements, saying Mr. Ocalan would be given asylum. I saw Yevgeni Primakov, a remarkable politician with a long service in the KGB and the Russian Foreign Ministry, bending over the pressures of his US counterpart, Madeleine Albright, and driving Mr. Ocalan out of Russia. I saw the Greek government providing official guarantees to Mr. Ocalan, in order to go to Africa, in the country that had been proposed to him. This proposal, these guarantees I myself have transferred them to the Kurdish leader. I saw the CIA stationchief in Ankara going to MIT offices a day after our landing in Nairobi and telling the Turkish government that he "has Ocalan in his hands and that he can deliver him to Turkey on the basis of an agreement." I saw the head of the National Security Council of Israel visit Ankara, a day before our landing in Nairobi, and to collaborate for two days with MIT and the Operations Department of the Turkish Armed Forces, with no statements regarding the nature of this collaboration. I saw the same Greek government that had given state guarantees to Ocalan, to give orders to a diplomat of the Greek state and to an active senior military officer to "throw out the leader of the Kurdish Liberation Movement from the ambassadors home". I saw the same Greek government that had given state guarantees, to look for help in hired muscles and when it couldnt find any, to send a group of police officers to "throw out the leader of the Kurdish Liberation Movement from the ambassadors home". I saw the Kenyan government agree with the Greek Ambassador that he would give up an aircraft for the leader of the Kurdish Liberation Movement for a destination of his choice and the same day to abrogate the agreement, abduct Mr. Ocalan and hand him over to the Turks. Almost 20 years have passed and Abdullah Ocalan remains a prisoner on an island, under horrible conditions that could best be described as white torture. All his lawyers efforts for a trial in an International Court have proven to be in vain, and it seems like the same invisible hand coordinating the global conspiracy behind his arrest, is still pulling the strings and refusing him any form of real justice. For years the Turkish government has been holding Abdullah Ocalan under solitary confinement, and there are concerns about his deteriorating health. Now is the time, for cooperation between the democratic forces of all countries that participated in some way in the global conspiracy for his arrest, to put pressure on their governments, and to begin the countdown for the release of the Kurdish leader. This is our debt to him and to the long-suffering Kurdish people. It is also a debt to our own country. Louise Mushikiwabo is the Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs. She has applied for a position as the head of the Francophone Countries. By sponsoring her candidacy, Emmanuel Macron is raising French Bashing to the highest level of the state. He is asking Francophone leaders to back someone who has achieved notoriety through her hatred for France; someone who never misses an occasion to bash French soldiers and French politicians accused of complicity in genocide. A lady whose soul is such, that she can justify the kidnappings and assassinations of opponents abroad. An Al Jazeera journalist questioned her about the strangling of Colonel Patrick Karegeya in a South African hotel and her response was: Why should I lose sleep over my enemies and the people that threaten us She has also firmly defended Kagames decision to make English the language of instruction and the administration. And to make Rwanda, the 54th member of the Commonwealth. On 11 September 2011, did not the candidate for the position as head of the Francophone declare in Paris: it is somewhat a sign of the times. English is language with which you can go further than French. For French in Rwanda is going nowhere ? And four years ago, Louise Mushikiwabo had the French Cultural Centre bull-dozered down! On numerous occasions she spat on the French judge that was leading an investigation into the attack on the bringing down of Habyarimanas airplane. On 11 November 2016, she then threatened to publish a new list of the top French political leaders accused of complicity in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis. But above all, this lady is the chief loudspeaker for one of the worst dictators in the world. Paul Kagame is elected with Soviet rates, locks up and kills those that dare to challenge him and spits on the freedom of the press. Yet the values promoted by the International Organization for Francophone Countries (IOF), are they not democracy, human rights, the rule of law and justice? By supporting her, Emmanuel Macron is condemning the IOF and sending out a very clear signal to African dictators: the contempt of your people will not challenge our support. The Macron support is quite unfathomable. Unless, we speculate that his dossiers have been badly drawn up or influenced Kagames powerful lobbies who have gangrened the main French media outlets and part of the administration. However it is not very difficult to obtain independent enquiries on the true nature of the Kigali regime. Lets start with the Gersony report. This report states that from September 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (APR), under the orders of Kagame, unleashed mass massacres on the Hutus. The Americans helped Kagame to burry this UN Report so that today, it is generally considered to have never existed! There is also the UN Mapping Report (2008 and 2009), making observations on the mass crimes that Rwandan soldiers committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo between 1993 and 2003. This report does not rule out that a genocide may have taken place. There is also the justification by the Spanish Judge Merrells for issuing 40 arrest warrants against Paul Kagames closest collaborators (6 February 2008) of which I would only mention the opening words: once power was obtained by violence, they used the same methods to lay the foundations for a regime of terror and a criminal structure running parallel to the Rule of Law We dont need to spend much time on the Rwanda dossier to understand that the history of the drama is completely distorted. That Paul Kagame and his Anglo Saxons supporters have succeeded in their request that the ICTR enquiries are limited to crimes committed by the Hutu genocidaires. Some days before the vote at Erevan to elect the head of the Francophone, an unpublished document transmitted recently to the French judiciary shows to all, the true nature of the regime that Emmanuelle Macron is supporting. It is an ICTR Report, dated 1 October 2003 (thirty pages) on the crimes committed by the APR. It allows us to get a better insight into the mindset of Carla del Ponte, the ICTRs Former Prosecutor. Ms del Ponte authored a book Madame Prosecutor: Confrontations with Humanitys Worst Criminals and the Culture of Impunity [1] in which she relates that her problems started when she decided to lead an investigation on the Rwandan Patriotic Front, because President Kagame and other Tutsi leaders based much of their claim to legitimacy on the victory of FPR against the genocidaires in 1994 []. They presented their conquest of the country as a just fight to put an end to the genocide. And she explains in detail that the Rwandan authorities were in control of each stage of the enquiries. The bottom line is that Carla del Ponte was chased out of her position by the American administration. Then, all investigations into the APR were abandoned. The document summarizes the huge work that a team of Special Investigators carried out into the crimes that the APR committed in 1994. This document is shocking. Seeping from it, is the blood of tens of thousands of victims, the vast majority of which are Hutus. The entire mechanism by which the APR took power is described in minute detail. Eighteen sites of massacres are listed. The techniques for execution are exposed with precision. Also analysed is the role the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) played in designating the victims and the famous experts who depend on the High Commandment of the DMI. The commandos that operate dressed as civilians, trained to poison water and to kill with a chord, with a plastic bag, to inject oil in their ears to use agafuni, to make mines explode in public places some were tasked with infiltrating the Interahamwe at certain barriers; their role was take to part in the massacres and to incite the Interahamwe to commit more massacres. In short, this report tears to bits the official account of the Rwandan drama, an account imposed by the Kigali regime and his numerous supporters both his partners and friends in the media: a clash between Good and Evil, between the Good Tutsis and the Hutus whose throats were parched and thirsting for the blood spilled by Genocide. According to that novel, Paul Kagame is deemed to have led a war of national liberation, put an end to the genocide and took power in fine the power, on 12 July 1994, and all this despite the help brought by French soldiers to the Hutus. The reality is quite different. The Rwandan drama is a savage civil war between the Tutsis and Hutus. It was unleashed in October 1990 by an armed aggression comprised of: Tutsis of the FPR, the diaspora installed in Uganda, supported by the Ugandan army. The war was then relaunched in 1994 by the attack on Habyarimanas plane which triggered the genocide of the Tutsis and the moderate Hutus. The Macedonians refused NATO and EU membership that the Zaev government proposed to them through the referendum held on 30 September 2018. [1] However, that same evening, the Secretary-Generals of NATO and the EU called to by-pass popular anger and to continue the process for approving membership, this time by a parliamentary vote [2]. According to Milenko Nedelkovski, Washington immediately began buying MP votes. So reveals the Mina Report [3]. An official in the US State Department, Agent Tesla (alias Mitko Burceski) has opened an office in a luxury apartment belonging to Sasho Mijalkov, a cousin of the former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. The MPs went one by one to receive 250 000 dollars a piece. Two US ambassadors are piloting the operation: the US ambassador at Skopje, Jess L. Baily (who supervised Turkey entering the war against Libya and Syria), and the US ambassador at Athens, Geoffrey R. Pyatt (who organized the 2014 coup detat in Ukraine). They have succeeded in inserting into the parliamentary agenda the countrys name change, a sina qua non for NATO and EU membership. The vote has been fixed for 16 October 2018, which is the same day as the courts ruling on the dozen or so nationalist MPs who have been prosecuted for spying on the social-democratic party [4]. The ambassadors plan involves lifting the immunity of these parliamentarians to disable them from voting. Taking into account the number of votes bought, the Parliamentary majority will then shift mechanically in favour of the Prime Ministers proposal. Swarms of insects, transporting genetically modified infectious viruses, attack the agricultural crops of a country and destroy its food production this is not a science-fiction scenario, but a plan that is actually being prepared by DARPA, the Pentagons Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Five scientists from one French and two German universities have revealed this information in Science, one of the worlds most prestigious scientific revues [1]. In their editorial, published on 5 October, they cast serious doubt on the idea that DARPAs research, entitled Insect allies , was intended only for the use declared by the Agency the protection of US agriculture against pathogens by using insects as the vectors of genetically modified infectious viruses. These viruses are transmitted to plants and modify their chromosomes. This capacity as declared by the five scientists appears to be very limited . However, within the scientific milieu, the programme is widely perceived as an effort to develop biological agents for hostile purposes and their means of delivery , in other words a new form of biological weapon . This violates the Biological Weapons Convention, which came into effect in 1975, but which has remained inactive mainly due to the refusal of the USA to accept inspections of their own laboratories. The five scientists specify that easy simplifications could be used to generate a new class of biological weapons, weapons that would be extremely transmissible to susceptible crop species due to insect dispersion as the means of delivery . This scenario of an attack on agricultural cultures in Russia, China and other countries, led by the Pentagon with swarms of insects transporting the virus, is not a science-fiction fable. DARPAs programme is not the only one to use insects as a weapon of war. The US Office of Naval Research has asked for research from Washington University in St Louis [2] in order to transform locusts into biological drones [3]. Using an electrode implanted in its brain and a tiny transmitter on the insects back, the on-the-ground operator can decipher what the locusts antennae are picking up. These insects have an olfactive capacity capable of instantaneously perceiving various types of chemical substances in the air which enables the identification of stores of explosives and other sites which can be hit by air or missile attacks. Even more frightening scenarios were mentioned in the editorial by the five scientists in Science magazine. DARPAs programme they emphasise is the first programme concerning the development of genetically modified viruses which can be spread throughout the environment, and which could infect other organisms not only in agriculture . In other words, human beings could be listed among the organisms potentially affected by the insect-borne infectious viruses. We know that during the Cold War, in the laboratories of the US and other nations, research on bacteria and viruses was carried out when these agents are spread by insects (lice, flies, ticks), they can trigger epidemics in the enemy nation. Among them are the Yersinia Pestis bacteria, the cause of the bubonic plague (the terrifying Black Death of the Middle Ages) and the Ebola virus, which is both contagious and lethal. With the techniques available today, it is possible to produce new types of pathogens, spread by insects, for which the targeted population would have no defence. The plagues which in the Biblical narrative were sent by God to strike Egypt with enormous swarms of mosquitoes, flies and locusts, can today really be sent by human beings to strike the whole world. This time, we are not being warned by prophets, but by scientists who have retained their humanity. Govt Redeploys Ministers to Match Pace of Brexit Negotiations Government have said it has had to redeploy its Ministerial team to match the pace of the continuing negotiations for the United Kingdom and Gibraltar to leave the European Union. The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo is in London for Brexit-related meetings. The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia travelled to the United Nations in New York to address the UN Fourth Committee on behalf of the Government. He will also cover other engagements at which the Chief Minister was due to speak. Dr Garcia will join the Chief Minister after his visit to New York. Meanwhile, the Minister for Housing and Equality, Samantha Sacramento, will travel to Glasgow to represent the Government at the annual conference of the Scottish National Party. In the absence of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, the Minister for Education and the Environment, Dr John Cortes, will act as Chief Minister. The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said, "The ability of the Government to redeploy its Ministers to different tasks in the wider interests of Gibraltar shows the depth of strength and experience at the disposal of our wider national interest. "This is the first time in 15 years that I will not attend the Gibraltar session of the Fourth committee and it is the first time since 2010 that I will not deliver an address for Gibraltar before the Committee. It is important I continue the work we are doing in the context of the Brexit negotiations and I know that Gibraltar's representation is in safe, able and extremely competent hands in Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia. I will look forward to following his address on Tuesday evening." Gibraltar Exhibitions of Modern Art - G.E.M.A. An Open Day will be held at the Gibraltar Exhibition of Modern Art Gallery (GEMA) to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the gallery and to present to the public a new exhibition. The Gallery which is located in Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road, was officially inaugurated in November 2015. The Open Day is set for Tuesday 23rd October 2018 from 11am to 3pm. The Minister for Culture, the Hon Steven Linares MP, will give a rededication address at 12:30pm. Guided tours will be on offer at 11.30am and 2.00pm. The new exhibition will feature exhibition rooms dedicated to previous winners of the three main art competitions held annually; The International Art Exhibition, The Young Art Competition and The Spring Visual Arts Competition. The public will be able to enjoy over 50 artworks encompassing mostly paintings but also other visual arts media. The Minister for Culture, the Hon Steven Linares MP said: I am delighted that this Gallery, housed within the historical Montagu Bastion, now serves the dual purpose of showcasing local art talent as well as a site of heritage value, for locals and tourists alike. GEMA celebrates the works of Gibraltarian artists and many past competition winners. Hence, we are able to display, in this wonderful contemporary space, the works of current artists, including very young, up and coming ones. I look forward to make an announcement on the promotion of this Gallery as part of my rededication speech. Gibraltar Cultural Services encourages the public to visit the gallery on this day, enjoy a complimentary wine and cheese reception and admire the works of Gibraltars own artists in the beautiful setting of the historical Montagu Bastion. Open Day times 11am to 3pm. Thereafter, the gallery is opened to the public Monday to Friday 11am 3pm. Entrance is free. Raleigh, North Carolina, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Select Group (TSG), a North American technical services firm, today announced it was recently presented several awards for national growth within the staffing industry and by Inc. The recognitions include: Staffing Industry Analysts list of Fastest-Growing US Staffing Firms for the 8 th consecutive year consecutive year Staffing Industry Analysts list of Largest US Staffing Firms for the 3 rd consecutive year consecutive year Inc. 5000s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Firms in the US for the 12th consecutive year Rapid sustained growth CEO Sheldon Wolitski founded the company in 1999 with a vision to provide a higher level of experience to career seekers and companies looking for a hiring partner. 19 years later, the company is thriving; adding new divisions and service offerings to meet the needs of its expanding customer base, while being recognized on top industry lists for continued growth. What differentiates TSG is our its ability to maintain the organic growth in this widely competitive industry, said Wolitski. By bringing in outside experts to help build dedicated managed services and government services divisions, we have continued to expand our client offerings without mergers or acquisitions, allowing us to maintain the unique culture thats gotten us to where we are today. This has been an incredibly humbling journey, and I cant wait to see where the growth takes us. Expanded offerings From placing job seekers to delivering business outcomes In early 2017, Jill Harlamert, Chief Services Officer, joined to expand an in-house solutions team for The Select Group. A year and a half later, TSG Managed Services has contracts with many Fortune 250 companies, providing solutions such as security, project management as a service (PMaaS), creative services, quality assurance (QA), infrastructure, and electrical engineering. Prior to joining The Select Group, Harlamert served as VP and General Manager of North American Project Solutions for ManpowerGroup Experis, and VP of Managed Solutions for COMSYS Information Technology Services. Previous roles also include Service Delivery Manager for Project Management at Renaissance Worldwide, Project Manager for Xerox Connect, and Dean of Engineering Technology at DeVry University. Dedicated services for government clients The Select Group Federal, LLC., was launched in 2010, based out The Select Groups Washington D.C. branch. Today, TSG Government Services has grown to partner with customers across its North American footprint, providing a range of professional to managed services at all levels, from local, to state and federal, depending on clients requirements and shared responsibilities. Dedicated TSG government teams invest the time and energy to build long-term relationships to better serve their customers needs by personal touch and flexibility when partnering with its clients. The company recently added a dedicated industry leader for this division in Brian McMeans. McMeans joined the team in April 2018 as VP of Government Services at The Select Group. Prior to entering the technical services industry in 2014, Brian served 10 years for his country in the US Army and Army National Guard, and has extensive work in Veteran Affairs. Technically-trained specialty groups In 2017, the company launched its specialty groups program providing an added technical layer of focused expertise to its internal sales and recruiting teams. These individual subject matter experts have a deep technical knowledge and can be a liaison between a highly technical hiring manager and TSGs recruiting teams. The team is currently focused on supporting infrastructure, applications, and digital hiring needs of the TSG client base. A continued commitment to customers needs 2017 Supplier of the Year Award In 2017, The Select Groupscustomer, Cisco Systems, Inc., awarded the firm its highest partner honor: 2017 Cisco Supplier of the Year award. TSG was selected as the supplier with the overall highest satisfaction rating among peer suppliers. TSG has been a committed supplier to Cisco for more than eight years. We appreciate the positive relationship that has developed between our two companies. In this partnership, we have been honored to work with Cisco on innovative service delivery, accelerated by our focus on the customer experience. This award validates the approach we take with our esteemed clients and paves the way for increased collaboration with Cisco, said Wolitski. We are committed to Ciscos digital and security initiatives, and to ensuring success for all of their business units through best-in-class staffing, project, and managed service capabilities. Diamond award win for client satisfaction It's been a full year of continued award wins for the TSG team. In February of 2018, they earned the Client Diamond Award after winning the Best of Staffing Client Award five years in a row for providing superior service to our clients. TSG also earned its third Best of Staffing Talent Award for satisfaction among consultants. Both awards were determined based on overall satisfaction scores from TSGs 2017 clients and consultants. On average, clients of winning agencies are 2.3 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. I'm proud of TSGs rapid growth, expanded offerings, and our continued commitment to meeting and exceeding customer needs, said Wolitski. The recognition weve received for our growth is humbling, but we have our sights set on continuing to fulfill our purpose of positively impacting the lives of our clients, consultants, and employees. About The Select Group Founded in 1999 by CEO Sheldon Wolitski, The Select Group (TSG) is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., with branches throughout North America. With a company purpose of positively impacting lives, TSG offers a range of technical services, from staff augmentation to full managed services. The Select Group has a dedicated government services division for meeting federal, state, and local government needs. TSGs technically-trained staff of recruiters and account managers are focused on building relationships to add value to the hiring and talent management processes. To learn more about The Select Group, visit us at www.selectgroup.com. ### New Child and Adolescent Psychology Service to Commence in January The Gibraltar Health Authoritys first-ever dedicated Child and Adolescent Psychology Service will commence in January 2019. This psychology service represents a Gibraltar-specific format based on the NHSs Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, known as CAMHS. This important announcement is timed to coincide with World Mental Health Day. The much needed service, which has been the focus of representations by various charities and associations concerned with mental health, will be able to meet the mental health needs of children and their families in the community. The two clinical psychologists will be tasked with the development of a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency child & adolescent mental health service for Gibraltar, in the form of a new Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Service. Mr Costa said that the introduction of the new service, which has been the product of advice and work by the GHA Mental Health Team and his Ministry over the last 18 months, reflects the GSLP-Liberal Governments enduring commitment to the continued expansion and modernisation of professional mental health services in the community. The new service, specifically, draws attention to the essential need to provide clinical services for children as part of a comprehensive community mental health programme. The Child Psychology Team will be an integral part of the GHA Paediatric Neurodisability service to ensure that all children, especially those with additional needs, are afforded timely and effective professional mental health care by the relevant professionals. The Team will also assist in the development of locally relevant, individualised care plans for children and their families. In the context of World Mental Health Day, Government notes the following in their statement: In percentage terms, the level of investment in Gibraltars Mental Health has increased materially from almost 2% of the overall GHA budget in 2011/12 to over 6% in 2018; Since April of this year, the complement of Consultant Psychiatrists was increased from 3.5 to 4.5 full time posts. Of these posts, 2.5 are currently filled by substantive employees. Of the two remaining full time posts, one is being filled on a locum basis, until the commencement of the substantive post-holder on 7th January 2019; and one has been re-advertised as the successful candidate subsequently turned down the offer of employment. This latter post is also being covered on a locum basis; Since 2011, the number of Registered Mental Health Nurses has increased by three and Mental Welfare Officers have increased from two to three. The recruitment process for a fourth is currently underway; Since 2011, the total staff numbers in all areas of Mental Health has increased by 30%, since the GSLP/LIB came into office in December 2011. In nursing only, numbers have increased in all grades from December 2011 to date: Sister/Charge Nurses from 5 to 7, Registered Mental Nurses from 28 to 31, Enrolled Nurses from 12 to 22 and Nursing Assistants from 15 to 16; Clinical psychologist posts have doubled from two to four; Since 2014, the GHA has employed a dedicated General Manager to oversee the Mental Health Service; In 2015, Government opened Ocean Views Mental Hospital, providing 52 beds over five wards as a replacement to the appalling KGV; In 2017, Government inaugurated the Bella Vista Day Centre and Hillsides Residential Home to assist those in the community living with Alzheimers and Dementia; Also in 2017, the GHA provided a two bedroomed flat, where former Ocean Views in-patients are supported in re-integrating into society and being able to live independently; The GHA has also engaged the services of a second opinion additional Consultant Psychiatrist; In June 2017, the GHA expanded community mental health services, with after hours and weekend nursing support and a crisis telephone line for known patients. Our partnership with Clubhouse Gibraltar, GibSams and the Mental Welfare Society, provide greater assistance to the more vulnerable persons; and When the new Primary Care Centre opens, mental welfare and counselling services will be doubled. The Minister for Health, Care and Justice, the Honourable Neil F. Costa said: The provision of mental health care in Gibraltar has, rightly, increased since we came into office. There have been well-documented radical improvements in the past seven years. The commencement of this valuable new child psychology and adolescent clinic is further testament of the importance my colleagues and I attach to mental health issues, to the care of the most vulnerable persons and to our community-centred approach to mental health. I would also like to sincerely thank the Gibraltar Mental Welfare Society, Gibraltar Clubhouse and GibSams for their partnership, hard work and valuable advice. My Ministry, the GHA and I will continue to strive to ensure that all children can grow up healthily and in a happy environment. I can think of few projects more important and worthwhile than to secure all our communitys childrens wellbeing. Better Call Saul Winner Season 4 Episode 10 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Photo: Nicole Wilder/AMC/Sony Pictures Television Werner was never able to see when the real danger was coming. He nearly soiled himself a couple episodes back while rewiring blast explosives, but couldnt have been more composed waiting for Margarethe to arrive at Dulce Vega. The reality of his situation didnt entirely sink in until he and Mike were eye to eye at the raceway, stuck at an impasse that would only come unjammed once Werner accepted his fate and took a bullet to the head. The cruelty of life in Gus Frings employ was underscored less by Werners no-way-out conundrum than having had to belittle Margarethe in their final conversation in order to steer her back on a plane to Germany and clear from him. Then, like the narrator in Walt Whitmans When I Heard the Learnd Astronomer the very text so admired by Guss protege Gale Boetticher Werner stared at those New Mexico stars in a silence so perfect it could only be shattered by a bullet cutting through air. Several years later in Breaking Bad, Gales fate would mirror Werners, his face an unsparing foot or so from the barrel of Jesse Pinkmans gun. Gales was a far more inelegant death, occurring in the doorway of his dim apartment rather than in some pastoral Whitman-worthy scene, and at the hands of a far more inexperienced and jittery assailant than Mike. In retrospect, it was only apt that Mike would wind up taking Jesse under his wing. Each man had, at some point, been compelled to join a support group only to lash out before leaving, and each had done terrible things for terrible bosses. Their unlikely mentor/mentee bond in BBs back end was a kind of mutual redemption and recovery for them both, though as we know, Mike ultimately had too many wounds to heal. The shift from Werners last stand to Gales first steps inside Guss meth lab was just as pointed, Gales enthusiasm overshadowed only by our melancholy over the insight into his violent end. It was never Guss intent to rid the world of his prized chemist pupil, but that script was written the moment Gale married his fantasies to Mr. Frings fortune, no different than Werner (or Walter White). The most stunning new information imparted was that Lavanderia Brillantes transformation into an criminal-architectural marvel was, schematically, Gales design, entwining his and Werners stories like polar ends of a constellation. Far more indistinguishable were the finalists in HHMs search for scholarship candidates in Chucks name, part of the facade orchestrated and paid for by Jimmy to anecdotally butter up the bar panel for his reinstatement-appeal hearing. Duncan Springer, Raymond Chin, Marcie Ramirez all fine young students worthy of ensuring a steady line of heirs to the privileged circle of corporate-law elite (ring any timely bells?). But there was one applicant of distinction: Christy Esposito (Abby Quinn, whos about to be a thing), a shoplifter (and we know Jimmys heart bleeds for pickpockets) made good whose essay spoke to her ambition toward using her legal ado as a catalyst for pursuing a better way. Jimmy can relate. He accosts her hard. He pleads with her to forget about jumping through their hoops and cut corners until she carves out a lane that works for her, advice that was more or less terrifying for a teenager hopping the bus but instructive about what Jimmy would have wished for his younger self; the same mailroom kid who walked into the HHM library (indeed, the one that now bears Chucks name thanks to Jimmys $23,000 donation) and set about a journey to step out of his brothers shadow inevitably doomed by roadblocks, sabotage, and self-defeat. Hed never win as Jimmy McGill. Its not too late, however, for Saul Goodman to start scoring victories. Kim is stunned speechless by Jimmys declaration that he was done practicing under his given name. More accurately, she was blown back by the fact that his seemingly impromptu waterworks and sentiment about Chuck before the board was the calculated performance of a stranger. There will never be a Wexler/McGill again, nor the compartmentalized escapism of Viktor and Giselle. Sauls not simply a persona Jimmys trying on for size and fitting for three-piece pastel suits, but one hes taking home from the office as his inner muse. Hes quieted the memories of karaoke with Chuck (though even in that otherwise poignant flashback, Chuck was still one-upping) and triumphantly harmonizing to ABBA while sleeping side by side. Hes rationalized away the good deeds Chuck may have done advocating for him in his professional aspirations and being tender with him in a fashion that modeled Jimmys own generosity as Chuck became ill. He was a sucker then, he reasons, but not now. Hes lost everything, but finally tasted a win. But as the legends of Gus Fring, Hector Salamanca, Walter White, and, yes, Gene Takovic attest, theres nothing left but a slippery slope once the winner takes it all. Apart From All That Ernie! Chuck! Was it supposed to be predictable that Jimmy was conning the bar? You might say Lalo is as agile as a coati. Would Gus have ordered Werner killed had Lalo not gotten in the mix? The chaos Lalo can cause should be crucial next season. The selection of hot springs and resorts was a bitter echo of Jimmys Aspen v. Telluride et al spiel at S&C. Lets hope Mr. Travel Wire man was just knocked unconscious. In that garage, Jimmy is literally stuck in Chucks shadow. The saddest part about Werner is he didnt want it all just a few days with his wife. This show might be more of a moral tale than even Breaking Bad. Thanks for reading and for all your comments and furious corrections all season. I read them and weep. (Mostly smile, but some weeping.) Luca Guadagnino and Dakota Johnson. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images After partnering with Dakota Johnson for 2016s A Bigger Splash and the upcoming (excellent) Suspiria remake, its only natural director Luca Guadagnino would want her in his Call Me by Your Name sequel, which will hopefully be in the offing sooner rather than later. In his recent New Yorker profile, the director informs actor Armie Hammer that Johnson would hopefully play his Call Me by Your Name characters wife, with whom he would have had maybe five children in the intervening years between the original and the sequel. As youll recall, (or, if not, spoiler alert!), the 2017 film ends with Hammers Oliver informing Timothee Chalamets Elio of his recent engagement. Youll also remember sobbing. Says Guadagnino of Johnsons hypothetical sequel role, She has to be a New England kind of hoochie woman. And if you can immediately picture that character, congratulations, you should write the Call Me by Your Name sequel! So with that bit of (at this point, fantasy) casting in place, Guadagnino says there is just one more hurdle to a successful follow-up to his Best Picturenominated romantic drama. The only problem is the title, the director muses. It cannot be Call Me by Your Name Two. Of course not! This isnt Look Whos Talking Now were talking about. Now, your first suggestion is probably going to be And Ill Call You Mine, but are we playing by Fast and Furious sequel naming rules here? In that case, and were just spitballing, how do we feel about Call Me by Your Name: New England Hoochie Woman Drift? Related Donald Trump and Kanye West. Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images Okay, but is Colin Kaepernick going too? As the New York Times reports and Mr. Wests representative confirms, Kanye is headed to the White House Thursday to meet with Jared Kushner and have lunch with President Trump. Its been a hot minute since the pair hung out IRL, but between Kanyes MAGA rant on SNL and POTUSs praise for the same, its about time. According to the Times, Kanye is meeting with Kushner to discuss the criminal justice system, specifically job opportunities for former convicts, which maybe we should have anticipated from Yeezys recent criticism of the 13th Amendment. Kanye also reportedly plans to discuss the creation of manufacturing jobs in the Chicago area, Wests hometown, maybe current town, and the focus of Trumps recent recommendation for stop-and-frisk, a practice the ACLU previously found to unfairly target black people and to be used more frequently by police in Chicago than in other cities. Kanye, of course, follows in the footsteps of his wife Kim Kardashian West, who earlier this year worked with Trump on the successful pardon of non-violent drug offender Alice Johnson. Now just imagine Jared and Trump, tapping their feet, enjoying their very own private Yandhi listening party. Update, October 9: The White House has confirmed Kanye and Trumps meeting, announcing that the two plan to discuss manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago. White House @PressSec confirms that Trump will have lunch with Kanye West: "Topics of discussions will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago. Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) October 9, 2018 Related I have made a terrible mistake. I have been recapping this show with the assumption that while the characters of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood are deeply flawed, they are compelling human beings that present dynamic perspectives on blackness, femininity, and artistry. I was wrong. I now realize for my emotional well-being in this dark political age, I cannot take these hot messes seriously. I admit, I am naive. I shouldve suspected that something was wrong with these people when Moneice tried to throw a chair at a pregnant woman named Princess. But, I was blinded by the audacity of hope, believing that I could apply social commentary to any social experiment even a Mona Scott Production. I tried and I have failed. I am done being hurt. From now until the end of Monas reign as the queen of trash TV, I will be treating the cast as the messes they are starting now! Apple Watts meets with her dad at church where they discuss her contract with Shun Love and his apprehension about her signing any legally binding document from this woman. The music industry is notorious for exploitative contracts just ask Toni Braxton, TLC, JoJo of Get Out Leave fame so Apple Wattss dad has a point. Apple Watts shouldnt sign anything this major unless she has a personal lawyer present, but this woman is not known for making good decisions. In fact, she is about to go to jail for 30 days because she skipped out on court. Whoopsies! Now, there will be no one in her stead to provide for her small children. When she brought this up, I thought her father was going to offer to take care of her kids, but that would be too kind, too simple. He has no interest in actually helping her, just making sure he gets a cut of the pie if (and when) she blows up like Cardi B. He is a mess. The ladies, believe it or not, are still in London. They have been in London for 14 years. How long is this trip? Does production cover living expenses? Does anyone have a job that isnt being on reality TV? If I left the country for that long, my life would fall apart, and I have no children or real responsibilities to worry about. But I digress. Bridget has a photo shoot and its clear her look is pulled straight off of Kylie Jenners Instagram. The way that Bridgets album sounds does not in any way reflect the way that shes currently dressed (although, Im okay with Bridget bringing sexy back to aunty music). Brooke takes this photo shoot as an opportunity to tell Moniece that she hopped on her record when she was being escorted out of the studio on an ambulance stretcher. Now, I could go into how Brooke is a supreme villain who doesnt seem to value female friendships, but, again, I have emotionally divested. This conversation is so absurd and Im surprised Moneice didnt pull Brooke by her box braids. Moneice has lost the energy that made her compelling on the show in the first place. By that I mean, shes become a mature rational adult that thinks through the consequences of her actions before doing something rash (like throwing a chair at a pregnant woman). This is good for her personal growth, but boring for the show. The old me would be proud of Moneice but the new me needs more drama to snuff out the pain I feel when I turn on the news. Brooke is handing Moneice a story line on a silver platter, and she chooses to figuratively spit in her face (ironically, literally spiting in Brookes face would be a more compelling plot device). Jaywill and Mr. Ray meet to discuss the Pride performance that LaBritney dropped out of. Now, I could note that its misogynistic for them to mock the smell of LaBritneys vagina but there are not enough days in the calendar year to check the Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood casts sexism. Next! Teairra and Moneice continue an argument from last weeks episode about Moneices friendship with K. Michelle. Teairra doesnt believe that Moneice can be a real friend to her if K. Michelle is in contact with Akbar. Thus, Teairra is pulling back from their friendship. Moneice is pulling back from their friendship because Teairra said shes pulling back from their friendship. This argument is childish but at its core its about loyalty. As someone that has decided to pull back from my fictional friendship with the LHHH cast, I dont care about this drama because these women werent really friends in the first place. Next! On the other side of the Atlantic, Apples absentee father meets with Shun Love. He has no business reaching out to Shun Love because Apple has already signed with her. If hes really skeptical of Apple trusting someone she just met, he needs to look in the mirror because Apple just met him No shade The grossest part of this scene is when Shun Love invites John Watts to help financially support his child, he demands to know whats in it for him. He then goes on to question whether Sweet Honey Crisp Apple Watt is his biological child. This is a disgusting mess. He has no business in Apples life or on my TV screen. Next! Finally back in Los Angeles, Brooke meets with Akbar to discuss whether Teairra is lying about the revenge porn. I hate this story line because it sets up this false narrative that women routinely lie about abuse. Why are we giving such a huge platform to such a bad man? I have nothing more to say except revenge porn is sexual abuse and only 2% of all rape and related sex charges are determined to be false. A mess. Next! Paris is shooting a movie with Amara La Negra. A mess! Next! Jaywill shows up to Mr. Rays Pride event as Kandi. Ive never seen a Pride event so sparsely attended. Mona Scott Productions needs to invest in background actors because this fake event is not very convincing. Despite these shortcomings, this is one of the best scenes in the episode. Kandi publicly shames Mr. Ray for not letting him perform as Jaywill. When Mr. Ray calls him unprofessional, Kandi retorts, How can you know unprofessional when you dont have a profession? This is a great comeback and I will be sure to use it in all the arguments I replay in my head. Next! Last, we have K. Michelle and Paris arguing over CreditCard-gate. The simple story is that Paris had K. Michelles Uber installed on her phone and used it multiple times whether she spent $50 or $300, thats unclear. But she does not dispute spending K. Michelles money. The sad part is that judging from these two womens rapport they were at one point very close. This misunderstanding has driven them apart, and Paris offers to pay K. Michelle back. K. Michelle refuses, retrieving her bank statements to list Pariss fraudulent charges aloud. This is mean, but its great television! Paris responds by throwing juice at K. Michelle. Kimberly quips the best line of the episode, She almost hit my new nose! Its a testament to everything Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood represents. Its superficial, violent, and self-aware with a sense of humor. Until next time! L-R: Nick Offerman, Kristen Bell, Jason Mantzoukas. Photo: NBC To say sitcom maestro Mike Schur (Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, The Office) has a faithful legion of actors on his side would be an understatement. Heres a man who knows who he likes! To get a better sense of just how interconnected these shows really are, weve catalogued all of the returning players in Schurs universe from the big to the supporting to the blink-and-you-missed-it cameos. Rashida Jones Photo: NBC Youve seen her as: a competent sales representative in The Office and a beautiful tropical fishnoble land-mermaid hybrid or, rather, a nurse and Health Department employee in Parks and Recreation. Adam Scott Photo: NBC Youve seen him as: a state auditor turned city manager with a cute butt and penchant for calzones in Parks and Recreation, and an arbiter of evil shenanigans in The Good Place. Kristen Bell Photo: NBC Youve seen her as: a tony Eagleton councilwoman who doesnt like to talk about money in Parks and Recreation, and an average woman trying to make sense of her bizarro afterlife in The Good Place. Nick Offerman Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a macho woodworker and breakfast-food lover who doesnt believe in government in Parks and Recreation, and the gay former lover of a police captain in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Andy Samberg Photo: FOX/NBC Youve seen him as: a relentlessly silly but capable NYPD detective in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and a loud-talking Pawnee parks security guard in Parks and Recreation. Marc Evan Jackson Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a high-priced attorney who has no time for puns in Parks and Recreation; the intellectual, gay husband of an NYPD captain in Brooklyn Nine-Nine; and a so-called Eternal Judge with nefarious intentions in The Good Place. Jim OHeir Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a beleaguered government employee with many names and a perfect family in Parks and Recreation, and a surprisingly astute (though homophobic) Florida sheriff in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Jenny Slate Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen her as: a crazy bitch with a moneeeeey pleeeeease catchphrase in Parks and Recreation, and a disloyal mafia mistress in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Maya Rudolph Photo: FOX/NBC Youve seen her as: a U.S. marshall who really wants to talk about her personal life in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and an Eternal Judge who loves a good burrito and a Kyle Chandler series on The Good Place. Nick Kroll Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a smarmy radio shock jock with a not-so-secret academic side in Parks and Recreation, and an arrogant Homeland Security agent in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Jason Mantzoukas Photo: FOX/NBC Youve seen him as: a deranged NYPD detective experiencing PTSD after a decade-long undercover stint in Brooklyn Nine-Nine; an equally deranged fragrance mogul in Parks and Recreation; and Derek, a rebound beau who has wind chimes for a penis, in The Good Place. Kathryn Hahn Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen her as: a virtuoso political strategist who hates kids and small towns in Parks and Recreation, and a vindictive ex-wife who blackmails her ex with sperm in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Jorma Taccone Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a 4:20-loving executive at an internet company who loves the word chill in Parks and Recreation, and a manager of a Florida family fun zone in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Fred Armisen Photo: FOX/NBC Youve seen him as: a random guy the police keep encountering while doing door duty in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and a condescending Venezuelan parks director visiting Pawnee in Parks and Recreation. Chelsea Peretti Photo: FOX/NBC Youve seen her as: an apathetic NYPD administrative assistant with a hidden heart of gold in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and a Pawnee committee member in Parks and Recreation. Patton Oswalt Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a history lover who doesnt have much going on in his life besides some epic Star Wars filibustering in Parks and Recreation, and an average-Joe fire marshal in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Ed Helms Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: an insecure salesman who slowly climbs up the corporate ladder in The Office, and a pain-in-the-ass postal worker who frequently thwarts police stakeouts in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Craig Robinson Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a long-reigning warehouse foreman with a knack for brainstorming business ideas in The Office, and an absolutely delightful con artist and thief who keeps outsmarting the NYPD in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Brent Briscoe Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: the soft-spoken owner of Leslies favorite diner in Parks and Recreation, and a double-crossing witness who lands a few people in jail in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Bradley Whitford Photo: FOX/NBC Youve seen him as: an absentee airline-pilot father who loves the ladies in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and a soon-to-be-retired councilman who loves to craft miniature ships in Parks and Recreation. Dan Castellaneta Photo: NBC Youve seen him as: an NPR-esque public radio host who frequently introduces peculiar segments in Parks and Recreation, and a potential Dunder Mifflin sales client in The Office. Jama Williamson Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen her as: a Canadian green-card wife in Parks and Recreation; a neglected girlfriend who witnesses her beau propose to another woman in Brooklyn Nine-Nine; and a Bad Place architect employee in The Good Place. Jamie Denbo Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen her as: a small-town tabloid reporter with questionable methods in Parks and Recreation, a psychologist in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and a crazed chef opening a beyond-the-grave restaurant in The Good Place. Maribeth Monroe Photo: NBC Youve seen her as: an exWall Streeter who gets a Medium Place created for her in The Good Place, and an overbearing Indiana Organization of Womens Director in Parks and Recreation. Dax Shepard Photo: NBC Youve seen him as: a demon douche who loves your stank on The Good Place, and a local television-network owner who suffers from delusions of grandeur on Parks and Recreation. Brad Hall Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: an architect whos a rare Eagleton good guy in Parks and Recreation, and celebrity oboist who tries his hand at insurance fraud in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Andy Forrest Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a regular shoe-shine customer whos treated quite poorly in Parks and Recreation, and a sergeant in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Will McLaughlin Photo: NBC/FOX Youve seen him as: a Pawnee police officer in Parks and Recreation, yet another police officer in The Good Place, and a Santa Claus in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Eric Edelstein Photo: NBC/FOX You seen him as: an annoying neighbor who owns a lot of birds in Parks and Recreation, and a fantasy-novel superfan with misogynistic tendencies in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Esther Povitsky Photo: FOX/NBC Youve seen her as: a temporary NYPD administrative assistant with license to mock in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and a mini-golf employee who keeps the peace by handing out snow cones in Parks and Recreation. Mike OMalley Photo: NBC Youve seen him as: a van company owner who tries (and fails) to walk back on a deal in Parks and Recreation, and the mythical doorman of the afterlife who loves frogs in The Good Place. Paul Scheer Photo: NBC/Getty Images Youve seen him as: a Good Place committee member whos way too by the book to make any actual change in The Good Place; a zany cop in Brooklyn Nine-Nine; and a charity founder who may have a corrupt side in Parks and Recreation. Lil Sebastian Photo: darcycarden/Instagram/NBC Youve seen him as: a background cameo whose presence isnt explained on The Good Place; and Pawnees most cherished citizen, humans be damned, on Parks and Recreation. Eugene Cordero Photo: NBC Youve seen him as: a lovable dope from Jacksonville in The Good Place; the minister who speaks at Jerrys funeral many years in the future in Parks and Recreation; and a very skilled hacker on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Andy Daly Photo: NBC/Getty Images Youve seen him as: the very chipper embodiment of evil whos the nemesis of Captain Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine; a Ben Franklin impersonator with weird sexual energy in The Office; and the genial new husband of Eleanors mother in The Good Place. A former Miss America. Photo: Donald Kravitz/Getty Images Time to dust off your flaming batons and get your ventriloquist dummy out of its trunk. Your individual odds of becoming Miss America during any given year arent stellar, but if you are going to run, 2019 might just be your time to shine. The national organization, the Associated Press reports, has revoked the licenses of four different states following a complicated, queasy-making, Gretchen Carlsonrelated revolt that pits states vs. national leadership in a way that will eventually make for a great movie, but not for, oh, another decade or so. The move was the latest in roughly ten months of tumult. As you might recall, Miss America Organization CEO Sam Haskell stepped down last December after leaked emails revealed body-shaming and slut-shaming correspondence about past contestants and winners. Dick Clark Productions, which partnered with the company for its annual televised pageant, also subsequently severed ties with the company. In the aftermath, former Fox News anchor and one-time Miss America winner Gretchen Carlson came onboard as chairwoman. Since then, petitions for and against current leadership have been passed through the Miss America community, the swimsuit competition has been axed, and criticism of Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper have mounted, to the point that as of last month 46 of 51 state-level pageant organizations have called on the pair to resign. Per the AP, many state officials say their opposition is rooted in a lack of transparency and communication from national leaders, and does not involve the swimsuit decision. All of which leads to the latest bizarre development, in which the national organization has terminated the licensing agreements of four states. In order to get their licenses back, which would enable them to take part in the national pageant and retain their scholarship money, Georgia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and a fourth unidentified state must reportedly replace their current leadership and request an appeal. Also chillingly, reports AP, Other states have been asked to explain in writing why they acted as they did in the run-up to the pageant. In a statement about the decision made Monday, the Miss America Organization said merely, The process regarding Miss America state licensees is confidential. Related ... but you will need to show proof of jab get into bars STUDENTS heading to college in September will not have to be vaccinated... EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radient Technologies Inc. (Radient or the Company) (TSX Venture: RTI) is pleased to announce that it has received its Controlled Drugs and Substances Licence, also known as a Dealers Licence (the Licence), from Health Canadas Office of Controlled Substances for its Manufacturing Facility located at 4035 101 NW Street, Edmonton, Alberta. Pursuant to the provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and its regulations, the issuance of this Licence, effective October 10, 2018, permits the Company to begin receiving shipments of cannabis biomass from Canadian Licenced Producers for the purpose of research and analytical testing at its Manufacturing Facility. This will allow the Company to validate its production processes through the completion of engineering batches. Successful completion of these batches will allow the Company to commission its Manufacturing Facility for the extraction of cannabinoids and begin commercial production. Prior to performing cannabinoid extraction services for its previously signed partners, including Aurora Cannabis Inc., the Company will be required to be licensed to sell product to other licence holders. This will require the Company to obtain either a Sales Licence pursuant to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations or successful transition to a Standard Processor licence under the new Cannabis Act and its regulations, which will come into effect on October 17, 2018. However, given Health Canadas current workloads, the Company expects that a licence to sell product will be administered under the new cannabis framework. The Company is working closely with Health Canada to minimize the time requirement for successful transition. Radient expects to be able to provide an update prior to the end of October, 2018. In order to sell product to licence holders, Radient will be required to demonstrate it meets all the requirements of the Cannabis Act and its regulations including physical security requirements and good production practices. The Company believes that it is well prepared to meet these requirements. We are thrilled to have received the Dealers Licence for our Manufacturing Facility, as it is a critical step in the process to becoming a legal processor and producer of cannabis products, said Denis Taschuk, President & CEO of Radient. Our Manufacturing Facility is fully production-ready, and we look forward to being able to provide cannabinoid extraction services to our partners. About Radient Radient extracts natural compounds from a range of biological materials using microwave assisted processing (MAP), a patented technology platform which provides superior customer outcomes in terms of ingredient purity, yield, and cost. From its 23,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Edmonton, Alberta, Radient serves market leaders in industries that include pharmaceutical, food, beverage, natural health and personal care markets. Since 2016, Radient has expanded its offerings to enter the cannabinoids market utilizing its MAP platform to process and extract cannabinoids including cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol from cannabis biomass. Visit www.radientinc.com for more information. SOURCE: Radient Technologies Inc. Denis Taschuk, Chief Executive Officer, dtaschuk@radientinc.com , (780) 465-1318; Mike Cabigon, Chief Operating Officer, mcabigon@radientinc.com , (780) 465-1318 Forward Looking Information: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the growth of the Companys business operations; the impact of the Licence on the Companys business; the Companys ability to obtain other applicable licences; the Companys ability to comply with cannabis related regulatory requirements; the Companys ability to validate its production processes, the Companys ability to commission its Facility for the extraction of cannabinoids and begin commercial production; the impact of legislative changes; the Companys ability to grow its business in the cannabis sector and the Companys future plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Radient, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although Radient has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Radient does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Albany, New York, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global market for clinical trial management system is considered as extremely consolidated in nature with a few players holding a huge share of the market, states a new intelligence report published by Transparency Market Research. The leading players in the market are making notable efforts to expand their business horizon by emphasizing on the expansion of the product portfolio and enhance their consumer base. In addition to this, these players are focusing on collaborations and mergers and acquisitions to garner market share and maintain their position in the near future. Some of the key players operating in the clinical trial management systems market across the globe are DATATRAK Int., Veeva Systems, Microsoft, Wipro Limited, MedNet Solutions, Inc., Apple Inc., Forte Research Systems, Inc., DSG, Inc., Cinven, and IBM Corporation. As per the market research study, in 2016, the global market for clinical trial management system stood at US$1.1 Bn and is forecast to reach a value of US$3.2 Bn by the end of 2025. Furthermore, the market is expected to exhibit a 13.0% CAGR between 2017 and 2025. Request to View Sample of Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=544 North America to Hold Large Market Share in Coming Years The clinical trial management system market has been classified on the basis of geography into five segments. A few years back, North America held a major share of the market and is expected to maintain its position in the coming few years. The accessibility to clinical trial management system products and the presence of several key product vendors are expected to enhance market growth in the coming few years. Conversely, Asia Pacific is expected to witness a positive growth and exhibit a strong CAGR in the forecast period. The growing expenditure for the adoption of cloud technology and the mounting number of research organizations in South Korea, Japan, and China are likely to support the growth in the near future. Furthermore, the global market for clinical trial management system has been segmented on the basis of end use into pharmaceutical industries, and clinical research organizations. The pharmaceutical industries segment is estimated to expand at a fast pace and further showcase a promising growth rate in the coming years. The contract research organizations segment is predicted to rise rapidly, thanks to the emergence of CROs in Eastern European and Asia Pacific. Request PDF Brochure of Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=544 Rising Development Activities to Encourage Market Growth The increasing research and development activities and the rising investments by private and government organizations are projected to augment the growth of the global clinical trial management system market in the next few years. Moreover, the increasing awareness among consumers concerning the benefits of using clinical trial management system is projected to boost the demand in the coming few years. In addition to this, the use of clinical trial management system helps in maintaining an up-to-date contact information of the participants and also helps in tracking the deadlines for interim reports, which are likely to encourage the market growth in the next few years. Request For Discount On This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=544 On the other hand, the lack of awareness among people regarding the availability of clinical trial management system, especially in developing economies is estimated to hamper the growth in the coming years. Moreover, the long time required for the approval of clinical trials and the strict guidelines and rules to register patients for clinical trials are some of the other factors restricting the market growth in the near future. More Trending Reports by Transparency Market Research - Clinical Laboratory Services Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/clinical-laboratory-services-market.html Clinical Decision Support System Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/clinical-decision-support-system-market.html About TMR Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Contact Mr. Nachiket Ghumare Transparency Market Research State Tower 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com By Leah Long Oct. 08, 2018 | 08:26 PM | PADUCAH McCracken County's new Property Valuation Administrator Bill Dunn, was present Monday evening at the fiscal court meeting to introduce himself.Dunn was appointed by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin last week and sworn in Monday morning to replace former PVA Nancy Bock, who resigned in September following allegations of forgery and theft.According to Dunn, he has already met with the staff and, as of Monday, he and the chief deputy were able to save the PVA office between $3000 and $4000, just by cancelling unnecessary cell phones and iPads."And I want everyone in the county to know, the city government, county government, taxpayers, my door is open if you have any problems, any questions," said Dunn.Leeper clarified the PVA is not a county office, as it is an office through the State Revenue Cabinet.Other guests at Monday night's meeting were former circuit judge, and future McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer, and Vicky Potts, who was officially hired at Monday night's meeting to serve as a full-time administrative assistant in the McCracken County Judge Executive's office, effective October 16th. Potts has spent 16 years working with Clymer, and will be fully trained when he takes over as judge executive.Greg Cannon, McCracken County planning and zoning administrator said amending the 2013 comprehensive plan has taken about a year and it must be done this year, as the county is required by the state, to review its plan every five years and adopt or amend it.Cannon explained that four sections of the plan are being amended. In chapter 5, dealing with road projects, some tables are being updated and some completed projects are being deleted to reflect new projects or changed priorities. According to Cannon, in chapter 7, dealing with higher education, Mid-Continent was removed and numbers for enrollment and programs were updated for fall of 2017.Chapter 9 deals with the county's largest employers and that has also been updated. The fourth amendment deals with the county's future land use map. Cannon brought the current map for the commissioners to see, as well as the proposed map. McCracken County Judge Executive Bob Leeper said the item of amending the comprehensive plan will likely be on the county's agenda for the next two meetings before taking action on it.Evelyn Jeffords, representing the Department of Energy former worker issues, was on the agenda to speak and she let Gary Vanderboegh, a nuclear whistle-blower and advocate for sick workers at Paducah's Gaseous Diffusion Plant and similar plants, speak on her behalf.Vanderboegh invited everyone to the Robert Cherry Civic Center this Saturday, from 9 am to 9 pm for a public meeting concerning former nuclear workers. "I want you to hear the horror stories," said Vanderboegh.McCracken County Road Engineer Randy Williams updated the commission on the routine work the department has been doing. He mentioned October is when the department begins gearing up for the winter months and he said he has ordered 700 tons of road salt. This year's cost, he said, is $83 per ton, which is up from last year's price of $74 per ton. Williams said he met with Ballard County Judge Executive Todd Cooper to discuss either a road swap or a highway maintenance agreement for two roads: Phelps Road, which is mostly in Ballard County, but a portion enters McCracken County, and Wren Road, which is mainly in McCracken County, except for a stretch that enters into Ballard County.In other business, Donald Powers was re-appointed to the Melber New Hope Fire Protection District Board of Directors and Sherry Kahne was re-appointed as a member of the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority Board. Both will serve terms expiring in October 2022. On the Net: By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 09, 2018 | 09:18 AM | FRANKFORT The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has issued new regulations to meet what it calls a public health crisis in McCracken County, and other counties in the state without adequate ambulance service.The Cabinet cited a Louisville based Pegasus Institute report released in July, which pointed to several larger Kentucky counties that have only one Class I ambulance provider that is not owned or operated by a public entity. The Cabinet said private provider monopolies can result in lower quality care for patients and a restriction on the ability for patients to choose providers.Six counties in Kentucky, including McCracken County, have populations of more than 50,000 and only one Class I ambulance provider that is not owned or operated by a public entity. Bullitt, Jessamine, Laurel, Pike and Warren were also singled out. With the new emergency administrative regulation, new providers in these counties will have an expedited application process and the presumption of need.Kentucky is among four states that require a certificate of need to operate an ambulance service. The report said Kentucky residents have access to fewer providers, on average, at every county population level across the state than neighboring states. Counties above 50,000 residents have more than 25 percent fewer providers, according to the report.Click the link below to read the full report. On the Net: Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 08, 2018 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 08, 2018 | 05:42 PM | PADUCAH Paducah police are seeking the publics help in solving the theft of a unique sign from a lot in the 500 block of Broadway. The owner of the lot reported the sign missing. He said on the sign is painted a light switch with the words, Paducah, Kentucky Turns Me On! Light Switch by Julia Ann Kennedy. Several people who work in the area remember seeing the sign about two weeks ago. Anyone with information is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at (270)-444-8550. Information also may be provided anonymously through West Kentucky Crime Stoppers by texting WKY and your tip to 847411 (tip 411) or by downloading the app WKY Crime Stoppers from the Apple Store or Google Play. Tipsters also may access the online tip form through the City of Paducah website at http://paducahky.gov/west-ky-crime-stoppers. Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 09, 2018 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 09, 2018 | 10:40 AM | PADUCAH A crew from Paducah Power System will provide hurricane recovery assistance in northern Florida. PPS accepted a request from the city of Tallahassee Electric Utility to help with power outages expected from Hurricane Michael. Tallahassee serves almost 118,000 electrical customers. The six-man PPS crew will leave Wednesday morning and drive directly to Tallahassee. They hope to arrive shortly after the storm has pushed through the city. They will take a bucket truck, a truck to set poles and a foremans truck. Paducah Power provides mutual aid to other municipal electric utilities when possible and has previously sent crews to areas damaged by hurricanes. Crews worked in Homestead, Florida last September following Hurricane Irma, in 2004 following Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne and in 2005 after Hurricane Wilma. They also assisted Memphis Light, Gas and Water in 2005 when remnants of Katrina caused damage there. More recently, they worked last March in New York, following destructive winter storms. We always try to help other utilities when we get the call because we remember how valuable that aid was to us during the 2009 ice storm, said Dave Carroll, PPS General Manager. We know, firsthand, the value of mutual aid. The length of the crews stay is indefinite. By MSU Public Relations Oct. 08, 2018 | 09:07 PM | MURRAY After a review of vendor proposals, the food services management company Sodexo has been selected to provide dining services to the Murray State University campus.A Board of Regents subcommittee approved the contract on Monday, to take effect on December 15. Sodexo said it will work closely with university to expand the variety of fare, and offer safe options that are free from common allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, milk products and eggs. All options are also to be free from gluten-containing ingredients. Sodexo plans to work with the university's farm and local business community to purchase local, seasonal, sustainably grown and raised products. They also promise to establish a student-led dining advisory board, and explore ways to transform unused food from dining halls, grocery stores, restaurants and farmers markets into meals for people experiencing hunger. "We're excited to create a customized campus dining experience infused with flavor, fun, variety and convenience," said Cal Thetford, senior vice president, Universities, Sodexo North America. "We're looking forward to working with Murray State to bring our shared vision of having renowned concepts, popular franchises and national and proprietary brands as part of the community." "We are pleased to work with Sodexo to expand our campus community's dining options. During the evaluation process, it was apparent to us that they share our commitment to providing an exemplary student experience, including high-quality dining options," said Dr. Bob Jackson, interim president of Murray State University. "Together, we will work to enhance the culinary experience for all those who live, work and visit our campus." Sodexo Universities provides food and facilities management services at more than 625 colleges and universities, where it employs more than 47,000 people across North America. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 08, 2018 | 07:41 PM | MAYFIELD Less than a week after announcing he was dropping out of the Graves County Sheriff's race, Chief Deputy Davant Ramage has thrown his hat back in the ring. Last Wednesday, Ramage announced he was withdrawing from his write-in campaign for Graves County Sheriff, because he had learned that current sheriff Dewayne Redmon was seeking re-election and it was never Ramage's intention to run against his boss. Since Wednesday, Ramage says he's been bombarded by people in the community asking him to run. The response has been overwhelming, Ramage said. I couldn't begin to tell you how many people have called, texted or spoke to me in person over the last week, encouraging me to get back in the race. So on Monday, Ramage re-filed as a write-in candidate. Let's be honest, our current sheriff has been indicted on a felony charge, and won't be able to finish his term if elected, and the other write-in candidates don't have the experience necessary to be sheriff, Ramage said. By not running, I would be leaving the county in a mess and I don't want to do that. Redmon recently entered a not guilty plea to charges of official misconduct and first degree possession of a controlled substance. Redmon was indicted on those charges in August, and is accused of stealing hydrocodone from the sheriff department's drug drop box. A judge has ruled that Redmon can continue to perform his administrative duties as sheriff, but can't perform any law enforcement duties until his case has ended. Dewayne has done a great job as sheriff, and I hope he gets the help he needs, but he is no longer fit to be sheriff," Ramage said. "This county deserves better. The citizens of Graves County deserve someone they can trust and believe in. Three other men have filed as write in candidates: Robin Holmes, Michael Corey Apperson and Bill Howard Harris. The deadline for write-ins to file is Oct. 26 at 4:00 pm. By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 09, 2018 | 08:36 AM | GRAVES COUNTY A Tennessee woman was arrested on multiple charges Monday afternoon in Graves County. The Graves County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to a complaint on KY 303. Deputies say a woman, later identified as 40-year-old Jennifer Blackard, had tried to run another vehicle off the road. Deputies found Blackard's vehicle heading toward Mayfield and conducted a traffic stop. According to police, Blackard was found to be under the influence of drugs, and a handgun was reportedly found inside her vehicle. Blackard also had an active warrant out of Fulton County. Blackard was arrested and lodged in the Graves County Jail. She's charged with wanton endangerment, DUI, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, reckless driving and failure to wear a seat belt. ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westmoreland Coal Company (Westmoreland or the Company) (OTCMKTS: WLBA) announced today it has entered into a restructuring support agreement (RSA) with members of an ad hoc group of lenders (the Ad Hoc Group) that hold approximately 76.1% of the Companys term loan, approximately 57.9% of its senior secured notes, and approximately 79.1% of its bridge loan. To implement the RSA, Westmoreland today filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In addition, Westmoreland affiliate Westmoreland Resource Partners, LP (NYSE: WMLP) (WMLP) simultaneously filed for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. WMLP has agreed to terms with its secured creditors on the use of cash collateral to fund WMLPs normal course operations and allow WMLP to serve its customers during the course of WMLPs chapter 11 case. WMLP intends to continue working constructively with an ad hoc group of its secured lenders (the WMLP Ad Hoc Group) in connection with a value-maximizing sale and marketing process that began prior to the commencement of WMLPs chapter 11 case. Westmorelands Canadian entities and Westmoreland Risk Management, Inc. are excluded from the voluntary petitions. Westmorelands operations in the U.S. and Canada are cash flow positive and liquidity from operations combined with the Companys Debtor-In-Possession (DIP) financing is sufficient to continue operating its mines in the normal course of business, without any expected impact to current output levels. Importantly, Westmoreland anticipates no staff reductions as a result of the restructuring announcement. After months of thoughtful and productive conversations with our creditors, we have developed a plan that allows Westmoreland to operate as usual while positioning Westmoreland for long-term success, said Michael Hutchinson, Westmorelands Interim Chief Executive Officer. We will continue to work constructively with the Ad Hoc Group and serve our customers in the normal course as we progress through an expedited process to restructure our long-term debt and other liabilities. Our goal is to emerge as a stronger Westmoreland, better positioned to grow and thrive. We appreciate the ongoing support of our business partners, customers and creditors throughout this process. In addition, we thank our passionate Westmoreland team members for their tireless dedication and commitment to building a stronger Westmoreland. In support of the RSA, Westmoreland launched a business transformation aimed at significantly increasing cash flow for all operational and support areas of the business. Initiatives identified by Westmoreland are expected to yield significant annual run rate savings from operational, commercial and overhead efficiencies. RSA Terms and DIP Financing The RSA provides that the $90 million outstanding under the Companys existing $110 million bridge loan facility, which it entered into in May 2018 (the Bridge Loan), will be refinanced with a new $110 million DIP facility, of which $90 million has been drawn, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval. The DIP financing and cash flow from operations are expected to provide adequate liquidity to support Westmorelands U.S. and Canadian business throughout the restructuring process. The superpriority non-amortizing DIP facility bears interest at the same rate as the Bridge Loan. Under the RSA, the Ad Hoc Group has agreed to act as a stalking horse bidder to acquire substantially all of Westmorelands business assets. Separately, WMLP will continue its sale process. The RSA addresses Westmorelands liabilities, including funded debt and other obligations, and provides the means for it to continue operating in the normal course of business. For additional information, please refer to the Companys current report on Form 8-K filed along with this announcement. Both Westmoreland and WMLP have filed first day motions with the Bankruptcy Court. When granted, these motions will enable day-to-day operations, regular payment of employee wages and benefits, and payment to key trade creditors for goods and services provided on or after the filing date to continue as usual. Additional information on the process, including court filings and information about the claims process, is available at www.donlinrecano.com/westmoreland or through Westmorelands dedicated restructuring hotline at (800) 499-8519. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to Westmoreland; Centerview Partners LLC is acting as investment banker and financial advisor; Alvarez & Marsal is acting as restructuring adviser; and McKinsey Recovery & Transformation Services U.S., LLC is acting as an operational advisor. Jones Day is acting as legal counsel and Lazard Freres is acting as investment banker to the Conflicts Committee of the board of directors of Westmoreland Resource Partners, GP, general partner of WMLP. About Westmoreland Coal Company Westmoreland Coal Company (OTCMKTS: WLBA) is the oldest independent coal company in the United States. Westmorelands coal operations include surface coal mines in the United States and Canada, underground coal mines in Ohio and New Mexico, a char production facility, and a 50% interest in an activated carbon plant. Westmoreland also owns the general partner of and a majority interest in Westmoreland Resource Partners, LP, a publicly-traded coal master limited partnership. For more information, visit www.westmoreland.com . About Westmoreland Resource Partners, LP Westmoreland Resource Partners, LP is a low-cost producer of high-value thermal coal. It markets its coal primarily to large electric utilities with coal-fired, base-load scrubbed power plants under long-term coal sales contracts. For more information about Westmoreland Resource Partners, LP (NYSE: WMLP), please visit www.westmorelandmlp.com . Forward Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements about Westmoreland and WMLP. The companies claim the protection of the safe -harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements neither of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Because forward-looking statements related to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and could cause actual future events and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the expected beneficial outcomes of the filing for relief under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other restructuring process transactions; asset sales; first day motions; the RSA; DIP financing; the future position of the companies; and the outcomes of the transformation initiative. These and other forward-looking statements regarding Westmorelands and WMLPs business outlook are based on Westmorelands and WMLPs current expectations and assumptions regarding their businesses, the economy, demand for their products, success in completing their transformation and restructuring processes, and other future conditions. These risk factors, and others, are included in reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for Westmoreland and WMLP. Westmoreland and WMLP caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Westmoreland and WMLP undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Contact: Brian Schaffer bschaffer@prosek.com (646) 503-5971 Or Advertisement By The Associated Press Oct. 09, 2018 | DESTIN, FL By The Associated Press Oct. 09, 2018 | 11:23 AM | DESTIN, FL An estimated 120,000 people along the Florida Panhandle were ordered to clear out on Tuesday as Hurricane Michael rapidly picked up steam in the Gulf of Mexico and closes in with winds of 110 mph and a potential storm surge of 12 feet. Beach dwellers rushed to board up their homes and sandbag their properties against the fast-moving hurricane, which was expected to blow ashore around midday Wednesday. The speed of the storm Michael was moving north at 12 mph gave many people a dwindling number of hours to prepare or flee before being caught up in damaging wind and rain. By 11 a.m., Michael had winds of 110 mph, just below a major Category 3 hurricane, and was getting stronger, drawing energy from Gulf waters in the mid-80s. The hurricanes effects will be felt far from its eye. Forecasters said Michaels tropical storm-force winds stretched 370 miles across, with hurricane-strength winds extending up to 35 miles from the center. Florida Gov. Rick Scott also warned people across northwest Florida that the monstrous hurricane was just hours away, bringing deadly risks from high wind, storm surge and heavy rain. His Democratic opponent in Floridas Senate race, Sen. Bill Nelson, said a wall of water could cause major destruction along the Panhandle. Dont think that you can ride this out if youre in a low-lying area, Nelson said on CNN. Forecasters said parts of Floridas marshy, lightly populated Big Bend area the crook of Floridas elbow could see up to 12 feet of storm surge. Advertisement By The Associated Press Oct. 09, 2018 | WASHINGTON By The Associated Press Oct. 09, 2018 | 09:53 AM | WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Tuesday U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is leaving the administration "at the end of the year." Trump spoke as he and Haley met in the Oval Office, shortly after word came of her plans to resign. He called Haley a "very special" person, adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off. Trump said that together, they had "solved a lot of problems." It's the latest shake-up in the turbulent Trump administration just weeks before the November midterm election. No reason for the resignation was immediately provided. Haley, 46, was appointed to the U.N. post in November 2016 and last month coordinated Trump's second trip to the United Nations, including his first time chairing the U.N. Security Council. Before she was named by Trump to her U.N. post, Haley was governor of South Carolina, the first woman to hold the post. She was re-elected in 2014. Last month Haley wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post discussing her policy disagreements but also her pride in working for Trump. It came in response to an anonymous essay in The New York Times by a senior administration official that alleged there to be a secret "resistance" effort from the right in Trump's administration and that there were internal discussions of invoking the 25th amendment to remove Trump from office. "I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country," Haley wrote. "But I don't agree with the president on everything." As governor, she developed a national reputation as a racial conciliator who led the charge to bring down the Confederate flag at the Statehouse and guided South Carolina through one of its darkest moments, the massacre at a black church. Canon has announced a major expansion of its manufacturing facility near Munich, Germany as it pushes ahead with plans to transfer the manufacturing of Oce Arizona flatbed printers from Vancouver, Canada. Andy McCourt takes a closer look at the move. Every Canon flatbed printer will now be manufactured in Germany. The story of the Arizona series of flatbed UV digital inkjet presses is a tale of industry progress itself. It began in 1991 when Vancouver, BC, Canada, company Raster Graphics appointed a mechanical engineering graduate named Rak Kumar as CEO. Back then, Raster Graphics made a 42 wide format machine that used electrostatic imaging yes toner, just like the now defunct Xerox Versatec! These were mainly engineering plotters but could do CMYK with the right Rip and at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, most of the large signage was produced on electrostatic plotters. But Kumar (pictured, left) could see the advantages that inkjet promised and in 1998 Raster Graphics introduced the first Arizona Digital Screen Press with six colours of solvent ink at 600dpi. Raster Graphics was acquired by Swiss-based Gretag Imaging, who in turn were acquired by Oce, in 2001. Kumar became CEO of Oce Display Graphics and the company remained in Vancouver. In 2002, the first real flatbed, the Arizona T220, was release although this still used solvent inks. As more Arizona models were developed, the switch to UV-cured inks was made. Ever the entrepreneur, Kumar moved on in 2004 and started Raster Printers, later sold to EFI who marketed them as the Rastek models. Oce Display Graphics grew and grew, and the Arizona range became a giant in the flatbed UV field all made in Vancouver. Fujifilm also OEM the Arizonas as 'Acuity' flatbed models. Oce was acquired by Canon in 2010 and about a year ago staff were informed that the Vancouver plant would close and Arizona manufacturing would be moved to Europe. This came as a great surprise to the Canadians but the strategy was fulfilled in October 2018, with manufacturing shifted to the former Siemens Nixdorf plant at Poing, Germany, which Oce had acquired in 1996 when Siemens decided to exit high speed digital printers. So now Arizonas are North American in name only and Vancouvers loss is Poings gain. Its a globalised world we live in and the inks that flow through Arizonas are made in Europe anyway, with the printheads from Japan. Its still a little sad to see Rak Kumars brilliant vision uprooted from its spiritual home, and the 200-odd Canadian jobs disappear. "By moving all flatbed production to a centralised European facility, we aim to build on our strong market position, cultivate new ideas and fuel innovation, said Jeppe Frandsen, Canon Europe executive vice president. This will ensure that the Oce Arizona series continues to play a pivotal role in enabling customers to evolve with an ever-changing market, for example by enhancing their productivity and accessing new application opportunities. Canon will expand both the manufacturing workforce at its Poing plant near Munich and the Venlo, Netherlands-based R&D team to support the transfer from Vancouver. Canon already manufactures Oce Arizona flatbed printers at Poing and aims to increase flatbed production by over 30 percent, completing three Oce Arizona printers a day from October 2018. The enhanced production line, which includes special tooling, routing and climate-controlled facilities for the assembly of sensitive components, will be fully operational by the end of September 2018, Canon said. This growth in manufacturing output is supported by upgraded prototyping laboratories and testing facilities in Venlo, and an expanded network of suppliers in Europe and the Americas to extend Canons global supply chain for its wide format solutions. The move to Poing will shorten lead times from order to delivery and installation for European customers, as well as harmonising service and support. Canon Oce Arizona 6160 XTS flatbed printer with HFV technology There are currently 7,000 Oce Arizona printers installed worldwide and around one in four Oce Arizona users is active in the production of applications other than graphics, such as printed interior decor, short-run customised packaging and decorated products. Over the past 16 years, the creativity and dedication of our team in Vancouver has been instrumental in the success of the award-winning Oce Arizona series, Frandsen said. Building on this strong heritage in flatbed technology, the concentration of skills, knowledge and manufacturing capabilities in Europe will allow us to evolve our flatbed inkjet offering even further. ALACHUA, Fla., Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CTD Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CTDH), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that develops cyclodextrin-based products for the treatment of disease with unmet needs, today announced that its Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Co-Chair of its Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, will present an Update on CTD Clinical Programs Utilizing Cyclodextrins to Treat Diseases with Unmet Medical Needs at the annual BioFlorida conference to be held October 15-17, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The BioFlorida meeting brings together biotechnology leaders from across the state of Florida together with investors and other stakeholders to advance biotechnology in the state. We are excited to report on our progress in our clinical programs in the US and Europe to our colleagues and stakeholders in the Florida biotechnology business community, said N. Scott Fine, CTD Chairman and CEO. The presentation will be held during the Spotlight on Innovation panel: Monday, October 15, 9:45 am Westin Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort Ft Lauderdale FL Dr. Hrynkow will present updates on CTDs clinical program in the US, Europe and Israel utilizing CTDs proprietary formulation of hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin, Trappsol Cyclo, to treat a rare and fatal genetic disease, Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC), CTD supports two clinical trials in the US and Europe/Israel (NCT02939547 and NCT02912793), both using intravenous administration. In addition, Dr. Hrynkow will describe its expanded access program approved by FDA in March 2018 to provide Trappsol Cyclo to a single patient with late-onset Alzheimers Disease, also using an intravenous administration route (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 03624842 ). About the BioFlorida Conference: (to update) BioFlorida is the voice of Floridas life sciences industry, representing nearly 6,000 establishments and research organizations in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology (devices and diagnostics) and bioagriculture sectors that collectively employ nearly 83,000 Floridians. Members of the BioFlorida network range from emerging and established life science companies, universities, research institutions, hospitals, medical centers, incubators, economic development agencies, investors and service providers. The 2018 BioFlorida Conference is Floridas premier event for the life sciences community. About CTD Holdings: CTD Holdings, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops cyclodextrin-based products for the treatment of disease with unmet medical need. The companys Trappsol(R) Cyclo(TM), an orphan drug designated product in the United States and Europe, is used to treat Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, a rare and fatal genetic disease, on a compassionate use basis as well as in two ongoing formal clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02939547 and NCT02912793 ). Additional indications for the active ingredient in Trappsol Cyclo are in development. For additional information, visit the companys website: www.ctd-holdings.com Safe Harbor Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements about the companys current expectations about future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. Statements that are not historical facts, such as anticipates, believes and expects or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, these statements. The factors which may influence the companys future performance include the companys ability to obtain additional capital to expand operations as planned, success in achieving regulatory approval for clinical protocols, enrollment of adequate numbers of patients in clinical trials, unforeseen difficulties in showing efficacy of the companys biopharmaceutical products, success in attracting additional customers and profitable contracts, and regulatory risks associated with producing pharmaceutical grade and food products. These and other risk factors are described from time to time in the companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the companys reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. Unless required by law, the company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events. Investor/Media Contact: Sitrick and Company Wendy Tanaka (415) 369-8447 wtanaka@sitrick.com Thomas Mulligan (212) 573-6100, Ext. 395 tmulligan@sitrick.com English French CHRISTIAN DIOR First nine months 2018 revenue The Christian Dior group recorded a 6% * increase in revenue, reaching 33.1 billion in the first nine months of 2018. Organic revenue grew 12% * compared to the same period in 2017, and 14% * excluding the impact of the airport concession closures in Hong Kong at the end of 2017. All geographical areas progressed well. In the third quarter, revenue was up 10% compared to the same period in 2017, a performance which continued the trend recorded in the first half of the year and to which all business groups contributed. Organic revenue growth was 10%. Revenue by business group for the Christian Dior group was as follows: REVENUE (EUR millions) 9 months 2018 9 months 2017 Change at actual exchange rates Organic growth (a) Wines and Spirits 3,565 3,514 +1% +7% Fashion and Leather Goods 13,052 11,885 * +10% * +15% Perfumes and Cosmetics 4,410 4,065 +8% +14% Watches and Jewelry 3,021 2,789 +8% +14% Selective Retailing 9,544 9,335 +2% +8% Other activities and eliminations (463) (463) * - - Total 33,129 31,125 +6% +12% (b) (a) On a constant consolidation scope and currency basis (b) Exchange rate impact: -5% * Some of the information reported by Christian Dior for the first half of 2017 differs from that reported by LVMH because Christian Dior Couture was not yet included in LVMH's scope of consolidation in the first half of 2017. The Wines & Spirits business group recorded organic revenue growth of 7% in the first nine months of 2018. Champagne volumes were stable over the period. The prestige vintages performed particularly well while continuing a price increase policy. Hennessy cognac volumes increased by 4%. The US and Chinese markets grew rapidly. The Fashion & Leather Goods business group achieved organic revenue growth of 15% * in the first nine months of 2018. Louis Vuitton continues to be driven by the success of its iconic leather goods lines and by exceptional creativity in all its businesses. Ready-to-wear and shoes, in particular, experienced strong momentum with an excellent reception of the last two fashion shows of Womenswear and Menswear. A new communication for Louis Vuitton perfumes was unveiled, marking the launch of the brand's latest perfume creation. Christian Dior Couture enjoyed an excellent performance. Celine made progress and began a new chapter in its history with the first runway show of Hedi Slimane, which was a great success and created enormous resonance. Fendi and Loro Piana continued to grow. The other brands continued to strengthen. The Perfumes & Cosmetics business group recorded organic revenue growth of 14% in the first nine months of 2018, driven in particular by the performance of its star brands. Parfums Christian Dior continued its remarkable progress, driven by the launch of its new perfume Joy and the exceptional worldwide success of Sauvage and its other iconic perfumes, J'adore and Miss Dior. Rouge Dior lipstick also contributed to the performance of the House. Guerlain performed very well, with the success of Abeille Royale in skincare and Rouge G in makeup. Parfums Givenchy continued its expansion, driven by makeup and its new feminine scent L'Interdit. Fresh grew strongly. In the first nine months of 2018, the Watches & Jewelry business group achieved organic revenue growth of 14%. Bvlgari had an excellent performance and gained market share. Its iconic jewelry and watch collections Serpenti, Diva, B.Zero1, Lvcea and Octo showed strong momentum; the new Wild Pop high-end jewelry line, launched at the beginning of the summer, continued to grow. Chaumet and Fred progressed steadily. In the watchmaking sector, TAG Heuer continued to develop its iconic lines. Hublot, which grew strongly, opened its first stand-alone boutique in London. The Selective Retailing business group achieved organic revenue growth of 8% in the first nine months of 2018, and 14% excluding the airport concession closures in Hong Kong. Sephora's organic revenue growth was strong, particularly in North America and Asia. The expansion and renovation of its distribution network is continuing with a new store concept in China and the first Sephora-branded store in Russia. DFS performed well, especially in Hong Kong and Macao. The recent openings of T Galleria in Cambodia and Italy progressed well. Outlook 2018 In an uncertain geopolitical and monetary context, the Christian Dior group will continue to be vigilant. The Group will pursue its strategy focused on innovation and targeted geographic expansion in the most promising markets. The Christian Dior group will rely on the power of its brands and the talent of its teams to further extend its global leadership in the luxury market in 2018. During the quarter and to date, no events or changes have occurred which could significantly modify the Group's financial structure. * Growth rate reported for this business group differs from that reported by LVMH because Christian Dior Couture was not yet included in LVMH's scope of consolidation in the first half of 2017. * * * APPENDIX: Revenue by business group and by quarter This financial release constitutes regulated information, and is made available on the Company's website (www.dior-finance.com). Certain information included in this release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties and factors beyond our control or ability to predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, projected or implied. It only reflects our views as of the date of this presentation. No undue reliance should therefore be based on any such information, it being also agreed that we undertake no commitment to amend or update it after the date hereof. This document is a free translation into English of the original French financial release dated October 9, 2018. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text. Christian Dior group - Revenue by business group and by quarter 2018 Revenue (EUR millions) Wines and Spirits Fashion and Leather Goods Perfumes and Cosmetics Watches and Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities and eliminations Total First Quarter 1,195 4,270 1,500 959 3,104 (174) 10,854 Second Quarter 1,076 4,324 1,377 1,019 3,221 (121) 10,896 First Half 2,271 8,594 2,877 1,978 6,325 (295) 21,750 Third Quarter 1,294 4,458 1,533 1,043 3,219 (168) 11 379 Nine months 3,565 13,052 4,410 3,021 9,544 (463) 33,129 Organic revenue growth (as %) Wines and Spirits Fashion and Leather Goods (*) Perfumes and Cosmetics Watches and Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities and eliminations Total First Quarter +10% +16% +17% +20% +9% - +14% Second Quarter +3% +14% +14% +12% +9% - +11% First Half +7% +15% +16% +16% +9% - +12% Third Quarter +7% +14% +11% +10% +5% - +10% Nine months +7% +15% +14% +14% +8% - +12% 2017 Revenue (EUR millions) Wines and Spirits Fashion and Leather Goods (*) Perfumes and Cosmetics Watches and Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities and eliminations Total First Quarter 1,196 3,911 1,395 879 3,154 (155) 10,380 Second Quarter 1,098 (1) 4,035 1,275 959 3,126 (129) (1) 10,364 First Half 2,294 7,946 2,670 1,838 6,280 (284) 20 ,744 Third Quarter 1,220 3,939 1,395 951 3,055 (179) 10,381 Nine months 3,514 11,885 4,065 2,789 9,335 (463) 31,125 (1) Includes all Rimowa revenue for the first half of 2017 * Some of the information reported by Christian Dior differs from that reported by LVMH because Christian Dior Couture was not yet included in LVMH's scope of consolidation in the first half of 2017. Learn to speak Spanish at Wits Spanish, one of the most spoken languages in the world is now offered through the new Mexican Studies Centre at Wits. The Centre will support the teaching of the Spanish language and culture and offer training to Spanish teachers. Officially launched on 22 September 2018, the new Centre is a partnership between Wits University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and is the first Mexican Studies Centre to be established in Africa. It aims to promote academic and cultural exchange between the two universities and is key to the internationalisation of higher education. The exchanges will enable exchange students to understand cultural differences as well as to raise awareness regarding various knowledge, says Dr Arturo Mendoza Ramos, Director of the Mexican Studies Centre. Research excellence is important to Wits and UNAM, and an important objective of the Mexican Studies Centre is to establish joint research and teaching projects in all areas of study and in all levels of higher education. Both universities hold influential positions in their regions. UNAM is the largest university in Latin America and ranked amongst the best 100 universities worldwide while Wits University is currently the number one university in Africa according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Students and staff from these universities will have the opportunity to advance their academic interests in South Africa. South Africa and Mexico share common values of humanity in their approach to tackling global issues and strive to promote global equity and social justice. Both nations are part of the G-20 economies and seek to foster strategic bilateral relations by exchanging knowledge and best practices. The year 2018 marks the 25th year anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Mexico. This is an ideal opportunity for Mexico to approach and to discover the rainbow nation by sharing best practices, trade, knowledge, culture and traditions. There are also many opportunities where Mexico and South Africa can work together and help each other (to) become stronger, providing tangible benefits for the people through permanent and consistent communication which will bring about a better understanding of each other, said Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, Mexican Ambassador to South Africa at the launch. Through the teaching of Spanish, the Mexican Studies Centre will enable staff and students to communicate across cultural and geographic boundaries and will promote multilingualism, which is a passport to creative thought and innovation in our cosmopolitan world said Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib. The purpose of the Centre is not simply to teach Spanish. It is our passport to a global community but it is also to learn from each other, to learn of our societies, to learn of our economies and to learn of our cultures, said Habib. Dr Ken Oyama Nakagawa, UNAM Secretary of Institutional Development said that the partnership between UNAM and Wits would also increase opportunities of research collaborations in new fields of sciences, engineering, humanities and arts. WESTVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Indiana's three U.S. Senate candidates faced off in the first debate of the general election campaign. Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly, Republican former state Rep. Mike Braun and Libertarian Lucy Brenton states their cases Monday evening at the Purdue University Northwest campus in Westville. Afterward, both Donnelly and Braun declared victory in the event. Did you watch the #INSen debate? We want to hear from you. Who do you believe won? Vote below @lucy4senate @JoeforIndiana @braun4indiana WLFI News 18 (@WLFI) October 9, 2018 The race is one of the most closely watched in the U.S. and could determine which party controls the Senate next year. The first question centered around Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation. Donnelly voted "no" on Kavanaugh. tonight he offered his reason why. "I voted against Judge Kavanaugh because of concerns about his impartiality and concerns about his judicial temperament," Donnelly said. "But I voted for Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's pick. My job is to not only determine the nominee, but to protect the court and Justice Gorsuch met every test. Judge Kavanaugh had concerns about impartiality and about judicial temperament." Mike Braun responded. "Joe's been there for 12 years in the Congress and the Senate and he's considered the least effective senator because he never sticks his neck out," he said. "He blows with the wind. In this case, he made the wrong decision on Judge Kavanaugh." Other major issues the candidates discussed were climate change and abortion. All three candidates said they're pro-life. Brenton brought up the fact that she's given birth to 10 children. But, she said each person must have absolute control over their own bodies. Donnelly said he is pro-life, but with exceptions when it comes to rape, incest and pregnancies that put the mother's life in danger. Braun said he's been endorsed by Indiana Right to Life, National Right to Life and the Susan B. Anthony Group. Candidates also took on climate change. "We need to make that Ethanol market even more available and be used more for wind, for solar, for clean coal," Donnelly said. "If it's made in America, we want to use it." Braun used the opportunity to talk about his real world expertise. "When you learn it in the real world, you know how to do it," he said. "We now have energy independence and that's got to always be taken into consideration while you're keeping the environment in a healthy condition. I've lived it, that's why I'll know what to do." Brenton also gave her stance. "We need to have a global clean-up effort to get the plastics and dirt out of our oceans," she said. "We need heme iron to seed our photo plankton so that they're actually able to clean up our oceans for us." Throughout the debate, Brenton circled back to the constitution. She said the constitution should serve as a muzzle for the government. Brenton said she aims to be fiscally conservative and socially accepting. And she said, for her, it boils down to two things. "To be able to allow people the maximum freedom with really just two things in mind: don't hurt people. Don't take their stuff," she said. "Other than that, you're good with me." Businessman and Political outsider Braun didn't participate in the post-debate press conference, a choice that Senator Donnelly made sure to point out. "I can't say I'm surprised Mike Braun left and didn't talk to you," he said. In the press conference, Senator Donnelly mainly addressed Braun, rather than Brenton, particularly when asked what Hoosiers should take away from the debate. "Hoosiers should conclude that I don't want him to become our senator and take our healthcare away," he said. "That's what they should conclude." He asked voters to remember that he has fought for healthcare, veterans, and jobs. "I fought non-stop to bring our economy back," he explained. "We've had 70 consecutive months of job growth. That's a pretty good reason to vote for somebody." He also re-stated why he voted no against the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. "For his lack of judicial temperament and for his lack of impartiality," he reiterated. Brenton gave a colorful metaphor to describe her opponents. "Trump says he wants to drain the swamp, all we're going to do with those two is add another alligator," she told reporters. Finally, she challenged people to consider the fundamentals of Libertarian thought. "I want everyone to decide for themselves to be more free," she stated. "I want them to examine their lives and find out where am I interacting with the government that I don't have to be." A second scheduled between Braun, Donnelly and Brenton will be October 30 in Indianapolis. LAFAYETTE, Ind. WLFI) It's the second Monday in October and News 18 is continuing its month long breast cancer awareness month series. Each Monday, thanks to our partners at IU Health Arnett, we will feature different breast cancer topics to help spread awareness. This Monday we're diving into what it's like after a person receives their breast cancer diagnose. There's a person at the IU Health Cancer Center who is with you during every step of your journey through treatment. This nurse wants to help people win their fight against breast cancer. "They didn't want breast cancer, but if they've got somebody who can help then that's what they need," said Nurse and Breast Cancer Patient Navigator Deidre Smith. Once a person receives their breast cancer diagnosis, Smith steps in. "I try to reassure them and find something positive in the diagnosis so they are more relaxed about the future," Smith said. Smith helps her patients in four different areas. Fighting breast cancer requires radiology to make a diagnosis, a radiation oncologist to treat the cancer with radiation, "A surgeon to size the tumor and an oncologist to treat it with either chemo therapy or hormone medication," said Smith. This process can get very complicated if you are trying to figure this all out on your own. So Smith makes sure patients don't feel lost and get their appointments in the right order at the right time. "I'll be with them," Smith said. "I'll help them" She is there to answer questions and even makes appointments. These doctors and treatment centers are located in medical buildings across Greater Lafayette and it can be overwhelming. "We try to get their appointments in the beginning as quickly as we can," Smith added. "I meet with them the day that they get their biopsy results." Smith encourages women to get screened for breast cancer during October. IU Health Arnett recommends women ages 40 years old and older be screened once a year and even earlier age if you have a family history of breast cancer. During the patient's fight, Smith stays close in the beginning by going to her patient's first appointments and she tries to keep a close eye on her patients during their appointments as much as she can. "But I have generally 35 patients I follow a month," said Smith. "I can't be as close to them the entire time." Smith wants people to know a breast cancer diagnosis isn't a death sentence, especially if you are on top of your breast cancer screenings and if breast cancer is detected at an early stage. "And so it's more of a chronic disease than something they're gonna die from tomorrow," Smith added. FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) In his final few months as U.S. congressman, Rep. Todd Rokita wants to know your concerns about the community and country. The district 4 representative is hosting an "open dialogue" town hall in Frankfort later this month. District 4 covers west central Indiana, which includes the entire News 18 viewing area. A spokesperson said with the upcoming mid-terms and the recent nomination of now Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Rep. Rokita wanted to hear from constituents. Rokita ran in the contentious May Republican primary for Indiana Senate which, ultimately, gave up his chance to run for re-election in Congress. Republican Jim Baird and Democrat Tobi Beck are on the ticket in November. Rep. Rokita's planned town hall is Sunday, Oct. 21. It starts at 2 p.m. at the Frankfort Neighborhood Center. A spokesperson for Rokita said he has not indicated what the future may hold, but he is focused on finishing out his term. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page CLEVELAND, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) today announced plans to release its fiscal 2019 first quarter financial results on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, before the market opens. The Companys fiscal 2019 first quarter ended September 30, 2018. The quarterly conference call for investors and analysts will begin at 10 a.m. ET on October 31. Neil A. Schrimsher President & CEO, and David K. Wells CFO will discuss the Companys performance. A supplemental investor deck detailing latest quarter results will be available for reference on the Investor Relations portion of the Companys website at www.applied.com. To join the call, dial 877-311-4351 (toll free) or 614-999-9139 (International callers) using conference ID 8295767. A live audio webcast can be accessed online through the investor relations portion of the Companys website at www.applied.com. To help ensure you do not miss any of the conference call, please dial-in or link to the call 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled start. Replays of the call will be made available for two weeks via webcast or telephone by dialing 855-859-2056 or 800-585-8367 (both toll free), or 404-537-3406 (International) using conference ID 8295767. About Applied Founded in 1923, Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, and other industrial supplies, serving MRO and OEM customers in virtually every industry. In addition, Applied provides engineering, design and systems integration for industrial and fluid power applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber, fluid power, and flow control shop services. Applied also offers storeroom services and inventory management solutions that provide added value to its customers. For more information, visit www.applied.com. CONTACT INFORMATION INVESTOR RELATIONS David K. Wells Vice President Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer 216-426-4755 CORPORATE & MEDIA RELATIONS Julie A. Kho Manager, Public Relations 216-426-4483 Business class approach for Ysgol Clywedog! This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Oct 9th, 2018 A local secondary school has teamed up with NEST Cymru and British Gas to help give young people in the area the best life chances. Ysgol Clywedog, based on Ruthin Road, has joined forces with the two companies as part of the Business Class programme; offering schools the chance to work with businesses to make sure the curriculum they deliver and how they are run gives pupils the chance to understand and experience the world of business. It also aims to give students skills that will have a positive impact their future. To do this they use The Four Pillars four different areas that mean the pupils and staff can get the most out of the scheme. Leadership and governance: This is the pillar that gives the school the chance to make the most of business planning and develop new skills. Business leaders can sit on the schools board of governors and share training sessions and management tools. The curriculum: This pillar looks at raising achievement with support across many subjects including numeracy, literacy, IT, STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and the Welsh Baccalaureate. For example, if the aim was to increase the number of girls taking up STEM subjects for GCSE and beyond, they could be given projects the show them how these subjects would be relevant to real life outside school. Enterprise and employability: This step offers support to pupils so that they are ready for the workplace. Problems to address may include lack of aspiration or gaps in key skills like problem solving, communication or leadership. This programme will look at providing things like work placements, mentoring particular pupil groups, acting as role models and running workshops and challenges to improve employability skills. Wider issues: The business and school will work together on any other issues that are relevant to the school. This could be attendance, parental engagement or smoking culture. Support may come in the form of attending parents evenings or primary school transition days, or providing workshops on health and wellbeing. Head teacher, Matthew Vickery, said We are really glad to be part of this project and to have teamed up with NEST Cymru and British Gas. We are already planning the first events for this year and look forward to the partnership and the opportunity it brings. Man arrested for possession of knife in town centre This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Oct 9th, 2018 A knife has been taken off the streets of Wrexham this afternoon. Wrexham Town Police said a 40 year old man seen in possession of a knife in Wrexham town centre has been arrested at Eagles Meadow. They added that no one had been harmed. North Wales Police confirmed to us the man had been arrested for possession of a knife, and also confirmed the knife had been recovered. Vote for your winner now! Wrexham health workers shortlisted for prestigious achievement award This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Oct 9th, 2018 Two health workers who work tirelessly to support mental health and cancer patients in Wrexham have been shortlisted in this years prestigious BCUHB Achievement Awards. Harriet Mallott and Pam Wedley, who both work at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, are amongst 11 health stars across the region who are in the running to receive the Seren Betsi Gold Award. Each month the Seren Betsi Award is presented each month by Chief Executive Gary Doherty to a member of staff, team or volunteer in the Health Board in recognition of their efforts to go above and beyond. But this year for the first time, the public can vote for one of the previous winners of this award, to win an annual Seren Betsi Gold Award. Harriet Mallott has been shortlisted because of her work with older adults with mental health problems; having raised over 2,500 to fund therapeutic activities and new medical equipment for Hydref Ward at the Heddfan Unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Harriet works with the Royal Voluntary Service charity and this year shaved off her long blonde hair and donated it to The Little Princess Trust, a charity which makes real hair wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. Pam Wedley is the senior Macmillion information facilitator based at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. She has demonstrated dedication to cancer patients by improving her Welsh and learning British Sign Language to help her communicate better with patients. Pam has also introduced a vital counselling service and a hair loss service in the cancer information and support centre. She also established memory boxes for the families of palliative care patients and raises the money for these by holding bakery demonstrations in her own time and also collecting donations. You can vote for your winner here with votes closing on October 12th 2018. The winner will be revealed at the BCUHB Achievement Awards on the 9 November 2018 at Venue Cymru. Further information about the nine other nominees across the North Wales health board can be found below: Ysbyty Gwynedd Dewi (Childrens) Ward staff The team were nominated by parents Oswyn and Sarah Williams who are grateful for the outstanding support provided to their son Jack, who has complex care needs after being born in 2016 at 26 weeks old and weighing less than 1kg. The team are also credited with saving Jacks life following a severe choking attack last year. Jack has been admitted to Dewi ward over 20 times in the last year and the Williams praised the dedication of the staff to not only patients, but their families as well. Amanda Durber, Llandudno Hospital Specialist osteoporosis nurse Sister Amanda Durber cares for patients living with osteoporosis and bone-related conditions and works tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for the National Osteoporosis Society. She organised a team-building 206 mile walk across North Wales to raise funds for the charity last year, having previously climbed Snowdon in September 2016. She also organised for Conwy Castle to be bathed in orange light as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the condition. Barry Walkden, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Dementia support worker Barry Walkden, who works on the Care of the Elderly ward at Glan Clwyd Hospital, has shown true dedication to caring for patients. He goes the extra mile even offering to come in during his own time over a weekend so that a patient could be reunited with his pet dog! A relative of a patient said Its not only his help with my dad but his caring, understanding attitude towards us as a family that sets him apart from the rest. The nothing is too much trouble attitude is invaluable and very much appreciated by us all. Eirian Owen, Ysbyty Gwynedd Dementia Support Worker Eirian Owen has been described as a true ray of sunshine putting patients first, working as part of the team and valuing and respecting patients, staff and relatives alike. Her caring attitude and calm, respectful manner always puts patients living with dementia at ease. Nothing is too much trouble for Eirian and patients look forward to seeing her every day. Shes been praised for taking the time to sit and listen to patients and also play games and reminisce with them. Fiona Luff, Colwyn Bay Hospital Speech therapist Fiona has a relentless determination to improve the day to day life of the children in her care and their families say Fionas colleagues. Fiona has developed a potentially life-saving system to minimise the risk of children choking. She worked with schools in Conwy and Denbighshire to develop the innovative colour-coded advice system which immediately alerts lunchtime assistants, teachers, health workers and carers about the needs of children with eating and drinking problems. Fionas innovative work is making a significant difference to many childrens mealtime routines. Liana Shirley Liana is a community-based cardiac imaging specialist helping revolutionise community heart imaging services for residents in rural locations. Liana helps run a mobile clinic that offers patients with potentially life-threatening heart problems access to assessment, diagnosis and treatment close to home, rather than travel to their nearest district general hospital. Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd The team help stroke patients to rehabilitate into family and community life, guiding them along the way. The team consists of a range of experts including occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists, who work together to assess each patient and provide a recovery programme tailored to each individual. Amanda Rossell Smith, Ysbyty Alltwen Podiatrist Amanda Rossell Smith is renowned amongst her colleagues for her experience and high skills levels, her willingness to teach others, and total commitment to improving access to podiatry services in the local community. Through study and extensive personal effort she provides services previously only available in Ysbyty Gwynedd at Ysbyty Alltwen. She is unfailingly kind and enthusiastic and liaises extensively with nursing and primary care colleagues, the renal unit and local social services to ensure her patients are cared for promptly in the most appropriate location. Myra Sutton, Flintshire Dedicated district nurse Myra Sutton stepped in to help when staff could not get to work in the heavy snowfall during December 2017, making sure vulnerable patients who couldnt get out of their homes received their vital medication. Myra showed bravery in battling her way through the atrocious conditions, abandoning her vehicle and walking miles to reach her diabetic and palliative care patients to make sure they were comfortable and had the medical care they needed. At a union-convened meeting last week, workers at Alcoas three aluminium refineries and two bauxite mines in Western Australia voted to end a 53-day strike after the Australian Workers Union (AWU) claimed the company had addressed the issue of job security in talks for a new enterprise agreement (EA). Some 1,500 workers walked off the job on August 8 after EA negotiations, which had been taking place for over a year-and-a-half, stalled. The indefinite stoppage also opposed Alcoas application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC), the federal industrial tribunal, to terminate the existing EA. This would enable the company to force workers onto base industry awards with massive pay reductions and sweeping cuts to conditions. At last weeks meeting at Pinjarra, south of Perth, numbers of workers reportedly spoke passionately against a return to work. The union steamrolled the widespread opposition by fraudulently claiming that Alcoa was committed to guaranteeing full-time jobs. In reality, Alcoas job security pledge is worthless. In line with a proposal from the AWU last month, the company merely said it would not make full-time employees forcibly redundant by outsourcing their work or replacing them with casual hires. This deliberately vague clause will reportedly be included in the companys EA offer, to be voted on by workers later this month. It will do nothing to prevent Alcoa from implementing sweeping workplace changes, including by eliminating full-time jobs through natural attrition and voluntary redundancies. Companies have used similar mechanisms over the past three decades, assisted by the unions, to shed tens of thousands of jobs, including in the resources, mining and manufacturing sectors. Alcoa is persisting with its demand for a modern EA to allow it to manage our operations efficiently and productively and give it the ability to respond to changing market and operating conditions. In other words, the company is determined to secure an agreement that will drive up productivity and slash costs in order to gain a competitive edge in its fight for market share and profits. This was highlighted in media comments by Alcoa Australias managing director Michael Parker last month. He said calls for guarantees against redundancies were not a reasonable expectation and demanded that the company be unshackled from outdated work practices. The AWU has signalled its willingness to work with Alcoa to implement such changes. State secretary Mike Zoetbrood confirmed in August that the union had informed Alcoa it was open to proposals for the removal of minimum staffing levels. In exchange for Alcoas bogus commitment to job security, the union has also agreed to a three-year wage freeze, thereby ensuring that millions more dollars will go into boosting Alcoas profits and the bank accounts of its wealthy shareholders, at the direct expense of workers. AWU state branch president Andy Hacking admitted the unions support for the effective pay cut, telling the media this month: All along we made clear that we were not seeking to improve or extend existing pay and working conditions. The union cynically announced it would not recommend workers accept Alcoas latest EA offer in voting later this month. The AWUs claims that the end of the strike is a victory, however, make clear that the union will do everything it can to suppress opposition and ram through the sell-out deal. As part of this process, the company is maintaining its application to the FWC to terminate the current work agreement, threatening workers with even deeper cuts to wages and conditions. Alcoas attacks on its workforce in Western Australia are part of a worldwide restructure announced by the company in 2009 that included a 13 percent cut to its global workforce, supposedly to offset then falling aluminium prices. Alcoa is now determined to step up its restructuring operation to take advantage of a resurgence in aluminium prices resulting from a global shortage brought about by production cutbacks and by US tariffs on major producers such as China and Russia. This month, the price of aluminium leapt 4 percent to $2,202 a tonne, a three-month high. If the AWU and the company in Australia succeed in pushing through the cost-cutting EA, it will strengthen Alcoas hand to impose similar attacks on jobs, wages and conditions domestically, and around the world, and will help set new exploitative benchmarks for the global industry. Currently, the ABI smelter in Quebec, Canada, majority-owned by Alcoa, is attempting, with the assistance of the United Steelworkers union to force more than 1,000 workers to accept its demand for cuts to jobs and working conditions. The employees have been locked-out since January. All the giant resources and mining companies, with the full support of the unions, justify their demands that workers accept sweeping cuts by arguing they are necessary to ensure international competitiveness. The result is the pitting of workers against one another, and an endless race to the bottom. Alcoa workers in Western Australia, who have demonstrated a determination to fight the companys offensive, should decisively reject the EA as a first step in developing a broad-based industrial and political campaign to defend all jobs and advance wages and working conditions. Such a campaign can be developed only if workers break with the corporatised unions and establish new organisations of struggle, including rank-and-file committees, completely independent of the unions. Such committees would fight to unify mining workers across Australia and turn out to other sections of workers in Canada, China, the US and internationally to begin the organisation of a counter-offensive against the corporate and financial establishment. Above all, what is required is a new political perspective based on the fight for workers governments that would implement socialist policies, including placing basic industry and the banks under public ownership and democratic workers control. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. (TSX-V: LIT, FSE: OAY2 (WKN: A0RK7E), OTC: PNXLF), Argentina Lithium or the Company) announces that on October 5, 2018, the Company received TSX Venture Exchange approval for its proposed share consolidation. Effective as at the opening of trading on October 10, 2018, the consolidated shares of the Company will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) on the basis of 1 (one) post-consolidated common share for every 4 (four) pre-consolidated common shares held (the Consolidation). As at as October 5, 2018, the Company has 76,287,707 shares issued and outstanding. Post consolidation, the Company has 19,071,926 shares issued and outstanding. The Companys new CUSIP number is 04016E202 and the new ISIN number is CA04016E2024. A Letter of Transmittal with respect to the consolidation will be been mailed to the shareholders of the Company. All shareholders with physical certificates in hand will be required to send their respective certificates representing the pre-consolidated common shares along with a completed Letter of Transmittal to the Companys transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. (Computershare), in Toronto, Ontario, all in accordance with the instructions provided in the Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the Letter of Transmittal can be obtained through Computershare (by phone: 1-800-564-6253 or by email: corporateactions@computershare.com ). All Shareholders who submit a duly completed Letter of Transmittal along with their respective pre-consolidated share certificate(s) to Computershare will receive in return a post-consolidated share certificate. About Argentina Lithium Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp is focused on acquiring high quality lithium projects in Argentina, and advancing them towards production in order to meet the growing global demand from the battery sector. The management group has a long history of success in the resource sector of Argentina, and has assembled a first rate team of experts to acquire and advance the best lithium properties in the world renowned Lithium Triangle. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Nikolaos Cacos ___________________________________ Nikolaos Cacos, President, CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Tel: 1-604-687-1828 Toll-Free: 1-800-901-0058 Email: info@argentinalithium.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. On October 7, David North, International Editorial Board chairman of the World Socialist Web Site, delivered the following lecture to a well-attended public meeting in Colombo, organised by the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka). The meeting, the second of two held in Sri Lanka, was called to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Fourth International and the 50th anniversary of the SEP in Sri Lanka. It is a pleasure and an honor to have the opportunity to lecture in Sri Lanka on the history of the Fourth International. The heroic role played by Ceylonese revolutionary socialists in the early years of the Fourth International is well known by Trotskyists throughout the world. In the face of immense difficulties, the pioneer Trotskyists who founded the Lanka Sama Samaja Party in 1935, and later, in 1942, the Bolshevik-Leninist Party of India, opposed the political agents of imperialism in the Indian and Ceylonese national bourgeoisie. Their political perspective was based on the theory of permanent revolution, which had been elaborated by Leon Trotsky in the first decade of the twentieth century, and which provided the political strategy that guided the Russian working class to victory in 1917. In 1939, Trotsky addressed a letter to the workers of India. With his characteristic grasp of history and the dynamic of the class struggle, Trotsky summed up the essential strategical issues that confronted the masses of the Indian sub-continent: The Indian bourgeoisie is incapable of leading a revolutionary struggle. They are closely bound up with and dependent upon British capitalism. They tremble for their own property. They stand in fear of the masses. They seek compromises with British imperialism no matter what the price and lull the Indian masses with hopes of reforms from above. The leader and prophet of this bourgeoisie is Gandhi. A fake leader and a false prophet! Trotsky denounced the treacherous role played by the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union, which demanded, under the banner of the so-called Peoples Front, the subordination of the working class to the national bourgeoisie. He wrote: What a mockery of the people! Peoples Front is only a new name for that old policy, the gist of which lies in class collaboration, in a coalition between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. In every such coalition, the leadership invariably turns out to be in the hands of the right wing, that is, in the hands of the propertied class. The Indian bourgeoisie, as has already been stated, wants a peaceful horse trade and not a struggle. Coalition with the bourgeoisie leads to the proletariats abnegating the revolutionary struggle against imperialism. The policy of coalition implies marking time on one spot, temporizing, cherishing false hopes, engaging in hollow maneuvers and intrigues. As a result of this policy disillusionment inevitably sets in among the working masses, while the peasants turn their backs on the proletariat, and fall into apathy. The founders of the LSSP heeded this warning, opposed the national bourgeoisie, and created a powerful revolutionary party of the working class in Ceylon. But in 1964, with tragic consequences, the LSSP turned its back on its founding principles, and entered into a coalition with the SLFP government of Madam Bandaranaike. It was in struggle against this Great Betrayal that the Revolutionary Communist Leaguethe predecessor of Socialist Equality Party, the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth Internationalwas founded in 1968. For a half century, the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee has waged an uncompromising struggle to overcome the legacy of the betrayal of 1964. But in waging this fight, it has never forgotten the great contribution that the founders of the BLPI and LSSP originally made to the cause of revolutionary socialism, not only in Sri Lanka, but throughout the world. The importance of studying history My lectures in Sri Lanka are part of an international celebration of the eightieth anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International. The Trotskyist movement is, of necessity, conscious of history. In the absence of a historically-grounded perspective, political analysis is degraded to the level of eclectically selected impressions. Serious politicsand revolutionary activity is politics at its most seriousrequires a scientific method. In navigation there is an instrument called the sextant. Its invention enabled a captain to precisely establish his ships position by measuring the angular distance between the visible horizon and an astronomical object. In the process of political navigation, the revolutionary party must correlate the visible political horizon with a critical historical reference point. A political opponent of the International Committee by the name of Said Gafurovwho is also a supporter of the Putin government in Russiahas recently protested against our harping on the crimes and betrayals carried out by the Stalinists. Why can we not just let bygones be bygones, and find ways to work together with the political heirs of Stalin? Why should we let past crimes and betrayals get in the way of collaborating today? After all, our opponent complains, Trotsky was assassinated in 1940, seventy-eight years ago; and Stalin died in 1953, sixty-five years ago. The Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, twenty-seven years ago. Why is it still necessary to recall Trotskys references to the river of blood that divided the Fourth International from the Stalinists, who, during the late 1930s, carried out a campaign of political genocide against the finest representatives of revolutionary Marxism in the Soviet Union? This opponent declared that today the differences and contradictions between Trotskyism and Stalinism have only a historical, not a political character, no more relevant to the present than the differences between Robespierre and Hebert or Danton which are only of interest to historians. These differences, our opponent asserts, are important to study, but only for the sake of historical lessons (and history, to be honest and slightly cynical, never teaches anyone anything.) The argument being made by our opponent is that history and politics exist in different and unrelated spheres. The study of history may be of some abstract intellectual interest. But it teaches us nothing that is of any particular value for our present day practical political activity. Those who argue in this way have absolutely nothing in common with Marxist politics. The revolutionary movement develops its program and activity through the continuous critical reworking of historical experience. Without a historical reference point, it is impossible to navigate through the turbulent currents of the class struggle. Moreover, how can a revolutionary party train its young cadres, and the working class as a whole, without studying the monumental revolutionary events of the past century? The twentieth century was the most revolutionary in history. On every continent the oppressed masses were drawn into the vortex of struggle against capitalism and imperialism. The century witnessed, in 1917, for the first time in history, the conquest of political power by the working class, under the leadership of the Bolshevik Party. Mass communist parties emerged throughout the world, reflecting the desire and determination of the working class to put an end to capitalism and establish a socialist society. And yet, by the end of the century, despite all the struggles and sacrifices, the capitalist class held power throughout the world. The Soviet Union, which arose out of the 1917 revolution, had been dissolved by its own government. In China, the ruling Communist Party became the most ferocious advocate of capitalist economics. We now live in a world of staggering levels of social inequality. How is this process of political regression to be explained? All over the world, outrage over existing conditions is mounting. Capitalism is once again becoming a dirty word. There is a renewal of interest in socialism, as an alternative to the existing social order. But, it must be stated bluntly, what is clearly absent amidst this progressive striving is knowledge of the great political experiences and revolutionary struggles of the past century. The very word revolution lacks substantial content, in terms of an understanding of its social foundations, class dynamics and political strategy. Young people, born in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of capitalism in China, have little knowledge of how these events came about, let alone a detailed knowledge of the histories of the Russian and Chinese revolutions. They are not familiar with the actual theoretical and political content of terms such as Stalinism, Maoism, or, for that matter, Castroism. Of course, young people all over the world are familiar with the romantic and evocative image of Che Guevara, but they know nothing of his political strategy and programwhich were, if I may speak frankly, utterly bankrupt. The impact of academic attacks on Marxism Of course, young people cannot be blamed for their limited knowledge of the revolutionary upheavals of the past century. From whom and from where are they to acquire the necessary knowledge? The capitalist media certainly will not dispense knowledge that may contribute to the overthrow of the existing social order. But what about the universities, with their many learned professors? Unfortunately, the intellectual environment has been for many decades deeply hostile to genuine socialist theory and politics. Marxist theoryrooted in philosophical materialismwas long ago banished from the major universities. Academic discourse is dominated by the Freudian pseudo-science and idealist subjectivism of the Frankfurt School and the irrationalist gibberish of post-modernism. Professors inform their students that the Grand Narrative of Marxism is without relevance in the modern world. What they actually mean is that the materialist conception of history, which established the central and decisive revolutionary role of the working class in capitalist society, cannot and should not be the basis of left-wing politics. For the theoreticians and practitioners of middle-class pseudo-left politics, there is no need to study the history of the revolutionary struggles of the past. Its lessons contradict all their politically opportunist and reactionary nostrums. Indeed, Trotsky is anathema in these intellectual circles. But it is impossible to fight for socialism in the twenty-first century without studying and assimilating the lessons of Trotskys struggle against Stalinism in the twentieth century. This remains the fundamental theoretical and political struggle of the last century, of the most profound and immediate significance to every critical issue of political strategy that confronts workers and all those seeking seriously the correct path of struggle against capitalism in the contemporary world. That is why it is necessary to give a brief summary of the historical and political origins of the Fourth International. The significance of Trotskys struggle against Stalinism The founding of the Fourth International in September 1938 is a critical milestone in the history of the Trotskyist movement, the political culmination of the struggle that Leon Trotsky had waged over the previous fifteen yearsbeginning with the formation of the Left Opposition in the Soviet Union in October 1923against the bureaucratic degeneration of the Russian Communist Party under the leadership of Stalin. The far-reaching international implications of Trotskys struggle against the Stalinist regime emerged in late 1924, when Stalin advanced the claim that it was possible to build socialism in the Soviet Union apart from the international struggle against the world capitalist system, and without the successful revolutionary overthrow of the capitalist ruling class in the major imperialist centers of Western Europe and North America. The program of socialism in one countrya fundamental break with the internationalist strategy that underlay the Bolshevik Partys conquest of power and the subsequent founding of the Communist International in 1919gave political expression to the interests of the growing bureaucracy within the Soviet Union, whose privileges were derived from its usurpation of political power and the exploitation, in its own interests, of the resources of the nationalized economy created in the aftermath of 1917. The totalitarian dictatorship established by Stalin was the political meansmurderously suppressing Marxist revolutionaries and employing police terror as its basic instrumentby which the bureaucracy defended its privileges and enforced social inequality within the Soviet Union. The nationalist degeneration of the Soviet regime found its most devastating impact in the transformation of the Communist International into an instrument of Soviet foreign policy. In seeking to defend the nationalist orientation implicit in the theory of socialism in one country, the Stalinist bureaucracy claimed that socialism could be built in the USSR, as long as military intervention by the imperialist powers was forestalled. Thus, the aim of the Communist International was redirected toward the search for and cultivation of foreign allies, even if the forging of these alliances came at the expense of the revolutionary struggles of the working class in the countries where the Stalinist regime was seeking alliances with bourgeois and petty bourgeois forces. The tragedy of the Chinese revolution The political consequences of the subordination of the Communist International to the national opportunism of the Soviet bureaucracy found tragic expression in China, where Stalin had insisted that the Chinese Communist Party accept the political authority of the bourgeois Kuomintang and its leader, Chiang Kai-shek. Stalin had come to view Chiang as a potential ally, and portrayed him as a trusted leader of the anti-imperialist struggle in China. The working class, Stalin argued, was obligated to support the progressive sections of the national bourgeoisie. Trotsky rejected Stalins efforts to portray the national bourgeoisie in countries with a belated capitalist development as more revolutionary than the capitalist class in the advanced countries. Trotsky stressed that this viewin essence, a revival of the position of the Russian Mensheviks prior to 1917was based on a false assessment of the class dynamics in the colonial and semi-colonial countries. He wrote: The powerful role of foreign capital in the life of China has caused very strong sections of the Chinese bourgeoisie, the bureaucracy and the military to join their destiny with that of imperialism. Without this tie, the enormous role of the so-called militarists in the life of modern China would be inconceivable. It would further be profound naivete to believe that an abyss lies between the so-called comprador bourgeoisie, that is, the economic and political agency of foreign capital in China, and the so-called national bourgeoisie. No, these two sections stand incomparably closer to each other than the bourgeoisie and the masses of workers and peasants. Trotskys analysis was vindicated by events. Chiang proceeded in April 1927 to carry out the slaughter of the Communists in Shanghai and Canton, delivering a blow from which the Chinese Communist Party never recovered. In the aftermath of this catastrophe, the Chinese Communist Party, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, retreated from the cities and moved into the countryside. This shift profoundly changed the class composition and orientation of the Chinese Communist Party, which, from 1927 on, based itself primarily on the rural peasantry, rather than the urban working class. The Maoist orientation would prove, in subsequent decades, to be a source of grave political disorientation and strategic errors by those organizations, including the JVP here in Sri Lanka, that adopted the peasant orientation of the Chinese CP. Despite the political disaster in China, Trotsky continued to fight for the reform of the Soviet Communist Party. In 1928, Trotskywho had been expelled in 1927 from the Russian Communist Party and from the Communist Internationalwas living in exile in Alma Ata, a town in Soviet Central Asia, near the border of China. But even in remote exile, thousands of miles from Moscow, Trotsky remained a master of revolutionary strategy. He obtained a copy of the program that had been drafted by Nikolai Bukharinwho was then allied with Stalinas the main document of the upcoming Sixth Congress of the Communist International. Trotsky subjected this document, based on the theory of socialism in one country, to a devastating critique; and upheld revolutionary internationalism, the foundation of the theory of permanent revolution, as the basic strategic orientation of the Marxist movement. He wrote: In our epoch, which is the epoch of imperialism, i.e., of world economy and world politics under the hegemony of finance capital, not a single communist party can establish its program by proceeding solely or mainly from conditions and tendencies of developments in its own country. This also holds entirely for the party that wields the state power within the boundaries of the USSR. On August 4, 1914 [The beginning of World War I], the death knell sounded for national programs for all time. The revolutionary party of the proletariat can base itself only upon an international program corresponding to the character of the present epoch, the epoch of the highest development and collapse of capitalism. An international communist program is in no case the sum total of national programs or an amalgam of their common features. Trotsky continued: The international program must proceed directly from an analysis of the conditions and tendencies of world economy and of the world political system taken as a whole in all its connections and contradictions, that is, with the mutually antagonistic interdependence of its separate parts. In the present epoch, to a much larger extent than in the past, the national orientation of the proletariat must and can flow only from a world orientation and not vice versa. Herein lies the basic and primary difference between communist internationalism and all varieties of national socialism. Even after the passage of 90 years, Trotskys analysis of the dynamic of socialist revolution, of the primacy of international over national conditions, remains the essential strategic principle of the struggle for socialism. As the fortuitous result of a bureaucratic error, Trotskys Critique of the Draft Program was translated into English; and it came accidentally into the possession of an American and a Canadian delegate to the Sixth Congress, James P. Cannon and Maurice Spector. They smuggled Trotskys document out of the USSR. This led to the formation of the International Left Opposition. The fight against the Stalinist national degeneration of the Soviet Communist Party was expanded into a struggle against the degeneration of the Communist International. Germany: The key to the international situation Between 1928 and 1933, the International Left Opposition considered itself a faction of the Communist International. Its activities were directed toward the revolutionary reorientation of the Stalinist dominated International and parties. Trotsky was not willing to abandon the Communist International as long as there remained the possibility of bringing about a change in its policies. A major factor in Trotskys political calculations was the crisis in Germany, which he described as the key to the international situation. In January 1929, Trotsky was deported from the Soviet Union to the Turkish island of Prinkipo. He now lived as a stateless exile on what he referred to as a planet without a visa. But despite his isolation on an island off the coast of Istanbul, Trotsky developed an analysis of the situation in Germany that was extraordinarily prescient. He called for the formation of a united front of the German Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party against the fascist menace. The Nazi party had become a mass movement. Were it to come to power, Trotsky warned, the results would be a political catastrophe for the international working class. Everything had to be done to block the Nazis march to power. But this required a change in the reckless, utterly disoriented, and unbelievably stupid policies of the German Communist Party. Following blindly the line set in Moscow, the German Communist Party not only refused to form a united front with the other mass workers party, the Social Democratic Party, it claimed that the SPDwhich still commanded the support of millions of workerswas a social-fascist organization, all but identical to the Nazis. As there was, it claimed, no difference between the SPD and the Nazis, no common defensive actions between the two mass workers parties against Hitlers forces were permissible. As Trotsky had warned, the policies of the Communist Party cleared Hitlers path to power. With the critical support of high-placed bourgeois politicians, Hitler became chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. The Nazi regime moved quickly to destroywithout any organized resistancethe mass organizations of the working class. Despite this historically-unprecedented political disaster, the Communist Partywithout any opposition within the Communist Internationalcontinued to insist that its policies had been correct. The German catastrophe compelled Trotsky to alter his approach to the struggle against Stalinism. He concluded that the reform of the Communist International was impossible. The Third International was dead as a revolutionary organization. It was necessary to build the Fourth International. Trotskys founding of the Fourth International Trotskys call for the creation of a Fourth International was linked to his assessment of the Soviet regime. He concluded that the reform of the bureaucratic regime was impossible. The bureaucracy had become a counter-revolutionary social force, ruthlessly defending its privileges through the suppression of the working class within the Soviet Union; and cynically betraying the struggles of the working class beyond the borders of the USSR. The evolution of the Soviet Union toward socialism required the overthrow of the Stalinist regime in a political revolution. Only through a revolutionary uprising of the Soviet working class and the overthrow of the bureaucracy would it be possible to re-establish Soviet democracy and prevent the destruction of the Soviet Union and the reintroduction of capitalism. The five years between Trotskys call for the formation of the Fourth International in 1933 and the founding congress in 1938 were among the most tragic in the history of the socialist movement. Despite the unprecedented crisis of the world capitalist system, the working class suffered a series of disastrous defeats. The cause of the defeats was not an absence of the will to struggle. Rather, the years between 1933 and 1938 witnessed an immense upsurge in the class struggle. In 1936 France was convulsed by strikes of an incipiently revolutionary character. In May and June, there were more than 12,000 strikes involving more than two million workers, affecting virtually every section of industry. The most militant actions involved the seizure of factories by revolutionary minded workers. In July 1936, Spanish and Catalan workers responded to an attempted coup detat by fascist-minded generals, led by Francisco Franco, with a mighty uprising. But in both France and Spain, the initial victories of the working class ended in demoralization and defeat. The political instrument of the defeats was the Popular Front,that is, the alliance of the Stalinist and social democratic parties and trade unions with the bourgeoisie. The explicit basis of this alliance was the defense of capitalist property against the revolutionary aspirations of the working class. The Stalinists insisted that the fight against fascism consisted of nothing more than the defense of bourgeois democracy. The working class, the Stalinists insisted, could only fight fascism in an alliance with the liberal democratic sections of the capitalist class. It was, therefore, impermissible to advance and fight for a socialist program, for it would alienate the democratic capitalists and drive them into the camp of the fascists. The counter-revolutionary significance of the Popular Front found its fullest expression in Spain, where the Stalinist party, controlled by agents of the Soviet secret police, the GPU, hunted down and murdered those who insisted that the defeat of Franco required the mobilization of the working class and the peasantry on the basis of a revolutionary program. The Stalinists ensured the victory of Franco. As Stalin was carrying out the betrayal of the working class beyond the borders of the USSR, his Great Terror within the Soviet Unionepitomized by three public trials in Moscow between 1936 and 1938involved the physical extermination of an entire generation of Marxist revolutionaries. These were the conditions under which Trotsky founded the Fourth International. His insistence on the necessity of a new International encountered opposition from those who claimed that his condemnation of the Stalinist regime was too uncompromising and absolute. Another criticism was that the Trotskyist movement was too small to establish a new International, and that, moreover, an International could only be founded on the basis of great events. Trotsky answered his critics by insisting that the founding of the Fourth International was, indeed, based on great events: the greatest defeats of the working class in history. These defeats had exposed the treachery and political worthlessness of the old organizations. Moreover, the critical issue was not the size of a party, but the quality of its programthat is, whether or not the program advanced by the Fourth International was based on a correct appraisal of the nature of the historical epoch and the correct formulation of the political tasks of the working class. Of course, the question of size is not unimportant. The overthrow of capitalism cannot be accomplished through a conspiracy of a handful of people. The socialist revolution requires the conscious participation of great masses of people. But it is an axiom of Marxism that theory can only become a material force, in a historically progressive and revolutionary sense, if the program of the party identifies and articulates objective necessity. Those parties that are based on a false appraisal of objective conditions, whose program does not correspond to the demands of the historical epoch, must eventually suffer, whatever their ephemeral successes, political shipwreck. The persistence of the Fourth International What, then, accounts for the historical persistence of the Fourth International? Above all, it is the correspondence of the analysis and program of the Fourth International with the objective character of the epoch. The founding document of the Fourth International defined the present historical epoch as that of the death agony of capitalism. Trotsky wrote: The economic prerequisite for the proletarian revolution has already in general achieved the highest point of fruition that can be reached under capitalism. Mankinds productive forces stagnate. Already new inventions and improvements fail to raise the level of material wealth. Conjunctural crises under the conditions of the social crisis of the whole capitalist system inflict ever heavier deprivations and sufferings upon the masses. Growing unemployment, in its turn, deepens the financial crisis of the state and undermines the unstable monetary systems. Democratic regimes, as well as fascist, stagger on from one bankruptcy to another. Trotskys warnings of a catastrophe were realized. The Second World War, which erupted exactly one year after the founding of the Fourth International, claimed more than sixty million lives. With the indispensable assistance of the Stalinist parties, the capitalist class was able to survivethrough a combination of political compromises, tactical concessions and, when absolutely necessary, ruthless repressionthe upheavals that swept the globe in the aftermath of the war. For several decades, rebuilding upon the ruins of war, capitalism experienced a substantial economic growth. But the fundamental contradictionsbetween social production and private ownership of the productive forces, between the integrated character of the world economy and the nation-state systempersisted. The dissolution of the Stalinist regimes in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union was universally hailed by the ruling elites and their media propagandists and academic apologists as the triumph of capitalism over socialism. The triumphalism of the 1990s was based on two lies: that the Stalinist regimes were socialist and that the contradictions of capitalism had been somehow overcome. But, in light of the experiences of the past 30 years, it is evident that the celebrations of capitalisms triumph were, to say the least, premature. The ruling elites had proclaimed that in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Stalinist regimes, capitalism would bestow upon humanity peace, prosperity and universal democracy. The reality has proved very different. Beginning with the American invasion of Iraq in 1991 and the civil war in Yugoslavia, there has been endless military conflict. The War on Terrorlaunched after the events of 9/11is now in its eighteenth year, with no end in sight. Rather, the intensification of geopolitical rivalries and conflicts is leading, inexorably, to the outbreak of a Third World War. The United States has made it clear that it will not allow China to replace it as the principal world power, even if it must use military force to counter the rise of China. At the same time, the United States is on a collision course with Russia, which Washington views as an obstacle to its plans to dominate Eurasia and the Middle East. Only last week, the US ambassador to NATO declared that the United States was prepared to carry out a preemptive strike against Russia to counter what it claims to be the illegal development of offensive weapons. Such an open threat is a dangerous escalation of the conflict between the two most heavily nuclear-armed powers. The world is moving to the very brink of a nuclear war, whose lethal consequences defy description. Against the backdrop of escalating international violence, social tensions are mounting in every countryand especially in the advanced capitalist countries, including the United States. The underlying causes of the tensions are persistent economic crisis and staggering levels of social inequality. Less than a dozen billionaires possess more wealth than half the worlds population. Jeff Bezos, the owner of Amazon, has a personal fortune estimated at $150 billion. In the course of just one hour, the millions that are added to his fortune constitute a substantial multiple of the total amount of money that will be earned by the average worker in the course of a lifetime. Social inequality and the breakdown of democracy Social inequality inevitability generates social and class conflict. At a certain point, the social tension becomes so extreme that the mechanisms of democracy begin to break down. This is the situation that is now emerging throughout the world. The election of Donald Trump as president of the United States is the symptom of a systemic breakdown of the long-established democratic political structures through which the capitalist class has ruled. There is widespread discussion of the danger of fascism returning to power. In How Democracy Dies, the authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt write forlornly: Is our democracy in danger? It is a question we never thought wed be asking Over the past two years, we have watched politicians say and do things that are unprecedented in the United Statesbut that we recognize as having been the precursors of democratic crisis in other places. We feel dread, as do so many other Americans, even though we try to reassure ourselves that things cant really be that bad here. Yet, we worry. Are we living through the decline and fall of one of the worlds oldest and most successful democracies? Madeleine Albright, the former US secretary of state, has written a book, titled Fascism: A Warning, in which she provides the following simplistic explanation for the resurgence of the extreme right in the United States: If we think of fascism as a wound from the past that had almost healed, putting Trump in the White House was like ripping off the bandage and picking at the scab. But this political diagnosis ignores the fact that the resurgence of authoritarianism is a world-wide phenomenon. In The People Versus Democracy, Yascha Mounk calls attention to the global scale of the revival of fascist movements: It is tempting, for example, to see Donald Trump as a uniquely American phenomenon. And yet, the real nature of the threat Trump poses can only be understood in a much wider context: that of the far-right populists who have been gaining strength in every major democracy, from Athens to Ankara, from Sydney to Stockholm, and from Warsaw to Wellington. Despite the obvious differences between the populists who are on the rise in all these countries, their commonalities go deepand render each of them a danger to the political system in surprisingly similar ways. Another recently published book, How Fascism Works, by Jason Stanley, calls attention to the global character of the growth of right-wing extremism: In recent years, multiple countries across the world have been overtaken by certain kinds of far-right nationalism; the list includes Russia, Poland, India, Turkey and the United States I have chosen the label fascism for ultranationalism of some variety (ethnic, religious, cultural), with the nation represented in the person of an authoritarian leader who speaks on its behalf. The most dangerous manifestation of the fascist resurgence is provided by recent developments in Germany, where the Nazismore than seventy years after the collapse of the Third Reich and end of World War IIare once again emerging as a serious political force. Nazi demonstrators, chanting racist and antisemitic slogans, have marched through the streets of Chemnitz and Dortmund. What makes these demonstrations particularly significant is not their size. The Nazis are still a relatively small political force, and are despised within Germany. But the Nazis enjoy powerful patrons at the highest levels of the German state. Following the demonstration in Chemnitz, the interior minister of the ruling coalition government, Horst Seehofer, expressed his warm sympathy for the Nazi mob. The head of the Ministry for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans Georg Maassen, denieddespite video evidence to the contrarythat the mob had threatened foreign bystanders who were witnessing the demonstration. What is to account for the revival of Nazism in Germany, the very country which experienced the full horrors of the Third Reich? All over the country there are countless memorials that pay tribute to the memory of the victims of Hitlerism. But, like a disease that has been in remission but not cured, the old symptoms are once again manifesting themselves. Trotsky, who produced the greatest analysis of fascism, insisted that this political scourge was rooted in the contradictions of capitalism, and that the breakdown of bourgeois democracybeneath the pressure of global economic crisis, international geopolitical tensions, and domestic social conflictwas an irreversible process. Democracy cannot be rescued and restored to health on the basis of capitalism. All the warnings made by Trotsky in the 1930s, when he denounced the treacherous politics of Popular Frontismwhich subordinated the working class to the so-called liberal and progressive bourgeois parties and, thereby, assured the victory of fascismacquire immense contemporary relevance. In 1936, Trotsky wrote: By lulling the workers and peasants with parliamentary illusions, by paralyzing their will to struggle, the Peoples Front creates the favorable conditions for the victory of fascism. The policy of coalition with the bourgeoisie must be paid for by the proletariat with years of new torments and sacrifices, if not by decades of fascist terror. All of Trotskys warnings were realized. The Peoples Front (or Popular Front) ended in disasters that cost the lives of tens of millions of people between 1939 and 1945. And yet, the enemies of Trotskyismi.e., the pseudo-left political frauds who dismiss the lessons of historyadvocate today the same policies that were responsible for the catastrophes of the 1930s and 1940s. Professor Chantal Mouffe, who is among the most celebrated of contemporary pseudo-left theorists, advocates a Left Populism, which is nothing more than the latest version of neo-Stalinist popular front class collaboration. Calling openly for the rejection of essentialist left politics based on the revolutionary role of the working class and the centrality of its struggle against capitalist exploitation, Mouffe asserts that Left Populism does not require a revolutionary break with the liberal democratic regime. She writes that it is possible to bring about a transformation of the existing hegemonic order without destroying liberal-democratic institutions. The capitalist-imperialist statethe brutal and massively armed guardian of exploitation, oppression, and inequalityshould be left intact. And, so, what is Professor Mouffes alternative to the Marxist program for the revolutionary overthrow by the working class of the capitalist state, the expropriation of the capitalist oligarchs, and the abolition of private ownership of the means of production and finance? She writes: A left populist approach should try to provide a different vocabulary and a different language that might appeal to supporters of right-wing parties! Is it possible to imagine a more blatant expression of political bankruptcy? Professor Mouffe would have us believe that the danger of fascism can be combatted without mobilizing the working class on the basis of a revolutionary program. It is merely necessary to decorate reformism with a new vocabulary. The crisis of revolutionary leadership The political alternatives that present themselves in the epoch of the death agony of capitalism are either fascist barbarism or socialist revolution. The triumph of one or the other will determine the future of mankind. The victory of fascism means the death of human civilization. The victory of the socialist revolution opens up the possibility of a revival and flowering of human civilization on a new and glorious level. That is the choice before us. Surveying the vicissitudes of the revolutionary struggles of the first decades of the twentieth century, and seeking to explain the cause of the many defeats that had followed the great victory of October 1917, Trotsky identified the crisis of the revolutionary leadership as the basic problem of the epoch. The objective conditions existed for the victory of socialism. But what remained was the unresolved problem of subjective leadership. This remains the fundamental task of our epoch. The opponents of Trotskyismparticularly among the representatives of the countless varieties of petty-bourgeois pseudo-left politicshabitually attack the Fourth International as sectarian. They cannot abide the refusal of the International Committee to tie itself, as the petty-bourgeois pseudo-left has, to the apron strings of the ruling class. Incensed by our adherence to principles, our opponents point to the fact that the Trotskyist movement has not recruited millions to its ranks. A refrain popular among our enemies is that The Fourth International was proclaimed by Trotsky, but never built. With this sentence they separate the evolution of the Fourth International from the entire history of the class struggle over the last eighty years. They prefer to forget that the parties and organizations favored by the pseudo-leftthe Stalinists, the Maoists, the bourgeois nationalists, the labor bureaucraciessought to block the development of the Fourth International by slandering, imprisoning, and murdering Trotskyists. And what do our opponents offer as an alternative to the Fourth International? If they attempted to commemorate the last eighty, forty, or even twenty years of their political activities, to what political achievements could they proudly point? The Stalinists can point to the ruins of the Soviet Union and the subsequent economic rape of Russia. The Maoists can point to the transformation of China into a focal point of global capitalism, the home of dozens of newly minted billionaires. The Castroites can point to how Cuba is again a haven for American tourists, whose dollars are essential for the survival of the local economy. The Social Democratic parties are virtually indistinguishable from the traditional right-wing parties of the bourgeoisie. The example of Corbyn in Britain only proves again that the social democratic organizations cannot be transformed into instruments of the struggle for socialism. Indeed, they cannot even be transformed any longer into instruments of mild social reforms. What all these organizations have in common, to recall the phrase employed by Trotsky, is that they are rotten through and through. The Fourth International was founded by Trotsky to resolve the crisis of revolutionary leadership in the working class. He understood that the political tasks posed in the epoch of capitalisms death agony would not be easily accomplished. In May 1940, just three months before his assassination by an agent of the Stalinist regime, Trotsky wrote: The capitalist world has no way out, unless a prolonged death agony is so considered. It is necessary to prepare for long years, if not decades, of war, uprisings, brief interludes of truce, new wars, and new uprisings. A young revolutionary party must base itself on this perspective. Mankind has passed, as Trotsky anticipated, through decades of war, uprisings, brief interludes of truce, new wars and new uprisings. Defending the heritage of Marxism as a politically-persecuted minority under the most unfavorable conditions, the Fourth International, under the leadership of the International Committee, has accumulated immense experience. Events have vindicated its historical perspective. Now, at this late and very advanced stage of the death agony of capitalism, the conditions now exist to build the Fourth International as the mass World Party of Socialist Revolution. A three-hundred strong audience gathered at the New Town Hall in Colombo on Sunday to hear a lecture delivered by David North, the Chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site. The lectures theme was The Lessons of History and the Contemporary Struggle for Socialism. North, who is also chairperson of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the US, was in the country at the invitation of the SEP (Sri Lanka). Four days earlier, on October 3, he delivered a lecture on the same theme at Peradeniya University in Kandy, which also drew enthusiastic support. These two events were part of a series of lectures being organised by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) around the world, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International by Leon Trotsky in 1938. The Colombo meeting also celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Sri Lankan SEP. In response to a vigorous campaign waged by the membership of the SEP and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, the meeting was attended by many workers, students and socially conscious intellectuals, from several parts of the island. Significantly, a large contingent of SEP and IYSSE members and supporters travelled 250 miles, from the war-ravaged north of the island, to attend the Colombo event. Wije Dias, the General Secretary of the Sri Lankan SEP, chaired the meeting. He noted that the 80th anniversary of the FI was taking place at a critical turning point in the international class struggle: On the one hand, Dias declared, the major imperialist powers are driving towards a third world war, which will be fought with nuclear weapons, while, at the same time, the ruling classes in every country are establishing repressive, authoritarian regimes. On the other hand, in opposition to these war preparations, the working class this year has entered a wave of class struggles, beginning in the US, then sweeping into Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and the Far East. The speaker insisted, What is breaking down is the capitalist world economic system. An alternative social system must be built. This could only be accomplished, Dias said, by building a world federation of socialist republics, under the leadership of the working class, which must rally all the oppressed masses. Wije Dias Dias pointed out that Sri Lanka is a prime example of the disastrous consequences for the workers and oppressed masses that result from the abandonment of the program of international socialism. He referred to the betrayal carried out by the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) in 1964, with the blessing of the Pabloite revisionists. The SEP, he explained, had been established as the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL) in 1968, to raise the flag of international socialism once again. Dias continued: We commemorate this history, because its lessons are essential for todays class struggles. The most basic of these lessons is the need to establish the political independence of the working class, fighting for an international socialist program and a socialist republic of Sri Lanka and Eelam, as part of a socialist republic of South Asia. Introducing North, Dias pointed out that he was an authority on the history of the Trotskyist movement and had given decisive leadership to the ICFI, particularly after the 1985-86 split with the Workers Revolutionary Party renegades. Dias referred to the transformation of the ICFIs leagues to parties in the mid-1990s, and the founding of the World Socialist Web Site in 1998, as the organ of the world Trotskyist movement. He also displayed a number of important books authored by North. A section of the audience in Colombo At the outset of his lecture, North insisted on the critical significance of the lessons of history in the struggle for socialism today: The revolutionary movement develops its program and activity through the continuous, critical reworking of historical experience. Without a historical reference point, it is impossible to navigate through the turbulent currents of the class struggle. Moreover, how can a revolutionary party train its young cadres, and the working class as a whole, without studying the monumental revolutionary events of the past century? The ICFI leader explained the necessity of studying and assimilating the lessons of Trotskys struggle against Stalinism, which remains the fundamental theoretical and political struggle of the last century, of the most profound and immediate significance to every critical issue of political strategy that confronts workers, and all those seriously seeking the correct path of struggle against capitalism in the contemporary world. North went on to provide a brief summary of the historical and political origins of the Fourth International. North pointed out how the imperialist forces, mainly the US, have brought the world to the brink of a nuclear Third World War, in direct contrast to the proclamations made by the ruling elites, in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Stalinist regimes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, that capitalism would bestow upon humanity peace, prosperity and universal democracy. North then pointed to the widespread discussion of the danger of fascism returning to power, citing from several recently published books on the subject. Referring to the failure of any of these authors to explain the real root cause for such an upsurge of right-wing fascistic forces, North said: Trotsky, who produced the greatest analysis of fascism, insisted that this political scourge was rooted in the contradictions of capitalism, and that the breakdown of bourgeois democracybeneath the pressure of global economic crisis, international geopolitical tensions, and domestic social conflictwas an irreversible process. The political alternatives that present themselves in the epoch of the death agony of capitalism, North continued, are either fascist barbarism or socialist revolution. The triumph of one or another will determine the future of mankind. The triumph of fascism means the death of human civilization. The victory of the socialist revolution opens up the possibility of a revival and flowering of human civilization on a new and glorious level. That is the choice before us. David North addressing the Colombo meeting North also delivered greetings to the SEP on its fiftieth anniversaryfrom the SEP in the US, and on behalf of the ICFI, and declared that the Sri Lankan party had steadfastly fought for an international socialist perspective, under enormously difficult conditions. At the conclusion of the lecture North replied to questions raised by the audience. His answers were very well received. For the convenience of the audience, the lecture was simultaneously translated from English into the Sinhala and Tamil languages. Several participants spoke to WSWS reporters both before and after the meeting. Keshani Keshani, a student at the University of Colombo, said she previously had not believed in socialism, thinking that it was not practical. But after long discussions with SEP campaigners at the university, Im now convinced about the growing opportunity for socialism in this world situation. The international perspective that your party represents has particularly strengthened my interest towards socialism. No other so-called socialists speak about a socialist program anymore. Referring to Norths lecture, Keshani said she had learned a lot and had received answers to many questions. The necessity of learning the lessons of history and basing ourselves on international perspectives was well explained. I am enthusiastic. The attacks of capitalism under globalisation must be confronted by organizing workers internationally. Keshani said the history of the LSSPs betrayal in Sri Lanka was new to her, but that it was an important lesson. I am ready to discuss these things and take the initiative, she said. Percy Percy, a non-academic worker from the University of Moratuwa, said the experiences discussed in Norths lecture were essential for the working class: It cannot go forward without these lessons. The difference of the SEP is that it emphasises the strength of the working class. That strength needs to be improved further. I think more lectures like this will be required for that. As a worker in a university, I have seen many struggles of university students. Unless they are provided with an international perspective and leadership, the working class cannot succeed. Thaneswari, from northern Point Pedro, said she was convinced that international socialism was needed to solve the problems faced by the peoples of the world. Workers were engaged in a global production process. Referring to the brutal 30-year civil war in Sri Lanka, Thaneswari said she now understood that people had been confined to nationalism, with disastrous consequences. Parties like the Tamil National Alliance (TNAa front for the Tamil bourgeois parties) do not support the people. Although the war has been concluded, the governments oppressive rule over the Tamil people continues. She appreciated that the meeting was attended by both Sinhala and Tamil people, across ethnic lines. Gnanavel, an accountant at the Northsea factory, said: I came from Jaffna to participate in this event. There should be a change from capitalism to socialism, which is the truth. David North talked about the history of the party. It is good to lead the working class towards international socialism, as capitalism is ruling the world. However, he said, the partys policies had not yet reached the broad masses and it should increase and expand its activities. The partys positions should be explained in areas where the working class is in the majority, by organizing such meetings. Awantha Atigala, a prominent Sri Lankan cartoonist, told WSWS reporters: In my view, speaking about solving the problems faced by the masses in a national framework is utterly ridiculous. The JVP, FSP and other pseudo-left parties never speak about the relevance of the global economy to events in Sri Lanka. The explanations given in the lecture about Stalinism and other revisionist tendencies are very important. Many people misidentify socialism as Stalinism, or other forms of petty-bourgeois radicalism. Since no other party provides the working class with a genuine perspective, I believe the workers will be attracted to the SEP. Anjana, a student from Kalutara, said: It was mentioned in the lecture that the capitalists are driving towards a world war. As a science student, Im aware of how destructive such a nuclear war could be. North mentioned a resurgence of fascism. In the 1930s, the masses in Germany met the same situation and Trotsky called for a front between workers-based parties in Germany. At that time those parties didnt agree with it. Finally, Hitler came to power and that resulted in a catastrophic world war. In 1938, Trotsky presented a program to end the world war, which explained the crisis of capitalism. Anjana raised that other parties like the JVP and the FSP never spoke about international socialism. Underscoring the enthusiasm engendered by David Norths lecture, audience members contributed 28,800 rupees to the partys fund. They also purchased 13,500 rupees worth of Marxist literature at the meetings bookstall. Several television channels and radio institutions covered the meeting. They included the state-owned Independent Television Network (ITN) and the privately owned Siyatha and Hiru broadcasters. Radio institutions covering the event included the privately owned IBC (Tamil), Lankasiri (Tamil) and Madyavediya (Sinhala). Socialist Equality Party candidate Niles Niemuth is challenging incumbent Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell, who has held the seat in the 12th Congressional District of Michigan for four years. Dingell succeeded her husband John Dingell Jr. when he retired after 59 years in office, following John Dingell Sr., who held the seat from 1933 to 1955. All told, the Dingell dynasty has held a seat based in the Downriver Detroit area for 85 years, although it was reapportioned in 2001 to include the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, making it one of the most heavily Democratic districts in the country. Debbie Dingell won reelection in 2016 by a margin of 35 percentage points, and she faces the same Republican opponent, Jeff Jones, whom she has outraised by nearly 30 to 1. Dingells status as the presumptive frontrunner is not due to any groundswell of popular support because of her political record. She inherited the seat in Congress, just as she inherited her multimillion personal fortune, the first from her retired husband, the second passing down from her maternal grandfather, one of the Fisher brothers who founded the Fisher Body company in 1908, making automobile bodies for the newly established auto assembly plants. Once one of the largest auto manufacturing companies in the world, Fisher Body was purchased in 1926 by General Motors for $208 million, the equivalent of more than $3 billion in 2018, after which it continued as an internal division of the auto giant. Debbie Dingell began her career in her family business as a GM executive, serving as president of the General Motors Foundation and as the executive director for Global Community Relations and Government Relations. She later worked as a consultant for the American Automotive Policy Council, an industry trade and lobbying group. According to her financial report filed with Congress, which lists only ranges of wealth and income, Dingells personal net worth is at least $4.4 million. Such is the nature of Congress as a millionaires club, however, that this considerable fortune is hardly remarkable in Washington. According to the Roll Call website, Dingell does not even rank among the top 75 wealthiest members of Congress, across both houses. The average net worth of all 535 members of Congress approached $4 million in 2014, and their combined net worth was at least $2.1 billion. Like most Detroit industrialists and their families, Dingell was raised as a Republican, and only switched her party affiliation in 1981 when she married her husband John, then in his 26th year as a Democratic congressman, with close ties to the union bureaucracy. This switch was not simply the result of personal circumstances. It expresses the social essence of the Democrats as a party of, by and for the American corporate-financial aristocracy. The marriage of an auto executive and lobbyist to the Congressman from GM, as John Dingell was known for his ferocious defense of the interests of the Detroit auto companies, proved to be financially lucrative. The couple accumulated millions in GM holdings in the early 2000s through Debbie Dingells job, by far the largest portion of the familys personal wealth, the Washington Post noted in 2010. At the same time, John Dingell was Detroits staunchest ally, fighting against emissions and fuel-economy standards that could have hurt the short-term profitability of automakers. John Dingell was a chief congressional advocate of Obamas bailout of the domestic auto industry in 2009, which restored the industry to profitability through savage attacks on the living standards of autoworkers, including the implementation of the two-tier wage system that slashed wages for new hires by half. Both Debbie Dingell and her husband have enjoyed the closest relations with the United Auto Workers union (UAW), which received billions of dollars in GM stock as part of the 2009 restructuring. She appears frequently at union halls throughout southeast Michigan as an honored guest, and the UAW and other area unions are some of the largest contributors to her campaign. There is deep historical logic in the political support for an heiress to the Fisher fortune by the UAW, which was established as a mass organization in the 1930s by means of the great sit-down strike at GMs Fisher Body plant in Flint. It provides further demonstration that the UAW, which is embroiled in a massive bribery scandal implicating top union leaders, has long since ceased to be a workers organization, having been fully transformed into an instrument of management. Since taking over from her husband, Debbie Dingell has positioned herself as a figure within the Democratic Partys left flank, joining the Congressional Progressive Caucus, founded in 1991 by then-representative Bernie Sanders, along with five other Democratic members of the House. This was not because the auto heiress had suddenly been politically converted to democratic socialism. It only demonstrates that the role of such left Democratic Party groups is to provide a fake populist cover for the pro-capitalist, anti-working class politics of the Democratic Party. This includes the nominally independent pseudo-left satellites of the Democrats who promote such campaigns, such as the International Socialist Organization and Socialist Alternative, and those such as the Democratic Socialists of America that function openly as factions of the Democrats. Supporters of DSA members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib should consider the fact that these supposed socialists will join forces with a millionaire former auto lobbyist once they enter Congress. Dingells progressive posturing does not withstand serious scrutiny. For example, she has publicly denounced Trumps attack on immigrants, inviting a wife of an immigrant detained by ICE to this years State of the Union address in January and appearing at a rally against Trumps policy of separating families in Ann Arbor in June. At the same time, she pleaded with Trump to reach a face-saving agreement that would leave the American deportation machine intact. If you work with us and we can do something, Ill support the [border] wall so we can do something morally about these issueswe [the Democrats] have been ready to do this for months, Dingell said in an interview on MSNBC. Dingells real position on workers from Mexico is revealed in her enthusiastic endorsement of Trumps trade war measures, embracing Trumps toxic rhetoric of pitting American workers against their foreign counterparts. For too long, unfair trade practices have shuttered steel plants in Michigan and across the country and cost hardworking families the opportunity to earn a decent living, Dingell said earlier this year after Trump imposed $34 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports. While this is a first step to level the playing field, it cannot be the only. The President must keep his promises to address currency manipulation, the mother of all trade barriers, and renegotiate NAFTA in a way that puts working families first. Dingells support for trade war, which is also shared by the trade unions, has nothing to do with protecting American jobs. Her professed support for the American worker, for example, did not prevent her from voting for the PROMESA act in 2016, which placed the American territory of Puerto Rico under financial oversight in order to divert billions in public spending into the coffers of the islands creditors, following the blueprint set by the bankruptcy of Detroit in 2013. The starving of funds for public infrastructure in order to pay off Puerto Ricos debt was a major factor behind the scale of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, which killed at least 3,000 and left millions without power or water for months. As it was in the 1930s, trade war is the means through which the American ruling class is seeking to resolve its own internal crisis at the expense of its rivals, including not only China but also the European Union. This basic strategic aim was summed up in the latest Pentagon strategy document, which declared that the great power conflict, rather than the so-called War on Terror, was now the chief foreign policy concern of the United States. As with Sanders and other progressives, Dingell generally passes over the crimes of American imperialism with a complicit silence. Neither her campaign website nor her congressional website mention anything about foreign policy in their respective issues pages. Her real support for imperialist war, however, is indicated by the fact that she voted in July for the largest military spending bill in American history, along with a large majority of House and Senate Democrats. Unsurprisingly, Dingell also supports the Democrats bogus campaign over alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, whose twin aims are to prepare the framework for censorship of political opposition and to force a direct confrontation with the worlds second largest nuclear power. The Socialist Equality Party is running Niles Niemuth against Dingell in the 12th district to build a socialist, anti-war and anti-capitalist movement among workers and young people. We reject the pseudo-left argument that the Democratic Party can be induced, either by mass pressure or by running candidates in Democratic primaries, to move to the left. The policies of the Democrats, as with Debbie Dingell herself, are determined by the class interests that they serve. Instead, our campaign is oriented toward mobilizing the independent political strength of the working class to put forth its own solution to the social crisis. We encourage all those who are interested in this program to sign up, donate and volunteer at niles2018.com. Ford Motor Company announced plans for further cost-cutting measures last Thursday, including the layoff of an as yet undisclosed number of salaried employees by the second quarter of 2019. Ford employs over 200,000 globally, of which approximately 70,000 are salaried positions. Over time, well have fewer layers, ultimately less people, said Mark Truby, vice president of global communications. The goal is to streamline the organization. Its a cascading process. It will mean a reduction in workforce. Ford already cut 1,400 salaried positions in 2017 via early retirement incentives and buyouts. Several thousand more jobs will likely be eliminated, according to company spokesperson Karen Hampton. The reductions will reportedly come as part of the $11 billion in global restructuring costs announced earlier this summer. That package is in addition to $25.5 billion in cuts to operational costs the company is planning. Ford, following a similar move by Fiat Chrysler, also announced this spring that it would cease nearly all production and sales of passenger sedans in the US. For its part, General Motors has laid off thousands of workers over the last year, cut multiple shifts at its Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant, and is reportedly considering shutting down one or more of its car assembly plants altogether. The media has previously speculated that Ford may target its money-losing European and South American operations for layoffs and plant closures. The company has reportedly considered either selling sections of its overseas businesses or forming partnerships with competitors such as Volkswagen. Such an eventuality echoes the ultimately unsuccessful attempts by late Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne to engineer a merger between his company and another automaker, and would herald a new wave of mass layoffs and attacks on workers living standards. While Fords latest announcement of layoffs refers as yet to just salaried positions, hourly workerswho have suffered decades of wage cuts, plant closures, and the erosion of working conditions at the hands of both the company and the United Auto Workers unionwill inevitably also find their jobs on the chopping block. Suppressing workers opposition to a litany of concessionary contracts, the UAW has facilitated the Detroit Threes efforts to increase labor flexibility through the massive expansion of temporary part-time (TPT) positions, which lack any job protections. In a sign of further things to come, Ford announced last week the planned idling of the part of its Kansas City Assembly Plant that produces the Transit commercial van in order to reduce inventory. Roughly 2,000 workers are to be laid off for two weeks, from October 22 to November 4. Plants that make cars have been slowing and cutting production for some time, and we would expect they will continue to slow, said Michelle Krebs, an industry analyst at Autotrader. Ivan Drury, analyst at Edmunds, commented, A slowdown in commercial units like the Transit could be a sign of larger issues, not just for Ford, but other automakers and the economy at large. The ongoing restructuring and relentless attacks on Fords workforce are being carried out under the whip of finance capital, which is demanding increased profit margins. Wall Street has ever more insistently been pressing the company to reduce costs, shed unprofitable operations, and wring even more out of workers. In August, Moodys Investment Services lowered Fords rating to just above junk status, and the companys stock price has fallen over 25 percent over the course of this year. In response to its declining share value, Ford dumped CEO Mark Fields last summer, elevating in his stead Jim Hackett, who previously oversaw the companys autonomous vehicle initiative. Hackett had cut his teeth reorganizing office furniture maker Steelcase, slashing salaries and laying off over 12,000 during his tenure. While Hackett has ramped up Fords restructuring, the corporate press and financial analysts have repeatedly taken him to task for not providing enough detail into the companys plans to cut costs, and are pushing him to accelerate the timetable for reorganization. Wed like him to be crisper in going from high-level statements into the actionable plans they are going to carry out, said Brian Johnson from Barclays Capital. Ford has continued to reap immense profits in recent years, with a net income of $7.6 billion in 2017. Nevertheless, the auto industry as a whole is facing a number of economic pressures, including increased commodity costs, exacerbated by the Trump administrations steel and aluminum tariffs, and the substantial capital investments which will be required to develop electric and autonomous vehicles. However, looming more significantly behind Fords latest announcements are concerns over two interrelated processes: signs pointing to the threat of a renewed outbreak of financial crisis, and the growing mood of militancy among autoworkers, particularly in the run-up to the 2019 contract negotiations between the Detroit Three and the UAW. Moreover, the UAW has been staggered by a cascade of revelations relating to the bribery of top officials. This is fueling fears in the ruling class that the union will prove unable to prevent workers simmering anger and frustration from erupting into an open rebellion. The UAW, which has presided over the destruction of hundreds of thousands of jobs over the course of the past several decades, has met the announcement of pending job cuts with predictable silence. And nothing more can be expected given the record of the UAW in collaborating with the automakers in an endless series of concessionary contracts. The mounting threat to jobs makes it more urgent that workers draw the necessary conclusions from the record of the UAW. In order to conduct a genuine fight to defend jobs and secure a decent standard of living, autoworkers must organize themselves independently of the UAW, forming rank-and-file factory committees, and link up with the millions of other workersin the US and internationallyto launch a common struggle to reorganize society to meet workers needs instead of the private profit interests of the few. Since the resignation on October 3 of Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, one of the first supporters of Emmanuel Macron and his Republic on the March (LRM) party, the French government is on the verge of collapse. On Monday, top LRM officials announced the preparation of a major cabinet reshuffle, and even potentially the resignation of Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, undermined by the governments unpopularity. LRM officials tried to downplay the crisis, describing it simply by its impact on the state bureaucracy. The president of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand, noted in his interview with Le Journal du dimanche the anger of local officials and promised to renew the pact Macron said he would build with regional authorities. He also indicated that the union bureaucracies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are frustrated about their relations with Macron, and have a feeling that the nobility is speaking to them, the commoners. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ferrand signalled that LRM would include the unions and NGOs more in decision-making processes, promising to make the second year of Macrons term the year of the Contractual Republic Today, we have to base ourselves even more on all the forces of progress and transformation. We go faster when we go alone, but together we go further. Ferrand was at pains, however, to dispel any illusions that incorporating the unions into the formulation of Macrons policies would mean any shift to the left. Asked about whether he would potentially rebalance the government with more left-wing figures, Ferrand dismissed this possibility, saying that he does not think in terms of labels. Involving the unions more closely in Macrons policymaking will neither stabilize the government nor broaden its social base. The unions already were closely negotiating austerity with Macron. By plunging ahead with austerity, the Macron government will only intensify its crisis, which is rooted in the overwhelming opposition among workers in France and across Europe to the policies of militarism and austerity negotiated by the trade unions, Macron and the European Union (EU). After the Socialist Party (PS) collapsed in last years presidential elections, LRM emerged from the ruins and Macrons personal fortunes were inflated like a balloon as the ruling class sought a suitable president. It took just over a year for this balloon to explode, pricked by the pen the government used this summer to sign the accord privatising the National Railways (SNCF). Macrons Pyrrhic victory was possible only due to the cowardice and treachery of the union bureaucracies, who signed an agreement opposed by 95 percent of SNCF staff. But Macrons forced privatization of the SNCF laid bare the class content of Macrons presidency. The man who was looked on with contempt as the president of the rich is now hated: according to an Elabe poll, only 6 percent of the French population think that Macrons policy will improve their economic situation. If Nicolas Hulot abandoned the ecology ministry, and Collomb the interior, followed by a half-dozen other ministers, these are notas Ferrand claimed about Collombpersonal choices reflecting unwavering ties to Macron. The French people are overwhelmingly hostile to the cuts in pensions, healthcare and unemployment insurance that LRM is preparing, and there is growing discontent in the state bureaucracy and the police. The decision to stay with Macron and LRM more and more appears to be political suicide. Like rats fleeing a sinking ship, the ministers are abandoning Macron to try to save their political careers by securing municipal office. Collomb, who left to prepare his run for city hall in Lyon, warned Macron outright that he risks falling victim to hubris, the curse of the gods that destroys the excessively arrogant, because those whom the gods would destroy they first strike blind. The central question that emerges from this crisis is how workers mount a struggle against the program of Macron and the EU. The ability of the Macron government, isolated and discredited, to impose its will at the SNCF underscores the bankruptcy of the union bureaucracies and the allied pseudo-left parties, like the New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) and Unsubmissive France (LFI). Their perspective of social dialog to negotiate austerity with Macron is an illusion and a trap, because Macron has no plan except organising a social counter-revolution. This vindicates the Parti de legalite socialistes (PESSocialist Equality Party) calls to form committees of action independent of the trade unions and their political allies, to prosecute the struggle. Macron is determined to finance, via austerity, tens of billions in tax cuts for the billionaires and spend 300 billion on the army as part of joint plans with Berlin for the militarization of EU foreign policy. There is nothing to negotiate with him. To defend their social and democratic rights, workers will find themselves compelled to wage a merciless political struggle against Macron. A half-century after the MayJune 1968 general strike, the alternative that is posed to the working class is not reform or revolution, but revolution or counter-revolution. The PESs role will be to intervene in these struggles to explain the necessity of transferring power to the working class and build a workers state pursuing socialist policies. This separates the PES from the various petty bourgeois parties that cover for the reactionary role of the trade unions, and which support Macron in the final analysis. The LFI and NPA refused to call for opposition to both neo-fascist candidate Marine Le Pen and Macron in the second round of the presidential elections last year, and Melenchon later offered to serve Macron as prime minister. As Melenchon insists that to protect the state and enforce Republican norms, we are together with the right, Im not ashamed to say it, he is positioning LFI to adapt to whatever alternative government the right might build. Now, after German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer applauded neo-Nazi riots in Chemnitz, Marine Le Pen has arrived in Rome to discuss post-Brexit Europe with Matteo Salvini, the Italian neo-fascist who dominates the Italian government with only 20 percent of the vote. Workers in France cannot submit to the workings of a ruling elite that will inevitably produce a next government even further to the right than the last. Their allies are the workers and youth mobilizing in struggle around the world against austerity, war and the militarization of Europe, and the whitewashing of the crimes of European fascism by figures like Macrons German allies. As interest in socialism grows among American youth, and anger rises in Germany against the official legitimization of the neo-Nazis, the international preconditions are emerging for a struggle for power by the working class and the building of socialism. This will prove to be the only viable perspective upon which workers can oppose the manifest bankruptcy of the Macron government. Last week, the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) announced that it would be removing three of its top cardiologists from their leadership positions, citing undisclosed complaints from other physicians and team members that they had violated the hospitals standards of conduct. But according to Mahir Elder, one of the three doctors, the change in cardiology leadership was retribution from the DMC for the doctors having spoken out about cost cutting, short staffing and threats to patient safety. Crains Business Detroit published statements from Elder, who was formerly medical director of the cardiac care unit at DMC Harper Hospital. The doctor said, Now that I refuse to stay quiet about safety concerns, they respond in a highly inappropriate and unprofessional manner. Besides Elder, the other two doctors removed from leadership positions are Amir Kaki, who was formerly medical director of the cardiac catheter lab at DMC Cardiovascular Center, and Tamam Mohamad, who was chief of cardiology and medical director of the cardiac care unit at DMC Detroit Receiving. News outlets reported that the doctors, while being relieved from their leadership positions, would continue to practice medicine at DMC. A fourth doctor at DMC resigned from the medical staff, citing both patient safety issues and the retaliatory actions of the hospital. Ted Schreiber, who was head of Cardio Team One and who has been nationally recognized for improving the quality of care at the DMC cardiovascular center, issued a scathing open letter announcing his resignation. Allegations made by DMC executives and distributed to all DMC employees are an orchestrated attempt to silence me and my colleagues from continuing to raise legitimate concerns over safety and the quality of care provided to our patients, wrote Schreiber. I refuse to be silenced on issues of quality and safety for my patients and for all patients treated at the DMC. Unfortunately, the current focus of some in health care is on profits and stock holder value. Those of us who raise concerns over service, safety and the quality of care provided to our patients are bullied in an attempt to keep us quiet. The Detroit Medical Center is a for-profit hospital system in southeast Michigan owned by Tenet Healthcare, a large multinational health corporation based in Dallas, Texas. In 2017, Tenet Healthcare reported revenues of nearly $20 billion. According to International Business Times, the company paid more money for lobbying the US government than it did in federal taxes between 2008 and 2010. Dr. Elder told the Detroit Free Press that the risky practices against which he was protesting originated at the corporate level. Everyone is working with a skeleton crew and now patient care is being jeopardized. The decisions are not made at the Detroit level. They are made in Dallas, and Dallas (does) things just based on what they think the bottom line is. Elder gave a statement to Crains pointing to Tenet Healthcares poor practices. It is Tenet, not me, that is subject to DOJ (Department of Justice) supervision; it is Tenet, not me, that has paid hundreds of millions of dollars for misconduct, inducements, Stark violations and fraud (in a recent Georgia case); it is Tenet, not me, who blames others instead of their own failed leadership. Tenet Healthcare made headlines for paying off Florida state legislators to eliminate safety standards the company had been found to be violating. Tenet-owned St. Marys Hospital was found to be in breach of standards of practice for pediatric surgery. Tenet responded by contributing $200,000 to Florida legislators, who proceeded to withdraw the pediatric surgery standards. Elder told Crains that it was highly inappropriate and literally unprecedented for Tenet to issue a press release to 5,000 employees notifying them of alleged code of conduct violations by any physician, let alone directors. He added, This is nothing more than an attempt to confuse the DMC community. The three doctors have not been told what standards of conduct they supposedly violated. This development comes in the midst of a contract dispute between nurses and the Michigan Medicine hospital system in nearby Ann Arbor. One of the major concerns of nurses intersects with those of the DMC doctorsshort staffing. The current mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, established his reputation and won the support of business interests in the city and the state by carrying out a ruthless cost-cutting operation at DMC, where he was a top executive prior to his election in 2013. The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh as US Supreme Court justice has shifted the highest US court even further to the right, threatening the democratic rights of the American people on an array of issues that will now be decided by a hard-right five-member majority. At the same time, the political campaign against Kavanaugh waged by the Democratic Party, based exclusively on unproven allegations of sexual assault, has emboldened the Republican Party, which had seemed until recently almost resigned to a political debacle in the midterm elections. The Democrats made no serious effort to expose Kavanaughs long record of political thuggery on behalf of the Republican Party, including key roles in both the Clinton impeachment and the theft of the 2000 presidential election. Nor have they highlighted his role as an apologist for illegal wars and torture in the Bush administration, or his 12-year record on the US Court of Appeals, issuing hundreds of right-wing decisions. Instead, the Democrats chose to focus entirely on a 36-year-old unproven and likely unprovable allegation of sexual misconduct, dating back to the nominees teenage years. They embraced this issue eagerly in the hopes of currying favor in the November elections with a narrow stratum of upper-middle-class women for whom the #MeToo campaign has become the vehicle for gaining status, influence and access to wealth and power. This has allowed the Republicansa party that fervently supports police violence, the persecution of immigrants and massive domestic spyingto posture as the defenders of such core democratic rights as the presumption of innocence. With only four weeks remaining until the November 6 vote, in which all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are at stake, together with 35 Senate seats, 36 state governorships and thousands of seats in state legislatures, millions of working peoplelooking for a way to fight back against the Trump administration and express their opposition to its right-wing policiesare disgusted with both parties. Rather than offering a genuine alternative, the Democratic Party is seeking to outflank Trump and the Republicans from the right. This is the character of the three main issues that the Democratic leadership has chosen to highlight. First, at least for the time being, is the appeal on the basis of the Kavanaugh nomination, with the claim that the Democrats, unlike the Republicans, believe women when they come forward with allegations of sexual violence. The completely reactionary basis of this appeal is the suggestion that gender, not economic class, is the fundamental division in American society. But the notion that a woman working for slave wages at Amazon or UPS has more in common with a multimillionaire like Hillary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi than with her male coworkers is patently absurd. Then there is the anti-Russia campaign, the bogus allegation that Russian interference in the 2016 elections gave Trump the presidency. This has served both to whitewash the obvious failures of the Clinton campaign and to push for a more militaristic foreign policy, both in Syria and more generally against Russia, and a ferociously antidemocratic policy at home, directed at stepped-up censorship of the Internet. The anti-Russia agitation has gained little traction with the American public, but it has been deeply embedded in the Democratic midterm campaign in the form of 30 candidates in competitive congressional districts drawn from the CIA, the military and the civilian national-security apparatus. If the Democrats win control of the House of Representatives, these CIA Democrats will have a decisive influence. The final component of the 2018 Democratic campaign is the appeal to Wall Street. Over the past several decades, the two corporate-controlled parties have changed places in one important respect. As the Republicans have shifted ever further to the right, incorporating ultra-right Christian fundamentalists and outright racists and fascists, and embracing the nostrums of America First right-wing populism, the Democratic Party, also moving to the right, has sought to supplant the Republicans as the party with the closest ties to finance capital. A remarkable report in the New York Times Monday detailed the growing financial ties between the banks and stock exchange and Democratic Party candidates. The newspaper cited figures from the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign donations, showing that Democrats had reversed the longtime Republican fundraising advantage in the finance, insurance and real estate industries. The Times reported: In interviews with two dozen Wall Street executives, fund-raisers, donors and those who raise money from them, Democrats described an extraordinary level of investment and excitement from the finance sector From donors in just the securities and investment sector, Democratic congressional incumbents and candidates have so far received $39.3 million in 2018, compared with $28 million for Republicans. That is a reversal from 2014, when Democrats raised $28 million and Republicans $41.5 million. In 2018, 15 of the top 20 congressional recipients of securities and investment industry cash are Democrats; in 2014, 15 of the top 20 were Republicans. Billionaires are stepping up for the Democrats too, with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledging $100 million to elect a Democratic Congress, making him the biggest single donor to either party. Former big Republican donors have joined traditional Democratic Party financiers like Tom Steyer and George Soros. This combinationan appeal to gender and identity politics, an orientation to the military-intelligence apparatus, and the support of Wall Streetexpresses the political essence of the Democratic Party. It is the formula on which Hillary Clinton ran in the 2016 presidential election. This right-wing campaign gave Trump the opportunity to posture as the candidate of the downtrodden and those hostile to the political establishment, a factor that was critical to his victory in the industrial states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and thus in the Electoral College. The Socialist Equality Party calls on workers to reject both corporate-controlled parties and build a movement for the political independence of the working class from all forms of capitalist politics, from Trump to Bernie Sanders. The SEP is running Niles Niemuth as its candidate for Congress in the 12th District of Michigan, which is directed at the mobilization of the working class, the vast majority of the population, excluded from official political life, on the basis of a socialist and revolutionary program. To find out more and to join the campaign, please contact www.niles2018.com. There are currently over 17,000 refugees held in appalling conditions on the Greek islands of Chios, Samos, Lesbos, Kos and Leros. They are caged in detention centres that have the capacity for only 6,000 people. The most notorious of these is the Moria camp on Lesbos, recently described by the BBC as the worst refugee camp in the world. With a capacity of just over 3,000, the camps inmates total three times that number, with a third of them children. The appalling conditions are a direct consequence of the filthy deal cut between the European Union (EU), Turkey and the Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) government in March 2016. Alexis Tsipras pro-austerity government became an enthusiastic jailor for the EU, presiding over what are essentially concentration camps. The deal stipulates that all refugees crossing into Greece from Turkey be interned until their case is processed, with the plan that they are ultimately deported back to Turkey. According to figures from the UN Refugee Agency, nearly 30,000 refugees, most of them women and children, crossed the Aegean from Turkey into Greece in 2017. So far this year, nearly 23,500 have made the same journey, with Lesbos receiving over half of them. Most of those arriving are from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, all of them war-torn countries destroyed by US and EU-backed conflicts. Describing living at the camp as a life of lines, a recent New York Times article outlines a typical day for Afghan farmer Rahmuddin Ashrafi. Rahmuddin arrived at the camp in June with his wife and three children. The familys typical day begins at 4 a.m. when Mr. Ashrafi joins a line for water and bread that is usually served four hours later at 8 a.m. At around 9:30 a.m., he joins the line again for lunch, which tends to arrive after another four hours of waiting. Two hours later, he joins another four-hour line for dinner. On the days when he needs to line up for official paperwork, or to visit the doctorhis three-year-old daughter was recently hospitalized with appendicitishe sometimes has to skip meals altogether or rely on leftovers from other Afghans. Before, I thought that Greece would be one of the best places to live, Ashrafi told the newspaper. Now I feel it would have been better to drown while crossing the sea. Referring to the sanitary conditions at Moria, a joint statement by 19 NGOs declared, The sewage system does not work and filthy toilet water reaches the tents and mattresses where children sleep. This, despite funds for sewage system improvement having been approved for some time. In a September blog post on Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Liz Clark, a British doctor volunteer on Lesbos, wrote that there are between 62-70 people for every toilet and 84 people for every shower. This is respectively twice and three times more than the international minimum standards in a humanitarian emergency. She added, Those seeking medical treatment have to provide an appointment slip, or somehow prove their need to see a healthcare provider to the police officers that control entry to the enclosure where the clinic is situated. The appalling conditions, along with the painfully slow and complicated asylum processwhich few of the refugees fully understandplaces extreme psychological pressure on people already traumatised as victims and witnesses of atrocities in their home countries. In an open letter published on MSFs website in September, Dr. Alessandro Barberio, a psychiatrist working at the MSF Lesbos Project, wrote: In all of my years of medical practice, I have never witnessed such overwhelming numbers of people suffering from serious mental health conditions, as I am witnessing now amongst refugees on the island of Lesbos. The vast majority of people I see are presenting with psychotic symptoms, suicidal thoughtseven attempts at suicideand are confused. Many are unable to meet or perform even their most basic everyday functions, such as sleeping, eating well, maintaining personal hygiene, and communicating. Incidents of violence between inmates, including sexual violence against women, are widespread at Moria, as are suicide attempts and acts of self-harm, including among children. Since 2015, some 1.6 billion was allocated by the EU, supposedly to tackle Greeces refugee crisis. This would have amounted by 2017 to 7,000 per refugee. According to a Guardian report last month, Of the 561m of long-term funding allocated by the European commission, only 153m has so far been disbursed. Allegations of corruption regarding the funds that have been released are surfacing. At the centre of these is Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, who is leader of the far-right Independent Greeks, Syrizas junior coalition partner. According to material published in the Greek daily Fileleftheros, it is alleged that companies with close ties to Kammenos routinely inflated charges for services at the Moria camp, ranging from catering to plumbing. Kammenos responded by filing a defamation action against three of the newspapers journalists, which resulted in them spending one night in custody. Following the report, the EUs anti-fraud agency launched an investigation. Kammenos authoritarian actions provoked an outcry in Greece and internationally regarding press freedoms in the country. The response of the Syriza government to this humanitarian catastrophe is to brutally crack down on all opposition. In a letter to the mayor of Lesbos last month, Immigration Minister Dimitris Vitsas boasted that the government had increased the police presence inside the facility. The director of Moria is former army brigadier Yiannis Balpakakis, who was on a Syriza candidate list for election in Lesbos as recently as 2014. Speaking last month to Sto Kokkino, a radio station owned by Syriza, Balpakakisin the teeth of all evidencedismissed reports about the appalling conditions. He claimed Morias toilets and facilities are clean while food was distributed in 45 minutes, with queues only forming because many just go and sit in the queue to chat, because they have nothing else to do. He said, Many NGOs, which are now planning ahead for 2019 and are trying to find donors, are creating a completely negative situation so that they can be seen as saviours and get funding. Balpakakis provocative comments should be seen in the wider context of the criminalisation of aid workers by the Syriza government, in collusion with the EU whose anti-immigration diktats it is implementing. Last month 30 members of the Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) were charged with people-trafficking offences, including former Olympic Gold medallist Sara Mardini. In 2015 Mardini saved 18 refugees by swimming their waterlogged dingy to the shores of Lesbos. Her lawyer, Haris Petsalmikos, stated, The accusations are more about criminalizing humanitarian action. Sara wasnt even here when these alleged crimes took place but as charges they are serious, perhaps the most serious any aid worker has ever faced. The intimidation of aid workers, especially those who carry out rescue patrols in the Aegean, is a central plank of the EUs anti-immigration policy. By allowing refugees to drown in the sea, the EU seeks to deter people fleeing war-torn countries from attempting the journey to Greece. October 3 marked five years since the tragedy which saw 369 migrants lose their lives, when the boat they were travelling in sank off the coast of the island of Lampedusa. Since then thousands more have drowned in the Mediterranean, with over 1,000 perishing already this year. Morias refugees suffer from policies intended to make life as harsh as possible, in order to deter people from attempting to reach Greece. A British official representing the European Commission admitted as much at a private meeting of Greek, EU and NGO officials at the start of last month. According to the New York Times, the official suggested keeping standards low at Moria in order to deter future migration to Greece. Anti-immigrant policies are central to the ruling elites effort to divert popular anger against the austerity policies presided over by successive Greek governmentsand substantially worsened by Syrizaat the behest of the EU to create a situation where the local population and refugees are competing for ever scarcer resources. This was underscored recently following recent heavy rainfall in Lesbos, when the army withdrew an initial offer to shelter 1,200 Moria inmates. According to Kathemerini, the offer was withdrawn because the authorities did not want to be seen giving priority to refugees at the expense of the local population. The author also recommends: Greeces Syriza government detains refugees [26 March 2016] Greeces Syriza: Full partner in historic crime against refugees [5 April 2016] TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - State offices will be closed Tuesday through Thursday in the 35 counties included in Governor Scotts emergency order. The state's included in the emergency order are as follows: Leon, Wakulla,Franklin, Suwannee Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Citrus, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Alachua, Union, Bradford and Baker Counties. DMS will stay in contact with all state offices and has asked them to report closures in WebEOC. STATE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER/ CONTACTS The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a level one, which is a full-scale, 24-hours-a-day activation. The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) contact number is 1-800-342-3557. The State Emergency Operations Center Media Line: 850-921-0217. Follow @FLSert or @FLGovScott on Twitter for live updates on Hurricane Michael. Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/info Gov. Scott asks for pre-landfall emergency declaration for 35 Florida counties TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Governor Rick Scott is asking President Donald Trump to declare a pre-landfall emergency for Big Bend and Florida Panhandle counties in preparation for Hurricane Michael. This declaration will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government, as well as free up funding sources for emergency protective measures. The pre-landfall declaration request is for 35 Florida counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwanee, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Citrus, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Alachua, Union, Bradford and Baker Counties. To view the Governors request, click HERE. The Governor has also expanded Executive Order 18-276 to include Bradford, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Alachua, Union, and Baker Counties. With these additions, the state of emergency includes 35 Florida counties in total. STATE PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS WATCHES AND WARNINGS Hurricane Watch: Tropical Storm Watch: Storm Surge Watch UTILITIES Governor Scott has called on every local government to immediately confirm their mutual aid agreements between investor-owned utilities, municipals and co-ops are in place and effective so there is no delay in power restoration for Floridians. These agreements allow municipal utilities to receive aid from investor-owned utilities and co-ops as they work to restore power to customers. Without these agreements in place ahead of time, power restoration will be delayed. To view the full list of Florida utilities with agreements in place, click HERE. MILITARY SUPPORT The Florida National Guard currently has approximately 5,500 Soldiers and Airmen available for activation. The Governor activated 500 Florida National Guard Troops on state active duty orders for pre-landfall coordination and planning. They are well-equipped, with assets including high water vehicles, helicopters, boats and generators. They are preparing for possible missions to include humanitarian assistance, security operations, and search and rescue. In addition to personnel and assets, they can bring in an additional 30,000 personnel from other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). LAW ENFORCEMENT The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is actively monitoring Hurricane Michael and ready to respond. On standby are 40 officers from outside the projected path ready to deploy if needed. They will respond with a variety of specialized equipment, including shallow draft boats, ATVs, airboats and four wheel drive vehicles. The Florida Highway Patrol is actively monitoring the storm and ready to assist with any weather-related missions. The Florida Highway Patrol is making preparations for approximately 342 state troopers to activate to 12-hour shifts. The activation would provide 24-hour enhanced coverage across Floridas Big Bend and Panhandle. Florida Highway Patrol will maintain high visibility on Interstate-10 and associated evacuation routes to assist motorists, clear the roadways of any abandoned or disabled vehicles and will routinely check rest areas to assist residents and visitors. DHSMVs Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobiles are on standby to respond to impacted areas as soon as the storm passes. The Florida Department of Law Enforcements (FDLE) Mutual Aid team is communicating with law enforcement partners and participating in regular conference calls with the State Emergency Operations Center. FDLE has communicated with members and partners in the panhandle to make preparations and be ready to begin response operations tomorrow morning. The Florida Highway Patrol is actively monitoring the storm and assisting with emergency management missions. The Florida Highway Patrol will begin staffing the Bryant Patton Memorial Bridge in Franklin County (St. George Island bridge) beginning today. The Florida Highway Patrol currently has 24/7 representation within the State Emergency Operations Center coordinating preparation, response and recovery efforts. TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently preparing roadways for impacts from Hurricane Michael. FDOT has suspended all construction operations from the roadways. FDOT is coordinating with the Florida Highway Patrol on bridge and roadway closures and detours. FDOT is monitoring roadways for potential evacuations and identifying bridge inspectors statewide. FDOT is preparing all standby generators for traffic signal support. FDOT issued an Emergency Road Use Permit letter to relieve size and weight restrictions for vehicles responding to Hurricane Michael. FDOT issued Weigh Station Bypass letter to allow emergency response vehicles such as utility vehicles and bucket trucks to bypass all FDOT weigh stations. PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is continuing to monitor the storm and regularly sharing information with waiver support coordinators and providers to ensure the health and safety of the customers the agency serves. The Florida Department of Health is actively monitoring Hurricane Michael and has activated ESF-8 personnel to staff the State Emergency Operations Center. A conference call is scheduled with county health departments (CHDs) today at 4 EST to discuss situational awareness and current needs. The Department has requested 5 ambulance strike teams and 35 Special Needs Shelter Teams to support relief efforts. CHDs will coordinate with their local County Emergency Management to ensure preparations are in place for Special Needs Shelters. Call downs will be conducted to persons on Special Needs Registries to ensure plans are in place for potential evacuations. CHDs will review their local continuity of operations plans to ensure public health activities and CHD services are not interrupted by the storm. CHDs will conduct outreach to healthcare facilities within the county to ensure they are implementing facility level emergency plans. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is in contact with healthcare facilities to ensure they have the resources they need. AHCA will host a call with the Florida Health Care Association and all residential and inpatient healthcare facilities including all areas of the panhandle and east to Jacksonville. AHCA has activated the Emergency Status System (ESS) for health care facilities in the panhandle to enter their storm preparedness status including generators and utility company information, emergency contacts, and bed availability. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs is in contact with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Planning and Service Areas (PSAs) in the projected storm path. AAAs continue to coordinate with their Lead Agencies, local service providers, and local county offices of emergency management as part of their emergency relief measures. Call-downs have already begun to assess client needs before, during, and after the storm. The Department of Elder Affairs has also been communicating with our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) and CARES field offices who anticipate office closures. CARES staff is trained and stands ready to participate by assisting at Special Needs Shelters in affected areas, including with the discharge planning. The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) operates six skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility. All state veterans homes are currently operational. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is working with courts in Florida Panhandle counties to sign blanket travel approvals for all foster parents to evacuate with children in foster care. DCF has ordered an early release of food assistance benefits for those Florida residents in the 11 counties under a hurricane watch who would have received normal SNAP benefits between now and 10/28. Benefits will be released to their cards 10/9 at 6:00 a.m. in the impacted counties. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEP staff are in the process of contacting high-priority regulated facilities to remind them of storm preparations they should be making and offering assistance where needed. 165 Disaster Debris Management Sites (DDMS) have been pre-authorized for the counties addressed by the Governors Executive Order. The Florida Public Debris Reporting Tool is live (link https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/466259a6f3fc41e58bb3f651e59e3bd1) The current condition of the states beaches has been assessed, which will expedite post-storm assessments. Florida State Park closures can be found at https://www.floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) continues to encourage businesses to visit FloridaDisaster.biz for disaster preparedness tips and register to receive updates as the storm progresses. DEO will coordinate with CareerSource Florida, local workforce boards, and other public-private partners. EDUCATION The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) is in contact with school districts, state colleges and universities for updates and to determine needs before, during and after emergency events. All school districts, colleges and universities are monitoring Hurricane Michael and collaborating with local emergency preparedness officials to make decisions that ensure student and staff safety. The following school districts have announced closures: Bay County District Schools will be closed Tuesday (10/9) and Wednesday (10/10). Florida A&M High will be closed Tuesday (10/9) through Friday (10/12). Florida State University Schools (Florida High) will be closed Tuesday (10/9). Leon County Schools will be closed Tuesday (10/9) through Friday (10/12). The following state colleges and universities have announced closures: Florida State University will be closed Tuesday (10/9) through Friday (10/12). The Division of Blind Services and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation are monitoring Hurricane Michael to make decisions regarding office closures. Districts are preparing in the case that their facilities are needed for shelters. FDOE will be posting up-to-date information regarding closures and meeting cancellations at www.fldoe.org/hurricaneinfo. INSURANCE The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) is prepared to order property insurers to submit claims information from Tropical Storm Michael, if necessary. In accordance with the Governors Executive Order, OIR has notified all health insurers, managed care organizations and other health entities of their statutory obligation to allow for early prescription refills during a state of emergency. The Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Consumer Services has resources for consumers seeking assistance with the claims-filing process or to file insurance complaints HERE. The Florida Department of Management Services, Division of State Group Insurance, has arranged for early prescription renewals starting today for members of the state group insurance program. CONTACTS The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) contact number is 1-800-342-3557. The State Emergency Operations Center Media Line: 850-921-0217. Follow @FLSert or @FLGovScott on Twitter for live updates on Hurricane Michael. Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/info to find information on shelters, road closures, and evacuation routes. State of emergency declared for North Florida ahead of possible storm TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a State of Emergency for the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas. Gov. Scott is declaring a state of emergency in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy and Citrus counties. In a tweet sent out on Sunday, Gov. Scott said he will be declaring a state of emergency in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend and directing the State Emergency Operations Center to activate. By declaring this state of emergency, Gov. Scott said he is ensuring that state and local government has ample time, resources and flexibility to get prepared for this storm. Governor Scott also directed the Florida National Guard to activate 500 guardsmen to assist with planning and logistics, and to prepare for response in impacted areas. At Governor Scotts direction, the State Emergency Operations Center will activate to Level 1 Monday morning, additionally the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) has activated, enhancing coordination between federal, state and local emergency management agencies.The Governor updated the media at the State EOC this evening. See the Governors briefing HERE. STATE PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: MILITARY SUPPORT At the direction of Governor Scott, 500 National Guard Troops have been activated to assist with planning, logistics and to prepare for response in impacted areas. The Florida National Guard has 5,500 guard members available for deployment if needed. LAW ENFORCEMENT The Florida Highway Patrol is actively monitoring the storm and ready to assist with any weather-related missions. The Florida Highway Patrol is making preparations for 342 state troopers to activate to 12-hour shifts. The activation would provide 24-hour enhanced coverage across Floridas Big Bend and Panhandle. The Florida Highway Patrol is preparing two Quick Response Force teams comprised of 66 state troopers to deploy with minimal notice to any area of the state of Florida that may need assistance. DHSMVs Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) mobiles are on standby to respond to impacted areas as soon as the storm passes. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is actively monitoringTropical Storm Michael and ready to respond. On standby are 40 officers from outside the projected path ready to deploy if needed. They will respond with a variety of specialized equipment, including shallow draft boats, ATVs, airboats and four wheel drive vehicles. The Florida Department of Law Enforcements (FDLE) Mutual Aid team is communicating with law enforcement partners and participating in regular conference calls with the State Emergency Operations Center. FDLE has communicated with members and partners in the panhandle to make preparations and be ready to begin response operations tomorrow morning. TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Michael. FDOT is preparing crews in anticipation of potential landfall in the Panhandle. PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is in contact with healthcare facilities to ensure they have the resources they need. AHCA is in the process of activating the Emergency Status System (ESS) for health care facilities in the panhandle to enter their storm preparedness status including generators and utility company information, emergency contacts, and bed availability. The Florida Department of Health is actively monitoring the tropical storm and is in close communication with the Division of Emergency Managements State Emergency Response Team. A statewide call was conducted on Sunday October 7 to discuss weather conditions and current needs. County health departments will coordinate with their local County Emergency Management to ensure preparations are in place for Special Needs Shelters. Call downs will be conducted to persons on Special Needs Registries to ensure plans are in place for potential evacuations. County health departments will review their local continuity of operations plans to ensure public health activities and CHD services are not interrupted by the storm. County health departments will conduct outreach to healthcare facilities within the county to ensure they are implementing facility level emergency plans. With the Governors declaration of an emergency, the Department of Elder Affairs will activate the emergency relief measures for the respective Area Agencies on Aging, lead agencies, and local service providers in the projected path of the storm. The Area Agencies on Aging will then contact and coordinate levels of activation with their respective county offices of emergency management and begin calls to all local service providers to ensure that the needs of all elders will be addressed before, during, and after the event. The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) operates six skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility. All state veterans homes are currently operational. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION All Florida State Parks remain open at this time. Parks staff continues to monitor the forecast and will coordinate with state and local emergency managers regarding closure decisions. The current condition of the states beaches has been assessed, which will expedite post-storm assessments. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is encouraging businesses to visit [FloridaDisaster.biz]FloridaDisaster.biz and register to receive updates as the storm progresses. CONTACTS PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From the third quarter Phoenix Management Lending Climate in America Survey, results show a positive outlook for the U.S. Economy in both the near- and long-term as lenders confidence in the U.S. economy continues to strengthen. Lenders confidence on how they expect the U.S. economy to perform during the next six months continues to increase and established a record high score in the history of the Phoenix Lending Climate in America survey, with a grade point average of 3.08, a 25-percentage point increase from the Q2 2018 results of 2.83. Additionally, the GPA for the U.S. economy beyond the next six months saw a slight increase of four percentage points to 2.46 from the previous quarters results of 2.42. Furthermore, lenders were surveyed on whether they think the U.S. economy will benefit from re-negotiating NAFTA. Of the lenders surveyed, 60% think the U.S. economy will benefit from re-negotiating NAFTA as it has aging elements that should be revisited by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. On the contrary, 24% of lenders surveyed think the U.S. economy will continue to grow whether NAFTA is changed or not, and 16% think that re-negotiating NAFTA could have serious consequences for the U.S. economy. In addition, lenders were surveyed on their customers growth expectations for the next six months to a year. 58% of respondents indicate that their customers will have moderate growth expectations, while 33% expect their customers to experience strong growth in the next six months. The strength of moderate and strong growth responses is a positive signal from lenders on the U.S. economy. Lenders were also surveyed this quarter on what they think the long-term impact of President Trumps proposed tariffs will have on U.S. companies. 56% of lenders opinions were negative in regard to Trumps proposed tariffs and believe that it will cause U.S. companies costs to increase resulting in higher prices for consumers, manufacturing to move offshore, and ultimately a slowdown in U.S. GDP growth. Of the lenders surveyed, 44% expressed positive view of the proposed tariffs, and these lenders believe the proposed tariffs will cause an increase in demand for American-made products, which will increase production in American factories, eliminate trade barriers, and help shrink the U.S.'s $568 billion trade deficit. This quarters results showed a near term GPA grade of 3.08, and a long-term GPA of 2.46 which represents an overall B grade and continues to prove lenders confidence in the U.S. economy. This increasing confidence in the near and long term was further supported by the meaningful increase in lenders expectations for their customers moderate and strong growth expectations for the next six months to a year. says Michael Jacoby, Senior Managing Director and Shareholder of Phoenix. To see the full results of Phoenixs Lending Climate in America Survey, please visit http://www.phoenixmanagement.com/survey/ About Phoenix: For over 30 years, Phoenix has provided smarter, operationally focused solutions for middle market companies in transition. Phoenix Management Services provides turnaround, crisis and interim management, specialized advisory and operational implementation services for both distressed and growth oriented companies. Phoenix Transaction Advisory Services provides quality of earnings, management/organizational review, business integration, sell-side business preparation and other transaction related support. Phoenix Capital Resources provides seamless investment banking solutions including M&A advisory, complex restructurings and capital placements. Phoenix Capital Resources is a U.S. registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Proven. Results. If you would like to learn more about Phoenix, please visit http://www.phoenixmanagement.com/ or http://www.phoenixcapitalresources.com/ Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-27 19:57:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) receives Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth (C) of Mauritius and his wife during the ceremonial reception at Indian Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, May 27, 2017. India on Saturday inked four pacts with Mauritius, including one on extending 500 million U.S. dollars credit line to the island nation, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth in Delhi. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar) NEW DELHI, May 27 (Xinhua) -- India on Saturday inked four pacts with Mauritius, including one on extending 500 million U.S. dollars credit line to the island nation, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth in Delhi. The line of credit agreement was sealed between SBM Mauritius Infrastructure Development Co. Ltd and Export-Import Bank of India. Among the other agreements signed between the two countries, one was on maritime security aimed at bolstering ties in the maritime domain. The pacts were all inked at the iconic Hyderabad House in the heart of the national capital. "A relationship marked by age-old ties of friendship and deep mutual respect. PM@narendramodi receives PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth at Hyderabad House," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. Later in a statement, the Indian prime minister said that a strong developmental partnership with Mauritius "is a hallmark of our engagement." "India is proud to participate actively in the ongoing development activities in Mauritius. The agreement today on a 500 million U.S. dollars Line of Credit from India to Mauritius is a good example of our strong and continuing commitment towards the development of Mauritius. It will also help in the implementation of priority projects," Modi said. He said that he and the visiting Mauritian prime minister concurred that effective management of conventional and non-conventional threats in the Indian Ocean is essential to pursue economic opportunities. Apart from bilateral issues, Modi said that he and Prime Minister Jugnauth also exchanged views on a range of regional and global issues. "We agreed to continue supporting each other in multilateral fora and cooperate closely on our common challenges and interests." On his part, Jugnauth said: "The already excellent bonds between Mauritius and India have taken on a new dimension since I became prime minister." Earlier in the day, the visiting Mauritian leader, who arrived in the Indian capital on Friday on a three-day state visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan (Indian president's official residence). It is Jugnauth's first foreign visit as prime minister. Modi visited the island nation in March 2015 as chief guest at the Mauritian National Day celebrations. Mauritius is the largest source of foreign direct investment into India with an inflow of over 110 billion U.S. dollars. On the other hand, more than 100 Indian companies are doing business in the island nation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 01:17:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Svenja Schulze (SPD), the German minister for the environment, has urged her own government on Monday to make so-called "hardware" updates for diesel vehicles available to motorists as soon as possible. A spokesperson for Schulze told press in Berlin that hardware updates offered the most effective solution to improve urban air quality. The comments were shortly before the Berlin Administrative Court opened consultation on whether such diesel driving bans can be avoided in the German capital as a means to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution. Together with several non-governmental environmental organizations and the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA), Schulze has been a long-standing advocate of offering technical retrofitting in response to the diesel emissions scandal and requiring carmakers to foot at least part of the bill for the measures. Following closely-watched cabinet deliberations over how to prevent driving bans, chancellor Angela Merkel's (CDU) ruling "grand coalitions" recently presented the outlines of a policy package which for the first time made concrete provisions for hardware upgrades. The officially-titled "concept for clean air and the protection of individual mobility in our cities" is aimed specifically at areas with high NOx pollution levels. Aside from contested hardware upgrades, the policy package includes financial incentives for diesel vehicle owners to buy a new, supposedly cleaner, cars. According to the federal government, 1,4 million motorists will benefit from the measures. Schulze's spokesperson argued on Monday that the priority of the federal government in preventing looming driving bans should now be to ensure that hardware upgrades are conducted swiftly. However, among automotive industry companies only the Volkswagen and Daimler groups have so far voiced their support for the measures. Additionally, Volkswagen has made its own support for the most contentious part of the policy package conditional on the ability of Merkel to ensure the participation of all carmakers in the retrofitting programs. In spite of ongoing investigations by judicial authorities, no automotive company in Germany has yet been found guilty of falsifying NOx emissions levels from diesel vehicles with illicit motor software. Until they are convicted, the federal government hence relies on the voluntary cooperation of carmakers in offering customers hardware upgrades. The UBA has estimated that diesel cars are responsible for more than 50 percent of NOx emissions in Germany. NOx levels currently exceed binding limits set in EU clean air legislation in several major German cities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 01:33:15|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Monday that Germany and the European Union (EU) should make more contribution to the security and stability in the world, in which "the old certainties break away." Maas said at the German Forum on Security Policy that the European pillar of NATO and the common approach in the EU, as with the Franco-German defense cooperation, should be expanded. "Old certainties break away. This applies to the transatlantic relationship, but it also applies to cohesion within the EU, the Brexit, a topic we are struggling with these days," added Maas. He called for further development of civilian and military instruments together with the European partners. "Only with the appropriate skills can a strong and also a sovereign Europe give security policy. And you also have to be prepared to invest in this security," said the minister, demanding that the "rapid reaction capability" be increased both civilian and military. Europe must become faster in European operations. A means for this is the establishment of a European Center of Competence for Civilian Crisis Management. In addition, "stabilization pilots" could quickly create a situational picture for the EU. Maas welcomed the proposal by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to extend qualified majority voting in the common EU foreign and security policy. Germany had decided to push this discussion forward. "We must finally make the EU capable of foreign policy," he said. It is "in our own interest that we Europeans should take more responsibility for security and also take over," said Maas. "It takes a lot of courage, because we know that these issues of security policy in public debate in our society -- and not only here -- are often extremely difficult to manage." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 01:33:15|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Saudi Arabian authorities have to prove that missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi had left the Istanbul consulate, reported state-run Anadolu Agency. "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot get away by simply saying 'he has left' and relevant authorities are obligated to provide proof of this claim," Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest, Hungary, where he is on an official visit. "It is our humanitarian and political duty to closely follow the issue," said the Turkish leader. Several unconfirmed reports said that the prominent journalist could have been killed inside the Saudi compound. Saudi officials denied allegations as "baseless," insisting that the journalist left the consulate's premises, contradicting Turkish officials. Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador in Ankara on Sunday to urge "full cooperation" in the investigation of 59-year-old Khashoggi, known to be a critic of the Saudi leadership. Turkish broadcaster NTV reported on Monday that police has requested access to the Saudi consulate. Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, went missing last Tuesday while visiting the building to get documents for his marriage. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 01:33:15|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese composer Wang Liping (Front) joins the final chorus of "Ocean, My Hometown" during a concert in Chicago, the United States, on Oct. 7, 2018. An "Ocean, My Hometown" concert featuring songs composed by renowned Chinese composer Wang Liping in different times was staged in a suburban theater of Chicago Sunday night. (Xinhua/Wang Ping) CHICAGO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- An "Ocean, my Hometown" concert featuring songs composed by renowned Chinese composer Wang Liping in different times was staged in a suburban theater of Chicago Sunday night, arousing homesickness of many Chinese Americans present. Local art troupe performers presented to the audience Wang's songs, including "Camel Bell", "Flying Pigeons", "Diving Girls", "On the Island Sun", and "Joyful Song Flying off from Spray", which are familiar tunes for the audience. "The Dream of the Red Chamber" suite, a string of music and songs Wang composed in the the late 1980s for the TV series of the same name, reminded many Chinese Americans of their juvenile time when they were at middle or high schools, being attracted to the TV series on Summer holidays and getting their first taste of this Chinese classic literature work. "The Shepherd Song" and "Shaolin, Shaolin" Wang composed for "Shaolin Temple" in the early 1980s caused a stir and drew continuous applauses. The soft female voice accompanied by masculine male chorus and martial arts performance brought people back to the time when they watched the film numerous times. Sitting among the audience during the performance, Wang could not help but join the final chorus of "Ocean, my Hometown", leading all people in the theater hall to sing along. Before the concert, Wang told Xinhua in an interview that when composing "Ocean, my Hometown", the theme he wanted to convey is love, consisting of nostalgia, affection and friendship. Qiao Wanjun, a well-known Chinese American conductor as well as the organizer of the concert, told Xinhua that by organizing the world tour of the "Ocean, my Hometown" concert, he wants to present some of China's best musical products to the world. Qiao plans to stage 79 concerts worldwide in less than three years before having the 80th in Beijing to salute Wang on his 80th birthday. Chicago is the fourth leg of the world tour of the concert that kicked off on Sept. 29 in Boston, Massachusetts. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 02:21:48|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok (L) shakes hands with Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu at the end of a media briefing in Bucharest, Romania, Oct. 8, 2018. Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated his country's desire to join the Schengen area as soon as possible when meeting with his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok on Monday. (Xinhua/Cristian Cristel) BUCHAREST, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated his country's desire to join the Schengen area as soon as possible when meeting with his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok on Monday. Melescanu said that the topic of the European Union's (EU) external action was talked about during the meeting, with emphasis on the expansion policy and the bloc's relationship with states from the Eastern neighborhood. "I have used this occasion to express my hope that Romania's firm commitment on these coordinates, including as president of the Council, will be able to translate as quickly as possible into our country's accession as a full-fledged member of the Schengen Area," the minister told a press statement together with the visiting Dutch foreign minister. Schengen accession has been a long process for Romania and Bulgaria, whose entry into the border-free area has been constantly delayed since 2011, while the Netherlands is one of the countries that have opposed their bid most over the years. According to Melescanu, Europe's future was another central topic of their discussions and despite some difference in opinions on some specific files, it's important to note that both countries are essentially working to accomplish this mutual aspiration: consolidating the European unity. The head of Romanian diplomacy expressed his belief that Romania and the Netherlands will collaborate very well during the time when Romania will hold the presidency of the EU Council on the first half of 2019, and will succeed in consolidating the bilateral relation, bringing an important contribution to the future of Europe. Block stated that his country upholds the priorities Romania has set for itself during the presidency of the EU Council, in view of promoting the EU's values. He specifically mentioned that Romania will take over the presidency of the Council of the EU "at a very important moment in Europe and around the globe" mentioning in this regard Brexit, migration, negotiations on the multiannual financial framework, elections for the European Parliament and the setting up of a new European Commission. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 02:44:10|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Palestinian protestors gather near the border with Israel, in the northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 8, 2018. At least 29 Palestinians were injured on Monday during clashes between thousands of protestors and Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between northern Gaza Strip and Israel, medics said. (Xinhua) GAZA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 29 Palestinians were injured Monday during clashes between thousands of protestors and Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between northern Gaza Strip and Israel, medics said. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the health ministry in Gaza told reporters that among the 29 injured protestors, 11 were shot by Israeli soldiers' gunfire and two were seriously injured. Besides the weekly protests that take place on every Friday in eastern Gaza Strip since March 30, which are called "the Great March of Return," the commission of the marches also organizes protest in northern Gaza Strip every Monday. Eyewitnesses and local radio stations reported Monday that thousands arrived from all over the Gaza Strip and joined the protest on the northern beach of the coastal enclave, close to the border with Israel. Also on Monday, around two dozens of fishing boats sailed off the northern coast of the Gaza Strip. The protests call on Israel to lift a blockade that has been imposed on the enclave since 2007. The demonstrators burned tires, waved Palestinian flags and threw stones at the soldiers stationed on the border. Dozens of them cut barbed wire of the fence of the border with Israel. The witnesses said that the soldiers fired back tear gas and live ammunition at the demonstrators, adding that dozens suffered suffocation after inhaling the tear gas and others shot by live ammunition were taken to hospitals. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 03:03:14|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attend a joint press conference in Budapest, Hungary on Oct. 8, 2018. A stable Turkish government and a stable Turkey are necessary to prevent a threat to Hungary from migration, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday. (Xinhua/Attila Volgyi) BUDAPEST, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- A stable Turkish government and a stable Turkey are necessary to prevent a threat to Hungary from migration, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan here on Monday. "Our relations are based on mutual respect, but in our case, there is more: Turkey is the key to our safety, as Turkey shelters the millions of refugees, stopping them from coming to Europe," Orban explained in the parliament building before journalists. Orban also said that the meeting on Monday was rather short albeit friendly, and specific business decisions would be discussed Tuesday in the framework of a bilateral trade forum. The annual 5 billion U.S. dollars trade volume set as a goal in 2013 had still not been achieved, but recent growth suggested that the target was not unrealistic, Orban pointed. Turkish investments in Hungary were also among the topics discussed at the talks as well as opportunities for Hungarian companies to do business in Turkey, especially in farming and water management, Orban added. Answering a question about the matter of Turkey's accession bid to the European Union, Orban said Hungary has supported Turkey till now and will continue to support the country. Erdogan thanked Orban for the warm welcome he felt and received in Hungary. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 03:03:14|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close ROME, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Italy's political instability could be having an impact on the world-wide price for what might be the world's more desired metal: gold. When the price of gold started rising amid unusual volatility earlier this month, many analysts began speculating that Italy's political problems were to blame. Gold is what economists refer to as a "safe haven" investment, meaning demand for the metal often increases in periods of perceived risk. With the Italian government on a collision course with the European Union (EU) over budget matters, the yield on Italian government debt -- a very specific measure of perceived risk in a country -- began to climb. Yield have been rising since the start of the month, and in trading Monday, the yield for ten-year Italian bonds topped 3.6 percent for the first time in more than five years. The EU has criticized Italy for plans to run a larger-than-planned deficit in the country's 2019 budget, adding to what is already the bloc's largest public debt, and the second largest stated as a percentage of gross domestic product. "The sudden return of Italy's huge public debt to the headline has been a factor in rising precious metal prices," Adrian Ash, research director at London-based BullionVault, said in a research note. BullionVault noted the prices of gold rose even as the U.S. dollar strengthened, an unusual circumstance since gold prices are traditionally quoted in dollar terms. Earlier this month, gold climbed to 1,208 U.S. dollars per ounce (28.3 grams), its highest level in three weeks and above the average gold price for the last 50 days, something that hadn't happened since April. Trading volume and volatility were unusually high, BullionVault said. In Italy, analysts said that Italy's political situation was likely one of several factors, along with the possibility of difficult "Brexit" deal as Britain prepares to leave the European Union. "It's natural that some investors turn to gold in moments of uncertainty," Giuseppe De Arcangelis, a political economist at Rome's La Sapienza University, told Xinhua. "But the situation in Italy is probably one of a several of factors." Mario Seminerio, an investment manager and economic commentator agreed, calling the circumstances this month "an anomalous combination of circumstances." There is one way, however unlikely, that Italy's internal turmoil could have the opposite impact on gold prices -- driving them downward. That could happen if the country ever began selling some of its gold reserves to pay down debt. Italy has the world's third largest gold reserves, with just under 2,500 metric tons of the precious metal. Only the United States and Germany have more. At current market values, the gold is worth around 100 billion U.S. dollars, or around double the total proposed government budget deficit for 2019. Some government watchdogs have warned Italy's anti-establishment government could seek to sell some gold to help finance government programs without adding to the deficit. For its part, the government has given no indications it planned to do that, and both De Arcangelis and Seminerio said the move was unlikely, noting the gold is controlled by the Bank of Italy and not by political officials. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 03:03:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's army intelligence arrested on Monday five Syrian nationals in Ain Qenya, Nabatieh, for illegally entering Lebanon from Syria, online independent newspaper Elnashra reported. The arrested Syrian nationals were referred to the police for investigations and other necessary legal procedures. This is not the first time that Syrian nationals tried to enter Lebanon secretly. On Sept. 15, the Internal Security Forces arrested 96 Syrian nationals in the Bekaa for allegedly entering Lebanon illegally, and three alleged human smugglers. There are many reasons that could drive Syrians to Lebanon, from visiting or seeking education, to attending an interview at an embassy of a European state. In 2015, however, the Lebanese government has barred the UN refugee agency from registering Syrian refugees or placed additional restrictions on their entry into the country without guarantors, work visas or visas for transit. These measures led to a rise in the number of Syrian refugees attempting to enter Lebanon illegally. As a result, security forces have been trying to crack down on smuggling in areas close to the border with Syria. Las Vegas, NV, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apana, a leader in automated water management for business has partnered with MGM Resorts International, on a water conservation program at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. WaterStart connected the technology company with MGM and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). This initial project involves connecting Apanas IoT technology to the casinos water network in order to provide real-time, actionable insight about leaks and irregular use to hotel engineering staff through the companies analytics software. Based in Bellinghan, Washington, Apanas sensors and water meters will help MGMs facilities management team at the Bellagio gain understanding into operating efficiencies, provide asset protection and enhance its commitment to conservation and sustainability. MGM Resorts is honored to partner with WaterStart on this pilot project with SNWA and Apana, said MGM Resorts Vice President of Sustainable Facilities Chris Magee. This is an innovative project that will allow us to advance our existing water conservation initiatives significantly through a better understanding of exactly when, where and how much water goes through a multitude of individual systems in our facilities. It compliments MGMs recognized energy data analytics platform so that we can identify critical areas of water conservation by turning data into meaningful actions. Apana and MGM have identified several critical areas within the Bellagio where opportunities may exist to increase water efficiency. These areas include hot water loops, cooling towers, pools and the iconic fountain. Apana has helped companies achieve water reductions of 18-25% in these types of systems in over 500 sites globally. As a proud board member of WaterStart, this is an important pilot that aligns with MGMs commitment towards sustainability, said MGM Resorts Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Cindy Ortega. We look forward to seeing the data from this project with SNWA and Apana, which will give us insight on how to use water in much smarter and more innovative ways. WaterStart helped bring Apana to Nevada with funding in part by SNWA. We are excited to see this collaborative effort taking place to prioritize water efficiency and conservation on the Strip, said WaterStart Executive Director Nate Allen. This project is the perfect example of the partnerships we aim to foster, bringing together water management agencies, technology companies and those in the private sector, to further water innovation activities in state. The project includes a 36-month pilot study during which Apanas meters and technology will collect, analyze and communicate water use data. The system will alert facility management to issues, providing real-time water use analytics for faster troubleshooting and resolution. Installation of Apana technology is complete, and monitoring is underway. While the resort sector is among the most water efficient industries in Southern Nevada consuming only three percent of our water supply while employing 22 percent of our local workforce we are asking all sectors of our community to do more to conserve water, said SNWA General Manager John Entsminger. Resort properties have large, complex water systems and insights gained from this pilot will help us to identify ways to further improve water efficiency and reduce demands. MGM Resorts is a leader in sustainability innovation so our technology solution for water conservation was a perfect fit. Water is illusive, even invisible with management practices restricted to monthly bills only to discover extreme consumption after the fact. Illuminating use in real-time and translating consumption data to actionable information alerts onsite staff and guides them to stop leaks, fix equipment or correct operating processes before major waste or even damage occurs, said Apana President Tom Doll. Our system is designed to conveniently integrate with staff routines making water conservation and the ability for large properties to truly manage water practical. About WaterStart WaterStart is a cluster of global leaders in the implementation of water innovation. Based on the Las Vegas campus of the Desert Research Institute, WaterStart leverages the strategic resources and expertise of its network to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of water innovation. As a channel for innovation, WaterStart accelerates the rate of adoption of new solutions to real challenges facing water management agencies and large consumers. For more information, visit www.waterstart.com. About Apana Apana is a technology and services company that helps commercial and industrial businesses manage water. The Apana solution provides business with detailed insight into their total water footprint, identifying process drift, mechanical malfunctions and failure points. Real-time, automated information empowers frontline operators with actionable information to address problems when they occur and to institutionalize best practices throughout the organizations water processes. Companies use Apana intelligence to reduce both asset and compliance risk while strengthening operational sustainability practices. Learn more at apana.com. ### Attachment Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 03:03:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syrian opposition groups have completed the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from northwest Syria's Idlib under the deal agreed by Turkey and Russia, state-run Anadolu Agency reported Monday. Opposition forces in the region confirmed to Anadolu Agency that they had removed their heavy weapons, including Grad rocket launchers, mortars and medium-range missiles, from the demilitarized zone Sunday night. Meanwhile, Turkish forces began to dispatch weapons and armored vehicles to the area for upcoming patrols with Russian military under the framework of the agreement. Last month, Turkey and Russia agreed to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib, Syria's last opposition stronghold, following a meeting in the Russian city of Sochi between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 03:48:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close MUSCAT, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- China, the leading market for Oman's crude oil exports, accounted for 90.74 percent of the country's crude exports in September, the Ministry of Oil and Gas said Monday. China's imports of Omani crude increased by 10.08 percent in September, while imports of crude by Japan and India declined by 4.19 percent and 2.12 percent respectively. The total exports reached 27.078 million barrels in September, representing a daily average of 902,611 barrels. Oman's production of crude oil and condensate throughout September totaled 29.706 million barrels, a daily average of 990,200 barrels. Crude prices jumped in futures trading market in September compared with August on all major global crude oil indexes. "The uptrend in crude oil prices in September futures trading has been attributed to several factors, such as the shift-down in U.S. oil inventories and the increase in global demand," said the ministry in its report. "The extra demand came especially from the Asian buyers as a result of the market anticipation of a new round of U.S. sanctions against Iran, resulting in traders' concerns about the lack of global supplies," it added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 03:48:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close HELSINKI, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- A teacher was sentenced to nearly five years imprisonment by the Finnish Supreme Court on Monday for sexual abuse of her pupils. A female music teacher at a school in Vantaa, a city in the capital area, pursued sexual acts with two boys between 2012 and 2016. The boys were at the time between 12 and 15, and the teacher around 40. The situation was uncovered when one of the boys talked to the police. The teacher maintained in the court process that the acts had taken place in mutual understanding. She admitted, however, that she had abused the children. The punishment range for sexual abuse of children in Finland is from one to ten years. A local court had first given under four years, and appeals court raised the prison term to five years and the supreme court, in a 3-against-2, gave 4 years 8 months which acknowledged that the teacher had helped the investigation. The sentence covered also aggravated missue of the position of authority of the teacher. Finnish media was split in the publication of the name of the convicted teacher. National broadcaster Yle withheld the name to protect the boys, while the leading newspaper Helsingin Sanomat published her name. The Supreme Court released the name of the teacher in public, but did not publish part of the sentence to protect the boys. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 04:42:04|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CHICAGO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Daily drinkers at any age are 20 percent more likely to die prematurely than less frequent drinkers, suggests a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Analyzing data from more than 400,000 people, the study focused on two large groups of people in the U.S.: 340,668 participants aged 18-85 in the National Health Interview Survey, and another 93,653 individuals aged 40-60 who were treated as outpatients at Veterans Administration clinics. The researchers found that consuming one to two drinks four or more times per week, an amount deemed healthy by current guidelines, increases the risk of premature death by 20 percent, compared with drinking three times a week or less. The increased risk of death was consistent across age groups. "A 20 percent increase in risk of death is a much bigger deal in older people who already are at higher risk," said first author Sarah M. Hartz, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the university. "Relatively few people die in their 20s, so a 20 percent increase in mortality is small but still significant. As people age, their risk of death from any cause also increases, so a 20 percent risk increase at age 75 translates into many more deaths than it does at age 25." She predicted that as medicine becomes more personalized, some doctors may recommend that people with family histories of heart problems have a drink from time to time, but in families with a history of cancer, physicians may recommend abstinence. Some earlier studies have linked light drinking to improvements in cardiovascular health. The new study shows that those potential gains are outweighed by other risks. The researchers evaluated heart disease risk and cancer risk and found that although in some cases drinking alcohol may reduce risk of heart-related problems, daily drinking increased cancer risk and, as a result, mortality risk. "Consuming one or two drinks about four days per week seemed to protect against cardiovascular disease, but drinking every day eliminated those benefits," Hartz said. "With regard to cancer risk, any drinking at all was detrimental." The study was published online Oct. 3 in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 04:42:04|Editor: ZX Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- For Africa to achieve universal health coverage there is a need for private-public sector collaboration, said health stakeholders at a forum on Monday in Johannesburg. "The concept of health for all by 2020 is important to reduce the burden on health systems in Africa. Private sector events adversely affect the public sector and hence it is not possible to separate the two to solve their plans individually," South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told the Africa Heath Business Symposium. South Africa is in the process of implementing national health insurance, he said, noting that the government wants to pull funds together so that both the rich and the poor can have access to quality health care. African Union Commissioner of Social Affairs Amira Elfadil said public-private sector collaboration is critical if the continent is to achieve the universal health coverage. "Harnessing private sector is critical to achieve health coverage and sustainable improvement. We don't need to establish parallel systems that will cause confusion and waste resources," she said. Parfait Uwaliraye, a director general at the Rwandan Health Ministry, said political will and accountability from all stakeholders are required to achieve universal health care coverage. "Achieving the universal health coverage is an ambitious goal," she said. "We have approved and are about to implement an alternative sources of funding for insurance scheme without increasing premium." Ministers and health representatives from different countries shared their best practices. Some called for the use of the new technology, others urged good governance and fighting corruption in the health sector. Over 350 delegates from 31 African countries attended the two-day event, which started on Monday. During the forum, over 20 leading organizations are also showcasing their solutions to address the health challenges in Africa. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 05:23:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close HELSINKI, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila said on Monday that a round table discussion of all political parties should be arranged to discuss the climate policy, after the international climate panel (IPCC) made the recommendation to restrict the climate warming to one and half degrees Celsius instead of two. The requirements envisaged in the IPCC report were a further blow to the Finnish plans to create a primarily wood based biofuel industry in the country. Sipila said, however, that the need to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide opens a huge market for new technological solutions. "Finland has a chance to become a major power in combating climate change," he said. Sipila compared the climate policy with security and foreign policies. He underlined that nonpartisan decisions would be necessary. Professor Markku Ollikainen, chairman of the Finnish national climate panel, said on Monday Finland should reconsider the idea to start producing fuel from the Finnish forests. He told the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that the biofuels made of wood would increase the carbon load four times more than what fossil fuels do. "Finland must rethink its whole land usage policies," he said. Ollikainen pointed out that increased industrial use of wood would reduce the Finnish carbon sink. "We have three ways of reducing carbon emissions from land. We can stop claiming new arable land from the forests, and we should plant forests to unoccupied land. One alternative is to create economic incentives to forest owners so that more carbon is tied down to forests," Ollikainen said. Earlier on Monday Kimmo Tiilikainen, the centrist minister of the environment said on national TV, Yle that Finland would remain at "the two degrees aim" for the time being. He said that Finland alone cannot attain anything, but will push the EU to make more progress. "The EU must also show strength in international talks," Tiilikainen said. Tiilikainen's claim was criticized by Sanna Marin, vice chairman of the opposition social democratic party. Marin told national broadcaster Yle that Finland should rather take immediate steps. She added that the temperature increase would be more serious in the Arctic areas and here the 1.5 degrees impacts like 5 degrees. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 05:23:44|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Africa would not achieve real peace if the land issue is not resolved, President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated on Monday. "As South Africans, we know that peace is not merely the absence of war, but also the absence of injustice," Ramaphosa said at the Eighth Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture in Cape Town. Ramaphosa took the opportunity to drum up support for the ongoing controversial land reform characterized by land expropriation without compensation. "Until we build a South Africa in which the wealth is shared among the people and the land is shared among all who work it, we will not realize lasting peace," he said. The dispossession of black people of their land manifested itself in a violent manner bereft of any notions of peace, Ramaphosa said. Apartheid stripped black people, Africans, coloreds and Indians, of their land and their assets, impoverishing families for generations and robbing them of their dignity, he said. The evictions of farm workers especially in the Western Cape province continues unabated, the president said. "Having brought an end to the heinous crime of apartheid, we set out to put right the wrongs of the past and to build a new society. "It is therefore vital, if we are to restore the dignity of our people and break the cycle of poverty that we address the land question so that there can be peace and prosperity amongst our people. "This will also give us the chance to heal the wounds of the past," Ramaphosa said. It is in this context that people must understand the drive to accelerate land reform through redistribution, restitution and tenure security, he noted. "It is in the interests of both social justice and economic development that we ensure that the land is shared among all those who work it and all those who need it," Ramaphosa said. Effective land reform, where emerging farmers are provided with adequate support and poor households receive well-located land for housing in urban centers, is both a moral and economic imperative, according to Ramaphosa. It unleashes great economic potential, not only of the land, but also of the people who work on it and live on it, Ramaphosa added. The South African government is accelerating the land reform amid criticism both at home and abroad. AgriForum, a lobby group for South African farmers, has launched an international campaign to get the South African government to stop its land reform. The group insists that land expropriation without compensation will drive away white farmers, kill jobs and threaten food security. Ramaphosa has repeatably said the land reform should be implemented in a way that increases agricultural production, improves food security and ensures that the land is returned to those from whom it was taken under colonialism and apartheid. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 05:23:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close SANAA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighting Iranian-allied Shiite Houthi rebels killed five beekeepers in an airstrike on a bee yard in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Monday, a provincial hospital official said. Meanwhile, pro-government media almasdaronline.com reported that the five were killed while they were in their family's bee yard in Dakwanah area east of Salef port. On Friday, a coalition airstrike hit a house in Hodeidah, killing one and injuring three others, according to pro-government online news site al-Hodeidah.net and the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency. The Hodeidah port is a main entry point of about 70 percent of Yemen's food, medicines, aid and fuel. The war has escalated in the port city following the collapse of peacemaking efforts last month by the UN in Geneva after Houthi rebels refused to attend. Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthi rebels forced him into exile. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 05:42:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close SARAJEVO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The International Election Observation Mission here on Monday assessed that Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) general elections were free and fair, and were conducted in democratic atmosphere respecting fundamental freedom. At a press conference held in BiH's capital Sarajevo on Monday, the International Election Observation Mission highlighted that voters were given the wide choice of candidates who were able to campaign freely. However, the Mission said that "the dependence of media on political and business interests often led to biased coverage". Mavroudis Voridis, the Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) observer mission, said that country's Central Election Commission (CIK) "took measures to improve the register's accuracy and referred cases of suspected fraud in postal voting registration to the prosecutor's office." Voridis added that CIK administered the voting process in an effective manner, "despite limited budget and staff, and against the backdrop of continued criticism and allegations regarding technical preparations". "Mechanisms for complaints were established and allowed the consideration that was necessary," Voridis said. Council of Europe had their observation mission consisting of 18 observers on the BiH general elections. Dame Cheryl Gillan, head of the delegation, said that the voting was calm and that electors made their choice freely among a large number of parties and candidates. The International Election Observation Mission comprises some 320 observers from 43 countries. BiH's general elections were held on Sunday. The results will be announced on Tuesday. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 07:31:57|Editor: ZD Video Player Close CHICAGO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Mayor of Chicago, the third largest U.S. city, on Monday voiced opposition to President Donald Trump's suggestion that Chicago should implement stop-and-frisk to curb its violence. "The failed policies he's talking about have no place for a city that's working together with communities about how to build -- not only trust, but a collaborative and cooperative relationship," the mayor Rahm Emanuel said during a local event. Earlier Monday, Trump told a meeting of the International Association of Police Chiefs in Florida that he has ordered Attorney General Jeff Sessions to go to Chicago "to help straighten out the terrible shooting wave," and suggested stop-and-frisk would help fix the crime problem. The mayor said "while resources are always welcome, the idea of what President Trump is talking about is not only not welcome -- it's antithetical to what we're working on, and that is about a strong, pro-active, professional police department." Karen Sheley, director of Police Practices Project, an initiative of the American Civil Liberties Union's Illinois branch, argued that Chicago needs real reform, not a return to "failed and unconstitutional policies." "Black and Latino Chicagoans have lived through the decades of excessive force, unconstitutional and harassing stops, and coercive interrogations leading to false confessions," she said. Estimados amigos, Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia. Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro. Gonzalo Raffo de Lavalle Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras. Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada. Helenio Herrera History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. Karl Marx If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. Sun Tzu We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. Paulo Coelho Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 07:33:22|Editor: ZD Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. internet giant Google said Monday that it is shutting down the consumer version of its own social networking site Google+ due to low usage and a bug discovered in March last year that could leak the data of about half a million of its users. "The consumer version of Google+ currently has low usage and engagement: 90 percent of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds," said Google, which is headquartered in Mountain View in northern California. Google said it is going to close Google+ in the coming months seven years after it was launched as a social networking site of its own name brand. The demise of Google+ also came as a result of a bug discovered last year but acknowledged for the first time by Google on Monday, and the flaw in one of its Google+ "People APIs" exposed some private user data to third-party developers, including such information as the occupations, genders, ages, and email addresses of many users. "We discovered and immediately patched this bug in March 2018," Google said, but the flaw, which has existed since 2015, could potentially affected up to 500,000 Google+ accounts. "Our analysis showed that up to 438 applications may have used this API," Google said. However, "We found no evidence that any developer was aware of this bug, or abusing the API, and we found no evidence that any Profile data was misused." The Google+ vulnerability was discovered at a time that almost coincided with the notorious privacy leakage scandal of the world's largest social media network Facebook, which has been widely criticized for its failure to protect its users' private data. Facebook has been under heavy scrutiny about its privacy policy after a British data mining firm Cambridge Analytica was accused of illegally accessing the data of 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was summoned to a hearing in U.S. Congress in April this year to explain the firm's security measures and how it handled users' privacy. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 08:16:09|Editor: ZX Video Player Close World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taalas attends a news conference after the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 09:46:05|Editor: ZX Video Player Close SYDNEY, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A whale calf has been released from a shark net off Australia's Gold Coast, with the mother of the animal watching on as rescuers went to work. The baby humpback whale was seen to be in distress about 50 meters from the shore early on Tuesday morning, with a rescue team being dispatched from Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol soon after. "It was a very, very young calf -- heavily engaged in the net, it was almost enveloped in the net -- so quite distressing for the calf and quite distressing for the mother," Seaworld director of marine sciences, Trevor Long told local media. Rescuers worked for almost an hour to free the calf, which had sustained cuts and abrasions. "The mother was very close to the calf and very close to us and very interested in what we were doing," Long said. "The calf had a lot of skin abrasions where the net had rubbed it raw -- I don't think these are life-threatening -- but it identified it had been in the net for some time." Shark nets have been used for decades in Australian to protect beach-users from dangerous predators, however, every year several whales also become trapped as they migrate along the eastern coastline. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 09:59:57|Editor: ZX Video Player Close ALGIERS, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Top parliamentary officials from Algeria and Canada met on Monday in Algiers and discussed counterterrorism, the upper house of the Algerian parliament said in a statement. According to the statement, Abdelkader Bensalah, speaker of the upper house of the parliament (Council of the Nation), "exchanged views on issues of mutual interest in general, including counterterrorism" with a Canadian parliamentary delegation led by Senator Raynell Andreychuk. The statement said the two parties also discussed the situation in Libya, Mali and Western Sahara, and stressed the need to respect the international legitimacy in resolving these crises. Canada and Algeria are co-chairing the Capacity-building in the West Africa Region Working Group which is among structures of the UN-sponsored Global Counterterrorism Forum. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 09:56:59|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BOGOTA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Ivan Duque said on Monday that peace talks with National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas will remain suspended until the rebels stop fighting. "We are fully willing to (have) dialogue if and only if they free all of the kidnapped victims and put a stop to these criminal actions," Duque said in a televised message. His remarks came a day after two transit policemen were killed in northern Cesar Department in an ELN attack on the San Alberto-La Mata road. "We are concerned about situations like yesterday's with the police -- no more terrorism," said Duque, whose government inherited the peace talks from former President Juan Manuel Santos. Duque suspended talks with the ELN in Havana, Cuba, in September, in a bid to pressure the rebels to abandon their armed struggle. Santos won a Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a peace deal with the country's largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 11:34:47|Editor: ZD Video Player Close TOKYO, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks fell Tuesday morning tracking losses on Europe and Asian bourses a day earlier while a glitch in the system here added to investor consternation. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 218.81 points, or 0.92 percent, from Friday to 23,564.91. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 22.46 points, or 1.25 percent, to 1,770.19. Mining, transportation equipment and electric appliance-linked issues comprised those that declined the most by the morning break. Markets here were closed on Monday for a national holiday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 11:44:46|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CANBERRA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has rejected calls from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to phase out coal-fired power by 2050. The landmark IPCC report warned that the world has 12 years to avoid climate change catastrophe, saying that unprecedented changes to society were required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Despite the dire warning, deputy Prime Minister (PM) Michael McCormack said that Australia would "absolutely" continue to use and exploit its coal reserves, arguing that renewable energy sources could not replace coal. "The fact is, coal mining... and coal-fired power stations do play an important part of our energy mix in Australia and will do so going forward," McCormack told Sky News Australia on Monday night. "The government (is) supportive of small business, of industry, of farms, and of coal mining," he said. The IPCC report found that Australia was responsible for approximately 1 percent of global emissions despite accounting for only 0.3 percent of the global population. PM Scott Morrison on Monday said that Australia would not abandon its Paris agreement commitment to reduce emissions by 26 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 but said that his government would not be "held to" the IPCC report. Leader of the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP), Bill Shorten, said that a greater proportion of Australian energy needed to come from renewable sources but did not commit to entirely phasing-out coal-fired power. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 12:45:26|Editor: ZX Video Player Close YAOUNDE, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon's ruling party, Cameroon People Democratic Movement (CPDM), on Monday called for calm as the country awaits the final results of the Sunday presidential poll. "We ask all our compatriots to remain peaceful as we await the results of the election, to calmly go about their occupations and not to cede to any form of provocation," Jean Kuete, secretary general of the CPDM told a press conference in the capital Yaounde. Kuete also rebuked the victory declaration by opposition candidate Maurice Kamto, who said earlier that he has been given "a clear mandate" that he intended to "defend vigorously till the end." "We express our surprise, our indignation and worry in the face of such seditious and irresponsible declarations that have no foundation," Kuete said. The National Vote Counting Commission is still to begin assembling results for final counting. Final results of the poll are expected to be announced by the Constitutional Council before Oct. 22. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 12:57:56|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BRASILIA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian presidential candidate for the Social Liberal Party (PSL), Jair Bolsonaro, on Monday confirmed that he would debate with Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party (PT) ahead of the second round of elections slated for Oct. 28. The far-right candidate, the top winner of Sunday's first round of elections gaining 46 percent of votes, did not take part in any of the election debates after he was stabbed in the abdomen on Sept. 6. On Monday, Bolsonaro told the radio station "Young Pan-American" that he would participate in debates if he received the go-ahead from doctors on Wednesday. "I think I could participate in debate. I feel well," he said. He added that debating against the PT would not be difficult, "considering what they did in 13 years (in power)." The PSL candidate criticized Haddad's "scaremongering tactics" in the poor northeast region of the country, where Haddad won every state. According to the official results of the elections, Haddad won 29.1 percent of the votes in the first round. He and Bolsonaro would have a run-off later this month. An outright victory requires at least 50 percent of the votes. The former army captain also said that he identifies his presidential bid with the fight to stop the PT from returning to power. "We flirted with the left too much throughout the last 20 years. Now it is time to go to the center-right and search for a solution to our problems," he said. Bolsonaro confirmed that he would not change his politics ahead of the second round of elections to get more votes, though he will watch his language. The PSL candidate also said that he was negotiating with different parties to generate a base of support for his eventual government. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 14:10:28|Editor: ZD Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday that his government may need to roll out new tax measures in facing the debt problems. In delivering the keynote address at a forum here, Mahathir said his administration had inherited a cash strapped government. "People are expecting something good to come from the change of government, but it will be tough because we have inherited a country which has been depleted." he said. The government may need to explore measures including introducing new tax, selling land to the locals or selling some of the government assets, Mahathir said. Since coming to power after the general election in May, Mahathir has put priorities on reducing debt, which he said was accumulated by the previous government. His government is also facing a shortfall in revenue after fulfilled the campaign promise by abolishing the unpopular goods and service tax. "Malaysian's have proven they can go through many problems and survive," he said, when comparing the current situation to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, stressing that Malaysia's economic foundation remains strong. In a follow-up speech after Mahathir, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the new taxes will be rolled out when he tables the new national budget in November. "Some additional tax measures will be included in Budget 2019," he said. Lim said a tax reform committee formed by the government was tasked with diversifying tax revenue and to make the tax system more efficient and progressive. "The same committee will also be reviewing tax incentives given out previously to see that these measures are still relevant to support high-quality economic growth," he added. How US Banks took over the financial world Ten years after the global financial crisis, Europes banks are in retreat Martin Arnold in London FT montage/Dreamstime Three days before Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in September 2008, Bob Diamond was ushered into a large conference room with buyer hand-written on the door at the New York Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan. As the Barclays boss closed on a deal for Lehman, Mr Diamond says that the opportunity looked wonderful even if he remains frustrated that he could not reach agreement before it collapsed which, he says, may have saved the world from the worst of the financial crisis. In the end, Barclays bought much of Lehmans US operations out of bankruptcy. At that time, Barclays was among the European banks riding high even as the US banking system went into meltdown, with ambitions to be among those left to pick over what was left after the subprime crisis had run its course. A few months earlier, Royal Bank of Scotland had become the worlds biggest bank by assets by outbidding Barclays to acquire Dutch rival ABN Amro. But as shares in the biggest US banks were being pounded by waves of panic about which might collapse next, few could imagine then how the implosion of the debt-fuelled housing bubble would ultimately result in the US financial sector surging back stronger than ever. Over the next decade, Wall Streets top groups would go on to establish a seemingly unshakeable dominance in global corporate and investment banking. European banks, meanwhile, have been forced into a steady retreat weakened by the subsequent eurozone debt crisis and overtaken in the global rankings by resurgent US rivals as well as the even faster growing Chinese state-owned banks. According to figures compiled by the Financial Times, the top five European banks HSBC, RBS, BNP Paribas, Barclays and Deutsche Bank made close to $60bn of combined net profits in 2007. This was a fifth higher than the earnings of their main US rivals: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. By 2017, the picture had changed drastically. The net profits of European groups had shrunk over two-thirds to $17.5bn, more than a quarter below the $24.4bn that JPMorgan earned on its own last year. Indeed, JPMorgans $380bn market capitalisation exceeds that of its five European rivals combined. Between 2006 and 2016, the top five US banks gained 6 percentage points of market share in global wholesale banking revenues, while the top five Europeans have lost 4 percentage points, according to research by Oliver Wyman and Morgan Stanley. Senior bankers trace the contrasting fortunes back to the different responses to the crisis on each side of the Atlantic. The US, led by Treasury secretary Hank Paulson, forced its big banks to go on a crash diet by forcibly injecting government funds and blocking them from repaying it or from paying dividends and bonuses until they had passed a stress test. It totally stabilised the US system, says Paul Achleitner, Deutsche Banks chairman and a former colleague of Mr Paulson at Goldman. It allowed them to radically write off all kinds of stuff that they had there, and yes, they replenished. Over here [in Europe], you couldnt possibly do any of the above. Bankers such as Mr Diamond and Mr Achleitner say Europe is now making a big strategic mistake by leaving itself exposed to increasingly blatant US economic nationalism, particularly under Donald Trumps presidency. 'If youre a bank, youre bad, so lets penalise you.' Bob Diamond, former Barclays chief executive. Charlie Bibby/FT As American banks have shown through history, they go hot and cold on commitment to markets outside the US, says Bill Winters, the former JPMorgan executive now running the emerging markets lender Standard Chartered. So I think it would be imprudent for Europe to find itself in a position where their conduits to international capital markets are entirely companies that do not have a vested interest in the local economy. Others share the mounting concerns that US banks will retreat in the next crisis, leaving European companies with less access to funding. Frederic Oudea, chief executive of Societe Generale Deutsche Bank chairman Paul Achleitner Bill Winters, former JPMorgan executive For European industry to have to rely on American banks for the raising of capital, for mergers and acquisitions, for intermediation of equity and investment is geopolitically somewhat challenging, says Andrea Orcel, head of UBSs investment bank, which has retrenched significantly since the crisis. He describes UBS as a little David against Goliath. David can win, but your challenge is a little bit steeper. European politicians, however, mostly seem untroubled, showing little sympathy for the continuing struggles of regional banks that are still considered politically toxic. Even the companies that rely on bank finance seem unfazed. Corporate treasurers point out that banks are queueing up in Europe to provide access to cheap funding. Multinational companies typically have a stable of at least a dozen banks a mix of local and international lenders that can support global operations to meet financing needs. European banks have retrenched, but others have stepped in to pick up the slack, says Sarah Boyce at the UKs Association of Corporate Treasurers. But Ms Boyce, the former director of treasury at British chocolate maker Cadbury, says there is risk of complacency when banks are queueing up to service companies as they are now. In the last crisis everybody took their ball home and retrenched to their domestic market, she says. There is a real risk the American banks will do exactly the same in the next crisis. In the past decade, the five European banks tracked by the FT have shrunk their revenues by 20 per cent, their assets by 15 per cent and their workforce by almost 30 per cent. Meanwhile, their five Wall Street rivals have grown their revenues by 12 per cent and their assets by 10 per cent, while their headcount has shrunk by less than 10 per cent. There are some who believe that Europes shrinking banks should be celebrated. Sitting in the peaceful courtyard of Oxford universitys All Souls College, where he is warden, Sir John Vickers says: You had in effect a huge taxpayer-backed subsidy for risk-taking and that ended in tears. So pulling back from that is directionally a good thing. The [banks] balance sheets got so overblown with a lot of activities which I believe were completely unproductive so there is no social loss or economic loss in their disappearance, says Sir John, who chaired the commission that drafted Britains policy response to the 2008 crisis. Sir John Vickers: 'You had in effect a huge taxpayer-backed subsidy for risk-taking and that ended in tears. So pulling back from that is directionally a good thing.' Charlie Bibby/FT RBS remains the most extreme example of a European bank in retreat. For a spell in 2008, it was the worlds biggest bank by assets until being bailed out by Gordon Browns Labour government a month after Lehman collapsed. Since then, RBS has been engaged in a drawn-out restructuring, shedding more than 60 per cent of its assets and 70 per cent of staff. Ewen Stevenson, finance director at RBS, says the European corporate and investment banking market suffers from an excess of capacity that drags the profitability of most banks in the region down below their cost of capital, meaning that they are destroying value. So it is a concern, but it is a multi-faceted problem that I dont think would get solved just by insisting that European investment banks continue to exist at scale, he says. As well as being slower to flush toxic assets out of their balance sheets, European banks have also suffered from the political stigma around the sector in the aftermath of the crisis. Across much of Europe you saw almost the application of biblical justice, which is if youre a bank, youre bad, so lets penalise you, as opposed to lets make you healthy again, says Mr Diamond, who was pushed out by regulators as Barclays chief executive in 2012 and now runs private equity funds that buy assets from banks. Since the crisis, most European countries have introduced bank-specific taxes and laws, such as the bonus cap and the Mifid II investor-protection rules, which do not apply in the US. But Andrew Tyrie, the former chairman of the Treasury committee of backbench MPs who now chairs the Competition and Markets Authority, says the UK had little choice but to rein in its banks after the crisis because they had grown so large relative to the size of the British economy. As a proportion of GDP the US banking sector is much smaller than that of the UK, so the price of a regulatory mistake may be relatively less severe, he says. The US government is now unwinding parts of its post-crisis financial regulation, such as the Volcker rule restricting proprietary trading by banks, but Mr Tyrie says Britain must be wary of following suit. The UK cannot afford to allow any such reconsideration to weaken vigilance over systemic risk, says Mr Tyrie, who chaired a parliamentary commission on bank reform. There are structural reasons for the outperformance of US banks, which benefit from a dominant position in a homogeneous domestic market that boasts the worlds largest investment banking fee pool. Europe has no truly pan-European banks, its economic growth remains sluggish, and the eurozone banking union is unfinished. Added to that, Brexit now looks set to further fragment the market. Frederic Oudea, chief executive of Societe Generale points out that US banks can charge triple the fees for an initial public offering and 30 per cent more for bond issues than in Europe. I would not call it an oligopoly, but it is not far off, he says. At a time when the US is using sanctions against countries like Russia, Iran and Turkey as a way to harness the dominance of the dollar in international trade and achieve its foreign policy goals, some argue that strong, global banks are more important than ever for Europe. Mr Achleitner says he has been asking politicians in Berlin if they are happy leaving the US to be the worlds financial policeman since he became chairman of Deutsche Bank six years ago. His questions grew louder when the US panicked investors in 2016 by threatening Germanys biggest bank with a $14bn fine for alleged mortgage securities mis-selling before the crisis. Six years ago they were quite indifferent to the question if we need big international banks in Germany, says the Deutsche Bank chairman. In the current political environment this position has changed fundamentally. For 60 years, most Europeans have assumed that their strategic interests are aligned with the US, but Mr Achleitner says this is now changing. The hard-nosed fact is there may be elements where it deviates and they just become much more accentuated under the current US president, he says. Additional reporting by Patrick Jenkins Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 14:32:04|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KABUL, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A local Taliban leader has been killed and another militant wounded following clashes with Afghan police personnel in the country's eastern province of Paktika, Afghan Interior Ministry said Tuesday. "A local Taliban leader named Ihsan Ullah was killed and one militant wounded in an Afghan National Police ambush in Guldara, a locality on outskirts of provincial capital Sharan on Monday," the ministry said in a statement. The dead Taliban leader was serving as leader of Taliban's Sara Keta or special force in the province, 155 km south of Kabul, the statement added. No civilian or member of police unit was hurt during the fighting. Violence has been on the rise as security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by militants at the time when the country is preparing for the parliamentary and district councils elections slated for later this month. During the upcoming Oct. 20 elections, more than 54,000 Afghan army soldiers and police personnel would be deployed to provide security for 5,100 polling stations across the country. The Taliban militant group has yet to respond to the report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 14:45:02|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CANBERRA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has revealed its plan to divert migrants away from major cities and boost population growth in rural areas. Alan Tudge, Minister for Population and Cities, dubbed the "minister for congestion busting" by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, announced the policy in a speech on Tuesday, promising decentralization and incentives to direct new migrants away from Melbourne and Sydney. Under the current system only 5,000 of Australia's annual intake of 190,000 migrants are diverted to regional areas, while the new reform could force nearly half of the migration stream to settle in smaller states. "About 45 percent of our visas aren't attached to a geographical location as such, and therefore there are those opportunities to provide those incentives and encouragements to reside elsewhere," Tudge said. The new visas would require recipients to live outside major cities for "at least a few years." Australia's population grew by an average of 220,000 every year between 1982 and 2007 but that figure has grown to 375,000 per year since 2007 with the majority coming from net annual migration. The nation's total population was forecast to grow by 2.5 million between 2003 and 2018 but instead swelled by five million. "While the overall population of Australia has been growing at the rapid rate of 1.6 percent per annum, our three large population centres have been some of the fastest-growing cities in the world," Tudge said. "Melbourne last year grew by 2.7 percent, Sydney by 2.1 percent and southeast Queensland by 2.3 percent," he said, saying "We are working on measures to have more arrivals go to smaller states and regions and require them to be there for a few years," "In that time, the evidence suggests, many will make it their home for the long term," he said. Figures published by the Department of Home Affairs in August revealed that 87 percent of migrants who arrived in Australia between June 2016 and June 2018 settled in either Melbourne or Sydney. While Melbourne and Sydney have experienced strong population growth, the population of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia (SA), grew by 0.7 percent in financial year 2017 while that of Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory (NT), grew by 0.5 percent. Steven Marshall, Premier of SA, has previously called on the federal government to direct a greater share of migrants towards his state to stimulate population growth. Tudge also said that the government was investigating fast rail links connection regional areas set to benefit from the policy to major cities. He said that fast trains would resolve the congestion problems plaguing Sydney and Melbourne, citing Bureau of Transport, Infrastructure and Regional Economics data that revealed peak-hour travel times in Sydney are 65 percent longer than non-peak and 55 percent longer in Melbourne. The Opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) criticized Tudge for his lack of detail on which visa categories would be targeted under the policy. "It's not really a plan. This is just a sort of generalized discussion," ALP Senator Jenny McAllister said. "I think that's where the flaws lie," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 14:49:02|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KABUL, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Five militants were killed following an explosion in Afghanistan's western province of Farah on Monday, the country's Interior Ministry said Tuesday. "Five armed Taliban were killed by their own explosives while they were planting a landmine in Nehal Dasht village, Posht Rod district, western Farah province," the ministry said in a statement. The province has been the scene of heavy clashes between Taliban and security forces since earlier this year. Taliban militants and Islamic State fighters have been using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target security forces, but the lethal home-made weapons also inflict casualties on civilians as well as the militants. On Monday, 16 Taliban militants were killed in a similar incident in eastern Ghazni province. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 15:20:39|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close NEW YORK, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly apologized for quoting Winston Churchill online after evoking opposition from people who claimed the wartime British prime minister was racist. Kelly, who is also United Nations Champion for Space and has 5.76 million followers on Twitter, tweeted on Sunday, alluding to the deep divisions in U.S. politics: "One of the greatest leaders of modern times, Sir Winston Churchill said, 'in victory, magnanimity.' I guess those days are over." Churchill led Britain, along with the efforts of other Allied powers, in defeating Nazi Germany in 1945. He wrote the book "The Second World War" and summarized its moral as "In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity. In peace: goodwill." Kelly's tweet was met with criticism from anti-racism activists who accused him of ignorance, claiming that Churchill was racist and cruel. They linked Churchill with the 1943 Bengal famine in India which his administration did not do much about, leaving millions dead. Kelly, who is also a retired U.S. Navy captain, soon went on to apologize and clarify that he did not mean to offend by quoting Churchill. "I will go and educate myself further on his atrocities, racist views which I do not support. My point was we need to come together as one nation. We are all Americans. That should transcend partisan politics." Kelly's apology, however, evoked fervent opposition from those who saw nothing wrong with his deeds. British TV presenter Piers Morgan termed Kelly's behavior "gutless surrender to the howling Twitter mob," while media personality Katie Hopkins accused Kelly of "cowardice" and "grovelling." Canadian politician Jason Kenney said: "We're now at the point where one needs to apologize for quoting Churchill? He wasn't perfect (hard to judge any historical figure by today's standards). But do we really think we'd be better off if Churchill didn't lead the charge against Nazi Germany?" U.S. scholar Christina Sommers also disagreed with Kelly's apology, saying everyone has human failings and Churchill possessed "genuine greatness" that "may have saved freedom and democracy." In a BBC nationwide poll that garnered more than a million votes in 2002, Churchill was named the greatest Briton of all time, before Charles Darwin, William Shakespeare and Isaac Newton. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 15:16:16|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close People ride on their buffaloes during an annual water buffalo race at Vihear Sour pagoda in Kandal province, Cambodia on Oct. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Sovannara) by Nguon Sovan, Mao Pengfei KANDAL, Cambodia, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- With their heads and horns covered in sparkling decorations, water buffalos were raced here at Vihear Sour pagoda on Tuesday in a bid to preserve the almost a century old tradition. The race is part of a ceremony hosted by residents in Vihear Sour village to mark the end of the Pchum Ben festival, or the Ancestors' Day. At the annual event, racers rode their buffalos up and down a 450-meter narrow dirt track, which was flanked by thousands of avid spectators. Heng Than, head of the buffalo racing committee, said 16 buffalos took part in the race this year, up from only six buffalos at the event last year. "We have encouraged buffalo owners to join the race in order to preserve this age-old tradition, and we hope that more buffalos will partake in the event next year," he said, adding that the committee awarded 50,000 riel (12.5 U.S. dollars) to each jockey. Interspersed with buffalo race were a horse race and other events, including traditional wrestling and prayer ceremony for the dead ancestors. Buffalo rider Yan Than said he has participated in the competition for 10 consecutive years in order to conserve the tradition that has existed in the village since the 1920s and to celebrate the Pchum Ben festival. "The race is for fun only, not for winning or losing," he told Xinhua. "After the race, we ride on our buffalos back home and use them for farm work." Another racer Chan Chin said he took part in the event every year for about two decades and wished to see the tradition alive forever. "Buffalo race is the happiest event of the year for the villagers here and it has attracted visitors from all over Kandal province, Phnom Penh City, Kampong Cham province, and Prey Veng province," he told Xinhua. One of the spectators Ros Chhim said he had never lost his excitement in seeing the race although he had watched it every year since he was a child. "It creates a fun atmosphere for us and all visitors to the Vihear Sour pagoda," the 54-year-old Kandal man told Xinhua. He said in the past, a lot of buffalos joined the race, but now the number of the beasts is on the decline because farmers had no appetite in raising them after they had used mechanical farming equipment to replace the animals in farm work. "I remember that in the 1990s, there were about 60 buffalos taking part in the annual race, but in recent years, there have been only more than 10 buffalos in the race," Ros Chhim said. "Some farmers have sold their buffalos because the price is high, a pair of adult buffalos are sold at about 3,000 U.S. dollars." Vey Savin, a viewer from Prey Veng province, said it was the first time he took his 10-year-old son to watch the race because he wanted him to see the old-age tradition in the village. "It's an interesting race, and I'm impressed with the buffalos, which are beautifully adorned with glittering headgear," the 42-year-old father told Xinhua while using his smartphone to capture the views of the race. Vihear Sour pagoda is located about 40 km northeast of Phnom Penh. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 15:54:18|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, will hold talks here on Tuesday with Pakistani officials to discuss ways of cooperation in reconciliation in Afghanistan. A Pakistani official told Xinhua that the U.S. special representative will meet Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other senior officials at the ministry. A U.S. embassy spokesman said Khalilzad will "explore how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan." The U.S. envoy is visiting Pakistan as part of his 10-day visit to five countries, which is his first visit since his last month's appointment. He concluded his two-day visit to Afghanistan on Monday, where he held talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and several other Afghan leaders. The U.S. State Department said last week that Khalilzad will be leading an interagency delegation to Afghanistan, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia from Oct. 4 to Oct. 14. The trip reflects the U.S. administration's intent to support, facilitate and participate in a peace process in Afghanistan. "Special Representative Khalilzad's mission is to coordinate and lead U.S. efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. He will do so in close coordination with the Afghan government and other stakeholders, exploring how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict," a U.S. State Department statement said last week. The United States is seeking help of the stakeholders to encourage the Taliban to sit with the Afghan government to find out political solution to the conflict, which has now entered in 18 years. The United States and its NATO allies launched operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. Pakistan and all regional countries favor direct talks between the Taliban and the National Unity Government, however, the Taliban are unwilling to talk with Kabul and insist to talk with the U.S. on a time-frame for the withdrawal of foreign troops, which they consider is the basic cause of the war in Afghanistan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 16:04:21|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close MANILA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved three million U.S. dollars in assistance to support immediate relief efforts in central Sulawesi of Indonesia, the bank said on Tuesday. "I am pleased to announce that ADB has approved a three million U.S. dollars grant assistance to support immediate relief efforts in central Sulawesi," ADB President Takehiko Nakao said. Nakao added that ADB has also offered long-term emergency assistance loans to help with reconstruction in devastated communities. The ADB said the three million U.S. dollars immediate relief assistance will come from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, ADB's emergency assistance facility. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 16:06:21|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Tourists visit the Slender West Lake in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 7, 2018. China witnessed 726 million domestic tourists during the National Day holidays on Oct. 1-7, growing by 9.43 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Zhou Haijun) BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's week-long National Day holiday, which ended Sunday, has triggered a tourism and consumption boom, making it a "Golden Week" for both China and other countries. The following are some facts and figures about the Golden Week that evidence continued growth in the country's domestic consumption rates, demonstrating strong economic resilience: AN ENGINE GAINING NEW STEAM -- Chinese tourists made 726 million visits to parks, scenic spots, museums, concerts and other attractions at home during the holiday, up 9.43 percent from the same period of 2017, according to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. -- The country's tourism sector earned total revenue of 599.08 billion yuan (about 86.8 billion U.S. dollars) during the period, a rise of 9.04 percent from one year earlier. -- Retail and catering industries reaped combined revenue of 1.4 trillion yuan (203 billion U.S. dollars) during the period, up 9.5 percent from one year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce. Although the pace of growth moderated compared with previous years, a breakdown analysis of the data points to continued consumption upgrading, with consumers spending more on high-end products and services, analysts said. Besides consumer goods, Nicholas Lardy, an economist with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said China's large and still-growing middle class has been spending a growing share of its rising income on education, health care, travel and other services. Huang Zhilong, an analyst with the Suning Institute of Finance, estimates that service consumption has risen to account for about half of China's household spending. This comes as China seeks high-quality development that draws more strength from domestic consumption, innovation and the service sector. Efforts have been paying off. Consumption contributed to 78.5 percent of economic expansion in the first half of this year, up from 58.8 percent in 2017. With more measures to boost consumption, including income tax adjustments, lowering import tariffs and the upcoming China International Import Expo, domestic demand has great potential to continue growth, said Chen Lifen, a researcher with the Ministry of Commerce. A BOON TO REST OF WORLD China's National Day holiday has also triggered a global tourism boom. Data from the National Immigration Administration showed on Oct. 1-7, the number of outbound Chinese travelers rose 8.2 percent year on year to 6.94 million. According to bookings on Tuniu.com, a leading Chinese online travel service provider, 46 percent of tourists traveled abroad during the holiday, with France, Italy and Switzerland ranking as the top three most-favored destinations for long-distance tours while Japan, Thailand and Vietnam ranked as the most-favored destinations for short-distance outbound tours. China has remained the world's largest source of outbound tourists for five consecutive years. Its outbound travelers contributed nearly one-fifth of the 1.34-trillion-dollar international tourism revenue in 2017, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Huang Zhilong said China's outbound tourism is still in the primary stage of a fast expansion period, and expects the number of outbound tourists to exceed 150 million in 2018, up from 131 million in 2017. According to Alibaba's e-commerce platform Tmall, total turnover from the sales of imported products during the first three days of the holiday doubled from one year earlier, with Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea being the top three exporters. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 16:45:17|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least six people have been killed and 14 others injured in a blast at a steel plant in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh Tuesday, officials said. The incident took place at the state-owned Steel Authority of India's Bhilai Steel Plant in Bhilai town, some 30 km from state capital Raipur. "The blast occurred in the gas pipeline of Bhilai Steel Plant. While six bodies have been recovered, the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital," an official said. Police and rescue teams have been rushed to the plant, he added. A probe has been ordered into the blast, another official said. "It seemed to be an accidental blast not any sabotage, prima facie. Anyway, we will wait for the probe report," he added. This is not the first time that explosion has hit the Bhilai Steel Plant. Six workers lost their lives in an explosion in the blast furnace of the plant four years back. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 16:43:10|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad issued on Tuesday a general amnesty, covering penalties related to military service, state news agency SANA reported. The presidential pardon covers crime of fleeing from military service and related penalties on condition that they should surrender themselves within a specific timeframe. It's not the first time Assad issues such a pardon. However, the amnesty comes at a time the Syrian army has regained much of the country after more than seven years of war. Make America Germany Again The Democratic Partys left flank has ideas for fixing the country Some of them have a Mitteleuropa flavour TUCKER CARLSON, a Fox News host, and Bernie Sanders, a democratic-socialist senator, seldom agree. Yet on the matter of billionaires supposedly sponging off taxpayer largesse, they are completely simpatico. On September 5th Mr Sanders introduced a bill which would force large firms to pay taxes exactly equal to the amount of safety-net benefits consumed by their employees, including food stamps, housing vouchers and Medicaid. The target of Mr Sanderss legislation, titled the Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies or Stop BEZOS Act, was clear. Attacking Jeff Bezos, the founder and boss of Amazon, is a uniquely bipartisan pastime. The left of the Democratic Party views him as a latter-day Ebenezer Scrooge. Trump-cheerleaders like Mr Carlson despise him for owning the meddlesome Washington Post. Mainstream economists took a dismal view of the pitch. Congressional Democrats, especially those eyeing a presidential run in 2020, are awash with bold policy ideas. In addition to Mr Sanderss pitch, Kamala Harris, a Democratic senator from California, has offered a proposal to give generous tax credits to citizens who spend more than 30% of their incomes on rent. Elizabeth Warren, a progressive senator from Massachusetts, would like to up-end corporate boards by requiring that employees pick 40% of the members. Start with Mr Sanderss proposal. The cost of safety-net programmes like food benefits, Medicaid coverage and rental subsidies could easily amount to thousands of dollars per employee. A pitch to charge firms that amount would be a de facto head tax, strongly discouraging employment. Its essentially a tax on hiring low-skill workers, but worse, says Samuel Hammond of the Niskanen Centre, a think-tank. Since eligibility largely varies with children and dependants, its actually a tax on firms for hiring low-skill parents. Companies would have perverse incentives to filter out the applicants they thought likeliest to be on benefits. Because they would be barred by law from asking about welfare status directly, they would probably resort to pernicious stereotypes (such as not hiring a middle-aged black woman without a wedding ring). It would also encourage companies to minimise low-skilled labour as much as possible, hastening automation. Bad, worse, wurst Ro Khanna, a Democrat from Silicon Valley, introduced an identical bill in the House of Representatives. While he concedes that automation is a real worry, he dismisses the discrimination critique offered by liberal economists. Though discrimination is notoriously difficult to prove in court, high penalties would still encourage firms to behave, Mr Khanna insists. Besides, he says, the point of the bill is to encourage companies to forgo the headache by paying their employees a higher minimum wage. If you raise to a liveable wage, like $15 an hour, then youre exempt. But if youre not going to provide a decent wage, and youre making trillions of dollars, then youre going to be on the hook for all the public benefits that youre consuming, Mr Khanna says. The idea that benefits schemes for low-income workers are corporate welfare is mainstream on the far left. Yet it is also quite strange, since it implies that for those at the bottom of the earnings distribution, wages would rise if the safety-net were slashed. Some people could draw a message from the bill that programmes like SNAP [food stamps] or Medicaid are badbecause theyre fundamentally corporate subsidies, says Robert Greenstein of the Centre on Budget and Public Priorities, a left-leaning think-tank. The earned-income tax credit, which operates explicitly as a wage subsidy for working-class families through the tax system, has been helpful in alleviating poverty. Indeed, manyincluding Mr Sanderswould like to see it expanded. Similar problems haunt Ms Harriss daring plan to offer tax credits for those facing high rents. She would like the federal government to reimburse households for rent that is over 30% of household income. Housing affordability is certainly a growing issue, especially in Americas booming cities. But that is because of constrained supply. Fuelling demand with billions in government cash while housing supply is stuck means that prices will only rise. The winners would be landlords, who would pocket most of the vast expenditure. Ms Harriss proposal would encourage people to rent flats well beyond their means. Those making less than $25,000 would get 100% of their excess rent subsidised by the government. In San Francisco, the costliest city in America, this means that such a person would pay at most $625 a month, even for a flat costing $4,681 a month. Uncle Sam would kick in the rest. Because the policy abruptly shifts reimbursement rates around cut-off points, those making $75,000 in San Francisco could lose as much as $8,500 of tax credits by making an additional dollar. In cities with high rents, those making up to $125,000 a year, hardly a needy bunch, would qualify for subsidies. Wunderbar Of all the proposals, Ms Warrens Accountable Capitalism Act is the least destructive. Some of its provisionslike requiring firms with more than $1bn in revenue to obtain a federal charter and barring executives from selling shares for five yearsare relatively modest. Others, like requiring corporations to create a general public benefit, seem vague and unenforceable. The most eye-catching proposal, which is for employees to elect 50% of the representatives on corporate boards of directors, seems radical but has been commonplace in Germany since 1976. Although such a system might not work as well in America, where employees are less likely to remain loyal for years, it is hardly the stuff of revolution. None of the proposals will become law anytime soon. But they do foreshadow the themes of the next Democratic presidential primary, at a time when the party seems to be in its wilderness-wandering stage. Populist policies, such as sticking it to Mr Bezos, subsidising rent and giving more power to workers, are in the ascendant. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 16:50:41|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close KUNMING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- More than 400,000 tonnes of freight have traveled across the border on the meter-gauge railway connecting China and Vietnam so far this year, latest figures show. Of that amount, more than 250,000 tonnes were exported from China, a year-on-year increase of 13.26 percent, according to China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd. Launched in 1910, the China-Vietnam meter-gauge railway is an important international passage between China and Southeast Asia. After a series of discussions, a regular freight train was launched in December 2017 between southwest China's Kaiyuan County and Vietnam's coastal city of Haiphong, to meet growing freight demand. A variety of goods, such as chemical fertilizer, coke, fodder and seamless steel tube, have been transported on the 615-km-long railway route since its opening. The rail route, with a 1,000-mm-wide track, was built by France during 1904-1910 in the mountainous region. It is currently the only major rail line in China using a 1,000-mm-wide track. The global standard for rail track width is 1,435 mm. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 17:17:41|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army Tuesday continued construction of a cement wall along its borders with Lebanon near Kafr Kila and Adaisseh, local media reported. The construction was implemented by Israeli engineering teams under the supervision of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese army, according to a statement published by the online independent newspaper Elnashra. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) unveiled the construction of the wall in earlier September, as part of the preparations Israel is making ahead of a possible conflict. The new fence is set to replace a standard border fence that has been in place for years. The new barrier is being contested by Lebanon who says Israel is dipping into its territory. Officials in Israel have denied the claims. According to the IDF, the construction will be completed in two years at the cost of hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 17:47:17|Editor: mym Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday confirmed UN's support to Iraq and the continuing of its programs in the war-torn country. In a statement by his office, the Prime Minister-designate Abdul-Mahdi received a phone call from Guterres, who congratulated Abdul-Mahdi for his appointment to form the government. Guterres confirmed UN's support to Iraq in all aspects, including the continuation of its programs in Iraq, as well as the need for stability and reconstruction. For his part, Abdul-Mahdi confirmed Iraq's need to increase the international community's support during the next stage in various aspects, particularly after Iraq achieved victory over Islamic State (IS) group, and its efforts to reconstruct Iraqi cities and provide services to its people, the statement said. On Oct. 2, the Iraqi parliament elected Barham Salih as president of Iraq, who later named Abdul-Mahdi as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming the new government for the next four years. According to the Iraqi constitution, the prime minister-designate has 30 days to put together a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval. On Dec. 9, 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially declared full liberation of Iraq from the IS extremist group. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 18:52:12|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close KABUL, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has encouraged the Afghans to take part in the upcoming elections, the mission said in a statement Tuesday. Taking part in elections is a citizen's right enshrined in the Afghan constitution and a basic human right for all people, "to elect and be elected" through free, general, secret and direct balloting, said the statement, a day after the Taliban militant group urged Afghan citizens not to attend the process. During the upcoming Oct. 20 elections, nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, out of some 12 million eligible Afghans, will cast their ballots to elect members of the 249-seat lower house of parliament for a five-year term while they will also vote to elect members of the district councils. "Afghan men and women have a basic human right to freely choose their government and leaders," Tadamichi Yamamoto, special UN envoy and head of UN mission, was quoted in a UNAMA statement as saying. "It is critical that all actors in Afghan society do everything within their power to safeguard this fundamental right so that citizens can cast their vote without obstruction, threat or intimidation," he said. More than 54,000 Afghan army soldiers and police personnel would be deployed to provide security for 5,100 polling centers across the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 18:53:06|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close HARARE, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his government will soon open up the platinum sector to all interested investors while a diamond policy to guide the sector will be announced soon. Government had left out the two minerals when it liberalized the mining sector in December after scrapping the controversial Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act that limited foreign shareholding in mining ventures to 49 percent. The president was quoted by the state controlled Herald newspaper on Tuesday as saying that the 51-49 percent shareholding requirement with regards to platinum will soon be repealed. "We did not have Diamond policy as a country, we have now done our research and we are now going to announce our Diamond policy. With regard to platinum, I can safely say it (the platinum sector) is going to be open to anybody," Mnangagwa said. Zimbabwe has the world's second largest platinum reserves after South Africa. He said the diamond policy would guide the sector on such issues as exploration, ownership, mining, processing and selling. Mnangagwa has committed to opening up Zimbabwe's economy to the rest of the world in order to attract the much-needed foreign direct investment to revive the ailing economy. Meanwhile, gold deliveries hit 28 tonnes by end of September, only two tonnes short of the targeted 30 tonnes this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 18:58:51|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close HARARE, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Prevailing foreign currency shortages in Zimbabwe are hitting hard on patients who are now being forced by some dispensaries to pay for medication in foreign currency while some doctors and health institutions are now also demanding the same. One pharmacist told Xinhua that suppliers were demanding cash for the medication, so the pharmacists had no option but to demand the same from patients. "On this one we want cash. The supplier wants cash and there is nothing we can do about it," he said while he was dispensing Prednisolone, a drug which eases the effects of gout. The Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) said on Tuesday that it had noted with concern the absence of pharmaceuticals among the list of strategic sectors earmarked to benefit from a 500 million U.S. dollar facility from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). RBZ announced this week that the facility would fund the procurement of essential commodities such as fuel, electricity, wheat, raw materials for the manufacturing of cooking oil, packaging and other basic commodities. Meanwhile, many patients, some with chronic ailments, are being forced to move from one pharmacy to another in search of medicines and having to look for U.S. dollars on the black market where they are charged premiums of up to 350 percent. AHFoZ said severe shortages of essential and chronic drugs had been reported countrywide. "This situation deals a severe blow to the population in general and to workers in particular, some of whom may need medication. A sick workforce cannot be productive," the association said in a statement. "The shortage of medicines for chronic conditions compromise the quality of life of those requiring them and reverses healthcare gains achieved, since those unable to access them have to default on their treatment, while others are reportedly reacting to substitutes," it added. It warned that patients whose conditions were previously well-managed on chronic medication would suffer from complications due to their inability to access prescribed medication. "AHFoZ urges its members to closely monitor the situation with a view to engaging employer organizations to request that medical aid subscriptions be paid in U.S. dollars, so that service providers may be paid in U.S. dollars and their members be able to access healthcare services without inconvenience." the association said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:15:36|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close by Peerzada Arshad Hamid NEW DELHI, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indian health officials Tuesday said 29 cases have tested positive for Zika virus in its western state of Rajasthan during the ongoing surveillance exercise. "So far, there are a total of 29 people who have been tested positive for Zika virus," Veenu Gupta, one of the senior health officials in Rajasthan, said. According to Gupta, 150 to 200 teams were conducting a surveillance exercise to detect the cases. "The teams have surveyed 26,000 houses and all cases of fever have been listed," Gupta said. "Wherever there is a need to collect samples our people are collecting that on a large scale." Indian health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said government surveillance mechanism was "robust" and assured no case would go unreported. "I want to assure people of India that everything is under control and there is no need to panic," Nadda said. "It is our continuous surveillance process going on and wherever we will come across such cases, we will adhere to our protocol to wipe it." Nadda said a report on Zika virus obtained from Rajasthan has also been sent to the prime minister's office. According to Nadda, the health ministry was continuously monitoring the ongoing situation in Rajasthan. The present outbreak of Zika virus in Jaipur was detected through the Indian Council of Medical Research surveillance system. Meanwhile, a seven-member high-level team from New Delhi was deputed to Jaipur following detection of the first case to assist the local government in control and containment measures. Officials said a control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control in New Delhi to undertake regular monitoring of the situation. Reports said health ministry has also issued an alert to eastern state of Bihar as one of affected in Jaipur hailed from Bihar and visited his home in Siwan district recently. Meanwhile, the health officials in Bihar have issued advisories to all its 38 districts to keep a close watch on people showing symptoms similar to Zika virus infection. "The Siwan resident, who studies in Jaipur, visited home between August 28 and September 12 to appear for an exam," a local media report said. "His family members have been put under surveillance." In India, the first outbreak of Zika virus was reported in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) in 2017 and later on from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu. Officials said both outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management. Zika virus disease ceases to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) according to WHO and can be handled as per existing protocol. Zika virus infection has been linked to severe birth defects in almost 30 countries. These include microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and restricted brain development. Although the virus is mostly spread by mosquitoes, it can also be sexually transmitted. Zika was first identified in 1947. The virus was not considered a major health threat until a major outbreak in Brazil in 2015 revealed that it can lead to severe birth defects when pregnant women are infected. The WHO says although Zika causes only mild symptoms in most people, it sometimes causes complications including microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:16:27|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close DHAKA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Transportation services were severely affected in Bangladesh as a nationwide indefinite strike by truckers has entered the third day. The truckers demand amendments to the recently enacted "Road Transport Act 2018." Almost all long-distance trucks stayed indoor. Only a few private trucks were in the streets in Dhaka, leaving millions of dollars worth of perishable goods stranded in Dhaka and in other towns and cities, including premier seaport city Chattogram, some 242 km southeast of capital Dhaka. Relevant government authorities are negotiating with the truckers over the strike, which created untold suffering for businesses and commoners as it has already resulted in a hike in the prices of some essentials. Md Mokbul Ahmad, a leader of the truckers, said they were demanding amendments, not abolition of the Road Transport Act 2018 that was passed in parliament last month with provisions for stringent punishment to the traffic offenders. The act, which now awaits presidential approval before it becomes law, stipulates that the traffic offenders will risk being sentenced up to 5 years in non-bailable jail or a fine of 500,000 taka (5913 U.S. dollar) or both. According to the act, if it is proved that a driver has intentionally killed anyone, it said the incident will fall under either section 302 (murder) or section 304 (culpable homicide) of the penal code. The country's existing transport law entitled the maximum penalty of three years behind bars with the provision of bail. The move came in the wake of the countrywide student protests that erupted after two students died on the spot, while other nine were injured after they were run over by a bus in a reckless driving incident in July. Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Covered Van Truck Goods Transport Owners' Association, said a poor driver cannot pay 500,000 taka (5913 U.S. dollar) in fines for a crash. Truckers have vowed to continue with the strike until the government agrees to amend the Road Transport Act 2018. No untoward incidents owing to the strike have so far been reported. Women take a selfie next to the plane at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Feb. 24, 2018.(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome said on Monday that Ethiopia will soon allow fellow African citizens to enter the country without obtaining visas in advance. Efforts are underway so as to start visa-on-arrival procedure for African travelers during the current Ethiopian year, which started on Sept. 1, Teshome told a joint session of the two houses of the Ethiopian parliament. Teshome stressed that Ethiopia, which hosts various international and regional organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, has strengthened efforts to enable fellow Africans enter the country without visa requirements. An AU initiative on the free movement of people urged all African countries to issue visa-on-arrival as of 2023. "Ethiopia, as a seat of the continental union, will be implementing it," Teshome said. He said the visa-on-arrival initiative would facilitate the economic integration of Africa by pushing tourist flow to a higher level and help advance conference tourism. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:27:42|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BELGRADE, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Six people died and 27 others were injured in a series of multi-car collisions on Serbia's main highway on Tuesday morning, police said in a press release. The accident took place around 7:20 a.m. (0520 GMT) near the city of Jagodina, some 100 km southeast of the country's capital Belgrade, according to the police. The fatal collisions piled up in both directions of the highway, causing a complete collapse of traffic. Members of the police, together with rescuers, rushed to the scene. Rescuers have been trying to free people, both locals and foreigners who were trapped in their vehicles, according to Serbia's public broadcaster RTS. The injured, including three citizens from Greece, Poland and Germany, were transported to hospitals in the cities of Jagodina and Cuprija. "The investigation is ongoing, while the traffic accident was most probably caused by the dense fog," police said. RTS confirmed that at the time of collisions, the visibility in this part of the highway was decreased to just bellow ten meters as the dense fog rose from the Morava river nearby. "There was some mist on the way, but when I passed Morava it had turned into a thick wall," said one truck driver who witnessed the event. "I immediately started to brake and stopped before the truck in front of me. I got out of my truck and saw that vehicles around me had already started to collide." One truck caught fire and fire brigades and ambulances were at the scene, according to witnesses. A Queens politician is calling on New Yorkers to confront white supremacist activity in the borough, after anti-immigrant posters linked to a violent neo-Nazi group were found in Sunnyside this past weekend. The signswhich inform New Yorkers of their "civic duty to report any and all illegal aliens," and include a number for the ICE hotlinewere seen pasted to electrical boxes on 35th Street and Skillman Avenue. Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer discovered two of them while out for a jog on Sunday, and promptly recorded himself tearing one down. Saw this trash on #SkillmanAvenue during my a.m. run. Tore them up. We are a #SanctuaryCity & we need to be a sanctuary neighborhood. All Immigrants are welcome here. If you see these, feel free to take them down. Be a sanctuary neighbor. #QueensValues must trump #TrumpValues! pic.twitter.com/9mtuZeW1Cn Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) October 7, 2018 On Tuesday, Van Bramer hosted a press conference alongside local residents and immigration activists with Make the Road NY to condemn the xenophobic flyers. "It's meant to intimidate all immigrants whether they're documented or not," he told Gothamist. "The vast majority of people in this neighborhood, and in Queens, support immigrants," he told Gothamist. "But make no mistake, there are racists and white supremacists among us." The councilmember also urged the community to serve as "sanctuary neighbors by actively confronting hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric," and said he'd be seeking more information about potential white supremacist activity in the neighborhood. According to the latest census, Sunynside boasts a population that is 35% Hispanic, 34% Asian, 28% white and 2% African-American. Van Bramer's office believes the signs are the work of Vanguard Americaa white supremacist group led by a self-identified neo-Nazi and former staff sergeant in the marines. The underground organization has emerged as an increasingly prominent far-right voice since President Trump's election, and made headlines for their visible presence during the deadly #UniteTheRight rally in Charlottesville. (James Fields, who allegedly murdered Heather Hayer with his car during the event, was photographed wearing the Vanguard uniform, though the group denies he is a member). Vanguard America has also been linked to hateful signage that's previously appeared in the region: Members of the group allegedly held signs reading "Feminists Deserve the Rope" during a women's march in Rhode Island, and hung a banner reading "(((Heebs))) Will Not Divide Us" outside a Holocaust memorial in Lakewood, New Jersey. The white men who unfurled a banner in Fort Tryon park this summer declaring "STOP THE INVASION, END IMMIGRATION" were part of a separate neo-Nazi hate group, known as Identity Evropa. Immigrant advocates with Make the Road NY see the surge of hateful rhetoric and incidents in the city as a direct result of President Trump's hardline policies designed to strip immigrants of their humanity. As of August 24th, there were 217 hate crimes reported in New York City in 2018a slight decline from this time last year, when hate crimes soared by nearly 100 percent in the wake of the election. "Hate has no place in Queens," Javier H. Valdes, Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York, told Gothamist. What makes Queens so special is its phenomenal diversity, and we will continue to insist on respect and dignity for all, period. Immigrant communities across Queens are here to stay." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:49:31|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday urged the United States to stop "unwarranted slandering and accusations" and to put an end to words and deeds that undermine Sino-U.S. relations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked for further comment on the U.S. leader's recent allegations that China is "interfering in" the 2018 mid-term U.S. elections, just one day after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to China. "From the very beginning we have made it clear that China will not accept groundless accusations as such," Lu said. As a diplomatic tradition, China has been committed to the principle of non-interference, and takes no interest in interfering in the United States' internal affairs, he added. "As put by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his meeting with Pompeo, China has a clear conscience about this," Lu said. As for the claim from the U.S. side that China's ratcheting up of tariff levies was aimed at influencing its mid-term elections, Lu said that the move was forced to be made as a righteous defense needed to protect China against Sino-U.S. trade frictions, a result of U.S. unilateralism. "There is no winner in fighting a trade war," Lu said, adding that as the United States increases tariffs on more exports from China, more American industries and localities will be inevitably impacted by China's retaliatory measures. "This has nothing to do at all with which political parties they back." In response to the claim that Chinese media outlet intended on "meddling in" U.S. internal affairs by buying space in its local newspapers, Lu said that the move was normal business cooperation and doesn't violate U.S. laws and regulations. Lu told the news briefing that it is utterly "groundless and farfetched" to interpret such cooperation as "attempts to meddle in U.S. elections," to the point that many members of various sectors in American society, including media, tend to regard such allegations as ridiculous or absurd. "The international community is clear about which country interferes the most in other countries' internal affairs," Lu said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:44:54|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close PARIS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan and France have signed 5-billion-euro (5.73-billion-U.S. dollar) deals during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's first official visit to Paris, his press office announced here on Tuesday. After meeting with French leading groups including Total, Vinci, Suez and Thales in addition to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the French Development Agency, Uzbekistan signed accords in several sectors as part of the central Asian state's "comprehensive reform plan to boost economic activity and attract and protect foreign investment", it said. No details were given on the signed accords. During his two-day stay in Paris, Mirziyoyev met on Monday Gerard Larcher, president of the French Senate, as well as Audrey Azoulay, the Director General of UNESCO. He was scheduled to have talks with French President Emmanuel Macron later on Tuesday. For January-August period this year, trade exchange between the two countries totaled 195.1 million U.S. dollars, according to official figures. (1 euro = 1.147 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:54:04|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and China will witness a broader cooperation in the coming period, President of the Arab Chinese Cooperation and Development Association (ACCDA) Kassem Tofailli told Xinhua on Monday. ACCDA will take part in the 2018 Silk Road Business Summit in China on Oct. 16 where the association's Vice President Jamil Hodeib, a Chinese medicine doctor, will be a keynote speaker, said Tofailli. "This is how we push forward the cooperation between the two nations in the field of Chinese medicine," said Tofailli. "We will meet with officials in Beijing to discuss the possibility of expanding Chinese medicine to Lebanon by establishing a center in the country," he added. The association also aims at creating cooperation between Lebanese and Chinese universities in people to people exchange. He said that ACCDA is a platform for people to communicate on various aspects such as technology, medicine, cultural exchange and education. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:59:06|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close SHENZHEN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Birthday wishes and marriage proposals are often displayed on the huge outdoor electronic billboard of KingKey Financial Center, Shenzhen's second-highest skyscraper. This landmark building, completed in 2011 with a height of 441.88 meters, offers a spectacular view of the sprawling metropolis. Today, Shenzhen's skyline is dotted with over 100 skyscrapers (more than 200 meters high), 10 of which are over 300 meters high. The city ranks among the world's top three cities for most skyscrapers according to Chinese website gaoloumi.com. In less than four decades, Shenzhen has transformed from a sleepy fishing town into a forest of skyscrapers. "The city was a town of fishing ponds and desolate lands when I was sent to work here in 1982," recalled Wang Yugang in his 70s, a retired employee of a state-owned construction company who came to work in Shenzhen as the construction supervisor of the famed International Trade Center Building. Two years after Shenzhen was announced as China's first Economic Zone in 1982, urban planners began to hatch the idea of building China's tallest skyscraper. That same year, the construction of the 160-meter-high International Trade Center Building began. The pace of its construction impressed the country as it was completed in only three years. Since then, "Shenzhen speed" became one of the well-known outcomes of China's reform and opening up. Over the past few decades, each new tower has redefined the city skyline. The fast-evolving skyline in Shenzhen serves as a timeline of the city's history. In 1996, the 383.5-meter-high Diwang Building was completed, which was at the time the tallest building in Asia. In 2011, the 441.8-meter-high KingKey Financial Center was finished and in 2015, the Pingan International Finance Center with a height of nearly 600 meters dominated the city's skyline. Shenzhen's tallest skyscraper expanded from 160 meters to 380 meters in 10 years, and it took only five years to smash the record from 440 meters to 600 meters. "Compared with other first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Shenzhen has a big population with relatively little land," said Guo Wanda who works with the China Development Institute based in Shenzhen. "This is part of the reason why skyscrapers offer a solution to the problem." As China's first testing ground for its market economy, Shenzhen has become a technology center and financial hub in recent years. With its favorable business environment, nearly 300 Fortune 500 companies have set up their China bases in Shenzhen. "There will be more landmark skyscrapers in Shenzhen and the idea of a 'rising skyline for growth' will continue to be highlighted in the city's future economic development. Skyscrapers have become an inevitable part of Shenzhen," said Guo. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:59:03|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close JAKARTA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's East Java provincial police has named owner of a company, which has illegally shipped protected birds offshore, as suspect, a legal move aiming at preserving species on the brink of extinction in the country. Provincial police chief Inspector General Luki Dermawan said on Tuesday that the the CV Bintang Terang firm, whose license to breed birds has been expired since 2015, still persists operation. "We got reports that some bird dies in the firm facilities, we will check it," Dermawan said in East Java province. The firm located in Curahkalong village of Jember district has carried out a breeding business, but also purchased birds which are critically endangered and illegally shipped them offshore, the police said. The owner of the firm with an initial of LDA could serve a jail term up to 5 years and pay a fine should he be found guilty, according to the police. In a crackdown the police seized hundreds of varies types of cockatoo and others, he was quoted by Antara news wire as saying. Indonesia is known as the most species rich nation as its large area of rain forest is home to numerable species spreading over 17,500 islands. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 19:58:17|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close CAIRO, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian police on Tuesday killed at least 10 terrorists in a security raid in Arish city of restive North Sinai province northeast of the capital Cairo, official news agency MENA reported. After receiving a tip-off, the national security sector struck hideout of some terrorist elements in a deserted farmland in El-Obour area in Arish. They were planning to carry out terrorist operations. Three machine-guns, two rifles, two bombs and ammunition were seized in their possession, the report added. Egypt has been battling militants for years, but the Sinai-based terrorist operations gained strength after the 2013 military ouster of Egyptian former Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in response to massive protests against his one-year rule. On Monday, the armed forces announced in a statement the death of 52 militants in North Sinai. The raids are part of the "Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018," which has started in February. More than 390 militants and over 30 soldiers were killed so far in the anti-terror campaign. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:07:18|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Germany plans to offer non-refundable aid worth 55 million euros to support development projects in Mongolia for this year and next, Mongolian Foreign Affairs Ministry said Tuesday. Negotiations were held here on Oct. 8-9 under the framework of bilateral technical and financial cooperation in 2018-2019 between the governments of Mongolia and Germany. "We decided to provide the financial assistance for projects in the three priority sectors in Mongolia, namely energy efficiency, sustainable economic development and biodiversity," said Kathrin Oellers, the visiting head of the department for East Asia at the Federal Ministry of Economic Development and Development of Germany. Over the past 25 years, Germany has provided a total of 450 million euros in aid to Mongolia. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:08:25|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close The first batch of humanitarian supplies from the Chinese government for Indonesia's quake victims arrives at Balikpapan International Airport in eastern Kalimantan Island, Indonesia, on Oct. 9, 2018. The aid, consisting of tents, water treatment equipment, generators and other supplies, will be delivered to the earthquake and tsunami-hit areas in Central Sulawesi province soon. There are still four batches of this kind of aid to be delivered in days. (Xinhua) JAKARTA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of humanitarian supplies from the Chinese government for Indonesia's quake victims arrived at Balikpapan International Airport in eastern Kalimantan Island on Tuesday afternoon, the Chinese embassy in Indonesia said in a statement. The aid, consisting of tents, water treatment equipment, generators and other supplies, will be delivered to the earthquake and tsunami-hit areas in Central Sulawesi province soon. There are still four batches of this kind of aid to be delivered in days. Wang Liping, Minister Counselor (Economic & Commercial) of the embassy and senior officials from Indonesia's disaster management agency BNPB and the foreign ministry welcomed the arrival of the Chinese cargo planes at the airport. Besides the aid from China, the Chinese embassy also purchased some provisions locally which are urgently needed by the victims in Central Sulawesi, which will also be delivered to the disaster-hit regions. Meanwhile, the embassy said the Red Cross Society of China had donated a total of 200,000 U.S. dollars to its Indonesian counterpart, Palang Merah Indonesia, to help shore up relief works in the province. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked Central Sulawesi province on Sept. 28, triggering a tsunami and mudslides that already killed 2,010 people and displaced tens of thousands of others until Tuesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:25:15|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close by Ahmed Shafiq ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The first week of Egypt's nationwide Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) initiative has seen a high turnout among Egyptians. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi announced in Sept. that a campaign dubbed "100 Million Lives" to be launched in October to detect and treat Hepatitis C across the country. The initiative aims to examine 45 million to 52 million citizens out of a population of 104 million. The first stage of the three-phase campaign, which lasted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, covers nine Egyptian governorates. The second phase of the initiative is scheduled to kick off in December in 11 other governorates. "I'm here to undergo medical examinations under President Sisi's initiative to check health," Sana Abdel Salam, a 45-year-old lady, told Xinhua as she waited in front of a mobile medical unit in al-Qalaa area in Alexandria Province, north of Cairo. The widow lady, who is a mother of five children, said the initiative is important since it aims at saving the lives of Egyptians. "I would ask my children to take tests which are provided for us for free," she said. On Monday, Egyptian Health Minister Hala Zayed inspected the health center of the San Stefano Hospital and the mobile clinics of Qaitbay Castle in Alexandria Governorate in a follow-up to the initiative. The minister was briefed on the E-registration system of the initiative, to ensure that all patients are registered and medicines for treatment are available. She called on all citizens in the governorates covered by the initiative to go to hospitals to register their names, check their health status, and receive treatment for free. "With this massive initiative and the effectiveness of the drug, we will definitely achieve the goal of eliminating Virus C in Egypt by 2020," John Jaboor, representative of World Health Organization (WHO) in Egypt said. He added that WHO works hand in hand with the Egyptian Minister of Health to reach the high level of detection. Egypt garnered global recognition for fighting Hepatitis C as medication costs in the North African country are relatively lower than in other more developed countries. Official statistics revealed that the number of patients with hepatitis C in Egypt ranged between 9 million to 15 million. However, Egypt has made great success in reducing the spread of hepatitis C because of its treatment and prevention policies as well as the use of new generations of medicines. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that predominantly infects the cells of the liver. This can result in inflammation and significant damage to the liver. An estimated 1.45 million people die annually from all types of viral hepatitis, mostly from liver disease and cancer caused by these infections. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:25:17|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close TOKYO, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo's world-renowned Tsukiji fish market closed its doors on Saturday for the last time after an illustrious 83 years of trading, with the closure bringing mixed feelings from both traders and tourists. Many of its thousands of workers are now due to open for business at a new site in the Toyosu area, located about 2 km away from the original site, on October 11. Officials decided that Tsukiji had become unsanitary, rundown and no longer able to meet Japan's insatiable demand for fresh fish. A relocation plan was first proposed almost 20 years ago, but was delayed several times. Most recently, toxic substances, remnants of the gas facility that once operated there, were found in Toyosu, costing billions of yen in cleanup operations. The site was deemed safe in July and plans to move were finalized. "It's ironic," said one market operator, Minami Setsuko, who opposes the move. "They say Tsukiji isn't safe any more, but the new site is full of waste left over from the industry that used to be there." She is not the only worker who is not looking forward to moving. According to one survey, more than 80 percent of Tsukiji workers oppose the closure. Some are concerned their customers will not follow them to the new market, which they fear is in a less convenient place for many restaurant owners. They will each pay millions to replace essential equipment such as refrigerators and freezers. The weeks leading up to the move have seen hundreds of Tsukiji workers protesting, and in September, 56 workers sued the city in a failed last-ditch attempt to halt it. Tsukiji Market originally opened after the Nihombashi market was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1923. It quickly became the world's largest seafood market, with hundreds of types of seafood for sale. It resembled a small city unto itself, with restaurants, a bank, a post office, clinics, and shops selling cooking equipment and souvenirs. On its busiest days, the market was host to around 40,000 visitors and workers, and many of its businesses were passed through family generations. It was also one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. For years, visitors to Tokyo flooded the market each morning to eat the freshest sushi, buy souvenirs, and watch the famous rambunctious auctions, where enormous bluefin tuna sell for millions of yen. Park Juun-ho, visiting from South Korea, said he only learned that he and his wife Soo-jin were visiting Tsukiji on its last day when they arrived. "We're definitely super lucky," he said. "It made the sushi more delicious," his wife added. The market also has a special place in the hearts of foreign residents based here. "I came to Tsukiji on my first morning in Japan 10 years ago," said Simon Jackson, from Britain. "I was jet-lagged and woke up early so it made sense to go. I had breakfast and it was the first time I'd eaten proper sushi in my life. I wasn't planning to stay in Japan for more than a couple of months, but I'm still here, and soon Tsukiji won't be. I'm sad to see it go," Jackson said. The traders have, over the years, however, had an uneasy relationship with tourism. The market was not designed with tourists in mind, and they have been blamed for congestion among its stalls and narrow lanes. In 2008, the market barred tourists from the tuna auction for one month following complaints that they were blocking traffic, distracting workers with flash photography, and endangering hygiene by handling the produce themselves. Tourists were readmitted later in limited numbers and under strict conditions. Some areas of the market remained off-limits to visitors altogether. "Steering around them is part of the job," said Masahiro Asano, who worked as a driver at Tsukiji for 11 years. "And every day there seems to be a few more of them." It remains to be seen if the new site will retain the lure the old site had for tourists, or, indeed, customers. Many restaurants in the Tokyo area will be affected by the move, and some say they will be forced to temporarily close their businesses or source their fresh fish from elsewhere. But Tsukiji saw no fall in activity in its final days. Retired auctioneer Hisao Ishii returned to the market to see its last auction. "I'm almost crying. Today is a sad day of goodbyes. Tsukiji tried to meet the times, but it is getting older," Ishii was quoted as saying. After the move, Tsukiji will become a parking lot for industry vehicles in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The site, under current plans, will thereafter become a tourist center. Zombie raccoons have infiltrated Brooklyn's favorite dog oasis. amNY reports that at least two trash pandas have so far tested positive for canine distemper virus in Prospect Park, many miles and a river away from another outbreak in Central Park. The two infected raccoons have been euthanized, but still, the Parks and Health Departments ask visitors to keep their dogs on leashes, lest the free-range puppers bumble into the path of a distempered raccoon and mistakenly attempt to make friends. In Central Park, at least 176 raccoons have died from the disease since June, while three other zombie raccoon cases have popped up in the Bronx. Although distemper sounds like a tidy descriptor for my everyday mood these days, it is actually a virus that attacks its host's nervous, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems, eating away at motor skills and coordination. The symptoms resemble those of rabies, and result in jerky, spasmodic movements, as if the animal victims weren't in control of their own bodies. As used here, "zombie" does not imply that the unnaturally animated corpses of these refuse foragers have been staggering around the city's parks in search of brains to eat; rather, it refers to the confused, occasionally aggressive state the animals often assume before death. The infected Central Park raccoons "looked like they were circulating, wandering, having spasms," Dr. Sally Slavinski, an assistant Health Department director, told the NY Post. "Some of the raccoons had some sort of nasal discharge." Per the American Veterinary Medical Association, distemper affects pooches and pups, as well as "foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink, and ferrets, and has been reported in lions, tigers, leopards, and other wild cats, as well as seals." Probably, though, you don't walk your seal in Prospect Park; you may, however, take your land seal to any number of popular doggo destinations there: Long Meadow, Nethermead, Peninsula Meadow for off-leash hours, or Dog Beach for a dip. For now, maybe don'tor if you do, please keep your hounds leashed: Distemper spreads through direct contact, as well as shared dishes, equipment, and through the air. (Maybe just keep your pets away from their pet peers for the foreseeable?) In a statement to Gothamist, a Parks Department official urged calm: "It would be a mischaracterization to say that distemper has spread," the official said, noting that, "While raccoon[s] travel quite freely, in urban areas they typically won't travel more than 1 or 2 miles. It is unlikely that a raccoon sick with distemper would survive the more than eight mile trip from Central Park and Pelham Bay Park." The official also pointed out that distemper is fairly common among U.S. raccoons, and that "when the virus is newly introduced in to a large, dense population of raccoons it can spread rapidly and cause widespread illness," which likely explains the Central Park outbreak. Still, raccoons have been known to take (and ravage) the subway, and dogs certainly take the subway (never forget), so for now, please make sure your dog does not roam Prospect Park unchaperoned or untethered to your wrist: One of the infected garbage bandits was collected on the east side of the park, and the other, in Long Meadow. In conclusion, goodnight, sweet prince: Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:30:58|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close ANKARA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A search will be carried out in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey's Istanbul in line with an ongoing probe on the disappearance of a Saudi journalist, Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The ministry said that this search will be implemented in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and under the official permission of the Saudi diplomatic mission chief. "The Saudi authorities stated that they were open for cooperation, and an investigation can be carried out in the building of the Consulate General," the statement said. Turkish prosecutors have launched the probe on whereabouts of Jamal Khashoggi, 59, journalist and columnist of the Washington Post. The Saudi journalist has been missing since last Tuesday afternoon after entering the consulate building to get several documents for his marriage. Turkish Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned Saudi Arabian ambassador to Ankara and demanded permission to search the consulate building in Istanbul. Unconfirmed reports quoted Turkish police sources as saying that Khashoggi was likely killed inside the consulate. Saudi officials denied such allegations as "baseless," insisting that the journalist left the consulate's premises. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:47:33|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close ATHENS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- After Canadian international rating agency DBRS said it considers Greece runs a "moderate" risk of exiting the eurozone, some analysts in Greece on Tuesday viewed the scenario as particularly remote. In a report issued on Monday, DBRS warned that while the other 18 eurozone members run a "low risk" of eurozone exit, including all other countries to emerge from a bailout program, Greece continues to face a moderate possibility. "The main factor setting Greece apart from other countries is the high stock of official external debt, which Greece will need to gradually repay via primary surpluses," the report noted. "Despite the favorable terms on Greece's official debt, DBRS considers that this debt burden could again become a source of tension between Greece and its main creditors. If Greece is unable to sustain its primary surplus commitments, its creditors may be less willing to contemplate additional debt relief," argued DBRS. The agency warned: "If simultaneously faced with persistently weak growth, a future government could conclude that Greece has exhausted other options and the cost of remaining inside the currency area is too high." Some analysts in Greece, however, viewed this scenario as particularly remote, but warned that international uncertainty predictably generates such concerns over economies such as Greece's. "I do not think there is a prospect of a Greek exit, this is a rather extreme scenario, but I can understand why an agency would contemplate it, when associated with country's weak growth, the various uncertainties in the eurozone and the upcoming elections in Greece and the European Union," commented Dimitris Kenourgios, associate professor of finance at the University of Athens. "Greece remains the weakest link in the bloc and whenever there are problems internationally they are reflected more on this country," Kenourgios pointed out. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:53:17|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close MANILA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday that a new foreign secretary will be named soon after current Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano decided to run for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2019 mid-term elections. Duterte said he has already decided Cayetano's replacement for the post. "I have a name, he (Cayetano) agreed. But he did not authorize me to name him (the new foreign secretary) now," Duterte told a news conference at the presidential palace. Duterte appointed Cayetano as foreign secretary in May 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 20:53:18|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Norwegian royal couple's upcoming visit to China will strengthen the already sound relationship between the two countries, Norwegian Ambassador to China Geir O. Pedersen said here Tuesday. During a press conference held at the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, Pedersen said that "the visit of the King and the Queen is the political and symbolic expression of the deepening of the relationship between Norway and China." King of Norway Harald V will pay a state visit to China from Oct. 11 to 20. "We have developed an excellent relationship ... particular since last April when our Prime Minister Erna Solberg visited China. The relationship between Norway and China has developed very well and very, very positively," Pedersen said. King Harald V and Queen Sonja who first visited China in 1985, have great interest in China, and extensive knowledge about China, he said. "They have been ... extremely impressed by what they have seen during these four decades of the reform and opening-up in China," he said, adding that they also applaud China's fight against poverty and pollution, and how China is tackling different social challenges. Using salmon as an example, Knut Roald Sorlie, commercial counselor at the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, described the business relationship between Norway and China as one with "a good dynamism." "Things are happening on the ground. The export of fresh salmon to China, in the first seven months of this year, has increased by 682 percent, and that is a very good start," Sorlie said. "Now the Norwegians engage more with China, so the interest in China is increasing," he said. Sorlie said there will be a total of 340 delegates representing 150 Norwegian companies that are visiting China this time together with the royal couple, a new record. Apart from business cooperation, the royal couple's visit to one of the world's biggest solar panels in Dunhuang, Gansu province, will also show the two countries' joint efforts in fighting against climate change, the ambassador said. "Both Norway and China are strongly committed to the Paris Agreement. In the area of climate, we have cooperated for more than 20 years," Pedersen said. It's more important than ever for both countries to strengthen political and economic dialogues, and cooperate in trade, investment, tourism and environmental issues, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 21:29:08|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close KIEV, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian authorities are investigating sabotage as a possible cause of the fire at a Ukrainian army ammunition depot in the northern Chernigiv region, a senior military official said on Tuesday. "Several versions are being examined, including the possible act of sabotage," Rodion Tymoshenko, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told reporters during a media briefing. He said that the preliminary investigation has found that four separate blasts occurred in different parts of the arms storage facility before the fire started. Earlier, the General Staff said that the blast rocked the ammunition depot near the town of Ichnya, about 170 km east of Kiev, at about 3:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT), triggering a fire and the subsequent massive detonation of the ammunition. The firefighters and the army's emergency response teams are working at the site to extinguish the fire that engulfed 10 percent of the 682-hectare depot. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 21:34:09|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Germany's trade surplus declined slightly in August as import growth outpaced increases in exports, preliminary figures published by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Tuesday. According to the Wiesbaden-based government agency, Germany exported goods worth 105.2 billion euros (120.4 billion U.S. dollars) and imported goods worth 88.1 billion euros in August, marking increases of 2.2 percent and 6.2 percent respectively compared to August 2017. As a consequence, an overall monthly trade surplus of 17.2 billion euros was recorded in August, down from 20 billion euros during the same period last year. On a seasonally- and calendar adjusted basis, the August trade surplus came in slightly higher at 18.3 billion euros. Compared to the previous month of July, exports fell by 0.1 percent and imports declined by 2.7 percent. The data published on Tuesday provided further tentative evidence of a gradual shift in Germany towards lower trade surpluses and more consumption-driven growth. Back in June, the Federal Statistical Office emphasized that the volume of imports hit the highest level since the beginning of trade measurements in 1950. Broken down by region, Germany's foreign trade partners continued to be concentrated within the European Union (EU). The country exported goods worth 59.3 billion euros (plus 1.2 percent) to other members of the bloc in August 2018 while receiving imports worth 48.3 billion euros (plus 5.2 percent). The eurozone hereby accounted for the bulk of EU exports (36.4 billion euros, plus 1.3 percent) and imports (31.4 billion, plus 1.3 percent). During the same period, non-EU countries received 45.9 billion euros (plus 3.5 percent) of German goods and were the source of 39.7 billion euros (plus 7.2 percent) of monthly imports. (1 euro = 1.14 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 21:49:12|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- German carmaker Volkswagen's sales fell in September because of the introduction of new exhaust systems regulations, the Wolfsburg-based company announced on Tuesday. The Volkswagen brand delivered 485,000 vehicles in total to customers in September, marking a decline of 18.3 percent compared to the same period last year. In Europe and domestic market, delivers were down by an annual rate of 42.6 percent and 47.1 percent respectively. According to Volkswagen, the development was "chiefly due" to the effects of the new Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) which became legally binding across the European Union (EU) in September. On Monday, the rival German Daimler Group similarly revealed a 8.2 percent slump in September sales which it blamed on logistical difficulties surrounding the WLTP certification process. Earlier, technological changes required to fulfil the WLTP standards already led Volkswagen to issue a profit warning for 2018. The company emphasized, however, that "outstanding figures" since the start of the year had helped soften the decline in sales experienced in September. In the year to date, the Volkswagen brand has handed over some 4,622,900 vehicles to customers throughout the world. Sales consequently rose 2.9 percent during the first nine months compared to the same period last year. "The year to date has been the most successful ever for Volkswagen. Developments in September were a setback, but we had been expecting this following the records in the summer," a statement by Juergen Stackmann, Volkswagen board member for sales, read. Stackmann noted that his company had now obtained approval for high-volume variants of all 14 Volkswagen brand models but would continue to be affected by the transition to the WLTP test procedure throughout October. He predicted that the ongoing changeover would be "virtually completed" by the end of the year. "This is why we expect a return to our old strength. From November, we will be ready for the end-of-year sprint in Europe." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 21:59:14|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A huge container ship named CMA CGM Congo arrived at Lebanese port of Tripoli on Tuesday to open a new shipping line between China and the port. "The vessel is the first to hold 10,000 containers. It will unload 1000 containers in Tripoli port for the local market, and the rest will go to other ports in the region," said Ahmad Tamer, manager of Tripoli port. Tamer said that this new line, Beks, is characterized by its capacity to host big-size cargo vessels that can reach 50 meters in width and 300 meters in length. Beks will contribute to doubling the volume of products coming from China to the port, said Tamer. Tamer added that the remarkable improvement of the port resulted from Lebanon's efforts and the Chinese contribution to supporting the port's development plan. Tripoli is located on the Mediterranean coast, about 80 kilometers from the Lebanese capital Beirut, and about 30 kilometers from the Syrian-Lebanese border. China Harbor Engineering Company has worked on rehabilitating Tripoli's port since 2012 for it to be ready to receive all big vessels. Tripoli port has expanded its terminal to receive the largest types of vessels in addition to creating a terminal to receive Chinese cranes capable of lifting and transporting more than 700 containers a day. Attention is turning to this port nowadays for the role that it can play in the reconstruction of Syria which has been torn by a seven-year civil war. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 22:09:15|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- German exports to Britain could fall by up to 57 percent as a result of British withdrawal from the European Union (EU), a study by the German Economic Institute (IW) showed on Tuesday. If no free trade agreement was concluded between the EU and Britain by March 2019, exports from EU countries to the country would be charged with an average of 3.6 percent tariffs, the study found. The EU, on the other hand, could impose customs duties of 2.8 percent on exports from that side. According to the IW study, exports from Germany to Britain would be burdened with an effective tariff rate of 4.3 percent. In total, EU companies could face costs of over ten billion euros due to tariffs, while British companies would have to bear a good five billion euros in additional expenses. "This horror scenario should motivate politics to act constructively," said IW scientist Markos Jung. German companies would have to pay customs duties of 3.3 billion euros (3.8 billion U.S. dollars). The German automotive industry would be particularly affected in this regard. With around 60 percent, the car manufacturers would account for the "lion's share" of Germany's additional costs, the study stated. Speaking to Xinhua on Tuesday, Matthias Diermeier, economist at IW and co-author of the study said that "a final decision on a trade agreement will not be reached by the end of March at all. An interim solution based on the status quo is as likely as a hard Brexit scenario". However, it is "very likely that in the long run a more modern free trade agreement will be established by the EU and the UK, similar to the CETA agreement between the EU and Canada," added Diermeier. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 22:14:16|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close LONDON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- British former Brexit minister Steve Baker on Tuesday warned that at least 40 Conservative MPs are willing to vote against the prime minister's Brexit deal in Parliament. The message was sent as Baker, a Brexiteer, told local media that originally 80 MPs were prepared to vote down the Chequers plan, but when it comes down to the vote, at least 40 MPs will still veto the document. He said that this would happen even after "every possible technique" is used by the government to address concerns among politicians. "The government are going to whip this vote extremely hard but ... whips would be doing incredibly well if they were to halve the numbers," the ex-minister said. Baker said his estimation is that there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept a half-in, half-out Chequers deal. His warning came as Britain and the European Union's Brexit talk is in impasse. "In the end, the EU is not entitled to split the UK and it is not entitled to constrain how we regulate the economy and how we govern ourselves after we leave," he said. "If the UK faces either possibility then we must in the end be willing to say that it is a bad deal and no deal is better than a bad deal, it has been said before many times," he added. Parliament is to vote on the terms of Brexit ahead of the country's March 29 exit. MPs have been promised a "meaningful vote" this autumn on the terms of the Britain's exit from the EU as well as the framework of future economic relations with the bloc. Governor Andrew Cuomo sat at the green dais, grinning triumphantly. Flanked by eight Democratic candidates for State Senate who longed for his unwavering support, he held up an innocuous-looking piece of white paper in a blue booklet. Cuomo had just signed the paper. So had the candidates, all eight of them. The October 1st rally on Long Island, meant to project unity as Democrats fight to take control of the State Senate and exile Republicans from their last perch of power in New York, was Cuomo to the corepomp and circumstance, with the undercurrent of triangulation and menace. Cuomo had gathered the eight Long Island candidates, including two current Democratic senators, to demonstrate his commitment to the Democratic takeover, as well as ensure this potential class of 2019 gets with his program. Publicly, all the candidates signed a pledge to enact particulars of Cuomos agenda: keeping his treasured 2 percent property tax cap, adding funding for infrastructure, codifying Roe v. Wade into state law, and reforming ethics and voting laws, among others. Included in the pledge, and mostly unremarked upon by the media and political observers, was one curious plank: demand New York City pay its fair share for the MTA. The suburban candidates happily signed on. Progressives and left-leaning Democrats, especially those living in the five boroughs, should be very worried. The demand is a hallmark of Cuomos, built upon a destructive fiction that has been wielded with effectiveness against his enemy in government, Mayor Bill de Blasio. Since the subways began to fail in spectacular fashion during the summer of 2017, Cuomo and his surrogates have repeatedly misled the public about the states control of the subway system. A quick recap: the MTA is a state authority. Cuomo appoints the chairperson and a plurality of board members. He almost single-handedly determines the MTAs fiscal agenda. In 2015, he unilaterally shut the subways down during a snowstorm. Even de Blasio didnt know about the shutdown until it happened. Still, Cuomo has falsely claimed the subways are de Blasios problem and the citys responsibility. Baked into this falsehood is another misleading premise: that the MTA, a dysfunctional bureaucracy that routinely blows budgets and wastes far more money than any other comparable transportation agency in the world, is not adequately funded by New York City. New York City not only pays its fair share towards the MTAwithout revenue from the five boroughs, the authority would probably collapse altogether. Through taxes, tolls, and fares for subways and buses, the city funds a sizable majority of the MTAs operating budget. City Comptroller Scott Stringer found in 2015 the city is responsible for 68 percent of that budget. (Nicole Gelinas, a transit expert at the Manhattan Institute, estimates that of the $5.5 billion in dedicated taxes the MTA collects, New York City is responsible for a whopping 73 percent.) Surely, Cuomo knows this. Hes disingenuous, but hes cunning. Whats become apparent these past few weeks is that the governor, ready to glide into a third term, is not just going to use the MTA as a cudgel against de Blasio. Cuomo is ready, once again, to divide and conquer the State Senate. The last time Democrats threatened unified control, Barack Obama was re-elected president. Democrats won more than enough seats that year to knock the Republicans out of power. Instead, with Cuomos blessing, the Independent Democratic Conference formed an unprecedented power-sharing agreement with the Republicans to keep them in the majority. As an instinctual centrist with an occasional appetite for progressive politics that fits his personal timelineand no one elsesCuomo has always been wary of an entirely Democratic legislature. Over his eight years, Cuomo has outright rejected the idea of raising the minimum wage (he eventually did it) and taxing wealthy people. He has championed charter schools, threatened huge funding cuts to CUNY, refused to significantly bolster the citys rent laws, and happily allowed big money to dominate New York politics. When progressives got angry, Cuomo could always blame the Republican Senate for squelching their dreams. If Senate Democrats got too uppity, they could go squabble with the IDC instead of training their ire at the governor who screwed them over, again and again. The IDC is dead. Cuomo cant recreate it. But by creating a policy pledge tailored to suburban candidates (and preparing a separate one for those running in the five boroughs), Cuomo can hope to pit Senate Democrats against one another. Cuomo's spokeswoman, Abbey Collins, declined to provide any explanation for what the "fair share" specifically means. Collins also pointed to remarks the governor made on Friday to a transit reporter, when he said the city wasn't likely to pay its "fair share" toward the MTA and the legislature should pursue congestion pricing as the only funding fix. Michael Murphy, the spokesperson for Senate Democrats, told Gothamist, Everyone understands that we need to find a dedicated stream of revenue to fix the crumbling MTA. There are a number of credible options which we will discuss as conference. Occupying swing districts with vocal Republican blocs, the Long Island Democrats could be less likely to follow the lead of new leftists like Julia Salazar, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, and John Liu. Without vocal constituencies who live in rent-regulated housing stock, they could be given more of a reason to resist calls for universal rent control, especially with the Real Estate Board of New York, one of Cuomos top allies, ready to curry favor with their millions. There are far more reasons for suburban and city Democrats to unite. On healthcare, housing, education, campaign finance reform, and even transportation, they share common goals. The MTA poorly serves the suburbs. Many school districts are underfunded. Nassau and Suffolk Counties are increasingly diverse, more resembling the makeup of the five boroughs. But remember this: a unified, proudly progressive Democratic State Senate can foist upon Cuomo the legislation that make him most uncomfortable. They can infuriate Cuomos donor base, who represent the wealthiest and most powerful people in this state. Single-payer healthcare will raise taxes on the rich. Stronger rent laws will mean cheaper apartments and lower profits for landlords. To foil the rising leftists, Cuomo may just look to the suburbs. There, at least for now, he appears to be cultivating willing partners. Ross Barkan is a political journalist who recently tried his hand at politics: last month he lost the Democratic primary for State Senate in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Read more about his run here. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 22:24:17|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday named Israeli-American finance professor Amir Yaron as the new governor of Bank of Israel. Netanyahu announced the nomination at a joint press conference with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon in Jerusalem. "We want to ensure that the governor will be a person with great ability and top professional capabilities," Netanyahu said, while calling Yaron as "the most suitable candidate" for the post. Yaron, 54, will replace Karnit Flug, who has served in office for five years. Born in Israel, Yaron spent the last 20 years living in the U.S. He is now a finance professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a research fellow at the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research. His research interests include asset pricing, macro-finance and applied time series economics. Yaron holds a bachelor's and master's degree in economics from Tel Aviv University and an additional master's degree in economics from the University of Chicago, where he also completed his doctorate in 1994. During her term, Flug had several confrontations with Kahlon, mainly over her demand to raise taxes and opposition to the cheap housing program that Kahlon founded. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 22:29:18|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- British Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling said Tuesday Britain and Lebanon will sign an economic partnership agreement soon. "The two countries will sign a partnership agreement focusing on economy and trade in the near future," local news agency Al Markazia quoted Rampling as saying. Rampling's remarks came during his meeting with Lebanon's caretaker Economy Minister Raed Khoury. A the meeting, the British envoy also talked about the Brexit while emphasizing the importance of cooperating with Lebanon. Meanwhile, Khoury briefed the envoy the economic situation in Lebanon, while underlining the importance of the five-year economic plan prepared by the consulting firm Mckinsey. The company, hired earlier this year with a six-month agreement valued at 1.5 million U.S. dollars, is tasked with formulating a strategy to revamp Lebanon's economy. The strategy will include proposals for a set of economic reforms that should be implemented by the Lebanese government in the next five years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 22:49:22|Editor: yan Video Player Close LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Eight people, including a parliamentary candidate, were killed and 11 others wounded in a terrorist attack in Lashkar Gah city, capital of southern province of Helmand on Tuesday, a local official said. The parliamentary and district councils elections are expected to be held later this month on Oct. 20 and the attack was a latest in election-related violence. Saleh Mohammad Achikzai sustained serious injuries when the suicide bomber struck his election campaign office building in Police District 1 of the city, Omar Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, said in a statement. "Achikzai succumbed to his injuries after arrival in a surgical hospital in the city," he said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold. The death has brought to nine the number of candidates losing their lives mostly in terrorist attacks, before the polls. More than 2,500 candidates from 33 out of 34 provinces (excluding Ghazni) will stand for the parliament's 249 seats. Nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, will cast their ballots to elect the lawmakers for a five-year term while they will also vote to elect members of the district councils. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 22:54:23|Editor: yan Video Player Close LUSAKA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Police in Zambia on Tuesday arrested five people in connection with the theft of emeralds from a mine. The suspects were arrested in Lufwanyama district on the Copperbelt Province in connection with the theft of over 20 kilograms of emeralds stacked in 17 bags, according to provincial police commissioner Charity Katanga. The emeralds are believed to have been stolen from one of the emerald miners, Continental Mining Africa and police suspect the theft could have been an inside job, she added. The provincial police commissioner said the emeralds were stolen in the early hours of Tuesday at the mining firm. She said the suspects attacked the mining firm with iron bars and stole valuables which included emeralds and some undisclosed amount of money. She added that one of the security guards at the mining firm was seriously injured on the head by an iron bar. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 22:59:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close RIYADH, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabian Information Minister Awad Saleh Al Awad said Tuesday that the kingdom's global humanitarian assistance in the past eight years exceeded 1.3 billion U.S. dollars. The minister told the state-run Saudi Press Agency after the cabinet session that the kingdom had briefed the United Nations in Geneva on the assistance, which was provided as part of its responsibilities for the countries that need humanitarian aid. He said Saudi Arabia has provided 1.03 billion dollars in aid for refugees, 239.7 million dollars to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and 93.2 million dollars through the International Organization for Migration. Saudi Arabia is dedicated to providing such humanitarian aid to the UN organizations or directly through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:14:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Luaiby on Tuesday announced that the Ajil oilfield destroyed by Islamic State (IS) militants has been rehabilitated. The Iraqi North Oil Company (NOC) managed to repair three oil wells in the oilfield, some 30 km west of Tikrit, capital of Iraq's central province of Salahudin, and linked the crude oil pipeline to Baiji refinery in the north of Tikrit, the Oil Ministry said in a statement. "The oilfield is currently producing 7,000 barrel per day (bpd) and is designed to reach 17,000 bpd by the end of the year," Luaiby was quoted as saying. Luaiby said that Iraq has also managed to rehabilitate gas production from the oilfield to 100 million cubic feet daily, according to the statement. In 2014, IS militants took control of the Ajil oilfield and extracted large amounts of oil to finance its operations. The group set fire to the wells before the Iraqi forces regained control in March 2015. Iraq aims to increase its crude oil production to over 5 million bpd from its current level of about 4.4 million bpd. Iraqi economy relies heavily on oil, which accounts for over 90 percent of its revenues. Earlier in 2017, it was announced that Iraq's proven oil reserves had increased to 153 billion barrels from the previously estimated 143.1 billion barrels. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:19:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Angolan President Joao Lourenco and his wife in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2018. Xi held talks with Joao Lourenco in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco in Beijing Tuesday, agreeing to continue developing bilateral ties. Xi said he is glad to see the second visit to Beijing in about a month by Lourenco, who came to attend the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in early September. Xi said the success of the summit has injected vigor and opportunities into the development of China-Africa and China-Angola ties, calling on the two sides to work together to actively and quickly promote the development of ties. "China is confident of the future of bilateral cooperation," Xi said, urging the two sides to "cement political mutual trust, strengthen high-level contacts, deepen strategic communication, and understand and support each other's core interests and grave concerns." Xi said that China has empathy with the historical experiences of African countries and firmly supports people of African countries in opposing foreign interference, and independently choosing their path of development. Xi said he expects the two sides to implement the results of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, promote the eight major initiatives unveiled at the summit to realize early progress, and advance the Belt and Road Initiative. The Chinese president called on the two sides to advance the strategic integration of each other's development plans, strengthen cooperation in traditional areas, expand new growth points in mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the industrialization and economic diversification of Angola. Xi also said it is necessary to expand people-to-people exchanges and exchanges between local areas. He called for closer multilateral coordination, expecting the two sides to jointly safeguard multilateralism, build an open world economy and make the international order more just and equitable. The Angolan president said that Angola and China have maintained close high-level exchanges, which shows the two sides attach great importance to the relations. Noting that for a long time, bilateral cooperation has played a positive role in the economic and social development of Angola, Lourenco said that Angola looks forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in infrastructure construction and people's livelihood, to better promote Angola's development. Lourenco said that the FOCAC has promoted cooperation between China and Africa as a whole, and that African countries highly appreciate China's cooperation with Africa "on the basis of Africa's actual needs and its taking tangible measures without attaching any political conditions or interference in African countries' internal affairs." "The cooperation plans proposed by China within the framework of the FOCAC has a very positive impact on the development of African countries," Lourenco said. "It is hoped that cooperation between Angola and China will become a model for Africa-China cooperation." He said Angola values China's important influence in international affairs, and hailed China's constructive role in addressing hot-spot issues in Africa. The Angolan president said that Angola supports multilateralism and advocates that the world's future should be decided by all countries, expressing the will to cooperate closely with China in multilateral affairs. The two presidents also watched the signing of a series of bilateral cooperative documents. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and China's top legislator Li Zhanshu also met with Lourenco Tuesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:19:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close DHAKA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Trucks resumed services across Bangladesh on Tuesday night as the truckers' union called off their ongoing indefinite strike. The strike was withdrawn after Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal held an emergency meeting with representatives of the union of truck owners and drivers on Tuesday afternoon. Emerging from the meeting, Md Mokbul Ahmad, a leader of the truckers, told journalists that they decided to withdraw the strike after having a discussion with the minister and relevant officials. He also urged the truckers to return to work, citing "assurances from the government to meet their 7-point demand." The truckers demand amendments to the recently enacted "Road Transport Act 2018" with provisions for stringent punishment to the traffic offenders. Transportation services were severely affected in the country as the nationwide indefinite strike by truckers entered the third day on Tuesday. Ahmad said they are demanding amendments, not abolition of the Road Transport Act 2018 that was passed in parliament last month. The act, which now awaits presidential approval before it becomes law, stipulates that the traffic offenders will risk being sentenced up to 5 years in non-bailable jail or a fine of 500,000 taka (5,913 U.S. dollar) or both. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:29:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Cypriot government confirmed on Tuesday that President Nicos Anastasiades secretly met and had talks with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the Cyprus issue. "In the light of the fact that the information has already leaked to the media, we must confirm that such a meeting had taken place in New York. The President did brief the party leaders about it at their meeting on Monday," government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said in a written statement. Direct meetings between Cypriot and Turkish government officials have been almost non-existent. The Mediterranean Sea island has been divided since 1974 after Turkish troops occupied the north following a coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time. The last time Anastasiades met Cavusoglu was at the United Nations-led conference on Cyprus in 2017, which ended in failure at Crans Montana, Switzerland. Press reports suggested that there was no breakthrough at the Anastasiades-Cavusoglu meeting, but political analysts said it may have set the pattern of future contacts in the process of trying to end the partition of the eastern Mediterranean island. Leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mustafa Akinci, who has been the negotiator with Anastasiades since 2015, reacted by suggesting that any meetings of Greek Cypriots with Turkish officials should be balanced by meetings of Turkish Cypriot side with Greek government officials. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is currently engaged in contacts through a personal envoy with all the parties involved in the Cyprus issue to decide whether it would be possible to call a final session of negotiations to conclude an agreement. His envoy, U.N. official Jane Holl Lute, is expected to have a second round of contacts with the parties involved. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:34:31|Editor: ZD Video Player Close File photo shows Nikki Haley chairs a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 5, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has accepted Nikki Haley's resignation as the country's ambassador to the United Nations. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has accepted Nikki Haley's resignation as the country's ambassador to the United Nations. Trump told reporters on Tuesday morning at the oval office that Haley will be leaving at the end of the year. He added that Haley told him six months ago about her intention to leave the post. Haley, seen as one of Trump's most trusted advisers, had reportedly discussed her resignation with Trump last week during her visit to the White House. Haley used to serve as the governor of South Carolina. She was confirmed days after Trump's inauguration in January 2017. The midterms are fast-approaching, and if you care about democracy and/or not being accosted while waiting for the bus by a roving haircut and his camera crew, it is imperative that you register to vote. In New York, the deadline for both online and in-person registration is this Friday, October 12th. Applications can also be sent by mail to the board of elections, and must be postmarked no later than, again, October 12th. In case we weren't clear, the deadline to register to vote in New York is: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12TH!!!!!!! It's also Hugh Jackman's birthday, and the 245th anniversary of the first insane asylum opening in America, if that helps you remember. Unfortunately, because New York's voting laws are among the worst in the country, and because the person with the power to change that doesn't seem much interested in doing so, you are not presently able to vote early in this state. We don't have automatic registration or even same-day registration for that matter, either. And if you want to vote in next year's primaries, you'll need to make sure you're enrolled in the correct party by October 12th: New York State rules require that voters set their future party registrations by 25 days before the general election of the previous year in order to vote in a party primary the following year. Those out of the country on election day (or anyone who meets a handful of other exceptions) may be able to fill out an absentee ballot. The last day to apply in-person for an absentee ballot is November 5, though the final day to mail in an application for an absentee ballot is October 30th. You can download the application through the state board of elections here. It is also a good idea to make sure that you are still registered to vote in New Yorkconsidering the Board of Election's tendency to purge voter registration, you should probably do this even if you're sure that you've registered. You can check that here. (And if you aren't on the rolls when you show up to vote on election day, be sure to demand an affidavit ballot.) Lastly, it doesn't hurt to remind your friends and family that they, too, should register to vote (particularly if your friends and family live in, I don't know, Nevada or Arizona or Tennessee or Texas or Nebraska or even Mississippi). The midterms are Tuesday, November 6th, and the ramifications could be nothing short of yuge. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:34:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Amman has donated a total of 289 tablets to Jordan's Ministry of Education for use by several schools across the kingdom. Donating the tablets is part of China's efforts to strengthen the ties between the two countries in various fields, Chinese Ambassador Pan Weifang was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Amman. At the handing-over ceremony held on Sunday, Pan said that the tablets will be used at the King Abdullah schools for excellence in various governorates. The ambassador commended Jordan's efforts to improve the education system, which plays a key role in advancing the country. Pan said Jordan and China, which enjoy strong relations and solid friendship, are keen on boosting bilateral ties in the fields of commerce and culture. Pledging that China will continue to support Jordan, the Chinese envoy also mentioned that China has implemented investment projects in Jordan in various fields. He added that several public agencies in Jordan have already benefited from the training courses offered by China in various technical fields. Jordanian Education Minister Azmi Mahafzah expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its donation. He said that the Jordanian students will benefit from the tablets which will be used for learning. Mahafzah added that China has extended several grants and soft loans to Jordan over the past years and helped implement projects in the fields of water, education and health. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:39:34|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- German companies increasingly struggle to fill job vacancies due to historically low unemployment, according to a study published Tuesday by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the research institute of Germany's Federal Employment Agency. According to the study, the so-called unemployed-to-vacancies ratio has fell to its lowest level since 1992, with two jobless Germans per occupational opening in 2017. The researchers further highlighted that the share of new positions in which companies in Germany encountered difficulty in hiring staff has increased from around 12 percent in 2003 to 43 percent in 2017 as a consequence of the country's booming labor market and strong economic momentum. The findings were based on an annual and representative survey conducted by IAB. Every year since 2015, German companies polled by the Nuremberg-based researchers have now indicated that finding suitable staff is their single-greatest operational challenge. "Since the mid-2000s we can observe an almost continuously rising demand for personnel which coincided with an only briefly-interrupted economic growth and falling unemployment," the study read. The researchers emphasized that these trends were conspiring to produce "growing labor market pressures" experienced by companies. Whereas only six percent of employers said they had to offer higher wages to attract workers to positions in 2004, 16 percent reported having to do so in 2017. Aside from forcing employers to spend more on hires, low unemployment in Germany also meant that vacancies remained unfilled for longer than anticipated. The IAB estimated that companies hired 3.65 million new staff into socially-insured (and hence generally more stable) forms of work in the course of 2017. Recently published data has revealed 1.2 million current job openings in Germany, the highest level in 25 years, when the survey was first conducted. In 2017, the researchers analyzed responses from around 14,600 firms participating in the study. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-09 23:54:37|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday appointed Tito Mboweni as South Africa's new finance minister following the resignation of his predecessor, Nhlanhla Nene. "Mr. Mboweni takes on this responsibility at a critical moment for our economy, as we intensify cooperation among all social partners to increase investment, accelerate growth and create jobs on a substantial scale," Ramaphosa said in a statement. As former governor of the South African Reserve Bank and, before that, as minister of labor, Mboweni brings to this position vast experience in the areas of finance, economic policy and governance, Ramaphosa said. "This moment calls for strong, capable and steady leadership that will unlock new opportunities as we grow and transform our economy," said Ramaphosa. The president voiced confidence that Mboweni will provide that leadership. Ramaphosa said Mboweni's predecessor Nene submitted a letter of resignation on Tuesday morning in which he requested that he be relieved of the position of the finance minister over his alleged ties with the controversial Indian Gupta family. In testimony at the Commission of Inquiry into state capture last week, Nene admitted that he visited the Guptas 11 times while he was deputy minister and minister of finance between 2009 and 2014. He had previously denied having "engagements" with the Guptas, saying he only "bumped" into them at government functions. His revelation gave rise to calls for him to resign. Ramaphosa said Nene indicated in his letter of resignation that "there is risk that the developments around his testimony will detract from the important task of serving the people of South Africa, particularly as we work to re-establish public trust in government." "After due consideration of the evidence presented by Minister Nene at the commission, and in the interests of good governance, I have decided to accept his resignation," said Ramaphosa. The latest development came as the Commission of Inquiry is reviewing allegations that three Gupta brothers, Atul, Ajay and Rajesh, unduly influenced then president Jacob Zuma in the appointments of cabinet ministers and the awarding of lucrative contracts to the Gupta family with state-owned enterprises, known as state capture. Both Zuma and the Gupta family have refuted the allegations. "It is critical that the Commission has the means and opportunity to effectively fulfill its mandate," Ramaphosa said. In this process, no person should be above scrutiny, and all relevant and credible accusations of wrongdoing should be thoroughly investigated, the president said. "It is incumbent upon any person who may have knowledge of any of the matters within the Commission's mandate to provide that information to the Commission, to do so honestly and to do so fully," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:04:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Angolan President Joao Lourenco in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- China and Angola should upgrade their mutually beneficial cooperation and bring benefits to both peoples, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday in Beijing. Li made the remarks while meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who is in China for a state visit. "With a profound traditional friendship, China and Angola are each other's important partner, and their bilateral relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with African countries," Li said. "China hopes to work with the Angolan side to continue to consolidate political mutual trust, promote cooperation in various fields and better achieve win-win results and common development." Li noted that the pragmatic cooperation between China and Angola had broad prospects. "The two sides should synergize their development strategies, fully implement the results of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, bring forth innovative cooperation models, accelerate the negotiation on signing the investment protection agreement, promote collaboration in industries, trade, infrastructure and other key areas, further give play to the role of private enterprises, upgrade the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides and bring benefits to both peoples," Li said. "China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola and abide by Angola's laws and regulations. We hope that Angola provide convenience in business operations and take more measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens." Lourenco said Angola was willing to enhance cooperation with China in hydroelectric stations, power grids, highways, railways and other fields, and provide a favorable environment for Chinese companies to invest and develop in Angola. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:04:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIGALI, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on Tuesday interrogated a female politician, who was freed in September on a presidential pardon, over her remarks that characterized her conviction as political. Victoire Ingabire appeared at Rwanda Investigation Bureau in Rwandan capital Kigali in response to summons to discuss factually incorrect statements made by her recently, or attributed to her, which may constitute violations of the penal code, the bureau said in a statement. Ingabire was specifically questioned on characterizations of her conviction as "political" and references to other prisoners as "political prisoners," the statement said. Ingabire said she was acting based on poor advice and ignorance of the law, said the statement. She also committed to abiding by the law going forward and clarifing her position on the said matters, it said. Ingabire heads an unregistered political party, FDU-Inkingi, in Rwanda. She was sentenced to 15 years in 2013 by Rwanda's Supreme Court after being found guilty of conspiring to harm the country through terror and minimizing the 1994 genocide against Tutsi. She did not plead for mercy for crimes she didn't commit, Ingabire was quoted as saying by media after her release on Sept. 15. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:09:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close KAMPALA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Tuesday marked its 56th independence anniversary with emphasis on wealth creation in households. President Yoweri Museveni, in an address telecast live from the central Ugandan district of Kyotera, where the national celebrations were held, said Ugandans should plant both food and cash crops to enhance family income. "Ugandans should shift from subsistence to modern farming, where they can also earn some income," Museveni said. The government would ensure that irrigation systems are set up in different parts of the country to supply constant water for mechanized farming, he added. "Part of the problem of subsistence farming is that people do not know that they need to not only work for food, but also to earn some money from farming," Museveni said. He said all homes that have three acres and more should engage in commercial agriculture. The president also said the country's economy is growing at 6.1 percent and expected to hit the 7 percent mark by the next financial year. Of all sectors in the country, he said, agriculture is still growing slowly, at 3.1 percent. The colorful ceremony, which included a parade for the military, police and school children, was also attended by foreign envoys accredited to Uganda. Uganda gained independence from British colonial rule on Oct. 9, 1962. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:14:41|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his upcoming meeting with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) top leader Kim Jong Un was being set up and about "three or four" locations were being considered. In the Oval Office, Trump revealed the latest development about his second meeting with Kim while announcing the resignation of Nikki Haley as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. "We are talking about three or four different locations, timing won't be too far away," the U.S. president said. He noted that there was only a dim possibility of greeting the DPRK top leader in Singapore again, where the first Trump-Kim meeting took place in June. "We will probably do a different location," he said. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a trip to Pyongyang over the weekend and met with Kim for over three hours, discussing issues concerning the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula as well as the details of the second summit between the two leaders. The discussions were described as "productive" by both sides. The first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit was held in Singapore on June 12. Under a joint statement signed by Trump and Kim, the United States would provide a security guarantee to the DPRK in return for Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:14:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and Lebanon on Tuesday underlined the need for continued support to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. At a meeting between Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil, the two sides agreed that resolving the Palestinian issue is a key for achieving peace in the Middle East. Safadi referred to a recent meeting held in New York, where donor countries reiterated support to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), while reaffirming its vital role in providing services for Palestinian refugees. The Jordanian top diplomat said it is important to intensify efforts to secure necessary funding for UNRWA so it can continue its operations, citing that the agency's funding shortfall for this year is estimated at about 60 million U.S. dollars. He said the issue of Palestinian refugees needs to be addressed via final status talks and in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and the UN resolutions, which guarantee the right of return and compensation for Palestinian refugees. Safadi said resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be based on the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. On Syria, the two sides emphasized the importance of seeking a political solution and creating an appropriate environment for the return of the refugees to their homes. Safadi said the technical committees from Jordan and Syria are holding meetings on reopening the border crossing between the two sides. He added that the borders will be opened when all meetings and necessary procedures are completed. Also on Tuesday, King Abdullah II of Jordan received the Lebanese official and discussed the bilateral ties and developments in the Middle East. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:34:44|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close CHENGDU, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- China will channel more energy into mass entrepreneurship and innovation to push forward high-quality development, said Premier Li Keqiang. Li made the remarks in a written instruction to the opening ceremony of the national mass entrepreneurship and innovation week, held Tuesday in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China's emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation has played a positive role in unleashing innovation potential, stimulating market vitality, and creating jobs in recent years, Li said, adding more efforts are required to better implement the country's innovation-driven development strategy and help realize quality development. He said the governments will work to further streamline administration and improve services, step up protection of intellectual property rights, and build a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized environment for entrepreneurs and innovators. The premier also highlights Internet technology in improving public services and inspiring creativity, and expects it to play a greater role in fostering new growth drivers and improving national creative power and economic competitiveness. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:49:46|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The German Aerospace Center (DLR), the University of Stuttgart and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will jointly build a research facility for energy storage called NADINE (national demonstrator for isentropic energy storages), the DLR announced on Tuesday. The aim of the research project is to develop new energy storage systems that can store and release large amounts of electrical energy from power plants at higher efficiency levels. The research project will utilize isentropic processes that take place in a closed system in which there is no exchange of heat or matter with the environment. The NADINE project at the research sites in the German cities of Stuttgart and Karlsruhe focuses on so called "Pumped Heat Thermal Electricity Storages (PTES)". These systems convert electrical energy into heat or other forms of energy such as mechanical or chemical energy. NADINE is intended to demonstrate that PTES can store electricity with an efficiency of up to 70 percent. "The transition to renewable energy sources is one of the most urgent challenges for our society. With the development of energy storages, DLR is working on solutions for one of the key topics in energy research," said Pascale Ehrenfreund, chairwoman of the DLR executive board. "With an increasing share of renewable energies, efficient energy storage systems can ensure a reliable energy supply." According to KIT, it is conceivable that coal-fired power plants that are no longer needed can be used to build large-scale heat storage power plants as part of the NADINE project. New Jersey Transit, a screeching wheel of karmic misfortune inflicting creative new terrors on thousands of riders each day, is just as dysfunctional on the inside as it is on the outside, according to a long-delayed audit released to the public on Tuesday. Ordered in January by Governor Phil Murphy, the $1.3 million report begins by noting that the transit system is suffering from "inadequate, uncertain and unsustainable" funding, an "overly complicated" decision-making body, and no discernible plan for making technological improvements. Over the course of 179 pages, the audit goes on to describe the inner-workings of a system in crisis, offering a detailed look at how NJ Transit became, in Murphy's words, a "national disgrace." "NJ Transit has no strategic plan, no retention program, no knowledge management program, and no succession plans," the report concludes. "The organization has an overly complex organizational structure matched by equally as complex business processes. The organizational culture reflects 'buck passing' and siloed behaviors, low employee morale, and ill-defined roles, authorities, and accountabilities." While those deeply entrenched systemic problems can't be solved overnight, the report does offer the public agency some tips for making things appear less miserable. Identifying the agency's somewhat lacking social media strategy, the auditors recommend that employees not post content to Facebook during morning or evening rush hour, when riders "will be more likely to lash out." Cutting down on negative engagement on tweets will be more challenging, the report acknowledges, because "maintaining an active presence on Twitter can be a challenging task with a lot of vitriol thrown back at social media employees." Indeed. NJ transit is so trash. Fuck your apologies just keep the train moving. Alex (@Lastshot45) October 8, 2018 Im a firm believer in hell & its actually called NJ Transit Kenny (@kendallgregory_) October 3, 2018 Remember when you told us that youd work hard in fixing NJ Transit? Its only gotten worse. Why should anyone believe anything you say? Eat shit & die of malaria Leung! (@aleung275) October 5, 2018 The audit also notes that NJ Transit "does not conduct any formal workforce planning," and instead relies on "ad hoc and reactive" hiring processes. The result is an alarming shortage in train engineers, which officials say contributed to dozens of last-minute train cancellations this summer. Beyond the unexplained delays and disappearing trains, NJ Transit commutes have also been plagued in recent months by derailments, power issues, egregious customer service, and the occasional impalement incident. Within moments of the audit being made public, NJ Transit announced that it was experiencing delays due to track maintenance. For his part, Governor Murphy has promised to take the report seriously, even as he's overseen a significant reduction in transparency within the agency. We are not going to let this audit collect dust," he promised. You can read the full report here. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:49:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday received U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan' peace and reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad in capital Islamabad and reiterated his country's efforts for achieving peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Faisal wrote on Twitter that Qureshi said Pakistan will continue to play its role for political solution of Afghan conflict. Earlier, the two sides held delegation-level talks on Afghan reconciliation process at the foreign ministry in Islamabad. Security, defense and diplomatic officials from both sides attended the delegation-level talks. They discussed the Afghan situation and its reconciliation process, according to the spokesman. A CMA CGM container ship unloads cargo at Lebanon's port of Tripoli, which opens a new shipping line with China on Oct. 9. (Xinhua/Khalid) BEIRUT, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A huge container ship named CMA CGM Congo arrived at Lebanese port of Tripoli on Tuesday to open a new shipping line between China and the port. "The vessel is the first to hold 10,000 containers. It will unload 1000 containers in Tripoli port for the local market, and the rest will go to other ports in the region," said Ahmad Tamer, manager of Tripoli port. Tamer said that this new line, Beks, is characterized by its capacity to host big-size cargo vessels that can reach 50 meters in width and 300 meters in length. Beks will contribute to doubling the volume of products coming from China to the port, said Tamer. Tamer added that the remarkable improvement of the port resulted from Lebanon's efforts and the Chinese contribution to supporting the port's development plan. Tripoli is located on the Mediterranean coast, about 80 kilometers from the Lebanese capital Beirut, and about 30 kilometers from the Syrian-Lebanese border. China Harbor Engineering Company has worked on rehabilitating Tripoli's port since 2012 for it to be ready to receive all big vessels. Tripoli port has expanded its terminal to receive the largest types of vessels in addition to creating a terminal to receive Chinese cranes capable of lifting and transporting more than 700 containers a day. Attention is turning to this port nowadays for the role that it can play in the reconstruction of Syria which has been torn by a seven-year civil war. U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Nikki Haley (L) speaks at a Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria's Idlib province at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was going to name a new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations within two or three weeks following Nikki Haley's resignation. "We'll name a successor... within the next two or three weeks, maybe sooner," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office while announcing Haley's resignation with her presence. "We have a number of people that would very much like to do it," Trump added. Haley will remain in the post until the end of the year, which will round her service for two years. Trump said that Haley told him around six months ago about her intention of taking "a little time off." "I don't have anything set on where I want to go," the former South Carolina governor told reporters. Haley, 46, was confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to the UN days after Trump's inauguration in January 2017. She has been seen as one of Trump's most trusted advisers. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 00:59:48|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BAKU, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan Technical University on Tuesday announced registration for a Chinese language course, which is organized in partnership with the Confucius Institute of Baku State University. "Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world," the university's vice rector for foreign relations Subhan Namazov said at a ceremony, which was attended by students and a delegation of the Confucius Institute. "China boasts a world-class education system. The country offers ample opportunities for foreign students, so we launched a Chinese language course at our university in order to make these opportunities more accessible to our students," he said. "We are now conducting the registration of students for the course," Namazov added. Director of Confucius Institute of Baku State University Luo Xiaozhi hailed Sino-Azerbaijani relations as "friendly". She highlighted the activities of the Confucius Institute, saying it aims to promote Chinese language and culture in Azerbaijan. Teacher at the Confucius Institute Zeng Chunxiao provided an insight into HSK/HSKK Chinese proficiency tests. She said a total of 690 Azerbaijani students have sat the tests so far, with 468 of them passing successfully. Zeng also drew the Azerbaijani students' attention to Chinese university admission rules, scholarships provided by Chinese higher education institutions and contests promoting Chinese language. Founded in 1950, Azerbaijan Technical University now enrolls nearly 6,000 students, including about 300 foreign citizens. The university prepares specialists in nearly 70 occupations. Confucius Institute is a non-profit public educational organization affiliated with China's Ministry of Education. It was launched in 2004 with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture internationally. The first Confucius Institute in Azerbaijan opened in April 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 01:14:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank said on Tuesday it plans to spend 1.357 trillion Tanzanian shillings (about 59.4 million U.S. dollars) to support the education sector in Tanzania. World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Burundi and Somalia Bella Bird made the pledge after her meeting with President John Magufuli at the State House in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. A terse statement by the Directorate of Presidential Communication said Bird met with President Magufuli to review progress on World Bank-supported projects in the east African nation. "I have had held talks with President Magufuli to review progress on projects funded by the World Bank. Implementation of most of the projects is going well," said Bird. She said the World Bank support to Tanzania currently stood at 10.186 trillion shillings. The World Bank Group's current portfolio in Tanzania includes 25 operations with a commitment of nearly 3.95 billion U.S. dollars, most of which is allocated to transport. In addition, the country benefits from six regional projects. The World Bank Group also supports analytical and technical assistance activities to complement projects and programs. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 01:24:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's newly appointed Finance Minister Tito Mboweni would bring stability into the country's stagnant economy and his appointment showed that President Cyril Ramaphosa's government is serious about turning the economy around, economic experts said on Tuesday. Mboweni, a former governor the the country's Reserve Bank, replaced Nhlanhla Nene, who resigned from his position with immediate effect on Tuesday. Lumkile Mondi, a senior lecturer at the Wits School of Economics and Business Science, said the change sent a good message to investors. "Tito Mboweni brings stability, credibility and certainty. I'm looking forward to him making huge contribution in the country that has been mismanaged for 10 years," Mondi said. The latest cabinet change came at a crucial time as South Africa struggles to grow an economy that is in a technical recession, to create employment and attract investors. Nene had been under pressure to step down after misleading the public about the number of times he met with the controversial Gupta family. Last week, he apologized for meeting the Guptas at their home and businesses between 2010 and 2014. During a 2016 interview, Nene lied, claiming he had only met the Guptas at social events. Somadoda Fikeni, from the University of South Africa, also said the new finance minister's appointment will help stabilize the economy. "It will stabilize the financial markets because it is usually sensitive to instability and uncertainty," Fikeni said. "Tito Mboweni is recognized globally and will calm the market and reassure people." Jannie Rossouw, head of the Wits Business School of Economics and Business, said the appoitment was a positive development. "He (Mboweni) is a very capable person. He will be a good minister of finance," Rossouw said. "At the same time, we have to respect Mr. Nene for doing the honorable thing." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 01:29:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Tuesday ordered the immediate suspension of four senior police officers to pave way for an investigation into their alleged involvement in a multi-billion-shilling cross-border smuggling network. A statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communication on Monday night named the suspended officers as Kagera Regional Police Commander Augustine Ollomi and the Kyerwa Officer Commanding District (OCD), Justine Joseph. The other two were Officer Commanding Criminal Investigation Department (OC-CID) for Kyerwa District Everist Kivuyo and Kyerwa Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Robert Marwa. The move came amid allegations that senior police officers in Kagera Region were involved in a cross-border smuggling cartel by providing police escorts to smugglers of coffee beans and other items. Kagera, in northwestern Tanzania bordering Uganda, is among the biggest coffee-growing regions in the east African nation. "The police officers are being suspended to allow an investigation into their alleged involvement in coffee smuggling activity in Kyerwa District along with other allegations," said the statement. "President Magufuli has also instructed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jacob Kingu, and the Inspector General of Police Simon Sirro to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out and all relevant legal actions are taken if the allegations are proven," said the statement. The allegations against the senior police officers surfaced on Sunday during Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa's visit to Kyerwa District. Majaliwa said he had received reports that the Kyerwa OCD was being accused by fellow police officers of personally escorting coffee smugglers to cross the border to neighboring countries. The OCD was not immediately available to respond to the allegations. "It's very dangerous when the police force itself is involved in escorting coffee smugglers instead of stopping them," Majaliwa said during his visit to Kyerwa District. Majaliwa said he had also received reports that some dishonest police officers in Kagera Region were colluding with businessmen from a neighboring country to facilitate the smuggling of coffee beans from Tanzania. Coffee smuggling from Tanzania to neighboring Uganda has been rampant for many years, with criminal networks potentially raking in billions of shillings each year. Tanzania, which produces mainly Arabica and a bit of Robusta coffee, is Africa's fourth-biggest coffee producer after Ethiopia, Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda. Tanzania fetched 154.2 million U.S. dollars in 2016 from coffee exports, down from 162.2 million dollars in 2015, according to Bank of Tanzania data. In terms of cash crops, coffee is the third-biggest foreign exchange earner in the country after tobacco and cashew nuts. Kagera Region produces over 12,000 tonnes of coffee each year, with a significant amount of the crop reportedly illegally exported to Uganda due to better prices offered in the neighboring country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 02:50:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close VILNIUS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania Vitas Vasiliauskas warned on Tuesday that strengthening global risks would start to take a toll on economic growth. "Although the global economy is still in the expansion phase, expert analyses indicate that economic outlook is becoming gloomier, especially in terms of international trade," Vasiliauskas said in a statement on Tuesday before leaving to the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Indonesia. In his remarks, Vasiliauskas referred to the latest World Economic Outlook by the IMF which cut economic growth forecasts for 2019 for the world economy by 0.2 percentage point compared to the previous forecast in July. Vasiliauskas, who is also the member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) and a member of the Board of Governors of the IMF, noted one of the main factors behind the slowdown is the rise in protectionism. "Intensified trade restrictions and mounting uncertainty are taking a toll on international trade, which is projected to expand by 4.2 percent this year -- 1.0 percentage point slower than in 2017," said Vasiliauskas. He urged his own country to take preparations amid rising global risks due to Lithuania's openness, which makes the small Baltic economy sensitive to changes in global economic conditions. "It is vital to prepare for potential shocks well in advance and accumulate financial buffers that could cushion the effects of an economic slowdown," warned Vasiliauskas. Lithuania is a small Baltic country with population of less than 3 million. Its economic growth is expected to slow down to 2.9 percent in 2019 from 3.5 percent this year, according to the latest forecast by IMF. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 03:15:12|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iranian police will use new drones to patrol the borders and ensure the security of pilgrims visiting neighboring Iraq for Arbaeen ceremonies, Tasnim news agency reported Tuesday. Iranian Police Commander Hossein Ashtari said his forces have received 12 drones from the Defense Ministry, which could be employed for border control, detecting illegal entries, combating outlaws and smugglers, and traffic control. Arbaeen is an annual Shiite Muslim religious observance that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura, the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the third Shiite Imam. Shiite Muslims from Iran and other regional countries attend the Arbaeen ceremonies held in the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the shrine of Imam Hussain is located. Arbaeen ceremonies will be held on Oct. 30 this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 03:20:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close GENEVA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The World Investment Forum is scheduled for Oct. 22 to 26 in Geneva to tackle challenges of sustainable development, it was announced on Tuesday. The forum is a high-level biennial conference organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for addressing investment-related issues. Marking its 10th anniversary, it is always "convened at a critical moment, at times when investment policy-making is at crossroad", said James Zhan, director of the UNCTAD's Division on Investment and Enterprise, at a press conference in Geneva. Recalling that the forum was organized in 2008 for the first time to deal with financial, fuel and food crises, Zhan underlined that the forum fulfilled, to certain extent, "the function of consensus-building at global level, on key emerging issues related to investment, and investment policy in particular". This year's conference comes amid mounting disquiet about declining investment flows. UN statistics show that global flows of foreign direct investment fell by 23% in 2017. Cross-border investment in developed and transition economies dropped sharply, while growth was near zero in developing economies. Zhan cautioned that investment policy-making community is faced with triple "mega-challenges", which are challenges of achieving UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of adapting to new industrialization, and of counteracting the erosion of multilateral collaboration. He acknowledged that a dilemma exists between the abundant capital liquidity and the significant shortage of investment in SDGs, with more investment policies "going towards the direction of beggar-thy-neighbor rather than prosper together". It is, he said, necessary to attract private investment in SDGs sectors while ensuring that goods and services produced and provided by private sectors are "affordable and accessible" to the poor. UNCTAD research suggests that private sector investment in developing countries totaling 3.9 trillion U.S. dollars a year is needed to generate economic activity to meet the SDGs, while current levels leave an investment gap of some 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars. More than 5,000 participants from 160 countries, including fourteen heads of state and government, ministers of developed and developing countries, and heads of international organizations, will attend this year's forum, comprising some 60 events. Besides giving participants a chance to spotlight priorities for attracting and channeling investment that will drive sustainable development, the forum sessions will also focus on transformative actions and innovative financing modes for development, such as blockchain, sustainability bonds and blended finance. From now until Election Day, The Brian Lehrer Show is hosting a series called 30 Issues in 30 Days. The idea is to dive deep on one issue a day to give voters a sense of what candidates are saying about the policies that affect their lives. Next up: How is sexual assault policy on campus changing under Trump? Some of the debate over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford came down to what the standard of proof should be when someone is accused of sexual assault. After refusing to subpoena an alleged witness to testify under oath, Republicans decried the flimsiness of the he said, she said, debate, while protestors and Democrats argued that the multiple sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh merited a thorough FBI investigation. Kavanaughs alleged crimes occured when he was in high school and college, and the accusations that nearly derailed his confirmation just so happened to coincide with a controversial plan to change the federal guidelines for how colleges and universities should judge those accusations. What changes has Trumps Education Secretary Betsy DeVos already made? Back in 2011, the Obama administration advised universities to change how they were determining guilt in sexual misconduct cases from needing proof that was beyond a reasonable doubt to a preponderance of evidence, meaning just more likely than not. The change was an attempt to relieve the burden of proof from survivors of sexual assault. Since the new regulations were put in place, the number of investigations into schools rose dramatically. In her first year of office as Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos harshly criticized the previous administration for creating an atmosphere of intimidation and coercion, wherein universities would dole out harsh punishments for accusations that were not necessarily credible. Devos met with groups of men who felt they had been wrongly accused, and in 2017 she rescinded Obamas guidelines and replaced them with temporary guidelines. Last month Atixa leaked a draft of the proposed finalized rules, the Education Department says are "still under development." Here are the main points of whats coming (read a more detailed analysis of the rules here): The new guidelines will leave it up to schools to choose their OWN standards of evidence. They can choose the Obama-era preponderance of evidence, or clear and convincing, an evidentiary standard which requires more proof. The new rules also leave it to schools to decide whether to have an appeals process. The new rules also narrow the scope of crimes universities have to investigate. They will no longer be mandated to take on cases that happen off campus, and are only required to look at cases that have been reported through an authority figure. The new rules adopt a new Supreme Court definition of sexual harassment reserved for the most galling allegations. The new rules would define sexual harassment to mean unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex that is so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it denies a person access to the schools education program or activity. The Obama administration had it more broadly defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, that includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The new rules also encourage universities to used mediators, and allow for evidence sharing between accusers and defendants. They also allow for cross examination. The Obama administration had previously stated that contact between the two sides could result in intimidation and trauma. The case for changes: Those happy with DeVoss changes argue that, in an attempt to correct an old problem (sexual assault on campus), the Obama administration over-corrected and created a new problem (doing away with due process and the rights of the accused.) Cynthia Garrett, attorney and co-president of Families advocating for Campus Equality, says her non-profit is currently working with 1,000 cases of people who were wrongly accused on campus, some of whom, she says, are suicidal. She applauds the DeVos changes for adding in more procedural protections: [under the current guidelines], we dont [do] evidence sharing, we dont have a jury, we dont have assistance of counsel and students dont even have notice before they're questioned. She argues that in college, where the vast majority of cases are murky, where both parties are drunk, the current rules tell administrators that its a zero-sum game, and that one party has to be wrong and the other right. The Obama rules disregard the reality of grey areas. The case against changes: Advocates for victims argue that the new rules give more weight to the perpetrators education than the survivors. Under DeVoss changes a school can dismiss a Title IX complaint if it does not meet the new, stricter definition of sexual harassment, even if the conduct is proved to be true. Sage Carson, manager of Know Your IX, a survivor- and youth-led project of Advocates for Youth, says the new rules would force victims to attend classes with their assaulters and would lead to victim drop out. Carson also takes issue with the fact that the new rules would not protect students who live off campus, where most students live. The violence does not change whether it happens in a dorm room, or across the street at an unsanctioned fraternity house. Carson agrees that both victims and the accused need more procedural protections but argues its dishonest to think thats DeVos goal. If she really wanted to increase procedural protections, she would enforce the ones that are already in [Obamas rules]. Carson worries the new administration is out to reduce reporting rates on campuses by 30% and is looking to save schools money. An analysis by The New York Times found that the new rules would save educational institutions millions of dollars over the next decade by reducing the number of mandated investigations. For more, here's Brian Lehrer's segment: Loading... Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 03:30:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- An officer of the newly-recruited Yemeni troops was killed by a bomb attack in the southern province of al-Dhalea on Tuesday, a security official told Xinhua. Muhsen Besbas, an officer of the Yemeni forces recently established by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was killed outside his house by unknown gunmen, who hurled a grenade toward his car, the security source said on condition of anonymity. Witnesses said the motorcycle-riding attackers fled the scene shortly after the assassination. The UAE-backed Yemeni forces are struggling against a surge in drive-by shootings and armed attacks launched by terror groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State (IS). The al-Qaida and IS networks, mostly operating in eastern and southern provinces, have been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces in the country. The U.S. military has carried out airstrikes against al-Qaida fighters in different provinces of the war-torn Arab country since U.S President Donald Trump approved expanded military operations against the militant group. The airstrikes included intensified overnight airstrikes and ground military raids against the al-Qaida hideouts in the mountainous areas of al-Bayda and southeastern province of Shabwa. The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, seen by the United States as the global terror network's most dangerous branch, has exploited years of deadly conflict between Yemen's government and Houthi rebels to expand its presence, especially in southeastern provinces. A local couple, who asked not to be named, watch waves come ashore in advance of Hurricane Michael in Pensacola, Florida, U.S. October 9, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane Michael is forecast to strike Florida Panhandle in southeastern United States on Wednesday potentially as strong as Category 3 with storm surge, gusty winds, torrential rains and destructive flooding, U.S. meteorologists said on Tuesday. The hurricane, which on Tuesday intensified to Category 2, could make the strongest landfall along Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast in 13 years, according to the National Weather Service office in Tallahassee, Florida. Michael is currently centered about 360 miles (about 579 km) south of Panama City, Florida, and is moving north. "Michael could develop into a potentially catastrophic event for the northeastern Gulf Coast," the National Weather Service office warned. The National Hurricane Center warned that Michael could make landfall Wednesday afternoon near Panama City, 100 miles (about 161 km) west of Tallahassee, as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of up to 120 mph. "Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades," Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted Tuesday. "It will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous. You cannot hide from this storm." Scott, who declared a state of emergency for 35 counties on Sunday, said he was seeking a federal disaster declaration from President Donald Trump, who promised full support. The governor activated 2,500 National Guard troops and made more than 300 state troopers available for deployment. After landing along Florida Panhandle, Michael will move inland and bring heavy rain and strong winds to other parts of the southeastern United States, said U.S. meteorologists. Though Florida is predicted to be the main target of the possible hurricane, certain parts of the U.S. states of Alabama and Mississippi could also feel the effects. On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency, in anticipation of the damage Hurricane Michael could cause. "Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring," said Ivey. Several southeast Alabama school districts will be closed Wednesday, local media reported. The hurricane formed Monday morning from a tropical storm in the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. "Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds," according to the hurricane center. Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) greets President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon during a welcome ceremony before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) MOSCOW, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation between China and Tajikistan continues to rapidly develop and score results under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Ambassador to Tajikistan Yue Bin said. China and Tajikistan enjoy a high degree of political mutual trust, laying a solid foundation for the expansion of bilateral relations as well as for trade and economic cooperation, Yue said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "The two countries do not have any historical issues and actual divergences, and they support each other on issues involving their core interests," the ambassador said. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Tajikistan is the first country in the world to have signed a memorandum with China on building the Silk Road Economic Belt, and Dushanbe pledged to strengthen the synergy between its national development strategy that centers around industrial development and the China-proposed initiative. "With the impetus of the Belt and Road Initiative, pragmatic cooperation between the two countries is developing rapidly," Yue said. According to the ambassador, China in recent years has been the main investor in Tajikistan's industrial sector, aiding in the country's economic development. The investment involves many areas in Tajikistan, including the three priority sectors - energy, transportation and agriculture. Chinese companies have invested in many large industrial enterprises or projects in Tajikistan, including Zhongtai (Dangara) New Silk Road Textile Industry Co., Ltd., the largest exporter in Tajikistan in terms of foreign currency earnings, and the Dushanbe-2 thermal power station, which solved the country's long-existing problem of power shortages in winter. Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon attend the completion ceremony of first-phase project of the Dushanbe No.2 power plant and the groundbreaking ceremony of second-phase project of the Dushanbe No.2 power plant in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, Sept. 13, 2014.(Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) "China has become the largest source of investment in Tajikistan, with a cumulative investment of more than 2 billion U.S. dollars," Yue said. In particular, he underlined that infrastructure connectivity is an important part of the cooperation between China and Tajikistan within the framework of the Belt and Road. Supported by the Tajik government, many roads in the country have been built by Chinese enterprises or with loans provided by the Chinese government, boosting connectivity among the country's highways in the north and south, Yue said. The ambassador also praised the solid friendship between the two peoples, especially a booming "Chinese fever." Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with his Tajik counterpart Qohir Rasulzoda in Sochi, Russia, Nov. 30, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) In addition to Confucius Institutes, some universities and secondary schools are also providing Chinese courses, and the number of Tajik students studying in China is continuously growing. "Many young people see learning Chinese and studying in China as an important life choice... China has become the second largest destination for Tajik students to study abroad after Russia," Yue said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 04:10:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed support for parliament's approval of a bill on the UN convention of combating the financing of terrorism (CFT). The parliament's move will abort the U.S. attempts to impose sanction pressures on the Islamic republic, the ministry said in a statement. Iranian lawmakers on Sunday approved the bill on Iran's accession to the CFT standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and threats to the integrity of the international financial system. The United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia and their allies have made efforts to put Iran back to the FATF's blacklist, the statement noted. The FATF has set this October as the deadline for Iran to complete reforms, which would "bring it in line with global norms or (make it) face consequences." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 04:45:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close HARARE, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean police on Tuesday banned a planned demonstration by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) against a 2 percent tax on electronic money transfers recently announced by the government. The country's largest worker representative body had called for the protest on Wednesday following the tax decision, which has triggered a spate of price increases. The tax was announced last week by finance minister Mthuli Ncube as a measure to raise more funds for social services. The move, however, has been condemned by many Zimbabweans who feel that they are already over taxed. In a statement on Tuesday, police said the demonstration cannot go ahead because the ban on public gatherings due to the cholera outbreak still stands. "Therefore, the organizers of the intended demonstrations by ZCTU and its affiliates should take note of the government's directive particularly the movement of large numbers of people from one point to another which includes cholera epicenters," police said. The police warned that if the situation turns violent, the ZCTU will be held accountable. Police banned public gatherings last month after an outbreak of cholera, which has so far killed 49 people and infected more than 10,000 others, mainly in the capital Harare. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 05:25:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Interpol on Tuesday announced that 115 suspects were detained and scores of illicit arms in addition to drugs and cash worth 1.3 million euros (1.49 million U.S. dollars) had been seized during an operation across four countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Dubbed Trigger IV, the operation were carried out at known trafficking hotspots including land, air and sea border points in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco on Sept. 18-26, it said. The world police body based in French central town of Lyon added that 17 people were arrested for firearms offences, 57 firearms were recovered, cash in several currencies totaling 1.3 million euros in addition to pure heroin and synthetic pills whose street value stood at nearly 200,000 euros have been seized. An additional 98 arrests were made in relation to migrant smuggling, trafficking in illicit goods and other crimes, including a fugitive wanted by Belgium for organized crime and money laundering activities, according to Interpol's statement. "Operations such as Trigger IV show first-hand what can be achieved when countries combine their efforts and share best practices against illicit firearms trafficking which we know is connected to other types of crime, including terrorism," he added. The operation was conducted by Interpol's counter-terrorism unit under the framework of a project funded by the Government of Canada to support the Middle East and North Africa, with the participation of the World Customs Organizations (WCO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). A second phase of operational activity in the region is anticipated. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 05:30:46|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close JUBA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from the United Nations and African Union said Tuesday there is a decrease in levels of violence in South Sudan compared to last year following the signing of the peace deal in late August by the warring parties. Jean Pierre Lacroix, UN Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping operations said they are encouraged that the warring parties have made some progress especially on the cessation of hostilities amid recent sporadic clashes in the South West Yei River State and Unity state. "We were encouraged to hear that there are measures envisaged to take it (peace agreement) further. Implementation of the peace agreement is primary responsibility of South Sudanese and the partners of South Sudan are keen to see a few things materialize on the ground particularly cessation of hostilities which will be of course so important," he told journalists in Juba at the conclusion of a three-day visit to the country. He acknowledged that there is a decrease in the fighting that should encourage women and civil population on the implementation of the peace agreement which will guarantee their safe return home. "We have a glimmer of hope in South Sudan with the revitalized agreement although there is a long way to go to achieve peace in South Sudan. Its encouraging message was we are ready to work and help as a team AU and UN," he said. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women said that South Sudan women want to be included in the security sector reforms which include greater participation and contribution by women in securing the country which would diminish the unflattering activities of the forces. The various armed forces have been accused by the UN of rape and sexual violence against women and children including killings since outbreak of conflict in December 2013. "They (women) want to make sure that they take full advantage of the 35 percent women participation in the implementation of the revitalized agreement," said Mlambo-Ngcuka. The team that included Specioza Wandera Kazibwe, the co-chair of the Network of AU Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation visited protection of civilian sites in the Bentiu town of the northern Unity state. Smail Chergui, the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security said that everybody especially the civil population are increasingly hopeful and demanding implementation of the revitalized agreement President Salva Kiir signed with rebel leader Riek Machar and other opposition parties. Previous agreements have collapsed including pacts on cessation of hostilities like during outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016 weakened the 2015 peace agreement. "I think there is a recognition that the level of fighting as compared with last year over a certain period of time has decreased and at the same time the reality we still see some hot spots of violence. We recognize that there can be challenges in achieving total cessation of hostilities." said Chergui. "We as UN and AU are ready to help South Sudan in security sector reforms we are encouraged by the measures being taken by government but very important is the fact that the two chiefs of defense forces have already met in Khartoum and started mapping out unified army," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 05:55:53|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane Michael on Tuesday afternoon intensified to Category 3 as it roared toward Florida Panhandle in southeastern United States, according to the National Hurricane Center. Also on Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Florida. As of 5:00 p.m. eastern daylight time, Michael was moving north at 12 mph about 270 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. The hurricane was forecast to make landfall Wednesday afternoon near Panama City as a Category 3 storm. "Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades," Governor Rick Scott said earlier on Tuesday, "It will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous. You cannot hide from this storm." The governor has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties across the state. More than 100,000 people in Florida were ordered out of a long swath of low-lying communities, including many in Bay County, home of Panama City. Michael could cause erosion at the base of sand dunes along three-fourths of Florida Panhandle beaches, the U.S. Geological Service said. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey also issued a state of emergency on Monday in anticipation of widespread power outages, wind damage and debris produced by high winds. In Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal declared a preemptive state of emergency for 92 counties, according to a USA Today report. More than 6 million residents in Florida were forced to evacuate last year ahead of Hurricane Irma's landfall, which flooded multiple cities while left millions without power. The repair bill came in at more than 60 billion dollars, ranking Irma one of the costliest storms in U.S. history, said the report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 06:15:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close SARAJEVO, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Eight workers were injured in a powerful explosion in an oil refinery on Tuesday night in Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) city of Bosanski Brod, located 210 kilometers north of Sarajevo, mayor Ilija Jovicic confirmed to local media. Spokesperson of Police Department Doboj Dragana Kerkez confirmed to local media that police had received a call informing there is an explosion, after which several police teams have been sent to the site. "Explosion, according to the first information, occurred at the plant for oil refinery," Kerkez said. Police advised people living in Bosanski Brod and in regions around, not to exit from their houses due to the heavy smoke. Eight persons were transferred to the emergency department of the local hospital, and they are not severely injured, their lives are not in danger, director of the hospital, Zoran Predojevic, told local media. Eyewitnesses said that the explosion was so strong that several windows at houses nearby were broken. Firefighters are trying to stop the spread of fire on the rest of the refinery. If the chain reaction occurs, the refineries will not be saved, and the health of the citizens could be jeopardized. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. After the Facebook account of a pro-government journalist was suspended, an MP of the Christian Democrats claimed that Facebook content-screening in Hungary is overseen by an NGO funded by (Hungarian-born US financier and philanthropist) George Soros. 888 editor Gabor G. Fodor published a meme featuring President Macron of France with two young dark-skinned men, one of whom is not wearing a shirt, juxtaposed with a photo of PM Orban of Hungary with his grandson in his arms. The headline runs Macron or Orban? You choose. A colleague of G. Fodors published the meme on his Facebook site, whereupon his FB account was frozen, as the meme was found to be in contradiction of Facebook rules. MTI, the official Hungarian news agency carries a statement by Christian Democrat MP Istvan Hollik who expresses the fear that political censorship by Facebook will intensify as the European parliamentary elections approach. He claims that Facebook commissioned a Soros-funded NGO to screen FB content in Hungary. Mr Hollik does not mention the organisation by name. He remarked, however, that liberal organisations which often accuse the government of stifling press freedom, take every opportunity to do so themselves. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online Click here to Share Your Story The investigation into the Schoharie limo crashthe deadliest transportation incident in America in nearly a decadecontinues Tuesday, as the names of the 20 victims emerge alongside new details about the driver and the vehicle itself. In total, 17 passengers died when a man who lacked the appropriate license to operate a limo crashed one into a parked car on Saturday afternoon. The vehicle was supposed to be taking the group to Ommegang Brewery to celebrate the 30th birthday of a woman named Amy Steenburg. Originally, the friends had booked a party bus, but when it broke down en route to picking them up, the companyPrestige Limousinesent a reportedly dilapidated limousine in its place. The driver, Scott Lisinicchia, careened through a stop sign near the Apple Barrel Country Store on Route 30. Traveling nearly 60 mph, he continued into the parking lot, smashing into an unoccupied parked car and fatally hitting two pedestrians. Lisinicchia also died in the crash. According to the NY Post and the Times Union, the victims included Steenburg and her husband, Axel Steenburg, plus his brother Richard; Amy's sisters Mary King Dyson, Abigail King Jacksonalong with their respective husbands, Robert Dyson and Adam Jacksonand Allison King; newlyweds Shane and Erin McGowan; and friends Amanda Halse, Patrick Cushing (Erin McGowan's cousin), Michael Ukaj, Savannah DeVonne, Matthew Coons, Amanda Rivenburg, and Rachael Cavosie. We now know the names of most of the 20 people who died in Saturday's limo crash. Eight of the 17 limo passengers were part of the same family and the others were very good friends. A candlelight vigil was held last night. @tonydokoupil reports: https://t.co/6XtSBMN4pB pic.twitter.com/yhHJakYXb0 CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) October 9, 2018 Brian Hough, an assistant professor of geology at SUNY Oswego, and his father-in-law, James Schnurr, were standing in the parking lot and killed as a result of the crash. "He's just a very, warmhearted wonderful person," Artra Hough, the victim's mother, told the NY Post. "He's a great father, a great son, and so now this is the second son we've lost in four years." In Amsterdam, NY, on Monday night, hundreds of people attended vigils in memory of the victims. On Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the limousine had recently failed a state inspection and wasn't even roadworthy, confirming texts Erin McGowan sent from inside the vehicle before the crash. Explaining it was in an obvious state of disrepair, she told one friend that "the motor is making everyone deaf." Indeed, the NY Times reports that Prestige has a dubious track record. The owner, former FBI informant Shahed Hussain, operates his business out of a "low-budget hotel," per the Times, and seems to have dispatched a vehicle with unreliable brakes and a shoddy suspension system. According to the NY Daily News, the car itselfa 2001 Ford Excursionmay have been illegally modified into limo form and did not have state clearance to be driving in the first place. Police had reportedly been looking at both the company and the limo in question even before the crash. Police say Prestige's 2001 Ford Excursion limo was traveling Southwest on New York State Route 30 in Schoharie when it drove through a stop sign at an intersection. -- @DeMarcoReports https://t.co/6XtSBMN4pB pic.twitter.com/c2uFiv60WU CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) October 9, 2018 Limos, according to the Times, are inherently unsafe vehicles: Regular cars or SUVs that get stretched to maximum capacity outside the manufacturer's eye, they are not subject to the same federal safety regulations as your average sedan. And the T-bone intersection where the crash occurredwhere Route 30 meets Route 30Ahas also been characterized as "very dangerous." But the driver, Lisinicchia, did not have the commercial drivers license with a passenger endorsement he would have needed to legally operate the limo. And according to the NY Post, he also has two substance-related arrests in his past, once of which stems from an incident where authorities caught him smoking weed behind the wheel. His stepson, Cicero Richards, told the Daily News that Lisinicchia had been hesitant to go out on the job on Saturday because of Prestige vehicles' junky nature. Prestige, which reportedly uses the names Hasy Limousine and Saratoga Luxury Limousines, has been hit with a cease-and-desist order that will halt operations during the ongoing investigation. In a statement CNN published Monday, the company stated that it had "voluntarily taken [its] fleet of vehicles off the road" and that it "extends its deepest condolences to the family members and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Saturday. We are performing a detailed internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident and the steps we can take in order to prevent future accidents." At least two opposition parties, LMP and Jobbik, are in the process of self-annihilation. Now it is Jobbiks turn. The present state of the party is more than precarious; the leadership is deeply divided and the disintegration of the party is likely. It is possible that soon enough we will witness the disappearance of these two parties and that a total reorganization of the anti-Orban forces will follow. The departure of Gabor Vona, founder and long-time chairman of Jobbik, and the takeover of the party by lesser-known politicians of lesser weight were bound to have a negative effect on the cohesion of the party. Jobbik election results, by objective standards not disastrous, were seen by the leadership as a failure of monumental proportions that stemmed from a mistaken strategy. However, the main reason for the departure of Jobbik politicians from the party was the deep ideological divide between the partys moderates and its radicals. After Laszlo Toroczkai, Dora Duro, and Elod Novak left during the summer, all seemed relatively peaceful around Jobbik for a while, although it was evident that the new leaders were having serious difficulties regarding strategy. At the time of the radicals departure, it seemed that as long as no other Jobbik members of parliament leave, the party will survive. Well, as of yesterday, three Jobbik MPs followed Dora Duro. And these three are possibly not the last to feel that Jobbik abandoned its true mission on the national side and that it went far too far toward making peace with the left-liberals. Although one suspected that all was not well in Jobbik, that suspicion was confirmed by the appearance of a letter addressed to the chairmen and organizers of the electoral districts by Janos Volner (pictured on top), who was subsequently expelled from the party caucus. It was published in, of all places, Maria Schmidts Figyelo. Before outlining Volners objections to the present leaderships political program, a few words about the man. Although Janos Volner is not exactly a household name in Hungary, he has been a very important man within the party. He began his political career in 2007 when he joined the far-right Hungarian Guard and eventually became the organizations spokesman. In 2009 he joined Jobbik and a year later was chosen as one of Jobbiks MPs. In 2012 he became deputy chairman of Jobbik. He served as deputy whip of the Jobbik delegation between 2010 and 2016, when he was elevated to the leadership of the caucus. He was an important man within the party, so his expulsion is no small matter. What are Volkers gripes? Volker believes that Jobbiks leadership is on the verge of forming an alliance with LMP. Such a move by itself would be unacceptable to Volner, but he is certain that this is just the beginning and soon enough Jobbik will stand as a party on the left-liberal side. The first sign of such a development, according to Volner, was Jobbiks decision to silently support Angela Nemeths bid for the mayoralty at the by-election held a week ago in Budapests District XV. (She ran as an independent but had worked as district manager (jegyzo) under DKs mayor for the last four years.) Volner reminded his comrades that Jobbik from the start had been fiercely opposed to the Gyurcsany government. Therefore, he argued, we cannot make a deal with the devil even if such an arrangement offers advantages. Angela Nemeth won the election by only 697 votes. If Jobbik and LMP had put up candidates of their own, the Fidesz candidate might have won. Jobbik, if it is truly an opposition party, did the right thing by essentially supporting the DK-MSZP-Parbeszed candidate. What else drove Volner to write and publish this letter? His charge is that the current Jobbik leadership is working closely with the administration of Central European University when it was not a long time ago that we nationalists (nemzetiek) and radicals acquainted the people of the country with the destructive activities of George Soros, the Freemason speculator. And yet the deputy rector of CEU and Marton Gyongyosi of Jobbik, claims Volner, are in the process of organizing a conference in Brussels. It is true, Volner continues, that Fidesz overdid the Soros bit, but still Soros and other similar scoundrels remain the enemies of the Hungarian people. Volner is a true son of the common man. He began working even before he finished high school and received his diploma while working as a sales clerk. He claims to be an economist, but his degree from a non-accredited institution in St. Petersburg is highly suspect. Although he says he speaks English on the conversational level, according to rumor, Volner very badly wanted to be a Jobbik delegate to the European Parliament but his colleagues vetoed the idea because of his lack of foreign languages. So, there is Janos Volner on the right whose expulsion prompted two more members of parliament to quit the Jobbik delegation, and then there is a new, rather impressive woman, Andrea Varga-Damm, a lawyer who has already made a name for herself in parliament as a smart, active MP. Attila Tibor Nagy, a political scientist with the Meltanyossag Politikaelemzo Kozpont (Equity Political Analytical Center), called her the hope of the opposition on the pages of Magyar Hang, the successor of Magyar Nemzet. Both the think tank and the publication are highly respectable, so one must take notice. Only yesterday Varga-Damm called upon Fidesz MPs to tell the truth and admit that there is no migrant threat to the country. Today Magyar Idok reported that she was defending the Sargentini Report. Moreover, the word is out that she might leave Jobbik and join another delegation on the liberal side. If that is the case, the current Jobbik leadership is being beset from both left and right. It is possible that at some point they will have to take a stand on whether to remain on the nationalist side, strengthening Fidesz, or to take a deep breath and join the real opposition. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online Click here to Share Your Story MTI Photo: Kovacs Attila The leftist opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) has hung a banner with the slogan Love is Love on Parliaments facade in protest against the meeting of the Turkish president and Hungarys prime minister at the legislature. DK chose this form of protest after authorities withheld permission to hold a demonstration at the site, the partys spokesman told a press conference. Viktor Orban has shown his Turkish role model that the people can be silenced within the EU, too, Zsolt Greczy said, referring to Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said DK had chosen the banner to send the message to the dictators that they are both persona non grata in Europe. The two leaders have the oppression of their own people in common and both are dismantling democratic institutions, Greczy said. Hungarian security and Turkish stability are directly linked, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said after talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Budapest. A stable Turkish government and a stable Turkey are a precondition for Hungary not to be endangered in any way due to overland migration, Orban said at a joint press conference after the talks on Monday. It is Hungarys interest that Turkey should remain strong and able to maintain peace in its region and control illegal migration to Europe, Orban said. The Hungarian prime minister expressed appreciation to Turkey for accommodating several million refugees that arrived via neighbouring countries and thanked the Erdogan for fully meeting Turkeys agreement with the European Union, which he said was another precondition for European security. Meanwhile, Orban said that Hungary and Turkey would raise the level of military cooperation and build powerful ties in the military industry. He added that in recent decades there have been no money or energy left to develop the military but we will make up for that now; Hungarys goal is to build a modern and effective national army. Concerning business cooperation, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the mutual goal of increasing the turnover of bilateral trade to 5 billion dollars has not yet been reached. He noted, however, a 19 percentage point increase in the first half of this year, and said that meeting the original goal does not seem unrealistic. He also said that Hungarys Eximbank has set up a pool of 420 million dollars to boost bilateral economic cooperation. Turkish investment in Hungary was also discussed, and Orban asked Erdogan to encourage Turkish investors accordingly. They also discussed opportunities for Hungarian businesses in Turkey, and Orban highlighted farming and water management as potential areas. Orban said Hungarian foreign policy must look to three cities: Ankara, Moscow and Berlin, three great powers around which Hungary has revolved for many centuries. This is why it is important that ties between Hungary and Turkey are always balanced, orderly and positive, and that the relationship between the two countries is based on respect, he said. He said the agreements signed and initialled will allow Hungary to participate in the development of the Turkish economy. On the topic of Turkeys EU accession, Orban said that Hungary had always supported Turkey and would continue to do so. If Europe does indeed decide to become a major global political player, then it must find the right form of cooperation with Turkey, he added. What we are doing now is dishonest, he said, referring to EU-Turkey negotiations. He said several negotiating chapters had been opened only to be closed again. And the EU signals its intention to negotiate while major EU member states declare we will never take this country into the EU, he said. Hungary wants a strong Europe, and for this a strategic agreement with Turkey is needed, the prime minister said. Erdogan told the press conference that 3.5 million Syrian and another 500,000 Iraqi refugees live in Turkey today. Accordingly, the Turkish government will count on the countries of Europe and outside the continent for help, he added. As regards his talks with Orban, the Turkish president said cooperation with Hungary would continue to be highly important and called for the further strengthening of bilateral ties. He praised cooperation as excellent in various areas. He noted the next meeting of a bilateral mixed economic committee scheduled for November, focusing on exploring further possibilities in Turkish-Hungarian investment projects outside their regions and in bilateral tourism cooperation. In terms of bilateral trade, he noted plans to increase volume to 5 billion dollars. In the area of cultural cooperation, Erdogan noted the preservation and renovation of the 16th-century tomb of Gul Baba, a dervish, a poet and soldier sent to Buda in 1541 by Sultan Suleiman. He called the tomb an important symbol of the two countries common past. MTI Photo: Koszticsak Szilard XpatLoop Media Partner Mupa is regarded as Hungary's top cultural brand, and the most modern cultural institution in the capital. It opened its doors in 2005 to provide events of international quality to a diverse audience, bringing together all the varied disciplines of the arts in a unique fashion. To this day it provides a cutting-edge home for classical, contemporary, popular and world music, jazz and opera, as well as contemporary circus, all types of dance, literature and film. 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. Coun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs 07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0) Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na... Radu Oprea: PSD considera ca o crestere a pensiilor cu 11% ar fi una corecta! Purtatorul de cuvant al PSD, Radu Oprea, a declarat, luni, ca o crestere a pensiilor cu 11%, asa cum au propus social-democratii, ar fi una "corecta" si ar veni ca o "masura de compensare" pentru cei a caror putere de cumparare [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Senior official for defence policy, planning and international affairs with Romania's Defence Ministry (MApN) Simona Cojocaru is taking part November 15-16 in a meeting in Brussels of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council (EAC) in a defence ministers format that is expected to host a first - Poland has closed a border crossing along its eastern border with Belarus as Minsk warned Warsaw against any provocations amid a continuing migration crisis that has alarmed the European Union, according to RFE/RL. The closure of the Bruzhi-Kuznica border crossing early on Tuesday came after migrants - First Deputy Chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) Sorin Grindeanu said on Monday - when asked if PSD would take up the prime minister's position if President Iohannis handed it to him without the party asking for it or having a parliamentary majority - that he would do so. - President Klaus Iohannis will attend the informal meeting of the European Council and the European Union - Western Balkans Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday in Brdo, Slovenia, the Presidential Administration informs. The main topic of discussion on the agenda of the European Council meeting - Increasing energy prices is discorcerting, an extraordinarily powerful shock, which will slow down economic growth throughout Europe and will severely amputate people's purchase power, the chairman of the Tax Council, Daniel Daianu, declared on Tuesday, during a specialty debate, agerpres reports. - Romania has the second-lowest vaccination rate in the European Union (EU) and is bracing for a fourth wave of the pandemic that looks set to overwhelm hospitals where medical staff are already stretched thin, according to Reuters. The EU has fully vaccinated 72% of its adult population and Romania - The United States and the European Union have agreed to aim to cut emissions of the planet-warming gas methane by around a third by the end of this decade and are pushing other major economies to join them, according to documents seen by Reuters. Their pact comes as Washington and Brussels seek to galvanize - Ministrii din Marea Britanie vor analiza o posibila relaxare a regulilor privind imigratia, adoptate dupa Brexit, in ideea de a ajuta la rezolvarea crizei de soferi de camion, pe fondul presiunilor crescute venite din partea lanturilor de supermarketuri, sustine cotidianul The Times, preluat de Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Prosecutors with the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) took to court, at the Bucharest Tribunal, eight drug traffickers, involved in an international network that transports large quantities of heroin across Romania, in this case a record seizure of 1.4 tonnes of - Two men from southeastern Constanta were remanded in custody for 30 days, being accused for joining two groups of hackers - Sodinokibi/Revil and GandCrab, who launched ransomware type attacks upon entities all over the world: companies, municipalities, hospitals, law and order, emergency services, - Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Florin Citu, declared on Tuesday that his party will go to the negotiations with Save Romania Union (USR) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD) for the formation of the government only with the proposal that the prime minister be from the Liberals, without - Prosecutors with the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) and judicial police carried out 42 home searches on Wednesday morning in Bucharest and the counties of Giurgiu, Braila, and Arges in an attempt to dismantle a large criminal group that was active mainly in Giurgiu - Director Corneliu Porumboiu and film producer Ada Solomon have been indicted by the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) prosecutors for committing tax evasion, establishing an organized criminal group and money laundering, judicial sources told AGERPRES on Monday. - Justice Minister Stelian Ion said on Thursday that he received suggestions that "it is not okay" for him to coordinate the selection of candidates for these chief prosecutor positions, as that should be done by someone else, "in order to get a preset outcome." "I have started the selection procedure - Ministerul Justitiei a anuntat ca au fost inregistrate 11 candidaturi pentru functiile vacante de conducere din Parchetul General, DNA si DIICOT. Ministerul Justitiei a anuntat, pe 28 iulie, ca a declansat procedura de selectie pentru ocuparea functiei de procuror sef al DIICOT, post ramas vacant dupa - Officials of the National Company for Road Infrastructure Management (CNAIR) and those of the UMB group of companies signed on Tuesday a contract for the design and execution of Lot 4 of the Craiova-Pitesti expressway, according to Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Catalin Drula. "Today, Sport 'It was fate:' Toss played major role in Australias T20 World Cup win, admits captain Aaron Finch "I tried to play it down as much as I could because I thought at some point in the tournament I'm going to lose a toss and we'll have to bat first. "But it did play a big part. You saw at the end there, the dew factor, the slow balls weren't holding in the wicket as much." The Cherry Hill Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership at the Cherry Hill Triplex on Rt. 70 in Cherry Hill, NJ on September 30, 2018. Read more A bill that quietly passed the New Jersey Senate in July would drastically curtail legal remedies for consumers suing car dealers. The bill, backed by South Jersey Democrats and legislative leaders, would slash attorneys' fees in consumer fraud cases against auto retailers, including those brought by the state attorney general. It would also make it harder for consumers to win triple damages. The Attorney General's Division of Consumer Affairs rarely comments on pending legislation, but an agency spokesperson said, "The division has serious concerns about how certain provisions of this bill would adversely impact consumers." One beneficiary would be a company owned by Charles Foulke Jr., whose Cherry Hill-based Foulke Management Corp. has run into legal trouble over its alleged business practices and is fighting a consumer fraud lawsuit now before the New Jersey Supreme Court. Foulke, 86, and his son, Charles III, 57, have donated or lent hundreds of thousands of dollars to support New Jersey Democrats, and have longstanding ties to South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III and his ally, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester). Messages left with Foulke's business went unreturned. Laura Ruccolo, a lawyer for Foulke's company, did not respond to emailed questions. When reached by phone, she said, "I have nothing to say to you. I don't even know what you're talking about," before hanging up. Unsurprisingly, the bill is backed by car dealers and opposed by trial lawyers and consumer groups. But neutral observers are struck by how the measure singles out car dealers. "It just seems like it's creating a carve-out for auto dealers," said Jacob Hale Russell, a Rutgers-Camden business law professor who studies consumer protection. "Whenever it's about one random industry, it feels more like the product of lobbying and political capture than it does the product of a reasoned debate about what's best for consumers and sellers in the state." Supporters of the bill, which lawmakers plan to rewrite, say it would rein in exorbitant legal fees for lawyers who pursue frivolous claims against car dealers. The bill is an "attempt to balance competing interests between business owners and plaintiff's lawyers," said Jim Appleton, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). "Plaintiff's lawyers don't like it, because it eliminates the opportunity to make a big payday, even when consumers get very little." Current state law requires courts to award treble damages and "reasonable" attorneys' fees to victims who suffer provable losses in consumer fraud cases. The bill would allow courts to award treble damages only for "egregious" violations which are undefined in cases against car dealers. It would also cap awards for attorneys' fees at $1,000 or one-third of the damages awarded to a victim, including in cases brought by the attorney general. Both treble damages and attorneys fees would be at the court's discretion. Foulke has been selling cars for five decades, and operates eight franchises in South Jersey, according to NJ CAR. They are in Cherry Hill (Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep, Kia, and Mitsubishi, as well as Mall Chevrolet), Maple Shade (Alfa Romeo-Fiat), Pleasantville (Atlantic Chrysler-Jeep-Volkswagen), Mount Ephraim (Chrysler-Dodge-Ram) and Turnersville (Chrysler-Jeep). His company has had two settlements with the state in the last 17 years. In 2001, Foulke Management agreed to pay a $40,000 penalty to settle an investigation into whether the dealerships violated consumer protection laws. In 2009, Foulke Management reached a $750,000 settlement with the attorney general, which accused Foulke of violating the 2001 agreement and deceiving customers by not honoring advertised promotions. Since 2006, 461 consumer complaints have been filed against Foulke's businesses with the state, including 72 allegations now under review by Division of Consumer Affairs. The state's top five dealership groups measured by 2017 sales of new vehicles all had fewer complaints during that period, with the closest being Middlesex County-based Sansone Auto Network's 245. Lester Glenn in Ocean County, which like Foulke Management has eight stores, had 41 complaints. The Foulkes are longtime supporters of New Jersey Democrats, notably in 2017, when Sweeney faced an onslaught of negative ads financed by the state's largest teachers' union during his reelection campaign. The candidates and outside groups spent a combined $18.7 million, making it the most expensive state legislative campaign in New Jersey, and likely U.S., history, the state's campaign-finance regulator said. Sweeney, then the state's highest-ranking elected Democrat, had angered the union by collaborating with former Republican Gov. Chris Christie on issues like pension and health benefits. An independent political action committee called General Majority PAC helped protect Sweeney by raising money from associates and friends of Norcross, the insurance executive. Those associates including the Foulkes co-signed a line of credit that was used to fund General Majority's election activities, Politico was the first to report earlier this year. General Majority, which legally cannot coordinate with campaigns, contributed $2.6 million to another super PAC that spent millions in support of Sweeney. Norcross has no official role with General Majority, but he raises money for the PAC. Ezra Reese, a lawyer for General Majority, said in a statement that the Foulkes each made $250,000 loans, "which were repaid." There's no evidence that the loans are connected to the legislation. The Foulkes have known the Sweeney and Norcross families for decades, people who know them say, and are also close to State Sen. James Beach (D., Camden), one of the bill's sponsors. Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D., Camden), another bill sponsor, said he sold cars for Foulke years ago, but hasn't spoken to him about the bill. Greenwald's late mother, Maria Barnaby Greenwald, who was mayor of Cherry Hill, was a longtime friend of the elder Foulke. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D., Middlesex), the chamber's highest-ranking member, is also sponsoring the bill. Car dealers and trial lawyers are longtime contributors to both parties. Political action committees affiliated with the dealers have contributed about $1 million since 2010. The trial lawyers' PAC gave about $420,000 over that period. Lawmakers introduced the bill in June in the midst of a budget brawl between legislative leaders and Gov. Murphy. The Senate voted by 29-5 to pass the bill during a rare Sunday session on July 1 17 days after it was introduced. A spokesman for Sweeney, who decides which bills the state Senate considers, declined comment. In the Assembly, Greenwald said the bill won't advance in its current form. "We're rewriting it so we can find common language that helps to clarify and make sure that consumers are protected, but not to promote frivolous claims. That's the balance we're trying to walk," Greenwald said. Appleton, the NJ CAR president, pointed to three cases in New Jersey in which consumers won a relatively small amount in damages, but attorneys earned tens of thousands of dollars. In one Middlesex County case, the trial court awarded a consumer $650 in damages and $99,250 in attorneys' fees. An appellate panel later voided the award of legal fees because, among other reasons, it found the trial judge didn't properly analyze the hourly rates attorneys sought. Lawyers and consumer advocates say capping attorneys' fees would gut the consumer fraud act's protections against car dealers and make it difficult for poorer victims to find legal representation. "It takes away the power of the consumer to fight smaller consumer frauds," said John Keefe, president of the New Jersey State Bar Association. A pending lawsuit against Foulke Management illustrates the issue. Janelle Goffe sued Foulke's company in 2016, claiming the dealer attempted a bait-and-switch and refused to refund a $250 deposit. She said a salesperson told her she was approved for financing a 2013 Buick Verano and would pay $390 per month after a $1,000 down payment and a trade-in. She paid $250 that day, with the remaining $750 due two weeks later. When she returned with the $750, she was told the financing was not approved and she'd have to return the Buick unless she paid $3,000 down and $400 per month, her complaint says. She instead took her old car back, but claims the dealership refused to return her $250 until after she filed a lawsuit seeking treble damages and attorneys' fees. In April, an appellate panel reversed a trial judge's decision to toss out the case because of an arbitration clause in the contract she signed. Goffe claims she never received a copy of the contract, and the appellate panel ruled that sales contracts are unenforceable if they are not provided to consumers. The state Supreme Court has decided to review the case. The New Jersey bill would make it a "conclusive presumption" that a consumer received a copy of a contract if they sign a document acknowledging receipt. That the bill was introduced just 51 days after the appellate ruling is a sign that Foulke may have pushed for the legislation, said Henry Wolfe of the New Jersey Association for Justice, a PAC for lawyers and associated fields, which is lobbying against the bill. "That's too much of a coincidence," Wolfe said. "Foulke Management and their attorney left a calling card." Beach's office did not respond to requests for comment. Charles Riley, Goffe's lawyer, said the proposed legislation would "castrate" the state's consumer protection law. Riley, who is campaigning against the bill, says he has represented clients in at least 15 lawsuits against Foulke's businesses, including four that are pending. Members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals protested at Hahnemann University Hospital in May 2017. The union's former executive director and two other former union employees allegedly misappropriated more than $300,000 in the five years before they were fired a year ago. Read more The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals reported in a recent regulatory filing that its former executive director and two other former employees had "misappropriated" nearly $330,000 between June 2012 and last October, when they were fired. The losses to the union, which had 7,566 members in June, were far higher than the $131,282 originally reported last year to the U.S. Department of Labor. "Our accountants have concluded an extensive audit as a result of financial irregularities that were uncovered last year," union president Maureen May said Tuesday. The latest filing, covering the year ended June 30, said former executive director William P. Cruice had received $258,747 in "unauthorized payments" to "his personal benefit and/or for which no documentation for the business purpose of the transaction was provided." Cruice reimbursed the union $2,050 during the most recent fiscal year, the PASNAP filing said. "All expenditures at PASNAP, by me or any other employee, occurred openly and according to established policy or practice," Cruice said. He said vacation and holiday time was routinely "front loaded." "To now retroactively declare such a practice as the making of an 'unauthorized loan' distorts the actual, well-rooted practice at the organization," he said. Two additional employees received $71,282 in what the union described as unauthorized payments from July 2012 through Oct. 15, 2017, PASNAP told the Department of Labor, which is investigating. Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, right, administers the judicial oath to Judge Brett Kavanaugh, left, as his wife, Ashley, holds a bible and youngest daughter Liza and oldest daughter Margaret join President Donald Trump during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS) Read more Now that the whole nasty Brett Kavanaugh confirmation thing is done, the question in its aftermath is how, or if, it affects midterm voting? First blush suggests it will. After all, media and much of the nation have obsessed over the process since early July when President Trump nominated Kavanaugh. First there were polarizing questions about Kavanaugh's stance (hence possible votes) on abortion rights and executive privilege. Then came a divisive, emotional he said/she said over alleged sexual assault. And suddenly the world was watching. Monday night, Trump, "on behalf of the nation" apologized to Kavanaugh for the "terrible pain and suffering" he (Kavanaugh, not Trump) and his family "were forced to endure." So, what now? One narrative suggests the process further enraged Democrats, women and especially Democratic women against Republicans, adding fuel to an already-expected high-octane Democratic turnout. This, the argument goes, would be retaliation for what many saw as GOP senators not listening to, not hearing, or not believing a woman, or two or three, accusing the now-associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of sexual assault and misconduct when he was in high school and/or college. I'm not so sure. I mean about the argument. No doubt there's anger. We've seen and heard the fury of women who suffered sexual assault without consequence to perpetrators. We've heard from women irate over a GOP that ran over anything in its way; then, brilliantly, used a woman Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine) as its closer. But a ramped-up anti-GOP rush come Nov. 6? Two things argue against it. Democrats, women, especially Democratic women, already are there. If, on a scale of 1 to 10, you're at 10 in terms of voting D, how do you get to 11? And if you get to 11, does it make much difference? Plus, with most of a month until Election Day, what are the odds the national political focus isn't pulled in multiple different directions between now and then? (I'd note Trump's Access Hollywood tape came out a month before the 2016 election and caused little or no evident effect.) As to claims from Trump and others that strident Democratic opposition to Kavanaugh, and public protest against him, amounts to, as Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell said, "a great political gift," well, that, too, seems a stretch. Republicans won. Got the guy they wanted on the high court. Does gloating lead to voting? I turn to national pundit Larry Sabato at the University of Virginia. "Let me start with three little words: I don't know," he says. "It's impossible to say which party's emotions will endure to Election Day. Maybe both will. Maybe neither will." He notes Republicans will use Kavanaugh in red states with Democratic Senate incumbents (such as North Dakota and Indiana) and Dems will use him in suburban congressional districts, "especially the ones where they have women nominees." Makes sense. But, again, will such use much change things? Robin Kolodny, who chairs Temple University's poli-sci department, says maybe a little but not a lot. "In the next week or two, look at registration numbers and national political money," she says. "If you see bumps either way, or national GOP money showing up in certain [Pennsylvania] congressional districts, then you'll know something's changed." Places to look for evidence, she says, include the Sixth and Seventh Districts just west and north of Philly, respectively. Both are newly redrawn open seats featuring female Democratic candidates (Chrissy Houlahan in the Sixth, Susan Wild in the Seventh) in races seen as likely or leaning D. But nobody really knows what happens on Election Day. Whether polling's right. Whether a "blue wave" flows or ebbs. And the Kavanaugh confirmation battle, above all else, just made our politics look so shabby. It made ordinary people seem inconsequential. It made pols involved seem solely set on political gain. In short, it changed nothing. And that's why it won't impact the midterms. Clergy abuse victim and Pa. State Rep. Mark Rozzi stands with Democratic challengers to local Republican state senators in front of the Bucks County Courthouse on Monday. Read more Here are four names to jot down and carry into your polling place on Election Day in Pennsylvania next month: Tina Davis, Maria Collett, Linda Fields, and Steve Santarsiero. Open the Notes app on your iPhone and do this today. Do it because you love children and true justice. Do it because if your child had been raped in a church rectory, you would demand the most that your elected officials could offer as a form of delayed justice. Vote for Tina, Maria, Linda, and Steve if four state senators named Tommy, Stewart, Bob, and Charles vote against kids but with the Catholic Church during what may be a major showdown in Harrisburg next week. The first foursome stood outside the Bucks County Justice Center in a chilly fog on Monday morning. They were with clergy abuse victims and advocates. Doors to that courthouse are closed to most child sexual abuse victims who now, as adults, would like to sue for what was done to them decades ago. All of the courthouse doors in Pennsylvania would open to them if the Senate especially the swing-vote Republicans in the Philadelphia region voted to suspend the civil statute of limitations. The GOP swing votes are key because Democrats already back the measure. Senate action on a House bill doing just that is expected next week. If enough Republicans support the bill, it goes to Gov. Wolf for a signature. Victims would be able to sue the Catholic Church for child sexual abuse. Adults abused as children could sue public schools, too. If Republicans don't back the measure, they will be letting corrupt institutions get away with not having to face a jury's civil damages for crimes covered up against children. Easy call, right? Wrong. At least, if you're a Republican member of the GOP-controlled Pennsylvania Senate. And that is why these four Democratic senatorial candidates made their way to the Doylestown courthouse podium with microphones this week. "I grew up in the Catholic Church," said Davis, a state representative from Bucks County, "and this is not what I thought it was about." She and the others called on all Senate Republicans including the one she's trying to unseat in November to stand with kids. "I am very disappointed in the lack of leadership in the Senate and my opponent, Tommy Tomlinson's, decision to remain silent and evasive on this issue." Don't know Tomlinson? When my colleague Angela Couloumbis saw him in the Capitol last week, he refused to tell her if he would support the statute-of-limitations change. He also refused to return calls. He's not the only suburban senator diving for cover like a faux soldier getting splotched in Paintball. "I am disappointed that my own state senator needed to recuse himself from this vote," said Maria Collett. She is referring to Republican Sen. Stewart Greenleaf of Montgomery County. Two years ago, Greenleaf tried to block a suspended civil statute of limitations for child victims. When it was revealed that his law firm had in the past done legal work for the Catholic Church, Greenleaf stepped aside. GOP leaders killed the measure in his absence. Greenleaf's son is running to replace dad. Collett is facing off against Junior. This year, smothering such a bill is not an option. Too much outrage has been unleashed by the horrifying August grand jury report into abuse in six of Pennsylvania's Catholic dioceses. But Greenleaf? He has decided to take a pass by recusing himself. All of this is good news to the Catholic Church. Bishops, in concert with the insurance industry lobby, have said they oppose any "window" suspending the civil statute of limitations for child sex-abuse victims. So, after avoiding civil payouts for decades by not telling police or parishioners about cases, they're trying to avoid liability by leaning hard on senators. Senators are stuck cleaning up the colossal mess that the Catholic Church made. Fields, who is challenging GOP incumbent Bob Mensch in Montgomery County, said voters need to rise up: "We must call our legislators and let them know open the damn window. Open it so people can heal." As of last week, Mensch remained "undecided." Outgoing GOP Sen. Charles McIlhenney of Doylestown has left no doubt about his plan. He is a "no." If he stays true to that pledge, voters might want to consider filling his seat with Democrat Steve Santarsiero. Why? "We have a moral obligation to make sure we do the right thing," Santarsiero said on Monday. That means at the ballot box, too. Jason Fogg, with a bottle of Irish whiskey named after his great grandfather, toasts his ancestor's memory at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia Read more This is a love story between a man and the great-grandfather he never met and also a business start-up, inspired by the great-grandfather. The old man was John Francis McCann, who was born in Scranton in 1893, the son of immigrants from Armagh County, Ireland. McCann's kin fled to America to escape the potato famine in the mid-1800s that starved Ireland. Almost a million others boarded vessels so dangerous they were called "coffin ships." When they arrived, Irish immigrants occupied the bottom rung of society, says the great-grandson, Jason Fogg, 38, who has worked in the liquor business for years. His great-grandfather "was born seven years after the Molly Maguires were executed. He went to work in the mines, he saw that there was not a future for him," says Fogg. The Molly Maguires were Irish who fought, sometimes violently, for workers' rights. "He moved to Philadelphia and was basically homeless, living at a YMCA," says Fogg, but his great-grandfather's luck was about to change. He met Anna Hughes at an "olde Irish dance" on Front Street, says Fogg. They married, settled in Kensington, and planted the family tree in Philadelphia. The great-grandfather, known as Pops McCann, died long before Fogg was born. I asked how he knew so much about him. "I heard the passed-down stories from my mother and from the rest of the family," says Fogg, who grew up in Juniata Park. He now lives in Plymouth Meeting with his wife, Kim, and sons Jase, 5, and Ryan, 2; and daughter, Brooke, 1. Having spent several years selling other people's liquor, last year Fogg decided to sell his own, and he also wanted to honor Pops, who had returned to Europe as a Doughboy in World War I. "I wanted to do a historical product, about me and all our ancestors, to tell the tales of the American Irish and their struggles," says Fogg, who bears a physical resemblance to his great-grandfather. The label of Pop's McCann Whiskey uses an apostrophe for branding purposes, Fogg says, along with a picture of McCann in his Army uniform. The history is on the back label: "For all those who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a packed wooden boat, sick, starving & looking for a new life in the new land. For all those who didn't make it. For all those that experienced many hardships & had to fight." Fogg is a Widener University grad with a degree in business marketing. His startup was something we all can understand alcohol: Pop's McCann Whiskey, which he says is made from "a pre-Prohibition special recipe" and is "triple distilled, single grain Irish whiskey finished in American bourbon barrels." The whiskey is made in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, at a distillery owned by Irish millionaire and entrepreneur John Teeling, whom Fogg met through a mutual friend. It is shipped "in vats, called totes, from Ireland to Michigan," says Fogg. That's where it is bottled, labeled, and shipped across America. He started the brand last summer and got it into Pennsylvania's State Stores a while back, and it went statewide in New Jersey last month. It's a grind, he says, trying to get into stores and compete with established brands, but he's an optimist. What he's doing, he's doing out of love for his people, the Irish and the great-grandfather he never met. An activist, member of the Human Rights Association Istanbul branch, holds a poster with a photo of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, during a protest in his support near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. Turkey said Tuesday it will search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a missing Saudi contributor to The Washington Post, a week after he vanished during a visit there. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Read more Here's the most astonishing thing about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist-in-exile and Washington Post columnist, who entered his country's consulate in Istanbul a week ago and never came out. Whoever gave the order to snatch him and all bets are that it came from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assumed a renowned journalist could be kidnapped or killed with few repercussions. In a foreign country. This stunning assumption tells you much about the growing threats to independent journalism in an era of conspiratorial websites, populist hysteria, and dictatorial crackdowns and the constant Trumpian drumbeat that critical journalists are the "enemy of the people." The Khashoggi affair is a grim illustration of how the risk to journalists increases worldwide when America abdicates its role as global defender of a free press. The details of this story so far are shocking and still murky. Turkish officials have said they think Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate and his dismembered body removed by a Saudi hit squad. There is also the possibility that the journalist was drugged and smuggled out in two black Saudi diplomatic limos that entered and left the consulate the day Khashoggi visited. After all, other critics and even dissident princes have been abducted from abroad and jailed since MBS (the colloquial name for the crown prince) rose to power. How could this happen? The mild-mannered Khashoggi, was initially a supporter of MBS's bold reform plans, became disillusioned when the prince began jailing intellectuals, businessmen, bloggers, and writers. Even though the prince loosened restrictions on women, and permitted them to drive, he jailed several female activists, lest they take credit. And MBS's foreign adventures, notably a Yemen war in which Saudi planes (with U.S. help) were devastating civilians, were a disaster. So Khashoggi attempted the role of constructive critic. Citing himself and other dissidents, he wrote: "We want our country to thrive. We are not opposed to our government and care deeply about Saudi Arabia. Yet we are the enemy." He begged MBS to use diplomacy to end the brutal Yemen war. This apparently was too much for the prince to swallow. But why might a Saudi leader assume he could carry out such a brazen move without tarnishing the Saudi image? Perhaps because he was a close friend of first son-in-law Jared Kushner, or because he had been adulated by President Trump, who considers the Saudis to be his closest Arab Mideast ally. And perhaps because Trump is so cozy with other leaders who are hostile to journalists and is himself a fierce critic of mainstream media. Gone is the time when the United States stood in defense of press freedoms. Trump's relentless attack on U.S. news outlets that critique him, as "fake news" or "enemies of the people," has had a negative impact worldwide. >> READ MORE: Trump hitches Mideast policy to a reckless prince | Trudy Rubin As the late Sen. John McCain put it: "These efforts are being closely watched by [repressive] foreign leaders who are using his words as cover." Maybe that includes the Saudi crown prince. Consider these stats: At least 21 journalists worldwide were jailed on "fake news" charges in 2017, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists; the term has become a convenient club for leaders in autocracies, and even some supposed democracies, such as Poland. Indeed, last summer, while delivering a speech on Western values in Warsaw, Trump pledged to team up with Poland's president to fight "fake news." Even more damning, Trump has embraced authoritarian leaders who openly threaten journalists with murder, such as Filipino leader Rodrigo Duterte, or who silently tolerate such murders, such as Vladimir Putin. Twenty-eight journalists have been killed in Russia since Putin became president, and three more were recently murdered in the Central African Republic, where they were investigating a Russian mercenary operation run by a pal of Putin's. >> READ MORE: Trump is suffering from a bad case of autocrat envy | Trudy Rubin Yet Trump has repeatedly defended the Russian leader, insisting "It has not been proven that he's killed reporters." In this ugly climate, three journalists were recently murdered in Euopean Union nations: Malta, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. In the first two cases, brave reporters were investigating corruption linked to high government officials. So it isn't surprising that it took six days for Trump to say he was "concerned" about Khashoggi's disappearance and for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to issue an anodyne statement. "If this had been Iran, would there have been this silence [until now]?" asked Robert Mahoney, deputy executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. Not a chance. So far U.S. journalists have been spared, apart from the terrible murder of five people by a disturbed man at the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis. But the anti-media rhetoric from the White House encourages the deranged, and death threats have been forthcoming, notably to the Boston Globe. >> READ MORE: After Maryland shooting, Trump must quit embracing autocrats who squash the press | Trudy Rubin The Khashoggi affair is a warning. When the United States abandons its role as defender of the free press, the risk grows to American journalists, and those in other countries. If Trump fails to press MBS for an accounting, he will add to the impression that the United States no longer cares when journalists are murdered. It could happen here. A previous version of this column referred to Istanbul as the capital of Turkey. The capital of Turkey is Ankara. A correction has been made to reflect this. Patrick J. O'Connor will step down as chair of Temple University's board of trustees on July 31, 2019, after 10 years in the position, the university announced Tuesday. The announcement came as the board met on campus and elected O'Connor, vice chairman of the Cozen O'Connor law firm, to his final one-year term and said Mitchell L. Morgan, founder and chairman of Morgan Properties, would become chair next year. The 27-story Morgan residence hall that opened in 2013 is named for Morgan, a Temple alumnus who joined the board in 2002, and his wife. "Good governance calls for clear succession planning, and at the end of 10 years as chairman, I believe it is time to move to the next generation of leaders," O'Connor said in a statement. O'Connor has led the university through record fund-raising and growth, but has saw his tenure marked by controversy. In 2016, the board forced the resignation of then president Neil D. Theobald, who had fired the provost, causing leadership upheaval on the more than 40,000-student campus. O'Connor also faced calls to step down from some faculty who claimed he had a conflict of interest when he represented Bill Cosby in a civil suit filed by former Temple employee Andrea Constand, who maintained Cosby had sexually assaulted her. Cosby was convicted of the crime this year. Both Temple and O'Connor said that there was no conflict of interest, and that O'Connor had disclosed to the board he was representing Cosby in the 2005 proceedings and that it did not violate board policy. The representation occurred before O'Connor was elected board chair but while both he and Cosby were serving on Temple's trustee board. "You should honor his decades of service to Temple and his generosity," Steve Newman, faculty union president, said, "but obviously [the union] disagreed with him on some pretty serious issues, not the least of which was Mr. O'Connor's role in the Cosby scandal." O'Connor joined the board in 1971 as the youngest trustee in the university's history he was 28 and served until 1984. He returned in 2001 and became chair in 2009. Cupcakes by Adelphia in Deptford for breast cancer awareness. Read more Adelphia restaurant in Deptford is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with "Boobie cakes," eye-catching cupcakes made to raise money for a local nonprofit advocacy group. Baked in vanilla and chocolate flavors, the cakes are frosted in three different skin tones. The fluffy cakes are topped with a layer of fondant that covers light, creamy frosting inside. Adelphia owners Bill and Evelyn Balis are donating half of the proceeds to the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition, which supports legislative efforts and assists breast-cancer patients with costs such as medical bills. The cakes will be available through October. Boobie cakes, $3.95 each at Adelphia, 1750 Clements Bridge Rd., Deptford; adelphiarestaurant.com. To understand the study in real life, its helpful to look at Haddonfield, one of the clearest examples of a well-off community in relatively poorer Camden County. Here, a tree-line block at Avondale Avenue and Euclid Avenue. Read more To be happy, it's not enough to have money; you need the people around you to have less. But and here's the important part the poorer people can't live too close. That's an insight gleaned from a field of study that focuses on the complex relationship between cash and happiness. All of this requires some explaining. Start with the famous observation of the 19th century British philosopher John Stuart Mill: "Men do not desire to be rich, but to be richer than other men." By this rationale known as the relative-income hypothesis rich people should be happier when they live among the poor, sociologists have suggested. But, not surprisingly, studies, as well as harsh experience, show that living in a poorer neighborhood reduces happiness. How to resolve this? Along came Glenn Firebaugh of Pennsylvania State University and Matthew Schroeder of the University of Minnesota with a 2009 study that says Americans tend to be happier when they live in richer neighborhoods in poorer counties. Using data from the U.S. census as well as the American National Election Studies highly regarded voter surveys run by Stanford University and the University of Michigan Firebaugh and Schroeder based their findings on the responses of 1,266 individuals in 849 neighborhoods within 433 counties. The result: "Americans," Firebaugh and Schroeder concluded, "tend to be happiest when they live in a high-income neighborhood in a low-income region." In an interview, Firebaugh said that people probably don't seek out a house in a poor county just to feel better about themselves. But they come to know their surroundings, and may realize that they're more fortunate than distant neighbors. And that allows people to feel good about themselves and therefore, happier. "You see it when you're driving to work and realize that most people in the surrounding area don't live in houses as nice as yours," Firebaugh said. "People compare themselves to other people, and it does affect happiness." Stephen Matthews, a Penn State sociologist and colleague of Firebaugh's, concurred. He pointed out that he earns a good salary living in State College within Centre County, where the poverty rate is 19 percent (by comparison, it's 13 percent throughout Pennsylvania). "If you're relatively wealthy in a poor county, you look like you're doing well. That makes sense to me." But, Matthews stressed, measuring happiness is complicated stuff, and relative income isn't the only important factor. "I've had two surgeries and a visit to the ER this year," said Matthews, 53. "That doesn't make me happy. I have good days and bad days like anyone else." Other money-happiness studies reflect aspects of Firebaugh's. For example, a 2010 British study showed that to be happy, people have to see themselves as being more highly paid than their friends and work colleagues. An international academic study this year revealed that spending money makes people happy provided they're spending it on creating more free time for themselves, such as hiring a house cleaner or paying for a car wash. And a widely quoted Princeton study from 2010 showed that $75,000 is a kind of magic annual salary in relation to happiness. Basically, people's joy increases along with their income until they are making $75,000 a year. After that, no matter how much more people make, happiness does not rise. To understand the Firebaugh thesis in real life, it's helpful to look at Haddonfield, one of the clearest examples of a well-off community in relatively poorer Camden County. The county's 13 percent poverty rate is more than four times Haddonfield's rate, which is less than 3 percent, government figures show. Camden County's poverty rate is nearly twice that of neighboring Burlington (7.8 percent) and Gloucester Counties (7 percent). Asking Haddonfield residents to assess their happiness compared with poorer people in the county proved to be a futile task. No one wanted to respond which isn't surprising, said John Iceland, yet another Penn State sociologist who studies happiness. "People feel uneasy talking about privilege." What people in Haddonfield did say is that they're cognizant of poverty outside their community, especially in nearby Camden City, where the poverty rate is more than 40 percent. "I'm aware of the profound disparities," said Rebecca Bryan, 53, a nurse-practitioner who grew up in Haddonfield and runs the Wellness Center in UrbanPromise, a ministry serving young people in Camden. "The health needs and how children in poverty live has always stunned me, being just 15 minutes from Camden." A friend of Bryan's, Karen Talarico, is executive director of Cathedral Kitchen, the largest provider of emergency food in Camden. She lives in relative comfort in Cumberland County, the poorest county in New Jersey with a poverty rate of 20 percent. "Half my employees live in Camden, and migrant workers in the county where I live pick radishes on their knees," she said. "I live on a 30-acre farm in the country. I'm not going to answer you regarding my relative happiness. But I will say I'm grateful that I'm fortunate." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20503742 Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has inherited a list from his predecessor that names 66 police with troubling records or pending criminal cases against them. Read more By the police account, it was a simple arrest. Philadelphia Police Officer Brian Waters and his partner, William J. Farrell 3rd, stopped the driver of a Lexus CS-400 for failing to signal a turn. When the two officers approached the car, Farrell testified in court, they saw a stash of dope and a handgun inside. But at least one key element of Farrell's testimony wasn't true. Waters was not there. He was in court. "This kind of testimony happens all too frequently," defense lawyer David M. Walker said, referring to demonstrably false statements by police on the witness stand. Walker, who represented the suspect in the 2013 case, dug up the court attendance logs to prove the falsehood. His sleuthing persuaded prosecutors to drop the charges against his client and the Police Department to suspend Waters and Farrell, who both claimed on arrest forms that Waters took part in the bust. Such lists, which are used in Seattle and a few other cities, are intended to warn prosecutors of police who might prove problematic as witnesses because of a history of false testimony or have legal troubles that court rules require be shared with defense attorneys. The Philadelphia list divided the officers into three categories. The most serious group was made up of 29 whose misconduct was so serious as to bar them from testifying in court. Five other officers had disciplinary records or drunken-driving histories that needed to be disclosed to the defense bar if they were to be called to testify. Prosecutors said the remaining 32 including Waters and Farrell had troubled records but should face no restrictions in court. The former aides who drew up the list saw it as an in-house reference sheet for frontline prosecutors to consult as they went over lists of potential police witnesses for cases. It ultimately was seen as a tool to eliminate testimony from officers who might lie on the witness stand. The Philadelphia Defender Association and other critics are raising questions about the roster, and the seemingly inconsistent criteria for putting officers on it. For instance, while the prosecutors put no restrictions on Waters and Farrell, other officers caught in falsehoods were banned from testifying. Another area of confusion was the treatment of police violence. One officer, Robert Esack, who broke the facial bones of a suspect he pummeled, was barred from testifying. Another officer, Jose Cartagena, who was said to have done virtually the same thing, was permitted to testify. Then too, the list seemed to offer only a partial look at the misconduct. Notably, the list failed to mention several citizen complaints and lawsuits against Waters' alleging improper arrests and abuse. The city settled those suits for $175,000. Then there was the list's very limited scope. From a pool of 6,300 serving police and a larger number of retirees, prosecutors would bar testimony from just the 29. This reflected in part the narrow time frame used to select names. The roster only included officers found guilty of wrongdoing by the Police Board of Inquiry dating back to mid-2016. But also at work was something far more systemic the rarity with which police in Philadelphia are sanctioned for misconduct. Consider: Of nearly 1,100 citizen complaints alleging police violence from 2010 through 2014, a department study found Internal Affairs investigators in the Police Department saw merit in only 44 cases. David Rudovsky, a Philadelphia defense lawyer who specializes in cases involving alleged police misconduct, said it was important to know the criteria used to categorize officers on the list and even more essential, to determine why that criteria was not consistently applied. The list, Rudovsky said, made "very haphazard distinctions between officers." In an interview last week, Krasner, the new district attorney, likened the list to a stunt to "make you look like you're doing something." It had too few officers and relied too much on often lenient Internal Affairs investigations, he said. A more rigorously vetted roster will be ready by May, he said. "These are really serious attacks on the integrity of the court system," he said, referring to police who lie on the witness stand. Biased, drunk, untruthful The current list was compiled by top aides to Williams. They include Kathleen Martin, who became acting district attorney after Williams' indictment (and subsequent conviction) on corruption charges; John Delaney, deputy district attorney in charge of the Trial Division; and Angel Flores, then chief of the Juvenile Division and the only one of the group still working at the District Attorney's Office. None would comment. People familiar with creation of the list and companion protocol said it was viewed as a "work in progress" meant to address a significant criminal justice issue police lying in court to bolster cases. The prosecutors saw themselves as balancing competing priorities as they built the list, sources said. They wanted to keep biased, violent, or habitually untruthful officers off the witness stand, while not losing the testimony of officers who might have blemished records but no pattern of serious misconduct. For instance, officers with drunken-driving arrests were put on the list, but generally not banned from testifying, the sources said. The thought was that driving drunk was not an indicator of someone's inherent truthfulness, but still a crime serious enough to alert defense lawyers. As for cases of domestic violence, officers generally could still be witnesses provided prosecutors concluded the violence was a one-time event. In one case on the list, prosecutors noted that one officer had "assaulted his girlfriend by grabbing her neck, choking her and biting her left hand." Still, they saw no need to keep him from the witness stand or even to tell defense lawyers about his violent behavior because, the list said, there was "no pattern" of domestic wrongdoing. In all, at least five officers on the list were found guilty by the police disciplinary panel of assaulting girlfriends or wives. Only one was barred from testifying. Carol Tracy, director of the city's Women's Law Project, said the policy protected abusers. "One certainly wouldn't want them to be witnesses in domestic-violence cases," Tracy said. Stop hitting him In a motion filed in court last week, the Defender Association demanded more information about the Williams-era list and particularly about one officer on it: Brian Waters. "Officer Waters seems to have a troubling history of flouting and even breaking the law," the public defenders wrote. Waters spoke briefly with a reporter last week but declined to talk on the record. In that court pleading, the public defenders explored Waters' work history, including his time as Farrell's partner. Farrell, 44, joined the department in 2000. He served in the Highway Patrol unit for a least seven years. Farrell could not be reached for comment and did not respond to a letter left at his home. Waters, 34, became an officer in 2007. He is the son of former Philadelphia police commander and judge Joseph C. Waters Jr., who was imprisoned three years ago for trying to fix a case. Waters worked first in a North Philadelphia district and later in the Highway Patrol unit. More recently, he has been assigned to the Seventh Police District in Northeast Philadelphia, where he was honored last year after making eight arrests in 12 days. In 2014, a 25-year-old Kensington man sued Waters and officers, alleging they had brutally beaten him. The man contended that Waters drove his patrol vehicle into him, hit him at least seven times in the head with a heavy-duty flashlight, and then planted drugs on him. The man had a broken cheekbone and needed nine stitches to his face. The city spent $125,000 to settle the suit. A judge also threw out the arrest, ruling that Waters had no legal grounds to stop the man in the first place. In all, records show, eight witnesses told Internal Affairs investigators that Waters drove his car into the man. "They were kicking him while he was on the ground and then the police car came and they ran him over," one neighbor told Internal Affairs. Said another neighbor: "We were hollering to stop hitting him. They were Tasing him. His whole face was gushing blood and they threw him in the wagon like he was a piece of meat. He just kept screaming, 'Please stop beating me.' " Internal Affairs ruled that Waters had "physically abused" the man by striking him with his vehicle. Waters acknowledged repeatedly hitting the man with his flashlight, saying he did so to stop the man from attacking another officer. Internal Affairs didn't fault him for the blows, but sanctioned him for using a heavier and longer flashlight than permitted by regulations. In 2015, Waters, Farrell, and two other officers were sued for allegedly chasing down a 19-year-old man on a dirt bike and beating him. Internal Affairs rejected the man's contentions after an investigation, but the city paid $27,500 to settle the suit. The same year, Waters was sued again, this time by a man who said that Waters and another officer publicly stripped him and conducted an anal search, a violation of department policy. Waters and the officer denied the claim. The city paid about $22,000 to resolve this suit. Waters has had trouble off the job as well. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to drunken driving after rear-ending a car on Frankford Avenue. He lost his license for a year. None of the civil cases or Waters' DUI was mentioned in the district attorney's list. That document cites only the abortive 2013 drug and gun bust that led to Walker and Farrell each pleading guilty to conduct unbecoming an officer. In that case, Farrell testified under oath that he was driving a squad car with Waters as a passenger when they stopped Louis Rios, 30, on Fifth Street in North Philadelphia. The officers seized 63 packets of cocaine and a .380-caliber, Kel-Tech handgun. But attendance records showed that on the day of the arrest Waters had clocked in at the Criminal Justice Center in Center City. A False Police Report Philadelphia Police Officer William Farrell arrested a man around 1 p.m. on May 10, 2013, after spotting drugs and a handgun in the car. At 4:15 p.m., he and his partner, Officer Brian Waters, signed police paperwork declaring they made the arrest jointly. A lawyer for the suspect later determined Waters had instead been in court at the time, and prosecutors tossed out the case. Waters and Farrell later pleaded guilty to conduct unbecoming an officer. Farrell was suspended for 10 days, Waters for five. Philadelphia Police Department JARED WHALEN / Staff Artist Confronted by the discrepancy, both officers told Internal Affairs that they had gotten confused because they had made so many arrests together. If so, their confusion came on quickly. Less than four hours after Rios was charged, Farrell and Waters each signed official arrest sheets claiming they both took part in the arrest. Investigators asked the pair whether they had rigged the paperwork so Waters would get "overtime pay in the future by going to court." Both denied that. Internal Affairs investigators concluded the misstatements were not deliberate but still cited the pair for filing a false report. In the end, the officers pleaded guilty to the Police Board of Inquiry to charges of conduct unbecoming an officer. Waters was suspended for five days, Farrell for 10. Despite it all, prosecutors decided the misstatements were not significant enough to bar the two officers from testifying about future arrests. Prosecutors said their false claims were "not material" to the case against Rios, the alleged drug dealer. The DA's Office took a different view in court. After Rios' defense lawyer confronted them over the officers' false reports, prosecutors dropped all charges. Staff writers Dylan Purcell and Michele Tranquilli contributed to this article. Police Commissioner Richard Ross and Mayor Kenney speak to the news media outside Temple University Hospital after Officer Jaison Potts was shot in the face while executing an arrest warrant. Read more A Philadelphia police officer will not face charges after fatally wounding a 59-year-old Germantown homeowner in an August shootout that started when he mistook for intruders the officers who came to his house at 6 a.m. to execute a search warrant, the District Attorney's Office said Tuesday. The office said a review of the shooting led to the conclusion that Officer Angel Vasquez had "reasonably believed he was in danger of death or serious bodily injury." Police Commissioner Richard Ross had called the Aug. 6 death of the homeowner, Ricardo Giddings, "an all-out absolute tragedy." Members of the SWAT team arrived at Giddings' house on the 4800 block of Knox Street with a search warrant and hoped to question Giddings' grandson in an unrelated shooting. Authorities said the officers knocked and announced themselves several times before entering the home, but Giddings thought they were intruders and opened fire, hitting one officer, Jaison Potts, 49, in the face. Vasquez, Potts' partner, returned fire, hitting Giddings in the chest and a leg, wounds that proved fatal. Giddings' 67-year-old wife, Joann, was hit in the stomach by a ricocheted shotgun pellet as she tried to run out of the house. Her injuries were not life-threatening. In a statement Tuesday, the prosecutor's office said, "We have concluded that the officer reasonably believed he was in danger of death or serious bodily injury. The officer was, therefore, legally justified in using deadly force, and, in this circumstance, no criminal charges are warranted." SWAT officers serve around 300 warrants a year and had not fired a shot since 2015, Ross said at the time of the shooting. He called it "an absolute unfortunate circumstance all the way around." The announcement comes as Krasner's office has pledged to apply more scrutiny to police-involved shootings. Ben Waxman, District Attorney Larry Krasner's spokesperson, said Tuesday that the office investigates any incident in which an officer discharges a weapon. "And in this case, the facts were very clear that they were in a very difficult situation walking into a house where they were being shot at," Waxman said of the officers. READ MORE: Philadelphia police officer shot in face serving warrant in Germantown Potts, a 20-year veteran of the police force, walked into Temple University Hospital shortly after the shooting and underwent surgery to remove the bullet from his jaw. The grandson, whom police did not identify, was not at the house. He later turned himself in to police. John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, the officers' union, said Tuesday that he wasn't surprised that the officer wasn't charged. "They were serving a search warrant, they were fired upon, and the officer returned fire. The officer was doing his job, so I don't know what there would be charges for," he said. "Unfortunately, sometimes policing isn't pretty. It's unfortunate someone lost their life that day, but the job was carried out. SWAT has a job to do." McNesby said he did not consider the decision by the District Attorney's Office "a victory or loss or tie or anything. I just consider it normal police work." Police are investigating a shooting that left a woman, 20, dead in Olney early Tuesday. Read more A 20-year-old woman was killed during an overnight shooting in Olney, according to police. Philadelphia police responded to a report of a "person with a gun" in a rear driveway along the 5200 block of Westford Road around 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, where they later found the woman "leaning across the front passenger seat of a gray Nissan." The woman, whose name has not yet been released, was shot in the left arm, back, and chest. She was pronounced dead at Albert Einstein Medical Center shortly before 2 a.m. Nearly two dozen shots were fired in the incident, according to 6ABC, though police could not confirm that Tuesday morning. Two men were reportedly in the car when the victim was shot. No arrests have been made. An investigation is ongoing. Gov. Murphys budget proposal would give more money to the vast majority of school districts. But the most underfunded districts are frustrated and say the state needs to remedy disparities in funding. Read more When Chesterfield Superintendent Scott Heino learned of the funding increase that Gov. Murphy planned for his school district, his reaction was "absolute shock." This was worse than nothing. By his calculation, the $41,060 increase was a mere 1/100th of the Burlington County district's entitlement, about $4 million, based on how its student population has grown. "I think if we would have received the same exact number of aid as last year, I wouldn't have been as shocked," said Heino. "The fact that there was an effort made, and changes were made and money was allocated, and still we only received the $41,000, it was a blow." School officials were hopeful about the new Democratic governor's pledge to remedy years of failure by the state to follow its own law for funding public schools. But some were crestfallen when they saw the details of the new governor's proposed plan despite its nearly across-the-board increases. "It was deflating, honestly, when those numbers came out," said Joe Meloche, superintendent of the Cherry Hill School District, another one that is getting an aid boost but felt short-changed. That dissatisfaction speaks to difficulties Murphy confronts in fulfilling his promise to "fully fund" schools. Driven by landmark court rulings that sought to reduce disparities among schools in rich and poor communities, New Jersey's funding formula has been hailed by education advocates. Yet the state hasn't been able to put it into practice. In theory, New Jersey's formula works like this: The state determines what it costs to educate students in each district based on enrollment, with added money for students with greater needs. It calculates what the district can afford to pay, then makes up the difference. In reality, it's more complicated. As the formula was being adopted in 2008, lawmakers realized that some districts stood to lose money because of it. Rather than make cuts, the state added a provision to the law giving those districts "adjustment aid." Many districts still receive it. At the same time, the state hasn't spent the money the formula requires, with years of near-flat funding under Gov. Chris Christie. Districts that have grown, or that are enrolling more needy students, have racked up charges that the state hasn't paid. Even with the $283 million in additional aid Murphy proposes to give school districts next year, it would cost the state an additional $831 million to fully fund districts under the formula. The state allocated just over $8 billion to schools for this year. But the deficit is much larger if enrollment changes are fully taken into account, and the formula limits how much additional aid a district can receive each year. If those caps are removed, 363 districts are owed nearly $1.9 billion, according to an Inquirer and Daily News analysis of data provided by the state Department of Education. Murphy's proposed budget for next year is $37.4 billion, and includes $1.6 billion in tax increases. "After reviewing the individual state aid notifications, our association remains seriously concerned about the plight of severely underfunded school districts," Lawrence Feinsod, executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association, said in a statement Thursday. Under- and Overfunded Public Schools in South Jersey On the other end, 228 districts are slated to get a total of $740 million more in state aid than they would be entitled to if they were funded on the basis of their enrollments. Some are getting two, three, or even five times what they're owed. While lawmakers last year reached a compromise to reduce aid to some districts and redirect money to those that were underfunded, Murphy's proposal doesn't cut any district's aid. The budget gives increases to the vast majority of districts. Murphy spokesman Dan Bryan said the governor's budget represents "the first step toward his commitment of fully funding the school funding formula over the next four years." The governor "looks forward to working with the Legislature to modernize the school funding formula and address any disparities that may exist," Bryan said. The imbalances in New Jersey's school funding aren't just at the state level. Some districts aren't taxing as much as they should be under the formula, while others are raising more than their fair share. "The burden that's on our taxpayers is so incredibly great here in Cherry Hill," said Meloche, the superintendent. Cherry Hill property owners pay on average more than $8,000 in property taxes. By the state's calculation, the district should be able to raise $136 million to pay for schools; last year, the township's total was nearly $170 million. The state would owe Cherry Hill nearly $30 million if funding were based on enrollment. Under Murphy's proposal, Cherry Hill would get an additional $596,000 next year, bringing its total to just under $15 million. Chesterfield, where enrollment has nearly doubled over the last decade, is slated to get just 21 percent of the total aid it's owed the smallest share in the state. The district has been unable to replace its social studies curriculum, now 12 years outdated, Heino said. It needs, but is unable to hire, another special-education teacher. And with more students, it needs more room in its bike racks. Some districts fared far better despite being "much closer to 100 percent funding," Heino said. "I just don't understand how." Lawmakers agreed last year to shift aid from districts getting more than their share of state funding to those underfunded by the state. The move was pushed by Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) who earlier this year announced his own funding plan but fiercely opposed by the New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union. Sweeney said last week he was committed to helping underfunded districts. "We started to make progress last year on school funding and we need to continue it," he said on radio station NJ 101.5. While the Murphy administration has said it's open to changes in school funding, Sweeney said, "It has to happen this year." David Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center, which argued the Abbott v. Burke cases that laid the groundwork for the state's school-funding formula, said districts like Chesterfield have "valid complaints" about their state aid. The problem is the state's chronic underfunding of schools, he said: "It's not like [Murphy]'s targeting these districts somehow for particular treatment." If lawmakers add money to Murphy's budget, Sciarra said, they should direct it to districts that are spending less than their "adequacy" budgets the formula's calculation of what each district must spend to give its students a "thorough and efficient" education and are owed large amounts of money by the state. The law center has also recommended the state lift the 2 percent property-tax cap for some districts that aren't raising enough local revenue. "The entire educational community has to come together and realize it's going to take a while for districts to come back after what they've experienced over the last eight years," Sciarra said. Others questioned how Murphy would manage to ramp up funding in the coming years given other demands on the state budget, like the pension liability, and Murphy's other goals like offering free community college tuition. "We haven't addressed the seriousness of the underfunded nature of our formula," said John Donahue, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials. "The fundamental problem at this point is finding resources" to support it. In this April 6, 2016, file photo, a sign at the federal courthouse in Tacoma, Wash., is shown to inform visitors of the federal REAL ID act, which requires state driver's licenses and ID cards to have security enhancements and be issued to people who can prove they are legally in the United States. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign a measure Tuesday, May 16, 2017, that seeks to bring the state into compliance with federal identification requirements. Read more In two years, any Pennsylvania or New Jersey resident who wants to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building must show either a passport or get a new ID card that meets federal post-9/11 security requirements, and Pennsylvania and New Jersey officials say they are preparing for a deluge of ID requests leading up to the deadline. The two states are among 15 that do not yet comply with the REAL ID act, which Congress passed in 2005 to set uniform security standards for identification cards as recommended by the 9/11 Commission. All 15 have been granted extensions, but Oct. 1, 2020, is the firm deadline for U.S. residents to have identification with the same descriptive information, machine-readable technology, and security features. By the end of the month, Pennsylvanians will start to see billboards throughout the state about REAL ID. PennDot has begun advertising on TV, radio, and online, and is teaching community groups about REAL ID requirements, and New Jersey plans to do the same. PennDot is giving presentations and working with airports to spread the word. Pennsylvania plans to begin issuing REAL ID-compliant cards in March, and New Jersey plans to do the same sometime this spring. "PennDot is very aware that REAL ID can seem confusing, and the department understands that proactive and clear communication is key," Alexis Campbell, a PennDot spokesperson, said in a statement. Brenda S. "Sue" Fulton, chief administrator of New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission, said her agency is planning "customer flow improvements." Her office anticipates at least a tripling of its normal workload in the next year because of the federal ID requirements. "Our plan is to implement REAL ID with a minimum of disruption to the public, avoiding the long lines that other states have experienced," Fulton said in a statement. "To do this, we plan a series of initiatives to reduce congestion in our motor vehicle agencies," including allowing residents to renew registrations and driver's licenses online in the coming months. She said the state would speed service at Motor Vehicle Commission offices but did not specify how. Residents wanting REAL ID-compliant cards must prove their identity with documents such as photo IDs, birth certificates, and proof of legal name changes; and provide their Social Security numbers and proof of residency. On the new IDs, states must include residents' names, birth dates, gender, digital photographs, addresses, and signatures, as well as physical security features to prevent tampering or counterfeiting. States must keep copies of the documents used to verify residents' identities. Unlike New Jersey, Pennsylvania is allowing residents to ask for "pre-verification" of their identifying documents. That way, once the state begins issuing REAL ID-compliant cards in March, pre-verified residents can apply for their cards from home and receive them in the mail within seven to 10 business days, according to PennDot. "If PennDot can pre-verify as many customers as possible now and those customers can apply for their REAL ID online and not return to a center, that means more efficient service at driver license centers as demand for REAL ID grows," Campbell said. PennDot has mailed about 4 million postcards to residents who may be eligible to apply for pre-verification online. The department is now mailing a similar postcard to the remaining 7 million residents who need to visit a PennDot office, because they got their IDs prior to September 2003 when the state began keeping copies of verifying documents. In the month since PennDot began pre-verifying residents in-person, the state has pre-verified about 9,000 people. Since online pre-verification began this March, PennDot has authenticated the documents of about 52,000 people who applied this way. Pre-verification is "under consideration" in New Jersey, Fulton said. She did not elaborate. After Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor told National Public Radio's Maria Hinojosa over the weekend that she had no problem considering herself an American and a Puerto Rican, the Inquirer and Daily News reached out to area residents for their thoughts on her assertion. "I am a very proud Latina, who is a proud American," Sotomayor told Hinojosa on Latino USA's latest episode. "I was born and raised in New York. I'm a proud, proud American, but I'm also a very proud puertorriquena. And, for me, there is no tension in those two things." Sotomayor, the third woman and the first judge of Latino background appointed to the nation's highest court, touched on an issue faced by thousands of Latinos in this country: defining one's identity. For Puerto Ricans in particular, the issue raises complicated questions because the island has been a U.S. territory for 100 years now: Are Puerto Ricans Americans? Can you be both? What makes you American? What makes you Puerto Rican? We talked to three Philadelphians of Puerto Rican descent about Sotomayor's comments, and found different opinions: Karen Rodriguez, 50, an administrator for PA Statewide Indivisible, a progressive group that pursues an activist agenda, said Puerto Ricans learn U.S. and Puerto Rican cultures at once as well as English and Spanish. That, she said, makes it easily for them to identify as being part of both places. "It's true. I don't feel a separation, because I grew up in a bicultural way. And, when you're little, you don't understand it, but it becomes a natural process in which you could be in both cultures and feel proud of both cultures. That's how I feel." Rodriguez, who was born in Allentown, raised in Utuado, Puerto Rico, with her three siblings and now lives in Bristol, said Utuado and her childhood memories were washed away when Hurricane Maria hit the island last year. For that reason, she's one of the organizers for Saturday's People of Puerto Rico's March to Remember, which she hopes will bring attention to the relief efforts still needed on the island. The march steps off at 10 a.m. from 19th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway and ends at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Eakins Oval. Priscilla Gac-Artigas, 63, is a Latin American literature professor at Monmouth University in New Jersey. She said being a minority in academia can be make it hard for some to embrace their roots, especially when they can feel they are being silenced by the vast majority. And for Latinas like her, it's a vast majority indeed: Only 4 percent of full-time instructors in university level are women of Hispanic background. "These days, we talk about a mixed America and I am with her when she insists that there is no different pride for the two," Gac-Artigas said. Gac-Artigas studied French Literature in the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras and in Middlebury College in Vermont for her master's degree. She earned her doctorate's degree in Latin American literature from France's University of Franche-Comte. She is from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, in the northern region of the island, where her family still lives. She lives in Monmouth County. Gladys Carrion, 44, an English as a second language teacher at Julia de Burgos Elementary School in Fairhill, said that Puerto Ricans are an "odd puzzle piece" when it comes to identity. She was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and moved to Philadelphia with her family when she was 2, but returned to Puerto Rico for her higher education. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education at Turabo University and began her teaching career on the island before returning to the city more than 10 years ago. When she's in Puerto Rico, she's not Puerto Rican enough, and when she's in the U.S. she's not American enough. "I don't feel stressed or tense about being from both places, but it's a shame that, when you leave the island, they call you a traitor to your culture. When you come to the States, you are a newcomer and not American enough, despite being American," she said. Nevertheless, she said, defining oneself as a Puerto Rican-American never seems to fit. New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney hopped on top of a firetruck in a parking lot off Broad Street in Woodbury, grabbed the megaphone, and cut to the chase. "We're going to send a message that we cannot be bullied, that one group does not control the state of New Jersey," Sweeney told about 250 volunteers gathered Saturday morning, most of them members of building trades unions. Less than a mile away, on Evergreen Avenue, dozens of members of the state's largest teachers' union cheered as the group's president declared they wouldn't tolerate Sweeney's "bullying, intimidation, and betrayal of public-school employees." Then volunteers in both camps fanned out across South Jersey's Third District, knocking on doors and urging voters to support their respective candidates in what has improbably become the most expensive legislative race in New Jersey history. On paper, Sweeney's opponent in Tuesday's election is Republican Fran Grenier, a supervisor at PSEG Nuclear's Salem plant and former Woodstown Borough councilman. But Sweeney, the state's top-elected Democrat, is also up against the 200,000-member New Jersey Education Association, which vowed in March to defeat the senator and has spent millions on television ads to try to accomplish that goal. "Our members demanded an aggressive campaign," Marie Blistan, the group's president, said in an interview Saturday at the union's Woodbury office. Sweeney may represent just one district, but the campaign has statewide implications: The Senate president is among the most powerful positions in Trenton. He can stall or advance the governor's agenda by controlling what legislation or nominations are considered for votes. Hence the deluge of ads in this rural South Jersey district in a year when all 120 seats in the New Jersey Legislature are up for election. The governor's mansion is also in play; Republican Gov. Christie has served the maximum two terms and will leave office in January. Democrat Phil Murphy, a former Wall Street banker and diplomat, is leading in the polls against Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, a former prosecutor and sheriff. In its latest ad, an NJEA-affiliated political group depicts Sweeney snapping his suspenders and smoking a cigar. "South Jersey is a mess, and it's time to take out the trash," the narrator says, as a truck dumps a heap of garbage at a landfill. The teachers' union and a Sweeney-aligned super PAC started buying broadcast and cable ad time in midsummer. Those two groups, Sweeney's campaign, and another pro-Sweeney PAC will have spent an estimated $8.7 million on TV ads in the Philadelphia market come Election Day, according to the GOP media-buying firm Jamestown Associates. Overall, the candidates and independent political groups are projected to spend at least $17 million, according to campaign-finance regulators, more than doubling the record. Sweeney's sins, according to the teachers' union? He cut deals with Christie, underfunded schools, and broke a promise to hold a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would have mandated pension funding for public employees. "He has not been a friend of education," said Christine Onorato, 52, a teacher at Delsea Regional Middle School and longtime NJEA member. Onorato, of Mantua, blames Sweeney for championing legislation that required public employees to contribute more money toward their pensions and health care. Now Onorato says she tutors and works weekends to make up the difference. Sweeney, vice president of an ironworkers union, has represented the Third District which spans Salem and parts of Gloucester and Cumberland Counties since 2002. He was elected Senate president by his colleagues in 2009. He says the NJEA's endorsement of Grenier, a supporter of Christie and President Trump, makes no sense. "He's against everything they stand for," Sweeney said. Grenier couldn't be reached for comment. The senator and his supporters argue he has fought for fairer distribution of school aid and worked to shore up the pension system. Some Senate Democrats have argued that the union's campaign against Sweeney has diverted resources from battleground districts where the party was hoping to win seats, but the union chafes at the suggestion that it's an "arm" of the Democratic Party. Democrats control the Senate, 24-16, and Assembly, 52-28. While those margins may change, Democrats are expected to retain their majorities. Some analysts and Sweeney allies believe that if he wins, the union's leadership will face a backlash among rank-and-file teachers wondering why they spent so much money on a losing cause against the state's most powerful elected Democrat. The election also comes months after the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would consider invalidating a law that requires public employees to pay union fees for collective bargaining. The high court split 4-4 on a similar case last year. Now that Trump has appointed a conservative, Neil Gorsuch, to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, labor unions in New Jersey and across the country are worried. That Grenier can even compete is almost remarkable. As of Oct. 24, Sweeney had raised $1.5 million for his individual campaign account 10 times as much as Grenier and $2 million for his joint account with his Assembly running mates. Not long ago, it seemed likely that Sweeney would face a multimillion-dollar race this year for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. But Sweeney decided not to run for governor, and he was expected to cruise to reelection. Then the NJEA stepped in. New Jersey Dealers Auto Mall, in Bridgeton, is driving policy changes in Trenton. A state investigative agency says the business is a sham with mob ties. Read more New Jersey's used-car industry is a haven for unpaid taxes, suspicious financial transactions, and rampant consumer fraud enabled by "phantom regulation," an independent state investigative agency reported 18 months ago. What's the response in Trenton? Legislation that the state's top motor-vehicle regulator says would make it easier for these bad actors to operate and further erode consumer protections. The bill would "legitimize a process that produced just about everything we found to be wrong" in the used-car industry, said Lee Seglem, acting executive director of the State Commission of Investigation (SCI), which wrote the December 2015 report. Driving the policy change is the Cumberland County-based New Jersey Dealers Auto Mall, which the SCI described as a "sham" business with mob ties that served as "the foundation for an amalgam of consumer and bank fraud, unpaid taxes, suspicious financial transactions, and other questionable, unscrupulous and possibly illegal activities." The Motor Vehicle Commission, lobbied by a Trenton firm hired by New Jersey Dealers Auto Mall (NJDAM), for years enabled the business to play by its own rules, exempting it and a similar class of businesses from unannounced audits, for example. The legislation proposed this spring would relax a number of rules, including some adopted since the 2015 report, for all new- and used-car dealers, codifying into law unofficial practices that state investigators said had left consumers in New Jersey and other states vulnerable to buying defective cars. "This guts our ability to properly regulate used-car dealers in the state," said Raymond Martinez, chief administrator of the state's Motor Vehicle Commission. "I would venture to say we actually need greater authority to regulate." "This in no way, shape, or form serves the public interest," he said. "It harms the consumers." The bill passed the state Assembly, 71-0, with two abstentions in March and passed the Senate Commerce Committee on a 5-1 vote last month. It would effectively kill some of the new rules the Motor Vehicle Commission adopted June 5 that are designed to boost oversight and clamp down on bad actors. A spokesman for Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) declined to say whether he would hold a vote before the full Senate. Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D., Hudson), a sponsor, said he supports the bill because it would align regulation of car dealers with that of other industries. He said he welcomed input from MVC and would reexamine some provisions but added that the bill "doesn't negate any of MVC's enforcement powers to go after the bad apples in the industry, who I think should be hung from a guillotine." The Motor Vehicle Commission regulates about 3,600 dealerships in the state, including 2,800 used-car dealers. Of those, 800 are based at multidealer locations. The state's biggest multidealer location is NJDAM, according to SCI. NJDAM is more of a landlord than a dealer; it doesn't sell cars. It says its tenants are wholesale dealers who buy cars at auction and sell them to other used-car dealers. Those dealers then sell cars to the public. Surrounded by a barbed-wire-topped chain-link fence and an empty parking lot, NJDAM occupies a former textile-processing plant in Bridgeton. One of 15 of New Jersey's so-called multidealer locations, NJDAM leases space to some 300 absentee dealer-tenants, enabling them to obtain used-car dealer licenses even as many operate out of state, where stricter rules make it tougher for them to get government approval, SCI found. When New Jersey dealers conduct business from unlicensed locations, consumers often lose. Consider Sandra Figueroa, a 60-year-old retiree in the Bronx. In May 2015, she says, she bought a used 2005 Ford Explorer for $4,200 from a business advertising parking and car washes in the Bronx. She says she needed the car to drive her mother to the doctor. After discovering a number of defects, she asked for a refund, but the seller instead offered her a 2004 Jeep Liberty, which she accepted. The Jeep's check-engine light was on, the driver's side mirror wasn't working, and a mechanic informed Figueroa that the wheels had locks on them, but she had no key. She has spent about $8,000 on repairs so far. To Figueroa's surprise, New York's consumer affairs agency referred her complaint to New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs, in the Attorney General's Office, because the car's licensed dealer was N&E Auto Sales LLC of Bridgeton where it rents space from New Jersey Dealers Auto Mall. New Jersey authorities told Figueroa that she had little recourse because she had purchased the car "as is." New York, where she bought the car, mandates pre-sale inspections and certification that cars are in "satisfactory working order," according to SCI. MVC renewed N&E Auto Sales' license in March, according to agency records. Selling cars out of state, from an unlicensed location, is illegal, unless the dealer is licensed in the other state as well. Nelson Campos, a dealer for N&E Auto Sales, disputed how much Figueroa had paid for the Jeep and said it was in "perfect" condition when she bought it. Campos, who isn't licensed in New York, said he took cars there for storage. "We just have that place for storage and convenience for somebody who's trying to buy a car," he said. "We make it easy for them." To be sure, even without the legislation pending in Trenton, consumers like Figueroa may be vulnerable to unscrupulous dealers. But Martinez, who was appointed by Gov. Christie in 2010 as MVC's chief administrator, worries that the legislation would make it easier for bad actors licensed in New Jersey to sell defective cars and commit fraud. That's because lawmakers want to eliminate a requirement that dealers maintain business hours; give newly licensed dealers 90 days to establish a place of business; require regulators to provide five business days' advance notice of a scheduled audit or investigation; give dealers three business days to provide proof of compliance in the event of an unannounced audit; and allow a single person to represent an unlimited number of dealers on-site in their absence. These and other provisions would make it easier for dealers to operate from unauthorized locations, Martinez said, which is against the law and makes it harder for regulators, law enforcement, or aggrieved consumers to track the dealer and seek recourse. And it means dealers could store sensitive government and consumer records such as plates, transactions, and credit-card information in an unsecured or unsafe location, such as a trunk or basement. Thomas G. Russomano, a lawyer for NJDAM who testified at a May hearing in favor of the bill, said the legislation would not roll back regulations or harm consumers. "The bill does recognize that there are no professions in this state where an individual is required to work a minimum number of hours per week, with the exception of Real Estate Brokers and medical marijuana sellers," he said in an email. As of 2015, NJDAM earned $2.2 million annually in rent, which helps cover services such as filling out licensing paperwork and dealing with regulators, according to SCI, a bipartisan, independent fact-finding agency with subpoena power. NJDAM is owned by Louis Civello Jr., who, along with his father, wrested control of the company from their business partners in 2006, according to SCI. Louis Civello Sr. is a member and soldier of the Bonanno organized-crime family, according to SCI, which cited New York law enforcement authorities and a confidential source. The younger Civello has also shared a bank account with and provided a loan to an associate of the DeCavalcante crime family, SCI found. Civello Jr. said he wasn't aware of the individual's mob ties. "It is my opinion if someone was associated with organized crime they wouldn't broadcast it," Civello told SCI. He didn't respond to requests for comment but has called the report "fiction." The State Police investigated the Bridgeton site in the early 2000s, and authorities described it as "a major conduit of carsale fraud throughout the Northeast," according to SCI. The State Police received 98 criminal complaints against the business between fall 1999 and spring 2001, detective Michael Kane told the Associated Press in 2005, but there were no prosecutions. "It's like chasing a ghost," he told the AP. Asked for an updated number of complaints, a State Police spokesman referred questions to the Bridgeton police, who described NJDAM as "a shell building with various desks and nobody ever there." The Cumberland County prosecutor had no record of charges against Civello Jr. The legislative push in Trenton comes as at least one other state is moving in the opposite direction: Washington state enacted a law in April eliminating its wholesale dealer license after absentee dealers were found to have defrauded customers in other states. NJDAM's problems go beyond consumer fraud, SCI found: As of 2015, its dealer-tenants had accrued $4.2 million in unpaid taxes in the last two decades. A couple of months after the State Commission of Investigation released its report, C. Richard Kamin of the Trenton public-affairs firm MBI-Gluckshaw lobbied MVC to issue licenses to dealers that were delinquent on taxes, according to emails obtained by The Inquirer through public-records requests. They owe the state at least $132,188.39, court records show. MVC declined licensure to some but renewed it for others, including MMM Auto Sales LLC, which owes the state about $69,000, according to agency and court records. In the year and a half since SCI released its report, Kamin has lobbied the Motor Vehicle Commission, the lieutenant governor, and the Legislature on behalf of NJDAM and one other client with regard to regulations, according to records filed with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission. In lobbying for the legislation, bill S2979/A4185, Kamin and his lobbying partner listed one client on their disclosure forms: New Jersey Dealers Auto Mall. Kamin, a Republican, is a former head of MVC's precursor, the Division of Motor Vehicles, and served five terms in the state Assembly. Neither Kamin nor the firm's director for legislative affairs responded to requests for comment. On their face, some of the changes specified in the bill may seem inconsequential, but Martinez says they would undermine the state's ability to regulate the industry and would hurt consumers. "We're trying to maintain the status quo right now," he said. "We feel like we're fighting the tide." Stephen Leonardo is no mental-health expert; he's just an inmate who was assigned to janitorial duty on the unit of Graterford prison where the psychiatric observation cells were located. Still, even he could tell that Christopher Gilchrist a 28-year-old inmate with diagnosed serious mental illness was on the precipice. It wasn't hard, he said: Gilchrist, already on suicide watch, was standing right in front of him with a homemade rope around his neck. "I talked the rope off his neck three or four times on [Feb.] 13th," said Leonardo, adding that a corrections officer was present but did not intervene or remove the rope, made from a sheet and towel, items typically not allowed for those on suicide watch. "On the 14th is when he actually died. He actually finished committing suicide on the 14th. On the 13th is when they should have done something, and they didn't." A state police report would later confirm that the guards had seen the hanging sheet at least an hour before his suicide and failed to act. Gilchrist locked up for aggravated assault in Chester County would become the fourth of 13 people to commit suicide in Pennsylvania state prisons so far this year. Last year's total was 14 suicides, the worst toll in more than two decades. In addition, the number of serious suicide attempts reported by the Department of Corrections has tripled in just four years, from 181 in 2014 to 551 in 2017. This year, 29 prisoners on average have tried and failed to kill themselves each month; one or two have succeeded. It's difficult to identify the driver of this grim trend, though theories abound. DOC spokeswoman Amy Worden offered this explanation: "The DOC's increases align with those experienced in the community." It's true that the suicide rate in Pennsylvania has increased, by 22 percent from 2008 to 2017. But over that same decade, the suicide rate in Pennsylvania prisons grew by 103 percent. To put it another way: 10 years ago you were 20 percent more likely to kill yourself in prison than out in the community; now you're twice as likely to do so. Seena Fazel, a forensic psychiatrist and University of Oxford professor who has studied prison suicide, said any single explanation for trends in suicide in confinement has so far eluded experts. There are, however, numerous factors known to drive suicide risk in prison. Those include individual factors such as mental-health problems, substance-use disorders, or, most dangerously, a combination of both and environmental ones, such as a lack of social support or connections. It's also known that prisoners are at high risk for suicide toward the beginning of a prison stay. That was true for Brendan Allen Weaver, 28 whose criminal misadventures went unfortunately viral in January after he ransacked the Ephrata Review newspaper offices, accidentally dialed 911, and was found naked and high in a hallway. He took his own life on July 11, less than two months into his sentence of 1 to four years. At Muncy state prison, Jamie Ridge, a 35-year-old Allegheny County woman, was also just a couple of months into a one- to four-year term for theft when she hanged herself on June 3. People serving life sentences, too, are thought to be at particular risk. In the last two years alone, six lifers have committed suicide in Pennsylvania. The oldest, James Michael Bailey, was 70 when he jumped from a second-floor cell block, 28 years after he was sentenced in the 1989 murder of a former girlfriend near Harrisburg. The youngest was Alec Kreider, 25, who killed three people in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, in 2007 when he was just 16. One emerging theory that explains the increases in incidents of self-harm as well as the increase in assaults in prison is the widespread use of synthetic cannabinoids, Fazel said. The Department of Corrections reported a 4 percent year-over-year increase in assaults for the first half of 2018, and attributed the rise to inmate drug use. "That at least needs to be examined," Fazel said, "because what happens is, when people come off these drugs, a lot of people have idiosyncratic or bad reactions." But that effect doesn't necessarily extend to the rise in completed suicides, which are in most cases accomplished by hanging. This isn't the first time that the DOC has struggled to prevent suicides. In the 1980s, before a comprehensive suicide-prevention policy was in place, the rate was even higher, but it plummeted after the DOC instituted staff training and new unit-management protocols. When it spiked again in the mid-1990s, officials chalked it up to the new legislative and political realities that inmates were facing that year: a drastic reduction in the number of people granted parole, the effective elimination of commutation, and the first executions in more than three decades. In response, the DOC introduced measures such as risk-assessment checklists, special anti-suicide smocks for those on strict observation, and yet more staff training. This time around, Corrections Secretary John Wetzel declared a suicide cluster after five inmates at Graterford committed suicide in the span of three months in the run-up to the closure of that institution; since then, one more took his own life at Phoenix, Graterford's replacement. In response, the state Department of Corrections hired Lindsey Hayes, an authority on prison suicide, to review its policies and practices. (Hayes did not respond to an interview request, nor did the DOC make any member of its psychiatric team available for an interview.) To inmates, though, the DOC is not doing enough. One, Aaron Fox, wrote a letter regarding a lifer named Roland Alston, who had sought psychiatric help at Graterford in March. "He expressed feelings of hopelessness and despair. He went to a [corrections officer] and expressed his despondency, and broke down in tears. He had him sent to the psych," Fox wrote. Alston was interviewed, then returned to the general population, according to Fox. The next morning, March 28, he was found hanging in his cell. Then there's Gilchrist, who, nearly a year before his death, filed a handwritten federal lawsuit alleging outright torment by corrections officers. The complaint, filed together with another inmate, Corey Bracey, in August 2017, alleged that guards had first harassed Bracey for subscribing to a newsletter for LGBTQ inmates called Black & Pink and then, as Bracey descended into suicidal thoughts, told him, "go ahead and kill yourself." He later "had to actually be cut down off a noose," according to the lawsuit. The same staffers allegedly then threatened to retaliate against Gilchrist for submitting a statement as a witness in support of Bracey's grievance. It claims that later the officers handcuffed Gilchrist choking, punching and dragging him, and leaving him with injuries including a dislocated shoulder. "[Gilchrist] began to fear of his food being poisoned," the complaint states, " and became overtly suicidal." Nancy Winkler, a lawyer with Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck representing Gilchrist's family, provided a copy of a state police report on his death that chronicles what she calls "outrageous conduct" by the guards. In a police interview, Officer Robert Caban confirmed Gilchrist was on "one-on-one" suicide watch when he died, and that officers had seen the sheet hanging from a vent at least an hour before his death, but had not removed it. "He didn't have to die," she said. "They could have prevented it, but they chose not to do anything." Local teacher Richard Curtis performs during his new televised show, Classh-room at Fox 29 in Philadelphia, Pa. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Read more If there's one thing I hope you take away from this morning's newsletter, it's a long look at the U.N.'s new report on climate change. It paints a frankly terrifying and bleak picture for the planet if global warming isn't limited in the next two decades. If, after that, you understandably need some levity, don't hesitate to read up on Richard Curtis, the Montgomery County teacher who spends his weekends filming a local game show. He's a ball of sunshine. Reading this online? Sign up here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning. Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com) When Richard Curtis got his first big TV break, it was thanks to a contest to guest co-host Live with Kelly alongside South Jersey native Kelly Ripa. That led to more Live with Kelly appearances and eventually a role as guest correspondent on Fox29's Good Morning Philadelphia. Now he's the star of The ClassH-Room on Fox29, a game show which pits local teachers and students against each other in a battle of wits. But during the week he's still a high school teacher in Montgomery County with one crazy schedule. The U.N.'s Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a startling report Monday on the dire effects of global warming. It claims if we limit human-caused warming to just 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit from where it is now, instead of the globally agreed-upon goal of 1.8 degrees F, we could keep a "semblance" of the ecosystems we still have. If not, we can expect worse droughts, heatwaves, sea rise, extreme weather, food scarcity essentially, a more difficult Earth to live on, for all of us. The panel says it is still possible to prevent this extra degree of heat. But they see little chance the world will rise to the challenge as it will require unprecedented changes from governments all over the world in the next 12 years. A bill that quietly passed through the New Jersey Senate in July could make car dealers very happy. Car buyers? Not so much. The bill aims to drastically curtail legal remedies for consumers suing car dealers. One beneficiary of the bill is a South Jersey dealership which has racked up 461 consumer complaints since 2006 and whose owner and his son donated or loaned hundreds of thousands of dollars to New Jersey Democrats. What you need to know today Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly Another reminder of upcoming voter registration deadlines from @matt_johanning. Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we'll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out! Thats Interesting Opinions "Banning straws and bags is easy. The problem is that people will now feel as though they're helping to save the oceans while the real impact will be as worthless as that limp paper straw your 5-year-old managed to wreck within 30 seconds." The parents of five sisters who were sexually abused by one Pennsylvania priest are speaking out. Pat and Ed Fortney write that the Pennsylvania Senate must vote for a bill to reform the statutes of limitations for victims of childhood abuse. Columnist Christine Flowers writes that Sen. Susan Collins probably ended her political career by voting to confirm Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court justice, but her courage should inspire us all. What were reading Your Daily Dose of | Tentacles Dont be scared, theres no giant sea monster taking over the Navy Yard. Those massive tentacles, which you can see from planes flying into Philly, are just an art installation. President Donald Trump placed a hard hat on his head with the Presidential Seal on it and struck a pose for the audience of National Electrical Contractors Association members at the Philadelphia Convention Center on October 2, 2018. Read more It is hard to argue with success. The American economy is hitting all cylinders, and the Trump administration deserves credit where credit is due in providing the environment, policies, and support for the hard-working men and women who make up our nation's workforce. Last week, we were honored to host President Trump as the keynote speaker at the National Electrical Contractors Association's (NECA) annual convention in Philadelphia. It was a momentous occasion for our organization and the electrical construction industry. I am proud to be associated with the nearly 150 contractors in this area and the thousands of skilled employees who work so hard every day to keep Philadelphia's beautiful cityscape powered up every single day and night. >> READ MORE: President Trump hails 'best economy in our history' in Philly speech to electrical contractors NECA is a trade association that represents the voice of the $160 billion-dollar electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the United States. Our members reflect the spectrum of electrical contractors from the family-owned to public companies, from companies with a few employees to those with thousands. Our members do well when there is work. When the economy is doing well, projects from new construction, remodeling, restoration, and repair are abundant, and when not, we are forced to retrench, reduce our workforce, and hope for brighter days. A president sets the climate and direction for the economy, and it is clear that this president has done well in that arena. Creating millions of jobs, reducing corporate and individual tax rates, cutting regulations, reducing bureaucracy, and leveling the playing field on trade have ginned up the economy and created a boon for electrical contractors and the workers they employ. Our members are hiring, expanding their businesses, and investing in cities, towns, and states from sea to shining sea. President Trump started his term by setting policies that will require the use of American aluminum and steel on construction projects. He has streamlined the regulatory process to reduce the amount of red tape holding up key infrastructure projects. He is also committed to revitalizing our infrastructure and strengthening our electrical grid. We have had the rare opportunity to weigh in with the administration and these policies will put more Philadelphians to work to improve, rebuild, and expand growth in this great city. It is up to businesses to lead as well. Therefore, NECA has set high goals for our industry to continue to grow our workforce, enhance labor relations, expand training and education, invest in innovation and technology, and focus on marketing and market analytics. In order to keep an economy strong, a workforce must be competitive, adaptive, and innovative. As part of our initiatives, our organization has pledged to help create 60,000 new job opportunities nationwide so Philadelphians and their fellow Americans across the country will have access to apprenticeships and on-the-job training provided by the National Electrical Contractors Association. >> READ MORE: Alexander Acosta, Trump's labor secretary, on jobs, pay and immigration As he closed his remarks, the president concluded with a nod to our electrical contractors, "With cable, copper, wire, and steel, you are the ones lighting America's path forward. So important. You are the ones rebuilding this land that we love. You are the ones who are making America greater than ever before." The president of the United States and NECA have the same mission: to empower lives and communities across our nation through training, opportunity, good-paying jobs and rewarding careers. That also means creating and expanding job opportunities for the hard-working people of Philadelphia. America has the finest, hardest working men and women the world has ever known, and electrical contractors are an important sector of that force. I am very proud that the members of the National Electrical Contractors Association make America greater every day we go to work. John M. Grau is chief executive officer of National Electrical Contractors Association. AHMEDABAD: Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor Tuesday refuted all allegations of inciting mob violence against migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in Gujarat. Only one incident happened somewhere in Gujarat and I condemn it, said the Radhanpur MLA, adding, If I've threatened anyone, I'll go to jail myself. Several migrant workers from UP, Bihar and MP fled the state after several mob attacks on them in connection to the rape of a toddler inSabarkantha. Gujarat belongs to everyone. It is as much yours as it is mine, he said. On September 28, a 14-month-old toddler from the Thakor community was allegedly raped in a village near Himmatnagar town of Sabarkantha district. Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a local ceramic factory, was later arrested for the rape by police. Following the arrest, the Kshatriya Thakor Sena which is led by Alpesh Thakor said migrant workers from other states should not be given jobs in Gujarat. A 200-strong mob, allegedly led by Thakor Sena members, stormed a factory near Vadnagar town of Mehsana district on October 2 and thrashed employees. Thakor Sunday took to reassure people following reports of migrant workers leaving Gujarat. This is unfortunate, we have never advocated violence and only talked peace. All Indians are safe in Gujarat, said Thakor had said. WASHINGTON: Tech giant Google is shutting down its social networking site Google Plus after a technical glitch was found to have compromised accounts and personal information of over 500,000 of its users. The announcement in this regard was made by Ben Smith, Google Fellow and vice-president of engineering, in a blog post on Monday, in which he noted that the Indian-American headed company could not confirm which users were impacted by the bug. "However, we ran a detailed analysis over the two weeks prior to patching the bug, and from that analysis, the profiles of up to 500,000 Google+ accounts were potentially affected. Our analysis showed that up to 438 applications may have used this API," he said. "We found no evidence that any developer was aware of this bug or abusing the API, and we found no evidence that any profile data was misused," Smith said. The technical bug was detected as part of an effort called Project Strobe started by Google early this year. It is a root-and-branch review of third-party developer access to Google accounts and Android device data and of our philosophy around apps' data access, he wrote. "This project looked at the operation of our privacy controls, platforms where users were not engaging with our APIs because of concerns around data privacy, areas where developers may have been granted overly broad access, and other areas in which our policies should be tightened," Smith said. The Wall Street Journal, which was the first to report about it said that a software glitch in the social site gave outside developers potential access to private Google+ profile data between 2015 and March 2018, when internal investigators discovered and fixed the issue. "A memo reviewed by the Journal prepared by Google's legal and policy staff and shared with senior executives warned that disclosing the incident would likely trigger "immediate regulatory interest" and invite comparisons to Facebook's leak of user information to data firm Cambridge Analytica," the daily reported. Sunder Pichai, the Indian-American CEO of Google, was briefed on the plan to not notify users after an internal committee had reached that decision, The Wall Street said quoting unnamed sources. Smith, however, announced that Google Plus will not be shut down immediately. "To give people a full opportunity to transition, we will implement this wind-down over a 10-month period, slated for completion by the end of next August. Over the coming months, we will provide consumers with additional information, including ways they can download and migrate their data," he wrote. Google also announced launch of more granular Google account permissions that will show in individual dialogue boxes. "When an app prompts you for access to your Google account data, we always require that you see what data it has asked for, and you must grant it explicit permission," he said. "Going forward, consumers will get more fine-grained control over what account data they choose to share with each app. Instead of seeing all requested permissions in a single screen, apps will have to show you each requested permission, one at a time, within its own dialogue box," Smith said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, alleging that the grand old party backs the concept of Bharat tere tukde honge (India you will be divided). He was speaking at a youth summit in Gwalior in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. Taking to microblogging site Twitter, Shah shared photographs from the event and asserted that the youth of the country is with the BJP, which does politics of nation building. Tweeting in Hindi, the BJP president said, Addressed a youth summit in Gwalior. Countrys youth is with the BJP, which does politics of nation building and not with the Congress, which supports Bharat tere tukde honge. The youth in Madhya Pradesh have once again decided to make their beloved Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan victorious with a huge mandate again, the BJP chief further tweeted. Speaking at another public meeting in Shivpuri in the poll-bound state, Amit Shah targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying that the latter has been day dreaming about victories in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Asking the Gandhi scion to wake up to the ground reality, the BJP president said, Rahul Gandhi is dreaming of forming governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, whereas BJPs hold there (poll-bound states) is unshakeable. Shah further reached out to the BJP workers, saying that if all of them come together with all their strength, the BJP will easily win assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the results of which is slated to be declared on December 11. Madhya Pradesh will go to poll in a single phase on November 28 while voting in Rajasthan will be held on December 7. Polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases on November 12 and 20. Voting in Mizoram and Telangana will be held on November 28 and December 7, respectively. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. You can find out more by clicking this link Patna: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Chief Secretary and DGP Bihar, seeking a detailed report in the Supaul school girls assault case. The report includes the status of medical treatment of the injured, security measures and the action that has been taken. On Monday, nine persons, including a minor, were arrested in connection with the horrific incident where more than 30 minor schoolgirls were brutally thrashed for resisting sexual advances of a group of men. Girl students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Supaul district's Darpakha village had reportedly protested against lewd comments written on a wall by boys. Following this the boys - all minors from Middle School - allegedly accompanied by their mothers and village members, barged into the school premises and assualted the girls. According to police, the incident happened on Saturday evening when the girl students of the residential school were playing within the campus. There was a time, not so long ago, when a much less economically empowered India was talked about as a candidate for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. The status of India being a "regional superpower" grew steadily to that of an "aspiring global power". What's more, apart from being the world's fastest-growing major economy, India is already a member of the G-20 group of the world's elite economies. So, do you expect a country like India to deport and expel a mere seven Rohingya refugees from Myanmar back to where they came from? I should think not. Especially when other Rohingya in India fear a threat to their lives. Apart from seven being an insignificant number in a nation of 125 crore people that already has an estimated 40,000 Rohingya, it is important for India to see itself as large-hearted nation, though a no-nonsense one. I am beginning to wonder if we have a method in all this. We should, if we still have any aspiration left for the UN Security Council seat in mind. Let us take a look around. When Soviet troops marched into Afghanistan in 1979, a huge bunch of those affected by communist forces and later by the Taliban's Islamist rule found their safe haven in India. A visit to Lajpat Nagar, in the heart of Delhi, would find many Afghan Muslims who have come to India for safety. An estimated 30,000 Afghan families live in India as refugees or their offspring. Some estimates put the overall number at 60,000. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees in India puts it at only 13,000, probably because it only lists the official "people of concern" who are listed at more than 200,000 -- about half of them Tibetans. Over the decades, Tibetans, Afghans, Iranians, Somalia, Sri Lankans, Myanmarese and Bangladeshis have waded into India as political refugees of various kinds and compulsions. It is time to ask what has changed and what has not -- and what can be done. India has generally followed the principle of "non-refoulement' -- refusing to send refugees back to a place where they face a threat to their lives. But India is now turning against its own past as the Rohingya create a new diplomatic conundrum. Though a narrative is being built to give the Rohingya refugees a colour similar to illegal immigrants in Assam, or another that sees them as a security threat in view of some Islamist connections, the fact is that there is a Buddhist majority in Myanmar which, supported by the Army, is giving hell to the Rohingya in the Rakhine province. I saw recently a documentary series on BBC World Service television by Simon Reeves that brought some chilling aspects of this crisis into focus. Across the Rakhine border, Bangladesh now has the world's largest refugee camp, that houses one million people! India is understandably walking a wedge because, apart from the socio-economic fallouts of taking on a refugee burden, there are geopolitical concerns that China may get close to Myanmar's generals if India acts tough on Yangon. India signed an agreement last year to help development in the Rakhine state and pledged $25 million in aid. It is also a partner of the UN Security Council along with other neighbours. But the theme here is of a "safe, speedy and sustainable return of displaced persons." The Ministry of External Affairs says the seven Rohingya currently in the news are willing to go back, but if that was truly so, why would there be such a fuss? Is New Delhi trying to impress the generals in Yangon? What should India do? I would suggest India should engage more with the European Union that has its own refugee crisis to handle. Refugees from Africa, Syria and parts of troubled West Asia have crossed into Europe even as it struggles with the adverse fallouts of liberal multiculturalism in a right-wing backlash. Nearly 1.5 million migrants have come into Europe over the past four years or so. China and US are in the middle of a trade war that is worsening historical frictions over human rights as well as a rivalry to dominate the world. Under President Donald Trump, Washington is more concerned about building walls to stop migrants -- be they from Mexico to the US or across the Sahara! India and Europe have been having a wide-ranging dialogue that includes a three-year project on migration and mobility that focuses mainly on Indian migration to Europe. But there is a case to expand this into a global role in which India can engage in a wide-ranging dialogue as a thought leader and traditional humanitarian supporter of political refugees. That would be a truly strategic partnership that can help India raise its voice in the UN and hopefully become a permanent member of the Security Council. Europe needs India as a key trading partner and also as a rising technology powerhouse rich in talent. Both have shared concerns over global security. India can be a Western ally without being seen too much in the company of an unpredictable Trump administration. (Trump recently called India the "Tariff King". Seriously!) India has to balance its interests not just between Beijing and Yangon but also between various global groupings. The best course for India is to seek funds from Europe to help refugees, engage as a thought leader on migrant/refugee issues and seek creative new ways to buttress its image as a positive global power built over the decades as a founder of the Non-Aligned Movement and a respected figure in the UN General Assembly. India should not squander away decades of painstakingly built diplomatic advantage. (Madhavan Narayanan is a senior journalist who has covered politics, diplomacy, business, technology and other subjects in a long career that has spanned organisations including Reuters, Business Standard and Hindustan Times. He is currently an independent columnist, editor and commentator. He is listed among the top 200 Indian influencers on Twitter. He tweets as @madversity) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) New Delhi: Classic Bollywood actress Kajol is known for her charisms on-screen and powerful performances. Her filmography is impressive and she remains an icon for many aspiring actresses in the industry. The light-eyed beauty is gearing up for the release of her next film 'Helicopter Eela'. Kajol will be seen playing a single mother in the film. The actress has always tried diverse roles and excelled in them. In an interview with DNA, she was asked if she has to romance someone younger on-screen whether she would be comfortable with that. Kajol quipped, Of course, why not? But it depends on what the film would be about. Ive no reservations, but the only thing that will make or break it for me is the script. If its great, then Ill do it. In the recent past, films like 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and 'Fanney Khan' had a younger actor romancing an older actress on-screen. When asked which actor would she choose from the younger lot to play her love interest on the big screens, she said, It has to be Varun (Dhawan). Hes a sweet guy and working with him is a lot of fun. I had a great time with him during Dilwale. So, if I have to romance someone, it would be him. Well, it certainly has to be an interesting and author-backed script. Meanwhile, 'Helicopter Eela' is helmed by maverick filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar and happens to be a slice-of-life story. The film is written by Mitesh Shah and Anand Gandhi. It is based on the Gujarati play Beta, Kaagdo, written by Anand Gandhi. Helicopter Eela will be Kajol's next Hindi film after 'Dilwale' which released in 2015. It has been produced by Ajay Devgn and Jayantilal Gada. The film will hit the screens on October 12, 2018. New Delhi: One of the much-awaited films this year, 'Namaste England' featuring Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra is gearing up for his big release on October 19, 2018. The stars are busy promoting the venture across different cities and this is creating the right kind of buzz ahead of the movie release. To keep the fans happy and generate enough curiosity, the makers have released a second trailer of 'Namaste England' as well. It shows how Arjun crosses all barriers and travels to London just to get his 'love' Parineeti Chopra. Watch 'Namaste England' trailer 2: The romantic comedy-drama is directed and co-produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. It happens to be the sequel of 2007 blockbuster hit 'Namastey London' featuring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles. 'Namaste England' features Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Seal in lead roles. It is scheduled for a worldwide release on October 19, 2018. Interestingly, Arjun and Parineeti will be seen together on the big screens in more than one films this year. The duo first appeared together in 'Ishaqzaade' marking the debut of Arjun in the industry. Now, they will seen teaming up again after a span of six years. Arjun and Parineeti have also been roped in for another project, titled 'Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar'. The film is directed by Dibakar Banerjee and is scheduled to be released in March 2019. New Delhi: A 37-year-old man and his two accomplices have been arrested for allegedly killing his father for refusing to give him money for gambling, police said on Monday. Gaurav Khera and his accomplices -- Vishal Garg (23) and Sadiq alias Suhan Khan (22) -- were arrested from Delhi's Azadpur area on Sunday. According to the police, Anil Khera, a businessman and resident of Model Town, went for a business meeting at Rajindra Nagar in Uttar Pradesh's Sahibabad on May 21. At around 5 pm, when he came out from the factory, he was gunned down by two assailants riding a motorcycle. After firing multiple shots at him from close range, they fled from the spot. Anil was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead. Thereafter, a case was registered at Sahibabad police station and the investigation was taken up. The nearby CCTV cameras were scanned. "On Sunday, police received information that the victim's son had organised the killing. Later, a trap was laid and the trio was apprehended. The motorcycle used in the crime was also recovered," said Ajit Singla, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime). During interrogation, Gaurav told police that his relationship with his father strained after the latter refused to give him money for gambling. Gaurav had suffered substantial losses in gambling recently, the police said. "Unable to repay his dues, Gaurav decided to eliminate his father. He roped in Vishal Garg, Shamsher and Sadiq to kill his father," Singhla said. "Being the only son, Gaurav had promised Vishal 25 per cent partnership in the chemicals business that his father ran. The killers had demanded Rs 5 lakh for the job," Singhla added. Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has attacked Congress Rahul Gandhi for his tweet blaming the ruling party for recent attacks on migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the state. In a series of hard-hitting tweets, the Gujarat Chief Minister blamed the Congress party for inciting violence. "Congress first incites violence against migrants. [Then] Congress president tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress president not have any shame?" Rupani said in a series of tweets. Congress first incites violence against Migrants. Congress President tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress President not have any shame? Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) October 8, 2018 In another tweet, Rupani said that Congress president needs to be ashamed of tweeting this when his own party is inciting violence against migrants. However, Congress President needs to be ashamed of tweeting this when his own party is inciting violence against migrants. Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) October 8, 2018 Rupani also asked the Congress chief to take action against his party workers who incited violence against the migrant workers in Gujarat. ''If the Congress president is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against its own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat,'' Rupani tweeted. If the Congress President is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against its own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat. Tweeting is not the solution, taking action is! But will he act? Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) October 8, 2018 Tweets from Rupani came shortly after Rahul Gandhi tweeted, saying that the recent attacks on the migrants in Gujarat occurred because of unemployment and the shutdown of factories in the state. "There is no panic due to poverty. The root causes of the violence in Gujarat are the closed factories and unemployment. Both system and economy are collapsing. Targeting migrant workers is completely wrong. I totally stand against it," Rahul tweeted. Earlier in the day, the Gujarat Police had arrested Congress leader Mohanji Thakor for threatening migrants. Gujarat Home Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja, in a press conference, had indirectly blamed the Congress for the attacks. Meanwhile, Congress leader Alpesh Thakor, who is also accused of inciting these attacks, has rubbished these charges. Gujarat Police have arrested so far arrested nearly 400 people in connection with the attacks on migrants from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in the state over the rape of a minor girl in the Sabarkantha district. According to news reports, nearly 50,000 workers from UP, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have already fled Gujarat fearing violence. Several videos circulated on social media where workers were seen being targeted also added to the atmosphere of fear. It all began on September 28, when a 14-month-old girl in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat was allegedly raped by a man from Bihar. The accused was arrested but the incident created outrage among a section of Gujaratis, who mobilised small mobs to attack unrelated migrant workers. Mehsana and Sabarkantha are the worst-hit districts. Additional forces have been deployed in sensitive areas in Gujarat for the security of Hindi-speaking migrants after attacks on them. The state government on Monday made an appeal for their return amid an ongoing political slugfest. Assuring security to the migrants, the Gujarat government said nearly 431 people were arrested and 56 FIRs registered in connection with the attacks. Appealing to people not to engage in violence, CM Rupani said that no untoward incident had taken place during the last 48 hours. "We are committed to maintaining law and order, and people can call police in case of trouble. We will provide them security." he told reporters in Rajkot. Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar -Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar - and Union minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan, who hails from Bihar, spoke to Rupani to voice their concern. Indian Army's top leadership are deliberating on several issues including operational, administrative, logistics and human resources at the Army Commanders' Conference which started on October 9 and will continue till October 15, 2018, in New Delhi. The six-day conference presided over by General Bipin Rawat will see the seven Army Commanders and the vice chief of the Indian Army discuss and analyse important studies that have been ordered to meet future operational challenges. "As part of the conclave, commanders and directorates at Army Headquarters will in a collegiate deliberate on important studies that have been ordered to meet future operational challenges. There are four studies examining operational and optimizational issues of Army and the headquarters as also human resources management aspects. These studies aim to improve the teeth to tail ratio, with the purpose of strengthening the structures within the Army, to make it combat ready for the future," said a press release by the Ministry of Defence. The Indian Army has been working on several reforms keeping in view the rapid technological advances in the field of combat. The primary focus of the Army in recent times has been to improve the teeth to tail ratio (number of soldiers ready for combat compared to those who are in the supporting and logistical roles). General Rawat and top commanders have been discussing ways to make the force "leaner and meaner", which included carrying out an extensive organisational restructuring and downsizing of the force to ensure that the force is ready for future challenges. "We have got an organisation which helped us fight the previous wars. If we are looking at future wars, they will necessitate imbibing technology, technologies of all kinds. Therefore, we have to reorganise ourselves to ensure that technologies and the weaponry and the man behind the weapon are integrated. But it is more important to imbibe the technology and for doing so, you have to carry out some changes in the organisation and you have to ensure that your men understand the need for technology, only then can you move forward," General Rawat had told news agency ANI. As part of the reforms, the Army plans to redeploy nearly 57,000 officers and other ranks as well as ensuring better utilisation of resources to strengthen the teeth to tail ratio. A Committee of Experts (CoE) was constituted by Ministry of Defence under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant General (Retd) DB Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces. The committee submitted its report in December 2016 and the recommendations taken up for implementation include: 1) Optimisation of Signals Establishments to include Radio Monitoring Companies, Corps Air Support Signal Regiments, Air Formation Signal Regiments, Composite Signal Regiments and merger of Corps Operating and Engineering Signal Regiments. 2) Restructuring of repair echelons in the Army to include Base Workshops, Advance Base Workshops and Static / Station Workshops in the field Army. 3) Redeployment of Ordnance echelons to include Vehicle Depots, Ordnance Depots and Central Ordnance Depots apart from streamlining inventory control mechanisms. 4) Better utilisation of Supply and Transportation echelons and Animal Transport Units. 5) Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations. 6) Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army. 7) Improving the efficiency of the National Cadet Corps. Currently, there are seven Army Commanders. They are Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Surinder Singh (West), South Western Commander Lieutenant General Cherish Mathson, Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini, Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Central Army Commander Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna and Army Training Command headed by Lieutenant General Pattacheruvanda Chengappa Thimayya. Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu is the vice-chief of the 1.2 million strong Indian Army. Under the scanner for allegedly inciting mob violence against migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in Gujarat, Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor mounted a defence by saying that workers were not fleeing the state but returning home for Chhath Puja. Thakor has been in the eye of the storm after allegations that he fanned violence against migrant workers who have been leaving the state in thousands. On his part, Thakor refuted the allegations. "The truth is that people from Bihar have already applied for leave for Chhath Puja. This is the only reason they are moving to their state," said Thakor who had previously said on a public platform that jobs for Gujaratis in Gujarat are scarce and that locals should be given priority in employment opportunities. What also inflamed the entire situation is the arrest of a migrant worker accused of raping a 14-month-toddler. Following the arrest, the Kshatriya Thakor Sena said migrant workers from other states should not be given jobs in Gujarat. A 200-strong mob, allegedly led by Thakor Sena members, stormed a factory near Vadnagar town of Mehsana district on October 2 and thrashed employees. Similar incidents took place in Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Sabarkantha, Patan and Ahmedabad districts in the last one week, said Director General of Police Shivanand Jha. While Thakor is now being widely slammed for his comments, he has said that he condemns any and all acts of violence and that people should maintain calm. This is unfortunate, we have never advocated violence and only talked peace. All Indians are safe in Gujarat, said the legislator from Radhanpur. Meanwhile, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has said that the law and order situation across the state is under control and that 431 people have been arrested in connection with attacking and/or threatening migrants. "Due to intense efforts by police, the situation is under control and no untoward incident has happened in the last 48 hours," he said in Rajkot. "We are committed to maintaining law and order, and people can call police in case of trouble. We will provide them security." It is reported that the presence of security personnel has been increased in industrial areas where migrant workers are in large numbers. New Delhi: Microsoft founder and well-known philanthropist Bill Gates on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for launching and spearheading the Swachh Bharat campaign in India. Praising the government for highlighting issues of sanitation in the country, Gates - who is part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which works to uplift poverty and improve healthcare around the world - complimented PM Modi for his active role. "The leadership of Narendra Modi and the Indian government has played an important role in improving sanitation," he tweeted. "Now is the time to build on the success of Swachh Bharat." Swacch Bharat Abhiyan was launched by PM Modi in 2014 with a broad aim of cleaning the country - its roads, public and private places etc. - through mass participation. According to the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, over 87 million household toilets have been built in the country and another half a million villages have been made open defecation free since the time Swachh Bharat was launched. And Gates' words of appreciation is not the only one. Recently, UNICEF too commended PM Modi for his government's focus on improving health and sanitation issues in the country. Nagpur/Lucknow: Hours after Nishant Pradeep Agarwal, a young scientist working with the BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL), was arrested on spying charges, it has now come to light that more scientists at the missile research centre in Nagpur were lured by Pakistan's spy agency (ISI) for extracting crucial information. Agarwal, who has been working for the last four years in the BAPL - an Indo-Russian Joint Venture - was nabbed in a joint operation by Uttar Pradesh Police and the Maharashtra Police from Nagpur on Monday evening. The young BAPL scientist was arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan`s notorious intelligence agency (ISI) and other countries, according to sources. Agarwal was reportedly passing on certain highly classified information, including "technological and other details", to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan as well as the USA. The UP-Anti Terrorist Squad (UP-ATS), which arrested Agarwal, also detained two unidentified officials following raids in Agra and Kanpur and seized their laptops. The two officials have been interrogated by the UP-ATS in this connection. The joint raids were conducted following specific intelligence tip-off after which Agrawal was placed under surveillance for the past few days by the Military Intelligence as well as Uttar Pradesh Police and Maharashtra Police. The BAPL official has now been booked under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). Based on the interrogation of the three accused, UP-ATS claimed that several fake Facebook accounts originating from Pakistan have been created in the name of women to "honey-trap" key officials working in sensitive Indian defence establishments. The first-hand information in this regard was obtained after the Border Security Force nabbed a person in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and subsequently, two fake Facebook IDs of women created in Pakistan were put under observation after they were found to be chatting with Agarwal. After getting the search warrant from the court, the UP-ATS and Maharashtra Police kept on Agarwal`s residence at Ujjwal Nagar in Nagpur on surveillance. During this period, the agencies found that Agarwal was keeping certain secret and ultra-sensitive information on his personal computer, which violated the provisions of the OSA. This eventually led to his arrest on alleged spying charges. The joint ATS teams of the two states also searched his BMAL office and from another location recovered an old laptop which is being examined to see if it contains anything objectionable. The UP-ATS, which wants to take Agarwal to Lucknow for further investigations on transit remand, believes that several other officers of BAPL were also lured by the female ISI agents through fake Facebook accounts. The probe agencies believe that ISI has created more than 1,000 fake Facebook profiles to lure scientists, engineers employed with vital defence establishments across the country. The arrest and subsequent grilling of Agarwal and others is likely to blow the lid off the ISI espionage racket operating in the country in disguise. Hailing from Roorkee in Uttarakhand, Agarwal had been recently awarded the "Young Scientist Award" for the year 2017-18. He had got married earlier this year and had been living in a rented house in Nagpur`s Ujjwala Nagar. Among other things, the BrahMos centre is involved in manufacturing certain critical components for the BrahMos missile, considered the world`s fastest cruise missile that can be launched from land, ships, aircraft or submarines. The Indo-Russian joint venture`s recent development of the latest version of the BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile has elicited keen interest in global defence circles and several major political powers in the world. The missile -- successfully test-fired on July 16 from the Integrated Test Range at Balasore in Odisha -- is an outcome of a joint venture of India`s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia`s NPO Mashinostroyenia Corp (NPOM), since 2011. (With Agency inputs) The Maharashtra State Commission for Women on Tuesday took cognisance of sexual harassment charges levelled by actress and former Miss India Tanushree Dutta on critically-acclaimed actor Nana Patekar. According to news agency ANI, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women issued notices to Nana Patekar, film director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya, among others, in connection with the case. They have been asked to submit their replies within 10 days. The panel has also sought an update of investigation into the police complaint filed by Tanushree Dutta. It has also asked the actress to visit the commission's office to record her statement. A police complaint was filed by Tanushree at Oshiwara police station on Saturday. Apart from Nana Patekar, she had named choreographer Ganesh Acharya in the police complaint. Nana Patekar has outrightly denied the allegations against him. According to news agency PTI, a press conference, slated to be addressed by him, was also cancelled. A message was sent to mediapersons by Nanas son Malhar. It read, Sorry to be messaging at this hour, just wanted to inform that there's no press conference tomorrow, please pass on the message to your colleagues in the media. Will let you know about the further proceedings soon, regards. The 67-year-old actor's lawyer has sent a legal notice to Tanushree Dutta for allegedly making false accusations against him in an incident that dates back to a decade. Dutta has said that Patekar had harassed her during the shooting of a film in 2008 and she had spoken out about the incident but nothing happened and she was even thrown out of the film. Tanushree has claimed in recent interviews that Patekar harassed her sexually in 2008 on the sets of her film 'Horn OK Pleassss' and also demanded to do an intimate dance step with her. She also named choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Sarang and producer Sami Siddiqui as accomplices in the harassment she faced. NEW DELHI: In view of hundreds of sexual harassment survivors joining the #MeToo movement on social media, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday said that it is reaching out to survivors and taking details of the complaints. "National Commission for Women (NCW) is in the progress of gathering detailed information of various sexual harassment allegations that have come to light in media. We are also personally reaching out to the survivors via telephone," NCW said in a statement. The statutory body also said that it will be giving an official statement on the movement on Wednesday. The movement that started after actor Tanushree Dutta spoke against Nana Patekar gained steam after several women from all walks of life started speaking about the instances of sexual harassment that they have faced. Several senior media professionals have also been called out. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs MJ Akbar, who has been a veteran journalist, has also been accused of harassment by his colleagues during his journalism days. While Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has welcomed the movement, Minister of External Affairs did not comment on questions on #MeToo allegations against Akbar. When asked if any action will be taken against Akbar, Swaraj evaded the question. "There are serious allegations...these are sexual harassment allegations. You are a woman minister in charge. Will there be a probe on the allegations?" journalists can be heard asking in the video while Swaraj can be seen silently walking away. In October last year, journalist Priya Ramani had narrated her ordeal about the sexual misconduct she faced during a job interview with a renowned journalist who had "transformed Indian journalism." Recently, Ramani claimed that the journalist she was referring to was MJ Akbar. She is among several other women journalists who have levelled similar allegations against Akbar. Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will leave for France on Wednesday night on a three-day visit, which comes in the backdrop of a huge controversy over the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. Officials sources said Sitharaman will hold wide-ranging talks with her French counterpart Florence Parly on ways to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries and also deliberate on major regional and global issues of mutual interests. Sitharaman, who will hold with Parly the first edition of defence dialogue, will leave for Paris late Wednesday night and conclude her visit on Saturday, they said. The sources said besides exploring ways to boost bilateral defence cooperation, Sitharaman will also take stock of progress in the supply of 36 Rafale jets by Dassault to the Indian Air Force under a Rs 58,000-crore deal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with the then French President Francois Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016. The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating the deal. The Congress has also been targeting the government over selection of Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault. The government has vehemently rejected the allegations and asserted that it did not have any role in the selection of Reliance Defence. Last month, Hollande was quoted by French publication 'Mediapart' as saying that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance to partner with the French aerospace giant. The former French president's comments triggered a massive political row. Sources said Sitharaman will discuss with Parly ways to expand Indo-French maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The two ministers are also likely to deliberate on joint production of military platforms and weapons by the two countries. French President Emmanuel Macron had visited India in March during which the two countries decided to expand strategic ties and deepen counter-terror cooperation. The two sides also inked a strategic pact providing for the use of each other's military facilities including opening naval bases to warships. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron also decided to create an annual defence dialogue at the ministerial level to explore ways to further deepen defence and strategic ties. Sitharaman and Parly will hold the first edition of the defence dialogue. Patanjali founder and yoga guru Ramdev Monday claimed that he is a non-political person in service of mother India I work with the philosophy of the nation first, hence, my political role is limited to ensure that the country is governed by good people, said Ramdev. I have devoted myself to larger issues such as nation-building, character building, education, agriculture & health, among others. Hence, I see myself as a non-political, independent person who is in service of mother India, he added. Earlier, Ramdev said that his company Patanjali Ayurved is now focusing on the agriculture and food processing sector as it looks to bring out several products from the segment in the coming future. Patanjali is working with farmers on the ground and encouraging them to go for organic farming among them. "Now we are focusing more on agriculture and solar energy sector. The agriculture has a wide scope and Patanjali would work in several directions in the sector," Baba Ramdev told PTI. He further added: "We would encourage organic farming and we are going to bring many products based on it. We are also working on food processing and we will make our efforts in this." Patanjali Ayurved last month entered into the cow milk segment by launching cow milk and milk-based dairy products and also has plans to launch its apparel brand 'Paridhan'. BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agrawal, arrested on charges of espionage, was in touch with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives through two Facebook accounts 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan'. The UP Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATC) stated the same in the court of Junior Magistrate First Class SM Joshi in Nagpur on Tuesday while seeking Agrawal's transit remand for taking him to Lucknow for a detailed interrogation. The court granted three-day transit remand to the UP ATS, Additional Public Prosecutor SJ Bagde, who appeared for Maharashtra ATS, said. Agrawal was arrested Monday in a joint operation by the ATS units of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra police at BrahMos' Wardha Road facility for allegedly leaking "technical information" to Pakistan. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 'Military Industrial Consortium' (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. The Investigating Officer of the UP ATS told the court that Agrawal was in touch with two Facebook accounts, operated under the names 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan'. These accounts, based out of Islamabad, are believed to be run by Pakistan's intelligence operatives, the ATS officer said. Such fake accounts are reportedly used to approach senior officials in India and Agrawal too was approached by those operating these two Facebook accounts, the IO told the court. Agrawal, despite being engaged in "highly sensitive work", was "casual" on the internet and made himself an "easy target", the ATS officer said. He said Agrawal was active on LinkedIn also. Top classified information had been loaded on the accused's personal laptop, the officer said. He added that classified registered files with red markings were found stored in PDF (portable document format) in the accused's personal laptop. "These are all top classified information which (if) shared could be a threat to the country. We want to conduct a detailed interrogation and produce him in the special court in Lucknow, and, hence, request three days transit remand," the IO told the court. The accused has been charged under sections 3,4, 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, sections 419,420, 467, 468, 120 (B) and 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code as well as 66 (B) of the Information Technology Act. Nishant Agrawal's father Pradip Agrawal said he did not believe that his son was guilty and has faith in the judiciary. "I don't think he is guilty. But if he is found guilty and system proves that he is guilty, then yes he is guilty," Pradip Agrawal said on his son's arrest. ATS sources in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Monday said a computer was seized from his Nagpur residence which contained secret documents. They said such documents should not be present on a personal computer. The sources said an old computer was also seized from Agrawal's residence in his native town, Roorkee, and its contents were being investigated. They said since a jawan was arrested in September after allegedly being honey-trapped by the ISI, the ATS was keeping a close watch on fake Facebook accounts of women, being operated from Pakistan, which were in touch with people working in sensitive places. Kolkata: The discharge application filed by actor Vikram Chatterjee in the Sonika Chauhan death case was dismissed by the city's Alipore Court on Tuesday. Vikram is facing culpable homicide charge for a car crash in which model and TV anchor Sonika was killed. The accident had happened in April when Vikram was driving Sonika back from a party - allegedly under the influence of alcohol. He receivedeved injuries and was later absconding when charges of rash driving were levelled against him. According to the police, the car's forensic report revealed its speed was between 95 to 115 km per hour a few seconds before the accident. During the police interrogation, the actor reportedly confessed to consuming alcohol on the night of the accident. However, he claimed that he was not drunk and the car was not over speeding. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday reached out to those people from state who are working in Gujarat, saying they must stay firmly where they are. The Bihar Chief Minister told reporters that senior government officials were constantly taking stock of the situation in Gujarat. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function in Patna, the Janata Dal United (JDU) leader said, Our Chief Secretary and DGP are in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat. We are keeping a watch on the situation there. According to news agency PTI, he further said, I would also appeal to the people (from Bihar living in Gujarat) that they stay firmly where they were notwithstanding the incidents that have taken place. The remark from the Bihar Chief Minister came a day after leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, accused him of inaction over the issue. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader had on Monday said, People from Bihar who are living in different states across the country are being attacked. What has Bihar CM done to stop it? Tejashwi had also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat over the issue of migrants fleeing the state, alleging that it was a big conspiracy plotted by the ruling party. In a related development, the BJP has accused Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor of inciting mob violence against migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The BJP also demanded Thakors expulsion from the Congress party. Targeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi over the issue, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, If Rahul Gandhi is actually worried for Gujarat, Bihar and India then he must immediately expel Alpesh Thakor from the party. This is what BJP demands from Rahul Gandhi and Congress Party. Several migrant workers from UP, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh fled the state after several mob attacks on them in connection to the rape of a toddler in Sabarkantha. On September 28, a 14-month-old toddler - from the Thakor community - was allegedly raped in a village near Himmatnagar town of Sabarkantha district. Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a local ceramic factory, was later arrested in connection with the rape. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: The increasing popularity of the #MeToo movement has led women to come up with incidents of sexual harassment, some of which even involve several renowned personalities. Be it then or now, women in the snowballing #MeToo campaign in India, have been vocal about the sexual assault that they have faced so far. In the latest instance, Union Minister and former editor MJ Akbar has been accused of sexual harassment while Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj dodged questions on allegations charged against her ministry colleague Akbar. As the #MeToo campaign gains momentum in India, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Akbar is among the latest to face the flak by some women journalists who allege him of sexual misconduct during his journalist days. In a video shot by a journalist, Swaraj can be seen evading questions related to allegations on Akbar, asked by some women scribes. "There are serious allegations...these are sexual harassment allegations. You are a woman minister in charge. Will there be a probe on the allegations?" journalists can be heard asking in the video. Swaraj, however, walked away without answering. In October last year, when the #MeeToo campaign peaked in Hollywood, journalist Priya Ramani had written an article for Vogue India, titled, "To the Harvey Weinstein of the world" and narrated her ordeal about the gut-wrenching incident of sexual misconduct she faced during a job interview with a renowned journalist who had "transformed Indian journalism." Ramani, recently on Twitter, claimed that the journalist she was referring to was MJ Akbar. I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didnt do anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predatormaybe theyll share. #ulti https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7 Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) October 8, 2018 Ramani is amongst the women journalists who have levelled similar allegations against Akbar. @It was #MJAkbar I do not say this lightly..i know the consequences of false accusations &it has been now 17 yrs &i have no concrete proof. but i was young, just made features editor, super impressed with our brilliant editor, sensitive writer(read Riot after Riot), 1/4 prerna singh bindra (@prernabindra) October 9, 2018 The #MeeToo movement first began in 2017 in Hollywood just a few days after The New York Times and The New Yorker published scores of stories about decades-long predation of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. This movement gained momentum in India after a number of women from different fields of work revealed their stories of harassment and leveled an allegation against many known personalities. It started with Tanushree Dutta accusing veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassment on the sets of a movie. Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta, on September 26, alleged that she was harassed by veteran actor Nana Patekar while shooting for a special dance number in a 2008 film. The former beauty queen also accused dance choreographer Ganesh Acharya of teaming up against her. She alleged that she and her family were attacked by members of a political party after she refused to perform the intimate step. (WIth inputs from ANI) A special court on Tuesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi for failing to turn up despite repeated summons in a case dating back to 2010, an official said. The Allahabad court, set up to exclusively try criminal cases pending against Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, issued the warrant against Joshi and asked her to be present on October 31. The Centre has set up 12 such special courts across 11 states in the country. Joshi, as the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief in 2010, had allegedly violated prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 and organised a public meeting in the state capital, and then led a march to the assembly, triggering a clash with police. Joshi has since quit the Congress party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Despite several reminders and summons, Joshi did not present herself before the court, prompting the Judge, Pawan Tiwari, to issue the non-bailable warrant. Raipur: The government on Tuesday said that it will offer all possible help to the families of the victims who have lost their lives in the Bhilai Steel Plant fire. Expressing anguish, Union Minister of Steel, Chaudhary Birender Singh asked Minister of State for Steel Vishnudeo Sai, Steel Secretary Binoy Kumar and SAIL Chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary to rush to the incident spot and take stock of the situation. In a statement issued by the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), a fire in gas pipeline of Coke Oven Battery Complex No. 11 of its Bhilai Steel Plant broke out at around 10.30 am on Tuesday. The fire broke out during a scheduled maintenance job. The Steel Minister is closely monitoring the situation, the statement added. At least 9 people were killed and 14 others were injured after a gas pipeline exploded in Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh's Durg district earlier in the day. The injured are currently undergoing medical treatment for burn injuries. All resources have been mobilized to provide adequate care to the injured and SAIL is providing all the support to the families of the affected, read the statement. LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati launched a verbal attack on the Congress yet again on Tuesday asserting that she will not beg for seats to be in an alliance. She said that she only asked for a respectable number of seats for the BSP and added that till the time there is no respectable division of seats, her party will continue to fight the polls alone. She also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming that both the saffron party as well as the Congress always try to weaken the BSP. Her statement comes days after she snubbed Congress and joined hands with Ajit Jogi's JCC for Chhattisgarh polls and announced that the BSP will go solo in the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. While making the announcement, she had claimed that the Congress is getting arrogant. "They (Congress) are getting arrogant and are under the misconception that they can defeat BJP on their own but the ground reality is that people haven't forgiven Congress party for their mistakes and corruption. They don't seem to be ready to rectify themselves," she said. Although she had spoken well about Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his mother UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, she had hit out at other party leaders who she claimed had been against the alliance. "I feel that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's intentions for Congress-BSP alliance are honest. However, some Congress leaders are sabotaging this. Congress leaders like Digvijaya Singh do not wish for a Congress-BSP alliance. They are afraid of agencies like ED, CBI," she said. After Mayawati shrugged Congress away, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had also warned the party of consequences if they are not given a fair share of seats. "Congress has made us wait for long. We will hold talks with BSP," Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday when he was asked about a possible alliance between the bua-bhatija of Uttar Pradesh. Taking a cue from Mayawati's announcement, Akhilesh had pressed upon the Congress to give importance to the smaller political parties. "I am saying that the Congress should show its large-heartedness, and it should contest elections by taking along all the political parties who have similar thoughts and ideology. If there is any delay, then there is a possibility that other parties may declare their candidates. After this, they (Congress) will be levelling allegations that they colluded with the BJP," Akhilesh said in what could be viewed as a warning to the Congress. Kolkata: A 45-year-old woman was arrested from the city airport on Tuesday evening for allegedly assaulting officials of a private airline after she and here family members failed to board a flight to Bhubaneswar, police said. Sandipa Mitra, her mother, daughter and another person were going to Bhubaneswar along with her maid servant. Police said Mitra allegedly confined the maid servant at her residence in Chetla area of city for around two weeks and policemen reached the NSCBI Airport before they boarded the flight operated by the airlines. The police rescued the maid servant whose family had lodged a police complaint that she was being confined by Mitra. The rescue of the woman resulted in a delay and they failed to board the plane. This led to an altercation and Mitra allegedly assaulted women officials of the airline following which a complaint was lodged and she was arrested, police said. There has been several cases including assault pending in various police stations of the city against Mitra, police said. BHOPAL: BJP president Amit Shah will arrive in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday where he will take part in various events in the politically sensitive Gwalior-Chambal division of poll-bound state. The state will go to polls on November 28 and counting of votes will be held on December 11. According to MP BJP spokesperson Sarvesh Tiwari, Amit Shah would arrive in Shivpuri where he will pay respects at the memorial of 1857 mutiny hero Tatya Tope. Shah will later address a convention of BJP workers in the Gwalior-Chambal division, Tiwari added. The BJP chief will then proceed to neighbouring Guna to participate in a roadshow, Tiwari informed. Guna is the Lok Sabha constituency of senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. From Guna, Shah will go to Gwalior where he will pay tribute at the memorials of Rani Laximbai and Vijayaraje Scindia, popularly known as Rajmata of Gwalior. He will later address a youth convention in Gwalior, Tiwari said. (With Agency Inputs) THANE: A massive fire broke out at a rubber factory in the Dombivli township in Maharashtra's Thane district in the wee hours of Tuesday. Though no casualty was reported in the incident, the rubber factory was completely ravaged. Thane: Fire broke out at a rubber company in Dombivli last night; firefighting operations underway. No casualties reported. More details awaited. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/OGtqR3riND ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2018 According to Fire Department officials, the blaze started around 1 AM and soon engulfed the entire factory, which is located in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area. Rubber items kept in the unit aggravated the blaze, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) chief fire officer Dileep Gund said. More than six fire engines were rushed to the spot and efforts were still on to douse the flames. Thick smoke and the smell of burning rubber engulfed the entire area, he said. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, KDMC Mayor Vinita Rane visited the spot and directed the civic staff to make all efforts to douse the fire as soon as possible. (With Agency Inputs) Mumbai: A fire broke out in the parking lot of a shopping mall located on Ghodbunder Road in Manpada, Thane, on Tuesday. Several fire tenders were rushed to spot and rescue operations are currently underway. The blaze started inside a car parked inside the mall premises. Earlier, in the wee hours of Tuesday a massive fire broke out at a rubber factory in the Dombivli township in Maharashtra's Thane district. Though no casualty was reported in the incident, the rubber factory was completely gutted down. According to Fire Department officials, the blaze started around 1 AM and soon engulfed the entire factory, which is located in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area. With agency inputs New Delhi: Actress Deepika Padukone was on Monday spotted outside the residence of Mr perfectionist Aamir Khan. Deepika was captured by the shutterbugs as she exited Aamir's residence. Dressed in a black tracksuit with minimal make-up and neatly tied hair, the 'Padmaavat' star looked every bit radiant. Take a look at her photos here: (Photo courtesy: Yogen Shah) Deepika and Aamir have not starred in any project together. Apart from Deepika, directors Rohan Sippy and Vikramaditya Motwane and producer Siddharth Kapur were also spotted at Aamir's residence. It is to be noted that Vikramaditya recently announced that their company Phantom Films was being dissolved. He has also lent his support to the former female employee of Phantom Films who had alleged sexual misconduct by 'Queen' director Vikas Bahl. In the meantime, Aamir has not announced his next project after Vijay Krishna Acharyas 'Thugs of Hindostan' yet. However, buzz is that the superstar is working in the Gulshan Kumar biopic. He has agreed to produce the film and may star in it. Speculations are also rife that Aamir is gearing up for an ambitious project 'Mahabharat'. Reports stated that the project is estimated to be made at a whopping Rs 1,000 crore and will be co-produced by Mukesh Ambani. In fact, the actor dropped major hints of him collaborating for a project on the subject after he was spotted carrying a book, titled 'The Condensed Mahabharata of Vyasa' at airport in August this year. Last week, actress Alia Bhatt and director Ayan Mukherji were spotted visiting Aamir's residence triggering rumours that the actors may star in a biopic of Osho. New Delhi: Deepika Padukone has been making headlines due to buzz going around her rumoured impending wedding with beau Ranveer Singh. As per reports, Deepika and Ranveer will tie the knot early next year in a destination wedding in Italy. Notably, both are actors have busy with their professional commitments. While Ranveer has films like 'Takht', 'Simmba', 'Gully Boy' and '83', Deepika has bagged next series of 'XxX' franchise opposite Vin Diesel. She has also been signed in for Meghna Gulzar's next on acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. As per reports, Deepika will not only play the lead but also produce the yet-untitled film. She may also be a part of Luv Ranjan's next directorial venture starring her former boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor and Ajay Devgn. However, there has been no confirmation on Luv Ranjan's project yet. Amidst all this, the leggy lass was on Monday clicked by the shutterbugs at the Mumbai airport shooting for an advertisement. Deepika looked extremely stylish and a head-turner in a casual checkered skirt and a light pink sweater. She was sporting a pair of sneakers along with stylish black sunnies. Take a look at her photos here: (Photo courtesy: Yogen Shah) As per reports, Deepika was shooting for famous biscuit brand 'Britannia Good Day' commercial at the Mumbai airport. Deepika recently graced the cover of Femina's 59th Anniversary special cover "The Inclusivity Special #WE THE PEOPLE". She has also shot for the first episode of the sixth season of 'Koffee With Karan' with Alia Bhatt and appeared with Ranveer Singh to the 16th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. On October 4, the 'Piku' actress was honoured with the prestigious 'Creative Personality Of The Year Award' for her remarkable performance in the magnum opus 'Padmaavat', at the GQ Men of the year awards. New Delhi: Star wife and producer Gauri Khan celebrated her 48th on Monday with doting husband Shah Rukh Khan and son AbRam. Her two children -- Aryan Khan and Suhana Khan were missing from the celebration as they were busy with their schools. On Monday, the stylish personality of B-Town, Gauri was snapped along with her little munchkin AbRam minus Shah Rukh. She was dressed in a checkered white-pink shirt and white skirt. AbRam, on the other hand, was seen wearing a neon green-coloured life jacket over a pink tee, looking absolutely adorable. Take a look at their photos here: Looking stylish as ever, Gauri was clicked talking on her phone while AbRam stands next to her, patiently. (Photo courtesy: Yogen Shah) Apart from being a designer, Gauri is also a co-founder of the motion picture company Red Chillies Entertainment and its subsidiaries. She has produced several successful films under her production company, including 'Mai Hoon Na', 'Om Shanti Om', 'My Name is Khan', 'Chennai Express', 'Happy New Year', 'Dilwale' and 'Raees'- the last three ranking among the highest grossing Hindi films. Earlier this year, Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan took a vacation with their three children- Aryan, Suhana and AbRAm to Europe. They enjoyed a cruise trip. While Shah Rukh returned to Mumbai, Gauri continued the vacation with daughter Suhana Khan in New York City. New Delhi: Support for Tanushree Dutta, who accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassing her on the sets of 'Horn Ok Pleassss', is growing day by day. And the latest to extend their support to the actress on the issue are Neha Dhupia and Soha Ali Khan. Both Neha and Soha voiced their opinion on the matter saying, "It's time when people need to hear women out more seriously." Neha Dhupia expressed how reading about these incidents makes her angry. She said, "As a woman, not just as an actor when I started hearing and reading about it, it made me angry. It made me furious. The fact that women are coming out and speaking about it." The actress was speaking at the launch of season 3 of #NoFilterNeha on Monday. Her longtime friends Soha Ali Khan and Sophie Choudry were also present at the event. "Firstly it, shouldnt happen, secondly it is very very brave that they are coming out and speaking about it. I read articles and people are still questioning it. There is no need to question it. We have to believe them. They put themselves out there to such an extent and then people are still saying What if? or What not?. No, not at all. It is a big movement and it started. It is great and now the real clean-up will happen. It is going to happen. It is happening as we speak. It is important that something like this is happening in India as well. So, I would love to go out there and support any woman who needs my help. Talking about it now also makes me angry, so, I am going to stop," she added. Seconding Neha's opinion, Soha appreciated the fact that women are finally speaking up on their "MeToo" moment. "It is very difficult being a woman sometime in a country like India. They go through a lot of abuse ona daily basis," she said. "Women need to be encouraged when they do that. So it's a wonderful thing that it's being spoken about. I completely stand in support any woman who want t share their story," Soha added. NEW DELHI: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday made yet another attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and blamed his government's 'anti-poor and anti-farmer policies' for aggravating the miseries of the common man. Rahul, who is in Rajasthan on a two-day visit, said, ''Modi ji took out Rs 45,000 crore from pockets of farmers and poor and gave it to Anil Ambani. I asked him in Parliament why did he give the contract to him? I looked him in the eye but he looked here and there. The nation saw that he couldn't look youth of India in the eye.'' Modi ji took out Rs 45,000 Cr from pockets of farmers&poor & gave to Anil Ambani. I asked him in Parliament why did he give the contract to him? I looked him in the eye but he looked here&there. Nation saw that he couldn't look youth of India in the eye: Rahul Gandhi in Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/kt7051Plxw ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 Rahul Gandhi, who is campaigning for his party in the poll-bound state, has made a vociferous attack on the NDA government over the deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, which his party has tagged as ''the biggest defence scam'' of the country. Rahul Gandhi's part has been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Rafale deal and asked the Modi government to disclose the actual price of the deal. The Congress chief, who is at loggerheads with the BJP over the recent attack on migrant workers in Gujarat, has attributed growing frustration among unemployed youths as one of the reasons behind the incident. Attributing the violent attacks on migrant workers in Gujarat to frustration among unemployed youth, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the migrant workforce is "critical" for economic growth and must be curbed immediately. "Across Gujarat, poor economic policies, demonetisation and poorly executed GST (Goods and Services Tax) have devastated industry resulting in the shutting down of factories and industrial units, leading to massive unemployment," Rahul said in a Facebook post. He said that amongst the "youth" there was "growing frustration and anger" with the government`s inability to create jobs. "This anger and frustration is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants, across the state of Gujarat," he added. "The migrant workforce is critical to our economic growth. Attacks on them create an environment of fear and insecurity that is not good for business and our economy." Gandhi urged the state government to act "decisively", "and do all it can to restore peace and ensure the safety of every Indian". Congress president Rahul Gandhi gas arrived in poll-bound Rajasthan where he will hold a roadshow and address a rally on Wednesday. The Congress president will visit Dholpur - Vasundhara Raje's home turf - on Tuesday during his two-day tour to Rajasthan. The Gandhi scion will attend his first meeting in Mania and then in Badi, Basedi, Bayana and Vair, according to state Congress chief Sachin Pilot. He will also visit Bharatpur and Dausa districts later in the day. Rahul Gandhi will address a 'Sankalp Rally' in Rajasthan's Bikaner city on Wednesday. The Congress chief will rest in Mahua and will take part in two different events in Jaipur on Wednesday. The assembly polls in Rajasthan are due later this year. (With Agency inputs) JAIPUR: Congress president Rahul Gandhi will arrive in poll-bound Rajasthan on Tuesday where he will hold a roadshow and address a rally on Wednesday. According to reports, the Congress president will visit Dholpur Vasundhara Raje's home turf - on Tuesday during his two-day tour to Rajasthan. The Gandhi scion will attend the first meeting in Mania then in Badi, Basedi, Bayana and Vair, according to state Congress chief Sachin Pilot. He will also visit Bharatpur and Dausa districts later in the day. Rahul Gandhi will address a 'Sankalp Rally' in Rajasthan's Bikaner city on Wednesday. The Congress chief will rest in Mahua and will take part in two different events in Jaipur on Wednesday. The assembly polls in Rajasthan are due later this year. New Delhi: Supreme Court on Tuesday sent Amrapali Group CMD Anil Kumar Sharma, two other directors Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar to police custody for not handing over all documents relating to its accounts to forensic auditors. The court has ordered that the three directors will remain in police till each and every document relating to accounts of all 46 group companies are handed over to forensic auditors appointed by the court. "It may take a day to a month, we don't care," SC said. Home buyers had moved the apex court seeking refund or flats from Amrapali which is facing insolvency proceedings. They have accused the realty firm of fraud and inordinate delays in giving possession of homes. Coming down heavily on the Amrapali Group, the Apex court said that the real estate company is deliberately attempting not to comply with its orders. "You are playing with the dignity of this court," the SC bench observed. The SC also asked Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for Amrapali, as to why the documents related to forensic audits have not been submitted to the auditors yet. In its last hearing, the SC bench had directed that all the necessary documents from 2008 to till now, which may be in possession of Amrapali Group of companies in addition to statutory auditors be handed over to the forensic auditors On September 12, the apex court had appointed state-run NBCC to develop stalled projects of the Amrapali Group and directed the Debts Recovery Tribunal to sell the unencumbered commercial properties of the real estate firm. Hyderabad: BJP alone can accelerate the pace of development in Telangana so that it catches up with the rest of the country, senior party leader P Muralidhar Rao said on Tuesday. BJP Amit Shah would address a public meeting at Karimnagar and also speak to booth committee presidents and other party leaders Wednesday to boost the party's prospects in the December 7 Assembly polls in the state, Rao told reporters here. "All have got opportunity in the history of Andhra and Telangana so far. If the pace of development is to be accelerated in Telangana, the way it is happening in the country, only Bharatiya Janata Party can do it," the BJP general secretary said. BJP considers Telangana as an important region for the future from its strategy point of view, he added. The ruling TRS in Telangana has failed to ensure development during the last four-and-half years and the main opposition Congress has also failed as it did elsewhere in the country, he claimed. BJP has decided to go it alone in the Assembly polls in Telangana and Shah had kicked off the party's campaign by addressing a public meeting at Mahabubnagar last month. Karimnagar, some 160 kms from here where Shah will address a rally Wednesday, is an important district in north Telangana "where BJP has always been seen as a strong force with significant following," Rao said. Shah would speak on BJP's commitment to the development of Telangana, he said. Rs 2.52 lakh crore was given to the state on different subjects, he claimed. "If there is delay in matters of development, it was because of the TRS government," he said. Shah would speak to the party's booth committee president and other party functionaries Wednesday. He would also meet some religious gurus in Telangana on different issues, Rao said. Hitting out at the Congress, the BJP leader alleged the party is not interested in people's welfare but only in power. "Congress is a party now entangled with terrorists, entangled with separatists, aligned with communal forces and indulging in competitive appeasement. This is the sum and subtance of Congress," he said. Alleging the TRS has failed to implement its promises, including providing large number of jobs, he said the BJP would bring out a "charge-sheet with full evidence" against the TRS government. He also claimed "Congress, MIM, TRS all three belong to one family". Asked about BJP's ally Shiv Sena's comments that the former would be defeated if it failed to address the issue of Ram temple at Ayodhya before the Lok Sabha elections, Rao said people know the commitment of BJP on the issue and he would not like to comment as the matter is before the Supreme Court. On Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray's reported plans to go to Ayodhya, he said it is up to him on what he wants to do as he is the supreme leader of a party. New Delhi: Ace comedian Kapil Sharma has finally confirmed about his comeback show and the fans have heaved a sigh of relief. The actor-comedian will be seen in 'The Kapil Sharma Show' soon on Sony TV, and he took to social media to inform his well-wishers about the same. Kapil wrote: Jalad wapas aa raha hoon The Kapil Sharma Show lekar aap ke liye sirf @SonyTV par. @TataSky subscribers Sony TV ka mazza without any additional cost lijiye, Abhi call kariye 18002086633 or email contact@tatasky.com Jalad wapas aa raha hoon The Kapil Sharma Show lekar aap ke liye sirf @SonyTV par. @TataSky subscribers Sony TV ka mazza without any additional cost lijiye, Abhi call kariye 18002086633 or email contact@tatasky.com KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) October 6, 2018 His absence from the small screens had made the fans jittery. The family audience misses Kapil like no one else does. Meanwhile, his fallout with fellow comedian friend Sunil Grover is known to all. Their on-stage camaraderie was the high point of several comedy shows they did together but when the duo went on separate paths, it broke a million hearts. But looks like the duo have let bygones be bygones. And who knows they might be seen together on stage again! Kapil in an interview with Hindustan Times talked about his health, comeback show and Sunil Grover. When asked about the fallout with latter, Kapil said, Sunil and I share a special bond of brotherhood with zero controversies. We were even together a few days back, sitting and laughing and discussing our upcoming projects. All the controversies are just spiced up by the fake news and apps. Things are not the way as [theyre] spiced up on social media. We may also be back on a comedy show soon. Kapil's health had taken a toll due to which he had to take a break from the small screen. He now looks visibly heavier than before. After getting back to Mumbai, he even tweeted and briefed about having changed his lifestyle for good. Earlier this year, Kapil made his comeback with 'Family Time With Kapil Sharma', however, it didn't flag off as expected and it has reportedly gone off air. Many television celebs have supported to Kapil, from Shilpa Shinde, Sugandha Mishra, Krushna Abhishek and Bharti Singh, to Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, Ali Asgarall have expressed their concerns about his health. (Reported by Raju Raj) NEW DELHI: In a major breakthrough, the Special Cell of Delhi Police has busted an illegal arms factory and recovered a huge cache of arms in the process. The illegal arms factory was busted in Meerut after the officials of Delhi Police Special Cell raided a residence in the Lakkhipur locality. Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a manufacturing unit of illegal arms in Meerut and recovered raw materials. 5 persons arrested, 84 pistols recovered. pic.twitter.com/alV1adV3Fq ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 The raid was conducted late on Monday night following specific inputs about the illegal arms factory and five persons, including three from Bihar's Munger, were arrested in this connection. The accused were manufacturing arms for quite some time in a clandestine manner and supplying the same to criminal gangs operating in Delhi and NCR region and its surrounding areas. During the raid, the officials found that the arms factory was being operated in the dungeon and a huge quality of country-made pistols of Munger brand were recovered. Following Delhi Police raid, a case has been registered at the Lisari Gate police station in Meerut. The owner of the house has been arrested and is being interrogated for leads in the case. It is no9t clear as he was aware of the arms factory being run by the accused in the dungeon. New Delhi: United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley will step down from her post by the end of this year. Accepting her resignation, US President Donald Trump said, "Nikki Haley did an incredible job, she is leaving at the end of the year to take a break." Haley, in a press conference, said that she will not be running for the president in 2020 and will support President Trump's reelection. Haley - one of Trump's most trusted advisers - reportedly discussed her resignation with the President last week when she had visited him at the White House. Taking to Twitter, Trump had earlier said, "Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10:30 am." Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10:30am. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2018 46-year-old Haley was the senior most Indian-American official in the Trump administration. The former governor of South Carolina was confirmed as UN Ambassador four days after Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. (With inputs from agencies) Open source October 6, parliamentary elections were held in Latvia. Turnout amounted to 55%. After 95% of the votes were counted, it became known that seven parties managed to overcome the five-percent barrier (overall, 16 parties participated in the elections). As in the last parliamentary elections, Harmony party of the Russian minority (almost 20% of the votes) has gained the greatest number of the votes. So now it might take 24 out of 100 seats in Latvian Sejm. In 2014, the Latvian Russians were left behind the political sidelines thanks to the coalition agreement of the center-right New Unity party, the Union of Greens and Farmers (this includes the Peoples Party of the current Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis) and the National Alliance of Raivis Dzintars (right-wing politician Ed.), they have formed a parliamentary majority and took 61 seats in the Sejm. This time the political situation in Latvia is more delicate. These parties in the aggregate gained 28% of the vote, and this is not enough to form a new coalition (it is necessary to control 51 seats in parliament). This time they were ousted by parties that previously were not members of the government: the populist KPV LV party (Who owns the state?) (14.07%), New Conservative Party (13.6%), Development/For! New Conservative Party and KPV LV will receive 16 and 15 seats in parliament, respectively. Edgars Tavars, a member of the Union of Greens and Farmers, believes that his part would conduct coalition negotiations with their partners. Negotiations will be difficult because the initiative is out of their hands. For Ukraine, the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Latvia is of particular importance as, since 2014, this Baltic republic has supported Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression, supports the policy of anti-Russian sanctions and opposes the implementation of Russian Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project, which can deprive Ukraine of its great share of revenues from transit of Russian natural gas. The composition of the future coalition depends on Rigas position concerning the Ukrainian issue. Latvians are tired of Ukraines friends A victory of those parties, which do not support rapprochement with Russia, are beneficial for Ukraine. First of all, this concerns the National Alliance party, which supports the strengthening of NATOs military presence at the EU borders, and its language policy is similar to Ukrainian one, namely the complete transition of education to the state language. Their leader Raivis Dzintars has repeatedly called on the Latvian parliamentarians to take a sober look at the Russian threat after the annexation of Ukrainian Crimea. He believes that the Russian Federation uses the information space to zombieing the people of Latvia with the idea of restoring the Russian Empire. His partner from the Union of Greens and Farmers, Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis, opposes construction of the Nord Stream-2 Russian gas pipeline. Open source Maris Kucinskis Yet Ukraines friends failed to repeat their past successes in these parliamentary elections for obvious reasons. A significant proportion of Latvians are not satisfied with the way the government is struggling with the problem of corruption and money laundering. A serious blow to the reputation of Maris Kucinskis government was the suspicion of the US Treasury in February 2018 that the Latvian ABLV bank was involved in money laundering, bypassing the UN sanctions against North Korea. After that, the banks customers withdrew deposits in the amount of $ 740 million from their accounts. Americans were considering the possibility of introducing restrictive measures against ABLV. This scandal reduces confidence in the banking system of Latvia, which has become a kind of financial hub between Russia and the West. According to the non-governmental organization Transparency International, in 2017, Latvia was ranked 40th out of 180 countries in the world in terms of susceptibility to corruption (Ukraine ranks 130th). Nevertheless, despite the membership in the European Union since 2004, the problem of bribery still exists in the Baltic republic. In almost all spheres, the business faces the bribes challenge. The existing anti-corruption legislation works ineffectively in the fight against bribery. The problem of bribes is also widespread in Latvian authorities, for example, in the areas of taxation, customs, land regulation, and public procurement. The head of the Central Bank of Latvia Ilmars Rimsevics extorted 100 thousand euros as a bribe from ABLV. After being detained in February 2018, the Latvian authorities released him on bail, and even the president and the prime minister could not convince the corrupt official to resign. In 2015, the corruption story involving the then CEO of Latvian Railways, Ugis Magonis, caused a scandal; he received a half a million euros bribe from Oleg Osinovsky, owner of the Estonian Skinest Group company, to buy used diesel locomotives. Latvian society is dissatisfied with the level of salaries in its country, and labor migration to other EU member states has become common. The average salary in Latvia is 670 euros per month, and the minimum salary is 430 euros (in neighboring Estonia it is 500 euros). The lowest salaries are observed in the spheres of the hotel business, catering, computer repair, and household appliances, education, and civil service. Local residents consider these salaries too low and therefore prefer to go abroad to earn money. From 2000 to 2018, the population of Latvia decreased from 2.38 million to 1.95 million people under the influence of external migration. Latvian youth leave mainly to the UK, Ireland, Germany or the countries of Northern Europe, like Denmark. This trend is common among the Russian-speaking population, which does not want to learn the state Latvian language, which impedes obtaining citizenship and applying for a highly paid job. Russian-speaking "non-citizens," especially young girls, try to learn English well, get a higher education in Latvia, and then leave to work or re-study in Europe. Russian wolf in sheep's clothing As in the last elections, Harmony party has united the Russian-speaking minority, which makes up 25% of the population of Latvia. Local Russians trust Nils Usakovs, who for 9 years has been the mayor of Riga. He has repaired and equipped many schools, playgrounds, historical sights, buildings, and public institutions. Nils Usakovs was accused of spending 8 million euros from the state budget for social networks promotion. The candidate for prime minister from Harmony party, former Minister of Economics Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis headed the analytical center Certus, which financed the scandalous ABLV bank. Nevertheless, Nils Usakovs believes that it is impossible to form a viable and stable coalition without the participation of his party. He said that he was proud that there would no longer be nationalists at the head of parliament. Harmony party is very different from the post-Soviet political forces that are oriented toward Russia, such as, for example, the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova. Ushakovs political force avoids rhetoric about the need for rapprochement with Russia in the political and economic sphere, does not justify the annexation of Crimea, and formally adheres to the pro-European course. Harmony has even terminated the agreement with the Russian "United Russia" ruling party in 2018, which was considered a barrier to the European Parliament. Open source Nils Usakovs Nevertheless, Harmony party can be compared with a wolf in sheeps clothing, which Putin pulled off a leash so that he could sneak into the Latvian and European Parliament and influence the position of Brussels and Riga regarding the anti-Russian sanctions and Nord Stream - 2 in favor of Russia. One of the founders of the party was Alfreds Rubiks, the former leader of the Latvian Communist Party. He was imprisoned because he supported the attempted coup of the Soviet security forces revanchists of the State Emergency Committee in August 1991. Deputy Dzintars believes that with the help of Usakovs and the Harmony party, the Kremlin wants to destabilize Latvia. Harmony defends the interests of the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia, who have their own vision of the development of the Baltic republic. In 2015, at the request of the government, a survey was conducted among the Russian-speaking population of Latvia, and according to its results, more than half of the respondents supported the restoration of the Soviet Union, and 20-30% supported Latvias accession to Russia or the Eurasian Union. Economic interests of local Russians who trade with Russian counterparties play their role here. Latvia is a kind of Russias railway and road bridge to the countries of Western Europe, and some Russian export cargoes go through the territory of Latvia. Anti-Russian sanctions and the participation of Latvia in their way prevent business. Local Russian-speaking people blame Ukraine for their troubles, not Russia, which provoked the introduction of restrictive measures by the US and the EU. Usakovs himself believes that the idea of imposing anti-Russian sanctions was a failure, and the "sanctions war" was unprofitable for Russia and Europe. In the course of the election campaign, Usakovs has developed the Western image of the Consent party. For this, he hired an American political technologist, Christopher Ferry, who previously worked at Davis-Manafort and advised Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham, as well as Viktor Yanukovych, when he was Ukraines Prime Minister. Usakovs said that the USA is an important ally of Latvia and was photographed against the background of unloading tanks in the port of Riga. He even tried to find some of Ukraines sympathy. Once Usakovs reproached the ruling parliamentary parties with hypocrisy since Russian-speaking Ukrainians in Latvia (for the most part) do not have citizenship. In fact, these people simply do not want to learn the state language, the knowledge of which it is compulsory for getting a Latvian passport. Conservatives and populists: the cornerstone of the coalition However, Usakovs should restrain his ambitions in the political arena of Latvia, because his Harmony party might bring eggs to a fair market if other political forces form a broad anti-Russian coalition. Latvians lost confidence in the current government and voted for those who promised to overcome corruption, solve the problem of money laundering, and raise wages. In particular, the New Conservative Party promised to raise the minimum salary to 500 euros per month, raise salaries for doctors to 1,700 euros per month, increase social spending for children, reduce the number of ministries, and create a single national agency to fight corruption. But representatives of Development/For! also promise to increase the minimum wage to 500 euros, to raise pensions by half over the next 10 years, and also protect gay rights. But this does not mean that they support Russia and want to keep learning in Russian in schools and universities. Despite the fact that Raivis Dzintars suspected the New Conservative Party of relations with the Kremlin, its leader Janis Bordans, who is aiming at the premiership, said his political force was ready to conduct coalition negotiations with all parties from the parliament, with the exception of Harmony party. He refused to join the coalition with Usakovs and the leader of KPV LV party, actor and showman Artuss Kaimins, who demanded that he recognize the annexation of Crimea, the Soviet occupation of Latvia, and abandon the idea of multi-language education in Latvian schools. In general, Latvian society perceives Russia as a threat, so for any Latvian party, it is undesirable to cooperate with the political forces of the Russian minority not to lose face in front of the overwhelming part of Latvian society. Unless, the Kremlin bribes any of them, given the propensity for corruption of a part of Latvian population. Read the original text at 112.ua. From the beginning of the day, the militants violated the ceasefire regime nine times in the hostilities zone in Donbas. The press office of the Joint Forces Operation reported this on Facebook. In the afternoon, the enemy opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms at the positions of the Joint Forces Operation in the area of Krymske, Katerynivka, Troitske, Vodiane, and Lebedynske settlements. The strongholds of our forces near Krymske were shelled by 120mm mortars. In addition, the enemy used the weapons of infantry fighting vehicles against the defenders of Krymske and Troitske, reads the message. It is noted that two servicemen of the Joint Forces Operation received injuries during the hostilities. It was reported earlier that over the previous day, the militants in Donbas opened fire at the positions of Ukrainian servicemen 27 times. None of the Ukrainian militaries was hurt during the shelling of the militants. Open source Over the past 24 hours, pro-Kremlin militants used artillery and anti-tank missiles to attack Ukrainian military emplacements in the combat area in eastern Ukraine. The Joint Forces Operation HQ reported this on Facebook. 'In the morning, occupants used 122 mm artillery to attack our positions in the area of Vodyane. 82 mm mortars were used during the attacks on outposts near Luhanske and Novoluhanske. In Zolote, the enemy fired anti-tank missile launchers,' reads the message. On October 8, 26 enemy attacks were reported. Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action; all of them ended up in hospitals. 'The occupants applied 120mm mortars firing at the positions of the Armed Forces near Krymske, Luhanske, Vodyane, and Lebedynske. The defence works of our troops near Krymske, Novotoshkivske, Luhanske, and Travneve came under 82mm mortars fire. The defenders of Shyrokyne were shot at by ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft mount. The occupants conducted fire from IFV at the defenders of Novotoshkivske, Troitske, Vodyane, and Lebedynske,' the HQ of the Joint Forces Operation reported. Earlier, Andriy Sadovy, the leader of Self Reliance Union, announced his intention to run for the presidency in Ukraine Political parties Democratic Alliance and Self Reliance (Samopomich) Union decided to make a deal on a political alliance and participate in the coming presidential, parliamentary, and local elections together, as the press office of Democratic Alliance reports. Next year, presidential and parliamentary elections will take place in Ukraine. The country faces the danger of a revenge. Corruption and complete inefficiency of the authority not only take the chance of Ukraines European future away but also undermine the fundamental basis of our security and independence today. Taking the risks the country faces into account, Democratic Alliance and Self Reliance Union decided to make a deal on a political alliance and fight for the victory in the presidential, parliamentary, and local elections together, the press office informs. Reportedly, Andriy Sadovy, the leader of Self Reliance Union, announced his intention to run for the presidency in Ukraine. Democratic Alliance party took part in the parliamentary elections in 2014 along with Civil Position of Anatoliy Hrytsenko, but they could not overcome the 5% barrier. Presidential elections in Ukraine are scheduled for March 13, 2019. The elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will be held on October 27, 2019. Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko stated that he guarantees free, fair, democratic elections of the president, parliament, and local authorities. Roman Bezsmertny, former People's Deputy of Ukraine, former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, People's Deputy of Ukraine and former prime minister of Ukraine (2005; 2007-2010), Anatoliy Hrytsenko, former Minister of Defence of Ukraine (2005-2007) declared their intentions to run for the presidency. The current President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has not officially announced his participation in the elections. The Assembly returned the document that offered to lift the restrictions that Russia faced due to the military aggression in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea Open source Members of the PACE voted for keeping the current limitations against the Russian delegation in the Assembly. Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian presidential envoy, posted this on Twitter on Tuesday evening. 'The draft resolution of PACE that created conditions for the Russians to return has not been passed. It was taken back to the committee. The moral is: never give up!', he wrote. Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko commented on the decision, too. 'Victory! As I promised the Russian propagandists, their plan failed. Glory to Ukraine!', he tweeted. The Committee on Rules of Procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has supported the amendments of Ukraine to the draft resolution on the rules on the sanctions against the PACE delegations, which make the return of Russia impossible as UNIAN reported. The amendments were provided by the group of PACE lawmakers headed by Ukrainian representatives, while the offers of the pro-Russian MPs were rejected by the majority of voices. As it was reported earlier, 20 member countries of the PACE signed the declaration against Russias return to the Assemblys line-up. Russian delegation to PACE left the Assembly's line-up after it faced numerous restrictions - due to the Kremlin's military aggression in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea in February 2014. If these amendments to the draft resolution are adopted, it will make the return of Russia impossible Open source The Committee on Rules of Procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has supported the amendments of Ukraine to the draft resolution on the rules on the sanctions against the PACE delegations, which make the return of Russia impossible as UNIAN reported. The amendments were provided by the group of PACE lawmakers headed by Ukrainian representatives, while the offers of the pro-Russian MPs were rejected by the majority of voices. However, the document should also face the approval at the plenary meeting during which the resolution will be considered. Talking about the amendments, the first one offers to leave the threshold during the voting at the level 1/2 instead of raising it to 2/3 but exclude Russia from the voting. Such a decision will make the return of Russia's delegation to the PACE much more difficult. The second amendment offers to ban officials elected at the occupied territories (particularly in annexed Crimea) from the participation in the work of PACE. Earlier the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a declaration on the situation in the PACE, condemning the attempt to cancel the restrictions against the Russian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). As it was reported earlier, 20 member countries of the PACE signed the declaration against Russias return to the Assemblys line-up, Volodymyr Ariev, the head of Ukraines PACE delegation said. In October, PACE approved the resolution, which stipulates the necessity to harmonize the rules of membership and representation of member countries in the PACE and the ministerial committee. Due to the approval of this document, PACE now may restore the membership of the Russian delegation. Ukraine offered amendments to the resolution but they were denied. On June 27, the Ukrainian delegation to the PACE refused to visit the annual reception of Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjrn Jagland. Related video: Lyudmyla Denisova, the Ukrainian Parliamentary Envoy for Human Rights demanded that the Kremlin provide the latest official updates on the current health conditions of Ukraine's filmmaker and political prisoner Oleg Sentsov. She posted this on Facebook. 'I don't know why Russia can't find out a simple thing - if the Ukrainian starves or not. The information contradicted yet on Friday morning, but the aggressor's officials cannot either deny or confirm it for four days straight,' Denisova wrote. She turned to her Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova, demanding to provide the official updates with the respective documentation that proves the information. Earlier on Tuesday, Anatoliy Sak, the Ombudsman in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District of Russia, said that Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov did not stop his hunger strike, as TASS reports. I officially declare, there was no official statement on ceasing Sentsovs hunger strike He is still on the hunger strike, the news agency cites Sak. According to him, Sentsovs condition is relatively satisfactory. As we reported earlier, Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian political prisoner, announced a hunger strike in May 2018, demanding to release him and the rest of Ukrainian political prisoners illegally kept by the Kremlin. Sentsov has already survived three health crisis; the medics warn that the fourth one, which might involve the breakdown of the body's internal organs, could begin anytime. The native of Crimea, film director, and political activist, Sentsov was illegally detained in Crimea in 2014, then taken to Russia. They judged him and sentenced him to 20 years of imprisonment at a high-security penal colony. The prosecutors charged Sentsov with preparing terrorist acts in occupied Crimea. Sentsov denies his guilt. Ukraine's government, its citizens, and the international society - politicians, artists, public figures - urge the Kremlin to release him. He was taken to the session of the Appeal Court that will take place on October 25 Ukrainian Yevhen Panov convicted in occupied Crimea was transferred from Simferopol remand centre to Moscow as his brother Ihor Kotelyanets reported on Facebook. "Yevhen Panov was transferred from Simferopol remand centre to Moscow. Most likely to Lefortovo prison. Now he temporarily stays in Krasnodar. He is taken away because the session of the Appeal Court should take place on October 25 and the prosecutor insists on the increase of the term of the sentence to 10,5 years," Kotelyanets reported. On July 13, 2018, Panov was sentenced to eight years behind the bars of a high-security colony. Earlier, a 'prosecutor' of the Crimea Supreme Court, which is currently under the control of the Russian Federation, requested 10.5 years in prison for Ukrainian political prisoner Yevhen Panov. In August 2016, The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation claimed to have detained Ukrainian saboteurs in Crimea. Russia says that Ukrainian diversionary group planned terrorist acts in the occupied Crimea, and Yevhen Panov, born in 1977, residing in Zaporizhia region, an officer of the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, was allegedly the leader of the group. Later Russian authorities released a video with Panovs confession, however, Ukrainian human rights defenders stated that the video showed the signs of testifying under duress. Related video: Latvian special services accused Russia of committing cyber attacks at the Latvian Defence and Foreign Ministries and other institution, as Reuters reports. The cyber attacks in Latvia were carried out by the GRU for espionage purposes, and the most frequent attacks were directed against state institutions, including the foreign and defense sectors, the statement says. As the Constitution Protection Bureau informed, Russian military intelligence service GRU was recently trying to access information by e-mail phishing attacks against government computers. It was noted that there were no attacks targeting the results of the recent parliamentary elections. Reportedly, the military of the U.K. considered the possibility of the holding of the extensive cyber-attack against Russia, in case, if the Russian Federation assaults West countries. Earlier, the Netherlands announced the prevention of Russias cyber-attack at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and accused Russian Main Intelligence Directorate officers (GRU) of trying to get the information from the international investigation of the MH17 tragedy. Also, Germany has joined the British and the Dutch authorities in accusing Russia of instigating massive international cyber-attacks. This is connected with Russia's attempt to access data of the international investigation of MH17 tragedy Regina Veronica Maria "Renee" Jones-Bos, the Netherlands Ambassador to Russia, during her visit to Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the Netherlands did not intend to let cyber attacks at the international organizations located in the country, as DW reports. According to the Ambassador, at the meeting in Russian Foreign Ministry, she explained that the Netherlands is responsible for the international organizations on its territory and it will prevent cyber attacks targeted at the organizations, the message says. Russian called this statement a disinformation campaign made in the Hague. Earlier, the Netherlands accused Russia of trying to carry out a cyber attack at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to access data of the international investigation of MH17 tragedy. The Ukrainian military is accused of sniper attack in Donbas zone Open source Russian Investigation Committee opened two cases against Ukrainian military for alleged shootings at the Armed Forces side in Donbas zone, as the website of the Russian body reported. It was noted that the Russian Investigation Committee opened two criminal proceedings under the articles of Russian Criminal Code on mistreatment of the civilians, the appliance of means banned by Russias international treaty in the armed conflict. According to the Russian investigation, on September 30, 2018, the Ukrainian military has allegedly attacked at the object of civilian infrastructure from artillery and heavy weaponry in Staromykhaylivka. A local resident was injured as a result. It was noted that the Ukrainian military is accused of sniper attack on October 6, 2018, in Trudivske, after what a local resident got wounded. Russian Investigation Committee was initiating criminal cases on alleged crimes committed in Ukraine within several years. Ukraines Prosecutor General Office reported dozens of such cases. The Committee accused the Armed Forces of conducting war against civilians. Earlier, Russias Investigation Committee reported on initiating several criminal procedures against the Ukrainian military for allegedly shootings at civilians in the Donbas conflict zone. The Ukrainian delegation to the UN accused the Russian side of violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as it stated at the session of the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee, Ukrinform reports. Russias current target after the temporary occupation of Crimea is control over the Azov Sea. Having built a bridge over the Kerch Strait illegally, Russia started regularly violating the freedom of the international navigation for the Ukrainian and foreign vessels, the Ukrainian side stated. It was also stressed that this is a gross violation of on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Due to this, Ukraine urged the UN member stated to take immediate steps to stop the aggression and prevent the danger the Russian side creates in this region. Over the past three months, Russia's activity in the Azov Sea has increased significantly. The Russians do not allow commercial vessels going to and leaving Ukrainian ports to pass through the Kerch Strait without hindrance. In this regard, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko instructed the Minister of Defense, the Chief of the General Staff and the Ukrainian Navy to take measures to stop Russian provocations with regard to blocking the entry of ships into Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine has developed a set of measures in response to Russia's actions. At the same time, it was reported that the package of measures includes, among other things, restrictions on passenger traffic with Russia. Moreover, in July, Russia detained 148 ships for inspection in the Sea of Azov. Due to this, President Poroshenko entrusted the Defence Minister, the Head of the General Staff, and Command of Ukraines Naval Forces to take measures to stop Russian provocations concerning the blockade of Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine also supports the imposition of sanctions against Russian Black Sea ports due to the blockade of the Sea of Azov. Related video: World lawmakers now have to support TV-channels under pressure. Nathan Lee Gill, a British politician who is a Member of the European Parliament, said that in his exclusive interview to the 112 Ukraine TV channel. I support the 112 Ukraine TV channel, as I support the thing which is essential for every nation to have free press, that tell everything they intend to. I believe it is important that lawmakers all over the world support your ambitious project. I am deeply concerned that your parliament made a stand against your TV channel, as it is a slippery slope. Who else can stop it? Nathan Gill said. As we reported earlier, Ukraines Verkhovna Rada urges the countrys National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to introduce sanctions against several Ukrainian TV channels. 229 MPs supported the draft law No. 9157 on 'Approval of recommendations to introduce personal special economic sanctions and other restrictive measures (sanctions)'. CEO of 112 Ukraine TV channel Yegor Benkendorf stated that the attempt to stop the operation of 112 Ukraine is a part of a large-scale process and concerns an unsatisfactory situation with the respect of freedom of speech in Ukraine. According to him, 112 Ukraine TV channel has to confirm the impossibility to protect its rights independently by legal tools, and soon, it might lead to cessation of the broadcasting. The appeal was sent to the President of the European Commission Donald Tusk, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjrn Jagland, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Liliane Maury-Pasquier, President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, Coordinator of the Europe and Central Asia Program of the Committee to Protect Journalists Nina Ognianova, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists Anthony Bellanger. 112 Ukraine TV channel emphasizes again that it was following the principles of the journalistic work, giving an opportunity to express ones opinion for all the Ukrainian politicians, the representatives of the governmental bodies and independent experts during its existence. Also, the channel does not avoid covering acute political and social issues, and such position of the TV channel cases and will cause opposition from individual politicians and political forces. Related video: *** The staff of 112 Ukraine TV channel insists that the steps made by the Ukrainian Parliament, which aim to apply sanctions against 112 Ukraine TV channel are nothing but a political decision; there is not enough evidence to make such decision, which badly lacks argumentation and may be considered unconstitutional. The service has already informed the administration of the State Special Communication on DoS-attack Open source The State Fiscal Service of Ukraine claimed that the e-resources of the department sustained the cyber-attacks as the press service of it reported on Facebook. "On October 8, since 18:00, at the external virtual address "Electronic cabinet" on the internet (cabinet.sfs.gov.ua) and on October 9, since 9:00, the external virtual address "Official web-portal of State Fiscal Service of Ukraine" (sfs.gov.ua), a large amount of the requests that led to the increase of the load on the central processor of the firewall (up to 100%) were spotted and it caused the unstable work of it," the message said. The provider identified the cyber-attack on the refuse of the service (Denial of service attack, DoS attack) and used the defensive mechanism from the attack. The State Fiscal Service noted that the mentioned interference led to the inaccessibility of the resources "Electronic cabinet" and "Official web-portal of State Fiscal Service of Ukraine" for some users on the internet and brings their apologies. Earlier, the Netherlands accused Russia of trying to carry out a cyber attack at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to access data of the international investigation of MH17 tragedy. Also, Latvian special services accused Russia of committing cyber attacks at the Latvian Defence and Foreign Ministries and other institutions. Related video: According to the Ministry, the fire covers 10% of the technical area of the depot The fire followed by the detonation of ammunition at the sixth depot of the Defense Ministry near Druzhba settlement of Chernihiv region started after four explosions, as it was noted by officers on duty. The Deputy Chief of General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces Rodion Tymoshenko said this at the briefing on air of 112 Ukraine TV channel. At the moment, according to the operative group of the General Staff, the officers on duty confirmed the fact of detonation in four places of the depots, and the explosions were in the different sectors of the depot, as a result of which the fire started, Tymoshenko said. According to him, the fire covers 10% of the technical area of the depot. Recently, around 50% of the heavy caliber ammunition was taken away from this depot and from open grounds and placed in other depots, closed underground storages, he added. At the same time, it is reported that there were no casualties or injured among the military staff or civilians. Reportedly, an explosion on the sixth armoury occurred in Ichnia, Chernihiv region. The air-space within 30 km is shut down, traffic and railway movement are stopped due to the emergency situation. Ukraines Defence Ministry reports that as of 7 am the intensity of the explosions is 2-3 explosions per second. The Stratcom company belongs to the advisor to Minister of Information Policy Alina Frolova Open source The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will pay the Stratcom company, which belongs to the adviser to Minister of Information Policy Alina Frolova, 3,000 dollars for the campaign #CorrectUA (#KyivNotKiev). This was stated in the response of Foreign Ministry to the inquiry of Ukrainian News agency. "As part of the online campaign #CorrectUA, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine and Stratcom LLC signed an agreement on August 10, 2018 for the amount of 3,000 dollars," it said. The director of the company is Oksana Horbach - coordinator of the Invictus Games project in Ukraine, and the owner is Alina Frolova, advisor of Minister of Information Policy Yuriy Stets. It is noted that the fact of the services provision will be confirmed by an act of acceptance, but so far it has not been signed and, accordingly, the talent has not been paid yet. According to the contract, the cost of developing a visual image of the campaign with the hashtags #CorrectUA and #KyivNotKiev will be 530 dollars , and the creation of a promotional video of the campaign will cost 860 dollars. Creation of 16 thematic posts about cases of incorrect use of Ukrainian toponyms, first of all, of the capitals name, by the main international actors of transport infrastructure and media will cost the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1,140 dollars, and placing them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google Network will cost 500 dollars. It is expected that the materials posted on social networks will appear in the news feeds of 3,4 million users. The campaign should last from August 19 to October 19. According to the campaigns Twitter page, the attention of international media such as Reuters, BBC, Daily Mail (UK), CNN (USA), and Al Jazeera (Qatar) is drawn to the incorrect use of Kyiv name. Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that after contacting the BBC within the campaign, the news agency started using the name Kyiv. At the same time, the English version of the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs periodically reposts articles or materials of foreign media that use Kiev spelling. As Ukrainian News reported, the Foreign Ministry began to correct the spelling of Ukraines capital in English, although it has not yet corrected its own website. As it was reported earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry started the campaign dubbed KyivNotKiev, asking the foreign media to spell their capital city correctly. The Ukrainian authorities also suggest that international media use purely Ukrainian spelling for such cities as Kharkiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and others, as well as 'Ukraine instead of the widespread mistake, 'the Ukraine'. Read the full story here. I saw the worst men of my generation waving their small limp dicks at the flag high on money and war, the logic and bitter drivel of their solipsist words. Bury yourself in chenille throws and wool blankets children, it's time to hide. Drag yourself through asphalt rush hour panoply of cars not listening to NPR. In Baltimore, ODs and homicide erupt. In Washington, Senators masturbate. I miss my old Underwood. It sits in a Colorado cabin and mice live there now. I could stab and whack and tap tap tap the plutocrat's names in jazzy red ink. Stretch that ribbon! Strike the keys, bash the return bar into place, ring the bell! The Cold War's simplistic tropes no match for demon-memes of demagogues. Social media, I implore you to shut up. Let the baby twitter himself in a tizzy but please be quiet. Nihilism and doubt are no mystery in the catacombs and tombs. Opioid crisis, obesity epidemic, nationalists on home plate: deliver us from sin . Christ, you would not do well in the information age to earnestly tell the pumped crowds My name is Jesus, and I'm an addict. Don't do it! You'll wind up frightened and dead.. Which already happened, but Big Pharma couldn't help out with free samples of Oxycontin. And you'd be justified to deny the mystics as you nod contemplatively stoned into peace. Wasn't Judas framed? That kiss historically inaccurate but more delicate than a kitten skull. Shattered, he'd insist the fragments wrap together like DNA cords a spinal tap. No holes. Modern mayors strive to remove monuments at night and avert the Nazi punks from coming to town like a massacre. Freddie Gray and the apocalypse are not forgotten--murals don't lie. Democrats can flock to the polls. Teachers can deliver science under threat of assessed doom. But my money's on the madmen. Delighted with their unquestionable power, they slurp Kool-aid with their caviar until their swollen pacifier lips are satiated with sugar and salt. They've been sucking themselves dry so long they forget to open up and swallow the seed. Really, it's Shakespearean of us to even hope for poetic justice. All the sonnets shut down. Desdemona, did you mutter sarcastically on your deathbed while your kind maid listened? Knowing soon your sweet husband will darken and extinguish you, having not loved wisely? Too well Emilia understands the danger of a double face. .And who doesn't adore a fascist? Every woman, of course. Grass root messiah-bird, who will save us now? Your lovely wings are covered with oil. The homelands desecrated with congressional slime, oozing black sludge. Dove of renewal I beg you return. Grace me with pearlescent feathers and your long, soft call. Assassins are upon us and we wait, phone in hand, for the second coming, too gone to care. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Today, on the second day of the 17th Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie, held in Yerevan, the Ministerial Conference started its work, presided by Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. Mnatsakanyan welcomed everyone, also thanking former Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian for his efforts to organize the summit in Armenia. He guaranteed that Armenia had assumed all responsibility for the summit. The minister proposed a minute of silence to respect the memory of one of the biggest ambassadors of La Francophonie - Charles Aznavour; describing Aznavour as a great Frenchman, a great Armenian, a citizen of the world, who was greater than the world, who had lived all his life with the values of cultural diversity, solidarity and philanthropy, that served as a basis for La Francophonie. The slogan of this years Summit is Living together, which, according to the minister, is directed not only to governments, but also to the people living in the member states of La Francophonie. Concluding his speech, Mnatsakanyan underlined that, Armenia is in a transition phase when it reaffirms its commitment to the values of democracy, freedom and human rights, which are also the values of Francophonie. The rest of the Ministerial Conference session is closed to the press. Note to Readers: The Ministerial Conference, together with the Permanent Council and the Summit, is one of the structures of La Francophonie - the political one. The Ministerial Conference is convened once a year and is represented at the level of the foreign ministers of the Member States. Gagik Tsarukyan, who heads the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), has promised not to nominate a candidate for the post of prime minister, or to support any candidate, if Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan resigns to allow for snap parliamentary elections. Pashinyan and Tsarukyan met today in Yerevan against a backdrop of heightened political tensions following last weeks approval of a controversial bill, introduced by the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), to hinder snap elections and the dissolution of the National Assembly. Heeding the call of Prime Minister Pashinyan, thousands took to the streets in Yerevan on the evening of October 3 to protest the bill and to deride those MPs who voted in its favor as counter-revolutionaries. ARF and BHK MPs voted to pass the bill. The memorandum also states that the prime minister and Tsarukyan agree that parliamentary elections should be held this December. The HHK and the ARF have argued that elections must be postponed until May of next year in order to allow them to prepare. The memo, in which the BHK is described as a supporter of the revolution", states that in the election campaign the two sides will exhibit mutual respect and abide by the law. The two sides also say they will work to raise the level of the defense of human rights, to strengthen the security of Armenia and Artsakh, to deepen cooperation with the diaspora, and to implement radical socio-economic reforms in Armenia to attract foreign investment. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. With Roberto Gomez Lares (Germany) and Ruta Vimba (Germany). When: October 17, 10:00 a.m. Venue: Best Western Congress Hotel Yerevan, Picasso Hall Working language: English For registration write: [email protected], registration deadline is October 15. Privacy under threat - together with trainers from n-vestigate network (Germany) dismantle myths and truths about the online habits by joining afternoon workshop with presentation, round table and hands-on around the topic of Open Source and data security in context of investigative journalism. The workshop offers an opportunity to learn about the risks of data protection, question the commonly used tools for online communication and data storage, challenges own communication habits, invites to join the discussion about pros and cons and hands-on session to try out Open Source tools, for example, NextCloud. Additionally the n-vestigate - a network connecting investigative journalists in Eastern Europe - will be introduced. The workshop is an invitation to talk about the insufficiency knowledge and awareness of the IT Security - to question the risks of mainstream communication platforms being used, even though working with highly sensitive topics. Is the reason a gap between the needs of cross-border researches and the currently available communication tools used by investigative journalists? To explore the cause, we see it as is necessary to explore the communication habits, present the opportunities, provide hands-on experience and rise the discussion. We believe that only in a close cooperation, with needs-based and bottom-up approach we can find a solution to improve the working conditions and therefore strengthen IJ. The role of Investigative journalism in strengthening democracy in Eastern Partnership countries is crucial, caring for transparency and control. When politics, business and crime cross borders, journalism has to do the same in order to provide adequate coverage, writes Brigitte Alfter, Chief-editor of European Journalism Fund. Facilitators: Roberto Gomez Lares - System Administrator, passionate for Linux, Free software and Political Activist. Currently based in Berlin, working in NGO sector as IT Administrator, specialized in Open Source Tools for Journalism/Media organizations focused in privacy. Ruta Vimba - project manager and facilitator. Born in Latvia, based in Berlin. Working in fields of NGO and non-formal education, with topics of journalism, neighborhoods, solidarity economies, environment and creative activism. Nancy Waldmann - freelancer journalist covering topics in middle and eastern Europe for German print and online media. Since September 2018 project manager for n-vestigate. The project: The workshop is implemented in the framework of the project "Skills, knowledge & awareness: IT-security & communication for investigative journalism (IJ) in Eastern Partnership" with the aim - to raise awareness of data security and open source tools for communication amongst the investigative journalism scene in Eastern partnership Countries. The project serves as an opportunity to build network, learn new tools, ignite a discussion withing the journalist teams and in public. The n-vestigate network: This workshop is organized by the n-vestigate network, a collaboration of the Germany based media NGO n-ost together with RPDI (Ukraine), Rise Moldova (Moldova), hetq.am (Armenia), Liberali (Georgia), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Since 2015 n-vestigate strives for the leverage of the quality of investigative journalism in the region, supporting cross-border investigations, networking, training and trans-disciplinary cooperation between journalists, media outlets, lawyers, activists and advocacy experts. More information about n-vestigate: www.n-vestigate.net Project partners for the Workshop n-ost e.V. (Germany) - n-ost.org Liberali (Georgia) - liberali.ge Hetq.am (Armenia) - hetq.am Armenian Minister of Education and Science Arayik Harutyunyan today attended the launch of a mobile kindergarten in the Gegharkounik community of Drakhtik. Harutyunyan told the assembled crowd that its been proven that children attending pre-school do better when they enter first grade and that the current Armenian government is paying close attention to improving pre-school programs and will be working with its European Union partners on the matter. The mobile kindergarten model is especially designed for children aged 3-5 living in Armenias rural communities. Teams of teachers will make the rounds of various communities, tailoring classes for each. On October 5, the American University of Armenia (Yerevan) hosted the International Symposium on Transitional Justice organized by The Zoryan Institute. Samson Martirosyan interviewed one of the speakers - Dr. Nadia Bernaz, an Associate Professor of Law at Wageningen University, for Hetq. Dr.Bernaz focuses on the interplay between the business sector and human rights, investigating the impact of corporations on human rights, corruption and white-collar crimes. Q - Dr. Bernaz, thanks for coming to Armenia and thanks for your presentation. You mentioned that transitional justice has 4 components - Justice, Truth, Reparations and Institutional Reforms. Here, Truth Committees are the ones who tell the story and who shape public opinion telling things as they happened. Who is included in these Truth Committees, who tells the story? Is it a public effort, a state effort, or a combination of the two? Dr. Bernaz - It depends on the commissions. In every process like this there are discussions on who will get to talk and participate, because even though the processes are wider and less structured than prosecutions, u still need some form of organizing and structure. Going back to Pr. Shabas experience in Sierra Leone, where tens of thousands of people were tortured and killed, horrendous crimes were committed, people lost their homes, their children, women were raped etc., however not every survivor will get to tell their story, you have to manage expectations and decide that only a few people will be allowed. There will be a lot of people but if you dont want to give just 30 seconds per person and still want to tell a story representative of what others have gone through, you have to make choices. Participants to The Truth Commissions are basically everyone who either was a perpetrator (like in South African experience where perpetrators told the whole truth in exchange for amnesty) or victims, also past and current public authorities can participate. Depending on what subject is considered you can have lots of different stakeholders. This raises another issue - do you only listen to what community leaders have to say? In this case women are ignored because community leaders are mostly men, so there are a lot of issues involved and there are pretty sophisticated frameworks on how to make proper decisions. But no matter what decision is made you have to understand that you cannot manage to listen to everyone. There is a need to keep balance between listening to leaders, who may have more knowledge, and listening to people involved in all levels. Q - I see there is the problematic issue of representation involved in this. If we are telling the story, then who is telling the story, and if someone is speaking on behalf of others then we may face this issue, especially in such a delicate process as Transitional Justice. Dr. Bernaz - True, and I think that you should say that you are telling a story hoping that it tells the story. In fact, there are debates in the academics between historians and lawyers like me and those who specialize in transitional justice processes. When you say that this is telling the truth and this is how we are going to tell the story in the future and this is what is going to shape the narrative - historians are going to disagree with that and say that with one story, which necessarily has its own biases, you cannot say that thats the truth. I wouldnt dismiss the whole thing just based on this opinion, there is still value in doing it, because if you wait for the perfect moment and scenario then eventually you end up not doing it. Q - You talked about the importance of holding corporations, businesses and the private sector accountable for their involvement and for the crimes that they have committed. There are oligarchs in Armenia. People know about them and know stories of crimes connected directly to them or their circles. We know about their luxurious lifestyles and we can say that these oligarchs have, in a way, become corporations themselves. How can those people who have suffered (in many different ways) because of these oligarchs be personally involved in the process of holding them accountable? Dr. Bernaz - If the role of The Truth Committee has been taken then these people have to be heard in some way. They can be involved in prosecutions as victims, witnesses or they can be empowered with some role so that they will be able to tell their story. There is also value in discussing these issues in public spaces. Engaging some people who have spoken up can empower others to speak up as well. It is not necessarily about being heard individually but feeling that your leaders care about your story and that it is important to them. Q - Lets talk a little bit about political stability and Transitional Justice. In their speeches our prime minister, deputy ministers and the head of Yelk Faction in the parliament have placed an emphasis on not scaring potential investors, noting that in order to attract large investments we need political stability. How do these relate? Dr. Bernaz - I think in order to escape that one or the other scenario, it is important to rephrase the message to the outside world and to foreign investors. Instead of saying that from now on we are going to have this radical agenda and you are going to have to live with it now and if you are not happy you can go, it is better to say that what we are trying to do here is bring stability and rule of law, there are international frameworks, we think human rights are important, corruption is an issue, we are making these changes that are necessary and your assets will be safer when we do it. And yes, this means that things that were allowed before will not continue and it the long run this is good for the stability of the country. Also, bear in mind that there will always be investors who will be scared by the change and who will go away, and some corporations will pull out. But other investors who value the stability of country that is abided by the rule of law, that is under the umbrella of European Court of Human Rights will come. I think it is more likely that companies will invest in countries with stable democracies than countries which are completely out of control. Q - If we open up our doors to this free flow of global capital and claim that the state is doing everything to protect their investments, doesnt this also raise the issue of Armenia becoming a place where corporations can come and do whatever they want to. Dr. Bernaz - There is a trend in investment law that more and more investment treaties and contracts mention labor and human rights issues as something that parties to the contract need to pay special attention to. And there are precedents for this as some kind of a new development in this area. Q - So what you mean is that it is possible to include, lets say, labor rights and other human rights stipulations into the individual contracts with corporations, thus informing them from the outset that they will have to adhere to various rules and regulations. Dr. Bernaz - Yes, you can do that, and some have done that. There are two sides to this. First, there are liberties that some of the corporations have taken to include in contracts and accept that certain things wont be the norm anymore and things have changed. Second, its about the state admitting that it has human rights obligations and it might use legislation to strengthen human rights protection in the future. This is something that has caused a lot of issues in investment arbitration where states didnt have strong mechanisms for protection of human rights. For example, in Argentina the government wanted to guarantee access to water for its poorest population and so they legislated to force private companies to supply water to these poor people. Those companies said Argentina was breaking investment contract because initially they didnt have any obligation of providing water to the poorest people. So, these companies sued Argentina and Argentina lost. Also, these companies were under the impression that the environment was never going to change and the country that had human rights agenda, in this case Argentina with its need to provide equal access to water, was punished. From fear of losing multi-million-dollar cases countries become hesitant to change their laws. You cannot do much about existing contracts, but you can think of such issues in the long run and show the investors the environment and standards in which they are going to have to operate. I bet a lot of companies will come any way. Q - What is the connection between asset recovery and social justice? In your presentation you have mentioned that for asset recovery countries need to implement high standard criminal prosecutions, which may take years. In this case how can we put asset recovery in the framework of social justice and when does social justice step in, because asset recovery is not solely about lengthy high standard criminal prosecutions but also justice in a broader understanding of the word. Dr. Bernaz - Frankly, I cannot answer this question. The idea is that it is not just about tracking the money but also about looking forward - thats is the big thing. The difference between normal prosecutions and transitional justice mechanisms, including prosecutions, in this context is that prosecutions, generally go/look backwards and by implementing transitional justice you look forward, you look at the future. So where does social justice come in - I do not know. But certainly, it should come in. And also, for me, it is a very practical reason to include corporations in transitional justice because they tend to have more money than individuals. So, by involving those it is possible to recover more money than to prosecute a corrupt politician. In terms of social justice, those mechanisms include corporations contributing in some way. Though I have my reservations any time money is being handled. Theres an example from Cote DIvoire where a big company dumped polluted material and as a result, tens of thousands of people became sick, some people died. In the end the case was settled in The High Court of Justice in London and that means there was no judgement. The company paid an amount of money, probably millions, we do not know how much because the settlement was secret, and then many cheered about how great it was from responsibility point of view. But the reality is that a research that was conducted afterwards showed how this money was misused and as a result so many people who suffered from pollution never saw any money or help. What companies do in Africa they would never do in Europe, they went there because these people were disempowered, because these people are poor, and their government is not protecting them. So, coming back to your question - I am always suspicious about these big trust funds because the potential for mismanagement of the money is too high and it throws shadow to the whole process which is a real shame. Prohibiting companies from bidding for public contracts is a good mechanism for holding them accountable. This is, of course, about looking forward, it wont let you recover all the assets, but at least you will know that companies who bid for contracts are not those that have been involved in corruption and dodgy things in the past. Q - The state is the main guarantor of the implementation of transitional justice - this new government that comes after revolution and starts making changes. We have the situation when there are still people - middle level state officials and others who have benefitted from the corruption practices before and they still continue working. There are old people in the new context and there is the willingness of the new government to implement transitional justice. Does this situation contradict the idea of transitional justice? Dr. Bernaz - This is common, especially in small countries you cannot change everyone. You need the expertise you need the people. Surely, these people played their role, but they also know how things are done and they have their connections. You cannot just put new people everywhere because how are you going to find so many people? I liked the point about Armenian Diaspora. You could say that you are going to take only those who havent lived in Armenia for several years but that is problematic - will people here accept that? I do not think they should. Also, the good thing about softer transitional mechanisms (rather than prosecution) is that they allow to take on board people who are neither very enthusiastic nor completely opposed. And what I mean by that is in every large organization, like the government, there is always people who just went along with it, not everyone has principles and not everyone has strong ideas about justice. These people wanted to have a comfortable life and you could say that they were all corrupt, but they can be turned, and that is the experience of other countries. From one side there is a group of people who just wont turn, there is the group who really are leading and there are also these people we talked about who with the right leadership will go forward. That is why leadership is so important. You cannot have a repressive approach because with it you are going to scare these mid-ranking officials, who in the grand scheme of things, are not that responsible. They are not perfect individuals but presented with an opportunity to do better for their country with the right narrative they will take that opportunity. It is extremely difficult to do, but there is no good alternative to that. Q - You and other panelists have spoken about the lack of resources for implementing transitional justice and, ironically, this issue comes up in a situation when countries are trying to hold corporations accountable for their crimes but do not have enough resources for that because corporations have most of the resources. Dr. Bernaz - Thats really is an issue in my area, where I look at litigation by poor communities around the world who are trying to take on some of the richest corporations like oil companies. The only way to address this imbalance is to device a judicial system that allows claims from disadvantaged communities by providing legal aid. It is a big problem that cannot be solved, its capitalism - this inequality of arms, this inequality of power. You can devise ways to try to address it, in a way that European Convention on Human Rights does with its article of fair trial and all other articles that address this issue. But at the end of the day it is a fact that there are corporations that can pay their lawyers 2000$ an hour whereas thats what people make in a year. However, things are changing in this area, there are more and more discussions about big transnational cases, victims in developing countries and big corporation in The Global North and more discussions about litigating those cases showing what can be done. It is changing a little bit. You can watch Dr. Bernazs full presentation here. Follow Dr. Bernazs on Twitter. Follow Hetq and Samson Martirosyan on Twitter. OCEX Paris Economic and Commercial Counsellor Aldo Parodi underscored the steady growth of French arrivals to Peru over past years, like in 2017, when the country received 96,283 travelers from such European nation. "The increase of French visitors to our country is the result of an aggressive promotional campaign at specialized fairs, roadshows, workshops, press tours, familiarized trips and business rounds for tour operators, among other activities," he explained. Parodi's remarks were made at the 40th edition of IFTM Top Resa an international tourism industry show where Peru set up a stand after two years of absence. "The return of Peru to this important fair is the result of a joint work between the public through OCEX Paris and private sectors," the official pointed out. Peru's participation The Peruvian pavilion displayed the traditional tourist circuits: the northern route with Kuelap as the main attraction, the Amazon and its natural beauty, as well as the solidarity tourism, which is becoming more interesting for French operators. Peruvian co-exhibitors included Face au Perou, Inca Rail, Lima Tours, Sol y Luna - Relais & Chateaux, Solmartour, South Amerique Destination, Terres Magiques, Tierra de los Andes, Viajes Pacifico, and Virreinal Hotel. (END) CAN/RMB Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry (Mincetur), through Peru's Trade Office in Paris (OCEX Paris), estimates that more than 100,000 French tourists will visit the Inca country this year.Published: 10/9/2018 Comunicado de Prensa | Gobierno del Peru expresa su felicitacion a Brasil por la democratica realizacion de Elecciones Generales. ? https://t.co/dhOECGW8Ux pic.twitter.com/mzFWJ2cF9B YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. On October 10, in accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic), the OSCE Mission will conduct a planned monitoring of the ceasefire regime on the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, to the south from Gyulistan village of the Shahumian region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh said in a press release. From the positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, the monitoring will be conducted by Field Assistant to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) Ognjen Jovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Personal Assistant to the CiO Personal Representative Simon Tiller (Great Britain). From the opposite side of the Line of Contact, the monitoring will be conducted by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk and his Field Assistant Ghenadie Petrica (Moldova), as well as staff member of the Office of the CiO Personal Representative Martin Schuster (Germany). The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have expressed their readiness to assist in conducting the monitoring and to ensure the security of the OSCE Mission members. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has said that he has met with a group of lawmakers from the Republican (HHK) faction. Mirzoyan said on Facebook that he met with Tatchat Vardapetyan (HHK). We discussed a number of issues concerning Javakhk. We also spoke about the domestic political situation of Armenia and early elections of parliament, Mirzoyan said. He said he has also met with HHK faction MPs Knyaz Hasanov and Arsen Mikhaylov representatives of national minorities. We discussed the issues of the Kurdish and Assyrian communities in Armenia with MP Knyaz Hasanov and MP Arsen Mikhaylov. We also spoke about the domestic political situation and early elections of parliament, Mirzoyan said. Earlier the First Deputy PM had met with HHK faction MP Gevorg Petrosyan, who had announced endorsing PM Nikol Pashinyan on October 8. On the same day, a group of other lawmakers also expressed support for holding early elections in December of the current year. The MPs are Arthur Gevorgyan and Arman Sahakyan, formerly from HHK faction. MP Alik Sargsyan, a former police chief, has announced intentions to quit the HHK faction soon. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The La Francophonie Ministerial Conference has begun its 2nd day in Yerevan ahead of the organizations summit. Ministers of foreign affairs of La Francophonie member states are participating in the conference. The 35th Ministerial Conference will recap the results of the Antananarivo summit. Secretary General Michaelle Jean is expected to deliver remarks. Today the official opening of the Francophonie Village is expected to take place in Yerevan. All member states of the organization are presented at the Village. Yerevan is hosting the XVII International Organisation of La Francophonie summit in 2018. The events will take place October 7-12, with the summit scheduled for the final two days. A gala concert will take place October 11 in the Republic Square of Yerevan. Armenia is a member of the organization since 2008. The International Organisation of La Francophonie represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world. Its members share more than just a common language. They also share the humanist values promoted by the French language. The French language and its humanist values represent the two cornerstones on which the International Organisation of La Francophonie is based. The International Organisation of La Francophonie was created in 1970. Its mission is to embody the active solidarity between its 84 member states and governments (58 members and 26 observers), which together represent over one-third of the United Nations member states and account for a population of over 900 million people, including 274 million French speakers. IOF organizes political activities and actions of multilateral cooperation that benefit French-speaking populations. Its actions respect cultural and linguistic diversity and serve to promote the French language, peace and sustainable development. IOF has concluded 33 cooperation agreements with international and regional organisations and has established permanent dialogue between the major international linguistic zones (the English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Arab-speaking zones). The IOF has its head office in Paris as well as four permanent representations in Addis Ababa (at the African Union and at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), in Brussels (at the European Union), in New York and in Geneva (at the UN). It has three regional offices (West Africa ; Central Africa and Indian Ocean ; Asia-Pacific) located respectively in Lome (Togo), Libreville (Gabon) and Hanoi (Vietnam) and two regional antennas in Bucharest (Romania) and in Port-au-Prince (Haiti). Alongside the IOF, the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie and the four direct operators are responsible for implementing the programs decided at the Summits. The four direct operators are : the Academic Agency of La Francophonie, TV5Monde, the International Association of Francophone Mayors and The Senghor University of Alexandria. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov, who is currently on a working visit to Antalya, Turkey, has held a one-on-one meeting with Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma of Russias Federal Assembly. During the private meeting the sides attached importance to the development and deepening of the Armenian-Russian inter-parliamentary relations, and cooperation within the framework of the CSTO PA and CIS IPA, the parliaments press service said. Issues concerning the upcoming CSTO PA session and assembly in Yerevan, October 29-30, were discussed. Sharmazanov assured that the Armenian parliament is ready to organize the sessions on the highest level. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Yelk faction MP Edmon Marukyan has called on the Parliamentary Assembl of the Council of Europe (PACE) to support the ongoing democratic processes in Armenia. Marukyan was speaking at the autumn session of PACE. In his remarks, Marukyan said that the Council of Europe is everyones organization, including Armenias, and it cannot assume the role of simply an observer. It should spare no effort to support the ongoing democratic processes in Armenia, he said. It has been already five months since the democratic, non violent velvet revolution took place in Armenia, which resulted in the representative of a 9-seat parliamentary faction being elected Prime Minister by this very parliament, however it still doesnt have majority in parliament, on which it can rely and realize the goal and programs of the revolution, he continued. He said that the government is carrying out an uncompromising and productive struggle without the support of the parliamentary majority against rooted systematic corruption in the country. Naturally we still have lot to do for dissolving this entire system, but today we are facing an important challenge, which is holding new early elections of parliament, he said. He told the delegates that holding snap elections is an urgent matter and that the entire processes will be based on human rights, rule of law and fundamental principles of democracy. I am calling on the assembly to express coherent assistance to the new government of Armenia in combating corruption, realizing systematic reforms and organizing early elections, he said, noting that Armenia hasnt yet overcome the political crisis, with the current situation being one of its results when an entire government doesnt have political majority in a 105-seat parliament. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan has held a meeting with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia (former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or FYR Macedonia) Viktor Dimovski, who is currently in Yerevan participating in the 35th Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of La Francophonie, the foreign ministry said. During the meeting the sides expressed readiness to make joint efforts for enriching the agenda between the two countries and to deepen partnership in areas of mutual interest. The ministers also exchanged ideas over the agenda of the Ministerial Conference and the upcoming XVII summit of La Francophonie. Dimovski praised the high level organization of the events. They attached importance to the La Francophonie as a productive platform for developments of ties in bilateral and multilateral formats. The Armenian FM briefed his Macedonian counterpart on the latest domestic political developments in Armenia and presented the governments programs and priorities, as well as the ongoing reforms. The sides also discussed the ongoing developments in the Caucasian and Balkan territories. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenias foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a meeting on October 8 with Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevicius, who is in Armenia for the La Francophonie summit. The sides noted the existing positive dynamics in the Armenian-Lithuanian relations in the recent period and discussed joint actions for further deepen cooperation, the foreign ministry said. As a priority the ministers emphasized the IT and innovation sector, stressing the need for exchange of experience. The ministers also highlighted boosting regular bilateral high level contacts, as well as enhancing partnership in multilateral formats. In this context, the Armenian and Lithuanian FMs highly values the International Organization of La Francophonie as an important platform of contacts, and expressed hope that the 35th Ministerial Conference and the upcoming XVII summit will bring their contribution to further strengthening of the organization based on the values and principles of La Francophonie. The sides also exchanged ideas over Armenia-EU partnership and prospects of deepening cooperation within the CEPA. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov has met with Slovakias Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko during a working visit to Antalya, Turkey. During the meeting the sides discussed issues relating to the development of bilateral parliamentary relations, attached importance to boosting mutual visits and cooperation in the level of friendship groups. Sharmazanov thanked Danko for assisting the organization of the Parliamentarians Against Genocised exhibition which was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of adoption of the UNGAs Convention on Prevention and Punishment For the Crime Of Genocide. Sharmazanov attached importance to the quick ratification of the Armenia-EU CEPA by the Slovakian parliament. Security issues were also discussed. Eduard Sharmazanov expressed concern over the arms supplies of Slovakian MSM Martin to Azerbaijan, considering it to be concerning and inadmissible. [Azerbaijan] is using the weapons against the civilians of Artsakh, Sharmazanov said. The sides attached importance to the peaceful settlement of all conflicts, including the NK conflict. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Republican (HHK) faction MP Khosrov Harutyunyan says he believes that early elections of parliament should take place in Armenia. He says that there is no second opinion in this matter. He argues that there can only be opinion on when the elections should take place. After these political cataclysms the public is entitled to re-evaluate the role of political forces and give assessments through voting, he said. He says that the public must have the chance to vote in calm conditions, and not on emotional backgrounds. I believe that it requires time. Since I am not aware on what has taken place in the past days, please, give me time, I will study and express my stance, he told reporters, adding that he was on a business trip. He was unaware that a group of lawmakers have begun a petition calling for early elections. He also refused to comment on the memorandum signed between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan, under which the Tsarukyan faction wont nominate a candidate for prime minister in case of Pashinyans resignation, thus paving way for dissolution of parliament. A group of Members of Parliament, mostly from the Republican (HHK) faction, also former faction members-turned independent, have signed a petition endorsing PM Nikol Pashinyans stance on holding early elections of parliament in December, 2018. Lawmakers who signed the petition include Alik Sargsyan, a former national police chief, Artak Sargsyan, an businessman owning the SAS supermarket chain and Samvel Aleksanyan, an influential businessman owning the Yerevan City supermarket chain, and other companies. The lawmakers who signed the statement are: Rafik Grigoryan, HHK faction Avet Sargsyan, HHK faction Ashot Arsenyan, Independent, formerly from HHK faction Alik Sargsyan, HHK faction Artak Sargsyan. Independent, formerly from HHK Arman Sahakyan, independent, formerly from HHK Tatchat Vardapetyan, HHK faction Hakob G. Hakobyan, HHK faction Shirak Torosyan, independent, formerly from HHK Knyaz Hasanov, HHK faction Arsen Mikhaylov, HHK faction Harutyun Karapoghosyan, HHK faction Samvel Aleksanyan, independent, formerly from HHK Nahapet Gevorgyan, HHK faction Arayik Grigoryan, HHK action Ishkhan Zakaryan, Tsarukyan faction We endorse Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans stance on holding early elections of parliament in December of 2018. After Nikol Pashinyans resignation as Prime Minister, a new Prime Minister shouldnt be elected until early elections and the incumbent parliament should be dissolved, the statement signed by the MPs says. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. A 38 year old Armenian citizen has been injured in a bridge collapse in Amur Oblast, Russia. The Armenian Embassy in Russia said that the man is a truck driver who suffered a fractured leg when a bridge he was traveling on collapsed in the town of Svobodny. He is being treated at a hospital, the embassy said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan on October 9 visited the southern section of the Artsakh-Azerbaijan border to get acquainted with the military service and the situation. Sahakyans office said that Defense minister Levon Mnatsakanyan and other officials were accompanying the president. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, 9 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 9 October, USD exchange rate stood at 485.99 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.21 drams to 556.51 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 7.29 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.17 drams to 633.68 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 263.28 drams to 18546.02 drams. Silver price down by 2.66 drams to 226.01 drams. Platinum price down by 156.25 drams to 12718.7 drams. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Tudor Ulianovschi on October 9, who is in Armenia in the sidelines of the Francophone summit. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, issues of the bilateral agenda of the two countries were discussed during the meeting. The sides underlined the positive dynamics in the relations of the two countries in the recent period and highlighted the necessity of taking continuous and consistent efforts for the expansion of the cooperation. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan presented to his Moldovan counterpart the recent political developments in Armenia and the reform process. The sides assessed multilateral platforms as an important format of cooperation, particularly emphasizing the Eastern Partnership initiative. Minister Mnatsakanyan presented to Tudor Ulianovschi the foreign policy approaches and priorities of Armenia over a number of international and regional issues, as well as spoke about the position of the Armenian side on peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevicius, who has arrived in Armenia to participate in the 17th summit of Francophonie. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the PM welcomed the Lithuanian FM and highlighted the continuous development of the Armenian- Lithuanian relations, including in the sidelines of international organizations. PM Pashinyan emphasized the particularly the importance of promoting economic partnership and added that the Armenian Government is interested in attracting Lithuanian business to the Armenian market. Pashinyan added that reforms aimed at improving business environment are currently underway, which will ensure the security of investments and free and transparent business environment. Linas Linkevicius noted that he attentively followed the political developments in Armenia and highlighted their peaceful nature. He expressed confidence that the reforms in Armenia will give new impetus to the bilateral economic relations. Referring to Armenia-EU relations, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the soon ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. PM Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia highlights the development of partnership with the EU in different directions. The sides also referred to regional issues and discussed other issues of bilateral interest. The sides exchanged views also on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process. Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the establishment of an atmosphere appropriate for the negotiation process and exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of the USA to Armenia Richard Mills announced today about increase in assistance provided to Armenia by the USA. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Embassy of the USA to Armenia, the USA has provided an extra 14 million USD for supporting the Armenian initiatives connected with the political changes, while during the upcoming year the USA plans to provide over 26 million USD which is by 20 million USD more compared with the initial sum. These funds will support the priority programs over political processes, the civil society and independent media. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian initiated consultations with the leadership of the Government and the National Assembly. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Presidents Office, Armen Sarkissian held meetings with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President of the National Assembly Ara Babloyan. The interlocutors discussed the domestic political situation in the country and the ways to overcome the problems, highlighting the insurance of stability in the country and the atmosphere of tolerance in that context. President Sarkissian welcomed the negotiation process of the previous days and emphasized that the only way to overcome the situation and solve the existing problems is dialogue. The President of the Republic hoped that the public and the political forces will continue to display reasonability and will be guided by the interests of the country, the Constitution and the laws. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with President of Armen Sarkissian. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the domestic political situation and developments in Armenia, including issues referring to the holding of early parliamentary elections were discussed. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian said, We had agreed during our telephone conversations, as well as our meeting in Paris that we should meet. I have already met with Mr. Babloyan and I would like to discuss the domestic political situation with you. PM Pashinyan said, Its really very important that we discuss this issue also with the President of the Republic. In fact, I can say now that in the recent days a number of developments take place, which seem to lead to a solution. Particularly, we signed a memorandum with the President of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan on holding early parliamentary elections in December and another 16 MPs have supported that idea in a written form. I think that the process has taken the direction of de-escalation, which is positive. President Armen Sarkissian said, I am also very happy that the process goes on in the atmosphere of dialogue and tolerance. I am happy to hear that during the last 1-2 days some results have been achieved through negotiations and dialogue and that probably the solution is not far away. Its very important that the problem is really solved. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan The Australian closed higher on Monday, registering its first gain in over a week. The AUD/USD had fallen to fresh multi-year lows earlier in the session on the back of a sharp plunge in Chinese stocks and yuan. There's very little on the economic calendar on Tuesday, paving the way for Chinese markets to dictate direction in the first half of the session. The Australian dollar rose on Monday, recovering after hitting fresh multi-year lows to close higher for the first time in six trading sessions. Holidays in the US and Canada, leaving liquidity conditions thin and US bonds markets closed, may have contributed to the sharp and sudden turnaround for the Aussie. Here's the scoreboard at 8am in Sydney. AUD/USD 0.7076 , 0.0025 , 0.35% AUD/JPY 80.12 , -0.06 , -0.07% AUD/CNH 4.8954 , 0.0338 , 0.70% AUD/EUR 0.6157 , 0.0035 , 0.57% AUD/GBP 0.5402 , 0.0024 , 0.45% AUD/NZD 1.0959 , 0.0034 , 0.31% AUD/CAD 0.9172 , 0.0051 , 0.56% After opening the week at the lowest level since February 2016, the AUD/USD range-traded for a majority of the Asian session, largely mirroring the movements in the offshore and onshore-traded Chinese yuan, albeit to a smaller scale. However, that changed in late in the Asian session with sudden weakness in the yuan and a sharp plunge in Chinese seeing the AUD/USD fall to .7042, a new low in the current downtrend. Reports of tense meeting between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing did little to help sentiment. After remaining under pressure throughout European trade, the selling in the Aussie suddenly reversed as US stocks rebounded after falling heavily earlier in the session. A small recovery in the offshore-traded yuan, along with thin market conditions, may have also encouraged short-covering against the greenback, resulting in the AUD/USD screeching higher in the latter parts of trade. In the end, the AUD/USD closed at .7076, registering its first daily gain in over a week. Story continues The Aussie also gained against most major crosses with the exception of the Japanese yen which was the standout performer for the session. The euro came under selling pressure on renewed concerns about Italy's fiscal outlook, resulting in Italian 10-year government bond yields scaling fresh highs. "[The] EUR fell against most major currencies and Italian government bond yields spiked up on concerns the disagreement between Italy and the European Commission (EC) over Italys 2019 budget proposal will worsen," said Elias Haddad, Senior Currency Strategist at the Commonwealth Bank. "The EC is expected to give its formal opinion on Italys fiscal plan by 15th October. So far the EC has simply warned that Italys fiscal plan is a significant breach of EU rules." The Aussie also gained ground against the New Zealand and Canadian dollars, perhaps benefiting from strength in coal and iron ore markets. Turning to the session ahead, broader movements in the Aussie will likely be determined by offshore factors, particularly the performance of Chinese markets during the Asian session. Chinese commodity futures, the onshore-traded Chinese yuan and stocks will all resume trade between midday to 12.30pm AEDT. On the data front, the National Australia Bank (NAB) will release its monthly Australian business confidence survey at 11.30am AEDT. Given the importance of labour market conditions and business investment to help achieve the RBA's policy objectives, these areas will be watched closely, along with the headline conditions and confidence indexes. Given recent softening in services and construction PMIs released by the Australian Industry Group, risks to the NAB may be to the downside. Apart from current account data from Japan, the Asian economic calendar is quiet, leaving sentiment and technicals to dictate direction. Later in the session, highlights include German trade data, Canadian housing starts and the NFIB Small Business survey from the United States. On the central bank front, Evans from the US FOMC and Boradbet from the BoE are also scheduled to speak. Chinese investors have become less interested in snapping up Australian properties, and its had a part to play in the downturn of the national housing market. Between 2014 and 2015, Chinese investment in the rental, hiring and real estate services sector shot up dramatically 1,178.7 per cent, to be exact. Also read: 7 tips to avoid losing a fortune in a property slump But investment has since cooled from its peak of nearly $4.6 billion three years ago, dropping by nearly half (49 per cent) to $2.36 billion in 2016 and then down to $1.3 billion last year. Source: CHIIA Why has investment dropped? According to AMP Capitals chief economist, Shane Oliver, a number of factors contributed to the pullback in transactions, such as tightened restrictions on Chinese capital outflows. So its a combination: its become harder for Chinese to get their capital out of China, and its because the Chinese themselves have started to see the Australian property market as somewhat less favourable, Oliver told Yahoo Finance. Furthermore, he pointed out that 2017 saw greater political pressure to place tougher rules for foreign buyers that made foreign investment more difficult, including for Chinese investors. Does this affect me? It depends who you are. Good news if youre looking to buy; bad news if youve bought in the last few years, or if youre a seller. If youve recently bought into the property market, its likely a downer for you. It mainly applies to buyers who bought in the last few years they may not feel so good. And if youre a property developer, life might get a bit tougher for you too. The biggest negative impact is for people who want to sell. [But for] the big property investors or first home buyers or people trying to get into the property market, theres less buyers out there, Oliver said. Also read: 20 worst crash predictions about the Aussie property market This means less competition at auctions, making properties that little bit more affordable. Story continues But the chief economist was quick to qualify this point: property prices are only down by 5 or 6 per cent in Sydney and Melbourne from their peaks. Affordability has improved but is still fairly poor, Oliver cautioned. The real impact is it just makes it a bit easier for first home buyers to get in. It also depends where you live. Depending on what part of the market youre in, [foreign/Chinese buying] can be fairly significant or totally irrelevant, he said. Those living in Melbourne and Sydneys western suburbs, such as Campbelltown, will feel very little impact. Nor will those living in Sydneys northern beaches. But if youre talking about the eastern suburbs of Sydney [and] lower north shore, particularly around Chatswood and Hunters Hill, then [theres] bigger impact. Also read: Forget Airbnb: The rich are spending months at a time in luxury extended-stay hotels like these Will investment pick back up any time soon? Oliver says anecdotes hes heard suggests it will continue to weaken. However, demand will still remain fairly strong given property is nonetheless cheaper for Chinese investors than Chinese property is. I think for the short term, this year and probably next, its going to remain fairly depressed. Capital controls in China are quite tight, so it is harder to get money out of China, and at the same time, I think the Chinese will be a bit put off by the fact that prices have been falling in Australia, particularly [in] Sydney and Melbourne. So I would suspect that these figures will probably weaken this year and will remain fairly soft next year, Oliver said. * Court packed for first hearing * ANZ, Deutsche, Citi accused of cartel conduct * Banks say to fight accusation By Tom Westbrook SYDNEY, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The Australian units of Citigroup and Deutsche Bank faced court in Sydney on Tuesday accused of criminal cartel conduct over a A$3 billion ($2.1 billion) stock issue, in a landmark case being watched around the world. Australian authorities filed criminal charges in June against the two subsidiaries as well as Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and six senior bankers over the sale of ANZ shares in 2015, and subsequent trading by the underwriters. Lawyers jammed into the courtroom in downtown Sydney for the first administrative hearing of the case, which could have major implications for the underwriting business and lead to increased scrutiny from regulators worldwide. The government accuses the banks of forming a criminal cartel to either "directly or indirectly" restrict the supply of ANZ shares or maintain the price of ANZ shares, according to court documents. The banks have denied wrongdoing. JPMorgan, which underwrote the capital raising along with Citigroup and Deutsche Bank, has not been charged and has not commented on the case. Charges have also been brought against six executives - ANZ former treasurer Rick Moscati; Citi former Australia head Stephen Roberts; Citi's current Australia head of capital markets, John McLean; Citi's London-based head of foreign exchange trading, Itay Tuchman; Deutsche's former Australia chief, Michael Ormaechea; and Deutsche's former Australia capital markets head, Michael Richardson. If convicted, the companies could face penalties of up to A$10 million or triple the benefit of the conduct. The individuals charged could face 10 years in jail. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 5 and the prosecution ordered to file the full details of their case by Dec. 11. The allegations stem from an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the country's competition watchdog. Story continues ANZ, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup declined to comment on the case, but Citigroup referred Reuters to a previous statement in which it said it had "operated successfully in Australia in this manner for decades". "This is a highly technical area and if the ACCC believes there are matters to address, these should be clarified by law or regulation or consultation," it added. All six bankers were excused from appearing personally and none were present. Lawyers on their behalf pressed the prosecution to file a statement of facts, which would disclose in detail exactly what the banks and bankers are accused of. Prosecutor Ruth Higgins said there was "no present obligation" to file the details while they were still being compiled. None of the executives charged in the case has commented publicly. The case comes as Australia's financial sector comes under intense scrutiny from a separate public inquiry that has uncovered widespread misconduct. ($1 = 1.4112 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Stephen Coates) (Adds quote from technology analyst, details on country availability of devices) By Paresh Dave and Arjun Panchadar SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google on Tuesday unveiled the third edition of its Pixel smartphone, a Google Home smart speaker with a display and its first tablet computer as it makes a come-from-behind push into hardware. The company's Android software has gone from being an also-ran to the brains of most of the world's smartphones and Google topped Amazon.com Inc in smart speaker sales in recent quarters. Pixel phones, though, have been a tougher sell, launching with glitches and garnering less than 1 percent of the global market by shipments in Google's first two years of trying, according to research firm Strategy Analytics. The Pixel 3, priced at $799, and a larger Pixel 3 XL, priced at $899, mark Google's latest entries for a phone lineup it hopes will someday be as popular as Apple Inc's iPhone. The Pixel Slate tablet runs Google's beefier Chrome OS laptop operating system rather than Android. It is priced at $599, aimed at competing with Apple's iPad Pro. Shares of Alphabet barely moved on the announcements. Financial analysts said it is difficult to evaluate Googles hardware business as it is overshadowed by profits from search ads. Google branched into hardware three years ago so that, like Apple, it could have full control of the performance of its applications and the revenue they generate. Other phone makers sometimes crowd out Google's apps with their own or take a share of ad revenue, hurting Alphabet's profits. Expanding geographic distribution should provide a small boost to the Pixel line-up. The Pixel 3 will launch in 10 countries, up from six for the Pixel 2 a year ago. New additions include France, Ireland, Japan and Taiwan. The Slate is available in the United States, the U.K. and Canada. A new artificial intelligence tool sure to generate buzz among consumers also could be helpful. The software, launching on U.S. Pixels only, answers calls, requests information about the nature of the calls and shares it as text with the recipient. Story continues "Weve built the first phone that can answer the phone," Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president for hardware, told media on Tuesday. Ryan Reith, who leads device research at tech consulting firm IDC, said Google did not change enough in the Pixel 3 for it to stand apart from more well-known competitors. "Some of the stuff they are doing with software and artificial intelligence is certainly leading edge," he said. "But as a lot of the technology advancements become more naked to the eye, it becomes that much tougher to sell." Google shipped 2.53 million Pixel 2 and 2 XL devices through the nine months ended June 30, Strategy Analytics said. The first Pixel devices hit 2.4 million shipments in the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the firm said. Limited adoption has reflected Google's hesitancy to go as wide and big in distributing and marketing the Pixel as Apple, which launched its last two iPhone line-ups in about 50 countries. Going from a small experiment to a polished product that works in various languages and is backed by large sales, support and technical teams has been part of Google's challenge. Last year's Pixel 2 arrived with bugs that prompted user complaints about unwanted noises during calls, a crashing camera app and an unexpected screen tint. In response, Google doubled warranties to two years. The Pixel 3 faces continued limited sales in the United States since Google again signed an exclusive distribution deal with wireless carrier Verizon Communications Inc that means the device will get little marketing from other carriers. Google said it would augment distribution by opening two temporary stores in popular neighborhoods of Chicago and New York on Oct. 18 and putting up displays at U.S. tech retailer B8ta and Goop. Google's new smart speaker, which has a display to show visual responses to voice commands, mostly matches offerings from Amazon.com Inc and Facebook Inc. Unlike its competitors, Google said its Home Hub, priced at $149, does not have a video conferencing camera. Home Hub is launching in the United States, the U.K. and Australia. The nod to privacy concerns comes as Google and other big U.S. tech companies try to bounce back from recent data breach scandals. Amazon shipped 21.5 million smart speakers, including those with displays, in the year ended June 30, compared with 18.3 million for Google, according to research firm Canalys. Google said in a blog post on Tuesday that it recently delivered some Google Home speakers within 10 minutes of ordering using drones from Alphabet's Wing. Shares of speaker maker Sonos Inc were down 5.6 percent on Tuesday. (Reporting by Paresh Dave and Arjun Panchadar Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Dan Grebler) He fled Australia after a bombshell Bachelor finale, but Nick Cummins couldnt get away from his problems on the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea. The 31-year-old rugby union star bumped into a group of Aussies on his escape trip, with one of the men in the group telling Hit 105s Stav, Abby and Matt, that the Honey Badger was surrounded by beautiful girls. There were a number of young ladies on his trip that he was with, Kai from Zahras Quest told the radio hosts. Nick Cummins is allegedly surrounded by beautiful women on the Kokoda trail. Photo: Getty Images Potentially maybe theres more fish in the sea for him. There were a number of beautiful girls. Kai went on to say that while they probed Nick on the finale, he was keeping things quite close to his heart and was pretty tight-lipped about the whole situation. The Honey Badgers group contains about 20 people, with Kai claiming the weight was leaning towards females. A couple of the boys were trying to get other things out of him, like jokes and whatnot, Kai continued. One of the guys tried to get the Timbuktu joke out of him but he got shut down real quick. The Aussie man said Nick probably has another day or two left on his trail, as he raises money for a domestic violence charity in Papua New Guinea. Nick Cummins flew to Papua New Guinea just before the final episode of The Bachelor showed him dump both finalists, Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman. Photo: Channel 10 During is interview on The Project, Nick said if he was to ever see the girls again, hed buy them a drink for old times sake. Photo: Channel 10 Nick flew to Papua New Guinea just before the final episode of The Bachelor showed him dump both finalists, Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman. Last night, The Project aired an interview with the rugby star, which was filmed before he left for the Kokoda trail. During the segment, Nick was slammed on Twitter after he said if he was to ever see the girls again, hed buy them a drink for old times sake. It hit me with a fair bit of a thunderbolt, Nick said when Lisa asked him how he knew he wasnt going to end up with either of the women. It was just like, you know what? Out of respect to these women, if I cant stand here right now and say, Im picking her, and I love her, if I cant say that, why would I start something with someone? Got a story tip? Send it to tips@oath.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. An opposition member alleged to have taken part in a failed exploding drone "attack" on President Nicolas Maduro killed himself in pretrial detention at intelligence headquarters, Venezuela's top prosecutor said on Monday. Attorney General Tarek William Saab told state television VTV that Fernando Alban "requested to go to the bathroom, and when there he threw himself off a tenth floor." Alban's First Justice party, a member of the opposition, called his death a murder. Alban, a city council member from Caracas, was among at least 15 people arrested and charged for alleged participation in the August 4 incident. Maduro was seen reacting on live television to an off-camera explosion while he addressed a military parade in Caracas. A second explosion was heard and then the assembled troops could be seen breaking formation and scattering in panic. Maduro said the blasts were from explosives-laden drones sent to assassinate him, though opposition figures accuse Maduro of fabricating the incident to step up repression in his country which is suffering an economic crisis. Alban had been arrested on Friday. Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, also a First Justice member, said that what happened "is the regime's full responsibility." "Those of us who knew Fernando know that he could NEVER have acted against his life," he said on Twitter. The city councilman's lawyer, Joel Garcia, told reporters it was too soon to confirm whether the case was a suicide or not. Interior and Justice Minister General Nestor Reverol lamented the death of the politician who, he said, was "involved in destabilizing acts directed from abroad." Venezuela accuses its neighbor Colombia of shielding the authors of the alleged assassination attempt. The United States in August condemned alleged arbitrary detentions and forced confessions by the Venezuelan government in its investigation of the drone incident. Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demonstrate in front of the SEBIN intelligence service, where opposition councillor Fernando Alban committed suicide, according to the government Bahrain's main opposition group called Tuesday for a boycott of November parliamentary elections after its members were banned from running. The vote follows waves of unrest since 2011, when security forces in the Sunni-ruled Gulf state crushed protests led by its Shiite majority demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister. Authorities have imprisoned hundreds of dissidents, stripped many of their nationality and outlawed opposition movements including Al-Wefaq, the main movement representing the kingdom's Shiite majority. "We call on all our people from different classes and affiliations to take an inclusive national stance to boycott and refuse to participate in the election," Al-Wefaq said in a statement after a London press conference. A law issued in June bars "leaders and members of political associations dissolved for violating the kingdom's constitution or its laws" from standing in parliamentary elections. A Bahrain court ordered Al-Wefaq's dissolution in 2016 for "harbouring terrorism", inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife. Authorities have also outlawed the main secular opposition group, the National Democratic Action Society or Waad. Opposition parties boycotted the last elections in 2014 -- the first since the 2011 crackdown -- and denounced the vote as a "farce". Bahrain's lower house has the authority to examine and pass legislation proposed by the king or cabinet, but its decisions can be blocked by an upper chamber appointed by the king. The tiny Gulf island, a key ally of the United States and home to the US Fifth Fleet, accuses Shiite Iran of provoking unrest in the kingdom. Iran denies the allegations. Bahraini protestors hold signs calling for a boycott of a previous parliamentary poll during a rally in the Shiite village of Diraz, west of Manama, on November 21, 2014 Brazil's far-right frontrunner for the presidency, Jair Bolsonaro, is practically assured of controlling Congress if he wins, thanks to powerful groups of conservative deputies persuaded by his promises to promote families, farms and firearms. Or, as Brazil's media have take to calling them, the "BBB" -- for "beef, bullets and the Bible." That support transcends traditional parties, which in any case were weakened in general elections last weekend that also confirmed Bolsonaro as the presidential favorite ahead of an October 28 run-off against a leftist, Fernando Haddad. Bolsonaro scored 46 percent of the vote to Haddad's 29 percent, and analysts say he has good odds of taking the presidency in two and a half weeks. In Congress, Bolsonaro's previously insignificant Social Liberal Party saw its ranks in the lower, 513-seat Chamber of Deputies swell from eight to 52. It also grabbed its first-ever seats in the 81-member upper house, where it will have four senators. Haddad's Workers Party will still be the biggest party in the lower house, with 56 seats, down from a previous 61. In all, around 30 parties are represented in the legislature. - Bolsonaro 'tsunami' - The pro-Bolsonaro "tsunami," as observers are calling it, confirmed Brazilian voters' hunger to break with business-as-usual politics after a long series of congressional corruption scandals. Although Bolsonaro, a former paratrooper, has himself been a deputy for the past 27 years he deftly sold himself as a political outsider determined to break the old system. It helped that the 63-year-old Catholic was one of the rare politicians not muddied by graft allegations. His tough-on-crime promises and pledge to revive Brazil's post-recession economy through a sell-off of state companies has seduced the better-off segment of Brazil's 210 million strong population. Still, he faces fierce opposition from nearly half the electorate for his hardline ultraconservatism and worrying admiration of military strongmen. He has declared torture to be legitimate, waxed nostalgic of Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, minimized rape, denigrated women and criticized homosexuality. Haddad bears the burden of blame that many voters assign to the Workers Party for the country's worst-ever 2014-2016 recession. The downturn happened during the presidency of the party's Dilma Rousseff, impeached in 2016 for fiddling the government's books. It followed a boom during the 2003-2010 reign of her predecessor and mentor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, now in prison for corruption. Since then, Brazil has had a center-left president, Michel Temer, who is deeply unpopular and did not stand for election. - Generals in government? - Whoever wins the presidency will be unable to govern without Congress. The deputies hold the keys to passing the budget and the reforms promised during the campaign. "Bolsonaro will govern with the congressional lobbies. That's the truth. It goes beyond the parties," an influential evangelical pastor, Silas Malafaia, said in a Facebook video as he sat next to Bolsonaro. The backing of the conservative deputies was initially behind the scenes, but came out into the open in the week before the first round, when Bolsonaro suddenly soared in the polls, so much so that some thought he could win outright in the first round. Sylvio Costa, founder of a specialized site called Congresso em Foco, said they closed ranks around the far-right candidate "out of fear of seeing the left return to power." "We are going to unite to make sure candidates linked to corruption and the worsening of the economic crisis don't come get back into power," a congressional group representing Brazil's powerful agrobusiness sector, the Parliamentary Agricultural Front, said last week. The leader of the evangelical bloc in congress, Hidekazu Takayama, said supporting Bolsonaro was a "natural tendency" given the candidate's "Christian values for the family." The gun lobby also rallied around Bolsonaro. Its leader in Congress, Arminio Fraga, said on social media he was Bolsonaro's friend for 36 years and wanted to "govern with him." In Brazil, the president typically doles out ministry portfolios to parties lending coalition support. But Bolsonaro has vowed to do the opposite. He wants to drastically cut the number of ministries and put several retired generals in government, without regard to parties. "With the legitimacy he got from his first-round victory, he could try to govern without trading the ministries," Costa explained. "But to get lasting support he will have to maintain a high level of popularity ... and show good economic results." Front-runner Jair Bolsonaro will have backing of conservative lawmakers in Congress if he wins the second round of Brazil's presidential elections Bolsonaro, a former paratrooper, defends gun ownership as an answer to crime in Brazil Brazilian military police outside the Congress in Brasilia June 30 2017 Brazil's powerful agribusiness sector is a key source of support for Bolsonaro Impetuous, admiring of military men, pro-guns, social media-savvy, accused of misogyny and racism: Brazil's far-right presidential frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro shares more than a few qualities with US leader Donald Trump. But is it a fair comparison? The 63-year-old candidate with the carefully coiffed hair trounced the first round of presidential elections last Sunday, winning 46 percent of the vote. Many Brazilians are taken with his calls to patriotism, his anti-crime rhetoric, and the image he projects as an outsider who wants to drain the swamp. In the second round run-off on October 28 he hopes to ride to victory the conservative wave surging under him to beat Fernando Haddad, the leftist standing in for former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, incarcerated for corruption. For Joao Feres Junior, professor in political science at the University of Rio de Janeiro, the Bolsonaro phenomenon has some points in common with the one that took Trump into the White House. Like Trump, "he's an actor, a candidate who understands nothing about public politics, who talks poorly, but for whatever reason has a fairly inexplicable charisma that attracts a certain type of electorate -- an electorate with fascist tendencies," he said. But Junior noted a major difference in supporters. "A large part of Trump's electorate is made up of poor whites. In Bolsonaro's case, his electorate is more white people from the middle and upper middle class." - Some key differences - Guilherme Casaroes, professor in political science and international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, said "Bolsonaro represents an anti-establishment spirit. In that sense, he resembles Trump a lot." But whereas the American heir to a real estate fortune had no real political experience, and got deferments from military service, Bolsonaro served as an army captain before going on to a long-term political career, sitting in Brazil's congress for the past 27 years. Bolsonaro also doesn't come close to the wealth attributed to Trump. He has declared assets worth $495,000 which, though detractors say they are far undervalued, are eclipsed by the several billion dollars Trump boasts he has amassed. Bolsonaro doesn't have a private jet or luxurious beach resorts. The political machinery supporting them are also very different. Trump is the figurative head of the United States' big Republican Party, while the Brazilian fronts a little-known small ultra-conservative group, the Social Liberal Party, which he joined in March. "Bolsonaro was welcomed by a very small party and campaigned with little TV time and very little public funding," noted Casaroes. He was also forced off the campaign trail a month before the first-round election when he was stabbed in the abdomen by a lone assailant while waving to a crowd. That attack, however, didn't hurt Bolsonaro's performance. Far from it. Instead, the politician, long chary of speaking to journalists, turned even more intensively to the social media channels he had already been actively using, drumming up support through his seven million Facebook followers and four million Instagram fans. That mirrored Trump's own prolific use of Twitter -- and the US leader's oft-repeated accusation that he was a victim of media bias and "fake" news. - Admiring Trump - It should be no surprise then that Bolsonaro has great admiration for the president of the United States. "Trump is an example for me. I'm aware that distance separates us, but I intend to get closer to him for the good of Brazil and the United States," Bolsonaro said in October 2017 as he made a trip to Florida. There's another connection: In August, Bolsonaro's son Eduardo Bolsonaro -- who was re-elected to congress on Sunday -- met with Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist who recently has been trying to export his brand of far-right nationalism to Europe and elsewhere. Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" also has an echo in Bolsonaro's own appeal to patriotism. "Brazil above everyone, God above all," is the Brazilian's slogan, calibrated to draw in the millions of evangelistic church followers in Latin America's biggest nation. The rise of Jair Bolsonaro (R) in Brazil has some points in common with the forces that brought Donald Trump (L) to the White House, but there are also major differences between the two Supporters of Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro have "fascist tendencies," says Joao Feres Junior, professor in political science at the University of Rio de Janeiro The son of Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, Eduardo Bolsonaro, pictured with his father's supporters, has met with Steve Bannon, US President Donald Trump's former chief strategist The net worth of US President Donald Trump, valued by Forbes at $3.1 billion, contrasts with the assets worth $495,000 declared by Brazilian candidate Jair Bolsonaro This is the moment a young man with his head stuck between a train and the platform is rescued by firefighters. The incident occurred on a train in Argentinas Merlo area, in the province of Buenos Aires. The young man, identified as Jose Alejandro Centurion, 20, had been running off the moving train during a fight. He fell and became stuck between the gap between the train and the platform, according to local reports. Firefighters rescue a young man whose head became stuck between a train and the platform. Source: CEN/Australscope A video shows Mr Centurion with just his head poking out between the platform and the floor of the train. His body is stuck below the platform as fire crews work to free his head and allow to him to escape. The fire fighters push the train carriage away from the platform, while one of them waits below the train and catches Mr Centurion when he falls after being freed. Incredibly, the operation reportedly lasted just 10 minutes. German Freire, the officer in charge of the local fire department, told reporters there was no indication of how the young man managed to fall into the gap. Reports suggest had had been drinking alcohol before the fall. Mr Centurion was reportedly transferred to hospital were it was confirmed that he had suffered minor injuries in the incident. One person online said: This is what happens when you are dumb, lets see if he gets off a moving train again. Australscope King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima will meet Dutch compatriots worried by Brexit during a state visit to Britain this month, palace officials said. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will host the Dutch monarch in an October 22-23 visit that "reaffirms the excellent ties between the... North Sea neighbours," the Royal House of the Netherlands said in a statement late Monday. "The visit will focus on common social challenges, peace and security, including military cooperation, and the economy and innovation," the statement added. But in a sign of growing anxiety about Britain's departure from the EU in March 2019, the king and queen will also "meet Dutch nationals who are concerned about the consequences of Brexit". The future of three million EU nationals living in Britain and a million Britons on the continent remains uncertain as Brexit negotiations on a divorce deal go down to the wire. The announcement came as British media including the Guardian and Telegraph reported that Willem-Alexander had expressed regret over Brexit. The Guardian said he told British journalists at Noordeinde Palace -- although he could not be quoted because of royal protocol -- that he expected to see an impact on trade between Britain and the Netherlands. In London, the Dutch monarch will address the houses of parliament and visit Westminster Abbey where England's Dutch-born king William III is buried, while Queen Elizabeth will host a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, Dutch officials said. Willem-Alexander and Argentinian-born Maxima will meet heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. The king and queen will also visit the south London district of Brixton, historically the centre of Britain's Afro-Caribbean community, to "highlight common social challenges such as integration, safety and diverse groups living together in a single neighbourhood." Relations between the Netherlands and Britain have traditionally been close, with the trading, seafaring nations for years allying in the EU against the more federalist France and Germany. In 2013, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte originally agreed to host then-premier David Cameron's speech announcing his plans for a referendum on Britain's EU membership, although it was later postponed. But since Britain voted to leave in 2016 the Netherlands has made a big pitch for international firms post-Brexit, as well as winning the right to host the currently London-based European Medicines Agency. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will pay a state visit to Britain this month and meet Dutch nationals concerned about the consequences of Brexit The publisher of EgyptAir's in-flight magazine apologised Tuesday over an article on US actress Drew Barrymore, which caused a furore online over its bizarre content. Horus magazine published what it called an interview with Barrymore that opened with a commentary on her private life, and her apparent responses raised eyebrows both for their content and poor English. A spokesperson for Barrymore told the Huffington Post website last week that the actress "did not participate" in the interview, but EgyptAir stood by the article. The actress' team said they was in touch with the airline and on Tuesday the publishing house behind the magazine, Ahram Advertising Agency, issued an explanation of the affair. "We apologise for any misunderstanding that might be interpreted as an offence to the great artist," it said in a statement. The agency said the interview was conducted in English by its Hollywood reporter, Aida Tekla, before being translated into Arabic and subsequently back into English. Barrymore's team agreed to the interview with Tekla "not knowing" that the journalist worked for the in-flight magazine as well as other publications, Ahram Advertising Agency said. The firm said it was "about to investigate" the sourcing of the article and the translator used to write the English version. Addressing the widely criticised introduction to the article, the publishing house said it had been penned by one of the magazine's editors. The opening lines of article suggest Barrymore had been "unstable in her relationships most of her life" and that she had been in "almost 17 relationships, engagements and marriages". "Psychologists believe that her behaviour is only natural since she lacked the male role model in her life," it says. A spokesperson for Drew Barrymore last week said the actress "did not participate" in the EgyptAir interview Some 12,000 people were evacuated after a fire and a series of explosions at an arms depot containing thousands of tonnes of ammunition in the north of Ukraine early Tuesday, authorities said. Emergency services said they had no information on any deaths or injuries in the incident near the town of Ichnya, more than 170 kilometres (100 miles) from Kiev. The fire and explosions began around 3:30am at the defence ministry's depot No. 6, which is spread over about 700 hectares (1,700 acres), the emergency services said in a statement. The size of the area affected was not known. Emergency services said in a statement that "there are approximately 88,000 tonnes of ammunition in the stores." Video posted on the emergency services website showed smoke rising up to regular thudding sounds of explosions. Almost 12,000 people were evacuated from the area at risk, including the inhabitants of 38 villages, regional authorities said, while gas and electricity were cut off to prevent accidents. President Petro Poroshenko called a meeting of the heads of security forces and promised to give residents all the necessary help, his spokesman wrote on Facebook. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman travelled to the scene and chaired a meeting of emergency services officials. Authorities closed the airspace in a 30-kilometre radius around the site, as well as rail and road traffic as more than a hundred firefighters worked at the scene. Military prosecutors opened a probe into possible negligence by officials, Interfax Ukraine news agency reported. Stockpiles of outdated ammunition dating back to the Soviet era often cause fires and explosions in Ukraine and Russia. It was the sixth major fire in three years at an arms depot of the Ukrainian army, which has been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country since 2014 in a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people. In March 2017, a huge fire set off explosions at a depot in the town of Balakliya in the Kiev-controlled part of eastern Ukraine, killing one person and injuring five others. Ukrainian authorities blamed that incident on an "act of sabotage". Ukrainian tanks drive through Kiev during a military parade in August to celebrate Independence Day French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe urged far-right Italian leader Matteo Salvini on Monday to drop his "posturing" on immigration and help find a European response to the issue. Salvini, Italy's powerful interior minister and deputy premier, has singled out French President Emmanuel Macron for criticism in recent weeks, as well as other EU leaders he considers too soft on immigration. Philippe promised to be "direct" in his conversation with the 45-year-old Italian, head of the far-right League party, over dinner on Monday night in the French city of Lyon where the two men, along with ministers from Britain, Germany, Spain, Poland and Morocco, met for talks on immigration. "I rarely use the same words or the same vocabulary (as Salvini) but that doesn't stop me being direct as well. I hope we'll have a frank and direct exchange," Philippe said. "Beyond the posturing, the issue of immigration cannot be solved with a national response. It requires coordination. It's a complex issue of common interest. "I think you have to tackle it with conviction, with respect for national interests, but also with the desire to build a common position that is the only way to find a solution." Philippe's statement came amid open conflict between the new populist Italian government, led by Salvini and the head of the Five Star movement, Luigi Di Maio, and Macron's centrist administration in Paris. Last week, an aide to the French president accused Salvini of "living off the migrant crisis" and blocking attempts to forge a common EU migration policy. Leaving the dinner, Salvini made no attempt to disguise his differences with the Paris government -- just hours after meeting French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in Rome, whom Macron defeated in last year's presidential election. "I had the pleasure of seeing Marine Le Pen this morning and talking with her about Europe, the future of young people, trade and work," he said. "I need to work with everyone, but I feel closer to the views of Marine Le Pen," he said. The talks in Lyon were an attempt to bridge differences between hardline anti-immigration EU member states such as Poland and Italy and others like France and Germany that are in favour of accepting refugees. The gathering, which continues for a second day on Tuesday focused on efforts to combat terrorism, precedes a larger meeting of European interior ministers in Luxembourg on Friday. Morocco's interior minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, was also invited to the talks amid rising concern in Europe about the increasing number of migrants heading to Spanish territory via Morocco. Spain has become the biggest port of entry for illegal migration into Europe. The issue of returning Moroccan migrants to their home country, particularly thousands of unaccompanied minors in Spain and France, was discussed on Monday night. "It's in the process of being resolved," Laftit told reporters. French prime minister and interim interior minister Edouard Philippe (R) and Italy's interior minister Matteo Salvini (L) meet in Lyon with other EU ministers to discuss the contentious issue of immigration to Europe. Greece has banned obese tourists from riding on donkeys after receiving complaints that the portly visitors were crippling the animals. The countrys Ministry of Rural Development and Food has released new regulations to protect working donkeys. The regulations introduce welfare standards for the hard-working mammals, after campaigners accused heavy-set tourists of causing spinal injuries to donkeys on the island of Santorini. Working equines should not be loaded with excessive weight for their size, age or physical condition. The load cannot exceed the weight of 100kg, or one fifth of their body weight, the regulations state according to The Metro UK. Tourists riding donkeys in Santorini, Greece (pictured). Source: Getty (file pic) The animals should be given appropriate and adequate food and fresh drinking water daily, into containers which cannot be contaminated and are cleaned at least once a day. Thousands of holidaymakers pay to ride the donkeys up Santorinis cobbled and winding hilly streets but animal rights campaigners have said many of them are too fat to sit on the animals. Its recommended that animals should carry no more than 20% of their own body weight, a spokesman for the Help the Santorini Donkeys charity said. Greece has introduced guidelines to protect donkeys. Source: Getty (file pic) The obese and overweight tourists, combined with the lack of shade and water, as well as the sheer heat and 568 cobbled steps, is what is causing such a problem. The Donkey Sanctuary, an animal welfare organisation, held high-level talks at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in early October to highlight the contribution of donkeys and mules in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On what was meant to be the happiest day of her life, one bride has spent her emotional wedding day beside the grave of her husband-to-be. Jessica Padgett was 10 months away from marrying the man of her dreams, volunteer firefighter Kendall Murphy, when he was hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver. The crash, on November 10, 2017, occurred while Mr Murphy was helping a crash victim near his home in Indiana, US. He was killed instantly. The community was shattered by his death, with the local fire department adorning the station with red lights in tribute to their fallen colleague. Jessica Padgett kneels in front of her husbands headstone on what was meant to be their wedding day. Source: Supplied/ Mandi Knepp/ Loving Life Photography Instead of cancelling the entire wedding, Ms Padgett decided to keep her booking with her photographer, Mandi Knepp, in the hopes that it would help her heal her loss. I already had my dress bought and other things, and I still wanted to contribute to my wedding day, Ms Padgett told Global News. On September 29, 2018 the day the couple were meant to be married Ms Padgett dressed in her wedding gown and had her makeup and hair done. Mr Murphy (pictured) was killed instantly in a car accident 10 months before the couples wedding day. Source: Supplied/ Mandi Knepp/ Loving Life Photography Ms Padgett is presented with her fiancees favourite boots. Source: Supplied/ Mandi Knepp/ Loving Life Photography A series of touching photographs show the young bride-to-be with her family and in-laws including the moment Mr Murphys mother presents the bride with the grooms favourite, well-worn cowboy boots. Attached the boots was a note that read: Whatever path you take, your guardian angel will always be there for you. Love, Kendall. In perhaps the most emotional image, Ms Padgett is seen kneeling in front of her fiancees grave, resting her head on the tombstone. After the photos were uploaded to Facebook, Ms Padgett began receiving messages of support from kind strangers, many of whom had been through similar circumstances. Lanterns were released in Mr Murphys honour at the end of the photoshoot. Source: Supplied/ Mandi Knepp/ Loving Life Photography Im kind of blessed that I did it, because different people have been telling me how they have been struggling and seeing my pictures kind of brought strength and comfort, she said. In the end, Im glad I did it because now I can look back at those memories that Mandi took, and the ways I got to honour Kendall and be with Kendall and see all the support I had that day. Mr Murphy was honoured at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Washington DC on Sunday. Jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, Russia's most famous prisoner, is among three finalists for this year's prestigious Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament announced Tuesday. Also in the running are a group of 11 charities rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean and Nasser Zefzafi, head of a Moroccan protest movement who has been in jail since May 2017. Sentsov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, is serving a 20-year term over an alleged arson plot in Crimea. He started a hunger strike on May 14 demanding the release of all Ukrainian prisoners in Russia, and his deteriorating health provoked an outcry from the international community. Sentsov called off the protest after 145 days last Friday to avoid being force-fed. Like Sentsov, Zefzafi is serving a 20-year sentence, along with three others, convicted of "plotting to undermine the security of the state" in Morocco. His Al-Hirak al-Shaabi movement, based in northern Morocco's mainly Berber Rif region, was sparked by the death of a fisherman who was crushed in a rubbish truck, apparently while trying to retrieve swordfish seized by authorities. Hirak is calling for jobs, development and an end to corruption in the North African country. The third nomination was for 11 humanitarian groups that have been carrying out search and rescue operations to save migrant lives across the Mediterranean since 2015. The most prominent among them are Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children and SOS Mediterranee. The Sakharov Prize, set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every year to individuals or organizations that "have made an important contribution to the fight for human rights or democracy." The winner of the 50,000 euro ($58,000) prize will be announced on October 25. Last year's award went to the democratic opposition in Venezuela. Jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov's 145-day hunger strike generated an international campaign in his support Allegations that Saudi Arabia killed a journalist inside its Istanbul consulate have forced Donald Trump into a position he never expected -- raising human rights with the kingdom he has steadfastly supported. Saudi Arabia was the first foreign destination as president for Trump, who has lavished praise on its ambitious crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and closely allied himself with the kingdom in a push to isolate the Sunni state's regional rival Iran. Trump had stayed silent on human rights as the United States backs the Saudi-led air campaign against rebels in Yemen, which a UN report said has killed thousands of civilians, and when Prince Mohammed, often referred to by his initials MBS, detained dozens of people last year in a controversial crackdown. But Vice President Mike Pence on Monday declared himself "deeply troubled" by allegations that Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent opinion writer living in the United States and contributor to The Washington Post, was killed after he entered the Saudi consulate -- saying it would be "tragic" if true. Trump himself said he was "concerned," while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged a "thorough" investigation with "transparent" findings about the fate of Khashoggi, whom Saudi officials insist left the consulate in Istanbul. The US president told reporters Tuesday he knew nothing about Khashoggi's fate. - Creating bad atmosphere on rights? - Critics say Trump contributed to an atmosphere that may have empowered Saudi Arabia to silence a critic abroad. Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the media, calling it the "enemy of the people," and has raised human rights prominently only when pressuring US antagonists such as Iran and China. The administration has essentially told "violators of human rights and oppressive leaders, 'Go ahead, do what you need to do, we'll turn the other way, consequences won't be forthcoming,'" said Sarah Margon, Washington director of Human Rights Watch. The Khashoggi case puts the Trump administration unexpectedly on the side of Turkey, where two top government officials have been slapped with US sanctions over the detention of an American pastor. Calling the initial response on Khashoggi late and tepid, Margon said the Turkish example showed the Trump administration does "have the tools and the ability to respond quickly, so it's a question of willingness." Longtime US Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller tweeted that "by failing to call MBS out on anything, particularly repression at home, the Trump administration has emboldened him and given him a sense he can do anything." - Bristling at criticism - Under MBS, Saudi Arabia has increasingly shown it will not tolerate any foreign criticism. In August, the kingdom expelled the Canadian ambassador and froze all trade and investment after Ottawa voiced concern for jailed rights activists in the kingdom. The United States, with its decades-old military and energy partnership with Saudi Arabia, however enjoys far more clout than Canada. But a more prickly relationship could complicate other US goals such as arranging a summit of Gulf Arab allies to advance reconciliation with Qatar, which has been under an embargo by its neighbors for more than a year over disputes that include relations with Tehran. Analysts said the Trump administration felt obliged to speak out on Khashoggi after rising attention from the media and especially on Capitol Hill, where prominent lawmakers on both sides have voiced outrage over the journalist's detention or possible killing. "This story is not going to play well here. It is going to put further stress on the relationship, particularly in terms of congressional views on Saudi Arabia," said Gerald Feierstein, a veteran US diplomat in the Middle East who served as ambassador to Yemen. "I think a lot of people will look at this and conclude that the Saudi government has simply gone rogue, so it's going to be a complication for the administration," said Feierstein, now at the Washington-based Middle East Institute. In March, the Senate narrowly failed in a bid to restrict US support for Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen over rights concerns. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis -- while saying the Pentagon was "monitoring" the situation in Turkey -- also underscored the necessity of US military support for "the protection of the Saudi people." "You know they have been under fire from the Iranian-aligned Huthis. We are trying to make certain that no innocent people die down there right now," he said. But Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has cast himself as one of Trump's closest allies, said that if the allegations of wrongdoing by Riyadh are true, "it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid -- economically and otherwise." Protesters hold a portrait of missing Saudi journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi Jihadists and Turkish-backed rebels in Syria's last major opposition stronghold have withdrawn heavy weapons from nearly all of a planned buffer zone, a monitor said Tuesday, a day ahead of deadline. The pullback is the first major test of a deal brokered by government ally Russia and Turkey last month to avoid what the United Nations warned would be the appalling humanitarian consequences of a major government offensive. Under the agreement, all factions have until Wednesday to withdraw heavy weaponry from the 15- to 20-kilometre (nine- to 12-mile) wide buffer zone, which rings Idlib province and adjacent areas of the northwest. And by Monday, the buffer zone must be free of all jihadists, including those of the region's dominant armed group, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria branch. Analysts had expected Ankara to have a difficult time enforcing the September 17 deal but by Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the heavy weapons pullout was nearly complete. "Rebel and jihadist factions have withdrawn their heavy arms from most positions inside the planned buffer zone except for the northern Latakia countryside," the head of the Britain-based monitor said. "We did not observe any movement of heavy weapons outside that area. They could have been moved to trenches or secret locations," Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. The Idlib region consists of a large part of the province of the same name, as well as adjacent rebel or jihadist-held areas of the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces. - Tanks and artillery guns - On Tuesday, an AFP correspondent saw tanks and artillery guns that pro-Ankara rebels had withdrawn from the buffer zone some 20 kilometres (12 miles) away. They moved the armoured vehicles into pits surrounded by mounds of earth, and wrapped up artillery guns for protection. HTS and smaller jihadist factions quietly began withdrawing their heavy arms on Saturday in an operation that continued through Monday night, the Observatory said. The pro-Ankara National Liberation Front said it had completed its weapons pullback on Monday. HTS, which controls more than two-thirds of the buffer zone around Idlib along with other jihadists, has not given any formal response to the September 17 truce deal. But by beginning to pull out its weapons, the group was "de facto" implementing it, Abdel Rahman said. "No faction, rebel or jihadist, would be able to withstand the consequences of any escalation if the deal's terms were not met," Abdel Rahman said. A source close to HTS told AFP it had come under pressure to fall in line to avoid further hardship for the rebel zone's three million residents, many of whom have fled previous bloody government offensives on other parts of Syria. "Everybody has been forced to agree to the initiative, though reluctantly, so that people can enjoy a bit of security and safety after long years of suffering," the source said. - Jihadists withdrawal? - The source said HTS was satisfied that the presence of the Turkish troops, whose numbers have increased in recent weeks, would prevent any Russian-backed government offensive. Under the terms of the deal, the buffer zone is to be patrolled by Turkish troops and Russian military police. But rebels objected to the Russian presence in the zone, and said they received guarantees from Turkey that Russian patrols had been dropped. For the zone to come into effect, "radical groups" -- interpreted as meaning HTS and other jihadists -- must also leave the area by next Monday. It is still unclear whether the jihadists will comply with this second deadline. Nawar Oliver, an analyst from the Turkey-based Omran Centre for Strategic Studies, said he thought HTS would comply with the deal even if it did not publicly announce its support. "It'll still have a presence in Idlib and is not handing over any weapons or fighters, but is handing over the (buffer) zone to a neutral side, Turkey, and to the NLF," he told AFP. Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have retaken swathes of territory in Syria since Russia intervened in September 2015. A series of offensives this year saw a succession of longtime rebel strongholds surrender. A similar Russia-backed assault had been expected against Idlib before the deal was announced last month. Despite progress in implementing the accord, Assad insisted on Sunday it was a "temporary measure" and Idlib would eventually return to state control. The Syrian war has killed more than 360,000 people since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. A picture taken on October 9, 2018 shows Syrian rebels from the National Liberation Front securing a tank that was among the heavy weapons and equipment withdrawn the day before from a planned buffer zone around Idlib The positions of the different forces Syria's Idlib province, the proposed demilitarised zone and the likely routes for civilians fleeing the zone. A Syrian rebel fighter reads the Koran as he sits in a fortified position held by a group under the umbrella of the recently formed National Liberation Front, in Al-Zahraa suburb on the western outskirts of Aleppo city on October 3, 2018 A Syrian rebel fighter of the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front checks his machine gun on the front line with government forces in the southeast of Idlib province on October 9, 2018, a day before the area is to be declared a buffer zone NATO's largest exercise since the end of the Cold War will see 50,000 troops deploy into the first snows of a Norwegian winter to show Russia that the alliance is ready to repel any attack, officers said Tuesday. Officially, November's Trident Juncture exercise will simulate an attack from a fictional country, but it will bring a huge force into one of Moscow's neighbours just months after Russia's vast Vostok war games. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo said that the exercise "must show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone." And he noted that Norway has a frontier with Russia and that the huge force, backed by 150 aircraft, 60 ships and some 10.000 vehicles, would demonstrate that they can mobilise quickly to defend an ally. "The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres from the Russian border," said Norwegian General Rune Jakobsen, who will run the exercise headquarters. "There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise." Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. These will be the biggest such movement of NATO personnel and vehicles since at least the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, although smaller than the Vostok-18 exercise staged by Russia and China last month. The Western allies have stepped up their military posture, with rotating garrisons in eastern Europe and the Baltic States, in the four years since Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Exercises like Trident Juncture 18 are designed to teach troops how to move a large force quickly in the event of an invasion against a NATO member triggering the allies' "Article 5" mutual defence clause. - German brigade - The first part of this year's exercise will simulate an effort to halt an offensive launched from northern Norway southwards by part of the force playing an adversary, Canadian General Christian Juneau told AFP. Once the "invader" is halted, the second stage will see NATO forces figuring our how to force it back. While the exercise is deigned to show the 29-nation alliance's unity and strength, it may also bring Western forces face-to-face with some of their own shortcomings. US President Donald Trump has criticised many of the allies for underspending on defence and in February a German parliamentary report found that its own military has outdated equipment, often in a state of disrepair. Officers in NATO headquarters share the concerns, but Juneau told AFP that Germany would contribute a 6,000-strong brigade to the exercise and that the bulk of its troops and vehicles are already in Norway. The rest of the build-up is expected to be complete by October 25, with forces from across Europe and North America arriving by sea and by plane on the alliance's northern flank. The British contingent will land in Europe in the Netherlands and make its way to Norway by road through Germany, Denmark and Sweden to test the alliance's ability to coordinate transport on civilian roads. Once in Norway the multinational force will conduct multinational training exercises -- dealing with traffic and the first snows of winter -- and the main invasion exercise Admiral James Foggo, who heads US Naval Forces Europe says the exercises 'must show NATO is capable to defend againstany adversary' Test debutant Bilal Asif snatched six wickets to spark a spectacular Australian collapse from 142-0 to 202 all out and put Pakistan in firm command of the first Test in Dubai on Tuesday. The 33-year-old off-spinner overshadowed his more experienced team-mate Yasir Shah by finishing with 6-36 as his efforts, the third best figures for a Pakistani bowler on Test debut, derailed Australia on a pitch which started to assist spinners on the third day. Despite being jolted by spinner Jon Holland's two key wickets of Mohammad Hafeez (17) and Azhar Ali (four), Pakistan closed the day on 45-3, having an overall lead of 325 with seven second-innings wickets intact to force a win. Opener Imam-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 23 while nightwatchman Asif was dismissed for nought, unable to guard Azhar from coming to bat in a crucial stage. But it was a day highlighted by Asif who triggered a memorable Australian collapse against spin in Asia to mark a long-awaited Test debut. "I knew that my chance would come, so I waited and waited and thanks God I have done myself proud by getting six wickets on debut, it's a tremendous feeling," said Asif. "I was struggling a bit in the first session, but all my team-mates and coaches gave me confidence and that increased my energy which helped me get six wickets." By lunch Australia were well-placed at 137 without loss with Usman Khawaja (85) and debutant Aaron Finch (62), but the slump followed shortly after as the Baggy Greens lost all 10 wickets for just 60 runs. - Asif brilliance - Asif, who had previously played three one-day internationals in 2015, came into his own after pacer Mohammad Abbas removed Finch following an opening stand of 142. In a spell of 22 balls Asif took four wickets as Australia slumped to 180-5 by tea. The second session belonged to Asif, who dismissed Khawaja, Shaun Marsh (seven), Travis Head (nought) and Marnus Labuschagne (nought) in the space of 29 runs. Asif's feats on debut had only been bettered by fast bowler Mohammad Zahid (7-66 vs New Zealand in Rawalpindi in 1994) and spinner Mohammad Nazir (7-99 against New Zealand in Karachi in 1969). Asif is the 11th Pakistani bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings on Test debut. Before Asif's brilliance Abbas had forced Finch to drive straight into the hands of Asad Shafiq at short mid-on. Khawaja hit eight fours before miscuing a premeditated sweep and was caught at short leg while Finch had five boundaries and a six in his knock. Leg-spinner Yasir was unlucky not to be amongst wickets, having dropped Mitchell Marsh off his own bowling for two and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed missing a stump in the first session with Khawaja on 17. Yasir went wicketless after 28 probing overs. Earlier in the day Finch was more confident as he punched two boundaries and a six off Yasir before sweeping Asif for a boundary to reach his half-century. Khawaja, the Pakistan-born batsman, improved upon his previous best score in Asia of 26, made against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2011, by reaching his 13th Test half-century. The second and final Test starts in Abu Dhabi from October 16. Both teams will also play three Twenty20 internationals after Tests. Test debutant Bilal Asif snatched six wickets to spark a spectacular Australian collapse from 142-0 to 202 all out and put Pakistan in firm command of the first Test in Dubai Nikki Haley, who has resigned as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, was a virtual unknown on the national and international stage when she joined the cabinet. After nearly two years as one of America's top voices on foreign policy, the 46-year-old South Carolina native will leave at year's end with a strong global profile -- and a reputation for standing up to the mercurial Trump. With speculation already building about her political future, she quickly denied any plans to challenge her boss in 2020, instead saying in the Oval Office on Tuesday it was "time to stand aside." "I don't have anything set on where I want to go," Haley said, with the president at her side. But wanting a break from the punishing Trump news cycle would surely be understandable. During her time at the United Nations, Haley -- a fellow Republican who previously served as South Carolina's governor -- was unafraid to speak her mind, often in fairly undiplomatic language. She was the face of the White House to the world on everything from North Korean denuclearization to the war in Syria. And the daughter of Indian immigrants, who was raised as a Sikh but identifies as Christian, was the face of diversity in a cabinet criticized for being too white. - Outsider perspective - Haley was not exactly on the Trump train from the get-go -- she endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio during the Republican primary race in 2016 before backing Senator Ted Cruz. Indeed, she called the brash Manhattan property baron "everything a governor doesn't want in a president," and just weeks before the election, she admitted she was "not a fan" of the candidate. So understandably, eyebrows were raised when Trump chose Haley -- who had little foreign policy experience -- as Washington's voice at the United Nations. But, as she said herself, she had a track record in shaking up staid, traditional government bodies -- a quality that surely appealed to Trump. "Institutions always benefit from an outsider's perspective," she told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank last year. "In South Carolina, I was the first minority governor and -- a real shock to the state -- the first girl governor as well." Born in 1972 in Bamberg, South Carolina, Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa rose quickly in the southern state's politics, serving in its House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011 when she was elected governor. She was reportedly considered as a possible vice presidential pick by 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Her conservative views and plainspoken but warm style were popular in her home state. She then won national attention in 2015 by supporting the removal of the Confederate flag from the state house after a white gunman opened fire at a black church, killing nine parishioners. Haley is married to Michael Haley, an officer in the South Carolina National Guard and has two children. - 'I don't get confused' - At the United Nations, she found her voice, quickly outshining the secretary of state at the time, Rex Tillerson. She was a fierce defender of Israel, and also a ferocious critic of Russia -- even more so than her boss. And when a White House aide suggested in April this year that "confusion" had led her to mistakenly announce fresh sanctions on Russia, she quickly fired back. "With all due respect, I don't get confused," Haley said. She wanted to see what was happening on the ground, traveling to Israel, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Latin America. In recent months, her star had faded a bit, with Tillerson replaced by the brash Mike Pompeo and John Bolton taking over as national security advisor. Nikki Haley, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, rocketed to political stardom when she moved to New York as part of the Trump administration in 2017 Haley was a strong voice for US foreign policy at the United Nations In recent months, her star had faded a bit, with brash new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) taking over as Trump's chief spokesman on foreign policy The leader of the Northern Irish party that holds the key to British Prime Minister Theresa May's parliamentary majority warned Tuesday it could yet oppose the Brexit deal she is trying to negotiate. Arlene Foster, whose Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) holds the nine seats without which May would lead a fragile minority government, was in Brussels for talks with EU Brexit chief Michel Barnier. How to keep the land border open between the British province of Northern Ireland and Ireland after Britain leaves the European Union has become a major sticking point in negotiations. "There cannot be barriers to trade in the UK internal market, which would damage the economic well-being of Northern Ireland," Foster told reporters after what she called a "useful" meeting. "We could not support any arrangement that would give rise to customs or regulatory barriers within the UK internal market." With just a week until a crunch Brexit summit in Brussels at which May is supposed to update EU leaders on progress towards a negotiated divorce from the bloc, all eyes are on the Irish border. Neither London nor Brussels wishes to see border controls reimposed between Northern Ireland and the independent Irish Republic to its south. London believes frontier checks will be avoided through a new trade deal with Brussels, but accepts the need for a fall-back plan, or backstop, to address the issue until that deal is agreed. But Barnier and EU leaders have warned that if London wants land trade with the south to continue unimpeded in the backstop, it will have to accept checks on some goods coming from mainland Great Britain. After the meeting, Barnier said he had attempted to explain the need for a post-Brexit border plan or "backstop". "Working hard to explain and de-dramatise the backstop," he tweeted. - Customs union compromise - One possible compromise could see the entirety of the United Kingdom remaining within the EU customs union and single market for goods during an indefinite transition period until a trade deal is agreed. But hardline "Brexiteers" in May's own Conservative Party could reject a deal that sees Britain caught in a trade limbo, forced to apply EU rules but with no role in setting them. Barnier's compromise would be for some controls to be imposed on trade across the Irish Sea between Britain and Northern Ireland, so that trade between north and south can remain seamless. But Foster, while admitting that she had not yet been shown any text on the planned deal by May's government, firmly rejected that. "The whole point about checks is that it means that there's a difference," she said. "Why would we need checks between GB and Northern Ireland or between Northern Ireland and GB if we were an integral part of the single market of the United Kingdom?" Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party is key to British Prime Minister Theresa May's parliamentary majority Arlene Foster, whose DUP party holds nine seats in parliament, opposes any deal that would apply customs barriers within the UK Norwegian police have formally accused several foreign nationals over a 1993 attack on the Norwegian publisher of "The Satanic Verses", thus preventing the statute of limitations from closing the case. The National Criminal Investigation Service said Tuesday "foreign nationals who are not in Norway" were suspected of "attempted murder" in the attack on William Nygaard. But the agency did not specify their number, identity or nationality. William Nygaard was seriously wounded when he was shot three times in the back near his home in Oslo on October 11 1993. No one was arrested for the attack, but police believe it was linked to the 1989 publication of the Norwegian version of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" by a publishing house that Nygaard ran. This latest move by the police prevents the usual 25-year statute of limitations closing the case. It would have taken effect on October 11. "I am relieved and pleased with the development in this case, not least that the authorities and the police say the attack appears to have targeted freedom of expression," 75-year-old Nygaard said. The case led to diplomatic tensions between Norway and Iran in the 1990s. After the 1988 publication of the "Satanic Verses", deemed blasphemous by some in the Muslim world, Iran's former supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a "fatwa" calling for the death of Salman Rushdie and his editors. The fatwa against writer Salman Rushdie (pictured) not only forced him into hiding but made his publishers targets: William Nygaard was seriously injured in the 1993 shooting Poland should withdraw from a UN pact on migration that will be formally adopted in Morocco in December, the country's interior minister said on Tuesday. Hungary and the United States already pulled out of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which aims to boost cooperation to address the world's growing number of migrants. "I'm going to advise (Polish) Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to withdraw," Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski said, according to a tweet by the ministry. "In our opinion the GCM draft agreement doesn't provide a guarantee of security for Poland. It also risks encouraging illegal migration." Brudzinski is currently in Lyon for a meeting with his EU counterparts. He said the agreement goes against the Polish government's priorities for the safety of Polish citizens and controlling migrant flows. Brudzinski is a member of the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party which has staunchly refused to welcome any refugees arriving in Greece and Italy, garnering it criticism from some of its EU partners. The global pact lays out objectives to open up legal migration and better manage flows of people as the UN estimates the number on the move worldwide has increased to more than 250 million. UN member states backed the final text of the GCM in July after 18 months of negotiations. The US backed out of negotiations on the pact last year, while Hungary said it was withdrawing in July. The document will be formally adopted during a conference in Morocco on December 10-11. Polish interior minister Joachim Brudzinski, pictured, said he would advise Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to withdraw from the pact Qatari-bought fuel arrived at the Gaza Strip's only power station after entering through Israel on Tuesday in a bid to alleviate conditions in the Palestinian enclave, a Hamas spokesman and sources said. The delivery could help ease months of protests and clashes along the border between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli blockade for more than a decade. But it was met with criticism by officials close to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, whose rival administration was not involved. UN officials and Egypt have in recent weeks pursued indirect talks between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel. Israeli officials however refused comment on the delivery. A spokesman for the United Nations Secretary General hailed Qatar's $60 million donation for the fuel, which is expected to be spent over several months. "Additional fuel for the Gaza power plant remains the fastest and most immediate way to increase electricity and help alleviate the humanitarian and related public health needs on the ground," Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing in New York. He said two trucks carrying 70,000 litres of fuel had entered, while deliveries were set to increase to 15 trucks daily in the coming days. A Palestinian source at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza -- the only goods crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel -- earlier put the number at six trucks and a far higher number of litres. AFP journalists saw at least one truck arriving at the power station in Gaza City. "The Qatari fuel to the Gaza Strip's power plant today is aimed at partially improving electricity (supply) in Gaza," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP. - 'No political motives' - For months Gaza residents have been receiving only four hours of mains electricity a day on average. The United Nations has warned that Israel's 11-year blockade of the enclave has resulted in a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation. A Qatari official said the supply of fuel was intended to "to avert an escalation in the existing humanitarian disaster from becoming worse." "There are no political motives behind this step," the official added. "It is important to note that this operation is taking place through the United Nations which is authorised to seek the necessary permissions." In a statement Tuesday Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior official close to Abbas, threatened retaliatory measures if the fuel deliveries continued. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas's Palestinian Authority in a 2007 near civil war. Multiple reconciliation attempts aimed at restoring the PA to power in Gaza have failed. Qassem said that the deliveries were facilitated "through the United Nations because of the vacuum left by the PA." Abbas says that making deals with Hamas amounts to recognising their control over Gaza in place of the PA. - 'They lash out' - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Abbas was exacerbating Gaza woes and thereby fuelling its residents' aggression toward Israel. "Abu Mazen is strangling them economically and they lash out at Israel," he told a press conference in his Jerusalem office, referring to Abbas by his Arabic nickname. Netanyahu did not specifically refer to the oil shipment but spoke of "attempts to reach a practical solution so that he will stop this strangulation." He said that if Gaza tension reached boiling point and brought an uptick in attacks on neighbouring southern Israel "the price they will pay will be very great." "I'm not looking to launch unneccessary wars," he said. "But if there's no alternative you wage war with all your strength." Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008 and the recent unrest has raised fears of yet another conflict. But there have been attempts in recent weeks by UN officials and Egypt to reach a long-term truce between the sides through indirect talks. Much of the international community considers Hamas a terrorist organisation. It has rejected calls for it to disarm and recognise Israel. Israel says its blockade of Gaza is necessary to isolate Hamas. burs/scw/rsc The Gaza Strip's power plant is seen at Nuseirat on October 9, 2018 A tanker delivers fuel at the Gaza Strip's power plant in Nuseirat on October 9, 2018 Saudi Arabia agreed to let Turkish authorities search its Istanbul consulate as part of the investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as his fiancee asked Donald Trump to help uncover what happened to the Riyadh critic. There has been fierce speculation over what happened to Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who wrote for Arab and Western media, after he vanished on October 2 following a visit to the consulate to obtain official documents. While Riyadh claimed he had left the consulate after his visit, Turkish police said Khashoggi did not emerge from the building. Government sources said police believe the journalist was killed inside the consulate, claims which Riyadh dismissed as "baseless". "Saudi authorities said they were open to cooperation and that a search can be conducted at the consulate building," the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement on Tuesday. The search will take place as part of the official investigation, which was being conducted "in an intense manner", he said without giving any date. Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz wrote in an opinion piece for The Washington Post that she was "confident in the abilities of Turkish government officials". But she also implored "President Trump and first lady Melania Trump to help shed light on Jamal's disappearance". Trump on Monday expressed concern about Khashoggi's case and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a thorough investigation. Turkish police were looking into two private aircraft which landed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport on October 2 at different times carrying 15 people of interest in the case, as well as the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and taken aboard one of the planes, local media reported. Previously Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg that Riyadh would allow Turkish officials to search the premises. - Mystery team of 15 - Ankara sought permission Sunday for the search after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time, Turkish television reported. Riyadh's envoy in Ankara was first called to the ministry on Wednesday. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government adviser, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year fearing possible arrest. He has been critical of some policies of the crown prince and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen. Police also said a team of 15 Saudis were sent to Istanbul and were in the building at the same time as Khashoggi. Turkish security officials were working to identify the 15 individuals, English-language state broadcaster TRT World reported, adding that Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have taken the consulate's CCTV footage with them when they returned to Riyadh. According to pro-government daily Sabah, the team arrived in Istanbul on two private planes, one which landed after 03:00 am (0000 GMT) on Tuesday while the second plane landed around 05:00 pm (1400 GMT) after Khashoggi entered the consulate. The individuals checked into two hotels close to the consulate, the daily said. Both planes later returned to Riyadh with one stopping in Dubai and the other in Egypt, Sabah reported, adding the police were looking into the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped. The planes belonged to a company based in Saudi Arabia which has links to the state. Istanbul police experts were analysing vehicles which entered and left the consulate, some of which were then seen on camera on October 2 at the consul-general's residence, 200 metres away, the daily said. The newspaper also claimed that Turkish employees at the residence were "hastily" told to take a holiday on the day Khashoggi went missing. - 'Thorough' investigation - UN rights office spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, on Tuesday echoed calls for "a prompt, impartial and independent investigation of the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to keep the findings public" in comments to journalists in Geneva. European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters in Lisbon that "we are 100 percent behind the American position. We expect a thorough investigation and total transparency from the Saudi authorities on what happened". Meanwhile, in London, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt met the Saudi ambassador on Tuesday to "seek urgent answers", according to a post on Twitter. Missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been critical of some policies of the Saudi crown prince and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz asked Donald Trump to help uncover what happened to the Riyadh critic Members of Human Rights Association (IHD) demonstrate outside Saudi Arabia's consulate Tuesday in Istanbul over Khashoggi's disappearance There has been fierce speculation over what happened to Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who wrote for Arab and Western media A search is underway for two women and two children after a reported domestic-related incident in the NSW Central West. Officers were called to a property at Ootha, about 450km west of Sydney, about 11am on Tuesday after reports a man had been assaulted and his home set alight. Police were told two men armed with a shotgun, a knife and an axe entered the home about 5am and assaulted the 68-year-old male occupant, knocking him unconscious. When the man regained consciousness, the home had been burned down and he could not find the other occupants believed to be two women aged 71 and 41 and two boys. Police and fire crews were called to a property at Ootha, in Central West NSW, following reports a man had been assaulted and his house set alight. Source: 7 News Police say they have serious concerns for their welfare. The man has since been airlifted to Orange Base Hospital in a critical condition. Police are also searching for a 1998 green Toyota 4WD with NSW registration CD9 8XE, in which the men arrived at the property. There is a vehicle of interest a green Troop Carrier type vehicle, which we believe may be connected to this matter, Chief Inspector David Cooper told reporters. It is believed the men may travel to the Hunter Region or the Central Coast. Detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad are leading the investigation to find the women and boys, along with police and a range of specialist police resources. If anyone sees the Toyota or the male occupants, police have urged them to not approach them, but instead call triple-0 immediately. A crime scene has been established at the Ootha property, which is awaiting the area to be declared safe by Fire & Rescue NSW and Rural Fire Service before further inquiries can be conducted. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page. A serial killer couple have claimed responsibility for 20 murders in Mexico. The man and woman were detained in Mexico while transporting human body parts in a baby carriage and have admitted to killing 20 people, twice the number originally suspected, the chief investigator on the case said on Monday. The man also admitted raping some of his female victims and selling some of their body parts, state prosecutor Alejandro Gomez of Mexico state said. Serial killer arrested The man and woman were arrested Thursday in Ecatepec, a violence-hit suburb northeast of Mexico City, on suspicion of killing 10 women. The man gave detailed accounts of those 10 murders, and told investigators that he and his wife had killed 10 other people as well, according to Mr Gomez. Prosecutors are now trying to establish whether that is true, or the boast of a psychopath and serial killer, Mr Gomez said. The couple were arrested in Ecatepec, Mexico (pictured) after admitting to 20 murders. Source: AFP He described it in a completely natural way, Mr Gomez said in an interview with Mexican radio network Formula. I would say he actually seemed happy to have done this. He wants people to see his picture, to know his name. I would obviously classify this person as a murderer, a serial killer. The couple also admitted to selling the two-month-old baby of one of their victims to another couple, who was also arrested, according to the newspaper El Universal. Baby clothes as bait The arrested suspects are being identified only as Juan Carlos N and his wife, Patricia N, in accordance with Mexican law. He has a mental disturbance consistent with psychosis and a personality disorder, while she has been mentally disabled since birth, and also has acquired induced delirium, Mr Gomez said. He cited a psychiatric exam presented by prosecutors at the mans initial court appearance Sunday. A street in Ecatepec, Mexico (pictured). Source: Google Maps Street View But both can distinguish between right and wrong, Mr Gomez added. The couple were living with their three children, including a baby. Human remains in buckets and refrigerator Story continues When authorities searched their two houses, they found human remains in cement-filled buckets and wrapped in plastic bags inside a refrigerator, as well as articles of clothing apparently belonging to some of their victims. The man told investigators that he and his wife lured their victims, many of whom were young mothers, with offers of discount clothing for their babies. They were single mothers and they needed someone who could help them find inexpensive baby clothes, said Mr Gomez. Investigators tracked down the couple by tracing cell phone calls the missing women had placed to them, he said. Candles and protests The case has triggered shock in Mexico, even by the standards of a country plagued by a surge in violent crime. Hundreds of people protested in Ecatepec on Sunday, carrying candles and white flowers to demand action by the authorities to deal with an explosion of violence against women and girls. Seven women and girls are killed in Mexico every day, according to UN Women. Mexico State, where Ecatepec is located, led the country in femicides last year, with 301 women and girls murdered, according to official figures. Across Mexico, there were a record 28,702 murders last year. The number has surged since 2006, when the government deployed the army to wage war on the countrys violent and powerful drug cartels. With AFP A twice-stolen ancient Persian artefact is in Tehran's national museum after a New York court ordered it returned to Iran. "It now belongs to the people who made it in the first place, and who are now going to preserve it, and is part of their identity," Firouzeh Sepidnameh, director of the ancient history section of the National Museum told AFP on Tuesday. The limestone relief was handed over to Iran's representative at the United Nations last month and was personally brought back to Iran by President Hassan Rouhani, returning from the UN General Assembly. The bas-relief, approximately 25 centuries old, depicts the head of a soldier from a line of Immortal Guards. It was discovered in an archaeological dig in the early 1930s at Persepolis, capital of the Achaemenid Empire near today's central Iranian city of Shiraz. The artefact was stolen four years after it was found, and ultimately ended up at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts where it was again stolen in 2011. It was seized by the Manhattan district attorney's office in 2017 when it resurfaced and was put on sale at an art fair. "The international community has evolved enough to realise every artefact must return to its point of origin," said Sepidnameh. A woman takes a picture of a twice-stolen Persian artefact in Tehran's national museum on October 9, 2018 after a New York court ordered it returned to Iran The bad blood between Taylor Swift and Kanye West goes way back. At the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, he famously interrupted an acceptance speech by the then 19-year-old Swift for Best Female Video to say that Beyonce deserved the honor. "Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'mma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!" he said, leaving Swift in tears. Now, their on-off feud has made the somewhat unlikely shift from the stage to the political arena. West is a vocal -- and somewhat improbable -- supporter of President Donald Trump and will sit down with him for lunch at the White House this week, after meeting his wife Kim Kardashian earlier this year. Last weekend, the rapper made headlines with an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" that ended with an off-camera defense of Trump -- while sporting a red "Make America Great Again" hat. "There's so many times I talk to, like, a white person about this and they say 'How could you like Trump? He's racist.'" said West, who is 41. "If someone inspires me and I connect with them, I don't have to believe in all their policies." Swift got press for her politics as well, shedding years of silence on her views just a month ahead of crucial midterm elections to endorse two Democrats running in Tennessee, where she has lived for years. The 28-year-old pop star is an outspoken feminist and backer of the #MeToo movement, but until she took to Instagram on Sunday, she had been famously apolitical. Not any more. Swift appealed to her 112 million followers to register to vote and cast their ballots for Democrats running for the Senate and House. "In the past I've been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," Swift said. "I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country," she added. - '25 percent less' - Trump has been a vocal Swift fan in the past, tweeting her praises on several occasions, but the Republican president has dialed down his affection for her. "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 percent less now, okay?" Trump told reporters on Monday. Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential hopeful whose daughter Sarah Sanders is the White House spokeswoman, fired off a dismissive tweet. "So @taylorswift13 has every right to be political but it won't impact election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote," Huckabee tweeted. The last laugh may be on Huckabee. Kamari Guthrie of Vote.org told Buzzfeed News that voter registrations have surged since Swift's Instagram post. Vote.org had received 65,000 registrations within the 24 hours after Swift's message, more than the 56,669 recorded in the entire month of August," Guthrie said. "Thank God for Taylor Swift," Guthrie told Buzzfeed. - 'How good is Kanye West?' - The White House meanwhile announced that West would have lunch with Trump on Thursday and would also meet with his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner. "Topics of discussions will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago," Sanders said. West has taken flak for his support of Trump, who won less than 10 percent of the black vote in 2016. Despite Trump boasting regularly that black unemployment is at historic lows, only 10 percent of the African-Americans surveyed last month by Quinnipiac University said they like his policies. That has not stopped West from singing Trump's praises -- and the president returning the favor. "Republicans are delivering for African-Americans like never before," Trump said at an election rally last week in Tennessee. "And you saw that the other night with Kanye West," Trump said in a reference to the rapper's "SNL" appearance. "How good was Kanye West?" At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, Kanye West jumped onstage after Taylor Swift (C) won the "Best Female Video" award, interrupting her speech -- and launching a feud At the 2015 edition of the MTV Music Video Awards, West (L) accepted the Video Vanguard prize from Swift -- a peacemaking of sorts Taylor Swift has shed her apolitical persona and endorsed Democrats running for the House and Senate in Tennessee, where she has lived since her teen years Kanye West and Donald Trump at Trump Tower in December 2016 For the throngs of commuters using London's busy Waterloo Station every day, passing a large yellow sign reading "Bollocks to Brexit" has become part of the daily commute. Flamboyant businessman Charlie Mullins, the chief executive of Pimlico Plumbers, put the sign up in protest against what he thinks will be a "disaster" for the British economy. He is now defying calls for the slogan to be taken down. "I believe I'm standing up for businesses," the spiky-haired 64-year-old told AFP in an interview at his London office -- above which the sign is displayed alongside a Union Jack flag. "We're not prepared to see our businesses go down or suffer". Mullins is a self-made man who is well known for his outspoken views and his Rod Stewart-like rock star haircut. He left school at 15 to become a plumber and started his own business in 1979 -- a company that now employs 450 people and has a turnover of 40 million (45 million euros, $52 million). - 'Car crash' Brexit - Flush with success, he is now turning his attention to trying to stop Britain from leaving the European Union on March 29. He used to be a donor to the Conservative Party but is now funding the Liberal Democrats, the only mainstream party that is campaigning for a second referendum to block Brexit. Leaving the EU is "a car crash waiting to happen" and "the worst thing to happen to the UK since the Second World War", he said, citing an estimated cost of 500 million a week that was provided last month by the Centre for European Reform think tank. "We're going to lose a hell of a lot of migrants that we need here, high-skilled or low-skilled, they basically stop coming here," said Mullins. The business owner said he was particularly angered by Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership in negotiations with Brussels. "Two years she's been negotiating and we've gone no further forward. If anything, we've gone backwards," he said. Along with a growing number of politicians, business people and civil society figures, Mullins is supporting a second referendum to reverse the result of the 2016 Brexit vote. "I'm convinced that if there was another vote, Remain would probably win by 60-40," he said, giving a number that is not supported by recent opinion polls and would represent a major reversal from the 52 percent vote for Leave in 2016. Local authorities have received complaints about his sign but he has said he has no intention of taking it down. "It's freedom of speech," he said, adding: "Until they put me in prison for it, it's not coming down." Charlie Mullins, the chief executive of Pimlico Plumbers in London, put the sign up in protest against Brexit -- which he thinks will be a "disaster" for the British economy. British and Irish ministers on Tuesday played down hopes of a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations at an EU summit next week, suggesting it would take until November to clinch a divorce deal. European Union leaders have demanded real progress by the October 18 meeting, to allow time for any deal to be approved by the bloc's parliaments before Britain leaves in March next year. British Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told MPs the October meeting "will be an important milestone, we expect that to be a moment where we will make some progress". But on actually getting a deal, he said: "We've always been clear we would aim for the October council but there would be leeway, that it might slip into November. We're still clear on that." Raab declined to say when London would publish its updated plan on how to keep open the border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, a key sticking point in the talks. In Dublin, where the Irish government unveiled a 1.5-billion euro ($1.7 billion) "rainy day fund" to cushion the country from major economic shock of Brexit, foreign minister Simon Coveney also looked to November. Negotiations had "intensified signficantly this week" on trying to resolve the Irish issue, he said. But, he added:"I suspect November will probably be needed as well as October to get agreement on that." EU leaders have held out the possibility of a special November summit to seal the overall divorce deal, but only if there is progress before then. - Northern Irish opposition - British Prime Minister Theresa May's Europe advisor Olly Robbins is in Brussels this week as the two sides step up private negotiations in what some have called a "diplomatic tunnel" leading up to the summit. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said last week the chances of a deal were now rising, but London has been trying to dampen expectations, insisting it will not pressured. Coveney speculated that Britain would not formally publish its Irish plan, instead preferring to thrash it out with the EU behind closed doors. The issue is particularly sensitive for Prime Minister Theresa May, because her majority in the House of Commons depends on the support of a small Northern Irish party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). DUP leader Arlene Foster was in Brussels on Tuesday for talks with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. She made it clear she would reject any deal that, with the goal of keeping the Irish land border open, established new checks between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. "We could not support any arrangement that would give rise to customs or regulatory barriers within the UK internal market," she told reporters after the talks. London believes frontier checks can be avoided through a new trade deal with Brussels, but accepts the need for a fall-back plan, or backstop, to address the issue until that deal is agreed. It has rejected the EU proposal that Northern Ireland stay aligned to the bloc's customs and regulatory rules, saying this would effectively carve off the province from the rest of Britain. But it has yet to publish its own alternative, offering only a partial plan to keep the whole of Britain aligned with EU rules for a limited time. This has been rejected by both Brussels and many British eurosceptics. May's proposal for the future trade deal, meanwhile, has also been roundly rejected by the EU. Raab repeated May's demand that the EU give ground, however, saying Britain had made ambitious and pragmatic proposals. "It is quite right now to expect the EU to move in our direction and if they do match that ambition, if they do match that pragmatism, I am confident that we can still reach a deal," he said. On Friday, the EU ambassadors from the 27 non-British member states will meet in Luxembourg to discuss Brexit in the run-up to the summit, a diplomatic source said. burs-ar/jj "I am confident that we can still reach a deal," Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told parliament Arlene Foster, lead of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party and a key ally of Britain's ruling Conservative, has made it clear she would reject any Brexit deal involving checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK An American university in Qatar scrapped Tuesday a student debate on whether God can be depicted as female after sparking a sharp public backlash by conservatives in the Muslim country. Georgetown University in Qatar's debating union was due to hold a discussion entitled: "This house believes that major religions should portray God as a woman". The motion was to be debated by two professors as well as students at the university campus, which was established in the Qatari capital Doha in 2005. However, critics on social media claimed such an event was unacceptable in Doha and it even spawned its own hashtag in Arabic, #GeorgetowninsultsGod. One Twitter user claimed the university had crossed "a red line under the name of freedom" to speak badly about "our God". Others took to online platforms to support the debate. But in the face of growing criticism the event was cancelled by Georgetown, which claimed the debate had not been "sanctioned" by the university. "Georgetown University in Qatar has been made aware of an event that was not approved by the University and did not follow the usual policy and review for student events," the university tweeted on Tuesday. "Since the event was not sanctioned by the University and did not follow the appropriate policies for activity approval, it has been cancelled." It added that the school would take appropriate action. Georgetown is one of several American universities with a campus in the Qatari capital. Others include Texas A&M and Northwestern, which are located in the vast "Education City" suburb in western Doha. Georgetown is one of several American universities with a campus in the Qatari capital, Doha Venezuela faced calls internationally Tuesday for a "transparent investigation" into the death in custody of an opposition member who the government said threw himself from a 10th floor window of the headquarters of the state intelligence services. Fernando Alban, a Caracas city council member accused of taking part in a failed drone attack on President Nicolas Maduro, was in pretrial detention Monday at the time of his death, which the government presented as a suicide. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said on state television that Alban, who had been arrested on Friday, asked to go to the restroom and threw himself from a window. The death sparked expressions of concern by the United Nations and the European Union, both of which called for a probe. The Maduro government has "an obligation to ensure (Alban's) safety, personal integrity and dignity," a spokeswoman for the UN human rights office in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, told reporters. "We are concerned about news of his death... We do indeed call for a transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances of his death," she added. In a statement, the European Union also demanded "a thorough and independent investigation" to clarify the circumstances of Alban's "tragic death." "The EU reiterates its call to the Venezuelan government to release all political prisoners," added EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic. Alban's party, First Justice, blamed the government for the death. "We hold Maduro and his regime of torture responsible," it said in a statement. Alban was among at least 15 people arrested and charged for alleged participation in the August 4 drone incident which Maduro has portrayed as an assassination attempt. The Venezuelan president was seen reacting on live television to an off-camera explosion while he addressed a military parade in Caracas. A second explosion was heard and then the assembled troops were seen breaking formation and scattering in panic. Maduro said the blasts were from explosives-laden drones sent to assassinate him, though opposition figures accuse Maduro of fabricating the incident to step up repression in his country, which is suffering an economic crisis. - Opposition in exile - Maduro has blamed the drone attack on First Justice founder Julio Borges, who now lives in exile in Colombia. Borges said on Twitter the "cruelty of the dictatorship ended the life of Alban." The attorney general promised a thorough investigation. The visiting US chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Corker, said on Twitter that the government had a "responsibility to ensure all understand how that could have happened." Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, also a First Justice member, said the Maduro government was responsible. "Those of us who knew Fernando know that he could NEVER have acted against his life," he said on Twitter. The city councilman's lawyer, Joel Garcia, told reporters it was too soon to confirm whether the case was a suicide. Interior and Justice Minister General Nestor Reverol lamented the death of the politician who, he said, was "involved in destabilizing acts directed from abroad." Venezuela accuses its neighbor Colombia of shielding the authors of the alleged assassination attempt. The United States in August condemned alleged arbitrary detentions and forced confessions by the Venezuelan government in its investigation of the drone incident. Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demonstrate in front of the SEBIN intelligence service, where the government says opposition councillor Fernando Alban committed suicide Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Colombia of backing the authors of the failed attack on him The main sticking point in Brexit negotiations is how to keep the land border between Britain and Ireland open after Britain leaves the European Union. London believes frontier checks can be avoided through a new trade deal with Brussels, but accepts the need for a fall-back plan to address the issue until that deal is agreed. The terms of the so-called backstop are disputed, however, and both sides are racing to resolve their differences ahead of a key EU summit next week. Why is this an issue? After Brexit, the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will become an external EU frontier. Britain says it wants to leave the bloc's customs union and single market, meaning checks would be required on people and products crossing from one territory to the other. But both London and Brussels have pledged to avoid any physical infrastructure, a so-called "hard border". Residents and businesses on both sides of the now largely invisible 300-mile (500-kilometre) frontier also emphasise the importance of maintaining the free flow of trade and passenger traffic. At least 30,000 people cross the border every day for work, with many residents of border regions living on one side and working on the other. Is there a security risk? British and Irish army checkpoints along the border were removed in the wake of a peace deal in 1998 known as the Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland in which around 3,500 people were killed. The border during The Troubles was a flashpoint for attacks and a lucrative smuggling route that helped fund paramilitaries. Police have warned that any new infrastructure along the border could become a target for paramilitary activity by dissident militants who have not signed on to the peace deal. What is the EU proposing? The EU's backstop proposal would see Northern Ireland stay in elements of the bloc's single market and customs union, meaning it would accept EU rules on quality standards and apply EU tariffs. British Prime Minister Theresa May says this is unacceptable, saying it would effectively carve off Northern Ireland from the rest of the country by creating a border in the Irish Sea. Northern Ireland's biggest external market is Great Britain, accounting for 58 percent of sales outside the province -- nearly four times the value of exports to Ireland in 2016. The issue is particularly sensitive as May's government is propped up by Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who reject any attempt to change the province's status. What does Britain want? May's backstop proposal is to create a temporary customs arrangement between the EU and the whole of Britain, including Northern Ireland. But she suggests it should only be in place until the end of December 2021 -- something Brussels has rejected, saying any fall-back plan cannot be time-limited. Room for compromise? EU negotiator Michel Barnier suggested that "most checks can take place away from the border, at the company premises or in the market". But the checks in ports and airports would remain, which Britain opposes. The British government meanwhile has indicated it might be open to regulatory checks between Great Britain and North Ireland, noting some already exist, for example on agricultural products. London has yet to publish plans addressing regulatory issues, for example rules on the temperature of milk traded across the Irish border. However, the DUP has warned it will not accept either a customs or regulatory border between Northern Ireland and the rest of Britain. Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster (R) and DUP European Parliament member Diane Dodds meet with EU Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels on Tuesday Women everywhere are sharing stories of sexual harassment and gender inequality but men still aren't really listening, Nigerian author and feminist icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie told the Frankfurt book fair Tuesday, urging men to read books by women. "All over the world today women are speaking up. Their stories are still not really heard," Adichie said at the opening of the world's biggest publishing event. "Women are still invisible. Women's experiences are still invisible." A year after the #MeToo movement went viral and ignited a global discussion about sexual harassment, Adichie said there was much work left to be done. "It is time for us to pay more than lip service to the fact that women's stories are for everyone," the celebrated author of "Americanah" and "Half of a Yellow Sun" said. "We know from studies that women read books by men and women. But men read books by men. It is time for men to read women." As well as being an award-winning novelist, Adichie shot to fame as a vocal advocate for women's rights after her essay "We Should All Be Feminists" became a TED talk hit in 2012. It has been viewed over five million times on YouTube. In a thinly veiled reference to US judge Brett Kavanaugh's controversial confirmation to the Supreme Court despite accusations of sexual misconduct, Adichie slammed the tendency not to believe victims of such assaults. "We seem to live in a world where many people believe large numbers of women can simply wake up one day and make up stories about having been assaulted," Adichie said. "I know many women who want to be famous. I don't know one single woman who wants to be famous for having been assaulted." - 'Call a lie a lie' - Adichie, who divides her time between the United States and Nigeria, said now was an "urgent" moment to stand up for what is right -- particularly in President Donald Trump's America. "The world is shifting, it's changing. It's darkening," the 41-year-old said. "The most powerful country in the world today feels like a feudal court, full of intrigues feeding on mendacity, drowning in its own hubris. "We must know what is true. We must say what is true. And we must call a lie a lie." Adichie was due to receive the PEN Pinter prize in London later on Tuesday, which recognises British and Commonwealth writers whose work takes an "unflinching, unswerving" look at the world. Judges praised Adichie's "understanding of gender, race, and global inequality". Adichie's appearance at the Frankfurt fair, which runs until Sunday, kicked off what promises to be a politically charged edition of the annual literature extravaganza, with organisers shining a spotlight on human rights and freedom of expression. Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's essay 'We Should All be Feminists' had made a major impact when it became a Ted talk hit in 2012 Republican nominee Bob Antonacci's campaign offered a harsh assessment of Democratic foe John Mannion's finances following the 32-day fundraising reports filed by both candidates in the 50th Senate District race. Helen Kiggins Walsh, Antonacci's campaign manager, said Tuesday that Mannion is "nearly broke" with four weeks to go until the election. In his most recent filings, Mannion reported receipts totaling $251,488.26. More than half of the funding came from the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, which contributed $147,108 to pay for television commercials. Antonacci reported $212,417.44 in total receipts, but he has a much larger closing balance. He has $257,632.57 cash on hand compared to Mannion's $44,170.35. While Antonacci's campaign spent $107,264, Mannion's expenses totaled $269,957. Kiggins Walsh said Mannion's funds were spent on "attacking (Antonacci) in the mailbox and on TV." There have been several mailers and television commercials critical of Antonacci. However, most of the advertising and literature targeting the GOP candidate has been paid for by outside groups, such as the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee and the state Democratic Party. Other ads have been funded by Fighting For Our Future, a group aligned with New York State United Teachers. The teachers union is supporting Mannion in the 50th district race. Kiggins Walsh also panned the source of Mannion's campaign funds. The contributions to his campaign, she charged, "largely come from outside of the district from special interests in Albany, New York City and even Tucson, Arizona." Labor unions and the Senate Democrats, she noted, are the two biggest supporters. "On the other hand, Bob Antonacci's grassroots campaign is built by small donors from central New York, most of whom gave $250 or less," Kiggins Walsh said. "Our recent filing shows approximately 160 individual donors and nearly $10,000 in low-dollar contributions, the vast majority of each coming from within the Senate district." A review of campaign finance records found that both candidates have received most of their money from outside groups or other sources. Antonacci's receipts total $368,160.48. A portion of that funding $116,718.04 was transferred from his comptroller campaign to his state Senate campaign committee. Antonacci received $76,000 from the Senate Republican Campaign Committee and $47,048 from limited liability corporations and political action committees from outside the district. Mannion has reported receipts totaling $329,281.73 since becoming a candidate for state Senate. He received $147,108 from the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. That contribution is included in the $232,508 he's received from LLCs, PACs and other committees. Mannion has received $108,239.73 in individual contributions, according to his committee's filings. Individual donors gave $75,664.44 to Antonacci's campaign. There 320 individual donations to Mannion's campaign, 204 of which were for no more than $250. Antonacci received 185 individual donations, with 142 donations of $250 or less. Ian Phillips, Mannion's campaign manager, accused Antonacci's team of lying about the campaign finance figures in the race. "The facts are simple, central New Yorkers are tired of career politicians and serial candidates like Bob Antonacci, and that is why they are supporting teacher and community leader John Mannion," Phillips said. "John is going to keep focusing on the issues and on rebuilding central New York, and that is why he is going to win in November." Kiggins Walsh reiterated that Antonacci has more cash on hand, which will allow him to "bring his positive message of cutting taxes, creating jobs and securing our fair share from Albany directly to the voters." "As comptroller, Bob Antonacci has saved taxpayers millions of dollars and even stood up to his own party when it was the right thing to do," she said. "He's not afraid to shake things up and he has real and significant accomplishments on behalf of working families. He will do even more as your state senator." Antonacci and Mannion are vying to succeed retiring state Sen. John DeFrancisco, a Republican. DeFrancisco has represented the 50th district since 1993. The district includes parts of Cayuga and Onondaga counties. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 No matter who holds a majority of seats in the House of Representatives next year, there will be a new speaker. Current House Speaker Paul Ryan is retiring at the end of his term, which means Republicans will have new leadership. But there is a strong possibility that Democrats will win a majority of House seats. That would likely result in House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat, becoming speaker once again. (She was speaker from 2007 to 2011.) The 24th Congressional District's representative will have a say in the election of the speaker. Come January, either U.S. Rep. John Katko or Democratic challenger Dana Balter will be able to vote in that election. Here is where Balter, D-Syracuse, and Katko, R-Camillus, stand on the House speaker's election: JOHN KATKO Katko has a good rapport with the top contender to lead the House GOP, current House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy, a California Republican, visited central New York in 2014 to campaign with then-challenger Katko. But does that mean McCarthy will receive Katko's support for House GOP leader? It's not a lock. In a statement Monday, Katko outlined his thought process as he considers candidates to lead the House Republican Caucus. "I have made clear I will only support a candidate for speaker who backs reforms to make the chamber more functional," he said. "Leader McCarthy is currently the only member of our conference who has made unambiguous his intention to seek the speakership. I have had productive conversations with him, and he has been receptive to this message. "Based on those conversations, I would have no hesitation in supporting Leader McCarthy. However, if others decide to run, I would give them my due consideration as well." The reforms Katko referenced are part of the No Labels Problem Solvers Caucus' Break the Gridlock Agenda. The plan details certain rules changes and other reforms to improve the legislative process and promote bipartisan efforts. One of the main proposals floated by Katko and the Problem Solvers Caucus would call for altering rules permitting a motion to vacate the chair, which initiates a process for removing the House speaker and electing a new leader. There are other possible candidates for speaker. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has been mentioned, although he's poised to become the No. 2 leader in the conference under McCarthy. U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, one of the leaders of the House Freedom Caucus, will run for House GOP leader, too. While Katko has said he would consider candidates other than McCarthy, it's unlikely he would support Jordan, who is part of the conservative wing of the party. DANA BALTER Balter has faced questions about who she will support for speaker over the last several months. Republicans have attacked Democratic candidates who openly support Pelosi for speaker. Even Democrats who have spoken out against Pelosi Anthony Brindisi in New York's 22nd Congressional District, for example have been on the receiving end of GOP criticism. In an interview Monday, Balter said she has been consistent on the question about who she will support for speaker. She didn't endorse Pelosi or anyone else for the job. "I look at the election of speaker the same way I look at any election, and that is evaluate the candidates who are running for office and choose the person you think will do the best job," she said. "Right now, I don't know who will be running for that office. When I do, I will make the choice. And I have been consistent about that all along." Pelosi is the favorite to become speaker if Democrats win the House majority. She has been the top House Democrat since 2003, and served as speaker from 2007 to 2011. But other candidates could emerge, especially after the election. With some Democrats calling for a leadership change, Pelosi may have competition. Balter feels she and other candidates may have leverage in the leadership election and setting the congressional agenda. Last week, she and more than 100 other House challengers signed a letter requesting that government reform be the No. 1 priority for Congress in 2019. "As one of 435, you can't do anything by yourself. But as 106 or 107 of 435, you bet you can," she said, referring to the number of candidates who signed the letter. "I think it makes a tremendous statement that before we even get there, we are laying out what our priorities are and going beyond that and demanding from leadership that those be their priorities, too." One reason Republicans have pressed Balter to announce who she will support in the race for speaker is the involvement of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Majority PAC in the 24th district contest. Both groups are linked to House Democratic leaders, including Pelosi. When asked if the groups' involvement will sway her decision, Balter responded, "Absolutely not." "I'm thrilled that they've decided to come in and help, but I think everything that I say and do in this campaign demonstrates my commitment to doing what I think is best for the people of the 24th district, and nothing will get in the way of that," she said. "I am not interested in political expedience. I am not interested in favor for favor. That kind of politics is what has decimated the health of our political system in this country and we need to revitalize it. And the way to do it is to have people who are honestly committed to doing what's best for the people of their district elected to all of these offices and continuing to stand up to fight for that. I have more interest in reforming the way the system works than I do in being beholden to anybody other than my district." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 The candidate with the Upstate Jobs Party line in the 50th Senate District race now has the support of a pro-upstate advocacy group. Onondaga County Comptroller Bob Antonacci, the Republican candidate in the 50th district race, received Unshackle Upstate's endorsement Tuesday. He was one of 15 state Senate candidates the group endorsed through UPAC, its political action committee. Other candidates receiving the group's support include two of Cayuga County's representatives, state Sens. Pam Helming and Jim Seward. Helming, R-Canandaigua, and Seward, R-Milford, are seeking re-election this year. "At Unshackle Upstate we believe in supporting candidates who support the issues that matter to the upstate economy," said Michael Kracker, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. "We're proud to endorse the following legislative candidates because of their commitment to reining in state spending, easing the tax burden on upstate families and improving New York's harsh business climate." Antonacci is running for the seat against Democratic candidate John Mannion, a biology teacher at West Genesee High School in Camillus. Both are aiming to succeed retiring state Sen. John DeFrancisco, a Republican who is stepping aside after more than 25 years as a state lawmaker. In the 50th district race, Antonacci has four ballot lines: Republican, Conservative, Independence and Upstate Jobs. The Upstate Jobs Party was founded by Martin Babinec, a businessman who ran an independent campaign for the 22nd Congressional District seat in 2016. The 50th Senate District is a considered a high priority for both parties. Republicans want to retain the seat they've held for more than 50 years, while Democrats hope to win the contest as they aim for majority control of the state Senate. It has already been an expensive campaign for the candidates and parties involved. Mannion reported more total receipts $251,488.26 to $212,417.44 but Antonacci had a much higher closing balance, $257,632.57 to $44,170.35. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee have been involved in the race. Both have provided funds to the candidates for television commercials, according to recent campaign finance reports. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BRUTUS The town of Brutus honored its first ever Youth Conservation Corps during a regular board meeting Monday night. Brutus' Town Supervisor James Hotaling said the five young men in the corps "did a lot of good" for the Centreport Aqueduct Park and the town's trails over the summer. "I'm very impressed. I've always said that if you give the young kids an opportunity and get the hell out of the way they'll make things happen," Hotaling said. The town board showed their appreciation by presenting the four corps members who were present a certificate of appreciation "for doing such an (exceptional) job," said councilor Amy Chirco as she presented the first award to Matthew Delmar. "All those kids had good work ethics, I was really impressed by how well they worked together," Hotaling said after the meeting. He added that they accomplished so much over the summer that near the end of the program the town was scrounging to find more projects for them to do. Hotaling added that at one point the town received a letter in the mail from Lyons National Bank on Grant Avenue expressing gratitude and encouraging Brutus' youth conservation corps program. "I had little tears in my eyes reading it," Hotaling said. In other news: Lou Patti of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 704 gave an update to the town board on the new Vietnam veterans memorial that will be installed in Brutus' Centreport Aqueduct Park. Patti explained that the chapter is trying to make the memorial "a teaching thing, too ... to do a history lesson." He explained that the front of the memorial will have photos of scenes from the Vietnam War and will list the names of the "fallen brothers" who lost their lives in Vietnam as well as the date they died, the province they died in and where they are buried. The back side, Patti said, will list a chronology of the war from 1945 to 1982 so people can learn more about the history. The back, too, he proposed would be a space for the names of those from Cayuga County who lost their lives too soon because of Vietnam such as from suicide or affects of Agent Orange could be inscribed as well. Patti said, so far, the chapter has raised about a quarter of the budget needed for the memorial, which is about $70-75,000. He is still hopeful that it can be installed in 2019. The town of Brutus set another meeting to discuss the 2019 fiscal year budget before the 6 p.m. Nov. 7 public hearing on the town's preliminary budget. The meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the Weedsport Free Library. The biggest struggle with the budget this year, Hotaling said, is getting the tax rate to a level that taxpayers will accept and not increasing the tax levy too steeply. During the meeting, following a public hearing in which no one spoke, the town also passed a local law that would allow the town to override the state-mandated tax cap levy if needed. Staff writer Megan Ehrhart can be reached at (315) 282-2244 or megan.ehrhart@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @MeganEhrhart. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Donald Trumps Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed and sworn in as the newest justice of the United States Supreme Court on Saturday, despite a series of sexual assault allegations against him, and in the aftermath of the debacle some Democrats have been looking for someone to blame. And they seem to have found that someone in Michael Avenatti. Avenatti, the lawyer best known for representing AVN Hall of Famer Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with Trump, came forward in late September with a client, Julie Swetnick, who alleged that Kavanaugh attended parties at which womenincluding Swetnick herselfwere raped by multiple teenage boys after being incapacitated with spiked beverages. In her speech on Friday announcing that she would vote to support Kavanaugh, Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins called Swetnicks claim an outlandish allegation [that] was put forth without any credible supporting evidence, though as Avenatti himself responded, Collins had no facts or evidence regarding Swetnicks claims. In fact, as CNN reported, the FBI never interviewed Swetnick or Avenatti, who said that he would provide witnesses to corroborate her version of events. But Collins' mention of the Swetnick allegations apparently gave some Democrats a green light to single out Avenatti as, if not the reason, at least one of the reasons that attempts to stop the Kavanaugh confirmation failed. "It wasn't helpful because the story became about Avenatti," one Democratic senator, not named by CNN, told CNN correspondent Manu Raj. A host of Democratic senators and senior aides told CNN that the allegations from Avenatti's client gave the GOP an opening to conflateand dismissall the allegations in one broad brush, Raj wrote. But Avenatti wasnt buying it, and questioned whether Democrats were sincere in their stated desire for sexual assault victims to reveal their stories publicly. "It is outrageous that these so-called Democrats would attack a sexual assault victim for coming forward," Avenatti told Raj. "I guess their position is that she should have shut her mouth and remained silent? It is disgusting that these cowards blame my client and the other accusers for coming forward." Avenatti also took to his Twitter account to lambaste Democrats who attacked Swetnick and Deborah Ramirezwho alleged that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her as an undergrad at Yale Universityas disgusting and offensive. People that are attacking Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Swetnick for coming forward should be ashamed. They claim these women should have 'shut up' and stayed quiet, Avenatti wrote. Apparently assault victims are to blame for the vote. This line of thinking is disgusting & offensive to all survivors. Avenatti also cited an interview by Collins on CNN, in which the 65-year-old Maine Republican said that not only did she dismiss Swetnicks allegations, she also did not believe Kavanaughs first accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, who said that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when he was 17 and she was 15. In other words, Senator Collins did not believe ANY of the accusers as it relates to Brett Kavanaughs conduct, Avenatti wrote. This is outrageousthey were not all lying. This should also put an end to the nonsense of blaming me and my client for the outcome. Photo by Luke Harold / Wikimedia Commons WASHINGTON, D.C.Attorneys for the Woodhull Freedom Foundation and other pPlaintiffs filed an appeal today of the ruling issued by the District Court for the District of Columbia which dismissed its lawsuit against the recently passed FOSTA law, citing a lack of standing by the organization and other plaintiffs. Joining in the appeal are The Internet Archive, Human Rights Watch, and individual plaintiffs Jesse Maley, and Eric Koszyk. The case will now be considered by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Woodhull challenged the constitutionality of FOSTA as a violation of the First Amendment, and an instrument of government censorship. The law prohibits online speech that promotes or facilitates prostitution and rolls back legal protections for online intermediaries relating to sex trafficking. FOSTA directly threatens the right to sexual freedom and reduces the amount of life-saving information that can be shared online, charged Ricci Levy, President & CEO of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. This law is a clear First Amendment violation hiding under the false assertion that by censoring the internet, prostitution and human trafficking will be stopped. Were in this for the long haul and you can count on us to continue to fight illogical and unconstitutional laws, like FOSTA, which hamper our mission and restrict free expression. The district court never reached the constitutional issues, instead ruling that the plaintiffs were not sufficiently impacted by the law in order to justify a legal challenge. However, in the complaint, each plaintiff made clear how its activities were affected once the law went into effect. We believe that the plaintiffs demonstrated standing to mount a pre-enforcement constitutional challenge to FOSTA, under the standards applicable in First Amendment cases, said Lawrence G. Walters, of Walters Law Group, one of the attorneys representing Woodhull. We remain optimistic about achieving the desired results in this case. Other attorneys representing the plaintiffs include Robert Corn-Revere and Ronald London of Davis Wright Tremaine, Aaron Mackey and David Greene of EFF, and Daphne Keller. The appeal will be considered by a panel of three federal circuit court judges. No briefing schedule or hearing date has yet been scheduled. In a postindustrial economy that places such a high premium on education and credentials, the flight of so many young people is transforming rural communities throughout the nation into impoverished ghost towns. We've got to create some kind of hub to keep the east and the west alive-and I think our universities are a great shot with helping them with that, as well as our community colleges because they also create a product for job creation. I once held this opinion myself, and I very desperately wanted to believe it during my youth. It makes sense. Not having a job is stressful, and not having enough money to live on is even more so. As the manufacturing center of the industrial Midwest has hollowed out, the white working class has lost both its economic security and the stable home and family life that comes with it. But experience can be a difficult teacher, and it taught me that this story of economic insecurity is, at best, incomplete. There is 58 percent decline of people who are involved in civic clubs, 43 percent decline in people talking to their neighbors, [and a] huge decline in participation in city government. The people who used to be working towards solutions in their communities increasingly are retreating away from their front porch, into their air conditioning, on to their television. Many rural counties in the United States-including those in North Carolina-are on life support. They are struggling with shrinking and aging populations, shuttered businesses, disappearing job bases, and a general sense of hopelessness. While their plight may be common knowledge, there is little consensus about how this situation can be resolved.Some policymakers and researchers dedicate extensive efforts to halt and reverse rural North Carolina's decline. Other observers are skeptical of those efforts and view the decline as inevitable, with little else that can be done other than to manage it as best as possible.Higher education officials tend to be optimistic about the future of rural counties. A common belief in the University of North Carolina system (and elsewhere in state government) is that the more targeted and strategic it can make its efforts, the more likely that rural towns will have the resources they need to get back on their feet.In light of those beliefs, the University of North Carolina system has made outreach to rural North Carolina one of its main goals in its current five-year strategic plan . For one, UNC seeks to increase system-wide enrollment of students from rural counties by 11 percent, as well as increase rural students' college graduation rates 20 percent by the year 2022.East Carolina University (ECU), which is located in the state's economically depressed coastal plain, has launched its Rural Prosperity Initiative to further aid rural areas. According to ECU Chancellor Cecil Stanton,Stanton continued:The Rural Prosperity Initiative is a recommitment of our university to bring the resources from across the university...to come together to figure out how we're going to address those disparities and how we can have an impact across rural North Carolina.Yet, conditions in rural North Carolina don't appear to be changing for the better. This is despite the combined efforts of both state and private organizations, many of which have been around for decades.One glaring example of how many North Carolina rural counties continue to lag behind the rest of the state is their population loss: 33 of the 40 Tier 1 counties (the state's most distressed counties) lost population between 2010 and 2017 (see examples in table below). This has happened while the state as a whole has undergone a population boom, growing 7 percent in the same period. Wake County, which includes the capital city (Raleigh) and borders Research Triangle Park, grew by 18.2 percent in the same period.Additionally, the median age of residents in almost all of North Carolina's Tier 1 counties is between 40 and 50 years. This is notably higher than in more densely populated areas such as Mecklenburg County, which has a median age of 35 Older populations indicate that younger people are leaving for opportunities elsewhere. This development seems particularly disheartening for those who hope higher education can contribute to the rebirth of depressed rural areas. Despite the university system's presumably good intentions, its efforts seem to paradoxically contribute to the further decline of rural communities.In most instances, young people who leave their rural towns for a college education often never return home to live. Instead, once they are initiated into the wider world of large downtowns, lively social and cultural centers, and higher rates of employability, there is little incentive for them to leave it all for their smaller, isolated, and economically struggling hometowns. This phenomenon-one that occurs worldwide-is commonly referred to as "brain drain." According to Patrick J. Carr and Maria J. Kefalas, sociologists and authors of the book Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America:Consequently, many higher education leaders may find themselves in a catch-22: although a number of rural students may benefit from higher education, luring students out of those counties only further contributes to "brain drain." To combat this problem, some higher education and state officials have devised various plans to incentivize students to either return or kick off their careers in rural North Carolina. For example, the TIP Teaching Scholars Award Program offers students at North Carolina State University a $10,000 bonus if they work as teachers in one of the state's struggling rural school districts.And there are several programs , such as the Community Practitioner Program (privately funded), that incentivize health practitioners to work "in a documented health professional shortage area, medically underserved area or economically distressed area." Those who participate in these programs have the benefit of financial and loan repayment assistance.Furthermore, UNC Board of Governors chairman Harry Smith believes that universities' mere physical presence in rural North Carolina can be a key driver of economic prosperity. In a Martin Center interview , Smith argued that higher education creates the graduates needed to "sustain the economy" in rural North Carolina. Smith continued:However, although large, research-oriented UNC institutions might have the ability to help drive local economies in which they are located-most rural counties in the state are not near a research university. Instead, the nearest institution of higher learning is usually a community college. And while community colleges have the ability to train the local workforce, they do not have the infrastructures, resources, or reputations of large universities to create thriving socioeconomic "hubs."Of course, those trying to revitalize rural towns are aware of the dearth of available jobs-which is why there have been numerous efforts to incentivize businesses through tax breaks and grants to relocate to these struggling areas. At North Carolina State University (NCSU), some experts believe that the eastern and western parts of the state are poised to welcome new industries that may provide jobs for current and new residents.In a Martin Center interview, NCSU economic development partnership director Tom White and NCSU business development coordinator Melissa Sharp explained that there appears to be a resurgence in demand for local textile plants-and that the western part of the state is well-positioned to attract that industry. As for the eastern part of the state, there are predictions that the hemp industry (which produces flour and fiber useful for the pharmaceutical and textiles industries) may grow there and provide numerous employment opportunities.But until there is a significant turnaround in rural North Carolina's fortunes, their hopes are just conjecture. Looking at the labor force participation rate, which is the percentage of individuals of working age and ability who are actively employed or seeking work, suggests a deeper problem. Even if efforts to attract businesses turn out to be effective, state leaders must also recognize the fact that the labor force participation rates in a number of the state's tier 1 counties dismally trail those of more prosperous counties and the overall state. Some Tier 1 counties had labor participation rates below 50 percent in 2015, (the most recent year for which county-by-county data is available), whereas the state's overall rate has stayed roughly constant at 61 percent.Low participation rates indicate that people who are capable of seeking work, for some reason or another, choose not to do so. This suggests that a lack of jobs is only part of the problem (see above chart).Indeed, the notion that the travails plaguing much of rural America are purely economic seems to be an overly simplistic diagnosis of a complex social problem. One of the voices calling attention to this reality is Yale Law School graduate and author of Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. Vance. In his book, Vance recounts his experiences growing up in the post-manufacturing town of Middletown, Ohio.Early on, Vance notes how the plight of his community is often met with this explanation:Vance, however, doesn't completely agree:Vance continues:Vance goes on to tell an anecdote about a 19-year-old man he knew who worked with him at a tile manufacturing business. In terms of economic security, the young man was rather well off: he would make enough to live above the poverty line with his pregnant girlfriend, who also had a job as a secretary. Nevertheless, both he and his girlfriend both squandered their livelihoods by chronically missing work every few days.Vance connects the lack of personal responsibility he describes to the unhealthy and dysfunctional family atmosphere that plagues most homes in his hometown-ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, violence, and emotional trauma. He emphasizes how much these factors take a toll on a child and how they contribute to cultural and social upheaval.Researchers in North Carolina have also recognized how unhealthy cultural trends contribute to the failure of rural counties. For example, in a Martin Center interview, Leslie Boney at North Carolina State University's Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) noted the decline in civic engagement in many rural areas:Boney also listed a decline in church attendance and voting rates. However, he is still optimistic about the future of rural North Carolina. And he said that IEI is going to be working over the next three years on an initiative called Reconnect NC, an endeavor to get residents across the state to work toward solutions together.However, one can't help but question the long-run effectiveness of such programs. Can they offset the exodus of young and educated people from rural towns, provide enough jobs for those who live there, and resuscitate broken economies? As the data suggest, the forecast isn't positive.Clearly, rural communities are in need of economic, cultural, and civic renewal. The question remaining is whether higher education initiatives and other state programs really have the ability to jumpstart that renewal. It may take something stronger and deeper, some major unforeseen event that brings the middle class back to the small towns. Or, perhaps, some form of spiritual rebirth will lift the existential gloom and spread of social pathologies. But until events prove otherwise, hope may be best tempered with realism. For job categories that continue to be licensed in North Carolina, the boards should examine what other states require of licensees in those jobs and, where another state's standards are less burdensome on prospective workers (in hours of training, for example, or in licensing fees or in ongoing license renewal), adopt the less burdensome standard. Establish a "consumer choice" process that is an alternative to occupational licensing. Under such a process, an individual may practice an occupation without an occupational license so long as (1) the individual or individual's employer informs each prospective customer that the individual is not licensed by the State of New Mexico, and (2) the customer signs a written contract acknowledging the disclosure. i. The disclosure to potential customers may include a statement that the person is certified, recognized, or otherwise issued a qualification by a relevant private industry group, trade organization, or association; ii. At this time, boards, commissions, departments, and agencies that regulate the licensure of professionals who provide medical services to human beings are exempt from this order. iii. The disclosure in a written contract is an affirmative defense to the state of New Mexico's enforcement of the occupational licensing regulation Funeral director is not exactly the kind of enterprise someone is prepared to comparison-shop for, but still, as with other services, the more options, the better for consumers. They're more likely to face a wider range of cost and service options if there's more competition.But of course, service providers know they won't be able to charge as much for their services when there's more competition. The only consistent research finding about occupational licensing is that it boosts the earnings of people in licensed professions by limiting their competition. (Watch out when special interests get the ear of legislators to curtail their " ruinous competition "!)How risky would be a funeral presided over by a lesser-licensed funeral director? Carolina Journal's Lindsay Marchello writes about a funeral director licensed in Vermont who can't get a license in North Carolina because Vermont's licensing requirements aren't considered "substantially similar" to North Carolina's.I gave a broad reaction to the idea to Marchello:Sanders said.In my 2013 report on occupational licensing in North Carolina, "Guild By Association," I argued for adopting what I called the " least-cost state " principle in licensing:After all, it's not just that licensing limits competition and consumer choice. Relatively strict license requirements raise costs even higher and limit competition and consumer choice even more What if bereaved families, rather than a distant bureaucracy, could decide whether their choice in funeral director has had enough training to suit their needs? What if state law allowed North Carolina families to choose even a funeral director from Vermont if they provided evidence they knew, going in, that the funeral director wasn't licensed in North Carolina?New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's October 3 Executive Order includes a way to provide that change. Her EO is a sweeping range of occupational licensing reforms, one of which incorporates an idea presented to Texas legislators called the " Occupational Licensing Consumer Choice Act ."Under its provisions, a service professional in a field licensed within the state would retain the right to earn a living even without an occupational license by providing consumers with a non-license disclosure prior to agreeing to do work. Consumers could then knowingly choose someone whose professional credentials in a state-licensed profession would include other things, including another state's license, but not a state license.Here is that section of her EO:If similar provisions were enacted in North Carolina, then among other things, a grieving family in North Carolina could choose a Vermont-licensed funeral director if the funeral director had fully informed them of his out-of-state credential, other professional qualifications, and lack of North Carolina license.The director would be able to give the family a non-license disclosure form to sign prior to providing his services, informing them that he lacks a North Carolina license while stating his other professional credentials and training.After all, one of the service quality issues that occupational licensing is supposed to solve is a knowledge imbalance. A consumer usually doesn't know as much as the professional regarding the service work, which is why the consumer seeks out a professional to do the work. Fear that this knowledge imbalance could tempt some professionals to take advantage of consumers is what drives some calls for licensing.The occupational license, however, imposes a choice imbalance - removing consumers' range of preferences for service professionals' training, education, experience, and skill levels in favor of the licensing board's one-size-fits-all dictate. (Not to be overlooked: the amount of expertise a consumer may seek in a service professional could also depend on the size and importance of the job.)The non-license disclosure would attest to the fact that the consumer was informed about what professional qualifications he was choosing. The professional must be able to produce a disclosure signed by both parties if asked by authorities, and it would provide an affirmative defense to enforcement of a licensing regulation.Offering this disclosure would not overturn state licensing regulations. In fact, it would provide a market test for them. If consumers found them preferable, they would demonstrate it by their choices; that is, through revealed preference . On the other hand, it could provide evidence that consumers don't find a particular license all that necessary at all. The legislature has an opportunity every year to say no, we don't want this setup to continue, and yet every year since 1993 they've allowed this to continue because we're trusted, because we're doing what we told them we would do. It's not a loophole. It's not an accident. On March 3rd, 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aka Obamacare was signed into law with the promise of slowing the rising costs of health care. The law added to the already growing regulatory oversight of almost all aspects of the American health care system. The ACA has failed to deliver on many of its major promises, namely controlling the costs of health care and providing affordable coverage to the uninsured. One of the most expensive regulations was the essential health benefits mandate that required insurance plans to include coverage for specific services to be qualified as a health plan. States are also guilty of adding to the growing number of coverage requirements that must be included for insurance to be sold. Insurance providers may be required to offer certain mandates for political reasons , such as pressure from special interests groups As the ACA approaches its ten-year anniversary, patients, providers, and insurers are still reeling from their efforts to comply with all of the regulations at the federal and state level. Fortunately, the Trump administration has taken some steps to expand options to buy insurance through plans outside the ones offered on the ACA exchanges in the individual and small group markets. New rules from the executive branch were recently released for Association Health Plans (AHP) and Short Term Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI). Both of these options offer health insurance plans that are less expensive than those offered on the ACA exchanges and loosen the restrictions on the type of coverages that must be included. Also, Farm Bureau plans are similar types of health benefits that are not subject to nearly as much federal or state regulations.These plans are technically not insurance but offer health benefits and are subject to little state and federal regulation. In the space that follows I will detail how each of these plans work, the benefits of each, and what states can do to make them more accessible.According to the Department of Labor , AHP's "work by allowing small businesses, including self-employed workers, to band together by geography or industry to obtain health care coverage as if they were a single large employer." The new rule put in place by the Trump administration changes the criteria of what is known as a "commonality of interest," which is the rule governing which groups could band together to buy insurance. By making the criteria broader, there is less regulation to dictate the entities that can join together to utilize an AHP. AHP's are still subject to federal and state laws regulating coverage requirements and consumer protections, but the groups that band together have much more freedom to define the benefits they offer based on the needs of the patients in the pool. The ACA subjects the individual and small group markets to much stricter regulatory restrictions compared to large employer group plans, which disproportionality affects those offering health insurance to their employees in the small group market. With more freedom to band together, small businesses and other associations can be considered a single health plan and offer plans to their members at much lower prices than those on the ACA exchanges.STLDI plans are offered in the individual market. The name is self-explanatory - it is a plan that can be purchased for up to 364 days and can be renewed for up to three years. STLDI plans are not considered insurance by definition and therefore are exempt from the requirements that other individual market plans are subject to. This type of health insurance usually contains far less coverage for services compared to the insurance sold in the ACA exchanges, and therefore providers are required to inform patients of the coverage the plans provide. STLDI plans allow individuals to purchase very inexpensive coverage for a short period.It is most beneficial to those who are uninsured, moving jobs, recent college graduates, or anyone who would like coverage without joining a larger plan. Fearing that plans of this nature would siphon off healthy individuals from the ACA exchanges, the Obama administration limited the length of coverage to only three months. Further, they outlawed what's known as a " renewal guarantee " option, which, by paying an additional premium, guarantees that rates won't change from year to year, even if there are changes in health status. The new rules by the Trump administration reverse this policy to make it possible for insurers to offer STLDI and renewal guarantees again.The National Farm Bureau is a trade association that started in the early 1900s to represent the interests of farmers. In 1947 , the Tennessee Farm Bureau started to offer health coverage to its members to try and help rural Tennesseans with health coverage. Today, the Tennessee Farm Bureau provides coverage to 16 percent or nearly 344,000 people that purchase their insurance through the individual market. The plans may exclude anyone with pre-existing conditions, a practice that the ACA prohibited, but in some cases those with pre-existing conditions will have to wait 6 months until coverage kicks in. While this may not work for those who have complex or chronic health issues, the plans are extremely popular with those who have them. Tennessee Farm Bureau's general counsel explains why:Anyone can join the Farm Bureau and become eligible for plans. The plans offer cheaper, more personalized coverage for the state's residents because the coverage is negotiated by the association. To provide a way for residents to attain more affordable insurance, Iowa has allowed for Farm Bureau plans to be sold and other states like Nebraska are looking on to see the results.Each of these plans offers unique forms of coverage that can be more beneficial and less expensive than existing ACA plans. It can offer patients the health care coverage they need and gives businesses and smaller groups more freedom to choose what their health insurance looks like. As I said before, these plans are not for everyone, but they give a substantial part of the population more options than the plans offered under the strict regulations of the ACA and state health benefit mandates.The common criticism is that these plans amount to nothing more than junk insurance. They don't offer any substantive coverage, and create opportunities for fraud. Actually, they give consumers more options to get the type of health care coverage they desire. By allowing small businesses and associations the same flexibility as large employers to get the coverage they want through AHP's, the same incentives exist for these plans that drive large employer plans to offer the best and most extensive coverage possible. Extending the possible duration and scope of AHP's, STLDI plans, and Farm Bureau plans would give people alternatives to the ACA exchanges, which have extremely high premiums and deductibles.Even though the Trump administration made these rule changes at the federal level, many states can act to make these plans more accessible. State legislatures can change the statutory language that prohibits the freedom of small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance as an association. Further, lawmakers can ensure that STLDI plans and renewal guarantees are available to be purchased. Finally, the states can pass laws that allow "non-insurance" like farm plans to be sold in the state without being subject to the state's department of insurance. Each of these plans gives consumers more choices, expands health coverage options to the uninsured, and offers less expensive plans compared to those sold on the ACA exchanges. In traditional cosmetics tests, rabbits, mice, rats and guinea pigs have substances forced down their throat, dripped into their eyes, or smeared onto their skin, and are left to suffer for days or weeks without pain relief. Photo by iStockphoto 27.9K shares In a pathbreaking announcement that signals a certain end to the cruel practice of testing cosmetics on animals, the industry giant Unilever maker of such popular brands as Dove, Degree and TRESemme today announced it will support a global ban on such testing, in collaboration with Humane Society International, the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund. Unilever is one of the worlds most recognized companies and a global market leader, with more than 400 brands on store shelves in 190 countries and a reach of 2.5 billion customers a day. The company has a stellar record on developing non-animal alternatives to animal testing and has collaborated with more than 50 key partners around the world, including governments, to end cosmetics testing using animals. Were very hopeful that through collaboration amongst companies, NGOs and governments it will soon be possible to assess the safety of all cosmetics products without any need for animal testing anywhere in the world, Unilevers chief research and development officer David Blanchard said in todays announcement. As part of our collaboration, Unilever will support HSIs #BeCrueltyFree initiative, which leads the global legislative effort to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics as well as the sale of cosmetics that have undergone any form of new animal testing, anywhere in the world, after a ban comes into effect. This approach is consistent with the precedent established in the European Union, where a cosmetics testing ban was imposed in 2013. The HSI-Unilever partnership will also provide much-needed training of government authorities and future scientists in the latest non-animal safety assessment approaches for cosmetics. Our shared goal is to have animal testing bans in place in 50 major beauty markets worldwide by 2023. Testing cosmetics on animals is not only cruel, but also unnecessary. In traditional tests, rabbits, mice, rats and guinea pigs have substances forced down their throat, dripped into their eyes, or smeared onto their skin, and are left to suffer for days or weeks without pain relief. Fortunately, cosmetic companies can create new and innovative products the cruelty-free way by choosing from thousands of ingredients that have a history of safe use. For new ingredients, animal tests are increasingly being replaced with non-animal methods that are often quicker, cheaper and more reliable as predictors of toxicity in humans. Across the globe, 37 countries so far have enacted legislation to fully or partially ban animal testing for cosmetics. HSI played a key role in securing enactment of the final phase of the EU ban, and in subsequent victories in India, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Korea, Guatemala and seven states in Brazil. Today HSI and its partners are driving additional efforts in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Recently, the HSUS, HSLF and others worked to make California the first state in the United States to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics. More and more companies are stepping up in the campaign to end cosmetics testing. In the United States, 250 companies in the cosmetics industry are supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act bipartisan federal legislation that would end the production and sale of animal-tested cosmetics here. Businesses are eager to make the change because they realize that, increasingly, consumers in the United States and elsewhere are demanding products that are cruelty free. We are proud to work with lawmakers and businesses like Unilever to drive this change toward a world where animals do not have to suffer for cosmetics. Sign the global pledge to Be Cruelty-Free A cop working for the Direction Generale de la Securite Interieure (the French national domestic surveillance agency) used the darknet marketplace Black Hand to sell access to France's prodigious national surveillance apparatus to criminals: give him a phone number and he'd track its location; give him a name and he'd tell you whether that person was under police investigation and disclose the contents of the associated files; he'd also sell you everything you needed to forge papers and other official documents (he took payment in Bitcoin). The cop, who used the online handle Haurus, was caught when Black Hand was raided and seized last June. He was arrested on September 28 and faces a seven year prison sentence and fines up to 100,000. The amazing thing about this is how predictable it was. Think of how easy it is to believe in the detective novel character who jots down a license plate and says, "I'll get a friend on the force to run this for me later." Beat cops, officers, and feds are just as flawed as anyone else, and the history of police corruption tells us that the first line of defense against this kind of leak is not to collect the data in the first place. Of course, the situation in the USA is even worse. French authorities also say the officer advertised a service to track the location of mobile devices based on a supplied phone number. He advertised the system as a way to track spouses or members of competing criminal gangs. Investigators believe Haurus was using the French police resources designed with the intention to track criminals for this service. He also advertised a service that told buyers if they were tracked by French police and what information officers had on them. French police officer caught selling confidential police data on the dark web [Catalin Cimpanu/Zdnet] This new Cruz attack ad was directed by Richard Linklater. It stars a man, named Sonny Carl, who calls bullshit on Ted Cruz's "Tough as Texas" boast. "If somebody call my wife a dog and said my daddy was in on the Kennedy assassination I wouldn't be kissing their ass," says Carl. "You stick a finger in their chest and give them a few choice words or you dragged their ass out by the woodshed and kick their ass." When Facebook hired Joel Kaplan to serve as Vice President for US Public Policy, who could have predicted that he would turn out to be a far-right partisan who would embarrass the company by throwing a victory bash for a serial rapist on the occasion of his being handed a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court? After all, Kaplan's previous career serving as Deputy Chief of Staff in the George W Bush White House abetted an endless war (a war that's now older than some of the soldiers dying in it), cruel cuts to social services, funding religious cults to replace social programs, doubling down on mass incarceration, so much torture, even more mass surveillance, and innumerable other sins that can be loosely sorted into two piles, one labeled "war crimes" and the other, "crimes against humanity." But not appointing actual rapists to the Supreme Court, after all. Kaplan was a vocal supporter of Kavanaugh throughout the confirmation process (they both served in the Bush White House and might have enjoyed a beer or two hundred during their joint tenure); he prominently situated himself behind the judge during the hearings, as if to ensure that Facebook's officials were publicly seen to be supporting the rapist's bid for the highest judicial office in the land. After all, as Kaplan told his reports at Facebook, "I have known Brett and Ashley Kavanaugh for 20 years. They are my and my wife Laura's closest friends in D.C. I was in their wedding; he was in ours. Our kids have grown up together." (Kaplan's appearance at the hearings was originally billed to Facebook; after an internal outcry he marked the day as a "personal day" in the company's HR system) But Kaplan's support didn't end with the confirmation itself! After the gavel came down, Kaplan used his Facebook earnings to throw a party for Justice Kavanaugh at his home. Facebook Consumer Hardware VP Andrew Bosworth chided the women employees of Facebook who objected to Kaplan's pro-rape stance, patting them on the heads and telling them to tend to their knitting: "it is your responsibility to choose a path, not that of the company you work for." Technical talent is the scarcest resource in every industry today: Facebook's engineers can walk out of the door today and walk into a job at another company tomorrow. In a world where tech talent is the major constraint on growth, every engineer who shows up for work at Facebook is abetting this corporate behavior. Lean the fuck in, Facebookers. "Let's assume for a minute that our VP of Policy understands how senate hearings work," one program manager said in a post about Mr. Kaplan that was reviewed by The Times. "His seat choice was intentional, knowing full well that journalists would identify every public figure appearing behind Kavanaugh. He knew that this would cause outrage internally, but he knew that he couldn't get fired for it. This was a protest against our culture, and a slap in the face to his fellow employees." "Yes, Joel, we see you," the employee added. "I appreciate your desire to avoid taking sides, but please don't insult our intelligence by declaring that this act did not violate our policies, or that it was only an honest lapse in judgement," one engineer wrote in a post addressed to the chief executive. Rifts Break Open at Facebook Over Kavanaugh Hearing [Mike Isaac/New York Times] Facebook VP Who Incensed Staff by Supporting Brett Kavanaugh Later Hosted a Party for Him [Tom McKay/Gizmodo] At a The Marine Mammal Center in Hawaii, a cute little gecko butt-dialed random people 'a bazillion' times before a human figured out what was going on. Technically it wasn't a butt-dial. It was a gecko foot dial. Excerpt from the story first told by the human it kinda happened to, Dr. Claire Simeone: Marine mammal veterinarian Claire Simeone was at lunch when she got a call from Ke Kai Ola, the Big Island hospital where she's director. There was silence on the other end. Nine more silent calls followed. Fearing a seal emergency, she rushed back. She wasn't the only one getting calls, and people started asking why the hospital was calling non-stop. Trying figure out why a "bazillion" calls were made from one line, she called the phone company and a rep tried to talk her through finding a possible line on the fritz. She walked into a lab and found the culprit. And that's when she saw the gecko perched on a phone, making calls to everyone in the telephone's recent call history with "HIS TINY GECKO FEET," as she tweeted the next day. "You are not going to BELIEVE this story," she said. THREAD. So yesterday I started getting calls at our hospital, #KeKaiOla @TMMC. I was getting lunch, so I thought maybe someone had a seal-related question. I picked up. Silence. pic.twitter.com/yX6aziwoHz Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 More calls. NINE calls in 15 minutes. I start to panic a bit, and drive back to the hospital. Seal emergency? I am on it. pic.twitter.com/qtjc2ZK68d Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 I arrive. All is calm. Did anyone call me? No one did. I get another call. It's coming from INSIDE the hospital. So I call @HawaiianTel to check it out. Phone on the fritz? Meanwhile, several other people call the hospital, asking WHY WE ARE CALLING THEM INCESSANTLY? pic.twitter.com/r59Hoxgk1z Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 Very nice @HawaiianTel man says it might be an issue with one of our phones, or some of the software. He confirms that, yes, a bazillion calls are coming from one line. But I look at our office line. It's not that one. He asks me to look around to find the problem line. pic.twitter.com/QcrMjVCG4X Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 I walk around the hospital. Not the fish kitchen. Not the office. Not the viewing room. I get another call from @TMMC on my cell. I enter the laboratory. That's the line! I approach the phone pic.twitter.com/CBym9fY01H Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 I walk around the hospital. Not the fish kitchen. Not the office. Not the viewing room. I get another call from @TMMC on my cell. I enter the laboratory. That's the line! I approach the phone pic.twitter.com/CBym9fY01H Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 THERE IS A GECKO SITTING ON THE TOUCHSCREEN OF THE PHONE, MAKING CALLS WITH HIS TINY GECKO FEET!!! This gecko has called me 15 times, and everyone in our recent call list. *Actual photo of telemarketer* @TMMC @GEICO @HawaiianTel pic.twitter.com/USyKeOiDbE Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 I had to apologize to @HawaiianTel man, who said "well, I haven't heard that one before." I had to send out a note to all of our staff and volunteers, who may have received telemarketing calls. I immediately hired gecko. pic.twitter.com/4xOYeg7pZ0 Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 A group of people on a boat had amazing good fortune when a couple of friendly whales came to visit. The whales came right up to them, swam under their boat, and gently rolled around before saying goodbye. But rather than enjoying the miracle, the group panicked you can hear one of them hyperventilating and they finally called the police on the whales. You can hear one man who is the voice of reason, trying to keep the group calm, explaining that these whales are not going to hurt them, but no one listens. Not sure why they went on a boat ride in the first place. Image: Public Domain, Link - Jessica Padgett was looking forward to wed Kendall Murphy on 29 September - However, an alleged drunk driver took Kendall's life - Jessica wore her bridal gown and visited Kendall's grave on 29 September to honour him PAY ATTENTION: Click "See first" under the "Following" tab to see Briefly News on your newsfeed! A woman from Indiana, United States, visited the grave of her late fiance on the day they were supposed to have their wedding. Jessica Padgett made the emotional gesture to honour Kendall Murphy on 29 September, Fox News reports. Her dreams of spending the rest of her life with Kendall were shattered in November 2017 when an alleged drunk driver hit and killed him. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Kendall was a firefighter and was helping an accident victim when the tragic incident occurred, Briefly.co.za gathered. Jessica wore a bridal gown while visiting Kendall's grave. Family and community members accompanied her as she paid tribute to her late fiance. READ ALSO: Transgender woman gets her female name and praises Home Affairs Katrina Murphy, Kendall's mom, is the one who came up with the photoshoot idea. Her aim was to help Jessica heal while honouring Kendall at the same time. Community members wrote Jessica letters of support and handed them over to her on the same day. She also posed with Kendall's firefighting gear, including his uniform, helmet, and boots. READ ALSO: 2-year-old boy shreds R15,000 his parents had saved for tickets Jessica's photos have touched many people after going viral on Facebook, racking up thousands of reactions and comments. One commenter wrote: My heart breaks for you Jessica Padgett. You are an incredibly strong person and have the best guardian Angel by your side forever. May God Bless you always honey. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. This hilarious cartoon from our Briefly - South Africa YouTube channel showcases Nicki Minaj and other celebrities' trademark moves in real life. Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today. Source: Briefly.co.za News / National by Staff reporter FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube says government will accelerate the reform of State-owned Enterprises (SoEs) and parastatals, starting with quick hits such as TelOne, NetOne and the People's Own Savings Bank (POSB), which will be shed-off "in the next six months".SoEs and parastatal reform is a key action to be taken under one of the five pillars of Ncube's Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) launched last Friday, covering the period October 2018 to December 2020To court the best suitors and stimulate foreign direct investment (FDI), government has resolved to publish international tenders in the world's biggest economies and other strategic jurisdictions."The urgency here is working on those that can be privatised. So, for instance, SoEs such as POSB are going full ahead with privatisation. For TelOne, NetOne, the same shall happen. Here, I am just mentioning a few. We will not hesitate to move with speed in the next six months so that we are able to get results and suitors to partner with these institutions," Ncube said."I am insisting that we must advertise globally for all these transactions. In United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan and wherever, to make sure that we get the best partners out there. It will enable us to get the FDIs that we so badly require and the best technology as well. It is not enough to advertise locally; in my view, we should go global."On April 10, 2018, Cabinet passed a resolution to restructure 47 parastatals and SoEs, which will see some being privatised, partially privatised or merged and others being liquidated or merged into ministerial departments.The decision is an attempt to wean them from the fiscus and reign in unsustainable deficits aggravated by fiscal loans and grants to SoEs and parastatals."We have done work already in classifying them into various categories. Those that can be privatised will be privatised and transformed one way or the other; those that can be merged will be merged and those that can be departimentalised will be subsumed into existing ministries. We have categorised them that way," Ncube said.According to the 2015 Auditor-General's (AG) report, the cumulative losses and net liabilities of SoEs and parastatals were in excess of $1 billion.In the 1980s and early '90s, parastatals and SoEs, which numbered around 107, contributed up to 40% to Gross Domestic Product, but this has since slumped to below 10%.Since assuming the AG position, Mildred Chiri has pointed out glaring weaknesses in Zimbabwe's public financial management system and exposed rampant plunder of public funds in government, SoEs enterprises, government institutions, parastatals and local authorities.But neither Parliament nor government has acted decisively on her reports or its recommendations in the past, raising questions about the willingness of Zimbabwe's political leadership to uphold and enhance accountability, transparency and good governance.In the 2017 report of Article IV consultations, the International Monetary Fund noted that SoEs reform would improve their accountability, enhance service delivery and set them on a viable footing, reducing the burden on the national budget. News / National by newzimbabwe MDC leader Nelson Chamisa risks arrest if his opposition party proceeds with plans to inaugurate him as the 'People's President', a cabinet minister has warned."The issue of Chamisa is very sad," justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told NewZimbabwe.com in a recent interview."As a lawyer, he should know that as soon as the State President has been dully inaugurated, you cannot go around and claim to be the president; in fact, that is treason.""If he (Chamisa) continues with the swear- in ceremony he will be committing an offence and will be arrested," said minister Ziyambi."Whoever is advising him to do that is advising him to break our own laws as a country."Chamisa has refused to recognise his defeat by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the crunch July 30 elections.Mnangagwa's victory was confirmed by a full bench of the Constitutional Court but Chamisa says he respects the apex court but profoundly disagrees with the decision. News / National by Simbarashe Sithole A 35-YEAR-OLD Bindura Detective constable appeared before a Guruve magistrate yesterday for allegedly assaulting a Harare man in an illegal gold mining claim dispute.Detective Tafadzwa Nhoto of number 2916 Aerodrome ,Bindura pleaded not guilty to an assault charge before Guruve resident magistrate Shingirai Mutiro and was remanded out of custody to 24 October.Public prosecutor Spiwe Makarichi alleges that on the 7 October 2018 at around 1400hours and at Speed Humper Pannel beaters Garage, Guruve Business centre, the complaint (Wilfred Mboma aged 57) had made a follow up on his two trucks which were being attended by a panel beater at a garage when the accused approached the complainant in the company of five male adults using a Toyota Noah registration number AET 4456badge in colour.Upon arrival the team disembarked from the vehicle and rushed to the complainant who was seated observing the maintenance which was being done on his trucks.The team started insulting and accusing him of planning to grab their illegal panning site using political muscle.Mboma did not retaliate instead he stood up and went to his motor vehicle where Nhoto forcibly grabbed his collar while punching him on the right shoulder there by tearing off his vest.Nhoto was restrained from further assaulting the complainant by Mabasa Nyamuchengwa the owner of the garage.A police report was filed at Guruve police station leading to the arrest of Detective Nhoto.However, Detective Nhoto is reported to be one of the ring leaders of gun wielding artisanal miners at Kemashenjere mine in Guruve popularly known as boko haram named after a Nigerian terrorist group. News / National by AT Kadada There is no way our government can claim to be doing economic reforms whilst on the political things remain the same. This simply means they can bring one technocrat after another but changes will be short term. The country needs long-term solutions to survive this harsh economic environment.Zimbabwe, s political arena is a restricted democracy.T his means more people are not willing to participate in politics, among those not willing to participate are business persons of integrity who could turn around our economy. An interesting observation is how some business people have refused to be associated with a political party in Zimbabwe rather choosing to be apolitical. Why is this so one may ask? The Constitution says one can associate with a party of his or her own choice, yes on paper, but in reality, one is victimized for choosing the wrong party.This restricted democracy impacts on the government through widespread corruption, no transparency, criminals hiding behind a ruling party and so on. In the end, genuine foreign investors will frown upon such people to engage them. In comes fly by night business persons with no meaningful investment as they come and employ a fewer Zimbabweans while looting minerals under the eye of those politicians who protect them.Political reforms which mean a wholesome change in the way the government does its business is what is needed. People need to participate in politics fully without fear, not this cosmetic flimsy democracy. So, in a way noise will be made by those in power but in the end, nothing is changed on the economic front.A good case study is looking at the Chinese Communist Party when the current President addressed his first Congress as the Party chairman. President Xi Ping started on the political reforms within his party then embarked on economic reforms.ls it any wonder China is now one of the economic giants? The Chinese President came hard on corrupt CCP members in government and a lot were given lengthy jail terms. Those who had used the Party for personal enrichment were brought to book. Zanu-PF sees the Chinese Communist Party as their role models yet they will not copy everything. This is why people like Killer Zivhu, Energy Mutodi, Obesity Mpofu and others who should be answering in courts will always find Zanu-PF as a sanctuary from the long arm of the law. Gender Commission is looking at sexual allegations at immigration then at same time Clemence Masango, former Principal Director, is given a more senior post as the Registrar General.As such until Munangagwa gets hard on such people he will continue singing "We are open for business" yet no genuine business persons will come. Why he brings them closer is cause for concern. Put in a simple way political reforms and economic reforms go hand in hand. The two can not be divorced from each other. News / National by Staff reporter Opposition Zengeza West MP Job "Wiwa" Sikhala has become well known in the National Assembly for his provocative and controversial statements.Wiwa, who is MP on the MDC Alliance ticket, sees politics as a bloodsport, and dedicates his time to wheeling out pure political aggression against his Zanu-PF rivals, lighting up the National Assembly through what his rivals see as unadulterated hate speech.In a place where mutual respect and even camaraderie is expected to flourish, and MPs from rival parties forge unexpected close friendships, Sikhala has been shouting and attacking Zanu-PF legislators, while also giving meaningful contributions to a number of issues affecting the country.Sikhala, who over a decade ago was arrested and charged with masterminding a treason attempt, left many legislators in stitches last Wednesday after he shouted at wealthy Bindura North Zanu-PF MP Kenneth Musanhi: "Haa unoti chiiko iwe Musanhi, kumeso kunenge kwegudo (You are talking nonsense Musanhi, your face looks like that of a baboon)."The harsh exchange of words between Sikhala and Musanhi started after the Zengeza West MP stood up to ask Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri about people allegedly killed during Operation Restore Legacy a euphemism for the soft coup that forced long-serving despot Robert Mugabe from power by his own comrades.The 94-year-old veteran leader was forced to announce his resignation following pressure from the army and his own party and as Parliament began impeachment proceedings against him.Sikhala wanted Muchinguri-Kashiri to tell Parliament how many people were killed by the army during that interregnum.As Sikhala pitched his controversial inquiry, Musanhi told the garrulous MDC MP to sit down. That is when Sikhala hit back, insulting the Zanu-PF politburo member.Deputy speaker Tsitsi Gezi reprimanded Sikhala, telling him to watch his language, saying such a behaviour would ordinarily force her to eject a parliamentarian from the House.Sikhala tried to defend himself saying: "I withdraw. Long ago, I said I withdraw. I withdraw, however, Madam Speaker, you must notice and also understand the principle called compensation."When you hit someone, you must expect to be hit back in equal measure. He provoked me and he should not have expected me to fold my arms."A defiant Sikhala proceeded: "I had to hit back but in equal measure. He must also withdraw the insults he threw at me. He initially threw insults at me."The MDC MP was then kicked out of Parliament.After the National Assembly sitting, Sikhala said he had no regrets."On my expulsion from Parliament, although I didn't agree with the ruling, it takes maturity to accept it. Zvakatoitika zvikapfuura. It will not dampen my spirits to remain vibrant. I was just born like that."I am just what I am because it is the way I was born. I don't fake my character. It's what I am. If you like it or not that's how I am," he said.On many occasions during National Assembly sittings, Sikhala is in the habit of shouting: "Vanhu veZanu (PF) muri mbavha hamuna chamunoziva (Zanu-PF members you are thieves, you know absolutely nothing)."Not only a rabble-rouser, Sikhala has made a number of contributions on important motions, including questioning the legality of the engagement debt collectors whose directors allegedly include former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere.In an interview with the Daily News, Sikhala said he is going to do more for the good of the people."When I decided to accept the calling to be in Parliament, I knew the importance of bringing substance to the Legislature."The issues I am raising are people-centred issues which the people from my constituency asked me to raise."The other issue is that during my sabbatical from Parliament, I took myself to expand my education."I now have an appreciation of many issues and that is helping me to take my experience to assist raising issues affecting my constituency and the nation at large."Secondly, there is good team spirit among ourselves as MDC MPs in Parliament."We share and consult each other in terms of ideas and important issues which helps everyone to gain from each other."That should continue and we will be great in representing our people."Sikhala was born in Zimbabwe in 1972, and this is the second time he is returning as a member of Parliament. He previously represented St Mary's constituency.He is married and has degrees in history, economic history and law. Opinion / Columnist For the past couple of days Zimbabweans have been drawn into a sinister panic mode whose foot prints are alien to those of genuine market strife and economic strains. The basic function of fuel as a cost driver has been overtaken by social media as unknowing consumers scramble for basic commodities. It is then under such circumstances that the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is urging Zimbabweans to go into the streets to protest the situation without engaging in any dialogue what so ever with authorities.However, the Union's behaviour makes sense if one thinks about it in terms of its goals, needs and motives. A brief glance into history shows that MDC was hewn from the ZCTU and the Union has been pushing that party's agendas. It has been rallying workers to MDC, no wonder it is dubbed the labour movement.Under all these circumstances, it is clear that MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, indeed mastered the art of demagoguery, but forgot to take notes on how to camouflage it. On 10 April 2018, Chamisa met ZCTU Secretary General, Japhet Moyo, whom he promised a position in MDC Alliance structures had it won the 30 July 2018 harmonised elections. Chamisa has also been harping on the mantra that elections can be rigged but not the economy, knowing fully well that if politics fail they will try the courts and eventually assassinate the economy.With no ballistic rise in fuel prices, to imagine why and who is commanding the economic chaos characterised by exaggerated trading rates between the Bond notes and other currencies only lead to a logical conclusion that economic sabotage is at play. Economic hitmen and political demagogues are certainly on the loose to stir despondency and derive political dividends by whipping up emotions of the unsuspecting citizens.Fortunately, from what is obtaining, the hit men have nothing more than the social media in their bid to throw Zimbabwe into an economic and political abyss as they attempt to force their way into Government. The MDC Alliance lost the backing of many funders as evidenced by its poor oiling in the run up to the 30 July harmonised elections. Ahead of the polls, if one remembers very well, an attempt was made to render Ecocash transactions as no longer acceptable. The idea did not yield much as the crisis only lasted for three or less days.Ultimately, all the artificial crises are designed to create the necessary conditions for a Government of National Unity (GNU). Without any form of crisis they would not be any basis for lobbying for the political arrangement similar to that of 2009. After all sundry it is needless to say, whatever Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans are going through are manmade problems. May God save our nation from politicians toying with the economy to satisfy their personal aspirations. DUBLIN (Reuters) - The Czech Republic joined opposition by Ireland, Finland and Sweden to the European Union's proposed tax on big internet companies in a joint paper warning that the measures may breach international treaty obligations. EU finance ministers agree that tax rules should be changed to increase levies on digital services and aim to finalize a tax on large firms' turnover by the end of the year, but are at odds on how to do so. Smaller states with lower tax rates such as Luxembourg and Ireland, which host large American multinationals, want EU changes to come together with a global reform of digital taxation, which has been under discussion for years. Nordic countries have also urged their partners to shelve the plan for action first at an EU level on concerns over how it may affect their own large digital companies and were joined by the Czechs in the joint paper sent to colleagues last month. "Given the potentially far-reaching political, economic and legal consequences of introducing a tax at EU level that is not in line with tax treaties, it is our view that a discussion is needed on the compatibility of the DST (digital services tax) with international obligations," they said in the paper, a copy of which was provided on Monday by Ireland's Finance Ministry. The four countries said the new tax could necessitate the renegotiation and potentially eventual termination of bilateral tax treaties with third countries and need to make sure all future treaties allow for the imposition of the digital tax. A thorough discussion on the legal consequences of the proposal was needed, they said. Under the European Commission's proposal in March, EU states would charge a 3 percent levy on digital revenues of large firms like Google and Facebook that are accused of routing their profits to the bloc's low-tax states. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Janet Lawrence) Some people are applauding the "precautionary" approach several nations are taking to protect the environment through a new moratorium on commercial fishing in the High Arctic. On Oct. 3, more than a dozen countries signed a deal preventing commercial fishing at least 200 kilometres offshore from countries with an Arctic coastline. The moratorium involved input from Inuit and will be in place for 16 years. "Fisheries are a renewable resource, but only if we take care of those fisheries and we understand how to manage them properly," said Verner Wilson, a member of the Curyung tribe in Alaska and senior oceans campaigner with Friends of the Earth. "Moving towards more understanding and having a precautionary approach to development is a win-win, not just for our generation but for future generations." Pew Charitable Trusts Commitment to study Arctic waters There is currently no commercial fishing activity in High Arctic waters. As part of the agreement signed last week in Greenland, signatories are required to undertake scientific research on ecosystems in the Arctic Ocean. Wilson said that's a good thing. He hails from Bristol Bay, Alaska, which boasts the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world. Wilson said the fishery's success lies in the community's knowledge of how to properly manage it. "That's where I think this precautionary approach around the Arctic is so important," he said. "If there's going to be abundant fisheries in the future, there needs to be an understanding of what's there." Duane Smith, chair and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, agrees. Submitted by Verner Wilson He was involved in negotiations with Arctic countries a few years ago to get the moratorium off the ground and said Inuit emphasized the importance of the agreement to the marine life their culture depends on. Smith said other marine areas of the world have been depleted because they haven't been sustained properly. Story continues "So we kept emphasizing that this is one region where we need to get this right before we allow any type of fishing to take place," he said. Smith said he is thankful Canada worked with Indigenous groups on the deal. Co-operation and foresight Scott Highleyman, vice-president of Ocean Conservancy, was at the signing ceremony in Greenland, where he said people heard from the parties involved in the agreement and celebrated with drumming, dancing and singing. He said having the signing in a place like Greenland reinforced its importance. "What made this a really good agreement was the co-operation everybody showed, and the foresight to ... try to prevent a problem from happening," he said. "The process was inclusive of more than just Arctic countries. It was inclusive of Indigenous people who were on the negotiating teams, including Inuit from Canada who made very strong suggestions that actually helped the final agreement." With files from Katie Toth North Shore Rescue (NSR) teams spent the night in the backcountry after a hiker got lost Monday evening. Search manager Simon Jackson said NSR got called around 4:45 p.m. PT by a male hiker who got stranded on a cliff near Crown Mountain. As of Monday morning, the hiker had not yet been rescued. Jackson said the man is a British tourist in his thirties and does not have a lot of hiking experience in the area. The man was using an app on his phone with an inaccurate map to navigate, which led him into a treacherous situation, Jackson said. Challenging terrain "It's not a hiking trail," said Jackson. "It's a scramble trail, with some pretty exposed sections on it. "He's ended up on a cliff ledge stranded, and that's where he is right now." Jackson said crews were able to get the hiker's co-ordinates from his cellphone and dispatched a field crew to his location. Unfortunately, the rain and low cloud ceiling hampered search efforts and the team was forced to hike on foot to the area. "We tried a number of different approaches but unfortunately due to the terrain he's in, we haven't been able to access his location yet," said Jackson. krwoll/Flickr Hoping for good weather Jackson said the field team made voice contact with the hiker just before midnight Tuesday, and are working to get food, water and warm clothing down to him. "He's only got a little bit of food and water," said Jackson. "The biggest challenge for him is keeping warm, he doesn't have a lot of gear with him." NSR said they're aiming to do a helicopter rescue at first light, if the weather conditions are good. Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC With files from Yvette Brend Ontario hunters concerned about a disease threatening the province's deer population say they're pleased to hear the government is taking steps to halt its spread. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of deer, elk, moose and caribou. One recent case was confirmed in Quebec, just 15 kilometres from the Ontario border, leading to a massive deer cull in that province. So far, however, it hasn't been found in wild Ontario deer. To keep it that way, the province will be adding more surveillance teams 14 more staff working in teams of two to help collect deer samples for testing when the hunting season starts in November. The new teams will be operating in wildlife management unit 65, a wedge-shaped area that stretches from Ottawa south to near Iroquois, Ont. and east to the Quebec border. There are already three public drop-off locations with freezers, and five more are being added east of Ottawa. "We need to take the necessary steps in order to prevent its spread in Ontario or to identify it as soon as possible," said Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Jeff Yurek. The additional monitoring will cost about $50,000, Yurek said. Marc-Antoine Mageau/Radio-Canada Hunters concerned about disease There's currently no definitive scientific evidence to suggest CWD can be transmitted to humans, and there have been no reported cases of people infected with CWD, according to the province of Ontario's website. However, public health officials recommend people take precautions when handling carcasses and to avoid exposure to and consumption of CWD-positive animals. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has already begun surveillance in southwestern Ontario. "It's not a matter of whether it's going to be here. It's a matter of when it's going to be here," said Keith Fowler, an avid hunter for the past 20 years and the president of the Rideau/St. Lawrence branch of the Quality Deer Management Association of Canada. Story continues Fowler said he's working with other hunting groups to encourage hunters to provide samples of the deer they kill for testing, and is also planning a local information session. Submitted by Keith Fowler 'Basically destroys deer' "Once it's here, it probably will not leave. So it's pretty concerning," said Fowler, who lives in Brinston, Ont. He said it's important to take precautions as the disease has spread across Canada and the U.S. 'Basically you lose your heritage.' Keith Fowler, hunter "It basically destroys deer there just won't be any left. That's basically what happens," said Fowler. "Basically you lose your heritage girls like my daughter, [who's] 15 months old, she probably won't get to see deer." Ontario.ca No known cure Andy Moore of Perth, Ont., hunts in an area that's been monitored in the past for CWD. He said he's pretty concerned about its potential arrival in Ontario. "There's no known cure for it, so once it gets into a population it can be very hard to control or eradicate. So it could be serious trouble for the deer population, for sure," said Moore, the president of the Quality Deer Management Association of Canada's Lanark County branch. Moore said he's been hunting for 16 years, since he was 15 years old. He said a number of hunters he knows have submitted samples in the past, and he believes they'll continue to do so. "The people that hunt love to do it. And they're there to put food on the table for their families and enjoy nature," Moore said. "So if they're serious about hunting, they're obviously going to be pretty seriously concerned about the deer herd." By Saad Sayeed and Drazen Jorgic ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A hardline Pakistani Islamist group has warned of "terrible consequences" if a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy is granted leniency in an appeal heard on Monday, a case that has drawn global headlines and indignation. Asia Bibi, a mother of four, in 2010 became the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws. She appealed to the Supreme Court which concluded proceedings on Monday but reserved its judgment. The court did not specify when it would announce a ruling. Her case has outraged Christians worldwide and been a source of division within Pakistan, where two politicians who sought to help Bibi were assassinated, including Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was shot by his own bodyguard. The ultra-religious Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, which makes punishing blasphemy its main campaign rallying cry and lionizes the bodyguard who killed Taseer, warned the court against any "concession or softness" for Bibi. "If there is any attempt to hand her over to a foreign country, there will be terrible consequences," TLP said in a statement. Insulting Islam's prophet is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and blasphemy accusations stir such emotions that they are almost impossible to defend against. Dozens have been killed following blasphemy claims, sometimes by mobs of men. TLP won more than two million votes in the July 25 elections, though it has no parliamentarians in the National Assembly and only holds two provincial seats. But it wields outsized influence due to street power of its die-hard supporters. In November, TLP staged a crippling blockade of the capital after a tweak to a religious oath, which it claims was tantamount to blasphemy. Seven people were killed and more than 200 wounded in clashes with the police and TLP's supporters only dispersed after striking a deal with the military. In May, an extremist linked to TLP shot and wounded Pakistan's then-Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Bibi was sentenced to death for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbors objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. Bibi has always denied blaspheming and her representatives have claimed she was involved in a dispute with her neighbors and that her accusers had contradicted themselves. Rights groups say the blasphemy law is increasingly exploited by religious extremists as well as ordinary Pakistanis to settle personal scores. The law does not define blasphemy and evidence might not be reproduced in court for fear of committing a fresh offence. "Aasia Bibi has become a symbol of all that happens to religious minorities where class and prejudice intersect and a dysfunctional justice system is unable to protect Pakistans non-Muslim citizens," the English-language Daily Times said in an editorial on Monday. (Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Nick Macfie) A 'final call' on the need to control global warming has been issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Their report says the world is heading for a rise of 3 degrees C above pre-industrial levels and that this needs to be kept to 1.5C in order to avoid catastrophic change. Arctic and Antarctic ice is melting at unprecedented speed. ( Roxanne Desgagnes/Unsplash) It says global emissions of CO2 need to decline by 45 per cent from 2010 levels by 2030, that renewables must provide 85 per cent of global energy by 2050 and that global net emissions should be zero by then. The scientists warn that failing to take widespread and expensive action will lead to catastrophic sea level rises, the death of coral reefs, the ability to grow staple food crops and areas of the earth becoming uninhabitable. The Church of England's lead bishop on the environment has said the report reveals a 'critical risk-level' for global communities. Speaking from the European Churches Environmental Network in Katowice, Bishop Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, urged the UK government to commit to a target of net zero emissions by 2050. 'The evidence published by the IPCC today shows that the risk level of climate change is now critical. Ours is the first generation to know and understand this and probably the last to be able to do something meaningful towards climate justice,' he said. 'This year has been the hottest on record. Extreme weather events happen with increasing frequency, and the poorest are most vulnerable to the impact of climate change which affects us all. 'For Christians, striving to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustaining and renewing the life of the earth is at the heart of what we believe. We have a narrow window now to act if we are to protect God's creation for generations to come as individuals, communities and as a global family.' He added: 'We can, and we must do more to pick up the pace of change. This is a holistic and positive change, with benefits for the way we live together.' Stephen Beer, chief investment officer at Epworth Investment Management Limited, which manages the money of the Methodist Church and other Christian charities said of the IPCC report that it made 'grim reading'. 'It shows how time is not on our side,' he said. 'It is important that we take action across society to limit carbon emissions. For churches and charities that means taking action on investments too. We are already reviewing our approach to fossil fuel companies but we have always said it is about companies in every sector of the economy. What is their contribution to stopping climate disaster, or are they part of the problem? We need to see action.' Plasencia 1865 Cigars, the U.S. distribution company for the products of Plasencia Cigars, has announced that it has promoted Jose Luis Plasencia, the son of company patriarch Nestor Plasencia Sr. to Vice President. In his new role, Plasencia will oversee the entire distribution process, business operations, and support the sales team in the U.S. We are proud to welcome Jose Luis to our leadership team at Plasencia Cigars, said Nestor Plasencia Sr., president of Plasencia Cigars in a press release. Jose Luis has demonstrated passion and dedication for this industry, and we are confident he will help us continue to expand our family business through his innovative thinking and superb skills. Jose Luis Plasencia received his bachelors degree in business administration, with minors in finance and international business, from Keiser University. Over the past five years has spent time learning different facets of the cigar industry. This includes working several years with his father Nestor Sr. in the familys tobacco fields of Nicaragua and Honduras. From that point, he moved into management overseeing the companys finance department. I am thrilled to be taking on this new role, and honored to continue my family legacy, added Jose Luis Plasencia. Im looking forward to working alongside my family as we keep raising the bar as leaders in the cigar industry. Jose Luis will also relocate to Miami, Florida where the distribution operations of Plasencia 1865 are located. 2018 is going to go down as the year of the anniversary in the premium cigar business as across the industry many brands and personalities are celebrating milestones. In the case of My Father Cigars, the company is celebrating two milestones. Its the 15th anniversary of company patriarch Don Pepin Garcia setting up shop at the El Rey de los Habanos factory in Little Havana as well as the 15th anniversary of the Don Pepin Garcia brand. A few years later, Pepins son Jaime Garcia went to Nicaragua and started work on a blend unbeknownst to his father. Eventually, he would give the cigars to his father, who would fall in love with the cigars. Jaime decided to name that cigar My Father, which would not only develop into a brand name, but became the company name of the Garcia family. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the My Father. To commemorate these milestones, My Father Cigars has created two cigars: the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 and the My Father 10th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018. Today we take a closer look at the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary in the Robusto size. With the exception of 2014, each year My Father Cigars has released at least one limited edition cigar. These cigars have varied across the brands. There have been two common denominators: 1) The blend incorporates Nicaraguan-grown Pelo de Oro tobacco; 2) Each cigar has been made available in a 6 1/2 x 52 Toro. Most of the releases have been made available with each individual cigar packaged in a coffin. The Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary includes Pelo de Oro, it is packaged in a coffin, and it was made available in the 6 1/2 x 52 Toro as well as a 5 3/4 x 50 Robusto. The 15th Anniversary release is also the only My Father Limited offering to include a second size besides the Toro. A complete listing of the My Father limited edition offerings is below: * Denotes coffin release. The Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 is the second limited edition by My Father Cigars for the Don Pepin Garcia brand. This follows up the Don Pepin Garcia 10th Anniversary Limited Edition 2013 which as the name indicates commemorates the 10th anniversary. At a glance, here is a look at the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Robusto: SPECIFICATIONS Blend and Origin The Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary is a Nicaraguan purl. The blend incorporates Pelo de Oro into the filler. The cigar is produced at the My Father Cigars factory. Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Rosado Oscuro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: My Father Cigars SA Vitolas Offered As mentioned above, the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary is the first of any My Father Limited Edition to feature multiple sizes. In fact, it is also the first release to feature a size other than a 6 1/2 x 52 Toro. Each cigar is packaged in an individual coffin and a total of 14 coffins are packaged per box Robusto: 5 3/4 x 50 Toro: 6 1/2 x 52 Appearance The Nicaraguan Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper of the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 had a dark cinnamon color to it (thus very worthy of the name Rosado Oscuro a.k.a dark rosado). There was a nice amount of oil on the wrapper. While there were some thin visible veins and thin visible wrapper seams, I considered this wrapper to be on the smooth side. The band pays homage to the Don Pepin Garcia Original (Blue Label), one of the earliest releases by Pepin out of El Rey de los Habanos. The band is mostly blue with adornments of gold, red, and orange-copper. The center of the band has the text Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary in an elegant cursive font on a blue background. Above the text is the DPG initials in gold. The top of the band has a red and gold crown. Just under the crown and above the blue background is the text MY FATHER CIGARS in dark font on a gold ribbon-like adornment. Below the blue field is the text LIMITED EDITION in dark font on a gold background. In gold font, the text HAND MADE and NICARAGUA adorn the lower left and lower right of the band respectively. The far right has the signature of Jose Pepin Garcia in gold font. A pale gold ribbon surrounds the footer. The DPG initials and 2018 are embossed on the ribbon in gold font. PERFORMANCE Pre-Light Draw After removing the ribbon from the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Robusto, a straight cut was used to remove the cap. From that point, it was time for the pre-light draw ritual. The dry draw delivered a mix of natural tobacco, earth, and a slight amount of black pepper. Overall this pre-light draw is one that was satisfactory. At this point, it was time t light up the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Robusto and see what the smoking phase would deliver. Tasting Notes The Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Robusto started out with a signature Garcia black pepper blast that is seen across many My Father blends. Once the pepper subsided notes of dusty-earth emerged in the forefront. Meanwhile, the pepper settled in the background with notes of natural tobacco. At the same time, the black pepper was quite prominent on the retro-hale. As the cigar progressed through the first third, an herbal note also emerged in the background. The combination of the natural tobacco and herbal note soon increased and by the end of the first third, these notes joined the earth in the forefront. During the second third of the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Robusto, the herbal notes and earth remained in the forefront. Meanwhile, the natural tobacco subsided for a short amount of time, joining the pepper in the background. By the end of the second third, the natural tobacco increased in intensity again, moving back into the forefront and pushing the herbal note into the background. The last third of the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Robusto saw the black pepper notes increase in intensity. Toward the end of the cigar, the pepper eclipsed the earth and natural tobacco notes. There still were a touch of herbal notes. The very end of the cigar saw the pepper spice quite prominent on the tongue, but by this point, it was time to put down the cigar. The resulting nub was cool in temperature and soft to the touch. Burn The burn of the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Robusto scored quite well. This cigar maintained a straight burn path and had a straight burn line. The amount of touch-ups needed on this cigar was not excessive. The resulting ash was firm. This was an ash that was light gray in color with some darker spots mixed in. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature were excellent. Draw The draw of the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Robusto maintained a nice balance of openness and resistance. This was a cigar that produced an ample amount of smoke. This was also a low maintenance cigar to derive flavor. Strength and Body When it came to strength and body, the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Robusto started on the upper end of medium. Both the strength and body increased in intensity early on and by the second third, the cigar was in medium to full strength, medium to full-bodied territory. The increase in strength and body continued at a gradual rate during the second half with both attributes falling a little short of full by the end of the cigar. In terms of strength versus body, the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Robusto maintained a nice balance with neither attribute overshadowing the other. OVERALL ASSESSMENT Final Thoughts There will be obvious comparisons with the Don Pepin Garcia 10th Anniversary Limited Edition 2013. The 15th Anniversary is a completely different cigar that delivers a different experience. The 15th Anniversary is a very good cigar, but when compared to the 10th Anniversary, it does fall a little short. At the same time, there are plenty of positives with the Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Robusto. If you are looking for a cigar with signature Nicaraguan flavors yet bringing something a little different to the table, the 15th Anniversary Robusto is going to be the cigar for you. There are plenty of earth notes along the way and the black pepper is quite prominent at the start, and then later at the close of the cigar experience. One thing that is a little different is the herbal note. I can take or leave an herbal note, but I found it was a good addition to the 15th Anniversary Robusto. While this cigar started out medium in strength and body, it does build up, and toward the end, there is a nice amount of firepower with this cigar. As a result, Id probably steer this to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar I would smoke again, but at $20.00 per cigar, Id limit this to buying one at a time. Summary Key Flavors: Earth, Black Pepper, Natural Tobacco, Herb Burn: Excellent Draw: Excellent Complexity: Medium Strength: Medium (1st Third), Medium to Full (Remainder) Body: Medium (1st Third), Medium to Full (Remainder) Finish: Very Good Rating Assessment: Buy One Score: 90 References News: My Father Cigars Announces Don Pepin Garcia 15th Anniversary Limited Edition 2018 Price: $20.00 Source: Purchased Brand Reference: My Father Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted. Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: Polio-Like Condition in Children on Rise Again in U.S. A rare, polio-like condition in children is on the rise again in the United States, with 38 confirmed cases in 16 states so far this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The condition, acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), was first identified in 2014, when there were 120 cases, NBC News reported. AFM is a weakening of the nerves that causes partial paralysis in children. Symptoms include weakness in the arms or legs, drooping facial muscles, and difficulty moving the eyes. There's no cure. Some children have total or near-total recovery, while other have long-term disabilities. A few require ventilators to breathe, NBC News reported. The condition has been linked to viruses, including one called EV-A71,a common cause of hand, foot and mouth disease. The CDC says the number of cases appears to increase and decrease from one year to the next. After the 120 cases in 2014, there were 22 in 2015, 149 in 2016, and 33 last year, according to the agency. Of the 38 reported cases so far this year, 14 have been in Colorado, and six are under investigation in Minnesota, NBC News reported. ----- Flea-Borne Typhus Outbreak in Los Angeles County An outbreak of flea-borne typhus in Los Angeles County has so far resulted in 57 cases, including 20 in Pasadena and nine in downtown LA, public health officials say. Symptoms of the bacterial disease include high fever, chills, headache, body aches and rash. "Typhus fever is a disease that can cause serious complications requiring lengthy hospitalization, and rarely, death," said Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena's health officer, CNN reported. She advised residents to take precautions to prevent fleas in and around their homes, such as keeping yards debris-free and well-trimmed, not leaving pet food outdoors, not giving food or water to wild animals, keeping garbage containers tightly covered, sealing crawlspaces under the home and regular treatment of pets with flea control products. "Since the disease is spread by fleas, it is possible that endemic typhus could be transmitted year-round. Right now, it's hard to speculate on why we are seeing more cases. There is an ongoing investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health that seeks to answer this question," said Anne Rimoin, an associate professor of epidemiology at University of California School of Public Health, CNN reported. She added that, "a thorough public health investigation will provide clues as to whether or not we should expect a rise in cases elsewhere." ----- Mental Health Problems Increase With Global Warming: Study Mental health problems will increase as temperatures rise due to climate change, a new study warns. The researchers said that over five years, a 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degree Fahrenheit) increase in average temperature is associated with higher rates of mental health issues, CNN reported. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "We don't exactly know why we see high temperatures or increasing temperatures produce mental health problems," lead author Nick Obradovich, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, told CNN. "For example, is poor sleep due to hot temperatures the thing that produces mental health problems? We have a lot of work to do to figure out precisely what is causing what," Obradovich said. For the study, the researchers compared self-reported mental health data from nearly 2 million Americans with daily weather data from 2002 and 2012, CNN reported. In the study, those most vulnerable to mental health problems caused by rising temperatures included people with existing mental health conditions, those with lower incomes, and women. The findings are consistent with recent work by other scientists, Dr. Jonathon Patz, a professor and director of the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madision who was not involved in the study, told CNN. He noted that people may be experiencing "stress and despair" occurring "as governments and industry fail to react at the pace recommended by multiple scientific assessments." Page Content A pilot project that aims to forge deep working partnerships between cities and regions in Ukraine and the European Union has won strong praise in a preliminary assessment by participants. The partnerships, which began in March 2018, aim to help Ukraine's newly empowered local and regional authorities to develop effective local projects in areas ranging from energy efficiency and rural tourism to projects to boost civic engagement. The five current partnerships, which have been developed through the patronage and support of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and primarily involve communities represented in the CoR, entail a deeper level of cooperation than in many existing pairings between cities and regions in the EU and Ukraine, with the partners collaborating on drafting development strategies, developing regular political contacts, and hosting weeks-long professional internships for local officials. The initiative, which is co-funded by the European Commission and by the EU partners, has secured high-level interest in Ukraine, with Hennadiy Zubko, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development, Construction and Housing, deciding to attend a meeting of CoR's Ukraine Task-Force in Kyiv on 25 September. The meeting was co-chaired by, his deputy, Vyacheslav Nehoda, and by the first vice-president of the CoR, Markku Markkula (FI/EPP) from Espoo City Council. Andres Jaadla (EE/ALDE) said that he and other councillors from his city, Rakvere, had initially been sceptical about the prospects for the project, but the project was going "extremely well" and had already produced practical results for Rakvere's partner-city, Vesele. The two communities are working together to help Vesele, which is in southern Ukraine, improve energy efficiency and identify promising forms of sustainable economic development. Similar messages came from the other four partnerships, and from Mr Markkula, who said he was "very pleased to see that the support offered by the CoR to our Ukrainian friends falls on fertile ground, and that a more tangible capacity-building approach has taken root", adding that "the most important added value is that these programmes allow people to be active and to change things in their communities". The Wielkopolska region in Poland is working with Kharkiv region in north-eastern Ukraine to help develop the rural economy, while Zarasai municipality in Lithuania is helping Chemerivtsi, a town in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains, to change the way it involves local citizens in decision-making processes. Szabolcs Szatmar Bereg County in Hungary is sharing its experience of developing green rural tourism with the western Ukrainian region of Khmelnytskyi, while Barleben from Saxony-Anhalt in Germany helping Shyroke in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine to help support local SMEs and attract foreign investment. The partnerships are financially supported through the European Commission's U-LEAD programme and managed by one of an implementing agency, the German development agency GIZ. The idea for partnerships that combine political, economic, and technical support emerged from contacts that the CoR developed through its Ukraine Task-Force, which the CoR created in 2014 together with Ukraine's then regional-development minister and current prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman. The pilot project is part of a broader effort by the CoR to support the process of political and financial decentralisation in Ukraine. It is also intended to demonstrate that, by working more deeply with local and regional authorities, the EU can stimulate economic development beyond Kyiv. During the Task Force meeting, Ukrainian speakers provided a picture of developments in national policy set out by, for example, Yuriy Solovey , deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada's committee on economic policy and at the regional and local level. Oleksandr Slobozhan of the Association of Ukrainian Cities and Serhii Chernov, president of the Association of Regional and Regional Councils, provided an overview of local and regional trends, while Glyb Prygunov, chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, presented the plans of one of Ukraine's economically most significant regions, and Yuri Bova, mayor of Trostyanets in northern Ukraine, provided examples of innovative solutions possible in a small town. CoR members of the Task-Force, most of whom come from formerly communist countries, emphasised lessons from their countries and communities. Stanisaw Szwabski (EA/PL) of Gdynia City Council stressed, for example, the value for local businesses of establishing information centres, developing business incubators, and introducing soft skills such as negotiating, teamwork, presentational and management skills in local schools; while Pavel Branda (ECR/CZ), deputy mayor of the small town of Radlo, said that his council had found business parks, programmes to attract foreign investors, and solar farms had been particularly beneficial. The meeting of the Ukraine Task-Force also highlighted general opportunities open to Ukrainian communities through the EU's engagement with all Eastern Partnership countries: Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, plus Ukraine. The CoR presented a study that it commissioned that outlines EU financial assistance available to local and regional authorities in the Eastern Partnership. Particularly significant opportunities open to Ukrainian administrations were identified at the meeting by Annika Weidemann, deputy head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, while Kateryna Rigg of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development highlighted examples of EU support for business programmes. Members of the Task-Force also had an opportunity to discuss the early impact of a large-scale pilot project Mayors for Economic Growth launched by the EU as a means to tap the enthusiasm for economic change expressed by regional and local councils across the Eastern Partnership. Through the Mayors for Economic Growth initiative, the European Commission offers technical support for local communities interested in drawing up economic-development plans. Over 100 Ukrainian communities have already signed up. The initiative is modelled on the Covenant of Mayors, which sees the EU provide technical support to local governments including in Ukraine that pledge to surpass the EU's climate-action targets. The CoR is a political patron of the Covenant of Mayors, which was set up in 2008 and has now become global in its range. On 24 September, a day before the Ukraine Task-Force meeting, members had attended the annual meeting of the Conference of the Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), set up by the CoR in 2010. The meeting saw local leaders back two sets of recommendations on how to strengthen local economies in the Eastern Partnership countries. One report, on 'economic cooperation and economic development at local level', was drafted by Emin Yeritsyan, president of the Union of Communities of Armenia. The other on 'facilitating sustainable municipal development through bilateral municipal cooperation' was crafted by Andris Jaunsleinis (LV/ALDE), member of Ventspils Municipal Council, former leader of Latvia's local-government association and member of the Ukraine Task-Force. Two other CoR members of the Ukraine Task-Force were present on 25 September: Petr Osvald (PES/CZ), from Plzen City Council; and Arnoldas Abramavicius (EPP/LT), whose municipality, Zarasai, has formed one of the five partnerships. Oszkar Sesztak (HU/EPP), president of Szabolcs Szatmar Bereg County; and Soren Herbst (DE/EPP) of Magdeburg City Council was invited as CoR rapporteur on 'Eastern Partnership deliverables for 2020'. Page Content On 9 October 2018, the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Karl-Heinz Lambertz, delivered his address on the "State of the European Union: the View of its Regions and Cities". It coincided with the 16th European Week of Regions and Cities and the adoption of the CoR opinion on the future of Europe. Among others, the President addressed the question on how regional and local leaders can help to make the European Union democratically more accountable and regain citizens' trust in its institutions. Follow us on Twitter via #SOTREG Bangladeshs President Abdul Hamid has given his assent controversial Digital Security Bill, 2018, by enacting it as a law. This new law combines previous colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions such as arrests without warrant. Bangladesh Government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Bangladesh Awami League) has defended the digital law as necessary to combat cyber crime Digital Security Bill 2018 It was passed by Bangladeshs Parliament to deal with cybercrimes, including hurting religious sentiment, spreading negative propaganda against 1971 Liberation War and Bangabandhu (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman). It also covers illegal activities in e-transactions and spreading defamatory data under its ambit It provides for minimum of 7 years and a maximum of 14 years imprisonment, as well as monetary fines of a minimum of Taka 25 lakh and maximum of Taka 1 crore, or both for illegal access and destruction of any important information related to state affairs. Opposition to law The law has faced widespread vocal opposition from rights groups and journalists that it could endanger freedom of speech especially on social media. These groups are saying that this law will create atmosphere of fear and intimidation, which will make journalism and especially investigative journalism, virtually impossible. Opponents also have criticized digital law as latest authoritarian move by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The law has also drawn opposition internationally including from US ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat who had quoted that this law could be used to suppress and criminalise free speech which inturn could be detrimental to Bangladeshs democracy, development and prosperity. American economists William Nordhaus and Paul Romer were jointly awarded 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics Sciences for integrating climate change and technological innovation into macroeconomic analysis. Their findings have significantly broadened scope of economic analysis by constructing models that explain how market economy interacts with nature and knowledge. Their studies has helped to address some of current times most basic and pressing questions about creating long-term sustained and sustainable growth. William Nordhaus: He is professor at Yale University. He was first person to create economic model that describes global interplay between economy and the climate in the 1990s. This model had showed that the most efficient remedy for problems caused by greenhouse gases is a global scheme of universally imposed carbon taxes. Paul Romer: He is professor at New York Universitys Stern School of Business. He has showed that how economic forces govern willingness of firms to produce new ideas and innovations. This had laid foundations for new model for development, known as endogenous growth theory. Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences is officially called Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. It was not part of original group of awards (Chemistry, Literature, Peace, Physics, and Physiology or Medicine) set out in dynamite tycoon Alfred Nobels 1895 will. It was instituted in 1968 by Sveriges Riksbank (Swedens central bank). It is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences according to the same principles as for Nobel Prizes. The five Nobel Prizes are based on fund set up from wealth bequeathed by Alfred Nobel, whereas Economic Prize is based on donation received by Nobel Foundation in 1968 from Sveriges Riksbank. Although not a Nobel Prize, this award is recognised as most prestigious award in the subject. It has been awarded 50 times since 1969. Indian economist Amartya Sen is only Indian so far to win this prize in 1998 for his contributions to welfare economics. Elinor Ostrom is only woman to win this award so far in 2009, she had shared it with fellow-American Paul Krugman. Iran's president has warned jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe will not be released unless 'Iranians languishing in American prisons' are also freed.Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years in jail after being accused of spying by Tehran's Islamist regime, a charge she vehemently denies.Iran's leader Hassan Rouhani has come under pressure to secure her release with Theresa May telling him she has 'serious concerns' about the jailing.But in a blow for Mrs May and the family, Rouhani told CNN today that the issue of releasing prisoners was 'a path that travels both ways.'Asked about dual nationals like Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Iranian jails, he told Christiane Amanpour: 'You see, the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, like any other countries we see today, if an individual is imprisoned, that person had been condemned after having gone through a legal process this is something that is quite ordinary in many countries.''There are many who are Iranians languishing in American prisons and they must also be free, and it would be good of you to show the same amount of care for them as you do for those in Iran.'When we talk about our citizens being imprisoned in other countries, western countries, they say there's nothing they can do because they're under the guide of the judiciary.'So, we must all bring a concerted effort so all prisoners may be free, returned to their families but it must be a path that travels both ways.'Today, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary ramped up pressure on Iran to release the during talks in New York.Theresa May told Iranian president Hassan Rouhani she had 'serious concerns' about the jailing of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe.In talks on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Mrs May called for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release.It came after Jeremy Hunt demanded rapid action to secure her freedom in his first face-to-face meeting with Iran's foreign minister.The Foreign Secretary told Javad Zarif that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe must be returned home quickly.During talks on the UNGA sidelines, he said: 'I again pressed for Nazanin's swift release - she deserves to be back at home with her family,' Mr Hunt said in a statement.It is also 'absolutely essential' the Iranian government take steps to ensure the release of 'a number of detained dual nationals', he added.Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was detained at Imam Khomeini airport in April 2016.Last month she was granted a three-day release from Evin prison but her request for an extension was denied and she was forced to say goodbye to her four-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and return to jail.Husband Richard Ratcliffe wrote an open letter to Mr Zarif calling the short release a 'cruel game'.Mrs May also used her meeting with President Rouhani to underline the UK's commitment to the Iran nuclear deal.Britain and its European allies responded with dismay to US president Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that relieved sanctions on Tehran in return for an end to Iran's military nuclear ambitions.Husband Richard Ratcliffe said he was reassured by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt's approach.Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has denied having asked for a meeting with his US counterpart.Donald Trump had tweeted at the UN General Assembly that 'Despite requests, I have no plans to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Maybe someday in the future. I am sure he is an absolutely lovely man!'But Rouhani told CNN: 'Not this year nor last year, we have never made such a request for a meeting with the President of the United States.'Of course, last year from American officials we received eight requests for a meeting and I did not see that as being an appropriate meeting.'A meeting must take place at a time when that meeting can serve a purpose, be beneficial, can serve the benefits of both countries.'But under the current conditions, when it comes to a meeting and dialogue, I do not see it as beneficial or appropriate but you should ask him who made such requests.'He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'He's just really angry by the way in which her case has dragged on for so long.'And then I got a de-brief from his office afterwards, which was to say that they'd had a frank conversation and they spent a long time talking about Nazanin and the other cases calling for her release, which I think the Government has talked for a long time about raising the case, but calling for release is something that is more pointed now - it just needs to be really clear that it is unacceptable.'Mr Ratcliffe said he had given Mr Hunt a stone to symbolise the promise that his predecessor Boris Johnson had made, as well as a stone to hand over to the Iranian foreign minister, plus a letter.He added: 'I was really reassured by the Foreign Secretary's tone ... Boris Johnson promised to leave no stone unturned in bringing Nazanin back and of course it requires two governments to do that. Jeremy Hunt took up the stone and it's in his office and he showed it to me and said 'Listen, I promise you I'll keep going'.'Asked about his wife, he said: 'I heard from her a day ago, she's calmer than she was before, having battles around getting access to medical services and so on, and there's always something that you're battling for.'The shock of being let out but then being brought back in, which was really tough for a week or so, things have really calmed, and just hoping beyond hope that the Government can unlock something.'Mr Ratcliffe said 'all you can to is keep pushing and keep pushing a bit harder', adding: 'I don't think the option of giving up is one to take.'Read more: Iran's leader on the fate of the nuclear deal - CNN Video Bangladesh's Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty for a convict charged with the murder of Saudi embassy official Khalaf Al Ali. A 4-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmoud Hussain, rejected the petition filed by the convict against the death penalty. "Now, there is no bar towards executing the verdict against convict Saiful Islam Mamun," Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was quoted as saying on Sunday by the United News of Bangladesh. The High Court had sentenced Mamun to death and Mohammad Al Amin, Akbar Ali Lalu and Rafiqul Islam to life in prison for their role in the murder of the Saudi citizen. Al Ali, 45, an official with the consular section of the embassy, was shot in the capital's highly secured Gulshan diplomatic zone in front of his rented apartment at about 1am on March 5, 2012, the local authorities said. He died at a hospital at around 5pm. Al Ali had worked in the Saudi embassy in Dhaka for two years after being posted in Azerbaijan for 7 years and was scheduled to be moved to Jordan within months. 2 days after the killing, 5 suspects were charged with the murder, and on December 30, 2012, a Dhaka court sentenced the 5 accused to death. However, the convicts appealed the sentenced, and the High Court in 2013 upheld the death sentence of Saiful Islam Mamun, but commuted the sentences of Mohammad Al Amin, Akbar Ali Lalu and Rafiqul Islam to life in prison and acquitted fugitive Selim Chowdhury. The case reached the Supreme Court in 2014. Death penalty for yaba dealers The cabinet today approves the draft of a law, in principle, with a provision of death penalty for trading yaba. According to the 'Narcotics Control Act-2018', if yaba dealers are found with less than 5 grams of the drug, they can be sentenced to maximum 15 years in prison. And if the yaba traders are found with more than 5 grams, the maximum punishment is death penalty. Cabinet Secretary Shafiul Alam today confirmed the matter to reporters at a press briefing after the weekly cabinet meeting. The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has drafted the law. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde : Gulf News, October 8, 2018The Daily Star, October 8, 2018 James Woodson, a man whose case led to the overturn of an automatic death penalty in North Carolina, died last week at the age of 67. Woodson was convicted in 1974 of 1st-degree murder in connection with the death of a convenience store clerk who was shot during a store robbery. Woodson, who claimed that his life would have been threatened if he did not join 3 others in the robbery, stayed in the car as a lookout. At the time of his trial, state law automatically allowed for the death penalty for a 1st-degree murder conviction. Claiming the automatic death sentence violates the Eighth Amendment - which prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments - Woodson appealed and, in 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed, struck down the law and spared Woodson's life and that of 120 other inmates. Woodson served about 17 years in prison, then lived a crime-free life in Raleigh, eventually returning to the Wake Correctional Center to preach to inmates there. "There's a choice in the matter in life itself," he told WRAL News in 2009. "Do you want to live? Do you want to be helpful to another individual because you've been helped? "It was a good feeling (when I was released). I, James Tyrone Woodson, don't ever want to be in prison again," he said. Woodson's obituary, posted by Haywood Funeral Home, said simply, "Mr. James Woodson, 67, of Raleigh, North Carolina, departed this earthly life on Thursday, October 4, 2018." | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde PWRAL news, October 9, 2018 A Tarrant County judge called off the upcoming execution of Emanuel Kemp, a Fort Worth killer once deemed too insane to be put to death. But his scheduled punishment was canceled not over concerns about his sanity, but in light of a need for further DNA testing, according to court filings. Kemp was scheduled to die on Nov. 7 for a decades-old crime. The high-school dropout had been out of prison for just five days when he hijacked a public transit bus at knifepoint in 1987, forcing the driver to drive around town while he raped and murdered the only passenger, Johnnie Mae Gray. The 34-year-old died from nine stab wounds to the chest and throat according to Texas prison records. The driver was stabbed in the neck but lived. Kemp was arrested three days later and sent to death row the following year after a whirlwind six-day trial. In the years after his conviction, Kemp was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, according to his attorney, Greg Westfall. "He has been very psychotic to entirely utterly out there since about 1990," Westfall said. By the mid-90s, one court deemed Kemp incompetent for execution, though a higher court later reversed that decision after years of medication. Since then, his attorneys raised claims of bad lawyering, violations of due process, questions about jury selection and denial of funds to get mental health experts. After he lost in federal court in the early 2000s, according to Westfall, the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office under another administration agreed not to seek another death date - so the decision to schedule a November execution came as a surprise to defense counsel. "It was agreed that he was too insane to execute," Westfall said earlier this year. "Since then, the leadership there has changed and now they have sought an execution date. It was really out of the blue." But on Friday, the trial court greenlit an order withdrawing the execution date "so that matters related to his Motion for Forensic DNA Testing Can be fully litigated," according to court filings. The state, according the paperwork notes, has agreed to the motion. Neither Westfall nor the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office could be reached Monday for comment. The canceled execution is now the second death date called off from Tarrant County in the past week. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday stayed an October death date scheduled for Juan Segundo, who was sent to death row in 2005 for the cold case murder of 11-year-old Vanessa Villa. The order opens the door to investigate claims that he's too intellectually disabled to be put to death. With Segundo's date called off, Kwame Rockwell - also from Tarrant County - is the next prisoner scheduled to die. The Lone Star State has executed 10 men so far in 2018. There are another six death dates on the calendar in the coming months, including two in 2019. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde Making a return to the mid-size SUV segment in India, Honda will be launching its fifth-gen CR-V tomorrow. The model gets considerable updates and even offers a new 7-seat configuration for the first time. Heres all that you need to know about Hondas new range-topping SUV. The 2018 Honda CR-V is bigger and promises to be more modern than before, with features like auto LED headlamps, L-shaped LED taillamps, new DRLs and a panoramic sunroof. It gets a new centre console design that does not feature a conventional gear control stick of any sorts, but instead has push-button gear selector with an electronic e-brake as well. It also comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the centre of the dashboard with the aircon vents just above it. Talk of safety features and it gets 6 airbags, lane watch camera, ESC and a driver fatigue monitor. However, Honda Sensing, the brands suite of driver assist and safety systems, is not on offer. The new Honda CR-V was showcased at the Auto Expo 2018 and for the first time in India, Honda will be offering a 7-seat configuration of the CR-V powered by their 1.6-litre diesel engine. There is also be a 2.0-litre petrol engine variant but it will not offer the 7-seat layout. There will be no manual transmission option, with the petrol engine being paired to a CVT and the diesel paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. We expect the new Honda CR-V to be priced anywhere between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 31 lakh. Since it will be offered in both five-seater and seven-seater layouts, the CR-V will face competition from both ends. The petrol-powered five-seater will go up against the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan while the diesel-powered seven-seater will give competition to the Skoda Kodiaq. Stay tuned to CarDekho for more details as we cover the launch event tomorrow. Also Read: Honda Details India-Bound 2019 Civic Facelift Words By: Sonny Rex Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho. Consumer goods and real estate are the most promising sectors for M&As in Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress Investors seeking M&As could end with legal entanglements at a time when the country is in the process of making its laws consistent. Vietnams merger and acquisition (M&A) market has seen significant growth over the past decade with a total of 4,353 deals valued at $48.8 billion done. Last year there was the biggest M&A deal ever when Thaibev Group bought 53.59 percent of the countrys largest brewery Sabeco through its subsidiary. This interest is expected to spread to other booming sectors like energy and infrastructure, education, pharmaceuticals, and telecoms in the near future aided by the constant efforts by the government to ease the restrictions on foreign investment in several sectors. In practice, M&A transactions involve guidance from consultants with various kinds of expertise until the deal is closed. The performance of legal due diligence (DD) in conjunction with financial and business DD is the first step in a deal as a pre-contractual investigation before proceeding with any further negotiations between the relevant parties. In M&A transactions, legal DD serves to collate information and identify legal risks or liabilities and other relevant issues associated with the target company that could arise during the course of the transaction. The performance of legal DD in Vietnam is often encumbered by several issues unfolding during the deal process due to companies lack of organization and/or complexities in the laws. Given that relevant laws and regulations are sometimes inconsistent, one may be unable to figure out the specific issue or how to handle it for closing the deal. Certain legal procedures and requirements were neglected or not dealt with care by Vietnamese enterprises during their foregoing operation, causing difficulties to the transacting parties and consultants during the legal DD as to how to fix them. Charter capital and corporate governance Under the Law on Enterprises, the charter (or Articles of Association) of a company is one of the most critical corporate documents but is usually not well drafted to reflect the up-to-date legal status of the company. This is because it is not mandatory to register the charter with competent authorities following an amendment or supplementation save for certain special cases (like increase in charter capital, conversion of company or charter of credit institutions, etc.). Vietnamese companies thus often fail to update their charter regularly since they do not realize the importance of updating. Together with the charter, the joint venture agreement (JVA) or shareholders agreement (SHA) between the parties mainly sets out the organization and management of the target company. In practice, the JVA and SHA model is not applied to all companies but strikes in for the foreign-invested companies where the interests of the foreign investors are duly protected. The stated documents must be read and scrutinized with diligence since the investor may assume unfavorable terms and conditions which could materially affect its rights and benefits upon acquiring stakes in the company. Another customary practice by domestic companies is their registration of numerous business lines at the time of incorporation, which permits them to freely do business in many sectors. However, this may pose the risk of rendering the company less attractive to foreign investors since, by law, some areas of business have restrictions on foreign investment (i.e. limits on foreign ownership, stringent business conditions for foreign-invested companies). Consequently, the target company is required to excise unexpected or undesirable lines from their scope of business before the foreign investor buys a stake. The charter capital, especially in purely domestic companies, is often not contributed in full by the owners or within the statutory time period (i.e. within 90 days from the establishment date). Upon the lapse of the stated period, the company is required to register a reduced charter capital to reflect the actually paid-in amount. The legal DD is responsible for identifying this non-compliance, which sometimes affects the intention of the buyer since the additional step required may prolong the deal closing and the charter capital of the company could decrease to a figure not originally envisioned. Joint stock companies documents (like shareholder register, share certificate and share transfer agreement of the holders) are usually not well-maintained or up-to-date to reflect the current shareholding structure of the company or sometimes not consistent with each other. In these cases, it would be very hard to trace the old or current shareholding structure of the target. At some local companies, shareholders contribute their capital to the company but borrow it back from the company right afterwards, and when the M&A transaction occurs these companies are not able to make the required repayments in time, which results in delaying the whole transaction. Assets For working capital, Vietnamese enterprises often borrow from banks against the mortgage of a portion of or all their assets. In conducting a legal DD, only certain assets which require a mortgage/pledge to be registered with competent authorities is available to be verified (i.e. Department of Natural Resources and Environment with regard to land and assets attached to the land). Vietnamese laws do not mandate that movable assets must be registered to be effective (save for aircrafts, ships) though the payment priority could be registered with the National Registration Agency for Secured Transactions to ensure the ranking of the secured party when the assets are liquidated to repay liabilities. Thus, it may not be easy to find if any of the movable assets of the target has been taken as security. Intellectual property rights (IPRs) remain an asset that does not receive adequate attention from Vietnamese companies. Certain IPR infringements are commonly seen during the course of DD inspection, including the use of software without valid permits or licenses and the use of illegally printed books and documents. In extreme cases, some Vietnamese companies do not even register their trademarks though they are their sole valuable asset with the National Office of Industry Property of Vietnam or use trademarks of others without any authorization from the legal owner. This lack of awareness could lead to unwanted IPR-related disputes which adversely impact the target companys reputation. Land and property attached to land The land laws have kept unchanged the provision that offshore entities cannot be directly allocated or leased land by the state. Alternatively, they must have a presence in Vietnam through the formation of a wholly-owned or joint-venture company to lease land from the government (or from a local landlord who has the right to sub-lease the land) for its investment projects. In practice, land-related procedures (i.e. land recovery, land clearance, compensation, settlement of residents claims), especially for projects subject to the in-principle approval are time-consuming and costly. Thus, having sufficient documents related to relevant procedures (i.e. minutes, decisions or approvals from competent authorities) has been a challenge for most companies, and escalates issues during the determination of the proper title of a land during the legal DD process. According to the Land Law, land rents can be paid annually or upfront in one shot. There are limitations on the rights of land users in respect of lands with annual payments as opposed to one-off payments: for instance, the user of land with annual payments cannot transfer, mortgage, sublet or give the land to another entity. It is routine in Vietnam for companies to lease/ sub-lease part of their land or office to other parties despite the fact they are not licensed to do so. Carrying out real estate business is one of the conditional business lines in Vietnam which require a company to satisfy certain legal requirement. Some target companies are not aware of the need to have a real estate business license when they lease/sub-lease their land or office to others since they consider such leasing merely an additional source of income. It is however uneasy to early terminate the lease/sub-lease for the M&A closing. In the case of sale of investment projects using land, the licensing authority shall require the project to satisfy a number of conditions, including, inter alia (i) the land rental must be paid in one shot and (ii) the implementation schedule must be compliant with what is registered in the investment registration certificate issued to the investors. Failure to satisfy either condition means the licensing authority could reject an application to record a new investor for the project. Employment The issues relating to employment are rather complicated since they are governed by various legal instruments, notably the Labour Code and the others including the Law on Labour Hygiene and Safety, Law on Trade Union, Law on Social Insurance, Law on Unemployment Insurance, and Law on Employment. Most of the time, the target company may not be able to strictly comply with the relevant laws in every regard (i.e. contribution of compulsory insurance or registration of internal working rules). Especially, the unilateral termination of a labor contract with an employee could easily be a violation of the Labour Code. Under the law, an employer may only unilaterally terminate a labor contract or dismiss an employee in restricted cases in accordance with the Labour Code. If the illegally terminated or dismissed employee files his/her counterclaim against the decision of the target company, it may trigger an investigation by the labor inspector or, in the worst case, the issue could be taken to a higher dispute settlement body (i.e. the competent local courts). From practical experience, this latent dispute could be hard to detect if the target intentionally withholds relevant information. Material contracts The Law on Enterprises stipulates that transactions with related parties must be approved by the members council of a limited liability company or by the annual general meeting of shareholders (or board of directors, as applicable) of a joint stock company. However, many Vietnamese companies do not pay attention to this requirement since they are not aware of the fact that without the stated approvals the executed contracts shall be deemed invalid. A commonly adopted solution to overcome this non-compliance issue is signing backdated approvals. However, from the legal perspective, the validity of such approvals is highly questionable. Contracts executed with change-of-control or cross-default clauses should also be dealt with care since they may have a great impact on the operation of the target company on acquisition by the investor. These types of clauses normally appear in contracts with substantial value or significant importance. While the change-of-control clause requires the target company to obtain approval from the counterpart upon any changes to its ownership, assets or projects, the cross-default provisions will trigger the termination of all associated contracts (i.e. loan agreements and security agreements). Prior approval must be sought from all related parties to contracts with a change-of-control clause as a condition precedent. It is usual practice for Vietnamese companies to assign more than one person with the power to sign contracts on its behalf. This is a totally permissible and widely accepted practice not only in Vietnam but also in other jurisdictions. However as a matter of law, such execution by others, save for the legal representative, must be specifically authorized in writing to ensure the validity of a contract. In case of failure to obtain the said authorization, any contracts executed will be at risk of being declared null and void when challenged in front of competent courts or arbitration. This seems to be a serious issue yet can be found in most legal DD inspections owing to negligence on the part of target companies. How to assess these potentially invalid contracts and how to continue these contracts after a successful M&A deal is a question for the buyer. Loans Vietnamese companies often provide unsecured loans to other local companies or individuals (particularly to their members). However, under the law, only credit institutions (i.e. the banks or finance companies) may extend credit secured by assets to other entities. The provision of such unsecured loans by non-banking entities could entail fines under the law, but in practice rarely are entities giving loans of such nature sanctioned by competent authorities. The authorities could take a lenient view that so long as the provision of unsecured loans is not a regular business activity of the lender it could be disregarded on a case by case basis. Speaking of loans taken by target companies, credit institutions will require, in addition to collateral, their prior approval for any change in ownership of the borrower through an M&A transaction. In fact, Vietnamese banks are reluctant to grant such permission to the borrower though it is a common practice globally. Thus, approval from banks from which the target company has outstanding loans should always be sought as a condition in the final agreement. Environment and fire prevention and safety Environmental protection has attracted more attention from authorities in recent years than before, especially after the occurrence of several environmental disasters. The laws strictly require projects at risk of causing adverse environmental impacts to do an environmental impact assessment report (EIAR) and submit it to relevant authorities for approval. The target is further required to complete the investment project within 24 months from the approval date of the EIAR, failing which it will have to do the EIAR afresh. But the fact is that investment projects in Vietnam do not properly conform to the registered implementation schedule, which in turn could result in the invalidation of the EIAR, without which the final check and acceptance of construction works could be rejected by competent authorities when applied for, say, the ownership certificate of the construction works. In recent years the requirement for doing DD with respect to landmine and contamination issues on lands belonging to the target company has been raised, causing problems for the target company to satisfy clearance of such issues. On the other hand, fire prevention and extinguishment has gradually become an important issue at Vietnamese companies. The recent fire at Carina Plaza apartment and other fatal incidents have made fire safety important precautions to the public and, especially, authorities. Specifically, subject to their scale and operations, target companies must satisfy certain regulatory requirements such as having approval for their fire prevention and safety design, acceptance of the fire prevention and safety system by the police and purchase of fire and explosion insurance. However, many target companies still tend to ignore part or all of these requirements or attempt to satisfy the minimum conditions possible (like using outdated or malfunctioning system). Anti trust Anti-trust has always been a remote and improbable issue for Vietnamese companies since they barely have any experience in the field and their business is usually relatively small. The matter in question has only arisen in recent years with the emergence in the market of M&A deals between large enterprises. Though the legal DD may not be able to firmly explain whether the prospective M&A deal could fall into restricted cases under the laws or not, it could point out a likelihood of its occurrence for the parties consideration. Ignoring this issue could cause various problems for the buyer after the deal is concluded. Subject to the essence and complexity of the transaction, there could be more (or less) categories focusing on other material aspects of the target company (e.g. products of a pharmaceutical company). A legal DD serves not only as a tool to identify pending legal issues at target companies but also gives the investor remedial measures to overcome risks and achieve its ultimate goals. With the relentless growth of the M&A market, Vietnam is a promising destination for foreign investment with the government making progress in achieving a fair and level playing ground for foreign investors. *Dang Duong Anh is managing partner and Luu Quang Anh an associate with the Vietnam International Law Firm (VILAF) An exhibition in Hanoi goes back 64 years, when the French troops officially withdrew from Vietnam. The Vietnamese People's Army enters Thanh Tri District outside Hanoi on October 6, 1954 after nine years of fighting against the French in the northern uplands. Following the Geneva Accord signed that year, the French withdrew from northern Vietnam and the First Indochina War came to an end. It was raining as the Vietnamese forces marched into Hanoi on October 8, 1954. Named Hanoi: Moments of October 1954, the exhibition, organized by the citys culture department, will remain open until January 30, 2019 at the Hoa Lo Prison Museum in downtown Hanoi. Vietnamese soldiers gain control of the French chief of state's palace, which is now the Presidential Palace at 2 Hung Vuong Street in Ba Dinh District. Vietnamese soldiers march on Long Bien Bridge on their way back to Hanoi downtown on October 10, 1954. Vietnamese soldiers take over the Hoa Lo Prison in Hoan Kiem District. They take a post on Hang Trong Street from the French. On October 10, 1954, Hanoi officially pulled together all its forces and brought them back to the city. In this photo, a car is sent around the city to announce the plan to welcome back the nation's military force from the northern uplands. Locals in Hanoi write a welcome and thank you note to the Vietnamese People's Army on the wall of Tran Nhat Duat Elementary School in Hoan Kiem District. Hanoians decorate the streets for the big day. A tailor shop in Hanoi makes national flags for the celebration. Children wave national flags to welcome the Vietnamese soldiers in Hanoi on October 10, 1954. A crowd gathers at the Bo Ho Roundabout, now the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, for the celebration. Students and teachers of Hanoi march in a parade on the main streets of Hanoi. They are joined by Hanoi women wearing the traditional ao dai. Photos courtesy of Hanoi: Moments of October 1954 exhibition at Hoa Lo Prison Museum Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is welcomed at Haneda International Airport, Tokyo, on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called on Japan to enhance its role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Vietnam welcomes and shares Japan's view on the importance of diplomacy in advocating compliance with international law and peaceful resolution of disputes in disputed waters, Phuc told the Japanese press upon arriving in Tokyo for the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit. A statement from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited Phuc as saying the international community was concerned about the complicated situation in the East Sea, internationally named as the South China Sea. He called on all parties involved to abide by international law, follow the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC), and take steps to finalize the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. "We hope that Japan continues to demonstrate its role and responsibility, together with the international community, to support and contribute to the security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, to maintain peace and stability, bringing prosperity to the East Sea in particular and to the Asia-Pacific region in general," the PM said. Phuc landed in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, to attend the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit on October 9. Japan is Vietnam's fourth largest trading partner with a combined trade turnover of $33.4 billion in 2017. The country is also Vietnams second largest foreign investor in terms of pledged investment capital, with more than 1,600 projects worth $42 billion licensed by the end of last year. Japan is also the largest official development assistance (ODA) provider to Vietnam and the two nations are implementing large-scale projects in Vietnam, especially in infrastructure and energy. Last month, Kuroshio became the first Japanese submarine to take part in a naval drill in the South China Sea, before docking at the Cam Ranh Port in south-central Vietnam. Vietnamese frigate Tran Hung Dao arrives at Sakai Port in Osaka on October 3 during its trip to Japan. Photo courtesy of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force A number of foreign naval ships have visited Vietnam recently, and analysts say the nation is keen to promote defense diplomacy. Between September 11 and 27 South Korean destroyer Munmu the Great berthed in Da Nang, Japanese submarine Kuroshio in Cam Ranh, Canadas HMCS Calgary again in Da Nang, and New Zealand frigate Te Mana and Indian destroyer INS Rana in Ho Chi Minh City. In early September, British amphibious assault vessel HMS Albion visited HCMC after sailing past the Paracel Islands, sparking fury in China. Meanwhile, Vietnamese frigate Tran Hung Dao late last month headed out for a long naval journey involving maritime activities in Japan, South Korea and China, and Coast Guard ship CBS 8001 began a maiden visit to India last week, seeking to strengthen cooperation in addressing maritime security threats. In an email to VnExpress International, Dr. Collin Koh Swee Lean, a research fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said these visits are definitely an indicator of Vietnams growing willingness to boost security ties with major powers, including those within the U.S. alliance and partnership network. "Its important to note that with a more extroverted military growing its capabilities for outreach, Vietnam is keen to promote defense diplomacy." These visits, including foreign warships port calls to Vietnam and Vietnams visits, represent more broadly the intensified defense diplomacy efforts between Vietnam and external parties in recent years, he said. Jay Batongbacal, associate professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, concurred. "These visits are signs of engagement with a much broader, more diverse community of like-minded states on maritime security issues," he said. The frequent port visits showed that Vietnam is "more comfortable and more willing" to engage in friendly relations with such countries, and that it shares some things in common with them at some level in maritime policy, security and politics, he said. John Blaxland of the Australian National University, professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies, director of Southeast Asia Institute and head of the Strategic and Defense Studies Center at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, College of Asia and the Pacific at ANU, said: There is a cautious opening up to boosting security ties with a number of countries. Vietnam knows that it cannot realistically expect to rely on many of them in a crisis, but the leverage gained in dealing with its giant neighbor generates at least short-term advantages for the government as it considers its options in the face of ongoing Chinese pressure." Collective response The U.S. Navy has conducted so-called freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea, and said it would like to see more countries challenging China in the waterway. Asked about the impacts of the recent Vietnam port calls, mostly made by U.S. allies, Lean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said the activities would be more accurately termed as presence operations and not necessarily in direct challenge to Chinese claims in the sea." He said the operations are obviously meant to underline the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, thus they at least carry value in terms of showing the flag, and demonstrate international concern about preserving freedom in the waterway. But other analysts said the port calls mean more than that. Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines College of Law said operations by other U.S. allies or by like-minded states would signal that they will not accept China's assertiveness when it goes beyond limits defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These efforts will prevent China from ever claiming any legally-binding acknowledgement or acquiescence by any other state. China can never legitimize any of its claims that go beyond what is permitted by UNCLOS. Blaxland of the Australian National University called the visits "an irritant" to China as they speak of a refusal to acknowledge Chinas claims over the area. China claims much of the area through its controversial nine-dash line, which overlaps sovereign Vietnam territory and maritime areas claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. There seems to be a consensus emerging that Chinas actions require a concerted and collective response," Blaxland said. "The visits are in one sense a mark of solidarity with Vietnam and a signal to China that its unilateral assertiveness in the South China Sea is not being accepted without challenge." Carl Thayer, an Australia-based long-time analyst of regional security, said that major powers want to show that they can contribute to regional security. Some U.S. allies may want to assuage President Trump who views them as "free riders." "Canada, Japan and South Korea are demonstrating that they too can bring something to the alliance table," he said. The position of Vietnam Thayer took Cam Ranh Bay as an example showing that Vietnam is more willing and more capable of playing a part in maintaining regional maritime security. "Cam Ranh Bay is a strategic harbor because of its location facing the South China Sea and because it is naturally protected from bad weather. Vietnam built Cam Ranh International Port, a commercial port, to make facilities available for transiting navies. It is in Vietnam's interest to have foreign naval powers pass through the South China Sea as long as they contribute to regional peace and security." As analysts observed, the fact that Vietnam is attractive to foreign naval ships is partly because of its key role in maintaining order and protecting the interests of related parties in the region. "Vietnam's openness to diversified maritime security relationships can be a very important and strategic role given its location as a littoral state in the South China Sea," Batongbacal said. He said enhancing these relationships will allow countries to operate more closely and often in the sea, leading to further cooepration such as information exchange, exercises or joint operations, to protect their interests and at the same time help Vietnam protect its own interests. Blaxland said the participating countries are hoping to bolster Vietnams resolve and looking for opportunities to establish and build relationships for a range of crisis scenarios that could arise. The peddler girl from Sa Pa who made it big She was named by Forbes Vietnam as one of the 30 most influential under-thirty in the country. Tan Thi Shu was born in 1986 in a poor HMong family in Sa Pa, a beautiful mountainous town in the northern province of Lao Cai. Her family was in fact so poor it could only afford one meal a day. She started working at the age of 12, selling brocade fabric. A year later, like most of her peers, she became a peddler in Sa Pa. Her mind was always teeming with unanswered questions: Why are my parents so poor? Why am I different from the rest? Why cant I go to school and have the same opportunities as others? Wherever I go, I cant find anyone else who looks like me.... She recalls how self-conscious and miserable she felt when some children visiting Sa Pa made fun of her short stature and looks. This continued to haunt her until she reached 20 before she accepted herself for what she was - a poor girl without education. But for her that acceptance was not a sign of defeat, only motivation. She began to learn English by speaking with foreign tourists starting with simple phrases like Have a fun trip. And then by working at a restaurant. At that time it wasnt important how much I earned in a day, it was all about how much I learned. It was around this time that she first began to think about Sapa OChau, hoping to use tourism to support her HMong community. It took her a few conversations with visitors from afar to gain the determination to realize her dream. One day I was talking about my dream with four Australian friends. They didnt give me money to fulfill my dream, but they gave me motivation. I thought through and asked myself If I dont do it, who will? In 2007 Sapa OChau was taking shape in her mind. OChau in the HMong language means thank you, so it was thanks to Sa Pa, the land that raised Shu and introduced her to many tourists. There was once a time when she was just a dirty peddler on the street and a foreign couple let her into their hotel room to clean up and then join them to eat in a restaurant. A meal in a restaurant was something a poor HMong girl could not dream of. The project began in 2009 with the opening of the first HMong homestay in her own Lao Chai hamlet. In 2013 she established a company and expanded into other tourism-related services such as coffee shops, hotels and tours. Now the company has more than 50 employees and a branch in Hanoi, and helps 100 children go to school and work every year. Give and receive Creating jobs and opportunities to study for local HMong and Dao children have remained among Sapa OChaus goals since incorporation. This is the difference the HMong girl who was honored by Forbes magazine has made. Shu said: I even teach peddlers, those little girls you see constantly running after visitors. They do it because they dont know any better, all to get some money and food. Girls attending my class will not do it again. They become tour guides, open shops or continue to study in Hanoi... I give them an opportunity and can see how it broadens their future. However, not everyone is accepted into the classes, and there are certain criteria. It is non-negotiable that they must have a dream. She prefers to take in orphans who do not have the opportunity to attend school or find jobs and people from poor families lacking support from the family. In the class, the children are not only taught about culture but also English. By getting in touch with foreign volunteers in Sa Pa who are also tourists, she provides practical insights to the future tourism workers besides offering a valuable experience to the visitors. Australian Boyd Adams is an English teacher at one of Sapa OChau classes, and cannot hide his excitement: Ive been volunteering for seven years, teaching English to children in Southeast Asian countries. You see this class ... such fun. I really love the people here. The idea of bringing visitors and students together was sparked by the deep impression left in Shu by a Dutch couple who visited Lao Chai hamlet in the 1990s when she was still young. They had been supposed to stay in Sa Pa for only two days, but extended it to one week after taking a liking to the people there, learning about local ethnic communities and trying to helping them. When they left there was much crying on both sides. Shu disagrees with the widely held view that travelers should Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. She points out that it is thanks to those visitors who left more than just footprints that there is a story about a HMong girl who works hard in the tourism industry today. It was those who invited her, a little peddler, into a restaurant, the Australian friends who supported her dream and the international volunteers who spent years teaching English to children in this misty town. Realize your own beauty Sa Pa still has many children whose very survival depends on their hawking on the streets. So seeing the rapid development of the town makes Shu happy but also a little worried. She is happy that her homeland is developing and worried that its people might not be able to keep up with the development. There are many people who have been left behind because they couldnt keep up. Some had to sell all their lands not knowing how they will continue to live and how their children will be able to survive when farming was all they ever knew. She has found that due to the lack of human resources in Sa Pa, businesses have to hire people from the plains, causing significant cultural changes. Therefore, to ensure sustainable tourism growth, the first thing Shu wants to teach people is to recognize their own beauty. People became too familiar with the scenery and appearance of where they grew up that they fail to see it is special. But for tourism, you need to know what you have that is more beautiful than what others have. You need to be the one in the middle, who evokes in visitors a desire to visit here. Shu cites the example of Muong Hoa valley, the place where she was born, which completely changes its appearance every season. But locals are too familiar with the sights whereas foreigner visitors are extremely impressed. It is important for workers in the tourism industry to know how to talk about it. Shu also emphasized the role of locals in Sa Pa: We have to have enough knowledge, as well as humor, to tell them the story of our culture. Beauty can come from the simplest of things such as houses, folk music instruments and cultural traits. The six ethnic communities offer visitors a rich folk cultural treasure to discover and study. Shu thinks it is this kind of beauty that makes visitors want to come back. UNESCO Heritage Site Phong Nha Ke Bang in the central province of Quang Binh is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back 400 million years. Photo by Ryan Deboodt Vietnam and Hong Kong are where travelers should get their first Asia experiences, says Mapped, a Canadian travel news site. The site, on digital publication Daily Hive, compliments the two places for retaining their authentic character. It says Hong Kong will offer a more modern experience while Vietnam will provide a more true and authentic taste of the Asian lifestyle. Vietnam and Hong Kong are both safe destinations and full of friendly and welcoming locals, which make travelers not want to leave. To get the true taste of Vietnamese cuisine, Mapped says food lovers and anyone who is not afraid to give everything a try should visit Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi. The market offers a variety of food from a bowl of pho (a kind of rice noodle served with beef or chicken slices) to something like snail soup. Visitors are also advised to take a cruise through Ha Long Bay, where globetrotters can see jaw-dropping limestone sceneries and take fairytale-like pictures of the Gulf of Tonkin. The country is also an action-packed destination where visitors can trek around Sapa to explore the vast golden rice fields, spend time beach bumming or try out the scooter experience. Vietnams rising star in the global tourism firmament over the last decade has been affirmed by its consistent ranking in global top lists by big-name travel and other publications like The Guardian, CNN, Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, and Rough Guides. In the first nine months of this year the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam surged by 22.9 percent year-on-year to a record 11.6 million, according to the General Statistics Office. Last year it received 12.8 million visitors. Poroshenko approves ratification of Agreement on financing Danube Transnational Program The ratification will create the legal basis for obtaining the EUR 5 million funding for the projects as a financial instrument of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Sanctions against Deripaska and his UC Rusal Plc and En+ Group Plc, as well as against two dozen Russian officials and businessmen were imposed in early April. The U.S. government has frozen Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska's assets, including his mansions in New York City and Washington, D.C. "Washington has frozen Deripaska's US-based assets, including massive mansions in Manhattan and Washington, D.C.," New York Post said. Read alsoCredit Suisse freezes $5 bln of Russian money due to U.S. sanctions media Deripaska owns a mansion at 11 E. 64th St. on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, next to Central Park. "But the feds are also negotiating with him to give up some of his European-based operations to keep them running free of sanctions, Treasury officials say," the daily newspaper said. But although the U.S. government has frozen the oligarch's U.S. assets, including his property, Deripaska has arranged to have the children and ex-wife of his business partner, the oligarch Roman Abramovich, live within its secure walls, the publication wrote. In September, Abramovich transferred $92 million worth of property to his ex-wife, Dasha Zhukova, who listed her current address as 11 E. 64th St., according to property records. Deripaska bought a five-story townhouse, which was previously owned by the late international art dealer Alec Wildenstein, for $42.5 million in 2008, it said. One of Zhukova's good friends is Ivanka Trump. The two are so close that Zhukova and Abramovich often traveled and socialized with Trump and her husband, presidential son-in-law/adviser Jared Kushner, all over the world. Sanctions against Deripaska and his United Company (UC) Rusal Plc and En+ Group Plc, as well as against two dozen Russian officials and businessmen were imposed in early April. U.S. citizens are prohibited from doing business with them, while the U.S.-based assets of those entered in the sanction list must be frozen. Later, the U.S. Treasury said that restrictions on companies could be lifted if Deripaska gives up control of them, that is, leaves the board of directors together with associates and reduces its stake to less than 50%. In late September, the U.S. authorities extended the period during which American investors should get rid of the assets associated with En+ and UC Rusal until November 12. The media also wrote that En+ had made "substantial progress" with the U.S. authorities on the issue of lifting the sanctions. Ukraine cuts dairy food exports by 40% in Sept Revenue from Ukrainian dairy exports fell in January-September 2018 due to a drop in prices of creamery butter and dried milk on global markets. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter PM Groysman announces construction of modern highway in Ukraine The route is very important since it connects the cities of Dnipro, Poltava and Kyiv. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukraine's Fiscal Service comes under cyber attack statement The internet provider identified a denial of service attack, the report says. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter UCOM keeps on supporting the 42 YEREVAN programming school Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the Ceasefire Declaration Between Armenia and Azerbaijan They should not be positioned near civilian communities neither in Armenia nor in Artsakh Humanitarian and human rights protection needed following the 2020 outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh Google Ad Galaxy Group of Companies expands its activities in Belarus: a new TIME and Pandora store launched I think its a good moment to invest in Armenia. Head of Markets at Symbiotics Vincent Lehner Ameriabank has Raised USD 17.5M Tier 2 Capital UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide Google Ad 1217 new cases Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch "Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group UCOM offers affordable gadgets at bigger discount Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers Babloyan and Zatulin create new platform for cooperation Speaker of Parliament Ara Babloyan held a meeting on October 8 with Konstantin Zatulin, first deputy chairman of the Russian Federal Assemblys State Duma committee for relations with the CIS, Eurasian affairs and compatriots. The sides attached importance to mutually beneficial cooperation and implementation of projects which will enable to further strengthen the Armenian-Russian social-political and spiritual-cultural ties. Zatulin presented his new idea to the Speaker, noting that being a great friend of the Armenian people and having worked for many years for deepening the Armenian-Russian friendship, his new initiative aims at boosting the strengthening of Armenian-Russian ties. The initiative refers to creating an informal platform in the state, academic, cultural and public areas of the two countries, a platform for more direct communication. He said that the platform will be named Lazarev Club in honor of the renowned Lazarev family (Lazaryan family), which carried out huge work for the welfare of Russia and the Armenian-Russian friendship. The club is planned to be made into a new and unique platform between the civil societies of Armenia and Russia. During the meeting the sides also talked about the upcoming CSTO PA council and plenary session due in Yerevan late October. UCOM keeps on supporting the 42 YEREVAN programming school Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the Ceasefire Declaration Between Armenia and Azerbaijan They should not be positioned near civilian communities neither in Armenia nor in Artsakh Humanitarian and human rights protection needed following the 2020 outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh Galaxy Group of Companies expands its activities in Belarus: a new TIME and Pandora store launched I think its a good moment to invest in Armenia. Head of Markets at Symbiotics Vincent Lehner Ameriabank has Raised USD 17.5M Tier 2 Capital UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide Google Ad 1217 new cases Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch "Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group UCOM offers affordable gadgets at bigger discount Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers Eduard Sharmazanov : Arms supply to Azerbaijan is concerning and inadmissible Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov has met with Slovakias Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko during a working visit to Antalya, Turkey. During the meeting the sides discussed issues relating to the development of bilateral parliamentary relations, attached importance to boosting mutual visits and cooperation in the level of friendship groups. Sharmazanov thanked Danko for assisting the organization of the Parliamentarians Against Genocised exhibition which was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of adoption of the UNGAs Convention on Prevention and Punishment For the Crime Of Genocide. Sharmazanov attached importance to the quick ratification of the Armenia-EU CEPA by the Slovakian parliament. Security issues were also discussed. Eduard Sharmazanov expressed concern over the arms supplies of Slovakian MSM Martin to Azerbaijan, considering it to be concerning and inadmissible. [Azerbaijan] is using the weapons against the civilians of Artsakh, Sharmazanov said. The sides attached importance to the peaceful settlement of all conflicts, including the NK conflict. Nikol Pashinyan receives Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius (video) Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevicius, who has arrived in Armenia to participate in the 17th summit of Francophonie. The official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia informs that the PM welcomed the Lithuanian FM and highlighted the continuous development of the Armenian- Lithuanian relations, including in the sidelines of international organizations. PM Pashinyan emphasized the particularly the importance of promoting economic partnership and added that the Armenian Government is interested in attracting Lithuanian business to the Armenian market. Pashinyan added that reforms aimed at improving business environment are currently underway, which will ensure the security of investments and free and transparent business environment. Linas Linkevicius noted that he attentively followed the political developments in Armenia and highlighted their peaceful nature. He expressed confidence that the reforms in Armenia will give new impetus to the bilateral economic relations. Referring to Armenia-EU relations, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the soon ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. PM Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia highlights the development of partnership with the EU in different directions. The sides also referred to regional issues and discussed other issues of bilateral interest. The sides exchanged views also on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process. Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the establishment of an atmosphere appropriate for the negotiation process and exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), assessing the pace of the Ukrainian economy in 2019, projects that the average annual hryvnia exchange rate would devaluate to UAH 28.655/$1. In the World Economic Outlook issued in October, the IMF predicts that nominal GDP of Ukraine in 2018 would grow by 14.7%, to UAH 3.421 trillion, in 2019 by 11.33%, to UAH 3.809 trillion and in 2020 by 11.42%, to UAH 4.244 trillion. In U.S. dollars, nominal GDP of Ukraine is estimated at $126.39 billion in 2018, $132.928 billion in 2019 and $141.824 billion in 2020. Thus, the IMF said that in 2018 the average annual hryvnia exchange rate would be UAH 27.07/$1, in 2019 it would devaluate by 5.89%, to UAH 28.655/$1 and in 2019 by 4.43%, to UAH 29.925/$1/ According to the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), the average hryvnia exchange rate since early 2018 has been UAH 26.99/$1. In July 2018, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry published the forecast for the social and economic development of Ukraine in 2019-2021, based on a smooth devaluation of the hryvnia by no more than 3.2% per year, or to UAH 30.7 per U.S. dollar (plus or minus UAH 2) by the end of 2021. Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Yakiv Smolii on Tuesday departed as a member of the official delegation of the country to the annual autumn meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank group held this year in Bali Island (Indonesia), the central bank has reported on its Facebook page. The Finance Ministry of Ukraine reported on its official website that the delegation headed by acting Finance Minister of Ukraine Oksana Markarova also includes Government Commissioner on Debt Issues Yuriy Butsa, acting Health Minister Ulana Suprun, Ukraine's Deputy Executive Director in the World Bank Roman Kachur and Ukraine's Alternate Executive Director in the IMF Vladyslav Rashkovan. According to the NBU, the Ukrainian delegation, in addition to the traditional participation in the plenary meeting of the annual meeting and the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the IMF, will participate in the meeting of the IMF regional group and the World Bank group, which includes Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Finance, the delegation members will also meet with the leadership of the IMF, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). In particular, during the working visit, Finance Minister Oksana Markarova will meet with World Bank Executive Director Kristalina Georgieva, Vice President for the Europe and Central Asia region of the World Bank Cyril Muller and First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF David Lipton. "We will talk about the introduction of innovations at the level of the state, about the new degree of openness of the state through open data, about the reform of health care, education and public service, which main task is to make the unlimited potential of our people fully revealed," the press service of the Finance Ministry reported, citing Markarova. The governor of the National Bank also plans to hold a series of meetings with representatives of other central banks to discuss cooperation issues, including Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Daniyar Akishev, Governor of the Central Bank of Sweden Stefan Ingves, Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China Chen Yulu and Vice Governor of the Central Bank of Austria Andreas Ittner. Smolii also intends to meet with representatives of the Royal Mint of Great Britain, representatives of the largest investment companies and banks in the world. The NBU reminded that Smolii holds the position of Ukraine's manager in the IMF. The autumn meeting of the IMF will last until October 14, the Finance Ministry said. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces has said because of explosions at the sixth arsenal in Ichnia (Chernihiv region), safety measures have been taken throughout the entire region. Information about explosions was reported at 03:30 on Tuesday by the chief of the arsenal. "Near the town of Ichnia in Chernihiv region there was an explosion in a technical area. The size of the blast is being determined. All emergency services and local authorities have been notified. Residents are being evacuated. The headquarters of a team to deal with the emergency is being formed," the General Staff's press service said, adding that the chief of General Staff is in charge of the team dealing with the emergency. "Safety measures are being implemented throughout Chernihiv region and along Ukraine's border," the General Staff said. First Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Yarovy said no information about casualties has been received. "An operational headquarters has been deployed. Teams from the State Emergencies Service and the National Guard continue to work to evacuate the population ... There is no information about casualties," the Interior Ministry's press service said. According to the press service, about 10,000 people have already been evacuated. Some 220 emergency workers took part in the evacuation and 60 State Emergencies Service vehicles were dispatched to the scene, along with 21 firefighting units numbering 105 persons, 39 vehicles and 150 police from Kyiv city's and Kyiv region's National Police force and 100 National Guard troops to patrol areas near the emergency. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has gone to the scene of the emergency. "There is an emergency situation in Chernihiv region. An emergency operation headquarters has been established. I am flying there now," Groysman said on Twitter. Chernihiv Regional State Administration has stated there are no chemical weapons at the sixth arsenal of ammunition in Chernihiv region, where a fire broke out on Tuesday night. "All the services that are part of the regional operational headquarters for emergency situations have urgently gathered at Chernihiv Regional State Administration. The task is to coordinate the work on liquidation of the fire that occurred at the military warehouses in the village of Druzhba in Ichnia district, ensure the evacuation of residents from 30 settlements located in the 16-kilometer zone of the incident," the press service of the administration said. As of 08:00 on Tuesday morning some 10,500 local residents had been evacuated, including patients from Ichnia District Hospital. Some 30 bed patients have been transported to hospital in Parafiyivka. The issues of evacuation of people with limited mobility were also promptly resolved. "Now the explosions are continuing. Rescuers assured that there are no chemical weapons in the military depots. Now the level of the emergency is being defined," the administration stressed. Five storage areas at arms depot near Ichnia are on fire, not stores of large missiles, artillery systems General Staff Rifle ammunition is stored in the territory of the sixth arsenal of Ukraine's Defense Ministry near the village of Druzhba (Ichnia district, Chernihiv region), where a fire started on Tuesday, Deputy General Staff Chief Rodion Tymoshenko has said. "There are no rockets or large caliber artillery systems stored at the facility. Large missiles, such as the Buk, and other large missile systems are not stored at the depot," he said. Tymoshenko said about 20% of ammunition stored are ammunition components. "As of 09:30 five storage areas were on fire. The intensity of the explosions has decreased and smoke has filled the air, making reconnaissance using quadrocopters difficult," he said. "Therefore, reconnaissance is being carried out directly on the ground. A fire tank with the appropriate crew has been put forward, who will see directly on the ground what to do, what are the causes and further actions to eliminate the fire," Tymoshenko said, adding the amount of ammunition stored in the warehouses is not public. Tymoshenko said the amount is not 88,000 tonnes, as some media have reported, but 1.5-2 times less. MP Pashynsky not ruling out sabotage as cause of ammo depot fire near Ichnia Verkhovna Rada National Security and Defense Committee head Serhiy Pashynsky has said he does not rule out sabotage as the reason for explosions at the military ammunition storage facility in Ichnia district, Chernihiv region. "I don't rule this out. But there wouldn't have been any sabotage if the ammunition was stored in concrete warehouses," Pashynsky told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday. Pashynsky said the reason for the explosions was probably sabotage. "The issue is, though, that we should have long ago minimized the possibility of this happening. We fight with Russia every day. Why are our soldiers dying on the frontlines? Why do we hold our defensive positions when we can't even get our act together in the rear?" Pashynsky said, adding that there was too much ammunition at the facility. "In Ichnia, I hope, the General Staff will tell the truth 50 tonnes. That's 10-15 echelons of ammunition. It is impermissible to keep so much in one place," he said, noting that the distance from the forest to the barbed wire guarding the ammunition warehouses is only 20 meters. Pashynsky said members of his committee support his position and don't blame workers at the ammunition depot for the accident. "Ammunition explodes because the necessary engineering equipment is lacking. It explodes because thousands of tonnes of ammunition are stored under the open sky. These ammunition warehouses are simply not equipped," Pashynsky said. The deputy said his committee made recommendations after the explosions ammunition arsenals last year. "We categorically demanded the allocation of funds for concrete storage ... We made the appropriate changes to legislation ... And we offered to start the program of construction of concrete storage," he said. The Defense Ministry said it needs an additional UAH 13.1 billion for 2018, of which UAH 152.5 million would be for the program "Disposal of ammunition, liquid propellant rocket fuel, weapons, military equipment and other military equipment, ensuring survivability and explosion and fire safety arsenals, bases and warehouses of Ukraine's Armed Forces." As earlier reported, information about explosions at the sixth arsenal of Ukraine's Defense Ministry was received at 03:30 on Tuesday morning. More than 12,000 people have been evacuated and airspace within a 30 kilometer radius has been closed. Railway and road traffic near the ammunition depot was blocked. No casualties have been reported. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko supports the idea of giving OSCE a greater role in resolving international problems, the presidential press service said. "You can count on our assistance and support in arranging any OSCE events here in Minsk. I absolutely support your personal determination to reform the organization and give it a greater role in resolving international problems. This absolutely coincides with our opinion, our evaluation of the role and place of the OSCE in the world today," Lukashenko said at a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger in Minsk on Tuesday. According to the president, Belarus has always favored dialogue. "In this complex and contradictory world, dialogue is the main means of communication between peoples, leaders of states, and states in general. And the fact that we have met for an anti-terrorist conference in Minsk today is a very strong signal for our region. We will do our utmost to make sure this conference, which is being held in Belarus for the first time, becomes a landmark event and takes a deserving place in the history of the development of not only the OSCE," Lukashenko said. He said that in the near future, Belarus will host a Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting. "I will be glad to see you here in Minsk so that in the framework of this influential conference, you will be able to express your opinion and hear the opinions of many experts and people of high standing on our common problems. I want to assure you that as before, we will always try to play a big role in the settlement of conflicts that, unfortunately, exist on our Eurasian continent," the president said. On October 9-10, Minsk is hosting an international high-level conference on preventing and countering terrorism in the digital age organized by the Belarusian Foreign Ministry and the OSCE. ECHR obliges Russia to pay Ukraine resident more than EUR 70,000 for violating property right The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday ruled in the 'Gyrlyan v. Russia' case, awarding the claimant the compensation in the amount of EUR 74,500, according to a judicial communique posted on Tuesday. The applicant, Sergey Gyrlyan, is a Russian national who was born in 1972 and now lives in Odesa (Ukraine). According to the case materials, Gyrlyan sold a property near Moscow in 2014 and exchanged most of the Russian rouble proceeds for USD 100,000. In March of that year he travelled with the foreign currency from Moscow's Domodedovo Airport to Odesa. During the inspection, a Russian customs officer stopped Gyrlyan due to a large amount, which the plaintiff had in his bag. He was interrogated by police officers and an investigator, and accused of illegal transportation of foreign currency. In December 2014, the domestic Domodedovo city court eventually ordered the confiscation of USD 90,000, rejecting his appeals that the money had been obtained lawfully and that the penalty was out of proportion to the offence. The ECHR ruled that the Russian authorities violated Article 1 (Protection of property) of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and Fundamental Freedoms. Russia has been obliged to pay the applicant EUR 73,000 (pecuniary damage) and EUR 1,500 (non-pecuniary damage). The U.S. Embassy to Ukraine agrees with the position voiced by the representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS), in which the European Union considers the imprisonment of Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov in Russia a violation of international law and elementary standards of justice, and also awaits his immediate release. "We agree with our EU partners: Sentsov demonstrated incredible courage, determination and dedication during his hunger strike. Russia should release all Ukrainian political prisoners immediately and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine said on Twitter on Tuesday. On October 7, the official representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS) said that he considers the imprisonment of Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov in Russia "a violation of international law and elementary standards of justice." "Oleh Sentsov has shown incredible courage, determination and selflessness during his 145 days of hunger strike. His health has now deteriorated to a critical state. In refusing to provide him with appropriate medical treatment in an institutionalised medical setting, the authorities of the Russian Federation have violated his human rights as well as their own human rights commitments under international law, namely the European Court of Human Rights interim measure of 25 July this year," a communique says posted in Brussles on Sunday evening. It says that the European Union stands in solidarity with Oleh Sentsov and, in addition to swift and appropriate medical treatment, expects his "immediate release." The final stage of a massive Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) military exercise kicked off October 1 in Irans western province of Kurdistan, where ethnic Kurds say their grazing lands were again purposefully targeted with munitions. Kurdish sources say the vegetation at the site of the maneuvers, Shaho, has been consumed by fire, destroying vegetation and fields used by Kurdish shepherds to graze their herds. The commander of the IRGCs Kurdistan Corps, Mohammad Hossein Rajabi, counters that the drills were held at a mountainous, rocky region devoid of any vegetation. IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour insists that the drills aimed at increasing the preparedness of Irans military to confront armed rebels who enter Iran through its western border. The one-week exercise, codenamed Muharram, involved 70 percent of the IRGCs Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada base ground forces. It was the third of a three-phase war game, with the first two stages being held in Southeastern Iran and then in the western Oshnaviyeh region and Kaffarestan heights. Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported October 5 that IRGC forces did not allow firemen to enter the area of the exercises to control the blaze. Kurdish groups accused the IRGC of similarly targeting local Kurds in the same region in August. Kurdistan Human Rights website reported August 16 that the IRGC had bombarded a large area of Shaho mountain to oppose the Kurdish parties forces. Kurdish rights news outlets note that the IRGC has created military bases in the mountains and forests outside several cities in the province including Baneh, Dalaho, Javanroud, Kamyaran Maku, Mariwan, Paveh and Sardasht, on the pretext of confronting the Kurdish parties forces over the past years. "They have also destroyed the rangelands and forests by constructing roads to the above-mentioned military bases. the IRGC believe that the mountainous forests are strategic spots where the forces of the Kurdish parties hide. Therefore, they have been bombarding these areas or causing intentional fires which have destroyed the environment," Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported. The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) said the Iranian military attacked its forces on Mount Kodo over the border in Iraq on the afternoon of September 30. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has chosen his nominees for the ministries of roads, economy industry, and labor to be announced perhaps as early as Tuesday. The Iranian parliament, Majles, dismissed Rouhani's labor and economy ministers last month and Rouhani is replacing the ministers of roads and industry. President Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the nuclear deal with Iran in May and reimpose sanctions has pushed Irans economy into recession and the countrys hardliners have attacked Rouhanis government claiming it is unable to cope with the situation. Consequently, parliament has impeached two of his ministers. The International Monetary Fund announced on October 8 that Irans Economy is in a recession, which will become much worse in 2019. Rouhani has reportedly chosen the current minister of industry, mining and trade, Mohammad Shariatmadari as the new labor minister, but the other three nominees are new faces. These include Ali Akbar Hajmohammadi as the minister of roads and urban development, Reza Veyseh as the minister of industry, mining and trade, and Farhad Dejpasand as the minister of economy and finance, ILNA reported. The Majles will subsequently vet the nominees and cast its vote of confidence for the successful nominees. Mohamad Shariatmadari was supposed to report to parliament on Monday to respond to questions before his upcoming impeachment, but now that Rouhani is removing him from his post and appointing him at a new ministerial post, the call for his impeachment would be ignored, although he needs to be vetted for his new post. However, the new nomination explains why he did not report to the Majles on Monday although MPs were waiting for him. Shariatmadari who has served as trade minister under former President Khatami, won the highest number of votes of confidence from the Majles as the industry minister twice under President Rouhani. However, his performance during the past year has been harshly criticized by media and the Majles although he has not been impeached yet, thanks to his close links to Khamenei and the Intelligence Ministry where he has previously served as deputy minister for several years. Reza Veyseh, the man who is to replace Shariatmadari, was born in 1955 and has served as an aide to Iran's first vice-president Es'haq Jahangiri, as well as working as board manager at the Iranian Industries Development and Renovation Organization. Veyseh has an ill reputation as the man who put the government in charge of Iran's automobile industry. Farhad Dejpasand, the nominee for the post of minister of economy and finance, is an assistant professor at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University. He is currently working as head of research center at the plan and budget organization. He has also served as a deputy to the chairman of Iran's planning and budget organization. Ali Akbar Hajmohammadi who has been nominated as the new roads minister also comes from the Planning and Budget Organization. Hajmohammadi who is going to be one of the youngest ministers in Rouhani's cabinet, was appointed less than a year ago to a new office at the PBO to monitor and evaluate managerial skills across the Rouhani administration. The nominations mark the deep rooted differences between PBO Chief Vice-President Mohammad Baqer Nobakht and Vice-President Jahangiri. Both of these officials have tried to control Iran's ailing economy by placing their aides and allies in charge. The background and career record of three of the nominees as reported by ILNA, indicates that Nobakht continues to have the upper hand in the rivalry that has its roots deep in the history of Iran's two major centrist political parties, The Executives of Construction (where Jahangiri comes from) and the Moderation and Development Party, which is Nobakht's power base. LONDON, Oct 8 (Reuters) Oil majors dragged Britain's top share index down on Monday as political risk gripped Europe and caution set in again on Brexit, weighing on sterling. The FTSE 100 fell 1.2 percent to its lowest close since April. Stocks across Europe also fell led by Italy's FTSE MIB after stern words from the European Union on Rome's budget plans sent bond yields to new highs. Oil majors BP and Royal Dutch Shell dropped along with crude prices after Washington said it may grant waivers to sanctions against Iran's oil exports next month . Shell fell 0.8 percent and BP 2 percent. Vodafone fell 3.5 percent after Jefferies downgraded the stock to hold from buy, saying its dividend policy was too generous for the phone group's operating prospects. "The need to focus on debt reduction means that even a large DPS (dividend per share) cut will not free up resources to invest more into projects that might enhance earnings growth organically," said analysts at Jefferies. Schroders rose as much as 2.3 percent after the asset manager said it was in talks with Lloyds to work together in the wealth sector. "We think this move makes good sense for both parties Lloyds gets access to Schroders's investment management capabilities while Schroders gets access to Lloyds distribution," wrote Bernstein analysts. Schroders shares later succumbed to the broader market decline, ending down 0.7 percent, while Lloyds fell 1.3 percent. Tesco shares fell 2.2 percent after broker Kepler Cheuvreux cut its target price on the stock to 232p from 261p. Overall, the FTSE 100 has held up relatively well compared with its European peers in the past weeks. Brexit negotiations are weighing on the pound, which usually helps the exporter-heavy index. On Monday, sterling fell as traders reassessed the chances of a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations after negative weekend media reports . Goldman Sachs analysts said international UK stocks should be relatively insulated from Brexit risks because they are less exposed to domestic economic weakness and benefit when sterling falls. "We find that insulation still exists: the correlation remains negative, although less so than at the beginning of the year," said analysts at the U.S. bank. Analysts overall have cut their estimates for FTSE 100 earnings as the support from sterling fades. Lancashire shares fell 5.9 percent to the bottom of the FTSE 250 after the property and casualty insurer forecast catastrophe losses of $25 million to $45 million from recent hurricanes, resulting in a negative return on equity in the third quarter. Countrywide rose 4.1 percent to the top of the small-caps index after Peel Hunt reinstated its rating on the stock at "hold". "With a new, simplified strategy to rebuild profitability and a recapitalised balance sheet, Countrywide is on a firmer footing than it has been for some time," wrote Peel Hunt analysts. (Reporting by Helen Reid and Danilo Masoni; Editing by Janet Lawrence) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 30 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 9. Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: The Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, in accordance with its mandate, plans to conduct the next ceasefire monitoring on the line of contact (LOC) on Oct. 10 in the Goranboy district, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said in a message on Oct. 9. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk and his field assistants Ghenadie Petrica and Martin Schuster will carry out the monitoring from the territory of Azerbaijan. The Personal Representative's field assistants Ognjen Jovic and Simon Tiller will carry out the monitoring on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan occupied and controlled by the armed forces of Armenia. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to results of socio-economic development in the nine months of 2018 and objectives for the future. The head of state made an opening speech. Speakers at the meeting included Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade, and Chairman of the Board of "Azharkhalcha" OJSC Vidadi Muradov. The Azerbaijani President then made a closing speech. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: The process of creating a high-level inter-parliamentary commission between Azerbaijani and Russian parliaments is at the final stage, Russian media reported. The final document on the work of the commission may be signed during the next official visit of one of the parties, Russian Parliamentary Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said during a meeting with Chairman of Azerbaijani Parliament Oktay Asadov. Asadov noted that inter-parliamentary contacts between Moscow and Baku should be intensified by the example of cooperation between the presidents of the two countries. Over the past four months, the leaders of our states have met four times, said Asadov. The bilateral meeting was held as part of the third meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries Parliaments, which opened in Antalya, Turkey. Volodin reminded that in anticipation of the meeting, the Charter of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the State Duma (lower house of Russian parliament) and the National Assembly of South Korea was signed. In addition, on October 9, Vyacheslav Volodin and Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Binali Yildirim signed a communique on the establishment of a high-level inter-parliamentary commission. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Azerbaijan is playing a leading role in restoring and expanding the historic Silk Road, Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov said, the Azerbaijani parliament said in a message Oct. 9. Asadov made the remarks in Antalya at the meeting with Chairman of the National Assembly of South Korea Moon Hee-sang. Asadov expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of relations between Azerbaijan and South Korea and noted that the activities of joint commissions between Azerbaijan and South Korea, the organization of joint business forums create great opportunities for expanding cooperation. Asadov noted that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway commissioned last year and the International North-South Transport Corridor have great prospects, adding that Azerbaijani and South Korean companies are implementing joint projects, Azerbaijan is open for foreign investments, and favorable conditions for this have been created in the country. Issues of mutual interest regarding the development of Azerbaijan-South Korea relations, as well as the political situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were discussed at the meeting. The meeting was held as part of the third session of chairmen of the Eurasian countries parliaments. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Samir Ali - Trend: The attempt of Armenia to get a foothold on the platform of French-speaking countries under the pretext of holding a Francophonie summit is unpromising, the chief editor of the Baki Kheber newspaper, political expert Aydin Guliyev told Trend Oct. 9. He noted that Armenia sees the Francophonie summit as a possible way out of the position of "outcast" state in the world. "It is this intention that stands behind their attempts to inflate and present the Francophonie summit to the world. Armenias leadership in the process of rapprochement of French-speaking countries does not have any historical, humanitarian, linguistic and cultural basis," the expert said. The expert noted that Armenia remained aloof from the integration processes of the states. He said due to Azerbaijan's clever diplomacy, Armenia is completely excluded from the Eurasian integration. "The facts show that today Azerbaijan, a Muslim country, cooperates more closely with the Vatican, the center of Christianity, than Armenia. In such conditions, Armenia has no other way than to intrude in the platform of French-speaking countries under the pretext of holding a Francophonie summit. However, this path is hopeless. This is evidenced by the fact that not a single French leader has participated in this event until today, Guliyev said. He added that today Armenia is far from all multicultural values, no representatives of other nations live in that country, and there is no chance of interreligious and interethnic tolerance. "One day the French-speaking countries will realize that the mission of the Francophonie summit, which Armenia has assumed, is a bluff, and will understand the absurdity of Armenias leadership in this movement and will boycott the Francophonie summit in Armenia, Guliyev added. Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 15:21) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by the newly appointed US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent. The successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the US in a variety of areas was hailed at the meeting. The head of state thanked US President Donald Trump for his remarks and warm words regarding Azerbaijan-US relations featured in his messages on the centenary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the inauguration of the Southern Gas Corridor. Security cooperation was pointed out during the meeting. Azerbaijans contribution to peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and its support to the Afghan government in a bilateral format was hailed. They discussed the issues relating to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The sides pointed to the successful energy cooperation, underlining the US support to the Southern Gas Corridor project. The sides also discussed the opportunities for bilateral cooperation in non-oil sector, as well as trade, IT, investment, and agricultural areas. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: A group of Azerbaijani military personnel was sent to Afghanistan for serving within NATO-led "Resolute Support" mission, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said in a message Oct. 9. The peacekeeping contingent of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces has been serving in Afghanistan since November 20, 2002. Presently, 120 servicemen, including 2 medical officers and 6 staff officers of Azerbaijani army are participating in the mission in Afghanistan. Baku, Azerbaijan, October 9 Trend: The Chairman of the Board of the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan Kamran Imanov, who participated in the 58th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), held in Geneva in early October, has presented to the WIPO Director General Francis Gurry the relevant documents about the countrys accession to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, the agency said in a statement October 8. The treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013 in the city of Morocco. After the adoption of this treaty, the conditions were created for the blind, disabled people with visual impairments for ensuring their freedom to look for any information and ideas of their choice, as well as to receive and disseminate them on an equal basis with persons who do not have such a disability. In addition, the conditions have been created for the adequate solution of problems that restrict their opportunities in receiving the education. The new legal framework provided for in the treaty guarantees internationally the use of scientific, literary work and work of art by the blind and visually impaired persons, creates opportunities for eliminating the lack of possible accessible formats of this work for such persons, and also allows cross-border exchange of copies in such format. Azerbaijans participation in the Marrakesh Treaty will serve to expand the country's international relations in this area, closely integrate citizens of this category into the society and increase the efficiency of use of their potential. In addition, it will provide a balance between copyright protection and the interests of the general public, in particular in the fields of education, research and information, and also help to take this balance into account in regard to the blind and visually impaired persons. On June 12, President Ilham Aliyev signed the law on joining the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. Azerbaijan is the 42nd country to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty. The Treaty will enter into force for Azerbaijan on December 24, 2018. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: A delegation of HungaroControl headed by its Executive Director Kornel Szepessy arrived in Baku for a working visit on October 9, the press service of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC said in a statement. By observing the active development of air navigation system and introduction of innovative technologies in Azerbaijan, the European structures of air navigation services show interest in cooperation with Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Control Center (AZANS). The guests visited the new the Airspace Supervision & Efficiency Center (ASEC) and the Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Control Center (AZANS). During the visit, a number of issues for further cooperation in the following fields were discussed: - development of conceptual solutions for air traffic control towers; - airspace modeling; - training of personnel of air navigation services; - development in the field of motion control of unmanned systems; - research work in the field of air navigation. Following the discussions, AZANS Director Farkhan Guliyev and Executive Director of the HungaroControl, Kornel Szepessy signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. HungaroControl is a provider of air navigation services in Hungary. It provides air navigation services in the airspace of Hungary and in Kosovos upper airspace under the instruction of NATO. HungaroControl also trains air traffic control personnel and explores developments in the field of air navigation. The structural subdivision of CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines - Azeraeronavigation (AZANS) is one of the key air traffic control departments linking Europe and Asia. Annually over 90,000 transit flights are carried out over the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Favorable geographical location of Azerbaijan also allowed to open the Airspace Supervision & Efficiency Center (ASEC), the only one in the former Soviet Union, in the territory of the country. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: The first International Products Exhibition started in Doha, Qatar, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan said in a message on Oct. 9. Azerbaijani food and industrial products, as well as products from other fields will be presented at the exhibition. Ten countries are participating in the event. Azerbaijan is presented by 18 companies. The exhibition is organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Qatar and AZPROMO. Azerbaijani products are met with interest by foreign companies and visitors of the exhibition in Qatar. Preliminary negotiations on the export of Azerbaijani products are underway. The exhibition will end on Oct. 10. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: The Ministry of Finance and the State Committee of Uzbekistan on Privatization, Demonopolization and Development of Competition left the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine with full net profit for 2017, Uzbek media outlets reported. Last year, the combine earned 124 billion soums of net profit. Of this money, 88.2 percent (state share) - 109.4 billion soums were decided to be directed to the modernization of production facilities upon the condition of subsequent capitalization to the authorized capital, on account of increasing the state share. The holders of the preferred shares will receive 2.2 billion soums (1.8 percent) or 25 percent of the nominal value of one share of the company. The contributions to the Fund for Support of Innovative Activities of the largest metallurgical enterprise in Uzbekistan will amount to more than 12.4 billion soums, the message says. "News of Uzbekistan" reported previously referring to the information of Almalyk MMC JSC that the foreign enterprise SFI Management Group LLC was attracted by the government of the country as a trust manager of the state share in the authorized capital of the large mining and smelting complex of Uzbekistan. The SFI Management Group LLC was attracted to the trust management of Almalyk MMC by the Founder and CEO of the Russian joint-stock company USM Holding Alisher Usmanov, who invested $300 million in the modernization of the combine. A group of experts consisting of metallurgists, scientists and miners, assembled by Usmanov, is working over the long-term modernization program of the AMMC. The combine should increase the extraction and processing of precious and rare-earth metals by 1.3 times, and the proceeds from their sale will increase by 1.5 times and exceed 12 trillion soums. The official rate on October 8 is 8179.66 UZS / USD. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: Yandex.Taxi has launched a new "Comfort" tariff in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Podrobno.uz reported. Before going out in response to the orders made in this tariff, all cars are subjected to strict inspection. The employees of Yandex.Taxi inspect and select the cars manually in order to make sure that the interior is clean and there are no scratches on the body of the car. The arrival of the car and the initial 2-kilometer ride in the Comfort tariff cost 7,000 soums ($0.86), the further ride costs no more than 1,300 soums ($0.16) per kilometer within the boundaries of the city. The Comfort" tariff has become the third tariff of the company in Tashkent. In addition, the Start and Economy tariffs are also available in the city. The "Start" tariff is suitable for those for whom the basic functions of a taxi to get from point A to point B quickly and inexpensively are sufficient. The arrival of the car and the initial 1-kilometer ride cost 2000 soums ($0.24), the further ride costs no more than 1000 soums ($0.12) per kilometer. Yandex.Taxi has been operating in Tashkent since April 2018. The free app of the company is available for smartphones running iOS and Android in Uzbek, Russian and other languages. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: The 48th meeting of associate members of the European Banking Federation will be held in Baku, the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA) said in a statement October 9. The relevant decision was made at the 47th meeting of the European Banking Federation. Azerbaijan is represented at the event by ABA Chairman Zakir Nuriyev and ABA Executive Director Yunus Abdulov. ABA management also has taken part in the Digital Finance Europe-2018 conference and the 2018 European Banking Summit entitled as Financing Growth. The participants discussed the current state of the banking and financial sectors, the development prospects of the organizations member countries, the situation in the European banking market, the Federations activity plans and other issues. The ABA Executive Director Yunus Abdulov, during his speech at the meeting, informed the event participants about the economy of Azerbaijan, the current state of the banking sector, the upcoming challenges and reforms being carried out in the sector. Azerbaijan became an associate member of the European Banking Federation in 2008. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: Agrofirma KRiMM LLC, one of the largest agricultural enterprises of the Tyumen region of Russia, has shipped the first batch of potatoes this year to Azerbaijan, Russian media outlets reported. According to the reports, six rail cars of potatoes have already been sent to Azerbaijan. Before shipment, the company's products were checked by specialists of Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. According to the results of the examination, quarantine objects were not found. The company completed the harvest in early October. Gross harvest of potatoes amounted to 103,000 tons. Details added (first version published at 12:34) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: In the next three years, the turnover of non-cash payments in Azerbaijan will reach 17 billion manats, the Director of the Information Technologies Department of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Farid Osmanov said at the Azerbaijan-Germany Business Forum on Energy and ICT. Osmanov noted that this turnover will increase annually by about 7 percent. "We hope that in such a way we will be able to reduce the level of cash turnover from the current 74 percent to 40 percent," Osmanov said. Osmanov noted that the Central Bank pays special attention to the direction of development of non-cash payments, which is a priority for the entire economy of the country and for the Central Bank in particular. We have launched a new initiative jointly with the MasterCard, a payments & technology company, which envisages the creation of a favorable environment, transparency and efficiency in the economy. Work in this direction is carried out within the framework of the relevant state program, within which a number of key areas are defined. The creation of an environment for electronic payments, the stabilization of the banking sector, the creation of opportunities for the emergence of new companies with a technological focus in the field of finance are among such key areas," Osmanov said. Also, as part of the state program, Osmanov said, there are 16 priority issues, among which there is the provision of transparency in the field of taxation, the suppression of facts of tax evasion, the provision of mobile payments, etc. "We believe that thanks to the state program which will be implemented until 2020, we will be able to achieve the development of the e-commerce and e-banking industry," Osmanov said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: By the end of the year, the Association of Textile Producers and Exporters of Azerbaijan (ATPEA) is planning to conclude business contracts with the Latvian Association of Textile Producers, Head of the ATPEA, head of Gilan Textile Park Mehriban Akhundova told Trend. Contracts are expected to be concluded between the garment factories operating in Azerbaijan and their partners in Latvia. "Comprehensive work is being carried out: the market and the possibilities of garment factories in Ganja, Yevlakh, Baku, and Lankaran are being studied. The quality standards of our customers are very high, and we must surely know that our enterprises will be able to meet all international requirements. Therefore, presently, we are discussing technical issues, as well as details, in order to start implementing joint projects on sewing underwear in 2018," the head of the association said. Akhundova noted that Latvian textile manufacturers are interested in creating joint production in Azerbaijan in order to further export their products to the CIS markets. "Azerbaijan has concluded bilateral agreements on free trade with the Commonwealth countries, and the creation of joint production in Azerbaijan will exempt the export of finished products to these countries from customs payments," Akhundova said. The Association of Textile Producers and Exporters was established to support the development of this sector in Azerbaijan. The initiative on the establishment of this association was put forward by entrepreneurs involved in the textile sector. In general, such associations serve to improve relations between the state and the private sector. Presently, there are domestic textile products in Azerbaijan's trade houses in Latvia, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus. The products produced at the Baku Textile Factory and Gilan Textile Park are available at those trade houses. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) together with the Foreign Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan will hold the Eighth Central Asian Trade Forum (CATF) on Oct. 17-18, 2018 in Tashkent, the Foreign Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan announced. The CATF is an annual event that attracts representatives of business circles of Central Asian countries, international organizations, prominent political and public figures of the region and the world. Over 1,000 delegates are expected to attend the forum this year. The forum will be held in Uzbekistan for the first time. The theme of this year's CATF, New horizons in development of trade and investment, reflects the growth of Central Asias openness to regional and international trade, which is particularly consistent with Uzbekistans complex socio-economic reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth, from monetary liberalization to creating an attractive investment and business climate. A trade exhibition will be held in parallel with the forum, where enterprises from all over the region will be represented from various sectors, including transport, tourism, information technology, equipment, production and processing of fruits and vegetables, and other spheres. The exhibition is aimed at demonstrating and promoting innovative products, expanding access to new markets, developing business contacts and searching for new customers and partners. The memorandum of understanding between the Foreign Trade Ministry of Uzbekistan and USAID on holding the CATF in Tashkent was signed during the official visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the USA back in May 2018. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Tehran, Iran, Oct. 9 Trend: Secretary of Irans High Council of Free Zones Morteza Bank said the council is in talks with foreign banks to open branches in the countrys free trade zones. Irans free trade zones have excellent conditions for banking and financial activities, Bank said, IRIB news agency reported on October 9. The FTZs need more attention and they have great potential to drive the countrys economy, he added. We are in talks with the Central Bank of Iran to pave the way for the establishment of foreign banks in free trade zones across the country, Bank said. Iran is home to seven free trade zones, namely Kish, Qeshm, Chabahar, Anzali, Arvand, Maku and Aras, and 64 special economic zones. According to the CBI, the banks should bring in 50 million euros as an incentive package in order to be able launch branches in the country, he said. Tehran, Iran, Oct.9 Trend: Melli bank of Iran has issued a statement explaining the FOREX currency transactions rate at its units. The bank issued a notice announcing that the currency transactions at the units of the Melli Bank of Iran were at free market rates according to the Central Bank`s criteria. According to statement, the Melli Bank`s currency rate would be based on the Central Bank's announcement (ETS) and is fully coordinated with the Bank's currency instructions in line with the announced policies. "Any material contrary to this procedure is not approved by the bank, Melli Bank said. In April, the Rouhani administration tried to enforce a fixed, unified US dollar rate of 42,000 rials. In August, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) introduced a secondary market known by its Persian acronym NIMA, which the government introduced as a pilot program in February. Exporters including petrochemical companies of commodities categorized as non-oil products are supposed to offer foreign currency generated from exports in NIMA for importers to buy at mutually agreed rates. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Azerbaijani company Az-Granata, which produces fruit juices and alcoholic beverages, has started to export wines to the Ukrainian market, director of the companys alcohol production Vugar Mikayilov told Trend. Presently, alcoholic beverages are mainly exported to the Ukrainian market, he said. "Today, there is great demand for Agdam wine in the foreign market, Mikayilov added. This product is very popular in almost all foreign markets, including that in Ukraine. By the end of the year, we intend to increase exports of this wine to Ukraine. About $20,000-25,000 account for the supply volumes." According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, exports of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as wine vinegar from Azerbaijan in January-August 2018 amounted to $9.37 million, which is about 39 percent less than in the same period of 2017. Imports of those products to Azerbaijan increased by almost 25 percent and reached $48.65 million. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Taleh Mursagulov Trend: Since the beginning of 2018, the Azerbaijani company Azguntex has sold about 2,500 solar panels in the domestic market, chief technologist of the company Nizami Asgarov told Trend. The company's products are in great demand among the population, he said. Azguntex also supplies its products for the implementation of state projects, as well as farmers and other individuals. Presently, together with the Dutch company Rimas, the work is underway to increase the capacity of solar panels and by the end of 2018 the work on upgrading products is planned to complete, Asgarov added. Presently, active negotiations on the supply of Azguntex companys products to Georgia, Turkey, Iran and the United Arab Emirates are underway, he said. Earlier, the companys plant produced panels with a capacity of 250 watts. After modernization, their power will grow up to 300-330 watts. New samples will be able to accumulate more solar energy through replacing the old three-tire models of photovoltaic cells with new high-performance five-tire cells. After completion of the modernization, the annual capacity of the plant will grow from 25 to 60-65 megawatts. Two lines, producing 100,000 panels per year, will operate in the company. Azguntex companys plant opened in April 2012. The lifetime of the produced solar panels is 30-40 years. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 9 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A meeting with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been held at the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, this local agency said in a statement. The exchange of views on topical issues, in particular on the regulation of foreign currency has taken place, the message says. "During the meeting, which has been held in a constructive atmosphere, the parties have discussed the latest economic reforms in Turkmenistan," the message says. The parties expressed confidence that the further cooperation will develop successfully. In March 2018, the IMF, following the visit of its mission to Ashgabat, recommended Turkmenistan to ease foreign exchange regulation measures in regard to imports and other current international payments. The IMF staff believes the main task of the economic policy of Turkmenistan in the short term is still involves taking measures for reduction of external imbalances. Given the size of the external deficit, the need for taking additional measures, in particular adjusting the exchange rate and further tightening the tax and budgetary and credit and monetary policy, should be considered, the staff of the IMF noted. Turkmenistan holds one of the key positions in the region in terms of the supply of natural gas - China and Iran are importers. At the same time, Russia - the traditional buyer - stopped buying Turkmen gas in 2016. Against this background, the Turkmen entrepreneurs began to experience difficulties due to currency conversion restrictions. Turkmenistan headed for gradual transition to market economy, which was reflected in the Constitution. At this stage, a number of activities were carried out: the denomination of the national currency was implemented, the country moved to international accounting standards in 2014. At the beginning of 2015, the Central Bank of Turkmenistan set the official exchange rate of the national currency at 3.5 manat per US dollar, which is still preserved. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: Azerbaijan is playing an important role in the diversification of energy sources and routes, new US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent said at a meeting with Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, the Energy Ministry said in a message Oct. 9. At the meeting, the sides noted successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the US in the energy sector. High assessment was given to the continued US support for energy projects being implemented in Azerbaijan, including the Southern Gas Corridor project. An exchange of views took place on the projects role in ensuring the energy security of countries of South-Eastern Europe and the prospects for expanding the Southern Gas Corridor project at a later stage. Kent said that Azerbaijan plays an important role in the policy of diversifying energy sources and routes, and noted that the position of the US on projects related to energy security remains unchanged. In turn, Shahbazov spoke about the current situation in the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project and added that the significance of the project was also expressed at the high-level meetings that took place as part of the 27th World Gas Conference in Washington. At the meeting, the sides discussed the necessary measures to ensure cooperation on the use of renewable energy sources and reforms in the energy sector, as well as processes taking place in the global energy market. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: The data obtained from the Shamakhi Observatory are used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to study the Sun, Natchimuthuk "Nat" Gopalswamy, a staff scientist at the Heliophysics Division of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, Astrophysicist in the Solar Physics Laboratory told Trend. Gopalswamy noted that the Shamakhi Observatory is one of many astronomical complexes from which the information is provided to NASA. "The obtained data is used to study the Sun. Azerbaijan has successfully entered the ranks of countries with a developed space industry. Space unites us, and I believe that the initiative of Azerbaijan will be particularly useful," Gopalswamy said. Gopalswamy noted that Azerbaijan has joined the NASA International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI) in 2005 and is taking an active part in conferences and seminars held by ISWI. In total, 80 countries have joined the NASA initiative. "Azerbaijan has achieved good results in space sphere, and the work carried out in the country in this sphere is in line with the world standards. I believe that Azerbaijan will achieve even greater progress in this direction," Gopalswamy said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Huseyn Veliyev Trend: Azerbaijan is switching over to a new model of e-government operating on the "one-stop shop" model, the Head of Office of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovation of the Republic of Azerbaijan Azad Jafarli said Oct. 9 during the Azerbaijan-Germany Business Forum on Energy and ICT. Jafarli noted that thanks to this model, the citizens will no longer need to apply directly to state agencies in order to get access to electronic services. All the necessary services will be provided on the basis of a single e-government infrastructure. In this regard, we intend to take another innovative step by introducing the so-called caring state concept, through which the citizens can receive in advance the information about the services they need. We believe that this contributes to both the improvement of existing services provided in ASAN service centers, and the expansion of other electronic services," Jafarli said. Jafarli noted that to date, the number of calls to ASAN service centers has reached approximately 25 million. Since January 2015, two utility centers have been commissioned in Baku, and the total number of citizens appealing to these centers has reached 815,000. "And the number of unique appeals of citizens to the ASAN service centers has amounted to 5.6 million. Currently, an assessment of the level of digitalization of more than 630 public services is underway. In particular, work on the implementation of large projects, such as Asan Odenish, Azan Visa, an electronic license has started, and the electronic services portals have been launched. In general, the formation of e-services and the creation of effective databases is a priority for the state, and the work carried out in this direction is a successful basis for the development of the country," Jafarli said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Huseyn Valiyev Trend: A single test center has opened for students of the Azerbaijani higher educational institutions, Microsoft Azerbaijan told Trend. The center was created with the support of Microsoft Azerbaijan and the assistance of the Ministry of Education. The center functions under the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University. The center will provide students and teachers with access to Microsoft content and corresponding certification exams, which will increase their professionalism and competitiveness in the global labor market. Microsoft Imagine Academy operates in the center. Its training programs have been created for students and teachers to be able to consistently receive certificates and skills recognized by employers and necessary for future career. Currently, Microsoft Imagine Academy operates in five educational institutions in the country. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyev Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: Compared to 2017, the number of Emirati tourists arriving in Azerbaijan has decreased in 2018, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AzTA) Nahid Bagirov told Trend on Oct. 9. Though, in 2018, the number of tourists from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has increased, Bagirov added. "In general, the number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan increased by 9 percent compared to the same period of 2017," Bagirov said. The head of AzTA also stressed that among the guests there are tourists who do not visit Azerbaijan for the first time and they are mainly from Arab countries. The State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan had earlier reported that in January-August 2018, 1,976,900 foreigners and stateless persons from 193 countries arrived in Azerbaijan, which is 8.5 percent more compared to the corresponding period of 2017. In January-August, the number of arrivals from the Gulf countries increased (with the exception of the UAE and Iran). Compared to the same period of 2017, the number of visitors from these countries increased 2.2 times, including citizens of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain - 2.4 times, citizens of Qatar - 1.9 times, Iraqis - 19 percent and citizens of Oman - 9.5 percent. The number of arrivals in Azerbaijan from the UAE decreased by 5.6 percent and from Iran by 25.4 percent. The total number of arrivals from the Gulf countries increased by 0.5 percent, which amounted to 433,600 people. In general, every fifth person who arrived in Azerbaijan was from the Gulf countries. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 9 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A two-day international exhibition and conference Tourism and Travel is starting its work at Turkmenistans Avaza national tourist zone near the Caspian Sea, the State Committee on Tourism of Turkmenistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the events organizers, said in a message. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov sent a greeting letter to the participants of the event. The formation of modern tourism industry in Turkmenistan is an important factor in the development of international cooperation, attracting innovative technologies to the country and the comprehensive modernization of the national economy, reads the letter. The exhibition and conference aim to become a communication and discussion platform for establishing business contacts among the subjects of the tourist business, financial, design and construction organizations, manufacturers and suppliers of tourist goods and services. The forum will include presentations of the tourism potential of foreign and domestic companies that will demonstrate their promising projects, products and services. Tourism industry holds a special place in the strategic plans of Turkmenistan. An example is the Avaza resort, which is under construction on the Caspian shores. Baku, Azerbaijan, October 9 Trend: Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have held a regular meeting of the working groups of the joint Uzbek-Turkmen intergovernmental commission on the issues of delimitation and demarcation of the state border, UzDaily.uz reported. The meeting of the groups has been held in Turkmenabat city (Turkmenistan) on October 2 - 8, 2018, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan reported. The parties have discussed the results of previously completed joint field topographic and geodetic work at selected sections of the Uzbek-Turkmen state border, and the timing of further field work has been agreed. Following the meeting, the Protocol was signed. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: The launch ceremony of the project of the first nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan will be held on October 19 and may be timed to coincide with an official visit to the country of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, the President of Rusatom International Network JSC under ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation Alexander Merten said, TASS reported Oct. 9. "It is expected that the launch ceremony of the project will be held on October 19, the guaranteed operation of the power unit is designed for 60 years with the possibility of extension for 20 years, the stations capacity will be 1/5 of the total electricity generated in the country," he said, welcoming the participants of the joint seminar organized by the mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the working group of Rosatom Corporation. A representative of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan in his speech at the seminar noted that when choosing a partner for the project in such a delicate and high-tech industry, Uzbekistan proceeded from the fact that Rosatom is the undisputed world leader in this field with the most modern technologies and reactors. He said the site for nuclear power plant is located on the border of Navoi and Bukhara regions of Uzbekistan, near Tudakul Lake. The Kremlin did not officially announce the dates of the Russian presidents visit to Uzbekistan, but the Spokesman for the Head of the Russian state, Dmitry Peskov, had previously stated that the visit to Uzbekistan is indeed in a high stage of preparation. The intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Uzbekistan on the construction of nuclear power plant was signed in September of this year. Uzbekistan chose for the construction of nuclear power plant the Russian VVER-1200 reactor of "3+" generation, which is successfully operated both in Russia and abroad, and meets all safety standards and the requirements of the IAEA. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member states will be held in Tashkent October 12, Uzbek media reported. The draft agenda of the meeting includes 20 points. In particular, at the meeting it is planned to discuss the situation in the Central Asian region and the priority tasks of countering international terrorism, the directions of development of military cooperation among the CIS member states, to talk about the prospects of the unified system for monitoring and assessing the radiation, chemical and biological situation. In addition, the meeting participants will discuss cooperation in the field of ensuring aviation flights of the armed forces of the CIS countries, the implementation of the unified system of state radar identification development concept, cooperation in the field of military education, holding joint events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Council members also intend to adopt the CIS Work Plan for 2019, sign documents aimed at developing the joint (integrated) communications system of the armed forces of the CIS member states, informational support for the activities of the armed forces until 2022, cooperation in navigation, topography and geodesy, metrology, approve joint activities of the joint air defense system of the CIS member countries in 2019, as well as consider a number of other issues. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: In contrast to the airline companies of the UK, France, the Netherlands and the UAE, Qatar airways will not suspend its flights to Iran, the Iranian media reported citing the Executive Director of Qatar Airways Airlines Akbar Al-Baker. Al-Baker stressed that the sanctions do not concern the airline industry and Qatar Airways will continue its current flights to Iran. As a result of the unilateral withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the rise in foreign currency rates in Iran, the airline companies have ceased their activities in Iran. Qatar Airways carries out flights from Doha to Iranian cities, such as Mashhad, Shiraz and Tehran. Tourist visiting Iran from Europe and the UAE have been facing problems since their respective airline companies suspended flights. Some Iranian officials consider the current situation as an opportunity for the domestic market. Irans economy will keep growing in 2020-2023 period, said International Monetary Fund (IMF), IRNA reports. In its World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, IMF said that Iranian economy will continue growth in the aforementioned period, according to Malaysian media Malay Mail. However, the growth may be preceded by a shrink era due to possible decrease in oil sales, the WEO reported. The WEO also said that banning Irans oil sales would drop the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries growth rates by some 1.1 percent below what were predicted earlier in April. On the other hand, the price of benchmark Brent crude has recently reached a four-year record high of 80 dollars per barrels, which is part of the losses that the oil market would incur besides oil supply shortage, according to economic experts. On May 8, 2018 the US unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran nuclear deal, reinstating sanctions against Iran. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered the US to lift sanctions, following the lawsuit that Iran had filed earlier. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif have held a telephone conversation, discussing global issues and cooperation in the energy sector, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, TASS reports. "The two top diplomats discussed bilateral cooperation, focusing on the energy sector," the statement reads. "The ministers also exchanged views on a number of pressing regional and global issues," the Russian Foreign Ministry added. The Russian and Iranian foreign ministers regularly meet on the sidelines of various international events to discuss bilateral cooperation, the Iran nuclear issue and ways to resolve the Syrian conflict. One of their recent meetings took place in Singapore during Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 Trend: Restoration of Lake Urmia in Iran requires great investments, Hadi Bahadori, an Iranian MP, said in an interview with the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA). Unfortunately, such projects as dumping of sewage to the lake via filters werent implemented because they required investments worth several billion US dollars, he said. Little attention is paid to industry in Urmia and all peoples employment is based on agriculture, he noted. Agriculture is a water demanding sphere, and if we consider reducing water consumption in agriculture, we should provide alternatives to farmers, he said. Although we sent appeals to the Urmia Lake Restoration National Committee related to alternative ways, the necessary steps havent yet been taken. If we want that farmers dont use water, alternative employment programs should be provided to them, modern irrigation systems should be handed over to them, as well as employment and food safety should be ensured. Lake Urmia was declared a reserve by UNESCO in 1967. In addition, the lake is included in the protected natural areas. Ecologists continue raising the alarm about the drying up of the Lake Urmia. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Since the new leadership came to power in Armenia, no changes have occurred in the social and economic life of the country, but amid street protests and discontent in society, the internal political crisis has sharply exacerbated. As a result, most experts think that the current crisis of power in Armenia actually led the country to a civil war, the results of which may be unpredictable. Leading analyst of the Russian Political and Economic Communications Agency Mikhail Neizhmakov shared his views on how the political crisis in Armenia impedes the dialogue between Yerevan and Baku and on intra-party clashes in the leadership of this country. What hinders the dialogue between Baku and Yerevan? The political crisis in Armenia will again become an obstacle to even minimal attempts at dialogue between Yerevan and Baku, Neizhmakov added. "In such conditions, the rhetoric of both Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his opponents in the statements on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will most likely become sharper, he said. As for the recent conversation between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Pashinyan, it had a symbolic significance. It was advantageous for both Baku and Yerevan to at least outline readiness for interaction, Neizhmakov said. In my opinion, the political crisis in Armenia was caused indirectly by the meeting of the two leaders in Dushanbe, and directly by the election to the Council of Elders of Yerevan held in September. The success of the My Step bloc in this election gave Pashinyan more freedom of maneuver. Of course, the main part of political analysts predicted a victory for the bloc supported by the prime minister. But the high expectations of the politicized public could become a risk factor for Pashinyan when a slightly low level of consolidation of voters around the My Step bloc rather than a disastrous result could have become a reason for doubts whether the rating of the prime minister is so great in the country as a whole, Neizhmakov said. Therefore, apparently, the Armenian prime minister, before this election, preferred not to take risks and not to check how his internal political opponents treat his talks with Baku, he said. But after the completion of the election in Yerevan, Pashinyan could feel freer. On the other hand, the campaign in Yerevan, which demonstrated the level of support and other opportunities of Pashinyan, could further push other political players represented in the National Assembly to take active steps, Neizhmakov said. They decided to strike first - an emergency meeting of the parliament on October 2 and the adoption of a bill that could impede the holding of snap election. By the way, even at the beginning of the election campaign for the Council of Elders, some observers predicted a more overwhelming result of Prosperous Armenia party of Gagik Tsarukyan, who received only about 7 percent and 5 places out of 65, he said. As a result, this episode could only increase the anxiety of this politician and representatives of the Tsarukyan faction in the National Assembly on October 2 supported the bill proposed by the Republican Party of Armenia, Neizhmakov said. Player Pashinyan ... While announcing the possibility of his resignation, Pashinyan took a break, he said. This may mean that he is still waiting for unpleasant surprises from the parliament, but he is not ready to use all leverages on MPs, Neizhmakov said. Perhaps some external agreements are holding him back. Of course, if the parliament elected another prime minister after Pashinyans resignation, the latter could easily have launched a large-scale rally against the actions of parliamentarians, he said. We have already seen that he can rapidly organize rallies of his supporters. But in such situations, too much depends on the position of the security forces, Neizhmakov said. Perhaps the current prime minister does not want to greatly raise the price of their loyalty by staking everything. Although radical steps were expected from Pashinyan since he came to power, in fact, he again proved that he is a very careful player. The first open blow during the October political crisis was not dealt by Pashinyan, he said. Most likely, Pashinyan is also trying to get additional guarantees from some parliamentarians willing to compromise with him that if he resigns, the new prime minister will not be elected, Neizhmakov said. Lets pay attention to the contradictory comments of the representatives of the Tsarukyan faction hint to a possibility of rapprochement with Pashinyans position on snap election by Gagik Tsarukyan himself (if people want in December, then we want that). The current players understand that if the snap election to the new composition of the National Assembly is held in December, they risk losing their positions there, he said. This means that any concessions from Pashinyan can also be temporary." European Union countries are on the verge of agreeing to start negotiations with the United States to allow more U.S. beef into Europe, in what could be a major move to defuse transatlantic trade tensions, Reuters reports. The European Commission sought approval from its 28 member states at the start of September to open negotiations with Washington. Trade experts have already given their backing, ambassadors will provide clearance on Wednesday and the approval process is set to be completed next week, EU diplomats say. The beef issue is officially separate from a pact reached by U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker in July to try and ease trade tensions. Trump has pledged to reduce the United States $151 billion goods trade deficit with the European Union. However, a deal to increase U.S. meat imports would affect the trade balance, as well as placating the Trump base of U.S. farmers and rural communities which have been hit by the tit-for-tat trade war with China. Tropical storm Michael, currently located off Mexico's Caribbean coast, has grown in intensity and danger to become a Category 1 hurricane, said the Mexican National Meteorological Service (SMN) on Monday, Xinhua reported. According to the SMN, at 10 a.m. Monday morning (15:00 GMT) Michael was located some 200 kilometers east of the tourist resort of Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo, presenting winds of 120 to 150 kilometers per hour. The Quintana Roo government suspended schools along its coast on Monday, while the SMN has warned that Michael may also generate storms in the neighboring states of Yucatan and Campeche. The Mexican Navy has activated plans in three southeastern states, where military personnel are ready to assist potential evacuations ahead of heavy rains. In Cuba, the government announced a hurricane warning in the western provinces of Pinar del Rio and Isla de la Juventud on Monday morning. A hurricane alert was also established for other western areas including Artemisa, Mayabeque and the capital Havana, where heavy rains and severe local storms are predicted. "Taking into account the rapid evolution of this weather event and its proximity to our country ... the Information Phase is established," said Cuba's National Civil Defense. The agency also announced a warning for central areas of Cuba, saying that flooding is a possibility. According to the SMN, Michael will reach Category 2 power on Monday night. Michael will become a Category 3 hurricane, with wind speeds between 178 to 208 kilometers per hour, by Tuesday morning, when it will still be located in the Gulf of Mexico. Michael will then continue towards the United States decreasing in power as it moves, and will likely reach Florida as a tropical storm, said the SMN. Senegal was officially confirmed as the host of the 2022 summer Youth Olympic Games at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session here on Monday, Xinhua reported. The African country has thus become the first African host of any Olympic event. The Senegalese capital of Dakar was unanimously chosen in a vote of IOC members in Buenos Aires where the third edition of the Youth Olympics began on Oct. 6 and is running through to Oct. 18. "Dakar 2022 presented a visionary, ambitious and technically sound Youth Olympic Games project that addresses the long-term aims of the country," an IOC statement said. The 2022 Youth Olympics will take place in Senegal between May and June. While Dakar will host the bulk of the 2022 Games activities, competitions will also be held in Diamniadio and Saly. IOC president Thomas Bach said: "Africa is united behind Senegal to host the Youth Olympic Games 2022. With a young population and a passion for sport, it is time for Africa, it is time for Senegal." Senegal's President Macky Sall said the announcement made his country proud. "It is the whole of Africa, the birthplace of humankind through its history and the youngest continent through its demographics, which will welcome the young athletes of the world in 2022," he said. Brazils far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday he would stick to his hardline agenda on guns, crime and graft in the second round of the election on Oct. 28, alarming senior statesmen and human rights advocates alike, Reuters reports. Bolsonaro, a former Army captain and veteran lawmaker, nearly won the presidency outright on Sunday, taking 46 percent of votes against leftist Fernando Haddads 29 percent, part of a swing to the right in Latin Americas largest nation. As neither candidate won an outright majority, Bolsonaro will face Haddad, the former mayor of Sao Paulo representing the Workers Party (PT), in the second-round vote. Some Bolsonaro supporters called on him to moderate his message to ensure victory, but the candidate said he would not ease up on an anti-establishment message that has resonated with voters. The worlds fifth-most populous country has been roiled by years of rising crime, recession and graft scandals. 04:25 (GMT+4) Eight workers were injured in a powerful explosion in an oil refinery on Tuesday night in Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) city of Bosanski Brod, located 210 kilometers north of Sarajevo, mayor Ilija Jovicic confirmed to local media, Xinhua reported. Spokesperson of Police Department Doboj Dragana Kerkez confirmed to local media that police had received a call informing there is an explosion, after which several police teams have been sent to the site. "Explosion, according to the first information, occurred at the plant for oil refinery," Kerkez said. Police advised people living in Bosanski Brod and in regions around, not to exit from their houses due to the heavy smoke. Eight persons were transferred to the emergency department of the local hospital, and they are not severely injured, their lives are not in danger, director of the hospital, Zoran Predojevic, told local media. Eyewitnesses said that the explosion was so strong that several windows at houses nearby were broken. Firefighters are trying to stop the spread of fire on the rest of the refinery. If the chain reaction occurs, the refineries will not be saved, and the health of the citizens could be jeopardized. The cause of the explosion is still unknown. 02:13 (GMT+4) A powerful explosion hit the Brod oil refinery in northern Bosnia near the Croatian border on Tuesday and several workers were injured, police said, Reuters reported. Police and firefighters are trying to extinguish the blaze after the explosion at around 9.30 p.m. local time (1930 GMT), said police spokeswoman Dragana Kerkez. This was a strong explosion and the detonation could be heard in Slavonski Brod, Kerkez told Reuters, referring to the town just across the Sava river in Croatia. Brod Mayor Ilija Jovicic said that some of injured workers were hospitalised, the Srna news agency reported. Photos taken on mobile phones and published on Bosnian web sites showed a fire at the plant. The Brod refinery is majority-owned by Russian state oil company Zarubezhneft. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet on Tuesday at the session of a bilateral commission for trade and economic cooperation, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Environmental Protection Ze'ev Elkin said, TASS reports. The minister addressed a two-day meeting of the 15th Russian-Israeli intergovernmental commission for trade and economic cooperation in Israel, which opened on Monday. "We [the meetings participants] will have to leave you now as we will meet with the prime minister," Elkin said. According to the minister, the leaders of Russia and Israel often meet and hold an intense and fruitful dialogue. "All of us are working hard to develop cooperation," he noted. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in the coming months on the margins of major international events. However, no preparations have been undertaken so far, he added, TASS reports. "In the next several months, as we know, major international events may take place that will in theory be attended by both Trump and Putin," the Kremlin spokesman said. He also noted that most likely, Trump would not visit Singapore in November: "If our information is correct, the US President is not planning on going to Singapore." The East-Asia summit will take place in Singapore in mid-November. Peskov also reminded that the G20 summit would be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 30-December 1. "However, so far, no preparations have been made (for the Putin-Trump meeting), we have not taken any initiatives in this regard," the Kremlin representative concluded. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and its Chinese partners will set up a regional fund worth 5 bln yuan, RDIF Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev told, adding that first transactions in national currencies are expected in early 2019, TASS reports. "The RDIF together with Chinese partners is launching a regional fund in yuan with 5 bln yuan worth of capital. We expect first transactions in national currencies already at the beginning of 2019. Moreover, the RDIF plans to set up similar funds with other countries in the future," he said. Earlier Dmitriev said that cooperation in national currencies is crucial for a successful development of trade and economic relations between the two countries. The RDIF, established in June 2011, is Russia's sovereign investment fund with $10 bln of reserved capital under management. The fund invests directly in leading and promising Russian companies jointly with major global investors. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called on Riyadh to prove its claim that Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing since last week, left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, while the White House said the world deserves answers, Reuters reports. The disappearance of Khashoggi, previously a prominent newspaper editor in Saudi Arabia and an adviser to its former head of intelligence, has sparked global concern, particularly after Turkish sources said over the weekend that authorities believed he was killed inside the consulate. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year, saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy in the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent. He entered the consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday to get documents for his forthcoming marriage. Saudi officials have said that he left shortly afterwards but his fiancee, who was waiting outside, said he never appeared. We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying he has left, Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest, where he is on an official visit. Erdogan, who said he was personally following the case, added that Turkey had no documents or evidence regarding the case. A Saudi source at the consulate has denied that Khashoggi had been killed at the mission and said that the accusations were baseless. The consulate has also denied that Khashoggi was abducted. Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Princes brother, echoed these comments in a statement, adding that his country has sent a security team, with Turkeys approval, to assist in the investigation. U.S. President Donald Trump, in the first expression of concern by his administration on Khashoggis disappearance, said he was troubled by reports about the journalists fate. I am concerned about it. I dont like hearing about it. And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it, he told reporters at the White House. Later in a tweet about the reports, Vice President Mike Pence said, Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights. The free world deserves answers. Neither Trump nor Pence mentioned the accusations against Saudi Arabia in their comments. Baku, Azerbaijan, October 9 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Turkey Walid Bin Abdul Karim El Khereiji has been summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the Turkish media reported October 9. The reason for this is the disappearance of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi. If the Embassy of Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi has disappeared after leaving the embassy building, it must prove it, the message quoted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying the day before. Erdogan said earlier that the Turkish intelligence is clarifying the issue of the disappearance of the Saudi reporter Khashoggi. The President of Turkey said this issue is under his personal control. On October 2, Khashoggi went to the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul to register some documents. His bride was not allowed into the building, and five hours later she was informed that he had already left. She later stated that she did not trust this information and did not know where Khashoggi was currently located. Meanwhile, as reported, Khashoggi has not yet left the building of the consulate general. In addition, his bride said, 15 specialists from Saudi Arabia arrived in Istanbul on two aircraft to investigate the circumstances of the incident, who had already visited the consulate general. At the moment, when they entered the building of the consulate general, Khashoggi was inside, the Turkish media reported. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Two tankers collided off Istabul's coast near the Yenikap port, Turkish media reported on Oct. 9. The 130 meter tanker TK Rotterdam crashed into the 165 meter tanker Bosphorus King, the reports read. Rescuers have been sent to the crash site. No one was hurt as a result of the collision, and the tankers themselves got minor damage. Other details of the incident, as well as the ships' ownership were not disclosed. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey, Russia and Iran managed to prevent a crisis in Syria's Idlib, Turkish Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim said on Oct. 9, Turkish media reported. Yildirim stressed that thanks to the efforts of these three countries, a new flow of Syrian refugees was prevented. The speaker also underlined that counter-terrorism commitments should not be the burden of a few countries only. "All countries must actively fight against terrorism and not distinguish between terrorists," Yildirim said. The speaker stressed that, presently, terrorism is a threat to all countries, including Turkey, which for many years has been actively fighting the PKK. On September 15 in Sochi, Russian and Turkish leaders - Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to create by October 15 a demilitarized zone along the contact line of the armed opposition and government troops in the Syrian province of Idlib. The defense ministers of the two countries signed a memorandum on stabilizing the situation in the Idlib zone of de-escalation. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 9 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: An investigation will be carried out at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia to Turkey regarding the mysterious disappearance of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement Oct. 9. The Saudi authorities are not against cooperation with the Turkish authorities to conduct an investigation into the disappearance of Hashoggi, the message says. The day before, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Turkey Walid Bin Abdul Karim El Khereiji was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. If the Embassy of Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi has disappeared after leaving the embassy building, it must prove it, the message quoted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying the day before. Erdogan said earlier that the Turkish intelligence is clarifying the issue of the disappearance of the Saudi reporter Khashoggi. The President of Turkey said this issue is under his personal control. On October 2, Khashoggi went to the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul to register some documents. His bride was not allowed into the building, and five hours later she was informed that he had already left. She later stated that she did not trust this information and did not know where Khashoggi was currently located. Meanwhile, as reported, Khashoggi has not yet left the building of the consulate general. In addition, his bride said, 15 specialists from Saudi Arabia arrived in Istanbul on two aircraft to investigate the circumstances of the incident, who had already visited the consulate general. At the moment, when they entered the building of the consulate general, Khashoggi was inside, the Turkish media reported. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that after his recent meeting with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un, he can now see a path forward toward the goal of denuclearizing North Korea, Sputnik reproted. "While there is still a long way to go and much work to do, we can now see a path to where we'll achieve the ultimate goal, which is the full and final verified denuclearization of North Korea," Pompeo told reporters. The State Department said Pompeo and Kim held a productive discussion on Sunday about the four elements contained in the joint statement signed by Trump and Kim at their first summit in June. Kim invited inspectors to visit the Punggye-ri nuclear test site to confirm it has been irreversibly dismantled, and both Kim and Pompeo agreed to have working-level teams meet in the near future to discuss other unresolved issues from the Singapore summit, the State Department added. Kim and Pompeo also discussed preparations for a second summit, and earlier on Tuesday Trump confirmed that the talks were centered around three or four possible locations for that meeting. The first summit between the US and North Korean leaders took place in Singapore in June. During the meeting, the two sides reached an agreement stipulating that Pyongyang would make efforts toward the promotion of complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in exchange for security guarantees for North Korea. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is set to kick off the military alliances biggest exercise in 20 years later this month, with the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group participating in the drills, NATO officials said Tuesday, Sputnik reported. Speaking in Brussels Tuesday at NATO headquarters, Adm. James G. Foggo announced, "The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its striker, including its ships and aircraft, will participate in Trident Juncture." Foggo is a commander in the US Navy and is the chief of NATO naval forces. The Trident Juncture will feature military participation from all 29 NATO members and will include cooperation from Sweden and Finland. According to Foggo, the exercise has three themes, known as the three D's: "NATO is a defensive alliance, Trident Juncture demonstrates our credible capability, and together we deter potential adversaries." The drills will take place in Norway from October 25 through November 7, according to NATO officials. In sum, approximately 50,000 personnel are expected to train in the drills. When asked about the drills' proximity to Russian borders, Norwegian Lt. Gen. Rune Jakobsen said, "The core exercise area is more than 1,000 kilometers from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to 500 kilometers away from the border, so there should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as something else than a defensive exercise." The USS Truman was previously stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea conducting operations against the terrorist group Daesh. KYODO NEWS - Oct 9, 2018 - 22:44 | World, All Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday pledged Tokyo's continued support in realizing the return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar during talks with the Southeast Asian country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "Although this is a complicated and serious issue, Japan will think together with Myanmar and support the Myanmar government's efforts to resolve it," Abe told reporters after their meeting in Tokyo. The prime minister said Japan will also provide support to create an environment for the minority Muslims to resettle, including building homes. (Shinzo Abe, left, and Aung San Suu Kyi) [Pool photo] More than 720,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh from the western state of Rakhine since the Myanmar military launched a harsh crackdown in August last year in the wake of attacks on security posts by militants of the ethnic group, according to the United Nations. Abe's proposals come at a time when only a few Rohingya have returned home despite an agreement for their repatriation reached by Naypyidaw and Dhaka last November. Myanmar set up a four-member commission involving former Philippine and Japanese diplomats to probe alleged atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims, who are not recognized as an indigenous group of the Buddhist-dominated country. "As Prime Minister Abe said, I also believe it is vital for the independent panel to conduct a right and appropriate investigation," said Suu Kyi, who doubles as foreign minister. Abe said Japan's assistance worth 800 billion yen ($7 billion) from the public and private sectors announced in 2016 has been "steadily" paying off. [Pool photo] During the meeting, he also promised to provide up to 70 billion yen in low-interest loans for some development projects in Myanmar's largest city of Yangon, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Abe also aired concern about the conviction of two Reuters journalists, sentenced to seven years in prison each, for illegally obtaining classified documents relating to Rakhine State, according to the ministry. Suu Kyi told Abe that the two journalists were treated under the country's law, the Japanese ministry said. She was the last leader to hold bilateral talks with Abe among those who attended the Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting on Tuesday. The summit was held in Tokyo with four other countries, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. KYODO NEWS - Oct 9, 2018 - 15:55 | World, All, Urgent North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, and South Korean President Moon Jae In will convey the message to the pope during their meeting next week, the South's presidential office said Tuesday. Moon will depart for a trip to several European countries, including France and Italy, on Saturday, according to the office. He is slated to make an official visit to the Vatican on Oct. 17 and 18, during which he is expected to hold talks with the pope. Kim has indicated his readiness to warmly welcome the pope should he visit Pyongyang, according to the office. Moon and Kim met in the North Korean capital last month for their third summit. KYODO NEWS - Oct 9, 2018 - 14:51 | World, All Japan and five Southeast Asian nations along the Mekong River adopted a new three-year strategy Tuesday centering on improving connectivity through promotion of "quality infrastructure" building for regional development. The document endorsed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam at the Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting also cited human resource development and environmental protection as main pillars of cooperation. [Pool] On regional security, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to addressing tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and the South China Sea, where China has been expanding its military clout, according to the document. "We want to make efforts to realize peace, development, sustainable growth and a rich, prosperous future for this region," Abe said in a press conference after the summit. He expressed Japan's readiness to provide support for 30,000 workers in various sectors in the Mekong region over the next three years. Under the "Tokyo Strategy 2018 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation," the leaders of the Mekong countries welcomed Japan's policy to realize a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, designed to promote stability and prosperity in areas between Asia and Africa rooted in rule-based order and freedom of navigation. Abe and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hailed the progress in physical infrastructure development that has enhanced land, maritime and air connectivity in the region. The Mekong region is seen as a promising market and an important destination for Japanese companies' infrastructure exports as its combined population stood at 238 million and its aggregate gross domestic product totaled $781 billion in 2017, according to the International Monetary Fund. Tokyo also views the Mekong area as geopolitically important as it is located between India and China, two major powers in the region, and faces vital shipping lanes in the South China Sea, Japanese officials said. The six leaders also reaffirmed the need to modernize customs to facilitate cross-border security and customs clearance and pledged to support the participation of non-Mekong countries in the supply chain of the Mekong region. They agreed to promote cooperation in the fields of telecommunication, cybersecurity and broadcasting, and underlined the significance of human resource development in light of the advancement of artificial intelligence, digital-related areas and international business. They also called for accelerating progress toward achieving universal health coverage by 2030, or ensuring that every person can obtain the health care services they need without suffering financial hardship, and promoting collaboration in the field of education. [Pool] With the aim of realizing a "Green Mekong," the leaders cited measures against climate change and marine debris pollution, water resource management and disaster risk reduction as their priority areas, according to the document. On North Korea, the leaders welcomed ongoing diplomatic moves, including the first-ever U.S.-North Korean summit in June, as a step toward the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues involving the country. They also called for the realization of Pyongyang's "complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges" in accordance with U.N. resolutions. In the press conference, Abe also said Japan has gained support from the Mekong countries in its attempt to resolve the issue of past abductions of Japanese nationals by the North. As for the South China Sea, they "took note of some concerns" over the situation, including land reclamation and activities in the area, alluding to China's muscle-flexing without singling out the country by name. The leaders expressed their readiness to maintain freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea. Among the participating countries, Vietnam has overlapping territorial claims with China in the waters. The Mekong-Japan Summit has been convened every year since 2009, with the aim of pursuing sustainable development and narrowing the development gap in the region. Japan hosts the gathering every three years. NEET 2021 Perfect Scorer Karthika G Nair on how she scored 720 for the entrance exam Action against SP Bista soon: Ministry The decision to take departmental action against SP Dilli Raj Bista will be taken within a couple of days, according to top government sources who said the officer was visibly negligent in handling the investigation of the Nirmala Panta rape and murder case. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The EV startup Faraday Future (FF) is seeking arbitration to terminate the stake transaction with Evergrande Health Industry Group Limited (Evergrande Health), the healthcare company announced on October 7. Evergrande Health, a subsidiary of the real estate developer China Evergrande Group, claimed in June that it has acquired 100% stake in the Hongkong-based Season Smart Limited (Season Smart) with HK$6.746 billion plowed. The latest announcement showed that Season Smart and FF's previous shareholder (a British Virgin Islands entity called FF Top Holding whose actual controller is Jia Yueting) signed an agreement on November 30, 2017, which said Season Smart agreed to pour a total of $2 billion in Smart King, a joint venture (JV) between Season Smart and FF Top Holding. The investment will be implemented in three installments, due in 2018 (for $800 million), 2019 (for $600 million) and 2020 (for $600 million) and will make Evergrande Health indirectly obtain 45% stake in Smart King. However, Evergrand Health revealed on the October 7's statement that Season Smart was requested by FF Top Holding in July to pay $700 million up front after the latter had run out of Smart Season's initial investment of $800 million. The Chinese healthcare firm said FF's previous shareholder has filed arbitration at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre against Evergrande Health, saying payment conditions were not fulfilled. The filing also said FF Top Holding is seeking to deprive Season Smart of the right as Smart King's shareholder to approve relevant financing plans and intends to terminate all other terms. Nevertheless, Evergrande Health stressed that Season Smart has performed all obligations under relevant agreements, while Smart King's arbitration request has severely harmed the rights of Season Smart and its shareholders. It will take all necessary steps to safeguard its continuing rights under related terms. The only reason 'FF is trying to get out of the deal with Evergrande,' is because Evergrande has failed to live up to its end of the bargain and make the payments it agreed to make. This is a matter of basic, common-sense fairness- Evergrande shouldnt be permitted to withhold the funding and simultaneously prevent FF from accepting alternative financing or investments, FF delivered the explanation via its Twitter a few hours ago. Call for a singular view on war crime inquiry Civil society leaders have said that investigation into war-era crimes cannot move forward unless the major stakeholders have adopted a singular view of prosecuting the perpetrators before transitional justice court. Kinetic Group's Motorola is ready to launch its new SuperDial bike in the Indian market. It has been reported that the company can launch it on October 11. First of all, this bike was launched in India during the Great Trail Adventure Event in April this year in Pune city of Maharashtra. Let us tell you that Motorola is coming with its SWM brand in the Indian market. In addition to this one, the company is trying to introduce MV Agusta, Norton Motorcycles, Hoyos and FB Mondial brands in the Indian market. SWM SuperDial T can compete in the Indian market by Suzuki V-Storm 650 and Kawasaki vs 650. This is being described as a strong and fisheye bike. For your information, this bike is available in two variants - T and X. SuperDual T is the base variant of the company in which 19-inch and 17-inch wire-spoke wheels are given in front and rear, respectively. On the other hand, SuperDual X is an off-road variant, which features 21 and 18-inch Rims Front and Rear as FEATURES. There is no information about the price of this bike. It has been reported that in SWM SuperDual T, 600cc, DOHC, Euro 4, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine will be given as power specifications. There is a choice of GT packs in both variants. Diversity is good Conservation of agrobiodiversity is a step forward towards ensuring food security 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. Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade. From photonics to pharmaceuticals, materials made with polymer nanoparticles hold promise for products of the future. However, there are still gaps in understanding the properties of these tiny plastic-like particles. Now, Hojin Kim, a graduate student in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Delaware, together with a team of collaborating scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Germany, Princeton University and the University of Trento, has uncovered new insights about polymer nanoparticles. The team's findings, including properties such as surface mobility, glass transition temperature and elastic modulus, were published in Nature Communications. Under the direction of MPI Prof. George Fytas, the team used Brillouin light spectroscopy, a technique that spelunks the molecular properties of microscopic nanoparticles by examining how they vibrate. "We analyzed the vibration between each nanoparticle to understand how their mechanical properties change at different temperatures," Kim said. "We asked, 'What does a vibration at different temperatures indicate? What does it physically mean?' " The characteristics of polymer nanoparticles differ from those of larger particles of the same material. "Their nanostructure and small size provide different mechanical properties," Kim said. "It's really important to understand the thermal behavior of nanoparticles in order to improve the performance of a material." Take polystyrene, a material commonly used in nanotechnology. Larger particles of this material are used in plastic bottles, cups and packaging materials. "Polymer nanoparticles can be more flexible or weaker at the glass transition temperature at which they soften from a stiff texture to a soft one, and it decreases as particle size decreases," Kim said. That's partly because polymer mobility at small particle surface can be activated easily. It's important to know when and why this transition occurs, since some products, such as filter membranes, need to stay strong when exposed to a variety of conditions. For example, a disposable plastic cup made with the polymer polystyrene might hold up in boiling water--but that cup doesn't have nanoparticles. The research team found that polystyrene nanoparticles start to experience the thermal transition at 343 Kelvin (158 degrees F), known as the softening temperature, below a glass transition temperature of 372 K (210 F) of the nanoparticles, just short of the temperature of boiling water. When heated to this point, the nanoparticles don't vibrate--they stand completely still. This hadn't been seen before, and the team found evidence to suggest that this temperature may activate a highly mobile surface layer in the nanoparticle, Kim said. As particles heated up between their softening temperature and glass transition temperature, the particles interacted with each other more and more. Other research groups have previously suspected that glass transition temperature drops with decreases in particle size decreases because of differences in particle mobility, but they could not observe it directly. "Using different method and instruments, we analyzed our data at different temperatures and actually verified there is something on the polymer nanoparticle surface that is more mobile compared to its core," he said. By studying interactions between the nanoparticles, the team also uncovered their elastic modulus, or stiffness. Next up, Kim plans to use this information to build a nanoparticle film that can govern the propagation of sound waves. Eric Furst, professor and chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UD, is also a corresponding author on the paper. "Hojin took the lead on this project and achieved results beyond what I could have predicted," said Furst. "He exemplifies excellence in doctoral engineering research at Delaware, and I can't wait to see what he does next." ### (Bloomberg) -- Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa says working less, not more, is the reason why hes been able to build an $8.4 billion company, become a major force in the art world and land a ticket on Elon Musks rocket to the moon. The founder of Japans second-largest online shopping site Zozo Inc. was introduced last month as the first passenger on a flight to the moon scheduled for 2023, on a rocket built by Space Explorations Technologies Corp. The announcement instantly raised his global profile, which before was mainly based on his $200 million-plus splurge on artworks. Asked how hes going to prepare for a physically demanding trip while running a company and spending his money, the 42-year-old said hell have plenty of time, given that he goes to the office three to four days a week, for a maximum of six hours at a time. The short workday is the reason for the success of Zozo, where he also encourages employees to work more efficiently and find inspiration outside the office. Our employees began working differently under the program: they stopped wasteful activities, wasteful conversations, wasteful meetings. As a result, they could concentrate more, be more productive, and actually go home after six hours, Maezawa told reporters at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan in Tokyo, where he held a news conference to answer questions about the lunar trip. The Future of Travel Is Here: In Pictures Zozo, which changed its name this month from Start Today, embraced six-hour workdays in 2012, a spokeswoman said, adding that each department tweaks its implementation. She said the idea of working intensely over fewer hours is a core principle of the companys culture. As of March, the company had about 1,000 employees. In April it began recruiting tech workers with annual salaries of as much as 100 million yen ($883,000). Zozo has grown into Japans go-to site for online fashion shopping, with sales volume reaching 270 billion yen last fiscal year. Maezawa said he plans to make Zozo a leading global clothing brand within a decade by revolutionizing how people buy clothes online, beginning with this years debut of a body-measuring outfit called the Zozosuit. Story continues Zozos stock has surged more than 24-fold since its public listing in 2007. Maezawa has sold almost a half a billion dollars worth of shares since 2016 to fuel his art purchases, and most likely to secure a spot on Musks moon rocket. Hes worth $2.1 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. I believe if I go to the moon I can produce better work, great work, Maezawa said. So this is very important to me and I try to promote this among my employees as well. --With assistance from Kurumi Mori. To contact the reporters on this story: Yuji Nakamura in Tokyo at ynakamura56@bloomberg.net;Lisa Du in Tokyo at ldu31@bloomberg.net;Yuki Furukawa in Tokyo at yfurukawa13@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Robert Fenner at rfenner@bloomberg.net, ;K. Oanh Ha at oha3@bloomberg.net, Reed Stevenson For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2018 Bloomberg L.P. NC: Deal with Chinese firm on Budhi Gandakai project is against national interest The main opposition Nepali Congress has expressed serious concern over the government decision to renew negotiations with China Gezhouba Group Company Limited to develop the Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project, arguing that awarding the project without competitive bidding process was against the national interest. RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday that he was already in talks with other lawmakers in Congress to gain support if he wins a second-round run-off later this month, as his party would not be able to govern alone. Speaking the day after he came just shy of a first-round victory in Brazil's most polarized election in decades, Bolsonaro also said he would stick with his Wall Street-friendly economic advisor Paulo Guedes, adding that he would hew to his hard line message and not become a "peace and love" candidate. (Reporting by Pedro Fonseca and Maria Clara Pestre Writing by Gabriel Stargardter Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) BRUSSELS, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Alphabet unit Google on Tuesday challenged a record 4.34-billion euro ($5 billion) fine imposed by European Union antitrust regulators three months ago for using its popular Android mobile operating system to thwart rivals. "We have now filed our appeal of the EC's Android decision at the General Court of the EU," Google said in an email. It had previously said it would take the case to Europe's second highest court in Luxembourg. ($1 = 0.8702 euros) (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee. Editing by Jane Merriman) Iron Mountain Incorporated IRM recently announced the buyout of GRM's Chinese operations. The move comes as part of this storage and information management service firms efforts to expand its footprint in the faster growing Asian markets like China. Particularly, the GRM China acquisition has enabled the company to grow its presence in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Qingdao, Dalian, Chengdu and Wuhan (including more than 2.5 million cubic feet of storage). It brings on board 170 employees to its Chinese operations and enhances the customer base with a tally of 550. A division of GRM Document Management, GRM China was the foremost licensed provider of Records and Information Management services in the Peoples Republic of China, and had opened its first branch in Shanghai in 2003. The company delivers a host of services, including document storage, media storage, document imaging, secure destruction and information management consulting services to large multinationals as well as local companies. The latest acquisition is a strategic fit for Iron Mountain as there is a rising scope for records and information-management outsourcing in the region and with the buyout adding a significant operational and storage capacity, the company is capable of banking on such favorable trends. Moreover, Iron Mountain has been making efforts to improve its core business by offering additional services. In September, it added data-center colocation and network services to its offering in the company's Schedule 36 vehicle contract with the General Services Administration (GSA), under Special Item Number 51-600 for Electronic Records Management Solutions. The move indicates the companys focus to continuously grow its Federal business. (Read more: Iron Mountain Adds Data-Center Services to GSA Schedule 36) The companys strategic acquisitions, along with its diversified revenue base and strong product portfolio, will likely drive Iron Mountains top-line growth. Further, transformation initiatives, including expansion of data-center business, and continued strong performance of the storage rental business, look encouraging. However, the costs of such efforts weigh on its financials, especially as the company already has a highly leveraged balance sheet. Also, Iron Mountains services business revenues remain modest. These may affect results in the near term. Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have underperformed its industry over the past six months. Its shares have gained 1.4%, while the industry has recorded growth of 6.8% during this time frame. Story continues Stocks to Consider A few better-ranked stocks from the real estate investment trust (REIT) space are Duke Realty Corp. DRE, Prologis Inc. PLD and W. P. Carey Inc. WPC. All three stocks carry a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Duke Realtys Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 funds from operations (FFO) per share remained unchanged at $1.33 in the last month. Its shares have gained 9.9% in the past six months. Prologiss current-year FFO per share estimates remained unchanged at $3.01 over the last 30 days. Its shares have appreciated 7.5% over the past six months. W. P. Careys FFO per share estimates for 2018 remained unchanged at $5.43 in 30 days time. The stock has returned 3.3% in six months time. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Iron Mountain Incorporated (IRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report W.P. Carey Inc. (WPC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Duke Realty Corporation (DRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Prologis, Inc. (PLD) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Chandan Kumar Mandal is the environment and migration reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering labour migration and governance, as well as climate change, natural disasters, and wildlife. Photo credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech From Popular Mechanics All eyes are on Europa right now, with a dedicated NASA mission headed there in 2022, and the European Space Agency launching a more general Jupiter moon probe that will have a couple encounters with Europa that same year. But if these orbiters are the first step toward more widespread exploration of the ocean moon, they may reveal a giant complication. Like 50 foot spikes of ice jutting out from the crust of the moon. A paper published today in Nature Geoscience outlines this problem. Daniel Hobley of Cardiff University and his team investigated how interactions with the ocean below might affect the ice shell surrounding the moon. Europa is of special interest because of this vast ocean which makes it one of the best places to find life beyond Earth given how life here started deep in the oceans. Hobley and his team looked toward another place with a deep ice shell and liquid water below: Antarctica. Specifically, they looked at the formation of penitentes. These structures begin their formation below, jutting out areas of higher altitude into the ice shell. Photo credit: Mark Sanderson / Wikimedia Commons In turn, sublimation-the process of turning a solid directly into a gas-leaves behind some more compacted areas, that appear as spikes of ice, some of them taller than a human and sharp as a blade. Because the surface of Europa is ever-changing, geologically speaking, Hobley thinks there may be different kinds of spikes at different latitudes. Some of them could even reach as tall as 50 feet high. "The surface is patchy, and some areas are clearly younger than others from the way they overlap," he says. "So, although we say the average age of the surface is 50 million years and do our calculations with that number, the younger bits of the surface would have smaller spikes, and the older parts, bigger." But here's the bad news: They predict some of the largest spikes would exist at the equator. For several reasons, this is seen as the most ideal landing spot, as changing orbital inclination can be fuel intensive. (It's easier to get a spacecraft in a relatively straight line going across the equator than it is to get it in an orbit that's a few dozen degrees above or below that.) There could, depending on power source, also be problems with the amount of radiation a lander receives at varying latitudes. Story continues "I guess some creative engineer could also come up with a design for a lander that would be able to land among spikes," Hobley says. "The important thing is knowing theyre there ahead of time, so NASA can plan around it." There are some caveats here. Europa is under-explored. Hubble isn't able to make observations of structures that small with its resolution, and the last craft to explore Jupiter's moons-the Galileo craft, which took several swoops through the system from 1995 to 2003-failed to deploy the antenna that could have sent back more high resolution data. It also never got close enough to get any imaging from the low gain antenna that slowly sent back pictures taken by the mission. This means that there isn't proof positive these structures are there. Instead, it's simply likely, based on modeling. There's thermal data from Galileo which shows heating consistent with formation of the ice spikes, and radar data hints at a jagged equatorial surface. It will take the Clipper mission to truly confirm them, with the potential problem that some versions of the mission call for a small lander. "The most obvious thing to do would simply land away from the equator, where all the penitentes are," Hobley says. But that could require a bit more work. Maybe, in the end, we'll find a smoother patch of ground to land on there once we have enough Clipper data-but maybe we should hold off on sending a lander there immediately, lest it simply impales itself on the way down. ('You Might Also Like',) Tech giant Microsoft said it will invest an undisclosed sum into Singapore-based ride-sharing company Grab as part of a strategic partnership. The two companies will collaborate on various technology projects in areas such as big data and artificial intelligence, they said. Grab will also now use a number of Microsoft products, including its Azure cloud computing service, according to a joint statement. Tech giant Microsoft MSFT said late Monday that it will invest an undisclosed sum into Singapore-based ride-hailing company Grab, as part of a strategic partnership. The two companies will also collaborate on technology projects in areas such as big data and artificial intelligence, while Grab will now use a number of Microsoft products, including the Azure cloud computing service, according to a joint statement. "We're fascinated with the companies that are emerging from Southeast Asia," Peggy Johnson, executive vice president at Microsoft, told CNBC in an interview. "It's been amazing to watch what they have done with technology, in the way that they've applied it to solving problems for their customers." Microsoft and Grab both declined to disclose the amount of the strategic investment. So far this year, Grab has already raised $2 billion from Toyota and institutional investors . It had raised about $6 billion in total funds as of Aug. 2, 2018, and is valued at $11 billion, according to CB Insights . On Friday, Reuters reported that Japan's SoftBank 9984.T-JP was closing in on a deal to invest about $500 million in Grab as part of the ride-hailing company's latest funding round that is likely to be completed in a few weeks. Grab President Ming Maa declined to comment on ongoing investment discussions, but he told CNBC that the company was on track to raise about $3 billion in funds by the end of the year. He also declined to give an estimate of how big the investment from Microsoft is, compared with the funds raised from other backers throughout the year. Story continues "We cannot comment on sizing but I think what's probably more important for us is not the sizing, but the quality of the partners," Maa said, explaining that Microsoft can help the 6-year-old start-up "scale beyond where we currently are today." Grab is already backed by a number of prominent companies, including SoftBank, Toyota 7203.T-JP and Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing. The company operates in eight countries around Southeast Asia. It offers ride-hailing, food delivery, mobile payments and financial services. Earlier this year, Grab bought Uber's regional business and consequently faced regulatory scrutiny in several markets . Maa explained that Grab will use the investment from Microsoft to improve user safety and experience. As part of the deal, the Southeast Asian company said it will work with the tech giant to develop new ways of verifying passengers and drivers using facial recognition technology with built-in artificial intelligence that could potentially improve safety and security for users. Grab plans to use Microsoft's data analytics, fraud detection, machine learning and computer vision technologies and services to personalize the user experience. Passengers will also be able to book rides directly through the Microsoft Outlook application, the companies said. "Where Microsoft fits into this is all of the AI/machine learning platforms that Microsoft has developed will allow us to build these services," he said. Microsoft considers artificial intelligence to be one of its top priorities and says it wants to make it accessible to everyone. Earlier this year, it showed at its big conference for developers what it will be like to live in a world infused with AI . The company is hiring engineers to work on AI chip design for its Azure cloud division and, in recent months, snapped up two artificial intelligence start-ups: Bonsai and Lobe . Johnson told CNBC that investing in AI will remain a focus for the company going forward. "One of the things that we look for are tools that make AI easier so that customers like Grab, who we work with, can implement AI without having to have a team of data scientists," she said, adding, "We look for tools in that area and we'll continue to focus on it." More From CNBC (Bloomberg) -- A North Korean hacking group has tried to steal at least $1.1 billion in a series of attacks on global banks over the past four years, according to cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc. The hackers, which FireEye identified as APT38, have infiltrated more than 16 organizations in 11 countries including the U.S., and stolen more than $100 million. The group has hacked heavily defended servers at banks and spent time scouring their networks. Security officials should be alarmed, FireEye said last week in a report. They understand banking networks pretty well, Charles Carmakal, vice president of consulting at FireEye, said in an interview. And they probably have geopolitical considerations behind the timing, location of their attacks. The most prominent attack by APT38 was the theft of funds from the Bangladeshi central banks accounts at the U.S. Federal Reserve in 2016. In that case, the hackers got the Fed to transfer some $100 million by sending fake wiring orders. About $40 million was recovered when the hack was discovered and transfers reversed before they could be withdrawn. In January, Mexicos state-owned trade bank thwarted the attempted theft of $110 million using similar methods. In May, a Chilean bank lost $10 million. Both attacks were carried out by APT38, FireEye said in the report. North Korean diplomats and official media have denied that the country plays any role in cyberattacks. In recent attacks, the hacking group burns the house down, wiping out computer hard drives to erase its tracks, Carmakal said. While the attacks continue, APT38 hasnt targeted American banks amid North Koreas peace talks with the U.S., he said. Banks and other financial institutions are targeted by the most sophisticated cyber criminals, who are attracted to the lure of big-money paydays, FireEye and other groups have said. That has prompted banks to outspend other industries to protect themselves, with the biggest U.S. firms annual cybersecurity budgets reaching $1 billion. Story continues Financial firms face the highest number of attempted breaches from computer addresses that have already been blocked because of misbehavior, according to a report set for release Tuesday by cybersecurity firm eSentire. That points to targeted campaigns and persistent efforts by sophisticated attackers, according to Eldon Sprickerhoff, founder and chief innovation officer of eSentire. To contact the reporter on this story: Yalman Onaran in New York at yonaran@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Michael J. Moore at mmoore55@bloomberg.net, Dan Reichl, Steve Dickson For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2018 Bloomberg L.P. Vessels that are used for towing oil rigs in the North Sea are moored up at William Wright docks in Hull, Britain November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Russell Boyce/Files By Stephanie Kelly NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose about one percent on Tuesday on growing evidence of falling Iranian crude exports before the imposition of new U.S. sanctions, as well as a partial production shutdown in the Gulf of Mexico because of Hurricane Michael. Brent crude futures rose $1.09 to settle at $85.00 a barrel, a 1.30 percent gain. The global benchmark hit a four-year high of $86.74 last week but slipped as low as $82.66 on Monday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 67 cents to settle at $74.96 a barrel, a 0.90 percent gain. Iran's crude exports fell further in the first week of October, according to tanker data and an industry source, as buyers sought alternatives ahead of U.S. sanctions that take effect on Nov. 4. Iran, OPEC's third-largest producer, exported 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in that seven-day period, Refinitiv Eikon data showed. An industry source who also tracks exports said October shipments so far were below 1 million bpd. That is down from at least 2.5 million bpd in April, before U.S. President Donald Trump in May withdrew the United States from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions. The figure also marks a further fall from 1.6 million bpd in September. A vessel carrying 2 million barrels of Iranian oil discharged the crude into a bonded storage tank at the port of Dalian in northeast China on Monday, according to Refinitiv Eikon data and a shipping agent with knowledge of the matter. The country previously held oil in storage at Dalian during the last round of sanctions in 2014 that was later sold to buyers in South Korea and India. Story continues Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, last week said it would increase crude output next month to 10.7 million bpd, a record. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh on Monday described a Saudi claim that the kingdom could replace Iran's crude exports as "nonsense." "There is growing concern that suppliers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia will struggle to compensate for potential production declines from Iran and Venezuela, which has supported oil prices in today's trading session," said Abhishek Kumar, senior energy analyst at Interfax Energy in London. Meanwhile, producers in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday cut oil production by about 40 percent as Hurricane Michael approached the Florida coast, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) said, citing reports from 27 companies. If forecasts prove accurate, the hurricane would largely miss major oil-producing assets, analysts said, but a change of track could widen the impact. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its global economic growth forecasts for 2018 and 2019, saying trade tensions and rising import tariffs were taking a toll on commerce while emerging markets struggle with tighter financial conditions and capital outflows. Industry and government data on U.S. crude inventories will be delayed by one day this week because of Monday's U.S. Columbus Day holiday. The American Petroleum Institute is due to release data on Wednesday, while the U.S. Energy Information Administration is due to publish on Thursday. (Reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York, Christopher Johnson in London and Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo; Editing by Susan Thomas and Marguerita Choy) Richard Branson gives Elon Musk some advice: Learn to delegate and get some sleep From one business visionary to another, Virgin Group's Richard Branson has given embattled Tesla founder Elon Musk some advice after his recent troubles. Asked by CNBC's Nancy Hungerford what advice he would give to Musk, Branson hesitated before saying that he should learn to delegate and look after himself more. Musk has courted controversy in recent months with his erratic behavior. From one business visionary to another, Virgin Group's Richard Branson has given embattled Tesla founder Elon Musk some advice after his recent troubles. Asked by CNBC's Nancy Hungerford what advice he would give to Musk, Branson hesitated before saying that he should learn to delegate. "I think he maybe needs to learn the art of delegation," Branson said, speaking in Singapore Tuesday. "He's got to find time for himself, he's got to find time for his health and for his family. He's a wonderfully creative person but he shouldn't be getting very little sleep. He should find a fantastic team of people around him." Branson said part of the reason why he himself had such an "enjoyable life and a long life" is due to him finding "wonderful people" to run his companies, only getting involved with the key issues. Like Branson, who started life as a student entrepreneur and then founded the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies, Elon Musk is seen as something of a visionary in the business world. His creative approach to business and technology has seen him launch pioneering projects such as his electric car brand Tesla. Musk also dreamed up the idea of an ultra-high speed transportation system called Hyperloop , as well as a space tourism business called SpaceX . Branson and Virgin are direct competitors of Musk, among other players in the same field, as they are also developing hyperloop and space tourism programs . Unlike Branson, however, Musk is a controversial figure, particularly because of his increasingly erratic behavior and tweets ranging from accusations of pedophilia against a British cave diver, to stating that he was going to take Tesla private, much to the shock of shareholders . Story continues Needless to say, Musk is facing legal action for the former , and has received a $20 million fine from the Securities and Exchange Commission for the latter . 'We've talked about it' Branson said he had sat down and "talked about it" with Musk, alluding to the fact he might have imparted some paternal advice for the younger entrepreneur. He repeated that learning the art of delegation better would overcome "his one flaw." "Don't feel you have to put out tweets about public shareholders, leave the public game to people who enjoy that. He obviously doesn't enjoy it, so (he should) clear the decks and concentrate on the creative side," Branson said. Asked about the progress of his own Virgin Hyperloop One project, Branson said it was "very close" to being up and running, particularly in India. "The Indian government have given the go-ahead from Mumbai to Pune and it's the busiest road in India, it takes five hours to drive down it and it's a nightmare, there are lots of accidents. And they've said we can build a Hyperloop right by the side of the road and cut the journey time down to half an hour. So that will start to be built next year and it will be the first flagship Virgin Hyperloop that will be built anywhere in the world." Demand for hyperloops would be "gigantic," Branson said, with talks going on for similar systems in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, he added. "It's a business that I think has a fantastic future." More From CNBC ISTANBUL, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels have completed the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline in Idlib, under the agreement between Russia and Turkey regarding the creation of a demilitarised zone, the state-run Anadolu news agency said on Monday. No further details were immediately available. The Turkey-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL) rebel alliance had previously said in a statement the withdrawal had started on Saturday. (Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by David Dolan) On Monday, the very first day of a trial in France, Swiss bank, UBS Group AG UBS, its French unit, and six executives were charged of tax fraud and money laundering against allegations that the bank helped its clients in the country to evade taxes, per Reuters. Notably, following a seven-year probe into such allegations and abandoned settlement negotiations, the bank is liable to counter allegations of illegally soliciting clients in France. Precisely, the bank is expected to be penalized with around 5 billion euros ($5.76 billion), along with damages to be paid to the French regulators of around 1.6 billion euros. On the first day of the hearing, lawyers for UBS Group AG argued on the part of dropping the money-laundering charges and proceeds with the tax fraud to decrease penalties. Per Swiss banks lawyer Jean Veil, the amount demanded as damages by the French state damages is extreme. "They are asking crazy amounts," he told the court. Defending its position, "After more than six years of legal proceedings, we will finally have the opportunity to respond to the often unfounded allegations that were frequently leaked to the media, in clear violation of the presumption of innocence and the legal confidentiality of the process," UBS noted in a statement prior to the trial. Notably, the case is scheduled to continue till Nov 15. Background UBS has been under investigation by the French authorities on potential charges of illegally soliciting clients in France to open Swiss accounts for hiding undisclosed wealth during the period between 2004 and 2012. Later, the investigation included money-laundering charges against the bank. Following the failure of settlement talks on account of UBS refusal to plead guilty, the bank was ordered to pay a 1.1 billion bail amount in July 2014. Apprehending adverse impact on its business, UBS restrained from pleading guilty. The bank appealed against the verdict citing that the bail amount as "unprecedented and unwarranted." Notably, UBS pressed for the figure equivalent to 300 million, which the bank paid as settlement in 2014, to German authorities related to a similar probe into whether or not the banking giant helped clients in the country evade taxes. However, after losing an initial appeal against the 1.1-billion bail payment in September 2014, the banks appeal was rejected again in December 2014 by Frances apex appeals court, Cour de Cassation. Disappointed with the ruling, UBS had proposed to contest the courts decision, including the right to a fair trial, at the European Court of Human Rights. In March 2017, according to a French judicial official, the investigating panel from PNF the national financial prosecutor office has claimed the charges against the bank as valid and ordered the case to be sent to trial at a later date. According to the PNF, UBS holds fraudulent money worth around 9.76 billion on behalf of French individuals. On losing the trial, the fine may amount to 50% of the value or funds which were related to laundering operations, per the French Criminal Code. Nonetheless, UBS disagreed with the allegations and legal analysis, strongly defending itself and looking forward to a fair proceeding. Similar Cases Notably, in 2009 the Swiss bank had paid $780 million to regulators as settlement related to U.S. criminal and civil investigation, and admitted that it had helped clients evade taxes. UBS is not the only Swiss bank to be involved in such issues. In May 2014, Credit Suisse Group AG CS pleaded guilty to criminal charges of assisting its U.S. clients to evade taxes and agreed to shell out $2.8 billion as settlement charges to the U.S. authorities. Conclusion We believe the ongoing investigations on banks will be a step ahead toward reducing the huge losses incurred due to offshore tax evasion. Regulatory authorities are investigating scandals and are determined to put forward a landmark judgment to curb such shrewd practices. Shares of UBS have lost around 13.3% in the past year compared with the 11.6% decline recorded by the industry. Story continues UBS Group AG currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Stocks to Consider The Toronto-Dominion Bank TD has been witnessing upward estimate revisions for the last 60 days. Further, the stock gained over 1% year to date. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. National Bank of Canada NTIOF has been witnessing upward estimate revisions for the last 60 days. Also, the companys shares have risen nearly 3.8% over the past six months. It currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report UBS Group AG (UBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report National Bank of Canada (NTIOF) : Free Stock Analysis Report Toronto Dominion Bank (The) (TD) : Free Stock Analysis Report Credit Suisse Group (CS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Kanchanpur rape and murder: Nirmalas parents dissatisfied with report The parents of Nirmala Pant, who was raped and murdered in Kanchanpur, said they are dissatisfied with the report submitted by a high-level probe committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. (Reuters) - Walmart Inc's (WMT.N) Canadian unit said on Tuesday it is exploring the possibility of selling cannabis-based products, but has no immediate plans to get into the business. The company's shares rose nearly 3 percent to $97.48 in afternoon trading. Walmart is the first major retailer to show an interest in being a part of Canada's burgeoning marijuana industry, as other big U.S. companies, mainly in the alcohol and beverage industries, begin to consider entering the market for cannabis-infused products. Last month Coca-Cola Co (KO.N) said it was closely watching the marijuana drinks market for a possible entry, while Corona beer maker Constellation Brands (STZ.N) has invested more than $4 billion in cannabis producer Canopy Growth (WEED.TO). "Walmart Canada has done some preliminary fact-finding on this issue, but we do not have plans to carry CBD products at this time," Walmart spokeswoman Diane Medeiros told Reuters. Cannabidiol or CBD is the non-psychoactive chemical found in marijuana and does not cause intoxication. The news comes as Canada is on the verge of becoming the first major economy to legalize recreational marijuana on Oct. 17, and shares in cannabis producers have rallied in anticipation. New Cannabis Ventures' global cannabis stock index has risen about 87 percent over the past year. The legal cannabis market in Canada will target an estimated 32 million adults by 2025 and drive about C$10.4 billion in retail market sales, Roth Capital Partners analyst Scott Fortune wrote in a client note. The move by Canada could spur other countries to legalize recreational marijuana use. "An investment blueprint has been established in Canada that we believe will play out internationally very similarly," Fortune said. Several U.S. states have also legalized use of recreational or medical marijuana, but it remains illegal under federal law. (Reporting by Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Arun Koyyur) Why China may soon regret its tariffs on US natural gas China's tariffs on U.S. liquefied natural gas are likely to raise costs for Chinese companies and boost revenues for sellers, including American LNG suppliers. The impact will depend on how tight supplies get during winter, when demand is highest. China's options include swapping U.S. cargoes for other shipments and buying American LNG from European utilities. Beijing's tariffs on U.S. liquefied natural gas threaten to raise prices for buyers throughout Asia and deal a self-inflicted wound to China's state-owned energy companies. The import tax on American LNG essentially removes U.S. suppliers from consideration at trading desks across China's growing LNG market. There are plenty of supplies elsewhere in the world, but in closing the door to U.S. LNG, China is throwing a wrench into the market and giving sellers an opportunity to hike prices. In the year through June, China was the second biggest buyer of U.S. LNG, according to energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. China is trying to shift from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas as the government aims to reduce air pollution. But the country's domestic gas production and pipeline imports are not growing fast enough to meet demand, so China is turning to LNG, a form of natural gas super-chilled to liquid form and transported by sea in massive tankers. Despite its dependence on LNG, Beijing nevertheless imposed a 10 percent tariff on U.S. supplies last month, retaliating after the Trump administration slapped a 10 percent import tax on $200 billion of Chinese goods. The world's two largest economies play an influential role in the on-demand market for LNG China as a buyer and the United States as a seller. Their trade dispute promises to redirect LNG trade routes and reverberate throughout the market. It also comes ahead of winter, when demand is highest and LNG customers are vulnerable to price spikes. "The market has been balanced to tight this year," said Bob Ineson, IHS Markit executive director for global LNG. Story continues "You're probably going to be in a fairly strong pricing environment through the winter." Chinese buyers have already moved to limit the impact by purchasing most of the LNG they'll need to meet demand this winter, according to Wood Mackenzie. The firm estimates that China will need to buy about 8 million tons of LNG on the spot market, where commodities are purchased for immediate delivery or shipment in the near future. "The impact will depend on how short the market runs this winter and the extent to which China needs to buy additional LNG, which will partly be determined by weather," said Giles Farrer, research director for global gas and LNG supply at Wood Mackenzie. U.S. companies like Cheniere Energy LNG pump a lot of LNG into the spot market, providing a chunk of flexible supplies for buyers who want to swap cargoes to take advantage of price differences and shorter delivery times. Analysts say Chinese buyers will try to swap cargoes as much as possible to avoid the tariffs on U.S. LNG. If they can't find other cargoes, they'll be stuck paying the 10 percent duty. But China may have to pay a premium in any case, said Farrer. Since China artificially raised prices on U.S. LNG by 10 percent, suppliers in Australia, Qatar and Southeast Asia can get away with charging Chinese buyers just below the cost of LNG from the United States, including the tariff. That markup would tack another $4 million to $5 million on LNG cargoes for Chinese buyers, according to Wood Mackenzie. Those costs would be absorbed by the state-owned companies like CNOOC, PetroChina and Sinopec, which dominate the country's LNG purchases. On the opposite end, American suppliers like Cheniere and traders like Trafigura and Vitol would stand to benefit. The situation provides an incentive for European LNG buyers to resell U.S. cargoes to Chinese energy companies, said Katie Bays, head of energy and industrials at Height Capital Markets. The resales, already an emerging trend this year, allow European utilities to capitalize on high LNG prices in Asia. They also allow China to avoid tariffs because once LNG is loaded into European storage tanks, it is no longer considered American gas, Bays said. Asian LNG prices need to trade about $3 per million British thermal units above European prices for the reloadings to make economic sense, according to Wood Mackenzie. The gap between the prices has narrowed, but the firm anticipates those conditions will return this winter. According to Bays, the United States would make more money in every one of those scenarios. "If you add inefficiencies to the market, the result of that and the only result of that is that prices will have to go up to compensate the market and create a new, efficient solution," said Bays. "If you're a seller, that's a great place to be. If you're a trader that's a great place to be," she said. "But if you're a buyer, it's a tough spot." More From CNBC GRESHK, Afghanistan Helmand was supposed to become the breadbasket of Afghanistan after the United States built a large dam here in the 1950s. Instead, nearly 70 years later, Helmand has turned into one of the most dangerous frontlines, where the Taliban and Afghan government forces now appear to be in a stalemate. The road to Greshk, a rural agricultural district in Helmand, heralds its status as a major frontline. Many of its bridges were recently destroyed. The wreckage of Humvees used by Afghan security forces is a reminder of the ferocity of Taliban attacks.Abundant empty bullet casings are a warning of the frequent but unpredictable firefights between the insurgents and government forces that often kill civilians. Most houses along the road lay in ruins. Some are barricaded and sandbagged and only used as government posts overlooking the road. The Talibans white banner jostles for attention with the tricolor Afghan national flag as the two sides vie to plant more flags than the other along one of the countrys most dangerous stretches of road. Most of the once-fertile fields are now barren or are home to just weeds and shrubs. Many of those living or traveling in the region face a constant fear of death and violence. We are living in hell. We have no security, and no one feels safe, says Haji Agha Gul, a resident of Greshk, told Radio Free Afghanistan. The Taliban are causing most of the insecurity, but the government forces too are not far behind. In Wazir Manda, one of the hundreds of Greshk's villages, a burned-out military armored vehicle marks the site of one of the latest encounters between the warring sides. In the distance, one can see the newly installed transmission towers expected to soon bring electricity from Helmands Kajaki Dam to the regional capital, Lashkar Gah. Although very slow, modernity is creeping into Helmand. Surprisingly, the single street bazaar in Gresk is bustling. Locals see is as relatively safe compared with the outlying villages, which are mostly controlled by the insurgents. We at the bazaar are satisfied with the security situation day and night and feel protected by the local army unit, says Bilal Ahmad, who lives near the market. But business has suffered. The market is dead, said grocery store owner Mohmmad Fahim. How can there be any progress when there is fighting all around us? Greshk turned into one of the most hotly contested districts in Helmand when that Taliban launched a major offensive following the departure of most NATO troops at the end of 2014. Over the next three years, it was the scene of some major battles between Afghan security forces and the Taliban, which forced many of its estimated 150,000 residents to flee. By summer 2016, the Taliban controlled or contested 12 of Helmands 14 districts and had virtually surrounded Lashkar Gah, a city of 200,000 residents. Helmands status as Afghanistans largest province finally prompted Kabul to launch counter attacks to reclaim territories in 2017. The region is home to most of the worlds illicit poppy cultivation and drug production. It borders Pakistan and is near Iran, which gave Kabul and its Western allies added reasons to devote more resources to the fighting in Helmand. While the Taliban still control large swathes of the countryside in Helmand, government forces are back on major roads and control or contest most major towns and district centers. We have created a peaceful atmosphere in all the regions we control, Muhammad Sleem Rudhi, the district governor in Greshk, told Radio Free Afghanistan. The main reason behind the growing stability is coordination between the civilian authorities and the security forces. We are committed to contributing to the well-being of our people, he added. Few in Greshk seem ready to share such optimism. Rather, they are focusing on surviving amid hope and despair for the foreseeable future. Abubakar Siddique wrote this story based on Radio Free Afghanistan correspondent Mohammad Ilyas Dayee's reporting from Greshk, Helmand. Pappu man pays over Rs300,000 to victims kin Pappu Construction, a construction company notorious for grabbing a large number of projects but not completing them on time, on Monday provided relief amount to the families of the deceased of Rautahat boat tragedy apparently to cover the incident. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said he signed a year-long extension Tuesday with American Medical Response, the citys ambulance service provider. City officials abruptly canceled negotiations in July with the Knoxville, Tenn.-based Priority Ambulance. Those negotiations began after AMRs response times were called into question by Suthers and Fire Department officials. Tuesday, Suthers told the City Council that negotiations with Priority were unsatisfactory, so they were canceled in hopes of soliciting bids from other ambulance companies, likely in early 2019. Only AMR, Priority and Apex Paramedics of Arvada submitted bids earlier. AMRs contract will extend to early January 2020. "We're grateful to Mayor Suthers and to CSFD for the opportunity to continue providing high-quality care to the people of Colorado Springs," said Scott Lenn, AMR's regional director. "AMR has been part of this community for almost 40 years, and we hope to serve for many more." A Colorado Springs woman accused of operating an unlicensed day care center in a home containing hard drugs and a gun will remain free on bond NCP secretariat meeting: Standing committee to settle row Disputes dogging the ruling Nepal Communist Party in the recent daysfrom the merger of partys lower organisations to the growing rift between senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal with Co-chairman KP Sharma Oliwould be resolved through the standing committee meeting, the partys central secretariat meeting decided on Monday. It is not the economy, stupid. It is health care. In July, Korean War veterans mark the 65th anniversary of the armistice that ended combat in the war. A girl holds a poster with a photo of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi during a protest near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul on Monday. Khashoggi, 59, disappeared Oct 2. Sugar mills told to pay farmers within 5 days The government on Monday warned sugar producers to clear the dues of sugarcane farmers within five days or face stern action. This is the second time in four months that the government has told sugar mills to make payment to sugarcane farmers for their crops. English French Press Relations: Sam Connatty Tel.: +44 370 904 3601 Email: sam.connatty@capgemini.com Investor Relations: Vincent Biraud Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87 Email: vincent.biraud@capgemini.com Capgemini reinforces its digital services portfolio in Italy with the acquisition of Doing Paris, October 9, 2018 - Capgemini announced today the acquisition of Doing, a full service digital agency based in Italy. This bolt on acquisition further expands its local digital services capabilities and aligns with the ambition of Capgemini Invent, the Group's global business line, launched recently to help CxOs envision and build what's next for their businesses. "Doing's multi-disciplinary team, entrepreneurial spirit and impressive client roster are highly complementary to the Group's make up. It is a natural fit with our local team in Italy, enabling us to grow our portfolio of digital services in this region and beyond. I'm delighted to welcome them to the Capgemini team," comments Olivier Sevillia, member of the Group Executive Board and CEO of the Europe Strategic Business Unit at Capgemini. Founded in 2015 from a merger of Dnsee; Hagakure and Banzai Consulting, Doing is organized into three practices: Technology, Content and Media, and Insights and Experience. The 200+ person team, located mainly in Milan and Rome, supports over 50 clients with the full digital chain from service and business design, to development and maintenance. Top clients include ALD Automotive, L'Oreal and Lavazza. "At Doing we have combined the key skill sets of data analysis, service design, creativity, content and technology to support clients with their marketing, communication and digital transformation. Joining the Capgemini Group will enable us to scale our services and offer global brands worldwide implementation and support, which is a very exciting prospect for both our clients and our team members," comments Diego Chiavarelli, CEO, Doing. The transaction is due to close in the next month. About Capgemini A global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation, Capgemini is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients' opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. Capgemini is driven by the conviction that the business value of technology comes from and through people. It is a multicultural company of 200,000 team members in over 40 countries. The Group reported 2017 global revenues of EUR 12.8 billion. Visit us at www.capgemini.com. People matter, results count. VANCOUVER, British Columbia and KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar Alliance Energy Inc. (Solar Alliance) or (the Company) (TSX-V: SOLR) is pleased to announce it has commenced construction on the 2.4 MW ground mount commercial solar project announced on March 14, 2018. The project, being constructed for a Fortune Global 500 company, is the largest sold to date by Solar Alliance and is equivalent to building 400 residential solar systems. Excavation began this week and the construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Solar Alliance is proud to support this Fortune Global 500 companys effort in reducing their carbon footprint, said Chairman and CEO Jason Bak. This proof of concept project will hopefully lead to job creation, profitability and increased equity for the client. Our team has been working diligently to ensure this project meets their requirements and we are proud to have been selected to assist our clients sustainability team with this important project. The Company will also provide on-site training of personnel on the safe operations and maintenance of the project. Site support includes installation of monitoring hardware and configuration of network based monitoring. Further updates on this project will be provided throughout the construction phase. For commercial reasons, the identity of the Fortune Global 500 customer is not being released until the projects completion. Jason Bak, Chairman and CEO For more information: Solar Alliance Sales (865) 309-4674 Solar Alliance Investor Relations Jason Bak, CEO (604) 2889051 jbak@solaralliance.com About Solar Alliance Energy Inc. ( www.solaralliance.com ) Solar Alliance is an international energy solutions provider focused on residential, commercial and industrial solar installations. The Company operates in California, Tennessee, North/South Carolina and Kentucky and has an expanding pipeline of solar projects. Since it was founded in 2003, the Company has developed wind and solar projects that provide enough electricity to power 150,000 homes. Our passion is improving life through ingenuity, simplicity and freedom of choice. Solar Alliance reduces or eliminates customers' vulnerability to rising energy costs, offers an environmentally-friendly source of electricity generation, and provides affordable, turnkey clean energy solutions. Statements in this news release, other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, constitute Forward-looking statements. The words would, will, expected and estimated or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different than those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the ability to raise sufficient capital, changes in economic conditions or financial markets, litigation, legislative or other judicial, regulatory and political competitive developments and technological or operational difficulties. Consequently, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wealth Minerals Ltd. (the Company or Wealth) - (TSXV: WML; OTCQX: WMLLF; SSE: WMLCL; Frankfurt: EJZN) announces it has hired a top professional to implement the Companys plan for advancing its lithium assets towards production. Cesar Jil, formerly Manager of Lithium Extraction Technologies at Albemarle Corporation, will join the Wealth team as Chief Technical Officer for Chile, effective immediately. Henk Van Alphen, Wealths CEO, said, Great to have such a high calibre professional join the Wealth team and put the Company ever closer to advancing our projects to production. There are very few people in the world who know how to run a lithium brine operation, and Wealth managed to hire one of the best from this small group. I take great pride in knowing that Cesar left a successful career at a large multinational corporation to join Wealth for our growth potential and corporate culture. We welcome him and are excited about Wealths next steps. Cesar Jil: Chief Technical Officer for Chile Mr. Jil most recently served as Manager of Lithium Extraction Technologies of Albemarles Lithium and Advanced Materials global business and was with that company for five years. He is an expert in the latest technologies and methodologies regarding lithium beneficiation from natural brines, and has worked in the Atacama, Antofalla and Silver Peak salars/salt lake beds. At the Atacama, Mr. Jil worked to implement new processes to increase lithium recovery yields by approximately 30%. He also led process changes at Albemarles Atacama lithium refinery to reduce water consumption by 10% and brought operations into line with ISO standards. Prior to Albemarle, Mr. Jil worked at Anglo Americans Mantos Blancos copper project in Chile, with the task of optimizing operational processes. He also was a process engineer for Sociedad Chilena de Litio, a world leader in processing lithium to lithium carbonate and lithium chloride for the global chemicals industry. About Wealth Minerals Ltd. Wealth is a mineral resource company with interests in Canada, Mexico, Peru and Chile. The Companys main focus is the acquisition of lithium projects in South America. To date, the Company has positioned itself to develop the Aguas Calientes Norte and Quisquiro Salars in Chile (the Trinity Project), as well as to work alongside existing producers in the prolific Atacama Salar, in addition to the Laguna Verde lithium project acquisition. The Company has also positioned itself to play a role in asset consolidation in Chile with the Five Salars Project. The Company is transitioning from asset acquisition to developing its current high potential portfolio. Lithium market dynamics and a rapidly increasing metal price are the result of profound structural issues with the industry meeting anticipated future demand. Wealth is positioning itself to be a major beneficiary of this future mismatch of supply and demand. The Company also maintains and continues to evaluate a portfolio of precious and base metal exploration-stage projects. For further details on the Company, readers are referred to the Companys website ( www.wealthminerals.com ) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . On Behalf of the Board of Directors of WEALTH MINERALS LTD. Hendrik van Alphen Hendrik van Alphen Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Marla Ritchie Phone: 604-331-0096 Ext. 3886 or 604-638-3886 E-mail: info@wealthminerals.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the results and expected completion date of the PEA, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves on the Project and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained lithium demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory and community approvals required for the exploration and development of the Companys Chilean lithium projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Company projects, and the Companys ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, issues raised in respect of the application of the TAT processing technology to the Project, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities at the Project, actual results of exploration activities, including the drill program at the Project, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of lithium and precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of any current or future property acquisitions or financings and other planned activities, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Companys latest interim Management Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Companys Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Companys mineral properties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. English French OTTAWA, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada officially launched Vision 2025, to be led by the Honourable Jean Charest, currently a partner at McCarthy Tetrault. Vision 2025: Beyond our Imagination is an industry-led initiative to start a new dialogue between industry, government, the public, and other stakeholders that will chart a course for Canadas future in the international aerospace sector. I am excited about the strength of our aerospace sector, and the opportunity we have to capitalize on that strength to become a global powerhouse, said Mr. Charest. Canadian aerospace plays a major role in the economic health of our nation. Vision 2025 will ensure that the industry, which spans civil aviation, defence and space, works together with government and communities to ignite Canadian innovation, trade, jobs and prosperity for years to come. Canada is the worlds fifth largest aerospace industry, contributing nearly $25 billion to Canadas economy and almost 190,000 jobs in 2017 alone. Yet, as countries with established aerospace sectors develop policies and strategies to advance their market share, and as nations with emerging aerospace industry aggressively pursue entry in the sector, Canada will need a cohesive strategy to maintain and grow its strong global presence. Aerospace is growing and evolving at an unprecedented rate, and Canada cant afford to be complacent. New markets are opening and new players are shaping the highly competitive landscape, said Jim Quick, President and CEO of AIAC. In a fiercely competitive global economy, Canada needs industry and government to come together behind a focused, long-term vision and strategy for the sector. Thats why Vision 2025 is essential to our success. Vision 2025 will convene industry leaders, educators, government representatives and communities to share their expertise, vision and ambitions for the future of the aerospace sector. AIAC will be reaching out to government and industry members throughout the fall and winter 2018/2019, and Mr. Charest will lead discussions in several cities with strong aerospace industry, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Halifax. AIAC will also engage on Vision 2025 at the 2018 Canadian Aerospace Summit in Ottawa on November 13 and 14. Vision 2025 will culminate in a report that reflects the input gathered through these events and sets priorities for a national aerospace strategy going forward. I look forward to having open, productive conversations about how Canada can leverage our competitive advantages, and overcome barriers to growth and innovation so that our aerospace industry continues to succeed in the face of global risk and uncertainty, said Mr. Charest. Quick Facts: Last year, Canadian aerospace manufacturing ranked among the highest in the world in terms of total manufacturing GDP. in terms of total manufacturing GDP. Aerospaces share of STEM workers is 3 times the national manufacturing average. Women make up nearly a quarter of all STEM-related aerospace jobs in Canada; Aerospace leads Canadas manufacturing sector in innovation-related investment, spending over $1.8 billion on R&D annually nearly a quarter of all manufacturing R&D; annually nearly a quarter of all manufacturing R&D; Canada ranks first globally in civil flight simulation and second worldwide in business aircraft production. globally in civil flight simulation and worldwide in business aircraft production. Despite the strong showing in the measurements cited above, while other countries have been increasing their investments in space, Canada has fallen from 8th place in 1992 to 18th place (as a percentage of GDP), and hasnt had a long-term plan to guide Canadas investments for decades. Canadas aerospace manufacturing employment has declined by 5 per cent and its GDP contributions have declined by 4 per cent since 2012. For more information, visit: www.aiac.ca/vision2025 (English) or www.aiac.ca/fr/vision2025 (French). Media contacts: English: Sandy Blackwood T: 416-920-0716 ext. 240 C: 647-927-7346 sblackwood@counselpa.com French: Mylene Demers T: 514-286-2145 ext. 232 C: 514-261-5840 mdemers@casacom.ca (Oslo, 9 October, 2018) REV Ocean's plan for a World Ocean Headquarters was unveiled today at Fornebu in the presence of Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg. REV Ocean has partnered with WWF, IOC of UNESCO, UN Environment, BI Norwegian Business School, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and others to create an unprecedented global ocean solution center. The World Ocean Headquarters will be based in a landmark building "The Big Blue" designed by leading Swedish architect Gert Wingardh. It will be owned and built by Aker, a renowned Norwegian industrial company, whose majority shareholder, Kjell Inge Rkke, is the founder of REV Ocean. - Norway is a world-leading marine and maritime nation and has the opportunities and prerequisites for taking on a global leadership role for the ocean. Our goal is to facilitate the gathering of world-class knowledge-, innovation- and research communities at World Ocean Headquarters outside Oslo, says Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean. The vision is shared by the Norwegian government. At the launch today, the Norwegian Prime Minister said: - Oceans are under pressure due to climate change, overfishing and waste pollution. To ensure the future growth of the ocean economy, we need to harvest resources in a sustainable way. I wish you all the best in establishing a World Ocean Headquarter that will gather, under the same roof, world class knowledge and experience. This initiative will contribute to more sustainable solutions for management of the oceans in the future. Also supporting the initiative is IOC of UNESCO: - We all know that the ocean health is in danger. Many frameworks and agreements are already in place. But we need to move from words and texts to action. The global ocean solutions hub at Fornebu will bridge research, business, governments and NGOs and will help IOC of UNESCO and its partners to better shape the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The Fornebu ocean hub will act as a solid platform for continued cooperation of IOC with REV Ocean. It is exciting to know that a newest and most advanced research vessel will soon ply the global ocean and that she will be available to host scientists from all the world, especially from developing countries. We also really look forward to the new possibilities to expand the use of ocean data by creating a global Ocean Data Platform, says Executive Secretary Vladimir Ryabinin - Through generations, Aker and Aker-owned companies have been a driving force in the development of knowledge-based industry related to marine and maritime resources. Aker will facilitate the realization of the World Ocean Headquarters, says yvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker. The Swedish architect firm Wingardhs won the Nordic architect competition with their landmark building "The Big Blue", a design created to remind us of the ocean's invaluable significance for life on earth. The World Ocean Headquarters is designed as a "campus" - an open space with several structures and one landmark building. The ambition is to bring together world-class knowledge-based institutions related to blue economy, such as sustainable fisheries and ocean management, shipping, marine technology and aquaculture. Offices, conference facilities, apartments and hotel will be included in this thriving knowledge center. For more information please contact: Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean, Cell: +47 9916 9694 Flint, Michigan, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FLINT, MIOctober 9, 2018 The nations oldest and largest family-owned and operated jewelry retailer, Rogers & Hollands Jewelers announced today the opening of their newest location at Genesee Valley Center in Flint, Michigan on October 20th. This will be the eighth Rogers & Hollands store in Michigan and the jewelers 77th U.S. location. The 1200 square foot store will be located near the center the Genesee Valley Center at Center Court and is one of a number of exceptional retail tenants that have been recently added to the Mall. Offering a wide selection of engagement rings, diamond promise rings, anniversary bands and watches, the new Rogers & Hollands store features prestigious brands such as Shy Creation, EFFY and Movado. We made the decision to open our newest store in Flint, Michigan because of the recent progressive development at the Genesee Valley Center by Spinoso Real Estate Group, said Kelsey Wallace, Events Manager for Rogers Enterprises. The mall has become such an exciting place for consumers to shop and we are thrilled to introduce new guests to our knowledgeable staff and unique jewelry offerings. The first 100 guests who visit the new Rogers & Hollands at the Genesee Center Valley during the Grand Opening on October 20th will receive a mystery jewelry box with a special gift inside (no purchase necessary). Among the first 100 guests, one lucky winner will receive a box that reveals a diamond necklace valued at $1,000. About Rogers & Hollands Jewelers (Rogers Enterprises, Inc.): Rogers Enterprises, Inc. is a growing fine jewelry chain with 77 stores across twelve states. Founded in 1910, this family-owned company operates under the names of Rogers & Hollands Jewelers and Ashcroft & Oak Jewelers and is the now the largest family-owned and operated retail jewelry chain in the country. Well known for industry leading innovation, un-matched personalized service, superior quality and value; Rogers Enterprises jewelry stores provides guests with thoughtful counsel and care throughout their entire buying experience. For more information: https://www.rogersandhollands.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (TSX-V: BSK, FSE: MAL2; OTC: BKUCF), "Blue Sky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that results from the recently completed reverse circulation (RC) drilling program have confirmed the southern expansion of the Ivana Uranium-Vanadium deposit on its wholly-owned Amarillo Grande Uranium-Vanadium project in Rio Negro, Argentina. Analytical results have been received to date from all 61 holes drilled (totaling 1,043 metres) in the recently completed RC drilling program. They demonstrate that the Ivana Uranium-Vanadium deposit extends more than 1,000 metres to the south of the current mineral resource (Thorson et al., April 18th 2018 filed on SEDAR). Highlight analytical results are compiled in Table 1 below. Table 2 ( here ) contains all significant intervals (>1m averaging >30ppm U 3 O 8 ) as well as drill hole location information. A map of drill holes is shown in Figure 1 ( here ). "We are pleased that drilling in the Ivana uranium-vanadium deposit area has demonstrated it is open to expansion outside of the current mineral resource, stated Nikolaos Cacos, Blue Sky President & CEO. Blue Sky continues to advance high-priority targets in the Ivana area while progressing the processing design and metallurgical test work to support a PEA. The Company continues to advance with its ongoing mineralogical, metallurgical, and process engineering studies at the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) under the guidance of the Companys Technical Advisor, Chuck Edwards P.Eng. The objectives of the work at SRC include confirming the balance of uranium and vanadium in the ore preparation, and optimizing the leach extraction rate and recovery, in support of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The work will include QEMSCAN quantitative mineralogy testing and customized leach experiments. Preliminary QEMSCAN mineralogy was conducted in June and has aided in the design of the current metallurgical and process testing. Table 1. Amarillo Grande Highlight Drill Hole Intervals Hole # From (m) To (m) Interval (m)* U 3 O 8 (ppm) V 2 O 5 (ppm) AGI-0433 12 14 2 224 165 AGI-0434 10 13 3 131 103 including 10 11 1 258 143 AGI-0437 17 18 1 172 100 AGI-0444 18 21 3 103 60 AGI-0455 18 19 1 107 43 AGI-0459 18 21 3 104 123 including 19 20 1 183 137 AGI-0460 21 23 2 116 86 AGI-0464 14 15 1 380 98 *All holes were vertical and the intervals are believed to represent true thickness. Methodology and QA/QC The drilling program is being carried out using an FlexiROC D65 drill rig from Atlas Copco, an ore-control track-mounted rig adapted to reverse circulation with triple cyclone to reduce the dust loss during sampling and automatic sampling. Samples are being sent to Bureau Veritas Minerals of Mendoza, Argentina for preparation by drying, crushing to 80% passing 10 mesh and then pulverizing a 250g split to 95% passing 150 mesh. Pulps are being sent to Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd. for analysis of 45 elements by means of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) following a four-acid digestion (MA-200). Samples over 4,000ppm uranium are re-assayed after phosphoric acid leach by Inductively Coupled Plasma Electron Spectrometry (ICP-ES). Approximately every 10th sample a blank, duplicate, or standard sample is inserted into the sample sequence for quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) purposes. No significant QA/QC issues were detected by the Company during review of the data. About the Amarillo Grande Project The Company's 100% owned Amarillo Grande Uranium-Vanadium Project in Rio Negro Province, Argentina is a new uranium district controlled by Blue Sky. The Project includes several major target areas over a regional trend, with uranium and vanadium mineralization in loosely consolidated sandstones and conglomerates, at or near surface. The area is flat-lying, semi-arid and accessible year-round, with nearby rail, power and port access. The Companys strategy includes delineating resources at multiple areas for which a central processing facility could consolidate production. The Ivana deposit is the cornerstone of the Project and the first area to have a NI 43-101 Inferred Resource estimate, which includes 23.9 million tonnes averaging 0.036% U 3 0 8 and 0.019% V 2 O 5 , containing 19.1 million pounds of U 3 O 8 and 10.2 million pounds of V 2 O 5 , at a 100 ppm uranium cut-off. Mineralization at Amarillo Grande has characteristics of sandstone-type and surficial-type uranium-vanadium deposits. The sandstone-type mineralization is related to a braided fluvial system and indicates the potential for a district-size system. In the surficial-type deposits, carnotite mineralization coats loosely consolidated pebbles, and is amenable to leaching and simple upgrading. The near-surface mineralization, ability to locally upgrade, amenability to leaching and central processing possibility suggest a potentially low-cost development scenario for a future deposit. For additional details on the project and properties, please see the Companys website: www.blueskyuranium.com. Qualified Person The results of the Company's drilling program have been reviewed, verified (including sampling, analytical and test data) and compiled by the Company's geological staff under the supervision of David Terry, Ph.D., P.Geo. Dr. Terry is a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. The contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Dr. Terry. About Blue Sky Uranium Corp. Blue Sky Uranium Corp. is a leader in uranium discovery in Argentina. The Company's objective is to deliver exceptional returns to shareholders by rapidly advancing a portfolio of surficial uranium deposits into low-cost producers. Blue Sky has the exclusive right to over 434,000 hectares (equiv. to 1,072,437 acres) of property in two provinces in Argentina. The Companys flagship Amarillo Grande Project was an in-house discovery of a new district that has the potential to be both a leading domestic supplier of uranium to the growing Argentine market and a new international market supplier. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Nikolaos Cacos ______________________________________ Nikolaos Cacos, President, CEO and Director For further information please contact: Corporate Communications Tel: 1-604-687-1828 Toll-Free: 1-800-901-0058 Email: info@blueskyuranium.com https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Sky-Uranium-Corp-707824632726892 https://twitter.com/blueskyuranium1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ux-mpiwb40 https://www.linkedin.com/company/11295733/ https://plus.google.com/109353535505284295980 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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Water Service (Cal Water) (NYSE: CWT) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) today announced the launch of the fifth annual Cal Water H 2 O Challenge. The free, project-based competition invites fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade classrooms in Cal Water service areas to develop and implement solutions for water issues. To date, more than 200 classrooms have participated in the program. This year, Cal Water will also launch a new individual competition, in which students can submit art and media pieces that focus on water conservation, to expand the program and engage more students in caring for water. The Cal Water H 2 O Challenge asks students to identify a local or global water issue and work together to address their chosen issue through research and experiments over four to eight weeks. Students and their teachers then submit a project portfolio that includes descriptions of their work and student/teacher reflections. Participating teachers are also provided with technical and monetary support through educational resources and consultants. The Cal Water H 2 O Challenge is an immersive experience for everyone involved; it gives students and educators the chance to view water conservation through a unique lens, said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Cal Water President and CEO. We are pleased that, through this ongoing partnership with NAAEE, we can continue to provide quality, service, and value to the communities we serve by engaging our future leadersand often our best ambassadorsin the importance of water use efficiency and other water supply issues. Christiane Maertens, Deputy Director, NAAEE, adds that the project incorporates Common Core State Standards for English, Language Arts, and Math while complementing Next Generation Science Standards. Participating educators and students are offered an interdisciplinary approach to enhancing students understanding of water-based science concepts in their community and the world, Maertens said. The winning classroom will receive $3,500 and an all-expenses-paid camping trip to the Santa Monica Mountains with NatureBridge. Runners-up receive grants and additional prizes for students and teachers. In October 2018, teachers of prize-winning classes from Years 1-4 of the Challenge will attend NAAEEs 47th Annual Conference in Spokane, Wash., for a winners summit and celebration. Mr. Mike Buckley and his fifth-grade students from Murdock Elementary (Willows, Calif.) won the 2018 grand prize. The students tested their local water, met with an expert on groundwater, and installed 25 storm drain markers in their community. Students became aware that drinking water is a vital resource that many people around the world are lacking, Mr. Buckley said. Essentially, this is a great real-world assignment that they can take for the rest of their lives and pass on to others. Cal Water will soon launch another free challenge aimed at individual students in 4th-12th grades living in a Cal Water service area. In this challenge, students can create and submit original art, photography, or video (along with a short statement) about caring for water. Official judges and the public will both vote on submissions; winners will be highlighted on the Cal Water H 2 O Challenge site and receive up to $250 in gift cards plus other prizes. For more information about the programs and eligibility requirements, visit challenge.calwater.com. About Cal Water California Water Service serves about 2 million people through 484,900 service connections in California. The utility has provided water service in the state since 1926. Additional information may be obtained online at www.calwater.com . Official Explanation Topic and Scope A discussion of drawbacks of the rhetorical skill that the public nature of Greek life made necessary, especially style over content. Mapping the Passage Para 1 introduces the importance of rhetoric in Greek life and the fact that it was taught. Para 2 explains why rhetorical skill was sometimes mistrusted, but still sought after. Para 3 states that as rhetoric (in writing and speech) became more of an art, its original purpose was corrupted. Para 4 states that the Greek system required rhetorical skills and therefore inherited rhetoric's drawbacks as well. 1. If the author of the passage travelled to a political convention and saw various candidates speak he would most likely have the highest regard for an orator who: Difficulty Level: 750 Explanation What is the authors main argument about oratory? It was necessary for the Greeks, but became a "weakness" when they focused too much on making it artistic (Paras 3 and 4) . Therefore the author would admire an orator who didn't sacrifice the facts and reason to too much rhetoric. (C) keeps the good parts of rhetoric while leaving out the artistic flourishes the author dislikes. (A): Opposite. The author states in Para 1 that the immediate effect was all important and that this was achieved by focusing on the artistic aspects of rhetoric, which the author considers "shallow." (B): Opposite. The author uses Para 3 to attack the overemphasis on the artistic (aesthetic) side. (C): The correct answer (D): Opposite. This also emphasizes technique and style over the speech itself. (E): Opposite. This also emphasizes technique and style over the speech itself. 2. Historians agree that those seeking public office in modern America make far fewer speeches in the course of their campaign than those seeking a public position in ancient Greece did. The author would most likely explain this by pointing out that: Difficulty Level: 700 Explanation An application question. What would the author consider a main difference between ancient Greece and modern America? The opening lines mention that a Greek citizen had to rely on the spoken rather than the written word, and had "no backcloth of daily reportage to make his own or others views familiar to his hearers" as modern culture has. Therefore fewer speeches are needed nowadays, as (B) states. (A): Faulty Use of Detail. This answer choice tries to trick you with a familiar phrase. The author uses it in para 3, but only to speak of Isocrates, not about speeches in general. When phrases sound familiar, look for them in context to see if they apply. (B): The correct answer (C): Out of Scope. Theres no discussion of modern audiences in the passage and if this was the case, politicians would probably focus on rhetoric to increase persuasion. (D): Out of Scope. Theres no indication in the passage that this is true either. (E): Out of scope. Such a comparison would be irrelevant. 3. Implicit in the statement that the exaltation of virtuosity was not due mainly to Isocrates because public display was normal in a world that talked far more than it read is the assumption that: Difficulty Level: 700 Explanation Make sure that you untangle tough questions, paraphrasing whats being asked, before trying to answer them. What paragraph is being discussed? Para 3, the argument that the art of rhetoric became too important. The question stem just says that this happened because the culture was concerned with public display. Assumptions bridge gaps in reasoning. Here, it would connect art and public display. Only (B) and (C) deal with both of these concepts. If (B) is true, we have a valid explanation for why art became so important in this particular culture. If its not true, theres no reason why they should be connected, and the authors argument falls apart. (B) has to be a valid assumption. (A): Opposite. Were concerned less with Isocrates than with the Greek public, and also the choice says exactly the opposite of what we know about Isocrates from the passage anyhow. (B): The correct answer (C): Distortion. While its got all the right keywords, the choice uses art in a completely different context, talking about physical works of art rather than the style of art. (D): Out of Scope. This might explain why Isocrates wasnt influential, but does nothing to explain the bigger half of the question: why was the culture so influential in the tendency to focus on style? (E): Incorrect , as described above. Hope it helps kotharis699 wrote: @SajjadAhmed Can you please share the link for the detailed answer for this passage? Thank you so much! _________________ Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China-based automaker Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. (Foton Motor) announced that it plans to transfer the 67% stake in Beijing Borgward Automobile Co., Ltd (Beijing Borgward). After the transaction completes, Foton Motor will hold the balance of 33% stake in Beijing Borgward, who will no longer be included in the former's scope of consolidation of consolidated financial statements. In 2014, Foton Motor purchased Borgward, a defunct German car brand that had closed in 1961, and started to locally produce the cars afterwards. Its first model, the BX7 SUV, hit the market in 2016. For a time its monthly sales hit over 5,000 units, but Borgward soon lost its appeal in China. The automaker tried to save the sales performance by launching the BX5 SUV in 2017, however, it didnt work well because the monthly sales of the SUV model failed to exceed 2,000 units since it hit the market. In May this year, Borgward rolled out the BX6 coupe SUV and the BXi7 electric SUV, while their sales performances still remain a question considering the relatively high prices and less competitive brand influences. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Borgward delivered around 44,000 vehicles in total last year. From January to July this year, the automaker's cumulative sales slumped 23.3% year on year to 18,996 units. Beijing Borgward attained annual revenues of RMB5.096 billion last year, while suffered a net profit loss up to RMB275 million with the sales falling. For the first eight months of 2018, the company's revenues amounted to RMB2.267 billion. By the end of August 30, Beijing Borgward has suffered a net profit loss up to RMB1.649 billion in total according to the consolidated financial statements. Foton Motor announced on June 27 that it agreed to increase capital in Beijing Borgward with an additional investment of RMB 4.409 billion. After the capital increase, Borgward's aggregate registered capital would be increased to RMB7.40952 billion from RMB3 billion. It is reported that the investment will be used to introduce new strategic investors in the future. Will submit resignation to House Speaker after partys approval: NCP MP Manandhar Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Ram Bir Manandhar has said that he would resign from the post after the partys official decision. 1. Yes. Council members appear to have taken time to review each section carefully. 2. Yes. The council has set up town halls and a public hearing to inform the residents. 3. No. The council should have set up a charter review committee, including residents. 4. No. Some of the items proposed so far benefit the council more than the community. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say until after the public has had more opportunities to weigh in. Vote View Results As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ The Indiana Debate Commission received more questions about climate change for Monday night's Senate debate than any other topic. Nearly 15 percent of all of Senate debate questions contained the phrase climate change. Indiana Debate Commission president Gerry Lanosga, says thats even more than the word marijuana a popular subject in debates. The commission doesnt have hard data on past debate topics, but anecdotally Lanosga says climate change seems to be on peoples minds more this election cycle. I think it certainly reflects that theres a growing sense of urgency among some subset of voters out there who really want to see this issue addressed, he says. Though some questions came in response to the recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Lanosga says most of the climate change questions were submitted prior to the report's release. Indiana University Environmental Communications scientist Nathan Geiger says research shows more people around the country are interested in climate change, but they dont often talk about it and that gets reflected in media coverage. A lot of the times these candidates are unsure if this is an important issue that they should be talking about, he says. Voters who wanted to know how the Senate candidates would tackle climate change mostly came from university towns and tended to vote Democratic or independent. Though some of those independents said they often vote Republican. The next U.S. Senate debate for Indiana candidates will take place on Oct. 30 in Indianapolis at 7 p.m. Indiana Environmental reporting is supported by the Environmental Resilience Institute, an Indiana University Grand Challenge project developing Indiana-specific projections and informed responses to problems of environmental change. - President Duterte gave an update about his medical test during a Cabinet meeting - He said that he tested negative and that he is cancer-free - The Cabinet meeting pushed through on Monday after being cancelled last week PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Another update has been out to the public regarding President Rodrigo Dutertes health. According to acting secretary of Interior and Local Government, the President is cancer-free as he said in a Cabinet meeting on Monday that was supposed to happen last week. KAMI learned the 73-year-old President Duterte tested negative after doctors examined some samples from his intestines. He disclosed to us that the result of the test was negative, the one where they took samples from his intestines, said Eduardo Ano. Special Assistant to the President Bong Go told the reporters, Sorry to disappoint his critics, the President is very healthy and in high spirits. I know for a fact that he is cancer-free." He will finish his term and live beyond 2022. Tuloy lang po ang aming trabaho. Salamat po sa inyong concern sa kaniyang kalusugan. I assure you, there is nothing to worry about," he added. As previously reported by KAMI, President Duterte explained why he missed an event in Malacanang last week. He confirmed that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a follow-up. He also shared that hes suffering from Barrets esophagus. I was about to have a sana Cabinet meeting yesterday but 'yung reading ng aking ano somebody advised my doctor just to repeat and get some samples there, but dito uli so I stayed there for one hour sa Cardinal Santos," he said. I don't know where I'm now physically but I have to wait for that. But I would tell you if it's cancer, it's cancer, he added. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! Is President Duterte required to let the public know about his health condition? KAMI has also reported before that as per 1987 Philippine Constitution Article VII Section 12, the President should disclose information with regard to his health. In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied access to the President during such illness, it stated. POPULAR: Read more news about President Duterte here! Ukay-Ukay (Bargain Store) Challenge is already in the Philippines! You know everything is extraordinary expensive these days. So we have decided to explore what can a person with 200 pesos in his or her pocket can buy in Ukay-Ukay. Our host will have only 200 pesos and 15 minutes to make a purchase in Ukay-Ukay. Will she succeed or fail? on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph Russian officials are considering possible action after the naming of a second Russian agent suspected of carrying out a nerve-agent attack in England earlier this year. Russian media is reporting that the government may be getting ready to oust the leadership of the GRU, Russias military intelligence service. On Monday, the investigative website Bellingcat identified the second suspect as Alexander Mishkin, a medical doctor working for the GRU. He is one of two intelligence officers suspected in the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, England. The website said it had been able to make the identification after getting a copy of Mishkins passport and confirming details with people who knew him. The site said it also used other public information. Last month, Bellingcat, along with the news website Insider, identified the other suspected poisoner as Anatoliy Chepiga, a colonel in the GRU. They said that he traveled to England under the name Ruslan Boshirov, while Mishkin used the name Alexander Petrov. Bellingcat also reported that both men were once named Hero of the Russian Federation. Former British foreign secretary William Hague says the reports from Bellingcat and others on the GRU attack have proven that the Russian government denials are lies. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other government officials have dismissed reports that GRU operatives tried to murder Skripal. They also deny claims that the Russian intelligence services have carried out active measures in Europe and other areas. The government has said that the poisoning in Salisbury either never happened or that British intelligence did it to blame Russia. They also suggested that some unknown person may have been responsible. Skripal worked for both Russian and British intelligence in the 1990s. In December 2004, he was arrested by Russian officials. He was tried, found guilty of treason and sentenced to 13 years in prison. He was included in a 2010 spy exchange with Britain, and later moved to the English city of Salisbury. While Russia continues to deny any responsibility, the two GRU operatives left behind a lot of evidence. Last week, Dutch and British officials said that a four-man GRU team had tried to attack the computers in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, but failed. British officials say the poison used in Salisbury was novichok, a dangerous nerve agent. They also say Mishkin put the poison on the handle of Skripals front door. The poison was kept in a perfume bottle that was left in a trash can. A local woman found the bottle and put the perfume on her arms. She later died. The Bellingcat website reported that Alexander Mishkin was born in 1979. It said, Hegraduated from one of Russias elite Military Medical Academies, and was trained as a military doctor for the Russian naval armed forces. While working for the GRU, he reportedly used the name Alexander Petrov. But many of the details of Petrovs life were identical to Mishkins life. Experts added that they were surprised to find he used the GRU headquarters as his home address. British Security Minister Ben Wallace warned Tuesday against underestimating the Russians. He said even with their record of failures, the world must be careful. Im Jonathan Evans. Jamie Dettmer reported this story for VOANews. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. The editor was George Grow. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story handle n.he part that you turn with your hand to open a door perfume n.a liquid substance that you put on your body in small amounts in order to smell pleasant trash n.something worth very little or nothing; unwanted objects graduate v.to complete a study program academy n.a school or college address n.a place where a person may be communicated with; directions for mailing on the outside of a letter or container colonel n.an officer in the armed forces The newest member of Americas highest court has taken part in a ceremony with President Donald Trump at the White House. Brett Kavanaugh was sworn-in as United States Supreme Court Justice Saturday shortly after winning Senate approval in a 50 to 48 vote. But now he has taken an oath of service a second time for ceremonial reasons only. The televised event took place just one month before the United States holds mid-term elections. Kavanaugh joined the court after several weeks of heated debate among senators and the U.S. public. A California college professor had accused him of a sexual attack she said took place when they were both teenagers. He strongly denied the accusation, saying he had never acted in such a way toward any woman. A Federal Bureau of Investigation report said its limited investigation ordered by the president found no evidence to support the accusation. Trump continues to blame members of the Democratic Party for the debate over Kavanaughs appointment. On Monday, he called the situation a disgrace. Kavanaugh was, in his words, caught up in a hoax that was set up by the Democrats. Saturdays Senate vote was the closest vote to confirm a justice since 1881. On Sunday, Senate majority leader, Republican Mitch McConnell signaled that he is willing to consider another high court nomination if one opens in the 2020 presidential election season. In 2016, the Republican-run Senate decided not to consider then-President Barack Obamas high court nominee Merrick Garland. McConnell blocked a vote on the nominee, arguing that there was a tradition of not filling vacancies on the Supreme Court in presidential election years. But when asked about that on the television news program Fox News Sunday, he offered a different opinion. He said that inaction on nominees is suggested only when the Senate was controlled by a party in opposition to the president. McConnell said, Well see if there is a vacancy in 2020. Positions on the Supreme Court only become available if a current justice dies or decides to leave. I'm Caty Weaver. The Associated Press first reported this story. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story hoax -n. an act that is meant to trick or deceive people vacancy -n. a job or position that is available to be taken A suicide bombing in Afghanistan has killed a parliamentary candidate and nine of his supporters. The attack came one day after Taliban rebels said they would use violence to interfere with national elections. An Afghan government official told VOA that the bomber targeted an election campaign office in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand Province. The official said the explosion injured at least 15 people. He identified the candidate as Saleh Hohammad Achakzai, who was seeking a seat in the lower house of parliament. People who saw the attack said they expect the number of injured to rise. They said the office was crowded at the time of the explosion. On Monday, the Taliban said it ordered resistance forces to stop the election process by carrying out attacks on Afghan officials. The group also told them to target security forces protecting voters and polling stations. Taliban targets delayed elections The Islamist rebels have denounced democratic processes as part of an American plot to lengthen, what they call, the foreign occupation of Afghanistan. The Taliban also has called on Afghans to boycott the elections. Election officials say more than 2,500 people, including over 400 women, have registered as candidates. They are competing for 249 seats in parliaments lower house. The elections have been delayed for more than three years because of security concerns and a lack of reforms. Intimidation and attacks against candidates, their representatives and supporters have taken place as the country prepares for the vote later this month. More than 20 people have been killed and many others injured in election-related violence. Candidates, security guards and relatives of those seeking office have been among those targeted. The attack on Tuesday took place in Helmand Province, which is Afghanistans largest province by area. Taliban rebels control much of Helmand, including areas surrounding the provincial capital. The elections are set for October 20. The Afghan government plans to deploy 54,000 soldiers and policemen for protection around voting stations. Thousands of United States-led NATO forces also are expected to assist them. On Sunday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan warned in a report that rebels are plotting suicide attacks targeting civilians. The U.N. group reported that attacks with explosives had killed 1,065 people and injured over 2,500 others between January 1 and September 30. Im Mario Ritter. Ayaz Gul reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story polling - n. voting in an election intimidation - n. making someone afraid United States President Donald Trump and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley have announced that Haley will leave her position at the end of the year. Trump called Haley a very special person as he made the announcement with Haley by his side in the Oval Office. The president said that Haley told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off. He added, Shes done a fantastic job, and weve done a fantastic job together. Haley thanked the president and called her service as U.N. ambassador an honor of a lifetime. Haley has often been mentioned as a candidate for president. However, she said, No Im not running in 2020. She added that she plans to support Trump for re-election. At the U.N., Haley led Trumps policy to fight against anti-American and anti-Israel actions by the international organization. She announced that the U.S. would be taking names of countries that voted against its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. Last month, Haley wrote an article in The Washington Post discussing her service in the Trump administration. She wrote, I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country. But I dont agree with the president on everything. Haley is the daughter of immigrants from India. She criticized candidate Trump for his position on immigrants during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump replied, The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley. As the first female governor of South Carolina, Haley supported the removal of the Confederate battle flag at the state Capitol building. Some considered the flag a symbol of racial oppression. Trump said he was considering many candidates for Haleys job and that a successor would be named in two to three weeks. Im Jonathan Evans. Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Associated Press and other news reports. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story fantastic adj. extremely good enthusiastically adv. feeling or showing strong excitement about something symbol n. an action, object or event that expresses or represents an idea Would you like to try turtle soup? How about a thicker, richer-tasting gumbo made with alligator meat? Or perhaps you would like a helping of chili made with bear meat. Foods like these might sound very appealing to some Americans, but not everyone. They were just a few of the unusual foods available at the West Virginia Roadkill Cook-off. The cook-off festival takes place each year in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Since 1991, the event has been held in the Appalachian Mountains in the small town of Marlinton. The cook-off is a celebration of food dishes Americans normally do not find in a restaurant. All the dishes are made with roadkill, meaning animals found on the side of the road after being struck by a car or truck. Anyone can sign up to prepare food for the event. But at least 25 percent of the meat must be wild, meaning it came from either hunting or killing an animal, and not from a store. This year, some of the dishes had names like Drunken Deer in the Headlights and Hillbilly Mardi Gras Alligator and Turtle Gumbo. Part of Appalachian Culture Ben Wilfong is vice president of the Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce, the organization that finances the roadkill cook-off. He says the event started as simply an autumn harvest festival. Being Appalachia, and the wild game and history and culture, they decided to start the roadkill cook-off portion, Wilfong noted. Its meaning is to cook something that you could possibly find on the side of the road which is wildlife and part of Appalachian culture. Wilfong said that people normally start planning a year before the cook-off to make sure they have enough wild meat. But he said the cooks never know exactly what kind of food they will prepare until a few weeks before the festival, and there are always surprises. In recent years, festival goers have enjoyed meat from pheasant, opossum, snake, and even iguana. Bill Jordan, president of the chamber of commerce, said the idea for the event came from a book called West Virginian Roadkill Cook-off. It was written by a West Virginian named Jeff Everball. It did not take a long time for the cook-off to become popular. Eighty percent of the people here are not local, they are from Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, said Jordan. He added that people from as far away as India and Germany have traveled to Marlinton for the festival. They come for the chance to try out food they have never had before. While the festival is known as the roadkill cook-off, many of the cooks get their meat from hunting or businesses that sell unusual kinds of meats. Wilfong noted that it is illegal in West Virginia to pick up animals you kill with a vehicle unless one gets approval from the local government. However, that does not mean the festival never has food dishes from actual roadkill. One year, Jordan said, a guy showed up that morning unregistered with a deer on the back of his truck that he had just hit that morning and wanted to cook it. Not just for the food There is more to the festival than just unusual foods. You can also find hundreds of arts and craft dealers who sell their work. There is also a biscuit baking competition, and even a Roadkill Queen beauty competition. The festival is not just about having a good time either. It is also a money-making event for Marlinton and Pocahontas County. Its close to a $2 million economic impact, says Wilfong. The population of Pocahontas County is just slightly over 8,500 people, and they get about 12,000 for the event. Wilfong added that the festival provides money for all businesses in the area, such as fuel businesses, hotels, store owners and restaurants. For local people, it also is a great way to get involved in the community. Angela Lester and Peggie Stahl, from a group called the Youth Health Service, were taking part for their second time. They made a chili with a combination of venison and bear meat, which won first place at the festival this year. Lester said they decided to compete as a way to get involved with their community, and because it was a lot of fun. Lester said they got their bear meat mostly from hunting, But weve all come up on bear that has been hit by a vehicle. I just hit a deer the other day by accident. The Roadkill Cook-off festival is held every year on the last weekend of September. Cooking directions for some of the winning dishes from earlier years can be found in the Roadkill Cookbook, which can be found on the Pocahontas County website. Im Rick Hindman. And I'm Dorothy Gundy. Phil Dierking reported this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story chili - n. a thick mix of meat and chili peppers; a similar product made without meat gumbo - n. a thick soup containing meat or seafood and usually vegetables festival - n. a time of celebration; a special observance impact - n. a major effect portion - n. a piece or share of something soup - n. a liquid food often containing pieces of solid food pick up - v. to take hold of and lift up biscuit - n. a small bread We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. This post has been sponsored by Benmarl Winery. All opinions expressed are my own. Please enjoy responsibly! Today, were continuing our tour of New York wines, but today were leaving Long Island for the region that, quite literally, started it all for American wines Upstate New York. Honey Pine Nut Tart & Benmarl Wines New York winemaking, in its northerly reaches, dates back to the 1600s with Dutch settlers planting vines in Hudson Valley. However, it wasnt until 1839 that the first commercial vintage was produced in New York, from Brotherhood Winery, and it was in the 1860s that New York saw its first licensed winery open in Hammondsport the Pleasant Valley Wine Company. These very early vintages, however, were of largely dubious quality, and focused almost solely on producing wine from grapes native to North America with concord grapes being a favorite. While these local grapes are still occasionally used to produce wine, youre likely most familiar with concord and Catawba grapes as the fruit behind your favorite juices and jams. Needless to say, this focus on native produce only served to further alienate the vintages from both commercial and critical acclaim. The result was nearly a hundred years of uninterrupted obscurity for the region, a period that almost doomed New York winemaking. With old habits dying hard, this focus carried on until the 1950s, when Ukrainian immigrant Dr. Konstantin Frank came up with the novel idea of using higher-quality varietals from Europe such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, among others. Over the next two decades, the idea caught on, and New York wine began taking off, with the state streamlining the process of opening wineries with legislation in the 1970s, and again in 2011 with licensing requirements being eased on winery tasting rooms (allowing for multiple rooms to be hosted on a single license). The end result, both from this change in varietal focus, and in the easing of regional laws, has resulted in New York earning a reputation for excellence in quality, and as a destination for wine-based tourism. With that said, today were featuring a selection of wines from Benmarl Winery, located in Marlboro, overlooking the Hudson River Valley. First up, we have a 2016 Reserve Chardonnay. On pouring, the wine features an instantly tropic bouquet, bright and citrusy, which matures into slightly mellow notes if you linger over the aromatics think pineapple and lime essences. On sampling, the aromatics largely carry over, but with the addition of honey and butter notes. For pairing, Im afraid Ill be by-the-book, and suggest light seafood, or pasta with garlic and oil. Next, we have a Finger Lakes 2016 Traminette. For the uninitiated, traminette is, at least currently, produced exclusively in the United States, being a hybrid of Gewurztraminer and Joannes Seyve grapes. Traminette is famously resistant to the cold, making it ideal to continental and northern climates. Not surprisingly, youre likely to run across quite a few traminette based ice wines. With that out of way, true to form, todays wine greets with a floral bouquet of white flowers laced in a spiced acidity. On the palate, the wine is a fair bit sweeter than I had expected after the aromatics, but is pleasantly smooth, making for a very enjoyable experience. For pairing, Im going to call this a dessert wine, and suggest lychee cupcakes or strawberries dipped in white chocolate. Next, we come to the New York Red Sangria. Im going to admit that this is the first non-homemade sangria Ive ever sampled. Off the top of the glass, hints of dark berries laced in subtle earthiness are immediate, deeper into the glass the aromatics mature quite substantially into dark, ripe fruit powdered with herbs and spice notes. Its a sort of clash of fruit and spice and herbs, with the dark fruits largely, and pleasantly, winning. Its a perhaps slightly over-complex bouquet, but is pleasant throughout. On the palate, the wine is immediately smooth but substantially textured, with persistent tannins throughout. Vanilla is subtle, but ever-present, lacing the otherwise dark cherry dominated flavor profile. For pairing, unsurprisingly, theres no need to be overcautious this is a sangria after all. Think hardy meals, think red meats, sausage, meatballs, think plates of pasta with red sauce, think spicy and meaty. Basically, think Italian or Latin festival food. Now, we come to a 2016 Cabernet Franc. Off the top of the glass, the aromas are instantly fruity, think sliced red cherries, and deeper into the glass these red fruit essences become intermingled with a decided earthiness, such as dried spice or herbs. On the palate, the aromatics carry over almost precisely, greeting with pungent red fruit, think overripe red berries, with a slight sharpness that instantly mellows into the earthiness from the aromatics. For pairing, think braised lamb with herbs and garlic, perhaps olives and feta on the side. Game dishes would also serve nicely. Anything with earthy, rustic flavors and substantial bodies. Finally, we come to the Proprietors Reserve, which is a Merlot based blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. Off the top of the glass, the wine greets with aromas of sliced red berry essence, or mixed red fruit. Towards the middle of the glass, faint flower notes perforate the fruit, and towards the bottom earthen notes, intermingled with hints of antique wood add a pleasant grain of complexity to the bouquet. On sampling, the wine is dominated by its ripe cherry or red berry essences, which are set against a backdrop of earthy qualities. For pairing, think steaks, herbed roasts, or spicy red sauce over pasta. Last, we have the Sweet Sarah, which is a Vidal Blanc and Traminette blend. The aromatics are quite fruit-forward, chiefly tangerine or perhaps apricot mixed with honey essences. On sampling, the wine is quite sweet, but is surprisingly balanced by a seemingly equal amount of acidity, with flavors of baked apples and honey predominating. For pairing, this is a dessert wine. Think sponge cake, think cream puffs, or perhaps, something like todays recipe Honey Pine Nut Tart. clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon heart heart icon heart solid heart solid icon Exploring New York Wines Part Three (Honey Pine Nut Tart) Author: Living the Gourmet Total Time: 1 hour Yield: 1 tart 1 x Print Recipe Pin Recipe Ingredients Scale 1x 2x 3x For the Crust: 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted all-purpose flour sifted 4 oz . ( cup unsalted butter) . ( unsalted butter) 2 tbs. powdered sugar tbs. powdered sugar Pinch of salt 1 egg For the Filling: 4 oz . ( cup unsalted butter) cubed . ( unsalted butter) cubed cup sugar sugar 3 eggs beaten eggs beaten 6 oz . honey . honey Juice of 1 lemon lemon 1 tsp . lemon zest . lemon zest 4 oz . pine nuts . pine nuts 4 oz . walnuts chopped . walnuts chopped Powdered sugar for dusting Instructions For the Crust: Preheat Oven 350 degrees F. Place sifted flour in a bowl and add the butter. Work the flour and butter with your clean fingers into bread crumb like pieces. Add the powdered sugar to the bowl, the egg and one to two tbs. of cold water. Work to a firm dough that does not stick to the sides of the bowl. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to inch thickness and place in a buttered tart tin. Gently, prick the base of the dough with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes. For the Filling: Cream together the butter and the sugar to a light mixture; adding the eggs one by one. Gently heat the honey until loose and runny; add the butter and the lemon juice to the honey. Add the nuts and the salt and stir. Pour this mixture into the pastry. Bake for 40 45 minutes or until a beautiful golden color is achieved. Let cool slightly and dust generously with powdered sugar. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Nutrition Serving Size: 8 slices Recipe Card powered by Overall, I was very pleased with what I was given the opportunity to sample today, and looking forward to the touring of my home state one winery at a time. Please visit Benmarl Winery today and enjoy a taste of New York! While you are there, join the Benmarl Wine Club for special savings and event updates. The best part is, there is no fee to join. Check out more about HERE! Cheers! Two Americans won the Nobel Prize in economics yesterday, one for studying the economics of climate change and the other for showing how to help foster the innovation needed to solve such a problem. William Nordhaus of Yale University and Paul Romer of New York University will share the 9 million-kronor (USD1.01 million) award, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said. Nordhaus has called for the world to combat climate change by imposing a universal tax on carbon. Carbon dioxide, which is emitted when fossil fuels are burned, is a heat-trapping greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, and a tax would make polluters pay for the costs imposed on society. By using a tax rather than government edicts to slash emissions, the policy encourages companies to find innovative ways to reduce pollution. Romer has studied the way innovation drives prosperity and has looked at ways to encourage it. He told a news conference that his research had given him hope that people can solve even a problem as difficult as a warming planet. Many people think that dealing with protecting the environment will be so costly and so hard that they just want to ignore the problem. They want to deny it exists, Romer said. I hope the prize today could help everyone see that humans are capable of amazing accomplishments when we set about trying to do something. While the two academics worked separately, their research dovetails on an issue that has become pressing. The question of climate change remains politically sensitive, especially in big oil-producing countries like the United States, which President Donald Trump has pulled out of the Paris accord on fighting climate change. Its an ingenious pairing, said David Warsh, author of the 2007 book Knowledge and the Wealth of Nations about the award. Nordhaus has been concerned all along with repairing the damage to the global environment. Romer has been writing about the means at your disposal to attack such a technological challenge. Per Stromberg, head of the Nobel economics prize committee, said the award is about the long-run future of the world economy. The prize comes just a day after an international panel of scientists warned that preventing an extra single degree of global warming could make a life-or-death difference in the next few decades for multitudes of people and ecosystems. The wide-ranging report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which has itself won a Nobel prize cited Nordhaus in its research. It detailed how Earths weather, health and ecosystems would be in better shape if world leaders limited human-caused warming to just 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit (a half degree Celsius) from now, instead of the globally agreed-upon goal of 1.8 degrees F (1 degree C). Nordhaus has argued that climate change should be considered a global public good, like public health and international trade, and regulated accordingly, but not through a command-and-control approach. Instead, by agreeing on a global price for burning carbon that reflects its whole cost, this primary cause of rising temperatures could be traded and taxed, putting market forces to work on the problem. Many economists have since endorsed the concept of taxing carbon and using this financial lever to influence societal behavior. But adopting the regulatory frameworks on a global scale has been a challenge, and the worlds political leaders are failing to meet it, the head of the United Nations said last month. While many developed economies have adopted a carbon tax, the United States has not. AP The Judiciary Police (PJ) will handle lawmaker Au Kam Sans alleged defamation case in light of the law, according to PJ spokesperson Chan Wun Man. Recently, PJ accused the lawmaker of defamation based on Aus interview with a local Chinese newspaper. In the interview, Au accused the police of illegally intercepting a resident. However, the police responded to Aus accusation by saying that it was absolutely impossible to have illegally intercepted [the resident]. Last week, the police department sent a letter to the lawmaker, urging him to issue an open and acceptable apology within a period of ten days. Otherwise, the bureau would initiate criminal proceedings. Last Friday, the lawmaker told the media that he would not apologize to the police, having deemed PJs action as ridiculous. In Aus opinion, since he was simply trying to express his concerns about the public, he does not see the need for an apology. The lawmaker also commented regarding the incident, saying that the government is the party that ought to issue clarifications if it thinks the lawmakers doubts might have mislead the public. Au further believes that the government should not initiate criminal proceedings and request an apology from a lawmaker simply because he or she brought up reservations. The lawmaker thinks that this incident will have a chilling effect on society and will affect the publics supervision over the government. In reply to Aus statements, the PJ believes that the nature of a comment on a bill is different from the nature of defaming the police. We will review the situation, and will handle it according to the relevant laws, said Chan, when questioned about which law will be the PJs reference. A plan to project a horse racing advertisement on the famed sails of the Sydney Opera House is dividing Australians. The New South Wales state government stepped in to allow the advertisement to be displayed today after the opera house chief executive Louise Herron opposed it. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said yesterday the advertising for The Everest horse race had been toned down since its original proposal. Its important for us to support our major events, its important for us to promote New South Wales but, of course, do it in good taste and I believe that tomorrow evening strikes that right balance, Berejiklian told reporters. This is a global event that receives global attention, she added, referring to the Sydney horse race, which will be run on Sunday. More than 130,000 people signed an online petition to stop the promotion. While some have defended the promotion as having economic benefits, others say it is crass commercialism and threatens the iconic buildings value as a World Heritage site. Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello said the advertising demonstrated the power of the Australian horse racing industry that made a profit of 3.3 billion Australian dollars (USD2.3 billion) last year. The gambling lobby, particularly in New South Wales, is the equivalent of the National Rifle Association in America. It has politicians in the palm of its hand, Costello, a spokesman for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a former tourism marketer, described the Opera House as the biggest billboard Sydney has. These events generate massive economic opportunities. I dont know why people are getting so precious about it, Morrison said. Its not as if theyre painting it on there. I mean, its some lights flashing up there for a brief moment of time, he added. I just dont understand why we tie ourselves up in knots about these things. Graham Quint, a National Trust of Australia manager, said the advertising contravened federal and state laws governing use of the Opera House. People have a great deal of respect for the Opera House, its World Heritage so people worldwide treasure it and the idea that wed use it as a Parramatta Road billboard is quite wrong this is just crass commercialism, Quint said. The World Heritage listing requires not only that the building be preserved in its fabric, but also that it be presented properly and no way under the current conservation management plan should this be allowed, Quint added. Racing NSW chief executive Peter Vlandys wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Monday that his organization had wanted to advertise the race on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. But the state government blocked that plan and offered the Opera House instead. Lets be clear, Racing NSW never intended for the sails of the Opera House to be used as a billboard, Vlandys wrote. The Everest has AU$13 million in prize money and is billed as the worlds richest turf race. The barrier draw is to be advertised today. AP Brazilians showed their disgust with corruption and rising crime in the first round of presidential voting, nearly giving an outright victory to a brash-speaking former army captain who has promised to restore traditional values, jail crooked politicians and give police a freer hand to shoot drug traffickers. But with far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro getting 46 percent of the vote yesterday [Macau time], short of the 50-plus percent he needed, voters also signaled they were not quite ready to make a final decision. On Oct. 28, Bolsonaro will face second-place finisher Fernando Haddad in a runoff vote. Haddad, the Workers Party standard-bearer who was appointed by jailed ex-President Luiz Inacio da Silva, got 29 percent in the first round, and polls have predicted a close race in the runoff. Bolsonaro was expected to come out in front, but he far outperformed predictions, blazing past competitors with more financing, the institutional backing of traditional parties and much more free air time on television. The candidate from the tiny Social and Liberal Party made savvy use of Twitter and Facebook to spread his message that only he could end the corruption, crime and economic malaise that has seized Brazil in recent years and bring back the good old days and traditional values. This is a victory for honest people who want the best for Brazil, said Bianca Santos, a 40-year-old psychologist who gathered outside a hotel where Bolsonaro was watching the returns. I believe he is the only one with a serious plan to end crime. For voters, Bolsonaro and Haddad represent starkly different visions for the future. Bolsonaro has promised to slash spending, privatize as much as possible in a country long heavy on state control and be a check on social movements that have gained much ground in recent years. Meanwhile, true to the Workers Partys leftist roots, Haddad has promised to fight long-standing inequalities, scrap a major labor reform passed last year and invest more in education. Where Brazils next leader takes the economy, the largest in Latin America, will have a large impact on surrounding countries that are trading partners with Brazil. The next leader will also have an influence on Venezuela, both diplomatically and practically, as thousands of Venezuelans have crossed Brazils northern border. Bolsonaro has promised a harder line on Venezuela and other leftist regimes and closer ties with the United States. Its not clear what Bolsonaro would do to further isolate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but he once suggested creating camps for the Venezuelans who have fled the countrys economic collapse. But much of his campaign focused on domestic issues. Bolsonaro has painted a nation in collapse, where drug traffickers and politicians steal with equal impunity, and moral rot has set in. He has advocated loosening gun ownership laws so individuals can fight off criminals, encouraging police to shoot more crooks and restoring traditional Brazilian values though some take issue with his definition of those values in light of his approving allusions to the countrys 1964-1985 dictatorship and his derisive comments about women, blacks and gay people. Haddad, a former education minister, has also spent much time arguing that da Silva, his mentor, was unfairly jailed a strategy aimed at attracting voters who still feel strong affection for da Silva despite a corruption conviction. Workers Party stalwarts are still fuming about the 2016 impeachment and removal of office of President Dilma Rousseff, da Silvas predecessor. Matthew Taylor, an associate professor of Latin American politics at American University, said that in the weeks before the runoff vote Bolsonaro will likely hit Haddad hard on the theme of corruption within the Workers Party and da Silva, who Brazilians simply call Lula. Haddad has a huge albatross around his neck because of the corruption and all the rhetoric about the impeachment and Lula, said Taylor. Bolsonaro will hit back on that. Indeed, Bolsonaro already showed his ability to tap deep anger in Brazil with the traditional political class and throw the bums out rage after a massive corruption investigation revealed staggering levels of graft. AP MDT Explains: How Bolsonaro used Trump tactics Long before the election that saw Jair Bolsonaro get 46 percent the vote in the first round of the presidential race, many observers flirted with the idea that the far-right congressman was a tropical Trump. Bolsonaro, who will now compete in a second round runoff on Oct. 28, presented himself as someone who tells it like it is while promising to dismantle a dysfunctional political system and seeking to capture the imagination of many citizens afraid of losing their place in an increasingly diverse and inclusive society. STRAIGHT TALK Perhaps the biggest similarity and likely the one that initially gave rise to the comparisons between Bolsonaro and Trump is that neither man appears to measure his words. In the 2016 U.S. elections, Trump often billed himself as the man who wasnt afraid to say what everyone else was thinking. Bolsonaro shares the same lack of filter. Some of the comments that have gotten him in trouble reflect longstanding ideological positions, like his repeated praise for Brazils 1964-1985 military dictatorship. Other comments may be more off the cuff and a wink at his reputation for shunning the politically correct, like when he told an audience that he had a daughter in a moment of weakness after four sons. BASH MAINSTREAM MEDIA Bolsonaro and his three oldest sons, who are also politicians, have hammered away at Brazils main media organizations, accusing them of everything from telling outright lies about the candidate to ignoring his rise in the polls and endorsements from other politicians. Like Trump, they accuse the media of propping up the countrys traditional elite and of trying to derail a campaign that might threaten it. SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGING For candidates who dont trust the media, social networks provide the perfect outlet. Bolsonaro, like Trump, has made heavy use of Twitter and Facebook to talk directly to voters. That became especially important after the candidate was stabbed on Sept. 6 and confined to the hospital for more than three weeks. Last week, even after being released from the hospital, Bolsonaro skipped the most important televised debate on major network Globo, citing his doctors orders. Instead he held nightly Facebook live sessions with political allies and did interviews with friendly stations FLOATING FRAUD Bolsonaro has raised the specter of fraud and said it could rob him of the election. A week before the vote, he told a television station he would not accept any result but his own victory, implying that the size of support he had seen at street rallies indicated he would win, even though the polls were close. A few days later, he backed off those comments, saying he would accept the election results but wouldnt call his rival to concede. Sound familiar? Trump trod a very similar path. USE OF PROXIES Similar to how Trumps campaign had Donald Trump Jr. and other children sometimes speak for their dad, Bolsonaro has often depended on his three eldest sons to float ideas, deny critical press reports and make outlandish claims. The latest example: On Sunday [Monday], while Brazilians were going to the polls, Flavio Bolsonaro, who is running for the senate, shared a video on Twitter that purportedly appeared to show a voting machine that had been tampered with. Within hours, the countrys electoral court announced that it was a false report. However, by then it had surely been seen by millions. MDT/AP On the occasion of the 32nd Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), the government invited members of the consular corps accredited in Hong Kong and Macau to participate in a visit to an art exhibition organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and gave the delegation the opportunity to attend a MIMF concert. The delegation, accompanied by the IC president, Mok Ian Ian, among others, visited the exhibition Beyond the Scenery: Exhibition Commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the Passing of Wu Li at the Macau Museum of Art. On Saturday evening, the delegation headed to the Cultural Centre for a concert performance of Anton Bruckners Symphony No. 8, as part of the 32nd Macao International Music Festival. Residential property prices fall slightly The overall residential property price index for June August 2018 decreased slightly by 0.3 percent over the previous period (May July 2018) to 269.9. According to information released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), the indices for the Macau Peninsula (272.2) and Taipa & Coloane (259.3) dropped by 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent respectively. The index for existing residential units (291.2) was similar to the previous period, with the index for those in the Macau Peninsula (286.9) dropping by 0.2 percent while that for Taipa & Coloane (311.1) rose by 0.7 percent. Analysed according to year of building completion, the indices for residential units completed between 6 and 10 years ago and more than 20 years ago grew by 0.8 percent and 0.4 percent respectively, whereas the index for those built within 5 years or fewer fell by 0.2 percent. Meanwhile, the index for pre-sale residential units (281.5) increased by 0.1 percent. Money supply remains stable Broad money supply continued to grow in August with a stable share of patacas, according to statistics released this week by the Monetary Authority of Macau. Currency in circulation and demand deposits dropped by 0.3 percent and 3.8 percent respectively. Resident deposits grew by 0.9 percent from the preceding month to MOP606.1 billion, whereas non-resident deposits fell by 1.8 percent to MOP236.3 billion. Meanwhile, public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 1.7 percent to MOP218.7 billion. Domestic loans to the private sector fell 0.6 percent from the previous month to MOP478.5 billion, while external loans also dropped 0.6 percent to MOP503.2 billion. UM, University of Aveiro develop modelling system Diogo Lopes, a Portuguese doctoral student of civil engineering from the University of Macau (UM) Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), has passed the oral defense for his PhD thesis titled Development of a Multi-Scale Air Pollution Modelling System, which is part of the All-in-One research project jointly conducted by UM and the University of Aveiro (UA) in Portugal. Lopes developed an all-in-one air quality modelling system by integrating models ranging from regional to local scales to assess the changes in air quality as a result of transboundary pollution, urban air pollution, and road traffic emissions within street canyons of building clusters. According to a statement issued by the UM, the modelling system can be a useful tool in formulating air-quality management strategies by identifying different air pollution processes in the design and assessment of air-pollution control measures. The All-In-One project was funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macau. This is the latest collaboration between UM and UA as part of a partnership that began in 1998. Chinese officials appealed to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday to repair relations they said have been damaged by U.S. tariff hikes and support for Taiwan, as their governments press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Pompeo said at the start of his talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Washington has a fundamental disagreement and great concerns about Chinese actions and looked forward to discussing them. Reporters were then ushered from the room. The polite but edgy tone underscored the plunge in U.S.-Chinese relations as the administration of President Donald Trump confronts Beijing over its technology policies and territorial claims in the South China Sea. Trump also approved a weapons sale to Taiwan, the self-ruled island the Communist mainland claims as its own territory, and sanctioned a Chinese company and its leader over an arms purchase from Russia. Those developments came as the countries have raised tariffs on tens of billions of dollars of each others goods in a dispute over U.S. complaints that Beijing steals or pressures companies to hand over technology. At the same time, the United States and China are cooperating on efforts to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to give up his countrys nuclear weapons and long-range missile programs. Pompeo met Wang and Yang Jiechi, a senior Cabinet official and former foreign minister, after talks Sunday with Kim in North Koreas capital, Pyongyang. Pompeo also visited Japan and South Korea, where he said yesterday in Seoul that there had been significant progress toward an agreement for the North to give up its nuclear weapons. Wang appealed to Pompeo to cease actions that Beijing sees as threatening its interests in order to avoid disrupting cooperation over North Korea and other issues. While the U.S. side has constantly escalated trade frictions with China, it has also taken actions regarding Taiwan that harm Chinas core interests, Wang said. In their later meeting, Yang expressed Chinese frustration with Washington while avoiding specifics, telling Pompeo relations are facing challenges. Washington and Beijing should and must make the correct choices, Yang said. We hope the United States and China can meet each other halfway and conscientiously fulfill the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, Yang said. In Seoul, Pompeo said he and Kim had agreed to soon begin working-level talks on details of denuclearization and placement of international inspectors at one of North Koreas main nuclear facilities. Pompeo said they came close to finalizing a date and venue for the next Kim-Trump meeting. Its a long process, Pompeo told reporters. We made significant progress. Well continue to make significant progress and we are further along in making that progress than any administration in an awfully long time. Trump, tweeting from Washington shortly after Pompeo left North Korea, cited progress Pompeo had made on agreements Trump and Kim reached at their June summit in Singapore and said, I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim again, in the near future. Pompeo said he and Kim had gotten pretty close to fixing the logistics for the summit but stressed that sometimes that last inch is hard to close. Most importantly, both the leaders believe there is real progress that can be made, substantive progress that can be made at the next summit and so we are going to get it at a time that works for each of the two leaders and at a place that works for both of them, he said. North Koreas state-run news agency KCNA, meanwhile, said that Kim had expressed his will and conviction that a great progress would surely be made in solving the issues of utmost concern of the world. In an early dispatch, KCNA called the talks productive and wonderful and said that mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged. In Seoul, Pompeo said Kim is expected soon to name Deputy Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui as a counterpart for his new special envoy for North Korea, former Ford executive Stephen Biegun, who accompanied him on the trip. He and Biegun both said they expected meetings at the working level to begin soon and become quite frequent before the next summit. We are starting to see a first wave of actions we can take on all four pillars of the Singapore communique, said Biegun. He is to work with South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and other countries that have an interest in the talks. In Pyongyang on Sunday, Pompeo and Kim met for about 3 1/2 hours, first in a business session and then in a 90-minute luncheon that the North Korean leader hosted at a state guesthouse. Before visiting Pyongyang, Pompeo held talks in Tokyo with Japans prime minister. He pledged the Trump administration would coordinate and unify its strategy for denuclearization with its allies. Japan has been wary of the initiative, but South Korea has embraced it. Pompeo has refused to discuss details of negotiations, including a U.S. position on North Koreas demand for a formal end to the Korean War and a proposal from Seoul for such a declaration to be accompanied by a shutdown of the Norths main known nuclear facility. The United States and Japan have pushed for the North to turn over a list of its nuclear sites to be dismantled as a next step in the process. The North has rejected that and South Korea has suggested it may not be a necessary next step. Pompeo, however, played down the differences. Ive never been involved in an international discussion where there werent differences of view, not only between governments but inside of governments, he said. But if you look at the approach, we are in lockstep with each of those two countries in terms of how we approach achieving the results that everyone is aimed at. And so therell be tactical places where well have debates and disagreements. That is a necessary component of getting to the best deliverable. But with respect to our relationship with the Republic of Korea and Japan on this issue, I have found that we are in lockstep on the most important issues and how to approach them, Pompeo said. Since the denuclearization effort got underway with a secret visit to the North by then-CIA chief Pompeo in April, there has been only limited progress, even since the June 12 Trump-Kim summit that many had hoped would jump-start the effort. North Korea so far has suspended nuclear and missile tests, freed three American prisoners and dismantled parts of a missile engine facility and tunnel entrances at a nuclear test site. It has not taken any steps to halt nuclear weapons or missile development. The North has accused Washington of making unilateral and gangster-like demands on denuclearization and has insisted that sanctions should be lifted before any progress in nuclear talks. U.S. officials have thus far said the penalties will remain in place until the Norths denuclearization is fully verified. Also yesterday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he expects Kim to travel to Russia and for Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea soon amid a global diplomatic push to resolve the nuclear crisis. Moon said a second Trump- Kim summit could be accompanied by major diplomatic developments that could contribute to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stabilizing peace. Moon also said there was a possibility of Kim holding a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. AP The first phase of local council elections ended yesterday in Indian-controlled Kashmir amid tight security and a separatist-sponsored shutdown. Authorities deployed tens of thousands of additional soldiers in the already highly militarized region for the elections, which are being held in four phases. Voter turnout was slightly over 8 percent in Muslim-dominated areas of the Kashmir valley, the heartland of anti-India dissent. Armed police and soldiers guarded over 800 polling stations across the Indian-held portion of the disputed region as government forces laid razor wire and erected steel barricades on roads. A curfew was in effect in parts of the city of Srinagar to prevent anti-India protests. Shops, businesses and most schools were closed as part of a strike called by separatist leaders. Still, protests and clashes against Indian rule erupted at several places in Srinagars outskirts and in northwestern Bandipora, where a woman was injured by shotgun pellets fired by government forces, police and residents said. India says the polls are a vital grassroots exercise to boost development and address civic issues. Political separatist leaders and armed rebel groups who challenge Indias sovereignty over Kashmir have called for a boycott, saying the polls are an illegitimate exercise under military occupation. Nearly 1.7 million residents are registered as voters for the urban polls. Village council elections will be held separately in November. According to officials, 244 candidates have already been selected unopposed and there are no contestants for more than 170 out of a total of 1,145 council seats. Kashmirs main pro-India political parties such as the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are boycotting the polls, accusing New Delhi of fiddling with Kashmirs special status in the Indian Constitution. Despite the boycott, suspected rebels fatally shot two activists of the National Conference and critically wounded another on Friday. Some people withdrew from the elections after armed rebels threatened candidates and accused them of being traitors and sellers of martyrs blood. Authorities have deployed more than 40,000 additional soldiers to guard the voting. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and both countries claim it in its entirety. Rebel groups demand that Kashmir be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmirs mostly Muslim population and most people support the rebels cause against Indian rule. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown. AP Spearheading discussions about the global tourism economy in the context of Chinas far-reaching Belt and Road Initiative, the seventh Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF, or the Forum) will be held in Macau on October 23 and 24. Under the theme Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future the event takes a holistic approach to examine the impact of strategic tourism collaboration between the European Union (EU) and China in the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year, and the latent opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area waiting to be explored. A pre-event press conference was held at MGM Cotai yesterday, where it was announced that, as an official partner of the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year, GTEF will present the European Union as the Official Partner Region in its 7th forum on October 23-24 in Macau to promote the EUs collective tourism offerings to China, the fastest growing and number one source market in the world since 2014. GTEF intends to play a strategic role as a pragmatic exchange platform to create a year-round series of important campaigns and events from roadshows and trade visits, and a two-day program of keynote and panel sessions, bilateral meetings, business-matching opportunities, exhibitions, workshops and cultural activities, to drive high-level dialogues on increasing tourism flows between China and Europe, enhancing EU countries understanding of Chinese visitors when traveling in Europe, and strengthening cooperation between the Chinese and EU authorities in the field of tourism and its related economy. Vice chairman and secretary-general of GTEF Pansy Ho said This year will be in fact the second biggest year after 2015; we have already registered now 1,500 registered attendees. More importantly, its not just the figure and the number. But we [] see more and more now that there are registrations from different parts of the world clearly, from especially collaborative partners [] and different parts of EU, as well as from Guangdong province. More than 140 keynote speakers and major guests, including representatives of the 28 EU countries, mainland China, and global tourism institutes, will attend the event. In total, more than 1,500 people coming from 40 different countries and regions will participate in this years event. Key guests include Ana Mendes Godinho, Secretary of State of Tourism of Portugal, and Istvan Ujhelyi, vice chairman of the Committee of the Transport and Tourism of the European Parliament. JZ Pansy Ho: US companies operate as local organizations here On the sidelines of yesterdays press conference relating to the seventh Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF), Pansy Ho made comments regarding the gaming industry, saying that it will be easier in a way, probably, if everybody is going to look at the next circle or next phase of development all together. It is that all of us are really working towards basically positioning ourselves in a collective manner, so that we can make Macau a destination for non-gamers [] I think it is conducive for the industry as a whole [] to have the extra time to basically put together a stronger proposition and to demonstrate that we are capable of attracting the non-gamers and then we have to see, said Ho. Regarding whether US companies should be worried about the new concession tender, Pansy Ho said I have been asked [] whether I am concerned because, after all, the brand [MGM] is still American [] I hope that, eventually, all the American operators will be able to demonstrate that we have come and basically operate as local organizations here. We are using the local know-how and we are all working towards building a better Macau, and therefore we should earn their trust and confidence. I think what we are trying to do is we are trying to demonstrate that [investors] are here to help the place grow and develop. This is how we want to be perceived and how we want to be contributing, said Ho. Au Kam San, Ng Kuok Cheong, Agnes Lam, and Leong Sun Iok are simultaneously proposing a debate over the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) at the Legislative Assembly (AL). Recently, the four lawmakers submitted their motions to AL, calling for the debate over the LRT. Agnes Lams debate question is whether or not the current LRT project can be changed or terminated. The investment estimation went up from MOP4.2 billion in 2007 to MOP17.9 billion in 2017. Under such unclear and chaotic budget estimation, the amount already reached over MOP50 billion. [] It is time to have a debate in order to discuss the future of the LRT, [] for instance, by obliterating some less important routes, or simplifying some stations, Agnes Lam proposed in her motion. The other three lawmakers, in their own proposals, also pointed out the increasing LRT budget. Ng Kuok Cheong and Au Kam San both highlighted the constant delays in the LRT construction. The LRT, which mainly surrounds Taipa [] will be soon put officially into operation. This system, which carries at least MOP900 million in operating funds per year, is not economical at all. It has become a project that will continue to waste subsidies. [] If, in the long term, the LRT system can be extended to all districts in the Macau Peninsula, it will become a project in constant need of subsidies and it will not be profitable, Ng and Aus joint proposal reads. Ng and Au believe that the government should publicly explain the the delay of the LRT project, the incapability [of the government in] controlling its budget and its cost. Leong Sun Iok emphasized the expensive cost and increasing budget of the LRT, as well as delay in construction, and lack of planning. Leongs debate topic is in order to prevent the LRT from becoming the White Elephant of the Century and to prevent the phenomenon of making a change while doing it and revealing the cost after the contract award, the Transportation Infrastructure Office must reveal to the society the complete plan and evaluation of [the cost] of the entire LRT and its various parts before the next phase of the LRT construction project [starts], thus ensuring the principles of social and economic benefits. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen distanced herself yesterday from former White House strategist Steve Bannon, saying only Europeans will save the continent from diktats from Brussels, not Americans. Le Pen said, at a meeting in Rome, that she wanted to clarify lots of conjecture about Bannons plans to set up a foundation, called The Movement, to boost far-right parties in Europe. Speaking with right-wing Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini by her side, Le Pen said Bannon is not European, but rather an American who wants to create a think tank to offer research to nationalist parties in Europe. But we, and we alone, are the ones who will shape the political force that is born from the European elections, she said, as Salvini applauded. Because we are attached to our liberty, attached to our sovereignty and we together, the representatives of the different peoples of Europe, are the ones who will shape the political forces that aim specifically to save Europe. She added: So that things are extremely clear on this subject. Le Pens distancing was significant given Bannon has been making the rounds in Europe of late as part of his push for a trans-national, anti-European Union movement. Le Pen was in Rome to join Salvini at a union conference where they showed a united front before the European Parliament election in May. Last month, Bannon appeared at a rally in Rome organized by a small far-right Italian opposition party, Brothers of Italy, where he heaped praise on Italys populist, 5-Star-League government, and he was in Rome for the March 4 election that brought them to power. While he didnt appear with Salvini, who spoke at the rally earlier in the day, the two have met and Salvini has purportedly signed onto The Movement, according to one of its proponents, Belgian politician Mischael Modrikamen. In March, Bannon spoke at Le Pens National Front party congress, which had been aimed at remaking the far-right partys image after it suffered a crushing defeat to the pro-globalization forces that brought Emmanuel Macron to the French presidency. As part of the makeover, Le Pen changed the party name to National Rally. Some in France had warned that Bannons support could threaten Le Pens efforts to cleanse the party of its racist stigma. Bannon had praised the extreme version of the National Front embodied by Le Pens more hard-line niece and rival, calling her one of the most important people in the world. Nicole Winfield, Rome, AP The government has presented a total of 47 awards in recognition of projects in the fields of Science and Technology. The ceremony was held yesterday at the Grand Auditorium of the Macao Cultural Center. Many highlighted figures from the local government, including the Chief Executive (CE) Chui Sai On, as well as with several representatives from Peoples Republic of China central government, and the government (through the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT)), were in attendance at the ceremony, which awarded 16 excellent projects as well as 30 prizes for scientific investigation and technology development for post-graduates. FDCT also awarded one special award to the project that had already won Chinas National Science and Technology Progress Award back in 2016. In his speech, the Chairman of FDCT, Frederico Ma, highlighted that several initiatives that the central government has launched through the Ministry of Science and Technology and other departments are very favorable to Macau, promoting the development of Science and Technology in Macau and allowing a better integration of this area on the national system of scientific and technological innovation. In the name of the awardees, the laureate with the Special Award, Wang Yitao, expressed thanks for the support provided by the central government, and the local government as well as people from different sectors of society, addressing a special thanks to all the workers from the technology and science sectors for their great effort in the development of Macaus science and technology from square one. The ceremony also served as the official inauguration of the two State Key Laboratories (SKL) attributed to Macau by the central government back in July this year. The two new units are dedicated to the Internet of Things for Smart City and Lunar and Planetary Sciences and will operate at the University of Macau and University of Science and Technology respectively. The laboratories add to two SKLs already in existence and in operation since 2010, dedicated to Quality Research in Chinese Medicines and Analog and Mixed-Signal of Very Large-Scale Integration, also operating in the same institutions. Hong Kong journalist groups have expressed dismay over the governments refusal to renew a work visa for a Financial Times editor. Representatives from the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club, Hong Kong Journalists Association and other journalism advocacy groups gathered at the Central Government Offices yesterday and handed a letter of protest to a Hong Kong Government representative. We are shocked and deeply concerned over the decision by the Hong Kong authorities to refuse a work visa renewal for Victor Mallet, Asia News Editor for the Financial Times, said Chris Yeung of the Hong Kong Journalists Association. He said the denial of a visa to Mallet sets a terrible precedent for Hong Kongs reputation as a place where the rule of law applies and where freedom of speech is protected by law. China has defended its decision to deny a new work visa for Mallet, who is vice president of the Foreign Correspondents Club. Authorities have criticized the club for hosting a talk in August by the leader of a now-banned pro-Hong Kong independence party. Hong Kong was promised semi-autonomy for 50 years as part of its 1997 handover from British rule, allowing it to retain its limited democracy and rights to assembly and free speech that are denied on the Chinese mainland. Rights groups have called the visa rejection the latest sign of Beijings expanding restrictions on the territory, including legal cases brought against pro-democracy legislators and organizers of large-scale anti-government protests in 2014. The London-based Financial Times said in a statement that it was given no reason why Mallets application was rejected. Other groups that protested the decision included the Hong Kong Independent Commentators Association, International Federation of Journalist, Hong Kong Journalism Educators for Press Freedom and Reporters Without Borders. The Foreign Correspondents Club is an institution dating back more than 75 years ago to when Hong Kong was a British colony. At the Aug. 14 talk at the FCC, Mallet introduced Hong Kong National Party leader Andy Chan by acknowledging official criticism while citing the territorys tolerance for dissent. AP A designer with a well- established career in the fashion industry, Nicole Tam was invited by the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM) to present her collection at the recent 26th Dalian Cup International Youth Fashion Design Contest. Tam became one of 37 finalists who got to present their designs (out of some 1,200 competitors from all over the world) on the contest runaway, fulfilling what she said was a childhood dream come true. I heard about this competition for the first time when I was in high school here in Macau. This competition has not [had] any Macau representatives for the past 10 years, so when CPTTM sent me the information and asked if I was interested, I said yes, Tam told the Times. She explained that the competition is divided into two different groups: one for the students and another for professionals, which was the category she competed in. Entering the competition was also a way for Tam to promote her own company and label, which were established on the premise of future generation and sustainability. This years theme matched perfectly with her concepts and strategies. Every year, they have a theme and this year the theme was New Era, which is a theme that is quite appealing to me because all my design concepts, from the materials and design itself, are mainly targeting the next generation. Tam used a top-to-toe method to match the competition theme, starting with the fabric itself to create a true end-to- end solution. I actually developed the fabric with my supplier and its composed of recycled material, from which around 30 to 40 percent [are fibers coming] from plastic bottles. The material is actually polyester but its very silky, so instead of using silk [I tried to show] that we can actually make something out of plastic materials, making it sustainable. As for the design itself, Tam said she always takes a simple and minimalist approach. This time, she tried to integrate the idea of digital currency, a hot topic nowadays. To cut the fabric, Tam used new technologies such as laser cutting. She used the shape of a one pataca coin as a decorative pattern, connecting with the topic and inputting into the fabric something from the Macau culture. I believe that one day these coins will just be in museums and we are all going to use digital currencies only, Tam said, linking her design concept with the New Era theme of the competition. We had to present three outfits: two more practical and one fancier. Or should I say more formal? she said, adding that practicability is always one of her goals. After working in the hotel industry, she noted that the practicability of uniforms is something very important, as it is something you are going to wear every day and for a long time. Everything must be functional and practical, but also very appealing, bringing skills from her daily work into the competition. As Tam told the Times, participating in this event is not just a way to show her skills and designs, but also an opportunity to network with designers [from different backgrounds] and see what others are doing in other places. As she mentioned, the eco-friendly concerned topic was addressed by several designers in this years competition, but I think I was the only one that managed to present a collection that follows that end-to-end with all the certifications to prove it. Tam said the eco-friendly focus is not just in the industry, but in consumers who are now more aware and more interested in knowing about their clothing and the processing. People are caring more about this the same way they are caring more about health, and try to buy more organic products. Founder of three-year-old startup company ANtitled, Tam says that pricing is still one of the hotel industrys main concerns when deciding on a new uniform. However, there are some opportunities to try to input new products and new fabrics. But you need to be able to justify clearly why they should opt for that solution. For almost three years now, I have had my own startup [company]. We do specialized [uniform] design for the hotel industry. We provide image consultancy services for hotels and corporate companies as well, she said, noting that this background contributed to her understanding of the market. Sometimes there is a big gap between the higher administration that decides on a uniform based on corporate branding and pricing, and the people that are in fact wearing it, she said. Sometimes they have no idea why their uniform has particular characteristics. This is something that Tam says is now changing, as higher management is now concerned about how they are going to keep their staff in the long term, and uniform has become one of the key elements for staff to stay or leave [at] a certain company. China is investigating the former president of Interpol for bribery and other crimes, Beijing said yesterday in a notice that indicated the Chinese official may also be in trouble for political transgressions. Meng Hongwei, Chinas vice minister for public security, was being investigated as a result of his willfulness and has only himself to blame, according to a statement posted on a government website. The scant details provided yesterday raised further questions about the scope of the allegations made against Meng and whether they pertain in any way to his work at the international police agency. They also shone an unflattering light on secretive, extralegal detentions in China that have ensnared dissidents and allegedly corrupt or disloyal officials alike at increasing rates under the authoritarian rule of President Xi Jinping. The notice of a high-level meeting of public security officials elaborated on a terse announcement late Sunday by an anti-graft agency of the ruling Communist Party that said Meng was suspected of unspecified crimes. The Sunday announcement was issued barely an hour after Mengs wife made a bold appeal to the world for help from Lyon, France, where she is based. Meng is the latest high-ranking official, and one with an unusually prominent international standing, to fall victim to a sweeping crackdown by the ruling Communist Party on graft and perceived disloyalty. Shortly after Chinas announcement about the investigation on Sunday, Interpol said Meng had resigned as the international police agencys president. Chinese officials appeared to be scrambling to respond to an unfolding scandal. In the early hours yesterday, Zhao Lezhi, the minister for public security, chaired a meeting attended by senior officials of the ministrys party committee to discuss Mengs case, the statement said. We should deeply recognize the serious damage that Meng Hongweis bribe-taking and suspected violations of the law have caused the party and the cause of public security and deeply learn from this lesson, the announcement said. The 64-year-old Mengs unexplained disappearance while on a trip home to China late last month prompted the French government and Interpol to make their concerns known publicly in recent days. The revelation that Chinas system of shady and often-arbitrary detentions could ensnare even a senior public security official with international stature has cast a shadow over the image Beijing has sought to cultivate as a modern country with the rule of law. The acting president of Interpol, Kim Jong Yang, said it had not been told about the investigation of its chief. I find it regrettable that the top leader of the organization had to go out this way and that we werent specifically notified of what was happening in advance, Kim said in a phone interview. We still dont have sufficient information about whats happening [with Meng] or whether it has anything to do with Chinese domestic politics, he added. Questions about Mengs case dominated a regular briefing by Chinas foreign ministry yesterday. The spokesman, Lu Kang, rejected the suggestion that Chinas handling of the Meng probe would hurt the countrys image abroad, saying instead that it demonstrated Beijings commitment to tackling graft. This has shown the Chinese governments firm resolve to crack down on corruption and crime, Lu said. It has also made very clear that this case fully demonstrates that the party is firm in fighting corruption and anybody will be punished seriously in accordance with the law if they violated the law. However, Lu did not directly answer questions about whether Meng would be formally arrested or allowed to hire a lawyer, or receive a visit from his wife. Grace Meng, his wife, made an impassioned plea Sunday for help in bringing her husband to safety. She said she thought he sent an image of a knife before he disappeared in China as a way to warn her he was in danger. From now on, I have gone from sorrow and fear to the pursuit of truth, justice and responsibility toward history, she said at a briefing. For the husband whom I deeply love, for my young children, for the people of my motherland, for all the wives and children, so that their husbands and fathers will no longer disappear. Yesterdays statement on the ministry of public securitys website provided no details about the bribes Meng allegedly took or other crimes he is accused of, but suggested that he was also being investigated for political lapses. It indicated that Meng, a member of the Communist Party, may have somehow been tainted by former security chief and ex-Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang, who is now serving a life sentence for corruption. Gillian Wong, Beijing, AP The Judiciary Police (PJ) says that it holds an open attitude regarding whether to publicize statistics on interception practices. The Macau government, including security authorities, is open to disclosing, or not, relevant information in the future; to establishing, or not, a department responsible for statistics; and, to publicize, or not, relevant information on communication interception, the police said in its recent statement. The PJ also pointed out that it should be noted that despite society generally supporting the disclosure of relevant information or the establishment of relevant departments, according to Macaus current legal system, publicizing information cannot violate the principle of judicial secrecy or harm the legal authority of the judicial authorities. In addition, PJ said that such department would be independent from the criminal police department and should be set up within the judicial department. Of course, its establishment and operation must not violate the principle of judicial independence and must comply with the relevant provisions of both the judicial practice and system. In any case, the establishment of a new system or norm must not be blind and cannot share or damage the current judicial system in Macau, PJ writes. According to the police, those people are asking for data similar to that published by the commissioners for Interception and Communications and Surveillance in Hong Kong. In particular, Hong Kongs statistics include the main categories of offences for interception of communications, number of arrests, summaries of reviews and overall evaluation of interceptions. A Chinese government spokesman has sidestepped questions about a report that its spies inserted chips into computer equipment that might allow them to hack into U.S. companies and government agencies. The spokesman, Lu Kang, responded to questions yesterday from reporters by directing them to statements by the equipment supplier and customers including Apple and Amazon. Those companies denied any knowledge the equipment had been altered. Lu said, Do you feel that you still need China to respond to these statements? Bloomberg News cited unidentified U.S. officials as saying malicious chips were inserted into equipment supplied by Super Micro Computer Inc. to American companies and government agencies. Bloomberg said the components included code that caused the products to accept changes to their software and to connect to outside computers. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. By Ritah Kemigisa. The opposition Democratic Party has challenged President Yoweri Museveni to use the independence celebrations to tell Ugandans his exit plans. According to the secretary general of the party Gerald Siranda, there is nothing to celebrate about Uganda and the independence it attained 56 years ago. Siranda says that Museveni and a few people around him have something to celebrate but for the rest of Ugandans all is not well. He argues that Ugandans have nothing to celebrate about independence since most of them are living in abject poverty and mothers and children are dying at birth while cases of torture are high. It is hard to do better than Alexs video on Romer, pretty much definitive and Romer liked it too. Most importantly, Romer won the Prize for seeing how the non-rival nature of ideas can boost ongoing and indeed endogenous economic growth. Romer also showed mathematically that this process of growth is bounded, namely that it does not explode without limit, and that the associated mathematical models were tractable. Previously, economists had feared that increasing returns to scale models might be impossible to work with. See the top two links here, for the 1989 and 1990 pieces, with the third piece listed, from 1994, being Romers easier to read summary of the work. David Warshs Knowledge and the Wealth of Nations: A Story of Economic Discovery, is the book on Romer for the ages, a truly splendid creation on both the science and the person. Romer, by the way, is the son of Roy Romer, former Colorado governor and famous builder of airports. I believe this later influenced Pauls interest in the importance of economic growth. Over time, increasing returns models are seen as less descriptive of growth than perhaps they were in the 1990s. The growth rates of many countries have been stagnant or even falling, rather than rising. Nonetheless, for understanding how ideas boost growth, and in cumulative fashion, Romers work is essential. If you are wondering which economist has done the most to help us explain Silicon Valley, you would turn first to Romer. This Prize is not a surprise at all, and it has been expected, sooner or later, for many years. (Though I did not think it would come this year. Trump talks so much about his role in boosting economic growth, I feared the Nobel Committee would not at this point in time wish to feed into that rhetoric. I am glad to see they did not hesitate!) Here is Romer on Twitter. Here is Romer on Wikipedia. Here is Pauls blog. He is now at NYU, but spent much of his career at Stanford. Previous MR coverage of Romer is quite extensive. Here is the Prize Committee citation, excellent as always. Here are his three podcasts with Russ Roberts. Here is Joshua Gans on Paul. Here is a Sebastian Mallaby profile of Romer. Romer also in 2000 started and ran a successful business, Aplia, which revolutionized on-line education. In the context of economics, Aplia is most notable for enabling curve-shifting exercises and the like to be done through an electronic portal. It was later purchased by Cengage. So like Nordhaus, Romer also has been a doer, including in the private sector. Yet Paul once tweeted to Ben Bernanke that Rich is over-rated. It is too hard to convert money into satisfaction. Romer recently served as Chief Economist at the World Bank, with a somewhat complicated tenure. You can find numerous articles about this in the media. Romer has been a central figure behind the notion of charter cities, namely an economic region but with external or possibly foreign governance, so as to enforce the rule of law and spur economic growth. The charter cities idea comes rather naturally out of Romers work on the economics of growth. Think of Romer as asking which is the non-rival public good which can be extended at very low cost?, and wondering if that might be law. Here is his famous TED talk on charter cities. Here is an interview with Romer on charter cities. He was originally slated to work with the Honduran government on charter cities, though he dropped out of the project in 2012. Here is Pauls account of what happened. Amihai Glazer and I once wrote a comment on Romer, on his article with Barro on ski-lift pricing, which Glazer and I saw as closely connected to Buchanans theory of clubs. Romer later credited this comment with inducing him to rethink what the notion of rivalry really means in economics, and leading to his two best-known pieces on economic growth; see the David Warsh book for more detail. Like myself, Romer is an avid fan of the guitarist Clarence White, and several times we have traded favorite Clarence White videos by email. Romer believes (correctly) that the role of Clarence White in the success of the Byrds is very much underrated, and furthermore he is a big fan of Whites early work with the Kentucky Colonels. Here is more on Romers excellent taste in music, recommended. Romer also has a well-known survey piece on the importance of human capital for economic growth; human capital of course is where new ideas come from. Here is a short Romer piece from 2016, suggesting his own work on growth implies conditional optimism on climate change, but not complacent optimism. This ties together his work with that of Nordhaus. Romer is also an advocate of regularizing the spelling of the English language, so as to make it more phonetic. He believes this would boost the rate of economic growth, and it ties in with some of his work on economic integration and growth. If English is an easier language to learn, the global economy as a whole in effect becomes larger, and we might expect the rate of ideas generation to rise. Here is Romer on Jupyter vs. Mathematica. Here is Romer on corruption in Greece, he has very broad interests. Here is Romer on TARP and banking reform. Here is Romers recent critique of macroeconomics. Romer believes (and I concur) that the word and is used too much in writing, and in particular scholarly writing. From the FT: Circulating a draft of the upcoming World Development Report, Mr Romer warned against bank staff trying to pile their own pet projects and messages into the report. The tendency, he argued, had diluted the impact of past reports and led to a proliferation of ands. Because of this type of pressure to say that our message is this, and this, and this too, and that the word and has become the most frequently used word in Bank prose, he complained in an email. A WDR, like a knife, has to be narrow to penetrate deeply, he added. To drive home the importance of focus, Ive told the authors that I will not clear the final report if the frequency of and exceeds 2.6%. I have always found Romer to be extremely pleasant and open in my interactions with him, and I am very pleased to have interviewed him (no transcript or audio available) at a summer ideas festival (Kent Presents) the year before this one. The crowd found him very open and engaging. Oct 9, 2018 Your Vote 2018 Arizona Congressional District 2 Debate Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick and Republican Lea Marquez Peterson will meet Oct. 9 in Tucson for a live, televised debate in their bids to represent Southern Arizona's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Presented by AZPM in partnership with KJZZ, the Arizona Republic, and the Arizona Daily Star. Back to Public Affairs The updated comprehensive C-CHANGE (Canadian Cardiovascular Harmonized National Guidelines Endeavour) guideline to manage cardiovascular disease will help primary care physicians across Canada provide better care for patients with, or who are at risk of, heart disease. The guideline, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), updates the 2014 guideline, with 52 newly added or updated recommendations. "Patients often have multiple comorbidities, complicated by conditions such as stroke or myocardial infarction," writes Dr. Sheldon Tobe, Division of Nephrology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, with coauthors. "A disease-silo approach to care leads to the risk of fragmentation, overlooking treatable risk factors. C-CHANGE helps to promote patient care by bringing guidelines from multiple groups together, formatted so that members of the interprofessional team can collaborate to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan directed to patient priorities." The guideline, developed by nine Canadian guideline groups, is based on the best available evidence and provides a single nationally recognized set of best practices for physicians to use across the country. New or updated recommendations include the following: A new, lower threshold for treatment and blood pressure in high-risk patients with hypertension Treatment of high-risk patients with dyslipidemia (high cholesterol) with statins to prevent cardiovascular disease (a risk-assessment should be performed in primary-care patients to avoid unnecessary pharmacologic treatment) Diabetes testing with a two-hour plasma glucose after a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test Use of direct oral anticoagulants instead of warfarin for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation Lifestyle changes, such as lower sodium intake, in people with hypertension and screening and advice on smoking cessation The guideline is aimed at primary-care providers treating adult patients who have, or are at risk of developing, cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart failure and stroke, as well as the risk factors for these conditions, including obesity, smoking and inactivity. "The goal of the C-CHANGE process is for all Canadian health care practitioners to have easy access to a comprehensive and usable set of harmonized guidelines," write the authors. "Canadian Cardiovascular Harmonized National Guidelines Endeavour (C-Change): guideline for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in primary care: 2018 update" is published October 9, 2018 Explore further New harmonized cardiovascular treatment guidelines make heart disease treatment easier Alison Cahill, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, talks with patient Kaylee Prestien at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Cahill led a national study of 2,400 first-time pregnant women. The research showed that the timing of pushing has no effect on whether women deliver vaginally or by C-section. Credit: Matt Miller/Washington University More than 3 million women in the United States give birth each year. But obstetricians have differing opinions about when women should begin pushing during labor and whether the timing of pushing increases the likelihood of a cesarean section, which carries a higher risk of complications compared with a vaginal delivery. Many obstetricians recommend that a woman begin pushing as soon the cervix is fully dilated, while others advise waiting until she feels the urge to push. Until now, doctors have not had conclusive evidence about which approach is better for mothers and their babies. Now, a multicenter study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and involving more than 2,400 first-time pregnant women, shows that the timing of pushing has no effect on whether women deliver vaginally or by C-section. However, women who delayed pushing experienced longer labors and higher risks of severe postpartum bleeding and infections. Their babies also were more likely to develop sepsisa serious complication related to infection. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is published Oct. 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. "Obstetricians tend to favor one approach over the other, but no solid evidence has existed to favor either one," said the study's first author, Alison G. Cahill, MD, a Washington University associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. "We think our findings are likely to change how many obstetric providers manage labor. Previous studies comparing the immediate versus pushing approaches involved small numbers of patients, and results were often contradictory and inconclusive." The current study enrolled 2,414 first-time pregnant women at one of six U.S. hospitals between May 2014 and November 2017. The women were at least 37 weeks pregnant with a single pregnancy, and all had received epidural anesthesia to reduce labor pain. Once the cervix was fully dilated at 10 centimeters, indicating the beginning of the second stage of labor, the women were randomly assigned to either begin pushing immediately or to delay pushing for 60 minutes. Of those in the immediate-pushing group, 1,031 (85.9 percent) delivered vaginally compared with 1,041 (86.5 percent) in the delayed-pushing groupa difference that is not statistically significant. "The findings provide strong evidence that for first-time pregnant women receiving epidurals, immediate versus delayed pushing during the second stage of labor did not affect vaginal delivery rates," said Menachem Miodovnik, MD, a medical officer at the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. However, women in the immediate-pushing group experienced significantly lower rates of infections and fewer episodes of excessive bleeding following delivery. Specifically, 80 (6.7 percent) of the women who began pushing immediately developed an infection compared with 110 women (9.1 percent) who delayed pushing. In addition, 27 (2.3 percent) in the immediate-pushing group suffered severe postpartum bleeding, compared with 48 (4 percent) in the delayed-pushing group. Additionally, women who pushed immediately experienced a shorter second-stage of labor by an average of 30 minutes, compared with those who delayed pushing102.4 versus 134.2 minutes. Although the numbers were small, infants delivered to mothers in the immediate-pushing group experienced significantly lower rates of suspected sepsis compared with those in the delayed-pushing group: 38 (3.2 percent) and 53 (4.4 percent), respectively. "Pushing during labor is physically demanding and intense," said Cahill, who delivers babies at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "Women look to their obstetric providers for guidance and what's best for them and their babies. Our findings can guide providers to better manage the second stage of labor for optimal health for moms and their babies. This means avoiding delayed pushing for the sake of increasing the chance of vaginal delivery since it is associated with longer labor time and higher health risks to mothers and babies." Credit: CC0 Public Domain Catching an ear infection is uncomfortable enough, but imagine if the antibiotics a doctor prescribed didn't work. It's a problem that at least 2 million people in the U.S. face every year, when they catch infections that are resistant to antibiotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That makes the phenomenon known as antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, "one of the biggest public health challenges of our time," the agency said. AMR may cause 10 million deaths globally by 2050, based on rising drug resistance for six pathogens, according to a report commissioned by the British government in 2016. Last month, a group of scientists and doctors in Seattle started a nonprofit organization to figure out a solution. The group, known as Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring, Analysis and Diagnostics Alliance (ARMADA), said it wants to "get a grasp on the situation" by building a database that tracks and "fingerprints" bacterial strains. "Right now a patient comes to the doctor with an infection and the doctor knows a lot about the patient, but doesn't know anything about the bug," Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko, who founded ARMADA and teaches microbiology at the University of Washington, said in an interview last month at ARMADA's lab in Seattle. "How a patient will react to an infection will be tracked in their medical records, but nothing is being tracked about the bug, even though the bug will repeat itself and no one will know what it has done in other patients." The project will collect information on how drug-resistant strains of bacteria, or so-called superbugs, react to a variety of antibiotics. By sharing the data with hospitals and microbiology labs, health practitioners would then be able to immediately identify the most effective drug for patients. ARMADA has already collected data for 30,000 strains, a number it seeks to grow tenfold in two to three years. Since antibiotics are produced from natural compounds, bacteria have been developing resistance for millions of years, Dr. Prish Tosh, who specializes in treating infectious diseases at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said in an interview last month. That includes resistance to undiscovered compounds, he said. A so-called biobank, such as the one ARMADA is building would be particularly useful for identifying what resistance has already been discovered in nature, he added. Brianna Strand, a native of Poulsbo, Wash., died when she was just 28 of complications from an infection she contracted that didn't respond to antibiotics. In 2013, during routine treatments for her cystic fibrosis, Strand's doctors discovered a lung infection caused by a bacteria strain called Mycobacterium abscessus. The superbug is resistant to multiple drugs, and is especially dangerous if contracted by individuals with weak immune systems, like Strand. Strand took a combination of two to three antibiotics per day over the following four years, in hopes that one would win the fight, according to her father, Jim Oas. By May 2017, none of the drugs had proved effective, and Strand's doctors decided to send her home. "The hospital told her, 'You're dying. Your lungs aren't working so your organs and body are shutting down due to the carbon monoxide,'" Oas said by phone last month. "One doctor came in, got on his knees and asked for her forgiveness. She said she wanted to die in the house she grew up in so we took her home." Strand is one of about 700,000 people who die of antibiotic-resistant infections every year, according to a 2016 Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. "What I want to emphasize is how much guesswork we currently do when it comes to antibiotics," said Dr. Scott Weissman, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Seattle Children's. "We really need novel and creative ideas on sharing this information." The project receives funding the National Institutes of Health and partners with Seattle Children's, Harborview Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, CDC associate director for Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Programs, said technology is one part of the solution, but antibiotic resistance is still a complicated issue. ARMADA's project "could be very useful as we learn more about the genetic machinery bacteria possesses," Dr. Srinivasan said in an email. "It is encouraging that bright and innovative people are working to apply innovative solutions. The threat is dynamic, serious and evolving." 2018 The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. People at high risk of a heart attack in adulthood could be spotted much earlier in life with a one-off DNA test, according to new research part-funded by the British Heart Foundation and published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. An international team led by researchers from the University of Leicester, University of Cambridge and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Australia used UK Biobank data to develop and test a powerful scoring system, called a Genomic Risk Score (GRS) which can identify people who are at risk of developing coronary heart disease prematurely because of their genetics. Genetic factors have long been known to be major contributors of someone's risk of developing coronary heart diseasethe leading cause of heart attacks. Currently to identify those at risk doctors use scores based on lifestyle and clinical conditions associated with coronary heart disease such as cholesterol level, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. But these scores are imprecise, age-dependent and miss a large proportion of people who appear 'healthy', but will still develop the disease. The 'big-data' GRS technique takes into account 1.7 million genetic variants in a person's DNA to calculate their underlying genetic risk for coronary heart disease. The team analysed genomic data of nearly half a million people from the UK Biobank research project aged between 40-69 years. This included over 22,000 people who had coronary heart disease. The GRS was better at predicting someone's risk of developing heart disease than each of the classic risk factors for coronary heart disease alone. The ability of the GRS to predict coronary heart disease was also largely independent of these known risk factors. This showed that the genes which increase the risk of coronary heart disease don't simply work by elevating blood pressure or cholesterol, for example. People with a genomic risk score in the top 20 per cent of the population were over four-times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than someone with a genomic risk score in the bottom 20 per cent. In fact, men who appeared healthy by current NHS health check standards but had a high GRS were just as likely to develop coronary heart disease as someone with a low GRS and two conventional risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. These findings help to explain why people with healthy lifestyles and no conventional risk factors can still be struck by a devastating heart attack. Crucially, the GRS can be measured at any age including childhood as your DNA does not change. This means that those at high risk can be identified much earlier than is possible through current methods and can be targeted for prevention with lifestyle changes and, where necessary, medicines. The GRS is also a one-time test and with the cost of genotyping to calculate the GRS now less than 40 GBP ($50 USD) it is within the capability of many health services to provide. Senior author Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Leicester and Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said: "At the moment we assess people for their risk of coronary heart disease in their 40's through NHS health checks. But we know this is imprecise and also that coronary heart disease starts much earlier, several decades before symptoms develop. Therefore if we are going to do true prevention, we need to identify those at increased risk much earlier. "This study shows that the GRS can now identify such individuals. Applying it could provide a most cost effective way of preventing the enormous burden of coronary heart disease, by helping doctors select patients who would most benefit from interventions and avoiding unnecessary screening and treatments for those unlikely to benefit." Lead author Dr. Michael Inouye, of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and University of Cambridge said: "The completion of the first human genome was only 15 years ago. Today, the combination of data science and massive-scale genomic cohorts has now greatly expanded the potential of healthcare. "While genetics is not destiny for coronary heart disease, advances in genomic prediction have brought the long history of heart disease risk screening to a critical juncture, where we may now be able to predict, plan for, and possibly avoid a disease with substantial morbidity and mortality." Explore further World-first test could predict risk of heart attack in coronary artery disease patients Provided by British Heart Foundation Credit: CC0 Public Domain An expert in prisoner health from The University of Western Australia is calling for the Federal Government to stop excluding prisoners from Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to improve health outcomes and close the gap for Aboriginal people. In an article published in the Journal of Law and Medicine Research Fellow Craig Cumming, from the UWA Centre for Health Services Research, examines the impact of the exclusion on the health of prisoners, who often have high rates of mental illness and drug dependence when they enter prison. Mr Cumming said recent research showed that prison health services in WA did not have sufficient resources to meet the health needs of prisoners, particularly in the areas of mental illness and Aboriginal health. "Aboriginal people are over-represented by 15 times in Western Australian prisons, making up 37 per cent of the prison population, the highest over-representation anywhere in Australia, and they generally experience poorer health than non-Aboriginal people," he said. "Removing the exclusion for prisoners would mean that two important Medicare-funded services the Mental Health Care Plan and the Indigenous Health Check would be available to prisoners. "These two items alone could have a major impact on improving the health of prisoners, given the high rates of mental illness and the Aboriginal over-representation in prisons." Mr Cumming said prisons and prison health services were funded exclusively by State governments but the Federal Health Minister had the discretion to make available Medicare and PBS services and products where was a clear need for them. "The proposed change would see around 41,000 prisoners given access to Medicare and the PBS, compared to the 24 million people in Australia who already have access," he said. "This would be a negligible increase in cost but more importantly, an investment in improving the health of people in prison, most of whom will be released back into the community, and giving them access to health care facilities equivalent to those available to the rest of the community." Explore further Healthcare equality for prisoners would benefit entire community say experts More information: Craig Cumming et al. In Sickness and in Prison: The Case for Removing the Medicare Exclusion for Australian Prisoners. Journal of Law and Medicine update: Vol 26 Pt 1 2018 Ward and her team documented over 100 scorpion species, the effects of their venom and their native locations. Credit: Micaiah Ward Scorpions can be found at every corner of the globe and on six of the seven continents, from the southern tip of South America to the arid expanse of the Sahara Desert. That makes any rigorous accounting of the world's venomous scorpionsand their various effects on human beingsan extremely tall task. But in a new study published in the journal Toxicon, a team of Florida State University researchers proved they were up to the challenge. In their report, the team documented 104 species spanning dozens of countries, providing a vital update to the global record of medically significant scorpions, or scorpions whose venom could be alternately gravely harmful or medically beneficial to human beings. Their work helps modernize the study of scorpion epidemiology and reveals important gaps in the processes by which scorpions are collected, identified and characterized. "There's a lot of hype about scorpions, about how they can kill you or send you to the emergency room," said FSU doctoral candidate Micaiah Ward, who led the study. "In some cases, that's absolutely true. But there are over 2,200 species of scorpion. Only about 30 of them might put you in the hospital, and of those, symptoms vary based on age and health." Scorpions, like scores of other species, evolved venom as a tool for defense and predation. Often, scorpions' venom will develop in response to specific adaptations in their predators or prey, triggering a spiraling co-evolutionary process that produces more lethal venom in the scorpions and more robust resistances in their adversaries. For this study, Ward and her colleagues conducted an exhaustive review of existing research in an effort to compile a comprehensive catalog of medically significant scorpions, their native locations and the severity of their symptoms. Their review shows that, while scorpions have propagated successfully throughout the globe, the most dangerous species appear in clustered hotspots. "Most of the really harmful scorpions, the types that induce symptoms that could be fatal if not properly treated, are distributed throughout Asia, the Middle East, some in Africa, very few in the United States and quite a few in South America, particularly Brazil," Ward said. A dangerous cocktail of tiny neurotoxic peptides gives some scorpion venom a decidedly unfriendly edge, but other scorpions produce venom that humans have learned to use to their advantage. One Iranian species produces a toxin that scientists suggest could be used to treat brain tumors, despite a name that sounds more malevolent than medicinal. "It's common name is the deathstalker scorpion," Ward said "It produces a toxin that targets certain brain tumors to stop their growth. It's also called 'tumor paint' because they can use it to highlight a tumor before surgery so that they cut out all the parts of the tumor without leaving anything behind." In addition to cataloging and mapping medically significant scorpions, the researchers' review also functioned as an investigation into the mechanisms of scorpion research itself. Their report revealed a number of disconnects between the many disciplines studying these species. Clinicians treating scorpion stings, Ward said, rarely communicate with scientists studying the properties of scorpions' venom or the nature of their habitats. The result was frequent discrepancies in the data. "That was the biggest challenge," Ward said. "We were finding a bunch of reports for scorpions that were blown way out of proportion or that had the wrong species name. We tried to do our best with the updated phylogenies of different families of scorpions and where they are. It's not perfect, and it will change as we get more data." How to go about collecting more reliable data? Ward said all citizen scientists can have a part to play. "The first thing to do if you get stung by a scorpion is to stay calm," she said. "If you can, try to take a picture of the scorpion or put it in a cup and bring it to the emergency room with you. They can send it to a museum or somewhere where they can properly identify that species and associate it with the specific symptoms that you have. That's what we need." Explore further Milking it: A new robot to extract scorpion venom More information: Micaiah J. Ward et al, A global accounting of medically significant scorpions: Epidemiology, major toxins, and comparative resources in harmless counterparts, Toxicon (2018). Micaiah J. Ward et al, A global accounting of medically significant scorpions: Epidemiology, major toxins, and comparative resources in harmless counterparts,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.07.007 Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., co-author, a professor in FAU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within the College for Design and Social Inquiry, and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. Credit: Florida Atlantic University According to the United States Department of Justice, "sextortion" is labeled as the most important and fastest-growing cyberthreat to children, with more minor victims per offender than all other child sexual exploitation offenses. Sextortion is the threatened dissemination of explicit, intimate, or embarrassing images of a sexual nature without consent. It is usually for the purpose of getting more images, sexual acts, money or something else. Sextortion in children catapulted into the spotlight in 2012 with the suicide of 15-year-old Amanda Todd from British Columbia. After years of online stalking, public humiliation, and cyberbullying associated with sextortion, she took her own life. Despite increased public interest in sextortion, there have been no studies to empirically examine this behavior among adolescents. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have filled this gap with a study that explored sextortion prevalence behaviors among a nationally-representative sample of 5,568 middle and high school students in the U.S. between the ages of 12 to 17 years. Results from the study, just published in the journal Sexual Abuse, reveals that 5 percent of these youth had been the target of sextortion, and 3 percent admitted that they had done it to others. While these percentages do not seem high, they constitute a meaningful proportion when extrapolated to a U.S. population of teens. Males were significantly more likely than females to have participated in sextortion both as a victim and as an offender. "Our finding that males are more likely to be a victim of sextortion was somewhat surprising given that most attention has focused on female victims," said Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., co-author, a professor in FAU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within the College for Design and Social Inquiry, and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. "We also found a connection between offending and victimization, with those involved in one role being more likely to also be involved in the other." Other findings showed that adolescents who identified as non-heterosexual were more than twice as likely to be the victim of sextortion. This finding is consistent with other forms of online abuse, including cyberbullying and electronic dating violence, which research has shown is more common among those who do not identify as heterosexual. The researchers found no differences by race and age, although 15 year olds were generally more likely to be involved compared with other groups. The study also found that most sextortion experiences occurred within the context of an existing friendship (romantic or otherwise). It was relatively rare that the person targeted by someone was not well known to the target. Victims of sextortion were harmed in a variety of ways, including being stalked or harassed (9.7 percent of males and 23.5 percent of females), being contacted repeatedly online or by phone (42.9 percent of males and 40.9 percent of females), or having a fake online profile created about them (11.2 percent of males and 8.7 percent of females). Most notably, 24.8 percent of males and 26.1 percent of females who were sextorted said the offender posted the sexual image of them online, while 25.5 percent of male victims and 29.6 percent of female victims said the offender sent the sexual image of them to someone else without their permission. "In short, threats that were made were ultimately carried out in some way, and some of these instances may indeed be more accurately characterized as 'revenge porn,' another behavior involving the unauthorized distribution of explicit images," said Hinduja. "Revenge porn is less colloquially known as 'non-consensual pornography.' However, the primary difference between revenge porn tends to be public while sextortion is usually private, unless threats are ultimately carried out." Few victims of sextortion reported the experience to parents or other adult authorities, although significantly more females informed their parents than did males. In addition, very few sextortion victims reported it to the site or app where the situation occurred. "Besides a general distrust or lack of faith in adults, adolescents also fear retaliation, struggle with shame, wish to keep sextortion a secret, attempt to minimize the incident, and don't know where to turn to or who they can count on to truly come through for them," said Hinduja. Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D., co-author, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, advise youth to continue to be cautious when it comes to how much trust they can extend to others. They also suggest that parents and other adults who work with teens should cultivate them in a healthy dose of skepticism about the sharing of personal, sexual contentto anyone in their circle because the research makes clear that sextortion rarely involves strangers. "Youth may fall prey to victimization more readily than adults because of the naivete that stems from a simple lack of experience in the ways of life and love," said Hinduja. (HealthDay)The quick weight loss that occurs after bariatric surgery seems to have an unintended consequencea greater risk of gallstones, a new study suggests. The rapid loss of pounds was linked to a 10-fold increase in the hospital admissions for pancreatitis, gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. "Gallstones are quite common in post-bariatric surgery patients. Medications called bile acid sequestrants can help, but patients have to take them several times a day," explained study co-author Dr. Violeta Popov. She's an assistant professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine and Langone Medical Center in New York City. In years past, surgeons often removed the gallbladder as part of weight-loss surgeries. However, as weight-loss surgeries have become less invasive, with smaller and smaller incisions, surgeons stopped taking the gallbladder out during the procedure, Popov said. She's also director of bariatric endoscopy at VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. The researchers looked at records from a national sample of inpatient admissions and found more than 1.5 million admissions for gallstones, other gallbladder conditions and acute pancreatitis from 2006 to 2014. The average patient age was between 52 and 64 years old. The findings showed that there was a 10- to 100-fold higher risk of these conditions in people who had undergone weight-loss surgery. And the average patient age was 43 to 55. People who'd had weight-loss surgery were less likely to die, tended to stay less time in the hospital and their gallbladder disease tended to cost less to treat, the researchers said. Dr. David Victor III, an American College of Gastroenterology expert, said it wasn't clear before this study that bariatric surgery boosted the risk of gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. "Obesity is known to increase the risk of gallstones, so patients who have indications for bariatric surgery would have an increased risk of gallstones," said Victor, who's also an assistant professor of medicine at the Institute for Academic Medicine at Houston Methodist. "This study is interesting because patients who have bariatric surgery may be at risk for gallstones that we have underappreciated before," Victor said. Both Victor and Popov said it's too soon to recommend again removing the gallbladder when having weight-loss surgery, but it's a question worthy of additional study. Popov said the rapid weight loss is likely what triggers the gallbladder conditions, though the study did not prove that. Victor said it's also too soon to know why there's an increased risk, but it could be because people are obese or it may be a technical aspect of the surgery that boosts the risk. And, he added, it's possible the risk is not permanent. He agreed that doctors should consider putting patients on bile acid sequestrants to help prevent gallstones and other conditions. The study was presented Monday at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, in Philadelphia. Research presented at medical meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Explore further Timing of gallbladder and weight loss surgery may help prevent complications More information: Learn more about gallstones from the Learn more about gallstones from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. For centuries, Czechs have been savers who were conservative when it came to their finances. A consequence was that they trusted "our" currencies, preferred all payments and savings to be done in the domestic currency, and the currency was correspondingly stable. Relatively to our communist comrades, we had a hard currency during communism, too. Westerners have usually no clue about the huge differences between the individual post-communist countries. For example, Hungary has accumulated a huge debt and their forint has always been inflating and weak; Czechoslovakia has never had these problems. Air Bank, the standardized interior Our beloved emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria introduced the crown in September 1892, as 1/2 of the "gold coin" that had been a nearly stable unit of wealth since the Middle Ages. (As of 2018, Czechs still use the ironic term "petka", or "the number five", for the 10-crown coin!) In 1918, exactly 100 years ago this month, Czechoslovakia kept the name of the currency and after 1927, Czechoslovak crown, which was introduced at par. After 1927, it was the only successor state of the monarchy that still kept the crown. Our first finance minister Mr Alois Rasin was an effective practical man. He pushed the strong crown policy and by the late 1920s, Czechoslovakia had the hardest currency in Europe clearly, those were very different times from the recent years when the Czech National Bank wanted to create the softest or the most undervalued currency of Europe. The crown continued with various adjectives during the war (The Protectorate Crown), the post-war 3 years of opposition-free multi-party system, and the communism, 1948-1953. Currency reforms kept the "crown" at par although this statement became meaningless especially in 1953 when the monetary reform violated the proportionality laws and the richer people (such as my grandfather and his son, my uncle now in Australia) were robbed of millions. Even during communism, Czechoslovak banks worked in a way that was close to the operation of functional banks in the West. The only "minor" LOL difference was that no real shareholders were owning the banks themselves and they couldn't enjoy the profit. The communist government owned all banks and factories but internally, things worked in a similar way. After the 1989 fall of communism, it was clear to Vaclav Klaus, the main engine behind the Czechoslovak and Czech journey back to capitalism, that companies had to be privatized. Some of them were sold to horny foreign investors, others were voucher privatized to the Czechoslovak and then just Czech public. The latter group was mostly made of the less competitive companies. Consequently, a much higher fraction of those companies were unsurprisingly bankrupt. Klaus hesitated with the privatization of the banking sector. There have also been some unsuccessful attempts to make the banking sector work just fine. The Czech taxpayer had to pay for several bailouts, various buyers were capable of cherry-picking the positive assets while encouraging the rest of their companies with negative assets to go bust (it's the concept of "tunneling" that is so popular as a criticism against capitalism in Czechia). Paradoxically, it was the founder of the modern Czech social democracy Milos Zeman currently reframed as our far right president ;-) by the PC press who started bold steps with the privatization of the Czech banking sector in the late 1990s. All the banks that were large, mattered, and survived were bought by huge European banking houses: CSOB by KBC (Belgium although it has bought ruins of IPB previously owned by Japan's Nomura), Ceska sporitelna by Erste (Austria; C. spor. was the main savings bank for ordinary people during communism and it is still one), Komercni banka by SocGen (France; KB is transformed from the "corporate" part of the State Bank of Czechoslovakia during communism), and Unicredit Bank by its namesake (Italy). I listed them as the fourth largest Czech banks by the 2017 profit. So far, these Western European mothers have worked fine, it's regulated reasonably, too. But there was a growing feeling that we no longer need this leadership and an authentic Czech banking sector may arise. At this moment, Moneta Money Bank is Czechia's #5 bank by profit. It got this cute name some three years ago when General Electric sold it (it was GE Money Bank before that, in the late 1990s GE bought one of the non-profitable banks, Agrobanka). GE made a big mistake in these years, Moneta has been doing much better than GE itself. Moneta has a lot of 1-percentish stockholders now, the ownership structure is very fragmented. There are several rather large stockholders all of which are linked to JPMorgan in one way or another: JPMorgan and its namesakes and daughters control roughly 15-20 percent of Moneta Money Bank. "Moneta" is a great name, I think some "coin" in Italian or something like that. Moneta has the most beloved Internet banking and phone apps in Czechia, commercials with the hairy cynical cat and famous actor Mr Jiri Bartoska as a physician. Also, it decided to attract certain rich consumers by building a charging station for electric vehicles at its branches. The current price of the stock is some CZK 81; the total capitalization is CZK 42 billion. Recent dividends before taxation were CZK 10 and CZK 8 although only CZK 5.5 is expected for this year the dividends are promised to soar again later. The net profit is 4 billion a nice and real P/E=10. There are smaller banks. Starting from the 6th place below Moneta, we have Raiffeisen (Austrian mother, it was rumored in July to buy Moneta, but said it wasn't feeling ready a week ago), J&T Bank (Czech bank, rather sophisticated investment orientation), mBank (Polish, but with the German Commerzbank metaowner, small consumers), Sberbank (Russian mother), Expobank (Russian owner Igor Kim who bought these branches from LBBW/BAWAG, German and Austrian owners), Air Bank (Czech, PPF, see below), Fio Bank (Czech, founded by students of my MathPhys Alma Mater, it has the main e-broker app for small stock traders; the main TV characters are actor Mr Jakub Kohak and his goat Miss Vlasta whom he sleeps with), Equa Bank (Czech-founded, with Malaysian and Italian history, now owned by AnaCap Britons). In this list, Air Bank is special because it's owned by PPF, the global company of the wealthiest Czech and financier Mr Petr Kellner. His net worth is of order $10 billion. PPF and its daughter Home Credit is making lots of profits in China, Russia, and elsewhere. He's made it but his presence on the Czech and Slovak markets is rather limited. (He financially affected me only by funding the Institute of Vaclav Klaus and the food at its parties LOL.) Home Credit CZ+SK and Air Bank are the main horses he owns here. Yesterday, the Prague Stock Exchange was very excited and then very nervous about Moneta's and Kellner's plans to merge Moneta, Home Credit CZ+SK, and Air Bank. Moneta has been discussing acquisitions and mergers for many years. It was ready to be eaten and it was ready to eat, investors with good ears have heard many times. Finally, the Raiffeisen-acquisition has evaporated and what we got was a merger instead. Such a merger would create a huge bank that would be #1 on the Czech markets in some disciplines, like household loans, among top 4 in all disciplines, and could become #1 in several of them. The union would benefit from some "synergy", the added value of "having a union" itself. Moneta would contribute lots of consumers who are connected, great Internet and phone apps. Air Bank would contribute its disruptive culture. At the top of the blog post, you see the "green room for children to play". This is what all the Air Bank branches look like! It's sort of cool, I must admit. The green dogs are chairs for the owner of Air Bank, Petr Kellner, to sit on when he happens to visit. ;-) On top of that, Air Bank has a famous and recognizable TV commercial campaign. In all the ads, you have a somewhat cynical, older, fatter banker from your "old bank" on the left, and the younger, fresh guy in the eye-glasses on the right. The guy from the "old bank" loves fees, catches in contracts, robbing of the consumers in general. The younger guy from Air Bank doesn't have any of it. Isn't it better? All of this converges to the motto of the bank, "Air Bank, even a bank is something you may love". The united bank should be called Air Bank. Well, I like Moneta better but I don't really care much. OK, some numbers about the merger. Recall that EUR 1 = 25.75 or so right now, the crown will keep on strengthening, however. Moneta has the net profit of CZK 4 billion a year, capitalization of CZK 42 billion divided among the CZK 81 stocks, dividends CZK 5.5 for the next year, P/E=10 a year ago (and capitalization/profit=10 still now). Kellner's PPF is selling Home Credit CZ+SK which has the annual net profit of CZK 0.6 billion and Air Bank which had the CZK 0.6 billion profit in 2017, too. But in 2016, it was just CZK 0.2 billion. It's questionable how you should interpret these variable results. You could say that Air Bank is really disruptive and its profits are really "tripling almost every year" which is great that's the optimistic Tesla-style interpretation of the trends. Alternatively, you could say that CZK 0.2 billion was closer to the normal profit and CZK 0.6 billion in 2017 was just a random upward fluke, perhaps a deliberately engineered one. I would simply pick the most obvious compromise. Just take the latest profit, CZK 0.6 billion, and assume it is the mean value for the future, too. In combination, Air Bank and HomeCredit CZ+SK make the profit of some CZK 1.2 billion. Because the capitalization of Moneta is 10 times the profit, I think it's normal to expect that what Moneta devours should have the same ratio. So I think that Air Bank and HomeCredit CZ+SK is simply worth some 12 billion crowns only. However, when merged with Moneta, it would create a 42+12=54 billion crown (capitalization) company. Kellner would be paid over CZK 6 billion in cash plus 24.5% of the new unified company (by newly printed stsocks) which has the value of 54/4 = 13.5 billion. So in total, Kellner would be paid almost 20 billion crowns. For some banking houses that only have the value of 12 billion. So we would clearly be overpaying 8 billion. This is almost 20% of the current capitalization of Moneta, so our existing stocks of Moneta could be expected to drop by a whopping 20% if there were no synergy. I think that JPMorgan and others should simply refuse the offer on the shareholder meeting. Now, the combination of banks with different advantages leads to synergy, saving of expenses, combination of advantages of both (which I sketched above), and so on. But I think it's just plain silly for Moneta to "pay to Kellner" for the synergy. Kellner's banks are supposed to benefit from the expected synergy, too. The deal would clearly be much better for him than for the existing stockholders of Moneta. I would slash at least 20% of what he's expected to get 5 billion in cash plus 20% of the new big bank. As it stands, it looks like another clever way for Kellner to benefit from someone else's. Do people realize that the plan wants to almost double the value of this part of Kellner's assets (from 12 to 20) while the overpayment CZK 8 billion means the 20% reduction of the Moneta shareholders' worth? Is that fair? Yesterday, after some uptick, the Moneta stock price dropped by over 4% at some moment. That's silly, of course: if the deal were agreed to be bad for the current Moneta shareholders which is almost equivalent to the condition that the market price of the Moneta stock would be expected to drop because of the deal then it is almost equivalent to expect that the shareholders would veto the deal at the shareholders' meeting, right? So the deal is either good for us and the stock should go up or it is bad and will be vetoed so the reaction by the stock price should be zero in that case. There's no reason for any drop. And indeed, the drop got reduced from 4.5% to 1.5% at the end of the trading. (Lots of small, financially unsophisticated investors were probably selling near CZK 78.50 because it was mentioned by the media as the "fixed price" of the newly issued stocks for Kellner. First, this assigned price of the new stocks is irrelevant because it's just a part of a justification of the non-cash part of compensation. Second, even if you thought that CZK 78.50 "should be" the value of all stocks because of that, Kellner will get those without the right to dividends in Spring 2019, so his stocks are CZK 5.5 cheaper than those sold at the stock exchange now those stocks "should be" worth CZK 84 with those [unrealistic] assumptions.) I think that the Moneta folks must understand various valuation models and synergy very well. But it seems to me that they got simply brainwashed by Kellner who told them that he is also giving us the synergy and we (Jamie Dimon, your humble correspondent, and a few others LOL) should thank and pay for that. Sorry, it's rubbish: both sides of the deal both parts of the new Moneta should benefit from the synergy which is why they should share its benefits. In fact, I think that Kellner's dependence on the synergy is smaller because Air Bank has such a low and questionable profitability. Kellner's companies offered to Moneta have the value around CZK 12 billion and it's just wrong to pay CZK 20 billion for them. NOTICE: TO BE CLEAR: WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. SIMPLY PUT: IF THE COURT SAW FIT TO EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD,SO WILL WE, FREE OF CHARGE. ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE MERELY ACCUSATIONS,EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW AND CONVICTED. FCRA DISCLAIMER: MUGSHOTS.COM DOES NOT PROVIDE CONSUMER REPORTS AND IS NOT A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY. 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ARCHIVED - 10 more migrants reach Cabo de Palos as the 3-day total in southern Spain tops 2,000 Resources in Andalucia are over-stretched as detention centres reach overflow limits The constant migratory flow from northern Africa to the southern shores of Europe may have slowed in Italy and Malta due to the firm stances adopted by the national governments, but in Spain there are signs that although the numbers being detained in the Mediterranean are already at record levels they may not have reached their peak yet. In the Region of Murcia this autumn is so far seeing little more than a trickle of migrants seeking a new life in the EU, although another 10 were detained on Monday night after reaching Cabo de Palos in a small boat. They were attended to by members of the Red Cross in the local Guardia Civil headquarters before being taken into custody, and all ten were found to be in good health as deportation proceedings begin. But in Andalucia the sheer scale of the migration issue is becoming more and more problematic, and over the three days spanning Saturday, Sunday and Monday the number of people intercepted either at sea or on land after crossing the Mediterranean rose to 2,163. Some of these were in the Region of Murcia, and a few even headed as far north as the island of Formentera in the Balearics, but the majority opted for the shortest crossings and undertook the voyage across the Strait of Gibraltar or towards the coastlines of Cadiz, Malaga, Granada and Almeria. 52 made it to dry land in Chiclana de la Frontera before being intercepted, and one of the more dramatic rescues took place off the coast of Almeria, where 50 Africans were rescued from a craft which is reported to have been in imminent danger of sinking. The International Organization for Migration now places the number of unauthorized migrants arriving in Spain so far this year at 43,371, among whom 38,452 have reached this country by sea, and these figures coincide more or less exactly with those published by the Cruz Roja. Even after only 9 months the figures are already more than 50 per cent higher than in the whole of 2017, while in the province of Cadiz the number of arrivals is already double that of last year at 13,000. Of course the resources of the relevant authorities are becoming insufficient in the face of such numbers, and in Malaga there are moves to open a refugee camp similar to the one which was created in August in Cadiz, although no details have been finalized. The camp in Cadiz has already provided a temporary home for 4,276 migrants (not counting the last few days) while they are held captive and identified during a maximum stay of 72 hours before being relocated while proceedings are initiated to return them to their native countries. There have been criticism of the conditions at this camp, but after a few days many of those arriving are sent to a Red Cross facility in Chiclana de la Frontera. Image 2: maritime rescue service coordinators struggle to keep track of the boats sighted in the Mediterranean Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Region of Murcia and the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/ article_detail --> Phoebe Ellsworth, an artist who will be remembered as a loyal friend with a knack for bringing people together, died Oct. 18 at the age of 84. Tuesday, October 9, 2018 Virginia The pertinent portion of Virginia's postconviction DNA testing statute, VA ST 19.2-327.1(A), states that a defendant can seek postconviction DNA testing if (i) the evidence was not known or available at the time the conviction or adjudication of delinquency became final in the circuit court or the evidence was not previously subjected to testing because the testing procedure was not available at the Department of Forensic Science at the time the conviction or adjudication of delinquency became final in the circuit court; (ii) the evidence is subject to a chain of custody sufficient to establish that the evidence has not been altered, tampered with, or substituted in any way; (iii) the testing is materially relevant, noncumulative, and necessary and may prove the actual innocence of the convicted person or the person adjudicated delinquent; (iv) the testing requested involves a scientific method employed by the Department of Forensic Science; and (v) the person convicted or adjudicated delinquent has not unreasonably delayed the filing of the petition after the evidence or the test for the evidence became available at the Department of Forensic Science. So, where does that leave pleading defendants? Virginia's statute seems to contain no language that distinguishes between defendants convicted after trials and defendants convicted after guilty pleas. Therefore, it seems like pleading defendants can seek postconviction DNA testing in Virginia. Interestingly, Virginia is home to the first DNA exoneree; that exoneree was actually a pleading defendant. In 1989, David Vasquez was the first person who proved his innocence through postconviction DNA testing.In 1984, Carolyn Jean Hamm had been found raped and hanged in her Arlington, Virginia home, with her hands bound behind her with a Venetian blind cord. Detectives subsequently interrogated Vasquez about the crime for hours. Vasquez, who had a sub-70 IQ, eventually admitted to the crime, but he (1) initially said that he tied Hamms hands behind her back with ropes, his belt, and a coat hanger before being told that they were bound with a Venetian blind; and (2) initially said that he stabbed Hamm before being told that she was hanged. After unsuccessfully claiming that his confession was involuntary, Vasquez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and burglary to avoid the death penalty. Subsequent DNA testing established that Timothy Wilson Spencer was guilty of a series of similar crimes that led to him being dubbed the Southside Strangler. Based on the similar modus operandi of these crimes and the likelihood that Spencer had killed Hamm, Virginia Governor Gerald L. Baliles pardoned Vasquez on January 4, 1989. -CM https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/evidenceprof/2018/10/virginia-the-pertinent-portion-of-virginias-postconviction-dna-testing-statute-va-st-192-3271a-states-that-a-defend.html A former employee of the St. Helena Ag Boosters allegedly embezzled more than $78,000, according to charges from the Napa County District Attorney. Kelly Aileen Barfield, 32, is charged with two felony counts related to embezzlement. The District Attorneys office accused Barfield of embezzling the money over a year-long period, according to documents filed Tuesday, Oct. 2 in Napa County Superior Court. The founder of St. Helena Ag Boosters discovered a cashiers check was endorsed by Barfield and deposited into her personal account in March, according to a St. Helena Police Department document filed in court. Barfield has disappeared from the area and has not even spoken with friends or family, according to court documents, and might be in North Carolina. An Oct. 3 call to Barfield seeking comment and emails sent to the St. Helena Ag Boosters were not returned. Courtney can be reached at 707-256-2221. You can send her an anonymous tip, and follow her reporting on Twitter and Facebook. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Supporters of Mayor Alan Galbraith are criticizing his challenger, City Councilmember Geoff Ellsworth, over his alleged intervention in a parking agreement involving the Las Alcobas Hotel. The hotel, which lacks adequate on-site parking, reached an agreement with the nearby St. Helena Seventh-day Adventist Church in May 2017 allowing the hotel to use the churchs parking lot from Sunday through Friday, except when the church is holding a special event like a funeral or a wedding. The agreement remains in effect, but Ellsworths critics are seizing on a June 27, 2017 letter from the hotels managing partner accusing Ellsworth of causing irreparable damage and harm to the hotel by taking active and intentional steps to interfere with the hotels personal and legal relationships with the Church. In particular, we have learned from a representative of the Church that Councilmember Ellsworth recently placed numerous calls to the Church and visited the Church in an attempt to terminate the hotels existing parking agreement and force the Church to discontinue working with the hotel, wrote Guneet Bajwa in a letter to City Attorney Tom Brown. This is not only an attempt by Councilmember Ellsworth to damage the hotels reputation and underlying economic viability, but also a clear violation of the ethical and administrative duties applicable to all elected officials under law. Galbraiths supporters have circulated the letter in emails and Facebook posts. When Bill Ryan raised the issue in a letter to the editor this week, Ellsworth denied the allegation that hed tried to interfere with the parking agreement. I had reached out to the church at the behest of neighbors with concerns about safety and traffic impacts surrounding the parking plan, and to gain information about the churchs plans to address the concerns, Ellsworth wrote. In conversations with the City Attorney in the summer of 2017 regarding Mr. Bajwas letter, it was clear this matter would best be addressed by a Council subcommittee, which has made recommendations to address those issues. The subcommittee was made up of Paul Dohring and Peter White. So I caution readers to consider the sources of the attacks and the branding of me as anti-business. The anti-business allegation was leveled by Galbraith supporter Kim Phinney, who previously filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) over Ellsworths financial disclosure form that showed income from First Stampede LLC, Ellsworths Nevada-based business entity thats been revoked since 2011. The form listed a St. Helena post office box for First Stampede. Ellsworth filed an updated form that omitted any mention of First Stampede, and the FPPC rejected the complaint, which Ellsworth called frivolous. Regarding the hotel parking, Phinney wrote, Yes, I feel that Council Member Ellsworth is not acting ethically or with transparency. His trying to change a previous council decision by acting alone and not in good faith regarding Las Alcobas and their parking agreement with their neighbors, is not ethical. Melanie Ward, secretary and office manager at the St. Helena Seventh-day Adventist Church, said Ellsworth approached her in response to a single neighbors concern and asked her if the church would consider not letting the hotel use the parking lot. I wouldnt say he pressured me, Ward said. She took the matter to the church board and presented the parking agreement as a chance for the church to help the community out. The agreement remained in place. Ward said she had one or two conversations with Ellsworth, and never heard from him again after Bajwa sent his letter. I think Geoff Ellsworth wanted what was best, added Ward, who said she remains neutral in the race between Ellsworth and Galbraith. Im just not sure what he thought the solution was. Ward said the hotel has permission to use 40 spaces at the church and typically uses about 30. The agreement must be renewed every year and would have to be renewed if the hotel is sold, she said. Bajwa confirmed the letters authenticity. Ever since I wrote the letter, (Ellsworth) has stayed away, and I think thats great, he said. Bajwa called the parking agreement a win-win for the hotel and the church. It solves a major problem by putting all our employees there so theres no parking on the street, he said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. St. Helena mayoral candidates Mayor Alan Galbraith and Councilmember Geoff Ellsworth are scheduled to debate on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at St. Helena High School. The questions posed to the candidates will be written and asked by student members of the junior and senior classes. The candidates will have two minutes to respond to each student question, followed by a one-minute rebuttal round and then a 30-second rebuttal round. Marc Luelsdorf, Government class teacher (seniors), and Evan Blasingame, U.S. History teacher (juniors), are working closely with their students to prepare for the upcoming debate. Our students are very aware of current events and have a keen interest in the present and future direction of their city, said Blasingame. Many students have preregistered to vote and are anxious to take a more active role in the political process. The debate is planned as a school assembly for the junior and senior classes only but will be recorded for later viewing by the public on Channel 28 and YouTube. Napa Valley Register Editor Sean Scully will moderate. In preparation for the mayoral debate, City Manager Mark Prestwich visited the high school on Wednesday, Oct. 3, and spoke to a group of junior and senior students, explaining the Council-Manager form of city government. The council is essentially a Board of Directors and I am their CEO, he said. In St. Helena, as in most California cities, the city councils role is to make policy decisions while the city manager assumes the responsibility of the citys day-to-day operations. My job is to implement the city councils policy direction, he said, adding, Im not a policy guy Im an implementation guy. Among the city managers administrative duties is the hiring and firing of all city department heads. The city council is only responsible for the hiring/firing of the city manager and the city fire chief. Regarding the role of the mayor, as apart from those of the other four council members, Prestwich explained that within the typical Council-Manager structure, the mayors role is, by and large, a ceremonial one. Despite common misconceptions by the public, it is the city manager not the mayor who sets the agenda for city council meetings. However, Prestwich prefers to meet twice a month with the mayor and vice-mayor in order to review the agenda for upcoming council meetings seeking their input on the number of items, the order of the items, and the timeframe needed for specific items on each agenda. It is not within the mayors duties as defined by the Citys Municipal Code to add or remove any items from a council meeting agenda. Most agenda items derive from the current Work Plan which is determined by an annual goal-setting process a series of meetings with the council and the public usually held in the beginning of each calendar year. Prestwich said he feels very strongly that it is imperative for him to remain neutral in all interactions with the council and their policy decisions, particularly since during his tenure, he will serve a number of city councils. Im agnostic I work for whoever the five are on the council, he said. The city managers talk, along with the bios and platform statements provided by the mayoral candidates, have equipped the students with the necessary background information to produce the questions for the Oct. 17 debate. In the U.S. History classes, students brainstormed the issues that most concern them, reviewed candidate statements, and discussed the role of the mayor in St. Helena, Blasingame said. I think the questions our pupils will pose to the candidates will provide a new perspective on issues that we all share. St. Helenas voters will want to tune in to see how the candidates respond to the concerns of our youth. Editors Note: Cary Shott is a St. Helena resident and a former staff writer for the St. Helena Star. 19312018 Bob was born at the Granatelli Maternity Home, Napa to Robert P and Ellen M. Yates on April 15, 1931. Bob attended Vallejo schools until the family moved to Napa in 1946 where he attended Napa High School, graduating in 1949. After graduation, Bob worked at the Sunsweet Prune Association as a forklift driver until he joined the Navy on January 2, 1951. After completing Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, Bob was transferred to Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. In November 1951 Bob married his best friend and devoted wife of 67 years, Lorraine (Markt) Yates. Upon the completion of this tour of duty at Pensacola, and after a month as a shoe sales man with Napas J.C. Penny, both agreed that a career in the Navy would be an adventure of a life time and Bob reenlisted. With Lorraine by his side they were stationed around the United States. Bob retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander from the Nuclear Power School, Mare Island in January 1975. After retirement, Bob and Lorraine traveled around the United States in their RV for 10 months. Upon returning home Bob went to work as a Tour Guide for Beringer Winery, retiring in July 1991 as VP of Human Resources. After Bobs second retirement he and Lorraine continued to enjoy traveling the country in their motor home visiting friends, taking their great granddaughter on occasion and making their annual crabbing trip to Charleston, Oregon. Bob served as a member of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Napa, President for the Napa Valley Navy League and worked on several events for the Queen of the Valley Medical Center Foundation. Bob is survived by his loving wife Lorraine, their daughter Roberta (Yates) and husband Dave (Schwarze) grand daughter Amie (Fowler) and great granddaughter Kaila (Fowler). At Bobs request there will be no service. He did say if want to donate to Queen of the Valley Hospital, Collabria or a charity of your choice that you can do. The rash of restaurant closings in the Napa Valley continues. Last Wednesday, a Facebook post announced that Yountvilles Redd Restaurant would close five days later. We had been talking about it for about a week, but it became a reality pretty fast, said Redds general manager, Guy Rebentisch, who has been with the establishment since its beginning. Owned by Chef Richard Reddington and his business partners, the fine-dining establishment opened in 2005 and quickly became a favorite for diners seeking an alternative to the more expensive and time-intensive experience at The French Laundry a few blocks away. Rebentisch cited growing staffing challenges, the lingering impact of the 2017 fires, changes to consumer preferences, unspecified health issues and Reddingtons desire to spend more time with his family as part of the decision to end so quickly. Everyone is dealing with staffing issues its unsustainable, Reddington wrote in a text while traveling. Developers keep building, but they dont work on the ground floor. When asked if work on the ground floor meant that the developers dont live in the valley or if it was that they dont provide or build housing for workers Reddington responded: Yes. Many local independent restaurant operators see the increasing number of hotels and resorts not as a potential for bringing more patrons to their restaurants but instead as a threat to their very existence by diluting their customer base and exacerbating the staffing crisis. How do you compete with these resorts for staff when theres basically no financial limit on their side but a real financial limit on my side, one restaurant owner who asked to remain anonymous recently lamented. Staffing has become the greatest challenge to every restaurant in the Napa Valley, Rebentisch said. First its too expensive to live here for many two of my staff drive in from Sacramento four or five times a week. Beyond that, theres a bidding war for talent right now with all these new places opening up. With many eateries running on skeleton crews already, the ferocity of Napa Valley chefs and restaurant owners who are voicing their dismay is on the increase. Many well-regarded Napa Valley restaurants have closed in 2018 Terra, Cindys Backstreet Kitchen, Brannans, Hurleys, Redd and each has stated the lack of qualified workers as one of the reasons (if not the reason) for their shuttering or sale. Beyond the challenges of getting and keeping staff, Rebentisch points to changes in tourist preferences. In general, many of the people visiting the valley seem less interested in fine dining than they once were, he said. More and more are wanting fast casual options and going to wine-tastings with food at a few different wineries instead of just one restaurant. The 2017 fires are still having an impact. Business hasnt really ever come back as much as wed hope since the fires, Rebentisch said. However, to what extent the fires actually had on the final decision to close Redd, I cant say. The loss of Redd is a sting to the Napa Valley. Reddington is a master chef who created some of the finest food in the valley, having trained and worked at some of the most iconic California restaurants Auberge du Soleil, Jardiniere, Masas and Spago in Los Angeles, to name a few. But Reddington and Redd were more than that it was also an establishment dedicated to supporting the next generation of aspiring chefs and wine professionals. The valley has lost an icon of innovative and satisfying food but also a social mecca where both the top and the up-and-coming local and international wine industry people would hang out and interact, said Chris Blanchard, a master sommelier who worked as Redds first wine director from 2005 to 2008. It was truly the most successful opening Ive ever been a part of and the most exciting restaurant Ive ever worked with. It reminded me of Stars in San Francisco back in the 80s. Blanchard points to the wineries as having a role in the challenges restaurants are now facing. Redds closing says a lot about the changing dynamics of dining in the valley, he said. Restaurants have to compete with so many wineries that are now offering food pairings and lunches, with in-house chefs creating menus to keep their visitors engaged. Tourists arent necessarily interested in a big dinner or fancy lunch when they can have a food experience at the winery. Its really tough on restaurants now. Redd may have closed, but Reddington is not done with the Napa Valley just yet. Exploring other options in the area and also here (New York) but still keeping the house in Yountville and Redd Wood he wrote. His second restaurant, Redd Wood, also in Yountville, serves more casual meals, including pizza. When asked what Rebentisch plans for his next adventure, he shook his head. Im not exactly sure, but Ive been doing this for 45 years, and so I am considering retirement, he said. But, then again, I cant really see myself sitting around not after a lifetime in this business. Robert Mondavi Winery, the Napa Valley Film Festival and Chef Tyler Florence will join forces to host a dinner and screening fundraiser one year after the 2017 Northern California wildfires. The evening will feature a three-course meal prepared by Florence and Robert Mondavi Winery executive chef Jeff Mosher and a screening of Florences new documentary film, Uncrushable, which highlights the heroism, humanity and resiliency of the affected wine country communities. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Napa Valley Community Foundation to assist with continued wildfire relief efforts. The event begins at 5:30 on Friday, Nov. 9, at the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville on Friday, Nov. 9 and coincides with the Napa Valley Film Festivals five-day run from Nov. 7-11. The film screening will commence at 8:00 p.m., with a question and answer session featuring immediately following. It is important that we continue to acknowledge how the 2017 wildfires impacted so many lives, and that we support and celebrate our resilient communities, said Brenda Lhormer, NVFF co-founder and director. We are grateful to Robert Mondavi Winery and Tyler Florence for partnering with us to host this very special benefit dinner and screening. We know that Uncrushable will make a lasting impact on dinner guests and festival audiences alike. A limited number of individual tickets for the winery dinner and screening are available at $500 per person. Call the Napa Valley Film Festival at 707-226-7500 for tickets and information. Editor's note: The original version of this story incorrectly stated said that Dr. Steven L. Katz of Napa was accused by the California Attorney General's office of forging a letter incorrectly reporting that he was practicing medicine at least 40 hours per month, as required by an earlier probation imposed by the Medical Board of California. Instead, the accusation says that he provided a letter to state officials, apparently signed by a Novato doctor, saying Katz was actively seeing patients as part of his practice. That information later proved to be incorrect and the doctor told investigators that "he believes that Respondent [Dr. Katz] wrote the letter and he signed it." The letter was part of the Attorney General's accusation that Katz's conduct "constitutes unprofessional conduct, dishonest acts, and knowingly signing a certificate or document directly or indirectly related to the practice of medicine which falsely represents the existence or nonexistence of a state of facts" and that Katz "repeatedly represented to the Board, verbally and in writing that he was practicing medicine, when in fact he was merely observing another physician practice." A local doctor, best known for a malpractice case in which he transferred the wrong embryos into the wrong woman and then tried to cover it up, faces the loss of his medical license yet again. Steven L. Katz, M.D., who recently moved to Napa, has been accused of unprofessional conduct and dishonesty and failure to comply with his probation conditions. The accusation was filed by the Medical Board of California on Sept. 25. According to the accusation, in November 2017, Katz provided a letter to state officials that stated he was actively working as a physician, a requirement of his probation. In reality, he was not, the board asserts. Reached by phone on Monday, Katz declined to comment except to note that he does not practice medicine or see patients in Napa. This isnt the first time the medical board has moved to stop Katz who specializes in infertility and reproductive endocrinology from practicing as a physician. In 2004, Katz made national news when it was discovered that he mistakenly transferred three fresh embryos that belonged to a patient identified as D.B. into a patient identified as S.B. The accident happened on June 15, 2000 during a procedure in his San Francisco office. Patient S.B.s name was later disclosed as Susan Buchweitz. The embryos were created using D.B.s husbands sperm and donor eggs. Within 10 minutes of the mistaken transfer, Katz learned of the mistake, state medical board documents stated. However, he did not tell Buchweitz of the error. About 30 minutes later, Patient D.B. was scheduled to receive three of her fresh embryos. Because her fresh embryos were no longer available, Katz implanted three of her frozen embryos in her instead. He did not tell D.B. about the mix-up or about the need to use her frozen embryos. Katz then created false records about the mix-up, attempting to hide the error. He lied to his staff, falsely billed for procedures, altered records and continued to deceive the two women, said the medical board. Both women became pregnant from the procedures. In February 2001, Buchweitz had a boy and D.B. had a girl. More than a year later, after the state medical board began investigating, the two women found out the truth of what happened. Patient D.B. and her husband, considering the boy their own son, began a costly legal battle with Buchweitz, according to state medical board documents. D.B.s husband was granted visitation rights with the boy. The couple moved from Del Norte County to the San Francisco area to be closer to the boy. In 2005, the board revoked Katzs license, citing gross negligence, serious misconduct and dishonest and corrupt behavior. In 2008, Katz asked for his license to be reinstated. The board said no. In 2013, Katz again asked for reinstatement. The board allowed his license to be reinstated but placed him on probation for five years. Part of that probation required Katz to actually practice medicine. The physician said for two years he was unable to find work. However, in 2017, Katz told his probation inspector that he started seeing patients today, with Dr. B, a male infertility specialist and urologist with an office in Novato. His probation inspector later found that Katz had reportedly provided a letter from Dr. B, incorrectly saying that he was practicing medicine seeing patients, including women for about 40 hours a month. In reality, Katz was only observing, like a medical student or visiting colleague would, said Dr. B. Katz was in the office only about 14 hours per month. The state medical board will next decide whether to revoke Katz probation, revoke his license or other consequences. Katz works today as the CEO and Founder of REI Protect. REI Protect has partnered with The Doctors Company of Napa to provide comprehensive, consistent insurance coverage to infertility medical practices and IVF laboratories across the country. Katz attended Cornell University Medical College and from 1993 to 1995 worked at UCSF. He was board certified in obstetrics and gynecology in 1996. In 1996 he opened his own practice, Fertility Associates of the Bay Area, where the mix-up took place. Both D.B. and Buchweitz received a settlement from Katz malpractice insurance. According to a statement from his psychologist, Katz admitted that his error was a horrible mistake. For the past 14 years, he has had to adjust his life (knowing) the vast implications and how he has affected so many other peoples lives, his psychologist wrote. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Jose Ceja of Napa captured the day Saturday at the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival Weigh-Off. His pumpkin weighed in at 2,138 pounds, a California state record. The former record holder was Josiah Brandt, of Rudolph, Wisconsin, who brought a 2,095-pound pumpkin to the weigh-off in 2017. The festival paid Ceja a cash prize of $14,996 $7 a pound for his winner. Ceja has been competing in the Elk Grove weigh-off for 20 years. He also took the title in 2004 with a 989-pound entry. Ceja said he felt relieved and happy when he saw the official weight on the scale. Its nice to have the biggest pumpkin in California after so much hard work. His pumpkin grew to be over one ton in just 106 days. It was not easy. Ceja said to grow giants like this, you need good soil, a good seed, and a lot of luck from God. Cejas family attended the weigh-off. We are so very proud and excited for him this year, his daughter, Elizabeth Ceja said in an email. He pours his heart and soul into these pumpkins and its nice to see all his work finally pay off. More than 50 gigantic gourds were carefully moved with a forklift to a special scale on Saturday in Elk Grove Regional Park. Pumpkin growers from all over California and beyond posed with their pumpkins for photos after the weights were taken. The pumpkin entries ranged in color, size and shape. Ceja nicknamed his pumpkin the camel because of the large hump on top. Brandt took second place with a pumpkin weighing 2,077 pounds. His pumpkin will be involved in another unique record at the festival. Three world-renowned pumpkin carvers will sculpt it into a giant jack-o-lantern for a Guinness World Records official attempt. A handful of the smaller, 600- to 1,000-pound pumpkins will be hollowed and carved into pumpkin boats for the festivals Pumpkin Regatta Sunday at noon. The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is organized by the Cosumnes CSD Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with many sponsors. A portion of festival proceeds benefit local youth and service organizations. In 2017, the festival attracted an estimated 50,000 people. At an emergency shelter in Napa, fathers as well as mothers will soon be welcome. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa will convert Rainbow House in the 1200 block of Jefferson Street from transitional housing for homeless women and children to an emergency shelter, which will accept families with at least one child under 18. The conversion, which won approval Thursday from the city Planning Commission, also will open the facility to male as well as female parents, with a maximum stay of 180 days. Changing the admission policy is meant to lower the barrier to families searching for permanent housing, in line with the growing trend of cities and counties making rapid re-housing of homeless people a top priority, according to Cynthia Rebullida, manager of Napa programs for Catholic Charities, which operates Rainbow House. Catholic Charities wants to work with the most vulnerable population in the community, wherever the need is, she told planners at City Hall. Referrals to the overhauled Rainbow House program will be made through Napa Countys Health and Human Services department, and families will receive case management from Abode Services, which took over the countys shelter operations in 2017. Other than minor exterior and interior fixes, no changes are planned to the size or layout of the two Rainbow House buildings, which together hold 43 beds, according to Catholic Charities. The 27-bed yellow house that will become Rainbow Houses family facility occupies one of the houses and includes shared kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, living rooms and a backyard, along with curbside parking on the west shoulder of Jefferson Street near Calistoga Avenue. Sixteen beds at the programs red house will remain available for women and children, according to Rebullida. Rainbow House is composed of two houses built in 1897 and 1900. An earlier shelter for pregnant women, Choix de Vie, opened at the site in 1990, and Catholic Charities took over the program in 1994, Rebullida said Monday. The buildings were renovated in 2011 for seismic and fire safety. Opening Rainbow House to two-parent families would fill a need created by the shutdown of Napa Countys former family shelter, the Samaritan Family Center on Old Sonoma Road, according to Nui Bezaire, the countys coordinator of homeless services. Samaritan closed in September 2017 after an inspection conducted ahead of its possible purchase of the shelter turned up mold, which led to the transfer of seven families to the former Health and Human Services campus down the road. All of those families have since been re-housed, Bezaire said Monday. County officials later decided not to buy the Samaritan property from Community Action Napa Valley (CANV), the previous coordinator of Napa-area homeless services, citing the high cost of upgrades and repairs. CANV has renovated the Samaritan site, and a subcommittee on Tuesday will discuss whether to reopen the shelter to families or house individual clients instead, according to Executive Director Drene Johnson. Elsewhere, Napa Emergency Womens Services oversees 12 emergency shelter beds for families fleeing domestic violence, according to Bezaire. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. While voters in Bhutan on October 18 will choose between Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) to lead the new government, it is going to be a tight ropewalk for the party which will come to power in the Himalayan Kingdom. In the first round of National Assembly election, which was held on September 15, the DNT came first with 31.5 percent votes, followed by DPT with 30.6 percent support of the electorates. Now, DNT and DPT will fight the second round of electoral battle on October 18 to choose the new party to lead the new government in Bhutan. By now, both DPT and DNT leadership must have realized that if voted to power, keeping everyone happy for the next five years is crucial to return to power. The short electoral history of Bhutan shows that the voters are always in the mood to change the incumbent government in the general election. While anti-incumbency is an important factor in electoral politics in a democratic set up, since 2008 the Himalayan Kingdom has voted out two incumbent political parties. The first National Assembly election was held in 2008 in Bhutan, and the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) registered 67.07 percent vote, and won 45 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly. While Jigme Thinley became the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Bhutan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the opposition party with only two seats. In 2013 election, DPT won only 15 seats, while the PDP, which was in the opposition, came to power with 32 seats. Tshering Tobgay, an environmentalist and a cultural advocate became the second democratically elected Prime Minister of Bhutan. With voters coming out in large numbers in the first round of the National Assembly election held on September 15, PDP was defeated and even failed to qualify for the final round of Bhutans third National Assembly elections. Nearly 66 percent of the electorate cast their votes in the first roundhigher than the 55.3 percent turnout in the primary round in 2013. Tshering Tobgays PDP came a poor third with only 27.2 percent of votes, and was knocked out from the final round of elections to the National Assembly on October 18. In Bhutan, only two top political parties of the first round can take part in the final round of general elections. Knocking out of the incumbent parties in the first round of National Assembly elections DPT in 2013 and PDP in 2018, is a clear indicator that electorates are highly sensitive and have sky-scraping expectations from the government. Even in the National Council election held in April this year, the electorates gave clear indication that they are for a change, and only five out of the 25 member in the upper house, were re-elected. After being in the opposition for five years from 2013, this time, DPT has again emerged as a strong contender in the fray, and it will have to convince the electorates that if voted to power, it would rectify its earlier mistakes and would ensure better services across Bhutan. The DNT, which was knocked out in the primary round in 2013, emerged as the strongest party in October 18 elections. There are 4, 38,663 registered voters in Bhutan. While campaigning is getting intensified, DNT party chief Lotay Tshering, a urologist, is campaigning for equal distribution of wealth and promised to fight the problem of unemployment. The DPT is also trying its best to gain its lost grounds across Bhutan. Bhutan may be just 10 years old in the format of electoral democracy, but anti-incumbency factor plays important role in every elections. So, whosoever wins the DPT or the DNT, the next five years term is going to be a tight ropewalk. Ahead of the Bhutan elections, the Himalayan nation has issued a notification stating that Indians, who wish to visit the neighbouring country, will have to carry either voter ID cards or passports for entry permits from January 1. The office of the Indian consulate-general in Bhutans Phuentsholing has issued a notification, saying from January 1, it will stop giving identification certificates to Indians to visit the Himalayan nation and they will have to carry either voter ID cards or passports for entry permits, The Telegraph reported. Presently, Indians with documents like driving licences, Aadhaar and ration cards are accepted at Phuentsholing on the Bengal border for entering in the country. Based on those papers, the consular authorities would issue identification certificates to the Indians who would then approach the immigration office of Bhutan for entry permits. The notification was issued by Rahul Yadav, a consul at the consulate general of Indias office, on October 5. From January 1 next year, every Indian has to carry either a voter ID card or a passport to prove they are Indian citizens. We are stopping the practice of issuing identification certificates. They can go to the immigration office of Bhutan and obtain entry permits, Telegraph quoted Yadav as saying. Sources in the consulate generals office said the decision had been taken as there was no system in place to check the authenticity of some documents submitted for the identification certificates. On many occasions, applicants are asked to stay back for a couple of days to confirm if their identity documents are original. But they insist on the immediate delivery of identification certificates, saying they have hotel reservations in Bhutan, said a source. From October 15 till Diwali, sources said, at least 5,000 tourists from India would visit Bhutan every day. The decision has, however, left stakeholders of the tourism industry worried. Norway Ambassador to India Nils Ragnar Kamsvag on Monday evening called on Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Circuit House and discussed with him about collaboration in the field of agriculture, pisciculture, horticulture, power and issues concerning mutual interests of both Norway and Assam. The Norwegian envoy told Assam Chief Minister Sonowal about his countrys intensive research on raising climate resilient plant species to aid agricultural sector of his country. Kamsvag expressed his keen interest in sharing the technology with Assam to help the latter to raise plant species to withstand adverse climatic conditions. They also discussed Norway-Assams mutual interests where investment is required for the benefits of both the geographical entities. The Norwegian Ambassador said that since Assam has immense potential for growth, he would convince the Norwegian companies to investment in Assam. The Ambassador also vowed to increase mutual reciprocity programme with Assam. Chief Minister Sonowal apprised Nils Ragnar Kamsvag of the States potentials in the fields of tourism and hospitality industry, organic farming, small scale hydro-electricity, Information Technology, etc. where the scope of mutual reciprocity can be used to harness these sectors. Minister of State for Labour and Employment Pallab Lochan Das was also present at the interactive meeting. It also does not reflect the views of the Firm of which the Author is working for. Since the inception of this blog, the Author has avoided writing views and opinions of his clients or views and opinions which third parties has paid him to write. The Author has maintained editorial independence since Day One. Any individual or group affected by the opinions and views of the Author can write the author thru mangubat.patricio@gmail.com. Opinions and views expressed in this blog are personal views of the Author and does not involve organisations and companies being serviced by the Author as part of his profession as a Strategic Communications professional. IHA news agency of Turkey has reflected on the only still-standing Armenian Savior Monastery in Trabzon Province of the country. Ismail Kose, a lecturer at the International Relations Department of Karadeniz (Black Sea) Technical University, told IHA that a large number of Armenians used to live in Trabzon Province in the past. There were 100 to 200 churches and monasteries in the province, he said. [But] now many monasteries have ended up in the land plots of some persons. The Turkish lecturer stressed that the frescoes inside Armenian Savior Monastery in Ortahisar district in Trabzon Province are very similar to those inside the Hagia Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Trabzon town. There are a large number of Armenian cross-stones outside the monastery, Kose added. The Savior Monastery was built in 1424 by Stepan Baghdasar. The monastery was quite large; but today, only this building is left. IHA, in its turn, highlighted that this building is also on the brink of collapse. Armenia FM: Peace cannot be achieved by the good will of one party alone Armenian and Chinese governments sign agreement on technical-economic cooperation Armenia Prosecutor General's Office launches case on Azerbaijani army trespassing state border Russian and Turkish MFAs discuss launch of '3+3' advisory mechanism in South Caucasus Armenia parliament majority faction has new secretary NEWS.am daily digest: 15.11.21 Armenia MP: Armenian community is one of the most active communities in Ukraine's public-political life Baku proclaims occupied sections of Armenia's territory as 'sovereign territory of Azerbaijan' Armenia finance minister receives Asian Development Bank delegation Armenian MFA: Armenia-EU Common Aviation Agreement signed Advocate: Armenia's ex-police chief is acquitted Armen Gevorgyan to attend 9th Meeting of CIS Security Council Secretaries in Moscow Armenia parliament's opposition factions to hold special plenary session today at 8 p.m. Armenia PM introduces newly appointed Defense Minister Suren Papikyan to the top military officials Armenia emergency situations minister meets with Georgia's Charge d'Affaires Armenia PM, World Bank vice president discuss priorities of partnership Armenia woman, 28, dies of Covid 11 days after giving birth Ukraine MP: Armenians and Ukrainians are fraternal peoples, and this is irrefutable Armenian Ambassador on Zelensky's visit to Armenia Dollar gains value in Armenia Ambassador: Armenia-Ukraine relations are progressing Opposition 'Armenia' faction MP Artur Sargsyan is arrested Azerbaijani opposition party member sentenced to 10 years in jail for criticizing the government Hraparak.am: Armenia army General Staff chief has been charged EU believes Brussels needs to negotiate with Moscow over price of natural gas Armenia ombudsman: Priority task is removal of Azerbaijan soldiers from near our villages, roads PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's brother dies from COVID-19 Lukashenko says migrants on border don't want to go back to their countries Ukrainian MPs visit Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex Armenia 2nd President's son: My father didn't meet with Nikol Pashinyan Armenia Deputy PM receives World Bank Vice-President Armenian side holding talks to resume search for remains of those fallen in Artsakh war last year Security Council: 4 combat positions of Armenia army were under Azerbaijan blockade 168.am: Armenia PM ex-spokeswoman to be appointed defense minister spokesperson PM: Azerbaijan troops have invaded Armenia territory Armenia deputy PM Suren Papikyan is appointed defense minister Fatal hit-and-run occurs in Yerevan Karabakh President visits Askeran region Commander of Russia peacekeepers in Artsakh participates in Geographical Dictation international education campaign Yerevan man, 54, found dead in house, there are traces of violence on his face Number of people over age of 18 vaccinated against Covid reaches about 1 million in Armenia Armenia to partake in CSTO special forces military exercises in Tajikistan 378 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh ensure over 4,000 vehicles safe passage through Lachin corridor in 1 month About 100 people injured in 2 earthquakes in southern Iran Armenia Central Electoral Commission issues preliminary results of local elections World gold prices going down World oil prices dropping Russia creates spacecraft for space tourism Poll: Biden approval rating reaches lowest level since inauguration Mayor of Armenias Chakaten village: No one called, came from the authorities Parsyan on Azerbaijan checkpoint at Chakaten village section: 7-8 km road to reach Kapan will become 150 km Armenia local elections: Ruling party wins in Ijevan Azerbaijan to set up checkpoint on Armenias Kapan-Chakaten motorway as of 12am Monday Mayor of Armenias Kapan: This was victory of dignity Armenia local elections: Incumbent mayors victory is celebrated at opposition bloc headquarters in Kapan Poland police say group of 50 migrants broke through border with Belarus Armenia local elections: Final voter turnout at 47.4% as of 8pm Armenia local elections: Incumbent mayor clear leader in Kapan city, preliminary results say Queen Elizabeth misses Remembrance Sunday service after back sprain Muammar Gaddafi's son to run for Libya president Armenia MOD: Situation relatively stabilized at eastern part of border with Azerbaijan At least one person killed after 2 strong quakes strike southern Iran Armenia local elections: Voter turnout at 38.38% as of 5pm Armenia FM to head for Brussels Putin: Europe itself is to blame for thousands of migrants going there Azerbaijan army attempts to secure positional advance in eastern direction of Armenia border Several climate issues were not addressed during COP26, UN Secretary General says Armenia local elections: Voter turnout at 25.71% as of 2pm Putin to address Russia MFA board enlarged meeting next week Artsakh ex-ombudsman: UN Human Rights Committee advised Armenia not to deploy police troops at peaceful assemblies Zakharova: UK has no right to accuse anyone of refugee situation on Poland-Belarus border Armenia local elections: Voter turnout at 10.3% as of 11am 2 more persons die of coronavirus in Artsakh Armenia pizzeria chain restaurants reopen after mass food poisoning Bulgaria holding presidential, snap parliamentary elections Russia, Turkey discussing possibility of jointly manufacturing weapons Azerbaijanis set up shack near Armenias Chakaten village, says mayor Earthquake hits Armenia-Georgia border zone EEU countries approve roadmap for industrial cooperation until 2025 882 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Mayor of Armenias Kapan: Road at Chakaten village is now used in same mode Potentially dangerous asteroid approaching Earth is discovered At least 13 Syria soldiers, fighters killed in fight against terrorists in Deir ez-Zor Governorate Armenia local elections continue One dead after accident on Yerevan-Meghri motorway US conducts joint drills with Ukraine, Turkey and Romania in the Black Sea US authorities unseal oil reserves to stabilize market prices UNICEF reports increase in number of child marriages in Afghanistan COAF, US Embassy, Armenia's ministry sign three-year Memorandum of Understanding Search work to find bodies of those killed in Artsakh suspended since October 18 itizen who threw a grenade near Shushi is in Artsakh Investigative Committee Armenian Defense Ministry: Azerbaijanis opened fire on Armenian positions in the direction of Verin Shorzha Azerbaijan says three people injured due to explosives incident Bloomberg: US authorities rejected Intel's proposal to increase chip production in China Stepanakert-Berdzor road is temporarily closed US and Japan begin consultations to solve the problem of overproduction of steel Russia creates unified satellite communication system for UAVs Artsakh NSS: No injured among Artsakh citizens 1,251 new cases of coronavirus infection registered in Armenia per day Armenia Parliament Speaker assures that new defense minister will be the best one in Armenian history Armenia FM: Peace cannot be achieved by the good will of one party alone Armenian and Chinese governments sign agreement on technical-economic cooperation Armenia Prosecutor General's Office launches case on Azerbaijani army trespassing state border Russian and Turkish MFAs discuss launch of '3+3' advisory mechanism in South Caucasus Armenia parliament majority faction has new secretary NEWS.am daily digest: 15.11.21 Armenia MP: Armenian community is one of the most active communities in Ukraine's public-political life Baku proclaims occupied sections of Armenia's territory as 'sovereign territory of Azerbaijan' Armenia finance minister receives Asian Development Bank delegation Armenian MFA: Armenia-EU Common Aviation Agreement signed Advocate: Armenia's ex-police chief is acquitted Armen Gevorgyan to attend 9th Meeting of CIS Security Council Secretaries in Moscow Armenia parliament's opposition factions to hold special plenary session today at 8 p.m. Armenia PM introduces newly appointed Defense Minister Suren Papikyan to the top military officials Armenia emergency situations minister meets with Georgia's Charge d'Affaires Armenia PM, World Bank vice president discuss priorities of partnership Armenia woman, 28, dies of Covid 11 days after giving birth Ukraine MP: Armenians and Ukrainians are fraternal peoples, and this is irrefutable Armenian Ambassador on Zelensky's visit to Armenia Dollar gains value in Armenia Ambassador: Armenia-Ukraine relations are progressing Opposition 'Armenia' faction MP Artur Sargsyan is arrested Azerbaijani opposition party member sentenced to 10 years in jail for criticizing the government Hraparak.am: Armenia army General Staff chief has been charged EU believes Brussels needs to negotiate with Moscow over price of natural gas Armenia ombudsman: Priority task is removal of Azerbaijan soldiers from near our villages, roads PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's brother dies from COVID-19 Lukashenko says migrants on border don't want to go back to their countries Ukrainian MPs visit Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex Armenia 2nd President's son: My father didn't meet with Nikol Pashinyan Armenia Deputy PM receives World Bank Vice-President Armenian side holding talks to resume search for remains of those fallen in Artsakh war last year Security Council: 4 combat positions of Armenia army were under Azerbaijan blockade 168.am: Armenia PM ex-spokeswoman to be appointed defense minister spokesperson PM: Azerbaijan troops have invaded Armenia territory Armenia deputy PM Suren Papikyan is appointed defense minister Fatal hit-and-run occurs in Yerevan Karabakh President visits Askeran region Commander of Russia peacekeepers in Artsakh participates in Geographical Dictation international education campaign Yerevan man, 54, found dead in house, there are traces of violence on his face Number of people over age of 18 vaccinated against Covid reaches about 1 million in Armenia Armenia to partake in CSTO special forces military exercises in Tajikistan 378 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh ensure over 4,000 vehicles safe passage through Lachin corridor in 1 month About 100 people injured in 2 earthquakes in southern Iran Armenia Central Electoral Commission issues preliminary results of local elections World gold prices going down World oil prices dropping Russia creates spacecraft for space tourism Poll: Biden approval rating reaches lowest level since inauguration Mayor of Armenias Chakaten village: No one called, came from the authorities Parsyan on Azerbaijan checkpoint at Chakaten village section: 7-8 km road to reach Kapan will become 150 km Armenia local elections: Ruling party wins in Ijevan Azerbaijan to set up checkpoint on Armenias Kapan-Chakaten motorway as of 12am Monday Mayor of Armenias Kapan: This was victory of dignity Armenia local elections: Incumbent mayors victory is celebrated at opposition bloc headquarters in Kapan Poland police say group of 50 migrants broke through border with Belarus Armenia local elections: Final voter turnout at 47.4% as of 8pm Armenia local elections: Incumbent mayor clear leader in Kapan city, preliminary results say Queen Elizabeth misses Remembrance Sunday service after back sprain Muammar Gaddafi's son to run for Libya president Armenia MOD: Situation relatively stabilized at eastern part of border with Azerbaijan At least one person killed after 2 strong quakes strike southern Iran Armenia local elections: Voter turnout at 38.38% as of 5pm Armenia FM to head for Brussels Putin: Europe itself is to blame for thousands of migrants going there Azerbaijan army attempts to secure positional advance in eastern direction of Armenia border Several climate issues were not addressed during COP26, UN Secretary General says Armenia local elections: Voter turnout at 25.71% as of 2pm Putin to address Russia MFA board enlarged meeting next week Artsakh ex-ombudsman: UN Human Rights Committee advised Armenia not to deploy police troops at peaceful assemblies Zakharova: UK has no right to accuse anyone of refugee situation on Poland-Belarus border Armenia local elections: Voter turnout at 10.3% as of 11am 2 more persons die of coronavirus in Artsakh Armenia pizzeria chain restaurants reopen after mass food poisoning Bulgaria holding presidential, snap parliamentary elections Russia, Turkey discussing possibility of jointly manufacturing weapons Azerbaijanis set up shack near Armenias Chakaten village, says mayor Earthquake hits Armenia-Georgia border zone EEU countries approve roadmap for industrial cooperation until 2025 882 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Mayor of Armenias Kapan: Road at Chakaten village is now used in same mode Potentially dangerous asteroid approaching Earth is discovered At least 13 Syria soldiers, fighters killed in fight against terrorists in Deir ez-Zor Governorate Armenia local elections continue One dead after accident on Yerevan-Meghri motorway US conducts joint drills with Ukraine, Turkey and Romania in the Black Sea US authorities unseal oil reserves to stabilize market prices UNICEF reports increase in number of child marriages in Afghanistan COAF, US Embassy, Armenia's ministry sign three-year Memorandum of Understanding Search work to find bodies of those killed in Artsakh suspended since October 18 itizen who threw a grenade near Shushi is in Artsakh Investigative Committee Armenian Defense Ministry: Azerbaijanis opened fire on Armenian positions in the direction of Verin Shorzha Azerbaijan says three people injured due to explosives incident Bloomberg: US authorities rejected Intel's proposal to increase chip production in China Stepanakert-Berdzor road is temporarily closed US and Japan begin consultations to solve the problem of overproduction of steel Russia creates unified satellite communication system for UAVs Artsakh NSS: No injured among Artsakh citizens Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Islamists and jihadists in Egypt have targeted the Egyptian Coptic minorities for decades with bombings and mob attacks on Coptic churches, businesses and homes. Many are sanctioned by fatwas from radicalclerics, Salafist preachers and Muslim Brotherhood muftis. The latest attack took place Sept. 1 in Dimshaw, a village in southern Egypt's Minya governorate. A mob of nearly 1,000 Islamists and Muslim radicals attacked Christians who gathered in a home to pray. Several homes reportedly were looted and set on fire. The mob claimed that the Christians didn't have a license, and a rumor spread that they are on the verge of building a new church. A Minya court released 21 of the 25 people arrested in the attack. Copts often take a passive approach to such crises. "Copts, by nature and by belief, are by far more accepting of death, fate, and all tragedies that befall them," said Egyptian writer and political analyst Azza Sedky. "When one of them dies, they believe he or she has gone to a 'better place.' Acceptance is key." The 1956 Suez crisis generated xenophobia toward foreigners, driving many out of Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood stepped up activities around that time and "began to play [its] tricks and the antagonism [against religious minorities] intensified, especially in rural areas," she said. Spreading rumors is a long-standing tactic for the Muslim Brotherhood. In 1947, for example, a Cairo police officer tried to stop an unlicensed Brotherhood political march. The protesters then spread a rumor that the officer tore a copy of the Quran, which triggered a riot in which he was killed. Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna blamed the slain police officer for not acting prudently. A rumor spread by the Muslim Brotherhood in 1952 claimed that Copts in Suez were colluding with British occupation forces to kill Muslims. As a result, a mob stormed the city and burned several Copts alive, later throwing their bodies into a church which was then burned down. The "Suez Massacre" marked the beginning of a long series of assaults and killings of Copts based on rumors spread by Brotherhood and other Islamists. Rumors spread by Islamists claimed that Copts were importing arms from Israel and storing them in churches. Since the June 2013 Revolution, Egypt's Christians have been blamed for Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi's ouster, with Islamists leaders vowing that Christians will pay the price. They carried through on those threats in August 2013, immediately after the Egyptian army wiped out the Brotherhood's Rabaa armed encampment. Islamists torched 66 Coptic owned buildings, including 49 churches. Major attacks against Copts continued. A December 2016 bombing at Cairo's St. Mark Church during Sunday Mass killed 29 people and injured 48 others. A twin bombing four months later targeted a Palm Sunday service the St. Mark Church in Alexandria and St. George Church in the Nile Delta City of Tanta north of Cairo. At least 45 people were killed and 126 injured. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi immediately ordered that the targeted churches be rebuilt or repaired, sending a message that the government will protect its citizens. Nevertheless, that message has not yet led to stricter enforcement of laws on assailants and radicals who incite violence. A new church building law aimed at helping Copts may actually create harm, said Mohamed Abu Hamed, the deputy head of the Egyptian Parliament's "Solidarity Committee," which is designated to introduce laws and recommendations for social justice. The law should have applied to all places of worship, he said, but covers only church construction. Attacks on Copts have decreased in recent years after efforts to round up Islamist leaders, and Egyptian police raids on terrorist cells. Copts, however, still represent a top target for Islamists who don't believe that this minority should have the same rights and freedom to worship. The latest attack on Christians in Minya may indicate a return to a pattern of attacking Copts during prayers services. In July 2015, radicals attacked a house designated to the Copts as a church. Salafi radicals stoned those gathered, but fled when security forces arrived. They came back and threw Molotov cocktails at the gathered Copts. For decades, local authorities approved "customary reconciliations" to resolve disputes, including those between Muslims and Christians. Community leaders, heads of families, tribe leaders and local authority figures meet to try to resolve conflicts without going to court. But they don't always produce just outcomes, Abu Hamed said. "Despite the existence of an old judicial system that dates back to the times of the pharaohs, authorities still utilize the so called 'customary reconciliations' instead of applying the laws which is a blatant breach of the constitution and rule of law. What makes it worse is that these meetings are attended by security authorities, political leaders and governors among others," he said. "Some authority figures believe these meetings create a sort of equilibrium, or it provides them with political and social leverage. The second reason is they believe it is the easier way to contain matters in face of the Salafist groups and radicals." On a similar note, Coptic Bishop Macarius rejected all forms of unofficial reconciliation. Conditions for Copts are improving despite these troubles, Sedky said, noting that "Sisi was the first president to attend mass on Christmas Eve in Egypt," a groundbreaking action countering Salafists who tell Egyptians not to shake hands with Copts. "However, as [with] everything else," she said, "it will take generations to overcome an ingrained hatred that was left to flourish for years." The current atmosphere is still ripe for the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists to spew their poisonous ideologies, lies and rumors, Abu Hamed said. He blames a tepid effort from Al Azhar Sunni Islam's most prestigious institution to reform religious curriculum; a significant Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi presence in key positions within state religious institutions; and Muslim Brotherhood control of mosques which spread hateful ideology despite a state ban. Until that reform happens, Egypt's Coptic population will remain threatened by violence from radical groups. Safety cannot be attained simply through security measures. Social measures, including educational and social reforms and the full application of the law are required to create full equality for all Egyptians. Hany Ghoraba is an Egyptian writer, political and counter-terrorism analyst at Al Ahram Weekly, author ofEgypt's Arab Spring: The Long and Winding Road to Democracy and a regular contributor to the BBC. Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. 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The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.In accordance with industry accepted best practices we ask that users limit their copy / paste of copyrighted material to the relevant portions of the article you wish to discuss (no more than 50% of the source material) provide a link back to the original articleIf you are a legal copyright holder or a designated agent for such and you believe a post on this website falls outside the boundaries of "Fair Use" and legitimately infringes on yours or your clients copyright please contact [email protected] This website is owned by :Marco ZwaneveldDrijfriemstraat 522516 XR The HagueNetherlands.I will not rent, sell, share or otherwise disclose your personal information to any third party.We might contact you from time to time regarding your purchases or the services (like forums and announcement lists) you have subscribed to.Some of the 3rd party advertisers on lunaticoutpost.com may use cookiesto track peformance and/or to serve relevant ads.If you wish to read more and/or opt out of such cookies, please visit: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/ YEREVAN.- Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies of Armenia, Hakob Arshakyan received on Tuesday UK Ambassador to Armenia, Judith Margaret Farnworth, the press service of the ministry reported. Ambassador congratulated the Minister on his appointment and touched upon existing cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the meetings of a number of British organizations and 17 Armenian IT companies and representatives of business organizations in London. Minister Hakob Arshakyan thanked for the congratulation, highlighted the need for expanding the cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting a number of opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the fields of transport, communication and information technologies were discussed. They also touched upon the prospects of joint educational and research projects with technology universities in areas such as 5G and semiconductor technologies. Hakob Arshakyan underlined that the ministry is open for cooperation and is ready to discuss further plans for further activities. YEREVAN. We continue attentively following the internal developments in Armenia, and I was very pleased to see on October 2 that the events unfolded peacefully, the outgoing US Ambassador Richard Mills said during his last meeting with reporters in Yerevan. The day for elections is a matter for political parties, the government and the Armenian people to come to a decision. What we, the United States, and all friends of Armenia want to see is that this election is free and fair, and that there is a credible process and gives all parties, whether they are in the parliament or not, a chance to fully participate, the Ambassador said. In this case, the process will have a credibility with the Armenian people, and will produce democracy with a loyal opposition and the majority party, the U.S. envoy added. I am very encouraged with my discussions with various parties, and there is a spirit of sitting down and reaching compromise, he said, adding that compromise is the best way to move forward to reach stability. US Ambassador to Armenia Richard M. Mills, Jr., was pleased to announce on Tuesday an increase in U.S. assistance funding for Armenia. The United States recently provided more than $14 million in additional foreign assistance resources for initiatives in Armenia following the political transition, and in the coming year the U.S. government intends to provide more than $26 million in FY 2018 foreign assistance funds, an increase of approximately $20 million above what had been requested for Armenia. These funds will support priority programs in the political processes, anti-corruption, civil society, and independent media sectors. Funds will also advance the Administrations foreign policy priorities to increase business and trade opportunities for American and Armenian companies including by supporting energy reforms as well as Armenias fast-growing information technology industry. U.S. assistance to Armenia supports many areas of bilateral cooperation, including governance, transparency and accountability, political inclusion, legislative strengthening, and local governance reforms. To support Armenias political transition, programs will help rebuild multiparty political systems and support free and fair elections. Assistance will also strengthen civil society and improve access to independent media. In the economic growth area, programs will seek to generate sustained and broad-based economic growth by supporting sectors that have high growth potential, enhancing workforce skills, and facilitating innovation. Assistance will also support energy market liberalization reforms and promote cross-border trade and integration. YEREVAN. During the recent years many resources were used to develop IT sector in Armenia, and U.S. played a leading role, because flagship US companies were present here, outgoing U.S. ambassador Richard Mills said on Tuesday. He emphasized that resources have been shifted away from such areas as tourism, mining and wine production. It is of course ultimately Armenias decision what sectors have to be developed, but I urge to pay attention to the economy that is diverse and that has stability in many sectors, he said. Richard Mills emphasized the need to reform Armenias education system to have the IT development that the country needs. And that will take time, he added. Mills assured that the United States will continue supporting the efforts to create a diverse economy with many sectors. YEREVAN. U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills is concerned with the current situation over Amulsar mining project and its major investor Lydian International. He recalled that it is the second largest investment in Armenia and he closely followed the story during his mission. If it is fully operational, it could be the largest tax payer in Armenia, he emphasized. Ambassador Mills said the concerns over the mine need to be heard, and it is commendable that the Armenian government is listening to it now. The investors will not understand why the government allows this mine to be closed by sincere but a small group of protest, in the absence of any legal decision, he added. Ambassador said he fears this issue, if not resolved soon, could affect attractiveness of Armenia as a place to do business. I know the PM and advisors understand my concerns and the risks here, but I urge them as a friend to do it quickly and in a way that ensures that the future of the project is handled in accordance with the rule of law and in due process. I am confident that if the issue is resolved quickly and in a fair way, Armenia will continue moving forward, he added. Post: #15 RE: Israel arrests US student for supporting Palestinian cause LoP Guest Wrote: (10-10-2018 03:34 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (10-10-2018 02:52 AM) Wow that sucks. She should have known better than to go there. I hope the president does something. Go to a muslim country and try to be Christian. You guys are fools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJwlwhIUYbg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R01qcZR1BRo I write this article for the same reason I wrote my book: to tell the American people, and especially American Jews, that Jews from Islamic lands did not emigrate willingly to Israel; that, to force them to leave, Jews killed Jews; and that, to buy time to confiscate ever more Arab lands, Jews on numerous occasions rejected genuine peace initiatives from their Arab neighbors. I write about what the first prime minister of Israel called "cruel Zionism." I write about it because I was part of it. In his book, Ben Gurion's Scandals: How the Haganah & the Mossad Eliminated Jews, Giladi discusses the crimes committed by Zionists in their frenzy to import raw Jewish labor. Newly-vacated farmlands had to be plowed to provide food for the immigrants and the military ranks had to be filled with conscripts to defend the stolen lands. Mr. Giladi couldn't get his book published in Israel, and even in the U.S. he discovered he could do so only if he used his own money. The Giladis, now U.S. citizens, live in New York City. By choice, they no longer hold Israeli citizenship. "I am Iraqi," he told us, "born in Iraq, my culture still Iraqi Arabic, my religion Jewish, my citizenship American." About 125,000 Jews left Iraq for Israel in the late 1940s and into 1952, most because they had been lied to and put into a panic by what I came to learn were Zionist bombs. I write this articlefor the same reason I wrote my book:to tell the American people,and especially American Jews,that Jews from Islamic lands did not emigratewillingly to Israel; that, to force them to leave,Jews killed Jews; and that,to buy time to confiscate ever more Arab lands,Jews on numerous occasionsrejected genuine peace initiativesfrom their Arab neighbors.I write about what the first prime minister of Israel called "cruel Zionism."I write about it because I was part of it.In his book, Ben Gurion's Scandals: How the Haganah & the Mossad Eliminated Jews, Giladi discusses the crimes committed by Zionists in their frenzy to import raw Jewish labor. Newly-vacated farmlands had to be plowed to provide food for the immigrants and the military ranks had to be filled with conscripts to defend the stolen lands. Mr. Giladi couldn't get his book published in Israel, and even in the U.S. he discovered he could do so only if he used his own money.The Giladis, now U.S. citizens, live in New York City. By choice, they no longer hold Israeli citizenship. "I am Iraqi," he told us, "born in Iraq, my culture still Iraqi Arabic, my religion Jewish, my citizenship American."About 125,000 Jews left Iraq for Israel in the late 1940s and into 1952, most because they had been lied to and put into a panic by what I came to learn were Zionist bombs. I. FUNCTIONS The Coordination Committee (CC) is comprised of six Special Procedures mandate holders. Its main function is to enhance coordination among mandate holders and to act as a bridge between them and the OHCHR, the broader UN human rights framework and civil society. The CC equally seeks to promote the standing of the special procedures system. The Coordination Committee was established at the 12th Annual Meeting of special procedures mandate holders in 2005. The mandate of the CC has evolved since its creation, especially in respect to developments at the Human Rights Council and increasing dialogue and cooperation between mandate holders. The CC is, among others, tasked with: Enhancing the effectiveness and independence of mandate holders and facilitating their work; Raising the concerns of mandate holders in discussions of the Human Rights Council, in particular ensuring that the concerns of the Special Procedures system are taken into account, and reporting on the developments and progress in this regard; Proactively identifying issues of concern to groups of mandates and facilitating joint action on cross-cutting issues or issues of shared concern; Exchanging information and keeping mandate holders informed of the activities carried out by colleagues; Facilitating the sharing of experience concerning methods of work among mandate holders; Identifying innovative ways to raise awareness about special procedures and their work; Encouraging States to cooperate with Special Procedures; Proposing a draft agenda for the Annual Meeting of the Special Procedures and presenting a report on its activities to the Meeting. Managing the Internal Advisory Procedure to Review Practices and Working Methods II. MEMBERS AND SECRETARIAT 2021/2022: Victor Madrigal-Borloz (Chair), Yao Agbetse, Olivier de Schutter, Tlaleng Mofokeng, Melissa Upreti and Anita Ramasastry (ex-officio). The Coordination Committee is elected by the Annual Meeting of Special Procedures mandate holders, which takes place each June. The Chair of the previous Coordination Committee remains on the Committee for a further year, as ex-officio member. In electing the members of the Committee, mandate holders take into account the need for regional and gender balance, as well as for an equal representation of thematic and country special procedures, to the extent possible. + View full list of previous Coordination Committee members The CC is supported in its work by the Special Procedures Branch of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. III. OUTREACH (open letters, press releases and statements) +Coordination Committee outreach archive IV. ANNUAL MEETING OF SPECIAL PROCEDURES MANDATE HOLDERS Annual meetings of special procedures mandate-holders have been organized since 1994. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights underlined the importance of preserving and strengthening the system of special procedures and specified that the procedures and mechanisms should be enabled to harmonize and rationalize their work through periodic meetings (Part II, para. 95). The Office of the High Commissioner was requested to organize periodic meetings among the special procedures by the Commission and Council (CHR resolution 2004/76, extended by HRC decision 2/102). The annual meeting is also an opportunity for mandate holders to meet and exchange views with States, the Bureau of the Council, civil society/non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national human rights institutions (NHRIs), and representatives from OHCHR and other United Nations entities on issues such as follow-up to their country visits and recommendations. Participants have, whenever possible, previously also held joint meetings with Chairs of the human rights treaty bodies in Geneva during the same period. + Read excerpts of the reports of the annual meetings of special procedures mandate-holders in relation to the role of the Coordination Committee. V. ACTIVITIES Since its establishment, the Coordination Committee discussed or took action in relation to a considerable amount of issues, including: Institution-building process of the Human Rights Council: review of mandates and selection of mandate holders Participation of mandate holders in regular and special sessions of the Human Rights Council Special Procedures Annual Meetings: preparation of discussions on thematic issues and working methods Implementation of the Code of Conduct of mandate holders Working methods: Revision of the Manual of special procedures and Communications to Governments Joint missions/reports Interaction with Treaty Bodies, NGOs and UN/external partners Briefings for Member States, regional groups and other groupings Cooperation and consultations between mandate holders For examples of activities of the Coordination Committee, click on the relevant topic below: + Selection and appointment procedure for mandate holders + Enhanced interaction between the Special Procedures and the Human Rights Council + Manual of special procedures + Internal Advisory Procedure to Review Practices and Working Methods + Communications report + Contributions to the institution-building of the Human Rights Council +Disclosure of external funds received by mandate-holders U.S. crude oil exports could increase to 3.9 million bpd by 2020, mostly driven by rising production in the Permian, the Houston Chronicle reported on Tuesday, citing a new report by S&P Global Platts. U.S. crude oil exports are expected to reach 2.2 million bpd next year, according to the estimates. The current ship-borne capacity of the United States is some 4.8 million bpd, with Texas accounting for most of it3.9 million bpd, according to the S&P report quoted by the Houston Chronicle. According to the latest available EIA monthly data, U.S. crude oil exports hit the 2 million-bpd monthly mark for the first time in May this year, and exports held above 2.1 million bpd in June and July, with record (so far) monthly exports at 2.2 million bpd in June. Since the United States removed four-decade-long restrictions on crude oil exports at the end of 2015, U.S. exports have increased. Helped by higher oil prices that renewed shale activity, these exports have continued to rise over the past year and a half. At the same time, production in the Permian has surged, and the EIA estimates it at 3.427 million bpd in September, rising to 3.458 million bpd in October. However, the Permian production in West Texas and New Mexico has already outpaced pipeline takeaway capacity capable of transporting the crude oil to the Texas Gulf Coast. Related: Profit Secrets of the Worlds Most Successful Energy Investors Midstream operators have planned and continue to announce plans for more oil pipeline projects in the area to ship oil from the Permian to the Gulf Coast. But many of those pipelines will not come on stream before late in 2019 and 2020, creating bottlenecks in the flow of the rising oil production to the Gulf Coast for exports. Until those constraints are overcome, inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, could build up, because the route to Cushing is not as constrained as the one to the Gulf Coast, according to Citigroup. Rising inventories at Cushing will put further pressure on the benchmark U.S. oil price, possibly widening its discount to Brent Crude to as much as $15 a barrelwhich would be the widest WTI discount to the international benchmark since December 2013, Citigroups global head of commodities research Ed Morse says. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil and gas field operators in the Gulf of Mexico began to evacuate platform staff and shut in production ahead of Hurricane Michael, which is expected to make landfall in Florida tomorrow. So far, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reported Monday, more than 19 percent of oil and 11.09 percent of gas production capacity in the Gulf of Mexico have been shut in, and more will likely follow ahead of the hurricane. The shut-in capacity stands at 324,190 bpd of oil production and 283.88 million cu ft of natural gas output. Thats all according to daily reports that field operators send to the BSEE. According to meteorologists, the hurricane is being fed by warmer sea surface temperatures, which could lead to waves of between 15 and 20 feetenough to disrupt oil and gas production in the Gulf. Reuters reported Monday that fuel prices in the United States did not react in any strong way to the news of another hurricane threatening oil and gas production, with most traders assuming the effect of Michael would be temporary. The storm is currently moving away from the area with the greatest refinery density, which may have affected this sentiment. So far, BP has shut down oil and gas production at four platforms, with Anadarko, Chevron, and BHP Billiton shutting in two each. Exxon and Equinor evacuated the personnel from one platform each. The total number of shut-in platforms and rigs as of end of day Monday was 15, including 10 platforms and 5 rigs. If the hurricane continues up along the East Coast, it could affect refineries, however. S&P Global Platts reports that Michaels extended path passes by part of the coast thats home to at least five refineries with a combined production capacity of more than a million barrels of oil daily. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Polands largest oil refiner, state-run PKN Orlen, has bought its first ever Nigerian crude oil cargo expected to arrive in mid-October, the Polish companys chief executive told Reuters amid Polands ongoing efforts to cut its reliance on Russian oil. PKN Orlen is exploring Nigerian oil as its new source of supply, the companys CEO, Daniel Obajtek, told Reuters in an interview published on Monday. A 130,000-ton cargo of Nigerian oil is currently traveling to Poland and is expected to arrive in the middle of this month, Obajtek said. If tests confirm the assumed yields structure and margins, further oil supplies from Nigeria will be a viable option, the chief executive told Reuters. In recent years, Poland has been trying to diversify its oil supplies to reduce its reliance on Russian oil imports. Last year, Poland reduced the share of its imports of Russian oil to the lowest level since 2005, but the diversification of oil supplies came at a higher cost for imports from other countries, according to a report by Polands central bank from May 2018. In 2017, the share of Russian oil in Polish imports dropped to 76 percent, compared to 96 percent back in 2012. PKN Orlen signed in 2016 a long-term supply contract with Saudi Aramco with provisions for automatic annual renewal, with which the Saudi oil giant entered the Baltic oil supply market. Another Polish refiner, Lotos, signed in December 2017 a forward contract for the supply of U.S. oil to its refinery in Gdansk. Under the contract, at least five U.S. oil cargoes will be delivered by sea this year. PKN Orlen plans to take over Lotos, and the larger refiner hopes to get clearance for the deal from the European Commission by the middle of 2019, Obajtek told Reuters. PKN Orlen expects cargoes from other new destinations, and it is negotiating medium- and long-term supply deals with many parties, including from the United States, the manager said. The deteriorating quality of Russias Urals also played a part in PKN seeking new suppliers, Obajtek told Reuters. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: " " President Donald J. Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., 2018. Each House rep only serves two years so they are all up for re-election at midterms. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Put simply, midterm elections exist because not all elected offices in the United States federal government have four-year terms equal to the president. The terms of each elected office in the federal government were debated and settled during the 1787 Constitutional Convention and inscribed in the U.S. Constitution. In the U.S. federal government, the only elected officials are the president, vice president and congressional representatives. Congress consists of two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, each with its own term lengths and election schedules. Advertisement There are 100 U.S. senators, two for each state. Senators serve six-year terms, the longest of any elected official in the federal government. But not every Senate seat is up for election every six years. Instead, according to Article I, section 3, clause 2 of the Constitution, the Senate is divided into three "classes." In the modern Senate, each class consists or 33 or 34 senators. Senate elections are staggered so that one class is up for election every two years. That's why every midterm election there are at least 33 or 34 senate seats up for a vote. There can be more seats up for election if a senator dies in office or resigns before the end of his or her term. The election schedule is also staggered so that no more than one senate seat from each state is up for grabs during any single election, midterm or otherwise. According to Constitutional scholars, there were a couple of reasons why the Founding Fathers decided on a six-year term for senators with staggered elections every two years. First, senators are supposed to bring stability and continuity to the federal government. By serving six years, for instance, they may serve under two different presidents. But that continuity comes with a price. The Founding Fathers worried that senators would become too chummy and permanently conspire for "sinister purposes" [source: U.S. Senate]. So they decided to shuffle the senatorial deck every two years and put a third of the seats up for a vote. The House of Representatives is a different beast. Representation in the House is based on population, with more populous states getting more seats at the legislative table. The current House of Representatives has 435 members, each serving two-year terms, the shortest of federally elected officials. The term length of representatives was another lively debate at the Constitutional Convention. The precedent, as set by colonial legislatures and early state legislatures, was that the representatives in state Houses were elected every year and sometimes every six months. The idea was that a short term kept representatives honest to the needs of their constituents. Some of the Founding Fathers believed that federal representatives should also be held to the same tight leash a one-year term. Others at the Constitutional Convention argued that one year was far too short to get anything done in the federal government, where legislative business would be more complicated than in the states and colonies. As a practical matter, they also pointed out that it took months for some representatives to simply travel back and forth from their home states to the capital, so they lobbied for a three-year term in the House. In the end, the two sides compromised on a two-year term [source: U.S. House of Representatives]. With two-year terms, every single seat of the House of Representatives is up for election every two years. That's why Americans vote for their House members during both presidential election years and midterms. But midterms are not just about national races. South African Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene resigned Tuesday over undisclosed meetings with a business family at the heart of a corruption scandal, dealing a blow to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Nene was seen as one of Ramaphosa's closest allies and a leading figure in the government's efforts to tackle graft that allegedly flourished under former president Jacob Zuma, who was ousted in February. But Nene revealed to a judicial inquiry last week that he had met with the Gupta business family at their home and offices six times -- contradicting earlier statements that he had only met them in passing at social occasions. "I have decided to accept his resignation," Ramaphosa told a televised press briefing in Cape Town. He added that Nene feared his testimony to the inquiry "detracted from the important task of serving the people of South Africa particularly as we work to re-establish public trust in government." Ramaphosa stressed that Nene "has not been implicated in any act of wrongdoing himself" and hailed him as a minister who had "defended the cause of proper financial management as well as clean governance." Nene, who was widely respected by investors, served as finance minister from 2014 to 2015 until he was sacked by Zuma and was re-appointed by Ramaphosa earlier this year. - Apology letter - Nene apologised after giving testimony to the inquiry, which is probing allegations of systematic corruption under Zuma's government involving the three Gupta brothers. "I was wrong in meeting the Guptas at their residence and not in my office or at least a public place," his public apology letter read. "These visits do cast a shadow on my conduct as a public office bearer. I deeply regret these lapses and beg your forgiveness." Former central bank governor Tito Mboweni was named as Nene's successor -- the fifth finance minister in less than three years. The Guptas are a trio of Indian-born brothers accused of fraudulently profiting from vast government contracts and energy and transport deals under Zuma, who ruled from 2009 to 2018. Ramaphosa has vowed to crack down on corruption as he tries to revive the economy and boost declining support for the ruling ANC party ahead of elections next year. "Ramaphosa is cleaning things up and laying a platform so that he is able to campaign confidently when it is election time," Kwandiwe Kondlo, politics professor at the University of Johannesburg, told AFP. "He was lucky because Nene is the kind of person who would admit when he has made a mistake without being pushed." Kondlo said Mboweni was likely to take a hard line against public sector wage increases, and could provoke friction with the country's influential trade unions. The rand gained 0.9 percent to 14.71 per dollar by 5:25 pm in Johannesburg, reversing an earlier decline of as much as 1.4 percent on the news. - 'No one above scrutiny' - At the graft inquiry, Nene accused Zuma of pushing policies designed to benefit the Guptas, including a massive nuclear power expansion programme. Nene, speaking under oath at the hearings, also said that his then deputy Mcebisi Jonas was offered his job after Nene refused to back the nuclear proposals. The inquiry, which opened in August, is investigating allegations that Zuma organised the plunder of government departments and public enterprises in a scandal known as "state capture". "No person should be above scrutiny," Ramaphosa said Tuesday, calling on officials to cooperate with the inquiry. The main opposition Democratic Alliance party welcomed Mboweni's appointment, saying he was a safe pair of hands. "(He) will have the advantage of being able to hit the ground running and is, at least, known to market participants, ratings agencies and international financial institutions," it said. South Africa, Africa's most advanced economy, slipped into recession in the second quarter of this year, and suffers a stubbornly high unemployment of about 28 percent. All eyes will now be on a much anticipated announcement by Moodys on SAs sovereign credit rating on Friday, and Mboweni's maiden medium-term budget policy statement in two weeks. Australia is drawing up plans to require migrants to temporarily settle in regional and rural areas to ease congestion in major cities, the government announced Tuesday. While much of the vast continent is sparsely populated, Australia is growing at an annual rate of 1.6 percent -- one of the highest among OECD countries. Sydney, Melbourne and southeast Queensland are among the fastest-growing urban areas in the world thanks in part to overseas migration, said population minister Alan Tudge. The resulting strain on infrastructure in Australia's eastern cities cost the economy Aus$15 billion (US$10.6 billion) last year, with annual forecast losses of Aus$40 billion by 2030 if left unchecked, Tudge told an audience at the Menzies Research Centre think-tank in Melbourne. "This (congestion) is a serious challenge for families and a serious economic challenge for the nation," he said. "We are working on measures to have more new arrivals go to the smaller states and regions and require them to be there for at least a few years." Other parts of the country "have barely grown and (are) crying out for more people", he added. Tudge did not outline how new immigrants would be forced to remain in regional areas, saying this was still to be determined by the government. He flagged a number of other schemes to ease population pressure, including a bigger infrastructure spend and moving public servants out of the big cities. Critics such as former Australian Border Force chief Roman Quaedvlieg said requiring migrants to live in regional areas could be difficult to enforce. "Migrants will gravitate to opportunities & amenities in cities," he tweeted Tuesday. "It's not possible to police the condition without substantial resources, both identifying breaches & sanctioning them." Australia has since seen had an influx of migrants from across the world since the arrival of European settlers in the 18th century, with nearly half of Australians either born overseas or at least one parent born abroad. A Romanian man who had been detained as part of the investigation into the killing of a Bulgarian journalist in the northern town of Ruse will be freed, police said on Tuesday. The brutal murder of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova -- who presented a current affairs talk programme called "Detector" for the small TVN television channel -- has shocked the country and drawn international condemnation. Ruse police chief commissioner Teodor Atanasov said Tuesday that a man had been detained, adding that "we're still checking his alibi so he is not officially a suspect for committing the crime yet". However Atanasov later told journalists that "at this moment there are no new facts or information which we can announce". "The Romanian citizen will be released," he said. Marinova's body was discovered on a riverside path in Ruse on Saturday. Authorities have said she died from blows to the head and suffocation. She was also raped. Prosecutors have said "all leads" are being considered, including possible links to Marinova's professional activity. An episode of her programme aired on September 30 featured interviews with two investigative journalists from Bulgaria and Romania who had been working on corruption allegations. Marinova is the third journalist to be murdered in Europe in the past 12 months after Jan Kuciak in Slovakia in February and Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta in October 2017. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday that recent cancer tests came back negative, just days after sparking speculation when he revealed doctors were checking him for the disease. Duterte, 73, has regularly prompted theorising about his health by skipping events or discussing his ailments in public since taking power in 2016. "It's negative. They (doctors) had a suspicion so they had this specimen taken out from both the oesophageal tube and here," he said, pointing to his butt. "They just wanted a retake. Nothing serious actually," he told reporters. The most recent speculation started after he said in a speech late Thursday that he was undergoing tests on his doctor's orders, adding "if it's cancer, it's cancer." Duterte is the oldest person ever to be elected president of the country and questions about his health began to swirl in Philippine media after he missed an October 3 cabinet meeting and another public event. The government initially denied the leader was undergoing any testing, with spokesman Harry Roque saying the president "just took his day off." But in a Thursday speech Duterte said he underwent an endoscopy and colonoscopy about three weeks ago but that he was advised last week to do additional tests. Opposition politicians demanded public disclosure, citing a provision in the constitution that says "in case of serious illness of the president, the public shall be informed of the state of his health." Duterte has said previously that he suffers from daily migraines and ailments including Buerger's disease, an illness that affects the veins and the arteries of the limbs, and is usually due to smoking. The president, known for his deadly crackdown on drugs, also revealed in 2016 that he used to take fentanyl, a powerful painkiller, because of a spinal injury from previous motorcycle accidents. Filipinos look for their names on lists of registered voters during the village leaders elections nationwide in Pasig, Metro Manila, the Philippines. (Photo: Reuters) Majority of Filipinos are satisfied with the way democracy works in the Philippines, according to a recent survey. The latest poll by the Social Weather Station (SWS) showed that 84 per cent of adult Filipinos expressed satisfaction with democracy, a 6-point increase from last Marchs 78 per cent. The survey also found 59 per cent favor democracy over authoritarian rule, which was favored by 20 per cent of the respondents. Meanwhile, 19 per cent said they are indifferent or it didnt matter to them if the country was governed by a democratic or authoritarian regime. Are you satisfied with how democracy works in the country? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Related story: 8 out of 10 Filipinos satisfied with how democracy works in PH SWS OCT 9, 2018: In keeping with UWC Thailands (UWCT) commitment to helping students, parents and the wider community develop a Good Heart, Balanced Mind, Healthy Body, the school is hosting a complimentary showing the internationally acclaimed film Screenagers for families across Phuket on Friday, November 2 at 8:30am. In Screenagers, as with her award-winning documentaries on mental health, Physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, Screenagers reveals how tech time impacts kids development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance. This is truly a film that anyone who has children in their life needs to see. In fact, its just as useful for adults who are facing their own struggles with balancing the invasiveness of todays technology. We are delighted to be able able to show the film for free thanks to the generous funding of our Parent Support Group, said Jason McBride, Head of School for UWCT. The film is not just Rustons personal voyage; however, as she enlists the help of more than eight experts across relevant fields, from the director of the Center for Integrative Brain Research at Seattle Childrens Research Institute to Pulitzer Prize-nominated authors. Christopher Alis dog, Tuna, rode shotgun on Alis summer road trip to visit farms in the Midwest. Credit: University of Virginia Sitting in the cab of a combine harvester on a soybean farm in Wells, Minnesota this summer, University of Virginia assistant media studies professor Christopher Ali was amazed as he looked down at the dashboard. Using GPS, the harvester could, in real time, map, monitor and record massive amounts of data such as crop yield and soil moisture levels which would let a farmer know exactly which rows required attention. "It was the coolest thing," Ali said. "The capabilities were just incredible." Unfortunately, the vast majority of farmers in the Midwest aren't able to utilize this "precision agriculture" technology because they don't get high-speed internet, according to Ali. He said companies don't want to put in fiber optic cable considered the gold standard because of its great expense. "There's not enough customers on a farm, because there's technically one customer on the farm the farmer," he said. "That doesn't merit any of these companies coming out. The per-mile cost of laying the wires is the problem." Ali said the U.S. offers $6 billion in subsidies to telecommunications companies for the purpose of installing rural broadband, but the funds aren't making their way out to the farms. "We're giving CenturyLink $500 million a year for the next six years, and CenturyLink has announced that they're not going to upgrade their network," Ali said. "They'll roll out what they have, which is copper wire, but they won't upgrade to fiber and that stinks." Ali said universal broadband could help farmers take advantage of precision agriculture technology and increase their efficiency by upward of 10 percent. Credit: University of Virginia To try to get to the bottom of the public policy issue that he believes has far-reaching consequences, Ali and his dog, Tuna, loaded up "Lima Bean" Ali's bright green Kia Soul and drove to small farm towns in Kentucky, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Indiana. In all, they traveled more than 3,000 miles in the course of a month. Ali, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, wanted to talk face-to-face with the stakeholders farmers, residents, businesses and broadband providers. "My question was, 'Why isn't public policy doing its job and getting the internet to what we call these broadband deserts?'" Ali said. "The goal of public policy is to help the public, so there's a disconnect between what I learned on the ground and what I've been reading about what everyone expects these policies to do." After Ali's trip ended in mid-August, he came to a number of conclusions that will be the basis for an upcoming book, "Farm Fresh Spectrum." "We have zero coordination at the federal level," Ali said. "We have a lot of different agencies, with a ton of money at their disposal, that are oftentimes colliding because they don't talk to each other." "There's also not a huge recognition of who all the stakeholders are in this," Ali said. "We oftentimes talk for rural people without talking to rural people. We think we know what's in the best interests of rural America, versus actually spending some time on the ground to learn what these people need and what these organizations are doing." "Co-ops are the unsung heroes of rural broadband," Ali said. "They don't need the return on investment that the giant companies need because they don't have shareholders to satisfy. They have community members to service. And I think because they don't need a 20 percent profit margin, they're able to take a few more risks. Wouldn't it be great if public policy could help these co-ops leverage or mitigate some of the risk?" "The other thing is the role that broadband is going to play in contemporary farming," Ali said. "We're at a point right now where if we had nationwide 4G coverage despite what your cellphone provider says, we don't we could get to the point where a tractor is talking to another tractor that is perfectly aligning their planting and fertilizing. We could do things like real-time soil analysis to know where more fertilizer or water needs to go in which area. Right now, we have this technology, but oftentimes a grower has to take their USB key out and walk or drive to their house, where hopefully they have high-speed internet because if they don't, they have to drive to the nearest town where they can upload all of that data. Imagine if we could do all this in real time?" Ali said the farmers he talked with most of whom were lucky if they could get 2G service said they would be able to increase their efficiency upward of 10 percent. "If you think about it, we're going to need to feed 100 million more people in the next 60 years. That means we're going to have to double our food supply. And by we, I mean farmers," Ali said. "How do we do this? We're out of land. So we need to have more efficient farming practices, and communications technologies can help us do that. But none of it is possible without universal broadband and that's something policymakers haven't figured out yet." Explore further Can wireless challenge cable for home internet service? The stock market rose slightly Tuesday on mild bargain-hunting, with gains capped by losses on select blue chip issues. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 8.56 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,059.38 on a value turnover of nearly P4 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 103 to 75, with 53 issues unchanged. Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, rallied 3.9 percent to P252.40, while Now Corp., which is bidding to become the third major telecommunications company, climbed 3 percent to P7.49. But Globe Telecom Inc., the second-largest telecommunications firm, slumped 5.2 percent to P2,210, while Security Bank Corp., the sixth-largest lender in terms of assets, fell 3.4 percent to P139.80. The sell-off in the rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, slowed on Tuesday, with most markets seeing little movement as ongoing US-China tensions simmer. After the biggest sell-off in three months on Monday, Shanghais stock marketwhich led the retreat following a week-long public holidaywas largely flat through Tuesday, finally closing up by 0.2 percent. If the trade confrontation continues, the Chinese currency will go lower and that will create a whole host of problems for the global economy, Alicia Levine, chief strategist at BNY Investment Management, told Bloomberg News. Stocks edged up in Hong Kong too, rising by a modest 0.2 percent through the afternoon. The relative calm in todays Asia session belies the eerie sense of foreboding that continues to hang over equity markets, said Innes. But markets slumped in Tokyo for a fourth consecutive session, falling 1.3 percent as traders returned from a long weekend, with stocks dragged down by a higher yen, worries over China, and a trading system glitch which affected part of the trading day.A testy public interaction between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Beijing on Monday refueled market worries about China-US relations, which have taken a hefty knock from tit-for-tat tariffs. A possible train wreck on the negotiation front could completely derail global markets, said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. We should not underestimate the potentially destabilizing effect... a weaker yuan will have on regional markets, if not global markets. Adding to economic uncertainty on Tuesday was a bearish report from the International Monetary Fund, which lowered its forecast for Chinese economic growth in 2019 and warned that escalating trade tensions would drag on the worlds second-largest economy. The IMFs World Economic Outlook predicted Chinas economy would grow 6.2 percent next year, down from an previous forecast of 6.4 percent. Both of those figures would mark the slowest rate of expansion for China since 1990. Toyota, which announced a massive recall of its hybrid cars on Friday, plunged three percent. In early European trade, London rose 0.2 percent, while Paris fell 1.1 percent and Frankfurt slipped by 1.4 percent. With AFP Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, right, welcomes Yale University Professor William Nordhaus, one of the 2018 winners of the Nobel Prize in economics, to the podium just before speaking about the honor Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in New Haven, Conn. Nordhaus was named for integrating climate change into long term macroeconomic analysis. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) Advocates of taxing fossil fuels believe their position is stronger now because of an alarming new report on climate change and a Nobel Prize awarded to by two American economists, but neither development is likely to break down political resistance to a carbon tax. Previous alarms about global warming met with resistance from Congress and the White House. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement on climate change last year. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a panel of scientists brought together by the United Nations, warned in a report Monday that droughts, wildfires, coral reef destruction and other climate and environmental disasters could grow worse as soon as 2040, even with a smaller increase in temperatures than used to set the Paris targets. A few hours later, the Nobel Prize in economics went to two Americans, including William Nordhaus of Yale University, who argues that carbon taxes would be the best way to address problems created by greenhouse-gas emissions. A carbon tax is a charge imposed on the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, which produce carbon dioxide. The tax is designed to make users of those fuels pay for the environmental damage they cause. The ultimate goal of some tax backers is to price fossil fuels out of the market and replace them with sources of energy that produce little or no heat-trapping emissions. Coal and oil and gas companies could pass the tax cost along to consumers, which would presumably give a price advantage to energy that is not taxed. That, advocates say, would help renewables such as solar and wind grow more quickly from their current single-digit share of the U.S. electricity market. Yale University Professor William Nordhaus, one of the 2018 winners of the Nobel Prize in economics, speaks about the honor Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in New Haven, Conn. Nordhaus was named for integrating climate change into long term macroeconomic analysis. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) There is, of course, stark disagreement over the economic effect of a carbon tax. Researchers at Columbia University estimate that a tax of $50 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions would increase average U.S. consumer electricity bills 22 percent by 2030, with amounts varying by region. A Tufts University authority estimates that it would add 45 cents a gallon to the price of gasoline. Both think the impact can be mitigated by distributing the money raised through taxes to households, and that many low- and medium-income families would come out ahead. Opponents argue that a carbon tax would kill manufacturing jobs and hurt family income. A 2014 report by the Heritage Foundation said that a tax of $37 a ton would cut economic output more than $2.5 trillion, or $21,000 per family, by 2030. This year, two dozen conservative groups endorsed an estimate that a carbon tax would cost more than 500,000 manufacturing jobs by 2030. Noah Kaufman, an energy-policy researcher at Columbia and a proponent of carbon taxes, said the terrifying prognosis in Monday's report should highlight the central role of a carbon tax in addressing climate change. But, he acknowledged, such warnings are not new, and political opposition to a tax remains strong. "There are really high political barriers that continue to stand in our way," he said. "By far the biggest obstacle in the United States right now is the leadership of the Republican party, which is dead-set against any strong climate-change policy." Paul Romer, co-winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Economics, speaks at a news conference at the Stern School of Business of New York University, in New York, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Romer has studied the way innovation drives prosperity and has looked at ways to encourage it. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) In July, the GOP-controlled House voted for a resolution rejecting carbon taxes as detrimental to the U.S. economy. Almost all Republicans, joined by a few Democrats, voted for the symbolic measure. Prominent opponents of the carbon tax also believe that urgency over addressing climate change is exaggerated. They point out that U.S. carbon emissions have fallen in recent years as abundant natural gas has risen to rival coal in electric generation. Meanwhile, China's emissions grow rapidly, making it the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The scientists who prepared the UN-backed report "are trying to convince us all that there is an imminent crisis when in fact there is a potential long-term problem," said Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, who worked on the Trump transition. Carbon taxes, he added, "are political poison once people figure out how much their energy bills are going to go up." There are signs that the political ground could shift. A group of former Republican officials and big corporations plan to lobby for a tax of $40 per ton of carbon dioxide produced and to give the money to U.S. taxpayers. Oil giants Exxon Mobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell support the plan, which also would protect them from lawsuits blaming them for climate change. A Republican congressman, Carlos Curbelo of Florida, bucked party leadership this summer by proposing a carbon tax. Paul Romer, co-winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Economics, speaks at a news conference at the Stern School of Business of New York University, in New York, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Romer has studied the way innovation drives prosperity and has looked at ways to encourage it. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Voters in Washington state will decide next month whether to adopt a carbon fee. "I am optimistic that the (UN-backed) report will make a difference, but I just think we're going to have to get a little distance from where we are right now in the politics," said Gilbert Metcalf, an economist at Tufts University and author of an upcoming book advocating a carbon tax. "It's going to take a longer time, a few years." Nordhaus, the freshly minted Nobel winner, was also looking beyond the current political leadership in Washington, D.C. He said that outside the United States there is wide acceptance of the science and economics of climate change. "This administration won't last forever," Nordhaus said at a news conference. "All I can do is hope that we will get through this without too much damage." Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform, another group that lobbied against carbon taxes, said Nordhaus ignored science and history in advocating a carbon tax. "He should look at the history of the last 20 years and see that the United States has been reducing carbon emissions without a carbon tax," Norquist said. Explore further Two Americans win econ Nobel for work on climate and growth 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Google says it is not bidding on a $10 billion cloud computing contract for the US military Google is dropping out of the bidding for a huge Pentagon cloud computing contract that could be worth up to $10 billion, saying the deal would be inconsistent with its principles. The decision by Google, confirmed to AFP in an email Tuesday, leaves a handful of other tech giants including Amazon in the running for the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract aimed at modernizing the military's computing systems. The move comes following protests by Google employees on the tech giant's involvement in separate military effort known as Project Maven using artificial intelligence to help interpret video images. Google decided not to renew its involvement in Maven and this week backed away from the cloud computing contract, citing similar concerns about values. "While we are working to support the US government with our cloud in many areas, we are not bidding on the JEDI contract because first, we couldn't be assured that it would align with our AI Principles and second, we determined that there were portions of the contract that were out of scope with our current government certifications," Google said in a statement. "We will continue to pursue strategic work to help state, local and federal customers modernize their infrastructure and meet their mission critical requirements." In June, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai unveiled a set of principles on the company's use of artificial intelligence, saying that the company would not participate in "technologies that cause or are likely to cause overall harm" and would stay away from "weapons or other technologies whose principal purpose or implementation is to cause or directly facilitate injury to people." Explore further Tech titans jostle as Pentagon calls for cloud contract bids 2018 AFP Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2018), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO The Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission has imaged the oil spill in the Mediterranean following a collision between two merchant ships on Sunday 7 October 2018. A Tunisian cargo ship is reported to have struck the hull of a Cypriot container ship in waters north of the French island of Corsica. There were no casualties, but the collision caused a fuel leak which has resulted in an oil slick about 20 km long. Although the collision occurred in French waters, the cleanup operation is part of a joint pact between France, Italy and Monaco to address pollution accidents in the Mediterranean. This image of the slick, which can be seen as a dark patch north of the tip of Corsica, was captured by the Sentinel-1A satellite today at 05:28 GMT (07:28 CEST). Sentinel-1 is a two-satellite constellation built for the European Commission's Copernicus environmental monitoring programme. The identical satellites each carry an advanced radar instrument that can 'see' through the dark and through clouds. Its wide swath allows large areas of Earth's surface to be imaged so that events such as this can be detected and monitored easily. Sentinel-1 images are used by the European Maritime Safety Agency as part of CleanSeaNet, the European satellite-based oil spill and vessel detection service. Note: other dark areas show patterns featuring low reflectivity of the radar signal, for instance very calm waters. Explore further Oil cleanup begins after cargo ships collide off Corsica A young rabbit looking through the grass. Credit: Ksd5/Wikipedia Retroviruses have colonised vertebrate hosts for millions of years by inserting their genes into host genomes, enabling their inheritance through generations as endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). Researchers from Uppsala University now provide new knowledge about the long-term associations of retroviruses and their hosts by studying ERV variation and segregation in wild and domestic rabbit populations. The findings are being published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Retroviruses, such as HIV in humans, must become part of the host cell's nuclear DNA to produce new viruses. Over timescales of millions of years, retroviral infiltrations of germ cells have been inherited by the host's offspring as ERVs, which make up large parts of vertebrate genomes today. The researchers used recent technological advances for population-based analyses of whole genomes derived from wild and domestic hosts, which offer new insights into ERV-host genome variation. As a model, the researchers studied European rabbits, which diverged into two subspecies on the Iberian Peninsula about one million years ago and were domesticated in southern France about 1,000 years ago. "By studying whole genome sequences from related host populations compared to the genome of a single individual, we can identify new ERVs to better understand retrovirus-host co-evolution," says Daniel Rivas, lead author of the study. Using data from hundreds of individuals from many rabbit populations, the researchers were able to identify previously unknown retroviral insertions, as well as determine the spread of those that existed in the reference genome. The ERV diversity mostly follows rabbit divergence and the results indicate substantial variation across ERV insertions in different rabbit populations. This new knowledge sheds light on how ERVs spread in host populations, and how that spread correlates with the evolution of the host species. "The abundance and segregating variation we uncover from host populations demonstrate the genomic ERV record as a remarkable source for an evolutionary perspective on retrovirus-host associations," says Patric Jern, who headed the study. Explore further New knowledge about host-virus coevolution unmasked from the genomic record More information: Salvador Daniel Rivas-Carrillo et al. Whole-genome comparison of endogenous retrovirus segregation across wild and domestic host species populations, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Salvador Daniel Rivas-Carrillo et al. Whole-genome comparison of endogenous retrovirus segregation across wild and domestic host species populations,(2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815056115 Even long before medieval inhabitants reclaimed land and raised dykes at a large scale, humans have had a strong impact on river behavior in the Dutch delta plain. Physical geographers at Utrecht University, the Netherlands, have demonstrated that two present Rhine branches developed stepwise in the first centuries CE, because of two combined human-induced effects. These river branches formed due to land subsidence in the Dutch peatlands and by increased sediment supply from the German hinterland, both of which were human-induced. "What began as minor changes in the delta landscape can have unexpected large-scale outcomes. We should be aware that unintentional natural effects of human interventions are to be taken into account in the management of modern deltas," researcher Harm Jan Pierik explains. "Our research shows that human interventions can trigger the formation of new rivers along courses that natural branches would not have taken." This occurred in the downstream peatland areas of the Rhine delta. It had been an inaccessible swamp forest for thousands of years, an obstacle for the formation of new river courses. "However, from the beginning of the Common Era growing numbers of people settled along the edges of the swamp, and expanded their land use from the banks of rivers and creeks into the peatland." As an unintentional consequence, this caused the formation of the Hollandse IJssel (from 100 CE) and Lek (from 300 CE). Archaeological data show that on the southwestern side of the peatland, along the Meuse estuary that later became Rotterdam harbor, settlements were present on the banks of tidal creeks. Here, agricultural land use expansion into peatland started in the last centuries BCE, testified by ditches and culverts that drained the topsoil. This caused land surface lowering, which in turn enabled flood water and sediments to penetrate deeper inland. Pierik says, "This made the tidal creeks bigger and longer, reaching ever further into the peat swamp." This situation was mirrored along the northeastern side of the swamp where creeks from the Rhine River ran into the swamp as well. In addition to that, the Rhine hinterland had become widely deforested. This increased hillslope erosion, which led to more sediment transport by the Rhine. This sediment was deposited on top of the peatland that further subsided under the additional weight, further helping the formation of creeks in the peat. The creeks from both sides ultimately connected in the middle of Holland's peatland and grew into the new rivers Lek and Hollandse IJssel. "As these new routes became the most favorable courses for the water flow, the Old Rhine course carried less water and silted up. In this way, the lower delta river network was completely transformed unintentionally, within a few centuries following the reclamation activities." Research into landscape impacts of past human activity in deltas enables us to learn about the effects this may have on the long term, says Pierik. "With the notion that reclamation activity can start a chain reaction, one can develop different perspectives towards recent increased human pressures in deltas worldwide, for example the Mekong and Ganges," explains Pierik. "In addition to anticipating sea level rise, these areas also have to deal with land subsidence, for example caused by increased groundwater use. And just as in the Dutch situation, this may not only cause major changes locally, but also on the scale of the entire delta." Explore further Tides stabilize deltas until humans interfere More information: Harm Jan Pierik et al. Human-caused avulsion in the Rhine-Meuse delta before historic embankment (The Netherlands), Geology (2018). Journal information: Geology Harm Jan Pierik et al. Human-caused avulsion in the Rhine-Meuse delta before historic embankment (The Netherlands),(2018). DOI: 10.1130/G45188.1 In his doctoral thesis, Tufa Assafa unlocks the secrets of light-sensitive biomolecules. Credit: RUB, Kramer How the light-sensitive part of the biomolecule phytochrome changes from a light-adapted state to a dark-adapted state has been investigated by researchers at Ruhr-Universitat Bochum and Philipps-Universitat Marburg. So far, the structures of only a few light-sensitive biomolecules are known and only for the final states in light and darkness, but not for the intermediate steps. Using various spectroscopic methods, the Bochum-Marburg team has now succeeded in gaining new insights into dynamic structural changes. The group led by Professor Enrica Bordignon from Bochum and Professor Oliver Essen from Marburg describe the findings in the journal Structure, published online on 20 September 2018. Investigating light-driven structural changes "Light-sensitive biomolecules such as phytochromes from plants are interesting for various applications, for example in agriculture, where a change in phytochrome could optimise the growth habits of plants, or for optogenetic tools that make it possible to control the activity of genetically modified cells in the living body with light," says Enrica Bordignon, head of Bochum's EPR Spectroscopy Working Group. Insights into how the photoreceptors change their spatial structure when exposed to light could advance these applications. "So far, however, it has been a challenge to decipher these processes with atomic resolution," explains doctoral researcher Tufa Assafa. The researchers analysed a phytochrome molecule from cyanobacteria using a special form of mass spectrometry and a spectroscopic method called electron spin resonance. In contrast to other methods, they were able to study the molecule in solution and track its structural changes without having to crystallise it. They observed several characteristic structural changes in the light-sensitive segment of the phytochrome and created a model that shows the light-triggered conversion steps. In addition, the team showed that, for different phytochromes, there is a universal mechanism for the transformation from the dark-adapted to the light-adapted state. Phytochromes from plants react to red and infrared light. Credit: RUB, Kramer Explore further New insights into the structure of a killer protein More information: Tufa E. Assafa et al. Light-Driven Domain Mechanics of a Minimal Phytochrome Photosensory Module Studied by EPR, Structure (2018). Journal information: Structure Tufa E. Assafa et al. Light-Driven Domain Mechanics of a Minimal Phytochrome Photosensory Module Studied by EPR,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.08.003 MethQuest focuses on using methane from renewable sources for various applications. Credit: MethQuest The lead project "Methane from Renewable Sources in Mobile and Stationary Applications" (MethQuest) launched on September 14, 2018 is aimed at developing environmentally compatible, affordable, and feasible approaches to a successful energy transition. The project is funded with EUR 19 million by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). Responsibility for joint project coordination has been assigned to Rolls-Royce Power Systems and the DVGW Research Centre at the Engler-Bunte Institute of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). KIT researchers participate in two of the six joint projects. Within the MethQuest lead project, technologies are to be developed and analyzed that will enable methane-based fuels from renewables to be used in mobile and stationary applications and subsequently launched on the market. While the use of gas is widespread, particularly for heating purposes, its potential for passenger, freight, and maritime transport has hardly been developed to date. "For a successful energy transition, it is absolutely essential that the energy and transport sectors are coupled and looked at as a whole. At the same time, methane-based fuels produced using electric power that is generated from renewable energy sources (power-to-gas) will be an important factor. They will enable greenhouse gas emissions to be significantly reduced, which will help to achieve our climate protection goals. Further development of technologies for the energy-efficient use of these fuels is an integral part of the MethQuest lead project," said Norbert Brackmann, the federal government's coordinator for the maritime industry when the project was launched officially. MethQuest pursues a sector-overlapping approach. "The six joint projects will push innovation in a number of areas ranging from the development of novel solutions to produce gas from renewable energy sources to novel engine concepts for private cars, to stationary applications and ship drives, to the design of microgrids for both inland and seaports," says Dr. Frank Graf, Head of the Gas Technology Division of the DVGW Research Centre at KIT's Engler-Bunte Institute. Together with Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, he accepted the official funding notification on behalf of the 27 partners from industry and research. The project has a total value of EUR 32 million. Total funding by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy amounts to EUR 19 million. The partners will collaborate in six joint projects ranging from methane recovery to new engine concepts for ships, to cogeneration plants and cars, to sector coupling using microgrid solutions for both inland and seaports, to systems analysis assessment. KIT will participate in two "MethQuest" projects: Among the partners of the MethFuel joint project that focuses on novel process technologies for the supply of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and for catalytic methanation are the Chemical Technology Group of the Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP) and the Fuel Chemistry and Technology Group of the Engler-Bunte Institute (EBI ceb) as well as the KIT-associated European Institute for Energy Research (EIfER). In their joint laboratory ENERMAT (ENERgy MATerials), ITCP and EIfER will study how the components of power-to-gas plants run with power from renewable energy sources cope with strongly fluctuating power supply. Particular attention will be paid to the optimal use of solid electrolysis cells under the highly dynamic conditions of power-to-gas applications. In addition, EBI ceb will study three-phase methanation (3PM) that rapidly reacts to power fluctuations. This enables direct coupling of methanation to hydrogen production without interim storage and, hence, significant reduction of investment and operation costs. The Combustion Technology Group of the Engler-Bunte Institute (EBI vbt) participates in the MethCar project that covers the development of novel gas engines for cars. In a specifically adapted car engine, the special properties of compressed methane produced from renewable sources are expected to result in a very high efficiency. Moreover, methane engines are associated with much smaller particle emissions than diesel and gasoline engines. However, sizes of the particles produced are smaller than 100 nm in diameter. To prevent formation of these particles under certain operation conditions, processes are modeled and described by EBI vbt. This will help to reliably exclude particle formation in subsequent MethCar combustion process design and engine calibration. The other joint projects will be MethPower, MethMare, MethGrid, and MethSys. MethPower will cover novel engine concepts for stationary applications. MethMare will focus on two concepts for dynamically operable high-speed gas engines for ships. MethGrid will concentrate on solutions on the production, grid, and consumption sides for the design of microgrids for inland and seaports. MethSys will cover systems analyses of the costs, impact on climate, and feasibility of the new technologies. Background: Power-to-Gas Processes In so-called power-to-gas processes using electric power from renewable energy sources, environmentally friendly gas can be generated and stored easily for later use as and when required. Methane from power-to-gas processes offers numerous benefits compared to other power-to-X options, production processes are less complex and reach far higher levels of efficiency. This has a positive impact on production costs. Moreover, fossil natural gas can be replaced easily and successively by compressed or liquid methane from renewable energy sources. Existing gas networks and applications can still be used without the need for expensive and time-consuming modifications. Firstly, gas-based technologies are well developed and used in millions of applications. Secondly, there is an extensive and high-capacity infrastructure of existing natural gas networks and storage facilities available, with which fluctuations in the supply of renewable energies can be compensated, large amounts of energy stored, and energy consumption peaks balanced. Vehicles powered with gases from renewables, as a supplement to e-mobility, can make a major contribution to the energy transition. Explore further Production of renewable gas from waste wood Credit: Daniel Schmidt It is now possible to tell the story of mankind's presence and evolution on the planet by analyzing trends in soil and sediment accumulation of fecal sterols, chemical compounds which are crucial in human physiology. Scientists at Ca' Foscari University of Venice and the Institute for the Dynamics of Environmental Processes of the National Research Council (CNR-IDPA) have identified and dated traces of sterols within the sediments of two New Zealand lakes, thus proving the presence of the Maori people who, starting from around 1280, colonized the two oceanic islands and cleared them of forests in just a few decades to make space for fields and pastures. The study has just been published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports. The analyses were carried out in the laboratories of Venice on cores of sediment taken from lakes Diamond and Kirkpatrick, located on New Zealand's South Island. By analyzing the microparticles of coal and pollen, researchers had already found evidence of significant forest fires as well as of sudden changes to the New Zealand landscape during the fourteenth century, when the deforested areas made space available for grass and shrubs to grow quickly and in a manner that was without precedent. Archaeological and paleoecological evidence quite conclusively attribute the deforestation to the Maori people, but this new study provides definitive scientific proof of their arrival in the area and of the enormous impact that a group of so few individuals had on the native forest in a very short time, to the extent that it was irreversibly jeopardized. In addition, the research demonstrates the validity of the method tested by the Italian researchers for reconstructing the history of humankind's presence in a given region. "Lakes collect traces of the feces of populations that have lived in surrounding areas, and these are deposited on the lake floors," explains Elena Argiriadis, postdoc at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics at Ca' Foscari, one of the authors of the study, "offering a continuous recording of the centuries of human presence. The concentration of coprostanol, the sterol most abundant in human feces, graphs a trend which over time nearly matches that of fire-related biomarkers, with a peak between 1345 and 1365 approximately, and is consistent with the profound environmental transformation which took place in New Zealand following the arrival of theMaori." Lake Diamond, New Zealand, ph. Credit: Dave McWethy / Montana State University "This research is part of a series of studies on mankind's impact, through our history and prehistory, on environment and climate, analyzing biomarkers archived within ice or sediment extracts from all over the planet (the Early Human Impact project, funded by the European Research Council)," explains Carlo Barbante, professor of Analytical Chemistry at Ca' Foscari and director of the CNR-IDPA. "Traces of human excrement also tell of the Europeans' arrival on the southern island of New Zealand, starting in the 1800s. The exponential growth in the concentration of fecal sterols vividly demonstrates the rapid increase in the population of the area, which has been ongoing since the beginning of the nineteenth century. The method can now be applied to nearby lake sediments and soils, in which the history of human settlement is not so well-documented as in the case of New Zealand, helping to map the movements of populations over time." Explore further How much do perfumes pollute? A pioneering study in the canals of Venice More information: E. Argiriadis et al. Lake sediment fecal and biomass burning biomarkers provide direct evidence for prehistoric human-lit fires in New Zealand, Scientific Reports (2018). Journal information: Scientific Reports E. Argiriadis et al. Lake sediment fecal and biomass burning biomarkers provide direct evidence for prehistoric human-lit fires in New Zealand,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30606-3 Provided by Ca' Foscari University of Venice Then-doctoral student Josh Stone tests the buoyancy of a bay nettle in the Zooplankton Ecology laboratory at VIMS. Credit: D. Malmquist/VIMS Wondering why you saw so few jellyfish in the Chesapeake Bay this summer? A new, long-term study of how environmental conditions affect the abundance and distribution of bay jellies helps explain the widely reported scarcity of bay nettles during the past few months and raises concerns about how a long-term continuation of this trend might harm bay fisheries as climate continues to warm. The research, reported in the latest issue of Estuaries and Coasts, used two long-term monitoring surveys to study the interplay between jelly populations and water temperature, salinity, oxygen levels and other factors. Compiling and analyzing population data for five different jelly species in the years between 1984 and 2012, it is the most comprehensive study of Bay jelly populations ever undertaken. Lead author Joshua Stone conducted the work as part of his dissertation research at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, along with VIMS professors Deborah Steinberg and Mary Fabrizio. Steinberg is an expert in the ecology of jellies and other zooplankton; Fabrizio directs the VIMS Juvenile Fish and Blue Crab Trawl Survey that provided one of the datasets used in the study. The other dataset was a component of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Stone is now an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina. His work at VIMS was supported through a Virginia Sea Grant Fellowship. The two most common species in the study, the bay nettle Chrysaora chesapeakei and the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi, are both transparent, jellylike predators that drift with the currents, but differences in their size, anatomy, feeding behavior and life cycles translate into stark differences in their population dynamics and impacts on the Chesapeake ecosystem. For Chrysaora, a stinging jelly painfully familiar to many Bay enthusiasts, the team confirmed and further quantified a preference for warm, relatively salty watersrecording peak abundances between July and September in waters above 70 degrees, and at salinities of 16 parts per thousand (bay waters range from near zero ppt where tributaries enter to around 32 pptas salty as the oceannear the bay mouth). The bay nettle's preference for saltier water helps explain widespread reports of its scarcity this summer in many of the Chesapeake Bay tributaries it typically inhabits, as freshwater runoff from record rains drastically lowered their salinity. It was particularly wet in Maythe rainiest in Richmond since record-taking began there in 1872just when the nettles' bottom-dwelling life stage begins to bud off its tiny, sensitive, free-floating medusae. For Mnemiopsis, the study provided clear evidence that its populations are controlled as much by biology as by salinity or temperature. "We found thatMnemiopsispopulations were primarily controlled by bay nettle predation," says Stone. "They were most abundant in June, during a brief window between waters warming above 65 degrees and the bloom of their bay-nettle predators in July." Salinity also influenced comb jelly distribution and abundance, with peaks in Mnemiopsis volume occurring at values of six-18 ppt in the upper bay, and nine-19 ppt in the lower bay. Long-term trends The bay nettle Chrysaora chesapeakei. Credit: J. Lefcheck/VIMS By comparing year-to-year fluctuations in jelly populations and environmental conditions in the bay over a span of more than two decades, the researchers discovered a downward trend in the overall abundance of bay jellies that runs counter to reports of increasing jelly abundance in other areas of the world. Stone attributes this downward trend to a cascading combination of physical and biological factors, and says it may portend a troubled future for bay fisheries. "Nettle populations in the Bay are controlled by spring conditions," he explains, "with lower salinities like we saw this year leading to lower reproductive rates that generate a lower abundance of bay nettles during summer." Facing less predation due to the scarcity of bay nettles, populations of their comb jelly prey then increase, but not enough to offset the loss of biomass occasioned by decreased abundance of the much larger nettles. But the increase in comb jellies does have an important consequencea decrease in populations of the copepods that the comb jellies like to eat. Because copepods are a key food source for many young fishes and other Bay organisms, a drop in their populations can send harmful ripples up the food web. Climate-change impacts This all leads to the authors' concern that climate changewhich is projected to increase the prevalence of wet springswill more often set this troubling food-web cascade in motion. Wetter, warmer springs would also increase the prevalence of low-oxygen bottom waters in the bay, which the researchers found to be another contributor to lower reproductive rates among bay nettles. "Predicted future increases in spring streamflow and spring hypoxia due to global climate change would further decrease bay-nettle abundance," says Stone, "possibly allowing for future increase in comb jelly populations and concurrent decreases in the number of copepods. That's troubling, because copepods are a major pathway for transferring food energy from phytoplankton to commercial finfish, especially through the bay anchovy." The researchers fear these food-web effects could be as severe as those observed recently in other areas of the world. "Our native comb jelly was introduced to the Caspian and Black Seas, where it didn't have predators, became invasive, and contributed to the crash of several fisheries," says Stone. "It has a natural predator here, the bay nettle, but fewer bay nettles leads to more comb jellies. Bay nettle populations are already at a lower level due to increases in hypoxia and other factors, and we can't afford to find out how detrimental further declines in their populations would be to bay fisheries." Ironically, the bay's increasing prevalence of low-oxygen waters may actually temper the effects of this unwelcome scenario "In Chesapeake Bay," says Stone, "increases in the area affected by hypoxia may help keep comb jellies away from their prey, because copepods and larval fish avoid these zones, while the comb jellies do not." "Even so," he says, "continued decreases in bay nettle populations due to climate change may have wide-ranging impacts throughout the Chesapeake Bay's food web. Even though we don't like getting stung by jellyfish, they are an important and natural part of the bay ecosystem." Explore further PhD thesis on the little-known Arctic comb jelly found in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic More information: Joshua P. Stone et al. Long-Term Changes in Gelatinous Zooplankton in Chesapeake Bay, USA: Environmental Controls and Interspecific Interactions, Estuaries and Coasts (2018). Joshua P. Stone et al. Long-Term Changes in Gelatinous Zooplankton in Chesapeake Bay, USA: Environmental Controls and Interspecific Interactions,(2018). DOI: 10.1007/s12237-018-0459-7 A CrowdHydrology site in Michigan. Stations include a giant measuring staff and a sign explaining how passersby can contribute to the project by texting water levels to scientists. Credit: CrowdHydrology In spring of 2011, University at Buffalo hydrogeologist Chris Lowry hammered a giant measuring staff into the bottom of a pond in Western New York. Nearby, he posted instructions explaining how passersby could read the staff and text him the water level. With these humble beginnings, CrowdHydrology was launched. The initiative has since expanded to streams into 14 states, and Lowry is now looking to use it to improve predictions of flooding in the United States. With new funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), he is working to integrate crowdsourced data from CrowdHydrology into the National Water Model, a tool developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to forecast conditions along the country's waterways. "Not many people know this but there is a National Water Model that simulates and forecasts stream flow in every stream in the continental U.S.," says Lowry, Ph.D., an associate professor of geology in the UB College of Arts and Sciences. "I spent the summer down in Alabama working with scientists at NOAA's National Water Center to look at ways we could use citizen science data to help improve the model." The NSF award will allow him to continue that work, he says, "with the hopes that we can develop new quality control and data assimilation methods to improve predictions of stream flow, drought and flooding." Using modern technologies to monitor, forecast floods Lowry's research with the National Water Model is part of a larger, multi-institution project led by Arizona State University (ASU) that received a $1.5 million Smart and Connected Communities grant from the NSF to improve forecasting and monitoring of floods by harvesting data from sources such as social media, traffic cameras and webcams. The goal is to connect first responders, citizens and other stakeholders with accurate, near real-time data, and to enhance communication about flooding during emergencies. The project will be led by Mikhail Chester, Ph.D., associate professor in the ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, and director of ASU's Metis Center for Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering. The cross-disciplinary research team includes engineers, hydrologists and computer scientists from ASU, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, Michigan Technological University and UB. Lowry will receive $90,000 of the $1.5 million grant, with UB's work focused on integrating crowdsourced data from CrowdHydrology into the National Water Model. The evolution of CrowdHydrology CrowdHydrology has come a long way since 2011, when Lowry started it with Michael Fienen, Ph.D., a research hydrologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Wisconsin Water Science Center. From one pilot station at the Beaver Meadow Audubon Center, a nature preserve in Wyoming County, New York, the initiative has grown to include dozens of locations across the Great Lakes region, with additional sites as far away as Alabama, Utah and California. "We are now in our eighth year of running the network, and early on, many scientists told us they thought citizen science data is of low quality," Lowry says. "We have worked hard to show the science community that these data are not only accurate but useful. It is wonderful to see CrowdHydrology being used in this big multi-institutional research project." "This is the second big NSF-funded project that has a component of transformative research revolving around CrowdHydrology," he adds. "This is, in large part, thanks to all of the people who took the time to send in observations of water levels. We just broke the 8,000-user mark earlier this year. Some of our best CrowdHydrology gages get over 300 observations a year. Without these engaged citizen scientists, none of this would be possible." Explore further Scientists turn to the streets for help in monitoring waterways Now Telecom Inc., a company led by businessman Mel Velarde, asked the Manila Regional Trial Court to order the National Telecommunications Commission to remove certain provisions in the terms of reference for the selection of a new major player in the sector. Now Telecom said in a statement it filed a case against NTC before the Manila RTC Tuesday over claims of legal violations in the TOR released by the agency and the Department of Information and Communications Technology on Sept. 21. Aldrich Dy, legal counsel of Now Telecom, said the company filed the case to amend the MC [memorandum circular] by removing onerous provisions which are barriers to entry [of the new major player]. Now Telecom, which bought bid documents Tuesday, alleged that there was an insertion of new requirements not taken up during public hearings such as the P70-million participation security, the P14 billion to P24 billion performance security and P10-million non-refundable appeal fee. It said these requirements would serve as barriers to entry. It said these requirements would not only violate existing laws, but could also be declared onerous, confiscatory, and potentially extortionary. Now Telecom is suing NTC to protect the interest of its public shareholders and President Rodrigo Duterte from any suspicion that he is complicit to the money making schemes in the TOR for the third telco, Now Corp. president and chief executive Mel Velarde said. Velarde said he preferred President Rodrigo Duterte to receive all the bidding documents on Nov. 7 and that it would be best if the president, not the NTC, would choose the new major player. We received a complaint filed by Now Telecom. We will refer the matter to the Office of the Solicitor General, NTC deputy commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said.Aside from Now Telecom, Dennis Uys Udenna Corp., the joint venture of businessman Chavit Singsons LSC Group of Companies and TierOne Communications and Norways Telenor Group purchased bid documents. Under the final terms of reference issued by NTC and DICT, the potential bidders will be chosen based on the highest committed level of service for over a period of five years. The three criteria are national population coverage with a weight of 40 percent, minimum average broadband speed of 25 percent and capital and operating expenditure with 35 percent. The rules stated that the minimum population coverage for the first year should be 10 percent, a figure that should reach 50 percent by the fifth year. The new player is expected to invest a minimum of P40 billion in the first year and P240 billion in five years. The selection committee will use a point system based on the documents submitted by the potential players. The bidders should post a participation fee of P700 million, or equivalent to 0.5 percent of the minimum capital and operational expenditure at the end of the commitment period. Michael Sealy, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering, holds a basic example of the medical implants he's designing via the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 3D printers. Sealy is using the printers to build magnesium-based screws, pins and other implants that can slowly dissolve in the body, which would negate the need for follow-up surgeries to remove such implants. Credit: Craig Chandler | University of Nebraska-Lincoln As a kid, Michael Sealy was tall. A little clumsy, he says. And he has lasting proof: two metal screws in his left elbow. The southpaw underwent surgery after tripping and fracturing that elbow in the fifth grade. Surgeons inserted the screws to hold his ulna bone together. The bone healed. The screws remained. "It starts to hurt," Sealy said of the elbow. "Sometimes it seems to be correlated with cold weather or a storm front moving in. Other times, it hurtsand of course my wife doesn't believe mewhen I'm doing chores, like carrying in the jug of milk or lifting clothes out of the washing machine." Now an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Sealy has mixed business with that displeasure by pioneering a novel approach to a decades-long quest. "Instead of having these permanent metal implants, let's have one that degrades over time," he said. "Let's eliminate this whole idea of a second surgery to have these implants removed." It's a major challenge for multiple reasons. But the university has equipped Nebraska Engineering with technology commensurate to that challenge: the first 3-D printer in the world that can integrate multiple materials and manufacturing processes while also printing highly reactive metals such as magnesium. In the human body, magnesium is an essential mineral that actually helps maintain the structural integrity of bones. Yet it also degrades quickly when exposed to oxygen, water and salts, all of which are abundant in the body. Nebraska's Michael Sealy (left) and Prahalada Rao stand in the Nebraska Engineering Additive Technology Labs, home to the university's three most advanced 3D printers. Credit: Craig Chandler | University of Nebraska-Lincoln That combination of familiarity and reactivity, Sealy said, makes magnesium a prime candidate to become the primary ingredient in dissolvable screws, plates and other medical implants that could eliminate follow-up surgeries or a lifetime of aches during snowstorms. To reinforce magnesium against the rigors of the body long enough to serve as an implant, Sealy began experimenting with a technique called laser shock peening as a graduate student. "That process is equivalent to taking a hammer and hitting your car with it," he said. "I do the same thing, except that I do it with a laserthe laser's my hammerand I hit the implant to essentially make it harder and stronger." The laser shock peening helped magnesium withstand initial corrosion tests so well that Sealy began thinking of his dissertation results as "lake-house data, because it was so good that I was going to commercialize the technology and buy a lake house off those results." Sealy then began testing the long-term corrosion of magnesium parts in a fluid that simulated the aqueous environment of the body. This time, the results were more sobering: The screws lost 50 percent of their strength after just one week and 80 percent after two weeks. Sealy quickly realized that peening only the surface of the magnesium parts wouldn't suffice. "With that, I got 'cardboard-house results,'" he admitted with a laugh. "That was a little depressing. But that was one of my big motivations for coming to Nebraska. I realized that if I (wanted) to control the degradation of these implants not just on the outer surface, but all the way through the life of the device, I needed to get somewhere with a 3-D metal printer that would allow me to print these magnesium implants." Not just any 3-D printer would do. He needed access to the sort of technology that was only just beginning to emerge. Nebraska Engineering offered him the opportunity to help direct its purchase of three state-of-the-art 3-D printers. Credit: Craig Chandler Those printers eliminate virtually all of the oxygen, moisture and other impurities that could react with magnesiuma fairly rare capability in itself. But they also allow Nebraska engineers to construct components layer by layer, which enables Sealy and his colleagues to incorporate multiple materials or build intricate internal structures. The other major benefit? Being able to apply various manufacturing treatmentsincluding laser shock peeningto any or all of a part's internal layers. "Then I can control corrosion all the way through these devices," Sealy said. "This approach is essentially a way to print your own mechanical properties. It's something that traditional manufacturing has never really had the ability to do before. "What's unique about our printer is that it's the first one where they actually combined these hybrid- and reactive-printing capabilities. I would argue this is probably the most advanced hybrid-additive manufacturing facility in the world, just because our equipment is so rare." With that level of customization at his command, Sealy is now experimenting to answer multiple questions: How does peening individual layers affect the corrosion rate of a resulting part? What's the optimal concentration of magnesium vs. other metals? Do those outcomes change based on which technique prints the parts? "That's kind of the fun part: figuring out what these rules of thumb are for the different printing technologies across different material systems," he said. Ultimately, Sealy said, the print-and-peen approach should help him design and construct magnesium implants that degrade at different rates inside the body. One model of clavicle plate or knee pin might degrade within a year, whereas another might dissolve over three or five years. "If you take me when I was in the fifth grade and broke my elbow, I was regenerating new bone tissue quickly," Sealy said. "My bones were healing quickly, so I needed an implant that degraded quickly. If someone is a 75-year-old female with osteoporosis who maybe smoked her whole life, she doesn't regenerate new bone tissue as fast. She may need an implant that degrades slowly. We can do that." Explore further Magnesium surgical implants can be designed to biodegrade, promote bone growth Credit: Queensland University of Technology The Story Bridge is 78 years old, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is hitting 95. Australian bridges are designed for a life span of 100 years. "The designers of these bridges allowed for the growth of traffic and load consideration, so safety factors for material strength were built into bridges like the Story and Sydney Harbour bridges," QUT civil engineering Professor Tommy Chan. "The Sydney Harbour Bridge is being fitted with 2400 sensors to monitor its structural health. "While this bridge has had regular maintenance, strengthening and tests to ensure it is safe, the use of sensors to detect damage caused by traffic, wind, temperature, vibration and extreme events add an extra level of safety by alerting asset owners to timely maintenance. "Some defects or damage may not be detected using visual inspection only and a sensor system can let us know whether the structure is performing as expected." Professor Chan, from QUT's Science and Engineering Faculty, said the latest Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies provided 24/7 monitoring of large structures and alerted asset owners when some part of the structure needed attention. "SHM technologies add extra safety measures beyond the traditional method of routine scheduled, visual checks," he said. "Using SHM we can determine when structures need a retrofit, rehabilitation and strengthening. Credit: Queensland University of Technology "This is why the Australian Network of Structural Health Monitoring (ANSHM) is promoting SHM systems to be implemented to existing structures and built into new structures." Professor Chan drafted the SHM section in the latest version of AS5100 (Australian Bridge Design Standard). "SHM uses various sensing devices and ancillary systems to monitor the in-situ behaviour of a structure to assess and evaluate its condition," Professor Chan said. "We have developed extra SHM technologies to detect, locate, and assess the severity of damage and deterioration in not only bridges and but also buildings, dams and towers. "Spending 1 to 5 per cent of the construction cost of a structure on installing SHM during the build can provide minimum to comprehensive levels to monitor structures for timely maintenance. "It is an effective way to detect structural problems and also predict the remaining life of structures. "Vibration-based damage detection uses accelerometers to identify the dynamic characteristics of bridges, such as frequencies and mode shapes. "On suspension bridges we use anemometers to monitor wind speed and direction because there is a lot of aerodynamic interaction between wind, structure and traffic. "We measure the traffic load and the bridge's responses to know whether it is performing according to the design assumptionsthe system gives an alert if it is not performing properly. "With a concrete bridge, for example, we need to know the temperature inside the concrete as well as the outside in order to estimate any developing thermal stresses because if a structure needs to expand and it is stopped from expanding it adds stresses to the structure." Professor Chan said bridges deteriorated at different rates depending upon bridge design and materials used. "This means different SHM systems for different levels of monitoring need to be considered and implemented," he said. "The latest SHM technologies could help to determine what needs to be replaced, retrofitted, or rehabilitated." Professor Chan said his ARC-funded research project on the development of prestressed concrete bridges using moving force identification would have been applicable in testing the Morandi Bridge in Genoa that recently collapsed. "This bridge was the first modern prestressed, concrete cable-stayed bridge. The project developed three different methods to identify prestress force of existing bridges which will be useful to evaluate the loading capacity of existing prestressed concrete bridges." The group's report came just days after several Western governments accused Moscow's military intelligence of a hacking conspiracy The latest innovations in cybercrime have shifted from financially motivated actors to state-backed hackers focussed on sabotage and intelligence gathering, a Russian cybersecurity firm said Tuesday. "The focus of innovations and research on the creation of complex malware, as well as organisation of multi-layered targeted attacks, has now shifted... to state-sponsored threat actors," said Group-IB, a firm that works with Interpol and several other global institutions. In its 2018 cybercrime trends report, the group said the top three countries in which state-backed entities operate were China, North Korea and Iran. It named Russia, US, Ukraine among other countries involved, and listed 40 active groups. The groups concentrated o "sabotage and espionage", particularly in the sectors of power, nuclear, water, aviation, and commerce, it added. Most attacks carried out in the second half of 2017 and first half of 2018 targeted the Asia-Pacific region, it said. "Banks are considered critical infrastructure, they are the targets for state-sponsored hacker groups," Group-IB chief Ilia Sachkov said at a conference in Moscow. "One successful attack is capable of destroying one financial organisation and even the collapse of a state financial system," he said. The report comes just days after several Western governments accused Moscow's military intelligence of a hacking conspiracy that targeted the world's chemical weapons watchdog and several other Western institutions. 2018 AFP A YouTube;s corporate headquarters in San Bruno, California on April 03, 2018. Gunshots erupted at YouTube's offices in California Tuesday, sparking a panicked escape by employees and a massive police response, before the shootera womanapparently committed suicide.Police said three people had been hospitalized with gunshot injuries following the shooting in the city of San Bruno, and that a female suspect was found dead at the scene. "We have one subject who is deceased inside the building with a self-inflicted wound," San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini told reporters. "At this time, we believe it to be the shooter." If you are listening to music, chances are you're on YouTube. A music consumer report by the industry's global body IFPI published on Tuesday found that 86 percent of us listen to music through on-demand streaming. And nearly half that time, 47 percent is spent on YouTube. Video as a whole accounted for 52 percent of the time we spent streaming music, posing challenges to such subscription services as Spotify and SoundCloud. But while Spotify's estimated annual revenue per user was $20 (17.5 euros), YouTube's was less than a dollar. The London-based IFPI issued a broader overview in April that found digital sales for the first time making up the majority of global revenues thanks to streaming. The report published on Tuesday looked into where and when we listen to music. It found that three in four people globally use smartphones, with the rate among 16 to 24 year olds reaching 94 percent. The highest levels were recorded in India, where 96 percent of consumers used smartphones for music, including 99 percent of young adults. But music does not end when we put away our phones, with 86 percent globally also listening to radio. Copyright infringement was still a big issue, with unlicensed music accounting for 38 percent of what was consumed around the world. "This report also shows the challenges the music community continues to face - both in the form of the evolving threat of digital copyright infringement as well as in the failure to achieve fair compensation from some user-upload services," said IFPI chief Frances Moore. The report noted that "96% of consumers in China and 96% in India listen to licensed music". It did not, however, say how many of those consumers also listened to music that infringed copyrights. Overall, the average consumer spent 2.5 hours a day listening to music, with the largest share of it consumed while driving, the industry report said. Explore further Music piracy on increase worldwide: industry group 2018 AFP Early prototypes of robotic rehabilitation systems controlled by the user's own brain required the use of skullcaps embedded with sensors, but researchers are developing a simpler version that can be used at home. Credit: University of Houston Researchers in Houston and elsewhere have shown that robotic systems controlled by the user's own brain activity can help patients recovering from stroke and other disabling injuries. But the demonstrations have taken place in highly controlled settings, and none of the systems have been approved for use in clinics or patient's homes. An engineer from the University of Houston is leading a team of researchers, health care providers and industry to fast-track the commercialization of a groundbreaking robotic rehabilitation system. Backed by a $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation program (PFI), the goal is to build a system that can be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is sturdy, simple and inexpensive enough for stroke patients to use at home. "We want to break that wall between the lab and home," said Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UH and co-director of the Building Reliable Advances and Innovation in Neurotechnology (BRAIN) Center, a NSF-supported Industry/University Collaborative Research Center based at UH and Arizona State University. "We want to build a system that can be used at home with FDA approval." The NSF PFI program allows academic innovators to advance prior NSF-funded research by further developing technologies that show promise for commercialization and societal impact. Such technology development efforts benefit from industry-academic collaborations that are needed to accelerate the transition of technology from the academic lab to the marketplace. The rehabilitation systems work by capturing electrical activity in the brain, which can be translated into movement through the use of algorithms that decode movement intent from patterned brain activity. Early versions of this brain-computer interface relied upon a skull cap embedded with the sensors, but Contreras-Vidal said any system intended for home use will have to be far simpler for patients to use. He has worked for years with TIRR Memorial Hermann, a nationally ranked rehabilitation hospital, in a quest to design medical systems that can assist in recovery from strokes and other injuries and illnesses. Other partners in the project are National Instruments Corp. and Harmonic Bionics, both based in Austin, and TIRR Memorial Hermann. The UH Office of Intellectual Property Management will help with commercialization, and Jeff Feng, associate professor for the UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design who has a background in the design of medical devices, will work with Contreras-Vidal on the headset design to optimize usability and form factor. "It has to be very user friendly," Contreras-Vidal said. The idea is that use of the deviceit will be modeled on a simple rowing machine and at least initially will focus on the upper limbswill promote plasticity in the brain and the restoration of motor function. Contreras-Vidal said the same concept could apply to the lower limbs to restore a patient's ability to walk. While the work also has applications for virtual reality, gaming and consumer electronics, he said the researchers are focused on using it to help people recover from stroke. It will be tested in the clinic at TIRR before being sent home with patients. "The research team of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department is fortunate to be a part of this project, which will make a difference and improve the quality of life in stroke survivors," said Dr. Gerard Francisco, chairman and professor of physical medicine & rehabilitation with McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and chief medical officer and director of the NeuroRecovery Research Center at TIRR Memorial Hermann. "Each year, thousands suffer a stroke which can leave them facing a long road of rehabilitation. By developing this device for use at home, it can be an added and convenient component to their rehabilitation journey." Harmony Bionics will produce the robotic device, while National Instruments will provide a compact, embedded, hardware solution for the brain-computer interface system and provide technical assistance. "There is a growing need for accelerating the transition to practice of the discoveries and innovations that start at universities," said Igor Alvarado, business development manager for academic research at National Instruments. "This project allows us to help advance new at-home rehab technologies for stroke patients by providing the data acquisition and control platform to be used in prototyping, testing and deploying the new rehab device." National Instruments also will oversee a national competition, which will release the researchers' datasets and encourage people elsewhere to suggest improvements in the decoding algorithms. "That's STEM outreach," Contreras-Vidal said. "But it's also citizen-science and advancing the state of the art." Provided by University of Houston Ex-Samar mayor shot; two killed posted October 08, 2018 at 09:00 pm by Ronald Reyes October 08, 2018 at 09:00 pm Tacloban CityAnanias Rebato, the former mayor of San Jose De Buan, Samar, remained in critical condition while one of his bodyguards was declared dead after they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen while attending a fiesta celebration early morning Monday. Police identified Rebatos bodyguard as Severino Tesoro, 24, who was able to retaliate and killed one of the four assailants before he died. A manhunt led to the arrest of one suspected gunman, while the two remaining assailants are still at-large, police said. Tacloban CityAnanias Rebato, the former mayor of San Jose De Buan, Samar, remained in critical condition while one of his bodyguards was declared dead after they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen while attending a fiesta celebration early morning Monday. Police identified Rebatos bodyguard as Severino Tesoro, 24, who was able to retaliate and killed one of the four assailants before he died. A manhunt led to the arrest of one suspected gunman, while the two remaining assailants are still at-large, police said.The 57-year-old former mayor is currently undergoing necessary medical treatment at Eastern Visayas Medical Center in the City after sustaining several wounds in various parts of his body. Rebato, who is rumored to run in the 2019 local elections, served as mayor from 2007 to 2016. COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section. Malacanang on Tuesday defended before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Dutertes decision to withdraw the countrys membership from the International Criminal Court. During the oral argument before the Supreme Court, the Office of the President through Solicitor General Jose Calida urged the SC to dismiss the consolidated petitions filed by six opposition senators and Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court led by former Commission on Human Rights chairman Loretta Rosales. Calida cited substantive and procedural grounds in seeking the dismissal of the petitions. According to Calida, the withdrawal from ICC was within the power of the President and did not violate the 1987 Constitution. The chief state lawyer disputed the main argument of petitioners that the Palace violated Section 21, Article VII of the Constitution which requires concurrence of the Senate in international treaties. The said provision specifically states that entering into treaty or international agreement requires participation of Congress, that is, through concurrence of at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate. Calida pointed out that such provision and constitutional requirement applies only in ratification of new treaties and does not apply to withdrawal from treaties. This provision requires the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all members of the Senate to make a treaty or international agreement valid and effective, but not in the event of withdrawal from a treaty. The petitioners cannot read into the provision what is not there. There is no requirement for senate concurrence in withdrawal from treaty, Calida argued. The Solicitor General also assailed the petitions for citing rulings of South African and United Kingdom Supreme Courts on similar cases, which he said are inapplicable in Philippine jurisprudence. Calida said that the move of the Duterte administration to withdraw from ICC membership under the Rome Statute was justified by the preliminary examination by the ICC on alleged extrajudicial killings in the country despite existing and functioning mechanisms to investigate and prosecute cases of extrajudicial killings. As to procedural grounds, the solicitor general argued that the SC cannot exercise its power of judicial review over the ICC withdrawal which is a political decision of the executive branch. Under the doctrine of separation of powers that affords due respect for co-equal and coordinate branches of government, the Court must restrain itself from intruding into policy matters and allow a wide degree of discretion to the president in determining foreign policy, he said. Calida also asserted that petitioners lack legal standing of opposition senators Kiko Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Leila de Lima, Bam Aquino, Antonio Trillanes IV and Risa Hontiveros in seeking relief from the Supreme Court due to the lack of official stance of the Senate as a collegial body due to divided sentiment of senators on the issue. He cited a Senate resolution which sought to invoke Senates concurrence to the withdrawal, but was not passed and has actually been shelved. Calida also said that the ICC has officially accepted the Philippine governments withdrawal that will take effect on March 15, 2019 and this is already beyond the jurisdiction of the High Court. During interpellation, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen agreed with most points raised by Calida. He said the Rome Statute actually allows withdrawal by a state from the treaty.Article 121 of Rome statues allows the state to withdraw. Withdrawal is not really a strange thing. In fact, it is discretionary on the state, he stressed. The magistrate also sided with Calida that the SC has no jurisdiction over the acceptance or depository of the Philippine withdrawal by the United Nations secretary general. Leonen added that the judiciary should be cautious in interpreting the Constitution when it involves actions by political branches, particularly the executive and legislative. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio raised the possibility of losing a legal defense against Chinas incursions in disputed areas in the South China Sea due to the countrys withdrawal from ICC. We are giving up a strong deterrent against Chinas invasion in the West Philippine Sea, he argued, ordering Calida to address this point in his memorandum. After the three-part oral arguments, the High Court directed parties to submit their memoranda within 30 days before it rules on the case. Meanwhile, a panel in the House of Representatives has recommended the filing of charges against police officers involved in the secret detention cell found at the Manila Police District Station 1 headquarters, and in the violent dispersal of protesters in front of the US Embassy in 2016. The House Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, approved the draft committee report which said charges should be filed against the erring policemen involved in the two incidents. The draft committee report said the fact that the detention cell in the Drug Enforcement Unit room of the Raxabago Police Station was hidden behind a book shelf proved that it was a secret facility. In April 2017, Commission on Human Rights officials chanced upon the cell during a surprise inspection. The CHR officials found 11 persons, including women, locked up inside the cell. When interviewed by the rights officials, the detainees claimed the policemen were demanding P40,000 to P200,000 from each of them in exchange for their freedom. The detainees also claimed they were made to confess to their crimes by the policemen who tortured them. The House committee found that the circumstances of the detainees inside the secret detention cell were beyond humane and do not meet the standards of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The committee also recommended a review of the current PNP Operational Procedures, especially on the documentation of arrested suspects. Another lawmaker found himself the subject of a photo that went viral showing his parked vehicle blocking a lane reserved for persons with disabilities. In a letter addressed to PWDs posted on his Facebook, Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian apologized for the incident, saying he already suspended one of his employees responsible for parking the vehicle at the wrong lane. The photo that went viral showed Gatchalians car parked blocking a PWD lane at a restaurant on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City. He also said it was not him who was driving the car at that time. While it was not me who was driving the vehicle, I believe that it was my duty to ensure that my staff constantly acts in a manner that respects and is conscious of the rights of every person, he said. Nothing less should be expected of my office, Gatchalian said, stressing he supported the policies that advocate push for inclusivity and accessibility of PWDs. Meanwhile, the security screener who recently encountered ACTS-OFW Party- list Rep. Aniceto Bertiz lll at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will no longer file a complaint against the lawmaker.Office of Transportation Security head executive assistant Napoleon Cuaton said screener Hamilton Abdul, 27, went to the OTS office with his father saying he would no longer pursue the filing of complaint against Bertiz. Cuato said Abdul was no longer filing a case upon the advice of his father. Its up to them, but I told them the OTS is here. Whenever they need our help, they can count on us and we will support any of our employees who are doing their jobs in accordance with the law in securing the airport from passengers who might bring terror, Cuaton added. Gatchalian said I continue to be a partner of the PWD community in pursuing policies and programs to make our country, especially my district, more accessible to the members of the community. Please accept my deepest apology. Bertiz III was criticized after a video of him supposedly trying to skirt security protocol at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport went viral. The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges is now investigating Bertiz although he has apologized for the incident. 5 hours ago Is Blink Charging or ChargePoint the Better Buy as the Infrastructure Bill Passes? Both companies will play a role in building out an electric vehicle charging network, but which stock is best to own now? Investors are looking at 2022 and positioning their portfolios to capture what is setting up to be a big year for electric vehicle (EV) stocks. Read Article To ensure that more Filipinos would be covered by the Social Security System so they could build better homes for their retirement, the Senate passed on third and final reading Senator Richard Gordons bill which proposes a new SSS law. Senate Bill 1753 or the Social Security Act of 2018 seeks to rationalize and expand the powers and duties of the Social Security Commission to ensure the long-term viability of the SSS and thereby guarantee better benefits for members of the state-run pension fund. Gordon said the bill was an enhancement of the previous laws. It ensures hope the people would not be a burden to the country; that they are partners of the government not by way of exaction of taxes but by their contribution so that their welfare is assured, Gordon said. The SSS, meanwhile, in a statement thanked the senators and congressmen comprising the bicameral conference committee who approved the bill seeking to amend the 21-year-old charter. SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Dooc said: I am thankful to the Senate and the House of Representatives contingents for their leadership, and for sponsoring and shepherding this bill. Hopefully, this will be signed by the President and become a law. Members of the bicameral panel who were present during the meeting for the consolidation of SB 1753 and House Bill 2158 were Senators Gordon, Ralph Recto, Franklin Drilon and Win Gatchalian, and Representatives Prospero Pichay and Mark Go. The meeting was held immediately a day after the Senate version of the bill was approved on third and final reading on Oct. 8, with 20-0-0 votes in the upper chamber. One of the salient features of the Senate Bill 1753 is the rationalization of powers of the Social Security Commission, the policy-making body of the SSS, allowing it to expand the investing capacity of the pension fund that will generate better income for the benefit of its members and pensioners. He said the passage of the bill would expand, protect and increase the SSS fund so that when the time comes, there would be available pension for the people. It will ensure a more meaningful social security protection to members and their beneficiaries against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden, the principal author said.The bill would give the SSS the power to determine the salary credit and monthly contributions of members, which would now allow the commission to increase contributions depending on the actuarial survey. It would also empower the SSS to invest its Reserve Funds to grow the wealth of SSS and ultimately yield higher income. However, the investments must satisfy requirements of liquidity, safety/security and yield to ensure the actuarial solvency of the funds of the SSS. We want to develop a culture of work, save, invest, prosper. The bill envisions a benefits-based systemwhat you invest is what you get; no investment, no benefit. But the maximum profitability of investible funds and resources of the program shall be ensured through a culture of excellence in management grounded upon sound and efficient policies employing internationally recognized best practices, Gordon explained. The bill also calls for the compulsory SSS coverage of both land-based and sea-based overseas Filipino workers, provided they are not over 60 years of age. Sea-based OFWs would enroll through their manning agencies. For land-based OFWs, meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment and all their agencies involved in deploying OFWs for employment abroad are mandated to negotiate bilateral social security and labor agreements with the OFWs host countries to ensure that the employers of land-based OFWs pay the required SSS contributions. Otherwise, land-based OFWs will be compulsory members of the SSS and considered in the same manner as self-employed persons. All benefit provisions under this Act shall apply to all covered OFWs. The benefits include, among others, retirement, death, disability, funeral, sickness and maternity. Meanwhile. SSS members who will find themselves jobless will soon be entitled to unemployment insuranceif this Senate proposal will be included in the SSS Reform Bill that will soon be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature. The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday threw its support behind the plan by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to release a list of candidates for the 2019 elections who are included in its drug list. But Interior Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Ano said the DILG will still consult with PDEA chief Aaron Aquino on how to make public the new list of candidates with alleged involvement in illegal drugs. The DILG earlier said at least 93 local officials, 58 of whom mayors, are included in the drug list of the PDEA. Ano said he is backing the release of a new listing of narco political bets, but declined to provide a timeline for its disclosure as Aquino is still attending to the case of the five PDEA anti-narcotics agents who were ambushed in Kapai, Lanao del Sur last week. Ano is seeking for the disqualification of candidates linked to either corruption or illegal drugs. But the Commission on Elections had already ruled that a candidates name listed in the drug watch list will not automatically bar anyone from running for a political office pending a final court ruling for a crime the candidate has committed. Being on a drug list will not disqualify a person from running for office. Disqualification only comes from a final judgment against the person, apart from other reasons for disqualification, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez had explained. But Ano said the present law that disallows disqualification of candidates who are not facing a final conviction on various cases was too high a standard. Masyadong napakataas nung standard. Even yung nakakulong, kahit nakakulong siya kaya pa niyang kumandidato. We will discuss this with the [Commission on Elections]. Ang ayaw lang natin dito ay makatakbo ang mga drug lords, Ano said. Responding to Anos proposition, Senator Koko Pimentel gave an assurance that the Partido Demokratikong Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan to which party he belongs, would not include nor line up the so-called narcopoliticians for the 2019 elections. I hope other political parties follow suit, Ano said. The DILG is currently investigating 250 mayors for various corruption offenses and abuse of authority cases. Meanwhile, Malacanang has strongly condemned the ambush of the five PDEA agents in Lanao del Norte, as it vowed to conduct an immediate investigation to arrest the culprits. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to personally monitor the developments in the case of the slain PDEA agents. The President has ordered the Philippine National Police to do everything to arrest those behind these crimes, Roque said in a Palace press briefing, expressing condolences to the bereaved families of the victims. We condemn these killings. These prove the dangers being faced by law enforcement authorities in ending the drug trade. These deaths attest that the drug war is real, he added. The five PDEA agents were ambushed by still unidentified suspects as they made their way to Marawi City. The slain agents were identified as Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, and Binzo Dipolla, who were declared dead on arrival at a hospital, and Diobel Pacinio, who died while undergoing treatment.Three of the slain agents just recently graduated from the PDEA academy. Meanwhile, the Palace also condemned the killing of Judge Edmundo Pintac, who was handling the drug cases of the controversial Parojinog siblings. Pintac, a judge in Ozamiz City Regional Trial Court Branch 15, was on his way home when he was waylaid by 4 motorcycle-riding suspects. He was handling the cases against Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog for illegal possession of firearms and drugs. She and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. were arrested as authorities conducted a pre-dawn raid in their residence in 2017. Her father Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, who was listed in Dutertes narco-list, and 14 others were killed during the raid. In the Senate, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros also condemned the killing of the five PDEA agents, even as Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon likewise condemned the murder of Pinta. He also challenged the Philippine National Police to immediately arrest the killers. We cannot afford to let criminal elements intimidate members of the judiciary with violence as we must uphold the rule of law at all times. The state of violence and the unabated killings in our country today is alarming. The PNP must step up its law enforcement efforts, Drilon said. Hontiveros, meanwhile, called on PDEA Director Aquino to act swiftly on the case of the slain agents to do justice to the families they left behind. The death of our PDEA agents in Mindanao is deplorable. The government must leave no stone unturned as they conduct a swift and judicious investigation of the incident. The perpetrators of this atrocious crime must be held accountable and justice served immediately, Hontiveros said. Hontiveros added that she will support any additional fund allocation request of the agency to ensure the safety and security of their agents while on duty. From the start, I have asserted that PDEA, possessing the mandate to push for efficient law enforcement in the fight against illegal drugs, should be the lead agency in the governments anti-drug campaign, Hontiveros said. Thus, in the deliberation of the proposed 2019 national government budget, we will try to look at areas where PDEA needs additional funding so its agents can perform their duties while ensuring their safety, Hontiveros added. She also questioned the effectiveness of the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao. She said the declaration of Martial Law in the entire Mindanao was presented to the public as a magic bullet that would address rampant violence and lawlessness in the region. The brutal murder of our PDEA agent has belied this claim. This should serve as a wake-up call to the government. A Martial law-centric strategy to promote law and order in Mindanao is unsustainable. What is needed is a multi-dimensional approach that weaves together effective law enforcement, equitable distribution of social services and the full implementation of peace agreements, including the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Hontiveros said. Lawmakers on Tuesday warned officials of Duty Free Philippines Corp. against possible violation of existing laws for entering into concession agreements with foreign entities, all Hong Kong-based suppliers, for the supply of billions of peso-worth merchandise. Reps. Mikee Romero of 1-PACMAN party-list and Rodel Batocabe of Ako-Bicol party-list said DFPC officials might be held liable for alleged violation of the Retail Trade Law and Republic Act 9184 or the Procurement Act which prescribes stiffer penalties against foreigners. At a congressional hearing conducted by the House of Representatives committees on good government and public accountability, chaired by Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, Romero called the attention of the state-run firm DFPC, for dealing with Jose Ma.Esteban III, who represents one of the foreign companies. I think there is conflict of interest here. I dont think he should in any way be doing business with duty free, said Romero, an assistant majority leader. Esteban was the first general manager of DFPC who was appointed to the post in 1987 by then President Corazon Aquino. He served the retailer of imported products until 1992. The committee conducted the inquiry into allegedly anomalous contracts that involved DFPC official. Present during the hearing were DFPC officials headed by Vicente Angala, chief operating officer, and board members.Romero asked the House panel to invite to the next hearing owners and representatives of the foreign firms that DFPC tapped to supply them with imported merchandise and food sold in duty-free stores in the Philippines. Romero identified the firms as Landmark Management P and C Ltd.; Sportmart Limited, Tonghorn Trading Limited, Transwell Worldwide Ltd., Viewpoint Trading Ltd., Yearsley (F.E) Ltd; Colomba Management (HK) Ltd., EDF Management (Services) LTD; ETC Holdings (HK) Ltd., Goldpoly Company Ltd., Home and Office Ltd., Landmark Management Srvices (LTD). All are based in Hongkong. He even complained that none of the companies was represented at the hearing. Every time you enter into such SDA, these will be considered recurring criminal acts. You have to be very careful about these because you can be implicated, Romero told the DFPC officials. Asked if DFPC might have violated the Retail Trade Act for awarding the Hong Kong firms with huge supply and delivery agreements, lawyer Carlo Castilo, the firms lawyer, replied to Romero this is possible. Aside from violating RA 9184, Batocabe, for his part, said there was a possibility that graft charges would also be filed against the DFPC officials, saying the contracts appeared to be disadvantageous to the government. These are foreign-owned firms that are operating outside the country. How can we sue them in case there are serious violations they committed in the contract, stated Batocabe. The British military has staged war games featuring a large-scale blackout attack on Moscow as they fear a capability shortage amid allegations of Russian cyberattacks on both sides of the Atlantic in addition to the Skripal affair, the Sunday Times reports. Sources from the army told the Times that the speed with which a confrontation between the two countries could escalate had left some officials ashen-faced. If they sank our aircraft carrier with a nuclear-tipped torpedo, what is our response? Theres nothing between sinking their submarine and dropping a nuclear weapon on northern Kamchatka, one source said, adding, This is why cyber is so important; you can go on the offensive and turn off the lights in Moscow to tell them that they are not doing the right things. In addition to the cyber games, which are the latest demonstration of the growing importance of cyber capabilities for the military of any country, the UK army recently held its largest drill in a decade, involving more than 5,000 troops and six navy ships in the Omani desert. The exercise as apparently part of preparation for a conflict with unconventional Russian forces. Relations between the UK and Russia began deteriorating with Moscows annexation of Crimea in 2014, taking a turn for the worse this year after the alleged novichok attack against a double agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter. Related: Turning Wasted Natural Gas Into Bitcoin Earlier this month, the UK officially accused Russia of the 2016 hacking of the Democratic National Committee, using the purposefully ambiguous phrase almost certainly with regard to Moscows involvement in the cyberattack that some argue led to Hillary Clintons loss in the presidential elections. As bilateral relations go from bad to worse, the UK is actively looking for an alternative to Russian gas. Even at 1 percent of its total gas imports, Russian gas is still more than 10 Downing Street is apparently willing to live with. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Kady Fleckenstein is the Chief Operating Officer of local Buellton wine company, Universal Wine Alliance and VarunaWinesSYV.com, an online wine store with local pickup options, offering exclusive sommelier-chosen wines from around the world. The Central Coast AirFest is set to take to the skies over Santa Maria this weekend offering spectators the chance to experience the beauty of aviation with several types of aircraft. Planes and helicopters, new and old, will show their prowess in the air as attendees get close to machines that have captured the imagination of generations. The Palace sought to squelch rumors Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte had gone to Hong Kong for a medical checkup, and said he visited only to unwind with his family. Thats just gossip. We saw his pictures roaming around and browsing for yellow clothes, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told the Radio Mindanao Network. I think, the President deserves some break, family time, given how hard he has been working, he added, amid rumors that Duterte, who admitted undergoing an endoscopy for a growth in his digestive tract, had gone to consult a Chinese expert. Duterte on Saturday went on an unscheduled trip to Hong Kong with his family, three days after disclosing he had a medical examination. Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go took to Facebook to stem speculation about the Presidents trip. Dutertes top aide uploaded photos of the President along with his common-law wife Honeylet Avancena and daughter Kitty, shopping for yellow clothes. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also echoed Gos sentiment about Dutertes unscheduled trip to Hong Kong. He has been working since June 30, 2016. Can they not allow him a weekend break? Medialdea said in a text message. In a speech before doctors in Cebu on Sept. 21, Duterte first confirmed he underwent an endoscopy. Two weeks later, Duterte revealed before members of the Philippine Military Academy in Malacanang that he had a follow-up procedure to check samples taken from him. Aside from Barretts esophagus, the 73-year-old President also admitted suffering perpetual pain from other medical conditions such as Buergers disease, a complication of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and a spinal injury, which he obtained from a motorcycle accident. In the House, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said President Dutertes health is not a cause for alarm unless the growth in his digestive tract is found to be life threatening. I think he has been quite transparent, Arroyo, former President, told reporters when asked about the health of President Duterte after he admitted that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a medical checkup last week. Only if he says that it is serious because I have also had lots of growths in my time. They were precancerous polyps but they never ripened into cancer because timely removal was done with science and technology, said Arroyo. Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said he believed the President is in good health. You can see in his public appearances that he is physically fit. I do not know why there is a big fuss about his health when you can see clearly that his actions are not of a sickly person but of a healthy person, Pimentel said. Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said he is confident the President is in the pink of health. I pray hard that God would take good care of him until he finishes his term, said Albano. What is good for President Duterte would be good for the country. But opposition and Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said the health of the President is a national security concern.I have been calling the attention of Malacanang to publish the state of health of the President especially now that he admitted publicly that he is sick. This matter is of national security concern. The people must know if the President is still fit to discharge the duties of his office. Anything that he does or fails to do will affect the whole nation, Alejano said. Having said these, I hope that the officials in the administration would be truthful regarding an issue of this gravity. The conflicting statements issued by Malacanang only reveal that they are indeed hiding the truth from the Filipino people, Alejano added. Amid recent reports that President Duterte has been undergoing medical tests, a latest Social Weather Stations survey said that a majority of Filipinos have expressed concern about his health. The SWS survey said 45 percent of 1,500 respondents believe that the Chief Executive has health problems while 26 percent said otherwise and 29 percent were undecided. The SWS survey said 55 percent of the respondents are worried that President Duterte will have health problems and 61 percent claimed that his condition is a public matter. In the Senate, Dutertes allies dismissed talk of the Presidents health. Dutertes party mate at PDP-Laban, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, said he is not worried about the health of the President because he always sees him. I cant even follow his schedule, said the former Senate President, who is also president of PDP-Laban where Duterte sits as national chairman. Pimentel said he himself has scheduled endoscopy and colonoscopy tests as part of routine checkup. I am just 54, but Im already setting schedules for my endoscopy and colonoscopy. Doctors really advise the conduct of such tests when youre above 50 years old, Pimentel said. Senate President Vicente Sotto III also said it is normal for the President to undergo such tests. Once you reach 50 and above, you have to do it every five or two years. Others even do it every year. I should also undergo endoscopy but I have yet to do that because Im scared, Sotto said. If the President is sick, Sotto said he believes he would not hide the findings. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he was optimistic that the Palace would update the public on the Presidents health at the appropriate time. Even if the President is found to have a medical condition for as long as he is fit to perform his duties then thats okay, he said. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Filipinos have the right to know if the President is ill. The Constitution states that the public has the right to know what the illness of the President is. The spokesperson also said he would relay the information to the public, he said. He recalled that during the Marcos administration, there were persistent rumors about how other people were running the country because of the late dictators declining health. Education Reporter Mathew Burciaga is a Santa Maria Times reporter who covers education, agriculture and public safety. Prior to joining the Times, Mathew ran a 114-year-old community newspaper in Wyoming. He owns more than 40 pairs of crazy socks from across the globe. Letters to the Editor: Elect Shaun Henderson to Orcutt school board; President should be exemplary role model; Elect Mark Steller to Ocutt school board; We need Measure U, vote yes; American values still honest, true The workplace today is getting more critical, and not just in Singapore. Today, employees are more educated, more motivated and with higher expectations from their jobs. Personal development takes more centre-stage in the employee of today. To cap it all, todays employees are much more sensitive to financial compensation they receive from their jobs. Life is fast moving and employees want to be able to hold their forte in all the craziness that goes on around them. Therefore, it comes down to their employers and how they relate at the workplace. Also, research indicates that more than half the worlds population today spends most of their life working. All these people want to work for the best, and with the best. Further, research indicates that Singapore presents one of the best working environments in the private sector. The question probably on everyones mind is how the companies achieve such a high points in employee-employer relationship. Well, if you are one of those, this article is for you. High engagement This article presents the qualities that set best companies to work for in Singapore aside from the rest. Most of the features are from feedback received from professionals in the countrys private sector. Top on the list is employee engagement. Fast Company cites John Baldoni, who writes for HBR as saying: Engagement happens when people want to come to work, understand their jobs, and know how their work contributes to the success of the organization. Engaged employees are indispensable. Such an employee will own the job and will exhibit the highest levels of productivity. Also, highly engaged employees indicate that their employer engages them as partners at the workplace; that they are not just mere workers for the profit of investors. According to an Aon study for the Best Employers awards in the greater Asian region, most of the firms coming out on top have a highly engaged workforce. In fact, the research states that such firms have very high productivity levels. Story continues Rewards strategy Like aforementioned, many people spend most of their lives at work. This makes the workplace a very special place in their routine. In Singapore, the firms that performed well in the Best Employer Awards 2018 showcased a very ingenious system of rewarding employees. As per Human Resources, an industry publisher, the best performing companies focused on reward strategies which do not only include pay. The firms understand that any company in the industry can offer as much pay as employees want. Therefore, the performers choose to focus on pay, alongside availing career development opportunities for the employees. According to Vikas Verma, a director at Aon, acquiring and retaining talent goes above and beyond salary. He owns that employees prefer partners in career rather than bosses and managers. As the business environment gets challenging and the talent more discerning, organisations in Singapore must shift gears from providing career progression to career experiences, he tells Human Resource. However, it is evident that proper compensation for work done is critical for good performance. Properly remunerated employees are more committed, hence are more productive. Communication This is a great distinguishing feature of best performing companies. Especially, Singapore is a very competitive market. Talent is ruthlessly sought and the best employees need best employers. However, the Aon research indicates that the top firms emphasise on clarity and simplicity in their communication. A Gallup research concludes that employees take very serious the way their employers convey their concerns or any other information. It helps them tell whether they are important members of the fraternity or merely foot soldiers. The Singaporean companies emphasise regular and honest communication with their employees. This is because they understand that frequent communication begets trust. Obviously, a culture based on trust is the best culture. As a result, employees will be encouraged to fully participate in the strategy of the company. Also, trust will make the employees own the companies mission. This is another great quality that sets best performing companies like DBS Bank. In fact, the bank has been leading the Best Employer charts for quite some time now. Innovation Like aforementioned, Singapore is a very competitive market. It takes the very innovative to get ahead of competition. According to Science Magazine, to win is Singapore is to consistently innovate. Of the best ten companies none of them lacks an innovations strategy. All of them show an insistent tendency to try new paths, which oftentimes work for them. The best performing firms are committed to a long term strategy of adapting to and adopting new technologies. This is because the firms understand that technology is generational. For instance, all of the top firma have integrated social media into their operations to capture the young generation. How the firms handle their customers is determined by their innovative strategies that focus on them. Employee appreciation In Singapore, properly remunerating employees and supporting their career advancement is not enough. In such an environment, there will a very high rate of employee turnover if one was not appreciated. Almost all firms provide perks that compete with their competitors. In this regard, best performing companies set themselves apart by formulating a systematic way of showing appreciation to the employees efforts. This includes salary bonuses. This way, employees feel like they are part of the progress that goes on. They feel like they are working for something that they share in. Purpose Lastly, and very important, the companies understand that work is part of the employees life. One might get bored easily if what one works for daily does not seem to be fulfilling. Research indicates that fulfilment works more than salary increment towards retaining an employee. What distinguishes the best performing companies in Singapore is the fact that they align their employees purpose with their job. The employers structure their work in a way that one gets a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the task. To achieve this, the firms ensure very high levels of employee engagement. (By Neha Gupta) Related Articles - Can your ex-employer legally stop you from working for a competitor? - Rolex and Apple two incredible companies with very different types of founders - 10 leading companies from Singapore A man takes photos of the skyline of Singapore. (File photo: Reuters/Edgar Su) By David Yong Singapore is giving liquidators of insolvent companies a new tool to retrieve funds for bondholders and other creditors. Court-appointed managers will now be able to seek funding from investors unrelated to the case to pay the cost of pursuing claims, in exchange for part of the proceeds. That change came under the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act, which was passed by lawmakers on Oct. 1. Singapores corporate debt market has been shaken in recent years by more than S$1.5 billion ($1.09 billion) of defaults as oilfield contractors and shipbuilders stumbled. Many bondholders in these cases are individuals who lack the means to take legal action themselves, so the ability of judicial managers and liquidators to tap third-party funding to chase lost monies should help recoveries. In insolvency matters, creditors including bondholders can benefit to the extent that the liquidators are able to claw back any proceeds for the bankruptcy estate, said Tom Glasgow, head of investment in Asia at IMF Bentham Ltd. Having investors funding anothers claim for profit has been around in countries including Australia for more than a decade. The legal changes in Singapore, aimed at strengthening the legal framework for debt workouts, are attracting more litigation-finance professionals to the city. We are already seeing a lot of opportunity in the Singapore market and expect an increase in opportunity as businesses in Asia continue to grow, Patrick Moloney, chief executive officer at Sydney-based Litigation Capital Management Ltd., said in emailed comments. LCM is opening an office in Singapore in November, Moloney said. Peers including U.K.-listed Burford Capital Ltd. and Woodsford Litigation Funding set up operations in Singapore last year. It does present some opportunities for us with all the changes in the law, which is why we set up an office in Singapore, said Charlie Morris, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Woodsford. Insolvency managers may not have the appetite or own money for litigating, and thats where people like us can step up. 2018 Bloomberg L.P The press conference for European Union Film Festival 2018 was held earlier today. 9 Oct 2018 marks the 19th edition of the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) in Malaysia, set to take place from October to December. A total of 21 award-winning movies from 17 European countries will be shown at this year's EUFF, including 8 movies that will be screened for free. H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, said at the press conference held earlier today at GSC Mid Valley that they have chosen movies that could be of interest to Malaysian audiences. She also expressed her hope that through these movies, Malaysians, especially the younger generation, will get to learn more about Europe. "Europe has never been just one, but many. Through EUFF, we hope not just to promote Europe's cultural diversity but also diversity at the centre of the international cultural relations, as this is an important part of the EU's role as a global actor," she added. Also present at the press conference were H.E. Pascal Gregoire, Ambassador of Belgium to Malaysia; H.E. Frederic Laplanche, Ambassador of France to Malaysia; H.E. Krzysztof Debnicki, Ambassador of Poland to Malaysia; H.E. Eamon Hickey, Ambassador of Ireland to Malaysia; and H.E. Attila Kali, Ambassador of Hungary to Malaysia, who each introduced their respective countries' movies that will be screened at EUFF 2018. "Sonar" (Belgium), "Promise at Dawn" (France), "Loving Vincent" (Poland), "Kincsem: Bet On Revenge" (Hungary) and "Halal Daddy" (Ireland), which was also screened at this morning's press conference, were the movies mentioned by the ambassadors. (L-R) H.E. Pascal Gregoire, H.E. Frederic Laplanche, H.E. Krzysztof Debnicki, H.E. Eamon Hickey, H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez and H.E. Attila Kali at the EUFF 2018 press conference. Hungary's representative movie is among the 8 titles that are to be screened for free, the other 7 being "Anka" (Croatia), "Friends by Chance" (Italy), "Quo Vado?" (Italy), "Miss Kiet's Children" (Netherlands), "Selfie" (Romania), "Breaking News" (Romania), and "My Big Night" (Spain). Story continues Coupons for the free movies are available for download on EUFF's website, while tickets for other EUFF titles are priced at RM8.50 (normal seats) each and can be purchased at participating GSC outlets. This year, since a movie on famous painter Van Gogh is part of the EUFF lineup, the Embassy of the Netherlands has organised art workshops for refugee children in Malaysia. The Van Gogh-inspired paintings will be displayed at the launch of EUFF in KL on 17 October. A silent auction will also be held and the proceeds will go to aid refugee children. Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, with Cinema Online as its media partner once again, this year's EUFF marks a new chapter as it will be held for the first time in Johor Bahru. EUFF 2018 will open at GSC Mid Valley and GSC Pavilion KL from 18 to 28 October. Next month, the film festival continues at GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang, from 1 to 7 November and makes its inaugural visit to GSC Paradigm Mall JB, Johor, from 15 to 18 November. Over in East Malaysia, the film festival will be held at GSC CityONE, Kuching, from 22 to 28 November, and last but not least, at GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, from 6 to 12 December. President Rodrigo Duterte said his medical tests showed he was negative for cancer even as he admitted that his Barretts esophagus worsened because he has been drinking brandy again of late. I am not cancerous. So do not be afraid to go near me. I wont contaminate you, Duterte said in an interview with reporters Tuesday evening. Its not the colon. Its my Barretts esophagus. Its badly eroded because I was told to stop drinking years ago. But of late I returned to drinking. I dont knowfor one reason or another I just like to drink brandy now. Even if Im alone, I take three shots before sleeping, the President said. He said samples of the growth were taken for endoscopy and colonoscopy when he went to Cardinal Santos for a second opinion. Its negative. They had a suspicion [but it turned out negative], he said. We can drink together now and I can give you a run for your money. You will die anyway even if you dont drink, the President added. Duterte said the state of his health is not for public consumption even as he acknowledged that the Constitution requires him to let the people know if he is fully incapacitated to discharge the functions of his office. In an earlier interview, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Duterte announced the results of his diagnostic examination during the 30th Cabinet meeting on Monday night. Acting Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano also said Duterte was shown to be free of cancer after he was tested in a private hospital. The public has been clamoring for information on Dutertes health after the 73-year-old missed two official events last week. He disclosed to us that the result of the test was negative, the one where they took samples from his intestines, Ano told reporters.Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also said Duterte was cancer-free and had only polyps in his intestines. The President is as strong as an ox. We saw it yesterday. He was in good spirits, Zubiri said. Zubiri was among the senators who attended the Cabinet meeting with Duterte on Monday night. Ano said it was Duterte who volunteered to talk about his health during their meeting. He said By the way, I had my test. And he said The test is negative, Ano said. He even joked and said You know our health is like a battery, it sometimes is negative and positive. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said there was no need to release a medical bulletin on the Presidents health. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque also said Duterte had no illness that was serious enough to divulge to the public. Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said Duterte was healthy, okay, and cancer-free. Dutertes health has become a constant cause of concern and a topic of speculation after he repeatedly disappeared from public view, missing several presidential activities. Investors, Founders, community builders and content strategists all come to share their expert advice at e27 Academy Roadshow: Bangkok Thailand is nicknamed The Land of Smiles, and at e27 we want to make sure that the ecosystem also lives up to that nickname. Success usually leads to smiles, but to achieve your goals, there is usually a learning curve. On Thursday, e27 will be hosting our roadshow in Bangkok to provide the startup ecosystem with the opportunity to come and learn from the best and brightest. Plus, we will be bringing together like-minded individuals to network and share about your experiences as previously, current, or soon to be founders. Already convinced? Here are the details: Date: Thursday, October 11 Where: Wishbeer Home Bar 1491, Sukhumvit Road, Wattana, Prakhanong Bangkok, Thailand, 10110 When: 04:00 pm 09:00 pm The most exciting part is our amazing lineup of speakers. Lets take a look! Meet the speakers Paul Ark Managing Partner of Corporate Venture Capital for Digital Ventures Panelist for the topic: Getting Ready for the Big League: How to Raise your Series B A man who has spent a career spanning variety of industries; from finance, strategy and technology to retail & real estate. Ark has over 20 years of on-the-ground management and deal experience in North, South, and Southeast Asia, with tenures in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street. Paul is currently based in Bangkok managing a corporate venture capital fund and a startup accelerator. He is an active angel investor and start-up advisor/mentor. Tamowan (June) Chen Investment Associate, Monks Hill Ventures Panelist for the topic: Getting Ready for the Big League: How to Raise your Series B With experience as a Project Manager in Thailand, June understands how to correctly plan and execute initiatives to maximise resource utilisation and process efficiency. June has recently been working in the investment banking industry, primarily advising large corporate clients on IPOs, local and cross-border M&A transactions in Southeast Asia. Story continues Junes experience spans across multiple segments including consumer, real estate, telecommunication and energy sectors. Polpat Songthamjitti Co-founder and CMO of GetLinks Workshop Speaker: Growth GetLinks is a leading tech hiring platform in Southeast Asia. This year, the startup nabbed investment from SEEK and the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund. They have also become the first Thai Startups in history to join & receive direct funding from top accelerator in Silicon Valley, 500 Startups Apart from being the co-founder of GetLinks, Polpat has also been named a member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class for 2018. He has previous experience as Lazadas Senior Online Marketing Manager for Social Media. He also was the Head Organiser & Community Leader of BKK Startup Job Fest, the Manager of Drinkentrepreneurs-Asia, and Director of Kairos Society Thailand, an international nonprofit organization, invitation-only club, that seeks to develop top entrepreneurs from universities around the world. He is also a Mentor and Investor of several startups in Thailand David Jou Founder, Pomelo Roundtable Discussion: Founder Burnout: When work and personal life gets too overwhelming Before Pomelo, he co-founded Lazada Thailand and served as the managing director. During his time there, Lazada Thailand grew to be one of the leading online shopping sites in Thailand. Having been a founder of two companies while he was in university Jou is a startup veteran and is now the leader of one of Thailands most interesting young startups. Jou is a man who has a true passion for the e-commerce scene and veteran to entrepreneurship. Joyce Yang Senior Content Strategist, TheSmartLocal Panelist for the topic:It Takes A Community (To Build A Successful Business As the content strategy lead of TheSmartLocal.com, Joyce Yang has a passion for turning boring content into attractive, must-read pieces. She is no stranger to understanding the importance of a community as a large reason for the success of TheSmartLocal is the ecosystem they have cultivated. Eyad Zahra Community Director, Wework Panelist for the topic:It Takes A Community (To Build A Successful Business From City lead to expansion head, to Director of Business Development operations and now a Community Director, Eyad Zahra has a built years of experience in community building. Beyond his years of working with WeWork, he has experience producing and directing films! The Location: Why Wishbeer Home Bar? Situated just 3 minutes from Phra Khanong station, Wishbeer Home Bar is a warm and cozy setting that was set-up by Jerome Le Louer, an Echelon TOP100 alumni. With the spacious and relaxed environment, it was a no brainer for us. Photo by Andreas Brucker on Unsplash The post 6 amazing stakeholders speaking at e27 Academy Roadshow: Bangkok appeared first on e27. KUALA NERUS: Apprenticeship programmes for secondary students need to be intensified to prepare them for employment upon the completion of their studies. Making the call, prominent Terengganu entrepreneur Chong Fah Ming said that the country urgently lacked a skilled workforce that was not overly dependent on foreign workers. A majority of college and university graduates here lacked the necessary technical skills, experience and aptitude to be absorbed instantly into the job market. This is unlike in some developed countries like Thailand, for instance, where there exists a solid apprenticeship programme for youths to acquire skills in the various trades and industries, said Chong, whose businesses include automotive brake manufacturing, hotels, island resorts and properties. Chong hoped the government would pay serious attention to such a suggestion so that school-leavers do not become a burden to themselves, their families, society and the country. He said this in conjunction with a co-curriculum carnival at Sekolah Menengah Kompleks Gong Badak where he gave a career talk to its secondary students. Chong, who is a former Terengganu Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president, said his company AFI Brake Manufacturing Sdn Bhd was involved in an apprenticeship programme with the school. Seven Fourth Formers from the school have been hand-picked for the two-year Perantisan Industri Menengah Atas (Pima), or Upper Secondary Industry Apprenticeship programme initiated by the Education Ministry. Each of them are also paid a RM20 daily allowance by Chongs company for the duration of their apprenticeship. The seven are Adam Haikal Abdul Salleh, Muhammad Adib Syauqi Asmaruddin, Ahmad Khairul Naim Amirul Hisham, Mohammad Akram Hakim Azman, Muhammad Nazri Sufian Zainuddin, Luqmanul Hakim Ahmad Ramdzan and Alif Hirzan Ruslan. If they prove their mettle, a job is readily waiting for them when they graduate as I have plenty of vacancies for local skilled workers, especially Terengganu-born sons. This will also reduce my dependence on foreign workers, as my company is forced to employ them owing to lack of interest from locals, said Chong, who is also willing to introduce student apprenticeship programmes for his Ming Star Group of hotels and the Summer Bay Lang Tengah Island Resort. Pima involves two days classroom theory at the school, and three days vocational practical training per week at his factory in Gong Badak. School principal Abu Bakar R.A. Mohd Abdullah said the programme was tailor made to consist of 70 per cent learning at an industrial environment, with 30 per cent academics at school. It is especially designed for students who are less inclined in academics but have a strong drive to acquire technical skills. Thus, when they finish their Form Five, they not only will have their SPM certificate but will be armed with suitable trade skills to be absorbed into the job market, including at the factories where they were pre-trained, said Abu Bakar. He added that the programme, involving one school in each district nationwide, had begun since the middle of this year and would last until September next year. For Terengganu, the programme involves eight schools in each of the states districts. The ministry has tied up the schools with companies as close as possible with it, to facilitate ease of travel and logistics for the students, said Abu Bakar. About 2,000 schools nationwide are involved in the Pima programme aimed at guaranteeing them employment. New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd Defence lawyers for two Chilean tourists facing the death penalty in Malaysia for murder said Tuesday they are seeking a review of the charge, as the mother of one of the accused pleaded for prayers. Fernando Candia, a 32-year-old chef, and Felipe Osiadacz, 28, are on trial for allegedly killing a Malaysian man in a hotel lobby less than 24 hours after they arrived in the country for a holiday on August 4 last year. If found guilty of murder, they face the death penalty which in Malaysia is carried out by hanging. Both men, who are being held in prison, have pleaded not guilty and their lawyers claim they acted in self-defence after the Malaysian attacked them first. A defence counsel said Tuesday they have written to the Attorney-General's Chambers, Malaysia's chief state prosecutor. "We have written an appeal letter... to reconsider the charge against both of them," defence counsel R. Alagendra told AFP. "We are confident the right thing will be done for them," she added. The court has fixed October 24 for the outcome of the appeal. At least 10 prosecution witnesses have taken the stand so far, including a toxicologist who found traces of drugs in the urine and blood of the deceased. After Tuesday's court hearing, Maritza Olcay, the mother of Candia, said she had been praying for her son and appealed for others to pray for him as well. "I am always praying. I urge all the people to pray for my son," she told reporters outside the court as she struggled to hold back tears. Also present in court was Osiadacz's girlfriend from Belgium who told AFP she also longed for his freedom. "I want to take him home. He has lost some weight but is psychologically strong. I really believe the judiciary in Malaysia is fair and just," said the girlfriend, who gave her name as Gaelle. A court official told AFP the prosecutors hope to wrap up the case by November with three more witnesses remaining, including a policeman and a doctor. The next hearing is set for two days from November 14. MADRID (Reuters) - The two main Catalan secessionist parties on Tuesday voted against each other in the regional parliament for the first time in three years, a sign that tensions over the strategy to adopt towards Spain's central government are becoming more serious. Quim Torra, the Catalan regional head and Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) member, last week threatened to withdraw parliamentary support for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in the national parliament, but coalition ally Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC, Republican Left of Catalonia) did not back the move. ERC leader Oriol Junqueras, who is in jail for his alleged role in organising an illegal referendum on independence for the Catalonia region last year, said establishing good relations with the Spanish state and finding "dialogue and agreements" was the best way to resolve the secession crisis. While the two parties had so far managed to resolve their tensions internally, they openly split on Tuesday when ERC teamed up with the socialist party to defeat a proposal of JxCat to allow exiled and jailed representatives to vote in the regional parliament. Junqueras and another jailed ERC member, Raul Romeva, had previously agreed to transfer their votes to a member of their party, in line with a ruling from Spain's Supreme Court. It is not yet clear whether those cracks could spell the end of the three-year-old pro-independence coalition, which controls the regional assembly and helped Sanchez win a confidence vote and topple conservative predecessor Mariano Rajoy in June. But the first consequences of the disagreements were immediately felt in the regional parliament, where the pro-independence camp lost two votes on Tuesday, one on reaffirming their claim for self-determination and another one to symbolically protest against a perceived lack of neutrality from Spain's King Felipe VI. Junqueras on Twitter on Tuesday urged the pro-independence coalition to stick together while JxCat said it would hold an extraordinary meeting on Friday to review its strategy. Polls in Catalonia show a relatively even split between those who favour remaining in Spain and those wanting to secede. Sanchez has said he favours dialogue on the region's future but has ruled out any moves towards independence. (Reporting by Andres Gonzalez,; Editing by Julien Toyer, Ed Osmond, Richard Balmforth) Hong KongHong Kongs leader Tuesday refused to say why the city had denied a visa to a leading Financial Times journalist, despite escalating demands for an explanation of the unprecedented challenge to freedom of the press. Victor Mallet, the FTs Asia news editor and a British national, angered authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong by hosting a speech at the citys press club by Andy Chan, the leader of a tiny pro-independence political party, in August. Chans party was later banned as Beijing cracks down on any pro-independence sentiment in the semi-autonomous city. An application to renew Mallets work visa has been refused and on Sunday he was given seven days to leave Hong Kong. Facing questions for the first time since the visa denial emerged last week, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee, said the decision had been handed down by immigration authorities. She said linking it to the Chan talk was pure speculation. As a rulenot only locally, but internationallywe will never disclose, the immigration department will not disclose, the individual circumstances of the case or the considerations of this decision, Lam told reporters. She refused to directly acknowledge the specifics of the speculation over why Mallet was denied the visa. However, Lam said the government will not tolerate any advocacy of Hong Kong independence and things that harm national security, territorial integrity and developmental interests. She refused to comment on how Mallet could be linked to any of those potential threats when it was pointed out that he was not an independence advocate but had simply chaired a talk by Chan at the citys Foreign Correspondents Club, which has also hosted talks by Chinese officials. Asked whether journalists could now be punished for interviewing independence activists or writing about independence, Lam said she could give no guidance but insisted that freedom of reporting and expression were core values.Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and the press, which are enshrined in an agreement made when the city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. There are growing fears those rights are disappearing. Beijing regularly denies visas to foreign journalists but it has not been a tactic used in Hong Kong. Britain, United States and the European Union have expressed concern and a group of the citys most influential lawyers demanded an explanation Monday.The American Chamber of Commerce warned that curtailing press freedom could damage the citys competitiveness. A journalists alliance has handed over petitions with more than 15,000 signatures to the government calling for an explanationpetitions that have now grown to more than 20,000. Political analyst Willy Lam told AFP it was very likely that instructions had come from Beijing to penalize those who were seen as advocating independence. [Carrie Lam] certainly cant contradict orders given by Beijing, including in this case, said Lam, who is a professor of China studies at Chinese University of Hong Kong. Some pro-Beijing figures have publicly welcomed the ousting of Mallet, including well-known commentator Wat Wing-yin who wrote in the conservative newspaper Ta Kung Pao: We only asked you to leave and did not execute you by shooting. That is already the most civilized of protests. A view of the skyline of Singapore in 2017. (File Photo: Reuters/Woo Yiming) By David Yong and Joyce Koh Hyflux Ltd., the embattled Singapore water-treatment and power company, is in advanced talks with at least two potential investors about taking a strategic equity stake in the group as part of a restructuring plan. The discussions with these investors are taking place concurrently with efforts to sell its desalination plant known as Tuaspring, its legal adviser WongPartnership LLP said in an update during a case management hearing in court Monday. Hyflux has an Oct. 15 deadline to sell the plant, which is Southeast Asias biggest. The group is racing against the clock to put together a scheme of arrangement to reorganize debt as a six-month debt moratorium expires around mid-December. It has also opened so-called data rooms to provide more information about its projects and financial accounts, as it seeks extra funds to help alleviate its liquidity strain. At todays meeting in court, Hyflux was asked to further update the court on Oct. 31 as more creditors started banding together and hired advisers. Hyflux also has been asked to return to the court on Nov. 19 for the judge to assess if the company would need to extend its debt moratorium. Hyflux is led by founder Olivia Lum, who was a poster child for Singapore entrepreneurs before Hyfluxs finances were strained by an ill-timed entry into the energy business. It started a court-supervised reorganization in June under the weight of S$2.95 billion of liabilities. 2018 Bloomberg L.P Guatemala's former Vice-President Roxana Baldetti arrives to a hearing at the Supreme Court of Justice in Guatemala City, Guatemala, March 28, 2016, on charges of conspiracy, customs fraud and bribery charges. REUTERS/Josue Decavele By Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Former Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti was sentenced to 15-1/2 years in prison on Tuesday for fraud, influence peddling and illicit association related to a government contract to clean up a polluted lake, in the first of several cases she faces. A panel of judges had charged Baldetti, 56, who has been in prison since 2015, for her role in the contract for chemicals to clean up Lake Amatitlan, around 16 miles (25 kms) south of Guatemala City. The $17.8 million contract was awarded to M. Tarcic Engineering, an Israeli firm, but after $2 million was paid, investigators realized the money had been transferred to bank accounts of shell companies, and individuals who were later accused of fraud, prosecutors said. Investigators discovered that the chemicals were essentially water with salt, leading to the case being nicknamed, "Magic Water." Baldetti "issued instructions to place key people to execute the budget in favor of the criminal organization (and) facilitated the administrative and financial procedures for the company," said Pablo Xitumul, one of the three judges who sentenced the former vice president. In 2015, both Baldetti and President Otto Perez resigned and were jailed over corruption scandals that gutted his government, sparked mass protests and plunged the country into a political crisis days before a presidential election. Baldetti, who was vice president for three years, faces separate accusations of leading a network to defraud the state related to customs, alongside Perez, who is also awaiting trial. She also faces corruption charges and an extradition request from the United States on drug trafficking charges. Baldetti has denied the charges. The U.N.-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala that helped bring her down is now facing its own crisis, after President Jimmy Morales decided not to renew its mandate. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Christine Murray; Editing by Anthony Esposito, Chizu Nomiyama and Jeffrey Benkoe) Falling costs and technological advances mean a 100 per cent transition to renewable energy in Hong Kong will be possible by 2050, an award-winning environmentalist has said. The city should tap into unexplored bio-coals, leverage on abundant organic waste and landfill gas for power, and import more clean sources from abroad, said Hans-Josef Fell, a former German Green Party politician. But all of this would need to be bolstered by a legislative framework, and a robust feed-in tariff programme that incentivised investment into renewables. It is possible, but only if you really want it, Fell widely regarded as the founding father of the global renewable energy movement told the Post in Hong Kong. He was in the city to receive this years prestigious Lui Che Woo Prize in the sustainable development category. Yes, Hong Kong has limited space for [large-scale generation] but there are many possibilities, he said. It will also need a legislative framework and an energy strategy. A new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Sunday night said 85 per cent of global electricity would have to come from renewables by 2050 to reach net zero carbon emissions and stave off the worst effects of global warming. Although large-scale onshore wind or solar farms were not feasible in the space-starved city, Fell cited huge opportunities from wave and tidal power, to carbon-neutral waste to energy, and biofuels. Other than capturing methane at landfills which Hong Kong is already doing a new German technology, called hydrothermal carbonisation, is also a viable option. This turns organic waste and you have a lot of it into a form of non-polluting bio-coal for fuel, he said. It can be used to fertilise soil in agriculture, in chemical processes to produce plastics, and even as fuel for coal power stations. Story continues However, Hong Kong would not be self-sufficient and would inevitably have to import electricity from mainland China or elsewhere. Hong Kong does not have its own oilfields, but yet it uses oil from other places. Similarly, it could also buy solar power from the Gobi Desert or Australia. This would be made easier as electricity storage and transmission technology improved. Biofuels were another option, but this would hinge on development of electrified transport. The former lawmaker has been advocating all nations transition to 100 per cent renewables. Mathematical models by his think tank, Energy Watch Group, claim to prove it is possible and cost-effective. Fells suggestions for Hong Kong come as the government embarks on the process of replacing coal plants with natural gas-fired ones and prepares a long-term decarbonisation strategy for 2050. In its latest climate action plan for up to 2030, the Environment Bureau said renewable energy could only provide 3 or 4 per cent of the energy mix, up from the current 1 per cent. It has also just implemented its first feed-in tariff scheme, albeit on a limited scale and without a legislative framework behind it. Such schemes allow renewable producers to sell power to the grid at higher than market rates to shorten payback periods on an investment. Fell and his Green Party were key players in Germanys famous policy of Energiewende, or energy transition. He co-authored the landmark Renewable Energy Sources Act in 2000, which institutionalised the feed-in tariff scheme with variable pricing, rate-lowering mechanisms and participation of utilities. The model is seen as the international benchmark for promoting renewables and has been replicated worldwide. It helped lower wholesale electricity prices and increase renewable energy in Germanys electricity mix from about 6 per cent in 2000 to 32 per cent by 2015, though it is still largely dependent on coal. Fossil fuels grew in proportion after the decision to shut nuclear plants after Japans 2011 Fukushima disaster. Fell said it was a mistake for Hong Kong and the mainland to still be looking at natural gas and nuclear as clean fuels, the former being just relatively cleaner than coal and the latter, potentially destructive and highly polluting in terms of radioactive waste. New investment into wind and solar is cheaper than new investment into a coal, gas or a nuclear plant, Fell said. Every investment into fossil and nuclear now will become a stranded investment. The coal industry will vanish. Solar and onshore wind prices have indeed fallen by a quarter and 73 per cent respectively since 2010. The International Renewable Energy Agency expects electricity from all renewable sources to be cost competitive with fossil fuels by 2020. Professor Johnny Chan Chung-leung, director of the Guy Carpenter Asia-Pacific Climate Impact Centre at Hong Kongs City University, said 100 per cent renewable energy for the city was theoretically possible, but the issue was cost and government support. So much organic waste is wasted in Hong Kong. Think about all the trees and leaf litter from Typhoon Mangkhut, Chan said, adding that there was also huge potential for large-scale tidal power considering the citys extensive coastlines and waterways. [Investment] in the environment cant be left to the free market. Renewables must be able to reap economies of scale and that requires government support, including subsidies and tax incentives. Dr William Yu Yuen-ping of the World Green Organisation argued that from an energy security perspective, Hong Kong would still have to keep some fossil fuels or nuclear in the mix as a stable baseload source. But he agreed the city needed to do more to phase out fossil fuels and be more receptive to new technology. Right now its hard to get government funding for a pilot scheme to test out a new clean energy technology. This article Hong Kong can make full transition to renewable energy by 2050, says Lui Che Woo Prize winner Hans-Josef Fell but only if city really wants it first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. This is my third celebration as head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. This is my third celebration as head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. Today is the anniversary of the start of the Wuchang Uprising of Oct. 10, 1911, which led to the imminent downfall of the Qing Dynasty in China and the establishment of the Chinese Republic. The Qing Dynasty was a Manchu-led imperial reign that lasted for all of 268 years, subverting and co-opting the Han warlords of the Ming Dynasty. The Hans are the dominant ethnic group in China, and when the last emperor, Puyi, was forced to abdicate his throne after the establishment of the Republic on Jan. 1, 1912, China became a republic, although it was a troubled government for the longest time, with invasions by the Japanese and internal leadership struggles led to its break-up in the aftermath of the Second World War. Sun Yat Sen, a Han from Guangdong, eventually led the First Republic, and is revered as the founding father. Taiwan and many overseas Chinese celebrate the start of the dynastys collapse as the Ten-Ten or Double Ten commemoration. As the chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, we accepted the gracious invitation of Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office resident representative Michael Hsu to the Double Ten commemoration held yesterday at the Sofitel in Pasay City. Taiwan ranks as the Philippines eighth major trading partner, tenth largest export market and eighth largest supplier of imports, with bilateral trade amounting to some $7 billion annually. There are now 157,000 Filipinos residing in Taiwan, some 83 percent of whom work in manufacturing jobs. Filipinos constitute the third largest foreign community in Taiwan, after Indonesia, which supplies mostly caregivers and caretakers, and Vietnam. To assist our nationals, particularly the OFWs, MECO maintains three offices in Taiwan: the main office in Taipei, for Filipinos residing in northern Taiwan; Taichung for central Taiwan; and Kaohsiung for the southern part. Our main office in Taipei moved this year to the Neihu District, Taipeis newest development, and houses in a one-stop shop, the previously disparate offices not only of MECO proper, but also the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, OWWA, Pag-ibig, SSS, and the Trade and Tourism representative offices. This is Michael Hsus first Ten-Ten commemoration as resident representative of TECO, having assumed the post in July this year after the retirement of Gary Lin. It is my third Ten-Ten commemoration as MECO head, beginning with my assumption in July 1, 2016. Representative Hsu and I led hundreds of guests in offering a toast to better and more fruitful Taiwan-Philippine relations in the years to come. * * * For being candid and forthright with his state of health, and informing the public that he had an endoscopy and colonoscopy weeks back, President Dutertes health has become an issue. Both tests are standard medical procedures for men of his age. Colonoscopy is in fact prescribed by physicians even for those undergoing their first extensive medical check-ups, usually when one reaches 40. I underwent one in 2010, and I recall Senator Chiz Escudero telling me he had one too in 2010, after he turned 40.For both of us, the physicians saw small polyps that were not at all a matter of concern. I hope to God it stays that way. Senator Chiz by the way, celebrates his birthday on Oct. 10, and had planned to run for president in 2010, had not fate intervened and President Cory Aquinos demise ushered in a wave of sympathy for her son Benigno Simeon. President Duterte had always been transparent about his age and the state of his illnesses, even during the campaign. Despite Buergers disease, a spinal problem brought about by a motorcycle accident in his sixties, and frequent migraines, the people elected him overwhelmingly in 2016. He has been a very active president, visiting disaster victims as soon as calamity strikes, and soldiers of the Republic in their camps, hospitals and theaters of conflict. Now with a colonoscopy and endoscopy, all sorts of speculations arise over diagnostic procedures. Remember when FVR had a carotid operation in 1997? That was a very delicate operation and he recovered quickly, ending his term in June 30, 1998. GMA had spondylosis, and required a very delicate neck operation at St. Lukes Hospital when she was yet president. She is now the very active Speaker of the House. They said Eraps chain-smoking days brought him emphysema, a lung affliction, but for weak knees, he is still very much around, as Mayor of Manila at the ripe old age of 82. A since-retired archbishop once kidded me about your president (PNoy) having psychological problems, and I just chuckled in disbelief. All of these health concerns stem from the Filipinos love for gossip and speculation, a most unhealthy predilection. * * * Dont look now. Manilas mayoralty fight next year will be between a nonagenarian Fred Lim, and octogenarian Mayor Erap, and a 44-year-old or so Isko Moreno. You think youve had enough of the nonagenarians, from Mahathir in Malaysia to trying another comeback Lim? In far north Cagayan province, the 95-year-old Juan Ponce Enrile, former Customs Commissioner, former Finance secretary, former Justice secretary, former Defense minister, former congressman, former senator, former Senate president, and widely acknowledged as the legal architect of martial law for his principal Ferdinand Marcos, is running for governor! Lets wait until Dec. 17 when the Comelec closes the period for COC filing, if indeed the old man will give in to the clamor of his leaders to challenge the incumbent Manuel Mamba. Abangan! Old politicians never say die. Miss Bikini Universe Singapore contestants (from left) first runner-up Andrea Wong, winner Feline Wong and second runner-up Kelly Tan. (PHOTO: Miss Bikini Universe Singapore) UPDATE: This story has been amended to include a statement from Vault Faces founder Dana Sopah. A local beauty pageant winner has been stripped of her Miss Bikini Universe Singapore crown following an alleged dispute with the organiser over her prize money. Feline Wong Xin Yi took to social media to voice her dissatisfaction with the organiser, talent management agency Vault Faces, after it informed her that she would be removed as the pageants winner. Saying that the decision was arbitrary and unfair, Wong said in her Facebook posts on Sunday (7 October) and Tuesday that she had been called rude and backstabbing by the organiser in a Whatsapp conversation after she enquired when she would receive her pageant prizes. Vault Faces has since transferred the crown to the first runner-up, 20-year-old undergraduate Andrea Wong. The pageant was held on 15 September at the AJ Hackett bungy jumping site on Sentosa, Founder of Vault Faces and national director of Miss Bikini Universe Singapore Dana Sopah, said in a statement on Tuesday that Wong had been officially disqualified as the winner as she had breached the terms and conditions that pageant participants were subject to. Sopah added that Wongs breach was not due to any one isolated incident, and that Vault Faces had a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the rules so as to protect the interests of candidates, sponsors and the pageant. Wong, however, countered that there was no evidence that she was in breach of the rules cited by Vault Faces. She posted images on Facebook of what she said was a letter from Vault Faces disqualifying her as a beauty queen, in which the company said that Wong had breached clauses preventing her from defaming the pageant organiser and interacting with sponsors without permission. In the letter, Vault Faces asked Wong to return her crown, winner sash and cheque board. Wong also shared screenshots of a Whatsapp conversation between her and a Dana, an organiser with Vault Faces. Wong said she had waited two weeks with no reply after asking for updates regarding her prizes, which included a $1,000 cash prize. Dana appeared to be upset with Wong for asking when she would receive her prizes. Story continues Wong wrote, These are all her assumptions against me without any proof or evidence. I asked her for proof but she is unable to provide a single one. She said she would not give up her beauty queen title until Vault Faces explained how she had breached the rules. Miss Bikini Universe Singapore describes itself on its Facebook page as a pageant and fitness model competition, in which contestants are judged on their fitness physique. Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore has reached out to Wong and Vault Faces for comment. Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook. Related stories: Actress-model Vanessa Peh crowned Miss World Singapore 2018 Design researcher Zahra Khanum crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2018 Nikki Haley, who has resigned as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, was a virtual unknown on the national and international stage when she joined the cabinet. After nearly two years as one of America's top voices on foreign policy, the 46-year-old South Carolina native will leave at year's end with a strong global profile -- and a reputation for standing up to the mercurial Trump. With speculation already building about her political future, she quickly denied any plans to challenge her boss in 2020, instead saying in the Oval Office on Tuesday it was "time to stand aside." "I don't have anything set on where I want to go," Haley said, with the president at her side. But wanting a break from the punishing Trump news cycle would surely be understandable. During her time at the United Nations, Haley -- a fellow Republican who previously served as South Carolina's governor -- was unafraid to speak her mind, often in fairly undiplomatic language. She was the face of the White House to the world on everything from North Korean denuclearization to the war in Syria. And the daughter of Indian immigrants, who was raised as a Sikh but identifies as Christian, was the face of diversity in a cabinet criticized for being too white. - Outsider perspective - Haley was not exactly on the Trump train from the get-go -- she endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio during the Republican primary race in 2016 before backing Senator Ted Cruz. Indeed, she called the brash Manhattan property baron "everything a governor doesn't want in a president," and just weeks before the election, she admitted she was "not a fan" of the candidate. So understandably, eyebrows were raised when Trump chose Haley -- who had little foreign policy experience -- as Washington's voice at the United Nations. But, as she said herself, she had a track record in shaking up staid, traditional government bodies -- a quality that surely appealed to Trump. "Institutions always benefit from an outsider's perspective," she told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank last year. "In South Carolina, I was the first minority governor and -- a real shock to the state -- the first girl governor as well." Born in 1972 in Bamberg, South Carolina, Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa rose quickly in the southern state's politics, serving in its House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011 when she was elected governor. She was reportedly considered as a possible vice presidential pick by 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Her conservative views and plainspoken but warm style were popular in her home state. She then won national attention in 2015 by supporting the removal of the Confederate flag from the state house after a white gunman opened fire at a black church, killing nine parishioners. Haley is married to Michael Haley, an officer in the South Carolina National Guard and has two children. - 'I don't get confused' - At the United Nations, she found her voice, quickly outshining the secretary of state at the time, Rex Tillerson. She was a fierce defender of Israel, and also a ferocious critic of Russia -- even more so than her boss. And when a White House aide suggested in April this year that "confusion" had led her to mistakenly announce fresh sanctions on Russia, she quickly fired back. "With all due respect, I don't get confused," Haley said. She wanted to see what was happening on the ground, traveling to Israel, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Latin America. In recent months, her star had faded a bit, with Tillerson replaced by the brash Mike Pompeo and John Bolton taking over as national security advisor. Jurong GRC MP and Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore) Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development, responded on Tuesday (9 October) to the findings by Oxfam on Singapores efforts to reduce inequality, saying the country strives to attain real outcomes in health, education, jobs and housing, according to a report by Channel NewsAsia. Oxfam, the global charity dedicated to combating poverty, ranked Singapore 149 out of 157 countries for its efforts to bridge the inequality gap in its 2018 inequality index. Singapores ranking in the survey released on Monday (8 October) plunged 63 places from its 86th position last year. One reason for Singapores low ranking was its score under the harmful tax practices category. Oxfam cited Singapores low maximum personal income tax rate for the highest earners, set at 22 percent. Apart from Singapores very low tax rates, Oxfam also referred to the countrys practice of providing tax havens for corporates and individuals to evade taxes. Oxfam said Singapore has a relatively low level of public social spending, with 39 per cent of its budget set aside for education, health, and social protection, which was lower than 50 per cent in South Korea and Thailand. Lee said in a statement that Singapore does not aim to satisfy a collection of ideologically driven indicators, according to the CNA report. He questioned Oxfams assumption that high taxation and high public expenditure underscore a commitment to fighting inequality. In Oxfams view, Singapores biggest failing is our tax rates, which are not punitive enoughYes, the income tax burden on Singaporeans is low. And almost half the population do not pay any income tax. Yet they benefit more than proportionately from the high quality of infrastructure and social support that the state provides, Lee added. On the assessment by Oxfam of Singapores relatively low level of public social spending, Lee said that the countrys students consistently outperform others in international rankings. He cited the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) where Singapores 15-year-old students have ranked first for mathematics, science and reading. Story continues On the 4.6 per cent of Singapores GDP that is spent on healthcare, as Oxfam has noted, Lee referred to the Economist Intelligence Unit ranking Singapore second for healthcare outcomes and the World Health Organisation ranking its healthcare system 6th globally. While Singapore does not have a minimum wage, it provides support for low-income workers, workers skills upgrading and sets a progressive wage model for some low-wage jobs, Lee said. He added, Both lower income and median households have experienced faster income growth over the last decade than most countries at similar income levels. That we achieved all of this with lower taxes and lower spending than most countries is to Singapores credit rather than discredit. Other Singapore stories Man who stole metal bench from bus stop given 7-day short detention order Parking enforcement officers get a boost from new tech Yishun is safe, come for the nasi lemak: Nee Soon Town Council Activist Jolovan Wham, SDPs John Tan guilty of contempt of court Poland should withdraw from a UN pact on migration that will be formally adopted in Morocco in December, the country's interior minister said on Tuesday. Hungary and the United States already pulled out of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which aims to boost cooperation to address the world's growing number of migrants. "I'm going to advise (Polish) Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to withdraw," Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski said, according to a tweet by the ministry. "In our opinion the GCM draft agreement doesn't provide a guarantee of security for Poland. It also risks encouraging illegal migration." Brudzinski is currently in Lyon for a meeting with his EU counterparts. He said the agreement goes against the Polish government's priorities for the safety of Polish citizens and controlling migrant flows. Brudzinski is a member of the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party which has staunchly refused to welcome any refugees arriving in Greece and Italy, garnering it criticism from some of its EU partners. The global pact lays out objectives to open up legal migration and better manage flows of people as the UN estimates the number on the move worldwide has increased to more than 250 million. UN member states backed the final text of the GCM in July after 18 months of negotiations. The US backed out of negotiations on the pact last year, while Hungary said it was withdrawing in July. The document will be formally adopted during a conference in Morocco on December 10-11. IN a democracy, there is nothing wrong about being anti-government. This may come as a shock to Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., but the act of opposing the government in power is essential to a democratic system in which the best ideas emerge from untrammeled debate about crucial national issues, among parties that often disagree. Dissent is no more subversive than a vote cast during an election for the political opposition, as long as those who campaign for change do so peacefully. But eager to sell the idea of a communist plot against the Duterte administration, General Galvez and his subordinates have been using a broad brush to paint institutions and individuals a bright, communist red. Galvez said during a Senate budget hearing that the Communist Party of the Philippines has reportedly organized students in 10 universities in Manila for the Red October plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.Later on, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. named 18 universities and claimed that recruitment was being done through screenings of martial law and other nationalistic films. Whenoutside of the martial law years themselveshas it been subversive to screen movies about freedom and democracy? When has it been wrong to espouse nationalistic ideals?The military has presented no proof to support its allegations against the 18 universities and colleges that were named. Instead, it released some names and photos and school affiliations of four coeds who had allegedly joined the communist movement and who were killed in different places and time. But what proof do we have that these four youths had indeed joined the armed struggle against the government? How can we be sure that they, too, were not simply caught up in the militarys broad, red strokes, and paid with their lives for mere political dissent? Does the release of their photographs constitute proof? Or is it just more red tagging at the expense of these young peoples families? Sadly, the militarys red fever seems to be catching. Commission on Higher Education chief Prospero de Vera III spoke out against college and university professors over their biases against the government. I frown at professors who, under the guise of academic freedom, present only one side. There are too many professors who are like that, De Vera said in an interview on radio dzBB. For them, the government has done nothing good [for the people]. All they want is to topple the government. They are not doing the students a favor. Mr. De Vera is not doing us any favors, either, by failing to do what a person in his position should be doingstanding up for academic freedom and speaking out against guilt by innuendo and association that was the hallmark of McCarthyism. Saudi Arabia agreed to let Turkish authorities search its Istanbul consulate as part of the investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as his fiancee asked Donald Trump to help uncover what happened to the Riyadh critic. There has been fierce speculation over what happened to Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who wrote for Arab and Western media, after he vanished on October 2 following a visit to the consulate to obtain official documents. While Riyadh claimed he had left the consulate after his visit, Turkish police said Khashoggi did not emerge from the building. Government sources said police believe the journalist was killed inside the consulate, claims which Riyadh dismissed as "baseless". "Saudi authorities said they were open to cooperation and that a search can be conducted at the consulate building," the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement on Tuesday. The search will take place as part of the official investigation, which was being conducted "in an intense manner", he said without giving any date. Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz wrote in an opinion piece for The Washington Post that she was "confident in the abilities of Turkish government officials". But she also implored "President Trump and first lady Melania Trump to help shed light on Jamal's disappearance". Trump on Monday expressed concern about Khashoggi's case and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a thorough investigation. Turkish police were looking into two private aircraft which landed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport on October 2 at different times carrying 15 people of interest in the case, as well as the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and taken aboard one of the planes, local media reported. Previously Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg that Riyadh would allow Turkish officials to search the premises. - Mystery team of 15 - Ankara sought permission Sunday for the search after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time, Turkish television reported. Riyadh's envoy in Ankara was first called to the ministry on Wednesday. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government adviser, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year fearing possible arrest. He has been critical of some policies of the crown prince and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen. Police also said a team of 15 Saudis were sent to Istanbul and were in the building at the same time as Khashoggi. Turkish security officials were working to identify the 15 individuals, English-language state broadcaster TRT World reported, adding that Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have taken the consulate's CCTV footage with them when they returned to Riyadh. According to pro-government daily Sabah, the team arrived in Istanbul on two private planes, one which landed after 03:00 am (0000 GMT) on Tuesday while the second plane landed around 05:00 pm (1400 GMT) after Khashoggi entered the consulate. The individuals checked into two hotels close to the consulate, the daily said. Both planes later returned to Riyadh with one stopping in Dubai and the other in Egypt, Sabah reported, adding the police were looking into the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped. The planes belonged to a company based in Saudi Arabia which has links to the state. Istanbul police experts were analysing vehicles which entered and left the consulate, some of which were then seen on camera on October 2 at the consul-general's residence, 200 metres away, the daily said. The newspaper also claimed that Turkish employees at the residence were "hastily" told to take a holiday on the day Khashoggi went missing. - 'Thorough' investigation - UN rights office spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, on Tuesday echoed calls for "a prompt, impartial and independent investigation of the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to keep the findings public" in comments to journalists in Geneva. European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters in Lisbon that "we are 100 percent behind the American position. We expect a thorough investigation and total transparency from the Saudi authorities on what happened". Meanwhile, in London, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt met the Saudi ambassador on Tuesday to "seek urgent answers", according to a post on Twitter. The disappearance of journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi from Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate has rattled already brittle ties between two powerful rivals vying for influence in the Muslim world, analysts say. The Washington Post contributor, who has penned articles critical of some of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's policies in the Arab and Western press, vanished a week ago. Turkish government sources at the weekend said police believed he was killed inside, claims dismissed by Riyadh as "baseless". While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded Saudi Arabia prove their assertion that the journalist left the consulate, he has so far refrained from giving credence to claims that Khashoggi is dead, saying he will wait for an official probe. Analysts say the diplomatic tip-toeing by both countries is a sign they fear the case could stoke increased tensions, cautious of further straining relations in the midst of power plays stemming from overlapping interests in the region. "The only way to explain the hesitation on the part on Riyadh and Ankara not to quickly announce what they think is happening is because they both fear escalating the situation unnecessarily," said Khalil Jahshan, executive director of Arab Center Washington. "This is serious, this is a violation of a country's sovereignty, yet neither side can talk because of the national security and political concerns. So until they resolve that we aren't going to know the details," he added. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government adviser, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year fearing possible arrest. The journalist has been a vocal critic of Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen, and once compared the young prince to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a Washington Post column. He has not been seen since he visited the consulate to collect documents he needed for his forthcoming marriage. The United Nations, United States and Britain have all urged a thorough investigation. - 'Out to get each other' - Jana Jabbour, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, said Erdogan "does not want to enter into direct confrontation with Riyadh before being assured of the position and support of other countries" like Qatar and the United States. But she said the situation was "very grave" and "may lead to a break in Turkey-Saudi relations". Riyadh and Ankara are locked in competition on "regional leadership, 'religious' leadership over the Sunni community and relations with the West, especially with Washington", Jabbour said, adding that they were "each out to get the other". Regional rivalries have frayed bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia is particularly unhappy with Erdogan's close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, considered a "terrorist" group by Riyadh. Turkey last June gave unwavering support to Qatar when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt broke ties with Doha, claiming it supported "extremist groups" and was becoming closer with Iran, Riyadh's regional arch-rival. But in an apparent effort to avoid tensions with Riyadh, Turkey has focused its criticism on the UAE, with which relations are more acrimonious. "Turkey started to make a distinction between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in its criticism. While it was willing to be much more (vocal) with the United Arab Emirates, it preferred to be less vocal in its unhappiness vis-a-vis Saudi Arabia," said Galip Dalay, a visiting academic at the University of Oxford. He said this is likely to change after the "reckless" case of Khashoggi. But Dalay, a non-resident fellow at Brookings Institution, said Turkish officials do not want the case to be seen as "politicised from the start". - 'Overlapping interests' - Jahshan said neither country "necessarily can afford to lose the other given the overlapping interests" in the region, pointing to the Gulf crisis, the Syrian and Yemen conflicts as well as the differences over the Muslim Brotherhood group. There has been speculation over whether Turkey can afford a break in ties with its economy slowing down and increasingly reliant on Gulf tourists. Around half a million Saudi tourists visited Turkey last year while Saudi Arabia is among Turkey's top 20 export destinations. But Dalay said he did not believe "that much money is involved between Turkey and Saudi Arabia". "The image of Turkey being a safe place for dissidents, business people, intellectuals from the Arab world... would be undermined if Turkey doesn't give a strong reaction," he added. A Singaporean activist and an opposition politician were Tuesday found guilty of contempt of court for seperate Facebook posts criticising the country's judiciary. Social worker and human rights activist Jolovan Wham wrote a Facebook post in April saying that judges in neighbouring Malaysia were more independent than their counterparts in Singapore on cases with political implications. He had made the observation as he commented on a legal challenge filed by a Malaysian online news portal against that country's law against fake news. Singapore's Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) initiated contempt of court proceedings against Wham for scandalising the judiciary. John Tan, a politician with the opposition Singapore Democratic Party, was also charged with contempt after he wrote a Facebook post saying that the AGC's actions against Wham proved that his comments were true. Wham and Tan argued that their comments constituted fair criticism and were covered under the constitutional provisions for free speech and expression. High Court Judge Woo Bih Lih however disagreed and convicted the pair. "Wham's post impugned the integrity and impartiality of Singapore's judges, and thus the Singapore courts," Woo said, adding it meant that local judges "are not completely independent and are partial to the government". The post also "posed risk that public confidence in the administration of justice would be undermined," the judge said. Woo said allegations in Tan's post "were not supported by argument and evidence" and "not made in good faith and did not constitute fair criticism of a court". Sentencing will be passed on another date. While Singapore is admired for its economic prosperity, it is regularly criticised by rights groups for tough rules on political dissent and freedom of expression. Last year, the AGC began contempt proceedings against Li Shengwu, a grandson of modern Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew and a nephew of the current prime minister for a Facebook post in which he said the government was "very litigious and has a pliant court system". The AGC had described his post as "an egregious and baseless attack on the Singapore Judiciary and constitutes an offence of contempt of court". Anyone found guilty of contempt could be fined up to Sg$100,000 ($72,141) or jailed for up to three years, or both. By Property Soul (guest contributor) Recently a Straits Times article said Singapores total fertility rate plunged to a seven-year low of 1.16 last year. It is well below the replacement rate of 2.1. Do you know that Singapore has the lowest fertility rate in the world? According to the 2017 World Factbook published by the Central Intelligence Agency, the four countries with the lowest total fertility rate in the world are namely Singapore (0.83), Macau (0.95), Taiwan (1.13) and Hong Kong (1.19). Our neighbour Malaysia obviously has much higher productivity. It occupies the 80th position in a list of 224 countries from high to low fertility. 6.9 million by 2030 is just a dream There is another Straits Times article on the same day with the title Total population 5.64m, with number of citizens up 1% to 3.47m. Singapores total population has increased 0.5 percent to reach 5.64 million in June this year. This is already a big improvement compared with 0.1 percent rise last year. The number of citizen births in 2017 is 32,356, a 2.4 per cent drop from 2016. The PR population has remained stable over the last five years, hovering between 0.52 and 0.53 million. Non-resident population has fallen from 1.67 million in 2016 to 1.64 million today. Even if our population inches 0.5 percent for the next two years, Singapore will at most have 5.7 million people by June 2020. As I have said in my blog post Singapores latest demographics: what it means for housing, unless the government starts importing 150,000 foreigners a year from tomorrow, we will be far from the Population White Papers original target to hit 6 million by 2020. The population trends of low birth rate, stagnant growth and aging population are here to stay. Yet many in the real estate industry are still indulging in relentless building and marketing of new homes in the Little Red Dot, as if there was a real need to house 6.9 million by 2030. Our governments approach on low birth rate Story continues Whenever data shows Singapore has miserable birth rate, the local media will react by advocating the importance of marriage, children and family. The last time was in July when The Straits Times featured a series of stories about how young parents enjoy family life with their big family. Readers were brainwashed with articles titled Supersized families: More couples in Singapore are not stopping at two; More families having four or more children; Married for 18 years, with 10 children and counting; Family joy from 7 kids, four of whom have special needs; When three kids are still not enough We dont have to run a census to know that large young families in Singapore are exceptional cases these days. We dont need a crystal ball to see that late marriages, more singles and less children per couple will be here to stay. We dont need a Sociology degree to understand that Singapores low fertility and aging population are the inevitable result of being a developed country. According to the World Factbook, out of the top twenty countries with high total fertility rate, almost all of them are in Africa. But our ministers responsible for family planning dont seem to see this. Our government and local media continue to deal with a modern problem using a dated approach. Embracing traditional values is commendable. But we also need the wisdom to tell the difference between an ideal world and a practical world. Do not cling to anything that will eventually cease to exist. No matter how much time or energy or money you invest in it, once something is gone, it is gone forever. Jim Rogers, A Gift To My Children How effective are the goodies? Have we done enough to encourage Singaporeans to have more babies? How effective are these measures? Mothers who are citizens are entitled to 16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave while fathers are given two weeks of paternity leave. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, mothers are only entitled to 8 and 10 weeks of maternity leave respectively. Fathers take just a 3-day paternity leave. The Singapore government is also generous in giving out baby bonuses and topping up Child Development Accounts. Besides, Singapore is the best country in the world for children to grow up in. According to the study, Singapore performs well in all the eight judging criteria: under-five mortality rate, child stunting, out-of-school children and youth, child labour, child marriage, adolescent birth rate, population displaced by conflict, and child homicide rate. Isnt it ironic that our fertility rate is still the lowest in the world? Our older generations saw marriage and raising children as a stage of life and a personal responsibility. They never received any incentive from the government or assistance from their workplace. If the government believes that the more goodies they give out, the more motivated the people to have babies, it is fighting a losing battle. Because no amount of bonus can lessen the pain of a mother during childbirth. No amount of top-up can compensate for the time and effort of a parent to raise a child. We want to have our cake and eat it too Singapore strives to be number one in everything. We aspire to be the hub of all major industries and future technologies. So we train and require our children, workers, employees and SMEs to be competitive, efficient and productive. Our country is highly focused on results and achievements. Our society measures success according to wealth and social status. Yet when it comes to fertility, we ask our young generation to take it easy on their work, spend time dating, start a family early, and go for more children. Cant anyone see that we are asking the same small group of citizens to commit to two self-conflicting and equally time-consuming activities simultaneously in a short time span? Every year when the population brief shows a falling birth rate and lower population growth, news articles will conveniently put the blame on late marriages and singles. The Straits Times article said the biggest proportion of women staying single is in the prime childbearing years of 25 to 29. Is this prime childbearing years relevant to Singapore? I remember years ago my confinement lady told me that, in her twenty years of confinement assignments in Singapore, she never had any client under the age of 30, except one who had a shotgun marriage in her early twenties. When starting a family becomes a matter of choice If you are single, you only have one problem: Being asked why you are single and you may be lonely. If you are married, you will still be lonely. The difference is you have no time to deal with your loneliness. From the moment you say yes, you are busy with wedding, house hunting, renovation, mortgage, having babies, childcare, tuition, PSLE If you are a woman, you are given additional responsibilities of conceiving, pregnancy, delivery, confinement, breastfeeding, raising children, in-laws, house chores, domestic helpers, another pregnancy while trying to balance your life as a working mother. You learn to excel in every responsibility as an employee, a wife, a mother, a daughter and a daughter-in-law. For all the time, effort, sweat, tears, blood, compromise and sacrifice over two decades, you can almost build a business empire. Other women are also doing the same. You are doing your national service as a woman in this infertile land. Your job has no promotion, no CPF, no annual leave, no reimbursement, no fringe benefit, no package, no bonus, no dividend, no pay, no nothing. You are required to work 247 with no day off. Yet you wont be allowed to quit, resign or change job. The fact is: You must really love this job to apply for it and carry on till the very end. The reality is: The new generation knows that they have the choice to decide whether and when they marry and have babies. This is unlike last time when people think they should do it because everybody else is doing it. If more people choose not to have babies, do you still want to have children? If the majority are singles, do you still want to get married? Even if some choose to be single or childless, there will always be others who go for it. If Singapore has chosen the path of elitism, why cant we accept the resulting population trend and learn to live with it? Just as an economist from the Singapore University of Social Sciences said: If you have zero or negative population growth, we would have to radically restructure the way we deal with major policies. For example, some things we take for granted, like new Housing Board flats, may no longer be built because there are not enough people to live in them. Its time we stopped dreaming about a 6.9 million population and planned our housing for a stagnant and aging population. By guest contributor Property Soul, a successful property investor, blogger, and author of the No B.S. Guide to Property Investment. Posted courtesy of www.Propwise.sg, a Singapore property blog dedicated to helping you understand the real estate market and make better decisions. Click here to get your free Property Beginners and Buyers Guide. Related Articles Singapore Property Game The Winner Takes It All (at Propwise.sg) The 3 Best Kept Secrets in the Singapore Property Market (at Propwise.sg) When the Next Market Crash Will Be And 3 Ways to Prepare For It (at Propwise.sg) Also, Gogoprint raises US$7.7 million, MMTutors secures funding, and Core Capital launches US$10 million fund Grab secures funding from Microsoft [press release] Southeast Asia ride-hailing giant Grab has added another tech conglomerate in its roster of high profile investors and it goes by the name of Microsoft. The deal amount was undisclosed, but besides investment, Grab will integrate the companys Azure cloud platform and tap into its machine learning and AI capabilities. With Microsofts technology, Grab plans to upgrade its platform with the following tools: Authentication mechanisms such as mobile facial recognition with built-in AI for drivers and customers who opt in; Fraud detection services to predict and eliminate fraudulent transactions; Natural Language Processing tools to provide contextualised real-time translations and chatbots; Personalised services and content recommendations; Advanced image and computer vision capabilities so passengers can translate photos of locations into actual addresses for drivers, for example. Google+ to shut down [The Verge] Google+, a social media platform that was designed to rival Facebook, is set to be completely shut down in 10 months time. The decision was made following a Wall Street Journal report that said the company covered up a data breach that exposed the information of up to 500,000 users. Google said that the platform currently has low engagement and usage and 90 per cent of Google+ users sign on for only 5 seconds or less. Google will, however, still roll out features for enterprise customers who still use the platform to facilitate communications between co-workers. Gogoprint raises US$7.7 million [press release] Thailand online printing startup Gogoprint has raised US$7.7 million in a Series A round led by OPG (Online Printing Group) and other undisclosed investors. The startup will use the funding to further develop its product and expand into new markets including Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. Story continues Gogoprints platform manages and pools together client orders, and distributes the cost of printing via its network of over hundreds of printing partners. This way, printers can maximise usage of their machinery and clients can expect a faster turnaround time. Also Read: With no salary for months, founders had to sleep in the office: How Smove built a successful business from scratch To date, the company has worked with over 45,000 startups and SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) across Asia Pacific. MMTutors raises funding [e27] MMTutors, an online platform that connect students with tutors in Myanmar, has secured an undisclosed sum in funding led by Seed Myanmar Ventures (erstwhile VIMIC), an early-stage technology fund. Trust Venture Partners Myanmar, a local corporate finance advisory firm, and angel investor Aung Htun also joined the round. The edtech startup will use the money to aggressively grow the platform with an aim to upgrade Myanmars education system. Currently, MMTutors has over 800 registered tutors. Core Capital launches US$10 million fund [e27] Core Capital has entered into a partnership with Malaysian VC Gobi Partners to launch a US$10 million fund for Philippines. Called the Gobi-Core Philippine Fund (or PH Fund for short), the fund will be managed by Core Capitals Co-founders Carlo Delantar, Jason Gaisano, and its managing partner Ken Ngo. Gobi will provide fund administration, advisory and support. PH Fund will focus on a few verticals including healthtech, e-commerce, B2B, PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service), and other e-services. It has already warehoused four startups and has eight others in the pipeline. The post Todays top tech news, October 9: Microsoft makes investment in Grab, Google+ to shut down appeared first on e27. A white tiger attacked and killed a zookeeper in its enclosure in southern Japan but the animal will be kept alive at the request of the victim's family, officials said Tuesday. "A zookeeper was found collapsed in a cage, bleeding," a local police official told AFP, adding the man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The attack happened late Monday at the Hirakawa Zoological Park in the southern city of Kagoshima. Akira Furusho, 40, was discovered bleeding from the neck and officials believe he was mauled by one of the zoo's four rare white tigers, zoo officials said. The zoo said the five-year-old male tiger, named Riku, was sedated with a tranquiliser gun after the attack, as rescue workers and police rushed to the scene. "We plan not to kill Riku and continue to keep it because the bereaved family asked us to do so," said Takuro Nagasako, a zoo official. While the zoo was open as normal on Tuesday, the white tiger observation zone was restricted "as police continued to investigate the case," Nagasako told AFP. Riku -- about 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) in length and weighing some 170 kilogrammes (374 pounds) -- was born at the zoo with two other white tigers. Tiger attacks are extremely rare in Japan, with the last one dating back to 2008, when a Siberian tiger mauled to death a zookeeper who had been trying to encourage the animal to mate. In 1997, a Japanese couple were killed when they were attacked by tigers at a safari park in central Japan. Australia can now claim bragging rights to being home to the world's best bartender 2018, after Aussie mixologist Orlando Marzo out-mixed and out-shook 10,000 competitors to take the crown at the biggest international bartending competition. Marzo was named the World Class Global Bartender of the Year at the 10th edition of the event, organized by spirits giant Diageo. To take the lofty title, Marzo had to outperform 10,000 rivals from five continents in a competition which culminated in a four-day final in Berlin where 56 finalists battled it out in a series of challenges. After working at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Melbourne, Marzo was snatched up by Restaurant Lume in South Melbourne to lead its bar team. At Bar Lume, cocktails are created to be playful and irrelevant: The Olive Oil Royale is made with mandarin-pressed olive oil liqueur, sparkling wine and green tea extract, for instance, while the Southern Collins is made with quinced apple cider, acidulated coffee butter, Glenkinchie (12yo) and soda. As winner of the competition, Marzo will travel the world as a Diageo ambassador. Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez joined in the celebration of the Migrants Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF), GMA Pinoy TVs first sponsored event in South Korea.Dubbed as the biggest annual festival in Changwon City, the three-day celebration took place on Oct. 5 to 7 at the Youngji Cultural Park and Sungsan Art Hall. It showcased various performances, parades, contests, and exhibits. The culminating events on Oct. 7 included the Migrants Arirang Cultural Show in the morning, which was attended by Filipino community leaders and members from all parts of South Korea. Following the festival parade in the afternoon was the Asian Pop Concert featuring performers from various Asian countries, most importantly, the Philippines represented by Tom. The Kapuso actor, who was very much excited to meet fellow Pinoys in South Korea, shared that he is blessed and proud to be part of this event. First of all, its my birthday on Oct.1 so its my way of thanking all our Kapuso abroad for their support and love. Second, this is the first event of GMA Pinoy TV in South Korea and I am happy that I was invited to be part of this celebration. I am very thankful, excited, and happy to be with them. More surprises surely awaited the Kapuso abroad at the MAMF as they got a chance to win special prizes and even bond with Tom at the GMA Pinoy TV booth.The Migrants Arirang Multicultural Festival was organized by the Gyeongnam Migrant Center Events with the exclusive Philippine media partnership of GMA Pinoy TV together with partner carrier HD Telecom. We expect to gather thousands of people for this event. We know that Filipinos have a lot of festivities and since Philippines is our featured country this year, we want every Filipino to feel at home during the celebration. We hope that everyone would take their time and join us for the three-day event and we assure them that it will be fun, said Gyeongnam Migrant Center Director Lee Cheoul Seong. Meanwhile, Filipinos in South Korea can now feel closer to home via HD Telecoms newly launched mobile application Vision PH as they catch GMA Networks international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International conveniently through their Android or iOS smartphones. For more updates on Kapuso events abroad, follow GMA Pinoy TV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@gmapinoytv), and visit the GMA Pinoy TV official website at www.gmapinoytv.com. This article is written by Moris Polanco, originally published by Instituto Fe y Libertad and republished with permission. The elderly cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, said in his blog on February 5, 2018, The brothers and sisters of mainland China are not afraid of being reduced to poverty, of being put into prison, of shedding their blood. Their greatest suffering is to see themselves betrayed by family. Hes right. For a moment lets put ourselves in the shoes of the bishops, priests, and laity who have been faithful to the Roman Catholic Church. Since the triumph of Marxism-Maoism in China, they have been persecuted and martyred for their fidelity to Catholicism. Loyalty to the Communist party was demanded of them. But how can a Catholic swear loyalty to an atheist party and an atheist government? Those who swore loyalty to the party and formed the so-called Patriotic Church were not Catholics: they were apostates, including bishops and priests. You cant be both Catholic and Communist. On September 22 the Holy See signed an agreement with the Peoples Republic of China which includes the Vaticans recognition of the bishops named by the Communist authorities (Aciprensa). How necessary was it to sign this agreement? The director of the Vatican Press Office, Greg Burke, said, The objective of the accord is not political but pastoral, allowing the faithful to have bishops who are in communion with Rome but at the same time recognized by Chinese authorities. Does that mean that the bishops who had been named by the government are no longer loyal to the regime? Are those bishops Communist or Catholic? On another note, are the Vatican diplomats ignorant of number 20 of Christus Dominus, the Second Vatican Councils decree on the pastoral ministry of bishops? It says categorically, Since the apostolic office of bishops was instituted by Christ the Lord and pursues a spiritual and supernatural purpose, this sacred ecumenical synod declares that the right of nominating and appointing bishops belongs properly, peculiarly, and per se exclusively to the competent ecclesiastical authority. Therefore, for the purpose of duly protecting the freedom of the Church and of promoting more conveniently and efficiently the welfare of the faithful, this holy council desires that in future no more rights or privileges of election, nomination, presentation, or designation for the office of bishop be granted to civil authorities. The civil authorities, on the other hand, whose favorable attitude toward the Church the sacred synod gratefully acknowledges and highly appreciates, are most kindly requested voluntarily to renounce the above-mentioned rights and privileges which they presently enjoy by reason of a treaty or custom, after discussing the matter with the Apostolic See. What does the Pope say about this? In a September 26 message directed to Chinese Catholics and the universal Church, Francis expresses his sincere admirationfor the gift of your fidelity while at the same time asking faithful Catholics to walk together; that is, to associate with those who consider themselves Catholic but have sworn loyalty to the Party and the government. The Pope desires the unity of Catholics in China. But his letter is addressed to the clandestine Catholics, those who have kept their faith and been faithful to it. He is apparently asking them to forgive the Catholics of the Patriotic Church and to forgive the government. All for the sake of supporting and promoting the preaching of the Gospel in China and reestablishing full and visible unity in the Church. I wonderare the patriotic Catholics seeking unity? Would they perhaps swear loyalty to the Church? Why doesnt the Pope address those Catholics and ask them to return to the faith and come to the defense of their persecuted brethren? The Pope says that the phenomenon of clandestinity is not a normal part of the life of the Church. But was the Church not born in the catacombs, and did she not endure clandestinely for more than three hundred years? Havent recent popes said that there are many more martyrs today than in centuries past? Should we compromise the faith so as not to live clandestinely? What meaning does martyrdom have? Francis says that he has experienced great consolation in knowing the heartfelt desire of Chinese Catholics to live their faith in full communion with the universal Church and with the Successor of Peter. What would he have experienced if he had heard those same Catholics say the following: We will follow the path of adaptation to a socialist society (source: El Pais)? Or does the Pope consider it legitimate for a Catholic to seek to adapt his faith to the path of socialism? In Martin Scorseses film Silence, a young Jesuit decides to publicly renounce his faith to save the lives of a group of young Japanese Catholics. What sort of example did he give his brothers? Can I renounce my faith to save my earthly life? That seems to be the message now being sent to Chinese Catholics: save your life, yield in your faith. In other words, Surrender! Cardinal Zens suffering is understandable. Its no wonder he feels betrayed and thinks the Vatican is selling out the Catholic Church in China. God grant that this provisional agreement may not last. Moris Polanco is the editor of the Fe y Libertad publication. Image source: Wikimedia Commons Republican Sen. Ted Cruzs re-election slogan is Tough as Texas, but an ad directed by Texas-bred filmmaker Richard Linklater isnt so sure that makes sense, given Cruzs deferential relationship with President Trump. In the ad, actor Sonny Carl Davis, sitting in a Texas diner, makes reference to Trumps bizarre attacks on Cruz during the 2016 campaign, declaring, If somebody called my wife a dog and said that my daddy was in on the Kennedy assassination, I wouldnt be kissing their ass. Advertisement The ad was paid for by the Fire Ted Cruz super PAC, and not by Cruzs Democratic rival, Beto ORourke, who has renounced that kind of support in his campaign. It re-creates a scene from Linklaters 2011 dark comedy Bernie in which Davis, playing an unnamed resident at a barbecue joint, dons the same outfit and mug. The director has given $1,500 to ORourkes campaign so far this year. Linklater previously filmed a political ad in Texas in 2017, which denounced a bill that would have prevented Texas public school students from the using the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity. His latest is the first released of several ads he directed for this campaign cycle. If were to believe the headlines of the past couple days, Taylor Swifts decision to announce her plans to vote for Democrats in the Tennessee midterms has single-handedly led to a rush of voter registrations, a new political force awakened by 2 million Instagram likes. Taylor Swifts Instagram Post Has Caused a Massive Spike in Voter Registration, BuzzFeed News headlined its report on the reputed phenomenon, and that confident assertion quickly spread to other outlets. But there is cause to be skeptical about the specifics and the reach of the Swift effect. Advertisement For one thing, the BuzzFeed News story was not about trends in voter registration writ large but instead registrations recorded through a single non-profit, Vote.org. Thank god for Taylor Swift, Vote.orgs Director of Communications Kamari Guthrie told the site on Monday, which helped set off the cascade of reports. Swift named Vote.org in her post, and the non-profit said it recorded 65,000 new registrations in the first 24 hours after it went live, which led to that claim of a massive spike. Vote.org Chief Operating Officer Raven Brooks said today the number has now climbed to 212,871 new registrations since Swift posted on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After I inquired about the impressive numbers in the BuzzFeed story, Guthrie sent me an updated fact sheet that seems to undercut the more declarative headlines about Swifts impact. The new release concedes the numbers cant definitively tell us what many claim they do. Can it be attributed to Swift? it asks of the sudden spike in registrations. Not directly, unfortunately. Were only able to track registrations directly if we work with someone in advance and they use a special link. (Brooks told me Swift wasnt in touch with Vote.org before her post, and Guthrie said the group doesnt put an emphasis on outreach to influencers.) Advertisement In other words, theres no real way to track what motivated all those registrations. But what would explain such a sudden spike, if not for Swifts post? As Brooks acknowledged, many voters tend to register at the last minuteand Tuesday is the deadline to register in many states, including Tennessee, where Swift plans to vote. Past trends would lead one to anticipate a sudden spike this time of year, with or without Taylor Swift. Still, Brooks presented the unusual registration momentum in Tennessee as evidence of the Swift effect. He said such a relatively small state wouldnt normally crack the groups top 10 states in new voter registrations; after the post, Tennessee did, at No. 9. Advertisement Advertisement On a national scale, Vote.orgs data shows that voter registration through the non-profit had already ticked up steadily each month closer to the elections. Augusts 56,669 registrations gave way to Septembers 190,178. In October so far, there have been 237,428 registrations, which Brooks said was unusually high. (In October 2016, in a charged presidential election year, the group recorded 405,149 registrations for the full month.) Even with an unrelated upward trend, Brooks described the new registrations as a unique event in the groups history. Whether it was Swift directly, the urgency of the related deadline, or the furor her post raised in the pressPresident Trump himself responded, saying he like[s] Taylors music about 25 percent less nowBrooks didnt hesitate to credit Swift with the trend. Another telltale sign, Brooks said: The most new registrations in the past two days came from the 18-to-24 demographic, a crucial one for Swift, whereas in 2016, most registrations around this time came from people ages 30 to 39. Advertisement Advertisement (What about the, uh, other big political story of the weekendthe confirmation and swearing in of new Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh? I asked Brooks if he considered that a possible factor in the sudden upward trend, especially given the protests that erupted. Thats not really something that weve observed, he said. Im even going back to 2016, where even the debates and whatnot would be a minor blip, but they wouldnt be anything super significant. Indeed, the group recorded only 16,928 registrations on Saturday, when Kavanaugh was confirmed.) Advertisement Asked if Vote.org felt a need to backpedal once the headlines about the Swift effect went viral, Brooks said, I dont want to leave you with that impression. The thing is that even in the best case, if we had more advance with them and they were actually sending over a direct link and we can track everything that was coming throughthe minute it crosses all the social, you lose the ability to track that directly. Still, he said, the one thing I can say is this is absolutely been a massive 48-hour period for us and I would attribute it in large part to her. We wouldve had elevated traffic from normal because of registration deadlines happening this week, but this is an order of magnitude greater than anything weve seen to date. And if attention-grabbing headlines continue that momentum, so be it. Brooks noted that not long before we got on the phone, Rihanna had also plugged Vote.org on Instagram. He did not sound upset. An anti-establishment, norm-breaking, race-baiting, misogynistic presidential candidate has outperformed the polls in an election hed warned would be rigged unless he won. The candidate is Jair Bolsonaro, and the election happened in Brazil on Sunday, but the comparisons seem inevitable: Trump of the Tropics Faces Presidential Runoff in Brazil, announced one headline. Brazils Donald Trump Wins First Round of Presidential Election, read another. In the run-up to the election, more and more headlines, both mainstream and fringe, have been proclaiming Bolsonaro the Donald Trump of Brazil. Advertisement Since he announced his presidential bid in 2015, Donald Trumpalready a household name and a name brandhas acquired one of the most spoken names in the world. It has morphed into an adjective (Trumpian) and multiple nouns (from Trumpism to Trumpista). The Oxford English Dictionary is considering fast-tracking a host of Trumpian neologisms into its hallowed pages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As these headlines attest, Trump has also become an epithet, appended to the names of Trump-like politicians and business people around the world. So-called Donald Trumps hold the reins of power from Guatemala to Hungary and from Israel to the Philippines. This is not a completely new phenomenon. Several young, optimistic world leaders were also anointed their countrys Barack Obama, including Matteo Renzi in Italy and Emmanuel Macron in France. In the months after Obamas election, giddy European liberals rushed to crown the British, German, and Dutch Obamasall first- or second-generation immigrants seen as rising political stars. Advertisement But Trump-calling seems to be happening on a far greater scale. I have identified more than 50 individuals whom major English-language media outlets have called the Trump of their country. A raft of headlines invites us to Meet the Donald Trump of Germanyor of Canada, Indonesia, or Russia. Many of these headlines have the markings of editors looking to turn unfamiliar names into clickbait. Others are part of political commentators quest for the Canadian, Australian, or New Zealander Trump on the verge of a political breakthrough. Many Trumps bear only partial or superficial resemblance to their namesake. But the widespread use of this moniker is misleading: It can oversimplify the politics and personality of Trump and his namesakes, ignore that many were Trump-like before he was, fuel Trumpian efforts to manipulate the media, and create false expectations that his victory will be replicated elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement The first problem is that many Trumps bear only partial or superficial resemblance to their namesake. Among the least aptly named is Mexicos Trump, President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. While both men can be called populists, that term belies their differences. Lopez Obradors populism comes from the left and, as writer Jon Lee Anderson argues, unlike Trumps, it is not built on a hatred of the other. Advertisement Another example of this oversimplification is Italys trio of Trumps. Media outlets have run headlines about Italys Trump in reference to at least three different men: perennial politician and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi, founder of the populist Five Star Movement Beppe Grillo, and head of the far-right League party Matteo Salvini. While these mens parties collectively won more than two-thirds of the seats in Italys Chamber of Deputies in March, the result has not been a grand Trumpian coalition. Theres no love lost between the anti-establishment Grillo and Berlusconi. While the Five Star Movement and Salvinis League cobbled together a coalition, it took them three months to paper over their differences. Each of these men represents, at best, just one facet of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement These Italian Trumps can serve as rough proxies for the three types of people most often labeled their countrys Trumpan inherently fuzzy typology, but one that captures how broadly the label is applied. There are, like Berlusconi, the brash business people with a background in media, some of whom have little more in common with Trump than that. Joao Doria, former host of the Brazilian Apprentice and the top vote-getter in Sundays first-round gubernatorial elections in Sao Paulo, has been compared to Trump despite being an avowed globalist. Kevin OLeary, a reality TV star who made a failed bid to lead Canadas Conservative Party last year, has been called the Trump of the Great White North, but his pro-immigration views are a far cry from the presidents. Advertisement Then there are, like Grillo, the anti-establishment, anti-corruption firebrands, often with an authoritarian streak. These include Jimmy Morales, who won Guatemalas presidential elections in 2015 (against a former first lady); Imran Khan, whose party won the most votes in Pakistans election in August; and Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines and among those most frequently labeled Trump-like. But unlike Trump, who has come to place himself squarely on the right, these mens populism tends to defy placement on the traditional left-right spectrum. Advertisement Advertisement Finally, like Salvini, there are the right-wing nationalists, including Marine Le Pen in France, Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, Norbert Hofer in Austria, and Pauline Henson in Australia. But while these men and women share rhetorical ground with Trump, they are political veterans; theyve waged war against migration and Islam for decades and, unlike Trump, have done so from outside of traditional political parties. Advertisement This speaks to a second reason to stop calling every reality starturnedpolitician, foul-mouthed populist, or immigrant-basher a Trump: Many of them were Trumpian before he was. It would make more sense to talk about Americas Berlusconi than Italys Trump. We need not always view the world through the lens of American politics. A third reason is that comparing other countries politicians to Trump can feed the efforts of those fishing for the comparison. Writers and commentators calling someone a Trump are often following that persons lead. Veselin Mareshki, a populist, pro-Russia, anti-immigration businessman who outperformed expectations in Bulgarias 2016 presidential elections, gave himself the label: I believe I am an anti-establishment candidate like Donald Trump, he told the New York Times. Lulzim Basha, head of Albanias main opposition party, pushed the slogan Make Albania Great Again. Mukemmel Sarimsakci, a naturalized U.S. citizen and developer working with the Trump Organization, bills himself as the Turkish Trump. And in Brazil, Bolsonaro took to Facebook the night before the election to exhort his followers to make Brazil great. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political scientist Eric Merkley shows how one Trump wannabe manipulated the media by embracing his name. Shortly before the 2016 U.S. election, Kellie Leitch, a candidate for leader of Canadas Conservative Party, proposed screening immigrants and visitors for anti-Canadian values. Within two weeks of this proposal, this aspiring Canadian Trumps average share of the news coverage jumped from 13 to 47 percent, and her poll numbers skyrocketed. Coverage surged again after Leitch hailed Trumps victory as an exciting message that needs to be delivered in Canada as well. This points to a symbioticbut potentially toxicrelationship between politicians eager to jump on Trumps bandwagon and media equally eager to write about it. Advertisement Ultimately, however, Leitchs candidacy flopped. This points to a final problem: Calling people Trumps can create false perceptions that they, too, will outperform polls and defy the rules of politics. In fact, the Trumps of Europe underperformed expectations across the continent following Trumps election. Replicating Trumps path to success could be hard in other countries with different conditions. Brazil, for example, has a two-round electoral system. While Bolsonaro remains the front-runner in the second round on Oct. 28, he wont be able to win with a mere plurality (let alone a minority) of votes. If Bolsonaro does win the second round, hailing (or lamenting) the ascent of a Tropical Trump will be to tie his victory to an American phenomenon he has little to do with. Wed do better to take candidates on their own terms, and when comparisons are warranted, to make them with care. The salient feature of now-seated Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs testimony during the hearing that was intended to assess whether he had committed sexual assault in his youth was, as many have noted, his anger. It was anger that made him lash out inappropriately, anger that contorted his face in a way that made many viewers feel sick. He thought this anger would substitute for integrity, and he was right, or right enough anyway; he didnt fool everyone, but he did at least shout them down. Meanwhile, the salient feature of Christine Blasey Fords testimony was her calm, measured, deferential demeanor, complete with tension-defusing apologies and jokes. I am not the first person to point out how heartbreaking this was to witness: that even while talking about an experience that traumatized her for decades, she obeyed the unwritten cultural injunction that women must manage not only their own feelings but the feelings of everyone around them. This has been laid bare in the past few weeks in America, even as its a replay of something weve all seen before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I havent seen discussed, though, is the way these same restrictions have constrained the entire Democratic Party. The lefteven the moderate leftis feminized in this country to a degree that I have come to believe actually restricts its avenues for acceptable self-expression. Our weird cultural commitment to the gender binary goes way beyond actual living men and womenif it didnt, people wouldnt freak out so badly when someone declines to choose. Masculinity and femininity are concepts we layer on top of everything from people to pens to political parties. Sometimes theres a middle ground, but often we seem lost without our familiar patterns; its the confused hetero doofus asking a gay couple which ones the woman, except for the entire world. Take any opposed thingsDemocrats and Republicans, cats and dogs, even the sun and the moonand youll find one of them associated with physical strength, action, and domineering behavior, and the other associated with emotion, reticence, and calm. Thats not just descriptive; its prescriptive, and proscriptive too. If we could judge the moon for yelling, we would. Advertisement The lefteven the moderate leftis feminized in this country to a degree that I have come to believe actually restricts its avenues for acceptable self-expression. Everyone is mocking Lindsey Graham for expressing the kind of outrage Democratic Senators shouldve been expressing daily over Merrick Garland, tweeted writer Isaac Butler after the hearing. Hes not wrong, but its worth imagining a similar tweet reading, Everyone is mocking Brett Kavanaugh for expressing the kind of outrage Christine Blasey Ford should have expressed daily since this debacle began. What would should even mean in this case? She would have been justified, yes, but she absolutely never, ever could have. Crying, screaming, blaming, complainingBrett Kavanaugh can get away with it. She cant. This thought experiment isnt just sophistry; the pressures are the same on the party at large, and for similar reasons. Lindsey Graham can get away with it; Kamala Harris would be pilloried. Even Chuck Schumer would be pilloried. The gender of the legislator is significant, but so is the gender, if you will, of the party. And though we dont really discuss it, the Democratic Party is a girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just about whos allowed to scream without consequence; its also about whos expected to be reasonable and who gets to be stubborn, who keeps the peace and who advocates force, who makes compromises and who makes demands, who can and cant successfully run a human tantrum for president. Its also about ideology. Democrats concerns are those that are cast as feminine: justice, feelings, womens bodily autonomy, children, the ability to keep a family provided for and alive. Republicans concerns are those considered masculine: money, business, repelling those seen as intruders, the wielding of physical and economic brutality. Its not an accident that people who are deeply invested in the sanctity of masculinitythe right of men to power, violence, and controltend to vote GOP. It is not an accident that these same people tend to denigrate the other party as womanly. (They think its a denigration, anyway.) Advertisement Take the now hotly contested race in Texas between Ted Cruz and Beto ORourke. Even though Ted Cruz is clearly 3,000 bees in a rubber suit, Cruz and Texas Republicans seem to think the grander insult is to imply ORourke is ladylike. The Texas GOP tweeted a picture of Beto in his alternative rocker days wearing a dress and being extremely cool, a la the cover of that James album (a cool band). Cruz spoke scornfully of tofu and silicon and dyed hair as the main concerns of ORourke supporterssilicone (apparently what Cruz meant by silicon) as in what you use for breast implants, tofu as in the 2000s equivalent of quiche, which real men dont eat. (I say 2000s because Cruz, like his ideological kinsman Mike Huckabee, has a sense of humor that is permanently a decade behind.) These are not, in an objective sense, insults. But they are intended to link ORourke firmly to the femininewhich is enough, in many peoples minds, to paint him as weak, subservient, and unfit to lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The feminization of the party also restricts how much anger, outrage, and general disgruntlement Democrats are allowed to express; they are the party that has to be fair, that has to maintain its commitment to the principles of equality and reasonableness. Somehow, at the same time, every trivial emotion of the right is valorized. This is why Mitch McConnell can whine that Democratic nominees never suffer this kind of scrutiny while ignoring his own refusal to even consider Merrick Garland. Of course, this has to do with his undeniable personal hypocrisy, but it is also indicative of his absolute buy-in to, and utter trust of, the cultural restrictions on whats allowed for liberals versus conservatives. Men can howl about a mans life being destroyed by being subjected to scrutiny for an almost unimaginably prestigious (and lucrative!) job; women are expected to suffer with equanimity through death threats, cruelty, and trauma. Republicans can pitch a fit about the outrageous treatment of the screaming, sniveling liar theyve thrown in with; Democrats are expected to calmly present their objections, then gracefully accept it when nobody cares. Deviation from this expectation is possiblebut its also punished. Advertisement The feminization of the party also restricts how much anger, outrage, and general disgruntlement Democrats are allowed to express; they are the party that has to be fair. The problem with misogyny in this country goes beyond the oppression of womenalthough that alone should be a reason to shatter the patriarchy where it stands. Its also the oppression of anything seen as feminine: those who show weakness, which is defined in our patriarchal system as anything outside the two acceptable masculine modes of brutish violence and cold indifference. Even cisgender men suffer when they are not able to convincingly perform this twisted vision of manliness. One of the automatic black marks on your masculinity performance grade is caring too much about anyone outside the male/straight/white/able ideal (i.e., the people allowed into our toxic masculine vision of strength). The practical upshot of this is that the entire left wingyes, even the socialist irony brosis, on a metaphorical level, a bevy of maidens. Our culture is dominated by men, yes, but more than that, its dominated by masculinity. No matter how much male privilege you have and regularly wield, going up against cardinal masculine virtues like violence, wealth, and the unchecked use of power taints you with a feminine stain, and in our society, femininity is disdained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not to excuse the men, or indeed the women, of the Democratic Party for the times they are mealy-mouthed or cowardly. Eventually, everyone who cares about pushing the world forward has to navigate the gulf between what is right and what is allowed and decide to hedge toward the former. Its worth noting that many of the lawmakers who have recently been most courageous (or anyway least craven) in standing up against unacceptable miscarriages of power have been not only women but women of color, despite the fact that they have to contend with multiple layers of cultural disapproval for doing so. But there are constraints on how Democratic lawmakers can express themselves without repercussions, just as there are similar constraints on womenconstraints that their colleagues across the aisle just dont face. That doesnt mean its correct to be diffident and polite; it just means doing otherwise comes at a cost. Advertisement It also, to be clear, does not mean the answer is for everyone to become a pushy, whiny, hypocritical liar, even though they can get away with it. Theres a simplistic strain of feminism that holds women should be as demanding, rude, selfish, loud, and thoughtless as men because theyre never punished for it and we are. But this isnt a situation in which one side should level up (if that even is up); its more about questioning the bigger picture and finding new rules. Its more accurate to say that in most cases nobody should be an asshole, regardless of whether its expectedthat, indeed, allowing half your members to be unchecked assholes is no way to run a society, never even mind letting everyone do it. Should Ford have thrown a fit? Should Senate Democrats have? They have cause, for sure, but its an ugly way to behaveone look at Brett Kavanaughs twisted mouth should tell you that. There need to be other considerations besides well, he did it. Among those considerations: Is it possible to get an equal or better effect without being a jerk about it? Can you trust the people around you to hold up their ends of the social contract? If so, for Gods sake do; we live in a dang society. Politeness and reasoning may be modes that women (and feminized groups) are constrained to, but that doesnt make them worsein fact, accepting the idea that politeness and empathy are fundamentally weaker modes than violence means accepting the patriarchal axiom that anything coded masculine is superior. In a functioning society, gentleness can and should rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we are not in a functioning society right now. Christine Blasey Ford certainly showed that she could get her point across without stooping to Kavanaugh-level hysterics, and it probably wouldnt have gone better for her if shed pitched a tantrum; that was the right call. But the reason women are being so widely called to access their anger right now is that politeness has become a room were banished to. The same applies to Democrats in Congress and anyone looking to replace our failed government in the future; they may have had no good option but to meet pigheadedness with the same. In this case, then, the path forward for a feminized group has already been laid out by the third wave: Learn to be a bitch. Be angry, even if you arent allowed. Be ruder than you think you can be (without losing your principles). If they say feelings dont matter, turn your feelings into a weapon. Never shut up. Never stand down. This is not ideal; it is functionally a commitment to escalation, when in fact everyone should take a damn seat. But its one of the only options available when there are two rigidly outlined groups, and one of them has written the rules so that the rules dont apply to them. Beyond that, its worth considering that our commitment to binaries is outdated in every aspect of our lives. Both the gender binary and the two-party system are susceptible to being layered on top of other opposed pairs: winner and loser, master and servant, loud and quiet, good and bad. Perhaps its time to learn to count to three. On Monday night, Donald Trump led the entire U.S. Supreme Court into an ambush. At a ceremonial swearing-in for Trumps latest appointee, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the president launched into a political diatribe that made a majority of the court visibly uncomfortable. On behalf of our nation, Trump declared, I want to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. He decried the campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception, and asserted that Kavanaugh had been proven innocent of sexual assault allegations. Then he praised Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Susan Collins, the latter of whom he credited for supporting Kavanaugh in a brave and eloquent speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifteen hours after this GOP pep rally, the justices assembled at the Supreme Court to hear arguments in two criminal sentencing cases, marking the first time Kavanaugh took his new seat on the bench. If Chief Justice John Roberts hadnt formally welcomed his new colleagueWe wish you a long and happy career in our common callingit wouldve been tough to tell that anything had changed. The justices settled into their groove, and Kavanaugh jumped into the action, seemingly right at home. While the rest of the country continues to convulse over his confirmation, the justices seem determined to move past Mondays partisan spectacle and go about their business as usual. This projection of continuityof legitimacy, reallystood in remarkable contrast to the bizarre White House event the entire court had been forced to endure. Before waxing lyrical about his Republican allies, Trump thanked each member of the court individually for attending the ceremony. The justices, unsure how to respond to this scripted demonstration of gratitude, took turns awkwardly acknowledging the president. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg looked up, then away from Trump. Justice Stephen Breyer flashed a nervous grin. Justice Samuel Alito appeared to be in physical pain. Advertisement Advertisement After that, the justices mostly clasped their hands together and stared at the ground. They looked uneasy before Trump started commending the (Republican) lawmakers whod helped elevate Kavanaugh to the bench. Once those blandishments began, the justices either held their applause or clapped with polite restraint, like a parent applauding someone elses kid at a recital. Only Justice Clarence Thomas, a friend of the Trump administration, heartily applauded each politician, clapping with special vigor for Mitch McConnell. Its safe to assume that none of the justices expected to be used as props at a small-scale Trump rally. (Joining us for tonights ceremony is every sitting Supreme Court justice! Trump announced before the painful thank-a-thon.) Justice Neil Gorsuchs 2017 White House ceremony was, by comparison, a muted affair; back then, Trump refrained from attacking Democrats or exalting in the glory of every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. But Kavanaughs confirmation was much harder fought than Gorsuchs and hit closer to home for Trump. The accusations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh clearly rankled the president on a personal level. And he couldnt resist reminding Democrats that their lies and deception had failed to foil his second Supreme Court pick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices looked much more comfortable as they filed onto the bench Tuesday morning. Before arguments began, Kavanaugh chatted amiably with his new seatmate, Justice Elena Kagan; the two whispered and laughed like old friends. When Kavanaugh asked his questions, he appeared determined to prove he was prepared, even citing the exact page of a precedent to prove a point. But he was also respectful to his colleagues and courteous with attorneysa stark contrast with Gorsuchs notorious early days on the bench, when he subtweeted Alito and talked over everyone. Democrats hoping for the liberal bloc to disregard or ostracize the newest justice will be sorely disappointed. Tuesdays cases are not blockbusters, but they will provide a glimpse into what kind of conservative Kavanaugh will be: a law-and-order stickler (like Alito) or a libertarian formalist (like Gorsuch). Both involve the Armed Career Criminal Act, a draconian federal law that jacks up sentences for repeat offenders. ACCA is plagued by maddeningly hazy language, and the court has already lopped off a key provision, ruling that it violated due process. The latest cases require the court to determine how much physical force a defendant must employ during the commission of his crime to qualify for ACCAs sentence enhancement and whether burglary of a vehicle triggers its penalties. Advertisement Advertisement ACCAs only consistent defender on the Supreme Court is Alito, who did not attempt to conceal his frustration with the courts gradual demolition of the law. Youre not exactly on a winning streak here in ACCA cases, Alito told Erica Ross, a government attorney. You might have gotten a hint that a majority of the court really hates ACCA and is picking it apart bit by bit by bit. He added: In my humble opinion, in this area, we have made one royal mess. Maybe we ought to go back and correct our own mess. Advertisement Alito must have been pleased, then, when Kavanaugh asked a series of questions that evinced skepticism toward criminal defense attorneys efforts to narrow ACCAs scope. Kavanaugh is not a tactical questioner; he doesnt try to shatter an argument he disagrees with and bolster one he likes. But he was notably deferential to the Justice Department lawyers who are trying to prop up ACCAanother stark comparison with Gorsuch, who peppered the DOJ attorneys with sharp inquiries. Advertisement Although everybody leaned forward in anticipation the first few times Kavanaugh spoke up, he seemed like an old hand. The other justices slipped into their routines, too. Ginsburg quibbled with Alito. Breyer asked a quixotic, multipart question that was really more of a cry for help. Justice Sonia Sotomayor leaned over and pinched Gorsuch to illustrate a hypothetical, and Gorsuch made a funny face. Thomas leaned back and closed his eyes for several minutes. Advertisement Advertisement The court, in short, tried very hard to ignore the months of political warfare and emotional agony that preceded Kavanaughs admission to its private club. Democrats hoping for the liberal bloc to disregard or ostracize the newest justice will be sorely disappointed. These justices recognize that Kavanaugh throws the courts legitimacy in peril, and are eager to shore up its institutional prestige. That requires playing nice with Kavanaugh. These justices could have declined their invite to the White House on Monday night or given their new colleague the cold shoulder on Tuesday morning. They did not. Instead, they embraced him as one of their own. Progressives may find Kavanaughs warm reception at the court objectionable, even repulsive. They may believe that, by treating him with such respect, the liberal justices are legitimizing him, helping him to cast off the cloud of doubt that followed him to the bench. But these justices do not want to lose any hope of grabbing his vote in a closely divided caseand they all place the courts eminence above their own proclivities. A large portion of the country may still condemn him. But within the Supreme Court, there will be no resistance to Justice Kavanaugh. Since the #MeToo movement kicked off last fall, the number of sexual harassment charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has spiked. In fiscal year 2018, which closed just days before the first anniversary of the publication of the Harvey Weinstein stories that kicked off a national reckoning with harassment and assault, the EEOC saw a more than 12 percent bump in charges filed with the agency as compared to the previous year. While this years numbers arent finalized yet, Cathy Ventrell-Monsees, a senior attorney adviser to the chair of the EEOC, says the proportional increase is unlikely to change as the agency certifies its data. The agency received 6,696 charges of sexual harassment in the 2017 fiscal year, which means there were about 7,500 in 2018the first increase the EEOC has seen in at least eight years. Sexual harassment charges had been steadily declining since 2010, when 7,944 claims were filed, and the number hasnt topped 7,300 since 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Ventrell-Monsees, sexual harassment charges increase and decrease in response to major national events and dips in the economy. And since charges are frequently filed in response to layoffs and firings that may be undertaken in retaliation for raising complaints of harassment, a bad economy usually means more charges, too. Early reports, then, suggest that #MeToo appears to be one of those events that prompts a spike in sexual harassment claims. Anita Hills testimony during Clarence Thomas 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings was another. In the first quarter of the 1992 fiscal year, after Hill appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to accuse Thomas of harassing her when they worked together atas fate would have itthe EEOC, the agency received 1,244 claims of sexual harassment, a 71 percent increase over the same period in the previous year. The spike held for the next three quarters, which saw 50 percent more sexual harassment charges than in 1991. There has been a growing public awareness of the right to file charges of sexual harassment, and women are coming forward, an EEOC spokeswoman said at the time. Advertisement Back then, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who helped push Brett Kavanaugh through the Judiciary Committee and recently told a group of women protesting sexual assault to grow up, applauded women for coming forward with sexual harassment complaints after the Hill/Thomas hearing. The one good thing to come out of the hearing is that everybodyand I mean everybodyis more aware, he told the New York Times in July 1992. Women are fed up to the gills about how theyre treated in this society. A lot of men thought it was cute, but it isnt. Sensitivity has been heightened like never before. And that is a very healthy thing for our country. Advertisement Advertisement The increase in sexual harassment complaints that followed the Hill hearing marked the beginning of a steady rise that continued for the next five years. The combined number of charges filed with both the federal EEOC and state and local Fair Employment Practices Agencies climbed from 10,532 in fiscal 1992 to 16,245 in 1997, then began a relatively steady decline to 9,614 charges in 2017. Theres no way to tell whether the post-#MeToo spike in charges filed will be a quick uptick or the beginning of another long-term surge in complaints, but EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum said last week that she believes the intensified national conversation about sexual harassment and assault denotes a transformative moment in the countrys history. Advertisement In 2016, the EEOC launched a new training in response to a report that showed harassment to be a persistent, pervasive problem in American workplaces. In addition to educating employers on sexual harassment law and compliance, the new curriculum teaches employers how to stop harassment before it creates a toxic work environment. Since the #MeToo movement began last fall, Ventrell-Monsees says, demand for the training has been off the charts, with trainers booked three to six months out. With the $15 million bump Congress gave the agencys budget in March, the EEOC has been able to hire more employees to meet the post-#MeToo demand. Advertisement Theres no good way to track whether the increases in charges filed with the EEOC after the Hill hearing or after #MeToo have led to more favorable outcomes for the employees who file them. Often, even when the EEOC finds an employees charges have merit, the employee or her lawyer decides to withdraw the complaint in order to settle privately with the employer. But regardless of whether the new claims end up dismissed, settled, or adjudicated in court, Ventrell-Monsees believes they represent a major shift in the way American workplacesand the people who populate themrespond to inappropriate behavior. The EEOC has been all over harassment for many years, she said. The rest of the nation kind of woke up to it in October of last year. On Sunday, an extreme far-right candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, came close to winning an outright victory in the first round of Brazils presidential election. Because his 46 percent fell short of a majority, he will face Fernando Haddad (who captured 29 percent of the vote) from the leftist Workers Party, or PT, in three weeks. Still, Bolsonaros rise is shocking: The former army captain has spoken warmly of Brazils two-decade-long dictatorship that only ended in the 1980sand these remarks stand in contrast to his comments on women, and black and gay people. (He claimed he would rather his son die than be gay, said a woman was too ugly to rape, and told parts of Brazils black population that they should go back to the zoo.) But his get-tough approach to crime seems to have won over many voters. Meanwhile, a court declared former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is the most popular figure in the Workers Partywhich governed the country for more than a dozen years until 2016unable to run; he is currently in jail for corruption. His predecessor, the Workers Partys Dilma Rousseff, was removed from office in 2016 in such a manner that left many Brazilians feeling they had witnessed a coup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To talk about the results, I spoke by phone on Monday with Lilia M. Schwarcz, a professor of anthropology at the University of Sao Paulo, and the co-author (with Heloisa M. Starling) of the new book Brazil: A Biography. During the course of our conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, we discussed how dangerous Bolsonaro is likely to be if he wins, why Brazilians are so angry about their current situation, and the crucial role evangelicals played in Sundays vote. Isaac Chotiner: Bolsonaro has been written about in the American press as another in the long line of strongmen around the globe, from Trump to Duterte in the Philippines. How helpful or not helpful do you think it is to look at him through that prism? Advertisement Lilia M. Schwarcz: Bolsonaro is, I think, a worse version of Trump, because Trump was not a [military guy] for example. Bolsonaro was in the military for a long time. He came from the army. But you are right that he looks like politicians all over the world. He represents this very radical right wing. Yesterday, he started saying that the vote is fragile, which is not true. Like Trump, he uses the politics of fake news. But he is fake news. He does not like to talk about his projects. He does not like to talk about culture, about educationthat kind of stuff. Bolsonaro is very much a phenomenon that we can see all over the world that represents the growing of this very radical right wing. Advertisement Advertisement What explains his ability to get 46 percent of the vote? I think what explains Bolsonaro is, first, the violence in Brazil. He promises that hes going to put an end to violence. Bolsonaro has a way of speaking that he promises everything, but I dont know if he is capable of delivering the things he is promising. But we are going through an economic crisis, cultural crisis, political crisis. If you look around, everybody is like, OK, what happened? People are very angry. People are very mad at politicians and Bolsonaro presented himself not as a politician, even if he is, [but as] a kind of Messiah. People like these kinds of promises. Advertisement Like Trump and some of these right-wing populists, hes managed to win over religious voters, correct? Advertisement Hes very much connected with evangelical churches. Its not true about Catholic churches. Hes very much evangelical. Evangelical churches are all over the country. Its a very, very strong group and a very conservative group. Hes also very strong in the rural areas, the person that wants to have guns, that thinks that the problem in Brazil is violence. Thats truethe problem in Brazil is violence and a lack of safety. You cannot walk freely in the streets in a lot of different towns. This is a very deep problem, a very deep question in Brazil. Advertisement But even so, the answer Bolsonaro is giving is the more radical one. I dont know if you saw his picture when he was in the hospital. The first time they were allowed to photograph him [after as assassination attempt], he wanted to appear to make with his fingers the image of a gun. Its really terrible for Brazil. Advertisement What else did you make of the results? The PT lost a lot, but the northeast of the country is still very strong for them. I think that now what Fernando Haddad has to do is show he is not a Lula puppet. You know about Lava Jato, no? The Car Wash corruption investigations, which ultimately put Lula behind bars? That [investigation] was very important for Brazil because it tried to stop corruption that was inside the state. That was important, but at the same time Car Wash created this kind of anti-PT sentiment around the whole country. Now Haddad has some very urgent challenges. First of all, he has to show that hes not a puppet. Second, he has to try to create a match with the other parties. Ciro Gomes, who was the third one in the election, already said that hes not [for] Bolsonaro. He is wanting to be part of this new coalition. They all have to show that they really desire to create a democratic and open coalition. Lets see whats going to happen. Its too soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do you look back on the anti-corruption investigations that have roiled Brazil the past few years, the Car Wash investigations you mentioned? Do you think that they were a necessary thing for the country, or do you think that ultimately they were politically motivated and helped pave the way to where we are now? What happened in Brazil, after Dilmas impeachment, the executive power became very weak because Michel Temer, our president, is very weak. Hes very corrupt. Hes worse than Dilma. They never proved that Dilma had the kind of corruption that she was charged with. The judiciary in Brazil is very, very, ideological. Its very, very connected with politics. In my opinion, Car Wash was very important when they started, at the beginning of the process, and then when they tried to answer in other areas, I think it was not very good for our democratic system. Its not good when you do not have equal powers. Advertisement If Bolsonaro is able to win, what specifically are you worried about him doing in Brazil? Where is Brazils democracy weakest? First of all, he always talks very much against minorities, meaning women, black people, the LGBT population. Hes very, very much against this kind of thing. Second, his advisers already said that if Bolsonaro wins, they will start to make a new constitution. They are not going to call the people that were elected to write the constitution. They are going to create a special group. This special group is a terrible group. One of the people of this committee said that he was going to cut all the books that said Brazil had a coup detat. All the books are going to be cut. They are going to use censorship. For example, Bolsonaro picked one book about sexuality, a very well-known book written by a French author, published all over the world. He said its pornography. Hes using this idea of censorship. Also hes using this idea about self coup detat. He says, If I have any problem, I will ask the army to answer and to join me in my government. Thats very much Bolsonaro. Democracy is very fragile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are there ways in which the democracy has gotten stronger since the dictatorship toppled in the 80s that you think will make it harder for Bolsonaro to undermine? I think its going to be a very important test. We finished our book in 2014. We wrote that at that moment, 2014, that our institutions were very strong. Then, when we were going to publish the book in English, we decided to write another conclusion saying that institutions are not strong in Brazil at all. As I explained to you, the judiciary is too strong and the other two powers of the state are too weak. I do not know whats going to happen because of this. Institutions are very fragile. Advertisement Is there any chance that the judiciary will stand up to Bolsonaro the way it did to the Workers Party? I hope so. I hope the judiciary finally will show that its a neutral power, that it has to be. Yesterday, for example, it was the first time in Brazil that when they finished counting the votes, they showed on television all the judges together to say that democracy was very strong, that we had no problems in our elections. That was a very important answer, to reassure Brazilians that they are in power. But we are talking about a person that has straight connections with the military. His vice presidential running mate, Gen. Mourao, is from the military. Lets see whats going to happen. In Sheridan Circle on Washingtons Embassy Row lies a small plaque, little noticed by both tourists and locals, marking the spot where a car bomb killed Chilean diplomat-turned-think-tanker Orlando Letelier along with his American co-worker Ronni Moffitt in 1976. Letelier, since leaving Chile, had become a leading critic of Augusto Pinochets regime, and declassified documents later showed that the dictator had directly ordered the killing. A dictatorship killing one of its citizens on the streets of a foreign capital is a brazen act but is by no means unheard of. Social scientists have traditionally defined a state as the entity that controls the use of physical force for domination within a given territory. But states, particularly those of an authoritarian bent, have frequently sought to project violence against dissidents and defectors far beyond their borders. An effective authoritarian state needs its most prominent critics to know that an ice ax in the back is still a possibility, even if they leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its not exactly a new phenomenon, as Letelier and numerous other historical cases prove, the killing or abduction of foreign critics by authoritarian regimes appears to be alarmingly normalized today. Also alarming: Some of the countries where these crimes take place seem uninterested in doing anything to stop them. Last week, Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and critic of its ruling royal family living in exile in the United States, visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain a document related to his upcoming wedding. He has not been heard from since then, and Turkish officials reportedly believe he was murdered by a special team sent from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabias government has been brutal to dissidents and opponents, and technically speaking Khashoggi entered Saudi territory when he went inside the consulate building, but he had apparently been unconcerned, telling friends before his disappearance that he had been treated well during previous visits to Saudi embassies and consulates. His fiancee says he told her not to worry, since they would not dare attempt anything within Turkeys borders. Advertisement Then again, perhaps no one should assume they are safe from a government that more or less took the prime minister of Lebanon hostage for several days last year. Ghanem al-Dosary, a London-based Saudi dissident, told the New York Times that Khashoggis disappearance was a message from the regime to its critics that our hands can reach you wherever you are. Advertisement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded that the Saudi government prove its claim that Khashoggi walked out of the consulate unharmed. While a reasonable request, this umbrage is somewhat ironic given Turkeys own pursuit of its critics abroad. Under Erdogan, the Turkish government has launched an aggressive crackdown on supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the influential and controversial cleric it accuses of orchestrating a failed 2016 coup. Thousands of accused Gulenists, including U.S. citizens, have been arrested, and the manhunt has gone global as well. Often, this is a matter of pushing foreign governments to extradite Gulenists back to Turkey, but sometimes the line between arrest and abduction has been blurred. In March, six Gulenists in Kosovo were shipped back to Turkey after being arrested over links to Gulenists schools, but Kosovos prime minister said he had not been aware of the operation, and local media dubbed it a kidnapping. In July, the government of Mongolia prevented what appeared to be an attempted abduction of a Gulenist school leader. Then theres Gulen himself: Special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly looking into allegations, corroborated by former CIA Director James Woolsey, that Turkish officials had met with former U.S. National Security Adviser and unacknowledged Turkey lobbyist Michael Flynn to discuss a plan to abduct the cleric from his compound in Pennsylvania and deliver him back to Turkey. And thats not to mention the beating of protesters in Washington by Erdogans own bodyguards in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, the most prominent recent attack by an authoritarian government on an exiled critic was the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in March, an attack that Vladimir Putins government has only half-heartedly tried to deny. According to a BuzzFeed investigation last year, U.S. authorities believe that as many as 14 people, including billionaire Boris Berezovsky, whose death had been ruled a suicide in 2013, had been killed by Russian secret services in Britain in recent years. Dozens more opponents of the Putin regime have been killed under suspicious circumstances abroad. China has also been reaching across borders to pursue its critics. Prominent dissidents have been reportedly abducted from Thailand and sent back to China for detention. As for foreign-residing Uighursthe Muslim minority that Beijing has recently been repressing in a brutal campaign thats been dubbed a cultural genocidethe authorities preferred tactic appears to be threatening their families living within China unless they return home. Advertisement Last week also saw the bizarre disappearance and resignation of Meng Hongwei, the Chinese official who led Interpol, in what appeared to be a highly unusual move by a state government against the leader of a major international organization, all the more troubling since the exact charges against Meng have not been made public. Advertisement Numerous other examples abound. Two women are currently on trial in Malaysia over the killinglikely in cooperation, willing or not, with North Korean operativesof Kim Jong-nam, brother of the current North Korean leader. The government of Iran stands accused by French authorities of orchestrating the attempted bombing of a meeting of a prominent exile group in Paris. The response of the governments of countries where these incidents happen has often been mutedand thats a problem. The British governments tepid reaction to the 2006 poisoning of former FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko very well could have led Vladimir Putin to conclude there would be little consequence for pulling the same stunt there again. Advertisement Advertisement Often diplomatic considerations are behind these muted reactions. France, for instance, is unlikely to press its case against Iran too hard, given that its currently trying to preserve whats left of the 2015 nuclear deal. Its hard to make those sorts of excuses for President Donald Trump, who has spoken approvingly of how leaders like Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, and Erdogan conduct their business. When Putin suggested allowing Russian investigators to question 11 U.S. citizens he views as enemies, including former Ambassador Michael McFaul, in exchange for cooperation in the investigation of 2016 election interference, Trump called it an incredible offer. Trump was also reportedly reluctant and angry about the expulsion of Russian diplomats in response to the Skripal poisoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After days of silence over the alleged abduction and possible murder of Khashoggi, Trump, who often touts his close relationship with the Saudi royal family, finally acknowledged that there were some pretty bad stories going around about the journalist and U.S. residents fate and said, Hopefully that will sort itself out. The Saudis are probably not too worried about a fierce U.S. response at this point. But if were going to fault Trumps rhetoric for contributing to the sense of impunity felt by authoritarian governments, we should also acknowledge Barack Obamas covert drone campaign in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. This isnt to draw any moral equivalence between the targeting of members of groups like al-Qaida, the Taliban, and ISIS and the murders and abductions of dissidents and journalists by dictatorships. But the targeted killing of a countrys enemies outside a declared battlefield was once considered exceptional, and the U.S. has helped make it routine. Advertisement More disturbing still may be the possibility that state violence is becoming globalized. The human rights community, more often than not, views the world in terms of distinct countries, classifying them as free or unfree. The much-maligned International Criminal Court is hamstrung by the fact that its jurisdiction is limited to only the countries that accept it. Advertisement Advertisement Once upon a time, it was thought that globalization would undermine authoritarian systems in individual states as economic liberalization and new forms of communications overwhelm their defenses against outside influence. But the influence, of course, ended up going both ways. Today, we live in a world where Chinas economic clout influences what classes are taught at U.S. universities and what movies are produced by Hollywood. The same internet that brings Western media into Russia allows the Russian state to influence elections around the world. Authoritarian states clearly do not feel their authority is limited by state borders. So its no surprise they dont feel their ability to inflict violence is limited either. From the genocide of the Rohingya, to the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in Nicaragua, to the surprising success of right-wing populism in Brazil, to the increasingly virulent strains of isolationist nationalism that have been taking root in eastern Europe, its a grim time for democracy around the world. But an unexpected source of hope has emerged from the Maldives, an island nation known for little more than its idyllic beaches and long history of authoritarian rule. Since 2013, the reign of President Abdulla Yameen brought mass abuses of human rights to the Maldives: the jailing or exiling of opposition leaders, increased control over state institutions, withdrawal from Commonwealth, and widespread corruption are only the tip of the iceberg for the small, tropical country. Advertisement But on Sept. 23, over 90 percent of Maldivians voted in the first general elections since Yameen came to power five years agoand voted overwhelmingly for the opposition, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party, who won after receiving 58 percent of the votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while a celebration is in order, its worth remembering that the Maldives has been here before. When two of us first came to work with Maldivians in 2006, we were impressed by the brave and committed Maldivian people, who acted time and time again with courage and talent to defend democracy within their country. And though both of us spent more than a decade with brave Serbian activists fighting the Slobodan Milosevic regime, and years after that training and educating democracy defenders from Kiev, Ukraine, and Tbilisi, Georgia, to Caracas, Venezuela, and Harare, Zimbabwe, through our organization, CANVAS. we could see immediately that Maldivian activists are unique in so many ways. Advertisement While a celebration is in order, its worth remembering that the Maldives has been here before. In 2008, after a 30-year-long period of dictatorship under Maumoon Abdul Gayoomwhose iron-hand rule of the island nation was characterized by a low tolerance for protests and any vocal opposition combined with a high appetite for nepotism and corruptionoverwhelming popular support brought Annithe popular nickname for former journalist Mohamed Nasheedto power as the Maldives first democratically elected president. Anni was successful for the first three years of his presidency as he worked to combat radical Islam and mobilize the tiny island nation to become a leading global voice in the fight against climate change. But his term ended prematurely after three years when, after a coup led by parts of the judiciary and the military, Nasheed resigned after reportedly being held at gunpoint. Advertisement Advertisement Key foreign powers quickly signed on to the new regimes interpretation that this was a voluntary resignation; the governments of Britain, the United States, and India quickly recognized the new government as valid. However, Nasheed and his followers asserted that a coup had taken place and that he had been forced to resign at gunpoint. The Commonwealth met and concluded that an international investigation needed to take place, but no further action was taken to investigate the constitutionality of the regime change from an international perspective. Advertisement Just a day after the regime change took place, Nasheed penned an op-ed for the New York Times detailing his attempts to reform the entire governmental system of the Maldives and the struggles that he faced attempting to do so. He writes, The dictator can be removed in a day, but it can take years to stamp out the lingering remnants of his dictatorship. His words proved prophetic. At the next general elections in 2013, Abdulla Yameen (the half-brother of former dictator Gayoom) was elected, and the Maldives returned to old habits. Under Yameen, government funds were embezzled, peaceful protests were suppressed, independent media outlets were shut down, and political prisoners were jailed. Now it seems that the collective international community has finally exhaled in relief. The Maldives may, in fact, have a democratic transition of power. Yameens regime is finally over. Advertisement Advertisement Recent history has shown that we cannot allow this positive development to cloud our judgment and lull us into a false sense of security. About 90 percent of the Maldives population voted in this years elections, showing an unprecedented amount of engagement in Maldivian democracy. The international community owes it to Maldivian citizens to keep watch and ensure a democratic transition of power occurs in November, and furthermore aid the new government in ensuring it can implement positive changes to ensure the longevity of the countrys democracy. It is especially imperative that we pay close attention to the Maldives in the wake of this election, taking into account the lessons that we have learned through the forced resignation of Nasheed. The Maldives is a relatively small nation, and the apathy of the international community toward the continuation of its democracy not only hurts the country but has a negative impact on the entire world. Had it continued along its path as a democracy last time, thrusting itself into the spotlight as the first Muslim-majority country with peaceful transitions of power within its democratic institutions, and had the world not ignored this tiny island nation, the Maldives might have brought its institutions, expertise, and goodwill toward other countries in the region, maybe even setting the example, case study, and inspiration, and thus radically changing the context through which the Arab Spring occurred only three years after Nasheed`s victory in 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Major media outlets have focused most of their attention on the geopolitical impact of this change, especially the fact that Yameen had been turning a country closer to China, while Solihs MDP has always advocated for closer ties to the most populous democracy, India. But there is another very important arena in which the smallest Asian country can affect not only the region, but the worldthe struggle for democracy. The world should recognize Solihs presidency as a beacon of light for other Muslim countries that have experienced similar issues in transitioning to power. Instead of ignoring the potential of the Maldives, we need to instead do our best to nurture Maldivian democracy until it is able to fully bloomand this means that the international community must do its best to push the Maldives toward a few key changes. At least two avenues of reform are clear: fixing the judiciary and building a muscle of the civil society. Advertisement Amnesty International has regularly called for the reform of the Maldives infamously corrupt judiciary. The courts have been used by the government to crush the oppositionmost notably in the trial of Nasheed shortly after he was forced out of the presidency. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison for terrorism charges and denied access to a lawyer by two judges who had already served as witnesses against him during the investigation phase. In this case, the Maldives needs critical outside aid in order to form an educated, experienced, and corruption-free set of judges. Advertisement Advertisement Second, and even more important, is to empower and support another backbone of vivid democracy: Maldivian civil society. The issue in the Maldives is not that people are unwilling to engage with democracythey have proven their commitment twice in the past decade by voting in numbers unimaginable for Western democracies. But the international community can help, guide, equip, and train already mobilized Maldivian citizens into a solid and lasting civic power that will make any further efforts to hijack democracy in Maldives impossible. The new hope for world democracy may be rising in Maldives. This time, democracy lovers of this world must not miss the importance of helping it. Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, unexpectedly announced Tuesday that she will be resigning at the end of this year. In a joint appearance at the White House with the president, Trump said that Haley told me probably six months ago, she said, You know, maybe at the end of the year, at the end of the two-year period, but at the end of the year, I want to take time off. I want to take a break. He praised her for having done a fantastic job and for making the ambassadorship a more glamorous position. Advertisement Tuesdays move came as a surprise, as has just about everything about Haleys tenure at Turtle Bay, including her nomination for the job. Not only did the South Carolina governor have little foreign policy experience before she took the position, she also had been a prominent critic of Trump during the GOP primary, calling him everything a governor doesnt want in a president. But in Trumps first year, Haley quickly emerged as one of the staunchest advocates of Trumps America first foreign policy, supporting moves that were opposed by other members of Trumps foreign policy team, including the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson often reluctant to speak to the press and visibly at odds with the president, Haley often served as the de facto face of Trumps foreign policy, particularly its aggressive line on Iran, North Korea, andin one notable contrast with her bossRussia. Under Haleys tenure at the U.N., the U.S. negotiated a major cut to the U.N. peacekeeping budget, withdrew from several bodies including UNESCO and the Human Rights Council over alleged anti-Israel bias, and cut funding to the U.N. relief agency for Palestinian refugees. In her announcement Tuesday, Haley pointed to last years sanctions on North Korea and the recently passed arms embargo on South Sudan as among her proudest accomplishments. Advertisement As the Washington Post noted last week, Haleys profile has diminished somewhat lately. In part this was her own doing. The backlash to the Trump foreign policy initiatives she championed, particularly on Iran and Jerusalem, have diminished her clout at the U.N. Shes also less of an outlier in Trumps Cabinet these days. Mike Pompeo is much closer to Trumps views and much more comfortable with the limelight than Tillerson was. And new National Security Adviser John Bolton, a former ambassador to the U.N. himself, has taken a much more active interest in the U.N. than H.R. McMaster did. There have also been a few notable moments of tension between Haley and the team back in Washington, particularly last April when economic adviser Larry Kudlow said she had been confused over the administrations mixed messages on Russia sanctions, prompting a miffed response from Haley. Advertisement Advertisement By the Trump administrations standard of resignations and firings-by-tweet, Tuesdays announcement was pretty cordial. But its still a little mysterious for one of the more popular and effective officials of this administration to leave like this. Explaining her decision, Haley said, Im a believer in term limits. I think you have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job. (Haley wasnt facing any sort of term limit, formal or informal. Her two predecessorsSusan Rice and Samantha Powerboth stayed for four years.) Haley is a rising star in the GOP and is widely tipped as a potential future presidential candidate. She was quick to tamp down speculation saying, unprompted, No, Im not running for 2020. I can promise you what Ill be doing is campaigning for this one, pointing to Trump. Whatever her future plans, Haley represents a textbook case of how Republican leaders quickly shifted from open hostility to Trump to embracing and implementing his agenda. Israel has detained a Palestinian American college student for a week because of her alleged support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. The government will not let her enter the country, despite her student visa. While security officials at Israeli borders have subjected several foreign activists and intellectualsincluding American Jewsto extensive questioning and detention, the Associated Press described the case of Lara Alqasem, who is a U.S. citizen, as first-of-its-kind. She has been held at Ben-Gurion Airport since last week, the AP reported, but she was barred from entering the country and ordered deported, which the news agency described as the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case. Advertisement A law passed last year bans entry for foreigners who support boycotts of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon being denied entry she appealed and, after losing an initial decision, remained detained at Ben-Gurion awaiting another appeal. Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan said that Alqasem could be free to enter Israel if she publicly condemned a boycott of Israel, the Israeli newspaper Haaertz reported. [If] Alqasem comes forward tomorrow morning with her own voice, not with all sorts of lawyers wisecracking and statements that could be construed this way or anotherand declares that supporting BDS, she thinks today, is illegitimate and she regrets what she did on this matter, we will consider our stance, he told Israeli army radio, according to Haaertz. Advertisement Erdan also tweeted, The accusation that she is incarcerated in Israel is blatantly false. She is free to return to her home in the US anytime she wishes. Erdan pointed to her alleged membership in Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida, a Palestinian activist group that supports the BDS movement and led a boycott of Sabra hummus. The group Canary Mission compiled a public dossier on Alqasem and said she was a vice president of the campus group, which the Israeli government later cited to justify denying her entry. Advertisement The Canary Mission website, described by the magazine Forward as a shadowy online blacklist targeting college students who criticize Israel, is published and operated anonymously. It has no public affiliation with the Israeli governmentrecent reporting showed that it had received funding from an American Jewish groupbut several activists have alleged that the Israeli government is using Canary Missions lists and profiles to identify activists who are trying to enter the country for further questioning and investigation. I dont support BDS. If I supported it, I wouldnt be able to come to Israel as a student, Alqasem told an Israeli court, according to Haaertz. Alqasem was registered to study human rights at Israels Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the AP reported, and the school is now supporting her and has joined her appeals. One of her professors at the University of Florida who taught her first-year Hebrew course said in a letter to Haaertz that Alqasem was curious about Israel and never expressed any negative sentiment or anger about Israel. When more than 500 white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and members of the alt-right marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, they werent just showcasing their startling numbers and their hateful creeds but also their organizational capacity. There were guest speakers, rideshares, demonstration permits, and houses and hotels rented outeverything youd expect from a group staging a large protest. But since the Unite the Right rally promoted a message of racism and anti-Semitism, the leaders didnt do the bulk of their logistical planning in any kind of public forum or open Facebook group. They used a popular, and rather private, chat platform for gamers called Discord. Advertisement After Charlottesville, Discord purged a number of accounts associated with the alt-right and the organizers of Unite the Right. Discords mission is to bring people together around gaming, the company stated after the march turned deadly. Were about positivity and inclusivity. Not hate. Not violence. A year later, in the runup to an ultimately barely attended sequel to Unite the Right in D.C., organizers appeared to stay off the platform, opting instead to discuss logistics over Facebook Messenger and the encrypted texting app Signal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White-supremacist groups arent turning up publicly, in force, like they did in Charlottesville last year, but theyre still out there. And Discord in particular remains a very popular destination for communities of neo-Nazis and white supremacists to socialize, share hateful memes, boost the ideas that undergird their movements, inculcate strangers, and plan activities that take place elsewhere online. In the course of an afternoon, I found and joined more than 20 communities on the platform that were either directly about Nazism or white supremacy or reveled in sharing anti-Semitic and racist memes and imagery. Discord is always on and always present among these groups on the far-right, says Joan Donovan, the lead researcher on media manipulation at the Data & Society Research Institute. Its the place where they do most of the organizing of doxing and harassment campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement One reason that this might be worrying is that Discord is a far more important internet platformespecially for people who want to be part of hateful online communitiesthan its frequency in the headlines would suggest. Discords user base of more than 150 million may mostly consist of gamers chatting about gaming, but in certain corners of the platform, swastikas are exchanged like high-fives. The groups have names like Nazism n Chill, Reich Lords, Rotten Reich, KKK of America, Oven Baked Jews, and Whitetopia. They appear to have thousands of participants who trade memes and jokes, share links, condemn social justice warriors, and transmit the revisionist histories that bolster their rationalizations of Nazism and white supremacy. I found these communities mostly through Discord search sites (like Discordservers.com, Discord.me, and Disboard.org) as well as through invites posted in some of the Discord groups. Advertisement Advertisement Discord communities run on distinct, free servers, similar to the free workplaces offered by the work-communication app Slack. Within each server, which can be private or public, a group can set up discussion channels. A server can be home to two people or thousands of people, and in general, as with Slack, a Discord group isnt discoverable without an invite. That relative privacy and ease of usealong with the fact that video games are as popular among young Americans on the far right as they are with just about everyone elsehas made Discord an ideal place not only to gather like-minded people but also to recruit gamers with a shared interest in offensive memes. Advertisement Advertisement Linger in almost any one of these chat spaces and youll see apparently seasoned members spewing bigoted speech freely throughout the day as well as newer members who appear to join the channel for the off-color jokes or were invited there by a community for fans of a (usually violent) game. In one server, named KKK, where participants implore each other to have a nice white day, one user dropped an invite to another server, writing, Its like supporting hitler and i wanted to know if anyone of you wanted to join. but i doubt youre serious about kkk and stuff. most people are trolls. or just memeing. In response, a couple of people in the KKK server asked if they could join and started a conversation about how much they hate black people. Advertisement Advertisement In certain corners of Discord, swastikas are exchanged like high-fives. Other servers are weirder but just as troubling. One, with about 112 members, brands itself as a place to play My Little Pony, but its name is a swastika with a heart on either side. The admin of the servers name is Aryanne. There, someone who goes by the name fuck ni****s asked, Is this a nazi server because Im a nazi, to which another member replied, with a photo of two Tyrannosaurus rexes having sex, I hate jewish ni****s. and dumb zi**** heads. the jews are bad. hitler was good. Another meme-centric server with about 160 members called Crab Rave has only one rule: No rules on this server but if you do something jewish and I warn you and you do it again youll get spanked. The server has a channel called the-face-nazi-house, which is filled with pictures of half-naked women partially dressed as Nazi soldiers. Still, it appears the server is generally a place to talk about video games. Jew Discord is a server that brands itself as a Discord for Memes. And on the Oven Baked Jews server with about 120 members, the admin describes it as a rather anodyne place: Used for my Youtube but just a place to chill, play games, and art or what ever really. Even fucked up memes cuz why not. Another server named Some heavy african shit offers a place for people who are racist as fuk and you wanna make some problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other servers more explicitly exist to teach about Nazism and white supremacy. One, named Path of GODS, brands itself as a Fascist Education Server, imploring new members to learn about Fascism and National Socialism here. There are rules before joining, though. No Jews, Muslims, Atheists, or Faggots, reads rule No. 1. If you are one of these you might as well leave because youll be kicked out otherwise. I dont fit the description but was able to subscribe anyway and search unlocked channels. I found posts with definitions of national socialism and fascism that purport to be copied from recent National Socialist Party literature, under which curious new members asked for more information. Another server called Rotten Reich, which boasts nearly 100 members, brands itself as the Best neo-Nazi server, recruiting, with the caveat (satire, dont get triggered). One server, named Identity, contained a screenshot posted with peoples names and locations posted by a person who implored fellow members to a doxx of a bunch of antifa people. Another poster in the Identity server remarked to another user, Id be the first to sign up and help you slaughter Muslims. Advertisement Advertisement Whats common among most of these groups is that they blur juvenile-seeming, semi-ironic meme making with outright racismthat is, theyre what experts on white supremacy recognize as on-ramps to indoctrination. This isnt a new tactic for the far right. According to Donovan, the tactic was pioneered on Stormfront, the largest and oldest white-supremacist community on the internet, which was started in 1995 by Don Black, a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. On Stormfront, they would sometimes have paid moderators that are waiting there for when someone shows up and asks things like, What is white nationalism? What do you guys really believe in? And then there were moderators there waiting to engage them when they showed interest in having a more serious discussion, said Donovan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discord differs from Stormfront, as well as from the Facebook groups or YouTube chats where white nationalists and other hate groups like to gather, in a number of important ways. For one, unlike on Facebook, its incredibly easy to be anonymous on Discord. I didnt see anybody using their real names. Moreover, unlike Stormfrontwhere people who are obviously interested in hate groups goon Discord a lot of the participation comes from people who are mostly hoping to find an abasing joke or chat about violent video games safely without fear of offending someone. And that makes Discord an ideal place for far-right recruitment. Its spaces provide room for people to socialize in hateto forge connections from which social beliefs can grow. If you hang out with Nazis and racists long enough, what begins as cruel humor can give way to a set of convictions, one that doesnt need to be approached with a layer of irony. And unlike 4chan or Gab, other online social spaces where people who adhere to hateful beliefs can chat and coordinate freely, Discord doesnt brand itself as a place for that. Its mostly a place for privately chatting about gamesand because of its structure, when people on Gab or 4chan want to take their conversations to more private places, the usual next step is to create a room on Discord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These meme rooms are absolutely a path toward indoctrination, says Keegan Hankes, a senior research analyst of the Southern Poverty Law Center. You have people on like Andrew Anglin who state openly that all of their humor and all of their extremely base kind of vitriolic and in-your-face, no-attempt-to-hide-it racism is attempting to desensitize. Once they can get somebody to laugh at the Holocaust, its much easier to work backward and get them to think that white people are being oppressed systemically by Jews and people of color, is their argument. When I sent Discord the list of servers I found, the company would only say on the record that it investigated the list and took action against those that violated its terms of service. Discord has a Terms of Service and Community Guidelines that we ask all of our communities and users to adhere to, a spokesperson said in a statement. These specifically prohibit harassment, threatening messages, or calls to violence. Though we do not read peoples private messages, we do investigate and take immediate appropriate action against any reported ToS violation by a server or user. In Discords terms of service, the company does say that it doesnt actively monitor servers and instead relies on user reports. But its not clear how hard the company looked into the list of servers I asked it to comment on. The server with the long list of anti-fascist activists posted by a user to encourage doxing, for example, is still active, and the list is still on Discord. And almost all of the Discord servers I found with blatantly anti-Semitic and racist names were still active late last week. Its hard to tell if any that I found were taken down, since I was kicked out of a few and some may have changed their names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How a company like Discord should deal with this activity isnt necessarily obvious. Discord doesnt have the resources of Facebook or Twitter, which have drawn a clearer line of what kinds of speech and activity they tolerate on their platforms, and Discord most likely cant dedicate large teams to building machine learning tools aimed at ferreting out hate; its also designed for private, not public, conversations. Still, Discord has no obligation to allow its users to use slurs in the names of their groups, to joke about killing Jews, or certainly to encourage each other to harass and dox. Right now, all of these things are incredibly easy to find on Discord. And the company doesnt appear to have thought very hard about why that is. Google Plus is no more, but it took more than being the least impactful social-media platform on the web to kill it. Google on Monday announced that it would shut down its social network after the Wall Street Journal reported that the company did not disclose a security vulnerability in the spring that exposed private data from hundreds of thousands of Google Plus accounts. Google patched the bug in March. In a blog post this week detailing the decision, Google vice president of engineering Ben Smith points to concerns with data privacy and failure to achieve broad consumer or developer adoption as reasons for the shutdown. Smith writes, The consumer version of Google+ currently has low usage and engagement: 90 percent of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google Plus struggles with user engagement were not a recent trend but rather a defining characteristic during its seven ailing years of existence. Launched in 2011, Google Plus was heralded as yet another attempt by the search giant to take on Facebook after launching a series of unsuccessful social media sites, namely Orkut, Google Wave, and Google Buzz. At the time, the likes of NPR and the New York Times pointed to Google Plus emphasis on circles, a feature that allowed people to compartmentalize their friends into different groups, as a potential game-changer that could finally allow Google to enter the growing market for social media advertising. By 2012, however, it was clear that Google Plus was having trouble keeping users on its platform for long. A much-cited article in the Wall Street Journal reported that people were spending three minutes a month using Google Plus, leading the paper to refer to the social network as a virtual ghost town. (Though three minutes a month would seem to be pretty respectable by the platforms current numbers.) Over the next two years, people would revolt against Googles attempts to forcibly integrate Google Plus features into its other platforms like Gmail and YouTube. As Slates Will Oremus wrote of a plan in 2014 to allow anyone with a Google Plus account to send emails to Gmail users, Google just announced a big change that, as far as I can tell, no one was asking for except perhaps the people who run Google Plus, its failed Facebook clone ubiquitous online identity service. The departure of Vic Gundotra, the senior vice president who headed Google Plus, that same year further underscored the platforms troubles. Advertisement Advertisement Deathly metaphors became ubiquitous in media coverage of Google Plus from then on, particularly the notion of the site essentially being a zombie platform. Over the past year, Google has also found evidence of foreign misuse of Google Plus, though it was dwarfed by the far more extensive meddling campaigns on Facebook and Twitter. Google announced in August that it had found 13 accounts allegedly associated with Iranian disinformation campaigns. The Hill also found that pro-ISIS propaganda had been flourishing on dozens of pages. Despite its failure to catch on and various other stumbles, it took a major security stumble for Google to finally put its Facebook challenger to restan unlikely close for a Google product that never made a bang until it went out with one. In a move that will please those hoping to lower Americas high rates of HPV infection and cervical cancer and will no doubt upset anti-vaxxers, the FDA announced Friday that the HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 is now approved for men and women ages 27 to 45. The vaccine, which protects against nine different strains of the cancer-causing human papillomavirus, was previously approved for people ages 9 to 26, with many assuming it provided no benefit for those over 26. Advertisement But the FDA has now expanded that range, in line with new findings that the vaccination is still effective in people up to 45 years old88 percent effective, in fact. According to the agencys press release: In a study in approximately 3,200 women 27 through 45 years of age, followed for an average of 3.5 years, Gardasil was 88 percent effective in the prevention of a combined endpoint of persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and vaginal precancerous lesions, cervical precancerous lesions, and cervical cancer related to HPV types covered by the vaccine. The FDAs approval of Gardasil 9 in women 27 through 45 years of age is based on these results and new data on long term follow-up from this study. Effectiveness of Gardasil 9 in men 27 through 45 years of age is inferred from the data described above in women 27 through 45 years of age, as well as efficacy data from Gardasil in younger men (16 through 26 years of age) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preteens are encouraged to get immunized before becoming sexually active to prevent the spread of the infection, which can cause cervical cancer, the fourth most common type of cancer in women, as well as cancers of the anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and throat (not to mention genital warts). HPV is so pervasivenearly half the 18- to 59-year-old population is currently infectedthat the CDC says that nearly all people will encounter at least one strain in their lifetimes. But even if youve been exposed to one strain, the vaccine is still effective in immunizing against others. Gardasil isnt the only HPV vaccine on the market, but it protects against the most strains, including HPV 16 and 18, those responsible for the majority of cervical cancers in women (not to mention 90 percent of HPV-related cancers in men), making it worthwhile even for this older age range. Advertisement It looks like those who missed out on HPV protection because they were too old to be considered worth immunizing when the drug was young are about to be doubly screwed over. The vaccine worksnot just on a case-by-case level but on a broader scale, when implemented properly. The FDAs decision came just days after the publication of a major study in the Lancet Public Health: It said that Australia, which introduced a national publicly funded HPV vaccination program in schools in 2007, is on course to all but eliminate cervical cancer. In 2016, 79 percent of girls and 73 percent of boys who turned 15 were fully vaccinated against HPV, and research indicates that such high levels of vaccination dramatically reduces the risk of infection (by 87 percent) even for unvaccinated individuals. By contrast, less than half of all U.S. teens are fully vaccinated, even though the CDC recommends that all preteens get vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement But approval is one thing, affordability another. Gardasil 9 is priced at $205 per dose, according to ABC News, but the fair price one can expect in Brooklyn, according to healthcarebluebook.com, is around $285. Those who get it before the age of 15 need only two shots, but three are recommended for older people. You also have to take into account vaccine administration fees, facility fees, and whatever else doctors feel like adding on, and it could end up a lot higher. One doctor I called Monday told me it would cost $250 for the injection plus a $250 visit fee, just for one dose. Advertisement The expansion has some ages 27 and up who are not yet infected with the most dangerous strains asking: Does my insurance cover the HPV vaccine? As NBC was quick to point out, the FDA approval does not necessarily mean that health insurance will pay for it. Advertisement Gardasil 9 is covered by most insurance plans for those in the approved age range9 to 26because it counts as preventive care, which is supposed to involve no charge or copay. Healthcare.gov lists immunization vaccines, and specifically the HPV immunization, under its list of services that all Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover, but follows it up with a specific disclaimer: Doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary. According to Verywell Health, its gendered too, despite the fact that immunizing both genders is important: The age group for which the vaccine is covered as well as whether it is covered for females and males or females alone also varies. Even the Gardasil website is wary, stating that while many private health plans provide coverage for GARDASIL 9, the availability of coverage and the level of coverage can vary. Advertisement Advertisement Sure, it makes sense to fight 8 strains of precancerous HPV and you might finally be able to get protection now, even as an adult, but dont count on your health insurance company to cover the costs... https://t.co/vBgvcfVWsj 4030Lisa (@4030lisa) October 8, 2018 Advertisement Its also not clear whether approval by the FDA for 27- to 45-year-olds signals that insurance companies will accept the vaccine as preventive for that group. The approval is very new, but sites including that of the American Cancer Society still suggest that those over 26 neednt bother with the vaccine. (On Monday afternoon, the ACS HPV page was updated to reflect the approval change, but remained consistent in its assessment of its utility: The Gardasil 9 vaccine is approved for women and men up to age 45, though not recommended after age 26. While the vaccine is safe, it is unlikely to provide much, if any, benefit as people get older.) Advertisement Advertisement Some insurers I called said that the HPV immunization is covered as preventive care and had no specific age range listed in their systems. But another company told my colleague that it would not be covering it unless the CDC changes its recommendation. At the moment, the agency only recommends the vaccine through age 26. The American Cancer Society says that insurance plans generally cover immunization if it is administered according to national guidelines. But there is some good news: The New York Times reports that the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has been discussing the data and will likely be making a recommendation soon, hopefully making for a stronger guarantee of coverage. Attention primary care docs -HPV Vaccine Expanded by FDA for Ages 27 to 45. Hopefully... CDC guidelines will concur and insurance will cover it for 19. https://t.co/ft0ToHwTE8 Dan Evans (@devans_at_NUmed) October 8, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are ways young people without insurance are able to access the vaccine, though its not clear if these will extend to those over 26 either. The Vaccines for Children program, often pointed to as an affordability option, wont apply, nor will the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program; as it stands, those eligible for assistance from the drugs manufacturer must be 19 to 26 years oldthough, as a friendly customer service rep told me, as long as youre under 27 for the first dose, theyll keep em coming. (Merck has updated its product info sheet to reflect the new age range, but not its patient assistance program eligibility. They were not able to provide a response to questions regarding expanding the assistance program in time for this article.) Medicaid covers the vaccine for those under 20 and for 21- to 27-year-olds in some states, while certain Planned Parenthood health centers, college medical clinics, and local health departments are also able to offer the vaccine for free. But with finite resources, will Planned Parenthood and local health departments be able to assist those for whom the vaccine is, as the American Cancer Society puts it, unlikely to provide much, if any, benefit? It looks like those who missed out on HPV protection because they were too old to be considered worth immunizing when the drug was young are about to be doubly screwed overand potentially several hundred dollars out of pocket, if they want the vaccine. America is riddled with HPV, and unless the CDC or insurers decide adults need this vaccine too, its probably going to remain that way for the time being. The great social media cleanup of the past two years hasnt seemed to leave it much cleaner. As some of the most powerful companies in the world have struggled to ferret out viral false news, harassers, conspiracy theories, and foreign agents, Congress and the American public have begun to lose faith in internet platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Twitter. But one social websitethe webs fifth-largest site, by some metricshas dodged the brunt of the ire: Wikipedia. Advertisement One might think Wikipedia would be a top target for those peddling conspiracy theories and counterfactual narratives. Yet somehow, the massive online encyclopedia has managed to retain its reputation for reliability, at least generally speaking. And thats thanks to a sprawling online network of editors who work for free to pull fact from fiction in crafting the articles that provide the answers that float to the top of Google search queries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, Wikipedia has its problems. The most glaring may be that the editor community is overwhelmingly male, and likely white too. And that leads to erasures and omissions that reflect the worldview and concerns of the editor community. For instance, when Canadian physicist Donna Strickland won the Nobel Prize, it turned out Wikipedia didnt have an entry about her. One had apparently been submitted prior to her winning the award, but the edit community apparently didnt consider her sufficiently noteworthy to warrant an entry. Advertisement To talk more about how Wikipedia, a volunteer-run project, manages to be a sort of second screen for the entire internet, and to delve into some of the problems the community is facing, we spoke with the Wikimedia Foundations executive director, Katherine Maher, for Slates tech podcast If Then. An expert on technology policy across the globe, Maher discussed the role Wikipedia plays in the current debates about healthy online platforms and what the community is doing to diversify its contributors. Read or listen to our conversation below, or get the show via Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play. April Glaser: Wikipedias the fifth-most-popular website on the internet, according to Alexa Ratings from earlier this year. And that popularity is in part due to the fact that the most popular website on the internet, Google, regularly directs people to Wikipedia at the top of its search pages. Its a symbiotic relationship where people search Google for answers and Wikipedia is the answer that they get. More recently, YouTube and Google have begun linking to Wikipedia to provide info on topics that tend to attract false news and conspiratorial theories in their efforts to be a more reliable source of information. According to Wikipedia itself, there are over 5.7 million articles on the English version of the site thanks to nearly 35 million users, of whom fewer than 200,000 are considered active editors. That means about 200,000 people make at least one edit a month. There are 300 active Wikipedias in different languages across the world, 48 million articles written worldwide. And this whole project is made possible thanks to volunteers who write the entries and thanks to grants and donations from the readers and the editors who use the site. I want to start by discussing the phenomenon that is Wikipedia, and that it actually seems to be largely correct. Is that correct? Am I correct about that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine Maher: Yeah. There have been numerous different studies that have shown that Wikipedia is on average as correct as any traditional encyclopedia would be, in part simply because of the volume of articles that we havethat when you do have inaccuracies they tend to be very few and far between. But also they tend to get corrected really quickly, and so as you take a look across the sites, the majority of content is correct at any given time. Glaser: So if I were to go on there and change the birthday of President Obama, that would get corrected really quickly? You wouldnt be able to change the birthday of President Obama because you probably do not have enough of an edit-contribution history to be able to touch an article that is as highly scrutinized as something like Obama. So anytime we have articles that are either of top interest to folks at any given time or are in the news in any given moment, our editors take them very seriously and will protect them to make sure they dont go ahead and get vandalized. So it would be tough to change his birthday. Advertisement Glaser: Who is editing Wikipedia? It seems that everyone wants to use it, but not everyone wants to edit it. And my understanding is that something like 90 percent of the editors are male. I dont know the racial background of editors, but I think its safe to say that most are probably white or come from some kind of white-collar background. So in addition to whos editing Wikipedia, Id like to know also the consequences of homogeneity in the edit community. Advertisement We dont actually know much of the background of Wikipedia editors either. We have pretty strict privacy policies. In fact, you dont need to give us really any information to edit Wikipedia. You dont even need an accountyou can just do it anonymously. And over the years, weve tried different ways of surveying and sampling editors to get a better sense. I think our best-case scenario is about 20 percent of the editors identify as female, but worst case would be closer to about 10. And then in terms of ethnic and racial makeup, obviously that really depends based on what Wikipedia were talking about. Our Indic-language Wikipedias are primarily going to be edited by people from probably South Asia. But it is true that we tend to assume that folks editing Wikipedia have what we think of as disposable time, and disposable time tends to correlate with higher socio-economic status. How does this play out for Wikipedia? It means that we tend to have biases that reflect the composition of our editors, and I will say that those biases also tend to reflect the broader world around us. Advertisement Advertisement So we talk about ourselves as a mirror held up to the world. Wikipedia is a tertiary source that is based on secondary sources, and when we go to create articles on Wikipedia, were very reliant on whats already been published and what exists in the world. And so if there is a dearth of secondary sources about female scientists or African novelists, its going to be very hard for us to then create articles that reflect those individuals on Wikipedia itself. Advertisement Glaser: When a new public figure comes on the scene, everyone jumps to visit Wikipedia, it becomes a second screen, and a bunch of editors also jump in to get their version of the truth up there. I wrote about this for Wired a couple years ago when Merrick Garland was nominated [for the Supreme Court]. The traffic of his page soared because nobody really knew who he was unless youre in the court scene. And then behind the scenes, the editors fought over whether to call him a judicial moderate or a strong liberal. And with so many people coming to Wikipedia for information on Garland, these descriptions really matter. How do Wikipedia editors grapple with attempts to insert their own ideological leanings? Advertisement I think that this is one of those things where the more people who have an eye on the Wikipedia article, the more accurate and neutral it tends to be. Dont take my word for it. Theres been lots of research on this subject. The more volume of traffic, the more likely it is that someones going to make an edit, the more editors who are involved in the conversation, the more compact and neutral and accurate the content is going to be, the more citations, the less verbose or adjectival a description is going to be. And so its likely in the case of Garlandand Im not familiar with that particular article and how that moment in time affected its compositionbut its likely in that case, or in the case of anybody whos under the spotlight, that if they couldnt decide on how to describe him, they would either say, Some people describe as citation, citation, citation. Others describe as the opposite, citation, citation, citation. Or they would not make a determination about how that description actually plays out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so Wikipedians will tend to present information and ask you instead to draw your conclusions rather than draw their own inferences or conclusions on topics that are difficult to be neutral around. Will Oremus: And a lot of that discussion happens on whats called a talk page. Thats right. Its almost like the newsroom behind any Wikipedia article. One of the things we like to say is, If youre curious about what a talk page is, go to your hometown and look at the fights that people are having about the history of the town, the town hall, local celebrities, things like this. Because it can give you the best and most immediate understanding of how talk pages actually work. There are places where Wikipedia editors take the conversation, not offline. It all happens in public. Its just behind the curtain. Anyone can click on the talk tab and take a look at it. Anyone can contribute to that discussion, but its where these differences of opinion get hammered out while articles might be paused for editing, or while folks are having robust difficult conversations about how to frame or present something or whether something should be included in an article at all. Advertisement Advertisement Oremus: You talked about how Wikipedia is better when there are more people involved in this editing process. That makes a lot of sense. How is the health of the Wikipedia editor community these days? In what direction is it trending? Is it getting livelier and healthier, or are the ranks thinning out? Is there a crisis of Wikipedia editorship? Hows it doing? There is no crisis of Wikipedia editorship. Our editors are alive and well. No, I think that there was this interesting moment in time where people were very concerned about the trajectory of editorship, and it happened around, I want to say, 2010, where Wikipedia grew very rapidly in popularity between 2001 and 2010, and then what ended up happening was a lot of that original content was filled out, at least in some of the major languages, and we started to see a decline in casual editing. But what is happening is that our numbers have really stabilized to the point where we have about a quarter-million editors every single month, and about 80,000 of those come back month on month on month and make significant contributions to the site. So overall our editor health is really good. What we would love to see is an increased diversification of that, and wed love to see some of the languages that are perhaps not as robust as they should be relative to the size of a million speakers and the like. Wed love to see some of that grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So for us, its about maintaining the health of our current editing community but then also thinking about how do we reach people for whom were not there yet in their language, in their geography, or representing their sense of identity. Glaser: I imagine if you come from a community that is not well represented in the editor community that you may be prone to harassment or feel somewhat ostracized in these tightknit talk pages where a lot of difficult conversations happen. So Im curious about harassment on Wikipedia. Have we seen coordinated attempts to insert ideological bias or to harass people to the point where they stop maintaining certain pages? Yeah. Absolutely. These things happen, and happen in places that you wouldnt necessarily expect. I think that the instances of extreme harassmentthe kind that you see on some of the other social platformswe see a lot less of that because Wikipedia has rules around civility that determine whether you can participate as an editor, and if you violate those rules you will get blocked and banned by our community members. I think the bigger issue for us tends to really focus on tonality, so weve done some interesting research around conversational failure, and it turns out that if you start a sentence in dialogue with another editor with the word please, it actually is a really high predictor that that conversation is going to fail. Because it tends to be followed by Please stop doing that or Please dont do something that you dont know anything about, and so please is actually not an indicator of a necessarily positive outcome. Advertisement Advertisement So what were trying to understand is in a community and in an ecosystem where harassment and unfriendly spaces look very different than harassment on, say, the comment section of YouTube or in a Twitter channel. What can we do to facilitate more civil and respectful conversations when we cant necessarily automate to be able to understand because of the use of bad words, for example. And so its really about how we create a culture of friendly interaction as opposed to certain instances of harassment, cause we just dont have that problem in quite the same way, which is not to say it doesnt exist. I do want to be really careful to acknowledge that we have had instances of people whove been harassed on Wikipedia. It tends to be somebody gets a bone between their teeth and really goes after an editor or a group of editors. The times that weve seen these things happen in a targeted way have tended to be around things that you would expect to be controversial. We were one of the sites to be enveloped in the whole Gamergate controversy, and we absolutely saw people really go head-to-head over what that particular discussion meant, and we had a number of Wikipedia editors on all sides of the conversation who found themselves sanctioned for the way that they participated in those conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glaser: I write a lot about harassment on social media, and obviously Wikipedia is a social place where people can interact. We do not hear as much about creating a culture where people will be less prone to harass each other. Its more about moderation, so this is really interesting. We dont do moderation in the same way that other social platforms do. We dont have armies of folks sitting offshore going through content posting trying to determine if its harassing language or if it violates our terms of service. Our community, because it is truly a community, engages in that conversation directly, and then they have modes and means of policies to refer conversations for review and sanction as appropriate. I think that harassment is a problem, but for us it is a relatively small problem relative to the challenge of how do you create a truly inclusive space for folks when we come from a certain culture, and we come from a certain demographic background. How do you open that up so that it becomes a place where more people feel welcome? Advertisement Oremus: Thats so interesting to hear you say you dont have moderation. I understand what you mean: You mean that Wikipedia, or the Wikimedia Foundation, isnt going in and moderating what the editors can say or what people can add to an article. But in another sense, the whole project of Wikipedia is a project of moderation, where people are moderating what each other can say and regulating each others speech in various ways. It reminds me, you talked about the social platforms, and it reminds me of the difficulties that the big social networks are having right now with misinformation, conspiracy theories, fake news, all that sort of thing. And they talk about, Well, we cant be an arbiter of truth. Or maybe in Facebooks case: Were trying, but its really hard to be an arbiter of truth. Wikipedia is at its core an arbiter of truththats what you guys do. So why do you think theyre having such a tough time with it, and would you have any advice for the people running those platforms? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think one thing thats really different from us is, from the beginning, its been a community-driven project. We dont set editorial policies for Wikipedia. The community sets that, and the community has evolved over time with these editorial policies in order to assess information quality and also the standards that they want in their spaces, to tie it back to the conversation around friendly spaces and contribution. But specifically for content moderation there are a couple of really core policies that drive the way that Wikipedia articles are created, and I think the reason that they are effective is that theyre clear, there are only three of them, theyre fairly easy to understand, there are tons of examples for how they work, there are lots of different eyeballs that focus on insuring that those policies are upheld, and it all happens in the open. The polices around accuracy of information, it requires that we site back to what we call reliable sources. It means that people cant just put out fringe theories based on what their interests are. They have to find citations and information. It has to be peer-reviewed, or published, or have some editorial scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are the policies that have created a sense of accuracy and accountability on Wikipedia, and accountability not just for the editors but accountability to the public who reads this content. And I think thats just so completely different from the way these other platforms work. Another thing that I point to is we dont have divergent forking narratives or feeds that you sign up for. When you come to a Wikipedia article, youre looking at the exact same thing whether youre sitting on the other side of the continent from me or if youre sitting in the next office over. That doesnt afford us the space to shift narratives based on what your interest is or what an algorithm suggests that you might like. We have to be open and publicly accountable for what is published no matter what your perspective or viewpoint actually is. Advertisement Advertisement Its funny you mentioned, or refer to, Wikipedia as an arbiter of truth. We actually dont agree with that characterization. What we would say is that Wikipedia reflects knowledge as it exists at any given moment in time. That is, knowledge is constantly being constructed, and its constantly being deconstructed. And so edits are made to Wikipedia, content is removed from Wikipedia, knowledge changes dramatically over time, and what Wikipedia offers is just an aggregate understanding of what we know about a topic at any given moment based on whats been published or what common consensus says. I always use the example of Copernicus or Galileo. However many hundreds of years ago, had they written an article, wed have some really strong articles about how the sun revolves around the Earth. But we, as hopefully humanity, have learned a lot more about our solar system, and now we know that the Earth revolves around the sun. So knowledge is a living thing, but its not necessarily about trying to get to some understanding of truth. Its more just about representation about what we can all agree on at any point in time. Advertisement Advertisement Where I start to find this really powerful is less on things that are settled, like heliocentricity versus geocentricism, but more about how our historyand understanding of culture, and understanding of politics, and understanding of representationIs constantly evolving. Wikipedias edited 350 times a minute, which essentially means that every minute there are 350 opportunities to challenge what it is that we know, and how it is that its been assembled, and who has contributed to that knowledge base, and whose voices are included, and how it is that we might change that over time. So I think of Wikipedia not as an arbiter of truth but really a living contestation for how knowledge is formed and created, which is why we always say, Dont trust Wikipedia. Read it with a critical eye. Check the citations. And if you see something, contribute to it. Because the way that we form knowledge is by contributing to it together and building on whats come before. Advertisement Advertisement Glaser: Its true that there are all of these ways to gain social clout and to gain social trust in the Wikipedia community, but sometimes people edit Wikipedia anonymously, or its their first time, and sometimes its funny. And its something that you guys call vandalism. And I want to ask about that, because I saw this meme going around a few years agoI think it was an actual screenshot from Wikipedia, and it was edited to say that Charlie Sheen was half-man, half-cocaine. And it was changed quickly back, Im sure, but I think this happens a lot, and Im curious: How does Wikipedia contend with vandalism, and is there any particularly funny one that comes to mind? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just the other day, somebody tweeted about the fact that theres a Wikipedia article thats a list of fictional states, and nestled in there was Wyoming, a fictional state made up for tourism revenue by Idaho. I thought that was funny. As soon as I retweeted it, it was gone. But I think that often we see these sorts of vandalism. I think that they are funny. I also know that they can be quite annoying for our Wikipedia editors. I like to think of them as ways of demonstrating that Wikipedia is a living project and as a reminder to folks that you can go ahead and get in there and edit. We actually have more Wikipedians than wed like to admit who first started because of vandalism. They came in to mess with the site, and they realized, Oh, that vandalism didnt stay up for very long. Im curious how that works, and then get involved in that way. In general, there are different ways that vandalism works. I dont think this will surprise anyone, but some of the highest volume of vandalism tends to happen in school hours, and it tends to be bad words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we have bots that scrub the site from end to end and remove instances of poop that shouldnt belong in a sentence and the like. The other forms of vandalism tend to get reverted very quickly. I think Congress is notorious for vandalizing Wikipedia, in fact I think its blocked this week; you cant edit with a congressional IP this week because people abuse their privileges. And weve seen that happen. Wikipedia editors tend to keep a very close eye on what we call our recent-changes feed, and there are folks who consider themselves just to be vandalism patrollers who are always looking for things that are a little suspicious. We give this a boost by having machine learning systems that are able to identify what is likely a good edit or a bad edit and help editors triage in order to keep pace with the 350 edits a minute. Because its a pretty huge volume of activity on the sites at any given time. Advertisement Glaser: With Wikipedia now serving as a fact-checker for YouTubes most polarizing conspiracy-theory videos, is there a fear that people will see these videos about how climate change isnt real and then click on the Wikipedia link and edit the article to incorporate the counterfactual information they just saw? Advertisement Advertisement This was something that we were concerned about. Obviously any time a major platform turns the worst of the internet against our sites, we worry about what the implications are for our editing community. Our editing community actually took it all in stride. They said, Weve got means by which we monitor these pages. We know how to deal with vandalism. Weve been doing this for 17 years. Well let you know when its a problem. And we went back and said pretty much the same thing to YouTube. We said, Well let you know when its a problem, and if it does become a problem wed appreciate some support around this. But overall it seems as though its something that is working out. Our mission overall is to get knowledge out there and to be the correct place for informationto have it be as accurate as possible. And if it is a tool in the arsenal of insuring a more accurate and fact-based internet, then I think were probably all for it. Advertisement Advertisement Glaser: Its fascinating how the community is able to morph and absorb more responsibility as more people start to use the internet and as more large platforms start to rely, and continue to rely, on Wikipedia as a source of information. Advertisement I think what I would say there is that because it works in this instance, it doesnt mean that were going to be the catchall for all of the worst bits of the internet. In reality, anytime that there is an intermediary layer between people who are reading Wikipedia content and where the content itself is created, we see that as a risk. Part of the promise of Wikipedia is that anybody anywhere can go in and check where does the information come from, when was it added, whats the edit history, whats the discussion on the talk page, where does the citation go, and so whenever theres an intermediary layer that sits between our readers and our contributors, we view that as a breakdown of the trust and the promise model that Wikipedia offers in terms of accountability and transparency, but we also view it as a risk factor to the sites as a whole because of how Wikipedia works when people stop by to read it. Wikipedia works when a readers like, Oh, I think that information isnt accurate. That probably needs an update, or That probably could use a different citation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so the volume of traffic to our sites is actually the way in which Wikipedia stays up to date and makes sure that our content is constantly expanding, and so if that information is being siphoned off and presented in different ways and in different places, that actually does create a risk for us. So I think theres a tension between how do we make sure informations available in the most useful ways, such as the referral back with the YouTube videos, but also making sure that information is not taken completely out of context and presented in a way that ultimately chokes off the way that Wikipedia works. Advertisement Oremus: You actually just answered part of the question that I was going to ask, which is: Part of the future of computing right now on the internet seems to be this move toward voice assistance. Whether its on a smart speaker, like an Amazon Echo or Google Home, or its Siri on your phone, or talking to the Google Assistant on your phone, for a lot of those, when you ask a questionwhen you ask Siri or Alexa or Google a questionthe answer you get will be content from Wikipedia. So thats a way that people are gonna be using Wikipedia more and more, presumably, but maybe not even know that they are using Wikipedia. Certainly not visit the site and maybe run into a fundraising appeal or get involved in that way. Is that a big concern for you going forward, and are you hopeful that donations from those big platforms I saw that Amazon recently gave $1 million to the Wikimedia Foundation maybe partly for that reason. Advertisement Advertisement Does that have to become more of your business model now if these platforms are going to be siphoning off your information or siloing your information in that way? I think I have many thoughts and responses to your question. One thing to note is that theres the immediate value that these platforms get out of having Wikipedia as a resource from which they can pull answers and information to provide to their users. But the other part that most people arent as aware of is that Wikipedia is also this massive computational resource for many different platforms in terms of the way that theyre developing machine learning, the way that theyre training their A.I assistants, in the way that they treat natural language processing. And so we view ourselves as a resource that should be supported by industry as a wholenot just because we create a transactional value to them, because Amazon or Siri or whatever can answer our question, but because weve actually created a tremendous resource just in terms of data modeling and support that these companies can go out and train and do advanced computational science around. And there is nobody who is contributing back because of the value weve created in that space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason that we think that should engender long-term support is because we are essentially the commons as a resource for the entire internet that entire business models have been created around. And if you dont actually support that commons, its not going to exist at some point, and thats going to be really problematic for a business model that depends on its existence, particularly as companies are pushing into new and different markets. Its increasingly the case that theyre looking to sites like Wikipedia, which have content thats available in those local languages as a baseline to assess the market maturity, and whether people are using the open web, and whether theyre creating content in those languages. So overall supporting Wikipedia so that were out there and accessible to more people and accessible to more users in more languages, and so that our content is diverse and reflective of the entire world and not just North America or the male experience, is ultimately a good thing, not just for us, and not just for our readers, but for the internet as a whole. Advertisement In terms of what that support looks like, I think that its not just about monetary support. We are very proud of the fact that 85 percent of our donations come from small-dollar donations from individual users. The average donation is $15, and the remaining 15 percent tends to be more traditional foundation donations. We dont want to be entirely beholden to large corporations giving us money, but we do feel as though having some sort of sustainable model of support, whether it is engineering support, or in-kind support, or just thinking about what the product decisions actually mean in terms of their implications for how people can contribute to and access Wikipedia, thats the conversation that we want to be having with these different platforms. At the end of the day, we create a tremendous amount of value in the world, and we want to make sure that value is being recognized and being supported and sustained, because its very easy to make a series of decisions that in aggregate could really damage that value, and I dont think anybody intentionally wants to hurt Wikipedia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glaser: No, Wikipedia has a tremendous amount of value for so many different parties. Can you tell us about efforts to expand Wikipedia in other languages? Also, whats the second-biggest language after English? And is Wikipedia available in China? So there are a whole host of Wikipedias that are smaller languages. They tend to be secondary languages within countries, or indigenous languages, or noncolonial languages, and we at the Wikimedia Foundation actually place a great deal of emphasis on supporting communities that are doing work in these languages. We have grants that are available to community members who are organizing and doing events around outreach and growth of smaller-language projects. We call them our emerging community projects. And the whole idea is that we dont make a decision based on winners and losers on language. The fact that Spanish and German and English and French are enormous doesnt mean that that is sufficient to cover the entire world. We want people to be able to access content in Zulu and in whatever the indigenous languages and identities are that theyre seeking information. Advertisement We know thats actually critical to the way that cultures continue to live, the way that identities continue to live. Theres a whole example of Welsh Wikipedia where the national government of Wales has a Wikipedian in residence who is just there to make sure that Welsh continues to be a living thriving Wikipedia language in large part because they know that having Wikipedia exist in Welsh is actually a marker as to whether other internet services will index Welsh as a living digital language. And of course we can all understand that if your language goes away or doesnt exist in a digitized form, your identity starts to go away too. So were really supportive of this. We think this is part of our cultural diversity in recognizing that the sum of all knowledge requires all sorts of different understandings of knowledge, all sorts of linguistic bases for knowledge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glaser: Is Wikipedia available in China? Wikipedia is not currently available in China or in Turkey. But of course Wikipedia does continue to be built by Chinese speakers. We have Chinese speakers who are outside of China, like Taiwan and Hong Kong of course, but then other Chinese speakers including folks from mainland China who edit Wikipedia from outside of the country as well as from inside the country using circumvention technologies. So Wikipedia in Chinese is not as large, and we would like to see the relative number of Chinese speakers, but we remain optimistic that it will continue to be built and will be there for when and if China ever decides to unblock us. We would love that. It all makes sense once you realize they want to kill us, by Mike Whitney - The Unz Review : 'It is now apparent that these products in ... Morocco and Benin signed, Friday in Rabat, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on land development, urban planning, housing and urban policy. The MoU, signed during a visit to Morocco by Benins Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Jose Tonato, is meant to promote exchange of expertise in land use planning, urban planning and architecture. The agreement, which covers a period of three years, tacitly renewable for a similar period, provides for a transfer of expertise and good practices, exchanges on legislative and operational institutional aspects of spatial planning and sustainable urban and rural development, and the sharing of experiences in the field of urban planning and training. Morocco and Benin are both facing accelerated urbanization, which requires a response to a number of urgent needs, especially in terms of housing, the fight against various forms of insalubrity and the upgrading of cities. Kinzua Bridge State Park Complex November Programing The Kinzua Bridge State Park Complex is excited to offer the following public programs at Kinzua Bridge during the month of November. Dates times and descriptions for each program are provided below. Participants should dress for the weather and plan to be outside. Kinzua Bridge State Park Winds of Change: Wind Turbines & Wildlife Virtual Program Monday, November 8, 2021 (6:00 p.m.) In order to mitigate the impacts of global climate change more and more of our energy needs are being met by renewable sources such as wind and solar. While both of these renewable sources of energy produce less emissions they still have impacts on wildlife. Join us for a virtual program exploring how using innovation in turbine design can reduce the impacts on wildlife from wind energy development. *Please note this is a virtual program delivered via Microsoft Teams and will not be presented physically in the park. Pre-registration is required, to register visit: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/winds_of_change_wind_turbines_wildlife-_virtual_program Saturday Morning Bird Walk Saturday, November 13, 2021 (8:30 a.m.) Bring your own binoculars to look for birds and plan on hiking around the park and out on the bridge! Growing Up Wild- Virtual Teacher Workshop Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (9:00 a.m.) Virtual professional development opportunity for current and future early childhood educators looking for innovative ways to engage young learners (ages 3-7) with nature. Along with sampling some of the 27 different lessons contained in the curriculum all participants will receive a free curriculum guide for their classrooms and will be eligible to receive 2 Act 48 hours. *Please note this is a virtual program delivered via Microsoft Teams and will not be presented physically in the park. Pre-registration is required to register visit: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/virtual-growing_up_wild_educator_workshop#.YX149Z7MLIU For more information, please contact Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center and Park Office at (814) 778-5467 or e-mail us at kinzuabridgesp@pa.gov . Visit DCNRs website directly at www.dcnr.state.pa.us or visit DCNR through the PA homepage at www.state.pa.us Not only children are interested in Slovak. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Dozens of children whose parents live in Chicago, USA with Slovak roots are studying Slovak every Saturday. The Slovak Academy of Chicago will celebrate the fifth anniversary of its establishment. Its director Zuzana Fidrikova believes that it has a long tradition ahead. We are Slovaks living abroad in Chicago and our children are growing up in local surroundings, explains Fidrikova, who comes from Spisska Bela, as quoted by the TASR newswire. The school operates on the weekend. Students learn Slovak, national history, grammar and geography. They can also dance, since there is the Veselicka folk ensemble, Fidrikova continues. President Andrej Kiska also visited the Slovak Academy of Chicago (Source: Alena Klepochova, TASR) 67 students are currently studying at the school. They are mostly children, as well as seven much older people. We think that for children whose one parent is Slovak and the other American, learning Slovak is less natural than for those whose parents are both Slovaks, Fidrikova explains, as cited by TASR. They created Slovak as foreign language lessons and older people were interested in becoming involved. The children have the greatest experience when they visit Slovakia during summer holidays and see everything they talked about in school. Read also: The economic think-tank INEKO has assessed the country's hospitals for the fourth time. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. F. D. Roosevelt Faculty Hospital in Banska Bystrica is the best in the category of state university and faculty hospitals. (Source: TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The F. D. Roosevelt Faculty Hospital in the central-Slovak town of Banska Bystrica and Lubovnianska Nemocnica in Stara Lubovna in eastern Slovakia are the best hospitals in Slovakia this year. The economic think tank Institute for Economic and Social Reforms (INEKO) revealed the results of its fourth evaluation of health-care facilities on Monday, October 8. It compared the health-care facilities in five main areas: the satisfaction of patients, quality of health care provided in the hospital, governance, transparency and difficulty of diagnosis. Our goal is primarily to create demand in society for quality and efficiency of hospitals, said Peter Golias, INEKO director, as cited by the SITA newswire. Golias explained that thanks to their comparisons, they see that hospitals are improving. They also get feedback from them as to how they are dealing with suggestions and improving processes inside hospitals. The F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica (Banska Bystrica Region) was the best in the category of state university and faculty hospitals. It has become the winner for the first time. As the only major state-run institution the F. D. Roosevelt Hospital achieved above-average scores in each of the five major areas of monitored indicators. In the category of general hospitals, the hospital in Stara Lubovna (Presov Region) won for the fourth time. This hospital has long-term high patient satisfaction, very good quality of health care, excellent management as well as transparency. The assessment shows low postoperative mortality and short waiting times after an emergency patient is brought in by an ambulance. Regarding the state university and faculty hospitals category, the Martin Faculty Hospital came second followed by SNP Central Military Hospital in Ruzomberok (both Zilina Region). As for general hospitals, the second place went to Kosice-Saca Hospital followed by Poprad State Hospital (Presov Region). In the fourth year of the assessment of hospitals, the case mix index values were taken into account for the first time. The case mix index indicates the demanding character of patients diagnoses in 2017, through which INEKO achieved, to some extent, the risk weighing of some quality indicators. The disadvantage of the previous assessment was that in assessing the quality of health care provided, we looked only at the output of the hospital, said Golias, as cited by the TASR newswire. We didnt take into account the level of difficulty involved in the cases coming to the hospital. Golias explained that a hospital that had more demanding patients in the input, may also show worse results in the output. Thats why we automatically put it lower in our rankings, said Golias. Golias praised the DRG system, which enabled them to get this data for the first time ever. INEKO has therefore decided to include this parameter in the hospital assessment methodology. Those offered a chance of a better life in the UK, ended as modern slaves. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled A gang who made a family business out of trafficking workers from Slovakia to Leeds before exploiting them has been jailed for modern day slavery offences, the BBC reported on its website on October 4. Six members of the Cisar family forced their vulnerable victims to work for as little as 5 a day. Police raids on 25 homes in Armley in 2013 led to 37 people being rescued, including a one-year-old infant. These people belong in prison and todays sentences should send out a clear warning that it will not be tolerated, said Detective Superintendent Pat Twiggs, of the West Yorkshire Police, outside court, as cited by the Blackpool Gazette on its website. Gang leader Frantisek Cisar was given a nine-year jail term while two landlords were jailed for up to 42 months. Leeds Crown Court heard that some of those exploited had resorted to begging for food to feed their children, despite working up to 10 hours a day, six days a week. One victim was paid just 3,000 for three-to-four years of work, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said after the sentencing. The gang approached victims in Slovakia offering them a better life working in the UK. After they arrived, the victims were given building work with a daily allowance of between 5 and 7, with occasional top-up payments. The Cisar family controlled their bank accounts, took their benefit payments and kept them in poor living conditions, Leeds Crown Court was told. Some of the victims the gang had exploited were either homeless, living in crisis centres, unemployed or alcoholics. Two landlords in Leeds, Aurangzeb Naseem and his father Mohammed Naseem, were given jail terms for using the Cisars victims to carry out renovation work on their properties. The Vice-President of the European Commission has support to become the only European Socialists Spitzenkandidat for EC president, Politico wrote on October 8. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The European Commissions Vice-President for Energy Union, Maros Sefcovic from Slovakia, now has sufficient backing to allow him to run for the European Socialists Spitzenkandidat, his team informed the European Politico weekly. The weekly pointed out Sefcovics potential opponents, who are either withdrawing from the election or lacking enough support due to the weaker position of socialists in their home countries. This week, Sefcovic will meet PES President Sergei Stanishev to hand over the 10 letters of support he has so far received during the nomination process. The minimum he needed was nine, but the more the better, according to Politico. Other candidates out - or weaker Sefcovic is still the only PES candidate for the position thanks to Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern recently announcing his decision to withdraw from domestic as well as European politics, since he allegedly could not avoid touching on national issues in discussions on the EU. Meanwhile, French EU commissioner Pierre Moscovici has left the running for socialists candidate as well: he announced this news last week. The socialist party of another possible rival of Sefcovic, the ECs first Vice-President Frans Timmermans, is currently in opposition, which weakens his chances, while Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has a similar problem. In case there are some rival candidates by October 19, the deadline for announcing the candidates, the PES congress planned for December 7-8 in Lisbon shall decide on the selection of the slates leader. He is running at the head of the Plan B civic platform slate. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Radoslav Soth, 30, is the first Slovak who has the chance to become a member of the city council in Brussels in the municipal elections slated to be held on October 14. The young Slovak uses legislation that allows foreigners living in Belgium long-term to engage in political life. At the head of the Plan B civic platform slate, he wants to influence the policy formation of the EUs capital with an aim to make politicians listen more to the street, the TASR newswire reported. Soth studied history at the Sorbonne in Paris, and later focused on European constitutional law through study programmes at the universities in Barcelona, Milan, Szczecin and Montpellier. He speaks eight languages and currently works as an assistant to a French MEP. He has lived in Brussels for six years and has always been interested in the happenings at a local political level. I feel that much more can be done at a lower level, said Soth, as cited by the TASR newswire. I like Brussels, but many people criticise that it doesnt work here, they point to corruption and scandals. I dont want to be another person who only complains, I want to contribute to improving the conditions of citizens and foreigners living in Brussels. Soth explained that the name of the platform is a pun - Plan B as an alternative to the existing municipal policy, and also B for Brussels. The civic platform managed to register for the election contest in September. Since it is not a standard political party with a hierarchical structure, members of the multi-ethnic platform democratically decided to draw lots, and it determined that from among 49 names the Slovak was the leader. Maybe Im the first and only Slovak to get to the head of an election slate in all of Brussels, he said. And maybe in all of Belgium. Soth is running in the Old Town constituency, which has about 90,000 voters. It is a large part of the city, which also includes the European district with the EU institutions where many foreigners also live. Jameson Irish Whiskey is bringing together two great tastes that taste great together (more or less) with their brand new Jameson Cold Brew. The recently-announced spirit drink as the bottle refers to itas opposed to a vodka drink, a lager drink, or a cider drinkis a blend of triple-distilled Jameson Irish Whiskey and Fairtrade cold brew coffee extract sourced from Arabica beans in Colombia and Brazil, per Liquor.com. The bottle even has that little Fairtrade logo on it. The flavor is described as distinctive, bold, and natural with refreshing cold brew coffee impact followed by charred wood from the pot still whiskey contribution on palate, with intense rich coffee bean aromatics combined with vanilla nuttiness of Jameson. Sitting at a pretty drinkable 70 proof, Jameson Cold Brew is expected to retail at $33, which is probably about as much as Id be willing to pay for this sort of coffee-based gimmick, and Im the target audience. Alas, it is unlikely that Jameson Cold Brew is in my American future, as the very limited releaseonly 3,000 bottles madeis currently only available on the Emerald Isle, somewhat ironic considering the last time I was in Ireland I could rarely find a filter coffee, much less a cold brew. According to Liquor, the new whiskey is only available for purchase at Jamesons Dublin distillery and the Dublin Airport, but a quick Google search found that Obriens appears to be selling bottles of Jameson Cold Brew for 28.50. And theyll deliver anywhere on the country. But should I be lucky enough to get my hands on a bottle, I know just the mixer. Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge. Top image via Jameson Tour! Tour! Tour! East coast Sprudge readers and traveling coffee enthusiasts, join us at one of these exciting upcoming appearances in support of The New Rules of Coffee: A Modern Guide for Everyone from Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen. Wed love to see you at any or all of the events below, so give us an RSVP via Facebook and pick up your tickets today (where applicable). Tah! NYC On Thursday, October 11th join us for a special live taping of the Taste Podcast at Counter Culture Coffee (376 Broome Street). This is a ticketed eventbuy tickets hereand the price includes a signed copy of the book, a spot at the taping, and delicious treats from the team at Counter Culture. Check out past episodes of the Taste podcast featuring Christina Tosi, Peter Meehan, Saimin Norsat, and many more. Thursday 10/11 at Counter Culture Coffee NYC TC 6-8pm TICKETS On Saturday, October 13th join us at the 2018 New York Coffee Festival for a special presentation of The New Rules of Coffee happening at The Lab Stage One. There well be talking about the creation process of our book, reading select passages, and taking your sure-to-be-cheeky questions in front of a live audience. Admission is included with entry to the New York Coffee Festival. Saturday 10/13 at New York Coffee Festival 3:15 PM TICKETS On Wednesday, October 17th join us in Brooklyn at the stunning new Stumptown Coffee Roasters cafe in Cobble Hill (212 Pacific Street, Brooklyn) for a book signing meet n greet from 1pm-3pm. There well be joined by the lovely folks at Books Are Magic, and well be personally signing books, taking your questions, and inquiring as to your favorite local pizza slice spot. This event is free and open to the public, with books for sale on-site. Wednesday 10/17 at Stumptown Cobble Hill Brooklyn 1pm-3pm RSVP PHILADELPHIA On Thursday, October 18th weve got two stunning events in Philadelphia, PA! To kick things off, join us at Reanimator Coffees Kensington roastworks (310 W Master St.) for a book signing meet n greet and intimate presentation of some of our favorite chapters. Come enjoy cappuccino with us and get your very own signed copy of the book. This event is free and open to the public, with books for sale on-site. Thursday 10/18 at Reanimator Coffee Kensington 2pm-4pm RSVP On the evening of Thursday, October 18th join us at the Elixr Coffee cafe in Center City (207 S Sydenham St) for an evening of coffee sports, giveaways, and a presentation from The New Rules of Coffee. Guests can participate in a cup tasters challenge, with prizes courtesy of Elixr Coffee, plus enjoy refreshments and pick up signed copies of The New Rules of Coffee. Well be there to take Q&A and read you a few of our favorite sections of the book. This event is free and open to the public, with books for sale on site. Thursday 10/18 at Elixr Coffee Center City 7pm-10pm RSVP DC On Saturday, October 20th join us in Washington DC for an event with Peregrine Espresso and Solid State Books at Small Planes Coffee (2400 T Street NE) for an evening of coffee and conversation. Starting at 5pm Peregrine is hosting a city-wide roaster cupping featuring a dozen or so roasters from across the DMV. Then at 7pm, join us for a live conversation on The New Rules of Coffee moderated by God In A Cup author and New York Times/Washington Post/Sprudge contributor Michaele Weissman. Guests can pick up a signed copy of the book onsite and there will be light Q&A following the event. Saturday 10/20 at Small Planes Coffee with Peregrine Espresso and Solid State Books 5pm-9pm RSVP And to cap things off, on Sunday, October 21st join us for a very special live presentation with Smithsonian Associates at The Ripley Center (1100 Jefferson Dr SW). This is a ticketed presentation event, and guests will enjoy delicious coffee courtesy of Counter Culture Coffee, plus receive a signed copy of The New Rules of Coffee. Sunday 10/21 at The Ripley Center with Smithsonian Associates and Counter Culture Coffee 1pm-4pm Buy ticketsRSVP MANY MORE EVENTS ANNOUNCED SOONCHECK SPRUDGE.COM/BOOKTOUR FOR A COMPLETE LISTING Want to book Sprudge for an event in your city? Drop us a line and well set it up! Round Two of the Autumn Series went postward Monday evening at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and familiar faces found their way to victory lane once again. Kimco Kid, who was a 2:05.1 winner in week one of the event, was a gate-to-wire winner in his $8,500 division for the tandem of driver Alfie Carroll and trainer Richard Moreau. Carroll hustled the three-year-old son of Kadabra-Kimco Lady through panels of :30.1, 1:02.1 and 1:33.3 before cruising home in :30.4 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Brydown Houston in 2:04.2. Third prize went to Never Tell. Sent off as the 2-5 favourite, Kimco Kid improved his 2018 record to 3-3-0 from 10 trips to the track. The winner of $16,925 is owned by Harbor Racing Stable LLC and ASA Farm. Eddy posted a 2:03.1 victory in leg one of the series, and he sharpened his speed in winning his second leg assignment in 1:59.1 for driver Scott Coulter and trainer Chad Milner. Coulter was able to grab a pocket trip behind TLF Beware, who carved out fractions of :28.2, :59 and 1:28.4. Eddy was on the move from first-over as the field travelled in the backstretch, and he used a :30.1 closing quarter to draw clear by 1-3/4 lengths over Iam What I Am. King For Life took home third prize in the $8,500 affair. Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, the three-year-old son of Windsong Espoir-Jolie Glide now boasts a 4-1-1 record from nine starts this season. Hes stashed away close to $18,000 this season for owners Leonard Christopher and Zina Pallister. Later on the card Brocks Fortune produced a gate-to-wire triumph in the $8,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers. Brett MacDonald hustled the gelding to the top from Post 2, and together they led the field through fractions of :27.1, :57.3 and 1:25.4. A :29.3 closing panel sealed the deal for the Taylor Fritz trainee, who stopped the clock in 1:55.2 while defeating Artistic Pick and Tuition Money. Fritz shares ownership on the eight-year-old son of Stonebridge Regal-Fannies Fortune with Jared Bako of Dorchester, Ont. The veteran owns a 4-6-4 record from 21 starts this season, and hes a 23-time winner to date. Hes banked over $33,000 this year and more than $350,000 in his career. To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results The Raceway at Western Fair District. About 320 people were injured after a packed train traveling from South Africas business hub Johannesburg to the capital Pretoria crashed, Metrorail authorities said on Friday. Thirty-two of the 320 injured commuters suffered serious, but not critical, injuries, Metrorail Gauteng spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng said. In her words, Metrorail train 0659, traveling from Johannesburg Park Station to Pretoria, collided from the rear with train 0663, which was faulty and stationary at Van Riebeeck Park Station at 5.50pm. A board of inquiry would be instituted to determine the cause of the accident, she added. The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has called on Transport Minister Blade Nzimande to intervene and suspend the services of Metrorail. The Union said the Metrorail services should be suspended until the rail operator can provide a safe and reliable service. Commuter rail crashes have been worryingly common in South Africas commercial hub in recent months. Last month, approximately 100 people were injured after a collision between two passenger Metrorail trains at the Eloff extension in Selby, south of Johannesburg. And in January more than 200 people were injured on the citys outskirts when one commuter train rear-ended another. 6 hours ago Is Blink Charging or ChargePoint the Better Buy as the Infrastructure Bill Passes? Both companies will play a role in building out an electric vehicle charging network, but which stock is best to own now? Investors are looking at 2022 and positioning their portfolios to capture what is setting up to be a big year for electric vehicle (EV) stocks. Read Article The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has pledged to invest about 50 billion CFA francs to support climate projects in the region. The information was disclosed by the Head of the Climate Finance Division at BOAD, Ibrahima Traore. The financial institution is mobilizing 45 billion CFA francs to finance any structuring project, public or private, with a climate impact, he said. The fight against climate change is happening on a global scale. This global fight requires a lot of human, financial and material resources, he said. Part of its contribution to this fight, BOAD has decided to make substantial funds available for sustainable development projects. In terms of the commitment of climate funds, we mobilized 45 to 50 billion CFA francs (67.6 to 75.1 million) from the Global Environment Facility and the Adaptation Fund, he said. BOAD regroups Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Niger, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Senegal and Togo. It is headquartered in Lome, Togos capital. Creeping desertification and worsening droughts are placing strain on natural resources and communities that depend on them across West Africa. The regions population is expected to grow at least through mid-century. The region will also see income growth. Both will put increased pressure on the natural resources needed to produce food, and climate change makes the challenges greater. Surgeon Denis Mukwege from the Democratic Republic of Congo has won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Yazidi campaigner Nadia Murad. The Congolese doctor, known as the rape surgeon, is a crusading gynecologist who has spent more than two decades treating appalling injuries inflicted on women, victim of sexual violence, in DRC, while Ms Murad is a survivor of sexual slavery inflicted on her by Isis in Iraq. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said that Denis Mukwege is the foremost, most unifying symbol, both nationally and internationally, of the struggle to end sexual violence in war and armed conflicts. Mukwege and his team have treated thousands of patients who have been raped or sexually abused in Congos long civil war. The importance of Dr Mukweges enduring, dedicated and selfless efforts in this field cannot be overstated. He has repeatedly condemned impunity for mass rape and criticized the Congolese government and other countries for not doing enough to stop the use of sexual violence against women as a strategy and weapon of war, the committee said on Friday. The Nobel committee said Denis Mukwege and Yazidi campaigner Nadia Murad won the prize for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. The 63-year-old Congolese surgeon set up the Panzi hospital in his country, where ongoing armed conflicts continue to terrorize the population, mainly in central and eastern Congo, putting 13 million people at risk and internally displacing nearly five million more. He set up the Panzi hospital in the eastern city of Bukavu shortly after he had his first experience of treating a woman who had been raped and mutilated by armed men. Dubbed by the press as the man who mends women, Dr. Mukwege gained international recognition for his work and earned many prestigious distinctions, including the UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 2008 and the Sakharov prize in 2014. Dr. Denis Mukwege becomes the fifth African to win the prestigious award. The other recipients are former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee, who shared the award with Yemeni Tawakkol Abdel-Salam Karman in 2011, and the late Kenyan conservationist Wangari Mathai. Dr Mukwege went to medical school in Burundi and later studied gynecology and obstetrics at the University of Angers in France. He was named African of the Year in 2009. In 2012, Dr Mukwege made a speech at the United Nations denouncing the horror of rape as a weapon in the Congolese decade-long conflict. He called for those responsible to be brought to justice. The Kingdom of Morocco responded positively, on Oct. 2, to the invitation of my Personal Envoy (Horst Kohler) to an initial round table (on the Sahara issue) in Geneva, next Dec. 5-6, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres told members of the Security Council Thursday. The UN Chief, who was presenting to the Security Council his report on the Sahara issue, said that on Aug. 28, 2018, Morocco and Algeria had received from his Personal Envoy Horst Kohler identical invitations to participate in this round table. The round table will be an opportunity to share viewpoints on the latest developments of the issue and the political process, led under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations, and to examine the regional aspects of this dispute. Following Moroccos prompt and favorable response, the UN Secretary General urged Algeria to respond positively, in good faith and without preconditions, to the invitation of his Personal Envoy. Moroccos consent to take part in this round table mirrors its constant support for the efforts of the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy to revive the political process. By the way, Security Council Resolution 2414, adopted last April, calls on the parties to relaunch the negotiations with a new dynamic and a new spirit with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise. The resolution lauded Morocco for its serious and credible efforts to move the process forward towards resolution, and reaffirmed the pre-eminence of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, as a way to settle this regional dispute. The Security Council resolution reiterated its call upon the parties and the neighboring states to cooperate more fully with the United Nations and with each other and to strengthen their involvement and to achieve progress towards a political solution to this long-standing dispute. The fact that the Personal envoy sent the same invitation to Morocco and Algeria actually falls in line with Moroccos stand, the Kingdom having repeatedly and insistently pointed out that Algeria is a party to the Sahara conflict and must participate in all discussions on this issue. The Secretary Generals strong and clear call to Algeria to participate in the Geneva Round Table reflects the United Nations resolve to make Algiers shoulder its responsibilities. Besides, this call is in line with the provisions of resolution 2414 which strongly urged Algeria to make an important contribution to the political process and to get more involved in the negotiations. Spokesman for the Moroccan government Mustapha Khalfi confirmed Thursday that Morocco will take part in the round table on the Sahara issue to which Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario were also invited. Khalfi said Morocco will take part at the direct talks after Algeria was also invited, confirming Moroccos argument that no solution to the Sahara issue is possible as long as Algeria is not included. Morocco and Russia have voiced willingness to set up a tripartite strategic partnership with Africa that would involve both the public and private sectors. Such a partnership will enable the undertaking of projects that will be beneficial to all three parties. The willingness was expressed during the 7th session of the Moroccan-Russian Joint Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Committee held last week in Rabat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and Russian Minister of Agriculture, Dmitry Patrushev. Moroccos strategic commitment to the African continent was underlined at the meetings the Russian Agriculture Minister held with several Moroccan officials. The two sides expressed satisfaction over the new dynamics of Moroccan-Russian partnership, and the significant implementation rate of the agreements signed between the two countries. They discussed the prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in several strategic sectors, including scientific research, advanced technologies, fisheries, agriculture, industry and energy. The Russian Agriculture Minister also co-chaired with his Moroccan peer Aziz Akhannouch a business meeting on bilateral trade ties. He announced during the meeting that trade between Russia and Morocco totaled $900 million in 2018, noting that the two countries seek to further diversify their commercial ties. Akhannouch said that Agriculture takes primacy in bilateral trade representing 75% of Moroccan exports to Russia worth 1.5 billion dirhams. He said citrus fruits top Moroccos agricultural exports, followed by other fruits and vegetables. Since 2014, the trade between the two countries grew 10%, he noted. The two parties stressed that the potential of Russian-Moroccan trade is yet to be unlocked calling for customs incentives and joint ventures. Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacation Polls have closed in Cameroon on Sunday in an election widely expected to extend the rule of President Paul Biya, one of Africas last multi-decade leaders. The election was marked by a few incidents of unrest in Anglophone separatist regions, where rebels sought to prevent voting. Voter turnout in the English-speaking regions was low. The army said a regional official suffered a minor injury after his convoy was ambushed by rebels. At least three armed separatists were shot dead by security forces in the northwest English-speaking town of Bamenda. Gun fighting between the military and separatists began on Saturday in at least six towns and villages including Nkambe, Mamfe and Kumbo. The African Union and other organizations monitored Sundays vote, but opposition parties said the election was rigged to favor President Paul Biya. Cameroons fractured opposition was unable to rally behind a strong challenger to the 85-year-old leader. In a speech after casting his vote in the capital Yaounde, Biya urged the country to keep self-control when the results are out. Of the countrys 24 million people, only 6.5 million were registered to vote as of Oct. 1, according to the election authority, ELECAM. Results of the election are expected within two weeks. The Institute of Economic Affairs explores the ethical argument for a free economy and why Christians are not making it. In the latest episode of its podcast, an Anglican priest and a Catholic scholar discuss that question, as well as Archbishop Justin Welbys homily against Amazon, Jesus supposed condemnation of wealth, and why clergy tend to support government intervention into the economy. Fr. Marcus Walker, Rector of St. Bartholomews Church (COE) in London, speaks with Religion & Liberty Transatlantic contributor Philip Booth, an IEA senior fellow. One of the problems here, said Fr. Walker, is we have not made the ethical case for the free market, or for capitalism, for the last 30 years. I think that we felt that this fight was won with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and actually since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the ethical case has gotten even stronger. There has never been a greater decline in poverty across the world than we have seen since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Listen here: You can download the podcast here. Listen to all 70 episodes (and counting) of IEA Conversations: Live from Lord North Street on Podbean. And watch for the latest episode of our own podcast, Radio Free Acton, coming shortly. (Photo credit: Charles Clegg. This photo has been cropped. CC BY-SA 2.0.) South Africas Nhlanhla Nene has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa, who appointed him finance minister last year, to relieve him of his duties, The Sowetan newspaper reported on Monday. According to the newspaper, the finance minister approached the president over the weekend with the request after his testimony at the state capture commission of inquiry, where he admitted to have met the Guptas. He emphasized that its common practice not only in South Africa but globally to attend gatherings, including dinners, at the residences of business people. Nene, however, apologized on Friday for his previously undisclosed meetings with the controversial family at their Saxonworld compound and business premises from 2010 to 2014. He conceded that context matters and as soon as he became aware of the controversy around the Guptas business dealings, he should have met them rather at his office, accompanied as is customary by officials of the ministry of finance or national Treasury. The Guptas have been accused by different government officials and activists of using their friendship with former President Jacob Zuma to enrich themselves. Since taking office earlier this year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been a man on a mission determined to put a stop to state capture. Tunisian President and Nidaa Tounes party leader Beji Caid Essebsi last weekend announced the extension of the state of emergency for another month. The decision to extend the state of emergency was made after Essebsi on Friday discussed with Interior Minister Hisham al-Furati and Defense Minister Abdul Karim al-Zubaidi the countrys security situation. The state of emergency, gives the interior minister, greater powers including the ability to impose curfews and black out media outlets. The North African nation, which since its 2011 revolution has seen the emergence of varied militant groups, continues to be targeted, particularly in mountainous areas, tourist resorts and attractions as well as Tunisian military and state institutions. The Islamic State and al-Qaeda are recruiting a new generation of locals to stage terrorist attacks at home, including one in July near the Algerian border that left six national guardsmen dead. Despite the troubles, tourism has revived since 2015, with over six million foreign travelers visiting Tunisia in the first nine months of 2018, according to government data. Arrivals rose 16.9 per cent to 6.3 million between January and September this year, surpassing the overall number for 2014. Advertise Here: The Chaser Just Projected Alan Jones Phone Number Onto The Opera House https://t.co/oWP70hhmBZ The Chaser (@chaser) October 8, 2018 The Chaser team has returned to one of their infamous pranks by projecting an Advertise Here image onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House -complete with Alan Jones mobile phone number. On radio this morning, Jones told listeners he was sorry for berating Opera House CEO Louise Herron on radio over her refusal to promote a sporting event, The Everest. I used some words in these programs about the Everest, and the Opera House, and Louise, which in hindsight I now most regret hearing, having heard the impact theyve clearly had on some people, he said on air. In relation to Louise [Herron], I was tough regarding an issue I and others felt is very important. Herron is said to be considering legal action over his comments. The apology came as an online petition opposing the decision to use the Opera House to promote the horse race passed 235,000 signatures this morning. The petition, led by Sydney resident Mike Woodcock, calls on the NSW Government and Racing NSW to stop turning the Opera House into a promotional billboard. The issue also saw The Projects Peter Helliar and Steve Price disagree on air last night. Updated: Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Chasers Charles Firth also clashed today on Studio 10. .@chaser's @charlesfirth talks about the decision to project Alan Jones' phone number on the Sydney Opera House. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/izZ1ujQy97 Studio 10 (@Studio10au) October 8, 2018 Source: ABC James Corden is to host a major new TV talent show in the States. The Worlds Best will also feature Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles and Faith Hill as judges. International competitors performing across a wide spectrum of genres will not only have to impress the US judges, but also the wall of the world, comprising 50 experts from around the globe, a concept that hints at an Israeli format. Mark Burnett and Mike Darnell, from The Voice and American Idol are producers. Darnell told Deadline: We feel incredibly lucky that James Corden agreed to be part of this groundbreaking global event competition. Hes an absolute force of nature, and his versatility, passion and showmanship are unrivalled. The Worlds Best will now be the gold standard of competition shows. Government on NGOs By Levan Khutsishvili On October 3, the Minister of Justice Tea Tsulukiani criticized 13 NGOs who issued a statement regarding Omega's case. According to Tsulukiani, these NGOs have political interests and in fact, they are political parties."As for the 13 non-governmental organizations, I'm not going to comment on their unserious statements, because, unfortunately, these organizations are doing their best to discredit themselves with inadequate assessments and inadequate statements, violating all standards - whether legal or ethical. Accordingly, their words mean nothing. This is a great tragedy and problem of this part of the civil sector. I hope until it is not too late, they will try to become more adequate. Since all public segments, the institution needs some confidence from the public, with such statements, they will finally lose this trust if they have it at all. These 13 non-governmental organizations have not only political interests, but actually, they are political parties. Consequently, if they have political ambitions and, which apparently they do, they can be formed officially as political parties. For the Public Registry of the Ministry of Justice, there is a political party register. We are ready to register them as political parties", said Tea Tsulukiani.This isTea Tsulukiani's response to the coalition of 13 NGOs that made a statement about Omega Group case on October 1, stating that the country is governed by using informal methods and with the help of criminals. NGOs claim that the recordings and materials spread around the Omega Group have a high degree of conviction and their uniformity indicates that the investigative agencies themselves are under the same informal influence and their trust is low; this is indicating to a serious crisis of democracy. Tea Tsulukiani thinks that just those 13 NGOs are politically motivated and that there regardless exist some adequate NGOs."They are many in Georgia. They are in the villages, in towns, doing what is called a state job. And those 13 non-governmental organizations who violate the presumption of innocence, these organizations who are not paying attention to the facts and most important for them is what their political parties are unacceptable, "said Tea Tsulukiani.As for representatives of the coalition, they think that government is trying to keep them silent."Today the ruling party's message-box was why NGOs did not wait until the completion of investigation and verification of authenticity of recordings. According to that logic, we were wrong when the prison footage was made in September 2012 and we made statements the same evening, it means that we had to wait until Saakashvili's Prosecutor's Office would investigate the case and confirm authenticity. Also, it turns out that nothing should be said about the kidnapping of Afgan Mukhtarli, the spread of secret recordings, the attack on the general auditor and other facts, because no investigation into those high-profile cases has been completed and no results have published", said Mikheil Benidze, executive director of International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy.Mikheil Benidze believes that the function of the civil sector is to control the government and not let it stay in its comfort zone when there are several serious problems in the state. The civil sector should speak about this problem and ask the government to solve them. And when the government has such a strong reaction on statements of NGOs, it means that NGOs are onto a right path.In fact, 13 NGOs named by Tea Tsulukiani, are the most active non-governmental organizations financed from different international funds and programs, working quite often in cooperation with Georgian government on the development of certain programs and projects. And when the Minister of Justice calls them politically motivated institutions controlled by political parties, it may mean the government questions the intents of international organization and funds, and at the same time is trying to influence it, create and/or intensify negative stereotypes about the non-governmental sector. FILE PHOTO: Danske Bank sign is seen at the bank's Estonian branch in Tallinn, Estonia August 3, 2018. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) - Denmark's financial watchdog faces an inquiry by the European Union's banking supervisor into how it supervised Danske Bank , which last week said it was being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged money laundering. The European Banking Authority has powers to make recommendations that national supervisors must follow, as it did during a probe into how Malta's supervisor oversaw one of its banks. "We are doing preliminary breach of union law inquiries on ... the Danske bank case in Denmark," EBA Chair Andrea Enria told the European Parliament. He also told parliament on Monday that the EBA is launching a review into how all EU member states apply anti-money laundering rules. It will report by the end of 2018. Danske Bank's revelation last month that between 2007 and 2015 payments totalling 200 million euros (176 million pounds) flowed through its tiny Estonian branch, many of which Denmark's largest lender said were "suspicious", has prompted calls for an overhaul of bank supervision in Europe. The escalation in the Danske Bank case follows an admission in September by Dutch financial services group ING that criminals had been able to use its accounts to launder cash, a lapse which led to a 775 million euro fine. Enria also said EBA had opened a preliminary inquiry into how Latvia's financial watchdog supervised ABLV bank which went into liquidation this year after U.S. authorities accused it of laundering money for people from the former Soviet Union. EU PROBLEM Lawmakers on the European Parliament's economic affairs committee questioned whether EBA was doing enough to combat money-laundering. German lawmaker Wolf Klinz said a standalone anti-money laundering (AML) agency for the EU may be needed. "In order to contribute to more effective EU wide AML supervision, we urgently need more resources and greater clarity in EBA powers," Enria said. Story continues Criminal money was moving through member states but cooperation between the authorities was not up to speed, Enria said, adding that the European Commission had proposed just 10 extra staff for EBA to help with anti-money laundering work. "We do have an EU problem. The point is how to fix it," he said, adding that the framework for cooperation with the United States over money laundering issues was not working as well as it should. In Malta's case, EBA issued recommendations to Malta's financial market watchdog over its handling of Pilatus Bank, whose chairman has been indicted for money laundering. (Reporting by Huw Jones; Writing by Alexander Smith; Editing by Adrian Croft and Edmund Blair) By Michelle Martin BERLIN (Reuters) - German firms would face extra tariffs of more than 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion) a year if Britain quits the European Union without a trade deal, and their exports to Britain might drop by up to 57 percent, Germany's IW institute said on Tuesday. Talks on ending four decades of Britain's membership in the European Union have entered their final stage more than two years after Britons voted for Brexit. A hard Brexit would mean Britain leaving the bloc with no trade deal. The BDI industry association - one of Germany's most influential lobby groups - said a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations was needed at an Oct. 17-18 summit in Brussels. "Otherwise there is the risk that Europe slides into a disorderly Brexit and that would cause a huge crisis," Managing Director Joachim Lang told a news conference in Berlin. A hard Brexit would cause huge difficulties for tens of thousands of companies in Europe and hundreds of thousands of employees in Britain and the European Union, Lang said. He noted that many companies were preparing for a hard Brexit and some wanted to suspend production in Britain from April as delivery routes could not be secured and some were moving their headquarters from Britain, adjusting their legal frameworks and looking for new transport routes. Lang said there was no overall figure for how much companies had spent on preparing for Brexit but some individual pharmaceutical and chemical companies had spent up to 100 million pounds ($130 million) preparing for Brexit. AUTO SECTOR TO SUFFER A hard Brexit would affect the auto sector - which employs some 800,000 people in Germany and is the country's biggest exporter - particularly hard as it would be hit with about 60 percent of the extra costs German companies would face, IW said. About 5 percent of Germany's gross domestic product depended either directly or indirectly on trade with Britain, IW said, making it the third biggest trading partner for German firms. Story continues "That could dramatically change in the foreseeable future," the IW study said. Referring to a potential plunge in German exports to Britain if a hard Brexit happens, IW researcher Markos Jung said: "This horrific scenario should force politicians to act constructively." In the long term, a hard Brexit would probably result in price rises and a shift in Germany's flow of goods, the IW said. Lang said a transition period, which would only be possible with a Brexit deal, was indispensable to enable German companies to adapt to the changes to the legal framework that would come afterwards. "A strong agreement with the EU is far more important for both sides, especially for Britain, than the remote prospect of deals with third countries," he said. (Editing by Louise Ireland) Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland. Photo: Getty By now, almost everyone is aware of the febrile atmosphere surrounding Brexit and Northern Irelandand why many fear a hard border would wreck the hard-won peace on the island of Ireland. Though a majority in Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union, the largest party there, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), campaigned heavily in favour of leaving. To complicate matters further, the partys MPs in Westminster prop up Theresa Mays governmentsomething that not only makes her reliant on the party for even the most routine votes in the House of Commons, but also gives the DUP a de-facto veto over many aspects of the Brexit deal. READ MORE: Hard border will see return to violence within a week Thats why the three days of meetings that DUP leader Arlene Foster will hold this week with chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and representatives of EU countries will be keenly watched. In a statement on Monday before she departed for Brussels, Foster reiterated a message that she made loud and clear last week: no new borders can be created between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This poses problems for the proposed Brexit backstop, a fall-back solution that aims to prevent a hard border by putting Northern Ireland in closer alignment with the EUs customs and trade rules than the rest of the UK. Foster has rejected a version of the backstop that would see only Northern Ireland remain within the EUs customs union in the event that the EU and Britain cant agree on a trade deal for after the two-year transition period. READ MORE: Why the Northern Irish border is a huge problem for Brexit Members of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) are also set to meet Barnier on Tuesday. They too have said they are deeply concerned about the proposed backstop and said that it was vital to preserve the constitutional integrity of the UK. While they acknowledge the implications of a hard border on the island of Ireland, both parties argue that any proposal that distinguishes Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain would be akin to putting a border in the Irish Sea. And that, they say, will affect the economic wellbeing of Northern Ireland. In a statement, UUP leader Robin Swann said that such an arrangement would be as bad for Northern Ireland as a no-deal Brexit. Story continues READ MORE: Fear swirls around Brexit hitting the lifeblood of Northern Irelands economy On Friday, representatives of the Northern Irish parties that backed a remain vote, including of the republican Sinn Fein, met Barnier in Brussels and warned against the DUP being given a veto on a backstop deal. According to Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle ONeill, the parties were concerned that Northern Irelands Stormont Assemblywhich, thanks to a domestic political stalemate, has been without an executive since January 2017could be given a vote on the matter. Despite a downbeat statement from a British government spokesperson on Tuesday, there have been indications that a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations is imminent. But this is largely thanks to progress on issues not related to the backstop. By Yuka Obayashi and Sudarshan Varadhan TOKYO/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian aluminium makers including Hindalco Industries and Vedanta Ltd are boosting sales to Japan as U.S. sanctions against Russia's Rusal <0486.HK> and import tariffs shake up traditional supply routes. India's product has generally not been regarded as high enough quality by Japan's demanding buyers, who have preferred top-tier producers like Rio Tinto , Alcoa and South32 as well as United Company Rusal. However, imports of aluminium ingot from India doubled in the first eight months of 2018 from a year ago, Japanese trade data shows, while imports of alloy - which include higher-value products - surged 11-fold off a tiny base. "Because of the sanctions, consumers would like to ensure some security of supply, so they'd like to prefer multiple suppliers instead of one supplier," Samir Cairae, chief executive of Vedanta's diversified metals business in India, told Reuters. Japan's aluminium imports from India & Russia - https://tmsnrt.rs/2Oafqnj The increased trade is a blow to Rusal, the world's second-biggest aluminium maker, which accounted for about 20 percent of Japan's imports of both aluminium ingot and alloy in 2017, but which has been hit by U.S. sanctions. Customers globally have had to scramble to find alternative sources of metal even after the United States eased sanctions restrictions for some customers, and they were likely to permanently diversify supply chains, said a source at a Japanese trading house. "Many of their customers are reluctant to order the same amount of supplies that they have bought in past years for next year even if the U.S. sanctions are lifted," the trader said. Japanese trading houses such as Mitsubishi Corp <8058.T> have been aggressively importing supplies from India as well as other countries to help customers diversify supply, trading sources said. Mitsubishi declined to comment. Story continues Japan's aluminium imports from India & Russia - https://reut.rs/2PkqT01 Products from India are mainly refined ingots rather than value-added products such as billets and slabs, said a second trading house source. Substitute material for Rusal's higher quality products has come from the Middle East and Malaysia. However, Indian metal was winning growing acceptance and was also being sold at a discount to traditional suppliers. "Japanese buyers are getting Indian metal for cheap," the source said. IMPORTS SWELL Japan took 59,545 tonnes of aluminium ingot in the eight months to March, double a year ago, while material from Russia fell 21 pct to 175,694 tonnes, Japanese trade data showed. Imports of aluminium alloy from India jumped to 3,008 tonnes over the same period, while Russian imports fell 10 percent to 185,685 tonnes. The U.S. trade actions - 10 percent import tariffs on the light metal from March and sanctions against Rusal from April - sent shockwaves through the market, boosting aluminium prices to seven-year highs and pushing up costs to obtain physical metal in the U.S. domestic market. "Stronger U.S. premiums have become incentives for smelters in Australia, which is exempted from the duties, to ship more products to the United States," said a third trader, who saw Indian products filling the supply gap left by Rusal in Asia. Vedanta, India's largest producer of aluminium, sees a big opportunity in Asia including Japan and Korea. Cairae said the company is focussing on ramping up exports of its value-added products such as billets, which can be used in the transport, construction and packaging industries, and wire rods. Hindalco did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi in TOKYO and Sudarshan Varadhan in NEW DELHI, Additional reporting by Melanie Burton in MELBOURNE, editing by Richard Pullin) Evening Standard Lewis Hamilton has been fined for undoing his safety belts after the chequered flag. The 36-year-old was celebrating an unlikely win in Sao Paulo after gaining nine places from his starting berth of ten and duly reached for a Brazilian flag after beating championship leader Max Verstappen. Hamilton, who appeared to enjoy the support shown to him at Interlagos, was demoted to tenth after failing a technical inspection and that came after a five-place grid penalty following a fifth engine change of the season. A plume of smoke billowed from the Ravensdown fertiliser factory in Christchurch, New Zealand, on the morning of Tuesday, October 9. At least 40 firefighters and 10 fire engines were deployed to fight the blaze on Main South Road, Stuff quoted a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman. A section of the road had been closed due to the fire. The farming company said in a tweet that there were no injuries. An investigation into the cause of the fire was underway at the time of writing. Credit: Shane Clark via Storyful A cruise ship followed Hurricane Michael around the western edge of Cuba overnight on October 8, passing through a lightning storm in the Caribbean on its way to Havana. This footage was taken by Snapper Tams, a passenger on the Royal Caribbean ship, Empress of the Seas, which Tams said was severely delayed by the storm. The ship had been docked in Cienfuegos in southern Cuba, waiting until the storm passed the western edge before following it around to Havana on the north. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said, on October 9, that the storm was expected to pass over the Florida panhandle on October 10. Credit: Snapper Tams via Storyful By Ayman al-Warfalli BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - East Libyan forces on Monday captured a top suspected Egyptian militant long sought by Cairo on charges of orchestrating a deadly desert ambush on police last year and other high-profile attacks, the Libyan military said. Hisham al-Ashmawy, a former Egyptian special forces officer, was apprehended in the city of Derna, on the coastal road about 265 km (165 miles) west of Libya's border with Egypt, Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed Mismari said. His capture is likely to deal a blow to Islamist militants who have been battling the LNA and carrying out attacks across the border into Egypt. The LNA is the dominant force in Libya's east. A separate U.N.-backed government rules in the county's west, while multiple armed groups compete for power seven years after autocrat Muammar Gaddafi was toppled. The LNA published a picture of Ashmawy with blood on his face, being examined before having bandages applied. It also posted a photo appearing to show his Egyptian military identity card. He was arrested in Derna's Al-Maghar neighbourhood "and was wearing an explosive vest but was unable to detonate it," the LNA said. It said he would probably be handed over to Egypt after Libyan security officials had completed an investigation. EGYPT CONFIRMS An Egyptian military source confirmed Ashmawy's capture to Reuters, without giving further details. Ashmawy has been convicted in absentia to death in Egypt for attacks in Egypt, including a 2014 raid in which 22 Egyptian military border guards were killed near the frontier with Libya. The LNA declared that it had taken control of Derna in June from jihadists and other opponents, though sporadic fighting has continued. Egypt has close relations with the LNA, which is led by Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, and has in the past launched air strikes over Derna, saying it was targeting jihadists linked to militant activity inside Egypt. Story continues The LNA said the wife and children of a second senior alleged militant, Mohamed Rifae Soroor, named in Egyptian media as Omar Rifae Soroor, were also apprehended. Egyptian state media reported that Libyan forces killed Soroor in June. Egyptian authorities say Ashmawy heads the Ansar al-Islam network, which claimed responsibility for an ambush against police in Egypt's Western Desert one year ago. Egyptian officials also accuse the network, which they link to al-Qaeda, of an assassination attempt on a former interior minister in 2013. Egyptian security and intelligence sources say the group has mounted a recruiting campaign among former officers in recent years and is seen as more dangerous than militants operating in Egypt's Sinai peninsula. Derna has a recent history of militancy, and was briefly controlled by Islamic State before the ultra-hardline group was pushed out by local rivals in 2015. Before moving to Derna, Ashmawy was active with Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, an Egyptian militant group based in North Sinai, but after it pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 2014, he joined a different group loyal to al-Qaeda. Militants launched an insurgency in Sinai after Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Mursi was overthrown in 2013, following protests against his rule. (Additional reporting by Sami Aboudi and Ali Abdelaty in Cairo; Writing by Aidan Lewis and Ulf Laessing; Editing by Peter Graff and John Stonestreet) As hurricane warnings went up, the state disaster web site went down. Shelters were open, yet a U.S. senator was blocked from a state briefing room. And the state's emergency management management director predicted "plenty of punches" ahead. At the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson arrived to check preparations for Hurricane Michael. Nelson is in a fierce re-election fight with Gov. Rick Scott, whose domain in hurricanes is the EOC and who must manage a trouble-free response. To say Nelson got a cold shoulder Monday is an understatement. When the senior U.S. senator tried to meet with reporters, including Times/Herald staffers, he was physically blocked from walking into the room and had to meet with them outside. This couldn't have anything to do with election-year politics, could it? "The briefing room in the state emergency response center is used solely to disseminate weather and other life safety or emergency information from the state emergency response team," said spokesman Alberto Moscoso of the Division of Emergency Management. "This has been standard practice for years." Was Nelson the candidate also present Monday? Obviously. But his remarks were only about the storm, as he avoided all talk of politics. He sent a letter to Scott's chief elections official, asking that Tuesday's voter registration deadline be extended due to storm evacuation orders in 11 counties. "Floridians responding to a natural disaster should not be penalized because they missed an arbitrary deadline coinciding with a hurricane," Nelson wrote to Secretary of State Ken Detzner. Detzner issued a directive to all 67 counties, advising them that if they are closed on Tuesday, they must accept voter registration forms the first day they reopen. But the directive said the registration deadline will remain midnight Oct. 9. Read Detzner's directive here. A similar issue arose two years ago during Hurricane Matthew, and U.S. District Judge Mark Walker quickly issued an order extending the voter registration deadline. Another problem: As the state prepared for the first storm threat of 2018, the emergency web site went dark. People who went to the site saw this message: "There is an issue with FloridaDisaster.org." The site is a source of essential information on road closings, evacuation routes, power outages, flood zones and county shelter operations. The site was back up Monday night. But before it happened, Scott, on his official Twitter account, steered Floridians to another site to locate their evacuation zones. "We're very aware that there are issues. We're fighting diligently," Richard Butgereit, the state's disaster agency chief information officer, said at the briefing. He said that workers are also complaining about the Wi-Fi at the EOC and are bringing in their own wireless devices during a state of emergency. A state human resources official, Pam Hughes, told the briefing that she anticipated staff shortages at some emergency shelters. State emergency management chief Wes Maul praised his troops for a good job, and spoke of tough political days ahead."There's going to be plenty of punches that occur throughout this," Maul said, "but I just want you to keep your head down and keep doing what you do You guys are the best team in the country." Facebook will pay the UK under 15.7m in tax this year despite record revenues, as politicians continue to scrutinise the company's business model. The tech giant saw UK revenues of more than 1.26bn, but corporation tax is paid on profits rather than revenues and Facebook saw its profits suppressed by spending 758m to bring in sales and another 444m on administrative expenses. This left the company with a meagre operating profit of 62m, barely above the 58m it recorded in 2016, although its tax bill is more than triple the 5.1m it paid into the taxman's coffers back then. Facebook will not pay the full 15.7m, however - its net tax charge will be only 7.4m due to HMRC rules allowing the company to offset tax on profits against employee share awards. The offset stands in contrast to Amazon, which has raised the minimum wage for its employees in the UK and as such has increased its own tax footprint by pulling share benefits. In a statement, Facebook's regional director of northern Europe Steve Hatch said: "The UK is home to our largest engineering base outside the US and we continue to invest heavily here. "By the end of 2018 we will employ 2,300 people in the UK and we are doubling our office space in London's King's Cross with capacity for over 6,000 workstations by 2022. "We have also changed the way we report tax so that revenue from customers supported by our UK teams is recorded in the UK and any taxable profit is subject to UK corporation tax." The perception that technology companies do not pay enough tax to cover their societal footprint has prompted politicians to consistently threaten to levy funds from them to tackle numerous issues. Home Secretary Sajid Javid has warned that he won't be scared to legislate against technology companies if they fail to meet his demands on child protection. Chancellor Philip Hammond has suggested introducing a "digital services tax" on technology companies due to the lack of income being produced through corporation tax. At the same time, the Treasury is currently running a panel - led by former US president Barack Obama's chief economic adviser, Professor Jason Furman - to examine competition in the tech sector. Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has suggested introducing a digital licence fee which technology companies and internet providers would pay in order to operate. A right-wing, pro-Russian nationalist Serb who has sworn to work "only for the interests of Serbs" has won a third of Bosnia's co-presidency. The election of Bosnian Serb strongman Milorad Dodik casts concern over the stability of the region, which saw 100,000 people die during its ethnic war in the 1990s. If preliminary results are confirmed, Bosnia's bid to join the European Union could also be stalled and, as Mr Dodik is a close ally of Vladimir Putin, could give Russia a tighter grip on the Balkans. When the Bosnian war ended in 1995, an unusual and complicated system of governance was set up in a bid to maintain peace. The country is divided between a Serbian autonomous region - Republika Srpska - and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, essentially a Croat-Muslim federation. The presidency of the country is split into three and shared between a Croat, a Serb and a Muslim, with one of the co-presidents spending eight months at a time as chairman. Mr Dodik has campaigned for years for Republika Srpska to separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina and to merge with Serbia. He claims the current system is a "failed concept" which he could not "pretend to support". "It's a clear cut victory," Mr. Dodik, 59, said in Banja Luka, the capital of Republika Srpska. "I dont care who the other two representatives in the presidency are. I am going there, to this presidency, to work above all and only for the interests of Serbs." Mr Dodik, who has previously served as prime minister and then president of Republika Srpska, has routinely threatened to call a vote on the independence of the Serb enclave. He also spoke out to defend Serbian military chief Ratko Mladic, known as the Butcher of Bosnia, ahead of his genocide trial. "Whatever the verdict... Ratko Mladic remains a legend of the Serbian people," Mr Dodik said. Mr Dodik's co-presidents are more moderate. Croat Zeljko Komsic fought off right-wing nationalist rival Dragan Covic, 62, while conservative Sefik Dzaferovic, 61, won the Bosnian Muslim seat. Story continues As the preliminary results emerged, Mr Dzaferovic urged "everyone to respect" the constitution. Defeated Mr Covic, who is friendly with Russia, had been seeking to establish a Croat-only entity in Bosnia. Around 1.7 million voters took part in the presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday - just over half of Bosnia's 3.3 million eligible voters. As well as having three co-presidents who lead for four years, Bosnia has three parliaments, numerous prime ministers and local governments. The parliamentary results will be announced later on Monday. Hillary Clinton has condemned Theresa May for the decision of Conservative MEPs to back the authoritarian government of Hungary. The former US secretary of state and presidential candidate warned on Tuesday morning that the European Union was risking a slide towards autocracy. Its disheartening to watch Conservatives in Brussels vote to shield Viktor Orban from censure including British Tories, Clinton said in a speech at Oxford University. Theyve come a long way from the party of Churchill and Thatcher. Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, has been accused of running an anti-democratic, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic government. Last month the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to back a report recommending action against Hungary. But Tory MEPs voted to oppose the launch of disciplinary action, which could lead to the suspension of Hungarys EU voting rights. Orban has attacked Muslim invaders and said migrants are a poison. MEPs voted 448-197 in favour of censuring Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo: SIPA USA/PA Images) Labour said it revealed the acceleration of extremist right wing tendencies within the Conservative Party. Since the vote, Orban has lent his support to May and claimed other EU leaders want to punish the UK for the Brexit vote. Speaking at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights today, Clinton said the EU and the people of Europe will resist the backsliding we are seeing in the east. Lets not be fooled by the masquerade that countries like Hungary and Turkey are still real democracies, just illiberal ones. Illiberal democracy is a contradiction in terms, she said. To be a democracy takes more than an election, even a free and fair one. It also requires free expression and a free press, the rule of law and an independent judiciary. Vibrant civil society and transparent and responsive institutions that are accountable to all citizens and protect their rights equality. Without these things illiberal democracy is no democracy at all its just authoritarian by another name. Clinton warned: The slide towards autocracy is at least as grave threat to the European project as the financial crisis or Brexit. Story continues Environment Secretary Michael Gove has defended the action of Tory MEPs on the grounds that it is wrong for the European Parliament to interfere in the internal democracy of a member state. Related... EU Denies Jean-Claude Juncker Was Making Fun Of Theresa May's Dancing Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. By Krishna N. Das JAMMU, India (Reuters) - Hours after Indian TV channels flashed that the country was deporting seven Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, Sahidullah said he received a call from his nephew: "Uncle, please get us out of here. They will send us back too." Sahidullah, a Rohingya living in the far north of India after fleeing what he called persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar in 2010, said his relative, Sadiur Rahman, 40, was lodged in one of several detention centres for illegal immigrants in the distant northeastern state of Assam. Rahman, he said, had been incarcerated with his brother and eight other relatives since being caught in 2012 at a railway station as they fled to India via Bangladesh. Sahidullah had taken the same route two years earlier, but like many others had escaped detection. He said Rahman made the phone call when he was taken out for a routine medical checkup on Oct. 3, the day when India moved the seven Rohingya men out of a similar detention centre and took them to the border. They were handed to the Myanmar authorities the next day, the first ever such deportations of Rohingya here, spreading panic among an estimated 40,000 refugees who have fled to India from its neighbour. About 16,500 of the refugees, including Sahidullah, have been issued identity cards by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that it says helps them "prevent harassment, arbitrary arrests, detention and deportation". India says it does not recognise the cards and has rejected the UN's stand that deporting the Rohingya violates the principle of refoulement sending back refugees to a place where they face danger. "Anyone who has entered the country without a valid legal permit is considered illegal," said A. Bharat Bhushan Babu, a spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs. "As per the law, anyone illegal will have to be sent back. As per law they will be repatriated." Story continues In recent days, Reuters interviewed dozens of Rohingya in two settlements, one in the northern city of Jammu and a smaller one in the capital, Delhi, and found communities who feel they are being increasingly vilified. Many now fear Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government is about to act on its stated position that it wants to deport all Rohingya Muslims from the country. With a general election due by next May, they worry that targeting them will be a populist tactic used by Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Addressing an election rally in the central state of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, BJP chief Amit Shah said that all illegal immigrants were "like termites eating into the nation's security". "Elect us back next year and the BJP will not allow a single one of them to stay in this country," Shah said, without specifically mentioning any group of migrants. HATRED GROWING Sahidullah who like many Rohingya goes by only one name - is not just worried about his detained relatives but also his family living in a mainly Hindu region of India's only Muslim-dominated state, Jammu & Kashmir, in the country's northern tip. The restive Himalayan state that borders Pakistan and is home to Muslim separatists battling Indian rule, has the biggest population of Rohingya in the country with around 7,000 people scattered in various makeshift settlements, largely in the Jammu region. "We came to India because people told us things were better here, there's more work and one could move freely unlike back home," said Sahidullah, who works as a cleaner at a car showroom in Jammu city to support his aging amnesiac mother, wife and four children. "All that's true and we are thankful to India for letting us live here. But hatred against us is growing," he told Reuters as he sat on a colourful linen sheet laid on the floor of his self-made wood and plastic-sheet house built on a rented plot of land. Mohammed Arfaat, a 24-year-old Rohingya youth leader in Jammu, said that locals often accuse them of having links with militants without any proof. "They want us out of here and that has got our families worried," said Arfaat, switching between English and Hindi as nearly a dozen community elders seated around him on the rough concrete floor of a Rohingya house started leaving for Friday prayers. "Everybody here is aware of the deportation and is afraid." Indian authorities said that the repatriation of the seven was a routine procedure and that it sends all illegal foreigners back home. But the UNHCR voiced deep concern on Friday about the safety and security of those expelled, saying they had been denied access to legal counsel and a chance to have their asylum claims assessed. "Current conditions in Myanmar's Rakhine state are not conducive for safe, dignified and sustainable return of stateless Rohingya refugees," said UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic. Most Rohingya used to live in Rakhine. In August last year, attacks by Rohingya fighters on security posts in Rakhine led to a bloody military crackdown that caused around 700,000 Rohingya to flee across the border to Bangladesh. The United Nations has accused Myanmar of acting against the Rohingya with "genocidal intent," a charge Myanmar refutes, saying its military did not use excessive force and was reacting to militant attacks. INCREASINGLY UGLY The atmosphere facing the Rohingya in India has been getting increasingly ugly. Jammu's Chamber of Commerce & Industry last year threatened to launch an "identify and kill movement" against the settlers, which it said pushed the government into taking the issue of Rohingya more seriously. The chamber's president, Rakesh Gupta, told Reuters on Friday that there was nothing new in taking the law into one's hands if "someone becomes a threat to our security, to the nation's security, and the security forces don't tackle them". In some of the more virulent parts of Indias media, the Rohingya are not only accused of being terrorists but also of trafficking in drugs and humans, and of having the money to elbow out local businesses. The Pioneer newspaper, which supports the BJP, said in an editorial on Saturday that "the Rohingya are a problem", declaring that those that are radicalized Islamist extremists need to be dealt with ruthlessly and the rest are economic migrants that India cannot afford to help. India, which considers itself a victim of Islamist militancy and is trying to boost economic ties with Myanmar to counter China, said late last year that it shared Myanmar's concern about "extremist violence" by Rohingya militants. India's home ministry has told the Supreme Court that it had reports from security agencies and other authentic sources "indicating linkages of some of the unauthorised Rohingya immigrants with Pakistan-based terror organisations and similar organisations operating in other countries". "It's definitely an election issue, said Kavinder Gupta, a BJP legislator in Jammu & Kashmir and former deputy chief minister of the state. "It's our decision to throw them out keeping in mind the security situation of the state," he told Reuters on the sidelines of a campaign meeting for municipal elections. "We have made the home ministry aware of the need to send them back to their country." Senior Jammu police officials said on condition of anonymity that they had identified all Rohingya in the area in preparation for their eventual deportation. They added they had not found any link of Rohingya with militants. Around 600 km (370 miles) south of Jammu, residents of a makeshift refugee camp in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh also said they fear deportation. "We don't want to leave India. Where will we go?" said Mohammed Harun, a 47-year-old Rohingya elder in Delhi. "There are refugees from other countries in India too. Why are we being targeted? Why do they send us to jail? It is only because we are Muslims. They don't do this to the other refugees." (Reporting by Krishna N. Das in JAMMU; Additional reporting by Blassy Boben in NEW DELHI; Editing by Martin Howell and Raju Gopalakrishnan) FILE PHOTO: Syrian forces of President Bashar al Assad are seen in the Nassib border crossing with Jordan in Deraa, Syria July 6, 2018. Hezbollah Media/Handout via Reuters By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan said on Tuesday more talks with Syria were needed before an important border crossing shut for three years as a result of its neighbour's war could reopen to serve regional trade. The closure of the Nassib crossing in 2015 cut a crucial transit route for hundreds of trucks a day transporting goods between Turkey and the Gulf, and Lebanon and the Gulf, in multi-billion dollar annual trade. Damascus, which retook the crossing from the opposition last July, hopes to reopen the Nassib route because it is vital to its hopes of reviving Syrias shattered economy and rebuilding in territory under its control. But Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said technical committees between the two countries which began talks in the middle of September were still working out the practical arrangements. "The border will open after the technical committees end all the necessary arrangements and measures needed to guarantee opening the borders serves the common interests of the two countries," Safadi said after talks with his Lebanese counterpart. Western diplomatic sources say staunch U.S. ally Amman is resisting Russian pressure to open the crossing as this would help Damascus show the war is ending and hand President Bashar al-Assad another major gain. Backed by Iran and Russia, Assad's army has retaken control of most of Syria. Jordan supports Washington and its Arab Gulf state allies in their tough stance towards Iran, a country Jordanian officials are wary of because of its growing military presence in Syria. Jordan has denied it agreed on a date to reopen the crossing after Syria announced on Sept. 29 that movement of traffic and goods had begun. Syria retracted that announcement later that day, saying it would reopen on Wednesday October 10. Diplomats and officials have privately said the move appeared to signal mounting pressure by Damascus on Amman to speed up the opening of the crossing. Earlier, the Syrian authorities had said they had rehabilitated the crossing and it was ready to receive Syrian refugees. Story continues Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil in his visit to Amman lobbied Safadi for a speedy reopening, saying it would be a step towards stability in the war-torn country. "There is big hope that Nassib opens soon so that traffic goes back to its former strength," Bassil told reporters. Lebanon's economy minister told Reuters in July the crossing was "a vital artery" for the Lebanese economy where it is a conduit for millions of dollars of exports of fresh produce to lucrative Gulf markets. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Editing by William Maclean) Turkey and Saudi Arabia have conflicting accounts of the disappearance last week of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But can Turkey take on the oil-rich Gulf kingdom and what role can the US play in growing diplomatic spat? Walking down corridors, entering wood-panelled rooms and bare basements, opening cupboards and cabinets, the Saudi consul-general in Istanbul, Turkey, seemed like a real estate agent displaying a new property on the market over the weekend. Except the address under scrutiny was not for sale. Mohammad al-Otaibi was showing a news team around the premises, trying to reinforce the official Saudi position that missing dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was not inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Exactly a week after Khashoggi a Saudi citizen and US green card-holder disappeared, the international community has been occasionally subjected to some absurd scenes in the low-grade war of words between Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the case. Ankara maintains the high-profile journalist never emerged alive at least from an October 2 appointment at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh denies the allegation, opening cupboards and air conditioning panels to journalists to assert its position. As alarm over Khashoggis wellbeing and whereabouts mounts, Turkey the worlds biggest jailer of journalists has been put in the peculiar position of championing the cause of a dissident commentator and former newspaper editor. But the Turkish allegations are being released via a series of leaks and statements by unelected officials followed by an apparent downplaying of the accusations by Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a man not known for his measured discourse. As valuable investigative time slips by, there are growing fears that economic and geopolitical interests might cloud any clarity on the shocking disappearance of a leading Saudi journalist and that whoever is responsible for it could get away literally or metaphorically with murder. Story continues The contradictory claims have sparked a diplomatic spat between the two Sunni powerhouses that could shake up the way business is done in one of the worlds most volatile regions. It also threatens to pit a seasoned, irascible politician against a brash young prince who has little experience encountering dissent. Murder allegations downplayed by Erdogan A day after the Saudi consul conducted his press tour of the Istanbul premises, Yasin Aktay, an adviser to Erdogan, who told Reuters that Turkey believes Khashoggi was killed in the consulate and that 15 Saudis who arrived and left Turkey on October 2 were allegedly involved in the disappearance. Saudi Arabia has a long history of using intimidation and enticement to stifle dissent. The allegations have mounted over the past year since the young Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman known by his initials, MBS began seizing the levers of power in the oil-rich Gulf kingdom. The bizarre November 2017 detention of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Riyadh, which was preceded by the baroque quarantine of leading Saudi businessmen at the Ritz Carlton hotel, has underscored the fact that MBS is willing to go through great lengths to get his way. As an internationally reputed commentator who publicly criticised the recent crackdowns on dissent and the Saudi-led war in Yemen, Khashoggi was in the crosshairs of the powerful crown prince and had told colleagues he was worried for his life. But Khashoggi is also a well-connected Saudi insider and one-time advisor to the kingdoms former intelligence chief. So while his disappearance shocked, but did not surprise Saudi dissidents and experts, Aktays revelations about his murder by a hit-squad chilled them to the bone. Hours later though, after news alerts of the alleged killing went out across the world, Erdogan appeared to downplay the murder allegations. Expressing a hope that Khashoggi would emerge unharmed, the Turkish president told reporters, I still have good expectations. We hope not to come across an undesirable situation about missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A big humiliation for Turkey Turkish media though has not been as circumspect. The Khashoggi story has been headline news over the past few days, with commentators calling the Saudi journalists disappearance a diplomatic humiliation for Turkey. Turkish columnists are saying that whatever Saudi officials have done, whether its smuggling Khashoggi out of the country alive or killing him, this is a big humiliation for Turkey. This happened on Turkish territory. The consulate might be Saudi territory, but it is an island in Turkey, explained FRANCE 24s Jasper Mortimer, reporting from Ankara. On Monday, Erdogan appeared to up the discourse during a visit to Hungary, but he stopped short of providing evidence into any of the Turkish official or non-official claims, calling instead for patience until an investigation was concluded. "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying 'he has left'," Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest. "If he left, you have to prove it with footage. Those who ask Turkish authorities where he is should ask what happened." Meanwhile unnamed Turkish officials continued to provide leaks and statements to the press. The Washington Post on Monday published the last photograph of Khashoggi so far, showing a still from Turkish CCTV footage of the journalist, dressed in grey slacks and a black blazer, entering the consulate. A day later, Turkish security officials told the national TRT TV station that the 15 Saudis who left Istanbul on the day of Khashoggis disappearance had taken CCTV footage from inside the consulate when they left Turkey. Saudi Arabia has denied the claims and has granted Turkey access to its consulate in Istanbul, the Turkish foreign ministry revealed Tuesday. Ideological split between Sunni powerhouses The Khashoggi case has exacerbated the already strained relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Turkey backed Qatar in an intra-Gulf split between Saudi Arabia and Qatar last year, with Ankara helping Doha circumvent an economic blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and its ally, the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Earlier this year, Ankara signed an agreement with Doha to establish a military base in northern Qatar, earning Saudi ire over the strategic security and defence deal between the two countries. The Saudi journalists disappearance in Istanbul has also touched a personal spot in Ankara power circles. The fact that Jamal Khashoggi was friendly with Erdogan and senior figures in the [ruling] AK Party and that he had ties to the Muslim Brotherhood makes his disappearance a serious diplomatic humiliation for Turkey, explained Emre Demir, a Paris-based Turkey expert. Turkey might be the last government to play advocate of press freedom. But thats not Ankaras perspective, they see him as a friend, not really a journalist. The tensions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia go back to an ideological rift in the Sunni Muslim world between the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement that participates in the democratic process and calls for the political representation of all believers. Saudi Arabias ruling House of Saud however considers the group a terrorist organisation and views the Brotherhood as a threat to the official Wahabism espoused by the kingdom. The AK Party has historic ties to the Brotherhood dating back to the days of the partys predecessor, the Welfare Party, which was outlawed by Turkeys secular establishment in the late 1990s. Economic ties that still bind Sunni brothers But while the two Sunni powerhouses have an ideological rift, Saudi Arabia also has major trade and economic interests in Turkey, which Ankara has been careful to maintain particularly since the Turkish lira began plunging this year. Saudi Arabia is a major market for Turkish companies, while many Saudi businesses have invested in Turkish companies. Over half-a-million Saudi tourists visit Turkey every year and the oil-rich Gulf kingdom is one of Turkeys top 20 export destinations. Ankara has been careful not to take direct shots at Saudi Arabias King Salman. They actively supported Qatar but never openly criticised the new Saudi regime, there has always been ambiguity there. Saudi Arabia is too important for Ankara to openly criticise, explained Demir. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have also managed to cooperate on Syria, explained James Dorsey, senior fellow at the Singapore-based S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, in a blog post. Both countries support the Sunni resistance against Syrias Alawite president, Bashar al-Assad. Saudi-Turkish cooperation in Syria helps Turkey create a sphere of influence in areas of Syria near Turkeys border that are controlled by Turkish troops and administered by Turkey, noted Dorsey. Riyadh also helps Ankara contain Kurdish troops and officials linked to the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), which is considered a Marxist-Leninist group by both countries. Given the economic and geopolitical ties that bind Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Demir believes the Khashoggi case may strain, but not snap, diplomatic relations between the two countries. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have a way to continue their cooperation especially on the economic front. I think its a huge problem, but it wont be a deal-breaker. A chance to mend Turkish-US ties What could affect Saudi Arabia is a strong response from the US. While US President Donald Trump has forged close ties with the worlds largest oil producer, pressure from within the US establishment and ordinary Americans including Khashoggis US colleagues at the Washington Post, where he had a regular column could strain ties between Washington and Riyadh. Washington has repeatedly called for a resolution to the Saudi-Qatar spat and criticism is mounting in Congress over the US role in the Saudi-led military operation in Yemen. While Saudi authorities have forged ties with the Trump administration over Iran, the Sunni kingdoms arch Shiite rival, US public opinion has long been suspicious of the House of Saud. Remember, the American public has never had sympathy for the petro-monarchy, especially since the September 11, 2001 attacks and the fact that 15 Saudi nationals were among the 19 suicide bombers. So there are more and more parameters that can hinder Donald Trump and the pressures are likely to reach a crescendo, said Karim Sader, a political scientist and Gulf consultant, in an interview with FRANCE 24 (in French). Nearly a week after Khashoggis disappearance, Trump finally made a statement on the case on Monday, saying he was concerned about the incident. "I don't like hearing about it and hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it, said Trump. "There's some pretty bad stories about it. I do not like it," he added. Trumps statement might have lacked teeth, but a rap from Washington, in whatever shape or form, is more likely to rattle Saudi Arabia than any retaliatory moves by Turkey. That could provide an opportunity for Turkey to mend ties with the US, which have been strained since the 2016 Turkish coup attempt and the detention of a US pastor in Turkey. While Khashoggis disappearance is tragic, it can make Turkey look cooperative, noted Demir. Turkey has the higher moral ground and its an opportunity for Ankara to further normalise relations with Washington DC. Hundreds of asylum-seekers set up camp outside a police station in Greece hoping to be arrested and formally processed. The migrants slept on benches and patches of grass in a central square in Greece's second-largest city Thessaloniki before lining up outside the station. They were seeking a place at a migrant camp ahead of the winter months. "We don't want to stay in Greece," said Karzan Hassan, an Iraqi Kurd, who crossed into the country last week from Turkey. "We want to get our papers, so that we can stay somewhere to clean up and rest." The 22-year-old, who slept outside the police station for two nights, said he hoped to eventually reach the UK with his two brothers after abandoning plans to travel to Italy. A smuggler in Istanbul charged him $2,500 (1,900) to get to Greece. Authorities moved the migrants to a nearby refugee camp in police buses. It is not clear whether there was enough space for the new arrivals, who organised a clean-up of the square they occupied before boarding buses at the overcrowded site. Nikos Ragos, the migration ministry's regional coordinator for northern Greece, said: "The number of arrivals is high in Thessaloniki and that's created a bottleneck. "So we are supporting the police until (migrants) can be documented." Other EU nations' resistance to settling refugees and the steady flow of people arriving from Turkey has seen Greece struggle to cope with the high numbers. The Thessaloniki migrants came as police revealed 35 smuggling suspects accused of transporting 1,821 people into the city were arrested last month. The figure is a 60% increase on the amount of people who came into the city in the previous month. Amnesty International secretary-general Kumi Naidoo criticised an overcrowded migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos after he visited last week. He called it "appalling" and called for an emergency winter evacuation of the camp and for migrants to be moved to the Greek mainland. ISTANBUL (AP) Turkey said Tuesday it will search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as it investigates why journalist Jamal Khashoggi vanished there a week ago, an extraordinary probe of a diplomatic post amid Turkish officials' fears the writer had been killed inside the building. That Saudi Arabia would allow foreigners to enter a consulate and search it shows the growing international pressure the kingdom faces over the disappearance of Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post. The Saudis have called allegations of any involvement in his disappearance "baseless," but had no immediate comment on Turkey's announcement. It remained unclear when the search would take place. President Donald Trump and European leaders all have called on Riyadh to explain what happened to the 59-year-old journalist who has criticized the Saudi government. So far, the kingdom has offered no evidence in the past seven days to show that Khashoggi ever left the building, as a new surveillance photo surfaced showed him walking in its main entrance. "The Saudi Consulate cannot absolve itself of responsibility for this incident by allowing its premises to be searched," said Gulseren Yoleri of the Human Rights Association. "It has to prove that Jamal wasn't oppressed at the consulate and that he left safely." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said U.S. officials have raised the matter with their Saudi counterparts. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr. Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were "open to cooperation" and would allow the consulate building to be searched. Such a search would be an extraordinary development, as embassies and consulates under the Vienna Convention are technically foreign soil and must be protected by host nations. Saudi Arabia may have agreed to the search in order to appease its Western allies and the international community. Story continues A surveillance image has surfaced, showing Khashoggi entering the consulate Oct. 2. The picture bore a date and time stamp, as well as a Turkish caption saying that Khashoggi was arriving at the consulate. The Post, which first published the photo, said "a person close to the investigation" shared the image with them, without elaborating. The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet also published the image. The door Khashoggi used appeared to be the main entrance of the consulate in Istanbul's 4th Levent neighborhood, a leafy, upscale district near the city's financial hub that's home to several other consulates. The consulate has other entrances and exits as well, and Saudi officials insist he left through one of them. It's unclear which camera the footage came from or who operated it. However, a number of closed-circuit surveillance cameras surround the area. Friends of Khashoggi say Turkish police have taken possession of footage from the neighborhood as part of their investigation. The Saudis have offered no surveillance footage or evidence to corroborate their claims that Khashoggi left the consulate, and Turkish authorities have not provided evidence to show why they believe the columnist was killed there. "If the story that was told about the murder is true, the Turks must have information and videotape and other documents to back it up," Fred Hiatt, the Post's editorial page editor, told The Associated Press. "If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out ... after half an hour, if that's true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that up." Hiatt added that the "idea of a government luring one of its own citizens onto its own diplomatic property in a foreign country to murder him for the peaceful expression of his views would be unimaginable." Khashoggi had gone to the consulate in Istanbul for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancee. He had been living in the United States since last year, in self-imposed exile, in part due to the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has shown little tolerance for criticism. As a contributor to the Post, Khashoggi has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticism of its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of women's rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. Those policies are all seen as initiatives of the crown prince, who has also presided over a roundup of activists and businessmen. The U.N. human rights office said Khashoggi's disappearance is "of serious concern." Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in Geneva that it would be "truly shocking" if reports of his death are confirmed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Khashoggi left the consulate. "Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials," Erdogan said while visiting Hungary. "Don't you have cameras and other things? Why don't you prove it? You have to prove it." Ties between Ankara and Riyadh are at a low point over Turkey's support for Qatar in that country's yearlong dispute with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Turkey sent food to Qatar and deployed troops at its military base there as the other nations imposed a boycott on the wealthy Gulf country. Meanwhile, Turkey's support of Islamists also has riled Gulf Arab nations, who view groups like the Muslim Brotherhood as a threat. A Sunni power, Saudi Arabia is also annoyed by Ankara's rapprochement with the kingdom's Shiite archrival, Iran. Saudi Arabia is a longtime ally of the United States, but on Monday senior U.S. officials expressed alarm over Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump, who took his first overseas trip as U.S. president to the kingdom and whose son-in-law Jared Kushner has close ties to Prince Mohammed, said while he had not yet talked to the Saudis about Khashoggi. "But I will be at some point," he said Tuesday, without elaborating. ___ Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey, and Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writer Walter Ratliff in Washington contributed. CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's top anti-graft agency will investigate Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene for possibly breaching the executive code of ethics when he was deputy minister, the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday. The Public Protector will investigate a complaint by the DA that centres around allegations over an investment by the state pension fund, the Public Investment Corporation, into a Mozambican refinery project that may have benefited Nene's son. "The DA's complaint against Nene will be investigated," said Oupa Segalwe, acting spokesman at Public Protector, South Africa's constitutionally-mandated anti-graft watchdog. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Ed Stoddard and James Macharia) A teenage boy has been charged with the rape and attempted murder of a 10-year-old girl in Exmouth. The 16-year-old is due to appear before Exeter Youth Court on Monday. The child, from the Brixington area of the town, was found in a distressed state by a member of the public after the alleged attack on 4 October, and she was taken home. The alleged victim was later taken to hospital. Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: "Officers from the Forces' Major Crime Investigation Team have formally charged a 16-year-old male in connection with a violent assault on a 10-year-old girl that took place on Thursday 4 October in the Marley Road area of Exmouth. "The suspect, who cannot legally be named due to being under the age of 18, will appear at a Youth Court hearing, held within Exeter Magistrates Court on Monday 8 October charged with attempted murder and rape." The force said its response included searches, interviews with local people and a forensic examination of the scene. Neither the alleged victim nor the accused can be named for legal reasons and police warned the public to avoid speculation about their identities. The police statement added: "Anyone who is alleged to be a victim of a sexual crime are automatically granted anonymity for life; regardless of their age and regardless of the outcome of any subsequent criminal trial. Any suspect under the age of 18 is also by law not allowed to be identified. "These rules are not solely for media organisations to adhere to, they also apply to members of the public and include information posted via social media. We therefore remind the public that it is vital that they do not speculate on the identity of either the victim or the suspect in this case." Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum talks to the media outside the Leon County Emergency Management headquarters in advance of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 9, 2018. (Lawrence Mower - Tampa Bay Times) As Hurricane Michael bears down on Tallahassee, how the city recovers from the storm could be used against its mayor, Andrew Gillum, during the final month of Gillum's campaign for governor. But the storm is a reminder that the city's mayor is mostly a figurehead, with no real management powers, like his colleagues on the city council. Over the last 48 hours, Gillum been giving briefings to the press, bagging sand and appearing on The Weather Channel to reassure residents and encourage them to stay safe. He has not spent the time managing the city and directing staff. When asked Tuesday what his responsibilities were this week, he said he's been giving updates to Gov. Rick Scott and meeting regularly with the city manager and giving advice. "He and I are hand in glove in this, as we have been in previous storms," Gillum said of his relationship with the city manager. But he's also "being the best messenger that we can, as an elected official that has the trust of people in our community to communicate directly to citizens what we need them to do," Gillum said. Gillum's Republican opponent, former Congressman Ron DeSantis, has spent the last week blasting Gillum for how the city recovered from 2016's Hurricane Hermine. The city turned down help from Florida Power & Light following the storm, a criticism that Gillum said Tuesday was "unwarranted." The decision was made by the city's utilities manager, and the problem that caused it in 2016 has now been cleared up, Gillum assured. He said at least 125 additional linemen, including some from Tampa Electric, were already in the city to deal with the expected downed power lines. The city has also asked for several hundred other linemen to help after the storm. "When it comes to the management of our electric utility, obviously that comes up to the city manager level," Gillum said. "Rob McGarrah is our manager, who is making those day-to-day, moment-to-moment decisions. We of course give them our advice and input, but the manager dictates down to staff." By Mayela Armas CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government said on Monday a jailed opposition lawmaker killed himself by jumping from the 10th floor of the state intelligence agency (SEBIN) where he was being held, while critics called the incident a murder perpetrated by authorities. Municipal lawmaker Fernando Alban, 56, was jailed last Friday for alleged involvement in the explosion of two drones during a military parade in early August led by President Nicolas Maduro, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said in a post on Twitter. "At the moment he was going to be transported to court, while he was in the SEBIN waiting room, he jumped from the window of the building and fell, causing his death," Reverol wrote. That account differed slightly from the one offered by Chief Prosecutor Tarek Saab, who said in televised statements that Alban had asked to use a bathroom and jumped from there. The opposition First Justice party, to which Alban belonged, said it was holding Maduro's government responsible. "With great pain and thirst for justice we tell the people of Venezuela ... that Councilman Fernando Alban was murdered at the hands of the regime of Nicolas Maduro," the party said. It did not provide evidence for its charge or say how it believed he was killed. First Justice said Alban's arrest was owing to statements he made at the U.N. General Assembly last month in New York denouncing humans rights violations in Venezuela. The government had previously given no reasons for his arrest. Alban's assistant, Mileidy Blanco, told Reuters outside SEBIN headquarters: "I was telling him to leave the country, for him to go with his family. And he didn't do it, he loved the country too much." The opposition and rights groups have said Maduro's administration is holding hundreds of political prisoners on trumped-up charges intended to stifle dissent. The United Nations has said detainees are often subjected to ill treatment, including some documented cases that amount to torture. Story continues Authorities have arrested at least 30 people linked to the drone explosions on Aug. 2, which injured seven soldiers. The government denies the detainees are political prisoners and says they were fairly jailed. Jorge Millan, another Justice First legislator, said a delegation of lawmakers had immediately gone to SEBIN's headquarters to request answers on Alban, who was municipal counselor for a Caracas district. (Reporting by Mayela Armas; Additional reporting by Corinas Pons and Vivian Sequera; Writing by Angus Berwick; Editing by Brian Ellsworth and Peter Cooney) See Also: Former Brexit minister Steve Baker and leading Tory Brexiter said he believes at least 40 MPs would vote against any Brexit deal similar to Theresa Mays Chequers proposal. Baker, who is the vice-chairman of the European Research Group formed by Brexit-backing MPs, initially estimated 80 potential votes against the Chequers plan which he stated was an accurate number. Of course the government are going to whip this vote extremely hard, but what I would say is the whips would be doing incredibly well if they were to halve the numbers, and my estimate is there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept it or indeed a backstop that leaves us in the internal market or customs union, come what may, he said. According to the Guardian, the number of rebels is more likely to be close to 10 to 20 critics which would still mean the government needs to rely on Labour votes to get the plan through Parliament. Baker and other backbench critics of the PM, including former cabinet ministers Boris Johnson and David Davis, want a deal modelled on Canada's trade deal with the EU. Under Mays proposals, Britain will seek a free trade area for goods with the EU, largely by accepting a common rulebook for goods and British participation in EU agencies that provide authorizations for goods. We are awaiting the detail of exactly what we are going to be asked for vote for. I dont doubt that every possible technique us going to be used to sow doubt in colleagues minds and to encourage them to vote with the government, Baker said. In the end the EU is not entitled to split the UK and its not entitled to constrain how we regulate our economy and govern ourselves after we leave, he added. If the UK faces either possibility then we must in the end be willing to say its a bad deal, and no deal is better than a bad deal, Baker said. We would need to be unafraid to go forward without an agreement. OPTIMISM FROM THE DUP One of the key obstacles the PM faces to get her Chequers deal passed in Parliament is securing the support of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland. The DUP initially said that they would not be backing any deal that would have Northern Ireland separated from the rest of the UK and aligned with the EU. Now it seems the EU and the UK are closer to reaching an agreement on how to avoid a hard Irish border and at the same time not angering the DUP. The head of the party, Arlene Foster said on Tuesday that a deal was eminently possible within weeks although she still refuses to accept any agreement that would single out Northern Ireland. We cannot have the single market of the United Kingdom interfered with in that way and that is the message we will be giving to Michel Barnier today. There cannot be any regulatory barriers between ourselves and the rest of the United Kingdom, she said. I want to see a deal that works for everyone and I think that is eminently possible if the political will is there to make it happen, Foster told BBC Radio Ulster. Deutsche Bank upgraded Direct Line to 'buy' from 'hold' on Tuesday and lifted the price target to 390p from 380p as it pointed to an attractive valuation, an expected inflexion in motor pricing, medium-term optionality and receding risks. As far as the valuation is concerned, DB said there is no doubt Direct Line provides an attractive dividend yield for the next few years. It's around 8.8% a year on average over the next three years, with long-term growth prospects of 2-3% leading to an 11% total shareholder return. In addition, the bank said lower motor insurance prices since September 2017 are now adequately reflected in both consensus expectations and the current share price. Deutsche also said that following the company's analyst day in Bristol last week, it is clear there is "significant" potential to improve productivity from the new IT platform. It noted that Direct Line is rolling out an alternative pricing model, increasing its quote footprint and integrating Guidewire and Radarlive in its pricing, which in turn should allow it to gain share in the PWC channel over time. "Though it could be at least 18-24 months before we start to see a tangible benefit of these investments coming through the P&L, these initiatives could nevertheless provide additional upside if delivered successfully on top of an already very attractive valuation," DB said. DB added that having spoken to the company, it remains comfortable that a recent surge in subsidence claims seen elsewhere in the industry should be manageable for Direct Line. Barclays downgraded Sage to 'underweight' from 'equalweight' on Tuesday and cut the price target to 495p from 675p, citing increasing uncertainty, as it took a look at the broader European software and IT services sector. The bank said that while Sage's valuation remains undemanding on current estimates, the lack of a chief executive at such a crucial stage in the company's attempted transition leaves "considerable" downside risk. "We see a lack of marginal buyers of the stock until such time that a new CEO is in place and his or her strategy revealed. Stephen Kelly took the view that the prior strategy was sound, but that the pace of execution needed to be stepped up. Management attrition under him has been very high and it is now clear that an alternative approach is required. "We think this could likely involve a margin reset to invest organically in an acceleration of a cloud architecture transition (and/or further expensive M&A), and we nudge down our FY20 margin to 24%, leaving us over 10% below consensus earnings per share in this year." Sage is due to report its FY18 results next month. Barclays said it expects organic revenue growth for the year of 6.7%, slightly below guidance and equating to organic growth for the second half of 7%. The bank expects operating profit for the second half of 291.6m, equating to a margin of 30.2%, in line with guidance. Berenberg started coverage of N Brown, Quiz and Joules on Tuesday as it took a look at the broader retail sector, noting that the gap in performance between online and store-based retail in the past three years has been huge. The bank initiated coverage of specialist fashion retailer N Brown at 'hold' with a 130p price target, arguing that its competitive advantage is being eroded. It said that as the only plus size specialist of scale, N Brown held a significant competitive advantage over peers for many years. However, the online retailers that have recently entered the market are providing greater competition, putting pressure on sales. Berenberg said the company's loan book has proven to be highly profitable so far, although its outlook is uncertain. The bank also started fast fashion retailer Quiz at 'hold' with an 80p price target, saying that it likes the model but has some concerns. It pointed to the company's profit warning last Friday, which it said highlights a number of issues, namely the lack of differentiation amid intense competition in the fast fashion market, which is holding back growth. "In addition, the company's large exposure to troubled retailer Debenhams gives us cause for concern. A valuation of 18.3x FY 2019E price-to-earnings seems to be fairly pricing in these risks, so we initiate coverage with a hold." British premium lifestyle brand Joules fared better as Berenberg started coverage of the stock at 'buy' with a 360p price target, saying it is it is well placed to emerge as a long-term winner in the challenging UK retail market. "Investments in its e-commerce offering, coupled with a very flexible store estate, have enabled it to adapt to sales shifting online. Equally, we believe its wholesale and licensing businesses could provide material benefits," Berenberg said. Stocks in Europe recovered from earlier falls on Tuesday to finish in the green, tracking a turnaround higher on Wall Street and a bounce in Italian government debt. Commenting on the price action in markets, Chris Beauchamp at IG said: "After yesterday's first attempt, markets are having another go at leaping higher after recent short-term weakness. If this is the beginning of the next leg higher, particularly in the US, then it will have been timed almost to perfection; the S&P 500 usually sells off into early October in mid-term years, before pushing higher." Back in Europe, earlier in the session, Italian economy minister, Giovanni Tria, had argued that the country's targets for GDP growth between 2019 and 2021, of 1.5%, 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively, were prudent and might in fact be surpassed. Tria was responding to the many economists who had aired the opposite view - to varying degrees - just the day before. Nevertheless, in remarks to the country's lawmakers, Tria conceded he was worried about the bulging risk premium. "We are working to get the spread to converge towards the fundamentals and to create confidence," Tria said. "If the spread reaches 500? The government will do what it does in an unexpected crisis, because we aren't expecting that." Against that backdrop, by the end of the session, the benchmark Stoxx 600 had added 0.19% or 0.72 points to 372.93, although the best performer was the FTSE Mibtel, which bounced back by 1.06% or 210.78 points to close at 20,062.25. Germany's Dax meanwhile was 0.25% or 30.06 points higher to 11,977.22. Meanwhile, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Italian government note dropped by nine basis points to 3.48%, compressing the risk premium versus Germany to 293 points- after hitting an intraday high of 315. According to ANSA, the move in Italian yields followed remarks from deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, who said: "The strength of Italy, which none of our friends sitting at the table today has, neither the French nor the Spanish, is private saving that has no equal in the world." Salvini was speaking at a G6 meeting in Lyon and added that Rome would not stand still and do nothing if the yield spread continued to increase. "We have a few ideas," he said. Euro/dollar also recouped a good part of its earlier losses, ending the day just 0.07% lower to 1.14831. The yield on similarly-dated German bunds meanwhile was edging up by two basis points to 0.55%. In the background, overnight the International Monetary Fund trimmed its projections for global GDP growth in both 2019 and 2020 from 3.9% to 3.7% - its first reduction since July 2016. Officials at the Fund also urged the government in Rome to follow Brussels's recommendations. On a more positive note, the Stoxx 600's gauge of Basic Resources companies added 1.16% to 452.07 on the back of the Chinese central bank's decision, at the weekend, to cut its reserve requirements for most of the nation's lenders. Elsewhere on the economic front, according to the Federal Office of Statistics, Germany's seasonally-adjusted trade surplus jumped from 15.9bn for July to 18.3bn in August (consensus: 16.4bn) on the back of a 2.7% drop month-on-month in the pace of imports. Commenting on Tuesday's release, Claus Vistesen at Pantheon Macroeconomics said: "Overall, the German trade surplus is down 2.6% year-to-date compared to the same period last year, which is as much due to a big increase in imports from all the economy's major trading partners, as it is about a slowdown in exports." Early gains for stocks had completely eroded come midday amid fresh losses in Italian government bonds and another drop in the euro. "Fears over the fiscal stability in Italy and quite what the likely face-off with the EU will mean for the group as a whole remains a key concern for European markets," said Chris Beauchamp at IG. On that note, come Tuesday, Italian economy minister, Giovanni Tria, argued that the country's targets for economic growth between 2019 and 2021, which called for a rate of GDP growth of 1.5%, 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively, were prudent and might in fact be surpassed. Tria was responding to the many economists who had aired the opposite view - to varying degrees - just the day before. As of 1110 BST, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was off by 0.41% or 1.52 points at 370.68, alongside a drop of 0.56% or 67.47 points to 11,879.49 for the German Dax while the FTSE Mibtel was declining by 0.52% or 101.85 points to 19,749.83. Meanwhile, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Italian government note was again climbing higher, by 13 basis points this time to 3.70%, pushing the risk premium versus Germany to 315 points. Euro/dollar continued to reel on the heels of the selling pressure bearing down on Italian bonds, retreating 0.47% to 1.14378. The yield on similarly-dated German bunds meanwhile was edging up by two basis points to 0.55%. Weighing on sentiment as well, overnight the International Monetary Fund trimmed its projections for global GDP growth in both 2019 and 2020 from 3.9% to 3.7% - its first reduction since July 2016. On a more positive note, the Stoxx 600's gauge of Basic Resources companies was adding 0.66% to 449.85 on the back of the Chinese central bank's decision, at the weekend, to cut its reserve requirements for most of the nation's lenders. For later in the session, markets were waiting on possible policy-relevant remarks from two top Fed officials, San Francisco Fed chief, John Williams, at 1535 BST, followed by Philadelphia Fed boss, Patrick Harker, at 1800 BST. On the economic front, and back in Europe meanwhile, according to the Federal Office of Statistics, Germany's seasonally-adjusted trade surplus jumped from 15.9bn for July to 18.3bn in August (consensus: 16.4bn) on the back of a 2.7% drop month-on-month in the pace of imports. Commenting on Tuesday's release, Claus Vistesen at Pantheon Macroeconomics said: "Overall, the German trade surplus is down 2.6% year-to-date compared to the same period last year, which is as much due to a big increase in imports from all the economys major trading partners, as it is about a slowdown in exports." Arlene Foster has reiterated her insistence there can be no trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as MPs ready themselves for the next round of Brexit talks. The leader of the Democratic Ulster Party, which is propping up Theresa Mays Conservative government, travelled to Brussels on Tuesday to meet with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. The DUP has long made it clear it will not accept any new regulatory or customs barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland, its so-called red line, and after the meeting which Foster called useful she reiterated her objections. She tweeted: There cannot be barriers to trade erected between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. GB is our main market. The UK voted to leave the EU. Result must be respected. The nation must leave together. Addressing journalists at a press conference, she said this was a seminal moment for the four constituent parts of the UK. Pressed on whether she would block the governments final deal with the EU, Foster refused to be drawn - other than to insist that trade barriers were unacceptable and the party would need to see the text first. The DUP will have to be satisfied the outcome does not damage the UK, she said. Barnier tweeted of the meeting that they had been working hard to explain and de-dramatise the backstop. Northern Ireland is one of the biggest issues yet to be resolved. Talks had all but drawn to a standstill as both sides struggled to compromise. Talks will get underway again on 17 October. Ahead of that, Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, will update MPs at 3.30pm on Tuesday. It is understood he will seek to reassure MPs especially Conservative ones unhappy with the Prime Ministers Chequers proposals that May will not agree to compromises that disadvantage the UK. Earlier on Tuesday, Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for International Development, said the Prime Minister can count on my support but did not back the Chequers plan specifically. The pound was trading higher against the euro at 1.14 at 1300 BST. Trading has been increasingly volatile as markets wait for news of a concrete breakthrough in the Brexit negotiations. Stock Spirits said on Tuesday that trading since its half-year results in August has been in line with expectations. The company, which owns and produces premium branded spirits and liqueurs sold mostly in Central and Eastern Europe, said that Poland and the Czech Republic - which make up around three quarters of its revenue - continued to show growth in both volume and value terms. The Polish business has continued to perform well, growth both volume and value terms despite "highly competitive" trading conditions. Stock also said it was pleased with the recent performance of its Czech business, which is "successfully navigating" the challenges of the first half. Group cash for the period was strong, leading to net debt at 30 September of around 32m versus 53m at the end of December 2017. Numis said: "We continue to see Stock Spirits as well placed to drive growth organically and through acquisition. We think the current valuation of 13.2x price-to-earnings and 7.8x EV/EBITDA for CY 2019 is attractive. We reiterate our buy rating and 330p target price." The brokerage said it still expects that on a 12-month basis, sales will increase by 4% to 285m and adjusted pre-tax profit will increase by 6.2% to 44.8m. At 1030 BST, the shares were up 1.3% to 202.50p. The University of North Georgia (UNG) is breaking ground this month on a new standalone Blue Ridge Campus on the heels of its exponential growth. A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Oct. 17, with numerous state officials expected to join members of UNG and the community for the occasion. Among those officials will be Speaker of the House David Ralston, a UNG alumnus who represents Fannin County in the legislature and supported funding for the campus. The campus has experienced 700 percent growth since its opening in 2015, reaching almost 160 students this fall. Blue Ridge Campus Director Sandy Ott is looking forward to moving into the new space once it opens. "This is going to be a game-changer for this region," Ott said. "It demonstrates the access mission of UNG and provides students with the opportunity to pursue a college education from one of the state's leading public universities close to home." Ott said the new campus, which received $5.5 million in the state's fiscal year 2019 budget, will allow for additional courses in the core curriculum. That means students will be able to spend a longer period of their college career at Blue Ridge. The new campus will have classrooms and labs to allow students to fulfill the requirements for an associate degree, preparing them to transfer to another UNG campus to complete a bachelor's degree. UNG will expand professional and continuing education offerings to the area in the future at the new campus. Allstate Construction will construct the new campus building, which will be approximately 12,000 square feet. JMA Architects LLC is designing the building plans, and Hawthorne Ventures Blue Ridge LLC is the developer. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Ralston announced funding for the new campus in spring 2018. Funds for the new campus are part of the $26 billion state budget Deal signed in ceremonies in Atlanta, Acworth, Blue Ridge, Statesboro, and Tifton. "We appreciate and are grateful to the support we have received from the state legislature," UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs said. "We are elated at this opportunity and know the educational impact UNG will have on this region will be felt in Fannin County and throughout this region for generations." Ott can sense the anticipation building for the campus, which is projected to open in fall 2020 on the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Blue Ridge Campus. The 2015 opening of the campus stemmed from the commitment by UNG, the community, and school systems to expand access to educational opportunities in the region. "We know that increased educational opportunities have a ripple effect in the lives of students and their families, as well as the community and employers, who will benefit from a strong workforce and economic opportunities," Ott said. "We are excited to grow with this community and be a part of it for generations to come." Melania Trump wore a pith helmet in Kenya, Africa. Pith helmet reactions came on Twitter over what was a wardrobe malfunction in the "what to pack" stage of her trip. The only people who say "T.I.A" (This is Africa) are film stars in diamond movies and far-from-home expats. And mostly, the only white people who wear pith helmets in Africa are tourists heading for the world-famous Serengeti. One would have thought that those people who advise the First Lady, would have suggested the pith helmet get pitched in the bin where it belongs. Cringeworthy colonial clothing The history of the pith helmet is mistakenly identified as something that came from Britain to Africa. In fact, the Closet Historian notes that "the pith helmet was used by all European colonial powers, and for some time even by the United States." While the British did wear them in Africa, they and other countries like Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and France also used them as standard issue for Commonwealth troops across Africa and Asia. The ungainly looking headgear that was clearly associated with the subjugation of indigenous people faded away after the Europeans abandoned their colonial "assets." Civilians in colonial Africa wore them to keep off the sun while they watched over the workers in plantations and on ranches. Thankfully, outside of the military, they practically disappeared by the 1980s. Notably, though, Zimbabwe and some other units in Africa's military haul them out for ceremonial occasions. Why does it look hilarious when Melania Trump wears a pith helmet in Kenya, but not so funny when the Opening of Parliment in Zimbabwe escort still wears them? pic.twitter.com/DOq84QfvaO Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) October 8, 2018 The cringeworthy aspects of wearing pith helmets are rooted in the fact that a), they are so old-fashioned, and b), people of all races who live in Africa in the year 2018 are well aware of the historical implications of white people wearing them. Discuss this news on Eunomia Over on Twitter, that issue was addressed very quickly. Screaming @ Melania serving couture Mrs. Cecil Rhodes on her trip to the continent pic.twitter.com/AGfkjXPvdY zoe samudzi (@ztsamudzi) October 7, 2018 Twitter comments on Melania Trump's helmet choice Melania Trump was a model once, and her trip to Africa seems to have brought an opportunity for the ramrod posture and stiff-face of the runway. Cool, clean and crisp whites are ideal for Africa, but that headgear brought reactions of hilarity and horror. @Afrisimi wrote, "Hate these types... Whether it's social obliviousness or "appreciation of colonial culture" it's blatant that the purpose for being anywhere in Africa with that attire signals your true intent for being there. Reminds me of the safari tourists in Arusha, Tanzania." Meanwhile, the "embarrassed for you lol factor" was pointed out by @lolacocacola34, who wrote, "Cecil Rhodes though? I am beyond dead lol (laughing emoji.)" That was in reply to another Twitter user who posted, "omg mrs cecil rhodes." Another commenter just had a long row of laughing faces. One person did like the outfit but their profile describes them as a "baffled Canadian." Politics applauding insensitive and cringeworthy clothing, perhaps. What do you think of Melania dressing up in a pith helmet in Africa? Was she ill-advised by US Ambassadors? Do you think it's a cultural insult to Africa, or just Melania Trump doing the cringeworthy tourist to Africa thing? SAN FRANCISCO On September 8, 2018, tens of thousands of people took part in at least 900 actions in 95 countries, as part of the Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice marches. They were demanding significant action on climate change, demanding that the world shift from the use of fossil fuels to the use of renewable energy. In the U.S., marches occurred in Boston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland, and other major cities. In San Francisco, about 30,000 people marched from Embarcadero Plaza to the Civic Center. The people of faith contingent, which included Pagans, had an estimated 3,000 marchers and formed about 10 percent of the entire march. Interfaith work These marches occurred in tandem with the Global Climate Action Summit. The marches represented the grass roots, and that summit, the elites. That summit took place in San Francisco, from September 12 to 14, 2018. It focused on strengthening the Paris Climate Accord that was signed by Obama and abrogated by Trump. Interfaith leaders in San Francisco emphasized the moral and sacred factors involved in climate change. Felicity Grove of Covenant of the Goddess stressed, The main objective for the Interfaith Contingent was to send a clear message that climate change is a moral issue. The environmental burdens of climate change are falling heaviest on the most vulnerable not those most responsible. In preparing for the March, the leadership of Interfaith Contingent wanted to know how many would be participating. They asked each faith tradition to estimate how many of its members would march. For many spiritual traditions, it was easy to poll their congregations. Those faith traditions that signed up the most congregations became winners. A competitive spirit developed, Pagans, however, became losers, with only two out of twelve Pagan congregations signed up. This provided Grove with what she called a teachable moment. She explained to the organizers the need for Pagan privacy. She described the reaction: You could see on peoples faces the moment they realized that history of their faith traditions has not been kind to Pagans. Pre-march interfaith service Before the March, an interfaith service occurred, which included Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jewish Groups, Muslims, Pagans, and Sikhs, as well as representatives of Indigenous Peoples. Grove noticed that all prior speakers prayed for the Earth and Mother Nature, but no one had yet said Nature is Sacred. Grove herself spoke about the sanctity of Nature in-itself. She also talked about the experiential nature of the Pagan tradition. She then asked if people at this interfaith services would be willing to chant. After they said yes, she led them in chanting. One breath for the sky, one breath for the sea, one breath for the land, and one breath for me. The Pagan presence in the Interfaith Contingent The Covenant of the Goddess, Fellowship of the Spiral Path, Hrafnar, the Order of Bards and Druids, Reclaiming, and solitaries marched together. Grove praised Reclaiming for their music, As we marched we sang songs, danced, beat drums, and we even had a guitar. One Christian lady came up to us and said that she wanted to march with us because we were having so much fun. The post-march interfaith service After the March, Grace Cathedral hosted another interfaith service. Representatives of indigenous peoples opened and closed the service. The Dalai Lama spoke via Skype. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) spoke in person. Grove described the service, As each faith tradition processed down the main aisle of the Cathedral, they were led, fore and, aft by people walking on stilts covered in green face paint, leaves, and twigs. At the end of the service, leaves rained on the congregants, very Pagan. 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 [] Courtesy of Frazer Bilt MICHAEL SMITH, now 73, was spreading peanut butter on an English muffin one morning last January when, he says, suddenly I couldnt let go of the knife and my mouth sort of hung open. Recognizing that he was having a stroke, his wife, Mary, called 911. As emergency medical technicians rolled Smith out of his Phoenix condo on a stretcher, the Barrow Neurological Institutes mobile stroke unit rolled into the condos parking lot. Smith, a retired architect, describes being wheeled into a miniature emergency room right there, outside his building. The stroke team checked my vitals, did a CT scan of my brain, conferred with a neurologist and administered a clot-busting drug, all in less than an hour. Their fast action is the reason Ive recovered so well. During a stroke, treatment access time is essential: 1.9 million neurons and 7.5 miles of nerve fibers in the brain die during every minute of a stroke. Getting treatment within an hour can be the difference between resuming your life at 90 percent or better capacity, and being bedridden and dependent on other people for the rest of your life, explains neurologist Michael Waters, director of Barrows Stroke Program. But, he adds, its critical to diagnose the cause as fast as possible, because administering the wrong treatment could be fatal. Thats why hospitals are taking the ER to the stroke victim. Ten U.S. cities have mobile stroke units. But the price tag for these big ambulances is $1 million, plus an estimated $1 million in annual operating costs, sparking a national debate about whether the results are worth the cost. A nationwide study is expected to provide an answer in a few years. Compare it with the long-term cost of a devastating stroke, in terms of treatment, long-term care, rehab and lost wages in someones peak years of productivity in their 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s, and I think mobile stroke units will prove their worth, Waters says. Smith agrees: Im a big fan, he notes. Youd have to work pretty hard to convince me theyre not worth the money. Dacotah Stampede Rodeo nominated for PRCA's best small rodeo Aberdeen's Dacotah Stampede Rodeo is one of five in the nation up for PRCA's award for best small rodeo of the year. SANTA FE Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham raised more than twice as much money as her Republican opponent over the past month, and she outspent him, too. But Republican Steve Pearce has more cash available as the race heads into its final four weeks. Monday was a campaign reporting deadline in New Mexico, offering a peek at the candidates financial activity for most of September. Lujan Grisham raised about $1.1 million during the reporting period, while Pearce took in $417,000. She also outspent him $1.6 million to $1.1 million. Pearce, however, had a cash advantage heading into the homestretch, with about $1.3 million available as of Oct. 1. Lujan Grisham had $782,000. Both candidates members of Congress who are giving up safe seats to run for governor say theyre well-prepared for the final month of the campaign. As Steve Pearce makes his closing argument to voters, he is well-positioned to win in November and lead the state to a better future, Pearce campaign manager Paul Smith said in a written statement. Pearces contributors included ranchers and dairy owners. Koch Industries of Wichita, Kan., contributed $5,500. Lujan Grishams donors included cannabis and solar energy companies. Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, contributed $5,500. With one month to go, Im thrilled to see continued momentum and support from thousands of donors, volunteers, and voters across New Mexico, Lujan Grisham said in a written statement. Heres a look at some of the other candidates: Democrat Dayan Hochman has a substantial financial advantage over Republican Brad Winter in the race for an open House seat in Albuquerque. She reported about $52,000 in cash on hand, and Winter reported about $18,000. The campaign to represent House District 15, covering part of the Northeast Heights and North Valley, is wide open because incumbent Republican Sarah Maestas Barnes isnt seeking re-election. Republican Rep. Monica Youngblood, who was convicted of aggravated DWI last month, has more than twice as much cash on hand as her opponent, Democrat Karen Bash. But Bashs campaign is catching up. She raised about $30,000 during the reporting period, compared with Youngbloods $5,900 in new contributions. Youngblood has $59,000 in her account. Bash has $25,000. An 18-year-old on Monday was arrested on suspicion of carjacking three University of New Mexico students, and authorities believe he may be part of a crew who has committed several other similar crimes in recent days. Scott Gibbs, who also goes by Flex, was arrested early Monday on suspicion of three counts of aggravated armed robbery. A criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court said that on Friday about 9:15 p.m., three students were parking a car near the 300 block of Redondo NE when a car pulled up behind them and a man with a gun confronted the driver and said, Give me your (expletive) keys, cellphone and wallet, according to the complaint. The complaint said that after the victims were robbed of their money and phones, at least one of the three suspects got into the victims vehicle and both the victims and the suspects cars fled at a high rate of speed. UNM police Lt. Trace Peck said a group of robbers used a similar method to carjack another university student earlier this month, and there have been similar crimes in the Albuquerque area in recent days. An Albuquerque police spokesman couldnt confirm if police are investigating such a case. One of the victims in the Friday night robbery identified Gibbs on social media on Saturday afternoon and police obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was booked into jail early Monday morning. UNM President Garnett Stokes on Monday evening issued a campuswide email announcing the arrest. Gibbs in 2016 was identified by Albuquerque as a member of a group of teenagers who had originally appeared on police radar when he was involved in tagging. But the group was then involved in a string of more violent crimes, according to police. Police detained Gibbs in June 2016 in connection to a shooting from a motor vehicle case in which no one was injured. Gibbs was a Journal source for a 2015 story about a fatal shooting involving teenagers at Pat Hurley Park. WASHINGTON House Speaker Paul Ryan said Monday there will be a big fight after the midterm elections over funding President Donald Trumps border wall, but he said he doesnt know how the issue will be resolved. We intend on having a full-fledged discussion about how to complete this mission of securing our border, and we will have a big fight about that, Ryan, R-Wis., said at the National Press Club. Well figure out how to do it in December, Ryan added. I cant speak to what the outcomes will be. Ryans comments came in response to a question after a speech in which he promoted the GOP tax cuts and other agenda items while attacking Democrats, weeks ahead of elections that will decide control of the House. Ryan and other GOP leaders had urged Trump to postpone a fight over the border wall until after the election. Trump last month signed legislation that funds about 75 percent of the government, including the Pentagon, through Sept. 30, 2019. The remainder of federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security that funds border construction, are operating under a short-term spending bill through Dec. 7. Trump wants $5 billion for the border wall in 2019, whereas Senate Democrats have agreed to only $1.6 billion. Its unclear how the issue will be resolved. We have a commitment to go fight for securing the border and getting these policy objectives achieved, Ryan said. Trump repeatedly promised during the campaign that the wall would be paid for by Mexico. Ryan was also asked about the disappearance and alleged killing last week of dissident Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi while he was visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Ryan did not criticize Saudi Arabia, saying instead that answers were needed from both countries. I think its very disturbing, its very unnerving we just need to get clear facts from both countries from the Turks and the Saudis, he said. As an elected leader we stand with you in the media in solidarity to making sure that this does not go unnoticed, and that we stand and fight for answers so we can bring transparency and accountability. Ryan was also asked about the new report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that says nations will need to take unprecedented actions to cut their carbon emissions over the next decade, to hold global warming to moderate levels. I think the answer is technology, Ryan said. We as a developed country are as clean as it gets, Ryan said, but he said developing countries such as India and China could benefit dramatically from improved technology and the United States should share technology with its allies. Ryan is retiring from Congress and said he doesnt have plans to try to return to elected office, but you never say never. WASHINGTON George Orwell titled a regular column he wrote for a British newspaper in the mid-1940s As I Please. Meaning that he would write exactly what he believed. My Saudi colleague Jamal Khashoggi has always had that same insistent passion for telling the truth about his country, no matter what. Khashoggis fate is unknown as I write, but his colleagues at The Washington Post and friends around the world fear he was murdered after he visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday. I have known Khashoggi for about 15 years and want to share here some of the reasons he is beloved in our profession. Journalists can sometimes seem dry and remote, living in the flat two dimensions of a newspaper page. Khashoggi was a tall, reserved man, austere in the long, white thobe he wore until he went into exile in the United States last year. But in his work, he has always been full of life and daring; he embodied the restless curiosity and refusal to compromise on principle that are the saving graces of our business. Khashoggi has always been the kind of journalist who annoys the authorities. That has been true of Saudi Arabias current Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who Khashoggi thought was an impulsive hothead who undermined his own good ideas for reform. But Mohammed bin Salman was hardly Khashoggis first target. He was picking fights with the Saudi leadership 25 years ago. He was named editor of the reform newspaper Al Watan in 2003, got fired two months later for publishing criticism of the Saudi religious leadership, got rehired four years after that, and then was forced to resign in 2010 after publishing another controversial piece criticizing Salafist extremism. He was one of those journalists who simply wouldnt back down when convinced he was right. Khashoggi was passionate for reform of an Arab Muslim world that he considered corrupt and dishonest. He grew up in Medina, the son of a Saudi who owned a small textile shop. He went to the United States for college, attending Indiana State University. He also embraced Islam, joining the Muslim Brotherhood and, in the late 1970s, befriending the young Osama bin Laden, whom he tried to turn against violence. Khashoggi failed to dissuade bin Laden. But he never temporized about the evil that al-Qaida brought to Saudi Arabia and the world. He wrote a column for the Daily Star in Beirut on Sept. 10, 2002, titled A Saudi mea culpa. At a time when many Saudis were still finding excuses for the al-Qaida killers, Khashoggi described 9/11 as an attack on the values of tolerance and coexistence, and on Islam itself. Khashoggi and I were at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2011 as the revolt that came to be known as the Arab Spring was starting to sweep the Middle East. Khashoggi welcomed it. I quoted him in a column: The Arab world has been seeking renaissance for the last 100 years, but the movement for reform had been blocked by authoritarian leaders and inchoate public rage at corruption. Now it was time, he hoped. What infuriated him about Mohammed bin Salman, I always suspected, was that the headstrong Saudi leader was wasting the yearning for reform so palpable in the kingdom. Khashoggi praised the positive steps in his Post columns. The crown prince was right to go after extremists in the religious leadership; allowing movie theaters in the kingdom was a huge step toward normalization; letting women drive deserved considerable credit. But Mohammed bin Salmans reckless arrests and foreign adventures undermined these advances. Khashoggi wrote indignantly the crown prince didnt just lock up corrupt princes; he went after thoughtful intellectuals. He let women drive yet jailed the activists who had urged the reforms. Khashoggi understood he could keep his mouth shut and stay safe, because he had so many friends in the royal family. But it simply wasnt in him. Khashoggi wrote a column for the Post last year in which he made a decisive break with Mohammed bin Salman, choosing exile and honesty in his writings. His explanation: We Saudis deserve better. E-mail davidignatius@washpost.com. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Federal investigators believe they have broken up a Kansas-based group that helped dozens of illegal immigrants obtain New Mexico drivers licenses using forged birth certificates and Social Security cards manufactured in Mexico over the past five years. Victor Arcos-Tornez, 42; his wife, Alma Vazquez; and Manuel Solis-Zetino, 32, were arrested in Kansas on federal charges of aggravated identity theft, transfer of identification documents, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy. The three have since been transferred to New Mexico, where Arcos-Tornez and Vazquez were released under pretrial supervision and Solis-Zetino was ordered detained. An indictment naming the three was unsealed in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque last month after the arrests. Agents believe they have identified at least 70 drivers licenses obtained in New Mexico through the Kansas group, with illegal immigrants paying them thousands of dollars each to get Real ID-compliant licenses that can be used for air travel identification and to prove legal status in the United States. According to federal court records, including search warrant affidavits, the investigation began two years ago when undercover agents from the Homeland Security Department began purchasing phony birth certificates from Manuel Solis-Zetino. In one undercover operation, agents in March 2017 bought a Texas state birth certificate and Social Security card from Solis-Zetino for $800. Solis-Zetino, who lived in Liberal, Kan., told the undercover agent that the information on the documents was accurate, but there would be an extra fee if the agent wanted documents that could pass the federal E-Verify system. Undercover agents arranged another purchase the next month, purchasing six Social Security cards, four birth certificates, and two Lawful Permanent Resident cards for $3,900. Prior to the meeting, the undercover agent provided two digital photographs for the Lawful Permanent Resident cards. In April 2018, agents followed Solis-Zetino when he transported two people from Kansas to New Mexico to obtain drivers licenses here at an MVD Express, after obtaining documents that showed they had attended driving school and had insurance. Solis-Zetino also provided the people obtaining licenses with a fraudulent New Mexico utility bill and lease agreement, according to court records. Later that month, two people were stopped near Liberal, Kan., in a rental car and officers discovered a large number of fraudulent birth certificates and Social Security cards. The occupants, who were not identified, said they were delivering the documents to Victor Arcos-Tornez in Dodge City, Kan., and had been delivering the documents about 10 times a year since 2013. Homeland Security agents from New Mexico then began investigating Arcos-Tornez and found evidence that he was meeting with Solis-Zetino in Dodge City near a construction business run by Arcos-Tornez. According to court documents, Arcos-Tornez normally charged $950 for a set of one Social Security card and birth certificate. Arcos-Tornez charged $450 a set to Solis-Zetino. During the summer, agents followed Solis-Zetino while he drove suspected illegal immigrants around Albuquerque to state MVD offices, a local driving school and a tax preparation office. At the same time, Homeland Security agents began tracking money transfers from Arcos-Tornezs bank accounts to a family living in Ciudad Juarez that is suspected of manufacturing the fraudulent documents used to obtain New Mexico drivers licences. Agents said they believe the fraudulent documents were smuggled from Juarez into El Paso, then sent to Arcos-Tornez in Kansas. Agents received information that the documents were also being used to obtain drivers licenses in Missouri. Federal agents served search warrants in Kansas on the homes of Solis-Zetino and Arcos-Tornez and found fraudulent U.S. birth certificates, Social Security cards and state issued drivers licenses. Arcos-Tornez, wife Alma Vazquez and Solis-Zetino have pleaded not guilty. No trial date has been set. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE One Texas-based political committee funded by oil and gas companies spent roughly $600,000, during a recent four-week period, most of it on television and internet ads attacking the Democratic candidate in the state land commissioner race. A separate Washington, D.C.-based political committee bankrolled by a national labor union and prominent liberal donors spent more than $525,000 during that same period on mailers, radio ads and more in an attempt to get Democrats elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives. With four weeks left until Election Day, its clear that independent expenditure groups funded by out-of-state interests are once again pumping huge sums of money into state political races. And although the spending is legal under recent court rulings, it can be hard to track for the average voter, because many of the independent expenditure groups or Super PACs can appear on the scene suddenly and then fade away just as quickly. I think what it does is make the public feel like their voices are being drowned out, said Heather Ferguson, the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, a group that has pushed for more disclosure requirements in campaign spending. New Mexico enacted campaign donation limits after the 2010 election cycle, but those caps dont apply to Super PACs, which can accept contributions of any size but are barred from coordinating directly with candidates. As in recent election cycles, several groups appear to be taking advantage of that opportunity. Among those filing spending reports Monday with the Secretary of States Office: New Mexico Strong, a group based in Austin, Texas, that was created in December 2017, reported getting a $2 million contribution from Chevron Corp. in early September. It reported spending less than a third of that, or slightly more than $600,000, primarily on TV and online ads targeting Stephanie Garcia Richard, a Democrat from the Los Alamos area whos running for land commissioner against Republican Pat Lyons, a Cuervo rancher who is a former land commissioner. Its an out-of-state company trying to buy a state election, Garcia Richard said Monday. The group also got big contributions from two oil companies Chevron and Artesia-based Mack Energy Corp. during the primary election and used the money on campaign ads and mailers supporting a moderate Democratic candidate for land commissioner and two incumbent lawmakers. All three of the candidates lost in the June primary. Patriot Majority New Mexico, a Washington, D.C.-based political committee, reported getting $425,000 in the four weeks that ended Oct. 1, with $300,000 coming from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees labor union. It spent more than $525,000 on radio ads, mailers and political research but did not specify which races it was targeting. Patriot Majority has focused its efforts in recent years on contested state legislative races, and all 70 New Mexico House seats are up for election in November. Better Future for New Mexico, a super PAC that arrived on the scene earlier this year, reported taking in more than $808,000, most of it from State Victory Action, an advocacy group thats also reportedly given to pro-Democratic groups in Maine, Nevada and Minnesota. The group gave a total of $170,000 to two state political committees Stronger New Mexico and Equality New Mexico and still has more than $1.1 million in its bank account. There are also other independent expenditure groups active in New Mexico, though its unclear how many. Ferguson said Monday that shes not surprised by the amounts of money being spent by super PACs and other outside groups, saying its important for voters to study the motivations behind the big dollars. The amount of money thats being spent allows those that represent specific interests to try to support the candidate that reflects their interest, Ferguson said. New Mexicos general election is set for Nov. 6. Candidates and political committees will have to file one more political spending report before Election Day, and a final report a month later. For decades, African Americans have been under-represented in the clinical studies that lead to approval of new cancer drugs. The reasons for this well-known problem are many. But an analysis of data recently made available by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows that it may not be getting better, not even in trials of drugs for cancers that disproportionately affect African Americans. ProPublica, the nonprofit investigative news site, found that in trials for 24 of the 31 cancer drugs approved in 2015, fewer than 5 percent of patients were black, even though more than 13 percent of the U.S. population is black. The analysis, co-published with Boston-based health news site STAT, cited the example of Ninlaro, approved in 2015 for the blood cancer multiple myeloma. Of 722 patients in the pivotal trial, only 13 1.8 percent were black. Yet black people are twice as likely as whites to be diagnosed with the blood cancer. This persistent disparity means that black patients arent getting early access to potentially life-extending drugs, and possible differences in their responses to drugs are going unstudied, according to experts quoted in ProPublicas analysis. Some Philadelphia experts echoed their concerns. Not enough attention is given to this problem, said Kevin Kelly, an oncologist at Thomas Jefferson University, who has spent 30 years conducting clinical cancer trials. There are several clear causes, and a lot of causes we dont know. Among the recognized barriers: logistical challenges of getting to a trial site, financial limitations, and distrust of the medical community rooted in infamous historical experiments such as the Tuskegee syphilis study, in which black men were left untreated for decades so scientists could observe the course of the disease. But with concerted efforts, many barriers can be broken down, Kelly said. Thats why big clinical trial networks, which coordinate studies at academic medical centers, have higher minority enrollment rates than industry-sponsored trials. At Jefferson, for example, about 19 percent of trial participants are minorities a fraction that is reasonably close to reflecting the citys 25 percent minority population, Kelly said. All new Jefferson cancer patients are pre-screened to see whether they are eligible for any studies, so the idea of participation can be discussed early in treatment. We monitor the sex and racial balance in trials and make sure we are targeting minorities, Kelly said, adding that educating people on the clinical trial process is key. Fox Chase Cancer Center has several programs dedicated to educating minority groups about the complexities of trials, including the informed consent process and the ethics review board that approves the study protocol, said Evelyn Gonzalez, director of the office of community outreach. In addition to a bilingual speakers bureau that provides free cancer information sessions to community groups, Fox Chase has a new community ambassador program. So far, it has trained 18 lay people to lead educational sessions at churches and social organizations. I would say the primary barrier to participation is a general lack of awareness that clinical trials are even an option, Gonzalez said. Because of the media, the words clinical trial are not foreign. But there is still a lot of mistrust and misconceptions. David Herzberg was alarmed when he heard that Richard Sackler, former chairman of opioid giant Purdue Pharma, was listed as an inventor on a new patent for an opioid addiction treatment. Patent No. 9861628 is for a fast-dissolving wafer containing buprenorphine, a generic drug that has been around since the 1970s. Herzberg, a historian who focuses on the opioid epidemic and the history of prescription drugs, said he fears the patent could keep prices high and make it more difficult for poor addicts to get treatment. Its hard not to have that reaction of, like these vultures, said Herzberg, an associate professor at the University of Buffalo. James Doyle, vice president and general counsel of Rhodes Pharmaceuticals, the Purdue subsidiary that holds the patent, said in an email statement that the company does not have a developed or approved product and therefore no money has been made from this technology. The invention behind the buprenorphine patent in question was developed more than a dozen years ago, he wrote. If a product is developed under this patent, it will not be commercialized for profit. Yet, the patenting of a small change in how an existing drug is made or taken by patients is part of a tried-and-true pharmaceutical industry strategy of enveloping products with a series of protective patents. Drug companies typically have less than 10 years of exclusive rights once a drug hits the marketplace. They can extend their monopolies by layering on secondary patents, using tactics critics call evergreening or product-hopping. Lisa Larrimore Ouellette, a patent law expert at Stanford University, said the pharmaceutical industry gets a greater financial return from its patent strategy than that of any other industry. AztraZeneca in 2001 famously fended off generic versions of its blockbuster heartburn medicine Prilosec by patenting a tweaked version of the drug and calling it Nexium. When Abbott Laboratories faced multiple generic lawsuits over its big moneymaker Tricor, a decades-old cholesterol drug, it lowered the dosage and changed it from a tablet to a capsule to win a new patent. And Forest Laboratories stopped selling its Alzheimers disease drug Namenda in 2014 after reformulating and patenting Namenda XR to be taken once a day instead of twice. Another common strategy is to create what Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb calls patent thickets, claiming multiple patents for a single drug to build protection from competitors. AbbVies rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira has gained more than 100 patents, for example. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awards patents when an innovation meets the minimum threshold of being new and nonobvious. Secondary patents are routinely granted to established drugs when an improvement is made, such as making it a once-a-day pill instead of twice a day, said Kristina Acri, an economist and international intellectual property expert at the Fraser Institute and Colorado College. Is there a better way? Maybe, but thats not what were doing, Acri said. The controversial patent that Sackler and five co-inventors obtained is widely known as a continuation patent. (The original patent application for the wafer was filed in August 2007.) Continuation patents do not necessarily extend the patent life of a drug, but they can have other uses. In 2016, Rhodes filed a lawsuit against Indivior alleging patent infringement. Indivior, formerly part of Reckitt Benckiser, sells a film version of the popular addiction treatment drug Suboxone that is placed under the tongue an oral medicine similar to what Rhodes has patented. Indiviors comes in a lime flavor. Indiviors film, which federal regulators approved in 2010, dominates the market with a 54 percent average market share, according to the companys most recent financial report. And the company has vigorously fought rivals, including filing lawsuits against firms such as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which sought approval to manufacture generic versions. Indivior declined to comment. The Rhodes Pharmaceuticals version would be a wafer that melts quickly in the mouth. The inventors list potential flavors including mint, raspberry, licorice, orange and caramel, according to the patent. For opioid historian Herzberg, the patent battles between companies like Rhodes and Indivior are absolute madness. Decisions on what is available on the market to treat addicts should be based on what is the best way to treat the people who have the problem, he said. Patent battles, Herzberg said, are not how you want drug policy getting made. This year, several members of Congress proposed bills that would unwind or limit changes made by the America Invents Act, though nothing is likely to happen before the midterm elections. The STRONGER Patents Act, introduced in both the House and Senate, would weaken the PTAB board by aligning its claims standards with what has been established by court rulings. William Nordhaus, one of two men to receive the Nobel prize in economics on Monday, grew up in Albuquerque and travels yearly to New Mexico for summer visits with family. Just a day after a United Nations panel called for urgent action on climate change, Nordhaus of Yale University shared the prize for his work on the economics of a warming planet with Paul Romer of New York University, whose study of innovation raises hopes that people can do something about it. Nordhaus, who has been called the father of climate-change economics, developed models that suggest how governments can combat global warming. One key step he has endorsed is a universal tax on carbon, which would require polluters to pay for the costs that their emissions impose on society. By using a tax rather than government edicts to slash emissions, the policy encourages companies to find innovative ways to reduce pollution and their tax burden. Versions of a carbon tax have been used in Europe but have yet to be adopted in the United States. Romer, a 62-year-old Denver native who has studied why some economies grow faster than others, has produced research that shows how governments can advance innovation. At a news conference Monday at NYU, Romer said his research left him optimistic that society can solve even a threat as challenging as the warming of the planet. Nordhaus, 77, is part of a prominent family with long ties to New Mexico. His grandfather started a ranch outside of Montezuma that the family still owns, said Ted Nordhaus, Williams nephew. William and his brother, Robert Nordhaus, grew up in a house on Rio Grande Boulevard and attended Washington Middle School but left Albuquerque to attend high school in Massachusetts, said Ted, executive director of the Breakthrough Institute, an Oakland, Calif.-based energy and environmental think tank. Robert, who died in 2016, was a high-profile environmental and energy policy lawyer in Washington, D.C. At a news conference at Yale, Nordhaus suggested there is pretty widespread acceptance of climate change science outside the United States, and he expressed optimism that the nation would come around. Referring to the Trump administrations resistance, Nordhaus said: I think we just need to get through what is a difficult period. But Im extremely confident it will happen. Sundays report from the U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declared that managing climate change could prove a matter of life and death. It argued that failing to prevent just one extra degree of heat could expose countless people and ecosystems to life-threatening conditions over the next few decades. As economists, Nordhaus and Romer have worked independently of each other, but to some longtime followers of the Nobel committee the decision to collectively honor their research seemed a logical one. Its an ingenious pairing, said David Warsh, author of a 2007 book on Romers research, Knowledge and the Wealth of Nations. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal The first time Rio Rancho police responded to a report about Leland Hust, he was 10 years old and threatening to kill himself. His stepmother reported that the boy was trying to suffocate himself during a temper tantrum. When officers arrived, Hust told them he wanted to die because he wasnt loved enough by his family. Eleven years later, Hust is facing charges in the strangulation death of 6-year-old Ariana Romeo in Rio Rancho. The 2007 police report is one of a dozen since then about Hust, now 21 years old. They detail threats of suicide, threats against classmates and teachers, and attempts to run away. Eventually, Hust and his mother began living with Winston Scates Sr. and his wife, who is listed in a police report as his grandmother. It was in August at the Scates home, in the 200 block of Moonstone NE near N.M. 528 and Northern NE, that police found Arianas body on a makeshift mattress in a garage that had been converted into a bedroom. Detectives have not said how or whether Ariana and her mother are related to Scates and his wife, or Hust. But police have said that the pair hadnt been staying with them for very long. They had moved to New Mexico over a year ago. Hust, who was arrested Friday after a nearly two-month investigation, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual penetration of a minor and child abuse resulting in death. During the investigation, police also heard allegations against Scates, 63, who is now charged with criminal sexual contact of a young female relative. Husts mother and family members declined interview requests with the Journal. Ongoing issues As a young teenager, Hust was no stranger to Rio Rancho police. Police reports detail a lengthy history of being involved in trouble at school while he was bounced among family members and foster homes. The reports start in 2007 with the temper tantrum at his stepmothers house, where Hust threatened suicide, tried to suffocate himself and banged his head on the floor. He said that his birth-mother wanted him dead and that his step-father didnt pay enough attention to him, an officer wrote in a police report. He appeared out of touch with reality. He contended that his only recourse was to commit suicide. Hust was taken to Kaseman Hospital for a mental health evaluation. Then, in 2010, according to a police report, 13-year-old Hust used a knife to threaten a teacher and fellow students at Rio Rancho Middle School. School staffers told officers Hust had been in trouble several times for acts of vandalism and violence, including threatening to kill a teacher and students with a sharpened pencil. Hust told police he was only trying to scare them to leave him alone and he would never hurt them. Hust was suspended and ended up at Desert Pathways, an alternative program of the Rio Rancho Public Schools, where his problems continued from 2011 to 2015, police were called to the school several times until a school district spokeswoman said he dropped out at 18. On one occasion, Hust was reported for threatening a teacher with a pencil at Desert Pathways. Another time, it was for allegedly destroying a flat-screen monitor and threatening to kill a security guard. At one point, juvenile probation and parole officers told police they could not jail Hust because he already had a pending competency hearing. It is unclear what that hearing was related to or how it was resolved. Overall, the reports paint a picture of a shifting home life for Hust as he lived with different families and foster parents before ending up at the house on Moonstone with his mother and grandparents. In a report from 2011, Hust was reported missing from a home one block away from Scates house. A woman there told police Hust had been staying with her for a short time, while his mother was trying to find somewhere else to live. An officer reported that police couldnt find Hust, but they found his mother, who told them she has been trying to get him back into a (Children Youth and Families Department) program and that Hust had been very disruptive to the other children in her family. Police say they found him a short time later and took him to his mother. Before we left the family, they understood that it was their responsibility to care for Leland, an officer wrote. In 2013, Hust lived with two foster homes and was back living with his mother by the end of the year. He told a counselor at Desert Pathways that he was done and was going to drown himself. When a family member picked him up, they told police Hust was on numerous bipolar medications and they had noticed he had been irritated lately. Not all of the reports are about Hust. In 2015, he was the one to report child abuse when he said he saw his friends dad kick and push his 2-year-old son after the child knocked over the TV and broke it. He provided a witness statement to police, but the father denied abusing the child and officers found no evidence he had been hurt. A DNA match On Aug. 11 a Saturday shortly after 10:15 a.m., police ran into Hust again. Stephanie Romeo had found her young daughter dead on a makeshift foam mattress. There were signs that she had been sexually assaulted. The Office of the Medical Investigator determined Ariana had been dead for around 12 hours, according to a criminal complaint filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court. Hust was still in the home when officers arrived. In a police interview almost two weeks later, Hust said the last time he saw Ariana was the night before her body was found, when he put a movie on for her in her room. Leland claimed he was sleeping when Ariana got hurt, and denied causing harm or death to Ariana, a detective wrote in a complaint. However, Hust had submitted buccal swabs cell samples taken from inside the mouth and the New Mexico State Crime Lab determined those samples matched DNA found on Ariana, according to the complaint. Last Friday, Hust was brought into the Rio Rancho Police Department for another interview. This time, it ended with him being led out of the station to a chorus of questions from reporters. It is unclear if he changed his story about the night Ariana was killed, but detectives say they had enough evidence to charge him. He was booked into the Sandoval County Detention Center. Hust made his first court appearance Tuesday morning. His public defender, Michael Rosenfield, said he was appointed to the case a couple of hours earlier, and had filed an entry of appearance and made an appointment to visit his client in jail. Prosecutors from the 13th Judicial District Attorneys Office could not be reached for comment. Due diligence Scates also had his first court appearance Tuesday morning. According to a criminal complaint filed in that case, during the investigation into Arianas death, detectives were told Scates had molested a young family member. The family member said he had touched her breasts over her clothing more times than (she) could count, starting when she was six years old. Scates told detectives he had touched the girl when he hugged her and that he did it because he is obsessed with breasts. Prosecutors from the 13th Judicial District Attorneys Office have asked for both men to be held in jail pending trial. A judge will hold a hearing on that motion. In a news release Tuesday, the Rio Rancho Police Department defended the time it took for them to investigate, saying every effort was made to ensure the safety of the community. Capt. Andrew Rodriguez, an RRPD spokesman, appeared to nod to the similar case of 10-year-old Victoria Martens in Albuquerque two years ago. Three suspects, including Victorias mother, were almost immediately charged with rape and murder, but the case against them has since unraveled. Recent high profile investigations have demonstrated that due diligence is prudent in order to ensure a successful prosecution and ultimately, in this case, justice for Ariana Jade Romeo, Rodriguez wrote. Small business owners in New Mexico may not need to worry about hurricane damage, but the risk of loss from flash floods, fierce winds and fire is very real. And, there are other risks. SCORE Albuquerque is hosting a workshop, Risky Business Management on Thursday. Kent Paul, president/CEO of K&L Risk Consulting, LLC, will cover key details business owners should know about managing financial, property and liability risks. The event is sponsored by First American Bank. To register, visit SCORE Albuquerques website or call (505) 248-8232. A Richmond, Va.-based biotech startup has announced it is launching a manufacturing operation in Albuquerque and will hire about 10 people locally. Bright Path Pharmaceuticals LLC uses continuous flow bioreactor technology to produce drug compounds in a cost-effective manner. The technology can be used to create drugs for so-called orphan diseases: conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 individuals nationwide, according to the company. The manufacturing enterprise will be located at 801 Bradbury SE on the University of New Mexico campus. The company expects the facility to be fully operational by early November. Bright Path Founder Tony Quinones, a former chief investment officer at Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Cavendish Impact Capital, told the Journal the Albuquerque operation will initially house about 12 employees: a core chemist and an engineer from outside New Mexico, as well as 10 employees hired locally. Among those 10 positions will be chemical engineers, statisticians and business development professionals, with competitive compensation. Bright Paths technology uses rotation to significantly increase the rate at which chemical reactions occur. The process also eliminates the need for heavy chemical solvents and generates less waste than conventional methods, according to the company. Quinones said the company chose Albuquerque in part because of the presence of the New Mexico Bioscience Authority, a public-private partnership created by the Legislature in 2017 aimed at stimulating bioscience investment and employment in New Mexico. Such an organization demonstrates the states commitment to growing the industry, he said. In addition, Quinones described the Albuquerque area as possessing the talent and infrastructure necessary to move (forward) an early-stage life science company. He also said proximity to University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center faculty will be beneficial. Bright Path comes from the Native American name of legendary athlete Jim Thorpe. Quinones, also Native American, described Thorpe as a figure whose story has profound resonance. Dr. Richard Larson, executive vice chancellor of the UNM Health Sciences Center and president of the Bioscience Authority, said Bright Path worked closely with the authority on the project. They wanted to come to a place where they could impact the economic environment where there was a diverse population . . . and it was clear to them that we had all the pieces of a growing and successful (bioscience) ecosystem, said Larson. (CNN) -- No matter where we live, weather touches each of us daily and the warming effects of climate change go beyond the physical environment. A rise in average monthly temperatures is tied to a small increase in mental health issues, according to a study published Monday in the journal PNAS. And over five years, a 1 degree Celsius increase in average temperature results in an even greater prevalence of mental difficulties. "We don't exactly know why we see high temperatures or increasing temperatures produce mental health problems," said Nick Obradovich, lead author of the study and a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab. "For example, is poor sleep due to hot temperatures the thing that produces mental health problems? We have a lot of work to do to figure out precisely what is causing what." Some answers, more questions Based on temperature records beginning about 1850, our globe is about 1 degree Celsius hotter today than it was between 1850 and 1900, according to climate scientists. For the study, Obradovich and his colleagues combined data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which includes self-reported personal mental health data on nearly 2 million randomly sampled US residents, with daily meteorological data from 2002 through 2012. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance survey might be the largest public health monitoring survey in the world, Obradovich explained. "We gathered about a decade's worth of data from this survey, which is about 2 million people responding to the same question. The question basically asks: How, over the recent period, has your mental health status been?" Survey respondents reported "anything that falls within the range of stress, anxiety, depression, emotional issues"; this "basically means things that are less extreme than hospitalization and suicide but more significant than like grumpiness or day-to-day emotional [agitation]." Next, he and his colleagues linked the mental health reports to meteorological data from the city where each respondent lived. "We had this nice decade's worth of information about how environmental conditions related to the way people reported their mental health status," Obradovich said. The research team analyzed the data in three ways. First, they looked at temperatures and precipitation over a 30-day period and compared that to mental health. "Exposure to hotter temperatures and higher rates of precipitation in that period produced increases in the probability that people were going to report some mental health problem in that period," Obradovich said. Specifically, the shift from average monthly temperatures between 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) and 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) to averages greater than 30 related to a 0.5 percentage point increase in the probability of mental health difficulties. If this exact change in temperature were generalized across the nation, "that would produce approximately 2 million additional individuals reporting mental health difficulties," Obradovich explained. Next, the team analyzed longer-term warming and mental health reports in individual cities. Here, they found that five-year warming by just 1 degree Celsius was linked to a 2 percentage point increased prevalence of mental health issues. Finally, the team examined mental health reports from people affected by Hurricane Katrina and compared them to reports from people in comparable-sized places that had not been affected by the catastrophic hurricane. Experiencing Katrina was linked to a 4 percentage point increase in the prevalence of mental health problems. Overall, those most vulnerable to the climate change effects studied include people with lower incomes, individuals with existing mental health problems and women, the research indicated. So, why don't people who live in warmer places generally have worse mental health than people in colder places? Obradovich said that is one of the "outstanding questions in identifying the social impacts of climate change." Because certain factors, such as lifetime adaptations to climate, cannot be accounted for, the new study allows the researchers to say only that, on average, "warming over time associates with worsened mental health over time," he said. "There are many other place-specific factors that may moderate the effect." 'Stress and despair' Dr. Jonathan Patz, a professor and director of the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the study is consistent with recent work by other scientists, including his own recent research on heat waves and hospital admissions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, over a 17-year period, he said. Patz and his co-authors found that high temperatures impacted admissions for self-harm, including attempted suicide. Patz, who was not involved in the new research, said the strength of the study includes the high number of participants but noted that the data are "based on a single question about one's mental health and only at the monthly level." "The most important point of this [new] study is that climate change, indeed, is affecting mental health, and certain populations (women and the poor) are disproportionally impacted," Patz, who called for more research on climate change, wrote in an email. He also said the study may underestimate the negative effects linked to changing climate, and there might be "stress and despair" occurring "as governments and industry fail to react at the pace recommended by multiple scientific assessments." Obradovich, who noted that some people near the coast may be feeling anxiety about the possibility of hurricane damage to their homes, agreed: "There could be additional effects of worry about climate change that we're not able to capture in this study." CHICO, Calif. - The mobile crisis unit that works with the Chico Police Department has been so successful, officials are saying that a second one is in the works. The unit deploys behavioral health counselors on police calls where mental health issues are a factor. Officials say that the team has been such a success in Chico that they want a second team to work with the sheriff's office. "We are actively creating a south county team currently in collaboration with the sheriff's office," said Holli Drobny, community services program manager for Butte County Public Health. "Our department was able to be awarded a grant to fund this team. The north county team has been so successful we wanted to make a south county team." Since the unit team was created in April of this year, counselors have been deployed to 163 incidents in Chico alone. Having spent almost half a decade in JWT working across their Mumbai and Delhi offices, Siddhant Lahiri, Head - Strategic Planning, Rediffusion, comes with abundant expertise in both major global brands as well as small-and-medium sized entrepreneurs. His experience spreads across categories like FMCG, Food, Beverages, Personal Care, OTC products and Automobiles. Lahiri is the man behind the formulation of various communication strategies for a plethora of well-known brands from the houses of Pepsi, Unilever, Godrej, Hersheys, Roche Diagnostics, Parag Foods, Hero Motocorp, and Paras Pharmaceuticals. He has won several industry awards at the Asian Marketing Effectiveness & Strategy Awards (AMES), Effies, and the WARC Prize for Asian Strategy. He loves to write, his essays have been published in Brand Z and WARC and he is also a visiting faculty at MICA, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Sciences and Research, and Xaviers Institute of Communication. Lahiri is a cinema and theatre enthusiast and loves reading too. What does it takes to climb up the ladder in advertising? Heres Siddhant Lahiri in his own words... How did you get into the role you are serving? As the only son of middle-class Bengali parents, it was always blatantly obvious to me that I had to find a career that was both stable and fruitful. At the same time, however, having a slightly creative and restless temperament, I was very wary of the typical, cookie-cutter brand management roles I still find them very dry and boring. So, when I was doing my graduation, I was fervently searching for something that would allow me to walk the tightrope between the stability and respect of the corporate world, and the quirky independence and cerebral satisfaction of an artistic field. MICA, and later Advertising, fit into this vortex beautifully. My years at MICA introduced me to the wonders of Account Planning. I was always an introspective, yet inquisitive child I final found an industry that would pay me for that! I started with DDB Mudra, where I worked exclusively with entrepreneurs, and then spent about five years with JWT. I have spent around a year and a half in Rediffusion now as Head Strategic Planning for the Mumbai office. Every day has been full of challenges and unpredictability and excitement and learning, and I am having one hell of a ride. What particular skill sets do you think you bring to the table? My all-time favourite quote is I have no special talents I am only passionately curious. Albert Einstein said that. I believe that is the answer to this question as well Curiosity. Planning is a vocation that takes place mostly in the mind, therefore, there is no substitute for curiosity. I have a fundamental aversion to planners being considered the numbers people or the logic people Creativity, as they say, is not a department and neither is strategy. In todays world of fast blurring lines, my attempt as a strategist is to always bring a touch of art into the science and a bit of fun into what is often wrongly considered to be the dry side of advertising. Planners are not mere number crunchers, trend listers or PPT factories and every planner today must do their bit in changing this perception. A planners contribution can be far more colourful and exciting than a series of bullet points and a lot of my time is dedicated to proving that. I also believe that Im one of the most job-satisfied employees in the world and I have discovered that that kind of passion can be quite infectious. One campaign that you have worked on that you are particularly proud of? Please take us through the making of the campaign. Thats like choosing your favourite child! There are too many and each campaign has come with its own challenges and joy. From making truckers feel like everyday heroes for Tata Motors, to trying to introduce India to a new kind of insect repellent in Good Knight Fast Card, to trying to make a brand synonymous with cow ghee for Gowardhan Ghee, to fighting for renewed relevance with Indian youth for Pepsi, to trying to get more diabetics to check their sugar levels more regularly for Roche Diagnostics I have been fortunate to have had so many opportunities to influence behaviour. All of these are campaigns very close to my heart. I take a lot of pride in them. While working on the creatives how do you prepare yourself? What goes on in your mind? Like one of my bosses used to say, the attempt is always to minimise the quantity of conversation while maximising the quality. In other (more famous) words, a little less conversation, a little more action. The problems which we try and solve for brands are complex, and often involve multiple elements but as a planner, it is essential to absorb and digest all of that, but at the same time distil it to its present, simplest form. Break it down to the moti baat, and how we can solve it. Icons in advertising you look up to and how they have influenced you and your work? Its a long list. I have had lots of influences especially from my bosses who have shaped my mind and are almost entirely responsible for the way I think today. From Navonil Chatterjee at Rediffusion, to Pinaki Bhattacharya and Shubhrojyoti Roy at JWT to Krishnaraj Bhat at DDB almost every thought I ever have can be traced back to something they have taught me. So, I guess some of the blame should go to them too! I have also been fortunate enough to have some brilliant servicing colleagues who have taught me that the rare ability to handle people well is one of the most fundamental secrets to growth in this business, and some wonderful creative directors who have shown me simple, but amazing ways of looking at problems which I would never have considered earlier. I believe in being like a sponge shamelessly and humbly absorb from every influence possible. So, the list is only going to get longer. What are the five most productive things that you do in your everyday routine? This one is tricky. I am not sure if anyone in advertising does five things forget five productive things in a day! Personally, I believe waking up, having a bath, getting dressed and reaching office every day have produced good results so far. I intend to keep pursuing that diligently (to all my colleagues relief, I am sure). I also try to keep work and work conversations to a minimum in office always a good idea for long term sanity. Its essential to ensure that work doesnt become work. Do you think a career in advertising is a viable one in the long term? Yes. Why else would I still be here? On a serious note, though, the world of communication is definitely going through an exciting period of change we have more tools in our arsenal today, we have more ways of reaching the consumer, and everything (including the consumer) seems to be in a flux But the fundamental need to communicate isnt going anywhere. What does it take to succeed in a career like advertising? I call them the Ps and the Cs of life Patience because nothing comes easily here. There are lots of painful days and you have to be willing to see them through because there are lot of great days too. Persistence because no one buys anything easily. Perseverance because no fresh, great idea will ever appear without tremendous hard work. Conviction because if you dont believe in your idea, no one else will. And like I mentioned earlier, Curiosity why people do what they do, what is going on in the world, both around you and miles away; what are the new, upcoming things that are going to change the world tomorrow. If you find yourself constantly mulling questions like these, and are driven to acquire more insight and understanding (whether its through reading, researching or simply conversing with those around you), then planning is the field for you. What would be your advice to youngsters planning to enter this industry? Stay curious. Keep questioning. Use every interaction with people as an opportunity to learn more about the workings of the human mind. Read, read, read. Watch everything from Polish films to Saas-Bahu shows, with the Avengers and Karan Johar and Roadies thrown in-between. Drown in pop culture. Be open to experiences. And never forget that there is a vast world outside the particular bubble you live in. Where do you see yourself in five years time? In 2023! Is there any agency/ organisation that you would like to work with in the future? Right now, Rediffusion offers me challenges every single day and gives me tremendous satisfaction. We are writing a new chapter in the story of this illustrious agency, and I am glad to contribute whatever I can. My work here isnt done yet. So, Im not thinking of anything else. Bang in the Middle (BITM) has been awarded the digital creative duties for Vivo India, the global innovative smartphone brand. The agency will work closely with PHD India, who won Vivos digital media duties earlier this year, with the account being managed out of Delhi. As one of the largest global smartphone brands to enter the Indian market, Vivo has gained significant momentum since its launch in 2014, augmenting its strong product offering with an innovative marketing strategy. The brand is highly active on digital media and has amassed a significant following in India, with over 20 million fans on Facebook, over 200,000 followers on Twitter and over 110,000 followers on Instagram. Speaking on the appointment, Jerome Chen, CMO, Vivo India, said, We would like to congratulate BITM for this win. When we were looking for an agency for our digital mandate, we wanted a team with an exceptional track record in digital capabilities and creative brand campaigns. With the rising digital consumption, it is imperative to create a differentiated online marketing strategy that breaks through the clutter and strengthens recall, preference, and consideration for Vivo products across categories. I am confident that our partnership with both PHD India and BITM will further help Vivo to build greater visibility through unique campaigns. Prathap Suthan, CCO and Co-Founder, Bang in the Middle, commented, As an agency, we are more than thrilled to work with Vivo. Its a brand that speaks to its audience using products that clearly redefine the edge of mobile technology and design. And more importantly, Vivo effectively understands and encourages the focus on creating and producing original and distinctive work. Its a brand of these new times, and we are completely keyed up to do great work together. Flipkart, in the run up to the festive season, has partnered with Google Zoo, the creative think-tank for brands and agencies, to launch The Big Billion Days ka Boss. Customers looking to get the latest products at the best price will now be able to do so through voice-based conversations with the Flipkart Hagglebot on Google Assistant, available on Android and iOS devices. Every day, Flipkart will release 2 new products for customers to haggle on. At the end of the day, a Boss will be crowned, based on their negotiation skills and how good a bargain they drive. The deal they secure on each item will then become the price of that product for everyone in India, while the winner gets the product for themselves for free. In addition, limited-edition deals will be available exclusively through the Hagglebots AI-based platform. It will also work on all Assistant devices - from the 49R Jio phone to higher-end devices and Google Home. Technology has always been the driver of Flipkarts innovations for Indian customers. The first-of-its-kind Hagglebot is another way for us to add an element of fun to TBBD, the landmark festive shopping event for so many Indians. Bargaining is a deep-rooted part of our culture and we have now integrated that with the convenience of online shopping. We hope our customers will have a great time with this unique, rich and immersive experience, said Kartikeya Bhandari, Head of Brand Marketing at Flipkart. The ZOO team across APAC is passionate about creating meaningful innovation projects and deep brand experiences using the latest Google technologies. We worked very closely with Flipkart to develop an immersive voice based experience that dives people into a haggling scenario as if they were at their local market. Built with DialogFlow on Assistant and powered by Google Cloud Platform, were able to make use of Googles Natural Language processing and Machine Learning expertise. This means the Flipkart Hagglebot experience should feel very natural and respond quickly across a large range of devices. We hope Flipkart customers and users will love this next-generation voice experience. said Gene Brutty, Creative Director, ZOO, Google APAC. Pratik Sawant, a student at The Dharavi Project makes his debut as a rapper and releases his first track, Ek Mauka which he personally penned from his life experiences. The track is a brief summary of his life journey and how he learnt to keep moving forward irrespective of his ups and downs. Pratik joined The Dharavi Project with a dream to release his own album and this song will mark the beginning of his journey. The team trained and encouraged him to follow his passion. They have backed Pratik and ensured he received the required assistance in writing, singing, recording and also shooting the track. Sharing his euphoria Pratik Sawant shares The song encapsulates my learnings and my life story. I have been waiting for this day since a long time. I am truly delighted and thankful to everyone who has helped me achieve my dream Devarj Sanyal, MD & CEO, Universal Music Group, India & South Asia said : "Creating Music with heart is a wholly different ball game and for us The Dharavi Project is just that, to allow real talent from the true underbelly of our country a real chance at making it in the fiercely competitive music scene. From our HipHop school in Dharavi, Pratiks EkMauka is our first single & a lot of blood & sweat has gone into the making of the song and its video and we hope that everyone gives us their love and blessings to make this song & his story spread far & wide. " Co-Founder & Managing Director at Qyuki Digital Media Samir Bangara said : "Music shouldnt have boundaries but sometimes it is stifled by a lack of the right backing. We rarely get opportunities to make a real impact in an ecosystem, for a group at large, of talented and driven young people who deserve more than what they have got so far from life. The Dharavi Project is designed to do precisely this with its after school of hip-hop in the heart of Dharavi nurturing more than 50 amazing artists. Ek Mauka by Pratik is the first launch in hopefully a long array of incredible music that we plan to release over the next few months. On behalf of Qyuki our partners Universal Music and my co-founders Shekhar Kapur and A.R. Rahman we renew our commitment to providing equal opportunity for artists across all socio-economic backgrounds." Pratik has been taking special training session under Rap instructor MC Heam. He has actively been listening and watching this genre of music to get his pace, flow and energy in sync for his song Shut away from most but a small group of armed guerrillas for more than 40 years, 200 square miles of some of the richest tropical rainforest on Earth was recently opened to a handful of lucky visitors to take stock of the biodiversity there. The expedition, notes National Geographic, brought together a team of demobilized guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), university researchers, UN peacekeepers, and local community members, as well as photographer Federico Rios. Federal appellate judges on Tuesday afternoon granted the U.S. Department of Energy's renewed motion to lift a preliminary injunction that was protecting the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility and related construction. "Upon review of submissions relative to the motion for stay pending appeal, the court grants the motion," the two-paragraph, one-page order reads. The order was filed by the court clerk at 12:05 p.m., according to court records. The order was entered at the direction of Judge Paul Niemeyer. Judges Robert King and James Wynn Jr. concurred. The injunction, issued by U.S. District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs, had been in place since early June. The DOE's legal team had previously and repeatedly argued the injunction was costing taxpayers $1.2 million a day. With the injunction now stayed at the U.S. Court of Appeals level, the MOX project heads to the chopping block again. MOX once, or maybe if, completed at the Savannah River Site is designed to turn 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial reactors. The National Nuclear Security Administration, a semiautonomous DOE agency, oversees the MOX project. The NNSA is a named defendant in the related lawsuit, which was launched by the state of South Carolina to battle back U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry's attempts to derail and defund the MOX project. On May 10, Perry exercised his congressionally given power to terminate MOX in favor of another plutonium disposition method, dilute-and-dispose. That same day, the NNSA and the U.S. Department of Defense recommended repurposing MOX infrastructure for plutonium pit production. Plutonium pits are nuclear weapon cores. In mid-September, NNSA chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty wrote to U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, and reaffirmed Perry's intent to cancel MOX. Thornberry is the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Nuclear leaders, staff converge on SRS for plutonium pit production workshop The National Nuclear Security Administration held a days-long plutonium pit production workshop at the Savannah River Site, according to a per In the early 1980s, John William Osteen Jr. started a fall tradition that became an anticipated community event. Every weekend before Thanksgiving, Osteen invited the public to visit his log cabin and one-room schoolhouse to learn about life in South Carolina in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Osteen cabin moved to new home at Battle of Aiken John Osteen opened his authentic log cabin in Couchton to the public every Thanksgiving weekend for more than 30 years. Monday, the cabin, whi On those cool fall mornings, Osteen often sat by the authentic six-eyed, wood-burning cook stove, which kept the cabin toasty warm, and offered his guests baked sweet potatoes and fluffy biscuits made from scratch. To sweeten those Southern treats, Osteen served cane syrup, but it came with a warning label: Can be fatal to Yankees. Osteen had a love for the South and a sense of humor, and he loved to share both. Wearing a wide-brimmed wool hat and with a full grey beard that reached to his chest as he sat by the stove, he could have been a portrait of a Confederate general. Osteen, 91, died Sunday. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home at 715 Pine Log Road. The visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. People enjoy looking back at the past, Osteen said said in a story in the Aiken Standard in 2014. Young kids are fascinated, and it carries some of the older country people back to the way of living they knew when they were younger. The log cabin became the genesis for the living-history museum Osteen created behind his home in Couchton. He built the log cabin from materials he rescued and recycled from a log house in Belvedere. They were about the pull the house down and burn it, Osteen said in the story. I told them if theyd give me five weeks Id tear it down and use the materials. When I first built it, I split out 4,400 wooden shingles and put a wooden roof on it that lasted more than 20 years. The one-room, country schoolhouse was a replica of Reid Schoolhouse, which his mother attended in rural Sumter County, South Carolina. Over time, Osteen built a barn, a privy, a chicken coop, a sugar cane mill, a syrup cooker and a smokehouse to round out the farmstead and collected vintage tools and artifacts to add detail. He also built a Confederate museum to display pictures of ancestors who fought in the Civil War and letters that described accounts from different battles. After leaving his home for an assisted living facility in 2017, Osteen donated his log cabin and one-room schoolhouse to the Sons of Confederate Veterans Brigadier General Barnard E. Bee Camp No. 1575. A lifetime member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, he was a member of the General Joe Wheeler Camp No. 1245. In January, movers transported the 13-foot by 22-foot cabin from Osteens former property on Wagener Road to the Battle of Aiken park off Powell Pond Road. Two Aiken County Sheriffs Office patrol cars escorted the move. In February, cannons, mortars and rifles rang out to salute Osteen on his special day at the Battle of Aiken. Organizers of the Civil War re-enactment proclaimed their annual School Day as Mr. Osteen Day in honor of his gifts. Surrounded by hundreds of school children and re-enactors wearing period uniforms, S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, read and presented Osteen with a copy of a resolution adopted unanimously in January by the S.C. House of Representatives. Reading from the resolution, Taylor said the cabin and schoolhouse will continue to serve as an educational tool for thousands of Aiken County school children, their parents and other visitors and tourists. These historical buildings were visited by thousands of school students and now will be forever available for visitors to view during the annual Battle of Aiken, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience pioneer life in South Carolina. Commander Danny Francis of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Brig. Gen. Barnard E. Bee Camp No. 1575 said the log cabin has been a great addition to the Battle of Aiken. He added he believes the cabin once had been owned by a Confederate veteran. We have it fixed up just like it would have been when the Confederate solider lived there: table, chairs, cook stove and all kinds of artifacts, he said Monday. Schoolchildren loved it. I imagine thousands of pictures were taken, particularly of the log cabin. Francis called Osteen a true historian. He was friendly to everybody, he said. There were a lot of people who loved him still love him. He's going to be missed. Also in February at the Aiken County Historical Society winter meeting, Allen Riddick, the society's president, awarded Osteen a proclamation from Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon and the City of Aiken in recognition of his 31 years of hosting an open house at his log cabin. Mr. Osteen's passion for history was exceeded only by his love for his family and its history, Riddick said Monday. Hundreds of people went out each November to visit the pioneer homestead behind his house. It was great fun to go each year and eat a biscuit and a sweet potato and listen to him tell people about his family's genealogy and talk about the old days. His legacy will live on through his generous donation of his pioneer cabin and the remade one-room schoolhouse to the Battle of Aiken park. He was a great man who will be greatly missed by everyone. In the Aiken Standard story, Osteen attributed his love of history to his seventh-grade teacher at a little schoolhouse in Pinewood, South Carolina, in Sumter County. She was a descendant of six family members who had been governors of South Carolina, so you can imagine how she felt about history, he said. Looking back, I realize that what she was teaching me then governs what I do now to a degree. Ive always loved history and old stuff. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Global Logistics System (HK) (GLS Hong Kong) has teamed up with Electronic Freight Data Interchange (EFDI) to distribute and support its EzyCargo cargo community platform in India. EFDI provides connectivity to 79 international carriers, Indian Customs EDI System (ICES) and the US Automated Customs Environment (ACE). Under the GLS deal, EFDI will provide sales and marketing functions to promote EzyCargo subscriptions to connect freight forwarders with airlines by means of digital cargo data exchange. GLSs EzyCargo is a Cloud-based application that enables e-booking, electronic air waybill data exchange, and track and trace of consignments over the Internet or via host-to-host connections. There are currently nearly 1,000 EzyCargo subscribers in India. Madhav Kulshreshtha, the managing director of EFDI, said: We recognise the vast potential for electronic messaging and digitisation that a platform such as EzyCargo offers. Tony Sham, GLS Hong Kongs chief executive, noted: Forwarders can enjoy the benefits of our single gateway for data exchanges with multiple carriers. New features will also be added to support forwarder needs and local requirements. GLS Hong Kong offers a range of IT solutions relating to digital cargo operations, with a portfolio of applications and solutions connecting forwarders, airlines, terminals, customs and postal administrations. Share this story CAIRO Egypt has amended its Child Law, opening up the option of adoption and foster parenting to more people including single women. The amendments, passed Sept. 19, concern orphans and children of unknown parentage under Egypt's Alternative Family system. According to observers, the government is making the changes to confront the country's history of mistreatment and abuse of these children. The problem has been compounded in recent years by the financial strain shouldered by care facilities in light of the dire economic conditions gripping the country. The Alternative Family system introduced in 2014 allowed only Egyptian married couples aged 60 or older to adopt or foster children. As per the new amendments, couples from 25 to 60 years of age are now eligible, provided they have been married at least three years and meet the conditions of the High Committee for Alternative Family a government-formed committee presided over by a judge to look into adoption applications. Single women also gained the right to adopt or foster under the amendments. Eligible applicants have to take training courses held by the Ministry of Social Solidarity for foster and adoptive parents. Five years ago, Zeinab, a pseudonym, discovered she couldn't have children. A friend suggested she adopt a child from an Egyptian orphanage. Zeinab finally talked her reluctant husband into making this leap of faith. The couple went together to the Department of Social Affairs in the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity to start the procedures. I am 35. I can't have children of my own. But I really wanted to be a mother, Zeinab told Al-Monitor. She said the ministry carefully scrutinized her and her husband to determine their suitability to become adoptive parents. They did elaborate character and background checks and even visited us at home to make sure we would make good parents, she added. A few months later, the High Committee for Alternative Family approved their application. The couple ended up adopting a 3-month-old girl. I chose a baby girl because I love daughters. She is now nine months, Zeinab said. The committee sealed records identifying the child's biological parents. Things were a little different for Suheir, also a pseudonym, who had three children, the youngest of whom was 12. The death of her daughter, however, took a heavy toll on her. She decided to foster a baby girl from an orphanage in Cairo in the hope that this would help her recover somewhat from the loss. I told my husband and children, who were very encouraging and supportive. I visited a few orphanages until I found an 18-month-[old] girl, Suheir told Al-Monitor. Many friends and relatives criticized for her decision, she said, adding, There are many children out there who need to be fostered and taken care of. It is our duty as a community to solve this problem and give them a home." According to Somaya Al-Alf, head of the Social Welfare Department of the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity, the number of adopted and fostered children rose to 12,000 in the past three years, up from 3,000. She attributed the growth to improvements in Egypt's adoption process and facilities, which have also helped relieve some of the pressure orphanages are under. Ola Farrag, head of FACE for Children in Need, a local civil society organization, told Al-Monitor that the new government amendments to the Child Law are a step in the right direction to help alleviate the suffering of children and relieve pressure on orphanages. Farrag explained that in 2014 the Egyptian government began looking for possible alternatives to orphanages, which had been shown not to provide a healthy environment for children's development. This is not to mention the heavy economic burdens orphanages have to bear to provide a good environment for those children, she noted. Farrag said the government realized that, by itself, it couldn't make the system work, so it involved civic groups to help run background checks and follow up on foster and adoptive parents. Despite efforts to help find foster and adoptive parents for orphaned children, the government has yet to resolve the problems that are forcing parents to abandon their children in the streets in the first place, Farag said. She explained that extreme poverty is at the root of the problem. Egyptians living under the poverty line in 2015 accounted for 27.8% of the population, according to the latest statistics available from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. Ahmed Msehli, head of the Committee for the Defense of the Child in the Egyptian Bar Association, said the new amendments are too late, as government bureaucracy has created many problems, including child abuse. He told Al-Monitor that the Child Law, including the Alternative Family system, was approved in 1996, but it wasn't until 2014 that the government started actually implementing its provisions. On Aug. 28, 2014, Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali formed the high committee, directing it to overhaul the alternative family system and cultivate adoption in Egypt as the best solution for helping homeless children and children of unknown parentage. The committee is seeking solutions to orphanages' financial burdens, which have been worsened by the country's dire economic conditions. In televised statements Sept. 26, Wali acknowledged that Egypt's facilities for orphans face great challenges, notably the lack of competent staff qualified to care for children. However, she said violations at those facilities have decreased, though she provided no statistics. But Alaa Abdel Aty, adviser to the social solidarity minister, said in an Oct. 4 interview with local El-Watan news that there are about 10,000 orphans housed in 449 facilities in Egypt. He added that 80% of these orphanages are located in only four governorates. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Islamist movement Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip are trying to hold on to hope, despite dwindling chances, that international and regional efforts will help alleviate Gazas crisis and prevent a military confrontation with Israel. However, the factions seem more worried about Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' continued obstruction of such actions. In fact, Hamas says Abbas appears to be pushing Israel to launch a new war on the Gaza Strip. With Cairo's involvement, Israel and Hamas seemed close to reaching an agreement last month, until Abbas threats brought the indirect truce talks to a halt. Abbas threatened to impose new sanctions against the already suffering Gaza Strip if Hamas went through with the deal without involving the PLO. Abbas also demands that Hamas turn over Gaza to the Palestinian government in Ramallah, the West Bank. Conflict between the two main Palestinian political parties Abbas' Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip resulted in the violent split of the PA in 2007. Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas leader, told Al-Khaleej Online Sept. 30 that Abbas, together with several Arab states he did not name, are indeed pushing Israel to launch a new war against the Gaza Strip if the citizens there do not rise up against Hamas. Zahar said Abbas is willing to make further cuts on PA employee salaries in Gaza and withdraw funds from Palestinian banks there, in an attempt to turn Gazans against Hamas. Though Zahar did not reveal the states he claims are pushing Israel to wage war, it is notable that Hamas relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have been going downhill since the Arab Spring protests in 2011. Both countries view Hamas as the arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Palestinian territories, describing Hamas as an extremist and terror group that has ties with Iran and Qatar. In addition, in the past decade, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have expelled and arrested several Hamas figures residing in their territories. Zahars remarks came in response to Abbas speech Sept. 27 at the UN General Assembly meeting, where Abbas referred to a reconciliation agreement Egypt had negotiated between Hamas and Fatah in October 2017. The agreement has gone nowhere, though Egypt has taken up the cause once again at Abbas' insistence. "Hamas failed to fulfill its obligations according to the agreement," Abbas said. Maybe in the coming few days we will witness the last round of talks and then maybe we will take [different] action." Lebanon's Al-Akhbar news reported Oct. 2 that Hamas is ready to respond to Abbas if he carries out his threat. A Hamas source told Al-Akhbar that his movement is considering a ban on any Fatah activities in Gaza and could confiscate all of Fatah's properties there. Should Abbas impose new sanctions, Hamas would also fire PA employees working on the border crossings with Israel, and divert commodities entering Gaza to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Hamas announced in September that it will not go to war with Israel for several reasons, most importantly the dire situation in the Gaza Strip, which has not fully recovered from the 2014 war with Israel. This was confirmed by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, who told Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth Oct. 4, A new war is in no one's interest, certainly not our interest. Who really wants to confront a nuclear superpower with four slingshots? War doesn't achieve anything. My first commitment is to act in the interest of my people. Hamad al-Raqab, another Hamas leader, told Al-Monitor, President Abbas cannot impose more sanctions on Gaza without Israel's approval." Israel knows that would be a bid by Abbas to "further tighten the noose on the Palestinian people and resistance in a bid to drain the resistance and then finish it off with a war. He stressed that Gaza would explode in the face of Israel, which is the actual authority over the Palestinian people, having imposed a 12-year blockade. Raqab said the sanctions Abbas imposed on Gaza in 2017 and the ones he is threatening to impose anew affect the lives of 2 million citizens in the Gaza Strip not just Hamas. Abbas slashed the salaries of PA government employees in Gaza by 50% and stopped supplying electricity, among other punitive measures. A World Bank report released Sept. 24 found that the Israeli blockade and the PAs decision to cut funding, as well as cuts in US aid to Gaza, have contributed to a 53% unemployment rate there and more than 70% among Gazan youth while one person in two there suffers from poverty. Fatah spokesman and PLO Central Council member Atef Abu Seif said Hamas should find ways to help its people in Gaza instead of accusing Abbas. He told Al-Monitor, It's best for Zahar to go out and tell Gazans how the Hamas leadership can manage their lives and get them out of the dire humanitarian and economic situation they live in, instead of hurling false accusations against President Abbas. Abu Seif added, "The remarks of Zahar and other Hamas leaders about new sanctions against Gaza are baseless. He stressed that such decisions are made by the Palestinian Central Council (PCC), which is scheduled to convene Oct. 26 in Ramallah. However, many PA officials expect the PCC to call for harsh measures against Hamas if Egypt can't negotiate a reconciliation between the movements. Meanwhile, Hamas officials ended the round of talks with Egyptian intelligence officials Oct. 3, describing the talks as positive. Just two days later, however, violence escalated along the border with Israel, as chances of signing a truce soon between Hamas and Israel have diminished. On Oct. 5, at least three Palestinians were killed and more than 300 wounded. In past weeks, dozens of Palestinians have been killed, while 800 have been wounded during clashes. Meanwhile, the Israeli military is sending reinforcements to the border and telling Abbas to ease up on Gaza before it "explodes." During an Oct. 4 press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Hamas, saying Israel's response "will be very harsh if it is attacked. On Oct. 7, he told his Cabinet war is likely unless the pressure there is relieved. Abdel Sattar Qassem, a political science professor at An-Najah National University in Nablus, spoke with Al-Monitor about Zahar's theory that Abbas and others are urging Israel toward war with Hamas. Zahars statements are not surprising in light of the desire of many regimes to get rid of Hamas, most notably Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Israel is reluctant to launch a military campaign as it dreads the losses it could incur," Qassem said. Another political science professor, Mukhaimer Abu Saada of Al-Azhar University in Gaza, described Zahars statements as mere political speculations and not evidence that Israel is actually going to launch a war on Gaza. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Abu Saada warned that any future military confrontation will have catastrophic consequences for the people in the Gaza Strip, who are already crippled by their deteriorating economic, health and humanitarian situation. Democrats looking to build a case against President Donald Trump ahead of next months elections have begun using dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggis mysterious disappearance at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as ammunition. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., attacked Trump today over his cozy relationship with Riyadh, which he argues enabled Khashoggis alleged murder along with other exactions by Saudi Arabia. A favorite among left-wing voters and a possible 2020 presidential contender, Sanders is on a nine-state campaign tour this month to fire up the base for Democratic mid-term candidates. If the Saudi regime murdered a journalist critic in their own consulate, there must be accountability and there must be an unequivocal condemnation by the United States, Sanders said in a foreign policy address at Johns Hopkins University in Washington. But it seems clear that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman feels emboldened by the Trump administrations unquestioning support. Why it matters: Saudi Arabia cant afford another black eye in its relationship with the United States. While the oil-rich kingdom is spending millions of dollars to paint the crown prince as a reformist moderate, Congress is increasingly concerned over the humanitarian impact of the US-backed Saudi-led war in Yemen while Trump himself has ripped Riyadh amid rising oil prices. Polling aggregator FiveThirtyEight currently gives Democrats a 75% chance of taking the House in November and a 21% chance of taking the Senate. Its not just Democrats raising the alarm over the cost to the United States of supporting repressive Gulf regimes. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., tweeted Monday that he had discussed shared concerns regarding the whereabouts and treatment of Khashoggi with Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn. and panel member Ben Cardin, D-Md. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tweeted Sunday that if deeply disturbing reports of Khashoggis murder were confirmed, The United States and the civilized world must respond strongly, and I will review all options in Senate. Still, Khashoggis disappearance gives Democrats in particular an opportunity to shine the spotlight on Trumps good rapport with authoritarian leaders. Sanders pointed to Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his very close relationship with the crown prince, arguing that it emboldened Riyadh to continue bombing the Houthi rebels in Yemen and retaliate against Canada over its mild condemnation of Riyadhs repressive policies. Its not just the Saudis: Sanders also singled out several US allies, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He lambasted the Saudis, the United Arab Emirates and its rival Qatar for spending millions in fossil fuel wealth in Washington to advance the interests of their undemocratic regimes. Sanders also argued that Trumps unyielding support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undermined the longstanding goal of a two-state solution. Whats Next: UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression David Kaye today called for an international, independent investigation into Khashoggis disappearance. Although Khashoggi first entered the Saudi consulate a week ago, the Trump administration had remained relatively silent until Monday when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Riyadh to support a thorough investigation into Khashoggis disappearance and be transparent about the results. For his part, Trump simply said, Hopefully that will sort itself out. Know More: Stay on top of the latest in the Khashoggi disappearance at Al-Monitor. Also read congressional correspondent Bryant Harris piece last month on the implications of the midterms for Riyadhs Yemen policy here. And be sure to check out Al-Monitors award-winning lobbying series to see how the Gulf States use their vast wealth to influence US policy and public opinion. -Bryant Harris While the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State looks to wrap up the battle in Syria and push a UN-backed settlement, military officials say the war-torn country has become a key battleground in great power competition with Russia. Why it matters: Conflict between the United States and Russia will shape how Syria is put back together after the end of its seven-year civil war. Great power competition was an objective by Russia, Air Force Brig. Gen. Leah Lauderback, who served as director of intelligence for Operation Inherent Resolve until June, said at this weeks US Army conference in Washington. They saw us as a peer, and they wanted to take advantage in any way that they could. Specifically, Lauderback said in a summary of the anti-Islamic State campaign, Russia has looked into taking oil fields that dot Syria to fund Syrias recovery and the stabilization of areas hit hard by conflict. Economically, they wanted to seize oilfields, they wanted bids and contracts to develop Syria for infrastructure in order to stabilize Syria over the long term, she said. Drone zone: Meanwhile, as the focus of the Syria fight has shifted away from the Islamic State and the United States has doubled the number of its diplomats inside the country, the United States is trying to play traffic cop for a Syrian airspace thats becoming more and more fraught with potential flashpoints for conflict. The Islamic State, Russia, Syria and Iran are all flying drones around the war zone today. That airspace would become extremely congested, because there was no way to deconflict with the Iranians, Lauderback said. The Air Force officer said that the Islamic State used makeshift drones rigged with grenades to blow up a Syrian and Russian weapons depot in Deir ez-Zor province and damage a Russian airfield in January, proving that the group remains a threat even in areas where it has been defeated. We will never deploy again to a theater of operations where we are not under threat from unmanned aerial systems, British Army Maj. Gen. Felix Gedney, former deputy commander of Inherent Resolve, said at the Association of the US Army conference. Both those high-end systems of our near-peer competitors, and lower, off-the-shelf botched-together systems that are developed by asymmetric enemies. And we need to get used to that. Whats next: The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are well underway with an assault on the Islamic State outpost of Hajin in northeastern Syria, billed as the final attack on the militant groups remnants. Know more: Moscows introduction of the S-300 system into Syria, announced last week, doesnt figure to make things easier for US-Russia tensions or the congested airspace. And dont miss Washington Editor Julian Pecquets March piece on the battle over Syrias reconstruction. - Jack Detsch Iran's parliament addressed one of the country's most contested issues Oct. 7, approving a bill against the funding of terrorism. Such a measure is a precondition to be removed from the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The bill's supporters believe the measure will help ease the impact of US sanctions, giving Iran more access to international banks and helping it achieve greater financial transparency. Critics, however, argue that Iran has given up its independence and is once again looking to Western countries to resolve its economic problems at home. The FATF measures as a whole have been a hot topic in Iran over past years. Parliament debated this counterterrorism financing bill for four months, before 143 parliamentarians voted in favor, with 120 against and five abstaining. There are a total of 290 seats in parliament. The conservative-dominated Guardian Council must still approve the bill before it becomes law. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke on the parliament floor, responding to the bill's critics, who claim it imposes demands on Iran on behalf of Western powers. Three days ago the president of Russias central bank told us that without [approval of] FATF [measures] we cannot work with you, he said Oct. 7. FATF is one of the most important problems and even our friends say this. The Chinese have no problems with us, from an international perspective, China has many positions similar to the Islamic Republic. China and Russia are Irans strategic partners. The opponents of the bill are a mixed group, though all are opposed to President Hassan Rouhani's administration and, in general, to greater financial transparency. Iranian parliamentarian Mohammad Dehghan, who opposed to the bill, said, Under conditions of war we must not give our economic information to the enemy. Some speak of the issue of Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which are important, but those are secondary issues. Some critics believe the bill will harm Irans support for Hezbollah and other regional groups. Dehghan said that, under FATF, if an individual is sanctioned by the United States they would not be allowed to open a regular bank account in certain domestic banks. Parliamentarian Hossein Naghavi Hosseini accused the Rouhani administration of using fear to pass the bill. Why do you scare the people? he asked. Why do you say that if we dont become a member of this convention the projects in the villages will not be completed? Hosseini said that the promises being made about the bill are the same promises made regarding the nuclear deal, in that they were supposed to resolve numerous economic problems but failed to do so. The heated debate over the bill extended beyond parliament, with parliamentarians who supported the bill receiving death threats online. Iranian parliamentarian Parvaneh Salahshouri, who supported the bill, said she received numerous death threats before and after the vote. She accused conservative newspaper Kayhan and other conservatives, many of whom opposed the nuclear deal, of provoking a hostile environment. Life is in the hands of God, and not them, she tweeted in response to those making death threats. She said that she was proud of her opposition to money laundering and terrorism. Tehran hosted national security and deputy national security advisers from China, India, Russia and Afghanistan on Sept. 26, in what was billed as the first Regional Security Dialogue. According to Keyvan Khosravi, spokesman for the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, the one-day meeting, initiated by Iran, primarily aimed at finding joint measures for fighting terrorism and preventing its spread to Central Asia, with a focus on Afghanistan. The final communique, however, suggested a broader agenda than just Afghanistan. Also included were efforts ranging from fighting the Islamic State (IS) in Syria to promoting trade and economic cooperation among the parties. It was also announced that the participants had agreed to establish a secretariat and to hold annual meetings at the same level on a rotating basis. As such, it could be said that Irans initiative has already been successful in forming a new multilateral framework, at least at the official level. After taking a closer look at the agreements reached at the gathering, especially with regard to the broader regional and international framework of the dialogue, one could reasonably argue that the initiative reflects Irans changing perspective on the issue of regionalism as well as a new outlook on its relations with China and Russia. Of note, the lineup of who was invited to the meeting suggests that Iran is in the process of re-implementing its Look East approach to foreign policy in a wholly upgraded format. Look East, originally Irans foreign policy orientation during Mahmoud Ahmadinejads presidency (2005-13), aimed at consolidating Tehrans ties with non-Western countries to escape the isolation resulting from its ever-deteriorating relations with European nations. With even China and Russia, the two most important non-Western powers, also demonstrating reluctance to support Iranian positions in a meaningful way, however, Ahmadinejad ultimately ended up with only a handful of Latin American and African partners. Now, it seems that while continuing to work with the European Union to keep the 2015 nuclear deal alive and find ways to circumvent the new wave of US sanctions, Iran is developing a more targeted Look East approach, trying to strengthen its ties with the Eastern powers, not necessarily any state with an anti-US orientation. In fact, except for Afghanistan, which seems to have been included in the Tehran meeting because it was the main topic of discussion, the other three parties are theoretically rising powers, with the aim and ability to take independent stances in the international arena. As in the case of relations with the EU, Irans new eastward-looking orientation appears to concern its desire to withstand increasing US pressure. This alone, however, does not explain the whole story. At the regional level, it seems that the success of the Astana framework in bringing real change to the Syrian situation in a way that meshes with Irans basic interests has led Tehran to the conclusion that security multilateralism could be an effective way to overcome the most-pressing regional issues while legitimizing Irans regional role and influence. In fact, the Astana agreements have not only led to a step-by-step recapturing of Syrian territory by President Bashar al-Assads government, but have also legitimized Irans presence in the country via the de-escalation zones agreement endorsed by the United Nations. The framework has also led to a greater degree of cooperation among Iran, Russia and Turkey. Iran apparently adopted the same approach in developing the Regional Security Dialogue initiative that is, choosing Afghanistan as an urgent regional security issue and then expanding the framework into a more comprehensive multilateral format. At the same time, this new security initiative can be seen as a balancing act to counter the enhanced military and security cooperation between the Arab states and the United States, widely viewed as an attempt to form an anti-Iran regional coalition. In other words, after the Arab states rebuffed Tehrans idea of establishing a Regional Dialogue Forum and at the same time began working with the United States to form the Middle East Strategic Alliance, Arab NATO, Iran devised an alternative format to avoid being sidelined in regional dynamics and to counterbalance Washingtons regional role. At the bilateral level, the Regional Security Dialogue is telling about the unique status of China and Russia in Irans new Look East approach. Article 9 of the meetings final communique calls for developing trade and transit ties, which is an interesting bullet point in a security framework. In fact, Iran is trying to preserve its own security as well as its regional influence by tying these issues to the role of Beijing in light of Chinas growing presence in the Middle East via trade and transport projects, especially its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. In other words, Iran expects Chinas involvement in the Middle East to grow in parallel with enhanced security activism by Beijing as it moves to protect its economic interests. Thus, a cooperative stance by Tehran toward Beijings plans would make China a security partner for Iran in the region. As for Russia, that Moscow is signaling an openness toward cooperation with Iran in preserving security in Central Asia a region Moscow has always defined as its exclusive zone of security influence is a sign of developing Iranian-Russian relations, thanks primarily to their close partnership in Syria. Meanwhile, article 5 of the final communique clearly supports Iranian-Russian actions against terrorism in Syria, an important international endorsement to their cooperation in that country. All in all, the Regional Security Dialogue meeting was an indication that Iran sees security multilateralism as a mechanism for maintaining the regional balance of power in its favor as well as a way to effectively confront US pressure by deepening ties with Eastern powers. This was just the first step on a complex path. Tehrans ultimate success heavily depends on how effectively and seriously the agreements on paper can be translated into actual measures on the ground. The two main indices of democracy worldwide are those of The Economist and of Freedom House. The Israeli right claims that the countrys ranking in these indices has been stable for many years now. In reality, both indices place Israel in the third rank of democracies, i.e., democratic states overall, but in which democracy is flawed. Ostensibly, there is no shame in this ranking, which has recently come to include US President Donald Trumps America. On Oct. 3, right-wing affiliated Yisrael HaYom newspaper published a report that Israels democratic ranking has stabilized further and even improved. As a result, it seems that claims among the left that the most basic characteristics of democracy have deteriorated under the current right-wing government have no leg to stand on. However, the big difference in the perspective of Israels right-wing government and that of the countrys liberals is that the former takes pride in our relative status, whereas the latter focuses on our absolute standing. The former sees Israeli democracy as stable, while the latter believes that this stability is only relative and that in the absolute, it is being gnawed away. The liberals explain that the only reason we succeed in maintaining our relative position in the rankings is that other countries have also deteriorated over the last few years among them Turkey, Hungary, Poland and the United States while semi-democratic states have shifted to the status of authoritarian regimes. This makes it possible for us to avoid dropping through the ranks of relative democracy. In hindsight, Francis Fukuyama was mistaken in his 1989 claim that we were witnessing the end of history. In many ways, the 1990s became little more than a fleeting dream. The end of the Cold War, the establishment of democratic regimes beyond the Iron Curtain, the resolution of conflicts in various places around the world from South Africa to Northern Ireland the Oslo Accord between Israel and the Palestinians and the peace agreement between Israel and Jordan, all of that was little more than a brief historical interlude. More and more countries came to prefer strong men as leaders over governments rooted in the rights of the individual and collectives that make up society, in compromise, understanding and in heeding the will of the public, and of course, in regular regime change. Similarly, undemocratic regimes such as in Russia and China, which originally showed signs of liberalization and openness, began moving backward. Meanwhile, it seemed as if the public had made peace with this trend and even seemed to prefer it. People came to believe that this was the best way to ensure law, order and national pride, even if it came at the expense of freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of movement. There are several permanent components of the Israeli regime, which prevent it from climbing to the highest rankings of the various democratic indices. Two of these have been present since the state was founded. The first is the set of laws surrounding marriage and personal relationships, which are dominated by religious law (or in other words, there is no separation of Church and State). The second is the fact that even though the 1947 United Nations partition plan obligated Israel (the state to be) to approve a constitution and Israel itself committed to do so in its Declaration of Independence a written constitution has never been legislated. Instead, it has been replaced by a handful of Basic Laws, some of which have no place in a real constitution. Furthermore, it is hard to imagine the kind of political constellation, which would make it possible for the Knesset to approve any constitution whatsoever. This absence of a constitution underlies many of the fiercest debates currently raging in Israeli society. Even now, there is a heated debate over whether the Supreme Court has the authority to overturn Basic Laws, or whether these laws have the status of a constitution, to which amendments and changes would tend to require widespread national consensus, expressed as an overwhelming majority in the Knesset or a vote by referendum. A third component has been with us since 1967, and results from Israels occupation of Palestinian territories during the Six-Day War. The very fact that millions of Palestinians live under Israels direct or indirect rule and that their civil rights are in no way similar to those of Israeli citizens places a heavy burden on Israels self-image as a beacon of democracy in an undemocratic region. The situation has only degenerated over time, even if comparisons to apartheid in South Africa are lacking in accuracy. Israeli democracy has made significant progress since the founding of the state. No one questions that. It was ahead of many other countries in eliminating the death penalty, or that the Supreme Court has ensured that human rights are etched deeply into many different aspects of life. All of this has ensured that Israel is one of the best places in the world from many different perspectives. Freedom of expression has been expanded, and government control over the economy and the media has been reduced. Anyone comparing Israel today to Israel of the 1950s can, of course, point to many dramatic changes. On the other hand, anyone who remembers the world of the 1950s, with Sen. Joseph McCarthy in the United States and Joseph Stalin in Russia, will conclude that back then, Israel really was a light unto the nations. What has happened here over the last few years, and particularly since the formation of the current government in 2015, is an intense effort to limit freedoms, to demand loyalty as a precondition for basic rights and to enforce recognition of Israels rule over the occupied territories for example, by withdrawing subsidies from cultural institutions that refuse to operate in the settlements. There has been legislation to ban schools from teaching the Nakba, i.e., the Palestinian catastrophe, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes during the 1948 War of Independence, but also to limit the right of Palestinians to appear before the Supreme Court, to impose Knesset legislation on the occupied territories and to ease the transfer of Palestinian West Bank lands to the settlements. It is now a well-known government policy to appoint conservative and religious judges to the courts, while recent legislation would allow Knesset members to ban their colleagues from the Knesset plenum (targeting Arab Knesset members for the most part). Then, of course, there is the Nationality Law, which is a brusque assault on the principle of civil equality in Israel (favoring Jewish citizens). Israel has a free press and a large and vocal parliamentary opposition. The coalition itself has a few members, such as Likuds Benny Begin and members of the Kulanu Party, who have reined in at least some of the governments efforts to assault the basic components of democracy. Then there is the American Jewish community, which has some influence on government decisions, particularly when it comes to freedom of religion. Nevertheless, Israels democratic image will not be restored until the current government is replaced. Every so often, polls show that Israels center-left parties have a reasonable chance of winning a majority of seats in the next election. What they must do now is prepare a list of laws, which the next coalition will overturn, and insist that support for this list is a vital precondition for joining the next government. If that fails to happen, there is no reason for them to return to power. Knesset member Shelly Yachimovich is a prominent member of the Labor Party, who chairs the Knessets State Control Committee. According to a recent report, her online activity has been the target of extensive tracking by the Information Security Department of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). As an elected official, Yachimovich should have parliamentary immunity. The very fact that someone in the IDF decided that her online activities should be monitored (allegedly for security reasons) and then proceeded to track these activities is very disturbing. Yachimovich first learned that she was being tracked from a report that appeared in Haaretz Oct. 4. The report included a document stating that the IDFs Information Security Department had been tracking the internet regularly in an effort to keep tabs on nongovernmental organizations, social organizations, political bloggers and politicians. Yachimovich was shocked and deeply offended to see her name on the list. According to her, the very idea that the army is keeping track of an elected officials political activity is horrifying, but it also runs counter to the very nature of Israel as a democracy. It turned out that this tracking began two years ago. It is done by scanning posts on social media sites, as well as in blogs, forums, search engines, chatrooms and news sites. The purpose of all this is to identify security leaks. It is no coincidence that the IDF began tracking internet activity about two years ago, just as it is apparently no coincidence that the target of their tracking is a politician identified with the left. Over the past two years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government not only succeeded in pushing public discourse to new extremes in an effort to delegitimize the left, it also took several operative steps against its targets. It passed several laws against left-wing organizations, as well as the Boycott Law that was passed by the Knesset in 2017. It amended the Entry into Israel Law in order to ban boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement activists from entering the country. The Ministry for Strategic Affairs, which is tasked with combatting BDS, was thereby provided with a framework to track the activities of boycott activists and create blacklists of individuals who should be denied entry into the country. Given this prevailing mood, it is no wonder that a professional security organization like the IDF decided to track a politician, as unprecedented as it was. While the IDF admitted its mistake and apologized to Yachimovich, the fact that it happened speaks for itself. The ease with which advanced technologies can be used to track people in a manner that reeks of political persecution should be intolerable. On the other hand, it reflects the age in which we live. The growing number of media reports about left-wing activists from overseas, who were detained at the border as they tried to enter Israel, indicates that Israel is making a real effort to implement its controversial Boycott Law. In August, American Jewish journalist Peter Beinart was detained at Ben Gurion Airport when he tried to enter the country. As soon as he landed, he was separated from his wife and children and interrogated by the Shin Bet for an hour. He later said that he was asked whether he had any ties with groups that pose a threat to Israeli democracy and questioned about his participation in a demonstration in Hebron. Beinart, who appears frequently as a political commentator on CNN, has expressed support for the boycott of products manufactured in West Bank settlements. The Shin Bet has since apologized for his detention, claiming that it was an error in judgment. Then, the prime minister himself weighed in, saying that it was an administrative mistake. The most recent incident is still before the courts. It involves the arrest of Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old student from Philadelphia who arrived in Israel Oct. 3. She was denied entry into the country and has since been held in the detention facility at Ben Gurion Airport. The cause of her detention is the claim that she was active in the movement supporting an academic boycott of Israel. Alqasem arrived in Israel to study for a masters degree at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Although she has a visa granted to her by the Israeli Consulate in Miami, she was nevertheless marked as a troublemaker. She is now being held in detention until the district court rules on her appeal. The incident has caused an uproar. A delegation of Knesset members from the Meretz Party, including Chair Tamar Zandberg and Knesset member Mossi Raz, visited the airport detention facility Oct. 7 to meet with Alqasem. The visit did not go smoothly. They were forced to wait 4 hours and could only visit her after the Knessets legal counsel intervened. In a conversation with Al-Monitor, Raz called the situation truly absurd. After all, how can anyone claim that Alqasem supports an academic boycott of Israel, when she arrived in the country of her own free will to study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem? According to Raz, this is causing enormous damage to Israels public image overseas. The rights paranoia only feeds Israels enemies. By implementing the Boycott Law and abusing a student at the airport, Israel appears to the world as an undemocratic state with no regard for human rights. This poses a threat to the very foundations of the State of Israel. The Boycott Law may have been approved through a democratic process, but it nevertheless forces Israelis to engage in procedures that are undemocratic. These include the tracking of foreign citizens activities, unnecessary detentions and the expulsion of left-wing activists from Israel, he said. On Oct. 8, the Hebrew University took the unusual step of announcing that it was submitting an amicus brief in support of Alqasem. In their statement, university officials said that this kind of extreme measure, which would ban Alqasem from entering the country, could dissuade other researchers and students around the world from coming to Israel. The statement also noted that over the past few months, there have been several cases of researchers and students, who allegedly support a boycott of Israel, and whose entry to the country has been delayed. As more cases like this are made public, it seems that the Israeli authorities have little qualms when it comes to the detention and interrogation of people on the left. As such, the phenomenon of monitoring these activists can no longer be treated as an administrative mistake. It seems more like a full-fledged government policy and a reflection of the authoritarian disposition of the Israeli leadership. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Zuheir Abdul Rahim Daana comes from a long line of Palestinian artisans who make leather clothes and household goods. Now in his 60s, Daana learned the trade from his father, Abdul Rahim, at the age of nine, in the same shop that carries the family name on Old Jerusalems Al-Wad Street. When Daana was a child, his father used to tend the shop and his uncle Zakaria shipped the leather products mainly shoes, bags and belts to Jordan, Turkey and Syria. Daanas grandfather, Wajdi Mohammad Jomaa Daana, started producing and selling leather products in the second half of the 19th century. The Palestinian artisan and tradesman used to send the products to Syria, Lebanon and Turkey and often boasted that he designed the shoes of Ottoman sultans. Daana noted that the profession was more popular in the past, though it was much harder before the advent of machines for treating leather. In the past, the artisans would sew their products by hand and most, such as shoes or bags, would take two to three days to make. Then came small sewing machines, followed by huge machines in factories where leather goods could be produced quickly and in great numbers. The final blow came with the production of synthetic leather. But some still appreciate authentic leather goods, which is our Palestinian heritage, and we cannot leave it, said Daana. It is in our blood. Some tourists visit the Levant countries to buy belts and bags because they have heard about their historical reputation for leather work. They also like Jerusalem for its historical touch. I carve 'Jerusalem' in Arabic on some products I make. Tourists return to their countries proud of this little souvenir from Jerusalem a special handmade leather bag or a belt. Daana no longer sews his products by hand. He uses a power tool to cut the leather, a machine to thin it and a sewing machine to put the pieces together. But his love for the family tradition is as strong as ever. Daana taught his sons Ihab, 34, and Bahaa, 30, how to produce leather goods and asked them to teach their children the profession so that it does not disappear and maintain the familys reputation for authentic products and hard work. He himself works less these days: merely 11 hours a day. He has customers from the West Bank as well as Arab Israeli customers. Israelis were once my clients too. Now, the number of customers has significantly dropped, he said, complaining that synthetic leather goods are much cheaper. A leather jacket costs 500 shekels ($140). The bags are priced between 200 and 300 shekels ($55 to $82). Other leather products, such as shoes, run between 250 and 450 shekels ($70 and $125). The leather itself used to come from the Gaza Strip, but following the closure of the trade routes, it now comes from the slaughterhouses in the West Bank and Israel. The available leather is only from Israel and its expensive at 25 shekels ($7) a foot, lamented the artisan. The leather imported from Turkey or Cairo was half the price. He prefers cow skin over camel, goat and calf leather. Daana hopes to get subsidies from the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce to support his busines. The economic decline in Jerusalem does not help, and he is being pursued by the Israeli Civil Administration for unpaid taxes. He cannot travel abroad until he pays them off. Palestinian historian at the History and Politics Forum Azez Elmassri explained to Al-Monitor that the Palestinian leather industry has been famous for 2,000 years. An expert on traditional crafts, Elmassri believes that the profession dates to the time of the Canaanites in Palestine, but he says that there is very little documentation of when Palestinians started using leather goods. He pointed out that the south of Palestine was famous for raising livestock, and it was clear that both the meat and hides were used. The leather clothing industry was controlled by the tribes that inhabited the south of Palestine and became a trade in the cities of Hebron, Jerusalem and some areas of northern Palestine. The industry flourished during the Islamic rule of Palestine in 637 AD, continuing until mid-20th century. Today, however, Daana's sons may be the last generation to operate their shop. Daana told Al-Monitor, I still keep a bag that is 100 years old to preserve the memory and heritage of my ancestors. Many foreign visitors have offered hundreds of dollars for it, but I refused. My grandfather made it, and he wanted us to preserve the profession because it is linked to the history of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories. It is true sales are low, but I want to keep this up until the last day of my life. WASHINGTON As Nikki Haleys sudden announcement of her decision to resign as US ambassador to the United Nations set Washington buzzing about what her future political plans may be, Israeli leaders were swift in issuing heartfelt statements profusely thanking her for standing up for Israel in the world body, and saying they hope to work with her again. Thank you, Amb. Haley for standing for the truth and exposing hypocrisy at the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. Just as the people of Israel are grateful for the rock solid support @POTUS Trump has provided Israel in the Oval Office, we are grateful for the rock solid support youve provided Israel at the UN. I thank Ambassador Haley for her courage and for a term of office that will be remembered as a turning point in the relations between the US and international organizations, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin tweeted, adding that he would be happy to welcome her at the presidential residence on her next visit to Israel. But for the flood of farewell wishes from Israeli leaders, the Palestinians and Jordanians were silent about Haleys plans to depart. An Iranian diplomat said, in effect, good riddance. 'New Sheriff in town' is no longer, Alireza Miryousefi, the spokesman for the Iranian mission to the UN, wrote. We do not know who she was or what she was about, but she was a serious problem at the UN with her uninformed statements & her causing the isolation of U.S. You need to know: there is no new sheriff in town. Though Haleys resignation letter to President Donald Trump, obtained by the Washington Post, was dated Oct. 3 almost a full week ago Trump, appearing with Haley at the White House today, said it might be two or three weeks before he would name a nominee to succeed her. He would be consulting with Haley and the general presumably White House Chief of Staff John Kelly on possible candidates for the UN job, Trump said. Haley, speaking with Trump at the White House, insisted she has no plans to run for any political office in 2020 and that she would be campaigning for Trump. She said that after two years battling Iran, North Korea and anti-Israel bias as Trumps UN envoy, and six years before that serving as South Carolina governor, she thought it was time to let someone else do the job. I dont have anything set on where Im going to go, she said. I think that the main thing was its been eight years of intense time, and Im a believer in term limits. I think you have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job, Haley said. I'm so proud of you, Trump responded. Haley notably praised Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Trumps daughter and son-in-law, fueling speculation that one or both of them might be in the mix of possible successors. (Trump, speaking later this afternoon, said Ivanka would be wonderful" as his UN envoy, but he does not want to be accused of nepotism. He also said former White House aide Dina Powell, now at Goldman Sachs, is someone he would consider.) Nowhere in her remarks did Haley mention Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser (and former US ambassador to the UN) John Bolton, whose appointments about six months ago coincided with Haley discussing she would leave at the end of the year, according to Trump. "She told me probably six months ago, she said, 'Maybe at the end of the year, the end of the two-year period at the end of the year, I want to take a little time off,'" Trump told journalists at the White House today. I can't say enough good things about Jared and Ivanka, Haley said. Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands. I mean, to re-do the NAFTA deal the way he did. What I've done working with him on the Middle East peace plan it is so unbelievably well done. And Ivanka has been just a great friend, she said. And they do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about. Israel would like to see Trump appoint another fiercely pro-Israel, anti-Iran hawk like Haley. Shalom Lipner, a former official in the office of the Israeli prime minister, suggested that Rudy Giuliani, Trumps personal attorney and former mayor of New York City, would delight Israel. Israelis would be tickled pink, Lipner said. Former State Department official Ben Chang said he expected a top candidate to be Richard Grenell, Trumps ambassador to Germany and a former spokesman for Bolton at the UN. With Bolton in the West Wing, smart $ has to have Ric Grenell in the running to fill the UN Perm Rep job, not at least because Grenell served for 8 years as @USUN spox, including under Bolton, Chang said on Twitter. But Trump said tonight that hed prefer to keep Grenell in Germany. "Ric is doing so well, I wouldn't want to move him, he told reporters en route to Iowa. Former State Department Middle East peace process veteran Aaron David Miller told Al-Monitor that whoever succeeds Haley is unlikely to have the long leash and big platform that she held, especially in the first year, before Bolton and Pompeo came in. The reality is, she [Haley] functioned in a unique period where you had what I call the Tillerson vacuum on the one hand and had two national security advisers who frankly didnt have the clout to impose discipline on what she chose to speak about, Miller, now with the Wilson Center, told Al-Monitor, referring to former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Trumps first two national security advisers, Michael Flynn and H.R. McMaster. But on the Middle East, depending on what the issue is, the fact is, it is all in the hands of someone else now, Miller continued. The Arab-Israeli issue, Jared [Kushner] is working; China, North Korea, is being run out of the White House. Then you finally got Iran, which, again, is an issue on autopilot. I think what you are going to see is the role of the US ambassador to the UN reduced to where it has always been but by and large, playing within the structure and constraints of the system, Miller said. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan reached several agreements in Sochi Sept. 17 to stabilize the situation in Idlib, thus reducing the risk of a full-fledged assault on this opposition stronghold. But those agreements did not exclude the possibility of an assault in the near future. The Sochi memorandum outlined, in general, the actions each side should undertake to avoid escalation. During the consultations that followed the Russian-Turkish summit, representatives of both countries tried to propose amendments to the agreement and to enforce their own vision of specific points. However, at this stage, Moscow and Ankara have found common ground on several points of the Sochi agreements something that Putin has recently emphasized. On Oct. 3, during a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Putin claimed it was very likely that large-scale fighting in Syria could be avoided. Putin said the Russian side acts in solidarity with our Turkish partners, who fulfill their part of obligations. Nevertheless, the implementation of the memorandum on Idlib will stoke further controversies between Russia and Turkey, requiring extra effort and endurance to overcome them. Russia and Turkey both aim to carry out the agreements based on their own needs and therefore see the results differently. Turkey, for its part, is willing to gradually impose its protectorate over Idlib the same way it has with the areas of northern Aleppo covered by the Turkish security umbrella as a result of the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations. By supporting the opposition's control over particular areas, Turkey has the opportunity to lead the resolution process alongside Russia. If Bashar al-Assad's regime had reclaimed Idlib before reconciliation was complete, Turkey would have been left out of the resolution process and the militants under its patronage would have been silenced, losing any claim to representation in the transitional administration. According to prominent Syria researcher Hassan Hassan, since the expulsion of Kurdish militias from Afrin, Idlib has become even more beneficial for Turkey. This is due to its proximity to Kurdish towns in northwestern Syria, which provides another layer of security for Turkish-backed forces and helps create a contiguous sphere of influence for Ankara. Thus, it is crucial for Turkey to prevent the disintegration of the Idlib de-escalation zone and to fully maintain its control over it. Assads regime is gravely concerned by the prospect of the Idlib situation developing in Turkey's favor. The Syrian government strongly objects to the Turkish protectorate over the region, since it is preventing a forceful solution of this problem for the time being. Damascus has not come to terms with current circumstances. Its representatives claim that the rebels have to reconcile and disarm by December a requirement absent in the Sochi agreements. The regime views those agreements as a mere step toward forcing the opposition to disarm and later reconcile just as it was done previously in southern Syria. Assads regime will probably continue to urge Russia to pay more attention to aspirations of that kind and it will further seek to make the Sochi agreements more relevant to the government's objectives. Under these conditions, Russia has to act carefully to avoid alienating Damascus or starting another confrontation with Ankara. Currently, Moscow can give itself credit for insisting on a demilitarized zone extending 15-20 kilometers to cover the opposition-controlled territory exclusively. This means that only the rebel factions will have to withdraw their heavy weapons from this area, even though this clause of the agreement applies to all sides of the conflict. It seems Ankara agreed to this proposal in order to block any further amendments suggested by Russia, particularly the deployment of Russian military patrols in the demilitarized zone, which will consequently extend behind the Turkish observation posts. The possibility of administrative structures of the Syrian regime appearing in the demilitarized zone is considered even more unacceptable to Turkey. Ankara has therefore supported the National Liberation Front in its efforts to prevent Russian military patrols in the demilitarized zone or along the M4 and M5 highways. Ankara is convinced that Turkish troops can solve this problem on their own. Against this background Turkey has started to move auxiliary armed formations into Idlib, as covered by the Sochi memorandum. Two more events will test the durability of the Russian-Turkish deal: the withdrawal of the rebels' heavy weapons and the removal of terrorist factions from the demilitarized zone, by Oct. 10 and 15 respectively. The heavy weapons issue should not cause any difficulties. The rebel leaders have already stated they do not consider this a matter of principle, as they store their weaponry far from the front line. However, there are still loopholes that could allow for the sabotage of the reconciliation plan. The Jaish al-Izza faction the only moderate opposition group that did not join the National Liberation Front refuses to withdraw its weapons unless certain sections of the Sochi agreements are amended. Opposition forces claim that Jaish al-Izza controls only a small area situated entirely in the demilitarized zone and that since it does not have any space to move its weapons it wants additional guarantees. The Turkish side has tried to persuade the faction to accept the conditions of the deal, as it is clear that if even a single faction objects to the memorandum, all agreements may fail, leading to a military assault. Currently, the main challenge is to oust the terrorist groups, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), from the demilitarized zone. HTS is still divided on the Sochi deal. However, there is some evidence that Turkey will eventually press it into compliance. For instance, on Oct. 3, Syrian pro-government al-Watan newspaper published an article mentioning HTS' willingness to accept the conditions of the memorandum and disband. Yet the possibility that radicals could join other rebel factions after giving up on jihadi ideology has not been ruled out. Some experts opined that such articles in the media are attempts by the Assad regime to sabotage the deal between Turkey and the radicals and to provoke harsh reactions from Russia, considering that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already said that terrorists should be eliminated or executed with no other alternative. If HTS eventually dissolves itself, Russia will have to accept a solution of this kind. For now it appears that the future course of the Sochi memorandum will depend on Turkeys ability to solve the HTS problem. The mystery cloaking the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey continues to grip the world, with world leaders now calling for an immediate explanation of his whereabouts amid growing fears that he may have been murdered. Federica Mogherini, the European Unions foreign policy chief, told reporters in Lisbon that the EU wants a full-out investigation and full transparency from Saudi authorities on what happened. The United Nations has weighed in with similar appeals and has called for an independent international investigation of the affair. President Donald Trump broke his silence yesterday, some five days after the 59-year-old entered the Saudi Arabian consulate building in Istanbul to secure documents needed to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, a rare Turkish expert on Oman, never to be heard from again. Trump said, I dont like hearing about it but theres some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," Trump said. He was referring to allegations that Khashoggi was murdered on the consulate premises by a team of Saudi hit men who arrived in two separate planes that were recorded as landing in Istanbuls Ataturk airport the day he vanished. Turkish officials have hinted that Khashoggi may have been dismembered and then spirited out of the building in a black van. The Turkish authorities are due to launch an extensive forensic search of the building, which a well-informed source told Al-Monitor on condition of strict anonymity will be treated like a crime scene with sniffer dogs, the whole lot. Saudi Arabia has described the claims leaked by Turkish officials that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate as baseless. The plight of Khashoggi, a permanent resident of the United States and a well-known figure in Washington policy circles for his growing criticism of Saudi Arabias powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, ought to elicit stronger words from the administration. But then, one could say the same of Turkeys opposition parties, who until today hardly uttered a peep. None of the leaders of the opposition parties represented in the parliament made a single reference to Khashoggi on Twitter. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), finally brought up the case in an address to his own lawmakers in the parliament today, accusing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of laxity. Kilicdaroglu said it was disgraceful that a foreign journalist should be targeted on Turkish soil and that all Saudi diplomatic staff in Turkey should be expelled. Even Trump is talking about this, he said never mind that the US president had done so before Kilicdaroglu had even pronounced Khashoggis name. Nor did the co-chairs of the largest pro-Kurdish bloc, the People's Democratic Party (HDP), the pro-Islamic Saadet or Felicity party or the conservative Iyi or Good party. Khashoggis disappearance ought to present the opposition with a golden opportunity to attack the Turkish government over its own harsh treatment of journalists over 100 of them are rotting in jail for political reasons. (Today, journalist Abdurrahman Gok was detained on charges of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party together with seven other media workers.) Turkey also has a record of targeting dissidents abroad. Turkeys national intelligence outfit, MIT, has snatched Turkish citizens affiliated with Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Sunni cleric who allegedly masterminded the botched 2016 coup to bloodily overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, from Africa and Europe. Rogue elements in the Turkish state were allegedly plotting to assassinate dissident Turkish journalist Can Dundar in Germany late last year, according to HDP lawmaker Garo Paylan. The oppositions indifference to Khashoggi is yet another sign of just how parochial, weak and divided they are said Levent Gultekin, a prominent AKP critic and columnist for the independent online news publication Diken. They are bogged down in their own internal squabbles. The Twitter account of far-right nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli is wallpapered with assorted pot shots at Iyi head Meral Aksener, the CHP and the HDP. Then again, as Gultekin observed, many Turks may well be oblivious to Khashoggis fate as well. With tens of thousands of people in jail and poverty and unemployment on the rise, Khashoggis ordeal is pretty low in the list of grievances, he told Al-Monitor. For better or worse, Erdogan is turning up the volume of protest against the Saudi authorities, saying, They cannot extract themselves by just saying he left [the building]. But as David Kaye, the UNs special rapporteur on freedom of expression, noted today, Khashoggis disappearance puts basically the Turks in a position of having to maintain a diplomatic relationship and to deal with a real important, high-profile investigation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a leader known for his frequent flip-flops on foreign policy matters. Yet since the White House issued an executive order to reimpose certain sanctions on Iran, Erdogan has been persistent in his decision not to fall in line. At the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced one more time that Turkey would not support US sanctions on Iran. The proposed US sanctions have two rounds. The second round, which will force the SWIFT financial messaging system to disconnect Iranian banks from the world, is to go into effect early November. The second round is also targeting Iran's energy and financial sectors, casting a wide net over the Iranian Central Bank and state banks, oil exports, ports and the shipbuilding industry. It returns Iranian entities and businessmen to the US governments blacklist meaning any third-country bank, individual or company that deals with them would risk hefty fines and significant sanctions that could cut them off from US dollar-dominated global markets. The Turkish case here presents an interesting outlook. First, as Al-Monitor columnist Fehim Tastekin highlighted, neither the Turkish-Iranian trade volume nor investments benefited from the lifting of sanctions in 2015. To the contrary, Turkish energy-related imports peaked between 2011-2012, along with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold exports (sustained through Obama era waivers) in the same years. Turkish-Iranian energy-related trade volume was higher under sanctions. Second, Turkish banks and Iranian-Turkish businessmen Reza Zarrab have carried out one of the biggest sanctions evasion schemes in recent US history. These two factors coupled with Erdogans recalcitrant statements against US sanctions generate rhetoric that could easily lead to the further economic isolation of Turkey. Erdogan has referred to Iran as a strategic ally just like the United States and neighbor and asked the question who will heat our homes in the winter? Indeed, Iran's share in Turkey's natural gas imports is 17% and Russia's share is 52%. Of equal importance, about 40 to 50% of electricity produced in Turkey is also through natural gas. Iran's share in Turkey's oil imports is also significant with 27%. On the 2017 Iranian export list, Turkey ranks as the fifth-largest trading partner. Regardless of Erdogans views on the sanctions, the proposed sanctions on Iranian oil and the worsening Venezuelan oil supply deficit is expected to lead to a sharp increase in global oil prices all to the detriment of the precarious, energy-dependent Turkish economy. Aykan Erdemir, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington (the foundation gave an award to an FBI special agent who was investigating the Zarrab scheme), told Al-Monitor, If Erdogan takes a U-turn from his pledge to defy Iran sanctions and negotiates a waiver with Washington, Tehran would be forced to use its oil revenues from Turkey to import goods allowed under humanitarian trade exemptions. This will be a win-win solution for Turkish and Iranian people, boosting Turkish food and medicine exports while also providing the Iranian market with affordable consumer goods. If Ankara and Tehran again collude to evade US sanctions via illicit methods, this will again enrich corrupt Turkish and Iranian politicians who take a hefty cut from illicit trade at the expense of their citizens, Erdemir concluded. Tugce Varol, a scientific adviser for the 21st Century Turkey Institute, argues that sanctions to be imposed in November will have a much deeper impact on the Turkish economy and energy sector now than those imposed almost a decade ago. In terms of Turkey's geographical location, the country is capable of importing crude oil through tankers from various resource countries, as happened for a long time from Iran. However, Turkey has been importing almost 9 billion cubic meters of gas annually via direct pipeline from Iran. During the previous sanctions, the US administration approved Turkey's request to continue importing natural gas from Iran because the country's economy would have been hit harshly regarding the unavailability of replacing Iranian gas with any other resource. As happened before, TUPRAS a private establishment that owns four of Turkey's refineries has already reduced importing Iranian oil by replacing it with Russian and Saudi oil, Varol told Al-Monitor. However, Varol also stressed that developments may unfold in favor of Turkey in certain aspects. Regarding the natural gas trade between Turkey and Iran, this time Turkey cannot receive an exceptional status more than one year because both Turkish Stream and TANAP natural gas pipelines are projected to be completed at the end of 2019, which would easily replace Iranian gas. Moreover, there might be another development in favor of Turkey about transportation of Iraqi oil, Varol said. Turkey has been carrying Iraqi oil combined with the Kurdish oil for years via the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline, but the trio of Iraq-Iran-Erbil agreed on carrying Kirkuk oil to world markets through Iranian pipelines a while ago and started the trade already. Last week, Iraqi SOMO (the State Organization for Marketing Oil) announced that it temporarily cut Kirkuk oil exports to Iran because of a problem with customs regulations. I believe that as a result of the sanctions against Iran, Iraq will have to cut its oil and gas relations with Iran and it will force Baghdad to reconsider increasing sending its oil via Turkey. Seasoned journalist Musa Ozugurlu agrees with Varol that sanctions this time around will hit Turkey harder. Ozugurlu emphasized that a decade ago Turkey had alternatives to Iran; today, however, both countries have become targets of US sanctions. One factor that will affect the decision can be found in Varols explanation on forming an anti-US bloc with other countries. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom stated that they will continue doing legitimate business with Iran and maintain effective financial channels with Iran as well as the continuation of oil and gas trade. Afterward, China and Russia agreed with the biggest three countries of the EU to engage in a special payments system that aims to facilitate trade with Iran and erode US sanctions, she said. How this proposed system will work has not yet been determined. Even if these countries are able to generate a new financial institution to protect companies dealing with Iran, its scope will be rather limited. Alternative currencies proposed to replace the dollar payment system in the energy sector are not seen as credible. US sanctions target not just the direct buyers of Iranian oil or natural gas and import financiers, but also any companies that deal with them will also be affected by the secondary sanctions. This could be crippling for the struggling Turkish economy. Whether Turkey will again try to evade sanctions and if that is possible under the careful watch of the agencies will also depend on Turkish bankers know-how. A senior banker who spoke on the condition of strict anonymity said, In order to design an evasion scheme even more elaborate than the Zarrab case, specific international banking expertise is essential. The Hakan Atilla case sent chills down the spines of all reputable bankers in Turkey. Now with the new sanctions, if Turkey contradicts fundamental American policies it will be impossible for bankers to travel to the United States in any capacity. I believe this time around that even if there is another Zarrab it would be rather difficult to convince any sober bankers to put their names down on a shady document. Despite the harsh rhetoric, Turkey has to fold and comply with sanctions after November. Whether Turkey complies or not, the sanctions will cost Turkey simply because it has failed to foresee and prepare for its potential consequences. Turkish economists and security bureaucrats have a tall order to explain clearly to Erdogan the scope of fines and penalties if Turkey attempts to evade sanctions and is caught again. The disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last week to obtain documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiance, is a new headache for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The affair which involved gruesome allegations of murder by Saudi agents has the potential to cause a serious rift between Turkey and the principal Gulf state at a delicate moment for Ankara with regards to developments in the Middle East. The Turkish-Saudi relationship is one of superficial cordiality, but it's otherwise known to be loveless at the best of times because of differences over a host of issues related to developments in the region. The Saudi regime does not command much respect among Erdogans Islamist support base either, especially since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman effectively took control of power and started underlining the importance of moderate Islam. The term moderate Islam is seen by Turkish Islamists as a Western invention designed to control governments in predominantly Islamic countries. The Saudi regime is also widely accused in Turkey of playing a duplicitous role in the Middle East that serves US and Israeli interests more than those of the Islamic world. Turkeys support for the Muslim Brotherhood and its offshoots like Hamas which are considered by Saudi Arabia as radical organizations that pose an existential threat is a principal issue that Ankara and Riyadh are at odds over. The backing that Riyadh gave to the Egyptian military in 2013 when it toppled the countrys elected President Mohammed Morsi and his Islamic Brotherhood-led government still rankles Ankara. Turkeys support for Qatar, in defiance of Saudi-led efforts to isolate and punish the Gulf state for its support of the Muslim Brotherhood and its good ties with Iran, is another contentious issue between Ankara and Riyadh. Despite these clouds over the relationship, diplomatic pragmatism has forced the sides to maintain a veneer of friendly ties. This, however, may be hard to preserve now as facts pertaining to Khashoggis disappearance begin to emerge. The fact that Khashoggi had good personal relationships with prominent names from Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) and strong links to the pro-government media in Turkey will also pressurize Erdogan into acting firmly against Riyadh. In his initial statement on the affair over the weekend, Erdogan also characterized Khashoggi as a friend of long standing. He will, therefore, want to avoid any impression that he is prepared to whitewash an affair involving the disappearance of a respected international journalist who also happens to be close to prominent names within his own party. Yasin Aktay, a columnist for the Islamist daily Yeni Safak and personal adviser to Erdogan Aktay blew the whistle on Khashoggis disappearance is one such name. Aktay was contacted by Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggis Turkish fiance, as she was told to do by Khashoggi if he should not reemerge from the consulate after entering it on Oct 2. Meanwhile, well-known names from the Middle East such as Tawakkol Abdel-Salam Karman, the Yemeni journalist, politician and human rights activist who was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, are among those keeping vigil outside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and calling for Riyadh to be held accountable. Hakan Albayrak writes for the newspaper Karar, whose audience is the more liberal wing of AKP supporters. He argues that Turkey cant afford to take this affair lightly. If the strongest reaction is not shown in response to what was done to Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, then Saudi Arabia and other states will be encouraged to carry out these operations in Turkey, Albayrak wrote. Yahya Bostan, from the pro-government Daily Sabah, also reflected the groundswell of anger against Saudi Arabia. If Saudi Arabia had a journalist and dissident murdered at a diplomatic mission in a foreign country, it deserves to be designated a rogue state more than any other nation in the world, Bostan wrote. If Jamal Khashoggi has indeed been killed at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, there will be legal, political and diplomatic consequences, he added. Aktay is also among those demanding strong action against Riyadh. When we ask [consulate officials], they say [Khashoggi] left [the consulate] even though we have established that he did not, Aktay told the daily Hurriyet in an interview. This suggests they do not take Turkey seriously. This is a matter of honor for Turkey now. Being overly sensitive about our ties with Saudi Arabia is a luxury at this stage he added. Erdogan told reporters on Oct. 8, during a press conference in Budapest with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, that it was Turkeys political and humane duty to follow this affair closely with all the means available to it. Consulate officials cannot exonerate themselves by simply saying [Khashoggi] left the premises. If he did, then they have to prove this with visual material, Erdogan said. According to various press accounts based on information from unnamed Turkish officials, the operation against Khashoggi was carried out by Saudi agents numbering somewhere between 12 and 15, who arrived hastily in Istanbul on two private jets just prior to Khashoggis fateful appointment at the consulate and left equally as hastily shortly after it. This group is suspected of having carried out the operation against Khashoggi. Turan Kislakci, who heads the Turkish-Arab Media Association, provided a chilling account for reporters on what happened to Khashoggi, which he said was based on information provided by security officials. After he entered the consulate, he was anesthetized and [then] his body was cut into 15 pieces and distributed among 15 people, Kislakci told reporters. This claim has not been officially corroborated yet. The Saudi consulate denies these allegations and has maintained over its Twitter account that Khashoggi left the consulate after completing his business there. In an interview with Bloomberg on Oct. 5, Prince Mohammed also denied the allegations against his country and said they would allow the Turkish government to search the consulate. We have nothing to hide, he said. Ankara has applied to do so, but many commentators believe the permission by the Saudi side is farcical since there has been plenty of time to rid the premises of evidence. It is not clear either if the Saudi permission will cover a detailed search by police experts for forensic evidence. Ankara is clearly angry that the Saudi regime selected Turkey to carry out an operation such as this, fully aware that this was bound to leave Turkey in a difficult position domestically and internationally. Many also question how Saudi officials believed they would get away with this operation without being noticed. They indicate that this either reflects a lack of intelligence or a lack of respect for Turkey. Nagehan Alci, a pro-government columnist for HaberTurk, wrote that Prince Mohammed is known for brutally arresting and destroying his opponents. She speculated in her column as to why Salman had opted to kill Khashoggi in this way, even though it was clear that this would anger not just Turkey but also the United States. This was done to spread fear among his enemies by showing them that he will annihilate his opponents regardless of whether they live in the United States or write for the Western media, Alci argued, referring to the fact that Khashoggi was living in self-exile in America and wrote a column for The Washington Post. Saudi Arabia means oil for the world. With the self-confidence that this gives, and relying on the attraction of the dividends that Aramco shares will secure, [Prince Mohammed] must have thought that Khashoggis death would not give him much of a headache, Alci reasoned. If that is the case, it may turn out to be a gross mistake on the part of Prince Mohammed because Ankara has been left in a situation that it cant afford to take lightly. Diplomatic observers expect Turkey to recall its ambassador in Riyadh and expel the Saudi Consul General in Istanbul in the coming days, depending on how this affair pans out. The potential for this to turn into a full-blown crisis between the two countries also remains on the cards. Meanwhile, Khashoggi's Turkish friends seem determined to see that this matter is not swept under the carpet for the sake of diplomatic expediency. The 37-member Sandusky Church of Christ was thrust into a dispute in 2012 that resulted in a series of lawsuits pitting the longtime minister against an associate minister accused of conspiracy to remove money from church bank accounts. The church and James Willcutt, minister of the Sandusky Church of Christ since 1994, were plaintiffs in a 2015 lawsuit against defendant Phillip Brown, who joined the church in 2008 and was associate minister of the church in 2012. Phillip Brown is the Republican candidate for Jefferson County Circuit Clerk. Brown is also the Republican candidate for Jefferson County Circuit Clerk in the upcoming election. A Jefferson County Circuit Court jury ruled on Oct. 3 that Brown was guilty of conspiracy to remove church money and acting wrongly as a trustee of the church. Brown was also found guilty of libel against Willcutt. Damages against Brown were assessed at a total of $231,000, according to Circuit Court records. "It was alarming to us what he did," Willcutt said. "No criminal charges were brought. We were told it was a civil matter." Brown said the ruling won't affect his run for office. "I plan to run and see what the voters do on Nov. 6," Brown said. "We'll let them decide." Brian Ritchey, attorney for Sandusky Church of Christ, said the case raises red flags about Brown. "It does not bode well for him as far as being someone who is trustworthy," Ritchey said. "He was able to poison the minds of a select few elderly people. It caused such a friction in the church, it destroyed the church. For me, he was trying to shortcut his way into taking over the church." Brown is chairman of the Alabama Minority GOP's Birmingham chapter and was elected in 2012 as the State Chairman of the ALMGOP and is now serving his third two-year term of office. Brown has been active in the Republican Party since 2011, according to his political web site. As state chairman for the Alabama Minority Republican Party, he serves on the steering and executive committees of the Alabama Republican Party and the steering and executive committees of the Jefferson County Republican Party. In December 2012, he was appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley to serve as a commissioner for the Alabama Crime Victim's Compensation Commission and was reappointed by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2017. He was recently appointed by Ivey in September 2017 to the Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers. Brown currently serves an associate minister for the Bessemer 24th Street Church of Christ. Damages in the court judgment were also assessed against co-defendant Harold Rhodes in the amount of $1,000. The Sandusky church had average monthly collections of $4,750, according to the complaint, and in 2012 the estate of a former member bequeathed $47,043.66 to the church. Brown, Rhodes and three others met in October 2012 and discussed alleged wrongdoing by Willcutt and ways to take over the church bank accounts, remove the board of trustees and fire Willcutt. Willcutt and the trustees took action to terminate Brown as associate minister and dean of the Sandusky School of Biblical Studies. Brown refused to accept the termination and held services outside the church, resulting in Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies being called to the scene on Dec. 2, 2012. Two weeks later, Brown and others met and elected each other as new trustees, with Brown as chairman of trustees. After a trial and Jefferson County court ruling in September 2013, the 2012 trustees were reinstated. The Sandusky Church of Christ building, which includes an older and a newer sanctuary with more than 16,400 square feet on a 3.94-acre campus, is up for sale, listed at $485,000. The church still has services in the building, said Durham Ellis, an agent for LAH Commercial Real Estate, which is handling the listing. "The membership has dwindled," Ellis said. If the church is sold, the money will fund benevolent works of the Church of Christ, Willcutt said. "The church is still meeting," he said. "We still use the building. We just don't need that much space. The funds, if we ever get any, will go to works of the church." Kanye West is coming to the White House. The rap star is scheduled to meet Thursday morning with President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and then have lunch with Trump, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed Tuesday. The visit is the latest development in a budding relationship between Trump and West, who met at Trump Tower in New York during the 2016 presidential transition and have exchanged flattering tweets over the past year. West also made headlines last month for a pro-Trump speech at the end of his appearance on "Saturday Night Live," which didn't make the air. West donned a red "Make America Great Again" hat for much of his time as the musical guest on the Sept. 29 season premiere. The meeting with Kushner is expected to focus on criminal justice issues, which fall under his purview as a senior adviser to the president. In a statement, Sanders said topics of discussion with Trump "will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago." Trump told reporters early Tuesday evening that West would also be bringing Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown to the White House on Thursday. "He's been a terrific guy," Trump said of West. "He loves what we're doing for African American jobs, for so many different things. Median income, as you see, is at an all-time high; poverty level at the best rate, meaning the lowest rate. And Kanye is a smart guy, and he sees that." In a speech to a gathering of law enforcement officers Monday, Trump urged that police in Chicago implement the policy of "stop and frisk" to curb the gun violence that is plaguing the nation's third-largest city. West - who recently declared that he should now be called "Ye" - will not be the first member of his family to the White House. In July, Trump commuted the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, a Tennessee woman serving a life term for nonviolent drug offenses, after he and Kushner met with West's wife, reality star and socialite Kim Kardashian West, to discuss the case. Trump has on several occasions cited his friendly relationship with West in appeals to black Americans, who sided overwhelmingly in the 2016 election with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Earlier this year, West took to Twitter to defend his views about Trump - which have prompted a backlash from some of his fans. In multiple tweets, he called Trump "my brother" and said the two share "dragon energy." During his "Saturday Night Live" appearance, West sought to tamp down criticism about his relationship with the president. "There's so many times I talk to, like, a white person about this and they say, 'How could you like Trump? He's racist.' Well, uh, if I was concerned about racism, I would've moved out of America a long time ago," West said. He has previously said he would have voted for Trump - if he had voted. A search and rescue team from Tennessee has been deployed to Alabama ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Michael. The Memphis Fire Department says the Federal Emergency Management Agency has asked Tennessee Task Force Type 3 to report to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. The department says a team of 80 firefighters, doctors, engineers and dog handlers departed Tuesday. The task force will be responsible for wide-area and swift water search and rescue efforts. At least 120,000 people along the Florida Panhandle were ordered to clear out on Tuesday as Hurricane Michael rapidly picked up steam in the Gulf of Mexico and closed in with winds of 120 mph and a potential storm surge of 13 feet. The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama has announced 12 companies as semifinalists for the Alabama Launchpad Startup Competition. The startup competition, begun in 2006, features companies competing for money on two tracks: Concept stage, for entrepreneurs launching businesses, and seed stage, for companies looking to accelerate growth. The 12 companies were chosen by a judging panel of investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate stakeholders. The semifinalists for the concept stage are: AerBetic (Birmingham), developer of a non-invasive, wearable alert sensor for managing diabetes. Human Detection Solution (Valley), which aims to introduce a heat detection protection sensor for the manufacturing industry. Jeri (Alexander City), a care planning software for family caregivers. LEVELD (Mobile), an app-based marketplace providing individuals access to tools and equipment rentals via peer to peer transactions. Satterfield Technologies (Birmingham), a medical device company offering 3D manufactured low-cost, custom-fit, user-designed knee braces. SPENDiD (Birmingham), a budgeting app that provides a simplified overview of monthly expenses. The seed stage semifinalists are: Babypalooza (Birmingham), a community for new and expectant parents, connecting them to information, resources, and products. CigarClub (Mobile), a tailored monthly subscription service of premium cigars. Domestique (Birmingham), a coffee roasting and beverage company providing high quality, ready-to-drink products. Fledging (Birmingham), a computer storage solution provider that manufactures solid state drives (SSD) for Apple computers. Morph Local (Huntsville), which provides community concierge services to help individuals connect with their new city. TriAltus Bioscience (Birmingham), offering services for life scientists who work with genetically engineered proteins. Judges will choose six finalists on Oct. 22, three in each of the two tracks, to advance to the finale competition, set for Nov. 14 in Fort Payne. At the finale, judges will select a concept startup winner to win a $50,000 cash prize and a seed winner to receive a $100,000 cash prize. Alabama Launchpad over the last 12 years has invested more than $4.2 million in companies that have created upwards of 500 jobs and raised more than $70 million in follow-on capital and revenue. An investigation is underway after a shooting at a northeast Jefferson County apartment complex. Jefferson County sheriff's deputies were dispatched just before 1 p.m. to the 1100 block of Villa Rica Court where it was reported that two groups of men were arguing in the parking lot, said Chief Deputy Randy Christian. A shot was fired and an adult male who was involved in the incident was struck. The two groups - including the victim - fled the scene in separate cars. The injured person, Christian said, was located by Birmingham police in a traffic stop on Red Lane Road. He was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Christian said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. One person was killed early Tuesday in a crash in Shelby County. The crash happened at 6:35 a.m. on Chelsea Road near County Road 69, said Alabama State Trooper Cpl. Roman Hill. Authorities said the three-vehicle wreck happened when one vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle. One of the drivers was pronounced dead on the scene. It wasn't immediately clear if there were any other injuries. The name of the fatality victim is not being released pending notification of family. The investigation is ongoing. Michael continued to intensify and was a strong Category 3 hurricane on Tuesday evening as it moved steadily toward the northern Gulf Coast. Michael's winds climbed again to 125 mph on Tuesday night according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters said Michael continued to get better organized and could intensify further, according to forecasters. And there's not much to impede it from getting stronger, according to forecasters. "Michael is now explicitly forecast to become a category 4 hurricane before landfall occurs," the hurricane center said late Tuesday. [Other updates and radar imagery at al.com/hurricane] "Everyone in the hurricane warning area along the Florida Gulf Coast should prepare for life-threatening major hurricane winds associated with the core of Michael," the hurricane center said Tuesday. "Hurricane force winds will also extend well inland across portions of the Florida Panhandle, southern Georgia, and southeast Alabama as Michael moves inland." The hurricane center's forecast track has stayed fairly consistent and suggests landfall could happen around midday Wednesday anywhere between Fort Walton Beach and Florida's Big Bend area. Hurricane and storm surge watches and warnings continued along the Gulf Coast from Mississippi to the Florida peninsula on Tuesday night. As of the last advisory, at 10 p.m. CDT Tuesday, Hurricane Michael was located about 220 miles south-southwest of Panama City, Fla., and was moving north at 12 mph. Forecasters continue to be especially concerned about the potential for deadly storm surge in vulnerable areas in Florida. If the surge hits along with high tide it could reach 13 feet in some areas, the hurricane center said. Michael is forecast to track to the north and north-northwest today and then turn to the northeast starting on Wednesday. When that turn to the northeast occurs will be critical for those along the Gulf Coast. The weather is expected to begin going downhill along the coast overnight, the hurricane center said. Landfall could come by midday Wednesday. Here's a look at warnings and watches in place as of Tuesday night. Note that the hurricane watch for the Alabama coast has been canceled: A storm surge warning is in effect from the Okaloosa/Walton county line to the Anclote River in Florida. A storm surge watch is in effect from the Anclote River to Anna Maria Island in Florida, including Tampa Bay, and also from the Alabama/Florida border to the Okaloosa/Walton county line in Florida. A hurricane warning is in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the Suwannee River in Florida. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the Mississippi/Alabama border, from the Suwanee River to Chassahowitzka in Florida and from Fernandina Beach to the South Santee River in South Carolina. A tropical storm watch is in effect from Chassahowitzka to Anna Maria Island in Florida, including Tampa Bay, from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the mouth of the Pearl River and from the South Santee River in South Carolina to Duck, N.C., including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. The hurricane center said the worst storm surge is expected between Mexico Beach and Keaton Beach, where 9 to 13 feet of inundation is possible. Areas from Cedar Key to Crystal River could get 6-8 feet of surge, and areas on the Panhandle from the Okaloosa/Walton county line to Mexico Beach could also get 6-9 feet. Other areas, including Tampa Bay, could see 2 to 4 feet of surge, forecasters said. Michael is also forecast to bring 4-8 inches of rain to parts of Florida, southeast Alabama and Georgia. Isolated areas could get up to a foot of rain. The threat of tornadoes will also increase starting late tonight for the Florida Panhandle, north Florida and south Georgia as rain bands from Michael rotate onshore. Whitney Harris, the Mobile woman that , has branded her family liars after they claimed she'd been brainwashed and sex trafficked by a 20-year-old Indian man. In an extensive email to AL.com Monday, Harris, 21, said that her family had emotionally and mentally abused her throughout her life and later told lies to have the Indian family she was visiting locked up. "I left to India to meet my friend and to get away from my abusive mother and grandmother who have mentally and emotionally abused me all my life, I didn't want them to save me," said Harris, who also said that family spokesman Jimmy Stewart had told lies on social media and to news outlets. Efforts by AL.com to reach Harris's family for response on Monday were not immediately successful. Harris left home in the middle of the night Sept. 15 to fly to India meet Pulkit Monga, a man she'd met online two years earlier. In the lead up to leaving home, Whitney handed in her six weeks notice at the Planet Fitness where she'd worked since she was 20. Her mother, Destiny Harris, only discovered Whitney was gone when she saw that her car was in the driveway, but she wasn't at home. Whitney's former colleagues told Destiny that she'd gone to visit a friend in India. After discovering a letter from Whitney outlining why she left for India, the Harris family filed a missing person report with law enforcement in Mobile. They contacted homeland security and the FBI, claiming that their daughter had been tricked into going to India. Several human-trafficking agencies were also contacted. Travelling west from Mobile, Whitney traveled through Dallas, Hong Kong then on to New Delhi where she met up with Monga, 20, and his sister, who is an actress. The trio flew from New Delhi to Amritsar in northern India. The entire trip was funded by Monga's family. "Jimmy said that he [Pulkit] is poor and his family is poor which is a lie, they are middle-upper class in India and his father earns good money," said Whitney. "How would he [Jimmy] know anything different?" In a text message Monday, Stewart said that he was no longer the spokesperson for the family and that "the truth will come out." He also added that there were private family and legal details that could not be explained at this point. On arrival in Amritsar mid-September, Whitney was intercepted by a local Christian minister her family had asked to collect her. Despite her protests, she agreed to stay with the minister, provided Monga could visit her every day. Nearly 10 days later, Whitney's mother Destiny, father Brett, and another family member arrived in north India to take her home. Once in India, the Harris family met with the Monga family and travelled with them to restaurants and a famous temple in the region, according to Facebook pictures posted by her parents. "They were being nice to the Monga family's face but slandering their name behind their back the whole time," said Whitney. Whitney told her parents she was not ready to go home yet. To alleviate their concerns, she decided to book a return ticket back to Mobile. But before she finished booking the ticket, her mother allegedly sent a letter to the local Indian police claiming that Pulkit was a rapist, had drugged their daughter and was a sex trafficker, according to Whitney's email. "After my mom sent in the letter to Indian authorities, Pulkit (and) his parents and I were sent to the police station," said Whitney. "I sat in a different room while Pulkit and his parents were being interrogated. My mom got help from the church people in India to send me to the airport, she told the Indian government lies about Pulkit and his family so that the police would force me out of his house." In a week-old Facebook post, Monga wrote that he was "sad" because "she has gone and they didn't let us meet for the last time. They separated my love from me." A message from AL.com sent to Pulkit Monga on Monday did not receive an immediate response. "I am so worried she is suffering and being hurt again [by] her parents trying to control her life!" he added in the Facebook post. Upon arriving back in Mobile Oct. 2, Whitney was met at the airport by her friend and told a police officer in the terminal that she did not want to travel home with her parents. She said she has not had contact with them since and has remained at her friend's home. "My parents, Jimmy and my grandmother Patti Brubaker are now saying that the friend I am staying with is not letting me talk to them or see them, this is another lie," said Whitney in her email. "They do not see that I am 21-years-old and make my own decisions, like the one to go to India, that they have emotionally and mentally abused me all my life and I cannot live like that anymore." Whitney said during a brief phone conversation with AL.com that she was currently looking for a new job and would likely move to live with a family member in a different state. "Eventually when Pulkit finishes college I'd like to bring him here to the United States," said Whitney. Confederate monuments, Ten Commandment displays, gambling, lottery, ethics and the economy are all issues that can make for easy-to-digest campaign advertising. But when it comes to issues sure to dominate the Legislature's time and focus in 2019, civil asset forfeiture reform is almost certain to rise above most, if not all, of them. The problem is, it's not an easy issue to explain quickly. "It's too complex for Twitter or a 30-second TV ad," said state Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Pike Road, who is not running for re-election this year. "If you bring it up, you're likely to be misunderstood." The issue doesn't rank high as a top concern for voters, either. According to an unscientific AL.com poll, only 1.83 percent of approximately 9,500 participants named civil asset forfeiture as a top campaign issue. That place it 16th out of 18 choices of campaign issues this election season. Advocates for and opponents against reform believe those running for election to the Legislature need to become familiar with the details revolving around a matter that critics label as, "policing for profit." In Alabama, the issue focuses on the question: Should law enforcement continue to seize personal property during an arrest even when a criminal conviction does not occur? "Certainly, it should be the discussion for anyone running for the House and Senate, the Governor and Attorney General," said Randall Marshall, executive director with the ACLU of Alabama. Useful or abused Under Alabama law, the only way for a person whose money, car or other property was seized through civil asset forfeiture is by suing in civil court. The burden of proof is then placed on the property owner, who must show that those assets were not gained through criminal activity. Organizations ranging from left-leaning Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice and right-leaning Heritage Foundation have detailed reports showing repeated incidences where assets are taken from people who have done nothing wrong. In half of all forfeiture cases in Alabama, the amount of cash seized was $1,372 or less, according to an Appleseed Center and Southern Poverty Law Center analysis. Such small amounts, the groups contend, is evidence that law enforcement has strayed from the original intent of civil asset forfeiture from the 1980s. "Originally sold to the public as a tool for taking the ill-gotten gains of drug kingpins, civil asset forfeiture has instead become a revenue-generating scheme for law enforcement that is widely used against people who were never charged with a crime," said Frank Knaack, executive director with Alabama Appleseed. Law enforcement organizations say the arguments against Alabama's civil asset forfeiture system are based on misleading analysis, and that seizing property during arrests remains a powerful crime-fighting tool. In a Feb. 12 AL.com Opinion piece, written by the presidents of the Alabama District Attorneys and Sheriffs associations, law enforcement officials argued that major changes to Alabama's civil asset forfeiture laws would make it easier for drug dealers and other criminals to hang onto their "ill-gotten gains." "Every asset forfeiture case in Alabama is filed in open court and is public record," said Barry Matson, executive director with the Alabama District Attorneys Association and Office of Prosecution Services. "If there is an example of law enforcement seized without due process, that's not asset forfeiture. That's just taking stuff and it's not right. But asset forfeiture falls under a specific statute." Transparency focus Earlier this year, lawmakers considered legislation that would have made Alabama one of the few states in the nation to completely abolish the practice of police seizing assets without having a criminal conviction. Instead, negotiations involving all sides in the debate produced a new bill requiring more transparency through a database aimed at disclosing details about the property seized, the criminal offense that led to the seizure and details about the police agency involved. The database would have been maintained by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency starting in 2019, but it would not be publicly accessible until 2020. The state would have been the 38th to require such reporting. But the negotiated bill stalled in the Alabama Senate, and the legislative session ended in late March without reform. State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, one of the chief sponsors of the legislation, said he plans to reintroduce the transparency measure again in early 2019. "It certainly created a lot of debate and it was good debate," said Orr about the legislative focus on the matter this past spring. "Hopefully there is some middle ground to get something through." Matson doesn't oppose more transparency and reporting by law enforcement agencies, but some police associations such as the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police, are concerned about a lack of funding to maintain the database. The issue's return to the Montgomery legislative spotlight will also come after the U.S. Supreme Court takes up a civil asset forfeiture case this fall. In Timbs v. Indiana, the nation's high court will determine if the Eighth Amendment's excessive fines clause applies to states. The ruling will be based on a case in which an Indiana man -- arrested for selling heroin to undercover officers -- sued over the seizure of his SUV, arguing that the taking violated the Eighth Amendment's ban on "excessive fines." The case could be among the first rule upon by newly-minted Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Alabama Appleseed filed a brief last month to officially join the case and siding with the plaintiff. Joining Appleseed is a "broad, ideologically diverse" network of organizations ranging from right-leaning FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity to the left-leaning NAACP. States have been clamping down on civil asset forfeitures in recent years. In Ohio, Republican Gov. John Kasich signed a bill last year that prohibited forfeitures under $15,000 without a criminal conviction. In Tennessee, lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a proposal in April requiring wrongfully seized property to be returned by law enforcement within five business days after a case is dismissed. The policing agency that wrongfully seizes property is also subject to paying attorney fees. Attorney General's race In Alabama, no new proposals outside Orr's transparency bill have surfaced. The issue, as well as other criminal justice reform measures such as legalizing marijuana, hasn't sparked much talk by politicians or the parties this fall. That isn't the case in other states where civil asset forfeiture has emerged as a top issue. In Pennsylvania, the current Philadelphia District Attorney was sworn into office in January after running on a campaign platform last year to oppose civil asset forfeiture. Civil asset forfeiture reform was debated by the Alabama Attorney General candidates ahead of the June 5 primaries. Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall stood out in his almost complete backing of law enforcement. "I support Alabama civil asset forfeiture law as we have it now," Marshall said during a May 2 candidates' forum in Montgomery. A campaign spokeswoman recently told AL.com that Marshall's position remains unchanged. "I don't agree that there is no due process," he added. "It does exist. It's incumbent on the state of Alabama to establish the connection of proceeds that are seized to somehow or another, the proceeds of a crime." His views were contrasted to Republican opponents Alice Martin and Troy King, who both advocated for reform. Marshall finished first in the primary, and went on to wallop King during the July 17 GOP runoff. Joseph Siegelman, a Birmingham lawyer and the Democratic nominee for Attorney General, has a split view. "People's due process rights are important and shouldn't be violated," said Siegelman, during a campaign visit to Fairhope recently. "On the same note, law enforcement needs the resources they need to do their job effectively. The Attorney General cannot do that job without law enforcement and first responders being able to do their job." Siegelman then said he was proud of several key endorsements he's received, such as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1 in Birmingham and the state's professional firefighters' association. A campaign spokeswoman for Marshall said that the current attorney general has "overwhelming law enforcement support" and endorsements from "virtually every DA in the state." Governor's race In Alabama's governor's race, both Democratic nominee Walt Maddox and Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, are on record supporting some kind of reform. Ivey, who hasn't weighed on the issue during the general election campaign, credited the Legislature with taking "an important step by starting the conversation." "I support reform to protect personal property and due process rights of all Alabamians," Ivey said in a statement ahead of the June 5 Republican primary. "It is my hope that we can build upon the foundation that was laid (during the legislative session) and implement real reform that balances individuals' protection of personal property and the flexibility necessary for law enforcement to hold criminals accountable." Maddox, mayor of Tuscaloosa, said the practice of seizing assets can be "an effective tool in combating drug trafficking.' But Maddox said there have been too many stories of late about people who "are never charged with crimes falling victim to the relatively low standards for seizing property" from a "mere suspicion of criminal activity." Maddox said he supports the database legislation that was pitched as a compromise bill during the final weeks of the session. He said civil asset forfeiture should not be eliminated until the state can gather "evidence of how Alabama law enforcement agencies are using civil forfeitures." Maddox also suggested that revenues generated from the forfeitures go into the general funds of state and local governments. "This would remove the so-called profit motive from law enforcement," he said. Maddox added, "We must work toward the day when assets are not seized unless there's strong assurance they were used in criminal activity, ideally only after a conviction. Gathering data so that we may formulate strategies that fight crime effectively while retaining fundamental fairness in our justice system is the best start." This story is one in a series of in-depth reports exploring key issues on Alabama voters' minds as they approach the Nov. 6 general election. The topics were determined using polling from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama and informal polls of AL.com readers. For more coverage of issues facing the next governor, go to al.com/election. Fans of the animated science fiction sitcom "Rick and Morty" are in for great news. The Rickmobile, the comic's mobile pop-up shop, is coming to Alabama this week as part of its "Don't Even Trip" tour across America. Birmingham is the first Alabama stop in the state (Oct. 10), followed by Tuscaloosa (Oct. 11), Montgomery (Oct. 12), and Auburn (Oct. 14). Wednesday in Birmingham, the Rickmobile will pump its brakes in front of Sanctum Tattoos and Comics in Avondale --a big deal for the shop, which is coming up on its two-year anniversary in November. Sanctum Tattoos and Comics owner Wess Gregg with the shop's Rick and Morty collectibles Shop owners Aaron Hamilton and Wess Gregg are excited to welcome the pop-up to the Magic City, and it was Hamilton who set the plan in motion. "Aaron reached out to them. He goes to San Diego Comic-Con every year. He ran into the folks who ran the mobile out there and they got together and exchanged contact information," said Gregg. The Rickmobile will have plenty of custom collectibles, including apparel. And Sanctum will also have cool merchandise for the fandom, including several copies of the Rick and Morty comic books, pins, and plushies, including Pickle Rick from season three. They haven't forgotten the music: Seasick Records will be on site with copies of the show's soundtrack. Tropicaleo will also join the party. Owners Isabel Medina and Gabriel Marrero say the Puerto Rican restaurant and bar is crafting a specialty-themed cocktail menu for the occasion. A couple of doors down from Sanctum, fans will be able to enjoy Rick and Morty themed rum shots and cocktails with Cathead vodka. Tropicaleo is also approaching its one year anniversary. The specials menu inside of Tropicaleo In early 2017, Medina and Marrero were the first tenants in the Pizitz food hall's REVeal Kitchen. Later that year, they opened their restaurant in Avondale. With drinks and plenty of photos ops, including wacky waving inflatable Mr. Meeseeks, Gregg is encouraging fans to show up early to find parking and enjoy the festivities. "It'll kind of turn into an informal block party," laughed Gregg. For updates on the Rickmobile's stop in Birmingham, go to the Facebook event. Here are the dates and locations of the Rickmobile in Alabama: Birmingham: October 10 at Sanctum Tattoos and Comics Tuscaloosa: October 11 at Druid City Brewing Montgomery: October 12 at Quality Comix Auburn: October 14 at Collector's Corner To track the location of the Rickmobile and find out where it will go next, go to Three Alabama public charter schools have received federal grants worth more than $1 million each when fully paid. The federal education grants were made available to help those wanting to open or replicate high-quality charter schools. Grants were made to 32 charter schools across the country and are part of a regular federal grant process. Charter schools are public schools given flexibility in exchange for more accountability. If charter schools do not meet accountability guidelines, they can be closed. It is the first time any charter schools in Alabama have won federal grant money. The three Alabama charter schools receiving awards are: ACCEL Day and Evening Academy, Mobile - opened 2017 5-year award 1 Total over five years: $1,026,960 University Charter School, Livingston - opened 2018 5-year award 1 Total over five years: $1,221,639 Legacy Prep (formerly STAR Academy), Birmingham - opening in fall 2019 3-year award 1 Total over three years: $1,115,137 While ACCEL and University Charter School are already open, Legacy Prep is scheduled to open next fall with between 100 and 150 students in grades K, 1 and 2. Jonta Morris, Founder and Executive Director of Legacy Prep, said she is thrilled to receive the grant funding. "Start-up charters are 100 percent dependent on philanthropic and foundational and loan support," she said, which is why this grant award is so important. "Through this grant, we are one step closer to bringing Legacy Prep to life and achieving our vision of providing an exceptional education experience for children," Morris said. Receiving the federal grant, she said, "also shows us that people want to invest in the Birmingham community and its residents as well as catalyzing public schools of choice." Morris said Legacy Prep's grant money can be used for everything from curriculum, facility renovation if needed, transportation for students, student and staff recruitment, professional development for teachers, classroom furniture and technology. ACCEL Day and Evening Academy opened in 2017 with 250 students. The school serves high school students that are at risk of dropping out of school or who need supportive environments to graduate. For ACCEL, "grant funds will be used to develop curriculum, purchase equipment and train staff to achieve our vision of an expanded definition of student success," Director of Strategic Outcomes Chandra Scott said in a statement to AL.com. In a press release from U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, University Charter School's Head of School J.J. Wedgeworth said the school is grateful for the award. "Excited is an understatement," she added, "and we are looking forward to the limitless possibilities and opportunities that these funds will create for our students, our school and our community." "This grant for West Alabama's University Charter School will help give students the opportunity to excel academically while also building character and responsibility," said Shelby. "UCS will have a major impact on the development and progress of students in the Black Belt, preparing them for future professional success. It is my hope that the school can serve as a model for further expansion of rural charter schools." In a release, Nina Rees, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools said, "These grants are essential to help new public charter schools open and to replicate high-performing schools that are serving kids well." According to Rees, more than 7,000 charter schools are operating in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, serving nearly 3.2 million public school students. Rees' organization ranked Alabama's charter school law, passed in 2015, as the fifth-strongest in the country. Mobile is once again struggling to keep I-10 hurricane evacuation traffic flowing through the Wallace Tunnel. Executive Director of Public Safety James Barber briefed the Mobile City Council late Tuesday morning. Officers were doing everything they could to smooth the flow, he said, and were bracing for a similar situation in the days ahead as evacuating Floridians return home. "We do not anticipate any catastrophic events here related to wind or rain," Barber said. "But what it has caused beginning this morning was a huge evacuation out of the Florida Panhandle. And so what we have is, the Bayway is backed up clear across the bay into Baldwin County." Barber said that officers from the Mobile Police Department's Special Operations division had been working with ALDOT "to try and relieve pressure on the tunnels." All westbound commercial traffic is being diverted off the Bayway and onto the Causeway, so that trucks proceed north to the Cochrane-Africatown USA Bridge. From there they can take I-165 to I-65, and southbound I-65 can return them to westbound I-10. A similar approach was used to handle traffic related to Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The theory is that because big trucks accelerate more slowly as traffic crawls up out of the Wallace Tunnel, having them mixed in with heavy evacuation traffic exacerbates the challenge of keeping things moving. "The main issue that we face, if we can't get that traffic out of here, is they begin to eat up all the fuel reserves along the I-10 corridor," Barber said. "And when that happens they hit the Bayway low on fuel, which can cause problems when they run out of gas." Barber said he expects the flow out of Florida to reverse " very shortly after the landfall happens." "We can anticipate huge traffic issues within the city, but we're planning to do our best ... to facilitate getting all that traffic out of here," he said. David Clark, head of Visit Mobile, also was present at Tuesday's council meeting. The city was almost at full lodging capacity, he said. Academic at the University of London and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Mexico City is in the throes of a heated conflict over plans for a new international airport. Its a monster project: one of the biggest public works in Mexican history, with an initial price tag of $13.3bn. Once completed, the airport, known locally by its Spanish acronym, NAICM, will boast no fewer than six runways with a capacity of 125 million passengers annually, making it the second-largest airport in the world. Billionaire Carlos Slim has invested heavily in the project, former president Enrique Pena Nieto has put all his political firepower behind it, and Mexicos elite see it as a jewel in the crown of the nation. NAICM is being built on a vast tract of rural commons, a marshy wetland, northeast of Mexico City, the last remnants of the ancient Lake Texcoco. Spanish conquistadors drained it in the 1600s after they destroyed the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, known for its glorious canals and waterways. Now the Mexican government wants to finish the job. There are more than 15 municipalities and hundreds of communities living in the area, including many indigenous Nahuas. The government has acquired the territory through a series of shady land grabs over the past 17 years, stripping residents of their traditional tenure rights. The people have not gone away quietly: dispossessed peasants have organised themselves under the banner of the Peoples Front in Defense of Land, pushing back against the governments plans despite violent police repression. And a coalition of civil society organisations and artists recently launched a campaign against the mega-project, using the hashtag #YoPrefieroElLago we prefer the lake. This is not just a matter of land rights. There is also a very real risk of environmental catastrophe if the airport goes ahead. The NAICM site is home to 250 bird species, many of which are endangered. The aquifer beneath will almost certainly be destroyed, closing off a major source of water for Mexico City and exacerbating an already-frightening regional water crisis. The grievances are piling up, and protests are mounting, but the Mexican authorities keep hitting back with the same response: growth. The airport, they say, is an investment in Mexicos long-term economic growth. And growth, were told, is progress. Activists behind #YoPrefieroElLago reject this narrative. The easy equivalence between growth and progress may have seemed reasonable back in the 1950s, when the environment was relatively stable. But as our global civilisation bumps up against the harsh realities of climate change, mass extinction, and ecological collapse, it makes less and less sense. In fact, the usual narrative has it exactly backwards: as we scramble to reverse ecological breakdown, growth is emerging as the greatest enemy of progress. The rush to build mega-airports like NAICM is an obvious example of this paradox. Air travel is an ecological disaster. The industry is set to double in size by 2035, and by 2050 could contribute up to 22 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Projects like NAICM might cash in on this growing industry, but only by contributing significantly to climate breakdown. As we hurtle towards the 1.5C threshold that the Paris Agreement promised to respect, we should be finding ways to scale down air travel, not expand it. The Mexican governments argument is that the country needs GDP growth in order to galvanise development and improve the lives of ordinary people. But if thats the objective, a new mega-airport seems a rather circuitous way to get there. As the Peoples Front in Defense of Land points out, The NAICM is not a work that benefits the people of Mexico, but the interests of the economic elite of the country. After all, only 30 percent of Mexican citizens have ever travelled by air. The projects real beneficiaries will be Carlos Slim, the jet set, and the gaggle of multinational firms that have secured the contracts in proceedings mired by corruption. If Mexicos government is truly interested in improving peoples lives, theres a lot they can do right now, without any additional economic growth at all. Take a look at Costa Rica, for instance. With a life expectancy of 79.6 years and levels of wellbeing in the top seven percent of the world, Costa Rica vastly outpaces Mexico and even matches many Scandinavian nations in these areas. And they do it with 12 percent less GDP per capita than Mexico has. How? Simply by investing in high-quality public healthcare, education and social security, rooted in the principle that everyone regardless of income should have equal access to these services as a basic right. No mega-airports necessary. We cant just assume that GDP growth will somehow magically improve peoples lives, as though any kind of economic activity will automatically deliver human progress. Its much more efficient and ecologically sane to directly target the things we want. Healthy communities? Happy citizens? Livable wages? Clean air and water? Healthy food? Green spaces? Renewable energy? Mexicos government should focus on improving the conditions for human prosperity, rather than blindly hoping that perpetual GDP growth will do it for them. By defending the lake, residents and activists are standing against a long history of colonisation and advancing a powerful alternative vision one that sees human prosperity as intimately bound up with our planets ecology. As we stare down the barrel of climate change and ecosystem breakdown, we would be wise to pay attention. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Over the past year, East Africa has seen an unprecedented flurry of political developments that are changing dramatically the political landscape in the region. Eritrea has emerged out of its diplomatic isolation, signing declarations of peace and cooperation with Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia and publicly calling for the lifting of international sanctions. After years of hostility over the building of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, Ethiopia and Egypt have seen a significant improvement in relations. Sudan, too, has mended relations with its northern neighbour and has managed to get US sanctions lifted. Many have welcomed these new political developments with euphoria, believing that they mark a new dawn for East African politics. The Horn of Africa is indeed set for a significant departure from the past, but it is important to note that there are external factors behind these changes. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) appear to be the sponsors of most of these diplomatic efforts, but their role too has been shaped by bigger players. The undercurrent to these changes is the major shift of US foreign and defence policy from the war on terror to strategic competition with other global powers, mainly Russia and China. Since the end of the Cold War, the war on terror has been at the centre of all US alliances in the world, including in the Horn of Africa. However, in recent years, the US has gradually come to perceive the rise of China and Russia, and not terrorism, as the biggest threat it is facing in Africa and elsewhere. This policy shift has been outlined in the 2018 National Defence Strategy and articulated by a number of US officials, including US Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, who in a January speech said: Great power competition, not terrorism, is now the primary focus of US national security. We face growing threats from revisionist powers as different as China and Russia are from each other To those who threaten Americas experiment in democracy, they must know if you challenge us, it will be your longest and worst day. It is in this context that Washington has sought to forge alliances with African forces to support its antagonistic competition with these two great powers. Eritrea in, Djibouti out In March this year, General Thomas Waldhauser, AFRICOM Commander in Africa, warned the US Congress that China would threaten US interests globally and particularly in the Red Sea if it takes a key port in Djibouti. The Doraleh Port had been operated by UAE-owned DP World since 2006 but the Djibouti government broke off its agreement with the Emirati company and nationalised the port in February this year. According to Waldhauser, Djibouti has assured the US that it would not hand the port over to the Chinese, who set up their first overseas military base in Djibouti in 2017, but he warned that if it does, this would cut off supplies to the US military base in the country and restrict the movements of US Navy ships in the area. He further concluded that the US will never outspend the Chinese in Africa and he was in the process of rewriting US military strategy in the region with China in mind. Given the heavy economic and military presence of China in Djibouti, US interests shifted towards its neighbour, Eritrea, which could in the future host a new US military base and provide the US with access to its ports. For this to happen, Eritrea first had to emerge from its diplomatic isolation, especially by normalising relations with Ethiopia. To achieve that, the US launched a quiet campaign last year involving church officials and US diplomats lobbying the two sides to come together and resolve their differences. Soon after US senior diplomats and senators voiced official calls for normalisation of relations between Eritrea and all neighbouring countries. US allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE also played an important role. While the US diplomatic offensive succeeded in pulling Eritrea out of isolation, it left Djibouti out of the grand rapprochement it engineered. US shifting policies The shift in US priorities in East Africa has also introduced a number of other major changes in the region. First, it has further diminished the importance the US gives to supporting the armies of countries in the Horn of Africa, particularly that of Ethiopia. This means that the Ethiopian armys role in regional security and foreign policy will diminish, with the exception of UN peace-keeping missions. Second, it has strengthened US support for the alliance between Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, at the expense of Qatari and Turkish interest in the region. This shift has also favoured the Egyptian army. In September, the US reinstated $195m in military aid to Egypt which was frozen last year over countrys dismal human rights record and relations with North Korea. The US has also given its blessing for a new role of the Egyptian military in the Horn of Africa. In January this year, Cairo dispatched Egyptian troops to Eritrea, stationing them at the border with Sudan, provoking speculations that it is seeking to establish a military base there. Third, this shift has also meant that the US government is putting more effort on the economic front, which could have diplomatic and economic implications. While the US realises that it cannot match the scale of Chinese investment in Africa, it is still looking to curb Chinese economic influence in the region. Part of its strategy is to encourage US companies to invest more in East Africa. In Ethiopia, this trend is already visible: while in the past US officials from the Department of Defense and the White House used to visit Addis Ababa, now it is officials of the Department of Commerce with entourages of US businessmen. Fearing reproach from Washington, some East African countries may scale down their ties with China and revise their public procurement procedures. Seeing this trend, China has already announced its decision to cut down investment in Ethiopia until its current debt payment is restructured. The US government is also looking to set up a special agency to invest up to $60bn to counter Chinese interests in the developing world, including East Africa. In his March address to the African Union, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: We are not in any way attempting to keep Chinese dollars from Africa. But it is important that African countries carefully consider the terms of those agreements and not forfeit their sovereignty. This signals that just as the US is pushing on the geopolitical front in East Africa, it might start doing so on the economic one as well. While the region needs to address its rising debt and dependence on China, the economic policies that the US would press for might not be in its best interest either. East Africa will need all the assistance it can get, be it from developed liberal states, from Gulf monarchies or Asian economic powerhouses. But as the competition between China and the US intensifies, it increasingly looks like this financial support will come with conditions. Therefore, countries in the region and the continent as a whole should resist unwarranted interferences in their internal policy decisions and insist on their sovereignty being upheld. If they succeed in this, they will be able to reap the benefits of the emerging economically competitive multipolar world order. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Recent diplomatic initiatives in the Horn are a positive step, but the region needs much more to achieve lasting peace. Fuel delivery bypassed the Palestinian Authority, which has threatened retaliatory measures if deliveries continue. Qatari-bought fuel arrived at the Gaza Strips only power station after entering through Israel, sources said, in a bid to alleviate conditions in the besieged enclave and stem any escalation in Israeli-Palestinian violence. A Palestinian source at the Karam Abu Salem border crossing, also known as Kerem Shalom, in southern Gaza said six trucks monitored by the United Nations and carrying 450,000 litres of fuel crossed there on Tuesday. The Qatari fuel to the Gaza Strips power plant today is aimed at partially improving electricity (supply) in Gaza, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP news agency. The delivery could help ease months of protests and clashes along the border between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli and Egyptian blockade for more than a decade. The blockade has deprived the strips roughly two million inhabitants of several vital commodities, including food, fuel and medicine. {articleGUID} The trucks that entered Gaza brought the first delivery of a $60m fuel donation by Qatar meant to provide the power plant with enough fuel to operate for six months, local sources said. For months, Gazans have been receiving only four hours of mains electricity a day on average. A spokesman for the Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, voiced disapproval of the fuel delivery. Any international financial aid to the Gaza Strip should be through, or with the coordination of, the Palestinian government, he said, in order to preserve Palestinian unity and to stop any plans to separate Gaza from the West Bank. In a statement on Tuesday Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior official close to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, threatened retaliatory measures if the fuel deliveries continued. Humanitarian disaster The United Nations has warned that Israels 11-year blockade of the strip has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian situation. Under the UN-brokered deal, Qatar pays for the fuel which is then delivered through Israel with United Nations monitoring, a diplomatic source said. A Qatari official, speaking to Reuters news agency on Sunday, said Doha planned to help with Gazas power crisis at the request of donor states in the UN, to prevent an escalation of the existing humanitarian disaster. Israels energy minister, Yuval Steinitz, told Reuters on Monday that Qatar was trying to help prevent a Gaza flare-up. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbass Palestinian Authority in a 2007 civil war, a year after it unexpectedly won elections in the coastal enclave, triggering a crisis in Palestinian politics. Multiple reconciliation attempts aimed at restoring the PA to power in Gaza have failed. Hamas spokesman Qassem said that the deliveries were facilitated through the United Nations because of the vacuum left by the PA. Abbas says that making deals with Hamas amounts to recognising their control over Gaza in place of the PA. Much of the international community considers Hamas a terrorist organisation. Israel says its blockade of Gaza is necessary to isolate Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since 2008. At least eight killed, including candidate for parliamentary elections, after explosion struck a rally in Lashkar Gah. A suicide bomber has struck an election meeting in Afghanistans Helmand province, killing at least eight people, including a candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections, a provincial official said. Saleh Mohammad Achekzai was holding a meeting in front of his house in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, when the suicide bomber detonated his explosives on Tuesday. The blast also killed several of Achekzais bodyguards, Attahullah Afghan, head of the southern Helmand provincial council told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. It was the second suicide attack to target a parliamentary candidate since campaigning officially kicked off on September 28 for the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20. There are 2,565 candidates vying for seats in the 249-member chamber, including 417 female candidates. On October 2, an attack on a rally in the eastern province of Nangarhar killed 13 people and wounded more than 40. At least five people have been murdered in targeted killings so far, according to the Independent Election Commission. Preparations for the ballot, which is more than three years late, have been in turmoil for months and there has been speculation about whether the vote would go ahead. Bureaucratic inefficiency, allegations of fraud and an eleventh-hour pledge for biometric verification of voters threaten to derail the process and any hope of a credible result. The Taliban armed group has called for the boycott of the elections. People who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure [of the election], Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid earlier said in the statement. Helmand, bordering Pakistan, has long been one of the strongholds of the Taliban group, which has been waging an armed rebellion since they were removed from power in Afghanistan by US-led forces in 2001. The sensational case came to light after the couple was caught carrying human body parts in a baby carriage. A couple, detained in Mexico while transporting human body parts in a baby carriage, has admitted to killing 20 people, twice the number originally suspected. Under interrogation, the man, identified as Juan Carlos N, confessed on Monday to raping and murdering 20 women, and selling their body parts and belongings, Alejandro Gomez, the chief investigator on the case, said. Carlos and his wife, Patricia N their last names withheld in accordance with Mexican laws were arrested on Thursday in Ecatepec, a violence-hit suburb northeast of Mexico City, on suspicion of killing 10 women. In custody, the man gave detailed accounts of those murders, and then revealed to investigators that he and his wife had killed 10 other people, as well, according to Gomez. Prosecutors are now trying to establish whether their claim is true, or the boast of a psychopath and serial killer, he said. He described it in a completely natural way I would say he actually seemed happy to have done this, Gomez said in an interview with Mexican radio network, Formula. He wants people to see his picture, to know his name I would obviously classify this person as a murderer, a serial killer, he said. The man also claimed he was forced to dress as a woman by his mother, which he said sparked off his hatred against women. Single mothers A psychiatric examination was conducted on the couple before they were presented before a local court on Sunday. The test said Carlos has a mental disturbance consistent with psychosis and a personality disorder while his wife has been mentally disabled since birth, and also has acquired induced delirium. But both can distinguish between right and wrong, Gomez said, adding that the couple was living with their three children, including a baby. When authorities searched the two houses belonging to the couple, they found human remains in cement-filled buckets and wrapped in plastic bags inside a refrigerator, as well as clothes apparently belonging to some of their victims. The man told investigators that he and his wife lured their victims, many of whom were young mothers, with offers of discount on dresses for their babies. They were single mothers and they needed someone who could help them find inexpensive baby clothes, said Gomez. Investigators tracked down the couple by tracing the calls the missing women had made to them, he said. Outrage in Ecatepec The case has triggered shock in Mexico, even by the standards of a country plagued by violent crimes. Hundreds of people protested in Ecatepec, carrying candles and white flowers, to demand action by the authorities to deal with an explosion of violence against women and girls. "Ni una mas, ni una mas ni una asesinada mas!" Son los gritos de los familiares de victimas de feminicidios y mujeres desaparecidas en #Ecatepec, quienes marchan por las calles de Jardines de Morelos Video: Paola Betancourt pic.twitter.com/vnp00V9aoW @telediario (@telediario) October 7, 2018 Translation: Not one more, not one more not one more murdered! These are the cries of the families of victims of femicides and disappeared women in #Ecatepec, who march through the streets of Jardines de Morelos Seven women and girls are killed in Mexico every day, according to UN Women. The state of Mexico around Mexico City, where Ecatepec is located, led the country in femicides last year, with 301 women and girls murdered, according to official figures. The protesters said the gender violence alert, issued in 2015 in Ecatepec, has been useless to stop femicides. Across Mexico, there were a record 28,702 murders last year. The number has surged since 2006, when the government deployed the army to wage war on the countrys violent and powerful drug cartels. Evacuations under way as monstrous storm expected to make landfall on Wednesday, bringing strong wind and heavy rain. Hurricane Michael swiftly intensified into a Category 2 over warm Gulf of Mexico waters on Tuesday amid fears it would strike Florida on Wednesday as a major hurricane. Mandatory evacuation orders went into effect Tuesday morning for some 120,000 people in Panama City Beach and across other low-lying parts of the coast as Hurricane Michael approaches. Residents were boarding up homes and seeking evacuation routes to get out of the way of the storm, which is expected to bring strong winds and flooding rain. A hurricane hunter plane that bounced into the swirling eye off the western tip of Cuba found wind speeds rising. By Tuesday morning, top winds had reached 155 kilometres per hour, and it was forecast to strengthen more, with winds topping 179km/h, capable of causing devastating damage. With the storm entering the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico, which has warm water and favourable atmospheric conditions, there is a real possibility that Michael will strengthen to a major hurricane before landfall, Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the Miami-based storm forecasting hub, wrote in an advisory. Major hurricanes are classified as Category-3 or higher. 13 killed in Central America Disaster agencies in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua reported 13 deaths as roofs collapsed and residents were carried away by swollen rivers. Six people died in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador. Authorities were also searching for a boy swept away by a river in Guatemala. Most of the rain was blamed on a low-pressure system off the Pacific coast, but Hurricane Michael in the Caribbean could have also contributed. Forecasters warned that Michael could ultimately dump 30cm of rain in western Cuba, triggering flash floods and mudslides in mountain areas. For the US, the hurricane is expected to be the most powerful storm to strike Floridas panhandle in the last decade. #HurricaneMichael isn't heading to any one town There are warnings for more than 300 miles of coastline. It's forecast to be a large and dangerous hurricane at landfall. Life-threatening storm surge Damaging winds Life-threatening flash floodinghttps://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/nsHYkBjy2r National Weather Service (@NWS) October 9, 2018 Floridas governor Rick Scott called Michael a monstrous hurricane, and has declared a state of emergency for 35 Florida counties from the panhandle to Tampa Bay. He has also activated hundreds of Florida National Guard members and waived tolls to encourage those near the coast to evacuate inland. We are running out of time, Scott said in a post on Twitter. TODAY is the day to get a plan, because tomorrow could be too late. Life-threatening winds The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that the waves and rain could trigger deadly flooding and that residents within the hurricane warning zone should likewise prepare for life-threatening winds. On the Florida Panhandle, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan bluntly advised residents who choose to ride out the storm that first responders would not be able to reach them during or immediately after Michael smashes into the coast. If you decide to stay in your home and a tree falls on your house or the storm surge catches you and youre now calling for help, theres no one that can respond to help you, Morgan said at a news conference. NHC said the storm could unleash coastal storm surges of up to 3.7m along the Florida Panhandle and dump up to 30cm of rain across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Alabama and Tennessee were also bracing for the storms impact. A hurricane WARNING has been issued for portions of the Florida Gulf Coast. Everyone in these areas should prepare for life-threatening winds associated with the core of #Michael. Follow @NHC_Atlantic for the latest on #HurricaneMichael. pic.twitter.com/mhV77ESceV National Weather Service (@NWS) October 8, 2018 After striking Florida, Michael is forecast to move up the East Coast on Wednesday and Thursday tearing through North and South Carolina, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florence last month. The Category 1 hurricane left dozens dead in the Carolinas and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage. Last year parts of the US saw a string of catastrophic storms including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Harvey caused a record-equalling $125bn in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area and other parts of Texas. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make hurricanes more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima. Many forced to flee Libyas besieged Derna Five months of fighting in eastern Libya has forced many families to seek help in the capital Tripoli. Rescue workers in Sulawesi island step up search for victims to beat Thursday deadline, as death toll crosses 2,000. The death toll from Indonesias earthquake and tsunami has climbed past 2,000, as authorities prepare to end the search for thousands of victims feared buried in mud and rubble in the hardest-hit neighbourhoods of Sulawesi island. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the countrys disaster agency, told reporters on Tuesday that the toll from the September 28 twin disasters had climbed to 2,010. He said authorities will hold prayers on Thursday to mark the end of the search in the Petobo, Balaroa and Jono Oge areas of Palu city, where the quake caused loose soil to liquefy, swallowing houses and burying the occupants with them. Efforts to retrieve bodies, many entombed under mud and rubble as deep as 3 metres, will not continue because of the difficult terrain and advanced state of decomposition that made the bodies unrecognisable and could cause contamination, Nugroho said. On October 11, we will hold joint prayers in Balaroa, Petobo and Jono Oge to end the evacuation of bodies, he told a daily news briefing on the relief efforts. Most of the bodies have been found in Palu, where more than 10,000 rescue workers continued to scour expanses of debris. Were not sure what will happen afterwards, so were trying to work as fast as possible, said rescue worker Ahmad Amin, 29, referring to the deadline, as he took a break in the badly hit Balaroa neighbourhood. There are so many children still missing, we want to find them quickly, said Amin, who is from Balaroa and has relatives unaccounted for. At least nine excavators were working through the rubble of Balaroa, picking their way through smashed buildings and pummelled vehicles. At least a dozen bodies were recovered, according to a Reuters news agency photographer. End of search The decision to end the search on Thursday has angered some relatives of the missing but taxi driver Rudy Rahman, 40, said he had to accept it. As long as they keep searching, I will be here every day looking for my son, said Rahman, who said he had lost three sons in the disaster. The bodies of two were found, the youngest is missing. This is the only thing I can do, otherwise I would go insane, he told Reuters, choking back tears. If they stop, what can I do? There are four metres of soil here. I couldnt do it on my own. {articleGUID} While the official search will end, Nugroho, the disaster agency spokesman, said authorities will not stop villagers from continuing to dig through the ruins for their loved ones. The stricken areas, which now look like vast wastelands, will be turned into memorial parks to remember the victims and survivors will be relocated to safer locations, he said. Nugroho said the disaster agency has not yet been able to verify unofficial estimates from village chiefs in Balaroa and Petobo that 5,000 people are missing in the two areas. He said the region had recorded 508 aftershocks since the magnitude 7.5 earthquake, which caused a giant wall of water that destroyed large swaths of land in Palu and surrounding areas. The disaster destroyed more than 65,000 homes and buildings and displaced more than 70,000 people. Thousands are still living in temporary shelters and tents across Palu, but life is beginning to return to normal in some areas, with plans for redevelopment underway, officials said. Turkey faces a moral and economic dilemma in the wake of the disappearance of the Saudi critic in Istanbul. The disappearance and possible killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last week inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has thrown a new challenge to Saudi-Turkish diplomatic relations, analysts say, adding the incident might affect the economic ties between the two powerful Muslim nations. So far, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been careful, Turkish and Arab analysts say, not to pick a protracted and messy fight with Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of Khashoggi a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Two former senior Turkish government officials, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, said Erdogan would most likely go all the way against Saudi Arabia if it were proven that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Erdogan would not hesitate to act amid strained ties between the two nations over the possible killing of Khashoggi on Turkish territory, they said. Turkey would make a moral and honourable choice over its economic concerns in Khashoggi's case. A former Turkish government official A former Turkish government source said, Ankara would make a moral and honourable choice over its economic concerns in Khashoggis case. Both sources said it is unlikely that Turkey would make a cold, economic calculation by giving the Saudi government a pass over the case in exchange for keeping their economic ties intact. Yakup Kocaman, an Istanbul-based economic consultant, however, says that the incident would not affect the trade ties between the two countries. The annual bilateral trade between Turkey and Saudi Arabia stands at about five affect dollars, according to Kocaman. Saudi Arabia is a major market for Turkish companies, while many Saudi businesses have invested in Turkish companies. Over half a million Saudi tourists visit Turkey every year. Kocaman said Riyadh is Turkeys top 20 export destination, with many Turkish infrastructure companies operating in Saudi Arabia. I dont think this tragic event will affect the economic ties, he told Al Jazeera. Historic diplomatic precedence Turkish scholar Galip Dalay believes Ankara will make a strong case against Saudi Arabia if its confirmed that Khashoggi was killed on its soil. What we see here is not a minor issue, but a breach of Turkish sovereignty Galip Dalay, visiting faculty at the Oxford University The stakes for Turkey are too high but they are diplomatic ones, not economic, says Dalay, who is currently a visiting faculty at the Oxford University in the UK. Turkish-Saudi ties have been strained in the wake of the blockade of Qatar imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain in 2017. Ankara is a close ally of Qatar and threw its weight behind Doha in the ongoing dispute between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Khashoggis case will change things, he said. What we see here is not a minor issue, but a breach of Turkish sovereignty, he said referring to the possible killing of Khashoggi on Turkish soil. Dalay said the case will have international ramifications. I do not recall any case of this kind whereby a journalist is killed inside a diplomatic mission in either the 20th or the 21st century, he said. The issue for Turkey, moreover, is also a reputational one. Other countries might feel less secure in Turkey, he said, adding that Ankara must send a message to Saudi Arabia that it is not ok to kill or torture anyone on its soil. Turkish interests first However, Mohamad Dalbah, a Washington-based Middle East analyst, said that at the end of the day, Turkey will behave like any other country in the world and put its interests over the issues of human rights or the disappearance of an Arab journalist. Erdogan will not go all the way against Saudi Arabia over this case and would put Turkeys interests ahead of any moral considerations, said Dalbah, who is also a friend of Khashoggi. He believes the Turkish government, not wanting to ignite a fight with its rival in the region, is trying to give the Saudis more time to find a solution or a face-saving measure to the quagmire. However, Dalay, the visiting Oxford professor, said Ankara should escalate this issue internationally and not limit it to bilateral ties with Riyadh. Because of its unique diplomatic and legal precedence, Turkey should turn this case into an international process and resort to international legal means against Saudi Arabia. Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports Washington, DC With the vicious Senate battle over the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh concluded by a 50-48 vote, focus now turns to the upcoming midterm elections. Early indicators are that the Republican base was energised by Kavanaugh while female voters, who already favour Democrats by nearly a 2-1 margin, were polarised even more than they were before. Early poll numbers suggest modest gains for Republicans within an overall environment that remains negative for the party of President Donald Trump, analysts say. Saturdays confirmation came after a limited FBI investigation into accusations of sexual assault and other sexual misconduct that were made against the judge. Among the allegations were those of Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of groping her and trying to remove her clothing when they were both teenagers in the 1980s. Kavanaugh denied the allegations. Prior to the Kavanaugh battle, Democrats were widely favoured to win control of the House of Representatives and Republicans were expected to retain command of the Senate, albeit narrowly. That odd and seemingly contradictory scenario in which the two chambers of Congress move in different directions remains the most likely scenario. Differences in gender and attitudes on sexual assault amid the #MeToo movement are likely to be critical. The initial effect I thought it would have was that, whichever side won in the confirmation would have a relative loss in the election, that the opposite party was going to be mobilised to show up, said Richard L Pacelle Jr, head of the political science department at the University of Tennessee. But multiple polls are showing that this has really energised the Republican voters, he told Al Jazeera. Right now, I think its really unclear whats going to be the result of this. {articleGUID} Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Kavanaugh fight will help Republicans on November 6. Wed been trying to figure out how to get the base excited about this election, and nothing unifies Republicans like a court fight, McConnell told the Reuters news agency on Saturday, just before the vote. But the anger over the confirmation, particularly among women, may further galvanise the Democratic base. Will voters show up? Voter enthusiasm, a measure of how inclined registered voters are to go vote on election day, favoured Democrats over Republicans, according to a mid-September survey by Pew Research Center. Driven largely by opinions of President Donald Trump and interest in who controls Congress, 67 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of Republicans record levels for both parties told Pew they were more enthusiastic about voting this year. There was a huge enthusiasm gap between Democrat and Republican voters going into the midterms. That has all disappeared in three weeks and it has disappeared in just about every single poll, Pacelle said. I would expect it to rebound slightly to the Democrats advantage. Democrats right now are kind of licking their wounds, wondering whats next, what can we do. If they get over that and show up at the polls, that will help [their numbers]. Those opposed to the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh vowed to move their fight to the November midterms [File: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo] Trumps job approval rating, which had declined in September, bounced back with the Kavanaugh hearings, but remains negative. An October 1-7 survey of 1,500 adults nationwide by Gallup, which tracks Trumps approval, found a negative 10-percentage-point spread between 53 percent who disapprove and 43 percent who approve. The disapproval spread was as wide as 18 percentage points in the Gallup poll of September 16. The presidents numbers are a little bit better now than they were in September. Part of it is because the president seems to do better when he is not dominating the news. We will have to see if that changes in the closing weeks here, said Kyle Kondik, an elections analyst at the University of Virginias Center for Politics. The jury is still out, he said. But as of this point, if your initial outlook was Democrats favoured in the House, Republicans favoured in the Senate, we havent seen a whole lot to change that. The effect on Senate races The Kavanaugh controversy will likely affect Senate races more than those of the House because of the Senates constitutional role in confirming judges. Much of the focus during the debate on Kavanaugh was on positions of female Republican senators and Democrats seeking re-election in states where Trump does well with Republican voters. The battle for control of the Senate is being waged in 10 states where Democrats and Republicans are in competitive contests. One Democrat senator running for re-election, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, voted for Kavanaugh. Every other Democrat voted no. Senator Joe Donnelly, an anti-abortion rights Democrat running for re-election in Indiana, voted against him, as did Senator Heidi Heitkamp, who is struggling to hold onto her seat in North Dakota. Likewise, Democrats competing in close races in Florida, Missouri and New Jersey felt safe enough to vote against Kavanaugh. {articleGUID} Kavanaugh plays differently depending on regional variations in how particular electorates view issues of government control of womens reproductive rights, whether they believe women are discriminated against more than other groups, and how sexual assault accusations are viewed. Key questions analysts are wrestling with in assessing what the Kavanaugh episode means in US politics revolve around gender, attitudes towards the #MeToo movement and whether a reactionary backlash stoked by Trump will show up on election day. In Texas, where Senator Ted Cruz has been facing an unexpectedly strong challenge by Democrat Beto ORourke, how Republican women respond to the Kavanaugh debate, whether they stay home or turn out to vote, could potentially make a difference. The strategic assumption of a candidate like Ted Cruz running state-wide in Texas is that however well Beto ORourke is doing at potentially motivating new Democratic voters and bringing new people into the process the scale of the Republican advantage is such that if Ted Cruz can simply mobilise all or most of the Republican voters, they can absorb the new turnout generated by even a wildly successful ORourke campaign, James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, told Al Jazeera. In Tennessees senate race, Republican Marsha Blackburn immediately supported Kavanaugh and jumped to an eight-percentage-point lead over Democrat Phil Bredesen, according to a new CBS poll. Bredesen, a former two-term governor of the state, is seeking to claim the seat of retiring Senator Bob Corker and had been leading in the polls. {articleGUID} He declined to really say how he would vote on Kavanaugh if he was there, Pacelle said. That race has turned a little. She is running many more ads than he is. Its starting to have an impact. Shes hitting him hard. He has been pretty quiet in response. The Senate balance hangs on a knifes edge. In Arizona, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema leads narrowly by three points, and in Nevada Democrat Jacky Rosen leads incumbent Republican Dean Heller by four points. In Florida, incumbent Republican Bill Nelson only leads his Republican challenger by one point. #NovemberIsComing In the lead-up to Kavanaughs confirmation, thousands of women and their supporters took to Capitol Hill to protest against the nominee. Hundreds were arrested during the demonstrations, which saw women leading sit-ins in Senate buildings, occupying the steps of the Capitol building and confronting Senators in the hallways and elevators, in an attempt to persuade them to change their vote on Kavanaugh. After the confirmation, much at that attention turned to encouraging women and others to get out to vote next month, with many using #NovemberIsComing on Twitter to encourage women to go to the polls. Hundreds of women were arrested during the protests against Kavanaugh [File: Joshua Roberts/Reuters] Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts introduced an action plan to respond to the Kavanaugh confirmation. It hurts every survivor of sexual assault who has been ignored, Warren told protesters just before the Senate vote took place. She encouraged demonstrators to take back the House take back the Senate, adding, We have forged a bond that will make us stronger in the next fight. Just three days after he was narrowly confirmed to the US Supreme Court despite facing allegations of sexual assault, Brett Kavanaugh is set to take his seat on the bench, solidifying a conservative majority for years to come. Kavanaugh will emerge Tuesday morning from behind the courtrooms red velvet curtains and take his seat alongside his eight colleagues. It will be a moment that conservatives have dreamed of for decades, five solidly conservative justices on the bench. Kavanaughs predecessor, Justice Anthony Kennedy, who retired in June, was a more moderate conservative and sometimes sided with the courts four liberal justices. Kavanaugh, in contrast, is expected to be a more decidedly conservative vote, tilting the court right for decades and leaving Chief Justice John Roberts as the justice closest to the ideological middle. With justices seated by seniority, President Donald Trumps two appointees will flank the Supreme Court bench, Justice Neil Gorsuch at one end and Kavanaugh at the other. Court watchers will be looking to see whether the new justice asks questions at arguments and, if so, what he asks. There will also be those looking for any lingering signs of Kavanaughs heated, partisan confirmation fight. But the justices, who often highlight their efforts to work together as a collegial body, are likely to focus on the cases before them. This isnt over Republicans had hoped to confirm Kavanaugh in time for him to join the court on October 1, the start of the new term. Instead, the former DC Circuit judge missed the first week of arguments as the Senate considered an allegation made by Christine Blasey Ford that he had sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school, an allegation he adamantly denied. {articleGUID} Kavanaugh was confirmed 50-48 Saturday, the closest vote to confirm a justice since 1881. On Saturday evening, Kavanaugh took his oaths of office in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court while protesters chanted outside the court building. Kavanaugh also began moving into his new office at the Supreme Court, taking over space previously used by Justice Samuel Alito, who moved into offices vacated by Kennedy. Kavanaugh has also hired four clerks who are all women, the first time that has happened. Demonstrators protest against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, as they rally outside of the Supreme Court [File: Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo] During the heated confirmation process, thousands protested against the then-nominee on Capitol Hill. On Tuesday a handful of demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court, chanting This isnt over, were still here. Protesters have vowed to focus their energy on the November 6 midterm elections, when Democrats will attempt to take both the House and Senate. First cases and special tasks On Tuesday, the court is scheduled to hear two hours of arguments in cases involving long sentences for repeat offenders. On Wednesday, the only other day of arguments this week, the court will hear another two hours of arguments. One of the two cases the court is hearing Wednesday involves the detention of immigrants, an issue on which Kavanaughs vote could be key. {articleGUID} Though he missed the courts first week, none of the six cases argued dealt with blockbuster issues. They included a case about a potential habitat for an endangered frog and another about an Alabama death row inmate whose lawyers argue he shouldnt be executed because dementia has left him unable to remember his crime. Kavanaugh wont vote in those cases, but if the court is split 4-4 it could decide to have those cases re-argued so Kavanaugh can break the tie. As the newest member of the court, Kavanaugh will take on a few special jobs. He will take notes for the justices when they meet for private conferences. Hell also be the one to answer the door at those meetings if someone knocks to deliver something such as a justices coffee or forgotten glasses. Hell also sit on the committee that oversees the courts cafeteria, which is open to the public. Chief Justice John Roberts has previously said that assignment is a way of bringing a new justice back down to Earth after the excitement of confirmation and appointment. South Koreas Moon says the North Korean leader has invited the pope to highlight peace efforts on the peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang in a gesture designed to highlight peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, South Koreas presidential office has said. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver Kims invitation when he meets Francis next week during a trip to Europe, Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said on Tuesday. Kim has been intensely engaged in diplomacy in recent months in what is being seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons programme for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure. North Korea and the Vatican have no formal diplomatic relations. The invitation to the pope is the first by a North Korean leader since 2000. President Moon will visit the Vatican on October 17 and 18 to reaffirm its blessing and support for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, the spokesperson told a news briefing. {articleGUID} Kim told Moon of his wish to meet the pope during last months summit of the two leaders, the spokesperson added. When he meets Pope Francis, he will convey Chairman Kims message that he will ardently welcome him if he visits Pyongyang, he said. North Koreas constitution guarantees freedom of religion as long as it does not undermine the state, but beyond a handful of state-controlled places of worship, no open religious activity is allowed. Francis visited South Korea in August 2014. On the plane ride back to Rome, he had expressed hope that the divisions would be overcome, saying the two Koreas are brothers, they speak the same language. In 2014, a Roman Catholic cardinal had travelled to North Korea at a time of rekindled animosity between the neighbouring countries. The Vatican had no immediate comment on the North Korean leaders invite. But a statement released by the Vatican said the pope would receive Moon on October 18, a day after the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, celebrates a mass for peace in the Korean Peninsula. Denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula Kim held an unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June, and pledged to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. While Kims actions since have fallen short of Washingtons demands, the Trump administration is preparing for a second summit. {articleGUID} Before they turned the page on decades of public acrimony, the leaders regularly traded threats and insults as North Korea pushed to develop a nuclear missile capable of hitting the United States. The two Koreas held three summits this year, following years of confrontation marked by North Koreas nuclear and missile tests. Moons Europe tour, scheduled for October 13 to 21, is primarily to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting in Belgium and includes stops in France, Italy and Denmark, his office said. Chorus of comments by US indicates level of anxiety over Jamal Khashoggis fate and effect on Saudi American relations. US President Donald Trump expressed concern about the fate of prominent Saudi journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. I am concerned. I dont like hearing about it. Hopefully, that will sort itself out, Trump told reporters at the White House. Right now, nobody knows anything about it. There are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it. Khashoggi, a US resident, has written articles over the past year critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate on October 2 and has not been seen since. Turkish officials have said he was murdered inside the building. Riyadh denies that and claims he left the compound on his own. US Vice President Mike Pence also waded into the controversy over the disappeared Saudi, saying the free world deserves answers. Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights. The free world deserves answers. Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 8, 2018 Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Riyadh must provide honest answers about the journalist. We agree that if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid economically and otherwise, Graham tweeted. Our countrys values should be and must be a cornerstone of our foreign policy with foes and allies alike, he said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a thorough and open probe by Saudi Arabia. We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggis disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation, Pompeo said in a statement. US-based political analyst Bill Schneider told Al Jazeera that the chorus of comments by American officials indicates the level concern over the journalists fate, and how it could affect the close relationship between Trump and Saudi leaders. Theyre under pressure from members of Congress and the press. Members of Congress are talking about an investigation The result is there is pressure domestically to look into this matter, said Schneider. Cannot save themselves Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Saudi officials must prove that Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying he has left, Erdogan said. The 59-year-old contributor to the Washington Post spent last year in the United States in self-imposed exile after he fled Saudi Arabia amid a crackdown on intellectuals and activists who criticised the policies of Prince Mohammed. He was last seen by his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, entering the consulate to obtain a document needed for their marriage. She and Turkish officials say he never emerged, even though Saudi Arabia insists he left the building. Turkish authorities have said they believe Khashoggi was most likely killed inside the consulate building and his body later removed from the premises, though they havent provided any evidence. The Washington Post also pressured the administration to investigate. If Mr Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate, it will cast the Saudi regime and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a new and disturbing light and require a thorough re-evaluation of US-Saudi relations, the newspaper said in an op-ed. {articleGUID} Khashoggi, 59, has had a long career as a senior journalist in Saudi Arabia and also as an adviser to top officials. But since the emergence of Prince Mohammed, 33, as the centre of power in the kingdom last year, Khashoggi has been openly critical of the monarchy. He has assailed the princes reforms as hollow, accusing him of introducing a new Saudi era of fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming. A delicate balance Killing someone such as Khashoggi who long had ties to the royal family and the Saudi intelligence apparatus in a consulate would be a major escalation in the princes rise. Ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia are at a low point over Ankaras support for Qatar last year in its dispute with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Turkey sent food to Qatar and deployed troops at its military base there. Saudi Arabia is also annoyed by Ankaras rapprochement with its regional rival, Iran. Turkey is maintaining a very delicate balance in its relations with Saudi Arabia. The relations have the potential of evolving into a crisis at any moment, said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Funds Ankara office. He expected a measured response from Turkey, which is suffering a currency crisis and would be reluctant to chase away investment from Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states. Ankara would likely wait and see what Washingtons reaction to the disappearance would be, before initiating any action against Saudi Arabia, Unluhisarcikli added. Sultan al-Saad al-Qahtani, the editor of the Riyadh Post website and a supporter of the crown prince, called the situation a Hollywood movie scenario. There is no country that kills opponents of its policy inside an official building in a foreign country, he said. The responsibility of preserving Mr Khashoggis life rests with the Turkish government. Journalists and activists gathered outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul also demanded information on Khashoggis fate. We demand from the international community to pressure Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Salman to tell us exactly what happened, said Mohamed Okad, a friend of Khashoggi and founder of Insight into Crisis, a conflict advisory group. Palestinians in Gaza face mounting mental health crisis Suffering in silence suicidal tendencies and depression are among the less obvious scars for Palestinians trying to fight against Israeli occupation. People in Turkey react to Jamal Khashoggis disappearance Many Turks are unaware of Khashoggis disappearance in Istanbul, Arab dissidents living there fear for their safety. US plaintiffs accuse Iran of supporting Hezbollah, which allegedly attacked the American Marine base in Beirut in 1983. The United States asked judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to throw out a claim by Iran to recover $1.75bn in national bank assets seized by American courts. The US Supreme Court ruled in 2016 the assets must be turned over to American families of victims of the 1983 bombing of a US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, among others. US plaintiffs accused Iran of providing material support to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia political and military group blamed for the truck-bomb attack at the Marine compound in Lebanons capital. Iran denies any links to the blast. Iran comes to the court with unclean hands. Indeed, it is a remarkable show of bad faith, Richard Visek, a US State Department legal official, told the court on Monday. The actions at the root of this case centre on Irans support for international terrorism Irans bad acts include supports for terrorist bombings, assassinations, kidnappings and airline hijackings, he said. Visek also accused Irans most senior leaders of the encouragement and promotion of terrorism and violation of nuclear non-proliferation, ballistic missile and arms trafficking obligations. Fallen heroes The hearings at the tribunal were separate from Irans claim relating to current US sanctions against Teheran. Irans claim in both cases is based on a 1955 Amity Treaty, which was signed 24 years before Irans Islamic Revolution, which turned the two countries into arch enemies. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Tehran of misusing the world court for political and propaganda purposes. We owe it to our fallen heroes, their families, and the victims of Irans terrorist activities to vigorously defend against the Iranian regimes meritless claims this week in The Hague, where we will show that Irans case should be dismissed, Pompeo said in a Monday statement. Washington announced last week it would withdraw from the Amity Treaty after the tribunal ordered the United States to ensure that sanctions against Iran do not affect humanitarian aid or civil aviation safety. It will take a year for a withdrawal from the Amity Treaty to take effect, and Irans case against the asset seizure, which was filed in 2016, will continue regardless. Asset seizures The hearings in The Hague will run until Friday and focus on US objections to the UNs highest courts jurisdiction. No date for a ruling has been set. But Mondays showdown risks deepening the Trump administrations rift with international justice. Last Wednesday, Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, announced that Washington was also quitting the international accord relating to the UN top courts jurisdiction. That followed Irans shock victory last week when the ICJ ruled the United States must lift sanctions against Tehran targeting humanitarian goods like food and medicine. The step also came after the Palestinians went to the ICJ to challenge the US move of its Israel embassy to Jerusalem. Trump last month at the United Nations virulently rejected the authority of the International Criminal Court a separate court based in The Hague of which the US is not a member over a probe into US forces in Afghanistan. Speculation had swirled the fiery leader may have cancer after repeated tests but aide says condition not serious. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte does not have cancer, an official said on Tuesday, after the firebrand leader underwent a series of tests for the disease. The public has been clamouring for information about Dutertes health after the 73-year-old missed two official events last week. He disclosed to us that the result of the test was negative, the one where they took samples from his intestines, Eduardo Ano, acting interior minister, told reporters. Ano said Duterte made the disclosure during a cabinet meeting on Monday night. The president made an unscheduled visit to a hospital when doctors asked him to repeat digestive tract procedures three weeks after similar tests. Confidential Dutertes condition is not serious and will remain a confidential matter, his spokesman, Harry Roque, told a separate news briefing, declining either to confirm or deny Anos prior remarks. The president will abide by the Constitution, but because it is not serious, he will treat his medical condition as confidential, he said. Roque declined to give details of the test results and Dutertes health. Let us wait for his disclosure. Anything that is confidential can be waived by the person alone. Last Thursday, Duterte admitted he might have cancer, saying he underwent an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Both tests aim to diagnose any abnormality in the digestive tract and colon. I dont know where Im now physically, but I have to wait for that. But I would tell you if its cancer, its cancer, he said. Duterte added if its third stage, no more treatment. I will not prolong the agony in this office or anywhere. Full disclosure? The Constitution of the Philippines provides for the public to be told of the state of health of an incumbent president, if serious. If the leader dies in office, becomes permanently disabled, or is removed through impeachment, the vice president succeeds to serve out the rest of a six-year, single term. Vice President Leni Robredo, an opposition leader, was elected separately in 2016 and could fuel uncertainty in the succession process in a highly polarised political climate. Dutertes health was a constant source of speculation after he disappeared from public view for a week last year, but his aides dismissed rumours of his medical condition. Over the weekend, Duterte was in Hong Kong with his partner and young daughter on an unannounced trip, with his special assistant Bong Go posting pictures of the family on social media. Scepticism over Turkish probe of Khashoggi disappearance An investigation into the fate of prominent Saudi journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi is ongoing. Afghans say long-delayed poll provides opportunity but Taliban promises attacks on troops to disrupt process. With a week to go until long-delayed parliamentary elections, Awrang Zib Zierak, a 38-year-old labourer in Afghanistans capital city of Kabul, has decided to vote despite concerns about transparency and security. For Zierak, an election with risks of fraud and security threats is better than no election at all. He believes voting is his right. Because of the lack of resources, constant threats from the Taliban and insincerity of our politicians, a fair chance is never given to a sincere person who wants to do some good for the country. But we must change the situation ourselves. If we dont go out and express what we want, we will always be under a forced regime or a foreign invasion, he told Al Jazeera. Since campaigning kicked off on September 28, hundreds of banners and posters featuring the candidates have been hanging across the capital and surrounding cities, highlighting their mottos and slogans. The parliamentary polls were originally set to be held in early 2015 following presidential elections but were delayed to July 7, 2018 and were then pushed to October 20 due to security fears and reforms in voter registration. I would encourage everyone to vote for young people, because the politicians before them have shown us that they have not done anything but give false hope. Ismail Ahmadzai, Kabul resident More than 2,500 people, including 417 are women, are competing for the 250 seats in the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistans lower house of parliament. I see a lot of young people on the billboards who are campaigning for the elections, most of them are highly educated and good people, Ismail Ahmadzai, a Kabul resident, told Al Jazeera. I would encourage everyone to vote for young people, because the [politicians] before them have shown us that they have not done anything but give false hope. To avoid vote rigging, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced on Friday that a total of 22,000 biometric devices had arrived in Kabul to be used across the country, including 760 warring districts. The use of the biometric devices is very simple. Anyone who has used a smartphone can use it, IEC spokesman Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi told Al Jazeera. The devices will help verify voter identities by comparing their fingerprints to facial images and producing a unique barcode for each voter that will massively help in weeding out duplicates. Ibrahimi said at least 8.8 million people have registered so far. It was 9.5 million, but when we got rid of the duplicates, those who were underaged or who did not have proper documentation, it came out to 8.8 million. We disqualified more than 600,000 people. But with the elections scheduled for October 20, electoral watchdog organisations, candidates and voters expressed concerns, saying the amount of time to prepare for biometric voter verification was limited. The delivery of the 19,400 devices was delayed for days and later had to be dispatched to other provinces to support 21,000 polling stations. The biggest challenge is time and security at the moment. We dont know how and when people will be trained and assisted in using this technology, Mohammed Amiri, an activist based in Kabul, told Al Jazeera. The government has not initiated the awareness programmes on how to use the biometric system many people are still not aware of it. Besides lingering concerns over technical and logistical issues, the Taliban, Afghanistans largest armed group that was toppled from power by US-led invasion in 2001, issued a statement on Monday saying that its fighters will target government security forces to disrupt the elections. People who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure [of the election], Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in the statement. Back in Kabul, despite the pessimism, security challenges and unpreparedness, Awrang Zib Zierak, the labourer, says he will take the opportunity to vote for the candidate who has promised to work for education and jobs in the country. I want to make sure I have played a role in any kind of development in this country, he said. With reporting by Mohsin Zaman in Kabul, Afghanistan The body of 30-year-old journalist Viktoria Marinova was found on Saturday in a park in the town of Ruse. Police in Bulgaria have said a suspect will be released without charge in the murder case of Viktoria Marinova, a journalist who was raped and killed earlier this week. Earlier on Tuesday, the countrys interior ministry said a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian descent had been taken into custody. Our work is continuing. For the time being, there are no facts and circumstances that we can announce. The Romanian citizen is to be released, said Teodor Atanasov, the head of Ruse regional police. The body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova was found on Saturday in a park, Ruse regional prosecutor Georgy Georgiev said on Sunday. Marinova was killed by blows on the head and suffocation, the authorities said, adding that prosecutors were probing all leads both personal and linked to Marinovas job. Interior Minister Mladen Marinov later confirmed to journalists that the victim had also been raped. {articleGUID} According to police sources, the crime did not immediately appear linked to her work, AFP news agency said on Monday. Following the murder, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov expressed hope the perpetrator would be found. International organisations called for thorough investigations following the news of her death. United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was very concerned about Marinovas murder, adding that he awaited the conclusions of the investigation into her killing. European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said the commission expected a swift and thorough investigation that will bring those responsible to justice and clarify whether this attack was linked to her work. We must make sure that journalists everywhere are safe and make their invaluable contributions to our democratic societies, Schinas added. Her calls were echoed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). RSF urges the authorities to carry out a serious and thorough investigation to find the perpetrators of this heinous murder, RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire said. We call for police protection to be provided for the TVN journalists who worked with Viktoria Marinova on the same sensitive report, pending the outcome of the investigation, he added. The CPJ said it was shocked by the barbaric murder. Bulgarian authorities must employ all efforts and resources to carry out an exhaustive inquiry and bring to justice those responsible, the media watchdog said in a statement. TV host #VictoriaMarinova, 30, was found dead Saturday in #Ruse, #Bulgaria; she had been raped, beaten, and strangled. CPJ calls on the Bulgarian authorities to conduct a rigorous, thorough investigation into her killing. https://t.co/gc6xjyw19a Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) October 8, 2018 Marinova was an administrative director of Ruses small private TVN television and had recently launched a new current events talk show called Detector. The last episode of the show on September 30 broadcast interviews with investigative journalists Dimitar Stoyanov from the Bivol.bg website and Attila Biro from the Romanian Rise Project, about an investigation of alleged fraud with regards to EU funds linked to big businessmen and politicians. The pair was briefly detained by police, drawing condemnation from the RSF. In a statement on their Facebook page, Bivol.bg also called for police protection of Marinovas colleagues. The man was identified as Alexander Mishkin, a doctor working for the Russian GRU intelligence service. Researchers from investigative collective Bellingcat claim they have identified the second suspect involved in the Skripal poisoning case. Bellingcat, who worked with Russian news organisation The Insider, identified the man as Alexander Mishkin, a doctor working for the Russian GRU intelligence service. Together with another suspect, earlier identified by Bellingcat to be Anatoliy Chepiga, Mishkin travelled to the British town Salisbury in March 2018 and allegedly poisoned former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. According to Bellingcat, Mishkin was born in the Archangelsk District in northern Russia. He was recruited by the GRU while at one of Russias military medical academies, eventually becoming a military doctor. {articleGUID} Until early September 2014, Mishkins registered home address in Moscow was Khoroshevskoe Shosse 76B the address of the headquarters of the GRU, Bellingcats investigation concluded. The intelligence service provided Mishkin with a new identity and corresponding paperwork. Using this identity, Alexander Petrov, travelled extensively to several European countries including Ukraine and Moldova. In March 2018, he travelled to the UK with someone called Anatoliy Chepiga, who used documents proclaiming he was called Ruslan Boshirov. There, they allegedly poisoned Skripal, who was a former Russian intelligence officer turned double agent, using a rare chemical nerve agent called Novichok. Following the poisoning, both Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia spent several weeks in a hospital, but both ultimately survived. {articleGUID} Last month, the UK charged the two Russians with conspiracy to murder and attempted murder. Based on the body of intelligence, the government has concluded that the two individuals named by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service are officers from the Russian military intelligence service, also known as the GRU, British Prime Minister Theresa May told parliament at the time. This was also not a rogue operation. It was almost certainly approved outside the GRU at a senior level of the Russian state, she said. Russia has denied any involvement in the case and has claimed the two Russians were in Salisbury on a tourist trip. {articleGUID} Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin again denied involvement in the poisoning, but he branded the former spy a traitor and scumbag. Bellingcat is a group of researchers who mostly use open source information to verify information. They have previously published investigations about chemical attacks in Syria and the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The amnesty offer however, does not cover those who fought against the government or joined rebels during the civil war. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has granted a general amnesty for men who deserted the army or have avoided military service. A decree published by state media on Tuesday said the amnesty applies to men inside and outside the country and covers all punishments for desertion. Men inside Syria will have four months to take advantage of the amnesty while those outside will have six months. The move could help boost the return of refugees, some of whom have not been able to go back home because they were blacklisted. Under Syrian military law, deserters can face years of prison if they leave their posts and do not report for service within a set amount of time. While Tuesdays amnesty covers desertion, it does not cover fighting against the government or joining the rebels, who are regarded by the Syrian government as terrorists. Syrias conflict began in 2011 after the mass uprising against Assads rule met a brutal government crackdown. The violence escalated and the country descended into a civil war that has claimed up to half a million lives. Many soldiers deserted, some to join the rebels and others to escape the fighting. More than half the prewar population fled their homes. About five million went abroad and millions of others were displaced internally, creating one of the worst refugee crises of the modern times. The decree comes at a time when government forces have managed to capture wide areas once held by rebel fighters, including in southern Syria and the eastern suburbs of the capital, Damascus. The flashpoint in Syria is now the countrys northwestern province of Idlib, the last remaining stronghold of rebels. Lebanon says 50,000 Syrian refugees, among the more than a million it says are on its soil, have gone home voluntarily in assisted returns this year. However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says conditions have not yet been fulfilled for mass refugee returns. Speaking in Beirut in August, UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said refugees were concerned about conscription, as well as other issues such as the lack of infrastructure. Riyadh open to examination of consulate, Turkeys foreign ministry says, a week after disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. Istanbul, Turkey Saudi Arabia will allow Turkish authorities to search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the Turkish foreign ministry said, a week after the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a visit to the premises. Saudi authorities let us know that they are open to cooperation and an examination can be carried out in the consulate building, Hami Aksoy, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said in a statement on Tuesday. Two Turkish prosecutors have been assigned to manage the planned search at the consulate building, state media reported. The date and time of the search have yet to be announced. Khashoggi, a Saudi writer critical of government policies, entered the consulate on October 2, to handle a routine paperwork issue, but he never came out, Turkish authorities say. This still is from a security camera showing the last known seconds of Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. So where are the images of Jamal leaving? The Saudis need to prove he left alive, said Turkish Pres. Erdogan. I pray they will. pic.twitter.com/m66sPjhj3y Sudarsan Raghavan (@raghavanWaPo) October 9, 2018 Anonymous Turkish sources told the Reuters news agency on Saturday there was evidence he was killed inside the building in what they called a premeditated murder. Saudi officials talking to state media have said that the journalist left the consulate after his visit, denying the Turkish claims. The countrys Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously said Turkish authorities were welcome to conduct a search and his country had nothing to hide. Saudi Arabias ambassador was summoned to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs twice in the last week over the issue. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has not yet spoken with Saudi Arabian officials about the disappearance of Khashoggi. Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he does not know anything about Khashoggis disappearance and that he would speak with Saudi officials at some point about the situation. Support for Khashoggi Since the disappearance of Khashoggi, activists and journalists have gathered by the Saudi consulate in Istanbul almost every day in the last week to rally in support of the missing writer. Leman Yurtsever, a protest organiser and board member of the Human Rights Association in Turkey, said on Tuesday that they gathered by the diplomatic mission to defend the rights and safety of journalists. We do not care from which country the threat and moves against press freedom and human rights come from, be it Saudi Arabia or any other one, she told Al Jazeera. Forced disappearances are cases against human rights and we are here to condemn this crime committed against a journalist, Yurtsever said. If we do not show any reaction, we can be the next one disappearing. Sherif Diab, Egyptian activist Sherif Diab, an Egyptian activist who attended a rally outside the consulate on Monday, told Al Jazeera that they gathered to find justice for Khashoggi, condemning Saudi authorities. People disappear in the Middle Easts authoritarian countries all the time. We see it in Syria, we see it in Egypt, we see it in other ones. However, a dissident getting lost in a foreign mission is taking it one step further, he said. If we do not show any reaction, we can be the next one disappearing, he added. Khashoggi, a self-exiled writer for The Washington Post, was reportedly visiting the consulate to acquire the papers to prove that he was divorced. He was planning to get married to his Turkish fiancee, who waited outside as he entered the consulate. She was the first person to report that he never came out of the building. Two Turkish prosecutors have been assigned to manage the planned search at the consulate building, according to state media [Umut Uras/Al Jazeera] The consulates security camera visuals of Khashoggi on that day show him going inside the building but there is no footage of him coming out, according to Turkish authorities. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in reference to the case, said on Monday that Saudi officials have the responsibility to prove the whereabouts of the missing writer. The relevant [Saudi] authorities are responsible to prove of their claim on this matter. If he left [the consulate], you must prove this, you will prove this, even if its with visuals. Those who ask Turkish authorities where he is should first be asking how did this happen?' Erdogan said during a press briefing in Hungary. Follow Umut Uras on Twitter: @Um_Uras Comments by the UN human rights body comes amid the growing chorus of concern over the fate of the Saudi journalist. The United Nations human rights office has called on Turkey and Saudi Arabia to properly investigate the fate of prominent Saudi journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. If reports of his death and the extraordinary circumstances leading up to are true, this is truly shocking, spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said during a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Shamdasanis comments come shortly after US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo all expressed concern regarding Khashoggis whereabouts. I am concerned. I dont like hearing about it. Hopefully, that will sort itself out, Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. {articleGUID} Right now, nobody knows anything about it. There are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it. Khashoggi, a US resident, has written articles over the past year critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate on October 2 and has not been seen since. Turkish officials have said he was murdered inside the building. Riyadh denies that and claims he left the compound on his own. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Turkeys foreign ministry said Saudi Arabia had given permission to search the premises of its Istanbul consulate. US Vice President Mike Pence also waded into the controversy over the disappeared Saudi, saying the free world deserves answers. Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights. The free world deserves answers. Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 8, 2018 Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Riyadh must provide honest answers about the journalist. We agree that if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid economically and otherwise, Graham tweeted. Our countrys values should be and must be a cornerstone of our foreign policy with foes and allies alike, he said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a thorough and open probe by Saudi Arabia. We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggis disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation, Pompeo said in a statement. US-based political analyst Bill Schneider told Al Jazeera that the chorus of comments by American officials indicates the level concern over the journalists fate, and how it could affect the close relationship between Trump and Saudi leaders. Theyre under pressure from members of Congress and the press. Members of Congress are talking about an investigation The result is there is pressure domestically to look into this matter, said Schneider. Small pieces of evidence Reporting from Istanbul, Al Jazeera correspondent Jamal Elshayyal said Turkish authorities have slowly released more information about the case on Tuesday, specifically about 15 Saudi nationals who travelled to Turkey shortly before Khashoggis disappearance. We understand as we had mentioned from our information that they had come on two different flights. Those two flights then departed one to Dubai, the other one to Cairo, Elshayyal said. According to the sources, those 15 nationals, among them Saudi security personnel, were divided into two groups. They went to the consulate at the same time that Jamal was there. They were, in fact, waiting for him prior to his arrival, he said. Despite them booking four nights in a hotel near the consulate, none of them spent the night in Turkey. In fact, they all flew back on those private jets, some directly after, or a couple of hours after Jamal entered the consulate. And another group waited for a few hours before they also went to the airport, Elshayyal added. Turkish authorities are also examining several vehicles that were on the consulate premises at the time Khashoggi disappeared. We understand that there were four vehicles that left the compound of the consulate a couple hours after Jamal had entered and drove directly to the residence of the consul general, he said. [Authorities are] searching for one particular tinted blacked out van that exited the consulates building. Cannot save themselves On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Saudi officials must prove that Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying he has left, Erdogan said. The 59-year-old Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post newspaper, spent the past year in the United States in self-imposed exile after he fled Saudi Arabia amid a crackdown on intellectuals and activists who criticised the policies of bin Salman. He was last seen by his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, entering the consulate to obtain a document needed for their marriage. She and Turkish officials say he never emerged, even though Saudi Arabia insists he left the building. Turkish authorities have said they believe Khashoggi was most likely killed inside the consulate building and his body later removed from the premises, though they have not provided any conclusive evidence so far. On Tuesday, a picture of a man said to be Khashoggi, entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was shared on social media, allegedly showing him entering shortly before his disappearance. Although the location has been confirmed to be correct, definitive confirmation of the picture to show Khashoggi on the day of his disappearance has not been provided yet. Can anyone confirm the authenticity of this timestamped picture of CCTV camera showing @JKhashoggi walking into the consulate? Pic is being circulated on WhatsApp groups. pic.twitter.com/mpC8Uh7Dyx Mohamed Soltan | (@soltanlife) October 8, 2018 {articleGUID} Openly critical journalist Khashoggi, 59, has had a long career as a senior journalist in Saudi Arabia and as an adviser to top officials. But since the emergence of bin Salman, 33, as the centre of power in the kingdom last year, Khashoggi has been openly critical of the monarchy. He has assailed the princes reforms as hollow, accusing him of introducing a new Saudi era of fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming. Killing someone such as Khashoggi who long had ties to the royal family and the Saudi intelligence apparatus in a consulate would be a major escalation in the crown princes rise. Ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia are at a low point over Ankaras support for Qatar last year in its dispute with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Turkey sent food to Qatar and deployed troops at its military base there. Saudi Arabia is also annoyed by Ankaras rapprochement with its regional rival, Iran. Facebook said it would crack down on such pages, but its promise seems to have had a limited effect. Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen centuries of war between Islam and the West by Raymond Ibrahim De Capo Press/Hachette Book Group 394 pages with notes and index Every once in a while, I come across a book that I can say changed the way I understand the world I live in. Raymond Ibrahim's new book, Sword and Scimitar, altered the way I understand the development of our civilization I mean the one that America inherited from Europe and made our own. It drove home to me how little I knew about the way Islam in the form of attempted and often successful conquest really changed the way our civilization evolved and the way it grew to understand itself. For one thing, prior to Mohammed, our predecessors didn't think of themselves as part of "Western" or even "European" civilization. Back when Mohammed kicked off the promise of eternal jihad in 630 (recorded in Koran 9:29), our civilizational forebearers thought of themselves as part of Christendom, an area that included North Africa, much of the Middle East, modern Turkey, and more. Mohammed and his successor jihad warriors over the next centuries cut Christendom down to Europe, the western flank of the dar al-harb, where more secular geographic and cultural identities eventually thrived. They became "Western civilization" because they were west of the Islamic heartland in Arabia and beyond. Sword and Scimitar takes the form of a military history of eight key battles between Muslims and the Christian world over the course of almost a millennium and a half, in which a variety of Islamic military leaders of very different ethnic and racial backgrounds Arab, Berber, Mongol, Tartar, and Turk carried out Mohammed's injunction of eternal jihad. They understood jihad not as a spiritual quest to be better, but as armed conquest, followed by plunder, enslavement, mass torture and execution, and repopulation, with mass conversion under threat or advantage, helped along, I might add, by systematic rape of the nubile female population to produce Muslim babies. I think I understand why my education left me bereft of a good understanding of the role of Islam in defining my own civilization. It is often an uncomfortable history, too often a story of failure with the direst possible consequences for the side I (and our past but not current crop of historians) identified and sympathized with. At many junctures, factionalism, greed, stupidity, and worse played a major role. Ibrahim does an excellent job of showing how this played out on both sides, and not always for the worse in the West. It should be noted that four of the battles covered are Christian defeats and Muslim victories, but four are the reverse. Raymond Ibrahim tells this history vividly, clearly, and engagingly. He deserves the major credit for this feat, but it is worth noting that he is a student of Victor Davis Hanson and it shows. Sword and Scimitar is in a sense two books: the author provides a historical narrative that moves along briskly, telling the stories of the development of the eight battles, their fighting, and the outcomes and consequences. For each of the battles, Ibrahim provides an excellent look at the political, cultural, and economic context on both sides, so the detailed accounts of what happened in battle fill in a broader picture of civilizational conflict. But the large number of footnotes on the bottom of pages provides not just further details, but excursions into tangential topics raised by the main narrative. I confess that I was often torn between continuing the main narrative and following the additional thoughts and stories of the footnotes. (This was not an unhappy dilemma books can be picked up again to return to the footnotes.) The author, born to Coptic Christian immigrants from Egypt, has spent years reading and translating Arabic, Greek, and other historians, often incorporating phrases and sentences from them in the midst of his narrative. He strives to convey and succeeds in conveying how both sides saw their confrontations and how later historians on each side explained the outcomes. He starts with the six-day-long Battle of Yarmuk in 636, two years following the Arab invasion of Syria, then much larger and deeply Christian, a province of the Roman Empire (governed from Constantinople). There, vastly numerically inferior Arab forces defeated a far larger detachment sent by the Byzantine emperor to crush the early military challenges coming from Arabs inspired by messianic expansionism. Following the collapse of Christian forces at Yarmuk, near the current Jordanian-Syrian border, the Arab jihad warriors spread rapidly, capturing Jerusalem the following year, and on to Egypt, the oldest continuous Christian community in the world, as Ibrahim points out, and from there, North Africa (completely subdued by 709) and then Spain and into France, where Charles Martel finally halted the advance at Tours in 732. One of the things that makes Sword and Scimitar so valuable is that unlike the dominant secular mindset of most academic historians, Ibrahim understands the role religion plays in the lives of individuals, groups, nations, and civilizations. He makes it clear that religion was central to the Islamic conquests which seems obvious, except that many modern historians prefer to see the battles in economic terms. The fact that Muslim warriors were promised heaven and a supply of virgins if they died in battle, and the chance at plunder, rape, and domination if they survived and won, provided a tremendous advantage in recruiting and motivating the troops so much so that after the better part of a millennium, a countervailing doctrine was cooked up for the Christian forces in the Middle Ages. A second and even more valuable feature of Sword and Scimitar is the author's examination of the continuities in jihad warfare across the fourteen centuries of battle and on to our own time of terrorism and ISIS. If you want to understand these current vital concerns, you need to read this book. The results of the 2016 presidential election sent a shock wave throughout the United States and around the world. Contrary to the expectations of many, if not most, Donald Trump won the election. His opponents were stunned. They had already crowned their candidate as the winner. The party had already been planned and prepared. There was no possibility that Hillary Clinton could lose. However, after a short period, Trump's opponents recovered. They would fight back. They simply could not tolerate this frightening to them specter who had promised Americans that he would build a wall to protect their country and that he would "drain the swamp" in Washington. They could not accept as president anyone who does not share their ideology and their plans for the United States. His enemies, who had plotted during the presidential campaign to ensure that Hillary Clinton would be elected, immediately began to make their plans to undo the horrible and unthinkable mistake made by the voters of the United States. They decided that they would muffle and nullify the voice of the people by removing the president from office. They would impeach him. And so, aided and abetted by the media and by high-ranking members of the government itself, they initiated their war. They would do whatever they had to do by whatever means they could imagine to damage and to destroy the president, his administration, his friends, and his supporters. It was a civil war, ferocious, with no holds barred and no sense of decency or honor. It would be pervasive and relentless. Nothing was sacred against their onslaught, not even the Constitution, not even the rule of law, not even the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, not even the right of others to believe anything other than what they believed. Proof of the commitment of President Trump's enemies to weaken and overthrow him, a person duly elected by America's voters, assails us every day. The media fill newspapers, magazines, daily newscasts, and internet postings with negative stories. Whether they're true or untrue is not important. Reporters are no longer reporters. They have become judges who see their role as accepting negative opinions from the president's enemies and correcting the unacceptable opinions of the few supporters who occasionally have an opportunity to speak. One representative example, among the countless possibilities, of the ruthlessness of President Trump's enemies is the recent public spectacle of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Poor, "terrified" Christine Blasey Ford! In spite of her protestation to the contrary, Ford was a pathetic pawn placed on the sacrificial altar by the pitiless Democratic members of the committee in their dogged and reprehensible destruction of anyone who might be an obstacle in the attainment of their sacred goals. In spite of this constant stream of attacks, President Trump has been remarkably successful in the short period of time he has been the president. Most of his successes are not reported in the mainstream media, and, if it is begrudgingly reported, the news is almost always accompanied by a caveat that any credit really belongs to his predecessor, that the news is really bad, or that the administration is not telling the truth. Rare for a politician, President Trump is steadily keeping his promises. He has a goal of rescinding two government regulations for each new one instituted, thereby saving billions of dollars. He is committed to negotiating free and fair trade deals after years in which other countries have benefited from trade policies that favored them over the U.S. As a result, American businesses created 3.9 million new jobs, and the number of workers who were not in the job force decreased by 2.7 million. Under his leadership, the economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.2%. Unemployment recently dropped to 3.7%. The economy boomed, and optimism rose. Some Americans probably believe that it makes no difference who controls the government in Washington because all politicians are the same. That is, they think only about staying in power and keeping their party in power. They do not care about the people. If you share that opinion, consider some of the results of leftist ideology in the Obama administration. During the eight years he was president, the domestic product growth rate varied from a low of 1.6% to a high of 2.6%. Unemployment ranged from a high of 9.6% to a low of 5.3%. The number of American workers who dropped out of the workforce increased from over 80 million potential workers to over 95 million, an increase of 18%. During his tenure, his administration added 184 major regulations, at an implementation cost of 80 billion dollars a year. While he was president, the national debt rose from under $11 trillion to almost $20 trillion, an increase of 86%. The number of people on food stamps rose from 34 million in 2009 to a high of 48 million in 2014, which was 15% of the U.S. population, before dropping off to 44 million in 2016. On a smaller scale, many large cities have been under the control of leftist politicians for decades. These politicians became powerful and rich, while those who believed their promises and voted for them became poorer and more destitute. Their failing policies led to huge groups of government dependents permanently mired in poverty, self-pity, resentment, and hopelessness. If you think implemented ideology does not affect the well-being of yourself and others, much less the country as a whole, think again. Cortes J. Bicking wrote, "The person who cannot lead and will not follow invariably obstructs." In the midst of the present civil war, we might express that idea as follows: the party that will not accept the results of a lost election, and will not follow the new presidential leadership, will inevitably do great harm to the commonwealth. It's time to make our votes count, and to do our part in making and keeping America great! Following its admission a month ago that it screwed up 23,000 voter registrations, California's Department of Motor Vehicles has admitted another one: registering 1,500 foreigners to vote in U.S. elections. That's some record they've got, and anyone who thinks there isn't more coming is more than naive. The Los Angeles Times report, once again, suggested there was nothing to worry about; they've got it all fixed: "We have worked quickly with the Department of Technology to correct these errors and have also updated the programming and added additional safeguards to improve this process," DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a written statement. ...adding that the errantly registered foreigners were all de-registered, although their mail-in ballots, ahem, did go out. They claim to have fixed the bar codes to ensure that anyone mailing the votes back will not be counted. Yeah, sure. At the bottom of its piece, the LAT wheels out the money question every reader is wondering: whether illegals were registered to vote. Once again, it says there's no problem: Though [Canadian voter and DMV-registered U.S. voter] Marquis is not a U.S. citizen, he is legally allowed to live and work in the country. DMV officials have said that those who are not and who can be issued a special California driver'a [sic] license as a result are treated uniquely by the department's computer system and have not been registered to vote in error. The whole thing raises the question of whether the DMV really is capable of handling automotive registrations for both legal and illegal residents as well as voter registrations that include mail-in ballots. We are seeing a repeated pattern of blunders on the part of the staff and have valid reason to question whether those were the only errors, or just the ones they can't get out of admitting to. What's more, none of this includes illegally registered voters who lied on their applications and claimed to be U.S. citizens eligible to vote. The DMV, after all, operates on an "honor system" and doesn't actually check. Those illegally registered voters may well number in the high thousands, given the voter registration efforts of open borders groups in illegal-alien enclaves of Los Angeles County, as well as the helpful efforts of the Mexican consulates to get their...nationals? the people they are charged to serve?...all registered to vote in the U.S. elections. The secretary of state, Alex Padilla, says he is calling for an independent audit, which is the least he can do (actually, I am surprised he did, given the sense that Democrats rather like having foreign voters on the rolls), which suggests a serious situation that may mean that the DMV is underreporting its problems. Or it may mean he's got someone not all that independent in mind to sweep the matter under the rug for him. There are real issues here, not the least of which is an agency issuing both drivers licenses and voter registrations and failing miserably at that. Secondarily, as the registrations head for the office of the secretary of state, there's the compounded problem of mail-in ballots, which are convenient for illegal voters in that they involve no possibility of intercept by the Migra in the way illegally showing up at the voting booth might. Great vote if you can get it. What's more, the L.A. Times didn't explain much about why this could have happened, which suggests that the DMV likely didn't tell the paper, and therefore there's some information the agency doesn't want the Times to know. The 23,000 error earlier was explained as an error of DMV employees not clearing their registration screens. The 1,500 foreigners registered to vote in California got no explanation at all, just that it happened and they claim to have fixed it, despite all those mail-in ballots going out. Is there more to this? It sounds as though there's more to this. Perhaps we will have to wait for the supposedly independent audit. But what's most likely is that Trump Will Have Been Right Again about California's compromised voter registration system. If this isn't a call to clean up this dirty system and restore the DMV to its original mission, what is? With Steve Scalise still needing canes to walk after surviving an attempted mass assassination of GOP congressmen; Maxine Waters loudly urging Democrats to harass Republicans whenever they venture out, even to "gasoline stations"; paid demonstrators pounding on the doors of the Supreme Court while the newest justice was sworn in; and the rank and file urging the murder of Justice Kavanaugh, the Republic now faces a crisis of political violence. The idea of America recapitulating Japan's slide into fascism through a period called "government by assassination" is no longer unthinkable. Had Bernie Bro James Hodgkinson (Remember him? The media certainly have done their best to erase him from memory.) succeeded in his true mission, of wiping out a chunk of the GOP caucus, the history of this Congress would be very different. "It can't happen here" is a delusion. So far, nobody of standing in the Democratic Party is calling out the thugs operating as the Dems' enforcers. I suspect that the political calculus among Republicans has been to let Waters shoot off her mouth and alienate more and more independent voters. But the risk of violence is such that this may be foolish. It is now time for President Trump to start calling them out, reinforced by as many voices as possible, telling the public that if they don't condemn it, they approve of the violence and harassment. The worst among the Democrats have free rein to speak and act on their murderous fantasies. The old slogan used by AIDS activists applies to the Democrats today: Once political violence becomes common, the toothpaste is difficult to put back in the tube. Politics and sex. There was a time when some of us "seasoned" individuals believed that you could not get enough of either. Sadly, that is not the case lately. Politics and sex; sex and politics. I do not know about you, but it has not been good for some folks in a long time. Sex in some form is all part of a day's work for a political figure. It can range from criminal behavior (alleged or actual) to extramarital (real or imagined) to issues of gender (same or trans or whatever is in vogue at the moment). Former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards combined all of them when he famously said the only way he could lose the 1983 election was "if I'm caught in bed with either a live boy or a dead girl." Even our sanctuaries are not free from sex scandals. If we are not reading about pedophile priests, we are reading about pedophile preachers. If we are not hearing about a preacher in a car with a hooker, we are reading about Jesus in bed with a prostitute. Most of the time, the scandals fade into the mist and the dark nightmare that spawned them. Other times, they breed and grow because smart people make stupid statements that keep the controversy on the front pages. The Vatican's latest attempt to explain the growing scandal of pedophilia among priests is such a case. The Holy See still does not see that there is no easy way out of this mess. Reuters reported this week that Pope Francis continued his campaign to make the theology of Evil the main issue instead of the child-molesters and those who gave them cover. "[The Church must be] saved from the attacks of the malign one, the great accuser and at the same time be made ever more aware of its guilt, its mistakes, and abuses committed in the present and the past," Francis said in a message Sept. 29. A friend, a member of the Eastern Orthodox clergy, called BS on an Oct. 6 statement from the Vatican press office asserting that the massive and pervasive (my words, not theirs) cover-up "would not be consonant with a contemporary approach to such issues" and that child abuse and cover-ups "represent a form of clericalism that is no longer acceptable." My friend rightly pointed out that the Vatican wants us to believe that the problem is not that somebody did something wrong, but that our standards have changed when it uses phrases like "contemporary approach" and "no longer acceptable," as if this sort of thing were acceptable at any time. I am always amazed at the Vatican's deafness on this subject and its inability to take a rock-solid position. It reminds me of a politician or celebrity who does or says something outrageous and then says, "I'm sorry if I offended someone." No one, particularly victims, wants to hear the Vatican's version of that old joke "the Devil made me do it." People want to hear the vicar of Christ say, "The abuse was wrong, the cover-up was wrong, everything associated with these horrible acts was wrong. For all of that, we can only ask for forgiveness and prayers. But these will not change the past. So I ask for your prayers and help to change the future, knowing that the Devil himself is working overtime to destroy the Faith and the faithful and that we, as shepherds, cannot now and will not again allow the Wolf of Souls to destroy our flock." Words alone mean nothing. Public relations professionals churn out millions of words a day that mean nothing until someone takes action. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition (with no apologies to Monty Python), but all victims of child sexual abuse and all people, regardless of religious belief, expect and demand accountability, a path to justice, and a promise to stamp out the evil wherever it lurks. John David Powell is an award-winning journalist living in Texas. His email is johndavidpowell@yahoo.com. The Kavanaugh confirmation battle exemplifies the current social and political civil war caused by the leftists who have taken over the Democratic Party. The leftists are outraged that the rest of the country does not share and follow their beliefs. This leftist rage has its roots in using the federal courts to achieve desired political results instead of the constitutional legislative process, such as abortion decisions starting with Roe v. Wade. The leftists, led by Ted Kennedy, viciously attacked Judge Robert Bork in 1987 to keep him off the Supreme Court. They tried again with Justice Clarence Thomas, but Thomas and Republicans were better prepared. I doubt that any rational person believed the outrageous charges by Kennedy against Judge Bork that his confirmation would lead to outlawing all abortions, illegal searches of homes, prohibition of teaching of evolution, re-segregation, and elimination of civil rights. Kennedy, Biden, and the rest of the Dems used abortion to attack Bork. Kennedy also wanted revenge because Bork, as solicitor general, carried out Nixon's order to fire Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was a Kennedy family friend and served as solicitor general in the JFK administration. Kennedy pushed to have Cox appointed as special prosecutor to get Nixon. In addition, Bork as solicitor general defeated the lawsuits brought by the ACLU and others to stop the 1973 bombing in Cambodia. Justice Douglas upheld a district judge's decision to order the Pentagon to stop bombing Cambodia. Bork persuaded the Supreme Court to reverse the order, which was a clear violation of the separation of powers. (See Robert H. Bork, Saving Justice, Watergate, the Saturday Night Massacre, and other Adventures of a Solicitor General, Wilsted &Taylor Publishing, 2013.) The Democrats want judges to tell the Pentagon how to run a war and tell the president how to run immigration policy. This leftist rage reached its full bloom with the false charges against Justice Kavanaugh of attempted rape and gang rapes. I doubt that any rational person, even the Dems on the Judiciary Committee, believes that Kavanaugh attempted to rape Christine Blasey Ford or that he was involved in gang rapes. The Democrats announced their opposition to Kavanaugh minutes after he was nominated by President Trump. They demanded a seventh FBI investigation, which produced the same results as the first six FBI investigations: Kavanaugh is squeaky-clean and innocent of the charges. There are numerous examples of how these leftists view Americans who do not agree with them. Hillary Clinton asked why she wasn't leading by 50 points, as if everyone should agree with her. Hillary called the voters who opposed her "deplorables." Obama said Americans who opposed him are bitter and cling to guns and religion. What explains this blind hatred by leftists of those who disagree with them? They cannot accept that Americans voted to elect President Trump instead of the poster girl of the left: Hillary. Who are we, the voters, to disagree with the left's choice for president? We had a preview in the 2000 election, where the Democrats fought the Bush election in the courts and constantly referred to Bush as selected, not elected. The election of President Trump sent the leftists over the edge. The culture reflects this division. Trump and his supporters criticized Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during our national anthem. Hollywood, instead of making enjoyable, watchable movies, trots out has-beens like Robert De Niro, who foams at the mouth while swearing against President Trump. This is what happens when De Niro has to read and write his own lines instead of reading lines written by Mario Puzo. Rob Meathead Reiner criticized De Niro's rants, not because they were wrong, but because such rants help Trump with his voters. On a personal note, I see acquaintances on social media refer to Trump as Hitler and a dictator, as if we live in Venezuela or North Korea. These people are economically well off. Their 401(k)s increased by 30-40% under Trump. But they cannot see the absurdity of claiming we live under a dictator comparable to Hitler when they, Hollywood, the Dems, and the media are free to constantly criticize and attack Trump. It seems the rational part of their brains, or what is left of them, shuts down at the thought of President Trump. The bottom line is that the Democratic Party has been taken over by totalitarian leftists who do not accept President Trump as president. Even worse, they view Trump voters as enemies. Give me a nickel for every time someone mentions the word "backlash" on TV. The latest is that women will show up to punish the GOP. The other backlash is that women will turn out to punish Democrats for mistreating Judge Kavanaugh and family. Are you confused yet? What if both sides are right? In other words, why if both sides turn out to vote in huge numbers? If they do, then my money is on the GOP having a good night., as Margot Cleveland wrote: The extreme left of the Democratic Party may celebrate leaders' no-holds-bar attempt to derail Kavanaugh's confirmation, but swing suburban moms are appalled by the Democrats' ill-use of Ford, Ramirez and Swetnick. In Ford, women saw a distraught and damaged woman paraded before the Senate, her privacy in tatters, because her sexual assault allegations were leaked to the news media at the most politically opportune moment. And as Ford's story fell apart following her testimony, women saw the obvious harm the Democrats' tactic will inflict on real victims of sexual assault. Moderate women voters also find Democratic senators' utter disregard for the men affected by false claims of sexual assault terrifying. Women watched as Kavanaugh spoke forcefully to defend his name and honor, and in Kavanaugh, women saw their innocent fathers, husbands, brothers, or sons, falsely accused, condemned and left with a reputation irreparably damaged. And in Kavanaugh's loving wife, young daughters and distraught mother, women saw themselves and their families. Women also saw the future of a society that puts politics over the principles of fairness and the presumption of innocence. And they saw Democrats leading that charge. Democratic politicians, professional protesters and reproductive-rights activists are so blinded by their rage at how President Donald Trump succeeded in appointing a second originalist justice to the Supreme Court, they cannot see the anger they unleashed in the apolitical populace across America. They will see it, though, come November. I agree completely. Women will turn out to defend the principle of innocent until proven guilty, or something that most of us thought was accepted by both sides. In the end, the ladies may decide the fate of the next House and Senate. My money is on conservative moms who must be appalled at what they watched on TV. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. An old castaway hut in the North of Antipodes Islands, New Zealand. Photo credit: LawrieM/Wikimedia Before the Suez and Panama Canals opened, ships sailing from Australia and New Zealand to England and back had to make a treacherous journey through the frigid waters of the Antarctic Ocean fighting fierce winds, huge waves and skirting potentially dangerous icebergs. This route was known as the clipper routeso called because they were usually taken by clippers, a very fast sailing ship of the 19th century. Clipper ships bound for Australia and New Zealand from England would drop south below the equator and into the Roaring Forties, located between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees, where strong westerly winds blow. These winds carried ships across the Antarctic Ocean towards their westerly destination in the fastest time possible. The return passage from Australia continued east through the same Roaring Forties taking advantage of the same fierce winds, and as the ships approached Cape Horn, they would dip south to make a perilous crossing through the Drake Passage around the Horn. If all goes well, the ships would emerge unscathed and make a successful passage back up the Atlantic and towards England. However, things didnt go well always. Many foolhardy captains kept pushing south to access stronger winds and shorter route and ended up crashing against one of the many sub-Antarctic islands located south of New Zealand. Inaccurate charts were also responsible for many of these wrecks. For example, the captain of the Amherst noted that the 1851-maps the ships were using placed the uninhabited Auckland Islands, that lay directly within the standard route, a full 35 miles south of their true location. In 1864, an Australian schooner named the Grafton ran aground in Carnley Harbour during a summer storm. The five survivors lived on the island for 19 months before three of them managed to journey to Stewart Island in a repaired boat and arranged for rescue of the rest. The same year, a clipper named Invercauld enroute to Chile wrecked on the northwestern end of island. Of the 19 survivors, only three survived the winter. Neither the Grafton crew nor the crew of the Invercauld knew about the each other, even though both crews were marooned on the same island. Two years later, in 1866, the American vessel General Grant wrecked on the western coast of Auckland Islands. Only 15 of the 83 on board survived the wreck. When they were rescued 18 months later, there were only ten survivors. When stories of these castaways reached land, the New Zealand government started a program to establish provision depots on a number of sub-Antarctic islands to give castaways a better chance of survival. Small shelters were built and stocked with provisions including tinned food, biscuits, clothing, blankets, fishing equipment, medicine, tools, weapons and ammunition. Sign posts were set up on the island to direct castaways to the huts. Some islands were provided with boats to enable survivors to reach other land or close castaway depots. The government also released land animals such as goats, pigs and rabbits on the islands to breed and provide food for castaways. When the Derry Castle wrecked on Enderby Island in 1887, her eight survivors built a boat from the wreckage and sailed to Auckland Island, where they obtained supplies from a government depot. Four years later, the Compadre was driven onto the rocks off the North Cape of Auckland Island. The crew found relief and sustenance from two nearby depots, as well as fresh meat from livestock that had been released onto the island. They survived in comparatively good health until rescued 122 days later. There are many more examples of shipwrecked victims saved by the well thought-out government scheme. For fifty years, a government steamer checked on all the depots every six months and restocked them with provisions. But by 1927, with the availability of modern ships and opening up of new routes, the clipper route fell out of favor and subsequently the New Zealand government ended maintenance of the depots. Many of these depots are in ruins today. Some were looted during the times when they were kept stocked. To deter stealing clothing was often made from a distinctly patterned fabric instantly recognizable to officials. The ruined depot and boatshed at Erebus Cove, Port Ross on the Auckland Islands, the 1908 hut on Antipodes Island, the 1880 Stella Hut on Enderby Island, and the boatshed on Enderby are some of the surviving depots that are now managed by the Department of Conservation. Castaway depot at Carnley Harbour, Auckland Islands, in 1907. Photo credit: Samuel Page The castaway depot on Curtis Island, photographed in 1917 after German naval captain Count Felix von Luckner and his crew of escaped prisoners of war had broken in and taken the stores. Photo credit: teara.govt.nz The remains of one of the five provision depots set up on the Auckland Islands in the 1880s and 1890s. It is located at Camp Cove on Carnley Harbour, in the south of the islands. Photo credit: teara.govt.nz In short: ASUS has now revealed the existence of a new 14-inch clamshell Chrome OS device, to be sold under the ASUS Chromebook C423 model designation. The new laptop-like is set to become available in a range of configurations, starting with a choice between either Intels Celeron-branded dual-core N3350 Processor or its more powerful Pentium quad-core N4200 silicon. Those will ship with either 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4 RAM and 32GB or 64GB of eMMC solid-state storage. Meanwhile, while both will be sold with a 14-inch panel, consumers will have options between either a 1366 x 786 no-touch panel and a more robust 1920 x 1080 touchscreen. Regardless of the model chosen, that will be an anti-glare panel packed into an aluminum cover. The lower portion of the device, on the other hand, appears to be a plastic build that houses the above-mentioned processors, in addition to an integrated Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 combo module. Two standard USB 3.1 ports are built into that, along with two more USB Type-C 3.0 for both powering the 2-Cell 38 Wh battery and display output capabilities. Battery life is expected to be set at around 10-hours per charge and a combination audio jack, HD webcam, and SD card reader round out the package. Background: This latest Chrome OS laptop from ASUS breaks away from at least one current trend in Chromebook hardware, apparently aiming for the more budget-friendly end of the spectrum. For clarity, most of the Chrome OS announcements from the latter half of 2018 have been centered around boosting specifications. The premium portion of the Chromebook market hasnt necessarily been non-existent, with several manufacturers building devices that rival even Googles own Pixel-branded devices. However, it seems as though an uptick in sales and usability of the operating system is driving manufacturers to push for larger more powerful devices such as the recently announced HP Chromebook x360 14. Advertisement Impact: The new ASUS Chrome OS device has a screen-to-body ratio of around 78-percent and side bezels around the 14-inch panel measure at just 5.8mm. So ASUS hasnt entirely ignored the shifting tides but, given the internal components, lack of 360-degree hinge, and apparent use of plastics, it certainly isnt following the pack. Instead, the company appears to be using the resurgence in hardware to place itself as a competitor among rivals such as ACER and Dell in terms of affordability and features just in time for the upcoming holiday season. In the meantime, ASUS has not confirmed pricing, availability, or launch date for the Chromebook C423. Google on Tuesday finally announced the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, its latest Android flagships which have been leaking all over the Internet for months now. Those countless premature sightings were largely accurate so while nothing unveiled at todays event in Paris was truly unforeseen, Google still had a number of small surprises up its sleeve. While a single look at them doesnt really suggest these handsets are so similar, theyre much more alike than they appear at first and choosing one over the other will be more of a matter of taste than technical demands and smartphone habits. Run-of-the-mill specs In terms of specifications, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are mostly run-of-the-mill 2018 flagships: Qualcomms Snapdragon 845 chip is here, together with a minimum 64GB storage option and 4GB of RAM which Google is surprisingly sticking with for the third year in a row now. Speaking of things that are not new, the sole 12.2-megapixel camera is once again making a return, though the single-lens selfie solution from last year has now been replaced with an 8-megapixel dual-camera setup on the front, with the second lens being of the wide-angle variety and designed for group selfies. The Pixel 3 features a 5.5-inch FHD+ (2,160 x 1,080, 18:9) screen, whereas the Pixel 3 XL offers a 6.3-inch QHD+ (2,960 x 1,440, 18.5:9) panel, both of which are of the OLED variety, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and offer UHDA-certified HDR support. The dual stereo speakers are said to be up to 40-percent more powerful than last years units, with the new phones also offering Bluetooth 5.0, NFC. All things considered, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are relatively underwhelming in terms of pure hardware but as far as Google is concerned, the experience they offer is all about their software and hardware working together and is still of the ultra-premium variety. Advertisement To notch or not to notch The most obvious difference between the newly announced Android handsets is that the smaller Pixel 3 doesnt have a notch and pretty much looks like last years Pixel 2 XL, whereas the larger Pixel 3 XL features a rather sizeable cutout that appears rather crude compared to minimal notches other manufacturers opted for over the course of the last year. Google made no attempts to explain the sizeable notch or why doing super-wide selfies even requires a second camera, which is presumably a large part of the reason why the cutout ended up being so big. Advertisement Screen cutouts aside, the aluminum-and-glass build of the new series appears to be as premium as they come and Google even decided to make the new handsets more playful by using lime and orange hardware accents on select variants. The amount of bezels is fairly minimal and both devices have been designed for single-handed use in mind, hence their tall aspect ratios. IP68-certified resistance to dust particles and water completes the mostly glass package which remains rather compact; the Pixel 3 weighs 148g and is 145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9mm in size, whereas the 184g Pixel 3 XL measures in at 158 x 76.7 x 7.9mm. The best mobile photography software meets not the best hardware Advertisement Besides the Pixel 3 XLs notch, the fact that both of the new handsets are featuring only a single rear camera is surely the most controversial feature of the lineup. Its 2018, consumers can already buy several mainstream devices with not two but three rear cameras, and while more doesnt necessarily equal better, even a remotely capable developer can come up with software that leverages multiple cameras to make the overall mobile photography experience more versatile. On the bright side, Google is way more than just a remotely capable developer, so the overall imaging capabilities of the Pixel 3 line remain worthy of a premium price tag. The 1.4m rear sensor and its f/1.8 (76) lens that utilizes both OIS and EIS can now help you capture even the most difficult shots by basically taking images all the time, so if you press your shutter button and arent satisfied with what you see, you can browse through a dozen or so images taken before and after you actually instructed the device to record something. Google calls this feature Top Shot and it looks rather advanced, though it remains to be seen how it ends up working in practice. While the rear panels of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are still accommodating just a single rear camera each, their fronts now feature two-lens systems. As a result, the companys Portrait Mode is now said to be more natural and accurate, whereas wide-angle selfies become an option even without a selfie stick, as Google is eager to point out. The devices can also capture 187-percent larger area than the Apple iPhone XS can, the company said, adding that its Portrait Mode has been additionally improved as well. The biggest breakthroughs are not in hardware alone, Google hardware SVP Rick Osterloh said today, and the Pixel 3 camera is meant to drive that point home or die trying. Advertisement Improved batteries + more efficient processing = better battery life The Pixel 3 builds on the 2,700mAh battery of its predecessor by shipping with a 2,915mAh cell, though the Pixel 3 XL is fueled by a 3,450mAh unit as opposed to the 3,520mAh module found inside the Pixel 2 XL. Still, coupled with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, both should last longer and charge quicker than their predecessors, thus having zero issues with lasting throughout the day on a single charge and casual users may even get more out of them, with the company itself advertising their cells as day-long batteries. One important novelty in the battery department comes in the form of wireless charging support which is making a return to a Google product line for the first time since the Motorola-made Nexus 6 released in late 2014. To that end, Google is also launching a wireless charging dock called the Pixel Stand alongside its latest Android handsets. Compared to the phone from four years ago, the Pixel 3 lineup takes things a step further with the introduction of fast (10W) wireless charging, whereas Qualcomms Quick Charge tech remains supported as well. Advertisement The only truly premium stock Android experience on the market With Android 9 Pie unsurprisingly being part of the package, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the only smartphones that are currently offering a truly premium experience of Googles latest mobile operating system. A stable version of the companys Digital Wellbeing portfolio is also on offer here, having been designed to reduce the amount of time you spend on your smartphone every day through smart app and action suggestions, as well as more general automation. Naturally, that technology can be disabled at will but Google urges you to give it a go and see if it improves your quality of life. The Active Edge from the Pixel 2 lineup is making a return with both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL and doesnt appear to be any different to last years tech thats essentially just a rebranded version of HTCs Edge Sense. In other words, you can map the action of physically squeezing the device with a certain amount of force to various shortcuts, whether to launch particular apps or perform actions within apps such as taking an image. The feature was mostly received as a neat gimmick thats easy to ignore last year and thats unlikely to be different this time around. Integration with other Google services is once again and completely unsurprisingly touted as a major selling point of the handsets, so e.g. all Pixel 3 owners will have unlimited (full-resolution) Google Photos storage until January 31, 2022, for all images and video clips recorded on their Android smartphones. Native Google Lens, AR Stickers (now called Playground), Google Assistant, and Titan Security support is also a core part of the Pixel 3 experience, as is a free six-month subscription to YouTube Music Premium, and the handsets will not only be the first to receive new OS versions and monthly security patches but may also still enjoy temporarily exclusive access to various new app features Google comes up with moving forward. Advertisement Something for everyone Google is offering three color variants of its latest Android handsets Just Black, Clearly White, and Not Pink. All versions of both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL come with only 4GB of RAM, though users can choose between 64GB and 128GB of storage space. That and the screens are pretty much the only differences between the two handsets, though Google appears to be confident that will be enough to cater to a wide demographic in its target markets. Theres still no word on whether the firm intends to re-release one or both phones in additional colors at a later date, though that doesnt seem likely given how it never did so in the past. Advertisement Available globally kind of As was the case with the first two generations of the Pixel family, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are kind of available globally, except not really. As far as the United States market is concerned, Verizon is still the only wireless carrier selling the new smartphones, whereas American consumers can also buy them unlocked directly from the Google Store. Prospective buyers in most other countries will have to deal directly with Google, provided the Pixel 3 series will actually be sold in their market. Given how the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were notoriously lacking in the availability department, some industry watchers were hoping Google will be pushing their successors to many more markets but that doesnt appear to be the case. Instead, France and Japan are the only new countries that will be receiving the latest made-by-Google handsets, or at least the only new ones the company confirmed so far. Pricing is another front that brings some less-than-pleasant surprises, as the Pixel 3 starts at $799 in the U.S., $150 more than the Pixel 2 went for last year. Verizon is at least offering a BOGO deal on the handsets that allows you to buy two for the price of one on a contract and some other carriers such as Fido in Canada are bundling all pre-orders with a free Pixel Stand thrown in. The Pixel 3 XL starts at $899 and does up to $999 for the 128GB version, whereas the Pixel 3 variant with just as much storage space retails at $899. The devices will start shipping on October 17 in the U.S. and abroad. In short: Duplex, the Google Assistant-based service designed to initiate and lead phone calls with real humans for the purposes of making appointments, will be rolling out to all Pixel smartphones in November, Google confirmed earlier today. As originally announced, the service will only be live in parts of the United States for the time being, with consumers in San Francisco, New York, Phoenix, and Atlanta being scheduled to receive it by the end of the year. The rollout will be gradual in nature as Google intends to approach the deployment of the platform one city at a time. Its still unclear whether all Pixel handsets will receive the feature or just the newly announced Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will, though the former scenario seems more likely. Background: First announced at Google I/O 2018 in May, Duplex was the subject of both criticism and ridicule following its debut demonstration that saw it impersonate a human caller. In response to the public backlash over ethics that ensued, Google reworked the solution so as to have it immediately identify itself as a robot caller, claiming that was its plan all along. Alphabets subsidiary has yet to clarify whether it intends to take Duplex global in the near future but that may not be the case given the polarizing nature of the functionality. Impact: Duplex is the epitome of Googles AI-first policy that seeks to combine the latest and greatest machine learning advancements with consumer electronics, though questions remain whether the company took things too far this time around and if the world is even ready for something like Duplex. The initial version of the service will be extremely limited in nature and only be capable of calling restaurants that dont take online reservations, the firm revealed at a behind-the-scenes preview event held last week, without clarifying when its list of supported features may expand. The Google Pixel Slate was announced today as Googles first Chrome OS tablet, and itll cost $599. For that price, people are going to want to get a lot out of this tablet, and well Google has packed a lot into this tablet. Weve spent some time with the Pixel Slate at Googles hardware event today in New York City, and first impressions are pretty solid for this Chrome OS tablet. Pixel Slate looks and feels like a very big (12.3-inches big) Pixel smartphone, and that is done on purpose. As this is all part of Googles Pixel-branding, it wants this hardware design to go across its entire lineup of Pixel hardware. And that means that this is a very well-built tablet from Google, with a bright 12.3-inch display with a 20003000 resolution display. Google has also added dual front-facing speakers here which is going to provide for some great audio. While the backside of the Pixel Slate may look like its plastic like a soft-touch plastic, a la Nexus 5 it is actually aluminum. It only comes in one color, which is the midnight blue. Not everyone is going to be a fan of that color, especially since Google does usually stick with black or white for tablets and laptops. But it is something new and looks quite nice in person. Advertisement With the Pixel Slate, Google also debuted its Keyboard dock. Its nothing too special really, its a keyboard that your Pixel Slate can dock into, and it works quite well. But what sets this keyboard apart from some other Bluetooth keyboard, is the fact that there is a Google Assistant button built into the keyboard. Allowing you to quickly pull up the Google Assistant and ask away. There is also Pixelbook Pen support on the Pixel Slate it also comes with a matching pen. It allows you to do some drawing on different Android apps and much more. Its not as useful as the S Pen, yet, but the Pixelbook Pen has only been around for a year, versus the S Pen being around for nearly eight years now. The backside of the Pixel Slate is actually pretty plain, theres not much back there besides a Google G logo which matches the color of the Pixel Slate, and then a camera. Of course, it doesnt make much sense to put anything back there, since you are likely never going to see it. The edges of the Pixel Slate are also pretty boxy, now that might sound pretty ugly, but it looks quite nice and high-end. It also makes it a bit easier to hold onto the Pixel Slate, and since this is a 12.3-inch tablet, that is a pretty big deal. The Pixel Slate also feels smaller than it should, considering this is a 12.3-inch tablet, though it does have some pretty small bezels for a tablet these days, it does feel smaller, like something smaller than a 10-inch tablet. Of course the weird 3:2 aspect ratio here is going to take some getting used to, especially on a tablet. Since most tablets are 16:9 or even 16:10. The Pixel Slate is up for pre-order now, and will be shipping later this month. In short: Houston, Texas was the planned site of a new robot brothel by Canadian company KinkySDollS, but that brothel has been put on hold, according to local media. Improper permitting has stopped the continued construction of the brothel. According to reports, KinkySDollS will now need to undo all of the existing construction and then apply for and obtain the necessary permits. Theres technically no law against such an establishment, so even if moral opposition is present, these are the only real legal grounds upon which the city or any other authority can stop or even delay the business. Background: The delicate balancing act of AI, advanced robotics and human sexuality is a touchy subject at the best of times, but in this particular case, a number of local residents came together to voice their displeasure. A nonprofit called Elijah Rising managed to collect 12,000 signatures from people across the city standing in opposition to the project. As it stands, there are already robot brothels in many places worldwide, such as the one that KinkySDollS operates in its hometown of Ontario. Moral qualms and the parties that have them notwithstanding, the only thing really standing between KinkySDollS and opening this shop is the time and money it would take to tear down the current building, get the right permits, then rebuild and open it up. Impact: Should KinkySDollS decide to actually comply with the orders and obtain proper permitting, the stage will be set for the company to build the first robot brothel in the United States. To be clear, its not hard to obtain a robotic sex doll right now, for the right price, but the proposed shop would be the first site in the states where guests could also rent them, and that builds into an important distinction. The AI that powers these robots is generally not too sophisticated, and is either programmed to go through a routine or respond to rote cues. Where the average interested person may not have the funds on hand to purchase a more realistic robot that might have more advanced AI on board thanks to dedicated hardware and software, a shop like this one might. While there are certainly moral concerns to address, its quite clear that the presence of robot brothels in a booming tech market like the United States could potentially be a driver for the development of more humanlike, emotional AI. These could in turn be put to a large number of uses beyond a more empathetic synthetic companion for the night. That point aside, it could also drive the development and adoption of more advanced robotics techniques and hardware to better mimic human movement. In short: Marshall has updated its Acton, Stanmore and Woburn wireless speakers with improvements in the sound quality and connectivity departments. The company announced the updated models are now available to buy and confirmed the Acton II is priced at $249 in the US, 219 in the UK, and 249 in Europe. The middle option, the Stanmore II is $349 in the US, 299 in the UK and 349 in Europe. While the high-end Woburn II costs $499 in the US, 439 in the UK and 499 in Europe. Background: Marshall first announced the Acton, Stanmore and Woburn wireless speakers in August 2017 and positioned them as options for those who prefer the Marshall signature look. As a result all three speakers sported more of an amp-like design, and this has translated over to the second-generation models, which on initial impressions do not look that dissimilar to the first-gen options. One of the big selling-points with last years versions was the ability for the speakers to connect to other speakers through the use of multi-room support. Although this seems to be something that has not made it across to the newer models, with the company opting to focus on the multi-host support this time instead. This is due to these speakers featuring Bluetooth 5.0 which allows each speaker to connect to more than one Bluetooth-enabled device at the same time. In addition, all three are said to now include an upgraded DSP which among other things includes better performance at all volume levels. Impact: The Acton II, Stanmore II and Woburn II speakers are not for everyone, and for a number of reasons. Firstly, in spite of the unique look and feel, these are expensive speakers in general with the most affordable option coming in at $249. Although they are technically cheaper than what the original models launched for in 2017. Whats more, while boasting a high price in general, the speakers are limited on the feature front when compared to other options that cost considerably less. Yes, they offer improved connectivity, which is important, but these are not smart speakers and so they do not offer any smart-related capabilities other than connecting to a corresponding app for minor sound profile adjustments. Its assumed this was intentional as the company already does offer a version of the Acton II and Stanmore II which are priced $50 more than these versions respectively, and do feature Amazon Alexa support. In effect, these models are just Bluetooth speakers, albeit ones which come with the backing of a popular brand, a nice design, and a good sound. In short: Xiaomi today announced its latest Android TV solution, the Mi Box S. The announcement was made to coincide with Googles own announcements made during the companys hardware event. Along with the formal introduction, Xiaomi and Google confirmed the Mi Box S is coming to the US, and is actually available to pre-order starting today ahead of its scheduled October 19 launch date. The Xiaomi Mi Box S is priced at $59.99 and is only available to buy through Walmart. Background: To all purposes, the Mi Box S seems to be a rebranded version of the Mi Box 4 which launched in China back in January of this year, and is in itself only slightly different to the original Mi Box. The result of which is there are very little differences inside and out between the original Mi Box and the new Mi Box S. The main box looks almost identical to the original Mi Box made up of a small, black and generally nondescript piece of hardware with only the Mi branding visible on the front. Inside, the Mi Box S is almost identical to the original Mi Box thanks to a core combination of 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, and an Amlogic S905X quad-core SoC. Where it does differ, however, is in its smarts, as unlike the original model the new Mi Box S does come loaded with the Google Assistant built-in. Allowing users to make use of the digital assistant to control various aspects of the viewing experience, as well other compatible smart devices around the home, in addition to receiving feedback to questions asked. Along with Google Assistant, the Mi Box S comes with a boost in the OS department by drawing on Android 8.1 (Oreo) from launch. Otherwise users can expect pretty much the same feature list as the original Mi Box, including the ability to cast content from another device, and support for 4K Ultra HD and HDR. Interestingly, the remote control accompanying the Mi Box S is where most of the obvious design changes can be found. Generally speaking, the remote is the same size, shape and design as the original Mi Box remote, but due to the Google Assistant integration the new remote now comes with a microphone and a dedicated Assistant button to activate listening. This is along with a Netflix shortcut button for easy access to the video subscription service and a Live button likely designed to facilitate quick-switching to live TV channels. Advertisement Impact: Under normal circumstances the Mi Box S would barley be representative of a next-generation device and would probably be largely ignored by the market. But the Android TV box market is now a sparse landscape with very few options available for consumers to choose from. While the NVIDIA SHIELD is the go-to streaming box for many, the SHIELD is an expensive device and its here in the sub-$100 market where the original Mi Box found its place as an entry-level option. As the Mi Box S has seen very few changes, Xiaomi has managed to also keep the price low. In fact, it is now $10 lower than what the original Mi Box launched for, and in spite of the additional features. This low price, coupled with the lack of choices available at this price point, will mean the Mi Box S is likely to appeal to a number of new buyers, as well as those looking to upgrade from the original Mi Box. The Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL were just announced, and now pre-orders are open. So that means that youre going to want to pick up some accessories to go along with your new smartphones. Luckily, there are some cases and screen protectors that are already available and there will undoubtedly be more on the way soon. But there are also some other accessories you are going to want to pick up for your new Pixel 3 smartphone, and weve rounded up the top 10 best accessories for both the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones, as listed below. There arent too many cases available right now, but the Vinve slim thin Carbon Fiber TPU case is available and its a really good option. This one is pretty thin and works with both Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones. It has a carbon fiber back so that you are able to keep the device in your hand without worrying about it slipping out. Though the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are plastic and glass, they arent as slippery as some of the other smartphones out there, they are still somewhat slippery. Theres also a few pretty good car chargers out there, though one of our favorites is the Spigen Fast Car Charger, which has two USB ports, with one being Quick Charge 3.0 compatible. This is going to allow you to quickly charge up your Pixel 3 (or another smartphone) while you are driving, so that when you get to your destination, you are going to have a fully charged smartphone. These are only some of the great accessories that are currently available for the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, there will be plenty more coming once the devices are actually available (out of pre-order status). But you really cant go wrong with any of the accessories that are listed below, these will all work really well with the new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Pictured from left to right, Johnny Parham, Adelina Nicholls, Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson and Maria Gitin are part of an intergenerational lineup of social activists discussing the lessons of 1968 in Social Protest and Social Justice: A Conversation Across Generations, set for Oct. 17 in Cannon Chapel. An intergenerational lineup of social activists will discuss the legacies of 1968 in Social Protest and Social Justice: A Conversation Across Generations, set for Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Cannon Chapel sanctuary on Emorys campus. Presented by the Laney Program in Moral Leadership at Emorys Candler School of Theology, the event is free and open to the public, with registration required. Register here. The lecture is part of the Laney Program in Moral Leaderships fall series, 1968: Lessons from Fifty Years of Change, which also includes a sold-out lecture by scholar, writer and activist Angela Davis. Award-winning radio journalist Rose Scott, host of Closer Look on Atlantas National Public Radio station WABE, will moderate the Social Protest and Social Justice discussion. Participating panelists are: Maria Gitin, national development consultant and diversity trainer Maria Gitin spent the summer of 1965 volunteering with the Summer Community Organizing and Political Education (SCOPE), a project of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). She attended an intensive SCLC civil rights boot camp at Morris Brown College in Atlanta along with 600 other college students and activists, and canvassed for voters in Wilcox County, Alabama. During her 30-year career, Gitin co-led national Diversity in Fundraising training and consulted on numerous capital campaigns for organizations serving underfunded constituents, including Native Americans, Latinos, African Americans, the LGBTQ community and women. She is the author of This Bright Light of Ours: Stories from the Voting Rights Fight (University of Alabama Press, 2014). Gitin has received numerous awards and proclamations for her lifetime commitment to civil rights and social justice, including from the YWCA, NAACP, the states of Alabama and California, and the United States Congress. Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, Highlander Research and Education Center co-executive director Ash-Lee Woodard is the first black woman to hold the title of executive director at the Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee, which serves as a catalyst for grassroots organizing and movement building in Appalachia and the South. She works around issues of mountaintop removal mining and environmental racism in central and southern Appalachia, and has served on the National Council of the Student Environmental Action Coalition. She is an active participant in the Movement for Black Lives, a member of the board of directors for the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity and serves on the governance council of the Southern Movement Assembly. Adelina Nicholls, executive director of the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights Adelina Nicholls leads the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR), which develops grassroots leaders and organizations within Georgias Latino immigrant communities in order to defend and advance Latinos' civil and human rights. In 2001, Nicholls co-founded and served as president of the Coordinating Council of Latino Community Leaders of Atlanta, the organization out of which GLAHR grew. She has received numerous awards for her work in community organizing and human rights, including the ACLU Georgia Civil and Human Rights Award (2008) and Mundo Hispanicos Best Organization of the Year (2013). Johnny Parham, retired executive director of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund (TMSF) is a national nonprofit that awards four-year merit scholarships to students attending historically black public colleges and universities. Parham also served as vice president of the United Negro College Fund, and executive director of the Medical Committee for Human Rights (MCHR). The Medical Committee for Human Rights was the medical arm of the Civil Rights Movement, and a critical component of Mississippi Summer, working alongside the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and other organizations. As a student at Atlanta University, Parham helped plan and participating in desegregating public accommodations in the city of Atlanta. The Atlanta Student Movement is credited with mobilizing students from Morehouse, Spelman, Clark and Morris Brown Colleges, Interdenominational Theological Center and Atlanta University to challenge Georgias system of legal racial segregation. BrusselsJordi Puignero, Minister of Digital Policy and Public Administration, today presented Emily O'Reilly, European Ombudsman, with a complaint about "digital repression" related to the blocking of web pages prior to and during the October 1st independence referendum in Catalonia. Puignero complained that he now has to appeal to the European Ombudsman due to the silence of Andrus Ansip, Vice-President of the European Commission, who is responsible for the Digital Agenda. Puignero sent him a letter a year ago and has not received an answer, even though Ansip promised several times to do so, Puignero explained to the press. "Since this letter has not been answered yet, we have decided to take new steps because these events cannot be left unresolved," explained the Catalan minister. In the complaint made public today and delivered to the Ombudsman's office, the Government of the Generalitat accuses "the government of Spain of digital repression and illegal censorship ahead of the referendum". "The Spanish government blocked and censored not only the referendum's website, not just other pages related to the referendum, but also other websites connected with the independence movement," explains the letter. Puignero emphasized that these measures are contrary to articles 19 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as several European directives. He regretted that the Vice President of the EU administration "failed to report and make visible to European institutions that the values of a free and open internet have been violated in Spain." "We are asking the EU to take a stand on very serious events," said Puignero. "Digital repression is inadmissible in 21st century Europe and, therefore, it cannot be repeated in any EU country," he said. Today Puignero also met with forty MEPs to whom he provided more details about the websites that were taken down, with the goal of having a parliamentary question posed before the European Commission so that it finally provides an answer, and to "force a double positioning," Puignero argued. The Aviation 100 awards recognise aviations most outstanding performers, as well as the most innovative and successful finance and leasing deals closed in the last 12 months. Winners of the Aviation 100 awards are decided by an industry-wide survey, a rigorous vetting process and editorial consideration. Commenting on the award, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said: We are happy to receive this award from Airline Economics. Its for the first time that the Japanese financing system, JOLCO, financed an aircraft deal with an African airline. JOLCO availed financing for our A350 aircraft. The deal shows the strong confidence of reputed global financiers in Ethiopian balance sheet and business plan. Do it yourself if you can We accept in principle that private equity can deliver (somewhat) excess returns over most other asset classes. But there are a lot of qualifications attached to that, and most of them are very relevant to whether and how pension funds should invest in private equity. What's The Deal With The 'Do You Like Bread?' Pickup Line? Trending News: Why Tinder Users Are Asking 'Do You Like Bread (And Being Choked)?' Hopefully you know by now that you can't start a Tinder conversation with 'sup?' so how do you begin? Some people and you might've already seen this on Tinder are opening up with the question 'Do you like bread?' and the story of why is strange and fascinating. The line has been popping up on the r/Tinder subreddit, where people generally paste conversations they've had on the dating app. Strangely, people are starting off with the 'Do you like bread?' question, which in and of itself isn't that weird or bad. I mean let's be honest, who doesn't like bread? But there's more to it. RELATED: 10 Surefire Pickup Lines That Actually Work, Revealed After they get a response about the bread, some people are following it up with 'Do you like being choked? Apparently, the abrupt escalation has actually worked in a few cases, as revealed in a pretty decent deep dive into the meme by College Humor. Getting 'breaded' User lastt666 posted this screenshot: Reddit last666 You might expect this abrupt question to be asked by men only, but there's at least one woman who made it work. User bensonian170 posted this one: Reddit bensonian170 Although, before you try it consider that the meme is already pretty big at this point. Just take a look at what mckeankylej posted. Reddit mckeankylej The Bread Origin Story It turns out the line is actually two decades old and derives from comedian Eddie Izzard's stand-up special, Dress To Kill, which came out in 1999. The line from the bit says: "In the words of Albert Schweizer I fancy you! But no at 13 you say "Hello Sue. I've got legs. Do you like bread? Here I got a French loaf. Bye! I love you!" It's anyone's guess how this line turned into the Tinder line we're talking about especially the part about being choke but it sounds like a case of broken telephone. And while the pickup line has popped up lately, it's actually been around on Tinder since at least last year, as evidenced by this 2017 YouTube video. Although, the YouTuber followed up "Do you like bread" with the far tamer "Do you like garlic bread?" Is it OK to ask someone if they like being choked? I asked AskMen's Dating Editor Alex Manley about this and he said that while it's good people are asking for consent about choking "non-consensual choking is, effectively, assault not chill!" it's still not a very good strategy. "As funny as the transition from bread to being choked may seem, it's something that will almost definitely creep out or offend a good chunk of your matches," Manley told me. "The truth is, you have no way of knowing how comfortable the person you're messaging is with that kind of conversation (or with choking itself) and busting it out as your second message to a complete stranger is a very aggressive move." Manley added a pro-tip: "You can be funny without being shocking, and you can be sexy without bringing up sex." All this to say, don't use this bread line. Remember, there is a person on the other end of that Tinder chat and it's a dick move to freak them out. For alternative ways to start a conversation on Tinder and/or if you're interested in BDSM, follow the links below. You Might Also Dig Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A capital markets experts has joined Dorsey & Whitney as a partner in Hong Kong, moving from another global firm. David Cameron has been welcomed by the US-headquartered firm from Allen & Overy (A&O), where he was counsel in the capital markets practice. Prior to A&O, Cameron was an associate at Linklaters. He is a registered foreign lawyer in Hong Kong and is admitted in New York. David Cameron is a superb capital markets lawyer with extensive experience and deep expertise in multi-jurisdictional debt and equity transactions, especially those emanating across Asia. He will be a terrific addition to our strong capital markets practice in Hong Kong, said partner Simon Chan, who leads Dorseys Hong Kong office. It appears that this may just be a pause in dealmaking though with 90% of executives saying that they expect M&A activity to improve in the coming 12 months and 9% expecting it to be stable. Rising risk of technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainties and ever-changing consumer preferences means that a larger share of executives are reviewing their portfolios every six months rather than annually. Companies from Japan (62%) and China (61%) cite this frequency more than other countries respondents. Latham & Watkins strengthens corporate team in Singapore Experience corporate partner Farhana Sharmeen has joined the corporate team at Latham & Watkins as a partner in Singapore. Joining from Withers KhattarWong in the city state, she has more than two decades of experience with a focus on public and private mergers and acquisitions, privatizations and acquisition financing, particularly financing for public takeovers. NRF has also had a key role in developing and executing Altheas business strategy before the IPO. It provided licensing and regulatory advice, corporate restructuring assistance, strategic commercial contracting, property leasing assistance, and tax advice, the firm said. Althea operates in the highly regulated medicinal cannabis industry in Australia, Mitchell said. The work has earned praise from Althea. Norton Rose Fulbright played an integral role in the successful listing of Althea onto the ASX. Chris and his team understood from early on the challenges Althea faced, given the newness of industry and complexities to do with patient access. We are thankful Norton Rose Fulbright were able to help guide Althea through the listing process and are proud to offer Australians from all walks of life the opportunity to invest in Australias premier licenced cannabis producer, said Joshua Fegan, Althea founder and chief executive. Richard Fogl, NRF life sciences and healthcare leader, said that the global focus of the practice meant that NRFs Australian team was able to tap into the industry knowledge and experience of their Canadian colleagues. The transaction also highlights our understanding of the Australian regulatory landscape which we think sets us apart from many of our competitors, Fogl said. Leading firms were the legal advisers as a major Australasian private healthcare provider is changing hands. Clayton Utz and Russell McVeagh have advised Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), which has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Evolution Healthcare. King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) and Chapman Tripp have advised the vendors, which include Roc Partners, a Goldman Sachs special situations fund, Qantas Super, VicSuper and CBUS. No financial details of the deal were announced, but the Australian Financial Review said that the stake was pitched at more than $300m. PEP is looking to buy more than 80% of the company, it said. The deal needs regulatory approval, including from New Zealands Overseas Investment Office. Compliant with the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard, the Smartstream is available in two outputs. The 115 PS and 280 Nm comes with a manual transmission, whereas the 136 PS and 320 Nm is available with the manual or the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Customers who prefer gasoline can get the 1.6-liter GDi, which features a particulate filter and 135 PS.As far as exterior design is concerned, the Cascading Grille joins new 16-, 17-, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior benefits from two new finishes (Merlot Red and Grey with Black), as well as full-leather upholstery. The dashboard, on the other hand, features a metal mesh pattern.Other newities include SmartSense, representing the active safety and driver assistance suite of the i40. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist comes standard, braking autonomously if required. The system is active as speeds of 10 km/h or above, and in the worst case scenario, it applies maximum braking force to avoid a collision or minimize damage when the collision is unavoidable.The refreshed i40 will arrive at dealers throughout Europe towards the end of 2018. Pricing hasnt been announced, but knowing Hyundai, dont expect too much to change from the outgoing model. In Germany, were expecting the i40 to start at around 26,700 euros for the entry-level model.As much as Hyundai wants the i40 to succeed from a commercial standpoint, dont forget how competitive this segment is. The Passat reigns supreme along with the Ford Mondeo, and for all intents and purposes, both models are superior to the Hyundai.The Passat and Mondeo start at 31,675 and 26,275 euros, respectively. The difference stems from standard equipment and engine option, which favors the Volkswagen. To support the ongoing development of aviation technology, NASA says it will host a series of Grand Challenges, starting in 2020, to promote public confidence in urban air mobility. The agency now is planning an Industry Day in Seattle, Nov.1-2, to discuss the role NASA will play in the first UAM Grand Challenge and its expectations from participating partners. During the event, NASA says, it will discuss the plans, objectives and execution strategy for the challenge; outline participation requirements and schedules; and facilitate networking among partners. NASA now is accepting applications to attend the Seattle event. Those who should participate include aircraft manufacturers, sensor manufacturers, communication providers, FAA UAS test sites, others interested in testing specific UAM technologies and media. NASA said it is eager to work with industry partners who are highly motivated to participate and work with us to achieve a safe, commercial operating capability. 1 big thing: Two suspicious disappearances Two men with large international profiles and powerful enemies vanished. Two repressive regimes were reportedly responsible. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and insider-turned-critic who wrote a Washington Post column from exile, vanished after entering a Saudi consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday. Two days later, Interpol President Meng Hongwei was reported missing while traveling in China. Did the Saudis kill Khashoggi? Khashoggi, 59, lost his marriage, his home and many of his possessions when he moved from Saudi Arabia, where he felt he was no longer safe, last summer. He had been increasingly critical readers According to the New Yorkers Robin Wright Khashoggi planned to get married last week, and traveled to the Istanbul consulate with his fiancee to retrieve a necessary document. She says she waited outside for 11 hours. He never emerged. Turkish officials have privately told U.S. and international news outlets least one source said his body was dismembered. Where things stand: Prince Mohammed denied Khashoggi was even detained, and Saudi Arabia invited Reuters journalists to tour the consulate. Turkey hasn't presented any evidence to back the anonymous claims and publicly says it's still investigating. President Trump weighed in this evening: "I am concerned about that. I don't like hearing about it and hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it. There's some pretty bad stories about it. I do not like it." Disappearance #2: Why did the Chinese arrest Meng? Meng, 64, became the first Chinese head of Interpol in 2016, a breakthrough for China on the world stage. A year later, a "proud" President Xi Jinping addressed the agency, the NYT points out. Meng's wife, with whom he lived in Lyon (where Interpol is based), last heard from him on September 25 when he texted a knife emoji an apparent signal he was in danger. She reported his disappearance to French authorities on October 4. Yesterday, after Interpol announced his resignation, China revealed it was holding him. Today, a government spokesman said Meng faces charges for corruption and other crimes. The State Department says it urges China to uphold international rules and norms, and to pursue an investigation that is based in transparency." That seems unlikely. A foreign ministry spokesman has indicated that China after detaining the leader of an international law enforcement organization and keeping it secret for days doesnt expect significant pushback: As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and as a responsible great power, China will continue playing the role that it should in international affairs, especially multilateral bodies. What to watch: If the reports prove accurate, both countries have sent a brazen message that no one who runs afoul of the government is safe. And two regimes with no tolerance for internal criticism seem to be risking censure from the world. Khashoggi's case poses a particular test for the Trump administration, which has cosy ties with the Saudis and doesn't consider promoting human rights a priority. Sen. Lindsey Graham is one of a few senators speaking out. He says there'll be "a heavy price to be paid" if the reports are accurate. Time will tell. Go deeper: Khashoggi disappearance could impact Saudi Arabia's business deals. Nikki Haley has resigned as President Trumps UN ambassador, leading to a flurry of speculation about her future political ambitions. Why it matters: A former Trump critic who won over many of the presidents supporters by joining his administration, Haley has avoided most of the political mudslinging in Washington from her perch at the UN. Shes not just popular with Republicans a Quinnipiac poll from April found that 55% of Democrats approve of her. Thats unheard of in this political climate. Her background Haley, 46, became South Carolinas first female governor in 2011 and won re-election by a wide margin in 2014. Following the 2015 massacre at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, Haley signed a bill to move the Confederate flag off the grounds of South Carolinas statehouse. She endorsed Marco Rubio in the 2016 Republican primary, saying she wanted a president with conscience. Trump later tweeted, The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley! Before the general election she said that while she was not a fan of Trumps, she would be voting for him. One month later, he nominated her to be his UN Ambassador. Key moments Haley began her tenure at the UN by saying she was taking names of countries that dont have our back. However, her rhetoric and approach to foreign policy has often been far more measured than Trump's. Haley has at times drawn a line between herself and the White House. Last December, for example, she said women who accuse Trump of sexual misconduct should be heard. She wrote last month, Sitting next to Trump as they confirmed her resignation, Haley said the U.S. is now respected on the world stage and listed off what she considered her key accomplishments including responding to Syria's chemical weapons use and fighting anti-Israel bias at the UN. The bottom line: Haleys ambitions for national office will likely have to wait. She said today that she'll campaign for Trump in 2020, rather than run against him. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has resigned and will exit her role at the end of the year. Why it matters: Widely considered one of the more moderate Republican voices left in Trump's Cabinet, Haley had earned praise from diplomats and politicians across the ideological spectrum during her time as UN ambassador. At a press conference announcing her resignation, President Trump thanked Haley for her service and told her she had "done a fantastic job." What they're saying: On Oct. 1, Ethiopian Airlines partnered with Chad's government to launch a new national carrier, connecting the country to international markets through routes previously suspended for safety concerns. In addition to Chad's Toumai Air, Ethiopian Airlines will acquire stakes and managing operations in new or existing state-owned flag carriers in Mozambique, Zambia and potentially several other nations. The big picture: Already Africas most profitable and fastest-growing airline, Ethiopian Airlines is investing heavily in Africas airspace, creating new regional connections and increasing access to Western and Eastern markets. On a continent of 54 countries, air travel often requires inefficient routes and costly tickets, but Ethiopian Airlines is looking to change this reality. The background: Ethiopian Airlines' relationship with Boeing, which extends more than 50 years, has helped it build one of the youngest major fleets in the world, at an average age of less than 6 years. The airline has quadrupled its passenger count over the past decade, putting it on track to surpass 10 million passengers by the end of 2018. The government-owned airline differs from most African flag carriers that suffer from mismanagement and safety issues. While government officials secure landing slots overseas and attract outside infrastructure investment, experienced private-sector experts manage operations and run a leading aviation academy. There has long been a direct flight from Addis Ababa to Washington, and now Ethiopian Airlines has opened West African markets to the U.S. by also providing nonstop flights from New York to Lome in Togo and Abidjan in Cote dIvoire. It's also the biggest carrier of cargo and passengers between Africa and China. Already flying to five of Chinas largest cities, the airline recently partnered with CellPoint Mobile to accept payment via Alipay, Chinas leading alternative payment method. Reality check: Poor infrastructure, overpriced jet fuel and restrictive flying rights continue to trouble Africas aviation industry. In January, the African Union (AU) launched the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), signed by Ethiopia and 22 other AU members, which will allow aircraft to fly freely between its members states. Ethiopias ability to expand domestic travel may rely on the successful implementation of SAATM, despite the increased competition it is likely to bring. Ethiopian Airlines also plans to spur future growth by attracting more talent and investment in the wake of the governments recent announcement that it's opening key sectors, including aviation, to outside private-sector involvement. The bottom line: Ethiopian Airlines is well-positioned to become the unequivocal aviation leader in Africa, advancing regional economic integration and connecting Africas fast-growing economies to the global market. Aubrey Hruby is a senior fellow in the Atlantic Council's Africa Center. 12:47 Actress Sandhya Mridul tweets her own #MeToo moment with disgraced actor Alok Nath. Vinta Nanda, the woman who's searing account of rape by the actor 19 years ago has shocked social media, told the press that she is meeting advisors and will decide on a plan of action by today. Nanda had outed Alok Nath in a Facebook post detailing not just the harrowing rape but also the years of isolation, depression, trauma and suffering that she endured after. This is Sandhya Mridul's account of her experience with Alok Nath. "At the very start of my career I was shooting a telefilm for zee in Kodaikanal. I was the lead. And very excited. Alok Nath was my on screen father and Reema lagoo my mother. "Alok Nath was very impressed with me and called me "god's own child" and openly praised me everyday. I was over the moon. I was a huge fan of this wonderful Babuji.. I felt so fortunate happy and confident. "Till one night after an early pack up. The cast went out for dinner. At dinner he got progressively drunk and started insisting I sit with him and that I belonged to him and other stuff that I don't clearly remember but it made me very nervous and uncomfortable. My co-star realised what was happening and got me out of there. "We went back to the hotel without dinner. It was late and I was back in my room and the costume dada came to my room to give me my clothes for the next day as I had a very early call time. Few minutes after he left there was a knock on my door. "I opened the door thinking it was him again ..it was an inebriated Alok Nath I instinctively tried to shut the door but he pushed it and lunged at me, I stepped aside he went flying past me into the room .. "I fell backwards towards the bathroom door he lunged at me again screaming I want you you're mine .. I dodged again he went into the bathroom and I think I latched the loo door and ran out of my room down the corridor into the lobby. Fortunately my dop was there making a call from the reception .. "He came back to my room what ensued was traumatic because a belligerent Alok Nath refused to leave.. kept screaming shouting threatening abusing trying to grab me.. but at some point we managed to make him leave. "The hairdresser was called and made to sleep in my room I was so shaken up. "In a few hours Ihad scenes with Bauji, in one I had to sit on his lap and cry. I still feel nauseous when i think of it. "It didn't stop there ... every evening he would drink and every night calls were made to my room. I dreaded the ring.. I had to keep it off the hook most of the times. "But then he would come calling. It was a catch 22 situation. I had the hairdresser moved in to my room permanently. I was a nervous wreck. "Few days later I got very sick & was laid up and couldn't shoot. The stress had broken me. He continued to traumatise me with calls. "And knocks. "The hairdresser would answer. One day when he landed up at the door and cried and begged to be allowed in to sodas to me to apologise.. I couldn't take it anymore I told her to accompany him in..he pulled a chair next to my bed and howled. Said he was an alcoholic and that he had destroyed everything his family his marriage everything's and I was like his daughter and he respected me and that he was very sorry. He says he had learnt his lesson and that he would go to therapy and change it all.. "I finally broke my silence. I screamed shouted cried and it was done. I believed him. I had to. He left. He got away. I don't know how I shot with him for the remaining days and weeks. "I'm grateful to my co-actors, my DOP & especially the late Reema lagoo for finally taking him on & protecting me like a mother from then on. "But it was too late. The damage was done. A very disillusioned, disgraced & unsure me returned home. He went on to return to Bombay and tell people I was difficult and arrogant. Apologies forgotten. He was a popular man. I was a newbie. He laid the foundation others like him built on. All those who heard 'No'. Attitude my biggest crime. The deal breaker. "Mr. Alok Nath. You know this to be true. As do few others. I had to forgive you for myself then and for my sanity but I will never forgive you for what you did with Vinta. Whom I have always respected and loved. "I stand by you Vinta. What I went through is nothing compared to you. I'm so sorry. More power to you. To us all. I'm certain there are others. I urge you to come forward. "Your time is up Sir". #Me too The United States hopes that the widely anticipated snap parliamentary elections in Armenia will be free and fair, the outgoing U.S. ambassador in Yerevan, Richard Mills, said on Tuesday. The date for elections is a matter for political parties, the government and the Armenian people to come to a decision, Mills told a news conference. What the U.S. government and, I think, all the friends of Armenia want to see out of these elections is a free, fair and credible process that gives all parties a chance to fairly participate, and a process that will have credibility with the Armenian people and produce solid multi-party democracy that has a loyal opposition as well as a ruling majority, he said. Mills, who had a farewell meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Monday, added that he is very encouraged by his election-related discussions with Armenian government officials and politicians. He praised their spirit of sitting down and reaching a compromise on whats the best way to move forward on elections. The current Armenian parliament has been widely expected to be dissolved ever since Pashinian-led mass protests brought down this spring the countrys previous government headed by Serzh Sarkisian. U.S. President Donald Trump praised those protests when he congratulated Pashinian on Armenias Independence Day marked on September 21. A peaceful, popular movement ushered in a new era in Armenia, and we look forward to working with you to help you execute the will of your people to combat corruption and to establish representative, accountable governance, rule of law buttressed by an independent judiciary, and political and economic competition, Trump wrote in a congratulatory message. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan gave a largely positive assessment of the conduct of Armenias last parliamentary elections held in April 2017. It said voters were able to freely exercise their right to vote. An April 2017 statement by the embassy backed the findings of an OSCE-led monitoring team which said that the elections were tainted by credible information about vote-buying and pressure on voters. But it also said that electronic anti-fraud equipment installed in the Armenian polling stations helped to prevent more serious irregularities. A senior member of former President Serzh Sarkisians Republican Party (HHK) on Tuesday accused the authorities of forcing some of its deputies to agree to the early dissolution of Armenias current parliament. According to my information, pressure was exerted on and the state repressive apparatus was used against a number of deputies, claimed Armen Ashotian. They even tried to find ways of influencing some deputies from abroad. But I dont exclude that there are also [HHK] deputies who willingly changed their positions, he told RFE/RLs Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). At least ten HHK lawmakers have openly voiced support for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians efforts to force snap parliamentary elections in December. The HHK leadership says that the vote must not be held before May. Ashotian argued that none of the HHK dissenters voiced objections when the former ruling partys parliamentary faction issued last week a statement that argued against holding the elections in December. He said at least some of them subsequently voiced support for Pashinians plans as a result of government pressure and intimidation. Ashotian refused to name any of those lawmakers, however. Let those people themselves talk about that pressure, he said. It is evident that such pressure first occurred when some deputies left our 58-member faction [in June] and we became a 50-member faction. Hrachya Hakobian, a lawmaker representing Pashinians Yelk alliance, dismissed Ashotians allegations. He challenged the HHK representative to present evidence of his claims to law-enforcement authorities. It looks like Mr. Ashotian is confusing the current situation with the situation that existed during their rule, said Hakobian. Pashinian on Monday praised HHK parliamentarians for breaking ranks. He said they should be encouraged by his supporters. Meanwhile, the HHK faction issued another statement on Tuesday saying that it will not nominate a candidate for the post of prime minister if Pashinian resigns to pave the way for the December elections. But it said it continues to believe that the polls must be held in May or June next year. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 30 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 9. Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Armenia is expected to announce a large-scale amnesty, but it is yet unknown for sure who exactly will be lucky. The issue is discussed in an atmosphere of extreme confidentiality. It was secretly discussed at a government meeting, and will be considered in parliament and the relevant parliamentary commission behind closed doors. It is well-known that the country experiences certain inconvenience due to overcrowding in penitentiary institutions. Amnesty in a country where lawlessness prevails was last announced in 2013. Apparently, this is why Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan enthusiastically calls this move of the new authorities 'unique'. There maybe other reasons, as all depends on whose names and which articles are considered for amnesty. The Minister of Justice, following a new tradition, reported this in social networks with one very remarkable clarification. It is necessary to realize that the government, the National Assembly, the state forgives convicts suspected of a crime on behalf of the society against whom the crime was directed (guided by the presumption of legitimacy of judicial acts, not specifying cases when there is public doubt about the fairness of judicial acts), the minister wrote. This means that the issue of the release of prisoners will not be focused on legal norms, but on the political situation and the mood of the crowd. It would not be surprising if the list of amnesties will be read on the square and adjusted according to the intensity of the whistle or applause. There are no leaks about who exactly will be included in the list as the information is kept in a secret. However, there is no doubt that among the amnestied people there will be terrorists of Sasna Tsrer, an extremist group recently transformed into a party. However, this has not changed the essence of the establishement. The terrorists have pledged allegiance to the new authorities, and now they are going to fulfill their own political tasks in occupied Karabakh. These plans can be called in one word a provocation. At their recent congress, the Sasna Tsrer members openly voiced racist slogans and plans for subversive activities against neighboring states. And on the eve, the party announced the intention of its members to arrange a car procession in occupied Karabakh on November 17, where it creates its cell and is going to hold a congress. The participants of the provocative action involve all the "stars" of the terrorist attack committed in Yerevan two years ago - Zhirayr Sefilyan, Alek Yenigomshyan, Varuzhan Avetisyan, Garegin Chugaszyan, Araik Khandoyan and others. And if by that time the rest are released, then the leader of the attack Pavlik Manukyan and others will join them. Armenian public is still wondering why the terrorists became free. There is no logical answer to this question. On July 17, 2016, an extremist group Sasna Tsrer, seized the territory of the patrol police regiment in Yerevan. At the same time three policemen were killed, hostages were taken, major damage was done to state property. As it turned out quite recently, the aim of the terrorist attack was not the release of "like-minded people", nor the resignation of Sargsyan and other political chatter, but the theft of money and weapons, which the "freedom-loving" slogans were supposed to cover. The terrorists were arrested and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. However, after the coup d'etat and the arrival of the new authorities, terrorists began to be released from custody. Currently, 27 out of 31 arrested members of the Sasna Tsrer group have been released, including one of its leaders, Araik Khandoyan. After the velvet revolution in Armenia, the terrorists turned into politicians, started to build extensive plans, including those concerning the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. At the same time, they constantly appeal to the authorities and boast of their special relations with the new head of government, which greatly compromises Nikol Pashinyan, especially in light of the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan in late September. This greatly undermines confidence in the current Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the world arena. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Sara Israfilbayova Beekeeping, perhaps, one of the most environmentally friendly types of agriculture, is vibrant and flourishing in Azerbaijan and the industry almost doubled over the last eight years. Recent researches show that the products of the beekeeping industry have a significant demand both inside the country and abroad. Thus, head of the public relations and information support department of Azerbaijans Agriculture Ministry Vugar Huseynov told Trend that abroad, and especially in the Arab countries, there is a great demand for honey products made in Azerbaijan. Today, a number of Azerbaijani beekeepers export their products abroad and even to Japan. Today, beekeepers sell most of their products to Arab countries. The main task of the ministry is to promote bee products, thus we can create conditions to attract additional currency to the country, said Huseynov. He went on to say that today highly productive bee breeds from abroad are imported to Azerbaijan, especially from Germany. He also noted that the import of bee families into the country is not regulated by the state and this work is carried out by the beekeepers themselves. Taking into account that bees imported from Germany are very productive, Huseynov noted that the best beekeepers in Azerbaijan can get 15-20 kilograms of honey from a single hive. Further, he stressed that Azerbaijan has famous bee families of Caucasian breed, adding that in order to protect the gene pool of Azerbaijani bees, there is a need to work on increasing the number of these families in the laboratory. The rich climate of subtropics, the riotous diversity of flora and the valuable qualities of local bees - these are the favorable natural conditions of Azerbaijan, which contributed to the maintenance of the centuries-old tradition of beekeeping in Transcaucasia. During the excavation in The Azokh Cave, where one of the most ancient settlements of the primitive man was discovered, a bowl with the bee depicted on it was found, which once again proves that beekeeping has deep roots in Azerbaijan. An apiary organized in Mughan at the Caucasian silkworm station in 1889 became the center of rational beekeeping for the entire Transcaucasia. From 1990 to 1999, beekeeping in the country decreased by 45 percent. There were many reasons for that. Most apiaries were destroyed in the area of military operations. Currently, the Azerbaijani government does all its best to contribute to the rehabilitation and further development of beekeeping with creating favorable conditions for beekeepers. In September 2016, Simplified support to family business (ABAD) under the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations operating under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASAN) was created in order to support the active participation of citizens in the social and economic development of Azerbaijan, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), increase of employment of the population. The main task nowadays is to increase the production of honey and export it through participation of beekeepers in international markets under the Made in Azerbaijan brand. By Narmina Mammadova The first international exhibition of products opened in Doha (Qatar), the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan said in a statement on October 9. Companies from ten countries participate in the exhibition. Azerbaijani food and industrial products, as well as products from other fields are presented there. The event involves 18 Azerbaijani companies. The exhibition is organized by the Azerbaijani embassy in Qatar and the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO). Like at other exhibitions, the products of Azerbaijan were met with interest by foreign companies and visitors to the exhibition in Qatar. Preliminary negotiations on the export of Azerbaijani products are underway. The exhibition will end on October 10. Azerbaijan actively participates in international exhibitions aiming to increase its non-oil exports and promote its "Made in Azerbaijan" brand. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova International contest of young performers "I am Jazzman!" will be held in Baku on October 15-18. The contest is organized as part of Baku International Jazz Festival, Azertag reported. The winners will be awarded in the International Mugham Center on October 18. The next Baku International Jazz Festival will be held in Baku on October 14-28. Baku International Jazz Festival is a forum and musical festival including education (seminars, master classes), competition ("Best Jazz Performer"), a "Kids jazz day", art and photo exhibitions, jam sessions and jazz concerts with the participation of best performers of the world of jazz. The festival has become a member of the Europe Jazz Network, which bring together 115 members from 34 countries. The revival of jazz in the Land of Fire started in 1960s, thanks to the active efforts of great national composers such as Gara Garayev, Tofig Guliyev, Rauf Hajiyev and Niyazi. The "flowering" of Azerbaijani jazz is associated with the names of giants such as Rafig Babayev and Vagif Mustafazade, who experimented creating unrepeatable compositions, becoming the founders of a new jazz trend jazz-mugham. This unique genre assembles both a traditional Azerbaijan music and a classic American jazz. Today, Azerbaijani jazz performers are winners of many international jazz festivals and competitions. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova A new project "Sovq mqamlar" has been presented as part of Nasimi Festival of Poetry, Arts, and Spirituality held for the first time in Azerbaijan on September 27-30. The fusion of art and captivating charm of Icherisheher (Baku Old City) allows guests to make a journey through ancient Baku. The project features exhibitions, installations, video projections, poetry and music samples. Within the framework of the project, corners connected with Nasimi's poetry were created at more than 30 sites in Icherisheher. Imitative poems written to Nasimis lines are presented to spectators in narrow streets and alleys of Icherisheher in an unusual way - for example, in the form of calligraphy on the walls, or in the form of sound recording, and even being "animated" on some landscape by using the QR code technology. Moreover, Lantern Park has been opened as part of the project, The park was created by Finnish designer Miya Kivine. Nasimi Festival of Poetry, Arts, and Spirituality was held by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and support of Azerbaijans Ministry of Culture. The festival was held under the slogans "Beyond the Limited Self", reflecting the philosophical views of the poet, and "I am a Particle, I am the Sun" which are the poets lines. The program of the large-scale event covered various types of art and knowledge fields. During the festival, programs were organized in various places in Baku, as well as in Shamakhi, the native city of the poet. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The data obtained from the Shamakhi Observatory are used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to study Sun, Natchimuthuk "Nat" Gopalswamy, a staff scientist at the Heliophysics Division of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, Astrophysicist in the Solar Physics Laboratory told Trend. Gopalswamy noted that the Shamakhi Observatory is one of many astronomical complexes from which the information is provided to NASA. "The obtained data is used to study the Sun. Azerbaijan has successfully entered the ranks of countries with a developed space industry. Space unites us, and I believe that the initiative of Azerbaijan will be particularly useful," Gopalswamy said. Gopalswamy noted that Azerbaijan has joined the NASA International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI) in 2005 and is taking an active part in conferences and seminars held by ISWI. In total, 80 countries have joined the NASA initiative. "Azerbaijan has achieved good results in space sphere, and the work carried out in the country in this sphere is in line with the world standards. I believe that Azerbaijan will achieve even greater progress in this direction," Gopalswamy said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Holding the Francophonie Summit in Armenia, a country dominated by fascism and ethnic strife, offends culture and humanism, Azerbaijani MP Hikmet Babaoglu told Trend October 8. "The international event is considered a kind of holiday for those who love the French language, culture and speak French. But Armenia is a mono-ethnic state, and not a single Frenchman is living there permanently. Generally, other nations do not live in Armenia. The reason is hatred and Armenian aggression against other nations. In 1988, Azerbaijanis living in Armenia were expelled with fascist cruelty, whereas the right to live on those lands belonged to Azerbaijanis," Babaoglu said. The Azerbaijani MP noted that the artificial state, called "Armenia", was established on the historical lands of Azerbaijan. "And now the summit of the Francophonie organization is held in Yerevan with the participation of representatives from more than 40 countries. No matter how contradictory it looks, the call of the 17th summit sounds like the preservation of coexistence, humane goals and diversity in the region. The Francophonie summit is held in a country where fascism and ethnic strife, insult of culture and humanism dominate. But there is also the political side of the issue. Armenia wants to receive a political dividend from this event, associated with the French language and culture. Armenians, who have been trying for many years to present themselves as one of the peoples close to the French culture, are communicating something that has never existed the 'French-Armenian historical ties'. In fact, the history of friendship between Armenians and the French people began with animosity against and betrayal of Ottoman Turkey by Armenians. Today, this is a kind of political message to Russia and a hint that Armenia is pursuing a pro-Western policy," the Azerbaijani MP said. Babaoglu stressed that it is impossible to hide Armenian fascism with such cheap shows. "Armenia is an aggressor who committed genocide against Azerbaijanis, and it will be punished for that crime," he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Chairman of the Board of the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan Kamran Imanov, who participated in the 58th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), held in Geneva in early October, has presented to the WIPO Director General Francis Gurry the relevant documents about the countrys accession to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, the agency said in a statement October 8. The treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013 in the city of Morocco. After the adoption of this treaty, the conditions were created for the blind, disabled people with visual impairments for ensuring their freedom to look for any information and ideas of their choice, as well as to receive and disseminate them on an equal basis with persons who do not have such a disability. In addition, the conditions have been created for the adequate solution of problems that restrict their opportunities in receiving the education. The new legal framework provided for in the treaty guarantees internationally the use of scientific, literary work and work of art by the blind and visually impaired persons, creates opportunities for eliminating the lack of possible accessible formats of this work for such persons, and also allows cross-border exchange of copies in such format. Azerbaijans participation in the Marrakesh Treaty will serve to expand the country's international relations in this area, closely integrate citizens of this category into the society and increase the efficiency of use of their potential. In addition, it will provide a balance between copyright protection and the interests of the general public, in particular in the fields of education, research and information, and also help to take this balance into account in regard to the blind and visually impaired persons. On June 12, President Ilham Aliyev signed the law on joining the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. Azerbaijan is the 42nd country to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty. The Treaty will enter into force for Azerbaijan on December 24, 2018. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to results of socio-economic development in the nine months of 2018 and objectives for the future. The head of state made an opening speech. Speakers at the meeting included Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade, and Chairman of the Board of "Azharkhalcha" OJSC Vidadi Muradov. The Azerbaijani President then made a closing speech. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan is playing a leading role in restoring and expanding the historic Silk Road, Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov said, the Azerbaijani parliament said in a message Oct. 9. Asadov made the remarks in Antalya at the meeting with Chairman of the National Assembly of South Korea Moon Hee-sang. Asadov expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of relations between Azerbaijan and South Korea and noted that the activities of joint commissions between Azerbaijan and South Korea, the organization of joint business forums create great opportunities for expanding cooperation. Asadov noted that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway commissioned last year and the International North-South Transport Corridor have great prospects, adding that Azerbaijani and South Korean companies are implementing joint projects, Azerbaijan is open for foreign investments, and favorable conditions for this have been created in the country. Issues of mutual interest regarding the development of Azerbaijan-South Korea relations, as well as the political situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were discussed at the meeting. The meeting was held as part of the third session of chairmen of the Eurasian countries parliaments. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Narmina Mammadova Azerbaijan and Germany have established versatile cooperation in the field of energy and there are all possibilities for expanding this cooperation. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Natig Abbasov during the German-Azerbaijani business forum on energy and ICT. "As you know, the Uniper company is one of the buyers of Azerbaijani gas in the framework of the Shah Deniz-2 project. The recently signed new agreement in the field of oil and gas production, energy efficiency, use of new technologies, optimization of energy consumption and reduction of carbon emissions will contribute to the development of this sphere in Azerbaijan," he said. Abbasov went on to say that the SOCAR-Uniper joint venture operating from 2016 is conducting modernization based on German technologies at the Azerkimya Production Unions enterprises. "There are great opportunities for Uniper company to participate in the project of modernization and reconstruction of the gas distribution network in Baku city and Absheron peninsula, reduction of losses, use, optimization and management of power stations," he added. Baku hosted German-Azerbaijani Business Forum 2018 on Energy and ICT on October 9. The forum is attended by officials of ministries and agencies of Azerbaijan, the German Embassy in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), BP, Siemens SC, SAP, Lahmeyer International GmbH, DHL Global Forwarding, PASHA Bank, etc. Presently, more than 200 companies with German capital operate in Azerbaijan. In January-August 2018, Azerbaijans trade turnover with Germany exceeded $1.05 billion, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Exports of Azerbaijani products for the period to Germany exceeded $619.5 million. Germany is the fourth biggest foreign trade partner of Azerbaijan. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Germany were established in February 1992. There was an exchange of embassies in the same year. Azerbaijani embassy in Germany was one of the first diplomatic missions of the Republic abroad, whereas Germany has become one of the first European states to support Azerbaijan during the Karabakh war, and recognize its territorial integrity. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan held a regular meeting of the working groups of the joint Uzbek-Turkmen intergovernmental commission on delimitation and demarcation of the state border in Turkmenabad, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan reports. The parties discussed the results of previously completed joint field topographic and geodetic works at selected sections of the Uzbek-Turkmen state border, and the timing of further field work was agreed. During the meeting, the results of the previously performed joint field topographic and geodetic works at selected sections of the Uzbek-Turkmen state border were reviewed, and the timing of further field work was agreed, the statement said. The meeting of the group was held on October 2-8, 2018. The Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan emphasizes that the meeting was held in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding, a protocol was signed following it. The total length of the Uzbek-Turkmen state border is 1,621 km. Last such meeting was held on June 25-July 1, 2018 in Turkmenistan. Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were established on February 7, 1993. By Abdul Kerimkhanov Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev are going to meet on October 18-19 in Tashkent, Podrobno.uz reported. The meeting will discuss issues of intensifying ties between the regions of the two countries, supporting their export potential, improving national investment legislation, and developing the digital economy. The forum will also include a series of exhibitions demonstrating the tourist and industrial potential of the regions of Uzbekistan and Russia. Russian political scientists consider, following the meeting, the presidents will come to certain, very specific agreements. In the framework of the meeting, the presidents may address the topic of the CSTO expansion, stated Russian political scientist, Vitali Arkov. "After Shavkat Mirziyoyev became the head of Uzbekistan, Tashkent significantly increased its influence in Central Asia, becoming the center of integration processes in the region. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, but they can also join the project of Uzbekistan, about the likelihood of experts say more often. The unification of the two unions is inevitable and necessary in the interests of both. Against the background of NATOs increased activity in the Russian interests zone, Moscows extremely important expansion of the CSTO at the expense of new and old members. For this purpose, the format of partners and observers was proposed for those states that for one reason or another do not want to be members of the organization. I think that negotiations are also under way with Uzbekistan. Putin will probably also discuss this issue with Mirziyoyev on the eve of the November session of the CSTO in Astana, " he said. The leading analyst at the Agency for Political and Economic Communications, Mikhail Neizhmatov, told that during Vladimir Putins visit to Uzbekistan, topics of cooperation between Moscow and Tashkent on transit projects could also be raised. As a rule, topics related to economic cooperation dominate in public statements following the talks between the heads of Russia and Uzbekistan. This is easily seen in the examples of the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the margins of the SCO June summit in Qingdao and on the eve of last years CIS summit in Sochi. By the results of the September meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the two countries, one of the topics of which was the discussion on the agenda of the upcoming state visit Vladimir Putin to Uzbekistan. This theme will be affected and the meeting of presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan," Neyzhmatov said. Within the framework of the official visit of Vladimir Putin, the first Russian-Uzbek forum of interregional cooperation will be held. By Trend Restoration of Lake Urmia in Iran requires great investments, Hadi Bahadori, an Iranian MP, said in an interview with the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA). Unfortunately, such projects as dumping of sewage to the lake via filters werent implemented because they required investments worth several billion US dollars, he said. Little attention is paid to industry in Urmia and all peoples employment is based on agriculture, he noted. Agriculture is a water demanding sphere, and if we consider reducing water consumption in agriculture, we should provide alternatives to farmers, he said. Although we sent appeals to the Urmia Lake Restoration National Committee related to alternative ways, the necessary steps havent yet been taken. If we want that farmers dont use water, alternative employment programs should be provided to them, modern irrigation systems should be handed over to them, as well as employment and food safety should be ensured. Lake Urmia was declared a reserve by UNESCO in 1967. In addition, the lake is included in the protected natural areas. Ecologists continue raising the alarm about the drying up of the Lake Urmia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend A telephone conversation took place between Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Turkmen government said in a message. The two presidents stated the friendly nature of the Turkmen-Russian relations being built on the principles of mutual respect, constructiveness and strategic partnership, the message said. The parties discussed priority issues of interstate cooperation in the context of agreements reached at the highest level, and the existing substantial potential for mutually beneficial efforts in various fields. In this regard, they noted the important role of the joint intergovernmental commission in the practical implementation of the outlined plans for bilateral cooperation and the development of its new promising directions. The key directions of partnership include trade and economic sphere, where there are great opportunities for diversifying productive contacts, increasing the volume and expanding the range of the items of trade turnover, stimulating business and investment activity. The key directions of partnership also include energy, transport and communications sector, which are among the basic segments of the global economy, as well as a number of other spheres, the Turkmenistan State News Agency reported. A good example of long-term bilateral cooperation is the close cooperation established between Turkmenistan and the biggest regions and subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as successful work of the leading companies of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan, the report said. An exchange of views took place on a number of topical aspects of the regional and global agenda. About 190 companies with Russian capital operate in Turkmenistan. The ARETI International Croup holding (formerly ITERA) has been operating since 2009 in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea on the basis of the production sharing agreement. At the same time, Russia's Gazprom, a traditional trade partner, completely stopped purchasing Turkmen gas in 2016. The strategic partnership agreement between Turkmenistan and Russia was signed in Ashgabat on October 2, 2017. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and its Chinese partners will set up a regional fund worth 5 bln yuan, RDIF Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev told, adding that first transactions in national currencies are expected in early 2019, TASS reports. "The RDIF together with Chinese partners is launching a regional fund in yuan with 5 bln yuan worth of capital. We expect first transactions in national currencies already at the beginning of 2019. Moreover, the RDIF plans to set up similar funds with other countries in the future," he said. Earlier Dmitriev said that cooperation in national currencies is crucial for a successful development of trade and economic relations between the two countries. The RDIF, established in June 2011, is Russia's sovereign investment fund with $10 bln of reserved capital under management. The fund invests directly in leading and promising Russian companies jointly with major global investors. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The number of foreign nationals who were deported in the January-June period for immigration violations rose 16.5 percent from a year before to 7,892, the Justice Ministry has announced. The number of people who travel to Japan to work illegally has been increasing amid an overall rise in the number of visitors from overseas, ministry officials said Friday. Of the first-half total, 4,889 people, or 61.9 percent, were deported for working illegally. Of them, 1,366 were employed in the agriculture industry, 907 in construction and 849 as factory workers. Many of the illegal workers had jobs in Tokyo as well as Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures. A shooting early Monday morning in San Franciscos Mission District left a 25-year-old man dead, authorities said. San Francisco police responded to reports of a shooting around 1:20 a.m. on the 3300 block of 19th Street near the intersection of Van Ness Avenue. The victim, Tony Patton Jr., of San Francisco, was already dead when officers arrived on scene, police said. Two deceased Vietnam War veterans from Green Island are no longer missing. The names of Garrett "Gary" Hartshorn, 64, a Coast Guard veteran formerly of Green Island who died in 2014, and Garrett Schnapp, a Navy and Coast Guard veteran who died in 2000, had been missing for 36 years from the Green Island Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monument located under the Collar City Bridge at Market and George streets. Several Green Island residents had noticed Hartshorn and Schnapp were not among the Green Islanders who were killed or served in the Vietnam War listed on the monument built in 1982. They now are no longer missing from the monument, Tom Mullins, commemoration committee chairman, says. A Green Island Commemoration Committee contacted family survivors who provided documentation of their war and military service. The documents included DD-214 discharge papers. The documents show clearly the pair are worthy of being honored for their exemplary service. Their names were added to the monument during a ceremony on Sept. 23. Family members, friends and public officials celebrated the unveiling of their names etched into the stone facing. Hartshorn served in the Coast Guard from 1967 through 1971 and Schnapp served in the Navy from 1965 through 1969 and the Coast Guard from 1972 to 1977. "Their names, omitted from the monument but their service never forgotten, were brought forward by a diligent group of citizens who reported their military records to village officials, who moved quickly to get their names added to the monument," said Mullins. Hartshorn served in the Coast Guard in the Vietnam War. Hartshorn was a seaman third class who served aboard patrol boats in the dangerous Mekong River area. His job was to help transport troops and supplies while clearing the enemy from the riverbanks often while under enemy fire. Documents show Hartshorn saved the lives of five people in water rescues. He earned a Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Cross of gallantry Unit Citation with Palm, a New York State Medal of Merit, a New York State Conspicuous Service Star, and other medals. After the war, he had been employed by the Bendix Corporation in the 1970s and was a truck driver for several area businesses in the 1980s. He also was a self-employed contractor before he died. He was a former member and commander of the Legnard-Curtin American Legion Post 927 in Green Island and a member of the North Albany American Legion Post 1610. Schnapp served as an aviation structural mechanic third class aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock and deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin from July 18, 1968, to March 3, 1969. He was part of Air Attack Squadron 164, known as the Ghostriders. The Hancock took part in Operation Rolling Thunder, an all-out bombing campaign of North Vietnam that ended in October 1968. The Hancock was then assigned to the Korean Peninsula between November- December 1968. His Navy task force helped secure the release of sailors of the USS Pueblo who were captured by North Koreans. Afterward, the USS Hancock returned to Vietnam and continued bombing North Vietnam. He earned a Navy Good Conduct Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm, a Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, a Coast Guard Unit Commendation, a Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Citation, a New York State Medal of Merit, a New York State Conspicuous Service Star with One Shield and other medals. Honoring heroes Honoring Our Home Town Heroes appreciation and recognition dinner will be sponsored by the Rev. Francis A. Kelley Society at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 at the Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Ave. Extension, Albany. Seven war veterans, two posthumously, will be honored by the Rev. Francis A. Kelley Society of St. Joseph's church, Troy. Garrett "Gary" Hartshorn a Coast Guard veteran, and Garrett Schnapp, a Navy and Coast Guard veteran, both Vietnam War veterans, will be honored posthumously. Father Kelley was a World War I veteran and recipient of a Distinguished Service Cross, who advocated for veterans upon his return to the Troy area. The society is dedicated to honoring and paying tribute to local veterans. Menu choices include sirloin, chicken Parmesan or broiler scrod. Cost is $35 per person and children cost $12. For information and to make reservations contact John Mullen at 518 272-2360. New airman Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Karen R. Sluus of East Greenbush has graduated from basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. News of your troops and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or brownt@timesunion.com. Florida Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Gillum took aim Monday night at President Donald Trump, accusing him of playing politics as a hurricane barrels down on the state. Gillum's comments followed a visit by Trump to Orlando, where he spoke to a gathering of law enforcement officials. While there, the president also talked up the Republican candidate in the governor's race, Rep. Ron DeSantis, during a television interview and criticized Gillum for his stewardship of Tallahassee, where he's mayor. "His opponent runs a place that has a lot of problems, and I know it very well, but it's got a lot of problems, tremendous corruption, tremendous crime," Trump told WFTV without mentioning Gillum by name. Referring to Gillum's embrace of several liberal policies, Trump later asserted that if he prevails over DeSantis - who has Trump's strong endorsement - "Florida will become another Venezuela, and that is not good." Gillum fired back on Twitter. "Hey @realDonaldTrump - don't come to my state and talk trash about my city while we are preparing for a Category 3 hurricane," he wrote. "We need a partner right now, not a partisan." Hurricane Michael is expected to make landfall Wednesday on Florida's northern Gulf Coast. Forecasters say it is the most serious hurricane threat in the area in more than a decade. The Florida county that includes Tallahassee has the highest crime rate in the state, though the rate has dropped during Gillum's tenure. Over the past year, a federal grand jury has been conducting a public corruption investigation in Tallahassee. So far, no one has been charged, and a spokesman for Gillum recently said FBI agents assured the mayor in June 2017 that he was not a "focus" of the probe. Among the policies Gillum advocates are a single-payer health care system and a $15 per hour minimum wage. iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- A second person believed to have died from an allergic reaction after eating a Pret a Manger product has been identified as 42-year-old dental nurse Celia Marsh. Marsh died at Royal United Hospital in Bath, England, after allegedly ingesting a dairy product in a super-veg rainbow flatbread on December 27, 2017, according to the BBC. The food giant has recently faced a backlash after an inquest by the West London Coroners Court found that their policy of food labelling for allergens was inadequate after 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died from an allergic reaction to sesame in a baguette in 2016, according to the New York Times. Pret a Manger CEO Clive Schlee promised there would be meaningful change to come from this tragedy after the death of Ednan-Laperouse, according to the BBC. However, in the case of Celia Marsh, Pret has blamed the product supplier COYO for providing them with a defective product, which they said contained dairy. COYO, the dairy-free yoghurt brand which supplies supermarkets and shops across the U.K., mis-sold to Pret a guaranteed dairy-free yoghurt that was found to contain dairy protein, a spokesperson for Pret a Manger told ABC News. This is believed to have resulted in the tragic death of a customer from an allergic reaction in December 2017. Pret said they have terminated their relationship with COYO, and are now in the process of taking legal action against the company. They added that deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of our customer in this terrible case and we will seek to assist them in any way we can. COYO have since hit back at the food chain, describing Prets claims as unfounded. The dairy-free product we provided to Pret in December 2017, at the time of this tragedy, is not linked to the product we recalled in February 2018, COYO said in a statement. They added that they will continue to cooperate with all authorities and assist the inquest in finding the true cause. "We urge all parties to work together, and not to speculate on the cause of this tragic death which is unknown as far as we are aware and is still being investigated by the Coroners court. A spokesman for the coroner told the BBC that they were still awaiting results of pathology tests into Marshs death. A charity called Allergy UK, which supports people with allergies, declined to comment on the ongoing Pret investigation, but CEO Carla Jones has expressed huge concern after the inquest into Natasha Ednan-Laperouses death. We are seeing so many fatal incidents caused principally by a lack of communication on the allergen content of food, she said. Whilst those living with allergies must be vigilant on their own behalf, the broader food industry needs to do more than just the bare minimum when it comes to catering for the allergic community. Allergy UK estimates that 2 million people in the UK currently suffer from a food allergy, and that around 10 people die every year from allergen-induced anaphylaxis. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. With the expansion of Carvana to Beaumont, residents can now purchase a used vehicle online and have it sitting in their driveway the next day, even faster than an Amazon Prime order. But the e-commerce platform's Southeast Texas launch lacks one of the company's defining features: a coin-operated car vending machine. More Texans than ever are registered to vote this year, but experts warn the challenge of getting them to the polls remains. As of Tuesday morning, more than 15.7 million Texas had registered to vote in the Nov. 6 elections, the Texas Secretary of States Office reported. That record number will be higher once the tally from the final day of registration is complete. Texas ranks bottom of the pack nationwide in voter turnout. The last time more than half of registered voters cast a ballot in a midterm election was 1994, when Democratic Gov. Ann Richards lost to Republican George W. Bush, according to state data. In 2014, the last midterm election, about 14 million people were registered in Texas. Competitive races like Bush-Richards help drive turnout, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. Since that year, Democrats havent won a statewide election. If elections arent competitive, then one side of the partisan divide feels like they are not being included in the process, Rottinghaus said. But this cycle, a barn-burner race for U.S. Senate and a handful of hotly contested Congressional seats could help drive more voters to the ballot box, he said. From a tactical point of view, the fact so many groups have been registering voters for so long gives a competitive candidate an opportunity to harness those votes, Rottinghaus said. New voters continued to trickle in Tuesday afternoon at Lamar University, where Pete Churton, volunteer deputy registrar, assisted new voters signing up for the first time and helped older ones certify a change of address or simply check to make sure they were in the books. Having a voice and being able to vote motivated graduate student Shelby Hare to drop her bags and sit on the floor of the Speech and Hearing Sciences Building to complete her application. Another graduate student, Rachel Nguyen, said she didnt want to miss out on the opportunity to vote, especially after seeing past elections that didnt turn out how shed hoped. While the rest of the state saw an increase in voter registration, the number of registered voters in the Golden Triangle remained largely the same compared to previous election cycles. In 2014, there were 146,000 registered voters in Jefferson County, according to tax assessor-collector, Allison Nathan Getz. More than 3,000 residents voted to register for the 2016 elections, bringing the total up to 149,317 registered voters. Usually presidential election years are higher, she said. The most recent numbers for 2018 totaling to 148,215 voters as of Tuesday morning indicate a slight drop from previous years but ahead of the last midterm. I think that people are more involved and engaged in the process, Getz said, pointing to the impact of social media and around-the-clock news services. Its important to be concerned about the state elections at the top of the ticket, but youve really got to be focused on the local elections because thats what impacts your life every day, she said. Contested elections in Jefferson County include county judge, county clerk and county treasurer. Also at stake are the Precinct 1 constable and 172nd state district judge seats. James Nelson, Lamar University political science professor, attributed voter interest to competitive and noncompetitive Southeast Texas political communities. Nelson, whose specialties include American politics and political behavior, defined competitive communities as areas where two parties have close to the same number of voters. Part of what you may be seeing is that Jefferson County is very competitive. Some counties very much around it are not, Nelson said. Travis County, which includes the capital city of Austin, was among the highest for voter turnout, he added, while rural counties tend to be among the lowest. As of Tuesday morning, there were 38,124 registered voters in Hardin County, tax assessor-collector Shirley Cook said in an email. Data for previous election cycles were not immediately available. Of the 12 local Hardin County elections, only the race for Precinct 6 justice of the peace is contested. Eleven Republicans will be unchallenged in the November election. In Orange County, election officials continued to process voter registration cards Tuesday afternoon, including 62 that had been filed on the last day to register. The dozens of applications include new voters and changes of address, elections administrator Tina Barrow said. As of last week, the county had 53,300 registered voters, up from 53,064 in the 2016 election cycle. In 2014, there were 50,553 registered voters. Barrow said it was likely that the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and his opponent, Rep. Beto ORourke, D-El Paso, was drawing people to the polls. Two contested local government races could also play a factor, she said. Only two of 11 local races are contested, Barrow said. According to Barrow, political engagement looks like its up from the last gubernatorial election in 2014. We werent this busy then, she said, adding that media attention on such races as Cruz-ORourke has got a lot of people wanting to come out to vote. Getz, the Jefferson County tax assessor-collector, said its up to those who registered to now follow up. You can register all the people in the world that you want, but people have got to vote, Getz said. It doesnt do us any good to register all these people if they dont take the time to vote. Allie Morris reported from Austin. Haley Bruyn in Beaumont contributed to this report. Phoebe.Suy@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/PhoebeSuy A San Antonio man is being retried, accused of assaulting two toddlers who ended up with a sexually transmitted disease in 2015. Testimony is expected to begin this morning in the trial of Adrian Vigil, who was 23 when he was arrested and charged with super aggravated sexual assault. The charges stemmed from medical examinations that determined two girls, ages 1 and 3, tested positive for gonorrhea. The children were believed to have been assaulted sometime in October 2015. Vigils trial opened April 10 in the 187th state District Court, presided by Judge Joey Contreras, and the state was presenting evidence when a witness testified that one of the girls said Vigil, now 26, had done something to her sister. The information had been conveyed to a Bexar County prosecutor no longer on the case, and was never shared with the defense, which is standard law practice. RELATED: Mistrial declared for San Antonio man accused of giving toddlers gonorrhea The testimony prompted defense attorney David Woodard to immediately ask for a mistrial, citing an unfair surprise and a discovery violation because he was not made aware of the information. He told the judge he would have planned his defense strategy differently had he known the details beforehand. Outside the presence of the jury, prosecutors Steve Speir and Trey Mims, asked Contreras to issue a stern warning for the panel to ignore the statement so they could continue with the proceedings, but Woodard adamantly objected, stating, We cant put the toothpaste back in the tube, and ask the jurors to disregard the statement. Contreras declared a mistrial, stating that the defense had been put at a severe disadvantage. The case is being heard in Felony Impact Court, with Visiting Judge Philip A. Kazen presiding. Super aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first-degree felony punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison. Here are six anesthesiologists and pain physicians recently facing criminal charges: Former Advanced Pain Management Services owner Dr. Atif Malik sentenced to 8 years in prison Former pain practice owner Atif Babar Malik, MD, 49, was sentenced Sept. 11 to eight years in prison after being convicted of 25 counts related to kickbacks, fraudulent billing and tax evasion in 2017. Dr. Malik ran Frederick, Md.-based Advanced Pain Management Services. Physician, pain management clinic owner sentenced to 35 years in prison for pill mill scheme Houston physician Gazelle Craig, DO, and pain management clinic owner Shane Faithful were each sentenced to 35 years in prison for allegedly running a pill mill out of Houston-based Gulfton Community Health Center from March 2015 through July 2017. Former pain management clinic owner pleads guilty to $51.5K healthcare fraud scheme Jayam Krishna Iyer, MD, 66, pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud Sept. 18. Dr. Iyer owned and operated Clearwater, Fla.-based Creative Medical Center. She is accused of falsely billing Medicare for face-to-face visits with patients who never visited her office or underwent examinations and allegedly falsified EMRs to make it seem like those patients did visit the office. Pain physician convicted of falsifying patient medical records Moustafa Moataz Aboshady, MD, was found guilty of falsifying patient medical information to obtain illegal payments from Medicare and commercial insurers. Dr. Aboshady was a medical resident practicing at New England Wellness & Pain Management, which operated practices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island under several names. Anesthesiologist indicted for allegedly giving patient fatal Demerol dose A grand jury unsealed an indictment charging anesthesiologist Stephen Kyo-Sung Kim, MD, with murder for the death of his physician patient. Dr. Kim reportedly administered medicine to sedate Mark Greenspan, MD, 71, before surgery at the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery Center. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. Anesthesiologist faces up to 10 years in prison for alleged healthcare fraud, denies accusations Adam Arredondo, MD, of Waxahachie-based Texas Anesthesia and Pain Management Institute was indicted by a federal grand jury Aug. 8 and faces up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for alleged healthcare fraud. He is accused of soliciting and receiving two $10,000 checks in exchange for referring compounding prescriptions to Skiatook, Okla.-based OK Compounding. The anesthesiologist called the allegations "bogus" and "totally untrue." Here are updates on eight ASC companies and industry-relevant companies to note: Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare (AmSurg) is trying to repair its public image with a website dedicated to explaining surprise medical billing claims. Read more. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia reached a new multi-year agreement with Nashville-based Hospital Corporation of America. Anchor Health Properties is marketing a lot in Nashville that could accommodate a five-story medical office building. Real estate brokerage firm Marcus & Millichap listed Indianapolis-based Capitol Street Surgery Center and Evansville, Ind.-based Surgicare Cross Pointe. The surgery center is a joint venture between local physicians and Indianapolis-based St. Vincent Health System. Hauppauge, N.Y.-based SightMD entered into a strategic partnership with West Babylon, N.Y.-based Lindenhurst Eye Physicians & Surgeons. Vizinet awarded several company honors, including the Ambulatory Care Quality and Accountability award, at the 2018 Vizient Connections Summit, Oct. 2-4 in Las Vegas. Read more. Becker's ASC Review profiled Houston-based Nobilis Health Group President and Director Harry Fleming. More articles on transactions/valuation: Drs. Steven Matulis, Douglas Morgan, & more: 6 GI physicians making headlines North Carolina finalizes plan that could spur ASC, hospital developments 5 takeaways Vizinet awards 5 Ambulatory Care Quality and Accountability awards 4 insights Here are 112 operations, finances and quality benchmarks in ASCs gathered from several sources across the industry. Operational The following ASC salary and benefits statistics are from the HealthCare Appraisers "ASC Valuation Survey 2018: How Do ASC Companies Assess Value?" including responses from 15 ASC companies representing more than 700 surgery centers throughout the U.S. The centers include only those that are in-network. Salary and benefits 1. 10 percent to 19.9 percent of revenue: 7 percent of respondents 2. 20 percent to 29.9 percent of revenue: 87 percent 3. 30 percent to 39 percent of revenue: 7 percent Occupancy 4. 0 percent to 9.9 percent of revenue: 33 percent of respondents 5. 10 percent to 19.9 percent of revenue: 60 percent 6. 20 percent to 20.9 percent of revenue: 7 percent Drug, medical supplies and implantables 7. 10 percent to 19.9 percent of revenue: 40 percent 8. 20 percent to 20.9 percent of revenue: 60 percent Management fees 9. Management fees vary based on revenue levels: 40 percent 10. ASC management fee arrangements where a portion of the fee is at risk: 13 percent 11. Minimum fees: Less than $100,000: 13 percent $100,000 to $199,999: 50 percent $200,000 to $299,999: 25 percent More than $300,000: 13 percent 12. Threshold when ASC management fees decrease: Average annual income less than $500,000: 33 percent $500 million to $749 million: 33 percent $750 million to $999 million: 17 percent $10 billion to $12.49 billion: 17 percent 13. Billing fees as a percentage of net revenue: 2 percent to 2.9 percent: 10 percent 3 percent to 3.9 percent: 10 percent 4 percent to 4.9 percent: 38 percent 5 percent to 5.9 percent: 19 percent 6 percent to 6.9 percent: 14 percent More than 7 percent: 10 percent Staffing The following statistics are based on VMG Healths Intellimarker Ambulatory Surgical Centers Financial & Operational Benchmarking Study 2018 report. The study includes an analysis of more than 275 licensed freestanding ASC covering more than 1.3 million cases. 14. Employee salaries and wages: As a percentage of net revenue: 22 percent Per square foot: $136 Per operating room: $516,000 Per case: $442 15. Employee benefits: As a percentage of net revenue: 5.2 percent Per square foot: $32 Per operating room: $121,000 Per case: $104 16. Staff hours per case: Nurse: 6.6 Tech: 3.0 Administrative: 4.3 Total: 13.6 17. Hourly wages: Nurse: $36.68 per hour Tech: $23.83 per hour Administrative: $27.44 per hour Working capital The following statistics are based on VMG Healths Intellimarker Ambulatory Surgical Centers Financial & Operational Benchmarking Study 2018 report. The study includes an analysis of more than 275 licensed freestanding ASC covering more than 1.3 million cases. Atlantic 18. Cash and equivalents: $564,000 19. Percent of total operating expenses: 9.4 percent 20. Days cash on hand: 34.5 21. Net accounts receivable: $769,000 22. Percent of net operating revenue: 8.6 percent 23. Net working capital: $1,137,000 Midwest 24. Cash and equivalents: $695,000 25. Percent of total operating expenses:9.1 percent 26.Days cash on hand: 33.1 27. Net accounts receivable: $1,084,000 28. Percent of net operating revenue: 11.0 percent 29. Net working capital: $1,355,000 Mountain 30. Cash and equivalents: $463,000 31. Percent of total operating expenses: 6.0 percent 32. Days cash on hand: 22.1 33. Net accounts receivable: $761,000 34. Percent of net operating revenue: 8.5 percent 35. Net working capital: $1,141,000 Northeast 36. Cash and equivalents: $672,000 37. Percent of total operating expenses: 10.4 percent 38. Days cash on hand: 38.1 39. Net accounts receivable: $1,118,000 40. Percent of net operating revenue: 48.6 percent 41. Net working capital: $1,368.000 Pacific 42. Cash and equivalents: $758,000 43. Percent of total operating expenses: 9.5 percent 44. Days cash on hand: 34.7 45. Net accounts receivable: $965,000 46. Percent of net operating revenue: 10.2 percent 47. Net working capital: $1,376,000 South 48. Cash and equivalents: $889,000 49. Percent of total operating expenses: 11.7 percent 50. Days cash on hand: 42.8 51. Net accounts receivable: $836,000 52. Percent of net operating revenue: 7.5 percent 53. Net working capital $1,267,000 Payer mix The following statistics are based on VMG Healths Intellimarker Ambulatory Surgical Centers Financial & Operational Benchmarking Study 2018 report. The study comprised an analysis of more than 275 licensed freestanding ASC covering more than 1.3 million cases. 54. Medicare: Mean: 29 percent 25th percentile: 17 percent Median: 27 percent 75th percentile: 39 percent 90th percentile: 49 percent 55. Medicaid: Mean: 10 percent 25th percentile: 4 percent Median: 6 percent 75th percentile: 13 percent 90th percentile: 25 percent 56. Commercial: Mean: 54 percent 25th percentile: 41 percent Median: 55 percent 75th percentile: 65 percent 90th percentile: 72 percent 57. Workers Comp: Mean: 7 percent 25th percentile: 2 percent Median: 4 percent 75th percentile: 10 percent 90th percentile: 14 percent 58. Self-Pay: Mean: 6 percent 25th percentile: 2 percent Median: 3 percent 75th percentile: 6 percent 90th percentile: 12 percent 59. Other Pay: Mean: 9 percent 25th percentile: 2 percent Median: 6 percent 75th percentile: 13 percent 90th percentile: 21 percent Quality The following data is based on the ASC Quality Collaboration Quality Report from the second quarter of 2018. There were 1,586 ASCs participating. The data was collected April 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. There were 986 multispecialty ASCs and 600 single specialty ASCs representing every state except Vermont. 60. Patient fall rate per 1,000 ASC admissions: 0.096 61. Patient burn rate per 1,000 ASC admissions: 0.015 62. Hospital transfers/admissions per 1,000 ASC admissions: 0.944 63. Rate of wrong site, side, patient, procedure, implant per 1,000 ASC admissions: 0.025 64. Rate of prophylactic IV antibiotic timing: 98 percent 65. Percentage of ASC admissions with appropriate surgical site hair removal: 98 percent 66. Percentage of eligible ASC patients with normothermia: 97 percent 67. Percentage of ASC cataract patients with unplanned anterior vitrectomy: 0.44 percent 68. Rate of toxic anterior segment syndrome per 1,000 admissions: 0.12 69. Rate of emergency department visits within one day of discharge per 1,000 admissions: 0.86 70. Rate of unplanned hospital admissions within one day of ASC discharge per 1,000 admissions: 0.43 YAG laser posterior capsulotomy Benchmarking study from AAAHC based on clinical studies of YAG laser posterior capsulotomy surgeries between January and June 2018. The study includes 25 organizations with a combined 15,788 YAG laser posterior capsulotomies surgeries per year. 71. Eighty-eight percent of patients wait less than one month after scheduling YAG laser surgery before undergoing the procedure. 72. One-hundred percent of patients resume daily living within a week of undergoing YAG laser surgery. 73. Eighty-nine percent of patients reported improved vision after YAG laser surgery in an ASC. 74. Ninety-nine percent of patients say they're comfortable while undergoing YAG laser surgery in the ASC. 75. Ninety-eight percent are comfortable after discharge. 76. Ninety-nine percent of patients report they would recommend YAG laser surgery after undergoing the procedure in an ASC. 77. Median preprocedure time is 47 minutes for YAG laser surgeries, with a range of 18 to 75 minutes. 78. Median procedure time for YAG laser surgeries in ASCs is two minutes with a range of one to 11 minutes. 79. Median discharge time for cataract surgeries is six minutes. Colonoscopy The data in this section is based on a benchmarking study from AAAHC on clinical findings for colonoscopy from 47 organizations performing 199,522 annual colonoscopies between January and June 2018. 80. Sixty-nine percent of colonoscopy patients report little or no discomfort during bowel preparation. 81. Seventy-six percent of colonoscopy patients wait less than a month between scheduling their colonoscopy and having the procedure. 82. Ninety-six percent of colonoscopy patients report scheduling their procedures as soon as they wanted. 83. Ninety-eight percent of colonoscopy patients experienced little or no discomfort during the procedure. 84. Ninety-nine percent of colonoscopy patients report being comfortable after discharge. 85. Ninety-eight percent would recommend colonoscopy at the center to others. 86. Colonoscopy procedure time is eight to 23 minutes. 87. Preprocedure time for colonoscopy is six to 124 minutes, covering patient check-in to scope insertion. 88. Colonoscopy discharge time is 16 to 52 minutes for ASCs. Knee arthroscopy The following is based on a benchmarking study from AAAHC on clinical findings for knee arthroscopy in the ASC based on data from 20 organizations that perform a combined total of 5,270 knee arthroscopies annually. The study was conducted between January and June 2018. 89. Median preprocedure time for knee arthroscopy is 108 minutes, and organizations with shortest times attribute results to educating patients on what to expect during the procedure at the preop visit and having consistent, reliable staff. 90. Median knee arthroscopy procedure time is 24 minutes in the ASC. 91. Median discharge time for knee arthroscopy is 67 minutes in the ASC, and organizations with short discharge times attribute results to using the appropriate amount and type of anesthesia specific to each patient and educating patients on what to expect in terms of pain management post-procedure. 92. Seventy-six percent of knee arthroscopy patients wait less than a month for their procedure after scheduling. 93. Eighty-eight percent of knee arthroscopy patients are able to schedule the procedure as soon as they wanted in the ASC. 94. Ninety-nine percent of knee arthroscopy patients say they are comfortable post-discharge in the ASC. 95. Over 99 percent of knee arthroscopy patients report little or no discomfort during the procedure. 96. Ninety-nine percent would recommend knee arthroscopy at the center to others Low back injections The following is based on a benchmarking study from AAAHC on clinical findings for low back pain in ambulatory care settings based on data from 28 organizations that perform a combined total of more than 47,598 low back injections annually. The data was collected between January and June 2018. 97. Median preprocedure time for low back injections is 56 minutes, and organizations with the shortest pre-procedure times attribute results to preparing the paperwork and educating patients prior to the day of the procedure. 98. Median procedure time is five minutes for low back injections in the surgery center. Median discharge time after low back injections in the ASC is 21 minutes, with a range of six to 49 minutes. 99. Eighty-seven percent of patients wait less than a month from scheduling their low back injection to undergoing the procedure in the ASC. 100. Ninety-four percent of patients say they are able to schedule their low back injections in an ASC within a "reasonable" period to time. 101. Eighty-four percent of patients report returning to daily activities after undergoing low back injections in ASCs. 102. Eighty-three percent of patients say they experienced less pain after the low back injections. 103. Fifty-four percent reduced pain medications after the procedure. Case volume & revenue The following statistics are based on VMG Healths Intellimarker Ambulatory Surgical Centers Financial & Operational Benchmarking Study 2018 report. The study includes an analysis of more than 275 licensed freestanding ASCs covering more than 1.3 million cases. 104. Case volume mix as a percentage of total cases: Gastroenterology: 34 percent Ophthalmology: 26 percent Orthopedics: 21 percent Pain management: 21 percent Otolaryngology: 12 percent General surgery: 9 percent Oral surgery: 9 percent Urology: 8 percent Obstetrics and gynecology: 6 percent Plastic surgery: 5 percent Podiatry: 6 percent 105. Net revenue per case: Orthopedics: $3,458 Otolaryngology: $2,543 Podiatry: $2,688 Urology: $2,483 Obstetrics and gynecology: $2,933 General surgery: $2,235 Plastic surgery: $2,010 Ophthalmology: $1,442 Oral surgery: $950 Pain management: $1,245 Gastroenterology: $1,027 ASC leader pay and demographics The following statistics are based on OR Managers 2018 Salary/Career survey, which fielded responses from ASC and hospital administrators across the U.S. on salary, job satisfaction and more. 106. Forty-three percent of hospital leaders said they earned $120,000 or more, compared to 37 percent of ASC leaders. 107. In 2017, 40 percent of hospital leaders said they earned $120,000 or more, compared to 29 percent for ASC leaders. 108. Only 16 percent of ASC leaders said they earned less than $80,000. 109. The average age of respondents was 51.7 years old. 110. Thirty-four percent of respondents had a master's degree. 111. Eighty-nine percent were female. 112. Over 70 percent were RNs. Here are 10 feature interviews with hospital and healthcare system chief information security officers and cybersecurity experts. Chris Joerg, CISO at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, discusses hospital data protection and what to do when there's a breach in security. Sheryl Rose, CISO and senior president at Catholic Health Initiatives in Englewood, Calif., explains why awareness training is pivotal in hospital cybersecurity and how her role as CISO has evolved. Jigar Kadakia, CISO at Boston-based Partners HealthCare, on the impact that a breach in cybersecurity can have on the healthcare ecosystem. Dan Costantino, CISO at Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania Health System, discusses the "human element" of cyberattacks and the top attack vector for cybercriminals. Greg Garcia, executive director for cybersecurity at Healthcare Sector Coordinating Council in Washington, D.C., discusses why hospitals should invest in cybersecurity and how C-suite executives can maintain strong methods of data protection. Don Kelly, information security officer at Vero Beach, Fla.-based Indian River Medical Center, explains how important proper cyber hygiene, awareness and communication are when dealing with hospital cybersecurity. Todd Plesco, CISO at PrescribeWellness in Irvine, Calif., on the need for ethics in data protection and why business continuity plans are a hospital's best defense against cybersecurity attacks. Derek Dudley, director of IT at Madison (S.D.) Regional Health System, discusses today's biggest threats to hospital cybersecurity and what types of cyberattacks are in store for the future. Jim Garrett, interim CISO at University Hospital of Newwark, New Jersey and CISO at Mount Airy, Md.-based Quality IT Partners Consulting, explains why data integrity is a critical aspect of hospital data protection. L.D. Gill, hospital security officer at Atlanta-based Emory University Hospital, discusses how mobile and medical devices can leave hospital systems vulnerable to cyberattacks. On Oct. 1, Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health and Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System signed a letter of intent to merge. With the combined $14 billion system's 68 hospitals slated to account for 15 percent of total hospitals in Texas, some are questioning how the merger would affect healthcare costs, according to The Dallas Morning News. Here are five highlights from the analysis: 1. Expenses, such as pricey prescription drugs, can overshadow savings from hospital mergers, Baylor Scott & White CEO Jim Hinton said. The identification and transfer of best practices between merging entities represents the biggest potential benefit, according to the report. This may include making surgeries more efficient or reducing intensive care stays, which can translate to lower costs. 2. Five years before its proposed deal with Memorial Hermann, the Baylor and Scott & White health systems merged. As an entity, Baylor Scott & White has surpassed its estimated cost savings, according to Mr. Hinton, even as the systems were combining. Baylor Scott & White saved nearly $740 million in the past five years. In 2017, Moody's Investors Service praised the health system for "demonstrating [an] ability to execute large integration initiatives." 3. However, a Health Affairs study published in September and cited by The Dallas Morning News found a wave of big hospital consolidations in other states may not have led to lower costs. For instance, in 2016, the average adjusted price per admission among California's largest health systems was $7,000 more than at all of the state's other hospitals. "Policy makers across the country can and should learn from California," the study said. "The wave of hospital consolidation happened earlier in California, but other states are catching up." 4. In addition, employers are increasingly putting pressure on health systems to cut costs. The publication asked Mr. Hinton whether an employer initiative like Amazon-Berkshire Hathaway-JPMorgan Chase is a threat to a combined Baylor-Memorial Hermann or a potential collaborator. Mr. Hinton, who would be the lead at Baylor-Memorial Hermann, said: "Both. If we don't understand the frustration among businesses and don't do anything about it, this is a big threat. But if we begin to disrupt ourselves, maybe we can become a partner in some way with the disruptors." 5. Pending regulatory approval, Baylor Scott & White and Memorial Hermann expect their deal to close in summer 2019. More articles on healthcare finance: Kansas hospital to close by year's end Walmart is changing how we pay for healthcare: 5 things to know 15 health systems with strong finances Republican officials in Michigan filed a complaint with state regulatory officials last week claiming sixth congressional district candidate Matt Longjohn, MD, had misrepresented his medical credentials in his campaign material, according to WMUK 102.1 Radio. Here are four things to know: 1. Michigan Republican Party Deputy Communications Director Tony Zammit told the news outlet that under a state law, individuals cannot use "an insignia, title or letter under a circumstance to induce the belief the person is licensed or registered in the state." The party alleges that Dr. Longjohn is violating that state law because he is not licensed to practice medicine in Michigan. 2. However, Dr. Longjohn said he has never claimed he is licensed to practice medicine in Michigan, but that he has earned the right to call himself a physician by earning a medical degree. During a press conference Oct. 8, Dr. Longjohn showed reporters a copy of his medical school diploma from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. "I am an MD, I am a physician, I'm a doctor. I walked across the stage in 1999, as a single dad, actually carrying my son to earn my medical degree at Tulane University. I am a graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine," Dr. Longjohn said. 3. The Democratic candidate also cited a state law that allows him to refer to himself as a physician in his campaign material. Section 16264 of the Public Health Code allows an individual to "use the insignia, titles, letters or phrases as granted to the individual" by "an authorized educational program or institution." 4. A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs told the news outlet the agency has referred the complaint against Dr. Longjohn to the Michigan Board of Medicine, which will decide whether to pursue an investigation. To access the full report, click here. An obstetrician at Pasadena, Calif.-based Huntington Hospital was removed from his leadership role in the facility's obstetrics and gynecology department after officials were made aware of several sexual misconduct allegations against him, a Huntington Hospital spokesperson confirmed to the Pasadena Star-News. The spokesperson confirmed Patrick Sutton, MD, has agreed to have a chaperone present while providing care to his private patients at the hospital. He is also no longer on the hospital's OB call list, meaning he will not be on call to help patients who go into labor and do not already have an OB-GYN. "These changes are effective immediately as we await the results of further review by the Medical Board of California and our medical staff," the spokesperson told the Pasadena Star-News. The most recent complaint was filed against Dr. Sutton on Sept. 24 by the medical board. The complaint stemmed from a Feb. 3, 2016, incident during which Dr. Sutton allegedly examined a patient while a nurse was present and made remarks about the patient's body. After the nurse left to answer a phone call, he allegedly asked the patient if she experienced orgasms, the report states. Dr. Sutton has 15 days to respond to the medical board's Sept. 24 complaint. The state medical board has received at least two other complaints against Dr. Sutton in 1998 and 2008, both alleging sexual misconduct. In both cases, Dr. Sutton entered into an agreement with the medical board and successfully completed his probation. Two other women alleged sexual harassment against Dr. Sutton in another Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit filed in 2005, when he was on probation. The lawsuit was settled out of court, according to the report. The Huntington Hospital spokesperson told the Pasadena Star-News the hospital's medical staff is reviewing the complaints, and that the results of the peer-review proceedings will not be made public. To access the full report, click here. A judge in California has delayed ruling on a request to release nearly $1 million seized from the former administrator of Tulare (Calif.) Regional Medical Center, according to the Visalia Times Delta. Here are five things to know: 1. Tulare-based HealthCare Conglomerate Associates previously managed Tulare Regional Medical Center. Benny Benzeevi, MD, is chairman and CEO of HCCA. 2. Earlier this year, the FBI raided Dr. Benzeevi's home. To obtain the search warrant, investigators alleged he engaged in embezzlement and misappropriation of funds and property, fraudulently altering accounts, and theft of money or property under false pretenses, among other felony crimes. However, no charges were filed against Dr. Benzeevi. 3. Dr. Benzeevi's lawyers recently requested property and a bank account seized during the investigation be released. At a hearing Oct. 5, the judge said he would issue a ruling on the request at a Nov. 9 hearing. 4. Items seized include iPads and computers. Prosecutors do not want to return the property because they argue the devices provide the best evidence in the investigation, according to the report. 5. Tulare Regional Medical Center entered bankruptcy in September 2017 and shut down the next month. After ousting HCCA, the local health district entered a management agreement with Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health. The hospital is slated to reopen Oct. 15. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: 7 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Montana hospital pays $24M to settle ex-CFO's whistle-blower suit Walgreens to pay $34.5M to settle SEC charges A retired physician and former chief of staff of Elizabethtown, Ky.-based Hardin Memorial Hospital filed a lawsuit in July to halt Hardin Memorial's sale to Louisville, Ky.-based Baptist Health. The judge presiding over the case upheld the process used in the $361.4 million deal on Oct. 4, according to Louisville Business First. Here are four things to know: 1. Baptist Health and Hardin Memorial received approval for the deal from the Hardin County Fiscal Court in early May. However, Larry Hall, MD, claimed the sale was negotiated in secret, and the court's approval should be declared void and set aside. In his civil suit, which names Baptist Health and Hardin County, Dr. Hall accused the court of violating statutes when it passed a resolution allowing the county to sell Hardin Memorial to Baptist Health. 2. In his 20-page decision, Hardin Circuit Court Judge Kelly Mark Easton wrote: "The proper questions for the Court were only if the law was clearly violated, and, if so, should any such violation result in a voiding of the sale. The answer to both of these questions is 'no.'" 3. Dr. Hall plans to appeal the decision, according to the report. 4. Baptist Health's acquisition of Hardin Memorial is slated to close Dec. 1. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: 7 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Montana hospital pays $24M to settle ex-CFO's whistle-blower suit Criminal case against Broward Health executives inches forward A patient who was a federal prisoner in U.S. Marshall custody was shot at Odessa, Texas-based Medical Center Hospital Oct. 8. The patient later died, according to a Big 2 News report. The shooting took place Oct. 8 at 4:13 p.m. in a patient tower, where the prisoner was being treated for a medical condition. The patient died around 5:58 p.m. the same day, according to the dessa American. No hospital personnel were involved or injured in the incident. Hospital operations are running normally. The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. A fire at Jefferson Hills, Pa.-based Jefferson Hospital, a part of the Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, led to some patients and visitors being moved, according to wpxi.com. The fire broke out at Jefferson Hospital during the early afternoon of Oct. 8. Firefighters found a smoldering object on the roof of the hospital's elevator shaft, according to CBS Pittsburgh. One firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion during the incident, and several hospital employees were treated for smoke inhalation. An Allegheny Health spokesperson told CBS Pittsburgh the hospital asked visitors to exit the building and head to its adjoining medical offices. In addition, some of the hospital's patients with respiratory issues were moved, although the hospital said there was no evacuation. The county's fire marshal is determining the cause of the fire, which took place in an area of construction on the hospital's roof. More articles on patient flow: Millennials are upending the primary care model: 4 things to know California children in some counties visit ERs for asthma at nearly twice statewide rate California hospital to reopen Oct. 15 after striking deal with Adventist Swiss drugmaker Novartis is looking to strengthen ties with several tech startups as other industry giants like Apple, Google and Amazon move deeper into the healthcare arena, according to Bloomberg. As part of a new project called Novartis Biome, the drugmaker is working with several startups, including Mekonos, a cell and gene therapy technology developer and Medable, a digital health firm. Both of these startups are based in the Silicon Valley town of Palo Alto, Calif. The drugmaker also plans to set up innovation labs across the world to connect with other tech companies. The first lab will be in San Francisco. "Technology, data and science are all starting to come together," Novartis Chief Digital Officer Bertrand Bodson told Bloomberg. "You see it with the moves from Google, Microsoft and Amazon, and also a lot of startups and entrepreneurs. But healthcare is not an easy space to crack." Beyond its ties with Silicon Valley, Novartis Biome has formed a partnership with Hitlab, a digital health organization in New York, and is working with Veta Health on projects on heart failure and ConversationHealth for various cancer projects. Under its CEO Vas Narasimhan, Novartis has shifted its focus heavily to data and new technology. Mr. Narasimhan hired Mr. Bodson, a former Amazon executive, to lead the tech-based initiative in January. The goal of Novartis Biome is to make it easier for technology players to work with Novartis to enter the complicated healthcare world, according to Mr. Bodson. "We really wanted to build a bridge," he said. California Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring hospitals in the state to create policies for discharging homeless patients, the governor's office announced Sept. 30. Here are five things to know: 1. The law, effective July 1, 2019, will require general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals and special hospitals to "include a written homeless patient discharge planning policy and process within the hospital discharge policy," the legislation states. 2. Hospitals must also log all homeless patient discharges and offer patients a meal, clothing, necessary medications and transportation upon discharge. In addition, the legislation grants local governments the ability to pass ordinances for stricter requirements on discharges, according to The Sacramento Bee. 3. The law seeks to prevent improper discharges sometimes referred to as patient dumping in which homeless patients are sent to shelters that cannot take them in or are left to recover on the streets. 4. The legislation does not outline specific penalties for hospitals that fail to follow these protocols, but facilities could face consequences from the California Department of Public Health and the federal government. 5. Peggy Wheeler, vice president of rural healthcare and governance for the California Hospital Association, expressed her concern about the law's local ordinance provision to The Sacramento Bee. "Local ordinances could do something much more stringent than this state law, and that's where we remain opposed," she told the publication. "This law is really the floor and not the ceiling." More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Nearly half of outpatient antibiotics prescribed without infection diagnosis, study finds 1 dead in listeria outbreak linked to ham Virus season hits Pennsylvania early: 3 things to know The Lexington-Fayette (Ky.) County Health Department confirmed the state's first flu-related death for the 2018-19 flu season, according to LEX 18. The death occurred in Lexington, which saw 27 deaths and more than 700 confirmed flu cases during the 2017-18 flu season. The patient was in his or her 60s and had underlying health conditions. The health department could not identify a record of the patient receiving a flu shot, a health department spokesperson told LEX 18. The CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine by the end of October. More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Nearly half of outpatient antibiotics prescribed without infection diagnosis, study finds Virus season hits Pennsylvania early: 3 things to know California law to regulate homeless patient discharges: 5 things to know The University of Cincinnati Health plans to host a series of open houses this week to fill roughly 250 nursing positions across the system, according to WHIOTV 7. UC Health will hold at least three open houses throughout the month for interested nurses seeking to learn more about the health system. UC Health includes four inpatient campuses and 61 outpatient locations, the report states. "At UC Health, we care for patients with the most complex illnesses and injuries in the region," Beverly Bokovitz, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer of University of Cincinnati Medical Center, UC Health's flagship hospital, said in a press release. "Our more than 2,600 nurses lead the way in providing this advanced level of care every day, and we invite those who are interested in joining our team to visit an upcoming recruitment fair and learn more for themselves." The open houses are scheduled to take place at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Oct. 11; at West Chester (Ohio) Hospital on Oct. 17; and at the Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care in Cincinnati on Oct. 23. To access the full report, click here. Editor's note: This article was updated Oct. 9. This book is a compilation of chapters from leading physicians in the spine arena. These leading spine surgeons discuss a wide variety of issues related to spine care. Their discussions will run the gamut from clinical related discussions to business related and management issues and discussions. This first discussion lays out a few core concepts related to the balancing of cost versus innovation in the treatment of spine related issues. There are various different ways to attack spinal related diseases and spinal related disorders. On the cost and treatment side, there is one basic concept of utilizing what generally already exists in terms of technology, devices, implants, grafts, anesthesia, pharmaceuticals and other efforts. These efforts at managing cost in this way can include things like determining 1) the lower cost place of service (e.g.,, whether a procedure should be done at a surgery center versus a hospital), 2) bundling payments and managing risk and payment models (e.g., using bundled models to try and cause better management of care in a variety of ways), 3) looking at more efforts as to evidence based care and means of judging what is needed and what is not needed, 4) adding more standards to what procedures are permitted and not permitted, 5) managing limits on therapies, pain medications and other types of tools. For example, there are also efforts at making patients do a variety of efforts prior to surgery. These things can be put in the bucket of different ways of managing costs using largely existing spine and medical technology. For example, can the system save cost by forcing somebody to control the overall cost of care or can we save cost by moving care to a lower cost facility or site of care. Many of these efforts as implemented are on the smaller scale. Sometimes they are minor refinements to what exists. Other times they start to bridge into much larger scale innovation rather than refinements to existing devices and technologies. On the more complex and full innovation side of spine care are a number of things that have proven to be extremely useful and arguably expensive. These include new kinds of devices, new types of biologics (an evolving area) and new types of surgery. Innovations in spine surgery include endoscopic spine surgery. 3D image guided surgery, artificial discs and more. Here, new devices, bone grafts and artificial discs have all played a large part. Further it's expected that robotic or digital surgery where it's not truly a robot doing surgery but really a much better help and visual help for the surgeon will play a big part going forward. Further, some of the development has focused around improved anesthesia and minimally invasive surgery which is not necessarily completely new technology but does involve new technology and new pharmaceuticals. Here, e.g., more localized anesthesia if one example of a means to try and reduce length of stay. In addition, in part with the opioid crisis, there are all kinds of ideas on how to improve pain management and become less reliant on opioids. As we move forward in spine care and in other fields, it is often the case that there is a constant need to improve how we use existing modalities and existing types of procedures. At the same time, there has to be efforts to move the ball more significantly forward. I.e., to provide things that could be breakthrough changes in the field. Over the next 10 to 20 years, given the basic aging of the population and the involvement of the population in all kinds of active living, we would expect for a whole variety of reasons that the incidence of spine related disease and disorders will continue to increase. Over a previous ten-year period, costs for spine related disorders rose by several hundred percent. See, e.g., Primary Spine Care Services- Responding to Runaway Costs and Disappointing Outcomes in Spine Care. Donald Murphy. Rhode Island Medical Journal Oct 2014. Over the long run we are really looking at a balance of the use and the improvement of the existing technologies and medical ways of doing things together with consistent innovation. The funding of this, whether privately or by government, remains a great question. Then, the payment for the innovative ideas that happens becomes almost a bigger question as often the innovation doesnt tend to benefit the cost curve even if they do cause tremendous improvement in the care of patients. I hope you enjoy this series of articles that are coming forth on this subject. 107779950_5 Bulgarian police are investigating the rape and killing of a television reporter and presenter 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova, whose body was dumped near the Danube River in the town of Ruse, northern Bulgaria, on Saturday. Authorities found her to be brutally raped and strangulated. Marinova is known to come up with explosive reports but Interior Minister Mladen Marinov said on Monday that there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to her work. Bulgarian police said they are working on all possible scenarios, examining links to both her personal and professional life, reports The Quint. Newry construction firm O'Hare and McGovern has won the contract to build Shelbourne Motors' new 5m car showroom in Newry. The company has already begun work on the Clarman Architects-designed 50,000 sq ft development, which will include car showrooms, new car handover bays, a lounge-style waiting area with cafe and a drive-thru service centre with a 28-bay service workshop. Martin Lennon, managing director of O'Hare and McGovern, said: "We're absolutely delighted to have won the contract to build this new state-of-the-art showpiece facility. It strengthens our relationship with Shelbourne Motors which stretches back more than 40 years, and it is also a huge economic boost for the city, and the wider Newry area." The new showroom will open next summer and create 60 new jobs. It will sell new and used Renault and Kia vehicles. Caroline Willis, financial director, described the facility as a "significant milestone" for the company. Business advisory firm Grant Thornton has announced it is creating nearly 50 new jobs in a 4m investment. The firm, which said an uplift in business is partly down to Brexit, is recruiting 48 new staff including change management experts, IT consultants, economic advisers and cyber-specialists. Grant Thornton, which employs around 100 people here, is now based at Donegall Square West in Belfast in self-contained offices within Danske Bank's headquarters. Economic development agency Invest NI has offered 240,000 in support towards the new roles. Managing partner Richard Gillan said: "This is an exciting and continued period of growth for Grant Thornton locally. "Over the last four years, we have more than trebled our turnover. More recently, we have witnessed a significant uplift in the provision of holistic strategic consulting advice, including in relation to Brexit. "These new jobs represent a substantial investment in response to such demand. "Our recent move to new offices on Donegall Square West in the centre of Belfast is reflective of our ambition and, given the calibre of our people, I anticipate continued rapid growth in the years to come." Des Gartland, executive director of regional business at Invest NI, welcomed the investment. "Grant Thornton is one of the world's leading assurance, tax and advisory firms," he said. "This latest investment in the Northern Ireland operation is to establish new consultancy activities in Belfast, with the average salaries above the private sector median. "This was a mobile project with high-value jobs that could have been located elsewhere so we are pleased that our support was able to help secure the investment for Northern Ireland." Mr Gartland added: "The new jobs will not only help to develop the talent pool in Northern Ireland but will provide a substantial addition in annual salaries to the Northern Ireland economy including very attractive roles for managers, directors and graduates." I am a massive fan of a bold statement lip. Strong lips enhance any make-up look, but if you are not so keen on eye make-up, they add drama to the face, freeing you to leave your eyes drama-free. Here are a few of my favourite bold and statement lip colours to pick up this season. For a red statement lip, I just cannot stay away from Limecrime Red Velvet (14.95, Make Up Pro Store). This has such a smooth texture and is the most pigmented lip product I have ever used. It is a matte liquid lipstick, so it dries almost instantly onto the lips and creates a strong and pigmented wash of colour that lasts all day. A handbag must-have. For a drugstore-red lip colour, opt for matte for long-lasting staying power, making sure your lip colour stays put all evening. Try Maybelline Color Sensational in Rebel Red (7.99) for a matte lip colour that wont wear off - or kiss off. This creamy formula glides on smoothly, and its flexible, slanted-tip applicator with ultra-soft bristles makes it easy to shape your lips. If you are a red-lip lover but want a creamy finish, then I recommend using MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Russian Red (16.50). This is a creamy lipstick with a bold and strong pigment that is perfect for a night out. A prune or maroon-toned lip will just scream autumn, and I have a few recommendations. For a matte liquid lipstick that will last all day, I have one go-to hero product - Make Up Atelier Paris Lip Duo in RW Prune (22). I first used this product at a fashion show in Dublin, and any models who wore it needed no touch-ups for the entire night because it is so long-wearing. It's a beautiful product to apply to the lips. The applicator is shaped perfectly for a lip shape and it mixes amazingly with other liquid lipsticks to create your own deepened berry shades. If you would like a creamy and less matte prune lip product this autumn, try NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick (7) in shade Vintage. The liquid suede cream lipstick glides on and sets into a striking matte finish. Velvety soft and waterproof, this long-lasting lippie creates a positively polished look with every swipe. Nothing says night time party glamour like a very berry lip colour. To create a statement lip look, use Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick (23) in shade Salon. I adore this colour for nigh because it is such a flattering colour for any skin tone. Add a black lip colour to create a super vampy lip to finish a bare or pared-back look. This is down to personal preference, and I do not really expect everyone to be doing their weekly shop wearing this - however, I am seeing a growing trend of requests for this style. Use Barry M Lip Paint Black (4.99, Superdrug) for a very extra look. I am loving using deep lip colours, such as lipsticks, as a base on my client's lips, but placing a tinted lip paint over the top. I just love the finish of a gloss as it adds a softness even to a strong lip colour make-up. To create a gloss finish to incorporate a dark but glam look, I choose the super-hydrating and glossier effect Make up Studio Taupe Passion Lip Paint (16.50). 5 tips for the perfect statement lip 1. Using a tooth brush, exfoliate the lips - this will make a smoother application for your lipstick to attach to. 2. Apply a lip balm while you complete your make-up. This will moisturise the lips and leave them in the perfect condition for application, then blot off before you apply your lip liner to avoid any product bleeding. 3. For those who find that red lipstick bleeds around the lips, massage in a little Super Matte Antishine (13.25). This is a mattifying primer product that's normally intended for use on the face, but it's perfect to ensure your lip colour does not bleed or feather. 4. Use a lip liner to create your perfect lip outline. Blend the edges towards the centre of the lip slightly, and pinch the corners and edges for an easier blend. 5. For longevity, a matte lipstick will always be best, but if you suffer from dry lips, use a cream lipstick, blot off and reapply for extra longevity. Bridget Maguire (75), a retired teacher, lives in Belfast. She says: Health-wise, this past year has been the best of my life for a very long time - and it's all thanks to getting involved in activities at the Maureen Sheehan Centre in Belfast. Before, I suffered from debilitating illness. I've had asthma for more than 20 years and two years ago I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis - I've been attending respiratory outpatients at the Royal Victoria Hospital several times a year. Last year was particularly difficult as I had numerous chest infections and pneumonia which resulted in an overnight stay in hospital. The chest infections left me housebound for several weeks at a time. I became very inactive and downhearted, and I gained weight through sitting around. I also had dangerously high blood pressure and was rushed to hospital at the beginning of this year. As well as all this, I had been suffering from severe chronic sciatica in my left leg for a number of years which prevented me from being the very active person I normally was. I had numerous tests and scans before sciatica was diagnosed. When I heard about the SITLESS study I'd been spending a lot of time sitting at home, unable to do a lot of housework or other activities. So, sitting less was just what I needed. It was through a lady who runs a parish luncheon club for seniors and whose husband participated in SITLESS that I heard about it. She highly recommended it to us senior ladies and told us how to get in touch with the researchers at Queen's University. At the time I was very inactive and my energy levels were pretty low, so I was happy to hear about a study that could be beneficial for me. That day a year ago I went home and made my initial contact with the researcher by telephone - and the rest is history. When I started the SITLESS programme at the Maureen Sheehan Centre, I was advised to start using the gym - the treadmill and cross trainer - and I also began to do circuits which I really love. The SITLESS programme has made me so aware of what I'm doing now. I used to be so sedentary - I used to sit and watch television a lot, and read a lot, but now I make myself get up and walk around. My whole body has changed - it's wonderful. Everyone has noticed a change in me. The daily exercise and walking has eased my sciatica. It is still there but I can cope with it and can walk long distances without getting tired and sore. I can cope better with the pain. My body mass index (BMI) has changed and I have toned up and lost some weight over the last few months. I haven't had a chest infection at all since I started going to the Maureen Sheehan Centre a year ago. I've attended the respiratory clinic at the Royal for a check-up and was told I was much improved. This is all due to self-management which the SITLESS study encouraged. My respiratory doctor was impressed that I'd joined SITLESS and said that my increased physical activity had really helped my breathing and strengthened my immune system. I can't believe how energetic and motivated I've become. I also feel about 10 years younger and can do a lot more housework. I count my steps daily and keep a record. I've made new friends and look forward to my gym sessions twice a week and catching up with them. I have widened my horizons, I'm travelling more now and I've taken part in other activities offered to improve my health. Last week we got a bus from the Maureen Sheehan Centre to Ballyholme and walked to Bangor. It was absolutely uplifting. My participation in more physical activity hasn't just helped me, it has helped my brother too. He is the only close family member near me now. I was a 'war baby', born in 1943 in Belfast to devoted parents. I was an only girl, the eldest, with five younger brothers. We've always been a close-knit family but my family is now scattered - two brothers live in the Republic of Ireland and one is in Dungannon. The youngest, who is single, lives in the family home a few streets away from me. I'm single, and although I have travelled extensively, I now live back in Belfast close to my unmarried brother. I live in an apartment and my immediate neighbours are very supportive and have taken care of me when I've been ill. I helped to take care of my brother when he was ill two years ago. Although he's much better now, I still visit him five days a week and we have meals together. And he accompanies me now to the Maureen Sheehan Centre two days a week. He loves getting out and meeting people, and we come home from it feeling elated as a result of the physical activity. Expand Close Bridget Maguire with Dr Nicole Blackburn Freddie Parkinson / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bridget Maguire with Dr Nicole Blackburn A year ago I would never have dreamt I could achieve so much in such a short while. My goal is to 'sit less' for the rest of my days." A Belfast mother-of-five who committed one of the biggest benefit frauds in Northern Ireland was spared jailed today. Pauline Donaghy claimed for benefits she was not entitled to over a six-and-a-half year period, resulting in an overpayment of 144,977.88. She is now paying back 25 a week. As was noted in court, it will take around 100 years to repay the money. The 42-year old was handed a 12-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years, by Judge RoseAnn McCormick, who said: "The overpayment appears to have been one of the largest ever prosecuted here." Belfast Crown Court heard Donaghy, from Ballysillan Road, claimed Housing Benefit and Income Support she was not entitled to. She admitted obtaining Housing Benefit between February 2009 and August 2015 and failing to notify the Social Security Agency that she was living with her partner, and of obtaining Income Support between January 2009 and June 2015 in the same circumstances. On the basis of false claims she was a lone parent when she was actually living with her partner, Donaghy was overpaid 22,347.14 in Housing Benefit and 122,630.74 in Income Support. The court heard Donaghy's partner was named as the landlord of the property, but that investigations revealed they were living together in the house "as husband and wife." The court also heard that Donaghy's partner had been in full time employment from 2000 until the detection in 2015. When Donaghy was interviewed in August 2015, she admitted she had signed the relevant benefit claim forms, but had failed to notify of a change of circumstances. She initially made the case that her partner was just her landlord, and that he worked in England frequently. She also claimed he had lived in the house before she moved in, that he called in to check the property sometimes, that he never stayed over, and she denied they were in a relationship. When evidence was put to Donaghy that this man was living at the property - including medical and employment records - she admitted they lived together and he was the father of three of her children. The court also heard that Donaghy had has had the case "hanging over her head like the Sword of Damocles" for over three years, which has heightened the depression and anxiety she already suffers from. Her barrister said: "There is no extravagant living or lifestyle here, no fancy cars of foreign holidays." Instead, he said Donaghy used the money for household bills and day to day living. In her sentencing remarks, Judge McCormick said she had read the pre-sentence report, which details Donaghy's personal circumstances. Saying she accepted "this matter has been hanging over her head, and that has been an obvious burden on her", Judge McCormick revealed that after Donaghy's offending came to light, the relationship ended, she had to move from that accommodation, and is now a single mother of five. Also noting that Donaghy engages with medical services to address her "chronic depression and anxiety", Judge McCormick said the money was used "for household expenses." Handing Donaghy a 12-month sentence, the Judge concluded: "Her personal circumstances should be given considering weight, and accordingly I am suspending the sentence for a period of two years." A man told he was too old to apply for a job as a store person and van driver has been awarded 3,000 by an industrial tribunal. Patrick Matier (63) took an age discrimination case against Spring and Airbrake (Ireland) Ltd, a commercial vehicle parts firm based in Co Antrim. In February Mr Matier, from Antrim, had called at the company's premises at Nutts Corner after learning of a vacancy. In his evidence, which the tribunal accepted, Mr Matier recalled that when he was giving his details to a man at the premises he was asked to state his age. When he replied that he was 63, he was told: "I was looking for a younger person who I could train and move upstairs." Mr Matier asked if there was any point in continuing the conversation, and was told: "No, not really." He said: "I had been keen to get this job, and to be told I was too old to even apply for it really shook me. "I had been off work for a while and I was trying to get back in to work. It was disheartening and it made me angry that my application could just be dismissed in this way because of my age." In its finding, the tribunal acknowledged that the incident "had the effect of significantly discouraging the claimant". It added: "This had been caused entirely by the behaviour of the respondent and this behaviour was motivated by age discrimination." Mr Matier's claim was supported by the Equality Commission. Mary Kitson, senior legal officer at the Equality Commission, said: "This case is an important reminder to all employers not to make generalised assumptions about people on grounds such as age, which are protected by anti-discrimination law. "It is unlawful under the Employment Equality Age Regulations of 2006 for any employer to discriminate on grounds of age in the arrangements they make when offering employment." The tribunal in its finding noted that Mr Matier "was, in effect, given no opportunity on the grounds of his age". Ms Kitson added: "That goes to the heart of the case and it quite rightly caused Mr Matier major disappointment at a time when he was attempting to re-enter the workplace in very trying circumstances. "No employer should be making assumptions about a person's ability, or suitability for training and promotion, because of their age." Spring & Airbrake (Ireland) Ltd said it was "extremely disappointed" with the decision and will be applying to have it reviewed. It said: "This decision sets a very dangerous precedent for any employer defending claims of discrimination, in that the tribunal determined that the claimant was discriminated against, despite ascertaining that the evidence of the claimant was 'a little imprecise and vague'. "On behalf of the respondents, we will be applying to have this decision formally reviewed. "We also intend writing to the Department for Communities seeking a review of their recruitment services. "The respondent followed the approved process for advertising their vacancy with the Jobs and Benefits Office and strictly adhered to the procedure." The company said the absence of an employment appeal tribunal led to an "imbalance". It added: "Should a review fail to address the shortcomings of this decision, the only avenue open to the respondent is to refer the matter to the Court of Appeal, which for any company is extremely prohibitive financially." The PSNI may carry out a second investigation after a coroner found that a 14 week-old baby from west Belfast died from a brain injury caused by violent shaking. Tragic Caragh Walsh's mother, Tammie-Louise Walsh, broke down in tears as Coroner Joseph McCrisken outlined his findings to the court. Read More As Mr McCrisken read his conclusion, Ms Walsh and her family lowered their heads to their knees and sobbed until proceedings had ended. The inquest into Caragh's death lasted for five days and was described by the coroner as being "sensitive and distressing" due to the age of the child. Also in attendance was the baby's father, Christopher O'Neill. He was acquitted of his daughter's murder last year. Mr O'Neill, a retail worker, told a paramedic and staff at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children that he had shaken Caragh when he believed her to be unresponsive at their home in Poleglass on February 5, 2014. His distressing 999 emergency call was played to the court during the inquest in which Caragh could be heard having breathing difficulties. She died on February 7 despite receiving what the coroner told the inquest was "exemplary" care from medics. Mr McCrisken said: "The events of February 5, 2014 have irrevocably changed the lives of the Walsh and O'Neill families. "A tiny baby closed her eyes forever and that tragedy shall weigh heavily on both Mr O'Neill and Ms Walsh for the rest of their lives. Neither will fully recover from Caragh's death." He added that his opinion was that the criminal trial of Christopher O'Neill did not provide "sufficient answers" to the family or the public and that an inquest was therefore required. Mr McCrisken did, however, point out that the inquest was a "fact-finding inquiry" and not a re-trial of Mr O'Neill. Afterwards, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy from the PSNI said: "We will take time to consider the coroner's ruling and assess whether a further investigation is required." When summing up what he had heard over the course of the inquest, Mr McCrisken was found to be in favour of evidence given by consultant neuropathologist Dr Daniel du Plessis and State Pathologist Dr James Lyness. Dr du Plessis told the inquest that Caragh had suffered a "full-blown triad". A triad includes brain swelling, bleeding over the brain and retinal bleeding in the eyes. Dr du Plessis added that the cardio respiratory arrest suffered by the baby was caused by shaking by "substantial force". Dr Lyness found between 18 and 25 areas of bruising over Caragh's body including two on her chest. He also believed an elbow fracture, which the coroner found had occurred more than a week before Caragh's death, would have required "significant force" to cause it. This evidence was weighed up against that of an American radiologist, Dr David Ayoub. The coroner rejected all evidence given by Dr Ayoub who he said some may call a "denialist". Dr Ayoub had claimed that baby Caragh had suffered from rickets which was in its "healing stages". This could then have led to the respiratory arrest. He also said that out of around 500 cases he had dealt with, where a child had suffered bony injuries, all but five cases were caused by a disease rather than fractures. The coroner said that Dr Ayoub's conclusions were "astonishing" and "unbelievable" and that he would be referring his findings to all judiciary in Northern Ireland. He added that he will warn against "the potential dangers" of allowing the medic to give evidence here again. As the devastated family continued to comfort one another, Mr McCrisken concluded: "This cardio respiratory arrest was due to being shaken violently and with extreme force. "There was no other reason for the cardio respiratory arrest. I am satisfied that Caragh was shaken at least once but more probably on more than one occasion. "The injuries to Caragh's brain and eyes required a rapid and substantial acceleration and deceleration of her head and neck." The coroner added leg fractures were also caused due to shaking. "They feel that justice has been served at last," said counsel for Ms Walsh outside the court, adding that they accepted the coroner's findings. Christopher O'Neill, who sat solemnly throughout, left the court with his family. File photo dated 06/05/14 of DUP MEP Diane Dodds who has rejected missing an opportunity by not meeting the European Unions Brexit negotiator during a visit to the Irish border. Democratic Unionist MEP Diane Dodds has said her party will not accept any additional checks within the UK after Brexit even over lasagne. Mrs Dodds was speaking to the media after meeting with the EUs Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier. Read More DUP leader Arlene Foster made clear her opposition to any Brexit deal that could lead to new economic barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Mrs Dodds illustrated what they were opposing by saying an attempt to avoid a hard border with Ireland could mean more regulatory checks on goods travelling between Britain and Northern Ireland. She claimed under the EU position, there could be scores of checks on live animals and food products travelling within the UK. BREAKING NEWS BREXIT is all about taking back control of all ready meals Diane Dodds MEP said DUP would not accept lasagne being checked in the Irish Sea! pic.twitter.com/P3VzxmmDw4 Martina Anderson Sinn Fein (@M_AndersonSF) October 9, 2018 Mrs Dodds says currently veterinary certificates are checked for animals coming into Northern Ireland, with physical checks carried out on 10% of those. If we followed Mr Barniers advice, my information is that those checks would become 100%, although with a veterinary agreement in a future trade deal, that might be reduced somewhat, she said. But remember, thats checks on live animals, thats the only checks that we currently have. SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) checks are something that is much much wider, that animals, plants and everything that is derived there from, that would therefore mean checks on food so therefore, our beef lasagnes, our yoghurts, our milk. We could be in the rather ridiculous position where milk produced in Northern Ireland by Northern Ireland farmers is processed in England, but has to be checked when it comes back because yogurts are protein drinks. Thats the disruptions that that would mean in the UK internal market. Mrs Foster added: Those are the sorts of things that we have to be very concerned about, so economically, we will very much want to protect our businesses in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein MLA Mairtin O Muilleoir claimed that the comments signalled a bizarre new low for the DUP over Brexit. Never mind the catastrophic impact on our economy and communities across Ireland, none of that matters to the DUP if theres going to be checks on lasagne crossing the Irish Sea, he said. If that is the best argument the DUP can come up with for undermining our economy, our peace process and imposing a new border on the island of Ireland, then they really are out of step with the vast majority of people on this island and across Europe. The judge said the Probation Service had little confidence in Hyndman complying with any Order (stock photo) A burglar who struck at a school and was caught nearby with a 'holy picture' along with a crowbar, gloves and screwdrivers "had everything apart from a bag marked 'swag'," a judge said. Gareth Steven Patrick Hyndman was jailed for four months at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday. Hyndman, formerly with an address in Portglenone but now living in Kilrea, committed offences on August 23 this year at St Conor's College in Kilrea. The 42-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to charges including the burglary of the school and taking the picture and going equipped for burglary with a crowbar, mask, gloves and screwdrivers. Hyndman also had cannabis in his possession when stopped by police in Kilrea in the early hours of August 23 and more of the Class B drug was found during a search of his home. He had 186 previous convictions. A prosecutor said police received a report at 5.40am on August 23 of an ongoing burglary at the school and they stopped the defendant at Bridge Street in Kilrea at 6am. Hyndman tried to conceal his face from police. He was wearing dark clothing and had a black bin liner bag and a backpack. A framed picture and a voice recorder was recovered and the defendant also had cannabis in a tin along with equipment for use in burglary. District Judge Peter King said: "He had everything apart from a bag marked 'swag'." The defendant had told police he had "blacked out" on the day in question and that he kept the screwdrivers he was found with for "fixing his bike". Defence barrister Liam McStay said Hyndman, who appeared before the court via video link from prison, had been in custody "most of his adult life". He said Hyndman had moved to Kilrea but his "reputation" followed him and he was known to police and "might as well put a mark on his forehead". Mr McStay said it was an "amateurish" burglary. Judge King said he was at a loss about what to do with the defendant to stop the offending and said the record of 186 previous convictions stretched to 20 pages. The judge said the Probation Service had little confidence in Hyndman complying with any Order. Jailing the defendant for four months, the judge said the defendant had "regrettably" turned his life into his a "rotating door" of custody and release. The trial of a Belfast man accused of murdering Prison Officer Adrian Ismay, heard the near fatal booby-trap explosion which ultimately claimed his life was captured on CCTV. Belfast Crown Court was told that in the aftermath of the March 2016 explosion outside the Hillsborough Drive home of the 52-year-old father of three, police "trawled" the local east Belfast area for CCTV footage. Read More A detective constable from the serious crime branch, said he reviewed footage from four sites, including one from a funeral parlour. He said that shortly after 7am that March morning he saw Mr Ismay's blue VW van drive towards the Cregagh Road. However, he told the non-jury trial of west Belfast man Christopher Alphonson Robinson, that the warder's van never made it to the end of the street, "because there was an explosion". Although seriously injured in the no-warning undercar blast, Mr Ismay initially survived the attack, spending four days in hospital before dying from a heart attack a week later on March 15, after complaining of chest pains. Expand Close The man accused of Adrian Ismay's murder, Christopher Robinson, outside court. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The man accused of Adrian Ismay's murder, Christopher Robinson, outside court. Trial judge Mr Justice McAlinden also heard that while the CCTV footage showed the coming and goings of various pedestrians and vehicles in the hours leading up to the explosion, only two were of interest. One was a taxi, which was quickly eliminated from inquiries. The other was a red coloured Citroen C3 car, that drove past Mr Ismay's home, shortly after 3am, before returning, parking up, its headlights out. Moments later someone ran down the street and got into the rear of the C3 before driving off, its headlights still switched off. The prosecution claim that, that Citroen car belonged to the sister-in-law of 48-year-old Robinson. Earlier Northern Ireland's former State Pathologist, Prof Jack Crane revelled that the "major significant factor" in the warder's sudden death, were the shrapnel wounds he suffered in the booby-trap bombing. The now retired pathologist said while Mr Ismay died from a pulmonary embolism, it was caused by a large coiled blood clot blocking the main artery to the heart and a second clot lodged in the right lung. Prof Crane said Mr Ismay had a shrapnel wound to his right eye, but it was the wound to the left calf, behind his knee, which lead to his immobility and the development of deep vein thrombosis. Sections of this thrombosis, broke off and travelled to his heart and lung. That blocking the main pulmonary artery measured some 19cm long, by 5cm in diameter, and although he was given "clot-buster drugs", when rushed to hospital suffering from chest pains, he failed to respond to the treatment. He said that since beeing released from hospital and allowed to return home, Mr Ismay would have spent his time resting, with his leg elevated and that he would have been fairly immobile. He was being treated by his family doctor, who reported the day before he died, he was suffering from post traumatic stress, and complained of flash-backs, poor sleep and anxiety. Under cross examination by defence QC Arthur Harvey, Prof Crane agreed that it was the blood clot, caused by his immobility which led to his death, and that this "can occur suddenly and without warning". The professor said that the detachment of the clots, he thought, would have been "very sudden", adding later it was "the retention of that shrapnel" which had restricted Mr Ismay's immobility. However, when asked by Mr Justice McAlinden if the shrapnel, from the bomb blast, had contributed to his immobility and in turn a contributing factor to his death, Prof Crane replied: "while not a contributory factor, it was the major significant factor". Later the court heard from a forensic expert who said the explosives used in the blast were of Semtex origin and that the booby-trap device had been attached by magnets similar to those used to secure signs on a car. The device was mounted on the driver's side, and slightly behind where the driver's seat would have been. Robinson, of Aspen Park, in the Poleglass area, and possession of the booby-trap device, and to providing the Citroen C3 car knowing, or suspecting it would be used in terrorism. Police have appealed for information after a female fast food delivery driver had her car stolen by two youths armed with knives in Belfast on Monday night. Police received a report of a robbery in the Pinkerton Walk area shortly before 11:30pm. It was reported that a female delivery driver was threatened by two males armed with knives, as she made her way to a delivery in the area. The males made off in her grey Citreon Picasso vehicle towards the Shore Road area before turning right towards Belfast City Centre. The vehicle was located abandoned in the vicinity of Victoria Parade, with a knife located close to the vehicle. Damage was caused to the front wheels of the vehicle as a result of the incident. The two males are described as being aged between 15-18 years old, 54 in height with balaclavas or scarves covering their faces. Both males were wearing dark grey hooded tops. Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1434 8/10/18," Detective Sergeant Moffett said. "Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime. The incident took place at a Spar Petrol station in Derry. Credit: Google. Police in Londonderry have issued an appeal to a female driver who injured an elderly pensioner in a hit and run to come forward. The incident took place at the Spar Petrol Station on the Buncrana Road around 11:30am on Friday October 5th. An elderly woman was knocked down by a female driver who didn't stop. Police issued an appeal to the woman to come forward on the PSNI Foyle Facebook page. "Usually Id ask for witnesses to come forward but Id like to think if you saw an old lady getting knocked down you would have already been in touch," a PSNI spokesperson wrote. "I am therefore reaching out to the female driver who hit this lady and left. Show some humanity and get in touch. Your conscience has to be kicking in! "Youve two approaches: 1. Youve been scared and silly and will sheepishly hand yourself in to Police whilst dripping with remorse. 2. Police have to dig and dig and then land at your door and you get led away in handcuffs." Police were called to Belfast International airport after a report of the disruptive passenger who had threatened to kill a crew member. A man who threatened to kill a member of cabin crew and repeatedly punched the seat of a screaming autistic child on board a Belfast bound flight was jailed for five months. Jailing 27-year-old Kevin OHare at Antrim Magistrates Court, District Judge Nigel Broderick said his drunken behaviour had been "appalling and was similar to other incidents which were "all too prevalent. "What about the poor 12-year-old autistic child who he caused considerable stress to," Mr Broderick fumed at OHares defence lawyer, thats an aggravating factor." While OHare, from Keggall View in Camlough was initially jailed, he was later released from the cells on 500 bail pending an appeal of the jail sentence. At an earlier hearing he had admitted being drunk on a plane, failing to obey the lawful command of a pilot, behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a member of the crew of an aircraft, threatening to kill a female member of the cabin crew and assaulting the same female on 5 August this year. A prosecuting lawyer told the court how OHare was inebriated before he even boarded the flight from Fuertaventura, adding that police were called to Belfast International airport after a report of the disruptive passenger who had threatened to kill a crew member. She described how OHare was verbally and physically aggressive to his partner, to a crew member and had made a threat to kill her. "He was very aggressive to other crew members and swung both fists at the woman, saying 'I'll f**king kill her', said the lawyer who continued: He repeatedly punched the back of the seat in front of his where a 12-year-old autistic child was sitting with their family. "The child was screaming and had to be moved to the back of the plane." Having been escorted off the plane by police, OHare was handcuffed and placed into a cell van where his behaviour escalated as he headbutted the perspex and began to scream and swear. Sitting with his arms crossed and yawning throughout police interviews, the lawyer said OHare showed no remorse for his actions. During a plea in mitigation, OHares defence solicitor said that his client readily acknowledged his behaviour had been completely disgraceful and utterly unacceptable, suggesting that if the airline had refused him entry to the plane, then the whole incident could have been avoided. "He was drinking his own alcohol on the flight and had been drinking since 11am that morning," he continued, accepting that he was inebriatedbefore ever boarding the plane. The lawyer said that in addition to the probation pre-sentence report, there were references from a family friend and OHares employer who said the incident was out of character for the defendant. Judge Broderick asked rhetorically however "I wonder was he aware of his previous convictions," revealing that OHare was in breach of a suspended Crown Court sentence which he said looked like he had been driving while drunk, injured someone and then left the scene. "He is contrite and apologises to all concerned, the lawyer concluded. Jailing OHare and imposing fines totalling 600, Judge Broderick said that in his view, the "custody threshold" had been crossed and a "clear message" must be sent that this type of behaviour would not be tolerated. He said OHare had not covered himself in glory at interview and that he could have shown remorse for what he did to the 12-year-old child. "This was appalling behaviour," he continued. "It is becoming all too prevalent on aircrafts. "A 12-year-old autistic child was left screaming because of his actions and this is not the first time he has been violent. "I am persuaded that the custody threshold has been crossed and there need to be a clear message sent out to others. "He is entitled to credit for his plea albeit he showed no remorse at interview." The Crown court matter will also be referred back to the relevant judge who sentenced him. A man murdered in a house in south Belfast suffered a fatal shotgun wound to his head while crouched behind a door, a murder trial has heard. Stephen Carson (29) was shot in the downstairs bathroom of a house in Walmer Street in February 2016. His nine-year-old son and his partner were in the house at the time. Three cousins from west Belfast stand accused of murder at Belfast Crown Court. A prosecuting barrister said the motive could be linked back to 2010, when one of the accused was seriously injured in an attack. The trio - David James Francis Smith (35) and Michael Lawrence Smith (39), both from Monagh Drive and Francis Gerard Patrick Smith (42) from Glenmurray Court - all deny murder. Michael Smith also denies possessing a firearm with intent to commit murder. Francis Smith denies possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. Prosecuting barrister Neil Connor QC said the fatal incident occurred between 10.30pm and 10.45pm on February 25, 2016. Mr Carson was making a cup of tea in the kitchen, and his partner and son were on a sofa in the living room, when men entered the property. The woman got off the sofa and held the living room door to try and stop them, but the first intruder, alleged by the Crown to be Michael Smith, overpowered her and pushed his way in. The man tried to hide his face by pulling up his coat collar, telling her to "shut the f*** up" and asking: "Where's the tout?" Mr Connor said the woman believed one of the men took something from his coat pocket and sprayed it in her face, causing her eyes to sting. He said: "The first male kept pushing her down on the sofa every time she tried to get up. He kept asking, 'Where is he?'" When the question was directed at Mr Carson's son, he said "he's out there" and pointed towards the kitchen. This first male, who Mr Connor said was "in charge", then reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun which he pointed at the woman and child, telling the youngster to "shut up and stop squealing". One of the other intruders told the first male Mr Carson was on the phone to the PSNI. The first male then made his way through the kitchen to the downstairs bathroom. The woman then heard a loud bang, followed by the three intruders leaving. She then went to the bathroom and saw Mr Carson lying on the floor. Mr Connor said: "It was obvious to her he was badly injured." Despite efforts by the emergency services, Mr Carson was pronounced dead at 11.30pm. A post mortem concluded he died from a shotgun wound to the left-hand side of his head. Mr Connor said a forensic expert in the field of firearms visited the murder scene and examined the bullet hole in the bathroom door, which was three and a half feet from the floor. His conclusion was that Mr Carson suffered the fatal shot while crouched or leaning against the door. It is the Crown's case that at the time of his death Mr Carson believed he was under threat from David 'Dee' Smith and Michael 'Spud' Smith, which had caused him to move from west Belfast to the Ormeau area of the city. He was suspected of involvement in a 2010 attack on Michael Smith, which caused the latter serious injuries, and which the Crown says was the motive for the February 2016 murder. In the days before his death, Mr Carson told his partner he had seen David Smith in a car close to their home, and that he didn't want Smith to know where he lived. While David Smith was arrested on February 26 that year, police arrived at Francis Smith's flat in west Belfast in the early hours of February 27, and both he and his cousin Michael were arrested. The property was searched and a holdall containing shotgun cartridges was located in a wardrobe, while a sawn-off shotgun was found in a rucksack. Mr Connor said a forensic expert concluded the gun found in the wardrobe was the same weapon used to kill Mr Carson. Mr Carson's partner attended an identification procedure at Musgrave Street police station on February 29, and she picked out both Michael and David Smith. All three suspects were interviewed by police following their arrests. While Michael and Francis Smith refused to answer questions, David Smith mostly refused to co-operate, other than to deny involvement, the court heard. Mr Connor told the jury all three men were "present and involved in the attack on Mr Carson and that each is guilty of the offence of murder". At hearing. The Government's draft proposals to unlock decision-making paralysis in Northern Ireland do not provide proper accountability and are an invitation for legal challenge, unionists have warned. It came as fresh talks to resolve the impasse at Stormont were held yesterday involving the parties and Secretary of State Karen Bradley. Northern Ireland has been without a devolved Government since January 2017. Officials have been unable to take major decisions without ministerial oversight after a court ruling earlier this year that a civil servant acted outside his powers in a planning application for a waste incinerator in Co Antrim. Yesterday the DUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Ulster Unionists and Alliance held separate talks with the Secretary of State. During the meetings Ms Bradley promised to clarify the decision-making situation and shared her initial thoughts on draft laws. Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken said: "It will last as long as there is a High Court judgment against it, it is an opportunity for every lawyer in Northern Ireland to try to get a judicial review against it. "It is not a way to go forward, the way to go forward is get all the parties back together, get the talks process moving and get on with it." DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds also expressed concern. "We don't believe that it is in the right place yet," he said. "It does not provide sufficient certainty about decision-making. "It does not provide proper accountability and I think more work needs to be done on that and we have left the Secretary of State with a list of concerns that she needs to address before this legislation is tabled." He added: "We cannot have a situation where decisions are either deferred interminably or not taken, or the wrong decision has been taken, whilst those decisions have been taken for the rest of the UK." Sinn Fein's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said she understood the need for decision-making. She added: "However, it has to be under strict guidance and it has to be under limited circumstances." Ms O'Neill reiterated her criticism of the Government over what she claimed was its lack of fresh thinking. "Today was a bit of a groundhog day and we did not hear anything new from Karen Bradley that would give us any kind of hope that her Government has any interest in prioritising the needs of people here," she said. SDLP and Alliance were united in their calls for an independent facilitator to bring a fresh perspective to the deadlock. Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said the real challenge for Ms Bradley is moving towards a "re-energised" talks process over the coming weeks. "We have a lack of energy in terms of any meaningful process in terms of the restoration of devolution," he said. "We are badly treading water. We have been pushing for weeks and indeed months for an independent facilitator to be appointed to try to kick start some form of process and indeed to get themselves read in and meet the parties so we can hit the ground running." SDLP leader Colum Eastwood added: "The two governments have a responsibility now to step in, to take decisions, to get the hard issues off the table and get us back to work. In the absence of that, there needs to be a talk process convened with an independent chair. "But there has to be a threat at the end of that if parties don't come together, don't compromise and don't make a deal that the two governments will step in and do it for them." Sinn Fein will also meet with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Theresa May. Along with the SDLP, Alliance and Greens, the party has also sought a joint meeting with the Taoiseach and Mrs May. A view of countryside near Castlederg, Co Tyrone, part of a former smuggling route covering both sides of the Irish border (Michael McHugh/PA) Dominic Raab categorically ruled out an indefinite customs union to resolve Irish border difficulties in the Brexit talks, amid Tory warnings over the Governments gung-ho approach to no deal. The Brexit Secretary told MPs that talks with the EU have intensified in recent weeks and the two sides are closing in on workable solutions to all of the key outstanding issues before urging Brussels to match the UKs ambitions and pragmatism. Read More Labour accused Mr Raab of pretending that everything is going according to plan and urged him to scotch rumours that the Government is not intending to publish an Irish border backstop proposal by next week, before questioning if an indefinite UK-wide customs union would be part of the offer. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer also asked Mr Raab to rule out a vague or blind Brexit, adding: No government has the right to plunge the country into chaos as a result of its own failure. Expand Close The UK is leaving the EU (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The UK is leaving the EU (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Time is running out but there is still time to change course and I urge the Secretary of State to do so. Mr Raab, in reply to Sir Keir on the suggestion of an indefinite customs union, said: No, categorically that is not correct. He suggested Sir Keir had almost become the prince of process given his questions before accusing Labours leadership of having trashed their promise at the last election to deliver on Brexit. Labour MP Christopher Leslie, former shadow chancellor, asked if Mr Raab was ruling out a blind Brexit and we will have full details of that trade relationship for the future. First of all theres no question of some kind of blindfolded Brexit, Mr Raab said, going on to insist the withdrawal agreement would contain substance and detail on the future relationship. He said: We want to make sure in the political declaration on the future relationship that we have enough detail and enough of substance so that this House and the country at large can understand the choice of the model of economic and security cooperation that were going to be pursuing. Conservative backbencher Peter Bone (Wellingborough) suggested a Chequers +++ proposal is the way forward if the Prime Ministers Brexit blueprint fails. He said: Obviously he would like to get a Chequers deal, but as that has already been rejected by the European Union and I have to say in some ways insulting the Prime Minister in the process and that he thinks coming out without a deal is sub-optimal, shouldnt we learn from a former great Labour prime minister about a third way? And surely Chequers +++, is that not, if Chequers fails, the way forward? Mr Raab said the Government would not just take the face value, computer says no approach and instead continue to press its case to get a good deal in Brussels. Conservative former home secretary Amber Rudd later criticised the gung-ho approach to no deal as she warned that security matters are not yet in place to keep the UK safe in such an event. She said: I remain very concerned about the somewhat gung-ho approach to no deal given that the security matters are not yet in place to ensure that our country remains safe from terrorists, safe from organised crime, and that the EU has the same benefits. Mr Raab replied: Im confident that in the medium to long-term we would of course resume all of the kinds of cooperation that one would expect, but its right to say that in a no deal scenario we could not rely on the EU to continue that in the short term. Tory former Brexit minister Steve Baker, of the European Research Group of MPs, argued the UK could secure a free trade arrangement with the EU. He said: Time and again customs experts from a range of countries in the EU including Holland and Ireland tell us that a free trade agreement can be made to work across the Irish border using pragmatic arrangements. When will the Government take this key that has been handed to them, keeping us in the prison of this negotiation, and admit that we can leave into an FTA basis which will make this a proper independent country able to control its domestic regulations as well as its tariffs so that we can lead the world into a new era of free trade. Mr Raab replied that his suggestion was a shortcut to no deal. We will not tolerate anything that separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK in terms of customs or single market as we leave the EUNigel Dodds He replied that whilst it may be theoretically possible for us to do that, we cannot do it and have a deal with the EU, adding: The EU are not offering us Canada, super Canada, an FTA without keeping to the commitment that we made when he was in Government in December to come up with a legally binding backstop, so that is a shortcut to no deal and weve always said that wed be ready if that outcome is forced on us, but the optimum aim here, the optimum objective that were working towards is a good deal with the EU. We couldnt get that if we pursued what hes suggesting. DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds said his MPs would not tolerate any separation of Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK and threatened to withdraw support as they did last December. He said: The idea that the sort of proposals that are floating about from the EU side, and indeed some officials on our side in Brussels, are necessary to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland is of course complete rubbish. There already is infrastructure on the border and there are already financial, fiscal and other differences because its an international border. Of course it can be managed. He needs to understand that as far as were concerned, as the Democratic Unionist Party, we will not tolerate anything that separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK in terms of customs or single market as we leave the EU. Weve been clear about that from day one. Its why we had the debacle in December. Lets not repeat that mistake. The trial of a west Belfast man accused of the murder of Prison Officer Adrian Ismay, heard on Tuesday that the "major significant factor" to his sudden death from a heart attack were the shrapnel wounds he suffered in a booby-trap bombing 11 days earlier. Northern Ireland's former State Pathologist, Prof Jack Crane told the non-jury Diplock style trial that while the 52-year-old father of two died from a pulmonary embolism, it was caused by a large coiled blood clot blocking the main arterty to the heart and a second clot lodged in the right lung. The now retired pathologist told Belfast Crown Court that though Mr Ismay suffered a shrapnel wound to his right eye, it was the wound to the left calf, behind his knee, which lead to his immobility and the development of deep vein thrombosis. Sections of this thrombosis, broke off and travelled to his heart and lung. The main pulmonary artery blocking measured some 19cm long, by 5cm in diameter, and although he was given "clot-buster drugs", when rushed to hospital suffering from chest pains, he failed to respond to the treatment. Professor Crane said that having survived the blast, caused by an under vehicle improvised explosive device, on March 4, 2016 outside his Hillsborough Drive home in east Belfast, the prison warder was treated in hospital before being released four days later. He said that since returning home Mr Ismay would have spent his time resting, with his leg elevated and that he would have been fairly immobile. He was being treated by his family doctor, who reported the day before he died that he was suffering from post traumatic stress, and complained of flash-backs, poor sleep and anxiety. Under cross examination by defence QC Arthur Harvey, Prof Crane agreed that it was the blood clot, caused by his immobility which led to his death, and that this "can occur suddenly and without warning". The professor said that the detachment of the clots, he thought, would have been "very sudden", adding later it was "the retention of that shrapnel" which had restricted Mr Ismay's immobility. However, when asked by Mr Justice McAlinden if the shrapnel, from the bomb blast, had contributed to his immobility and was in turn a contributing factor in his death, Prof Crane replied: "While not a contributory factor, it was the major significant factor". Expand Close Accused: Christopher Robinson / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Accused: Christopher Robinson Later the court heard from a forensic expert who said the explosives used in the blast were of Semtex origin and that the booby-trap device had been attached by magnets similar to those used to secure signs on a car. The device was mounted on the driver's side, and slightly behind where the driver's seat would have been. On trial denying the murder is Christopher Alphonson Robinson, of Aspen Park, in the Poleglass area of west Belfast. He also denies possession of the booby-trap device, and to providing his sister-in-law's Citroen C3 car knowing, or suspecting it would be used in terrorism. The brother of a Kingsmill victim has criticised Sinn Fein's bid to stop a council selling off a play park controversially named after a man linked to the massacre. Colin Worton said the move was "another slap in the face" to families of the dead. Sinn Fein announced yesterday that it would challenge the decision made by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to dispose of Raymond McCreesh Park via a 'call-in' procedure, which allows councillors to request an issue is re-examined. The play park has been a source of controversy since it was renamed after the IRA man in 2001. McCreesh, from Camlough in south Armagh, was reportedly in possession of a rifle used in the 1976 Kingsmill Massacre, in which 10 Protestant workmen were killed, when he was captured later that year. He died in the 1981 hunger strikes. Last week Newry, Mourne and Down Council said it had decided to sell the play park as it is now "surplus to requirements". The council plans to build a new play facility on Doran's Hill, which runs alongside the existing park, with plans to build 200 homes nearby. However, Sinn Fein, which held a commemoration event for McCreesh in the park in May, said it will challenge the decision through the 'call-in' procedure, which can be requested if a member or party feels the initial decision was not handled correctly, or will have an adverse impact on a section of the community. In August DUP councillors in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council (ABC) used the same procedure to challenge a decision to fly a rainbow flag on council premises. Sinn Fein councillor Liz Kimmins said her party would invoke the mechanism over the McCreesh park sale as it wanted a full community consultation, claiming it was "against with the wishes of local residents". "This was rejected by the SDLP and unionist parties, which is hardly surprising given that they have always wished to remove the name of Raymond McCreesh Park," she said. The councillor said that despite 10 play parks locally have been declared by the council as "surplus assets", McCreesh play park is the "only one that has been fast-tracked for disposal". However, Colin Worton, whose brother Kenneth died at Kingsmill, said Sinn Fein was "disregarding" the best interests for residents within the park's vicinity by persisting it in its attempts to save the play park. "They're harming their own community," he said. "What is it they want - an empty park or 200 houses that could be used by their own community? "What's their priority: romanticising a killer or do they want to help their community on a very practical way?" Stressing that he thought the issue was "done and dusted", he accused Sinn Fein of putting the "blatant glorification of terrorists" above everything else. "I can't understand why they want to keep it," he said. "This is once again another slap in the face of families." Referring to the campaign spearheaded by his mother, Bea Worton, which saw the Equality Commission perform a U-turn and force the council to debate its original decision, Mr Worton stressed it was "futile" of Sinn Fein to challenge the council's decision. "It shouldn't stop the council from going through the sale. This is what's been agreed to," he added. "It's a delaying tactic they want to hold on so they can glorify someone that shouldn't be." Unionists and IRA victims have repeatedly called for the name of the park to be changed and while the SDLP initially supported the renaming of the park it has changed its stance in recent years. Victims campaigner William Frazer accused Sinn Fein of using the council play park strategy in the hope that families would "bow down, forget or go away". "I can tell them with certainty this is not the case, this issue is very much live and we will continue the fight", he said. Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin said that while it is acceptable for councils to use the call-in procedure, in this instance it "gave cause for concern". "Sinn Fein continue to try and present a case for defending the naming of the park which flies in the face of all advice received to date," he said, adding: "Sinn Fein should not try and delay this process." A US woman who was raped by a teenager while hiking in a Belfast forest has voiced fears that sexual abuse victims could be retraumatised if brought face to face with their attackers. Winnie M Li, who was assaulted in Colin Glen Forest Park in 2008, was speaking out after former judge Sir John Gillen suggested the idea as he continues his review of how the criminal justice system handles sexual offences. At the time of the rape Ms Li was a successful film producer, but afterwards she suffered from severe anxiety and depression and was unable to work for two years. She spent five years going through therapy and attempting to rebuild her life. Ms Li (39) said she believed that unless it was specifically the choice of the victim, it was a very bad idea to meet an attacker. She said: "The very thought of crossing paths with one's perpetrator can bring on unbearable nausea, fear, and distress. "I spent 10 months dreading the day I would have to see my rapist in court. My life ground to a halt while I waited for the trial. "That is the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder. It can completely debilitate you. "It is very damaging. A victim should not have to be in the same courtroom as her perpetrator in order for the truth of her story to be believed. "I can't speak for all victims out there, but I don't think I would find any peace in meeting my rapist. "It would likely retraumatise me and set back my recovery process - and I think that might be the case for many other victims." Ms Li is urging Sir John Gillen to rethink his suggestion. "To compare rape to a 'low-tariff' crime is a complete insult to victims who have had their lives temporarily destroyed and permanently impacted by sexual trauma," she said. "Rather than find an alternative form of justice, why don't we just focus on fixing the actual criminal justice system so it can adequately address sexual abuse cases and hold perpetrators accountable? "If rapists don't serve suitable prison sentences, then I don't see how we can call that justice." Sir John suggested that sex offenders and their victims could be brought together outside the courtroom as part of a plan to tackle under-reporting of sexual crime. His review was launched following the trial of former Ulster and Ireland rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, who were acquitted of rape. The retired Appeal Court judge has described Northern Ireland as a "shining" example in its use of restorative justice in other areas involving low-level wrongdoing or offences committed by youths. The PSNI and other official agencies have just launched a new sexual consent awareness campaign, aimed at those aged 16-28, which seeks to raise public consciousness of what sexual assault and consent is. The widow of a man shot dead by a British soldier in Belfast 47 years ago has commenced a High Court bid to gain access to documents stored in a secret security archive. Lawyers representing Isobel Copeland are seeking an order for production of material held at Swadlincote in Derbyshire as part of her legal action against the Ministry of Defence. She is suing for the alleged unlawful killing of her husband, John Copeland, in October 1971. Mr Copeland, 23, was shot close to his Ardoyne home in the north of the city by a member of the Green Howards regiment. He died days later. His widow and the couple's son, Eddie Copeland, a high-profile republican who was himself shot and wounded by a soldier in 1993, have been pressing for a new inquest into the death. That campaign was fuelled by a draft Historical Enquiries Team report which reportedly cast doubt on military claims that John Copeland had been armed and opened fire on an army patrol. A separate claim for damages has also been brought by Mrs Copeland over the circumstances surrounding her husband's shooting. Those proceedings are expected to be heard in full next year. In a preliminary step, Mrs Copeland's legal team have started attempts to ensure the preservation of files connected to the case. The records are among thousands of documents relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland which are being kept at the Swadlincote archive. An application to have the Ministry of Defence compelled to produce the relevant material was adjourned at the High Court today. Solicitor Kevin Winters, representing Mrs Copeland, later explained the wider significance of the legal move. He said: "This is important for the family because it will provide additional information to assist in the civil action which is pending next year. "Not only that, but it's relevant to all military killings during the conflict." Arlene Foster warned any extra barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and Britain after Brexit would be catastrophic (Liam McBurney/PA) Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has insisted any deal agreed as the UK prepares to leave the EU must meet her partys red line. Speaking after her meeting with Michel Barnier in Brussels, Mrs Foster said her party needs to see the legal text of any agreement to check it against its red line, which rules out any extra barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The UK Government has promised to set out further proposals on the backstop arrangement aimed at avoiding a hard border with Ireland, with speculation that it could involve regulatory checks on goods travelling between Britain and Northern Ireland. The EUs proposed backstop would see Northern Ireland effectively remain in the customs union and single market while the rest of the UK shifts away from Brussels rules, something the Prime Minister has already said would be unacceptable. Mrs Foster, whose 10 MPs play a critical role in propping up Theresa Mays administration in Westminster, said she wants to see a deal struck that works for everyone, while respecting the result of the referendum. It is vital that the European Union understands the sensitivities surrounding Northern Ireland and that fact that we are going to be the only integral part of the United Kingdom with a land border with the European Union after we leave next year, she said. There cannot be barriers to trade in the UK internal market which would damage the economic well-being of Northern Ireland and therefore we could not support any arrangements which would give rise to either customs or regulatory barriers within the UK internal market. Its been a useful meeting today, we look forward to continued engagement over the next couple of days. Expand Close EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier with DUP European Parliament member Diane Dodds and DUP leader Arlene Foster (Emmanuel Dunand/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier with DUP European Parliament member Diane Dodds and DUP leader Arlene Foster (Emmanuel Dunand/AP) Mrs Foster was accompanied to the meeting by DUP MEP Diane Dodds. Mrs Dodds said any type of trade barrier between Northern Ireland and the UK would be disastrous. We do want a sensible Brexit, a Brexit that is good for the Union and good for all of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom as well as our neighbours in the Irish Republic, Mrs Dodds said. Following the meeting with the DUP delegation, Mr Barnier tweeted that his team are working hard to explain and de-dramatise the backstop. Mr Barnier also met with Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann. In our meeting with @MichelBarnier we made it clear that Unionists in Northern Ireland do not support the proposed backstop. A welcome opportunity to raise our concerns directly with the EU's lead negotiator pic.twitter.com/mO4b257iMc Robin Swann MLA #StopCovidNI (@RobinSwannMoH) October 9, 2018 Mr Swann tweeted that his party delegation told Mr Barnier that unionists in Northern Ireland do not support the proposed backstop. Earlier Mrs Foster tweeted an image from her meeting with Mr Barnier, emphasising that she will not tolerate any form of barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Meeting with @MichelBarnier . - As outlined in par 50 of the Dec 2017 joint report, there cannot be barriers to trade erected between NI and the rest of the UK. GB is our main market. - The UK voted to leave the EU. Result must be respected. The nation must leave together. pic.twitter.com/fVWBoIvOQW Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) October 9, 2018 The UK voted to leave the EU. Result must be respected, she tweeted. The nation must leave together. The Irish Government has said Brexit is the economic challenge of our generation as it unveiled budgetary measures worth nearly three quarters of a billion euros to tackle the threat. The Republic is preparing for increased customs checks and challenges for businesses trading with England, Scotland and Wales. It launched a special fund to support firms caught in the headwinds of Britains EU divorce as part of a lengthy budget statement laced with references to the greatest upheaval facing the country for decades. Increased funding for a special programme supporting community groups on either side of the Irish border represents a clear statement of intent by ministers in Dublin to protect Northern Irelands hard-won peace. An important part of #Budget19 as we continue our preparations for #Brexit https://t.co/4Ba2GkQE57 Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) October 9, 2018 The future of the Irish land border with Northern Ireland is the most vexed issue still facing negotiators in Brussels and London. The health budget increased by about one billion euro, VAT on the booming tourism industry is set to rise to 13.5% and an extra 470 million euro (410 million) was allocated to housing after a political furore over the number left homeless, finance minister Paschal Donohoe said. He said: Brexit is the political, economic and diplomatic challenge of our generation. The Government has been clear on our objectives, robust in our negotiations and thorough in our planning. We will remain at the heart of the European Union and open to the world. We will protect our hard-won peace. We will implement responsible but ambitious policies for the future of our country. Irelands coalition government, led by Fine Gael and supported by independent public representatives, published its budget for next year with the backing of its political rivals Fianna Fail after the last election left no party with a clear majority. The budget was the last of the Fine Gaels three-year supply and confidence deal with Fianna Fail. Talks between the parties are set commence to establish whether a further agreement can be struck. If consensus is not reached, Ireland will be facing the prospect of a winter general election in the mouth of Brexit. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin discussed the situation in a phone call on Tuesday night. Afterwards, Mr Varadkar told RTE that he hoped a new agreement could be struck by Halloween. I think if we engage, and engage seriously, we can get this done by the Halloween break, or certainly by the end of the Halloween recess period and that should be our target, he said. After years of austerity following the financial crash of a decade ago, this was a spending plan characterised by extra cash for a wide range of areas but also the establishment of a rainy day fund in a bid to demonstrate prudent management of public finances. Next year, Ireland will balance its books for the first time in a decade while planning a significant increase in capital spending. Income tax changes which will save squeezed middle families around five euro (4.37) a week. Around 710 million euro (620 million) were earmarked to address the fall out from Brexit. Boosted spending on social welfare and housing were among other key points announced by the finance minister in the one hour and 17 minute speech at Dublins parliament Dail Eireann. It is a responsible Budget for a modern and caring Ireland that aims to be at the centre of a changing worldFinance Minister Paschal Donohoe Irelands economy has grown rapidly after the financial crisis of a decade ago and soaring house and rent prices have left many unable to find accommodation, prompting street protests and a parliamentary attempt to unseat the Government. Mr Donohoe said: It is a responsible Budget for a modern and caring Ireland that aims to be at the centre of a changing world. Key points from the Budget included: 110 million euro (96 million) will be set aside for Brexit-related measures across central government. The higher rate of income tax will be raised by 750 euro (655) to 35,300 (30,867) for a single worker. VAT on the tourism sector will increase to 13.5%, producing an extra 466 million euro (407 million). An extra five cents on a packet of 20 cigarettes. Social welfare payments are to rise by five euro. An extra two weeks paid parental leave. The health budget increases by one billion euro. This is responsible; this is sensible; this is consistent with maintaining stability in the public financesFinance Minister Paschal Donohoe 50 cent reduction in prescription charges for those aged over 70. An extra 470 million euro (410 million) for housing amid what critics claim is a homelessness crisis. Mr Donohoe said: This is responsible; this is sensible; this is consistent with maintaining stability in the public finances. Most importantly this is a caring Budget that recognises the real social needs our citizens face and provides the sustainable funding and effective policies to address them. It addresses the risks we face both domestically and on the international front. The Budget I have announced today is a progressive budget with an emphasis on strengthening our national finances. Any extra barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and Britain after Brexit would be catastrophic, Arlene Foster warned as she prepared for talks with the European Unions chief negotiator. The DUP leader restated her red line in a message aimed at both Brussels and Downing Street ahead of her talks with Michel Barnier. The UK Government has promised to set out further proposals on the backstop arrangement aimed at avoiding a hard border with Ireland, with speculation that it could involve regulatory checks on goods travelling between Britain and Northern Ireland. Mrs Foster, whose 10 MPs play a critical role in propping up Theresa Mays administration in Westminster, set out her staunch opposition to any border effectively being drawn in the Irish Sea. The United Kingdom single market must be protected with no new borders between Northern Ireland and Great Britain being createdArlene Foster The EUs proposed backstop would see Northern Ireland effectively remain in the customs union and single market while the rest of the UK shifts away from Brussels rules, something the Prime Minister has already said would be unacceptable. Mrs Foster said: As we leave the EU, we should do so as one nation. The United Kingdom single market must be protected with no new borders between Northern Ireland and Great Britain being created. From day one this has been the DUPs only red line. This red line is recognising that Great Britain is Northern Irelands biggest market. Over 70% of all goods leaving Belfast port are destined for Great Britain. To create a barrier to that trade would be catastrophic. Expand Close The UK Government has promised to set out further proposals on the backstop arrangement aimed at avoiding a hard border (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The UK Government has promised to set out further proposals on the backstop arrangement aimed at avoiding a hard border (Liam McBurney/PA) Meanwhile a former Brexit minister called for an advanced free trade agreement with the EU, with practical arrangements on the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Steve Baker also claimed senior figures in Government are seeking the softest form of Brexit, potentially to allow the UK to rejoin the European Union, a former minister claimed. Mr Baker, who was a minister in the Brexit department until July, suggested powerful forces in Government were seeking to keep the UK in arrangements similar to the single market and customs union. There are two reasons why the UK has not just got on with agreeing a world-class FTA. The first is that the EU is only offering an FTA for Great Britain, that is, the UK excluding Northern Ireland, but we cannot allow the UK to be broken up.https://t.co/uiEyNZ4Tot Steve Baker MP FRSA (@SteveBakerHW) October 8, 2018 Meanwhile Mark Harper, a former chief whip, urged Mrs May to scrap her Chequers plan because it will never get through the Commons. He said Mrs May should unite the party around a comprehensive free trade deal that she can actually get through Parliament. The normally loyal MP told the Daily Telegraph: We are going to have to carry this deal on our own benches. If youre the Prime Minister you do have to listen to colleagues. Downing Street has played down expectations of agreement on Britains withdrawal from the EU at a crunch summit next week, warning that big issues remain to be resolved. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said further concessions were needed from the EU side, and warned that no withdrawal agreement could be sealed without a precise declaration about the post-Brexit relationship. The comments appeared to pour cold water on upbeat assessments on the prospects of a deal made by senior EU figures over recent days. The October 18 summit in Brussels had initially been pencilled in as the deadline for agreement on withdrawal. But Downing Street would say only that the UK was working for a deal this autumn, fuelling speculation that a special summit in November will be needed to hammer out agreement on issues including the status of the Irish border. Technical talks are continuing at official level in Brussels this week, but no visit by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has been announced, and Downing Street would say only that new proposals on the border issue would be released in due course. Steve Baker said a hard core of 40 Tory Brexiteers would resist attempts to force them to back Theresa May on Brexit (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) As many as 40 hardcore Tory Brexiteers will resist attempts to coerce them into supporting a Brexit deal with Brussels based on Theresa Mays Chequers plan, a former minister has warned. Steve Baker said he stood by his previous claim that 80 Conservatives would be prepared to oppose the Prime Minister if her deal with the EU kept Britain too closely aligned to it. Mr Baker, a senior figure in the hardline Brexiteer European Research Group, told BBC Radio 4s Today that he was expecting the Tory Whips to go to work on the rebels but that half of them would stand firm against her regardless. He said that they will not tolerate a half-in, half-out Brexit after reports that Mrs May hopes to break the deadlock over the Irish border by keeping the EUs present customs arrangements beyond when the transition period is due to end in December 2020. We are in a position where ... colleagues will not tolerate a half-in, half-out Brexit If 40 Tories rebelled it would leave a Brexit deal at serious risk of failing to gain Parliamentary approval, with the Prime Minister needing Labour votes to get it through. Mr Baker, a former Brexit minister, told BBC Radio 4s Today: I always try to be accurate on the numbers rather than have a bluff to be called. We are in a position where, as we roll forward, colleagues will not tolerate a half-in, half-out Brexit. I did a concrete canvas of colleagues when it was amendments to legislation, and came up with the number of nearly 80. Of course the Government are going to whip this vote extremely hard, but what I would say is that the whips would be doing incredibly well if they were to halve the numbers, and my estimate is that there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept a half-in, half-out Chequers deal or indeed a backstop that leaves us in the internal market and the Customs Union, come what may. If you listened to the Brexit segment on @BBCr4today and wanted more context, these 5 short videos may be helpful:https://t.co/pAm1ALYpZP Get the transcripts here:https://t.co/KgPRlWviuQ#PlanAPlus Steve Baker MP FRSA (@SteveBakerHW) October 9, 2018 His comments came as the Governments allies in the Democratic Unionist Party headed to Brussels for their own talks with the EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Tuesday. On the eve of the meeting, DUP leader Arlene Foster set out the partys red lines, saying that any border effectively being drawn in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and Britain would be catastrophic. The PMs spokesman said on Monday that Mrs May had always made clear that any joint customs arrangements with the EU would be temporary, and stressed that this remained the case. Theresa May has also been urged to evolve her deal into a free trade deal that the whole party can support. Mark Harper, who was a Home Office minister during Mrs Mays tenure in the department and later Chief Whip, told the Telegraph that relying on Labour rebels would not work, saying: We are going to have to carry this deal on our own benches. If youre the Prime Minister, you do have to listen to colleagues. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who campaigned for Leave in the referendum, said she was confident Mrs May is working to achieve a good Brexit in negotiations with the EU. But she suggested that the Prime Minister may have to amend her Chequers plan to get a final deal, saying that we dont know where this is going to end up. Answering questions following a speech in London, Ms Mordaunt said: The Prime Minister can count on my support. But what I would say is that we dont know where this is going to end up. We are at a critical moment now. The ball is firmly back in the EUs court. We are waiting for them to respond. I think that what we need to do is just support both the PM but also Dominic Raab and the negotiating team. They are trying to get the best deal for our country and until we know what that is I think that is the best way we can help. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe outside Government Buildings, Dublin, before he unveils his Budget 2019 (Niall Carson/PA) Opposition parties have roundly criticised the Government for failing to do enough to improve housing and health in Ireland in the budget. Irelands finance minister Paschal Donohoe delivered the countrys annual budget day speech on Tuesday afternoon. While welcoming certain housing measures, such as the allocation of additional funding to homelessness and more funding for the construction of social housing, Fianna Fails Michael McGrath told the parliament the Government had failed to get to grips with the housing crisis. It is the Government that is responsible for addressing the housing crisis and it is the Government that must accept its performance on housing has not been good enough, Mr McGrath said. Despite insistences from Fianna Fail that this would be a housing budget, it is anything butJan OSullivan He added that the Government should cut out its obsession with spin and focus on delivering homes instead. The number of people sleeping in emergency accommodation is a national scandal and a scar on our nation at present, he said. Almost 10,000 people are homeless in Ireland, including more than 3,800 children, the latest official figures show. The finance spokesman described the affordable housing measures announced on Tuesday as a breakthrough and that the Government now needed to ensure that it was put into effect. The party entered into a confidence and supply arrangement with the Government two years ago. It used its influence to secure a 300 million euro affordable housing package in this years budget. Mr McGrath said Fianna Fail made no apologies for insisting on a major focus on affordable housing because under the Fine Gael governments watch home ownership had become a distant dream for more and more Irish people. But the Irish Labour partys housing spokeswoman Jan OSullivan described the affordable housing scheme as a direct subsidy to developers. Despite insistences from Fianna Fail that this would be a housing budget, it is anything but, she said. Three hundred million euro for a so-called affordable housing scheme is absolutely miserable in the context of what is actually needed. Ms OSullivan said the housing proposals showed no imagination and would do nothing to ease the housing crisis when it comes to rent. She added that the tax cuts announced for landlords would not deliver any extra rental properties but instead would line the pockets of those whove been benefiting from record increases in rent. Green party leader Eamon Ryan said the Governments pre-election budget had ignored climate change and demonstrated it had no long-term vision for Irelands future. Mr Ryan said the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had sounded the alarm for world governments who were still asleep to this crisis but the finance minister had hit the snooze button. The budget was a chance to set us on the right course but the Taoiseach [Leo Varadkar] and Minister Donohoe have given up on that opportunity, Mr Ryan said. We have a Government which has no vision for the long term future of this country. The budget reflects that sad reality. Today the government launched their budget which fails to address the cost of living crisis for families. For a budget that invests in families and communities, check out Sinn Fein's proposals on https://t.co/x83t1DOVAS #Budget19 #ANewIreland pic.twitter.com/r4aLouHbV9 Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) October 9, 2018 Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of turning their backs on those in need of social and affordable housing. Mr O Broin said the greatly anticipated housing budget had failed to materialise. The figures indicate that only a paltry additional 120 million euro has been allocated for capital investment in housing for 2019 above existing commitments, he said. This will only deliver just 490 additional new social homes on top of what was already committed to. The Dublin Mid West TD added: The Government also ignored the needs of struggling renters. They have granted an unnecessary tax relief to landlords while doing nothing to reduce rents or halt rent increases. This Budget is just a continuation of the failed housing policy of Rebuilding Ireland and the governments over reliance on the private rented sector in particular to deliver insecure social homes they could have stood with the homeless, those on council waiting lists or those struggling to rent or buy. Instead they turned their backs on those in need. A 96-year-old widow has accused the Government of forcing pensioners to wait until after the winter months before they see the small boost to their pension. Mother-of-six Bet Nunan said the extra five euro a week should be brought in with immediate effect to help hard-pressed pensioners pay for heating costs. Mrs Nunan listened to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe unveil the budget at her home in Blackrock in south Dublin. She described the increase in social welfare payments as a boost that will make a little bit of difference but said more needs to be done to help the countrys poorest. Waiting until March until we get the extra money is a very long delay, it's almost six monthsBet Nunan Its not very much, it wont help poor people. Its okay for the likes of me as I have enough buts a very small rise, she said. We got the Christmas bonus which is decent enough. The extra five euro a week will make a little bit of difference, its a modest increase but I feel the poorest should be helped more each month. Waiting until March until we get the extra money is a very long delay, its almost six months. The retired civil servant said elderly people will have to go through the winter months with no extra money for heating costs. Mrs Nunan added: By April next year we will be OK as it will be warmer so those two things are not well thought out for older people. They should be brought in with immediate effect so we can use it over the winter months. Everyone is hanging on. Anna McCabe of Age Action, said: An increase in the State Pension was overwhelmingly the top priority for our members in Budget 2019. An increasing number of older people on a fixed income are finding it difficult to pay essential daily bills in the context of current taxes and rising prices. Putting the finishing touches to #Budget19 speech. Cabinet meeting at 10am for final discussion and speech to the #Dail at 1pm. Balancing our books for the first time in a decade will better position us in the years ahead for a more secure and resilient future pic.twitter.com/ObBkVVUAd8 Paschal Donohoe (@Paschald) October 9, 2018 This makes the pension increase all the more vital and we are pleased the government is delivering its promise to reverse the damage to older peoples incomes from previous austerity budgets. The organisation, however expressed disappointment at the delay on the pension increase. Ms McCabe added: It is disappointing that, for the third time, were seeing a delay in the pension increase, especially when it is perhaps most needed in January and February to help during the coldest months. We welcome the restoration of the final 15% of the Christmas Bonus and payment as a double week for Christmas 2018 for all social welfare recipients. It has also emerged that the granny-grant flat initiative has been granted funding to allow older homeowners to modify their family-sized home. Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said the Abhaile Project would allow homeowners to create a ground floor independent living area for themselves and a rental property upstairs. It is to be trialled through a pilot scheme. The Irish Government has missed a trick by failing to help crippled retailers struggling to compete, it has been claimed. Duggans Jewellers shop owner Damian Duggan said more and more retailers were struggling to compete because of the Governments penal VAT rate of 23% and the Government had not introduced anything in the budget to help them. Mr Duggan said: Give us a level playing pitch, give us a level where we can compete. Were being crippled. Irelands Finance minister Paschal Donohoe delivered the countrys Budget for 2019 on Tuesday afternoon. For the self-employed the earned income credit is set to be increased by 200 euro to 1,350 euro next year, but still does not bring it into line with Paye workers income credit. The minister also announced targeted changes to the Keep scheme to help small and medium sized businesses attract and retain key staff. A special VAT rate for the hospital sector was also scrapped. The hospitality sector has been highly critical of the budget because Mr Donohoe announced its 9% VAT rate would be upped to 13.5% next year. There are an awful lot of businesses that are on the verge or they have closed in the last few years because of very penal VAT ratesDamian Duggan But Mr Duggan said he and other small businesses would only be too happy to pay that rate as they were paying 23% VAT. Retailers, such as book shops, newsagents and jewellers, are liable to pay VAT at 23%. The jeweller, who is secretary treasury of the Association of Fine Jewellers said: There are an awful lot of businesses that are on the verge or they have closed in the last few years because of very penal VAT rates. Mr Duggan said the VAT rate had been increased from 21% to 23% as a temperary measure eight years ago, but there was no sign of it being reverted any time soon. The retailer, who has been in business in Dublins Fairview for 38 years, said he reckoned that most people who were in any way savvy travelled across the border to shop and benefit from a lower VAT rate of 20% and weak sterling. We cannot compete with that, we will try our damnedest, we bend over backwards to please our customers but how can we compete. Expand Close Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has delivered his Budget (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has delivered his Budget (Niall Carson/PA) He said the Government was failing to collect any online revenue from any companies. Marc ODwyer, chief executive of cloud accounting software firm Big Red Cloud, said he believed the Government had missed an opportunity to help small businesses. The Dublin-based company has 25 employees in Ireland and five in Vietnam. Mr ODwyer said: There are about 200,000 small businesses in Ireland and about 3,500 businesses are set up on a monthly basis and there dont seem to be any grants or tax reliefs for existing business owners to reinvent their businesses, who are on a daily basis employing staff, paying employers PRSI and paying money to the Irish revenue. He added: Theres no real incentive to get people out of normal employment to give them a kick-start to be an entrepreneur and keep reinvesting in business. The Government has missed a trick. They should be supporting them much more so. Irelands Government is to unveil a Budget today following last-minute talks to rubber stamp next years spending plans. Focus will be on housing and the governments financial plans to ease the crisis, cuts in income tax for middle-income earners, Brexit and a possible hike in diesel and petrol prices. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar denied suggestions it was an election budget, adding that it was the first balanced budget in 10 years. It will be the last budget before Brexit next March with those in power setting aside 500 million euro in a Rainy Day Fund which may be dipped into in the event of a bad Brexit. Expand Close The Skelligs, Irelands tourist industry may face VAT hikes (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Skelligs, Irelands tourist industry may face VAT hikes (Brian Lawless/PA) Last-minute talks were being held with their political rivals on Monday evening to finalise Budget 2019. Among the reforms is a cut of 0.25% to the unpopular Universal Social Charge (USC) in a bid to ease tax burdens on average working families. A 300 million euro affordable housing scheme is also set to be introduced. It envisages an average discount of 50,000 euro on the cost of building a house. Older people may also be able to apply for a 15,000 euro grant, known as the granny flat grant, to convert part of their homes into units to ease the pressure of rental problems. Pensioners could also enjoy an added benefit of a five euro increase in the weekly pension and other welfare payments. Prescription charges are also expected to reduce. It's going to put money back in people's pocketsLeo Varadkar Carbon tax increases could result in a rise of excise duty on diesel and petrol prices, however Minister Donohoe faced pressure over the final taxation package not to increase the tax by 50%. There is also a boost for landlords with a possible reduction in tax burdens and a 100% mortgage interest relief on any loan used to pay for a rental property. There is controversy over the special VAT rate for the hospitality sector which is set to rise from 9% to 13.5%. In a video posted online on Monday evening, Mr Varadkar said it was a budget that was going to make a difference in peoples lives. Its going to put money back in peoples pockets, he said. There will be increases in pensions and other social welfare payments and there will also be reductions in income tax and the USC allowing workers to keep more of their hard earned money. Expand Close Car exhaust emissions (Lewis Whyld/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Car exhaust emissions (Lewis Whyld/PA) Well also see some moves in the budget to reduce the cost of living and reduce the cost of accessing important social services. Mr Donohoe added: This budget will benefit families by looking to make childcare more affordable, by looking to ensure the cost of really important medical services gets a little bit cheaper than it is at the moment and then by targeting tax changes to ensure that if youre on a very normal or very average wage, youre not already paying the highest rate of income tax in our country. The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) expressed deep concern at reports that the tourism VAT rate is to be increased as part of Budget 2019. Michael Lennon, President of the IHF said the mooted increase to 13.5% would be disastrous for Irelands competitiveness as a tourism destination and represented a failure to recognise its economic potential and recovery, particularly among regional and rural tourism businesses. The proposed increase would be reckless and would result in Ireland having a higher VAT rate on tourism than 26 countries in Europe with which we compete. We are already a very high cost economy by international standards so it is alarming that the Government is now looking at imposing additional taxes on tourists and making our country less attractive as a destination. Any increase would hit tourism throughout the country with businesses outside of Dublin Irelands largest environmental coalition said it is deeply concerned by reports that the Government is set to row back on hikes in carbon and diesel taxes. The increase in the diesel levy and carbon tax are proving to be sticking points ahead of the Budget. The Environmental Pillar said it is deeply concerned as they say the measures would bring in additional revenue. Charles Stanley-Smith, budgetary spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar, said: A carbon tax is a lever that we can pull immediately to support the States long-term targets such as the retrofitting of 45,000 homes by 2021 and getting 500,000 electric cars on Irish roads by 2030. Ireland is facing multi-million euro fines from Europe if we do not meet our binding climate targets so we can either have a carbon tax and reduce the amount of fines we are to pay or we can face higher fines that the average Joe will ultimately have to dig into his or her pocket to pay. A school in Dublin was shut on Tuesday after alleged online threats were made against pupils and staff on social media. Management from Ardgillan Community College sent a message to parents informing them that the school would be closed as Irish police investigated material posted on Instagram stories. It is understood a student allegedly made references to bringing a gun to school. Gardai confirmed they are investigating and a 16-year-old has been arrested. Gardai are liaising with management at the school and are now satisfied that there is no imminent danger to staff or students attending the schoolGarda spokesman A spokesman said: Its understood the material was circulated online yesterday evening. Following the reports, an investigation was commenced and a 16-year-old youth has since been arrested. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Dublin Garda station. The investigation is ongoing. Gardai are liaising with management at the school and are now satisfied that there is no imminent danger to staff or students attending the school. Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board confirmed that a school in north County Dublin was closed on a precautionary basis arising from a matter which came to the attention of the school management and which has been referred to the Gardai. A spokesman said: There are no further issues arising from this matter and we anticipate that the school will reopen as normal tomorrow. A senior official in Stormont's finance department will face further questioning today about the role of her staff in the flawed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. The budget for the scheme, introduced by the Executive in 2012 to encourage businesses to switch from fossil fuels to renewable heating sources, spiralled out of control due to flaws in cost controls, including the fact that claimants could earn more money the more fuel they burned. Those who joined the scheme were offered financial incentives to purchase new heating systems and the fuel to power them. Department of Finance senior official Emer Morelli, who was involved in approvals for the scheme, has admitted that DoF staff had not appreciated how "complex and difficult" RHI was from the "get-go". She has conceded that they should have challenged what they were told much more robustly. Ms Morelli said DoF staff took what they were told by Department of Trade, Enterprise and Investment (Deti) officials "at face value" but should have done more to establish the true budgetary position. Meanwhile, Deti's former permanent secretary Dr Andrew McCormick will return for two days of questioning on Wednesday and Thursday. Attention has focused on the role of the DUP's special advisers to ministers during a period in 2015 when civil servants wanted to curb the soaring costs of RHI. Dr Andrew Crawford, former special adviser to DUP leader Arlene Foster, resigned after Dr McCormick said he exerted influence over the delays in curbing the scheme. Mr McCormick told the inquiry last month that the DUP was concerned to deflect or discredit any possible reference to Timothy Johnston, who is chief executive of the DUP, but at the time was a special adviser to then First Minister Peter Robinson. Mr McCormick said the party ultimately acquiesced with the necessity, as it appeared at the time, of naming Dr Crawford as the instigator of the delay. "What I will say, if we're talking about the Supreme Court and Judge Kavanaugh, I think he's highly qualified for the Supreme Court", she said. "Melania told me all about her trip in great detail and I'm so proud of the job she's doing on behalf of children everywhere, "Trump said". Her focus on saving elephants seemed at odds with policies put forth by her husband, President Donald Trump. "It's very emotional", Trump said after her visit. She closed her tour in Egypt by touring the pyramids and the Great Sphinx to highlight US -backed preservation efforts there. Locals, and social media, were quick to condemn the "tone-deaf" choice, accusing her of showing a lack of understanding about African culture. "We just completed an fantastic trip - we went to Ghana, we went to Malawi, we went to Kenya, here we are in Egypt", the first lady told reporters Saturday. @IbraYarre tweeted: "Melania Trump went on a safari in Kenya wearing a pith helmet - a symbol of European colonial rule across Africa". Who could forget the time she wore a pair of Manolo Blahnik stiletto heels to tour a Puerto Rican disaster zone? 'I give my honest opinion and honest advice. The Trump administration has pushed to cut funding to USAID, which supports several projects the first lady visited. The low-key tour, during which she has made no comment to reporters, has contrasted with the political tumult back home where her husband was set to score a big political win after days of acrimonious deadlock inside and outside the Senate over his Supreme Court pick. She added, "But I have my own voice and my own opinions and it's very important for me that I express what I feel". Melania Trump has been criticised for a particularly eyebrow-raising fashion choice while on tour in Africa. Photo credit: pilotonline.com/ Ben CurtisUS First Lady, Melania Trump looks on as she visits a school in Lilongwe, Malawi. In August, the White House announced the first lady would be visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt to highlight programs successfully teaching children life well-being skills as part of her BE BEST campaign. Mrs. Trump was on hand as the US ambassador handed over another 1.4 million books through a USA -funded national reading program. The people love her, and she loves them! "I want to thank President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and First Lady Entissar Amer for hosting me in Egypt", said First Lady Melania Trump. Former City trader Kweku Adoboli, who gambled away 1.4 billion in the UKs biggest banking fraud, has been bailed from detention pending a decision over his deportation. The 38-year-old, who has been held at an immigration centre near Heathrow Airport for 36 days, will travel to Livingston, West Lothian, to live with a friend following a legal hearing on Tuesday. Despite living in the UK since he was 12, the former public schoolboy and Nottingham University alumnus faces deportation to Ghana, where he has not lived since age four. I can't see there's anything to indicate there's substantial grounds for risk of reoffending or abscondingImmigration judge Stephen Pedro He was granted a last-minute injunction blocking his deportation on September 18 and now awaits the outcome of a judicial review on the matter scheduled for October 23. A group of school and university friends appeared before a judge at Hatton Cross tribunal centre to provide a surety of 120,000. As a foreign national sentenced to a jail sentence of more than four years, Adoboli is subject to automatic deportation under UK immigration laws. Granting the decision, immigration judge Stephen Pedro said: I cant see theres anything to indicate theres substantial grounds for risk of reoffending or absconding. From what I can see he has been on immigration bail for three years or so without fault. You should be released later today. Home Office official Matthew Williams appeared at the hearing to oppose bail. The rogue former trader, who was jailed for seven years in 2012, brought Swiss bank UBS to its knees by exceeding his trading limits and failing to mitigate the risk of reckless deals. He was released in 2015 and has lived in with a long-time university friend in Scotland since then, looking after two godchildren. Speaking after the hearing, his partner Alice Gray said: Im delighted, ecstatic. I didnt expect this at all. Im going to go and collect him now. More than 130 MPs and MSPs have signed an open letter to Home Secretary Sajid Javid asking him to intervene and block the deportation. Nearly 75,000 people have signed a petition calling for the deportation to be halted. Adoboli admitted the enormous losses but claimed that he was pressured by staff to take risks, culminating in a catastrophe that wiped 2.8 billion off the banks share value. He was found guilty at Londons Southwark Crown Court of two counts of fraud by abuse of position in 2012 and freed from jail in 2015. Since his release he has spoken to students and business and military leaders about toxic risk-taking aspects of City culture and how it can lead traders to commit financial crimes. Medical crews discuss the movement of casualties into a Puma helicopter as part of Saif Sareea 3 (Ben Birchall) The British Army has transformed since its last major exercise in Oman and huge efforts have been made to rectify the mistakes of the past, two senior officers have said. Exercise Saif Sareea 3 is the UKs biggest military exercise for almost two decades, and will see 5,500 British personnel and 65,000 of their Omani counterparts train across the country. It was in 2001 that Britain last took part in Saif Sareea 2, and saw defence chiefs criticised by the National Audit Office (NAO) for poor planning that resulted in equipment and kit failing in the harsh desert. A report by Whitehalls spending watchdog in 2002 found that helicopters, self-propelled guns and heavy lifting vehicles all struggled in the heat and dust, while boots simply fell apart. Pressed on whether any lessons have been learnt, Major General Stuart Skeates, the Standing Joint Force Commander, said the NAO report formed a lot of the planning for the exercise. We have made huge efforts to try and avoid, and rectify the mistakes of the past, he told the Press Association. He said training and exercises help to identify shortfalls in equipment, and also how tactics and procedures need to be changed or addressed. Expand Close Brigadier Zac Stenning, Commander of 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade, says the Army is more lethal now(Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brigadier Zac Stenning, Commander of 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade, says the Army is more lethal now(Ben Birchall/PA) Our equipment is much better, it is much more technologically advanced, Maj Gen Skeates said. We have up-armoured significantly not just in terms of our armoured vehicles but in terms of what our people wear. So, body armour, eye protection, hearing protection and so fourth is a generational level of difference from that which we had in Saif Sareea 2. Brigadier Zac Stenning, commander of 1 UK Armoured Infantry Brigade, said a lot of work has been done to mitigate the issues of the last exercise in terms of the tanks and Warrior armoured vehicles. Expand Close A Puma takes off behind a Challenger II Main Battle Tank in the Oman desert (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Puma takes off behind a Challenger II Main Battle Tank in the Oman desert (Ben Birchall/PA) He said the Army has transformed since Saif Sareea 2, especially with large and long campaigns in both Iraq and Afghanistan during the 17 years since. Brig Stenning said they have spent a significant amount of time de-risking their activity in Oman to make themselves better at the start of this exercise. Work has included testing the fleet of tanks and armoured vehicles in the UK, bringing in and using special air filters, and creating a detailed acclimatisation programme for troops. Expand Close A British soldier removes his boots during a pause in manoeuvres in the searing heat of the Oman desert (Ben Birchall/PA PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A British soldier removes his boots during a pause in manoeuvres in the searing heat of the Oman desert (Ben Birchall/PA During the month-long Saif Sareea 3, which means swift sword in Arabic, the exercise will take place in locations across Oman including Shafa, the port of Duqm and Thumrait. Equipment that will be used includes 18 Challenger 2 battle tanks, 61 Warriors, Chinook and Puma helicopters, Typhoon jets, as well as the amphibious assault ship HMS Albion. This is in stark contrast to the 66 Challenger 2 tanks and the 22,500 troops that took part in Saif Sareea 2 in 2001 a change which Brig Stenning defended. It is not always about size, it is about the lethality, the survivability of a modern western army force can deliver. We are more lethal, more survivable and more competitive, he said. His comments also come amid a reduction in the size of Britains Army falling from 102,000 regular troops in 2010 to just 76,880 in July. Brig Stenning said the way in which armies expand and contract before and after war is a constant, and added: We will expand again. What we have got to do is get as many of our men and women ready to form the nucleus of the next fight. Expand Close A soldier from the Royal Tank Regiment hangs out washing on a makeshift line on his Challenger II Main Battle Tank (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A soldier from the Royal Tank Regiment hangs out washing on a makeshift line on his Challenger II Main Battle Tank (Ben Birchall/PA) The total cost of Saif Sareea 3 is expected to be more than 100 million, something both Maj Gen Skeates and Brig Stenning stood by and said is justified. Brig Stenning said bringing everything would be disproportionately expensive, and that equipment and troops will be repositioned to operations in the Middle East and around the world following the exercise. The way we should be looking at the expenditure for Saif Sareea 3 is that it is a sensible investment in our presence here in the Middle East, and particularly our relationship with Oman, Maj Gen Skeates said. He stressed that the exercise also improves their process of working with Oman, demonstrates the UKs ability to project a joint force in order to assist a close ally if needed, and shows Britain is a player both globally and within the Middle East. Brig Stenning also said the austere and dusty environment is exceptionally important to train in for the troops, and that the Army has a lot to learn about how to operate in the most demanding environmental conditions. Security Minister Ben Wallace described the scale of the threat facing the UK (John Stillwell/PA) Britain must face up to the possibility of a chemical or biological attack as terrorists relentlessly pursue new methods to commit murder, the Security Minister has warned. In a stark assessment, Ben Wallace said he sees plots where the only limits to the ambition of our adversaries is their imagination. He told a conference in London: As I speak, terrorists continue to explore new ways to kill us on our streets. Chemical and biological weapons are marching in closer. They have developed and worked on a better arsenal, and we have to be prepared that might come to our streets here. Be under no doubt the threat is real. Our open, liberal and free societies are easy prey to those that fear little and care even less. We are operating at a pace not seen since the very height of the TroublesAssistant Commissioner Neil Basu Britains most senior counter-terrorism officer echoed Mr Wallaces warning that the threat must be taken seriously. Also speaking at the National Security Summit, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: These things have been used on the battlefield, and whats used on the battlefield will eventually be adapted to be used on domestic soil. I think he (Mr Wallace) is as concerned as I am that these are the kind of threats that weve got to take very seriously and weve got to make sure that we have the right preparations to actually counter that threat, should it appear. The head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations (ACSO) Neil Basu, is delivering a speech at the National Security Summit in London this morning. #ActionCountersTerrorism pic.twitter.com/8GtDUaj16a Counter Terrorism Policing UK (@TerrorismPolice) October 9, 2018 While the likelihood of terrorists successfully conducting a large-scale chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) strike is considered to be unlikely, Britains security apparatus is alive to the danger. The Governments national risk register of civil emergencies says an attack involving CBRN materials has the potential to cause harm by contaminating people, animals, buildings, outdoor environments, water supplies and food. It adds: Extremists remain interested in CBRN materials. However, alternative methods of attack such as employing firearms or conventional explosive devices remain far more likely. The potential impact of a chemical weapons incident was underlined by the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury earlier this year. Expand Close The home of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The home of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal (Jonathan Brady/PA) Last week, UK-based experts unveiled a major drive to revolutionise the response to a CBRN emergency. The research team has developed tools including technology to determine casualty exposure to poisons through rapid skin, breath and saliva tests, drone equipment to measure toxic fumes in the atmosphere and crisis communications techniques to stop the spread of fake news. Elsewhere, Mr Wallace denied that the UK refuses to take back British citizens suspected of fighting with Islamic State. He acknowledged that the return of foreign fighters is a genuine challenge because of the difficulties of gathering evidence about their activities overseas. The Home Office minister pointed to Government plans which would make it illegal to travel to terror hotspots or designated areas without a reasonable excuse. Under the proposed offence, those convicted could face up to 10 years in prison. The Government estimates that more than 900 individuals of national security concern from the UK have travelled to engage with the conflict in Syria. Of those, around 20% have been killed and approximately 40% have returned. The majority of those who have come back did so in the earlier stages of the conflict, and a significant proportion are assessed as no longer being of national security concern. In his speech, Mr Basu noted that there are plenty of aspirant or frustrated travellers who now have nowhere to go. Britain was hit by five attacks last year, and the Assistant Commissioner laid bare the scale of activity to stop further atrocities. We are operating at a pace not seen since the very height of the Troubles, he said. Also speaking at the event, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Max Hill QC called for a fresh review of the definition of terrorism as set out in the Terrorism Act 2000. He said this was necessary in light of the changing nature of the threat from international terrorism and cited the Salisbury attack, adding: The question of state terrorism and its inclusion or possibly exclusion from the definition is work in progress in my view. Police were at the scene after part of a roof collapsed in Tranent (Joe Giddens/PA) Some children have been injured after part of a roof collapsed at a church hall. Emergency services were called to the scene at Tranent Church Hall on Church Street, Tranent just before 7pm on Tuesday. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was not a structural collapse but plaster fell from the ceiling. A number of children suffered superficial injuries however no-one was seriously injured. A police spokesman said: Police in East Lothian were called to an address in Church Street, Tranent at around 6.55pm following reports that a portion of the buildings roof had collapsed. Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service attended. There are no serious injuries. Rev Colin Sinclair has been selected as the Church of Scotland Moderator for 2019 (Church of Scotland/PA) An Edinburgh minister and grandfather of three has been selected as the new Moderator of the Church of Scotlands General Assembly. Reverend Colin Sinclair will succeed the Rt Rev Susan Brown in the role next year. Rev Sinclair, originally from Glasgow, is the minister for Palmerston Place Church in Edinburgh. The Stirling University economics graduate, who has worked for decades with Scripture Union, said he was honoured to take up the role. Expand Close Rev Sinclair with his family (Church of Scotland/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rev Sinclair with his family (Church of Scotland/PA) He said: I am honoured to be selected for this opportunity to represent the Church of Scotland nationally and internationally. It will be a pleasure to encourage church members in their faith and to see the impact of their faith in communities across our country. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a parish minister and despite the challenges we face I believe the Christian Faith is still relevant to Scotland. Our message is still Good News and it still changes lives. Expand Close Rev Colin Sinclair has been selected as the Church of Scotland Moderator for 2019 (Church of Scotland/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rev Colin Sinclair has been selected as the Church of Scotland Moderator for 2019 (Church of Scotland/PA) Rev Sinclair first became interested in the Christian faith as a pupil at Glasgow Academy when, to escape getting into trouble after a prefect saw him taking the wrong staircase, he dodged into a room where a Scripture Union camp video was showing. A keen rugby player at university, it was also while a student that he took a holiday job as a film extra playing a soldier in the 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Through his work with Scripture Union he spent three years travelling around Zambia, living out of his car and speaking at schools, churches and hospitals. After being ordained his first solo parish was at Newton on Ayr in South Ayrshire. Rev Sinclair is married to Ruth Murray, a medical social worker, and the couple have four children and three grandchildren. Home Secretary Sajid Javids decision to share intelligence with US authorities over two UK terror suspects, without seeking assurances they will not face the death penalty, is being challenged at the High Court (PA/Aaron Chown) Two alleged Islamic State terrorists suspected of involvement in a series of beheadings must not be released back on to the battlefield, senior judges have heard. El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexander Kotey are said to have been members of a brutal four-man cell of IS executioners in Syria and Iraq, nicknamed The Beatles because of their British accents, responsible for killing a number of high-profile Western captives. Elsheikhs mother Maha Elgizouli has mounted a High Court challenge over the UKs sharing of evidence with US authorities under a mutual legal assistance (MLA) agreement. She says it was unlawful for the Government to do so without obtaining any assurance the pair will not face execution if convicted in the US. Lawyers for Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who is contesting Ms Elgizoulis case, said it was not yet known whether the pair will be charged in the US, but that there is the most powerful interest in a proper investigation of their alleged crimes. The option of releasing this individual back onto the battlefield to resume these activities is one thoroughly not to be desired.James Eadie QC, for the Home Secretary James Eadie QC told the court on Tuesday: The claimants son is a suspected terrorist fighter in Syria, he is suspected of involvement in the beheading of individuals which was filmed. Those films were broadcast on the internet and then used to promote the interests of Daesh (Islamic State). The seriousness of those crimes, as Im sure the court will need no reminding, is at the apex of seriousness. There is, for that reason alone, the most powerful interest in the proper investigation of those crimes and the most powerful interest in ensuring that, whatever options might be on the table, the option of releasing this individual back onto the battlefield to resume these activities is one thoroughly not to be desired. Mr Eadie said there was no hard-edged obligation on the UK Government to refuse to provide assistance to a friendly foreign state which has the death penalty. He added that Mr Javid had considered this case with conspicuous care and made a lawful decision to seek to assist the US investigation. Kotey and Elsheikh are accused of belonging to a cell which also included Mohammed Emwazi known as Jihadi John who was killed in a US air strike in 2015, and Aine Davis, who has been jailed in Turkey. The group is suspected of involvement in the beheading of 27 people, including British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning and US citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig. Emwazi was filmed carrying out a number of the murders and the videos were broadcast online. Kotey and Elsheikh, who were raised in the UK, are believed to have been detained by Kurdish forces in Syria in January and have been stripped of their British citizenship. They may face a federal trial in the US after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided there was insufficient evidence for them to be tried in the UK. Mr Eadie told the court Elsheikh had chosen to go to Syria and therefore has no legal rights as he placed himself beyond the UK jurisdiction and is no longer a British citizen. Expand Close Alexanda Kotey, one of two Britons suspected of having been part of the Islamic State extremist group dubbed The Beatles (ITV/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alexanda Kotey, one of two Britons suspected of having been part of the Islamic State extremist group dubbed The Beatles (ITV/PA) Edward Fitzgerald QC, for Ms Elgizouli, previously told the court her legal team is in the dark as to the nature of the material requested by the US, but that it includes 600 witness statements gathered by the Metropolitan Polices counter terrorism command. He also said it was not known why the CPS decided there was not enough evidence to prosecute and that the stance of US officials was that the pair should be tried in the UK. After Ms Elgizouli launched legal action, the Home Office announced in July that it had agreed to a short-term pause of the MLA process with the US. Prime Minister Theresa May supported Mr Javids original decision, which was also backed by Boris Johnson when he was Foreign Secretary. But the MLA sparked widespread criticism in Westminster from across the political divide. The case is being heard by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and Mr Justice Garnham, who are expected to deliver their ruling at a later date. Hillary Clinton at the unveiling of a new statue of Eleanor Roosevelt (Victoria Jones/PA) Hillary Clinton will deliver a keynote address at a conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The former US first lady, who lost the race for the White House to Donald Trump in 2016, will speak at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford. The conference is called Confronting Illiberalism: The Role Of The Media, Civil Society And Universities. On the eve of her speech, Mrs Clinton said democracy is under siege and that she cannot understand why people are so reluctant to call out what the Russians have been doing. The former US secretary of state said on Monday evening: As we learn more about the role that (Vladimir) Putin, oligarchs around him, the Russian government particularly, the intelligence forces have played, we see that its not just what they did in our election in the United States. They have been actively supporting right wing political parties and politicians. Expand Close Hillary Clinton unveils a new statue of Eleanor Roosevelt outside the Bonavero Institute in Oxford (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hillary Clinton unveils a new statue of Eleanor Roosevelt outside the Bonavero Institute in Oxford (Victoria Jones/PA) Mrs Clinton added: I dont understand why the press, the political establishment and the public are so reluctant to call out what the Russians have been doing. What they did in Brexit, what they did in the United States. Mrs Clinton said the list is really long now, adding: The internet has given them a great advantage because they are able to sow discontent, divisiveness and false information incredibly easily. She added: Its only going to get worse, and this is something that I think everybody needs to pay attention to. Expand Close Mrs Clinton at Oxford University on Monday evening (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mrs Clinton at Oxford University on Monday evening (Victoria Jones/PA) The technology has advanced so much that its not only the false stories that the phoney news services are now directing at your Facebook feed, it will be taking the words you say out of many different contexts and putting it together to say something you never said. Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, former principal of Mansfield College, joined Mrs Clinton in conversation on the role that women have played in promoting and protecting human rights. Mrs Clinton unveiled a statue of Americas war time first lady Eleanor Roosevelt outside the institute and became an honorary fellow of Mansfield College. The overall rate of probable PTSD among current and ex-serving military personnel was 6% in 2014/16, compared to 4% in 2004/06 (stock picture) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates have increased among members of the UK armed forces, new research suggests. The overall rate of probable PTSD among current and ex-serving military personnel was 6% in 2014/16, compared to 4% in 2004/06. The rise in the condition, which is triggered by exposure to traumatic events involving threat to life or limb, was mainly seen in veterans who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, the King's College London researchers said. Sir Simon Wessely, senior author and professor of psychiatry, said: "Our results suggest the risk of mental ill-health is carried by those who have left the service, and that part of the legacy of conflicts on mental health has taken time to reveal itself. "However, it would be wrong to say there is a 'bow wave', 'tsunami' or 'time bomb' of PTSD in the UK military and veteran community. "The study supports the current focus on providing and improving mental health services for both serving personnel and veterans." London is more prepared for Brexit than Scotland, a lawyer told the SNP conference (Jonathan Brady/PA) Scotland is less prepared for Brexit than the rest of the UK, because of a complacency created by SNP ministers high profile stance on Europe, a leading lawyer has said. Jamie Kerr, a lawyer who specialises in migration and immigration, warned that leaving the European Union would cause us damage, socially, culturally, and economically as well. But he said individuals and businesses in places such as Manchester and London were more prepared for this. He told a fringe event at the SNP annual conference in Glasgow that was because in part the high profile work of Holyrood ministers had created the impression the Scottish Government will sort it all out. .@jamiejkerr also warns Scottish businesses may be relatively underprepared for #brexit and cautions against complacency #snp18 Law Society Scotland (@Lawscot) October 9, 2018 Mr Kerr warned party activists: I dont think we are prepared for Brexit, and in the work I do I think individuals and businesses in Scotland are less prepared than they are in the rest of the UK. I work across the UK, the approach in Manchester, in London, they are much more prepared than we are here. I think there is a complacency in Scotland and part of it I think is because the Scottish Government have been so active, we watch the ministers, the First Ministers, being very active and speaking to industry, speaking to businesses are affected. And in a way it makes us think actually it will all be fine, the Scottish Government will sort it all out. I dont think thats going to be the case and I sometimes wonder if we all realise how steep a slope we are actually about to face because I think Brexit as a process is going to cause us damage, socially, culturally, and economically as well. The second suspect in the Salisbury nerve agent attack was also a highly decorated officer in Russian military intelligence, it has been claimed. The suspect was named on Monday by the Bellingcat investigative website as Alexander Mishkin, a military doctor in the GRU intelligence agency. At a news conference in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, Bellingcat investigator Cristo Grozev said Mishkin had received the award of Hero of the Russian Federation from President Vladimir Putin. A lot more coming on the second Skripal suspect from @the_ins_ru and Bellingcat tomorrow. Bellingcat (@bellingcat) October 8, 2018 Skripal suspect Alexander Mishkin was born on 13.07.1979 in the village of Loyga, in the Archangelsk District in Northern European Russia. pic.twitter.com/9NzBJzNTgb Bellingcat (@bellingcat) October 8, 2018 Mr Grozev said the reporters from the Russian website The Insider had managed to reach Mishkins home village of Loyga, where they spoke to seven people who confirmed his identity. They confirmed that their homeboy Alexander Mishkin was the person who moved on to military school and then became a famous military doctor and who received the award of Hero of the Russian Federation personally from President Putin, he said. His grandmother, with whom he grew up who happens to be a medical professional, has a photograph, in her own words, that has been seen by everybody in the village, of President Putin shaking Mishkins hand and giving him the award. According to Bellingcat, the 39-year-old previously identified by the Government by the alias Alexander Petrov graduated from the Military Medical Academy in St Petersburg in 2003 where he was recruited by the GRU. Expand Close Image issued by Bellingcat of the second suspect in the Sergei and Yulia Skripal poisoning case (Bellingcat/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Image issued by Bellingcat of the second suspect in the Sergei and Yulia Skripal poisoning case (Bellingcat/PA) Prior to the attempted assassination of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury in March, he was said to have taken part in numerous undercover operations in Ukraine and Transnistria. He is believed to have received the award of Hero of the Russian Federation either for his role in the annexation of Crimea in 2014 or the exfiltration of the pro-Moscow former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. Last month Bellingcat identified his fellow Salisbury suspect previously named as Ruslan Boshirov as Anatoliy Chepiga, a highly decorated colonel in the GRU. Mr Grozev said that while Mishkin a had a very sparse digital footprint compared to Chepiga they had been able to piece together his identity using various databases, including telephone and car insurance records. Expand Close CCTV footage of Chepiga and Mishkin in Salisbury (Metropolitan Police/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp CCTV footage of Chepiga and Mishkin in Salisbury (Metropolitan Police/PA) Eventually they had been able to use the information they had assembled to obtain copies of his passport and his driving licence. They then used social media to contact people who had been at the military academy with Mishkin. Around 30 replies came back almost immediately saying they did not know, but two respondents confirmed they did recognise him. One person said Yes. I remember him. He graduated from the class above me. His name is Mishkin. Another person said Yes, this is the guy everybody is looking for, Mr Grozev said. When they asked one of the respondents why nobody else recognised him, Mr Grozev said: That person told us everybody from his class, his department, was contacted two weeks ago and told not to talk to the media. He said the reporters who visited Loyga in the remote Arkhangelsk district, they had drawn a blank when they tried to speak to Mishkins grandmother. Interestingly we have not seen her because moment we announced this press conference today, the grandmother was asked to visit her children Mr Mishkins father and mother in another town so she vanished from the village three days ago, he said. The identification of Mishkin is a further embarrassment for the GRU after the British and Dutch authorities last week exposed its failed attempt to hack the computers of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons which was helping to identify the nerve agent used against the Skripals. The spy agency was widely ridiculed after its four-man close access left behind a string of clues to their true identity, including computer traces and taxi receipts. President Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin was not prepared to discuss investigative reports and media articles on the poisoning of Mr Skripal, and complained the British authorities had refused a Russian request to share details of their inquiries. A statement on the Russian embassy website said: If information continues to flow in the form of media leaks with references to anonymous sources and investigations by NGOs (even though they have obvious ties with secret services), this will only confirm that the British authorities have no intention to pursue investigation within the framework of international law. Security minister Ben Wallace declined to comment on Bellingcats findings, saying it was an intelligence matter. Addressing the general threat from Russia, Mr Wallace said: It is easy to laugh at some of the GRUs poor tradecraft and their abilities. But we should not underestimate them nor indeed the dangerous and reckless use of nerve agent on our streets. We know that Russia prosecutes its aggression across a full spectrum of measures, assassination, cyber warfare, disinformation, corruption and cyber crime. Harmony has so far been sitting in opposition in Latvia's 100-seat parliament, and compared to the general election in 2014 in which Harmony won with 23 percent, voter support for the party has dropped to 19.9 percent this year. Recent polls suggest Harmony will remain the biggest party, followed by the ruling Union of Greens and Farmers and the populist KPV LV. For Development/For! earned 12.04 percent and the National Alliance 11.03 of votes, while 9.96 percent of voters supported the Union of Greens and Farmers. Hundreds of thousands of the country's population of 2.11-milion are ethnic Russian. The vote was tarnished by a hacker attack on the Draugiem.lv social network, second in popularity only to Facebook in the Baltic state, which displayed a pro-Russian message. "This is breaking our agreement with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, of which Latvia is a member since 2004, he adds". The victor at the polls was the Harmony party on 19%, followed by a cluster of five other parties on 10%-14% with New Unity the only other party to scrape past the 5% threshold required to win seats in Saeima. Observers say it's unlikely that Harmony, led by Nils Usakovs, who has been mayor of Riga, the capital, since 2009, would team up with Kucinskis' party in a coalition because of substantial policy differences. Unity, the third partner in Latvia's outgoing coalition, has also undergone a serious transformation and rebranding after the departure of its long-standing leader Solvita Aboltina and is now participating in the election as the New Unity. Harmony wants to remain in the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation but have closer economic ties with Russia and only cancelled a cooperation agreement with Putin's United Russia party a year ago. Harmony meanwhile has signed on some high-profile ethnic Latvians as their frontrunners, and is on track to come out ahead with at least 28 seats. But other parties refused to join it in a coalition over suspicions of its links with Moscow, despite its pro-EU stance. The candidate of this party for the post of Prime minister, the lawyer Aldis Gobzems, intimated that he did not rule out an alliance with Harmony. The result means hard weeks ahead trying to form a broad government coalition that has at least 51 seats in parliament. "KPV LV can work with all, we have no red line for another political force", said Mr. Gobzems during a political debate on channel TV24. Preliminary results will be announced today. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are due to attend the first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit an initiative to help improve mental health around the world. Political figures, experts and policy makers are due at the event in London to discuss issues such as how to deal with the stigma attached to mental health. Another policy up for discussion is a declaration committing to putting mental health on an equal footing with physical health. Last #WorldMentalHealthDay, our research showed us that only 4 in 10 people found talking about their own mental health helpful. But if they'd had a recent conversation this doubled to 8 in 10 people. It is your determination that has kept these conversations going. pic.twitter.com/7DCCd1Ry19 Heads Together (@heads_together) October 8, 2018 William and Kate have long been involved in mental health initiatives through their Heads Together campaign. The summit is being held at Londons County Hall on the South Bank. Kate only returned to royal duties last week after taking maternity leave for the birth of the couples third child Prince Louis. Ahead of the summit, the Department of Health and Social Care began a social media campaign using the hash tag #TheWorldNeeds to ask people what we need to change in the way we treat and perceive mental health. Bulgarian police are investigating the rape and murder of a female television reporter whose body was dumped near the Danube River after she reported on the possible misuse of European Union funds. Authorities discovered the body of Viktoria Marinova (30) on Saturday in the town of Ruse near the Romanian border. Police said she had been strangled and her body was found in a park near the river. Ms Marinova was a director of TVN, a small TV station in Ruse, and a TV presenter for two investigative programmes. Journalists' groups and foreign officials demanded a "full and thorough investigation" into Ms Marinova's death. EgyptAir is trying to shift the blame to a local advertising agency for a bizarre article in its in-flight magazine purportedly based on an interview with actress Drew Barrymore. The airline said it has an agreement with the Al-Ahram advertising agency, which edits articles and interviews for the Egyptian carriers in-flight magazine, Horus. According to EgyptAir, the agency is totally responsible for the magazines editorial content. The article, riddled with misspellings and grammatical errors, led with a description of Barrymore as being unstable in her relationships and quoted her as saying that motherhood was the most important role in my life. A separate statement by the advertising agency said the introductory paragraphs of the purported interview were not written by the interviewer, Aida Tekla. It is a product of the editors creativity, the agency said, adding that it would investigate whether the lead of the interview reflected what the actress said. We apologise for any misunderstanding that might be interpreted as an offence to the great artist (Barrymore), the statement said. EgyptAir last week said it stood by the article, published in Horuss October edition. US press reports have quoted Barrymores representatives as denying any such interview took place, with some suggesting the author must have based her article on misinterpretations of a press conference. Barrymore has yet to issue an official statement on the interview, but Al-Ahram said a representative of the actress contacted Ms Tekla about the interview to say the American actress never spoke to Horus. The representative did not know that Ms Tekla, a senior member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, contributed to Horus, said the agency. Women exert tremendous efforts that men are incapable of exerting due to their numerous commitments and obligationsQuote attributed to Drew Barrymore The article said Barrymore had failed relationships because her parents divorced. It is known that Barrymore had almost 17 relationships, engagements and marriages; psychologists believe that her behaviour is only natural since she lacked the male role model in her life after her parents divorce, Ms Tekla wrote. In another passage, she quoted Barrymore as being pleased with recent weight loss after having a second daughter. Another quote describes Barrymore as celebrating womens achievements in the West because they handle tasks men cannot. Women exert tremendous efforts that men are incapable of exerting due to their numerous commitments and obligations, the article quoted Barrymore as saying. EgyptAirs in-flight magazine has Arabic and English sections, but translations are often poor and English-language articles are filled with errors. A tropical weather system has rapidly strengthened into Hurricane Michael and is likely to keep growing stronger ahead of an expected strike on Floridas Panhandle by midweek, forecasters said. Michael could strengthen into a major hurricane with winds topping 111mph by Tuesday night before an expected strike on Wednesday on the Panhandle or Big Bend, according to the National Hurricane Centre. Since the storm will spend two to three days over the Gulf of Mexico, which has very warm water temperatures and favourable atmospheric conditions, there is a real possibility that Michael will strengthen to a major hurricane before landfall, said Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the Miami-based storm forecasting hub. #Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall, and hurricane-force winds, with storm surge and hurricane watches in effect. Residents in these areas should follow advice given by local officials. pic.twitter.com/JZENNHSQTK National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 8, 2018 Florida governor Rick Scott said Hurricane Michael is a monstrous storm that has the potential to be devastating to the Florida Panhandle. Speaking alongside emergency officials, Mr Scott declared a state of emergency for 35 counties and asked President Donald Trump for assistance ahead of the storm. He warned that the storm surge could be as high as 8ft-10ft in some parts of the Panhandle and 2ft-4ft in the Tampa Bay area. Locally-ordered evacuations have started ahead of Hurricane Michael in some FL counties. Visit https://t.co/OnxOrhg593 to find your evacuation zone, & follow alerts from your local emergency management center. If you are directed to evacuate, leave, DO NOT WAIT. Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 8, 2018 Michaels large size, strong winds and heavy rains could produce hazardous flooding along a stretch of Floridas Gulf coast, with many rivers and estuaries where sea water pushed ashore by a hurricane could get trapped, said hurricane centre director Ken Graham. This is a part of the Gulf of Mexico that is incredibly vulnerable to storm surge, he said. Parts of Floridas curvy Big Bend could see up to 12ft of storm surge, while Michael also could dump up to a foot of rain over some Panhandle communities as it moves inland, forecasters said. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents of barrier islands, mobile homes and low-lying coastal areas in Gulf, Wakulla and Bay counties. A life-threatening storm surge from Michael is expected along much of the coast of the Florida Panhandle with peak inundation values occurring within the Big Bend. To view flooding potential in your area, a dynamic map is provided at this link: https://t.co/VSAP6FgG4s pic.twitter.com/VbyAbAR19Z NHC Storm Surge (@NHC_Surge) October 8, 2018 In a Facebook post, Wakulla County Sheriffs Office said no shelters would be open because Wakulla County shelters were rated safe only for hurricanes with top sustained winds below 111mph. With Michaels winds projected to be stronger than that, Wakulla County residents were urged to evacuate inland. This storm has the potential to be a historic storm, please take heed, the sheriffs office said in the post. Michael was lashing western Cuba on Monday with heavy rains and strong winds, according to the hurricane centre. Forecasters warned that the storm could produce up to a foot of rain in western Cuba, potentially triggering flash floods and mudslides in mountainous areas. Ive issued a State of Emergency in anticipation of wide-spread power outages, wind damage and debris produced by high winds & heavy rain associated with #HurricaneMichael. See the full SOE at https://t.co/ds8p3EQ6m4. Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 8, 2018 In Alabama, governor Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of widespread power outages, wind damage and heavy rain. Some southern Alabama counties were under a tropical storm watch, and high surf warnings were in effect on the coast. The governors office cautioned that flash flooding and tornadoes are possible. A hurricane warning was issued from the Alabama-Florida border eastwards to Suwannee River. Hurricane Michael has strengthened into a Category 2 storm with top wind speeds of 100mph as it continues towards northern Florida. The storm is moving north-north-west over the southern Gulf of Mexico, and mandatory evacuations are in effect along much of Floridas northern Gulf Coast, stretching from the Panhandle into the area known as the Big Bend. Michael is forecast to hit the Florida coast on Wednesday before moving over Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas on Wednesday night and Thursday. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Mandatory evacuation orders came into effect on Tuesday morning for 120,000 people in Panama City Beach and across other low-lying parts of the coast. Parts of Floridas marshy, lightly populated Big Bend area could see up to 12ft of storm surge, while Michael also could dump up to 1ft of rain over some Panhandle communities as it moves inland, forecasters said. People need to start leaving now, Sheriff Tommy Ford told an emergency meeting on Monday night. He said people will not be dragged out of their homes, but anyone who stays behind will be on their own once the storm hits. Forecasters warned that Michael could dump 1ft of rain in western Cuba, triggering flash floods and mudslides in mountainous areas. Hurricane Michael is moving north-northwestward over the Gulf of Mexico. Here are the 4 am CDT October 9th Key Messages on Hurricane #Michael. pic.twitter.com/zKG49aiLqY National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2018 Disaster agencies in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua reported 13 deaths as roofs collapsed and residents were carried away by swollen rivers. Six people died in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador. Authorities were also searching for a boy swept away by a river in Guatemala. Most of the rain was blamed on a low-pressure system off the Pacific coast, but Hurricane Michael in the Caribbean could have also contributed. Florida governor Rick Scott called Michael a monstrous hurricane with devastating potential from high winds, storm surge and heavy rains. This morning, Im at the State Emergency Operations Center to give an update on Hurricane Michael as it approaches FL. The window of time to prepare is closing. This is a serious and life-threatening situation- dont take any chances. If you have been told to evacuate, leave. Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 9, 2018 He declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, from the Panhandle to Tampa Bay, activated hundreds of Florida National Guard members and waived tolls to encourage evacuations. He also warned carers at north Florida hospitals and nursing homes to do all possible to assure the safety of the elderly and infirm. Following Hurricane Irma last year, 14 people died when a South Florida nursing home lost power and air conditioning. If youre responsible for a patient, youre responsible for the patient. Take care of them, he said. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan bluntly advised residents choosing to ride it out that first-responders will not be able to reach them while Michael smashes into the coast. If you decide to stay in your home and a tree falls on your house or the storm surge catches you and youre now calling for help, theres no one that can respond to help you, Mr Morgan said at a news conference. On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Go to https://t.co/bmgmSZWtUX for more info on how to create & execute a preparedness plan. Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 8, 2018 The entire state of Alabama is under an emergency declaration, and governor Kay Ivey said she fears widespread power outages and other problems. Forecasters warned spin-off tornadoes would also be a threat. With the storm next entering the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico, which has warm water and favourable atmospheric conditions, there is a real possibility that Michael will strengthen to a major hurricane before landfall, said Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the Miami-based storm forecasting hub. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants Pope Francis to visit his country, South Korean officials have said. Mr Kim told South Korean president Moon Jae-in during their summit last month that the Pope would be enthusiastically welcomed in North Korea, South Koreas presidential office said. The North Korean leader has been engaged in intensive diplomacy in recent months in what is seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons programme for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure. Expand Close North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stepped up diplomatic efforts in the past year (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has stepped up diplomatic efforts in the past year (AP) North Korea is officially atheist and strictly controls religious activities. A similar invitation for then-Pope John Paul II to visit after a 2000 inter-Korean summit never resulted in a meeting. The Vatican insisted at the time that a papal visit would only be possible if Catholic priests were accepted in the country. Mr Moon plans to convey Mr Kims desire for a papal visit when he travels to the Vatican next week. The South Korean leader said he expects Mr Kim to visit Russia soon and possibly hold a summit with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. He did not comment on the likelihood of a papal visit. Following an unusually provocative run of weapons tests last year, Mr Kim has been on a diplomatic offensive since the start of this year. He initiated offers for summits with Seoul and Washington, which led to three meetings with Mr Moon and a highly choreographed June summit with US President Donald Trump at which they issued an aspirational goal of a nuclear-free peninsula, without describing how or when it would occur. Mr Kim has presented himself as an international statesman, sharing food, wine and laughs with South Korean officials and appearing thoroughly at ease during his meeting with Mr Trump in Singapore. But post-summit nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the US got off to a rocky start, with the North accusing Washington of making gangster-like unilateral demands for denuclearisation, and calling for sanctions to be lifted before any further progress in nuclear talks. There are doubts whether Mr Kim is willing to fully relinquish his countrys nuclear weapons, which he may see as a stronger guarantee of survival than whatever security assurances the US could provide. Expand Close Kim Jong Un with Mike Pompeo (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kim Jong Un with Mike Pompeo (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP) US secretary of state Mike Pompeo visited him in Pyongyang, North Koreas capital, on Sunday for talks on setting up a second summit with Mr Trump. The Vaticans priests were expelled by North Korea long ago and state-appointed laymen officiate services. Estimates of the number of North Korean Catholics range from 800 to about 3,000, compared with more than five million in South Korea. Turkey says it will search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a missing Saudi contributor to the Washington Post, a week after he vanished during a visit there. The announcement came as a surveillance image surfaced of Jamal Khashoggi walking into the consulate just before he disappeared. Turkish officials fear the columnist was killed at the premises. Saudi Arabia has called allegations that it killed the 59-year-old baseless but has offered no evidence to show he left the building. US President Donald Trump has expressed concern about the writers disappearance, and secretary of state Mike Pompeo said US officials have raised the matter with their Saudi counterparts. Expand Close Activists holding posters of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi(Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Activists holding posters of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi(Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggis disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation, Mr Pompeo said. Tuesdays statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were open to co-operation and would allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry did not say when the premises would be searched. A search would be an extraordinary development, as embassies and consulates under the Vienna Convention are technically foreign soil and must be protected by host nations. However, activists protesting outside the consulate said more needed to be done. The surveillance image bore a date and time stamp, as well as a Turkish caption saying Mr Khashoggi was arriving at the consulate. Expand Close A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) The Post, which first published the photo, said a person close to the investigation shared the image with them. The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet also published the image. The door Mr Khashoggi walked through appeared to be the main entrance of the consulate in Istanbuls 4th Levent neighbourhood, a leafy, upscale district near the citys financial hub which is home to several other consulates. However, the consulate has other entrances and exits through which Saudi officials insist he left. It is unclear which camera the footage came from or who operated it. However, a number of CCTV cameras surround the area. Friends of Mr Khashoggi say Turkish police have taken possession of footage from the neighbourhood as part of their investigation. The Saudis have offered no surveillance footage or evidence to corroborate their claims that he left the consulate, and Turkish authorities have not provided evidence to show why they believe the columnist was killed there. If the story that was told about the murder is true, the Turks must have information and videotape and other documents to back it up, said Fred Hiatt, the Posts editorial page editor. If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out after half an hour, if thats true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that up. He added that the idea of a government luring one of its own citizens on to its own diplomatic property in a foreign country to murder him for the peaceful expression of his views would be unimaginable. Expand Close Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Tamas Kovacs/MTI/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Tamas Kovacs/MTI/AP) Mr Khashoggi had gone to the consulate in Istanbul for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancee. He had been living since last year in the US, in part due to the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has shown little tolerance for criticism. As a contributor to the Post, Mr Khashoggi has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. Those policies are all seen as initiatives of the crown prince, who has also presided over a round-up of activists and businessmen. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Mr Khashoggi left the consulate. Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials, he said. Dont you have cameras and other things? Why dont you prove it? You have to prove it. Saudi Arabia is a long-time ally of the US, but on Monday senior officials in Washington expressed alarm over Mr Khashoggis disappearance. President Donald Trump said: I dont like hearing about it. And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it. Turkish authorities are to search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Foreign Ministry said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they are open to co-operation and will allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry did not say when the premises would be searched. Mr Khashoggi disappeared a week ago after entering the consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancee. Expand Close Members of the Turkish-Arab journalist Association hold posters with photos of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Members of the Turkish-Arab journalist Association hold posters with photos of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Turkish officials have alleged he was killed in the compound, but Saudis officials said he left the building unharmed. Saudi Arabia has called the allegations that it killed the 59-year-old baseless but has offered no evidence to show he left the building. It came as the Washington Post published a surveillance image of Mr Khashoggi walking into the consulate, just before he disappeared. The image had a date and time stamp, as well as a Turkish caption bearing Mr Khashoggis name and that he was arriving at the consulate. Expand Close A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) The Post said a person close to the investigation shared the image with them. The door Mr Khashoggi walked through appeared to be the main entrance of the consulate in Istanbuls 4th Levent neighbourhood, a leafy, upscale district near the citys financial hub which is home to several other consulates. However, the consulate has other entrances and exits through which Saudi officials insist he left. It is unclear which camera the footage came from or who operated it. However, a number of CCTV cameras surround the area. If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out ... after half an hour, if that's true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that upFred Hiatt, Washington Post Friends of Mr Khashoggi said Turkish police have taken possession of footage from the neighbourhood as part of their investigation. If the story that was told about the murder is true, the Turks must have information and videotape and other documents to back it up, said Fred Hiatt, the Posts editorial page editor. If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out after half an hour, if thats true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that up. He added that the idea of a government luring one of its own citizens on to its own diplomatic property in a foreign country to murder him for the peaceful expression of his views would be unimaginable. Mr Khashoggi had been living since last year in the US, in a self-imposed exile, in part due to the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman. As a contributor to the Post, he has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. All those issues have been viewed as being pushed by Prince Mohammed, who has led round-ups of activists, businessmen and others in the kingdom. Expand Close Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Presidential Press Service/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Presidential Press Service/AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Mr Khashoggi left the consulate. Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials, Mr Erdogan said. Dont you have cameras and other things? Why dont you prove it? You have to prove it. 'If the parties here refuse to get back to Stormont, perhaps the formation of a civic forum-type body, including political representatives, could advise the Secretary of State and civil servants on how to alleviate day-to-day issues until devolution is restored' (stock picture) It is good that the Secretary of State is trying to inject some life into the efforts to get devolved government returned to Stormont, but most people regard the move as too little, far too late, and unlikely to bring about any positive movement for many months to come. For all their protestations, it is clear that the DUP and Sinn Fein - who by their numerical advantage hold all the other parties to ransom - have little interest in going back into power-sharing any time soon. The DUP is enjoying its stranglehold on the Tory Government, while Sinn Fein will not countenance a return to Stormont this side of a public inquiry report on the RHI scandal, which is embarrassing the DUP, and until Brexit is resolved. The leaders of the main Churches have also been active in talking to the parties and the Secretary of State, and they described the discussions with Mrs Bradley as positive and constructive. No doubt they have put forward a clear vision to all the politicians of how the absence of government is hurting the entire population and delaying vital decisions, but are their words really being listened to? However, Brexit continues to overshadow everything. The Republic's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney struck an optimistic note that a deal was 90% negotiated, but the border issue remains the sticking point. The suggestion by leading Brexiteers that customs posts could operate at the ports has set unionists' teeth on edge, fearing any compromise could weaken Northern Ireland's position within the UK. Brexit has been a disaster for Northern Ireland - not just because a majority of people in the province want to stay in the EU - but because it has made the border a live issue again 20 years after we believed the constitutional position had been settled. Now we have a warning that Brexit could literally be bad for our health. It has come from a distinguished group of cancer experts, who point out that much of the research into combatting the disease is being conducted by non-EU nationals, and they may well leave when Brexit is finalised. The debit column of Brexit seems to be filling up much faster than the credit side. If the parties here refuse to get back to Stormont, perhaps the formation of a civic forum-type body, including political representatives, could advise the Secretary of State and civil servants on how to alleviate day-to-day issues until devolution is restored. Prince's Trust deserves our support for its worthy work Today we carry the stories of how two young women turned their lives around in remarkable fashion. One was shot nine times by loyalist paramilitaries but five years later got the keys to her new beauty business. The other had tried to take her life 100 times but now feels glad to be alive, helps others who feel suicidal and wants to be a social worker. They have shown tremendous strength of character to drag themselves up from the depths of despair, but it was only possible because someone cared about them and offered them help. The Prince's Trust was their lifeline and deserves widespread support for its invaluable work. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang in a gesture created to highlight peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea's presidential office said Tuesday. Pompeo held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, before landing in Seoul on a whirlwind diplomatic visit to the region. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi before their meeting in Beijing on Monday. South Korea's Yonhap News on Monday speculated that Kim's visit to Moscow might happen surprisingly soon, based on rumors of a North Korean cargo plane flying into Vladivostok on Sunday. "There was an exchange of stands of the top leaderships of the two countries on the issues arising in holding the second DPRK-US summit talks to be followed by an in-depth discussion of them", the KCNA said. "Especially when he meets with Pope Francis, he will convey Chairman Kim's message that he will ardently welcome him if he visits Pyongyang". Mr Pompeo and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks over the weekend. Pompeo told journalists in Seoul that the leader had agreed to open up the Punggye-ri nuclear testing site to inspectors. This time, Kim was satisfied with the "productive and wonderful talks" with Pompeo, according to the regime's Korean Central News Agency. The US is pushing for a "final, fully verified denuclearisation" but North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho told the United Nations general assembly in September there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as tough US sanctions remained against his country. Pompeo replied that it was "important that we listen to each other, work through and find constructive solutions so we can find a good outcome for both our countries". U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speak during a meeting at Abe's office in Tokyo, Oct. 6, 2018. The North Korean leader is said to have expressed his desire for the pontiff to make the trip to Pyongyang during his latest summit with South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in last month. Kim told Moon of his wish to meet the pope during last month's summit of the two leaders, the spokesperson added. According to the former official, the North Korean diplomats told him that denuclearization for them refers to a process by which the USA also reduces its nuclear weapons, possibly worldwide. "We require that the United States stop such misguided actions". The United States and Japan have pushed for the North to turn over a list of its nuclear sites to be dismantled as a next step in the process. Two of the five people on the American side of the meeting table dealt with North Korea - new special representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and National Security Council adviser Allison Hooker - reflecting Pompeo's desired focus. The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump. Activists with the leftist Gonoshoghoti Amdolon party protest against the Digital Security Act of 2018 in Dhaka, Oct. 3, 2018. Bangladeshs High Court has given the government one week to present its case explaining why famed photographer Shahidul Alam, who has been locked up since Aug. 5 for allegedly violating online defamation laws, should not be released on bail. The High Court issued the ruling on Sunday in response to Alams fifth formal request since his arrest to be allowed to return home, and a day before President Abdul Hamid signed the Digital Security Act of 2018 into law despite journalists concerns over its implications for free speech. We are not sure when the government will respond to the ruling. Only the government knows that. But what is happening with Shahiduls case is abnormal, Sara Hossain, an attorney representing Alam, told BenarNews. Alam was arrested after he posted the Facebook updates and gave the interview about week-long street protests that followed the deaths of two students who were run down by a bus. Police arrested him at his Dhaka residence for allegedly spreading false and fabricated information about the state under the Information and Communication Technology Act (ICT). Shahidul spread false and fabricated information about the government on Facebook and he gave an interview to Al-Jazeera TV, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told the court on Sunday, adding that the photographer tarnished the image of the state. Shahidul Alam has not received interim bail. It has issued a rule for a response within a week, the Dhaka Tribune quoted the attorney general as saying in alluding to the High Court. Act signed Hamid, meanwhile, put his signature on the act that parliament passed on Sept. 19 and sent to him for his approval, according to the presidents press secretary, Joynal Abedin. A section of the act updates ICTs section 57 by criminalizing online defamation. The government must publish a gazette notification before the law can take effect. The signing came about a week after a group of journalists met with government officials to express concerns in an effort to change the act before it was passed on to the president and days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said changes were not necessary. We, the leaders of some organizations, requested the president not to assent to the law and send it back to the government. But we went unheard, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), told BenarNews. He said the journalists met on Sept. 30 with the information minister, law minister and information and communication technology minister, who assured them that their concerns would be discussed by Hasinas cabinet. The group postponed a street protest after the officials agreed to the meeting. Two cabinet meetings have taken place since our meeting with the ministers. But our concerns about the digital security act were not raised, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, treasurer of Editors Council, told BenarNews. Implementing this law in this way is a matter of concern for us. After Mondays cabinet meeting Law Minister Anisul Huq told reporters that additional agenda items did not allow time for discussions about the security act. During a press conference five days earlier, Hasina rejected concerns that it would gag the media and bar freedom of expression. Journalists not writing anything false have no reason to worry about the digital security act. Those who write false stories against us, have been waiting to attack us with propaganda will be worried about it, she said. Details The act allows the police to arrest anyone without a warrant and seize computers, electronic devices or a whole computer system if they suspect online crimes could take place. It incorporates the British-era official secrets act of 1923, which allows for journalists to face the charge of espionage if they reveal government documents. One section authorizes prison sentences of up to 14 years for spreading propaganda and campaign against the liberation war of Bangladesh or spirit of the liberation war or Father of the Nation, referring to the 1971 war of impendence and Hasinas late father who was the countrys founding leader. Another section carries a sentence of up to three years for publishing information that is aggressive or frightening. Nur Khan Liton, a former executive director of Ain-O-Shalish Kendra, a leading Bangladeshi rights organization, said the government passed the digital security act as the next general election looms. The government scrapped the section 57, but its provisions have been scattered in different sections of the Digital Security Act. Implementation of the law will create panic among the common people, journalists, free thinkers and liberals, he told BenarNews. Ahead of the election, the government passed the Digital Security Act with a view on suppressing the dissent, freedom of speech, journalists and the opposition, he said. Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka contributed to this report. A piece of wall from a school that moved from its original location because of liquefaction is pictured in the village of Balaroa in Palu, Indonesia, Oct. 8, 2018. Education officials began the grim task of figuring out how many children would be coming back to class as students started returning to their schools on Monday, 10 days after a massive earthquake and tsunami battered Indonesias Sulawesi island. Rescuers have recovered 1,948 bodies of people who were killed in the magnitude-7.4 quake and tsunami on Sept. 28, Willem Rampangilei, chairman of the National Disaster Management Agency, told reporters. I dont want to be absent from classes for too long, especially because Im in the final year, Aisya, a student at the state-run SMAN 4 senior high school in the provincial capital Palu, told BenarNews. She said she received a WhatsApp message asking her to come to school even though there were no classes. Many teachers and students were affected by the disaster. Some may have left Palu, said Syam Zaini, the schools principal. As of Monday the official number of missing people stood at 835, Rampangilei said. But other officials estimated that 5,000 people were unaccounted for and may have been buried in villages where houses were swallowed by torrents of mud in a process called liquefaction, in which the temblor turned water-logged soil into quicksand. Teachers and students asked each other whether their families were safe. Some children came without wearing their compulsory uniforms. At one elementary school, no pupil or teacher showed up. The building near the coast was badly damaged by the tsunami and was covered in mud. At another school in Palu, principal Kasiludin said authorities told all teachers to show up for work, beginning on Monday, to count the number of students. We wont force the students to come back because many are traumatized, he told Reuters news agency. But we must start again soon to keep their spirits up and so they dont fall behind. At least seven students and one teacher from the school died, he said. Across the city, nine schools were destroyed, 22 teachers were killed and 14 were missing, according to the disaster agency. At the SMP Negeri 15 Palu middle school, fewer than 50 of its 697 students showed up, it said. From neighborhoods to memorial parks Rampangilei said the government expected to end the emergency search operation on Thursday, amid fading hopes of finding any more survivors. The emergency response period will end on Oct. 11 and whether this will be extended will depend on the local capability and capacity to care for the displaced and other people affected, he said. We will evaluate and well discuss this with the local government, because they are the ones who will decide, whether it needs to be extended, he added. Rampangilei said the local government should discuss the plan to end the search with community leaders. What should be considered is that there are many bodies buried in those locations and its been 14 days, he said. Our main consideration is health. We should not create new health problems, he said. The government of Central Sulawesi province said that three areas Balaroa, Petobo and Jono Oge where houses were swallowed when the ground became like quicksand would be turned into memorial parks. Monuments will be built in those locations and at the end of the emergency response period there will be a mass prayer gathering, it said. Also on Monday, rescuers called off the search at Hotel Roa-Roa, according to the news agency AFP. The hotel emerged as an early focus of efforts to extract survivors, with seven people pulled alive from its ruins in the immediate aftermath. Rescuers said 27 bodies were recovered from the 80-room hotel, including three pulled from the debris on Sunday. Among the confirmed dead were five paragliders who came to Palu for a competition, including an Asian Games athlete and a South Korean, the only known foreign victim in the disaster, AFP said. Returning to work Civil servants also began returning to work in Palu, a coastal city of about 374,000 people, and other affected areas such as Sigi and Donggala regencies. Some residents were applying for new identification cards at the Population and Civil Registry Office in Palu. My wallet was gone, along with my ID card during the earthquake, Irfan, one of the applicants, told BenarNews after having his photograph and fingerprints taken. Arief Edie, an official at the Home Affairs Ministry, said the government would make it easy for residents affected by the disaster to obtain new ID cards, family records and death certificates. The government is present to provide public services, he said, adding that people would not be charged. At the provincial health office, civil servants have started doing administrative work. Most of the civil servants were badly affected, but about 40 percent of the staff have returned to work, provincial health chief Reni Lamajino said. About 70 percent of community health clinics (Puskesmas) have been activated, she said. Meanwhile, dozens of victims have been treated at the KRI Dr Soeharso 990, an Indonesian naval hospital ship, which has docked at Palus Pantoloan port since last week. The ship, which has 40 beds, has 93 medical personnel, Antara news agency reported. The head of the provincial social affairs department, Ridwan Mumu, said the government had begun discussing the idea of turning the three villages into monuments and open green spaces. One thing is for sure, there have been suggestions that there should be no settlements, he said. Ridwan said survivors whose relatives were believed buried there should let them go. This is all for public good. We should not insist on continuing the search under the current circumstances, he said. Aid has been pouring into the region, including from foreign countries, but it had not reached some of the more remote areas. Officials said helicopters had been running supply drops to more isolated areas outside Palu. The search continued on Monday, with six more bodies found in Balaroa, said Iwan Setiawan Abbas, who led the search effort in the area. Yesterday we found 15 bodies and the previous day 28 bodies, Abbas said, as he surveyed a tangled mess of concrete and steel bars. Tria Dianti in Jakarta contributed to this report. A Catholic nun joins other protesters demanding an end to the killings in the war on drugs in the Philippines, during a rally in Manila, Sept. 21, 2018. Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a judge who was overseeing drug cases in the southern Philippine city of Ozamiz, police said Tuesday as the presidential palace condemned the attack. Regional trial court Judge Edmundo Pintac was heading home Monday when four men riding motorcycles ambushed him, police spokesman Superintendent Surki Seneres said. The gunmen fled shortly after the attack and a manhunt is ongoing, Seneres said. Seneres said the motive could be linked to the drug case against Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog. If so, the judge who suffered six gunshot wounds is the latest victim of violence linked to President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs. Parojinog was arrested in July 2017 in a major raid against what Duterte calls narco politicians. Her father, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, her mother and 13 others were among those killed in the raid. The family has long been in power in Ozamiz, but the Parojinog patriarch was among about 150 local officials and politicians publicly accused by Duterte as either drug traffickers or protectors of drug lords. To date, at least 19 local government officials have been killed since Duterte he took power two years ago. At least 12,000 people have been killed in the anti-drug campaign, according to rights groups while police report the number is about 4,500. Last month, Mariano Blanco III, mayor of Ronda town in central Cebu province, was sleeping inside his office before dawn when four unidentified men broke in, overpowered his bodyguards and killed him. In July, two mayors were killed in shootings a day apart. Antonio Halili, mayor of Tanauan city south of Manila, was killed by a sniper in front of city employees. The attack happened during a flag-raising ceremony. Halili had been stripped of his powers to supervise the citys police force last year because of his alleged drug links. The National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) on Tuesday expressed outrage over what it called an attack on the legal profession and said the brazen killing of Pintac could never be justified. The rampant and continuing attacks against judges and lawyers are deeply disturbing, the group said in a statement, noting that at least 12 lawyers and judges have been killed in the Philippines this year while many others have been subjected to intimidation and harassment. The rising body count and unresolved cases is a reflection of seemingly unstoppable impunity. This is a serious indictment of the present state of law and order, and an open disregard of the rule of law, it said in a statement. Judiciary reaction The attacks have a chilling effect on members of the judiciary in terms of carrying out their duties, it said. The existence of attacks and threats to legal professionals in a country with already outrageous levels of impunity weakens the very basis of democracy, the group said. It urged authorities to solve the killings and for the government to take action in stopping the attacks. The government must ensure that lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference, the NUPL said. It must ensure respect of lawyers and legal profession, investigate human rights violations and give justice to our endangered lawyers. Jacqueline de Guia, spokeswoman of the Commission on Human Rights, said Pintacs killing was concerning since it was clearly linked to the war on drugs. We stress the importance of the judiciary in administering justice and allowing the rule of law to prevail, especially that only few drug cases reach the courts to date, de Guia told BenarNews. The call is for the government to act with urgency as the death toll in the Philippines, especially those allegedly linked to the governments campaign against illegal drugs, continues to grow each day, she said. Mark Navales in Cotabato City and Richel V. Umel in Iligan contributed to this report. JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi -- Although the Mississippi coast remains under a tropical storm watch, officials say Hurricane Michael poses little threat to the area and, in fact, will bring do little more than perhaps result in a bit of rain. Jackson County Emergency Management Director Earl Etheridge said Tuesday afternoon he expects little more than perhaps a few stray bands from Michael. "Weather Service isn't predicting much in the way of rain for us, not more than one or two inches," Etheridge said. As of Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Michael was a Category 2 storm, with many forecasts calling for it to reach Category 3 strength by the time it makes landfall along the Florida panhandle Wednesday evening/night. "Michael could develop into a potentially catastrophic event for the northeastern Gulf Coast," the National Weather Service wrote in an advisory. Michael could result in the strongest storm to make landfall along the panhandle in 13 years. Locally, the tropical storm watch will remain in effect through Wednesday for Mississippi's coastal counties. The official forecast for Wednesday calls for a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with wind gusts up to 30 mph possible. The good news: Once any residue from Micheal clears, the Mississippi coast will get its first taste of fall. Thursday's forecast calls for a high of 82, with the nighttime low 62. Murkowski said: 'I could not conclude that he is the right person for the court at this time'. And because it was created to directly influence her vote, the legality may be dicey. As columnist Frida Ghitas wrote on CNN Saturday morning, "The FBI probe apparently did not find any corroborating evidence into allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh because it was never meant to do that. She didn't stop", Trump said. Kavanaugh's nomination, one of the most contentious in USA history, had roiled Washington and the US political scene for weeks, with Kavanaugh accused by a woman of sexually assaulting her when both were high school teenagers more than 30 years ago, allegations that in the end did not derail the appointment of the appellate court judge one level up to the high court. Even if Kavanaugh is confirmed, Collins should not be able to get away with the claim that it's "more likely than not" that Kavanaugh is innocent of behaviors beneath the dignity of the court. "There is a special place in hell for women who cover for rapists", she said in an email blast after the vote. Democrats read the tea leaves and saw a justice committed to overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a national right to abortion. On Friday she tweeted: "Like so many Americans, I am deeply disappointed in Senator Collins" vote for Kavanaugh. In reply to Dickerson's question why the fact that Fold told her husband and her therapist about the assault long ago did not amount to corroboration, Collins cited Ford's failure to avail herself of the opportunity to have further interviews with bipartisan staff investigators of the Judiciary Committee. Collins said today that crowdsourced funding targeting her was tantamount to "a bribe, or extortion". "I am not going to allow that kind of effort". "I've had the honor of serving in the Senate for almost 22 years, and this is as ugly a situation as I've ever seen during that time", Collins said. "I was glad that he apologized to Amy Klobuchar in particular, " she said. Dickerson also asked her about Kavanaugh's temperament and partisanship, which her Republican colleague Sen. Last week Rice, who served in the Obama administration, generated a strong reaction when she tweeted "me" in response to a post from former White House Communications Director Jen Psaki asking, "Who wants to run for Senate in Maine?" Whether it's Ms. Rice or someone else, the Democratic challenger will quickly be able to tap the $3.4 million in campaign cash raised by the liberal advocates who tried to sway Ms. Collins' vote - $1 million of which was pledged within hours of her speech. But Republicans are aware that her position could make her vulnerable. Rice has a home in ME, a source said, and her family has ties to the state: Her mother, an education policy expert who was instrumental in the creation of the Pell Grant, was born there. She called it "the most hard in the 22 years that I've been honored to represent the state of Maine in the Senate". Collins told the Wall Street Journal that she finds "the out-of-state voicemails being left on the answering machines of my state offices" to be "incredibly offensive". Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, the truth about kids and the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices For Immediate Release, October 9, 2018 Contact: Laiken Jordahl, (928) 525-4433, ljordahl@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Administration Waives Environmental Laws for Texas Border Wall RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas The Trump administration today announced that it will waive 28 laws to speed construction of gates and other border-wall infrastructure in Cameron County, Texas, including areas adjacent to a national wildlife refuge. The waiver is intended to speed border-wall construction by sweeping aside laws that protect clean air, clean water, public lands and endangered wildlife. This is fourth time the Trump administration has used the REAL ID waiver. This adds insult to injury for Cameron County, where the government has already run roughshod over property owners and decimated the environment to build border walls, said Laiken Jordahl, a borderlands campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. Trumps latest waiver continues to chip away at crucial protections for people and wildlife in the Rio Grande Valley. They deserve clean air, clean water and the same legal rights as everyone else in the country. The waiver, which is to take effect Wednesday, allows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to waive bedrock environmental and public-health laws in 11 different areas totaling 6.6 miles. Some of these segments are adjacent to the Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge and other nature preserves. Other segments run through agricultural lands and communities. Private landowners in Cameron County have already had land seized without just compensation to build border barriers. Approximately 40 miles of existing border wall already divide communities, wildlife refuges and ranchlands in the county. The Center is suing the Trump administration over its use of the long-expired waiver for border wall construction at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry in New Mexico. The Center is also appealing a federal court ruling in its lawsuit to stop the border wall replacement project near San Diego. Beyond jeopardizing wildlife, endangered species and public lands, the U.S.-Mexico border wall is part of a larger strategy of ongoing border militarization that damages human rights, civil liberties, native lands, local businesses and international relations. The border wall impedes the natural migrations of people and wildlife that are essential to healthy diversity. Laws waived: The National Environmental Policy Act The Endangered Species Act The Clean Water Act The National Historic Preservation Act The Migratory Bird Treaty Act The Migratory Bird Conservation Act The Clean Air Act The Archeological Resources Protection Act The Paleontological Resources Preservation Act The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act The Safe Drinking Water Act The Noise Control Act The Solid Waste Disposal Act The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act The Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act The Antiquities Act The Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act The Farmland Protection Policy Act The Coastal Zone Management Act The Federal Land Policy and Management Act The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act The National Fish and Wildlife Act The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act The Administrative Procedure Act The River and Harbors Act The Eagle Protection Act The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act The American Indian Religious Freedom Act In Q1 FY2019, the occupancy level for ICRAs sample set remained stable, at ~63%, despite new bed additions. The companies in the sample witnessed healthy growth in volumes (barring one player facing internal challenges). The Union Finance Minister, in his Budget speech of February 2018, had announced the launch of the National Health Protection Mission (NHPM), a health insurance scheme for 10 crore families (~50 crore beneficiaries), making it the biggest state-run health insurance scheme in the world. As per an ICRA note, the launch of healthcare insurance, particularly for the marginalised sections of society, is a step in the right direction, especially given the fact that Indias track record on healthcare expenditure has been poor, with the country spending well below the world average and the per capita spend being lower than that of several developing countries. Further, the expenditure has historically been met through out-of-pocket expenses due to low health insurance penetration and more than 84% of the population is not covered by any insurance scheme. Says Shubham Jain, Group Head and VP, ICRA Ltd, A scheme of this magnitude has its own challenges. First, many health service providers, particularly the large corporates with good infrastructure and reputed doctors, may not find it feasible to provide the services at the current package rates (notwithstanding the incentives over the base package rates). Secondly, the empanelment of a large number of hospitals and their proximity to the patients, especially in the rural areas, will be critical for the effective implementation of the scheme. Thirdly, the modest premium and expectation of high claim ratios may deter insurance companies from participating in the scheme, and lastly, the rollout is likely to face major technological hurdles. On the positive side, ICRA expects that the NHPM will lead to an improvement in occupancies at implementing hospitals, albeit with lower profit margins. The scheme is expected to be a major positive for hospitals in the non-Tier I cities, particularly for providers with low occupancies and/or those that are positioned for affordable care. With an increase in occupancies, the viability of such private hospitals is expected to improve. Adds Jain, With the NHPM, the secondary and tertiary care providers, especially affordable players in non-Tier I cities, are likely to benefit substantially. However, larger players may not be able to generate the desired returns at current package rates due to their high cost structure. Despite the short-term challenges due to regulatory restrictions, the long-term outlook on the hospital sector remains Stable as structurally, things are stacked in favour of the sector. A significant shortage of beds, rising disease burden, an ageing population, increasing per capita healthcare expenditure and medical insurance are long-term positives for the sector. In Q1 FY2019, the occupancy level for ICRAs sample set remained stable, at ~63%, despite new bed additions. The companies in the sample witnessed healthy growth in volumes (barring one player facing internal challenges). However, the average revenue per occupied bed (ARPOB) and revenue growth were muted with profitability margins witnessing a dip largely on account of regulatory interventions and start-up costs of new hospitals. On account of the increase in debt and pressure on OPBITDA, the interest coverage ratio of the sample set has dropped from 2.73 times in FY2017 to 2.44 times in FY2018 and the net debt/OPBITDA has deteriorated from 3.08 times as on March 31, 2017 to 3.33 times as on March 31, 2018. The aggregate debt coverage indicators of the sample set include the impact of non-hospital businesses as well, such as standalone pharmacies and diagnostics services, which have fared much better. Image copyright AFP Image caption The Saudi consulate said Khashoggi left after completing paperwork Who is Jamal Khashoggi? An adviser to Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan, Yasin Aktay, said authorities had concrete information about Khashoggi's case, and he believed the journalist was killed in the consulate. Turkish officials have alleged Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate but Riyadh denies those claims and says he left the compound on his own. The request was made after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time over the disappearance of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, NTV said. A legal representative from Khashoggi's family in Saudi Arabia said they trusted Saudi authorities and were cooperating with them, according to al-Arabiya news. Saudi Arabia authorities said they have nothing to do with the journalist's disappearance. Suggestions by Saudi- friendly analysts that Qatari agents connived with Ankara to kidnap Mr Khashoggi are far-fetched. "I have raised Jamal's disappearance personally with the Saudi ambassador, and while we await more information, know we will respond accordingly to any state that targets journalists overseas", he wrote. But what has Khashoggi actually said? Khashoggi has been one of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's most prominent critics. "It has been conveyed to him that we expect full coordination in the investigation process", the official said. "What was explained to us is this: He was killed, make your funeral preparations", Kislakci said. Almost a week since Khashoggi disappeared, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stepped up his calls for Riyadh to explain what happened to the high-profile critic of the Saudi leadership. The consulate officials said that he left shortly after entering the consulate but his fiancee said she did not see him coming out. The Turkish president had struck a measured tone when pressed on Khashoggi, while allowing government officials and state media to drip-feed allegations. "We have been working on it since they came to us, our intelligence and police department have been working on it". "I am following the (issue) and we will inform the world whatever the outcome" of the official probe, the president told reporters in Ankara. His comments were a direct suggestion that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the journalist's disappearance. These include ending all relationships with Iran and Turkey, ending support for the Muslim Brotherhood, and shutting down al-Jazeera, which has been highly critical of Saudi Arabia - things that are never going to happen. He told broadcaster CNN Turk that Khashoggi had not left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which he had entered on Tuesday to obtain documents for a forthcoming marriage, in "normal ways". In marked contrast, Bob Corker, the Republican chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, issued a strongly worded statement. "This is a horrific escalation in the crown prince's campaign to silence dissent, to silence any criticism, even the mildest of criticism, from Saudis at home or overseas", says columnist for The Intercept Mehdi Hasan, who is also host of "UpFront" at Al Jazeera English, where he interviewed Khashoggi earlier this year. However, before Erdogan spoke, unnamed Turkish police sources as well as an adviser to Erdogan told the media that they believed that Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi Consulate, which he entered October 2. Erdogan said "mere words [of Saudi officials] are not enough evidence". Over the past year, he has written columns for newspapers including the Washington Post criticising Saudi policies towards Qatar and Canada, the war in Yemen and a crackdown on dissent which has seen dozens of people detained. The question of whether or not to celebrate Columbus Day or have Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated along with or in place of it is a topic of public discourse. While others may disagree, it is this authors assertion that Columbus Day should be the sole celebration for that day. This is beca PR Newswire LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cyber Defense 2018 Global Award for "Best Product Digital Footprint Security" has been won by international cybersecurity company Resecurity in acknowledgment of one of its core products, Resecurity Risk, an AI-driven digital risk monitoring platform that enables comprehensive enterprise ecosystem protection from both external, internal and cloud-related security threats. Cyber Defense Magazine scoured the world to reach out to almost 3,000 InfoSec players from the USA to Israel to Japan and to Germany, before narrowing the list down to a small group of finalists, announcing the final winners at the IP Expo Europe conference in London on October 3. "Cyber Defense Magazine spent six months searching the globe to find the most innovative and cutting edge cyber security companies for our Cyber Defense 2018 Global Awards," said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher, Cyber Defense Magazine. "Resecurity, Inc. won this award for 'Best Product Digital Footprint Security' because it is an innovator on a mission to help stop breaches and get one step ahead of the next threat, proactively." Enterprises are now discovering that the rapid growth of their digital footprint creates unwanted exposure to a vast array of incoming security threats and challenges caused by the supply chain, cybercriminal activity, identity management and many other factors. The Cyber Defense 2018 Global Award for "Best Product Digital Footprint Security" was aimed at finding the best solution to this new and growing challenge for Digital Risk Monitoring (DRM). Resecurity's Risk is a robust combination of digital risk assessment, continuous security monitoring and expert advice - all designed to prevent potential cyber exposure and maximize business resilience, as cyber risk is a direct business risk. Resecurity's Risk won the award in recognition of its unique capabilities to monitor the security posture of the enterprise's digital footprint in real time, providing truly comprehensive 360-degree visibility and actionable intelligence. Risk uses an AI-driven engine allowing it to identify and quantify cyber risks with maximum accuracy, thereby minimizing false positives or "noise" and enabling organizations to concentrate their security resources where they are most needed. Resecurity's Risk also provides ease-of-use via automated daily security posture reports for effective digital risk management, so the key stakeholders are made aware of the current state of the enterprise security posture and how it is changing in time, as well as what actions are needed to be undertaken in order to improve it. Risk works on a massive scale and can monitor a digital footprint of any size without any limitation to the number of domains, subnets, users and brands the enterprise may have, which helps to improve ROI on cybersecurity and to increase the scale of future security operations. Customers utilizing Risk in their operations include: According to Resecurity chief executive, Charles Yoo: "As companies expand their digital footprint and grow their online profile, they frequently open themselves up to a whole range of new security threats and challenges. Risk enables organizations of all kinds and sizes to have a full 360-degree view of the threat landscape, allowing them to direct their security resources to where they are most needed. We are delighted to have won Cyber Defense 2018 Global Award for "Best Product Digital Footprint Security" in recognition of the fact that Risk is a world-beating solution enabling organizations to manage their digital risk and protect their assets." Risk is also supported by Resecurity's Context, a comprehensive platform with a growing meta database of over 300 million Dark Web records, 8 billion Compromised Credentials, 9 million threat actors and over 30 million indicators of compromise (IOCs). About Cyber Defense Global Awards 2018 This is Cyber Defense Magazine's sixth year of honoring cyber defense and information security innovators. The judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company's submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables. CDM has a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, rather than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. About Resecurity Resecurity Inc., an international cybersecurity company, is focused on next-generation endpoint protection and intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions. Resecurity combines robust protection stack to identify security anomalies with investigation and remediation capabilities. The company also provides security research services to leading Fortune 500 corporations and governments. Resecurity protects the enterprise ecosystem against cyber threats using a robust technology stack and built-in contextual awareness. Powered by the Resecurity Context, the solution provides in-depth analysis of the identified cyber threats and associated threat actors in real time. Resecurity's key mission is to help enterprises of different sizes to be able to mitigate possible risks in a timely and effective manner using cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. Resecurity: Revolutionizing Cybersecurity. You can gain full access to Resecurity products by starting your free trial. Learn more: https://www.resecurity.com Resecurity, Inc. Tony Glover (800) 781-5698 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/resecurity-named-leader-in-digital-risk-monitoring-in-cyber-defense-2018-global-awards-300727400.html SOURCE Resecurity Inc. PR Newswire LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cyber Defense 2018 Global Award for "Hot Company Forensics" has been won by international cybersecurity company Resecurity in recognition of one of its core products - Context, combining a platform for digital forensics, intelligence analysis and cybercrime investigations. Cyber Defense Magazine scoured the world to reach out to almost 3,000 InfoSec players from the USA to Israel to Japan and to Germany, before narrowing the list down to a small group of finalists, announcing the winners at the major IP Expo Europe conference in London on October 3. "Cyber Defense Magazine spent six months searching the globe to find the most innovative and cutting-edge cyber security companies for our Cyber Defense 2018 Global Awards," said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher, Cyber Defense Magazine. "Resecurity, Inc. won this award for 'Hot Company Forensics' because it is an innovator on a mission to help stop breaches and get one step ahead of the next threat, proactively." The "Hot Company Forensics" award went to Resecurity for its development of innovative technologies for digital forensics and cybercrime investigation. Leveraging its strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies internationally, Resecurity has developed a next-generation digital forensics platform - Context - now being utilized by leading Fortune 500 corporations and governments. In order to enable commercial organizations to take full advantage of next-generation forensics tools, Resecurity developed Context in close consultation with law enforcement agencies and security professionals. Context is delivered on a platform-as-a-service model (PaaS) model in order to simplify forensics procedures in the enterprise environment, providing companies with comprehensive forensics reports and valuable analytical information. The Context platform supports numerous file formats and platforms, including desktop, mobile platforms and cloud-based environments. It can be used for file, network and malware forensics, along with actor-focused investigations. Combining forensics analysis with data enrichment technologies in this way enables Resecurity to provide the end forensics results with additional meaningful intelligence from repositories ranging from IP reputation, indicators of compromise (IOCs) and breached data to historical Dark Web records. Resecurity's Context now has a growing meta database of over 600 million Dark Web records, 8 billion Compromised Credentials, 12 million threat actors and over 30 million IOCs extracted from various Dark Web sources and analyzed security incidents (targeted cyberattacks, cyberespionage campaigns, malicious activity). According to Resecurity chief executive, Charles Yoo: "Resecurity is an intelligence-driven company with a great team of experts, who understand the vital role of data in digital forensics and computer crimes investigations in practice. Our mission was to build a scalable next-generation digital forensics platform which will help law enforcement, fraud and risk managers, investigators, DFIR experts and intelligence analysts to accelerate the pre- and post-analysis lifecycle - making their work more effective and scalable and, crucially, more cost and time-efficient. We are proud to win the 'Hot Company Forensics' category in the Cyber Defense 2018 Global Awards and will keep doing a great job for the worldwide security and intelligence community." About Cyber Defense Global Awards 2018 This is Cyber Defense Magazine's sixth year of honoring cyber defense and information security innovators. The judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company's submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables. CDM has a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, rather than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. About Resecurity Resecurity Inc., an international cybersecurity company, is focused on next-generation endpoint protection and intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions. Resecurity combines robust protection stack to identify security anomalies with investigation and remediation capabilities. The company also provides security research services to leading Fortune 500 corporations and governments. Resecurity protects the enterprise ecosystem against cyber threats using a robust technology stack and built-in contextual awareness. Powered by the Resecurity Context, the solution provides in-depth analysis of the identified cyber threats and associated threat actors in real time. Resecurity's key mission is to help enterprises of different sizes to be able to mitigate possible risks in a timely and effective manner using cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. Resecurity: Revolutionizing Cybersecurity. You can gain full access to Resecurity products by starting your free trial. Learn more: https://www.resecurity.com Resecurity, Inc. Tony Glover(800) 781-5698 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/resecurity-named-leader-in-forensics-in-cyber-defense-2018-global-awards-300727402.html SOURCE Resecurity Inc. PR Newswire HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 8, 2018 HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Whale Cloud Technology Co., Ltd ("Whale Cloud") launched its new brand, logo, and strategy in the West Lake Expo Museum in Hangzhou. Whale Cloud executives, global partners, media, and experts from the industry were all present to witness this important event. A world-leading data intelligence company, Whale Cloud was founded in 2003 as the largest subsidiary of ZTE and has been involved in telecom data processing and ICT domains for 15 years. In early 2018, it became a strategic partner of Alibaba Cloud. Today, Whale Cloud provides digital transformation technologies and services for telecom operators, governments, and enterprises in more than 80 countries and regions in the world. "The center of the digital economy is data, and we believe we will outperform our competitors if we possess powerful data computing capabilities. The whale is a symbol of power and wisdom. Naming our company Whale Cloud reflects our mission of exploring unlimited data values," said Bao Zhongjun, CEO of Whale Cloud. The slogan "Data intelligence creates unlimited possibilities" shows the company's unique position. Reflecting on what it calls a unique position in the market, Zhou Yong, VP of Whale Cloud, added: "We are the only company with experience in delivering digital services to not only the telco industry, but in government and other industries. With the Alibaba partnership, we now have the infrastructure to leverage Alibaba Cloud technologies and our telco capabilities to expand our business from ICT to vertical industries." Mr. Yang Ming, VP of Whale Cloud, shared the company's "321" strategy, which explains Whale Cloud's future initiatives to build its strengths in "3" areas, namely, technology, business model, and basic research, and focus on "2" prioritized market segments (enterprise and city) in digital transformation to serve "1" ultimate goal of creating value for their customers. Whale Cloud has earmarked 1 billion yuan ($145.3 million) over the next three years for research into its core technologies. It also plans to launch an AI lab, a city brain research institute, and a cloud computing application development program to ensure continuous innovation and quick implementation of new technologies and products. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whale-cloud-launches-its-new-brand-and-plans-to-invest-one-billion-yuan-into-technology-research-over-the-next-three-years-300727401.html SOURCE Whale Cloud The Ibex 35 has lived this Tuesday a day full of lurches, like the rest of European stock exchanges, which is an example of what brings this October marked, among other things, by the situation between Italy and the Union European (EU). Of course, at the close, the whole Old Continent has been dyed green: the Spanish selective has increased in value 0.67%, up to 9,260.5 points. Thus, although it has lost the 9,300 points, the Ibex has moved away from the annual minimums (which are at 9,111 points), which it nevertheless approached this Monday. The question is whether it will rebound once it reaches this level or if it will lose it and go straight to levels of 8,800. PROFITS AT THE IBEX ... All in all, the gains in the Spanish index were led by Siemens Gamesa (+ 2.54%), Inmobiliaria Colonial (+ 2.01%) and Arcelormittal (+ 2%). Also noteworthy are the increases in banks: CaixaBank (+ 1.95%) has also been one of the most bullish values after Fitch raised its rating to 'BB +' yesterday, with a 'stable' outlook. On the other hand, BBVA (+ 1.53%) and Santander (+ 0.99%) have benefited from the support of HSBC analysts, although they have cut their target prices (down to 5.30 euros in the case of the Cantabrian entity and up to 6.90 in the case of the Basque bank). Bankinter also increased in value 0.8% after Moody's improved its outlook on the entity to 'positive'. Likewise, Repsol has risen close to 1.3% after Kepler analysts raised their target price to 20.5 euros. ... AND FOUR VALUES IN RED However, there have also been negative values on Tuesday. Specifically, the losses were led by Indra (-1.34%) and Amadeus (-0.98%). The latter has been harmed by a Barclays report in which it notes the "strong competition" of the company, although it also raises the target price to 65 euros. The other two most bearish companies were DIA (-0.63%) and Grifols (-0.83%). TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Jose Maria Rodriguez, technical analyst at Bolsamania, explains that the Ibex has set a minimum of 9,136 points on Tuesday, "which means that it has practically caressed the support it presents at the annual minimums, the 9,111 points." "And the important thing is that from there the Ibex has regained positions closing near the highs of the day, drawing what looks like a 'hammer' in support levels, a figure that, moreover, ihas more reliability when it occurs after an important corrective stretch. Since the highs at the end of September, the Ibex has retreated by close to 6%, so now it will be bouncing up", adds the expert. Yes, Rodriguez recalls that "the 'stop loss' for any bullish position that is adopted at this time should be placed below the annual minimum closing prices." "We can not lose sight of the European banking index (SX7E), which for the fourth consecutive time in the last month is respecting the support it presents at the annual minimums (102 points in round numbers) .Or what is the same, all the potential recovery of the European stock exchanges is due to respect the September minimums, and above the September highs (113.28) we will have a return to the financial sector and therefore to the stock markets ", concludes the technical analyst. ITALY AND COMMERCIAL WAR Regarding the political and macroeconomic level, the reality is that the market isfearing that the European Commission (EC) is not going to approve the Italian Budgets that will be officially presented on October 15 and on which it should be manifested at the end of month. The reality is also that the top Italian political leaders do not seem to have any intention of going back, no matter how much they have tried to revise the deficit targets for 2020 and 2021, something that, on the other hand, would be insufficient. "Markets continue to focus on Italy, where bond yields continue to rise, the evolution of the US fixed income market and the recent increase in bond yields in that country are still matters of interest. In the markets there are the renewed signs of the tense relations between China and the US, "the Danske Bank experts point out in their daily report. On the other hand, the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, has traveled to China and the visit has highlighted the tensions between the two countries, as Pompeo seems to have received, according to the media, a "reprimand" by the minister of Foreign Affairs of China. Also the president of the United States, Donald Trump, has assured that "China is not ready for a trade agreement", and has confirmed that "a couple of meetings" have been canceled, according to Reuters. The purpose of the trip was to decide a date for a future summit between Trump and the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, which now seems uncertain. Another sign of the tense relations between the two countries is that, according to Bloomberg, the US Treasury Department is considering the possibility of signaling China as a currency manipulator in a report that will be published next week after the recent sharp fall in price of the yuan. IMF FORECASTS Finally, it should be stressed that the IMF has published a new assessment of the world economy, in which it has slightly reduced its estimate of world economic growth forecasts for both 2018 and 2019. The IMF now sees an overall growth of 3.7 % for both years, below the 3.9% it predicted back in April. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Moroccos Royal Navy said it rescued 615 migrants from 31 boats that ran into trouble in the Mediterranean at the weekend while trying to reach Spain. This happens as Morocco becomes a destination and a transit country overtaking Libya as the main entry point for migrants willing to cross the Mediterranean to Spain or to cross over the fence with two Spanish occupied enclaves. All of the would-be migrants rescued by the Moroccan navy were brought back safely to the North African countrys ports, the navy said in a statement. Many of the boats that transported them sank due to their dilapidated state, the statement said, without giving the nationalities of those rescued. Earlier in October, the navy announced that it has saved 31 migrants stranded at sea and recovered at least 11 bodies. More than 43,000 migrants have made it to Spain since the start of the year, including around 38,000 by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration. But more than 1,700 have died or disappeared in the Mediterranean during the same period, including 362 off the Spanish coast, according to the IOM. Morocco has dismantled more than 70 trafficking networks and foiled more than 54,000 migration attempts up to August. Russia is planning to make the war-torn Libya his new Syria and challenge the West in North Africa, warn UK intelligence chiefs. Moscow is sending troops and missiles into Libya in a bid to enforce a new stranglehold on European immigration routes, says the Sun daily, affirming that taking control of the biggest illegal immigration route to Europe appears to be Russias primary goal. According to the British newspaper, dozens of officers from the GRU military spy service as well as its Spetznaz special forces wing are already on the ground in eastern Libya, initially carrying out training and liaison roles. Two Russian military bases are already now active in the coastal towns of Tobruk and Benghazi, using the cover of the controversial Russian private military company the Wagner Group, which already has outposts there, adds the Sun. Russias kalibr anti-ship missiles and state of the art S300 air defense missile systems are also now believed to be on the ground in Libya, says the conservative UK daily, noting that President Vladimir Putin wants to seize the countrys coastline to open a new wave of immigration. The Kremlin has sided with Libyas most powerful warlord, General Khalifa Haftar, and is also supplying his troops with heavy equipment. Haftar who leads the Libyan National Army is the defacto military ruler of much of Eastern Libya. And if Moscow takes control of Libyas coastline it could turn on a fresh tidal wave of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, warned British intelligence experts. Such a catastrophic scenario would undermine European countries stability as they are vulnerable to both immigration flows and oil shock from Libya. Commons Foreign Affairs committee chairman Tom Tugendhat said: It is extremely alarming Russia wants to open up a new front against the West in Libya. As Spain and Morocco feel the heat of the surge in migrants after the closure of the Balkan route and deterioration of security conditions in Libya, the EU is more divided than ever, with member states pursuing narrow national interests while ignoring the shared responsibility in managing migration. Spain has recently urged the EU to honor its promise to grant Morocco financial aid amounting to 30 million to help curb illegal migration. Earlier in August, EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker promised to release 55 million from the emergency fund to help Morocco and Spain tackle the rise of illegal migration in the Western Mediterranean. In July, the EU agreed to spend 55 million ($64 million) to help Tunisia and Morocco manage their frontiers. However, none of these promises have been upheld yet as Spain has indeed overtaken Greece and Italy this year with more than 43,000 arrivals mostly through dinghies from Morocco. This surge in illegal migration attempts pushed Spain to strengthen cooperation with its southern partner Morocco, a destination in itself undergoing extreme pressure to curb illegal crossings. Madrid has also asked Brussels to help Morocco logistically in order to tackle the migration challenge, Moroccan papers said citing well-informed sources. Spain and Morocco have been cooperating closely to counter all sorts of trafficking networks. At a meeting on September 14, officials in charge of migration reiterated their willingness to foster cooperation. During a visit to Rabat last week, Spains Secretary of State for Migration, Consuelo Rumi, praised Moroccos responsible engagement in the fight against illegal immigration, noting that the role of the Kingdom in this area cannot be questioned. Morocco honors its commitments and respects the agreements it has signed in the fight against illegal migratory flows, Rumi said, underlining the need for a shared and comprehensive approach to fight the phenomenon. By Geoff Percival Citibank Europe has been fined 1.33m by the Central Bank for a series of lending code breaches, including unapproved lending to senior management. Citibank Europe is headquartered in Dublin and acts as financial giant Citigroups main European retail banking division. The breaches stretch back five years and were identified and notified to the Central Bank after Citibank Europe moved head office from London to Dublin in 2016. The Central Bank said that Citibank had failed to put in place the necessary governance policies and procedures to implement its lending code, until two years and eight months after the code came into effect. The code imposes a set of clear requirements on credit institutions...Citibank has fallen far short of the Central Banks expectations in this regard, which is wholly unacceptable, Seana Cunningham, the Central Banks director of enforcement and anti-money laundering, said. Citibank said the matter did not affect clients. There was no evidence that the management loans were made on more favourable terms than to customers. But, the Central Bank said the inaccurate reporting meant it didnt have the necessary visibility to monitor Citibanks exposures to related parties. It is the twelfth fine valued at over 1m handed out by the Central Bank to a financial institution since 2013. Separately, the Central Bank has named FXBTG Financial (Ireland and New Zealand) as an unregulated investment firm. Ann O'Loughlin An award-winning brewer has been "locked out" and banished from the premises where his company manufactures its craft beers, the High Court has heard. Alex Lawes, who has twice been named 'Best Brewer in Ireland,' along with his business partner Alan Wolfe, established Whiplash Beer Limited in 2016 and produce and sell craft beers, which had won several awards. Whiplash operates out of a shared facility in Co Wicklow, which is owned by another unrelated microbrewery The Dublin Lager Company Limited, trading as Larkins Brewing Company at Renmore Business Park, Kilcoole Co Wicklow. Both companies brew and package their respective beers at the premises which contains several vats, before it is distributed. Rory Kennedy Bl for Whiplash told the High Court today that several issues have arisen between the firms resulting in a breakdown of relations between the parties. Counsel said the defendant firm, which is a family-owned business, informed his client that Mr Lawes, whose presence and expertise is essential for the company, was "banned" from the brewery. Mr Lawes' access to the brewery premises was 24 hours a day and this was guaranteed under the contract they had entered into in regards to Whiplash's use of the premises, counsel said. Counsel said Mr Lawes was accused of being a bully by the defendant, which he said was strongly denied. Counsel said his client was also informed by the defendant that it would have to find another place to brew and that their contract was being terminated. Counsel said that this decision was in breach of the contract entered into between the two parties and that Whiplash must leave the premises by December 21 next. The contract, counsel said, has another two years to run. Counsel said Whiplash has sought to find alternative premises but cannot move immediately and has offered to leave by the end of March 2019. As a result of Mr Lawes being "locked out", Whiplash has brought proceedings against The Dublin Larger Company and secured an interim injunction preventing the defendant firm from interfering with their business. Counsel said the defendant's actions have created uncertainty over their business and say that Mr Lawes banishment from the brewery has put their award-winning and highly rated brewing business at risk of collapse. The injunction also prevents the defendant company from interfering with or preventing anyone from Whiplash entering into the shared premises. The injunction was granted, on an ex parte basis, by Ms Justice Caroline Costello. The case will come back before the court on Thursday. By Padraig Hoare Private investment fund Granahan McCourt, which is leading the sole consortium bidding for the National Broadband Plan, has sold its stake in telecoms firm Enet to the State-backed Irish Infrastructure Fund. The fund, managed by AMP Capital and Irish Life Investment Managers, said that it had agreed to buy the remaining 22% of Enet from Granahan McCourt Capital, bringing its stake to 100%. Limerick-based Enet operates Irelands metropolitan area networks on behalf of the Irish state, as well as a variety of other wholesale telecommunications infrastructure. The fund bought 78% of Enet in August last year for around 200m. The latest move signals the complicated nature of the tender for the National Broadband Plan, which aims to bring high-speed broadband to more than 500,000 houses and businesses in the Republic. Enet was until last month the lead in the consortium bidding for the National Broadband Plan. Granahan McCourt then announced it would instead lead the bid, with Enets role reduced to that of partner supplier. The new bidding entity led by Granahan McCourt is now called National Broadband Ireland, and promises to deliver world-class gigabit (1,000Mbps) broadband to every home, farm and business in the National Broadband Plans reach. According to National Broadband Ireland, the consortium is being now led by Granahan McCourt, partnered by Enet, Nokia, Actavo, The Kelly Group, and KN Group. Engineering firm Actavo is owned by Denis OBrien and was formerly known as Siteserv. The process has been dogged by controversy in recent days, with Communications Minister Denis Naughten being asked to clarify the conversation he had with Granahan McCourt chairman and founder, Irish-American businessman David McCourt, in New York in July. The National Broadband Plan has been beset by problems since it was first mooted in 2012. Eir followed Siro, a joint venture between Vodafone and the ESB, in dropping out. Update: The Irish Exporters Association has cautiously welcomed today's budget delivered by Paschal Donohoe. Among the measures welcomed by the group are a 300m Human Capital Initiative, a Future Growth loan scheme for SMEs in the SME, agriculture and food sectors worth 300m, and the provision of over 110m for preparation across a number of Departments. However, it criticised the government's preparations for Brexit saying that they are based on the assumption that a deal will be done between the EU and the UK, ignoring the high risk of a no-deal crash-out by the UK. "In particular, we are disappointed that the Government chose not to address the impact of the current Import VAT regime on Irish Supply Chains and potential cashflow problems on importers," said Simon McKeever, Chief Executive of the IEA. "A six-month deferred accounting of the Import VAT scheme, as proposed by the IEA, would greatly support Irish businesses. In the event of a crash-out Brexit, the impact on Irish Businesses from having to pay Vat on UK imports at the point of entry of up to 23% on some imports could seriously impact their cashflow and competitiveness. "In addition, by only raising the Earned Income Credit for the self-employed by 200, the Government missed a prime opportunity to create a level playing field between PAYE workers and the self-employed." The group also welcomed the allocation of 10.8bn for the Department of Education and Skills calling for some of the funding to be made available to companies to draw down on to avail of specific on-the-job competence building training. "The IEA also welcomes the allocated funding of 950 million for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to support SMEs address the challenges posed by Brexit and increasing digitalisation. "In this regard, we very much welcome the establishment of a Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund worth 500 million under the National Development Plan." Retail Excellence: Budget 2019 delivers 'a little to a lot' The Industry body, Retail Excellence, has said the measures announced in todays budget "do a little for a lot". They welcomed Minister Paschal Donohoe's announcements on infrastructure, housing, tax reductions and the new Online Retail Scheme, but said the Budget represents a "missed opportunity" for Government to retailers. They recognised that the modest reductions in USC, the increase in welfare payments and the restoration of the Christmas bonus represents "an ambitious plan by Government" to increase consumer sentiment and spend. CEO of Retail Excellence, Lorraine Higgins, said: Whilst such initiatives may lead to an increase in consumer spend, where this spend goes is critical to the industry we represent. With the huge growth in online purchases by Irish consumers from outside the EU we sought extra protections to ensure parity of tax treatment for retailers in Ireland from Distance Sellers. Currently the Revenue Commissioners are tasked with collecting VAT and duties on parcels being delivered to Irish consumers but it is physically impossible for them to intercept 14m worth every day." That said, we are delighted to see the Minister for Business Enterprise and Innovation double the investment in the Online Retail Scheme to 1.25m to support the digital online capability of retailers in Ireland. However, Ms Higgins expressed disappointment at the Government's failure to retain the 9% VAT rate and to commit to incrementally reducing the upper rate of 23% "to those fearful of what Brexit will actually look and feel like". "A situation exacerbated by the fact there were no town renewal investment measures announced. On the other hand, the allocation of funding of 950m for the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation gives our industry confidence, said Ms Higgins. Lorraine Higgins. On balance, Budget 2019 is ambitious and aims to give hope to most. However, more imaginative and targeted supports are needed to insulate the retail industry and the thousands of jobs it supports. "Retail Excellence will continue to work with our members, the government and Oireachtas members to ensure such supports are supported and secured into the future. By Geoff Percival Ryanair is well placed to benefit from continuing unrest in the European airline market, says Davys Stockbrokers. The broker has reduced its net income forecasts for Ryanairs current and next financial years by 13% and 15% in the wake of the airline significantly lowering its current year profit forecast last week. However, Davys said Ryanairs growth model will still endure the current climate of rising fuel prices and overcapacity pressures which are threatening airline survival across Europe and boosting consolidation. Ryanair should weather that storm as it saves on fuel costs by modernising its fleet of planes over the next three years. We have only started to see market capacity cuts, but these will accelerate. Europes niche airlines have had a difficult summer Primera Air, Small Planet, VLM, Azur Air Germany and SkyWork have all ceased operations. We expect more casualties from rising fuel prices and overcapacity unless there is consolidation, said Davy analysts Stephen Furlong and Ross Harvey in a research note. Key to Ryanairs stability, Davys said, will be its ability to reach settlement with crew and pilot unions over the winter. The backdrop of capacity cuts, airline failures and potential consolidation should provide a landscape for negotiation. This will leave Ryanair well placed to expand its lower fare, lowest cost model into next summer, Davy said. It also expects Ryanair to launch more share buybacks 6bn having now been returned to investors since 2008 with 4.3bn of free cashflow expected to be generated in the next four years. Ireland could be hit by a strong Atlantic storm later this week with winds of up to 150 kilometres an hour. Met Eireann says there is the potential for a named storm coming close to Ireland on Thursday night and into Friday morning - and it would be called Callum. A yellow rainfall warning for Donegal, Mayo and Sligo is currently in place with 25 to 40 millimetres of rain expected to fall. Met Eireann's Harm Luijkx says a storm looks likely. "There's a lot of uncertainty in it but on Friday morning, it looks like a storm on the Atlantic is going to bring a lot of windy weather over," he said. "I'm not sure yet if it's going to be named but, at the moment, it looks like the west coast will be worst affected." Our latest rainfall radar image from our website https://t.co/e0QpncNkig pic.twitter.com/gMNjBnuObb Met Eireann (@MetEireann) October 9, 2018 Meanwhile, it will be largely dry today for most except Ulster and north-west Connacht, where there will be rain that could be heavy at times. Elsewhere there will be sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud, with a moderate to brisk south-westerly wind. This story was updated with further details at 9.19am. Digital Desk Update: Labour's Joan Burton has said that while listening to Paschal Donohoe delivering today's budget it was former minister Charlie McCreevy that she was reminded of "as if we were back to the grand old days". "Budget prudence goes out the window when there is an election in the air," said Ms Burton. Speaking to the health budget, Ms Burton referred to it as "a financial black hole if ever there was one". The Minister for Health is fond of his Instagram and Twitter accounts. Please make it stop was one of his gems. Well now this is exactly what taxpayers want when they observe the annual weary announcements of health overspends which have become a truly farcical feature of Fine Gaels tenure in that Department. She went on to hit out at government action on climate change referring to "flowery paragraphs" in the National Plan about the challenge ahead and the money allegedly earmarked to deal with the issue. "If there were to be a Nobel Prize for climate procrastination I guess Donald Trump would win easily but this particular Government would give him a run for his money." Concluding her statements, Ms Burton said: "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it but it is the people who will pay the price". Today we have launched Building a New Republic. Our Alternative #Budget2019. Read the document here https://t.co/xlYd25TQSz #ANewRepublic pic.twitter.com/eilC7qrULl The Labour Party (@labour) October 4, 2018 Earlier: More of the same policies that created housing crisis, says Sinn Fein Sinn Fein's Housing Spokesperson Eoin O'Broin says despite promises this is not a housing Budget. "There's a big play by Fianna Fail in terms of an affordable housing scheme but, in fact, the actual extra spend next year in terms of affordable housing would be a paltry 14m," said Mr O'Broin. Eoin O'Broin "What does that mean for regular people? It means about 490 extra social houses and it means a very, very small number of genuinely affordable homes. "For example, on the housing front, despite the promise of both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael that this would be a housing budget it is actually more of the fail policies that's got us into the housing crisis that we're in at the minute." Responding to the Government budget in the Dail, @PearseDoherty reminds the Minister that on the backdrop to this budget, 10,000 citizens are homeless, and 4000 of them are children. #Budget19 #ANewIreland pic.twitter.com/EHdzB7n2ZR Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) October 9, 2018 Earlier: Government must 'cut out obsesssion with spin' and deliver on housing, says Fianna Fail Fianna Fail Finance spokesperson Michael McGrath has said that the government is failing on housing. Responding to Budget 2019 in the Dail, he said that "the government that must accept its performance on housing has not been good enough". "Ceann Comhairle, the truth is the govt has failed to get to grips with the #housingcrisis. It is the govt that is responsible for addressing the housing crisis and it is the government that must accept its performance on housing has not been good enough." @mmcgrathtd#Budget19 pic.twitter.com/3Hkd9hFjmt Fianna Fail (@fiannafailparty) October 9, 2018 The number of people in emergency accommodation is "a national scandal and a scar on our nation", said Mr McGrath as he told the government to "cut out the obsession with spin and focus on delivery". We have secured a 300m affordable housing package over the next three years including over 200m of new exchequer money. This will provide thousands of new homes which will be made available by eligible first time buyers. These homes will be sold at up to 50,000 below the cost of building the home subject to a maximum discount of 40% of the market value. Speaking to Fianna Fail's role in today's budget, Mr McGrath said that it "is not a Fianna Fail budget but it is a budget that contains some Fianna Fail measures". Looking ahead to Brexit, he said: "This Budget and a whole lot more could unravel on the back of a bad Brexit outcome." The bottom line is if we have a cliff edge Brexit at the end of March Ireland will not be ready despite the government having had two years notice of the March 2019 date. The farming and agri food sector was highlighted as being particularly vulnerable and said that the suggestion that a 25m Brexit loan scheme for the agri food sector will open in early 2020 is "simply not good enough". On health, Mr McGrath said that it is important to know that Budget 2019 is "an honest health budget" saying that the party were left with "the distinct impression of quite a chaotic budget process for health". Michael McGrath He continued to say that children waiting up to three years for an Assessment of Need is a "scandal". Mr McGrath demanded accountability and said the Minister needs to ensure the money given in the budget delivers on the key priorities. Earlier: Michael Healy-Rae 'disgusted and angry' by tourism VAT increase Michael Healy-Rae has said that he is disgusted and angry that there has been "such a dramatic increase" in the tourism VAT rate. "It is a real slap in the face to one of the biggest sectors of employers in our country," said the Kerry TD. "The first businesses that will really feel the squeeze will be the ones in rural Ireland, the small operators who rely fully on the peak summer season, if the government had the gumption to at least raise the threshold from 37,500 to 50,000 it may result in a lot of smaller operators being saved. "I have always said, no matter who it is or what party they are from, be it a Senior Minister or Junior Minister, in Kerry, we are better off having one, than not, but, in this case it seems like our Minister has not made much of an effort to save the 9% VAT rate, it just goes to show having a Minister for Tourism in Kerry clearly doesnt mean a lot and I would call on Minister Griffin to at least look for the threshold to be increased to try and save some of the operators that will be under severe pressure now due to this increase." Mr Healy-Rae said that the increase is unnecessary given the uncertainty of Brexit and branded the decision "short-sighted and reckless". Earlier: So-called 'housing budget' is anything but, say Labour With Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe set to deliver what is being called a giveaway election budget this afternoon reaction is already emerging from the opposition. Key areas such as housing and health have already come under scrutiny. Jan O'Sullivan Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan, has said that housing proposals as part of today's Budget will do nothing to ease the housing crisis when it comes to rent. "Not one measure printed in any of todays papers will do anything to help those who are stuck in the eye of the rental storm," said Deputy O'Sullivan. "Fianna Fail's so-called affordable housing scheme is a direct subsidy to developers. It's a classic from the Fianna Fail playbook providing a top up for big builders but doing little to deliver a real affordable scheme. Despite insistences from Fianna Fail that this would be a housing budget, it is anything but. 300 million for a so-called affordable housing scheme is absolutely miserable in the context of what is actually needed. The proposed tax cut for landlords won't deliver one extra rental property but it will line the pockets of those who've been benefitting from the record increases in rent." Ms O'Sullivan said that the budget marks a "return to the days when budgets were great for developers". Independent TD Dr Michael Harty has raised concerns about the capacity for doctors to handle another 100,000 people having free GP cards. "It is very good for those patients who are going to qualify and Slaintecare does address the issue of expanding entitlement to eventually reach universal healthcare for primary care and there is no issue in relation to that. "The huge issue is in relation to general practice to absorb that extra eligibility. "We have GPs who are emigrating, we have no GPs coming into the service and we have about 700 GPs out of a total of 2,500 who are going to retire in the next five years so there are huge manpower issues within general practice," said Dr Harty. "While expanding eligibility is good for the people, general practice doesn't have the capacity to do that and those people are inevitably going to end up in casualty departments." Dr Harty says the GP contract needs to be addressed before they can deal with extra patients. Digital Desk By Daniel McConnell, Fiachra O Cionnaith & Elaine Loughlin Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has announced spending plans totalling 66.5bn for 2019. He said Ireland will run a balanced budget in 2019 and committed to running surpluses in the year's ahead if revenues allow. Of that, 59.3bn will be on current expenditure and 7.3bn on Capital spending. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie He said economic growth in excess of 7% is now expected across 2018 and forecasts for next year is also expected to increase. Taxation People on the highest rate of income tax and the universal social charge will save more than 1,000 as part of tax changes revealed under budget 2019. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed the plans as part of the tax plans due to be introduced from the start of next year. Under the widely flagged measures, a series of universal social charge and income tax cuts will be introduced. However, in a deeply controversial move, no carbon tax initiatives will be included in budget 2019. In the budget tax details revealed this afternoon, Mr Donohoe said: * the 4.75% USC rate will drop to 4.5% from January 1, saving a person 502. This move will cost the State 123m * the USC 2% entry point rate will rise rise to 13,000, meaning someone earning below this level will not pay USC * the entry point for the highest rate of income tax will rise by 750, from 34,550 to 35,300, for single individuals and 43,550 to 44,300 for married one earner couples, costing 161m * and the rise in the hourly minimum wage from 9.55 to 9.80 In addition, further tax changes will see an increase in the home carer tax credit from 1,200 to 1,500 - costing the State 24m - and the earned income credit will rise from 1,150 to 1,350, costing 48m. A widely flagged betting tax change will see taxes on bookmakers rise from 1% to 2%, bringing in 51.6m, while the hotel VAT rate will rise from 9% to 13.5%, bringing in 560m. Other changes will include: * rise in the threshold for inheritance tax from 310,000 to 320,000, costing the State 8.1m * The employers PRSI threshold will rise from 376 to 386, costing the State 3m However, controversially, there will be no changes to carbon tax will be introduced despite demands from environmentalists. Health The Government has allocated 12 m to fund the roll-out of abortion services next year following the referendum to repeal the eighth amendment. Health Minister Simon Harris remains confident that termination services will be in place from January and funding will be provided across community and hospital settings to develop a full range of services within the public health system. While spending on health is already at record levels, the overall health budget is to increase by 1.05billion to 17.02bn next year. Following the CervicalCheck scandal, the Government have decided to fund some of the recommendations of the Scally Report which looked at the smear check audit controversy. Some 9 million has been allocated to pay for the introduction of HPV tests as the primary screening test as well as the extension of the existing HPV vaccination programme to boys. An extra 20m has been pumped into the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) bringing the fund to 75m in 2019. Speaking in the Dail, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said: "The extra 20m I am making available today represents a substantial 36% increase on last year's allocation." Other health measures contained in Budget 2019 include: - A reduction in prescription change for over 70s by 50c. - An increase in the GP visit card weekly income threshold by 25. - A 10 reduction in the monthly Drugs Payment Scheme from 134 to 124. The budget allocation for mental health services will go up bringing the total available to 1bn, this is a 9% increase. While the allocation for disability services will jump by 150m bringing the total amount allocated to this area to almost 2bn. Housing Spending totalling 2.4 billion to address the national housing crisis have been announced in the Budget. In total, Capital funding totalling 1.4bn for the building of new social and affordable homes has been allocated by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe for 2019. In terms of new measures, Mr Donohoe has announced that 16,760 additional homes will be accomodated under the Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) at a cost of 121 million. Mr Donohoe has announced that day-to-day spending on social housing is to increase by 40 million with the aim of delivering almost 5,000 new homes in 2019. Another 30 million has been made available for homelessness services with the express aim of delivering more emergency accomodation. Another 8 million has been provided to assist the Tenancies Board in implementing tenancy law. An additional 60 million has been provided for local government to cover increased pension and pay costs under the national pay agreement. In terms of capital spending, an additional 210 million has been announced for local authorities to build and acquire new homes for social housing. A further 69 million has been provided for the servicing of local authority sites, to assist the delivery of affordable homes in the coming years. In relation to Irish Water, which falls under the remit of the Department of Housing, 122 million in additional funds have been allocated for investment in the country's water network. And, a total of 83 million has been allocated to meet increased costs in the Urban Renewal Scheme. Landlords will also be given up to 18m in tax breaks in a bid to keep them from fleeing the market as part of budget 2019 Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed the controversial move during his budget speech this afternoon after it was revealed in yesterday's Irish Examiner. As part of a wider package which will also include a long-term 300m affordable housing plan, Mr Donohoe said this afternoon landlords will be given highly controversial tax breaks. Outlining the situation, a budget document read: "The increase in the amount of interest paid in respect of loans used to purchase, improve or repair a residential property that may be deducted by landlords will be accelerated to 100% from January 1, 2019." The document said the move will cost the State 18m - meaning landlords will be given a multi-million euro tax break through a write-off of their mortgage interest relief loans. Social protection In terms of spending, Social Protection is by far the largest spending department and will receive a total of 20.5bn for 2019. New welfare measures announced will cost a total of 361 million in 2019. He has increased the weekly rates of welfare benefits for 1.47 million people at a cost of 268.7 million. He has increased the weekly rate of the qualified child increase for children under 12 by 2.20 per week to 34. For those children over 12, he has increased it by 5.20 a week to 37. Lone Parents will see their allowance increase by 20 a week from 130 a week to 150 a week. Mr Donohoe has also increased the Back to School allowance by 25 (from 125 to 150 for primary school children and from 250 to 275 for secondary school children). He has also introduced a new social insurance paid parental leave scheme for employees and the self-employed of two weeks' leave per parent in line with maternity benefit. Mr Donohoe has also extended the duration of the fuel season by one week from 27 weeks to 28 weeks at a cost of 8.4 million. He has also increased the budgets for the free TV licence and free travel by 5 million each. Children More parents are to receive support to pay for childcare as part of Budget 2019. The Government will increase childcare funding by 18% next year bringing the the total allocation to 574m. This will cover a number of supports of both universal and targeted services for the care of children. Included in the measures is a loosening of the income threshold for the Affordable Childcare Scheme as follows: -The base income threshold will increase from 22,700 to 26,000 -The maximum income threshold will go from 47,500 to 60,000. -The multiple child deduction will increase from 3,800 to 4,300. Tusla, the child and family agency, will receive over 30m more next year, bringing their overall allocation to 786m. The additional resources will allow Tusla to implement recommendation made by HIQA on the management of child sexual abuse allegations. It will go towards further investment in and development of the family resource centres network and to domestic, sexual and gender-based violences services. Overall the Department of Children has received an extra 127m in funding next year. Speaking as he delivered his Budget speech this afternoon, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said: "This funding will facilitate our children and young people in reaching their potential, it will support the protection of our most vulnerable children and will assist hard pressed families in accessing childcare." Justice The Government will recruit an additional 800 Gardai in 2019, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has announced. With an expected 300 retirements, this will result in a net increase in the force of 500 as part of the stated aim to increase the force to 15,000 by 2021. The cost of the recruitment will cost 63.5 million and will help hire an additional group of managers, civilians in the force as well as addressing overtime pressures. Overall, an additional 89 million in current spending in the Justice area has been approved for 2019 as well as a further 76 million in capital expenditure. Mr Donohoe has also increased provision by 12 million to allow the criminal legal aid system address increasing demands on its services. Just 10 million has been allocated to support the ongoing re-structuring of the Department of Justice and to implement the report by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Amid increased concerns about cybersecurity, Mr Donohoe has allocated just 3.5 million extra for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, and only 1.6 million in added funding for the Office of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). Agriculture The Government is to provide 60m in current and capital supports to the help prepare farmers for the impact of Brexit. In his Budget speech, Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe said the agriculture sector is facing a number of threats with Brexit posing specific challenges and extra funding will be allocated to help "improve resilience" in this area. "As well as making provision for the initial staffing and ICT needs in relation to the regulatory requirements of Brexit, agencies will be allocated additional resources to promote new markers and retain competitiveness," said Mr Donohoe. Among the specific measures which this funding package will cover is an extra 5m allocation to Bord Bia to support promotion and development work in the context of Brexit. Some 11m will also go towards research facilities for the prepared consumer foods sector and the development of a National Food Innovation Hub. While the Government will improve the capacity of meat inspection services to maintain food safety standards and help the development of export markets. There will be further investment in developing fisheries harbour centres. Mr Donohoe also said he "recognises that 2018 has been a difficult year for farmers" and will be renewing the existing stock relief measures for a further three years. To help farmers cope with income volatility, income averaging to farms with off-farm trading income has also been extended. A new pilot scheme targeted at suckler farmers, aimed at further improving the carbon efficiency of beef production, will be rolled-out Extra supports will be given to 96,000 farmers in areas of natural constraint, through increased funding for the ANC scheme. Overall an extra 57m of current expenditure has been allocated to the the Department of Agriculture in 2019 above this year's funding. Budget 2019 does not include an increase in the carbon tax from 20 to 30 as recommended by the Citizens Assembly, the ESRI and the Climate Change Advisory Council. Chair of An Taisce's Climate Change Committee Phil Kearney said: The increase in carbon tax was the only new climate policy measure under consideration. The fact that its now off the table is a disaster for an already-failing climate policy regime. Fossil fuels are still far too cheap. But without a carbon tax, their environmental and social costs are borne by everyone, whereas the profits go to the polluting firms. Sadhbh ONeil of Friends of the Irish Environment added: "We need to start talking about reform of the tax system as a whole, with a view to realising both environmental and social justice. This means raising more, and higher, ecotaxes, but recycling revenues back into income tax reductions or reliefs for those householders that are particularly affected by rising energy and transport costs. "It also means dramatically shifting investment priorities away from road transport to public transport, cycling, walking and shared mobility systems. Earlier: Environmental coalition 'shocked' by carbon tax move in Budget Ireland's largest environmental coalition, the Environmental Pillar, has said it is "shocked" by the Government's decision not to increase carbon tax. Elsewhere, CarsIreland.ie have welcomed the 1% surcharge for diesel vehicles across all VRT bands, saying it has "been a long time coming". The Environmental Pillar has said it is "deeply concerned" as they said an increase in the tax is "vital to tackle out-of-control emissions, protect our health and environment, and bring in additional revenue". It comes just a day after the UN report on Climate Change which says that it is possible to limit global warming to the 1.5C threshold, but only with deep emissions cuts from all countries. Charles Stanley-Smith, budgetary spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar, said: A carbon tax is a lever that we can pull immediately to support the States long-term targets such as the retrofitting of 45,000 homes by 2021 and getting 500,000 electric cars on Irish roads by 2030. Ireland is facing multi-million euro fines from Europe if we do not meet our binding climate targets so we can either have a carbon tax increase and reduce the amount of fines we are to pay or we can face higher fines that the average Joe will ultimately have to dig into his or her pocket to pay. Oisin Coghlan, budgetary spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar, said: "The Governments u-turn on the carbon tax is a giant two-fingers to younger generations who will face climate chaos unless we act to drastically cut pollution. "A two-fingers to everyone under 35, a two fingers to the Paris Agreement and a two-fingers to the hundreds of millions of people already living with the devastating impacts of climate change in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Climate Change Advisory Council recommended that the carbon tax be raised to 30 per tonne in Budget 2019 as an essential component in achieving a low-carbon transition by mid-century. The Environmental Pillar, however, feels that it needs to start at 70 in 2019 and rise by 5 a year to be effective, with half of the revenue going straight back to the people of Ireland in a carbon dividend shared to every adult. They recommend that the rest should go to a Just Transition or Climate Action Fund to ensure that workers and communities are protected during the move away from peat and coal, as well as funding retrofitting and other energy-saving measures. Meanwhile, CarsIreland.ie said: "As a country we are missing our carbon emissions targets by a significant margin and the government was always likely to take steps attempting to change behaviour. "There has already been a dramatic shift away from diesel over the last few years and this will accelerate that further again." They said they have seen a huge increase in the number of people searching for petrol, hybrid and fully electric cars recently. Minister Donohoe also said today he is extending the VRT relief for hybrid vehicles until the end of 2019. They said: "The positive from this is that it might further encourage people into zero-emission vehicles, which needs to happen if we are to meet our short and long-term carbon targets. A protestor and a pro-Kavanaugh supporter argue outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, September 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images In her speech announcing support for the Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, Maine senator Susan Collins, who supports basic abortion rights, tried to rebut the widely held presumption that the nominee would represent the crucial fifth SCOTUS vote to reverse or curtail Roe v. Wade by citing examples of anti-abortion Republican presidents appointing justices that turned out to be pro-choice: Opponents frequently cite then-candidate Donald Trumps campaign pledge to nominate only judges who would overturn Roe. The Republican platform for all presidential campaigns has included this pledge since at least 1980. During this time, Republican presidents have appointed Justices OConnor, Souter, and Kennedy to the Supreme Court. These are the very three justicesRepublican president appointed justiceswho authored the Casey decision, which reaffirmed Roe. Furthermore, pro-choice groups vigorously opposed each of these justices nominations. Incredibly, they even circulated buttons with the slogan Stop Souter Or Women Will Die! Just two years later, Justice Souter co-authored the Casey opinion, reaffirming a womans right to choose. Suffice it to say, prominent advocacy organizations have been wrong. Collins ignored the rather pertinent point that this history of betrayals of the anti-abortion cause by certain Republican-appointed justices is precisely why Donald Trump was forced to make his unprecedented, specific pledge about the reproductive-rights positions of future Supreme Court nominees. And its also why he agreed to another, and even more remarkable step: publishing before the election (indeed, before the Republican presidential nominating process had ended) a list from which he would choose the justice to replace Antonin Scalia, vetted by two intensely ideological groups, the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. Kavanaugh was added to the list via the same process after Neil Gorsuchs confirmation, and attracted immediate support from orthodox members of the conservative legal Establishment, where Roe v. Wade is almost universally regarded as an abomination. But any doubt as to whether Kavanaugh is an entirely different kind of justice from OConnor, Kennedy or Souter should be dispelled by the excitement of full-time, professional anti-abortion advocates when he was confirmed. There was zero ambivalence about Kavanaugh in those circles, as this handy collection of quotes from LifeNews.com (headed up by a photo of the new justice with confetti flying) makes clear, beginning with this lead-in: Leading pro-life groups are celebrating the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, after the Senate turned back a character assassination campaign spearheaded by pro-abortion Democrat senators and pro-abortion groups to attempt to derail the nomination. Its unanimous. Heres the National Right to Life Committee: Todays Senate vote is a victory for Judge Kavanaugh, and for the President, but also for the rule of law it is a victory for all who believe that the federal courts should enforce the rights truly based on the text and history of the Constitution, and otherwise leave policy questions in the hands of elected legislators, said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. Heres the president of the March for Life: The Supreme Court plays a critical role in pro-life policy and has for decades. We look forward to Justice Kavanaughs tenure on the bench and the impact his dedicated public service will have towards creating a country where every human life is valued and protected equally under the law. Heres the president of the especially militant Susan B. Anthony List, which vets political candidates every single day: Only one vulnerable incumbent, Joe Manchin, stood up to Chuck Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, and other pro-abortion party leaders while Joe Donnelly, Bill Nelson, Claire McCaskill, Heidi Heitkamp, and Jon Tester caved under pressure. Anyone who thinks the voters will forget this profound betrayal is greatly mistaken. Since July of last year, SBA Lists field team has reached more than 2 million voters at their homes in key battleground states and will be on the ground every day through Election Day. A majority of voters in these states have told our canvassers they support Judge Kavanaugh. Gee, wonder why those anti-abortion voters canvassers by a RLT group all supported Kavanaugh? Whos more likely to be right? Those millions of voters, the organizations who represent them, the president who promised them to overturn Roe, the 49 other Republican senators voting for Kavanaugh who oppose abortion rights or Susan Collins? Id say the odds are pretty clear. Gardai in Drogheda, Co Louth have renewed their appeal to locate missing 16-year-old Alan Ryan. Alan has been missing since September 22 was last seen at Greenhills, Drogheda at approximately 12.45pm. He is described as being of slim build with blue eyes and brown hair. It is not known what Alan was wearing when he was last seen. Anyone with information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station 041 - 9874200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Digital Desk Representatives of Inner City Helping Homeless will travel to Brussels later today to receive the European Citizenship Prize from the EU Parliament. The organisation is being honoured for its work in supporting the almost 10,000 people currently homeless across the country. CEO Anthony Flynn says they'll be using this opportunity to ask the EU for more support to help the homeless situation in Ireland. "We're asking that the EU now come in, have a look and see exactly how bad things are in this country," he said. "We wouldn't be winning this award only for the work we do on the ground in regard to housing and homelessness. "While we're out there today, we're asking that an investigation be opened up, we look at how bad things are on the ground and maybe how Europe can tackle or help us end that problem." Meanwhile, he's calling for a substantial increase in funding to the housing budget. They say an extra 2bn should be committed to tackling the housing crisis. "We need the red tape taken out with regard to legislation and procurement of housing," said Mr Flynn. "We have the land banks available to build. What we need is the money for the councils to be able to build. "Councillors are still stating they haven't got that money on the ground to do that. Daithi Doolan is the housing SPC chair [of Dublin City Council] and he says the money has not been available from the government for the last number of months. "We're asking that the 2bn, as they saw in the motion in front of the Dail last week, be put forward and we start building dramatically immediately." Digital Desk Update: A 16-year-old arrested in connection with alleged gun threats made against a secondary school in Dublin has been released without charge. Ardgillan College in Balbriggan was closed today after the material began circulating on social media last night. Gardai say they are satisfied that there is no imminent danger to staff or students, while the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board says the school is expected to re-open tomorrow. The 16-year-old arrested in connection with the incident has been released without charge and a file has been sent to the Juvenile Diversion Programme. Earlier: School closed after student allegedly made threats against staff and students A school in North County Dublin has been closed after a student allegedly made gun threats against staff and students. It's understood the violent material began circulating on Instagram stories last night. School management at Ardgillan College in Balbriggan notified parents via text message last night that the school wouldn't be opening today. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested by gardai investigating the incident. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at a Dublin Garda Station. Gardai say they are liaising with management at the school and are now satisfied that there is no imminent danger to staff or students. This story was updated with further details at 11.11am. Digital Desk By Louise Walsh A young Meath student with autism has written to all the country's politicians asking them to "let kids have the time to be kids" by banning homework. Determined Finn Savino (9) from Clonmellon penned the email to all TDs and the Department of Education stating eight reasons why after-school lessons should be scrapped to create more family time. He is making good on a promise to his fourth class Clonmellon NS friends who voted him onto the student council on a mandate to get homework abolished and create a more inclusive system for children with disabilities. In the open email to all TDs, especially his local representatives Shane Cassells, Peadar Toibin and Damien English and Education Minister Richard Bruton, he says homework is 'bad' because 'children spend around six hours of school every day and are probably tired afterwards, so an extra hour of homework is extremely unfair. "Homework takes away quality time with friends and family and active time is also taken away which is putting children's health at risk," he argues. "School work should be done at school and not at home. "Homework causes stress and teachers are teaching less because they have to correct homework "Home life is meant to be fun and homework is certainly not fun for a lot of children. Let kids have the time to be kids." Finn says he has been getting great support from his friends. "All the students agree with me. I especially think homework is bad for those with special needs, like me, who are really exhausted when they come home in the evenings." Mum Grainne Finucane says: "Finn has autism and comes home from school exhausted as the social interaction and sensory experience of it completely drains him. Grainne Finucane with her children Finn and Saoirse Lily Savino with Finn's letter. "He strongly believes that school work belongs in school and home time should be just for family, friends and fun. "He also thinks kids end up staying in and sitting too much because of homework and his is concerned about their health, particularly since the ad campaign about chairs can kill came out to promote more activity. "He only moved to Clonmellon NS this year and the first we heard of him being elected onto the council was when the other kids were congratulating him at the school gates. "He told us that he campaigned on being nicer to students with special needs and no homework and that he wants to make sure he keeps his promises. He wrote the email to all the politicians and the Department of Education all by himself and just asked his dad to spell check it. "He only sent the email on Sunday evening but has received a few acknowledgements to date and one invite to the Dail for himself and his class," she concluded. Househunters in Dublin are paying up to 15% more for a home near a Luas line. This means that buyers are now paying an average of 446,000 for a property close to a Luas stop, which is 61,000 more than the average asking price in Dublin. By Ann O'Loughlin The State is to pay the costs of a case in which the High Court blocked an inquiry into patient health and welfare at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin. The case, which was heard over five days, arose after the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) objected to the direction by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, that an inquiry be held following the death of Malak Thawley (34) during surgery for an ectopic pregnancy in 2016. Last month, Mr Justice Charles Meenan said it was irrational and unreasonable for the Minister to direct such an investigation into what happened at the NMH when such practices being investigated existed, without his intervention, in many other hospitals across the health service. He also found that the Minister, before ordering his inquiry, had not properly considered the findings and recommendations of three other reports - a Coronors Inquest, an internal NMH inquiry and a further Health Service Executive probe. The case returned to court today when Mr Justice Justice Meenan was told by Imogen McGrath, for the NMH, that agreement had been reached between the hospital and the Minister on the issue of costs which are to be in favour of the NMH. Ms MGrath also asked the judge to make a formal order quashing the Minister's decision to direct that a statutory inquiry be held and a declaration that the decision was outside his powers. PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Hurricane Michael has grown to a Category 3 storm, prompting Mississippi Power to head to the Florida Gulf Coast to provide aid alongside their partner, Gulf Power. "Our storm team is preparing to depart early afternoon on Tuesday to provide assistance to Gulf Power ahead of Hurricane Michael," Vice President of Customer Service and Operations Nicole Faulk said. "We are grateful to be able to help support the restoration process for Hurricane Michael while ensuring we have the personnel necessary here at home to meet the needs of our own customers." Mississippi Power is sending nearly 100 employees to assist in the Michael restoration effort. The team is made up of linemen and support personnel including engineers, logistics, fleet, security, supply chain and safety personnel. Teams are departing from service centers in Meridian, Hattiesburg, Pascagoula and Gulfport Tuesday afternoon. Braden Smith, lineman with Mississippi Power has been with the company nine years and has assisted in various operations with Hurricanes Sandy and Harvey. For him, it is important to lend a helping hand to his fellow brothers in the Southern Company system. "We have no issues with getting help when it comes to issues at home, so we have no problem going and helping sister companies in line work," Smith said. "This is a 'my brothers' keeper' thing so we feel it is important to help them as much as they assist us." With a two-year-old, it's tougher to be away from home, according to Smith, but the camaraderie between he and his coworkers makes being away a little easier. "I have these guys here that I work beside everyday who keep me safe and vice versa, so that goes a long," Smith said. "Besides doing it for the guys I work with every day, I also do it for my family. I make sure they are well taken care of before I leave." Michael could result in the strongest storm to make landfall along the panhandle in 13 years. Locally, the tropical storm watch will remain in effect through Wednesday for Mississippi's coastal counties. Violently occupying wildlife preserves is a legitimate form of protest. Gathering with signs outside the Supreme Court is mob behavior. Photo: Rick Bowmer/AP/REX/Shutterstock The Republican Party is the only thing standing between you and the lefts angry mob of ideological zealots (who are all, also, the hired hands of a foreign Jewish billionaire, and thus, arent genuinely angry, or ideological, or zealous). This is the narrative that Republican lawmakers are pushing in the wake of Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court. A majority of Americans might think they just saw the Senate GOP install a temperamentally unfit perjurer who probably committed sexual assault onto the Supreme Court. But Republicans believe they can persuade the public that what they really saw was a Democratic mobs lawless attempt to destroy an innocent man by any means necessary. Democrats have encouraged mob rule, Judiciary committee chair Chuck Grassley lamented from the Senate floor Friday, before proceeding to tell Fox Business that he believed the protesters were mercenaries employed by George Soros, as it fits in his attack mode and how he uses his billions and billions of resources. Utah senator Orrin Hatch echoed this assessment, decrying the self-proclaimed sexual assault survivors whod gathered in the capitol as a paid mob trying to prevent senators from doing the will of their constituents. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, criticized the media for treating these (entrepreneurial) anarchists with undue sympathy, tweeting, Imagine the coverage on cable news if an angry mob of conservatives stormed the steps of the Supreme Court building. On one level, this is just bog-standard, bad-faith Republican messaging. The GOP long ago determined that it cant compete on the strength of its (deeply unpopular) tax cuts and health-care agenda, or even, on a straightforward presentation of its positions on culture war issues most Republican voters want more border enforcement, and a pathway to legalization for all undocumented immigrants (i.e., the Democratic Partys official position on immigration). Rather, Republicans know that their best bet is to stoke the paranoid fears and cultural resentments of their base, through demagogic lies if necessary. So, the party that insisted on a thorough, nonpartisan investigation of Christine Blasey Fords allegations is trying to end due process in the United States; protesters who nonviolently made their voices heard in the halls of power are assaulting democracy; Dianne Feinstein is the lead sponsor of an open borders bill; and some Democratic House candidates are literal terrorists. And yet, it wouldnt be fair to call the GOPs attacks on Kavanaugh purely cynical. Rather, what makes the partys arguments truly concerning is that they are rooted in genuine principle just not the one that Republicans are publicly endorsing. The modern GOP has no principled opposition to angry, or even lawless, demonstrations. When the far-right rancher Cliven Bundy protested federal land policy by assembling a heavily armed militia which then threatened to shoot Bureau of Land Management (BLM) workers who refused to obey their orders many Republican lawmakers rallied to Bundys defense; Ted Cruz even suggested that this insurrection against federal law enforcement was an understandable response to the Obama administrations jackboot of authoritarianism. Years later, Bundys son Ammon led an armed occupation of a national wildlife refuge demanding, among other things, that the government release friends of his whod been convicted of arson. Over the summer, Donald Trump rewarded this (ostensibly not moblike) form of protest by using his clemency powers to honor Ammons request. And, of course, Republicans celebrated tea party protesters for deploying the exact same in-your-face protest tactics that GOP lawmakers are currently clutching their pearls over even as those same lawmakers continue to venerate pro-life activists who spend their free time verbally accosting pregnant teens at Planned Parenthoods. But if the GOPs arguments are hypocritical and ever-shifting, their actions are nonetheless consistent with an overriding principle: When conservatives exercise political power it is by definition legitimate, when their opponents do, it is not. George Soros really shelled out for this one. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images So, when a federal government headed by Barack Obama tried to collect grazing fees from conservative ranchers, it was an act of unconstitutional authoritarianism that could be justly met with threats of violence. When a sheriffs office headed by Joe Arpaio tortured inmates at tent prisons, terrorized Latino constituents, arrested journalists who reported critically on their activities, blackmailed a man into staging an assassination attempt against Arpaio, and openly defied court orders, it was acting as a tireless champion of the rule of law. When reactionary senior citizens scream at Democratic lawmakers to get governments hands off their Medicare or a heavily-armed militia challenges the states monopoly on violence for a cause the conservative movement supports then they are civic-minded Americans who know that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. When sexual assault survivors, liberals, and labor unions protest the Senates decision to confirm a Supreme Court justice over majoritarian opposition they are an unruly mob doing the bidding of their sinister paymasters. For the moment, the GOPs attacks on George Soross lawless minions is a campaign tactic, not a rationalization for criminalizing dissent. But every time a normal, mainstream Republican like Chuck Grassley or Orrin Hatch derides Democratic activists as the lawless agents of a foreign power, it becomes a little easier to see a jackboat of authoritarianism peeking out at the edge of our republics horizon. By Ann O'Loughlin The President of the High Court has described the case of a young woman with severe anorexia as perhaps the most serious yet to have come before the court. A graduate aged in her twenties, the woman was described as in a state of "extreme starvation" weighing 4.2 stone when admitted to hospital in recent months. She continues to resist tube feeding and is extremely distressed about any weight gain, the court was told. Mr Justice Peter Kelly heard she has intense feelings of self-hatred and has told doctors she is not worth treating and will stop eating as soon as she gets out of hospital. She had pulled out the tube a number of times and also sought to abscond but is so weak she was unable to. Her case first came before the court last August when the HSE, in the context of an application to have her made a ward of court, sought orders for her detention in hospital for emergency tube feeding and other treatment amid fears her condition was so critical she was at serious risk of death. She went to hospital on a voluntary basis initially but was detained under the Mental Health Act after she resisted tube feeding and sought to leave. On the basis of her treating consultant's view that, as a result of severe anorexia and an emotionally unstable personality disorder, she lacks capacity to make decisions about treatment, the HSE sought an inquiry into her capacity with a view to have her made a ward of court and obtained orders for her detention in hospital and treatment pending that. When Paul Brady BL, for the HSE, applied on Tuesday to Mr Justice Peter Kelly to continue the orders, the judge observed this was "perhaps the most serious" case of severe anorexia to have come before the court. Mr Brady said it was "hard to imagine a more critical case". Counsel for the womans court-appointed guardian and her parents supported the orders. Mr Brady said the marked effects of starvation on the woman's condition were illustrated by the fact she suffered weight loss during a 13-hour interruption in nasogastric feeding after she pulled out the feeding tube and resisted efforts to reinsert it, the court was told. She had to be sedated for the tube to be reinserted. Her weight before she pulled out the tube was 31.85kg and 30.6kg afterwards, the court heard. There was some limited progress including her good rapport with technicians but her distress continues, counsel outlined. There was no possibility of moving her to a specialist facility in the UK at this stage because the situation was critical. In his ruling, the judge noted the woman weighs about 30.8kgs with a BMI of 11.9 when the normal BMI for someone her age and build would be 19. He noted the instances of the woman pulling out the tube and that she is trying to eat half a Weetabix a day to get a break from tube feeding. While the court has yet to receive a formal report from the court's independent medical visitor who had assessed the woman's capacity, it seemed the visitor apparently shared the treating doctor's view of lack of capacity, he noted. He would continue the orders as her health and life are in danger given her low weight and resistance to eating and treatment, he said. The matter was returned to later this month. President Trump. Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images I think well be treated very fairly, President Trump told reporters yesterday, after meeting with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Everybody understands there was no collusion, theres no Russia. It was all made up by the Democrats. If Trump is going to shut down the Russia investigation, he is probably waiting until after the midterm elections, which he hopes will deliver a House Republican majority committed to protecting him from oversight or legal accountability. In the meantime, the scope of possibilities for what Robert Mueller might uncover continues to broaden. Saturday, The Wall Street Journal updated one of the most curious side plots in the investigation: the role of Peter W. Smith, a Republican activist who in 2016 sought Hillary Clintons emails from the State Department on behalf (according to Smith) of Trumps then-adviser Michael Flynn. Smith met with one cybersecurity expert in an attempt to acquire the emails, and waved off concerns about the ethics or legality of colluding with Russian intelligence. Smith died in 2017, very shortly after being contacted by a reporter, bearing a suicide note explaining that he had a life insurance of $5 million expiring and his suicide involved no foul play whatsoever. The Journals latest report fills in many new details about Smiths work. Smith raised at least $100,000, from at least four wealthy donors, as part of his effort. Smith went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the privacy and secrecy of his projects, reports the Journal. Smith personally donated $50,000 to the effort, a generous gift for a man who, only months later, putatively faced so much financial distress that he killed himself for the life insurance money. Most interestingly, the Journal got in touch with somebody who spoke with Smith shortly before his death. Retired Wall Street financier Charles Ortel said he spoke with Mr. Smith on the phone in the hours before his death about a new project to brief the Obama Foundation and warn its leaders against the mistakes they believed were made by the Clinton Foundation, reports the Journal. According to Mr. Ortel, Mr. Smith sounded excited, and he began brainstorming who to contact and how to proceed. As Betsy Woodruff reported earlier this summer, and as Ryan Goodman noted, Mueller recently added to his team attorney Kathryn Rakoczy, best known for her work on violent crime cases. This would support the likelihood that Mueller is investigating Smiths death as a murder. It is obviously possible that Smith suddenly decided to commit suicide after this conversation without betraying any hint of his intention, and while sounding excited about a future plan. But it is looking increasingly plausible that somebody in fact killed him. Monday, The New Yorker published an investigation by Dexter Filkins into the connection between the Russian Alfa Bank and the Trump Organization. The story was originally broken by Franklin Foer in the waning days of the 2016 campaign, and its basic contours have not changed very much. Computer scientists discovered patterns of suspicious traffic between the banks Moscow office and the Trump Organization during the campaign. When New York Times reporter Eric Lichtblau inquired with Alfa Bank in September 2016, the Trump Organization quickly shut down its server, suggesting the two were in close contact. The knee was hit in Moscow, the leg kicked in New York, a computer scientist told Foer. Some experts have disputed whether the server was used for any real MoscowTrump Tower communication, and a host of observers have treated the possibility as a crazy conspiracy theory. Filkins, frustratingly, does not resolve the question either way. He produces lots of deep circumstantial evidence and credible testimony suggesting the server played some role in collusion between Trump and Russia, but not enough to prove it. If there is a smoking gun here, it will probably require testimony from one of the people involved in the campaign. We have no indication that that kind of testimony is coming but, then, we have no indication of anything Mueller is up to, nor have we had much indication the entire time hes been investigating. The final and perhaps most intriguing development is last weeks explosive New York Times account of Donald Trumps fraudulent tax schemes. What makes this report so extraordinary is that it breaks new ground on a figure who has been in the public eye for four decades, on matters at the very center of the source of his fame. It has not been known that Trump received hundreds of millions of dollars in payments from his father, nor that his methods included (according to the Times) outright criminality. What does this have to do with the Russia investigation? Quite a bit, actually. It shows that Trump is willing not merely to skirt the law but to blatantly violate it. It reveals that he has been able to harbor enormous secrets even in the face of constant media coverage. And, most directly, it raises unanswered questions about his mysterious financial methods. Trump is and always has been a bad businessman who relies on regular, large cash infusions from his father to stay afloat. Washington Post reporters David A. Fahrenthold and Jonathan OConnell, piggybacking on the Times revelations, have raised another curiosity: it was about the time that Fred Trumps payment stream dried up that Trumps way of financing his operations took a sharp and sudden turn. Whereas before he financed his purchases with debt he had called himself the king of debt he began buying properties with cash. It is unusual for real estate developers to make cash purchases, given the incentives they normally have to finance with borrowing. Its especially unusual that Trump started doing this right after he lost his fathers continuous cash spigot. This was also the time in his career he started working closely with Michael Cohen and Felix Sater, both of whom had links to the Russian underworld. It might feel like the Russia scandal is slowing down, as the stream of indictments halts before the midterm elections. In reality, the conclusion might not be anywhere close. Ordinary families might stash spare cash under a mattress or in a safety deposit box. South Korea's Lee family are so rich they spent years leaving billions of dollars under the names of their employees. This strategy is back in the spotlight after first being exposed in an investigation by prosecutors that led to the 2009 conviction of Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Kun-hee. He was found guilty of evading taxes through borrowed names and handed a suspended prison sentence. A South Korean civic group filed a case against Lee Kun Hee last month, claiming he illegitimately acquired his wealth from his late father. Credit:Bloomberg A South Korean civic group filed a case against Lee last month, claiming he illegitimately acquired the wealth from his late father, Samsung founder Lee Byung-chull. They accused Lee of failing to pay taxes for the inheritance that was passed down through accounts using other people's names. The accusation comes several months after police said they uncovered 260 fresh accounts under the names of 72 different Samsung executives harbouring about 400 billion won ($500 million) worth of assets belonging to Lee. Police released the details in a statement this February, while a police officer who investigated the case separately confirmed the size of the assets. The site of the worlds worst nuclear disaster, Chernobyl, is going solar in a bid to help free Ukraine from a dependence on Russian gas. Solar Chernobyl, a consortium comprising Ukranian energy company Rodina and German energineering firm Enerparc, has opened a solar farm located right next to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant's fourth reactor, which experienced a catastrophic meltdown in 1986. The 1 million ($1.6 million) plant consists of more than 3700 solar panels and is capable of producing one megawatt of power, enough to power 2000 homes, although there are plans to increase this to 100 megawatts in the future. The panels were built on concrete slabs, instead of being affixed to the ground, as digging into the area's soil is prohibited due to contamination issues. Premier Daniel Andrews and Creative Industries Minister Martin Foley unveiling plans for NGV Contemporary earlier this year. Credit:Paul Jeffers Its a big week for the arts. On Wednesday in Bendigo, Artlands begins to set the national agenda, following Mondays Victorian election debate in Melbourne where the three major parties were asked to offer their vision for the state's creative future. Meanwhile were having heated arts debates at the federal level, but for all the wrong reasons. The NSW Premier and the Prime Minister have decided that the Sydney Opera House is a giant billboard available to the highest bidder, in scenes that will be all too familiar to Melburnians following the sale of Fed Squares cultural value to Apple. So what are the big issues, and whats the creative vision, for the state of the arts? Mondays debate lacked the boldness and the clarity wed expect of candidates for arts minister, with election commitments revealed only in passing once question time began. And yet, of all the Australian governments facing imminent election, Victoria boasts a strong field of candidates with a genuine passion and a real depth of knowledge. Sydney dance group The Potbelleez have pulled out of a headline slot at the country's biggest greyhound race after a torrent of complaints from fans and animal welfare activists. The ARIA-nominated three-piece, best known for their 2008 hit Don't Hold Back, were slated to headline the Million Dollar Chase in Sydney on October 20. But on Monday, the band temporarily deactivated their Facebook account amid criticism they accepted the gig. Hours later, they'd pulled out. "The Potbelleez will no longer be performing at the Million Dollar Chase in Sydney on October 20th," the band posted on Facebook on Monday night. I remember feeling shocked and angry and also just feeling so hurt; it just wasnt right, and something needed to be done. So I went home and told my dad what had happened, and he encouraged me to write letters, so I did, to the most powerful people I could think of. See, I had been in school watching a TV show in elementary school, and this commercial came on with the tagline for this dishwashing liquid and the tagline said, Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans. Two boys from my class said, Yeah, thats where women belong, in the kitchen. When I was just eleven years old, I unknowingly and somehow accidentally became a female advocate. It was around the same time as the Beijing conference, so a little over twenty years ago, where in my hometown of Los Angeles a pivotal moment reshaped my notion of what is possible. Now my eleven-year-old self worked out that if I really wanted someone to hear me, well then I should write a letter to the First Lady. So off I went, scribbling away to our First Lady at the time, Hillary Clinton. I also put pen to paper and I wrote a letter to my news source at the time, Linda Ellerbee, who hosted a kids news program, and then to powerhouse attorney Gloria Allred, because even at eleven I wanted to cover all my bases. Finally I wrote to the soap manufacturer. And a few weeks went by and to my surprise I received letters of encouragement from Hillary Clinton, from Linda Ellerbee, and from Gloria Allred. It was amazing. The kids news show, they sent a camera crew to my home to cover the story, and it was roughly a month later when the soap manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, changed the commercial for their Ivory Clear dishwashing liquid. They changed it from Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans to People all over America. It was at that moment that I realized the magnitude of my actions. At the age of eleven I had created my small level of impact by standing up for equality. Now, equality means that President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, whose country I recently visited as part of my learning mission with UN Women, it means that he is equal to the little girl in the Gihembe refugee camp who is dreaming about being president one day. Equality means that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is equal to the young intern at the UN who is dreaming about shaking his hand. It means that a wife, it means that a wife is equal to her husband; a sister to her brother. Not better, not worse they are equal. UN Women, as you guys know, has defined the year 2030 as the expiration date for gender inequality. And heres whats staggering: the studies show that at the current rate, the elimination of gender inequality wont be possible until 2095. Thats another eighty years from now. And when it comes to womens political participation and leadership the percentage of female parliamentarians globally has only increased by 11 per cent since 1995. Eleven per cent in twenty years? Come on. This has to change. Women make up more than half of the worlds population and potential, so it is neither just nor practical for their voices, for our voices, to go unheard at the highest levels of decision-making. The way that we change that, in my opinion, is to mobilize girls and women to see their value as leaders, and to support them in these efforts. To have leaders such as President Kagame of Rwanda continue to be a role model of a country which has a parliamentary system comprised of 64 per cent female leaders. More of our big super funds are using their considerable financial muscle to publicly push for improved corporate governance of our largest listed companies. But it seems some of the biggest are not throwing their weight around, preferring, they tell us, to work behind the scenes with the company rather than publicly taking a stand and voting their shares at company annual general meetings (AGMs). Who is holding companies to account if not institutional investors Credit:Fairfax Media A new report by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) rates the largest funds on how active they are in voting the shares they hold on behalf of their members at AGMs. It's little surprise that Australian Ethical is rated as having the best voting policies and voting disclosures on environmental, social and governance issues, as assessed by the ACCR, as the fund is widely regarded as the deepest green of all funds. A lawyer representing two anti-abortion activists convicted of protesting outside clinics in Melbourne and Hobart says "safe access zone" laws discriminate against political speech. Guy Reynolds, SC, told the High Court in Canberra on Tuesday that the laws' ''practical effect is to deprive anti-abortion protesters of one of their primary fora for such protests and probably their most effective forum''. Convicted protester Kathleen Clubb leaves court in 2017. Credit:Paul Jeffers "That discrimination causes a distortion of the free flow of information, it discriminates against a particular point of view and privileges the position of the other side." Canberrans are some of highest users of the potentially deadly drug fentanyl in the nation, according to a new report. Wastewater testing results released on Tuesday by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission showed the drug was consumed in Canberra at a rate of 1.75 milligrams per 1000 people per day in April 2018, the equal highest of any capital city in Australia at that time. The use of fentanyl in the capital is also on the rise, according to a new report. Credit:Jacquelyn Martin The use of the drug in the capital is also on the rise, with consumption rates rising from about 0.75 milligrams per thousand people per day in April 2017. Fentanyl, which is a type of opiod, is prescribed to cancer sufferers in extreme pain, along with people with nerve damage and other severe injuries. You wouldn't think it would be that easy to lose. The portrait in oils of an elegant young woman measured 2.4 by 1.6 metres. That's larger than life and, probably, quite heavy. Sydney Living Museums volunteer art sleuth Robert Holden at the Catherine Hayes Hospital. Credit:Nick Moir Plans were to display the painting at a new exhibition, Songs of Home & Distant Isles, exploring the early story of music in NSW and opening at the Museum of Sydney next August. The problem is nobody seems to know where it is. So, as in all the best mysteries, Sydney Living Museums has a sleuth looking into the matter to get to the bottom of things. If you do not trust the International Panel on Climate Change, you should probably not trust the Nobel prize for economics. Yale economist William Nordhaus has just won the highest honour in his profession partly for his work on the economics of climate change. His modelling calculated the costs of investing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and then compared them with the social and economic costs of doing nothing and just allowing temperatures to rise. The bottom line was that investment in emissions reduction was a lot better value. Investment in emissions reduction offers the best value. Credit:Jessica Shapiro By coincidence, Professor Nordhaus work provided the economic foundation for the International Panel on Climate Change report also released on Monday, which urged the world to take more rapid and far-reaching measures to cut emissions. The IPCC report found that it was still worth taking the fairly drastic action required to limit the increase in global temperatures to a rise of 1.5 degrees by 2050 as a result of global warming, compared with going slow and allowing for a bigger rise in temperature. Do red-state Democrats really need to settle for such conservative candidates? Photo: Julia Schmalz/Bloomberg via Getty Images Last Friday Joe Manchin, the Democratic senator from West Virginia, separated himself not just from his partys liberal flank, but from other conservative Democrats when he voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh didnt really need any Democratic support with Susan Collinss vote, hed already secured confirmation but this makes Manchins position all the more notable. Maybe the senator cast his vote strategically; hes up for reelection in November. But hes led his Republican challenger, Patrick Morrissey, consistently in polls, and his position is certainly more secure than that of fellow Democratic moderate Heidi Heitkamp, who voted against Kavanaugh even though she appears to be losing her race for reelection. The simplest explanation is that Manchin, like Collins, disbelieves the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh, and is convinced the judge is fit to serve. Manchins support for Kavanaugh didnt surprise anyone familiar with the senators conservative record. The senator votes along with Donald Trumps agenda over 61 percent of the time, according to data from FiveThirtyEight, and Democrats have long tolerated that rightward tilt in the name of political pragmatism. Democrats like Joe Manchin are the only Democrats that can win states like West Virginia or at least thats what party wisdom dictates. If you want to have a Democratic Party in places like West Virginia, you have to be happy about somebody like Joe Manchin, right? Connecticut senator Chris Murphy told Politico last April. But Manchins vote should call old party strategies into question. If the Democratic Party cant count on its own senators for votes as morally pivotal as the Kavanaugh confirmation, its big tent might just be too big. Its tolerance for conservative members might not be as pragmatic as it appears, either. Since Trump took office in 2016, a number of Democrats to Manchins left have performed surprisingly well in so-called red states, winning some unexpected primary elections and polling well against Republican candidates. The Democratic candidate for Florida governor, Andrew Gillum, has been campaigning on Medicare for All and still leads Republican Ron DeSantis by four points in a recent Florida Southern College poll. In Georgias gubernatorial race, progressive Stacey Abrams has locked Republican Brian Kemp in a dead heat. In other races, recent polling suggested that progressive congressional candidates Jess King and Randy Bryce, running in Pennsylvanias 11th Congressional District and Wisconsins First Congressional District respectively, have closed gaps with their Republican opponents to single digits. And in one of the years most surprising contests, Democrat Beto ORourke has trapped Ted Cruz in a race for his political life. Even in West Virginia, support for Trump doesnt necessarily guarantee support for down-ballot Republican candidates, or for conservative politics as a category. Trump won 68 percent of the vote in 2016. But less than half of the states registered voters actually voted for Trump. The president won 489,671 of the states registered voters, out of a 2016 total of 1,274,887. In the states conservative Third Congressional District, Democrat Richard Ojeda has managed to turn his race against Republican Carol Miller into a true toss-up. Thats partly due to Ojedas particular idiosyncrasies: Like many of his would-be constituents, he voted for Trump, though its a decision he says he now regrets. As a state legislator, his unyielding support for the teachers strike that gripped the state in February and March earned him an energized following that very well could put him in office. Politically, Ojeda now has more in common with Bernie Sanders than he does with Joe Manchin and that tilt to the left has hardly harmed his prospects. Manchin himself faced a primary challenge from the left. He won, decisively, but Paula Jean Swearengins final showing against the senator bears re-examination. For Swearengin, an environmental activist with no name recognition and no campaign budget to speak of, to earn 30 percent of the vote against Manchin, who has served as senator since 2010 and was governor before that, indicates that progressive opposition to the senator is hardly nonexistent. After all, this is the same state where Bernie Sanders handily trounced the more centrist Hillary Clinton in 2016s Democratic primary. These facts dont entirely rebut the notion that as a Democratic senator from West Virginia, Manchin has shouldered a difficult task. The states Democratic Party is in disarray: Jim Justice, the current governor, ran as a Democrat only to switch parties after taking office, and Republicans dominate the state legislature. Most West Virginians may not have voted for Trump, but that doesnt mean the president lacks a strong base in the state. While Manchins reelection bid doesnt appear to be in major trouble, his support for Kavanaugh may well help shore it up. The Washington Posts Greg Sargent reported on Monday that according to at least one Democratic strategist, internal polling suggests that the Kavanaugh fight may boost Republican Senate candidates. Its certainly not in the partys interests for the senator to formally switch parties. Manchin still keeps a coveted Senate seat in Democratic hands, and theres a chance, albeit a small one, that he could help give the party control of the chamber in November. Democrats are clearly stuck with Manchin for now. The senators reelection seems like a sure bet, and the same cant be said for every progressive candidate running in 2018. The real question, though, isnt whether the party should shun him today, but whether it should continue to settle for conservatives with uncertain loyalties and the party arguably cant answer that until it figures out what it wants to be. All its efforts to brand itself a party of the people, from the Better Deal platform to its emerging tolerance for left-wing policies like Medicare for All, look like pandering as long as it allows conservatives like Manchin into the fold. The Democrats have got their clocks cleaned the last three or four election cycles and, frankly, no one seems to know what we even stand for anymore, Jeffrey Kessler, a former Democratic state senator who lost to Justice in the gubernatorial primary, told West Virginia Metro News last August. Its just were going to be this West Virginia Democrat which, at the end of the day, is nothing more than Republican-lite. The necessity of right-leaning, red-state Democrats might not be good strategy, but rather a self-fulfilling prophecy. This post has been updated to clarify Trumps performance in West Virginia in 2016. Gisella was the second daughter of four children. Her eldest sister was a brilliant mathematician and swimmer who was sent to New York before the war but died of pneumonia shortly after. Gisella and her two younger brothers stayed in Hungary and they all survived. They lived above a retail liquor and grocery store that they owned. It was a traditional Jewish household and she recounted stories of getting new shoes for Jewish New Year and walking to synagogue in them. Gisella began her life in interwar Hungary in 1921 as Gisella Blum. She told stories of an idyllic life in Budapest. Her mother and beloved grandmother had a strong business sense, which Gisella obviously inherited. Everyone who met Gisella had a story to tell. Gisella always said it how it was: whether you were too fat, too thin, too loud, going white or a myriad of other things, she felt it was her duty to tell you. She had a cheeky sense of humour, but not everyone knew the kindness that she showed to people behind the scenes. Gisella was a brilliant mathematician and excellent swimmer as well, she proceeded to university to do a Fine Arts degree, but her studies were discontinued as Jews were no longer allowed to study at university. She lived through the war, escaping concentration camps multiple times. She hid in the wall of her house and ate snow to survive. She was involved in forging documents (with a skilled hand) with the communist resistance and she saved herself and her immediate family through the resistance connection. She escaped twice from the Elizabeth Island transit camp in Budapest by swimming the fast-flowing Danube. Most who attempted that escape weren't so lucky. When she was hiding in the home of a non-Jewish friend, the neighbours outed Gisella and a soldier came looking for her. She was hiding in a sack among sacks of potatoes. The soldier bayonetted the sacks but missed Gisella. She later nominated the friend for status as righteous among nations. Her mother and grandmother (who brought her up) did not survive the war. Her mother died after an operation (there were no antibiotics) and Gisella was unable to get food to her bedridden grandmother. She married after the war and left for Australia with her husband, William Jakob, after being asked to report to the government (at that time under communist rule) wanting to know how many sewing machines she owned. She was sponsored by Albert Scheinberg, who was the founder of Stockland (Stocks and Holdings originally), as well as a partner in many other businesses. He had come to Australia in 1939 and supported refugees by sponsoring them and later by going into business with many of them. The sea voyage wasn't easy. Between her pregnancy and seasickness, Gisella was ill all the way. What extraordinary luck that on the day Gold Coast Bulletin editor Ben English was given the big chair at Sydneys Daily Telegraph, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in town spruiking millions of dollars set aside for two major film productions. English will be installed in News Corp Australias Holt Street offices come Monday, with current Telegraph boss Chris Dore sent downstairs as The Australians editor-in-chief. We hear Morrison found the time to make a quick visit to the Bulletins Southport offices to congratulate the new editor of his hometown tabloid. Paul Whittaker, pictured last month with News Corp Australia boss Michael Miller and Kerry Stokes, has been elevated to chief executive of Sky News Australia. Credit:Fairfax Media Malcolm Turnbull, of course, blames News Corp (and other conservative media) for his downfall. A judge has said it would be "impossible" to control an alleged extremist under new anti-terrorism measures after he was thrown back in custody over claims he breached similar orders. The NSW government is applying to have career criminal Mohamed Naaman slapped with an extended supervision order over fears he could launch a religiously motivated attack if allowed to walk free. But Supreme Court Justice Desmond Fagan said it was the "understatement of the millennium" that Naamans "chaos" made supervision difficult after a number of alleged breaches to an existing interim order saw him back behind bars. "It would be impossible for this man to comply, really," Justice Fagan told a hearing in Parramatta on Tuesday. "He cant comply with his prison routine, he cant comply with anything, really. Systems administrator Chris Bell set up a Facebook page on Friday night in a fit of pique when he heard Premier Gladys Berejiklian had ordered the Sydney Opera House sails be lit to promote The Everest horse race on Tuesday night. "It was just an idea, I thought only a few friends would be interested in joining in a protest and that would be it," he said. "But by the time I returned to my phone that night I found thousands of people had responded, eager to join in some sort of action in opposition to Racing NSW." Go Wallabies: The Opera House sails were used in a show of support for Australia on the eve of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. Among the thousands of voices who have lent their support to the protest have been the families of the engineer who oversaw the construction of the sails, the Australian architect who completed it and several workers who completed Australia's best known building. "Jacqueline was visiting the home site out of our Rockingham facility's normal hours," the company told 9 News Perth. "We don't know why Jacqueline was visiting the home site, and that is certainly one of the questions we are working to have answered. "Like most other service providers, solo outreach visits are permitted by Neami, but only after a thorough and rigorous assessment has been conducted. "If a heightened risk is identified, solo outreach visits would not be permitted." WA Health Minister Roger Cook was quick to dissuade fears the industry was underfunded, and it was not recommended protocol workers attend home visits solo. "Can I make it very clear, budget cuts have nothing to do with this set of circumstances," he said. "We are funding community mental health services at a higher rate of any previous state government. "It's not normal practice [to visit the home alone] ... we have very clear protocols when it comes to home visits in these situations ... so we're trying to understand what's gone on here." WA Health Minister Roger Cook. Credit:AAP Images/Sophie Moore Mr Cook said he'd spoken with Neami National chief executive officer Anthony Papakotsias about why Ms Francis was by herself during a home visit, but said overall he didn't believe her death came down to a lack of funding for community support workers. However, anonymous whistleblowers have since written to WAtoday to contradict those claims, and to offer an insight into what happens in WA's community support industry. Read the responses below. Some have been cut for length. "My girlfriend has been attacked, locked herself in a panic room" "I'm not a social worker, but my girlfriend is a disability and mental health support worker, and the comment that 'it's not normal practice [to visit the home alone]' ... seems to defy pretty much all the stories that I have heard. "It is extremely common for alone visits to occur. Most agencies will try and reduce staff numbers as much as possible [even beyond what is legally required] and even when a doctor's report designates someone with a disability, needing 24-hour care, as requiring two people to assist for any basic function for example, going to the toilet, hoisting into bed, so forth the agency will only provide a single person a lot of the time. Some workers spoke out about the violence they experienced while on shift. "My girlfriend has been attacked, locked herself in a panic room, called management, and then been told to wait for the client to calm down and try and continue the shift. "They don't send a second person even when told an assault has occurred. "It is common practice for the agency to beef up staff numbers when they are being assessed and then drop half the shifts as soon as assessments end." - Don "One peaceful night before she'd try to die again" "I recently worked with a 15-year-old with severe complex childhood trauma, and a history of sleeping rough from the time she was in primary school, because she felt safer sleeping outside than in her own home. "When I worked with her she was very suicidal and making serious attempts on her own life at virtually every opportunity while she was with us three or four packets of whatever supermarket pills she could knock off at a time. "She also burned and cut herself and attempted to throw herself into traffic. She would take the medication in secret. "Later we would see her breathing change and call the ambulance. Police would usually attend. Then she would go to the childrens hospital, they would keep her for two to three nights. "If there was space she would get transferred to the adolescent mental health unit for two or three nights. "As far as I can gather, her time there was spent sedated and resting with no other intervention. "Shed get sent back to us and shed have one peaceful night while she was still affected by the sedatives and then shed try to die again. The ambos would lecture her that she was ruining her liver and it would kill her and shed say well, death is the aim! "One night the childrens hospital psychiatrist rang to ask if we were happy to have her transferred back to our program. I asked why no one was putting our young person on any type of long term treatment, such as antidepressants. "From what I could gather from the psychiatrists response, the young person was known to use alcohol and recreational drugs and no one wanted to be responsible for a potential drug interaction. I can understand this, its a risk, a drug interaction could be deadly. "But I wonder which is the greatest risk - a kid taking hundreds of aspirin, paracetamol and Ibuprofen tablets each week, or taking antidepressants while using other substances? "Ideally, a couple of months supervised in hospital to get her medication right and her mental health stabilised would have been the best option, and would probably have removed much of the desire to take excessive risks and black out on drugs. But those services simply dont exist." - Anonymous "It's not feasible to have two clinicians on every visit together" "I worked as a community mental health nurse for many years in WA and Victoria. it was often the case in the community teams and crisis teams to have two staff, at times a social worker, being a multi-disciplinary team on an initial assessment, visit. Demand for home care is also rising, according to new government data. Credit:Jessica Shapiro "Some clients, however not all, were deemed risk to self or others and a two person visit. "However mostly we had our own case load and visited alone if it were a community team there were systems in place RE location and time of visit, call back etc. "In my opinion it is not feasible to have two clinicians go on every visit together. "In my experience, I went to an assessment once and the client was elderly and no risk, however there was no alert, red flag for me regarding the grandson who was living there and put his fist through a glass coffee table next to me ... this had not been made known to other health teams aside from the adult mental health team, who would only visit in pairs. "A risk assessment is not always done well in community teams, whether it be a mental health team or another community home visiting team." - Anonymous Quick comments "Under the NDIS, funding is very tightly controlled. Simply put there just isn't cash flow available for two people to attend a visit very often. My partner works in this field and I've heard some horror stories. There are disability service providers actively rorting the system at the same time due to the lack of oversight. The government simply cannot manage the magnitude of the needs of disabled people and its rapidly becoming a farce." - Anonymous "It is common practice to enter a mental health client's home alone. In all my 12 years I have never had a buddy nor been paired with another worker. We don't know the history of the client, only their present position." - Anonymous "Perhaps government-employed workers have those protocols but after 25 years of working in the human services sector I can tell you for community-based non-government organisations it is completely normal to work by yourself in unusual hours; even with high-risk clients. That's why government funds these NGOs it's cheaper and government has less duty of care." - Anonymous "The media and public have been victim-blaming... [asking] why was she out so late or why was she alone. I am a mental health social worker for the government and regular independent home visits are a requirement of the job. There is an increased expectation that the clinicians will intervene in dangerous situations especially with the influx of methamphetamine use. The police delay there support or attendance at jobs often taking days to responsd to a request for assistance to assess. Mental health needs more funding and trained staff and tougher penalties for substance use and crimes committed while acutely intoxicated." A teenager caught up in the Maylands river tragedy last month in which two boys died has been arrested and charged after allegedly trying to elude police through the Canning River on Monday. Police search the Swan River in Maylands last month. Credit:AAP The 17-year-old was arrested on Monday afternoon after allegedly breaking into a house in Ferndale, south-east of Perth. It's understood the teenager, along with two others, was chased by police for about half an hour. It's alleged he swam through the Canning River before being arrested. Call it outside the box thinking. Or just pure desperation. But India is going to need some fresh ideas if its tiger population continues to shoot up, as it has been. In the past decade, India's tiger count has soared to 2,500, the world's largest tiger population. At the same time, India, just after China, has the world's second largest human population, at 1.3 billion, and the people and tigers are getting squeezed together. Endangered tigers are spilling out of dedicated reserves, roaming around thinning patches of forest and trotting through farms. Surrounded on all sides by villages, highways, industry and towns, the tigers are increasingly running into humans. Indian Forest Service Rangers near a cage used to transport tranquilized tigers. Credit:New York Times This is what happened to the tigress, who wildlife officials call T-1. She lives in a fragmented forest near the town of Pandharkawada, in the middle of India. She has dragged away several villagers by the neck. On some of her victims, she and her two cubs have devoured large chunks of their flesh. Villagers are panicked, avoiding their fields and locking their doors at night, which they never used to do. Tiger experts in India say they can't remember a recent tiger ordeal as intense as this. The case has risen all the way to the Supreme Court. Last month, after a spirited dispute between state authorities and wildlife activists about the fate of T-1, the Supreme Court judges handed down what was essentially a life sentence: The rangers should try their best to capture T-1 to transplant her to a refuge centre or a zoo. But if that fails, the judges ruled, then T-1 can be killed. A fresh paw print from a tiger in the forest near Khairgaon village in India last month. Credit:New York Times Every morning at sunrise, dozens of state forestry guards and police officers trudge out of a makeshift camp carrying AK-47s, tranquiliser guns, GPS locators, water bottles, and foil containers of rice and lentils (their lunch). All day they fight their way through scratchy mazes of lantana bushes that smell sharp and peppery. They check more than 100 camera traps. They search for tiger hairs and study the stony, undulating terrain for tiger tracks, known as pugmarks. At dusk they return, sweaty and exhausted. They line up to guzzle water and gobble down jalebi, an Indian snack of fried dough slathered in sticky syrup. Their reports stack up on a plastic table. In the boxes for observations or sightings, the answers are all the same: Nil, Nil, Nil, Nil. In the past few months, T-1 has been spotted only a few times, for just a few seconds. The rangers have sacrificed several horses to draw her out. She's ripped into them, eaten fast, then vanished. The rangers managed to dart her once but the dart didn't stick and she slipped away. Tranquiliser darts are notoriously difficult to use. About 10 inches long with a feather on the back, they look like a flying syringe. They must be fired at close range, usually no more than 80 feet away. "It's going to be impossible to tranquillise her," said Nawab Shafat Ali Khan, one of India's most famous hunters who has killed dozens of elephants and tigers that went, in his words, "rogue"."She has learned from all these botched capture operations. We've made her very smart. Brilliant, actually." He said it was highly unusual for a tiger to turn into a man-eater. But there is little traditional prey, like deer, left around Pandharkawada. Once a tiger encounters a person and kills, it may develop a taste for human flesh, which, Khan says, is sweeter than other animal meat because of all the ginger, salt and spices people consume. Shafath Ali Khan, a forest service sharpshooter with a tranquilizing dart gun, believes it will be impossible to tranquilize the tiger. Credit:New York Times He said T-1 has learned how easy it is to kill a person, and that she has now gone "psycho." As the unsuccessful capture operations drag on, the frustrations grow. So do the dangers. Last week, in the middle of the night, one of the search-and-capture elephants broke its chain and escaped from the rangers' camp. At 7am, the rangers received a distress call from 16 kilometres away. The elephant was rampaging through a village, smashing fences. It grabbed one woman with its trunk and slammed her to the ground, repeatedly. "Nobody came to help her," said Nageshwar Chandekar, a friend. "Everyone was too scared." After killing her, the elephant stomped off to another village where it headbutted a man walking down the road, leaving him with a deep gash in his forehead, dazed but alive. Named Mukndro, 72, in bed at his home as his wife sat nearby. Mr. Mukndro was gravely injured by an elephant brought in to help in the capture of T-1. Credit:New York Times Finally, with the help of a mahout, a traditional elephant trainer, the rangers captured the escaped pachyderm. It was still dragging its enormous steel chain. "That was the tipping point," said A.K. Mishra, the chief wildlife officer in the area. Too many lives have been lost, he said, and the capture operation "cannot go on indefinitely." The strategy now is to locate T-1 and try to tranquillise her, but if she is too far away, forestry officials said, then a sharpshooter should finish her off. They hope to tranquillise the cubs. The rangers plan to spray the cologne near the camera traps to lure T-1 to a place where they can surround her. "It's a game of wait and watch," said Limaye, the forestry official. "At present we are on the receiving end." Madrid: Nearly 50 years ago, Ines Madrigal was taken from her parents, an unwitting participant in a scheme that started under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's regime as a way of removing infants from families that opposed him. On Monday, a Spanish court acknowledged that a former gynaecologist had played a role in the 1969 abduction of Madrigal, who was an infant. It was the first case in which a doctor faced trial in Spain for what is known here as the scandal of the stolen babies. But Madrigal's victory was, in her words, bittersweet. Ines Madrigal arrives at a court in Madrid on Monday. Credit:AP The judges at a provincial court in Madrid found there was irrefutable evidence to show that Eduardo Vela, 85, was involved in Madrigal's abduction. But they said the charges brought against him fell under a statute of limitations, which required the charges to be filed within 10 years of Madrigal becoming an adult. This meant that Vela couldn't be convicted of any of them. The issue became a national scandal in 2011, when the Spanish judiciary was forced into action after ANADIR, an association that represents people searching for missing children or parents, filed its first complaints. Paris: Emmanuel Macron is keeping France in the dark about how extensive a cabinet overhaul he's planning to give a new impulse to his presidency. On Wednesday he is expected to consider a whole new list of ministers as he prepares to enter phase two of his government and draw a line under months of scandals and political setbacks. French president Emmanuel Macron, left, with his wife Brigitte Macron on Monday. Credit:AP Beyond the timing, what remains unclear is the scope of the changes Macron will instigate. While he could simply replace Gerard Collomb, who quit as interior minister last week, that may not be enough for the 40-year-old President who once alluded to himself as the Roman god Jupiter. Collomb's messy resignation over two days "shows that the Jupiterian machine has sand in its gears and that he has to get things on track again," said Florian Silnicki, founder of political communications agency LaFrench'Com. "Macron risks being 'Hollandised' in that he could look like a weak president," he said, referring to predecessor Francois Hollande. Istanbul: Turkey said on Tuesday it will search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a missing Saudi contributor to the Washington Post, a week after he vanished during a visit there. The announcement came as a surveillance image surfaced of Jamal Khashoggi walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, just before he disappeared. Turkish officials have said they fear the columnist was killed at the premises. This image taken from CCTV video claims to show Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Credit:CCTV/Hurriyet via AP Saudi Arabia has called the allegations that it killed 59-year-old Khashoggi "baseless" but has offered no evidence over the past seven days to show that he ever left the building. Tuesday's statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry's spokesman, Hami Aksoy, said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were "open to co-operation" and would allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry did not say when the premises would be searched. Former Trump campaign official Rick Gates. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images Before Donald Trump locked up the GOP nomination in 2016, Rick Gates, the onetime deputy to former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, reached out to Israeli intelligence firm Psy-Group and asked for proposals for running an online disinformation campaign, according to the New York Times. Gates wanted to use fake social media personas to ensure Trump was the favorite of delegates at the Republican National Convention. He wanted to collect opposition research and build intelligence dossiers on Hillary Clinton and her aides. And he wanted to use social media to sow division and deepen rifts among the American electorate. The goal was always to help Trump win the presidency. The Times says theres no indication that the Trump campaign acted on the plans from Psy-Group, but the firms owner, Joel Zamel, did land a Trump Tower meeting with Donald Trump Jr. in August of 2016. The meeting also included Blackwater founder Erik Prince and George Nader, the adviser to the UAE crown prince and the go-between for Princes meeting in the Seychelles with a powerful Russian businessman. Zamels lawyer tells the Times that the Trump Tower meeting was cursory. The Psy-Group owner only outlined for Trump Jr. the capabilities of some of his companies in general terms, the lawyer said. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is looking into that and other questions regarding Zamel. Even if the Psy-Groups plans were ultimately discarded, Gatess solicitation of the company shows the Trump campaigns willingness to play dirty online. The first proposed targets of these tactics were delegates to the Republican convention. Heres what Psy-Group said it would do: After scouring social media accounts and all other available information to compile a dossier on the psychology of any persuadable delegate, more than 40 Psy-Group employees would use authentic looking fake online identities to bombard up to 2,500 targets with specially tailored messages meant to win them over to Mr. Trump. The messages would describe Mr. Cruzs ulterior motives or hidden plans, or they would appear to come from former Cruz supporters or from influential individuals with the same background or ideology as a target. The barrage of messages would continue for months and include both online and offline approaches, even telephone calls. Another part of the proposal described how general election voters would be targeted and manipulated: A third document emphasized tailored third-party messaging aimed at minority, suburban female and undecided voters in battleground states. It promised to create and maintain fake online personas that would deliver messages highlighting Mr. Trumps merits and Mrs. Clintons weaknesses or revealing rifts and rivalries within the opposition. Sounds familiar, doesnt it? New York: Pop music luminary Taylor Swift's decision to wade into electoral politics for the first time on Sunday has driven a spike in online voter registration, particularly among young people, according to the website Vote.org. The non-profit site, which helps people register online, reported 240,000 new registrations since Swift posted a message on Instagram endorsing two Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee and urging people to register. Massive reach: Taylor Swift. Credit:Invision/AP By comparison, the site recorded 57,000 new registrations in all of August and 190,000 last month. About 102,000 of the registrations since Sunday were among voters between 18 and 29 years old, an increase that the site said was likely prompted by Swift's post. Swift's enormous reach - she has 112 million Instagram followers and 84 million Twitter followers - underscores the way that celebrities can leverage their online presence by sending messages instantaneously to their millions of fans. New York: US President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has resigned, leaving the White House with one fewer moderate Republican voice in his cabinet. The President said he would name a new UN ambassador within three weeks, with Haley officially leaving the role at the end of the year. Trump called Haley "a very special" person "who gets it", adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to "take some time off". Trump said that, together, they had "solved a lot of problems". A rookie to international politics, Haley was an unusual pick for to be UN envoy. Latest News Over half of Aussie borrowers in danger of mortgage stress if rates keep rising Over half of Aussie borrowers in danger of mortgage stress if rates keep rising, says survey What is behind the Big Four interest rate uncertainty? Last week saw 50pt hikes and 40pt slashes across the Big Four, with twists and turns The former head of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) has thrown his support behind better assessment of living expenses. Tim Brown, who is now head of financial markets at Lakeba, has commended the wait and see approach from treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who said he would not be in a hurry to make changes to the current banking and insurance legislation. After revelations from the Royal Commission hearings there is pressure to make changes to the way banks and other finance groups operate. But many in the industry are warning that unintended consequences need to be thought through before decisions are made. Pointing to a recent UBS study, Brown said consumers also needed to be held accountable for their decisions. The study showed that as many as one in three lied on their loan applications. With this and the overuse of the HEM benchmark to assess living expenses, it is clear to see more needs to be done to verify borrowers financial situations. Brown said, I am entirely supportive of lenders doing more analysis around verifying a client's income and expenditure. I have been personally involved in building new regulatory tech software that can collect documentation and analyse a clients banking transactional data to understand their income and expenditure. However, what this analysis shows is that there are very different levels of expenditure between geographical and demographic segments, and like Household Expenditure Measurement (HEM), there is no single benchmark for all borrowers. For example, a young couple's discretionary expenditure will reduce by up to 30% when they buy their first home. Now, if we were to try and use a benchmark such as HEM for the whole industry the majority of first home buyers would not qualify, based on their current expenditure. If I relate this back to myself when I bought my first home, this sounds about right. I remember curbing many of my outgoings and became much more frugal when spending money. But Brown also said the relationships between the lender and the customer could help the clients financial health. Consequently, there must be some leniency given to lenders to sit down with a client and negotiate a budget they both commit to, moving forward, he said. A clients financial health can be monitored by using existing budgeting tools that are readily available in the market, and when the client moves outside the agreed budget limits, they return for credit counselling. Technology is learning to look at images of property and assess the value. Chief analytics architect at CoreLogic, Scott Matthews, explains what this means for the future of buying property and the humans in the process. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Hes in the clear. The Feds dropped their case to deport undocumented immigrant and former pizza delivery man Pablo Villavicencio on Oct. 5, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York confirmed. A spokesman from the Legal Aid Society said its lawyers cheered governments decision to drop its case against Villavicencio, whom they took on as a client after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained him when he made a pizza delivery to Fort Hamilton Army Base in June. The spokesman added that the Legal Aid Society would continue to represent Villavicencio along with lawyers from a private firm, Debevoise and Plimpton LLP in order to secure his legal right to stay in the U.S. We are glad that the federal government fully withdrew their challenge to Mr. Villavicencios hard-won release from immigration detention and his opportunity to pursue lawful status, the Legal Aid spokesman said. The U.S. Attorneys Office originally filed an Oct. 2 appeal challenging U.S. District Judge Paul Crottys July decision releasing Villavicencio from detention and staying his deportation to his native Ecuador, according to the New York Law Journal. But just three days later, the Feds withdrew the appeal for unknown reasons. Villavicencios case received national media attention after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained him while he was delivering food to Fort Hamilton Army Base on June 1, with critics charging that Villavicencios detention was the result of ethnic profiling. A spokeswoman for the base claimed that Villavicencio lacked the proper military identification to enter it, prompting a background check and the subsequent discovery of an active warrant from the federal immigration agency, which it issued after Villavicencio failed to leave the country by July 2010, as ordered by a judge. After he was detained, Villavicencio whose wife and two daughters are U.S. citizens spent 53 days at the Hudson County Correctional Facility in New Jersey until Judge Crotty ordered his release on July 24. Gov. Cuomo weighed in on Villavicencios case on Oct. 5, saying that the governments change of heart proved the delivery man did not deserve to be detained, and that he was targeted due to his immigration status. By dropping its appeal of a court order freeing Pablo Villavicencio, the federal government is admitting what we already knew that there was absolutely no legitimate reason to lock him up and take him away from his family, Cuomo said. ICEs arrest of Mr. Villavicencio while he was doing his job was an outrageous affront to our New York values and raised serious concerns of ethnic profiling. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Police have arrested two people in connection to a violent home invasion that happened on Monday morning in Marine Park. The man and the woman, both in their twenties, were charged with attempted murder, assault, burglary, grand larceny, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to police. Police say those two individuals, plus an accomplice, broke into the Madison Place home of a retired police lieutenant at 5:30 am on Oct. 8, attacking the 72-year-old former cop and sexually assaulting his 71-year-old wife. The brutes allegedly slashed the retired cops face with a boxcutter and hit him in the head with a gun, according to the authorities. They then allegedly stole the couples Honda Civic and fled the scene, police said. Later on Monday night, a man and woman were stopped in the stolen car at the Battery Tunnel and brought in for questioning, authorities said. The retired couple were previously victims of a burglary last July, when the former cops firearm was taken and has since not been recovered since, according to police. The police department reps couldnt confirm the condition of the victims, but the New York Times reported that they were treated at a nearby hospital and the woman was recovering there at on Monday night. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC A woman told police that a man raped her on a Williamsburg street in the early morning on Oct. 4, but cops arent taking her word for it, and instead cited dark and grainy surveillance footage as evidence that she was a victim of attempted rape, according to officers and the public report they circulated following the incident. The 27-year-old victim told authorities that she was walking on Richardson Street between Humbolt and N. Henry streets when the creep crossed the street, pushed her to the ground, removed her underwear, and entered her vagina with his penis without permission, Police Department spokeswoman Cdt. Taylor Cannon said, repeating language used by the victim in the police report she filed about an hour after cameras captured the act around 2:15 am. Thats what the actual report says, Cannon said. Its a rape, not attempted. But authorities Oct. 5 public notice about the incident, which included an edited clip of the surveillance video, described it as an attempted rape, alleging the perv knocked the victim down and penetrated her with his fingers when she tried to fight him off after he approached her from behind on Richardson Street near Kingsland Avenue, pushed her against the wall of a building, and tore off her underwear. When asked to explain cops description of the incident as an attempted rape when the victim told them she was raped, Cannon initially said it was a mistake. Its an error, she said. But when pushed about the discrepancy and why police would publicly describe the incident as an attempted rape despite the victims own statement to the contrary, Cannon put this reporter on hold, then said the blurry footage officers obtained provided a more accurate account of the incident than the woman did when reporting it an hour after it happened. The victim doesnt always have an accurate recollection of what happened. No penis to vagina contact, said Cannon, before transferring the call to her supervisor, Sgt. Lee Jones. Jones also insisted the full video which authorities did not publicly share doesnt actually show the pervs penis enter the victims vagina, but only him molesting her. The video doesnt show that she was raped. Not every criminal sex act is rape, he said. She made a statement, we saw the video. And the nature of the crime wasnt the only point of confusion in the reps accounts of the incident, which occurred roughly two days before 50 United States senators decided multiple womens allegations of sexual assault against Justice Brett Kavanaugh were not substantiated enough to deprive him of a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. Each police rep provided a different timeline in describing the victims actions following the attack. Cannon said the victim took an Uber from Kingsland Avenue to the 90th Precinct station house, where paramedics met her and took her to Woodhull Hospital for a rape kit. But Jones said the victim first went back to her apartment, and then with her roommate came to the station house before paramedics took her to the hospital from there. Authorities are still hunting for the slimeball, who fled in a dark-colored sedan towards Morgan Avenue following the attack, Jones said. And should police arrest the man and charge him with attempted rape, prosecutors can always change the charge based on their own investigation, according to a rep for the district attorneys office. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 5778477. The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All tips are strictly confidential. Corn is unloaded at a biorefining facility in Iowa, where it will become ethanol. Photo: Sergio Flores/Bloomberg via Getty Images Donald Trump is rolling into Cedar Rapids, Iowa, tonight (his second rally there since becoming president) for what is designed to be a pre-midterms rescue mission. The locale is not accidental: Cedar Rapids is in the congressional district of Rod Blum, who is among the most endangered House Republican incumbents in the country. Blum, a hard-core conservative, is in a traditionally Democratic district that he flipped in Iowas profoundly pro-GOP midterm election of 2014, and held in the equally pro-GOP 2016 presidential election. Hes drawn a very strong opponent in state legislator Abby Finkenauer, and he is unhelpfully under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for failing to disclose a business venture. A recent New York Times/Siena poll showed Blum trailing Finkenauer by 15 percent. Blums not the only Iowa Republican whos vulnerable: a second GOP House member, David Young, is in a toss-up race. And the states Republican governor Kim Reynolds (who moved up to the position when Terry Branstad was appointed Trumps ambassador to China) has been trailing deep-pocketed Democrat Fred Hubbell in recent polls. All of these candidates, like counterparts throughout the farm belt, have been hurt by Trumps trade war, and particularly the retaliatory tariffs China has imposed on U.S. crop exports. But Trump is not showing up at his Cedar Rapids rally empty-handed: hes bringing Iowas corn farmers and biofuels industry a tasty treat from the same heavy-handed White House that screwed up farm exports, as Politico explains: President Donald Trump has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to expand sales of corn ethanol, a senior White House official said on Monday, delivering a gift to farm state Republicans a month before the midterm elections. Trump, a vocal supporter of corn ethanol, will order EPA to allow year-round sales of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol content, an increase over the 10 percent blends that are sold at most gas stations around the nation. The sale of the blends, known as E15, is currently prohibited during the summer months in several states because of Clean Air Act restrictions, and corn growers have long sought to expand sales of the higher concentrations. There are some doubts about how quickly this new policy will actually affect ethanol use, as expressed by the Cedar Rapids Gazette: [T]he administration is not proposing more funding to get E15 to the pump its sold at only about 1 percent of the nations gas stations now and rule-making is expected to take months and possibly lead to oil industry lawsuits. That has Sebastian Pouliot, an Iowa State University professor specializing in agricultural and natural resource economics, skeptical of any immediate impact. Are fuel retailers willing to make the investment? asked Pouliot, who has studied consumer willingness to pay for ethanol blends as high as E85. Thats not obvious. Overall, however, the Trump tilt is unpleasant news for an oil industry thats being forced to use more ethanol, which increases compliance costs. And one of the losers in a power struggle that is being resolved in the ethanol industrys favor is Texas senator Ted Cruz. Earlier this year Cruz placed a four-month hold on the nomination of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey to become Undersecretary at USDA, reportedly as part of an effort to force concessions from the ethanol lobby. Aside from losing that power struggle, Cruz has really damaged any future presidential ambitions he might have by annoying Iowans. As you may recall, Cruz gave Trump a rare and momentarily major setback in the 2016 Iowa Caucuses, despite doubts about his willingness to express love for ethanol. Now more than ever hes an open enemy of that great corn idol. More broadly, Trumps new ethanol pander is an example of how far his economic policies have drifted from anything approaching free market principles. What his trade war taketh away from Iowa, his energy policies may giveth back, at least in part. Well soon see if voters in Iowa, a key bellwether state in terms of measuring how far Trump has fallen even in favorable territory since his election as president, buy the trade-off. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Video streaming service announced Monday it was cancelling the production of third season of 'On Air with AIB' in light of the allegations of misconduct against one of the members of the comedy group. In a statement, Star India's streaming platform said it "will not stand by anything" that compromises the respect or safety of women. "In light of recent events involving AIB, we are cancelling the production of On Air with Season 3, with immediate effect," the statement said. "We are deeply concerned by these developments, which run contrary to our values as a responsible platform, and will not stand by anything that compromises the respect or safety of women," it said. The comedy group announced on Monday that two of its founding members and Gursimran Khamba were stepping away from the organisation. While Bhat has come under attack for his inaction in the complaints against writer-comedian Utsav Chakraborty, Khamba has been directly accused of misconduct. in a statement said Bhat will not be involved with the day-to-day functioning of the company. The company has placed Khamba on a temporary leave of absence "until we have more clarity on the matter". Cash-strapped Tuesday paid the balance amount of August salary to its senior management, pilots and engineers. The Naresh Goyal-promoted full service carrier was scheduled to clear the remaining 50 per cent of the August salary to these personnel on September 26 as part of a staggered-payment plan. Jet Airways, however, could pay only half of the amount on the scheduled date due to paucity of cash and deferred the payment of the remaining amount to October 9. "We have received the remaining 25 per cent of our salary on Tuesday and with this payment, the airline has cleared our August salary dues. But it has still to disburse the September salary," a pilot associated with the National Aviator's Guild (NAG) told PTI. Notably, the airline management had on October 5 assured its domestic pilots body, NAG, of disbursing the remaining amount of August salary by Tuesday. The airline, which is struggling to raise capital for its various payment obligations, including payment of salaries to its 16,000 employees, received a breather from its loyalty programme Jet Privilege Private (JPPL), its joint venture with Etihad, which offered it about Rs 258 crore for the advance purchase of discounted tickets. JPPL is 50.1 per cent owned by Etihad Airways, while the rest 49.9 per cent is with On September 6, the airline had informed that its senior management, pilots and engineers will receive their monthly salaries in two instalments till November. The August salary was to be paid in two instalments - half by September 11 and the other half by September 26. Trump says hes finally sending the feds to Chicago. Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump doesnt seem to care about Chicago. In recent years, hes found only two reasons to talk about the city to promote his property and to score cheap political points by reciting murder stats. Trump doesnt offer real solutions or express much sympathy for the victims of Chicagos violent crime. Any time he brings up the issue, he quickly turns to insulting the citys Democratic leaders, presenting himself as its savior, or scaring his supporters. Then he moves on until he needs to whip up fear and resentment at a campaign rally or on Twitter. On Monday though, Trump said hes finally planning to do something about the crime in the city. After threatening for years to send in the Feds, he told a crowd of law enforcement officers in Orlando that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is headed to Chicago. Were going to straighten it out, and were going to straighten it out fast, he promised. The one idea Trump presented to accomplish this was retooling the citys use of stop-and-frisk, the policy of conducting warrantless stops to search people for weapons. Its the same idea he was touting five years ago when he was little more than a reality-TV host dabbling in racist conspiracy theories. Chicago is a shooting disaster-they should immediately go to STOP AND FRISK. They have no choice, hundreds of lives would be saved! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2013 It works, and it was meant for problems like Chicago, he said Monday. It was meant for it. Stop-and-frisk. And Rudy Giuliani, when he was mayor of New York City, had a very strong program of stop-and-frisk, and it went from an unacceptably dangerous city to one of the safest cities in the country and I think the safest big city in the country. So it works. As the Chicago Sun-Times notes, Chicago police currently use stop-and-frisk tactics, but theyre not unfettered. Street stops in Chicago are restricted by a settlement reached with the ACLU that, in theory at least, prevents the practice from veering into unconstitutional territory. Trump said Monday that the settlement is a terrible deal that should be changed. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was not keen on Trumps suggestion. He said returning to an era of rampant and unrestricted stop-and-frisk, the kind that was ruled unconstitutional in New York City, would be antithetical to the strong, pro-active, professional police department the city is building. The failed policies hes talking about have no place for a city thats working together with communities about how to build not only trust, but a collaborative and cooperative relationship, Emanuel said. Importantly, those procedures seem to be working. Police stats from the beginning of October showed that the number of shooting victims has fallen 18 percent from last year and the number of murders is down 20 percent. Its progress, Chicago Police Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio said last week. We still have challenging days and were going to continue having some challenging days, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. "A day doesnt go by when someone doesnt ask me this question So, how are things now at Snapdeal?, Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl on Monday shared on LinkedIn the story of the e-commerce company's struggle in the last one year to 'turn the ship around' from 'near death', thanking employees and others for the participation in re-igniting the fire in the start-up. "There is a story to be told here that can be instructional for some and hopefully inspiring for others. Most importantly, for the incredibly resilient team at ... Members of Ekta Parishad, a group working for social and land reforms in the country, demanded on Tuesday the government ensures the passage of Homestead Land Bill (2013) and the Women and Farmers Bill (2010) at the earliest. The Homestead Land Bill aims to ensure that "every shelterless poor family has a right to hold homestead of not less than 10 cents Within a period of 10 years commencing from the date of notification". The Women and Farmers Bill has a provision to allow women to receive financial support for agricultural activities. It holds good only when women farmers have entitlement to land. Shradha Kashyap, a member of the group said, "We want that the government of follows through with their commitments to address the Homestead Land Act (2013) and the Women and Farmers Bill (2010) at the earliest". Kasturi Patel from Meihar in Madhya Pradesh, who works for tribals in Bundelkhand said, "Women need to negotiate bank loans, interact with those in the mandi panchayats or gain membership in farmer and producer organizations". On relation between land acquisition and violence, Manju Dungdung, an another member of the group, said, "Women who gain land ownership and have their own name on the land titles face less violence". Shobha Tiwari, who also participated in 45-days women's yatra across the country, emphasised that women are acquiring land title under the Forest Rights Act, 2007, but "only a few of the women on the march had received it". The much touted Gujarat Model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party stands stripped bare once again. The migrant labour in the state fleeing in the face of a violent campaign is a grim reminder of the failure of Modis Gujarat Model on both the social and the economic front. Even though the state government is attempting to bring the situation back to the normal, the cat is out of the bag for now. Most of the labourers who have fled hail from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The irony here is that many of the same migrants fleeing ... As many as 180 million for women are at high risk of being displaced globally due to new technologies like automation, the IMF warned Tuesday. The global financial institution urged the world leadership to endow women with requisite skills, close in leadership positions, bridge the digital divide and ease transition for workers. In a note released during the annual (IMF) and the World Bank meetings in Bali, the world body said that the figures of massive potential for women is based on its estimate of 30 countries, which includes 28 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and Cyprus and Singapore. It also rued that the new technologies could further drive down demand and reduce relative wages for the routine tasks that women perform, lowering returns from labour market participation. The IMF said its results indicate that, given the current state of technology, 10 per cent of the male and female workforce (54 million workers) in 30 countries (28 OECD member countries, Cyprus, and Singapore) is at a high risk (facing higher than 70 per cent likelihood of being automated) of being displaced by technology within the next two decades. A larger proportion of the female workforce is at high risk for than the male workforce (11 per cent versus 9 per cent), with 26 million female potentially at stake in these countries. Less well-educated and older female workers (aged 40 and older), and those in clerical, service, and sales positions are disproportionately exposed to "Extrapolating our results, we find that 180 million female are at high risk of being displaced by globally," the IMF said. In its discussion note, the IMF rued that women are under-represented in sectors anticipating jobs growth, where technological changes can be complementary to human skills. As such it called for endowing women with the requisite skills, closing the in leadership positions, bridging the digital divide and easing transition for workers. Women, it said, appear less endowed with some of the skills needed to thrive in the digital era: they are currently under-represented in sectors anticipating jobs growth, such as engineering and Information and Communications Technology. At the same time, there are some bright spots, it noted. Jobs are likely to grow in traditionally female-dominated sectors such as health, education, and social services, jobs requiring cognitive and interpersonal skills and thus less prone to automation. However, across sectors and occupations, under-representation of women in professional and managerial positions leaves them at greater risk for displacement, the IMF said. ALSO READ: The bitter truth of female labour participation Observing that the depth and speed of future technological advancement and technology diffusion across countries as well as their impact on jobs are largely unknown, the note said that as such, its estimates and extrapolation should be interpreted with caution. "Second, jobs at risk of automation is not the same thing as actual Our estimates of potential impacts of automation consider only technical feasibility given the current state of technology. Job losses could potentially be offset by new work opportunities created by technology and higher output potential owing to falling costs and prices," it said. According to the IMF, the Routine Task Intensity index, on average, is 13 per cent higher for female workers across its sample of 30 countries: a result that is statistically significant. Female workers perform fewer tasks requiring analytical and interpersonal skills or physical labour, and more tasks that are routine, characterised by lack of job flexibility, little learning on the job, and greater repetitiveness. "This implies that women are more exposed to automation than men," the IMF added. Taking on the BJP over the attacks on the migrant community in Gujarat, President on Monday blamed closed factories and unemployment in the state to be the root cause of the violence. "Nothing can be more frightening than poverty. The root cause of violence in is closed factories and unemployment there. The system and the economy are both deteriorating," Gandhi said in Twitter expressing his solidarity with the migrant labourers. spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi held Prime Minister and Chief Minister responsible for the attacks and asked them to take responsibility for it. "Modi continuously uses Uttar Pradesh and for political gains, while in Gujarat, people of and UP are being attacked. Modi, who was elected to Parliament from Varanasi (UP), what is he doing to protect the livelihood of these people," Chaturvedi told the media here. "I must provide the 'Ram Rajya' that they had promised. If they can't, they should quit," she added. Local Problems, Global Tech Photo: Michele Spatari/NurPhoto via Getty Images After Egyptian actress Amal Fathy walked out of a Cairo bank this May, she logged on to Facebook. Fathy posted a video where she claimed that the police officers monitoring the bank had sexually harassed her. Even the police officer who was guarding the bank, he was standing and touching himself, she said in the video. He was making filthy movements and talking to me harshly. Fathy also criticized the Egyptian government for failing to adequately address harassment in the country. Two days later, Egyptian police raided Fathys home. She, along with her husband and their 3-year-old son, was led out from her home and into a cell for spreading false news. Five months after her initial arrest, Fathy has become the latest in a growing list of Egyptian dissidents prosecuted under the governments fake news laws. The actress turned activist faces two years in prison and a fine of $562 for speaking out on sexual harassment and criticizing the government. This is an outrageous case of injustice, where the survivor is sentenced while the abuser remains at large, Najia Bounaim, Amnesty Internationals North Africa campaigns director, said in a statement. It is currently more dangerous to criticise the government in Egypt than at any time in the countrys recent history. Egyptians living under President al-Sisi are treated as criminals simply for peacefully expressing their opinions. That climate Bounaim describes is due to a series of cybercrime laws passed this summer meant to target so-called fake news. In reality, the laws give the government increased power to shut down websites offering opinions critical of the government. In addition to doling out jail sentences and fines for critical views, Egypts laws go even further by insisting that everyday citizens are media companies. Under the Egyptian legislation, social-media accounts and blogs with over 5,000 followers are officially considered media companies and are subject to stricter censorship requirements. By treating anyone with a blog and modest following the same as a larger media company, the Egyptian government is effectively quashing criticism from any citizen possessing cultural sway. Using fake news as a stand-in for censorship, the Egyptian government is also weaponizing legitimate concerns of misinformation toward speech it finds unfavorable to state leaders. It sounds dishearteningly familiar. The term false news or misinformation has only been popularized in this region after Trump started using it all the time, says Wafa Ben-Hassine, who leads Middle East and North Africa policy for Access Now, a digital-rights nonprofit. I think it is becoming increasingly clear that the government uses all sorts of premises to go after anybody who says something that they dont approve of or they deem offensive or objectionable, Ben-Hassine said over the phone. Whether they go after someone under the guise of misinformation or posing a threat to the security of the nation or inciting hatred among races, these are all sorts of different premises to go after objectionable speech. Fathys sentencing comes on the heels of a similar incident involving Lebanese tourist Mona el-Mazbouh. Like Fathy, Mazbouh uploaded a video to Facebook in which she detailed grievances with the Egyptian government and reported a similar case of harassment. Egyptian authorities initially sentenced Mazbouh to 11 years in prison before eventually opting to deport her and issue a fine. While these fake news laws threaten dissidents from all identities, theyve mainly been used to target women. Feminist author Mona Eltahawy commented on this trend on Twitter, saying, The sentencing of Amal Fathy aims to terrorize women out of public space and is a green light to men that they can assault women with impunity. The sentencing of Amal Fathy aims to terrorize women out of public space and is a green light to men that they can assault women with impunity. Shame #Egypt - this is a disgrace. https://t.co/sjW7W3EVnQ #Patriarchy Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) September 29, 2018 Days before Fathys sentence, 17 independent experts for the United Nations Human Rights Council openly criticized the Egyptian government for using anti-terrorism laws to target civilian dissidents. The memo, first reported by the New York Times, highlighted Fathys case in particular. We are gravely concerned at the human rights defenders prolonged periods of detention, reportedly arising from their peaceful and legitimate defense of human rights, the statement read. The systematic targeting of human rights defenders is yet another indication that the Egyptian Government is operating a zero-tolerance approach to dissent, which is often suppressed under the pretext of countering terrorism. Union minister rode a cycle in Delhi's Paharganj area on Tuesday to protest against the Arvind Kejriwal-led for not reducing the (VAT) on and prices. Goel claimed that the was not paying heed to people suffering due to rising "It's not a symbolic agitation, it will go on until the government slashes on and diesel," he said. The Modi government, being sensitive to problems of people due to rising prices of and diesel, reduced Rs 2.5 on and petrol. Now, it is Kejriwal's turn to do the same and reduce the prices by at least Rs 5, the minister said. The Kejriwal government realises Rs 29 as on petrol and diesel, he claimed. The power and water bills of people are also going up in Delhi and it is also part of the agitation, he said Goel last Sunday rode a bullock cart in a similar protest against the Kejriwal government in Chandni Chowk area. With an eye on the next Lok Sabha polls, the West Bengal BJP unit would take out three rath yatras covering all the 42 parliamentary constituencies of the state. West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said the rath yatras would be held in December, but campaign for the programme will begin just after Durga Puja. "The first rath yatra will start from the temple town of Tarapith in Birbhum district on December 3. Party president Amit Shah is likely to take part in it," Ghosh told PTI. "He is very keen on taking part in all the three yatras. But his dates need to be worked out. Union ministers, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and senior party leaders will take part in the rally," he said. The second rath yatra from Namkhana-Gangasagar in South 24 Parganas district would begin on December 5 and the last one from Cooch Behar would start from December 7, he said. Each rath yatra will cover 14 Lok Sabha constituencies. "At the end of January, we have a plan to hold a massive rally in Kolkata which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Ghosh said. BJP sources said, the decision to take out rath yatras was taken during Shah's two-day visit to the state in June. Shah had set a target of winning at least 22 seats in the state. Roadside meetings, social media campaigns and rallies in various parts of the state will be used to campaign for the rath yatras. "Bengal is of immense importance for our party presently as people are fed up with the (TMC) regime. We need to win maximum number of seats from Eastern and Northeastern India, especially Bengal," a senior BJP leader told PTI on condition of anonymity. The party presently has two Lok Sabha seats -- Asansol and Darjeeling -- in the state. Buoyed by its performance in the last Panchayat polls, the West Bengal BJP has prepared its Lok Sabha blueprint, targeting 26-28 parliamentary seats in the state. The 28 seats where the BJP's chances of winning are more than 60 to 70 per cent are spread across north Bengal, south Bengal and tribal-dominated districts of Junglemahal, the senior BJP leader said. Some of these seats are Balurghat, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Malda North in north Bengal and Purulia, Jhargram, Medinipur, Krishnagar, Howrah in south Bengal, he said. Time is fast running out for the "corrupt" and "anti-people" TMC government in the state but they are yet to realize it, Mukul Roy, BJP's convener of the election management committee in West Bengal, said. "The people will sound the final bell for TMC in the next Lok Sabha polls," Roy said. The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) announced Monday that the festival has decided to drop AIB's "Chintu Ka Birthday" and Rajat Kapoor's "Kadakh" from its showcase as #MeToo storm gathers speed. "We as an Academy (MAMI) strongly support the #MeToo movement. In light of recent developments, we have decided to drop the following films from our line-up -- AIB's 'Chintu Ka Birthday' and Rajat Kapoor's 'Kadakh'," the statement shared on MAMI's official Twitter account read. The organisers said they would dedicate the upcoming edition of the movie gala to find "constructive" ways to deal with workplace and misconduct. "We want to use this opportunity to open up the conversation, and find solutions to harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace. Starting with this edition of the festival, we would like to unite the community to find positive and constructive ways to deal with it," the statement further read. While AIB's Tanmay Bhat has come under attack for his inaction in complaints against fellow writer-comedian Utsav Chakraborty, his partner Gursimran Khamba has been directly accused of sexual misconduct. Both are founding members of the comedy collective. In a statement, Vidhi Jotwani, HR head, added Bhat will not be involved with the day-to-day functioning of the company. While Khamba issued a separate statement denying "any violation of consent", Jotwani said the comic will be on leave till the company has more clarity on the matter. Phantom Films -- helmed by Vikas Bahl, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena -- was dissolved over the weekend ahead of a HuffPost article that detailed the victim's account who alleged molestation by Bahl and how the production house failed to take action. AIB, which became popular for its 'roasts' and satires, could face a similar future, said Jotwani. Rajat Kapoor, the award-winning actor and director of films such as "Aankhon Dekhi", was accused by a woman journalist of "lewd" and unprofessional behaviour. He said on Twitter Sunday that he has tried to be a "good human being" all his life and apologises from the "bottom of his heart". Alphabet Inc's Google said on Monday it was no longer vying for a $10 billion cloud computing contract with the U.S. Defense Department, in part because the company's new ethical guidelines do not align with the project, without elaborating. Google said in a statement "we couldn't be assured that [the JEDI deal] would align with our AI Principles and second, we determined that there were portions of the contract that were out of scope with our current government certifications." The principles bar use of Google's artificial intelligence (AI) software in ... Many in the scientific world are celebrating the fact that two women received this years Nobel prizes in physics and chemistry. Donna Strickland and Frances Arnold are only the 20th and 21st female scientists to be recognised by the Nobel Committee. Yet in over 100 years, we have never seen a black scientist become a Nobel laureate. Every year, the annual October Nobel Prize announcements coincide with Black History Month, which is a painful reminder that of the more than 900 Nobel laureates, only 14 (1.5%) have been black and none in science. Almost all black laureates have been ... If we keep burning coal and petroleum to power our society, were cooked and a lot faster than we thought. The United Nations scientific panel on climate change issued a terrifying new warning on Monday that continued emissions of greenhouse gases from power plants and vehicles will bring dire and irreversible changes by 2040, years earlier than previously forecast. The cost will be measured in trillions of dollars and in sweeping societal and environmental damage, including mass die-off of coral reefs and animal species, flooded coastlines, intensified droughts, food ... In its sharpest single-day fall over nearly a decade, the Tata Motors stock dropped 13.4 per cent on Tuesday, to close at Rs 184.25 at the end of trade. Investors who have held on to it since the peak in 2015, when it was trading at Rs 605, are looking at a 70 per cent loss on the holding. In absolute terms, investors have cumulatively lost about Rs 1.25 trillion in this period. While there were multiple reasons for the Streets pessimism, the main pain point has been the performance of its British subsidiary, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Though the Indian subsidiary is ... After voicing the idea of manufacturing smartphones in Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot district, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he envisions a day when smartphones would be manufactured in Dholpur in Rajasthan. "You are taking a selfie, if you turn the phone you will find 'Made in China' written on it. I want 'Made in Dholpur', 'Made in Rajasthan', 'Made in Jaipur' written on it. I want that when someone takes a selfie in China, he would see the words 'Made in Dholpur' written at the back of the phone and wonder where it is. Then we bring him to Rajasthan as a tourist, put his money in your pocket and send him back by flight," he said while addressing a rally here on Tuesday. Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in her stronghold, the Congress chief said that "when the UPA government was in power, we gave MNREGA, waived-off Rs 70,000 crores debt of farmers, brought in the Tribal Bill, and gave food to students in school, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot provided free medicines to people. But, in the last four-and-a-half years, tell me, what Prime Minister Modi and Vasundhara Raje has done for you people?" Rahul further said that while the Congress governs with love and harmony, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governs with hatred and polarisation. "Youth of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh are assaulted and mistreated in Gujarat. You had trusted Narendra Modi, hoping that he will provide employment, but he broke your trust. We will form your government. We govern with love and harmony while they govern with hatred and polarisation. The BJP talks about their 'Mann ki Baat'; we listen to your 'Mann ki Baat'," he said. Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister over his "chowkidar" remark, Rahul said, "Prime Minister Modi claimed he wants to be 'chowkidar', but who does he really want to protect? UPA wanted to buy 126 fighter aircraft to strengthen security, but Narendra Modi changed the deal to 36 aircraft. Prime Minister Modi hiked the price of the aircraft from Rs 526 crore per aircraft to Rs 1600 crore per aircraft. Anil Ambani who never manufactured a single aircraft in his life was given the deal. He accompanied Prime Minister Modi to France when the deal was finalised." He further questioned why Prime Minister Modi did not waive-off farm loans when he could do it for 15- 20 corporates. Citing the example of the Unnao rape case, allegedly involving BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the Congress chief said, "Law and order situation in Rajasthan is abysmal. Prime Minister Modi gave the slogan 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao', but in reality, a BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh is accused of raping a woman and is protected by the party." Rahul also alleged that former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chief Lalit Modi gave Raje's son crores of rupees. "Yet, Prime Minister Modi stands with them and claims he is fighting corruption. Today Lalit Modi is safe in London," he added. Rajasthan is slated to go to polls on December 7, and counting of votes will be done on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army Commanders' Conference is being organised from October 09 to October 15, in New Delhi to discuss a number of operations, including logistics among others. The last Army Commanders' Conference was held in April 2018. A large number of issues ranging from operational challenges, administrative issues, logistics to human resource related issues will be discussed during the conference which will last for seven days. As part of the conclave, commanders and directorates at Army Headquarters will in a collegiate deliberate on important studies that have been ordered to meet future operational challenges. There are four studies examining operational and optimizational issues of Army and the headquarters as well as of human resources management aspects, a statement said. The aim of these studies is to improve the teeth to tail ratio, with the purpose of strengthening the structures within the Army, to make it combat ready for the future. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on September 23 had said that the Indian Army was fit to fight wars. Speaking to ANI, General Rawat had said, "We have got an organisation which helped us fight the previous wars. If we are looking at future wars, they will necessitate imbibing technology, technologies of all kinds. Therefore, we have to reorganise ourselves to ensure that technologies and the weaponry and the man behind the weapon are integrated. But it is more important to imbibe the technology and for doing so, you have to carry out some changes in the organisation and you have to ensure that your men understand the need for technology, only then can you move forward. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responsible for the alleged attacks on the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the state of Gujarat. Expressing concern, Banerjee said: "Whatever is happening in Gujarat, of course, there is provocation and that is why such things are happening. People are scared, and that is why they are leaving Gujarat even after staying there for several years. This is a very dangerous trend, it is a disastrous situation. Why is the BJP not controlling the situation? BJP-ruled states are dangerous, I am concerned." Non-Gujaratis, especially those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were allegedly attacked recently after a native of Bihar was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district recently. Speaking on the issue, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Vadodara, Haresh Mewada said, "Labourers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar working in Param Industries and in another company were attacked after a message went viral, which said 'because of migrant workers, state people do not get work. So, make them move out of the state'." He further said that 13 people have been arrested in the case. "On the basis of an FIR filed by the injured, a case has been registered. Four juvenile accused have been detained while 13 others have been arrested. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday saying her government came to power five years ago yet it failed to uplift the poor of the state. Addressing a rally in the poll-bound Rajasthan, Gandhi said: "When the UPA government was in power, we gave MNREGA, waived off Rs 70,000 debt of farmers, brought in the Tribal Bill, gave food to students in school, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot provided free medicines to people. But, in the last four-and-half years, tell me what is it that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vasundhara Raje have done for you?" Giving a political speech ahead of the state assembly elections, scheduled on December 7, Gandhi scion said: "It is just a month before Rajasthan goes to polls. The Chief Minister now announces that she will give free electricity to the people of the state. My question is, what made you wait for so long? Your Prime Minister even announced that he will give 15 lakh rupees to every bank account. Is there anyone out there who got that? They keep on telling one lousy lie after another." Continuing his scathing attack against Prime Minister Modi on a plethora of issues, the Congress president said that his policies are only limited to help and protect a select number of industrialists and not the youths of this country. "Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi fled from the country by looting 35,000 crore rupees and yet the Prime Minister addressed Choksi as his brother. Tell me, how many youths have been benefited from the government policies? Even Lalit Modi left India by looting crores of rupees. Vijay Mallya also looted 9,000 crore rupees. Did the Prime Minister even think of helping the youths to get them jobs?" he asked. Bringing up the controversial Rafale deal once again, Gandhi asserted, "The UPA wanted to buy 126 fighter aircraft from France to strengthen security, but the Prime Minister changed the deal to 36 aircraft and gave it to Anil Ambani who never manufactured a single aircraft in his life. Don't forget that Ambani also has a debt of Rs 45,000 crore. He accompanied Prime Minister Modi to France when the deal was finalised. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena on Tuesday intensified its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and warned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government that it will be thrown out of power if it fails to build the temple, as promised. The Shiv Sena, in an editorial published in their mouthpiece Saamana, opined that the temple issue has been reduced to a mere poll promise and therefore, has become a topic for ridiculing Hindutva. "Ram Mandir banao, nahi toh Ram naam satya hai," read the headline of the edit piece. "When BJP came to power in both Centre and Uttar Pradesh, we believed that the Ram Temple will soon be constructed in Ayodhya but nothing happened. Now, Prime Minister Modi and other Hindutva people are not uttering a single word regarding the construction of Ram Temple. The temple issue has been reduced only to a poll promise and therefore, has become a topic for ridiculing Hindutva," the article read. Citing the example of spiritual leader Swami Paramhans Das, the Mahant of Ayodhya's Tapaswi Chhawni, who sat on an indefinite hunger strike for seven continuous days demanding the construction of Ram Temple and was later detained by the police, the Shiv Sena said, "The government is causing trouble to those who are raising a demand for construction of Ram Temple, Shiv Sena, the BJP's carping ally in Maharashtra, has asked the Prime Minister Modi-led government to seriously take up the matter of constructing Ram temple in Ayodhya. On October 4, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI that the party president Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya in the near future upon the invitation of Janmejay Sharanji, the chief of Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. Elaborating on the meeting between his party chief and Sharanji, Raut said that the head of Janmabhoomi Trust was of the view that "without Shiv Sena's power, determination and belief Ram Temple cannot be built." "If Ram Mandir cannot be built now, it can never be constructed again," Raut added. The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in Ayodhya in 1528, was, on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram Temple that originally stood there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Nagpur Sessions Court on Tuesday granted three days transit remand of BrahMoS Aerospace engineer Nishant Agarwal to the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terror Squad (ATS). Agarwal was arrested on Monday for allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and passing details of the BrahMos missile. Agarwal had been working as senior systems engineer at BrahMos Aerospace facility in Nagpur for past four years. The ATS said that he allegedly used to chat with Pakistan-based IDs on social media. Talking about the same, Nishant's father told media, "I will go with the court's decision. I don't think my son is guilty. However, if he is found guilty then I will not consider it a lie. No such evidence has come before me which confirms that he is guilty. I will definitely look forward to defend him." Nishant was working as an engineer on a Defence project, said Aseem Arun, Inspector General of ATS, Uttar Pradesh. "We also found evidence of him chatting on Facebook with Pakistan-based IDs. He was arrested after we gathered conclusive evidence," Arun said. His personal computer was seized during a raid at his local residence in Nagpur. The BrahMos missile, considered to be the fastest cruise missile in the world, is a medium-range supersonic missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft or land. It is also a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM) of Russia. On September 20, Agarwal was awarded with the "Young Scientist Award" by the Indian Science Academy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said that despite the sanctions imposed by the United States, Indian companies have made nominations to purchase oil from Iran. Delivering the opening remarks at the inaugural conference of The Energy Forum here on Monday, Pradhan said: "Two days ago, two of our companies made nominations to purchase Iranian oil in November. We do not know if we will get a waiver (from US sanctions) or not. Isn't it new diplomatic power and recognition of the new leadership of India?" Stressing on the need to lower carbon footprint and enhance self-sufficiency in terms of energy, Pradhan noted that the Centre is focusing on achieving a significant reduction in the import of carbon molecules. "Energy is an important component for any economy. India, being the third largest energy consumer in the world, imports nearly 300MMT of carbon molecules every year. Our challenge is to lower this import volume, enhance self-sufficiency and lower our carbon footprints," he said. Emphasising on the Centre's efforts to expand India's gas-pipeline network, he added, "We aim to expand India's gas-pipeline network to nearly more than half of the country and are pushing to establish India as a gas-based economy, with domestic as well as foreign investments and also enhancing exploration and production activities to augment our own hydrocarbon production capacities" Asserting that 'when the bottom of the pyramid is transformed, the characteristic of the country is transformed' he underlined the positive impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on the lives of women. "I interacted with a large number of beneficiaries of Ujjawala Yojana a few days back. All of them unanimously said that previously they had to spend around Rs. 1000 to 1200 to purchase wood, coal and other items for cooking. Today, they buy gas cylinders at a maximum cost of Rs 900, out of which Rs 400-450 is returned in the form of subsidy, and hence, the effective expenditure is only about Rs 500. They also said that many of their eye issues were resolved because of the same and they were getting more time to rest now." The conference aims at analysing the global energy industry and overcoming challenges to address India's energy security. Other significant issues such as import reduction, sustainability, and reduction of CO2 footprints were also tabled for discussion at the conference. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabhbhai Patel has invited private players of Energy sector to invest in Renewable Energy in Gujarat. Speaking at Gujarat session in the second Global RE-Invest Summit, organised at Expo Mart, Greater Noida, he said that, the aim of his government is to provide energy at a cheaper rate to farmers and citizens. He also appealed to the private investors to invest in this sector. He talked about Surya Shakti Kisan Yojna (SKY) which is the big scale pilot project of the state government and claimed that it would be a game changer as it not only makes the farmers self-reliant but also gives them an additional source of income. The local farmers who have experienced the scheme lauded it and requested others to join in too. This project has been set up at a cost of Rs. 875 crore to cater to 12,400 farmers. As the 26 percent power is being utilized in the agricultural sector which is a very high ratio, he suggested investors to make an investment in this project. He recalled the vision of then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, and said that he had a vision for Gujarat to lead the nation by its example in the solar sector. Patel also said that Gujarat has realised Narendra Modi's vision by being the first state to set up India's first and Asia's largest Solar Park at Charanka in Patan district and the country's first MW scale canal-top solar plant at Chandrasan in Mehsana district of Gujarat. He further said that now, Gujarat envisions to facilitate and promote gigawatt (GW) scale addition of solar power generation capacities while taking into account the interest of all its stakeholders, be it investors, developers, Technology Providers, Grid operators or consumers. In addition to that, Gujarat has introduced hybrid wind power policy and soon Solar Land Policy will be implemented. Gujarat, will also soon witness country's first 1 GW offshore wind projects. As the cost of the conventional source of energy is too high to be borne for a long time and ever-growing economy of Gujarat can't afford the load- shading, the minister put forth the immediate and urgent need to find alternative sustainable renewable sources of energy. Highlighting the major strengths of Gujarat to the investors; Solar Parks, Hybrid Energy Policy (Solar and Wind), Surya Shakti Kisan Yojna and Ready to Use Transmission Techniques, he encouraged them to invest in Gujarat in Renewable Energy sector. Raj Gopal, Principal Secretary (Energy) also made a presentation on "Renewable Energy in Gujarat". Moreover, Praveenbhai Parmar, a farmer of Dhundhi village of Kheda district shared his experience of the benefits of Solar Power in the agriculture sector. The Energy Minister also visited Gujarat and other state's pavilion in the Expo- Mart. Anand Kumar, Chairman, GERC, senior officers from State Government and a large number of delegates, investors from India and abroad attended the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Alpesh Thakor, while denying his involvement in fanning violence against migrants in Gujarat, on Tuesday said that if he is found guilty of threatening anyone he would surrender himself before the police. "Only one incident happened somewhere in Gujarat and I condemn it. If I have threatened anyone, I will go to jail myself. Gujarat belongs to everyone. It is as much yours as it is mine," Thakor told ANI. He added, "In fact the truth is that people from Bihar have already applied for leave for Chhath Puja. This is the only reason they are moving to their state." On Sunday, Thakor had dismissed the allegations of fanning violence saying that the situation in Gujarat was being falsely portrayed. Violence apparently broke out in parts of north Gujarat last week and allegedly non-Gujarati natives, particularly those from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were targeted following the arrest of a man from Bihar who allegedly raped a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district. Director General of Police (DGP) Shivanand Jha had said that over 150 people were arrested for allegedly targeting those hailing from other states. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The makers of American screenwriter James Gunn's upcoming horror movie revealed that the film now be released on May 24, 2019, as opposed to November 30 this year. Titled as 'BrightBurn', the flick will open opposite Disney and Guy Ritchie's live-action 'Aladdin', as well as Warner Bros.' video game adaptation 'Minecraft' and Fox's 'Stuber', confirmed The Hollywood Reporter. Starring Elizabeth Banks, Gunn's brother Brian Gunn and cousin Mark Gunn wrote the script, with 'The Hive' filmmaker David Yarovesky directing. This comes after James Gunn was fired from the Guardians of Galaxy franchise after his controversial tweets on topics like pedophilia and rape. On a related note, actress Selma Blair had quit twitter over her support towards reinstating Gunn in the film and also called him "one of the good ones". Apart from Blair, 'Guardians of Galaxy' star Dave Bautista also defended the director after he was fired. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan and India discussed bilateral relations during Japan's National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi's visit to India from October 8 to 9. During his visit, Yachi held a meeting with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval where they discussed various issues including Japan-India bilateral relations and regional issues. Japan's National Security Advisor also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on the second day of the visit. In August, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera visited India and called on Prime Minister Modi. During Onodera's visit, Prime Minister called for strengthening various defence dialogue mechanisms between India and Japan and enhancing linkages between the armed forces of the two countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A male teacher of a school situated in South Kolkata has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl. This comes after scores of agitated parents and locals protested outside the school gates on Tuesday morning and even attempted to enter the institution's premises. However, security personnel and school staff blocked the entry into the school. As the protest intensified a scuffle broke out between the agitators and police deployed outside the school. Police also resorted to baton-charge to disperse the agitated crowd. Further details in the matter are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Celebrating the linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe, 10 authors from different European countries travelled to India for an extraordinary night of literary encounters, 'Long Night of LiteratureS 2018'. On the evening of September 28, Instituto Cervantes, New Delhi, welcomed 150 guests to listen to the multilingual authors' sessions. Each author hosted short readings in a classroom with the audience moving from room to room. The sessions were followed by audience questions and conversations where the authors and audience discussed how literature can connect people across countries, languages and cultures. The Long Night of LiteratureS brought authors from different parts of Europe together to present an enthralling experience to the Indian audience. The authors participating in the event were Clemens Berger (Austria), Veronika Resslova (Czech Republic), Henriette Rostrup (Denmark), Jean-Claude-Perrier (France), Istvan Voros (Hungary), Suneeta Peres da Costa (Portugal), Claudiu M. Florian (Romania), Gabriela Babnik (Slovenia), Ariane von Graffenried (Switzerland) and Jesus Carrasco (Spain). Also present this year was Georgia, celebrating 100 years of the first Georgian republic and presenting to India its unique and ancient alphabet, thus showcasing its deep European roots. Today, Georgia becomes more and more close to the European Family. In 2014, the Association Agreement was signed between EU and Georgia, which came into force in 2016. In March 2017, EU opened door for visa-free travel from Georgia. EU and Georgia continue working together towards a further deepening of Georgia's political association and economic integration with the European Union. Prior to the grand event, the authors visited Delhi University on September 26 to take part in a panel discussion with 150 students with the topic "Writing across Cultures/Writing across Boundaries". Afterwards, the authors had divided interactive sessions. On September 27, European Union Delegation along with Chitra & Dhairya Foundation (CD Foundation), organised a Media and Press Day for Long Night of LiteratureS. The day opened with a talk hosted by Shri Amarendra Khatua, a poet and a diplomat, former Director General of Indian Council of Cultural Relations. Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to India, inaugurated the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patna High Court on Tuesday dismissed the anticipatory bail application of Bihar's former Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma. The development comes nearly two months after Manju, along with her husband Chandrashekhar Verma, were put behind bars after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recovered as many as 50 live cartridges from their house during a raid carried out in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case, pertaining to the alleged sexual harassment of 44 girls residing at the state-run shelter home. Manju Verma's husband was also accused of having links with Brajesh Thakur, the alleged mastermind behind the scandal. Following the developments, Verma had resigned as the Social Welfare Minister of Bihar. It was alleged that Chandrashekhar used to visit the shelter home quite frequently and spent hours in the girls' shelter home. The couple repeatedly denied the allegations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Asia Minorities Alliance Foundation (SAMAF) chairman Nadeem Nusrat urged Pakistan's Supreme Court to drop unfounded blasphemy charges against death row convict Asiya Bibi, and ordered her immediate release. The Mohajir leader, in a statement, said that for years, Bibi has been kept in prison under charges that clearly lack credibility and mock the norms of justice. She has already suffered enough and there is no reason to keep her in prison, he added. Nusrat's statement comes a day after Pakistan's Supreme Court reserved its judgement on the blasphemy case lodged against Bibi, the only woman in Pakistan to be facing a death penalty for blasphemy. Bibi, a Christian woman, was allegedly involved in an argument with three Muslim women after they refused to drink from a cup that she had touched, according to Al Jazeera. The three women later claimed that Bibi, in an ensuing argument, insulted Prophet Muhammed, a charge that carries capital punishment in Pakistan. In 2010, a court in Sheikhupura sentenced her to death by hanging. Since then, several appeals against the death sentence have not been able to give Bibi a relief. Last year, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar declined to hear her case. Meanwhile, the SAMAF chairman, who also heads the Voice of Karachi, added that it is a common knowledge that blasphemy charges in Pakistan are routinely used against the country's religious minorities and Asiya Bibi's case is no exception. "In most cases, the real reasons behind blasphemy charges are very different and have nothing to do with the charges levelled against the accused persons," said Nusrat. He further added that Pakistan's own military establishment has been fanning religious extremism in the country for decades, which has not only emboldened religious extremists but also made it "very convenient for anyone to accuse members of religious minorities of blasphemy." Such reckless policies of the military establishment, Nusrat said, have created an environment of hatred and intolerance where not just religious minorities, but every peace-loving, secular-minded individual seems to be under threat. "The killing of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer is just one example of this growing madness where religious and ethnic minorities have become a hostage to religious extremist forces and standing up to them is becoming increasingly dangerous," he added. Apart from demanding the release of Bibi, the SAMAF chairman also urged Pakistani lawmakers to amend the current blasphemy laws, stating that the present laws allow religious extremists to conveniently accuse members of religious minorities of unfounded blasphemy charges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organisation, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017 and now operates in 41 countries, announced that it has surpassed a big milestone in its history. At the beginning of this month, AHF is providing HIV/AIDS medical care and/or services to more than one million patients-1,004,228 patients worldwide as of last week-in the US, Europe, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. AHF's Asia Bureau, one of AHF's five global bureaus, now provides lifesaving care and services in 9 of the 41 countries that AHF operates in globally including Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. "Over one million lives in AHF's care-the most momentous achievement in the 31-year history of AIDS Healthcare Foundation and an achievement proudly shared by many, many dedicated staff, board members, partner organizations, volunteers, family, friends-and patients," said Michael Weinstein, AHF's President. "Just three years ago, we marked 5,00,000 patients in care. To now reach over twice that number, one-million lives, is simply incredible. I congratulate and thank all who helped us reach this remarkable milestone today, but remind people there is still much more work to be done. As we carry on, I am confident that the leadership of AHF's domestic and global programs has the capability and the will to take us onward and upward to bring more and more people into the lifeboat of care and treatment over the next five years," he added. "The one million lives under AHF's care actually translates to many millions and many generations, if we consider the impact on the families who would have otherwise lost earning productive individuals, parents losing children or children becoming orphans," said Dr. V. Sam Prasad, Country Program Director for AHF India Cares. "This milestone is an epitome of championing humanity and guarantees life and dignity to those in need regardless of their ability to pay. However, India still has a long way to go in bridging the gap between the 'estimated' and the 'ever-reached' to order end AIDS by 2030. With a rekindled spirit and a rejuvenated mind, I vow that AHF India Cares will continue to Innovate Interventions to Impact and Complement India's National response, doing our best and our part until the war on HIV is won," he added. Dr. Chhim Sarath, Asia Bureau Chief for AHF, who is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, opined: "It is an honour for AHF's Asia Bureau to both celebrate and share the accomplishment of one million people in care worldwide with the entire AHF team as well as our patients, families and friends. However, there is much more to be done in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Asia and throughout the world. As an expert in the delivery of HIV/AIDS medical care and an influential advocate, we celebrate this achievement today and vow that we will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to control AIDS globally." In November 2013, AHF kicked off '20X20,' a collective global advocacy campaign to try to get 20 million people living with HIV or AIDS worldwide in care and on treatment by the year 2020. At the time, AHF made a commitment to getting one million of those 20 million on treatment by 2020-a historic benchmark passed this month-and a commitment achieved two years earlier than 2020. AHF celebrated the earlier milestone of 2,50,000 patients in care in November 2013. In the two short intervening years until the announcement of 5,00,000 patients in November 2015, AHF doubled the number of patients it reached. Prior to that, AHF marked 1,00,000 patients in care worldwide on April 8, 2009, a time when AHF operated in just 21 countries and with only 65 global treatment clinics worldwide. Today, AHF provides medical care and services in over 545 global treatment clinics in 40 other countries outside the U.S. "Truly heartfelt congratulations to all of the AHF staff, Board members, volunteers, partners and our patients for contributing your best to help AHF reach this incredible milestone," said Cynthia Davis, MPH, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Chair of AHF's Board of Directors. "On behalf of the AHF Board of Directors, we thank you and will celebrate this achievement with you as we lead into the observation of World AIDS Day-this year marking its 30th year-later this year." To mark its one million patient milestone, AHF will roll out a celebratory new '1,000,000 Lives in Care' billboard campaign later this month starting in Los Angeles and later, in South Florida. The campaign will also be shared with some global countries and sites. The inspiring artwork, created by Jason Farmer, Senior Director of AHF Worldwide, features an image of white numbers making up '1,000,000' on a backdrop of a crowd of thousands and thousands of people giving the billboard an artistic pointillist effect-one that underscores and heightens to concept on one-million lives now under AHF's care. AHF also produced a short video marking the one-million patient milestone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bulgarian Police have arrested one suspect in the rape and murder case of journalist Viktoria Marinova, who was found dead in the town of Ruse four days ago. The police have detained the suspect who is a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian origin for 24 hours, reported ABC. Marinova was raped, strangled and dumped near the Danube River after she came upon a possible corruption in the government. The highlighted corruption was allegedly about the misuse of European Union funds by the Bulgarian government, which she brought up in a show she hosted last month featuring two investigating journalists who were later detained for their work on suspected fraud. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking immediate compliance of the recent judgment by the Supreme Court for advertising criminal antecedents of candidates in the election campaign has been withdrawn by the petitioner after the Delhi High Court refused to pass any direction on it. The court asked petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay to move the appropriate court and observed: "The Election Commission has notified elections. If you think that elections are happening in violation to the Supreme Court guidelines, you go to the Supreme Court. Now elections have been notified, we will not interfere. What is the need of the guidelines when a Constitution bench has passed the judgement?" The petition sought framing of guidelines as the apex court in its recent judgement pointed out. It further highlighted that on October 6, the Election Commission of India announced assembly election schedules of five states without framing any guidelines in the spirit of the Constitution Bench's decision. According to the petitioner, it cannot probably be presumed that the electorates of India are deliberately choosing those who are suspected criminals to be their legislative representatives, it could only be that true information of their backgrounds was not revealed. On September 25, the top court refused to disqualify candidates facing criminal charges from contesting elections and asked Parliament to enact a law instead. While hearing a batch of petitions seeking disqualification of candidates with criminal cases pending against them from contesting polls, a five-judge bench headed by former Chief Justice Dipak Misra, said Parliament must ensure that people with serious criminal charges do not enter politics. The apex court said that candidates and political leaders with criminal cases pending against them, have to inform their respective political parties about their criminal records. It also asked the political parties to display the criminal records of its leaders on its website. The top court also directed that each candidate has to fill up the Election Commission form and declare whether any criminal case is pending against them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood veteran Rishi Kapoor, who recently flew to the United States with wife Neetu Kapoor to seek medical treatment, spent quality time with his 'Agneepath' co-star Priyanka Chopra. Taking to Instagram, 'The Sky Is Pink' star shared a picture of the trio, in which a blonde-haired Rishi can be seen sitting on a couch, and Priyanka and Neetu sitting behind him. "Was so good seeing you both @neetu54 #RishiKapoor laughter and smiles as always!!," Priyanka captioned the post. The 'Kapoor and Sons' star also recently met his 'old friend', actor Anupam Kher, in Manhattan, New York. In a cryptic tweet last month, Rishi announced that he was travelling to the US for medical treatment. Before his well-wishers could jump to conclusions, the 'Mulk' actor asked them not to speculate his leave of absence. "Hello all! I am taking a short leave of absence from work to go to America for some medical treatment. I urge my well-wishers not to worry or unnecessarily speculate. It's been 45 years "plus" of wear and tear at the movies. With your love and good wishes, I will be back soon!" the 66-year-old's tweet read. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Jagdish Arya who had denied permission for Congress president Rahul Gandhi's rally in the city, has granted permission for the same. The rally is scheduled to be held on Tuesday. Earlier on Monday, SDM Arya had directed the Congress party to procure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner of the rally ground near Bayana. The Congress president is scheduled to tour Dholpur, Bharatpur and Dausa districts. The three districts have 16 assembly seats, of which a majority are with the BJP. Last week, Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot had informed that the Congress president will visit a number of assembly constituencies as part of his two-day tour to the poll-bound state. Rajasthan is slated to go for polls on December 7, and counting of votes will be done on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, a key Madhesi party, demanding amendment in Nepal's constitution, has threatened to walk out of the two-third majority government led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. The RJP-N sent a memorandum to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers on Monday through the Chief District Officers of the country. The Madhesi party threatened to walk out of the government if it does not address its demands and previous promises. "If the two-third majority gaining government does not allow Resham Chaudhary to take oath as MP, withdraw the political cases filed against the cadres, release the imprisoned ones along with the political and public demands along with the issue of constitutional amendment and does not take it forth, the RJP-N will be compelled to withdraw its support to the government," the memorandum stated. The party also said that the country will be pushed into strife once again, the responsibility of which will have to be taken by the incumbent government. The RJP-N further accused KP Oli-led government of showing "indifferent behaviour" towards its demands since it was formed around 210 days ago. Earlier too, Madhesi leader Rajendra Mahato had warned the current administrations that if it failed to amend the constitution, it will have to face similar crises like the previous government. A previous attempt to amend the Constitution had failed, owing to lack of a two-thirds clear majority in the previously dissolved parliament in 2017. With the three-tier elections were held simultaneously within a short duration, the Communist parties of Nepal garnered a two-thirds majority and appointed K P Sharma Oli as the first Prime Minister of federal Nepal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in an 'emergency meeting' of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central executive committee (CEC) on Monday alleged that the party president Shehbaz Sharif was arrested on the instruction of incumbent Prime Minister Imran Khan. Nawaz Sharif also launched a protest against the Imran Khan-led coalition government against the 'political victimisation' of the opposition, reported the Dawn. Dawn quoted a member of the central executive committee as saying, "After taking input from CEC members, Nawaz Sharif directed the party's parliamentary group to establish contact with opposition parties in coming days to have them onboard for a joint struggle to deal with Imran Khan's aggressive action plan to target opposition members." Terming Shehbaz's arrest a 'political revenge', PML-N members have demanded his immediate release. PML-N members will be holding a protest on Wednesday outside National Assembly and Punjab Assembly to raise the issue. Shehbaz Sharif was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday for his alleged involvement in the Ashiana Housing Scheme scam. Sharif was arrested on charges of misusing authority and corruption in the housing scheme during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab province. The arrest of the leader of the Opposition of the Pakistan National Assembly came about a week ahead of the bye-polls to be held on October 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thirty-three students of different classes jostle for space inside a small hut-turned-school in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. All in all, this is how educational prospects in Mayurbhanj district have remained since 2002. The project to build the school here has been mired in an alleged land dispute. According to a teacher at the school, Bhabani Shankar Behera, the government couldn't initiate the construction of a school building, as the local authorities failed to allot land to the department. He said, "I work as a junior teacher here. Due to non-availability of infrastructure, we have to take classes in small huts. Mid-day meal is also cooked at the same place and students also eat it in these same huts. The inconvenience increases whenever there is a storm or rain. The new building cannot be built because space and money are needed to build new rooms." Meanwhile, a social worker from the district, Sanjib Rout, slammed the government for its 'laidback attitude'. "The school is many years old and it has remained as such since its formation. It proves a failure of government machinery as well as the local leadership. department should have taken an initiative the issue would have resolved long back." The accommodation also lacks basic essential amenities like drinking water and toilets. Several complaints have been filed by the villagers and school teachers, but all in vein. Speaking on the issue, Block Officer (BEO) Bhabendra Das said, "If the government hands over the place, then we will build a new school building very soon. The place must be handed over to the Education Department. Without allotment of a land we cannot do much. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dozens of states have adopted a wide range of policies to promote K-12 computer science education, but early data suggest only about one-third of U.S. public high schools are currently teaching computer science, a new analysis found. Computing is changing every part of our lives, from how we interact with each other to how we do our jobs, according to a report from the Code.org Advocacy Coalition and the Computer Science Teachers Association. Yet the U.S. education system does not provide widespread access to this critical subject. Titled 2018 State of Computer Science Education: Policy and Implementation , the analysis focuses on the extent to which states have enacted nine policies the groups deem critical to spreading computer science. On many, they found robust progress, even compared to last year: Twenty-two states now have academic standards outlining the computer-science skills and concepts that students are expected to learn, up from six states last year. (And an additional 11 states are actively developing standards, according to the report.) Fifteen states now require all high schools to offer computer science, up from four last year. Several states, including Florida, Indiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming, now also require that schools offer some computer science instruction prior to high school. Thirty-nine states now count computer science as a core high school graduation requirement, up from 28 last year. Six states now have a statewide plan for integrating computer science as a new subject, compared to two last year. Nineteen states have allocated a total of $62 million to support professional learning opportunities in computer science for K-12 educators. Ten new states have committed funding since last year. Thirty-three states now have computer-science certifications for teachers, up from 27 in 2017. Fourteen states now have a computer science supervisor or related state-level employee responsible for K-12 computer science education, up from eight last year. The picture is not all rosy for computer-science proponents, however. Code.org and CSTA have also been working to document access to computer science in schools across the country. The project includes a review of federal and state data, information from groups such as the College Board, surveys, and reviews of individual district and school course catalogues. The work is still ongoing; so far, data collection is near complete in 24 states. A preliminary look based on information collected in those states shows that about 35 percent of public high schools are currently teaching computer science. In the states in which data collection is complete, the percentage of high schools offering computer science courses ranges from 16 percent (in Louisiana) to 78 percent (in Rhode Island.) Code.org and CSTA also found that black, Hispanic, poor, and rural students are less likely than their peers to attend a high school that provides access to computer science courses. Roughly two in five high schools with less than 25 percent students from underrepresented minorities offer computer science, compared with 27 percent of high schools with 75 to 100 percent of students from those groups. Theres also a geographic divide. Almost half of suburban high schools offer computer science, compared to 34 percent of city high schools and 29 percent of high schools in rural and small town communities, the groups found. And the report highlights Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Virginia as three states with the highest percentage of high schools teaching computer science, noting that they have made significant policy decisions in recent years, illustrating that there is a strong relationship between policy and implementation. The full report, including state-by-state breakdowns, can be found here . See also: for the latest news on ed-tech policies, practices, and trends. Ten people, including a minor, were arrested in Bihar's Supaul district, where over 30 girls were thrashed for allegedly resisting sexual advances. "Total 10 people have been arrested in the incident where at least 30 schoolgirls where thrashed for allegedly resisting sexual advances in Supaul. We will ensure strict actions against these individuals. It's our responsibility to ensure the protection of the migrant workers working in the Supaul district," Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) SK Singhal told ANI. The arrest comes hours after the Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the culprits would not be spared and be nabbed soon. Earlier on Sunday, an FIR was lodged and a probe was initiated in the matter. The incident reportedly took place when a group of boys entered a school last week with the intention of molesting the girls. As the girls, mostly, aged between 12 to 14 objected to it, they were mercilessly beaten up by the mob. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Tanushree Dutta has now knocked the doors of the Maharashtra Women Commission. The former Miss India has sought women commission's intervention days after she alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar allegedly misbehaved with her. The complaint demands an investigation into the allegations of harassment levelled by Dutta against Patekar, Ganesh Acharya, producer Samee Siddiqui, director Rakesh Sarang, and several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers. Confirming the same, Dutta's lawyer, Nitin Satpute, on Monday told ANI, "The complaint has been lodged with the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. Tomorrow we are going to move the complaint to the District Officer as per the Sexual Harassment Act Section 9. " He added, "Tanushree Dutta's statement has not yet been recorded so tomorrow she will come for the same along with the witnesses. After recording the statement, we will take the next step." In the letter, Dutta stated that she lodged her complaint for the registration of FIR under Sections 354, 354 (A), Section 34 and Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). She revealed how before shooting the song, she had clearly mentioned that she will not enact or perform any lewd, vulgar or uncomfortable steps. However, on the fourth day of the shoot, Patekar's behavior was inappropriate as he was grabbing her by the arms and pushing her around on the pretext of teaching her some steps, read the complaint. "When he was touching me indecently and unnecessary I felt very uncomfortable because of his behavior, I felt he has outraged my modesty. I felt embarrassed," the letter stated. Dutta complained the same to the authorities, but to her surprise, new steps were introduced by Acharya, which were intimate and included Patekar touching her inappropriately, she alleged. The actor further said she was being "forced and pressurised" to do the steps and after she refused, the producer threatened to defame her. On the way out, her car was brutally attacked but with the help of the police she managed to escape from the spot, the complaint further read. "We were then taken to the Goregaon police station and my statement was recorded but not as per the complaint. Many parts of my complaint were deleted, omitted and avoided," she alleged. She added, "After the above incident I was under tremendous shock and I suffered psychological trauma and was unable to take work and suffered a huge monetary loss in crores." Dutta stated that she had also lodged a complaint with Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) in March 2008. Denying allegations levelled against him by Dutta, Patekar on Monday said that the truth behind what happened ten years ago won't change. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) on Tuesday took cognizance of Tanushree Dutta's allegations against veteran actor Nana Patekar after the former knocked the doors of the women's body seeking an investigation. The MSWC has issued notices to Nana Patekar, director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya, among others, directing them to file a reply within 10 days. The commission has also asked the state police for an update of the investigation over Dutta's complaint. The former beauty queen has been asked to appear before the MSWC and record her statement in detail as the earlier statement came through her lawyer. "We have taken cognizance of Tanushree Dutta's complaint and have asked her to appear before the commission within 10 days. We have sent notices to people against whom Tanushree has filed complaint, asking them to appear before us within 10 days," Vijaya Rahatkar of Maharashtra State Commission for Women told ANI. A directive has been issued to all cine and television associations to form committees for redressal of such complaints. On Monday, Dutta had demanded an investigation into the investigations her harassment allegations against Patekar, Ganesh Acharya, producer Samee Siddiqui, director Rakesh Sarang, and several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers. Tanushree has alleged that Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of the film in 2008. She accused him of harassing her while shooting for a special dance number in the movie and also stated that Bollywood dance choreographer Ganesh Acharya teamed up against her. She revealed how before shooting the song, she had clearly mentioned that she will not enact or perform any lewd, vulgar or uncomfortable steps. Dutta further stated that on the fourth day of the shoot, Patekar's behavior was inappropriate as he was grabbing her by the arms and pushing her around on the pretext of teaching her some steps. Dutta complained the same to the authorities, but, new steps were introduced by Acharya, which were intimate and included Patekar touching her inappropriately, she alleged. The actor further said she was being "forced and pressurized" to do the steps and after she refused, the producer threatened to defame her. On the way out, her car was brutally attacked but with the help of the police she managed to escape from the spot, the complaint further read. Dutta stated that she had also lodged a complaint with Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) in March 2008. Denying allegations leveled against him by Dutta, Patekar in a recent media interaction said that the truth behind what happened ten years ago won't change. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 10, 000 people have been evacuated after powerful explosions rocked a local ammunitions depot near the city of Chernigov in northern Ukraine. According to RT, the area has been put on lockdown for air and land travel. Airspace within 20 km from the spot has been closed. 220 emergency staffers and 60 technical units have been dispatched to the explosion area. The first reports of blasts at the arsenal in the town of Ichnia came in the night at around 3.30 am (local time), Ukraine's General Staff reported. Currently, the impact of explosions in the nearby territory is unclear. Meanwhile, an emergency response headquarters has been set up. There has been no information on the number of casualties so far, First Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Yarovoy, in charge of the emergency headquarters, said. RT reported that the emergency service crews, national police, and the National Guard have all been alerted about the explosions. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Interior Ministry has called for additional back up. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yoga exponent Ramdev on Monday asserted that his political role is to ensure the country is governed by good people. When asked which political party he would support in the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Ramdev said, "I have devoted myself to larger issues such as nation-building, character building, education, agriculture, and health, among others. Hence I see myself as a non-political, independent person who is in service of mother India. I work with the philosophy of nation first hence my political role is limited to ensure that the country is governed by good people." In June this year, Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah had called on the yoga guru and sought his support for the party for the 2019 general elections. Shah in June had met Ramdev as part of his Sampark for Samarthan (Contact for Support) initiative. After the meeting, Shah had said, "We are meeting all those, who supported us in the formation of the BJP-led government in 2014. We are apprising them of all our work and efforts. We are also seeking support from them for the 2019 elections." On his part, Baba Ramdev on various occasions had praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and achievements of his government over the last four years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of Steel, Chaudhary Birender Singh, has urged international investors and technology giants to invest in the minerals and metals sector in India. Speaking at the International Conference, on Minerals and Metals - Outlook 2030, being held in New Delhi, he said India's mining sector offers tremendous potential and presents a vast opportunity for investors to mine unexplored regions. India is well endowed with minerals and produces 95 minerals, including fuel, atomic, metallic & non-metallic and minor minerals. Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of India, Binoy Kumar, who presided over the inaugural function, said that India is the second largest producer of iron ore and National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is the largest iron ore producer in the country. He further said India is the third largest steel producing country and will soon be in the second position. He said the per capita consumption of steel has risen to 69 kgs in the current year but it is still far behind the international consumption standard. Hence the steel industry has huge potential in the future. He said the National Steel Policy 2017 has set a target of producing 300 Million Tonnes of Steel by 2030 therefore the mining sector has to actively take steps to reach its target before 2030. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Ayurveda has signed a joint venture agreement with Sanghvi Brands to develop Ayurvedagram Wellness Resorts and Ayurvedagram inspired Ayurvedic Spas across the world. Kerala Ayurveda, through its subsidiary, owns and operates the Ayurvedagram Wellness Resort in Bengaluru. Ayurvedagram is one of the world's most awarded Ayurvedic Resorts and has set new standards in holistic and therapeutic healing. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Housing Bank (NHB) has decided to increase the Refinance limit to Rs.30,000 crore. Now, eligible Housing Finance Companies & Other entities will have increased availability of funds. National Housing Bank had set an inital limit to sanction Rs. 24,000 crore this year (July 2018-June 2019) towards refinancing eligible institutions. Till date, Rs.8835 crore has been sanctioned. This refinancing is a credit flow to Housing Finance Companies & other Institutions. National Housing Bank (NHB) is the Principal Agency to promote Housing Finance Institutions, currently 97 in number, and to provide financial support to eligible institutions. As a regulator, National Housing Bank regularly monitors the liquidity position of Housing Finance Companies. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Motors will be watched. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported total retail sales of 57,114 vehicles in September 2018, down 12.3% year on year despite strong sales for new models including the Range Rover Velar and the Jaguar I-PACE and E-PACE. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 8 October 2018. NBCC (India) said that Real Estate Development & Construction Corporation of Rajasthan (REDCCOR - 50-50% joint venture company of Government of Rajasthan and NBCC (India)) has executed an MoU with Government of Rajasthan on 4 October 2018 for redevelopment of old MREC campus at Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan amounting to approximately Rs 250 crore. The project will be executed by NBCC (India) as PMC agency vide development agreement dated 24 February 2016 with REDCCOR. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 8 October 2018. Britannia Industries announced that the board of directors at its meeting held on 7 October 2018 has considered and approved the scheme of arrangement of Britannia Industries and their respective shareholders (hereinafter referred to as the "scheme"), for issue of secured, non-convertible, redeemable, fully paid-up debentures by way of bonus ("debentures") to the members of the company as on the record date (to be fixed by the board of directors) out of the accumulated profits lying to the credit of profit & loss account. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 8 October 2018. Coal India and NLC India have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for formation of joint venture (JV) company for solar power generation of 3,000 MW and thermal power projects of 2,000 MW capacity. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 8 October 2018. Sadbhav Infrastructure Project informed that its subsidiary, Nagpur Seoni Express Way (NSEL), has won an arbitration award against NHAI of Rs 61.25 crore (including interest upto the date of award of Rs 18.64 crore). From the date of award till final payment, NSEL shall receive interest at the rate of 12% per annum. Additionally, NSEL will also get 19 semi annual annuity amount of Rs 21.79 crore instead of Rs 19.198 crore presently paid by NHAI making total award amount of Rs 110.50 crore. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 8 October 2018. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of Tata Motors were down 4.49% at Rs 203.20 at 10:11 IST on BSE. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported total retail sales of 57,114 vehicles in September 2018, down 12.3% year on year despite strong sales for new models including the Range Rover Velar and the Jaguar I-PACE and E-PACE. Sales in China declined by 46.2%, as ongoing market uncertainty resulting from import duty changes and continued trade tensions held back consumer demand. Jaguar Land Rover sales were down a modest 0.8% in the UK and 4.7% in Europe, which saw large industry declines of 20.5% in the UK and 31% in Germany primarily relating to the timing of new WLTP homologation rules as well as reduced diesel demand. In North America, Jaguar Land Rover sales were 6.9% lower, largely reflecting lower industry sales (down 5.5%) and reduced incentives on Jaguar sedans, although Land Rover had a record September with sales up 7.3%. Strong sales of new models including the electric Jaguar I-PACE, the Jaguar E-PACE compact SUV, and the Range Rover Velar helped offset slower sales of older models, such as the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. As part of the company's continued strategy for profitable growth, Jaguar Land Rover is focused on achieving operational efficiencies and will align supply to reflect fluctuating demand globally as required. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer in a Delhi hospital, will be celebrating Diwali in Goa, BJP MLA Rajesh Patnekar said on Tuesday. Speaking to IANS on Tuesday, soon after meeting Parrikar at the national capital's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where the former Defence Minister has been admitted since last month, Patnekar, said: "It was very nice to see our Chief Minister after such a long time. He has assured me that he will be celebrating this Diwali (in November) in Goa and he will be arriving in his state soon." Interestingly, speaking to reporters last week, Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Michael Lobo, who is also a BJP MLA, had said that the Chief Minister's health was deteriorating. "He can hear less, it seems right now, at this stage of staying in AIIMS. We all are praying very hard that he comes out of his sickness. But till today there is no positivity that he is coming out," he had told reporters on October 5. The health of Parrikar has been a matter of public concern in Goa for the last eight months, ever since he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in February this year. The former Defence Minister has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and Delhi over the last several months, even as the opposition has demanded his resignation for not being able to effectively head the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government in the coastal state. There has been no medical advisory about the Chief Minister's health either by the Chief Minister's Office or the state unit of the BJP. The CMO in informal messages has maintained that Parrikar is recovering from a minor pancreatic ailment. --IANS maya/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National passenger carrier Air India will launch direct flight services from Bengaluru to London with effect from November 17, 2018. According to Air India, the service will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. "The non stop flight will fulfill the long standing demand of IT professionals and health tourism in the region," the airline said in a statement on Tuesday. --IANS rv/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Apple is reportedly in touch with British telecom provider BT to expand the reach of its Apple TV. According to a report in The Telegraph on Tuesday, the Cupertino-based iPhone maker is in talks with BT and its mobile offshoot EE to give customers the option to purchase an Apple TV that comes pre-loaded with BT's pay-TV channel apps. "The telecoms operator would offer the technology to EE broadband customers pre-loaded with apps to deliver BT Sport and channels from other broadcasters," said the report. Apple already has a similar deal in Switzerland. It has also signed a multi-year agreement with Oprah Winfrey and ordered a pair of children's shows from the creators of Sesame Street. In 2017, Apple announced that Netflix and Amazon Prime 4K videos would also come to Apple TV. Apple's TV app now supports live news -- a feature announced in September 2017 when company CEO Tim Cook introduced the new Apple TV 4K. --IANS na/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court has allowed the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) to approach the Tree Officer of Delhi for seeking permission for felling trees to redevelop residential projects in six colonies of the national capital. The court also stated that further steps regarding the tree felling will be taken as per the decision of the statutory authorities. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V. Kameswar Rao in its order pronounced last Wednesday asked the NBCC to apply afresh for environmental and other clearances and said they could go ahead with the redevelopment of residential projects in six south Delhi colonies. "NBCC shall also be at liberty to approach the Tree Officer (GNCTD), if required as per revised proposal for tree felling permissions. Further action/ steps shall be taken by NBCC as per the decision of the statutory authorities," the court said in its detailed order released on Tuesday. The court order came on a submission made by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs which has reviewed the proposals of the six General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies. "NBCC should be permitted to approach appropriate statutory authorities for necessary approvals of the revised proposals, which shall be considered by the said authorities in accordance with law," the Ministry has said. The Ministry told the court that it has reapplied their mind and reviewed the proposal of six GPRA colonies from every aspect, which resulted in the changes in the layout plan, reduction in dwelling units, transplantation of trees, compensatory transplantation, traffic impact assessment, rain water harvesting, sewage treatment plants, etc. The court was informed of the revised plan to avoid cutting of trees to the maximum extent, transplant of the affected trees within the site or in the vicinity and compensatory plantation to maintain the green cover of the area. The court was also apprised of the plan to plant over one million trees in different parts of Delhi during the monsoon season. The NBCC, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) have already planted 5,91,000, 26,047, 51,851 and 18,000, respectively, totalling to 6,86,898 plants and more plantation is still going on, the civic agencies had told the court. As per the revised plan, the number of dwelling units has been reduced by 739, bringing the proposed number of units to 24,928 from 25,667. The plan also mentioned installation of dedicated recycle plants for plastic and paper waste. In case of excess demand, waste compactors will be installed at dedicated locations. Further, the pollution created by transportation of these wastes shall be eliminated. A systematic waste management system, with stipulated techniques for efficient management will be introduced to create a zero-discharge system. The bench was also informed about the strategy like road restructuring for enhanced road experience, connectivity and integration of public transportation nodes, civil infrastructure, expansion and restructuring of the existing network, and adequate pathways for the safety of pedestrian and cyclist. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had requested the court to grant them the permission to proceed with seven GPRA projects, including these six, as per the revised plan. However, the court has not granted permission to carry out construction work in Nauroji Nagar residential project and listed the matter on Nauroji Nagar residential project for November 28 for further hearing. The court has been hearing a plea filed by orthopaedic surgeon Kaushal Kant Mishra, who has sought the setting aside of the terms of reference and environmental clearances granted to the project by the Ministry, saying it would lead to felling of over 16,500 trees. All these areas are home to government employees where the Central government is pulling down houses built in the 1950s and replacing them with high-rise buildings. The court was also hearing a contempt plea filed by environmentalist Vimlendu Jha, who alleged that there was "deliberate and wilful default" vis-a-vis June 25 undertaking given to the court by the NBCC. Besides the NBCC, the Central Public Works Department is also executing the project. --IANS akk/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a dig at the BJP government in Gujarat, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the attacks on migrant labourers in the western state of the country was a dangerous trend. She also alleged there was "provocation" in the widespread attacks on migrant labourers. "The problem is very serious. If any crime happens in any state, police must take action, according to law. We are living in a country where all are staying together. "Of course, the provocation is there. Why do they provoked like this? People are scared and afraid. People are coming out of Gujarat. There are many families who stay in the Gujarat over many years. This is a very dangerous trend and I do not understand why the BJP (government in Gujarat) is not controlling it," she said. The incidents of attacks on migrant labourers from north India spurred following the rape of a 14-month-old girl in a village near Himmatnagar town, around 100 km from Ahmedabad. "I am really concerned about the situation. What is going on...the indication is very clear. I am also scared. If you try to divide, the country will fall," she said at the state Secretariat Nabanna. After the rape of a toddler, there were widespread attacks on migrant labourer residents, believing that some from the community were responsible for the ghastly crime. She accused BJP of creating confusion and communal tension among people. Police have filed 35 complaints and detained around 450 persons for attacking the migrant community residing in Gujarat, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja had said on Monday. --IANS bdc/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Australian government has rejected calls from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to phase out coal-fired power by 2050. The landmark IPCC report on Monday warned that the world has 12 years to avoid climate change catastrophe, saying that unprecedented changes to society were required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, reports Xinhua news agency. Despite the dire warning, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said that Australia would "absolutely" continue to use and exploit its coal reserves, arguing that renewable energy sources could not replace coal. "The fact is, coal mining... And coal-fired power stations do play an important part of our energy mix in Australia and will do so going forward," McCormack told the media. "The government (is) supportive of small business, of industry, of farms, and of coal mining," he said. The IPCC report found that Australia was responsible for approximately 1 per cent of global emissions despite accounting for only 0.3 per cent of the global population. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday said that Australia would not abandon its Paris agreement commitment to reduce emissions by 26 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 but said that his government would not be "held to" the IPCC report. Leader of the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP), Bill Shorten, said that a greater proportion of Australian energy needed to come from renewable sources but did not commit to entirely phasing-out coal-fired power. --IANS ksk/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Australian government has unveiled a proposal to force new migrants to live outside Sydney and Melbourne where population was expected to exceed eight million by 2030. The policy would aim to ease congestion and pressure on infrastructure in Australia's two biggest cities while boosting regional areas, the BBC quoted Population Minister Alan Tudge as saying on Tuesday. At present, about two-fifths of Australia's 25 million people live in Sydney and Melbourne. The government may introduce visa conditions to limit where some migrants live for up to five years, Tudge said. The proposal was not detailed at this stage, but such visas could carry a "geographical requirement... for at least a few years". Some experts have questioned whether the idea was enforceable and achievable, the BBC report added. Though Australia's population growth rate ranks 77th globally, according to the World Bank, it is high among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations -- rising by 1.6 per cent in 2017. The growth has been largely migration-driven, with most people settling in Melbourne, Sydney and south-east Queensland, according to the government. "Settling even a slightly larger number of new migrants to the smaller states and regions can take significant pressure off our big cities," Tudge said in a speech on Tuesday. Other incentives would also be offered, Tudge said, in the hope that migrants would remain in regional areas permanently. He also made it clear that the visa restrictions would not extend to migrants on family reunion or employer-sponsored visas, he said. The Labour opposition said the idea could be considered, but raised concerns about its lack of detail. --IANS in/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bill and Hillary Clinton said that they would headline a series of live events together across the country in the final weeks of 2018 and into 2019. The tour billed "An Evening with The Clintons" will provide the Democratic stalwarts with a notable platform weeks after the consequential 2018 midterm elections and deep into 2019, when a number of Democrats will be jockeying for positions in the fight to be the party's standard bearer against President Donald Trump in 2020, CNN reported on Tuesday. The events, which are being produced by tour promoter Live Nation, are being billed as "one-of-a-kind conversation with two individuals who have helped shape our world and had a front seat to some of the most important moments in modern history". "From the American presidency to the halls of the Senate and State Department to one of the US' most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections, they provide a unique perspective on the past, and remarkable insight into where we go from here," reads the website dedicated to the tour. The tour will start in Las Vegas, Nevada, with an event at the Park Theatre. The couple will then travel to Toronto, Montreal and Texas before the end of 2018. The tour will start back up in April of 2019 with events in New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, the District of Colombia, British Columbia, Washington and California. Ticket prices run the gamut based on each location, but top tickets at the couple's events in Texas cost $699. The least expensive tickets at some of the events were around $70, CNN said. Cross-country tours are in vogue for Democratic heavyweights. Former First Lady Michelle Obama announced earlier this year that she would embark on a 10-city tour around her upcoming memoir, "Becoming". While the events were billed as a chance for an "intimate conversation" with the former first lady, Live Nation booked arenas -- including the United Centtr in Chicago -- for the tour. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who perpetrated one of the biggest banking scams in India, continues to fleece people even though the probe agencies, including the Interpol, is yet to put him behind the bars. A Canadian national has now alleged that Nirav Modi sold two fake diamond rings worth over Rs 1.4 crore ($200,000) to him in April, two months after the Punjab National Bank scam worth Rs 13,700 crore was unearthed in February. As per a report published in South China Morning Post, Paul Alfonso bought two diamond rings from Nirav Modi without knowing that he was at the centre of the largest fraud in the Indian banking history. Alfonso is a chief executive of a payment processing company who spends his time in Vancouver as well as California. The report claims Alfonso met Nirav Modi at the "Centennial celebrations for the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel in 2012". Following a few other meetings during events in Malibu and then at the Mandarin Oriental in New York, he never met Nirav Modi until April 2018 when Alfonso emailed the Firestar Diamond owner saying he wanted to buy a 'special' engagement ring for this girlfriend. Alfonso says during their earlier meetings, Nirav Modi came out as a "very well-respected person". "We ran into people and they all knew him by name. In a way, I admired him and I looked up to him. He was very upbeat, very friendly, I did not get any bad vibes from him. He seemed a very genuine and down to earth person. I felt that I had a good connection with him," Alfonso told the newspaper. The man claims he did not have an iota of knowledge about Nirav Modi being involved in the biggest fraud in India. Through his email conversation, Alfonso asked Nirav Modi if he could design the ring for him at the budget of $100,000, to which Nirav Modi said he'll be "honoured" to help him create "your dream engagement ring". The ring Alfonso bought from Nirav Modi. Nirav Modi, through his assistant "Ari" assured to contact Alfonso in two weeks to offer him a 3.2-carat round diamond cut ring, which is considered a very high-quality grade and colourless stone. "I can give it to you for wholesale at $120,000. This is such a beautiful diamond ... you can't go wrong with this one," Nirav Modi wrote to the Canadian national. Later, Alfonso claimed his girlfriend showed an interest in buying another ring she saw in a "magazine", and he thought of ordering it for their 10-year anniversary in future. This time, he said Nirav Modi offered him a 2.5-carat oval diamond ring for $80,000. Both the times, Alfonso paid money online from his bank account based in Hong Kong. As promised, Nirav Modi delivered the rings through his assistant on June 17 but didn't send the invoice and authenticity certificates, assuring Alfonso would get it "soon". Even though all things went well -- and Alfonso's girlfriend accepted the proposal -- the authenticity certificates from Nirav Modi didn't arrive despite the fugitive businessman assuring they will be delivered via DHL Express. The man sent several emails to Nirav Modi but he kept on giving assurances. "I had to get both rings insured because they were pretty high value. For that, we needed to have a letter from someone certified to appraise the rings. My fiancee went to get them appraised," Alfonso told the newspaper. To his shock, the diamonds were fake. This time everything was out in the open. That was the time when Alfonso claims, he started digging deep about Nirav Modi and came to know about the PNB fraud, which actually had generated a flurry of coverage across India as well as abroad. This eventually affected their relationship and they broke up after two days of the revelation. Alfonso claims he "suffered from depression" and says he has few hopes of getting back his money. Like the Indian investigative agencies, Alfonso has been trying to figure out ways to find Nirav Modi but to no avail. Filing an unlimited civil lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, Alfonso has now sued Nirav Modi of $4.2 million, including $1 million for punitive damages and another $3 million dollars for emotional distress. Edited by Manoj Sharma Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada Andrew Scheer, who is on a visit to India, on Tuesday held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders stressed on further developing bilateral ties. Noting that the relationship between the two countries was elevated to strategic partnership during his visit to Canada in 2015, Modi underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse spheres. Sharing his perspective on further developing friendly relations between the two countries, Scheer said he discussed a range of serious issues including opportunities for greater economic partnerships, improving trade between our two countries, and regional security. On a week long visit, Scheer arrived in India on Sunday. --IANS and/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Students on board a school bus escaped with minor injuries in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras on Tuesday when the vehicle was hit by a speeding truck, police said. The bus belonged to the Delhi Public School (DPS) and was headed to school when the truck rammed into it at the Kevalgarhi turn on the Agra road. Driver of both the bus and the truck have sustained serious injuries, while some students have sustained minor injuries, a police official said. The injured drivers have been identified as Rajesh and Vijay. Parents of the children have been informed of the incident. --IANS md/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China will give 48 high-end drones to its close ally Pakistan, a deal, which experts say, could be the biggest of its kind. The Chinese media reported about the development after India struck a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy S-400 defence systems. China is Pakistan's biggest arms supplier. Wing Loong II, made by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company, is a high-end reconnaissance and strike multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system. The cost and the time period of delivery of drones were not known. The Global Times said the deal was announced by Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team on Sunday. The report cited the aerobatics team as saying that in the future the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones. Wing Loong II made its maiden flight in February last year, Xinhua news agency reported. The largest overseas order for Wing Loong IIs was obtained even before the maiden flight, Xinhua said. The report did not specify the buyer. "A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date," Song Zhongping, a military expert, told the Times. "The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones," Song said. --IANS gsh/soni/bg (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese electronics brand GOME on Tuesday announced its debut in the Indian smartphone market with the launch of two smartphone "C7" and "C7Note". The company announced its entry in partnership with Agaston Mobile Private Limited. "GOME is very excited to come to India. It is a market ready for benefiting from the greatest innovation. We hope to provide solutions that offer a new era of experiences, powered by technology," said Sean Sha, CEO GOME Telecom. Priced at Rs 5,999, the "C7" features 5.45-inch HD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by a 1.5 quad-core processor paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt storage that is expandable up to 64GB. The "C7 Note" comes in two variants -- (2GB+16GB) and (3GB+32GB) for Rs 6,999 and Rs 8,499 respectively. It features 5.99-inch HD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio and backed with a 3,500 mAh battery. The smartphones will be available for purchase from October 20. --IANS vc/na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of attacks on migrant labourers from north India in Gujarat, the BJP on Tuesday accused the Congress of instigating the violence and alleged the opposition party was dividing the country. "The only motive behind all this (violence) is to launch Rahul Gandhi, who has not been politically launched till date anyhow," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra said at a press conference here. Patra said that he cannot be launched as "susbtance" is required. "And your leader (Rahul Gandhi) lacks creidibilty, lacks substance, does not understand this country's policy and lacks basic education in Indian polity," he said. Patra accused that the Congress was another name for the Gandhi family, which can do anything for power. "And once they are thrown out of power, this family's condition is like a fish outside water," he said. The BJPleader claimed said that the Congress want the country divided, by taking the help of urban Naxals and hugging Pakistanis. Alleging that Gujarat Congress MLA Alpesh Thakore was behind the violent attacks on migrant workers in the western state, he said that some videos had come to the fore that clearly show that he was "trying to instigate violence" against migrants. "From the clips it is clear about the kind of violence Thakore wanted to instigate in the state. He is not only a Congress MLA, but also a favourite of Rahul Gandhi," Patra said. He said that it was due to the Congress chief's blessings that Thakore was made co-incharge of party affairs in Bihar. "This is the characteristic feature of the Congress. The only three Cs linked to the Congress are -- chaos, conspiracy and confusion," the BJP leader said. Attacks on migrant labourers came in the wake of rape of a 14-month-old toddler in a village near Himmatnagar town, around 100 km from Ahmedabad. Gujarat Police has filed 35 cases and detained around 450 persons for the attacks. Patra said that Gujarat Police has so far arrested about 30 Congress workers for alleged involvement in the violence. He alleged that the Congres agenda includes spreading falsehood and dividing people. Patra said that Congress was involved in the Patidar community's stir in Gujarat, Bhima- Koregaon violence in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh's Madsaur farmers protest. --IANS aks/tsb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to shift the focus of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from motorways to agriculture, job creation and foreign investment, a media report said on Tuesday. The decision was taken on Monday in a meeting presided over by Khan. "Earlier, the CPEC was only aimed at construction of motorways and highways, but now the Prime Minister decided that it will be used to support the agriculture sector, create more jobs and attract other foreign nations like Saudi Arabia to invest in the country," Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told Dawn news. He said Khan's proposed visit to China in the first week of November was also discussed during the meeting. "Arrangements are being made for the visit and its date is yet to be finalised," Chaudhry said. During the meeting, the Prime Minister said strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership with China was the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and early implementation of the CPEC projects would help realise the true potential of Pakistan-China economic relations not only for the two countries but for the entire region. Khan said that CPEC was a great opportunity to learn from the Chinese experience, especially in the social, agricultural and other sectors. He said that agricultural output of the country, considered as the backbone of economy, could be enhanced manifold by learning from Chinese expertise and employing latest technologies and efficient methods. Prime Minister Khan stressed the need for focusing on early establishment of special economic zones in various parts of the country along the CPEC which would help the local industry grow through industrialisation and would also create huge employment opportunities for youths. He said the CPEC under Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping also offered opportunities to other countries to invest in CPEC projects and reap benefits in various sectors. Last year China had temporarily suspended funding of road projects related to the CPEC till what the Chinese authorities said "new guidelines" to be issued from Beijing, Dawn news reported. It is expected that Khan will raise the issue during his meetings with the Chinese leadership. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French 3D experience major Dassault Systemes on Tuesday brought its "SOLIDWORKS 2019", the latest release of its portfolio of 3D design and engineering applications, to India. The software company also announced the availability of its "Global Entrepreneur Programme" for Indian startups, entrepreneurs and makers that will provide an impetus to the growing start-up community in the country. "The introduction of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is going to lead the way data and information are turned into knowledge and know-how with the help of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning," said Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systemes. "To serve the purpose, specialised personnel will be required, the 'Workforce of the Future' as we phrase it. To achieve that the formation needs to start now, driven by the availability of engineering knowledge and know-how that will naturally evolve the required skills," Bassi added. "SOLIDWORKS 2019" delivers enhancements and new functionalities that help millions of innovators improve the product development process to get products into production faster, and create new categories of experiences for customers. The "Global Entrepreneur Programme" leverages Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, applications, online services and a community of mentors, industry professionals and peers, from the earliest seed stage to late maturity stage. More than 3,000 startups, entrepreneurs and makers globally have already embarked with Dassault Systemes on digitally developing real-world products and experiences. --IANS na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian enterprises have realised the importance of selling experiences, not just products, and global 3D experience major Dassault Systemes is now delivering Artificial Intelligence (AI)-infused Cloud-based solutions to help them achieve that, the company's Vice Chairman and CEO Bernard Charles has said. The France-based software behemoth, which has a significant presence in India, is ecstatic to know that its business experience platform "3DEXPERIENCE" has taken wing in the country among enterprises and start-ups in fields ranging from aerospace to automobile and transportation to manufacturing. "I am impressed by the growing number of our customers in India who have understood the importance of our 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It echoes our view that we are now living in a world of experiences and not just products. It is a new world and we are ready," Charles told IANS in a free-wheeling interview. "You just do not sell a truck anymore but the whole connected transportation and logistics services, empowering the people who are behind the wheels and the after-sales experiences -- meaning a whole end-to-end ecosystem. "For this, you need better simulation and design planning which the AI-driven 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides," Charles emphasised. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform offers end-to-end engineering, manufacturing and business capabilities to enable SMEs to generate efficiency, cost-effectiveness and reductions in accumulated waste by harnessing the data essential to the operation of their enterprise. Dassault Systemes has a full-fledged research and development centre in Pune which is contributing in a big way in guiding the company. "The Pune R&D centre is contributing heavily towards the development and improvement of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its global delivery," Charles said. When it comes to innovation, Charles said India is warming up to make for the world. "What India needs is high-precision manufacturing, elevated capacity in workforce and positioning of the local brands. It will take some time but the company is on the right path to innovate for the world," he noted. According to the executive, the economy is changing fast and it is a huge task to reskill and upskill the workforce. The company last month signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Technology, Silchar (NITS) to set up a "Cloud Centre for Innovation" at the institute's campus in Assam. The centre will help students and professionals in the field of advanced 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its industry solution experiences. "The platform can help you do digital design from anywhere. We are also setting up a mobility platform in India," said Charles. "I am astonished to see the work at Indian start-ups around the battery. They are mastering how to package the battery cells as it is the future engine for vehicles," he said, adding that India can have its own mini-Tesla in the near future. "Vehicles that are adapted to the frugality and the unique transport ecosystem of India, like small e-SUVs and e-scooters will rule in the future and we are prepared to help Indian transportation firms make those," said Charles. Dassault Systemes is doing a lot on the front of AI, Machine Learning (ML) and Big Data to keep its solutions future-ready. The company has prepared an industry-first operation system that can manage infinite number of Clouds, be it for an individual, a company, a city or a country. "Out customers are producing gigantic data. We have been handling Big Data without talking much about it for the past 30 years. It is very much part of our platform and solutions. "Our architecture is very similar to Facebook or Google when it comes to handling Big Data and we are more than eager to provide that secure architecture to our Indian partners and customers," said Charles. (Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in) --IANS na/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi government requested the High Court on Wednesday to dismiss the plea seeking to minimise the legal age of drinking -- currently 25 years -- in the national capital. "That in any event age cannot be an irrelevant factor for regulating personal consumption of liquor, therefore fixing a minimum age for the same cannot be arbitrary," Delhi government told the court citing studies that show negative impact of drinking. The government said that limitation of drinking age is a policy decision. The court was hearing a plea filed by social activist Kush Kalra through his counsel Charu Walikhanna who sought to minimise legal drinking age in Delhi while focusing on responsible consumption and responsible sale of alcohol in the city. The petitioner has sought quashing of Section 23 of Delhi Excise Act which prescribes 25 years as legal age of drinking in the national capital and said discriminated against the residents of Delhi. He mentioned the legal drinking age of other state like Sikkim, where it is 18 and Goa - 21. He also sought directions to the Delhi government to conduct awareness programmes on responsible consumption of alcohol among college and school-going students by including it in the curriculum. --IANS akk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday amended Home Guards Rules, 2008, raising disengagement age of Home Guards to 60 years, and also deciding to hire 6,000 new home guards. The approval for hiring will be taken up by the cabinet soon, said an official statement. "In a meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the cabinet approved the amendment to the Home Guards Rules, 2008 to permit the continuation of availing voluntary services of Home Guards till the age of 60 years," said an official statement. The present age of their disengagement/discharge was 50 years, which led to the early departure of many Home Guards from 2008 onwards. "The Home Guards, who were disengaged due to the 50-year norm, would be given a choice to get back to the Home Guard if they wish to join back," it said. Against a sanctioned strength of 10,285, the number of home guards is 4,390, who are available on rolls -- with discharge age being 50 years one of the reasons for their fewer number. Delhi Police constables, who are doing more arduous duties, are retiring at the age of 60 years, it added. "With the advancement of the overall standard of living, health conditions and medical facilities, average employees are able to perform their best easily up to 60 years. In many other states, the disengagement age is 60 years," the statement added. "The Delhi government in principle has also decided to hire 6,000 new home guards; the proposal will soon be moved to the cabinet for its approval," the statement added. The Home Guards are volunteers, who discharge their duties in relation to the protection of persons and security of property and public safety. Services of Home Guards are provided to the departments such as the police, education, DTC, health and others where they perform basic elementary security duties on enrolment basis. They are also requisitioned by the Environment Department to function as Environment Marshals. The client department bears the expenses towards their salaries and actual payment is made through Directorate General of Home Guards. --IANS nks/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nine people have been killed in a gas pipeline explosion at Steel Authority of India plant in Chattisgarh's Bhilai. As many as 14 have been reported to be injured and 5 are in a critical state. According to PTI, the blast occurred in a pipeline near the coke oven section of the plant, as mentioned by an official. The injured have been rushed to a local hospital and rescue teams have arrived at the spot. In a statement SAIL said: SAIL collective stands by the families of the affected and will ensure that and no stone is left unturned in providing all kinds of support. Located 30 km from the state capital of Raipur, the plant is operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). As mentioned in their website, SAIL is the largest steel-making company in India. he Government of India owns about 75% of SAIL's equity and retains voting control of the cmpany. Follow LIVE updates here: 3: 33 pm: Shares of SAIL fell by 2% after news of the incident emerged. 3:05 pm: SAIL issued a statement and said, "In an unfortunate incident at around 10.30 am, today in SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant, there was a fire in gas pipe line of Coke Oven Battery Complex No 11 during a scheduled maintenance job. Some persons working at the site sustained burn injury. Injured persons were immediately rushed to the BSP hospital for medical care and aid. Meanwhile, the fire has been controlled. So far, 9 persons have lost their lives and 14 are undergoing medical treatment. All resources have been mobilized to provide adequate care to the injured." 2:55 pm: According to reports, the excessive smoke is making it difficult for relief workers to carry on operations. 2:54 pm: Bhilai Steel Plant's technical committee to investigate the incident thoroughly. 2:05 pm: Visuals from the plant have emerged. Under attack over its decision to hold by-elections in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka with only months to go for general elections, the Election Commission on Tuesday defended itself saying vacancies in Shimoga, Mandya and Bellary (ST) seats occurred more than one year ahead of the end of the tenure of the House. In a press release, the Commission referred to news reports that while it had announced by-elections in Karnataka, it had not done so for the five Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh. The statement said vacancies from Bellary (ST), Shimoga and Mandya occurred between May 18 and 21 whereas vacancies from the five parliamentary constituencies from Andhra Pradesh occurred on June 20. Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act mandates the Election Commission to fill the casual vacancies in Parliament and Assemblies through by-elections within six months from the date of the vacancy, provided the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more. The term of the 16th Lok Sabha is up to June 3, 2019. As the vacancies from Karnataka have occurred more than one year before the expiration of the term of House, the by-elections are required to be held within six months. In the case of vacancies from Andhra Pradesh, there was no need to hold by-elections as the remaining term of the Lok Sabha was less than one year from the date of occurrence of vacancies: June 20. Former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and a Congress leader in Karnataka have questioned the need for the Lok Sabha by-elections with only a few months to go for the general elections. --IANS vsc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Afghanistan and seven other people were killed on Tuesday in a suicide bombing in Lashkar Gah city, officials said. Eleven others were wounded in the attack which took place in the afternoon when candidate Saleh Muhammad Achakzai and some of his supporters were holding a gathering inside his campaign office. "Eight civilians including the candidate himself were martyred and another 11 of the supporters were injured," Omar Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, told Efe news. The suicide bomber was on foot and had a suicide vest under his clothes when he entered Achakzai's campaign office, the spokesperson said. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials said that the number of casualties were likely to rise and an investigation was ongoing into the incident. The violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by militants at the time when the country is preparing for parliamentary and district councils elections slated for October 20. During the elections, nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, will cast their ballots to elect members of the 249-seat lower house of Parliament for a five-year term. They will also vote to elect members of the district councils. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Equity indices resumed their slide on Tuesday, as rising crude oil prices, a likely tariff war-induced global slowdown, and a persistent decline in the Indian rupee have roiled investor sentiments. "Negative global cues amid concerns over a slowing world economy, triggered by trade war between the United States and China, dragged the market lower," said Geojit Financial Services Head of Research Vinod Nair. Heavy selling was witnessed in auto, consumer durables and banking stocks. The NSE Nifty closed at 10,301.05, down 47 points or 0.45 per cent. The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex, which had opened at 34,651.82, settled at 34,299.47, down 174.91 points or 0.51 per cent from the previous close. The Sensex touched an intra-day high of 34,711.68 points and a low of 34,233.50. The broader markets, the S&P BSE Mid-cap index declined by 0.16 per cent, while the S&P BSE Small-cap index slipped 0.45 per cent. "Volatility continued in the market. However, short-term investors are accumulating select beaten-down stocks, with an eye on the upcoming quarterly earnings," said Nair. According to Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities: "After Monday's bounceback, markets corrected on Tuesday as they failed to sustain the gains." "Major Asian markets have closed on a mixed note. European indices like FTSE 100, DAX and CAC 40 traded in the red. Technically, while the Nifty remains in a downtrend, we remain open to pullback rallies that could push the Nifty higher in the near term." The Indian rupee closed at a new low of 74.39 (74.3950) per US dollar, down 32 paise. "Oil prices rebounded last night, gaining almost 2 per cent. That has dented sentiment for the rupee," said Mustafa Nadeem, CEO, Epic Research. The rupee depreciation may continue and may hit 74.6-74.8, he said. Provisional data with the exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors sold stocks worth Rs 1,242.46 crore and domestic institutional investors bought stocks worth Rs 1,526.00 crore. In the last six sessions beginning October 1, FIIs have sold shares worth about Rs 13,000 crore. "The FII take cues from the macros of a country. India's current macro-economic senario does not inspire confidence due to the decline in the rupee," said Astha Jain, Senior Analyst, Hem Securities. Also, a rising interest scenario in the US has spurred investors to pull out their funds from emerging-markets, including India. The top Sensex gainers were Adani Ports, up 4.52 per cent at Rs 318; HDFC, up 2.59 per cent at Rs 1,713.45; Vedanta, up 2.44 per cent at Rs 211.90; Tata Steel, up 2.23 per cent at Rs 572.30 and Coal India, up 1.96 per cent at Rs 272.90 from its previous close. Major losers included Tata Motors, down 13.40 per cent at Rs 184.25; Tata Motors(DVR), down 12.34 per cent at Rs 101.20; Asian Paints, down 3.95 per cent at Rs 1,202; Maruti Suzuki, down 3.07 per cent at Rs 6,691.90; and Hindustan Uniliver, down 2.73 per cent at Rs 1,514.75 per share. --IANS ravi-rv/shs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of European Parliament staff members on Tuesday launched a MeToo blog that will allow their colleagues to anonymously post accounts of sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexism at the workplace. The creators of MeTooEP lobbied for the full application of a resolution to act against sexual harassment that was passed in October 2017 but failed to properly come into effect, Efe news reported. "Sexual harassment has no age, no culture, no boundaries and no political colours," said French parliamentary assistant Jeanne Ponte at a Brussels press conference. "This blog will be the voice of the voiceless, a safe place for workers who do not feel resigned." She presented a notebook, decorated in a floral design, where victims of sexual harassment can leave their personal accounts. "Last year in October this tiny flowery notebook became the most famous notebook in Brussels. Why? Because inside this notebook there are testimonies of victims of sexism, sexual harassment and sexual assault happening at the European Parliament. Ponte said that the testimonies were from colleagues of different political groups, different nationalities and different cultures. The new online platform was launched with five stories of sexual harassment and assault. "We refuse to get used to sexual harassment and categorically rebut the normalization of abuse of power," the movement said on its blog. "When one person faces sexual harassment in the European Parliament, we are all at risk. This is why we will not personalize testimonials as these are all our stories: Hers, His, Theirs, Yours and #MeToo," it added. The group took the sheer scale of the Parliament's institutions, which included thousands of employees and several foreign missions, into consideration and called for the creation of an independent audit into workplace harassment. The MeToo blog called for Members of the European Parliament to go through mandatory training against sexual harassment and for the creation of a victims' support committee that included doctors among its members. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A controversy surrounding the use of formalin to preserve fish sold in Goa is threatening a split in the Goa Forward, a ruling party, even as its Vice President has accused his leadership of being mum on the issue and being a party to the victimization of a whistle-blower who exposed the formalin-in-fish scandal. In a letter to Goa Forward President Vijai Sardesai, Vice President Trajano D'Mello on Monday said that the inability of the party to take on the fish mafia's use of formalin, a carcinogenic cadaver preservative, in fish sold in Goa and allowing the witchhunt of Food and Drugs Administration official Iva Fernandes amounted to the party abetting the officer's harassment. "What disturbs my conscience is that the designated officer Iva Fernandes, an honest and upright person, conducted the formalin tests on fish and gave her factual findings, bringing to light the criminal activities (slow poisoning) of the fish mafia that endangers the life of every Goan," D'Mello said in the letter to Sardesai. "This officer is now being harassed/mentally tortured to an extent that she has had to approach the Goa Human Rights Commission. Your silence on this matter is deafening and indicates that you are abetting in the harassment of this upright officer," the letter said. The controversy involving the use of formalin in fish erupted in July after a Food Drugs Administration team led by Fernandes found traces of formalin in fish sold in Goa. The BJP-led coalition government, of which Goa Forward is a partner, has been on the backfoot ever since after several of its ministers were accused of allegedly protecting fish traders who were allegedly importing formalin-laced fish consignments from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Responding to D'Mello's letter, the Goa Forward issued a statement late on Monday that Trajano D'Mello was likely to quit the party to join the Congress, the main opposition party in the state. "Trajano's pathetic alibi to mask his act of betrayal as a protest against the supposed harassment of Iva Fernandes is a hollow attempt to justify his sellout... It is obvious that the Goa Congress is on a recruitment drive and that habitual deserters and jumping jacks are being offered packages," said Dilip Prabhudesai, also a Vice President of Goa Forward. The party denied any harassment of the FDA officer, who has now complained to the Goa Human Right's Commission about harassment by her superiors. "Goa Forward party is in no way connected with the FDA department and the officer and the supposed harassment that he mentions," Prabhudesai said. --IANS maya/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From being censured for "bad conduct" in a convent school, to eloping with his lover and getting married using fake witnesses, an upcoming authorised biography of Goa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Vinay Tendulkar candidly spotlights the saffron leader, who's now in the reckoning for chief ministership in the wake of incumbent Manohar Parrikar's prolonged illness. Authored by a former journalist and poet Sanjiv Verenkar, a close friend of Tendulkar, the biography, "Dabhal to Delhi", chronicles the life of the Rajya Sabha MP, from a rural hamlet of Dabhal in South Goa to the national capital. The book, written in Konkani, speaks about his humble origins as a son of a charity-prone grocer, as well as his early association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which triggered a crisis of sorts ahead of his class 10 examinations. Fr. Cyril Mascarenhas, principal of the Immaculate Conception Convent where he was studying, refused to give Tendulkar the prescribed eligibility form to answer the crucial Board examinations, which the BJP MP claims was on account of his association with the RSS. "Tendulkar insists, that the convent school denied him the form because of his RSS links, but the principal maintained that he had failed in physical training," the book states. The incident created a state-wide furore back then, but eventually the school retreated on its position and a PT re-test saw Tendulkar pass with an A+ grade. The book also speaks liberally about Tendulkar's romance with his wife-to-be Pratibha, whose house Tendulkar would keep circling around on a Bajaj Chetak scooter. However, opposition to his overtures by her parents, over caste differences, stalled any further progress, until Tendulkar on Nagpanchami day eloped with her and married her subsequently in the presence of fake relatives at a remote village temple. The biography also focusess on Tendulkar's grit and determination to succeed. A young Tendulkar tried his hand at a whole range of businesses, while being employed with the Dempo Group of companies. To begin with, he took over the running of a mining company's canteen, then a small market cafe, a two-wheeler garage, vegetable trading and even hawking "kanna", traditional moong porridge, outside temple theatre performances. But it was his stint at running a canteen for mine workers in Kirlapal village, which helped him network with people and served as a stepping stone for his political activity, Verenkar says in his book. "A mining canteen is not just about food. It was a place for drivers, labourers, workers to gossip and bond with each other. Novels can be written about the goings-on in a mining canteen... In reality, Vinay's political career started with his stint at running canteen, where he interacted with people from all walks of life," the book states. Verenkar says that the senior BJP leader also acted in a tiatr, a theatre form popular among Goa's Catholics, where finding an RSS worker as an actor is rare. The biography also speaks of Tendulkar's close ties with politicians across party ranks, including current leader of opposition Congressman Chandrakant Kavlekar and former Chief Minister and Congressman Francisco Sardinha, who the BJP leader still bonds with. "After he became Rajya Sabha MP, Vinay and Sardinha were returning from Delhi via the same flight. At Goa's Dabolim airport, Vinay saw Sardinha lugging two bags. Despite Sardinha's resistance, Vinay grabbed one bag from him to lighten his load and walked along with the former CM," the book says. The biography also recounts how the "polite and unassuming" BJP leader had, in the past, willingly sacrificed his ministerial berth, as well as an assembly election ticket, always playing a willing loyalist. However, one would need to wait and see what role the loyalist would be offered in the current political clime, when the Goa BJP is beginning to look at life after a colossus called Manohar Parrikar. (Mayabhushan Nagvenkar can be contacted at mayabhushan.n@ians.in) --IANS maya/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) patron Sharad Yadav on Tuesday said the BJP-led Gujarat government should quit for failing to protect migrant workers in the state after a worker from Bihar was held for raping a toddler. "The Gujarat government has failed to provide security to the residents of other states, especially those from the Hindi-speaking states. So this government should immediately step down," Yadav said in a statement. He said it was "extremely unfortunate" that the workers from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh had been "forced to flee" from Gujarat after widespread attacks on them following the rape of a 14-month-old in Sabarkantha district on September 28. "These workers have been providing services to the people of Gujarat for the past several years. Surprisingly, the BJP is in power both in the Centre and in Gujarat, yet it is unable to protect the workers of other states." He added: "The present exodus of migrant workers from the state shows that the BJP government is not for the people of the disadvantaged sections of the poor and the society... This is nothing but an attempt to spoil harmony in the country." --IANS mg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Tuesday hit out at Gujarat government saying it was unwilling to prevent violence on the migrants even as it assailed Uttar Pradesh and Bihar governments for giving a "clean chit" to the Vijay Rupani-led BJP dispensation. The Congress also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence and demanded an apology from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for claiming that there were no attacks on the migrants from his state in Gujarat. "The situation in Gujarat is extremely volatile. It seems the Gujarat government is both incapable and unwilling to stop these incidents which have now spread to central Gujarat," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari. "Ridiculousness and preposterousness have touched a new high. To please the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers of UP and Bihar, instead of empathising with their people and trying to prevail upon the central and Gujarat governments to act, are in an overdrive giving a clean chit to the Gujarat government," said Tewari. The former Union minister was referring to Adityanath's recent assertions that there was not a "single incident of attack" on the migrants and that there were merely rumours spread by those who were jealous of Gujarat. Tewari also referred to Bihar Additional Director General of Police S.K. Singhal's remarks that migrant workers were not fleeing Gujarat, rather returning to their home state to celebrate festivals. "People are fleeing Gujarat in fear and Adityanath claims no such violence. What is more shocking is Singhal saying they are coming back because of festivals," said Tewari, claiming that over 50,000 migrant workers have fled Gujarat since the violence broke out a few days back. The Congress leader demanded Adityanath to publicly apologise for his insensitivity and urged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take strong action against Singhal. Targeting Modi, Tewari questioned his "deafening" silence on the issue. --IANS and/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking to cancel an anticipatory bail granted to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Justice R.K. Gauba rejected the plea. Tharoor has said the plea was not maintainable because law has granted the right to the accused to move it apprehending arrest and that the sessions court has the power to deal with it. The court was hearing advocate Deepak Anand's plea for cancelling the anticipatory bail granted by a sessions court on July 5 to Tharoor, who is accused of abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. Delhi Police supported the plea but questioned the petitioner's stand on filing the plea. The petitioner said the anticipatory bail application of the Congress leader was premature and not maintainable since it was not in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and also in violation of the law laid down by the Supreme Court. Citing a top court judgment, Anand said that anticipatory bail plea can only be filed during investigation or prior to investigation but not after the issuance of summons. On June 5, the trial court had taken cognisance of the police charge-sheet and issued summons to Tharoor. On May 14, police charge-sheeted Tharoor under Sections 306 and 498A of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to abetment to suicide and cruelty to wife, which entails jail for up to 10 years. Pushkar, 51, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a hotel room in Delhi on January 17, 2014, days after she alleged that Tharoor was having an affair with a Pakistani journalist. --IANS akk/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patna High Court on Tuesday rejected an anticipatory bail plea by former Bihar Minister Manju Verma in an Arms Act case brought against her by the CBI which is probing the Muzaffarpur shelter home horror. The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the former Social Welfare Minister. She may be arrested soon. The court had last week reserved its order after the hearing was completed. The CBI had seized 50 live cartridges from the former Minister's Begusarai home and filed the FIR against Verma and her husband Chandeshwar Verma. Manju Verma resigned on August 8 following allegations that Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the Muzaffarpur case, had links with her husband. Arrested on June 2, Thakur is lodged in the Muzaffarpur jail. Of the 42 girls lodged at the short-stay home run by Thakur's NGO, 34 were found to have been sexually assaulted. The crime came to light after a social audit by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The shelter home has since been sealed. --IANS ik/in/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Human traffickers are exploiting social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or SnapChat, as well as dating apps such as Tinder, Blendr and Yellow to hunt for potential underage victims, reveals a new study. Traffickers educate themselves by studying what the victim posts on these sites to build trust, said the study by the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute of the University of Toledo in Ohio, US. The study, which was requested by the Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Commission, revealed how traffickers quickly target and connect with vulnerable children on the Internet through social Grooming children for sex trafficking consists of convincing someone to send a risky picture and then using it to extort them. The traffickers use fear of repercussions as a way to compel the youth to move from a monitored page to a less monitored page by saying, "You don't want your parents to find out what we're talking about", the study suggested. Technology offers traffickers ease in advertising multiple victims at one time. "It is vitally important to educate parents, professionals and youth -- especially our middle school or teenage daughters who may be insecure -- about the dangers of online predatory practices used by master manipulators," Celia Williamson, Professor of Social Work at the University of Toledo, said in a statement released by the university. "Through this outreach and education, we can help save children from becoming victims of modern-day slavery," Williamson added. For the study, the researchers conducted 16 in-depth interviews with knowledgeable members of Ohio law enforcement, judges, direct service providers, advocates and researchers who engaged with victims who were trafficked online. The study outlined how traffickers connect to vulnerable youth online, groom the children to form quicker relationships, avoid detection, and move the connections from online to in-person. "The transition from messaging to meeting a trafficker in person is becoming less prevalent," Williamson said. "As technology is playing a larger role in trafficking, this allows some traffickers to be able to exploit youth without meeting face-to-face. Social helps to mask traditional cues that alert individuals to a potentially dangerous person," Williamson added. --IANS gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hurricane Michael has battered west Cuba with strong winds and heavy rains as it whipped through the Yucatan Channel on its way to the Gulf of Mexico, where it may turn into a major storm. On Monday at 3 p.m., the eye of the hurricane passed over San Antonio Cape, the westernmost point of the Caribbean island, the Civil Defence agency said issuing a warning for people including those in Havana. Michael will continue to lash Cuba till Tuesday morning, Xinhua news agency quoted Chief Meteorologist Jose Rubiera as saying. The hurricane's trajectory indicates it will strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday and Wednesday morning before making landfall in the US Florida as a potential category 3 storm, he added. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a mobile health app to provide health information to the users, including first-aid and other health and nutritional topics, Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. The 'MedWatch' was launched on Monday on the occasion of IAF's 86th anniversary and was conceived by the the doctors of IAF and developed in-house by Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) "with Zero financial outlay". "'MedWatch' will provide correct, Scientific and authentic health information to airwarriors and all citizens of India. "The app is available on www.apps.mgov.gov.in and comprises host of features like information on basic First Aid, health topics and nutritional facts; reminders for timely Medical Review, vaccination and utility tools like Health Record Card, BMI calculator, helpline numbers and web links," the ministry said in a statement. The 'MedWatch', it added, is first such health app to be built by any of the three armed forces. -- IANS vn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indonesian authorities on Tuesday raised the death toll to 2,010 from the 7.5-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Sulawesi island on September 28. The official number of missing remained 671 while it is feared that 5,000 people could be still buried under the rubble, reports Efe news. The majority of the victims, 1,601, died in Palu, the provincial capital of Central Sulawesi, the most affected region, National Agency for Disaster Management spokesperson, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said during a press conference. The rest of the deaths occurred in Sigi (222), Donggala (171) and Parigi Moutong (15) regencies in Central Sulawesi while one death was registered in Western Sulawesi. Sutopo said that 10,679 people were injured, with 2,549 of them seriously injured, while 82,775 were displaced and have been placed in hundreds of shelters. More than half of the victims have been buried in mass graves while the others were buried by their families. A majority of the 8,276 people who have left Palu - a city of 350,000 inhabitants - have done so via its airport that is operating normally, although 200 meters of its runway was damaged. Meanwhile, the search and rescue operations that will continue until Thursday will focus on recovering bodies beneath the debris and mud in the most affected regions of Balaroa district and Petobo village in Palu and Jono Oge village in Sigi. According to Sutopo, nearly 5,000 people were buried in Petobo and Balaroa where the national search and rescue agency, Basarnas, has retrieved 20 and 18 bodies, respectively. The authorities have been able to restore 90 percent of the power supply in the affected area. The Asian Development Bank on Monday approved a grant of $3 million for immediate humanitarian aid. The Sulawesi quake and tsunami were the worst to have struck the country since the 2004 tsunami that hit Aceh, in the west of the archipelago, leaving 167,000 people dead. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indonesian authorities on Tuesday urged for calm, while warning people against fake online reports of another moderate temblor, accompanied by images of earlier disasters, that created panic in the country. The warning came after another 5.2-magnitude quake hit the Sulawesi Island where a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on September 28 killed nearly 2,000 people, while 5,000 remain missing, reports Efe news. National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo in a statement asked people to only trust official sources of information. Tuesday's earthquake had struck 5 km northeast of Palu, the city most affected by the September 28 earthquake which was followed by a tsunami with waves higher than 9.8 feet. The provisional death toll in the Sulawesi quake currently stands at 1,944 after mudslides, giant waves and collapsed buildings wreaked havoc in the area, while around 75,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Search and rescue efforts are continuing in areas worst affected by the earthquake, especially in Palu's Balaroa and Petobo districts, where up to 5,000 people could be still buried under the rubble, although the official count of missing people stands at 835. According to the BNPB, water, power and fuel supply has been restored in major parts of the island and banks and markets have opened in recent days. The Sulawesi quake and tsunami were the worst to have struck the country after the 2004 tsunami that had swept off the Aceh regency, in the west of the archipelago, leaving 167,000 people dead. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rapper Kanye West, who is a supporter of US President Donald Trump, is expected to meet with him and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner on Thursday. According to the New York Times, West will first meet with Kushner and then have lunch with the President. West is meeting with Kushner and Trump to discuss similar issues, as Kushner has been tasked with overseeing criminal justice reform for the White House. The meeting will not be West's first with the President, as the two came face-to-face in a much-publicized meeting in Trump Tower in 2016 during the presidential transition. Earlier, the "Lift Yourself" hitmaker has come under fire over the past two years for his pro-Trump stances. West's meeting follows that of his wife Kim Kardashian West in May. It resulted in the release of 63-year-old Alice Marie Johnson, who was sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for a first-time non-violent drug offense, variety.com reported. --IANS sim/rb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CPI-M legislator Mukesh, a popular Malayalam actor, was on Tuesday accused by a woman of harassment. He has denied the allegation. The woman revealed her experience on Twitter, claiming she was 20 years old and was quiz directing "Koteeswaran" when host Mukesh Kumar telephoned her room multiple times and then had her room changed besides his own. She said her then boss, Derek O'Brien, spoke to her for an hour and got her out on the next flight. "19 years on, thank you Derek," read the tweet. When a Twitter user asked her if the person was actor-politician Mukesh, she confirmed it was him. Mukesh, who won the 2016 Assembly elections for the first time on CPI-M ticket, has said he does not remember such a woman and denied the allegation. "Maybe this could be a conspiracy against me to see I resign as MLA," said Mukesh. Kollam district Congress President M. Bindukrishna has demanded Mukesh's resignation from the Assembly. CPI-M State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the matter must be examined according to the law while P.K. Sreemathy, the Kannur CPI-M Lok Sabha member, said she will react once she finds out more details. --IANS sg/rb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, the South Korean presidential office said on Tuesday. The invitation was revealed during a press briefing here about South Korean President Moon Jae-in's upcoming visit to Europe, which includes a trip to the Vatican on October 17 and 18. "Chairman Kim (Jong-un) said he will 'ardently welcome the Pope if he visits Pyongyang'," said presidential spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom, according to Yonhap news agency. Moon and Kim have met three times this year, with the last meeting taking place in September in Pyongyang. "Moon will deliver this message from the Pyongyang leader when he meets the Pope," the spokesperson said, adding that the South Korean leader will also seek the Vatican's support for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. The Pope has in the past supported dialogue between the two Koreas and the historic summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump, which took place in Singapore on June 12. The Pontiff visited South Korea in August 2014. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt wonders why veteran writer-producer and his friend Vinta Nanda didn't confide in him about getting sexually violated by actor Alok Nath, known for his "sanskaari" on-screen image. Nanda, writer-producer of the ahead-of-its-time 1990s' show "Tara", has accused Alok of sexually violating her almost two decades ago. She shared her experience through a long, heart-wrenching Facebook post. Asked for his reaction, Bhatt told IANS: "She is a friend. I am quite devastated... We have sat down and she has spoken about her personal issues, financial issues and her relationship problems and never brought this out. What was it that was keeping her (from talking about it)?" "By saying 'Why are you saying it now?' I am not doubting her. I am saying, 'Why didn't you tell me?'. When Mallika Sherawat said somewhere that she was being solicited by men when she was working, I said 'Why didn't you tell me. You should come and tell me everything about what's happening'. "I am just curious. I am not saying that you are (Nanda is) lying," added Bhatt, who was here to promote his forthcoming film "Jalebi". Nanda recounted the experience, sharing that Alok raped her after she left a party at his house at 2 a.m. She says her drinks were mixed and she was sexually violated. Bhatt's wife Soni Razdan tweeted: "Oh Vinta Nanda, so sorry you had to deal with this all alone so many years ago. Can anything be done? What is unacceptable is the fact that the channel did nothing to protect the girl in question amounting to the most abject callousness on its part. Things really need to change. "And I wish you would file an FIR as well." --IANS sug/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Urging teachers to teach students moral values and ethics, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday advised educational institutions to make social service mandatory for their wards. "Make social service or service to armed forces or voluntary organisations like National Service Scheme (NSS) and Scouts & Guides mandatory for conferring degrees," said Naidu at a function here. Addressing the valedictory function of the V.P. Deenadayalu Naidu's centenary celebrations here, Naidu said social services would help students inculcate the spirit of oneness, nationalism and social consciousness. "Students should draw inspiration from a visionary leader and a nationalist like Deenadayalu," he said. The Vice President said moral science should be included in the school syllabus. Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Deenadayalu (1917-98) was the National Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts & Guides from 1992-95 and was elected the Bengaluru Mayor in 1955. As a student leader during the freedom movement, Deenadayalu was imprisoned thrice by the British. Concerned over the declining values in public life, the Vice President stressed the need to elect representatives with calibre, capacity and conduct. "We need committed leaders to fight social evils like poverty, illiteracy, violence and others. They must be responsive to the sufferings of the people and ensure the benefits of government schemes reach the poor, said Naidu. The National Adventure Institute of the Bharat Scouts and Guides at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh was set up during Deenadaylu's tenure. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala, State Cooperation Minister Bandeppa Kasampur and officials, members and 100 Bharat Scouts and Guides were present on the occasion. --IANS fb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Imran Khan to visit China in Nov ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan decided on Monday to shift the focus of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from motorways to agriculture, job creation and foreign investment. The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by the prime minister at Prime Minister Office. Earlier, the CPEC was only aimed at construction of motorways and highways, but now the prime minister decided that it will be used to support the agriculture sector, create more jobs and attract other foreign countries like Saudi Arabia to invest in the country, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said while giving details of the meeting. He said the prime ministers proposed visit to China was also discussed during the meeting. The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay his first visit to China in the first week of November. Arrangements are being made for the visit and its date is yet to be finalised, he said. According to details of the meeting, the prime minister said strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership with China was the cornerstone of Pakistans foreign policy and early implementation of the CPEC projects would help realise the true potential of Pak-China economic relations not only for the two countries but for the entire region. Imran Khan said that CPEC was a great opportunity to learn from the Chinese experience, especially in the social, agricultural and other sectors. He said that agricultural output of the country, considered as the backbone of economy, could be enhanced manifold by learning from Chinese expertise and employing latest technologies and efficient methods. Prime Minister Khan stressed the need for focusing on early establishment of special economic zones in various parts of the country along the CPEC which would help the local industry grow through industrialisation and would also create huge employment opportunities for youths. He said the CPEC under Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping also offered opportunities to other countries to invest in CPEC projects and reap benefits in various sectors. Like Saudi Arabias initiative to invest in CPEC-related projects, Imran Khan has offered other countries to invest in it, the information minister said. Interestingly, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at a meeting of his party in Lahore on Monday expressed concern over new agreements [Saudi investment] in the CPEC and claimed that a gulf was being created between China and Pakistan. However, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Pak-China friendship would be made stronger. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Planning Minister Khusro Bukhtiar, Power Minister Omar Ayub, Advisers to Prime Minister Abdul Razak Dawood and Dr Ishrat Husain, the foreign secretary, secretary planning and other senior officials attended the meeting. Last year China had temporarily suspended funding of road projects related to the CPEC till what the Chinese authorities said new guidelines to be issued from Beijing. It is expected that the prime minister will raise the issue during his meetings with the Chinese leadership. Due to suspension of funds, over Rs1 trillion road projects of the National Highway Authority, which were in the pipeline, have been affected. It was also expected that not only road projects but ventures in other sectors of the CPEC, including power, could also halt. The road projects affected by the decision included 210km Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob road which will be completed at a cost of Rs Rs81 billion Rs66bn will be spent on construction of road and Rs15bn on acquisition of land. The estimated cost of 110km Khuzdar-Basima Road is Rs19.76bn construction of road to cost Rs14.5bn and land acquisition Rs5bn. Remaining portion of the 136km of Karakoram Highway from Raikot to Thakot will be improved at a cost of Rs8.5bn. Urging teachers to teach students morals, values and ethics, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday advised educational institutions to make social service mandatory for their wards. "Make social service or service to armed forces or voluntary organisations like National Service Scheme (NSS) and Scouts & Guides mandatory for conferring degrees," said Naidu at a function here. Addressing the valedictory function of the V.P. Deenadayalu Naidu's centenary celebrations here, Naidu said social services would help students inculcate the spirit of oneness, nationalism and social consciousness. "Students should draw inspiration from a visionary leader and a nationalist like Deenadayalu," said the Vice President. The Vice President said moral science should be included in the school syllabus for the benefit of thousands of students. Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Deenadayalu (1917-1998) was the National Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts & Guides from 1992-1995 and got elected as Mayor of Bengaluru in 1955. As a student leader in over a century-old freedom movement, Deenadayalu was imprisoned three times by the British Raj for participating in the struggle. In recognition of his yeoman service to the country and people, Deenadayalu was conferred the Chairman's Award at the 19th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference at Hong Kong in July 1998. Deenadayalu was a member of the All India Congress Committee and a member of the state legislative council in 1948. "Deenadayalu has record of public service in scouting and guiding. Starting as Rover Scout during his college days in 1942, he served the scouting movement for over six decades," recalled Naidu. --IANS fb/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bulgarian police have arrested a person suspected of links to the rape and murder of a journalist who was investigating alleged corruption related to EU funds, officials said on Tuesday. Viktoria Marinova's beaten corpse, which showed signs of rape and brutal violence, had been found on Saturday in the Bulgarian city of Ruse, near the River Danube. "A suspect has been taken into custody at the Ruse police station," the Interior Ministry spokesperson was cited as saying by Efe news. Reports say the suspect was a Romanian citizen with a Moldovan passport. Ruse regional prosecutor Georgy Georgiev said Marinova, 30, had suffered blows to the head and was suffocated in the fatal attack, adding that her "mobile phone, car keys, glasses and part of her clothes were missing". According to reports, her face was beaten so badly that her formal identification was delayed. Marinova was the administrative director and presenter for private regional channel TVN. She had been working on a project related to alleged high-level corruption involving EU funds before being brutally murdered and dumped. On Monday, hundreds of mourners held vigils around Bulgaria, said to be the worst country in the EU for press freedom. The European Commission has called for a "swift and thorough investigation" into the journalist's killing. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday asked his fellow legislators to adopt school in remote area of the state in the larger interest of the students' community. " is a priority and important and every small contribution matters. I have adopted one school in Shohphria village and the Nongstoin MLA (Macmillan Byrsat) is now going to adopt one school in my (South Garo assembly) constituency," Sangma said. "I request all legislators to help each other in this endeavour to make a difference and live by our own example," he asserted. On Tuesday, Sangma drove to remote Shohphira village near Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills, and inaugurated Shohphria Government Lower Primary School, which was renovated recently with Chief Minister's one and half month salary amounting to Rs. 3.14 lakh. The school established in 1956 by the Presbyterian Church was taken over by the government after the creation of Meghalaya, carved out of Assam. The school had remained neglected for over two decades, with broken walls, no rooftop. --IANS rrk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The raging #MeToo movement on Tuesday led film associations CINTAA and IFTDA to react in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against actor Alok Nath and director Vikas Bahl. The Producers Guild of India said it will form a committee to help the film fraternity to call out and report sexual harassment and abuse. The Indian Film and Television Directors Association took a hard stand against "Queen" director Bahl for "outraging the modesty of his female colleague" and condemned his "predatory behaviour" against a female crew member of a film or TV unit, read a statement. "We will not tolerate the abuse of power against our female professionals... In light of the events, IFTDA has taken a stern stand against Vikas Bahl by issuing a show cause notice and asked him to respond within one week, failing which his membership will be terminated," read a statement signed by IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit. They have further set up a Women's Grievances Redressal Cell and a three-member all-women committee to create a safe place for its women professionals. This apart, the Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) on Tuesday decided to send a show cause notice to Alok Nath, who has been accused of rape by "Tara" fame writer-producer Vinta Nanda. She says the actor, known for his 'sanskaari' on-screen image, raped her almost two decades ago. Alok has said the allegation was "absurd" as he "made her what she is". He told ABP News: "Neither I am denying this nor do I agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it. As for the matter, if it has come out, it will be stretched." CINTAA General Secretary Sushant Singh said a show-cause notice will be sent to Alok. He urged Nanda to file a complaint against "this vile creature" and added: "We extend you full support." Nanda, who held a press conference here on Tuesday, feels this was "just the beginning" of the #MeToo movement in Bollywood and other fields in India. "It will not stop now and it should not stop. It is encouraging. It is just a beginning. Women should not be afraid to speak up." Meanwhile, the Producers Guild of India announced that it recognises the "urgent need to set up a robust process to ensure the highest standards of safety for employees and crew members at the workplace - whether in offices or on sets of productions. "We are instituting a committee within the Guild to lead this effort, and we are determined to stay the course till workplaces in the industry are safe spaces for everyone," read a statement. Several celebrities including Nana Patekar, Rajat Kapoor, Alok Nath and members of comedy collective AIB have been named and shamed for sexual harassment as part of the #MeToo wave. The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) decided to drop two films -- AIB's "Chintu Ka Birthday" and Rajat's "Kadakh" -- from the line-up of the upcoming 20th edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. "We as an Academy (MAMI) strongly support the #MeToo movement. In light of recent developments, we have decided to drop the following films from our line-up -- AIB's 'Chintu Ka Birthday' and Rajat Kapoor's 'Kadakh'," read a statement from MAMI. "We want to use this opportunity to open up the conversation and find solutions to harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace. Starting with this edition of the festival, we would like to unite the community to find positive and constructive ways to deal with it," the fest's organisers said. Filmmaker Anurag Basu believes the #MeToo movement will make Bollywood a safer place to work for everyone. "I am glad that people are coming up with their experience and sharing it in the public. This will make everyone conscious and they will think twice before indulging in any misconduct and sexual harassment," Basu told IANS. --IANS rb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Attributing the violent attacks on migrant workers in Gujarat to frustration among unemployed youth, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the migrant workforce is "critical" for economic growth and must be curbed immediately. "Across Gujarat, poor economic policies, demonetisation and poorly executed GST (Goods and Services Tax) have devastated industry resulting in the shutting down of factories and industrial units, leading to massive unemployment," the Congress chief said in a Facebook post. He said that amongst the "youth" there was "growing frustration and anger" with the government's inability to create jobs. "This anger and frustration is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants, across the state of Gujarat," he added. "The migrant workforce is critical to our economic growth. Attacks on them create an environment of fear and insecurity that is not good for business and our economy." Gandhi urged the state government to act "decisively", "and do all it can to restore peace and ensure safety of every Indian". His remarks came amid the incidents of attacks on migrant labourers from north India spurred by rape of a 14-month-old girl in a village near Himmatnagar town, around 100 km from Ahmedabad. After the rape of the toddler, there were widespread attacks on migrant labourer residents, especially from north India, believing that some from the community were responsible for the ghastly crime. The police had arrested a labourer originally from Bihar, Ravindra Sahu, for the crime. Sahu was working in a ceramic factory. Gujarat Police have filed 35 complaints and detained around 450 persons for attacking the migrant community residing in the state. --IANS aks/in/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Declaring that the Congress will form the next government in Rajasthan, party President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not waived a single penny of farmers' loans. Addressing a rally in Dholpur, the home turf of BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, he said Modi did not utter a word on farmers' loans. "A month before the elections, Raje said she will give free electricity to the farmers. I want to ask her what was she doing since the past four-and-a-half years," Gandhi said. "Your Prime Minister has not waived even a single penny of the farmers' loans. When the opposition demands he waive off the loans, he does not utter a word." He also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government over the Rafale deal saying Modi gave the contract to a private company and not to a state-run entity "which generate jobs for thousands of engineers". He also declared that the Congress was going to form the new government in the state as its cadres were working hard and together to win. "The Congress is going to form a government here -- a government which will be of the poor, farmers, small businessmen, youths and party workers. "Last time, I know the ministers did not pay much attention to the demands raised by the workers but I will assure you this time the doors of the Chief Minister and Ministers will be open for both the general public and the party workers. The party is working hard and together to win," he added. Assembly elections in Rajasthan will take place in a single phase on December 7. The term of the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly is set to expire on January 20, 2019. --IANS nks/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he projected himself as a 'chowkidar' but never specified as to whom he was serving. "It is now clear that he is a 'chowkidar' of an industrialist. Modi took him to France to sign the Rafale fighter jet deal and transferred Rs 45,000 crore in his pocket," Gandhi alleged while addressing a public rally in village Mania in Dholpur, the native place of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. The Congress chief also questioned the central and Rajasthan governments on the initiatives they had taken for the welfare of the poor, small traders and farmers in the last four years. "The Congress-led UPA government introduced the Right To Information Act, loan waiver of Rs 70,000 crore for farmers, midday meal scheme for schoolchildren and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme for the unemployed poor. Rajasthan's then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot introduced a scheme for free medicines to the poor." "Now, I question Modiji and Vasundharaji -- what did you do for the poor, farmers and small traders in four-and-a-half years?" Gandhi alleged that at present, the doors of banks were closed for farmers but Indian billionaires were getting loan waivers totalling lakhs of crores. "A few of the richest billionaires were given loan waiver of Rs 3.5 lakh crore. These include Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. Modiji gives money to people like Nirav Modi...." He also took a dig at the BJP for the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' slogan, saying that it should be changed to 'Beti Padhao and BJP MLA se Beti Bachao'. "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath tried to protect an MLA accused of rape by a young woman. Even the Prime Minister maintained silence and never dared to ask his party to sack the MLA," said Gandhi. As for the attacks on north Indians in Gujarat, he said: "The BJP-RSS should be made to understand that no one has benefited from dividing the nation. Hindustan wants to grow but with love and harmony." He also brought up the issue of unemployment and reminded his audience about Modi's promise fo jobs once the BJP came to power. "But it was a false promise. (When Congress comes to power) we will ensure that people get jobs." The Congress chief said the new government formed after the Assembly elections will listen to people's 'Mann ki Baat' since the present one discusses its own 'Mann ki Baat' and is on its way out. "The new government will be of Congress workers, the poor, the farmers... the doors of the Chief Minister and Ministers will always remain open for the people," he added. --IANS arc/tsb/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Overwhelmed at the welcome on his maiden visit to the country, Italian MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci on Tuesday expressed his desire to race in India. "I would love to race in India very soon...hopefully we have one of our races in this country. The warmth and love I received here is fantastic," Petrucci said on the sidelines of the launch of Shell Lubricants' new semi synthetic engine oil. The event witnessed participation from auto-aficionados and bikers who had the opportunity to meet and interact with one of the world's most acclaimed MotoGP riders. Petrucci also spoke about his experiences in riding high-performance bikes on intensely competitive tracks and the crucial role of the right lubricant in maintaining bike engine health. Talking about the critical role of the right oil in ensuring engine health, Petrucci said: "There is increasing enthusiasm in the youth for riding higher cc bikes, and using the right lubricant is critical in ensuring the engine health of these. Shell's involvement in premier class motorcycle racing has helped develop the Shell Advance lubricant range for the road." --IANS tri/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's anti-corruption body has asked PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif's son Salman Shehbaz to appear before it on Wednesday in an assets beyond means case. "The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued summons to Salman Shehbaz to appear before a joint investigation team in a complaint regarding building assets beyond his known sources of income," a source was cited as saying by Dawn news. Salman Shehbaz's father and former Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif was arrested last week by the NAB for alleged misappropriation in the Ashiana Housing Scheme in Lahore. He was later remanded to 10-day custody. Many prominent Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leaders including former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother former Punjab minister Khawaja Salman Rafique have already been summoned by the accountability watchdog in the Paragon Housing Society scam. The PML-N has termed the developments as "political victimisation" at the behest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government. The NAB action against the Sharif family members came ahead of the by-polls scheduled for October 14. Shehbaz Sharif was being probed in other corruption cases as well. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamil Nadu Police suffered en embarrassment as a court freed senior Tamil journalist "Nakkheeran" Gopal, hours after he was arrested on charges of allegedly defaming Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Gopal, 59, was taken into custody at Chennai airport while waiting to fly to Pune on a complaint from Raj Bhavan. The police slapped him with Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code. which refers to assault on President or Governor to restrain them from exercising their lawful power. As his arrest drew widespread condemnation in the state, Chief Metropolitant Magistrate Gopinath rejected a police request for remand of Gopal. The offending articles published in "Nakkheeran" in May linked the Governor to Nirmala Devi, an Assistant Professor who was arrested for allegedly luring college girls to provide sexual favours to officials of Madurai Kamaraj University. After his arrest at the airport, Gopal was taken to Chintadripet police station and from there to a hospital for medical check-up before being taken to a court. Following the release of Gopal, MDMK leader Vaiko, who had been arrested as he protested outside the police station where Gopal was taken to, was also freed. Gopal's lawyer V.T. Perumal argued that Section 124 cannot be applied as the police could not prove that the Governor and Gopal had ever met and so there could not have been any "assault" -- as defined in the Penal Code. Interestingly, the court heard senior journalist N. Ram of The Hindu Group who submitted that there was no relation to Secton 124 and the case in question. Ram told the judge that if such an arrest was allowed, it would set a dangerous precedent and police all over India would resort to this. And no journalist had been arrested under this section, Ram said. A grateful Gopal later thanked all political leaders who came out in his support. "I bow to the court which has stood for media freedom," he told reporters. The "Nakkheeran" Editor said if the Governor had any complaint about the story his magazine had published, he could have issued a rebuttal or taken recourse to other remedies. Vaiko demanded to know why BJP leader H. Raja was not arrested for his derogatory remarks about the judiciary and police. The MDMK leader said Gopal's arrest was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party to suppress media freedom. DMK President M.K. Stalin accused the Modi government and the Tamil Nadu Governor of enforcing an undeclared Emergency in the state. Stalin earkuer said that the state government was subservient to the central government and demanded the withdrawal of all cases filed against Gopal. PMK founder S. Ramadoss said if the articles were defamatory, then defamation cases could be filed. Gopal's arrest was also denounced by actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan. Gopal was once the emissary of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments to negotiate with sandalwood smuggler Veerappan after the latter abducted Kannda star Rajkumar. Like Veerappan, Gopal's handlebar moustache became his trademark. Gopal has also faced several defamation cases filed by the AIADMK government led by the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. --IANS vj/mr/vsc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Akufo-Addo, has inaugurated the 225 kilovolts Bolgatanga to Ouagadougou Power Interconnection Project, which will see up to 100 megawatts of power supplied directly from Ghana to Burkina Faso. At the inauguration ceremony on Friday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, President Akufo-Addo stated that the successful completion of the project was a credit to the strong bonds of friendship and co-operation that exist between the two countries. The implementation of the project, one of the priority projects of the West African Power Pool, has also achieved the objective of strengthening regional integration under the ECOWAS protocols and the realization of a Regional Electricity Market. The Minister for Energy, John Peter Amewu, who was present at the ceremony, told the gathering, which included the President of Burkina Faso, Roach Marc Christian Kabore, that considering the huge financial outlay for electricity infrastructure, particularly for power generation infrastructure, it is only appropriate that such facilities are shared within the Region. Implementation of regional projects, like this 225kv Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou Interconnection one, would allow the export of power from Ghana to Burkina Faso to serve the purpose of the creation of the West African Power Pool, the Energy Minister said. He was hopeful that upon full completion of the 330kv Aboadze-Prestea-Kumasi-Bolgatanga transmission backbone project, the target of 100 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso will be achieved. Ghana currently has adequate capacity for cross border transmission to neighbouring countries. Let us, therefore, continue to engage one another to make the necessary investments in order to put up the infrastructure that would enable us utilize the resources within the region to push the industrial agenda of our countries, John Peter Amewu added. In conclusion, the Minister encouraged power utility companies in West Africa to intensify their collaboration in the development of projects under the West Africa Power Pool. He urged also countries within the region to create the necessary atmosphere to attract investments in pursuit of common projects. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Senior journalist and Tamil weekly "Nakkheeran" Editor R.R. Gopal was arrested here on Tuesday at the Chennai airport, triggering widespread condemnation from leaders of political parties. The police said "Nakkheeran Gopal" -- as he is widely known -- was arrested on a complaint from Raj Bhavan for allegedly publishing articles defamatory of Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit. The articles linked the office of the Governor to Nirmala Devi, an Assistant Professor who was arrested sometime back for allegedly luring college girls to provide sexual favours to officials of Madurai Kamaraj University. The arrest drew condemnation from opposition parties in Tamil Nadu. MDMK leader Vaiko was arrested as he held a protest outside the Chintadripet police station here after the police refused permission to meet Gopal. Vaiko demanded to know why BJP leader H. Raja was not arrested for his derogatory remarks about the judiciary and police. The MDMK leader said Gopal's arrest was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party to suppress freedom. DMK President M.K. Stalin accused the Modi government and the Tamil Nadu Governor of enforcing an undeclared Emergency in the state. Stalin said the state government was subservient to the central government and demanded the release of Gopal and withdrawal of all cases filed against him. PMK founder S. Ramadoss said if the articles were defamatory, then defamation cases could be filed. Gopal's arrest was also denounced by actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan. --IANS vj/mr/soni (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly a million people in Sri Lanka suffer from blindness or from conditions that could lead to blindness due to an increase in the number of cataract patients, authorities said on Tuesday. To commemorate the World Sight Day 2018 which falls on October 11, the Health Ministry said that one of the major causes of cataract was diabetes while school children who suffered from obesity were also vulnerable to cataract or other vision impairment diseases later in life, reports Xinhua news agency. Director General of Health Services Anil Jasinghe said that over 285 million people suffered from optical issues in the world and over 90 per cent of them were from low or middle income countries. He said cataract was the main cause for blindness in Asia and Africa. Jasinghe said that Sri Lanka would soon amend its Vision 2020 programme to meet the rising demand for eye care in the island. The programme enables free eye care and lenses to patients and aims at eliminating avoidable blindness from Sri Lanka by the year 2020. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the international community to recognize the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory seized by Israel 51 years ago. "Israel on the Golan Heights is a fact that the international community must recognize and as long as it depends on me, the Golan Heights will always remain under Israeli sovereignty," Netanyahu said on Monday during an inauguration of a synagogue in the Golan Heights, Xinhua reported. According to Netanyahu, Iran and its proxy, the Lebanese-based military of Hezbollah, are "trying constantly to establish a force opposite us that would operate against the Golan Heights and the Galilee." He said that the Israeli presence in the Golan is "thwarting" Iran's ambitions of expansion and "is a guarantee for stability" in the region. He also reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to meet with him. He said he intends to discuss the Golan Heights and Iran with Putin in their meeting that will be held "soon." "I know that President Putin understands my commitment to the security of Israel and I know that he also understands the importance that I ascribe to the Golan Heights," he said. Netanyahu will also discuss with Putin the bilateral security coordination, which was put into question amidst the tensions between the two countries following the downing of a Russian plane in Syria. "I decided with President Putin on the important security coordination between the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the Russian military, and of course together we have developed good relations between Russia and Israel," Netanyahu said. The meeting will be the first time the two leaders would meet since a Russian reconnaissance plane was mistakenly downed last month by anti-aircraft Syrian fire when Israel was conducting an airstrike on Syria's Latakia province at the same time. The plane's 15 crew members were killed. The Russian Defence Ministry said Israel holds the entire responsibility for the incident. According to the Ministry, the Israeli air force provided misleading information about the location of its airstrikes on sites in Syria, preventing the Russian aircraft which was in the area from flying to a safe zone. Israel seized the Golan Heights in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it shortly later, claiming it as part of Israel, in a move never recognised internationally. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nikki Haley, the first Indian-American to serve on the United States cabinet and the highest profile woman and non-white in the current administration, has resigned her position as the Permanent Representative to the UN, she and President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday. In the surprise announcement, she said she will leave at the end of the year. She said that she did not know as yet what she will be doing next, but ruled out a run for president in 2020 saying she would campaign for Trump. After eight years of public service -- two as a governor and two as UN ambassador - she said that she wanted a change after the stressful tenures and that government officials should limit their terms in office so that there are new people coming in. Trump praised her for her role at the UN saying that she was respected by leaders and diplomats at the UN and that the US is more respected. He called her a "special friend" and said he hoped to see her back in some capacity in the administration or The daughter of Sikh immigrants from Amritsar district, Haley had a meteoric rise in Republican and was the megaphone of President Donald Trump's aggressive global policy at the UN often using harsh rhetoric at opponents. She was the first woman and non-white to be elected governor of South Carolina before she was appointed the UN ambassador -- a cabinet post in the US. Haley is very popular among Republicans. But she was despised by Democrats -- especially Indian Americans -- who hold that non-white persons should not be in the Republican Party and hold a high government office in Republican Administration. The resignation of the highest profile woman in Trump's cabinet less than a month before the mid-term elections roils the political situation just after widespread protests by women's groups and polarisation over the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual harassment, to the Supreme Court. Her main achievement was getting China and Russia to stringently adhere to Security Council sanctions on North Korea, which ultimately led to its Kim Jong Un agreeing to negotiate denuclearisation with the US. Trump praised her role on North Korea, which led to his diplomatic coup. She also backed the moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, which led to the virtual isolation of Washington at the UN, with even allies abandoning it. She also backed cutting US aid to the UN agency for Palestinians. In addition, she was behind the US pulling out of the UN Human Rights Council because, she said, it included several human rights violators. Despite promoting the Trump's policies, she also had differences with him, pursuing a far more aggressive policy towards Russia than Trump does. While Rex Tillerson was the Secretary of State, she had a higher profile, which dimmed somewhat after Michael Pompeo took the job and assumed a more public role. She was also hemmed in by National Security Adviser John Bolton, a former US Permanent Representative, with his own foreign policy agenda that was sometimes at odd with Pompeo on North Korea and Russia. Haley had been a critic of Trump during the campaign for Republican Party nomination for president in 2016 and supported Marco Rubio. But after Trump won the nomination, she supported for him. She acknowledged that she had differences with Trump while at the UN but could air her views with him. In an op-ed in The Washington Post, she wrote, "I don't agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person." After her departure, among the high-ranking Trump administration officials are Ajit Pai, the Federal Communications Commission Chairperson, and Seema Verma, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Neither are at cabinet level. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) --IANS al/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After nearly a month since a row erupted over the "fake" degree of Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) President, there has been no communication between the central university and the Thiruvalluvar University in Tamil Nadu, the two principal stakeholders in the controversy. According to a letter written on October 3, the Thiruvalluvar University Registrar had communicated to the Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Tamil Nadu government, that the DUSU President and DU student, Ankiv Baisoya, had not been a student of his university and that the certificate produced by him from that university is fake. Baisoya allegedly used these fraudulently procured certificates to get admission in Delhi University. However, Delhi University -- an official from which had earlier said that they are looking into several similar cases -- is yet to make a headway into the matter. An official said it is yet to get it in writing from the southern university that Baisoya never studied there. "I have been sending them reminders after reminders, but I am yet to hear from them. Until then it is difficult for me to comment on the status of the inquiry. I sent another reminder just yesterday," K.T.S. Sarao, Head of Department of Buddhist Studies, where Baisoya is enrolled, told IANS. When he was told about that university's letter to the state government informing it that Baisoya was not a student with them, Sarao said there have been questions about the veracity of that letter, and he needs something in writing from the Thiruvalluvar University, before he can take any action. When IANS contacted the top official from the Thiruvalluvar University, he said the university has done its part and that it has nothing more left to do. "Everything has been done. We have done everything that we had to. We are a state university. Our government has told us not to say anything on it now," said Thiruvalluvar University, Vice Chancellor, K. Murugan. He denied receiving any communication from Delhi University. Baisoya was elected President of the DU students' union last month after a fierce poll battle between the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)-- of which Baisoya is a member -- and Congress' National Students Union of India. The "fake-degree" matter was taken up by the Congress' student group last month. It produced a Thiruvalluvar University Registrar's letter, written to the former's state party chairman, informing that Baisoya was not a student of the said university. (Vishal Narayan can be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) -- IANS vn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of civil society organisations on Tuesday urged the Myanmar government, led by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, to strengthen the country's National Human Rights Commission to have a decisive impact on the country's development. The 12 non-profits also released "Return to Sender", the Myanmar chapter of the 2018 report of the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), Efe news reported. "Myanmar is facing a critical time in its history, with various human rights crises around the country. Now more than ever we need a strong, capable, and principled human rights institution that is independent from the government and the military," said Thwin Linn Aung, Director of non-profit Genuine People's Servants, a signatory to the report. "So far, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission has failed to take decisive action in almost all critical human rights cases and situations," he added. The ANNI study explored the current human rights situation in Myanmar and concluded that the MNHRC was "yet to prove itself as an institution that is committed to defending human rights". "The Myanmar military commits some of the worst widespread and systematic human rights abuses against civilians in conflict-affected ethnic areas, such as in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States. Yet the MNHRC has not taken any decisive action against the perpetrators or the institution that is committing these crimes," said Aung Khaing Min, Executive Director of non-profit Progressive Voice. A UN fact-finding mission on human rights violations in Myanmar had released its most extensive report in September and said there was an evidence of an "intentional genocide" of the Rohingya minority by the country's military in Rakhine province. The UN report, rejected by the Myanmar government, also flagged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the states of Rakhine, Kachin and Shan. At least 725,000 Rohingyas, a mostly Muslim minority community, fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since the beginning of a military offensive in Rakhine in August 2017, following a series of attacks on government posts by Rohingya rebels in the region. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs left for Indonesia on Tuesday to participate in the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Talking to the media before leaving for Bali, Asad Umar said that he will also hold negotiations with the IMF officials about a bailout package for Pakistan, which is currently facing economic challenges. Umar will discuss with the IMF top brass about the measures to steer the country out of the crisis, Efe news reported. The minister said in a video message on Monday night that the current Pakistani government inherited loans worth billions of rupees, which need to be managed immediately. A delegation of IMF's economic experts visited Pakistan last week and reviewed the current state of its economy. The IMF experts advised Pakistan to secure a significant external financing to resurrect the flagging economy. --IANS soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress-producer Priyanka Chopra has praised "Pahuna - The Little Visitors" director Paakhi A. Tyrewala and said that she is talented and hardworking. "Pahuna - The Little Visitors", a Sikkimese film backed by Priyanka and her mother Madhu Chopra's banner Purple Pebble Pictures (PPP), won two awards at the SCHLINGEL International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience in Germany. "Its true. Only person who repeatedly told me that I made a good film whenever I doubted it. She always had faith in 'Pahuna-The Little Visitors'. Thanks Priyanka Chopra," Tyrewala tweeted on Monday. Priyanka replied: "Always Paakhi A. Tyrewala. I truly believe in the power of talent and hard work. And you are exactly that. 'Pahuna-The Little Visitors' is an amazing film and I'm so proud of it and you. Congratulations to everyone who worked on it Purple Pebble Pictures and the cast and crew!" The film won the European Children's Film Award and got a special mention in the Awards of The Professional Jury Feature Film International category. The film received an overwhelming response at the European premiere of the film at the festival held on October 2 and October 5. It won the awards on October 6. On winning the award, an elated Priyanka tweeted: "'Pahuna...' a film I have believed in from the word go! Love the response it is getting worldwide. Can't wait to see what is in store for our film next! "Congrats team Purple Pebble Pictures for winning the 'Best Film (Jury's choice)' and a special mention at the SCHLINGEL International Film Festival." "Pahuna - The Little Visitors" narrates the story of three Nepalese children separated from their parents and their journey back home. --IANS dc/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Thalaivas succumbed to their second successive defeat in a row as they lost to Telugu Titans 28-33 on the third day of the Pro Kabaddi tournament at the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here on Tuesday. Playing their first game of the sixth season, Telugu Titans rode on star raider Rahul Chaudhuri's nine raid points and Iranian Mohsen Maghsoudlou's all round effort (three raid points, four tackle points) to down Tamil Thalaivas. Chaudhari scored nine points and made crucial raids for the Titans. Ajay Thakur (9 raid points) and Amit Hooda (5 tackle points) were the top players for TamilThalaivas but their effort wasn't enough. The home team, looking to take inspiration from their remarkable back against U.P.Yoddha last night where they fought back from 7-27 to lose 32-37, raced to a two-point lead riding Athul MS's successful raid and Titans' star raider Chaudhari being sent out of the mat in his first attempt. Tamil Thalaivas led till 8-7 in front of a vociferous home crowd who were lapping up the south Indian derby. But from there on, they lost ground as the Titans fashioned a late all out to take a healthy 16-9 lead and go into the break 17-11. Chaudhuri, who stepped down from his captaincy ahead of this season to hand over the reins to young all-rounder Vishal Bharadwaj, started the second half by getting the back of Manjeet Chhillar in the first raid to further extend Titans' lead. Manjeet Chhillar was a rock at the back for Tamil Thalaivas as they mounted a comeback in the second half. After 25 minutes, Telugu Titans led 21-16 and the match hung in balance. The fatigue was showing on Tamil Thalaivas as they played their third match in three days. Telugu Titans were the fitter team with their defence and raiders looking sharper. It was a Titans Tuesday Tho for Chaudhari's team as they maintained their composure in the last few minutes of the match and didn't give Thalaivas a chance to make a comeback. Amit Hooda attained a high five in the last minute of the match but it wasnat enough. Tamil Thalaivas made critical errors throughout the match and crashed to 28-33 defeat. (Debayan Mukherjee can be contacted at dbyn.mukherjee@gmail.com) --IANS dm/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Tuesday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should stop "day-dreaming" and wake up to the ground reality. Speaking at a rally in Shivpuri in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Shah said BJP governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will stay and the Congress leader cannot supplant them with his party. "Rahul Gandhi is dreaming of making governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, whereas BJP's hold there is unshakeable," he said. He said if all the workers of the party come together with all their strength, then "the BJP will easily win this assembly election". Speaking on illegal migrants, Shah said his party is committed to "throwing out" 40 lakh such people. -- IANS-Hindi vn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jamas nos callaran Fisica y culturalmente Nec plus ultra, nec variatur Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... Capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas... Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! Ahead of the festive season, railway employees are likely to get 78-day wages as bonus this year, the same as in the last six years. The Railway Board has proposed 78-day wages as productivity-linked bonus (PLB) for its employees for 2017-18 after detailed discussions with rail unions, and the proposal is likely to be approved by the Cabinet, a senior Railway Ministry official told IANS. The bonus for railwaymen assumes significance as five states are entering the electioneering phase while the general elections also round the corner. The government is slated to announce the bonus in the next few days after Cabinet approval. PLB is paid to about 12.26 lakh railway employees each year before the Dussehra festival. This does not include the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel. National Federation of Indian Railwaymen General Secretary M. Raghavaiah said: "Since the Railways has earned Rs 16,000 crore more than the last year's earnings and transported a record 1,161 million tonnes of freight this time, we had demanded an 80-day bonus. But finally, we agreed on 78 days." The bonus is likely to work out to be around Rs 18,000 per employee. This will be seventh year in a row that 78-days' wages are given as PLB to railway employees. All-India Railwaymen's Federation General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra said: "The 78-day bonus will be announced next week as employees expect it during festive season. It motivates the employees to improve the financial position of the public transporter." The financial implication of 78-day bonus to eligible non-gazetted railway employees for 2017-18 is estimated at over Rs 2,000 crore. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of bonus is Rs 7,000 per month. Thus, the maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs 17,951 for 78 days. The Railways expect that the PLB would serve as an incentive and result in motivating a large number of employees, particularly those involved in operations, to improve their productivity and ensure safety, speed and service for customers. (Arun Kumar Das can be contacted at akdas2005@gmail.com) --IANS arundas/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asked the security agencies to adopt new technology and seek global coordination to ensure safety of the nation's aviation industry. He warned that terrorists were resorting to innovative methods and looking to hit the global civil aviation industry. He mentioned the incident of 2009 "underwear bomber" who tried to blow up Amsterdam-Detroit flight. He added that the security of 40 small airports and heliports in India must be ensured. "I advise all stakeholders in the aviation sector, especially the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and the CISF, to use new technology and ensure a judicious blend of trained human resources and modern security infrastructure," the Minister said here at a two-day International Aviation Security Seminar. Referring to threats to the aviation sector, Singh said, "Civil aviation security continues to be an extremely challenging task, as the sector remains an important target for terror outfits. The terrorists always look for opportunities where they can draw the maximum attention and media coverage." Advocating global best practices in the aviation security, the Minister said that India should "adhere to stricter implementation of internationally-agreed guidelines and norms". He said that introduction of updated, advanced technology in all airport processes would enhance security capabilities. "The governments and aviation agencies have to increasingly think about newer methods to tackle conventional and unconventional threats." "The Brussels and Istanbul airport attacks (in 2016) have shown the vulnerability of airports, and they highlight new threats to aviation facilities. There have been several terror attacks on the aviation sector, the most devastating being the September 2001 attack (in the US) that shocked the world...", he said. India has witnessed a massive expansion in the aviation sector, Singh said, adding that "we have been constantly upgrading our security strategies and ensured their alignment with the changing threat perception." --IANS rak/shs/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined an early hearing of petitions seeking recall of a constitution bench judgment allowing entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi declined the plea. A review plea is considered by the judges of the bench that had delivered the verdict. The Nair Service Society (NSS) and others had moved the top court on Monday (October 8) seeking the recall. The Kerala government has, however, said that it would take steps for implementing the judgment. Contending that religious practices cannot be "tested on the basis of rationality", multiple petitions were filed on October 8 seeking review of its September 28 verdict lifting ban on the entry of women in the 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Besides NSS, the petitions for recall of the constitution bench verdict were moved by National Ayyappa Devotees Association and Chetana Conscience of Women, raising points of procedural error in the judgment. The five-judge constitution bench headedv by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra (since retired) by 4:1 verdict had said that the ban on women in menstruating age group, whose presence at the Lord Ayyappa temple was considered to be "impure", violated their fundamental rights and constitutional guarantee of equality. The review plea by the NSS contended that "without holding that the questions raised related to matters of religion which are not within judicially manageable standards, the majority decision in substance effectively has the effect of holding that the character of the deity can be altered based on individual faith and belief, in violation of the tenets of a particular religion and or religious sect". The petitioners have also argued that besides "patent legal errors" in the verdict, the assumption that the temple practice is based on notions of menstrual impurity is "factually erroneous". Pointing to massive protests against the verdict by women worshippers, the petitioners have said: "The subsequent events that transpired after the judgment clearly demonstrate that overwhelmingly large section of women worshippers are supporting the custom of prohibiting entry of women in the menstruating age group to the temple." --IANS pk/nir (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A second suspect accused of poisoning former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK, has been named, an investigative website has revealed. According to the British website Bellingcat, the second suspect is the man who travelled under the alias Alexander Petrov who in reality is a military doctor working for GRU or the Russian intelligence, the BBC reported on Tuesday. Last month, Bellingcat named the first suspect as Anatoliy Chepiga, a claim rejected by Russia. The website said it had identified Petrov using testimonies from people the suspect knew and a scanned copy of his passport. It said both his real passport and the false passport he travelled to the UK on in the name of Petrov carried the same date of birth. Bellingcat claims he was recruited by Russian intelligence while he was completing his medical studies and made several trips to Ukraine, including during the 2013 unrest. The Home Office and the Metropolitan Police are yet to comment on the development. Skripal, who sold secrets to British intelligence MI6, and his daughter Yulia survived being poisoned with Novichok on March 4 in Salisbury. The suspects were alleged to have smeared the nerve agent on a door handle of Skripal's home in Salisbury. The attack left Skripal and Yulia critically ill, but Dawn Sturgess, 44, was later exposed to the same nerve agent and died in hospital. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Alok Nath, who has been accused of rape by "Tara" writer-producer Vinta Nanda, on Tuesday said the allegation is "absurd" as he "made her what she is". Alok told ABP News: "Kuch to log kahenge (People will say something). Neither I am denying this nor do I agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it. As for the matter, if it has come out, it will be stretched. "However, we only have to hear to women's stand because they are considered weak." IANS tried contacting Alok since Nanda wrote about her experience via a Facebook post on Monday. But calls and messages went unanswered. Nanda, a veteran writer-producer of the avant-garde 1990s' show "Tara" fame, accused Alok -- known for his "sanskaari" on-screen image -- of sexually violating her almost two decades ago. The Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA) has decided to send him a show-cause notice. Asked about his "sanskaari" image, Alok said: "What do I have to do with people? People will say anything to spoil the image. Leave my image, whatever has been said, it is absurd." He said at one point, Nanda used to be his good friend. "...today she said such a big thing. In a way, it was me who made her what she is. It is useless to react on the allegations as in today's world, whatever a woman says, only that will be considered. In such a situation, it would be wrong to say anything," he said. Nanda held a press conference here on Tuesday, talking further about how when she had opened up two decades ago, nobody came to support her. "When I spoke years ago, not a single person came in support of me. And now one Facebook post became viral and I am standing in front of you with so much support. Not a single person questioned him that (time), everyone knew what happened... Silence is dangerous. I became silent, due to which I had to suffer so much. I left the industry," she said. Has she filed a police complaint, Nanda said: "I have not filed a police complaint yet." However, she feels this is "just the beginning" of the #MeToo movement in Bollywood and other fields in India. "It will not stop now and it should not stop. It is encouraging. It is just a beginning. Women should not afraid to speak." Why was she silent for so long? "I took a lot of time to open. I was blaming myself that why I was so bold, why I was so open... I was questioning myself... So, I was not able to come out. But now I have realised that I should not be ashamed of myself and the man who harassed me should be ashamed of himself." --IANS nv-sim/rb/hs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least eight people were killed and 10 others were wounded after a suicide bomb blast struck an election campaign rally in Afghanistan's Lashkar Gah city on Tuesday, officials said. "A suicide bomb blast occurred roughly at 2.50 p.m. outside a parliamentary election candidate's office when a gathering was underway," Omar Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, said in a statement cited by Xinhua news agency. Parliamentary hopeful Saleh Mohammad Achikzai received minor injuries after the explosion. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. The spokesman said that the number of casualties were likely to rise and an investigation was ongoing into the incident. The violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by militants at the time when the country is preparing for parliamentary and district councils elections slated for later this month. During the October 20 elections, nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, will cast their ballots to elect members of the 249-seat lower house of Parliament for a five-year term. They will also vote to elect members of the district councils. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has told reporters that he likes Taylor Swifts music "about 25 per cent less now" that she endorsed a Democrat in a Senate race in Tennessee. Swift on Sunday showed her political stripes in a post on Instagram in which she said she would be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate, reports variety.com. She wrote of the hotly contested Senate race that "as much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me." Blackburn is Bredesen's Republican opponent. "I'm sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything about her," Trump said on Monday. "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 per cent less now." Swift wrote that Blackburn "voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorisation of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. "She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values." The National Republican Senate Committee issued a press release dismissing Swift's endorsement. "If you haven't heard, multimillionaire pop star Taylor Swift came down from her ivory tower to tell hardworking Tennesseans to vote for Phil Bredesen," the committee said. Bredesen's campaign sent out a series of tweets on the endorsement. ".@VoteMarsha, look what you made her do. @taylorswift13 doesn't like your little games and she wants Tennesseans to know that you've been in the swamp long enough. It's time for some fresh air up in Washington," they tweeted. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Kolkata school teacher was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly molesting a Class 2 girl student inside the school premises a few days back, police said. The school turned into a battlefield of sorts after angry parents arrived at the school demanding immediate action. The police baton charged to bring the crowd under control. "The accused teacher has been arrested. The situation turned really tough but now it is under control," Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East division) Kalyan Mukherjee said. According to the victim's parents, the dance teacher had molested the girl on several occasions. On Monday, a police complaint was lodged. Alleging that the school authorities refused to take action despite repeated complaints, angry parents and guardians demonstrated outside the school leading to the police using force to disperse them. Television visuals showed several protesters bleeding after they were baton charged. Even some of the police personnel were injured. "Why are they hitting us," an angry woman who was bleeding said. --IANS bnd/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey said on Tuesday that it will conduct a search of the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in line with an ongoing probe on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the search will be implemented in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and under the official permission of the Saudi diplomatic mission chief, the BBC reported. The ministry said that the Saudi authorities were "open for cooperation" and a requested search of the building could go ahead as part of the investigation. Khashoggi, 59, journalist and columnist of the Washington Post, was last seen entering the consulate last week. Turkish officials claim that Khashoggi was murdered on the premises and his body was then removed. However, Saudi Arabia denied the murder allegation as "baseless". It said the journalist left the consulate shortly after arriving, while according to Turkey, he was not seen leaving the building. Khashoggi visited the consulate to get documents needed for his upcoming marriage. A critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he was living in self-imposed exile in the US and writing opinion pieces for the Post before his disappearance. US President Donald Trump said he was concerned about Khashoggi, while US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Saudi Arabia to "support a thorough investigation" of his disappearance and "to be transparent about the results". Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's brother and the Saudi Ambassador to the US, Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, said that reports about Khashoggi's disappearance or death were "completely false and baseless". Turkish Foreign Ministry had earlier summoned Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Ankara and demanded permission to search the consulate building in Istanbul. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Warning that the Security Council is becoming a victim of "self-inflicted wounds of diminishing relevance", India has called for united action to reform it. India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin on Monday ridiculed attempts to prevent the reform of the Council telling the General Assembly: "We cannot pose as guardians of a status quo that does not exist." The Council now "is all about primacy but with little purpose" and is not addressing the new challenges facing the world, he said. He was speaking during a debate on the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' report on the work of the organisation, which made no mention of Council reforms, a process that has stalled for decades. "Updating the current architecture of international institutions, which are so out of sync with the modern world, is imperative if new global challenges are to be met," he said. "Nowhere is this need for common purpose required more than in reforming the Security Council," he said, adding that this need to be done before it is too late and "the technologies of the future sharpen the conflicts of the past, while the Council remains nursing its self-inflicted wounds of diminishing relevance." In his critique of the working of the UN, Akbaruddin said that the world body was failing to look at future risk scenarios and taking action to deal with them through "continuous attention rather than one-shot solutions." He said: "To counter terrorism, for example, we need to establish a reliable and efficient set of controls for monitoring borders and financial flows. Such efforts will work only if appropriate standards are widely adopted and cooperation in implementing them becomes routine." Although Guterres has set up High Level Panel on Digital Cooperation with Amandeep Singh Gill of India as the Executive Director, the UN as a whole has been found wanting in facing up to the challenges from technology, he noted. He said: "For example, new technologies are increasingly changing the nature and dynamics of international conflict. Cyberwarfare, unmanned aerial drones, and combat robots are just three instances of technological change shaping the future of warfare and raising profound normative questions." "Yet there is no global approach in dealing with basic issues regarding frontier technologies," he added. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) --IANS al/pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Nagpur court on Tuesday granted to Uttar Pradesh Police the three-day transit remand of scientist Nishant Agrawal, arrested a day earlier on charge of spying for Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and other countries, officials said. The Uttar Pradesh Police will soon take him to Lucknow for obtaining his proper remand and further investigatin the sensational case. The UP Police informed Judicial Magistrate (First Class) S.M. Joshi that the accused, working in the BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd and arrested under the Official Secrets Act, was in touch with certain Pakistani intelligence operatives via two Facebook accounts operated under assumed names of 'Pooja Rajan' and 'Neha Sharma'. These accounts, created in Pakistan capital Islamabad, are reportedly operated by the Inter-Services Intelligence and Agrawal was found chatting with them, police said after presenting the accused in the court on Tuesday. The UP-ATS had monitored these fake accounts aimed to honeytrap key officials working in sensitive defence-related organisations in India. Agrawal was accused of leaking sensitive information on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to foreign countries. The ATS said that certain secret and ultra-sensitive information was found on Agrawal's personal computer which it said "should not have been there, and it violates the provisions of the OSA." The joint ATS teams of the two states also searched his office and from another location seized an old laptop which is being examined. They said that after the investigations into what kind of chats he was indulging in with the fake accounts on Facebook, the accused may be slapped with additional charges. The UP-ATS also raided two other persons in Agra and Kanpur and seized their laptops for investigations. As per preliminary information, Agrawal was reportedly passing on certain highly classified information to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as well as the USA. However, official circles here are not aware of his access to the type of sensitive information or security clearance levels Agrawal enjoyed in the company. Hailing from Roorkee in Uttarakhand, the young scientist had been living in rented home in Ujjwala Nagar of Nagpur in central India, and got married earlier this year. Among other things, the BrahMos centre here is involved in manufacturing certain critical components for the BrahMos missile, considered the world's fastest cruise missile that can be launched from land, ships, aircraft or submarines. The Indo-Russian joint venture's development of the latest version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has elicited keen interest in global defence circles and several major political powers in the world. The missile -- successfully test-fired on July 16 from the Integrated Test Range at Balasore in Odisha -- is an outcome of a joint venture of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia Corp since 2011. --IANS qn/tsb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and the Pakistan Foreign Minister on Tuesday agreed to cooperate for peace in Afghanistan, days after the former visited Kabul in a bid to restart talks with the Taliban to end the war. During the meeting with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad here, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Islamabad welcomed Washington's efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, Geo News reported. Delegation level talks between Pakistan and the US on the Afghan reconciliation process were held earlier in the day at the Foreign office, according to Radio Pakistan. The Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and the US side by Khalilzad. Khalilzad was visiting Pakistan as part of his 10-day visit to five countries -- Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He ended his two-day visit to Afghanistan on Monday where he met President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and several Afghan leaders. "Special Representative Khalilzad's mission is to coordinate and lead US efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table," the US State Department statement said last week. "Khalilzad will also be working in close coordination with the Afghan government and various stakeholders and explore how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict," it said. Qureshi said Pakistan will continue to play its role to find a political solution to the Afghan issue. Khalilzad and Qureshi earlier met in New York where the latter told the US that Pakistan believed that peace in Afghanistan was directly related to long-lasting stability in Islamabad. The US is seeking help of the stakeholders to encourage the Taliban to talk to the Afghan government to hammer a political solution to the long-drawn conflict. Pakistan and other regional countries favour direct talks between the Taliban and Kabul. But the Taliban wants a dialogue with the US and a time-frame for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation will hold talks here on Tuesday with Pakistani officials to discuss ways of bringing about peace in Afghanistan. A Pakistani official told Xinhua news agency that Zalmay Khalilzad will meet Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other senior officials. A US embassy spokesman said Khalilzad will "explore how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan". The envoy is visiting Pakistan as part of his 10-day visit to five countries -- Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He ended his two-day visit to Afghanistan on Monday where he met President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and several Afghan leaders. Khalilzad's mission is to coordinate and lead US efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. He will do so in close coordination with the Afghan government and other stakeholders, the US State Department said last week. The US is seeking help of the stakeholders to encourage the Taliban to sit with the Afghan government to find out a political solution to the conflict which has entered its 18th year. Pakistan and all regional countries favour direct talks between the Taliban and Kabul. But the Taliban wants a dialogue with the US and a time-frame for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. --IANS ksk/mr/soni (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US economic development agency's Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) says it is "looking to help Indians" by partnering and investing in "early-stage companies in India". Briefing the media, OPIC Executive Vice President David Bohigian on Tuesday said: "We work on the development needs with our partner countries like India, where we have investments across 40 projects for $1.5 billion. "By partnering and investing, we are looking to help Indians to develop early-stage companies." Bohigian was appointed by President Donald Trump as the Executive Vice President of OPIC. He joined the OPIC in August 2017. To expand relations with India, Bohigian said they were proud to invest in Iron Pillar, a mid-stage India-focused venture capital fund. "We were in Mumbai where we launched our venture capital initiative. This is the first time OPIC has invested in venture capital," he said. The OPIC operates by providing loan guarantees and other financial products for business projects to partner countries in which US businesses, too, benefit. In 2016, the US had announced two financial projects worth USD 95 million in India for bringing more energy-efficient appliances to the rural sector. Asserting that Indo-Pacific strategy announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was a key component, he said in India, they are looking for more capital and partners. The Indo-Pacific region, as per US strategic nomenclature, stretches from the United States' west coast to the west coast of India. In Washington, Pompeo on July 30 said: "Today no country does more two-way trade in the Indo-Pacific than the United States. In Southeast Asia, the US is the single largest source of cumulative foreign investment -- larger than China, Japan and the European Union. Pomepo's announcement came at a time when the US and China are locked in a trade war. Experts see this as a response to China's ambitious Belt and Road initiative. However, Bohigian denied this view and said their aim was to make a positive impact in the business of their partner countries. He said on Tuesday they will meet officials in the ministries of finance and external affairs and discuss cooperation between both the countries in order to bring US businesses in India. --IANS sm/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has asked Saudi Arabia to support a "thorough" and "transparent" probe into the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, after Turkey pressured the Saudi government to clarify his whereabouts. Khashoggi has not been see since October 2 in Istanbul, when he visited the Saudi consulate with his Turkish girlfriend, Hatice Cengiz, to pick up a document that he needed for their upcoming wedding, Efe news reported. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday. Pompeo added that "State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter". He also expressed his concern about the contradictory reports on the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump also voiced his worries. "I am concerned about it," he said on returning to Washington DC after a visit to Florida. "I don't like hearing about it, and hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it, but there's some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it." The veteran journalist distanced himself from the Saudi monarchy in 2017 and went into exile in the US, where he began writing op-eds for the Washington Post criticising his country's royal institutions. According to a US official briefed by Turkish counterparts, Khashoggi was murdered by a 15-member Saudi team dispatched to kill him. His body was likely dismembered, removed in boxes and flown out of the country, the Washington Post reported. The grisly claims sent a jolt through the US capital, which is traditionally friendly territory for Riyadh. Khashoggi, 59, had recently moved to the US in self-imposed exile. If his killing is confirmed, it could prompt a decisive change in how the Washington deals with Riyadh. Leading Republican and Democratic lawmakers issued notes of alarm over the reports of Khashoggi's death and threatened repercussions if they are true, the Post said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded on Monday the authorities of Saudi Arabia prove the journalist left the consulate alive with images from the security cameras. The Turkish government also asked for permission to search the premises of the consulate. The Turkish authorities have not ruled on the possibility that Khashoggi has been killed, as reported by his friends and colleagues. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Alankrita Sahai, who will feature in Vipul Shah's "Namaste England" as a twist in the tale, says it was wonderful to work with actors Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. "It's been a fantastic experience working with Parineeti and Arjun. We had an absolute blast on the sets and I am sure the people are going to love the sneak peak into the film," Alankrita said in a statement on Tuesday, when the film's second trailer was released. On her role in the film, Alankrita said: "I play this character named Alisha, who is a Punjabi girl from London. My character traverses a journey through the course of the film showcasing a varied range of emotions. "Arjun Kapoor's character Param and Alisha have an excellent chemistry in the film, with Alisha acting like a catalyst and adding a twist to the film. There is a lot of sacrifice and understanding involved between my character Alisha and that of Arjun's Param." Alankrita's last on-screen appearance was with Vicky Kaushal in "Love Per Square Foot". --IANS rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unlike in our annual high-level interface with the US, which are limited to 2+2 dialogues between the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries (the first one was held a month ago), those with Russia go right up to the highest level. Apart from several memoranda of understanding exchanged between the two countries at this meeting, reportedly an agreement on the purchase of five S-400 air defence systems has been concluded (this despite a perceived American threat of sanctions), which is seen as a game changer in the ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor Two persons including a minor were arrested in Mumbai's Antop Hill area after a crude bomb they were assembling went off, a Crime Branch official said Tuesday. The bomb, packed in a tin box, contained potassium nitrate obtained from four "sutli" (twine) firecrackers with glass pieces and nails added to it, the official said. The bomb went off on Sunday in the shanty in which the two accused were staying in Noora Bazar locality of Antop Hill's Bangalpura area, alerting neighbours and subsequently the police, the official said. Police identified the two accused as Azrul Sheikh (22) and a minor, both daily wage workers hailing from West Bengal. "The two accused made a bomb from potassium nitrate powder obtained from four sutli bombs. They added glass pieces and nails to it. They had bought a packet of sutli bombs and after bursting six of them, used the other four to assemble this bomb," explained Dilip Sawant, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection). He said Sheikh was injured when the bomb went off. Antop Hill police registered a case and the two accused were produced in court and remanded in police custody for seven days, he informed. The DCP said that a Mumbai police team had left for West Bengal to conduct further probe into the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 200 talukas in Maharashtra are facing "scarcity-like" conditions and two senior ministers have been asked to submit a report on this issue, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Tuesday. He added that a decision to declare these talukas as scarcity-hit would be taken by October 31. Talking to reporters after a ministerial meeting, Fadnavis said that state Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil and Transport Minister Diwakar Raote have been entrusted with the task of reviewing the scarcity situation in these talukas and submitting a report to him. "A decision of declaring the talukas as scarcity-hit will be taken by October 31. Later, a Central team will visit to review the situation and then a decision of declaring drought will be taken, since it (declaring drought) is in the Centre's domain," Fadnavis said. He informed that inputs about the prevailing scarcity situation is being compiled for submission to the Union government. The Maharashtra CM said that ministers have been asked to take stock of water storage in the state's dams and reservoirs and prepare a report. Meanwhile, the Congress has questionned the "delay" in announcing scarcity in 200 talukas by the chief minister. "Is chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is waiting for an auspicious date to declare a scarcity in north Maharashtra and Marathwada?" state unit Congress chief Ashok Chavan said while speaking in Sangamner in Ahmednagar district. The second phase of the "Jan Sangharsh Yatra" launched by the Congress to "expose" the state government ended Tuesday. He said the CM's announcement that a decision to declare these talukas as scarcity-hit would be taken by October 31 is another "delaying tactic". Chavan said the water levels in dams across the state have dipped drastically. "A severe water shortage is seen across the region. Every village is demanding that a drought be declared. Why is the government refusing to listen to the demands of distressed farmers?" he asked. Chavan said load-shedding had already begun in several parts of Maharashtra. "There is no water to irrigate fields. There is no electricity to draw water from bore wells. How is a farmer supposed to survive?" he questionned. The former chief minister said the farm loan waiver announced by the BJP-led government existed only on banners and in advertisements. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Hurricane Center said the storm was moving north-northwestward through the southern Gulf of Mexico, and that storm surge and hurricane warnings were in effect for the northeastern Gulf coast. Residents of the USA state of Florida are boarding up homes and seeking evacuation routes away from Hurricane Michael, forecast to slam ashore midweek with life-threatening waves, winds and rains. Catastrophe risk modelling firm RMS has highlighted some key differences between hurricane Michael, which is heading for the Florida coast and expected to be a major category storm at landfall, with recent hurricane Florence. Kemp said the bill totaled over $800 when she and her family fled Hurricane Irma's uncertain path past year. By 8 p.m. Monday, Michael's top sustained winds were around 85 miles per hour (140 kph) as it headed north at 12 miles per hour (19 kph). "Residents in these areas should follow all advice given by their local officials", the hurricane center said. Additional warnings and watches are in effect to the west and south along the Gulf Coast and to the north and east in some inland counties, where evacuations began on Monday. Coastal residents rushed to board up their homes and sandbag their properties against the fast-moving hurricane, which was expected to blow ashore around midday Wednesday along a relatively lightly populated stretch of shoreline known for its fishing villages and white-sand spring-break beaches. He said: "Today is about life and safety". The US goverment's National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a "life-threatening" alert over Hurricane Michael. The storm, which hasn't officially been upgraded to a hurricane just yet, is now located approximately 90 miles east of Cozumel, Mexico. Busy Philipps: James Franco Assaulted Me During Filming Roger Howarth took over the part of Franco in 2013 when we learned the character committed his many crimes due to a brain tumor. But she notes that she felt it would be useless to tell them of the incident due to the "boys' club" nature on set. Economia FMI pronostica inflacion de 10.000.000 % en Venezuela Respecto a Brasil , el FMI tambien redujo las proyecciones y ahora espera que su economia se expanda 1,4% frente al 1,8% previo. En tanto, "la economia de Venezuela continua en caida por quinto ano consecutivo". Racing NSW Has Suspended Everest Bets Until This Evening The Racing NSW promo is set to appear on the side of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday evening. He also said he was not a bully and refuted accusations of misogyny. It "poses a deadly threat and as it grows stronger, we can expect it make landfall as a major Category 3 storm", said Scott, warning that it "could bring total devastation to parts of our state, especially in the panhandle". "Don't take a chance", he said. "The FL panhandle needs to be prepared for a direct hit with sustained hurricane force winds", Scott wrote on Twitter on Monday. Tolls have been lifted in Northwest Florida to ease evacuation, and Scott said fuel distribution is being watched, though there haven't been "widespread fuel shortages or outages". The storm's intensity is being fed by warm sea surface temperatures and a lack of upper-level windshear, forecasters said. Shannon remembers how previous hurricanes knocked out power in Florida's capital city, so he knows what's possible with Michael. While Florence took five days between the time it turned into a hurricane and the moment it rolled into the Carolinas, Michael gave Florida what amounted to two days' notice. During an emergency meeting of the Bay County Commission on Monday night, Sheriff Tommy Ford said people will "not be dragged out of their homes", but reminded those who stay that first responders may not be able to reach them once the storm hits. Scott declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, activating 1,250 National Guard troops in preparation for the storm. As the storm closed in on the US, it caused havoc in the Caribbean. Up to four inches (10 centimeters) were expected to fall through Tuesday. With Michael's winds projected to be even stronger than that, Wakulla County residents were urged to evacuate inland. Conditions in the "very warm" Gulf of Mexico were expected to support continued strengthening, allowing Michael to become a major hurricane before it reaches the northern coast of the Gulf on Wednesday. As many as 29 persons, including three pregnant women, have been tested positive for Zika virus in Shastri Nagar locality of Jaipur so far, an official said Tuesday. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta told reporters that 29 persons have been tested positive for Zika virus in the city and efforts are on to contain the spread of the virus. She said several Health Department teams conducted household surveys in Shastri Nagar area, where fogging was done besides taking up other measures for the vector control. The officer said blood samples of 450 people, including 168 pregnant women were taken for examining the presence of Zika virus and 29 of them were tested positive. She also said the Centre's Vector Borne Disease Control Programme team was presently in Jaipur to monitor the situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly four lakh children in the age-group of 9 months to 15 years have been vaccinated against Measles and Rubella in Meghalaya, Health Minister A L Hek said Tuesday. The one-month vaccination programme, which was launched in the state on September 24, aims to cover 13 lakh children. "Till date, 3,82,421 children have been covered in the programme including 1,93,855 girls," Hek told media persons here. He said East Jaintia Hills district led the coverage with 65 per cent closely followed by West Jaintia Hills district with 60 per cent coverage. The Health Minister said the campaign was first taken up in schools because the target groups are of school going age and the vaccines will also be available across the state. An outreach session for the non-school going children will also be taken up at a later phase, he said. The MR vaccination was taken across the country with the Centre deciding to eradicate measles and rubella by 2020. Measles is responsible for almost 50,000 deaths due to complications while there are estimated 50,000 cases of rubella cases in the country annually. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A six-year-old student was allegedly molested by a government school teacher here, following which the accused was arrested, police said Tuesday. The police had a tough time controlling agitated family members of the victim who tried to force their way into the school, located in the southern part of the city, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast division) Kalyan Mukherjee said. According to the DCP, 10 police personnel, including two officers in-charge of Gariahat and Lake police stations, were injured in brickbatting by the protesters. The police had to use batons to disperse the agitators and three people were arrested for attacking the police personnel and destroying public properties, he said. Asked about lathicharge on the protesters, Mukherjee said the police took the step to save themselves and public properties. The accused was arrested and booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and a probe was initiated against him, he said. The school authorities were not available for comments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A six-year-old student of a government-run school was allegedly molested by a teacher in its premises last month, following which the accused was arrested, police said Tuesday. The police had a tough time controlling the victim's family members who tried to force their way into the school, located in the southern part of the city, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast division) Kalyan Mukherjee said. According to the DCP, 10 police personnel, including two officers in-charge of Gariahat and Lake police stations were injured in brickbatting by the protesters. The police had to use the baton to disperse the agitators and three people were arrested for attacking the personnel of the force and destroying public properties, he said. Asked about the lathicharge on the protesters, Mukherjee said the police took the step to save themselves and public properties. The accused, he said, was arrested and booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and a probe was initiated against him. The school authorities were not available for comments. Ananya Chakraborti, chairperson of the West Bengal Child Rights Commission, said the police investigation would be closely monitored. "We will follow-up the investigations conducted by the police. We will also see whether the police are carrying out proper investigation or not," Chakraborti said. When contacted Kartik Manna, chairman of the Sarva Shiksha Mission, he said the state government and the education minister would take a decision on the victim's parents' demand for employing only women teachers in the school. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kanpur University's former Vice Chancellor Sarvagya Singh Katiyar died Tuesday, days after he allegedly consumed poison in a suicide bid out of depression over his wife's death, an official said. Katiyar, 86, a Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee scientist, was admitted to Regency Hospital here 20 days ago. The hospital's Chief medical superintendent Rajesh Agarwal said the circumstances suggested he had consumed poison. On his relative's suspicion that it could be a case of suicide, the police earlier searched his residence in Arya Nagar and found a hand-written suicide note, said Station House Officer Devendra Dubey of Swaroop Nagar police station. In the suicide note, Katiyar said he was consuming poison as he was "unable to bear the pain of his wife's death" and also suffered from multiple incurable diseases, the SHO added. Dubey said Katiyar's nephew Jyotsin Maisy had told police after his uncle's death that it could be a case of suicide as he was suffering from severe depression after the death of his wife Eva Massy last year. The post-mortem has been performed and the viscera preserved for further tests to ascertain the exact cause of his death, the SHO added. Katiyar was the vice chancellor of Kanpur's Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University from 1994 to 2007. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2003 and Padma Bhushan in 2009. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned Air India Tuesday said it will directly connect Bengaluru with London with a three-times-a-week flight starting November 17. The new flight will be operated by a Boeing 787 (Dreamliner) aircraft on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Bengaluru and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from London, Air India said in a release. The national carrier has also offered special introductory two-way fare of Rs 1,29,500 for business class travel and Rs 35,220 for economy for the proposed flight, as per the release. The flight AI 177 will leave from Bengaluru at 0525 hours and arrive London at 1105 hours. In its return journey, the flight AI 178 will leave from London at 1300 hours and arrive in Bengaluru at 0400 hours, the airline said. The non-stop flight will fulfil the long standing demand of IT professionals and health tourism in the region, it added. Air India currently flies to London from New Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Pradesh Congress president Somen Mitra Tuesday said the party is not thinking of any sort of alliance in the state before the next Lok Sabha election as the issue is not a "priority" in the present situation. He said his aim is to strengthen the organisation ahead of next Lok Sabha poll. "My aim is to strengthen the party organisation. Our party president Rahul Gandhi has asked us to focus on it," Mitra said when asked on the issue of alliance with ruling TMC in the next Lok Sabha polls. Asked whether the party would go with the Left Front in Bengal, he said "We are not thinking about any sort of alliance presently ... It is not a priority in the present situation." To questions on whether Congress would attend TMC's proposed opposition rally at Brigade parade ground in January, Mitra said "Mamata Banerjee has invited Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi for the rally. If the party high command asks for our opinion then we will give it". The veteran Congressman Tuesday appealed to deserters to return to the Congress fold and work for the party. "There are lot of people who have left Congress either due to some sort of allurement or some sort of threat by the TMC. So we appeal to them to return to the party fold," he said. "We have personally spoken to some of them and few have assured that they would take a call regarding it after the Pujas (upcoming festival season)," he added. The newly appointed office bearers of the WBPCC met formally for the first time Tuesday and it was decided that the party will strive to form at least a two member booth committee at every polling booth in the state, another senior state Congress leader said. It was also decided that for the time being there won't be any changes at the post of district president but there will be no district coordinator, the leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army troops reached out to villagers living along Indo-Pak border in Rajouri district with a medicare camp to ameliorate their medical needs, an Army spokesman said Tuesday. Army conducted the medical camp at the border village of Tanda Kangri in Sunderbani sub division in the district, the spokesman said. Tanda Kangri is a border village with a large population of ex-servicemen and migratory population of Bakarwals during the winter season. The aim of the medical camp was to provide basic medical aid to the villagers and Bakarwal at their doorsteps, the spokesman said. Doctors including a lady doctor from the Army were present to provide medical treatment and aid to the patients, he said. The local population and Bakarwals expressed their gratitude to the Army for organizing the medical camp, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arunachal Pradesh is set to get its third Ramakrishna Mission school with Chief Minister Pema Khandu laying the foundation stone Tuesday at Lumdung in East Kameng district. Khandu also said the state's second agriculture college would come up in the district, an official release said. "The two institutes will not only benefit East Kameng district but all the neighbouring districts," he said, adding, they would also boost tourism and economic activities. The chief minister appealed to all the MLAs of East Kameng, West Kameng and Tawang districts to contribute towards the development of the school, from their local area development fund. The Ramakrishna Mission has made tremendous contribution towards development of human resource in the state, the CM said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assets estimated to run into crores of rupees, disproportionate to known sources of income of a senior education official, were unearthed during searches on his properties in East and West Godavari districts besides Bengaluru, the state anti-corruption bureau said Tuesday. The accused officer Myle Prabhakara Rao, who was assistant director in the district educational officers office in Kakinada, was arrested on September 20 while receiving a bribe of Rs 10,000 from an employee, an ACB release said. In continuation of the investigation into the case, the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) detected huge assets disproportionate to Rao's income, agency Director General R P Thakur said in the release. Special teams of ACB conducted searches on Rao's properties of Rao in East and West Godavari districts and also Bengaluru Tuesday and found seven vacant sites measuring hundreds of square yards in various places like Bengaluru, Vizianagaram, Kurnool and East Godavari in his name. He also owned a residential flat in Vizianagaram and a residential building in Rajamahendravaram, the release said. Three vacant sites and a shop were found registered in the name of Raos wife Vijaya Kumari, it said. Among other assets, the accused possessed half kilo gold ornaments, 4.11 kg of silver, Rs 6.25 lakh in cash, promissory notes for Rs 6 lakh and bank balances amounting to Rs 1.96 lakh, the release said. He also owned a car and a two-wheeler, it added. ACB sources estimate that the value of the assets could run into several crores. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profile Bangladesh today beefed up security across the country ahead of a special court ruling on Wednesday in a decade old grenade attack case in which opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia's fugitive son and her presumed political heir Tarique Rahman is the prime accused. "Anarchy in any form will not be allowed...law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been asked to enforce a strict vigil," Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told PTI ahead of the ruling. He, however, said that the authorities feared no specific security threat as "the verdict expected to be delivered against some identified criminals tomorrow" for the attack that killed 24 people and injured nearly 500 others. A Dhaka police spokesman said some 4,000 security personnel have been deployed in the national capital to maintain law and order. On August 21, 2004, a series of grenade explosions during an Awami League rally at the Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka killed 24 people and injured nearly 500 others including party chief Sheikh Hasina. Investigators said Hasina was the main target of the attack. Hasina was injured in the attack while party's women front chief and former president Zillur Rahman's wife Ivy Rahman were among the dead. Subsequent investigations found an influential quarter of the then BNP-led government, including Rahman, masterminded and sponsored the attackers -- the operatives of militant Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI). Rahman was tried in absentia with the court declaring him a "fugitive". He now lives in London where he is believed to have sought asylum though the British authorities have declined to reveal his immigration status. Other accused included two former ministers of the past BNP-led four party alliance government, several Islamist militants and senior intelligence and police officers, many of them are absconders. The court wrapped up the hearing on September 18 setting the date for the verdict after a protracted investigation and trial process. Zia, who is now serving a five-year imprisonment in a graft case, was not made an accused in the case. Officials said out of 52 accused, 19 including Rahman and Zia's the then political assistant Haris Chowdhury are on the run, eight including three ex-IGPs are on bail and the rests including the then junior home minister Lutfuzzaman Babar is in jail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 500 employees and officers of various banks staged demonstrations Tuesday against the government's proposal to merge and with of Baroda. Last month, the government had announced amalgamation of three banks to create the country's third largest lender. The protest was carried out by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions, here in the Fort area. "This merger is neither in the interest of employees nor of the customers. If the government does not revisit the merger plan, then 10 lakh bank employees will be left with no option but to go on a strike," UFBU said in a release. The envisaged amalgamation will be the first-ever three-way consolidation of banks in India, with a combined business of Rs 14.82 trillion, making it the third largest bank after and The merger of the three banks would be through share swap, which will be the part of the scheme of merger. The boards of all the three banks have already given in-principle approvals for their amalgamation. All the three banks have now sent the merger proposal to the government for the final nod. Post-merger of Bank of Baroda, and Dena Bank, the number of PSU banks will come down to 19. The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday paved the way for rolling out metro rail in Patna as it approved the "Detailed Project Report (DPR)" which would be sent to the central government for approval. In an another important decision, the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar gave its nod for completely banning the use of plastic carry bags in all the municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats of the state. The production, import, storage, transport, sale and use of all types- irrespective of their size and thickness- of plastic carry bags will be completely banned after 60 days from the date of gazette notification, Cabinet Secretariat Department's Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar told reporters. Notably, the Patna High Court- while hearing a PIL for banning the use of plastic or polythene bags- had on October 1, 2018 passed the order directing the state government to completely ban plastic bags in urban areas of Bihar from October 25 while in rural areas from November 25 this year. Kumar said "Metro rail project would be implemented through special purpose vehicle (SPV) 'Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (PMRCL)' at an estimated cost of Rs 17,887.56 crore. The cabinet gave its in-principle approval to send the project's DPR, Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and Alternative Analysis to the Central govenrment for its approval." On September 26, the state cabinet had given its nod for constituting "Patna Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (PMRCL)" as special purpose vehicle (SPV) for implementation of the metro rail project in the capital. A preliminary DPR for metro rail project was approved by the state cabinet in February 2017 but it was required to be revised after the centre came up with a new metro policy, Urban Development and Housing Department official sources said. The metro rail envisages two corridors in the first phase. The first corridor will be between Saguna Mor-Bailey Road-Patna Junction- Mithapur bus stand while the second corridor will be from Patna junction to proposed bus stand at Bairiya on Patna-Gaya road, sources said. In an another important decisions, the cabinet sanctioned Rs 249.85 crore for giving Rs 10,000 as incentive to all the 2,49,856 unmarried girls who passed the Intermediate examination in the year 2018 conducted by Bihar School Examination Board, Patna under Mukhya Mantri Kanya Uthan Yojana, Kumar said. It also approved education department's proposal as per which it increased the amount given under Mukhya Mantri Balak Cycle Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Balika Cycle Yojana from existing Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 for buying bi-cycle by the student enrolled in IXth standard of government schools, he said. Giving details of ban on plastic carry bags, the Principal Secretary said that plastic carry bags would be banned in the municipal areas in the first phase and later the ban would be enforced in rural areas in the second phase. All traders and manufacturers of plastic carry bags and shop-owners, vendors, vegetable sellers will dispose of their plastic carry bags within 60 days, failing which every violators- be it common users or businessmen- will be penalised for violation, he said. Urban Development and Housing department will impose fine if anyone is found violating the plastic ban i.e. use, manufacture, storage, transport and sale of plastic bags, Kumar said. Rs 100 will be charged as fine on domestic user for the first time, while he/she will be charged Rs 200 for his/her second violation and Rs 500 everytime thereafter, Kumar said. The commercial users will be fined Rs 1500 for the first violation, Rs 2500 for second violation and Rs 3500 for every violation committed thereafter, he added. If anyone is found indulged in manufacturing of plastic carry bags, then he/she will be fined Rs 2000 for first time violation, while Rs 3000 for second time violation and Rs 5000 for every violation thereafter, Kumar said adding that the move would help in making and keeping clean and free of plastics which are non-biodegradable items. A total of 45 decisions were taken on Tuesday's cabinet meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin OwaisiTuesday accused the BJP government in Gujarat of failing to stop the "exodus" of Hindi-speaking migrant workers from that state and said it is has a responsibility to ensure their safety. "The atmosphere in Gujarat...the entire responsibility lies on the BJP government in that state. It should have been their (BJP government) responsibility to see to it that North Indians should have been given confidence. They should have spoken to them and stopped them (from migrating) and made arrangements for their security," Owaisi told reporters here. But it was 'visbily clear' that the BJP government had failed to maintain law and order in that state, he alleged, adding "you can see an exodus of North Indians from that state...arguably, it is the failure of BJP and their governance". Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (Yogi Adityanath) and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who support NDA, should go to Gujarat where thousands are migrating, Owaisi said, adding "it is their (BJP) government in Gujarat." "But they don't have time and empathy...responsibility lies on the BJP and the NDA", he said. Attacks on Hindi-speaking migrants in Gujarat started after the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl. The violence has led to an exodus of migrant workers, which prompted the state government on Monday to make an appeal for their return. The state government has deployed additional security forces in industrial areas in Gujarat for the safety of migrants. It said 431 people have been arrested and 56 FIRs registered in connection with the attacks on Hindi-speaking people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 38-year-old woman activist of the BJP was found dead Tuesday at her residence in the neighbouring Palghar district, a police official said. Some neighbours of Rupali Chavan, local leader of the BJP's Mahila Morcha, got suspicious of the foul odour emanating from her house in Nallasopara area, he said. They alerted police officials who broke open the door of Chavan's home and found her dead. She had several injuries and burn wounds, the official said. "We suspect that Chavan was killed by an unidentified person two days back," he said, adding that the exact cause of her death would be known after the postmortem. "We have registered an offence of murder and further investigation is on," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After getting approvals from their respective boards, state-run Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank have sent the proposal to merge all the three lenders to the government for a final approval, a top bank official said. The government had announced the merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank on September 17, to create the country's third-largest lender. "The boards of all the three have approved (the merger proposal) and sent the recommendations to the government. We are in early stages of rolling this out." "The next step would be the government approving formally the merger process, and then the swap ratio," managing director and chief executive officer PS Jayakumar told reporters here. He said the merger will take four to six months to complete. Late last month, the boards of all the three lenders had given in-principle approvals for the proposed merger. The envisaged amalgamation will be the first-ever three-way consolidation of in the country, with a combined business of Rs 14.82 trillion, making it the third largest bank after State Bank of India (SBI) and ICICI Bank. The merger of the three would be through share swap, which will be the part of the scheme of merger. In April 2017, SBI had merged with itself five of its subsidiary banks and taking over Bharatiya Mahila Bank, catapulting it to be among top 50 global lenders with over $550 billion in combined assets. After the merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, the number of state-run banks will come down to 19. When asked whether he will continue to head after his term ends this week, Jayakumar said he was open but "it is for the government to take the decision". Jayakumar was one of the two chiefs of public sector banks selected from the private sector and had joined the state-owned bank in October 2015. He was appointed for a three-year term, which will come to an end on October 12. BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agrawal, arrested on charges of espionage, was in touch with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives through two Facebook accounts -- 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan', according to the Uttar Pradesh Police. The UP Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATC) stated this in the court of Junior Magistrate First Class S M Joshi here Tuesday while seeking Agrawal's transit remand for taking him to Lucknow for a detailed interrogation. The court granted three-day transit remand to the UP ATS, Additional Public Prosecutor S J Bagde, who appeared for Maharashtra ATS, said. Agrawal was arrested Monday in a joint operation by the ATS units of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra police at BrahMos' Wardha Road facility for allegedly leaking "technical information" to Pakistan. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 'Military Industrial Consortium' (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. The Investigating Officer of the UP ATS told the court that Agrawal was in touch with two Facebook accounts, operated under the names 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan'. These accounts, based out of Islamabad, are believed to be run by Pakistan's intelligence operatives, the ATS officer siad. Such fake accounts are reportedly used to approach senior officials in India and Agrawal too was approached by those operating these two Facebook accounts, the IO told the court. Agrawal, despite being engaged in "highly sensitive work", was "casual" on the internet and made himself an "easy target", the ATS officer said. He said Agrawal was active on LinkedIn also. Top classified information had been loaded on the accused's personal laptop, the officer said. He added that classified registered files with red markings were found stored in PDF (portable document format) in the accused's personal laptop. "These are all top classified information which (if) shared could be a threat to the country. We want to conduct a detailed interrogation and produce him in the special court in Lucknow, and, hence, request three days transit remand," the IO told the court. The accused has been charged under sections 3,4, 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, sections 419,420, 467, 468, 120 (B) and 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code as well as 66 (B) of the Information Technology Act. ATS sources in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Monday said a computer was seized from his Nagpur residence which contained secret documents. They said such documents should not be present on a personal computer. The sources said an old computer was also seized from Agrawal's residence in his native town, Roorkee, and its contents were being investigated. They said since a jawan was arrested in September after allegedly being honey-trapped by the ISI, the ATS was keeping a close watch on fake Facebook accounts of women, being operated from Pakistan, which were in touch with people working in sensitive places. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The apex body of the Bru refugees lodged in camps in Tripura urged the central government Tuesday to resume their subsistence allowances which were stopped from the beginning of this month. The Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, appealing them to resume the allowances. Signed by MBDPF president A Sawibunga, general secretary Bruno Msha and and its other leaders, the memorandum expressed fear that acute hunger among the inmates of the six camps may create law and order problem. Only 40 of the 5,407 Bru refugee families returned to Mizoram during the stipulated one month of repatriation ending on September 25. The authorities discontinued all kinds of subsistence allowances, including ration supplies and cash dole, from October 1. The Centre had earlier warned that assistance doled out to them would be stopped from the first day of October. Of the over 5,000 heads of the families, "only 44 have opened bank accounts and only 44 per cent of the inmates got Aadhaar card", the memorandum said. The refugees require bank account and several other documents to return to Mizoram. Assembly election would be held in Mizoram on November 28 and, as all the officials would be engaged in the poll process, repatriation would be hampered, the memorandum said. The MBDPF leaders said they have been trying to convince all the families in the relief camps to return to Mizoram by accepting the four-corner agreement despite resistance from some corners. An agreement was inked on July 3 between Home Minister Rajnath Singh, chief ministers of Mizoram and Tripura and the MBDPF in Delhi. The agreement stipulated that Rs four lakh for each repatriated Bru family would be deposited in the bank account of the head of the family which would mature after three years and payment of Rs 1.5 lakh as housing assistance. Each repatriated Bru family would be given Rs 5,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer every month and a free ration for two years. Thousands of Brus had been lodged in the Tripura relief camps since late 1997 in the wake of communal tension triggered by the brutal killing of Lalzawmliana, a forest guard, in the Dampa Tiger Reserve on October 21, 1997 by Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) militants. The first attempt to repatriate them in November 2009 not only failed but triggered another exodus after Bru militants gunned down a youth at Bungthuam village, three days before the commencement of the repatriation process. Though some Bru families had returned to Mizoram during a number of repatriation processes and on their own will, many of them continued to refuse to leave Tripura despite many attempts by the government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior leader M Veerappa Moily said Tuesday the and the Samajwadi Party would be part of the grand alliance of opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA in the next year's Lok Sabha polls. He also claimed the will win at least four of the five states where assembly elections will be held over the next two months. The former union minister's statement followed Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav's comment last week that his party would not wait for the to decide on an alliance for the Madhya Pradesh elections any longer, hinting that he could go for a tie-up with Mayawati's The SP's snub to the Congress came days after ruled out a poll pact with the main opposition party for assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to PTI, Moily said the proposed grand alliance was meant for Lok Sabha elections and not the state assemblies. In state elections, parties have their own compulsions, he said. "Our main ambition is to see that in parliamentary elections the opposition is united and we are likely to achieve that target," Moily said, exuding confidence that both the and SP would be constituents of the grand alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. Moily, a former Karnataka chief minister, claimed that votes would get polarised between the Congress and the in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Moily said the Congress would win the Rajasthan elections and have an edge over the in Madhya Pradesh. "In Chhattisgarh, it's 50:50. There, it (the result) depends on our (poll) management...selection of candidates," he said. "We are going to win in Mizoram," he asserted. Moily also claimed that the Congress would bag Telangana in alliance with the TDP, CPI and other opposition parties. "Chances are that out of the five states going to polls--Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana--the Congress is going to win at least four," he said. On the prime ministerial candidate of the grand alliance, he said the issue might not arise because no party in the proposed grouping would insist on that. "Ultimately, we will have to fight on the issue that we should defeat and communal forces, that's the only issue. Leadership... who should become prime minister, will be taken up at an appropriate time. That should not block the opposition unity," Moily said. BSP supremo Mayawati asserted Tuesday that her party will rather fight elections on its own than "beg" for seats in any alliance. Her comments assume significance as she had last week called off talks with the to fight the upcoming assembly polls in three states together as it did not agree to part with as many seats for the BSP as she demanded. A (BSP) statement quoting her also lashed out at the and the BJP, saying the BSP will never compromise with the self-respect of the Dalits, tribals, backwards, Muslims, other minorities and the upper castes' poor irrespective of the "malice and torture" of the governments run by these two parties. That is why the BSP has put forth the condition of being given a "respectable number" of seats to enter into an electoral alliance, Mayawati said, according to the statement. "What it clearly means that the BSP will not beg for seats in any alliance. If this (respectable number of seats) does not happen, then it will continue to fight polls on its own," she said. Speaking on the occasion of the death anniversary of the BSP founder Kanshi Ram, she said neither the nor the works in the interests of the upper castes' poor and the remaining majority. Mayawati, however, also added that her party will continue to strive to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party government, describing it as casteist, communal, arrogant, malicious and narrow-minded. Amid protests by upper castes groups against the Narendra Modi government's decision to restore the original stringent provision of a law on atrocities against Dalits and tribals, she said her party never support misuse of any law. The BSP had ensured that the law was not misused during its four terms in power in Uttar Pradesh, the statement said quoting her. A likely alliance of BSP and bodes ill for the in Uttar Pradesh, which elects 80 members of the Lok Sabha with the saffron party winning 71 of them in 2014. The SP-BSP alliance has resulted in humiliating defeats for the in three Lok Sabha seat bypolls. Experts are of the view that if the BSP fights on its own, then the BJP may again do very well in the state in 2019. A young Bulgarian man was sentenced to 40 months in jail by a Czech court Tuesday over messages threatening terror attacks in Pakistan unless Islamabad freed a woman arrested with heroin in the country. The regional court in Plzen, west of Prague, found 21-year-old Nikolai Simeonov Ivanov guilty of sending the threats by email and text message to a television channel and website in Pakistan. The threats demanded the release of a Czech woman he knew, named as Tereza H, who had been arrested in January at Lahore airport. "If Pakistan does not free within 48 hours Tereza, arrested with nine kilos of heroin, and does not let her take a plane to the Czech Republic, terrorist attacks will take place in Pakistan," said the message, read out in court by the prosecution. Ivanov, who has lived in Plzen since 2016, was sentenced to 40 months in prison by the court, after admitting that he had sent the messages, adding that he had not realised the consequences of the threats. "I did not think that anyone would take my messages seriously, especially since I included my telephone number and email address," said Ivanov, whose lawyer had asked for a suspended sentence. The Plzen court said in its ruling that Ivanov should be expelled from the Czech Republic for eight years after his sentence is served. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre Tuesday sanctioned a cash credit limit (CCL) of Rs 29,695.40 crore to the state for procurement of paddy in the Kharif marketing season 2018-19. Punjab had raised a demand of Rs 40,300 crore for this season. Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson said the amount has been released by the RBI for procurement of paddy till October. The balance installment of Rs 10,604.60 crore would be released subsequently, he said. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had been pursuing the issue of early release of CCL to ensure timely payment to farmers against their crop. The CM has, meanwhile, directed all the state procurement agencies to take immediate steps to ensure prompt lifting of the produce, followed by timely release of payments to farmers. He has reiterated his government's commitment to facilitating smooth and hassle-free procurement in the Mandis across the state. The state government has already made elaborate arrangements for procurement of the estimated 200 lakh LMT paddy expected to come to the Mandis this season. The chief minister has issued strict instructions to lift every single grain of the farmers' produce from the market and adhere to the prescribed norms of timely payment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The central government is unlikely to release additional funds to the municipal corporations of Delhi "at this stage" in view of the current statutory provisions and overall fiscal resources, officials said Tuesday. This comes a day after the Supreme Court said it was "unfortunate and tragic" that the Centre was not prepared to "make any payment at all" to resolve the crisis arising out of the strike by sanitation workers of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) over the demand for regular payment of salaries. A Home Ministry official cited the "failure" of the Arvind Kejriwal Government to implement the report of 4th Delhi Finance Commission (DFC) relating to allocation of funds by the Delhi government to the city's five local bodies including EDMC. The 4th DFC, which submitted its report in 2013, had recommended additional funding of Rs 1,220 crore to the three municipal bodies -- East, West and South Delhi -- from the Delhi government, of which the majority share of Rs 1,140 crore was to go to EDMC. The Delhi government has been funding the municipal corporations as per the award of the 3rd DFC, even though the report of 5th DFC, constituted during Kejriwal's tenure, was submitted in October 2017, the official said. Further, as per terms of the DFC, its mandate is to recommend principles to govern distribution of net proceeds of taxes and duties leviable by the Delhi government among the Delhi government and the three municipal corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board. The DFC has no mandate which has a bearing on the government of India, the official said. The Delhi High Court had in its order dated April 16, 2018, upheld the central government's contention that the DFC cast no obligation on it, while directing that "in terms of recommendations of 4th DFC, the National Capital Territory of Delhi (government) shall forthwith release all amounts payable to EDMC and North Delhi municipal corporation with w.e.f November 1, 2017,...to enable payment of salaries, funds and financial benefits to the employees". Later the HC reiterated this direction on May 21, 2018. The Delhi government, however, appealed against this order of the Delhi High Court on the grounds that it could not implement the recommendations of 4th DFC unless the central government fulfilled certain other recommendations. The Centre thereafter filed an affidavit before a bench of the Supreme Court comprising justices Madan Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta in a separate matter relating to dengue deaths in Delhi, merely citing the statutory provisions that the funds to local bodies of Delhi have to be transferred by the Delhi government, for which the recommendations of the 4th DFC have to be implemented. On October 5, the Centre further conveyed through Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh that while the central government did release grants for local bodies as per recommendations of the Central Finance Commission, the award of the Central Finance Commission was only for the states and not for Union Territories like Delhi. The budgetary allocation for Union Territories was done as for other schemes of the central government, by considering overall resources and fiscal space. Another official said the Delhi government had been allocated Rs 790 crore as central assistance for the current fiscal, which includes Rs 325 crore already released as grant in lieu of share in central taxes and duties. The remaining amount will be released in instalments. There is a statutory procedure for increasing the budgetary allocation to Delhi government, and must involve the Union Finance Ministry. However, in view of the current statutory provisions and overall fiscal resources, the central government is not in a position to release funds at this stage to the city government, the official said. The central government, which is now required to file an affidavit on the issue before two separate benches of the Supreme Court by October 22 and October 24, is expected to file identical affidavits repeating the aforesaid arguments and expressing its inability to offer further funds to the Delhi government. Yesterday, a bench of justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta noted that the court had expected the Centre to "graciously reciprocate" to the offer of the Delhi government which agreed to release Rs 500 crore to civic bodies on humanitarian grounds. "Unfortunately and tragically, the central government has now filed an affidavit that it is not prepared to make any payment at all," the bench said. It noted in its order that on October 3, the Delhi government had submitted in the court that for tiding over the sanitation crisis, an amount of Rs 500 crore would be released by them within two days without prejudice to their rights and contentions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday unveiled a statue of peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram here, using the occasion to highlight the NDA government's initiatives in the agriculture sector. The 64-feet-tall statue is installed in Sampla the native village of Chhotu Ram and also the bastion of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The prime minister said he was surprised that the influence of Chhotu Ram was kept confined to the region. This deprived several generations from learning from his life, he said. Chhotu Ram had played an instrumental role in empowering farmers in the pre-Independence era and getting pro-farmers laws enacted. He had also fought for farmers' rights during the British Rule. Highlighting his government's initiatives for the welfare of farmers and traders, Modi said," The doors of banks have been opened for farmers and small entrepreneurs so that they do not have to depend on money lenders." The prime minister said his government has been constantly working to ensure that farmers get remunerative prices for their crops. The government is also providing farmers insurance cover for crops, modern seeds, sufficient quantity of urea and good system of irrigation, and ensuring soil health, Modi said at a public meeting here. He said in Haryana, about 66.50 lakh Jan Dhan accounts have been opened. The prime minister, after unveiling the statue, visited a museum built in the memory Chhotu Ram. The museum is based on the life of the peasant leader and items related to him are on display. Union Minister Birender Singh, the maternal grandson of Chhotu Ram, and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar attended the unveiling ceremony. Congress MP Deepender Hooda, Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala were also present. Padma Bhushan recipient Ram Vanji Sutar has sculpted the 64-ft tall statue and as many as 5,500 farmers of the state donated from half kg to 2 kg iron for its construction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Philippine official says China has raised concerns about a joint U.S.-Philippine military exercise that coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country in November. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque says Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua raised the concern in a meeting Monday with President Rodrigo Duterte, who assured the Chinese envoy that the Philippines would not take part in the military maneuvers. Roque did not elaborate Tuesday on what particular drill China was concerned about. Roque said: "The general consensus was we don't want anything to mar the visit of President Xi." Philippine military officials, however, say they're unaware of any US military exercise with Filipino forces next month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday hinted that the leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) may discuss the issue of sanctions threat by the US on countries buying Russian weapons, when they meet in Tajikistan on Thursday. The Donald Trump administration has late last month imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on China for purchasing S-400 missile defence system and SU-35 fighters from Russia. The US administration is required, under CAATSA, to impose sanctions on any country that has "significant transactions" with Iran, North Korea or Russia. The Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections. Nothwithstanding the US pressure of sanctions, India on Friday last signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy the S-400 Triumf air defence system which can engage up to 36 targets at a time and simultaneously launch 72 missiles. When asked whether the issue of US sanctions would be discussed at the SCO meet being held on October 11 and 12 as China, Russia and India were its member, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Jun said: "China is firmly opposed to other countries imposing sanctions on the military cooperation and weapons trade between China-Russia. "We brook no challenge from others. Other countries have no right to interfere in our cooperation," he told reporters, ahead of the SCO meet which Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to attend. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to attend the meet. The SCO is comprised of China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India along with Pakistan was admitted into the organisation last year as full members. Zhang said at the meeting the leaders will have in depth discussions on how to expand the areas of cooperation and coordination as well as "actively responding to militarism, bullying and other acts". "I believe SCO can provide a good platform for such discussions and our countries will stick together as passengers in same boat," he said, adding that China Russia military trade in technology will continue to be firmly advanced. He said, at the same time, the SCO is not a military or political group and it not aimed at provoking confrontation with any other country or group of countries. SCO is committed to promote regional economic development and upholding regional security, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday played down reports of Pakistan's plans to cut down a railway project under the multi-billion dollar CPEC by USD 2 billion, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured his support to the various projects under the flagship Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistan's Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid recently announced plans to cut the USD 8.2 billion Karachi-Peshawar railway project by about USD 2 billion. It is the biggest project under the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which India opposes as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. On Sunday, Khan said Pakistan is reviewing the projects under the CPEC to safeguard the interest of the people in Balochistan province. Khan in the past criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the lack of transparency and corruption in the CPEC projects. He said that Balochistan had a number of reservations about the mega project. Asked about Pakistan's plans to cut down the railway projects over fears of accumulating debt, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media on Tuesday that the new Pakistan government has expressed its support for the CPEC projects. "You have only noted some aspects of the report. Recently on the advancement of the CPEC, we have noted that there are different comments and reports coming from the media. "You can see that the new Pakistani government and Prime Minister (Khan) has made it clear that they will support the advancement of the CPEC," Lu said. He was apparently referring to the assurances by the new government in Islamabad about the continuation of the CPEC projects during the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Pakistan. Lu said the CPEC served the economic and social development and referred to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report which he said "made it clear that the advancement of the CPEC did not cause any burden to Pakistan". "The IMF also said the CPEC from a long-term perspective will enhance Pakistan's capacity for the development," he said, adding that all the projects were conceived after extensive consultations with Pakistan. About the comments by some Pakistan officials to cut down the cost of the projects, he said: "We should view such comments in a comprehensive way. Actually, the advancement of the CPEC is conducive to the inter-connectivity and prosperity of the region including Pakistan". "We hope you can see that the CPEC is very important project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," Li added. China had announced after the visit of Wang to Pakistan in September that the CPEC projects will be extended to the western areas of Pakistan, which included Balochistan. The CPEC is the flagship project of the multi-billion dollar BRI, a pet project of President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing China's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China will sell 48 high-end armed drones to its "all-weather ally" Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media here reported Tuesday. The cost of the major defence deal was not revealed. Wing Loong II is a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aerial system, capable of being fitted with air-to-surface weapons. It is roughly equivalent to the American MQ-9 Reaper drone. The drones will also be jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan, state-run Global Times reported. Last year, China reportedly sold to countries like the UAE and Egypt the Wing Loong II at an estimated USD 1 million per unit, reports said. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to the Pakistan Army. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The announcement by China to permit the sale of high-end military drones comes in the immediate backdrop of India's move to acquire S-400 sophisticated missile defence systems from Russia. The deal was clinched during last week's visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi. The Trump administration has agreed to sell sell 22 Sea Guardian drones to India. The country is reported to have received 10 advanced Heron drones from Israel as well. The deal for the acquisition of the drones manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company was announced by Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Global Times report said without giving details about when the deal was struck or when the drones would be delivered. The air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones, the report said. Wing Loong II drone made its maiden flight in February last year, an earlier report by the state-run Xinhua agency said. A report in December last year said Wing Loong II has already obtained the largest order of Chinese UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight. But the report did not specify the buyer. According to the report, the system is composed of the ground station and various number of unmanned aerial vehicles. Within 10 months of its maiden flight, multiple live firing tests had been conducted in accordance with the requirement of its customers, including stationary targets, moving targets, time sensitive targets and air-ground coordination, the report said. A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. It makes sense the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators. The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, Song said. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost. China still lags behind the US, Russia and France in total arms sales but it is catching up. Chinese arms exports rose by 38 per cent between 2008-12 and 2013-17, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks the global arms trade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The parents of a class 5 student of a private school in south Delhi claimed their son was beaten up by two senior students while boarding the school bus on Tuesday. They also alleged that despite informing a school teacher about the incident, no action was taken. The boy's father has also written an email to the school principal and the headmistress about the incident. "According to my son, there were two students from a higher class who abused him verbally and physically today. Apparently, one of the students strangled him and other child kept on hitting him on his abdomen, chest and face," the email said. The victim is "feeling suffocated" and "is in a state of shock and has been constantly crying" after the incident, the boy's father said in the email. "Allegedly the teacher responsible for taking the attendance did not take the matter seriously and asked them (accused and the victim) to leave merely saying 'go or I shall take you to the principal'," the email said. The boy's father said he was worried about the attitude of the school in dealing with the issue. "My problem is not so much with the students involved in the abuse (the accused), my problem is with the school and teachers for their naive attitude related to child abuse. "We leave our children in the school for almost six hours daily with enormous amount of faith and trust. I would strongly recommend conducting sensitisation sessions with such children and their parents," he said. He urged the school authorities to initiate an inquiry into the matter. "We all know most of the times, the children do not report any form of abuse and that goes unattended. You would appreciate consequences of such incidence are long term affecting their health, survival, development, dignity, trust or power. "I would recommend and urge you to initiate an enquiry and share the findings," the boy's father said. He said his son held the shoulder of a boy as he was about to slip while boarding the bus. "These two boys, who study in a higher standard, saw him holding that boy by the shoulder and questioned my son. They attacked my son. The boy whose shoulder my son held did not say a word to my son but the other two boys had issues," he told PTI. Calls and messages to the school principal went unanswered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afraid that she may be forced to drop out of school for scoring less in exams, a class 9 student left home Tuesday but did not reach her school, following which the family approached the police who traced her within a few hours. The girl, a student of a Delhi government school, is a resident of west Delhi's Punjabi Bagh and was traced in about three hours after the police were informed, police said. Footages of multiple cameras installed on the route between her house and the school, located a few kilometres away in the same area, were scanned, a senior police officer said. The 14-year-old girl took an auto but she got down before the school near JJ park and roamed around, another officer said. The girl usually went to school with her brother but because of an exam, she left for school in an auto alone while her brother was at home preparing for his next papers. Before leaving for exam, her mother had warned of consequences if she did not perform well in exams as she had not been studying for the last few days, police said. Fearing this, she decided to not attend the exam and instead got down from the auto before reaching the school, the officer added. The girl was later spotted near DDA flats at Ring road in the area in a CCTV camera grab, the police officer. The girl's mother was informed by the school that her daughter had not reached there. She reached the school to find about her, the police officer said. She also enquired drivers of auto-rickshaws parked outside the school but could not get any information about her daughter, he added. Later, she approached the police who then started scanning through CCTV footages. In CCTV footages, the girl was seen boarding the auto and at JJ park area, she got down from the vehicle. She was then seen moving towards DDA flats near the locality and was finally traced down to Ring Road near a flyover in Punjabi Bagh, the officer said. Police rushed to the spot and tried convincing the girl to return home. However, she refused to return home fearing that her mother would scold her and would be made to sit at home if she failed or did not score well in exam, he said. But the police managed to convince the girl and told her to discuss the issue with her parents before taking any step. Finally, the girl was handed over to her family, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan was Tuesday given Rs 50 lakh by the Kerala government in compliance with a recent Supreme Court order awarding the compensation to him for being falsely implicated in the 1994 espionage case. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handed over a cheque for Rs 50 lakh to 76-year old Narayanan at a function organised at the state secretariat here, three weeks after the apex court ordered the relief holding that he was "arrested unnecessarily, harassed and subjected to mental cruelty." Narayanan said he was very sure from the beginning itself that the case against him was false. 'I am happy that the government is with me," he said. The apex court had on September 14 ordered a probe into the role of the Kerala police in the case and awarded Rs 50 lakh as compensation to Narayanan, directing the state government to pay it within eight weeks. Speaking at the function, Vijayan said the compensation amount had to be paid by the officials responsible for lapses in the probe and government was exploring possibilities of recovering it from them. State Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan, Industries Minister E P Jayarajan and Chief Secretary Tom Jose were among those present at the function. The espionage case, which hit the headlines in 1994, pertained to allegations of transfer of certain confidential documents on India's space programme to foreign countries by two scientists and four others, including two Maldivian women. Narayanan had to spend close to two months in jail before the CBI concluded the allegations against him were false. The case was first investigated by the state police and later handed over to the CBI, which found the allegations to be false. The scientist had moved the Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court order which said no action was required to be taken against former DGP Siby Mathews and two retired superintendents of police K K Joshua and S Vijayan, who were later held responsible by the CBI for his illegal arrest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) chief Tuesday said that the would need to speak to the as well in order to form an alliance between the three outfits. Speaking at a press conference in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur Tuesday, Yadav claimed that his party wanted an alliance with the but the latter "felt" the SP was "weak". He said that it was the Congress' responsibility, as a larger political outfit, to bring smaller parties under one umbrella. "We wanted an alliance with the but the oldest political party felt that we are weak. Now, an alliance can be formed only when the Congress talks to the BSP along with SP," Yadav said. Yadav said that his party once had eight MLAs in the MP Assembly and its vote share was also good. The SP has tied up with the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) in for the forthcoming Assembly polls and talks were underway with the BSP as well for a tie up, Yadav said. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister expressed concern over north Indian migrants fleeing over the past few days following attacks after a labourer hailing from was arrested on the charge of raping a 14-month-old child on September 28. Yadav parried questions on the demand by certain groups that reservations be provided on the basis of economic status rather than caste. He further claimed that there would be harmony in society if people unseated the ruling BJP. The SP leader claimed that the BJP "experiments" with people, citing examples of reported hardships caused to them due to demonetisation and GST. The ruling Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) announced Tuesday that names of candidates for the November 28 assembly election would be declared on Thursday. Sports Minister and member of the MPCC nomination committee Zodintluanga said that the names of the candidates would soon be finalised and announced on Thursday (October 11). The candidates list would be made public in the presence of AICC general secretary in charge of North-Eest Luizinho Faleiro. Mizoram is the only state under Congress at present and hence it would be important to see wether they manage to hold the fort or not. Meanwhile, sources in the ruling party said that massive tussle has been going inside the party over selection of candidates in the election to the 40-member state legislature to be held on November 28. One leader said that the party top leadership wanted to axe some legislators who were too old or did not chance to win while taking great care to ensure that those left out would not be too numerous to form a rebellious lobby against the party. The heartburns might widen the cracks which had already inflicted a blow especially after the resignation of home minister R. Lalzirliana and former minister and sitting legislator Lalrinliana Sailo recently. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The BJP in Telangana Tuesday alleged that Congress, TRS and TDP were indugling in minority appeasement and opportunistic for the sake of power in the state. "Congress has formed an alliance (for the December 7 assembly polls in Telangana) with TDP though the latter has been its bitter rival for decades," BJP president K Laxman told reporters here. TDP was once opposed to the formation of Telangana, he alleged. At the national level, Congress is the junior partner to parties like the Samajwadi Party, he claimed. "All these parties Congress, TRS, TDP are not different (from one another)," he said. He took exception to Congress leaders' criticism against BJP that it had a secret understanding with the TRS and pointed out that the party was fighting elections on its own. The BJP leader alleged that the Congress, TRS and TDP are favourably inclined towards AIMIM. Laxman said BJP president Amit Shah would address a public meeting at Karimnagar Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Tuesday urged legislators and business groups in the state to contribute generously towards improving dilapidated school buildings in the state. Sangma had himself donated one and a half month's salary od Rs 3.14 lakh as chief minister towards the renovation of a dilapidated school building in Shohphria village in remote West Khasi Hills district. I urge legislators and business groups to contribute their bit for improving facilities in the state, Conrad said, inaugurating the renovated school building. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha Tuesday said the country has been "misled" through "fake and bogus economic data" and attacked the Central government over weakening of Rupee against the US dollar. He also contested the Central government's claim on the growth of the economy under the BJP rule. The former BJP leader said investors have withdrawn lakhs of crores of rupees (from markets), which is a matter of concern. "When rupee fell in 2013, current prime minister (Narendra Modi) said aloud that the rupee has gone into ICU. Today, they are not saying a word when the rupee is going to touch 75 (against the US dollar)," Sinha said. He was addressing a gathering of the Gujarat chapter of Rashtra Manch, a political action group. BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari and former Gujarat chief minister Suresh Mehta also spoke on the occasion. "They (the government) are giving fake (economic) data and the country is being misled on the basis of bogus data. Because, if the country is growing at the rate of 8 per cent, as per government's claim, then why is rupee so weak?" Sinha asked. Blaming the Centre's claim on the GDP growth, the former BJP leader said the economic data is being played upon. "There is a new trend of 'shoot the messenger'," he said while attacking the NDA government over its economic policies. Sinha said a household survey that used to be conducted by the Labour Bureau (LB) of the Union Labour Ministry in the past has now been shifted to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), because the LB data on job creation "was not in favour of the government". "Economic experts say the EPFO data cannot be the data of employment. But Modiji says he knows everything," he said. Sinha said the Central data which shows GDP growing exponentially is "not aligned with other data". "This is the reason our figures and data are not right," he added. "The kind of complete mismanagement of the economy we are seeing in the last four years had never been seen before. There were problems, but for the first time the government has to face a crisis regarding crude oil prices," he said while slamming the government on rising prices of petrol and diesel. Sinha also attacked the government over Rafale fighter jet deal and foreign policy. SP leader Tiwari said Modi government was trying to build a "consensus on the basis of lies". "The government that takes pride in the art of lying should be thrown out and it is people's responsibility to do so," he said. Tiwari said, "the government is standing against the values of "'Ahimsa', 'Satyagrah' and 'Swaraj' (non-violence, political resistance and self-rule) and is cheating its people". Shatrughan Sinha said the government should bring petrol and diesel under the ambit of GST. "All we want is betterment of the country and our society. People should get better education and healthcare, but today the health and education system has not been working," he said. Suresh Mehta said PM Modi created a "culture of telling lies" when he was chief minister of Gujarat between 2002 and 2014. "Modi is the most luxurious leader who flies in chartered planes and wears a golden suit," Mehta said. He claimed that the Gujarat government has "diverted Rs 3,500 crore from the fund of the Narmada (dam) project for the Statue of Unity project (which envisages construction of the statue of Vallabhbhai Patel)". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rattled by protests by opposition Congress, BJP and various organisations against the government's decision to implement the apex court verdict on Sabarimala, the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala Tuesday launched 'vishidhikarnam' (explanatory) meetings with participation of women. The first of the meetings, to explain the government's stand on the issue and steps taken by it to implement the Supreme Court verdict, was inaugurated at Pandalam in Pathnamthitta district by CPI(M) central committee member P K Sreemathy, MP. P Sathi Devi, leader of the Janadhipatiya Mahila Association, said the state government has the duty to implement the top court verdict permitting women of all ages to worship at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. Volunteers from Kudumbashree, a women's empowerment and poverty eradication programme, have also been roped in for the meetings being organised in different places for ensuring 'equal justice' to all women. Meanwhile, Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said government was with the believers and understood their sentiments. "We will not allow anyone to unleash violence in the name of devotees," the minister said, adding the government will not go in for any confrontation. As far as the government is concerned, it wants to provide all facilities to devotees visiting the shrine. Last month, Rs 100 crore was sanctioned from Kerala Infrastructure Financial Fund Board (KIFFB) for providing more facilities at Sabarimala, he said. Attacking the Congress and BJP, he said the two parties had changed their stance only with an eye on the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP should take out a long march to Parliament in New Delhi and not to Thiruvananthapuram, he said. At Erumeli, an important halting place for devotees en route to Sabarimala, P C George, an independent MLA in the state assembly, began a fast Tuesday morning to safeguard the traditions of the shrine. George garlanded a statue of Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at the hill shrine of Sabarimala, before commencing his fast. In the state capital, believers, including women, took out a march to the Raj Bhavan asking the state government to put pressure on the Centre to bring in a law. Devotees have also begun collecting signatures from believers to be submitted to President Ram Nath Kovind. Meanwhile, Vellapally Nateshan, General Secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, an organisation of backward Ezhava community, said tension should not be created in the name of Hinduism. Agitations over the Sabarimala verdict were a challenge to the rule of law, he said. The Congress, BJP and various Hindu organisations have launched protests demanding the state government file a review petition against the verdict. The Supreme Court in its verdict on September 28 had allowed entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala shrine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPI(M) would Wednesday onwards lay siege to government offices in adjoining Thane and Palghar districts over a slew of demands, including scrapping of the proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. Besides the bullet train project, the party and some other organisations are also opposing the constructions of Mumbai-Vadodara and Mumbai-Nagpur express highways and river- linking programmes, which they claimed, would destroy local farmers and their livelihood. The rail and road projects would pass through the two districts. The party would press for addressing local concerns related to water supply, employment, education, health, pension, electricity, houses and roads, said a joint statement issued by CPI(M) leaders Ashok Dhawale and Barkya Mangat. Dhawale said the party men would continue to lay siege of government offices till the demands are met. "From October 10, which is observed every year as Martyrs' Day and as the death anniversary of the legendary leader Comrade Godavari Parulekar, over 50,000 people led by the CPI(M) will lay siege to government offices in seven tehsils in Thane-Palghar," the statement said. "The struggle will not be withdrawn anywhere until the local demands are conceded in writing by the officials," the statement said. The party would also persist with the campaign on issues such as rise in prices of fuel and other essential commodities, alleged growth in unemployment, poverty, indebtedness, malnutrition and the Rafale fighter jet deal. The protest would begin simultaneously with rallies at Dahanu, Talasari, Jawhar, Vikramgad, Palghar, Wada and Shahapur. The rallies will be followed by gherao of the SDO/ Tehsil offices, the statement said. Organisations like the All India Kisan Sabha, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the All-India Democratic Women's Association, the Democratic Youth Federation of India and the Students' Federation of India would also take part in the protest, the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With cyclonic storm 'Titli' moving towards Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast, the Odisha government Tuesday geared up to face the situation setting a target of "zero casualty". The state has put the districts on high alert and asked the authorities to evacuate those living in low-lying areas and in 'kutchha' houses along the coast. "Zero casualty is part of the state government's disaster management policy. Stocking of food and shifting of people to cyclone shelters are also included in the policy," Chief Secretary A P Padhi told PTI. During previous cyclones such as Phailin in 2013 and Hudhud in 2014, the government had ensured zero casualty and earned laurels from the United Nations for successful disaster management. Padhi reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting attended by all secretaries, special relief commissioner (SRC) and officers of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). He said the IMD has forecast wind speed to be 100 to 110 kmph with gusting to 125 kmph. The MeT office has also mentioned that the cyclone Titli will further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm Wednesday. The chief secretary said the cyclone was likely to make landfall early on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert in Odisha for Wednesday and Thursday, forecasting "heavy to very heavy rainfall" at several places and "extremely heavy rainfall" at isolated areas in the state. The cyclone over west-central Bay of Bengal moved west-north westwards at a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours and intensified into the cyclonic storm Titli, it said. Titli lays centred at about 510 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 460 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The government has ordered closure of schools, colleges and anganwadi centres in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagtsinghpur from Wednesday. Meanwhile, Deputy Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said around 300 motor boats have been arranged to assist in the rescue operation. He said teams of NDRF and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) along with Fire Service personnel have been sent to various districts. All the 879 cyclone and flood shelters have been kept in a state of preparedness, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Inviting investors for the November 29-30 Agriculture & Food Summit to be held here, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Tuesday said that the state is the most suitable place for investments. There are enough possibilities for investments in food processing industry, horticulture, floriculture, dairy, pisciculture and others, Das said at a meeting of stakeholders in New Delhi, according to an official release. The people have given a stable government, ending unstable politics till 2014, he said. Stating that the state government had made policies, took expeditious decisions and prepared a transparent system and kept the intention clean, the chief minister said. The state had held Global Investors Summit in 2017, which was followed by four ground breaking programmes, paving the way for more than 62,000 jobs, Das said. He also said that more than 17 lakh women got self-employment through more than one lakh sakhi mandal and through Mudra Yozana 14 lakh youth got self-employment. Stating that Jharkhand has been known for mining and mineral industries, Das said the state has changed the impression by stressing on other sectors like agriculture and IT industry. And that is the reason why Agriculture Global Summit is being organised next month in the state, he added. The state government has also the goal to support the farmers in making their income double, he further said. Our goal is rural development and prosperity to the villages. Stress is on single window system, he said. Eighty-nine MoUs signed in 2017 for food processing sector are on ground, he said adding a total 212 food processing units are functional in the state. Fifty more foundation stones would be laid in the sector during the November Summit, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Tara" star Navneet Nishan has supported Vinta Nanda's allegations against Alok Nath while confirming the harassment she faced at the hands of the actor. Nishan said she empathises with the "terrible pain" Nanda has gone through. Without naming Nath, she said she also suffered because of this man's "power trip". "I empathise with Vinta for the terrible pain she has gone through; it is unimaginable. I dealt with the four year harassment by slapping the man in question and it is done and dusted. "l suffered the loss of the show and was further shamed by the man through media and I endured that. I fought my battles there and then. I am immensely glad that the power trip and sexual dominance coming from this power is being called out. It is high time," she told PTI. The actor said she supports every woman and man who is standing up for herself/himself in the "Me too" movement. Nanda, in a lengthy Facebook post on Monday night, accused the "most Sanskaari person", as Nath is known, of raping her more than once 19 years ago, the latest expose in the #MeToo movement sweeping India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will leave for France on Wednesday night on a three-day visit, which comes in the backdrop of a huge controversy over the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. Officials sources said Sitharaman will hold wide-ranging talks with her French counterpart Florence Parly on ways to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries and also deliberate on major regional and global issues of mutual interests. Sitharaman, who will hold with Parly the first edition of defence dialogue, will leave for Paris late Wednesday night and conclude her visit on Saturday, they said. The sources said besides exploring ways to boost bilateral defence cooperation, Sitharaman will also take stock of progress in the supply of 36 Rafale jets by Dassault to the Indian Air Force under a Rs 58,000-crore deal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with the then French President Francois Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016. The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating the deal. The Congress has also been targeting the government over selection of Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault. The government has vehemently rejected the allegations and asserted that it did not have any role in the selection of Reliance Defence. Last month, Hollande was quoted by French publication 'Mediapart' as saying that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance to partner with the French aerospace giant. The former French president's comments triggered a massive political row. Sources said Sitharaman will discuss with Parly ways to expand Indo-French maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The two ministers are also likely to deliberate on joint production of military platforms and weapons by the two countries. French President Emmanuel Macron had visited India in March during which the two countries decided to expand strategic ties and deepen counter-terror cooperation. The two sides also inked a strategic pact providing for the use of each other's military facilities including opening naval bases to warships. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron also decided to create an annual defence dialogue at the ministerial level to explore ways to further deepen defence and strategic ties. Sitharaman and Parly will hold the first edition of the defence dialogue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Congress will launch its "Lok Sampark Abhiyan" to reach out to voters here in the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and highlight "failures" of the AAP and BJP governments. A five member committee has been formed by the Delhi Congress president for the purpose to draft the content for the campaign, according to a party statement. The campaign will start from October 13. "Under the Lok Sampark Abhiyan, Congress workers will go door-to-door informing people about the failures of the BJP government at the Centre and the AAP government in Delhi," it said. The committee that will draft handbill contents for the campaign will include Aman Panwar, Sunil Kumar, Jagjivan Sharma, Ajay Vinayak and Vikas Jha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five men were arrested for allegedly running an illegal arms factory in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut city and 84 pistols were seized from their possession, police said Tuesday. The accused persons used to bring raw materials from Munger and manufactured pistols by assembling parts at their unit in Meerut and then supplied them in Delhi and adjoining areas of Haryana, they added. Two of the accused persons were arrested following a brief exchange of fire. The accused persons were identified as Mohammad Shaidulla (37), Mohammad Shabir (32), Mohammad Intiaz (29), Mohammad Obayed (33) and Nasim (25). While Nasim is a native of Meerut, others are residents of Munger in Bihar. Acting on a tip-off, the police laid a trap near Singhu border on the National Highway-1 where the accused persons had come to deliver a huge consignment of pistols to their clients on Monday, a senior officer said. Subsequently, when the police spotted a silver colour car approaching the spot, they signalled them to stop the vehicle. But Shaidulla, who was driving the car, tried to pass the police barricade and even whipped out his pistol and fired upon the police team. In retaliation, the police fired and overpowered the two accused persons who were identified as Shaidulla and Nasim. Sixty-three pistols were seized from their possession, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav. Later, another raid was conducted at a house owned by Furkan in Meerut and the three other accused persons -- Mohammad Shabir, Mohammad Intiaz and Mohammad Obayed -- were nabbed. The police seized 19 more illegal pistols along with raw materials used in preparation of illegal firearms from their possession, Yadav said. During interrogation, it was revealed that Shaidulla with the help of Furkan used to run an illegal firearms manufacturing factory in Meerut. In order to avoid detection, Shaidulla along with his three labourers, used to bring raw materials from Munger and manufactured pistols by assembling parts at their unit in Meerut and then supplied them in Delhi and adjoining areas of Haryana. The labourers used to make at least two weapons per day and were paid Rs 2,000 per firearm, the DCP said. The accused used to supply firearms to criminals and used to charge Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per weapon. A stolen car with a fake number plate used for carrying weapons was also recovered, he added. Shaidulla has been involved in manufacturing illegal arms for the last 15 years. He began by assembling and manufacturing illegal arms at an early age and has been supplying illegal pistols to his associate Furkan for last five years, the police said, adding that further investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to poll-bound Rajasthan, president on Tuesday said and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which he referred to as Gabbar Singh Tax, has destroyed India's economy. Addressing a rally in Dholpur's Mania area, Gandhi said the prime minister had declared during his electoral speech that he wanted to be a 'chowkidar' but never clarified who he wanted to guard. The president alleged that he benefited 15-20 industrialists of the country instead of farmers. According to Gandhi, the former UPA government led by his party had waived farmers' loans worth Rs 700 billion. But bad debt worth Rs 3,500 billion was written off by the present government and the prime minister did not help farmers with even a one rupee waiver, he alleged. Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the state, named several industrialists, including Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Anil Ambani, and said the PM benefited them but did not take care of farmers and youths. Gandhi claimed the government had destroyed the country's economy with decisions like and Modi, he said, benefited his industrialist friend in Rafale deal and did not speak a single word when he raised the matter in Parliament. The president said the Centre and state governments worked against people, small scale business, farmers, women and youths. The former UPA government introduced several schemes and programmes for the poor, including MGNREGA. Moreover, the former Ashok Gehlot government in had brought free medicines schemes but the governments had weakened them and worked against the people, Gandhi said. The Congress chief, who is holding a 150 km road show in eastern Rajasthan, will visit Bikaner on Wednesday. Elections in will be held on December 7. A progressively drying climate punctuated by variable wetter episodes may have caused the transition from our hominin ancestors to anatomically modern humans, according to a study. Since the discovery of a rich assemblage of human fossils as well as stone tools in the rift valley of East Africa, a region often referred to as the cradle of humanity, scientists have attempted to piece together the complex puzzle about the history of our human origins. Published in the journal PNAS, the study based on lake sediment cores is the first to provide a continuous environmental context for the diverse archeological evidence recovered from nearby localities in the rift valley basins of southern Kenya. The cores were sampled from Lake Magadi, a shallow, periodically dry lake, close to the Olorgesailie basin in Kenya, one of the most productive sites for archaeological evidence of human evolution in Africa, said Andrew Cohen, a professor at the University of Arizona in the US. The researchers suggest that the profound climatic changes may have been driving forces behind hominin evolution, the origins of modern Homo sapiens and the onset of the Middle Stone Age. While previous hypotheses have related hominin evolution to climate change, most prior studies lack regional-scale evidence for a link between and hominin evolution, the researchers said. According to the study, a trend towards intense aridification in the area began 575,000 years ago. The change, not previously documented in continuous continental cores from East Africa, corresponds with faunal extinctions and a major transformation in stone tool technology documented in the Olorgesailie region. "Much evidence for human evolution has been gathered from the area, but linking those records to detailed environmental records was missing until now," said Richard Owen from Hong Kong Baptist University. "There is a big gap in the records between the last Early Stone Age tools 500,000 years ago and the appearance of Middle Stone Age in tools about 320,000 years ago. Our results plugged that gap with a continuous environmental record," Owen said. A critical transition occurred sometime during this gap, a period for which archeologists have unearthed evidence of a leap in early humans' abilities to make, use and trade stone tools. The cores from Lake Magadi provide the first detailed link between climate change and events known from the region's archeological record. "We have known for a while that the climate at the time was very varied, but the key here is that the records are in proximity to the archeological evidence for this transition," said Andrew Cohen, a professor at the University of Arizona. "The older stone tools found at Olorgesailie did not change much between 1.2 million and a half-million years ago. And suddenly, after 500,000 and before 320,000 years ago -- we don't know exactly when, but in that time-span -- there was a critical transition in archeology when tools became more sophisticated and were transported over longer distances," Cohen said. At the same time the lake core records point to the climate becoming drier and more variable, there is evidence elsewhere in Africa of the appearance of modern Homo sapiens, prompting much speculation whether the two are connected, Cohen said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has termed "hasty" the decision of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) not to issue a No-objection Certificate (NoC) for the construction of the Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Ranikor road. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had told Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma last month that the Rs 400 crore re-aligned Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Phlangdiloin-Ranikor 2-lane highway will be constructed as and when they get the NoC from the KHADC. "The decision of the KHADC is hasty. Chief executive member H S Shylla should not have taken a final decision that way," Tynsong told mediapersons here Monday. He said the CEM should have consulted the state government before deciding on such an important road project where the people of the area stand to benefit from it. Tynsong made the statement in view of reports that the KHADC had on October 1 decided not to grant NoC to the road project citing opposition from anti-uranium groups which include the Khasi Students Union (KSU) and Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC). The two-lane project for construction of the 68 km Nongstoin-Domiasiat-Mawthabah road was sanctioned under the SARDP-NE at a cost of Rs 470 crore. The deputy chief minister said that the chief minister had managed to convince the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari to re-align the road and stay away from uranium rich Mawthabah area. "In view of this, now the road (as per new proposal) will only go from Nongstoin-Wahkaji-Phlangdiloin-Ranikor," he said. Tynsong said Shylla should have consulted the state government first and get the doubts cleared. The deputy chief minister, however, said that under the new rules of the Land Acquisition Act, the state government can take a call on the matter as the project is in the interest of the public. He also said that the state government was also equally concerned about uranium mining. He reminded that the state government had also taken a strong and clear stand that mining of uranium will not be allowed in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An elderly couple, veteran members of the banned CPI (Maoist), surrendered before police here Tuesday citing "political differences" and health reasons, police said. K Purushotham alias MK (68) and his wife K Vinodhini, (63), who were arrested in March 1991 only to be released in exchange for release of an abducted Youth Congress leader three months later, carried a cash reward of Rs 8 lakhs and Rs five lakhs. The two were looking after the Agitation Propaganda Committee, a publishing unit of the CPI (Maoist), Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar told reporters. Purushotham was a headmaster of a primary school here before joining the People's War Group 1981 and married Vinodhini, also a teacher, a year later. She also joined the PWG, which later became CPI (Maoist), after marriage and both became underground cadre and recruited around 60 others and sent them to forest for training, the Police Commissioner said. The duo was arrested in March 1991 in Visakhapatnam but released in May that year in exchange for release of a youth Congress leader, Kumar said. The couple later looked after the Agitation Propaganda Committee by printing "political documents" of the banned outfit. From 2005 to 2014, the outfit had directed Purushotham to stay in Chennai. Even though Purushotham was a "committed cadre", he felt that he was not used appropriately and his contributions were ignored by the CPI(Maoist), the commissioner said. Purushotham cited his wife's health and "internal differences" within the outfit and wanted to join the mainstream and lead peaceful life. Hence both decided to surrender, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Tuesday termed the situation in Gujarat as "grave and very sensitive" after the exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants following attacks on them, and asked Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow "raj dharma" and bring the situation back to normal. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to apologise to the people of his state for showing insensitivity towards them by giving a "clean chit" and character certificate to the Rupani-led state government. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. He claimed that people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. Hindi-speaking factory workers continued to flee the state by taking trains and buses, which were running jam-packed, according to available accounts. Asked about the alleged involvement of party leader Alpesh Thakor's Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena in the attacks, the Congress spokesperson said no such thing has come to the party's notice. "However, if any such incident comes before us, the party will act accordingly," he added. The Congress leader expressed concern over the spread of violence in central Gujarat and said if went unchecked, it could spread across the country and have "extremely serious repercussions" on the country's social fabric. "The situation in Gujarat is very sensitive and unfortunate and the state and central governments are completely responsible for it. It is the responsibility of the state and central governments to bring the situation to normalcy, as if this fire spreads across the country, it will have very serious and far-reaching repercussions," he said. "This is not the time for indulging in petty and the state and central governments should follow 'Raj Dharma' as propagated by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to then chief minister Narendra Modi. We urge and demand that 'Raj Dharma' should be followed on this issue and petty should not be played," he told reporters. He said it is "unfortunate" that the Gujarat government is "completely and absolutely incapable and perhaps unwilling to stop these incidents". "If this contagion is not checked, this can have extremely serious repercussions with regard to the social fabric of this country," he said. The Congress leader said, "I want to warn the prime minister that the of polarisation will have disastrous consequences." Tewari hit out at the prime minister, asking whether this was the Gujarat model that he talked about and sought votes to become the prime minister in 2014. He alleged that "ridiculousness and preposterousness" have touched a new high, where apparently to please the Prime Minister, the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are in an overdrive to give a clean chit to the Gujarat government, rather than empathising with the plight of their people and trying to prevail upon the central and Gujarat governments to act. "The silence of the Prime Minister who otherwise speaks 20 out of 24 hours, is deafening. We would like to ask the Prime Minister, he talked about the Gujarat Model of Development when he sought votes across the country, is this the Gujarat Model of Development? "Is this the model which he would like to perpetuate in this country? where you divide people in the name of region, religion, caste and try and keep this country on a permanent edge because you think it will get you electoral dividends?" he asked. The Congress leader said, "We demand that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister apologise to the people of Uttar Pradesh for his complete and brazen display of insensitivity and we would like to call upon (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar to take the strictest action possible against officials who are in an overdrive to give a clean chit to the Gujarat Government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants from Gujarat after attacks on them in several parts of the state showed no signs of abating on Tuesday, as the issue snowballed into a political slugfest involving the BJP, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress(TMC). Police, meanwhile, intensified patrolling in areas near industrial estates and places where migrant workers stay in a bid to instill confidence among the people. In Vadodara, hundreds of police personnel carried out a flag march in industrial areas which are home to several big and small factories where more than 25,000 migrants worked, police said. The minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said a total of 533 people were arrested and 61 cases registered so far. Separately, 7 cases were filed under the Information Technology(IT) Act and 20 people arrested for spreading hate messages on social media, he added. Hindi-speaking factory workers continued to flee the state by taking trains and buses, which were running jam-packed, according to available accounts. There were also reports of bus fares being raised in view of the increased demand coming in from some places. "Some people came to our area last night and asked me to leave the place immediately and go back to my home state or they will thrash me," a migrant worker, who did not want to be identified, told reporters at the Ahmedabad railway station. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. He claimed that people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. In a series of tweets, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani asked whether Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat". The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence. "Congress first incites violence against migrants. Congress President tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress President not have any shame?" Rupani said in a tweet. "If the Congress President is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against its own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat. Tweeting is not the solution, taking action is! But will he act?" he further tweeted. Rupani said his government is "working hard to ensure trust and confidence among all citizens that they are safe and secure in Gujarat". Rahul Gandhi brought up the exodus of the Hindi-speaking migrants at his rally in poll-bound Rajasthan, saying youths from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are being attacked and forced to leave. "Youth trusted Modi but Modi betrayed their trust, he charged, targeting Prime Minister Narendera Modi. In a Facebook post earlier in the day, Gandhi said attacks on the migrant workforce in Gujarat are not good for business and the economy and that the Government must act decisively to restore peace and ensure safety of every Indian. He said there is growing frustration and anger with the government's "inability" to create jobs. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Congress of instigating violence against the migrants and demanded that Rahul Gandhi expel Alpesh Thakor for his alleged "venomous" speeches to incite locals in attacking outsiders. Alpesh Thakor on his part said targeting of migrants is wrong and he is "totally against it", refuting the BJP's allegations against his outfit. "Most of the attackers are from Thakor community. But the allegation that his outfit was responsible for the attacks is an effort to suppress the popularity that I have gained with my outfit in 16 states. I am being defamed. Not a single case has been filed against either me or my people. Our truth will win," he told reporters. After the rape of the 14-month-old girl, who belonged to his community, Thakor had blamed in public a "non-Gujarati" for the crime. A video in which Thakor is purportedly seen making a speech against migrant workers has gone viral and allegedly led to the violence against the Hindi-speaking population. "Additional police force has been deployed in industrial areas for the security of Hindi-speaking migrants. No untoward incident has been reported in these areas," Vadodara Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said. West Bengal Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the attacks as a "very dangerous trend" and accused the BJP government in Gujarat of failing to control it. "This (the attacks) is a very dangerous trend. A disastrous situation. The problem is very serious ... I do not understand why the BJP (government in Gujarat) is not controlling it," she told reporters in Kolkata. "All the people are scared. I am also scared." Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said top officials from the state were in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat and appealed to people from the state living there to stay firmly where they were. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress staged protests across Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday against attacks on Hindi-speaking migrant workers in Gujarat. In state capital Lucknow, scores of Congress workers took out a march from the party office and raised slogans against the central and Gujarat governments, party spokesperson Anshu Awasthi said. They were stopped by the police after a short distance, Awasthi said, adding that the protesters burnt the effigies of the central and Gujarat governments. Similar protests were held in several districts, including Hardoi, Sitapur, Gonda, Basti, Barabanki and Varanasi. In Gorakhpur, Congress workers led by district general secretary Anwar Hussain staged a protest. They also put up posters with the message that "every Indian is welcome in Uttar Pradesh". "We are large-hearted and do not discriminate against anyone based on where they hail from. The people of Gujarat and Maharashtra and all other parts of the country are welcome in Uttar Pradesh. I am surprised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not uttered a single word on the issue," Anwar Hussain said. The exodus of Hindi-speaking migrant workers from Gujarat after attacks on them in several parts of the state showed no signs of abating on Tuesday. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, claimed more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. He claimed that people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. Meanwhile, members of the UP-Bihar Ekta Manch, a little known organisation formed recently, put up posters in some parts of Varanasi against the violence against Hindi-speaking migrant workers in Gujarat. The organisation also took out a rally and demanded strict action against those involved the attacks. Prime Minister Modi represents Varanasi in Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian openers Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja batted solidly against Pakistan's spinners to take their team to 137 without loss at lunch on the third day of the first Test in Dubai on Tuesday. Khawaja was unbeaten on 68 and debutant Finch was unbeaten on 59 at the break, both having survived some anxious moments against a threatening Yasir Shah on a Dubai stadium pitch which has started to take spin. Pakistan had looked for early wickets after Australia resumed at 30-0 but both Finch and Khawaja thwarted all such attempts as they added another 107 runs without being separated. Australia trail Pakistan's first innings total of 482 by 345 runs with all their wickets intact. Finch looked confident as he punched two boundaries and a six off Yasir before sweeping off-spinner Bilal Asif for a boundary to reach his half-century. He has so far hit five boundaries and a six, while Khawaja has six boundaries to his credit. Khawaja lived dangerously in the fourth over of the day when wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed missed a stumping off Yasir with Khawaja out of his crease. The Pakistan-born batsman improved upon his previous best score in Asia of 26, made against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2011, by reaching his 13th Test half-century. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some 12,000 people were evacuated after a fire and a series of explosions at an arms depot containing thousands of tonnes of ammunition in the north of Ukraine early Tuesday, authorities said. Emergency services said they had no information on any deaths or injuries in the incident near the town of Ichnya, more than 170 kilometres from Kiev. The fire and explosions began around 3:30 am at the defence ministry's depot No 6, which is spread over about 700 hectares (1,700 acres), the emergency services said in a statement. The size of the area affected was not known. Emergency services said in a statement that "there are approximately 88,000 tonnes of ammunition in the stores." Video posted on the emergency services website showed smoke rising up to regular thudding sounds of explosions. Almost 12,000 people were evacuated from the area at risk, including the inhabitants of 38 villages, regional authorities said, while gas and electricity were cut off to prevent accidents. President Petro Poroshenko called a meeting of the heads of security forces and promised to give residents all the necessary help, his spokesman wrote on Facebook. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman travelled to the scene and chaired a meeting of emergency services officials. Authorities closed the airspace in a 30-kilometre radius around the site, as well as rail and road traffic as more than a hundred firefighters worked at the scene. Military prosecutors opened a probe into possible negligence by officials, Interfax Ukraine agency reported. Stockpiles of outdated ammunition dating back to the Soviet era often cause fires and explosions in Ukraine and Russia. It was the sixth major fire in three years at an arms depot of the Ukrainian army, which has been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country since 2014 in a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people. In March 2017, a huge fire set off explosions at a depot in the town of Balakliya in the Kiev-controlled part of eastern Ukraine, killing one person and injuring five others. Ukrainian authorities blamed that incident on an "act of sabotage". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four overground workers (OGWs) of Hizbul Mujahideen were arrested Tuesday from Awantipora area of Pulwama district with Rs 10 lakh cash which was meant for carrying out terror activities, police said. "Police received a reliable information that an active terrorist of banned terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, Adil Ahmad Bhat, has handed over a huge amount to an OGW Rouf-ul-Islam Wani for distribution among other terrorists and OGWs for carrying out terror activities in the area," a police spokesman said. He said a case was registered in this regard and Wani was detained for questioning. During the course of investigation, Wani disclosed that he had received huge cash from Adil Ahmad Bhat for distribution among the other terrorists and OGWs of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit for raising the necessary support structure and also for luring youth towards joining terror ranks. "The said accused disclosed that the cash amount was handed over to Mohd Maqbool Wani, Shakeel Ahmad Wani and Musaib Aziz Gojree. All the OGWs were apprehended and subsequently Rs 10 lakh cash was recovered at four different places," the spokesman said. "The investigation conducted so far reveals that the amount so recovered was intended to be used for the purpose of terrorism. Further investigation is in progress," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons, including a student, were killed Tuesday in separate accidents in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Two persons were killed and another injured when a load carrier skidded off a road and fell into nearly 300-feet gorge at Kahara near Gandoh in hilly Doda district this afternoon, they said. The officials said the bodies of both the deceased, identified as Nissar Ahmad and Shabir Ahmad, were retrieved from the vehicle, while the injured, Yasir Arafat, was admitted to a hospital and his condition was stated to be critical. The load carrier was on way to Gandoh from Thathri when its driver lost control while negotiating a blind curve, the officials said. In another accident in Jammu, a student of government girl's higher secondary school died on the spot when she was hit by an Army vehicle at Satwari along the Jammu-Airport road, the officials said. The deceased was identified as Kavinder Kour, a resident of Indira Nagar locality of Miran Sahab, they said, adding that she was returning home from the school when the accident occurred. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway, the officials said. In the third accident, Ankush Pandita, a resident of Roop Nagar, was killed when a tanker hit his motorcycle at Nardani near Ban Talab on the outskirts of Jammu this afternoon, the officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ministerial panel under Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi will meet on October 15 to examine the modalities for revenue mobilisation by levying additional tax under the GST in case of natural calamities. "The GoM on levying of tax or cess for funding natural calamity or disaster would meet on October 15," an official told PTI. Last month, Kerala had mooted a plan for imposition of a cess on goods and services sold within the state to help it tide over the losses suffered due to the recent flood before the GST Council. Following deliberations, the Council decided to constitute a seven-member Group of Ministers under Modi to look into the possibility of imposing a separate tax under the GST to help states hit by natural calamaties and also suggesting scenarios when this tax should be levied. The panel would submit its report to the GST Council by October 31. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal are part of the group. Other members of the GoM are Odisha Finance and Excise Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera, Maharashtra Finance and Excise Minister Sudhir Murgantiwar and Uttarakhand Finance Minister Prakash Pant. The panel would look into five issues flagged by the Council, including whether the new tax should be levied only in the state concerned or be an all-India levy, and whether it should be on specified luxury or sin goods only. Besides, the grouping would look at whether National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)/ State Disaster Response Fund (SRF) mechanism is sufficient to deal with calamities as well as define circumstances where the 'calamity tax' can be imposed. Other issues such as the legal aspect of imposition of such a tax within the GST would also be looked at. The imposition of cess under the GST was hanging fire for long as a case on constitutional validity of Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act was pending in Supreme Court. Last week, the apex court upheld the constitutional validity of the levy of 'Compensation to States' Cess saying it is an increment to GST which is permissible under the law. PwC Indirect Tax Partner and Leader Pratik Jain said the judgement puts the ambiguity around legislative competence around levy of GST compensation cess to rest and has held that cess could also be applied in situations where Clean Energy Cess was already paid on coal. "The timing of this decision is important, as the Government is now contemplating imposition of a special Cess to compensate the States in case of natural calamities," Jain said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Google is expected to introduce two new smartphones Tuesday, part of its continuing push to embed its digital services and Android software more deeply into peoples' lives. The new Pixel-branded phones will anchor a product event Tuesday in New York. Google launched its line of high-end phones two years ago to better compete against Apple, Samsung and other device makers. That includes many that rely on free software and apps such as the free Android operating system, which powers most of the world's mobile devices, as well as Google's search engine, Google Maps and YouTube. Google is also likely to roll out several other gadgets, including a new version of its "smart" Home speaker, a rumored tablet with a detachable keyboard and an update to its Chromecast streaming device, based on media leaks. The latest Pixel phones are likely to attract the most attention, even though the first two generations have so far barely made a dent in the market. Google has sold an estimated 7 million Pixels over the past two years, almost imperceptible next to the 3.6 billion phones shipped during that time, according to the research firm International Data Corp. Google doesn't disclose its phone shipments, unlike Apple, which has sold about 388 million iPhones since the first Pixel came out in October 2016. "If you have a Google tattoo on you, then these are the phones for you," IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said of the Pixel's limited appeal so far. Google has been somewhat restrained in its distribution and marketing the Pixel phone, Llamas said, because it doesn't want to alienate Samsung and hundreds of other device makers who feature Android in their own phones. Because Android highlights Google services, it's key to Google's business of selling ads through its search engine and other mobile apps. The iPhone also features Google's search engine, but Google may be paying Apple as much as $9 billion annually for that privilege, based on the estimates of Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall. Although it has plenty of other partners, Google still feels compelled to release its own phones. That partly because Google uses the Pixel phones to demonstrate the best way to use Android and also wants to ensure the software has a place on devices designed for wealthy consumers a segment of the market that Apple dominates. The new Pixel phones are expected to follow the trend of expanding the phone screen nearly to the edges of the device. Apple, for instance, just released its biggest iPhone yet, the XS Max, which sells for as much as $1,450. Google hasn't yet discussed prices for its Pixel phones. Analysts are also expecting Google to add higher resolution and more cameras to the Pixel, whose first two generations attracted rave reviews for its high-quality pictures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is understood to be unhappy with CBI Director Alok Verma meeting former Union minister Arun Shourie and lawyer Prashant Bhushan who demanded a probe into the alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal, with a senior government functionary saying it is "rare" for the agency chief to meet politicians. Last week, Shourie and Bhushan had met the CBI Director, submitted documents and demanded a probe into alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal and offset contract. "This was perhaps for the first time that politicians have met the CBI Director in his office. Such a meeting is rare," the functionary said, indicating that the government has not taken the meeting kindly. Buttressing his point, the functionary claimed, in normal circumstances, when a politician seeks appointment with the CBI chief, he or she is advised to submit complaints or any other documents at the reception of the agency headquarters. The functionary, without elaborating, also said some government officials have gone "rogue" and they have engaged in bitter fight among themselves and if such quarrel continues, the organisations concerned will suffer. The CBI Director, who is scheduled to remain in office till January next year, is engaged in a bitter fight with Special Director of the agency Rakesh Asthana and both sides have been levelling allegation against each other in public, a trend which is unheard-of in the history of 77 years of the organisation. In their meeting, Shourie, a vocal critic of the Modi government, and Bhushan, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had asked the CBI Director to take the government's permission to initiate a probe in accordance with the law, alleging that the offset contract for Rafale aircraft was actually a commission to an Anil Ambani-led Reliance group subsidiary. French company Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale, had chosen Reliance Defence as its partner to fulfil offset obligations of the deal. Rejecting allegations of corruption, the government has been maintaining it did not have any role in selection of the offset partner by Dassault. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is working on a road map to increase production of bulk drugs in the country with a view to reduce import dependence of the raw materials for pharma sector from China, a commerce ministry report said. Over-dependence of Indian pharma industry on imported raw materials from China to meet the growing requirements of drug formulations is a cause of concern for the industry and policy makers, it added. About 75 per cent of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in the formulations of National List of Essential Medicines are sourced from China. In 2017, India imported APIs worth USD 2.5 billion from the neighbouring country. "In a bid to reduce India's dependence on China for APIs, the chemicals and fertiliser ministry has joined hands with other ministries to draw a road map for increasing their production in the country. "This initiative of the government will go a long way in supporting the domestic industry with necessary emphasis on strengthening and expanding production," the report 'Sino-Indian Trade - A perspective' - said. The report has mainly focused on reasons for increasing trade deficit of India with China, which has touched USD 63 billion in 2017-18 and ways to reduce this gap. It has also suggested that there is a need to design and implement narrowly targeted industrial policy, focusing on strategic and infant industries as a pro-active response to China's strategic industrial policy. "There is a need to thoroughly screen and, where necessary, prohibit foreign takeovers especially in critical sectors like pharma, engineering and software companies, on national considerations," the report said. Further, it stated that the ongoing retaliatory tariffs provide a window of opportunity for enhancing India's exports to China. The US has hiked duties on several products being imported from China. The major items, being exported from India, include copper and its cathodes, petroleum products, iron ore, textiles, castor oil, steel, polyethylene, diamonds and human hair. Most of India's exports to China has been of primary goods and raw materials, while imports have been mainly intermediate and finished goods. However, it added that too many barriers to Chinese imports will often harm Indian consumers through higher prices for final goods. In addition, it said, Indian manufacturers may end up paying more for intermediate goods, which would reduce the competitiveness of their final goods in the US and other overseas markets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writer-lyricist has categorically denied the allegations levelled against him by an anonymous person during his college days, calling it an attempt to silence his voice in the #MeToo movement. Grover, who is one of the few vocal names from the film industry on gender equality, said the screenshot doing the rounds on the social media was "untrue" and "misleading". "I completely, totally, categorically deny all the allegations being made. The screenshot in question is untrue, misleading, and defamatory to say the least," Grover posted on Twitter. In a second and more detailed statement, the screenwriter offered a point-by-point rebuttal about the details mentioned in the accusatory screenshot and said they can be cross-checked further. "The account shared is rife with inconsistencies, blatant lies and details that can be cross-checked very easily with any of hundred or more students who were performing or keenly watching theatre in my college at that time," he wrote in the statement, posted on Twitter. Grover, 38, said none of the sequence of the events described in that anonymous screenshot happened ever. "I deny all of it with all the conviction I have in my bone. At the least, it smells like a case to silence my voice at this important time in the #MeToo moment. But in the larger context, it could be a ploy to muddy the waters and sabotage the entire movement all together," he said. Grover, who is also active as a stand-up comedian and known for his anti-establishment satire, said he was ready to submit himself to any "legal or independent" inquiry. "I know it is hard to reconcile the two - 'believe women' and 'don't put any allegations on me'. I have been thrown this curve ball and I will find a way but at the end of the day, a complete lie cant be allowed to roam free while truth sits concerned in a dungeon. I have complete faith in my own innocence and integrity and will be happy to face any inquiry (legal or independent) and present my case if the person in question decides to go ahead," he said. Grover said the mythology reference on Vishwamitra and Tillottama may have come from his recent writing work on "Sacred Games" but during college, he never directed any mythological play and his work in the "theatre club" can be independently verified. "I have never touched any person inappropriately in my life. To sum it up, this play or anything in its vicinity, in terms of themes or characters never happened... "I know it would be disheartening for so many people to read these allegations about me and I understand if you want to keep distance or believe them for now. But I will promise you, I will clear my name from this defamatory tactic. Till then, keep #MeToo alive and don't let such stray cases hamper your spirits," he added. Filmmakers and Neeraj Ghaywan, who have frequently collaborated with Grover, also came forward in the writer's support. "This man I have known so closely and so so long that I refuse to believe any allegations about him. #believethevictim and investigate the claims and also be careful to not let vested interests sabotage a long pending genuine movement," Kashyap tweeted. Ghaywan, who has worked with Grover on "Maasan", said it was impossible for him to believe that the writer would do such a thing. "I know Varun for the large part of my life. I can never believe he would do such a thing. Never. Those allegations reek of vindictive behaviour and not a shred of truth in them. Absolutely, 100 per cent, in solidarity with his statement below," he tweeted. The director said it was appalling how "such slanderous allegations are trying to sabotage the #MeToo movement in India". "Varun is someone who is truly putting his weight and career behind for this movement. It is horribly irresponsible of whoever is behind this to malign him," he added. Ghaywan said his response to the allegations against Grover was emotional. "This is my truth, what I believe in and I wanted to put it out there. You can wait for the truth to come in due course. Hindi-speaking migrants continued to flee Tuesday after attacks on them in several parts of the state, even as the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress engaged in blame game. Police, meanwhile, intensified patrolling in areas near industrial estates and places where stay. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. In a series of tweets, Chief Minister asked whether Congress president will take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat". The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence against Hindi-speaking people in the state. "Congress first incites violence against migrants. Congress President tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress President not have any shame?"Rupani said in a tweet. "If the Congress President is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against its own members who incited violence against the migrants in Tweeting is not the solution, taking action is! But will he act?" he further tweeted. Rupani said his government is "working hard to ensure trust and confidence among all citizens that they are safe and secure in Gujarat". "However, Congress President needs to be ashamed of tweeting this when his own party is inciting violence against migrants," he further said on the micro-blogging site. Gandhi had Monday said that targeting in Gujarat is "completely wrong" and he is totally against it. Taking to Twitter, he had said the root cause of violence is the closure of factories and unemployment in Gujarat due to which both the system and the economy are reeling. Thakor also said Tuesday that targeting of migrants is wrong and he is "totally against it", while trying to refute the BJP's allegations against his outfit. "Most of the attackers are from Thakor community...But this allegation is an effort to suppress the popularity that I have gained with my outfit in 16 states. I am being defamed. Not a single case has been filed against either me or my people. Our truth will win," he told reporters here. After the rape of the 14-month-old Thakor community girl allegedly by a Bihari migrant worker in Sabarkantha, Thakor had blamed a "non-Gujarati" for the rape in the public. A video in which Thakor is purportedly seen making a speech against has gone viral and is considered to be responsible for the violence against Hindi-speaking population. "These people who have come from outside, they commit crime, they beat up common villagers and they go back to their state. Such people have jobs here in Maruti and other companies but our people do not have jobs here," Thakor said while addressing a gathering in Bhaucharji town of Mehsana district of North Gujarat. "Even if you consider they are Indians and give them 20 per cent jobs... but Gujaratis are being thrown out of such factories, Gujaratis are dying due to starvation," he said in the video probably shot by a mobile phone. Meanwhile, Hindi-speaking factory workers continued to flee the state by taking trains and buses, which were running jam-packed. There were also reports of bus fares being raised in view of the increased demand coming in from some places. Some people said they were scared and alleged that they were threatened to flee or face consequences. "Some people came to our area last night and asked me to leave the place immediately and go back to my home state or they will thrash me," a migrant worker told reporters at the Ahmedabad railway station. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said the situation has become normal but people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. He said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. "The environment of threat and fear has ended and peace has returned. People are no longer being threatened and they are resuming work in factories," Thakur said. "More than 60,000 people have left Gujarat, and those who are leaving now are only those who had decided earlier to go back home. There is no more compulsion and threat to them to leave the state," he said. Meanwhile, police continued to patrol industrial areas of the affected districts to instill confidence among people. In Vadodara, hundreds of police personnel carried out a flag march in industrial areas having several big and small factories where more than 25,000 migrants worked. "Additional police force has been deployed in industrial areas for the security of Hindi-speaking migrants. No untoward incident has been reported in these areas," Vadodara Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said. Earlier, over 450 people were arrested and 56 FIRs registered after sporadic incidents of violence were reported from Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and other areas in north Gujarat. Gujarat now wants to play a key role in shaping a New India, by providing international companies, investors and healthcare providers with a platform to enter the huge Indian market, a top state government official has said. Sharing his experience of interaction at various level in the US, Gujarat Additional Chief Secretary Arvind Agarwal said "there is a very great interest in 'Ayushman Bharat' - the India's health-care insurance scheme. "Gujarat now wants to play a key role in shaping a New India, by providing international companies, investors and health-care providers with a platform in the State to enter the huge Indian market," he told PTI in an interview. This was the key selling point of the high-powered delegation, which Agarwal led ahead of the next years Vibrant Gujarat summit. The delegation met the US' influential corporate sector, government officials, diaspora, think tanks and academics during their recently concluded two-week multi-city roadshow. "When vibrant Gujarat was started by Mr Modi in 2003, it was mainly investment platform. In the next two-three (Vibrant Gujarat) it emerged as a business platform. Today, Vibrant (Gujarat) is a platform from where anyone in India can do business with anyone in the world, whether Gujarat comes in the picture or not," Agarwal said. The delegation comprised of executives from some of the top companies in Gujarat, who are not only manufacturing in the state, but also have substantial trade relations with the US. During their two-week visit beginning September 23, the delegation travelled to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York and New Jersey, to brief the government officials, corporate community and Indian Diaspora on the key features of the upcoming summit and to invite them. "Now, we are making it (Vibrant Gujarat) business plus. We are not talking of Gujarat alone. We are talking of India. All the diaspora meetings we are having are Indian Diaspora, not Gujarat Diaspora," Agarwal said in response to a question. "We have changed the focus of the US delegation from merely business to beyond," he said, adding the new areas being promoted by the State Government are health-care, education and innovation and technology. "Our whole focus in Silicon Valley was on innovation and new technology". A high-point of the visit was the innovation round-table that the Gujarat-delegation did at the Stanford University. "It was very well received," he said, adding that the round-table was attended by about a dozen leading scholars who have done significant research in the developing countries in the last two-three decades. "We deliberated how Stanford, through its innovation, can address some of the chronic problems, socio-economic issues of India and Gujarat. And Gujarat can provide a platform for them to do their innovation, compile their database in a low-cost manner because of our population," he said. Agarwal said, following the round-table, they have appointed nodal officers on both sides who will sit together and interact over the next one month and then come up with a roadmap. "After that, we will send a delegation from Gujarat to them and talk to the innovation of people in Stanford in the four sectors that we have identified," he said. In Washington DC, the delegation had a round-table on "Shaping a New India" that was attended by officials from various wings of the US government, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, corporate sector and think-tank. Apart from Agarwal, Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Singh Sarna and US India Strategic and Partnership Forum president Mukesh Aghi also addressed the round-table. Agarwal said: "There is a very great interest in 'Ayushman Bharat' - the India's health-care insurance scheme among pharma companies in the US." "They had some issues. They were wondering about low cost, about pricing regulations and we answered those questions very well," he said, adding that US companies are very interested in Ayushman project. Many of the American pharma companies, he said, have decided to come to India during Vibrant Gujarat summit (next year) and study the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month rolled out the Centre's flagship Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) from Jharkhand. The ambitious scheme, renamed the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan (PMJAY), aims to provide a coverage of Rs five lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10.74 crore poor families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation through a network of Empanelled Health Care Providers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit had not made accusations targeting any individual over corruption in the appointment of vice-chancellors in the state's universities, the Raj Bhavan said Tuesday, a day after main opposition DMK demanded action against those involved in the alleged irregularities. Days after Purohit spoke of "money exchanging hands" in crores of rupees in the appointment of vice-chancellors, the Raj Bhavan said the governor was only referring to information provided to him by some educationists during his interaction with them. Recalling the reported remarks by Purohit on October 6, the Raj Bhavan in a statement here said, "It should be clear that the governor has not made any allegations against anybody about corruption or money being exchanged." The clarification was being made in view of "varying reports" in the media about the governor's remarks, the statement said and provided a "verbatim text" of his remarks. "I learnt from educationists and others that appointment of vice-chancellors was done by exchanging money in crores. I could not believe that. Then I decided that things have to be changed. Till date 9 vice-chancellor(s) have been selected by me purely on merit," the statement quoted Purohit as having said. Citing the arrest of A Ganapathy, the vice-chancellor of Bharathiyar University, early this year by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption in a bribery case and the Madras High Court setting aside the appointment of P P Chelladurai as vice-chancellor of Madurai Kamarajar University, the Raj Bhavan said transparency was now in place. "The changes in the system of appointment of vice- chancellors have been brought by the governor following a policy of honesty, transparency and strict adherence to the statutes." All the nine vice-chancellors appointed by Purohit are persons of "high integrity, calibre and have come through the due process", the statement said. Such appointments done following the due process will definitely help improve the quality of higher education and pave the way for a bright future for the students, the statement said. While Higher Education minister K P Anbazhagan had said the government had no role in the appointment of vice- chancellors, the DMK said on Monday it had sought an appointment with the governor to demand "speedy and appropriate action". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley indicated in her resignation letter to President Donald Trump that she might be moving to the private sector as she ruled out a 2020 presidential bid and promised to support his re-election. "It has been an immense honour to serve our country in your Administration. I cannot thank you enough for giving me this opportunity," 46-year-old Haley said in her resignation letter. While she publicly announced to resign on Tuesday, the resignation letter is dated October 3. She said that to give time to Trump to select a replacement, and to give the Senate time to consider his selection, she is prepared to continue to serve until January 2019. "At that point, I will once again become a private citizen. I expect to continue to speak out from time to time on important public policy matters, but I will surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020. "As a private citizen, I look forward to supporting your re-election as President, and supporting the policies that will continue to move our great country toward even greater heights," she said in the letter. Haley recalled in the letter that when Trump had offered her the position of United States Ambassador to the United Nations in November 2016, she had accepted the offer based on some conditions. "Those conditions included serving in your Cabinet and on the National Security Council and being free to speak my mind on the issues of the day. You made those commitments and you have absolutely kept them all. For that too, I will always be grateful, she said. Listing the "great successes" achieved during her tenure at the UN, Haley said the US passed the toughest sanctions against any country in a generation, pressuring North Korea toward denuclearization. "We passed an arms embargo on South Sudan that will help reduce violence and hopefully bring peace to that troubled country. "We stood up for our ally Israel and began to roll back the UN's relentless bias against her. We reformed UN operations and saved over USD 1.3 billion. We spoke out resolutely against dictatorships in Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, and yes, Russia," she said. Through it all, the US stood strong for American values and interests, always placing America first. "I am proud of our record," she said. Noting that she is a strong supporter of term limits, Haley said she has long believed that rotation in office benefits the public. "Between the UN Ambassadorship and serving in the South Carolina Governorship and General Assembly, I have been in public office for fourteen straight years. As a businessman, I expect you will appreciate my sense that returning from government to the private sector is not a step down but a step up." Haley, the senior most Indian-American official in any US administration, emerged as an outspoken and fearless envoy during her tenure as the top American diplomat at the world body. Acknowledging her policy disagreements with the president in an op-ed in the Washington Post last month, she had said, "I, too, am a senior Trump administration official. I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country. But I don't agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person." In December, she said that women who had accused Trump of sexual misconduct "should be heard."When a White House adviser said Haley had been confused in prematurely announcing more sanctions against Russia, she said simply, "With all due respect, I don't get confused."Haley had just completed a successful month as President of the UN Security Council in September, when the world body hosts its annual high-level UN General Assembly session. She was born Nimrata Randhawa to Ajit Singh Randhawa and mother Raj Kaur Randhawa, who had emigrated from Punjab to Canada and then to the US in the 1960s. She had become the first Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration when she was named US Ambassador to the UN. A rising Republican star, Haley was approved overwhelmingly for the position by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with wide bipartisan support, 96-4. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, in response to Haley's resignation, thanked her for standing with the truth without fear. Haley had become known for her tough position on Iran and for being one of the strongest advocate of Israel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana Police Tuesday arrested five persons, including a woman, involved in at least 35 criminal cases, officials said. The accused were identified as Pawan alias Poni, a resident of village Ashrafgarh, Pawan's sister Sunita, Amit alias Mita of Sonipat, Bunty and Rishi, both from Jind, the police said. At least 35 cases of theft registered in various police stations were unearthed with their arrest, they said. During patrolling, a police team noticed a vehicle bearing Delhi registration number parked on link road near village Barsana in Jind district. The team went close to the vehicle and spotted five persons, including a woman, near it. When interrogated, they confessed to carry out a major incident of theft while revealing their identity, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court has allowed the Centre to approach the appropriate authorities to seek necessary approvals for the revised proposals regarding re-development of six south Delhi colonies, including Sarojini Nagar and Netaji Nagar. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said that since the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has reviewed the proposals to re-develop the six colonies, the ministry or the NBCC, which would carry out part of the work, can seek the necessary approvals and the authorities shall consider it in accordance with law. The court, in its interim order, said the ministry or the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) shall also be at liberty to approach the Tree Officer of the Delhi government, if required as per the revised proposal, for tree felling permissions. "Further action or steps shall be taken by respondent No.1 (ministry) or NBCC as per the decision of the statutory authorities," the bench said. The court had reserved its order after hearing arguments on behalf of all stakeholders, including the ministry, residents of the area and NBCC, regarding the redevelopment work in the six colonies -- Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Thyagaraja Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Mohammadpur and Srinivaspuri. The ministry and NBCC had told the bench that they have made several changes to the project to ensure the number of trees to be felled and water consumption in the area are reduced. Apart from that, road infrastructure would be "augmented" to accommodate the increase in vehicular traffic, they had added. The ministry in its affidavit, filed through central government standing counsel Ripudaman Singh Bhardwaj, had said it has reduced the proposed number of dwelling units in the project area by 739 to reduce the felling of trees. Under the re-worked plan, there will be 24,928 dwelling units in the area, it had said, adding, that changes have been made in the layout plan, architectural designs and parking spaces to bring down the number of trees to be felled. The ministry and NBCC had also said that redevelopment of the area would lead to conservation of water as this resource was being wasted in huge quantities presently due to poor and inefficient plumbing systems there. The court was hearing PILs challenging the terms of reference (ToR) and the environmental clearances granted to the housing projects at seven colonies -- Sarojini Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Thyagaraja Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Mohammadpur and Srinivaspuri -- claiming that it would result in the felling of around 16,500 trees. It also said that the interim order prohibiting construction work at Nauroji Nagar shall continue till the next date of hearing on November 28. Over 2,000 trees have already been felled in Nauroji Nagar where the NBCC plans to build a commercial hub which will include a World Trade Centre. The bench had on August 30 directed that status quo be maintained regarding the project till the Centre reconsiders the clearances given to the work in the six colonies, after the court was told that the clearance was granted on the basis of an Impact Assessment (EIA) report that had "copy-pasted" its contents from another project report in Tamil Nadu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today asked the CBI to provide digitised records of the trial court proceedings in the 2G spectrum case to former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and others whose acquittal in the matter has been challenged by the agency. The same direction was issued by Justice Najmi Waziri in relation to a case arising out of the probe in 2G scam and in which Essar Group promoters Ravi Kant Ruia and Anshuman Ruia and six others were acquitted by the trial court. The court gave the CBI two weeks' time to provide the digitised records and six weeks to Raja and others to file their replies to the agency's appeals and listed the two matters for further hearing on February 7. The agency had on March 20 moved the high court against the trial court's December 21, 2017 decision acquitting Raja, Kanimozhi and others in the 2G spectrum case. Besides Raja and Kanimozhi, the special court had acquitted 15 others, including former Telecom Secretary Siddharth Behura, Raja's erstwhile private secretary R K Chandolia, Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, Unitech Ltd MD Sanjay Chandra and three top executives of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (RADAG) -- Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair, in the CBI case. The CBI had alleged before the special court that there was a loss of Rs 30,984 crore to the exchequer in allocation of licences for the 2G spectrum which were scrapped by the top court on February 2, 2012. Special Judge O P Saini, however, had held that the prosecution had "miserably failed" to prove the charges. The special court, which was set up on March 14, 2011 for hearing 2G cases exclusively, had on December 21 also acquitted the Ruias and six others -- promoters of Loop Telecom Ltd I P Khaitan and Kiran Khaitan, Essar Group Director (Strategy and Planning) Vikash Saraf and three telecom firms - Loop Telecom, Loop Mobile India and Essar Tele Holding -- in a separate case arising out of the 2G scam probe. On April 18, the CBI challenged the acquittal of Ruias and the six others. The CBI had named them in its charge sheet on December 12, 2011, alleging they had cheated the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) by using Loop Telecom as a "front" to secure 2G licences in 2008 in violation of Clause 8 of the Unified Access Service License (UASL) Guidelines. In the main 2G case, Raja, Kanimozhi and the 15 others were tried under provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, using as genuine fake documents, abusing official position, criminal misconduct by public servant and taking bribe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a PIL seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (EC) to comply with the Supreme Court's directions to de-criminalise politics. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao asked the petitioner, a BJP leader and lawyer, to move the apex court instead if he thought that elections were being held in violation of the Supreme Court's September 25 verdict. It declined to issue any interim direction to the EC. The petitioner, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, contended before the court that the EC on October 5 issued a notification for election in five states without putting in place guidelines in accordance with the apex court judgement. The Supreme Court in its judgement had asked the Parliament to make law to ensure that persons facing serious criminal cases do not enter the political arena. It had recommended that Parliament bring out a "strong law" whereby it would be mandatory for the political parties to revoke membership of persons against whom charges were framed in heinous and grievous offences and not to set up such persons in elections for Parliament as also State Assemblies. It had also directed that each contesting candidate will have to fill up a form provided by the EC and he or she will have to state "in bold letters" about the criminal cases pending against the candidate. The top court further directed that candidate and the concerned political party will have to issue a declaration in widely circulated newspapers in the locality and in electronic media about his or her antecedents. Declining to entertain the plea before it, the high court said that since elections have been notified, it was going to keep its hands out of it. The bench also said that once the apex court has laid down the law with its judgement, there was no need for the high court to issue any directions on that. "If elections are held contrary to apex court directions, challenge it in SC," the bench said and added "why should we do something that is not required to be done". It said it will either dismiss the plea or Upadhyay can withdraw the petition with the liberty to move the apex court. The bench, however, declined to issue any interim direction to EC. Upadhyay had claimed that the executive has not taken appropriate steps to restrict the persons, against whom charges have been framed in serious offences, from contesting elections, as suggested by the Law Commission and EC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking the cancellation of Shashi Tharoor's anticipatory bail granted by a trial court in the case pertaining to the death of his wife, Sunanda Pushkar. Justice R K Gauba rejected the petition filed by lawyer Deepak Anand challenging the Congress MP's move to bypass a magisterial court and directly approach a sessions court for anticipatory bail in the case. The judge said he would give reasons for his decision later. The order came after the lawyer failed to convince the court that his plea was maintainable after it asked him to "show why should your plea be entertained". After hearing his arguments for several minutes, the judge asked the lawyer not to "beat around the bush" nor make "statements in the air" and thereafter dismissed his plea. At the commencement of the hearing, senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, who appeared for Tharoor, said the plea was not maintainable as the petitioner did not have the locus to file such a petition. Pahwa said that if the plea was entertained then it would open a pandora's box and anyone, not associated with a case, would move the high courts challenging a trial court's decision. Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra, appearing for the police, also opposed the maintainability of the plea, but said that there was "no reasonable apprehension" that Tharoor would be arrested if he was to appear before the magisterial court pursuant to the summons issued to him. Mehra had earlier said that faith has to be reposed in the trial court and an accused cannot directly approach a higher court bypassing the magisterial court. "Where is the reasonable apprehension that the moment you appear before the trial court, you will be arrested," he had said. The lawyer in his plea had contended that after filing of charge sheet in the Pushkar case, the trial court took cognisance and issued summons to Tharoor, a member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram. Instead of appearing before the court concerned, the Congress leader moved the court of an additional sessions judge which "erroneously" granted him bail, he had claimed. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple was staying in the hotel, as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time. The police filed the charge sheet against Tharoor for the alleged offences under sections 498A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but he has not been arrested in the case. Urging the court to set aside the sessions court's order granting anticipatory bail, the petition had alleged that the relief was granted to Tharoor in utter disregard of the provisions of CrPC and by ignoring the law laid down by the Supreme Court. The plea had also claimed that the sessions court failed to appreciate that an application for anticipatory bail can be filed only during the period of probe and once the investigation is complete and charge sheet is filed by the probe agency, the law does not allow the accused to file such an application. The sessions court in its July 5 order had noted that Tharoor has joined the investigation as and when called by the police. It had also observed that the police had not, at any point of time, alleged that he has tried to flee from justice or shift base to another country. It had noted that Tharoor was a sitting Member of Lok Sabha and used to be the Minister of State for External Affairs in the UPA government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prosecutors seek to toughen sentence for Crimea sabotage plot case convict / 16:59 09/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 9 (RAPSI) Prosecutors have filed a motion with the Supreme Court of Russian demanding to increase a prison sentence of Yevgeny Panov convicted of plotting sabotage Crimea by 2.5 years, lawyer Sergey Legostov has told RAPSI. The Supreme Court will hear the motion as well as appeals filed by Panovs defense on October 25, Legostov has added. Panov was sentenced to 8 years in prison in July. In February, another defendant in the case Andrey Zakhtey received 6.5 years in prison and was fined 220,000 rubles ($3,300 at the current exchange rate). In August 2016, Russias Federal Security Service reported prevention of terror attacks in Crimea prepared by the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys General Directorate of Intelligence against critical infrastructure components of the peninsula. According to a republics law enforcement source, seven suspects were arrested. Panov, an officer of the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys Intelligence Directorate, is believed to be one of the organizers of the crime. Zakhtey reportedly was arrested on suspicion of providing activities of the raiding force. Upset with the "tardy" probe into the rape and illegal abortion of a minor girl trafficked from Assam 10 years ago at the age of five, the Rajasthan High Court Tuesday summoned the investigating officer of the case. A Jodhpur bench of the high court ordered the investigating officer of the Pandva police station in Churu district to appear before it on October 25, the next date of hearing of the plea complaining of slow probe into the case. Justice P S Bhati summoned the police official on a plea filed last week by one Jai Chand, a social activist of Sandva village in the district, where the girl had allegedly been held captive since her trafficking. Petitioner's counsel Rajak Haider told the court that the girl had been brought to Sandva village from Lakhimpur in Assam over ten years ago at the age of five by a human trafficking agent and handed over to one Rakesh Kumar of the village. Rakesh had been raping and tormenting the girl with assistance of his wife, the counsel told the court, adding that after the girl got pregnant recently, they got her aborted with the help of a quack. The girl later managed to reach police with the help of some villagers and lodged a complaint about her ordeal a month ago on September 9, the counsel said. "Though the mukhiya of the village tried to hush up the matter by discouraging the girl by imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on Rakesh and the quack , the villagers compelled police to take action in the matter," he said. Advocate Haider told the court that though the police arrested Rakesh, they made no other arrests despite involvement of other persons, including the mukhiya. Taking a serious note of the role of police, Justice Bhati summoned the investigating officer and ordered the girl to be kept in a state shelter for children till the case is disposed of. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese auto major on Tuesday launched a new version of its premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) CR-V in India, priced between Rs 2.81 million to Rs 3.27 million (ex-showroom). The two-wheel drive petrol variant of the fifth-generation CR-V is priced at Rs 2.81 million. The diesel variant with two-wheel drive option, on the other hand, is priced at Rs 3.06 million. The trim with all wheel drive (AWD) option is priced at Rs 3.27 million. It is for the first time has introduced the diesel powertrain to the CR-V line-up in India. While the petrol variants are powered by a 2-litre CVT (continuously variable transmission) engine delivering a power output of 154 PS, the 1.6-litre diesel trims come mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Both the petrol and diesel versions of the model will feature automatic transmissions only. "We strongly believe that the new CR-V has the potential to be a game changer in premium SUV segment and we foresee a shift in consumer preference towards more luxurious and comfortable SUVs," Cars India President and CEO Gaku Nakanishi told reporters here. He added that the company plans to launch three new products during the current fiscal. Honda plans to introduce new version of its premium sedan Civic later during the fiscal. It has already launched all new Amaze earlier this year. "The launches would help us further consolidate our position in the premium SUV segment and the premium sedan segment," Nakanishi said. Honda will assemble the new CR-V at its Greater Noida facility. The company has sold over 17,500 units of petrol powered CR-V units in India since launching the model in 2003. Currently, the premium SUV segment in the country is dominated by the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. Japanese car major Honda plans to launch an affordable, mass market hybrid model in India in the next three years, a top company official said Tuesday. The company, which is present in the country through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL), has already announced to introduce six models with conventional powertrains over the next three years. It has already launched all new Amaze and all fifth generation CR-V in the country and also plans to drive in new Civic later this financial year. "In three years we will launch ... a mass (market), affordable, electrified vehicle," HCIL President and CEO Gaku Nakanishi told reporters here. He said that the vehicle would not be in the category of Accord Hybrid but in the volume generating affordable segment. When asked if the model would be a fully electric vehicle, he said: "Not EV, hybrid." Terming hybrid technology as a practical bridge towards introducing EVs in the country, he added that the company completely agrees with the notion of bringing in environment friendly vehicles to the country. Nakanishi said that in order to make EVs popular in the country, it is important to provide some kind of motivation in terms of incentive to customers as well as the manufacturers of such vehicles. He added that HCIL is the process of formulating an "electrification strategy" in order to work out details in terms of models and other details. HCIL currently sells Honda Accord hybrid in India through import of completely built unit from Thailand. Sales of the model had suffered after price hike due to increased taxes after GST implementation last year. Under GST, hybrid vehicles have an overall tax incidence of 43 per cent (28 per cent peak GST rate plus 15 per cent cess). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sonali Bendre Tuesday shared a motivational post on her social media accounts, opening up about her "bad days" as she battles cancer. The 43-year-old actor, who is currently in New York undergoing treatment for high grade cancer, said she does go through moments of "pain and self-pity", but does not let these emotions control her life. "Over the past couple of months, I have had good days and bad ones. There have been days when I've been so exhausted and in so much pain that even lifting a finger hurt. I feel like sometimes it's a cycle one that starts off with physical pain and leads to mental and emotional pain. "The bad days have been many Post chemo, post-surgery and the like where even just laughing hurts. Sometimes it felt like it took everything I've had to push past it a minute to minute battle with myself. I got through it knowing that even though I was fighting a long drawn out, draining battle it was one that was worth the fight," Sonali wrote. The actor said it was not necessary to push oneself to always feel happy, but one should not get caught in the negative zone. "It's important to remember that we're allowed to have those bad days. Forcing yourself to be happy and cheerful all the time serves no purpose. Who are we being fake and putting on an act for? I allowed myself to cry, to feel the pain, to indulge in self-pity For a short while. "Only you know what you're going through and it is fine to accept it. Emotions aren't wrong. Feeling negative emotions isn't wrong. But after a point, identify it, recognise it and refuse to let it control your life. It takes an immense amount of self-care to get out of that zone," she said. Sonali added having a peaceful sleep or just talking to her son, Ranveer, whom she has with producer husband Goldie Behl, makes her happy. "For now, as my treatment continues my visual focus remains to just get better and get back home," she added. The actor revealed in July that was diagnosed with a "high grade cancer". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency here, to enhance data driven governence in education, health care and agriculture sectors. "We believe that by teaming up with the TNeGA we can contribute towards multiple pillars of the government, covering areas such as education, health-care and agriculture," IIT Madras department of management studies assistant professor Nandan Sudarsanam said. Commenting on the tie-up with IIT Madras, TN e-Governance Agency CEO, Santosh K Misra said, "Tamil Nadu Government is the first state government to collaborate with IIT-M for harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology in areas of health, and agriculture." IIT Madras Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research Dean, professor Ravindra Gettu exchanged documents with Misra at an event here. The collaboration seeks to take up research relating to data science for government and e-governance, capacity building in the areas of data science, information and communication technology, among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said "illegal infiltrators" took away jobs of youths in the country and alleged that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties had opposed the NRC when 40 lakh such settlers were identified under the exercise. Addressing a convention of BJP workers at Polo Ground here, Shah said the BJP governments would "drive each and every infiltrator out of the country" after winning elections in 2018 and 2019. Taking a dig at Gandhi, Shah said he should "stop daydreaming" about the Congress coming to power after elections. Referring to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam, he said the BJP government would drive each of the 40 lakh "illegal infiltrators" out of the country as the party stands for national security and rights of Indians. "When the NRC identified 40 lakh illegal migrants in Assam, Rahul baba and parties like the SP (Samajwadi Party), BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) and Trinmool Congress (TMC) raised a hue and cry and opposed the exercise," Shah said. He said the youths of the country lost their jobs to the illegal immigrants. "These migrants took away the jobs of our youths. They (opposition parties) lacked concern for our youths and for the hunger of the people of this country. We will drive each infiltrator out after winning elections in 2018 and 2019," he said. Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the next two months in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram. While first three of the above states are currently ruled by the BJP, the Congress is in power in the northeastern state. Telangana was ruled by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) before chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao dissolved the assembly. Lok Sabha elections are slated to be held next year. "Rahul Baba should stop daydreaming. The Congress' condition is that it would (soon) be difficult to find them even with the help of binoculars," Shah said. He said the Congress lacked any issues with which it could go to the people seeking votes in the Madhya Pradesh polls. "How can the Congress succeed in winning polls in Madhya Pradesh? Will you seek votes from people with the help of a 'raja' (former chief minister Digvijaya Singh who is an erstwhile royal), a 'maharaja' (former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia who is a royal descendant) and an industrialist (state Congress chief Kamal Nath) who have never seen poverty?" he questioned. Shah said Madhya Pradesh became a BIMARU state in the rule of the then chief minister Digvijaya Singh, whereas Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pulled the state out of poverty and turned it into a developed state. Digvijaya Singh had helmed the state between 1993 to 2003. "The state budget under the then Congress government was only Rs 20,000 crore, which has gone up to Rs 2 lakh crore. The per capita income has also shot up to Rs 80,000 from Rs 15,000. "Simultaneously, power generation has also increased from 3000 MW to 18000 MW under the BJP rule. During the time of the Congress, people of the state used to receive power supply for only 3 to 5 hours everyday," the BJP chief claimed. Turning to Rahul Gandhi, Shah said the Congress chief had "insulted" jawans by asking for evidence of surgical strike conducted by the Army on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in 2016. "During the Congress regime, Pakistan used to threaten India. Our government taught a lesson to Pakistan through the surgical strike. But Rahul baba was asking for the proof," Shah claimed. "After our government conducted the surgical strike, even mediapersons who used to talk about 'Mauni Baba' (a jibe the BJP uses to attack former PM Manmohan Singh) became silent," Shah said. He claimed that before the surgical operation, the US and Israel were the only countries known to avenge death of their soldiers, but the prime minister added India's name to the list. Shah announced that the BJP-led governments across the country would celebrate the birth centenary year of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia, one of the founder members of the BJP. Before addressing the convention, Shah garlanded statue of Tatya Tope, a general in the 1857 rebellion against the British, at Shivpuri and recalled his contribution. After addressing BJP workers, Shah travelled to Guna, around 90 kms from Shivpuri, where he held a roadshow, after offering prayers at a Hanuman temple. Guna is the Lok Sabha constituency of state Congress campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia. BJP leaders, including Chouhan, state unit president Rakesh Singh, MP Prabhat Jha and others participated in the roadshow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minister Harsh Vardhan Tuesday said India did not wait for any report to realise that climate change posed a threat and made all efforts to combat global warming. He was reacting to a report released Monday by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) which stated that India could witness deadly heatwaves if the planet's temperature goes up by two degrees Celsius. Reacting to the findings of the report, Harsh Vardhan said, "We have not been waiting for a report to take action against climate change. We are already putting all our efforts to ensure that the global temperature does not further increase." He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to release a report on 'Strengthening Forest Fire Management in India', jointly prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the World Bank. Vardhan also expressed confidence that with all the steps in place, "India would be able to combat climate change". Junaid Ahmad, Country Director, the World Bank, said the world is relying on India more than before to address the challenges of climate change. The IPCC, in its report on global warming, said limiting it to 1.5 degrees Celsius will require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society. The report has predicted that India and other countries with large populations dependent on agriculture and fishery will be highly impacted due to greater sea level rise, higher frequency of droughts and floods, and heatwaves, the environmental think-tank CSE said. The impact of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming is greater than what was anticipated earlier while the impacts at two degrees Celsius are "catastrophic" for the poor and for developing nations such as India, the Centre for Science and (CSE) said. The IPCC report said,"At +1.5C, twice as many mega cities as present such as Lagos in Nigeria and Shanghai in China are likely to become heat stressed, potentially exposing more than 350 million more people to deadly heat stress by 2050." "At +2C warming, Karachi (Pakistan) and Kolkata (India) could expect annual conditions equivalent to their deadly 2015 heatwaves (medium confidence)," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India is on the threshold of becoming one of the major economic powers and the private sector can play a huge role in accelerating the country's growth and development, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Tuesday. Reformative measures like the introduction of Goods and Services Tax would improve the economy in the long run, although there might be some teething problems in the initial stages of implementation, Naidu said. "In the end, such reforms will also benefit the consumers," he said, while unveiling the logo of the 90th year celebrations of local chapter of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here tonight. "India has now emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world today. If this trend and momentum continues, India is poised to become the largest economy in the next 10-15 years," Naidu said. "We in India are all committed to build a five trillion-dollar economy by 2025, making India the 3rd largest consumer market in the world. The latest report of the World Bank has forecast that the economy is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent in 2018-19 and 7.5 per cent in the next two years," he said. The IMF has forecast that India would grow at more than 7 per cent in 2018 and 2019, ahead of other major economies, Naidu said. The policy initiatives taken by the union government such as 'Make in India', 'Skill India', 'Digital India', 'Smart Cities and Start-up India' were opening up new opportunities, he said. The country has seen a strong global confidence in the India story with a surge in Foreign Direct Investments which reached over USD 62 billion in 2017-18. According to him, the government has taken several measures to cut down red tape, improve the ease of doing business, attract more investments and create a business-friendly environment. He termed demonetization and the introduction of GST as landmark initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency, eliminating parallel economy and fetching increased revenue to the exchequer. These initiatives have led to change in the attitude of the people as evidenced by increased tax compliance. "Similarly, bankruptcy and insolvency code and the measures taken to unearth black money and curb corruption will further improve our economy." However, every reform must have a human face and the fruits of reforms must reach the poorest sections of the society, he said. "Economic prosperity is meaningless if there is no equity in wealth distribution. The initiatives taken up by the union government such as Jan-Dhan Yojana are aimed at empowering the poor and putting an end to their financial inclusion. Commerce and Industry bodies like yours must chip in to see that nobody is left behind in the financial inclusion initiative," Naidu told the gathering. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has been ranked among the bottom 10 countries in a new worldwide index released on Tuesday on the commitment of different nations to reduce inequalities in their populations. UK-based charity Oxfam International's 'Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index' ranks India 147th among 157 countries analysed, describing the country's commitment to reducing inequality as a "a very worrying situation" given that it is home to 1.3 billion people, many of whom live in extreme poverty. "Oxfam has calculated that if India were to reduce inequality by a third, more than 170 million people would no longer be poor," the index notes. "Government spending on health, education and social protection is woefully low and often subsidises the private sector. Civil society has consistently campaigned for increased spending," it adds. The second edition of the annual index finds that countries such as South Korea, Namibia and Uruguay are taking strong steps to reduce inequality. However, countries such as India and Nigeria "do very badly" overall, as does the US among rich countries, showing what Oxfam describes as a lack of commitment to closing the inequality gap. In reference to India, the index finds that while the tax structure looks reasonably progressive on paper, in practice much of the progressive taxation, like that on the incomes of the richest, is not collected. India also fares poorly on labour rights and respect for women in the workplace, reflecting the fact that the majority of the labour force is employed in the agricultural and informal sectors, which lack union organisation and enforcement of gender rights. The index is based on a new database of indicators, now covering 157 countries, which measures government action on social spending, tax and labour rights three areas found to be critical to reducing the gap. The index is topped by Denmark, based on its high and progressive taxation, high social spending and good protection of workers. "However, recent Danish governments have focused on reversing all three of these to some extent, with a view to liberalising the economy, and recent research reveals that the reforms of the past 15 years have led to a rapid increase in inequality of nearly 20 per cent between 2005 and 2015," it warns. Japan, the top-ranking Asian country, came in at 11th on the index. The report lauded President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, which came in 56th overall, for showing commitment to tackling inequality in the country in the past year by raising tax on the richest earners, boosting spending for the poor and dramatically raising the minimum wage. It also cited other countries that have taken strong steps to tackle inequality in the past year. Ethiopia, although at the 131st place, now has the sixth highest level of education spending in the world. Chile, at 35th, increased its rate of corporation tax and Indonesia, at 90th, has increased its minimum wage and spending on health, the report noted. The analysis, by Oxfam and non-profit research group Development Finance International (DFI), recommends that all countries should develop national inequality action plans to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on reducing inequality. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prof Dinesh Kumar, the Vice Chancellor of J C Bose (erstwhile YMCA) University of Science and Technology, Faridabad, was on Tuesday given an extension of three years with effect from November 4 this year, an official spokesman said here. The extension was approved by Haryana Governor and the university Chancellor Satyadeo Narain Arya on the recommendation of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The notification to this effect has also been issued, the spokesman said. Prof Kumar, who had received prestigious Homi Bhabha Memorial Award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for contribution to the development of science and technology in the country, has been granted this extension on the basis of the achievements made by the university during his tenure, the spokesman said. Expressing his gratitude to the Haryana Governor, Prof Kumar said he would continue his concerted effort to take this University on new heights and would work for the betterment of the University. "YMCA University, with a glorious legacy of 49 years, is a great institution. We all (stakeholders) have to work collectively for further upgradation of the university," he said. Prof Kumar, who has obtained his Master and Ph.D degree from Cambridge University, took over the charge as the fifth Vice-Chancellor of the university on November 4, 2015. Prior to joining the YMCA university, he was serving as a professor in the Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moscow court refuses to release defendant in Vostochy Cosmodrome embezzlement case RIA Novosti, Igor Ageenko 17:05 09/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 9 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court has refused to release the former CEO of Volga-Vyatka construction company (VVCC) Yevgeniya Degtyareva sentenced to 4.5 years in a penal colony for embezzling 1.3 billion rubles ($19.8 million) during the Vostochny Cosmodrome construction, RAPSI correspondent reports from the courtroom. The court refused to recalculate duration of Degtyarevas sentence in accordance with recent amendments to Russian legislation fixing certain changes in the rules governing the set-off of time spent in detention with respect to the calculation of prison terms. The court also denied recalculation of sentences for other defendants in the case. On February 21, the Simonovsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Degtyareva to 4.5 years in prison; her father Sergey Degtyarev, who is believed to be the real owner of the company, received an 8-year prison term; ex-VVCC managers Alexander Bazankov and Murat Matuyev were given 6 and 5.5 years in prison respectively. Additionally, Degtyareva, Bazankov and Matuyev were fined 1 million rubles (about $15,200) each, and Sergey Degtyarev was fined 1.5 million rubles (about $22,900). Investigators claimed that in 2014, managers of Volga-Vyatka construction company (VVCC), a subcontractor for construction of roads to Vostochny Cosmodrome, received 300 million rubles ($4.5 million) as a down payment and expended the money for other purposes. Moreover, they channeled the public money to affiliated firms and individuals at a charge. According to the indictment, the total damage caused by the defendants was estimated at over 1.3 billion rubles. The construction of the space center, due to become Russia's main launch site, began in 2012. The first launch vehicle operation was carried out on April 28, 2016. Dozens of cases over embezzlement during the construction of Vostochny Cosmodrome have been launched in several Russian regions. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up a high-level task force for deliberating upon the strategy on doubling farmers' income in the state by 2022. The General Administration Department (GAD) has ordered to constitute a task force to come up with a strategy on doubling farmers' income. "Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a high-level task force, comprising seven members to deliberate upon the strategy document," Hilal Ahmed, commissioner to the government, said in an order. The task force will have to prepare an action plan and it should clearly set out the steps to be taken by various departments, Ahmed said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Tuesday hit out at Governor Satya Pal Malik for hinting that a "foreign-educated person" will be the mayor of Srinagar. The reference was to Malik's interview to NDTV on Monday in which he had hinted that a foreign-educated person was going to become the mayor of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). JKPCC vice-president Ghulam Nabi Monga, while expressing surprise over the Governor's remarks Monday, said "the ongoing elections have lost the credibility as BJP-RSS has already decided as to who would be the mayor". Monga also hit out at the Governor for "failing to uphold the constitutional authority" of the Raj Bhavan, saying the Governor being the constitutional head of the state should "not play in the hands of BJP-RSS". "It was surprising to see that such irresponsible statement has come from none other than the Governor of the state," he said. Seeking clarity from Malik over the remarks, Monga said the statement is going to cause "severe damages" to electoral exercise currently underway in the state. He alleged that the BJP and RSS have decided as to who would be the mayor of the SMC and "the Governor has been assigned the task to complete the process before the outcome of the elections". "This is something that needs to be ascertained, for the fact, the people in the state will again loose the faith in the democratic process," Monga said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Afghan official says a Taliban assault in northern Jawzjan province has killed 12 members of the security forces and wounded another 10. Gen. Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani, provincial police chief in Jawzjan, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the attack took place in Qush Typa district late on Monday. Jawzjani says the assault was a failed attempt to capture the district. He says 30 Taliban were killed and 19 wounded. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the insurgents are claiming responsibility for the attack. He, however, claimed a higher number of casualties among the Afghan police. The Taliban often exaggerate their claims. Also on Monday, the Taliban attacked a district in southern Ghazni province, killing three members of the security forces. Police Chief Farid Mashal says five were wounded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take "effective" steps to check attacks on Hindi-speaking migrant workers in Gujarat, claiming that it spread "anger" among the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar living in the national capital. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said it would take out a rally -- 'Uttar Bhartiya Swabhiman Yatra' (North Indian Self-Respect March) -- in the northeast Delhi areas on October 12 against the violence in Gujarat, which has sparked an exodus of Hindi-speaking migrant workers from western state. "There is very much anger among people of UP and Bihar living in Delhi over the developments in Gujarat. Modiji, I request you to take effective steps to stop it," Kejriwal tweeted. Additional forces were deployed in industrial areas in Gujarat for the security of migrant workers after attacks on them sparked their exodus, prompting the BJP government in the state to make an appeal for their return. Since the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people, police said. Senior AAP leader and in-charge of Northeast Delhi parliamentary constituency Dilip Pandey questioned the "silence" of BJP MPs from UP and Bihar. "They are not opening mouth over assaults and ill-treatment against people from UP and Bihar in Gujarat since they are scared of losing party tickets for the 2019 Lok Sabha election," Pandey said in a press briefing. He also attacked Chief Ministers of UP, Bihar and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari for not speaking out against the attacks. "Why are Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar not questioning the Gujarat government over incidents of attack on people of UP and Bihar. Were not they voted to power by the people in their states?" Pandey questioned. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ayurvedic firm Kerala Ayurveda Tuseday said it has entered into a joint venture pact with Sanghvi Brands to develop Ayurvedagram wellness resorts and Ayurvedic spas. "The company and Sanghvi Brands Ltd each shall hold 50 per cent of the paid-up share capital of the JV company," Kerala Ayurveda said in a BSE filing. The joint venture (JV) will develop and operate Ayurvedagram Wellness resorts varying in size from 30 keys to 100 keys, it added. The joint venture will also develop Ayurvedic Wellness spas inspired by Ayurvedagram, which would be made part of the spas across luxury hotels, globally, the company said. The companies are currently in a discussion with prospective property owners in Europe, South East Asia, Middle East, USA and India to launch the wellness resorts through the joint venture, it added. Shares of Kerala Ayurveda were trading at Rs 57.05 per scrip on the BSE, up 0.88 per cent from their previous close. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, a key Madhesi party which has been demanding amendments to Nepal's Constitution, has threatened to withdraw its support to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli-led government. The RJP-N leaders, who presented a memorandum to Prime Minister Oli on Monday, warned that if the government failed to address their demands, the party would withdraw its support to his government after Diwali. RJP-N has asked the government to initiate the process of amendment to the Constitution to address the demands of Madhesi, Tharu, Muslims and Janajatis. "This is our last warning and if the government turns its deaf ear, we will launch fresh agitation after the festivals by withdrawing support to the government," said Rajendra Mahato, member of the Presidium of the RJP- N. "The government is not listening to our demands and is also trying to avoid the amendments to the Constitution," said Mahato, the former commerce minister. The adoption of a new Constitution in 2015 that divided Nepal into seven provincial units and reportedly marginalised Madhesis, who are largely of Indian-origin and inhabitants of the Terai, had triggered a six-month-long agitation during Oli's first tenure in which more than 50 people were killed. The Madhesi party claims to represent the interests of inhabitants of the southern Terai region who are mostly of Indian origin. The major demands of the RJP-N include amendment in the citizenship certificate distribution provision, providing more rights to the provincial governments, re-demarcation of the provincial boundary, withdrawal of cases registered against the party's cadres and release of RJP-N lawmaker Resham Chaudhary who had not yet been administered the oath of office and secrecy. Chaudhary has been charged with escalating violence in the Terai region during the Madhes agitation. He is in jail even after winning the last parliamentary elections. A few security personnel were killed during the protests and the government has imprisoned Chaudhary for his alleged involvement in the incident. The Communist party-led government currently enjoys two-thirds majority in the 275-member House of Representatives. However, if the key Madhesi party withdraws its support, the government will lose two-thirds majority support in the Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rebel AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira Tuesday condemned the Punjab government for "failing to tackle" stubble burning and falsely challaning over 100 farmers for burning crop residue. He said the administration has imposed a fine of Rs 2.56 lakh on the farmers. He deplored the district administration of Amritsar for challaning 101 farmers in the past three days for flouting the ban on burning of crop residue in their fields. Khaira said although he stands for clean and does not support burning of stubble but farmers have no option, as the government has completely failed to provide machinery, subsidy or financial assistance to them to consume the straw in the fields instead of burning. In a statement, he said the government had one full year to make arrangements for the required equipment to consume straw in the soil but it failed to do so. Khaira said the farmers of Punjab are already under a huge debt burden of Rs 1 lakh crore and continue to commit suicides in large numbers each day, how can the government expect them to spend an additional Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per acre from their own pocket to consume the straw in the soil? It is the responsibility of the Punjab government to ensure cheap subsidised availability of machinery required to consume stubble in the soil, but the government is trying to shift the onus of its failure on the already shattered farmers. Khaira said the burning of the paddy residue causes only about 8 per cent pollution while the remaining 92 per cent pollution is generated through polluting industry, heavy vehicular traffic. He also lambasted the Modi government for not implementing the Swaminathan Committee recommendations while announcing the MSP of crops and if the farmers raise their voice they are "lathicharged and beaten up mercilessly". Khaira said all successive governments at the Centre have been anti-farmers and have only increased the woes of the farming fraternity. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh's jailed former prime minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia can no longer use her left arm after it was paralysed and bent, her doctor has said. Zia, 73, was last week admitted to a specialised state-run hospital here for proper treatment following a court order as her health deteriorated. Zia was jailed for five years in February after being convicted of corruption involving an orphanage. "She has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for the past 30 years, which has played a role in the paralytic deformity of her left arm. These kinds of problems are rising as her gout is worsening," Dr Abdul Jalil Chowdhury told a press briefing at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital on Monday. The head of the five-member medical board tasked with treating the incarcerated BNP chairperson has said that Zia's left arm has ended up paralysed and bent as she did not take her arthritis medicines properly, Dhaka Tribune quoted the doctor as saying. Chowdhury also said that Zia was mainly suffering from gout and joint pain, apart from diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. "She is also having trouble with one of her knees that had been replaced. So that's another issue," he added. He said that Zia had been suffering from diabetes for the past 20 years, but she did not take the prescribed insulin. "So we will have to find out the level of her diabetes first." The BNP chief was admitted to the BSMMU Hospital on Saturday for better treatment following a High Court order. She has been suffering from a number of ailments for a long time, according to doctors who earlier treated her. Earlier, the BNP chief's personal doctors who had met her in the old Dhaka central jail said that she suffered a "mild stroke" on June 5. On September 16, another government-formed medical board had suggested admitting Zia to a hospital like the BSMMU, although they said they did not find symptoms of any serious disease in her during medical tests. On April 7, Zia underwent some medical tests at the BSMMU Hospital because of her illness. Zia was granted bail in a corruption case in May but remains in jail while she fights dozens of other violence and graft charges. Zia was found guilty then of embezzling money intended for an orphanage, a charge she dismissed as politically motivated. She is appealing against the verdict which bars her from standing in a general election to be held in December. The BNP alleges that the trial was politically motivated to debar her from contesting elections, but the government denies the allegation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Tuesday said peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram had undertaken various welfare works for the upliftment of the poor and that the British-era politician served as an inspiration for modern day government programmes. Speaking at a public meeting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 64-feet-tall statue of Chhotu Ram here, Khattar said, "The great farmer leader had implemented the 8-hour work rule for labourers and one-day holiday rule for traders." Khattar said the vision of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram had helped the present state government to launch Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana for the welfare of farmers. Khattar recalled that during his last visit here the prime minister had announced to rename Garhi Sampla village to Chhotu Ram Nagar. The welfare policies and schemes of the government have helped the state shine at the national and international levels, he claimed. He said a provision was being made for the registry of property within 'laal dora' in villages. Apart from this, the state government has also abolished 'remand pratha' in the interest of farmers so that they would not have to make frequent rounds of the revenue courts to get their land-related issues settled. He claimed the state had ensured transparency in government jobs. He said 8.25 lakh youths have so far been provided employment under the skill development programme. During the public meeting, Khattar requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the remaining section of Kundli Manesar Palwal (KMP) Expressway, the work for which was likely to be completed in a month. He said Manesar Palwal section of the expressway had already been completed and made operational. The state government has also decided to develop panch gram yojana along the expressway, the CM said. Speaking on the occasion, Union Steel Minister Birender Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the farmers financially strong. He said Chhotu Ram had resolved to work for the welfare of the poor, farmers and people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. It was Chhotu Ram who raised the topic of minimum support price for crops, he said, adding that Chhotu Ram had envisioned the Bhakra Dam in 1923 and today the farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan were getting sufficient water. Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Dev Vrat also recalled the contributions made by Chhotu Ram for the upliftment of farmers, poor and people belonging to the weaker sections. Speaking on the notable works of Chhotu Ram, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister O P Dhankar said the farmer leader had got the lands of farmers freed from the clutches of landlords, got their loans waived and ensured better prices for their produce. "Some used to call him 'Chota Ram'," Dhankar remembered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lockheed Martin and Tata will jointly host a suppliers' meet in India to provide unmatched opportunities for Indian companies to establish new business ties with the F-16 fighter jets' maker and other industry leaders, the American aerospace giant announced on Tuesday. Such a move from Maryland-based Lockheed Martin comes as part of its broader proposed F-16 partnership with India to produce F-16s exclusively in India for the Indian Air Force and export customers. Last year, Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited announced their intention to join hands to produce the F-16 Block 70 in India if the aircraft is selected by the Indian Air Force. Last month, it entered into an agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the production of the wings of Lockheed Martin's F-16 fighter jets. The current F-16 suppliers and prospective Indian industry partners are gathering at the event in Bangalore to discuss opportunities on the F-16 programme -- the world's largest fighter aircraft ecosystem, a media release said. Prominent among them are GE, Terma, Honeywell, Fokker, Israeli Aerospace Industries, Elbit, UTC, Terma, Eaton, Moog, Parker, and other global defence industry leaders. "The F-16 provides unmatched opportunities for Indian companies of all sizes including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and suppliers throughout India to establish new business relationships with Lockheed Martin, Tata and other US and global industry leaders," said Vivek Lall, vice president of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "Exclusive F-16 production integrates Indian industry into a USD 165 billion fighter aircraft sustainment market," he said. The suppliers' conference will provide a platform to Indian players in the industry to explore opportunities, share knowledge with other global suppliers in the F-16 fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem, said Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems. "The potential F-16 India Project, as a single source globally, will be highly strategic for India, especially to build new capabilities in the Indian defence manufacturing sector. We also look forward to participating in the selection process for the Fighter Programme of the Indian Air Force," Singh said. The F-16 Block 70 features advanced avionics, a proven Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a modernised cockpit, advanced weapons, conformal fuel tanks, an automatic ground collision avoidance system, an advanced engine and an industry-leading extended structural service life of 12,000 hours. To date, 4,604 F-16s have been procured by 28 customers around the world. Approximately 3,000 operational F-16s are flying today with 25 leading air forces, including the US Air Force. Lockheed has offered to move its entire F-16 manufacturing base to India. India is yet to make a decision on it. Producing F-16 wings in India will strengthen Lockheed Martin's strategic partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and support the 'Make in India' initiative of the Indian government, the company said last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian Judicial Council asked to drop barriers to ensuring right to defense RIA Novosti, Igor Zarembo 11:45 09/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 9 (RAPSI) Russias Ministry of Justice has asked the Judicial Council to change internal conduct rules of the courts to remove obstacles preventing citizens access to legal defense, the press-service of Russias Federal Chamber of Lawyers has stated. The request is related to a letter written by the Chambers president Yury Pilipenko concerning arrest of attorney Lidia Golodovich following her conflict with bailiffs of the Nevsky District Court of St. Petersburg. The bailiffs refused to let a witness into the court because the latter was wearing short pants. According to the Chamber, Golodovich asked the courts chairman office to allow the witness to enter the building, but instead she was handcuffed and transferred to a police office. The attorney was charged with use or threat of violence against a representative of authority. Golodovich also said that an officer of Russias National Guard physically abused her during arrest and at the police station as well. In July, she asked the Investigative Committee to initiate criminal proceedings against the officer. The Ministry of Justice asked the Federal Bailiffs Service and the National Guard to investigate actions of the law enforcement officers and to take measures if violations are found. and will jointly host a suppliers' meet in India to provide unmatched opportunities for Indian to establish new business ties with the F-16 fighter jets' maker and other industry leaders, the American aerospace giant announced on Tuesday. Such a move from Maryland-based comes as part of its broader proposed F-16 partnership with India to produce F-16s exclusively in India for the Indian Air Force and export customers. Last year, and Advanced Systems Limited announced their intention to join hands to produce the F-16 Block 70 in India if the aircraft is selected by the Indian Air Force. Last month, it entered into an agreement with Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the production of the wings of Lockheed Martin's F-16 fighter jets. The current F-16 suppliers and prospective Indian industry partners are gathering at the event in Bangalore to discuss opportunities on the F-16 programme -- the world's largest fighter aircraft ecosystem, a media release said. Prominent among them are GE, Terma, Honeywell, Fokker, Israeli Aerospace Industries, Elbit, UTC, Eaton, Moog, Parker, and other global defence industry leaders. "The F-16 provides unmatched opportunities for Indian of all sizes including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and suppliers throughout India to establish new business relationships with Lockheed Martin, Tata and other US and global industry leaders," said Vivek Lall, vice president of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "Exclusive F-16 production integrates Indian industry into a $165 billion fighter aircraft sustainment market," he said. The suppliers' conference will provide a platform to Indian players in the industry to explore opportunities, share knowledge with other global suppliers in the F-16 fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem, said Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems. "The potential F-16 India Project, as a single source globally, will be highly strategic for India, especially to build new capabilities in the Indian defence manufacturing sector. We also look forward to participating in the selection process for the Fighter Programme of the Indian Air Force," Singh said. The F-16 Block 70 features advanced avionics, a proven Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a modernised cockpit, advanced weapons, conformal fuel tanks, an automatic ground collision avoidance system, an advanced engine and an industry-leading extended structural service life of 12,000 hours. To date, 4,604 F-16s have been procured by 28 customers around the world. Approximately 3,000 operational F-16s are flying today with 25 leading air forces, including the US Air Force. Lockheed has offered to move its entire F-16 manufacturing base to India. India is yet to make a decision on it. Producing F-16 wings in India will strengthen Lockheed Martin's strategic partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and support the 'Make in India' initiative of the Indian government, the company said last month. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A magisterial probe has been ordered into the alleged ban on singing Vande Matram and chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" in a government-aided inter college here, Ballia District Magistrate Bhawani Singh Khangaraut said Tuesday. Khangaraut said he and Superintendent of Police Sriparna Ganguly visited Gandhi Mohammad Ali Memorial (GMAM) Inter College Tuesday to examine the allegation and later ordered a magisterial probe. During the probe, statements of students, teachers and others would be recorded, the district magistrate said, adding the college principal was also asked to clarify that there is no ban on chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and Vande Matram. An FIR was lodged Monday by a class 12 student, Anuj Kumar Gaur that he and three other school students were attacked at the college gate in the afternoon while they were going out. Gaur had alleged he and the fellow students were attacked at the behest of college Principal-cum-Manager Majid Nasir and some teachers. He claimed the college principal and teachers were angry with him that he had told a social organisation and mediapersons on Friday that singing Vande Matram and chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" were not allowed in the college. Gaur has stated in the FIR that around 20 to 25 men attacked them with lathis, while raising "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans. When they cried for help, the principal and teachers instigated the assailants, to continue the beating, Gaur has alleged. A local organisation "Manas Mandir" activists had visited GMAM Inter College at Bilthara Road and claimed the students were being punished for singing Vande Matram or raising "Bharat Mata ki Jai" after the school prayers. Manas Mandir manager Shiv Kumar Jaiswal had also sent a complaint to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about the alleged ban along with the video recordings of the students and teachers testifying to the ban. The video of students and teachers' statements were also uploaded on a social networking site by the organisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking note of a harassment complaint by Tanushree Dutta, Maharashtra State Commission for Women on Tuesday issued notices to actor Nana Patekar, producer Samee Siddiqui, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and director Rakesh Sarang. The Commission has sent notices to those named by Dutta and asked them to revert within 10 days with their response, its chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said. The commission has also written to Mumbai police, seeking information on the action it had taken on Dutta's complaint in this regard. Dutta had sought the Commission's intervention after claiming that Patekar allegedly misbehaved with her on the sets of a film in 2008. Patekar has dismissed the allegations against him. In a video statement, Rahatkar said the panel has taken cognisance of Dutta's complaint on her alleged sexual harassment. "We have asked them (Patekar and the three others) to present their side within 10 days. We have also asked Dutta to appear before the Commission and share more information in the matter," Rahatkar said. The commission wrote to Mumbai police commissioner seeking an update about the progress made in the case after Dutta filed a complaint with the Oshiwara police station on Saturday. The commission also asked film producers, media houses and cine artist associations to set up an internal committee to address complaints filed by women in Bollywood. "I have sent a letter to production houses and artists' association to ensure that an internal complaints committee, which is mandated by law, is set up," she said. In her complaint, Dutta claimed that during the shooting of a song sequence for the film Horn OK Pleassss in 2008, she was being inappropriately touched by Nana Patekar even after she had clearly mentioned that she will not enact or perform any lewd, vulgar or uncomfortable steps. She said she had complained to Ganesh Acharya but was forced to do scenes which were intimate and included Patekar touching her inappropriately. After she decided to walk out of the film, her car was vandalised by goons, which she alleged were from the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is campaigning for his designated successor and former foe Anwar Ibrahim, urging voters to support Anwar's return to active Mahathir's appearance at a late night political rally Monday marked the first time in two decades that the two shared the same stage, after setting aside a bitter political feud to form an alliance that won a stunning victory in national elections in May. Mahathir, 93, was elected a second time to the premiership, becoming the world's oldest leader in the Malaysia's first transition of power between parties since independence from Britain in 1957. Anwar couldn't participate in the polls due to a 2015 conviction for sodomy that he alleged was politically motivated, but he was freed and pardoned by King Muhammad V days after the general election. Anwar was once a high-flying member of the former ruling coalition but was convicted of sodomy and corruption after a power struggle in 1998 with Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years until 2003. Anwar said the charges were concocted to destroy his political career. He was freed in 2004, but convicted again in 2015. The unlikely partnership with Mahathir under the banner of the Alliance of Hope was put into motion by a massive corruption at a state investment fund that prompted Mahathir to turn on his former party and return to In Sunday's parliamentary by-election to fill a vacant seat for the southern coastal town of Port Dickson, Anwar is expected to easily complete his bid to return to parliament and prepare for his eventual takeover from Mahathir. He faces six other candidates. Mahathir had earlier said he would not go to Port Dickson to campaign for Anwar because the race was a minor by-election. He later changed his mind, a move that appeared symbolic and a way show that the past conflict had been buried. "I hope that in this by-election, victory will be given to the Alliance of Hope, to Anwar. I hope that we can continue to work together...not for Mahathir or Anwar but for our beloved country," Mahathir told about 2,000 people seated in a large tent for the rally. Mahathir's spoke little about Anwar, using most of his speech to promote a united government to tackle huge national debts due to corruption under the previous government. Anwar, in his speech, paid tribute to Mahathir as a statesman who helped save the country from the brink of economic destruction. He reiterated that he will focus on parliamentary reforms and has no intention of interfering with Mahathir's governance. "In this current situation, it is better for Mahathir to lead the country. I say this with all humility. I love him as a father and as a leader. I fought against him and now I accept that he is the best man to lead Malaysia now," Anwar said. Mahathir has said he expects to be in office for at least two years and will keep his promise to hand over power to Anwar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 59-year-old man, accused of cheating a Madhya Pradesh resident of Rs 1.3 crore on the pretext of getting him a loan from LIC Housing Finance, was arrested from Northwest Delhi's Netaji Subhash Place, police said Tuesday. Ravinder Singh Nagar, a resident of Nangloi in Delhi, was carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on information leading to his arrest, the police said. In 2014, Amarjeet Singh Bhalla, a resident of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, had registered a complaint at Parliament Street police station alleging he was cheated of Rs 1.3 crore. "Bhalla, in his complaint, stated that he needed a partner and capital to expand his hospital business in Delhi. Nagar introduced himself as official in Life Insurance Corporation and promised to arrange funds from LIC Housing Finance," said Ajit Kumar Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime). Nagar and his associates -- Jaiprakash Sharma and Ravinder Dubey -- met the victim in September 2012 at a club on Parliament Street. They took Rs 55,000 from him as initial application fee, Singla said. Nagar visited Gwalior three times between October and December 2012. There he filled four loan application forms of Rs 50 crore, Rs 40 crore, Rs 40 crore and Rs 20 crore and deposited cash Rs 55,000 with each form as application fee. "Nagar and his associates managed to cheat Bhalla of Rs 1.3 crore on the pretext of arranging loans from LIC Housing Finance. When the victim realised that he had been cheated, he filed a complaint at Parliament Street police station," Singla added. On Sunday, the Crime Branch apprehended Nagar from Netaji Subhash Place after receiving a tip-off that he would come there to meet someone. Two other accused in the case -- Chanderkant Soni and Sagar Chandani -- had earlier been arrested. Nagar was declared a proclaimed offender by a court. Three other accused in the case -- Sanjay Verma, Kiran Shah and Manoj Janolia -- were on the run. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man was arrested in Tripura's Dhalai district for allegedly making derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in social media, a police officer said Tuesday. A West Bengal Police team arrested Tushar Sharma of Kulai area in Dhalai district on October 6 for the alleged derogatory remarks against Banerjee, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Ambassa, Asish Das Gupta said Sharma was produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Ambassa. The West Bengal Police sought his transit remand. However, the CJM rejected the request of the West Bengal Police as the arrested person was sick and ordered for his admission in a hospital. The CJM ordered that the accused be produced before it on Wednesday. A West Bengal Police team camping in Tripura said it will again appeal for the transit remand of Sharma in the court on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man was arrested here for allegedly raping the 10-year-old daughter of a woman he has been in a live-in relationship with, police said Tuesday. The incident took place Monday night when the minor's mother, a domestic help, had gone out for work, leaving the girl alone, they said. According to SP (City) Shlok Kumar, the accused, Pooran, is a tent house employee and reached home in an inebriated state after which he raped the girl. When her mother returned home, the girl narrated her ordeal. A complaint was lodged on the basis of which the Vijay Nagar police arrested the accused. The girl has been sent for medical examination, police said. The victim's mother has been living with the accused after the death of her husband, they said. A case was registered against the accused under IPC section 376 (rape) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the SP added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Tuesday directed doctors of a super-speciality hospital here to furnish a report whether Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, facing life term in the MLA murder case, was fit to undergo spinal surgery and cautioned him against taking any "undue advantage". Yadav was awarded life imprisonment by a Dehradun CBI court in 2015 for his role in the murder of Mahendra Singh Bhati, an MLA from Ghaziabad's Dadri area. The lawmaker was shot dead at Dadri railway crossing in December 1992. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, which had earlier granted an interim bail for 15 days to Yadav for undergoing pre-operation tests, today took strong note of the fact that the tests have not been done as he was having viral fever and warned that it would send him to jail. "Please don't take undue advantage. We will send you back to jail. We do not want to comment on the doctors. You are having viral fever and what are you taking -- Paracetamol and Betadine," said the bench, also comprising Jutices S K Kaul and K M Joseph. The bench, which has now fixed the matter on October 12, said the doctors of Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital at Ghaziabad would certify the said fact that Yadav was in a fit condition to undergo spinal surgery and then appropriate orders will be passed. It also said if doctors say that he was not fit to undergo the surgery then the accused will have to go back to jail. The bench said that it would grant Yadav bail once the date of surgery is fixed by the doctors. Yadav, whose appeal in the Uttarkhand High Court against the 2015 trial court verdict is pending, had moved the top court for grant of bail for undergoing the surgery. The High Court, on June 14 this year, had rejected the bail plea of Yadav. The apex court, on September 18, had granted interim bail for 15 days to Yadav on a condition that he will get himself admitted as in-patient in Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital for the requisite pre-operative checks. It had also asked him to deposit a bail bond of Rs 1 crore and two sureties of like amount for getting the interim bail. The top court today extended the interim bail till October 12 and sought a medical report from the hospital within two days. Besides Yadav, the trial court had also convicted Pal Singh, Karan Yadav and Praneet Bhati for offences of murder, attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy of the IPC in the murder case. The case was transferred to CBI court at Dehradun in the year 2000 on the direction of the Supreme Court after doubts were expressed about a fair trial in the case in Uttar Pradesh where Yadav was an influential politician. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 64-foot-tall statue of peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram at his native village Sampla in Haryana's Rohtak district on Tuesday. After unveiling the statue, Modi paid floral tribute to the peasant leader and visited a museum built in his memory. There, Modi watched a four-minute documentary on the life of Sir Chhotu Ram. Sir Chhotu Ram, who was born on November 24, 1881, was regarded as a messiah of peasants and was instrumental in empowering farmers in pre-Independence era and getting pro-farmers law enacted. He had fought for farmers' rights during the British rule. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Birender Singh, Union Minister and maternal grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram, were present at the event, besides state ministers Ram Bilas Sharma and Captain Abhimanyu, and Congress MP Deepender Hooda. Renowned sculptor and Padma Bhushan-recipient Ram Vanji Sutar sculpted the 64-foot-tall statue. As many as 5,500 farmers of the state donated iron metal, ranging from from half-a-kg to two kgs for the construction of the statue. The unveiling of the statue assumes significance as elections to Lok Sabha and Haryana Assembly are slated for early next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 200 Public Square The 200 Public Square office tower, downtown Cleveland's third-tallest building, changed hands last week at an undisclosed price. The new ownership group is a venture led by DRA Advisors, a New York-based investment advisory firm. Local developer-investor Scott Wolstein has a stake. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer) CLEVELAND, Ohio - One of downtown's loftiest buildings, the 200 Public Square tower, has been sold in a deal that's sure to top Northeast Ohio real estate transactions for the year. The new owner is an investor group led by DRA Advisors, a New York-based firm, with a local stake going to Cleveland-area real estate developer Scott Wolstein. The sale, which closed Thursday, still hasn't popped up in public records. But the seller, Harbor Group International of Virginia, confirmed Monday afternoon that the deal was done. Citing confidentiality requirements, Harbor Group wouldn't divulge the price or comment on rumors that the 45-story tower and 757-space garage might have fetched close to $190 million. "This was a very large transaction for a market like Cleveland," said T. Richard Litton, Jr., Harbor Group's president. "We certainly had multiple parties that did due diligence and bid the asset at levels that we were pleased with." Wolstein couldn't be reached for comment. Robert Hyman, an asset manager at DRA, did not respond to an interview request. Built in 1985 as a headquarters for the Standard Oil Co. but quickly renamed - and often still called - the BP Tower, 200 Public Square emptied out and transformed into a multi-tenant property as BP first cut jobs and later moved its North American headquarters to Chicago. Harbor Group bought the building in 2005, paying just over $141 million. At the time, the offices were roughly 80 percent leased but only 60 percent full, real estate brokers said. Now the space is 87 percent occupied, home to tenants including Huntington Bank, the Benesch law firm and New York Life Insurance Co. Litton acknowledged that Harbor Group, which typically sells office buildings after five to seven years of ownership, held onto 200 Public Square much longer than expected due to the 2008 financial crisis and Cleveland's slow recovery. The company's past sale explorations didn't yield a buyer at the right price. Recent lease deals at the building, combined with downtown Cleveland's revival, made the property more appealing to buyers this time around, Litton said. Plus, investors who can no longer find the financial returns they want in larger cities have become more willing to consider secondary markets like Cleveland, said Rob Roe, managing director of the JLL real estate brokerage here. JLL marketed 200 Public Square for sale. Roe estimated that close to 70 percent of the potential buyers hailed from out of town. He expects DRA and Wolstein to spruce up the tower, with more modern amenities designed to attract not only tenants but also talent. "In the past, it would have been called loitering," he said, pointing to broader efforts by landlords to encourage people to linger in office-building lobbies and other shared spaces. "Now, that's where you get the energy." An investment advisor, DRA manages $10 billion in assets for itself and its clients. In Ohio, the firm's funds own industrial properties and shopping centers, including Cedar Center North in South Euclid and Cedar Center South in University Heights. At more than 1.2 million square feet, 200 Public Square is by far the firm's largest single investment in the state and its only office building. NATO's largest exercise since the end of the Cold War will see 50,000 troops deploy into the first snows of a Norwegian winter to show Russia that the alliance is ready to repel any attack, officers said Tuesday. Officially, November's Trident Juncture exercise will simulate an attack from a fictional country, but it will bring a huge force into one of Moscow's neighbours just months after Russia's vast Vostok war games. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo said that the exercise "must show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone." And he noted that Norway has a frontier with Russia and that the huge force, backed by 150 aircraft, 60 ships and some 10.000 vehicles, would demonstrate that they can mobilise quickly to defend an ally. "The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres from the Russian border," said Norwegian General Rune Jakobsen, who will run the exercise headquarters. "There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise." Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. These will be the biggest such movement of NATO personnel and vehicles since at least the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, although smaller than the Vostok-18 exercise staged by Russia and China last month. The Western allies have stepped up their military posture, with rotating garrisons in eastern Europe and the Baltic States, in the four years since Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Exercises like Trident Juncture 18 are designed to teach troops how to move a large force quickly in the event of an invasion against a NATO member triggering the allies' "Article 5" mutual defence clause. The first part of this year's exercise will simulate an effort to halt an offensive launched from northern Norway southwards by part of the force playing an adversary, Canadian General Christian Juneau told AFP. Once the "invader" is halted, the second stage will see NATO forces figuring our how to force it back. While the exercise is deigned to show the 29-nation alliance's unity and strength, it may also bring Western forces face-to-face with some of their own shortcomings. US President Donald Trump has criticised many of the allies for underspending on defence and in February a German parliamentary report found that its own military has outdated equipment, often in a state of disrepair. Officers in NATO headquarters share the concerns, but Juneau told AFP that Germany would contribute a 6,000-strong brigade to the exercise and that the bulk of its troops and vehicles are already in Norway. The rest of the build-up is expected to be complete by October 25, with forces from across Europe and North America arriving by sea and by plane on the alliance's northern flank. The British contingent will land in Europe in the Netherlands and make its way to Norway by road through Germany, Denmark and Sweden to test the alliance's ability to coordinate transport on civilian roads. Once in Norway the multinational force will conduct multinational training exercises -- dealing with traffic and the first snows of winter -- and the main invasion exercise. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid reports about opposition to his candidature for the 2019 polls, NCP MP Udayanraje Bhosale Tuesday called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and some other ministers and stressed the meetings were "related to works" in his Lok Sabha constituency Satara. The meetings took place in the backdrop of media reports hinting at there being an opposition to Bhosale's candidature for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar had recently met party leaders from different constituencies in view of the upcoming elections. "I met the chief minister over various works. We discussed works in my constituency," Bhosale told reporters after the meeting with Fadnavis at the state secretariat. Asked about the media reports, Bhosale admitted "several people" were against his candidature. "Efforts are on to thwart (defeat) me. Let's see what happens in the polls. I will contest the elections, only if the people want so. Because people only are my party," he added. Bhosale said he was not opposed to those willing to contest the poll (from Satara in Western Maharashtra). "I give more importance to people's support (than willingness to contest the polls)," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unavailability of learning material in the mother tongue, untrained teachers and absence of specially developed bridge courses are some of the issues faced while bringing out-of-school children into mainstream, the apex rights body said. In a new report by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in collaboration with Quality Council of India (QCI), the child rights body said the aim of the study was to understand the implementation of provision of free and compulsory for out-of school children provided under the Right To Act. Unavailability of learning material in the mother tongue, untrained teachers and absence of specially developed bridge courses are issues faced while bringing out-of-school children into mainstream, the report pointed out. The study is based on a field-survey in 104 Non-Residential Special Training Centres (NRSCTCs) and 21 Residential Special Training Centres (RSCTCs) from 22 districts across five States - Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Chhattisgarh. Another issue pointed out by the report was how many NRSCTCs/RSCTC were either not found or were not functional at the time of the survey. The report also made some recommendations that include the local authority to establish adequate number of RSCTCs at district or block level to allow children of migratory families to reside, stopping the migration at the source state. The Special Learning Support Material should be provided in mother tongue of child and the volunteers employed/engaged should be trained and fluent in the mother tongue of the child, another finding of the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Nepalese national was arrested with narcotics from Sonauli area on the Indo-Nepal border here, police said Tuesday. Tribhuvan Thapa (31), who was on his way to Nepal, was arrested Monday night during a routine checking at Shyamkot village near the Indo-Nepal border, and 48 gm of heroin was seized from his possession, they said. The seized contraband is stated to be worth Rs 48 lakh. The accused was booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal has ordered closure of industrial units running in "non-conforming" residential areas of Rohini and slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the Delhi government and others for their "defaults and inaction" towards violation of rules. The green panel said the units causing pollution, including unauthorised car workshops in violation of law, must be stopped immediately, and a report of action taken may be submitted before the tribunal within one month. "Respondents are held liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 50,000 each for damage to the environment by their persistent defaults and inaction towards violations of rules and directions issued by the Tribunal. "This amount should be recovered from the heads of the said respondents personally to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within one month," the bench said. The tribunal directed the Delhi chief secretary to call a meeting of the authorities concerned and seek an action plan to be prepared and implemented by a team comprising the DCP of the area, SDM and senior officer of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). It noted that the said team must also conduct a public hearing on the spot at least once in every week. "The chief secretary may also indicate persons accountable for such repeated default and failures, and take appropriate action under CCS (CCA), Rules, 1965 and submit the action taken report to the tribunal," it said. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said it was undisputed that illegal activities were going on and that there was total apathy on part of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the police authorities in performing their duties. "The said authorities have merely shifted the responsibility from one to the other. According to DPCC, the responsibility is of the Delhi Police. According to the Delhi Police, the matter has to be dealt with by SDM under Section 133 of CrPC. This is nothing but avoiding the statutory and legal duties," the bench, also comprising Justice S P Wangdi, said. The tribunal asked the chief secretary to send the compliance report by November 30 by e-mail and posted the matter for consideration on December 3. The direction came on a plea filed by city resident N S Yadav for stopping of activities of servicing, repairing, denting, painting and junk dealing being carried out by various unauthorised car workshops and car mechanics in the area near and around Chaudhary Brahm Prakash entry gate of village Nahar Pur and near Bhagwan Ram Mandir Temple Complex, Block-E, Rohini, Sector-7. According to the applicant, illegal activities are taking place despite complaints to the DPCC, which admitted the automobile servicing activities were being run in non-conforming areas, in violation of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NHRC has sent a notice to the Bihar government and DGP in connection with over 30 girl students being beaten up by a mob after they protested against lewd comments on a wall allegedly written by boys of a neighbouring school in Supaul district. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in a statement Tuesday said it has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports, according to which, the mob had "a free run", vandalising the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), which is exclusively for the girls belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBC and minority communities. "On October 6, at least 34 girl students of in Supaul district of Bihar were brutally beaten up by some local youths when they opposed their routine sexual advances and lewd comments. "Their tormentors included students of the adjacent Middle School and their parents," the rights panel said. The commission said it has issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP) of Bihar, seeking a detailed report in the matter, including status of medical treatment of the injured students, measures taken to step up security at residential schools and action taken against the unruly group of people named in the complaint. "Going by the media reports, it is apparent from the sequence of incident that there is serious security lapse at the girls' school, where the miscreants entered at their free will, committed the brutal act and fled from the spot," the NHRC said. "The administration should have taken timely action when the issue was raised by the girl students regarding routine sexual advances by the local youths. The victim girls have been beaten up when they were in the custody of a government-run hostel school," it said. The incident has raised issue of safety of the girl students studying in the state-run residential schools, the rights panel said. The incident occurred Saturday evening when the girl students of the residential school were playing within the campus. "Both the schools are in the same campus with separate buildings and a common playground. "The boys allegedly wrote some lewd comments on the wall of the girls school, which the minor girls resisted and beat up the boys before chasing them away, Supaul District Magistrate Baidyanath Yadav had earlier said. The Middle School boys, all minors, narrated the incident to their parents, following which their mothers teamed up with other villagers and entered the school premises and attacked the girls, Yadav said. The NHRC said, "The boys called their parents and got the girls beaten up with sticks and rods." "It is mentioned in the reports that the injured girl students were first taken to primary health centre but they were so badly injured that two of them had to be taken to Supaul Sadar Hospital, while 32 other students of Class 6 to 8 were sent to Triveniganj Referral Hospital," the statement said. The warden alerted the security guard and called up the local administration but the "miscreants were able to flee from the spot," it said. "The Superintendent of Police, Supaul has reportedly stated that KGBV authorities have named nine people in their complaint and two of them have been arrested. Four persons have been detained for interrogation and others are absconding," the statament said. Reportedly, the state's minister has assured that the Department will take steps to ensure the safety of the girls in the school, especially the residential ones, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a surprise move, Indian-American Nikki Haley Tuesday resigned as the US Ambassador to the United Nations, becoming the latest casualty in the dysfunctional Trump administration just weeks before the crucial mid-term elections. President Donald Trump, who accepted her resignation, said Haley has done an incredible job as the top American diplomat at the United Nations. Haley said she plans to stay in this position till year end. In a rare, the president made the formal announcement about Haley's resignation in the Oval Office and applauded her work. "I wanted to do this (Oval Office send-off) because Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations, has been very special to me. She's done an incredible job. She's a fantastic person, very importantly. But she also is somebody that gets it," Trump said in the Oval Office in a hastily arranged session with reporters. "She told me probably six months ago," Trump told reporters, '"I want to take a little time off.'" Haley, considered as a moderate Republican alternative to Trump, ruled out a 2020 presidential bid and said that she would be campaigning for Trump's re-election in two years from now. The first ever Indian-American in any presidential cabinet, 46-year-old Haley said this has been an honour of a lifetime to serve in this position. "It has been an honour of a lifetime. I -- you know, I said I am such a lucky girl. To have been able to lead the state that raised me and to serve a country I love so much has really been a blessing and I want to thank you for that," she told Trump. Trump applauded Haley as having done an incredible job in her position as the top US diplomat at the United Nations. "She got to know the players. She got to know China, Russia, India. She knows everybody on a first-name basis, and they like her, except maybe a couple, which is normal," he said. The daughter of Indian immigrants from Punjab, Haley said she wants to take a break after nearly eight years of hectic pubic life including six years as the governor of South Carolina. "You have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job," she said. In response to a question why she was leaving this position, Haley said it's time for her. "My family is very supportive. So no, there's no personal reasons," she said. After becoming the US envoy to the UN, Haley travelled across the globe including a highly successful trip to India in June and made an incredible impact at the New York-based world body. Trump said Haley has done a fantastic job. "We've done a fantastic job together. We've solved a lot of problems and we're in the process of solving a lot of problems. At the beginning, North Korea was a massive problem, and now we're moving along. It's moving along really nicely," he said. "I can speak for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He thinks the world of Nikki. And so, we're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose, hopefully you'll be coming back at some point," Trump said. Echoed Haley. "The US is respected; countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. They know that if we say we're going to do something, we follow it through," she said. Trump said, "many people" are interested in succeeding Haley and a replacement will be named in two or three weeks or maybe sooner. Born Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa, Haley was the senior most Indian-American official in the Trump administration. Her resignation just ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in November came as a shock and surprise to the American foreign policy and national security experts who believe it was a big loss to the Trump Administration. She is latest Republican to exit the Trump administration. President Trump had fired his National Security Adviser Lt Gen H R McMaster in April. In March, one of Trumps longest-serving and trusted aides Hope Hicks resigned as the powerful communications director. Also, White House's top economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned over his differences with Trump on trade policy. Trump had sacked his beleaguered Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo in March. Haley was confirmed as UN Ambassador four days after Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. Her nomination was a turning point for the Indian-American community which is increasingly playing greater role in American She was critical of Trump during the primary campaign. However, before the elections, she switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump. Haley and her husband, Michael, a Captain in the Army National Guard and combat veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand Province, have two children, Rena and Nalin. "Heartful thanks to Ambassador Nikki Haley for her extraordinary service as the US Ambassador to the UN. Haley served our nation with distinction, faithfully advancing President Trump's America First agenda and she will be missed," Vice President Mike Pence said. Her frank and clear-eyed assessment of global threats as well as much-needed reform at the UN were in the best tradition of American leadership, he said. "Haley has been a clear, consistent, and powerful voice for America's interests and democratic principles on the world stage. She challenged friend and foe to be better," House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said Haley has "a very bright future and will be a key player in both the future" of the Republican Party and the US as a whole for years to come. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a sudden move, Indian-American US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley resigned Tuesday, becoming the latest casualty in the dysfunctional Trump administration just weeks ahead of the crucial mid-term elections. President Donald Trump, who met Haley in the Oval Office Tuesday, said that she had done a "fantastic job" and would leave at the end of the year. "She told me probably six months ago," Trump told reporters, '"I want to take a little time off.'" Trump said there are a number of people who would like to do this job and that this is a more glamorous position that it was a couple of years ago, appreciating her work. Haley, considered as a moderate Republican alternative to Trump, in her remarks insisted that she is not going to run for president in 2020 and will campaign for Trump. Haley, 46, was the senior most Indian-American official in the Trump administration. Her resignation just ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in November came as a shock and surprise to the American foreign policy and national security experts who believe it was a big loss to the Trump Administration. She is latest Republican to exit the Trump administration. President Trump had fired his National Security Adviser Lt Gen H R McMaster in April. In March, one of Trumps longest-serving and trusted aides Hope Hicks resigned as the powerful communications director. Also, White House's top economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned over his differences with Trump on trade policy. Trump had sacked his beleaguered Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo in March. In her remarks, Haley said that this is an honour of a lifetime to serve in the administration as she listed out the key accomplishments of the Trump Administration at the United Nations and foreign policy in the last two years. Trump told Haley that "you have been very special to me," and that she has done an "incredible job". Lauding her accomplishments on issues ranging from North Korea to China at the United Nations, Trump said: "She got to know the players." "They like her, except for maybe a couple, but that's normal," he said about China, India, and Russia among others. Haley visited India in June on her first visit to the country after becoming the US envoy to the UN. She said she's a "lucky girl" for having been able to serve as South Carolina (governor) and ambassador. She said she is not leaving till the end of the year. In response to questions, Trump said, "many people" and interested in succeeding Haley and a replacement will be named in two or three weeks or maybe sooner. Haley was confirmed as UN Ambassador four days after Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. She had scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration. The daughter of Indian immigrants from Punjab, Haley was the first woman tapped by Trump for a top-level administration post during his transition to the White House. Haley's nomination was a turning point for the Indian-American community which is increasingly playing greater role in American She was critical of Trump during the primary campaign and had backed Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. However, before the general elections, she switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump. Born Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa, Haley is the first minority and female governor of South Carolina, a deeply conservative state with a long history of racial strife. She is the first Indian-American woman Governor and the second Indian-American governor of any State. Prior to becoming governor, she represented Lexington County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Prior to dedicating her life to public service, Haley worked at her family business. Haley and her husband, Michael, a Captain in the Army National Guard and combat veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand Province, have two children, Rena and Nalin. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nine employees were killed and 14 others injured Tuesday in a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant of state-owned SAIL in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, police said. The explosion took place around 10:30 am in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town, around 30 km away from the state capital, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh told PTI. "At least nine people were burnt to death while 14 others received injuries and most of them were said to be in a serious condition," he said. SAIL in a statement said, "In an unfortunate incident around 10.30 am, today at SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant, there was a fire in a gas pipe line of the Coke Oven Battery Complex No 11 during a scheduled maintenance job." "Some persons working at the site sustained burn injury... So far, nine persons have lost their lives and 14 are undergoing medical treatment," it said. Singh said as per preliminary information, over 24 employees were working at the spot when the accident occurred. Some persons working at the site suffered burn injuries, the SAIL statement said, adding that those injured were immediately rushed to the BSP hospital for medical care and aid. Resources have been mobilised to provide adequate care to the injured, it said. "SAIL collective stands by the families of the affected and will ensure that and no stone is left unturned in providing all kinds of support," the statement said. Police personnel and a rescue team are at the spot, Singh said. Rescue operation are underway at the plant, operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said, "I have got the preliminary information about the blast in a coke oven at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP)." "I have asked for further detailed information from the authorities. Rescue and relief measures are underway," he said. According to sources, Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai, Steel Secretary Binoy Kumar and SAIL Chairman Anil Chaudhary have also left for Bhilai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in June dedicated the modernised and expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to the nation. As per SAIL's website, the Bhilai Steel Plant is India's sole producer and supplier of world class rails for the Indian Railways, including 260 metre long rails, and a major producer of a large variety of wide and heavy steel plates and structural steel. With an annual production capacity of 3.153 MT of saleable steel, the plant also specialises in other products such as wire rods and merchant products. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said top officials from the state were in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat and appealed to Biharis living in the western state to stay firmly where they were. Kumar, who had a telephonic talk with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday amid a large number of migrant workers hailing from Bihar and some other Hindi-belt states fleeing Gujarat following attacks on them, said a constant watch is being kept on the situation there. "Our Chief Secretary and DGP are in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat. We are keeping a watch on the situation there. I would also appeal to the people (from Bihar living in Gujarat) that they stay firmly where they were notwithstanding the incidents that have taken place", Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. Kumar had on Monday said he spoke to Rupani to enquire about the situation in Gujarat where violence has erupted following the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl allegedly by a Bihar resident. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, speaking separately, echoed the views expressed by Kumar and also squarely blamed Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor's outfit for the violence against Biharis. Thakor is also the Congress secretary for Bihar. "Top officials in Gujarat like its Chief Secretary, its DGP and IG Prisons hail from Bihar. Biharis living there are safe and secure and the state government is taking effective action against those indulging in violence. I would also urge the Gujarat government to immediately arrest people like Alpesh Thakor who is behind these incidents," the deputy chief minister said. In a statement, the BJP unit of Bihar also attacked the Congress. "The silence of top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, on the issue and reluctance to take any action against Thakor shows the anti-Bihari prejudice in the party," the party alleged. The party's Bihar unit also criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for "maintaining an alliance with the Congress despite the latter's obvious involvement in attacks on Biharis". On his part, Tejashwi Yadav hit back at Rupani for accusing the Congress of inciting "violence against migrants". "Mr CM, have you taken leave of your senses. How dare you call fellow Indians migrants. Do you mean to say a migrant won from UP and became the Prime Minister of India. We demand an immediate apology from you," Yadav tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had served as Gujarat chief minister for more than a decade, contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Vadodara and Varanasi. After becoming Prime Minister, he gave up the Lok Sabha seat in his home state, while retaining the one in eastern Uttar Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chagrin Highlands Two local school districts are fighting over property-tax revenues from commercial development on 405 acres at Chagrin Highlands, a sprawling corporate park in Cleveland's eastern suburbs. (Plain Dealer file) BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Two Northeast Ohio school districts are sparring over property-tax revenues from 405 acres of Chagrin Highlands, a suburban corporate park that's landed notable corporate headquarters, healthcare facilities and other projects in recent years. A fight that started almost three decades ago between the Beachwood and Warrensville Heights schools has spilled into court, where the Beachwood district claims that it's owed more than $5 million under a tax-sharing deal hammered out in the late 1990s. Warrensville Heights, in public filings, has argued that tax-split agreement was never finalized. And attorneys for the district described Beachwood's behavior as an "attempted tax grab" that would make it harder for Warrensville Heights schools to fulfill their mission and serve students. The dispute pits an affluent, high-performing district - Beachwood's schools received an overall grade of "A" on state report cards released last month - against a troubled neighboring district that narrowly avoided state intervention this year. Warrensville Heights, which serves a high-poverty, largely African-American student body, eked out a "D" grade from the state. In August, the Beachwood schools filed a lawsuit seeking more than $5 million in unpaid tax revenues from Warrensville Heights, based on property-value growth at Chagrin Highlands. A pretrial conference is set for today. Warrensville Heights hasn't formally responded but has until Oct. 15 to file an answer in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Beachwood Superintendent Robert Hardis didn't respond to requests for comment. An attorney representing the district referred questions to his client. Warrensville Heights Superintendent Donald Jolly deferred to the district's lawyers. "Warrensville Heights City School District intends to defend this case vigorously. ... The district's mission is to provide teachers, administrators, staff, parents and, most importantly, students with equal access to sufficient resources and quality educational opportunities. The district will use all legal avenues to oppose educational disparity and to protect its resources," one of those attorneys, Adrian Thompson of the Taft law firm in Cleveland, wrote in an email. A similar lawsuit filed and dropped last year sheds some light on the districts' positions. In 1990, Beachwood annexed 405 acres from the city of Cleveland as part of a broader, multi-community deal to create the nearly 700-acre Chagrin Highlands development. As part of the agreement, Cleveland and four suburbs hashed out income tax-sharing arrangements. Property taxes, approximately two-thirds of which flow to schools in Ohio, were another matter. The land Beachwood gained sat in the Warrensville Heights school district. Beachwood quickly sought state approval to change the school-district boundaries. Warrensville fought the move, and a seven-year-long battle ensued. In 1997, after mediation led by a prominent former federal court judge, the districts' leaders reached a compromise. The Warrensville Heights schools would hang onto the Chagrin Highlands site. But the Beachwood schools would receive a slice of property-tax revenues from commercial projects in the park, once the real estate's value surpassed $22.26 million. In court filings, Beachwood says Warrensville Heights has ignored the agreement, which outlines a rough 70-30 split of property-tax revenues. Warrensville Heights says the mediator's recommendations never became a valid agreement or contract under state law. Even if the deal was lawful at one point, Warrensville Heights says, Beachwood neglected its obligations for years by failing to provide Warrensville Heights students with access to joint educational programs and activities - something specifically mentioned in the 1997 agreement. Beachwood, in turn, says Warrensville Heights was the uncooperative party. The $5 million-plus bill Beachwood is seeking to collect is based on the property's value for the 2012 to 2017 tax years. Beachwood also wants a 30 percent cut of future tax money from Chagrin Highlands, which is home to corporate offices for Eaton Corp. and Omnova Solutions, University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, Lifetime Fitness, an Aloft hotel and other buildings. NLC India Tuesday said its board has approved proposal to buyback of shares worth Rs 1,248.9 crore. The board of directors of the company in the meeting held Tuesday has "approved the proposal to buyback of not exceeding 14,19,31,818 equity shares...for an aggregate consideration not exceeding Rs 12,48,99,99,984," NLC India said in a BSE filing. Coal India on Monday said that it has entered into a pact with NLC India to set up a joint venture for power generation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The AAP government Tuesday claimed that no grant-in-aid for local bodies in Delhi were provided by the BJP-led Centre and that it was "misleading" the people on the issue. Tweeting a party pamphlet detailing funds provided to municipal corporations by his government, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought a reply from the BJP on the issue. Delhi BJP retaliated saying that the AAP government has "failed" to provide funds to the municipal corporations as per the 3rd Delhi Finance Commission (DFC) recommendations. "Centre is misleading on the issue of funds provided to the Delhi government. Delhi is being mistreated by the Centre and the grant-in-aid for the local bodies are not being provided which would total Rs 4,087 crore as per the 2011 Census," the AAP government said in a statement. It also claimed that the Centre has "rejected" its "repeated requests" for implementation of the 4th Delhi Finance Commission's recommendations. The ruling AAP and the BJP have been sparring over the funds issue amid the continuing strike by sanitation workers of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation(EDMC) since September 12. "To dispel any misinformation and to counter false claims of the BJP's central government and MCDs, the Delhi government is once again placing in public domain the entire facts related to funds released by the Centre and the truth of funding pattern for Delhi," AAP government said in the statement. AAP leaders said a campaign will be launched in EDMC areas tomorrow to "expose lies" of the BJP over the funds issue. "Release of funds by the Delhi government (to local bodies) is intrinsically intertwined with allocations to be made to Delhi by the Central government," the AAP government said. Recently, the Delhi government agreed to release Rs 500 crore to BJP ruled corporations in Delhi in view of the strike by EDMC sanitation workers. It alleged that "discriminatory and unfair treatment" towards Delhi and its people in terms of its "fair share" in taxes collected by the Centre and grants-in-aid, giving data of past many years. "The current practice and manner of sharing of resources followed by the Centre unfairly deprives the Delhi government of its rightful share from the divisible pool of central taxes, which significantly affects its developmental budget and ability to meet the needs and aspirations of its ever growing population," it said. For the current year, the Delhi government was allocated Rs 325 crore as 'central assistance'. Allocations of 'central assistance made to states- like Assam, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh among other, which are "similarly situated" have increased "substantially" while that of Delhi remained static since 2001-02, Delhi government data showed. The 'central assistance' to Goa increased from Rs 126.12 crore in 2001-02 to Rs 2979 crore in 2018-19 while that of Himachal Pradesh enhanced from Rs 389.13 crore to Rs 5619. 31 crore in the same period, according to the data. "Delhi has been discriminated in comparison to union territories, majority of whom do not even have legislative assemblies," the AAP government alleged. Data furnished by the Delhi government showed that the national capital was allocated Rs 814.19 crore in the current year (including Rs 325 crore) by the Centre while all other UTs got larger sums with Chandigarh receiving Rs 4,084.83 crore for the same period. Replying to the Kejriwal government accusations, BJP's Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta blamed that the AAP government has not only "failed to implement 4th DFC, it has also not fulfilled its obligations under 3rd DFC recommendations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indicating a "cautious hiring scenario", online recruitment activity registered a marginal increase in September with increased demand for freshers, says a report. The Monster Employment Index for India stood at 270 in September this year, up by 4 points over the last month, where the index stood at 266. However, the index declined by 4 per cent on yearly basis as it stood 282 last year in the same period. With 69 per cent growth, production and manufacturing led the year on year growth in September 2018. "The current ease in hiring activity is indicative of a cautious hiring scenario, however, the demand for freshers with 0-3 years of experience is on the rise especially across job roles. This puts emphasis on the need to develop corporate programmes which enable these young professionals through proper guidance in order to be job-ready," said Abhijeet Mukherjee, CEO, Monster.com, APAC & Gulf. "Production and Manufacturing continues to lead the online hiring scenario, emerging as a key sector," he further said. "The government's impetus towards making India a manufacturing hub has put the sector in a high growth trajectory, which will definitely enhance India's position in the world economy, added Mukherjee. Sector-wise, online demand exceeded the year-ago level in 14 of the 27 industry sectors monitored by the index. On a year-on-year basis following production and manufacturing, retail registered a 36 per cent jump, Healthcare professionals (up 15 per cent) and HR & Admin (up 14 per cent) were also among the active sectors. Entry level (0-3 years) candidates on yearly basis witnessed the largest increase in demand during the period under consideration among all other occupations monitored. City-wise, Chandigarh (up 15 per cent) and Jaipur (up 2 per cent) were the only cities to register positive growth during the year. Online hiring activity was lower than the corresponding period a year-ago in the five key cities of Hyderabad (down 6 per cent), Bangalore (down 5 per cent), Chennai (down 3 per cent), Delhi-NCR (down 8 per cent) and Mumbai (down 4 per cent, the report noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha Tuesday said the BJP government in Gujarat should have taken proactive measures to stop attacks on Hindi-speaking migrant workers in the state following a rape incident. Asked about the exodus of migrant workers, mostly from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, in the wake of attacks on them, Sinha said an entire community must not be held responsible for the misdeeds of one person. The attacks on Hindi-speaking people started in Gujarat after a man from Bihar, who worked in a factory, was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl in a village in Sabarkantha district on September 28. "I do not want to blame anyone. But, it is the responsibility of a state to maintain law and order situation. The state government should have given police protection to these migrants in order to make them feel safe and protect them from any attacks," Sinha told mediapersons here. The former BJP leader said north Indians have contributed in the development of Gujarat, one of the most industrialised states in the country. "The way people are leaving Gujarat is totally uncalled for situation for Gujarat. An entire community or group must not be held guilty for the misdeeds of one. North Indians have given significant contribution in the development of Gujarat." The bureaucrat-turned-politician said the government should try to bring back migrants who have fled Gujarat due to fear. Sinha said Mahatma Gandhi was the first migrant from Gujarat and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents the Varanasi seat of Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha though he is from the western state. "Gujarat shares a special bond with north India. Gandhiji was the first migrant from Gujarat as he went to Champaran in Bihar as a political worker and took up satyagrah. Similarly, our PM is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi," the former Union finance minister said. Sinha was accompanied by BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha and Samajwadi Party (SP) national spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari. Since the rape incident, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. SP spokesman Tiwari said targeting an entire community has become a "new normal" under the Modi government. He claimed the BJP will suffer politically in Uttar Pradesh over the exodus of migrants hailing from the most populous state where the saffron outfit is in power. "Such things have never happened in the past. But, in these four years, it has become a routine affair wherein an entire community or a group has been punished for the misdeeds of one," Tiwari told reporters. "If the people from UP are not safe in Gujarat, then the BJP and the PM will also no longer remain safe in UP. Under the BJP, mobocracy is flourishing. "It was the responsibility of the state government to take action against perpetrators," the SP leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Priyanka Chopra on Monday said she had faith in her maiden Sikkimese production "Pahuna" ("The Little Visitors") right from the outset. The film, produced under Purple Pebble Pictures, was adjudged Best Film (Jury Choice) and Special Mention by Professional Jury in The International Feature Film Category at SCHLINGEL International Children's Film Festival in Germany. "'Pahuna'. A film I've believed in from the word go! Love the response it's getting worldwide. Can't wait to see what's in store for our film next! Congrats team @PurplePebblePic for winning the 'Best Film (Jury's choice)' and a special mention at the #SchlingelFilmFestival," Priyanka wrote on Twitter. Director Pakhi A Tyrewala, thanked the actor-producer for her unwavering faith in the film. "It's true. Only person who repeatedly told me that I made a good film whenever I doubted it. She always had faith in 'Pahuna'. Thanks @priyankachopra," Pakhi replied to Priyanka's tweet. To this the actor responded saying, "Always @PaakhiATyrewala I truly believe in the power of talent and hard work. And you are exactly that. #Pahuna is an amazing film and I'm so proud of it and you. Congratulations to everyone who worked on it @PurplePebblePic and the cast and crew!" The film revolves around three Nepali children who get separated from their parents, escape the Maoists agitation in Nepal and flee to Sikkim. "Pahuna" had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's top anti-graft body has summoned Salman Shahbaz, son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif, on Wednesday in a case pertaining to accumulation of assets beyond the known sources of income. Shehbaz has already been in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore till October 16 in a physical remand in the Rs 1,400 crore Ashiyana housing scam case. The NAB on Monday issued summons to Salman to appear before a joint investigation team on Wednesday in a complaint regarding building assets beyond his known sources of income. Salman is managing the business affairs of the Shehbaz family. The NAB arrested Shehbaz on Friday last for allegedly awarding the contract of the housing project to a favourite firm after cancelling the contact of the successful bidder. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has alleged that Shehbaz was arrested at the behest of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said NAB's action against the Sharif family members is a political victimisation. The PML-N has said it will launch a protest movement against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led coalition government for targeting its political opponents. The decision to launch protests was taken during a Central Executive Committee meeting of the PML-N chaired by Nawaz, the elder brother of Shehbaz. The PML-N central executive committee also adopted a resolution against the arrest of its leadership days before the October 14 by-elections. This was the first formal party meeting that Nawaz, 68, chaired since after his release from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi last month. The former premier, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar were released from prison on September 19 after the Islamabad High Court suspended their sentences in the Avenfield corruption case. The Islamabad High Court has suspended their sentences and granted them bail till the disposal of their appeals. Since then, Nawaz stayed away from media and political activities and the party leaders defended him by claiming that he was in a state of mourning over the death of his wife Kulsoom in London and that he would soon start his political activities. However, the PML-N leaders now claim that due to the "sudden arrest" of his 67-year-old younger brother, the three-time former premier has been forced to jump into the political arena in order to boost the morale of the party workers. Meanwhile, PML-N lawmaker and former minister Rana Sanaullah said that the party would stage protests outside the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly on Wednesday if their sessions are not called by then. "If Imran Khan did not pay attention to this protest, then this protest will not remain confined to the parliament," he warned and demanded Shehbaz, who was leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, should be brought to the NA session. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Parents of students in a south Kolkata school Tuesday protested before the institution alleging that a minor girl was molested by a male teacher, police said. The police had a tough time to control the angry parents who tried to enter the school. The police had to wield batons to disperse the demonstrators. Deputy Commissioner of Police(South East division) Kalyan Mukherjee said, "We are trying to talk to the guardians and handle the situation." Police, however, said that no complaint had been lodged by the parents of the girl. The school authorities were not available for comments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three people, including a patient, were killed and four others injured Tuesday when an ambulance in which they were travelling rammed into a tractor- trolley here in Madhya Pradesh, police said. The ambulance was heading from Sabalgarh town here to Gwalior when it hit the tractor-trolley parked on a roadside near Mukunda village on Morena-Shivpuri road, sub-divisional officer of police Sudhir Kushwaha said. The deceased were identified as Rambabu Dhakad (47), who was being taken to hospital, his mother Rambati (70) and ambulance driver Salman (49), he said. Four other family members of the patient also received injuries in the mishap, Kushwaha said. Dhakad had got burnt during some work at his home and was referred by doctors to a hospital at Gwalior for treatment, he said. A case has been registered in connection with the incident, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patna High Court Tuesday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by former Bihar minister Manju Verma who is facing arrest in an Arms Act case, which cropped up in course of raids conducted by the CBI in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal case. Justice Sudhir Singh turned down the application of Verma, against whom an FIR was lodged in August at Cheria Bariarpur police station of Begusarai district after the seizure of bout 50 cartridges from her in-laws residence. Verma, the second term JD(U) MLA from Cheria Bariarpur in Begusarai district, could not be contacted for comment after the high court did not accept her anticipatory bail request as her mobile phone was switched off. The seizure was made during a raid conducted at Verma's Patna and Begusarai residences by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the case of sexual abuse of minor girls in the state-funded shelter home at Muzaffarpur. Verma had stepped down as the Social Welfare minister following reports alleging close links between her husband Chandrashekhar Verma and Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the scandal. She had moved the Patna High Court after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a Begusarai court on August 25. The sordid episode in the Muzaffarpur shelter home had drawn national condemnation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patna High Court Tuesday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by former Bihar minister Manju Verma who is facing arrest in an Arms Act case. Justice Sudhir Singh turned down the application of Verma, against whom an FIR was lodged in August at Cheria Bariarpur police station of Begusarai district after the seizure of about 50 cartridges from her residence. The seizure was made during a raid conducted at Vermas Patna and Begusarai residences by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. Verma had stepped down as the Social Welfare minister following reports alleging close links between her husband Chandrashekhar Verma and Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the scandal. She had moved the high court after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a Begusarai court on August 25. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday stressed onthe importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Canada in diverse spheres. He made these remarks when Canada's leader of the opposition Andrew Scheer called on him here. "Happy to meet Hon. @AndrewScheer, Canada's Leader of the Opposition. Stressed the significance of strong India-Canada relations ... ," Modi tweeted. According to an official statement, the PM noted that the relationship between the two countries was elevated to strategic partnership during his visit to Canada in 2015. Modi also stressed on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse spheres. Scheer shared his perspective on further developing friendly relations between the two countries. Scheer is in Indiafrom October 7 to 13. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Telangana police has started issuing notices to over 9,000 licensed weapon holders, requesting that they deposit the firearms with them in view of the prevailing election code of conduct in the state,a senior police official said Tuesday. Additional DGP (law and order) Jitender also said they had sought some companies of paramilitary forces from the Election Commission to support the state police in maintaining the law and order during the polls. "We have about 9,000 licensed weapons in the State. We have started issuing notices to them to deposit the weapons with us. They will be with us until the Model Code of Conduct is over," the police official told PTI. He said they would ensure that all the weapons would be deposited with police by the time the notification for the Assembly polls was issued. The Election Commission had on October 6 announced the election schedule for five states, including Telangana, which will go to the polls on December 7. Counting of votes for all these states will be taken up on December 11. The Telangana Assembly was dissolved on September 6. The polls were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election next year. However, the Assembly was dissolved prematurely last month, which necessitated the polls ahead of the schedule. To a query, Jitender said the state police hadsought some central forces from the Election Commission and expected them to deploy in the state two days before the polls. "We have about 55,000 policemen (of all ranks) with us. We sought some forces. We expect all of them to arrive here two or three days before the polls," he said without revealingthe quantum of the force sought. He said the State police was well prepared for the polls and special cells have already been formed to ensure the Code of Conduct was maintained. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra and Goa Circle of the India Post department Tuesday kicked off National Postal Week celebrations here starting with World Post Day. It is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in the Swiss capital Berne. Harish Agrawal, Chief Post Master General (CPMG) of Maharashtra and Goa Circle said that October 10 would be celebrated as Savings Bank Day, October 11 as Postal Life Insurance Day, October 12 as Philately Day, October 13 as Business Development Day and October 15 as Mails Day. "The department is aware of the changing requirements of customers and has introduced services like speed post, express/ business parcel, business post, e-post, money remittance services etc," he said. "Moreover, in order to develop business, we have tied up with Regional Transport Offices (RTO), the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), as well as Maharashtra Police for e-challan payment for traffic violations," Agrawal said. He said that the department is in the process of opening business parcel centres in Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Satara on the lines of the one opened at Parel here. Moreover, the parcel product has been revamped and Cash on Delivery (CoD) facility too has been introduced, he said, adding that the department currently has commercial tie-ups with dozens of e-commerce companies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The recent India visit of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has opened "new vistas of cooperation" in bilateral ties, and the relationship between the two countries is "more vibrant", its envoy said Tuesday. In his address at the Korea National Day function held at the embassy, Ambassador Shin Bongkil also said with the three Inter-Korean summits and the US-North Korea Summit earlier, the "momentum for lasting peace in Korean Peninsula is building". "India and Korea enjoy ties that go back to the visit of a princess from Ayodhya to Korea, who got married to a king there. With such deep relations in the past, we move to the present day relationship, as we mark 45 years of our diplomatic ties," he said. The envoy recalled the July State visit of President Moon and asserted India is an "important partner in all areas of historical, bilateral relations". "His visit has opened new vistas of cooperation, the relationship between the two countries is more vibrant, and businesses are thriving more than before," the envoy said. On the peace process in Korean Peninsula, he urged the international community to lend "full support" in his country's efforts to establish lasting peace. "South Korea had made progress in short period of time, but that march to peace and prosperity will remain incomplete without the establishment of permanent peace, and when the whole Korean Peninsula becomes prosperous," he said. The two Koreas in September had a three-day Inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang during which North Korea leader Kim Jong-um agreed to visit Seoul, besides taking some other decisions, seeking to accelerate the process of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. "Thanks to the three Inter-Korean summits and the US-North Korea Summit earlier, the momentum for achieving lasting peace in Korean Peninsula is building. "We are sure the Korean Peninsula will see a new dawn of peace and prosperity," the envoy said. Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel was the guest from India government side at the event which was attended by foreign ambassadors, diplomats and military attaches of several countries. US envoy to India Kenneth Juster, Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi Sohail Mahmood also attended the event during which Indian artists performed on K-Pop and played traditional Korean instruments besides a display of Taekwondoo skills by professional players. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court Tuesday made it clear that the properties of Tamil actor Silambarasan would be attached if he fails to provide security for Rs 50 lakh, which he received from a production house, by October 31. The matter relates to a civil suit filed by Passion Movie Makers in which it was claimed that the production house had entered into an agreement with Silambarasan for acting in the leading role in the movie 'Arasan.' The actor's remuneration was fixed as Rs 1 crore and Rs 50 lakh was paid as advance on June 17, 2013. As the actor did not keep up his commitment, the production company filed the civil suit. On the actor's behalf, it was claimed that the production company had not started production and hence they have to forfeit the amount. Counsel for the actor moved a plea stating that the rate of interest was not mentioned in the agreement. Justice M Govindaraj said the court had earlier directed the actor to furnish security for Rs 85.50 lakh. Following the counsel's submission, it has been modified to Rs 50 lakh and the actor should provide security for this amount on or before October 31, the judge said. "In default, the properties mentioned in the suit schedule will stand attached," Justice Govindaraj said and posted the matter for October 31. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday alleged that there was "provocation" behind the attacks on Hindi-speaking migrants in Gujarat and said the situation in that state was a "very dangerous trend". Banerjee, who has been a strong critic of the saffron party, said she was "scared" of the situation in Gujarat and blamed the BJP government in the state for failing to control it. "This (the attacks) is a very dangerous trend. A disastrous situation. The problem is very serious ... I do not understand why the BJP (government in Gujarat) is not controlling all these," the chief minister told reporters at the secretariat. "There was of course provocation behind the act. The people are scared and they are fleeing and leaving the state. There are so many families staying there for many years and now they have chosen that state as their home. All the people are scared," she said. Banerjee alleged that the party is only creating confusion and communal tension among the people. "They(BJP) only create confusion among the people and create communal tension where people are living in a peaceful manner. The BJP-ruled states are dangerous now," she said. She said the Gujarat Police should arrest the accused people behind the attacks. "Police must arrest the accused persons and they must take action as per the law. That is the system. I do not understand why they have arrested more than 370 people," she added. Since the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. Police have arrested Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a ceramic factory in Sabarkantha, for the alleged rape. Asked whether the situation in Gujarat was an attempt at polarisation, Banerjee said, "Do you think polarisation means it is about a particular caste or creed or religion? ... If we are united, the country is strong. If we are divided, the country will fall. This is an open situation. We should not divide our people like this." She said that in India people from other states with different languages stay in another state. "We all stay together and this is the system we follow in India," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Revenue Minister of Punjab Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria Tuesday asked the officials to expeditiously clear all pending cases in the revenue courts. Chairing a department meeting in Chandigarh, the minister ordered a day-to-day hearing of all pending cases which were one to two years old. The department has prepared an annual report of cases pending in the revenue courts right from the naib tehsildar level to the top from June 6, 2017 to June 30, 2018, he said. Stressing on efficiency and zero-pendency, he warned the officials against any act of negligence. Sarkaria ordered the clearance of Khasra Girdawari cases pending at various levels within six months so that it could be incorporated in the revenue records (Girdawari) on time. Additional Chief Secretary M P Singh said cases of lambardari, mutations (uncontested, contested or under appeal), section 47-A of Stamp Act, demarcation, partition and khasra (measurement of area) girdawari are pending in various revenue courts, some of which are two or even more years old. He directed the officers concerned to expedite the process for disposal of the pending cases. He also told the revenue officials working under his command to work meticulously on each case and get the final orders on file. Further, the files must be consigned to the record rooms in time, so that aggrieved persons can get copies for appeals, reviews and revisions, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab Vigilance Bureau will keep a close watch on grain markets of the state during the ongoing paddy procurement to ensure that farmers do not face any difficulty in selling their crops. After a special meeting held here Tuesday with senior officers at Vigilance Bureau (VB) headquarters, its Chief Director B K Uppal said instructions have been issued to all the SSPs of various VB ranges and other officials to keep a tab on the grain markets and conduct surprise checks regarding paddy purchase arrangements, and get feedback from farmers and 'arhtiyas' (local money lenders). He said special teams would be constituted comprising officials of food and civil supplies department, procurement agencies and civil administration to conduct these inspections. Elaborating on the motive behind the drive, Uppal said the Vigilance Bureau would ensure that farmers are not harassed or exploited during the purchase of paddy, either by officials of procurement agencies or by commission agents, through corrupt practices. He said the teams have been instructed to give a transparent report in case they find any irregularity in the weighing, quality control, purchase, payment and lifting process or lack of basic facilities. In addition to this, allotment of mandis/shellers and transportation of paddy to warehouses/millers would also be under the scanner to explore and expose any nexus between procurement agencies and arhtiyas, the official said. The vigilance chief added that strict action would be initiated against the erring officials if any discrepancy was found during the drive. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address a 'Maha Sankalp' rally here at the Medical College Ground on Wednesday, a party leader said. Gandhi will reach the Nal airport in Bikaner at 2 pm and then he will start his tour of Bikaner division from the Guru Jambheshwar Dham in Mukam, Congress leader Dr B D Kalla said. He will also participate in a road show from the Nal airport to the Medical College Ground. It is to be noted that the Congress had to face massive drubbing in Bikaner division in the last Assembly polls. The party won only three seats out of the 23 Assembly seats of Bikaner division. In Bikaner district, the party was restricted to only two seats out of the seven Assembly seats. In Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts, the Congress had lost all the 11 Assembly seats. In Churu division, the party could retain its fort in Sardarshahar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has made a "real progress" with North Korea toward the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula but still there is a long way to go, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday. Pompeo, who met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday in Pyongyang to discuss a future summit, told reporters that the two countries are back on a path toward denuclearisation. "While there's still a long way to go and much work to do, we can now see a path to where we'll achieve the ultimate goal, which is the full and final verified denuclearisation of North Korea," Pompeo told reporters at the White House after a lunch with President Donald Trump. Pompeo returned from a Asia trip Monday night, during which travelled to Japan, South Korea, North Korea and China. Pompeo's trip was intended to set the table for a second summit between Trump and Kim, who held an historic summit in Singapore on June 12. On Indian-American Nikki Haley resigning as the US Ambassador to the UN, Pompeo said she was his "great partner. "I want to thank Amb Haley for the good work that she has done. She has been a great partner of mine for the five months that she and I have been working together, Pompeo said. I want to wish her very well whatever comes next for her, Pompeo said. In a surprise move, Haley on Tuesday resigned as the US Ambassador to the United Nations, becoming the latest casualty in the dysfunctional Trump administration just weeks before the crucial mid-term elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra on Tuesday said the Rajiv Gandhi University, the lone central varsity in the state, must create new benchmarks of excellence in extending the frontiers of knowledge. During a meeting with newly appointed RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof Saket Khushwaha, who called on the governor at Raj Bhawan here, Dr Mishra said the vision of higher is to realise the state's human resource potential to its fullest with equity and inclusion. "This essentially means providing greater access to higher for all sections, particularly the vulnerable sections of the society," an official communiqu quoted the governor as saying. Mishra said the central university should take the lead to be a trend setter to excel and show the path for improving quality education, innovations, research work and good campus discipline. The governor, who is also the chief rector of RGU, also discussed with the VC various issues of the university. Prof Khushwaha who was with the Banaras Hindu University, took charge as the new VC of RGU on October 4 after the union Human Resources Development Ministry appointed him on October 1. The post had remained vacant for nine months following the retirement of former VC Prof Tamo Mibang. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bullish on the Indian economy, Russia's sovereign wealth fund RDIF plans to invest in the country's infrastructure and technology sectors, according to a senior official. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has reserved capital of $10 billion under management, is also looking for more investments in technology and other sectors in India through its portfolio companies. "In the next 12 months, our investment through portfolio companies would be more than $100 million. Definitely, we believe that it can increase more," RDIF Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev told PTI in an interview. Noting that the fund will encourage more technological cooperation between and India, he said there is a big opportunity for more investments in technology. "We would (also) like to invest in Indian infrastructure. We believe that there are lot of opportunities here. We would like to invest in hydro power plants in India, including small generation ones... We believe Indian economy is growing very well," he said. Dmitriev was in the national capital last week, as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India. "We are encouraging our portfolio companies to expand. One is Russian Helicopters to invest in India... It is one of the portfolio companies," RDIF Chief Risk Officer Kishan Reddy said. On October 5, the RDIF, Russia's PhosAgro and Indian Potash Ltd inked a pact for investments in production of mineral fertilisers in both countries. Under the pact, Indian Potash has agreed to import up to 2 million tonnes of fertilisers worth $1 billion (over Rs 7,300 crore) from PhosAgro, the world's leading producer of phosphate-based nutrients, over the next three years. The main areas of cooperation between India and are nuclear energy, defence, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, engineering and technology. According to the RDIF, it is ready to become a base for providing "technological breakthrough" in partnership with Indian companies. Set up in 2011, the RDIF has reserved capital of $10 billion under management and attracted more than $40 billion of foreign capital into the Russian economy through long-term strategic partnerships, as per its website. Saudi Arabia has agreed to let Turkish authorities search the kingdom's Istanbul consulate after prominent journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi went missing last week, the Turkish foreign ministry said Tuesday. "Saudi authorities said they were open to cooperation and that a search can be conducted at the consulate building," the ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement. The search will take place as part of the official investigation, which was being conducted "in an intense manner", he said without giving any date. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who wrote for Arab and Western media, vanished last Tuesday after visiting the consulate to obtain official documents. Turkish police were looking into two private aircraft which landed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport on Tuesday at different times carrying 15 people of interest in the case, as well as the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and taken aboard one of the planes, local media reported. Previously Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg that Riyadh would be ready to welcome Turkish officials to search the premises. Ankara sought permission Sunday to carry out a search after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time, Turkish television reported. Riyadh's envoy in Ankara was first called to the ministry on Wednesday. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government adviser, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year fearing possible arrest. He has been critical of some policies of the crown prince and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen. While Riyadh claimed he had left the consulate after his visit, Turkish police said Khashoggi did not emerge from the building. Government sources said police believe the journalist was killed inside the consulate. Police also said a team of 15 Saudis were sent to Istanbul and were in the building at the same time as Khashoggi. Turkish security officials were working to identify the 15 individuals, English-language state broadcaster TRT World reported, adding that Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have taken the consulate's CCTV footage with them when they returned to Saudi Arabia. According to pro-government daily Sabah, the team arrived in Istanbul on two private planes, one which landed after 03h00 (0000 GMT) on Tuesday while the second plane landed around 17h00 (1400 GMT) after Khashoggi entered the consulate. The individuals checked into two hotels close to the consulate, the daily said. Both planes later returned to Riyadh with one stopping in Dubai and the other in Egypt, Sabah reported, adding the police were looking into the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped. The planes belonged to a company based in Saudi Arabia which has links to the state. Istanbul police experts were analysing vehicles which entered and left the consulate, some of which were then seen on camera last Tuesday at the consul-general's residence, 200 metres away, the daily said. The newspaper also claimed that Turkish employees at the residence were "hastily" told to take a holiday on the day Khashoggi went missing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supreme Court Tuesday declined urgent hearing on a plea seeking review of its verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph had considered submission of Shylaja Vijayan, president, Ayyappa Devotees Association through Mathews J Nedumpara, which contended that the five-judge Constitution bench verdict lifting the ban was "absolutely untenable and irrational". A five-judge constitution bench headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, had in its 4:1 verdict, said banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and that the practice violates rights of Hindu women. The Supreme Court Tuesday took note of the pollution caused from a Graphite India plant in Bengaluru and asked it to explain as to why the use of petroleum coke (petcoke) by the company not be stopped with immediate effect. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta had on September 6 allowed the application of Graphite India Ltd seeking permission to import petcoke, also called needle coke, to be used as feed stock for manufacture of graphite electrodes which are used in the steel industry. When the issue of pollution from the plant was raised before the court, it said that the matter has to be dealt with urgently as it was affecting the health of people of the area. "They have taken permission from the court to use it. If due to this, people are going to suffer then we will withdraw the permission," the bench observed. It issued notice to Graphite India Ltd seeking their response by October 12 explaining "why the use of needle petcoke should not be stopped with immediate effect since it is causing immense pollution affecting health of people". Advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as an amicus curiae in the air pollution matter, told the bench that the issue has come to the notice of the Pollution Control Authority (EPCA). "If the company is going to misuse it, we will withdraw the permission," the bench said. The bench also dealt with the issue related to use of domestic and imported petcoke in Aluminium, steel and calcinated pet coke. Regarding the use of calcinated petcoke by Aluminium industry, the EPCA told the court that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has dealt with the issue. The bench said that calcinated pet coke could be used by Aluminium industry as per revised Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications on technological upgrade and its import would not exceed 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum. It also said that raw pet coke, both domestic and imported, could be used as feed stock to produce calcinated petcoke and its import would not exceed 1.4 million metric tonnes per annum. For use of pet coke by Steel industry, the Centre said they need three weeks time which was granted by the court. The Centre had earlier told the apex court that petcoke was a "highly polluting" fuel and its use should be allowed only in certain industries as feedstock and not for manufacturing purpose. The court was hearing the issue related to petcoke which had cropped up while adjudicating a matter of air pollution in Delhi national capital region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A panel may soon suggest merger of foreign portfolio investment and NRI/OCI routes to bring in a single regime for foreign investors and regulate NRI fund inflows, senior officials said. Besides, the panel may suggest to the capital regulator to clarify suitable actions that FPIs need to take for divestment or re-classification of holdings as per the FDI limits after consultation with the Reserve Bank, they said. Further, it is likely to suggest to consult the government to evolve a more objective criteria for defining high-risk jurisdictions. The panel headed by former RBI Deputy Governor H R Khan, which is reviewing FPI regulations, may soon suggest these measures. "The panel is examining whether any recommendation to merge the FPI and NRI/OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) routes of investment can be made to the government and the Reserve Bank," the official said. Under Portfolio Investment Scheme, NRIs can directly invest in Indian firms and buy equity stocks and mutual funds among others. NRI investments are controlled by foreign exchange management act and follow regulations. The move is aimed at helping Sebi in regulating and maintaining reporting of NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), besides assisting NRIs to invest through FPI in a regulated regime. Last month, the panel had suggested changes on several contentious proposals and more time for compliance bringing relief to foreign investors worried over new KYC and beneficiary ownership norms. It had favoured doing away with additional KYC documentation requirements for beneficial owners in case of government-related FPIs. Besides, the panel had suggested giving six months to FPIs for compliance to new rules, after they are finalised, while the non-compliant investors can be given further 180 days to wind down their existing positions. The watchdog last month revised KYC norms for foreign portfolio investors, wherein resident, as well as non-resident Indians, have been permitted to hold non-controlling stake in such entities, based on the Khan panel's suggestions. NRIs, OCIs and RIs (Resident Indians) have been permitted to hold non-controlling stake in FPIs. There would also be no restriction on them to manage non-investing FPIs Sebi-registered offshore funds as well as registered investment managers, according to the regulator. These entities would be allowed to be constituents of FPIs subject to certain conditions. If single and aggregate NRI/OCI/RI holding is below 25 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively, of the assets under management in the FPI, then such entities would be permitted to be constituents of the FPI. ICMR-NIV asked the government Tuesday to shift healthy lions from Gujarat's Gir forest after, it said, fresh samples of the wild cats tested positive for a virus, which had wiped out 30 per cent of lion population in East Africa, indicating "active disease transmission". Since September 12, as many as 23 lions have died in the sanctuary, at least 11 of them due to the CDV and Protozoa infections, according to forest officials. "Specimens were again tested for the Canine Distemper virus (CDV) by using molecular methods i.e. RT-PCR. One or more samples from 21 out of 27 Gir lions have tested positive for CDV. "This indicates active disease transmission among the Gir lions," the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Virology (NIV) said in a statement. The ICMR, New Delhi, is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. ICMR-NIV had received a total of 80 samples of nasal, ocular and rectal swabs from 27 Gir lions which were sick and under treatment and observation at Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh, Gujarat. The samples were referred to ICMR-NIV, Pune by the director of Sakkarbaug Zoo on October 6. "Since the CDV is transmitted by airborne route as well as infected body secretions, healthy lions from Gir forest may be shifted to an alternate suitable location," it said. It also said the lions should be immediately vaccinated with the available vaccine for the CDV. "At present, most of the available vaccines are made up of the CDV American genotypes 1 and 2 and these vaccines have been used in a number of countries and have been found to be effective," it said. The CDV causes a highly contagious and life-threatening disease in dogs and also affects wild carnivores such as wolves, foxes, raccoons, red pandas, ferrets, hyenas, tigers, and lions. The prevalence of this virus and its diversity in wildlife of India is not studied and only a few reports are available regarding the detection of the CDV in captive wild carnivores which included tigers and red panda. In the past, the CDV wiped out 30 per cent of the total population of lions in Serengeti forest areas in East Africa, ICMR had earlier said. ICMR-NIV had also earlier said it had found the CDV responsible for the death of five Asiatic lions in the Gir forest and as such for the first time a complete genome of the CDV was recovered by the NIV. The Gujarat Forest Department Sunday started vaccination of lions in the Gir sanctuary to protect them from a deadly virus blamed for the death of some of the big cats in their last abode. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Sharda University in Greater Noida has found eight students guilty of involvement in the violence that erupted on its campus last week between groups of Indian and Afghan students, and asked them to explain why they should not be expelled, officials said. A three-member inquiry committee was constituted by the varsity on October 4 to look into the incidents of scuffle on the campus between October 1 and 4, a university spokesperson said Tuesday. The inquiry report was submitted to the university authorities late on Monday evening, days after Gautam Buddh Nagar administration suspected the role of anti-social elements from outside in escalating "a minor scuffle into a communal issue". According to the orders issued by the Registrar, eight students have been charge-sheeted (found guilty), 10 have been fined on disciplinary grounds, while four others suspended. Those charge-sheeted include Afghan students as well, the spokesperson told PTI. "Eight students have been charge-sheeted and asked to explain why they should not be expelled from the university. "Ten students have been warned and put on probation for the rest of their studies in the university. They will have to deposit an additional security money of Rs 25,000, as surety, which shall be forfeited in case of their involvement in any further act of indiscipline," the University said in an official statement. "Four students have been suspended and asked to face the Inquiry Committee within two days, while four others have been warned and put on probation for the rest of their studies in the university," the statement added. The university said that 10 students have been let off "for want of any substantial evidence". The inquiry committee has decided to look into some more cases of students, against whom evidences are coming up, in next couple of days, it said. "The committee has also issued fresh notices to 15 students who did not turn up before it, despite notices, and has asked them to appear in person on Tuesday," according to the statement. Meanwhile, the deemed university re-opened Tuesday morning after four days amid a beefed up security on the campus. "The classes are being held in a peaceful atmosphere and the examinations due have also commenced. The University is keeping constant vigil to maintain discipline, peace and harmony on the campus," the spokesperson said. Multiple videos of scuffle between Indian and Afghan students had emerged on social media, after which the police had booked over 350 students for rioting and related offences. The district administration on October 5 had directed the police to lodge a case against "outsiders" who entered the university and escalated the scuffle. The administration had also issued order to detain one of the outsiders, identified as the chief of a right-wing fringe group, under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) once he is arrested. Earlier Saturday, the university has been asked to submit its explanation within a week to the district administration, which has raised concern over its security management ahead of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu's scheduled visit on October 28 for varsity's convocation ceremony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government wants to make the plastic ban in the state more stringent by cancelling shop licences if such material is found there, state Minister Ramdas Kadam said Tuesday. He said that a primary level meeting had already been held here to decide on how to go about implementing this new proposal. "We have succeeded up to 60 per cent in imposing plastic ban across the state. Now we want to make it more stringent by cancelling the license of shops if they are found in possession of banned plastic material," Kadam said Tuesday. "A primary level meeting has already been held in Mumbai regarding cancellation of licence. We will take appropriate action next week on how it is going to be implemented," the minister informed. He said that visible littering of plastic bags had come down since the ban, adding that 290 tonnes of banned plastic had been seized and fines of Rs 2.53 crore collected in this period. Kadam said that 12 regional offices of the government had carried out raids to ensure effective implementation of the plastic ban. Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray met Kadam Tuesday and the latter briefed him on the ban's impact. "We wanted it to succeed and it has made a good impact," Thackeray said on the plastic ban. On March 23, the state government imposed a ban on manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items. The ban came into place on June 24 this year. Thackeray also spoke about project-affected persons residing in the city's Mahul area which is also home to several refineries. He said that these persons are suffering from pollution-related issues and a "mid way" solution needed to be found. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sitharaman Tuesday blamed the Congress-led UPA regime for public and private sector banks facing huge corporate bad loans. Loans were provided without following due diligence and as a result, defaulters fled the country and the banks had no money to lend, Sitharaman said obviously referring to fugitive business barons like and Sitharaman had also held the portfolios of corporate affairs and (Minister of State) and was the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Commerce and Industry. Huge loans were provided by banks at the drop of a hat "when a phone call was made," by the powers that be, the minister said, addressing a BJP traders wing meet here. Since such loans were not paid back till date, the banks faced a crunch and could not lend for new businesses. "Public and private sector banks are all facing difficulty due to this. Though policy allowed banks to provide loans, banks are not prepared to lend as they do not have money. Why this happened? she asked. Loans were provided to "acquaintances" without any assessment, scrutiny or background check to ascertain if the promoters could actually carry on the business and pay back the loan, and it was "crony capitalism," followed by the UPA regime, she alleged. "Under the guise of providing loans to do business, banks were made to lend without assessing factors like repayment capabilities, assets and expertise and they (apparently referring to and others) have departed with the money and the banks do not have money," Sitharaman said. Under such circumstances, to achieve 7.5 to 8 per cent growth (GDP) rate, several efforts have been taken by Prime Minister Modi, she said. To tackle the issue of defaulters fleeing the country after cheating banks, an enabling legsislation -The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016- was passed which envisaged attachment of properties, she said. "This law was not brought during their (UPA) regime)," she said. Defaulters fled the country in view of tough action. Still, even if defaulters had fled the country, efforts are being made to bring them back home to justice and attach their properties as well for default, she said. Sitharaman said the BJP-led Centre has given good governance and all welfare schemes have to be taken to the people. If a comparison was made between the 48 years rule of the and other parties at the Centre and the BJP-led NDA for the past 48 months, she said it could be understood that what the Centre has been doing was a "herculean task." "During the 10 years of the UPA regime, they did nothing to give good governance," she said. At that time, even at the cost of "betrayal," of the country, those who held power eyed only things that could be "grabbed," and then Prime Minister was not bothered about it even as corruption reigned, she alleged. She blamed the UPA regime for its "corrupt governance," and leaving the economy in a shambles. Sitharaman dwelt about other welfare schemes of the Centre like the 'Ayushman Bharat.' The traders's wing meet was the starting point to the Lok Sabha campaign in Tamil Nadu, she said. Six employees were killed and 14 others injured Tuesday in a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant of state-owned SAIL in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, police said. The explosion took place around 11 am in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town, located around 30 km away from the capital, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh told PTI. "At least six people were burnt to death while 14 others received injuries and most of them were said to be in a serious condition," he said. As per preliminary information, over 24 employees were working at the spot when the accident occurred, he said. Police personnel and a rescue team rushed to the spot, he said, adding that all the victims were being taken to a local hospital. Rescue operation was still underway at the plant, operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in June dedicated the modernised and expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to the nation. As per SAIL's website, the Bhilai Steel Plant is India's sole producer and supplier of world class rails for the Indian Railways, including 260 metre long rails, and a major producer of a large variety of wide and heavy steel plates and structural steel. With an annual production capacity of 3.153 MT of saleable steel, the plant also specialises in other products such as wire rods and merchant products. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have used a combination of social media and transport data to predict the likelihood that a given retail business will succeed or fail. Using information from ten different cities around the world, the researchers, led by the University of Cambridge in the UK, have developed a model that can predict with 80 per cent accuracy whether a new business will fail within six months. While the retail sector has always been risky, the past several years have seen a transformation of high streets as more and more retailers fail, researchers said. The model could be useful for both entrepreneurs and urban planners when determining where to locate their business or which areas to invest in. "One of the most important questions for any new business is the amount of demand it will receive. This directly relates to how likely that business is to succeed," said Krittika D'Silva, a PhD student at Cambridge's Department of Computer Science and Technology. "What sort of metrics can we use to make those predictions?" D'Silva said. D'Silva and her colleagues used more than 74 million check-ins from the location-based social network Foursquare from Chicago, Helsinki, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore and Tokyo; and data from 181 million taxi trips from New York and Singapore. Using this data, the researchers classified venues according to the properties of the neighbourhoods in which they were located, the visit patterns at different times of day, and whether a neighbourhood attracted visitors from other neighbourhoods. "We wanted to better understand the predictive power that metrics about a place at a certain point in time have," said D'Silva. Whether a business succeeds or fails is normally based on a number of controllable and uncontrollable factors. Controllable factors might include the quality or price of the store's product, its opening hours and its customer satisfaction. Uncontrollable factors might include unemployment rates of a city, overall economic conditions and urban policies. "We found that even without information about any of these uncontrollable factors, we could still use venue-specific, location-related and mobility-based features in predicting the likely demise of a business," said D'Silva. The data showed that across all ten cities, venues that are popular around the clock, rather than just at certain points of day, are more likely to succeed. Venues that are in demand outside of the typical popular hours of other venues in the neighbourhood tend to survive longer. The data also suggested that venues in diverse neighbourhoods, with multiple types of businesses, tend to survive longer. While the ten cities had certain similarities, the researchers also had to account for their differences. "The metrics that were useful predictors vary from city to city, which suggests that factors affect cities in different ways," said D'Silva. "As one example, that the speed of travel to a venue is a significant metric only in New York and Tokyo. This could relate to the speed of transit in those cities or perhaps to the rates of traffic," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South African Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene resigned Tuesday after public outcry over his undisclosed meetings with the members of the Gupta family, who have been accused of corruption. President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he had accepted Nene's resignation "in the interests of good governance" has replaced him with former Governor of the South African Reserve Bank Tito Mboweni. Nene, who was seen as one of Ramaphosa closest allies, had admitted before a judicial inquiry last week that he had failed to declare that he had visited the Gupta family at their residence and business premises several times. Nene had apologised after giving testimony to the inquiry, which is probing allegations of corruption under former President Jacob Zuma's government involving the three Gupta brothers. The Gupta brothers, now all out of the country, stand accused of unduly influencing Zuma in his Cabinet appointments in order to secure lucrative state contracts irregularly. The family arrived in South Africa from Saharanpur in India two decades ago and amassed a fortune in the IT and mining sector, but a number of senior officials, inclusion some former and current ministers, are being accused at the Commission of being complicit in their allegedly irregular dealings. Several former ministers have also spoken out about how they were summoned to the Gupta home to be offered ministerial positions before Zuma announced them. Nene had apologised for having been indiscreet in not declaring that he had met the Gupta family at their sprawling family compound in Johannesburg and at their office complex in Midrand rather than at his own offices or other neutral place. Nene visited the Guptas on a number of occasions between 2010 and 2014, when he was first Deputy Finance Minister and later Minister of Finance. The former minister's admission at the Commission of Inquiry raised doubts among opposition parties and the business sector about his credibility, although Nene has denied having done anything illegal or aiding the Guptas in any way during his seven meetings with them. Earlier on Tuesday Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane announced that she would launch an investigation into whether Nene had breached the Executive Ethics Act following disclosures that his son Siyabonga Nene received a substantial investment and referral fee from the state-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC) while his father was at the head of the organisation. Both the PIC and Nene snr have denied any irregularities in this process, but it further dented confidence in the South African economy which sent the struggling rand currency tumbling. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Steel minister Chaudhary Birender Singh Tuesday expressed anguish over the blast incident at SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh in which nine people lost their lives while 14 others were injured. The minister directed Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai, Steel Secretary Binoy Kumar and SAIL Chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary to rush to Bhilai this evening to take stock of the situation and offer all possible help to the bereaved families, according to a steel ministry's release. The steel minister is closely monitoring the situation, the release said. Nine people were killed and 14 others injured Tuesday in a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant in Durg district of Chhattisgarh, according to the police. The explosion took place around 10:30 am in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town, around 30 km away from the state capital, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh told PTI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sugar mills will now make ethanol directly from sugarcane to serve as safe fuel and this in turn will strengthen the economy of the country, Union Minister Nitin Gadkar said in neighbouring Basti on Tuesday. The farmers will be provided with such techniques with which electricity and bio-fuel could be made and the government has already given approval for making ethanol directly from sugarcane and the days are not far when auto, bus, mo-bikes will run on road with ethanol, Gadkari said. The Union minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were in Basti to lay the foundation stone of roads, ring road and national waterway. Later, they also visited Siddharth Nagar and laid foundation stone for roads, including NH 730. Speaking in Basti, Yogi said that 50,000 more will be recruited in police department soon. "Education, health, road, drinking water, house and basic amenities are a must for development. Our government is ready to work in these areas but participation of people is required. During the past over four years, the central government has brought major changes in the country," Yogi said. On his government's performance, he said 1.20 lakh km roads have become ditch free in Uttar Pradesh and tehsil have been connected to head quarter with at least two lane roads. Most of the Highways are being converted into Expressways. About 50 thousand more vacancies will come up soon in the police department and recruitments will be made without any discrimination...By November 30 all districts of the state will become open defecation free, he said. The BJP government has been highly successful in the field of road construction... Buddh circuit is very important and four-lane road will be constructed on this route and this will boost tourism, Yogi added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Akali leader and Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said Tuesday it was necessary for SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to "introspect" in the larger interest of the party. Dhindsa had resigned last month as the SAD secretary general and from the party's core committee, citing health reasons. "Time has come for introspection for party president Sukhbir Singh Badal as it is utmost necessary in the larger interest of party," he told media here. He paid obeisance at Golden Temple here. It was his first visit to Amritsar, ever sincehe resigned from all party posts, and after skipping the party's rally in Patiala on Sunday. He said Sukhbir should shun "hegemony" and sit with his own partymen to hold talks with them "heart-to-heart". He said the party also needs to take some vital decision as far as Sikh religious affairs are concerned. On the incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in the past, he said the party did what it could, but nobody was aware of the future outcome. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The #MeToo movement rocked the Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication (SCMC) here, with several former students accusing their seniors and some faculty members of sexual harassment. The SCMC authorities apologised to the women and said the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) had ben instructed to hear their complaints. The former students had taken to social media platforms and shared harrowing accounts of harassment by some faculty members and their seniors. They alleged the authorities did not do anything though the incidents were brought to their notice. Taking the cognisance, the SCMC authorities issued a statement and invited the women for a discussion in the institute through a Google form. "We can start a dialogue without even mentioning your identity. Your one step can go a long way in making someone's life easier," it said. It also apologised to the former students. "Dear alumni, we are indeed sorry, if you had to face something like this. But we promise you that if you reach out to the Internal Complaints Committee. We will take steps and actions, if need be," the statement said. Symboisis International University Pro-Chancellor Vidya Yeravdekar said there after several allegations were made by the former students against the faculty, the ICC was been instructed to hear the complaints. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen hosted her Paraguayan counterpart Tuesday at a military exercise in a sign of the island's determination to withstand China's diplomatic onslaught. The joint land and air training exercise simulated an attempt by Chinese forces to attack a Taiwanese air base in the north of the island. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has been whittling away at the self-governing island's pool of diplomatic allies, leaving it now with just 17, including Paraguay. Defense Ministry spokesman Chen Chong-chi said inviting Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez to view the exercise alongside Tsai would "help strengthen the friendship between the two countries" and boost future civilian and military exchanges. Taiwan and China separated amid civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control by force if deemed necessary. Last month, the United States recalled its envoys to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama after decisions by those nations to cut ties with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with China. While Washington formally recognises only China, it remains a close Taiwanese ally and maintains a de facto embassy in the island's capital, Taipei. China cut off contacts with Tsai's government shortly after her 2016 inauguration and has repeatedly demanded that she endorse the "one-China" principle that designates Taiwan as a part of China. Along with poaching diplomatic allies, China has blocked Taiwan's participation in international meetings such as the World Health Assembly and has pressured multinational companies ranging from fashion brands to airlines to describe Taiwan as part of China. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also sent warships, bombers and fighter planes on training missions circling the island in an attempt to intimidate Tsai's supporters. Xi has declared that the issue of bringing Taiwan under Chinese control cannot be postponed indefinitely and some analysts believe he is determined to accomplish that feat during his time in office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A well-known editor of a Tamil weekly was arrested Tuesday following a complaint from the Raj Bhavan over a series of articles that allegedly had damaging references to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, official sources said. Senior journalist R Gopal, who heads the magazine Nakkheeran and had written articles on a sex scandal involving a woman college teacher, was picked up by a police team from the airport here when he was on way to Pune, they said. Gopal was arrested under Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to "assaulting President, Governor etc with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power", the sources said. They said the action was taken on a complaint from the Raj Bhavan over the articles in the magazine since April last related to an assistant professor of a private college in Virudhunagar district allegedly asking girl students to extend sexual favours to officials in return for marks and money. The arrest of Gopal, who shot to limelight when he negotiated with forest brigand Veerappan for the release of Kannada thespian Rajkumar in 2000, was condemned by principal opposition DMK and other parties which alleged that an "undeclared emergency" has been imposed in the state. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan claimed there was a "conspiracy" to "implicate" the Governor in the sex scandal case as several politicians' feared their career could be doomed if the entire truth came out. AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran defended the police action, saying there was no place for "defamatory" writings. Assistant professor Nirmala Devi of the college in Aruppukottai, affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University, was arrested in connection with the case. The scandal came to light in April this year after an audio tape of purported conversation between Nirmala Devi and some students surfaced. Reacting to the professor claiming in her audio that she knew the Governor and had access to him, Purohit had rejected her claim and said he did not know her. The Governor had ordered an inquiry by a retired IAS officer to look into the scandal in his capacity as the chancellor of universities. Condemning the arrest of Gopal, DMK President M K Stalin hit out at the Governor and AIADMK government for "imposing an undeclared Emergency and threatening media freedom." The arrest had been made for writing articles on an arrested professor. "What is happening in Tamil Nadu?" he asked expressing shock over the police action. "Is Tamil Nadu a democratic state? The corrupt AIADMK government and the Governor have imposed an undeclared emergency and threatening media freedom," he alleged. The DMK chief, who called on Gopal at a hospital where he was taken after arrest, sought withdrawal of the case and his release immediately. Leaders of PMK, CPIM, CPI, Makkal Neethi Maiam leader actor Kamal Haasan, MDMK chief Vaiko among others slammed the arrest of Gopal. Talking to reporters in Chennai, Radhakrishnan said: "...there are fears that if the matter came to the light, the political life of many politicians will become a question mark. So there there is a big conspiracy." "There is a big conspiracy to implicate the Governor and make allegations against him," he said. The Minister recalled that a one-man inquiry commission headed by retired IAS officer R Santhanam appointed by Purohit was yet to complete its probe and file a report. Dhinakaran said he saw nothing wrong in the arrest. "I don't feel this is wrong. If someone spreads false charges (against Governor), police has the authority to act against them," he told reporters in Tiruchirappalli. Media was the fourth pillar of democracy, he said, indicating it should use its freedom of expression carefully. The Madras Reporters Guild and Madras Union of Journalists and Chennai Press Club condemned the arrest as "reprehensible, undemocratic and against the canons of free speech and expression." "It is open to the police or government to file a case against any journalist or media organisation. But to arrest a journalist as a first step of the investigation is uncalled for and totally unnecessary," the guild said in a statement. Meanwhile, Vaiko, denied permission to meet Gopal at a police station where the journalist was taken, staged an impromptu dharna against the police. He was later detained and moved to a nearby marriage hall, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A well-known editor of a Tamil weekly was Tuesday arrested here while on his way to Pune, airport officials said. Senior journalist R Gopal, who heads the vernacular 'Nakkheeran', was picked up by a police team from the airport, they said. The weekly's website claimed Gopal was arrested based on a complaint from the Raj Bhavan over a write-up on Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor of a private college in Virudhunagar who had been arrested for allegedly prodding girl students to extend sexual favours to officials. There was no immediate confirmation from police officials on the reason behind Gopal's arrest, even as officials in Raj Bhavan could not be reached for a comment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of Tata Motors fell over 16 per cent Tuesday after the company-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported 12.3 per cent decline in global sales in September. The scrip, after a weak opening, further tumbled 16.19 per cent to Rs 178.30 as trade progressed on BSE. On NSE, shares of the company cracked 15.54 per cent to hit its one-year low of Rs 179.35. The stock was the worst hit among blue chips on both the key indices during early trade. JLR Monday reported 12.3 per cent decline in global sales at 57,114 units in September, hit by lower demand in China, the auto major said. The company's sales in China declined by 46.2 per cent during September as compared to the same month last year as ongoing market uncertainty resulting from import duty changes and continued trade tensions held back consumer demand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Recalling the 2009 "underwear bomber", who attempted to blow up a Amsterdam-detroit flight mid-air, Home Minister said Tuesday terrorists are pushing their "limits" and "underpants" to attack global operations. Singh also said closer to home, ensuring of about 40 small airports and heliports in India is a subject that cannot be "ignored". "The sector is highly sensitive and high profile in nature. It also gets worldwide attention when hit by any attack. Often these incidents have geopolitical ramifications," he said after inaugurating a two-day seminar on 'international aviation security' here. "The case of the shoe bomber in 2001, the use of liquid explosives in London in 2006 and the case of the underwear bomber in Amsterdam in 2009, clearly indicate that terrorists are pushing the limits and even their underpants to hit the aviation sector," Singh said. On Christmas Day in 2009, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to blow up a commercial plane for the al-Qaeda, but was badly burned when a bomb sewn into his underwear failed to detonate fully on-board a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Farouk earned the nicknames of underwear bomber and Christmas Day bomber. The minister also asked aviation agencies in the country to undertake "perspective planning" to thwart possible terror-like threats to aviation facilities. agencies such as the CISF should undertake "untiring and sincere efforts to maintain fool-proof security" at airports, which are thronged by lakhs of travellers daily, Singh said. The seminar is being organised by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a federal force that guards 60 civil airports at present. It is being attended by delegates from 18 countries and several airlines. security continues to be an extremely challenging task as the sector remains an important target for terror outfits. Terrorists always look for opportunities to draw maximum attention and media coverage, he said. Subsequently, Singh spoke about the domestic scenario. "There are 40 other operational airports and heliports under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) in India, which are guarded by airport security units carved out from the respective state police forces. "The strength of any claim is determined by the strength of its smallest unit, therefore the security of the smaller airports should never be ignored," Singh said. Officials said while there has been a talk of deploying CISF personnel at airports under the RCS or UDAN scheme, no "final decision" has been taken. These facilities continue to be guarded by state police forces, which are not as professional as the central force, in rendering aviation security duties, they said. The minister said the attacks on the Brussels and Istanbul airports (in 2016) have shown the vulnerability of airports, especially from the city side, and it highlights new threats to aviation facilities. "There have been several on the aviation sector till date, the most devastating being the September 2001 attack (in the US) that shocked the world..." he said. Singh said it was essential to innovate and think new to meet evolving threats to aviation security. "We have come up with an adequate set of infrastructure at airports which commensurate with the increased number of air passengers. But, there are still many challenges and vulnerabilities. Therefore, we need perspective planing, more international cooperation and better coordination," he said. "We should adhere to stricter implementation of internationally agreed guidelines and norms, and induction of updated advanced technology in all airports would enhance our security capabilities, Singh said. "The governments and aviation agencies have to increasingly think about newer methods to tackle conventional and un-conventional threats," he added. The home minister spoke about some legal measures taken by his government to ensure safety in the aviation sector. "We have upgraded our anti-hijacking mechanisms since 1999 by refining our strengths and rectifying our weaknesses. Keeping the threat of aircraft hijacking by terrorists in mind, India has reviewed its preparedness towards such exigencies," he said. Singh said the CISF has undertaken untiring and sincere efforts to maintain fool-proof security at the airports under its guard. The 9/11 (2001 attack on the twin towers in the US) and the Kandahar (hijack of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999) have taught us many lessons, he said. The CISF was entrusted with airports security in the 2000, in the aftermath of the Kandahar incident. The force was raised in 1969 and has about 1.45 lakh personnel in its ranks at present. About 22,000 of the total CISF personnel are deployed for airport security duties across the country. The minister advised all stakeholders, especially the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (the aviation security regulator) and the CISF, to infuse new technology for aviation security and ensure a judicious blend of trained human resources and modern security infrastructure. Fool-proof security warrants cooperation between different stakeholders, he said. Thousands of Hindi-speaking migrant workers have left Gujarat in the wake of violence following an alleged rape incident, even as industry representatives Tuesday said normalcy has returned after three days of disruptions at factories. Functioning at industries remained affected for a few days after violence erupted following the rape of a toddler allegedly by a man from Bihar but normalcy started returning Tuesday with units in north Gujarat resuming operations, they said. Sanand, a major industrial hub near Ahmedabad housing around 250 big and small industrial units, faced disruptions for at least three days as most of the factories remained shut with migrant workers staying away from work. But beginning Tuesday, labourers started reporting for work at factories, even though 4,000 workers out of around 15,000 employed in the hub have already left for their home states, an industry representative from Sanand said. "Factories remained closed since the last three days and no production was seen. But from today, everything has come back to normalcy. "Around 4,000 workers out of around 15,0000 migrant workers engaged here have left for their home states. But that will not affect work in factories much," said Rushabh Shah, a member of the Sanand Industries Association. Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) president Jaimin Vasa said though normalcy is returning, a sense of fear pervades workers, most of whom are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. "With proactive approach of the government, especially with strong police deployment, normalcy is returning. The affected workers were scared after attacks, and the sense of fear continues. "However, with police action, they are feeling secure, and over time, things will become normal," Vasa said. The GCCI had Monday urged Chief Minister Vijay Rupani to step in to restore peace in the state. "The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (Janaury 2019) as well as Diwali (in November) are approaching. We have urged the government to work together and re-establish industrial peace in the state. "Around 50 per cent of migrant workers have stopped coming in many industrial estates in Gujarat," Vasa had said Monday. According to G K Patel, president of Dediasan industrial estate in Mehsana, around 1,000 migrant workers have gone back to their native states. An industry leader from Surat maintained there is a sense of fear among migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. A large number of migrant labourers work in textiles and diamond factories in Surat. "There is a sense of fear among migrant labourers and people are apprehensive in Surat. While work is going on normally in textiles and diamond factories in Surat, workers might leave if the sense of fear is not controlled," said Tarachand Kasat, vice-president, All-India Textiles Traders Association. Surat has around 7-8 lakh workers from north India, he said. Gujarat-based outfit Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad had Monday claimed over 20,000 Hindi-speaking migrants had fled the state in the last one week after a spate of attacks on them following the September 28 rape of a 14-month-old girl in a village near Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district. The accused, a Bihar native working in a local ceramic factory, was arrested the same day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has apologised to new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family for the "terrible suffering" they were "forced" to endure, saying the "fair-minded" judge deserves a dignified evaluation and not a campaign based on lies and deception. Judge Kavanaugh, 53, was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday in a 50-48 vote following an acrimonious debate over his nomination triggered by a series of sexual assault allegations during the last phase of his confirmation process. His confirmation is a personal political victory for Trump as the opposition Democratic party had mounted an unprecedented resistance to his nomination. "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure," Trump said at a White House ceremonial swearing in ceremony of Kavanaugh. "Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception. What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process," Trump said. The ceremony was attended by Kavanaugh's family members, other judges of the Supreme Court, top Senators, members of the Trump administration and a battery of reporters. "Our country, a man or woman must always be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. And with that, I must state that you, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent," Trump said amidst applause from the audience. Kavanaugh replaces Justice Anthony Kennedy, who announced his retirement early this year. Describing Kavanaugh as a man of outstanding intellect and a brilliant scholar, Trump said his credentials were unsurpassed. "Known as a judge's judge, he is fair-minded, unbiased, and even-handed person. He understands that justice must be divorced from the passions of the day - tethered instead to the enduring foundation of our republic: the Constitution," he said. Justice Kavanaugh fills the place left by Anthony Kennedy. Soon, Justice Kennedy will administer the Judicial Oath to Brett Kavanaugh, just as he did last year for Justice Gorsuch, Trump said. "This will be the first time a Supreme Court Justice has ever sworn in a former clerk to take his seat - a beautiful moment which reminds us that freedom is a tradition passed down from generation to generation," Trump said. After his ceremonial swearing in, Kavanaugh told the audience that all his new law clerks at the Supreme Court were women - a first in the history of the Supreme Court. Noting that the Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional, he said his focus now is to be the best Justice he can be. "I take this office with gratitude and no bitterness. On the Supreme Court, I will seek to be a force for stability and unity. My goal is to be a great Justice for all Americans and for all of America. I will work very hard to achieve that goal," Kavanaugh said. Kavanaugh sought to play down the political maelstrom that surrounded his confirmation, and said he would serve "one nation". "I was not appointed to serve one party or one interest, but to serve one nation. America's Constitution and laws protect every person of every belief and every backgrounds. Every litigant in the Supreme Court can be assured that I will listen to their arguments with respect and an open mind. Every American can be assured that I will be an independent and impartial Justice devoted to equal justice under law," he said. "Although the Senate confirmation process tested me, as it has tested others, it did not change me. My approach to judging remains the same," he said. A good judge must be an umpire, a neutral and impartial decider who favours no litigant or policy. A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law, he said. A judge must interpret statutes as written. And a judge must interpret the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent, Kavanaugh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two students have been arrested for impersonating BJP MP Sanjeev Balyan from Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar, police said on Tuesday. The students used to give instructions to senior state officials by making phone calls posing as the BJP MP, Superintendent of Police Ombir Singh said. During investigation, police seized their mobile phone and arrested them on Monday, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Tuesday hit out at BJP MP Udit Raj over his remarks against the #MeToo movement saying it reflects the ruling party's "anti-woman" mindset. Raj termed the #MeToo movement in India as a "wrong practice" and questioned the relevance of making sexual harassment allegations against anybody after 10 years. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned the remarks saying these "reinforce the anti-women mindset of the ruling BJP". "The remarks are extremely contempt-worthy," she said. Observing that one should go case-by-case, Raj said there are several instances where women did this after taking money and then moved on to the next target. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday expressed his deep appreciation for the "excellent cooperation and support" US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has demonstrated, saying the two have had a "very productive and strong working relationship. "The UN Secretary General wishes to express his deep appreciation for the excellent cooperation and support that the Ambassador Nikki Haley has always demonstrated. They had a very productive and strong working relationship during her tenure as the US Permanent Representative, Spokesperson of the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric told reporters here. He said Haley and the Secretary General worked hard to promote constructive ties between the US and United Nations, showing the value of the UN. The Secretary General looks forward to continuing to work with Ambassador Haley until the end of her tenure and of course with her replacement, he said. When asked how Haley's legacy will be viewed at the UN at a time of financial constraints at the UN, the United States' decision to provide no further funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and America's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the UN Human Rights Council. Dujarric said that he will not comment on the deep analysis but added that neither the Secretary General nor anyone at the UN Secretariat was forewarned about the announcement of Haley's resignation. Most of us here learnt it like you in the press. He reiterated that the Secretary General had a truly very good working relationship with Haley. They worked to get through some of the toughest moments between the US and the UN, Dujarric said. The Secretary General has his positions on climate change, on the need to support UNRWA, on the issue of refugees. Those positions are unchanged. Ambassador Haley represented her country's position but they had a good working relationship. He said the Secretary General has to have a very good relationship with 193 member states but obviously the one, being in New York, and the one that everybody seems to focus on is on that one, referring to the US. Dujarric added that policy differences are open and for all to see but that doesn't mean there isn't a need for strong and engaged dialogue. And there was one. Responding to the resignation, First Daughter Ivanka Trump tweeted that Haley has served America with dignity and distinction. "She is a bold reformer and has been an unwavering champion of truth, principled realism and integrity within the United Nations," Ivanka said in the tweet adding that her husband Jared and she are grateful for her friendship a true blessing in our lives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would like to thank Haley who led the uncompromising struggle against hypocrisy at the UN, and on behalf of the truth and justice of our country. Best of luck!" Eminent Indian-American lawyer Ravi Batra said in a statement that he and his wife Ranju Batra, chair of the Diwali Foundation USA, celebrate Haley for her tireless efforts to enhance America's standing in the world, a classy team player who effectuated the policies and priorities of the US President. Ranju Batra added that Haley has become a role model for women across the world who wish to work to make a better world. She expressed gratitude to Haley for having the US as a co-sponsor, in addition to 25 other nations, to the 2017 inaugural Diwali Power of One awards'. Several other prominent leaders took to Twitter to congratulate Haley and express their appreciation for her work. Secretary of US Department of the Interior Ryan Zinke said Haley is a great advocate of the US and the President's foreign policy. I enjoyed getting to know her over the past two years as colleagues in the @Cabinet. She has done an incredible job and I wish her all the best, he said. US Ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson tweeted that he is saddened to hear of Haley's resignation. A terrific Ambassador, Haley has stood up for American interests and championed democratic values around the world. I wish her well in whatever success comes next!, he said. Governor of South Carolina Henry McMaster said Haley is a tremendous leader who has done great things for South Carolina as governor and for the US as ambassador to the UN. I wish her the best in whatever she decides to do next. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her, and that is GREAT for our state and country, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has said that the UN Security Council needs to be reformed without delay or else it will be left to nurse its self-inflicted wounds of "diminishing relevance" in a world awash with challenges like armed conflicts, terrorism, refugee crises and Participating in a General Assembly session on 'Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organisation' on Monday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador said the 15-nation council is all about primacy but with little purpose. "Updating the current architecture of institutions, which are so out of sync with the modern world, is imperative if new global challenges are to be met. Nowhere is this need for the common purpose required more than in reforming the Security Council," Akbaruddin said. "We need to fix the flaws. We need to do it before it is too late. We need to do so before the technologies of the future sharpen the conflicts of the past, while the Council remains nursing its self-inflicted wounds of diminishing relevance," he said. Akbaruddin asserted that nations cannot pose as guardians of a status quo that no longer exists. "We need to undertake a new journey towards a reformed and reinvigorated multilateral system. Whether we do so or not will determine the destiny of this organisation. It is a decision that all of us who see the benefits of multilateralism will need to take, if we desire to stem the tide against it," he said. Akbaruddin pointed out that during the recently concluded high-level week of the UN General Assembly, nations heard about pressing global challenges including armed conflicts, terrorism, large movements of peoples fleeing conflicts that are increasingly straining societies, events becoming more regular, environmental challenges becoming more urgent and multiple ailments hamstringing efforts to improve global health. "We also heard clearly that the uneven impacts of these cataclysmic changes are causing enormous discontent and all this churning is testing multilateralism as never before," he said. Emphasising that the world is awash with challenges that the current institutional arrangements are ill-equipped to handle, Akbaruddin said new technologies were increasingly changing the nature and dynamics of conflict. Cyberwarfare, unmanned aerial drones, and combat robots are just three instances of technological change shaping the future of warfare and raising profound ethical and normative questions, he said. "Similarly, there is no global approach in dealing with basic issues regarding frontier technologies," he said, questioning that while the internet is becoming ubiquitous, what rights do individuals have to privacy, how should tensions between individual liberties and collective security be mitigated. Akbaruddin said that neither the General Assembly was addressing developmental and normative aspects nor was the Security Council addressing the peace and security implications. "This is but one of the many new areas where mechanisms for cooperation and collaboration are either weak or incomplete or non-existent," he said. As in the case of frontier technologies, so in other areas such as climatic shifts, debt scounter- under terrorism, illicit financial flows and tackling pandemics, nations should be considering scenarios and preparing plans to prevent upheavals and taking stronger steps to mitigate risks. "Many of these problems require continuous attention rather than one-shot solutions. To counter terrorism, for example, we need to establish a reliable and efficient set of controls for monitoring borders and financial flows. Such efforts will work only if appropriate standards are widely adopted and cooperation in implementing them becomes routine," he said. Stressing that proliferating global problems demand new narratives and new forms of cooperation, Akbaruddin said international cooperation of a nature and kind not thought of before was needed to promote climate action required by the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on report released Monday. "We cannot focus merely on exterminating bugs while allowing life-threatening wild beasts to roam free. We cannot spend our time in clearing the weeds, oblivious to the growth of the jungle all around us. "If we do so, we will be nursing an establishment that has declined almost to the vanishing point with respect to overarching challenges that states acting on their own cannot hope to overcome," he said. Uttar Pradesh has been one of the top five contributors to the insurance sector in terms of gross direct premium income (GDPI) and the state has also played a major role in the "journey" of SBI General Insurance, a top company official Tuesday said. Pushan Mahapatra, MD and CEO, SBI General Insurance, said, "Uttar Pradesh has been one of the top five contributors (in terms of gross direct premium income) to the insurance industry in India. SBI General Insurance has seen a stable yet profitable growth since its inception and the state has played a significant role in this journey. "The state capital, Lucknow, is a leading centre for our retail as well as corporate policies and we will continue our endeavour of offering unique products to our customers in the region." He also said that the Simple Health Policy and Individual Personal Accident Policy are the highest selling products in the health category, along with the long term two-wheeler policy in the motor category in Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh is a significant market for the company, where it currently serves customers through its 10 branches -- Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Noida and Varanasi, he said in a statement issued here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing concern over the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist, US President Donald Trump has urged the Gulf nation to support a through investigation into the missing scribe's whereabouts and be transparent about the results of the probe. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, has been missing since last week after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. According to some media reports, Khashoggi, 59, has been killed inside the Saudi consulate. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully that (it) will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there's some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. "Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed inside in a planned murder. A team of 15 Saudis arrived on two planes to carry out the killing, officials have said," 'The Washington Post' reported. Saudi officials, however, insist that Khashoggi left the consulate through a back door. Khashoggi, a US resident, has written articles over the past year critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate on October 2 and has not been seen since. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi. "As the President has conveyed, the United States is concerned by his disappearance. State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter," he said. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement. US Vice President Mike Pence also commented on the mystery over the missing journalist, saying "the free world deserves answers". "Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press and human rights. The free world deserves answers," Pence said in a tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Valerie Bustamante is a staff writer for the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail her at valerie.bustamante@seguingazette.com. The US government's development finance institution OPIC is keen to invest in the development of India's infrastructure, port and sectors, a top US official said Tuesday. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Executive Vice-President David Bohigian, who is visiting India, further said that India is a clearly the anchor of US government's Indo-Pacific strategy. OPIC is a self-sustaining US government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. "We are looking across all sectors (of India for investment) including infrastructure development, port development and sector, not just in venture capital," Bohigian said in an interaction with reporters. He, however, added that OPIC does not have any numerical target for investments in India, and the development finance institution is looking at the merits of the projects in India. "We are proud to announce our investments in Iron Pillar, a mid-stage India-focused venture capital fund," Bohigian said. He also noted that when countries take development finance from any source, then the policymakers must ensure sovereignty of the host country, rights and transparency in project funding. Bohigian said the OPIC has $23 billion portfolios across 90 countries in the world in every sector from small, medium size ventures up to major infrastructure projects. In India, it has around 40 projects with total investments valued at $1.5 billion, he added. The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, went missing after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. According to some media reports, Khashoggi, 59, has been killed inside the Saudi consulate. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi. "As the President has conveyed, the United States is concerned by his disappearance. State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter," he said. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement. Trump's own remarks to reporters were more tentative, saying he was "concerned" about "some pretty bad stories" about what had happened to Khashoggi. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there's some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. Other western allies increased the pressure on Riyadh which has claimed that Khashoggi had left the Istanbul alive, a claim questioned by Turkish officials. "Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed inside in a planned murder. A team of 15 Saudis arrived on two planes to carry out the killing, officials have said," 'The Washington Post' reported. Saudi officials, however, insist that Khashoggi left the consulate through a back door. Khashoggi, a US resident, has written articles over the past year critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate and has not been seen since. US Vice President Mike Pence also commented on the mystery over the missing journalist, saying "the free world deserves answers". "Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press and human rights. The free world deserves answers," Pence said in a tweet. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday demanded that the Saudi monarchy prove Khashoggi left its consulate in Istanbul as Riyadh has claimed. The Trump family in particular the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner has established a close bond with Saudi Crown Prince Salman. In March 2017, Trump hosted Salman at the White House, breaking protocol to do so as the Saudi was only a deputy crown prince at the time. The president made Riyadh the destination of his first foreign trip and backed the Saudi royals wholeheartedly in their standoff with the Qataris. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday held talks with Pakistani officials here to help bring the Taliban into negotiations in order to end the over 17-year war in Afghanistan. Khalilzad, who is the US Special Representative for Afghan reconciliation, arrived from Afghanistan where he had discussions with the top leadership over the issue of peace in the war-torn country. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Faisal said in a series of tweets that Khalilzad held delegation-level talks with senior officials led by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Khalilzad also met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and discussed various bilateral and regional issues with focus on the Afghanistan unrest. Faisal said that Qureshi "reiterated Pakistan's efforts for achieving peace in Afghanistan". The foreign minister said Pakistan will continue to play its role for a political solution to the Afghan conflict. He said Pakistan welcomes US efforts for peace in Afghanistan. Afghan-origin Khalilzad served as a special envoy of President George W Bush following the fall of the Taliban government in 2001. He also served as US ambassador to Afghanistan. He is seen in Pakistan as a hawk who has often accused Islamabad of supporting Taliban militants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writer-lyricist Varun Grover has categorically denied the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by an anonyms person, who referred herself as his junior in Banaras Hindu University (BHU). In a screenshot of the post, that has been doing the rounds on social media, the woman said the incident happened in 2001 while they were working on a play for the annual festival. The "Sacred Games" writer said the screenshot was "untrue" and "misleading". He said he would soon issue a detailed statement. "I completely, totally, categorically deny all the allegations being made. The screenshot in question is untrue, misleading, and defamatory to say the least," Grover posted on Twitter. Filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan, who have frequently collaborated with Grover, supported him. "This man I have known so closely and so so long that I refuse to believe any allegations about him. #believethevictim and investigate the claims and also be careful to not let vested interests sabotage a long pending genuine movement," Kashyap tweeted. Ghaywan, who has worked with Grover on "Maasan", said it was impossible for him to believe that the writer could do such a thing. "I know Varun for the large part of my life. I can never believe he would do such a thing. Never. Those allegations reek of vindictive behaviour and not a shred of truth in them. Absolutely, 100 per cent, in solidarity with his statement below," he tweeted. The director said it was appalling how "such slanderous allegations are trying to sabotage the #MeToo movement in India." "Varun is someone who is truly putting his weight and career behind for this movement. It is horribly irresponsible of whoever is behind this to malign him," he added. Ghaywan said his response to the allegations against Grover was emotional. "This is my truth, what I believe in and I wanted to put it out there. You can wait for the truth to come in due course. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Venezuela faced calls internationally Tuesday for a "transparent investigation" into the death in custody of an opposition member who the government said threw himself from a 10th floor window of the headquarters of the state intelligence services. Fernando Alban, a Caracas city council member accused of taking part in a failed drone attack on President Nicolas Maduro, was in pretrial detention Monday at the time of his death, which the government presented as a suicide. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said on state television that Alban, who had been arrested on Friday, asked to go to the restroom and threw himself from a window. The death sparked expressions of concern by the United Nations and the European Union, both of which called for a probe. The Maduro government has "an obligation to ensure (Alban's) safety, personal integrity and dignity," a spokeswoman for the UN human rights office in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, told reporters. "We are concerned about of his death... We do indeed call for a transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances of his death," she added. In a statement, the European Union also demanded "a thorough and independent investigation" to clarify the circumstances of Alban's "tragic death." "The EU reiterates its call to the Venezuelan government to release all political prisoners," added EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic. Alban's party, First Justice, blamed the government for the death. "We hold Maduro and his regime of torture responsible," it said in a statement. Alban was among at least 15 people arrested and charged for alleged participation in the August 4 drone incident which Maduro has portrayed as an assassination attempt. The Venezuelan president was seen reacting on live television to an off-camera explosion while he addressed a military parade in Caracas. A second explosion was heard and then the assembled troops were seen breaking formation and scattering in panic. Maduro said the blasts were from explosives-laden drones sent to assassinate him, though opposition figures accuse Maduro of fabricating the incident to step up repression in his country, which is suffering an economic crisis. Maduro has blamed the drone attack on First Justice founder Julio Borges, who now lives in exile in Colombia. Borges said on Twitter the "cruelty of the dictatorship ended the life of Alban." The attorney general promised a thorough investigation. The visiting US chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Corker, said on Twitter that the government had a "responsibility to ensure all understand how that could have happened." Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, also a First Justice member, said the Maduro government was responsible. "Those of us who knew Fernando know that he could NEVER have acted against his life," he said on Twitter. The city councilman's lawyer, Joel Garcia, told reporters it was too soon to confirm whether the case was a suicide. Interior and Justice Minister General Nestor Reverol lamented the death of the politician who, he said, was "involved in destabilizing acts directed from abroad." Venezuela accuses its neighbor Colombia of shielding the authors of the alleged assassination attempt. The US in August condemned alleged arbitrary detentions and forced confessions by the Venezuelan government in its investigation of the drone incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday directed chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh to file a report by October 30 stating steps taken to improve conditions of government hospitals and medical facilities in the state as per its earlier direction. The bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice Yashwant Varma passed the order on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Sneh Lata Singh and several others alleging pathetic condition in government hospitals in the state. Earlier, another bench of the High Court had passed several directions to improve conditions of government hospitals. The court had directed the authorities to fill up vacancies of medical, para medical and other attending staff in government hospitals in the state. The court had also directed for audit of state medical colleges through Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). It had directed the Director General, Vigilance, UP to constitute special teams to find out medical officers of state government, who are engaged in private practice or running hospitals, nursing homes etc. and to also register FIR against them. The court has fixed October 30 as the next date of hearing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Messaging platform WhatsApp on Tuesday said it has developed a system to store payments-related data in India as part of complying with the RBI's policy on storing such data locally. The move assumes significance amid the industry being divided over the RBI asking all payment system providers to ensure that data relating to systems operated by them is stored only in India. WhatsApp, which has 200 million users in the country, is the first major global player that has officially announced its compliance with the RBI directions before the deadline of October 15. "In response to India's payments data circular, we've built a system that stores payments-related data locally in India," a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a e-mailed statement. Currently, WhatsApp has around one million people in India are "testing" its payment services, which the company launched on a pilot basis earlier this year, the spokesperson said. In April, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) came out with a circular regarding data localisation policy for payment system providers. Generally, data localisation refers to storing data within India. According to the spokesperson, WhatsApp hopes to expand the payments feature across India soon so that it can "contribute to the country's financial inclusion goals". Out of WhatsApp user base of 1.3 billion people, more than 200 million people are in India -- the single largest market for the popular messaging platform. The central bank's data localisation policy elicited mixed response from the payment services industry. While some of the prominent domestic payment companies like Paytm and PhonePe have come in support of the policy, global players like Google sought free flow of data. Internet major Google offers Google Pay in India. Some international players have also sought more time and also asked that they be allowed to mirror the data. Google is learnt to have agreed to follow the RBI's local data storage norm for payment services but wants time until December to ensure compliance, a government source had indicated recently. Besides, around ten international associations have recently drafted a letter flagging concerns over some of the proposed clauses of the personal data protection bill, which also mandates local storage of certain types of data, according to sources. These industry bodies, mainly representing technology firms, are said to be of the view that data localisation proposed in the draft bill could have negative effects on the ability of companies to do business in India, the sources said recently. On Monday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley held a meeting with RBI Deputy Governor BP Kanungo and others to discuss the data localisation norm for global financial technology companies. Meanwhile, the government has already sent two notices to WhatsApp on the fake circulation issue that had incited several cases of mob fury, following which, the company has taken a number of steps to curb the menace. However, WhatsApp is yet to meet the government's key demand of identifying originators of fake (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The wife of missing Chinese Interpol president Meng Hongwei has said she received a message from his phone containing an image of a knife before his disappearance. Grace Meng urged national governments to intervene, saying she feared that her husband's life was in danger. Speaking in Lyon, the southeast French city where the international police organisation is based, she said the last social media message she received from her husband came on September 25, depicting a single knife emoji. "This matter belongs to the international community," Meng told a press conference in English. She kept her back turned to the reporters present, and refused to be photographed out of fear for her safety. Meng Hongwei, the first Chinese president of Interpol, was last heard from on September 25 as he left Lyon for China. That day, his wife said he sent a social media message telling her to "wait for my call", before sending the emoji signifying danger. "I'm not sure what has happened to him," she said. Meng had lived with his wife and two children in Lyon since being elected Interpol president in 2016. The agency's secretary general Juergen Stock, who oversees day-to-day operations, said Saturday that it was seeking "clarification" on his whereabouts from Chinese authorities. Beijing has so far declined to address Meng's disappearance. It is the latest high-profile disappearance in China, where a number of top government officials, billionaire business magnates and even an A-list celebrity have vanished for weeks or months at a time. Speculation has mounted that Meng, who also serves as a vice minister of China's public security ministry, may have been swept up in a broad anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping. The Chinese effort to track down corrupt officials abroad, known as Operation Fox Hunt, has led to claims in some countries that Chinese law enforcement agents have been operating covertly on their soil without the approval or consent of local authorities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The decomposed body of a 38-year-old local woman leader of the BJP was found at her residence here in Maharashtra Tuesday, a police official said. Police suspect the victim, Rupali Chavan, a local leader of the BJP's Mahila Morcha who resided in Nallasopara area on outskirts of Mumbai, was killed two days ago. Some neighbours of Chavan, on noticing a foul stench emanating from her house, alerted police officials who broke open the door and found her dead, the official said. She had several injuries and burn wounds on her body, he said. "We suspect she was killed by an unidentified person two days back," he said, adding the exact cause of her death would be known after the postmortem. "We have registered an offence of murder and further investigation is on," he added. Inspector K G Kolhe of the Nallasopara police station told the media Chavan resided on the first floor of a multi- storey building and her body was found in the afternoon. According to her neighbours, an attempt was made to dispose of the body by burning it. One of her friends told the media that on October 5 Chavan was with her and they went out for shopping. The next day the victim went alone for shopping and called her friend in the night. That was the last time they spoke to each other, she said. For the next two days the woman said she ried to reach Chavan on the phone, but in vain. Finally, she called her father who showed her a message purported to have been sent by the victim stating she was going to Surat for a couple of days, she said. Doubting the authenticity of the message, the woman said she and her father decided to file a missing person complaint with the police. But before that they Tuesday went to Chavan's flat to enquire about her and found it to be locked from outside. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An explosion at a Russian-owned oil refinery in Bosnia injured several workers late Tuesday, local television reported quoting officials. The blast at the plant in the northern town of Brod, on the border with Croatia, occurred around 9:30 pm (1930 GMT), RTRS television reported, quoting the head of the municipality, Ilija Jovicic. The cause of the explosion at Bosnia's sole oil refinery, which sparked a fire, was not immediately known. Firefighters were sent to the scene and were expected to bring the fire under control soon, Jovicic said. The injured workers were hospitalised, he said, but he could not elaborate on their number or the severity of their injuries. The Russian state-controlled Zarubezneft oil company holds a majority stake in the Brod refinery, which can handle up to 1.2 million tonnes of crude oil per year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seguin, TX (78155) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Partly cloudy skies. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Areas of patchy fog early. Clear skies. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Two warring promoter families of Yes Bank are believed to be in talks to settle their differences and a meeting of representatives from both sides is likely on Wednesday, sources said. The tussle is between the families of Yes Bank founders -- Rana Kapoor and Ashok Kapur. After the death of Kapur, his wife Madhu Kapur wanted her daughter Shagun Kapur Gogia to be nominated on the bank's board but the proposal was rejected, following which the matter reached the Bombay High Court. Shagun Kapur Gogia and Yes Bank Senior Group President Rajat Monga -- on behalf of Rana Kapoor -- may have a meeting Wednesday, sources told PTI on Tuesday. The meeting was to happen last Friday, they added. "The promoter and founding member families are believed to be in talks to resolve the matter at the earliest, keeping behind the past, as it would be in interest of all the stakeholders as well as the 20,000 plus employees of Yes Bank," sources said. The meeting may take place this week, possibly Wednesday, said sources. Madhu Kapur had moved the Bombay High Court in June 2013, seeking to quash the appointment of three directors on its board and also alleged that Rana Kapoor was attempting to deprive her and her children a place in the board as the legal heir of late Ashok Kapur. As on June 30, 2018, the promoter and promoter group had a total 19.98 shareholding in Yes Bank. Of this, Rana Kapoor owns 4.34 per cent and Madhu Kapur 7.62 per cent, respectively in their individual capacities. "The single bench of the Bombay High Court has settled most of the points, so the court order (whenever it comes) could serve as the common ground for the truce," according to sources. "Rana Kapoor is keen on resolving the issue as soon as possible as the long-pending legal battle between the two promoter group families is not doing any good to anybody," they said. Following RBI directive on non-continuance of Kapoor beyond January 2019, Yes Bank board has sought more time from the regulator till September for a suitable successor. The board of the bank has formed a five-member panel including two members from outside the bank to find a successor to founder CEO Rana Kapoor. Former IRDA chief TS Vijayan and former SBI chief OP Bhatt have been appointed as external members in the search committee. The panel will also consist of board members Brahm Dutt, Lt Gen (Retd) Mukesh Sabharwal and SC Kalia. The MD selection panel will hold its first meeting on October 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Health Ministry Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and assured them that the Zika outbreak was under control, after 29 people were tested positive for the disease in Rajasthan's Jaipur. Rajasthan's Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta told reporters in Jaipur that 29 people, including three pregnant women, have so far been tested positive for Zika virus in the city and efforts are on to contain the spread of the virus. "Zika cases have been detected due to our strong surveillance systems. Our surveillance is very robust and all such cases get detected. We have standard protocols, and in collaboration with the WHO, we follow them to see whether it is an isolated case or a collective case. "The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS (Directorate General of Health Services) are monitoring the current situation continuously. I want to assure citizens of India that everything is under control and there is no need to panic," Union Health Minister J P Nadda said. Gupta said said several Health Department teams conducted household surveys in the affected Shastri Nagar area. Authorities carried out fogging, besides taking up other measures for the vector control. The state officials said blood samples of 450 people, including 168 pregnant women, were taken for test, and 29 of them were tested positive for Zika virus. As a precautionary measure, the state health department has directed medical colleges and chief medical and health officers to take necessary steps by making micro plans as per the guidelines of the Union Health Ministry to curb Zika virus spread, Gupta said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Monday sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak of Zika virus. A seven-member high-level central team is in Jaipur to assist the state government in control and containment measures and a control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation, according to the ministry. As one of those affected in Jaipur hailed from Bihar and visited his Siwan home recently, the eastern state has issued advisories to all its 38 districts to keep a close watch on people showing symptoms similar to Zika virus infection. The state government has been supplied with information, education and communication (IEC) material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus and its prevention strategies, the ministry said. The number of monitoring team has been increased from 50 to 170 and a special isolation ward has been created at Hira Bagh Training Centre, according to a state government release. Symptoms of mosquito-borne Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and second outbreak in July, 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management, the ministry said. The disease continues to be on surveillance radars of the Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under WHO notification since November 18, 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Simon Jessop and Sinead CruiseLONDON (Reuters) - Aviva is replacing its chief executive Mark Wilson after his sweeping transformation of the British insurer did not deliver the returns shareholders were looking for.During his six years in charge, the high-profile 52-year-old New Zealander oversaw one of the biggest insurance takeovers in a decade by buying Friend's Life in 2016, cut back its geographic footprint and improved profitability.However, since Wilson joined its stock is up 25 percent against a 61 percent return for the insurance sector within the FTSE-100, and has fallen 17 ... US cable company Comcast took control of Sky on Tuesday after it acquired the 39 percent of the company owned by Twenty-First Century Fox, the rival it defeated with a $40 billion knock-out bid for the European pay-TV group last month. Comcast said it held nearly 77 percent of Sky's shares, making its takeover wholly unconditional. Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast, said he was pleased to become the majority owner of Sky on Tuesday. "Led by Jeremy Darroch and his superb team now together with Comcast our combined global leadership in ... By Ana IonovaLONDON (Reuters) - The European Union is poised to reduce its sugar exports as poor weather and low prices dent output from the bloc, a move analysts said on Tuesday could help ease a global supply glut.The EU is expected to produce 17.3 million tonnes of sugar in the current 2018/19 season, down from 19.6 million tonnes in 2017/18, John Stansfield, trader and analyst at Group Sopex, told an industry gathering in London.As a result, the EU was expected to export only 1.65 million tonnes of sugar in the 2018/19 season, down from exports of roughly 3.4 million tonnes in 2017/18, ... By Sudarshan Varadhan and Nidhi VermaNEW DELHI (Reuters) - A fire on Tuesday in a natural gas pipeline at a smelting plant owned by Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) in Chhattisgarh killed at least nine people, the company said.Television images shot by Reuters partner ANI showed grey-brown smoke billowing out of SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant, with workers being rushed out of ambulances in stretchers into a crowded, noisy hospital."Nine persons have lost their lives and 14 are undergoing medical treatment," state-run SAIL, one of India's biggest steel producers, said in a statement.The fire, ... BERLIN (Reuters) - A hard Brexit would result in extra tariffs of more than 3 billion euros ($3.44 billion) for German companies per year, a German institute said on Tuesday, adding that German exports to Britain could drop by up to 57 percent.The IW economic institute in Cologne said such a scenario would hit Germany's mighty auto sector particularly hard as it would face around 60 percent of those extra costs.In the long term, a hard Brexit would probably result in price rises and a shift in Germany's flows of goods, the IW said. ($1 = 0.8715 euros) (Reporting by Michelle Martin; Editing by ... By David Lawder and Yawen ChenNUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Pakistan has not yet formally approached the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance, but if bailout talks get underway this week, the goal will be to help Pakistan reach its full potential, the IMF's chief economist said on Tuesday. Addressing a news conference at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bali, the IMF's Maurice Obstfeld cautioned that increased Chinese involvement in Pakistan's economy could bring both benefits and risks.Obstfeld said Pakistan is facing financing gaps as it has been hit by a large ... By Yuka Obayashi and Sudarshan VaradhanTOKYO/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian aluminium makers including Hindalco Industries and Vedanta Ltd are boosting sales to Japan as U.S. sanctions against Russia's Rusal and import tariffs shake up traditional supply routes. India's product has generally not been regarded as high enough quality by Japan's demanding buyers, who have preferred top-tier producers like Rio Tinto, Alcoa and South32 as well as United Company Rusal. However, imports of aluminium ingot from India doubled in the first eight months of 2018 from a year ago, Japanese trade data ... By Aaron SheldrickTOKYO (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Tuesday as more evidence emerged that crude exports from Iran, OPEC's third-largest producer, are declining in the run-up to the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions and as a hurricane moved across the Gulf of Mexico.Brent crude was up 45 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $84.36 a barrel by 0629 GMT, having fallen as low as $82.66 in the previous session before largely recovering. Brent hit a four-year high of $86.74 last week.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 41 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $74.70 a barrel.Iran's crude exports fell ... If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). By Drazen JorgicISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Pakistani rupee plunged about 7 percent on Tuesday in an apparent central bank devaluation, while the stock market snapped a six-day skid after the government said it plans to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).The country's fifth devaluation since December, taking rupee losses to about 26 percent, had been expected and seen as a prerequisite for another IMF rescue package. In 2013, the IMF lent Islamabad $6.7 billion.It is expected Pakistan will need a bigger sum this year to avoid a balance of payments crisis and stabilise a ... ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Pakistani rupee plunged about 8 percent in early trading on Tuesday in an apparent devaluation by the central bank, market participants said, a day after the new government said it would seek an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.The rupee tumbled to about 134 per dollar by 1030 local time (0530GMT) on Tuesday after closing at 124.26 on Monday. "The central bank has given an indication to let the rupee go with market forces," said one market participant at a brokerage. A second market participant confirmed that the central bank is keeping out of the market, ... By Tom WilsonLONDON (Reuters) - Sri Lanka plans to put two state-owned hotel companies up for sale within the next six months in a sale that could raise $500 million for the island nation as it seeks to bolster its finances, the finance minister said on Tuesday. Sri Lanka faces repayments on expensive infrastructure foreign loans starting this year and already has a hefty debt burden, while its rupee currency has plumbed record lows. "We're going through the legal hoops of preparing (the sales)," State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said in an interview. "It will maybe take six months ... By Gernot HellerBERLIN (Reuters) - The head of Germany's Bundesbank said global financial leaders needed to reform the world trade order to better protect intellectual property and tackle subsidy-driven distortions.Speaking before International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings on Bali, Jens Weidmann said the reforms were vital to safeguard the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its principles of free, rules-based trade."These include particularly improving the protection of intellectual property and also tackling distortions created by state-owned companies and subsidies," Weidmann, also ... The newest version of the Apple Watch will feature a heart monitor app that can do a form of an electrocardiogram. Many have greeted this announcement as a great leap forward for health. The president of the American Heart Association even took part in the product launch. For a more measured response, its worth looking at potential downsides, and it turns out there are a few. The upside potential is twofold. First, doctors could monitor at a distance how patients with known heart problems are functioning outside the office. Second, the device could ... The announcement in this regard was made by Ben Smith, Google Fellow and vice-president of engineering, in a blog post Monday, in which he noted that the Indian-American headed company could not confirm which users were impacted by the bug. "However, we ran a detailed analysis over the two weeks prior to patching the bug, and from that analysis, the profiles of up to 500,000 Google+ accounts were potentially affected. Our analysis showed that up to 438 applications may have used this API," he said. "We found no evidence that any developer was aware of this bug, or abusing the API, and we found no evidence that any profile data was misused," Smith said. To know Google's earlier social media attempts listen to this podcast. OYO, India's newest unicorn is certainly going places. Just weeks after announcing plans to foray into the UK and raising $800 million in a round led by Softbank Vision Fund, the hospitality company is reportedly readying to say Kon'nichiwa, or hello in Japanese. Sources told The Economic Times that the Gurgaon-based company, now valued at $5 billion, is piloting a couple of properties in the capital city of Tokyo, with a formal entry into the world's third-largest economy expected to take place over the next 3-6 months. In a statement after its latest financing round, OYO had said that it plans to channel approximately $600 million of the funds raised into "strengthening its position in China" and the rest to consolidate its leadership position in India while expanding its footprint. In the past year, OYO increased its international footprint to four countries - China, Malaysia, Nepal and, more recently, the UK. In less than a year since it forayed into China, the company already has about 87,000 rooms across 171 cities. In total, it claims to be present in over 350 cities with over 10,000 asset partners. Although OYO's 24-year-old founder Ritesh Agarwal previously told the daily that the plan was to focus on international markets such as Southeast Asia and the UK, sources said that Japan could be the company's next major market, after India and China, where it launched operations last December. After all, Japan is not only the home market for OYO's single-largest stakeholder, SoftBank, but it will also host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. With this move the company hopes to tap the anticipated growth in the country's hospitality sector over the next two years. According to a May report by global real estate-focused consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, accommodation accounts for average 28% of tourist spend (on average) in Japan - second only to shopping - and room occupancy has been going up. The buzz is that OYO has already started hiring people to handle the Japan operations. Meanwhile, back home, the company already boasts over 1.25 lakh rooms across the country and is witnessing more than three times growth year on year with net take rates of over 20%. Agarwal, incidentally, was the youngest self-made entrepreneur on the recently-released Barclays Hurun India Rich List for 2018. With the clock ticking down to the RBI's deadline for compliance with its data localisation norms, mobile messaging platform WhatsApp today announced that it has built a system that stores payments-related data in India. In April the apex bank had issued a circular directing global payment companies to store transaction data of Indian customers in the country itself within six months. The new norms come into effect from October 15. The idea was "to have unfettered access to all payment data for supervisory purposes". "In response to India's payments data circular, we've built a system that stores payments-related data locally in India," WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the company hopes to expand the payments feature across India soon, so that it can "contribute to the country's financial inclusion goals". WhatsApp began piloting its payments service in India earlier this year and claims almost one million people in the country are currently "testing" the feature. But the formal launch, which was expected to happen at the beginning of June, has been repeatedly pushed back pending regulatory approvals and the confusion on data protection laws. India is the largest market for WhatsApp, accounting for over 200 million of its total 1.3 billion user base. The company's announcement comes at a time when most payment companies still have limited data storage in India and are struggling to comply with data localisation norms. While foreign players like Google, Amazon, Visa and MasterCard have raised objections on some of the clauses of the new rule, domestic e-payments companies like Paytm and Flipkart-backed PhonePe have come out in open support, accusing the former of trying to find ways to avoid taxes and scrutiny. A senior government official told Mint that Internet major Google has finally agreed to toe the line. During a recent meeting between Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, the company reportedly agreed to comply with all norms but sought time till the end of December to implement them. The buzz is that several other companies have approached the RBI requesting permission to store a copy of the required data in India, instead of 100 per cent data localisation. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met RBI Deputy Governor BP Kanungo yesterday to discuss the data localisation norms for global financial technology companies. The meeting had been attended by Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar and IT Secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney. So a clearer picture should emerge in the coming days. WhatsApp latest move comes after months of being at loggerheads with the Modi government over fake news, message traceability, data localisation, and more. Last month, the company finally appointed Komal Lahiri as grievance officer for India, following a petition filed in the Supreme Court accusing it of not complying with Indian laws. Given that the Justice Srikrishna Committee report on Personal Data Protection also restricts and imposes conditions on the cross-border transfer of personal data, chances are that more foreign companies will soon follow Google and WhatsApp's lead. The draft bill is currently open for public feedback. The government last month had extended the deadline for public comments till October 10 and the bill is likely to be presented in Parliament during the winter session (November-December). With PTI inputs Edited BY Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal Highlighting efforts by some prosecutors to help with expungements | Main | Justice Sotomayor issues cert statement discussing "deeply troubling concern" with solitary confinement October 9, 2018 On eve of execution, Tennessee Supreme Court rejects challenge to state's execution protocol As reported in this legal news story, "Tennessees execution method is not cruel and unusual, the state supreme court ruled Monday, three days before the states next execution, because inmates challenging its three-drug lethal injection protocol did not present a viable alternative." Here is more on the ruling and a link to the full opinion: Twenty-seven death-row inmates claimed the execution protocol violates the Eight Amendment because midazolam, a sedative, does not counteract the burning and suffocating effects of the next two drugs: vecuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium chloride to stop the heart. But in the 4-to-1 ruling Monday, Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins wrote: (T)he Plaintiffs failed to carry their burden to establish that Tennessees current three-drug lethal injection protocol constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution or article 1, section 16 of the Tennessee Constitution. As a result, we need not address the Plaintiffs claim that the three-drug protocol creates a demonstrated risk of severe pain. That burden, Bivins said, included offering a viable alternative, as laid out by the U.S. Supreme Court in Glossip v. Gross (2015), which unsuccessfully challenged Oklahomas virtually identical execution protocol. The Tennessee inmates said at trial that the state could execute them through Tennessees other execution protocol: one lethal dose of pentobarbital. Texas and Georgia executed people that way this year. But the Tennessee Supreme Court disagreed and sided with the state, which said it could not obtain pentobarbital. Many pharmaceutical companies refuse to provide the drug for executions. Bivins also ruled that the court could not establish new law by accepting the inmates argument that Tennessee secrecy laws involving death penalty protocols affected their ability to argue their case. Tennessee is scheduled to execute Edmund Zagorski on Thursday, October 11. October 9, 2018 at 09:10 AM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Last month saw a whopping Rs 3.14-lakh crore wiped off the asset base of mutual funds, and part of the blame goes to the crisis at the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS). According to Association of Mutual Funds in India data, the asset under management (AUM) of the industry, comprising 41 active players, declined 12.5% to Rs 22.06-lakh crore at the end of September against Rs 25.20 lakh crore in the month-ago period. Most of the damage - to the tune of Rs 2.4 lakh crore, the highest since January 2008 at least - was due to record outflows from liquid and fixed-income schemes, where large investors invested, The Business Standard reported. The pull-out in debt market schemes alone accounted for close to 10% of August's AUM tally. The above included Rs 2.11-lakh crore withdrawal from liquid funds or the money market segment, which invest in cash assets such as treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper for a shorter horizon. In addition, income schemes, a type of debt mutual funds that deliver a steady income, have seen a pull-out of Rs 32,504 crore while gold ETFs continued to see a net outflow of Rs 33 crore. This massive outflow has caught the industry by surprise - it had earlier estimated outflows in such schemes at Rs 1-lakh crore. According to experts, while the liquid schemes tend to have high outflows in September, the outflows seen in fixed-income schemes was unexpected. Investors reportedly pulled out money fearing contagion risks from the IL&FS default after the newly-constituted board of IL&FS found as many as 348 entities within the group, much higher than the previously disclosed figure. "The pull-out is higher than expected. There has been a flight to safety triggered by the IL&FS event. The sale of Dewan Housing Finance (DHFL) debt papers at high yields has aggravated the concerns," Swarup Mohanty, Chief Executive Officer of Mirae AMC, told the daily. The AAA-rated debt paper of DHFL was sold at 11%, much higher than the typical range of 8-9%. The unexpected redemption pressure led to liquidity crunch at fund houses. Citing sources in the know, the daily added that some of them had to consider bank borrowing to honour redemption requests. They claimed that the move also caught the attention of regulatory bodies such as the Securities & Exchange Board of India (Sebi), which called for an industry meeting to discuss risk management practices. However, the situation in the industry is expected to stabilise in the coming days. "Despite the market volatility and the credit event which occurred, the flows in the equity segment of the market from the retail investors have been positive. It has shown an amount of about Rs 12,000 crore of positive inflows," AMFI Chief Executive NS Venkatesh said. "Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) continue to show an increasing trend with Rs 7,727 crore of funds mobilised in the month of September." The net inflow in equity schemes, in fact, jumped 33% month on month, spurred by investors making use of market volatility to make fresh investments. With PTI inputs Petrol and diesel surged by up to 32 paise across the metro cities amid weakening rupee and high international crude oil prices. Giving a temporary relief, the government last week announced Rs 2.5 cut on fuel, following which some states also cut VAT on fuel by Rs 2.5. But, oil marketing companies have not stopped increasing petrol and diesel prices ever since Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's announcement. Petrol is again over Rs 82 per litre in Delhi and has breached Rs 87 level in Mumbai as well. Here are the fuel prices, as per the Indian Oil pricing formula, in four major cities of India. Delhi: Petrol Rs 82.26 per litre, up 23 paise; diesel Rs 74.11 per litre, up 29 paise Mumbai: Petrol Rs 87.73 per litre, up 23 paise; diesel Rs 77.68 per litre, up 31 paise Chennai: Petrol Rs 85.50 per litre, up 29 paise; diesel Rs 78.35 per litre, up 26 paise Kolkata: Petrol Rs 84.09 per litre, up 32 paise; diesel Rs 75.96 per litre, 29 paise Delhi still has the lowest prices for petrol and diesel among all four metro cities despite the Kejriwal government not cutting VAT. Mumbai, on the other hand, continues to be the costliest. Since mid-August, the petrol price had risen by as much as Rs 6.86 a litre and that of diesel by Rs 6.73, which is the highest in any six-week period since the system of daily price revision was introduced in mid-June last year. Petrol prices had hit an all-time high of Rs 84 per litre in Delhi and Rs 91.34 in Mumbai after which the government had to intervene. While the government would bear revenue loss of around Rs 10,000 crore, the loss for state-owned fuel retailers absorbing Re 1 per litre price would roughly translate into Rs 5,000 crore for the entire fiscal year. The weakening rupee has also put more pressure on Indian oil companies importing crude oil. The rupee slumped by 30 paise on Monday to finish at a new lifetime low of 74.06 amid steady outflows of foreign capital from the country and the strengthening of American currency in international markets. Reuters reported that Brent crude LCOc1 hit a session low of $82.66 but settled just 25 cents lower at $83.91 per barrel. Brent hit a four-year high of $86.74 last week. US crude CLc1 had fallen to a session low of $73.07 per barrel but climbed back up to settle at $74.29, just 5 cents lower. Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurveda plans to topple all global brands in the world to become the biggest FMCG company by 2025. Not only this, the yoga guru says unlike global brands, he wants to use the revenue earned from Patanjali for carrying out social work in India. During a conference organised by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) Ladies Organisation in Delhi, Baba Ramdev said, "By 2025, Patanjali will be the biggest FMCG brand in the world." Ramdev said he wanted to spend over Rs 1 lakh crore in areas of education, health, research and development in the country. Taking a dig at multinational companies, he said global firms like HUL, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble have done nothing for India but his company wanted to spend revenue earned through Patanjali for charity work, ET reported. Baba Ramdev said the company is now focusing more on solar, agriculture and food processing sectors and soon many products would be launched by working in these areas. "Agriculture has a wide scope and Patanjali would work in several directions in the sector," Baba Ramdev told PTI. The company last month launched its cow milk and milk-based dairy products, and also has plans to launch its apparel brand 'Paridhan'. Paridhan will focus on making products inspired by Indian culture such as 'Indianised' jeans, bedsheets, yoga wear, sportswear, etc. The company has recently tried to foray into everything from household products to convenience foods and apparel industry. In June, Ramdev's company launched its messaging and video calling app. The app named Kimbo, however, faltered on online app stores after experts claimed it had several security flaws. But due to Ramdev's massive following and the popularity of his Patanjali brand, it was downloaded by over 3 lakh people in a short span of time. Patanjali MD Balkrishna said due to umpteen number of downloads within hours, its servers caught fire and the app had to be pulled down. The app's refined version is expected to be launched in the coming months. Patanjali is also planning a mega launch of 'swadeshi-themed food chain', which would be an alternative to global fast-food giants like McDonald's and Dominos. In the 2016-17 financial year, Patanjali clocked a turnover of Rs 10,561 crore, registering a 111 per cent growth. Ramdev said his company would neither seek foreign funding nor go public as Patanjali is a charitable company. Unlike 2014, when he actively campaigned for Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP, Ramdev said he would stay neutral during the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. On October 6, just minutes before PM Narendra Modi started his speech at his party's political rally at Ajmer, and a few hours before the Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat announced schedule for assembly elections in Rajasthan, the incumbent chief minister Vasundra Raje Scindia made announcement of providing free power to farmers. Two days before her announcements, the finance minister Arun Jaitley had asked the oil marketing companies to cut down price of petrol and diesel by Rs 1. This is a poll year, Raje's fortune will be decided by December 11, whereas, PM Modi may go for general elections in March-April next year. But these two announcements threatened two of the biggest reforms NDA regime has pushed. Raje's poll plank threatened UDAY's implementation and Jaitley's risked the decontrol of petrol and diesel prices. Although, on October 9, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that the decontrol of prices will continue, yet there are few takers. This is especially when the price of crude oil are not expected to turn benign in next few weeks. The stock price of largest OMC, Indian Oil tanked from Rs 155.80 to Rs 122.7, since Jaitley's announcement. The other OMCs BPCL and HPCL too dipped from Rs 368.8 to Rs 256.55 and Rs 248.25 to Rs 171.45, respectively. Most rating agencies believe that this diktat of government will erode Rs 3500 to Rs 6500 crore from their EBITDA earnings. The agency Moody's recently rated the three oil companies "credit negative" because they can't fully pass on the higher crude oil prices to the consumers and this will impact their earnings negatively. This is a big letdown for the investor community, who were assured that the PM Modi-led government is committed to reforms. It took nearly 8 years of effort for oil marketing companies, to come out of the control of government, for setting up the prices of oil products. This doesn't go well with the reputation of PM Modi. In his career - first as chief minister of Gujarat and then PM of India - he is known for turning good economics as good politics. It might be the political scenario in Rajasthan - where most of the poll surveys are suggesting tough battle for Raje, which forced this decision and announcement, that too in the presence of the prime minister. Sample this: By end of September 2015, Rajasthan's electricity distribution companies, or DISCOMs had accumulated debt of Rs 80,500 crore - and were worse than any other state's DISCOM finances. The UDAY reforms forced 75 per cent of this amount to be transferred to state government's books and rest is raised against the state government guaranteed non-SLR bonds. And one of the commitments was that government will have to make provisions in the state budget for the subsidy. The DISCOMs will not be allowed to subsidise for political commitments of the government of Rajasthan. This year's fiscal deficit of her budget was Rs 28,011 crore this is when the states are allowed to keep Rs 60,500 crore off balance sheet. Since then both DISCOMs and state finances are struggling to match the desired numbers. This means, either the state government might have to struggle more to arrange additional funds or will push DISCOMs to fend. Both are neither easy nor desirable. 09 Oct 2018, 6:13 PM Street food to be audited for cleanliness and hygiene by FSSAI Indian street food experience could soon undergo a massive change if Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) plans follows to fruition. FSSAI is implementing a "clean street food hub programme" so that you can enjoy your chaats and gol guppas without bothering about hygiene. The autonomous body has identified 144 clusters across the country that would be audited by FSSAI along with state authorities for cleanliness and hygiene. Such clusters would be encouraged to keep up with certain practices and standards and the ones that meet the criteria will be given a clean street food hub certificate. Bank unions to protest against PSU banks' merger decision A bank employee unions' federation has called upon bank unions to hold demonstrations on Tuesday to protest against the merger of three state-run lenders --Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, a union leader said Monday. The demonstration has been called under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The issue will be further discussed in the ensuing UFBU meeting to be held on October 12 in Mumbai and the further course of action will be decided upon. Boeing appoints IIT Delhi alumnus Pratyush Kumar to head F-15 fighter jet programme US-based aircraft-maker Boeing has named its India president Pratyush Kumar to lead the iconic F-15 fighter jet program in the United States and the world. Kumar, an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, completed his BTech in mechanical engineering in 1989 and later went on to study Materials Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Boeing said Pratyush Kumar has been selected to lead the F-15 program in the United States and he will focus on furthering the F-15 business in the US and the rest of the world. India banks on US waiver for Iran oil as domestic firms cut imports significantly The country's public sector oil companies have placed orders for buying crude from Iran in November even though the US sanctions will kick in during the month as India hopes to get a waiver from the Donald Trump administration. A senior official said the waiver is expected on the ground that India has significantly reduced its oil imports from Iran before the Nov 4 deadline for US sanctions comes into effect. Washington said on Friday it was considering waivers for nations that were reducing imports of Iranian oil. The announcement is the first indication that Washington is considering such waivers. Flipkart, Amazon hire 80,000 people ahead of festive season rush With just one day to go before the biggest festive showdown of the year between Flipkart and Amazon, the competition is revving up. The latter will launch its five-day Great India Festival on October 10, the same day that Walmart-backed Flipkart kicks-off its four-day Big Billion Days event. The flagship events, in fact the entire festive season, not only promise exciting offers for shoppers, but have also given a huge boost to job creation. According to Mint, in the last few months, Flipkart and Amazon have collectively hired about 80,000 people, including temporary workers, to handle the massive spike in orders during the sale season. The number of new jobs runs into a few lakhs if indirect jobs are also taken into account. US duo William Nordhaus and Paul Romer win Nobel Economics Prize US economists William Nordhaus and Paul Romer on Monday shared the 2018 Nobel Economics Prize for integrating innovation and climate with economic growth, the jury said. Nordhaus, a professor at Yale University, and Romer, a former World Bank chief economist now at New York University's Stern School of Business, have addressed "some of our time's most basic and pressing questions about how we create long-term sustained and sustainable growth," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement. It said the pair have "significantly broadened the scope of economic analysis by constructing models that explain how the market economy interacts with nature and knowledge." By Sajjad Hussain(Eds: Updating with additional inputs) Islamabad, Oct 8 (PTI) Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that the early implementation of the USD 50 billion CPEC projects will not only help realise the true potential of the economic relations of Pakistan and China, but also for the region.Khan chaired a high-level meeting with his Cabinet colleagues and discussed his maiden tour to China during which matters related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is to be discussed, an official statement said. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Khan will embark on his first visit to China next month.The meeting was also attended by Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umer, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Planning and Development Minister Khusro Bakhtiar and Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed, inlcuding the senior officials, it said. The Prime minister said that "strengthening all-weather Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy." The two countries had launched the controversy-hit USD 50 billion CPEC in 2015 under which a network of roads, railways and energy projects, linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea, has been planned. Khan said that the CPEC was a great opportunity to learn from the Chinese experience especially in social sector, agriculture and other areas. He said that the agricultural output of the country, considered as the backbone of the economy, can be enhanced manifold by learning from Chinese expertise and employing latest technologies and efficient methods. The Pakistani prime minister emphasised on the need to focus on early establishment of the Special Economic Zones in various parts of the country, which would help the local industry to grow through industrialisation and would also create huge employment opportunities for the youth. Khan said that the flagship the CPEC under BRI initiative of President Xi Jinping also offered opportunities to other countries to invest in the CPEC projects and reap benefits in various sectors. Khan in the past had criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the lack of transparency and corruption in the CPEC projects. Chairing a Cabinet meeting of the Balochistan province during his first visit to the restive province as the prime minister on Saturday, he said that Pakistan was reviewing the projects under the CPEC to safeguard the interest of the Baloch people, who say the projects were not beneficial for them. Last month during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Khan had said that the Pakistan government was committed to the implementation of the CPEC projects. Wang had also conveyed the desire of the Chinese leadership to work with the new government of Khan for further enhancing the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. PTI SH/SMJ AKJ SMJSMJ As GE Healthcare prepares itself to become a separate standalone company outside of GE next year, its president and CEO Kieran Murphy reiterates its position at being seen as one who is focussed on precision health in addition to helping hospitals achieve better clinical outcomes. In a clear pitch at positioning GE Healthcare as more than a global major making MRI, X-Rays and ultrasound machines, Murphy talked of all the areas that impact health. From using information technology, analytics, cloud computing to gene therapy, bioengineering and more, Murphy says, the company would like to position itself at the heart of an ecosystem that is striving for precision health. He was speaking at a media event in Bengaluru. "Patients are diagnosed too late. Therefore focus should be on how to integrate data from a simple blood test so that you pick up genomic data and match that to imaging data," he says. By integrating the information or data sets, you get a much better snapshot of the condition. "It can be done at a lower cost and if it is done the right way, diseases are going to be captured earlier." Without sharing numbers in terms of quantum of investments being made or the revenue split between the old and the new streams of businesses activities, he points out, "As I think through the spectrum of what we do, increasingly it is about making smarter machines, providing hospitals with analytics that allow them to integrate data. Naturally, the use of cloud computing is going to be extremely important in future. As I think about our future, we are striving for an ecosystem that can provide precision health and as a standalone business, we are confident that we can create great success." In this process, he says, the focus would continue on investing locally "in a smart way to bring down cost and our investments in digital are going to be a fundamental part of that." Partnership to support Ayushman Bharat Earlier, Murphy informed that Wipro GE Healthcare (WGE), the medical technology company, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) for the development of an Indigenous 1.5T MRI system. "GE Healthcare and SAMEER (an R&D unit under Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), government of India) will collaborate on research, design and development of a MRI Platform to include whole-body MRI, portable MRI and digital, to increase access to MRI technology in India. GE Healthcare has provided a magnet (one of the most critical components) around which a prototype is being designed," a note shared by the company said. GE Healthcare, it said, will also provide SAMEER training on MRI technology and support the benchmarking of various subsystems, including gradient and radiofrequency amplifiers, coils, spectrometer and imaging software. The two partners will also collaborate to develop AI and machine learning based solutions. The note quoted Murphy as saying: "GE Healthcare has decades of know-how on MRI technology which is one of the most advanced and complex form of medical imaging. We are delighted to share this expertise, and partner with SAMEER in this exciting journey that will significantly enhance India's capability and competitiveness in the field of medical technology. This program is strongly aligned with the government's vision to boost research and 'Make in India', and will support Ayushman Bharat through availability of cutting-edge, yet affordable MRI technology." This program is part of Scan Era, a national mission program launched by Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Govt of India for indigenous development of MRI. The program is funded by the government under the prime minister Narendra Modi's 'Digital India' initiative and SAMEER has received a first-round funding of $6.5 million to build the first prototype. Google is ready with its annual hardware event 'Made by Google', where it will unveil the third generation of its Pixel smartphones along with some other devices. Along with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, a new Pixelbook 2, Pixel Slate tablet, an improved Google Home Hub, and a Chromecast update are expected to take the stage today. Talking about the upcoming Pixel smartphones, not much remains under cover as both Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have been seen in various leaks. The Pixel 3 XL was even available on Russian black market for a while, months before the Made by Google event was even announced, and was recently being sold by a Hong Kong retailer days before its launch. Detailed reviews followed and we kind of know everything there is to know about the device. The biggest change in the Pixel series of devices has been with their screens. The screens have been changed to keep up with the recent trend of taller screen aspect ratios. While the Pixel 3 XL does keep substantial bezels at the top and the bottom, it has a taller screen than the previous iterations in a similar footprint. The bigger Pixel 3 XL, on the other hand, has been seen with a notch which is too tall to be liked by anyone. Both devices are most likely to come with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, a single rear camera, dual front camera setup, and maybe even some new colour schemes. However, a tweet by Google mocking the leaks, as well as some earlier reports, have put some doubt over the correctness of all the leaks we have seen so far surrounding the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Guess we will have to find out ourselves. So you think you know Tune in tomorrow to see for yourself. https://t.co/4zTwRXcn1x #madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/3IO3xaMaP8 - Made by Google (@madebygoogle) October 8, 2018 The event will start at 8:30pm IST. The Made by Google event will be streamed live on YouTube at the event's official channel. For live tweets, you can head over to the official Twitter handle of Made by Google. You can catch the latest developments and stories from Made by Google here at our website too. Paul Michael Romer, who is one of this year's recipient of the Nobel Prize for Economics is a fan of the Aadhaar system. In an interview to Bloomberg in March last year, Romer had said that the Aadhaar biometric database is the most sophisticated system he had ever seen. Romer was the Chief Economist of the World Bank at that time, a position he left in January this year. Romer added that it's best to develop one standardised system so that people can carry their IDs wherever they go in the world and that the system in India is the most sophisticated he had ever seen. The economist said that Aadhaar is the basis for all kinds of connections that involve things like financial transactions. "It could be good for the world if this became widely adopted," Romer said, also adding, it "should be part of the policy of the government to give individuals some control over the data that the private firms collect and some control over how that data is used". However, in a recent judgment, the Supreme Court restricted the use of Aadhaar by private players as well as struck down many other provisions. At the same time, the apex court made it clear that there is constitutional validity to the Aadhaar system that covers more than 122 crore people. Paul Romer and William Nordhaus won this year's prestigious Nobel Prize for Economics for their work on integration of climate change and technological innovation into macroeconomic analysis. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said, "Their findings have significantly broadened the scope of economic analysis by constructing models that explain how the market economy interacts with nature and knowledge." This year four other Nobel prizes were handed out - Arthur Ashkin, Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland for Physics, Frances Arnold, George Smith and Gregory Winter for Chemistry, James P Allison and Tasuku Honjo for Medicine and Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for Peace. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) A new report shows that robust investment activity continued in the Irish market during the 2018 summer period. Transactions in the third quarter, July September, reached over 505m across 46 deals, bringing the year to date total to 2.1bn. Dublin is the focus of office investment, however within Dublin, investors are looking to both the CBD and the wider market. In the year to date, just under 518.6m transacted in the secondary and suburban markets. The office sector is one of the dominant stories of the 2018 Irish investment market so far, as occupier activity continues to record robust levels of take up. Accounting for over 50% of capital inflow, approximately 1.1bn transacted in the asset class, with both the total value and volume of deals significantly up on the nine months to September-end 2017. Office transactions of note in the third quarter included Belfield Office Campus, D4, purchased for 90m by Spear Capital and New Century House, IFSC, D1 purchased by Credit Suisse for 65.3m. Credit Suisse also purchased The Sharp Building, D2 for approximately 56.3m. The office block completed construction the opening quarter of 2018 and is signed to American pharmaceuticals company Perrigo. These transactions also represent the top deals of the quarter. Outside of the office sector, mixed use, residential and retail assets accounted for 14%, 13% and 13% respectively in the year to date. Residential investment has been a focus of much attention in 2018. Approximately 268.1m worth of transactions occurred in the three quarters to September-end. A further 203.4m was signed or sale agreed at quarter end, suggesting the sector will see a strong closing quarter. However, it is worth noting that outside of traditional investment deals, the sector has seen a number of forward funding deals also take place, as investors seek to gain a foothold in a market with limited stock. In terms of location, Dublin accounted for 81% of capital spend in the year to date, accounting for seven out of the top ten largest deals during the time period. However interestingly, and perhaps another key story of 2018, is the progressing pattern of rising regional investment. A combined 326.5m worth of capital was invested in Cork, Limerick and Galway in the nine months to September. This is significantly above the total volume recorded in the regions for 2017 as a whole, of 274m. Regional investment has been primarily led by Cork, which saw almost 208m transact. This also surpasses 2017 volumes. Investment in Cork is dispersed largely between office and residential assets. Transactions of note include; the sale of the Elysian to Kennedy Wilson for 87.5m in Q1, the off-market sale of The Crescent and The Quadrants, Ballincollig, for 35m in Q3 to a private UK Fund, and the acquisition of City Square, Blackpool, also to a private UK fund for 33m. Looking to the final quarter, approximately 435.5m was sale agreed at the end of September 2018. This included a number of large transactions such as; The Grange, Stillorgan, signed for a reported 126m, No. 2 Dublin Landings sale agreed for 98m, and the Belgrave Collection, sale agreed for 60m. Close to 1 billion is also estimated to have been available on the market at the end of September. With this in mind, estimates for year-end turnover suggest volumes reaching between 2.7-2.8bn, with the potential to reach 3bn if large off market transactions occurred. This will mark a sixth consecutive year of activity above the long run annual average of 1.1m, and also the 10-year annual average of 1.9m. Commenting on the market, Director Investments at Cushman & Wakefield, Jonathan Hillyer said, "The Irish investment market continues to perform strongly. After the buoyant performance of rental growth and yield compression in recent years, the story of 2018 is more one of stability, most notably in the Dublin office market. The combination of this renewed stability and the positive outlook for the Irish economy, will position Ireland well in the international markets." Source: www.businessworld.ie Flood level measured at stations in the Saigon River will top alarming level 3 by 0.1-0.3 meters and gradually recede. It will reduce to 3.3 meters at Tan Chau station and 3.10 meters at Chau Doc on October 18. Stations in the lower reaches of Mekong and Saigon rivers will see it below alarming level 1. The center has warned of tide flooding in low lying areas in HCMC, Vinh Long and Can Tho city. Floodwater in combination of high tide has submerged thousands of hectares of sugarcane in Hau Giang province, many fruit orchards and fish farms in Vinh Long province. Meantime a cold front has moved in the northern region, forecast to start influence local weather late today. The cold spell will spread to central provinces from tomorrow making it cold. Provinces in the Red River delta and Thanh Hoa province will see temperature swing from 19-22 degree Celsius. Northern mountainous areas will see it fall to 16-19 degrees. They will see medium to heavy rain. Northern provinces and central provinces from Nghe An to Binh Dinh will receive medium to heavy rainfall from October 10-13. By staff writers Translated by Hai Mien * Morrison says China and Australia have a productive and warm relationship that is underpinned by strong fundamentals * On trade, prime minister says that Australia is in a unique position to engage with both China and the U.S. and should always seek to de-escalate tensions (Sydney/Beijing) While the media and commentators might talk about the Australian governments concern over supposed Chinese efforts to influence its politics and national security issues, both countries have great mutual respect and a strong economic relationship, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. Morrison took office in August after infighting within the governing Liberal Party led to the resignation of his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull. Morrisons country and China have enjoyed a warm economic relationship over several decades as the formers vast mineral and metal reserves provided the raw materials for Chinas economic transformation. Yet Morrison has taken power at a time of relative strain in the relationship as concerns have grown over several politicians involvement with figures tied to the Communist Party of China. Morrison was appointed just days after Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. said Australia banned it and hometown peer ZTE Corp. from providing 5G technology to the country. Morrison himself blocked several Chinese investments in Australia while serving as treasurer for the nearly three years before he became prime minister. One of those blocked investments was a Chinese consortiums attempted purchase of cattle empire S. Kidman & Co. Ltd., forcing foreign owners of Australian property to sell seven projects after a probe into illegal transactions, and rejecting two Chinese bids for the countrys biggest power grid, Ausgrid, due to security concerns. Morrison spoke with Caixin about the state of Australias relations with China, his governments approach to managing the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, and the contribution the countrys Chinese community has made to Australian life. Below are edited excerpts from Caixins interview. Caixin: Arguably, Australias relationship with China has not been at a high point for the last year or two. Why do you think relations have soured, and what priorities do you have for improving Australias relations with China? Morrison: I think we have a productive and warm relationship that is underpinned by strong fundamentals, and we have substantial economic complementarities. We also respect each other greatly. Our government is absolutely committed to our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is strongly to the benefit of both partners and of our region. Its obvious that China and Australia wont always agree. On occasion, we have different systems and different views, but its how we manage that which is important, and that we have respect, consistency and the principle of equality as we pursue shared interests. Currently, the U.S. is trying to decouple its economy from China as the trade war continues. What is Australias approach to the situation? We continue to seek to work closely with both China and the U.S. We have independent relationships with both countries, and I always believe its best to have those conversations directly and quietly in an encouraging and positive way because the prosperity and the security of our region depends on it. Australia is in a unique position to engage with both China and the U.S. and should always seek to de-escalate tensions, and to do so from a position of friendship with both countries. What is your approach to encouraging further Chinese and foreign investment in Australia? Weve always welcomed foreign investment in Australia, including from China, which is an increasingly large investor, and we have the most liberal foreign investment rules in this part of the world. There are very clear rules about how to invest in the country, and we need to make sure we continue to be clear so that all investors understand how the rules apply, just as Australian investors need to work closely to understand the rules that apply in China. We will always encourage and support investment in Australia when it serves the national interest to do so, and thats been our track record. Australia has stepped back from working with China on the Belt and Road Initiative. Will that create barriers to investment, especially in infrastructure? Australia welcomes the contribution the Belt and Road Initiative can make in meeting the infrastructure needs of the region, and were keen to strengthen engagement with China in regional trade and infrastructure developments that align within the international standards of governance and transparency. There are some very important infrastructure thats being built around our region, and we want to make sure that the way these projects roll out are really helping these countries, which were sure is the intention, and are supporting greater connectivity and prosperity in our region. Your government recently made the decision to essentially block Huawei and other Chinese companies from participating in 5G telecommunication services, while other Western countries such as Canada and the U.K. have taken a different approach. If there are security risks, are there better ways or less-costly ways that Australia can manage them? Our governments 5G decision was not made regarding any particular country. It was made after careful and extensive review of the national security risks that are unique to 5G. Its a very different technology to those that have gone previously, and of course Australia will always act on its responsibilities to safeguard what we believe are critical national assets in the same way that China or that any other country in the region would. The next question is about the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), Its a landmark agreement and also a symbol of where Australia and China want to go in opening trade. What priorities would you identify in building on the ChAFTA achievement and making that a living and very productive agreement? Youre right to point out how significant the agreement is in our region. It is opening new markets, lowering trade barriers, and delivering results for both countries. Australia exported over A$100 billion ($70.6 billion) of goods last year, and that was up more than one-fifth, 21.8% on the previous year, and there was an 8% rise in Chinese exports to Australia, so clearly the two-way trade is benefiting both countries, and there will be rounds of tariff cuts annually up until 2029, so theres a clear priority schedule that is laid out as part of that agreement. We look forward to commencing with a general review of the ChAFTA, and considering how we deepen liberalization of trade and investment, and further market access. I would say ChAFTA has been arguably the greatest significant achievement in our relationship because it is opening up both countries to each other, and it is driving prosperity for all of our citizens and more broadly across the region. Turning to politics, there has been quite a story about Chinese influence in Australia. Does the Australian government believe that the Chinese government is trying to exert influence? The laws were passed by the Australian Parliament and were not directed at any one country. Im sure that any country would want laws to ensure that there wasnt any inappropriate influence in its political affairs, and Im sure that China does not welcome any interference in its domestic political affairs either. I think this is just a very straightforward statement of principle, and its not directed at any one country. Theres plenty of individuals out there in the media and other places that might commentate on these issues, but the position of the government and our Parliament is very clear, and that is that these are very straightforward set of laws which are designed to ensure that in our own domestic politics and in are our own domestic society that there isnt any external influence from other countries. Looking ahead, for Australia-China relations, do you share the view of cooperation in defining the future of our relationships? I think the future of our relationship is very much defined by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is a very significant relationship for Australia. It stands out among our many relations with countries all around the world, and that partnership is designed to ensure greater economic connectivity, to drive prosperity for both countries, I think to drive greater linkages at all levels within our societies, and to ensure that there is an ongoing process to make sure we stay on track to achieve all of these things. Australia has a significant population of Chinese immigrants with many Chinese coming here study, work and live. How do you evaluate the overall impact brought by Chinese immigrants? We welcome Chinese students, investors and other visitors. Trade, tourism and students all are at record highs A$183 billion in 2017 of trade, 1.4 million visitors from China in the last financial year, and we had some 184,500 students here in 2017 so this is all making a very big contribution to our economy, and Chinese students and visitors play an important part in the life of Australian society. Chinese New Year here in Australia is one of the biggest events of the year like it is throughout the region, and so I think it has taken on a very Australian character to it, which I think it is a compliment to Chinese nationals who have settled in Australia over the last 200 years. Weve just celebrated 200 years of Chinese immigration to Australia. Chinese immigrants are part of the mainstay of modern Australian life. Thank you very much, we highly appreciate your time. Thank you, and I look forward to meeting with the Chinese leadership at the various summits and meetings that are coming up in the region, both at the East Asia Summit and the APEC Summit in Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, and I think there will be good opportunities to engage with the Chinese leadership there as the new prime minister. Im looking forward to that very much and taking the opportunity to provide the assurance of the strong relationship that they can expect into the future. Contact reporter Ke Dawei (daweike@caixin.com) Yancoal says China's reduction in coal imports is almost becoming an annual tradition. Photo: Glenn Hunt/AFR (AFR) The biggest pure-play coal miner on the ASX says a recent Chinese clampdown on thermal coal imports was no surprise, while analysts expect the Middle Kingdom's demand for the fuel to remain strong in coming months. Chinese demand for Australian thermal coal was stronger than expected in the first half of 2018, but softened in September after the Chinese government imposed unofficial restrictions on coal imports in a bid to prop-up its domestic coal miners. Yancoal became the ASX's biggest pure-play exporter by volume when it acquired Rio Tinto's thermal coal mines in 2017, and the company's investor relations general manager James Rickards said the import clamps were becoming a familiar part of "shoulder season" in the Chinese energy sector, which falls between the summer and winter demand peaks. "China's reduction in coal imports is almost becoming an annual tradition, as the government works to try and support local producers. As a result, it's been both anticipated and prepared for," he said. "We're likely to see continued fluctuations in pricing across both low and high ash thermal [coal], but the China decision shouldn't cause too significant a ripple." UBS commodities analyst Lachlan Shaw said the import clamps had not yet sparked a dramatic response from Chinese coal miners. Curtailments and closures "[Coal] inventories are on the tight side, we are not seeing a very strong lift in domestic thermal coal production despite the [Chinese] government wanting that," he said recently. As winter approaches in China, power generators, steel mills and other heavy industry are preparing for another round of operating curtailments and closures as part of government-mandated efforts to reduce air-pollution. The winter curtailments were expected to be negative for thermal coal demand last year, yet demand proved more robust. With Chinese coal stocks close to, or below, historic levels, Mr Shaw said he expected Chinese demand for imported thermal coal to remain strong through the coming northern winter. "In general, thermal coal power generation will be strong through winter, which supports demand," he said. "I think China's participation in seaborne trade will remain pretty supportive for thermal coal from here. "The government will try to lift domestic supply through winter to match up with the lift in domestic demand, they will try to keep that balance, but I think that balance will result in the spot price remaining pretty high." Coal under microscope Coal's long-term role in the world's energy mix was back in the spotlight on Monday with the release of a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It found that carbon emissions would need to be reduced to net zero by 2050 if the world was to keep temperature changes within 1.5 degrees. Speaking prior to the release of the IPCC report, Mr Shaw said UBS expected coal demand to remain significant for decades unless there was dramatically more intervention from governments. "We see seaborne thermal coal demand holding at current levels for our forecast horizon which, for us, is five or six years out," he said. "Once we get into early next decade we will start to need some new [coal] projects coming into the market and being built to replace depletion." Mr Rickards said demand continued to grow in India and south-east Asian nations beyond the traditional customers for Australian coal in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. "Ultimately, the quality of Australia's thermal coal against other suppliers, including China's own domestic producers, will continue to drive strong demand," he said. This article was originally published by The Australian Financial Review. As a child in the early- to mid-70s the majority of our summer vacations were to Tennessee - a stop in Chattanooga then on to Gatlinburg. We always visited the Incline, Ruby Falls and Rock City. On the way up Lookout Mountain, Im not sure of the road, there was a stone/cement type monument along the roadway with what looked to be a tongue sticking out the middle. We always called it the tongue and it was a fun point of the trip up as wed laugh about it. I dont remember ever stopping there as I dont think there was even a place to pull over where it was. It was kind of nestled into the side of the mountain ground along the road. I also dont remember there being any inscription on this thing. It was shaped like an arch with the stone type bricks around it, maybe six feet in height. The inside of the arch was cemented in and there was this tongue looking protrusion sticking out the middle. I visited Tennessee again in the early 2000s with my son and looked for it, but didnt see it. I asked people who worked at any of these attractions and no one knew what I was talking about. I do have it on a VHS tape as we transferred all the 8mm tapes to that. I do plan on transferring that to a DVD. But for now I dont have my hands on any photos of it, but I am absolutely certain it did exist. Ive attached a drawing of what it looked like. Please excuse this as I am in no way artsy! It was very plain. This has been an interest of mine for a while and I cant find a thing on it by googling it. Would you have any idea what Im talking about? Janelle Barbara Janelle, you are referring to a stone arch that was on the right side of the road going up the Scenic Highway not far above the Sanders Road. It is just up from the Winterview condos. This was at the location of a spring that furnished water for many decades to weary travelers going up Lookout. This was at first by horse, wagon or foot. Around the 1920s, members of the Lynde family had the idea to make the spring much more attractive and functional. They built the stone arch. The tongue was where the water came out. Francis Lynde was a novelist who lived not far away just below Cravens House. He taught himself how to cut the mountain stone that was readily available. With the help of his sons, he built a handsome stone house on Carolina Street. The family lived in a frame house that was at the site while the stone walls slowly went up. Unfortunately, the stone arch was demolished when there was a rock slide in the early 1990s. John Wilson news@chattanoogan.com [October 08, 2018] 8x8, Inc. Announces Executive Leadership Appointments 8x8, Inc. (NYSE:EGHT), a leading provider of cloud voice, video, collaboration and contact center solutions that transform business communications for over a million users worldwide, today announced the appointments of Steven Gatoff as Chief Financial Officer, and Mary Ellen Genovese as Managing Director of European Operations, and the retirement of Kevin Scott-Cowell as Managing Director of UK. Mary Ellen Genovese will remain as Chief Financial Officer through the Company's Form 10-Q filing for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and will host 8x8's (News - Alert) second fiscal quarter earnings conference call on October 29, 2018. These changes will enhance 8x8's global strategic and operational capabilities to drive continued growth and optimize business performance. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181008005753/en/ Steven Gatoff (Photo: Business Wire) Steven Gatoff will join 8x8 on October 15, 2018, and will report directly to Vik Verma, Chief Executive Officer. Gatoff will work with Genovese in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition to the role of Chief Financial Officer. Gatoff will be a member of the Executive Leadership team with responsibility for the Company's global finance, accounting, financial reporting, audit, procurement, tax, investor relations and capital planning functions. "We are excited to welcome Steven to 8x8 as our new Chief Financial Officer," said Vik Verma. "Steven has a poven track-record at multiple high-growth SaaS (News - Alert) companies and brings extensive financial, operational and strategic experience to 8x8. His demonstrated ability to scale technologies, manage growth and drive organizational excellence will be invaluable to 8x8 as we accelerate revenue growth and capture a greater share of the $40 billion enterprise communications market." Gatoff has more than 25 years of experience as a financial executive across a broad range of finance, accounting and management disciplines, primarily within information technology and software-as-a-service (SaaS) industries. Prior to 8x8, Gatoff has been Chief Financial Officer at Elementum, PagerDuty, Rapid7 and iPass. Prior to these positions, Gatoff held senior finance roles at United Online, Sterling Commerce (News - Alert) , and VeriSign. Earlier in his career, Gatoff was an investment banker at several Wall Street firms including Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley. Gatoff began his career as an auditor with Deloitte (News - Alert) & Touche. Gatoff holds an MBA from Columbia University, a BS degree from the University of Vermont and is a CPA. "8x8 offers a powerful value proposition and delivers differentiated customer experiences that drive greater productivity and return on investment," said Steven Gatoff. "I'm thrilled to join the 8x8 team and look forward to supporting the continued and impressive growth of the business and building long term shareholder value." Mary Ellen Genovese, who has served as 8x8's Chief Financial Officer since November 2014, has been appointed as Managing Director of European Operations. Genovese succeeds Kevin Scott-Cowell, who will be retiring on October 31, 2018, after serving as 8x8's Managing Director of UK since 2013. Genovese will be responsible for expanding global operations including overseeing the Company's over 400 European employees. Genovese will continue to report to Verma and will assume this role effective on the date Gatoff starts as Chief Financial Officer. "I want to thank Kevin for his leadership in the successful integration of our two European acquisitions and the establishment and growth of our European headquarters in London. We wish Kevin all the best in his retirement," said Vik Verma. Continued Verma, "Mary Ellen has been an integral member of 8x8's executive leadership team having presided over Finance, Human Resources and Legal functions during a period of significant revenue growth and business transformation from small businesses to large enterprises. Her financial acumen, business expertise and deep knowledge of our organization will allow her to play a valuable role in accelerating our plans to scale, drive global expansion and bring innovation to new markets." About 8x8, Inc. 8x8, Inc. (NYSE:EGHT) communication solutions help businesses transform their customer and employee experience. With one system of engagement for cloud voice, video, collaboration and contact center and one system of intelligence on one cloud communications platform, businesses can now communicate faster and smarter to exceed the speed of customer expectations. For additional information, visit www.8x8.com, or follow 8x8 on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181008005753/en/ [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] 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. news, latest-news Canberra property developer Geocon has lodged an application to amend its Garema Place Hotel proposal. Earlier this year, Geocon lodged an application for a five-star hotel in the heart of Canberra city. It originally planned for 233 suites across 16-storeys that would rise 50 metres, dwarfing the Canberra Centre but on par with the Queensland Investment Corporation's approved plans for 180-room hotel a block away on the corner of Cooyong and Genge Streets. The amendment proposes to reduce the height from 50 metres to 35.2 metres and drop the number of hotel rooms to 191, including eight "superior rooms". Geocon had planned for just 21 car spaces, based on the hotel's location in the city and the number of public carparks nearby. The new proposal has increased parking for 47 vehicles. It will also include basement shops, a food hall, a ground floor cafe and shops facing Garema Place, plus a restaurant on the mezzanine level. Geocon's director of planning and development, Dan Stewart, said the amendment comes after a number of responses to the original proposal. "Working closely with the ACT governments design review panel and the government architect, the project team has brought forward an alternative design for our new five-star hotel that we believe addresses all of the issues that were raised during the earlier public consultation," Mr Stewart said. "One of the changes includes a reduction in the height and scale of the building, significantly improving solar access to Garema Place." In May, the ACT Greens opposed the proposal saying it should be rejected as it was "unacceptable" and would "cause long-term damage" to the city. It said the initial proposal would create a dark, cold and overshadowed city centre. The Garema Hotel will replace the Garema Centre at 70 Bunda Street, with the hotel lobby opening on to Bunda Street. Mr Stewart said changes have also been made to the building facade, including a reduction in glazing to improve the energy efficiency of the building. In addition, the new proposal also includes a roof-top pool and a mixture of private and public "leafy" terraces. Geocon bought the Garema Centre September last year for $13.35 million. The two-storey building will be demolished to make way for the new hotel. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/aec1ad89-1b05-4fec-b30f-7022cbdde2b5/r0_320_6000_3710_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg comment I was struck by the narrow vision and breathtaking arrogance of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's declaration the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report does not "provide recommendations to Australia" and that the Coalition would focus instead on lower electricity prices ("Morrison and miners dig in to defend coal", October 9, p4). Australia's response to the IPCC report will be seen by other nations as a very selfish one, implying that "global warming is your problem, not ours". Mr Morrison also seems to be ignoring the social (or economic) cost of climate change to Australia, which according to a recent study in the highly respected journal Nature Climate Change, is exceeded by only a small number of countries. The PM is overlooking the reality that it now makes good economic sense to phase out fossil fuels as energy sources and replace them with renewable sources. However, the claim that struck me as being most bizarre and worrying was the Queensland Resources Council's declaration that Australian coal has "relatively low emissions". In fact, high-quality coal, such as anthracite, is significantly richer in carbon (the source of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas), than low-quality especially brown coal. Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin It is truly incredible to have our Prime Minister say "the IPCC report did not provide recommendations to Australia" and that the government's focus would be "to ensure that [current] electricity prices are lower". What short-sighted political self-centredness. Who are the idiots who elected these idiots? Actually, they're not just those who voted for the Coalition, but all of us who continue to complacently allow this kind of thinking to dominate without constant, strenuous countering based on the wider facts. In spite of what Trumpian me-first thinking tries to tell us that each nation-state should look out for the current, short-term interests of its own citizens and that each of those should put themselves first people who actually raise their heads, and look around themselves and into the not-too-distant future can easily see the track we are taking into oblivion. Why are we not taking the necessary steps and paying the costs now to preserve the future? It's time to pay the piper, folks, or relinquish our children's future. John M Schmidt, Monash We read that the IPCC is telling us that we either totally get out of the use of coal-fired power stations (and probably the use of coal, full stop) or see the Great Barrier Reef disappear altogether. Over the years we have heard and read many so-called "experts" tell us that if we do not do what they tell us to do, total disaster will envelop us all. And how many actually happened? Very few. One current example: China has continued to construct coal-fired power stations with no recognisable bad result on the rest of us. And many other countries are doing the same. But Australia is becoming really terrified to follow suit with the cost of electricity rising enormously. And how many really believe that by converting to wind and solar (renewables), the cost of electricity to ordinary consumers will actually reduce? Virtually no one. Geoff Cass, Tewantin, Qld Marilyn Quirk reports that Byron Shire Council "thought they would change the Australia Day date" (Letters, October 2). Every reporter in Australia missed that story. Byron used to hold citizenship ceremonies many times a year. It is to be stripped of the right to hold further ceremonies because it decided it would not schedule one for Australia Day. Quirk says "some commentators, for whatever reason, use convenient reporting that promotes fragmentation and division". Her letter is an example of this. Quirk asserts that 22 days a year "exclusively celebrate" Aboriginal culture. Not one of the days listed is a national public holiday, and only Reconciliation Day is a holiday anywhere (ACT). Melbourne Cup day, and Brisbane Show day, have greater significance (among many others). And where's the "exclusively" Aboriginal in all Australians saying sorry for how our first people have been treated? Do those who are sorry have no part? What's only Aboriginal, rather than for everyone, in Harmony Day? Are only Aboriginals reconciled on Reconciliation Day? Is the International Day of World's Indigenous People solely for Aboriginals? What has National Children's Day done to be restricted by Quirk exclusively to Aboriginals? The problem with the present date of Australia Day is that it celebrates convict settlement and so excludes many Australians that doesn't represent. Sure, some people don't know what the date is for the government member who thought it was about Captain Cook comes to mind but the real problem with the date is its failure to include Australia. C. Hood, Queanbeyan, NSW Kev Kelly (Letters, October 8) suggests that Storm players, supporters and Alan Leitch had either short, or selective memories re: "bad sportsmanship". While Andrew Fifita does, and rightly so, cop his fair share of abuse and booing for reasons well documented, and thus does not rate a mention in post-match press conference, it can be understood. Billy Slater fought his case at the judiciary and somehow beat the charge. Any abuse or booing on the day of the grand final should have been somehow directed at the judiciary and not Billy. I am neither a Storm nor a Sharks supporter. Kevin Kelly, Downer I don't care if the Sydney Opera House sails are lit up or not. The premier horse race in Australia is the Melbourne Cup in November, not one in the NSW convict state. However the conduct of Alan Jones attacking the Opera House CEO was vile bullying. Why anyone would go on that egotistical person's radio show is beyond me. Jones was caught out for defamation recently. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield should suspend 2GB's radio licence in part during daylight hours or totally for 12 months instead of interfering in ABC management.Adrian Jackson, Middle Park, Vic Paws for thought I saw a greeting card that sheds some light on "letter to the editor writer syndrome". Two wise old labradors sit in deep discussion. One says to the other: "I have given up on blogging and gone back to good old pointless and incessant barking". R. Elliott, Sandringham, Vic I note that the neo-capitalists in the airlines are working themselves into a lather over the Canberra Airport charging what it likes in usage fees for the only commercial airport in the ACT area. Yet I'm mystified about their proposed solutions. Whenever I hear these captains of industry asking for more regulation, I'm immediately suspicious. Normally they're out there telling us how they need less regulation to cut costs. Yet Qantas and Virgin, which own pretty much all of the domestic market in Australia, seem to be happy charging basically the same rate for years. When Virgin came in, there was massive cost cutting and prices were slashed yet now they're back to the same rates Qantas and Ansett were charging. I'm also mystified that they blame "gold plating" and "overdevelopment" and yet they were complaining about how out of date and shabby the old terminals were. I think the new terminals are beautiful and clean, and a huge improvement over the previous tin shed. The true international terminal and regular overseas flights are a huge boon and are only possible by having redone the terminals entirely. The airlines and their mouthpiece seem to be shouting about Canberra Airport being a "monopoly" so what's their solution? It's inconceivable that another airport to serve commercial airlines could be in any way profitable in the Canberra region. If it was owned by the government, then they'd just blame the "greedy bureaucrats" for the high charges. Yet they seem to be perfectly comfortable with their own massive profits. Business as usual, in other words. Do they expect that to change? Paul Wayper, Cook In light of the NCA's refusal to allow a peace vigil on Anzac Parade on 11 November, apparently because the War Memorial had made a prior booking, it would be interesting to know whether the War Memorial plans to incorporate any peace elements in its commemoration. For example, has the War Memorial invited ICAN, the Australian-born organisation that was awarded the 2017 Nobel peace prize, to contribute to the commemoration? Would promotion of peace be contrary to the wishes of the huge armaments companies that sponsor the War Memorial? Ernst Willheim, Forrest It is nothing more than war-mongering for the Australian War Memorial to accept donations from the purveyors of military hardware. These companies are not steeped in altruism, but have their own commercial agenda, primarily, profiteering from war! Therefore, I recommend that the Australian War Memorial require these same purveyors to show in their beautiful new theatres, films such as All Quiet on the Western Front or Joyeux Noel to provide a small antidote to militarism. In the corporate sponsored galleries there should be installations showing, for example, children affected by Agent Orange or scenes where women and girls are gang raped by invading soldiers. Let us remind people that war is cruel, abominable and atrocious to all caught up in it. With the centenary of Armistice Day fast approaching, I would be pleased to see a much greater focus in memorial ceremonies on the signing of treaties that were designed to herald lasting peace so much better than parades of military hardware. Just how much peace will be allowed at the Armistice Day Ceremony? Jane Timbrell, Reid The wonderful red poppies scattered in profusion at the Australian War Memorial conjure deep remembrance and pride. But has the Australian War Memorial management and the ACT Council totally forgotten, or overlooked, the fact that so many soldiers writing home, and the eloquent wartime poets, reflected the view that they hoped that there would be no further wars and that their contribution, and, for many, their sacrifice would lead to peace. Surely a quiet vigil for peace in Anzac Avenue would be a pertinent and potent reminder. Ann Moyal, Bruce Once again the volunteering efforts of a large number of Canberra residents have had to be harnessed to ensure that a massive building complex is approved "with conditions" ("Geocon's Wova development given green light", canberratimes.com.au October5). It is about time the ACT planning and land authority worked much more intensively with developers prior to public consultation to minimise the likelihood of poor quality plans being foisted upon the community to provide their feedback. The chief planner should be aiming to achieve his touted "excellent outcome for the community" from the outset, by intervening to improve the scale and form of buildings and addressing a wide range of quality related issues including poor design, overshadowing, inadequate setbacks and landscaping, traffic problems and poor sunlight penetration to apartments. It should not be left to the community to identify significant concerns and deficiencies, suggest all the improvements that would benefit the location for years to come or alert the planners to developers' frequent inability to provide the basic and regulated level of amenity for a complex's future users. Sue Dyer, Downer Involved and time-intensive online social media, recreational and personal business conducted at work is disgraceful. But it remains the lesser of evils as quiet immersion focused on the smartphone and computer screen doesn't assail the ears with the auditory assaults fired by chat-casters hosted within communal offices. I'd also urge a corrective to the self-entitled moral corruption of Australia's past-time of "chucking a sickie," surely a fraud perpetrated that incurs a far greater economic loss than work presenters who believe the workplace serves as a social clubbing venue. Joseph Ting, Brisbane, Qld WHERE'S THE RESPECT? ScoMo says using the Opera House sails to promote a horse race is "just common sense". This is the same person responsible for the "where the bloody hell are you" tourism campaign. Common sense? Maybe it is to ScoMo and his race horse owning, bully of a mate Alan Jones (who has a vested interest in the promotion) but where do we stop with this crass, endless promotion of gambling? Where the bloody hell is our respect for national icons? Terry Werner, Wright RENAME THE OPERA HOUSE Perhaps the Sydney Opera House will be renamed the Jonestown Opera House? T. Puckett, Ashgrove, Qld REINING IN SHOCK JOCKS NSW has a new sport: politicians riding jockey on slippery shock jocks. Matt Ford, Crookwell, NSW DIFFERENT MESSAGE I wonder if Ms Berejiklian or Mr Morrison would be so supportive of signage on the sails of the Opera House if it was promoting fairness for the treatment of refugees on Manus and Nauru or perhaps a Stop Adani campaign. I think not. Barbara Godfrey, Lyneham ANOTHER SAILS PITCH Advertising horse races on the Opera House! Whatever next? Drop bears rolling down the sails clutching cans of Bundy and coke? John Galvin, Weston DECISION NO SURPRISE Grab a copy of Jonestown by Chris Masters to understand the influence of Alan Jones and our political class. I'm not surprised at all by the government's decision with The Sydney Opera House . Pamela Papadopoulos, South Yarra, Vic WHAT'D UTZON THINK? [Re the Opera House]. It's the same "look at me" philistine rabble that exiled Utzon. Howard Styles, Kingston DR WHO'S SURGERY The television guide tells us "Why Dr Who is now a woman". My guess would be gender reassignment [surgery]. B. Smillie, Duffy COAL NECKLACES Will Labour show some guts and announce they will ban the Adani coal mine or, like Scott Morrison, do they too have coal necklaces? George Kozakos, Barton CHINESE PUZZLE What is going on in China right now? This latest yarn about the head of Interpol no less apparently being taken into some form of custody and then, after sending his wife a very cryptic text message which included an image of a knife before apparently resigning his post, is like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. Please explain Beijing. M. Moore, Bonython Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message eld, not as an attached le. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610. Keep your letter to 250 words or less. References to Canberra Times reports should include the date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published). /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/9736c8f8-2d6a-48eb-b0d3-42f1140bb3ec/r0_180_3479_2146_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. The Battle of Lepanto, October 7, 1571 U.S. Marine Lieutenant Presley OBannon at Derna, Tripoli Abdurahman Alamoudi was the Islamic advisor the President Clinton and met with him more than any other muslim in America. Alamoudi was a Goodwill Ambassador for the U.S. State Department and founded the Muslim Chaplain Program for the Department of Defense. Alamoudi is now in federal prison and was an Al Qaeda financier. On 9/11/01, Suhail Khan was working inside the White House, and then became a close advisor to two successive Secretaries of Transportation with a clearance. Khan is the son of one of the most prominent U.S. Muslim Brotherhood leaders in the 1960s and 1970s, Mahboob Khan. Suhail Khan lauded his fathers efforts and was publicly praised by Al Qaeda financier Alamoudi. Gulmurod Khalimov participated in five (5) U.S. State Department training programs which included weapons and tactics training between 2003 and 2014. During this time period, videos were available online where Khalimov a jihadi commander in Tajikistan at the time called for killing Americans. Khalimov then became the Minister of War for ISIS. The State Department defended their training of Khalimov by stating Khalimov had been appropriately vetted. Al Qaeda financier Abdurahman Alamoudi with President Bill Clinton in the White House The Battles of Lepanto and Tours, Christopher Columbus, and Americas first war all have one thing in common they all involved muslims waging jihad to enslave the entire world under Islam/sharia.Yet, the U.S. government continues to give sharia-adherent muslims security clearances, positions in our government, and military training.On, 1571, the naval forces of the Holy League met the Islamic Ottoman Turks in the Gulf of Corinth (Greece) and after prayer by the entire Holy League and many churches around Europe the Ottomans were defeated for the first time by Christian forces in a naval battle, now referred to as the Battle of Lepanto.Read a more detailed account of the Battle of Lepanto by UTT here In the Battle of Tours (, 732), Charles The Hammer Martel led the forces of Europe against the Islamic forces of the Umayyad Caliphate, and were victorious against the muslims. This was a tremendous, and some say miraculous, victory for the Christian West against the Islamic forces.Onof each year America celebrates Columbus Day.Christopher Columbus was commissioned by his queen in 1492 to discover new islands and lands. Why in that year?1492 was the year Spanish forces came down from the mountains of Spain, defeated the muslim forces, pushed them out, and took back their homeland which had been seized by muslims for approximately 780 years.The first war America fought after the American Revolution was against muslims who seized U.S. ships on the high seas, captured Americans, and charged the United States great sums of money as tribute.Specifically, President Thomas Jefferson sent the Marines to Tripoli in 1804 to defeat the muslims. The English translation of the Koran Jefferson obtained encouraged readers to study it so the Islamic enemy could be understood and defeated in battle.Today, the government of the United States continues to employ sharia-adherent muslims in positions of authority inside our government, use them to advise U.S. officials on matters of national security, and allows hostile foreign powers to attend U.S. war colleges, military training programs, and much more.Three examples:Previous generations of Patriots whose minds were not polluted by the inability to see good and evil could make clear-headed decisions about the true nature of Islam.Pretending the wolf is a puppy, does not keep the wolf from eating you. Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released an employment notification calling out aspirants to apply for the post of Assistant Jailor. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. The application process is online through the official website. Applicants must pay a fee of INR 150. Reservation in seats and relaxation in age will be provided for the backward classes as per government norms. The selection will be done on the basis of written tests. The preliminary exam is scheduled on Jan 6, 2018. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 1,12,400. The last date to apply for this government job is Nov 7, 2018. TNPSC Recruitment 2018 For 46 Assistant Public Prosecutors TNPSC Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Assistant Jailor Organisation Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Educational Qualification Graduate degree in any field Experience Freshers can apply Job Location Tamil Nadu Salary Scale INR 35400 to INR 1,12,400 Industry Civil services Application Start Date October 8, 2018 Application End Date November 7, 2018 Age Limit: 18 to 30 years Also Read: TNPSC Recruitment 2018 For Mass Interviewer How To Apply For TNPSC Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for TNPSC Recruitment 2018, follow these steps: Step 1 Log on to the TNPSC official website. Step 2 Click on the One-Time Registration link on the home page. Step 3 On the next page, again click on the link for one time registration. Step 4 Click on the option for new user if you want to register as a new user. Step 5 The registration form will open. Enter your details in the fields provided. Step 6 Read the declaration and click on the checkbox to agree to it. Step 7 Enter the security code. Step 8 Click Save & Continue and follow the subsequent pages to complete the registration process. Step 9: Go back to the home page and click the application link against the post you want to apply for. Step 10: You will be directed to a login screen. Enter your credentials in the fields provided. Step 11: Enter the captcha code and click Submit. Step 12: Follow the subsequent pages to complete the application process. Follow the link - http://www.tnpsc.gov.in/notifications/2018_24_nofyn_assistant_Jailor pdf.pdf to read the detailed official notification. As part of plans to launch electric vehicles by 2020, the countrys largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki has flagged-off field testing for field testing of Electric Vehicle (EV) prototype. The prototype EVs were flagged off at the Gurugram by CV Raman, Senior Executive Director, Engineering, Maruti Suzuki. Back in September, Osamu Suzuki, Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, had announced plans nation-wide field testing of 50 prototype Electric Vehicles. The new EVs have been developed at Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan and have been built at the Gurugram facility under the Make in India initiative. It is believed that extensive real-life usage of the vehicles in multiple terrains and climatic conditions will help the company get valuable insights that will help in validation and successful launch of Electric Vehicle technology in the country. The extensive real-life usage of the vehicles in multiple terrains and climatic conditions will help the company get valuable insights that will help the company in validation and successful launch of Electric Vehicle technology in the country. Moreover, the test results will be used by the company to gather critical inputs based on customer perspectives and will also help in creating a reliable and suitable Electric Vehicle that delights Indian customers. Maruti Suzuki The Rehoboth Beach, Del., chapter of PFLAG, the national organization representing parents and friends of LGBT people, has provided three Rehoboth area public libraries with special LGBT exhibits for the month of October to commemorate Gay History Month. Linda Gregory, Rehoboth PFLAGs president, said arrangements were made to install the display case exhibits at the public libraries in Rehoboth and the nearby Delaware cities of Lewes and Georgetown. Rehoboth PFLAG member Chris Spicer said the exhibits in each of the three libraries consist, among other things, of photos and posters of LGBT people of historic significance, such as San Francisco gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk. She said the displays also include a colorful timeline chart that shows major events and milestones in the effort to advance LGBT rights. We want our community to learn something by walking by our display, whether it be that there has always been an LGBTQ community, she said, as well as the wide range of people who identify as LGBT all across the spectrum. PFLAG Rehoboth Beach says in its literature that it provides support, education, and advocacy to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons, their loved ones, family and friends, to cope with the unique challenges each of them may face. China National Heavy Machinery Corp win Confidence Cement order 09 October 2018 Confidence Cement Dhaka Ltd, an associate of Confidence Cement Ltd, has signed an EP Contract with the China National Heavy Machinery Corporation (CHMC). The contract incudes the supply and delivery of necessary machines/equipment with accessories for a cement mill (VRM) to produce 280tph PCC. The order will consist of the unloading of raw materials to dispatch of bagged/bulk cement, including supervision and commissioning along with related auxiliaries and technical assistance during installation and commissioning of the plant at the existing site in southern Bangladesh. Company Secretary, Delowar Hossain, said that the Board of Directors of Confidence Cement Ltd agreed and approved the EP contract between Confidence Cement Dhaka Ltd and the China National Heavy Machinery Corporation (CHMC) in its meeting held on 24 September 2018. Imran Karim, vice chairman of the CCDL, and Jin Renzhe, vice president of CHMC, have signed the contract on behalf of their respective organisations, according to a statement. Confidence Cement has a production capacity of 750,000tpa at Madambibirhat, Bhatiary, Sitakunda in Chittagong. Published under A pair of red sequined slippers from the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" has been found, 13 years after they disappeared from a Minnesota museum, law enforcement said Sept.. But the investigation continues into who's responsible for the 2005 theft of the cherished piece of movie memorabilia. "We reached the first goal, the recovery, and it's a great day," North Dakota United States Attorney Christopher Myers said. "But we're not done." The slippers are one of four known pairs that actress Judy Garland wore in her role as Dorothy in the classic film. They disappeared in August 2005 from a museum dedicated to the actress in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The theft sparked years of rumors and dead-end leads. Finally, a tip last summer led law enforcement outside Minnesota, and the FBI got involved. This summer, the shoes were seized in an undercover operation in Minneapolis, the FBI said. "There's a certain romance in these types of schemes, sometimes sophistication, but at the end of the day it's a theft," Myers said. "These types of offenses not only deprive the owner of their property, but all of us," Myers said. "This type of cultural property is important to us as a society. It reflects culture, it holds our memories, it reflects our values." 'We were literally crying' The long-lost slippers were shown to reporters Tuesday at the FBI's Minneapolis headquarters in a news conference conducted in reverential tones, with repeated references to rainbows and the memorable quote "there's no place like home." "They're more than just a pair of shoes, the slippers. They're an enduring symbol of the power of belief," Grand Rapids Police Chief Scott Johnson said. Memorabilia collector Michael Shaw loaned the slippers to the Judy Garland Museum for Grand Rapids' annual "Wizard of Oz" festival in 2005. Shaw rejected the museum's offer to store them in a vault each night because he didn't want people handling the delicate shoes by moving them daily, he said in the 2016 documentary, "The Slippers." "But most importantly, I was assured that the museum had security," said Shaw. A thief broke in through the museum's back door, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. The perpetrator smashed a glass case in the museum's gallery and stole the slippers, which were insured for $1 million. The alarm did not sound to a central dispatch station and no fingerprints were left behind, police said. The theft was "the biggest thing that ever happened to our museum," museum co-founder Jon Miner told CNN affiliate KQDS in 2015. "We were literally crying." Investigators had no evidence, aside from a single sequin that had fallen off one of the slippers. As the mystery deepened, museum staff became the target of rumors of an inside job, allegations they vehemently denied. "We're the ones that want to find them because they were entrusted to us," Miner said in "The Slippers." Ten years after the theft, the museum teamed up with the Itasca County Sheriff's Dive Team to investigate the theory that someone had thrown the slippers into a nearby lake. During the 40th Annual "Wizard of Oz" Festival, divers scoured the depths of the Tioga Mine Pit lake but came up empty-handed. Extortion investigation leads to shoes Tips flowed in over the years but they led either nowhere -- or to reproductions. One week, they were nailed to a wall in a roadside diner in Missouri, or resting at the bottom of a water-filled ore pit. Would-be tipsters reported them on display at the Smithsonian, which was true -- "Yeah, we know that, that's another pair," Johnson said. "The thieves not only took the slippers, they took a piece of history that will be forever connected to Grand Rapids and one of our city's most famous children," Johnson said. A break in the case came in the summer of 2017, the FBI said in a statement. An individual approached the company that insured the slippers, saying he had information about the shoes and how they could be returned, and "it became apparent that those involved were in reality attempting to extort the owners of the slippers," Special Agent Christopher Dudley, who led the investigation from the FBI's Minneapolis Division, said in the statement. After nearly a yearlong investigation involving the bureau's Art Crime Team, the FBI Laboratory, and field offices in Chicago, Atlanta and Miami, the slippers were recovered during an undercover operation in Minneapolis, the statement said. Jill Sanborn, special agent in charge of the Minneapolis division of the FBI, called the shoes' recovery a "significant milestone." But law enforcement is still seeking information about the 2005 theft, she said. "This is still a very, very active and ongoing investigation," said Sanborn. Multiple pairs Over the years, the mystery of the slippers' disappearance only seemed to enhance their reputation as one of the most coveted items on the Hollywood memorabilia market. Valued at $2 million to $3 million and thought to be worth as much as $5 million at auction, they would be hard to sell on the black market -- and even harder to hide. "Whoever has them, illicitly, has their hands full with them," journalist Rhys Thomas said in "The Slippers." "One way or another, over the course of time, the shoes will out you." Thomas tracked down several pairs of the famed shoes for a Los Angeles Times article published in 1988. In the documentary, Shaw says he bought the shoes from a Hollywood costume designer who found them in MGM Studios' backlot property in Culver City, California. As the story goes, Kent Warner found several pairs on a dusty shelf and took one to the famed MGM Studios auction in 1970. He kept the rest for himself -- the exact number is not clear -- selling them off to collectors, including Shaw. Meanwhile, a Tennessee schoolteacher won another pair in a contest in 1940. She sold them at auction in 1988 to a private collector for $165,000. Another pair has been on display in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington since 1979. In 2016, the organization launched an online campaign to raise money to restore their luster. In 2012, a group of actors led by Leonardo DiCaprio purchased a pair to be displayed at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, set to open this year in Los Angeles. As Glinda the Good Witch says in the movie when she is describing the slippers' appeal to the Wicked Witch, "Their magic must be very powerful, or she wouldn't want them so badly." CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin contributed to this report. Kent and Owen Livingston's Fast N Victorious ($8.70) lived up to his name on the Thanksgiving afternoon (Oct. 8) card at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway, posting a pillar-to-post, 1:57.1 win in the $2,200 top-class pacing event. The five-year-old Art Major gelding was sent to the fore by Adam Merner from post three, and the pair had no trouble clearing White Fish Flash (Norris Rogers) through a :28.3 first quarter before rating middle splits of :57.4 and 1:26.3. Fast N Victorious began to edge away through the final turn, and ultimately coasted home to prevail by 2-3/4 lengths while never challenged. White Fish Flash held second by a neck over 6-5 favourite Slide Guitar (David Dowling). Fast N Victorious, who arrived on Prince Edward Island in June, has since compiled three wins in eight starts for trainer Stephen Gass. For Merner, the win capped a driving hat trick on the 12-race card. David Dowling also accounted for three driving wins on the afternoon. To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results Red Shores Summerside. Mayor creates order for all new city employees to be vaccinated Israel is holding an American graduate student at its international airport, accusing the 22-year-old of supporting a boycott on Israel. Lara Alqasem landed last week at Ben-Gurion Airport. She had a student visa and was traveling with her Palestinian grandparents. An Israeli court orders that she remain in custody during an appeal. According to ABCNews, it's the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case. Alqasem is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The student group supports the boycott. The boycott campaign, known as BDS, includes Israeli businesses, universities and institutions. Meanwhile, Israel says the campaign is meant to hurt the country. Lara served as president of a chapter of one of the most extreme and hate-filled anti-Israel BDS groups in the U.S., said Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan. Israel will not allow entry to those who work to harm he country, whatever their excuse. Last week, Erdan also said that he would not expel her if Alqasem apologizes and renounces her BDS support. Alqasem, however, said she never actively participated in the boycott, saying she also wouldn't promote a boycott. Were talking about someone who simply wants to study in Israel, who is not boycotting anything," said her lawyer, Yotam Ben-Hillel. "She's not even part of the student organization anymore." Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Sean Gallup What happens when you spend your life to running into the crisis? Sometimes you win the Nobel Peace Prize. Its Nobel Season, the week-long period when the winners of the Nobel Prizes are announced. Most of us have to take the Academy at its word when it says that the winners in fields such as physics, chemistry, and medicine and physiology are worthy of the honor. But the Nobel Peace Prize? Thats different. Ordinary, informed people can recognize questionable winnersno, Im not to going cite any examplesand, more importantly, deserving honorees. This years winners, Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege, are definitely deserving. Murad is a Yezidi woman who was enslaved by ISIS and repeatedly raped and tortured. After a near-miraculous escape, she made her way to Germany, where she campaigned against what the Nobel Committee called the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict, in the Middle East and around the world. Murads remarkable and inspiring story befits a remarkable and inspiring woman. The other recipient is Dr. Denis Mukwege, a surgeon from the Congo. To understand Mukweges story, you need to know a little about the recent history of the Congo and central Africa more generally. In 1996, Rwanda invaded the eastern part of the Congo. While the ostensible reason was to eradicate the remaining forces responsible for the Rwandan genocide two years earlier, that reason was soon forgotten in what came to be called Africas World War. Nine countries and twenty-five militias fought for control of all or part of the Congo and its mineral riches. By 2008, an estimated 5.4 million people had died, and countless women had been sexually assaulted as a military tactic. While control of the Congolese government is no longer in doubt, an enduring legacy of the conflicts in the region is the use of rape as a weapon of terror. Let me be clear: Rape as a weapon of war is not limited to Central Africa. It is as old as warfare itself. But what sets Central Africa apart is Denis Mukwege. In 1999, the French-trained surgeon opened the Panzi Hospital in the countrys most war-torn region. Since its opening, the hospital has treated more than 85,000 patients with complex gynecological damage and trauma, an estimated 60 percent of injuries has been caused by sexual violence. Mukwege, who has been dubbed the man who mends women, is a ferocious critic of those who perpetrate sexual violence and the governments that stand idly by. In September 2012, in a speech at the United Nations, he criticized the Congolese government and others for failing to stop what he called an unjust war that has used violence against women and rape as a strategy of war. His words struck a nerve: When he returned home, armed men attacked his home, killing his bodyguard and taking his children hostage. He escaped and went into exile long enough to recover from his injuries but returned to the Congo two months later. Why does Mukwege run towards the danger when the sensible thing would be to run away from it? You can probably guess: his Christian faith. The son of a Pentecostal pastor and a minister himself, Mukwege was inspired to pursue medicine watching his father pray for the sick. As his advocacy shows, his mission goes beyond medical care. Speaking before the Lutheran World Federation, he said that It is up to us, the heirs of Martin Luther, through Gods Word, to exorcise all the macho demons possessing the world so that women who are victims of male barbarity can experience the reign of God in their lives. Mukwege joins Leymah Gbowee of Liberia as recent African Christians who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in restoring what human sin and evil have broken. Award or no award, this is, as Mukwege puts it, the mission entrusted to us by Christ. BreakPoint is a Christian worldview ministry that seeks to build and resource a movement of Christians committed to living and defending Christian worldview in all areas of life. Begun by Chuck Colson in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on todays news and trends via radio, interactive media, and print. Today BreakPoint commentaries, co-hosted by Eric Metaxas and John Stonestreet, air daily on more than 1,200 outlets with an estimated weekly listening audience of eight million people. Feel free to contact us at BreakPoint.org where you can read and search answers to common questions. John Stonestreet, the host of The Point, a daily national radio program, provides thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview. Publication date: October 9, 2018 Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Win McNamee/Staff Perfectly Human: Nine Months with Cerian is a profoundly moving and wise book. In it, author and historian Sarah C. Williams tells the story of welcoming her daughter, Cerian, after a routine, 20-week ultrasound discovered a severe skeletal disorder typically resulting in stillbirth or neonatal death. Beginning with the initial diagnosis, Williams sketches a portrait of a family that loves, suffers, and endures in faith. It would be a mistake to characterize this book merely as a grief memoir. Williams shifts seamlessly between intimate reflections on love in the midst of tragic loss and incisive commentary on the social structures that framed her experience of receiving an adverse in utero diagnosis. She sees with the loving gaze of a parent and the disciplined mind of one trained to wrestle with difficult questions. What does it mean to be human? she asks. This is the question our daughter Cerian raised for me, and this is the question that lies at the core of this book. But it is not enough for her to raise questions about the pressures families face after a life-limiting diagnosis. She writes honestly about her own faltering attempts to comprehend Cerians value. She confesses that ethical and religious principles alone could not give her family the courage and hope they needed to fulfill this work of love. What they needed, they received in disciplines of prayer and the mercy of friendship. In prayer, they discerned a calla vocation to receive Cerian as a gift to be loved. Through friendship, they received the grace to answer this call with unflinching fidelity. The choice to welcome Cerian opened Williams to a deeper understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God. ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. In 2020, we were the church on our heels. A global pandemic shut down much of our world. But the church has been on the move since it was birthed; it will continue to be on the move until God makes all things new. Moody Bible Institute has named Mark Jobe, lead pastor of a multisite Chicago megachurch, as its next president. Todays announcement comes several months after the historic schools top leaders resigned amid concerns over its financial and theological direction. Jobe, the founding pastor of New Life Community Church, will serve as Moodys tenth president. His tenure begins in January, a year after Moodys previous president J. Paul Nyquist and chief operating officer Steve Mogck resigned as the schools board declared it was time for a new season of leadership following layoffs and mounting tensions between the faculty and administration. We have had a vision for Chicago and beyond and seen God do some amazing things and we continue with that passion and that vision. Recently, God has opened up a great door of opportunity, Jobe, who holds a diploma and masters degree from Moody, said in a video announcement to the New Life community. Under his leadership, the church has expanded to 27 locations with about 7,000 attendees. Jobe said he plans to continue to serve as pastor and preacher after assuming the new position at Moody. The Chicago pastor and ministry leader succeeds interim president Greg Thornton, a former Moody vice president. Jobe has continued to work with his alma mater over the years, writing a book through Moody Publishers (Unstuck: Out of Your Cave into Your Call) and hosting a show on Moody Radio Chicago (Straight Talk). With the appointment of Mark, the search committee and board of trustees firmly believe the Lord answered our prayers and those of everyone who have faithfully stood with us these last six months, said Randy Fairfax, the Moody boards chair. His clarity of vision, humble nature, passion, and strong track record of ministry growth will bring a palpable energy to the Moody family. Coupled with his commitment to the Scriptures, personal integrity, and prayerful approach, he will foster unity, trust and drive us forward in our mission to equip people in the truth of Gods Word to impact the world for Christ. Last year, CT reported that the 133-year-old Bible college would be shuttering its campus in Spokane, Washington; reducing programs like distance learning; and terminating faculty, including 10 percent of its Chicago campus professors, following recent drops in enrollment. Faculty, student, and alumni critics blamed the administration for not staving off such drastic cuts and, in the words of a group known as Moody Anonymous, generating a culture of fear on campus. Julie Roys, a former Moody Radio host who was fired over her criticism, called out what she saw as extravagant housing arrangements for then-president Nyquist. Moody announced Jobes appointment during chapel on Tuesday morning, with many celebrating the selection. I don't know Mark personally, but have only heard good things about him, Roys tweeted. Praying he brings the reform Moody needs. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A discovery in Turkey reveals a faith that has endured the ages, outlasting persecution, heretics...and even rising water. One of my favorite things to talk about here on BreakPoint is biblical archaeology. It's inspiring to see the events recorded in the Bible come to life in stone and metal and parchment before our eyes. But it's easy to forget that Christian history didn't end when Jesus ascended, or even when John finished the book of Revelation. Part of that later history is coming to life right now with the discovery and ongoing excavation of a Christian church in the Turkish town of Iznik. If you've never heard of Iznik, you may know it better by its former name: Nicea. About two hours from Istanbul (itself once known as Constantinople), Iznik sits on the shore of a green lake of the same name. Back in 2014, government surveyors using drones captured photos of a strange structure sitting just below the lake's murky surface. They showed these photos to Mustafa Sahin, head of archaeology at Bursa Uladag University, who quickly realized what he was looking at: a church. But this wasn't just any church. Historical records tell us it was built sometime in the fourth century, in honor of St. Neophytus, a sixteen-year-old Christian boy who was tortured to death there in the year 303, under the Emperor Diocletian. The dedication of this church to a martyr was no accident. Just a few years prior to its construction, Emperor Constantine had issued the Edict of Milan, declaring an end to Roman persecution against Christians and setting the stage for the underground church to go public. It did so in a providential way in 325, when Constantine convened a council on the shores of what is now Lake Iznik. This was arguably the most important theological gathering in Christian history (besides the council at Jerusalem in Acts 15). The bishops at Nicea rebuffed the Arian heresy, which claimed that Jesus was a mere creation of the Father. And they produced one of the most widely-used statements of the Christian faitha creed believers the world over still recite today: "We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made; being of one substance with the Father." Those words formed the central affirmation of the newly legal Christian church, and though controversies raged for years afterward, the Nicene Creed ultimately triumphed, surviving to this day as the way Christians around the world confess their belief that Jesus is not just a man, but God, Himself. The newly-discovered church, with its once-magnificent basilica and three naves, was built soon after the council and destroyed in an earthquake in the year 740. Now only the foundations and sections of the walls, clearly visible from the air, remain. An article in Live Science explains that the church once sat on the lake's shore, but due to rising water, was lost beneath the waves. Since its discovery, archaeologists have learned a lot. For instance, Sahin now believes the church was built on the even older ruins of a pagan temple to Apollo. Excavations which began in 2015 have already unearthed graves, Roman coins, and lamps. There are even plans in the works to make the site Turkey's first underwater museum, featuring a sixty-foot viewing tower, walkways over the lake, a SCUBA diving club to see the ruins, and even an underwater glass prayer room inside the church. If the plans are approved, the museum could open as soon as next year. I hope it does, not only because I love archaeology, but because these ruins bear witness to the way Christian truth outlives persecution. Ours is a faith that has buried empires and heresies. And like the Lord we confess using that ancient Nicene creed, it can't be kept down. It always rises from the gloom. Resources Ancient church hidden in Turkish lake and a Pagan temple may lie beneath it Tom Metcalfe | LiveScience | September 5, 2018 Originally posted at Breakpoint. Don't play politics with development, Christian Aid tells Penny Mordaunt Christian Aid has today warned the UK government not to 'play politics' with overseas aid in a way that harms the poorest. The charity was responding to a speech this morning by Penny Mordaunt, secretary of state for international development, who said profits from development projects should be offset against the 0.7 per cent of national income Britain is legally committed to donating in overseas aid. She also said private investment could 'make aid money work twice as hard'. Mordaunt made it clear her plan was aimed at 'reducing the ask on the public purse'. At present, finessing Britain's aid contribution in this way would be against international rules. Christian Aid said the suggestion that private sector investments could replace rather than supplement public aid and still be effective at addressing poverty is 'wrong' and that any attempts to play politics with the aid budget 'will raise questions about how aid policy is being developed and in whose interests'. The charity's director of policy and public affairs Christine Allen said: 'Publicly funded support for the most vulnerable is a hallmark of a civilized society. 'Private investment is also needed but is much less likely to reach the most vulnerable communities in the poorest countries. Suggesting that private sector investments, which have to make a return for investors, could replace rather than supplement public aid and still be effective at addressing poverty is wrong.' She added: 'Aid has been marred for years by donor countries putting their own priorities, and those of private sector actors, ahead of the needs of the countries and people who should benefit from that aid. This distorts the purpose of aid and while there may be some areas of overlapping interests, progress does not always involve "win-wins".' Kate Osamor, Labour's shadow international development secretary, told the BBC: 'This is an outrageous distortion of the country's overseas development programme.' She said: 'The Tories' plans to rewrite the international rules on aid and slash billions of pounds of public money will do nothing to end global poverty or reduce inequality.' 'Evangelical' has become too political and needs to be 'reclaimed', says WEA head The head of the World Evangelical Alliance said that it is "unfortunate" that the term "evangelical" has taken on a more political meaning in the United States and argued that it must be "reclaimed." While visiting the United Kingdom for a meeting of the U.K. Evangelical Alliance last week, WEA General Secretary Bishop Efraim Tendero spoke with the UK Christian news outlet Premier about his thoughts on the debate over the word "evangelical" happening across the Atlantic in the United States. "That's unfortunate that in the United States in particular that the word evangelical and the evangelical movement is identified more for political advocacy rather than the orthodoxy of their faith and the demonstration and proclamation of the Gospel," Tendero, who heads a network of churches in 129 nations that gives a "world-wide identity, voice, and platform" to over 600 million evangelical Christians worldwide, explained. "It doesn't mean that we have to give up that name." With the rise of President Donald Trump and his conservative evangelical base, some evangelicals in the U.S. have voiced concern that the public perception of the term "evangelical" has been distorted to only describe those who are white social conservatives. In the long run, Tendero stressed that politics will "pass by." "But the historicity of the evangelical movement and the meaning and what it stands for will last any political season," he stated. "Let's continue upholding the word evangelical true to its meaning that we care about the Gospel and when we talk about the Gospel, it is not just how we say the Gospel but how we live out the truth and values of the Gospel." When asked by Premier whether or not the word "evangelical" needs to be "reclaimed," Tendero responded, "Definitely." "It is not a political agenda or a political organization. It's actually a ministry of people who are committed to the Lord Jesus, people who are committed to fulfill both the Great Commission of Jesus and the Great Commandment of Jesus. It's a proclamation of the word as well as showing that in day-to-day living and having personal and community transformation." The National Association of Evangelicals released a statement this year to clarify what it means to be an evangelical. The term "evangelical," the group says, is used to describe Christians regardless of their political beliefs of ethnicity who believe in four basic truths. The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. Jesus Christ's death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God's free gift of eternal salvation. Last week, about 39 left-leaning evangelical leaders signed onto a statement called "The Chicago Invitation: Diverse Evangelicals Continue the Journey." "Sadly, in 2018, several false narratives around the identity of evangelicals in the United States undermine Christian witness and distort American politics," the document reads. "Often, evangelicals are identified in the media and by the public as being predominantly white, right wing, and unconcerned about the poor and oppressed." "In contrast to these false narratives, evangelicals compose an ethnically diverse group whose movement reflects a historical and ongoing commitment to Jesus, the authority of scripture, evangelism, and God's biblical call to justice," the statement adds. Included among the signatories of the document are Sojourners founder Jim Wallis, Joel Hunter, a former megachurch pastor who served as one of President Barack Obama's spiritual advisers, Red Letter Christians' Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne, author Lisa Sharon Harper, and Evangelicals for Social Action President Emeritus Ron Sider. Earlier this year, dozens of prominent leaders, including influential pastor and author Tim Keller and New York City megachurch pastor A.R. Bernard, held a private meeting to discuss the challenges surrounding evangelicalism. Also this year, about 10 evangelical activists, scholars and authors wrote essays published in the book "Still Evangelical?" "Right now, evangelical is one of those labels that is up for grabs because it's been taken and used both by the media and various evangelical voices to mean something that is often quite specific and in many people's minds, antithetical to the Gospel itself," Mark Labberton, editor of the book and president of the Fuller Theological Seminary in California, told The Christian Post earlier. Courtesy of The Christian Post Free for Good: It's time to back a crucial Modern Slavery bill that puts victims first This evening MPs will debate the effects of modern slavery on society. They will gather in Westminster Hall and the government will be given the chance to respond to questions and challenges to the current system. With an estimated 136,000 modern slaves in the UK alone, MPs will discuss what more the UK could be doing to tackle this massive problem. Modern slavery is a vile trade that is an affront to human dignity. The Christian worldview teaches us that all human beings, independent of their circumstances are made equal before God. Yet human trafficking creates a radical inequality where image bearers of God are treated as commodities, forced into forms of servitude by fellow human beings. From Wilberforce to Hope for Justice today, Christians have been and still are heavily involved in different ways in combatting modern slavery. Some work directly with victims. Others, like CARE, work at a policy level to make sure our laws are fit for purpose. It is in this latter connection that tonight's debate takes on an even greater significance. Back in 2015, the Modern Slavery Act became law. It was the first dedicated piece of anti-trafficking legislation in the UK for nearly two centuries. Not only did the legislation introduce stronger penalties for traffickers, it also guaranteed victims more support than was previously the case. But human trafficking is a complicated challenge. Now, more than three years since the modern slavery legislation became law, the evidence tells us that victims of modern slavery are not receiving the level of support they so desperately need. The current law, for all its strengths, is actually failing victims. When someone escapes from modern slavery they need help. Help to rebuild their broken lives. Help to begin to put the pieces back together. Help to navigate the complicated, often bureaucratic world of engaging with local and national authorities. Help to find a safe place to live. But all too often, there's not enough help, there's not enough time and so victims can end up re-trafficked, destitute or homeless. Police officers have even reported seeing the same victims come through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) more than once. We cannot rest while these problems remain. Reducing modern slavery must begin by putting the needs of the victims first. Over the last few years, ever since the Modern Slavery Act passed, our focus at CARE has been on finding ways to make sure victims are no longer sold short. Last year, the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords by Christian peer Lord McColl. It engages directly with the whole question of victim support and if passed into law, it would significantly strengthen the level of support currently available to victims in England and Wales. It sailed through the Lords and is now in the House of Commons. To become law, it needs the full backing of the government. The bill is backed by a huge number of anti-trafficking organisations and charities, from the Co-op, to Hope for Justice, the Human Trafficking Foundation and many more. Together, these groups have formed the Free for Good campaign. Its mission is to make sure victims of modern slavery receive as much support as they need. How would the bill make a difference? First, it would give victims of modern slavery who escape a guaranteed support period of 12 months. That's a full year where victims can begin to recover from their ordeal and start the process of rebuilding their lives. Second, the bill will mean victims receive a personalised support plan and a care worker who will be at their side as they engage with authorities, or possibly act as witnesses to help bring traffickers to justice. Third, the bill gives victims the right to remain in the UK for 12 months, minimising the disruption and additional trauma caused by the potential prospect of being 'sent back home'. More than that, this bill will give victims confidence that their concerns, their needs and their lives will be put first. It will tell them that when they escape, everything possible will be done to protect them from further exploitation. This is a simple piece of legislation, but it is one that would make a huge difference. Time is short, if this bill is to become law. Victims need more than is currently being offered. It was a Conservative government that boldly introduced the Modern Slavery Act. It should be a Conservative government that now backs this hugely significant victim support bill to guarantee victims the support, the help and the care they both need and deserve. James Mildred is the communications manager at CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un invites Pope to visit Kim Jong-un would like the Pope to visit North Korea, according to a statement from South Korea's presidential office. North Korea's Supreme Leader reportedly extended the invitation during a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month. The Pope would be 'enthusiastically' welcomed in communist North Korea, Kim reportedly said, despite the country being officially atheist. Kim Eui-kyeom, spokesman for the South Korean president, told reporters today: 'Chairman Kim said he will "ardently welcome the Pope if he visits Pyongyang".' President Moon is expected to pass on the invitation to Pope Francis when he meets him at the Vatican during a trip to Europe next week. The spokesman said President Moon would visit the Vatican on October 17 and 18 to 'reaffirm its blessing and support for peace and stability of the Korean peninsula'. The Vatican and Pyongyang do not currently have formal diplomatic relations and North Korea has a history of persecution towards Christians. The country is currently ranked number one in Open Doors' World Watch List of the 50 most dangerous countries to be a Christian a position it has held for the last 16 years in a row. According to Open Doors, Christians in the country are faced with torture in prison and hard labour camps for their faith. North Korea is officially atheist and strictly controls religious activities, with the people instead taught to worship the Kim family. Practising Christianity is perceived as a threat to the state and the leadership. Despite the fierce oppression, Open Doors puts the number of Christians in North Korea at 300,000. News of the invitation to Pope Francis came days after US Secretary of State held a 'very productive' meeting with Kim in Pyongyang on Sunday. The meeting signaled a rekindling of negotiations between the two countries towards denuclearization in North Korea after talks stalled over the summer. Preachers and mental health: The state we're in I am approached by a gifted young Christian leader at a conference that I am speaking at. It is a conversation I have had hundreds of times in the 13 years since we started The Mind and Soul Foundation. Here is another passionate leader and brilliant communicator of the gospel who is becoming aware of the juxtaposition between their mental state and the message that they are delivering to others. My empathy is rooted, in part, in the fact that I can see something of myself in the struggles of this young preacher. Having experienced a sudden and terrifying descent into Generalized Anxiety Disorder more than a decade ago, I know the sense of disbelief Christian leaders encounter when they realise they are not immune to the 1:4 statistic. (The prevalence of mental health issues among church leaders is at the higher end of the national average.) While the UK is often described as experiencing an 'epidemic' of mental health problems, the reality is a little less dramatic. The fact is, due to some exceptional public awareness campaigns by Time to Change, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, the general population is more aware of their mental wellbeing than they have ever been. The reduction in stigma means that more people are seeking treatment and this has led to a surge in medication prescriptions, particularly for mixed anxiety/depression which is the UK's most prevalent mental health issue. While much of what is called the Mental Health Awakening is to do with awareness, some issues are a rising concern. As the population lives longer, we are seeing older people experiencing mental illness, some related to loneliness. Young people are also increasingly vulnerable in our society and the UK has seen a rising trend of self-harm both inside and outside of the church. Manchester was recently dubbed ' the self-harm capital of Europe'. Male suicide is also an issue of vast concern in the UK and is the biggest killer of men under 45 years of age. Wellness versus illness? I am loath to simply quote statistics (of which there is an infinite supply) largely because it has been this binary view of wellness versus illness which continues to plague the mental health arena. The 1:4 statistic has given us a realistic idea of scale but it falsely suggests that three in four people don't need to be concerned with their mental health. The reverse is true: mental wellness is a health priority for everybody and a part of our God-given responsibility for good stewardship. Christian silence on mental health has undoubtedly had a detrimental impact upon the Christian community's motivation for mental self-care, but it has also inhibited our social mission. While the church has pioneered ministry in child education, poverty, homelessness, social equality, physical health and disability, we have largely abdicated any responsibility for mental wellbeing. Our absence in the mental health space only generates even more stigma and suspicion over the origins of clinical mental health problems. It has also meant that initiatives to promote mental wellness have not been taken up. When we launched Mind and Soul, I was initially warned off the idea by several Christian leaders who felt that psychological and theological perspectives on mental health were completely incompatible. This is despite the fact that many celebrated Christian leaders have openly wrestled with the impact of mental illness in their own lives. From a preacher's perspective it would be remiss not to mention Charles Spurgeon or Charles Wesley's lifelong battles with depression, or Martin Luther's wresting with OCD and anxiety. There are many others who appear to have had serious and enduring mental health issues, including Florence Nightingale (bipolar), William Cowper (depression) and John Bunyan (OCD). The church has a mixed record, historically, of engaging with those who had mental health problems. Juan Luis Vives, born in Valencia in 1492 was respected by Erasmus, Henry VIII and Thomas More. His words are perhaps a helpful reminder to us all that in our reflections on mental health, clinical or theological, distressed people are involved: 'There is nothing in the world more excellent than man, nor in man than his mind, particular attention should be given to the welfare of the mind; and it should be considered a highest service if we either restore the minds of others to sanity or keep them sane and rational... One ought to feel great compassion for so great a disaster to the health of the human mind, and it is of utmost importance that the treatment be such that insanity be not nourished and increased.' If we accelerate forward to recent years, the culture is changing again in a positive way. Mental health is an issue of huge public interest and over the last five years we have noticed a significant shift in Christian leaders' willingness to engage in psycho-education, emotional health training and mental health conversation. The impact of more informed leadership is being felt in congregations as a reduction in stigma, more informed preaching, referral activity and adapted prayer models. Mental health in leaders A key part of improving the culture for Christians suffering from mental health issues is addressing the emotional and mental health of Christian leaders directly. Typically, leaders set the culture in their churches, and they also tend to preach with passion and authority on issues that they have experienced and understood for themselves. Seminaries and theological colleges could consider mandatory training in mental health and self-care. Church leaders are vulnerable to stress, depression and burnout: 'I had to quit the ministry so we wouldn't end up quitting the church,' a former executive pastor said. Mental health stigma has improved but it remains a real blockage to us realising our ambition for the church to treat mental health issues with parity to physical health issues. This is because many leaders have generally retained a view that mental health issues have a stronger spiritual orientation than physical health problems. In the most troubling examples this has led to individuals suffering from psychotic illness undergoing humiliating public 'exorcisms' or being advised against taking effective medications. It has also been the experience of many sufferers that the implicit message in church is that depression is 'laziness', anxiety is a 'lack of trust' and that mental health problems can be resolved by greater 'obedience to Christ'. Six Conversations: the power of our words As leaders absorb more psychologically-friendly language, we have seen the appearance of a subtle hybrid of the same stigma appearing in preaching and we have broken these down into six general topic areas: 1. The Trust Conversation: 'As you learn to trust God more you will find that your anxiety will gradually fade away.' What the mental health sufferer hears: 'My mental health problem is a result of my lack of trust in God, and it will disappear as I go deeper in my faith.' Anxiety disorders impact people with a deep trust in God and are not related to the strength of a person's faith. Anxiety issues also fluctuate over time and need long term management. They tend not to improve on their own but through awareness, medication, talking therapy and self-help strategies. 2. The Self-Indulgent Conversation: 'Lots of biblical greats such as Job and Elijah were depressed. The key thing to remember is that they didn't pander to their depression, but got on with the ministry God had called them to.' What the mental health sufferer hears: 'It's not OK to be self-indulgent and be impacted by my mental health problems. I need to ignore my pain and get on with what God's calling me to.' God never criticises people suffering with depression in the Bible, indeed he does the opposite; he comforts them and meets their needs. Dealing with emotional pain is not self-indulgent, any more than dealing with physical pain is. We all need to offer and receive the comfort of God without qualification: that's grace! 3. The Personal Cross Conversation: 'We all have our own cross to bear, for you it may be your mental health issues. The good news is that in heaven there will no more weeping or gnashing of teeth.' What the mental health sufferer hears: 'I am never getting any better this side of heaven. God is responsible for me carrying this cross. Life is hopeless this side of eternity.' We can identify with the suffering of Christ in our sufferings, but these are not fixed God-ordained things. Mental health issues, like physical disabilities, provoke suffering but also creativity and gifting. They do not define our identity or reflect the sum of our struggles. We can live life well this side of heaven with mental health problems. 4. The Undermining Mission Conversation: 'The enemy is using mental health issues to make the church inward-looking. As long as we are being introspective, we are losing our effectiveness in mission.' What the mental health sufferer hears: 'Mental health issues are a weapon of Satan to stop people meeting Jesus. As long as I am talking about mental health, I am undermining the gospel.' Jesus was the ultimate pastoral leader who loved the hurting and broken like no other. He calls us to 'take care of the sheep' with the same care and love that he demonstrated. Supporting people with mental health problems in the church is fulfilling the spirit of the Beatitudes and the Great Commission. It is the very thing that will make our message heard in a sceptical world. 5. The Already Healed Conversation: 'You have already been healed of your mental health problem, now you just need to agree with the healing that you have received.' What a mental health sufferer hears: 'Your disobedience is keeping you ill.' Sometimes we need to choose the behaviours that we have decided for in our minds. However, this is not the same as choosing a healing. Mental health recovery is not about disobedience, but it is sometimes about courage. No one with the 'flu is being disobedient by feeling unwell, equally no one with depression is disobedient by feeling low. Let's not confuse healing steps with the healing itself. 6. The Medication Conversation: 'Medication is OK, but you haven't been called to rely on it forever. You need to step forward in your faith journey so that this crutch is no longer needed.' What the mental health sufferer hears: 'Medication is a weak alternative to real recovery. I should get off it as quickly as possible so that I can do this recovery right.' Medication is a valid, necessary and often essential part in mental health recovery. It is neither less virtuous nor effective than other sorts of treatments, in most cases. Just as with conditions like diabetes in physical health, many psychotic illnesses will require a life-long medication regime. This is wholly good and right and should be actively supported by the Christian community. As preachers and leaders, we carry a huge responsibility to use our words and actions to heal and not hurt. While we may in some instances carry genuine disagreements over some aspects of this topic, we can no longer allow ignorance to inform us. For the sake of our congregations as well as ourselves, I would encourage us all to become as educated and informed as we can possibly be over mental health, from both a secular and a Christian perspective. There is no doubt that our society needs it, our churches are impacted by it and our families will encounter it. Jesus is still the healer, and powerful biblical preaching that is psychologically informed has a key role to play in the mental health recovery of hurting people within our churches today. Rev Will Van Der Hart is pastoral chaplain of Holy Trinity Brompton, London. He is a director of The Mind and Soul Foundation and works to support people with emotional and mental health issues within the Church. He is co-author, with Dr Rob Waller, of a number of books including 'The Worry Book', 'The Guilt Book' and 'The Perfectionism Book'. www.mindandsoulfoundation.org @mindandsouluk This article first appeared in the October edition of Preach magazine, which focuses on mental health, and is reproduced with permission. World Mental Health Day 2018 is on October 10. Toxic masculinity: Why we should stop calling God 'he' Archbishop Justin has some gay friends. He knows them and likes them, and indeed he thinks their relationships are fabulous. So it's not personal. There is however a way of treating gay people in the Church which has been normalised. There is a level of emotional, spiritual a and verbal abuse which is woven into the fabric of the institution. It almost feels as if there is a fault line in human nature which cannot be changed. The latest flurry over 'Living in Love and Faith' (aka the 'Teaching Document'), we hear, is about the fact it is all happening on the condition that the status quo is upheld. Well, I'm feeling the same about men. I know some fabulous men. People I admire, respect and love as individuals. This week however, has left me thinking that gender wars are at the root of most of the evil in the world. I am experiencing a sort of despair. There has been a perfect storm. I really struggled with my reaction to the unfolding story in America around the appointment of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Virtually everyone knows that Christine Blasey Ford is telling the truth, but they still went ahead and appointed Kavanaugh. In a way we are familiar with the politicalisation of patriarchy in the Republican Party. What dug the knife in though was the role of the conservative Christian lobby. As an email I received from Faith America on October 7 usefully summarised: 'Franklin Graham said attempted rape was "not relevant." 'Jerry Falwell Jr. bussed hundreds of Liberty University students to Capitol Hill to rally in support of Kavanaugh as Christine Blasey Ford testified. 'An official at Catholic University tweeted that one of Kavanaugh's accusers should be treated as a "perp," not a victim. 'If you want to understand why Republicans are voting lockstep to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, look no further than the religious right. 'For decades conservatives have been telling Christians to vote Republican because of sexual morality. It's time to end the charade.' There is a not a calm, measured way to react to this stuff. I'm sorry, but it makes me want to vomit. In case you think it's just Christians, The Times reported (8.10.2019) that Amazon has a scheme that supports the extremist Muslim cleric Haritha al Haddad who condones child marriage, FGM, and stoning people for adultery. He naturally believes that women should remain in the home and not have independence or complain when their husbands beat them. Ironically in the same edition of the paper there is a report on research that shows that the quality and quantity of men's sperm is falling so rapidly that were it to continue the future of the human race would be in doubt. Too many pies, it seems. Does it HAVE to be like this? Is this actually what the story of Genesis is all about? Are we being given an insight into the root cause of so much of our cruelty and suffering? What most women experience is that 'toxic masculinity' has invaded our families, our workplaces, our schools, our politics and our churches. Patriarchal ideologies are the norm. The Church has been horribly silent in the face of violence and abuse against women. We don't talk about it, even though in our congregations there will be many women some say 87 per cent who have experienced some form of harassment, and one in six who have been the victim of rape or attempted rape. Why? Why, when our message is about love and transformation and healing, is the Church not the one place where things are different? The one place where we can model a way of justice and equality. It's all in the Bible, after all. Deep breath. But I'm going to say it: it's because 'God is male'. At the deepest level we have chosen to create an image of God which colludes with the toxicity of male dominance. So much religious language is violent. It is about heroic leadership, kingship, subjection, dominance. It's about who wins and who loses. It's about punishment and reward. There are wars, physical and spiritual. Every level of oppressive patriarchy is right there in our holy text. Of course I hear our feminist theologians. You don't have to read it that way, but we do. Instead of turning the script on its head we use it to reinforce male dominance at every turn. This is about so much more than making a few women bishops. This asks us all if there is a way in which Christianity can be so counter-cultural that it inhabits a universe that is free form gender war at every level. To even begin to make that happen we need to talk about pronouns. While God goes on being caricatured as 'he' the conversation cannot even begin. Rev Canon Rosie Harper is chaplain to the Bishop of Buckingham and a member of the Church of England's General Synod. This article appears on ViaMedia News and is used with permission. 5 minutes with A Fang Ngil mask from Gabon Held in a private Belgian collection for almost half a century, this rare Fang Ngilmask from Gabon sold for 2,407,500 in the African and Oceanic Art sale at Christies in Paris. Specialist Bruno Claessens explains why There are only about a dozen masks of this type still in existence, explains Bruno Claessens, Head of African and Oceanic Art at Christies in Paris, and this is one of the last of this quality still in private hands. Ngil masks were worn by the Fang people in Gabon and have long been considered to be one of the holy grails of African art. In 2006, a Ngil mask from the Verite Collection made auction history by selling for 5.5 million at the time, and for several years thereafter, the highest price ever for an African work of art at auction. Ngil masks influenced the work of a number of artists of the French avant-garde, including Amadeo Modigliani, says Claessens, who notes similarities between this mask and the Italian artists depiction of his subjects with elongated features. You have this beautiful structure of pure geometric shapes that forms the face, he observes. A Fang Ngil mask, Gabon. Height: 59 cm (23 in). Sold for 2,407,500 in the African and Oceanic Art on 30 October at Christies in Paris We know that several of these masks were available to be seen in Paris in the early 20th century, Claessens continues, and in addition to Modigliani, artists such as Picasso, Braque and Derain were clearly fascinated and inspired by them. The height of the mask 60 cm is indicative of its use as a ceremonial object. It would have been worn by a member of the Ngil, a secret brotherhood responsible for policing and administering justice in Fang communities. The Ngil operated at night, says the specialist, and one can only imagine the impact of a white mask such as this, as part of a full costume, emerging from the darkness. The white colour is made from ground kaolin, a soft clay, and refers to the spirit world. This mask was made to impress, and even so far removed in time and place from its origin, it still succeeds Bruno Claessens The mask was meant to depict a terrifying entity, and it was used in ceremonies that involved spectacular dances. You can view the Ngil as agents of social control, explains the specialist. In simple terms, the ceremonies mainly consisted of frightening those who had evil intentions. This mask was made to impress, and even now, so far removed in time and place from its origin, it still succeeds in doing that. The mask in the 1963 exhibition at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium. Also shown is a Fang reliquary figure (centre) also offered in African and Oceanic Art on 30 October at Christies in Paris By the late 1920s, however, the French authorities had outlawed these traditions, causing the masks to become increasingly rare. Before last year, this mask had last been seen in public in 1963 as part of an exhibition of African art at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren. It was then owned by Jacques and Denise Schwob, who had acquired it in 1948 from Rene Withofs, a Belgian dealer. Withofs had sourced it from a French colonial doctor who had worked in Gabon between 1910 and 1940, and had assembled an important group of Fang objects, including two Ngil masks. The Fang Ngil mask on display at the home of Jacques and Denise Schwob, where it remained hidden from the wider world for almost half a century Nancy Giles has been named chief development officer of The Houston Symphony effective Oct. 22. Skanska USA has promoted Benjamin Llana to vice president of development for its commercial development operations in Houston. Mark Thiele has been named senior vice president of Houston Housing Authority, the citys agency on affordable homes and services to more than 60,000 low-income Houstonians. Morgan Munoz has joined business law firm Stibbs & Co. as an attorney in its litigation section. Sobi Qazi has been appointed express sales manager at Omni Houston Hotel. Lee Ann Kerr has been named director of admissions at Westbury Christian School, where she will oversee student recruiting, selection and enrollment. Capco Energy Solutions has hired Bob Stilwell as a partner in the Houston office. Friendswood Development Co. announced the promotions of Michael Johnson to vice president and Sawyer Blackburn to vice president of acquisitions. Marianne Plant has been appointed chief credit officer at Texas Gulf Bank. Brent Sappington has joined Consolidated Ship Repair as marine manager. Sappington will oversee projects from ship repair and fabrication, to decommissioning and systems integration testing, to subsea and offshore construction. Christopher Rajiah has been appointed senior vice president of worldwide alliances and partnerships at Alert Logic. Carnelian Energy Capital Management has promoted Preston Powell to managing director and Matt Kelly to vice president. E. William Stone has joined Avalon Advisors as co-chief investment officer and will transition to the position of chief investment officer at year end. Henry J. Lartigue, managing partner and chief investment officer since 2002, will continue to serve on Avalons board of directors and manage the Avalon Core Equity Portfolio. Arundo Analytics, a software company enabling advanced analytics in heavy industry, has added new members to its board of directors: Stuart Morstead, current chief operating officer and co-founder of Arundo Analytics; Tore Myrholt, senior external advisor of McKinsey & Co.; and Thomas Malone, the founding director of the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence. katherine.feser@chron.com twitter.com/kfeser I voted for Phil to be our governor in 2002 and again in 2006. He did an admirable job running the states government. However, those were different times and a senator carries much different responsibilities and significance in todays world. We have witnessed over the past two years and more specifically in the past two months with the Kavanaugh confirmation, our country is much more divided. Worse, the Democrat party has become led by far-left ideologues like Chuck Schumer and Diane Feinstein who do not respect freedom, due process, or the constitution. The Democrat rank and file follows in virtual lock step . . . and this weekend, after Kavanaughs confirmation on Saturday, Nancy Pelosi vowed to continue obstruction and resistance in the congress, following embarrassing false accusations simply for political reasons, denying due process, up to and including impeachment of a duly confirmed Supreme Court Justice. In the middle of last week, polls came out showing Tennesseans overwhelmingly supported Judge Kavanaughs confirmation. Then on Friday as it was becoming clear that Kavanaugh would be confirmed, Phil conveniently issued a statement complete with conditions that he would support the judges confirmation. Im sorry, but I found his statement much too political, conveniently limited, and easy to reverse. As Senator, I believe Phil would find it too easy to succumb to the pressure of the Democrat leadership and the interests of California, the broken rust belt, and the northeast liberals. Tennessee voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump in 2016. Our economy is benefiting from the policies and tax reductions he and the Republican Congress has put in place. Sure, we all wish Trump would shut the heck up and lose his twitter account; but the fragile Republican majoritys lessening of the restrictive policies and regulations Obama and the Democrats placed upon us have given us a new sense of freedom, lifted economic prospects for all people, and made it impossible to refute the economys success. Marsha Blackburn is a woman who has worked successfully in private industry, in government, and has proven conservative Tennessee values. She has balanced her dedication to Tennessee with her role as a wife, mother, and compassionate community leader. She is bold and has risen to leadership positions in the Congress based upon her intellect, skill, and merit. We simply cant take the chance the Senate would turn majority democrat. We need a senator who can stand up to liberal and Democrat influence, uphold the constitution, and the values of Tennesseans. Thats why Im voting for Marsha Blackburn. Bob Linehart * * * Mr. Linehart lays out an excellent case for why I cannot vote for Phil Bredesen as well. He was actually a decent governor whom I also voted for. I didn't agree with some things he did, but for the most part I think he was good for our state. On the national level, though, is a whole other issue. I just do not believe he would not be beholding to the DNC and Schumer, Pelosi et al, especially as a junior senator, despite his claims to the contrary. The SCOTUS confirmation is a perfect example. He danced around the question for months and when it was obvious Kavanaugh was going to be confirmed, he conveniently came out in support of his confirmation. Sorry, Phil, but I'm not buying it. I suspect he got permission from Schumer to do just that when it was obvious Kavanaugh was going to be confirmed. Most of his TV ads apologize for the fact he is a Democrat. Does anyone believe the DNC would support him if they didn't think he would tip the balance in the Senate? We simply cannot give up the slim majority we have in the Senate to a politician who claims he would vote for Tennessee first and the Democrats second. The polls show Marsha Blackburn with a slight advantage so perhaps most Tennessee voters are not buying off on Bredesen's carnival barker act. I, too, will cast my vote for Marsha Blackburn. Dennis Wooden NOAA / NHC Crude advanced as Hurricane Michael strengthened and curtailed offshore oil production and the International Energy Agency warned the global market is entering a "red zone." Futures rose as much as 1.1 percent in New York on Tuesday. As Michael barreled toward the Florida panhandle, about one-fifth of oil output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was shut. Globally, supplies from Iran and Venezuela have been shrinking, creating a "risky situation" for the world economy, said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. At the same time, spare crude in American tanks probably increased for a third straight week, according to a Bloomberg survey. WASHINGTON - Anticipation is building around President Donald Trump's visit to Iowa on Tuesday. After months of hinting that he would lift restrictions limiting the sales of E-15 - a type of gasoline with a higher concentration of ethanol - the president has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to move ahead, a White House official said. RELATED STORY: Gasoline lobbyists go to battle to slow ethanol's rise Expanded E-15 sales pose a threat for Gulf Coast oil refineries, which have already watched U.S. gasoline demand plateau with the roll out of more efficient vehicles. A group of 20 Republican and Democrat senators, including Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, wrote to Trump last week urging him not to lift restrictions on ethanol sales. "We are concerned that doing so would do nothing to address the policies impacting refinery jobs, could hurt millions of consumers whose vehicles and equipment are not compatible with higher ethanol blended gasoline and risk worsening air quality," the letter read. Under current environmental regulations, E-15 sales are banned in the summertime to limit air pollution when health impacts are highest. But with more and more gas station chains selling E-15, which sells at a discount to standard gasoline, pressure has grown on the federal government to lift the ban. Last week Growth Energy, a trade group representing biofuel producers, began running television ads in Washington urging politicians to take action. "The drive to give consumers cleaner, more affordable options at the pump gains momentum every day," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "We're making sure that President Trump and rural champions in Congress have the support they need to get this over the finish line." Trump is scheduled to land in Council Bluffs, Iowa at 5:25 pm Tuesday, for a political rally that evening. After being criticized for her choice of head wear in Africa, Melania Trump told reporters she wants people to "focus on what I do, not what I wear." The first lady had media buzzing (and social media on fire) when she stepped out in front of the press Friday in Kenya, wearing khaki jodhpur pants, tall leather riding boots and a crisp white shirt. She looked exquisite, as she often does. Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District officials ignored and covered up a 4-year old student's 2016 sexual assault, failing to notify parents of the incident, according to a federal lawsuit filed against the school district. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on Oct. 2, contends that on Dec. 14, 2016, a 4-year old girl at Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School in Baytown was sexually assaulted by a 4-year old boy in a unisex bathroom. The defendants in the lawsuit filed by the family of the girl are: Goose Creek Consolidated ISD; Goose Creek ISD Superintendent Randall O'Brien; Araceli De La Cruz, the district's director of student services; Maria Duarte, the school district's deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction; and Theresa Keel, the principal at Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School. DICKINSON ISD: Violent threat found on girls' junior high bathroom wall The lawsuit alleges that the defendants committed numerous Title IX violations and violated the girl's constitutional rights under the color of the law. The girl's family is seeking $10 million in damages, a jury trial, and all attorney's fees paid. A pretrial conference has been set for Feb. 15 before U.S. District Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore. An attorney for the plaintiff did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokeswoman for Goose Creek CISD said that they have yet to be subpoenaed and provided the following statement on the allegations in the lawsuit to the Houston Chronicle. "It is important for our community to know that we strongly disagree with the allegations in the lawsuit. Our District staff work every day to keep our students safe, to keep them learning, and to keep them free from any sort of sexual misconduct. Although federal and state law prohibits the district from disclosing the details of a specific student's confidential educational matters, Goose Creek CISD has strong policies and procedures in place to investigate and properly address allegations of sexual misconduct on school property. "We want to assure families in this District that student well-being and equal education opportunities are of paramount importance. Because this is a pending legal matter, the District will allow the judicial process to take its course and will refrain from commenting further on the matter." The plaintiff in the lawsuit, identified as a Jane Doe because she is a minor, left class unattended that day to go to the bathroom. A boy in the same classroom, whose name is also being withheld but is identified in the lawsuit as "Student A", followed her to the bathroom, also unattended by an adult or teacher. When Jane Doe returned to her classroom, the pants she was wearing were inside out and her shoes were on the wrong feet. Doe's parents immediately noticed her altered appearance when picking her up from school and later learned that she had been sexually assaulted when she had gone to the bathroom unattended. The lawsuit states that Doe's parents questioned the school's administration about the assault and that, "such questions were met by false statements and denials of wrongdoing." This is the second sexual misconduct allegation for the Goose Creek CISD in as many months. In August, a male teacher at James Bowie Elementary School in Baytown was accused of touching three fifth-grade students inappropriately. That teacher was immediately removed from campus and a report was filed with the Texas Education Agency. Nick Powell covers Galveston County and the Bay Area for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and send him tips at nick.powell@chron.com Chuy's fanatics who want free food for a year should get in line early at the Mexican restaurant's next grand opening. The Austin-based Tex-Mex chain's newest location is set to open in Tomball Oct. 16 and is offering the first 50 customers free food for a year...well, kind of. Winners will receive a voucher for a free appetizer, entree and dessert for 12 visits, or once a month. A Dickinson ISD student was arrested Tuesday after making verbal threats against two students at Lobit Middle School. The student made threatening comments to two different students around 10:15 a.m. in the restroom at the middle school, according to a Facebook post from DISD. The two students reported the threats to their teachers and an investigation soon followed. According to the post, charges were filed in Galveston County, and the student was arrested. "Dickinson ISD takes all threats seriously and will fully investigate and pursue charges against those who make the threats," the school district stated in the post. "Parents please talk with your children and reinforce the seriousness of all threats (written and/or verbal) and the legal consequences that may occur." THINK BEFORE YOU POST: FBI warns of posting hoax threats to schools This is the second threat the district has seen this week after a violent message was found on the bathroom wall at Kranz Junior High Monday. The threat read, "I'm shooting this school up on January 19, 2019. I hate this school and my life," according to school officials. Another similar threat to the Kranz Junior High threat was made last week at Barber Middle School. According to a Facebook post from the district, a threatening message was written on the bathroom wall at Barber Middle School Oct. 4. It read "I am going to shoot up the school on May 19". The district said in both posts regarding Lobit and Barber Middle Schools that Galveston County Sheriff's Department officials are investigating the threats. RELATED: Violent threat found on girls' junior high bathroom wall in Dickinson ISD The district said counseling assistance is available to students who need it. "Our goal in Dickinson ISD is to ensure students are safe and secure at school. We commend the students who brought this information forward, and we encourage you to speak with your child about always reporting to an adult when they hear or see threatening comments or behaviors," DISD said in the post. "If your child feels anxious, nervous, or scared about school, please let us know immediately. " Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on the breaking news site chron.com and the subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Follow her on Twitter: @beccaghennes. Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message. Cemex USA MetroNational has signed up new tenants at three office properties in its Memorial City mixed-use development at Gessner and Interstate 10 in west Houston. Brad MacDougall, MetroNational's director of office leasing, represented the Houston-based real estate investment, development and management firm in the leases. U.S. crude oil exports are expected to hit nearly 4 million barrels a day by 2020. The export volumes are expected to rise to 2.2 million barrels a day in 2019 and hit 3.9 million barrels a day by 2020, according to a new report by research firm S&P Global Platts. The increasing crude oil exports will be linked to continued oil production growth in U.S. shale oil fields, particularly the Permian Basin in West Texas, which is currently producing around 3.4 million barrels of oil a day. RELATED: China slams brakes on U.S. crude oil imports The report estimates that the Permian -- which stretches from West Texas into New Mexico -- accounted for more than a quarter of U.S. oil production in 2017. The Platts report said current ship borne export capacity out of the U.S. is around 4.8 million barrels per day, with Texas accounting for the vast majority of the total, 3.9 million barrels a day. Houston is said to have the lions share of export capacity -- more than 2 million barrels a day -- while the Corpus Christi and Brownsville region has more than 1.1 million barrels a day of oil export capacity. Gulf Inland Logistics Park (GILP), a 1,050-acre industrial and commercial development located near Dayton, has signed initial user land sales with two international specialty chemical companies. Gulf Inland Logistics Park will eventually include over 10 million square feet of rail-served industrial facilities, with dual rail-service from both the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads and in-park railcar storage for over 1,850 railcars. Both tenants will be utilizing their new facilities at Gulf Inland to improve supply chain logistics, expand business opportunities, and achieve cost synergies. The GILP is located adjacent to the existing Union Pacific and BNSF Railway railcar storage in transit facilities, which total over 9,500 combined railcar spaces. Gulf Inland will have dual rail-service from both the UP and BNSF railroads via a turnout on the Baytown Branch line and in-park railcar storage for over 1,850 railcars. Gulf Inland features strong highway access to major logistics centers, including the Port of Houston and George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Gulf Inland has direct access to US Highway 90 and State Highway 146. Gulf Inland sits within Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2 (TIRZ) in Liberty County which was established in May of this year and recently appointed a Board consisting of 9 local stakeholders. The strong support of the City of Dayton and Liberty County through the TIRZ has allowed Gulf Inland to accelerate its development, and the Park has a growing backlog of prospective tenants. Marcus Goering, CEO of CMC Railroad, the owner of Gulf Inland, said in a statement, We are excited to break ground on these initial sales, and see the pace of development accelerating into 2019. Gulf Inland provides tenants a uniquely advantaged location for rail-served industrial facilities, with convenient access to all other major forms of transportation, including road, sea and air, as well. Goering was unavailable to answer questions and name the two companies, or give details on their profile, particularly what kind of chemicals will be on the property. Chef Josh Mouzakes said he's long had a fascination for old inns. Early in his career he cooked at Mirabelle Restaurant at the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook, NY; at the Lord Jeffry Inn in Amherst, Mass.; and at the Eastover Estate in Lenox, Mass. Those experiences led him to grander inns: The mega MGM Grand in Las Vegas where he worked under the exacting standards of superchef Joel Robuchon. That was followed by a five-year stint at the grand dame inn, the historic Hotel del Coronado in San Diego where he served as chef de cuisine for fine dining. And now he's installed at yet another inn the posh JW Marriott Houston Downtown. As the hotel's new executive chef, Mouzakes said it was the elegant pile's bones that spoke to him when he visited for his interview. The JW Marriott's architecture (the hotel was the former Samuel F. Carter Building, called the city's first skyscraper) impressed: "The hotel is multi-faceted," he said. "There's so much going on." And he found the kitchen staff an eager and dedicated group. "I remember their eyes. They were all so smart," he said. "There was a great intelligence." Today he's leading that team, applying his own know-how to what he calls the hotel's already accomplished culinary stamp. With his first top-to-bottom re-write of the dinner menu, Mouzakes is creating a new chapter in the young life of the JW Marriott, which opened in 2014. He's doing it with a menu full of both razzle dazzle and breathtaking subtleties. It's clear that Main Kitchen is moving in yet another sophisticated new direction. CREATIVE CAFFEINE: Roastery Coffee Kitchen to open in multiple H-E-B stores One of his starters might say much about Mouzakes' desire to wow. His Pearl Oysters are simple but extravagant: freshly shucked oysters dabbed with passion fruit curry and set under a dome that breathes dry ice smoke when presented at the table. Asian flavors show up in the roasted cauliflower bisque perfumed and colored with turmeric; mussels wade in Thai coconut broth with lemongrass and basil. And local flavors make themselves known too: Texas honey ricotta making nice with poached pear and coriander hazelnuts in the butter lettuce salad; Texas wildflower honey whipped into the butter served with cornbread; and satsuma oranges garnishing the ahi tuna sashimi studded with serrano peppers and local watermelon radish. Several entrees will appease meat-loving Texans: bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin (which Mouzakes calls his nod to barbecue) is glazed with a bourbon plum sauce and served with anise-roasted carrots; rosemary-flavored ribeye served with oyster mushrooms and potato mille-feuille; 48-hour roasted veal breast with potatoes, broccolini and caramelized garlic puree; and roasted duck breast with smoked potato puree, poblano pepper and grilled corn succotash and espelette pepper-dusted popcorn. There's also day boat scallops with honey-poached sweet potatoes and swiss chard; roasted salmon with baby beets and parsley potato puree; and goat cheese agnolotti with heirloom cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cranberry puree. Mouzakes replaces Jelle Vandenbroucke who was appointed executive chef in January 2016 after the restaurant's first executive chef, Erin Smith, resigned. So what has become of Vandenbroucke? He's now the hotel's general manager. Mouzakes admits he's come a long way from his first job, washing dishes in a Long Island, NY, eatery where his school bus dropped him off after he was finished with classes. But within six months he was cooking, and by 18 he began his career at The French Laundry, the fabled farmhouse restaurant led by Thomas Keller in Yountville, Calif. Today, the 34-year-old chef's standards are seen through an eye that recognizes the artistic and luxurious standards of a new realm of hospitality. He said his goal at his new post isn't just to create beautiful food. "My main goal is to elevate the entire operation," he said. "I don't want to be a one-dimensional chef." He also, when he has time, intends to get to know the Houston dining scene better. "It's going to take forever to get through my list of places I want to eat." Already, though, his attitude fits right into this can-do city: "If you work hard enough, you can be the best." Main Kitchen, JW Marriott Houston Downtown, 806 Main, 713-360-3700; jwmarriotthotelhouston.com Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture. Through an initiative started this school year, Friendswood ISD educators are aiming to help students develop as people who can manage emotions, set goals and make good decisions. For so long school we were so focused on academics, but now weve turned toward trying to make more of an impact in kids' lives and targeting the whole child, which includes their emotional needs, said Diane Myers, who serves as the districts assistant superintendent of secondary curriculum and instruction. District officials joined with parents and community residents last spring to form a committee aiming to look beyond a traditional, academics-only approach. That effort led to a focus on addressing students social and emotional needs. Myers said the committee will work to ensure practices for social-emotional learning continue successfully in coming years. I believe this will be an ongoing process to implement and refine and bring in new ideas, she said. Committee members have drawn lessons from sources including consultant and motivational speaker Houston Krafts Character Strong program and the Chicago-based organization Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning. Although the districts campuses each have their own programs, Myers said SEL activities themes first revolve around get-to-know-you activities where kids share their favorite family traditions or best-loved movies. Activities then focus on developing social-emotional learning competencies, including self-discipline, time management, good decision-making, self-awareness, relationship skills and social awareness. Recently, students at Friendswood Junior High met in one of their 20-minute, twice-weekly, small-group SEL sessions called Mustang Impact. In these groups, students participate with kids who aren't in many of their classes, in an effort to get students to know people who may not be in their immediate orbit. They talked in small groups, which are called families, and they discussed the origins of their names, the importance of it, said Myers. Its a way for them to get to know each other better on a personal level. FISD spokeswoman Kelsey Purcell sat in on a recent session and observed how the children responded to the activity and interacted with one another. A safe place The kids appeared to be very eager to share their answers, she said. Most were raising their hands high trying to be the first to talk. It was cute seeing them so excited. Beyond their excitement, Purcell said the students felt the group was an opportunity to express themselves. I specifically talked with two students before the class began and they told me about how much they love (the Friendswood Junior High School program) Mustang Impact and how it makes their day better, Purcell said. The students described it as being a safe place where they could talk about things that were bothering them and not feel judged. They said the support from their peers and teacher helped them to feel comfortable sharing. As part of the SEL initiative, teachers received training about how to foster an emotionally healthy environment for their students including a culture of kindness based on Krafts philosophy. Weve always had teachers who care about building relationships because this is what we do, we love kids, Myers said. A culture of kindness can do nothing but help with achievement as far as their learning. You cant get to a persons head without first having their heart. Other tangible steps the district has taken include re-emphasizing the role of school counselors. They are there for more than just scheduling classes and helping kids get into college, Myers said. We want people to know they are there for students needs emotionally. The district created an SEL living page on its website with a continuously updated list of resources for those struggling with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. The page, found at www.myfisd.com/sel, also includes a student-produced video, created in collaboration with FISDs communications department, targeting cyberbullying. Myers said getting the kids involved was important. We have found it very powerful for them to be involved, she said. It gives them voice and choice. For more about the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, visit casel.org. As Novembers elections near, authorities everywhere typically see an uptick in yard-sign thefts. But the most recent target in Friendswood isnt a political candidate. Instead, it was a sign that encourage support for the police department. A witness saw a suspect, described a teenage boy or young man between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall with shoulder-length curly hair, take a We support our fantastic police officers yard sign from a residents yard Sept. 30 in the 1200 block of Middlecreek Street, police said. About 10 yard signs of various types have been stolen since Jan. 1, according to the report. We expect the theft of political signs during every election cycle. Political lawn-sign theft is not just confined to Friendswood, it happens across the country, police spokeswoman Lisa Price said. Signs advocating support for police, initially sold by the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, are now only available at Bay Area Pools and Spas, 4890 W. Main St. in League City, chamber vice president Lucy Woltz said. Office manager Lora Jacobsen said several people have come into the pool store recently looking to replace stolen signs. Store owner Lee Brock asks for a donation to Bay Area Pet Adoptions in exchange for a sign. For residents looking to plant a sign, either political or supporting the police, Price offered placement tips. Put them closer to your house. If your lawn is narrow, put it in a front-facing window, she said. Then, of course, there are some of the more creative and fun ways to deter sign theft like covering them in Vaseline or some other type of oily or greasy material. Those who put out signs should make sure they are on private property, with the owners permission, Price said. Also, it is illegal to place any signs on or within the right of way. This includes posting signs on trees, telephone poles, light poles and other objects on the right of way, she said. Surveillance cameras also are a good investment to protect home and property, Price said. They are a deterrent, but more than that, if they dont deter, they capture images of the suspect that law enforcement can use to help identify the thieves. Price said that anyone with information on the thefts or any suspicious activity in Friendswood should call the police department at 281-996-3300. Organizers of a Katy Farmers Market that operated briefly this fall plan to return early next year at a new, more central location. The Katy Farmers Market, 24325 Katex Blvd. Katy, celebrated its grand opening Aug. 25 at Faith West Academy, and ran through September after being organized by Aaron and Elizabeth Menke. The short run was affected, in part, by Aaron accepting a youth pastor position in Waco. Aaron Menke said hes talking with church leaders in Katy and looking to reopen the market in the city of Katy early next year. A 2009 Katy High School graduate, Menke said he still has family who live in the area. Both he and his wife also attended early elementary grades at Faith West Academy. RELATED: Houston-area farmers markets for the best fall produce I wanted to do something for the community, he said, explaining why he and his wife started the market. They have experience in the field. He formerly partnered with a company that created a franchise of farmers markets in Dallas. Its attempt to re-create that success in Houston encountered difficulties, including a different health code and what Menke described as an environment, Not as farmers market friendly as Dallas. Our first market had 30 vendors, said Menke. There are great family companies and vendors who have customers in Katy but no market. Our goal is to feature mostly farm vendors or homemade or home-grown food vendors. The website says Katy Farmers Market is donation-based which allows it to waive fees for its vendors. Vendors included a couple who made wooden cutting boards, for example, and a goat farm owner who created goat milk popsicles, he said. Faith West Academy provided a grassy location with trees for the farmers market. TIS THE SEASON: Local pumpkin patches and fall festivals worth the trip this October Its a nice area. We loved it, said Menke. Because it wasnt on a major road and it was very hidden made it difficult for me and my wife every week to continue to look for vendors. The first market also included a handicapped vendor who found negotiating the grassy area difficult. He said he is talking with representatives of a Katy-area church about the possibility of operating the market at their site. Menke was serving as a youth pastor in the Houston area when he and his wife started the Katy Farmers Market. Subsequently, he accepted a youth pastor position in Waco, which made operating the market more difficult. They came back for the grand opening as well as other weekends but relied on family to help them with operations, too. Thats how we were able to run it. They would help us a lot. Liz and I would do a lot of online stuff and talk to vendors. We think we really had a good run for the time we were there. We know we have a lot to learn, said Menke. RELATED: Cooks compete at Katy Rice Festival When the market reopens, Menke talked of it having a consistent person to be there. It will be a better system to make it easier on everyone. Visit www.katyfarmersmarket.org or email katyfarmersmarket@gmail.com for information. We want it to be a family-run market, Menke said. Our biggest priority is providing business for local vendors. karen.zurawski@chron.com A Houston area priest accused of molesting two teens will not be arraigned until 2019 due to a deluge of documents the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office seized last month as evidence. Manuel La Rosa-Lopez appeared in a Montgomery County courtroom Tuesday morning clean shaven and without his clerical collar before learning the case would be pushed back to Jan. 10. Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said the hearing was postponed due to the large volume of information and documents seized by law enforcement officials in at least three raids at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, the Shalom Center in Splendora and the St. John Fisher Church in Richmond. REPORT: Cardinal DiNardo acknowledged error in allowing accused Iowa priest to serve after sex abuse claims We executed several search warrants in a very short amount of time, Ligon said. Law enforcement is still going through all that data making sure what we have retrieved is turned over to the defense at the appropriate time. There is literally massive amounts of data we are still pouring through. A document filed Tuesday briefly details the reason behind La Rosa-Lopezs delayed court appearance: Lots of discovery. A week before the priests court appearance Tuesday, a third accuser came forward to allege that La Rosa-Lopez repeatedly molested him as an altar boy at a Houston church in the mid-1990s. La Rosa-Lopez was then a seminarian studying to be a priest and the boy helped with the Spanish-language Mass. Adam Dinnell, the lawyer representing the latest accuser, on Monday said his client is waiting to meet with a Conroe Police Department investigator about the report he lodged on Sept. 24 against La Rosa-Lopez. He declined to identify the accuser, now a man, or the church where the alleged abuse took place to protect his clients anonymity. In September, La Rosa-Lopez was charged with four counts of indecency with a child in two separate cases. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. The archdiocese has declined to comment on the criminal investigation other than to say it is cooperating fully with the civil authorities. Court records identified the victims by the initials J.H. and M.V. The documents state the teen victims were parishioners at the Conroe church when La Rosa-Lopez allegedly assaulted the two in separate incidents spanning from 1998 to 2000. Both victims spoke to police in August after meeting with Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston officials, including Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, about the allegations. The victims have said DiNardo did not appear to take them seriously. The male accuser, J.H., told the Houston Chronicle last month that the archdiocese flew him to Houston to meet with DiNardo, who chastised him for delaying his complaint. Well, you shouldve told us earlier, the victim quoted DiNardo as saying during the Aug. 8 meeting. He was told the archdiocese would file a report with Conroe Police Department on his behalf, but the investigator found no record of the report. The family of the female victim, M.V., confronted the church about La Rosa-Lopezs alleged relationship with the girl in 2000, prompting his removal from the parish. More than a decade later, she came forward to authorities because of the perceived duplicity of Cardinal DiNardo after her own meeting with the church leader and his conflicting remarks on priest sex scandals. Remarks made by DiNardo two years before he joined the then-Diocese of Galveston-Houston acknowledged that his Diocese of Sioux Citys mishandling of a sex abuse case, according to a report Monday night. In 2002, the future cardinal issued an apology on behalf of the Iowa diocese for allowing the Rev. George McFadden to remain a priest after he was accused of molesting children, KHOU-TV reported. In hindsight, that was a mistake that we regret, wrote DiNardo, then the bishop of the Iowa church. In todays world, that mistake would not have been made. DiNardos statement addressed the spate of claims against McFadden that publicly surfaced in 2002 during his tenure in Iowa. In response to the unearthed allegations, DiNardo suspended McFadden and the priest moved to Indiana to live with his sister. He was already forced to retire a decade earlier, in 1992, after serving nearly 50 years at six parishes. DiNardo joined the Iowa diocese in 1998 and left for Texas in 2004. At the time, the Des Moines Register reported DiNardo as explaining the priest was removed from his parish and sent to Maryland for therapy in 1991. The bishop acknowledged that the abuse claims were never reported to law enforcement "because it was so long after the events took place." In a statement sent to the Chronicle on Tuesday morning, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said McFaddens history of abuse took place before DiNardos time in Sioux City. As more information about George McFaddens history of abuse prior to 1985 became known, Bishop DiNardo publicly stated it had been a mistake for the Sioux City Diocese to have previously permitted McFadden to have even a very limited function in the diocese, the statement read. Although McFadden had already been removed from parish ministry, Bishop DiNardo terminated all of McFadden's priestly faculties in 2002 and in 2003 initiated the process to have McFadden completely removed from the priesthood. Bishop DiNardo was assigned to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in 2004. A Montgomery County man, with an extensive criminal history, was charged with injury to a child and sentenced to life in prison Oct. 3, 2018 after kidnapping his two-week-old son in 2014. The baby was found eight-days later dead in an overheated U-Haul with methamphetamine in his system. Michael Alan Webster was sentenced Oct. 3 to life in prison by Montgomery County 359th state District Judge Kathleen Hamilton. According to information from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, Hamilton stacked the life sentence on the prison sentence Webster is currently serving meaning he will not begin serving his life sentence until after completing his current 20 year prison sentence. A Conroe attorney is considering appealing the conviction and sentencing. Rick Brass will represent Webster in the potential appeal. BEHIND BARS: Houston woman heads to prison for her role in 'virtual kidnappings' I am looking for errors that will affect the viability of the conviction, Brass said. The goal of the appeal is to have the conviction set aside. Brass said he was assigned the case Monday and has not had time to review the facts. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office Major Crimes Division investigated the case with the assistance of the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Shanna Redwine and Joel Daniels. According to the DAs office, on July 31, 2014, Webster stole the baby from the childs mother who fled an abusive relationship with Webster. Webster evaded law enforcement and court orders to return the baby to the mother. RELATED: Liberty man indicted and charged with kidnapping The evidence showed that, among other unsafe sleeping conditions, the van was out of gas and the air conditioner shut off, the release stated. The baby was extremely hot when he was found. The state presented evidence through expert toxicologists that both the defendant and the baby had methamphetamine in their systems. During the punishment phase of trial, the prosecution proved that Webster had an extensive criminal history including drug possession, theft, domestic violence, and sexual assault offenses. Webster has spent much of his adult life incarcerated and was on parole when he committed this offense, DA officials confirmed. I appreciate the hard work by the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, Redwine said. Michael Webster is dangerous and our community is safer because of the jurys verdict. I am humbled and thankful for the strength, patience, and grace shown by the victims family throughout this process. cdominguez@hcnonline.com A violent and shocking threat found on the wall of a girls' bathroom in a Dickinson ISD middle school Monday has some parents and the community on edge. The threat read, "I'm shooting this school up on January 19, 2019. I hate this school and my life," according to school officials. The message was found on the bathroom wall at Kranz Junior High. According to a Facebook post from DISD, Galveston County Sheriff's officers are investigating the incident. It is not yet known who wrote the message, but according to the post, legal action will be taken when the student is identified. Parent Elizabeth Giamalva said her daughter was the student who reported the threat to school officials. "I was immediately scared. I called the school right away and went to get her," Giamalva said. "I know it's a hoax. But I still don't wanna take any chances." The district encouraged the community to come forward when they notice threatening behavior and also offered counseling services for students that may need it. RELATED: Galveston County teens face criminal charges for school threat, gun possession "If your child feels anxious, nervous, or scared about school, please let us know immediately," the district stated in its Facebook post. "We will have counseling assistance available to support to our students." Some parents commented on the school district's post announcing the discovery of the threat, saying they are aware of the district's intentions to keep kids safe but will not take chances Jan. 19. "My daughter is freaking out. This is getting ridiculous," one woman commented. "Those metal detectors sound pretty good now! Second threat in a week! My child will be absent Jan 19," another parent wrote on the same post. Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on the breaking news site chron.com and the subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Follow her on Twitter: @beccaghennes. Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message. In a room full of concerned employees, parents and community members, the Crosby ISD Board of Trustees declared financial exigency and announced that the district has already begun notifying staff of potential layoffs. Superintendent Scott Davis read a resolution stating the school district faces a significant shortage of financial resources, during a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 8. Trustees voted unanimously Monday evening to approve the resolution. Crosby ISD became the 16th Texas school district to declare an official financial emergency since 2012, a move that will allow officials to institute mid-year layoffs in an effort to keep the district financially solvent. A Crosby ISD statement noted that district officials have met with 18 employees in the last week to notify them of their impending termination. The media release also states eliminating an entire employment area was possible since some consisted of only one or two employees. These employees can stay in the district until Dec. 20 to minimize mid-semester disruptions. Teachers considered for termination will be notified prior to the Oct. 15 regular board meeting but can also stay in the district until Dec. 20. Davis will also bring proposal recommendations of either termination of probationary teachers or non-renewal of term contracts for teachers. At-will employees will be reduced based on the least disruptive impact to district operations. These employees will be given a final employment date of Nov. 2. When considering what employment areas to layoff, Davis also considered areas that can easily be absorbed into another department. The areas that were listed are areas that can be completely consumed and employees in that area will be affected equally and some of those employment areas its only one person and some of those areas its two, Davis said. In none of those areas was it more than two people. The resolution states the following employment areas could be affected: Federal Program Specialist PEIMS Specialist Director of Certifications Director of Transportation Art Facilitators District Social Studies Coordinators Science Coordinators, elementary and secondary Special Education Instructional Coordinator Teacher/ At-Risk Specialists Systems Analyst District Testing and Accountability Coordinator Librarians AVID Program Coordinator Special Education Behavior Specialist Teachers all grade levels The school district will need to cut about $5.5 million through layoffs because because it is facing a massive budget deficit. During the 2017-18 school year, Crosby ISD spent $47.9 million on payroll, 88 percent of the general budget. Most districts spend about 80 percent of their budget on payroll, according to the Texas Education Agency. Before the start of the meeting, Crosby ISD Board President Carla Mills Windfont told the audience said she stands by the board. I stand before you as president today to say, did we do everything right? No, but (this is) a teachable moment and we work together in this, Windfont said. Windfont added that she and other employees have heard concerns from students and staff. She ended her speech by quoting the Crosby ISD Fight Song, Onward to victory, never give in. Fight to the finish, thats how we win. Jo Ann Crawford, former Crosby ISD board member said in the 23 years she has served on the board she has never seen the budget this bad. Literally there wasnt a question I didnt ask that literally the board members were making fun of me for asking too many questions, Crawford said. When I left (the board) we had an unbelievable fund balance, everything was good. kaila.contreras@chron.com Conroe Mayor Toby Powell has kicked off the second Conroe Proud Community Pride Event triggering a cleanup project on the southeast side of the city. Powell, along with other city officials, officially launched the effort Oct. 3 at Washington Junior High drawing dozens of residents to learn about the effort. Residents also has an opportunity to visit with city leaders including Powell and Mayor Pro Tem Duke Coon. Officials with Conroes Code Enforcement Department, Conroe Police Department, Conroe Fire Department, Public Works and Waste Management all provided information to the community about improving the quality of life in their neighborhood. Powell began the Conroe Proud Events this year and they will move to various neighborhoods. I am proud of our citys effort to continue to improve the quality of life in one of our oldest neighborhoods, said Director of Community Development Nancy Mikeska. We want citizens to take pride in their neighborhood and help us keep it cleaned up. The cleanup project is paid for by grant funds from the Community Development Block Grant program through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Boundaries of the cleanup project or Texas 105 to Silverdale Street and FM 1314 to the railroad tracks in downtown. According to information from the city, citizens living in the designated area can put items on the curb through Oct. 15. Pick up will begin Oct. 15. The city will pick-up trash, yard debris, metal, general debris and old furniture. The city will not pick-up tires, paint, oil, batteries, items with Freon or other hazardous items. cdominguez@hcnonline.com A man who allegedly exchanged fire with deputies Tuesday morning has been found dead after an hours-long SWAT scene in the Sugar Land area. After more than five hours of trying to get in contact with the man, the SWAT team finally made entry into the man's home and found him dead in an upstairs bedroom, Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said. Authorities said the man, who they identified as 41-year-old Serik Olivares, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies received a call about a disturbance at the home in the 3700 block of Lakeridge Canyon Drive in Orchard Lake Estates around 5 a.m. The woman who called said that a man, who is the father of her child, was trying to kill her, the sheriff said. When two deputies arrived, Olivares shot one of them inside his home, authorities said. Both of the deputies exchanged gunfire with him, Nehls said. The deputy, 7-year veteran J. Bulman, was struck by gunfire and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He was shot through his calf and grazed in the chin twice. He's being assessed for surgery and is in good spirits, according to the sheriff. Other deputies later arrived and tried to gain access to the home, where Olivares lived with his parents. His mother and his child were still inside. The man fired more shots at the deputies, but no one was hit, the sheriff said. At some point, the woman who called 911 and Olivares' father escaped from the home, according to the sheriff. Olivares' mother and 2-year-old child walked out of the house safely around 8 a.m. The SWAT team eventually deployed gas canisters inside the home and didn't get any response. They entered the home and found the man dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. "What a terribly sad situation," Nehls said. "I am grateful that the suspect's family is safe and unharmed and that our deputy is going to make a full recovery." The 911 caller and Olivares had shared custody of the child. Yi-Chin Lee contributed to this report. Alicia Summers ran nearly a quarter of a mile with a swarm of killer bees on her tail. By the time she got back to her house in River Oaks, shed been stung between 30 and 40 times, she estimates. I was like a pincushion, Summers said. There were stingers sticking out of me everywhere. Those riotous insects were just a small fraction of the 80,000 Africanized bees in the hive that day, on Ella Lee near Briarwood Court, one expert said. Another expert at Texas A&M University estimated that the count would have been lower, topping out around 30,000 bees. Claude Griffin, owner of Gotcha Pest Control, told Chron.com that he was in the process of removing the bees last week. It was his eighth Africanized beehive in as much as two weeks, all found in the Memorial, River Oaks and Jersey Village areas, he said. Summers, who is 34, says she walks past the hive nearly every day with her 1-year-old boy and never knew it was there. But that day on Sept. 25, she was unlucky. While jogging alone in the middle of the road, she suddenly felt a sting on her back, near her shoulder. At first she thought it was a mosquito and swatted at it. Then, they attacked. Before I had a second thought, I was just covered in bees, elbows up, she said. Summers frantically flailed at the horde of honey gatherers and realized many of them werent going anywhere. She ran, whacking at the bees all the way. Her mother answered Summers frantic knocks at the door and began pulling at the stingers. The worst was that they were in my hair, she said. They were in my scalp stinging me. Summers mother finally got most of the bees out of her hair by spraying her with a hose, she said. She and her mother pulled out 15 to 20 stingers, she said, and the doctor at the emergency room pulled out 15 to 20 more. Summers said she was mostly fine, aside from feeling woozy before leaving the emergency room. About one week later, however, she woke up covered in welts. She got steroids, and nearly two weeks after the incident, Summers said she now feels better. But she knows she was lucky she wasnt allergic, and often thinks of the affect they could have had on an infant or an elderly person. Africanized Honey Bees, colloquially known as Killer Bees, are known for attacking in greater numbers than other honey bees, with people receiving ten times as many stings from them, according to the Smithsonian Institution. The bees, a subspecies of European honey bees, were imported to Brazil to hybridize with the local colonies there. They escaped and went north, eventually making their way to the southern United States, said Juliana Rangel, associate professor of agiculture in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. They're sometimes referred to as "feral bees" and find homes in both rural and urban areas, including in pay meter boxes or underneath sheds, Rangel said. "Theyre less selective in their house hunting or their new homes," Rangel said. "Anywhere they can find a little nook, they will set up shop." Since they were brought to Brazil in the mid-1950s, they've killed "some 1,000 humans," the institution reported. They also react to disturbances 10 times faster than other bees, and will chase people a quarter of a mile as was the case with Summers. "I just think about how many times that could have happened when I was even closer to it and I had my baby strapped to my chest," Summers said. "I didn't enjoy the experience, but I'm glad it was me and not me and my baby." AUSTIN Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is sponsoring a proposed Texas license plate that glorifies Confederate soldiers to help raise money for the Sons of Confederate Veterans reigniting a decade-old debate over whether there should be a novelty plate to benefit the group. The new design includes a rebel soldier clad in a gray Confederate uniform carrying a Texas regiments flag. The license plate design does not include the Confederate battle flag. As first reported by the Dallas Morning News, Miller wrote a letter in support of the license plate design and, as Agriculture Commissioner, offered to sponsor it. He told the paper, I couldnt see anything offensive about it. Kim Olson, a retired lieutenant colonel running against Miller in the November general election, said the agency should be focused on agricultural resources instead of sponsoring Confederate license plates. This is not something I want to go to the mat for. I want to represent folks in agriculture, said Olson. We have bigger fish to fry. The Sons of Confederate Veterans has sought to establish a license plate since 2007. Its first design featured the Confederate battle flag and sparked criticism from people who said the plate was offensive and loaded with racial undertones. The state rejected that design in 2011, a decision the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2015. The court ruled that government agencies do not have to approve messages with which they do not wish to be associated. The Sons of Confederate Veterans claims about 3,200 members in Texas in its March application for the specialty license plate. The group estimates about 1,000 such plates would be sold in the first year. Of the $30 fee collected for the specialty plates, $22 would go to the Department of Agriculture as the sponsoring agency. The department would give that money back to the Sons of Confederate Veterans in the form of grants for supporting charitable causes and related activities, Miller told the DMV in a letter. The purpose of the special license plate is to remember and honor our Confederate ancestors and to make the commemorative plate available to people interested in Texas participation in the war, according to the application. The group asked Miller to sponsor the effort, said agency spokesman Mark Loeffler. He agreed, provided the new design would be substantially different than the prior attempt. The Confederate battle flag is now gone and the only flag in the design is a representation of a Texas regimental flag that was carried by Texas Confederates during the war, Loeffler said in a statement. Commissioner Miller strongly believes that Texans benefit from learning about all our history and not hiding or ignoring parts that might now be considered offensive. Paul Gramling Jr., Commander in Chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, said hes hopeful this plate will be approved, and blasted the Supreme Courts 2015 decision, which he said was based on prejudices. Manny Garcia, Texas Democratic Party Deputy Executive Director, called the proposal tone-deaf. Not only is Sid Miller an embarrassment to Texans, but he is also incapable of talking about critical issues in his own department; hungry kids, struggling farmers, and rural communities left behind, Garcia said. The Texas Department of Agriculture has sponsored several other plates, including for the American Quarter Horse Association , Order of the Eastern Star and the Grand Lodge of Texas, according to Loeffler. The Sons of Confederate Veterans has specialty license plates in a handful of other states, including Louisiana, Tennessee and Alabama, Gramling said. Staff writer Allie Morris contributed to this report. Pasadena ISD police are investigating a report of misconduct by a substitute teacher that involved a student at Jessup Elementary School, a spokesman for the school district said. The investigation began after "a report of inappropriate conduct" was reported by a student to the school principal around 4 p.m. on Friday. The school district is working to interview all the children in the classroom, said Art Del Barrio, the district spokesman. President Donald Trump's unpopularity fuels a clear lead for Democrat Jennifer Wexton over Rep. Barbara Comstock, R, putting a prized northern Virginia district within reach for Democrats for the first time in almost four decades, a new Washington Post-Schar School poll finds. A month before the midterm election, Wexton, a state senator and former prosecutor, is ahead by 12 points, 55 percent to 43 percent among likely voters. The survey finds voters say the president is the most important factor influencing likely voters' choice for Congress, more so even than the strong economy which would boost the party in power in a typical election year. Instead, Trump's approval rating is weaker in the 10th District, 35 percent, than in a parallel survey of competitive House districts across the nation, which finds 43 percent approve of the president. In Virginia's 10th District, 87 percent of voters who disapprove of Trump support Wexton, while 98 percent of Trump approvers support Comstock. While Trump's promise to "drain the swamp" may rally voters elsewhere in the country, it has the opposite effect in the 10th District, where about 3 in 10 likely voters are, or live in households with, federal government employees or contractors. Wexton has the edge among these voters with 61 percent supporting her while 37 percent support Comstock. "The data make it clear this election so much is about the president and that's a big challenge for Comstock in running for reelection," said Mark J. Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. The Post-Schar School poll was conducted by sending mailed invitations to randomly-selected registered voters in Virginia's 10th District identified through official voter records. Respondents had the option of completing the self-administered survey by computer, mobile device or phone. The margin of sampling error among 866 likely voters is plus or minus 4 percentage points. The poll was conducted from Sept. 19 through Oct. 5, mostly before Comstock's Republican colleagues last week credited her with pushing leadership to raise federal wages, in defiance of Trump. Wexton's advantage in the Post-Schar School survey is at least slightly larger than two other surveys conducted in the past month. A Monmouth University poll conducted Sept. 26-30 found Wexton with a six-point advantage, within the margin of error, while the Democrat held a seven-point advantage in a Christopher Newport University survey Sept. 23-Oct. 2. Comstock, the two-term congresswoman has at key moments separated herself from the president while focusing on constituent services and issues of local interest. She has come out strongly against federal government shutdowns and for Metro funding, while talking about the danger posed by the criminal gang MS-13, which law enforcement blames for several grisly murders in the capital region. The congresswoman's ads call her an "independent voice." Yet, slightly more voters rate her unfavorably than favorably, 47 percent to 40 percent. Wexton has a better favorable-unfavorable rating, 44 percent positive to 32 percent negative, but a full one-quarter of likely voters haven't heard of her or have no opinion of her. The Democrat has touted her work as a state lawmaker to help expand Medicaid and prevent domestic abusers from possessing firearms, among other things. But her biggest selling point among voters may be the fact she's a Democrat. "You have a very strong anti-Trump environment," Rozell said, "and so it appears that any credible person with an D next to her or his name is probably going to win the district." Wexton maintains a commanding lead in The Post poll because of voters like Sonia Heitsch, a 56-year-old retired nurse who moved to Haymarket with her husband a year ago after he retired from the military. "I am so upset at what is going on in our country with Trump," she said. "Poor Wexton, it's not because she's so outstanding, it's because she's a Democrat if I'm going to be honest." Wexton has tried to paint Comstock as a Trump ally who votes with him most of the time. One of her ads calls the congresswoman "Barbara Trumpstock." Comstock supporters say the congresswoman over performed Trump by 16 points on the margin in 2016 and can overcome his drag on the race again this year. The poll shows her level of support is 8 points higher than Trump's approval mark, yet she still trails Wexton. The 10th District includes all of Loudoun County and parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties, as well as all of Clarke and Frederick counties and the city of Winchester to the west. The data show self-described independent voters favor Wexton by a 24-point margin, 60 percent to 36 percent, while each candidate receives support from at least 90 percent of likely voters from their own parties. Juan Restrepo, a conservative voter from Trump's home borough of Queens, New York, who now lives in South Ridge near Dulles Airport, said he can't support Wexton because she wants to roll back corporate tax cuts and supports gun control. The 44-year-old father of two likes that Comstock introduced a bill to provide paid parental leave for federal workers like himself. He said he will vote for Comstock and stands by his vote for Trump. "If there's something true about New Yorkers, we're a little imprecise with our words," he said. "We exaggerate a little. I understand that about him. I think his heart is in the right place." But Paul Burger, a 44-year-old self-employed industrial hygienist who assesses indoor air quality and lives in Frederick County, has the opposite view. He's voting for Wexton because he wants to help Democrats take control of the House, in order to - he hopes - start impeachment proceedings and enact gun control. "I seem to hear a blind approval of everything Trump does from the Republican side and that just bothers me," he said. "President Trump is a dangerous president. I think he's absolutely out of his mind." He moved from Buffalo, New York, almost a decade ago to escape high taxes and what he called the welfare state, but low unemployment and economic growth do not engender his support for the GOP. In the Post-Schar School poll, about half of likely voters say health care, immigration, the economy and gun violence are "extremely" important to their vote for Congress, while a larger 64 percent name Trump and 63 percent say the Supreme Court and other judicial nominations. A minority of likely voters say Robert Mueller's investigation or international trade are extremely important to their vote. Asked to choose a single issue mentioned in the poll as most important, 35 percent say Trump, 19 percent the economy, 13 percent judicial nominations, 10 percent for both immigration and health care, 6 percent for both gun violence and Mueller, and 1 percent for international trade. Likely voters in the 10th District are more positive about the nation's economy, with 84 percent calling it "good" or "excellent," than in battleground districts generally where 77 percent say the same. The same holds true of voters asked about their family's financial situation. Geoffrey Hoyt, 44, an IT consultant who lives in Frederick County, supports the president because there's more money in his pay check, his 401(k) is doing well and foreign trade agreements are being negotiated, although he doesn't care for Trump's use of Twitter. "I like that he doesn't mince words," Hoyt said. "I consider myself a pretty smart person and can understand and read between the lines. He takes no BS from anybody. He's done pretty much everything he's promised to do." Unlike most of the district, Hoyt also opposes restrictions on the Second Amendment. The poll finds 64 percent of likely voters favor stricter gun control laws and 29 percent oppose. Heitsch, the Wexton voter from Haymarket, tries to convince her husband to get rid of his guns every time they move to no avail. "To me they represent evil," she said. "What is a gun made for? It's to kill things. You can't sew with them, you can't cook with them. I'd rather not have them in my house." She said she has always voted but kept only an "ear" on political news. "More and more my whole body's in," she said. --- The Washington Post's Scott Clement contributed to this report. President Donald Trump said Monday that he has no plans to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, whose future at the Justice Department has been steeped in drama, relaying that the two had a "good talk" while traveling together on Air Force One to an event in Florida. "The press wants to know: What did you talk about?" Trump said at the outset of a speech to the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual convention in Orlando, Florida, as he thanked Rosenstein for being there. "We had a good talk." Trump and Rosenstein were scheduled to meet late last month following reports that Rosenstein wanted to wiretap the president early in his tenure. But Trump postponed the meeting amid an all-consuming confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. As he left the White House on Monday en route to Florida, Trump told reporters that he has a "very good relationship" with Rosenstein, who oversees the investigation of Russian election interference led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller's probe has focused in part on whether Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow to influence the election's outcome. A White House spokesman said Trump and Rosenstein spoke for about 30 minutes but provided no details. Asked by a reporter if he plans to fire Rosenstein, Trump said, "No, I don't." "I didn't know Rod before," the president said. "I've gotten to know him, and I get along very well with him." Later Monday, after Trump returned to the White House, he told reporters: "I think we'll be treated very fairly. Everybody understands there was no collusion, there's no Russia. It was all made up by the Democrats." Rosenstein offered to resign last month after reports that he contemplated secretly recording conversations with the president. The president has told associates that he doesn't believe that account - particularly the claim that Rosenstein sought to gather support for invoking the 25th Amendment of the Constitution to remove Trump from office. Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said that the president sees and speaks to Rosenstein frequently, and that he has urged Trump not to remove the Justice Department official "before we have solidified things with Mueller." Last month, when it briefly appeared as if Rosenstein were on his way out, the Justice Department began preparing for a future without him. Matt Whitaker, who is Attorney General Jeff Sessions' chief of staff, would take over as deputy attorney general, and Noel Francisco, the solicitor general, would take over supervision of the Russia probe. As the plan was taking shape, Rosenstein went to the White House expecting he would be fired but wound up staying in his job. At a news conference two days later, Trump declared: "My preference would be to keep him and to let him finish up." Administration officials have told The Washington Post that Trump is unlikely to fire Rosenstein before the midterm elections in November, but officials increasingly expect both he and Sessions to leave the department after the election. On Capitol Hill, Trump's closest allies still have Rosenstein in their crosshairs. He is scheduled to be questioned this week behind closed doors by the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees as part of a probe into the FBI and Justice Department's conduct during investigations of Trump associates' suspected links to Russia and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. The joint panel has already spoken with Rosenstein once, in a fiery public hearing during which Rosenstein defended the Justice Department against Republicans' accusations that political bias had infected its investigation. Conservative lawmakers have called for Rosenstein to step down and Mueller's probe to be shuttered. Rosenstein's public faceoff with lawmakers came shortly after the department's inspector general released a report criticizing former FBI Director James Comey and finding other FBI employees showed a "willingness to take official action" to hurt Trump's election chances in 2016. Trump's Monday speech to the gathering of police chiefs came on the heels of new FBI crime data showing the number of homicides and other violent crimes dipped slightly in the United States last year, suggesting that the rise of violent crimes in recent years may be ending. The increase in violence in 2015 and 2016 prompted alarm nationwide, including from Sessions, who warned of "the rising tide of violent crime" across the country. Experts have cautioned against reading too much into annual data, while others have pointed to the dramatic decline in crime over the past quarter-century to support the argument for criminal-justice restructuring. The phenomenon, which is hard to predict and elusive, has shown up at El Porto in Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey this week. Walking on water, standing inside a bubble, or playing a piano with bananas for keys are just some of the marvels of science that will be seen at the 6th annual Dow Great Lakes Bay STEM Festival powered by the nationally-known Mind Trekkers of Michigan Technological University. The Dow Chemical Co. and Delta College are teaming up again with Mind Trekkers to present the STEM Festival at Delta College this Friday and Saturday. New this year: The event will be open to the public on Friday evening, from 6-9 o'clock and Saturday, from 11 a.m.-2 pm. Mind Trekkers a traveling, hands-on science and engineering show from Michigan Technological University's Center for Pre-College Outreach, and Delta College faculty, staff and volunteers are working with about 30 STEM partners to bring 150-plus science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities to the free festival. Mind Trekkers has gained national acclaim for its high-energy demos of the science behind what looks like magic, like turning a few drops of liquid into huge foam gnomes or shooting ping-pong balls through a soda can. Students will also have opportunities to explore STEM careers in the area as they meet with the many STEM professionals who are also participating in the event. "Our goal is to create a spark and create an environment of excitement and interest in science and technology," says Cody Kangas, director of the Center for Pre-College Outreach at Michigan Tech. This will be the sixth straight year Mind Trekkers has traveled to Delta College for a STEM festival. The group travels throughout the United States to schools, festivals and expos to the delight of hundreds of thousands of students, parents and teachers. Delta College professor of biology Cindy Drake has been instrumental in helping coordinate the Mind Trekkers visits to Delta College. "STEM Festivals are an excellent opportunity for families to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an engaging, exciting and informal environment. Students of all ages can experience the "wow" of STEM through fun hands-on activities while also learning more about the many profitable STEM careers available in our area," Drake said. "Statistics show that fewer students are continuing to study STEM fields past middle school, while at the same time STEM careers are growing, causing a deficit of skilled workers in these areas. This event is an opportunity for students to re-engage in fields that have excellent forecasts for future growth and to see how much fun they can have while learning. They will have opportunities to see how STEM is a part of the arts as well." As in the past years, the first day of the festival will involve middle school students during morning and afternoon sessions. Close to 3,200 middle school students and chaperones are registered to attend Friday. The Dow Chemical is once again the premier sponsor for the STEM Festival. Dow's educational mission is to build the workforce of tomorrow by supporting educational leaders, motivating student achievement, developing careers, and collaborating with communities to transform education into a driver for innovation, manufacturing, and economic prosperity. "Events like the STEM Festival provide a perfect opportunity to ignite interest for students in STEM fields, particularly chemistry, engineering and manufacturing, while also fostering participation through hands on experiences," said Reiner Roghmann, vice president of Operations, Canada and USA North and site director for Michigan Operations. "We support events like this to create an appreciation for science and enhance preparedness in technical fields that ultimately develops into great careers for these bright minds." Nexteer Automotive, Hemlock Semiconductor and the Michigan Department of Transportation are also sponsors of this year's festival. To check out photos from last year's event: www.delta.edu/stemfestival For more information, contact Kangas at 906-487-2219 or ckangas@mtu.edu. SCHOHARIE, N.Y. Erin and Shane McGowan were just starting their life together after five months of marriage when they climbed into a limousine to celebrate their friend Amy's 30th birthday. The ride ended in the nation's deadliest transportation disaster since 2009, killing the McGowans and 18 others when the limousine crashed into the parking lot of the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie on Saturday afternoon. "They just decided to rent a limousine and have fun and not worry about everything," Erin's uncle Anthony Vertucci told the Times Union on Sunday. "My whole entire family is in complete and utter shock. It's hard and so tragic," said Vertucci, who lives in Saratoga Springs. "We're just talking layers of tragedy. There are so many families affected by this." Vertucci said the 17 passengers in the limousine included Amy Steenburg, who was celebrating her 30th birthday, Amy's husband Axel, Axel's brother Rich, Amy's three sisters and one of her brothers-in-law. The group of young adults grew up together and all lived in Amsterdam. Two of the couples were newlyweds. Vertucci said Erin McGowan was one of three daughters and worked in record-keeping at a hospital in Amsterdam. Erin and Shane, who had been a couple for at least three years and got married in June, were just starting their lives together. "You're always hoping you find the love of your life, it's what you hope and wish and dream for, and they found each other. They were just so beautiful and vibrant and kind. They made such a dynamic duo," Vertucci said. "They were finally able to get married and just honestly starting to live their life. They had big plans. They were saving for a house and hoping to do everything that everybody hopes to do." Two other victims, Amy and Axel Steenburg, also were just married in June. Axel and his brother Rich Steenburg, also killed in the limousine, both worked at GlobalFoundries and have a GoFundMe page. Three of Amy's sisters and one of her brothers-in-law died as well. Amy' sister Abby Jackson and her husband Adam left behind two daughters, Archer, 4 years old, and Elle, 16 months old. A GoFundMe page titled "College and Expenses for Archer and Elle" shows pictures of the couple holding the two blonde, beaming girls. The page had raised more than $13,350 by Sunday evening. Abby was a teacher in the Amsterdam School District. The district set up a space for grief counseling at Lynch Literacy Academy, 55 Brandt Pl., for families of victims to come for support from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. The family of Amy Steenburg and Abby Jackson declined to talk on Sunday. State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said there will be a vigil for the victims in Amsterdam Monday night at the southern end of the bridge in the city's downtown. The gathering starts at 6:30 p.m. WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. - who blocked President Barack Obama's 2016 nominee to the Supreme Court for nearly a year amid widespread Democratic objections - signaled Monday that he would help fill a high-court vacancy if one emerges when President Donald Trump is up for reelection in 2020. Speaking at a news conference in Louisville, McConnell said his decision to block Obama's nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, was based on a tradition that opposition parties in control of the Senate do not confirm Supreme Court nominees during presidential election years. He claimed the precedent only applies when different parties control the Senate and the White House - leaving open the possibility he would help advance a Trump nominee in 2020 if Republicans still hold a majority in the Senate. "The tradition going back to the 1880s has been if a vacancy occurs in a presidential election year, and there is a different party in control of the Senate than the presidency, it is not filled," McConnell told reporters Monday. "Look, it's practical," he said later. "Think about it. There's no chance that an opposition party in control of the Senate is going to fill a Supreme Court vacancy occurring in the middle of a presidential election year, and that's why it hasn't happened since the 1880s." That justification marks a notable shift from the argument McConnell invoked repeatedly in 2016, when he said voters "should have a say in the court's direction" by casting ballots in the upcoming election. The handling of Garland's nomination has been a source of ire for Democrats for two years - anger amplified by the GOP's confirmation of two Supreme Court justices under Trump. Brett Kavanaugh, who faced allegations of sexual assault from multiple women, was confirmed Saturday by a vote of 50 to 48. Kavanaugh vehemently denied the allegations. Democrats had called on McConnell not to advance Kavanaugh's nomination, which Trump announced on July 9, because it came during an election year. "Our Republican colleagues in the Senate should follow the rule they set in 2016," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in June on the Senate floor. McConnell countered that the rule did not apply to midterm election years. "This is not 2016. These aren't the final months of a second-term, constitutionally lame-duck presidency with a presidential election fast approaching. We are right in the middle of this president's first term," McConnell said in a floor speech in June. Trump has reportedly predicted that he will confirm four Supreme Court justices during his first term. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who joined the court in 1993, is 85, and Stephen Breyer, who joined the court in 1994, is 80; both are associated with the court's liberal wing. In 2016, McConnell threw down the gauntlet shortly after Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death in February. The next month - more than 200 days before the presidential election - Obama nominated Garland, and McConnell responded with a speech explaining his decision to forestall confirmation hearings. "The next justice could fundamentally alter the direction of the Supreme Court and have a profound impact on our country, so of course the American people should have a say in the court's direction," McConnell said on the Senate floor. He did not cite "tradition going back to the 1880s" but noted that Joe Biden, when he was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1992, said action on a Supreme Court nominee should be postponed until after an election "once the political season is underway." Another prominent Kavanaugh backer, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., struck a different note than McConnell during comments last week. "If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process has started, we'll wait till the next election," Graham said during an appearance at the Atlantic Festival in Washington. McConnell spoke to reporters in Louisville on Monday before traveling to Washington to attend a White House ceremony honoring the newly sworn-in Kavanagh. "We were standing up for the presumption of innocence in this country," McConnell said of his support for Kavanaugh, blaming protesters on Capitol Hill for a "full-scale effort to intimidate" senators. Asked about the country's divisions in the wake of new justice's confirmation, McConnell was upbeat. "We go through these periods. We've had big fights over other things. The country will be just fine," he said. NEW CANAAN The New Canaan High School cafeteria has been a point of interest in the past months. Two months ago, a lunch lady working at the cafeteria was charged with larceny for allegedly stealing over $300,000. Now, in the last week of September, the cafeteria failed a health inspection. According to an inspection report carried out by the towns Health Department on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m., New Canaan High School merited a single four-point violation which results in an automatic failed inspection in the food protection category. Milk at 54 degrees Fahrenheit reach-in refrigerator by cook line, the report reads. The milk was subsequently thrown out by the high schools food services director and thus corrected during inspection. According to Chris Wegrzyn, a sanitarian in the towns health department, the milk must be kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit per state code. Even just a single four-point violation results in an automatic failure of the inspection, Wegrzyn explained. The points add up to a total of 100; a single four-point violation or a score lower than 80 points results in a failed inspection. Inspections are done every six months, Wegrzyn said. Following the (Sept. 28) inspection, there is a mandatory re-inspection to be made in the next two weeks. The Sept. 28 inspection of the high school cafeteria details a total 11-point deduction that includes rusted and moldy shelving in walk-in refrigerators, an unclean interior of ice machine and raw meats above ready-to-eat food in a walk-in freezer. Superintendent of Schools Bryan Luizzi said the four-point violation that caused the cafeteria to fail the health inspection was related to a technical glitch. Over the past few weeks each of our five kitchens were evaluated by the health department and four of our five schools scored quite well. Unfortunately, at NCHS a small refrigerator used to temporarily hold food during preparation unexpectedly tripped off on the day of the inspection, Luizzi wrote. Luizzi said that the district was addressing the issue with the health department. Nonetheless, as a result of the refrigerator tripping of, the high school kitchen score was reduced and mandatorily rated down. We have spoken with the health department directly and we look forward to having the NCHS kitchen reevaluated the next few days, Luizzi added. humberto.juarez@hearstmediact.com MAUNGDAW, Myanmar - Plainclothes police hovered around him. The elderly Rohingya man was too afraid to talk. He was gathered with dozens of other men, staring blankly at journalists on a government-led trip Myanmar's northern Rakhine state. He is among the 200,000 or so Rohingya who remain in this area, after more than 720,000 fled to neighboring Bangladesh during a campaign of terror at the hands of the military in mostly Buddhist Myanmar. The U.N. rights commission said there was "genocidal intent" in Myanmar's targeted killings, the razing of Rohingya villages and the mass flight of refugees to neighboring Bangladesh. Myanmar leaders - including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi - have stuck with the claim that authorities were trying to quell an insurgency. The Myanmar propaganda push includes media trips, where a rotating cast of foreign journalists are led around Rakhine state in police convoys. As one official put it: "How can it be genocide if Muslims are still here?" The elderly Rohingya man eventually did talk. But it came on a phone call to The Washington Post. He mocked the picture painted by Myanmar government minders on the lives of the remaining 300,000 or so Rohingya still in Rakhine. Some homes in Muslim villages nearby his were torched as recently as this week, he said. "We were told to tell [journalists] about how we are treated well here. They told us to talk about how we are living peacefully," he continued, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he feared for his safety. He couldn't bring himself to toe the line, but could not speak the truth, either. "We know they are recording us," he said. Faced with international pressure and mounting calls for accountability over their atrocities against the Rohingya, Myanmar has mounted a defense of denial and defiance. Among the collateral damage is the reputation of Suu Kyi, which many see as tarnished and compromised. For diplomats, aid groups and others, the attempt to shift the narrative is more evidence that Myanmar is unable or unwilling to correct long-standing discrimination against the beleaguered Rohingya. It also underscores Myanmar's resistance to bring any measure of accountability for the abuses and attacks committed last year, and to allow journalists to freely investigate the massacres there. Two journalists from the Reuters news agency, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who reported on the massacre of 10 Muslim men at the nearby village of Inn Din, were convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for violating the country's secrets act. Meanwhile, the Rohingya languish and grow more desperate. "The bottom line is that there has been no noteworthy progress," said one senior diplomat in Yangon, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The Myanmar government "still seems utterly unable or unwilling to understand what they would need to do to get themselves out of this mess," the official said. The government's efforts have also failed to mask attempts by Myanmar to erase any indication that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya ever lived here. Buddhists and Hindus are moving into new homes built across the state, and Rohingya Muslims who remain in Myanmar say they continue to be harassed and extorted. The United Nations, which has just begun to access some parts of northern Rakhine state, say communities there are isolated and fearful. "Mistrust, fear of neighboring communities and a sense of insecurity are prevalent in many areas," Andrej Mahecic, spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency, said Friday. Muslim communities there, he added, also are restricted in accessing education or health services. International pressure is ramping up. In late September, the U.N. Human Rights Council voted overwhelmingly to create an independent body to expedite criminal prosecution of Myanmar generals over their treatment of the Rohingya. Their action followed a 444-page report from a U.N. fact-finding mission that explored in excruciating detail how the Myanmar military has followed a pattern of torture across other ethnic minority states, such as Shan and Kachin, and described the clearance operation against the Rohingya as having "genocidal intent." The U.N. findings could give prosecutors evidence for possible future cases in regional or international courts. The Myanmar government and military has held firm to the explanation that their operation in Rakhine state was provoked by Rohingya militant attacks on police posts, but reports from both the United Nations and State Department indicate a degree of premeditation and coordination. Myanmar says that it is ready to repatriate hundreds of Rohingya back to their homes. At a refugee reception center close to the border, one Myanmar official boasted about new roads that Rohingya refugees will travel on from Bangladesh before turning over their identification documents for verification and eventually moving into new purpose-built villages to start their lives anew. "We are ready," said Soe Tun, head of the relocation center, which is prepared to receive 150 returnees a day for five days of the week. "I don't know why they wouldn't want to come back." In the same breath, officials insist there are "no Rohingya in Myanmar," and will compel those who return to adopt a verification document that makes no mention of the word Rohingya, who are excluded from citizenship rights. The Myanmar government says the document will be a pathway to citizenship. But the Rohingya - who believe themselves native to Myanmar - say it is just another step to muddle the process and enshrine second-class status. The document will call them "Bengali." The Rohingya want to keep their identity and a recognition that they are full citizens native to the area. "Much of the government's narrative so far has been built on physical structures, like model villages, because those structures exist," said Knut Ostby, the U.N.'s resident coordinator in Myanmar. "But the rights-based part has not been addressed yet." As a gesture of goodwill, Myanmar has promised to close squalid camps in the southern part of the state where 125,000 Rohingya live after a spate of violence drove them out of their homes six years ago. Reporters were brought to one of the largest in Sittwe, and were told about a new hospital that would be built here. But no timeline has been given. Rohingya believe the possible camp closures will shift them to newly constructed villages without restoring freedom of movement, the ability to own shops and businesses again, or the right to go to schools or hospitals freely. "They told us, we will relocate you, we will construct individual house for you, and we will give you rations of five years," said Ro Nur Deen, a 22-year old Rohingya in the Sittwe camp. "But after that, what will happen? Wherever we walk, wherever we go, we get into trouble. Will that change?" - - - The Washington Post's Cape Diamond contributed to this report. The heroic girl shot while protecting her siblings from a pistol-toting man outside her northwest Houston apartment has been identified as Adriana Ruiz, police said Monday. One of the four bullets fired at her apartment struck 12-year-old Adriana in the stomach as she ushered her younger siblings to a backroom Friday night in the 8400 block of Hammerly. The children were home alone when two men came to the door looking for her mothers roommate, Houston police said last week. The girl refused to open the door. LAWSUIT: Goose Creek ISD officials allegedly tried to cover up sexual assault of a 4-year old A man who answered the door at the second-floor unit Monday afternoon declined to comment, other than to say Adriana is doing OK after undergoing surgery at Texas Childrens Hospital. He said she and her family moved after the shooting. A neighbor who lives downstairs from where the girl was shot said her mother was too scared to keep her children at their Spring Branch East apartment, which now has at least two bullet holes in the windows. The family packed up for Katy, said the neighbor, Veronica Hernandez. Hernandez said she was in her living room when she heard the gunfire outside her apartment. She grabbed her 16-year-old son, who failed to hear the gunshots over his headphones, and ordered him to hide in her room. He said, Whats wrong with you? Hes 16, Hernandez said. Hernandez peeked out the window and expected to see someone laying there, she recalled. I cracked the door open and I didnt see anyone. She never heard Adriana or the other children cry out at the upstairs apartment. There was no fighting or yelling, Hernandez said. Police and witnesses said they saw a red car speeding away from the apartment complex. After the shooting, police told reporters the mothers roommate was tasked with caring for the four children. She was at a nearby laundry room at the apartment complex when the girl was shot. During a press conference, Houston police Assistant Chief Bill Dobbins lauded Adriana for protecting the other children, whose ages ranged from 4 to 10. She did the right thing, Dobbins said of the girl. nicole.hensley@chron.com Two years before Cardinal Daniel DiNardo joined the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, he acknowledged his churchs mishandling of a sex abuse case, according to a report Monday. In 2002, DiNardo issued an apology on behalf of the Diocese of Sioux City for allowing Rev. George McFadden to remain a priest after he was accused of molesting children, KHOU-TV reported. In hindsight, that was a mistake that we regret, wrote DiNardo, then the bishop of the Iowa church. In todays world, that mistake would not have been made. DiNardos statement addressed the spate of claims against McFadden that publicly surfaced in 2002 during his tenure in Iowa. The priest was forced to retire in 1992 after serving nearly 50 years at six parishes. The future Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston cardinal and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops president joined the Iowa diocese in 1998 and left for Texas in 2004. At the time, the Des Moines Register reported DiNardo as explaining the priest was removed from his parish and sent to Maryland for therapy in 1991. The bishop acknowledged that the abuse claims were never reported to law enforcement "because it was so long after the events took place." In a statement to KHOU-TV, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston said DiNardo was unable to address the Sioux City case because of his trip to Rome. On Monday, DiNardo was expected to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican. The church noted that McFaddens history of abuse took place before DiNardos time in Sioux City, according to the statement. As more information about George McFaddens history of abuse prior to 1985 became known, Bishop DiNardo publicly stated it had been a mistake for the Sioux City Diocese to have previously permitted McFadden to have even a very limited function in the diocese, the statement to the TV station read. Although McFadden had already been removed from parish ministry, Bishop DiNardo terminated all of McFadden's priestly faculties in 2002 and in 2003 initiated the process to have McFadden completely removed from the priesthood. Bishop DiNardo was assigned to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in 2004. The Archdiocese did not respond to requests for comment Monday night. The leader of Houstons Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests argues that DiNardos 2002 apology was empty based on how he handled the more recent sex abuse claims against Manuel La Rosa-Lopez, the Houston-area priest charged with four counts of indecency with a child. Im struggling to see how hes handled this differently, said Michael Norris. He allowed (La Rosa-Lopez) to continue in his ministry for 14 years knowing he had been accused. Shame on him. The sexual assaults La Rosa-Lopez is accused of happened between 1998 and 2000, when he was assigned to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe. The priest was ordered to undergo therapy after the 2000 assaults. He was reassigned to a church in Richmond in 2010 while DiNardo was in charge, court records show. The victims in the criminal investigation who were identified in court records by the initials J.H. and M.V. met with DiNardo and have both said the cardinal did not appear to take them seriously. The male victim, J.H., told a Conroe investigator he met with DiNardo on Aug. 8 and was told the church lodged a report with Conroe Police Department on his behalf. The investigator found no records of the report. The family of the female victim, M.V., confronted the church about La Rosa-Lopezs alleged relationship with the girl in 2000, prompting his removal from the parish. More than a decade later, she came forward to authorities because of the perceived duplicity of Cardinal DiNardo after her own meeting with the church leader and his conflicting remarks on priest sex scandals. A third accuser last week said La Rosa-Lopez molested him in the mid-1990s at a Houston church. La Rosa-Lopez is slated to return to court in Montgomery County on Tuesday morning. A Houston exterminator is recovering from stings he received on Monday while taking on two enormous "killer" bee hives in a Braeburn home of southwest Houston. Claude Griffin, the owner of Gotcha Pest Control, said the bee infestation was one of the worst he's faced in more than 20 years on the job. "This was worse than hell, there was only one job that got me worse than this," Griffin said, estimating that he had been stung well over 40 times. 80,000 BEES: River Oaks mother describes Africanized bee attack "They were 9 to 12 feet fall," Griffin said of the honeycombs that had taken over the home of an elderly woman. In some areas, they were three-feet thick. He estimated one-million bees occupied both hives. Africanized or "killer" honey bees have heightened defensive behavior, making them dangerous to humans. Griffin said cutting and removing the honeycombs from different areas of the home took eight hours of work, sometimes while being painfully stung in the dark. Additionally, he said the already tough job was made even more difficult thanks to an unlucky downpour. "Right in the middle of going to the job, it rained," Griffin said. "The [bee] suit got wet and I knew it was over for me." When some bee suits get wet, they get clingy, offering little to no protection from angry bees seeking to defend their home. LATEST: Moody Gardens accused of over-collecting fish at popular Florida diving spot Despite the particularly troublesome bee removal, Griffin seemed most distraught about the living conditions of the elderly woman living in the home. "When I [first] walked in the door, I was overwhelmed," Griffin said. "There were two lights in the whole house... there were canned goods all over the floor, and she had a hole in the roof that you could see from the living room." Griffin said the disrepair of the home, allowing rain and pests to enter the home, had made conditions just right for the two enormous hives, which he said the elderly woman told him had been there for 10-20 years. "They were so loud, she didn't know what to do," Griffin said. "No one would come over there, no one would fix her house. City Council are the only ones that came to her rescue." According to Griffin, Houston City Council organized the job. "It would bring you to tears, man," Griffin said. Fernando Ramirez covers Texas news and politics. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. | Fernando.ramirez@chron.com | @fernramirez93 Another NASA legacy movie is in the works, but this time it focuses on a tragic, dark moment in the space agency's history. The film will explore the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger accident, when the spacecraft blew up 73 seconds after launch and killed the entire crew. Deadline has reported that the movie -- aptly named "The Challenger" -- follows Christa McAuliffe (set to be played by Michelle Williams), who would have been the first teacher (and civilian) in space. Production likely will begin next year. "First Man," another NASA-related film, about Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon opens Friday. Armstrong is played by Ryan Gosling. McAuliffe was a high school social studies teacher from Hew Hampshire and mother of two who was supposed to give lessons in space. She died aboard the Challenger at the age of 37 along with payload specialist Gregory Jarvis; and astronauts Judith A. Resnik, Francis R. "Dick" Scobee, Ronald E. McNair, Mike J. Smith and Ellison S. Onizuka. Earlier this year, more than three decades after the accident, two teachers-turned-astronauts aboard the International Space Station taught some of McAuliffe's original lesson plans: a collaboration between NASA and The Challenger Center, a nonprofit founded by the families of those who died during the accident The challenger accident was traced back to the launch day's unusually cold temperatures degrading the seals on the boosters. It grounded the Space Shuttle program for three years as the country grappled with what had happened. "We are more than humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunity to help tell the story of Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger mission," Ben Renz, one of the film's producers, told Deadline. "Christa McAuliffe's legacy deserves the strength, courage, experience and humanity that Michelle Williams brings to the role." Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. By Patrick Svitek The Texas Tribune The Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater has directed a series of ads for a super PAC working to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, starting with a spot that mocks the Republican's "Tough as Texas" campaign slogan. The 30-second ad, which is running on social media, features actor Sonny Carl Davis, who reprises a memorable scene from Linklater's 2011 film "Bernie" to question Cruz's toughness for embracing Donald Trump after he attacked Cruz's family during the 2016 presidential primary. The spot opens with Davis reciting the slogan and laughing at the thought of it. "I mean, come on, if somebody called my wife a dog and said my daddy was in on the Kennedy assassination, I wouldn't be kissing their ass," Davis says. "You stick a finger in their chest and give them a few choice words or you drag their ass out by the woodshed and kick their ass, Ted." "C'mon," Davis adds. "Ted." ALL IN THE FAMILY: Mission to defend Ted Cruz becomes Trump family priority Cruz has spoken often about the decision he faced following his bitter battle against Trump. During his recent debate with Democratic opponent Beto O'Rourke, Cruz insisted that he could have opted to "take my marbles and go home" but chose to get behind Trump and work with him for the good of Texas. FTC PAC said the spot with Davis was the "first in a series of ads directed" by Linklater, the Austin writer and director who has been nominated for five Academy Awards. Linklater and Davis volunteered their time for the project, according to the group. The Linklater ads come as allies of O'Rourke, an El Paso congressman, look for ways to help a candidate who has sworn off attack ads in his own campaign as they rain down from the other side. FTC PAC has branded itself to prospective donors as the group that can do what O'Rourke cannot or has chosen not to do which is go negative against Cruz. Still, FTC PAC's funds are limited compared to the millions that have been pouring in to prop up Cruz. FTC PAC has raised about $278,000, a fraction of the more than $4 million that has been dumped into the main pro-Cruz super PAC, Texans Are, according to Federal Election Commission records going through August. ROUND ONE: Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke take plenty of shots in first debate In addition to attack ads, O'Rourke has made clear he does not want the help of PACs in the race. Neither Cruz nor O'Rourke, however, has formal control over the activities of a super PAC like FTC PAC, which can raise unlimited amounts of money to influence the election as long as it does not coordinate with campaigns. Read related Tribune coverage Ted Cruz says he raised $12M in third quarter Beto O'Rourke on possible endorsement from Obama: "I don't think we're interested." Disclosures offer window into personal finances of Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke in Senate race "Linklater directs ads for anti-Cruz super PAC" was first published at by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Houston-area Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni is the sixth Democratic challenger in Texas to top $1 million in campaign contributions as he attempts to ride the blue wave in his race against five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Olson. Kulkarnis campaign announced it has raised more than $500,000 from donors over the past three months and more than $1 million overall for his race against Olson, R-Sugar Land, in the 22nd Congressional District. Olson has not released fundraising figures for the last three months but reported just about $1 million raised for his re-election back in July. An investigation is underway, after a Lee University student reported a sexual assault that occurred on Sunday afternoon. The student said she was working alone in the Mayfield annex when a knife-wielding man approached her and demanded sexual activity. A campus-wide email on Sunday evening said, "Campus community, In compliance with the Clery Act, we are sending this timely notification regarding a serious incident that has occurred on our campus. The purposes of this notification are to assist you in making informed decisions for your and others safety and to raise awareness in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The Clery Act mandates institutions issue a timely warning for all incidents that occur on their geography that are reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies. In addition, these incidents must be deemed by the institution to present a serious or continuing threat to students and employees. Earlier today, we received a report of a sexual assault that occurred in the Ceramics Room in Mayfield Annex this afternoon. A female student was working there when she was approached by a male she did not know who was wielding a knife and demanded sexual activity. While the details of the incident continue to unfold, the female is working with local and campus authorities to identify the assailant. If you observe any suspicious activity, report it to Campus Security (423.303.4444) or the Cleveland Police Department right away. Please take the necessary precautions to remain safe. If you are concerned about your personal well-being: Get to a safe place Contact law enforcement immediately Preserve any evidence Consider the resources available to you through the university Know that we are committed to protecting our campus and are working with local authorities to apprehend the assailant quickly. If you have any information, please feel free to contact me, and well follow up diligently. Thank you, Matthew Brinkman M.B.A Director of Campus Security Thousands of student voter registrations at Prairie View A&M could have the wrong address listed, causing confusion on campus as to whether the registrations are valid. The problem goes back to how students get their mail. The university does not have individual mailboxes for students on campus. There is a single post office box for all students in the five university dormitories. So, getting students to list a specific mailing address on registration applications was difficult. According to Waller County Elections Administrator Christy Eason, a group of officials at the university, the county and the local political parties agreed in 2016 to have students write down 700 or 100 University Drive as their residence when registering to vote. One is the address for the university, the other is the address for the campus bookstore. In the March primary election, however, Eason noticed a problem: the 700 University Drive address puts students in the City Hall precinct, not the one on campus. The compromise from 2016 was sending voters to the wrong polling places. "So, in this upcoming election, anyone who's registered at those addresses can vote on campus," Eason said. "But they'll have to fill out a change of address form so we can make sure they're sent to the right precinct in the future." Waller County Democratic Club President and County Judge candidate Denise Mattox said she worried the statement cards will cause too much confusion. "The change of address cards won't work. There's hundreds of students registered this way and that could mean long lines. It needs to be fixed," Mattox said. Rumors were flying on Tuesday's registration deadline. A Facebook post claimed thousands of registrations were destroyed or rejected because of the address issue. Lisa Seger, the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 3 took to Twitter. "Waller County - whose history of disenfranchising the student body at Prairie View A&M University is so legendary that its efforts were brought to the Supreme Court in 1979, is at it again," Seger tweeted. She said the statement of address forms are a barrier to discourage students from voting. Eason acknowledged Waller County's "horrible history" regarding voting rights, but wanted to assure the public that she is not trying to disenfranchise anyone. "We want to work together with the university on this," Eason said. She said she has reached out to student groups on campus and is planning "change-of-address" drives between now and the election. "This was done in good will, not to keep students from voting," Eason said. More than 8,700 students are enrolled at the historically black university. The university saw a record number of freshman enroll this fall. The address confusion did not discourage students from lining up to register to vote Tuesday afternoon. Tariah Shaw and Lauryn Williams are sophomores at Prairie View A&M. The two 19-year-olds were eager to cast their first ballots in November. "It's important as black women that we let our opinions be heard," Shaw said. The mail situation makes a lot of simple things difficult, Williams said, adding the first two weeks of the fall semester were chaotic as everyone's textbook orders arrived. "It's not going to be easy to know where our voter registration cards are if they're all sent to the same place," Williams said. The Houston Chronicle is participating in Electionland, a ProPublica project that will cover access to the ballot and problems that prevent people from exercising their right to vote during the 2018 election. This story is part of that project. You can help us by signing up now.Text VOTE to 81380. You can also WhatsApp at us at +1 850 909-8683 or reach us through Facebook Messenger here: http://m.me/electionland matt.dempsey@chron.com Twitter.com/mizzousundevil In 1091, Count Roger of Sicily raided the island of Malta, then under the control of the Fatimid caliphate, and secured the release of Christian captives there. Rather than observing the customs of conquest and forcibly resettling the prisoners, he let them choose between returning to their homes (many were Greek) and taking up residence in Sicily. There, he promised, they would be free to work their land as tenants, unchained from the burdens typical of medieval enserfment, such as servile dues and obligatory labor in the lords demesne. Rogers effort to attract, rather than enserf, new residents was unusually progressive for the time, but historian Richard Bartlett claims that it became common as western Europe expanded during the High Middle Ages. By offering people rights and opportunities, nobles could quickly attract voluntary migrants to new settlements, raising the productivity of their land and earning commensurately higher rents. Migrants who chose to move to the new settlements could improve their status, gaining improved legal rights, hereditary tenure as rent payers, and temporary exemptions from rents and military duty while they cleared land and built houses. A related start-up dynamic played a role in colonial America several centuries later. To settle a debt, King Charles II gave William Penn dominion over Pennsylvania, a territory named for Penns father. The younger Penn was free to write the territorys charterits constitutionand to experiment with the very ideas that made him unpopular in his rigidly Anglican homeland. Penns charter provided one of the first legal guarantees of freedom of religion and was also the first constitution to allow for an amendment process. Because people valued religious freedom, the new charter attracted many new residents, and the city of Philadelphia grew rapidly. Similarly, nineteenth-century settlements on the American frontier lured residents by experimenting with new rights and economic opportunitiesparticularly for free women, who secured a number of rights before their counterparts back east did. These included jury participation, the pursuit of higher education, and the ownership and management of property. Today, human beings have an opportunity to re-create the frontier conditions that give people new and better options. Whats more, we can do so without the use of conquest or coercion. If some societies are unable to establish rules that guarantee safety and job opportunities for their citizens, people should have the chance to opt in to places with better rules, as the Quakers could when they left Europe for Pennsylvania. A way forward would be to follow a modern version of Penns example: using unoccupied land to charter new cities. These cities would compete for migrants; in fact, their leaders would have to design and enforce rules that made the cities attractive places, where people could find employment, send their children to school, and live without fear of violence, crime, and preventable illness. The establishment of a charter city would involve three distinct roles that one or more national governments could fulfill. A host country would provide land; a source country would provide residents; and a guarantor country would provide the assurance that the new citys charter would be respected and enforced. All three roles would be entirely voluntary. Only countries that wanted to charter new cities would free up the land to do so; only people who wanted to migrate there would do so, and they would remain free to leave at any time. The ways in which these roles were filled could vary depending on the situation. For example, Indiaa country whose urban population will grow by 600 million over the next 40 yearsis already starting new cities and assuming all three roles of host, source, and guarantor. China did much the same thing in establishing special economic zones, such as the one containing the city of Shenzhen, which has grown from roughly 30,000 people to 10 million in just a few decades. New cities are set for development in at least five Indian states. These cities will likely cater to high- and middle-income residents, but if India builds many more, developers and civic leaders will be forced to compete for the hundreds of millions of lower-income families that want to leave rural areas. Unlike India, however, many governmentsparticularly those with a history of political instabilitycannot credibly commit to the long-term security of prospective residents. Further, these governments have a hard time convincing potential firms and investors that their investments would be safe from regulatory takings. Even reform-minded leaders may not be persuasive: Who knows whether future leaders would adhere to their reforms? Michael Sheldon/Art Resource But political risk neednt stand in the way of creating better choices for the worlds urban migrants. Suppose the government of a less developed country wants to start a new coastal city. That government could fill the roles of host and source, providing a city-size piece of uninhabited land and giving its citizens, and perhaps those from neighboring countries, the option of moving there. Then the government could partner with another countryor a group of countriesthat would serve as guarantor. The guarantor country would ensure that the newly chartered citys rules were respected and enforced. It would also promise objective, neutral enforcement of contracts between the host government and foreign investors. Such guarantees for investors would be particularly important because foreign investment could play a huge part in the growth of new cities. A great advantage of charter cities is their freedom to choose rules that would be very difficult for the entire host country to adopt. New rules could generate beneficial competition by allowing private firms to participatealong with, or instead of, public agenciesin the construction, maintenance, and even operation of city infrastructure, such as electrical grids, streets, mass transit, and airports. Take the provision of safe water: global companies would jump at the chance to earn a decades-long stream of income from regulated user fees; those fees, meanwhile, would be cheaper than the often exorbitant prices that slum dwellers pay for clean water. Because an effective guarantor can ensure that all sides stick to the deals that they negotiate in the beginning, direct investment from private infrastructure developers could speed the growth of new cities and generate large gains for everyone. The biggest threat to a newly chartered city would be weak governance, which could fail to stop the kind of investor holdup or regulatory taking that can slowly kill a project. Abuse of monopoly power by infrastructure providers, use of regulatory authority to extract bribes or weaken competition, political collusion with organized criminals, and tax evasioninfractions like these may seem petty, but they can stunt the growth of a new city and keep people from realizing the feasible gains from cooperation. The guarantor must provide a neutral legal system that sends clear and public signals when these violations occur. Such signals can deter bad behavior simply by holding firms, the host government, and city authorities accountable. Public arbitration in such a system can also reduce the possibility of conflicts that might otherwise lead to armed confrontation between city authorities and the host government. Despite the importance of the guarantor in ensuring respect for the rule of law, charter city residents would carry out the majority of administrative activities. Think of the African country of Mauritius, which uses the Privy Council in the United Kingdom as its final court of appeal. That doesnt mean that Britons carry out the day-to-day administration of law and order in Mauritius; it simply means that Mauritius makes use of Britains external credibility. While international firms that collect fees for their services could provide much of a new citys infrastructure, the citys development authority would still have to finance certain public servicespolice, firefighting, border security, regulatory agencies, and courts, for instance. Many cities rely on income, consumption, or property taxes to fund such operations. But charter cities might employ an interesting alternative: making long-term leases to private developers. The leases would contain mechanisms that adjusted rent upward as land values rose. This arrangement wouldnt merely provide income for the city government; it would also give that government a strong incentive to keep the city an attractive place to live and work because its revenues would depend directly on the value of the land. After a time, the residents of the charter city and the citizens of the host country might vote on whether to return the city to the control of the host government. An agreement might stipulate that the citys charter remain in effect after the host government assumed control. But without a reunification proposal accepted by both sides, the existing arrangement would remain in force. During the twenty-first century, more urbanization will take place than during all of human history. Both the global population and the fraction of it living in cities will reach their peaks, as 3 billion to 5 billion people join the 3 billion who already call cities home. That staggering urban growth will be strongest in the developing world. If the existing cities there simply grow by accretion, many people will end up in dangerous slums. But this doesnt have to be the century of the slum. It could, instead, be the century of the city. By starting cities with rules that create more opportunities for people to improve their lives, the world can reshape the arc of urbanization and the future of human development. Brandon Fuller is the content director and strategist for Charter Cities, a research nonprofit focused on the interplay of rules, cities, and development. Photo: _ultraforma_/iStock Late last week, the Washington Post ran blank space where a column by dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote for its Global Opinions section, should have appeared. The wordless column was a powerful expression of concern about Khashoggis fate. A leading critic of the Saudi kingdoms leadership, Khashoggi had not been seen since entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, last Tuesday to secure documentation for his forthcoming marriage. According to his fiancee, who accompanied him and waited outside, he entered the building at 1:30 pm and failed to emerge when the office closed at 5 pm. By the time the Post published the blank column, there was still hope that he was being held inside the consulate and would be released. That hope diminished over the weekend, when several news outlets reported the possibility that Khashoggi had been killed and dismembered at the consulate so that his body could be smuggled out of the building without detection. The media also reported that a 15-member Saudi hit team had arrived in Turkey and entered the consulate shortly before Khashoggis arrival. Saudi Arabia has denied involvement. Claiming that Khashoggi left the embassy, Saudi officials expressed concern about his mysterious disappearance. We hear the rumors about what happened, Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed Bin Salman, known in the West as MBS, told Bloomberg News in an extensive interview. Hes a Saudi citizen and we are very keen to know what happened to him. And we will continue our dialogue with the Turkish government to see what happened to Jamal there. There is, unfortunately, no Arabic word for chutzpah, since such an egregious act would undoubtedly have required the brash 33-year-old princes authorization or acquiescence. Having known (and debated) Jamal for many years, I continue to hope, against logic, that he remains alive. But if Khashoggi has joined the long list of Saudi critics whom the notoriously thin-skinned crown prince has punished, the time has come to decry his increasingly brutal, reckless behavior. Khashoggis last column for the Post, in which he attacked MBSs signature foreign policy initiativethe disastrous war in Yemenmay have been the proverbial straw for the crown prince. As a newly minted 29-year-old defense minister in 2015, MBS relentlessly promoted Riyadhs intervention in the Yemeni civil war against the Iranian-backed Zaydi Shiite Houthis. Khashoggi condemned that war, arguing that the kingdom was becoming morally indistinguishable from Syrian president Bashar Assad and the Iranians in helping continue the civil wars in Syria and Yemen. A decision to kill such a prominent dissident would add to MBSs growing list of unforced errorsincluding leading the effort to boycott Qatar, the arrest of Saudi women who led the campaign to let women drive (a long-overdue reform for which MBS claimed credit), and the temporary kidnapping of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, whom MBS saw as too close to Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, now Lebanons leading political force. Bruce Riedel, a former C.I.A. analyst who advised four presidents and is now at the Brookings Institution, called Khashoggis disappearance consistent with the pattern of crude intimidation and the growing silencing of dissent in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has a long history of abducting critics from abroad, and MBS has doubled down on such intimidation. Last year, his police conducted raids and supervised the mass detention and torture of wealthy Saudis in the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. Given Americas silence about the extortion of detainees funds to secure their release, MBS must be confident that the Trump administration will do nothing about human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, Riedel wrote, adding, He is probably right. So far, other than expressing concern about Khashoggis fate, the Trump administration has said little. There are some pretty bad stories going around, the president said Monday. I do not like it. Thats not good enough. On his first foreign trip, President Trump went to Riyadh, in an effort to improve relations with the kingdom. Among other things, as MBS told Bloomberg, the visit prompted Riyadh to commit to buying more than 60 percent of its weapons in the next decade from Washington. I love working with him, MBS said about his relationship with Trump and their joint battle against the Islamic State and other Islamist militants who endorse terrorism. The prince also confirmed reports that Trump had asked Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members to pump enough oil to ensure that the reduction of Irans oil exports of 700,000 barrels a day would not lead to a surge in oil prices. Such gestures forge stronger economic and strategic ties. But even hard-nosed pragmatists, like Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to Republican and Democratic administrations, have urged the White House to denounce the prince should it be established that Khashoggi has, in fact, been murdered. In failing to call MBS out on just about anything, particularly repression at home, Miller tweeted, the administration has emboldened him and given him [the] sense he can do anything. Silence will not serve the long-term interests of either the prince or the Saudi kingdom. Khashoggi is just the kind of Saudi from whom MBS needs to hear. A former Muslim Brotherhood member who befriended Osama bin Laden but later condemned his violence, Khashoggi became a leading proponent for Arab reformsome of the same reforms, in fact, that MBS has spearheaded as part of his Vision 2030 campaign for the kingdom. But MBSs ostensible reforms will come to naught, unless he learns to be more tolerant of dissent and creates institutions that abide by the rule of law rather than respond to tribal whim and princely pique. Washington Post columnist David Ignatius recently noted that his friend Khashoggi had endured a crisis of conscience last year when MBS was jailing and torturing his Saudi friends. I said nothing. I didnt want to lose my job or my freedom. I worried about my family. I have made a different choice now, Khashoggi wrote at the time, explaining his decision to flee the kingdom for America. We Saudis deserve better. So does he. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images The #MeToo movement has elevated personal trauma into a political tool in American public life, and the battle over Brett Kavanaughs appointment to the Supreme Court has brought out more visceral modes of this expression, as activists have taken to shouting directly into legislators faces. The confrontation between two protesters and Senator Jeff Flake in a Capitol Hill elevator became an iconic moment for those looking to stop Kavanaughs confirmation. Ana Maria Archila and Maria Gallagher harangued Flake for four minutes about their experiences as victimsor survivors, as they prefer to be calledof sexual assault. Youre telling all women, said Gallagher, tearfully, that they dont matter, that they should just stay quiet because if they tell you what happened to them, youre going to ignore them. Thats what happened to me. . . . Dont look away from me! Look at me and tell me it doesnt matter what happened to me. Gallagher and Archila were credited with convincing Flake to insist on an additional FBI background investigation into accusations that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted women, thereby forestallingperhaps permanently, it was hopedhis accession to the Court. Truth spoke to power, wrote former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson, and the U.S. Senate finally listened. Personal narrative, always central to the feminist movement, was shown to have the power to affect public policy at the highest levels of government. The #Resistance to President Trump had already embraced direct confrontation of administration figures, whom Democratic legislators such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters encouraged protesters to harass in restaurants or at home. But survivor-protestors demand to be looked atseenbecame integral to their campaign to stop Kavanaugh. Look at us! Look at us! Look at us! chanted a crowd of protesters to Senator Joe Manchin. How many stories of sexual violence do you need to hear in order to believe women? three protesters shouted at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in an airport. Senator McConnell, do you always turn your back on women like this? one asked, as he ascended an escalator. We believe survivors! We believe survivors! We believe survivors, yelled a mob surrounding Senator Ted Cruz and his wife at a restaurant. The narratives of survivors, combined with the spectacle of their distress, are presented as irrefutable proof of their victimization, and by extension, their political rectitude; believing them becomes an act of faith compelling whatever action the survivors themselves dictate as necessary. The intensity of their anger and pain is self-justifying. Sexual assault traumatizes its victims, in this view, such that their manifest agony transcends standards of physical evidence, coherent timelines, corroborating testimony, or the presumption of innocence of the accused. Gaps in survivors accountssuch as Christine Blasey Fords inability to remember much about Kavanaughs alleged assault of herdemonstrate conclusively that the event occurred, because only trauma can distort memory so precisely. Elle praised Maria Gallagher for breaking her silence about her rape to Senator Flake, supposedly for the first time, though her statement contradicts that claim, and actually refutes itself: I was sexually assaulted and nobody believed me. I didnt tell anyone. Trauma overwhelms history and fact. The narrative is paramount; every telling is the first telling. I was raped thirteen years ago and I dont remember the date, do you believe me? a woman asked Senator Lindsey Graham. Grahams responseIm sorry, but then you should go to the copswas criticized as horrifically insensitive and dismissive, but his answer is the only one that makes sense, because it takes the debate out of the transcendent realm and into the world of facts and accountability, for all parties. Demanding that lawmakers believe what other people tell them is what happens in theocracies. Our criminal justice system is equipped with the tools to handle sexual assault claims and ascertain guilt: we dont need a quasi-religious parallel process to adjudicate one class of crimes according to a different set of procedural standards. In the wake of its failure to stop Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Courtits first political defeatthe #MeToo movement seems to be reeling, furious that its demands for conviction prior to investigation are not being heeded. Whether #MeToo can mature beyond emotionalism remains to be seen. For now, in its inability to submit to claims of evidence or engage in debate, it is becoming indistinguishable from other anti-rationalist movements on the left, and unable to grasp the meaning of the word No. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images The finance functions of charities have been celebrated at the House of Lords, at the beginning of the inaugural Charity Finance Week. Baroness Pitkeathley of Caversham, president of NCVO, addressed 150 charity finance professionals yesterday afternoon where she praised the expertise in the room. Pitkeathley also paid tribute to Civil Society Media founder Daniel Phelan, who she said had such passion and commitment to promoting good financial practice across the charity sector. Gareth Jones, editor of Charity Finance magazine, talked about the importance of the finance function in charities, which he said is under resourced in many organisations and highlighted research for his publication which found that nearly two thirds of charities say core functions are under-resourced. Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charity Commission, was in attendance and later Tweeted: Thanks to Civil Society Media for highlighting the vital work of the sector's unsung heroes - the finance professionals. Good to support the launch of Charity Finance Week. Thanks to @CivilSocietyUK for highlighting the vital work of the sector's unsung heroes - the finance professionals. Good to support the launch of #CharityFinanceWeek Helen Stephenson (@stephensonhm) 8 October 2018 Charity Finance Week continues all week and details of other events can be found here. And you can follow the action on social media by searching #CharityFinanceWeek Photos from the reception The National Trust is the most popular charity in the UK with millennials, according to a new survey from YouGov. YouGov published its Charity Millennial Rankings survey today, which considers which not-for-profit organisations 18-34 year olds have discussed in favourable terms recently with friends and family. It found that 45.5 per cent of millennial respondents had heard something positive about the National Trust in the past two weeks. It is the first time YouGov has compiled this survey. The rankings were based on YouGovs Word of Mouth metric, which measures whether a respondent has discussed a brand with friends or family (whether in-person, online, or through social media) in the past two weeks. The National Trust narrowly beat out mental health charity Mind, which had a positive rating of 43.9 per cent amongst the millennial age cohort. The third to fifth most positively discussed charities by millennials were all found to be dog or animal charities. In third place was The Dogs Trust with 36.6 per cent, followed by Battersea with 35.5 per cent and Guide Dogs with 34.4 per cent. Briony Gunstone, director of public sector works for YouGov, said the findings were interesting as they challenge preconceptions that the National Trust is for older generations. Although we may stereotypically think of those interested in the activities of the National Trust as being from a slightly older generation, our research indicates that in fact younger people are attentive to the charitys activities, and are talking about the organisation in positive terms. Perhaps this is due to an even greater environmental concern among people aged 18-34. In recent years, the discussion around mental health has gained greater prominence in the media and among the public in general. Mind is one organisation that has positioned itself as being at the forefront of efforts to help those with mental health problems. The CharityIndex Millennial rankings: National Trust 45.5 Mind 43.9 Dogs Trust 36.6 Battersea 35.5 Guide Dogs 34.4 Macmillan Cancer Support 33.8 British Heart Foundation 32.0 Children in Need 31.6 Cancer Research 30.2 RSPCA 29.7 The projections are dire: Widespread drought, food shortages, and a mass die-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040. That is the future were facing, according to a new report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The story received prominent coverage on the homepages of the The New York Times and The Washington Post on Monday, and was discussed on cable news. But with a daily news cycle that churns out a constant stream of stories with sensational angles or immediate implications, can the press find a way to focus on a slow-moving crisis that affects everyone on the planet? If history is a guide, then the answer is largely no. Writing in 2015, then-Guardian Editor in Chief Alan Rusbridger argued that the problem with this story isits so big, and it doesnt change much from day to day. Journalism is brilliant at capturing momentum, or changes, or things that are unusual. If its basically the same every day, every week, every year, I think journalists lose heart. On Monday, Rusbridger surveyed the covers of UK papers and lamented the absence of articles on the UN report. If voters are kept in the dark about global warming by newspapers then urgent action by democratic politicians becomes a hundred times harder, he wrote. Climate change has long been held up as an example of the sort of story that news outlets know is important, but struggle to cover. This new report, which warns that world governments have only a dozen years to take meaningful action, could be a wake-up call, but only if journalists find a way to realign their priorities. RELATED: Going full Doomsday: Reporters must convey the perils of climate change without paralyzing their audience The Posts Margaret Sullivan argues that the press must find a way to keep attention on this threat, even while dealing with the demands of the daily news cycle. There is a lot happening in the nation and the world, a constant rush of news. Much of it deserves our attention as journalists and news consumers. But we need to figure out how to make the main thing matter, Sullivan writes. In short, when it comes to climate change, wethe media, the public, the worldneed radical transformation, and we need it now. In America, that transformation requires an acknowledgement that President Trump, who has questioned the very idea of climate change, heads a Republican party that is one of the few major political organizations in the world that rejects the basic scientific consensus. The Timess Mark Landler and Coral Davenport note that Trump spent part of Monday in Florida, a state that lies directly in the path of this coming calamityand said nothing about [the new UN report]. Sign up for CJR 's daily email With the immediate implications of climate change being more dire that previously thought, heading off disaster will require a massive effort from governments around the world. The sort of political will required to make necessary changes could be driven by public pressure, but that pressure depends on an informed citizenry, which is where the press comes in. As Sullivan writes, its past time for fresh thinking: Just as the smartest minds in earth science have issued their warning, the best minds in media should be giving sustained attention to how to tell this most important story in a way that will create change. Below, more on the coverage of a global emergency. Other notable stories: In the wake of Brett Kavanaughs confirmation, CJR Editor and Publisher Kyle Pope questions whether journalism needs to have an immediate impact in order to matter. For every Harvey Weinstein or Eric Schneiderman or Elizabeth Holmes investigation, there are dozenseven hundredsof others that dont receive the responses they deserve, Pope writes. The results of our work are completely out of our control; justice, even karma, sometimes moves fast, but more often moves slow and sometimes not at all. Following up on yesterdays newsletter: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the Saudi government to provide a thorough investigation into Jamal Khashoggis disappearance. The Washington Post reports that Turkish investigators believe Khashoggi was probably dismembered and his body removed in boxes and flown out of the country. Former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks is headed to Fox, where shell be executive vice president and chief communications officer. CNNs Brian Stelter notes that Mondays announcement inspired lots of quips about the revolving door between the Trump White House and the Murdoch media empire. Bill Shine, a former Fox exec, became White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications over the summer. The New York Times republished its exhaustive investigation into President Trumps wealth as a special section on Sunday, but the major Sunday shows ignored the story, reports Media Matterss Matt Gertz. A panelist on CNNs State of the Union mentioned it in passing, and MSNBCs Joy Reid devoted considerable time to the piece, but ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News all failed to address the report on their flagship shows, Gertz writes. The Washington Posts Dan Zak offers dual profiles of Ben Shapiro and the Crooked Media guys, who are waging a battle in your ear buds. Podcasting from opposite sides of the political aisle, Shapiro and Crooked Medias Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, Jon Lovett, and Dan Pfeiffer have ushered in a new age of political punditry, Zak writes. ICYMI: The silencing of a Saudi truth teller Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon. The natural gas company at the center of the explosions north of Boston, Mass., last month was woefully unprepared to prevent or respond to the unfolding disaster, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey said Friday after a review of internal company documents. The Massachusetts Democrats said Columbia Gas didnt have adequate safety and response measures in place before Sept. 13, when more than 80 explosions and gas fires struck Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. The explosions, likely caused by overpressurized gas lines, killed one person, injured 25 others, damaged or destroyed dozens of homes, and left thousands of Merrimack Valley residents without natural gas to heat their homes as the winter approaches. Warren and Markey said in an Oct. 4 letter that they had reviewed documents and statements provided by the company, including its Distribution Integrity Management Plan and Operations and Maintenance Manual. They concluded the utility did not properly contemplate the possibility that a disaster like this could occur, did not have sufficient safety measures in place to prevent a disaster, and was not prepared to respond. The senators also criticized the company for not instituting commonsense measures such as knowing the exact location of control lines and having the proper staff onsite during repair work until five days afterward. The omission of these sorts of safety measures from Columbia Gas operating procedures prior to this disaster is alarming and unacceptable, the senators wrote. It raises serious questions as to why these policies were not previously in place for Columbia Gas systems and whether that failure was the result of negligence, cost considerations, or incompetence. Ken Stammen, a spokesman for NiSource, Columbia Gas parent company, said the utility cant comment on the cause of the incident or matters related to the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board investigation. We have been responding to the Senators requests for information in a timely manner, and are reviewing this most recent letter, he said in a statement. Our attention right now is focused on restoring gas service to customers in the Merrimack Valley. Meanwhile, local government officials and Columbia Gas announced Friday theyre offering hotel rooms, travel trailers, shelters and other temporary housing for those without gas service or otherwise unable to return to their homes. At least 15 structures have been deemed uninhabitable, an additional 19 need significant repairs, and an additional 102 sustained minor damage, state officials said this week. Columbia Gas has deployed thousands of workers to replace 45 miles of aging pipeline and gradually restore service. The company says all customers should have gas, including for heat and hot water, by Nov. 19. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A lifeguard at a beach in New Jersey where three people died when the sand collapsed under their feet as they walked along the shoreline said a year after the most recent death that we know its going to happen again. North Wildwood lifeguard Lt. David Lindsay made the admission in a secretly recorded conversation played in court Friday as a judge weighed whether to dismiss a lawsuit concerning one of the deaths. The city and state want Superior Court Judge John Porto to dismiss the lawsuit from the family of Brad Smith, of Horhsam, Pennsylvania, who died in July 2012. Porto said he will decide within three weeks whether the case should be sent to a jury. Smith was walking in ankle-deep water at the beach with his daughter when the sand collapsed, plunging them and a friend into the swirling waters. A passer-by on a personal watercraft rescued the girl, who was being held above the waves by her father before he drowned. Three years earlier, Jamila Watkins and 15-year-old Shayne Hart were walking along the waters edge when the sand gave way beneath them, plunging them into the swirling waters of the inlet, killing both of them. On Friday, Paul DAmato, a lawyer for Smiths widow Sandra, played a recoding secretly made of Lindsay, the lifeguard squad lieutenant, about a year after Smiths death. As the beach patrol, we know its going to happen again, he said on the recording, which was made in July 2013. Smiths family is suing the city and state, alleging negligent supervision. They claim that while North Wildwood placed signs near the beach entrance warning of dangerous currents, no one warned beachgoers the simple act of walking along the waters edge could be dangerous or even fatal. There was no warning whatsoever, DAmato said. We have a woman living without her husband and children living without their father. North Wildwood is responsible. Not so, counters Michael Barker, a lawyer for the Jersey shore town, a popular summer destination for vacationers from the Philadelphia region. He told the judge the lawsuit should be dismissed as a matter of law because the land in question is unimproved land, and governments cannot be sued for injuries that occur on property that the town did nothing to alter from its natural condition. Theres nothing there other than tideland, sea water, current, tides all natural characteristics, Barker said. Inlets are dangerous. Slopes, gullies, holes: all these things can go on in an inlet. In evidence Smiths family wants to present to a jury, North Wildwood lifeguard supervisors assert in depositions that conditions at the beach in question have been known to be dangerous for more than a decade, and that lifeguards routinely have to rescue people from the inlet waters. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Westfield Invests in Small Business, Names Robyn Hahn President, Small Business Bridging expertise from senior leadership roles at national and international insurance carriers with time as an independent insurance agent and small business owner, Robyn Hahn is assuming the role of president of Small Business at Westfield. With more than 25 years of diverse experience in the insurance industry, Hahn is uniquely positioned to lead the segment into the future by transforming the way the company approaches small business. As a leader in the P&C industry, Hahn has held senior positions with national and international carriers. Her credentials span agency management, sales and distribution strategy and execution, digital and operations, including call centers, processing, underwriting and risk control functions. Prior to Westfield, Hahn expanded her professional portfolio to include the chief marketing officer position at two insurance industry Fortune Global 500 companies. Zurich Creates Dedicated, In-House Cyber Risk Engineering Team Zurich has announced the creation of a dedicated, in-house cyber risk engineering team as well as the addition of a new insights tool for cyber underwriting, a new Cyber Fusion Center and an enhanced focus on the cybersecurity needs of middle-market businesses. Earlier this year, Zurich named Gerry Kane to lead a dedicated cyber risk engineering team. As a result of a global risk engineering practice consisting of more than 700 risk professionals across multiple lines of business and industries, Zurich is able to provide a comprehensive approach to cyber risk through risk insights, industry expertise and claims mitigation, which is offered to all cyber insurance policyholders around the globe. Cyber Fusion Center Cyber insurance customers also are benefiting from the insights of Zurichs Cyber Fusion Center, an internal cyber threat intelligence group that gathers intel on emerging cyber threats and creates actionable items for customers, as well as education points for brokers. Opened earlier this year, the Cyber Fusion Center is a dedicated, physical space designed to monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats. Cyber Underwriting In August, Zurichs cyber underwriting team incorporated a new insight tool called Cyence to help make better underwriting, pricing, and enterprise risk management decisions; aiding in efforts to protect customers while protecting the insurers bottom line. Cyence combines data science, cybersecurity and economics into an analytics platform that quantifies the financial impact of cyber-related events. Under the leadership of Michelle Chia, who became head of Specialty Products E&O earlier this year, Zurich has increased the size of its cybersecurity and privacy team and restructured it to create three dedicated business leads including an enhanced focus on middle-market customers looking for cybersecurity solutions. An eight-year Zurich veteran, Brett Kreiter leads the Middle Market segment and is charged with identifying innovative opportunities to provide comprehensive cyber solutions to Zurichs Middle Market customers. In addition, Kevin Maloney, who has been in the financial lines space for more than 13 years, is leading the Emerging Structures segment. As technology, cyber security risk, and customers needs evolve, Zurich is committed to providing innovative solutions for customers that require the highest levels of complexity and sophistication. More information about Zurichs cybersecurity solutions can be found at https://www.zurichna.com/securityandprivacy. Locate additional cyber-related literature at https://www.zurichna.com/cyber. Willis Towers Watson Appoints McKechnie NWillis Towers Watson has strengthened its Insurance Consulting and Technology business by appointing Matt McKechnie as a consultant in the firms Claims Consulting team. Based in London, Matt joins the Claims team within Willis Towers Watsons UK P&C Insurance Consulting and Technology business from Ageas where, as a claims MI Consultant, he was responsible for managing a team of analysts providing MI and Data solutions to the Claims function. He specialized in providing performance tracking metrics, delivering insight across all levels of the organisation, including cross-functional and C-Suite. Over the last 18 months he focused on claims data strategy development and optimizing the use of intelligence gathered. He was also selected to participate in an Advanced Analytics programm with colleagues from around the globe. Prior to Ageas, McKechnie was the direct hire operations manager at the Innovation Group (a Claims outsourcing provider). His responsibilities included strategy development of the operation, customer relationship management, regulatory compliance and performance delivery. The news that Floridas Disaster Fraud Action Strike Team (DFAST) has been activated in response to Hurricane Michael is a reminder that after a devastating hurricane or wildfire, homeowners may be victimized a second time by unscrupulous contractors. Recent press releases by government agencies and insurance associations after Hurricane Florence highlight the ways contractors may deceive unsuspecting homeowners. Just last month the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud reported on a Louisiana contractor who skipped out on flood repairs. Matthew Morris with Complete Construction Contractors llc (CCC), was indicted on 51 counts of contractor and insurance fraud, theft, extortion, and more just in Livingston Parish in 2017. He was indicted on another 84 counts in Ascension Parish. He was also charged with several counts in East Baton Rouge, St. John the Baptist, and Terrebonne parishes. Morris would sign contracts with victims from the August 2016 flood and either leave the work in between or never show up, according to victims. When the victims would not pay, Morris put liens on their properties. We worked on about 40 some projects, the demolition, through a lot of failed promises, failed to get paid on the work we did. Right now, I think he still owes me $270,000 and probably another $100,000 in attorney fees, said Jameson Chauvin, a subcontractor who owned the company doing demolition work for CCC. Of his 51 counts he was indicted on, 50 charges were dropped as long as Morris plead to one count which included restitution for all victims and jail time. Several victims of Morris were in the courthouse as Morris took his first plea since the August 2016 flood. Victims in the courtroom refused to give any victims impact statements, saying they simply wanted closure and to move on. Its just closure for us and we can move on, said Lee Weber, one of Morris victims. Morriswas sentenced to credit for time served. The total amount of restitution is $85,434.30, which will be divided among 11 victims in Livingston Parish. After a series of wildfiresthis year, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones warned of contractor scams in an August 2018 press release. According to the states department of insurance, the most common fraud schemes that occur in the aftermath of a disaster generally involve price gouging, offers of debris removal, and fraudulent charitable solicitations. A wildfire leaves more than burned homes and uprooted lives in its wake, said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. These catastrophes also can blow in fly-by-night unlicensed contractors and door-to-door scam artists eager to capitalize on the misfortunes of innocent and traumatized wildfire survivors. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) recommends that homeowners stay vigilant against being victimized by fraudulent contractors. the IBHS points to a recent conviction in the Houston area of a fraudulent contractor taking advantage of homeowners following Hurricane Harvey. Unfortunately, severe storms can bring out the worst in people, especially crooked roofing contractors who take advantage of homeowners needs to repair or replace their storm-damaged roofs, said Fred Malik, vice president of IBHS FORTIFIED programs. These bad actors often make false promises, insist on full payment before work begins or is completed, and even create damage where none existed. Remember, price is only one element of the criteria for selecting a roofing contractor. Professionalism and quality workmanship also should weigh heavily on your decision. According to the International Code Council (ICC), following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, more than 1,300 people were prosecuted for contractor fraud, according to U.S. Department of Justice information. As homeowners begin seeking help to clean up and repair storm damage, its really important that they be cautious about the contractors they hire, said Chris Hacke PCI senior director. Unfortunately, there are instances of unscrupulous, unlicensed contractors who try to take advantage of storm victims. After suffering storm damage, the last thing homeowners need is to be ripped off by a fraudulent contractor. The ICC recommends that homeowners remain vigilant when searching for contractors when they start rebuilding their homes. After a natural disaster, many cities experience an influx of out-of-town contractors, or so-called storm chasers. Some are shady crews looking to take advantage of local residents desperate to restore their homes quickly. Government agencies and industry associations offer several tips to avoid contractor fraud. These include getting contractor recommendations from insurers or neighbors, checking state licensing agencies and online resources for reviews. In addition, homeowners are urged to avoid paperless contractors who have no business card or company fliers and remain wary of contractors who have no permanent street address or local phone number. Estimates, materials, prices and completion dates should all be communicated in writing and contractors should be able to provide proof of a contractors license and workers compensation insurance or builders risk insurance certificate. Lastly, homeowners are cautioned to never sign a blank contract. The ICC says some dishonest contractors will ask a homeowner to sign a contract for repairs on a digital tablet. However, when printed out, the bid is thousands of dollars higher, or the survivor may have unwittingly assigned FEMA disaster aid over to the scammer. Working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local legal aid offices, the Disaster Legal Services Program of the ABA Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) has been offering legal assistance to disaster victims after Hurricane Florence on disaster-related legal issues that include landlord/tenant problems, insurance claims, FEMA claims and consumer issues such as contractor fraud. Since September 2007, the ABA YLD has responded to more than 178 declared disasters in 44 states and four U.S. territories. In the last year, hundreds of lawyers volunteered to provide legal assistance to those affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as wildfires in the West and other natural disasters. Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday warned that a tropical storm headed for the Florida Panhandle could become a Category 2 hurricane with winds up to 100 miles per hour by the time it makes landfall in the middle of the week. Scott issued an order for a state of emergency for 26 counties in the Florida Panhandle and the Big Bend area. The declaration will free up resources for storm preparation. This storm will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous, Scott said after receiving a briefing at the State Emergency Operations Center. The governor warned that storm surge could affect areas of Florida not in the storms direct path. If this storm hit Panama City, Tampa could still have storm surge, said Scott, referring to two Florida cities about 375 miles apart by highway. Every family must be prepared. Scott also activated 500 members of the Florida National Guard ahead of the storm. The U.S. National Hurricane Center on Sunday upgraded Tropical Depression Michael to a named tropical storm, saying Michael had winds of up to 50 mph (85 kph). The storm could strengthen into a hurricane by Monday night or Tuesday as its center moves over the Yucatan Channel, crosses the Gulf of Mexico and nears the Florida Panhandle coast sometime Wednesday. Forecasters advised residents along the northeastern and central U.S. Gulf Coast to monitor the storms progress. The north Florida city of Tallahassee on Sunday opened two locations where residents could get sandbags in case of flooding. While the impacts are still uncertain, our area could experience increased wind activity and heavy rainfall, which could cause localized flooding and downed trees, Tallahassee officials said in a statement. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, had planned to campaign in South Florida Monday and Tuesday, but he said he would return to Tallahassee to help with storm preparations. The city of Pensacola tweeted to residents, Be sure you have your emergency plan in place. The storm was located by 5 p.m. ET Sunday afternoon about 130 miles (205 kilometers) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico and moving to the north-northeast at about 3 mph (6 kph). Tropical storm winds extended out 205 miles (335 kilometers), primarily east of the storms center. A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth as well as the coast of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche. A warning indicates tropical storm conditions are expected, in this case, within 24 hours. The hurricane center warned that the storm could produce a foot (30 centimeters) of rain in western Cuba, potentially triggering flash floods and mudslides in mountainous areas. An Air Force hurricane hunter airplane was sent into the storm to investigate, the hurricane center said. Michael is the 13th named storm of the 2018 hurricane season, according to hurricane center spokesman Dennis Feltgen. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A panel of federal judges on Wednesday denied a request from casino operator MGM Resorts International to centralize 13 lawsuits stemming from last years mass shooting in Las Vegas. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in a written order said centralizing the cases would not be convenient for the parties and witnesses or further the just and efficient conduct of this litigation. The decision came less than a week after the panel heard arguments during a hearing in San Francisco. MGM had asked the judges to centralize the cases after it filed nine lawsuits in various states in July against more than 1,900 victims of the Oct. 1, 2017, shooting on the Las Vegas Strip. The company is not asking for money, but argues it owes nothing to survivors or families of slain victims under a federal law enacted after 9/11. More than 22,000 people were at an outdoor country music festival when a gunman opened fire from his casino-resort suite before killing himself. MGM owns the festival grounds and the casino-resort. The company has said its lawsuits are meant to avoid years of costly litigation. They only targeted people who have sued the company and voluntarily dismissed their claims or have threatened to sue. In particular, MGM emphasizes that it has received pre-litigation hold letters from at least 63 attorneys on behalf of 2,462 individuals, and that one attorney claims that 22,000 lawsuits are expected, the judges wrote. Yet, only 38 negligence actions have been filed to date, and 34 of those were voluntarily dismissed. The Panel generally does not take into account the mere possibility of future filings when considering centralization. The four other lawsuits addressed in the panels order were filed by victims. They allege negligence by MGM for failing to have adequate safety measures. The company in a statement Wednesday said it respects the ruling and will litigate its motions in the courts where the actions are pending. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Residents here will vote on four proposed amendments to the municipal charter -- the city's constitution -- on Nov. 6. On the ballot, the amendments will appear as Issues 16, 17, 18 and 19. The city's Charter Review Committee recommended the amendments earlier this year. The charter requires the city to assemble an ad-hoc charter review committee at least once every four years. A charter committee last met in 2014. In 2018, the committee consisted of City Council President Robert Boldt, who was committee chairman; Planning Commission member Todd Kinzer; Board of Zoning Appeals member Brad Clifford; Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member Suzanne Lambert; and citizens Mary Lou Bennett, Shawn Galek, Tim Garth, Tom Kaiser and Laura Englehart. According to the charter, both elected and appointed city officials, along with five citizens, must sit on the review committee. City Council appointed four citizen members and Mayor Sam Alai appointed one citizen member. Here is a rundown of the charter amendments that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot: Issue 16 Under the existing charter, members of the city's Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission cannot hold a real estate license or real estate broker's license and cannot be a land developer or agent of a land developer. The proposed charter amendment would remove these membership restrictions so that those carrying real estate and real estate broker's licenses, as well as land developers and agents of land developers, could serve. Boldt said the charter review committee wasn't sure why these board and commission membership restrictions were originally put in place. He said the purpose might have been to avoid conflicts of interest. For example, a real estate broker sitting on the Planning Commission might have felt lukewarm toward a project proposed by a competing real estate broker. However, Boldt said such conflicts are handled on other municipal bodies, including City Council, by members acknowledging conflicts and recusing themselves from the discussion and vote. The same would apply to the BZA and commission. Boldt said the city might have been unfairly limiting its pool of talent for the commission and BZA by excluding developers and those with real estate licenses. Issue 17 The existing charter says that if the Board of Zoning Appeals holds a hearing on a proposed zoning variance, the city must tell the public of the hearing at least 14 days in advance through a notification at City Hall and in a local newspaper. Also, the city must notify in advance everyone owning land within 500 feet of the property that would receive the variance. Under the proposed charter amendment, the city could notify the public in advance about the BZA hearing either through an ad in a local newspaper or a posting on the city's website. The city would still post a notice of the hearing at City Hall and would still notify adjacent property owners in advance. Boldt said the change is recommended due to the general decline of newspapers. Issue 18 Under the existing charter, the city's Human Services Advisory Board consists of seven members, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council. The board advises and assists the director of the Human Resources Department, which offers help to older residents. The proposed charter amendment would reduce the board's size to three regular members and two alternate members. Boldt said the change is recommended because the city has experienced trouble filling the larger board. Members, who are unpaid volunteers, sometimes can't attend meetings, and to have an official meeting, a quorum of five members must be present. With a smaller board, fewer members would be needed to achieve a quorum. Issue 19 The existing charter states that the human services board must meet at least once a month. Under the proposed charter amendment, the board would be required to meet just once every three months. Boldt said the committee recommended this amendment because the board doesn't believe it's necessary to meet every month. The change would still allow the mayor or human services director to call an extra board meeting if necessary. BROOK PARK, Ohio -- City officials are working to resolve issues with CSX and Norfolk Southern trains idling behind residences for long periods of time and sometimes blocking Brook Park roads. Councilman Greg Stemm told City Council members at their Oct. 2 regular meeting that he, Mayor Mike Gammella and Gammella's chief of staff, Tony D'Amico, have been troubleshooting the situation. Trains may not obstruct roadways for longer than five minutes, according to Ohio Revised Code. A 2014 Brook Park ordinance prohibits locomotives from idling for longer than 30 minutes within 100 feet of a residential property. "Over the past four to six weeks, I've been receiving complaints about trains parking with idling engines back on the tracks from Leslie Drive, all the way down to Haviland Drive and Wedgewood Drive, over by the American Legion," Stemm told cleveland.com on Oct. 5. He recently made a 9 p.m. visit to Leslie Drive after receiving a complaint. "It was a beautiful fall night, and the resident's windows were open," Stemm recalled. "Every minute or so, the train engine let out steam, which is loud. "We support industry and understand that we coexist, but we need to be good neighbors," he said. Police Chief Jim Foster told cleveland.com that 69 citations were issued in 2017, mostly for prolonged idling. The railroad companies have been cited 45 times so far this year. "Noise is the primary offender," Foster said. "It's disturbing the peace of the neighborhoods." D'Amico has been the city's point of contact with the railroad companies. "We've been doing an immense amount of work ... in trying to get the problems to stop," D'Amico said. "They stop the trains and change conductors, or wait on another train to move. They're leaving and stopping at approximately the same place with the engine idling. The railroads have been good about paying (the fines), and they will continue to do that." The mayor emphasized that the city will remain diligent. "We're going to stay on this issue, and we'll get it resolved," Gammella said. BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- With the 2018 mid-term elections less than a month away, City Council has joined a number of other governments and agencies across Ohio in passing a resolution strongly opposing state Issue 1. If passed, Issue 1 would make possession of illegal drugs of any kind -- including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl -- no more than a misdemeanor; would prohibit courts from ordering persons on probation for felonies to be sent to prison for non-criminal probation violations; create a sentence credits program for inmates' participation in rehabilitative, work or educational programs; and require the state to spend savings due to a reduction of inmates resulting from Issue 1 on drug treatment, crime victim and rehabilitation programs. Proponents of the state constitutional amendment claim it will lower the number of those in state prisons for low-level drug offenses and will thereby save the state money. However, Issue 1 has been formally opposed by law enforcement and court agencies across Ohio, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, the Ohio Bar Association, several municipal court judges, and both candidates for Ohio attorney general. At Monday's council meeting, Cliff Nowak, Brunswick's representative on the Medina County Drug Abuse Commission board, said passage of Issue 1 could set back work being done locally by groups like MCDAC. "We are the only county in Ohio that has a levy to raise funds to fight this problem," Nowak said, pointing out that heroin abuse-related statistics have declined consistently in Medina County since 2014, but that drug addiction overall remains a serious issue. "Medina County and city have been very tough historically when dealing with drugs," Nowak said. "(The MCDAC board is) very strongly against (Issue 1)." Ward 3 Councilman and council Safety Committee member Joe Salzgeber said passage of Issue 1 would make Ohio the least restrictive state in terms of illegal drug enforcement. "The state would become a haven for those types of drugs, just as Colorado has become a haven for marijuana," Salzgeber said. The resolution to oppose Issue 1 passed unanimously, with Councilman-at-Large and Safety Committee chairman Brian Ousley electing to abstain from the vote. Ousley later explained his decision. "I will agree there are drug problems in Ohio and across the nation," Ousley said. "But (the council resolution is) telling everybody what to do in the polling booth. It is nobody's business what I do in a polling booth." Wildlife ordinance passed Also on Monday, council unanimously passed a long-discussed ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife and stray animals in the city. Brunswick Police Animal Control officer Mike Kellums said the ordinance provides an opportunity to create a safer environment for residents, as well as "mediate and educate our residents about the feeding of animals and how they can cause property damage." Salzgeber added that the ordinance is not a complete ban on animal feeding, but rather prohibits the activity when damage caused "becomes a problem for neighbors and the community." In the Oct. 4 issue of the Brunswick Sun, it was erroneously reported that a first offense will result in a first-degree misdemeanor. The ordinance states, however, that a first offense carries a minor misdemeanor penalty. Subsequent offenses will be fourth-degree misdemeanors. Other actions Council members also passed a resolution accepting the amounts and rates determined by the budget commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies and clarifying them to the Medina County auditor. "This is simply certifying the property tax rates for the city of Brunswick; there are no changes in tax rates," Finance Director Todd Fischer said. "Brunswick only has one property tax that was approved by voters -- our 1.2-mill, 10-year road levy that generates $837,500 annually that is used on neighborhood roads." Council also authorized the $43,000 purchase of a hot water tank in the Brunswick Community Recreation and Fitness Center. Parks and Recreation Director John Piepsny said this purchase will replace the second of two hot water tanks at the Rec Center, the first of which was replaced in 2016. Please take a moment and click here to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, a cleveland.com partner. Every dollar you give buys four meals for the hungry. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The lawyer representing a man charged in the grisly October 2017 stabbing and shooting death of his soon-to-be mother-in-law, longtime Strongsville City Schools teacher Melinda Pleskovic, wants a judge to toss the man's confession to police and the discovery of a knife with Pleskovic's blood on its blade. Jeffrey Scullin Jr.'s lawyer and Cuyahoga County prosecutors are set to meet Friday in Common Pleas Court Judge Pamela Barker's courtroom for a hearing on whether police overstepped their bounds in searching Scullin's cellphone and vehicle the night of the killing. The attorneys also accused the police of coercing Scullin's confession. Scullin is set to begin trial Monday on charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, making false alarms and endangering children charges in Pleskovic's death. Pleskovic, 49, was stabbed 35 times and shot twice in the kitchen of her family's Blazing Star Drive home, investigators said. Prosecutors believe Scullin, who was engaged to Pleskovic's daughter Anna, killed his future mother-in-law during an argument and then drove to meet her husband and daughter for a family dinner at Southpark Mall's Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, where Anna Pleskovic was a waitress, records say. When Pleskovic didn't show, and Bruce and Anna Pleskovic could not reach her, the family returned to the home, according to a charging affidavit. They were greeted at the door by the Pleskovic's son, Kyle Pleskovic, who has autism and is nonverbal, records say. The family stumbled on the gruesome scene, and both Bruce Pleskovic and Scullin called 911 to report the incident, according to court records. Strongsville police detectives immediately launched an investigation that Scullin's lawyer, Joseph Patituce, contends in court filings went too far. Scullin told police they could search the Chevy truck that he was driving that night after they wouldn't let him remove his infant daughter's diaper bag and car seat from the back of the truck before they could search the truck and its contents for evidence, the filings say. Officers searched the truck and found "nothing remarkable," according to records. But they couldn't open the center console, where Scullin had told them firearms were stored, because the latch was broken and had to be opened with a screwdriver, records say. Police then seized the truck and towed it back to the station, where a further search turned up the knife, records say. Scullin also handed over his cellphone to police at the scene, as did Bruce and Anna Pleskovic, records say. Copies of search warrants that police obtained for the truck and the cellphone were overly broad and contained no specific information about what they were looking for either in the truck or on the cellphone, Patituce argued. Patituce also argued that, even though Scullin gave officers permission to search the truck at first, he didn't consent to them seizing the truck and searching it again. Officers arrested Scullin Oct. 31. He denied hurting Pleskovic in an interview with detectives, records say. Later that same day, an FBI agent came to the police station and Scullin agreed to take a lie-detector test, records say. Strongsville police detective Robert Stolz confronted Scullin in another interrogation and told Scullin that he failed several portions of the test, and told him that officers found a tactical knife in his truck that had Pleskovic's blood on it, records say. The DNA portion was a lie, Patituce claimed, because the medical examiner's office did not finish its full DNA analysis report until December, nearly two months later. Patituce wrote in his filing that Stolz was "not to be troubled with concepts such as honesty" and "blatantly, and outrageously, lied" about the evidence police had to pressure Scullin into confessing. Because of all of those issues, Patituce asked Barker to not allow prosecutors to use evidence from the truck, Scullin's cellphone or his confession to police at trial. The lead prosecutor on the case, Christopher Schroeder, argued in response to Patituce's motions that police did show enough probable cause to search the vehicles and the cellphones. Stolz's typed report says that the medical examiner's office told him on Oct. 31, 2017 that the blood on the knife matched Pleskovic's, and that Pleskovic's and Scullin's DNA was found on the handle of the knife. That report was given to Patituce in July, before Patituce filed the motion calling Stolz a liar, Schroeder wrote. Patituce also asked Barker in a separate filing to order prosecutors to turn over a copy of the report from Scullin's polygraph test. Schroeder contended that prior court rulings have held that, because lie-detector test results are not admissible at trial, they are not technically considered "evidence" and are thus not required to be handed over. Barker agreed, and denied Patituce's request. To comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments page CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Romanian man accused of orchestrating a large-scale cyber fraud ring that carried out schemes to steal more than $4 million made his first appearance in a U.S. court on Tuesday, a decade after he was first charged. Romeo Vasile Chita, 38, led an operation that defrauded people by obtaining their personal information from their computers using malware, as well as through bogus online sales, according to federal prosecutors. Romanian authorities also prosecuted Chita in the scheme, and the case has a Cleveland-area connection because two men who participated in the operation were arrested in Westlake in 2008. In addition to Romania, the operation worked out of the U.S., Canada, Croatia, Latvia, Hungary, Bosnia, China, Jordan, Malaysia and elsewhere, according to federal prosecutors. Chita is one of nine charged in a U.S. grand jury indictment in 2010, though a warrant for his arrest here was first obtained in July 2008. He was arrested in Romania on Sept. 10 and extradited to the U.S. last week. He arrived in the U.S. on Friday and was held in the Cuyahoga County Jail until Tuesday, when he was arraigned in Senior U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent's courtroom in Cleveland. Chita, who also goes by "Rich," pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit services. Speaking in semi-broken English, he protested to the judge that he already faced the same charges in Romania and did prison time. "It's not different. It's the same. The same person, the same victim, everything," Chita said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duncan Brown said after the hearing that some of the facts of the case are different, and that there are victims in the United States that deserve justice. "The U.S. victims deserve protection by the U.S. judicial system," Brown said. Nugent told Chita that he would try to get the case done quickly. He ordered Chita held in custody pending trial, though federal public defender Darin Thompson said he and his client are going to look for a home in the hopes of asking the judge to release Chita on bond. Federal authorities say Chita, who owned an Internet service provider called NetOne, worked with others and started the large-scale cyber fraud in 2007. One of Chita and his group's methods was to send "phishing" emails to its targets. The emails included links to malware programs that were installed on a victim's computer, including one that allowed the group to track a person's keystrokes and capture sensitive information, including bank account information, officials say. The emails said they were from the Better Business Bureau, the IRS, U.S. Tax Court, the National Payroll Records Center, and other entities, according to the FBI. The group stole money from people's bank accounts and transferred it to other U.S.-based accounts. They then withdrew and laundered the money, according to officials. They also made money by placing ads for cars and other expensive items on eBay, Craigslist, Autotrader.com and other websites. Victims wired group members thousands of dollars to buy items, only to never receive them, prosecutors say. The case broke open in the U.S. in January 2008, after Westlake police arrested two Romanian men following a traffic stop. The men had $63,000 in cash, eight cellphones, two computers, a color printer, fraudulent documents and receipts from MoneyGram and Western Union, according to an FBI affidavit written in July 2008 by FBI special agent Stacy Lough. The men, identified in the affidavit as "M.V." and "S.S.," confessed to their roles in the operation and said their job was to travel to several states to receive and send wire transfers. The affidavit says Romanian cybercrime groups were notorious in 2008 for several schemes, and that they stole hundreds of millions of dollars from U.S. citizens within a few years. Of the nine charged in Chita's indictment, three are in custody in the U.S. Co-defendants Daniel Mihai Radu and Manuel Tudor were extradited to the U.S., pleaded not guilty in arraignments in March and are awaiting trial. The others are fugitives, officials say. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Solon woman was sentenced Tuesday to 2 1/2 years in federal prison for defrauding a trust set up for a Hudson resident with multiple sclerosis and using the money to pay her personal expenses. Teresita Sidoti, 52, embezzled $156,949.75 between 2009 and 2015 from a trust established to pay the medical expenses of Noel Zugay, who died in October 2014 at age 58, according to an investigation by the FBI and IRS. Sidoti worked as Zugay's caregiver and controlled bank accounts for Zugay and the trust. She took the money by writing checks to herself, transferring money online and by making withdrawals in person, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. She also did not report some of this income on tax returns between 2011 and 2014. She pleaded guilty in May to bank fraud and filing false tax returns. In addition to the prison sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent ordered Sidoti to pay the stolen money to Zugay's family, as well as $27,797 to the IRS. Sidoti's federal public defender Darin Thompson declined comment other than to say his client is working with prosecutors to start paying restitution. Federal prosecutors did not indicate in court filings what disability Zugay suffered from, but court filings in a 2015 lawsuit her family filed against Sidoti said Zugay was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1989. She was totally disabled by 1998, the filings stated. That lawsuit, along with another action taken in Cuyahoga County Probate Court, was dropped to let federal agents investigate, Robert Higgins, an attorney for the Zugay family, told cleveland.com in May. The lawsuit said the trust had $590,000 in April 2006 and a negative balance of $130 by August 2013. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section. AKRON, Ohio -- The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a man was shot several times Saturday on Interstate 77, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. Deputies responded about 9:55 p.m. Saturday for a call about a silver BMW crashed into a guardrail on Interstate 77 northbound in Coventry Township near the East Waterloo Road exit in Akron, according to the press release. The driver, a 22-year-old man from Akron, appeared to be unconscious as he slumped over the center console of the BMW, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies forced open the vehicle and removed the driver who had multiple gunshot wounds and was showing no signs of life. Deputies performed first aid until the Coventry Fire Department arrived, and the man was revived on the scene. He was brought to Akron City Hospital and is expected to survive, the sheriff's office said. Investigators determined the shooting happened near the Wilbeth Road exit in Akron, the sheriff's office said. They have not yet released the victim's identity. Anyone with information is asked to call the Summit County Sheriff's Office at 330-643-2181. To comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comment section. BEREA, Ohio - Republican Mike DeWine continues to hold a narrow lead over Democrat Richard Cordray in the Ohio governor's race, according to a new poll released Tuesday on the eve of the start of early voting. DeWine has support from 40 percent of Ohio voters, Cordray 37 percent, Libertarian Trarvis M. Irvine 4 percent and the Green Party's Constance Gadell-Newton 3 percent. However, the difference between DeWine and Cordray is within the margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Baldwin-Wallace University's Community Research Institute polled 1,017 likely Ohio voters from Sept. 28 through Monday, Oct. 8. In a two-way race, the margin was nearly the same, at 42 percent to 39 percent in favor of DeWine. In earlier polling conducted by BW from Sept. 5-15, DeWine's lead in a two-way race was slightly wider, at 42 percent to 37 percent over Cordray. Two Ohio surveys released Wednesday, Oct. 3 - by Ipsos/Reuters and NBC News/Marist College - found an even tighter race. The Ipsos poll had DeWine up, 45 percent to 44 percent. The Marist College poll reported a tie at 44 percent. Often times, polls differ in the methodology used to determine likely voters. On other topics reported from the new poll: Democrat U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown leads Republican challenger Jim Renacci comfortably, 50 percent to 33 percent. Ohioans approve of Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, 45 percent to 43 percent. Issue 1, which proposes to reclassify as a misdemeanor drug possession and use for a number of drugs, leads by 48 percent to 31 percent. Note: Corrections have been made to reflect two updates from BW, one involving the margin between DeWine and Cordray in a two-way race, and one involving Kavanaugh's support. Cleveland, Ohio -Kusama has left the building. But Georgia O'Keeffe is on her way - or at, least, several of her artworks and some of her garments are. The Cleveland Museum of Art is following up its blockbuster summer show with two major fall and winter exhibitions: Renaissance Splendor: Catherine de' Medici's Valois Tapestries, on view November 18 to January 21, 2019; and Georgia O'Keeffe: Living Modern, on view November 23 to March 3, 2019. Ticket information has just been announced. CMA members will be able to reserve free timed tickets for Living Modern, and free non-timed tickets for Renaissance Splendor. Member tickets will be available from 9 a.m. Monday to Sunday, October 21. Members may also purchase half-price guest tickets during this time. The public presale will be held from 9 a.m. Monday, October 22, to Wednesday, October 31. Members may also reserve their free tickets and purchase guest tickets during this time. See ticket prices below. There will also be member preview days on Nov. 16 and 17 for Renaissance Splendor and Nov. 21 for Living Modern. Renaissance Splendor: Catherine de' Medici's Valois Tapestries, a CMA exclusive, will display the recently restored Valois Tapestries for first time in North America. This unique set of 16th-century hangings was commissioned by de' Medici Georgia O'Keeffe: Living Modern provides a rare look at the both the woman and the iconic American artist. It features several paintings alongside some of her garments, as well as photographic portraits of her as a subject. "Georgia O'Keeffe is a source of fascination for people," says Mark Cole, host curator and interim chair of modern, contemporary & decorative arts & curator of American painting and sculpture. "She's an iconic American artist, a pioneering woman artist working at a time when the art world wasn't as welcoming as today." "One of the reasons this show is so impressive is it gives us a look at the woman behind the myth, we get a sense of the woman behind the artist we didn't know. It really looks holistically at her art, her as a person and how she curated herself as a modern American woman." Member tickets Combination Ticket Price: Members and children 5 and under free, member guests $14 Single Ticket Price: Members and children 5 and under free, member guests $7 Public presale tickets Combination Ticket Prices: Adults $20, seniors and college students $18, children 6-17 $10, members and children 5 and under free. Single Ticket Prices: Adults $15, seniors and college students $13, adult groups $12, children 6-17 and member guests $7, members and children 5 and under free. Public regular tickets Combination Ticket Prices: Adults $25, seniors and college students $21, children 6-17 $12, members and children 5 and under free. Single Ticket Prices: Adults $15, seniors and college students $13, adult groups $12, children 6-17 and member guests $7, members and children 5 and under free. Tickets can be reserved by visiting cma.org/exhibitions. Tickets can also be reserved by phone at 216-421-7350 or at the museum's ticket center. MEDINA, Ohio -- Main Street Medina has announced that it is expanding its reach. The nine-block historic district around Public Square that the organization currently serves is growing to cover more of the area south of Smith Road. "The Main Street Medina board has considered a district expansion for several years," said Matt Wiederhold, the group's executive director. "This time, when the option was proposed at our board meeting, the time felt right." One of the reasons Wiederhold gave for the expansion is the lack of vacant storefronts lining the square. The square has been at capacity for three years, and so the organization felt it could take on the extra blocks. The new area will stretch from Smith Road south to Lafayette Road. It will be bordered on the east by South Broadway Street and on the west by South Huntington Street. Wiederhold said the recent sale of the old Medina Farmers Exchange and the incoming redevelopment was a factor in making the decision to expand, as was the recent sale of the former Hawkins Market grocery store on Lafayette. Habitat for Humanity of Medina County will be moving its ReStore to the Hawkins site. He said the new area has a lot of land that is underutilized, but will have great potential for development. Wiederhold said the first step will be categorizing the new area for Main Street Medina's monthly reports. With the new area and added work, he said Main Street Medina is looking to hire another part-time employee. Proposed area for the revitalization district. Another factor in making the decision is City Council's proposal to turn much of the area around the square into a revitalization district. If passed, it would allow the city to grant another 15 D-5L liquor permits. The permits are geared toward restaurants, as businesses who hold those permits need at least 75 percent of their sales to come from food. Wiederhold said that about 90 percent of Main Street Medina's new area is covered in the proposed district. Candlelight Walk Main Street Medina also announced that it is seeking public support for the 34th annual Candlelight Walk Nov. 16-18. The popular community kickoff to the holiday season is held the weekend before Thanksgiving. This year, the Medina Holiday Farmers Market will be expanding and will more heavily feature holiday gifts. Candlelight Walk planners will also be adding a 5k Fun Run organized by the Medina County Road Runners. Main Street Medina announced in a press release today (Oct. 8) that the planned addition of a Mr. and Miss Main Street Medina Pageant would be canceled due to a lack of participants. Wiederhold said Candlelight Walk organizers are still looking for sponsors to help fund the event, which expects to see anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000 guests. More information on sponsorship or donations can be found at www.mainstreetmedina.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Police officials on Monday added four detectives to the department's beleaguered homicide unit amid an uptick in fatal violence. Second District Det. Daniel Zola, Third District Det. Aaron Reese, and Domestic Violence detectives Martina Latessa and Thelemon Powell will join the homicide unit for the next 120 days. It's believed to be the first time in the department's history that officials added detectives to the homicide unit on a temporary basis. Police Chief Calvin Williams will begin to fill nine vacant positions in the homicide unit. Williams will pick six detectives and three will be filled based on seniority, as laid out in the department's contract with the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association union. Cleveland is on pace for its deadliest year since 1994 with 103 homicides so far this year. The city had 94 homicides through Oct. 8, 2016. That year, the city ended with 133 homicides, the most since 1994. Several homicide detective positions have sat vacant in the years since voters approved a tax increase that would provide money to city safety forces for more officers. The Washington-based Police Executive Research Forum conducted a study of Cleveland homicides in 2016 and found a link between the dwindling number of detectives and the decrease in homicide cases getting solved. The city has 14 homicide detectives and solved 50 percent of the homicides in 2017. In 2009, the city had 19 detectives, 122 homicides and solved 77 percent of the cases. WILLOUGHBY HILLS, Ohio - Six Willoughby Hills city council members got a restraining order Tuesday morning that keeps them in office, despite efforts by Mayor Robert Weger to remove them. Five of the six council members who Weger is trying to remove filed suit in Lake County Common Pleas Court late last week to get the temporary restraining order. The order was issued by visiting Judge David Fuhry, retired from Geauga County Common Pleas Court, who had heard previous cases filed between council and the mayor. The order said: "defendant Mayor Robert Weger's actions in removing plaintiff council members are stayed pending further order of Court, the affected council members and their legislative employees are accordingly restored to their positions with all attendant powers and privileges including but not limited to free access to the municipal building and offices." Lake County Judge Vincent Culotta, who was assigned the suit, recused himself and the case passed to Fuhry. Fuhry already issued opinions in two suits brought by Weger that voided legislation passed by the council members. One of those decisions is up on appeal and the other is slated for a further hearing in January. The legislation dealt with council's involvement in negotiating union contracts. Laura Pizmoht, one of the six council members said around noon, she and her colleagues still do not have unfettered access to city hall. Weger had the locks changed last week and ordered the removal of the council members' photos from the city hall lobby. Council's suit was brought by members John Plecnik, Pizmoht, Janet Majka, David Fiebig and Nancy Fellows. Pizmoht said last week that council member Laura Lenz's name was omitted in error and her name will be added. Councilman Christopher Hallum was the only member that Weger did not attempt to remove. The mayor said in an earlier interview that he wanted the council members removed because they had paralyzed the city's government by cutting funds and personnel. Council's suit called Weger's actions unlawful because the charter and state law call for hearings and a formal bill of charges before any official can be removed. Weger said the council members could be removed because they were guilty of mis-, mal- and non-feasance. He said he had the authority because of charter language that was approved by the voters. Pizmoht said yesterday that "passing [an] ordinance is not misconduct, but blocking public officials from doing their jobs is a crime." Plecnik said, "the residents of Willloughby Hills are relieved that their right to vote has been restored," because the council representatives they chose are back in office. A council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, following a 6 p.m. town hall meeting. Weger declined to comment on the court's most recent decision. Randy Klammer, the mayor's lawyer said in an email that "the mayor has no options left to encourage city council to start working again. Over and over he's tried to work around this dysfunction so the residents don't ever suffer at all." CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A Cleveland Heights man is accused of shooting his brother. Scottie Sanders, 31, is charged with felonious assault and is being held in the Cleveland Heights Jail on $250,000 bond, Cleveland Heights Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg said. The shooting happened about 11:50 p.m. Monday in the 3300 block of Kildare Road, west of South Taylor Road and south of Cedar Road, Mecklenburg said. The two men argued. The argument escalated into a fight, Mecklenburg said. Sanders left, got a handgun and returned to shoot his 30-year-old brother in the stomach, Mecklenburg said. Officers found the man with the gunshot wound in the driveway of the home and gave him emergency medical treatment until an ambulance arrived and took him to University Hospitals. The man is in stable condition at the hospital, Mecklenburg said. To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments page. NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio -- McDonald's on Royalton Road, just east of State Road, will renovate its exterior and interior next year under a plan approved last week by the city's Planning Commission. The plan will feature new self-ordering kiosks inside and facade changes, including a new roof design and more earthy colors, outside. The square footage of the restaurant won't change. Construction is scheduled to start in March 2019. "McDonald's is dressing up its restaurants corporate-wide," Mayor Robert Stefanik, a Planning Commission member, told cleveland.com last week. "They are changing with the times, staying modern." In August, the fast-food chain opened a new restaurant in Chicago that is reportedly unlike any other McDonald's, according to QSR magazine. The restaurant offers table service, delivery, and mobile ordering and paying, in addition to self-ordering kiosks. The environmentally friendly design of the new Chicago McDonald's includes solar panels, a roof with plants, dozens of trees and a parking lot with permeable pavers, which allow storm water to sink into the ground instead of flowing off the site. The McDonald's in North Royalton won't include all of those features, and details about the plan here were limited last week. However, the redesigned North Royalton McDonald's will share at least one architectural element with its Chicago counterpart: a roofline with metal trellis, which is a woven, relatively open structure. The trellis will replace the existing mansard roof with its sloping sides, according to North Royalton Building Commissioner Dan Kulchytsky. "The overall design is more modern, with muted colors and metal accents, as opposed to the bright red and yellow with traditional rooflines," Kulchytsky told cleveland.com in an email. At the city's request, McDonald's agreed to add cornices -- decorative crowns -- to all of the towers on the building, Kulchytsky said. The North Royalton McDonald's, like the restaurant in Chicago, will have new energy-efficient LED lighting, according to the renovation application submitted to the city. The renovation will also include new signs. And McDonald's will modify the restaurant's parking spaces, walkways and building facade, according to the application, although details were unavailable. The double drive-through and exterior brick will remain, according to Stefanik and David Gnatowski, a McDonald's official in Columbus. Interior renovations will include improved ADA accessibility in the restrooms, new furniture, new light fixtures and new finishes. The children's play area will remain mostly unchanged, Stefanik said. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Monday night's Ohio governor debate between Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray wasn't the most enthralling in history, but neither candidate needed it to be. DeWine, Ohio's attorney general, and Cordray, the former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, met for the final time on the debate stage at Cleveland State University, the last of three planned forums, this one sponsored by the Ohio Debate Commission. Anyone looking for an exciting, game-changing moment - some kind of spectacular October surprise - would have been disappointed. But, that's the type of contest the candidates needed. Watch the debate: Cordray and DeWine have been in the public eye for nearly 70 years combined. These candidates aren't new. Their histories are well known. And they're not prone to controversy or dramatic displays of emotion. There won't be any glaring headlines that haunt them from Monday's debate. Both got exactly what they needed - to push their talking points in front of a wide audience, and not make any significant gaffes. Seasoned political observers saw essentially the same arguments they've been seeing. Newcomers got a healthy dose of where the candidates stand on a number of issues. The governor's race is likely going to be decided in the margins. Polling routinely shows DeWine and Cordray in a statistical tie. And it's no longer the primaries where they were fighting for the base. Instead, they're trying to woo those ever-precious swing voters. Cordray, in his attack-dog mode, landed a couple shots on DeWine, as he has in other debates. He showed the crowd he's a fighter and not nearly as boring as his monotone voice might indicate. "I think the defining issue is leadership. I think the defining issue is who is going to be able to move this state forward, who is going to push this legislature forward - which has been such a backward force holding Ohio back," Cordray said during a news conference following the debate. "And I think there's no question that Mike DeWine won't be in a position to do that, but I will." DeWine set out to show he's Ohio's crime fighter - as well as the "adult in the room" of the Republican Party, especially compared to President Donald Trump, who has alienated some members of the GOP. "One of the points I wanted to make tonight is the governor has to be governor for everyone in this state," DeWine said during his post-debate news conference. "You have to pull people together, you have to pull Democrats, Republicans, independents. I have a long history of doing that." Cordray tried to define DeWine as an old, out-of-touch politico who doesn't care about the average Ohioan. DeWine tried to make Cordray out to be incompetent and not prepared to move Ohio forward. In other words, Monday wasn't that different from what DeWine and Cordray have pushed for months now. At this point in the election, anyone who's been following the governor's race should have easily recognized the dividing lines and talking points from Monday night. Despite a concerted effort by the moderators to mix up the topics and ask questions that haven't come up much in the race - net neutrality and public transit to name a couple - the candidates mostly retreated to their strong points. Some of the lines uttered by DeWine and Cordray were nearly identical to those used by the two during an interview with the cleveland.com/Plain Dealer editorial board. Both candidates obviously think what they're doing is working to some degree. They've rarely deviated from their attack plan since the general election ramped up in late summer. They've found their "greatest hits" compilation. That won't change as the Nov. 6 election nears. DeWine and Cordray have each found their groove - health care for Cordray, crime and for DeWine - and they're more than comfortable right now moving forward. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. How do you turn a small start-up into a $30 million business? According to billionaire-investor Mark Cuban, having the right social media strategy is a good start. At least, that's the advice Lani Lazzari, founder of skincare brand Simple Sugars, gets on Tuesday night's episode of "Beyond the Tank" when Cuban visits her Pittsburgh-based headquarters, years after locking down a deal on "Shark Tank." While the company is clearly expanding its sales, Cuban is concerned it's not growing fast enough. But beyond dreams of turning this small skincare brand into a $30 million company, Lazzari also has plans to accelerate online sales growth and launch a skincare line for men. That's where Cuban's golden advice comes in. On "Beyond the Tank," Cuban emphasizes the importance of growing an audience and marketing her brand through a solid social media strategy. Today, Lazzari said Simple Sugars is still seeing incredible success even five years after their original "Shark Tank" air date. "We have helped thousands of customers with sensitive skin find a product that works and have developed a very loyal customer base," Lazzari said. Of course, "Shark Tank" helped play a big role. In fact, Simple Sugars was just a two-person company before the show aired. With sales exploding overnight, she hired 22 people in a week, working around the clock for weeks to catch up on manufacturing products and shipping orders. "We received over 70,000 orders from new customers following our show, and this gave us the foundation and momentum we needed to continue growing." Watch as Mark Cuban helps Simple Sugars expand quicker on an episode of "Beyond the Tank" Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNBC. British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker give a press conference as they meet for Brexit negotiations on December 4, 2017 at the European Commission in Brussels. A so-called "hard Brexit" could see exports from the rest of the European Union to Britain fall by as much as 50 percent, a German institute claimed Tuesday. Lawmakers in London and the Brussels are hoping to finalize terms of the U.K.'s departure from the EU at a two-day summit beginning on October 17. A hard Brexit is commonly seen as the U.K. leaving the EU's customs union and the single market. The customs union is an agreement that allows partaking countries to set common external tariffs, allowing goods to travel freely between those countries. The single market is a deeper form of co-operation between member states that allows the free movement of goods, services, money and people in the bloc. The IW institute in Cologne said in its paper that Britain's departure from a customs union could mean that more than 15 billion euros ($17 billion) of annual tariffs will be placed on companies based on both sides of the English Channel. Germany would be particularly affected by the loss of frictionless trade, the IW said, with a worst-case estimated loss of 57 percent of current exports to Britain. The EU to U.K. total figure is placed at 50 percent. "The manufacturing-intense regions in Germany face the highest Brexit exposure on the continent, with roughly 5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) being directly or indirectly dependent on U.K. trade," the study said. Shares of American Airlines plunged more than 6 percent to a more than two-year low on Tuesday, after the carrier said its fuel costs were higher than it previously expected in the last quarter, and it detailed the impact from Hurricane Florence last month. American shares fell to $33.55, its lowest closing price since August 2016, according to FactSet. The company's stock is down more than 35 percent so far this year, more than any other U.S. airline, ramping up pressure on CEO Doug Parker to persuade investors that the carrier can grow profits, even as fuel prices climb. The airline will report third-quarter earnings later this month. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the carrier to post a per-share profit of $1.21, down close to 15 percent from the year-earlier period. In an investor update released Tuesday morning, American said Hurricane Florence last month cost it $55 million in revenue in the quarter ended Sept. 30, after it canceled about 2,100 flights. The airline raised its estimated fuel cost in the last quarter from $2.28 to $2.33, up from its July forecast of $2.22 to $2.27. American, however, raised its estimated increase in revenue per seat mile, a key industry metric, for the third quarter to 2 to 3 percent, up from forecast growth of 1 percent to 3 percent. U.S. airline stocks have largely struggled this year amid a profit-crimping rise in fuel, generally airlines' second-largest expense after employee salaries. The sole outlier is United Airlines, whose stock is up nearly 21 percent this year. Shares of Delta Air Lines, which will report third-quarter earnings on Thursday, are down more than 9 percent this year. Airline shares were down broadly on Tuesday. United and Delta each shed more than 2 percent. Southwest Airlines shares ended the day down close to 2 percent, while Alaska Airlines fell more than 4 percent. The chief executive of Aviva is stepping down from his role after directing a sweeping restructuring of the British insurer during his six years at the helm. Mark Wilson will be replaced temporarily by Chairman Adrian Montague while a permanent successor is appointed, a task the company said on Tuesday it aimed to complete within the next four months after assessing internal and external candidates. Wilson will remain at the group until April to help assist with the transition. Montague will be assisted by a 'Chairman's Committee' of Andy Briggs, CEO of UK Insurance, Chief Financial Officer Thomas Stoddard and Maurice Tulloch, CEO, International Insurance. "When I joined Aviva, the company was in poor health. Aviva is very different today. I have achieved what I wanted to achieve and now it's time for me to move on to new things," Wilson said in the statement. During his stint at Aviva, Wilson led the company's 5.6 billion pounds ($7.33 billion) takeover of Friends Life in 2016, in the sector's biggest acquisition in more than a decade. The money-spinning deal helped increase the company's assets under management to more than 300 billion pounds. He also oversaw company's exit from a number of non-core markets, halving its footprint from 28 markets to 14, as well as growing operating profit and ramping up investment on technology. Separately, Aviva said it continued to perform well and remains on track to deliver operating earnings per share growth of greater than 5 percent in 2018 and to achieve a dividend payout ratio of 55-60 percent of operating earnings per share by 2020. Belgian chemicals group Solvay said on Tuesday it was appointing Ilham Kadri, chief executive of U.S. hygiene technology and services company Diversey, as its replacement for outgoing CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu. Clamadieu, who has overseen Solvay's shift in focus to more specialized, higher margin businesses since his appointment in 2012, was appointed chairman of French utility Engie in May. Solvay said Kadri would join the company on January 1 and would spend two months transitioning with Clamadieu before taking over. A Moroccan and French national, Kadri has been CEO and president of Diversey since 2013, overseeing its divestment to a private equity fund, Solvay said. Kadri previously worked for Shell-Basell, UCB-Cytec, Huntsman and Dow Chemical. Tour guides, each holding a flag for their group, wait in front of the National Museum of China on the east side of Beijing's Tiananmen Square during a Golden Week flag-raising ceremony. Amid concerns about China's economic slowdown, data show tourism during a week-long national holiday grew and even saw sharp increases from relatively less affluent areas. In the next five years, so-called tier-three and tier-four cities' pace of consumption growth will surpass that of tier-one and tier-two cities, Xin Chen, China tourism analyst at UBS Securities, said in an interview Tuesday with CNBC. Chinese cities are divided into tiers, with Beijing and Shanghai falling into the "tier one" category. Although a lower-tier city can still be relatively large by Western standards, increased interest in tourism from those areas indicates that local economies are still faring well. Chen attributed the greater increase in spending power to this year's Chinese tax reform which raised the minimum on monthly taxable income and improved living conditions that give locals more ability to spend on leisure activities. This past Sunday marked the end of seven days of vacation to commemorate the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949. Also known as the "Golden Week," the "National Day" holiday is a popular time for Chinese to travel, since personal vacation days can be limited and the only other long holiday, the Spring Festival, is traditionally reserved for visiting family. As a result, Golden Week is notorious for hordes of visitors to popular tourist sites more than 140,000 gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to watch the flag raising ceremony on Oct. 1. Below is the transcript of an exclusive CNBC interview with Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Founder, and CNBC's Nancy Hungerford. Nancy Hungerford (NANCY): Let me bring in Sir Richard Branson the founder of Virgin Group. Pleasure to have you here on the show thank you very much. Let's talk about one of your big projects at the moment and that is with Virgin Galactic working towards the next test flight and the eventual real flight that is, give us an update on where you are. Richard Branson (BRANSON): We are more than tantalizingly close now so we should be in space within weeks not months. And then we'll be in space with myself in months not years. And then we'll be in space with people you know not too long after that so. So we've got a very very exciting couple of months ahead. NANCY: Certainly it's exciting and I wonder what you're expecting in the way of consumer demand because really at Virgin Group it's all been about disrupting the sector throughout your history where customers are under-served. But in the field of space they haven't been served at all. So does that make you nervous at all trying to gauge the market and just what that demand will look like. BRANSON: If I have a room full of 10 people eight out of ten would love to go to space. If they could afford it. And of those people who could afford it. Again it's something like eight to eight out of ten would love to go to space. So I think the market for people who would love to become astronauts go to space is gigantic. I think it's up to us to produce as many space ships as we can to cater to that demand. And then we've also obviously got Virgin orbit which is going to be putting satellites into space that should go into space either December or January. The demand for putting small satellites into space, it's a gigantic one. I mean there's a four and a half billion people who are not connected so. So we're hoping that we'll do well as well. NANCY: When you say if they could afford it just how much is it today and what will it look like let's say 10 years from now will the costs come down significantly? BRANSON: So it's taken us 14 years to get here. Initially the costs will go up. I mean it was 250 which trying to work out what price to put to that. That will stay up I think for three or four years while we whilst we recoup our investment and then it will start going down again. And I think ultimately you know we could be talking you know in ten years time maybe forty or fifty thousand dollars to put somebody into space and that compared with of the 50 million dollars that it costs on the Russian space ship is anyway more affordable for a vast majority of people but obviously not affordable for everybody. NANCY: Perhaps that's why we see so many billionaires chasing this business pursued. Of course you're not the only one we think of. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk. Jeff Bezos I understand is going neck to neck with you to get that first commercial space flight. Who's going to win? BRANSON: We'll see. I don't think either of us. The safety is obviously number one priority. So neither of us are going to race to beat the other one. I think the reality is that is both of us are going to do extremely well at it because the amount of people that want to go to space is enormous. We're not going to be able to build enough space ships to satisfy demand. So, if we both went up at the same day that would be great. NANCY: And when it comes to Elon Musk he obviously has his hands full today as well you would have noticed some of that scrutiny. He's come under both from the regulatory side and in the media altogether. I know you've referred to him as a friend before you share many professional ambitions as well. If you want to call you up, what advice would you give him? BRANSON: I think he's maybe he needs to the art of delegation. You know it's important you know he's got to find time for himself. He's got to find time for his health and for his family. And you know he's a wonderfully creative person. Yeah but he shouldn't be getting very little sleep. He should find a fantastic team of people around him and still jump in on all the major issues. And you know I think the reason that I've had such an enjoyable life and a long life has been finding wonderful people to run our companies but on the on the key issues I can then get involved and so you know if I was to sit down with him I have talked to him about it. But I think that learning the art of delegation better would be his one flaw. NANCY: Does it say something about the difficulties of going public? You've of course have dealt with businesses in the public and private sphere. Do you think entrepreneurs are looking at the same I may want to think twice? BRANSON: I think that he you know, if got a public company if you decide to go public find a good managing director and a good chairman to run your public company and be the creative individual that he is. Then you don't have to put out tweets and things about public shareholders. You know leave the public game to people who you know enjoy the public game, he obviously doesn't enjoy it so clear the decks so that you can actually then concentrate on the creative side. NANCY: Aside from facing the professional area and the two of you share is the hyper loop travel high speed trains if you can call it that you have Hyperloop One under the Virgin brand you've talked a lot about going in several areas. One country is India. You want to go and how close are you to getting that project up and running? BRANSON: Very close. I mean the Indian government has given the go ahead for Mumbai to Pune. It's the busiest road in India. It takes five hours to drive down it. It's a nightmare. Lots of accidents. They've said we can build a Hyperloop right along the side of the road and cut the journey time down to just over half an hour. So that will start to be built next year and it will be the first sort of flagship Virgin Hyperloop that will be built anywhere in the world. NANCY: And then after India what's next? BRANSON: Once we've got the first fully running high speed Hyperloop in place. You know the demand is going to be gigantic. So Dubai, we're talking to them about connecting the new airport with the old airport. Saudi Arabia where we're in discussions about happily going through the desert. But you know that I think it's a business. I think she's got a fantastic future. NANCY: You know yet what a ticket will cost to get onboard. BRANSON: It will be no more than a high speed train line ticket. And you know potentially we'll be able to bring the price down further than that. NANCY: Since we're talking transportation. I do want to talk to you about this idea of the return of supersonic travel. Is that something we're going to see anytime soon? BRANSON: Yes I mean I think Virgin Galactic is the only space company that is actually building up space ships shaped as airplanes. And once we've got Virgin Galactic fully bedded down we want to move on to dealing with high-speed travel and maybe working with Boom or working in competition with Boom. But you know I think you will see a high speed travel back again. NANCY: And how quickly then can I get from here in Singapore to the east coast in the U.S.? BRANSON: Well it depends. I mean obviously what would be wonderful is if we could actually put you into space and then bring you back down again. The only problem is I am not sure that everybody's body will be equipped for that. You'll be traveling at 70 and a half thousand miles an hour. So your journey time would only be half an hour. But the G forces coming back from some passengers may not work so I suspect we'll go suborbital just below space which would still halve the journey time maybe slightly more than halve the journey time. NANCY: The business of transport among so many other things. Climate change is a big concern to you. At the moment, there was quite a damaging report coming out from the IPCC this week. How concerned are you about the current effort to tackle climate change? BRANSON: The IPCC report was one of the most damning reports I've ever read. Terrifying. I mean we're talking about massive flooding and increased hurricanes, losing every single reef in the world and much quicker than they had estimated before. My feeling is that we need to take this as seriously as the world did when Hitler started the second world war. We need to get all the countries together. We need to create a Marshall Plan for the world. And we need we need to jump on it. And I believe that the private sector and government can work together on working out a Marshall Plan to solve this problem. We will solve it. Last week, we announced that Virgin Atlantic that we were flying one of our planes on fuel that was this week's going up the chimney of aluminum plants and steel plants into the atmosphere and we were actually taking that chimney waste and turning it into jet aviation fuel with a company called LanzaTech. Now if every single steel mills aluminum mill were converted, 50 percent of all planes in the world would run on recycled fuel. And so governments and the private sector need to sit down and let's work out how it can be done and that solves the problem and make sure the world doesn't face a disaster. NANCY: When you draw comparisons to the Marshall Plan I want to what extent we need U.S. leadership. You have lamented about President Trump's decision on the Paris deal. Have you thought about appealing to him directly? I know you've exchanged letters in the past. What would your message be to the President? BRANSON: Look I think that he's just got to start believing in science. And when you've got a thousand scientists being so clear cut you can't ignore them. I mean you know even if it's just as an insurance policy I mean you just can't ignore them. And so I don't think President Trump would listen to me but you know somebody should appeal to him. Fortunately in America, most of the major states realize we have a big problem - California obviously leading the way in showing how it can be done. And if we're not going to get leadership from the White House we've got to get leadership from the states that the rest of the world must not wait. I mean climate doesn't respect borders and the rest of the world is going to have to rally together to get on top of the problem. ENDS For more information contact Jonathan Millman, EMEA Communications Executive: Jonathan.Millman@cnbc.com +44 7788 307 996 About CNBC: CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, reporting directly from the major financial markets around the globe with regional headquarters Singapore, Abu Dhabi, London and New York. The TV channel is available in more than 410 million homes worldwide. CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web, featuring an unprecedented amount of video, real-time market analysis, web-exclusive live video and analytical financial tools. CNBC is a division of NBCUniversal. For more information, visit www.cnbc.com. Below is the transcript of a CNBC Exclusive interview with Gerry Grimstone, Chairman, Barclays Bank PLC. The interview was first broadcast on CNBC's Squawk Box Asia on 9 October 2018. All references must be sourced to a "CNBC Interview'. Interviewed by CNBC's Nancy Hungerford Nancy Hungerford (Nancy): I'm pleased to say I'm now joined by Barclays Bank PLC chairman that is Sir Gerry Grimstone. Thank you for taking the time to speak to CNBC. I know you spend quite a bit of time doing business in China, a lot of concerns out there. Let's start first with the tensions between the U.S. and China, the two big economic superpowers here. There doesn't seem yet to be a break in the dialogue, how concerned are you? Gerry Grimstone(Gerry): Well, the tensions are real tensions. We should remember that China-U.S. trade accounts for 40 percent of all global trade. That's a big picture. But I think you're seeing something very long term playing out. China is focused on 2049. That seems a long way away but they're the one country in the world which plans for those sorts of horizons. And by 2049, the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Chinese state, they're hoping to regain their position as the world's top nation. China sees the last 200 years as an aberration. They want to get back there and that means a bit of jostling with the U.S. Nancy: So this isn't something we can expect a new NAFTA type solution, they're just going to agree to a new deal and move on. You're saying this is the long game here. So as a business leader how do you prepare for that long term horizon? Gerry: Well, being British is probably a help in relation to that. You need long term plans in China. I try to go there once a month. I think it's a complex country. It's like one of those children video games, there is always one level beyond the level of your own. So getting to understand it is a job of work but it's a very rewarding place to do business if you understand it. Nancy: You suggested that being British may be an advantage in this environment. Do you think that U.S. companies, U.S. banks that are Barclays competitors will find themselves at a disadvantage here? Are we going to be looking at reduced market access, for instance, as one of the tools that China employs? Gerry: I hate to say so but I think it's right. I was speaking at a forum earlier this year and they put the Goldman Sachs chairman in a hotel as far as possible away from the conference location. So in different ways like that China makes their displeasure known. Nancy: And this is a time where asset managers globally are trying to expand in the country. Do you think that they too are going to find themselves facing some trouble? Gerry: I think just a margin; I think it is going to be very subtle. China is a subtle nation but Chinese portfolios are massively undiversified internationally. It is the big asset management prize in the world going forward. Nancy: And since you have been doing business there for quite some time, what is your view to the way in which China has opened up? Some I speak to say, in some ways, President Trump was right to push them, to force the situation when it comes to more market access, comes to changing the way they do business. Gerry: I think every company looks at this differently. My other company, Standard Life Aberdeen, we have branches in over 80 cities throughout China. Frankly we've expanded wherever we've wanted to, whenever we've wanted to. So there's company differences. But of course, China looks after themselves as many other countries do. Nancy: Let's talk a little bit more about the geopolitical tensions in your home market back in the U.K., Brexit being the big one that has kept investors on their toes. It does seem as though we're getting closer to a deal on this front. What is your view here? Is it time to celebrate? Or are you still remaining cautious, given that the threat of a no deal is still hanging out there. Gerry: I'm afraid the best way to describe it is a mess. This is a very complex matter. The British are trying to solve a very difficult equation. How can you both be inside the customs union and outside the customs union simultaneously? That isn't an easy thing to achieve. There could be a breakthrough in the next 10 days or there easily could not be a breakthrough. I'm afraid it's one of those situations which almost changes day by day which is not satisfactory for something which is as complicated as that. Nancy: It's quite complicated and how do you think the government has handled the situation? I know you've spoken to Prime Minister Theresa May herself, other members of the government, what is your assessment? Gerry: I think they're doing as good a job as they can in a difficult situation. They weren't well prepared. But I think also more importantly the British public weren't well prepared. The arguments that are on the table now never really featured in the referendum. Nobody really thought about the customs union, the Northern Irish border. So we've lurched into something which is massively complicated, rewriting 40 years of law and there's a lot to do before it happens. Nancy: Do you think Boris Johnson stands a chance as the leader of the conservative party? A good chance I should say. Gerry: Well I know him well I mean with some people I mean he's very popular. He's a great character, very charismatic individual. But I think people are going to look very hard at him before they say he's got quite the fibre to be the prime minister. Nancy: And part of the concern you might say is what a contest between him and Jeremy Corbyn will look like. When you're back in the UK, what is the feeling there among the business community about the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn being a leader? What would that mean? Gerry: Well, we got a strange kind of combination coming. We got potentially a conservative party looking at a hard Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn leading a Marxist government, looking to join the single market. These are choices people haven't had to face for a long time. So, whether that choice is ever going to be put to the public, who knows. But these are very strange times at the moment. Nancy: Very strange times indeed adding some uncertainty for business leaders such as yourself. Let's talk a little bit more about what is going on at Barclays specifically. Have you yourself engaged with the activist investors in terms of the demands they're seeking, can you give us an update on where those talks are. Gerry: I haven't engaged with them personally but he's doing what activists do. He's stirring the pot. But at heart, I'm an activist. All boards should be activists. Frankly I've not heard him say anything we haven't thought of. The banks are doing very well at the moment. I finally feel that we're escaping from the trauma of the global financial crisis and we're pretty pleased with where we are at the moment. Nancy: And even given that progress, are you frustrated though by the stock performance? Would you like to see some of that progress you just talked about better reflected in the share price? Gerry: Of course, but I'm afraid we have a Brexit discount hanging over us and we're much more than just a British bank. Remember we've got a very major presence in the U.S, we are the world's largest European investment bank, the sixth largest investment bank in the world. But the combination of Brexit and also shareholders, investors nowadays did not take anything on trust with the bank. You have to deliver before you are rewarded. Nancy: How significant is that Brexit discount? If we get an agreement in the next few weeks, as some hope on the Brexit front, if they avoid a no deal, do you think we'll see significant upside on the share price? Gerry: I think not just for us but for many other companies as well. Nancy: Very interesting. When it comes to the investment bank, you've been a supporter in your role of improving the investment bank, building it up at a time where some of your rivals have had the opposite strategy. Do you think the strategy is paying off? And what are you expecting now that we're really seeing volatility return to the markets? Gerry: Well, we like volatility. Any investment bank likes volatility and the markets have been abnormal for banks and the very low levels of volatility. But we're a cautious bank and I think the reason why we've done well is that we don't take big risks, we are very carefully controlled and I think that's a great advantage in present times. And we have this fantastic retail bank in the U.K. to act as a counterweight. So we're pretty pleased with our mix of businesses at the moment. Nancy: Is it your expectation that market volatility will pick up from here? Given what we're seeing now, which is a real economic divergence story, if you will, globally. Gerry: It should pick up but the amount of liquidity in the world tends to dampen that volatility. This is a patient who has been on drugs for many years and you can stare at this patient quite hard to know whether it's a healthy patient or not. We will learn over the next few years. Nancy: Is that the biggest fear that you have at the moment though, is the changing liquidity environment? Gerry: Not just a change of the liquidity environment, I think the whole change in the global balance of power. We are going back to a time when we're going to see more conflict between nation states, less multilateralism. These are very big changes, not the world in which I grew up in. Nancy: Sir Gerry, I am afraid we have run out of time. I would hate to leave it on that note but thank you very much. END Media Contact: Clarence Chen Communications Manager APAC, CNBC International D: +65 6326 1123 M: +65 9852 8630 clarence.chen@cnbc.com About CNBC CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, reporting directly from the major financial markets around the globe with regional headquarters Singapore, London and New York. The TV channel is available in more than 410 million homes worldwide. CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web, featuring an unprecedented amount of video, real-time market analysis, web-exclusive live video and analytical financial tools. CNBC is a division of NBCUniversal. For more information, visit www.cnbc.com Below is the transcript of a CNBC Exclusive interview with Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group. The interview was first broadcast on CNBC's Squawk Box Europe on 9 October 2018. All references must be sourced to a "CNBC Interview'. Interviewed by CNBC's Nancy Hungerford Nancy Hungerford (NANCY): Let me bring in Sir Richard Branson the founder of Virgin Group. Pleasure to have you here on the show thank you very much. Let's talk about one of your big projects at the moment and that is with Virgin Galactic working towards the next test flight and the eventual real flight that is, give us an update on where you are. Richard Branson (BRANSON): We are more than tantalizingly close now so we should be in space within weeks not months. And then we'll be in space with myself in months not years. And then we'll be in space with people you know not too long after that so. So we've got a very very exciting couple of months ahead. NANCY: Certainly it's exciting and I wonder what you're expecting in the way of consumer demand because really at Virgin Group it's all been about disrupting the sector throughout your history where customers are under-served. But in the field of space they haven't been served at all. So does that make you nervous at all trying to gauge the market and just what that demand will look like. BRANSON: If I have a room full of 10 people eight out of ten would love to go to space. If they could afford it. And of those people who could afford it. Again it's something like eight to eight out of ten would love to go to space. So I think the market for people who would love to become astronauts go to space is gigantic. I think it's up to us to produce as many space ships as we can to cater to that demand. And then we've also obviously got Virgin orbit which is going to be putting satellites into space that should go into space either December or January. The demand for putting small satellites into space, it's a gigantic one. I mean there's a four and a half billion people who are not connected so. So we're hoping that we'll do well as well. NANCY: When you say if they could afford it just how much is it today and what will it look like let's say 10 years from now will the costs come down significantly? BRANSON: So it's taken us 14 years to get here. Initially the costs will go up. I mean it was 250 which trying to work out what price to put to that. That will stay up I think for three or four years while we whilst we recoup our investment and then it will start going down again. And I think ultimately you know we could be talking you know in ten years time maybe forty or fifty thousand dollars to put somebody into space and that compared with of the 50 million dollars that it costs on the Russian space ship is anyway more affordable for a vast majority of people but obviously not affordable for everybody. NANCY: Perhaps that's why we see so many billionaires chasing this business pursued. Of course you're not the only one we think of. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk. Jeff Bezos I understand is going neck to neck with you to get that first commercial space flight. Who's going to win? BRANSON: We'll see. I don't think either of us. The safety is obviously number one priority. So neither of us are going to race to beat the other one. I think the reality is that is both of us are going to do extremely well at it because the amount of people that want to go to space is enormous. We're not going to be able to build enough space ships to satisfy demand. So, if we both went up at the same day that would be great. NANCY: And when it comes to Elon Musk he obviously has his hands full today as well you would have noticed some of that scrutiny. He's come under both from the regulatory side and in the media altogether. I know you've referred to him as a friend before you share many professional ambitions as well. If you want to call you up, what advice would you give him? BRANSON: I think he's maybe he needs to the art of delegation. You know it's important you know he's got to find time for himself. He's got to find time for his health and for his family. And you know he's a wonderfully creative person. Yeah but he shouldn't be getting very little sleep. He should find a fantastic team of people around him and still jump in on all the major issues. And you know I think the reason that I've had such an enjoyable life and a long life has been finding wonderful people to run our companies but on the on the key issues I can then get involved and so you know if I was to sit down with him I have talked to him about it. But I think that learning the art of delegation better would be his one flaw. NANCY: Does it say something about the difficulties of going public? You've of course have dealt with businesses in the public and private sphere. Do you think entrepreneurs are looking at the same I may want to think twice? BRANSON: I think that he you know, if got a public company if you decide to go public find a good managing director and a good chairman to run your public company and be the creative individual that he is. Then you don't have to put out tweets and things about public shareholders. You know leave the public game to people who you know enjoy the public game, he obviously doesn't enjoy it so clear the decks so that you can actually then concentrate on the creative side. NANCY: Aside from facing the professional area and the two of you share is the hyper loop travel high speed trains if you can call it that you have Hyperloop One under the Virgin brand you've talked a lot about going in several areas. One country is India. You want to go and how close are you to getting that project up and running? BRANSON: Very close. I mean the Indian government has given the go ahead for Mumbai to Pune. It's the busiest road in India. It takes five hours to drive down it. It's a nightmare. Lots of accidents. They've said we can build a Hyperloop right along the side of the road and cut the journey time down to just over half an hour. So that will start to be built next year and it will be the first sort of flagship Virgin Hyperloop that will be built anywhere in the world. NANCY: And then after India what's next. BRANSON: Once we've got the first fully running high speed Hyperloop in place. You know the demand is going to be gigantic. So Dubai, we're talking to them about connecting the new airport with the old airport. Saudi Arabia where we're in discussions about happily going through the desert. But you know that I think it's a business. I think she's got a fantastic future. NANCY: You know yet what a ticket will cost to get onboard. Branson: It will be no more than a high speed train line ticket. And you know potentially we'll be able to bring the price down further than that. NANCY: Since we're talking transportation. I do want to talk to you about this idea of the return of supersonic travel. Is that something we're going to see anytime soon? BRANSON: Yes I mean I think Virgin Galactic is the only space company that is actually building up space ships shaped as airplanes. And once we've got Virgin Galactic fully bedded down we want to move on to dealing with high-speed travel and maybe working with Boom or working in competition with Boom. But you know I think you will see a high speed travel back again. NANCY: And how quickly then can I get from here in Singapore to the east coast in the U.S. BRANSON: Well it depends. I mean obviously what would be wonderful is if we could actually put you into space and then bring you back down again. The only problem is I am not sure that everybody's body will be equipped for that. You'll be traveling at 70 and a half thousand miles an hour. So your journey time would only be half an hour. But the G forces coming back from some passengers may not work so I suspect we'll go suborbital just below space which would still halve the journey time maybe slightly more than halve the journey time. NANCY: The business of transport among so many other things. Climate change is a big concern to you. At the moment, there was quite a damaging report coming out from the IPCC this week. How concerned are you about the current effort to tackle climate change? BRANSON: The IPCC report was one of the most damning reports I've ever read. Terrifying. I mean we're talking about massive flooding and increased hurricanes, losing every single reef in the world and much quicker than they had estimated before. My feeling is that we need to take this as seriously as the world did when Hitler started the second world war. We need to get all the countries together. We need to create a Marshall Plan for the world. And we need we need to jump on it. And I believe that the private sector and government can work together on working out a Marshall Plan to solve this problem. We will solve it. Last week, we announced that Virgin Atlantic that we were flying one of our planes on fuel that was this week's going up the chimney of aluminum plants and steel plants into the atmosphere and we were actually taking that chimney waste and turning it into jet aviation fuel with a company called LanzaTech. Now if every single steel mills aluminum mill were converted, 50 percent of all planes in the world would run on recycled fuel. And so governments and the private sector need to sit down and let's work out how it can be done and that solves the problem and make sure the world doesn't face a disaster. NANCY: When you draw comparisons to the Marshall Plan I want to what extent we need U.S. leadership. You have lamented about President Trump's decision on the Paris deal. Have you thought about appealing to him directly? I know you've exchanged letters in the past. What would your message be to the President? BRANSON: Look I think that he's just got to start believing in science. And when you've got a thousand scientists being so clear cut you can't ignore them. I mean you know even if it's just as an insurance policy I mean you just can't ignore them. And so I don't think President Trump would listen to me but you know somebody should appeal to him. Fortunately in America, most of the major states realize we have a big problem - California obviously leading the way in showing how it can be done. And if we're not going to get leadership from the White House we've got to get leadership from the states that the rest of the world must not wait. I mean climate doesn't respect borders and the rest of the world is going to have to rally together to get on top of the problem. END Media Contact: Clarence Chen Communications Manager APAC, CNBC International D: +65 6326 1123 M: +65 9852 8630 clarence.chen@cnbc.com About CNBC CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, reporting directly from the major financial markets around the globe with regional headquarters Singapore, London and New York. The TV channel is available in more than 410 million homes worldwide. CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web, featuring an unprecedented amount of video, real-time market analysis, web-exclusive live video and analytical financial tools. CNBC is a division of NBCUniversal. For more information, visit www.cnbc.com President Donald Trump (L) talks with U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) during a campaign rally at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Endangered Republican Sen. Dean Heller holds only a slight edge over Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen in a Nevada Senate race that Democrats see as one of their best chances to flip a Senate seat. Heller leads Rosen by only 2 percentage points among likely voters, according to a new NBC News/Marist College poll released Tuesday. The survey shows Heller garnering 46 percent of support from Nevada voters, while Rosen has backing from 44 percent, within the 5.5 percent margin of error. The Nevada contest is one of the most important in a year when Republicans will keep their Senate majority if they stop Democrats from gaining two seats in the chamber. Health care has ranked as the top issue in Nevada for most of the campaign. But Brett Kavanaugh, who became a Supreme Court justice on Saturday despite facing several sexual misconduct accusations, has divided the candidates most sharply in recent days. Heller voted for Kavanaugh's confirmation, while Rosen denounced it. Before the confirmation, Heller drew national media attention when he said the first assault allegation against President Donald Trump's nominee would just be a "hiccup" in his rise to the court. Rosen ran digital ads attacking the senator for his support of Kavanaugh. Voters remain largely divided on the issue, and it's unclear now how much Kavanaugh's confirmation will affect the race's outcome. The poll shows that 41 percent of likely voters would be more likely to vote for a candidate who opposed Kavanaugh versus 38 percent who would rather back a candidate who supported the justice. Eighteen percent say the Kavanaugh confirmation will have no impact on their decision. An employee monitors soybeans as they are loaded into a truck at the Ruff Brothers Grain elevator in Leonore, Illinois. United States tariffs are beginning to take their toll on farmers and the storage, shipping and freight operations they need to move their crops to market. In North Dakota, soybeans from 2017 are still in storage after China pulled its contracts. Of the 15.9 million bushels left from that year's crop, 12.1 million bushels are sitting in grain elevators. That is an increase of 68 percent. "There aren't any shipping contracts to move them out of those facilities and get them to ports in the Pacific Northwest for export, either," said Simon Wilson, executive director of the North Dakota Trade Office. With this year's crop now being harvested, the lack of available storage means some soybeans may have to be stored on the ground in bags, a challenge for this temperamental crop. According to the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, farmers in the state contracted to sell an estimated 40 percent of the 2018 crop. "Storage is an issue," said Tim McGreevy, CEO of the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council. "Even some of the mothballed country elevators have been called back into service. Farmers are building more storage or putting their crop in a plastic bag on the ground." Wilson said, "Ironically, because of the Trump tariffs and China's demand for Brazilian soybeans, eight new export elevators are being built." In Wisconsin, Chippewa Valley Bean, a kidney bean processor and supplier, slashed prices on its remaining beans from the 2017 harvest to move them out. Cindy Brown, the company's president, told CNBC the company is taking a financial hit but had to do it. "We are playing catch up on moving product and bursting at the seams," Brown said. "We had to do something. We not only need the room but also needed to pay our growers on contracts we made with them in 2017." The agriculture sector isn't the only industry facing storage issues. The maritime industry is facing its own space squeeze. Los Angeles, the nation's busiest container port, and other U.S. ports have less than 1 percent of warehouse vacancy available. Some of the pressure is coming from a rush to import goods ahead of the tariffs being implemented. "We have more than 1.8 billion square feet of warehouse and distribution facility space near the port complex, more than anywhere else in North America," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. "It's an extremely tight market now, and one factor is that orders for goods have been advanced ahead of tariffs." Capacity at the Port of Long Beach's warehousing/distribution center is considered "full" by port officials with around 85 percent capacity filled. Experts say once distribution centers get above 85 percent, their efficiency starts diminishing quickly. Space at the Long Beach terminal is also shrinking. According to operators, the terminals are at about 75 percent to 80 percent capacity. "What you're seeing are the effects of tariffs imposed by Washington and Beijing," said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. "Empty containers are not being cycled back to China to be refilled with goods, and a lot of inventory came early to get ahead of the duties and is now sitting in warehouses." Cordero said this hasn't affected the operations, yet. "We're having a record year and our terminals are still able to manage their capacity for the volumes they're handling." Since the Trump administration's announcement of the tariffs, importers rushed to bring in product before the deadlines. Total freight shipments have increased 6.5 percent this year and container moves have grown an average of 5.9 percent a month, according to the Intermodal Association of North America. Retailers imported so much product that June and July, which are historically considered "slack" months for trade volume, became the new peak season according to data on importing and exporting from the Port Import/Export Reporting Service. July replaced August as the peak month. Experts say another surge of imports is expected in October for the holiday shopping season as well as before Jan. 1 and the Chinese New Year because of the threat of additional U.S. tariffs. The load of imports could be even larger creating additional stress on freight and shipping patterns. WATCH: Trump's tariffs could lead to unintended consequences Ireland's data protection regulator will ask Google to provide more information about a security glitch that compromised the data of 500,000 users, a spokesman told CNBC Tuesday. On Monday evening, the tech giant disclosed publicly that its social media platform, Google Plus, had experienced a "bug" that gave developers to a user's information, including their name, email, address, occupation, gender and age. However, it said it found "no evidence" that any developer was aware of that glitch or that any profile data had been misused. The Irish Data Protection Commission said it was "not aware" of the security glitch and would reach out to Google to enable it to better comprehend the situation. "The DPC was not aware of this issue and we now need to better understand the details of the breach, including the nature, impact and risk to individuals and we will be seeking information on these issues from Google," the spokesman told CNBC by email. Google currently doesn't have a lead supervisory authority EU-wide that looks into individual cases. Any regulator can contact the company about potential breaches of EU law. The security flaw took place prior to the implementation of the EU's new privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As a result, Google will unlikely be targeted with the consequences of breaking that law, which include fines of either 20 million euros ($22.9 million) or 4 percent of annual global revenues whichever is larger. "Our Privacy & Data Protection Office reviewed this issue, looking at the type of data involved, whether we could accurately identify the users to inform, whether there was any evidence of misuse, and whether there were any actions a developer or user could take in response. None of these thresholds were met in this instance," a Google spokesperson told CNBC via email on Tuesday. "The review did highlight the significant challenges in creating and maintaining a successful Google+ that meets consumers' expectations. Given these challenges and the very low usage of the consumer version of Google+, we decided to sunset the consumer version of Google+," the spokesperson added. According to The Wall Street Journal, which broke news of the incident Monday, Google chose not to disclose the issue publicly at the time of discovering and patching the bug. This was done out of fear of a regulatory backlash and damage to its reputation, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources and documents. The company said later that day that it would shut down Google+ for consumers as a result of the glitch for a 10-month period. It downplayed fears of the data bug being far-reaching, saying that there is "low usage and engagement" on the platform and that 90 percent of users spend just five seconds on it per session. The announcement arrives as Google and other U.S. tech giants face regulatory scrutiny over the misuse of data on their platforms and concerns that social media was exploited by foreign actors to influence elections. It is much smaller in scale to a scandal involving Facebook and political consultancy Cambridge Analytica earlier this year. Facebook admitted that the information of 87 million profiles had been improperly accessed by the data analytics firm. Meanwhile, Twitter said last month that its platform experienced a bug that allowed third-party developers access to the private messages of users. The company said the security issue had been patched. Ryan Seacrest Getty Images Standing out in a news feed, timeline or any other social media is no small feat, considering the constant stream of videos, posts, memes and comments. It's even more impressive when your content revolves around serious topics like the Venezuelan food crisis, endangered bees and corporate taxes. But that's exactly ATTN:'s mission. The media company wants to inform today's youth about what it feels are today's most noteworthy subjects. To do so, it's breaking down complex issues in video form and putting it right in front of their faces directly on their social media feeds. "Great, compelling storytelling can shape hearts and minds faster than direct action and politically lobbying can," 33-year-old ATTN: co-founder Matt Segal explained. ATTN:'s efforts seem to be working. The company which employs 140 people who are mostly between their late 20s and early 30s averages 2 billion monthly impressions and more than 500 million monthly video views on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It has 14 million fans across its Facebook pages. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger have been featured on its explainers, while the likes of Zooey Deschanel and former Vice President Joe Biden have contributed series. It worked with ABC News' Nightline and Freeform on features on the Parkland shooting and has a development deal with Paramount Television to bring its "America Versus" series to traditional TV. It's getting investors' attention as well. ATTN: has raised $37.1 million to date, according to Crunchbase, including a $15 million round led by Evolution Media on Sept. 24. It's backed by the likes of Ryan Seacrest, Jimmy Iovine, Bill Maher, Troy Carter and Ross Levinsohn, among other venture capitalists and firms including Paul Wachter, Marc Rowan and Main Street Advisors . This month it made CNBC's 2018 Upstart list of fast-growing start-ups to watch. "From the beginning (2014), we were impressed with Matthew and his team especially his curiosity, creativity and vision," Seacrest told CNBC through email. "They understood that there was white space in the media world to deliver important, often complicated issues and translate them into simple and entertaining videos that resonated with the coveted millennial generation on mobile platforms. They recognized early on how viewing habits were changing, and they remain nimble and ahead of the curve ever since." Targeting a young audience Segal and ATTN: co-founder Jarrett Moreno first started OurTime.org, with the goal of getting youth registered to vote. They quickly realized they could get hundreds of thousands of people to sign up, but many didn't understand the issues. "People didn't understand the reasons why they should vote," Segal said. "We came to the conclusion we would be more impactful if we created compelling media storytelling to make more issues digestible." ATTN: co-founders Jarrett Moreno (left) and Matthew Segal created a company to explain complex topics through videos on social media. Courtesy of ATTN: In 2014 the two launched ATTN:. With the internet so saturated, they understood the key to getting views would be to find a balance of entertainment and facts. "You also have to reach young people on the platforms that are consuming news," 32-year-old Moreno said. "They're not consuming media in the places where people used to traditionally, as we all know." Approaching topics in an unconventional matter with humor and pop culture analogies helps, Seacrest explained. ATTN: uses the first few seconds of every video to grab attention, and mixes in "compelling images and powerful statements," he said. "They are really excellent at using their content to start conversations, in the literal sense, but also in the social media sense which means getting people to comment and share the basis for virality," Seacrest pointed out. Segal realized they could really make a difference when a video about gerrymandering went viral. To date, it has more than 7.6 million views on Facebook alone. Chinese billionaire Zhang Yong is a high school dropout who didn't even eat at an actual restaurant until he was 19 years old. But, nearly three decades later, he boasts a net worth of more than $3.9 billion and runs a restaurant chain with more than 300 locations around the world. Zhang, 47, is the co-founder and CEO of Haidilao International Holding, the parent company of the Hai Di Lao chain of Chinese hotpot restaurants, where customers are served a boiling hot broth that's used to cook various meats, vegetables and noodles. Last year, the Beijing-based restaurant chain reported $1.6 billion in revenue and, in September, Haidilao raised nearly $1 billion in an IPO that valued the company at roughly $12 billion. Zhang and his wife, Shu Ping, own 58 percent of Haidilao and, along with their other assets, the IPO gave them a combined net worth of nearly $8 billion, according to Bloomberg. That whopping valuation comes 24 years after Zhang, then in his early 20s, quit his job at a government-run tractor factory in his hometown of Jianyang to open a four-table restaurant in 1994. As a young man, Zhang ventured out for his first trip to an actual restaurant in a rural part of Jianyang in China's Sichuan province. While the teenager normally ate at his factory's employee cafeteria, he told Bloomberg in 2017, he still came away from his first restaurant experience unimpressed with the rude staff and subpar hotpot meal. Zhang had dropped out of high school to take the welding job at the tractor factory. But, in 1994, after getting into a dispute with his employers after being denied a company apartment for himself and his then fiancee (Shu Ping), Zhang left that job in order to open his first restaurant. He's admitted that he didn't even have a cooking background, or a strong handle on preparing the traditional Sichuan hotpot dish, he told Forbes in September. But, Zhang had a vision of offering customers an inviting and memorable restaurant experience. Today, Hai Di Lao restaurants are known for offering customers services such as free manicures and shoe-polishing while they wait for a table. And, if you order a noodle dish, Hai Di Lao employees might perform an entertaining "noodle dance," which involves waiters dancing with long noodle strands like rhythmic gymnasts twirling a starchy ribbon. TWEETVIDEO Zhang has said that he believes in the importance of superior customer service. "I'm from the countryside, where rural people believe that if you take money from other people and you don't bring benefit to them, then you are a liar," he told The Wall Street Journal in 2013. British lenders may stand to gain as Washington and Beijing go head to head over trade tariffs, according to one of the world's largest banks. When asked if American banks would face reduced market access to China in light of escalating trade tensions, Gerry Grimstone, chairman of Barclays Bank PLC, said: "I hate to say so but I think it's right." If Beijing targets U.S. banks in that manner, British institutions may get ahead of their American rivals in the world's second-largest economy, Grimstone told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford at the annual Barclays Asia Forum in Singapore. "I was speaking at a forum earlier this year and they [the Chinese] put the Goldman Sachs chairman in a hotel as far as possible away from the conference location ... So in little ways like that, China makes their displeasure known." Goldman Sachs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Grimstone's statement. Grimstone, who is also chairman of Standard Life Aberdeen one of the U.K.'s largest savings and investments businesses, described the U.S.- China trade spat as a long-term issue that may not be resolved anytime soon. "China's focused on 2049. That seems a long way away but they're the one country in the world which plans for those sort of horizons and by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese state, they're hoping to regain their position as the world's top nation," Grimstone said. He identified changes in the global balance of power as one of his top worries: "We are going back to a time where we are going to see more conflict between nation states, less multilateralism, these are very big changes, not the world in which I grew up in." Italy's Interior Minister and deputy PM Matteo Salvini (R) and Italy's Labor and Industry Minister and deputy PM Luigi Di Maio gesture during the swearing in ceremony of the new government led by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at Quirinale Palace in Rome on June 1, 2018. The government in Rome has been very outspoken about one upcoming event, calling it a potential turning point for policy in Europe. Anti-establishment lawmakers in Italy are hopeful that European elections in May of next year will bring a sea change to the European Parliament and allow it to proceed with its controversial spending plans. "There will be such an earthquake in all countries against the austerity that the rules will change the day after the elections," Luigi di Maio, deputy prime minister and leader of the leftist Five Star Movement, told the newspaper Corriere della Sera on Sunday. In May, European voters will head to the polls to choose new lawmakers for the European Parliament the EU institution responsible for approving laws. Italian populists are confident that the rising support for anti-establishment parties across Europe will deliver a more polarized parliament, making it harder to proceed with any law making. They are also hoping the new Parliament will be more anti-austerity and push for a relaxation of budgetary rules which would be particularly useful for Rome. The government in Italy has announced plans to increase public spending in 2019, in a way that the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has already suggested would be a "significant deviation" from Europe's fiscal rules. Claudio Borghi, economic spokesman of Lega, one of the ruling parties in Italy, told the BBC recently that Rome "will face the consequences" if the EU does not approve its budget, potentially ending up with a fine for breaking the rules. However, he added that if such a scenario took place, Italy will be making its case in front of a new parliament. "I am sure we are going to defend ourselves in a new Parliament. And in the new European Parliament, believe me, the balance of powers will be much, much different compared to what it is now," Borghi said. The original promise to triple the previous government's deficit target for the next three years to 2.4 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) each year would have made it very difficult for Rome to reduce its 130 percent debt/GDP ratio each year, as required under the EU's budget rules; particularly since the latest growth forecasts from Italian Finance Minister Giovanni Tria were so wildly different to the predictions posited by independent economists and indeed the European Commission. Tria then had to deliver on a previous warning by downgrading his ministry's growth forecasts for this current fiscal year from 1.5 percent to 1.2 percent. Some European finance ministers and EU officials I had talked to beforehand suggested they expected exactly this kind of climbdown and said they saw it as the natural consequence of a market keen to enforce disciplinary limits on Italy's most expansionist spending plans in a generation. The European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, told me outside last week's meeting of euro zone finance ministers in Luxembourg that politicians in Rome should be honest with the Italian public about the affordability of their electoral promises, and the borrowing difficulties that would need to be overcome in order to transform those promises into reality. "More public expenditure ... Can make you popular for a while, but who pays in the end?" he asked rhetorically. "The Commission will exert all its powers," he insisted, in "defense of the Italian interests and European interests." Italy's leading firebrands have responded to this public criticism from Brussels in typically testy fashion, with Di Maio saying "there is no plan B" and Italy "will not retreat" on its spending plans, while Salvini called Moscovici one of the "enemies" of Europe. However, once the European Commission receives a draft budget plan in a little under a week's time, it could force a EU member nation to make revisions for the first time in the bloc's history. And before then, there is always a chance that a further selling off by market participants will rather separately force a rethink. In order to see a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons, the U.S. must ask North Korea about its long-term objective, warned James Clapper, former American director of national intelligence. A retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, Clapper weighed in on the state of Washington-Pyongyang relations in the wake of the historic June summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "What failed to happen in the summit that occurred here in Singapore would have been a great opportunity for President Trump to get the answer to a very important question: 'What is it that you require in North Korea that you don't need nuclear weapons to feel secure?'" Clapper told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford at the annual Barclays Asia Forum in Singapore. "It would be very useful to know the answer to that. Otherwise, we're ad hoc-ing it and taking one step in the blind at a time," said Clapper, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2010 and left the role when Trump entered office. The U.S. leader is considering meeting Kim for a second summit "as soon as possible," according to recent news reports. But Clapper expressed doubt about the results of such talks. "Based on my own interactions with the North Koreans, I'm very doubtful they're ever going to agree to denuclearization," he said, adding that Washington had yet to define what exactly denuclearization means. Members of a pro-government group gather outside the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong to protest a scheduled talk by pro-independence advocate Andy Chan Ho-tin. Hong Kong has long profited on its unique position as a culturally Chinese city with freedom of expression, rule of law and an incorruptible civil service. Those attributes turned it into a remarkable success as a dynamic banking and trade center known worldwide for being a safe, efficient and reliable place to do business. But an unprecedented decision by local immigration authorities to effectively expel a Hong Kong-based foreign journalist for a prestigious British newspaper has thrown that equation into question. Authorities' rejection of a new work visa for Victor Mallet, an editor with the Financial Times, "sends a worrying signal" for Hong Kong, Tara Joseph, the president of the local American Chamber of Commerce, said in a Monday statement. "Without a free press, capital markets cannot properly function, and business and trade cannot be reliably conducted," added Joseph, a former president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong. On Friday, the Financial Times announced that Mallet's request for a renewal of his visa had been rejected. The FT said no reason was given and Hong Kong immigration authorities said the same day they would not comment on individual cases. Such applications have traditionally been approved as a matter of course in Hong Kong. The situation is different in neighboring China, where authorities have used actual and threatened expulsions of journalists as punishment for reporting they find sensitive or embarrassing. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was famously promised it would have a high degree of autonomy and its legal system would not change for 50 years when it became a special administrative region of China in 1997 under the "one country, two systems" formula, but the situation has been seen as steadily eroding for a number of years. Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's top official, was pressed by journalists Tuesday on Mallet's case, but refused to comment on specifics. "I can assure you ... freedom of expression, freedom of reporting are core values in Hong Kong," she said, according to an official press release, adding that she and the government would protect such rights. Pyramid of gelatin cubes Martin Barraud When two Princeton graduate students came together with the goal of using biology to improve products and make them more sustainable, Geltor was born. Geltor, based in San Leandro, California, produces the protein collagen without animals. Collagen is found in a variety of foods, personal-care products and other items, such as shampoos, body lotions, strings for musical instruments and gelatin. Alex Lorestani and Nick Ouzounov, the co-founders of Geltor, met in 2012 in the molecular biology department at Princeton University. They began to use fermentation to produce collagen in a San Francisco lab called IndieBio, which provides $250,000 in funding and a four-month program to jump-start their business. The process is similar to how beer is fermented. Geltor scientists take carbon, nitrogen and oxygen and convert them into collagen using microbial fermentation. More from Upstart 100: CNBC unveils its list of 100 promising start-ups to watch in 2018 How a media upstart that explains the news got Ryan Seacrest and Jimmy Iovine to invest Two Shark Tank winners are turning TV success into millions with one key ingredient "If you're able to shrink yourself down and dive into it Magic School Bus-style, what you would see is basically a broth that is in the beginning really full of basically plant-based nutrients that are then being converted and pumped out into the broth into collagen," Lorestani said. "You'd basically be sitting inside of a little factory that is really focused on building this one particular thing very efficiently." After the collagen is extracted, it can be used in liquid form or made into a powder to be used in consumer products. The company is currently focused on cosmetics and consumer care, though it is interested in branching out into other fields, such as medicine and nutrition. The company now has 17 full-time employees, and it secured $2.25 million in additional funding in 2016. A vegan alternative with a vast market Jeremy Coller was one of Geltor's earliest investors. Rosie Wardle, the program director of the Jeremy Coller Foundation, who advises on Coller's investments, believes this method is how protein will be produced in the future. "The current system of protein production is a broken system," Wardle said. "It's resource-intensive and having a massive detrimental impact on the environment. Business as usual isn't really an option for the protein-production sector going forward. So we started looking at companies that were providing the solutions to that, and Geltor was one of the companies that is focused on exactly that." Alex Lorestani, co-founder and CEO of Geltor Courtesy of Geltor "There's an enormous diversity of collagens in nature," co-founder Lorestani said. "About 70 percent of the collagen in the market comes from one source, which is pigs, and that was kind of an arbitrary way of how to get this very important ingredient." Gelatin, which is made from animal-produced collagen, is used in gummy bears, candy, marshmallows and more. Geltor's vegan alternative can tap into this $3 billion market and provide an alternative for vegetarians and vegans seeking these gummy products. Until now, other vegetarian ingredients, like agar-agar and carrageenan, have worked as substitutes. However, Geltor's collagen isn't a substitute for collagen. It is collagen. "It's nature-identical," Lorestani said. "It's just a pure protein, identical to the one you would find wherever. We just make it a different way." Hurdles to overcome Geltor launched its first product, 1% N-Collage Solution, an animal-free collagen ingredient for skincare, in April at the trade show In-Cosmetics Global in Amsterdam. One month later, N-Collage won the 2018 Cosmetic Executive Women Innovation Award. The company's products will have to be vetted by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure their safety, but the processes vary on what the collagen is being used for. Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS, is a certification about an ingredient that companies can submit to the FDA after they review their own products. Jaydee Hanson, the senior policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety, said he wants more regulation. He has followed several biological engineering companies including Geltor for a while. 1% N-Collage Solution by Geltor Scott Mlyn | CNBC "We don't think that GRAS should be used for the first new genetically-engineered gelatin or any other product," Hanson said. "We think it ought to go through the more structured process that requires more rigorous scientific testing." VegInvest, a firm dedicated to supporting vegan-based companies, is another one of Geltor's investors. Managing Director Amy Trakinski said that the co-founders do value transparency in their work. Malaysia's Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said on Tuesday that maintaining earlier fiscal targets would be "foolish," as the government struggles with liabilities of around 1 trillion ringgit ($240.67 billion). Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who unexpectedly won a general election in May, has blamed the previous administration of Najib Razak for taking the country into such heavy debt, partly as a result of 1MDB, a failed state fund which is now the focus of corruption and money laundering investigations in Malaysia and other countries. The government is also looking for alternative sources of revenue to make up the shortfall that it is expected to face after scrapping an unpopular goods and services tax. "The fiscal targets set by the previous administration are hence unrealistic in the short term and it would be foolish for this government to maintain these targets," Lim said at an investor conference. "Over the medium term, however, we will remain strictly on the path of fiscal consolidation." The Najib government had forecast fiscal deficit of 2.8 percent this year, lower than last year's 3 percent. The finance minister had told Reuters in an interview in June that Malaysia can achieve 2.8 percent this year but reducing it further would be a challenge. The new administration will announce its 2019 budget on Nov. 2 when it is expected to spell out its fiscal targets. Ratings agencies have said Malaysia faces challenges in further narrowing its fiscal deficit. Moody's said in February that further fiscal consolidation is likely to be very slow in the absence of meaningful revenue-raising measures. Earlier at the conference on Tuesday, Mahathir said Malaysia may introduce new taxes and sell assets such as land to pay off debt. "We may have to devise new taxes in order to have the money to pay our debts. The other thing we can do is to sell our assets. Land is one of them," the prime minister said. "Beyond that we may have to sell some of our valuable assets in order to raise funds to pay the debts." He did not identify or elaborate on what these assets would be. Finance Minister Lim, however, indicated the government may reduce its stake in companies in which it owns shares through state-owned firms. "We will reduce the government's direct participation in the equity ownership of companies so that the private sector can take the lead," he said. This will also lead to more liquidity in the stock market, he said. Reuters had reported in August that sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional was likely to cut stakes in companies to help reduce the country's debt. Lim said the government will need three years to resolve fiscal issues, adding that additional tax measures will be announced in the 2019 budget. "While it is imperative for the government to be prudent with our expenditure, we are equally cognizant that we must not fall into the austerity trap. What we want is merely to get a bigger bang for the buck," he said. Tech giant Microsoft said late Monday that it will invest an undisclosed sum into Singapore-based ride-hailing company Grab, as part of a strategic partnership. The two companies will also collaborate on technology projects in areas such as big data and artificial intelligence, while Grab will now use a number of Microsoft products, including the Azure cloud computing service, according to a joint statement. "We're fascinated with the companies that are emerging from Southeast Asia," Peggy Johnson, executive vice president at Microsoft, told CNBC in an interview. "It's been amazing to watch what they have done with technology, in the way that they've applied it to solving problems for their customers." Microsoft and Grab declined to disclose the amount of the strategic investment. So far this year, Grab has already raised $2 billion from Toyota and institutional investors. It had raised about $6 billion in total funds as of Aug. 2, 2018, and is valued at $11 billion, according to CB Insights. On Friday, Reuters reported that Japan's SoftBank was closing in on a deal to invest about $500 million in Grab as part of the ride-hailing company's latest funding round that is likely to be completed in a few weeks. Grab President Ming Maa declined to comment on ongoing investment discussions, but he told CNBC that the company was on track to raise about $3 billion in funds by the end of the year. He also declined to give an estimate of how big the investment from Microsoft is, compared with the funds raised from other backers throughout the year. The U.S. economy is poised for growth that's better than the International Monetary Fund projects, and there's nothing on the domestic front that could knock it into a recession, according to one of the world's most closely followed economists. Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor for Allianz, told CNBC on Tuesday that the U.S. economy is "in a good place in terms of growth, the U.S. economy is in a good place in terms of attracting capital." That stood in some contrast to the IMF, which maintained its prediction of 2.9 percent growth for the U.S. this year, but reduced its 2019 American growth prediction from 2.7 percent to 2.5 percent in its World Economic Outlook published on Tuesday. For his part, El-Erian said the IMF "is too pessimistic" about the world's largest economy. "We've got three drivers of domestic demand all hitting at the same time: government spending which is going to get stronger not weaker household spending, and business investment," he told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford at the Barclays Asia Forum in Singapore. "That takes the U.S. through the next couple of years at least, so it wouldn't surprise me if we get 3 percent growth for this year and next year." El-Erian said that any disturbances to U.S. economic growth were likely to come from beyond its borders. "We get to a recession if there are spillbacks from the rest of the world. The U.S. on its own need not have a recession," he said. "Yes, this has been a very long expansion, but it's been a very slow expansion, so this is qualitatively different from what we've seen in the past. I think the concern is about the rest of the world," the chief economic advisor added. The Twitter outbursts of Elon Musk are due to frustrations with what he sees as shortsighted views about the progress he's making with Tesla, former colleague Reid Hoffman told CNBC on Tuesday. Musk is focused "three, five, 10 years into the future," said the LinkedIn co-founder, who worked alongside Musk at online payments system PayPal. "Part of his grit, part of his determination to get to that long future is to push back." Just days after settling Securities and Exchange Commission fraud charges and just hours after a federal judge asked both sides to justify the agreement, Musk mocked the agency in a tweet lat week, calling it "Shortseller Enrichment Commission." The SEC was going after Musk for alleged false statements in the now-infamous Aug. 7 tweet about having "funding secured" to possibly take the company private. The idea was abandoned on Aug. 24. Prior to the take-private debacle, Musk had been acting erratically for months. Following a bizarre Aug. 16 interview with The New York Times, Musk's actions were under scrutiny again last month after he appeared to smoke marijuana and drink whiskey during comedian Joe Rogan's podcast. Back in May, Musk rudely cut off analysts on Tesla's first-quarter earnings call. He later apologized for that on the second-quarter call in August. Shares of Tesla were up 3.2 percent Tuesday. But the stock has tanked more than 17 percent this year, and more than 25 percent over the last 12 months. Appearing on "Squawk Box," Hoffman conceded that Musk should perhaps find a different outlet for his outbursts. "I think it needs to be a different pattern than those tweets." Along with Musk, billionaire Hoffman is a member of the "PayPal Mafia," a group of former PayPal employees and founders who have since founded and developed their own tech companies. Hoffman is now with the Greylock Partners venture capital firm. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Haley said she had no "personal reasons" for leaving but felt someone else should take the role after she served eight "intense" years in South Carolina and at the UN. Haley, 46, has represented the Trump administration at the UN amid several international crises, including efforts to dismantle North Korea's nuclear program and ease the bloody conflict in Syria. She has also criticized Iran after Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear accord reached during the Obama administration. Trump and Haley announced her exit plan on Tuesday morning just under a month before the critical midterm elections on Nov. 6. The former South Carolina governor has served since January 2017, as the U.S. has deliberately scaled back its role in the international institution. President Donald Trump meets with outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, in Washington. Haley is only the latest high profile Trump foreign policy official to leave the administration. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and two national security advisors, Michael Flynn and H.R. McMaster, all served only brief stints. Haley has done an "incredible job" at the UN, Trump added, pointing specifically to efforts to denuclearize North Korea. Haley noted that she does not yet have plans for her next role but stressed she will not mount a Republican challenge to Trump in 2020. She said she "looks forward to supporting the president" in his re-election bid. Haley told Trump about six months ago that she may need "a little time off," the president said. He did not immediately announce her successor, but said he has a number of people who want to take the job. "I think it's just very important for government officials to know when to step aside," she said. She repeatedly thanked the president for choosing her to serve in the UN role and praised White House officials she worked with, including the president's daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Haley, who has criticized the president on some foreign policy points, wrote a column in September denying that she penned an explosive New York Times op-ed. In the Times piece, an anonymous "senior administration official" said people working for Trump have worked to undermine his worst impulses on issues such as trade and Russia policy. "I, too, am a senior Trump administration official. I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country," Haley wrote. "But I don't agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person." Haley had her critics in the White House, and she scrapped back, as well. Top economic advisor Larry Kudlow had suggested she suffered from confusion earlier this year when she said new sanctions against Russia were coming. Haley responded by saying, "With all due respect, I don't get confused." Kudlow, in turn, apologized. But the incident apparently left a mark. Javers tweet Ethics groups recently requested an investigation into Haley over whether she inappropriately accepted flights from South Carolina businessmen. It was unclear if those ethics concerns related at all to her departure, and the White House did not comment on her reason for leaving. Read Haley's full resignation letter to Trump below: October 3, 2018 Dear Mr. President: It has been an immense honor to serve our country in your Administration. I cannot thank you enough for giving me this opportunity. You will recall that when you offered me the position of United States Ambassador to the United Nations in November 2016, I accepted the offer based on some conditions. Those conditions included serving in your Cabinet and on the National Security Council and being free to speak my mind on the issues of the day. You made those commitments and you have absolutely kept them all. For that too, I will always be grateful. We achieved great successes at the UN. We passed the toughest sanctions against any country in a generation, pressuring North Korea toward denuclearization. We passed an arms embargo on South Sudan that will help reduce violence and hopefully bring peace to that troubled country. We stood up for our ally Israel and began to roll back the UN's relentless bias against her. We reformed UN operations and saved over $1.3 billion. We spoke out resolutely against dictatorships in Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, and yes, Russia. Through it all, we stood strong for American values and interests, always placing America first. I am proud of our record. As a strong supporter of term limits, I have long believed that rotation in office benefits the public. Between the UN Ambassadorship and serving in the South Carolina Governorship and General Assembly, I have been in public office for fourteen straight years. As a businessman, I expect you will appreciate my sense that returning from government to the private sector is not a step down but a step up. Accordingly, I am resigning my position. To give you time to select a replacement, and to give the Senate time to consider your selection, I am prepared to continue to serve until January 2019. At that point, I will once again become a private citizen. I expect to continue to speak out from time to time on important public policy matters, but I will surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020. As a private citizen, I look forward to supporting your re-election as President, and supporting the policies that will continue to move our great country toward even greater heights. With best wishes and deep gratitude, Nikki Haley -CNBC's Eamon Javers contributed to this report. Kim Jong Un waves before departing Pyongyang to Singapore on June 10, 2018. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, according to the South Korean Yonhap news agency. The South Korean presidential office made the announcement Tuesday during a press briefing on President Moon Jae-in's visit to Europe next week. His trip will include a visit to the Vatican on October 17 and 18, Yonhap reported. "Chairman Kim said he will 'ardently welcome the Pope if he visits Pyongyang'," said Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesperson for the presidential office said. Yonhap reported that Moon will deliver the message from the North Korean leader when he meets with the Pope. Read the full report here. Billionaire Virgin founder Richard Branson said Tuesday that tickets for his hyperloop transport system will cost no more than that of a high-speed rail fare. Virgin Hyperloop One, which Branson has been chairman of since December last year, is "very close" to deploying the technology in India and is in talks with Dubai and Saudi Arabia about rolling out the technology in the Middle East as well, Branson told CNBC at the annual Barclays Asia Forum in Singapore. Hyperloops are transportation systems that propel pods through low-pressure tubes, aimed at avoiding air resistance and traveling at ultra-fast speeds. The idea is considered to be the brainchild of visionary tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who drew up plans for the technology back in 2013. Speaking about the price of Hyperloop One fares, Branson said: "It will be no more than a high-speed trainline ticket, and potentially we'll be able to bring the price down further than that." Branson said work will begin on Hyperloop One's first flagship hyperloop system next year, and will cut travel times from five hours to "just over half an hour." In this Sept. 20, 2018 photo, Dennis Parada, right, and his son Kem Parada stand at the site of the FBI's dig for Civil War-era gold in Dents Run, Pennsylvania. Michael Rubinkam | AP Surrounded by dozens of stone-faced FBI agents on a frigid winter's day, Dennis and Kem Parada stared down at the empty hole and knew something wasn't right. The father-son duo spent years combing this bit of Pennsylvania wilderness with high-end metal detectors, drills and other tools to prospect for a fabled cache of Civil War gold. They felt certain they'd discovered the hiding place of the long-lost booty, leading the FBI to the mountainous, heavily wooded area last March. Now, at the end of the court-sanctioned excavation, the FBI escorted the treasure hunters to the snow-covered site and asked them what they saw. They gazed at the pit. Not so much as a glimmer of gold dust, let alone the tons of precious metal they said an FBI contractor's instruments had detected. "We were embarrassed," Dennis Parada told The Associated Press in his first interview since the well-publicized dig last winter. "They walk us in, and they make us look like dummies. Like we messed up." Since that day, however, neighbors' accounts of late-night excavation and FBI convoys have fueled suspicions that the agency isn't telling the whole truth. The Paradas are challenging the FBI's account of the dig, insisting that something had to have been buried in the woods near Dents Run, about 135 miles (220 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh. That something, they believe, was gold. "After my years of experience here using equipment, there was something here, something here of value, some kind of precious metal. And whatever it is, it's gone now. And that's what I want to get to the bottom of, is what was in that hole," Kem Parada said. Federal investigators insisted a few days after leaving the site that the search came up empty, adding cryptically that its work there was related to an "ongoing investigation." The FBI declined further comment, and a bureau spokeswoman told the AP last week that court documents related to the dig are sealed. The dispute between the Paradas and the FBI is the latest chapter in a mystery that has persisted for more than a century and a half. As the story goes, around the time of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, the Union Army sent a shipment of gold from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Philadelphia. The wagon train took a circuitous route through the wilds of northern Pennsylvania so as to avoid Confederate troops. Along the way, the gold was either lost or stolen. In this March 13, 2018 photo, an FBI tent is seen behind police tape at the base of a hill where investigators were conducting an excavation for Civil War-era gold in Dents Run, Pa. Bridget McClure | AP The legend has inspired generations of treasure hunters to take to the thick woods of northwestern Pennsylvania including Dennis and Kem Parada, who spent five years digging in a cave on state land, and two more years drilling atop the cave, before going to the FBI in January with their evidence. The Paradas showed agents how their sophisticated metal detector lit up like crazy when aimed at the spot where they believed the gold was hidden. Within a month, they said, the FBI had hired an outside firm to conduct an underground scan using a device called a gravimeter. The scan identified a large metallic mass with the density of gold, according to the Paradas and Warren Getler, an author and journalist who's been working with them. So it was with great anticipation that father, son and Getler arrived at the dig site March 13. But nothing went as planned. The treasure hunters and Getler said they had an agreement with the FBI to watch the excavation. Officers instead confined them to their car out of sight of the wooded hillside where a backhoe was digging for six hours that first day before they were finally allowed up the hill. The digging proceeded for another hour before an agent called an abrupt halt at 3 p.m., saying the team was cold, tired and hungry and it would be getting dark soon. They were just 3 feet from the target. "I said, 'You've got three hours of daylight and we're only 3 feet away,'" Dennis Parada recalled. He said the agent replied, "Denny, we're going, we're going." Whether the FBI actually left the woods that afternoon is itself an open question. Cheryl Elder, who lives nearby, told AP she heard what sounded like a backhoe and jackhammer at least until 2 a.m. the noisy machinery keeping her awake and annoying her because she had to rise early for work and she saw that the hillside was brightly lit. "It was just real loud all night," the former constable recalled. "It was driving me nuts." The second day of the excavation was similar to the first, according to the Paradas and Getler. They said they were confined to their car for several hours, then escorted up the hill to the dig site by then a large, empty hole. The FBI had finished the excavation out of their presence, they said. The Paradas said they were cheated of a moment they had spent years working for. After my years of experience here using equipment, there was something here, something here of value, some kind of precious metal. And whatever it is, it's gone now. And that's what I want to get to the bottom of, is what was in that hole. Kem Parada "You can only dig the gold up once, and that's a historical moment. And here we were robbed of all that," Dennis Parada said. "I don't understand why they played that game on us." After the Paradas and Getler had left, Elder said, she saw a half-dozen black SUVs at the site. One by one, she said, they backed up to the bottom of the hill and rendezvoused with one of several all-terrain utility vehicles. Elder tried using her binoculars, but couldn't make out what investigators were transferring from the ATVs to the SUVs. Even so, "I know they found gold," she declared. "I know they found it, and they're being sneaky." Heather Selle, who lives in nearby Weedville, said she was getting her kids ready for school on the morning of the second day when she spied a convoy of FBI vehicles driving past including two large armored trucks. "There was too many people involved, there was too much hush-hush, and there's been too much seen," said still another resident, Garrett Osche, whose garage was used as a staging ground for the FBI's initial foray to the Dents Run area weeks before the dig. "Why do you close the road down if you're not loading something out? If you're not sneaking something, why do you need to do what they did?" You can only dig the gold up once, and that's a historical moment. And here we were robbed of all that. I don't understand why they played that game on us. Dennis Parada Voters cast ballots for the midterm elections at the Polk County Election Office on October 8, 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa.Today was the first day of early voting in the state. Scott Olson | Getty Images With his latest energy policy move, President Donald Trump aims in part to boost Iowa Republicans fighting to hold critical offices next month. On Tuesday afternoon, the president ordered his administration to lift summertime restrictions on sales of E15, a higher ethanol blend of gasoline, Iowa Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst told reporters at the White House. The state's corn growers and the politicians who represent them have pushed for the change, arguing it will stabilize the state's farm industry amid trade uncertainty. Trump's change could help the two vulnerable Iowa Republicans expected to join him at a Tuesday night rally: Rep. David Young and Gov. Kim Reynolds. The ethanol action could also aid Rep. Rod Blum, one of the House incumbents considered most likely to lose a seat in this year's midterm elections. The president's policy move and the Council Bluffs, Iowa, rally come as Democrats threaten to flip 23 GOP-held House seats and take control of the chamber after the Nov. 6 elections. Republicans cannot afford to lose any House seats in the face of Democratic enthusiasm and historical struggles for a president's party in midterm elections. PEOSTA, IA - JULY 26: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) and President Donald Trump participate in a round table at Northeast Iowa Community College on July 26, 2018 in Peosta, Iowa. Scott Olson | Getty Images Trump's stop in Iowa, the largest ethanol-producing state, comes amid a blitz of campaign rallies in support of GOP candidates facing tough races. He campaigned in both Minnesota and Kansas in recent days. Aside from the ethanol announcement, Trump has also touted his revised North American Free Trade Agreement as a boon to farmers facing damage from his trade policy. "It's great for our farmers," Trump said Tuesday of the tweaked deal that he calls the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. In an earlier tweet previewing his rally, Trump said farmers "are very happy with USMCA!" Trump tweet It is unclear whether reaching a revised North American trade deal and lifting the ban on E15 sales will do enough to lift endangered House Republicans in Iowa and other farm states. Trump has a poor approval rating in many swing districts, and Democrats have made health care their main campaign issue following unpopular GOP efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Republican incumbents also face a fundraising disadvantage in many battleground areas, making the environment even more challenging. Trump will speak Tuesday in Iowa's 3rd District, a seat held by second-term Rep. David Young. Earlier in the day, the president told reporters that "we'll be talking a little ethanol tonight." Young may need an assist from Trump to keep his seat. His district in the state's southwest corner includes the state capital of Des Moines and the outskirts of Nebraska's largest city, Omaha, as well as pro-Trump rural areas. The area has only a slight red tint: the nonpartisan Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index rates it as an "R+1" seat. PVI measures how districts vote in recent presidential elections relative to the country as a whole. A New York Times/Siena poll found Young in a dead heat with Democratic challenger Cindy Axne, a small-business owner. Nonpartisan race forecasters consider the contest a toss-up. Young is expected to issue a statement on the president's policy change later Tuesday. Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, attends a House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing in Rayburn Building on the FY2019 Budget on April 18, 2018. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call Group | Getty Images Given the reality that the Trump presidency has defied many long-held beliefs about the highest office in the land, it seems possible that it may also defy convention when it comes to the impact this president may have on the financial markets and economy. The stock market tends to enjoy its best years during the third and fourth year of a president's term, a tendency the Stock Traders Almanac has quantified for decades, chronicling the impact of the so-called "presidential cycle." Since it has been widely assumed that most presidents tend to make hard decisions, especially about the economy, early in their time in the White House, it has been observed that stocks do more poorly in those first two years than in the second two. It can be explained in this manner: Just when the economy needs a little boost, conveniently some would say, a year or so before election time, any administration tends to kick-start the economy with some fiscal stimulus. Whether it be a hefty tax cut, some road and bridge construction in key geographic locations, extra defense spending, or anything that "primes the pump" as economist John Maynard Keynes described it. Presidents like to kick it up a notch to ensure voters are happy come November. Indeed, when that doesn't happen, there can be dire consequences for the incumbent. George H.W. Bush was forced to raise taxes, breaking a key campaign promise, even as the Federal Reserve was raising rates, toward the end of his first term. The result was somewhat predictable. With a recession dogging him in 1991, Bush, also weakened by Ross Perot's third-party bid, lost to Bill Clinton. Clinton came into the White House at the bottom of the economic cycle and rode the wave for eight years. For President Donald Trump, who was elected during the seventh year of an economic recovery, his first bid was to pass a massive tax cut that appears to have shifted the economy into ultra-high gear, while also increasing government spending dramatically in his first two years. Dousing a smoldering economy with two types of gasoline, the Trump Administration got what it wanted, stronger growth, soaring corporate profits, a booming stock market and, to a lesser extent, rising wages. Union leaders in the U.K. have urged the British public to boycott Uber, as its drivers strike across the country on Tuesday. Drivers in London, Birmingham and Nottingham will strike from 1:00 p.m. London time in protest over working conditions and pay. Alongside the 24-hour strike, called by the United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD) branch of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), demonstrations will be held outside Uber's offices in each city. Drivers are demanding that their fares, which currently stand at 1.25 ($1.63) per mile in London, are increased to 2 per mile, as well as a 10 percent reduction in commissions paid to Uber. UberX drivers, who provide the app's most popular service, currently pay Uber 25 percent commission on their earnings. In 2016, a British employment tribunal ruled that Uber could no longer treat its drivers as self-employed contractors, which the company has continued to appeal against. Another demand of those on strike is that Uber complies with the ruling by granting its drivers workers' rights, such as the minimum wage and paid holidays. An Uber spokesperson told CNBC via email: "We are always looking to make improvements to ensure drivers have the best possible experience and can make the most of their time driving on the app. That's why over the last few months we've introduced dozens of new features, including sickness, injury, maternity and paternity protections." "An academic study last month found that drivers in London make an average of 11 an hour, after accounting for all of their costs and Uber's service fee. We continue to look at ways to help drivers increase their earnings and our door is always open if anyone wants to speak to us about any issues they're having." Uber also told CNBC that the company gave its drivers more control than any other private hire operator and many other forms of independent work, noting that there were no shifts or requirements to undertake a minimum number of hours. A recent Oxford University study of 1,000 London Uber drivers found that 81 percent of drivers would prefer to remain independent contractors rather than lose the flexibility of setting their own schedule. However, James Farrar, chair of the IWGB's UPHD branch, said drivers had been driven to industrial action by declining earnings and intimidation. "After years of watching take home pay plummet and with management bullying of workers on the rise, workers have been left with no choice but to take strike action," he said in a press release. "We ask the public to please support drivers by not crossing the digital picket line by not using the app during strike time." Uber will be facing the IWGB at the U.K.'s Court of Appeal on October 30 and 31. The treatment of Judge Kavanaugh was a travesty. Chris Wallace, TV newsman, said the big problem with Dr. Fords story was there are no facts meaning no facts of evidence. And of course, without evidence there is no proof of the accusation. Repeatedly Democrats said the hearing wasnt a trial, saying evidence doesnt need to meet the standard of law. However their TV pundits repeatedly called the judge a rapist, a drunken brawler and a serial predator which requires by law supporting evidence which there was none. A Democrat on the committee even called him evil. Thats a cheap smear campaign. None of that is the American system of justice. Its no surprise these same Democrats argue a lack of evidence should exonerate one of their pack when accused of wrongdoing. Debra Katz, liberal activist and Dr Fords attorney was quick to say to The New York Times in 1998, that Paula Jones had no case when she made accusations of sexual misconduct by Bill Clinton. Katz said she (Paula Jones) alleged one incident took place in a hotel room, that by her own testimony, lasted 10 to 12 minutes and that wasnt enough to warrant a case. Those same Democrats questioning Judge Kavanaugh about throwing ice in a bar or comments in his yearbook want to remove the question in job applications regarding criminal convictions. They say past mistakes should not influence employers even if the person was convicted of murder or armed robbery. Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell, who questioned Ford, in her report which most news media has ignored, stated there was insufficient evidence to take the accusation to court. She cited flaws in Fords statements and testimony. That should have ended it, but not for Democrats.They demanded and got additional FBI interviews regarding Ford and others accusations. Ironically the FBI report may have been what helped persuade Flake and Manchin to vote yes. Predictably no Democrat accepted the findings in the additional report. That is because from the very beginning this has always been about power and intimidation-the threat of ruination of any conservative nominated for the court. We saw the Democrats callously discard due process and the guarantee of innocent until proven guilty-pillars of our justice system. And they hoped their unrelenting beating on Judge Kavanaugh would force his withdrawal. Democrats now have adopted a model for personal destruction. They think who will want to be subjected to this? And the bullying doesnt stop with candidates. People posing as protesters followed senators wildly screaming through the halls of Congress. Some were robotically chanting their marching orders like so many zombies going forth to stalk a victim. Anyone who watched the final vote heard maniacal screaming from the Senate gallery in attempts to disrupt orderly processes of government. Senator Collins on 60 Minutes said the threats and bullying had much to do with her decision to vote yes. Does anyone remember the pressure tactics placed on presidential electors before they met in January, 2017? So its nothing new and getting much worse when Democrats dont win or get their way. And no Democrat official is willing to stand up and denounce any of it. And for Tennesseans, after repeatedly dancing around the question of how he would vote, was it a coincidence that Phil Bredesen issued his press release during the vote and after Collins, Flake and Manchin had announced their yes vote? Wow, wait until he knows the winner and then reveal his vote. I guess thats how Statesman Phil plans to stand up for the people of Tennessee in DC if he has to deal with those same Democrats. So did anyone really think the Swampire wouldnt strike back with the nastiest scheme they could concoct? Ruining Judge Kavanaugh and his family and bullying and threatening senators may become routine now in the Democrats Trump Wars. Is that the party we want leading this state or this nation? Is that the future we want for our children and grandchildren? Ralph Miller The U.S. and China will eventually be able to come to a trade deal, according to private equity billionaire David Rubenstein. "My view is this trade dispute will be more of a skirmish, not a war," Rubenstein told CNBC on Tuesday at the Barclays Asia Forum in Singapore. "I think there will be a resolution not unlike what happened in NAFTA. There was a back-and-forth, but ultimately a resolution occurred," said Rubenstein, who is also co-founder and co-executive chairman of The Carlyle Group. So far, companies that The Carlyle Group owns that do business in both countries have not been dramatically impacted, he said. In fact, the tit-for-tat tariffs are "relatively modest" compared to the sizes of the U.S. and Chinese economies on their own, he added. "I think it's a bit of a mistake to worry too much that we won't be able to come together with China. I think the United States administration wants to reach a deal and the Chinese want to reach a deal," he said. "Obviously, what is said in public might not be what is really said in private, so I'm confident at some point this will come together," said Rubenstein. After all, if the Chinese economy slows, it'll not just affect the global economy, "China will have less money to buy U.S. Treasury bills, I'm not sure if that's a great thing," he said. But, Rubenstein noted, the Chinese economy is actually "in pretty good shape" despite predictions over the years that it would one day fall on its face. "They might have some more debt in certain sectors than they prefer, but, generally, China has enough foreign reserves to deal with their problems," he said. Chinese authorities are finally coming to terms with a lower rate of growth as the trade war with the U.S. takes its toll, an economist told CNBC on Tuesday. As Beijing continues to tamp down debt at home, "the government is finally accepting lower growth," said Jian Chang, the chief China economist of Barclays. After all, "we did hear them talking about high quality of growth, and also we see that they've maintain a fair amount of determination in continuing with deleveraging goals despite the fact that they are prioritizing stability in near-term," Chang said at the Barclays Asia Forum. Predicting a long standoff in the U.S.-China trade war, Chang said the direct impact from the tit-for-tat tariffs and reduction in Chinese export growth could shave 0.5-1 percent off China's growth. China's economy grew 6.9 percent in 2017. Barclays is forecasting 6.7 percent economic growth for China in 2018 and 6.5 percent in 2019. The Chinese government's official growth target for 2018 is around 6.5 percent. Despite escalating trade tensions with the U.S., Chinese data shows the economy has held up so far mostly due to exporters benefiting from increased orders before the tariffs hit, but the figures are likely to show stress in the months ahead, said Chang. "We have to consider an indirect impact as a result of these trade tensions between two largest economies in the world bringing down external demand and global growth down the road," added Chang. Beijing will likely roll out more policy easing measures to cope with the slowing growth such as the latest reserve requirement ratio cut by the People's Bank of China over the weekend, she said. It's a tough act. "They have to balance their priorities between diffusing financial risk, maintaining the direction of deleveraging while paying more attention to (their) pace and intensity," said Chang, adding that Beijing also had to maintain stability in growth, employment and the markets. Investors should look beyond the upcoming U.S. midterm elections in gauging the tense geopolitical situation between the U.S. and China, according to Barclays' head of macro research. The issues at the heart of U.S.-China relations go beyond trade tensions, which some analysts have said may ease after the U.S. midterm elections, Barclay's Ajay Rajadhyaksha told CNBC at the Barclays Asia Forum in Singapore. While some have speculated that U.S. President Trump may simply be escalating the trade war with China, to distract voters from troubles at home. But investors hoping to wait out the tensions until the Nov. 6 midterms may be in for a surprise: "They still need to keep waiting for a while," said Rajadhyaksha. "This is not the U.S. and NAFTA. This is not the U.S. and the European Union ... There is a significant part of the U.S. administration that is worried about China's technology ambitions," he said, adding that trade frictions will not settle down anytime soon. The issue of technology transfers has cast a shadow on relations between the two economic powerhouses, with the Trump administration initially imposing tariffs on Chinese imports to penalize China for trade practices that it said involved stealing American companies' intellectual property. The world's second-largest economy has a "Made in China 2025" program, which is a strategic plan to make China a leader in key global industries. Among those sectors targeted by Beijing is the high technology space. Rajadhyaksha said: "The administration wants fundamental change in how the Chinese treat intellectual property, how they talk to technology companies looking to invest in China. This is not about the trade deficit. If it was, it would be easy to solve." Walmart's Canadian unit said on Tuesday it is exploring the possibility of selling cannabis-based products, but has no immediate plans to get into the business. The company's shares rose 2.1 percent to $96.67 in late morning trading. Walmart is the first major retailer to show an interest in being part of Canada's burgeoning marijuana industry, as other big U.S. companies, mainly in the alcohol and beverage industries, begin to seriously consider entering the market for cannabis-infused products. Last month Coca-Cola said it was closely watching the marijuana drinks market for a possible entry, while Corona beer maker Constellation Brands has invested more than $4 billion in cannabis producer Canopy Growth. "As we would for any new industry, Walmart Canada has done some preliminary fact-finding on this issue, but we do not have plans to carry CBD products at this time," Walmart spokeswoman Diane Medeiros told Reuters. Cannabidiol or CBD is the non-psychoactive chemical found in marijuana and does not cause intoxication. President Donald Trump, flanked by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy Dina Powell. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters Dina Powell, a Goldman Sachs executive and former deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump, has had discussions with senior members of the administration about possibly succeeding Nikki Haley as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. In the days leading up to Haley's sudden and surprising resignation Tuesday, senior White House officials reached out to Powell about possibly taking the role, according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter. Because of these conversations and her experience, Powell has become one of the leading candidates for the role in the eyes of some people close to the president, according to one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. President Trump confirmed late Tuesday that Dina Powell is on his short-list for U.N. ambassador, along with four other candidates that he did not name. Trump was speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Omaha, Nebraska. Yet it is unclear how much interest Powell has in leaving Goldman again to rejoin the Trump team. A person familiar with her thinking said she is happy at the investment bank and has yet to make a decision about another career-defining move. When asked Tuesday whether the administration had been talking to Powell, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: "We have no announcements at this time." A spokesman for Goldman Sachs did not return repeated requests for comment. Powell, who worked for a decade at Goldman before joining the Trump administration, would have to be confirmed by the Senate if Trump were to nominate her. Haley sailed through her confirmation hearing with lawmakers approving her nomination by a vote of 96-4. Trump and Haley announced her resignation Tuesday. She is expected to leave at the end of the year. "As a strong supporter of term limits, I have long believed that rotation in office benefits the public," Haley said in her resignation letter to Trump, which was dated Oct. 3. "As a businessman, I expect you will appreciate my sense that returning from government to the private sector is not a step down but a step up." Haley also said she has no intentions on running for public office in 2020. A second go-round for Powell? When Powell departed the White House in December, after less than a year on the job, several Trump advisors praised her and appeared to keep open the possibility that she could make a return. "Dina Powell has been a key, trusted advisor in this administration. She has always planned to serve one year before returning home to New York, where she will continue to support the president's agenda and work on Middle East policy," Sanders said at the time. Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, hinted that Powell would continue to be influential in the administration's efforts. "Dina has done a great job for the administration and has been a valued member of the Israeli-Palestinian peace team," Kushner said then. "She will continue to play a key role in our peace efforts and we will share more details on that in the future." Powerful connections You might think you're clever but could you survive this brainteaser Elon Musk uses to screen potential employees? During SpaceX's early years, the CEO personally interviewed nearly all of its first one thousand workers a group that included janitors and technicians, according to an authorized biography by Ashlee Vance. He continued to interview the company's engineers as SpaceX grew, says Vance. Those who have made it to this hiring stage have likely answered Musk's favorite riddle: "You're standing on the surface of the Earth. You walk one mile south, one mile west and one mile north. You end up exactly where you started. Where are you?" While there are many ways to approach this brain teaser, there are two common responses. The first, which most engineers guess correctly, is the North Pole. If you start at the North Pole and go one mile south, then one mile west and finally one mile north, you'll make a triangular path and end up back at the North Pole, your point of origin. Once the applicant arrives at this answer, Musk then asks, "Where else could it be?" A second answer to the puzzle is near the South Pole, where the Earth has a one mile circumference. You'll walk one mile south to reach this circle, trace that mile-long circle's path, and return one mile north to your starting point. Fewer engineers give this answer, according to Vance. To gauge responses to Musk's riddle, CNBC Make It took the question to the streets of Manhattan, posing it to people of all ages and backgrounds, including accountants, nurses, students, actors and bartenders. Just one person gave a correct answer. Luckily for his applicants, Musk doesn't place much emphasis on whether applicants give the right answer, explains the author. Instead, he uses their response to analyze how they process information and approach problem solving. Given SpaceX's mission, to send humans to Mars, employees must be able to reason their way through problems and find novel solutions. Musk has discussed recruiting problem solvers before. Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai last year, the tech billionaire revealed that when interviewing candidates he also asks them: "What were the most difficult problems you faced and how did you solve them?" From this question, Musk says he can tell whether the applicant took ownership of a project's problems and solutions or whether the candidate was merely a member of a larger team that did so. "People [who] really solved the problem, they know exactly how they solved it," Musk explained. "They know the little details." Video by Beatriz Bajuelos Castillo Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! Don't miss: Hiring managers share the No. 1 resume lie that could cost you the job Best credit cards for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping of 2020 Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. Hi! I am an Assistant City Editor for the education beat, which means I help with breaking news and all things K-12 or higher education. Any tips or story ideas can be sent to me at hlht46@mail.missouri.edu or in the newsroom at 882-5720. Follow this search Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Myths and tips about trafficking Human trafficking is not only sex work, it includes labor trafficking. In Missouri, people are trafficked most often for hospitality and traveling sales work, and people are most commonly sex trafficked into massage and spa businesses, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Not only women are sex trafficked, men are victimized, too. A person of any age can be trafficked. No one is too young or too old to be targeted. Traffickers are not always older men. Women and youth can recruit as well. Although victims can be hard to identify, here are some potential warning signs to look out for: Signs of physical abuse. Unexplained absences from school or work. Increasingly promiscuous clothing or behavior. Close relationships with individuals outside of one's age range. Expensive gifts without reasonable explanation of where they came from. Not being able to go out without permission. Unusual work schedule, not allowed breaks or very restricted at work. Avoidance of eye contact. Few personal possessions. Not in control of his/her own money or identification documents. Here are some tips from the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition for keeping safe and what to do if you see something suspicious. Dont accept friend requests from social media users you dont know in real life and use discretion about how much personal information you share, such as location. Use privacy settings so your posts are not visible to people you aren't friends with. Be wary of ads promising hourly wages for work with little credible information. Call *55 to reach the Missouri State Highway Patrol if you feel youre being threatened or followed, or if you witness similar behavior. First and foremost, do not engage with anyone who appears to be a victim or his or her trafficker. Intervening in a situation will likely cause the victim to be punished brutally by the trafficker. If youre not physically able to get that person away to somewhere where with no shadow of a doubt theyll be safe forever dont, says Nanette Ward, founding member of the coalition. Singapore societies VSS, Ramakrishna Mission pay homage to Indian guru of globalisation Swami Vivekananda The Vivekanand Seva Sangh (VSS) Singapore in collaboration with Ramakrishna Mission Singapore conducted a seminar last week at NTUC Auditorium commemorating the 125th anniversary of the epochal speech by Swami Vivekanand at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. The event was attended by over 450 participants and consisted of a series of lectures by eminent speakers about the life and works of Swami Vivekanand. The event commenced with a welcome note by VSS Secretary Yashovardhan Joshi (right) who introduced distinguished guests and speakers in attendance, including HE Jawed Ashraf, High Commissioner of India, Singapore (centre), Swami Samachittananda, the president of Ramakrishna Mission Singapore and Arvindan Neelkandan, a noted thinker and author from Nagaecoil, Tamil Nadu. Photo courtesy: VSS The universality of Swami Vivekanandas teachings holds great relevance in the modern world. Right from his youth, deep in his heart Swami Vivekanand had the pulsating energy of Sanatan Dharma, philosophy and eternal values, said an official statement. Swami Vivekananda inspired millions of people to come out of the darkness of ignorance and enlightened the path of our society through his thoughts, teachings and life. The event commenced with a welcome note by VSS Secretary Yashovardhan Joshi who introduced distinguished guests and speakers in attendance, including HE Jawed Ashraf, High Commissioner of India, Singapore, Swami Samachittananda, the president of Ramakrishna Mission Singapore and Arvindan Neelkandan, a noted thinker and author from Nagaecoil, Tamil Nadu. HCI Singapore, HE Jawed Ashraf addressing the delegates at the conference. Photo courtesy: VSS During his address, HE Ashraf talked about a comprehensive understanding of Swami Vivekanandas Views on Indian Ethos and its Relevance in todays society. He dwelt upon how Swami Vivekanandas philosophy of Inclusiveness and Truth from Vedanta, reflected in all his teachings, are eternally applicable to attain the concept of a spiritually integrated Asia. Our great tradition sees divinity in every animate and inanimate being and teaches us to look at everything from within, not from transient sensations from outside. It is a way forward to revive this spirit to deal with todays monumental challenges such as terrorism and climate change. Swami Samachittananda spoke about how Swami Vivekananda worried for all human beings and all his teachings were meant to mend the minds of people and redefine societal thinking with spirituality. Sharing archive photographs of Swami Vivekananda with the gathering, he concluded, Swami Vivekananda was the Son of India, Pride of Asia and Man of the World. May we all remain perpetually inspired and motivated by the foremost teaching of Swami Vivekananda; that renunciation is your effort to go higher and service is the only way of life. Swami Samachittananda, president, Ramakrishna Mission Singapore, delivered the concluding address of the event. Photo courtesy: VSS Neelkandan helped the participants to unravel insights into the scientific thoughts of Swami Vivekananda and brought forward informative aspects of this complex topic. He helped the audience decipher the deep thinking behind Swami Vivekanandas writing on scientific study and impact of science on religion, his outlook on evolution relating to Indian knowledge of Unity and Advait, his vision on Mind and Matter and other philosophies and musings. VSS carries out multiple activities to spread Swami Vivekanandas thoughts and teachings. One of the key programmes is a weekly family get-together which includes programmes for physical, intellectual, mental and spiritual development of individuals. VSS carries out multiple activities to spread Swami Vivekanandas thoughts and teachings. Photo courtesy: VSS Another flagship event is the Indian Traditional Games Festival (ITGF) which happens on the occasion of Indian New Year; this event has grown from strength to strength. During every ITGF people play traditional games, elders get nostalgic and youngsters get introduced to their own heritage. VSS also intends to commemorate Swami Vivekanandas Chicago speech every year, starting with this seminar celebrating the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekanandas Chicago speech. Ramakrishna Mission Singapore is a branch of the Ramakrishna Order of India, a worldwide spiritual and welfare organisation. The centre bases its teachings on the System of Vedanta, which combines both the religion and philosophy of the Hindus, especially as explained by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), his wife Sarada Devi and his disciple Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902). Next stage of Brexit talks delayed, as Brussels anticipates May will give more ground Raab will update the Commons The Guardian Downing Streets analysis of any deal will not test it against an alternative Canada outcome The Times No 39 billion unless you resolve trade issues, May warns the EU Daily Mail She must hold her nerve and secure a legally binding, detailed agreement The Sun Says Hammond refuses to increase No Deal spending The Sun SNP plans disruption The Sun IMF urges spending increase FT The EUs lead negotiator is expected to delay publishing the unions blueprint for a post-Brexit relationship with Britain after signals of new concessions from Downing Street. Michel Barnier had intended to publish an annotated draft political declaration tomorrow setting out red lines on a future trade deal. However, amid concerns in London that the document could lead to fresh demands from Brexiteers for Theresa May to abandon her plan for a Chequers-style deal, the paper is being redrafted. EU sources said it was now intended to be a sort of joint text that will indicate areas of mutual agreement and disagreement over the outlines of a future trading and security partnership. Officials said the changes were being made to take into account a changed British negotiating position but it will be seen in London as an important concession to buy the prime minister the domestic political space to reach a final grand bargain with EU leaders. The Times >Today: ToryDiary: How the Monster of the Berlaymont could become the Monster of No Deal Chequers will never get through Parliament, former Chief Whip warns Theresa May will never get her Chequers deal through Parliament and needs to chuck it in favour of a Canada-style deal, the former chief whip has claimed. May loyalist Mark Harper, a former immigration minister who served under the Prime Minister at the Home Office, urged her to evolve her Brexit proposals, saying she needed to unite the party around a comprehensive free trade deal that she can actually get through Parliament. The MP for the Forest of Dean, who voted Remain in the EU Referendum and backed Mrs May as leader in 2016, said the idea of getting Labour MPs to back Chequers had no prospect of success, adding: We are going to have to carry this deal on our own benches. If youre the Prime Minister you do have to listen to colleagues. Daily Telegraph >Today: Interview: David Owens Brexit plan. Move from transition through the EEA into Canada Plus Plus Plus before the next election. Wallace: The Tory policy debate is held back by uncertainty over the Prime Ministers future Beard is wrong to say men set May up to fail she did it all by herself Melanie Phillips, The Times Building more homes wont help if people cant afford them Neil OBrien, The Sun Juncker mocks her dancing on stage Daily Mail The Prime Minister is in government, but not fully in power hamstrung by her snap election, robbed of authority, but still battling onDowning Street persists in asserting she has a future beyond the day Britain leaves the EU, but I could find nobody at the partys conference in Birmingham last week who was really keen for her to stay on. There is a general assumption that she will depart in the spring, although some MPs fear those around her might be tempted at times to try their luck at pushing that deadline back. This is unhealthy for her partys internal culture, in that the Prime Minister risks bed-blocking the future policy debate. Should new ideas be pitched to her, in case she wants to implement them herself after Brexit? Those generating them are wary of linking their proposals to an administration which they fear might swiftly be consigned to history. Should they instead pitch them to her would-be successors? That carries the risk that policy innovation, particularly pushed beyond a ministers departmental brief or by someone on the backbenches, might be interpreted as disloyalty. Mark Wallace, the i paper >Today: The Moggcast. Universal Credit You would save money if you funded it properly. >Yesterday: ToryDiary: Osborne raided Universal Credit budgets, but its Hammond who is suffering the hangover Second Salisbury suspect named as Russian military doctor The second suspect in the Salisbury poisoning was unmasked last night as a military doctor working for Russian intelligence. Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin, 39, allegedly travelled to Britain in March under the pseudonym Alexander Petrov to carry out the nerve agent attack on the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal. Mishkin was revealed as an operative for the GRU, Russias military intelligence agency, less than a fortnight after the unmasking of the senior member of the two-man team accused of smearing novichok on Mr Skripals front doorThe investigative website Bellingcat revealed last night that Mishkin graduated from one of Russias elite military medical academies and was trained as a doctor for the countrys navy before he was recruited by the GRU. The Times Mordaunt presses for private investment to be counted in the 0.7 per cent aid target She is right and should go further The Sun Says Government to consider raising energy prices The Times A global climate emergency The Guardian Leader MPs mull compulsory water meters Daily Mail Ofwat accused of putting investors before consumers FT Penny Mordaunt will today reveal a ground-breaking plan to slash billions in taxpayers contributions from the bloated aid budget. In a radical shake up of DFID spending, the new Cabinet minister wants private investors such as pension funds to prop up Britains generous overseas programmes instead. The nation will still meet the controversial target of 0.7% of its annual income on foreign aid. But the Government wants to enforce a major change to international rules to allow non-government cash also to be used to meet the target, under Ms Mordaunts blueprintA source close to the Development Secretary said: How we do aid is changing. Its now much more about projects that help a countrys economy, which means there is an opportunity there for private money to make a return. The Sun >Today: Amber Rudd on Comment: Our responsibility to the next generation requires us to tackle climate change Hancock: We have much to do before mental and physical illness are treated equally For too long, we have failed to put the mental health needs of millions of our citizens around the world at the forefront of our minds. We cant go on like this. Mental ill health is the leading cause of lost economic output, with an estimated cost of nearly $2.5 trillion annually, which is expected to increase to $6 trillion by 2030. The impact isnt just economic people with severe mental illness are 60 per cent more likely to die prematurely because of their underlying condition and related conditions such as dementia and epilepsy Britain has taken an international lead and made tackling mental health a priority. We are now spending record amounts on mental health services, nearly 12 billion this year. We plan to increase the NHS mental health workforce by 21,000 by 2021 and expand mental health provision to a million more people within the next two years. We have made great strides in this country, but are in no doubt that we have work to do. I agree with those who say that when it comes to mental health: we are all developing countries. Matt Hancock, The Times 999 calls for children in mental health crisis are on the rise The Times NHS funding squeeze is not driving efficiency FT Vapers to pay the same insurance rates as smokers for the first time The Sun Australian tobacco warnings planned under No Deal, because the EU wont let us use the current images Daily Mail Statistics authority criticises Department for Education The Times Court officials refuse to publish case details, citing GDPR The Times Prison guards to get pepper spray The Times You cant trust the police any longer Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph Cuts hit English councils twice as hard as those in Scotland or Wales Allegations of vote-rigging inside Birmingham Labour Party Austerity cuts hit councils in England twice as hard as those in Scotland or Wales, a study has found. The average reduction in spending on services was almost 24 per cent in England compared to just 12 per cent in Wales and 11.5 per cent in Scotland. The findings come from the first detailed analysis of local authority budgets across Britain since 2010 by Cambridge University researchers. During her speech at the Tory party conference Theresa May declared the Governments eight-year austerity programme was over and said there are better days ahead. The study found all 46 councils that had cut spending by 30 per cent or more were located in England. Daily Mail Senior party members have been urged to send an independent observer to the Yardley constituency for a key vote this month after it was alleged that Asian women who do not speak English had been shown how to vote. Julia Larden, the local partys vice-chairwoman, has written to Jim Kennedy, a member of Labours national executive committee, Katy Clark, an ally of Jeremy Corbyn, and other party officials warning of the very obvious and visible practice that she says has taken place at the partys past two general meetings In an email seen by The Times, Ms Larden explained why she was asking for an observer to oversee this months meeting. I am concerned about a very obvious and visible practice which has taken place over the last two Yardley AGMS, she wrote. This consists in about 12-15 Asian women being led individually to the ballot table by the Chairs wife (who is also vice-chair, membership). We are told that the women do not speak English. The chairs wife then points a finger on the ballot paper to indicate to these women how they should vote. The Times Their four-day week pledge is a blast from the past Richard Littlejohn, Daily Mail Ofcom warns LBC over show in which Khan was allowed to interview his own party leader The Times Tristram Hunt demands tourism tax to fund museums The Times >Yesterday: Howard Flights column: If the Conservatives cant kill off Corbyn, lets hire a PR agency to do it. The UK refuses to accept captured ISIS terrorists from Syria Brazil joins global populist surge The UK has refused to repatriate nine ISIL-linked Britons who are being detained in Syria due to crown prosecutors saying they may not be able to prosecute them. The jihadists being refused repatriation are two members of the Beatles, an Islamic State execution squad, as well as two women who have yet to be identified, as well as their children. The British Government wants El-Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey, members of Jihadi Johns notorious gang, to be deported to the US where they can be executed should they be found guilty. British authorities are also trying to prevent another seven detained fighters and supporters from being brought back to the UK over fears they would present a public danger. Daily Express Brazils presidential election is proving to be its most significant since the transition to democracy three decades ago. It is certainly the most unpredictable. Jair Bolsonaro emerged from the far-right fringe to come close to a knockout first-round victory on Sunday. The congressman and ex-army captain, who has praised Brazils military dictatorship, won 46 per cent of the vote just 4 percentage points short of an outright win, showing the clear support for his strongman message. Mr Bolsonaros total was also well ahead of his main rival, Fernando Haddad of the leftist Workers party, or PT, with 29 per cent. The two politicians, from opposite sides of the spectrum, will now face each other in a run-off on October 28. On current form, the presidency is Mr Bolsonaros to lose. His surge in support mirrors in many ways the ascendancy of the political right across the world, from the US presidential election to Europes populist surge. FT News in Brief John Bald is a former Ofsted inspector and has written two books on the history of writing and spelling. He is a Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Education Society. I am, much of the time, a tutor, the least prestigious role in education. Real teachers work in classrooms, teach 30 pupils, and handle the discipline. Anybody can teach just one. Tutors were once known as crammers, tasked with getting their pupils through examinations that were designed to weed them out. Stretching a point, I often think of Churchills comment on Robert Somervell, - a most delightful man, to whom my debt is great who was charged with the duty of teaching the stupidest boys the most disregarded thing namely, to write mere English. Churchill was retained in his small class for three years. Who among us could claim as much as to have taught Churchill to compose an English sentence? Somervells approach was based on complete understanding of his subject and the ability to present it clearly to the pupils before him, in his case using various colours of ink. This is the characteristic of all good tutors knowledge, combined with understanding of points of difficulty, and explanation in terms that make sense to the pupil. They need to find the answer to two questions What is it in this persons thinking that is preventing them from learning in this instance?, and, How do I enable them to adjust their thinking in order to do so? The answer to neither question will come off the shelf. There are usually many more ways of misunderstanding something than of understanding it, and an explanation that makes sense to one pupil will very often depend on their knowing something that another does not. This is where Labour botched its introduction of individual tuition. Instead of training tutors to teach the pupils in front of them, it issued a massive handbook, written by people who had never seen their pupils or any others, I sometimes thought telling them what to do. So, a ten-year-old whom I had just started to teach, was given fruitless tuition on the 7x table, probably the most difficult, when she had not mastered the 2x table, probably the easiest. Experience with previous pupils had taught me that the problem was one of coordination rather than maths, and led me to teach the 2x with great care, if necessary half at a time, and then to use this as a template for the others. It worked. Similar and more expensive errors have been made with reading. In 1966, the late Dame Marie Clay carried out research in Auckland, New Zealand, that showed clear differences between the thinking of successful six-year-old readers, and those who were struggling. She collected the techniques used by those whom she thought were the best teachers in the city, and turned them into a handbook for the scheme that became Reading Recovery. Some of these techniques eg Hearing the sounds in words are useful, but the scheme was hamstrung by rigid adherence to this handbook, and dogged resistance to all attempts to include phonics. In the training I observed, teachers were not allowed to make a suggestion that was not already in the handbook. The result, despite much propaganda to the contrary, was that the scheme failed to live up to its promises except in Hackney, where the local authority, The Learning Trust, did not insist that teachers stick to the handbook. In fairness to Reading Recovery and Labours strategies, the same principle probably applies to any handbook. Teachers, like members of other professions, are paid to think, and any attempt to do their thinking for them as some particularly authoritarian heads have will fail, because these people do not know the pupils and the teacher does. This is not to argue against structures or textbooks, but rather to say that the teacher needs to be in control of the way they are used. They are in constant touch with what is and is not working, in a way that no-one else can be. Tutors are in this position more than any other teacher, as our close focus on an individual pupil gives us a more complete picture of their thinking, making our work a test bed for progress. An example from yesterday comes from a 14-year-old who had not begun to learn to read until it was identified that she was sensitive to light, causing headaches and words to appear to move about. She is making very good progress in reading, but is learning to spell virtually from scratch, and had the classic problem of mistaking b for d in writing, but not in reading. The established way of tackling this, derived from the work of Grace Fernald, is through handwriting, ensuring that d is formed as an extension of a, and not as a ball on a stick. This didnt help, but something Id noticed from teaching the v sound in Spanish pronounced more lightly than our b did. When we say boy, we press our lips fairly tightly together to release the b. When we say dad, we touch our tongue to our top palate, just above our teeth. Saying the word to herself, and feeling whether the sound was made with lips or tongue gave her a reliable way of picking the correct letter. Id never have found this if Id been teaching her in a class. I recently had an email from Robert Somervells grandson, Tony, who appreciated the reminder of Churchills tribute to his grandfather on my website. I would have enjoyed meeting him, but I like to think that the spirit of what he did continues, in the work of tutors. Below is the full text of a letter sent to all Conservative MPs today by David Davis: 9 October 2018 Dear Colleague, Last week the President of the European Council Donald Tusk tweeted: From the beginning, the EU offer has been a Canada +++ deal. Much further reaching on trade, internal security and foreign policy cooperation. This is a measure of respect. And this offer remains in place. This was a restatement of his previous comments in March and Michel Barniers similar remarks in August this year. Accordingly Number 10s stated position that there is only a binary choice between her Chequers Plan and No Deal is not correct. A third way does exist. This week the European Union is likely either to reject the Chequers proposal as being incompatible with its commitment to the integrity of the Single Market and significantly outside of its rules-based legal order, or to take it as a basis for further significant concessions. The Chequers Proposal fails to take back control of our laws, money, borders and trade because it proposes a common rulebook, a facilitated customs arrangement and effective subordination to the European Court of Justice. That was always unacceptable as it does not meet the requirements of the referendum or our subsequent promises to the electorate. It would also delay and undermine our ability to agree third country trade deals. For example the papers are full this week of Prime Minister Abes offer of membership of the TPP; this would give us an immediate and significant boost to trade with a number of our most important trading partners. However, I consulted with a leading trade expert and he is certain that the common rule book proposal would render such membership impossible. We should therefore switch strategies to Canada +++ and deliver an outcome that is good for the UK, acceptable to Parliament, and negotiable with Brussels. There is even a detailed plan on the shelf ready to be used; the excellent Plan A+ published recently by the Institute of Economic Affairs. There is a similar plan held in DEXEU. The prize is on offer and the EU is saying it is ready to make that deal. The Irish border is raised as a red herring to divert us from this path. Nobody wants a hard border in Northern Ireland. Literally, the only person raising the spectre of one recently is the Chancellor in his Conference speech. There is already a tax, currency and judicial border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is today operated in such a way that it is invisible on the ground and that will continue. It will be necessary to make particular arrangements at the Northern Ireland ports to control goods from the Rest of the World from entering the EU undetected. We already have special arrangements relating to the regulatory control of issues like the Single Electricity market and agri business and in a free trade arrangement there will be no tariffs. So it is perfectly possible to maintain this invisible border by using and developing existing administrative procedures. We can do this with existing technology although up until recently the European Commission dismissed this as magical thinking that has now changed. The DUP, two ex-Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, and David Trimble the Nobel Peace Prize winner and architect of the Peace Process have all made clear that Chequers was neither necessary nor effective in dealing with the Northern Ireland border and backed these more practical plans. The border issue is eminently solvable if the political will is there. In any case, the heads of both the British and Irish customs authorities have told us that a hard border is not necessary. Jean-Claude Juncker, Leo Varadkar and Theresa May have all said that they would never enforce one. There will be no hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Its that simple. The current Irish backstop proposals will see us parked semi permanently in the Customs Union and this would certainly break our manifesto commitment made in 2017 to leave the Customs Union after Brexit. The Cabinet will need to decide its next course of action if Chequers as seems likely is rejected by the European Union. It is clear that a deal which honours the referendum result, is negotiable with the EU and which would reunite our party is within our grasp, with political will and imagination. This is doubly important in the face of the threat of the most extreme left wing Labour Party in living memory. There is no need for either preposterous threats, in order to justify Chequers, of losing Brexit or using Labour votes to get a discredited Chequers minus through Parliament. If we stay on our current trajectory we will go into the next election with the government having delivered none of the benefits of Brexit, with the country reduced to being a rule-taker from Brussels, and having failed to deliver on a number of promises in the manifesto and in the Lancaster House speech. This will not be a technicality, it will be very obvious to the electorate. The electoral consequences could be dire. So it is in both the Partys interest, and crucially the national interest, that we reset our negotiating strategy immediately and deliver a Brexit that meets the demands of the referendum and the interests of the British people. Yours sincerely, Rt. Hon. David Davis MP Penny Mordaunt: The more we do, the more we trade, and the less demand there will then be for aid. Her development speech: full text. Good Morning and welcome. And can I start by just saying my thoughts and the thoughts of my department are with Indonesia, still recovering from the terrible earthquake and tsunami. Britain stands side by side with the Indonesian people, and we are doing all we can to help with the relief effort. Thank you all for coming today. So why have I brought you to CDC? Because I have a message for our country, for our European Nation partners and to the European Commission as we enter a crucial stage of the Brexit negotiations. Im going to talk about the possibilities of our future development relationship, our common objectives and our respective offers. And I have some specific announcements about our thinking at UK aid as we leave the EU: how we will close the resource gap to deliver the UN Global Goals and at the same time make our nation and its citizens stronger and more financially secure. What I have to say is based on our national values. CDC DFIDs private sector investment arm is a metaphor for those values and my message today. Its a British success story, the oldest financial institution in the world, founded at the same time as the Universal Declaration of Human rights, and our NHS its 70 years old this year. And it has a long running history of investing in growing businesses that transform economies across the developing world. And it has a bright and exciting future as it scales up investments across Africa and South Asia. CDC is a clear example of the reciprocal beam engine of compassion and capital that is Britain: Compassion and Capital. Heart and mind. Our nation is a powerhouse of commerce and wealth creation, and the unselfish values that have created both our public services and the third sector. Last year, the UK financial services sector contributed 119 billion to the UK economy, 6.5 per cent of our total economic output. There are 1.1 million financial services jobs in the UK, 3.2% of all jobs. And the city of London, 50 per cent of our financial services sector, is consistently ranked as the most important financial centre in the world. At the other end of the British beam engine, we have the distribution engines of which overseas aid is one part. Britains charitable sector alone comprises over 166,000 organisations with more than 15,000 being international or development focussed. With an annual income of 47 billion, it is highly professional and the oldest charitable sector in the world. The size of its workforce, 800,000, is roughly three per cent of total UK jobs a similar size to the financial services sector. And the relationship between these two sectors is fundamental: compassion requires capital, and capital requires compassion. One sector is drawing on the know-how of a thousand different professions. And the other creates a network of compassion that provides government services and support both at home and overseas. One helps create the conditions of the others success. The 0.7 per cent whether you agree with it or not- also makes that point. To spend it we have to make it. And to make it we have to spend it. And our ambition for both capital and compassion is not limited to our shores. As well as being the fifth largest economy in the world, we have made the world a wealthier place. Our economy is innately international because it was based on ancient routes of international trade. Our modern infrastructures have continued this tradition in shipping, airlines, roads, British law and even time itself. Our reach and our technical expertise is central to our offer as a partner. This trade and wealth creation combined with compassion has been largely responsible for global wealth. And it is not just because of the technical things we know, its the things we believe in, its our values. The UK is one of the most generous countries in the world, and leads Europe, not just in terms of how much we give, but also in terms of how many of us give, both in our time and in our money. Every month 13 million people in the UK volunteer, one in three gives to charity, and purchase ethical products and produce. And one in every 8 donated to charity is for helping overseas. This is people in all parts of the UK, from all social backgrounds and all ages. The Disasters Emergency Committee last week launched an appeal to raise money for the survivors of the Indonesia earthquake and tsunami. Like their appeal for the Rohingya last year, I have no doubt that this one will raise millions in weeks from voluntary contributions from the public, wanting to help people on the other side of the world, who they will never meet and who they will never know. The predictability of the British publics response makes it no less impressive. And weve always been this way, and that is why our charity sector is so old and so unique. Our qualities, habits and institutions are the things that make us a great nation, as do the actions of individuals who believe that they can make a difference. We value partnership, we bring technical knowledge of our professions, and we bring the values of a compassionate global nation. And its that collective action that defines us, our desire not to sit back and watch from the side lines, but to get stuck in, to help, to lead, to fight and to make the world a better place and to protect the weak. Look at the humanitarian crises around the world, and we, more often than not, are leading the response. Look at who have been the innovators and look at who have been the trailblazers. Our contribution to the progress of humanity has been immense, and in the last few decades in particular. And the qualities that we stand for have made the world a better place: international cooperation, free trade, democracy, capitalism, international humanitarian law, property rights, scientific and medical discovery, and freedom. And be in no doubt, we will be crucial to the future progress of the world too. Without DFID, the best development department in the world, bar none, without our NGOs and our charities, many of them the best in their field, and without all our nation has to offer, its institutions, it financial sector, its creative law, its innovation, its entrepreneurs and its scientists, we wont deliver the Global Goals. We are the margin of victory, we should be the partner of choice. What we will finalise in the coming weeks will not just be the foundations of an economic partnership. I know what we bring to the table. Many nations are internationalist, Britain is truly global. Brexit was never about withdrawing from the world, it was about engaging with it more and more directly. And at the moment when humanity has so many new opportunities to advance its progress through technology, through scientific breakthroughs, we would be foolish to abandon those values that have helped lift billions out of poverty and changed the course of so many lives. But there is a danger so-called populism, rising nationalism, protectionism and a lack of trust in the international system are philosophies which seeking to get traction. And many of those who would try to turn us away from those qualities that have secured humanitys progress have sought to claim victory in the success of the Leave campaign, and that great exercise in democracy which the EU referendum represented. They have sought to explain why people voted to leave the EU, claiming to know the motivation of millions of Britons. And they have attributed the victory to base beliefs and desires which they know are contrary to the values and the feelings of the majority of the British people. None of us can look into the souls of our fellow countrymen and women, but I can say that during the referendum campaign I spoke to huge numbers of people, about their views and their feelings. Many Leave voters were motivated by democracy, by accountable government, by sovereignty, by politics as the servant not the master of the people, by international co-operation and by wanting to reach out to the wider world as their nation. And yes a feeling that they had been left behindthat they, their ambitions for their family, were not the politicians priorities. They were motivated by hope and by optimism. Just as remain voters were too. Not surprising really. As only the optimistic vote. The very fact that we had a referendum, that we had the debate, that we had the vote, that we have democracy is a sign of our strength and the qualities that we value. I want us to recognise that our leaving the EU has been done in good faith: it was a noble and hopeful act. Brexit was down to good British people, not bad boys. And throughout the negotiations our nations conduct has been one of fairness and generosity, most recently in providing reassurance to EU citizens who live in the UK. But now we are at a critical time in the negotiations, and we must remember that Brexit is also about the head and the heart. We must honour the result of the referendum. The public decided, and we must implement their views. Last week, the Prime Minister rightly outlined the outrage that would justifiably follow any attempt to derail or fudge the implementation of that decision. But I believe in honouring the result, we must also honour the motives and ambition of that historic decision. Over the last year there has been a mischaracterisation of the British people and their reasons for choosing to leave. Youd be wrong to interpret Brexit as protectionist, nationalist, or selfish. Just as youd be wrong to interpret the scepticism some of the public have about some aspects of UK aid to a lack of love or logic on their part. Brexiteers and aid sceptics are not uncaring selfish little Englanders. Indeed, it is often those who give the greatest percentage of their incomes to help others. As I have evidenced the British people are pragmatic, outward looking, generous and kind. We know this to be true from their achievements and their actions in helping others. It is just that they believe that it is not government that binds nations together, it is trade and our common humanity. It is not government that employs people its business. It is not government that has all the power, it is the people. It is not governments that enable compassion, it is the people and their taxes. And if the people tell you what they want, they dont want a government that punishes them for it. They just want you to get on with it. Governments are not the master. The people are. So what does Brexit mean for my area of development? As we have set out after we leave the EU we still want to help promote development in Europe and in the neighbourhood. ODA will continue to support development and stability within the EU and around its immediate borders: in the Western Balkans, in Ukraine and in the refugee camps in Turkey and Greece. But also further afield in North Africa and Libya too. CDC alone backed businesses that created over a million new direct and indirect jobs in Africa and South Asia last year, and those livelihoods are a fundamental and necessary condition to reduce and halt migrant flows. We have contributed much, both in Europe and elsewhere to address the security and prosperity concerns the continent has beyond its borders. And we have invested in addressing some of the most fragile situations for example our peacekeeping and humanitarian work. And we have worked jointly on new kinds of development financing to attract more sustainable investments into some of the most fragile states. And of course we contributed 1.5 billion per annum to the EUs own development pot. And we want to still help in the neighbourhood and beyond. It is in our interest to do so. Especially on migration, humanitarian, peace work and on security, but as I have stated only if we have control over the way that work is managed, and British NGOs are not discriminated against. Of course, we expect to get a good deal, but as a responsible Government we are prepared for every eventuality. That is why I have said that in order to give British NGOs bidding for humanitarian projects reassurance, and EU procurement the confidence it needs to award contracts to British NGOs, I will use money which I would have paid to joint initiatives in the future, to fund these contracts in a no deal scenario. Deal or no Deal, Brexit gives us a huge opportunity to take our development work to a new level. I have sought to reset how we do UK aid with the peoples priorities at its heart. Not isolationist, not protectionist or nationalistic as some would paint them, but generous, pragmatic, but with pressing concerns about their own families and opportunities. Where we go post-Brexit must have at its heart the peoples priorities. I have set a higher spending bar for the department: we must ensure that aid money is not just spent well but could not be spent better. And this includes looking at what countries could afford to do themselves. We have tackled the dogma and culture that still exists in some parts of the aid sector, which not only sees organisations failing to put the beneficiaries first but also preventing the private sector from helping deliver those Global Goals. We have carried out a reset of what the department does, both improving the quality of our work to alleviate poverty, but also getting our funding to work twice as hard by benefiting the national interest more explicitly. The win-win agenda. And we have sought to improve the coherence of ODA across the UK government. What we do now is smarter, it is more effective, it is more sustainable it is a better way to make progress and it makes better use of the new opportunities we have to speed up our progress towards delivering the Global Goals. But today I want to outline some radical next steps, including how my Department will make the opportunity of Brexit deliver for Britain and help eradicate extreme poverty worldwide. In one very obvious sense, charity does begin at home, because unless the UK is prosperous and its people financially secure, unless we have influence and power, we cannot help others. Creating wealth for both our country and individual citizens is a necessary part of being able to be generous to others. We will use the opportunity of Brexit, our aid budget, our unique investment expertise and financial services sector to make the British people more financially secure and to end extreme poverty. We will harness the huge opportunities in Asia and Africa. Global Britain wants mutual prosperity; based on British values. And I want to use our development programmes to help build the foundation of a more inclusive global economy. We have just over a decade left to deliver the Global Goals and we are off track and face a financing gap of $2.5 trillion per year. Together, traditional donor governments gave around $150 billion in aid last year. And thats significant, but its a tiny fraction of the total sum needed. So how do we close that gap? The private sector has to be part of the answer. During her Africa trip the Prime Minister announced that Britain will host a UK-Africa Investment Summit in 2019. We want to be Africas partner of choice for investment. And the opportunities are huge. The City of London manages over 8 trillion worth of assets but little is invested in the poorer countries. Even a small increase would have a huge impact on these economies. For example, if we could redirect just one per cent of those assets to investment opportunities in Africa, that would generate additional investment of around $110 billion. By contrast, global aid flows to Africa last year were worth just $50 billion. When British investors are struggling to find good returns, these markets also offer good opportunities and pension holders too. For example, CDC has achieved a seven per cent annual return in sterling over the last six years while investing in developing countries, including older investments in China and Latin America. If done well, the opportunity for British investors is significant. And my Department is already doing a lot to mobilise private investment for the poorest countries. CDC is doing good while making money. It uses its expertise and capital to build stronger businesses that create jobs, generate taxes and develop new products and services. Last year it made over 1 billion of new investment commitments and backed businesses to directly employ 735,000 people. This year, we have established the Green Growth Equity Fund with the Indian government. A UK investment vehicle of 120 million, matched by the Indian Governments contribution, will mobilise up to 260m additional of private finance, including from the City of London. And this will be used to finance green infrastructure projects with a positive impact to the environment and catalysing the green energy sector, and delivering a return to the UK. And earlier this year, the UK played a leading role in encouraging the World Bank Groups International Finance Corporation to boost the share of its support going to the poorest countries in its planned capital increase. This will support a doubling of investment in Sub-Saharan Africa to between $10 and 12 billion a year by 2030. And earlier the World Bank Groups International Development Association launched its first bonds on the markets, raising $1.5 billion of additional finance to the worlds poorest countries. Over the past two years we have worked with our partners also to shift the dial on international aid rules, allowing our aid budget to help the private sector invest in sustainable development more than ever before. And I will continue to work with our partners at the Organisation For Economic Cooperation and Development to make sure the aid rules incentivise private sector investment where its needed: this is the only way we are going to collectively deliver the financing necessary to meet the Global Goals. The UK has been a pioneer in social impact investing investing for positive impact as well as for financial return over the last 15 years. And in 2012, we UK launched Big Society Capital, to grow the domestic impact investment market. And during its G8 presidency, the UK established a Social Impact Taskforce and National Advisory Board for impact investing doing good while making money to take the idea global. Impact investing returns have proven comparable returns to commercial investments. Investment opportunities in the developing work offer new opportunities for: DFIDs own investment work. For funds in the UK financial sector, and for the individual to get something back for their efforts to deliver the global goals. As we leave the EU, in time we will have more flexibility to consider how we use our aid budget and the 1.5 billion we currently channel through the EU on an annual basis. Taking back control over our development funds we have that opportunity. We want to use our aid to mobilise the private investment needed to fill the financing gap needed to deliver the Global Goals, tackling the barriers that prevent more investment flowing into developing countries Some other countries approach to development depends heavily on state finance and sovereign loans. Our approach is different to mobilise private investment to support development. This results in driving innovation, increased competition and sustainable growth, while meeting high social and environmental standards. And we are developing a new partnership, with the City of London Corporations in designing new financing mechanisms that will help mobilise more investment for poorer countries and support the creation of the 18 million new jobs a year which Africa needs. This is in our national interest, allowing the City to expand its role as a financing hub for the developing world. 111 African companies have already listed on the London Stock Exchange, and as we saw from the Prime Ministers visit to Africa, many more are keen to join them. This new approach will also help promote security and stability. Its a win for the developing world and its a win for the UK. But it will also deliver a more explicit win by helping address some of the priorities of the British people. We want to give British savers a chance to make a financial return in exchange for their goodwill to change the world for the better. I want people to have more information about how their savings are used and the opportunities available to them to invest in things that they care about. Why cant British people go to their Bank and invest their savings and pension in products that will invest in the Global Goals? Or open an app on their phone, and select which Goals theyd most like to invest in? And to give ordinary people the power to hold companies to account, they will need accurate information on how their money is used and the impact that it delivers. After the Great Depression, common accounting standards were developed to ensure that, in future, businesses reported their financial performances consistently and accurately. And now, at the start of the 21st century we need common standards for reporting impact: compassion as well as compliance. And that is why I helped to launch the World Benchmarking Alliance at the United Nations General Assembly last month, which will rank companies on their contributions to the Global Goals. We want to make it easier for companies to embed eco-social considerations alongside financial ones, in order to drive inclusive and sustainable growth. And we are working with experts and investors to standardise how the social and environmental impact of investment is measured and flagged to the public. And I want to listen to ideas of the British public. So today I am announcing that we will launch a new national conversation to find out more about how the British people might want their savings and pension to be used to support the Global Goals and end poverty. And we will use some of our aid budget working with banks, pension funds and other investors to give the British people the choices they want, and opportunities for good returns on their investments. So what is the logical conclusion of all this? Investing in developing countries in Africa and Asia helps to build the markets of the future and for UK businesses as we look to forge new trading partnerships. This is sustainable development. The more we do, the more we can trade, the more we can trade the less demand there will be for aid. What if we mobilised one per cent? What if every donor nation did? Over 13 trillion of goods were traded globally last year. If we could work with developing countries to help them grow their share of global trade by the equivalent of that one per cent that would equate to 130 billion extra to deliver the Global Goals. And in future years as the amount of funding coming back into our own development financial instruments increases we should be open to using these profits to count towards the 0.7 per cent and Im exploring the scope to reinvest those funds with the DAC to maximise the value of our investments. We remain committed to 0.7 per cent, but as we do so we should ensure the British public get a triple return on their generosity and compassion. a personal return to them, a stronger Britain, and a more prosperous and stable world. This is a once in a generation opportunity. We hope others will also consider this agenda. Indeed the EU might too. If it does we are open to exploring doing this together managing EU investments in the same way we do grants. And we bring much to the table. We stand ready to forge that deep and special partnership. It requires us all to be broad-minded, big-hearted and long-sighted. And at this historic time as we near the end of the negotiations I want the EU to use its head and its heart. Thank you. Amber Rudd is MP for Hastings and Rye. She is a former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and former Home Secretary. Keep the bills down and get me a deal in Paris. Those were my instructions from David Cameron, the then-Prime Minister, when he made me Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in June 2015. In many ways, it summed up the huge challenge of tackling climate change, a challenge that we are, as yet, struggling to address, as set out starkly in the IPCC report published yesterday. You need to make sure the low carbon future is better (and probably cheaper) and you need to make sure the rest of the world is doing its bit. When Cameron set me the challenge, the overall costs of subsidies for clean energy such as wind and solar were rising fast. Fossil fuels such as gas and coal remained plentiful and relatively cheap. That meant adding costs to peoples bills, as the subsidies for clean energy are passed through to consumers. It was right that we gripped those costs, which often fell disproportionately on the poorest and on struggling businesses. It meant some painful cuts for those who had got used to subsidies. Perhaps the most remarkable change since I took the DECC role is that the presumption that clean energy would always be more expensive than fossil fuels has proven wrong. What has brought about that change? First, much greater competition. There is no better example than the offshore wind industry. A few years ago, Government was giving out administratively set prices and offshore wind was costing more than 140/MWh, around three times the wholesale price. We then introduced auctions. And as Secretary of State I introduced a cap on the auction prices; if auctions did not come in below a certain level, we would not provide any support. Some in the industry said it couldnt be done. They said we were effectively killing the offshore industry. But I was determined to set ambitious targets for cost reduction. If we combined reducing costs with providing industry with certainty over the size of the potential market then we challenged industry: could you drive down costs year after year? In fact, they massively exceeded our (and indeed their own) expectations. The cost of offshore wind has fallen by 60 per cent over four years, with last years stunning auction coming in at 57.50/MWh. This tough competition was supported by a doubling of energy innovation spending by 2020, a commitment that will be exceeded thanks to the current Governments dramatic increase in research and innovation spending, including on clean technologies. All of this is underpinned by the architecture of the 2008 Climate Change Act. Our nations young people know and understand the cost of dangerous climate change; they will be the ones experiencing the consequences for the longest. It should come as no surprise that almost a third of 18- to 34-year-olds are extremely worried about climate change, a figure that drops to under a fifth for people who are over 65. So doing the right thing on climate change is also appealing to that section of voters that are leaving the Conservatives. We are the party that has delivered on new energy sources to address climate change and in Government we have shown international leadership bringing others with us. This is the Conservative approach: commitment to ambitious targets, significant support for innovation and new ideas, combined with conditional subsidy based on rigorous competition. The UKs most important contributions to addressing climate change should be providing a compelling example for the rest of the world on how to decarbonise, and using our diplomatic muscle to ensure the rest of the world is matching our ambition. This is a global problem. The Paris Climate Change agreement of 2015 acknowledges that. After years of preparation we worked for two weeks in a large shed on the outskirts of Paris until we got an agreement. During the last two days the food and, more critically, the coffee began to run out. It was a masterclass in French diplomacy, forcing hungry and under-caffeinated delegates towards an agreement. And it worked. Imperfect, but still remarkable. When Laurent Fabius, then Frances foreign minister, brought down the gavel it was a moment for celebration and one of my proudest days in Government. The Agreement called for action to limit climate change to a maximum of two degrees, but with best efforts towards 1.5 degrees. The new IPCC report shows how hard it will be to meet those commitments. We do not need to run around saying the sky will fall in to make the point for addressing climate change. We know it is happening, we are experiencing the results, and we have in the Paris Climate Change Agreement a road map to address it. We have experience of driving down the cost of clean technology and we must replicate that experience in other technologies beyond electricity and across the world. This is not a nice to have. It is essential. Politicians are often criticised for thinking too short-term. But nothing is more Conservative than demonstrating our responsibilities to the next generation. Tackling climate change is an essential to those responsibilities. We must rise to the challenge. Daniel Hamilton was the Conservative candidate for Stockport in the 2017 election and is Managing Director of a business consulting firm. Brazils 150 million voters went to the polls on Sunday in the first round of the countrys presidential election. With the votes now counted, the clear leader is Jair Bolsonaro, the veteran firebrand Congressman possibly the most controversial character to ever seek Brazils highest office. Having polled 46 per cent of the vote in the first round of voting, Bolsonaro faces a run-off against Fernando Haddad, the leftist former Mayor of Sao Paulo who was actively supported by the jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. While victory isnt yet assured, Bolsonaro need attract only a sliver of the votes of other rightist candidates to win the run-off on October 28th. Bolsonaros breakthrough and what it says about the state of the country is a watershed moment for Brazil. I cast my ballot at the Brazilian Embassy in London (effectively wasting it on Joao Amoedo from the upstart, pro-business liberal party NOVO). Even on the streets of London, the levels of excitement for Bolsonaros candidacy were palpable. In 2014, voting at the Embassy took less than thirty minutes; this year it took four hours. Queuing to vote in a line that stretched from Trafalgar Square to half way up Haymarket, it struck me how diverse the Brazilian community in the UK is black, white, Asian, mixed race; smart-suited, down-at-heel, hipster, and hippy. Differences aside, views among the diaspora appeared to be starkly aligned: anger at endemic corruption, frustration at endless violence on the streets and a lack of economic opportunities in the country. Bolsonaro received 51 per cent of the votes of diaspora Brazilians in the UK largely because his message struck a chord and offered a genuine chance for a decisive break from business as usual. In that respect, some loose parallels can be drawn between the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the vote for Brexit in the UK both in terms of the tremendous weight of expectations on one hand and anguish on the other that they have generated. As Bolsonaro continues his transformation from sharp-tongued bigot on the political fringes to the likely next President of the worlds fifth largest country, his policies will necessarily face increased scrutiny. On law and order, he strikes a tone not dissimilar to that of Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines albeit Brazils constitutional protections would likely prevent him using the army and police force as a personal plaything. He has been strong on rhetoric but short on specifics, barring his pledge to liberalise gun laws, harness the power of the army to pacify slums and end the sale of illegal drugs and introduce longer sentences for attacks on women. His economic plans remain uncosted, yet there is merit to many of them; particularly his pledge to privatise the Banco do Brasil and sell off the notoriously corrupt state oil firm Petrobras, which previous presidents have been apt to view as their personal piggybank. There have been pledges, too, to slash government spending, simplify the countrys tax code and shift the emphasis away from corporatism towards SMEs. Bolsonaros views regarding trade have, throughout his parliamentary career, been a moveable feast; ranging from protectionism to his current, more free market, outlook. His team have, however, made initial overtures towards the US Government to seek Brazilian inclusion in the new US, Canada and Mexico trade deal. A post-Brexit trade deal with the UK should theoretically be within reach, presuming Brazils vast agricultural lobby does not seek to overplay its hand in its demands. While Bolsonaro has avoided highlighting social issues during the course of the campaign, he retains a raft of antediluvian views on LGBT rights, the role of women, and the rights of minorities, which have rightfully drawn condemnation from Brazilian civil society and overseas leaders. The extent to which he views these as rhetorical vote-drivers among Brazils rapidly-expanding evangelical community rather than actual programmes for government remains to be seen. Bolsonaros near-fatal stabbing last month has largely kept him away from the campaign trail and his media; appearances have been largely confined to evangelical TV networks run by his supporters and short social media clips. As the run-off looms, he has confirmed he will face Haddad in six prime-time debates. What kind of Bolsonaro are we likely to see? There has been some speculation that he will use the opportunity to tack to the centre and present a softer image but that would in effect curtain his je ne sais quoi an air of insouciance towards established political norms and a hatred of the political classes. Instead, one can expect a focus on his core law and order and anti-corruption messages with some occasional red meat for the business community and poorer voters concerned as to the future of their social welfare payments. His campaign has defied traditional socio-economic boundaries, so he will likely see no need to adhere to a coherent political ideology. Ahead of the elections, a large number of media outlets including The Economist speculated that, if successful, Bolsonaro may have difficulties in drawing together a coherent working majority in Congress in order to govern. Looking at the results of the election, the reverse seems to be true. Whether or not one agrees with his policy platform and there is a great deal of jingoism and bigotry with which one can contend the people of Brazil appear to have overlooked his failings in favour of what they see as an uncompromising message on law and order. This has had savage consequences for the political classes: of the 32 Senators who sought re-election on Sunday, 24 of them were defeated, with similarly low re-election rates in the House of Representatives. Among those defeated in races considered easy wins was Dilma Rousseff, who served as President from 2011 until her impeachment in 2016. While she received 43 million votes nationally on the same day in 2014, she could barely manage an ignoble fourth-place finish in the Senate race in agricultural Minas Gerais on Sunday. Being from outside the political establishment, and lacking many of the airs and graces Brazils famously silver-tongued, vainglorious politicians have, the bloque do Bolsonaro will be a wild and unruly bunch particularly if their man snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. Assuming he wins, the composition of the new Congress offers little hope for strong and effective scrutiny of a future President Bolsonaro. The chief reason for this is the improbability of victory so many newly-elected Senators and Congressman have and the fact they directly owe their mandates to Bolsonaro himself, or the Bolsonaro family. In the City of Sao Paulo, Eduardo, his son, was the most voted-for Congressman and, due to the countrys electoral system, the strength of his vote carried seven others into parliament. In Rio de Janeiro, Eduardos brother Flavio topped the poll in the Senate race, dragging with him a hitherto unknown octogenarian into the states second seat. Another Bolsonaro-fuelled victor is a Rambo-style former shooting instructor who campaigned on his former military title of Major Olimpio. Regardless of whether Bolsonaro manages to secure a second round victory, his allies and political brand are now the largest force in Congress a remarkable achievement given he secured the support of just seven out of 513 MPs when he ran for the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies two years ago. It is possible, of course, that the countrys leftist and centrist forces will reach an uneasy accommodation which sees Haddad eke out a last-minute victory. But that seems improbable and may indeed only set the stage for an even more bitter, more divided campaign in 2022 one Bolsonaro would surely win. One can only hope that, despite his divisive rhetoric, he veers towards pragmatism in office and parlays his rightful anger at the corruption and crime plaguing Brazil into practical reforms rather than spiteful vendettas. His own campaign managed to strike a chord with rich and poor Brazilians. He must now unite them under one flag. Andy Street is Mayor of the West Midlands, and is a former Managing Director of John Lewis. As West Midlands Mayor, it was a privilege to welcome Conservative Party conference delegates to Birmingham last week, and to show off the delights of the Second City. And Im very pleased to be writing this first of a series of fortnightly columns for ConservativeHome. I hope visitors came away with a feel for the place I call home, and the sense of renaissance Brummies are currently enjoying. This feeling of change is evident everywhere; in the cultural life of the city, in the start-ups invigorating the economy, the businesses making Birmingham their home, and in the cranes that dot the skyline. I also hope that some of those present last week were able to venture beyond Birmingham, and discover how this optimism can be seen across all the communities that make up the West Midlands in Wolverhampton, Coventry, Walsall, Solihull, Dudley and Sandwell. Just as conference brought our party together, I believe the success of the West Midlands is down to the willingness of these areas to work towards common goals. As Mayor, its my job to enable and encourage this unified approach. We have seven distinct and proud boroughs, but through working together with Government support we have shown we can achieve much more collectively. In the West Midlands, we are colleagues, not competitors. There is a new kind of conservatism developing here, in the very heart of Britain. We call it Urban Conservatism, and it is about inclusivity and opportunity for a young and diverse population. It wouldnt be the first time that we have been the engine of change. The Industrial Revolution was born here. As the workshop of the world, we manufactured goods that were exported around the globe. Today, people in the West Midlands are building a new kind of politics that makes the most of our greatest assets diversity, location, work ethic and innovation. I remember how different things were when I was a kid growing up here; the derelict buildings and decaying factories. The confidence of this great region was dented. I saw what happens when people could not find work. The West Midlands was built by innovation and industry. It is a place that needs thriving businesses and entrepreneurs. Thats what made me a Conservative. Now, through a new kind of Urban Conservatism, we are restoring local pride. During the last year, the West Midlands has enjoyed the biggest increase in jobs and seen more start-ups than anywhere else outside London. We are the only UK region to have a trade surplus with China. The West Midlands is seeing a cultural renaissance too, celebrating diversity, creativity and heritage in a melting pot of music, art and sport. And thats before we even get to Coventrys triumph as the City of Culture, or the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham! Innovation is at the heart of this revival. The West Midlands has long been a centre of the car industry. Our Land Rovers and Jaguars continue to be globally-loved vehicles. Now autonomous vehicles are being tested on the streets of Birmingham, while electric taxis are being manufactured in Coventry. Our doctors and scientists are focused on the fight against diseases such as cancer and Alzheimers. We have a thriving creative and media scene, inspired by the youngest, most diverse population in Europe. Indeed, were hoping that Channel 4 will join us in Birmingham to shape the future of broadcasting. We will be the first region to roll out 5G technology, too. This isnt just about mobile phones: 5G will make autonomous vehicles safer, and connect ambulances to hospitals in real-time. Government is playing a huge part in our renaissance, by investing in the people of the West Midlands. Sajid Javid and James Brokenshire have provided the funds to clean up sites that have lain derelict for decades. Greg Clark has supported our industrial future. Chris Grayling is helping us to reopen railway stations that have been dormant since the Second World War, reconnecting communities that are once again thriving. So, after 18 months as Mayor of this remarkable place, I see real progress. But there are still too many communities not sharing the success, and thats not good enough. There are big issues we must tackle, such as youth unemployment, rough sleeping and mental health. To win in urban Britain as we are in this region Conservatives must truly be a party for everybody. We have begun to devolve power to the cities, and we must now ensure that every citizen feels the benefit of local decision making and shares the sense of unity we are pioneering here in the West Midlands. We must rebalance the UKs economy, through projects like HS2, which is already creating new jobs, building new homes, and improving local transport. As the export capital of the UK, the West Midlands is determined to make the most of Brexit too. We are ready to become the workshop of the world again. The West Midlands is on the cusp of great things. In a region where you can see the whole world in seven boroughs, we are nurturing a new kind of politics that, through teamwork and shared vision, is producing real results. Urban Conservativism is delivering success, and its driven by the diversity which will define modern Britain. Views vary on what would follow from a No Deal No Deal i.e: Britain leaving the EU without any agreement on anything much at all. One take is that the damage to some of our neighbours especially Ireland, the Benelux countries and Denmark would be so severe that all concerned would rapidly come to their senses. We would all then rapidly move to a Deal No Deal, roughly as described yesterday by Wolfgang Munchau in the Financial Times. Another is that since a No Deal No Deal could only come about after fissiparous disagreement, and a refusal by Britain to stump up the 40 billion provisionally settled last December (nothing is agreed until everything is agreed), there would be no swift or easy move to a Deal No Deal. Those who think this is more likely tend to argue, too, that there will be no single negotiating mechanism to bring about a resolution, since the current structure, with Michel Barnier leading for the EU Commission, will have out-run its mandate. What we know for certain is that, in the event of a No Deal, Britain will have to deal both with the Commission and the EU27 since some of the matters concerned could be sorted at a bilateral level, but not all. Maybe the nation states would step in to take control over EU-wide business. Then again, maybe not. Which takes us back to the Commission and a third EU institution, namely the European Parliament. The Commission will be in flux. The current team of commissioners will be replaced at the end of this month next year. So the jockeying and lobbying to replace them should be in full swing next spring. And European Parliamentary elections will take place next May, after the UK has left. So MEPS, like the soon-to-be-retiring commissioners, wont have their eye on the Brexit ball next March, or indeed on any policy ball at all: they will be focused on that priority for politicians everywhere getting re-elected. You will see where all this is going. Yes, the Secretary-General of the European Commission would, as Brussels most senior civil servant, have a lot of room in these circumstances for manoeuvre. And that person is Martin Selmayr. The Monster of the Berlaymont needs no introduction to our readers, though a recent part of his story may be worth pointing to: how he was hustled by Jean-Claude Juncker into his present position, after which the European Ombudsman found Junckers team guilty of maladministration on four counts. And they wonder why were leaving! If the record isnt enough for you, heres the view of a Minister. There are three layers to Selmayr. First, he is utterly committed to the federalist ideal. Second, hes a workaholic. Third, he doesnt like Britain. The Secretary-General is legendarily resentful of the rambunctious British media, and its uninhibited reporting of his grandfathers 15-year post-World War Two sentence for war crimes. Josef Selmayr had served as a Wermacht Lieutenant-Colonel in the Balkans. He was released early, and went on to become the first director of the West Germanys counter-intelligence service. His grandsons sensitivity about Josefs C.V apparently extends to him having edited the relevant Wikpedia page. At any rate, Selmayr is the power behind Junckers tottery throne, widely blamed for inserting himself, in effect, into his present position. The Budgetary Committee of the Parliament, no less, condemned the appointment as a coup-like action. Ministers are apprehensive about having Selmayr in place in the event of a breakdown of relations. A fractious No Deal. Immense disruption. No clear mechanism to resolve it. Parliament in turmoil. Commissioners on their way out. MEPs preoccupied with elections. And Selmayr in place at the Commission. What could possibly go wrong? CORNWALL, Ontario Affordable housing, lower taxes and attracting investment opportunities were major points of discussion at the mayoral debate on Wednesday, Oct. 3. The Seaway Valley Community Health Centre hosted the debate in partnership with Centre de sante communautaire de lEstrie and St. Josephs Continuing Care Centre (SJCCC). The debate, held at SJCCC, ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and attracted slightly over 50 attendees. Candidates were asked how they would contribute to the Citys poverty reduction strategy. Mayor Leslie OShaughnessy said that efforts to fulfill the Cities Reducing Poverty Charter signed in Dec. of 2016 have taken time to come to fruition. According to OShaughnessy, the Social Development Council has held successful brainstorming sessions where information and feedback was complied and analyzed. He reinforced the importance of planning and understanding, suggesting that the council plans to adopt a strategy followed within other municipalities. Coun. David Murphy related the question back to some of the most common themes discussed throughout the evening: increased education opportunities and affordable housing. When looking for funding for the enhancement of social housing, Murphy believes that partnerships will help to garner and attract investment opportunities. We should bring our partners in from SDG and Akwesasne, and why not partner with the school boards as well? said Murphy. Nicole Spahich discussed the definition of poverty, suggesting that living from cheque-to-cheque and requiring more than one job classifies as poverty. She empathized with citizens who dont receive pay for time taken off of work due to illness and alluded to how there should be guarantees monetary compensation. Coun. Clement spoke about how the Social Development Council was created following the closure of Domtar in 2006 as the province was concerned for residents of our city. She believes that social development is conducive to economic development, thus the City must continue to work with the council to promote vibrancy and strategies that make communities resilient and better able to face poverty. We have to have transit so people can get to work and contribute. We have to have arts festivals and music festivals so people feel connected to their community and eachother, said Clement. There is not just one answer here. The Social Development Council held a job fair on Oct. 3 that attracted 40 different employers and 17 service providers, offering around 400 jobs. Hundreds of residents were in attendance. Turnout at municipal elections is lower than federal and provincial. Casting your own ballot is not enough, said Hugo Rodrigues who moderated the event. He encouraged everyone to motivate five friends or family members to vote. A livestream of the debate can be viewed on the Seaway Valley Community Health Centres Facebook page. Givaudan has reported that sales for the first nine months of 2018 reached CHF 4,073 million, an increase of 5.7% on a like-for-like basis and 8.4% in Swiss francs. In the first nine months of 2018, Givaudan has experienced growth across all its major divisions. Per the quarter, the company saw Q3 sales reach CHF 1,399, an increase of 5.7% on a like-for-like basis and a 9.8% increase in Swiss francs from 2017 numbers. The companys fragrance division saw sales reach CHF 1,878 million, an increase of 6.6% on a like-for-like basis and an increase of 7.9% in Swiss francs. Growth was also strong in its flavor division, which saw sales reach CHF 2,195 million, an increase of 4.8% on a like-for-like basis and an increase of 8.8% in Swiss francs. Fine Fragrance Leads the Way In the fragrance division, total sales of fragrance compounds reached CHF 1,633 million, an increased of 7.8% from CHF 1,515 million in 2017. Growth in the segment was complimented by the addition of CHF 27 million in sales from the acquisition of Expressions Parfumees and CHF 1 million from the acquisition of Naturex. Per category, the fine fragrances segment saw the largest increase in sales, increasing at 11.9% on a like-for-like basis as a result of strong growth in all regions. Fragrance ingredients and active beauty businesses saw an increase of 6.9% on a like-for-like basis due to a strong performance of local and regional customers. Additionally, consumer products sales increased 5.2% on a like-for-like basis, with South Asia growing at double digits and solid growth from Asia and Latin America. However, sales in North America decreased due to a decline with international customers in the fabric care segment. Beverage and Dairy Flavors Expand The company also saw strong growth in its flavor division, which saw sales reach CHF 2,195 million, a growth of 4.8% on a like-for-like basis and an increase of 8.8% in Swiss francs. Growth was also helped by the acquisition of Centroflora Nutra and Naturex, which contributed CHF 6 million and CHF 35 million, respectively. Strong growth in the category was attributed to positive sales across beverage, dairy, sweet goods and snack categories. Latin America saw the largest growth, increasing at 13.5% on a like-for-like basis, support by improved economic situations along with momentum in Argentina, Mexico and Columbia. Another growing market, Asia Pacific, saw sales increase by 5.7% on a like-for-like basis. Double-digit growth was seen from India and Thailand markets, while China and Indonesia both saw solid growth. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, sales increased by 4.3% on a like-for-like basis. Double-digit growth was seen in Russia, Ukraine and Greece, while Poland and Turkey brought in solid single-digit growth. In Africa and the Middle East, Egypt and South Africa contributed positively to the regional performance, which was offset by challenging market condition across the Middle East and Nigeria. Additionally, sales in North America increased by 2.1% on a like-for-like basis across existing beverage, dairy and sweet goods businesses. A visit to the dentist is not always scary for kids; in fact, some children look forward to the visit. Take Janeane Dalton, of New Milford, who visited Dental Associates of Connecticuts new kids-only office in New Milford. She brought her twin 3-year-old boys and their older sister last week and the boys sat happily in their rocket-shaped dental chairs even after Dr. Joseph Guzzardi was done looking at their teeth. They are so calm here. They make it fun, Dalton said. Its fun for the adults, too, to look around while the kids are being worked on. The expansion is the latest for Dental Associates of Connecticut, which now has offices in Danbury, Newtown, Shelton, Fairfield, Simsbury and New Milford. Pediatric dental work in New Milford was previously done in the practices Aspetuck Avenue location, which has been open for 27 years and will now focus primarily on adult dental care. The new pediatric office is in a medical suite complex at 120 Parklane Road and is the first branding for Dental Associates Kids, a division of Dental Associates of Connecticut. The Danbury pediatric office will undergo a renovation soon with the new branding. The doctor-owned company, which is based in Danbury and was founded in 1971, plans to expand further with two more offices opening this year and two more next year. Growing is the plan, said CEO Adam Richichi. Weve grown by ownership (by the dentists.) Thats how we keep up the quality care. Daltons sons wore sunglasses and watched movies on a television mounted to the ceiling above the dental chair as Guzzardi and a dental hygienist cleaned and inspected their teeth. The lobby welcomes guests with a sign reading Now Entering the Smile Galaxy, foreshadowing the interiors space motif. Each pediatric office has a different kid-friendly theme. Richichi found himself helping decorate and plan the New Milford pediatric office. I did it because it was a blast, Richichi said. I dont usually get involved with that type of thing, but it was fun. We designed it to be fun and engaging and educational. Richichi said the company expanded with another office in New Milford due to customer demand for a pediatric-only office. Parents like to bring their kids to a kid-centric place, Richichi said. So we built a place just for kids where they can be comfortable and be themselves. Kids require special attention at a dental office. We have to be careful with kids. A dentist could be their worst experience or their best. We never want to be their worst. Dental Associates Kids will hold a grand opening at its New Milford location at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The practice may be reached at 860-355-4138. The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338. A merger of two of the major players in the competition to build more wind farms off the southern New England coast has more positives for Connecticut, according to environmentalists, labor leaders and energy experts. Officials with Danish wind power energy giant Orsted have agreed to pay $510 million to acquire Providence-based Deepwater Wind from the D.E. Shaw Group, an international investment management group headquartered in New York City. The deal faces several regulatory approvals, but if obtained, the merger is expected to close by the end of the year. Deepwater Wind is best known for having developed the only commercial wind farm in the United States. It began operating about 4 miles southeast of Block Island in December 2016 and the five-turbine project generates 30 megawatts of power, enough for about 17,000 homes. Deepwater Winds portfolio has a total potential capacity of approximately 3.3 gigawatts. according to company officials. More Business Plastic bag ban being crafted for New Haven Orsted entered the U.S wind power market in 2015. The company currently has development rights to produce up to 2 gigawatts of energy at the Bay State Wind site off the coast of Massachusetts. Bay State Wind is located 25 miles off the southern coast of Massachusetts, and 15 miles off the coast of Marthas Vineyard. The project is a joint venture between Orsted and Hartford-based Eversource Energy. Orsted also has projects in varying stages of development off the coast of Atlantic City and as well as in Virginia. If the deal is approved, Orsted will be able to deliver wind power to seven states on the East Coast that already have committed to build more than 10 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030. A gigawatt is equal to 1 billion watts of power. Martin Neubert, chief executive officer of Offshore Wind at Orsted, said the merger will create the number one offshore wind platform in North America. (Its about) merging the best of two worlds: Deepwater Winds longstanding expertise in originating, developing and permitting offshore wind projects in the US, and Orsteds unparalleled track-record in engineering, constructing, and operating large-scale offshore wind farms, Neubert said in a statement. The merger comes just months after Connecticut made history in June as the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection selected Deepwater Wind as one of the winners of its renewable energy-procurement efforts. The 200-megawatt project, which could be operational by 2023, will be built in federal waters about halfway between Montauk, N.Y., and Marthas Vineyard. Connecticut officials already have issued another request for proposals in an effort to meet the states clean energy goals for the future. Three offshore wind bids were among the dozens submitted and supporters of wind power in Connecticut are optimistic that request for proposals will yield further wind power projects to add to the states energy mix. These bids give Connecticut another opportunity to affordably meet its clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction requirements by bringing more offshore wind online, said Emily Lewis, senior policy analyst at Acadia Center. With this procurement, Connecticut should aim to keep pace with its neighbors and grow its offshore wind resource to maximize ratepayer savings, economic growth, and carbon-free electricity generation. Claire Coleman, a climate and energy attorney with New Haven-based Connecticut Fund for the Environment, said the organization supports a robust, competitive market for offshore wind development along the East Coast, which will help drive prices down and assure we build projects that are environmentally responsible. Offshore wind is an important renewable energy resource that reduces our reliance on dirty fossil fuels and mitigates climate change, Coleman said. We hope that the acquisition of the pioneering wind developer Deepwater Wind by a Danish company will mean more offshore wind development along the East Coast. Catherine Bowes, the National Wildlife Federations offshore wind program director, said the consolidation within the wind power industry comes at a pivotal moment in Americas offshore wind story. We know responsibly developed offshore wind power offers a critical solution to climate change, and the first round of U.S projects must be sited and built with wildlife in mind, Bowes said in a statement. Deepwater Winds Block Island Wind Farm set a strong precedent with the development of Americas first offshore turbines, and we look forward to continuing to work with Orsted and all offshore wind companies to advance responsibly developed projects for America. The Connecticut Bond Commission has approved a $15 million investment in state pier in New London so it can become a staging area for the Deepwater Wind project and any others that may come along in the future. Deepwater Wind has agreed to invest $15 million of its own money to develop New London as a staging area. Turning the New London pier into a center for this and other heavy industry projects is expected to result in 1,400 direct and indirect jobs in Connecticut, according to state officials. John Humphries, organizer for the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, said the expertise that Orsted brings to the table can only help the states efforts to create new jobs ties to the clean energy industry. The group is a coalition of unions, environmental and other groups. From everything weve seen, Orsted is committed to expanding in Connecticut, Humphries said Monday. That would bring even more good news for Connecticuts workers and communities: a thriving local economy to accompany the clean energy. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com Documentary filmmaking has come into its own over the past few years. Theatrically, non-fiction films as diverse as RPG and Three Identical Strangers have been box-office hits this year, and some of the most talked-about programming on the Netflix home streaming service has been non-fiction series such as The Staircase and Wild Wild Country. Danbury filmmakers Kate Davis and David Heilbroner were Oscar-nominated earlier this year for their documentary short, Traffic Stop, and they might find themselves going back to Los Angeles next year for their new non-fiction feature, Say Her Name. The film examines the mysterious 2015 death of Sandra Bland in a jail in a small Texas town. Authorities said the 28-year-old black political activist hanged herself, but friends and family believed it was a police murder. Davis and Heilbroner immediately knew this was a story they wanted to tell. There was incredible fallout from a seemingly benign traffic stop, Davis says of the sequence of events that began with Bland being pulled over for a failure to signal a lane change. The woman was arrested and held in one of the few jail cells that were not under video surveillance. She made calls to her family back in Chicago to try to raise a $5,000 bond, but three days later she was found hanging from a noose made from a plastic garbage bag. The event triggered nationwide protests, but Davis and Heilbroner give us a whole new perspective on the case because of the access they were given by Blands family as the investigation was underway. The family also allowed the filmmakers to use excerpts from the extensive video diaries kept by the young woman, so that she becomes a vivid character in the narrative. Davis and Heilbroner flew to Texas 10 days after Sandra Blands death to meet with the family about doing a film. They needed to sniff us out, Davis recalls, adding that the family looked at their work before giving the filmmakers their blessing. Heilbroner believes he was able to get the familys attorney, Cannon Lambert, in their corner because he is a former prosecutor with an insiders understanding of the legal system. That background also helped the filmmakers to convince the Texas police to give interviews about the events in the jail after Bland was arrested. It took a long time to gain the trust of law enforcement because they were seen as the enemy (by so many), Helibroner says. We wanted to hear their voices...(to hear about) the mistakes they made. The fact that Say Her Name gives both sides in the case a fair hearing makes it difficult for a viewer to make a snap judgement about what happened three years ago. In so many suicide cases, even someone as upbeat and forward-looking as Sandra Bland can sink into a depression no one else is ever aware of. And the film establishes the idea that the traffic stop and jailing might have been a last straw for the woman. But, even if Bland did kill herself, the harsh treatment that never would have been directed at a well-heeled white woman certainly was a contributing factor to her sad end. Heilbroner says that no matter what conclusion an individual viewer might draw, he hopes people will come away from the movie seeing that, in a sense, we are all part of a system that led to Sandras death...there were insidious factors that broke her spirit. One reading that can made is that she was lynched by the system at the moment she was pulled out of her car, Davis adds. Although nonfiction films get more exposure now, the filmmakers goals havent changed over the years. Documentaries are more in the public eye now, but weve been making documentaries for more than 25 years, Heilbroner says, adding that his motivation has remained constant to tell stories that make a difference in the world. Davis is cheered by the explosion in non-fiction filmmaking, but warns, It is very good on the surface, but does this create a glut, with many gems being overlooked? ... In the old days, the good ones could rise to the top, but what happens to the thousands of films (made now) that are not watched? They could be obscure, but brilliant. Say Her Name should be stirring a lot of conversation this fall. In addition to festival screenings, the film will have theatrical engagements in New York and Los Angeles that will qualify it for Academy Award consideration. And HBO will be showing the film on December 3. One important factor in the rise of documentaries has been the introduction of digital cameras and projectors. In the old days, 35mm film was the only acceptable format for theatrical exhibition. If a documentarian shot and edited his footage on video, it had to be converted to 35mm film to be shown in movie theaters. The shift to digital has made (the documentary field) much more democratic, Davis notes. With my first film I had to have a 35mm print which was very expensive...(now) whole films have been made on cellphones. The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival runs from Oct. 18 to 21 and will feature more than 100 films over four days, including the opening night attraction, Wildlife, the directorial debut of actor Paul (There Will Be Blood) Dano, starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal. The special events track is dedicated to documentaries, with the five screenings including Say Her Name on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. and Danseur, about the continuing challenge of getting boys to study ballet, on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. Say Her Name will be screened at the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival on Saturday, Oct. 20. A conversation featuring the filmmakers, Blands sisters and their family attorney will take place immediately after the movie. Many of the other films will also be followed by Q&A sessions. For complete schedule and ticket information, visit www.riff.org jmeyers@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @joesview BRIDGEPORT Bike sharing, an idea thats worked well in some cities and not so well in others, could be coming soon to a corner near you. The idea is still in the training-wheel stage. But regional planners and other officials hope to encourage pedaling to nearby destinations instead of taking cars, and that more than a few will give up cars altogether. Greater Bridgeport Transit and the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments, or MetroCOG, are looking a various bike-sharing systems that would service Bridgeport, Fairfield and Stratford and perhaps Trumbull, Monroe and Easton. Bridgeport, Fairfield and Stratford are seen as better candidates, because they have denser development and theyre not very hilly. New Haven got on the bike-sharing bandwagon in February 2018 the Elm City now has nearly 30 bike-share docks throughout the central city, with more on the way. Hartford opened its Limebike program in June, although its one of the smaller systems. Norwalk is expected to get a bike share system rolling sometime in 2019. Stamford lacks a public bike sharing program, although Stamford Towers, an office building, has its own bike-share system, as does Stamfords Harbor Point, a high-rise apartment building. Feedback welcome Planners are trying to collect information through an online survey, which will also be available on paper at various events such as fairs and farmers markets. The survey can be taken on the GBT website, www.gogbt.com. Were trying to find the best bike-sharing program for the region, said Matt Fulda, MetroCOGs executive director. There are a number of systems out there, and were tryout to get as much public input as possible over the next few weeks. If a bike-sharing system does come to pass, the greater Bridgeport region would get something that many hundreds of cities worldwide already have and could benefit from lessons learned by others. In the Netherlands 53 years ago, the first so-called white bike program began with scores of bikes, painted white, being distributed throughout the city of Amsterdam. The idea was that a person could borrow a bike, ride it to their destination and leave it unlocked for the next rider. Within days, most of the white bikes were either vandalized, stolen or tossed into Amsterdams canals. But over time, technology made bike-sharing workable. In 1995, Copenhagen instituted a coin- operated system for bike sharing. This second-generation system was also free you got your money back when you docked the bike. In the early 2000s, third-generation bike-sharing programs were rolled out, at first using magnetic-stripe cards for access. The newest versions use mobile phone apps and GPS tracking technology. Typically, vendors use the profits from usage fees to maintain the system. Getting the app About 65 cities in the United States now have some form of bike sharing. The systems typically require users to have smart phones and a credit card account, a lot like getting a ride from Uber or Lyft. Users, who have the correct bike-sharing app on their phones, scan the bikes QR code at the docking station. This unlocks the bike and theyre on their way. In most systems, users pay a monthly fee and this allows the user unlimited rides. In other systems, users pay a small additional fee for each rental. For example, in the popular CitiBike system in New York City, the annual membership is $14.95 per month with annual commitment, or $169 per year. It includes unlimited number of 45-minute rides. If you keep a bike out for more than 45 minutes at a time, its an extra $2.50 per additional 15 minutes. Officials say they theyre looking at proposals from a number of potential vendors. Theyre also considering systems that offer electric scooters and electric-assist bicycles as well as human-powered bikes. The systems were looking at will operate at no cost to local governments, said GBT Executive Director Doug Holcomb. And we need some way to get people over the last mile. As for Amsterdam, that city, along with the rest of the Netherlands, today has a successful third-generation bike-sharing program. jburgeson@ctpost.com A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged restrictions on Connecticut charter and magnet schools. The suit, Martinez v. Malloy, carries the name of Jessica Martinez, a Bridgeport school board member, on behalf of her son. The dismissal will be appealed, according to Manny Rivera, a spokesman for Students Matter, the California nonprofit that backed the challenge. In the decision, U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford ruled there is no federal constitutional right to education. That right rests under the state constitution, the court ruled. The lawsuit was filed in 2016, arguing that state laws and policies, including a moratorium on the opening of new magnet schools and laws that restricted the opening and expansion of charter schools, forced students to remain in underperforming schools. In all, 11 Connecticut parents and students from Bridgeport and Hartford filed the federal suit against Democratic Gov. Dannel. P. Malloy, state Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell and others. At the time it was filed, Martinez was president of the Bridgeport District Parent Advisory Council. She is now secretary of the city school board. Her son is in ninth grade and attends a private high school. Despite the courts decision, our fight is far from over, said Martinez of the Sept. 28, 2018 dismissal. We knew this case would not be an easy fight - change is difficult and change takes time. But now more than ever, we know this is worth fighting for. Its time the state to remove these barriers to great public schools and fulfill its promise of providing a quality public education to all students. Joshua Lipshutz, an attorney with Gibson, Dunn & Chruster, said the case would be appealed to the Second Circuit court. The federal courts should not permit Connecticut to continue denying meaningful educational opportunities to its inner-city children, Lipshutz said. "This fight isn't over, added Yam Menon, Connecticut director of Northeast Charter Schools Network. We stand with the thousands of Connecticut students who should have the right to attend high-quality schools of choice in their communities." Jacyln Severance, a spokesman for the state Attorney Generals office who is representing the state in the matter, declined to comment. Martinezs son, Jose, attended a traditional public school in the city after failing to win a lottery seat into high-performing magnet schools run by the district. His mom tried multiple times. At the time, Martinez said quality schools exist in the city, but that their doors are open only to a lucky few. Students Matter was founded by David Welch, a California-based entrepreneur and charter school supporter. Charter schools are state-funded schools that run independently of local school board control. Connecticut has 23 state-funded charter schools. Two more were approved this month by the state Board of Education but cannot open unless the state legislature provides the funding. When the case was filed, the state was also a defendant in school funding battle brought by the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding. The state won that case as well. BRIDGEPORT Despondent over the murder of his best friend, police said 18-year-old Jeri Kollock confronted people he believed were responsible for his friends death and dared them to kill him. Kollock was later found naked, except for a towel covering his waist, in the stairwell of a nearby housing project, shot multiple times in the head, torso and extremities. Late Tuesday afternoon, Jahmari Wack Cooper, 18, a suspect in another homicide in New York, was arraigned in a closed courtroom for murder, felony murder and first-degree robbery in Kollocks death. He was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bond by Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton. Eric Diaz, 19, was shot to death on Sept. 14, 2017, at the corner of Beardsley Street and Newfield Avenue. Lonnie Mebane, 53, of Masarik Avenue in Stratford, is awaiting trial for murder in the case. In court documents released following Coopers arraignment, police said on Oct. 11, 2017, Kollock had approached a group of people in the parking lot of Columbus School. Witnesses said Kollock was having difficulty dealing with Diazs death and yelled at the people, What are you all about to jump me? Police said the witnesses told them Kollock told the people he confronted in the parking lot that he wanted to die and wanted them to shoot him in the head so he could be with his friend. While others in the group didnt appear interested in Kollocks offer, police said Cooper did, walking off with Kollock to the Greene Homes housing project. Police said surveillance video from the school showed the two walking away together. Police confronted Cooper 15 days after Kollocks body was discovered. They said he admitted meeting Kollock in the school parking lot. Cooper stated he recognized Kollock from the East End and walked up to him to see if he (had) a gun on him by checking his pockets. Cooper stated he did this because people from the East End beef with people from the Greene Homes, court documents state. Police said Cooper admitted going with Kollock to the housing project but said they then parted ways. Police let Cooper go but later seized a .45-caliber handgun from his home on Iranistan Avenue that matched bullet casing found at the crime scene. But by that time Cooper had fled the state. Cooper was later arrested by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force in Riviera Beach, Fla. HAMDEN - The Rough Draft nearly drowned in the heavy rain and flooding that hit town Sept. 25. But thanks to some quick thinking, hard work, and support from the local music community, it made it through the storm. Karen Robinson, co-owner of the bar and music venue, said Monday that, as the water rushed in, employees moved some appliances up onto the stage, preventing them from being inundated. The water continued to rise, but stopped just at the lip of the platform. Robinson said other appliances were damaged in the storm - the grease trap, a fridge, a cooler. But the damage could have been worse, she said. The water drained away, thanks in part to a sump pump. And after some recovery work, including bleaching the place, repainting and having some appliances repaired, the venue reopened Thursday. It could have been a lot worse, said Robinson. Were definitely lucky. Robinson said she and co-owner Chris Scionti were conflicted about whether to reopen after the flood, as business has not been what they had hoped in their first three months of operating the place. More patronage would be appreciated, she said shed like people to come through, hear some good music and have something to eat. But the music community responded, offering to hold benefit concerts and raise money after the flood, she said. Their offers of support compelled Rough Drafts owners to keep going, Robinson said; the crisis brought the place and the community closer together. It was heartwarming, said Robinson. On behalf of The Rough Draft crew, she shared thanks from the bottom of our hearts to those who offered to help. More information about The Rough Draft, including specials and music and event listings, are available on its Facebook page. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com No fast-food franchise hauled in sales numbers like Chick-fil-A did on a per-unit basis, according to The Big Chart from QSR. Each location of the chicken restaurant averaged more than $4 million in sales last year (for a total of $9 billion in sales), well ahead of the runner-up, Whataburger (around $2.8 million). However, the chart also noted that there were relatively few Chick-fil-A locations across the country -- 2,225. For comparison, thats almost exactly half as many units as Dairy Queen had (4,455). Only seven companies managed to create higher sales numbers than Chick-fil-A overall, creating a combined total of nearly $100 billion in U.S. sales alone. 1. McDonalds McDonald's is the No. 1 franchise on our franchise 500, and it had the highest sales total of any fast-food restaurant by a considerable margin. It brought in more than $37 billion in U.S. sales alone -- more than the second, third and fourth restaurants on the list combined. Franchise 500 information CEO: Steve Easterbrook Steve Easterbrook Business headquarters: Oak Brook, Ill. Oak Brook, Ill. Franchising since: 1955 1955 Initial investment: $1,008,000 to $2,214,080 $1,008,000 to $2,214,080 Initial franchise fee: $45,000 $45,000 New units in 2017: 507 units (1.4 percent) 507 units (1.4 percent) Training: 6 to 24 months on the job, 75 hours in the classroom 6 to 24 months on the job, 75 hours in the classroom Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, loyalty program/app Related: Quiz: How Much Do You Really Know About McDonald's? 2. Starbucks Starbucks ranked second in the QSR report by bringing in more than $13 billion in U.S. sales in 2017. In large part, this was due to the fact that there were 13,930 Starbucks in the U.S. last year, which ranked third overall among all fast-food franchises. The only two that had more were McDonalds (14,036) and the No. 3 restaurant. Starbucks is not part of the Franchise 500. Related: You Can't Buy a Starbucks Franchise: Here's Why and What You Can Do Instead 3. Subway Did you know that Subway is the most common fast-food franchise in America? There were 25,908 of them in 2017, and this helped bolster the sandwich restaurants ranking. Even though Subway ranked 49th out of 50 restaurants in per-unit sales, it still brought in about $10.8 billion in U.S. sales last year. Franchise 500 information CEO: Trevor Haynes Trevor Haynes Business headquarters: Millford, Conn. Millford, Conn. Franchising since: 1974 1974 Initial investment: $150,050 to $328,700 $150,050 to $328,700 Initial franchise fee: $15,000 $15,000 New units in 2017: -222 units (-0.5 percent) -222 units (-0.5 percent) Training: 20 hours on the job, 80 hours in the classroom 20 hours on the job, 80 hours in the classroom Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app Related: How a 17-Year-Old With $1,000 Started Subway and Became a Billionaire 4. Burger King Burger King is the last entry to bring in 10 figures in U.S. sales last year. The burger joint had a little more than $10 billion in sales, ranking fourth overall in that category and sixth in total units (7,226). Burger King is not part of the Franchise 500. Related: The 5 Best Burger Franchises You Can Buy (and How Much They Cost) 5. Taco Bell Taco Bell ranked 17th in per-unit sales ($1.5 million) and seventh in total number of units (6,446). That combination helped Taco Bell to nearly $9.8 billion in sales in 2017, good for fifth among all fast-food restaurants. Franchise 500 information CEO: Brian Niccol Brian Niccol Business headquarters: Irvine, Calif. Irvine, Calif. Franchising since: 1964 1964 Initial investment: $525,100 to $2,622,400 $525,100 to $2,622,400 Initial franchise fee: $25,000 to $45,000 $25,000 to $45,000 New units in 2017: 218 units (3.4 percent) 218 units (3.4 percent) Training: 400 hours on the job, 8 hours in the classroom 400 hours on the job, 8 hours in the classroom Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising Related: The 5 Best Taco Franchises You Can Own Today 6. Wendys Wendys is the third burger restaurant on this list, and it earned nearly $9.3 billion in 2017. The company, which has become known nearly as much for its snarky Twitter feed as its food, averaged about $1.6 million in sales at each of its 5,769 locations. Wendys is not part of the Franchise 500. Related: Want to Be More Like Wendy's on Twitter? Here's What the Company's CMO Says to Do. 7. Dunkin Dunkin' ranks in the top three of the Franchise 500 for the second consecutive year, and it was in the top seven in U.S. earnings, according to the QSR report. The beverage-focused chain hauled in about $192 million more than Chick-fil-A, or about $9.2 billion total. Franchise 500 information CEO: Nigel Travis Nigel Travis Business headquarters: Canton, Mass. Canton, Mass. Franchising since: 1955 1955 Initial investment: $228,620 to $1,691,200 $228,620 to $1,691,200 Initial franchise fee: $40,000 to $90,000 $40,000 to $90,000 New units in 2017: 346 units (2.9 percent) 346 units (2.9 percent) Training: 219 to 324 hours on the job, 68 to 73 hours in the classroom 219 to 324 hours on the job, 68 to 73 hours in the classroom Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app Related: 7 Fast-Food Franchises Had More Sales Than Chick-fil-A Last Year. Can You Name Them? Sonic Sold to Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings for $2.3 Billion McDonald's Drops Artificial Ingredients. 3 Things to Know Today. Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Cannabis companies in the U.S. seem to be split into two groups: Those that get all the hype; and those that cant seem to gain traction at all. Why the disparity? One reason is that marketing and advertising as a cannabis company is almost as difficult as getting a compliant product onto store shelves. Because of this, many companies struggle to be heard using tools like social media and google ad words. These brands are now starting to invest in traditional public relations to drive their stories forward and gain relevancy in a lightning-fast industry. Related: 12 Cutting-Edge Marijuana Marketing Tactics That Work The Social Media Problem Just like in any other field, it costs time, money and strategic effort to pull off an effective cannabis campaign. The difference is for cannabis operators is that they can rarely see the return on their investment. Paid social media advertising and analytics tools prohibit the promotion of illegal drugs -- and this often includes the legal cannabis industry. Beyond the prohibition on paid campaigns, major platforms like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are known to censor and even shut down entire accounts just for being related to cannabis. Still, many companies keep pumping a sizable amount of their budgets into social media. They see it as the only tangible way to be seen in their community, whether thats one city, an entire state, or for ancillary and lifestyle brands -- the world at large. Companies should certainly create a presence on social media -- its essential for branding in the modern era. However, the most meaningful stories deserve a wider audience. Thats where PR could come into play. Related: The Particulars of Marketing Your Cannabis Business: Experts Share Their Secrets PR Can Get You Press Smart marketing minds know that endorsements from a few media outlets can really get the ball rolling for a lesser-known brand. For cannabis companies, the positive effects of earned (free) media can help build the ultimate foundation for growth, cementing name recognition and reputation among a sea of new brands. An earned hit on a well-trafficked cannabis website or blog is guaranteed to reach a captive audience of people who are familiar with the industry, most of whom are fairly likely to shop at cannabis retailers. A hit on a mainstream media platform can do even more -- it legitimizes the industry with a relatable business story, or piques the interest and maybe even change the minds of those who are on the fence about trying cannabis with a product feature. Blogs, ads, and social media posts fade after their time is up, but a solid story placement will be seen for months as it gets picked up by search engines, aggregators and industry newsletters. Sometimes, its even possible to share those hard-earned hits as boosted posts on social media for some extra oomph -- as long as they dont promote cannabis use, of course. Related: 6 Simple Digital Marketing Strategies to Jumpstart Your Marijuana Business PR Can Help You Target Your Message Public relations is about much more than sending messages into the void. Its a way for companies to add themselves into trend stories, by creating original and meaningful conversations around the types of products and types of consumers that make up this space. The modern history of cannabis is being written right now, and those who are engaging directly with the media in a focused way will be the main characters of the story. Related: Branded Content vs Developing Content for Brands - What's the Difference? Free Webinar: Make the Most of Small Business Saturday and Kick Off the Holiday Season! Want Higher Response Rates? Start Treating Your Sales Prospects Like People. Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. Its an easy-to-imagine scenario: You are a hiring manager for a newly created position. You suspect this role might fall into a certain pay range within your organization, but are not entirely sure of the market rate. You have a rough idea of budget and a clear idea of the traits of a perfect candidate. Why not post the position, see who applies with your ideal qualifications, then match salary histories of well-qualified candidates to the closest pay grade? Because in 20 state or local governments, it is now or will soon be illegal to ask candidates to disclose salary history during recruitment. Even in states like Michigan and Wisconsin where state law prohibits bans on asking the question, candidates may bristle at the question. As the head of a trade association that represents almost 100 Connecticut employershalf with six or fewer employeesintroduction of this legislation in Connecticut caught my attention. Small employers like the credit unions I represent use information from this question as market research to appropriately price new positions. Hiring managers from organizations of all sizes use this to screen candidates to save time for themselves and job seekers. So What exactly is the problem? Relying on salary history during the recruitment process has been found to perpetuate the gender wage gap. Women today make about eighty cents for every dollar a white man makes, as reported in AAUWs The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap. For black women, the gap is higher: They must work 19 months to reach their Equal Pay Day, or the point where income equals what a white man makes in one year. While there has been significant progress over the past several decades, research shows that it will take until 2059 for white women and 2124 for black women to achieve pay equity. To put this in perspective: My elementary school-aged nieces could reach equality in the middle of their careers. Any granddaughters born to my sons 2nd grade classmates might begin to earn equal compensation as they near retirement. That is a very long time to wait for equality. It is also a very long time for society to allow the economic distress of pay inequality to continue. This is not just an issue of fairness: Closing the gender wage gap would add $513 billion to the national economy and cut poverty among working women by more than half according to the Institute for Womens Policy Research. As both employers and community organizations concerned with building strong economies, credit unions will benefit by committing to pay equality. Here are three ways to position your organization as an ally in closing the gender wage gap that might also improve your culture for everyone: Support your claim that human resources are your most important asset. Organizational leaders often talk about how much they value employees. Is this demonstrated during salary negotiations, or is the object there to get the best deal on new talent? In states where inquiring about salary history has not yet been bannedor in the event a candidate discloses this information without your requestmaintain the integrity of offering the appropriate salary, not the lowest you think might be accepted. If a candidate discloses a salary requirement below your predetermined pay grade, use that opportunity to explain your commitment to fair pay and the value you place on people when you make a slightly higher offer than the candidate hopes. New team members will begin their journeys feeling highly valued and in this hypercompetitive jobseekers market, your organization will earn an impressive reputation. Host a workshop that teaches effective salary negotiation. Successfully negotiating a slightly higher starting salary sets a new employee on a path to earn more than $1 Million more than those who do not negotiate. Groups like the American Association of University Women offer the opportunity for your organization to host salary negotiation workshops to help women get on track for better long-term earning, and many recent graduates (regardless of gender) would likely benefit from this type of training. Offering this type of workshop to your community can boost individual earning potential while enhancing your brand as a true partner in improving peoples financial lives. Encourage male employees to participate in paid family leave. There are a number of conflicting studies related to the degree to which offering paid paternity leave might positively impact the gender wage gap. Studies do not seem to conflict about this, though: Globally, the disparity in womens income spikes after the introduction of a child to the household. It appears that even in countries like Denmark where parental leave can be divided equally between parents, the gender wage gap still grows following the introduction of a child. Offering paid leave is not enough to change the culture: Men must actually use the available leave. If your organization offers family leave but the culture subtly or blatantly discourages men from using it, reconsider how to influence different behavior. Can you create a culture where men are just as likely as women to take paternity leave after a new child enters the household? Senior leaders demonstrate acceptance by using the policy themselves. Human resources managers normalize the benefit when they proactively review the benefits available to new dads. Even informal moves like providing similar gifts, baby showers, or meal deliveries for both new dads and new moms may send the message that your organization supports the important role men play in parenting. As the world of human resources shifts and employees demand more flexibility, stronger integration of personal values at work, and more work-life balance, competitive employers must do more than just stay above the law. How will your credit union create trust and demonstrate the value you place on every individual who drives your organization? Weve all worked on group projects at various points in our lives. Whether you love collaborative work or not, youve probably figured out that communicating with your team members is what makes or breaks any project. Its no secret that group work can cause a few headaches if communication breaks down. Even so, the result of a well-coordinated team effort a project coming together to be greater than the sum of its parts makes the risk well worth the reward. We emphasize the importance of communication in team projects, and even in larger-scale departmental collaboration. So, if credit union operations is one of the largest collaborative efforts that can be undertaken, why arent more of us focusing on communication across all aspects of our organizations? Its all interconnected The decisions made in one department can be felt throughout all the others in some way, shape or form. Thinking about an entire credit union holistically might be daunting, but its important to step back now and then to consider the bigger picture: The different departments of a credit union are more than just isolated business functions. Theyre groups of professionals, individuals all working towards the same goal of providing the best possible experience for members. In that sense, all of us, members included, are part of the same project. By changing how we think to reflect this shared goal, we can start to better appreciate the contributions of each department to the larger effort. Engagement begets communication Fostering an environment where your staff can appreciate each others roles starts with them feeling appreciated in their own position. Every employee is a valuable asset to their credit union, and publicly recognizing this is an essential part of creating a positive workplace culture. Improving the relationship each employee has with your credit union yields a number of benefits, including their engagement with the overall success of the credit union itself. Because of this, theyre more likely to value and collaborate effectively with colleagues outside their own departments. Creating a forward-thinking culture Implementing a healthy, consistent means of cross-department communication may seem like a cumbersome task. And to be fair, it certainly can be. Those first few steps towards change are often the hardest, but when tactfully implemented, can start your organization on a momentous path. In the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 10, then head teller for the $188 million URW Community Federal Credit Union in Danville, Va., sent a text to his supervisor. His text read that he stole money from two branches and that he was sorry. Since then, police have been searching for Jorge Omar Navarro Jr., 27, who worked at the credit union for 10 years. Search warrants filed in Danville Circuit Court accuse Navarro of allegedly stealing more than $100,000 and replacing it with so-called Hollywood prop money, the Danville Register newspaper reported earlier this week. He did this on Friday (Sept. 7) and Saturday (Sept. 8), Cheryl Doss, president/CEO of URW Community FCU, said when contacted by CU Times. He texted his supervisor in the early hours of the morning on Monday, prior to any branch opening, and told her what he had done and that he was sorry. For Subscribers How big a problem is violence against referees in high school sports? Verbal abuse is consistently listed a major reason people don't want to officiate youth sports. Is physical violence also a consistent problem? EAST WHITELAND-An assistant teacher at The Malvern School of Lionville was among those honored during the schools annual awards. The Malvern School has a truly exceptional team across the board. It is their passion for early childhood education that has fueled us to become the largest privately owned preschool in the region, said Kristen Waterfield, president and co-founder of The Malvern School. And it is their passion that has enabled us to make such a profound and positive impact on the growth and development of hundreds of thousands of children since we opened our first schools in 1998. Founded 20 years ago with a philosophy to deliver high quality education for children between the ages of six weeks and eight years, The Malvern School celebrated its ongoing legacy of excellence at its 2018 Annual Awards Ceremony on Sept. 28 at the Desmond Hotel in East Whiteland Township. The awards honor outstanding performance among directors, teachers, coordinators and schools from across The Malvern Schools 26 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As we join together on our 20th anniversary to honor these outstanding award winners, we also recognize each and every one of our team members, Waterfield said. We are immensely grateful they have chosen The Malvern School as their career destination and for their ongoing devotion to helping our young friends reach their highest potential. Among the highlights of the awards dinner was the Teacher of the Year award, presented to Fru Leonard, a seasoned early childhood educator who has been teaching at The Malvern School of Royersford for more than 15 years. Embodying the schools core values, Leonard, who serves as the Kindergarten Enrichment lead teacher and School Age head teacher, goes above and beyond to plan and implement challenging, creative and exciting experiences for her students, and is constantly re-evaluating her curriculum to meet the changing needs of those in her class. Additionally, as NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) coordinator, she helps guide the entire teaching team to find ways to implement and recognize the highest standards in age-appropriate ways in all classrooms. Assistant Teacher of the Year was awarded to Mona Tehrani, of Exton, who works at The Malvern School of Lionville. School officials said a great model of positivity and professionalism to everyone around her, Tehrani is recognized by fellow teachers and families alike for her warmth, enthusiasm and contributions to continually enhance the school environment. Throughout her 14 years at the school, she has been singing with the children in her care, using positive guidance and bringing out the best of everyone around her. Kate Perez took home the honor for Executive Director of the Year. Serving in this role for 11 years, Perez was selected for leading The Malvern School of Richboro to operational success, including providing an exceptionally high level of service and quality to families and children. In doing so, she serves as a role model for peers and staff and is recognized for conscientiously driving the overall growth of her students and the school. The Malvern School of Richboro was also chosen to receive the Presidents Choice Award. This sought-after award, personally selected by Malvern School Presidents Kristen Waterfield and Joe Scandone, is given to the school that shows consistent effort toward constant and never-ending improvement in the operations of their school, including the quality of the program, staff and learning environment. The full list of The Malvern School Annual Award winners includes: Executive Director of the Year Kate Perez, The Malvern School of Richboro in Pa.; Director of Education of the Year Dana Berthoud, The Malvern School of Downingtown; Teacher of the Year Fru Leonard, The Malvern School of Royersford; Assistant Teacher of the Year Mona Tehrani, The Malvern School of Lionville; Big Q (Quality Standards) The Malvern School of Downingtown; Health and Safety Coordinator of the Year Marissa Dilallo, The Malvern School of Washington Township Curriculum Coordinator of the Year Bryanna Froelich, The Malvern School of Downingtown; Safe School The Malvern School of Richboro; Best Place to Work The Malvern School of Marlboro in N.J.; Families First The Malvern School of Richboro; 100 percent Club The Malvern School of Glen Mills; Superior Achievement Program Assessment The Malvern Schools of Richboro, Washington Township in N.J., Downingtown, Montgomeryville, Warrington (Pa.), Oaks (Pa.) and Medford (N.J.); Alexs Lemonade Stand Foundation Top Fundraiser The Malvern School of Glen Mills; Alexs Lemonade Stand Foundation Highest Increase Fundraiser The Malvern School of Blue Bell (Pa.); Platinum Performer The Malvern School of Glen Mills; Presidents Choice The Malvern School of Richboro; Rising Star The Malvern School of Robbinsville (N.J.); Core Values Laurie Stenger, Quality Systems Specialist, The Malvern School Executive Office. A woman whose hair began falling out when she was just nine has revealed how she has finally achieved a thick head of hair without needing painful implant surgery. Natasha Connolly, 22, from Hampshire, developed bald patches as a young child, and she was left so self-conscious she would cover her receding hairline with a full fringe. Growing up, the leisure centre manager would try various treatments - including root touch-up spray to camouflage her thinning roots - but with little success, she was desperate to get rid of her receding hairline. Natasha finally discovered 'scalp micropigmentation' - which costs 395 at a clinic popular with celebrities including Katie Price and Lauren Goodger - that promised give her the appearance of thicker hair. Natasha Connolly, 22, from Hampshire, developed bald patches as a young child, and she was left so self-conscious she would cover her receding hairline with a full fringe Natasha finally found a solution - a technique called 'scalp micropigmentation', which cost 395 for the treatment at a clinic popular with celebrities including Katie Price, and Lauren Goodger- that would give her the appearance of thicker hair (pictured) Natasha, who lives on her own, said she would often try to beat people to the punchline because she was so self-conscious of her hair and thought it was obvious to everyone else. Pictured, before her treatment with her receding hairline hidden behind a fringe The treatment, by Knightsbridge-based permanent makeup expert Tracie Giles, recreates super fine strands with natural-looking 'hair' strokes infused onto the skin, designed to blend seamlessly with the patient's natural locks. They are created to disguise balding areas, filling in gaps where hair appears fine, receding or where a person experiences hair loss. The beautician, who has 25 years' professional experience, uses a bespoke colour pigment matched to the client's natural roots. Natasha, who said her life had changed thanks to the treatment, said: 'When people joke that someone doesn't have a "fourhead" they have a "fivehead", well I have a "sixhead".' Natasha, who lives on her own, said she would often try to beat people to the punchline because she was so self-conscious of how her hair looked and thought it was obvious to everyone else, too. During the procedure natural hair strokes are infused onto the skin to recreate super fine hair using a bespoke semi-permanent colour pigment matched to the client's natural roots Natasha was self-conscious about her large forehead and said she would cover it up with a fringe. Before her treatment, pictured above, she was worried about people seeing her receding hairline And she is far from alone; hair loss is estimated to affect up to 6 million women in Britain. 'I have always been aware of it because it is how my hairline has always been,' Natasha recalled. 'Even when I was nine years old, everyone was growing out their fringes, but I had to keep a thick fringe to cover my hairline. 'My hairline goes so far back now, that a fringe won't cover it, and if I were to ever put my hair up, which is practical for my job, I tend to use a lot of root touch-up spray to cover my "bald bits".' 'The older I have got, the more conscious I have become,' she added. What is scalp micropigmentation? Scalp micropigmentation is a non-invasive technique that uses a fine needle to plant tiny dots of ink into the skin, imitating the look of short hair follicles. It works by placing natural pigments via a specialist micro needle at the epidermal level of the scalp, to realistically replicate the appearance of natural hair growth. The procedure gives the appearance of closely shaven hair and can be used to cover a fully bald head or fill in thinning hair or a receding hairline. It is said to be 'almost pain-free' as while a traditional skin tattoo penetrates five layers of the epidermis, SMP only enters two layers. While the technique has been used in men for a few years, it is increasingly being used in women, too. Advertisement 'I once did a first aid course and we were learning how to bandage someone's head. 'After my colleague had wrapped my head in a bandage, I had root touch-up spray all over my face and all over the bandage and all over his hands! It was very embarrassing.' Natasha would desperately try different hairstyles so that her receding hairline would be covered - but admits she was sometimes unable to avoid 'bald patches' being exposed on a windy day. Eventually, duty manager Natasha heard about the semi-permanent make-up solution and she finally decided to save to have it done. 'Deciding to have the hairline treatment gave me a massive confidence in the way I look as it is my biggest insecurity,' she said. During the treatment, an outline was made on Natasha's scalp, pictured, of the hair that needed recreating which helps to fill in gaps where the hair appears finer or where a person has receding or hair loss After her treatment Natasha could see an almost instant improvement, pictured. After the procedure healed she was left with a natural looking hairline. She said: 'I am so so happy, I have no words to express how much 'I feel like I'm not constantly worrying if people can see my bald bits, I can wear any hair style I want and finally ditch the root spray.' Natasha now claims the treatment has changed her life, saying: 'I am so so happy, I have no words to express how much. 'After the treatment, I have been trying all sorts of hairstyles I have never been able to wear, and it has been a lot of fun. 'It is such a subtle treatment, that no-one has noticed I have had something done, but they have noticed that I am starting to wear my hair away from my face. 'When I have been asked why, I have shown them and their reactions are always the same; "Oh wow, you never would have known!", "It's been done so well", and "It actually looks like hair!" 'No-one has picked up on the fact that it is not hair if I haven't point it out to them. 'I can now wear day-to-day hair styles which are practical for work, with so much confidence. I haven't felt self-conscious with my hair off my face once.' There are few people who haven't faced the age-old problem of creased clothing or onions stinging their eyes. But these crafty homeowners have offered surprisingly simple solutions to everyday dilemmas, sharing their top life hacks to Q&A site Quora in a thread compiled by Nihar More, a student from India. Answering some of the most googled questions, one user told how throwing an ice cube into a dryer with a wrinkled shirt will save ironing time, while another claimed that holding the 'close' button on a lift will take you straight to your floor. And one resourceful netizen showed how to build a makeshift iPhone speaker out of a kitchen towel roll and two plastic cups. Internet users have offered solutions to common dilemmas, sharing their top life hacks to question and answer site Quora. Nihar More revealed that if you hold your hand down on the 'close door' button, it will pass all the floors and bring you straight to your own Meanwhile gaming fan Nylian from the USA revealed that he puts a glass of water in the microwave to warm up his pizza which avoids it drying out, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora In another clever trick shared to Q&A site Quora, Nihar More, a student from India, revealed that if you throw a wrinkled shirt into the dryer with an ice cube, it gets rid of the creases in a matter of minutes An American Imgur user known only by the name 'Body Black backpack' demonstrated that by inserting a key into a cork at an angle and tugging, you didn't need a corkscrew, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora Meanwhile Twitter user Nate Cook from Illinois proved that by simply by sticking a phone into an empty paper towel role and placing two plastic paper cups at the end, you could create your own sound system, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora Elsewhere an unknown caffeine-lover demonstrated how freezing your coffee into ice cubes will give you a more concentrated hit- without it being diluted by ice made from water, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora Meanwhile an unknown Reddit user proved that men can keep their beard trimmings neat- simply by placing a newspaper page into the sink as they cut their facial hair, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora And impressively an American Imgur user by the name of Fatal Colombia revealed that by placing a bit of tin foil on the '+' side of a battery compartment needing AA batteries will save you if you only have AAA ones to hand, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora Meanwhile an anonymous would-be chef proved that you can cut onions without shedding a tear, simply by chopping off the ends of a peeled onions and soaking it in water for 30 seconds, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora In another clever trick shared to Q&A site Quora, website Real Simple suggested using a piece of tape between the rows of a computer keyboard to give it a clean For faster mobile charging purposes, website A Plus confirmed that placing your phone in airplane mode would save battery power, in a gallery of crafty life hacks shared to website Quora Whether it's a bad hair day or an angry red spot, we all have times when we could do with a little compliment boost. Luckily, the rise of social media has provided us with another way of validating ourselves when we're feeling low - by posting a selfie and unashamedly fishing for compliments. This hilarious Bored Panda gallery exposes the desperate singletons who have hunted for compliments online, only to be shot down completely. In most cases, the poster of the photo has described themselves as ugly or unappealing in an unsubtle attempt to win praise - but instead they received a swift and brutal backlash. This woman, from the US West Coast, posted a photo of herself from middle school next to a photo of what she looks like now. She claimed that she was called ugly when she was at school. However, another person replied and said that nobody called her ugly at their school This conversation between two people took a hilarious turn after the first complimentary message was sent. The receiver responded by saying they weren't beautiful prompting the sender to label them ugly for not accepting a compliment It is unclear where this man is posting from but his attempt to gain some sympathy backfired spectacularly. One woman said his face was unattractive while another person called him out on fishing for compliments. Another described the post as the 'worst Facebook status ever' This accountant from South Africa had a rude awakening when he took to Twitter to see how some of his female followers felt about him. Creating a poll and asking if ladies had a crush on him, he was informed that 0% of his followers did Perry decided to post a positive message on his Facebook account, declaring that there is 'no such thing as ugly'. A friend of his decided to respond and insist that she is in fact ugly, prompting Perry to reassure her It is unclear where this Facebook user is posting from but she took to the social media site to describe herself as ugly despite 'so many guys' liking her. Another user, named Summer, had a brutal and hilarious response Pammy took to Facebook to complain that she was getting 'so fat' despite weighing just 129 pounds. Unsurprisingly, one person was less than sympathetic and rather than assure Pammy she isn't fat, told her to just exercise This boy took to Facebook to announce the tragic news that he has cancer and is now writing up a bucket list. Unsurprisingly, several people offer him their best wishes - until the boy's father responds and reveals his son is lying This woman took to Facebook to proclaim that she was officially ugly. She was probably expecting some sympathy and encouragement from her followers but instead got this brutal response This person framed their Facebook post as a way of proving a point. It caused plenty of discussion in their comments, with people saying that she was pretty - although she was quick to disagree with them The weather in New York might have been a bit balmier than your average fall temperatures, but that wasn't going to stop Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb from soaking in the changing seasons alongside her daughter Haley Joy. Hoda, 54, took her adopted daughter apple picking over the weekend, a much-loved autumnal tradition that 20-month-old Haley seems to have embraced very quickly. In an image shared on the mother-of-one's Instagram account, the duo can be seen strolling through an orchard, with Hoda holding on to her daughter's hand, while Haley clutches a green apple in her other. Fun day out! Today anchor Hoda Kotb took her 20-month-old daughter Haley Joy apple picking over the weekend in order to celebrate the changing seasons Both are dressed down in a casual style for the weekend, with Hoda - who reported on the 2016 Olympics for NBC - showing her patriotism in a Team USA jacket, which she paired with some patterned leggings and sneakers, while Haley is clad in a pair of purple shoes, patterned pants, and a denim waistcoat. The pair is pictured facing away from the camera in the snap, which Hoda shared with nothing but a heart emoji as the caption. Hours after sharing the sweet photo, it was back to business for Hoda, who now co-hosts the first two hours of the Today show alongside Savannah Guthrie, as well as the final hour of the program with her long-time co-star and close friend Kathie Lee Gifford. Hoda and Haley's fun-filled day out actually comes just weeks after the Today co-anchor opened up about what makes her most happy a segment which saw her daughter as the first answer that came to her mind. 'I found my happiness through one person, two names: Haley Joy,' Hoda, who adopted Haley in February last year, said in the segment. She added: 'I feel like I've led a happy life but I don't know I knew how high that high could go until Haley stepped into my heart and lives there.' Paying attention to all the good things in her life has enabled Hoda to cultivate happiness on a daily basis. Proud mother: Last month, 54-year-old Hoda paid tribute to her daughter in a segment about happiness for the Today show 'We all get the blues. We all get funky. But I sort of am a believer of the things at the forefront of your mind should be the good things,' she said. 'So in the mornings I try to do a little grateful journal and I'll write three things I'm grateful for. And then before I go to bed at night I try to do the same kind of thing.' When she has a bad day, Hoda finds that lending a helping hand to someone else is a good way to turn her mood around. 'When I'm feeling crummy just like, regular kind of crummy the thing that always, always, always gets me out of my funk is when and you don't even realize you're doing it but when you help somebody else, your terrible situation isn't terrible because somebody else needs you,' she said. Good music is also 'paramount' when it comes to cheering herself up. 'Very few things are mood changers like that. Wine does it, I can assure you, and good music does it,' Hoda added. 'Just like that, you hear a song and your crummy day is all of a sudden like, "OMG I'm dancing in the moonlight, like, this is awesome." So I think keep a good playlist.' In honour of World Tourism Day, global adventure company Intrepid Travel has released its annual 'Not Hot' list, which reveals the formerly fashionable holiday destinations that are no longer in vogue. The 2019 list focuses on alternatives to traditional Asian hot spots, encouraging Australian travellers to discover less-visited areas in order to reduce the burden of over-tourism in wildly popular locations. It comes in response to an increasing number of beach and attraction closures across the Asia Pacific region, including Thailand's iconic Maya Bay and the party island of Boracay in the Philippines which were both shut down for months due to pollution and unsustainable tourism. The 2019 'Not Hot' list focuses on finding alternatives to traditional Asian hot spots According to Intrepid Travel co-founder Darrell Wade, the list is designed to disperse travellers more evenly around the world. 'Australians are increasingly well-travelled and this is about encouraging them to step away from the familiar approachtourism can be a potent force for food, and we believe the broader the travel experience, the better,' he said. From the lesser tread paths of Indonesia to scaling mountains in the quiet serenity of Nepal, FEMAIL take a look at the five new must-see destinations for anyone with wanderlust and an eco-friendly outlook. FEMAIL take a look at the five new must-see destinations for anyone with wanderlust and an eco-friendly outlook 1. KOMODO IS THE NEW UBUD Once considered the adventurous alternative to revelers heaven Seminyak, Ubud in Bali has enjoyed a dramatic increase in tourist figures thanks to its haven of health and healers. But this surge in visitors has put pressure on Ubud's infrastructure, while the day-trip market contributes little to the local economy. Komodo, the dragon den of Indonesia, is a viable alternative for anyone seeking a slice of ancient tradition and vibrant nature. Travellers can enjoy treks through deep rain forests, snorkel untouched coral reefs, walk across volcanic sand beaches and keep an eye out for Komodo dragons. Ubud (pictured) has enjoyed a dramatic increase in tourist figures thanks to its haven of health and healers Komodo, the dragon den of Indonesia, is a viable alternative for anyone seeking a slice of ancient tradition and vibrant nature THE 'STANS OF CENTRAL ASIA The 'Stans are a collection of five formerly Soviet republics in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Tucked between India, Russia and China, the nations are a congregation of mountains, steppe grassland and desert. Advertisement 2. BUKHARA IS THE NEW ANGKOR WAT South East Asia has been the favourite haunt of backpackers and thrill seekers for decades, but further inland the vast expanse of Central Asia remains relatively undiscovered by foreign tourists. The 'Stans offer a mystical travel experience rich with unusual cuisine, customs and culture. Bukhara, the fifth largest city in mysterious Uzbekistan, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its foundation more than 5,000 years ago. The city boasts over 140 monuments and historical buildings, including the Po-i-Kalyan Mosque which is over 1,300 years old. Intrepid Travel suggests Bukhara as a historic alternative to Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat, where the paving stones are said to be eroding due to the millions of tourists visiting each year. Cambodia's Angkor Wat (pictured) is being damaged by the sheer volume of visitors The Central Asian 'Stans (like Uzbekistan, pictured) offer a culturally rich alternative Bukhara, Uzbekistan's fifth largest city (pictured), is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site 3. LADAKH IS THE NEW EVEREST While Nepal remains a must-visit for adventure seekers, Kathmandu and the area surrounding Mount Everest are heaving with visitors. Those looking for a more authentic Nepalese experience should try Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, renowned for its world-class hiking trails and breathtaking scenery of the Indian Himalayas. The region offers a wealth of activities including river rafting, remote cultural villages, monasteries and religious sites. Make the Indian capital of New Delhi your base point to fully appreciate the peaceful serenity of Ladakh. The Kashmir region of Ladakh (pictured) is being heralded as a fresh alternative to the Nepalese region of Mount Everest Like Everest, Ladakh is renowned for its world-class hiking trails and breathtaking scenery of the Indian Himalayas 4. NAOSHIMA IS THE NEW OSAKA In recent years, Japan has become an increasingly popular holiday destination for Australians thanks to its food, fashion and funky attractions. But while Osaka is the generic option for first time visitors to the Land of the Rising Sun, Intrepid suggests discovering the southern islands or 'Lost Japan' instead. This includes Naoshima island, which has been transformed from a sleepy fishing village to a world class art destination with a plethora of sleek and stylish museums. Travellers can cycle between galleries, outdoor sculptures and contemporary architecture, as well as a range of castles and Japan's oldest hot springs, Dogo Onsen. The Japanese city of Osaka (pictured) is becoming more flooded with tourists every year Intrepid Travel recommends travelling to Naoshima island in the south instead, which offers a plethora of castles, art galleries and natural hot springs Borneo's steady stream of foreign visitors is threatening the native ecosystem - a sustainable alternative is Indonesia's Sumatra, home to Gunung Leuser National Park (pictured) 5. SUMATRA IS THE NEW BORNEO Wildlife lovers have flocked to Borneo for centuries, but the steady stream of foreign visitors is beginning to threaten the native ecosystem. The Indonesian archipelago of Sumatra is an exotic alternative, filled with incredible geothermal activity thanks to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Sumatra's Gunung Leuser National Park is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth, and also offers the best chance of spotting a wild orangutan in Indonesia. When mother Evie Farrell found herself looking through the photo albums of she and her daughter's three years of travelling recently, she noticed one glaring fact. Despite taking thousands of photographs, she was in very few, bar a few close-up selfies. The 45-year-old from Sydney therefore decided to start a campaign, called #mumsinphotos - where she challenged both herself and mothers around the world to include themselves in their photos with their kids, rather than hiding behind the lens. 'It's my own fault as I don't like to be in photos because I think I don't look good and I've gained weight,' Evie told FEMAIL. 'I feel as though photos are prettier with just Emmie in them.' Scroll down for video Mother Evie Farrell (pictured with her daughter, Emmie) has started a hashtag #mumsinphotos to encourage mothers to get out from behind the lens in snaps with their kids 'It's my own fault as I don't like to be in photos because I think I don't look good and I've gained weight,' Evie told FEMAIL (pictured with Emmie) The 45-year-old mum said that she thought photos with just Emmie in them were 'prettier' than snaps with the pair of them, but from now on she'll share more with them both Evie first started travelling around the world with her eight-year-old daughter, Emmie, three years ago, when she quit her 9-5 job in Sydney and never looked back. Since then, the mother and writer has visited dozens of countries with her little one in tow - schooling her around the globe via the NSW Distance Education primary school programme. 'Recently, I looked through my photos from our trip, and I realised I have very few pics of me and Emmie together,' she explained. 'I have some close-up selfies that we've taken together, but very few of us at many of the landmark places we visited.' 'I have some close-up selfies that we've taken together, but very few of us at many of the landmark places we visited,' Evie said she found when looking through albums (selfie pictured) Evie said she was messaged my many mothers (one pictured) who had to go back years in order to find one photo with their child Taking matters into her own hands, the 45-year-old located what few photos she had in her albums - and started sharing them on Instagram. 'When I mentioned this on Instagram and asked mums to share pics of them with their children so many of them messaged me in shock to say that they could only find a couple,' she said. 'One lady had to go back years to find a photograph of herself with her kids, and another went through more than 500 photos from a recent holiday and was in none of them. 'So many stories like this. And everyone is surprised that they are missing. Mums are making themselves invisible.' 'When I mentioned this on Instagram and asked mums to share pics of them with their children so many of them messaged me in shock to say that they could only find a couple,' she said Since starting the hashtag #mumsinphotos, hundreds of women have shared their snaps with their kids (pictured) Speaking about her personal experience, Evie said that all too often she opts out of photos, 'only taking ones of Emmie or politely declining strangers' offers to take pictures of us'. 'I often say, "no thank you, I don't like being in photos". But it's not about me, it's about creating memories for my daughter, a record of our lives together that we can look back on and chat about, laugh about and enjoy. 'And it's what mums need to do, get in the photos!'. 'I was looking for a pic of Em and I from Bali yesterday and I was in tears. We spent about three months there and I could find two photos of the both of us. 'I think mums don't realise we are missing until we start looking for pics - and then we can't find any photos of us with the kids or family. It's a real shock.' Evie said mums need to take up that stranger's offer to get a photograph of them and buy a selfie stick to create memories 'We think we don't look that great or have the confidence to be in the pic, and when we look back, all we see is a lovely family photo... and what do our kids see? Beautiful mummy in the pic,' she said Evie is now sharing fewer photos of just Emmie (pictured) and more where the pair of them are enjoying a memorable experience Other women are also being encouraged to come out from behind the camera and feature in their photographs Since adopting the hashtag, there have been several hundred photos shared on Instagram with #mumsinphotos, many of which have been inspired by Evie. Evie said it's great 'we are committing to being more visible'. 'Many of us are insecure and not used to being in the photo. I am the same! But it's like when I look back on photos of 18-year-old me - when I thought I was fat - and OMG I had a banging body. 'We think we don't look that great or have the confidence to be in the pic, and when we look back, all we see is a lovely family photo... and what do our kids see? Beautiful mummy in the pic!'. Evie recommended all mothers 'buy that selfie stick and make those memories'. 'Get out from behind the camera,' she said. 'Things are changing.' To follow Evie and Emmie's adventures on Instagram, please click here. She also blogs at Mum Pack Travel, which can be found here. Move over Emily Ratajkowski! Months after the model sparked a viral sensation when she posed topless for jeweler Alison Lou, the brand has a new collection, a new campaign - and a new face, in the form of stunning plus-size model Paloma Elsesser. The 26-year-old showcases New York-based brand Alison Lou's new neon Loucite range, a follow-on from the viral success of her original Loucite collection, which sold out on multiple occasions after being worn by dozens of A-listers, including Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Shay Mitchell, and Gigi Hadid. Wow factor: Fashion star Paloma Elsesser takes center stage in a new campaign for Alison Lou, which sees her showcasing the brand's newly-launched neon Loucite collection All about the accessories: In the campaign, the 26-year-old model shows off her curves in an array of skin-tight workoutwear that perfectly matches her brightly-colored Jelly Hoops Wristy business! She also models the line's Jelly Cuff Trio, a set of three lucite bangles Pink to make the boys wink! Paloma follows in the footsteps of Emily Ratajowski, who starred in the original Alison Lou Loucite campaign In the new campaign, Paloma, who originally hails from Canada, can be seen modeling an array of brightly-colored neon hoops from the new Loucite collection - which offers the designer's popular Jelly Hoop earrings in bright yellow, pink, green, blue, and orange. In keeping with the neon theme, Paloma also shows off her curves in different brightly-colored workoutwear, coordinating the figure-hugging styles to whatever earrings she is wearing in the shot. One stunning snap shows the model posing in a skin-tight black-and-green neon bodysuit, while wearing a pair of the neon green hoop earrings, which are made from clear lucite and hand-painted colorful enamel. She can also be seen showcasing the newly-launched Jelly Cuff Set, a trio of neon lucite bangles, each a different size and color - green, yellow, and pink - holding her hands up to adjust her ponytail, and flaunt the colorful accessories, which adorn each of her wrists. 'The release of new colors has always been part of the Loucite plan and for this second capsule we decided to take the color palette of our Jelly Hoops in a much brighter direction,' said Alison Chemla, creative director and designer for Alison Lou. 'When we saw the electric neon hues all over the fashion week runways this season we knew we were on the right track. With this second drop we also introduced a new category to the Loucite family. The cuffs are fun, easy and add a splash of color to every outfit.' Paloma's stunning campaign comes just six months after fellow model Emily, 27, starred in a series of images showcasing the original Loucite collection - a range of three different sizes of lucite hoops that immediately flew off the shelves thanks to an impressive A-list following. Snap them up! The new neon range, which includes five colors of the $145 Jelly Hoops (pictured), comes six months after the original Loucite collection, which completely sold out A-list favorite: Alison's original Jelly Hoops, which came in three sizes, were worn by everyone from Lady Gaga to Gigi Hadid New addition: While the original Loucite range featured three sizes of Jelly Hoops, the neon collection comes with a $265 bangle trio At it again: Emily, 27, posed topless for her Loucite campaign, which debuted in April The earrings, which were even worn by digitally-made model and Instagram star Lil Miquela, sold out on multiple occasions, leaving fashion fans desperate to track down their own pair. Loucite was also considered a much more affordable collection in comparison with Alison's high-end fine designs, which can be priced anywhere up to $10,000. Meanwhile the new neon Jelly Hoops are just $145 per pair, while the Jelly Cuff Set trio is priced at $265. For those truly savvy spenders, there is also the HoLOUgram Pouch, an envelope-style case that can be snapped up for just $12. Whatever your preferred style, there is no doubt that the collection will achieve the same phenomenal success as its successor - just as Paloma's campaign more than matches Emily's stunning images. The model and actress actually caused quite the storm back in April when she modeled a pair of the red Jelly Hoop earrings while posing topless in a sizzling photo for her Alison Lou campaign. The modeling sensation stood with her left side to the camera, folding her arms over her bosom and aiming a pout at the shutterbug. In another snapshot, Emily flashed a bit of leg in a busty and sheer powder pink coat, putting on an exhausted-looking supermodel stare. She not only tried on several different-colored pairs of hoops, but also lifted an Alison Lou case up to her surprised-looking face and showed it off. Emily's torso was almost entirely visible when she posed in a see-through pink and brown button up top, which was apparently made of some sort of plastic. Forget the Christmas holidays fast approaching, Australians should be looking to book their European summer break sooner rather than later, a new report suggests. Those early birds who are able to lock in their trip abroad before October 31 will be all the better for it, with Skyscanner calling this the last day you'll be able to get the best discount at a whopping 44 per cent off. But interestingly very few Australians are prepared to book almost a year in advance, with the majority waiting to secure tickets in May. Scroll down for video But interestingly very few Australians are prepared to book almost a year in advance, with the majority waiting to secure tickets in May (London pictured) This alarming pattern comes at a hefty price because last-minute bookings made in May can be up to 22 per cent more expensive than the same ticket booked in October. Looking further into departures, June is the most popular month for Aussies to visit Europe, followed by July and August, with the majority of tourists naturally looking to frolic in the warmer months. However, the increased demand also makes June the most expensive time to travel with airfares rocketing to an average $1,940, compared to when departing in May ($1,430) - a huge 22 per cent saving. The increased demand also makes June the most expensive time to travel with airfares rocketing to an average $1,940 (Dublin pictured) EARLYBIRD SALES FOR SUMMER IN EUROPE 2019 Destinations Early Bird Airfares for 2019 Estimated saving (%) London From $1,058 41 per cent Dublin From $1,087 42 per cent Paris From $1,036 41 per cent Rome From $1,129 41 per cent Manchester From $1,088 43 per cent Milan From $1,214 32 per cent Barcelona From $1,297 32 per cent Athens From $1,199 40 per cent Belgrade From $1,158 37 per cent Amsterdam From $1,011 44 per cent London and Paris are still undoubtedly the most popular choices when it comes to a summer abroad, ranking first and third on the list respectively, but places like Moscow (ninth) and Zagreb (eleventh) are emerging as hot contenders. Skyscanner's research found that despite this Athens and Rome are considered the best value European cities for Australian travellers to consider, with an average daily cost of $227 and $254 respectively. In addition, Barcelona ($295), and Milan ($347) also offer travellers strong value on the daily dollar. Whichever popular tourist spot you're hoping to visit next year, the advice is clear: Start planning your trip now to avoid disappointment (Amsterdam pictured) Barcelona surfaced as a value destination for beer loving Aussies to consider, with half a litre of local beer costing only $4.89, while the same costs $10.60 in Paris. These estimated daily costs also make Dublin the most expensive destination, despite airfares to the Irish Capital being cheaper than Rome and Athens. Whichever popular tourist spot you're hoping to visit next year, the advice is clear: Start planning your trip now to avoid disappointment. You can find Skyscanner's deals - which are available until October 31 - here. A bottle of bubbly is a great way to celebrate any occasion - but it seems there is one Australian suburb with residents who enjoy it more than most. According to new sales data from Australian wine retailer Cellarmasters, residents in Mosman, New South Wales,have purchased more Champagne than any other postcode in the country for 2018. This isn't the first time they've topped the list either as they took out first place in 2017 as well. Scroll down for video According new sales data from Australian wine retailer Cellarmasters, Mosman residents have bought more Champagne than any other postcode in the country Wine influencer Joe Menezes said Mosman (pictured) has great areas for people to enjoy a bottle of bubbles This is closely followed by Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, then Sydney CBD, Blakehurst and Castle Hill. Australia's biggest wine influencer Joe Menezes of Once Upon a Wine lives in Mosman and said he was not surprised by the findings. 'What can I say, Mosmanites are sophisticated drinkers! They enjoy trying out different wines and Champagnes and they're prepared to pay for it, plus we have some stunning location spots to enjoy them,' he said. Mosman is closely followed by Buderim in Sunshine Coast, then Sydney CBD, Blakehurst and Castle Hill Top 10 Aussie suburbs that order Champagne 1. Mosman 2. Buderim 3. Sydney 4. Blakehurst 5. Castle Hill 6. Melbourne 7. Rozelle 8. Nelson Bay 9. St Ives 10. Brighton Advertisement 'Also, a huge number of homes in Mosman have the disposable income to acquire a wine fridge or three or even incorporate a fairly elaborate cellar into their home which probably enhances our numbers as well,' he added. Sunshine Coast suburb Buderim nabbed the second spot and Sydney CBD took out the third. The stats also revealed that the residents of Sydney suburbs Blakehurst and Castle Hill order more Champagne than residents in Melbourne CBD. According to the information from the Champagne region's official website, Australia is the sixth biggest export market for Champagne, with over 8.5 million bottles of the French fizz consumed in 2017. The stats also revealed that the residents of Sydney suburbs Blakehurst and Castle Hill order more Champagne than residents in Melbourne CBD Christine Ricketts, Cellar Director at Cellarmasters, said Australians are drinking more Champagne than ever before. 'Champagne has traditionally been the drink of celebrations, but Aussies are finding more and more reasons to drink bubbles simply because it's so delicious,' she said. 'Although often enjoyed on its own or with delicate foods like oysters, what most people don't know is that Champagne happens to be the world's most food friendly wine. 'You can match the right Champagne with almost anything thanks to its high level of acidity and varying levels of richness. So if ever in doubt, always go for the bubbles!' A quintessentially Australian restaurant has beaten hoards of foodie competitors to be named the country's best. Restaurant Orana, situated in Adelaide's CBD, earned the title at the Good Food Guide Awards, nabbing the top prize over more than 500 entrants. Owned by renowned chef Jock Zonfrillo, the intimate eatery focuses on native Australian ingredients and 'celebrates all elements of Australia'. 'Across the menu, we try to capture the flavour of Australia especially the parts which are generally overlooked,' he told FEMAIL. Restaurant Orana, a quintessentially Australian restaurant has beaten out hoards of foodie competitors to be named the country's best 'So much of the food in this country is mixed, diverse and delicious.' Leading with this philosophy, the restaurant's menu features a kangaroo tail, pepper and potato pie dish and Murray River cod, leek and eucalyptus among its offerings. Other typically Australian inclusions are the Mud crab, mascarpone, bunya and brush cherry, along with a Spencer Gulf prawn roti. Owned by renowned chef Jock Zonfrillo, the intimate eatery focuses on native Australian ingredients and 'celebrates all elements of Australia' The menu features a 18-course dinner option including a kohlrabi salad (pictured) Leading with this philosophy, the restaurant's menu features a kangaroo tail, pepper and potato pie dish and Murray River cod, leek and eucalyptus among its offerings Other quintessentially Australian inclusions are the Mud crab, mascarpone, bunya and brush cherry, along with a Spencer Gulf prawn roti According to Jock, his trailblazing business's position in one of the country's smaller capital cities comes as part of a trend of gourmet dining across Australia. Good Food Guide Winners 2019 Wine List of the Year - Otto, Queensland Regional Wine List of the Year - Wickens at the Royal Mail, Victoria Coffee Legend Award - Stefano de Pieri, Stefano's Cantina, Victoria Bar of the Year - The Dolphin Hotel Wine Room, New South Wales Advertisement 'Gone are the days of the Sydney and Melbourne food scenes overshadowing the rest of the country,' he said. 'Here in Adelaide it's just amazing. It's such an easy city to live in and we have such a great food culture.' On the eatery's website, Jock's inspiration behind Orana's philosophy is further revealed. 'Taking his curiosity and respect for the Aboriginal people, the oldest surviving culture on earth, Jock celebrates all elements of Australia...and in the process has created a cuisine that is uniquely his own,' it writes. Diners at Orana can expect simplified luxury throughout their visit with a seasonal Tasting Menu which consisting of between 16 and 18 courses. According to Jock, his trailblazing business's position in one of the country's smaller capital cities comes as part of a trend of gourmet dining across Australia. Gone are the days of the Sydney and Melbourne food scenes overshadowing the rest of the country,' he said. On the eatery's website, Jock's (pictured) inspiration behind Orana's philosophy is further revealed to come from 'his curiosity and respect for the Aboriginal people' Tastings will set punters back $240 a head for dinner while wine matching costs $170. The comparatively modest lunchtime short tasting menu includes seven and nine courses and is priced at $120 a head. As part of the awards, held at Melbourne's Crown Casino on Monday night, Orana was one of only five restaurants nationally to receive three hats - the guide's highest ranking. Good Food Guide Award restaurant winners 2019: Restaurant of the Year - Restaurant Orana, South Australia New Restaurant of the Year - Laura, Victoria Chef of the Year - Peter Gilmore, Quay, New South Wales Regional Restaurant of the Year - Brae, Victoria Young Chef of the Year - Jodie Odrowaz, Iki Jime, Victoria Advertisement Other winners included Peter Gilmore who was named Chef of the Year, and Jodie Odrowaz who took out the prize for Young Chef of the Year. New Restaurant of the Year was awarded to Laura, in Point Leo, Victoria, while Regional Restaurant of the Year went to Brae restaurant in Birregurra, Victoria. In addition to the Awards, the event also unveiled this year's edition of the prestigious food bible the Good Food Guide. David Gandy has slammed brands for using 'young skinny boys' in their fashion campaigns. The Essex-born model, 38, spoke out in a new photoshoot that sees him model a range of suits he has designed for M&S, posing as different personalities for Fashionbeans. David, who is expecting his first child with his criminal lawyer girlfriend Stephanie Mendoros, 32, next month, praised the retailer for its diverse range of models, arguing that it makes the brand more relateable. And touching on impending fatherhood, the ex-boyfriend of Saturdays beauty Molly King admitted he felt 'apprehensive', joking that there should be a 'test' to prepare adults for parenthood. Essex-born David Gandy, 38, has slammed brands for using 'young skinny boys' in their fashion campaigns, and praised M&S for their use of 'relateable models'. He is seen in his latest photoshoot for Fashionbeans, which shows him modelling suits he has designed himself Despite Conde Nast banning the use of models under 18 earlier this year, David argued that the use of 'young, skinny boys' is is still prevalent in the male fashion industry. 'But you still have these brands who are using very young, skinny boys,' he said. 'And I think it's just not relatable.' While the concern over slim female models has been a long-debated issue, critics argue it has been less highlighted in the world of male models. Earlier this year there was backlash when fashion fans noted the use of thin male models in designer Rick Owens' collection for spring/summer 2018. Co-founder Debra Bourne of Charity All Walks Beyond the Catwalk, which has been promoting healthy diversity, said: Young male models might struggle to acknowledge their vulnerability and tough out unhealthy demands regarding keeping their body on-trend, shape wise. The fashion industry carries huge power to influence the way we think about our physical appearance and impacts our self-esteem. Shortly afterwards, a BBC survey found that the number of men treated for anorexia had increased by 27 per cent in three years, while the number of women was up by 13 per cent. David, who is expecting his first child with his criminal lawyer girlfriend Stephanie Mendoros, 32, next month, posed as different personalities in the shoot and revealed he was shy and hated red carpet appearances, despite his persona Continuing the interview, which praised David's longevity in an industry primarily focused on 'younger' models, the model spoke about how he has changed since being in his twenties and early thirties. He admitted that he is now happy travelling less, taking his dog Dora for a walk and being more of a 'homebody'. And while his shoot portrays him posing as an array of different types, his personality reflects this. Despite his outgoing model persona, David admitted that he is actually shy, and 'panics' every time he has to go on the red carpet. Speaking about the arrival of his first child in November, he added: '[I'm] excited. 'Obviously apprehensive. It's our first and I don't think anybody is particularly prepared to suddenly be responsible for a human being for the next 18 years. I always think there should be a test.' Admitting that he hopes his unborn child will have his girlfriend's 'personality, charm and intelligence', he admitted to being glad he had waited until later life to become a father as he was able to live life to the fullest. And jokingly arguing that his healthy pet pooch was proof he would be a good dad, he concluded: 'She's still alive and very well, and enjoying life, spoilt brat that she is. 'I'm not comparing dogs to children, but it's a really good test within your relationship, if you can dedicate your life to that dog. I don't think Dora's ever been on her own for more than three hours.' The Essex-born model, 38, spoke out in a new photoshoot that sees him model a range of suits he has designed for M&S, posing as different personalities for Fashionbeans In June, David, the country's highest paid model confirmed to the MailOnline that he is having a baby with his girlfriend of two years. 'We're expecting our first in November. We're both thrilled. Absolutely delighted,' he said. 'It's our first. It's all very new to us. We're taking every day and week as it comes. It should be fun.' Revealing that he didn't know the unborn baby's gender yet, he said: 'We don't know if it's a boy or a girl and we're not planning to find out.' M&S has invested in a host of big names to give the high street store's profits a boost with Holly Willoughby the latest recruit. The TV star, 37, and the British retailer sent shoppers into a frenzy when they announced the partnership in co-ordinated Instagram posts today. The This Morning host will reveal her 20 'must-have' pieces from the autumn/winter collection later this month - and shoppers are already excited for the drop. David Gandy is among Marks and Spencer's high profile models, which includes TV presenter Holly Willoughby Helena Bonham Carter has opened up about standing up to 'chilling' Harvey Weinstein's bullying behaviour. The London-born actress, 52, admitted it wasn't easy to confront the shamed producer's 'bullying' behaviour, and was aware that she could lose work because of it. 'I found the way he treated certain people chilling without any kind of respect,' she told The Guardian. 'There were times when Harvey asked me to do certain things, and I said "no". I knew I was running a thin line.' However, she was measured in her take on his personality, saying that 'nobody is wholly bad and nobody is wholly good. He was very clever.' She credits the disgraced movie mogul, 66, with earning her two Oscar nominations by casting her in the 1997 Henry James adaptation The Wings of The Dove and The King's Speech. Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual assault by over 20 women, is currently awaiting trial on charges of rape and sexual assault in New York and has pleaded not guilty. In the interview, the Harry Potter star also touches on her relationship with Johnny Depp, saying that allegations of domestic violence against his ex-wife Amber Heard have not impacted their friendship. The Pirates Of The Caribbean star is godfather to her two children, although she admits she hasn't seen the 'elusive' actor for some time. Helena's next major role will see her play Princess Margaret in Netflix series The Crown. Helena Bonham Carter starring as the Queen Mother, the wife of King George VI, alongside Colin Firth in The King's Speech in 2011, a role that earner her a second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress Helena Bonham Carter is currently filming The Crown, playing Princess Margaret alongside Olivia Colman who was taken on the role of the Queen in the hit Netflix series She is set to take over the role from Vanessa Kirby, who played Elizabeth's sister in the first two seasons of the show, and admitted she and her co-stars Olivia and Tobias Menzies - who will replace Matt Smith as Prince Philip - are feeling the pressure to follow on from the 'successful' first two series. She told Variety on the Ocean's 8 red carpet: 'I think we're all ... we're completely terrified. 'I think also because the first two seasons were such a success, we have the onus of inheriting the responsibility of doing justice to all these genuinely famous people, and then on top of it, inheriting them from this previous generation of actors who've done such good jobs. 'None of us look at all like our previous generation. We don't actually look like our real people either. I don't look like Margaret. I don't think Olivia looks particularly like the queen, but it's interesting. We just have to try and create some sort of essence.' The first series of The Crown was one of the most critically acclaimed dramas of 2016 - winning two Golden Globes and two SAG awards, and being nominated for four BAFTAs. Additionally, the first two seasons have collectively bagged a whopping 26 Emmy nominations over the last two years. Recently it was reported that Helena has even enlisted the help of a clairvoyant to speak to Queen Elizabeth's sister, who died in 2002 aged 71, from beyond the grave to ensure she researched the role with 'as much depth as possible'. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: 'She always likes to research her roles with as much depth as possible - and is always prepared to go that extra mile. Alex Edelman/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Sen. Bernie Sanders will to continue to pound the pavement ahead of midterm voting this November. Sanders' team has announced the next phase of a robust campaign schedule that will take the independent senator to nine states in nine days starting next week to help elect Democrats running for governor, U.S. House and Senate. They anticipate adding more stops in the final stretch as well. Notably, the list of candidates for this swing includes some true-blue progressives, as well as more moderate Democrats who do not agree with Sanders on all policy prescriptions. The senator, for example, will campaign with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, though he campaigned for one of her challengers in the primary. Jacky Rosen, the Democratic Senate candidate in Nevada, also sticks out. "It is a diversity of Democrats on the list from some people who are unabashedly progressive to some who are progressive but not totally aligned with Bernie on every issue," Jeff Weaver, Sanders' former presidential campaign manager and current adviser, told ABC News over the phone. "These are historic midterms, and it is about making sure Democrats up and down the ballot get across the finish line. ... He was looking for places where he could make the biggest impact, in some cases that was folks contacting us and in some cases he saw a candidate that he thought would be a great elected official and we reached out to them," Weaver continued. Sanders plans to start his tour Oct. 19 in Indiana to campaign for U.S. House candidate Liz Watson, who is running against Rep. Trey Hollingsworth. It is a tough race in a red area. His itinerary then takes him to Ann Arbor, to campaign with Whitmer. During the primary, Sanders campaigned for one of Whitmers democratic opponents: Abdul El-Sayed. Weaver told ABC News his team offered to campaign with Whitmer after that race and her team was "enthusiastic" about him coming. "In many primaries this year we have had an embarrassment of riches and had two good candidates," Weaver told ABC News, calling Whitmer a "fantastic" candidate. "When you have multiple progressives running in a primary, one of them will win or the other one will, but the general election is now, and it is time to make sure we defeat the Trump agenda everywhere, up and down the ballot," he added. The tour takes Sanders to Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada -- all early voting states in a presidential year. Sanders seems to be considering running for president again and Weaver will accompany him on part of the trip next week. He is planning to campaign for Arizonas Democratic gubernatorial candidate, David Garcia, on Oct. 23, but as of now, not the partys Senate candidate, who is in a tight race to try to win that seat for the party. Commenting on the choice of states and political risk for candidates in red areas to campaign with Sanders, Weaver said: "What you see too often in Washington is an outdated view of how politics works in America. ... Bernie Sanders did better in rural America, with moderate Democrats, he was winning those constituencies. He is very popular with independent voters who are critical in general elections." Weaver noted 50 percent of millennials currently register as independents. Sanders has endorsed nearly 80 candidates this cycle. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Signal Mountain Mayor Chris Howley said the language in a new viability study regarding keeping or selling the water system that it now owns and operates was not strongly worded in favor of the town keeping it. The study is from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). The mayor said, after reading it, he concluded that it should be sold, but the decision will not be made until the next council is installed. The mayor, who did not seek re-election, suggested having MTAS make a presentation of its findings to residents of Signal Mountain at a public meeting. He asked Town Manager Boyd Veal to arrange the meeting. The mayor said that the more information that can be provided to the new council members the better. Another study is being requested by an ad hoc committee that is analyzing the sale, along with several citizens and one council member, Dan Landrum. This rate study would also be done by MTAS for the amount of $3,000. Over the last several months, extensive evaluations of the water system and its condition have been done by Mr. Veal and his staff along with Mayor Howley. Since discussion of the sale of the system started four years ago, the water rates have not been raised. Maintenance has been done, but no capital improvements have been made to the infrastructure. Because the rates have stayed the same, there has been no build-up in reserves that would have been used to make improvements. This is one of the reasons that the system is not considered to be in great condition, it was stated. It is recognized by all that rates will go up regardless of whether a study is done or not and whether the town retains the system or not. All council members at the Monday night meeting, with the exception of Mr. Landrum, felt that before paying for another study that the town first should determine what needs to be done to the system over the next 10-15 years. That would be based on the facts that are now known including increased wages for water system workers and expanding the staff, general maintenance and capital improvements among other things. Councilman Brandon Anthony suggested raising the rates but not to the maximum amount that the projections have determined. That would at least begin building reserves for improvements, he said. And it would bring them closer to what they should be, said Mayor Howley. A motion passed for Mr. Veal to find out what information the town would need to provide in order to do the rate study, and in turn to find out exactly what information MTAS would give to the town if a study is done. The council voted on first reading to amend the towns livestock regulations in order to allow residents to have goats. The amendments are being made to the municipal code - not through a zoning change - so no public hearing was required. It will apply only to single-family residences with a minimum lot size of two acres, and allows horses or goats. Only two animals will be allowed on property of two acres and another half acre will be required for another animal. There are restrictions on structures and setbacks and there is a nuisance provision. A sunset clause is in place so that the decision can be reversed in a year if problems occur. A second vote will be needed to pass the ordinance. The council approved applying for a Tennessee Highway Safety Office Grant of $15,000. It has been received by Signal Mountain for multiple years, said the town manager, and is used for driver safety. Additional funds for the stormwater project at Whippoorwill Drive were approved by the council. The change order amount of $4,262 was charged because the utilities were deeper than anticipated and requires more excavation and materials to make the repair. In the future, the town will request for utilities to not only mark locations, but also to give the depth before a project is begun. Also approved was the purchase of road salt, not to exceed $14,000, in preparation for winter weather. Mayor Howley announced the opening of the towns new fire station will be held on Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. He said that the facade was modeled after the old fire station that sat where CVS is now located. The new facility also allows the town to meet obligations to the areas that have been annexed and should reduce insurance rates because of better coverage and response time. The new fire truck has also arrived. At the agenda meeting on Oct. 26 at 12:30 p.m. the council will honor the Signal Mountain High Schools National Merit Finalists. This year there were six from the school - the most of any school in Hamilton County, either public or private. There will also be an update from the Centennial Committee. There will be discussion about creating an economic development position and more talk about the water system. The election will be on Nov. 6. The results must be certified before the new council members can be installed. It is expected that will not be done by the Nov. 12 regular council meeting, so tentatively, a special meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17, to install the newly elected council members. An orientation meeting for them will be held following the installation. At the next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 30, the mayor and vice mayor will be chosen. By Trend Holding the Francophonie Summit in Armenia, a country dominated by fascism and ethnic strife, offends culture and humanism, Azerbaijani MP Hikmet Babaoglu told Trend October 8. "The international event is considered a kind of holiday for those who love the French language, culture and speak French. But Armenia is a mono-ethnic state, and not a single Frenchman is living there permanently. Generally, other nations do not live in Armenia. The reason is hatred and Armenian aggression against other nations. In 1988, Azerbaijanis living in Armenia were expelled with fascist cruelty, whereas the right to live on those lands belonged to Azerbaijanis," Babaoglu said. The Azerbaijani MP noted that the artificial state, called "Armenia", was established on the historical lands of Azerbaijan. "And now the summit of the Francophonie organization is held in Yerevan with the participation of representatives from more than 40 countries. No matter how contradictory it looks, the call of the 17th summit sounds like the preservation of coexistence, humane goals and diversity in the region. The Francophonie summit is held in a country where fascism and ethnic strife, insult of culture and humanism dominate. But there is also the political side of the issue. Armenia wants to receive a political dividend from this event, associated with the French language and culture. Armenians, who have been trying for many years to present themselves as one of the peoples close to the French culture, are communicating something that has never existed the 'French-Armenian historical ties'. In fact, the history of friendship between Armenians and the French people began with animosity against and betrayal of Ottoman Turkey by Armenians. Today, this is a kind of political message to Russia and a hint that Armenia is pursuing a pro-Western policy," the Azerbaijani MP said. Babaoglu stressed that it is impossible to hide Armenian fascism with such cheap shows. "Armenia is an aggressor who committed genocide against Azerbaijanis, and it will be punished for that crime," he said. Her daughter's wedding is a matter of days away, but mother of the royal bride Fergie took time out from preparations to appeal on behalf of children affected by the tsunami in Indonesia. The Duchess of York, who is a founder patron of the charity Street Child, unveiled a special appeal on behalf of young victims affected by the disaster in Indonesia on her Instagram account on Monday. The 58-year-old ex-wife of Prince Andrew, whose youngest daughter Princess Eugenie will tie the knot at Windsor Castle on Friday, described the impact on children in Indonesia as 'utterly heartbreaking', as she urged her followers to support the cause. On 28th September a devastating earthquake on the island of Sulawesi triggered a tsunami. The death toll following the disaster has exceeded 1,700 - but around 5,000 people remain unaccounted for, presumed dead. The Duchess of York, who is a founder-patron of the charity Street Child, announced a special appeal for victims of the tsunami in Indonesia on Instagram on Monday, describing their Sarah Ferguson shared details of the appeal on her Instagram account on Monday. Her youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie, will marry Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle on Friday 'As a mother, I have found the stories and scenes of children affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia utterly heartbreaking,' The Duchess wrote on Instagram. 'They need our help.' The UK-based Street Child charity works to get disadvantaged children in poverty-stricken communities around the world into education. A statement from the Duchess posted on its website said of the impact of the disaster: 'Its already clear that a large number of children have not only seen their homes, schools and communities destroyed but have also been orphaned, and more are separated from their families. 'Many are sleeping on the streets of Pula and are deeply traumatised by what they have been through. Street Child has enormous experience and expertise in this area, having stepped in to help thousands of children orphaned by the ebola crisis. We know these children in Indonesia will need both immediate and long-term support.' Donations will be put towards getting a Street Child team on the ground on Sulaewsi to help protect vulnerable children in the wake of the disaster, and down the line, towards rebuilding devastated schools and communities. The Duchess' younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, 28, will marry her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle this Friday The royal family will descend on Windsor for a second time this year as the ninth in line to the throne exchanges vows with her long-term boyfriend, Jack Brooksbank, watched by the Queen and a host of celebrity pals. Mother of the bride Fergie, who is famously close to her two daughters - and publicly expressed her joy at Eugenie's engagement on Instagram following the announcement in January - is thought to have been heavily involved in preparations ahead of the big day. Proud parents: The Duke and Duchess of York, who separated in 1996 but have remained close over the decades, will be front and centre at St George's Chapel as their daughter ties the knot watched by the royal family and a host of A-list friends The Duchess (seen with Eugenie) and her two daughters are a famously tight-knit unit - so much so they call themselves 'the tripod' - and the trio are regularly snapped out on the town together The Cambridge family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be among the congregation on Friday, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte rumoured to be performing pageboy and flowergirl duties - just as they did for their uncle Prince Harry and his now wife Meghan back in May. A host of A-list guests are also expected in the chapel - from royal regulars Victoria and David Beckham and Elton John, to pop stars Robbie Williams and Ellie Goulding, and the supermodel Naomi Campbell. Following the formal ceremony in the splendour of St George's Chapel, the star-studded guest-list will enjoy an after-party fuelled by George Clooney's Casamigos tequila - for which groom Jack is an ambassador - believed to be taking place at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The Countess of Wessex looked chic as she joined husband Prince Edward on a trip to Latvia today. Sophie, 53, opted for a pink and black coat dress by Erdem - which she previously wore on Christmas Day last year - as she met Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis and his wife Iveta Vejone in Riga. She finished off her stylish ensemble with a pair of black strappy heels, and a co-ordinating clutch bag. Sophie and Edward, 54, have a busy day of engagements in Latvia today, before flying on to Lithuania tomorrow. Sophie Wessex looked chic in a pink and black coat dress by Erdem as she joined Prince Edward for a visit to Latvia The Countess of Wessex, 53, finished off her stylish look with a pair of black strappy heels, and a co-ordinating clutch bag The couple will both visit Riga Castle, along with the Freedom Monument, during their tour of Latvia. Sophie will then go on to visit fashion label OWA Fashion, followed by co-working space OraculeTang and social business BlindArt, which helps those with visual impairments. Edward meanwhile will attend a lunch at the National Library of Latvia to promote the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The royals will both visit will visit attend a dinner at the Riga Castle tonight, before leaving for Lithuania. Sophie and Edward met Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis (second from right) and his wife Iveta Vejone ) far right) on arriving in Riga, the capital of Latvia, today Edward donated a book to the People's Bookshelf as he and Sophie visited the National Library in Riga today Sophie and Edward have completed a number of overseas visits of late, including a three-day trip to Paris last week. The couple were given a tour of the Palace of Versailles during their visit, as well as attending a glitzy dinner at the Hotel Perrinet de Jars next to the British Embassy. The royals later showed off their archery skills as they visited a training centre for elite athletes in Paris. Edward has also recently returned from a tour of the US, where he was promoting the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The lingerie entrepreneur turned Tory peer Michelle Mone has shared glimpses of her birthday gifts on Instagram - from personalised bottles of champagne to a painting from a portrait artist to the stars. Baroness Mone, who turned 47 on Monday, was surprised with the colour-pop painting of herself by her 'great friend', the British artist Lincoln Townley, who is married to Loose Women presenter Denise Welch. Thrilled mother-of-three Michelle posted video footage of Lincoln unwrapping her painting for her in what appeared to be her luxury kitchen, calling it an 'incredible birthday present from the most talented artist of our time'. The Glasgow-born businesswoman also shared a snap of Veuve Clicquot champagne boxes emblazoned with her name in a post thanking friends and family for a 'cracking' birthday celebration. Ultimo founder Michelle Mone, seen on the red carpet in 2015, marked her 47th birthday on Monday. She thanked friends and family on Instagram for her 'cracking' day, and shared snaps of her gifts Baroness Mone of Mayfair OBE posted online: 'I've had such a cracking birthday,' adding that she was off out for a celebration dinner. Lincoln Townley, the husband of Loose Women presenter Denise Welch, has been commissioned to create portraits of stars including Charlie Sheen, Al Pacino, Nick Nolte and Gary Oldman. Now Michelle can add her name to that list, after he tore the paper off her own portrait, rendered in shades of yellow and red and emblazoned with her name across it. Michelle, who is mother to Rebecca, Bethany and Declan with her ex-boyfriend Michael Mone, pronounced it incredible. Surprise! Baroness Mone posted a video on her Instagram feed of the British artist Lincoln Townley unwrapping her gift in what seemed to be her stunning contemporary kitchen - a colour-pop portrait of her by him, overlaid with her name The entrepreneur was also gifted bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne personalised with her name to fuel her birthday celebrations The businesswoman thanked her friends, family and followers for their birthday wishes in an Instagram post on her special day on Monday Michelle thanked her 'great friend' Lincoln Townley - whose fans include the actor Sir Michael Caine - for the 'incredible' gift of a portrait to mark her birthday Michelle lives with her billionaire partner Doug Barrowman after moving into his sprawling property on the Isle of Wight early last year. Between them the couple have seven children, and Michelle has previously said she believes their devotion to family life and shared passion for business is ultimately what makes them work so well as a couple. 'I think because Im an entrepreneur and hes an entrepreneur weve hit it off,' she told MailOnline. 'When we get back from the office theres so much to talk about, and its not just chit chat.' Meghan Markle feared she looked too 'eager' after she agreed to a second meeting with Prince Harry the day after their initial blind date in 2016. According to British biographer Andrew Morton, 65, the now Duke and Duchess of Sussex were 'buzzing' after their first encounter, with Harry 'enthralled' by the American actress. Meghan, 37, who at the time was promoting law series Suits in London, was worried she may have made the wrong impression by agreeing to meet the prince again so soon. Harry, in turn, was said to be 'mesmerised by her beauty and sophistication', after they met in Soho's Dean Street Townhouse, reportedly set up by mutual friend and fashion designer Misha Nonoo. The revelations come after extracts from Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, written by Morton - who secretly penned a controversial biography for Princess Diana in 1992 - resurfaced online. Scroll down for video British biographer Andrew Morton has claimed Meghan Markle feared she was too 'eager', after she accepted a second date with Prince Harry the day after their first London meeting in 2016 Speaking in the biography, Morton writes: 'They were mesmerised by one another, Harry enthralled by her beauty, sophistication and perceptiveness. 'She understood him as a man, not a title... As he subsequently confessed, he realised that he would have to up his game. 'Both were buzzing. As she relived that fateful evening in her mind, she perhaps wondered if she had been too eager to accept his invitation to meet again the following day. 'Stay classy, Ms Markle,' Morton added to the revealing extract on the newlyweds, who tied the knot in May. Harry, in turn, was said to be 'mesmerised by her beauty and sophistication', after they met in Soho's Dean Street Townhouse, reportedly set up by mutual friend and fashion designer Misha Nonoo But her fears proved unfounded, and just over a year later the couple announced their engagement in November 2017. In an extraordinarily candid interview the duo revealed during the interview how they went on just two dates before a besotted Harry invited her on a magical camping holiday in Botswana. Harry added: 'I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly... All the stars were aligned - everything was just perfect. It was this beautiful woman just sort of literally tripped and fell into my life - I fell into her life.' Meghan's fears proved unfounded, and just over a year later the couple announced their engagement in November 2017, with Harry admitting later, in an interview last November, that he was besotted immediately and fell in love 'incredibly quickly' Speaking about the moments after their first 2016 date, Morton wrote: 'Both were buzzing. As she relived that fateful evening in her mind, she perhaps wondered if she had been too eager to accept his invitation to meet again the following day. Meghan and Harry are seen in June this year. The now Duke and Duchess of Sussex met in the summer of 2016 after being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend, thought to be fashion designer Misha Nonoo. Misha Nonoo and Meghan Markle seen in an old Instagram post. The now Duke and Duchess of Sussex met in the summer of 2016 after being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend, thought to be fashion designer Misha Nonoo. British Andrew Morton, 65, released biography 'Meghan: A Hollywood Princess' in April In November 2016 Harry confirmed their romance after he released a statement asking for his girlfriend's privacy to be respected, revealing she had been subject to a torrent of abuse amid rumors of their romance. Just weeks later the Prince visited the American actress on set of Toronto-based legal drama Suits, before the couple were first sighted together in London during December 2016. The duo then made a number of low key appearances together in 2017, before Harry proposed to the stunning Suits star during a cosy night in over a roast dinner in 2017 after a 16-month whirlwind romance. The couple announced their engagement in November 2017, spending Christmas together with the Queen at Sandringham. They married on May 19 this year at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in England. The British biographer, 65, who secretly penned a controversial biography for Princess Diana in 1992, described how the pair were left 'buzzing' after their first date, with Harry 'enthralled' with the American actress. The couple are seen together in Sussex last month The besotted couple married on May 19 this year at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in England Last month Morton, who was Princess Diana's biographer, revealed how the late royal decided to bare her soul in a tell-all book because she felt like a 'prisoner' in the royal family. Speaking to People magazine, the author, 65, who secretly interviewed the princess for Diana: Her True Story, published in 1992, said the book turned the royal from a fairytale character to a real person for the first time - and the public loved it. Morton's interviews with Diana took place while her marriage to Prince Charles was falling apart behind closed doors. Morton's book caused a sensation when it was published in 1992, detailing the princess' five suicide attempts, her unhappy marriage to 'uncaring' Charles, his affair with Camilla and her eating disorder. 'But it soon became apparent that the book really was, as it claimed, Dianas own true story,' he said. 'And the Princess quickly began to receive the kind of support that always meant so much to her. Letters came flooding in many from people whod suffered from eating disorders themselves.' Queen Letizia of Spain looked perfectly polished as she stepped out for an official engagement on Tuesday. The 46-year-old royal wore a printed navy and orange knitted top with co-ordinating leather-effect skirt as she attended a World Mental Health Day event in Madrid. Letizia, whose husband King Felipe is heir to the Spanish throne, took part in a discussion on the theme of 'inclusive education, positive mental health' at the Palace of the Parliament, or Palacio de las Cortes. She stayed in the same outfit to join her husband in welcoming Chile's President Sebastian Pinera and his wife Cecilia Morel for lunch at Zarzuela Palace. Queen Letizia of Spain wore a printed navy and orange knitted top with co-ordinating leather-effect skirt as she attended a World Mental Health Day event in Madrid on Tuesday, pictured The stylish royal, 48, finished the look with a camel coat which she wore slung over her shoulders as she arrived at the Palace of the Parliament, or Palacio de las Cortes, in Madrid Once inside the historic building, home to the Spanish parliament, Letizia removed the coat. She took part in a discussion on the theme of 'inclusive education, positive mental health' It is part of a global drive to raise awareness on issues surrounding mental health this week. World Mental Health Day will be held on Wednesday 10 October. Queen Letizia looked sophisticated in a knitted geometric print top with capped sleeves for the outing. She wore the bold piece tucked into a knee-length camel skirt which featured navy and orange panels placed at flattering points on her waist and hips. The stylish royal elongated her legs with a pair of toffee-coloured leather crossover strap pumps and finished the look with a long camel coat which she wore draped elegantly over her shoulders. The stylish royal elongated her legs with a pair of toffee-coloured leather crossover strap pumps, pictured, which perfectly complemented the rest of her ensemble Letizia, whose husband King Felipe is heir to the Spanish throne, waved to well-wishers as she arrived for the Madrid engagement, which ties into the World Mental Health Day campaign The queen wore her brunette locks in a sleek and straight style with a defined centre parting. Pictured, she is greeted by an official as she arrives for the World Mental Health Day event An orange clutch bag in the same vibrant shade as her top and skirt brought a final splash of colour to the look. Letizia, who is mother to Princesses Leonor, 12, and Sofia, 11, wore her brunette locks in a sleek and straight style with a defined centre parting. A light touch of make-up accentuated her natural beauty. The event in Madrid coincides with a number of World Mental Health Day events, including one in London attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Queen Letizia, pictured, joined other officials and members of Spanish parliament for the World Mental Health Day discussion on Tuesday Letizia is the wife of King Felipe, 50, who ascended to the Spanish throne in 2014. Letizia married King Felipe ten years ago at Cathedral Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena in Madrid. The relationship began in November 2002 and in 2003, just months after she had been promoted to the position of anchor on the national news channel, she quit her job and days later the royal engagement was announced. Prince Harry has 'dropped' close friends including former wingman Tom 'Skippy' Inskip in case they're a 'bad influence', insiders say. The Duke of Sussex, 34, is said to have frozen out some of his 'old posse' as Meghan doesn't want any 'temptations' as they prepare to start a family. Harry was one of Tom's ushers at his Jamaican wedding last year, which was also attended by Meghan, 37. However, he and another one of Harry's friends, PR guru Astrid Harbord, are said to have been 'airbrushed out'. Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan in Sussex last week) is said to have 'dropped' close friends since marrying Meghan in case they're a 'bad influence', according to insiders Speaking to the Express, a friend said: 'Like several others who were considered a questionable influence on Harry during his bad old bachelor days, Tom has been dropped, even though he himself now has a lovely wife, Lara.' The source added: 'It's all part of Meghan's quiet airbrushing out of Harry's old posse. She doesn't want temptation - of any sort - being put in his way while they concentrate on starting a family.' Both Tom and his wife Lara Hughes-Young attended the royal wedding in May, while Tom was also seen partying with Princess Beatrice at the exclusive LouLou's club in Mayfair last month. Tom, who is a banker, is one of Harry's childhood friends from Eton, and was considered to be his 'wingman'. Harry, 34, is said to have frozen out former wingman Tom Inskip, a former childhood friend from Eton. Tom is pictured here at the royal wedding with wife Lara He was with Harry during his infamous trip to Las Vegas in 2012, when the prince was photographed naked during a game of 'strip billiards'. Tom also partied with Harry during a trip to Croatia the previous year, when they were photographed jumping into a pool fully-clothed at a nightclub. Harry had a key role at Tom's wedding in Jamaica in 2017, which marked one of Meghan's first appearances with the royal in public. Astrid, a friend of the Duchess of Cambridge, was also known to be a member of Harry's former posse, and has previously been romantically linked to the prince. Another one of Harry's friends, PR guru Astrid Harbord, is also said to have been 'dropped'. Astrid is pictured here with Princess Beatrice at the Serpentine party in June She was spotted in 2009 going back to Clarence House with royal at 3am after a night on the town. The reports of Harry freezing out his old friends comes after it was suggested that Meghan was finding it hard to know who to trust. A source told People last month: 'Meghan has lost touch with some of her close friends from before the wedding, which has been tough.' Kensington Palace has declined to comment. Advertisement Jenna Bush Hager is still over the moon about her sister Barbara's wedding - and couldn't resist sharing a few more snippets from the happy day. The Today co-anchor, 36, took to Instagram on Tuesday morning to share photos of the family's celebration in Maine while sharing a heartfelt message for Barbara, saying she's still 'busting with love' over her twin's nuptials. Barbara tied the knot on Sunday at her family's estate in Kennebunkport, Maine, with writer Craig Louise Coyne, 37, after a secret five-week engagement. Over the moon: Jenna Bush Hager shared this photo of herself and her parents Laura Bush, 71, and George W. Bush, 72, celebrating the wedding of her twin sister Barbara, 36 Family: Jenna also shared this photo of Barbara holding hands with her nieces Mila, five, and Poppy, three, wearing a low-cut dress from Brock Collection that retails for an impressive $2,375 Jenna shared two photos from what appears to have been a weekend-long celebration, one of which shows the sisters and their parents, while the other captures very glamorous bride Barbara and her nieces - who served as her flower girls at the event. While it appears that the images weren't taken on Barbara's wedding day, it seems clear that they were taken as the family toasted the pair's wedding in Maine over the course of the weekend. Anticipation: A photo of Barbara applying lipstick in the mirror while getting ready for her wedding was shared on an Instagram Story The first image shows Jenna and Barbara with their parents, Laura Bush, 71, and George W. Bush, 72. Laura is on Barbara's left while George is on her right and rests a hand on her shoulder. Both parents are beaming, as is Jenna, who is standing on George W.'s right. The bride wears a white gown featuring lilac straps, in coordination with her father's button-down shirt. Jenna and Laura, meanwhile, are both wearing emerald green in the snap Laura in a long-sleeved design cinched at the waist with a belt, and Jenna in an off-the-shoulder number. Indeed, it appears that there was a purple-and-green theme to the occasion, given the coordinating ensembles being worn by the family at the event, which may perhaps have been the rehearsal dinner, or another pre-ceremony gathering. The second photo Jenna shared on Tuesday morning shows Barbara holding hands with both of her nieces, Jenna's daughters Mila, five, and Poppy, three. A beaming Barbara is wearing a very low-cut, slit $2,375 dress from Brock Collection which features long sleeves and a light pattern in the snap, with her dark hair down in her back. By her side are Mila and Poppy wearing matching white dresses with long sleeves and ruffled collars. Both Mila and Poppy served as flower girls on Barbara's wedding day, with Poppy taking on the additional duty of ring bearer. Jenna raved about the celebration in her Instagram post, writing: 'Just a couple more because although I'm waking up in NY my heart is in Maine. I'm still busting with LOVE for my beautiful sissy. Scroll to see three girls I love so much!' Celebration! Barbara and Craig Louis Coyne tied the knot at her family's Maine estate over the weekend (pictured), after keeping their engagement under wraps Another photo of Barbara that was shared on Instagram showed the bride-to-be getting prepared for her wedding while dressed in a white nightgown; the photo shows her carefully applying a red lipstick in the mirror, the final touches of her makeup for the day. It was revealed on Monday that Barbara had tied the knot in an 'intimate' ceremony after keeping her five-week engagement to her groom, a writer and Vanderbilt graduate, a closely-guarded secret. A beaming George W. proudly walked his daughter down the aisle at the event, where the bride wowed in a stunning custom Vera Wang gown, while family members including her twin sister Jenna and her grandfather George H. W., watched on. The wedding, which was officiated by Barbara's aunt, Dorothy Bush Koch, comes just six months after Barbara's grandmother, and namesake, former First Lady Barbara Bush, passed away. Barbara paid tribute to her late grandmother by wearing a piece of her jewelry a bracelet that had been given to her by George H. W. on their 70th wedding anniversary as her 'something borrowed'. Barbara and her groom wanted to tie the knot in Maine because that is where Barbara's grandfather resides, Jenna told Today. The bride's twin sister served as matron of honor during Barbara's nuptials a natural gesture, given that Barbara was her maid of honor when Jenna tied the knot with Henry Chase Hager, now 40, in 2008. 'I'm crying 24 hours later,' Jenna said on Today on Monday. 'There were so many happy tears.' Family: Barbara's twin sister Jenna Bush Hager (second from left), 36, was Barbara's matron of honor. Her daughters Mila (front, left), five, and Poppy (front, right), three, were both flower girls. Pictured left is Jenna's husband Henry Chase Hager, 40, center are Laura Bush, 71, and George W. Bush, 72 Proud father: A beaming George W. Bush walked Barbara down the aisle during the intimate ceremony that took place at the family's compound in Maine Together: Barbara posed for a sweet photo with her grandfather George H. W. Bush, 94 The matron of honor said the 'elusive' bride and her groom kept the ceremony on the down-low and focused on making it a family occasion. 'It was a very secret wedding, a little bit like my elusive sister,' Jenna added between tears. 'But also, just family in a place that means family love, and it was just beautiful.' Romantically, Craig proposed in the same spot where Barbara's grandparents got engaged. The groom, too, had his sibling by his side during the ceremony: his brother Edward Coyne III served as his best man, while his parents, Darlene, 63, and Edward James Jr., 65, were also in attendance - as was his sister Kathleen, 32, who is known as Katie. Both Katie and Kathleen did readings during the ceremony. Barbara and Craig are now planning to live in New York, which is where Barbara is based. For much of their relationship, the couple was doing long-distance because Craig was living in Los Angeles. Jenna and Barbara's grandmother, who died in April this year, was honored during the reception when Jenna read a letter that George H. W. wrote her years ago. 'I ended with a letter that my grandfather wrote to my grandmother because I searched all the romantics and Shakespeare just wasn't doing it. He was sitting right next to me as I read it,' Jenna told Today. Jenna paid tribute to her sister in an emotional Instagram post on Monday morning. She shared a photo of herself embracing her sister and wrote next to the shot: 'Happy tears, heart exploding as I watched this beautiful girl get married in the place that means love and family. I'm so proud to be this beauty's sister.' Barbara's father also took to social media to mark the happy occasion. He shared a photo of himself walking Barbara down the aisle and wrote: 'Barbara is named for a unique and strong woman - and rightly so, because she is unique and strong. @laurawbush and I are so proud of our compassionate, daring, fierce, kind, intelligent, loving daughter. And we're thrilled to welcome Craig Coyne to our family.' Reunited: The bride and groom (center) posed for a group photo with their loved ones, including Laura, George H.W., George W., Jenna, Henry, as well as some of Craig's family members. Pictured back row, right is Craig's brother Edward Coyne III, who served as the groom's best man, and his wife Amanda, while Craig's mother Darlene, 63, is pictured in the blue dress sitting next to George W., his father Edward James Jr., 65, is pictured sitting to the left of Laura, and his sister Katie, 32, is pictured back row, third from left Touching moment: Jenna and Barbara are known to be close, and Jenna served as her twin's Matron of Honor, after Barbara served as hers at her 2008 wedding to Henry Hager, now 40 Family affair: The ceremony was incredibly intimate, with only a few family and friends present Barbara and Craig were set up on a blind date by friends in November last year and officially became an item by New Year's Eve. Craig proposed to Barbara just five weeks before they tied the knot, during a family gathering in Maine. 'It's just been a very sweet romance,' Barbara told People. 'And we've been long-distance for most of it - he's been in LA and I've been in New York - but we've gotten to spend a lot of time together.' Barbara has long been more reserved than her twin sister. While Jenna has 611,000 followers on her Instagram account and regularly shares snapshots of her family life with Today viewers, Barbara does not have an official account on the platform and has worked as the co-founder of Global Health Corps, a nonprofit focused on public health. Who is Craig Coyne, the man who stole Barbara Bush's heart? The world was stunned when former first daughter Barbara announced that she had wed in an intimate ceremony over the weekend - but just who exactly is the man lucky enough to win her hand in marriage According to a statement from the Bush family, Craig Louis Coyne, 37, is a writer who originally hails from Georgia, and a graduate of Vanderbilt University. He is the son of Edward James Jr. and his wife Darlene, and has two siblings - older brother Edward James III, and a younger sister, Kathleen. As well as boasting credentials as a writer however, Craig has also worked as an actor, appearing in a handful of movies, including Jarhead (2005) and Unlovable (2018), as well as the web series Lonelygirl15 (2006) according to his IMDB page. Craig was cast by director Sam Mendes for Jarhead, which is based on the memoir of US Marine Anthony Swofford and stars Jake Gyllenhaal as the lead. The website for Craig's agent - Independent Talent - also reveals that he once worked as a Page in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pages in this position typically serve in their junior year of high school, meaning Craig likely worked as a page between 1997 and 1998, when Bill Clinton was in the White House. Since turning his hand to writing, Craig has worked on a live-action show for Comedy Central, and an original series with Parks and Rec star Jim OHeir, which is said to be in post-production. The groom, who creates web content and series with producers located in Los Angeles and in the UK, has also written a play, Delusions of Grammar, which has him a spot in the selection of the 2016 William Inge Theatre Festival in Kansas. Craig first met Barbara after the pair were set up on a blind date in November last year, and they then got engaged over the summer - in the same place that Barbara's grandfather popped the question. Advertisement Meanwhile, Coyne is a writer and former actor who appeared in a handful of movies, including Jarhead (2005), and Unlovable (2018), as well as the web series Lonelygirl15 (2006). Craig was cast by director Sam Mendes for Jarhead, which is based on the memoir of US Marine Anthony Swofford and stars Jake Gyllenhaal as the lead. Unlovable is an upcoming dramedy about a woman struggling with sex addiction. The Vanderbilt University alumni considers himself the 'world's biggest Chick-Fil-A fan' according to a website for one of his films. After graduating from Vanderbilt, the groom worked as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives before moving to Los Angeles. Pages in this position typically serve in their junior year of high school, meaning Craig likely worked as a page between 1997 and 1998. The president at the time was Bill Clinton, and Craig's new father-in-law George W. didn't enter the White House until January 2001. As a writer, Craig has worked on a live-action show for Comedy Central, as well as an original series with Parks and Rec star Jim O'Heir called Ask Play, which he also directed and which is said to be in post-production. The groom, who creates web content and series with producers located in Los Angeles and in the UK, has also written a play, Delusions of Grammar, which has him a spot in the selection of the 2016 William Inge Theatre Festival in Kansas. Reports that Barbara might be getting ready to tie the knot first surfaced last week however - despite the family's best efforts to keep the ceremony a secret. On Wednesday, Page Six reported that close friends and family of the bride and groom had been sent an invitation via Paperless Post to 'toast Barbara and Craig' at a Tribeca loft this coming Friday, just five days after the wedding took pace. The gathering is reportedly being hosted by Jenna and her husband Henry, and guests were told of the dress code: 'Sequins highly encouraged to get your groove on.' A friend of the couple said another party for 'only about 20 people' will then be held for just the close family and friends of Bush and Coyne on Saturday, however it is not known whether the source was in fact referring to Barbara's intimate wedding celebration. Barbara turns 37 years old November 25 and less than two years ago the Greenwich Village resident was believed to be dating filmmaker Andrew Jenks. The pair had been at a Rangers Game and Chris Gethard comedy show at the Lynn Redgrave Theater in December 2016. She was reportedly seeing Ping-Pong club SPiN business partner, Franck Raharinosy prior to that and the venue was often the location of events she hosted. A woman who survived breast cancer twice is celebrating her new body with a beautiful mastectomy tattoo. Sara Coulson, 52, from Gores Landing, Ontario, has undergone 26 rounds of chemotherapy, 21 rounds of radiotherapy, a lumpectomy, and a double mastectomy. She had been considering reconstructive surgery for two months when doctors to told her her risk of developing cancer again was too high due to genetic factors and that she should delay reconstruction for another year. Scroll down for video Ink: Cancer survivor Sara Coulson, 52, from Gores Landing, Ontario, got her chest tattooed to mask her mastectomy scars Choices: Doctors told Sara her her risk of developing cancer again was too high due and that she should delay reconstruction for another year. She decided to get a tattoo instead Treatment: Sara has undergone 26 rounds of chemotherapy, 21 rounds of radiotherapy, a lumpectomy, and a double mastectomy Rather than wait, Sara decided to get a mastectomy tattoo to cover the scars left by the procedure. 'Having the scar covered up with the tattoo is the final piece of the puzzle,' she said. 'I don't want to say it will make me feel more beautiful because we are all beautiful in our own ways inside and out. 'It's not something you can actually put in words, it's the way it makes you feel. I will get up in the morning now and look in the mirror and I'm going to see this beautiful tattoo and it's just going to give me a whole different attitude. It's just going to make me feel that much better within myself.' The tattoo design incorporates three roses in it a nod to the many bouquets of flowers husband Gary has given Sara over the years, always with three roses arranged into them. Meaning: The tattoo design incorporates three roses in it a nod to the many bouquets of flowers husband Gary has given Sara over the years Sentimental: Sara wanted to make sure her tattoo had an 'emotional connection', which is why she chose a design inspired by the bouquets Gary has given her over the years Couple: Gary (pictured with Sara on their wedding day) has given her bouquets including three roses to mark many important occasions, including the births of their children Past: Sara (pictured on the day after her wedding to Gary) said the three roses are meant to symbolize the three words in the sentence 'I love you' 'The first time Gary told me that he loved me, he gave me three roses and told me that each one represents a word in "I love you,"' Sara said. 'Ever since then, regardless of what the occasion when our children were all born, Christmas, anniversaries, it doesn't matter what the arrangement is, there is always three roses in there to remind me that he loves me. 'I felt that I needed to make that kind of a emotional connection to the tattoo so we put three roses in the tattoo and we have built around that.' Sara got her tattoo at Koukla studios in Cobourg, Ontario through Project New Moon, the studio's non-profit tattoo service offering tattoos to those with scars from mastectomies as well as other surgeries and self-harming. Sara was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 33 years old, while she had two young children and a demanding job with the family pub and catering business. 'I got the phone call on May 17th, which will stay with me because that's my dad's birthday and I was absolutely devastated,' she recounted. Process: Sara (pictured at the hospital on her last day of chemotherapy) said getting her tattoo done to cover her mastectomy scars was the 'final piece of the puzzle' Team: During treatment, Sara (pictured at the hospital on her last day of chemotherapy) regularly brought food for the nursing staff Family: Sara and Gary's daughter Morgan (pictured on the day of her graduation) was six when her mother was first diagnosed with cancer Illness: Sara (pictured with her daughter Morgan, son Dylan, and stepdaughter Kirsty three years after her first cancer diagnosis) received her first diagnosis aged 33 Back: Sara (pictured with Gary, Dylan, and Morgan) was diagnosed with cancer for a second time after finding a lump in her breast in February 2017 Condition: Sara's second cancer diagnosis came after she and Gary bought a beach house in Florida to escape the long Canadian winters It took eight months for Sara to be cancer-free. First, Sara had a lumpectomy, with surgeons removing 10 lymph nodes. She then underwent a grueling six-month course of chemotherapy and 21 rounds of radiotherapy. 'Some mornings my daughter Morgan at six would be in the bathroom, she would just yell down the hallway, "Mommy I cleaned all your hair in the sink for you,"' Sara said. 'It was emotional for everybody. You know your highs, your lows, you are all over the place.' Slowly, Sara's family and work life returned to normal. After their children moved out, Gary and Sara bought a beach house in Florida to escape the long Canadian winters. But in February 2017, while on one of their extended holidays, Sara noticed a lump in her breast and realized the cancer had come back. 'It took us by surprise,' Gary said. 'Who would expect after being cancer-free for 18 years that it would come back? And it came back different. Different symptoms. Everything was completely different from the first time. And that's why it was such a shock when the nurse told us that it was cancer.' This time around the chemo was more aggressive, consisting of 16 rounds over five months, but Sara vowed to remain positive. She dubbed her weekly appointments 'Chemo Thursdays', brought food for the nursing staff, and dressed up for the occasion. 'I always made a fruit platter or a vegetable platter or something for the nurses. Because I feel that they do a wonderful job,' Sara said. 'I had a different outfit for every Thursday, different pair of shoes, and would get ready and tell Gary to take my picture.' Hard: The second time around, the chemo was more aggressive, consisting of 16 rounds over five months, but Sara (pictured on her last day of chemotherapy) vowed to remain positive Side effects: Sara (pictured with GAry) also coped with her hair thinning out after her second round of chemo Adventure: Sara (pictured with Gary, Morgan, Kirsty, and Dylan), are pictured enjoying a boat trip during Sara's cancer treatment Sara also coped with her hair thinning out after her second round of chemo. 'I went to the hairdresser's right after chemo and I wanted them to buzz it off. And they said "Let's just cut it really short so we can try and keep your hair until Mother's Day." And Mother's Day, my hair all fell out,' she recounted. 'It's hard to say where your emotions are. They are kind of all over the place. I was worse when I lost my eyebrows than when I lost my hair. And I believe that losing the eyebrows and then losing the eyelashes that was the last bit of my femininity and it was gone. 'I drew fake eyebrows on. Not very well but we did it. Everybody said that I had the perfect-shaped head to be bald so we make jokes about it and you do what you gotta do.' Happy with it: Sara (pictured left after her cancer went into remission for the second time and right showing off her tattoo on the beach) said the tattoo brought her 'closure' Return: Sara was first diagnosed at 33, while she had a demanding job with the family pub and catering business. She's pictured back at work two years after her first diagnosis Self-love: Sara (pictured left before she was diagnosed with cancer and right recovering after her second cancer diagnosis) said she feels 'beautiful inside and out' Closure: Sara (pictured with Gary, Dylan, and Morgan) said the tattoo has marked the end of 'a long hard road' for her While undergoing chemo, Sara had to decide if she should have reconstructive surgery or not. After agonizing for two months, the decision was taken away from her when doctors told her she should delay reconstruction for at least a year because if a recurrence occurred it would be easier to detect without implants. 'There's no way to explain I was just like I am okay with who I am. I am okay with how my body is,' she said. 'I mean if I was 20, 30, then yeah definitely I would have reconstructive surgery. But I am in my fifties. I still have a lot of life ahead of me. But I own who I am. I own what I look like. 'I know that I am beautiful inside and out. I have gained a lot of courage and self-respect for myself. And I just think that having this tattoo is an expression of myself. 'I just want something beautiful to look at. The scars are always gonna be there. I am not hiding it, it's always gonna be there and it's always gonna be a part of who I am. 'This brings everything to a closure for me. It's the end of a long hard road and it's given me something beautiful to get up and look at in the morning.' Like all brides, royal or not, Princess Eugenie wants to look her best on her big day. So the Queens granddaughter has thrown herself into an intensive diet and exercise regime ahead of her marriage to Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle on Friday. And it appears as though all the hard work has paid off. Eugenie, Prince Andrews youngest daughter, stepped out in London this week showing off her trim figure in an eye-catching purple coat dress. The 28-year-old looked as if she had recently had a spray tan and her hair lowlighted with a reddish hue. It certainly marks a transformation from her younger days, as newly released photographs reveal. Eugenie, Prince Andrews youngest daughter, stepped out in London this week showing off her trim figure in an eye-catching purple coat dress A day later, rumoured maid of honour Beatrice was spotted British fashion house Ralph & Russo holding tightly on to a brown box. The royal appeared to be leaving an appointment with the couturiers at their Mayfair outpost on Tuesday. Rumours are swirling that Beatrice will have her bridesmaid dress designed by thr team behind Meghan Markle's controversial 56,000 engagement gown. While 30-year-old Beatrice wasn't carrying anything big enough to hold a dress, she clutched tightly onto a box that looked the right size and shape for a pair of shoes, which can cost upwards of 800 from the couturier. MailOnline has contacted Ralph & Russo for comment. Princess Beatrice was seen leaving British couturiers Ralph & Russo Mayfair branch, which is strictly by appointment only, clutching on to a brown box The 30-year-old royal who will be bridesmaid for her sister Princess Eugenie on Friday was seen swiftly walking down the street balancing her handbag and the important looking package Beatrice wrapped up against the autumn chill in a blue tailored coat which was belted at the waist. The royal looked startled as she left the store carrying the important looking package while balancing her burgundy bag on her left arm. The eldest daughter of Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson and Prince Andrew the Duke of York was seen swiftly walking down the street away from Ralph & Russo's Mayfair store, which is 'strictly by appointment' only. She braved the cold with bare legs and a pair of buckled black loafers. It appears to be all hands on deck for the second royal wedding of the year. Cute portraits of Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank as children were put out by Buckingham Palace Another candid photograph captures the couple as they celebrated last New Year in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. Beatrice looked to be fulfilling bridesmaid duties ahead of her sibling's wedding to her groom Jack Brooksbank, a 32-year-old tequila brand ambassador. It's unknown who will design Princess Eugenie's dress, with British label Erdem as the clear front-runner, while Beatrice appeared to be following in the footsteps of her cousin Prince Harry's wife Meghan. Eugenie is known to be a big fan of the label, wearing designs by the designer on a number of occasions - including for her official engagement photograph. On Wednesday, cute portraits of Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank as children were put out by Buckingham Palace. They show the pair with sweet, almost identical toothy grins as each posed for their parents. Easy does it! A member of staff appeared to hold the door open for the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson as she navigated down the steps on Tuesday Excited: Beatrice smiled as she walked away from the Mayfair branch of the fashion house which was also behind Meghan Markle's 56,000 engagement gown It's all hand on deck for the second royal wedding of the year which will be held at St George's chapel in Windsor. Beatrice will be by her sister's side at the altar as she says her vows Another candid photograph captures the couple as they celebrated last New Year in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. Eugenie wears blue shoulder-length earrings and pillar-box red lipstick in a happy pose taken less than three weeks before they announced their engagement. Buckingham Palace, which tweeted the pictures last night, said: Ahead of their special day, Princess Eugenie, Mr Jack Brooksbank and their families have today shared a selection of photographs including these images of the couple as children. Eugenie has been dating Stowe-educated Mr Brooksbank, 31, for seven years since they met on a ski holiday. The couple live in a cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace close to her cousin, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan. Ralph & Russo's Mayfair store, where Beatrice was seen leaving on Tuesday evening, can only be visited strictly by appointment only Beatrice could be following in the footsteps of her cousin's wife by wearing Ralph & Russo for her sibling's big day, if her latest shopping trip is anything to go by They will marry at St Georges Chapel surrounded by family, friends and celebrities including George and Amal Clooney. Mr Brooksbank is a brand ambassador for Clooneys Casamigos tequila label. Eugenie has reportedly recruited nutritionist Gabriela Peacock, the diet guru who helped Prince Harry trim down for his wedding. Miss Peacock sells a range of powders, with names such as Slim Me, that cost 100 for a months supply. Eugenie has also been running and hitting the gym almost daily, according to sources. Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank, pictured, will marry at St George's Chapel at 11am next Friday, followed by a carriage procession down part of Windsor High Street Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose at Frogmore House in Berkshire for their engagement photoshoot in December 2017. Meghan chose a 56,000 gown by Ralph & Russo for the photo While Harry and Meghan had glorious sunshine for their wedding in May, Eugenies nuptials are likely to be amid rather gloomy conditions. Despite the Indian summer this week, with temperatures in the South due to hit 24C (75F) today, Friday will be cloudy and cooler. Well-wishers watching the bride and grooms carriage procession through Windsor might even need an extra layer as temperatures are likely to reach only 17C (63F), with a mere 20 per cent chance of sunshine. One of Melania Trump's outfits has become a subject of renewed mockery on social media, with the first lady being compared to an array of fictional characters from Tarzan's Jane to Indiana Jones' rival. A video of the first lady's visit to Egypt last week was shared on her Twitter account on Tuesday, prompting many social media users to share humorous memes deriding her outfit. Melania, 48, toured the pyramids and the Great Sphinx on Saturday, which was the last day of her solo visit to Africa that also saw her visit Ghana, Malawi, and Kenya. Outfit: Melania Trump toured the pyramids and the Great Sphinx on Saturday in Egyp, wearing a fedora hat, light beige wide-legged pants, a short-sleeved white shirt, and a tan blazer Reference: Several people compared Melania to Emile Belloq, a fictional French archaeologist and Indiana Jones' rival in the 1981 movie Raiders Of The Lost Ark Question: One person referenced the movie by asking the first lady: 'Did you find the ark?' She wore light beige wide-legged pants, a short-sleeved white shirt, and a tan blazer. The first lady buttoned her shirt all the way up and accessorized it with a black tie, adding a thin belt of the same color. She finished off her outfit with Chanel flats and a fedora hat one of several elements that inspired a renewed wave of memes on Tuesday. Social media users previously poked fun of Melania's outfits during her visit, but the publication of the video caused them to keep going even after her return. The video, which she shared with a message reading simply 'Thank you Egypt', is one in a series of five clips that were shared on Melania's account to document her trip. Each video consists of a montage of moments of each of the first lady's visits with music playing in the background. Several people compared Melania to Emile Belloq, a fictional French archaeologist and Indiana Jones' rival in the 1981 movie Raiders Of The Lost Ark. Movie: One Twitter user drew a comparison between Melania and Annie Hall, the titular character in Woody Allen's 1977 comedy of the same name Video: Michael Jackson's song Smooth Criminal features the line: 'Annie, are you okay?' and several people thought Melania looked like the King of Pop in the corresponding clip Look: In the video for Smooth Criminal, Michael wears an all-white suit and naturally a white fedora with a black band Torn: One person couldn't decide whether Melania resembled the French archaeologist in Raiders of the Lost Ark or David Suchet's Hercule Poirot Some shared stills of the film featuring Emile wearing a tan suit that seemed stunningly similar to Melania's, complete with a fedora and a dark tie. One person referenced the movie by asking the first lady on Twitter: 'Did you find the ark?' Some thought Melania resembled Michael Jackson in the video for Smooth Criminal, in which the King of Pop wears an all-white suit and naturally a white fedora with a black band. Incidentally, Smooth Criminal features the trademark line: 'Annie, are you okay?' with a Twitter user drawing a comparison between Melania and Annie Hall, the titular character in Woody Allen's 1977 comedy of the same name. One person shared a gif of Annie wearing one of her signature menswear-inspired outfits, with Diane Keaton in beige pants, a white button-down shirt, a dark vest, and a tie, as well as a black hat. Cartoon: One person found another fictional alter ego for the first lady in the person of Jane in the 1999 animated movie Tarzan Icon: Someone thought Melania looked like Carmen Sandiego and shared a gif of the fictional, ever-elusive criminal mastermind in her red trench coat and matching hat Time lord: One person joked that the video of Melania in Egypt could have served as a promo clip for the new season of Doctor Who Another Twitter user found a likeness between Melania and David Suchet's Hercule Poirot in the TV adaptation featuring Agatha Christie's Belgian detective. Someone thought Melania looked like Carmen Sandiego and shared a gif of the fictional, ever-elusive criminal mastermind in her red trench coat and matching hat. One person found another fictional alter ego for the first lady in the person of Jane in the 1999 animated movie Tarzan, and shared a gif of Professor Archimedes Q. Porter's daughter in her trademark yellow dress and safari hat. Incidentally, Melania was previously criticized on social media for wearing a safari hat during her visit in Nairobi, Kenya, which she visited shortly before arriving in Egypt. Safari hats, also known as pith helmets, emerged in the 19th century and were predominantly worn by armed forces in British colonies. As such, they remain a symbol of colonial rule and oppression, which is why many social media users blasted Melania's hat for being tone-deaf. Backlash: Melania also found herself as the subject of derision after wearing a safari hat during her visit to Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday, thanks to her pith helmet History: Safari hats emerged in the 19th century and were predominantly worn by armed forces in British colonies, which is why the accessory didn't sit well with many Twitter users Comments: Some people weren't fans of the overall look, such as this person who compared it to a costume Questions: Several people wondered why Melania decided to wear the hat given its cultural significance Some of them took to Twitter to question the first lady's choice of accessory, at times comparing it to a costume. Melania paired the white hat with a matching button-down shirt and khaki riding pants that she tucked into a pair of boots. 'Nice hat! Halloween store?' one Twitter user quipped after seeing the first lady's outfit. Another person thought Melania looked 'like a European colonizer in her pith hat and riding boots'. 'How "imperialist colonial oppressor" can you get?!' someone else wondered. One Twitter user addressed Melania on the platform, telling her: 'That pith helmet you have carried was used by colonialists during the dark days. Doesn't sit well with us Africans. Who advised you?' By Trend Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) with the assistance of the Turkmen government is conducting preparation work for the regional seminar on counter-terrorism, which will be held in Ashgabat on October 15, 2018, the local television channel Altyn Asyr reported. Turkmenistan closely coordinates its activities with the UN in the fight against terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and other threats, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said earlier. Turkmenistan cooperates with such international agencies as the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism and UNRCCA, which has its headquarters in the Turkmen capital. Turkmenistan participates in the project implemented by the Office of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force of the UN Center of Counter-Terrorism (CCT) together with UNRCCA, with the support of the European Union and Norway. In April 2018, the High-Level Meeting entitled as "Towards a Comprehensive Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia" was held in Ashgabat, and the third phase of the joint project was launched in support of the Joint Action Plan for Central Asia. It was reported earlier that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, welcomed the adoption by the Central Asian countries of the Ashgabat Declaration on Countering Terrorism, as well as their ongoing efforts to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its Joint Action Plan for Central Asia. She is just weeks away from welcoming her first child, and Pippa Middleton is ensuring her cupboards are well stocked after loading up on groceries today. The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister, who is thought to be due later this month, was spotted running errands in London on Tuesday. The socialite, 35, kept it casual for her shopping trip in a floaty polka dot maxi dress and a pair of white trainers. Pippa, who wed husband James Matthews in May last year, teamed her outfit with a pair of sunglasses to protect from the glare of the autumn sunshine as she ran errands on Tuesday afternoon. Scroll down for video Pregnant Pippa Middleton kept things casual and comfortable as she ran errands on Tuesday afternoon carrying her grocery bags while navigating the pavement The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister, who is expected to give birth at the end of this month, was spotted in trainers and a floaty polka dot maxi dress Pippa confirmed she was pregnant in her Waitrose column in June, where she admitted she was 'lucky' to not suffer from the same severe morning sickness condition as her sister. The birth of her first child will come just months after her older sister Kate, 36, welcomed her third child Prince Louis in April. Her outing today comes after it was revealed she is expected to give birth in the same hospital as sister Kate - after being spotted visiting the 7,500-a-night Lindo Wing with husband James Matthews. Pippa and husband James, 43, were spotted visiting the exclusive Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, which is close to their 17million Chelsea mansion, last Tuesday. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to all three children at the hospital, posing outside the doors of the wing shortly after each birth. Pippa carried two bags full of what appeared to be toiletries, perhaps stocking up ahead of the birth of her first child with husband James Matthews The Waitrose columnist made sure to protect her eyes by popping on a pair of shades to keep the glare of the autumn sunshine out Pippa managed to balance two shopping bags as well as her handbag as she walked incognito among shoppers in the city Walking past London's Boris Bikes, Pippa woollen cardigan appeared to keep her sheltered from the dropping temperatures but still went bare-legged The hospital is known for going above and beyond to provide a premium service for its discerning clients. Patients are each given a private room with their own en suite bathroom, as well as satellite TV offering 'major international channels'. Gourmet food is also available via the wing's extensive menus, while new parents are also offered a wine list - including Champagne - to celebrate their new arrival. A standard room at the Wing would cost parents 5,900, while a deluxe room starts at 6,275. The price for a stay in one of the unit's suites - where Kate believe to have given birth - is available on request, but it thought to be closer to 7,500. Pippa appears to have taken her pregnancy in her stride, keeping up her fitness regime throughout. Pippa dropped off her grocery as she returned to her car, showing off her silver bangle and wedding ring It is expected that Pippa (pictured in London today) will give birth in the same hospital as sister - after being spotted visiting the 7,500-a-night Lindo Wing with husband James Matthews She recently also revealed how she had turned to meditation to help her maintain her calm as she prepares to welcome her first child into the world. Writing in her Waitrose Weekend column, Pippa explained: 'I signed up to a beginners meditation class recently to master the tools essential for performing it effectively. This involved learning to meditate twice daily, ideally for 20 minutes, chanting a mantra, while sitting upright, eyes closed and focused. Our teacher stressed that we should ensure we always make time for this because theres always an excuse not to. She previously revealed how she had been turning to barre-style workouts and swimming during pregnancy. Making a cake without eggs, butter and milk would be a challenge for even the most experienced and skilful of bakers. And so it proved for this year's crop of contestants for the Great British Bake Off title. The show's first vegan week spelled disaster for several of the bakers last night, as both Rahul and Ruby's creations completely fell apart. The week seven episode saw contestants tasked with preparing mini savoury tarts for the signature challenge, a vegan tropical meringue for the technical round and a vegan celebration cake for the showstopper all without dairy ingredients. While some of the contestants managed to cope under the pressure in the first two challenges, the showstopper was a disaster even for series favourite Rahul Mandal. Research scientist Rahul Mandal watched on in horror as his cake collapsed in front of judges' eyes - but he narrowly escaped the chop with Jon Jenkins being booted off instead GBBO's first ever vegan week ended in disaster when two contestants' cakes collapsed - including series favourite Rahul Mandal's coconut vegan celebration cake (pictured) Drama: During the Vegan Week challenge on Tuesday night's Bake Off, Ruby, 29, whipped up a chocolate, lemon and coconut cake - only for the tiered creation to implode and collapse Disaster: Ruby's creation fell spectacularly flat, as the cake's higher tier is seen to topple off during tonight's episode which saw contestants try their hand at vegan baking The research scientist was praised for his coriander and chickpea tartlets, but his chocolate and coconut vegan celebration cake toppled over and he had to present it to the judges in two pieces. Ruby Bhogul, meanwhile, suffered the same fate during the challenge and looked on as her chocolate, lemon and coconut cake's top tier collapsed on her kitchen equipment. The project manager, 30, was being comforted by her fellow contestants and hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig outside the tent when she watched her impressive creation fall apart. Fielding, 45, broke the news to Miss Boghul, telling her 'I think your cake has just fallen' as she burst into tears. Despite Ruby and Rahul's culinary disasters, the Channel 4 series' first vegan week saw Welshman Jon Jenkins, 47, being eliminated from the show - much to viewers' surprise. Favouritism? Despite Ruby and Rahul's culinary disasters, the series' first vegan week saw Welshman Jon Jenkins, 47, being eliminated from the show - much to viewers' surprise Hilarity: Despite Ruby and Rahul's catastrophic cake making, fans were amused by the bakers' disastrous attempts at vegan cuisine, with one admitting: 'I can't stop laughing' One outraged fan tweeted that the judges' decision was 'favouritism at its finest', while another said it seemed Rahul could 'do no wrong'. Others were amused by the bakers' disastrous attempts at vegan cuisine, with one admitting: 'I can't stop laughing.' The blood courier, who claims he has meat for 'every meal', baked garlic and mushroom and falafel and hummus tartlets for the signature challenge, which the judges said looked 'a bit of a mess'. Although he came fourth in the technical challenge, it was his showstopper that saw him being eliminated from the show. The father of four was told his chocolate orange Only Fools Eat Horses three-tiered cake, which had sloped to the side, looked 'hideous' and 'looked a bit sad'. An emotional collapse: Ruby's cake collapse sent the contestant into fits of tears, devastated that her hard work was dishevelled in front of the judges - but she escaped the boot One of the show's presenters, Noel Fielding, told Ruby: 'I think your cake has just fallen' but there was more drama to come with Rahul's creation also falling apart Cake-tastrophe! The show's first vegan week spelled disaster for several of the bakers last night, as both Rahul and Ruby's creations completely fell apart (Ruby pictured) When vegan goes wrong: There was further drama in the tent when self-professed anti-vegan Jon Jenkins drops a tart during the opening task of the episode before being booted off Jon Jenkins, who blamed his vegan 'nemesis' for being sent home from the Great British Bake Off tent in tonight's episode. The 47-year-old Welshman and meat-eater was defeated by the challenge of producing plant-based bakes in Vegan Week After leaving the show, Mr Jenkins said: 'I won't be turning vegan soon that's for sure! I didn't think a vegetable would prove to be my Nemesis but the vegan gods got to me.' And although Manon Lagreve - a software engineer from Brittany in France - presented a delicious looking showstopper, judge Prue Leith described the creation as 'really heavy and gluey', while Paul Hollywood said it was 'not a good cake at all'. Asked how he thought vegan week went, Hollywood said: 'I'm a bit disappointed with people.' Kim-Joy Hewlett was awarded Star Baker and was praised for her lavender and lemon fox cake. The Bard may have contracted syphilis after getting up to no good in the East End of London, claimed Professor Sir Jonathan Bate of Oxford University Shakespeares visceral writing about women shows he was angry with one for giving him a sexually transmitted infection, an expert has suggested. The Bard may have contracted syphilis after getting up to no good in the East End of London, claimed Professor Sir Jonathan Bate of Oxford University. Sexual disgust with women may then have leaked into his works, he suggested. I have to be very wary about speculating and projecting Shakespeares autobiography on his plays, he told the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Theres just little bits of circumstantial evidence. A couple of the late sonnets have reference to the mercury baths, which is where you went when you caught syphilis. The professor, who was knighted in 2015 for services to literature, added that at the end of King James Is reign, Shakespeare was not attending court with other actors, hinting that he may have been ill as there was a law banning those with syphilis from being within 400 yards of the monarch. He also pointed to speeches in King Lear where the king expresses disgust with women. There are various moments when theres a kind of abhorrent behaviour, outbursts of anger and also outbursts of sexual disgust the sulphurous pit and so on, he said. But Dr Paul Edmondson, head of research at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, accused the eminent Shakespearean of being deliberately provocative. He said: Nobody knows what Shakespeare died of, and there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever none whatsoever that he had syphilis or was treated for it. Vaginal mesh should only be offered to women who have explored all other possible options, health officials have today declared. In a victory for MailOnline, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said non-surgical options should first be considered. Vaginal mesh, made of brittle plastic that can curl, twist and cut through tissue, has been branded the 'biggest medical scandal' since thalidomide. Thousands of women have been maimed by the controversial implants globally, left on the brink of suicide, unable to work and reliant on wheelchairs. Campaigners have tirelessly fought for years to get officials to put an end to vaginal mesh proven to cause complications in 45 per cent of women. Vaginal mesh, made of brittle plastic that can curl, twist and cut through tissue, has been branded the 'biggest medical scandal' since thalidomide Tireless fights by campaigners, backed by MailOnline, were rewarded last week, when officials declared a temporary ban on mesh being used to treat incontinence (Sling The Mesh campaigners are pictured outside the House of Commons following a debate earlier this year) Kath Sansom, founder of Sling The Mesh a 6,800-strong campaign group, told MailOnline: 'It truly is the beginning of the end for mesh.' The journalist added: 'Mesh has been catastrophic in terms of women's healthcare. The scale of this disaster is still not certain. 'Thousands have been ignored, belittled and left to cope alone, being told they are some sort of mystery patient. 'The Mail has been key in telling women's stories and getting people to understand the scale of this.' Nice announced its draft guidelines today for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Both conditions are common after childbirth. Officials announced a 'pause' on some mesh procedures in England until certain conditions are met - including the publication of Nice guidelines. The draft document states that women should try a range of techniques before mesh is even considered. Formal Nice guidance expected in April next year. The non-surgical options for urinary incontinence include: lifestyle interventions including caffeine reduction, modifying fluid intake and weight loss. WHAT ARE VAGINAL MESH IMPLANTS? THE CONTROVERSIAL DEVICES THAT HAVE BEEN COMPARED TO THALIDOMIDE WHAT ARE VAGINAL MESH IMPLANTS? Vaginal mesh implants are devices used by surgeons to treat pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence in women. Usually made from synthetic polypropylene, a type of plastic, the implants are intended to repair damaged or weakened tissue in the vagina wall. Other fabrics include polyester, human tissue and absorbable synthetic materials. Some women report severe and constant abdominal and vaginal pain after the surgery. In some, the pain is so severe they are unable to have sex. Infections, bleeding and even organ erosion has also been reported. Vaginal mesh implants are devices used by surgeons to treat pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence in women WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MESH? Mini-sling: This implant is embedded with a metallic inserter. It sits close to the mid-section of a woman's urethra. The use of an inserter is thought to lower the risk of cutting during the procedure. TVT sling: Such a sling is held in place by the patient's body. It is inserted with a plastic tape by cutting the vagina and making two incisions in the abdomen. The mesh sits beneath the urethra. TVTO sling: Inserted through the groin and sits under the urethra. This sling was intended to prevent bladder perforation. TOT sling: Involves forming a 'hammock' of fibrous tissue in the urethra. Surgeons often claim this form of implant gives them the most control during implantation. Kath Samson, a journalist, is the founder of Sling The Mesh Ventral mesh rectopexy: Releases the rectum from the back of the vagina or bladder. A mesh is then fitted to the back of the rectum to prevent prolapse. HOW MANY WOMEN SUFFER? According to the NHS and MHRA, the risk of vaginal mesh pain after an implant is between one and three per cent. But a study by Case Western Reserve University found that up to 42 per cent of patients experience complications. Of which, 77 per cent report severe pain and 30 per cent claim to have a lost or reduced sex life. Urinary infections have been reported in around 22 per cent of cases, while bladder perforation occurs in up to 31 per cent of incidences. Critics of the implants say trials confirming their supposed safety have been small or conducted in animals, who are unable to describe pain or a loss of sex life. Kath Samson, founder of the Sling The Mesh campaign, said surgeons often refuse to accept vaginal mesh implants are causing pain. She warned that they are not obligated to report such complications anyway, and as a result, less than 40 per cent of surgeons do. Advertisement Thousands of women have been maimed by the controversial implants globally, left on the brink of suicide, unable to work and reliant on wheelchairs (Sling The Mesh campaigners are pictured outside the Houses of Parliament) While women should also be given physical therapies such as pelvic floor muscle training, behavioural therapies such as bladder training programmes or medication. Non-surgical options for pelvic organ prolapse include: lifestyle modifications including avoiding heavy lifting and preventing constipation and pelvic floor muscle training. The draft guideline states that surgical interventions using surgical mesh or tape should only be considered when non-surgical options have failed or are not possible. Meanwhile a national database should be set up to record all procedures involving the use of surgical mesh in operations for stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Women should be fully informed about the risks and be given a follow-up appointment six months after surgery to check for any side effects. The draft guideline also recommends how complications associated with surgical mesh or tape surgery should be managed. Sir Andrew Dillon, chief executive of Nice, said: 'It is important that every woman is supported to make decisions that are right for her, consents to a procedure, and fully understands the benefits and risks of the procedure being offered before consenting to it. 'Where surgical mesh/tape could be an option, there is almost always another intervention recommended in our guideline, which does not involve surgical mesh/tape. 'If a surgeon cannot provide a full range of choices to the patient, then she should be referred to one who can.' Sir Andrew added: 'Surgeons must also record any intervention using surgical mesh/tape in a national database.' The scandal came to light last April, when the NHS tried to dodge media attention over the implants that left hundreds of women in agony. All forms of pelvic mesh are already banned in New Zealand after a landmark move in December, and a similar move against use in the treatment of vaginal mesh for prolapse has been made in Australia. Sleep is something many of us are willing to short-change, but new research shows that could have grave implications for men. Poor sleep is linked to lower levels of testosterone, according to a study of almost 2,300 men by the University of Miami. After weight gain, sleep was the most important factor that affected levels of the hormone which is key for fertility, sexual function, energy and mental health. Researchers say the findings, which are being presented at a conference this week, suggest a simple lifestyle change could help elevate testosterone levels in men who have fertility issues but fear hormone treatment. Sleep was the most important factor that affected levels of the hormone after sleep, according to a study of almost 2,300 men by the University of Miami 'People who come in with low testosterone are often afraid of testosterone therapy,' lead author Premal Patel, MD, told DailyMail.com ahead of his presentation at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in Denver. 'We wanted to look at any ways you can naturally improve your testosterone levels.' Some small studies had hinted at sleep as affecting testosterone, and since more and more research shows sleep determines all manner of things, it makes sense. Dr Patel sought to corroborate this, looking at data on 2,296 men over 16 in the NHANES dataset, which has been tracking thousands of Americans for decades. The men involved in their dataset had an average age of 46, with sleeping patterns ranging from two hours a night to 12. After adjusting for race and diseases, they found a number of factors could inch testosterone levels up or down. Every year of age drove down testosterone levels by 0.49 nanograms per deciliter, and every extra unit of alcohol they drank drove levels down by 2.99 ng/dL. Sleep was more influential. Those who slept less than the recommended seven hours were more likely to have decreases in levels. Every hour lost amount to a drop in 5.85 ng/dL of testosterone. Meanwhile, every added unit of BMI drove down levels by 6.18 ng/dL. Risks of short-changing sleep: President Donald Trump famously sleeps just four hours a night Those numbers are small. To put it in context: the average serum testosterone level of the men in the study was 303.33 ng/dL. Currently, it's not clear how clinically relevant such a relatively small decrease in testosterone is, Dr Patel says, but he has already started discussing 'sleep hygiene' with men. Getting people to sleep more, though, is a tough ask. 'It's difficult. There's always a reason why they have poor sleep, whether they work night shifts or have young children or sleep apnea,' he says. 'We try to advise these things but the next goal for us is to see if people stick to it and what that leads to for the individuals who don't.' Men with a certain type of infertility have a much higher risk of premature death, a sobering new study reveals. Those who have no sperm in their semen - about 15 percent of male infertility cases - have an average death of 48.8 years old, according to data on more than 50,000 Danish men from 2006 to 2015. Up until a few years ago, male fertility issues were lumped into one category, until research showed that there are three broad categories. Lead researcher Dr Clara Helene Glazer said her team was stunned that this one category, known as azoospermia, carried such high mortality risks while the other categories didn't. While there is nothing to show why this is the case, Dr Glazer said it may be due to underlying genetic factors. Men with no sperm in their semen (a condition called azoospermia) have a two times greater risk of dying than men with other fertility issues, and fertile men 'I was quite surprised that the azoospermic men had such a high risk,' Dr Glazer told DailyMail.com. 'The strongest hypothesis that the association between male infertility and mortality could be due to common underlying genetic factors. 'Certainly, more research is needed to identify interventions that could ultimately improve the health outcomes of these men.' Dr Glazer, a medical doctor based in Copenhagen, started a PhD two years ago to find some answers about how male infertility influences, or is influenced by, general health. Her first work showed male infertility was linked to higher risks of certain diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. This study was to look further: what were the mortal impacts of that connection? About one percent of men in the world are azoospermic, but among men with fertility issues it's not so uncommon - accounting for about one in six. Azoospermia is characterized by a total lack of sperm in the man's semen. The most common reason for this is a blockage in their anatomy that prevents sperm from entering the semen, known as obstructive azoospermia. Fewer have non-obstructive azoospermia, which is usually explained by genetic abnormalities with the testicles. Oligospermia is a low sperm count which can be linked to various factors including restricted veins, sexually-transmitted infections, drug use, hormone imbalances, high BMI, exposure to chemicals - the list goes on. Though the conditions are distinct, Dr Glazer said she presumed there would be a mortality risk for both men and women. Infertility is linked to all manner of life-threatening conditions in women, and is usually caused by factors that would likely be affecting the rest of the body. The data, being presented this week at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) conference in Denver, categorized men into groups of azoospermic, oligospermic, normal, vasectomized, or those with other fertility issues. They only included men from 2006 onwards, which was when fertility clinics started categorizing men into groups of azoospermia, oligospermia, or other. Prior to that, oligospermia and azoospermia were lumped together, or azoospermia was not included because they could be azoospermic due to vasectomy. They found men with azoospermia had a two times greater risk of dying than the rest, mostly to cancer or cardiovascular disease. To their surprise, men with oligospermia or other types of infertility had the same early death risk as fertile or vasectomized men. 'Based on our previous studies, and other studies in the field, we were expecting also to find a higher risk among men that had oligospermia. We found a slightly increased risk, but not like we had expected.' Dr Glazer believes there may be an early death risk for men with oligospermia, too, but their data does not extend long enough to determine that. These findings are part of a small but growing movement to research sperm more closely. 'The risks of female infertility and general health has been studied quite a lot,' Dr Glazer explains. 'But the association between male infertility and general health is sort of new.' Plenty of that has to do with the industry's laser focus on females. Women are the headline act when it comes to fertility, since the vast majority of the reproduction process happens in their body, and all of that is monitored and documented, making it easier to study. Once ICSI was invented in the 1990s - a procedure that allows practitioners to literally inject the sperm into the egg - that seemed to solve any issues of slow swimming sperm or low sperm count, kicking the can of male fertility further down the road of research. Increasingly, though, it's becoming clear that there are many male-specific factors that need to be parsed out to improve fertility for all - a question becoming ever more pertinent as sperm quality and count declines globally and more men require fertility treatment to conceive. 'A man's infertility status is a component of his whole health status,' said Peter Schlegel MD, ASRM president-elect. 'Semen analysis results exist on a continuum, but a diagnosis of azoospermia may be a call to take a closer look at a man's overall health in addition to his reproductive function.' A British man dying with CJD is to become the first person in the world to receive the only treatment for the disease. A judge at the Court of Protection last night gave the go-ahead for the pioneering treatment. Until now there has been no treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease - the human variant of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), known as 'mad cow disease'. The disease is rare but fatal, usually killing patients within six weeks. Scientists at University College London's Prion Unit, which was established by the Government in the wake of the 1990s BSE outbreak, have spent 20 years working on the treatment. Scientists at University College London's Prion Unit, which was established by the Government in the wake of the 1990s BSE outbreak, have spent 20 years working on the treatment, a synthetic antibody called PRN100 [File photo] The treatment - called PRN100 - is a synthetic antibody they hope will stop CJD attacking the brain. Laboratory tests have been encouraging but until now no human has received the treatment. The difficulty has been that the treatment is experimental, unproven and may prove dangerous. Because CJD strikes so quickly, by the time patients are diagnosed they often do not have the mental capacity to consent to receiving the treatment. But last night Mr Justice Cohen gave specialists the go-ahead to treat a man with sporadic CDJ after analysing evidence at a hearing in London. The family of the man, who is married and comes from eastern England, requested the treatment. Mr Justice Cohen, who ruled the patient could not be identified or his age given, said: 'Every day he spends with his family is special to him. 'He wants that to continue as long as possible. 'It seems to me it is plainly in his best interests that he should have treatment and that I should approve it.' Professor John Collinge, director of the Prion Unit, said: 'This is a very important milestone for us and for patients. Until now there has been no treatment for CJD the human variant of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as 'mad cow disease' [File photo] WHAT IS CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE? Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, degenerative brain disorder. It is caused by abnormal proteins known as prions. Prions are normally harmless but, when misshapen, they become infectious and create lesions, Sufferers contract CJD by coming into contact with tissue that has been infected, such as eating contaminated meat. About one in a million people worldwide become infected, with just 350 annual cases occurring in the US. Symptoms, which worsen rapidly over time, include: Loss of intellect and memory Personality changes Loss of balance and coordination Slurred speech Vision problems and blindness Abnormal jerky movements Loss of mobility Most sufferers die within a year of symptom onset, usually due to an infection caused by immobility. There is no cure. Treatment focuses of relieving symptoms and making sufferers comfortable via painkillers and antidepressants. Source: CDC Advertisement 'As this is the first time this treatment has been used in humans we cannot predict what the outcome will be but laboratory testing has shown the potential to treat prion infection. 'A key issue will be whether a sufficient quantity of the drug is able to cross the blood brain barrier to reach the brain tissue where it needs to work. 'We will proceed with extreme caution in very tightly controlled conditions. A team of experts from a range of disciplines will make collective decisions in the best interests of the patient.' Sporadic CJD, the most common form of the disease in humans affects roughly 90 people in the UK every year. It is similar to the variant CJD form, which is thought to be caused by eating meat from cows with BSE. CJD is caused when healthy proteins which exist normally in the human body become spontaneously misshapen and build up in the brain. These misshapen proteins, which are called prions, stick to other healthy proteins causing them to become misshapen too and the disease spreads through the brain. Normally the human immune system produces antibodies to fight infections which invade the body. But because abnormal prions are made of one of the body's own proteins, the immune system cannot recognise or fight them. The PRN100 treatment uses an artificial antibody which stops prions sticking to healthy proteins. The man will initially receive the treatment by a drip into a vein in his arm and will be monitored around the clock by a team of experts from University College London Hospital. The treatment is not expected to reverse any brain damage that has already occurred - but the team hopes it will halt further damage. Professor Marcel Levi, chief executive of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'CJD is a rare and cruel disease which rapidly destroys the brain, affecting memory, thinking, speech, balance, movement and behaviour. 'There is currently no cure or treatment for CJD. At present, caring for patients with CJD involves trying to use medicines to alleviate symptoms only but sadly, the disease always results in the rapid death of the patient. 'The court's confirmation today is an important step forward in tackling this devastating illness.' Colin Beatty, of the Cure CJD campaign, said: 'It's true that the treatment carries potential risks, and the benefits are not yet certain, but without it, there is no hope. The only certainty with CJD is death.' Men who stay up late at night could end up with lower testosterone from missing out on sleep. A study found that every hour of sleep lost below the average 6.9 hours leads to a 1.5 per cent fall in the levels of the hormone. Researchers led by the University of Miami looked at the average sleep of almost 2,300 men, which ranged from two to 12 hours a night. Men who stay up late at night could end up with lower testosterone from missing out on sleep Despite the recorded falls, testosterone levels stayed within the normal range. The study also found a higher body mass and alcohol consumption drove down readings. Sleep may cut testosterone by disrupting brain signals that control the sex hormone. The study, presented at the meeting in Denver, states that 'sleep quality' should be taken into account when studying falling levels, which can lead to loss of sex drive, depression and fatigue. A study found that every hour of sleep lost below the average 6.9 hours leads to a 1.5 per cent fall in the levels of the hormone Professor Darren Griffin, president of the International Chromosome and Genome Society, said: 'This perhaps should come as no surprise. 'Sleep deprivation has a number of adverse health effects and we all know how badly we function when we've not had a good night's sleep.' An outbreak of flea-borne typhus is spreading across the Los Angeles area, health officials have confirmed. Some 57 cases of the bacterial disease have now been recorded, with at least nine in the downtown part of the city. Pasadena, a city in the north of the county and home to around 135,000 people, last week reported epidemic levels of typhus fever. Chiefs at the County Department of Public Health raised the alarm over the ongoing outbreak, and are now investigating it further. Some 57 cases of the bacterial disease have now been recorded, with at least nine in the downtown part of the city An outbreak of flea-borne typhus has hit downtown LA with at least a dozen cases (stock) Dr Muntu Davis, the county's health officer, admitted typhus - which can be deadly - 'normally occurs' throughout the LA region. However, in a statement issued last week he added: 'We are observing several cases in the downtown Los Angeles area.' 'Public Health is gathering additional information to determine the specific locations in downtown LA where the cases may have been,' officials told L.A. Taco. Flea-borne typhus occurs when faeces from an infected insect come into contact with a person's cut or gets rubbed into their eyes. These fleas often live on feral cats and rats who are attracted to areas with trash on the streets. Most sufferers endure headache, fever and rash, however, in severe cases, typhus can lead to life-threatening hepatitis and internal bleeding. Twenty residents in Pasadena have been confirmed to have typhus fever this year - up from the expected five cases. Flea-borne typhus occurs when faeces from an infected insect come into contact with a person's cut or gets rubbed into their eyes. The insects often live on feral cats and rats (stock) WHAT IS TYPHUS? Typhus is a bacterial disease that causes fever, headache, rash, muscle ache, and fever and chills. In severe cases, patients can require hospitalisation due to hepatitis or internal bleeding. It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and possibly Rickettsia felis, which are carried by fleas, lice, mites or ticks. The pests live on animals, particularly feral and stray cats, rats and opossums, but do not make their host animals unwell. Flea-borne typhus is endemic in parts of LA and Orange County. The disease also often occurs in Texas and Hawaii. Around 200 cases occur every year throughout the US, particularly in coastal regions. Bacteria spread when faeces from an infected insect contaminate a person's cut or graze while the insect is sucking their blood. If the person scratches the bite area, the bacteria from the faeces can enter their bloodstream. Bacteria can also be rubbed into a person's eyes, or, in rare cases, inhaled. Symptoms then appear six-to-14 days later. Typhus can be treated via antibiotics, with most people recovering within a few days. Between two and four per cent of people who do not receive treatment die worldwide. Typhus can be prevented by avoiding contact with fleas, mites, ticks and lice via: Discouraging wild animals around the home Keeping rubbish covered Using flea control on pets Advertisement Dr Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena's health officer, said: 'Typhus fever is a disease that can cause serious complications requiring lengthy hospitalization, and rarely, death.' She encouraged all residents in the city to take precautions in order to prevent fleas in and around their homes, CNN reports. Dr Anne Rimoin, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of California, told CNN: 'Right now, it's hard to speculate on why we are seeing more cases. 'There is an ongoing investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health that seeks to answer this question.' It comes after it was last week reported that a dozen cases of the disease appeared in a residential neighbourhood of LA. All of the sufferers lived or worked in the immediate area, with some being homeless. The infection usually takes two weeks to cause symptoms. Dr Davies urged pet owners at the time to practice safe flea control and encourage all cities in the county to clean-up their waste. He also urged authorities to ensure rodent populations were kept under control. Typhus usually affects around 200 people across the US every year, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Health officials were alerted to the outbreak when a cluster of nine cases occurred in downtown LA between July and August. The infection is endemic in parts of LA and Orange County, Southern California. Fleas carrying the infection can live on cats, rats or opossums, however, the animals themselves do not suffer symptoms. Typhus often spreads in areas where there is an accumulation of trash that attracts wild animals. The infection cannot be transmitted from person-to-person and is treatable with antibiotics. There is no vaccine in the US. Up to four per cent of people worldwide who are untreated die, the CDPH claims. To prevent infection, LA's public health department recommends residents: use flea control on pets, tuck their pants into their socks or boots when outside and avoid wild or stray animals. Texas experienced a flea-borne typhus outbreak around this time last year. More than 400 cases occurred from the start of 2017 to the end of November - the highest number for 16 years. A mother has today opened up about her 'horrific' struggle with post-natal depression. Amy Steele, 31, from Stoke Gifford, near Bristol, endured a traumatic birth with her daughter Maddie in February last year, which triggered one of the darkest periods of her life. Instead of being overjoyed at becoming a mother, Mrs Steele was overcome with guilt that she could not breastfeed and told midwives to take Maddie away. While in hospital, Mrs Steele was only saved from suicide by a midwife who caught her just in time and 'rugby tackled' her to the ground. After begging medics to let her die, she was sectioned to a psychiatric unit for a week, 140 miles (225km) away from home. Mrs Steele spent the next two months at her parents' house in Pucklechurch, South Gloucestershire, before she was finally strong enough to move back home with her husband Sean and newborn daughter. Fully recovered, the graphic designer now calls 20-month-old Maddie her 'best mate', adding she 'loves her to bits'. Amy Steele endured a 'horrific' struggle with post-natal depression following the birth of her daughter Maddie (pictured after the ordeal) in February last year Instead of being overjoyed at being a mother, Mrs Steele (pictured after) was wracked with guilt that she could not breastfeed and told midwives to take Maddie, now 20 months, away Mrs Steele has suffered from anxiety and depression for years, with pregnancy worsening her mental health. 'When I got pregnant, instead of feeling really happy, like I thought I was supposed to, I felt an impending sense of doom,' she said. For nine months, Mrs Steele tried to push these negative thoughts to the back of her mind in the hope that when her baby was born everything would change for the better. But Maddie's arrival only left Mrs Steele feeling numb. During the traumatic birth, Mrs Steele lost nearly two litres of blood after being forced to have an episiotomy - a surgical cut at the opening of the vagina to aid a difficult delivery. But the physical pain was completely overshadowed by her mental anguish. 'I didn't understand why anyone would have a baby if it made them feel that bad,' Mrs Steele said. 'I really didn't want to go home, but my husband Sean did so I went to please him and it was awful. 'That first night I told Sean I wanted to die. He just called me silly and told me to go to bed. 'I hadn't ever expressed my full feelings to anyone because I was fearful of that reaction and it made everything far worse.' While in hospital, Mrs Steele was only saved from suicide by a midwife who caught her just in time and 'rugby tackled' her to the ground. The designer then 'begged' medics to let her die WHAT IS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION? Postnatal depression is a form of the mental-health condition that affects more than one in 10 women in the UK and US within a year of giving birth. As many men can be affected as women, research suggests. Many parents feel down, teary and anxious within the first two weeks of having a child, which is often called the 'baby blues'. But if symptoms start later or last longer, they may be suffering from postnatal depression. Postnatal depression is just as serious as others form of the mental-health disorder. Symptoms include: Persistent sadness Lack of enjoyment or interest in the wider world Fatigue Insomnia Struggling to bond with your baby Withdrawing from others Difficulty concentrating and making decisions Frightening thoughts, such as hurting your baby Sufferers should not wait for their symptoms to just go away. Instead they should recognise that it is not their fault they are depressed and it does not make them a bad parent. If you or your partner may be suffering, talk to your GP or health visitor. Treatments can include self-help, such as talking to loved ones, resting when you can and making time to do things you enjoy. Therapy may also be prescribed. In severe cases where other options have not helped, antidepressants may be recommended. Doctors will prescribe ones that are safe to take while breastfeeding. Postnatal depression's cause is unclear, however, it is more common in those with a history of mental-health problems. Lack of support from loved ones, a poor relationship with the partner and a life-changing event, such as bereavement, can also raise the risk. Source: NHS Advertisement Both doctors and Mrs Steele's mother initially dismissed her symptoms as just the 'baby blues'. But when her milk came in and she was unable to breastfeed, Mrs Steele became wracked with guilt. 'I felt like a bad wife and a bad mother,' she said. When a midwife came to check on her and Maddie, Mrs Steele admitted she did not want to be a mother any more. 'I was in a constant state of fear that I would accidentally kill Maddie by doing something wrong,' she said. 'And I couldn't cope with that guilt.' Mrs Steele was taken to hospital, where she was assessed by doctors and psychiatrists, before being referred for help. But with no mental health professionals available at the weekend, she was forced to stay in hospital for two days with midwives looking after her. 'They were unbelievably kind to me, but I was progressively getting worse,' Mrs Steele said. 'I felt like I was on a constant spin cycle and I couldn't sleep. 'I was worried about the baby and worried about my husband. I didn't care about myself at all at this point.' That was when Mrs Steele decided to take her own life. 'All of a sudden I felt really calm and comforted because I knew I was going to end all the pain,' she said. 'But I was caught by a midwife who rugby tackled me and took me into another room, where I broke down and begged her to let me die. 'I couldn't stop sobbing. I just didn't want to be near Sean and Maddie. I felt like I was bringing them down and they were better off without me.' She was then sectioned to a psychiatric unit for a week, 140 miles from home. Afterwards, Mrs Steele spent two months at her parents' house in Pucklechurch, South Gloucestershire, before she was finally strong enough to move home with her husband Sean and newborn The next day Mrs Steele was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. But the only free bed in the country was in Nottingham. 'I was completely distraught and I resisted going so they were forced to sedate me,' Mrs Steele said. 'When I arrived in Nottingham nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. It was like a prison. It was bleak. 'The bathroom didn't have a chain on the plug in case you tried to kill yourself. The temperature of the water was tepid so you didn't burn yourself. 'They took my baby away so I could sleep but every time I was about to drift off they shone a torch through a window to check I hadn't killed myself.' Mrs Steele was kept in the psychiatric unit for a week, but said: 'It felt like I had been there for years. Everything I did was such an effort, I was exhausted.' Now fully recovered and bonded with her 'best mate' and daughter Maddie, Mrs Steele is speaking out ahead of tomorrow's World Mental Health Day. 'I don't want anybody in the world to feel how I was feeling. My aim is to break the stigma around mental health,' she said Mrs Steele eventually returned to her parents' home, leaving Sean to look after Maddie. After two months of daily visits and therapy from the South Gloucestershire Crisis Team, Mrs Steele finally returned to Bristol. And slowly, she began building up a relationship with her daughter. 'It was really difficult at first. But I forced myself to do the things that I used to love, like going for long walks, but just including Maddie,' Mrs Steele said. 'After a while, I realised I was enjoying myself. And then I realised I was proud to be out and about with her. 'I think, because of everything that happened, we now have an even stronger bond.' In October last year, when Maddie was eight months old, Mrs Steele returned to her job as a graphic designer for the card company Funky Pigeon. She has since created a range of cards dedicated to mental illness, called the Warrior range, each of which have a helpline number on the back. 'You have get-well cards for physical health but not for mental health,' Mrs Steele said. 'My boss thought it was a fabulous idea - and in that moment my passion for life was sparked again.' Mrs Steele is working with the mental health charity Mind, with 30 per cent of all profits from the sales of her cards being donated to the charity. She has has chosen to share her story ahead of tomorrow's World Mental Health Day, saying that speaking out is 'the best thing I ever did'. 'I feel like me again,' she said. 'I don't want anybody in the world to feel how I was feeling - to feel so desperate and low that you don't want to be here anymore.' 'My whole aim was to break the stigma around mental health and give people the opportunity to send someone a message to let them know they are thinking of them,' she said. 'The more companies that are open about it and put in place procedures to talk to someone the more it will help.' 'If I just help one person to say it's okay to talk about it, then my mission is accomplished.' If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the Samaritans. The creme de la creme of the African and Arabian property industry will be honoured on Thursday (October 11) during a glittering ceremony being held at the Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE. These African & Arabia Property Awards focus on design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability and cover 48 different residential and commercial categories, said the organisers. They are part of the global International Property Awards, which are in their 25th year and are open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe. Architects, interior designers, property developers and real estate award winners chosen from over 200 entries will receive their accolades from Sultan Butti, bin Majren, the director general of The Dubai Land Department, and Stuart Shield, president of the International Property Awards, they stated. The 2018 International Property Awards official sponsor is Salice, a world leader in the field of opening systems and fittings for furniture. Regional heats are staged for Asia Pacific, Arabia, Europe, Africa, Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean, US and the UK. Judging is carried out by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts, chaired by four UK Lords, said the organisers. The top winners in each region will automatically be entered into the overall international awards, culminating in a glittering awards ceremony, held at the Savoy Hotel London on December 3, it added. "I would like to extend huge congratulations to all the Africa and Arabia Property Awards winners and we are delighted to see an increase in entries from this region," said Shield. "The award winners logo is an instantly-recognised symbol of excellence throughout the global property industry. Attaining an award proves that the company has the necessary qualities and professionalism to excel over other companies within the highly competitive Africa and Arabia region," he added. The awards will also play host to the Ipax Dubai, Africa & Arabia Property Expo, a networking event and property exhibition aimed at key property industry professionals and attended by many major decision makers within the property industry.-TradeArabia News Service A man whose face bones grew too big because of a rare condition known 'lion face syndrome' needed surgery to chip off parts of his skull. The patient known only as Suresh, from Tamil Nadu in the south of India, was given the operation for free by generous surgeons. To have the condition this severe is extremely rare, Suresh's doctor said, and there are thought to have only been a few cases ever documented. Suresh spent half his life living with the condition after it began when he was 18 years old, until he desperately began seeking medical help 20 years later. Scroll down for video The 41-year-old man, Suresh, lived for around 20 years before he began seeking help for the condition which caused his face bones to grow uncontrollably large (left), but was eventually helped by surgeons in his home state of Tamil Nadu who reduced the bones' size (right) Suresh has leontiasis ossea, also known as lion face syndrome, which causes the bones in the face to grow too large. It caused his jaw to swell painfully large and his cheek bones became huge and protruded sideways out of his face. The bridge of his nose was also left smaller by the condition, while his eye sockets were deepened because of the build up of bone around them. He had lived a normal life until he was 18 years old and signs of the condition began to appear. Suresh spent 10 days in hospital after his operation but was given his treatment for free, only paying for medications because he was poor surgeons successfully managed to reduce the size of the bones around his eyes Dr Sunil Richardson, who carried out the surgery, said it was very rare to see someone with such a severe form of the condition Lion face syndrome is so named because, untreated, it is thought to give patients a face similar to that of a lion. The condition cannot be stopped and can only be treated by cutting the skin to expose the overgrown bones and chip away at them. Thanks to his surgeon, Dr Sunil Richardson in Nagercoil, a city at the southern tip of India, Suresh's face is now completely transformed. Dr Richardson said: 'This patient had visited more than a dozen surgeons in different cities seeking treatment and all of the doctors only delayed it. 'He heard about our craniofacial work through another patient and then came over. 'Since he was a poor patient, we treated him for free and he only paid for his medicines. 'Surgical treatment is the only effective choice and we did a cosmetic shave of the lesion without leaving an obvious scar.' In post-surgery photos, Suresh whose name has been changed for privacy reasons appears completely different. WHAT IS LION FACE SYNDROME? Lion face syndrome is a name for a rare condition called leontiasis ossea, in which bones in the face grow too large. It is a complication of fibrous dysplasia, which is more common. Fibrous dysplasia is a condition present from birth which is caused by a genetic mutation and is not inherited. It causes bones to be replaced with connective tissue which can weaken them and make them more likely to grow too large. It can be treated with medication to strengthen bones and surgery to remove unwanted growths. Source: Head and Face Medicine and Great Ormond Street Hospital Advertisement Dr Richarson, 42, said the patient's condition was a result of fibrous dysplasia, where normal bone is replaced with connective tissue. Fibrous dysplasia is a genetic condition which people are born with and is caused by a genetic mutation early on in the pregnancy it is not hereditary. Early signs can include a swollen jaw and teeth which are far apart. In rare cases the condition can affect hearing or vision if bones grow and press on the eyes and ears. It leads to bones which are weak and prone to expanding, which in turn can cause leontiasis ossea. 'It's a very, very rare condition and as this case is true classical leontiasis ossea it is even more rare,' he added. 'There are maybe a few ever published in literature.' Suresh spent a total of 10 days in hospital, including one in intensive care, in Nagercoil. Left untreated, lion face syndrome can encroach on the eyes, mouth and nose, interfering with sight, breathing and the taking of food. In extreme cases, it can lead to the senses being lost one by one before death caused by pressure on the brain. Swallowing a vibrating capsule could relieve chronic constipation, research suggests. The medication, programmed to vibrate in the large intestine, stimulates stomach contractions and helps to move digestion along. Taking the capsule, which is the size of a fish-oil supplement, just five times a week doubles the number of bowel movements a constipation sufferer has, a study found. If larger studies confirm the capsule's safety and effectiveness, the medication could be available in just three years' time, according to scientists from Augusta University, Georgia. The researchers, led by Dr Satish Rao, tested the capsule in two studies with a total of 245 people suffering from chronic constipation. The participants took five tablets a week for two months. Each capsule was taken just before bed. Half of the participants were given capsules that contained electric mechanisms that were programmed to vibrate at different frequencies once they reached the large intestine. These tablets, manufactured by the Israeli company Vibrant, vibrated for either one or two 2.5-hour periods during the 24 hours after they were swallowed. They were usually excreted between one and two days later. ELECTRICAL ZAPS COULD HELP CONSTIPATED PEOPLE GO TO THE TOILET Zaps of electricity could help constipated people go to the toilet by sending waves through the body to spur the bowels into action, a study found last month. Wearing patches to send electric signals into the digestive system can stimulate nerves which trigger the body's natural bowel movements. Up to 15 per cent of people are thought to suffer with the common condition, which means they don't empty their bowels more than three times a week. In a study by Monash University in Melbourne, people using the electric therapy were three times more likely to have gone to the toilet twice per week or more. And even using the device for six weeks helped patients for at least three months afterwards and reduced the amount of laxatives they took. Advertisement The remaining participants took non-vibrating placebos. Results showed the participants who took the vibrating capsules had twice as many bowel movements per week as those having the placebo. These bowel movements tended to occur shortly after the tablets were programmed to vibrate, New Scientist reported. Most of the participants were unaware of the vibrating sensation and suffered no major side effects, Dr Rao said. The findings will be presented at the American College of Gastroenterology conference later this week. The researchers are planning to investigate the capsule's ability to relieve constipation in a larger study starting next January. Constipation affects around 42 million people in the US and 6.5 million in the UK. Common causes include not eating enough fibre, such as fruit and vegetables, or drinking enough water. Lack of exercise, stress and a side effect of medication can also be to blame. This comes after previous research by the University of Tennessee suggested people who are constipated are 13 percent more likely to develop kidney disease. The troubled firm at the centre of the NHS body parts scandal has been stripped of its contracts, Health Minister Stephen Barclay has announced. Healthcare Environment Services (HES) allowed hundreds of tonnes of waste from hospitals, including human body parts, to pile up at four facilities in England. In a statement to Parliament, Mr Barclay said NHS Improvement concluded HES 'failed to demonstrate they were operating within their contractual limits'. The troubled firm collected around 31 million last year to burn waste, including from hospitals at 50 trusts across England - but reportedly took on 'too much work. Instead of burning the material - which includes amputated limbs and waste from cancer treatment - it has been stockpiling it for months at four sites. Fifteen NHS trusts had served termination notices to HES, with the work being taken over by Mitie. The new contract was 'fully operational' from this morning. Healthcare Environment Services (HES) allowed hundreds of tonnes of waste from hospitals, including human body parts, to pile up at its facilities (pictured: a site in Normanton, Wakefield, which has a mountain of 350 tonnes of waste) In a statement to Parliament, Health Minister Stephen Barclay said NHS Improvement concluded HES 'failed to demonstrate that they were operating within their contractual limits In the wake of the scandal, NHS Improvement issued a letter to HES and gave them 48 hours to provide evidence it was 'operating within legal and contractual parameters'. Mr Barclay told MPs: 'NHSI concluded that HES failed to demonstrate that they were operating within their contractual limits. 'Consequently, 15 NHS Trusts served termination notices to HES formally to terminate their contracts at 4pm on Sunday October 7.' Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has been granted an urgent question on the issue in the House of Commons this afternoon, Labour said. HES has previously denied any wrongdoing and insisted that all clinical waste is correctly stored, with anatomical waste kept in refrigerated units. It has said that the amount of waste produced by the NHS for incineration far outweighs the entire incineration capabilities of the UK. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock defended the Government's handling of the situation, given that concerns were raised in July. 'There were commercial sensitivities around the negotiations and at no point has there been a risk to the public,' he told the BBC. 'My clear goal throughout has been to make sure that the public are safe and also that NHS services can continue. We have secured those goals. 'We have now moved the contract away from the company that was failing to deliver, we have got a new company in and that's the point at which we could go public about this issue. 'The waste is now being removed effectively and we are across this subject to make sure that we can put in place systems that work sustainably for the long term.' The Environment Agency last week announced it had begun a criminal investigation. It comes as health chiefs last week asked six other waste disposal firms to step in and help NHS hospitals amid the ongoing crisis. The Government called on the help of waste disposal firms Augean, Grundon, PHS, Stericycle/SRCL, Tradebe and Veolia, it has been reported. Local health chiefs have already been warned that they may have to store their own waste in special trailers directly outside hospitals. HES is reportedly attempting to export 750 tonnes of pharmaceutical waste to Holland, according to the Health Service Journal (pictured: the firm's office) Healthcare Environment Services Ltd, paid millions to burn waste from hospitals at 50 trusts across England, reportedly took on too much work (biohazard signs on a vehicle at the firm's site in Normanton) How did the human body part wast scandal unfold? Here is a timeline of how the human body waste scandal unfolded: March 2018 The Environment Agency was first alerted to the fact that Healthcare Environment Services Ltd had a backlog of waste - including body parts - building up. March - October: Healthcare Environment Services Ltd was hit with a series of warnings and enforcement notices giving the firm deadlines by which the waste must be incinerated by. July 2018: The Environment Agency alerts Government ministers to the problem. September 2018: New Health Secretary Matt Hancock chairs an emergency COBRA meeting to discuss the scandal. He sets aside 1million to help affected hospitals. October 4 2018: The Environment Agency announced that it has found the firm in breach of its permits at five of its six sites. It also says it is launching a criminal investigation into the debacle. Advertisement The Department of Health and Social Care, behind the plans, denied the risk would pose a threat to patients at the hospitals or the wider public. Neighbours of a HES disposal unit stockpiling 350 tonnes of amputated limbs and human flesh last week complained about the 'foul' smell. Healthcare Environmental Services' site in Normanton, West Yorkshire, was housing five times more clinical waste than its permit allows. The troubled firm was reportedly seeking to ship 750 tonnes of its waste stored across four units to the Netherlands. Clinical waste at HES site in Normanton has since been placed in fridges, according to the Health Service Journal. Its permit was suspended for the site. As well as HES' site in Normanton, its sites in Newcastle, Nottingham and Bradford have breached environmental permits. Scottish hospitals were also told to prepare emergency plans to store clinical waste amid fears HES may be unable to process it north of the Border. The scandal-hit firm, based in Shotts, Lanarkshire, holds the Scotland-wide contract for clinical waste removal. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said none of the firm's contracts with NHS Scotland boards have been terminated. No instances of body parts piling up have been found north of the border. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock chaired an emergency COBRA meeting last month and ordered 1million to be earmarked to help the 50 NHS trusts. But news of the scandal only broke last week. Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the revelations were 'staggering'. Health officials insisted the waste would not pose a threat to patients or the wider public, adding that contingency plans were being put in place (a HES lorry in Normanton) TROUBLED FIRM AT THE CENTRE OF THE SCANDAL CLAIMS IT IS THE VICTIM OF A GOVERNMENT 'WITCH-HUNT' Officials have known for months about the stockpiled body parts scandal that has shaken the NHS, the company at the centre of the crisis claimed last week. The Environment Agency has been updated on the crisis at sites ran by Healthcare Environmental Services every week since January, it claimed. The firm also alleged the government was first made aware of problems as long ago as 2015. Yet the NHS is now having to spend millions on last-minute emergency measures to deal with tonnes of stockpiled waste. Some may be stored in open yards. The Environment Agency told the Department of Health and Social Care about the problem in July but the details were only made public on Thursday when leaked documents were revealed by the Health Service Journal. HES, now subject to a criminal investigation over stockpiling medical waste, claimed it is a victim of a government witch-hunt. In a letter to NHS trusts, seen by the Daily Mail, Garry Pettigrew, managing director of Healthcare Environmental Services, claimed the NHS plan to deal with the crisis was completely unworkable, illegal and financially unviable. Two firms in Liverpool and Wrexham, for example, had been asked to store a combined 330 tonnes of waste outside their building, even though it would usually be earmarked incineration only. Another in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, had received dispensation to store 300 tonnes in an open yard, he claimed. Mr Pettigrew wrote: We have found ourselves in the middle of a witch-hunt towards making this company commercially unviable and [a] personal vendetta being organised behind the scenes to somehow justify putting in place emergency measures. We have highlighted to the Environment Agency, and customers, since October 2015 that there was a serious reduction in incineration capacity. The main reasons for this was... ageing infrastructure, which is unreliable, coupled with no investment in new equipment due to cost constraints from the customer base. Advertisement NHS sources said the company had taken on too much work and was not able to dispose of the waste in a timely manner SCOTTISH HOSPITALS PREPARING TO STORE THEIR OWN WASTE IN WAKE OF SCANDAL Scottish hospitals are preparing emergency plans to store clinical waste amid claims Healthcare Environment Services may be unable to process it. The firm, based in Shotts, Lanarkshire, has the Scotland-wide contract for clinical waste removal. Health boards are devising plans to store waste on-site for up to three days if it cannot be removed and incinerated, amid concern that HES has taken on more work than it can handle. One NHS source in Scotland said: 'Weve been told it will be stored for 72 hours, but in reality there is a real prospect of it being for weeks and even longer. 'The idea is that porters will decant clinical waste into large containers that will be kept in hospitals. 'In terms of body parts, they will be stored, probably in mortuaries, but in many hospitals space will be tight as we get into winter.' The row raises the prospect of hospitals being filled with large amounts of potentially hazardous waste for months. It is believed the contingency plans may be activated in Scotland as soon as next week. Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: 'this is an extremely worrying development and its absolutely right that contingency plans are being drawn up. 'It is imperative SNP ministers ensure all clinical waste is safely disposed of. 'If this company cannot carry out its contractual obligations it is vital the SNP organises a replacement service immediately.' Just over 300 tons of clinical waste is collected from hospitals north of the Border each year. One insider close to the row in Scotland said: 'This isnt a new issue the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been working on compliance with this company for some time.' Advertisement He demanded to know why MPs were not informed about the major incident when it first emerged. Mr Ashworth said at the time: These are staggering revelations and given the number of NHS trusts involved, along with wider environmental health implications, Im disappointed the Health Secretary didnt inform Parliament last month. We need a statement in the Commons next week from ministers detailing when the Government was first informed of this stockpiling, what support is now available to trusts and what contingency plans are in place for the future. Most hospitals in the UK have contracts with incineration firms to collect and dispose of their clinical waste rather than doing it themselves on site. The material includes body parts from operations and amputations, old drugs - which can be hazardous - and used equipment. NHS sources said the company had taken on too much work and was not able to dispose of the waste in a timely manner. The Environment Agency was first alerted to the problem in March this year and hit the company with a series of warning notices and enforcement orders giving them deadline to get rid of the waste. But the company failed to meet the deadlines, and the agency alerted the Government to the problem in July. A COBRA meeting was held in September where emergency funds were allocated to help hospitals affected. Despite the scandal, the company is still allowed to operate as it has a responsibility to get through its backlog of waste. HES, a business founded 20 years ago and states 'medical waste' as an area of expertise, has said the blame lies with Britain's creaking incinerator system. The company said it had warned the authorities for years that 'ageing infrastructure' and 'prolonged breakdowns' meant that firms which dispose of clinical waste cannot get through it quickly enough. But the Environment Agency dismissed the accusation - saying it had carried out an audit of the sector and no other company had reported similar problems. It said the UK had experienced 'reduced incineration capacity' over the last year, which it had repeatedly highlighted to authorities. Healthcare Environment Services Ltd has breached its permits at five sites. Above: The site in Normanton, West Yorkshire An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: 'We are taking enforcement action against the operator, which includes clearance of the excess waste, and have launched a criminal investigation. 'We are supporting the Government and the NHS to ensure there is no disruption to public services and for alternative plans to be put in place for hospitals affected to dispose of their waste safely.' A Government spokesman said: 'We are monitoring the situation closely and have made sure that public services - including NHS Trusts - have contingency plans in place. There is absolutely no risk to the health of patients or the wider public. 'Our priority is to prevent disruption to the NHS and other vital public services and work is under way to ensure organisations can continue to dispose of their waste safely and efficiently.' Dr Kathy McLean, chief operating officer and executive medical director of NHS improvement said: 'The NHS has contingency plans in place for clinical waste and patients should be assured that their care will be unaffected.' A spokesman for Healthcare Environmental Services said: HES has highlighted the reduction in the UK's high-temperature incineration capacity for the last few years. 'This is down to the ageing infrastructure, prolonged breakdowns and the reliance on zero waste to landfill policies, taking up the limited high-temperature incineration capacity in the market. 'Over the last year, this reduced incineration capacity has been evident across all of the industry and has affected all companies.' It added that it had 'consistently highlighted' the issue to environmental regulators, and there has been no disruption to services to customers. A spokesman for HES said last week: HES has never stockpiled hundreds of tonnes of human body parts and dangerous waste at any of our sites throughout the UK. The Environment Agency was first alerted to the problem in March this year and hit the company with a series of warning notices and enforcement orders giving them deadline to get rid of the waste (pictured: workers outside the Normanton site) Graphic warning pictures on the front of cigarette packets will change in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Government says. The European Commission owns the copyright for the disturbing images currently used, so the UK may no longer be allowed to use them from March 2019. But officials have struck a deal to also use the same warnings as Australia, where the pictures have been required by law since 2012. Britains future after leaving the EU remains uncertain, as Prime Minister Theresa May continues to work towards a deal with the bloc. The health warning labels on cigarette packets could change if the UK doesn't establish a deal with the EU before Brexit in March (pictured: examples of the warning labels on Australian cigarette packets) Cigarette warnings were one of a number of small ways leaving the EU without a deal could affect daily life in the UK others include mobile roaming charges abroad and extra credit card charges. Tobacco manufacturers have been required to put the warning pictures on their packets since 2008 in the UK, and plain green packaging was brought in in 2016. The measures were introduced to put people off buying cigarettes, responsible for around 78,000 premature deaths every year. Photos on UK packets include graphic images of cancerous tumours, damaged lungs, dead bodies, rotting teeth, sick children and impotent men. And figures suggest they work between 2010 and 2016, the proportion of people who smoked fell from 19.9 per cent to 15.5 per cent. In a report on the effect of Brexit on the tobacco industry the Department of Health and Social Care wrote: 'Manufacturers will need to ensure that tobacco products produced from exit day onwards feature new picture warnings, which have been secured by agreement with the Australian government. 'Tobacco products featuring pictures from the EU library, produced before exit day, may be sold for 12 months after exit day.' Cigarette packet warnings have been required by law in Australia since 2012 four years after the UK and carry similar messages about the dangers of the killer habit (pictured: examples of the warning labels on Australian cigarette packets) The Australian government's warning labels, which could be used in the UK after Brexit, show similar cautions to the EU packaging. IS THE END OF SMOKING IN SIGHT IN THE UK? The end of smoking is finally 'in sight', officials claimed in June 2017 following figures that suggested another drop in rates across the UK. Just one in six adults now regularly light up cigarettes - with 680,000 having given up the habit completely in 2016. The numbers of smokers dropped from 19.9 per cent in 2010 to just 15.5 per cent in 2016 in England alone, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Across all ages smoking prevalence is in decline, with the largest fall in 18-to-24 year olds, while e-cigarette use is on the rise in this age group. Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, said the UK has the second lowest smoking rate in Europe after Sweden, which proves that the Government's tobacco-control policies are effective. Advertisement Pictures of mouth cancer, gangrene, blackened lungs and a man with a hole in his neck through which to breathe are all among potential photos to be used. Brexit could also disrupt the supply of medicines to the UK, and the country's main supplier of insulin for diabetes patients is stockpiling the drug. Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk announced in September it is building a four-month stockpile of the vital medication before March 2019. The firm is stockpiling amid fears Britain will leave the European Union without new trade deals in March, which could make it difficult to import drugs. The company said it is committed to making sure its patients' health is not affected by Brexit. It comes after clinical trials in the UK into a potential heart drug by research firm Recardio were halted last week due to fears over Brexit. Britains deadline to leave the EU is March 2019, however fears have mounted in recent weeks that it will crash out of the bloc without a deal. Brussels has dismissed parts of Theresa Mays proposed terms, stating that the Prime Minister cannot cherry-pick terms Britain will agree to. If the EU and Britain fail to reach terms, it could scupper plans of a 21-month transition period after officially leaving the bloc. Children with severe allergies across the US are being forced to stay home from school due to a nationwide EpiPen shortage. Chiquita Morris said her five-year-old son Eden was sent home on his first day of kindergarten at Spanaway Elementary School in Spanaway, Washington. She told KIRO 7 school officials told her that, due to her son's severe allergies, he wouldn't be able to attend class until he had an EpiPen on him. For more than a year, Morris says she's been trying to get her hands on the $700 injector, but with no luck. But the school district argues there's nothing it can do because state law requires children with 'life-threatening condition' to have the medication on file prior to attending school. With as many as two students affected by this in every classroom in the US, parents are calling on schools to have back-up EpiPens - or generic versions - on hand until their pharmacies can fill prescriptions for them. Chiquita Morris said her five-year-old son Eden was sent home on his first day of kindergarten at Spanaway Elementary School in Spanaway, Washington, because he didn't have an EpiPen on him for his severe allergies An EpiPen is a hand-held device that contains a dose of epinephrine - a medication and a hormone - and a spring-loaded needle for someone who goes into anaphylactic shock due to their severe allergy Morris said that for a year she's been trying to get hold of an EpiPen. When they were available, her insurance company refused to cover the $700 cost and she couldn't afford it. Then, due to the shortage, she couldn't even find one. 'I called my pharmacy, and they were like: "Oh no, we're not gonna have any",' Morris told the station. 'Yes, I understand I need to get one, but there's nothing I can do.' An EpiPen (epinephrine autoinjector) is a hand-held device that contains a dose of epinephrine - a medication and a hormone - and a spring-loaded needle. If someone with a severe allergy comes into contact with the allergen, they could go into anaphylactic shock. The immune system releases chemicals that flood the body, blood pressure suddenly drops, and airways narrow, which prevents someone from breathing normally. If this occurs, the epinephrine solution should be injected into the thigh muscle. The medication will dilate blood vessels to bring blood pressure back and up as well as relax the muscles of the airways so the sufferer can breathe again. As of this spring, there has been a nationwide shortage of EpiPens and generic forms of the autoinjector. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this is due to issues in manufacturing and 'pharmacy-level supply disruptions'. This includes a shortage of components needed to make the EpiPen as well as 'new processes' put in place after a Missouri facility failed to investigate product malfunctions, reported the Hartsburg News. Pharmacists say many prescriptions sit unfilled for months until the makers of the EpiPen, Mylan, can send them shipments - and that patients often are on a waiting list for the injectors. Doses expire after a year but, because of the shortage, the FDA extended expiration dates in August for some adult doses of the EpiPen. This means that in December, injectors that had original expiration dates in August will need replacement. The efficacy of the product may be good for longer, but the FDA stated that the current research only shows it's effective for a year to and a year-and-a-half. But EpiPen Junior, meant for children who weigh 66 pounds or less, did not fall under this extension. On Bethel School District's website, it states that children with 'life-threatening conditions' must have medication or treatment on file before they attend school due to a Washington state law that took effect in June 2002. In a statement provided to Daily Mail Online, Doug Leber, network manager for the Bethel School Distrct, wrote: 'Our school nurses have been working with families throughout the EpiPen shortage to get students into school as quickly as possible. 'Currently there is only one student in our district who is still having an issue obtaining medication. If other families in our district are experiencing the same issue, we are here to support them. They just need to contact their school nurse.' Morris said that for a year she's been trying to get hold of an EpiPen. When they were available, her insurance company refused to cover the $700 cost, and she couldn't afford it. Then, due to the shortage, she couldn't even find one. Pictured: Morris and Eden at their home Bethel School District's website states that children with 'life-threatening conditions' must have medication or treatment on file before they attend school due to a Washington state law that took effect in June 2002. Pictured: Spanaway Elementary School in Spanaway, Washington Morris believes the district needs to do more to help parents keep their children in school. 'I understand the health concern but I believe the school should have backup EpiPen as well, and not just parents,' she said. According to Mylan's Customer Relations team, they reached out to Morris after they heard of her struggle and located a local pharmacy for her where the product was available '[The representative] found out where there is one available,' Morris told CBS This Morning. 'I was so happy, blessed and thankful that someone took the time to hear our voice. Someone took the time to help my son," Morris said. Dr BJ Lanser, a pediatric allergist from National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, told Daily Mail Online that there a few steps parents can take to get their child a very-much needed injector. 'One is calling around and asking, there's a lot of variability depending on the facility, and then asking for alternatives,' he said. 'It's also important that parents don't wait until the first day of school to fill prescriptions and school forms. It's also good for the school to remind folks of that at end of the school year, and get them ready to bring it.' Dr Lanser is also an advocate of common use epinephrine laws, which would allow schools to keep a stock of EpiPens in a nurse's office. 'If we had common use laws, then we could keep stock epinephrine rather than have every child sent two EpiPens,' he said. 'One barrier schools cite is have no one to write a prescription for them, but any health department or allergist should be happy to write prescriptions.' UK researchers have had 4.2bn of funding from the European Union since 2014 Brexit could have a 'catastrophic' impact on UK cancer research and may trigger a staffing crisis, a new study has said. Overseas staff contributed to nearly 80 per cent of papers published in the UK between 2007 and 2014, and collaboration with EU scientists is increasingly common. Restrictions on free movement after Brexit could risk undermining healthcare based on the research, according to a review led by Queen's University in Belfast. Germany has already overtaken Britain as the number one destination for cancer research funding in Europe, and experts fear the 'Brexit effect' will get worse. Germany has overtaken the UK as the top destination for cancer research funding in the EU, and researchers fear the 'Brexit effect' will make life harder for British scientists by restricting how many European researchers travel here Professor Mark Lawler, from the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's, said: 'Nearly 20 per cent of our research staff are non-UK born. 'The Brexit effect on our research reputation could be catastrophic. 'And given that high quality research underpins better cancer outcomes, we risk undermining the cancer care of our patients.' UK researchers have attracted 4.8 billion Euros (4.2bn) of European funding since 2014. In 2015, the UK was the number one destination for research funding in the EU but has since been overtaken by Germany evidence of what academics say is the 'Brexit effect'. In collaboration with King's College London and the University of Leeds, Irish researchers have produced new proof of the positive benefit that researchers from other EU countries have on cancer research in the UK. The study, published in cancer journal The Lancet Oncology, showed the increasing number of scientific papers on cancer published by teams which include at least one member of staff from the EU outside of the UK. It said reviews that included EU-born authors had a much greater scientific impact, being published in the top tier of medical and scientific journals. Professor Lawler added: 'The challenge of cancer is so great, it is critical that we bring together the best minds to find the best solutions to improve cancer outcomes for our citizens. 'Currently in the UK we attract high quality talent (both from the UK and elsewhere in the EU) and that is why we are a powerhouse for cancer research across Europe.' Professor Richard Sullivan, cancer expert at Kings College London, said the results indicated a very positive and significant contribution of foreign staff to the UK cancer research knowledge base. He added: 'In the uncertainty of a post-Brexit world, we risk the distinct possibility that cancer scientists from other parts of the EU either won't want to or won't be allowed to work in the UK. 'The knock-on effect could be devastating. 'It is clear that potential European research partners are worrying about having a UK researcher on their collaborative research grant.' Next March's looming divorce with the EU has already halted a heart drug study due to concerns about how new medicines will be approved after Brexit. US-based research firm Recardio was due to begin trials of dutogliptin on patients in Exeter, Leeds and Clydebank but pulled the plug on the study. But the Government has said it is 'confident' Britain will still provide a good environment for clinical trials. It started with Connor Entrop's hair. One day last winter, when he was 10-and-a-half, Connor's mother, Corie, discovered him yanking fistfuls of his own hair from his head in their home in Alberta, Canada. He started in on their dog's fur, too. Connor's behavior became increasingly erratic, he began suffering panic attacks and devolved into psychosis and even became suicidal. Corie was terrified, and perplexed by what was happening to her son, she told CTV. It took months for a doctor to ask if he'd been sick recently. Connor had been extremely ill with what his mother thought was strep throat (though doctors didn't test him). His immune system's response to the virus had instead attacked the 10-year-old's own body and caused severe brain inflammation, a rare reaction termed Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS). Connor overcame a bad illness last winter, but then developed neurological and psychiatric symptoms that were otherwise unexplained. He was ultimately diagnosed with PANDAS, a controversial condition doctors think develops in response to strep throat in some children But nearly 30 years after the response was named, it remains controversial - and some experts say that the strep infection is just a coincidence in some children with obsessive compulsive disorder or other mental health issues. For most of the school year, Connor was in and out of class, where he was sometimes violent. The hair-pulling became compulsive, and Connor couldn't explain why he was doing it. 'I just need to pull out my hair,' he told Corie, according to CTV. His behavior looked at first like classic obsessive compulsive disorder, which affects about half a million children in the US. So Corie shaved her son's head and tried to manage his increasing hyperactivity. That winter he became very sick and had to go to the emergency room. But once Connor recovered from that illness, he seemed to dive deeper into a mental one. One day at school, a teacher refused to answer the questions the was peppering her with. Connor's response was to plunge a pencil into his own arm. At home, the elementary school student talked almost incessantly of suicide and Corie caught him trying to hurting himself, multiple times. Like his younger brother (left), Connor (right) could be a 'handful' but was a happy child, his mother, Corie (center) told CTV 'He would try to jump out of moving vehicles when I was driving,' she told CTV. 'He was threatening suicide a lot. He would barricade himself into his room and string stuff around his neck trying to choke himself out. Connor had been diagnosed with ADHD, and, when his outbursts began, his psychiatrist suggested it was related anxiety and put him on an anti psychotic drug. But nothing was helping. For months, Connor seemed to just spiral. At a loss, Corie finally enrolled her son in a rehab program designed for children whose health issues were making school difficult or impossible to attend. By August, a specialist finally had a name for what was happening to Connor: PANDAS. The condition was first described by Dr Susan Swedo in 1980, who is now the chief of the National Institute of Mental Health's Section on Behavioral Pediatrics. Connor's sudden and scary changes seemed like a perfect fit for Dr Swedo's criteria: sudden onset of OCD or tightly restricted eating and at least two of a number of behaviors, including irritability, ADHD-like behavior, depression and anxiety. PANDAS is rarely diagnosed and not well studied or understood. But Dr Swedo theorizes that children younger than 12 - the group most likely to be affected by PANDAS - often don't have strep antibodies. So when they get their first strep infection, these naive antibodies have to try to hunt down the virus, which is particularly adept at camouflaging itself from the immune system. This means the antibodies sometimes attack healthy tissues in the body. If they mistakenly target the basal ganglia, neurons deep in the brain that play a role in everything from motor functions to learning, cognition and emotion, Dr Swedo believes a child may suddenly develop neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Connor (left) has been taking antibiotics three times a day since June, which worries some doctors, but Corie says she finally has her son back But strep is extremely common, and there are so many other possible indicators of PANDAS that it is likely under-diagnosed. For these same reasons, many experts are skeptical that the relationship between the infection and the sudden behavioral changes is real at all. And in turn Dr Swedo says that controversy is why there are so few cases. Nonetheless, many doctors across the country do treat PANDAS, prescribing prophylactic antibiotics. This treatment course is based on an older and much better documented movement disorder, sometimes accompanied by OCD behaviors. that some children developed after having overcome rheumatic fever. Connor started taking antibiotics three times a day every day in June. 'It's like I have my old kid back,' Corrie told CTV. 'Hes still Connor. He still has ADHD. He can still be a pain in the butt, but hes healthy again.' Treating PANDAS now may someday leave Connor with another medical problem, however. Pediatricians and public health officials alike are increasingly concerned over antibiotic resistance. The fear is that germs that Connor's body comes into contact with on a day to day basis will 'learn' from the antibiotics he's on and mutate so that they can beat the drugs. This renders antibiotics useless, and the more people take the drugs long term, the more of bacteria learn to outsmart them. It is one of the greatest public health concerns of our time. But, Connor, now 12, has at least regained his day-to-day life - and his hair - after a terrifying year and a half. Women in the 'Instagram generation' are failing to take folic acid when trying to conceive, experts have warned. Public health campaigns on the importance of the vitamin may be missed by 18 to 24-year-olds because the message is not getting through to social media. More than half of this group are not taking folic acid while trying for a baby, a study found, despite the risk to a future child of neural tube defects such as spina bfida. Experts say health messages should be targeted through websites like Instagram and Snapchat which attract young people. Dr Sarah Johnson, from British firm SPD Development, led a study which surveyed almost 11,500 women about folic acid. She presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Denver today. The clinical research director said: 'We did not expect these figures, particularly among women who were actively seeking to conceive and had gone out of their way to look for information. 'These results suggest to me that the way media has been used to promote folic acid is not getting through to younger women.' She added: 'Younger people don't use the traditional channels for getting information, they use social media. 'And the language has to be very different because they use all these abbreviations like text-speak to talk about trying to conceive.' Health officials have worked hard to promote folic acid, with the NHS recommending all women take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms while trying to get pregnant. This is to build up enough of the vitamin to protect babies from birth defects while their spine is developing during the first 12 weeks in the womb. Researchers used an online survey to question 11,478 women about folic acid, finding just 46.7 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds were taking it while trying to conceive. This fell far short of the results for other age groups, with more than two-thirds of 35 to 40-year-old women remembering to take the supplement as they tried to conceive. TIPS FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY Pregnancy health charity Tommy's gives a list of actions which would have a positive impact on the health of a pregnancy and the future child if done before the mother stops contraception. Take folic acid Taking 400mcg of folic acid daily from two months before stopping contraception can help protect babies from developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Quit smoking Smoking during pregnancy causes 2,200 premature births, 5,000 miscarriages and 300 perinatal deaths per year in the UK. Be a healthy weight Being overweight before and during pregnancy increases the risk of potentially dangerous conditions such as pre-eclampsia and diabetes. Eat healthy and be active A healthy mother is more likely to give birth to a healthy baby, and both will help maintain a safe body weight. Speak to your GP if you are taking medication Some medications may affect pregnancy, and it is best to check with a GP as soon as possible Source: Tommy's Advertisement The figure was 61.1 per cent for 25 to 34-year-olds and just under 59 per cent for women older than 40. Professor Nick Macklon, director of London Women's Clinic and the University of Copenhagen, who was not involved in the study, said: 'When we started encouraging women to take folic acid the main way was to sign them up in a room of a GP clinic, there was a very school masterly approach to it. We need to move away from that. 'Going for a straight public service announcement is not going to reach some age groups. 'There is an argument for putting folic acid messages on pregnancy tests or involving celebrities in semi-humorous campaigns. 'It needs to be put across in a non-patronising way.' The neural tube is a narrow sheath that folds and closes between the the third and fourth week of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord of the baby. Neural tube defects mean the spine and brain or their protective coverings do not form properly. This can cause spina bfida, where children's legs are paralysed or other conditions such as anencephaly, which can see babies born blind and deaf. Neural tube defects affect up to one in 500 pregnancies worldwide, and supporters of fortification say adding folic acid to white flour and bread say it would save 165 to 500 babies a year in the UK. Professor Macklon said he feared some women who had unsuccessfully tried to conceive over several months had become less rigorous about taking the vitamin. He said: 'We need to be aware of 'folic fatigue', when women have been trying to get pregnant for a long time but failing. 'As clinicians we need to remember to keep asking patients and advising them to keep taking it even if they do not get pregnant.' The study on folic acid focused on women interested in ovulation tests, and concludes that 'different media may be required to get the message to younger conceivers'. Dr Johnson said: 'We want these figures to be much closer to 100 per cent because there are no health risks of taking folic acid and it is so important to take to prevent the risk of neural tube defects.' A former employee has today laid bare the shocking practices by bosses inside the troubled firm at the centre of the NHS body parts scandal. Healthcare Environmental Services (HES) allowed hundreds of tonnes of waste from hospitals, including body parts, to pile up at four of its sites in England. Officials today announced the company, which collected in the region of 31 million last year, has been stripped of 15 contracts it held with individual NHS trusts. And now a whistleblower has told the MailOnline the firms cost-cutting tactics to take on more work and win extra disposal contracts was a recipe for disaster. He revealed he was shocked to discover HES did not own an incinerator at the site he worked at in Tyneside and had to ship its waste to other rival firms to burn it. Healthcare Environment Services (HES) allowed hundreds of tonnes of waste from hospitals, including human body parts, to pile up at its facilities (pictured: a site in Normanton, Wakefield, which has a mountain of 350 tonnes of waste) HES is reportedly attempting to export 750 tonnes of pharmaceutical waste to Holland, according to the Health Service Journal (pictured: the firm's office) A spokesperson for the company today denied two of nine claims put to it by the whistleblower and said it needed to investigate the other seven. The firm, based in Scotland, has blamed a lack of incineration capacity in the market and desire to reduce the use of landfill on the pile-up of clinical waste. The unnamed ex-HES employee, who worked at the firm for four months before quitting, refused to be identified over fears of reprisals, including violence. He said the firm ran by a husband and wife - under-estimated the huge amount of waste it would have to deal with by taking on contracts with dozens of NHS trusts. It has since emerged that HES took on 'too much work and instead of burning the hundreds of tonnes of clinical waste, it has stockpiled it for months. The firms sites in Normanton, Newcastle, Nottingham and Bradford have all breached environmental permits set to them by Government officials. The ex-employee, who left at the start of 2016, revealed HES cut costs so much it refused to buy gloves, trousers and vaccines for staff. HES allegedly approached the man from a rival firm, when it won an undisclosed consortium contract to dispose of NHS waste in North East England in October 2015. Healthcare Environment Services Ltd, paid millions to burn waste from hospitals at 50 trusts across England, reportedly took on too much work (biohazard signs on a vehicle at the firm's site in Normanton) In a statement to Parliament, Health Minister Stephen Barclay said NHS Improvement concluded HES 'failed to demonstrate that they were operating within their contractual limits How did the human body part wast scandal unfold? Here is a timeline of how the human body waste scandal unfolded: March 2018 The Environment Agency was first alerted to the fact that Healthcare Environment Services Ltd had a backlog of waste - including body parts - building up. March - October: Healthcare Environment Services Ltd was hit with a series of warnings and enforcement notices giving the firm deadlines by which the waste must be incinerated by. July 2018: The Environment Agency alerts Government ministers to the problem. September 2018: New Health Secretary Matt Hancock chairs an emergency COBRA meeting to discuss the scandal. He sets aside 1million to help affected hospitals. October 4 2018: The Environment Agency announced that it has found the firm in breach of its permits at five of its six sites. It also says it is launching a criminal investigation into the debacle. Advertisement He told MailOnline: It was quite clear from the outset that HES had won the contract on a very low profit margin. The ex-employee added: [HES] left little wiggle room for any issues they encountered or any large increase in waste levels. They were asking advice on waste levels and had clearly under-estimated the amount of incineration only waste they were about to receive. They were already struggling with this waste stream around various other sites and once I found out they did not own an incinerator I knew they were in for a rough ride. He revealed the waste pile at HES site in Normanton, West Yorkshire, was there in 2015 and has remained there ever since. The site is currently housing around 350 tonnes of amputated limbs and human flesh, among other clinical waste - five times more than its permit allows. Neighbours backing directly onto the disposal unit last week complained about the 'foul' smell coming from the HES site. The ex-employee, who left the firm in February 2016, said he dreads to think what is in the Normanton unit now, or how long it has been there. The whistleblower said: [HES] refused to buy latex gloves for staff, citing the cost. Yet they expected staff to handle raw untreated clinical waste. They used to decant the bins daily into anything they could find, in order to get the bins back. But these waste types should not be mixed. They refused to buy needle-resistant gloves and trousers for plant staff and drivers, and this placed staff at huge risk of needle injuries. Health officials insisted the waste would not pose a threat to patients or the wider public, adding that contingency plans were being put in place (a HES lorry in Normanton) TROUBLED FIRM AT THE CENTRE OF THE SCANDAL CLAIMS IT IS THE VICTIM OF A GOVERNMENT 'WITCH-HUNT' Officials have known for months about the stockpiled body parts scandal that has shaken the NHS, the company at the centre of the crisis claimed last week. The Environment Agency has been updated on the crisis at sites ran by Healthcare Environmental Services every week since January, it claimed. The firm also alleged the government was first made aware of problems as long ago as 2015. Yet the NHS is now having to spend millions on last-minute emergency measures to deal with tonnes of stockpiled waste. Some may be stored in open yards. The Environment Agency told the Department of Health and Social Care about the problem in July but the details were only made public on Thursday when leaked documents were revealed by the Health Service Journal. HES, now subject to a criminal investigation over stockpiling medical waste, claimed it is a victim of a government witch-hunt. In a letter to NHS trusts, seen by the Daily Mail, Garry Pettigrew, managing director of Healthcare Environmental Services, claimed the NHS plan to deal with the crisis was completely unworkable, illegal and financially unviable. Two firms in Liverpool and Wrexham, for example, had been asked to store a combined 330 tonnes of waste outside their building, even though it would usually be earmarked incineration only. Another in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, had received dispensation to store 300 tonnes in an open yard, he claimed. Mr Pettigrew wrote: We have found ourselves in the middle of a witch-hunt towards making this company commercially unviable and [a] personal vendetta being organised behind the scenes to somehow justify putting in place emergency measures. We have highlighted to the Environment Agency, and customers, since October 2015 that there was a serious reduction in incineration capacity. The main reasons for this was... ageing infrastructure, which is unreliable, coupled with no investment in new equipment due to cost constraints from the customer base. Advertisement The Environment Agency was first alerted to the problem in March this year and hit the company with a series of warning notices and enforcement orders giving them deadline to get rid of the waste (pictured: workers outside the Normanton site) SCOTTISH HOSPITALS PREPARING TO STORE THEIR OWN WASTE IN WAKE OF SCANDAL Scottish hospitals are preparing emergency plans to store clinical waste amid claims Healthcare Environment Services may be unable to process it. The firm, based in Shotts, Lanarkshire, has the Scotland-wide contract for clinical waste removal. Health boards are devising plans to store waste on-site for up to three days if it cannot be removed and incinerated, amid concern that HES has taken on more work than it can handle. One NHS source in Scotland said: 'Weve been told it will be stored for 72 hours, but in reality there is a real prospect of it being for weeks and even longer. 'The idea is that porters will decant clinical waste into large containers that will be kept in hospitals. 'In terms of body parts, they will be stored, probably in mortuaries, but in many hospitals space will be tight as we get into winter.' The row raises the prospect of hospitals being filled with large amounts of potentially hazardous waste for months. It is believed the contingency plans may be activated in Scotland as soon as next week. Scottish Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: 'this is an extremely worrying development and its absolutely right that contingency plans are being drawn up. 'It is imperative SNP ministers ensure all clinical waste is safely disposed of. 'If this company cannot carry out its contractual obligations it is vital the SNP organises a replacement service immediately.' Just over 300 tons of clinical waste is collected from hospitals north of the Border each year. One insider close to the row in Scotland said: 'This isnt a new issue the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been working on compliance with this company for some time.' Advertisement He also added: The majority of staff were not offered the necessary vaccines that employees should have working with clinical waste. The firm allegedly went through 30 drivers during the time he spent at HES, which he blamed on the very aggressive management style. The ex-employee added: They run on an atmosphere of fear and were prolific at enticing people from decent jobs with promises that never came true. Once people were stuck, they basically used their ignorance at regulations regarding clinical waste to ensure they could break and bend the rules. A HES spokesperson told MailOnline on the phone it was 'b*******' that it refused to stock latex gloves, vaccines and trousers for staff. They also denied it still does not own a high temperature incinerator needed to burn some NHS waste and said it shares with other firms. Health Minister Stephen Barclay has announced today that NHS Improvement concluded HES 'failed to demonstrate they were operating within their contractual limits'. Fifteen NHS trusts had served termination notices to HES, with the work being taken over by Mitie. The new contract was 'fully operational' from this morning. In the wake of the scandal, NHS Improvement issued a letter to HES and gave them 48 hours to provide evidence it was 'operating within legal and contractual parameters'. Mr Barclay told MPs: 'NHSI concluded that HES failed to demonstrate that they were operating within their contractual limits. 'Consequently, 15 NHS Trusts served termination notices to HES formally to terminate their contracts at 4pm on Sunday October 7.' Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has been granted an urgent question on the issue in the House of Commons this afternoon, Labour said. HES has previously denied any wrongdoing and insisted that all clinical waste is correctly stored, with anatomical waste kept in refrigerated units. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock defended the Government's handling of the situation, given that concerns were raised in July. NHS sources said the company had taken on too much work and was not able to dispose of the waste in a timely manner 'There were commercial sensitivities around the negotiations and at no point has there been a risk to the public,' he told the BBC. 'My clear goal throughout has been to make sure that the public are safe and also that NHS services can continue. We have secured those goals. 'We have now moved the contract away from the company that was failing to deliver, we have got a new company in and that's the point at which we could go public about this issue. 'The waste is now being removed effectively and we are across this subject to make sure that we can put in place systems that work sustainably for the long term.' The Environment Agency last week announced it had begun a criminal investigation. It comes as health chiefs last week asked six other waste disposal firms to step in and help NHS hospitals amid the ongoing crisis. The Government called on the help of waste disposal firms Augean, Grundon, PHS, Stericycle/SRCL, Tradebe and Veolia, it has been reported. Local health chiefs have already been warned that they may have to store their own waste in special trailers directly outside hospitals. Healthcare Environment Services Ltd has breached its permits at five sites. Above: The site in Normanton, West Yorkshire The DNA of depressed patients is eight months older than healthy people's, research suggests. And in the most severe cases of depression, a sufferer's genetic material can be up to 15 years older than those without the mental-health condition, according to a study of more than 1,000 people. Those who experienced trauma as children, such as neglect or sexual abuse, are the most 'biologically aged', the research adds. Researchers, at the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, believe the study may help to identify depressed patients who are more at risk of age-related diseases, such as cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer's. The DNA of depressed patients is eight months older than healthy people's (stock) The researchers analysed 811 depressed patients and 319 people without the mental-health condition from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. Depression was diagnosed via questionnaires and psychiatric interviews. Blood samples were taken from all of the participants to examine their DNA. The body can modify a person's genetic material by adding a methane-like substance to its structure. This can change a gene's function without actually altering the DNA sequence itself. Results suggest that, on average, depressed patients have DNA that is around eight months older than their healthy counterparts. In the most extreme cases of depression, the depressed participants' DNA was between 10 and 15 years older than their actual age. 'What we see is in fact an epigenetic clock, where the patterns of modification of the bodys DNA is an indicator of biological age,' lead author Laura Han said. 'And this clock seems to run faster in those who are currently depressed or have been stressed.' WHAT IS DEPRESSION? While it is normal to feel down from time to time, people with depression may feel persistently unhappy for weeks or months on end. Depression can affect anyone at any age and is fairly common approximately one in ten people are likely to experience it at some point in their life. Depression is a genuine health condition which people cannot just ignore or 'snap out of it'. Symptoms and effects vary, but can include constantly feeling upset or hopeless, or losing interest in things you used to enjoy. It can also cause physical symptoms such as problems sleeping, tiredness, having a low appetite or sex drive, and even feeling physical pain. In extreme cases it can lead to suicidal thoughts. Traumatic events can trigger it, and people with a family history may be more at risk. It is important to see a doctor if you think you or someone you know has depression, as it can be managed with lifestyle changes, therapy or medication. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement To check the findings, the scientists then examined post-mortem brain samples from 74 depressed patients and 64 controls. The outcomes were similar. 'The fact that we saw similar results in both blood samples and post-mortem brain tissue helps support the belief that this is a real effect we are seeing,' Ms Han added. The participants were also asked about any trauma they experienced before they were 16. This may include emotional neglect, or sexual or physical abuse. On average, those who underwent childhood trauma had a body clock that was 1.06 years older than controls. The study was published in The American Journal of Psychiatry and presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference in Barcelona. Professor Katharina Domschke, at the University of Freiburg, Germany, who was not involved in the study, said: 'This work extremely important as it signifies the biological impact of trauma and depression on an epigenetic level and the necessity to employ preventive as well as early therapeutic interventions'. The results further suggest differences in DNA ageing were more pronounced among the participants in their 50s or 60s. The researchers therefore believe DNA ageing may serve as an early-warning sign for certain age-related diseases. They add, however, longer studies are needed to confirm this. One in six adults in the UK experiences a mental health problem like depression in any given week, according to Mental Health Foundation. Mental-health conditions affect a similar number of people in the US. This comes after a report released earlier this month claimed delays in mental health treatment are 'ruining people's lives'. Patients with conditions ranging from depression to bipolar disorder are waiting so long for NHS care they end up unemployed, divorced or broke as a result, a Royal College of Psychiatrists survey found. Marjan, the master-developer of freehold property in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, is highlighting the vast investment opportunities in diverse sectors including real estate, hospitality and retail in the northern emirate, at the ongoing Expo Real event in Munich. The Emirati developer will underpin its role to build path-breaking developments in Ras Al Khaimah in line with the vision of the government to establish the emirate as a leading investment and lifestyle destination. It will put the spotlight on its flagship development, Al Marjan Island, which is already a thriving lifestyle destination. Most plots of land have already been sold on the man-made island, which is seamlessly transitioning into a world-class luxury resort destination. Managing director and CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli said: "With the recent announcement of Marjan as the master-developer of freehold in Ras Al Khaimah, we have received strong response from investors globally, who are keen to leverage the opportunities that the Emirate offers." "Offering a wide range of benefits for investors, we are focused on welcoming high-net-worth investors who can take part in supporting the large-scale infrastructure development of Ras Al Khaimah. There are exceptional opportunities in Al Marjan Island, a premier waterfront destination that will appeal to German and European investors," noted Abdouli. Marjan offers international investors benefits including 100 per cent foreign ownership, repatriation of capital and profits within its destinations. Other incentives include no corporate tax, zero per cent personal tax and a VAT of five per cent as of 2018. Additionally, there will be no foreign exchange contracts reducing extra costs and any uncertainties, he added.- TradeArabia News Service Air pollution is increasing people's risks of mouth cancer, a new study warns. Researchers say that being exposed to high levels of particles from power plants, exhaust systems and dust storms can drive up the risk by more than 40 percent. The number of new cases of, and deaths from, mouth cancer has been rising in several countries, particularly in Southeast Asia. Although known risk factors include smoking, drinking and the chewing of 'paan' - a mix of nuts and leaves - being exposed to heavy metals and chemical plant emissions are also thought to lead to the development of the disease. But the team, from Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute in California, says its findings are the first to link fine air particles to mouth cancer, and that high levels of ozone, the main component of urban smog, may be key. Living in areas with high levels of air particles from power plants, exhaust systems and dust storms can drive up the risk of mouth cancer by more than 40 percent. Pictured: A layer of smog above New York City, unknown date For the study, the team looked at national air quality, cancer, health and insurance databases. They analyzed the levels of various pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulphur dioxide, measured in 2009 at 66 monitoring stations in Taiwan. Next, they examined the health records of more than 482,000 men aged 40 or older that attended preventive health services relating to quitting smoking or chewing paan between 2012 and 2013. During that period, more than 1,600 mouth cancer diagnoses were made. While smoking and paan chewing were identifiable risk factors, the researchers found that so were high levels of PM2.5, tiny particles that come from various sources including power plants, exhaust systems, airplanes, forest fires and dust storms. Because of how small they are, PM2.5 particles stay in the air longer than heavy particles, increasing the risk of us inhaling them. Additionally, due to their size, they can get deep into the lungs and potentially enter the circulatory system. Studies have shown that exposure to fine particles can increase our risk of lung disease and heart disease as well as worsen chronic conditions including asthma and bronchitis. Currently, the WHO estimates that, worldwide, seven million people die every year from exposure to such pollution with most deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, chiefly in Africa and Asia. The concentration of an air pollutant is measured in micrograms (ug) per cubic meter air (m3). Men who lived in areas where the levels were around 40 ug/m3 had a 43 percent higher risk of developing mouth cancer compared to men living in areas where the levels were approximately 27 ug/m3. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 0 to 12 ug/m3 is viewed as little to no risk, 12.1 to 35.4 ug/m3 is moderate risk and above 35 ug/m3 is unhealthy. The researchers also found a significant association when levels of ozone, the main component of urban smog, were above 28.69-30.97 parts per billion. Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends no more than 0.10 parts per million for eight hours per day exposure - several times above the limit found in the study. Because the study is an observational one, the authors note that cause cannot be established. In addition, there are certain limitations to consider such as the absence of data on how much PM2.5 enters the mouth or the length of exposure to the pollutant. However, the researchers say components of PM2.5 include known cancer-causing agents such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These organic compounds found in coal and tar deposits were linked in a June 2002 animal-model study from Sweden to bladder, liver, lung, skin and stomach cancers. 'This study, with a large sample size, is the first to associate oral cancer with PM2.5,' said author Dr Michael McPhaul, medical director of endocrinology and metabolism at Quest Diagnostics. 'These findings add to the growing evidence on the adverse effects of PM2.5 on human health.' In August, a study from the University of Texas at Austin found that air pollution was shaving years off of the global life expectancy from an average of four months in the US and UK to two years in Egypt. And in June, an essay by two Harvard scientists stated that environmental policy changes proposed by the Trump administration could lead to an extra 80,000 American deaths per decade. David Cutler, a public-health economist, and Francesca Dominici, a biostatistician, wrote that rolling back the Clean Power Plan will lead to an estimated 36,000 deaths and a repeal of emission requirements for certain vehicles will lead to an estimated 14,000 deaths. They argue that the changing policies could cause respiratory problems as well for more than one million people over a decade, many of them children. When Scott Bevan went to work in Swansea one morning in June, he paid to park for 12 hours with a parking app. Yet, he returned eight hours later to a 70 charge. His crime? Scott had entered the last three letters of his registration plate incorrectly. In a rush to get into work, he had partially used details of his old car. The private parking firm that issued the charge could have rectified it with a common sense approach, as Scott could prove he had paid for parking and had made a simple human error. But four months later, the 29-year-old, of Llanelli, Wales, has endured a barrage of threats from debt collectors and could be forced to go to the County Court to defend himself. Scott's story is typical of many tales from drivers across Britain and today, This is Money is calling for action to stop the DVLA selling personal details to private parking firms and making British motorists' lives a misery. Willing to fight: Motorist Scott Bevan (pictured with his wife Kelly) received a charge after making an error with his registration plate - and it could go to County Court As overzealous enforcement unleashes a wave of parking charges on Britain's drivers, we are also asking for the appeal process to be fairer, in order for people to have their side of the story heard. That would come instead of being held to ransom by the threat of spiralling costs. Furthermore, we believe that automated private parking ticket hotspots should be identified and then investigated by the DVLA, rather than it enabling firms to profit by selling on motorists' details to them for 2.50. In short, we call for common sense, as we lay bare some of the shocking cases that have seen motorists chased, bullied and harassed over private parking charges for dubious and minor infringements. Other cases involve off street car parks, supermarket parking and even a numbered driveway of a specific house, in which the owner, George MacKay, saw an invoice slapped on his windscreen. We are calling for three simple changes in our 'stop the private parking sharks' campaign: To give drivers the option to stop the DVLA allowing private firms to buy their details for 2.50 a pop; The independent appeal process to be made fairer; The DVLA to investigate when large numbers of applications are made for a specific location frequently to see if the charge is fair. Deprived of the ability to sell personal details, it would become much harder for private parking firms to contact the registered keeper of a vehicle demanding money often with the threat of a charge increasing if they appeal, despite those drivers not having breached the Highway Code. In a world in which our right to privacy has been heightened by GDPR rules, we ask how is it that the DVLA is allowed to pass on these details without permission? We're not talking about instances in which authorities such as councils or police ask for the information, but instead the menace of private parking firms. Private parking enforcement using automatic number plate recognition cameras has mushroomed across the UK in recent years. Stations, supermarkets, shopping centres, pubs, restaurants, hotels and more have joined private car parks in setting up cameras to catch drivers. How private parking firms make money Research by the RAC Foundation last year found that 19,000 motorists a day had their personal details bought by private parking firms. This works out at 570,000 people over the course of a 30-day month. Certain private parking companies can buy your personal details from the DVLA at a cost of 2.50 per motorist. This means that these firms only need to claw back a 60 charge from one in every 24 drivers to break even on the cost of buying your details. A sign is erected, with often onerous rules, to claim the driver has entered into a contract with the land owner and any minor infringement, however suspect, sees a ticket automatically sent out. The parking sharks are located across the land, targetting people in almost every car park and the plague has worsened in recent years, as parking firms armed with cheap Big Brother ANPR cameras have convinced landowners to cash in. And the DVLA is raking it in too. It pulls in 1.5million a month from selling on registration details. But that's at the cost of mental anguish for drivers, many now becoming scared to stop anywhere, and damage to the High Street as people stay away. We are also calling on the independent appeal process to be made fairer. In typical circumstances, private parking firms dish out the 'penalty' and pressurise payment within 14 days. If you don't pay up straight away, or dare to appeal, the notice often threatens a higher charge - including via the official appeal process - and the threat of court action. Many simply pay out of fear. We want the appeal process to freeze the original charge while it is investigated, meaning more drivers are likely to take their case to the independent body rather than worry about a bigger charge. Thirdly, recent changes mean a postcode of the 'offence' must be added to an application by private firms - but we're asking the DVLA to investigate if dozens come in at a time for the same spot to determine whether or not they are fair. In August, This is Money assistant editor Lee Boyce revealed how he fought one of these unfair charges and won. Off the back of this, we have been swamped by drivers sharing their woe. Many of the cases where the firms have not backed down despite a simple explanation are simply astonishing, as we reveal below. Heading to County Court even though I paid for a ticket Scott Bevan was threatened with possible court action after he accidentally entered the last three letters of a registration plate of an old car when paying for a parking ticket. The 29-year-old from Llanelli parked his car one morning and paid for 12 hours through the Ringo app on his phone, before heading to work in Swansea. When he returned eight hours later, he found he had a parking charge notice stuck on his windscreen from a private company asking him to pay 70. When he contacted the firm in question to inform it that, despite the mistake, he had paid for a ticket, which he could prove, and not overstayed his allowed time, the company told him that the charge was still due because 'the terms of the contract to park on the land had been breached'. Scott, who works at an insurance company, said that after his initial appeal was rejected he was harassed and sent many debt collection letters by a solicitors, who he said were acting as debt collectors for the private parking firm. He said: 'I am at the stage now where I am about to be set a "Letter Before County Court Claim," even after contacting the solicitor and explaining the situation.' He added that he planned to take his case all the way. He added: 'It has been a very trying time as I am also moving house. Essentially they want me to pay 70 for breaching a contract even though I paid for a ticket and was out of the spot before my time ended.' Fightback begins: This is Money has been inundated with tales of private parking woe (picture posed by model) Sent 60 charge despite photos showing I left car park in time Naida Begum was sent a parking charge notice asking her to pay 60 - more than a month after she had parked, without even explaining why. The 47-year-old parked in an off-street car park in Oldham on 23 February 2018 and paid for a ticket for an hour, leaving again within that time period. Yet on the 27 March, more than a month later, she received a letter from a private parking firm at her home address in Sutton Coldfield telling her she had breached the car park terms and conditions. However, the charge notice did not explain why she had contravened the parking rules, stating only that 'either a ticket was not purchased, or the vehicle remained in the car park for longer than the ticket allowed.' Accompanying photographs showed the car entering the car park at 13.36 and leaving again at 14.35, within the time period she had paid for. The foster carer wrote back to the company, explaining that the charge was invalid because the company had failed to write to her within 14 days of the alleged contravention, as required by Schedule 4 Paragraph 9 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. She told This is Money that since sending that email to the company in March explaining why she would not be paying the charge, she is still yet to receive any kind of response from the firm in question. She said she has not been given any acknowledgment that the company had received her response, nor had they told her they would be rescinding her charge. This has left her in limbo and worried that it has been escalated to debt collectors Second day in new home and slapped with charge for parking in my own bay Retiree George MacKay, 65, had only just moved into his new house with his wife on a private estate in Chichester when he received a penalty charge notice for parking in his own bay. The appeal process When a British Parking Association member parking firm rejects an appeal, they have to offer you the chance to appeal via an independent body. This is a POPLA code which can be used in reference to the case. On its website, it says it is not funded by the individual operators. Instead, it charges the BPA for all cases it handles. It adds: 'This is a set fee regardless of the outcome and as such, appeal outcomes are not driven by commerciality.' The biggest problem with this appeal process is drivers worried about appealing, being turned down, and then facing a bigger charge. Often, a 60 charge will turn to 100 if an appeal goes to POPLA and it is rejected. This may deter many from going down this route. We want this to change. The estate has a parking management system which is operated and enforced by a private firm. Each property on the estate has a recognised parking space with a number on the kerb in front of the space. The residents are allocated paper permit discs with the corresponding number to be displayed, proving they are permitted to park there. On just his second day in his new home, George and his wife had been out shopping and left the paper disc displayed on the dashboard with their car parked in their house's space. To their surprise, the following morning they found the dreaded yellow bag with a parking violation attached to the windscreen. They discovered that their parking disc had ended up on the floor of the car on the passenger's side. George said that there had been a strong wind the previous day, and that must have blown the disc off the dashboard when they closed the rear door. He added that, at this time, there were still a number of vacant properties on the development, and many times witnessed casual parkers leaving their cars in designated bays without the requisite parking permits. He wrote to the company objecting to the charge, sending them a photocopy of their permit to prove that they had a right to park there. However, even after this, the private parking firm told him the decision was final and he must pay. Worried, George paid the 60 charge to put the matter to bed. I visited same supermarket two days in a row and received a penalty for staying for 18 hours straight Aldi madness: Sylvia received a penalty charge thanks to camera mishap Sylvia Newham, 60, received a 70 penalty charge after a private firm claimed she had been in an Aldi car park for more than 18 hours. In fact, what had actually happened is she visited the supermarket in Nuneaton in consecutive days in July 2018. She said: 'I would think that the camera didn't pick me up leaving on the first day or they are trying it on.' She did not have a charge stuck on her windscreen, but received a letter through the post a few days later asking her to pay 70 within 14 days. The retiree from Wolvey, Leicestershire, contacted her bank to prove she had made two separate transactions over two days, showing she had shopped twice. Instead of appealing to the private parking firm running the car park, she went directly to Aldi, who investigated her case and came back saying that the charge had now been suspended. She said: 'What distresses me are the folk who aren't able to deal with challenging these notices and end up paying out even when they don't have the funds to do so.' Why can't drivers opt out of having details passed on? This is Money spoke to three experts about personal information being sold on by the DVLA. Annabel Kaye, a GDPR expert, says: 'The DVLA have not made it clear in their documentation what their legal basis for processing and sharing this data is. 'It must judge the risk of a breach to personal privacy with the need to enforce the law and public policy on vehicle and driver related crime and trespass. 'Normally you would expect a written Data Privacy Impact Assessment before such sharing was established. 'We have not seen that DPIA. We do not know if that DPIA takes into account the fact that whilst some people knowingly park on private land without permission, others genuinely mistake the signage and there are a tiny minority of dubious organisations who deliberately offer poor signage and make a business out of collecting fees by using the DVLA information to track down individual car owners. What about the consultation? A consultation was ordered by the then Department for Communities and Local Government in 2015 entitled: parking reform: tackling unfair practices. From here, an 'Advisory Code of Practice' was developed that: - to access the DVLA vehicle record that operators must be a member of an accredited parking association. - that inability to follow this code will lead to the denial of the access to the DVLA vehicle record. - That the Secretary of State will accredit parking associations only if satisfied that they have the capability to assess compliance with and enforce the code. - That the parking associations and operators will, in turn, be audited by a Scrutiny and Standards Body. However, it appears this code of practice is not working, as many drivers continue to face unjust charges from parking firms unwilling to budge upon appeal. You can read more about this after a recent Freedom of Information request from someone who took part in the consultation. 'If you object to your data processed this way you can do that under Article 21 of the GDPR but you have to show grounds relating to your particular situation. 'Anyone can find out the registered keeper of a car for 2.50 and if this is dangerous for you, make sure you write to the DVLA and object. 'You will have to do more than say you are scared - you will need to provide something to support this.' Marie Kell, partner and head of commercial law at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP, says: 'Contrary to your readers' beliefs, consent is not a prerequisite to processing personal data - instead it is only one of the grounds on which a controller can process personal data. The relevant grounds in the case of the DVLA would be: - The processing is necessary to comply with the controller's legal obligations (Article 6(1)(c) and recital 46); - The processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller (Article 6(1)(e)). 'Put simply: the DVLA will provide data to allow landowners or their agents (private firms) to pursue legal rights and disputes (such as the enforcement of a parking fine) but only if they are members of an Accredited Trade Association.' Sarah Pearce, privacy and cybersecurity partner at international law firm Paul Hastings, says: 'The GDPR does not prevent the DVLA from sharing/selling an individuals' personal data to private organisations where it has (i) provided valid/sufficient notice to individuals; and (ii) has a lawful basis for the sharing/selling of data. 'A driver has a right to object to processing of data (e.g. sharing/selling in this instance) if the processing is for the DVLA's legitimate interest. 'This right is not absolute and the driver must be able to articulate the specific reasons why they are objecting to the processing, and demonstrate that they have a compelling reason as to why their interests override those of the DVLA. 'The DVLA can refuse to comply with this request where: (i) it can demonstrate its compelling legitimate grounds for the processing, which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the individual; or (ii) the processing by the DVLA is for the establishment, exercise, or defence of legal claims.' What the DVLA says This is Money put our concerns to the DVLA and asked for its comment on our the actions we are calling for. It would not give us an on the record comment. On its website, it says: 'Private car parking management companies that give out parking tickets or trespass charge notices can only request information from DVLA if they're members of the BPA or the International Parking Community.' It says that it ensures data processing complies with data protection rules and it shares information with third parties where the law permits. It provides information to private parking management companies according to strict guidelines, including regular audits to ensure the information is used appropriately. Get in touch Have you been hit by an unfair parking charge? Do you, or have you in the past, worked for a private parking firm? Get in touch: editor@thisismoney.co.uk Where issues occur, it says it will take appropriate action however, as our cases above outline from four different private parking firms, this doesn't appear to be working. If the DVLA was receiving some of the complaints from motorists of unjust charges they may see just how ridiculous many of them are. It goes on to add that the information provided relates to the registered keeper, not the driver and it is possible that the registered keeper may not be the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the alleged contravention. The release of information to follow up private parking contraventions is provided for in law and this has not changed with the introduction of GDPR. Vehicle keepers are not able to opt out and the consent of the data subject is not required where processing takes place under these conditions. Further guidance on disclosure of DVLA information under reasonable cause is published at www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla. While DVLA charges a fee for the release of vehicle keeper information, the charge is set to recover the cost of processing, ensuring that the burden is met by the requester and not passed on to the general taxpayer. If a business can be judged by the quality of a partner, Ceres Power is clearly one to watch. The AIM-listed firm's roster of collaborations reads like a veritable who's who of top international engineers. In August, German electricals giant Bosch became the latest multinational to reveal it was working with Ceres on its pioneering fuel cell technology SteelCell. Power: Ceres makes cells which convert fuel directly into electricity which they call SteelCell It was Ceres's fifth top name collaborator and Bosch joined a list that already included Chinese firm Weichai Power, Japanese car makers Nissan and Honda and US engineering powerhouse Cummins. That agreement with Bosch included 'very significant' staged revenues through technology transfer, licensing and longer-term royalties, with an initial value of around 20million over the next three years. The German firm also agreed to invest 9million into the AIM-listed business for a 4.4 per cent stake to cement the deal. Phil Caldwell, chief executive, said Ceres' objective was to partner with the world's best and 'companies don't get much better than Bosch'. The two companies will develop what are effectively decentralised power stations that will use modular power units to run data centres, office blocks, electric vehicle charging outlets and so on. In itself that is a fantastic opportunity, says Caldwell, but Bosch also gives Ceres an opportunity to use engineering and technological capability and supply chain and manufacturing strength. So why are some many big names beating a patch to Ceres's door? Electricals giant Bosch became the latest multinational to reveal it was working with Ceres In short, SteelCell technology overcomes two of the major problems traditionally associated with other solid oxide fuel cells, namely cost, and lack of robustness. Ceres' technology can use a variety of fuels - natural gas, hydrogen, biofuel - that can be manufactured from widely available materials, and so is the most cost-effective solution on the market. As it is made of steel and ceramics, SteelCell can be mass produced at high volumes with low costs. 'This scalability is Ceres's key competitive advantage, in our view,' according to Berenberg. The broker believes the development partnerships and impending commercial launches will help profitability short-term and significantly increase the probability that the SteelCell will be commercially viable in the long-term. Like Bosch, Weichai Power, one of China's leading automobile and equipment manufacturing companies, is another heavyweight that has backed up its interest with hard cash. Weichai & Ceres are working to adapt the technology for China's electric powered bus market Initially that meant putting up 19.3million for a 10 per cent stake, but Weichai has an option to double its holding to 20 per cent for a further 26.3million conditional on commercial agreements being signed. Specifically, Weichai and Ceres are working to adapt the technology for China's electric powered bus market. Weichai sells about 30,000 buses per year China and a hybrid electric bus is scheduled for 2019 with trials of multiple buses in 2020. Some of the money was earmarked to build a new UK manufacturing plant and Ceres this week announced it will build a new facility at Redhill in Surrey creating 60 jobs. In electric cars meanwhile, Ceres has received 7million in funding to continue work its work with Nissan on electric vehicle applications. The cash is coming from UK government funding, through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), being carried out in partnership with Nissan and The Welding Institute. 'We are a rarity,' Caldwell said, 'A very high growth British tech company.' 'Commercially, no-one can dispute we have some of the world's best partners committing to this tech. 'We also have two major strategic investors on board alongside very strong institutional support. 'Our OEM partners see the potential and huge market applications.' The technology is still in the development stage but Ceres is not without revenues. Results for the year to June are due shortly but the company has already indicated revenues will be in the region of 7million, up 70 per cent or so. Shares in Ceres have risen since the Bosch announcement and at 199p, the business is valued at 260million. Given the level of sales at present that is looking a way ahead, but directors are confident they can maintain strong revenue growth by adding more technology transfer and licence revenues in addition to its current engineering services. This year ahead will see field trials start across a number of applications including a combined heat and power unit with Bosch and first 30kW system to be run on a bus in China with Weichai. Add in the fact that it has some very serious partners that are looking at lot further ahead than the next couple of years and Ceres is potentially only at the start of its journey. Philip Hammond has been given the green light by the International Monetary Fund to end the squeeze on public spending when he delivers his Budget later this month. The Washington-based watchdog said the reduction in the deficit from a record 153billion under Labour in 2009-10 to 39.9billion last year has given the Chancellor space to ease austerity measures to boost the economy. The findings will be welcomed by the Prime Minister who used her speech at the Tory Party conference last week to declare an end to austerity. The IMF has told Theresa May's government can loosen the purse strings claiming reduction in the deficit has given the Chancellor space to ease austerity measures to boost the economy The Government has already committed an extra 20billion a year to the NHS but questions have been raised as to how it, together with higher public sector pay settlements, will be funded. In its World Economic Outlook report, the IMF argued Britain is one of the few Western nations to have re-imposed fiscal discipline since the financial crisis a decade ago. The better outlook for the public finances 'allows for flexibility in the short term'. Hammond has the opportunity to loosen policy especially if growth were to slow as a result of a trade war or a no-deal Brexit. He is already thought to have between 12billion and 20billion in his back pocket as a result of careful management of Government spending and surging revenues from higher corporation tax receipts, VAT and income taxes. The Government has already committed an extra 20bn a year to the NHS but questions have been raised as to how it, together with higher public sector pay settlements, will be funded The IMF gave Britain high marks for tackling the huge budget deficit left by the last Labour government. It pencilled in growth of 1.4 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent next year. And contrary to claims made by critics, Britain is not bottom of the growth league table among the richest nations, with Italy and Japan growing more slowly. The fund's chief economist Maurice Obstfeld is gloomier about the global economy as a result of President Trump's trade dispute with China and unsettled conditions in emerging markets, from Argentina to Turkey. A big critic of Brexit, the comments in this year's report are much more guarded on Britain's exit from the EU. It said 'the rise in trade barriers between the United Kingdom and the European Union would imply sizable losses for the UK economy'. But it also notes it would be adverse for Britain's 'trading partners'. The comments could be read as warnings to the likes of Ireland, Germany and France not to drive too hard a bargain because it would hurt their own domestic economies. A Texas police dog was shot dead after it bit its handler as officers tried to arrest a robbery suspect. Two Waco officers were trying to serve a warrant for a suspect around midday on Friday. As officers approached the house, Kastor the dog turned and bit handler Michael Bucher on his inner thigh. After that, the other officer with Bucher shot and killed the two-year-old Belgian Malinois. Bucher was taken to hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. 'K-9 Handler Michael Bucher was being bitten in his inner thigh by Kastor,' Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said in a press release Monday. Dog handler Michael Bucher was injured after he was bitten by Kastor, the Waco police force dog 'The handler was continually giving commands for the dog to stop as Waco Detective Eric Trojanowski was attempting to physically pull Kastor away from the attack,' he said. 'Officer Bucher instructed Detective Trojanowski to put Kastor down to stop the attack. The detective fired one shot, striking Kastor, stopping the attack. Kastor died at the scene,' Swanton said. Kastor was one of three dogs in Waco's K-9 units, along with Kempi and Hondo. The officers never made entry into the house and the suspect was not taken into custody. The suspect was wanted on robbery charges. It is not the first time a police dog has been shot on duty for attacking an officer. In 2001, Waco police were forced to take action and kill their three-year-old Dutch shepherd name Blur when the dog and its handler were searching a car. A second police officer approached them from behind when the attack took place. Blur was said to be protecting his handler when the initial attack happened. The dog released the officer on the handler's command but then bit another officer who also approached from behind. The dog was shot and killed after the second attack, the Tribune-Herald records state. A bronze sculpture - interpreted as an open book lined with the branches of a tree of knowledge or of a female vulva - is set to stand at a Cambridge college to mark equality for women. The two-storey tall statue will arrive on the 70th anniversary of the first degree ceremony for the university's women graduates. Cathy de Monchaux, 57, who lives in Hoxton, east London, created the artwork, named Beyond Thinking, which was inspired by the words of Virginia Woolf. The artist describes the bronze sculpture as an open book but has been compared to a vulva The artist's previous work often alluded to genitalia and she designed this new piece to resemble an open book with the motif of female woman that can also be interpreted as as female genitalia, according to the Observer. The Turner Prize nominee said: 'That is not the first thing I want people to see. it is not explicit. 'However there are hopefully many readings to the work.' Woolf's famous essay, A Room Of One's Own, argues that young women need the same space to sit and contemplate that young male students have traditionally had. Ms De Monchaux said: 'The piece is about making a stand. Cathy de Monchaux, 57 (pictured) created the artwork, named Beyond Thinking, which was inspired by the words of Virginia Woolf 'It is a startling fact that women did not get degrees here until 1948, so I was moved by how woefully short the history of women's education really is.' The artist says she is pleased by people's reaction to her brand new sculpture which will be placed at the women-only Newnham College in Cambridge. She told the Observer: 'They are quite intrigued.' The two-storey tall statue will arrive on the 70th anniversary of the first degree ceremony for the university's women graduates Author Virgina Woolf landmark essay was based on two texts she read while studying at Newnham which is one of Oxbridge's last remaining all-female colleges. The sculpture will celebrate the achievements of graduates and the opening of new Dorothy Garrod building. Newnham's principal, Professor Dame Carol Black, confirmed they were happy to let Ms De Monchaux have free reign over the design of the sculpture. She said: 'Once we had made the commission we gave Cathy a pretty free hand.' Cambridge only allowed women to study in it's college in 1869, but they were required to live 30 miles away in Hertfordshire. In July 1998, 900 female students who studied before 1948 were invited to receive their full degrees. Up until 70 years ago they were just given certificates. French and Italian maritime authorities have begun cleaning up a fuel spill that has spread 12.5 miles in the Mediterranean Sea after two cargo ships collided north of the island of Corsica. The incident occurred early Sunday when The Ulysse, a Tunisian freighter operated by CTN, rammed into a Cyprus-based CLS Virginia, which was anchored about 20 miles off the northern tip of the French island and not carrying any cargo. The ship's hull was pierced and at least one fuel tank began leaking into the sea off the holiday island of Corsica. Italy's coast guard said yesterday it is recovering some of the polluted material and monitoring the spill amid changing weather conditions. French authorities released this picture showing the collision between the two ships The accident occurred early Sunday when The Ulysse, a Tunisian freighter operated by CTN, rammed into a Cyprus-based CLS Virginia which was anchored about 20 miles from Corsica According to the CTN's published shipping schedule, the Ulysse was travelling from Genoa in Italy to the Tunisian port at Rades near Tunis. French Environment Minister Francois de Rugy said some 600 tonnes of propulsion fuel had spilled into the sea. He condemned the 'abnormal behaviour' of the Tunisian ship in a press briefing at Corsica's Bastia airport after surveying the affected area by helicopter. Officers of France's paramilitary gendarme police force had been airlifted to the ships to investigate the incident, but it was too early to say what had happened, he added. Italian anti-pollution vessels have begun pumping the slick, Rugy said, adding that while the collision occurred near the Cap Corse marine reserve, the spill remained outside the park and moving away from Corsica. The island is known for its pristine waters and beaches. While the collision occurred near the Cap Corse marine reserve, the spill remained outside the park and moving away from Corsica, French Environment Minister Francois de Rugy said 'All means are mobilised, civil and military teams, French and Italian are working hard and doing everything so that this accident does not have ecological consequences,' he said 'All means are mobilised, civil and military teams, French and Italian are working hard and doing everything so that this accident does not have ecological consequences,' he said. 'The first priority is to extricate the two boats,' Rugy said, adding the operation was 'very complicated', with the Tunisian boat wedged into the Cyprus-based CLS Virginia. A criminal investigation has been launched for 'pollution' brought on by a 'maritime accident', Marseille prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux said. Writing on Twitter, Corsica leader Gilles Simeoni said earlier he was determined to find what caused the accident, which occurred in relatively calm seas with good visibility. A university is to ask students to agree contracts not to take drugs in its bid to become Britain's first 'drug-free campus'. Students at Buckingham University are being asked to start a 'revolution' in making drug-taking 'socially unacceptable' in higher education - but will still kick out those who flaunt the rules. Vice-chancellor Sir Anthony Seldon says it is 'insane' to allow drug-taking in universities to continue 'with half and more students taking them'. And he warns that education bosses are in danger of 'colluding in the mass consumption of illegal drugs on our premises'. Buckingham University will be asking students to agree contracts agreeing not to take drugs in its bid to become Britain's first 'drug-free campus' and start a 'revolution'. Pictured: Verney Park Campus at Buckingham University It comes as a top university was criticised last week for giving detailed advice on how to take drugs 'safely' on its website. Sheffield University, where a student died last year after taking ecstasy during a club night, offers a step-by-step guide online on taking specific substance through its student union. It tells students who take drugs with a needle not to 'inject alone' and gives instructions about crushing MDMA and how long to wait before 'considering redosing'. Writing for the Mail, Sir Anthony said: 'I began to ask myself what kind of moral leadership we university leaders were providing in colluding in the mass consumption of illegal drugs on our premises, with half and more students taking them? Vice-chancellor Sir Anthony Seldon (above) said it was 'insane' to allow drug-taking in universities to continue and warned that education bosses were in danger of 'colluding in the mass consumption of illegal drugs on our premises' 'Where was the compassion, and care for vulnerable and often still young students living away from home for the first time, in letting the status quo blithely continue? 'We aim to do this not by focusing on expulsion - this can lead to already marginalised students experiencing acute difficulties in their lives - but by a compassionate policy of making it clear that drug-taking is totally unwelcome on campus. 'And we will actively support those students who are struggling. The university already allows police and sniffer-dogs on campus to deter use, but now hopes its 'compassionate policy' and support for those who want to stop using will lead to a culture change. (Stock photo) 'However, any students who don't respect our policy, who repeatedly use drugs or who deal drugs, will[ital] be asked to leave.' Buckingham University already allows the police and sniffer-dogs on campus to deter use, but the university hopes its 'compassionate policy' and support for those who want to stop using will lead to a culture change. 'We are working towards a student-framed contract pledging to our values and no drug taking. Old fashioned maybe. But never more needed,' Sir Anthony said. Students will be asked to leave if they continue to take drugs on the 3,000-strong campus after agreeing the contract, with Sir Anthony preferring to 'support' those who use substances but willing to resort to drastic measures. He added: 'We aim to do this not by focusing on expulsion - this can lead to already marginalised students experiencing acute difficulties in their lives - but by a compassionate policy of making it clear that drug-taking is totally unwelcome on campus. Sir Anthony said he would prefer to 'support' those who use substances but willing to resort to drastic measures 'And we will actively support those students who are struggling. However, any students who don't respect our policy, who repeatedly use drugs or who deal drugs, will be asked to leave.' A report published this year revealed that the number of UK students disciplined for drug-use has risen by 42 per cent since 2015. More than 1,300 students were disciplined for drugs by British universities in the 2016-17 academic year - a 42 per cent rise on 2014-15. Most involved smoking cannabis, but increasing numbers involved hard drugs or dealing. Earlier this year the NUS urged universities to stop reporting students found in possession of drugs to the police. A report showed that in 2016-2017, of the 2,067 cases of student drug possession recorded across the country, 531 were reported to police and 21 were permanently excluded from university. It urged universities to play a more supportive role in dealing with the issue, arguing that mental health could play a part in some students' decision to take drugs. The NUS also argued the use of sniffer dogs and searches on campus were 'Incredibly invasive and intimidating' and could cause high anxiety levels, after it emerged one in 10 of those who had used drugs said they had been searched on campus. Countless more studies have shown that the use of illegal drugs is not without consequence. Hospital admissions of 18 to 25-year olds for mental illness involving cocaine have risen by 74 per cent since 2014, with more than 2,200 cases last year, while admissions involving young people and cannabinoids are also up 11 per cent, to just under 8,000. Vice chancellor Sir Anthony Seldon: Tragic death of bright student Hester, 21, shows why we must drive 'party drugs' from our universities When I was headmaster at Brighton College, one of my students, Hester Stewart, stood out as particularly vivacious, engaged and bright. She had ambitions to be a surgeon but in 2009, while studying molecular medicine at Sussex University, she died after taking the party drug GBL. Hester was just 21, yet another in the long line of those who have fallen victim to the evils of drug-taking. Today the damage and deaths continue. At Brighton, and later at Wellington College, I made a strong stand against drug-taking. When I was headmaster at Brighton College, one of my students, Hester Stewart (above), stood out as particularly vivacious, engaged and bright So when I became a vice-chancellor three years ago, one of the first questions I asked was: Why cant we make Buckingham a drug-free campus? I was told by long-serving colleagues at other universities that I simply didnt understand the culture; drugs, like heavy-drinking nights, were a rite of passage for students at university. Any attempt to challenge that culture would be seen as an infringement on the right of students and an over-reaction. I was out of touch, a middle-aged school teacher in the bright world of higher education. Forget it, they said. I have, over the years, fought many battles. I once received a death threat from a pupil I expelled for drug-pushing, and when I introduced well-being lessons to the curriculum, I was mocked by some in the educational establishment and the media (now they are commonplace). But I had no desire to face down undermining comments Id attract by tackling the campus drugs issue. Instead I focused on improving student mental health and the quality of university teaching. The concerns would not go away, however, and the stories of drug-induced death, injury and psychological damage among students across the country have continued to haunt me. As many as half of all students have taken drugs. So when I became a vice-chancellor three years ago, one of the first questions I asked was: Why cant we make Buckingham a drug-free campus? (Stock photo) In despair, I wavered between one of two policy extremes: Following the practice of some boarding schools and expelling drug users, or managing an intractable problem the best we could by offering advice to students on how to take drugs safely. I didnt favour either option. I asked myself what kind of moral leadership we university leaders were providing in colluding in the mass consumption of illegal drugs on our premises? Where was the compassion, and care for vulnerable and often still young students living away from home for the first time, in letting the status quo blithely continue? It is often the less confident students who are sucked in by social pressure to start taking drugs, and the most vulnerable who suffer the worst psychological damage. Now, however, through talking to students at Buckingham, I believe we have found a different way a revolution from below if you like. Students tell us they no longer want to be part of a culture that tolerates the injection, inhalation or ingestion of toxic chemicals, the origin and potency of which are unknown. They have a point. We know these drugs can cause irreparable damage. Just this month, researchers at Montreal University reported that cannabis poses a far greater risk to the teenage brain than alcohol. Crucially, students dont want to see money from their peers going into a criminal activity that thrives by selling drugs and includes inveigling children to courier illegal substances, as the Mail has highlighted with its investigation of the county lines scandal. There is something admirable, and ironic, about students making this stand where one might have expected university leaders to show the way. Dominant student leaders decree what the culture is, a culture that has for too long tolerated drugs and excessive drinking that many students want no part of and which those from different religious backgrounds and cultures find hard to challenge. The middle way, which we are rolling out at Buckingham, aims to make the taking of illegal drugs as socially unacceptable as cigarette-smoking now is in public. We aim to do this not by focusing on expulsion this can lead to already marginalised students experiencing acute difficulties but by a compassionate policy of making it clear that drug-taking is totally unwelcome on campus. And we will actively support those students who are struggling. However, any students who dont respect our policy, who repeatedly use drugs or who deal drugs, will be asked to leave. Bunckingham is the first university to adopt positive psychology as our mental-health approach, which means we put the emphasis on giving students guidance and encouragement to lead physically and psychologically healthy lives. We already invite police and sniffer dogs on to campus to look for drugs to deter use. We promote healthy alternatives to show students they do not have to get wasted to have a good time. Ultimately, we are working towards a student-framed contract pledging to our values and no drug-taking. Old fashioned maybe. But never more needed. Fifteen years ago, most people would have said that you could never stamp out cigarette-smoking, yet we are close to doing exactly that. In 15 years, through this culture change driven by students, we will make drug-taking just as socially unacceptable. Moreover, we will look back and be utterly amazed that our top academic institutions tolerated for so long the taking of chemicals supplied by criminals. With cigarettes, initially we lacked the evidence that showed the harmful effects. On drugs, we already have the evidence. It is insane to let this continue. The tragedy is so many young lives have been destroyed while we were asleep to our responsibilities. Meghan McCain returned to The View on Monday, marking her first appearance on the ABC daytime show since the death of her father back in August. It was an emotional return for McCain, who found herself in tears just seconds into the broadcast as she thanked the women at the table and people around the country for their support in recent weeks. McCain first spoke about her father's diagnosis and revealed how she dealt with the news. 'Abby [Huntsman], when my dad was first diagnosed I got wasted with you,' said McCain, who had a laugh while thinking back to the moment. 'And I drank so much. She was heavily pregnant and she watched me down Jack Daniels after Jack Daniels and then I threw up and her sister held my hair back.' Her talk then took a political turn in the wake of the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh, with McCain delivering a stirring and passionate speech about the country and American democracy. Difficult day: Meghan McCain found herself in tears just seconds into her return to The View on Monday, her first time back since her father's death Close friend: She recalled how she got drunk on Jack Daniels and threw up with a pregnant Abby Huntsman when she first learned her dad had cancer (Huntsman hugs McCain above) 'My father's farewell address, he said that we're Americans and we can never surrender,' said McCain while looking out into the audience. 'We can never surrender to what is happening in the country right now. I understand how divided and how scared a lot of people are and it looks like the fabric of democracy is fraying. We do not surrender.' She then declared: 'I'm not surrendering. You don't do it either so you have to join me in not surrendering. Okay. Because I'm still here fighting and I want all of you to fight with me.' McCain then took some time to acknowledge two men who were crucial in getting her back on her feet after the tragedy. 'And I have one more final thing and then I will get off my soap box. God is real. I wouldn't be here without my faith but I also wouldn't be here without Joe Biden and Joe Lieberman,' said McCain. Dad: 'My father's farewell address, he said that we're Americans and we can never surrender,' said McCain, who asked everyone to 'keep fighting' with her (McCain and her father in 2008) Sisters: 'I understand how divided and how scared a lot of people are and it looks like the fabric of democracy is fraying,' added McCain (above with her sister Bridget at their father's funeral) 'Those two men have carried me through this. And I just want to thank them for being uncles to me, really gone above and beyond.' She added: 'I'm sure they're like I didn't realize when I became friends with John McCain his daughter's drama would be mine as well. They really carried me through this and my mother and my family.' McCain took some time to speak about the funeral, and how much her father would have been honored by the outpouring of love. 'From the second that my father passed and immediately after he passed the media knew and I had to get in a car in a motorcade behind his hearse and from the very moment I left there were people in the country all races, all age, all creeds out there with American flags waving, saluting, praying, everyone, he would have loved it. Loved it. The entire time,' said McCain. 'I cried the entire way, veterans were talking in the poorest areas of Phoenix to presidents at the cathedral. 'Everyone came out and celebrated him with love and it made me so inspired that the ideals that my father espoused to in his career are the ideals of America and I think there was a lot of talk about what died with him and I am here today to tell you it didn't. It is alive and well.' She then took a not-so-subtle jab at the current president, who initially refused to fly the flag at half-staff in her father's honor. 'He believed America is the greatest country in the history of the world. He believed that when your candidate's opponent says something racist in a rally, you push back,' said McCain. 'That is John McCain and that is what America is.' Family: 'Those two men have carried me through this. And I just want to thank them for being uncles to me, really gone above and beyond,' said McCain of Joe Biden and Joe Lieberman Holding back tears: McCain spoke of how much her father loved Whoopi Goldberg (above on Monday) and thanked Sunny Hostin for her support Lineage: 'In this moment I want you to know that everything that was in him is in you and this is your moment in time,' said Yvette Nicole Boran (above) McCain went around the table to thank each of the women on the show. 'On a personal note the women at this table all of you, I just want to start with you, Whoopi, my father loved you,' said McCain, who instantly became overwhelmed with emotion. 'He loved you. He really loved you.' She then took some time to gather herself and regain her composure before saying: 'And this woman has let me cry in her dressing room all year last year. I would go in before the show and she would let me cry on her shoulder. She wears white blouses all the time. I have ruined it with mascara more times than I can say. 'Your daughter is like my sister. He wanted me to come back here which is why I'm here.' Yvette Nicole Brown, who was guest hosting the show, shared some words of her own with McCain. 'In this moment I want you to know that everything that was in him is in you and this is your moment in time,' said the actress. 'You are here for a moment such as this. He has passed the torch to you. The mantel has been passed to you and the you are the perfect person to carry on everything that he began. You hear me?' That resulted in more tears from McCain. Michael Wayne Devaughn, 52, was charged with capital murder Monday in Mississippi Police have charged a man in the Labor Day 1990 killing of one woman and rape of another, using DNA to connect him to the crime scene. Michael Wayne Devaughn, 52, was charged on Monday with capital murder in the slaying of 65-year-old Betty Jones and sexual battery in the rape of 81-year-old Kathryn Crigler, in Starkville, Mississippi. Jones and Crigler, who were friends, were attacked at Crigler's home September 3, 1990. Jones' grandsons, Jason and Simon Jones, were children when she was killed. They recently recorded a podcast titled Knock Knock about her slaying. 'As I turned 5 and 6 and 7, this guy really was the boogeyman,' Simon Jones told the Commercial Dispatch after Devaughn's arrest. 'He was the boogeyman who was never caught. Once I understood murder, I realized that he did this with no consequence and vanished, and now he's out and about which as a kid, means he's everywhere. 'Fast forward a few decades, and I see this guy on my phone and on TV and he's just a sad-looking dude with recent drug charges,' Simon Jones said. 'That takes away so much of the power that this unnamed person had when you finally see their face.' Betty Jones (above with grandson Jason) was 65 when she was killed in a home invasion on Labor Day 1990. Her friend Kathryn Crigler, 81, was raped and died a few months later Betty Jones' grandsons, Jason (left) and Simon Jones (right), were children when she was killed. They recently recorded a podcast titled Knock Knock about her slaying Jones' throat was cut shortly after she answered the door, and she died in the home, Sgt. Bill Lott said at a press conference on Monday. He said Crigler was raped and injured in her own bedroom. Lott was overcome with emotion as he discussed the details of the case, noting that Monday would have been Jones' birthday. Crigler had only one leg because of a previous amputation, and she dragged herself to the kitchen, pulled the rotary phone off the wall and asked an operator to call 911, Lott said. Officers had to break a window to get into Crigler's home because the attacker locked the door. Evidence of sexual assault was taken from Crigler in the hospital, the kit was sealed and DNA evidence was tested years later, Lott said. The home where the attack occurred is seen. Jones was in the home helping to care for Crigler after a recent surgery that had amputated one of her legs Crigler succumbed to her injuries and depression and died in a nursing home on November 11, 1990, the investigator said. The case lingered unsolved, and was even featured on America's Most Wanted in a fruitless effort to turn up new leads. Lott said DNA was not widely used in crime investigations until the mid-1990s. 'The science has allowed us to get to where we are today,' said Lott, who has worked for the Starkville Police Department since 1997. He started investigating the attacks on Jones and Crigler in 2004 and sought a laboratory evaluation of the rape kit in 2005. Starkville Police Chief Frank Nichols praised Lott for persisting in investigating the cold case. 'He refused to give up,' Nichols said at the news conference. Nichols said DNA was tested from about 60 people and a match was found to Devaughn. An old news article on the case is seen on microfiche. The case went unsolved for decades Devaughn's DNA was acquired from a cigarette found on his person, according to information presented at his bond hearing. In an interview with The Associated Press, Lott would not say why investigators compared Devaughn's DNA with DNA from the rape kit. When Devaughn was arrested Saturday, he was in the Tishomingo County jail in northern Mississippi on methamphetamine possession charges unrelated to the 1990 attacks. District Attorney Scott Colom said he will prosecute the death penalty case against Devaughn 'to the full extent of the law, as fast as we possibly can.' 'It's already been too long,' Colom said, speaking directly to the victims' families. 'We're prepared to do everything we can to help you through this process and to make sure justice is finally received for the victims.' 'I think, over the years, we've lost hope many, many, many times, over and over again,' Jason Jones told the Commercial Dispatch. 'That hope would be reignited every Labor Day - there'd be this broad coverage that was like 'Hey, remember that case?' I feel like it was always a reminder that there was still no resolution.' Jason Jones is seen visiting his grandmother Betty Jones' grave in Starkville, Mississippi Jason Jones (above) says he and his brother take 'zero percent credit' for Devaughn's arrest Jason Jones told the Clarion Ledger that he and his brother take 'zero percent credit' for Devaughn's arrest. Their podcast documented Lott's tireless efforts over the years to solve the case, including working on it in his off hours when he was a patrolman. At the press conference, Lott was guarded about offering details of what led to the DNA comparison, saying that he was worried about 'loose lips' tainting the jury pool. 'Know we have a person that's been arrested, that person is innocent until proven guilty,' he said. 'It's not his job to prove his innocence, it's our job to prove he's guilty.' Devaughn was arrested Saturday and is being held in the Oktibbeha County Jail with bail set at $11 million. He awaited an initial court appearance Monday evening, and it was not immediately clear whether he is represented by an attorney. Nearly 50 global consultants, specialists, and experts in the property sector discussed issues related to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the real estate sector at a key industry event in Dubai. The two-day 'Global Consultations on PPPs in Land Administration' seminar was jointly organised by Dubai Land Department (DLD) and World Bank. It was aimed at gathering critical insights from the government on the challenges to implementing PPPs in land administration besides understanding the commercial appetite of the private sector and their expectations and perceptions of risk, and review and provide feedback on preliminary tools developed to facilitate PPPs in land administration. Sultan Butti bin Mejren, the director-general of DLD, said the event would contribute to the exchange of knowledge between different international experiences in PPPs in the real estate sector through the participation of international consultants and experts. He stressed the importance of the consultation in promoting real estate work and land administration between the public and private sectors, and the need for all parties working in this sector to cooperate in order to provide expert specialised advice, elevating the quality of real estate practices and services for the benefit of all customers and individuals. Anna Wellenstein, the director of Global Practice, Urban, Rural, and Land at World Bank Group, and Dr Wael Zakout, the senior technical advisor for Land and Geospatial Issues, took part in the consultation. Participants agreed that PPPs for land administration generated considerable interest and are a key mechanism to rapidly address the deficit of affordable and efficient land administration services in many emerging economies. "Dubai has been selected as a venue to organise this important international consultation in recognition of its outstanding expertise in land regulation and of its ability to mobilise support and global recommendations for land regulation policies that enable relevant segments to gain access to their needs at affordable costs," noted Wellenstein. According to the reports presented by the speakers, 70 per cent of the world's population does not have access to affordable land administration services, which impacts individual tenure security as well as restricts private sector investment and development. PPPs have been successfully launched in sectors such as water and electricity, yet remain poorly understood in the land sector, especially in emerging economies. This consultation will be the first of its kind to explore this innovative theme and will provide an early opportunity for the public and private sectors to network together. The Global Land and Geospatial Unit of the World Bank contracted a consultancy to develop knowledge in relation to PPPs in land administration. The objective is to develop analytical and operational tools to inform the development of PPP schemes for the provision of land administration services in developing countries.-TradeArabia News Service House prices in regional towns along Australia's east coast could soon skyrocket as the government lays out plans for a fast-rail network. Pictured: A high-speed train operated by China Railway Corp in Hong Kong Property prices in regional towns along Australia's east coast could soon skyrocket as the government lays out plans for a fast-rail network to accommodate thousands of new immigrants who will be forced to live outside capital cities. Immigrants would be banned from living in Sydney, Melbourne and south-east Queensland for up to five years under a federal government plan - announced on Tuesday - to ease congestion in the nation's most populous metropolises. As part of a major shake-up of its population policy, the Morrison government is considering funding multi-billion dollar fast rail projects from Newcastle to Sydney and Shepparton to Melbourne - as well as from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane. CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless predicts the proposed lines will ease the housing affordability crisis in major cities by attracting more demand to regional locations. But he said such transport infrastructures will eventually have the opposite effect in the regional areas which benefit from them. Experts predict the planned fast-rail lines will ease the housing affordability crisis in major cities, but soon have the opposite effect in regional areas. Sydney's east coast is pictured 'Providing an efficient transport linkage between major regional centres and the metro areas of the capital cities will help to ease the burden of housing affordability,' Mr Lawless told Daily Mail Australia. 'Housing prices are generally much more affordable across regional markets relative to their capital city counterparts... These projects create jobs, improve productivity and open up housing markets that are affordable. 'Longer term, the improved transport infrastructure is likely to boost housing values across the regional markets benefiting from the upgrades.' Mr Lawless noted that property prices in Newcastle are about $280,000 lower than Sydney, while Shepparton dwelling values are approximately $430,000 less than those in Melbourne. Homes in Shepparton are valued at about $430,000 less than those in Melbourne. This four-bedroom property in the Victorian town is currently on the market for $417,000 Those gaps are expected to quickly close should the government move on its fast-rail plan, which it says will ease the peak hour crush on highways and public transport systems in the major cities. STATE OPPOSITION'S 'EUROPEAN STYLE' FAST-RAIL PLANS FOR REGIONAL VICTORIA A $19billion plan to upgrade the regional rail network was unveiled by the Victorian opposition last week in its bid to win next month's election. Liberal leader Matthew Guy says the 10-year plan will feature European style fast trains travelling at 200km/h, making a trip from Geelong to Melbourne 32 minutes. 'I'm seeking a mandate from Victorians to lead a government that will decentralise our growth and take the pressure off Melbourne - this is how I want to do it,' Mr Guy told 3AW radio. The opposition has also promised 45-minute trips from Melbourne to Ballarat, commutes to Traralgon in just over an hour and 70-minute trips from the city to Bendigo. Advertisement Population Minister Alan Tudge has for months been investigating ways to take pressure off over-stretched roads and rail infrastructure by forcing immigrants into smaller regions and towns. Mr Tudge will address the Menzies Research Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday to provide an update on his plans. Overseas migration accounts for 60 per cent of Australia's population growth, with nearly 90 per cent of skilled workers gravitating to Sydney and Melbourne, as well as almost all of the humanitarian intake. Mr Tudge wants to correct the 'imbalance' by expanding the mix of geographical visa conditions and incentives imposed on new arrivals. 'We are working on measures to have more new arrivals go to the smaller states and regions and require them to be there for at least a few years,' he said. 'In that time, the evidence suggests that many will make it their home for the long term.' Overseas migration accounts for 60 per cent of Australia's population growth Details of exactly how the requirements would be enforced remain vague, but there is some talk of pursuing a points-based incentive system. The restrictions would only apply to about 45 per cent of new immigrants, because 25 per cent are sponsored by specific employers and another 30 per cent are tied to family reunions. Canberra will work with the states to implement new infrastructure planning and population controls to claw back some of the $25 billion a year in lost economic activity due to city congestion. The announcement has been slammed by both federal and state Labor. Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said he is not in the business of telling people where to live, but migration policy reform to that effect is a matter for Canberra. 'I'm not about telling people where they should live, I'm about connecting people no matter where they live and building the infrastructure that is absolutely critical,' Mr Andrews said on Tuesday. Mr Tudge (pictured) will address the Menzies Research Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday to provide an update on his plans Labor frontbencher Jenny McAllister said Mr Tudge's plans were too vague. 'It's not really a plan yet, is it? This is just a generalised discussion - and I think that's where the flaws lie,' she told Sky News. 'We don't really even know if Mr Tudge is talking about temporary migrants, is he talking about permanent migrants? What is he actually talking about? 'Our general view is that migration has been very good for Australia. We are proud of our multicultural heritage and we're acutely conscious of the economic benefits of migration for Australia.' Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon is also frustrated there is little detail behind the latest policy announcement. 'We have enormous workforce shortage issues out there in regional Australia, in horticulture in particular,' Mr Fitzgibbon told Canberra radio station 2CC. 'These programs can work when the communities want to be engaged in the program, where we have the infrastructure to support the new arrivals, where we have got good health and education systems so they want to stay in the regions.' The family of a Michigan man who disappeared from a music festival three months ago believes he may have joined a cult. Kevin Graves, 28, of Highland Township went missing after he attended the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury in July. Investigators with knowledge of the case and one person who was with him at the festival believe that he is still alive, according to MLive.com. It's hard for us to believe, because he's not the type of person to just up and disappear that way, said his sister Kellie Farley. Kevin Graves, 28, of Highland Township went missing after he attended the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury in July Investigators with knowledge of the case and one person who was with him at the festival believe that he is still alive Graves' sister said her brother, a mechanic, was on good terms with his family the day he disappeared. Everything is good, he texted to Farley on July 1 - the last time there was communication. I love you the most Farley, 34, has been searching for her brother using the internet. She says scores of people have left messages saying that its possible Graves joined a secretive religious group known as Twelve Tribes. The group is a Christian sect that is reported to recruit new members at concerts and music festivals. Twelve Tribes reportedly targets young people who are either inebriated or under the influence of other drugs, according to The New Yorker. The group has been known to seek new recruits at Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead concerts. Twelve Tribes is said to travel around a double-decker brown and white bus known as Peacemaker. The sect, which has been branded a cult, has been accused of indoctrinating its members with racist and misogynistic beliefs. In June officials in New York state announced they were opening an investigation after a video emerged showing a six-year-old boy picking potatoes at an upstate farm run by Twelve Tribes. Tipsters who were at the music festival have told his family that they believe Graves may have ended up with Twelve Tribes, a Christian sect that is reported to seek new recruits at music concerts. The group is known to operate double-decker buses like those seen above The video also allegedly showed other young children being put to work at a cosmetics factory operated by members of the sect. Michigan police say that as of yet they have seen no evidence to indicate that Graves has joined Twelve Tribes. Twelve Tribes operates Bear Creek Farm, a small commune and organic commercial farm in Marshall, Michigan that sells energy bars, granola, and soaps. People had messaged me that were at the festival and said, Oh, yeah, I saw one of those (buses) up there, Farley said. My gut was like, this is it. Farley said she researched Twelve Tribes and contacted an extremely nice gentleman who said he was based in Denver. According to Farley, the man called around other Twelve Tribes communities and said that nobody with Graves name turned up. A Twelve Tribes member reached by MLive.com told the site: Just so you know, when people come in, they don't disappear off the face of the Earth. They can communicate with their relatives. Farley was initially of the opinion that the Twelve Tribes group may provide a clue as to her brothers whereabouts, but now she is not sure. She said her brother, a mechanic, was on good terms with his family the day he disappeared. Everything is good, he texted to Farley on July 1 - the last time there was communication. I love you the most. The family of a nurse who was allegedly stabbed to death by one of per patients has paid tribute to the 'very caring' mother. The family of Perth nurse Jacqueline Lynn Francis, 50, said the a shining light had been snuffed out. 'There are no words to describe the pain of knowing you are no longer with us. Your light always shined so bright. You always had a smile on your face and lived life to the fullest,' the family said in a statement. Ms Francis' daughter, who did not want to be named, also spoke about her loving mother. Jacqueline Lynn Francis, 50, (pictured) was allegedly attacked after arriving at a patient's apartment in Rockingham, south of Perth, during a call out late on Saturday evening The shop (pictured) that Ms Francis raced to after the attack remained closed after the alleged attack as some locals left flowers at the scene 'She took her job very seriously and she enjoyed working with all the people she did,' she told 7 News outside of Rockingham Magistrate's Court on Monday. Ms Francis was allegedly attacked after arriving at a patient's apartment at Rockingham, south of Perth, late on Saturday evening. After entering the complex to assist the client, Ms Francis was allegedly stabbed in the neck multiple times. But the critically injured and bloodied woman was able to flee the apartment, then drove down the road to the Dome Cafe where she stumbled inside, desperately seeking help. She collapsed on the floor of the eatery and was assisted by staff before an ambulance was called. Photos from the scene show pools of blood and piles of paper towels on the floor of the cafe. Ms Francis was rushed to Fiona Stanley Hospital but later died from her injuries. Armed police knocked down the front door of the man's apartment later on Saturday and placed him under arrest. Mrs Herbert (pictured right, with her daughter) was reportedly stabbed in the neck multiple times, but managed to escape the apartment and drive to a nearby cafe in search of help The 37-year-old was charged with Ms Francis' murder and faced Rockingham Magistrates Court on Monday. Member for Baldives Reece Whitby released a statement into the tragic death. 'Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of this local mum who lost her life serving our community. Such a tragic and appalling loss,' he wrote in a statement. 'Jacqueline worked to help troubled souls overcome the scourge of mental health. Our community is poorer without her.' A 2015 research paper from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation found that a staggering 70 per cent of nurses, midwives and carers have experienced violence and aggression in the workplace. Of the 5000 health workers surveyed a further 25 per cent said violence in the workplace is a regular occurrence. Patrons and staff at the Dome Cafe tried to cover the wound with paper towels (pictured) until paramedics arrived and rushed her to Fiona Stanley Hospital where she later died In the wake of the caring nurse's death, Health Services Union WA released a statement saying that all health workers deserved to feel safe while on the job. HSUWA Secretary Dan Hill said the health community across WA has been shaken by the news and said the industry was underfunded and understaffed. 'The union extends our deepest sympathies to the woman's family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time,' he said. 'Any situation where a worker does not return home safely is unacceptable and needs to be addressed in order for this to never happen again. 'The circumstances of the Rockingham visit are still being investigated but the HSUWA believes all mental health workers making home visits must be accompanied by a second worker.' A 37-year-old man has been charged by WA Police with Ms Francis' murder (Pictured is the crime scene) The statement said calls for changes to the industry should also include private contractors. 'If the State Government contracts out to private providers, we say contracts must ensure that they include a full safety audit of the providers delivering that service,' he said. 'There needs to be greater transparency with contracts able to be publicly scrutinised, the tragedy in Rockingham also calls in to question the nature of mental health services that are contracted to non-government organisations. 'Mental health in WA is underfunded in staffing and facilities and both the State and Commonwealth have a responsibility to combat this.' According to Ms Francis' Facebook, she had been working for private mental health organisation Neami National since January, with her death leading many to question why she was allowed to attend the unit alone. A bloodied Ms Francis drove 700 metres to the Dome Cafe (pictured) after escaping the man's apartment Friends of Ms Francis have paid tribute, remembering her as a selfless woman who wanted to help others. 'She was amazing, strong, courageous and had a beautiful spirit. Our friendship was too short in this lifetime,' her friend Zsuzsana Davidson wrote 'I will never forget the day we met and how we connected. Me thinking how beautiful this woman is inside and out, most of all her kindness to me.' The cafe owners issued a statement to their Facebook page, announcing their store would be closed while police investigated the death. In a statement, Neami National's CEO Arhur Papakotsias offered condolences to Ms Francis' family. Police are photographed investigating the scene of the alleged attack 'It is with deep sadness that we can confirm that a member of our Rockingham rehabilitation and support team died tragically over the weekend,' the statement read. 'As police are investigating the circumstances that led to her death there is little more we can say at this point, other than to offer our sincere condolences to her family. 'We are offering counselling and support to our Rockingham team and will assist police and other authorities as they further their investigations.' Immigrants who refuse to move out of Sydney or Melbourne face being denied permanent residency or citizenship unless they marry an Australian. Urban Infrastructure and Population Minister Alan Tudge wants to make new arrivals wait five years before they can settle in Australia's two biggest cities, which are each home to more than five million people. With Sydney and Melbourne already housing 42 per cent of Australia's 25 million residents, the federal government is considering making immigrants move to some of Australia's smaller states to alleviate overcrowding. Scroll down for video Immigrants who refuse to move out of Sydney (Opera House pictured) or Melbourne face being denied permanent residency or citizenship in Australia 'Most of that growth, certainly in Melbourne and Sydney, is due to migration so if we can get some of that migration growth into a place like South Australia or the Northern Territory or Tasmania, or elsewhere, then it does assistant those big capital cities as well as assist those smaller states,' he told the Nine Network's Today show on Tuesday. Mr Tudge said South Australia's Liberal Premier Steven Marshall was crying out for immigrants as Sydney and Melbourne absorbed 87 per cent of skilled immigrants and south-east Queensland also took many. 'Ive been talking to the Premier of South Australia, for example, and he wants at least 15,000 more people to go to South Australia each year, because theyve had very slow growth,' he said. The Population Minister promised, however, that immigrants on family reunion visas would not be forced to move interstate. With Sydney and Melbourne (Federation Square pictured) already housing 42 per cent of Australia's 25 million residents, the federal government wants immigrants in smaller states Federal Population Minister Alan Tudge said South Australia (Adelaide pictured) was crying out for immigrants as Sydney and Melbourne absorbed 87 per cent of skilled immigrants 'No, that's certainly not the plan,' he told Today interviewer Sylvia Jeffreys. 'Typically, most of the family reunions are Australians marrying a foreigner and you obviously aren't going to send somebody to a different state. 'They obviously have to be together.' He earlier told The Australian the policy to tackle congestion in the big cities was more likely to affect skilled immigrants without family visas or an employer sponsorship. Immigrants who fail to move out of Sydney or Melbourne could face penalties that would make it harder for them to apply for permanent residency or Australian citizenship. Mr Tudge said immigrants on family reunion visas who had married an Australian would not be forced to move interstate Mr Tudge is delivering a speech to the Menzies Research Centre in Melbourne today. Australia's population surpassed the 25 million mark in August, 24 years earlier than predicted in the Howard government's 2002 intergenerational report. The net annual immigration rate climbed above 200,000 in 2012, a level significantly higher than the 20th century average of 70,000 a year. This has made housing unaffordable in Australia's biggest cities, especially in Sydney where median house prices are close to $1million. Abducted teenager Trudie Adams may have been the victim of a serial rapist who attacked women in Sydney's Northern Beaches in the 1970s. Following Trudie's disappearance in 1978, 14 women came forward to tell police they had been raped in the 'thick bush inland from the Northern Beaches', but no one was arrested or charged. Despite four investigations and a coroner stating that the teen probably died of 'misadventure followed by a cover up', authorities remain mystified by her disappearance. Following Miss Adams disappearance, 14 woman in the area came forward, reporting brutal cases of rape in the 'thick bush inland from the Northern Beaches' She was hitch-hiking from a dance at Newport Surf Club to her home just two miles away in Avalon via the picturesque Barrenjoey Road (pictured) in 1978, but she never completed her journey Ms Adams was hitch-hiking from a dance at Newport Surf Club to her home just two miles away in Avalon via the picturesque Barrenjoey Road, but never completed her journey. According to a new podcast from ABC's Unravel, there are now growing fears of a police cover-up. 'It's never about the actual incidents themselves, it's about the cover-up,' a police official said in the podcast. Following Miss Adams' disappearance, one woman in the area told police she had been raped in the same area just a few months earlier. After the first woman's report, more women came forward with the same story. The podcasts states that: 'The rapes were of such maniacal brutality that even now the police have refused to reveal details on or off the record.' Despite four investigations and a coroner stating that the teen probably died of 'misadventure followed by a cover up', authorities remain mystified by her disappearance (pictures is Ms Adams) Unravel, narrated by investigative journalists Ruby Jones and Neil Mercer, delves deep into 1970s Northern Beaches life, determined to expose the truth about Miss Adams' disappearance. The area of bushland was known as the 'devil's playground' at the time, brimming with what Jones and Mercer describe as 'escalating violence and sexual violence', as well as a lot of drug activity. They believe women in the area were seen as 'easy prey', and the men involved believed they would never get caught. 'What starts with an investigation into a missing teenage girl, pulls into question relationships at the highest levels of law enforcement,' Ms Jones said. Further revelations from the latest investigation include a letter Trudie wrote to a friend in Canberra on the day she went missing about her upcoming trip to Bali - prompting police to question whether her death was the result of a drug import deal. She was last seen getting into the passenger seat of a light-coloured Holden panel van at the 'hitching spot' many used to hitch rides home The area of bushland was known as the 'devil's playground' at the time, brimming with what journalists on the new podcast describe as 'escalating violence and sexual violence' Trudie Adams, 18, disappeared while making her way home from a dance in Sydney's Northern Beaches - her case is being re-examined amid growing fears of a cover-up Her former boyfriend Steve Norris also speaks to Ms Jones about the event, in which he became a 'person of interest', having been the last person to see her alive. He told police at the time he saw her getting into a 'standard panel van, no windows on the side, rough looking - it was beige in colour'. He then provides boxes of official police documentation to Ms Jones, documents that have never been made public before and date back to the very day Trudie went missing. There were also chilling phonecalls made to Mona Vale police station and the house of Trudie's parents - Connie and Edge - stating: 'The girl is dead. It was an accident. She's halfway up Mona Vale road.' Former NSW police detective Gavin McKean previously believed that two men Neville Tween (pictured - now known as John David Anderson) and Raymond Johnson were behind Miss Adams' disappearance Former NSW police detective Gavin McKean previously believed that two men Neville Tween and Raymond Johnson were behind Miss Adams' death. In 2011, Tween (now known as John David Anderson and who is serving an 18-year prison sentence for a cocaine import conspiracy) gave evidence denying any involvement in Ms Adams' disappearance. Ms Adams was described by her friends as the 'cement' that held their friendship group together. Ms Jones and Mr Mercer said they hope their podcast might finally provide some answers for her family and friends. A cyclist is believed to have punched and kicked a stranger during a boat ramp altercation. The man reportedly approached his victim, 61, and yelled abuse at him around 6.30am on Tuesday morning. He then allegedly pushed the man over, causing him to stumble and knock into the passenger door of his car on Main Road South in Wellington Point, 22 km south-east of Brisbane. Police have released images of a man they are looking to speak to in connection with the assault of 61-year-old man at boat ramp in Wellington Point The man then allegedly approached the victim for a second time and punched him in the face, causing him to fall over, before kicking him in the ribs and chest as he lay on the ground. The cyclist then jumped on his bicycle and rode away from the scene. The 61-year-old victim sustained cuts and bruising as a result of the incident. Police are looking to speak to a man who may be able to assist with inquiries. He is described as Caucasian in appearance, around 173cm tall with a solid build. He was wearing black, red and white sporting attire with a white bicycle helmet. Anyone who may recognise the man in the images is asked to contact police. Right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos is ready to unleash on Australian public figures in his second tour Down Under. The outspoken firebrand, who is infamous for criticising feminism, political correctness and Islam, will be joining forces with US conservative speaker Ann Coulter next month. The outspoken duo have vowed to cause uproar, claiming the tour will guest star Julia Gillard, Malcolm Turnbull, Clementine Ford, Waleed Aly, Yassmin Abdel Magied and Jacinta Ardern, 'although they don't know it yet'. Scroll down for video The outspoken duo Milo Yiannopoulos and Ann Coulter are coming down under to speak against feminism, political correctness and the religion of Islam Mr Yiannopoulos said his second tour was to 'save glorious Australians' from 'bonkers feminists of the American culture wars and the wacky social justice warriors who want to hand Western civilization over to Muslims and race-baiters'. The controversial star sparked violent protests at his sold out shows last year across Australia. The controversial star sparked violent protests at his sold out shows last year across Australia During his Sydney show, Mr Yiannopoulos attracted 100 protesters who chanted 'F*** off Nazi' in violent scenes that led to seven arrests. Inside the venue, an audience member threw a shoe at him during his speech. Yiannopoulos has labelled Clementine Ford 'vindictive, spiteful' and 'particularly unintelligent.' It is not clear whether Mr Yiannopoulos plans to pay back the bill he was ordered to pay by Victoria Police to cover the costs of manning the protests outside his talk in Melbourne. Last year, Clementine Ford declined Mr Yiannopoulos' invitation to debate on controversial issues and said, 'I would never legitimise Milo's existence or Nazi links by appearing anywhere with him'. Mr Yiannopoulos has labelled her 'vindictive, spiteful' and 'particularly unintelligent'. He also said he watched The Project through 'gritted teeth', and found Waleed Aly to be an 'intellectual lightweight' and 'insubstantial'. He has also labelled the panelist on Network Ten as a 'coward' for avoiding to interview him on live TV. In an appearance on the Bolt Report, Mr Yiannopoulos announced his new book coming out called 'Australia, You're My Only Hope,' which he described as a last-ditch effort to save Australians from 'the cancers of public life'. Ann Coulter, an American conservative commentator, has written a succession of high-selling books on U.S. politics and culture. Ms Coulter is a regular guest on Fox News programs and has made provocative appearances on liberal shows such as Real Time and The View, where she commonly raises the hackles of hosts and audiences. The tour is advertised as 'an evening of hysterical, irreverent comedy and incisive political commentary with two undisputed queens of American conservatism'. General admission to the Milo and Anne: Live tour begins at $89 and go up to $499 for VIP Tickets. The price for a VIP Cruise ticket has been set at $999, which includes a 1.5h private mingle with Ann & Milo in a private yacht cruise, food platter and drinks, photo with the speakers, and signed merchandise. Stopping climate change will cost the world 1.8trillion every year for the next two decades, says a UN-backed scientific report. It warns that the cost 1,800billion will be for all measures necessary to stop the world warming more than 1.5C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The money will be needed for new energy infrastructure wind, solar and electricity storage as well as technologies that can capture excess CO2 from the atmosphere. Other costs will be from the effect of rising sea levels devastating coastlines, heatwaves and droughts devastating crops and the spread of tropical diseases such as malaria as the Earth warms. A mother polar bear and two cubs are shown during the filming of Discovery Channel's documentary series "Frozen Planet," premiering March 18, 2012 But the cost of doing nothing will also be substantial. The National Oceanographic Centre in Southampton calculated that sea level rise caused by temperatures exceeding 1.5C would cost 10.7trillion a year by 2100. Such a rise could happen within 12 years. Temperatures have already risen by 1C in the past 100 years, leaving just half a degree more before the limit is reached. The 1.5C cap was set out last year in the worldwide Paris Agreement. The new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change acknowledges that the scale of the changes has no precedent. A problem with the Paris accord is that the pledges made do not get the world anywhere near cutting carbon emissions to zero by mid-century, which is what is needed to curb warming to 1.5C. It's a battle worth winning Further problems could be caused if Donald Trump carries through his plan to pull the US out of the deal, which could lead to others following suit. Professor Piers Forster, a leading author of the report who lectures at the University of Leeds, said current policies put the world on course for a 'super-risky 3C of warming', adding: 'The report shows that limiting warming to 1.5C is barely feasible and, every year we delay, the window of feasibility halves. 'Nevertheless, if we were to succeed, we go on to show that benefits across society will be huge and the world will be all the richer for it. It's a battle worth winning.' Satellite image of East Antarctica from 1963 to 2010 showing where the coastline changed Rapid cutting of carbon from the economy can be achieved. In the UK, emissions have fallen by more than 40 per cent since 1990 and renewables have risen to more than 30 per cent of the electricity generation mix from only 5 per cent a decade ago. However, the Government's climate advisers have warned that success in the power sector is masking failures to make necessary cuts in emissions in areas such as transport and home heating. Ministers now face calls to replace the current target of cutting emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 with a zero-carbon target in line with the 1.5C goal. The report also flags up how people could take the initiative by changing their lifestyles, from what they eat to how they travel and heat their homes. Rachel Kennerley, of Friends of the Earth, said: 'This report shows that weak responses will make it harder in the long run. Right now it's difficult, but not impossible, to contain climate chaos. But the window of opportunity will close for good the longer we delay.' Donald Trump Jr (pictured Wednesday) reportedly met with an Israeli intelligence firm that offered the Trump campaign a plan to gather intelligence on Hillary Clinton Donald Trump Jr reportedly met with an Israeli intelligence firm that offered the Trump campaign a plan to create fake social media profiles and gather 'intelligence dossiers' on Hillary Clinton. The meeting allegedly took place in August 2016 after Donald Trump's top campaign aide, Rick Gates, requested proposals from Psy-Group to help defeat Republican primary opponents and Clinton with online manipulation. According to The New York Times, Psy-Group's owner, Joel Zamel, met with Trump Jr to propose 'Project Rome'. Citing interviews and copies of the proposals, the Times said the effort by Gates seemed unrelated to an effort Russia was then escalating to interfere in the US election. US Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating those Russian efforts, as well as possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Moscow. Trump has repeatedly denied there was any collusion. Gates is Trump's former deputy campaign chief, and among more than 30 individuals - including other ex-administration officials - indicted by Mueller. The Times reported that Gates sought a proposal to use bogus personas to target and sway delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention by attacking Senator Ted Cruz, Trump's main opponent at the time. The meeting allegedly took place in August 2016 after Donald Trump's top campaign aide, Rick Gates, requested proposals from Psy-Group (proposal pictured) to help defeat Republican primary opponents and Clinton with online manipulation In the document, Trump was code-named 'Lion' and Clinton was 'Forest'. One goal of the firm was to gather information about Clinton and her '10 closest associates'. Another goal was to convert Cruz supporters into Trump supporters because Trump's team feared the Texas senator would lead a revolt over the Republican presidential nomination. Cruz, who was the favored candidate among the party, was code-named 'Bear' Another proposal described opposition research and 'complementary intelligence activities' about Clinton, according to the report. A third proposal by the company Psy-Group, staffed by former Israeli intelligence operatives, outlined a plan to help Trump using social media to reinforce divisions among rivals, the report said. In the document, Trump was code-named 'Lion' and Clinton was 'Forest'. One goal of the firm was to gather information about Clinton and her '10 closest associates'. The firm also suggested building 'intelligence dossiers'. Another goal was to convert Cruz supporters into Trump supporters because Trump's team feared the Texas senator would lead a revolt over the Republican presidential nomination. Cruz, who was the favored candidate among the party, was code-named 'Bear'. 'We will prioritize the targets to focus on (only undecided / unknown, attempt to convert identified Bear supporters, fortify contact with and affirm decision of Lion supporters, etc.),' the Psy-Group's proposal reads. 'We will prioritize the targets to focus on (only undecided / unknown, attempt to convert identified Bear supporters, fortify contact with and affirm decision of Lion supporters, etc.),' the Psy-Group's proposal reads There was no evidence that the Trump campaign followed through on the proposals and in February, Rick Gates (left) struck a plea deal and is cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 US election campaign 'Each target will already have a general and actionable intelligence dossier as a product of the initial mapping stage, and during this phase additional information will be collected as needed,' the proposal continued. Mueller's team has obtained copies of the proposals and questioned Psy-Group, the Times said, adding it was unclear whether the proposals would have violated laws governing foreign involvement in US elections. In February, Gates pledged to cooperate with Mueller as he pleaded guilty to defrauding the US by failing to report offshore banking accounts, as well as to one count of lying over his work as a foreign agent for Ukraine. That same month, Mueller indicted 13 Russians and three companies in connection with a wide-ranging, multimillion-dollar enterprise to interfere with and 'sow discord' in the American political system using social media. Twelve Russian intelligence officers were then indicted in July over large-scale cyber operations to interfere in the election by hacking Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and the Democratic Party. There was no evidence that the Trump campaign followed through on the proposals to use social media manipulation and intelligence gathering. A Harley Street doctor touted his gender selection service to undercover reporters days after being struck off for 'deplorable' behaviour. Paul Rainsbury was found guilty of serious professional misconduct after signing 50 prescriptions over six months without a medical licence. But days after the damning ruling, he was happy to provide undercover Daily Mail reporters with detailed medical advice and arrangements to select the sex of their baby. Gender selection is illegal in the UK. He told them how, for 14,000, he arranges preliminary medical appointments in Harley Street before patients go to the Crete Fertility Centre for the final treatment. In a telephone consultation, the 76-year-old advised keeping the procedure a secret from family doctors as it would just cause 'aggro'. Paul Rainsbury (pictured) was found guilty of serious professional misconduct after signing 50 prescriptions over six months without a medical licence He said: 'I don't even want to know who your GP is. There's no reason at all to involve any of your medical carers.' The disgraced doctor added: 'Most GPs when you tell them suddenly develop serious moral qualms.' Mr Rainsbury, who says he sees two couples a week wanting gender selection, told our undercover reporters that 'Asians want boys generally', adding: 'That's been since time began. There's nothing new about that.' He insists sex selection is allowed in Crete, but the Greek National Authority of Assisted Reproduction said that non-medical gender selection is illegal there. The Crete Fertility Centre says on its website it offers gender selection only 'to avoid sex-linked diseases' and quotes a fertility expert saying gender selection for family balancing is prohibited in the EU. But when the Mail visited, posing as a couple wanting to have a girl to balance their two boys, the centre's scientific director, Dr Mattheos Fraidakis, said this would be possible. When the Mail visited the Crete Fertility Centre, posing as a couple wanting to have a girl to balance their two boys, the centre's scientific director, Dr Mattheos Fraidakis (pictured), said this would be possible He added: 'We are doing that. We have quite a few couples from the UK doing that five, six, seven couples from UK are coming here for the same purpose. 'You are asking for girls, Indians for boys, Chinese for boys.' Dr Fraidakis admitted 'gender selection is not legal' for family balancing in Greece, and initially said the centre got round this by checking all the embryos for health. While doing this, they can choose gender by selecting the X and Y chromosomes that determine sex, he said. Asked if this meant gender selection for family balancing was possible he said: 'Yeah, yeah, that's OK.' When asked about costs, Dr Fraidakis offered a simple sex selection without checking the other chromosomes for 6,000 euros rather than the usual price of 7,000 euros for the full medical check. He said: 'If you want just the gender selection, just the X and Y, as I told you before usually we don't do that, we prefer the other, but if you insist, that's slightly cheaper.' A spokesman said: 'We are trying to do our best for couples who seek safe and reliable care at our centre at a fee, cost-favourable to the patients.' Ulster-born Mr Rainsbury trained in Dublin and worked in the Middle East before setting up his Rainsbury Fertility clinic in London's Harley Street in 1990. In 2006 it emerged he was sending couples to Cyprus to select the sex of their child. Despite the outcry, he continued to offer gender selection services openly on his website. He moved from his home in East London to Spain 15 years ago, but kept his UK medical registration and ran his London clinic remotely. He was struck off the medical register on July 20 after a GMC hearing in Manchester. The tribunal heard he stopped renewing his licence to practice in 2014, despite frequently speaking to UK patients and running his London-based clinic. During this period he had signed 50 prescriptions over six months and portrayed himself as a consultant gynaecologist and fertility specialist. Mr Rainsbury admitted he had brought the medical profession into disrepute. He also told the hearing he was a 'facilitator' rather than a consultant for a gender selection treatment in Crete. On gender selection, he said: 'The GMC wishes to discourage gender selection for UK residents. Prospective parents are now the only members of our society prohibited from making gender choices. This is a restriction on freedom of choice. The medical science is safe and effective.' MPs call for inquiry into fertility doctors at centre of gender selection investigation Fertility doctors at the centre of the bombshell claims about gender selection must face an inquiry, MPs and experts said last night. They warned of a 'blatant disregard' for ethics and suggested the General Medical Council should be called in. Allowing IVF couples to choose the sex of their baby is illegal in Britain except when a child risks inheriting a serious disease. But undercover Mail reporters found UK doctors were offering to help couples seeking gender selection for social reasons. Undercover Mail reporters found UK doctors were offering to help couples seeking gender selection for social reasons. Pictured, Sara Matthews, a gynaecologist based at the private Portland Hospital, who sends patients who request gender selection to Dubai A Downing Street spokesman said: 'Sex selection is strictly prohibited in the UK and the Government takes these allegations extremely seriously. 'The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are investigating and will determine the most appropriate course of action.' Three members of the Commons health committee yesterday demanded a GMC inquiry into the 'morally dubious procedure'. They included Dr Lisa Cameron, who described the Mail's findings as alarming. Dr Jane Stewart of the British Fertility Society warned of a 'blatant disregard' for ethics The SNP MP said: 'I hope the fertility regulator will launch a full investigation into this and appropriate action is taken against the medical professionals involved. We need to send a clear message that this is not acceptable.' Dr Jane Stewart of the British Fertility Society said: 'We are saddened and disappointed to see these practices being undertaken and blatantly disregarding the ethical and moral constraints that govern our practice.' A HFEA spokesman said: 'We are confident the vast majority of the UK's fertility clinics do not recommend sex selection either at home or abroad. 'However, we take allegations of sex selection seriously and will investigate any specific cases brought to our attention. We have no powers to regulate treatment abroad.' The Middle East Facility Management Association (Mefma) stressed the need for the regional facility management (FM) industry to adopt next-generation technologies to achieve considerable savings on building operating costs and provide an enriched experience to the more tech-savvy generation of today. Mefma is a non-profit association that provides a dedicated platform for FM professionals, wider construction industry stakeholders and owner associations. The association made this statement following its recently concluded forum, the Future Technology in the Facilities Management Industry, which was held recently at the Marina Hotel in Kuwait. The event was sponsored by MEFMA Members The United Facilities Management" (UFM) company. According to a study by Mefma, application of cutting-edge technologies will result in 20 to 25 per cent savings on building operating costs as well as leads to 25 to 30 per cent reduction in energy costs. The association pointed out that computer-aided facility management (CAFM), building management systems, mobile solutions, sensors, cloud computing and remote-control systems, among others, provide the greatest potential for development and have the biggest impact on service delivery. It further cited the benefits of some of the existing smart technologies in the market. If fully utilized, building management systems, for instance, would make a big difference in energy conservation efforts, while CAFM with an audit module, along with handhelds, leads to lower work volume and higher technician and helpdesk efficiency. Remote monitoring results in savings as well because it provides time for regular inspections, while mobile technologies, sensors and cloud computing - when combined with data analysis - could further enhance potentials. The recent Kuwait workshop, led by Mefma-certified trainer Tarik Aftat, the facilities manager at Oud Real Estate in Saudi Arabia, provided both learning and networking opportunities to all attendees. Bader Salmeen, the facilities management director at UFM, a strategic corporate member of Mefma, was a key presenter during the event. A panel discussion moderated by Salmeen also took place followed by an open room discussion. The panelists consisted of Engineer Ahmed Al-Eisa, Vice Chairman and CEO, Engineering Systems Group (ESG); Engineer Fnyees AlAjmi, Director of General Services, Paaet; Salah Mahdi Boftain, Facilities & Safety Manager, Alghanim Industries; and Traik Aftat. By organizing the gathering, the association was fulfilling its mandate of providing a platform where stakeholders can discuss relevant industry issues, exchange experiences, and seek effective FM solutions to pressing challenges. Ahmad Al Kandari, the vice chairman and chief executive at UFM, said: "Complex and intelligent structures require technology-driven, integrated FM services to ensure optimum use of facilities, smooth and efficient operations, and substantial savings at all levels." The future FM sector in the Middle East will be determined by its capability to adopt technologies and will be measured by the efficiency of its delivery of services, said the top official. "To remain highly competitive in the modern world, we should incorporate smart tools into traditional services to make them more efficient, achieve higher savings, properly maintain the facilities and expand margins for utility management companies and customers alike. The possibilities are endless, and the FM community should keep up with these dramatic changes brought on by ongoing technological innovations," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Fertility doctors at the centre of the bombshell claims about gender selection must face an inquiry, MPs and experts said last night. They warned of a 'blatant disregard' for ethics and suggested the General Medical Council should be called in. Allowing IVF couples to choose the sex of their baby is illegal in Britain except when a child risks inheriting a serious disease. But undercover Mail reporters found UK doctors were offering to help couples seeking gender selection for social reasons. Undercover Mail reporters found UK doctors were offering to help couples seeking gender selection for social reasons. Pictured, Sara Matthews, a gynaecologist based at the private Portland Hospital, who sends patients who request gender selection to Dubai A Downing Street spokesman said: 'Sex selection is strictly prohibited in the UK and the Government takes these allegations extremely seriously. 'The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are investigating and will determine the most appropriate course of action.' Three members of the Commons health committee yesterday demanded a GMC inquiry into the 'morally dubious procedure'. They included Dr Lisa Cameron, who described the Mail's findings as alarming. Dr Jane Stewart of the British Fertility Society warned of a 'blatant disregard' for ethics The SNP MP said: 'I hope the fertility regulator will launch a full investigation into this and appropriate action is taken against the medical professionals involved. We need to send a clear message that this is not acceptable.' Dr Jane Stewart of the British Fertility Society said: 'We are saddened and disappointed to see these practices being undertaken and blatantly disregarding the ethical and moral constraints that govern our practice.' A HFEA spokesman said: 'We are confident the vast majority of the UK's fertility clinics do not recommend sex selection either at home or abroad. 'However, we take allegations of sex selection seriously and will investigate any specific cases brought to our attention. We have no powers to regulate treatment abroad.' Bill Turnbull, Stephen Fry and the Mail have been praised for encouraging thousands more men to get themselves checked out for prostate cancer. Figures show the number of men being treated for urological cancer has risen by more than a third in a just a year thanks to greater public awareness. Meanwhile the number of visits to the NHS's official advice page for prostate cancer also soared by 250 per cent to 70,000 in a month, following the extensive coverage. The rise comes after the Mail renewed its campaign earlier this year for greater funding and for people to get themselves checked. Bill Turnbull (left), Stephen Fry (right) and the Mail have been praised for encouraging thousands more men to get themselves checked out for prostate cancer The number of visits to the NHS's official advice page soared by 250 per cent to 70,000 Simon Stevens, head of the NHS, paid tribute to the campaign to say it helped raise awareness along with the high-profile diagnoses of Bill Turnbull and Stephen Fry. Speaking at an NHS Providers conference, the chief executive of NHS England will announce a 10million boost to help the NHS deal with the increased demand. He will say: 'A debt of gratitude is owed to Bill Turnbull and Stephen Fry for the work they have done to urge men to seek medical advice if they think something isn't right. The Daily Mail campaign also plays a welcome role and alongside the Turnbull and Fry effect could help save lives.' Studies have found embarrassment over symptoms which include needing to urinate more often and weak flow are a leading barrier to treatment. Yet latest figures show the NHS treated 14,479 patients for urological cancers between April and July this year, up nearly 4,000 cases or 36 per cent on the same period last year. Many others will have been checked out by GPs and found not to need further treatment. The surge in referrals followed media coverage about the number of people dying as a result of prostate cancer overtaking deaths from breast cancer in February. Figures revealed the illness had become a bigger killer than breast cancer for the first time, responsible for 11,800 deaths annually, compared to 11,400. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is presented with a pair of stained-glass pants, which Ms Sturgeon designed for the Prostate Cancer UK charity, on a General Election campaign 2017 The growing ageing population is the main driver behind the rise, with older men more likely to get the aggressive form of the disease. Men are also traditionally less likely to get checked than women, often being too ashamed to tell doctors about sexual problems, which can be an early sign of prostate cancer. In February, Fry, 61, urged 'men of a certain age' to get themselves tested in a video revealing that he had been diagnosed with the disease. The TV presenter had his prostate removed early this year. Former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull put his aches down to 'old age' before discovering incurable cancer had spread to his legs, hips, pelvis and ribs. In April, the Prime Minister unveiled a five-year campaign to wage war on the disease, announcing 75million of spending to help spot it earlier. NHS England and NHS Improvement are now working with trusts to help them manage additional demand and the 10million will form part of the support package. Ministers are refusing to let seven captured Islamic State fanatics back into the UK. One is being held by a Free Syrian Army group on Syrias border with Turkey and the rest are in the custody of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria. British officials have refused to cooperate with the SDF on the issue of their return and have been in contact only with US agents who interrogated them. Five of the suspects, including members of the execution gang known as The Beatles, have been publicly named. El Shafee Elsheikh (left) and Alexanda Kotey (right) were members of the ISIS execution squad known as the Beatles Jack Letts, 20, told his parents he was going to study Arabic in Kuwait but he secretly travelled to Syria But the identities of two others, as well as of two women and their children, are being protected. Those named are: Alexanda Kotey, Shabazz Suleman, Jack Letts, Mohammed Anwar Miah and el Shafee Elsheikh. One of the unidentified men is understood to have told the SDF he was a doctor and had been working as a medic in IS territory. Former grammar school pupil Shabazz Suleman 22, captured in Syria insisting he is not a terrorist The other is a Londoner who dropped out of university to join the terror group, the Daily Telegraph reported. All have British citizenship except Elsheikh and Kotey, who had theirs revoked. The younger children were born in the so-called IS caliphate and would therefore be considered stateless. British pharmacist Mohammed Anwar Miah from Birmingham, blindfolded and being interrogated by Kurdish fighters Sajid Javid, meanwhile, was said yesterday to have dropped objections to the death penalty for Elsheikh and Kotey for fear of enraging Donald Trump. The Home Secretary reversed the Governments original stance after being warned it would wind up the American President, a court was told. Elsheikh and Kotey, who are accused of belonging to the four-man cell of executioners in Syria known as The Beatles, are at the centre of a row over whether they should be tried in Britain or potentially the US. The case has been brought to the HighCourt by Elsheikhs mother, Maha Elgizouli, who is asking judges to prevent the UK from sharing evidence under a mutual legal assistance deal with US authorities unless they receive assurances that her son will not face the death penalty. Her lawyers told Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and Mr Justice Garnham yesterday that Mr Javids decision, which was outlined in a letter to US attorney general Jeff Sessions, would put the suspected pair at risk of an inhuman punishment. Edward Fitzgerald QC said Mr Javids decision was taken against advice from officials that an assurance should be sought. Alexanda Kotey who was one of the four IS guards collectively known as 'The Beatles' The barrister said that one of the key events leading to Mr Javids decision was a briefing by the UK ambassador to Washington in which he warned seeking assurances would provoke something close to outrage among the Trump administration. He is said to have told Mr Javid that doing so would wind up the president and he will hold a grudge that could damage bilateral relations, Mr Fitzgerald said. Accusing the Government of washing its hands, Mr Fitzgerald added: We submit that that about-turn was both unreasonable and unlawful. Effectively he gave up. Mr Javid didnt even try, he made no attempt to ask for assurances at all. 'We submit that that was an unworthy capitulation. Mr Javid faced intense criticism over his decision after a letter he wrote to Mr Sessions was leaked, with MPs accusing him of breaching the UKs long-standing opposition to the death penalty. The Governments former reviewer of anti-terror legislation, Lord Carlile, said it was a dramatic change of policy. The Crown Prosecution Service says there is insufficient evidence to prosecute them in the UK. The case continues. Britain is a global leader in assisted reproduction. Four decades ago, it was a British team that pioneered in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, resulting in the birth of the worlds first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, in July 1978. Some six million births worldwide later, we continue to be at the forefront of reproductive science. That should be a matter for profound celebration, since IVF treatment has done so much to bring joy to so many people. Thanks to this great advancement, the pain of childlessness has been partially lifted. That should be a matter for profound celebration, since IVF treatment has done so much to bring joy to so many people But, as with so many scientific developments, there is always a risk that new knowledge can be harnessed for other, more negative purposes gender selection for social, rather than medical reasons, is one of them. It is, quite rightly, illegal in this country to choose the sex of a child unless there is a risk of serious hereditary disease. Whims An investigation by this newspaper, however, has now uncovered a small number of senior doctors enabling hundreds of British couples to choose the sex of a child conceived by IVF. While initial consultations are held in the UK usually in private clinics but also at one NHS surgery the doctors then recommend clinics abroad where the screening and implantation of embryos will take place, thus bypassing British laws. Like many of my colleagues in reproductive medicine, I am pleased and relieved that this flaunting of ethics and the law has been brought to the attention of both the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and of ministers. IVF is meant to be a tool against the scourge of infertility, to be deployed only in the interests of children. It is far too precious to be used as a lifestyle choice, fulfilling parental whims and prejudices. Furthermore, controversies like this risk undermining public support for IVF treatment generally, at a time when NHS provision is under scrutiny. As a result, infertile couples who cannot afford private treatment could end up being deprived of their chances of starting a family. But, as with so many scientific developments, there is always a risk that new knowledge can be harnessed for other, more negative purposes It took the team led by Professor Robert Edwards and Dr Patrick Steptoe, the pioneers of in vitro technology, more than ten years of dogged research and 467 attempts to create human life outside the body before they were able to announce Louise Browns birth to the world. They never intended that their breakthrough should enable the creation of so-called designer babies or family balancing the euphemism for sex selection. (As the Mail reported yesterday, according to one doctor, nine in ten white British couples who select a sex want a girl.) Powerful statutory regulation is crucial to prevent this which is precisely why there are so many legal safeguards built into the practice of IVF in the UK. Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, sex selection through IVF is banned except where there is a risk that the future child could develop a serious gender-related disability, illness or condition. That law is strongly reinforced by the European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, which explicitly states that assisted reproductive techniques should not be used for sex selection, except to avoid sex-related hereditary diseases. The process, by which such gender selection can be made for medical purposes, is called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). It is yet another technique that was developed in Britain with renowned scientists Professor Alan Handyside and Lord (Robert) Winston at the forefront leading to the birth of the first PGD baby in 1990. PGD requires cells to be taken from embryos created by IVF which are then screened for X and Y chromosomes which determine a childs sex either XX (female) or XY (male). Once the gender is ascertained, the chosen embryo is then implanted in the mothers womb. This technique has brought enormous benefits in enabling scientists to screen for hundreds of conditions that apply only to one sex, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Indeed, that explains why the technique, when used purely for medical reasons, is available on the NHS. But sex selection driven only by parental desire for a child of a particular gender is wrong. It reinforces negative stereotypes and wastes valuable resources. That is certainly what the British public thinks. In 2003, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority undertook an extensive consultation about sex selection for non-medical purposes. The 12-month long survey found the public was overwhelmingly opposed to such a practice, by a margin of no less than 80 per cent. And most experts and scientists agreed. I believe all doctors in this field should rigorously uphold the spirit of the law here, not seek ways round it by sending their patients abroad. Sexist My opposition to sex selection is rooted in a belief that all children should be cherished equally, regardless of gender. Destiny should be governed by character, talent and determination, not by outdated sexist notions or discriminatory expectations that having a child of one particular sex is advantageous. I want to see a society with equality at its core, and genuine equal opportunities that begin at birth. Any toleration of parental-led sex selection undermines that drive, and strengthens gender bias. There are other considerations. By its nature, IVF treatment carries potential health risks for mothers and babies. So it is foolish for otherwise healthy, fertile couples to undertake such unnecessary risks, simply for family balancing or fulfilling personal prejudices. Medical intervention should be about enhancing life, not creating unnecessary dangers. My opposition to sex selection is rooted in a belief that all children should be cherished equally, regardless of gender Moreover, there is something morally repugnant about the waste involved in sex selection. Embryos created by IVF for pre-implantation gender diagnosis which are not of the preferred sex are likely to be destroyed. In addition, because of its legally dubious nature, sex selection is really just a choice for the affluent, with the procedure costing up to 14,000. That reality compounds the social injustice involved in the practice. Illicit There should be no sliding away from the current law, no blind eye to illicit conduct. Britain should set an example to the world for probity and should not become an agent for reproductive tourism. Disturbingly, any collusion on our part also helps to fuel gender biases in other countries. The population imbalance in favour of boys, driven by traditionalist parental preferences, is a real problem in India and China. Poorly regulated practices overseas can also store up problems for our own NHS; increasing numbers of mothers have IVF treatment abroad, then go through complex, sometimes multiple births here. The British taxpayer has to pay for such complications and the subsequent welfare costs that can arise from this. Britain should set an example to the world for probity and should not become an agent for reproductive tourism The current law on IVF exists for very good reasons and there is no pressure for change, not from the public, or politicians or professionals. The continuing aim of all practitioners should be to respect the current legislative framework. That is the route to real equality, which is meant to be one of the central goals of modern, progressive Britain. Whatever the capability of scientific developments, we should not be using it to choose boys and girls for non-medical reasons when we are striving to create an equal society. IVF has been a wonderful gift to humanity. It should not be abused in this way, and we must fight to protect it. The Ford Motor Company is expected to lay off up to 24,000 workers worldwide as part of a redesign that is believed to be impacted by President Donald Trumps tariffs. The American automaker is planning the job cuts as it struggles to keep up with competitors like General Motors and Volkswagen, according to NBC News. Ford, which announced a major $25.5billion restructuring in July, unveiled plans Friday to reduce its workforce worldwide, without specifying the extent of the plan. We are in the early stages of reorganizing our global salaried workforce to support the company's strategic objectives, create a more dynamic and empowering work environment, and become more fit as a business, Ford said late Friday. The reorganization will result in headcount reduction over time and this will vary based on team and location. We will announce more specifics at the appropriate time. The Ford Motor Company is expected to lay off up to 24,000 workers worldwide as part of a redesign that is believed to be impacted by President Donald Trumps tariffs. A worker is seen above at a Ford factory in Dagenham, England in this January file photo While the company wasnt specific as to the extent of its downsizing, Morgan Stanley issued a report which estimated a global headcount reduction of approximately 12 per cent. That means 24,000 employees will likely lose their jobs. Ford employs a total of 202,000 workers worldwide. On July 25, Ford announced that a revamping of the company's operations could result in one-time charges of $11billion over the next three to five years. But it did not say whether this would result in job cuts or plant closures, rather indicating that it was considering redesigning certain models, reallocating cash to profitable segments and reconsidering certain strategic partnerships. In April, Ford surprised many analysts by announcing massive cost-cutting targets and plans to phase out many sedans in North America amid surging demand for sport-utility vehicles and other trucks. Ford said in late September that the company was seeing profits slashed by $1billion due to tariffs imposed by Trump. The company has resisted calls by Trump to relocate its production of hatchback wagons to the United States from China. Citing Trump's new tariffs, Ford on August 31 said it was dropping plans to ship the Focus Active from China to America. Ford said in late September that the company was seeing profits slashed by $1billion due to tariffs imposed by Trump (seen at the White House on Monday) Trump took to Twitter to declare victory and write: 'This is just the beginning. This car can now be BUILT IN THE U.S.A. and Ford will pay no tariffs!' But in a statement, Ford said 'it would not be profitable to build the Focus Active in the U.S.' given forecast yearly sales below 50,000. The Trump administration slapped tariffs on $200billion worth of Chinese goods last month and is threatening to impose duties on virtually all of the goods China exports to the United States. Trump has said signs of economic weakness in China and its slumping stock markets are proof of the effect U.S. tariffs are having on the Chinese economy. Still, Beijing has remained defiant, vowing to stimulate domestic demand to cushion the blow from any trade shocks. This is the dramatic moment Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly found four kilograms of ice worth $3.5 million smuggled in the luggage of an overseas tourist. A 47-year-old man from Cyprus is currently behind bars after he was arrested and charged at Sydney International Airport on Sunday. After arriving in Sydney on a flight from Doha, Qatar, ABF officers x-rayed the man's luggage and allegedly noted some inconsistencies. Australian Border Force officers allegedly found four kilograms of ice worth $3.5 million concealed in the man's suitcase (pictured) ABF officers x-rayed the man's luggage and allegedly noted inconsistencies in the x-ray (pictured) Officers conducted a further inspection of the suitcase and allegedly found a 'crystalline substance' hidden in the lining. 'The substance was subsequently tested and gave positive indication for ice,' a ABF statement said. CCTV has been publicly released of ABF officers inspecting the man's luggage before he is led away in handcuffs by Australian Federal Police officers. The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment. A man from Cyprus is led away by Australian Federal Police police at Sydney International Airport on Sunday. He has since faced court and currently remains behind bars The man appeared in Central Local Court on Monday, where he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on December 5. Acting ABF Regional Commander NSW Tony McSweeney, commended the good work of officers who stopped the illicit drug from hitting Sydney's streets. 'We know the significant damage ice is having on communities around the country, and our officers at the border are committed to stopping drugs like this reaching our kids and destroying families and communities,' he said. AFP's Acting Sydney Airport Commander Simone O'Mahony added: 'We know better than most the importance of keeping these dangerous drugs off our streets and out of our homes. 'We hope this sends a message to anyone thinking about importing illicit drugs, the odds are not in your favour and the penalties are severe,' AFP's Acting Sydney Airport Commander Simone O'Mahony said A 'crystalline substance' allegedly found hidden hidden in the lining of a suitcase (pictured) tested positive for the drug ice 'We hope this sends a message to anyone thinking about importing illicit drugs, the odds are not in your favour and the penalties are severe,' Detective A/Superintendent OMahony said. 'We also want to highlight the community's role in stopping this illegal trade. In understanding the social and financial impacts of these drugs.' This is the dramatic moment 20 students were rescued when their school bus got stuck in rising flood waters in Kansas City. The bus was headed to Raytown South High School when it stalled on Monday morning, on Oldham Road, Kansas City in Missouri, which was flooded after heavy rain. 'I know people were scared,' said Alexis Novello, 15, who was on the bus with her brother, Kansas City Star reports. This is the dramatic moment 20 students were rescued when their school bus got stuck in rising flood waters in Kansas City The teen said that she believes the driver didn't realize how high the flood waters were until it was too late. 'I think our bus driver thought it was a puddle,' said Novello. 'But she tried to go through and the water went up as if you were driving a normal car, but it was so much water that she got stuck.' She said that she nervously called her parents who drove to meet the bus and tried to keep her calm over the phone. And Novello wasn't alone. She said her classmates were also nervous. Slide me The flash flood turned the road into a river with waters rising several feet in a short time, left during the storm, and right normally 'I don't think anybody was noticing how bad it really was until they were starting to look out the windows,' she said. 'People were kind of joking about it, but I know people were scared.' The bus driver called her company and 911 and firefighters were able to help students exit through the back door. Another bus arrived to transport the kids to school. Certain parts of south Kansas City have seen a foot of rain since the start of the weekend triggering flash floods. And locals are braced for another wet couple of days until the rain eases off on Thursday. After a spate of attacks on health workers in recent years, one doctor, who was himself stabbed 14 times on the job, has spoken out. Dr Michael Wong was savagely attacked at Footscray Hospital in early 2014 when a mental health patient stabbed him repeatedly as he walked through the foyer. On Tuesday, the physician slammed security within hospital wards as 'unacceptable' after seeing a news report last week about a man who allegedly threatened hospital staff with a knife. Dr Wong said he was horrified, but not surprised. 'It just highlighted for me once again that hospitals in Australia are not safe environments for anyone, these violent attacks can happen quite easily on any given day, at almost any hospital,' he told news.com.au. Scroll down for video Dr Michael Wong (pictured) has spoken out about the safety of hospital staff after he was stabbed 14 times while at work in the Footscray Hospital in early 2014 Staff were forced to drag Dr Wong's blood soaked body into an operating theatre, where doctors were able to save his life, as others kept the knife wielding man at bay with whatever they could get their hands on. Eventually police arrived and were able to subdue and arrest the man. Even today, Mr Wong told news.com.au, he can remember every agonising second of the attack. He said he believes hospitals are not secure enough and that staff are constantly at risk of an unprovoked attack. 'The general public can quite easily walk into any foyer of a hospital without being stopped or checked,' he said. CCTV footage showed Dr Wong (on the floor) being dragged to an operating room covered in blood after he was stabbed 14 times by a mental health patient at Footscray Hospital 'And for most hospitals, right now, you can walk into any ward unchecked. It's an old design for hospitals of bygone areas. The risk of violence in modern days has increased and those designs are no longer acceptable.' According to a study conducted by the Victorian Auditor General, titled Occupational Violence Against Healthcare Workers, said the number of violent incidents were 'high'. The study also found that in Victoria, '37 per cent of all occupational violence claims are lodged by the healthcare and social assistance industry' and 'public hospitals account for 94 per cent of claims within the healthcare industry'. Meanwhile, in September of 2017, the Victorian Government introduced Australia's first policy 'to prevent violence in hospitals'. Minister for Health Jill Hennessy made the announcement. 'Violence should never be 'just part of the job', our new Code Grey standards will ensure all hospitals, no matter how big or small, can prevent violence and keep their staff and patients safe,' she wrote in the statement. 'Our dedicated healthcare workers care for us at our most vulnerable. They deserve to feel and be safe at work.' Footscray Hospital (pictured) staff were forced to fight off the attacker using chairs and anything else they could find until police arrived and arrested the patient A Code Grey can be called in an actual or potential violent, aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour exhibited by a patient or visitor, toward themselves or others, that creates a risk to health and safety. The new Code Grey Standards have been developed following a review of practices across all Victorian health services and delivers on a key election promise of the Labor Government. It is estimated that up to 95 per cent of healthcare workers have experienced physical or verbal attacks while on the job. Since the announcement, more than 60 health services have received funding for a range of safety initiatives including installing alarms, CCTV, access control doors, lighting and security systems. Bryron Bay residents risk being fined a hefty $6,000 for renting out their properties on Airbnb. The Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said the council will be putting the community first and will issue fines to people renting out their properties without approval. 'Due to Byron Shire's popularity as a tourist destination, many people now see short-term holiday letting as their opportunity to make money on their property from tourism and in some cases this can come at a cost to the community,' Mayor Richardson said. Bryron Bay residents risk being fined a hefty $6,000 for renting out their properties on Airbnb Mayor Richardson (pictured) says holidaying in Byron Bay has 'exploded' in recent years and has had an adverse affect on the local community Property owners will now have to seek council permission to use their dwelling for tourism purposes. Those who do not will be fined $3,000 for an individual, and $6,000 for a company. Mayor Richardson says holidaying in Byron Bay has 'exploded' in recent years and has had an adverse affect on the local community in terms of affordable long-term rental accommodation for residents. In 2011, the council decided to exempt certain secondary dwellings from development contributions if they provided a home for permanent residents. These exemptions would restrict these secondary dwellings to accommodate for tourists and visitors. In the wake of the decision, the council has received complaints from community members who know of others using secondary dwellings to make money from tourism. Almost 18 per cent of the total housing stock in Byron Shire (pictured) are listed as online holiday According to the Australian Coastal Councils Association, 17.6 per cent of properties in Byron Shire are listed as holiday rentals, compared to a national average of 0.2 per cent and a greater Sydney metropolitan rate of 1.7 per cent. 'There are hundreds of approved tourism accommodation providers in the Byron Shire who do the right thing with respect to approvals, safety and compliance and they play an incredibly important role in our local tourism industry,' the mayor said. 'Given the current estimate of short-term holiday-let properties online is some 2,900, and increasing, something needs to be done to protect our community's right to residential areas that are filled with neighbours not tourists.' Airbnb's public affairs manager for Australia and New Zealand Julian Crowley told Daily Telegraph that the council's stance to fine community members is disappointing. 'It is disappointing that Byron Shire Council continues to try and malign home sharing and the immense benefits it brings,' she said. Former Dreamworld safety officers are suing the theme park for psychological injuries suffered while responding to the deadly ride malfunction. Four former workers will seek compensation for the horrific scenes they witnessed when they responded to the tragedy where four people died. The four guests were killed at the Gold Coast theme park in October 2016 while on the Thunder Rivers Rapid ride. Mr Murphy said he did not believe at the time of the incident that the rafts colliding was an obvious risk on the ride Four guests were killed at the Gold Coast theme park in October 2016 while on the Thunder Rivers Rapid ride Safety officers Shane Green, John Clark and Rebecca Ramsey and engineer Paul Burke have engaged Shine Lawyers to sue the theme park. Solicitor Tina Ibraheem, who is representing the four, says they are broken. 'They are struggling,' she said. 'Our clients saw exactly what happened to those poor people and they have to live with those images for the rest of their lives.' Ms Ibraheem said all four have left Dreamworld and are involved in ongoing counselling to deal with their psychological injuries. Cindy Low (top right), Kate Goodchild (bottom left), her brother Luke Dorsett (bottom right) and his partner Roozi Araghi (top left) tragically lost their lives in the incident Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi died when two rafts on the Thunder River Rapids ride collided in October 2016. A coronial inquest into their deaths is continuing on the Gold Coast this week. Mr Clark, one of the four now suing Dreamworld, is among those expected to take the stand, possibly on Tuesday. Mosaico, a pioneer manufacturer decorative cement tiles in the GCC, has officially launched its UAE operations this month. Handcrafting custom-made cement tiles from its facility in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the company aims to reintroduce and infuse new life to a centuries-old environment-friendly technique, said a statement from Mosaico. Established in the UAE last year, Mosaico manufactures decorative cement tiles, using a traditional method employed for almost two centuries. Its tiles are made to order and highly customisable, it stated. Each decorative tile is handcrafted by skilled artisans using an age-old environment-friendly manufacturing process, it added. Patricia Harvey, the founder and managing partner of Mosaico, said: "Decorative cement tiles have multiple qualities: they are highly customisable, offer unparalleled colour combinations, can create an exceptional 3D effect that gives depth to flat surfaces, and can enhance any space through their decorative quality." "I have always found their characteristics and designs fascinating and when I realised that there was no local cement tile manufacturer in the UAE and that any order had to be shipped from abroad - which can be very expensive - I decided to start manufacturing them here. The positive response from the regional design and architecture scene has been overwhelming," she stated. According to her, the Mosaico tiles are made to order and customers can select every aspect of their tiles from the shape, an ever-growing range of patterns and designs, to a wide choice of colours to adorn each tile. "Customers can also design their own patterns, for tiles to be adapted for flooring, wall covering, backsplash and decoration, both indoors and outdoors. Mosaico tiles can be installed in any space, from private homes, hotels, F&B (food and beverage) outlets to high traffic retail areas," she added. Harvey pointed out that since Mosaico's soft launch at Downtown Design 2017 in Dubai, it had been constantly receiving orders and the company had to hire new skilled artisans on a regular basis to be able to meet the demand. "I think this can be first attributed to the product in itself and also to the fact that we produce locally. This cuts costs drastically but also means a valuable gain of time for our clients as most orders of decorative tiles used to be shipped from overseas," she noted. "Whats more, manufacturing in the UAE means the curing time of the tiles is also cut down as the weather conditions allow the tiles to dry and harden faster here than they do in other parts of the world," she added. Explaining the concept, Harvey said: "To handcraft its tiles, Mosaico follows an age-old manufacturing process. In this environment-friendly technique, we only use innocuous ingredients, a hydraulic press and nothing else but water, time and ambient open-air conditions to naturally dry and harden the tiles." "The shade of each tile is unique and is dictated by the mixing of pigments in batches and the drying conditions. Once installed, the product is easy to maintain and highly durable," she added.-TradeArabia News Service Garlic bread, wraps and cheese were just some of the products affected Unsuspecting customers are making unpleasant discoveries after opening their Woolworths food purchases. Garlic bread, wraps and salad were just some of the products customers discovered to be tainted with mould, despite being within their sell-by date. Consumers took to social media to express their outrage at the popular supermarket chain, which prides itself on providing Australians with fresh produce. One customer posted a picture of her wraps which had been affected by the green fungal growth Consumers took to social media to express their outrage at the popular supermarket chain One customer posted a picture of her wraps which had been affected by the green fungal growth, and are clearly marked with a sell-by date of December 5. 'I don't remember ordering mould with my wraps. And I'm pretty sure it's October?!' Salyana McBurnie wrote in a Facebook post to the supermarket giant. Ms McBurnie told Daily Mail Australia she found it frustrating that she had to throw out the food straight after purchasing it. 'I get that there can be items that aren't up to scratch but we pay top dollar for our food and I'd expect to not take mouldy food home,' she said. However she noted she was understanding not all items would be 'up to scratch'. Another customer had hoped to make cheese and salami on crackers. However her plan was thwarted when she came home to find that the cheese she had bought was mouldy, despite the best before date being marked as April 2019. One disgruntled shopper noticed 'white, fuzzy mold' growing in his Woolworths salad on Monday morning. Another customer had hoped to make cheese and salami on crackers but was disappointed to find her cheese was growing mould Garlic bread, wraps and salad were just some of the products discovered to be tainted with mould Another angry grocery shopper posted a picture of her mouldy garlic bread claiming she purchased two loaves and both were mouldy. 'Woolworths the fresh food people. I had two packets and both were the same,' the customer complained. A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that they take food quality very seriously and are looking into the customer reports. Russian president Vladimir Putin is planting troops and weapons in Libya to establish a strategic stronghold against the west, intelligence chiefs say. Prime Minister Theresa May has been warned that the country will become Putin's 'new Syria' by using it as a base for missiles. Two military bases have been set up in the towns of Benghazi and Tobruk under the cover of Wagner Group, a private military firm. UK Prime Minister Theresa May (right) has been warned that Russian president Vladimir Putin (left) is establishing a stronghold in Libya It is believed Moscow's main priority is to take control in the North African country, which is the biggest illegal immigration route to Europe, The Sun Online reports, with fears the influx would be 'like a tap' being turned on. 'Dozens' of GRU secret service personnel and Spetznaz special forces officers are reportedly training in the east of the country. Kalibr missiles as well as S300 air defence systems are also thought to be on Libyan ground. The Kremlin backs General Khalifa Haftar, the country's most powerful warlord. Russia is channeling equipment to his troops in the Libyan National Army. Haftar has established himself as the military ruler of swathes of the country's eastern regions. A senior Whitehall source said that if Russia controls Libya's coastline, migrants could seek to cross the Mediterranean as though a tap had been turned on. The source said Putin was attempting to take ungoverned space in order to 'exact maximum influence over the West'. 'The fact is we are extremely vulnerable to both immigration flows and oil shock from Libya,' they said, adding that the consequences for Western democracy could be 'catastrophic'. Establishing a Russian presence could allow Putin to conduct operations in the western Med. The Kremlin backs General Khalifa Haftar (right) who has established himself as the country's most powerful warlord since Gaddafi (left) was murdered in the street in a 2011 uprising Last night MPs called on the government to take action against the new threat from Putin. Tom Tugendhat, who chairs the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, called the revelations 'alarming' and said Russia would 'no doubt try to exploit migration routes'. He added that destabilising sub-Saharan countries is 'intimately' linked the Britain's national security. Since the brutal dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, was toppled in 2011 the country has been in chaos after a failed Anglo-French intervention. Despite the United Nations backing a government in the capital, Tripoli, its influence barely extends beyond the city. A Goodwill employee was unpacking donations when he made the astonishing discovering of thousands of dollars wrapped in tin foil and stuffed in an unassuming tempura fryer. Jessee Diaz said he was simply curious when he was unpacking the fryer and looked into the tin foil package and found five envelopes holding $46,400 in cash on August 25 at the Goodwill where he works in San Diego, California. The good-hearted employee said he was stunned with the discovery and immediately tried to track down its rightful owner saying 'Its just the right thing to do. I didnt think twice.' San Diego Goodwill employee Jessee Diaz discovered $46,400 in cash while unpacking a donated tempura fryer on August 25 Diaz said he found the money in five envelopes wrapped in tin foil and stuffed into an unassuming tempura fryer The San Diego Goodwill employees tracked the donation back to California woman Debra Colarusso and called her into the store to surprise her with the money they found Colarusso was stunned with the surprise repeating: 'Oh my goodness, oh my goodness' 'I was about to throw it in the trash actually. I thought it was just trash. Thats when I saw five envelopes inside the tin foil with tons of hundreds and fifties,' Diaz said to NBC. It turns out the money belongs to Colarusso's mother-in-law Michiko, whose husband recently passed away. Colarusso had helped clear our her house and donate some items to Goodwill following his death He flagged the hidden treasure to his manager and the two spent 45 minutes counting the cash. They look through the receipts from the day and video footage of donors and pinpointed Debra Colarusso as owner of the stash, according to KSBW. After confirming she donated a tempura fryer they gave her the shocking news. Goodwill Industries CEO Toni Giffin called Colarusso into the shop to surprise her with the cash and film her reaction. 'I think you might have donated a little bit more than you anticipated,' Giffin said handing her one thousand dollars in cash then a check with the remaining $45,400 as the company deposited the money to keep it safe. Upon seeing the money she repeated 'Oh my goodness, oh my goodness' in disbelief. In the five envelopes Diaz found stacks of $50 and $100 bills, adding up to $46,400 in cash Goodwill deposited the money and gave her a check for the amount and a bit of cash Colarusso revealed her husband and his siblings knew his parents had a rainy day stash, tucking away $100 a week. But they had no clue it was hidden in the tempura fryer all along. Diaz, Colarusso and Goodwill employees pictured above Colarusso revealed the fryer and other items belonged to her 79-year-old mother-in-law Michiko whose husband had recently passed away and suffered memory loss. Following his death, Colarusso helped donate some things around the house to clear it out. She said her husband and his siblings knew that their parents had a secret savings account, quietly tucking away money each week for a rainy day, with hopes of traveling to Japan. But they had no idea a fortune was hidden inside the fryer. 'It was their secret squirrel account. When they got paid they would stash $100 into their secret account to save up for a rainy day,' Colarusso said. Speaking to Diaz who found the money the grateful Colarusso said: 'We would have had no knowledge of this if it hadnt been for you. I dont know what to say. Thank you so much.' The outraged widow of a New York officer, who was gunned down by a former Black Liberation Army radical, has blasted Gov Andrew Cuomo for releasing the cop killer from prison and restoring his voting rights. Diane Piagentini's husband and officer, Joseph Piagentini, and his partner Officer Waverly Jones, were shot dead by Herman Bell in 1971. Bell, now 70, was released from prison Shawangunk prison in Ulster County in April amid an uproar over his parole. Recently, Diane, who was featured in a new ad for Republican gubernatorial nominee Marc Molinaro, slammed Cuomo for not doing more to keep Bell behind bars. 'It betrays the trust of police families everywhere and devalues the life of my brave husband,' Diane said in the 30-second ad. Scroll down for video Diane Piagentini (left), the widow of a New York officer, who was gunned down by a former Black Liberation Army radical, has blasted Gov Andrew Cuomo (right) in a new ad for releasing the cop killer from prison and restoring his voting rights Recently, Diane (pictured), who was featured in a new ad for Republican gubernatorial nominee Marc Molinaro, slammed Cuomo for releasing Bell and restoring his voting rights 'Governor Cuomo, my kids and I have lived with the pain every day for over 47 years, and theres no parole from that,' she added. Earlier this year, Diane called on Andrew Cuomo to appoint new parole board members to rehear Bell's case, saying she had 'no words to describe the outrage and disappointment' in the Democrat. 'Shame on you,' Diane, of Long Island, wrote. 'You should have put politics aside and done the right thing. You should have given us a new parole hearing. Cuomo said in March that he disagreed strongly with the parole board's decision and freeing Bell sent the wrong signal. The New York governor also granted conditional pardons to every parolee in the state to restore their voting rights. In New York, the law bars felons on parole from voting and there are an estimated 35,000 in the state. Before Bell was released, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA) requested a temporary restraining order to keep the double-murderer behind bars but this was denied by an Albany judge on Wednesday. Bell will now be supervised for life in Brooklyn unless the PBA wins a new claim to return him to prison. This will be heard by a full panel of appellate judges next week. In 1971, Bell and two other members of the Black Liberation Army, a violent offshoot of the Black Panther movement, shot officers Jones and Piagentini. Diane's husband, Joseph (left), and his partner Officer Waverly Jones (right), were shot dead by Herman Bell in 1971 Bell (pictured in 1973), now 70, was released from prison fom Shawangunk prison in Ulster County in April amid an uproar over his parole At the time, the Black Liberation Army was targeting interracial 'salt and pepper' patrol officers. Bell and two other members of the group lured Jones, who was black, and Piagentini, who was white, to Colonial Park Houses, a public housing project at 159th Street and Harlem River Drive, with a bogus 911 call. As the two patrolmen were returning to their cruiser around 10pm, the three men snuck up behind them and opened fire. Jones was struck in the back of the head and killed instantly. Piagentini begged for his life as Bell and the other members shot him 22 times, including from his own gun. Officer Piagentini had served with the NYPD for five years and was assigned to the 32nd Precinct. The three men were convicted of murder. They were sentenced in 1979 to 25 years to life in prison. Bell, who had spent 40 years in prison, was granted parole in March after his eighth parole hearing, during which he stated he had 'deep remorse' for the killings. In his petition for release, Bell said he had earned master's degree in sociology, learned to play the flute and mentored young inmates to avoid violence. 'It betrays the trust of police families everywhere and devalues the life of my brave husband,' Diane (pictured with her husband on their wedding day) said in the 30-second ad Bell was initially scheduled for release on April 17, but a state judge in Albany delayed it after a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Officer Piagentini's widow, Diane (pictured), who claimed the parole board had not followed proper protocols During his March 13 hearing, the convicted killer told the board that he had changed and was no longer the same person. 'I have so changed, that you would want me to be your neighbor, you would want me to be your friend,' he said at the time. 'I was impressionable. I was young. I was angry and full of aggressive energy. The person I was then, if that person was to come into this room, during this interview, I couldn't recognize that person.' Two of the three board members agreed that Bell had changed. Bell was initially scheduled for release on April 17, but a state judge in Albany delayed it after the PBA filed a lawsuit on behalf of Officer Piagentini's widow, who claimed the parole board had not followed proper protocols. The judge later ruled in Bell's favor. The PBA appealed that decision, but the appellate judge also ruled the parole board had followed protocols and approved Bells' release. Officer Jones' children, Wanda and Waverly Jones Jr, have said in the past that Bell should be released. The ad (pictured) comes ahead of this Election Day which takes place on November 6 Cuomo is seeking re-election after defeating Cynthia Nixon in the New York Democratic Primary last month. The New York governor is now facing off with Republican candidate Molinaro (pictured) Wanda was a year old and her brother was an infant when their father was killed. 'The simple answer is (parole) would bring joy and peace as we have already forgiven Herman Bell,' Jones Jr said in a letter, according to the New York Daily News. 'On the other hand, to deny him parole again would cause us pain, as we are reminded of the painful episode each time he appears before the board.' Jones Jr's mother Mary Lewis told the outlet: 'Ive learned over the years that hate is a disease. When you keep hate in your life, then your whole life is empty. I wasn't brought up to hate. I just feel that 45 years is a long time.' One of Bell's co-defendants has since died in prison while the other, Anthony Bottom, 66, is serving 25 years to life at maximum-security Sullivan Correctional Facility in Sullivan County. The ad comes ahead of this Election Day which takes place on November 6. Cuomo is seeking re-election after defeating Cynthia Nixon in the New York Democratic Primary last month. The New York governor will now face-off with Republican candidate Molinaro. Claims that a advertisement for a hotel is 'sexist' and demeaning to women have been overwhelming rejected by participants in a Daily Mail Australia poll Claims that an advertisement for a hotel is 'sexist' and demeaning to women have been overwhelming rejected by a reader poll. Sofitel Brisbane apologised to hundreds of Twitter users who took offence to the magazine promotion - which featured a young couple enjoying breakfast in bed. Those who objected to the advert noted the man was shown reading a copy of the Australian Financial Review, while the woman held a Chanel coffee table book. Some social media users pointed to the 'stereotypical' aspects of the photograph, slamming the suggestion women only read insubstantial material about fashion. 'I'm a woman and I also read the Financial Review every day' and 'this ad is one of those subtly sexist c*** that needs to end' were among the unfavourable comments. But a Daily Mail Australia poll of nearly 17,000 people which asked 'Is this hotel advert offensive' found most believe the promotion is perfectly acceptable. Sofitel Brisbane apologised to hundreds of Twitter users who took offence to this magazine promotion As of 2pm on Tuesday, 14,155 people (85 per cent) answered with 'No', while 2,504 (15 per cent) responded with 'Yes'. The advertisement appeared in Fairfax's Good Weekend magazine on Saturday. Sofitel Brisbane said it would not use the photograph in any future promotions. 'There was no intention of portraying a stereotype, but we recognise it and apologise for any offence it has caused,' the hotel wrote on Twitter. 'The creative has been pulled from any future activity. Feel free to send us a DM if you'd like to discuss further.' Sofitel Brisbane said it would not use the photograph in any future promotions Some on social media said Sofitel Brisbane had nothing to apologise for Some on social media said the company had nothing to apologise for. 'Why would you apologise for this? It isnt offensive. There is no intent to offend. Why bow down to a minority of people who do anything to seek outrage?' one asked. 'So much fanfare over something so trivial. How unfortunate it is that we live in a society where people thrive on being offended by everything,' another said. Others applauded the hotel for its apology and its promise to pull the advertisement. 'Thanks Sofitel for listening. Looking forward to seeing fewer gender stereotypes in your future creative,' one wrote. Immigrants could be stranded without jobs if they are forced to live outside of Australia's biggest cities, a millionaire entrepreneur fears. The federal government has proposed stopping new arrivals from living in Sydney, Melbourne and south-east Queensland for up to five years in a bid to bust congestion. Outspoken entrepreneur Dick Smith, who last year joined the Sustainable Australia party, said it was impractical to move people to regional areas with high unemployment. A plan to ban immigrants from Australia's major cities such as Sydney (pictured) and force them to live in regional areas has been slammed by some but welcomed by others Outspoken entrepreneur Dick Smith (pictured) said it was impractical to move people to regional areas with high unemployment 'It won't work out. There's less work now in country towns than there was 20 and 50 years ago,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'You've got to be joking. They'll go to the country towns and there'll be no work and they'll go on the dole. 'To think, "We're going to send the people to the country towns". Many Aussies in the city would love to get a job in a country town now. They would run there. If they could get a job in Mudgee or in Hobart they'd go there.' Mr Smith, who made his fortune with an electronics chain, said technology was depriving agricultural towns of jobs. 'The reason most Aussies don't move to regional areas is there's basically no jobs there and there are going to be less and less jobs because the farmers are automating in every way they can,' he said. 'They're automating fruit picking, they're automating weeding, poisoning.' But Dr Bob Birrell, the head of the Australian Population Research Institute, said the proposal flagged on Tuesday by Population Minister Alan Tudge 'would contribute to a dispersal of the current migration intake'. Social researcher Mark McCrindle told Daily Mail Australia regional cities such as Ballarat in Victoria (pictured) could benefit from a plan for migrants to settle in areas outside Sydney and Melbourne Mr McCrindle also named the New South Wales Riverina city of Wagga Wagga (pictured) as another regional area which is primed for growth 'It might make more sense from my perspective to reduce the immigration intake but if the federal government refuses to do that, then at least this would be a partial solution,' Dr Birrell told Daily Mail Australia. Dr Bob Birrell (pictured), the head of the Australian Population Research Institute, said the proposal ' would contribute to a dispersal of the current migration intake' Dr Birrell, a former Monash University academic and immigration policy adviser, said he believed regional centres targeted by the plan would welcome the new arrivals. 'The people who run these regional centres most definitely would since they usually represent growth industries, unless of course they are all located in one of these centres,' he said. He said the availability of jobs would be a crucial issue and some regional residents might be reluctant to support the new migration proposal. 'There will be muttering because the sudden surge in numbers will put the pressure on local services and on the cost of housing. There will be growth strains,' he said. 'In the short-term what will happen is the sudden boost in these locations - building industries, putting in more schools and hospitals - will take care of the job issue. But of course, that may not be sustainable.' Mr McCrindle (pictured) said 'the regions have been calling out for growth' and 'they're trying to attract more people to boost their economy' Social researcher Mark McCrindle told Daily Mail Australia the proposal was a 'good approach' to both maintain migration and the economic benefits it brings while relieving Sydney and Melbourne of population pressures. 'The regions have been calling out for growth. They're trying to attract more people to boost their economy, their domestic demand and their workforce,' he said. 'All of the locations that are set-up to accommodate the new arrivals and have the job market are large regional cities in their own right. 'The regions we are talking about that have the viability to take reasonable numbers of new arrivals have a fairly large population base already and therefore are set-up for growth and already have culturally diversity.' Mr McCrindle nominated places such as Albury-Wodonga on the New South-Victorian border, Wagga Wagga and Griffith in southern NSW and Ballarat and Bendigo in Victoria as those that 'can take more growth, it will do their economy well'. His reputation in the political world may be tainted, but it looks like Anthony Weiner has become a model citizen in prison. The disgraced former Congressman is set to be released from jail in May 2019, three months earlier than scheduled, on account of his model inmate behavior, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Weiner was sentenced to 21-months behind bars starting in November 2017 after pleading guilty to transferring obscene material to a 15-year-old high school girl. The 54-year-old's relationship with the teen girl, which included explicit video chat sessions during which he encouraged the minor to undress and touch herself, was first exposed by DailyMail.com in September of 2016. Disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner, 54, is set to be released from prison in May 2019, three months earlier than scheduled, on account of his behavior as a 'model inmate' Weiner was sentenced to 21-months behind bars starting in November 2017 after pleading guilty to transferring obscene material to a 15-year-old girl Grooming: Weiner was revealed to have Skyped twice with the teenager and asked her to strip naked and touch herself. She revealed the messages to DailyMail.com According to prison records at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts where he's detained he will be released three months earlier than his previously scheduled August 2019 release date But it looks like his good behavior has earned Weiner an early release at Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, where he's serving his sentence and was formerly scheduled to be released in August 2019, according to the New York Post. Federal inmates are not allowed parole but can earn up to 54 days off for each year they serve on account of good conduct. 'The projected release date for Anthony Weiner is May 14, 2019. This projected release date includes credit for good conduct time that may be earned throughout the remainder of his sentence,' a BOP spokesperson told Radar. Following his release he will then spend three years on supervised release and will register as a sex offender and attend an outpatient sexual offender treatment program. Weiner's lawyer, Arlo Devlin-Brown, has not commented on the early release date. Weiner, a Democrat from Queens, resigned from Congress in 2011 when his career was eclipsed by his sexting scandal, after it was revealed he sent lewd photos and messages to young girls. Weiner was a Democrat from Queens serving in Congress until his sexting scandal got out and he resigned in 2011. Weiner pictured above with estranged Huma Abedin Tip of the iceberg: Weiner admits in court documents to sending sexts to hundreds of women since 2009 - with this one being revealed. He also spoke of his love for his son, who appeared in his sext (pictured) Estranged wife Huma Abedin pictured with son Jordan visiting Weiner in his Massachusetts prison In September 2017 Weiner was sentenced to 21-months in jail after pleading guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor. Weiner pictured in June 2017 with son Jordan in New York In 2013 he tried to re-enter politics running for mayor of New York City. Then a woman came forward to say she exchanged explicit messages with him after he had resigned from Congress under the pseudonym 'Carlos Danger.' An FBI probe was launched in September 2016 and in May he pleaded guilty to sending explicit messages to a high school student in North Carolina even though he knew she was underage. The FBI investigation into Weiner found emails on his computer between Hillary Clinton and his wife Huma Abedin. This led the FBI to reopen its investigation into Clintons private email server just days before the election, a move that Clinton has blamed in part for her loss. Weiner was sentenced in September 2017. At his sentencing hearing he tearfully begged for probation calling himself 'a very sick man'. 'I accept full responsibility for my conduct. I have a sickness but I do not have an excuse. ... I apologize to the teenage girl who I mistreated so badly,' he said. His wife Huma Abedin, who was a longtime aide and confidante to Hillary Clinton, filed for divorce following the allegations. The two share a six-year-old son name Jordan who has visited him at the prison for Father's Day earlier this year. A brewery has been slammed for its 'poor taste' after labelling a beer 'Maori Tears'. Brussels Beer Project, in Belgium, is the company behind the single malt brew - with only 800 bottles available. 'From New Zealand to Brussels, we encapsulate those tears to capture their sacred nature,' the website says. But the 'Maori Tears' beverage has upset some New Zealanders who think the name is racist. Social media users have also criticised the company for its word choice, some have called it racist Maori are native people of New Zealand, and labelling the beer after their tears is spiritually offensive, Maori rights advocate Karaitiana Taiuru told the New Zealand Herald. 'The term has significant cultural value to Maori people and applies to our ancestors, the living and dead and the future generations.' 'What are Maori tears? Does it symbolise that the brewer takes pride in thinking of Maori who are crying or perhaps stereotyping that Maori are sad and drink to be happy?' Social media users have also criticised the company for its word choice. 'It is cheap exploitation and makes not even the slightest attempt to reflect Maori culture. It is as tactless as us making a beer here and calling it Kurdish Tears,' one person said. Maori are native people of New Zealand, and labelling the beer after their tears is spiritually offensive, Maori rights advocate Karaitiana Taiuru said 'Love the casual racism,' another person said. 'I was not expecting it to be from Belgium, I thought Australia maybe would do something like this.' But some people thought it was an overreaction. 'Sounds like us kiwis are getting a bit soft if this is national news...Grow a pair NZ,' one person said. 'Belgium beer. Yum. I'd still drink it. Only tears because you can't get it here,' another said. The Daily Mail has contacted the Brussels Beer Project for comment. A spokeswoman for Brussels Beer Project said they would like to apologise to those who felt offended with their Maori Tears beer. 'The term 'tears' was used to highlight the subtlety of this pale ale brewed with New-Zealand hops aged in barrels. 'It was brewed one-time in 2015 in 800 bottles. There was no intention to offend the Maori culture, on the contrary. We are sad to have provoked such feelings.' Parents from affluent suburbs are forking out thousands of dollars for private investigators to spy on their kids. Private investigators are being inundated with requests from parents in Sydney's eastern suburbs and north shore to keep tabs on their teenage children. My Spy Private Investigators and Lipstick Investigations are just a few Sydney private investigation companies with a growing number of cases on their books. My Spy Private Investigators were hired to follow a teenager around Sydney's eastern suburbs areas they had been missing school and coming home late. However they found nothing untoward My Spy Private Investigators released photos from its most recent case, where they were hired by parents to follow a teenager around the Centennial Park, Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach areas because they had been missing school and coming home late. Because they were only hired for a few days, they found nothing untoward. 'It's an increasing area but it's not our primary source of work,' a My Spy Private Investigators spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. 'Parents are becoming more savvy about what is happening with their kids and the issues they're facing. The biggest concerns they have are where their kids going after school, who they're hanging out with and whether they're taking drugs or involved in crimes such as stealing.' Parents from affluent suburbs are forking out thousands of dollars for private investigators to spy on their kids. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest the teens pictured have done anything wrong Lipstick Investigations owner David King told Daily Mail Australia his company has investigated 30 cases so far this year. 'Something is always going on, whatever we get is another thing,' he said. In a recent case, Mr King was hired to follow a private schoolboy from the eastern suburbs. Because My Spy Private Investigators were only hired for several days in its most recent case (pictured), they found nothing untoward. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest the teens pictured have done anything wrong Private investigators are being inundated with requests from parents in Sydney's eastern suburbs and north shore to keep tabs on their teenage children. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest the teens pictured have done anything wrong He was captured on camera believed to be getting high by inhaling a balloon filled nitrous oxide gas, also known as nangs, laughing gas or hippy crack. 'We had to research what 'nanging' was,' Mr King told Daily Mail Australia. He normally hires younger investigators to follow teens as they're less likely to stand out from the crowd. 'I organise the best person for each case, where they will fit in with the crowd without being obvious,' he said. Lipstick Investigations captured teen believed to be getting high by inhaling a balloon filled with nitride oxide gas, which is also known as 'nanging' Lipstick Investigations owner David King (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia his company has investigated 30 cases so far this year NSI Global Counter Intelligence chief executive Navid Sobbi said most parents are concerned with their children potentially involved in drugs, violence, criminal activities (and) stealing. 'The higher use of smartphones, people using messaging apps to meet up, we have noticed the increase with all these activities,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Mr Sobbi recently took on a client who was concerned their son was skipping school and taking drugs. It turned out the boy was addicted to playing video games in internet cafes. Australia isn't the only place where private investigators being hired to spy on teens, the trend is also growing in the UK, the US and China. Kimberly Guilfoyle has taken to the mountains of Montana while recovery from hand surgery with beau Donald Trump Jr at her side. The former Fox News host and Don Jr juggled work and play as they campaigned in Montana and enjoyed the country side going fishing and shooting. Recovering from her hand surgery - which she injured last week playing trampoline dodgeball with her son and her boyfriend's kids - wasn't a problem at all in the scenic countryside. On Saturday the couple spoke at the Ravalli County Republican committee in Hamilton, Montana, both taking turns handling the mic and speaking to the crowds alongside GOP Representative Greg Gianfote and Montana state auditor Matt Rosendale, who is running against current Senator Jon Tester in the upcoming Senate race. Former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle took to Instagram to gush about her weekend in Montana with her beau Donald Trump Jr on Sunday The couple spent the weekend relaxing and working in Montana, campaigning for Representative Kevin McCarthy and Senate candidate Matt Rosendale Guilfoyle revealed that she's recovering from a hand operation but had no trouble keeping Don Jr company as he went shooting In some shots a bandage can be seen on her right hand, where she recently had a surgery 'Amazing time in Montana with @donaldjtrumpjr and @repkevinmccarthy good times with great people in an even better state. Recovering after hand surgery so looking forward to the next trip so I can teach Don how to shoot and fish!' she posted on Instagram on Monday. Guilfoyle was all smiles on her trip sharing multiple selfies and posing with her partner holding a gun in one picture and a fishing rod in another. Don Jr also shared snaps of the trip on his Instagram page including pictures of Guilfoyle addressing the crowds at the Republcian rally on stage. '.@kimberlyguilfoyle and I had a great time with @greggianforte and @mattformontana yesterday in Hamilton, Montana at the Ravalli County Republican committee meeting. Had an amazing time speaking to some great people,' Don Jr wrote on Monday afternoon. As Don Jr and Guilfoyle get closer, he and his estranged wife Vanessa Trump are at last finalizing their divorce next month, ending their 12 years of marriage. Selfie time! Guilfoyle could help but show off her favorite looks from her trip with these selfies On Saturday the couple spoke at the Ravalli County Republican committee in Hamilton, Montana, both taking turns handling the mic and speaking to the crowds The couple have been spending a lot of time in Montana campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections Gone shooting! The couple smiled with Representative Kevin McCarthy as they went out shooting The couple appeared loved up as ever as they shared plenty of pictures from their trip. Guilfoyle's bandage can be seen on her right hand On Sunday the couple left Montana after spending the weekend campaigning there Don Jr and Vanessa, who share five children together, will meet in the New York Supreme Court on November 27 for a conference that will end their union officially. Despite the end of their romance, the two have been frequently spotted together on outings with their kids as they amicably co-parent their children. They are expected to iron out any financial and custody arrangements prior to the hearing. Last week the loved up couple spoke to DailyMailTV in their first-ever joint interview as they were campaigning in Montana for Senate candidate Matt Rosendale. Don Jr revealed that amid the he said she said sexual misconduct claims in Brett Kavanaughs confirmation controversy, hes more fearful than ever for his sons, rather than his daughters. Scions of sauce and real estate: Don Jr and wife Vanessa filed a request for judicial intervention for their divorce in May, and last appeared in court in May (couple above exiting the courtroom) The first supper: Don Jr and Vanessa sit with their divorce lawyers in court in May (above) The couple share five children together. They're set to finalize their divorce on November 27 'I've got boys, and I've got girls. And when I see what's going on right now, it's scary,' he said with girlfriend Guilfoyle at his side. 'I think it's important, in terms of doing an investigation, to get the facts out there and find out,' Guilfoyle said. 'Its very tough thirty five years later, but it doesn't mean it should be ignored.' But reflecting on the battle of memory and credibility between Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and college professor Christine Blasey Ford, she warned that in Washington few things are what they seem. 'People need to be careful to understand the politics involved as well, and what motivations people may have,' Guilfoyle said. UAE-based RAK Ceramics, one of the largest ceramics brands in the world, has acquired the remaining minority shares of its joint ventures in Saudi Arabia. The company now fully owns its operations in the kingdom. Over the last few years, RAK Ceramics has been consolidating its global operations and this latest purchase follows acquisitions in Europe, India, and Australia, said a statement from the company. Europe and Saudi Arabia are the company's major export markets, followed by the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, it said. In 2017, around 31.7 per cent of its tile and sanitary ware sales originated from the UAE and 68.3 per cent was the result of its export operations to different regions around the world, it added. Saudi Arabia is already an important export market for RAK Ceramics and with the kingdom's 'Saudi Vision 2030' already under way the future growth in the region looks promising, it said. Abdallah Massaad, group chief executive officer, RAK Ceramics, said: We are pleased to have fully acquired our joint ventures both in Riyadh and Jeddah, enabling us to gain greater control and access into one of our key markets. We are excited about strengthening our global brand in Saudi Arabia and operating as a single corporate entity across the kingdom, reporting directly into our global headquarters in Ras Al Khaimah, he said. This latest acquisition is a positive step for us and we are looking forward to fully integrating our Saudi operations. These recent acquisitions reaffirm our commitment to strengthening our core business interests in line with our Value Creation Plan, he added. Taking control of its distribution operations in core markets is a key part of RAK Ceramics' Value Creation Plan (VCP). The VCP was initiated in 2014 and designed to unlock hidden value in the business by offloading non-performing businesses and generating cash to reinvest, streamlining company operations, gaining greater control over its distribution networks and uniting RAK Ceramics as one company and one brand, with a single global corporate brand identity, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Advertisement A grieving bride wore her wedding dress to visit her fiance's grave on the day they were supposed to say 'I do'. Heartbreaking photos show Jessica Padgett kneeling in front of Kendall James Murphy's headstone on September 29. Murphy, who was a firefighter for Montgomery, Indiana, was tragically killed in November 2017 when his colleague, Colby Blake, crashed his vehicle into three cars as they responded to a call. Blake, from Cannelburg, was not injured but he allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .21 per cent which is more than double the legal limit of .08. Heartbroken bride, Jessica Padgett (pictured), wore her wedding dress to visit her fiance Kendall James Murphy's grave on the day they were supposed to say 'I do' In honor of her husband's memory, Jessica posed for several photos with Murphy's boots, his tombstone, his firefighting gear and with loved ones on September 29, the day they were supposed to get married The photos were taken by Loving Life Photography and shared on Facebook. The post has been shared more than 21,000 times Jessica became emotional (left) as she was handed her fiance's boots with flowers tucked inside them A note was attached to the boots that read: 'Jessica, no matter your path, I'm with you always. Love, your guardian angel, Kendall James' Family members console Jessica as she prepared to take photos in her wedding dress last month In honor of her husband's memory, Jessica posed for several photos with Murphy's boots, his tombstone, his firefighting gear and with loved ones. The photos were taken by Loving Life Photography and shared on Facebook. The post has been shared more than 21,000 times. In one tear-jerking image, Jessica is seen holding Murphy's boots with his image photoshopped in place beside her. 'She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the Universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings,' the photographer wrote in the caption of the photo. The maid of honor and best man both gave speeches before the family lit paper sky lanterns above Murphy's gravesite. Murphy, Blake and another firefighter had responded to a crash site along with the Daviess County Sheriff's Department on the night Murphy was killed. In one tear-jerking image, Jessica is seen holding Murphy's boots with his image photoshopped in place beside her Murphy, who was a firefighter for Montgomery, Indiana, was tragically killed in November 2017 when his colleague, Colby Blake, crashed his vehicle into three cars as they responded to call Jessica is seen hugging family members as several of them become emotional during the photoshoot The Murphy and Padgett families, along with the couple's friends, later lit paper sky lanterns and let them go above Murphy's gravesite Murphy was a 'selfless man of God who loved spending time with family and friends', according to the National Fallen Firefighters Association. He is seen proposing to Jessica in 2016 (left) Murphy (right) had been with the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department since June 2016. He was 'following his father and grandfather's footsteps' when he joined the department Murphy was killed in November 2017 when he was struck by his colleague's vehicle. Colby Blake (left) was allegedly driving drunk when he hit and killed Murphy while they both responded to a call The firefighters had received a call about a driver who was stuck inside his vehicle. While responding to the scene, Blake rear-ended another truck with his truck and kept going to strike another vehicle. Murphy had already arrived on the scene in his personal vehicle and parked it. He exited the vehicle and opened the left rear passenger door to retrieve his protective clothing. As he did so, he was struck by Blake's vehicle. The 27-year-old died on the scene. Blake was arrested and charged with causing death when operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of .15 or more. The case is still not set for trial. The maid of honor (left) and best man both gave speeches at Murphy's gravesite Jessica and Murphy's family members gathered around her as they all knelt in front of his grave The Murphy and Padgett families (pictured) attended the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland to honor Kendall on October 7 'What a emotional, amazing weekend this was! This foundation not only honored my Kendall, but also took us in as family,' Jessica wrote on Facebook. The families are seen at the memorial over the weekend 'He had a true servants heart and captivating personality that would light up any room. His wittiness would make anyone laugh and have him making friends in no time. He didnt know a stranger,' the National Fallen Firefighters Association said Murphy was a 'selfless man of God who loved spending time with family and friends', according to the National Fallen Firefighters Association. 'He had a true servants heart and captivating personality that would light up any room. His wittiness would make anyone laugh and have him making friends in no time. He didnt know a stranger,' the association added. The Murphy and Padgett families attended the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland to honor Kendall on October 7. 'What a emotional, amazing weekend this was! This foundation not only honored my Kendall, but also took us in as family,' Jessica wrote on Facebook. 'This wasnt what we wanted in the end, but at least we know we will never be alone, we have all become one big supporting family [sic]. You will forever be in our hearts #616,' she added. Murphy had been with the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department since June 2016. He was 'following his father and grandfather's footsteps' when he joined the department. Two suburban houses bought for less than $120,000 have given their buyer a dream return on investment after selling for more than $4.5 million. The two adjacent properties, sitting just a block away from Monash University in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton, were bought for the modest total more than 30 years ago. One of the two properties were bought in 1981 for $44,000, before its investor purchased the next-door lot in 1985 for $75,000. The two adjacent properties, sitting just a block away from Monash University and Monash Medical Centre in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton, were bought for a total of $120,000 in 1981 and 1985 but have now sold for $4.5 million Local estate agent director Chris Zervas said the neighbouring properties were particularly lucrative because developers could knock down the houses and replace them with townhouses or apartments Monash's property market has soared in the last year, not simply because it is the highest-employment area of the city outside of the CBD - but also because it contains the elite Monash University and state-of-the-art Monash Medical Centre The prices were relatively standard at the time - the average house in Victoria in 1985 cost $50,000. But with housing in hot demand in the suburb, prospective buyers have been circling the 1600sq/m plot in recent years. And when the local council changed the residential zoning laws to allow for apartment blocks to be built in the last year, it sparked fierce competition between developers. Chris Zervas from Darras and Zervas estate agents, who are listing the collective properties, said the houses remain in their original condition and have not had any major refurbishment work The houses offer eight bedrooms between them - four at 1959 and four at 1961 Dandenong Road. Chris Zervas from Darras and Zervas estate agents, who are listing the collective properties, said the houses remain in their original condition and have not had any major refurbishment work. He told Daily Mail Australia the seller had been living in the property at 1959 Dandenong Road and renting the house next door prior to its sale last week. Mr Zervas said the original investor had also made the most of a simple method which helped to maximise sale price. By buying the two homes next to each other, he said, the seller ensured he got the 'best bang for his buck'. He told realestate.com.au: 'It's a great idea, particularly in a suburb's growth zone or activity centre.' Mr Zervas added the neighbouring properties were particularly lucrative because developers could knock down the houses and replace them with townhouses or apartments. The average house price in Clayton is $1,167,000 - a number that has grown by 28% in the past three years Monash's property market has soared in the last year thanks to the suburb's high employment figures and its proximity to the state-of-the-art Monash Medical Centre. The average house price in Clayton is $1,167,000 - a number that has grown by 28% in the past three years according to homesales.com.au. The bubble is expected to grow even more when the Victorian Heart Hospital is built on the Monash University campus in 2022. By buying the two homes next to each other, Mr Zervas said, the seller ensured he got the 'best bang for his buck' The mammoth sale price has been agreed with an Asian-Australian buyer after a back-and-forth bidding war with another investor. The houses offer eight bedrooms between them - four at 1959 and four at 1961 Dandenong Road In 2017-18, the number of residential building approvals in Monash City, which includes Clayton, more than doubled the number from the previous year, according to .id. The mammoth sale price has been agreed to by an Asian-Australian buyer after a back-and-forth bidding war with another investor. The savvy trick comes after two neighbours in Melbourne's Box Hill banded together to sell their properties as one - securing an extra $400,000 dollars by doing so. An audit of 45 sushi businesses across Australia's east coast has discovered that a staggering 90 per cent of them have breached workplace laws. Inspectors with the Fair Work Ombudsman were recently tasked with auditing 20 sushi businesses in the Hunter Region of NSW, 13 in the Coffs Harbour and Central Coast Regions, seven in Canberra and a further five in South East Queensland. Their investigations found 37 stores had underpaid their staff, while 29 had breached their obligations to keep record of payslips. An audit of 45 sushi businesses across the east coast has discovered that a staggering 90 per cent of them have breached workplace laws (file photo) Inspectors were able to recover $746,203 for 397 workers in relation to underpayments. Sandra Parker, with the Fair Work Ombudsman, said they have received an increase in requests for help from vulnerable workers at sushi outlets. 'Our activity identified that sushi eateries often employ vulnerable workers including young workers, migrant visa holders and those from non-English-speaking backgrounds,' she said. 'The Fair Work Ombudsman has a strong focus on protecting the rights and entitlements of these vulnerable workers as they may not be fully aware of their workplace rights or are reluctant to complain.' Sandra Parker (pictured), with the Fair Work Ombudsman, said the compliance activity followed increased requests for assistance from vulnerable workers in sushi outlets After the results were finalised, auditors issued nine infringement notices totaling $17,850, along with 15 formal cautions and six compliance notices. Two stores, one from Brisbane and another from Ballina, were also fined a combined $136,250 following the underpayment of young Korean workers and use of false records. In a previous case, a sushi owner in Newcastle was fined a total of $36,000 for underpaying four migrant workers $33,225. It was found the workers were being paid a flat rate 'for performing primarily kitchen and customer service duties', which in turn lead to underpayment of flat rates, penalty rates and overtime. Ms Parker said she was stunned at the number of businesses that weren't keeping records correctly. 'We were particularly disappointed with the high level of record-keeping breaches discovered in the activity and will conduct follow-up checks at non-compliant sushi outlets,' she said. Inspectors were able to recover $746,203 for 397 workers in relation to underpayments (file photo) 'New laws mean employers face significantly higher penalties for serious breaches and we have no tolerance for employers that give inspectors false records.' As of July 1, 2018, the minimum wage for hospitality workers was increased by 3.5 per cent. A statement released by Fair work Australia outlined its reasoning for the rise in minimum wage, including identifying the industry as having 'high levels of non-compliance'. 'These modern awards were selected because they apply in industries with a high proportion of employees paid at the award rate,' the statement read. 'For example, employees in Retail trade and Accommodation and food services industries account for a third of all award-reliant employees.' The mother of a teenage schoolgirl killed in a three-vehicle collision while headed home from a family holiday has died from her injuries. Beverley Harwood, 44, died from her injuries one week after she was flown from the scene of the crash to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Mrs Harwood was returning home from a holiday at The Range, a suburb in the central Queensland city of Rockhampton, with her husband Allan, 48, and daughter Olivia, 17, on October 2. Beverley Harwood, 44 (back left), died from her injuries after she was flown from the scene of the crash to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital The Rockhampton Girls Grammar school house captain Olivia Harwood (pictured) was in her final year of studies The trio were travelling along Warrego Highway, 155 kilometres west of Brisbane, at about 9.15am when a semi-trailer travelling east along the Queensland highway collided with a utility vehicle travelling in the same direction. The utility vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic before it collided with the family's sedan. Mrs Harwood's teenage daughter died at the scene. The Rockhampton Girls Grammar school house captain was in her final year of studies. School principal Christine Hills said Olivia had 'immense talent', and had a 'world of possibility in front of her.' At the time of the unfolding accident, Mrs Harwood and her husband were both transported to hospitals in Brisbane. Mr Harwood is the sole survivor from the car. The driver of the utility, 36, was taken to hospital and the driver of the semi-trailer, 35, was not physically injured. Toowoomba Forensic Crash Unit are continuing their investigation. A semi-trailer was travelling east along the Queensland highway when it collided with a utility vehicle that was travelling in the same direction at about 9.15am A Venezuelan opposition politician arrested on suspicion of involvement in a failed assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro has died after falling from the tenth floor of the headquarters of the country's intelligence service. Government officials claim Fernando Alban killed himself by jumping from the tower-block in central Caracas, but his supporters claim intelligence officers murdered him. The United Nations have today said it will investigate the 56-year-old councilman's mysterious death death last Friday. Mystery: Fernando Alban, 56, died after falling from the tenth floor of the Bolivarian National Security Service (SEBIN) headquarters in Caracas last week Ravina Shamdasani with the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said Venezuelan officials were obligated to ensure Alban's safety while in their custody. The probe into his death will be part of the UN's wider investigation of alleged human rights abuses, she said. 'We are concerned about news of his death,' Shamdasani said. 'We do indeed call for a transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances.' Alban was taken into custody Friday at Caracas' international airport upon arriving from New York, according to his lawyer. He was in the U.S. accompanying other members of his First Justice party for meetings with foreign dignitaries attending the United Nations General Assembly. Accused: Alban had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a failed assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro A few dozen of Alban's supporters have since gathered outside the police building yelling 'Maduro killer!' contending that he had been murdered. 'There's no doubt this was an assassination,' opposition leader Julio Borges said in a video from exile in neighboring Colombia, without providing evidence of his claim. 'The only thing left for this government is torture, violence and destruction.' While Venezuelans last year saw dozens of youths killed in violent street battles with security forces, the death of activists or government opponents while in state custody is a fate more associated with the far deadlier, right-wing dictatorships that dominated much of South America in the 1970s. The opposition claims that more than 100 Venezuelans opposed to Maduro are being held as 'political prisoners,' some for more than four years, with little access to the outside world and their legal rights routinely trampled on. The government denies they are political prisoners. Some compared the Alban incident to another suspicious fatality from Venezuela's own dark past: the death in prison in 1976 of socialist militant Jorge Rodriguez, the father of current Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and her brother, also named Jorge Rodriguez, a top aide to Maduro. Also considered a suicide in its day, Rodriguez is now deemed to have died from injuries suffered from torture. Borges, who led the delegation to the U.N., said Alban's wife told him that her husband had been under intense pressure to testify against him in the ongoing probe into the alleged plot in early August to kill Maduro using two drones loaded with explosives. More than two dozen people have been jailed on suspicion of involvement in the plot, which Maduro claims was orchestrated by Borges with the support of Colombia and the U.S. Chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Alban's death, which he classified as a suicide. Mystery: Venezuelan government officials Alban killed himself by jumping from the SEBIN headquarters in Caracas, but his supporters claim he was murdered by security police Staff members of jailed councilman Fernando Alberto Alban Salazar embrace outside the Bolivarian National Security Service (SEBIN) headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela In brief comments on state TV, he said Alban was in the waiting room of the headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence police waiting to be transferred to a courthouse when he asked to use the bathroom. He then threw himself from the 10th floor of the building, officials said. Republican Sen. Bob Corker, the outgoing chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who is in Venezuela for meetings with Maduro and his opponents, called Alban's death while in the government's custody 'disturbing.' 'The government has a responsibility to ensure all understand how that could have happened,' he said in a message posted on Twitter. Also expressing concern was Venezuela's Catholic bishops' conference and Luis Almagro, the head of the Organization of American States and a sharp critic of Venezuela's socialist government, who called Alban's death 'the direct responsibility of a torturing and homicidal regime.' 'This criminal dictatorship should leave Venezuela now,' he tweeted. As rumors swelled on social media Monday night that the government was planning to cremate the body to hide any signs of torture, family members gathered outside the morgue to demand Alban's body be handed over. Borges, who said Alban was a personal friend, said the councilman who represented a district in the Caracas area was a family man and devout Catholic who would never kill himself. 'Alban is a very Christian person, with deep spiritual convictions that go contrary to a decision to take one's life,' said lawyer Joel Garcia, who has represented Alban. He said he met with Alban the night before in the tribunal and his client had seemed calm. Garcia said authorities cannot determine that a death is a suicide without an investigation and he would ask to be present at the autopsy. A man was stomped on, stabbed and left to die in a pool of blood with a fruitcake on his head in a 'vile and senseless' murder, a court has been told. David Saunders, 59, was attacked at a home at Hayborough, south of Adelaide, in February last year, suffering at least six blows to the head and two stab wounds. Leslie Kevin James Talbot, 51, was found guilty of murder with Mr Saunders' grieving daughter telling the South Australian Supreme Court on Tuesday that the world now seems a more 'dark and evil' place. Stephanie Saunders said attending the trial of her father's killer was the most difficult thing she had ever endured. David Saunders (pictured) suffered at least six blows to the head and two stab wounds after he was attacked at a home south of Adelaide last year Mr Saunders' daughter Stephanie Saunders (pictured together) said attending the trial of her father's killer was the most difficult thing she had ever endured 'Hearing how my dad died on that evening has broken me,' Ms Talbot said in a victim impact statement read to the court. 'Breathing the same air as the people who committed such a vile and senseless crime sent my stomach sick.' Ms Saunders said her only feelings towards Mr Talbot were anger and hate. 'You violently killed my dad, you stomped on him, you strangled him, you stabbed him and you beat him with objects from around the room. 'He lay motionless and you still continued to stomp and beat him, letting him bleed out from his ears with a fruitcake on his head. 'To add to that you sat back drinking, thinking you were a big man, boasting how you stomped on the c***.' Talbot had admitted manslaughter before the trial but his guilty plea was not accepted by prosecutors. His lawyer, Bill Boucaut SC, told the jury that he had behaved like an 'aggressive, abusive git'. Mr Saunders was attacked at a home at Hayborough (pictured), south of Adelaide, in February last year But he argued during the trial that the fruitcake was evidence the killing was not intentional but rather an attempt to humiliate Mr Saunders. 'Are you going to do that if you knew he was dead? You wouldn't waste your time,' Mr Boucaut told the court. Another man, Eldon Wayne Crouch, 48, also went to trial for the killing but was found not guilty of both murder and manslaughter. Defence counsel on Tuesday asked for a non-parole period of about 20 years for Talbot. But Justice David Lovell described the attack on Mr Saunders as nasty and prolonged. 'This attack must have gone on for some minutes,' the judge said. He will sentence Talbot on October 19. A mechanic abused and threatened a woman before setting fire to her apartment building entrance after a dispute about a garage rental. In 2013, Anthony Markarian messaged back and forth with Jiana Yu over Gumtree after he spotted her garage up for rent. When Ms Yu rejected the final offer in August, Markarian poured petrol on the front door of her north-west Sydney unit complex and set it alight, Daily Telegraph reported. Markarian placed Ms Yu's 12 neighbours, including five children, in danger, but firefighters were able to rescue them from the Eastwood block. In 2013, Anthony Markarian messaged back and forth with Jiana Yu over Gumtree after he spotted her garage up for rent (stock image) After the fire, Markarian texted Ms Yu: 'Next time I won't play with fire, I'll make you pay with bullets and guns.' Ms Yu rented the two-bedroom apartment from her parents and posted an ad for the garage on Gumtree for some extra money. But when she rejected Markarian's offer, Ms Yu received a barrage of abusive texts. '1stly you can kiss my arse im (sic) not your dog,' Markarian wrote. He also threatened to report her to Gumtree and hire an interpreter to tell her parents about her money-making scheme. 'By then you might learn you ain't in China and some people in this country will give you all the trouble you need,' he wrote. 'You might then learn not to f*** people around.' After setting her apartment building on fire, Markarian called Ms Yu several times from a payphone threatening to abuse her father. 'If u got the balls send me another message and I'll show u what playing with fire is,' he said. Markarian has since pleaded guilty to damaging property by fire with intent to injure in the NSW District Court, and will be sentenced in March, the publication reported. Got a sweet tooth and thinking about committing crimes in New South Wales? Better think again. Is your idea of bliss a bucket of hot chips drowned in mayo? Well you'd want to stay on the straight and narrow. Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal some of a porky prisoner's most treasured treats are routinely being refused in jails across the state. Hot chips, ice cream and chili sauce are among the most popular items requested by inmates that have been knocked-back over the past two years by Corrective Services NSW. Prisoners have forgotten what it's like to enjoy a Paddle Pop on a warm summer's day Highly inappropriate hot chip are often rejected by prison authorities to the dismay of inmates The states 13,000 male and female convicts can ask for items to be added to the prison grocery buy-ups list, but food and goods deemed unsafe or inappropriate are rejected. Why, you ask, would the Paddle Pop Lion be so offensive to prison authorities? 'Inappropriate' Corrective Services NSW states. And storage issues. Staff sort out the food that is allowed to go to prisoners across New South Wales 'Nope, no ice-cream here'. Staff tick-off on the goodies destined for hungry prisoners Staff are kept busy scanning, tagging and bagging food that will be delivered to inmates Corrective Services NSW commissioner Peter Severin said inmates requests are thoroughly vetted by staff, prison governors and its security and intelligence unit. 'Any item deemed a security risk will not be approved to ensure the safety of our correctional centres,' Mr Severin said. Prisoners who play up can also forget about getting their hands on other precious items - like say a packet of Tim Tams, or the beloved BBQ Shape. Mr Severin says inmates have to earn the privilege to be let loose in the shop. 'Prison staff can restrict or ban an inmates access to the grocery service as punishment for poor behaviour or breaches of regulations,' he said. A prisoner no doubt trying to remember how good it would be to have a Golden Gaytime Prisoners lining-up. Possibly at the suggestions box to request greater access to hot chips About 100 item requests have been rejected in the past two years. FORBIDDEN SHOPPING LIST Ice cream (inappropriate and storage issues) Frozen hot chips (inappropriate and storage issues) Hot chili sauce and spices including turmeric, paprika, curry and ginger (security risk) Raw sugar (security risk - content can be used to make jail brew) Roll-on deodorant (contraband risk) Gravy powder, mayonnaise and braised steak and onions in a tin (slow sales) Advertisement Corrective Services Industries Group Director Steve Thorpe said the buy-ups scheme was based on a full cost-recovery model so it didn't sting the NSW taxpayer. 'Similar systems exist in prisons worldwide and profits from the scheme go back into prison operations,' he said. Items not rejected are all X-rayed and delivered to each inmates in clear plastic bags. The buy-ups list allows inmates to purchase basic grocery items using their wages or money deposited in their account by families and friends. Inmates weekly wages range from $24.60 to $70.55. They can spend up to $100 a week on a range of food items and $150 a month on other items, such as clothing and toiletries. The average weekly spend is about $52. An Australian man awoke to the world's worst hangover and 'one furious newly single wife' after he disappeared for 20 hours in Bali. Nikki Fox wrote a desperate plea on Facebook saying that her husband Brendon had gone missing in Bali, posting two images one of her husband and one of the hotel he was supposed to be at for a friend's 30th birthday. 'This is where he is staying and I need to send someone there,' she said. Nikki Fox (pictured) wrote a desperate plea on Facebook saying that her husband Brendon had gone missing in Bali, posting two images one of her husband and one of the hotel he was supposed to be at Many on social media were sympathetic to Mrs Fox's search, making suggestions of where the pictured hotel might be and offering words of comfort Many on social media were sympathetic to Mrs Fox's search, making suggestions of where the pictured hotel might be and offering words of comfort. She added that her worries were fuelled by the fact that her husband had been 'drinking all day'. However, shortly after, Ms Fox posted an update, jokingly reassuring the many concerned readers that her 'newly single' husband had returned. She added that her worries were fuelled by the fact that her husband had been 'drinking all day' Ms Fox posted an update on Facebook, jokingly reassuring the many concerned readers that her 'newly single' husband had returned She said that thanks to the investigative skills of everyone online, she had been able to find the hotel. 'He went out and lost his phone and only woke up to one furious newly single wife,' she wrote, poking fun at the situation. 'I'm sorry for posting here but I was so beside myself not being able to reach him since yesterday afternoon.' She also joked thay he find a new place to live'in Bali', she concluded. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mrs Fox for further information. A special education teacher in Minnesota has resigned after she apparently tweeted calling for newly-confirmed Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be killed. The teacher, who remains unnamed and went by Twitter handle Spooky Spam, wrote 'So whose gonna take one for the team and kill Kavanaugh' hours after he was sworn onto the Supreme Court on Saturday. She was immediately outed by social media users and deleted her Twitter account. A Minnesota special education teacher with the Twitter handle Spooky Spam tweeted 'So whose gonna take one for the team and kill Kavanaugh' on Saturday She tweeted on Saturday hours after Judge Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed onto the Supreme Court. Twitter users reported her to the FBI, landing her in hot water and leading the school district to place her on administrative leave The teacher worked at Alliance Education Center in Rosemount, Minnesota. The Intermediate School District 917 announced her administrative leave on Monday. She resigned on Tuesday However, the tweet was saved by furious Twitter users and flagged to the Secret Service and FBI, who confirmed they were aware of the said post. The teacher, who worked at the Alliance Education Center in Rosemount, was then placed on administrative leave after someone alerted the school district about her post. The Intermediate School District 917 website released a statement on Monday saying that they received a complaint about the female teacher leading to her being placed on leave. 'Over the weekend, the district has received a complaint regarding an employee. The employee has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,' Superintendent Mark A. Zuzek said. Zuzek said in a statement Tuesday that the employee has voluntarily resigned after being placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. The Star Tribune hasn't named the woman because she hasn't been charged with a crime. Spooky Spam wasn't the only one to protest against the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Outside of the U.S. Capitol thousands swarmed to oppose his confirmation Protesters just outside of the U.S. Supreme Court doors held T-shirts and signs which read 'November is coming' and 'sexual violence is a crime' to protest Kavanaugh who has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by multiple women Protesters held signs saying 'Vote Them Out' in front of the White House on Saturday, the same day Kavanaugh was confirmed onto the Supreme Court Demonstrations took place across the nation including New York. Protesters pictured on Sunday in Union Square The Dakota County Sheriff's Office said they weren't investigating the incident that was believed to have happened at the school. Spooky Spam wasn't the only person to express their outrage with the confirmation of Kavanaugh onto the Supreme Court after he was accused of sexual misconduct and assault by multiple women including Christine Blasey Ford who testified before the Senate. On Saturday as the Senate voted to confirm the controversial candidate a large crowd of protesters gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court and banged on its doors chanting 'we believe survivors' and 'hey hey, ho ho, Kavanaugh has got to go.' The chaos permeated the Senate gallery with protesters screaming 'shame!', 'I do not consent' and 'coward' as the Senators stood and put in their votes. Celebrities including Amy Schumer and Emily Ratajkowski joined protesters on Capitol Hill and were detained for their demonstration. Elm, a leader in innovative digital solutions, is set to participate at the upcoming Gitex Technology Week 2018 to showcase its world-class quality products for the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Gitex, which will be held from 14-18 October at Dubai World Trade Centre, will host more than 3,700 exhibitors from 12 specialized sectors, set to attract over 500,000 visitors from 77 countries. Elm is participating in one of the most important and biggest technology exhibitions for the 9th consecutive year to showcase its latest innovations on automated processes designed to boost economic performance and save time, effort and human capital. Majid Saad Al Arifi, marketing executive vice president and Elm spokesperson said that the company is excited to be once again part of the event, which is one of the most important gatherings in the IT sector and serves as a strategic platform to launch new IT solutions and services that is expected to help transform challenges into opportunities through innovation and creativity. He added that Elm aims to significantly contribute to the achievement of the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030. The Saudi government has allocated over SAR 20 billion for IT projects aimed at accelerating digital transformation in private and public sectors to pave way for economic growth and development. Al Arifi noted: We look forward to our participation in the 38th Gitex Technology Week as a major drive to strengthen our links with key decision makers, government officials and technology experts, in line with the technological developments in Saudi Arabia. There is a continuing effort within the government to focus on innovation and cloud technology to further enhance the countrys digital transformation journey. Al Arifi emphasized that Elm has been consistently working to provide the best digital solutions, driven by its passion for innovation that enhances customers lives. The company also develops procedures and employs advanced technology to create high quality and efficient services while maintaining the highest standards in privacy and information security. The company will be hosting an innovative and interactive stand to allow visitors the chance to have a look at Elms most advanced services, which hails from its 30 years of experience in digital journals and supported by strong investments in research and development. Its initiatives have contributed to the creation of various innovative products, services and integrated solutions to current and emerging challenges. Al Arifi concluded: Our successful participation in previous editions has been a strong motivation for us to participate once again at Gitex Technology Week and showcase our latest digital services and solutions. We have designed and developed these offerings following our successes in accordance with the highest international standards and meeting of important sectors, including the government. We are positive that we could provide the market with new innovations that will delight our customers from the public and private sectors and meet their expectations." TradeArabia News Service A grandmother and her two young grandsons have escaped from two armed men who allegedly kidnapped them at gunpoint and burned a house down. Two men were arrested after a wild pursuit near Sackville, west of Sydney. The men allegedly rammed a patrol car during the chase and were taken to Windsor police station. The boys, 11 and 14, and their 71-year-old grandmother were 'dropped off' nearby on the side of Putty Road on Tuesday evening. A roadblock has since been put in place as police search for a heavily-armed man in bush land Fears are mounting for their 41-year-old mother, who is yet to be found and believed to be with another man. Police have warned the public to stay away from the man Fears are mounting for their 41-year-old mother, who is yet to be found and believed to be with another man. Police have warned the public to stay away from the man. The dramatic recoveries follow a pre-dawn raid on a rural property almost 400 kilometres away in Ootha, in New South Wales' central west. A roadblock has since been put in place as police search for a heavily-armed man in bush land, Seven News reported. Two men allegedly armed with a shotgun, knife, and an axe invaded the home at 5am and knocked unconscious a 68-year-old man who lived there. It's unclear whether the men involved in the alleged raid, which police described as a 'domestic violence incident', are the same men who were arrested at Windsor. All three were staying at the house with their grandmother while on school holidays. The boys, 11 and 14, and their 71-year-old grandmother were 'dropped off' nearby on the side of Putty Road on Tuesday evening Police were called to the house on Henry Parkes Way at Ootha following reports of a man being assaulted and a house set alight (remains pictured) The men then allegedly razed the rural property to the ground and fled with the children and women, leaving the elderly man unconscious and in a critical condition. Police believed the men held the four hostage after the alleged domestic violence incident, according to the ABC. Police were called to the house on Henry Parkes Way at Ootha, near the wheat-growing town of Condobolin, shortly after 11am on Tuesday, following reports of an elderly man being assaulted and a house set alight before sunrise. He was airlifted to Orange Base Hospital in a critical condition. A grandmother and her two young grandsons have escaped from two armed men. The three, along with the kids' mother, were allegedly kidnapped from a home - which was then set alight Fears are mounting for their 41-year-old mother, who is yet to be found and believed to be with another man This is the last known image of the Saudi journalist feared murdered after going missing during a visit to his country's consulate in Turkey last week. Jamal Khashoggi, 59, entered the Saudi Arabian consulate to obtain official documents for his upcoming wedding, but 'never came back out again', and police believe was 'tortured and cut to pieces' inside the building. Turkish authorities are now searching for a black van seen on CCTV being 'loaded with boxes', which they believe was used to transport Khashoggi's remains from the consulate. Into thin air: This CCTV photo, obtained by the Washington Post, shows the last moment Jamal Khashoggi is seen alive, walking into the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday Officials say the van was part of a convoy of six cars, some with diplomatic number plates, which left the consulate grounds two hours after Khashoggi went inside, The Guardian reports. The convoy split as it exited the compound, with three vehicles including the van heading for the D100 motorway that passes Ataturk airport. Turkish investigators told broadcaster NTV that they have identified seven suspects after examining the footage from 150 security cameras. The suspects, who appeared to be Saudi, arrived at the mission half-an-hour before Khashoggi turned up for his appointment, the station reported. The station added that no sign could be found of Khashoggi leaving the consulate from any camera. Turkish media also claimed that two aircraft that left Ataturk on the evening of Khashoggi's disappearance, headed for Egypt and Dubai. Meanwhile, two senior prosecutors were appointed to oversee the investigation. Numan Kurtulmus, deputy chairman of Erdogan's ruling party, said he hoped the search of the consulate would yield clues about what happened to Khashoggi. He told broadcaster CNN-Turk that his disappearance was a 'grisly and scary event'. Saudi Arabia denies anything untoward took place inside the consulate, and claims Mr Khashoggi left through a back entrance - of which there is no evidence. Allegations: Turkish police believe Mr Khashoggi was tortured and murdered inside the consulate building in Istanbul last week Distraught: Hatice Cengiz, the Turkish fiancee of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, says she never saw him come back out again, despite waiting outside for several hours, until after the Saudi Arabian consulate had closed for the day An aerial photo shows the Saudi Arabia consulate, centre, in Istanbul The snap from a CCTV camera filming the entrance shows Mr Khashoggi entering the building at just before 13.15pm, last Tuesday. His fiancee Hatice Cengiz, 36, says she never saw him come back out again, despite waiting outside until after the Saudi Arabian consulate had closed for the day. The image was obtained by the Washington Post, for whom Mr Khashoggi had been writing following his self-imposed exile to the United States. Speaking to the The Post, Ms Cengiz says she is fearing for her own safety in the wake of his disappearance. 'I no longer feel like I am really alive. I can't sleep. I don't eat.' She revealed she had waited for hours outside the consulate and that security staff told her 'there is no one inside' when she inquired about her partner's whereabouts. Khashoggi, a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's policies, was 'brutally tortured, murdered and cut to pieces', a police source told Middle East Eye. 'Everything was videotaped to prove the mission had been accomplished and the tape was taken out of the country,' the source said. Police said earlier that around 15 Saudis, including officials, arrived in Istanbul on two flights on Tuesday and were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi. They say the 'death squad' left the consulate in a convoy of cars - including the black van - and later flew out of Turkey back to Saudi Arabia. 'Based on their initial findings, the police believe that the journalist was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day,' a government source told AFP on Saturday. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations as 'baseless,' but has offered no evidence to show he ever left the building, and have instead claimed that the consulate's own private CCTV, which could prove their assertion that he left the building unharmed, does not record and store images. The former government adviser, pictured outside the BBC in London, has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year to avoid possible arrest. The journalist's Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, said he had visited the consulate to receive an official document for their marriage Khashoggi reportedly went into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, but never came back out again Saudi officials gather outside the consulate in Istanbul last week, in front of the door where Mr Khashoggi entered, but never exited Turkish authorities will today begin a search of the consulate after being granted permission by the Saudis, spokesman Hami Aksoy said. 'The consulate building will be searched within the framework of the investigation,' he said in a statement. Police have also searched a private jet bound for Saudi Arabia on the evening Mr Khashoggi disappeared. According to the Demiroren news agency, police descended on the General Aviation Terminal, which handles VIP flights at Istanbul's Ataturk airport, to search the cabin and hold of the jet, which carried the tail number HZ-SK2. The flight's passengers were searched by hand and their luggage was X-rayed, the report said. In his newspaper columns for the Washington Post, Khashoggi has been critical of some policies of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen. The former government adviser, whose 60th birthday approaches this week, has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year to avoid possible arrest. Writing in the Washington Post in February this year, he stated that 'writers like me, whose criticism is offered respectfully, seem to be considered more dangerous than the more strident Saudi opposition based in London'. He also said that the campaign for the country to back the Crown Prince's 'Vision 2030'- the policies he hopes will usher in a more prosperous future - 'has sucked the oxygen from the once-limited but present public square'. Both the EU and the UN have demanded official clarification from Saudi Arabia about what happened to Mr Khashoggi at the consulate. EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said today that the bloc 'expect a thorough investigation and full transparency from the Saudi authorities on what has happened.' The U.N. human rights office says Mr Khashoggi's disappearance is 'of serious concern,' that it would be 'truly shocking' if reports of his death are confirmed. In the UK, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt called on the Saudi Arabian ambassador to question him about Mr Khashoggi. 'Just met the Saudi ambassador to seek urgent answers over Jamal Khashoggi,' Mr Hunt wrote on Twitter. 'Violence against journalists worldwide is going up & is a grave threat to freedom of expression. If media reports prove correct, we will treat the incident seriously - friendships depend on shared values.' Just met the Saudi ambassador to seek urgent answers over Jamal Khashoggi. Violence against journalists worldwide is going up & is a grave threat to freedom of expression. If media reports prove correct, we will treat the incident seriously - friendships depend on shared values. Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) October 9, 2018 In, not out: The entrance to the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul Members of the Turkish-Arab journalist Association hold posters with photos of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, as they hold a protest near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul A journalist holding a poster of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, speaks to camera near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Monday Yesterday Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on Riyadh to prove its claim that Mr Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, while the Washington called on Saudi Arabia to support an investigation into his disappearance. 'We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying 'he has left',' Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest, where he is on an official visit. Erdogan, who said he was personally following the case, added that Turkey had no documents or evidence regarding the case. In a statement last night, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a thorough and open probe by Washington's ally Saudi Arabia State Department senior officials have spoken with Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about the matter, the top US diplomat added. Pompeo's statement came after Trump earlier on Monday told reporters at the White House: 'I am concerned. I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully that will sort itself out.' 'Right now, nobody knows anything about it. There are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it,' he added The issue threatens to strain the close relationship Prince Mohammed has forged with the Trump administration, which until now has been willing to turn a blind eye to alleged Saudi human rights violations in Yemen, where it leads a coalition bombing Houthi rebels that has killed thousands of civilians. Trump has instead focused on US and Saudi shared interests in ratcheting up pressure on Iran. But two senior senators of Trump's Republican party warned Monday that the relationship could be imperiled if the stories about Khashoggi are correct. A former teacher at an elite Christian school has been let out on bail despite being convicted of sexually abusing six teenage boys more than four decades ago. A court heard Victor Higgs, 81, would summon students from Sydney's Riverview College to private locations in the school or his beach house at Gerroa on the NSW South Coast between 1972 and 1980. The students were then told to perform sexual acts or strip, jurors heard, with Higgs warning one victim: 'don't mention this to anyone. This is between you and me.' Victor Higgs, 81, has been found guilty of sexually abusing six teenage boys more than four decades ago Despite the conviction, the 81-year-old walked free on bail prior to sentencing after arguing he had health issues that needed attending to. The jury at the Downing Centre heard Higgs had already served a year in jail in South Australia, according to Channel 9. He had been sentenced for indecently assaulting two boys in the state in the 1960s and 1970s before working at the Sydney school. Leaving court, Higgs refused to answer questions or admit responsibility for the pain he had caused to the schoolboys. He will be sentenced in November. The college, located on the city's north shore, counts former prime minister Tony Abbot among its alumni. Two Florida construction workers were electrocuted to death after a truck hit the power line they were working on. Richard Hockaday, 37, and Gerald Anderson, 39, died around 8:30am Monday on Sebastian Court in Palm Coast. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said the pair, who worked for subcontractor Nomad LLC, were laying the concrete foundation for a new house when the boom truck struck the power line. Richard Hockaday, 37, (left) and Gerald Anderson, 39, (right) died around 8:30am Monday on Sebastian Court in Palm Coast. Courtesy: News4Jax '(The victims) were on either side of the truck on the ground, one worker was controlling the boom with a tethered remote, the other worker was cleaning out the truck in the boom with water,' Staly told Click Orlando. '(The electricity) went through the boom, through the truck, and because they were touching the truck, it went onto them.' Both men were hit with 13,000 volts of electricity. They died instantly. The power was also knocked out to several homes in the area. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said the pair, who worked for subcontractor Nomad LLC, were laying the concrete foundation for a new house when the boom truck (pictured) struck the power line The Flagler County Sheriff's Office on the scene at Sebastian Court after the industrial accident A witness saw the industrial accident from a nearby bus stop and called 911. 'Yeah the (power) line is actually on him, so (the other construction workers) are not near him. It doesn't, it doesn't look very good,' the woman said in the recording of the call. Three other nearby workers were not injured. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration have been contacted and will likely investigate. 'It's one of those things in the construction industry, or any industry, you know, you can have accidents and, of course, no one is expecting this today,' Staly said. 'Our condolences go to the family and the loved ones and the workers that were here working with them. It's a tragic day that you hope never occurs on your construction site.' Surgeons will attempt to separate conjoined twins from Bhutan in a landmark eight-hour operation on Friday. The 14-month-old girls Nima and Dawa, joined at the torso, were flown to Melbourne earlier this month for assessment by a medical team at the Royal Children's Hospital. The hospital late last week said both girls would require nutritional support, physiotherapy and other health support before doctors could proceed. Scroll down for video Surgeons will attempt to separate conjoined twins Nima and Dawa from Bhutan in a landmark eight-hour operation on Friday Paediatric surgeon Joe Crameri gave the delicate surgery, which includes splitting the girls' shared liver in half, the green light on Tuesday. 'We feel are in a position to give mum her ultimate wish and we will go ahead with the surgery on Friday,' he said. The surgery is estimated to cost $350,000 and will be paid by Victorian taxpayers, although nearly $95,000 was raised by a plea for donations. A number of tests and scans had to be carried out because doctors had little information on the girls' condition before they arrived in Melbourne from Bhutan in the Himalayas earlier this month. Test results such as the girls' level of nutrition were needed and their condition meant they couldn't be weighed separately. The 14-month-old girls, joined at the torso, were flown to Melbourne earlier this month for assessment by a medical team at the Royal Children's Hospital The surgery is estimated to cost $350,000 and will be paid by Victorian taxpayers, although nearly $95,000 was raised by a plea for donations 'They're pretty skinny, they haven't been able to practice crawling the way normal kids would,' anaesthetist Ian McKenzie said last week. 'So maybe their muscles haven't developed so well but we want to just double check everything is alright, generally.' The same surgical team that will operate on Nima and Dawa also separated Bangladeshi conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna in 2009. Nima and Dawa, who were born by cesarean section on July 13 last year, are believed to be Bhutan's first recorded conjoined twins. Australia plans to restrict the numbers of migrants living in big cities in a bid to stop congestion in its fastest growing areas. Government ministers want to introduce new visa rules that would curb the amount of migrants living in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for 'at least a few years'. The new plan would affect the roughly 40 per cent of migrants who have the key skills and are looking for work as soon as they arrive in Australia. It would class five cities - Darwin, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra - as regional centres for migrants to settle in and would try and push new arrivals to those areas. Critics worry the proposed new visa rules could lead to labour shortages as many locals in rural areas are already have difficulty finding employment. Skilled migrants would be pushed away from Sydney towards smaller cities such as Darwin, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and the capital Canberra The Melbourne city skyline. Thousands of immigrants will be forced to live outside Sydney and Melbourne for their first five years in Australia Nearly 70 percent of the 186,000 migrants who settled in Australia last year arrived on skilled migrant visas, and nearly all moved to Sydney or Melbourne, according to government data. The new scheme would include migrants from all countries, including Commonwealth members such as Canada, Britain and South Africa. There are currently no limits on where individuals can settle after they receive a skilled migrant visa. Some regional centres and rural politicians have lobbied for years for more skilled residents to ensure their towns survive. Alan Tudge, minister for urban infrastructure and population, did not provide details on how the policy would be enforced, but said it could include incentives. He said in a speech in Melbourne, said: 'We aim to ease the population pressure off the three big cities and more rapidly grow the smaller states and regions.' Oran Park housing estate in Sydney. The Morrison government is also considering funding multi-billion dollar fast rail projects to ease urban congestion 'You can also put conditions on people's visas as well to stay in a particular area for at least a few years.' An official in Tudge's office, who declined to be named, said migrants could be restricted from settling in the biggest cities for up to five years. It's not clear if the plan would survive any potential legal challenge. Tony Matthews, researcher at the Cities Research Institute, said: 'It's certainly unsustainable to continue with the current model with the bulk of immigrants going to Sydney and Melbourne because it's creating significant pressure. I'm not sure its legally viable.' With immigration expected to be an issue in the next election, due before May 2019, the plan aims to help ease infrastructure problems in cities struggling with population pressures. Mr Tudge will tell the Menzies Research Centre that Melbourne's population grew by 2.7 per cent in 2017, south-east Queensland by 2.3 per cent and Sydney by 2.1 per cent. Population and Urban Infrastructure Minister, Alan Tudge, says population growth has outstripped forecasts by 100 per cent in the past decade Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose centre-right coalition is trailing in opinion polls, has adopted a series of populist policies since coming to power in August after a backbench revolt ousted his predecessor The government hopes to claw back some of the $25billion a year in lost economic activity due to city congestion. A ReachTel poll published in September found that 63 per cent of Sydney residents surveyed said they supported restrictions on the number of migrants moving to Australia's biggest city. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose centre-right coalition is trailing in opinion polls, has adopted a series of populist policies since coming to power in August after a backbench revolt ousted his predecessor. Haydon Manning, a political science professor at Flinders University in South Australia state, said: 'Any policy that spreads migration will resonate. It will be popular with voters.' There are also questions about the business impact in big cities, where job creation is outstripped migration, said James Pearson, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Business and Industry. He added: 'We must ensure there is a thorough understanding of the key factors that drive population growth, before implementing policies that have the capacity to negatively impact jobs growth and the economy.' Australia's central bank governor said in August an influx of new residents had helped to underpin strong economic growth. Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe said: 'We've had 27 years without a recession. 'There are a lot reasons for that, but one of those reasons is that the population has been growing, on average, 1.5 per cent a year.' Kanye wants to discuss job opportunities for ex-cons and manufacturing jobs in Chicago with Donald Trump at the White House President Trump hailed Kanye West as a 'smart guy' on Tuesday and said the artist 'loves' what this administration is doing for African-Americans. 'He's been a terrific guy. He loves what we're doing for African-American jobs, for so many different things. Median incomes...is at all-time high. Poverty level at the best rate, meaning the lowest rate. And Kanye is a smart guy and he sees that,' the president told DailyMail.com. The rapper is coming to visit the White House on Thursday. He'll lunch with Trump and meet with Jared Kushner. 'And also coming with him. He said, "You mind if I bring Jim Brown?" Big Jim Brown. Boy, would he be making a lot of money today, right? He was unstoppable. And he's been a friend of mine. He's been really with us because he gets it, he really gets it,' Trump said. Brown is a former Cleveland Browns running back who is a Football Hall of Famer. 'He sees that African-American, and by the way, Hispanic and Asian have never done better in this country, and he likes it,' the president said of West. President Trump hailed West as a 'smart guy' on Tuesday and said the artist 'loves' what this administration is doing for African-Americans Kanye is coming to the White House to discuss manufacturing jobs in Chicago and opportunities for ex-cons with Donald Trump, the White House had earlier announced. The rapper, who has faced criticism for his public support of the president, will meet Trump's son-in-law and adviser Kushner before having lunch with the president, the Washington Post originally reported. A representative for West confirmed the meeting. The White House also said a meeting was on the books. A spokesperson for Trump confirmed the meeting would take place on Thursday. 'Kanye West is coming to the White House to have lunch with President Trump and he will also meet with Jared Kushner,' White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in statement. 'Topics of discussions will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago.' Trump has already met Kanye's Kim Kardashian - resulting in the president granting clemency in the case of convicted drug dealer Alice Marie Johnson In the months before Trump took office, West came to congratulate him on his victory at Trump Tower in New York City. West's wife, the reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, has since visited the White House to meet with Trump and Kushner to discuss prison reform and push for clemency for a first-time drug offender. Their May meeting led the president to grant clemency to Alice Marie Johnson, whom Kardashian West had become a prominent supporter of after reading about her case online. Kardashian visited the White House in September for a second time. She's not known to have spoken to the president during that trip. She participated in a prison reform panel with Kushner and the president's daughter, also a senior White House adviser, Ivanka Trump. West, 41, has deleted his social media accounts following a string of controversial stunts including wearing a Make America Great Again cap during an appearance on Saturday Night Live. He was also booed while making a pro-Trump speech when the cameras stopped rolling on the late-night show in September. The unscheduled rant led to Pete Davidson, Ariana Grande's finance and an SNL castmate, to publicly slam West. During last Saturday's show he said: 'Kanye is a genius, but like a musical genius. Like Joey Chestnut is a hot dog-eating genius. But I don't want to hear Joey Chestnut's opinion on things that are not hot dog related. 'I know Kanye is saying, this is the real me. I'm off the meds. Take them! There's no shame in the medicine game. I'm on them. There's nothing wrong with taking them. 'If I ever got on a plane and the pilot said, "I just want all you to know, this is the real me flying," I'd jump out. Being mentally-ill is not an excuse to act like a jackass.' Kenan Thompson, another one of SNL's long-standing comics, also took issue with the politically-charged diatribe. Kim Kardashian West, visited the White House in May to meet with Mr Trump and Mr Kushner to discuss prison reform Speaking to the Seth Meyers podcast, he said: 'That was just gnarly, he's such a setup artist. He invited the cast back up there to immediately s*** on them. 'What kind of weird, let me be the puppet master type s*** is that? I'm so glad that I'd gone to my room to change. Thompson remarked, 'It's just leaning your personal opinion so heavy on others. 'Everybody's opinion should be up for debate. You're putting it out here like what your word says goes, and that's just not fair.' Fast food giant McDonald's has been accused of exploiting its workers by using a controversial 'learn and churn' staff turnover practice in a bid to cut costs. Several former McDonald's employees raised concerns about the fast food giant 'churning' its workforce by reducing shifts on the 7.30 Report on Tuesday. Each employee spoke of the phrase 'learn and churn', which refers to getting rid of staff by teaching them to be managers or 'churning' them and culling shifts. Scroll down for video Fast food giant McDonald's has been accused of exploiting its workers by using a controversial 'learn and churn' staff turnover practice in a bid to cut costs (stock image) Nelio Da Silva (pictured) started working at McDonald's when he was 16, but as he got older he noticed his roster changed and shifts started to dwindle Nelio Da Silva started working at McDonald's when he was 16, but as he got older he noticed his roster changed and shifts started to dwindle, ABC News reported. While it wasn't straight away, Mr Da Silva said he gradually got fewer and fewer shifts because he 'got older' and 'definitely more expensive'. 'I've talked to many of my friends. They all started to drop off and eventually, we all started to leave,' Mr Da Silva said. Another former employee, Max Beech, spoke about how the 'learn and churn' practice is an 'unspoken rule' between store managers. He claimed as soon as an employee turned 18 or 19, managers began talking about how they could 'phase them out' because they were becoming too expensive. 'A lot of the time they talked about how they were trying to get rid of certain people for this reason or that reason a big one was when people were getting too old,' he said. Another former employee, Max Beech (pictured), spoke about how the 'learn and churn' practice is an 'unspoken rule' between store managers McDonald's Australia chief executive officer Andrew Gregory (pictured) denied there is a staff turnover practice in place and insisted safe working environments are a priority Mr Beech believes McDonald's staff are under extreme pressure and treated poorly by customers and managers alike, who treat them 'as a means to an end'. McDonald's Australia chief executive officer Andrew Gregory denied there is a staff turnover practice in place and insisted safe working environments are a priority. 'That phrase I hadn't heard until we saw it come up in the testimony or in the affidavit of the recent award review, and it's not something that's present or existing and I wasn't aware of it previously in McDonald's,' he told 7.30. A McDonald's spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia any claims that there is a 'systematic' process at McDonald's is simply untrue. Several former McDonald's employees raised concerns about the fast food giant 'churning' its workforce by reducing shifts (stock image) 'We need people of all ages to meet our staffing needs, and in fact, half of our restaurant employees are over 18,' the spokesperson said. 'These people work more than 50 percent of the hours in our restaurant and we simply couldn't run our restaurants without them. 'Each year, we continue to employ thousands of new employees 18 years and above to meet this business need.' The secretary of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union, Josh Cullinan, told the publication the current system McDonald's uses is 'exploitative' and 'should stop'. 'These workers are fodder in the McDonald's business model and, unfortunately, that means these workers just aren't aware often, and their families aren't aware, that as they turn a year older, their birthday is celebrated with fewer hours,' Mr Cullinan said. Mr Gregory stands by the McDonald's workplace ethos, saying he his proud of the role the restaurant plays in supporting young Australians move into their first job. 'If we haven't fulfilled our obligations and met our high expectations on how we employ crew, I'd be really disappointed and I'd love to understand and make good those situations,' he said. The McDonald's spokesperson added: 'We take great pride in giving many young Australians opportunities that build their skills and give them the foundations for a great career whether that's with us, or elsewhere.' Brexiteers today lined up to lash the PM's Chequers plan in a stormy parliamentary session after David Davis warned the Tories could lose the next election unless it is ditched. Tory Eurosceptics demanded Theresa May abandon her under-fire proposal and strike a Canada-style free trade deal instead. They accused ministers of keeping Britain locked up in the 'prison' of protracted Brexit talks. And they urged them to accept that Chequers is dead and to allow Britain to pursue a new era of global free trade by cleanly cutting ties with the Brussels bloc. They piled on the pressure as Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab appeared in the Commons to give an update on the talks, which are reaching their final, crucial stages. Mr Raab tried to calm Tory criticisms of the deal by saying the Government must 'hold its nerve' and that they are closing in on a deal. But Tory backbenchers and the DUP held his feet to the fire - demanding assurances that no new barriers be erected within the UK after Brexit. Dominic Raab (pictured today in parliament) today said that while Brexit talks are 'tough' they are closing in on a deal In a stormy session of the Commons, Mr Raab was faced with a barrage of criticisms of the Chequers plan. Former Brexit Minister Steve Baker lashed the Government's plans and urged them to radically change course and try to get a Canada-style free trade deal. He said: 'When will the government take this key that is being handed to them keeping us in the prison of the negotiations and admit that we can leave on an FTA [free trade agreement] basis.' Raab categorically rules out a backstop which keeps the UK indefinitely tied to the EU customs union Dominic Raab today 'categorically' ruled out an indefinite customs union with the EU to resolve Irish border issue in Brexit talks. Eurosceptics had voiced concerns that Theresa May was about to unveil a backstop plan to keep the UK tied to the bloc in a last-ditch effort to push through a deal. But in a parliamentary grilling, the Brexit Secretary today ruled out handing the EU the key to lock Britain into a 'blind Brexit'. Quizzed on whether an indefinite customs union is on the table, he said: 'No, categorically that is not correct.' He suggested Sir Keir had almost become the 'prince of process' given his questions before accusing Labour's leadership of having 'trashed their promise' at the last election to deliver on Brexit. The PM is expected to unveil her new compromise on the Irish backstop shortly. Advertisement He said that axing Chequers and pursing a free trade deal instead would allow the UK to 'lead the world into a new era of free trade'. DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds said his MPs 'would not tolerate' any separation of Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK and threatened to withdraw support as they did last December. He said: 'He needs to understand that as far as we're concerned, as the Democratic Unionist Party, we will not tolerate anything that separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK in terms of customs or single market as we leave the EU. 'We've been clear about that from day one. 'It's why we had the debacle in December. Let's not repeat that mistake.' Mr Raab scrambled to defend the Government's Chequers plan and demanded that the EU matches the 'ambition and pragmatism' of Britain to get a deal thrashed out in the coming weeks. But Mr Raab had to fend off criticisms of Mrs May, who was slammed by Labour's Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to show up to Parliament to give the update on the crunch talks herself. Mr Raab told Parliament: 'These negotiations were always bound to be tough in the final stretch - that is all the more reason we should hold our nerve...I remain confident that we can reach a deal in the autumn.' But Eurosceptics said a no deal Brexit would be better as the UK could take its 39billion Brexit divorce bill and spend it on UK services. It comes after Mr Davis- who quit the Cabinet in outrage at the PM's Chequer's plan - warned the Tories will lose to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour if she does not ditch her plan. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis issued the stark message in a letter to fellow MPs as pressure intensified on the PM to change course Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt (pictured in Downing Street today) insisted she 'fully supported' the PM - but stopped short of giving full-throated backing for her Brexit blueprint Mr Davis issued a stark message warning the Tories face electoral disaster over their Brexit plan in a letter to fellow MPs as pressure intensified on the PM to change course. The intervention came after Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt raised fresh doubts about Mrs May's position by repeatedly stopping short of giving explicit backing to the Chequers blueprint. The premier gathered her Cabinet today and insisted she is still focused on thrashing out a deal with the EU. But Conservative Brexiteers are stepping up their opposition to Chequers, with warnings that at least 40 MPs are ready to vote against the plan if it ever comes to Parliament. Justice Secretary David Gauke (left) and Treasury minister Liz Truss (right) were also at the Cabinet meeting in Downing Street today Environment Secretary Michael Gove smiled for the cameras as her arrived for the meeting Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has written a round robin to all MPs spelling out 'dire consequences' if the PM does not change course Mr Davis has sent a round robin to all Tory MPs spelling out 'dire consequences' if the PM does not change course. 'If we stay on our current trajectory we will go into the next election with the government having delivered none of the benefits of Brexit, with the country reduced to being a rule-taker from Brussels, and having failed to deliver on a number of promises in the manifesto and in the Lancaster House speech,' he wrote. 'This will not be a technicality, it will be very obvious to the electorate. The electoral consequences could be dire.' Penny Mordaunt refuses four times to back May's Chequers plan A Brexit-backing cabinet minster today refused four times to publicly back Theresa May's Chequers plan. Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, has never publicly endorsed the PM's under-fire proposal. And today she fuelled suspicion that she privately opposes the plan by refusing to endorse it. She was grilled on her views as she delivered a speech on international aid. Asked directly to endorse Chequers, she replied that she would not give a 'running commentary'. She said: 'The Prime Minister can count on my support. 'But what I would say is that we don't know where this is going to end up. We are at a critical moment now. 'The ball is firmly back in the EU's court; we are waiting for them to respond.' Work and pensions Secretary Esther McVey is the only other cabinet minister who has not publicly endorsed the plan. Advertisement Before the Cabinet meeting, Ms Mordaunt was grilled on her views as she delivered a speech on international aid. Asked directly to endorse Chequers, she replied that she would not give a 'running commentary'. 'The Prime Minister can count on my support. But what I would say is that we don't know where this is going to end up. We are at a critical moment now,' she said. 'The ball is firmly back in the EU's court; we are waiting for them to respond.' Mr Baker also stirred the pot by warning that government whips would be doing 'incredibly well' to keep a Tory rebellion down to 40 MPs if a trade deal resembled Chequers. And former chief whip Mark Harper, a Remainer who backed Mrs May for leader, has urged the PM to shift to a looser Canada-style model for future relations with the EU. The MP warned the government had to push for a 'comprehensive free trade deal that she can actually get through Parliament'. The pressure ratcheted up as Brexit negotiations reach a critical point, with the two sides seemingly deadlocked over the Irish border. The PM insists she will not accept demands for Northern Ireland to stay within the EU's customs jurisdiction. But even if Mrs May can secure a deal, it is far from certain that she will be able to get it past Parliament. Labour and the SNP also insist they would oppose arrangements that do not keep the UK more closely tied to Brussels. And the DUP - whose 10 MPs are propping up Mrs May in power - has warned of a 'blood red' line against any extra checks between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland. Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave the thumbs up before the meeting at No10 today The PM (pictured at Downing Street yesterday) is facing a torrid week with Brexit negotiations reaching a critical stage Former chief whip Mark Harper (pictured), a Remainer who backed Mrs May for leader, urged the PM to shift to a looser Canada-style model for future relations with the EU Arlene Foster (pictured, left, today in Brussels with DUP MEP Diane Dodds) today warned Theresa May she expects her to respect the DUP's 'red line' that no new checks are brought in between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK after Brexit Mr Harper told the Telegraph: 'We are going to have to carry this deal on our own benches. If you're the Prime Minister you do have to listen to colleagues.' Brexit was not formally on the agenda for the regular Cabinet meeting this morning, but Mrs May did reiterate her determination to secure a 'precise' agreement on future trade. Her official spokesman said: 'The PM said that our efforts will focus on seeking agreement on the few remaining issues, including the Northern Ireland backstop. 'She made clear that we can't agreed to a withdrawal agreement without a precise future framework which delivers the future trade and security partnership which the Government wants. 'The PM said the UK would continue working hard in the talks on Brexit and the message from EU leaders is that they want to reach a deal.' Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is due to update the Commons on progress in the talks later this afternoon. DUP leader warns May to 'respect' her Brexit red lines Mrs Foster set out a tough position as she held a press conference in Brussels after her talks with Michel Barnier Arlene Foster today warned Theresa May she expects her to respect the DUP's 'red line' that no new checks are brought in between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK after Brexit. The DUP leader made her stark warning after she held talks with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels today. She said that her party would not support any deal which 'would give rise to either customs or regulatory barriers within the UK'. And she also revealed that her party has not yet been shown the PM's new plan to avoid a hard Irish border post Brexit - despite propping Mrs May up in Number Ten. Speaking at a press conference after talks with Mr Barnier this morning, Mrs Foster was asked if she was ready to 'fight and die' for her 'blood red' line against anything that would split the UK. She said she had meant that her line was 'deep red' rather than 'pink'. In a blow to Mrs May, Mrs Foster said: 'There cannot be any customs or regulatory barriers between ourselves and the rest of the United Kingdom.' She added: 'The Prime Minister understands our position and I expect her to respect that position.' Her stark words come after she warned the creation of new checks between Northern Ireland and the UK would be 'catastrophic'. Advertisement Mr Baker told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'I always try to be accurate on the numbers rather than have a bluff to be called. 'We are in a position where, as we roll forward, colleagues will not tolerate a half-in, half-out Brexit. 'I did a concrete canvas of colleagues when it was amendments to legislation, and came up with the number of nearly 80. 'Of course the Government are going to whip this vote extremely hard, but what I would say is that the whips would be doing incredibly well if they were to halve the numbers, and my estimate is that there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept a half-in, half-out Chequers deal or indeed a backstop that leaves us in the internal market and the Customs Union, come what may.' Downing Street voiced caution over 'optimism' coming out of the EU yesterday as it insisted the bloc must 'move' on demands over the Irish border. No10 insisted there must be a 'precise' outline of future trade relations before any final divorce deal can be done. Dismissing the idea of so-called 'blind Brexit' - where Britain leaves without any detailed picture of future trade terms - the PM's spokesman said: 'There can be no withdrawal agreement without a precise future framework. 'It's worth me pointing out that there's a difference between people talking optimistically about a deal, and a deal including both the withdrawal agreement and the future framework, actually being agreed.' Mrs May is preparing to table revamped proposals for a 'backstop' to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic in the coming days. There are expected to be concessions on how regulations can be enforced - although Mrs May will hold the line that the province cannot be split from the rest of the UK's customs jurisdiction. A key part of the compromise plan is thought to be keeping the whole UK in the customs union for longer, to ensure a comprehensive trade deal can be fully implemented that the UK hopes will mean the backstop is not needed. But DUP leader Arlene Foster today warned Mrs May to respect her 'red line' against new checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The DUP leader made her stark warning after she held talks with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels today. She said that her party would not support any deal which 'would give rise to either customs or regulatory barriers within the UK'. And she also revealed that her party has not yet been shown the PM's new plan to avoid a hard Irish border post Brexit - despite propping Mrs May up in Number Ten. Speaking at a press conference after talks with Mr Barnier this morning, Mrs Foster was asked if she was ready to 'fight and die' for her 'blood red' line against anything that would split the UK. She said she had meant that her line was 'deep red' rather than 'pink'. In a blow to Mrs May, Mrs Foster said: 'There cannot be any customs or regulatory barriers between ourselves and the rest of the United Kingdom.' She added: 'The Prime Minister understands our position and I expect her to respect that position.' Her stark words come after she warned the creation of new checks between Northern Ireland and the UK would be 'catastrophic'. A mother has told of her horror after a policeman allegedly Tasered her dog to death after she barked at him. Terrasa Bolton claims her American bulldog Narla was killed needlessly after the pet ran over to eight officers as they arrived at her home to arrest her partner. The 29-year-old even claims the male officer continued to Taser the 'friendly and loving' dog as she lay lifeless on the floor. Narla the bulldog lies on the floor after being Tasered by officers who had come to arrest Terrasa Bolton's boyfriend Care worker Ms Bolton said another officer then made her a cup of tea, before adding remorsefully: 'We can't bring the dog back.' The mother-of-two told The Sun: 'I told a woman police officer Narla wasn't aggressive. But Narla started barking and the next thing I heard was a yelp. 'She'd been Tasered and was lying on the floor... I was shouting "stop it please, she's already dead". He wouldn't stop.' Ms Bolton has made an official complaint to West Yorkshire Police. A spokesman said: 'When officers called at the house, a large dog came out of the property and was aggressive towards the officers who feared for their safety and the safety of the public. 'An officer deployed Taser to subdue the dog which unfortunately resulted in the death of the animal. Ms Bolton claims Narla (who she is seen with) was killed needlessly after the pet ran over to the officers 'The dog has been recovered for specialist assessment to establish its breed and a crime has been recorded for having a dog dangerously out of control. 'The use of Taser was reviewed and deemed to be legitimate and proportionate in the circumstances.' The 'friendly and loving' dog with Terassas son Bailey and his sister Cianna Ms Bolton's boyfriend, Ethan Piotrowski, 24, was charged with domestic violence in relation to an ex-girlfriend. In November 2010, another American bulldog died from being shot with a Taser in the Hampshire seaside town of Lee-on-the-Solent. The dog went berserk and bit a 30-year-old woman as she walked along the seafront promenade. Officers chased it away with dog poles but could not calm it down and were forced to shoot it with the Taser, which can discharge up to 50,000 volts. The electric shock subdued the dog but it later died on the way to the vets, where it was due to be put down. Earlier this year, a disturbing video was released by police in the US state of Utah showing another similar incident. In this case, officers were responding to a domestic dispute when they found the dog running around in the front yard. With the dog's owner refusing to restrain it, the animal ran wild for several minutes before biting one of the officers. It was shot while bolting towards another policeman, after which it doubled up in pain and was seized by another officer. It survived but was later put down. Al Kindi Specialized Hospital will feature a Health Corner at the upcoming Chocolate & Coffee Expo in Bahrain to host doctors and health experts to view latest researches in healthcare practices related to chocolate and coffee. Al Kindi will provide events on obesity and free health consultations, as well as free hypertension and hypoglycemia tests, said event organisers Bidayaat for Marketing and Event Management Company CEO of Bidayaat Yasmeen Jamal, noted that Expos visitors will be able to attend regular events at the Health Corner, which will be allocated a prominent place within the exhibition and provide it with all necessary equipment. Jamal invited all visitors to interact with the health experts participating in the "Health Corner" at the expo, which will be held under the patronage of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority chief executive Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sanabis from December 6 to 8. Board member and head of Dental and Quality Department at Al Kindi Hospital, Dr Hanan Madan said, Al Kindi is honoured to be part of this event, as we are celebrating the 10th year of establishment. We are excited to show visitors how we can help avoid Coffee pitfalls like coffee stains on teeth, caffeine withdrawal in addition to other side effects on kids might be caused by coffee or chocolate. The Health Corner will also host a nutritious to provide benefits and drawbacks of coffee and chocolate, in addition to showcasing latest researches concerned with chocolate and coffee, she added. TradeArabia News Service The man Keli Lane claimed fathered the newborn baby she was convicted of killing following a summer fling in 1994 has been identified as father-of-one Andrew Morris. For the past two decades, Lane has maintained her innocence and insisted she gave the baby to the man, who she first called Andrew Morris and later Andrew Norris. But in a bombshell twist, it can be revealed that police already ruled out her far-fetched story as a 'complete and utter lie' after finding and interviewing the man. Lane's 2009 murder trial found the pair had a 'one night stand' 18 months before baby Tegan Lane was ever conceived, according to the Daily Telegraph. Lane, 43, was jailed for 18 years in 2010 after a court found her guilty of murdering Tegan two days after giving birth at Sydney's Auburn Hospital. The man Keli Lane (pictured) claimed fathered the baby she was convicted of killing following a summer fling in 1995/96 has been identified as father-of-one Andrew Morris Lane's story has been deemed an 'utter lie', with her trial finding the pair had a 'one night stand' 18 months before baby Tegan Lane was ever conceived Lane always maintained her innocence, saying she did not kill Tegan and gave the baby to the child's biological father soon after giving birth in September 1996. She claimed the father was named either Andrew Morris or Norris but police found no evidence to back up Lane's claims about her relationship with the man. Police determined no Andrew Norris or Morris ever lived in the Balmain unit block on Wisbeach Street where she claimed to have had sexual encounters with Tegan's father. But Darryl Henson, who was a resident of the inner-Sydney block of flats where Lane claimed the man lived, became the first person to agree that he'd seen her at the premises in the time period when she told police she met up with him Lane (pictured) was jailed for 18 years in 2010 after a court found her guilty of murdering her daughter Tegan Darryl Henson (pictured) who was a resident of the inner-Sydney block of flats where Lane claimed the man lived, became the first person to agree that he'd seen her at the premises in the time period when she told police she met up with him Tegan's body has never been recovered and until recently no men with the names Lane offered had been tracked down. Homicide Squad detectives found the real Andrew Morris Lane referred to was a student in his 20s when he met her on the weekend of June 25 and 26 1994. That weekend he competed in the Kellogg's Nutrigrain Australian Rescue Champions at Sydney's Freshwater beach and the pair met at the Sands Hotel at Narrabeen. They had unprotected sex on the grass behind the beach near Narrabeen Caravan Park - at least 18 months prior to Lane conceiving Tegan in December 1995. Mr Morris, now a father of one, was from Woolgoolga on the state's north coast, was a student at Newcastle University and never lived in Wisbeach Street. The Supreme Court was told at the start of Lane's trial that Mr Morris was interested in 'one night stands' at that stage of his life as opposed to serious relationships. Police determined no Andrew Norris or Morris ever lived in the Balmain unit block (pictured) on Wisbeach Street where she claimed to have had sexual encounters with Tegan's father Lane (pictured left and right) has always maintained her innocence, saying she did not kill Tegan because she gave the baby to the child's biological father He told police that after meeting an attractive blonde girl and spending hours chatting among friends, they walked several hundred metres to a grassed area near Narrabeen Caravan Park where they kissed, cuddled and had 'unprotected sex'. Mr Morris said they couldn't go to his accommodation because he was staying in an open room at the Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club for the weekend. A second Andrew Morris was investigated after police interviewed Peter Clark, who lived in unit 24 with his brother Steve. The trial was told that Andrew Morris was part Asian and did not fit Lane's description and was ruled out as being Tegan's father. New footage has emerged of the devastating tsunami in Indonesia, showing people running down an empty street which moments later turns into cascading river - as people from above shout for them to move faster. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi Island, 1,500km northeast of Jakarta, on Friday September 28 with the coastal city of Palu being among the worst hit. Social media user Sigit Lembah shot the video from a balcony in Palu where he and many others had sought shelter from waves up to 20ft high. In the film shot by social media user Sigit Lembah, people run down a street in Palu that moments later is entirely underwater Sigit and two friends took shelter from waves as high as 20ft on a balcony, as scores of people on the beach were swept away People taking shelter on the balcony where the footage was filmed were shouting at those on the streets below to run faster He and two friends had been on their way to the annual Palu Nomoni Festival on Talise beach when the tremor struck, he said, adding that one of them fell into a crack that opened up in the ground but they managed to pull him out. The trio started running towards the city's Ponulele Yellow Bridge in search of safer ground, but changed their minds when they saw the first wave approaching, Sigit said. The Yellow Bridge would later collapse under the force of the waves as they engulfed the beachfront area. Scores of people attending the beach festival were also swept away. Sigit returned to the site where he took shelter in Palu on Tuesday after ten days to photograph the aftermath of the tsunami Officials say the death toll, which is currently 1,948 is likely to rise much further as bodies are still being recovered and nobody knows exactly how many people are missing The official death toll rose to 1,948 on Monday but bodies are still being recovered. No one knows how many people are missing, but it could be as high as 5,000, Indonesia's national disaster agency said. Still reeling from the trauma of his experience, Sigit returned to the site on Tuesday and took photos of the aftermath. The yellow bridge in the city of Palu on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, which collapsed under the weight of the 20ft waves on September 28 A powerful doctor who sits on a hospital board is accused of suffocating and choking his wife with her dressing gown. Dr Piotr Swierkowski, who is the executive director of medical services at Sunshine Coast Hospital, has spent the night behind bars after allegations of domestic abuse. It is alleged the 43-year-old man from Queensland choked, strangled and suffocated his wife with her dressing gown, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported. Dr Swierkowski claims he didn't choke his wife but instead put a dressing gown over her mouth to stop her screaming, without blocking her nose. Dr Piotr Swierkowski, (pictured) who is the executive director of medical services at Sunshine Coast Hospital, has spent the night behind bars after allegations of domestic abuse After this, Dr Swierkowski said he allowed his wife to call the police, Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard. Duty lawyer Loren Fabian told Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist that Dr Swierkowski should be granted bail due to his 'good standing' in the community. Ms Fabian also said a 'large project' her client was overseeing could be jeopardised and affect the community if he was locked up for any length of time. However, Senior Sergeant David Bradley opposed the doctor's bail after his sister-in-law alleged there was a history of unreported domestic violence. The Sunshine Coast Hospital confirmed Dr Swierkowski has stepped down on Tuesday The new evidence came in the minutes leading up to the application - prompting Mr Stjernqvist to hold the case so Ms Fabian could fully prepare with the new evidence. Dr Swierkowski stood down from his position at the Queensland hospital on Tuesday. The Sunshine Coast Hospital confirmed Dr Swierkowski has stepped down in a short statement. 'Today, a Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service senior medical officer has been stood down from duty pending the outcome of legal proceedings. 'As this matter is now before the courts, no further comment can be made at this time,' the hospital said. The matter will be finalised on Wednesday so Dr Swierkowsk Duty lawyer has more time to consider the late evidence. A couple returned from holiday to find their belongings 'totally destroyed' in the arrivals hall. Paul and Margot Seymour arrived at Manchester Airport following a four-day break in Valencia, Spain. But the pair say when they got to the arrivals hall, their 45 suitcase was 'sodden' a fleece was ripped and the bottom of Mrs Seymour's handbag had been 'shredded off'. Paul and Margot Seymour were met with this 45 shredded and 'sodden wet' suitcase Mr and Mrs Seymour said they were 'not angry' but left in 'absolute disbelief' The pair say when they got to the arrivals hall, they found the bottom of Mrs Seymour's handbag had been 'shredded off' The couple claim they are in 'absolute disbelief'. While Swissport is in charge of baggage handling for Ryanair at Manchester Airport, it remains unclear who is responsible for the damage, or where it took place. Mr Seymour, 60, a retired police officer, from Llandrindod Wells in Wales, said: 'They've not just been damaged, they're totally destroyed. The bottom of the handbag had been sheared off. 'We actually saw the bags go up the conveyor belt into the hold in Valencia, so we're pretty sure it happened in Manchester. 'Also it was sunny when we left Valencia and raining in Manchester and the suitcase and everything inside was absolutely sodden wet through. 'We were not even angry, it's just absolute disbelief. 'How could the baggage handlers see that suitcase and think it was okay to put it on the conveyor belt in that state? 'We landed quite late at night and had booked a hotel for the night so we could drive home in the morning, but my wife just didn't have anything to wear because it was all soaking wet.' While Swissport is in charge of baggage handling at Manchester Airport, it remains unclear who is responsible, or where the damage took place Mr Seymour claims his wife's fleece had been ripped and left with a big hole in it A Swissport spokesperson said: 'We take our baggage handling responsibilities very seriously. We are currently investigating the cause of the damage and at this stage, we will not be taking responsibility for this incident. The appearance of the damage in the image seems to be in line with damage caused by mechanical apparatus. 'All complaints are handled on an individual basis and are investigated carefully to determine the cause of any damage. We advise passengers with any concerns in this area to contact their airline.' This comes just days after footage emerged of Manchester airport handlers lobbing cabs onto a trailer. Last month, Craig Coop, 55, and his wife Susan, 34, from Failsworth, claim they arrived into Manchester Airport from watching the Grand Prix in Singapore to find their suitcases had been 'crushed'. It is not clear if this happened at Manchester or at another stage along the journey. But Mr Coop claims he looked through the conveyor entrance to see Swissport staff hurling bags on to the conveyor. Michelle Knight had a similar complaint after travelling to Almeria, Spain, from Manchester Airport. Again, it's not clear when the damage took place. But images show his bag was squashed and the stitching pulled from its seams. A Manchester Airport spokesman said: 'It is disappointing to see this passenger's luggage arrive into Manchester like this. We suggest the passenger contacts the airline or handling agent involved directly, to resolve the damage to their belongings. 'Swissport handles luggage for Ryanair here at Manchester Airport and we will raise directly with them to investigate.' Ryanair said no claim had been made. Some Portland residents have expressed their anger after dozens of Antifa protesters got into ugly clashes with motorists in Portland on Saturday during a march over the police shooting of Patrick Kimmons. Activists were filmed shouting 'white supremacist' and 'whitey' at one driver, before another video showed marchers attacking a man's car as he tried to make his way through a crowd of people in the road. Andy C Ngo, a Portland resident and reporter, vented his frustration with the marchers on Twitter, describing them as Antifa and adding: 'This is the type of street anarchy that routinely happens where I live.' Activists protesting the police shooting of Patrick Kimmons in Portland got into ugly clashes with motorists at the weekend as they marched through the street, at one point confronting a driver who tried to turn through the crowd Video shows one protester getting in front of the vehicle before the man attempts to drive away, pushing them down the street 'Here is video from 6 Oct showing Antifa directing traffic in downtown & threatening people who dont obey with violence,' he added. 'Mayor Ted Wheeler, who really runs this town?' The demonstrations began when around 100 activists and members of Kimmons' family gathered near the parking lot where he was shot last month before taking part in a short march. After the march was over they returned to the parking lot and blocked part of a road before directing traffic around. At one point a motorist got into a clash with the activists while turning right at a set of lights, before they chased him down, threatened him and damaged his car. Video from KATU captured an activist being pushed along on the hood of the car, before others chase the driver down the street. Speaking to station KOIN anonymously, the driver said the marchers did $3,000 worth of damage and he has reported the incident to police. The protesters then chase the driver before hitting his car, which he claims caused $3,000 of damage. Elsewhere, protesters were also filmed shouting 'whitey' at another driver Marchers occupied a section of Southwest 4th Avenue on Saturday, causing confrontations with drivers when they tried to direct them around Officers confirmed they received a report from the driver, but said no charges have been filed at this point. More video captured by Twitter user Brandon Farley, whose profile says he captures 'disruptive events in downtown Portland', shows activists gathered on Southwest Fourth Avenue around 6pm. The footage shows a small number of black-clad demonstrators standing in the road and waving traffic around a vigil they set up for Kimmons. When one man questions why he is being forced to go around, a woman responds 'because I told you to'. 'Oh really?' the driver responds, before another man comes running over, shouting: 'Get out of here you white f***er.' Amid a string of expletives, the demonstrator brands him a 'whitey' before adding: 'First Amendment, now get the f*** down the road.' Police officers were monitoring the protest but say they did not intervene in order to protect the rights of the protesters. Portland resident Andy Ngo vented his frustration with the demonstrators online, and with mayor Ted Wheeler for allowing the march Others took issue with the driver being attacked as he tried to get through the crowd, saying the marchers should not have been in the road to begin with A police statement said officers 'weigh the ability for people to gather to practice their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly, as well as the impact it places on the rest of the Portland community. 'Throughout this event the police bureau was monitoring the crowd.' Kimmons, 27, was shot and killed by two Portland police officers on September 30 who responded to the sound of gunfire. The officers say they saw muzzle flashes as they arrived at the scene before Kimmons turned towards them holding what they say was a gun. Both officers opened fire, hitting Kimmons. He was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries. Kimmons' family say he was shot 10 to 15 times in the back and was unarmed, but police say both officers fired less than 10 times in total. Officers say that five guns were recovered from the scene, including one near Kimmons' body, and that two people later arrived at a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds, which they believe were caused in the brawl. The posters upset Reverend David Robertson, of St Peter's Free Church in Dundee It is a campaign supposed to warn bigots, racists, homophobes and transphobes that they are at risk of being convicted. But the Scottish Government-funded drive to stamp out discrimination and abuse has itself been accused of blindly carrying out a hate crime. The 'dear haters' advertising campaign has attracted the wrath of some Christians over its use of language, including one poster that reads: 'Dear Bigots, you can't spread your religious hate here. End of sermon.' The Reverend David Robertson, of St Peter's Free Church in Dundee, said: 'It is an absolute contradiction a poster that is supposed to be against hatred that then encourages hatred. 'I showed my congregation the poster and they couldn't believe it. It's basically a poster that says if you are religious then you are a bigot. The campaign has attracted the wrath of some Christians over its use of language, including one poster that reads: 'Dear Bigots, you can't spread your religious hate here. End of sermon' 'Imagine if you substituted the word 'religious' with 'Jewish' or 'black' or even 'nationalist'? The bit at the end with 'sermon over' doesn't help.' What is classified as a hate crime in Scotland? Police Scotland defines a hate crime as a 'crime motivated by malice or ill will towards a social group' by race, sexual orientation, religion or faith, disability or transgender/gender identity. The force says it has identified hate crime as a high priority under the classification of violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour. It also defines a hate incident as 'any incident that is not a criminal offence, but something which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hate or prejudice'. Advertisement Mr Robertson said the poster was fanning religious hatred and he has reported his concerns to the campaign's own website. He added: 'I know there are hundreds of people who've contacted police about this. 'I suspect there's probably been more complaints about this than anything else.' The Scottish Government-backed campaign is produced under the One Scotland brand. The posters, which started popping up across the country and on social media last month, are in the form of 'letters' addressed to homophobes, transphobes, racists, disablists and bigots. The One Scotland website states: 'Scotland believes in equality for all. 'One Scotland celebrates the progress we've already made on equality whilst recognising the work still to be done to achieve a truly inclusive society.' It says more than 5,000 hate crimes were reported last year and 'many more' go unreported. What does the offending poster say? Dear bigots, Division seems to be what you believe in. We don't want your religious hate on our buses, on our streets and in our communities. We don't want you spreading your intolerance. Or making people's lives a misery because of their religious dress. You may not have faith in respect and love, but we do. That's why if we see or hear your hate, we're reporting you. End of sermon. Yours, Scotland. Advertisement But a spokesman for the Free Church said: 'Mr Robertson has raised an issue which deserves attention. 'He has asked relevant questions about posters which may appear threatening to some who conscientiously hold religious beliefs that may not fit with society's progressive ideology. 'We are concerned to stress the importance of freedom of belief as well as respectful and honest expression.' The Catholic Church has also criticised the posters. A spokesman said: 'The campaign has wrongly suggested that religious hate crimes are perpetrated by religious believers. There is no evidence to suggest this is the case.' The Scottish Government said: 'Our campaign, in partnership with Police Scotland, makes clear there is no place for hate crime or prejudice towards any religion. 'It focuses on religion, race, disability, transgender identity and sexual orientation.' A professor has claimed that Sir Winston Churchill was a 'clear racist' in a heated debate in which Piers Morgan asked him: 'Why do you live in a country that you loathe?' Kehinde Andrews clashed with Good Morning Britain presenter Piers as he claimed that Britain was 'built on racism' and that 'everyone involved in it probably has a really racist past'. The academic, a professor of black studies at Birmingham City University, also compared Britain's war-time Prime Minister to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler for his treatment of Indians when the country endured a famine in 1943. Mr Andrews's views on Churchill and Britain were disputed by Mr Morgan, who asked him why he had not moved away from the country he 'clearly hates'. Kehinde Andrews (far right) clashed with presenter Piers as he claimed that Britain was 'built on racism' and that 'everyone involved in it probably has a really racist past' But Mr Andrews said that British imperialism had 'ruined' many other parts of the world, including the Caribbean and Africa. The debate comes after retired astronaut Scott Kelly apologised on Twitter following criticism from some users for quoting Churchill in a previous tweet. On Sunday, Kelly wrote: 'One of the greatest leaders of modern times, Sir Winston Churchill said, "in victory, magnanimity." I guess those days are over.' Later that day, the American said he would 'educate himself' on Churchill's 'atrocities and racist views' following backlash from the tweet. But he also came under fire from others who accused Kelly of caving into a Twitter mob, which said Churchill was one of the greatest figures in history. The debate comes after retired astronaut Scott Kelly (left) apologised on Twitter after he was criticised by some users for quoting Churchill (right) in a previous tweet James Whale and Kehinde Andrews disagreed over the historical importance of Winston Churchill and his effect on the outcome of World War Two Describing Churchill's 'imperialist views', Mr Andrews said: 'The historical record here is clear. Even Boris Johnson admitted that Winston Churchill was racist. 'He believed that the white race was superior, that natives didn't have right to their lands in the Americas and that the Indians were a ghastly people.' When co-host Susanna Reid asked if Churchill should be viewed as a product of his time, Mr Andrews said: 'That was the Jimmy Saville defence, it was "that way back in the day". 'Leo Amery, the secretary of India, said that Churchill's views on India were so extreme he couldn't separate them from Hitler's. 'The truth is Hitler was a great military leader, a product of his time, and if they had won the war we would be having this same discussion now. Mr Andews, a renowned professor of black studies, said that British imperialism had 'ruined' much of other parts of the world, including the Caribbean and Africa Mr Andrew's views on Churchill and Britain were disputed by Mr Morgan (pictured), who asked him why he had not moved away from the country he 'clearly hate' 'The fact of the matter is that [Churchill's] views led to three million people starving to death in Bengal as he was more interested in stockpiling rations for war. 'This is the problem that Britain has, the reality is that it's built on racism and everyone involved in it probably has a really racist past.' Was Churchill racist? Controversial acts of one of Britain's greatest leaders Winston Churchill is regarded as one of the greatest leaders of all time for uniting Britain during the Second World War and playing a pivotal role in defeating the Nazis. But he had racist views that were common in the British Empire during the early 1900s and has been blamed for several controversial episodes in Britain's history. - He took little action when in 1943, India, then still part of the British empire, experienced a famine in which 3million people died. Churchill even appeared to blame Indians for the famine, claiming they 'breed like rabbits'. The famine was sparked by the Japanese occupation of Burma the year before, which affected rice supplies. - In 1937 he said he had no sympathy for Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia, who were enslaved and succeeded by whites. He said: 'I do not admit that a wrong has been done to these people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly wise race to put it that way, has come in and taken their place.' - Churchill advocated the use of chemical weapons, particularly against the Kurds and Afghans. In a 1919 war memo he wrote: 'I cannot understand this squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favor of using poisoned gas against uncivilized tribes.' Advertisement Piers hit back at the academic, claiming that despite Churchill's 'obvious flaws' he played a vital role in defeating Hitler and the spread of Nazism. If it hadn't been for Winston Churchill I think we probably wouldn't have the stomach to take on Hitler,' added Piers. 'He rallied everyone in this country. 'During the war, I genuinely believe, is that notwithstanding his flaws which aren't in dispute, he evolved as a man and became a wonderful leader of this country.' Piers then asked Mr Andrews why he remained in Britain, despite being a 'successful man' who has 'enough money to live somewhere else'. Mr Andrews replied: 'This is the problem with Churchill; colonials and imperialism has ruined other parts of the world. 'Britain's impact has devastated most of the world and Churchill is a big part of that.' Radio presenter James Whale also spoke in favour of Churchill during the debate, stating that Britain needed 'strong leadership' during war time. Some modern day critics have attacked Sir Winston Churchill for his colonial views. Controversial incidents in Churchill's past include the famine in India that killed three million in 1943, the use of mustard gas on the Kurds and Afghans in 1919 and frequent racist statements such as claiming whites were a 'stronger, higher-grade and a more worldly wise'. However others take a more nuanced view that Churchill was a product of his era, when racist views were widespread and his defining act of defeating the Nazis means he should be admired as one of the greatest figures in history. Astronaut Scott Kelly removed his tweet quoting Churchill and publicly apologized following a deluge of criticism from Churchill's detractors. Following his tweet (pictured), Kelly was mercilessly trolled on Twitter by users urging the engineer to educate himself Kelly eventually apologized (pictured) for quoting Churchill, who was glorified for stopping the Nazis The astronaut was mercilessly trolled on Twitter by users who said he needed to 'educate himself' on the man who helped win the Second World War. 'Churchill was a mass murderer and a racist, Scott,' one user tweeted. Who is Dr Kehinde Andrews and what has he said before? Dr Andrews is a professor of black studies in the school of social sciences at Birmingham City University. He has written books over the past five years including 'Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century' and 'Resisting Racism: Race, Inequality and the Black Supplementary School Movement'. He has also written for publications on both sides of the Atlantic including the Guardian, Washington Post and New Statesman. Writing in the latter about 2018's Black History Month, he said: 'If schools want to genuinely engage with black history then they can embed it into their teaching. 'For example, rather than teaching the industrial revolution as a triumph of British engineering alone, teachers should link it to the enslavement and colonisation of Africa, which was essential to British history. 'There is also nothing wrong with teaching the history of the rest of the world, which was just as pivotal to the development of Britain.' And speaking about the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in May, he said it was meaningless for Britain's black community in addressing racism in job prospects, the criminal justice system and health disparities. Dr Andrews added: 'When we sit back and actually analyse what's happened and what's changed, we'll realise it means nothing at all.' Advertisement Kelly eventually caved and tweeted his apology. In it, he wrote: 'Did not mean to offend by quoting Churchill. My apologies. I will go and educate myself further on his atrocities, racist views which I do not support,' Kelly tweeted. 'My point was we need to come together as one nation. We are all Americans. That should transcend partisan politics,' Kelly added. His apology drew even more criticism from dozens who felt he didn't need to respond. Twitter users said it was 'disgusting' for Kelly to apologize for quoting Churchill, who 'had the guts to stand firm against the Evil Empire of Hitler'. 'Its disgusting that you felt the need to apologize,' one user tweeted. Another tweeted: 'Dont apologize. Churchill was the right man, in the right job, at the right time in history. The world is a better place because of him.' 'What a disappointing climb-down. Winston Churchill stood up to Adolf Hitler and his courageous leadership saved the whole world from Nazi conquest. When he did so, in 1940 (a year before the US entered the war), only Churchills Britain stood in the way of the Axis winning WW2,' another user wrote. Scholar Christina Sommers replied to Kelly's post saying: 'Please dont apologize. Winston Churchill, like all of us, had serious human failings. But unlike most of ushe possessed genuine greatness. 'And that greatness may have saved freedom & democracy. Ask the Twitter scolds to name a hero or heroine who didnt have serious flaws.' Another wrote: 'You are disgracing yourself here. Please stop bending to the will of deranged online trolls.' Rand Paul's wife has revealed she's so terrified of attacks from Democrats that she sleeps with loaded gun by her bed and locks her doors with three deadbolts. Kelley Paul said she feels frightened and threatened amid calls from Democrat supporters to increase hostility against Republicans. She said she has updated her security systems at her family home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Rand Paul's wife has revealed she's so terrified of attacks from Democrats that she sleeps with loaded gun by her bed and locks her door with three deadbolts. Pictured: The pair together in 2016 'I sleep with a loaded gun by my bed,' Mrs Paul told Breitbart. 'I'm home alone a lot, when Rand is [in Washington, DC], and so I've got deadbolts all around my house so that if someone's in my house when I go to bed I'm deadbolted in three different levels.' Mrs Paul referred to Senator Corey Brooker's comments in June that constituents should not be passive and should instead 'get up in the face' of members of Congress. She said it has made her feel more likely to be harassed by political opponents. Mrs Paul added: 'I've never been like this in my whole life We used to never even lock our doors, and now that has all changed. Even going out to dinner in D.C., last night, you worry. You hope that people aren't going to come up and just start screaming at you.' She said her anxiety has worsened since her husband was attacked in November last year. Rand Paul suffered five rib fractures and contracted pneumonia after a neighbor tackled him to the ground. The neighbour was sentenced to 30 days in jail for misdemeanor affray. This is the moment two policeman help a tiny elderly lady with pink hair do her shopping before getting her on the bus home after a fall. Footage shows two tall officers, Colin Brooks and Matthew Chapman, carefully escorting the pint-sized pensioner in the city centre of Newport, Wales. The elderly lady, believed to be 84-year-old Mo, had suffered a bad tumble while out and about but was determined to finish her errands. Mo, 84, is helped by two tall officers in the city centre of Newport, Wales to do her shopping Mo, 84, suffered a bad fall and hit her head but was helped by the policemen to finish her errands Local business owner, Iffy Harris, filmed the former dancer with brightly coloured hair being helped to finish her chores in the market before the policemen made sure she got on her bus home. Mr Harris, 51, had been in a local shop when he ran out to applaud the officers for their kind and patient approach which is being hailed as 'what life's all about'. Mr Harris, from Newport, said: 'It was absolutely fantastic. 'When I saw it, I came running out of the shop to film them. 'They walked her down the road and helped her get a few bits from the shop, then made sure she got on a bus. 'She was quite mobile but you could see she was quite frail. They walked at her pace and stayed by her side.' Colin Brooks and Matthew Chapman helped Mo finish her errands and made sure she got on her bus 'The police officers were helping an elderly lady that needed them - that's community policing at its finest. After sharing the touching footage online, Mo and the officers went viral and racked up more than 25,000 views. When Mr Harris met the old lady again a few days later, he claims she was pleased to hear she was an online hit and he filmed her as she described what happened. In his footage, Mo, who is said to be a former West End dancer, tells the camera: 'A man helped me off the floor because I was flat and said he'd call an ambulance. 'He went and got the police and they came and took me shopping. They helped me to the market and then they put me on the bus. Mr Harris said: 'I felt really proud. It was really heart-warming. 'Seeing things like this on the streets makes everything much nicer for everyone. The two helpful police officers walk beside Mo as she makes her way along the street with her shopping frame 'It's about interaction with people - that's what life's about.' On social media, users rallied together to praise the officers kindhearted act. One said said: 'Well done officers. It's the small things that make the difference.' Another said: 'How lovely to watch. Well done.' Gwent police confirmed that the two officers were special constables. Anthony Bajjada said: 'Great work guys, doing exactly what you're there to do by supporting the community. It's volunteers like you that make this such a great place.' Tim Hancock said: 'Colin is a giant who is, by the way, a volunteer policeman.' A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: 'Gwent Police is extremely proud of its Special Constabulary and I am glad that both these officers are being recognised for their selfless service to the public. 'Both Special Constables, Colin Brooks and Matthew Chapman are a credit to the Neighbourhood Policing Team and this is just one example, amongst many, of their positive contribution toward protecting and serving the local community.' Three boys turned a 20-metre (65-foot) -long escalator into a massive slide at a shopping mall in south-west China. The mischievous boys were seen repeatedly climbing onto and sliding down the handrail of the escalator, ignoring an 'under repair' sign next to it. Instead of scolding them, adults standing at the bottom of the staircase were seen cheering them on while filming them. Three boys turned a 20-metre (65-foot) -long escalator into a massive slide at a mall in China Adults at the bottom of the staircase were seen cheering the boys on while filming them Video taken at the Chongqing mall shows the boys taking turns to play on the escalator Video footage taken at the Chongqing shopping mall on Saturday shows the boys taking turns to play on the escalator, which is nearly three-storeys high. A sign is seen next to the stationary staircase: 'Friendly reminder: The escalator is under repair; Do not use.' They were filmed climbing onto the escalator and sliding down at high speed, a dangerous act that many net users condemned. The mischievous boys were seen repeatedly climbing onto and sliding down the handrail of the escalator, ignoring an 'under repair' sign next to it They were filmed climbing onto the escalator and sliding down at high speed A sign is seen next to the staircase: 'Reminder: The escalator is under repair; Do not use' Net users also criticised the adults, who did not stop the misbehaving children. They were believed to be the boys' parents, according to Beijing Youth Daily. One woman was even heard saying to the boys: 'Wow! So Awesome!' while showing them her videos. 'The boys could have easily injured themselves,' one said on Weibo. 'The parents should have stopped them.' 'They are definitely going to blame the shopping mall if anything were to happen,' said another. 'I take pity on the mall management.' Net users also criticised the adults, who did not stop the misbehaving children The boys could have easily injured themselves, many net users commented on Weibo The escalator is nearly three storeys high and the children could have injured themselves Escalators are often a safety hazard in China, with malfunctions causing serious injuries and sometimes even death. In late July, a one-year-old toddler nearly lost her right arm after it was swallowed by a faulty escalator in Herun Wanjia supermarket Yongzhou city, Hunan Province. In July 2015, a woman in Jingzhou, in Hubei province threw her child to safety seconds before she fell through a loose panel at the top of a mall escalator, killing her. Chattanooga State Community College's Registered Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography program graduates from 2017 and/or 2018 scored a 100 percent pass rate on national licensure and certification; however, not all 2018 results were reported at time of print. Much of the student success is due to the high-quality faculty and outstanding community partners with which we are fortunate to work, states Nursing & Allied Health Dean Dr. Mark Knutsen. "Chattanooga State Community College prides itself by offering top-notch medical programs that prepare students for immediate employment in the greater Chattanooga and surrounding areas," officials said. "One of the best ways to measure the health of a medical program is by the licensure pass rate of its graduates. When students graduate from an approved, accredited program, they become eligible to sit for their programs licensing exam, ensuring that they are clinically competent to safely practice their field." In addition, graduates from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Surgical Technology diploma program also scored a 100 percent pass rate. The number of Surgical Techs is expected to increase 15 percent through 2024. The average wage for Surgical Techs in 2016 was $45,160 as compared to the $37,040 median wage for all occupations. This information was listed the Surgical Technologist magazine, said Judy Kitson, director of TCAT Medial Programs. For more information about available medical programs to jump-start a career, visit www.chattanoogastate.edu. Ooredoo has signed an agreement with Shell Oman Marketing, a top fuel marketing company in Oman to provide network solutions, as well as high quality and reliable telecoms services to their network of 187 retail service stations. Ian Dench, chief executive officer at Ooredoo said, We are delighted to be chosen as Shell Oman Marketing Companys digital partner of choice to offer tailor-made solutions covering both mobile and fixed technology. We are excited about starting this new journey with them to help grow their business with the right communications infrastructure. Continuing to help companies Be Digital, Ooredoo provides organisations of all sizes with a portfolio of cutting edge products and services. Ooredoo will provide Shell Oman Marketing Company with a range of dynamic solutions, including PBX services, Ooredoo internet leased lines (OIE), Shahry Business Packs and bulk SMS services. This will improve existing network connectivity and optimise costs, which will result in greater business operational continuity and efficiency. Dr Mohammed Mahmood Al Balushi, CEO of Shell Oman Marketing Company, said: Modern enterprises succeed when they adapt to industry and marketplace shifts and incorporate new technology into company culture and operations. Digital transformation is about bringing together the power of technology with a culture that embraces the shifts in customer behaviour and industry practices, and invites feedback and engagement. Our partnership with Ooredoo is meant to build a platform to work together towards such customer-centric approach, and drive us to the next level in our digital transformation, communications strategies and business objectives, he added.- TradeArabia News Service Kim Jong-un has invited the Pope to visit North Korea as the dictator arrived for a meeting with a US Secretary of State in a brand new Rolls-Royce. The luxury new vehicle was spotted as the North Korean leader arrived at a summit with Mike Pompeo - in the face of UN sanctions banning trade with the hermit kingdom until it begins denuclearisation. A glimpse of the flash new car could be seen when the US diplomat met with Kim in Pyongyang on Sunday. Kim got out of the Rolls-Royce and is then seen walking towards Pompeo to greet him with a handshake with the shiny new motor in the background. Kim Jong-un arriving for his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang on Sunday As the North Korean dictator arrived at the summit he appeared to have been driven in a new Rolls-Royce The North Korean dictator is usually seen being chauffeured in a top-of-the-line Mercedes limousine, such as in April when an escort of bodyguards ran alongside Kim's car on the way to his summit with South Korean President, Moon Jae-in. That vehicle is believed to be a Mercedes-Maybach Pullman Guard armoured limousine, which is thought to cost more than $1 million. Under strict UN sanctions, countries are banned from selling luxury goods and cars to North Korea. Trump has insisted the international community must stick to the sanctions against North Korea until Kim denuclearises. At the meeting between the North Korean dictator and Mike Pompeo, it was said a second meeting between Trump and Kim would take place as soon as possible A spokesman for South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, said Kim also invited Pope Francis to Pyongyang. Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters today: 'Chairman Kim said he will "ardently welcome the pope if he visits Pyongyang".' The announcement confirmed President Moon's plan to visit Europe next week, which will include a trip to the Vatican, when the South Korean leader will pass on the welcome message. During Mike Pompeo's visit to Pyongyang at the weekend he was said to have had had 'productive talks' with North Korean leader and that a second summit between Kim and Trump would happen 'at the earliest possible date'. A spokesman for the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, revealed Kim also invited Pope Francis to Pyongyang He met with Kim for two hours before flying to South Korea afternoon for a two-day visit there. Kim Jong Un agreed to allow international inspectors to examine the country's nuclear testing site after the meeting. Officials will be taken to the Punggye-ri testing site, buried inside a mountain near North Korea's border with China, once the two sides have agreed on 'logistics'. Kim claimed to have destroyed the site with a series of explosions last year, though there have been doubts cast over how badly damaged it is and whether it could be easily restarted. A patient is being tested for HIV after discovering his hospital bed was smeared with a stranger's blood and is demanding answers from the NHS about how it happened. Paul Batty, 52, was rushed to Pinderfields Hospital two weeks ago with recurring stomach pains after a recent hip replacement. After spending almost 24 hours in the hospital bed, he discovered a large smear of blood under his mattress and there was also blood marks down the side of the bed where it appears to have dripped. Paul Batty, 52, discovered a large smear of another person's bed under his mattress and down the side of the bed Paul, who is unsure how long the blood had been there, says he returned to hospital yesterday for blood tests to ensure he had not contracted HIV, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B from the blood. He will have to return to the hospital, which is in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in three months for further tests and has filed a negligence complaint against it under advice from a medical professional. Paul, from Fitzwilliam, West Yorkshire, who compares the hospital to 'hell', said: 'I was in that bed for 24 hours. The more I thought about it, the more I realised how wrong it was. 'My best friend had come with his wife and their pregnant daughter. It was his daughter who spotted the blood when I moved. 'She said 'is that your blood?' When I pulled back to mattress that's when I saw it all. 'She said she'd rather have her baby in the street than go there. 'They are so understaffed. Going from Pontefract General Infirmary where I had my hip operation to Pinderfields was like going from heaven to hell. 'Pontefract couldn't do enough for you - they were brilliant. 'We still don't know whose blood it was, how long it'd been there or where it'd come from.' A concerned Paul (pictured) returned to Pinderfields Hospital yesterday for a HIV test He added that he is speaking out in the hope it will not happen to anyone else. Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said it was 'extremely sorry' yesterday and explained that the trolley had been removed and cleaned once the blood was discovered. Paul was admitted to the hospital after suffering from stomach pains on September 25 following a hip operation the week before. Despite his pain worsening, Paul claims he wasn't seen by medics at the hospital for five and a half hours. And he alleges that he wasn't offered any food until he'd been at the hospital for almost 12 hours. Paul said: 'In the end I said 'if you don't get me something to eat I'm going to discharge myself. 'At 12.15am, she brought me a sandwich and a cup of tea then I went to sleep until the following morning.' During a visit from his best friend the next day, Paul discovered the blood on the bed frame. After his friend's wife reported the blood, Paul says he received an apology from a nurse on the ward. He was discharged before the bed was cleaned. Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is 'extremely sorry' for what happened to Paul at Pinderfields Hospital Paul said: 'When I was put in the bed initially I hadn't seen the blood underneath the mattress. I only noticed it half an hour before being discharged. 'My friend's wife came back with a nurse who just said 'I'm terribly sorry - it must have come from A&E'. 'Something needs to be done. I was looking at how to put a claim in because that's medical negligence. 'I don't want to see anybody getting sacked - I just want to help other people and make sure no-one experiences this again. Paul has filed a negligence complaint and is demanding answers from the hospital Kate Firth, deputy director of nursing and quality at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'We are extremely sorry for the experience that Mr Batty had whilst being cared for at Pinderfields. 'The trolley in question was removed and thoroughly cleaned immediately [when] staff became aware. 'Maintaining a high level of cleanliness and hygiene is extremely important for us at all times. 'Since this incident we have taken steps to ensure our support staff are fully reminded of the procedures and protocols they should adhere to.' Yusef Azad, Director of Strategy at NAT (National AIDS Trust) told MailOnline: 'There is no need to test for HIV in this situation. HIV is passed on though unprotected sex and through needle sharing. It is not passed on through skin contact with drying blood. HIV is a fragile virus that does not survive for long outside the body. Of course better standards of hygiene should have been upheld here, and it is an extremely unpleasant and upsetting situation, but HIV should not be a worry for this man or anyone who has encountered something similar.' A retired grandfather has been forced to go back to work after his former employer's super fund launched legal action for an incorrect super payment. Andrew Rizzo, 63, is being sued by Qantas Super for almost $50,000, which the company claimed they incorrectly paid him six years ago. Mr Rizzo was contacted by the super fund on September 25, 2014 and told he had been overpaid $49,390, which needed to be repaid in full, The Herald Sun reported. Scroll down for video Andrew Rizzo, 63 (pictured), is being sued by Qantas Super for almost $50,000, which the company claimed they incorrectly paid him six years ago Mr Rizzo was contacted by the super fund on September 25, 2014 and told he had been overpaid $49,390.64 (pictured), which needed to be repaid in full In 2012, the former baggage handler withdrew $250,000 from his super account so he could pay off his mortgage. The retired grandfather, who worked for the airline for 17 years, said he used the the additional money to repay debts and settle accounts. As a result of the looming debt, the 63-year-old said he has been forced to reenter the workforce - working part time as a labourer - due to his limited finances. Mr Rizzo believes he is being treated unfairly by his former super fund, saying that they are bullying him and sending him 'threatening letters'. 'They're making my life miserable, but I've done nothing wrong this is their mistake,' Mr Rizzo told A Current Affair. 'Something is wrong here I'm being treated like I'm a criminal.' The retiree added he is even looking for full time employment so that he can afford to pay for the lawyers to defend himself in court. Mr Rizzo said when he retired he was issued a statement from his super fund, and not being a tertiary educated man, he took it on face value. 'I didn't go to university I looked at that statement and looked at the bottom line.' His lawyer, James Naughton, from Gordon Legal, told the publication the 63-year-old was under the impression he could settle his debts and live off the remainder. Mr Naughton told A Current Affair that he believes Qantas Super sent Mr Rizzo incorrect statements for years. 'They're bullying me because they're a big corporation, and I can't even afford to defend myself,' Mr Rizzo told ACA. Qantas Super chief executive officer Michael Clancy told Daily Mail Australia the fund overpaid Mr Rizzo's super which he was not entitled to. 'While we understand the overpayment was not Mr Rizzo's fault, we nonetheless have an obligation to our members to ensure overpayments are returned to the fund,' Mr Clancy said. The CEO also said that the super fund had been trying to make contact with Mr Rizzo on multiple occasions over a four year period but had allegedly not heard back. Mr Clancy said the super fund only commenced legal action after they didn't hear back from Mr Rizzo and the matter remained unresolved. 'We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement that is fair and equitable for Mr Rizzo and our members,' he said. The matter is scheduled to return to court this week. Advertisement A remarkable photo album compiled by the father of war poet Rudyard Kipling documenting his time in India in the late 19th century has emerged for sale for 150,000. Lockwood Kipling, an acclaimed artist and architect, lived in India during the height of the British Raj between 1865 and 1893, and took numerous eye-catching snaps of glorious monuments and bustling street scenes. One photo shows the spectacular 17th century Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, while another reveals the entrance to the Golden Temple in Armitsar, both now in Pakistan. The temple, which is also known as the Durbar Sahib, is said to have influenced Lockwood's design of the Durbar Room at Osborne House, Queen Victoria's Isle of Wight retreat. Other snaps capture locals going about their daily business in a vibrant Lahore bazaar and congregating at a square in Armitsar. This photograph from Lockwood Kipling's collection shows the spectacular 17th century Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, India. It is among the city's most famous locations, and is renowned for its intricate tile work known as kashi-kari. Here, Lockwood has photographed the mosque from the back, looking down into the courtyard Entrance to the Golden Temple in Amritsar (pictured). The temple, which is also known as the Durbar Sahib, is said to have influenced Lockwood's design of the Durbar Room at Osborne House, Queen Victoria's Isle of Wight retreat. The temple is spiritually the most significant shrine in Sikhism Other snaps capture locals going about their daily business in a vibrant bazaar and congregating at a square in Armitsar. Pictured here are several Sikhs meeting in the afternoon sun in front of the Akal Bunga, or the Akal Takht, meaning throne of the timeless one. It is one of five takhts of the Sikhs The photos date from 1888, at which point his son Rudyard, who later wrote 'The Jungle Book' and the poem 'If', was a little known journalist for The Pioneer in Allahabad. Lockwood remains considerably more famous in India than he does in Britain, and it is said that Lockwood's obsession and passion for Indian culture and architecture greatly influenced his son Rudyard. Lockwood's fascination with India stemmed from his visit as a 13-year-old to the Great Exhibition of 1851 in south London where some of the treasures from the Lahore Toshakhana, including the Kohinoor diamond, were on display. After a stint at the South Kensington Museum, now the Victoria and Albert Museum, he moved to India in 1865 to teach ceramics and architectural sculpture at the Sir Jamsejee Jeejeebhoy School of Art in Bombay. Lockwood received various commissions from the Indian Government to travel and make documentary drawings of local craft industries which were eventually exhibited in London, Vienna and Paris. He was later made principal of the Mayo School of Art, now the National College of Arts, and curator of the Lahore Central Museum. Indians living in the country during the British Raj are seen going about their business in a busy bazaar in Lahore. The photo dates from 1888, at which point Lockwood's son Rudyard, who later wrote 'The Jungle Book' and the poem 'If', was a little known journalist for The Pioneer in Allahabad The city gate into Amritsar. Lockwood's fascination with India stemmed from his visit as a 13-year-old to the Great Exhibition of 1851 where some of the treasures from the Lahore Toshakhana, including the Kohinoor diamond, were on display The photos date from 1888, at which point his Lockwood's son Rudyard (pictured together), who later wrote 'The Jungle Book' and the poem 'If', was a little known journalist for The Pioneer in Allahabad Lockwood's role there was immortalised in Kipling's character 'the keeper of the images of the wonder house' in his novel Kim published in 1901. The album was given by Lockwood to Joseph Harris, the founder of Salisbury Art College, following his return to Britain in 1893. It travelled down the family to his great grandson before passing into the hands of a private collector who has consigned it for sale with auctioneer Bonhams of London. Oliver White, specialist at Bonhams, said: 'This album gives a fascinating insight into India, particularly the Punjab, in the last quarter of the 19th century. 'Highlights include high quality images of Amritsar and Lahore, as well as a number of photos which relate closely to Kipling and provide an interesting snapshot into this period of his life. 'It is also interesting to see handwritten annotations and some small sketches on the pages, as well as a numbered list in Kipling's hand describing the photos bound within the album. It is an amazing piece.' The sale takes place on October 23. Lockwood remains considerably more famous in India than he does in Britain, and it is said that Lockwood's obsession and passion for Indian culture and architecture greatly influenced his son Rudyard Ornate marble inlay inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, one of several monuments photographed by Lockwood during his time in India Andrew Skelton, a senior internal auditor, leaked the payroll data of more than 100,000 employees A landmark legal battle by thousands of Morrisons staff seeking compensation today could pave the way for every individual and business in the country. Litigation was launched after a security breach in 2014 when Andrew Skelton, a senior internal auditor at the retailer's Bradford headquarters, leaked the payroll data of more than 100,000 employees. The file - which was put online and sent to newspapers - included their names, addresses, bank account details and salaries. A group of 5,518 former and current employees said this exposed them to the risk of identity theft and potential financial loss. While Morrisons said it could not be held responsible for Skelton's criminal misuse of the data, the High Court last year ruled that the supermarket giant was liable for the release of information and its employees were entitled to compensation. Today, workers' legal battle for compensation has reached the Court of Appeal. Morrisons insists it is 'completely innocent' but if each of the employees was paid the 10,000 they are demanding, the company could be liable for an 'eye-watering' 1 billion compensation bill, the Court of Appeal heard. A legal battle for compensation by thousands of Morrisons staff whose personal details were posted on the internet has reached the Court of Appeal Morrisons is challenging the decision at a hearing before the Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton, Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Flaux. Anya Proops, QC, representing the supermarket, told Lord Justice Bean that Morrisons' should not be held liable for the data breach. She said that rather than being liable for the breach, the company was actually the intended victim. She claimed that the ruling made against the company in December last year, where Mr Justice Langstaff found Morrisons' vicariously liable for the data breach, was not the intended outcome of the Data Protection Act. In July 2015 Skelton was found guilty at Bradford Crown Court of fraud, securing unauthorised access to computer material and disclosing personal data and jailed for eight years. Skelton had bought a phone specifically to leak the data on and had used the Tor network to access the dark web in an attempt to avoid detection. He also tried to frame a colleague by manipulating the data to make it appear like it had come from his computer, the court heard. A group of 5,518 former and current employees said the leak exposed them to the risk of identity theft and potential financial loss Ms Proops took issue with the wording of Mr Justice Langstaff's original ruling in which he stated that the sums that the data breach victims would receive will be modest. She said: 'The liability to which we will be subject will be absolutely eye-watering. They are anything but modest when judged from our perspective, they are not modest in aggregate.' At a previous hearing, Ms Proops told how the supermarket had spent 2.26 million in an attempt to deal with the consequences of the data breach. In a statement issued before the latest round of the dispute over liability, Nick McAleenan, a partner and data privacy law specialist at JMW Solicitors, who is representing the claimants, described it as a 'classic David and Goliath case'. He said Morrisons was seeking 'to reverse the High Court's findings of vicarious liability made in the claimants' favour, thereby denying the claimants any compensation whatsoever for the considerable distress and inconvenience caused by Mr Skelton's actions'. The hearing continues. An entrepreneur was turned away at the gate of a Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) flight yesterday because he was inappropriately dressed - in shorts. Jordan Bishop, founder of corporate flights concierge Yore Oyster, explained in an article for Forbes that he was pulled out of the boarding queue by a Saudia staff member and told he would not be able to board the plane unless he covered up. Everything had gone smoothly until then, Bishop explained - from arriving at Jakarta airport two hours before the 4pm flight to successfully checking-in and waiting in the Saudia lounge. Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) requests that passengers 'abide by a dress code whereby they are clothed in a manner that is inline with public taste or not offensive to other passengers' (file image) However, as he queued at the gate, the agent gave him an 'awkward look' and called his manager, who told Bishop he could not board the flight to Istanbul via Riyadh. Bishop says he is a regular international traveler whose choice of attire has never before been questioned. The official Saudia Dress Code, published on its website, is reads: 'Saudia is requesting from their guests to abide by a dress code whereby they are clothed in a manner that is inline with public taste or not offensive to other passengers.' Saudia is the national airline of Saudi Arabia, which follows a conservative interpretation of Sunni Islam called Wahhabism. Airline staff told Jordan Bishop that shorts were considered unacceptable boarding attire - though he could wear them as soon as the aircraft was in the air (file image) The Kingdom enforces a strict dress code by law which requires all women to wear an abaya (a long garment that covers their clothes) in public. However, Bishops says that he was told shorts were permissible once the aircraft had taken off and upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, just not during the boarding process. Having nothing longer to change into since the weather in Jakarta had been over 90, Bishop requested spares from the airline but was told they did not carry any. Saudi Arabia follows a strict form of Islam and enforces a dress code in which women are required to wear a loose, long garment to cover their clothes and faces) He then tried to argue his case but to no avail. With time running out until the last passengers boarded, he finally bought a sarong from an airport kiosk and tied it around his waist like a full-length skirt. After this, he was allowed to board the flight. Bishop says that various crew members later apologized to him, assuring him it wasn't his fault. 'This happens more than you'd think,' one of them said. Arlene Foster today warned Theresa May to respect the DUP's 'red line' that no new checks are brought in between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK after Brexit. The DUP delivered the stark warning after she held talks with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels. She said that her party would not support any deal which 'would give rise to either customs or regulatory barriers within the UK'. And she also revealed that her party has not yet been shown the PM's new plan to avoid a hard Irish border post Brexit - despite propping Mrs May up in Number Ten. Speaking at a press conference after talks with Mr Barnier this morning, Mrs Foster was asked if she was ready to 'fight and die' for her 'blood red' line against anything that would split the UK. She said she had meant that her line was 'deep red' rather than 'pink'. In a blow to Mrs May, Mrs Foster said: 'There cannot be any customs or regulatory barriers between ourselves and the rest of the United Kingdom.' She added: 'The Prime Minister understands our position and I expect her to respect that position.' Her stark words come after she warned the creation of new checks between Northern Ireland and the UK would be 'catastrophic'. Arlene Foster (pictured, left, today in Brussels with DUP MEP Diane Dodds) today warned Theresa May she expects her to respect the DUP's 'red line' that no new checks are brought in between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK after Brexit Mrs Foster set out a tough position as she held a press conference in Brussels after her talks with Michel Barnier The DUP leader tweeted a photograph of herself at the meeting with Michel Barnier, which overran as the clock rapidly counts down on the Brexit talks Speaking at the press conference this morning, she said that protecting the union of the four parts of the UK is the DUP's single 'red line'. She said: 'We need to be satisfied that we are not going to do damage to the United Kingdom'. She said that Britain and the EU are entering a 'critical phase' in the Brexit negotiations and the PM must not risk undermining the integrity of the UK. Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt refuses to back May's Chequers plan for Brexit Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt (pictured in Downing Street today) insisted she 'fully supported' the PM - but stopped short of giving full-throated backing for her Brexit blueprint Theresa May is facing a mounting Tory mutiny today as a Cabinet minister refused to endorse her Chequers plan. Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt insisted she 'fully supported' the PM - but repeatedly stopped short of giving full-throated backing for her Brexit blueprint. The careful words from the Brexiteer - thought to harbour leadership ambitions - will fuel speculation about Mrs May's position. The premier gathered her Cabinet today amid a mounting crisis as she tries to thrash out a Brexit deal with the EU. But before the meeting started, Ms Mordaunt was grilled on her views as she delivered a speech on international aid. Asked directly to endorse Chequers, she replied that she would not give a 'running commentary'. 'The Prime Minister can count on my support. But what I would say is that we don't know where this is going to end up. We are at a critical moment now,' she said. 'The ball is firmly back in the EU's court; we are waiting for them to respond.' Advertisement She said: 'But also, this is a seminal moment for the union of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom and that has to be guarded as far as we are concerned, very clearly.' She said the DUP wants to see a Brexit deal done, but stressed that different parts of the UK must not leave the EU in different ways. Her words came after she held a meeting with Mr Barnier which ran over the allotted 30 minutes as the clock rapidly counts down on the crunch talks. Earlier today, Mrs Foster tweeted a photograph of herself at the meeting and wrote: 'As outlined in par 50 of the Dec 2017 joint report, there cannot be barriers to trade erected between NI [Northern Ireland] and the rest of the UK. GB is our main market. 'The UK voted to leave the EU. Result must be respected. The nation must leave together.' And speaking yesterday, she hammered home her point that her party will not tolerate any deal which risks breaking up the integrity of the United Kingdom. The Brexit negotiations enter their final crucial stages as Mrs May has just weeks left to thrash out a deal her mutinous Tory MPs and the EU will sign up to. Mrs Foster could hold the balance of the power in the talks as her ten MPs are propping Mrs May up in No10 in a confidence and supply deal. If she does not agree to the deal then she could pull support for the PM and send her Government crashing down. Speaking in advance of today's visit, Mrs Foster said: 'We want the June 2016 referendum result to be respected and implemented. 'A majority of people throughout the United Kingdom voted to take back control of their money, laws and borders. Whilst many in Brussels may not agree with the referendum outcome, the result must be respected. 'As we leave the EU, we should do so as one nation. The United Kingdom single market must be protected with no new borders between Northern Ireland and Great Britain being created. 'From day one this has been the DUP's only red line. This red line is recognising that Great Britain is Northern Ireland's biggest market. 'Over 70 per cent of all goods leaving Belfast port are destined for Great Britain. To create a barrier to that trade would be catastrophic.' Arlene Foster (pictured at Tory Party conference in Birmingham last week) has warned that the creation of new checks between Northern Ireland and the UK would be 'catastrophic' as she holds talks with Michel Barnier in Brussels The PM (pictured at Downing Street yesterday) is facing a torrid week with Brexit negotiations reaching a critical stage The EU has demanded that the UK sign up to a 'backstop' deal which would see Northern Ireland stay tied to some single market and customs rules. But Mrs May and the DUP have both said this is unacceptable as it would effectively create a border through the United Kingdom down the Irish Sea. The PM is preparing to table revamped proposals for a 'backstop' to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic in the coming days. Mrs May has proposed that all of the UK remained tied to the customs union until 2021. And she is expected to unveil new concessions on how single market regulations can be enforced - although Mrs May will hold the line that the province cannot be split from the rest of the UK's customs jurisdiction. The body of an immigrant has been found bound to a bed in the middle of a Saudi Arabian road, reportedly riddled with bullets. The man's body was discovered on a main road just outside the south-western city of Abha in Aseer Province, near the Red Sea. According to a police statement, he had been shot with a machine gun. The body of a man reported to be an immigrant in his 30s was discovered in the middle of a main road in Saudi Arabia, wrapped in blankets and shot multiple times The victim has not been identified, but was reportedly an illegal immigrant in his thirties. His body had been tied to a bed and covered with a blanket. It was dumped in the middle of Wadi Al-Talee Street, seven miles outside the city-centre. Local authorities have confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the victim's identity and that of the suspected shooters. The bed is seen in the middle of two traffic lanes on Wadi Al-Talee Street, seven miles outside Abha city-centre in the Aseer Province near the Red Sea An investigation is now underway into the identity of the victim and the shooters, Saudi Arabian police said In the video footage filmed at night, a metal bed frame is seen lying across both lanes of the road. As the cameraman approaches, a body can be seen wrapped in blankets. Saudi Arabian police said that they do not know if the man was killed on the bed or if he was placed there after being shot. Thousands of protesters have been held back by police in front of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday night as the draw for a horse race was projected onto the sails. As the runners and their barrier numbers were lit up, protesters jeered, chanted, and shone their phone torches onto the famous sails to obscure the light show. One protester, parked in a ute on the other side of Circular Quay, aimed five high-powered spotlights at the Opera House to white out the message being projected onto the iconic landmark's sails. The barrier draw for The Everest, a thoroughbred horse race run over 1,200 metres, was projected onto the Opera House amid growing backlash over using the landmark as a billboard. Lights from protesters mobile phones obscured the light show beamed onto the sails The crowd shone their phone torches onto the famous sails in an attempt to disrupt the light show One protester aimed five four high-powered spotlights at the Opera House to white out the message being projected onto the iconic landmark's sails The protester parked in a ute on the other side of Circular Quay to get the best vantage point to aim the spotlights As the runners and their barrier numbers were lit up, protesters chanted, and shone their phone torches onto the famous sails More than 120,000 Australians signed a petition as of Monday against beaming the barrier draw onto the World Heritage listed building. The race is billed as the world's richest and has $13million in prize money up for grabs as well as a performance by former One Direction member Liam Payne. Scott Morrison weighed in on the controversy on Sunday saying beaming the draw onto the Opera House was a 'no-brainer.' 'This is one of the biggest events of the year why not put it on the biggest billboard Sydney has,' he said. 'I don't know why people are getting so precious about it. Frankly I thought it was a bit of a no-brainer.' The draw for the race, at Royal Randwick this Saturday, was held in confidence by Racing NSW stewards and kept under wraps until the results were revealed as part of the light show. A line of police held back thousands of protesters in front of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday night Thousands of protesters have been held back by police in front of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday night as the draw for horse race The Everest was projected onto the sails Betting on the race was also suspended in the hours from when the draw was held until the results being projected amid fears of a security breach. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian's issued a directive to Opera House staff to display the Racing NSW promotion for The Everest, bypassing CEO Louise Herron who argued the building should not be used as a billboard. 'We have said yes to the request to put the jockeys' colours on the sails,' Ms Herron told 2GB radio. 'We have no problem with that. What we won't do is put text or videos of horse running or horses' numbers or names or the Everest logo on the Opera House. It's not a billboard.' Thousands of protesters have been held back by police in front of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday night A financial planner who beat a client to death with a hammer because he threatened to reveal his fraudulent practices has claimed he was suffering 'abnormality of the brain' at the time and therefore is not guilty of murder. Trung The Ma, 35, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Huegio Bonham, 63, at Tallai on the Gold Coast in 2014 on grounds he had diminished responsibility due to his mental state, Courier Mail reported. During his Brisbane Supreme Court trial on Tuesday, Ma confessed to hiding Mr Bonham's body inside a large plastic container purchased from Bunnings in Oxley. He had wrapped the body in a sleeping bag and blankets from Mr Bonham's bed before cleaning up the blood and leaving the property, the court heard. Trung The Ma, 35, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Huegio Bonham (pictured) at Tallai on the Gold Coast in 2014 on grounds he had diminished responsibility due to his mental state Ma drove the body to an abandoned warehouse in Brisbane where he left it while he picked his wife up from work and later that day shifted it to a National Storage shed Indooroopilly. Police discovered the decomposing remains two weeks later, the court heard. Mr Bonham was beaten to death at his Gold Coast hinterland property on February 3, 2014 after threatening to tell people Ma had defrauded him, the court was told. Ma's trial began at the Brisbane Supreme Court (pictured) on Tuesday Crown prosecutor Michael Lehane said Ma's attack was motivated out of fear of having his reputation damaged by Mr Bonham, who was allegedly defrauded of $700,000. 'The accused said Mr Bonham spoke to him about him not earning enough from his investments...not keeping him informed,' Mr Lehane said. 'He said was going to tell everyone that the accused wasn't competent and would try and bad mouth the business to everyone he met.' Mr Lehane told the court, 'Be it out fo fear, fury or a combination of both, he (Ma) has reacted to the potential discovery by intentionally killing Mr Bonham.' The court was told Ma also threw his murder weapon in a skip bin at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, the location of his financial business. Ma also accidentally forgot his victim's wallet and phoned centre management posing as Mr Bonham so he could collect it, the court heard. The Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) was recently honoured as the Best CSR and Sustainability Company during a ceremony which was held by the Arabia CSR Network in Dubai, UAE. Sipchem was selected for this award in the 'Large Business Category' due to its programmes and efforts in the field of sustainability, which the company considers to be one of the cornerstones of its principles and values that drive the growth of its business in an effective and sustainable manner, as well as achieving its environmental and social balance, said a statement from the company. The Arab CSR Award is a programme developed for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and aims to encourage institutions in the Arab world to intensify their CSR efforts and celebrate their achievements with the public by awarding them and stimulating the interest of other companies and institutions to develop their sustainability performance to be more responsible towards the community. TradeArabia News Service A vegan feminist charged with the samurai sword murder of an aspiring rapper left court showing off a new bleached-blonde hair style flanked by her two brothers. Hannah Quinn, 23, is accused of killing Jett McKee, 30, with her actor boyfriend Blake Davis, 28, after he allegedly broke into their Sydney granny flat in August. At Quinn's first court hearing since being approved for bail, prosecutors told the court there were six different crime scenes and hundreds of items of evidence. Hannah Quinn, 23, left Central Local Court today flanked by both of her brothers and with her mother trailing close behind The vegan feminist (pictured) is accused of killing aspiring rapper Jett McKee Quinn and Davis allegedly spent three days on the run before handing themselves into police after allegedly killing Mr McKee when he tried to rob their granny flat. Ms Quinn left Central Local Court today flanked by both of her brothers and with her mother trailing close behind. The barista looked downcast and sullen as she exited the building after the hearing. Her mother said she appreciated the media's decision to respect the families privacy, 9News reported. 'It's important Hannah feels safe,' she said. Actor and martial artist Blake Davis (pictured) allegedly killed rapper Jett McKee with a samurai sword Quinn and Davis allegedly spent three days on the run before handing themselves into police Mr McKee, whose stage name was Scepaz, allegedly broke into Quinn and Davis' home wearing a balaclava and armed with knuckledusters and a replica gun. Davis and Quinn then allegedly chased Mr McKee down the street where he was allegedly stabbed with a samurai sword from Mr Davis' collection. Police will allege Davis delivered the fatal blow. A number of swords believed to belong to Mr Davis - a martial artist and television actor - were allegedly found in their flat by police. Quinn will appear in court again in December. A keen advocate of veganism on Facebook, Ms Quinn is photographed wearing a 'meat is murder' T-shirt (pictured) and wrote about getting upset about picking flowers This is the moment a half-naked and soaking wet man fought with police on board a packed Alaska Airlines flight before being arrested. Thang Sang, 28, was on board a flight from Honolulu to San Francisco on September 26 when sheriff's deputies were called after he locked himself in the bathroom. Sang later emerged from the bathroom shirtless and covered in a mystery liquid, so deputies moved in to arrest him. Thang Sang, 28, was arrested on board an Alaska Airlines flight from Honolulu to San Francisco last month after he locked himself in a bathroom, before emerging shirtless and soaking wet After he refused to go with them, officers were forced to spend 20 minutes subduing Sang in front of shocked passengers and crew. Lindsey Babb, a mother-of-two from California, captured the incident on her phone before handing the footage to local station KITV. Babb, who was on board the flight with her daughters, aged nine and 11, told how she tried to keep the girls calm amid the chaos. 'When we saw a man exiting from the restroom appearing to be soaking wet I was trying to... be silly with my girls because I knew they were as confused as I was. '[Then] this man is kicking and shouting, the police have weapons on them, they were scuffling in between three feet over aisle and [over] multiple different seats of people and children.' Sang then refused to cooperate with sheriff's deputies who were trying to remove him from the plane, leading to a 20-minute scuffle Lindsey Babb, a mother-of-two who was on board, captured the frightening incident on her phone. The flight eventually took off two hours late Footage taken by Babb shows Sang yelling at the officers, laying across several seats and writhing in the aisle as he resists their attempts to handcuff him. At one point he can be heard shouting 'why are you hurting me?' to which one of the deputies responds 'because you're not complying'. Sang was eventually removed from the aircraft, which took off two hours after its scheduled departure time. He is now facing felony charges of assault on an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. It is not clear whether he has entered a plea. Alaska Airlines apologized to passengers for the inconvenience, but said the safety of its guests and crew are top priority. The Department of Public Safety said the decision to call law enforcement was taken by the airline. A man was left with a broken nose and eye socket after being viciously beaten inside one of London's most exclusive private members' clubs. CCTV footage from the cocktail bar of Ned's Club Downstairs - only open to members paying 3,150-a-year membership - captured the thug lashing out at the victim, breaking the bones in his face as bystanders attempt to intervene. Part of the Soho House chain, the club is in the basement of The Ned Hotel which opened in the iconic Midland Bank headquarters last May. Part of the Soho House chain, the club is in the basement of The Ned Hotel, in the iconic Midland Bank headquarters City of London Police released CCTV footage of the late night brawl The all-night 1920s and 1930s-themed cocktail bar room is set behind a huge 20-tonne, two-metre wide vault door and lined with thousands of original safety deposit boxes City of London Police released CCTV footage of the late night brawl. It shows a young man, dressed in a dark shirt, brutally punching his victim in the face then swinging at another before security step in. The all-night 1920s and 1930s-themed cocktail bar room is set behind a huge 20-tonne, two-metre wide vault door and lined with thousands of original safety deposit boxes. Police questioned and released a 21-year-old man in connection with the assault but have since released the footage in an appeal for the attacker to come forward. The assault left the victim with serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket, a fractured nose, displacement of the eyeball, and severe bruising A man, 21, from Loughton, Essex, was arrested on the night and has since been released under investigation A City of London spokesman said: 'Police have released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to in connection with a violent assault at The Ned at 11pm on July 25. 'The assault left the male victim with serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket, a fractured nose, displacement of the eyeball, and severe bruising. 'A man, 21, from Loughton, Essex, was arrested on the night and has since been released under investigation. 'Officers would now like to speak to the man in the CCTV footage to further their enquiries.' Situated in the Square Mile financial district, the hotel is a collaboration between Soho House's Nick Jones and US hoteliers Sydell Group A partnership between the Soho House Group and New York's Sydell Group, The Ned can be found in the City's disused Midland Bank building. The property - which has been a landmark in the City for almost a century - was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as the headquarters of Midland Bank which at the time was the largest clearing house bank in the world. An elegant structure famed for its high vaulted ceilings, grand doors and discreet luxury, the building has occupied the corner of Poultry Street and Princes Street since 1925. Below ground are three basement levels that used to house the bank vaults and there visitors will find the original vault door that inspired James Bond's Goldfinger. This is the moment a Camaro driver sped through a red light at 100mph, causing a horrific crash which killed a woman. Theresa Gafken, 36, raced through Port Huron, Michigan in a white Camaro and refused to slow down when a police car pursued her. She ran a red light and smashed into driver Kristine Donahue, 48, killing her. Three passengers in Gafken's car were seriously injured in the smash in April. Theresa Gafken (pictured), 36, raced through Port Huron, Michigan in a white Camaro and refused to slow down when a police car pursued her Gafken was yesterday jailed for 20 to 30 years after being found guilty of one count of second degree murder. Dashcam footage from the police car following Gafken showed her speeding away from officers on a busy road. The Camaro then ran the red light and smashed into a pick-up truck and two other vehicles. Gafken cried as she was sentenced at St. Clair County Circuit Court yesterday. She was ordered to pay $7,250 in restitution, attorney fees, and told not to contact Donahue's family, reported Michigan Live. Dashcam footage from the police car following Gafken showed her speeding away from officers on a busy road France has urged Google to remove photographs of its prisons from the internet after a notorious criminal known as 'the jailbreak king' escaped by helicopter. Justice minister Nicole Belloubet said she had written to the search engine giant to remove sensitive photos from online, but that Google had taken no action. It comes after notorious robber Redoine Faid, 46, escaped from jail in July from the open courtyard of a prison south of Paris. Redoine Faid had written about a book about his life of crime and his upbringing on the streets near Paris The abandoned helicopter that was used to jailbreak armed robber Redoine Faid after his escape from prison in Reau Google was said to have been used to find weaknesses in the jail's security and it found there was no anti-helicopter nets near part of the prison. Faid was recaptured last week, three months after his accomplices hijacked a helicopter in the yard of Reau prison, hacked their way through an adjacent visitor room with power-grinders to free him, before flying him back out again. Belloubet said in a RTL radio station: 'It's not normal that photos of security buildings such as our prisons are out there on the internet. Faid became a semi-celebrity in France after writing a book about how he became embroiled in a life of crime 'I've written to Google asking for action to remove (photos of) these penitentiary sites but nothing has happened so far,' she said. 'I may have to ask to meet the people I wrote to.' A spokesman for Google said applications like Google Maps and Google Earth drew images from external sources. The Google spokesman said: 'We have given our suppliers a list of sensitive locations and asked them to take the necessary steps as soon as possible to conform with the law.' They added that other sensitive locations, such as nuclear plants and army bases, were on the list. Faid has escaped for prison prior to his jailbreak earlier this year, where he took four wardens hostage and used dynamite to blast his way out of another prison. Belloubet said Faid had declared himself on hunger strikes and was now in solitary confinement. He was banned from receiving visits at his new prison in northern France, of which there are photographs of the prison online. Faid became a semi-celebrity in France after writing a book about how he became embroiled in a life of crime and his upbringing in the high-rise housing estates in Paris during the 1960s and 1970s. He was jailed for a botched cash-transport truck heist where a policewoman died, and has even compared his life of crime to films such as 'Scarface' and 'Reservoir Dogs'. The Bank of England today delivered a stark warning that the EU is not ready for a 'disorderly' Brexit. The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) said the need for 'mitigating action' in the bloc was now 'pressing'. But it insisted the UK financial system was strong enough to withstand a collapse in negotiations. The alert over complacency on the continent came as Theresa May battles to push through a deal with Brussels. Mark Carney has urged the EU to follow the UK's lead in preparing households and businesses for a failure in negotiations The PM (pictured at Downing Street yesterday) is facing a torrid week with Brexit negotiations reaching a critical stage However, the two sides appear deadlocked on the Irish border and are still a long way apart on future trade relations. A critical moment is expected at an EU summit next week where leaders will consider whether there is a realistic prospect of agreement on the divorce arrangements. The minutes from the FPC's latest meeting make clear it still does not see the need for UK lenders to bolster their balance sheets further. But the Bank stepped up calls - previously made by governor Mark Carney - for the EU to follow its lead in preparing households and businesses for a failure in negotiations and Britain leaving in March without any transition period. Highlighting risks over derivatives and the transfer of personal data, the committee said unless more measures were put in place the process would be 'disruptive and costly'. The FPC said: 'There has been considerable progress in the UK to address these risks, but only limited progress in the EU. 'In the limited time remaining, it is not possible for companies on their own to mitigate fully the risks of disruption to cross-border financial services. 'The need for authorities to complete mitigating actions is now pressing.' The message follows a warning from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that failure of Brexit negotiations poses a risk to global growth. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the organisation downgraded forecasts to 3.7 per cent for both 2018 and 2019 - 0.2 per cent lower for both years than had been forecast in April. The UK economy is expected to grow by 1.4 per cent this year - down from April's prediction of 1.6 per cent - while predicted growth for 2019 remains at 1.5 per cent, a slowdown from 1.7 per cent in 2017. Disruptive weather in the first few months of the year is partly to blame for the UK's weaker-than-expected economic performance, the IMF said, while policy uncertainty, including trade tensions between the US and China, have played a role in the tempered global expectations. 'Uncertainty over trade policy is prominent in the wake of US actions (or threatened actions) on several fronts, the responses by its trading partners, and a general weakening of multilateral consultation on trade issues', the report said. The Bank of England has insisted that there is no need for UK financial institutions to bolster their balance sheets further 'The possible failure of Brexit negotiations poses another risk.' The organisation added that the ongoing Brexit negotiations had also created 'pervasive uncertainty' about future trade costs. 'An intensification of trade tensions and the associated further rise in policy uncertainty could dent business and financial market sentiment, trigger financial market volatility, and slow investment and trade,' the report said. 'An increase in trade barriers would disrupt global supply chains, which have become an integral part of production processes in the past decades, and slow the spread of new technologies, ultimately lowering global productivity and welfare. 'It would also make tradable consumer goods less affordable, harming low-income households disproportionately.' Advertisement Illicit graphic novels penned by the Marquis de Sade during his imprisonment are set to go under the hammer having been unearthed hundreds of years after they were ordered to be destroyed. The notorious french aristocrat, who was declared insane in 1803, was known his extreme sexual tendencies and so scandalous and debauched was his behaviour, it gave rise to the words 'sadism' and 'sadist'. The content within the books was so graphic every copy was ordered to be destroyed by the French royal court, the Cour Royale de Paris, in 1815. But six volumes, each illustrated with numerous engraved plates depicting sexual acts, were recently discovered at a house in London during a routine property valuation after they were previously deemed worthless. The content within the books was so graphic every copy was ordered to be destroyed by the French royal court, the Cour Royale de Paris, in 1815 - but some copies survived Dubbed the original 50 Shades of Grey, the extreme pieces of literature were first published anonymously in 1797 Sade lived a scandalous libertine existence and repeatedly procured young prostitutes as well as employees of both sexes in his castle in Lacoste French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte subsequently ordered the arrest of the author and incarcerated him for the last 13 years of his life. The six volumes will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers' Library Auction at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, on October 15. Written while de Sade was imprisoned in the Bastille, their estimate is 3,000-5,000. Jim Spencer, head of the Library department at Hansons, said: 'These books should simply not be in existence. Their content was deemed too shocking. 'All copies should have been destroyed. However, a few books survived and we found these volumes by chance in London. They were thought to be worthless and a note in one of the books showed they had been rejected as having no value by one auction house 20 years ago. 'Though these books are more than 220 years old and times have changed considerably, it's still impossible not to be very, very shocked by the contents. For example, they include pictures illustrating sexual acts with monkeys.' The author lived a scandalous libertine existence and repeatedly procured young prostitutes as well as employees of both sexes in his castle in Lacoste. French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the arrest of the author after the publication of the works Six of the ten volumes of Justine: La Nouvelle Justine, ou Les Malheurs de la Vertu, suivie de l'Histoire de Juliette, sa soeur, will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers Library Auction Such was the horror sparked by the contents of the books, entitled 'Justine', the French royal court, the Cour Royale de Paris, ordered their destruction in 1815 Six volumes, each illustrated with numerous engraved plates depicting sexual acts, were recently discovered at a house in London during a routine property valuation after they were previously deemed worthless The six volumes will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers' Library Auction at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, on October 15. Written while de Sade was imprisoned in the Bastille, their estimate is 3,000-5,000. Pictured, Jim Spencer, head of the Library department at Hansons with the books The nobleman, who lived from 1740 to 1814, claimed to be a proponent of absolute freedom, unrestrained by morality, religion or law. His erotic works - which combine philosophy with pornography - depict sexual fantasies with an emphasis on violence, suffering, criminality and blasphemy against Christianity. He gained notoriety for putting these fantasies into practice with both consenting and non-consenting people. Consequently, he spent around 32 years of his life in various prisons and asylums for the insane including 10 years in the Bastille and 12 years in the Charenton Asylum. Many of his works were written in prison. Mr Spencer said: 'There has always been a deep fascination with Sade's life and work. There have been numerous film adaptations of his work and sadistic tendencies are common in many books including 50 Shades of Grey. 'Whether people are repulsed or fascinated by Sade, the sale of these volumes is sure to spark interest from collectors around the world for their scarcity value alone. After his death, Sade's son had all his father's remaining unpublished manuscripts burned.' Six of the ten volumes of Justine: La Nouvelle Justine, ou Les Malheurs de la Vertu, suivie de l'Histoire de Juliette, sa soeur, will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers Library Auction on October 15 at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire. A couple charged with being members of the banned neo-Nazi terrorist organisation National Action gave their child the middle name Adolf as a tribute to Hitler, a court heard today. Claudia Patatas, 38, and Adam Thomas, 22, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, are charged with membership of the proscribed group along with Daniel Bogunovic, 27, of Leicester. They gave their child the name of the German dictator after he was born in late 2017, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Claudia Patatas, 38, from Banbury, is one of three people accused of being a member of National Action, and is seen arriving at Birmingham Crown Court today wearing an ankle tag Thomas is also charged with possessing documents containing terrorist information. He applied for a firearms licence on November 18, 2016 - less than a month before the group was banned, the court heard. Referring to Thomas and Patatas, prosecutor Barnaby Jameson QC said: 'The couple have a small male child. The child's full name cannot be given for legal reasons. However, the Crown can tell you that one of his middle names was 'Adolf'. 'Given that the child was born almost a year after National Action was banned, you may think the use of the name Adolf - even as a middle name - was of significance.' National Action is a proscribed organisation along with the IRA and Islamic State, meaning membership is a crime. The group carried out a 'white holy war' to uphold white supremacist values around the country, the court heard. Members carried out stickering campaigns at universities around the UK, held demonstrations and posted material supporting Hitler and the Ku Klux Klan on the internet. Those put up at De Montford University read 'White Jihad Spirit of '33', echoing 1933, when Hitler became chancellor of Germany. Bogunovic and Thomas had a particular interest in owning machetes, the court heard, while other members had shotguns, assault rifles, knives, ice-picks, cross-bows and long-bows. Thomas also owned a copy of the Anarchy Cookbook which gave instructions on making explosives, the court heard. The jury saw a photograph of Darren Fletcher, another National Action member, holding a Nazi flag and making the Hitler salute over Thomas and Patatas' baby. Mr Jameson, prosecuting, said the group - which was formed in 2013 - continued to operate 'underground' after it was proscribed as a terror group in 2016. It adopted a variety of different names after being banned, including 'Vanguard', 'Thule Combat League' and 'The Triple K Mafia'. A senior member said this was part of an effort to 'shed one skin for another', according to the prosecution. 'This case is about a specific type of terror,' he said. 'It is a terror fuelled by hatred and division. It is a terror born out of fanatical and tribal belief in white supremacy. Patatas and Thomas (left and right) gave their child the name of the German dictator after he was born in late 2017 'It is a terror that regards anyone who falls outside a cult of violent white racial supremacy as 'sub-human'.' 'Those that fall into the 'sub-human' category are primarily blacks, Jews and Asians. Others include gays, communists and feminists.' Mr Jameson said National Action was particularly aggressive towards Labour MPs seen to be sympathetic to immigrants. Its members would carry around banners aping Hitler's SS and burn crosses like the KKK, he added. The three defendants used messaging apps including Telegram to communicate with other National Action Members, the prosecution said. These included Alexander Deakin, 23, from Birmingham, who led the National Action chapter in the Midlands. 'Deakin had a particular connection with Bogunovic. Both were involved in the stickering raid in July 2016 to which I shall return,' Mr Jameson said. 'It is ironic that much of the evidence in this trial comes from his Telegram chats on his mobile phone which a security-obsessed National Action organizer failed to delete.' The prosecution also named a serving soldier Mikko Vehvilainen, 33. He was based at Sennybridge Barracks in Wales and was in a Telegram group that included Deakin and the defendants. Joel Wilmore, a 24-year-old from Stockport who had spent time as an Army reservist, was in contact with the defendants, according to the prosecution 'As a serving soldier he had access to military weaponry as well as amassing a considerable arsenal of his own,' Mr Jameson said. 'Images of Vehvilainen's cache of high calibre assault weapons, blades and picks were found on the mobiles of Thomas and Patatas.' Other prominent National Action members the defendants contacted were named by the prosecution as Nathan Pryke, 23, from Cambridgeshire, and Joel Wilmore, a 24-year-old from Stockport who had spent time as an Army reservist. Darren Fletcher, 28, was a close friend of Thomas and Patatas. 'Going back to March 15, 2013, we can see an early interest in giving the Nazi salute from Thomas and Fletcher,' Mr Jameson said. 'Thomas at the time was 16. The same month we know Fletcher attended an extreme right wing rally in Wales and went on stage wearing KKK robes holding a golliwog in a noose.' Mr Jameson also mentioned links between Bogunovic and known National Action extremists. 'On April 17, 2014, an image is created on a thumb drive found at the address of Bogunovic,' he said. 'Thereafter it was deleted. It shows the title words - 'National Action Strategy and Promotion'. 'It is fair to say Bogunovic had an early interest in what was then a nascent organisation.' Bogunovic also spoke to Midlands National Action leader Deakin about the stickering of campuses, the prosecution said. 'March 13, 2016 - images on Bogunovic's mobile created/modified of various NA stickers put up on a building at De Montfort University, Leicester,' Mr Jameson continued. Darren Fletcher (left) and Nathan Pryke are two prominent National Action members the defendants are accused of having had contact with 'The stickers say - 'White Jihad Spirit of '33'. 1933 was the year Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. 'July 5, 2016 - there is a conversation between Deakin and Bogunovic on Signal Private Messenger about a meet-up for new recruits in Birmingham. 'On Saturday July 9, 2016, three stickers were placed on the Aston University sign on Coleshill Street saying 'White Zone'. 'Bogunovic and Deakin were later convicted of stirring up racial hatred in relation to the stickering at Aston University.' Other National Action members named as acquaintances of the defendants were named as Christopher Lythgoe, 32, from Woolston; Matthew Hankinson, 24, from Merseyside; Chad Williams-Allen, 27, from West Bromwich; Ben Raymond, 28; and Jack Coulson, 19, from Bradford. Coulson celebrated after Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in 2016 and called her killer Thomas Mair a 'f******g' legend, the prosecution said. He also attended a protest in York with a banner reading 'Hitler was right'. The prosecution said the defendants also knew Garron Helm, 25, from Merseyside, who in 2014 tweeted a photo of the Labour MP Luciana Berger with a Holocaust-era yellow star superimposed on her forehead under the hashtag #HitlerWasRight. The court heard Bogunovic contacted members of National Action online with username 'dsdegrelle' - a reference to prominent Belgian Nazi Leon Degrelle, who fought for the SS. The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, continues. The defendants deny the charges against them. Carl Langdell told mental health staff of rape and murder fantasies before murdering a teacher on their first date A mentally ill man told NHS staff he had 'violent fantasies of murdering women and raping them' before he killed a young teacher, it emerged today. Carl Langdell, who had a history of mental illness, strangled Katie Locke at Theobolds Park Hotel in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, during their first date on Christmas Eve 2015. A review of his treatment in the lead-up to the killing has revealed found there had been 'systemic missed opportunities' to assess the risk he posed. In an independent review, commissioned by NHS England and published today,regional medical director, Dr David Levy said there was 'a gap at the heart of care planning and risk assessment and negatively impacted inter-agency working'. He continued: 'Lack of information about (Langdell's) previous care was considered to have been one of the critical factors hindering appropriate risk assessment and management.' Despite this, the review found that the incident could not have been predicted with any degree of certainty that would have made it possible to prevent. Langdell was diagnosed as having an emotionally unstable personality disorder and the report said his behaviour was 'highly volatile', but he was intelligent and could be very engaging. Teacher Katie Locke, 23, was strangled by Langdell when they met up on Christmas Eve 2015 It emerged when his case came to court that he had sexually assaulted and took pictures of her body after killing her. The pair had met on dating website Plenty of Fish. At the time of the murder, he was in contact with the Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) and had had previous contact with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust in 2015. The report said during his treatment in the South West he disclosed 'violent fantasies of murdering women and raping them'. He was jailed for 26 years for the crime. At the time of Ms Locke's death, Langdell was also under the supervision of the probation service for threatening to kill a community psychiatric nurse. Langdell had a history of mental illness Langdell was fully compliant with his sentence and had no other previous convictions according to the probation service. The NHS England-commissioned report told the Hertfordshire trust to improve its risk assessment and management; improve its communication with other agencies; review the mental health treatment requirement training; and improve its discharge process. HPFT director Dr Asif Zia said: 'Mercifully cases such as these are exceptionally rare. 'However, we appreciate the terrible impact, including on families and friends and the wider community, when they do occur. 'There are a number of areas where the trust can and will learn lessons from this terrible incident and minimise the possibility of this ever happening again.' Police are investigating whether a husband charged with the murder of his wife may have killed her because of financial troubles after exaggerating his wealth. David Tronnes, 50, was indicted on a first degree murder charge after he called police to his Orlando home in April claiming he had found his wife of only a year, Shanti Cooper-Tronnes, dead in a half-full bathtub. Friends of Tronnes claim he presented himself as a millionaire and it was his alleged wealth which helped to entice Cooper-Tronnes to marry him a year before he allegedly killed her at their home, according to Orlando Sentinel. Tronnes said the pair had been renovating their home, and had been married for a year after meeting on Match.com in 2013 But his alleged lack of money is one of the lines of enquiry police are probing as a possible motive for the killing. Wealth has been a key theme in the interviews in the aftermath of Cooper-Tronnes' death in April. She was found dead in a bathtub at their home, with Tronnes' claims that she slipped and died disputed by police. A friend of the victim, Melissa Burzinski, told investigator: 'Dave was doing things that was [ticking] her off as it pertains to money.' He would also get 'weird' about paying for food, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Burzinski added: 'He always talked about how he had a ton of money, but she couldn't figure out why he was such a miser.' David Tronnes (pictured) has been indicted on a murder charge after allegedly killing his wife and lying to police about how she had died There was confusion among neighbours as to what Tronnes did for a living, with one stating they thought he worked in sales. Another thought his wife was the main earner. Others said Tronnes was usually at home, overseeing a renovation project at his home. Cooper-Tronnes' father, Kishian Matani, told detectives that he thought David Tronnes had inherited between $4 million and $6 million from his father. 'Shanti told me that he inherited quite a bit,' Matani told detectives. But Norman Daugh, Cooper-Tronnes' father-in-law, said it seemed she was always paying for things such as TVs and moving vans. When her mother was near death in December 2016, she asked Daugh about her mother's life insurance policy, according to his interview. Daugh said he thought it was Tronnes who was most interested in the money. 'It just was my gut feeling,' Daugh said. 'He always claimed he had millions, but Shanti bought everything.' Police slammed Tronnes for 'fake crying' and his 'hogwash' account of how the 39-year-old died in newly released interview recordings. During his interview with police, he suggested his wife slipped and fell while trying to get in the bath - though an autopsy showed she had died of strangulation and blunt-force trauma to the head. When police arrived, they found the bathtub and Cooper-Tronnes' body were both dry. Detective Teresa Sprague is heard in an audio recording, obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, telling Tronnes his story did not match any of the evidence at the scene. 'Common sense would tell you if you pull a woman soaking wet out of a tub at 3 o'clock and call the police within six minutes, that everything will be soaking wet when police arrive within three minutes of that,' she said. 'That's common sense.' Tronnes, who later told detectives he 'didn't have the information' they were looking for, chose to play dumb. 'So how did everything dry out?' he asked. 'That's our question,' the officer responded. The avid renovator met his wife on Match.com in 2013, and moved his life to Florida to be with her just months later. Cooper-Tronnes had an eight-year-old son from a prior relationship. Tronnes married her a year ago, and told investigators they were in the process of renovating their home. Cooper-Tronnes was found dead in her home (pictured), which she and Tronnes had been renovating While Tronnes painted his marriage as happy and full of love, police were not having a bar of it. Sprague, who had called his account of events leading up to Cooper-Tronne's death 'hogwash', said the accused had failed to portray any emotion expected of a man who had tragically lost his beloved wife. 'You've fake cried for about seven or eight hours today,' she said. 'Not one tear came out of your eyes - not one. 'You have fake cried over this woman's death since we made contact with you There is not a lick of remorse for what you did to this woman.' Tronnes was charged on August 29, and is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail. Culinaire & Beyond, a leading food and beverage (F&B) consultant, is set to organise a charity dinner at the Capital Club on October 16. The charity dinner is part of the Bahrain Hospitality & Restaurant Expo 2018 (BHRExpo) which is taking place from October 14 to 17 under the patronage of Shaikh Isa Bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. BHRExpo 2018 will include a Culinary Tour, Forum and Exhibition. It will provide participants and exhibitors an opportunity to network and showcase their products and services to key decision makers in the hospitality sector at one of the largest F&B gathering in the Kingdom. This dinner will be a star-studded event with three-Michelin-star chef Heinz Beck coming specially from Italy to recreate his signature Culinary Magic for the Bahraini Audience. This will be Beck's maiden visit to Bahrain and as part of this unique feature of BHRExpo 2018, said a statement from Culinaire & Beyond. Proceeds from this event will be shared with two nominated charities in the kingdom - Breast Cancer Society and Bahrain Cancer Society. Additionally, the expo is hosting the most anticipated, first regional Culinary Competition with the jury consisting of world renowned star chefs, it stated. According to the organisers, the upcoming charity dinner will be a great opportunity for Bahrainis to experience the culinary culture of the Italian people. One of Europes most respected and renowned chef, Beck will be preparing a special menu for the guests with the help of Capital Clubs executive chef and team for what seems to be the most talked about dinner of the month, they added. The German-born chef is also a culinary pioneer who runs La Pergola, Romes only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, along with ten other restaurants around the world. A first-of-its-kind the charity dinner will feature an exclusive, entirely customized menu by the Capital Club team alongside the talented Chef Beck. The guests will be privy to the culinary masters true magic combined with a unique dining experience in the most magnificent setting, the organisers added. In addition to Chef Heinz's customized menu, a surprise menu will be presented to the attendees, demonstrating an innovative approach towards various cuisines that will maintain the respect of culinary traditions. Sumeet Jhingan, the general manager of Capital Club, said: "We are very excited to host the three-Michelin-star chef Beck and the culinary team of Capital Club is enthusiastic to work with world renowned chef for a charity dinner that will feature an exclusive customized menu." The tickets for the exclusive charity dinner event can be purchased at the Capital Club, he stated. "Furthermore, the evening will be open to all our esteemed guests, with key focus on giving 25 per cent of the proceeds to Breast Cancer Society and 25 per cent to Bahrain Cancer Society," said Jhingan. "Those who are interested to become part of this memorable night can get in touch with the Capital Club directly to reserve their seats," he added. "Culinaire and Beyond is ecstatic to work along-side The Capital Club to make this incredible event successful," remarked CEO Leena Ahmed Al Mannai after signing the deal with Jhingan. "The Capital Club always strives to bring communities together through their exceptional support and encouragement towards the growth and development of Bahraini community, be it a business-related activity or leisure," she added.-TradeArabia News Service A British trucker filmed migrant stowaways begging him to stop as he drove down a motorway when they realised he was heading to Holland and not the UK. Ryan Ledgister spotted two migrants climbing in the back of his lorry when he stopped at a petrol station near the French port of Dunkirk on his way to the Netherlands. He said he told the men the vehicle was not going back to Britain but they carried on getting in the HGV. Both were shocked to discover he was heading to Holland rather than returning to Britain and one even began waving out of the back to try and get him to stop when he realised the truck was going in a different direction. Mr Ledgister posted two videos on Facebook, one showing the two men climbing on board his vehicle and the other showing one man trying to get him to slow down by waving his arm out the side of the HGV. But as he sped down the motorway the driver shouted and jeered at the two men, 'oh I told you, I told you I wasn't stopping. You're coming to Holland, you're coming to Holland'. He filmed the two men getting on board the back of the vehicle then again in his rear view mirror as one leaned out the window to try and attract his attention. Alongside the clips Mr Ledgister said he would not normally risk letting anyone get on board as he headed back to Britain because if he got caught he or his employers could be fined through civil penalties. He wrote: 'I told these m****rf****** I'm not stupid enough to stop here on my way home don't waste your time and they didn't listen..... BOY YOU GON LEARRRNNN TODAY.' And: 'I got options but stopping isn't one.' The truck driver claims he told both men he was not heading to Britain when they got aboard as he stopped in a petrol station forecourt on the way to the Netherlands In one of the clips the driver can be heard saying as he records: 'I told these two boys that I'm going to Holland. 'So when they get on, they best hold on tight because I'm not stopping m****rf*****.' As the lorry headed down the motorway it passed a sign that read the town of Veurne in Belgium, which is close to the French border, is just 1,500m away. The 'Jungle' camp, which was around 30 miles from Dunkirk, become a magnet for migrants from all over the world, and at one point housed up to 8000 men, women and children. Since it was burnt to the ground, the French vowed to stop any kind of shantytowns springing up on the northern coast. But after the Calais makeshift camp was closed in October 2016, many thousands of migrants in northern France dispersed across the region and moved further along the coast to smaller less well-guarded towns. One of the stowaways waved out the back of the lorry to try and get the driver to stop because he realised the HGV was heading to Holland and not the UK It is thought the stowaways got on the lorry near the French port of Dunkirk but did not realise they were heading towards Holland rather than the UK until the were on the outskirts of Veurne in Belgium Some claimed asylum in France, others returned to live in Paris, while many more are looking for other ways to reach the UK. An illegal camp close to the French port of Dunkirk was evacuated last month. Riot police began destroying the bivouacs and other makeshift shelters after moving into a wood at Grande-Synthe at 7.30am on Thursday. In February this year at least five migrants were shot during a mass brawl between Afghans and Eritreans in the French port city at a queue for food handouts. It is estimated around 800 migrants from Africa and the Middle East still live in Calais. A little boy who was once suffering from multiple seizures every day has found a small amount of relief through $40,000-a-year medicinal marijuana treatment. Eight-year-old Archer, from Perth, had been having daily seizures since he was five years old due to his epilepsy, in addition to being legally blind, having cerebral palsy and a learning difficulty. His parents, Lisa and Kyle Johnson were at their wits' end, with no treatments the doctors had recommended helping their son. Eight-year-old Archer had been having daily seizures since he was five years old due to his epilepsy, in addition to being legally blind, having cerebral palsy and a learning difficulty His parents, Lisa and Kyle Johnson were at their wits end, with no treatments the doctors had recommended helping their son The couple are currently trying to come up with the funds to continue the expensive treatment, and after chewing through all their savings, are being forced to sell their home. 'We have friends who have been on the oil and had great results, and with legislation passing that we in Australia, can now access medical cannabis, we were very hopeful,' Mrs Johnson told Daily Mail Australia. 'It is surreal. The effect was pretty much immediate. In the past three weeks he has only had two seizures and he was having at least two a day.' 'Arch has been a lot calmer, less irritable and more aware and in the moment. His conversation is flowing and more age appropriate. There are just so many great things that have happened with him being on it for such a short time.' The oil they need, which has almost entirely stopped Archer's seizures, needs to be ordered in from Canada due to supply and demand needs. The family pay $430 every four days for Archer's medication, which totals to $40,000, but are unwilling to give up the only treatment that they've discovered which actually helps their son. The couple are currently trying to come up with the funds to continue the expensive treatment, and are considering selling the family home The expense, which is not subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is forcing many other families onto the black market to purchase the product. Mrs Johnson has created a petition in the hope of finally getting cannabis oil included on the PBS. Cannabis clinics are slowly opening around Australia, however the current restrictions and legal loopholes surrounding medicinal marijuana is forcing growers and buyers to jump through hoops to get access to it. While these growers will eventually be able to drive the cost down, in the meantime, a $40,000 a year bill simply isn't affordable to most families in need. 'It is killing us, the cost of it. But now that we have seen the benefits, we can't not give it to him,' she said. A GoFundMe account has been set up by the family to support Archer's medical needs. Archer has progressed leaps and bounds since starting medicinal marijuana treatment An Irish tourist has pleaded guilty to criminal damage after he used a coin to inscribe his name onto a wall at the Nazi German concentration camp Auschwitz. The 38-year-old Irish national, whose name is not reported, is said to have scratched his name onto the wall during a visit to the site on Sunday because he had seen other people's names on it and thought it was the right thing to do. The man was spotted by the Auschwitz Museum Guards who detained him but he was later released after pleading guilty, according to reports. The Nazi's Auschwitz death camp in occupied Poland which was liberated by the red army on January 27th, 1945 Mariusz Slomka, deputy district prosecutor for Oswiecim, a town close to the Auschwitz site, said: 'The man pleaded guilty. He submitted an application for voluntary submission to the penalty, and then he was released.' The 38-year-old is expected to stand trial in a district court in the town of Oswiecim, a town in the Lesser Poland province in southern Poland which was occupied by Nazi forces during World War II. More than 1.1 million people perished at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War II. Around 1.1 million people died at Auschwitz between 1940 and 1945, the vast majority of whom were European Jews Around 90 per cent of these were European Jews, but among them were Poles, Roma, Soviet POWs and prisoners of other nationalities. Despite repeated appeals from the Auschwitz Museum authorities, there are often cases of property damage and even theft of exhibits by tourists, according to local media. The destruction of a monument of special cultural importance can carry a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment in Poland. A similar incident took place in the summer of 2016, when two 17-year-old Portuguese teenagers damaged the wall of the main gate to the former Auschwitz-Birkenau camp when they engraved their names and surnames into the bricks. They stood before the court who sentenced them to a year imprisonment suspended for two years. The court also entrusted them to the superintendent's supervision and ordered to pay 1,000 zlotys (about 200). A physics teacher has been banned from the classroom for life after flying to Bangladesh to marry a 13-year-old girl when he was 22 and sleeping with her. Joshim Nur, now 34, met her for the first time three days before their 2006 arranged marriage during his summer holidays after watching a video of her made by her father. The victim, named only as Child A, said she had sex with her husband shortly after their wedding night and after settling in the UK she was taken to a family planning clinic and put on the contraceptive pill. Nur was a teacher at the London Nautical School in Blackfriars at the time and has now been struck off. A Teaching Regulation Authority panel sitting in Coventry last month said his claims that he believed she was 18 were 'not credible' especially as his wife said she told him she was 13 and was studying in Year 8 at school. Nur had accused the girl's parents of 'deception' and said he was unaware of her real age until she made a complaint to the police in 2013 and a bone test confirmed she was underage when they married. It is not clear how long the couple stayed together or if they have any children. Joshim Nur, now 34, was part of an arranged marriage to a young girl and was having sex with her when she was still of school age Joshim Nur was a teacher at the London Nautical School from June 2006 when he was aged 22 and flew to Bangladesh to marry a 13-year-old woman and then had sex with her The panel said: 'Mr Nur now accepts that Child A was 13 years old in 2006. However, he maintains that he was unaware of this at the time of their marriage, believing her to be 18 years old. 'Mr Nur does not deny that he had sexual intercourse with Child A during their marriage. This is supported by the evidence of the Family Court Order which identified that "full sexual relations between the mother and father commenced in early part of 2007 when she was only 13 or 14 years of age".' The panel heard he thought she was 18 despite being familiar with the appearance of girls that age as the result of working at the school. The panel saw a written statement from the child who said she had a direct conversation with Nur three days before their arranged marriage in Bangladesh. In the statement she told him she was 13 and studying in Year 8 at school. The girl said prior to this she had been the subject of a video recording taken by Nur's father in which she confirmed the same details - and that she believed Nur had seen the video. The panel said she was consistent in her account in her initial complaint, police interview and the TRA proceedings - and they found her evidence to be compelling and credible. Nur said in written evidence that he was 'deceived' by her family as to his wife's age when they wed. The panel chairman Dr Robert Cawley said: 'He stated he was unaware of her real age until she made a complaint to the police in 2013. Shortly afterwards in Family Court proceedings in 2014 a test was undertaken to determine her real age. 'Mr Nur stated that he had understood his wife was 18 years old at the time of their marriage. The panel saw evidence that this statement was supported by a marriage certificate which was used to apply for a passport for Child A following their marriage. 'The panel did not find it plausible that Mr Nur could have mistaken a 13 year old child for an eighteen year old, and that this misconception continued over a four year period. 'The panel was particularly concerned in light of the fact that he worked in a secondary school and had daily interactions with children of this age.' They heard that the girl said they had sex shortly after they married. She also said she was taken to a family planning clinic in 2007 when aged 13 or 14 and took the Pill every day. The panel found him guilty of engaging in a relationship with Child A and of having sex on more than one occasion when she was under 16 - charges he denied. The hearing was told Nur was 'gifted and valued member of staff' by his headteacher. The panel ruled that Nur 'engaged in a relationship with the girl between August 2006 and April 2009 in circumstances when he should have known she was aged under 16'. The panel said he should have known her age at the time but acknowledged he appeared to be acting under pressure from his family to enter into the marriage - 'given that he met Child A just three days prior to their wedding'. They ruled: 'Mr Nur entered into a marriage and sexual relationship with a 13 year old child. Mr Nur did not demonstrate any insight into his actions or their impact on Child A.' Decision maker Alan Meyrick said: 'In my judgement the lack of insight means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour.' He said Nur will never teach again. One of the novichok poisoners bought a Mercedes from the other in the latest schoolboy error by Putin's bungling GRU intelligence agency. The pair travelled to Salisbury on false passports during the botched operation to kill double agent Sergei Skripal and later insisted on TV that they were just tourists. But their real identities quickly unravelled and the second agent, previously known as Alexander Petrov, was today unmasked as Dr Alexander Mishkin. It comes after his accomplice - who travelled as 'Ruslan Boshirov' - was revealed to be GRU Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga. In yet another example of the pair's failure to cover their tracks, Russian vehicle records reveal that Chepiga sold a Mercedes-Benz GLS 350 to Mishkin in September last year, according to the Russian investigative website Conflict Intelligence Team. Bellingcat revealed Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin travelled to Salisbury under the alias Alexander Petrov A Russian investigate website today published an apparent image of Mishkin's driving licence It is claimed that vehicle records show he bought this Mercedes from the other novichok assassin, Anatoliy Chepiga, in another example of pair failing to cover their tracks It comes after investigators Bellingcat reported that Mishkin's grandmother has a picture of her grandson with Putin receiving his 'Hero of Russia' award and Gold Star medal in 2014 - but she has now mysteriously disappeared. Investigators travelled to his home village 400 miles from Moscow where family and neighbours confirmed his identity. They said his elderly grandmother regularly shows off a 'treasured' picture of her grandson shaking hands with the Russian President. Both spies had travelled to Salisbury on 'perfect' passports issued by the Russian state and visas issued after 'pressure' was allegedly placed on British embassy staff. Yet the pair outed themselves because they gave their addresses as the GRU's headquarters in Moscow. Mishkin, whose Volvo XC90 is also registered at the spy building, even used his first name and real date of birth for his alias in a yet another embarrassment for Putin's secret services. Both Chepiga and Mishkin, Bellingcat say, were given plush apartments in Moscow around the time they were awarded the 'Hero of Russian' medals for their activities in the Ukraine. The lavish homes - presumably a reward for their loyalty to the Russian state - are a different world from the tiny villages where both Chepiga and Mishkin grew up. Investigators have been to Mishkin's home village 400 miles from Moscow (pictured), which has no paved roads and his grandmother who lives there has no vanished The passport of Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin. Dr Mishkin travelled to Salisbury with Anatoliy Chepiga and experts have used facial recognition software to confirm Mishkin is Petrov GRU Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga travelled to Britain under the alias Ruslan Boshirov and both men outed themselves, investigators have said Now Russians claim 'strange pair' were trafficking steroids A Russian politician has claimed the novichok agents were in fact criminals buying drugs for bodybuilders during their visit to Britain. Kremlin loyalist Sergei Markov (pictured, below) repeated the claims that the GRU was not involved in poisoning Sergei Skripal. But he offered a new Russian line on the attack today - that 'Boshirov and Petrov' were buying steroids for Russian athletes. Mr Markov told Sky News: 'I think they are semi-criminal couriers who came to Great Britain to buy doping materials for Russian bodybuilders.' The bizarre theory is the latest of scores of claims put forward by the Kremlin since the nerve agent attack, in a campaign described as 'obfuscation and lies' by Theresa May. Advertisement Christo Grozev, from Bellingcat, told MPs that Alexander Mishkin was honoured by the Russian government in autumn 2014 for his work in Ukraine - the same year as Chepiga. Bellingcat's Mr Grozev said that their team of investigators went to Russia to Loyga in Arkhangelsk Oblast, where Mishkin's own family came confirmed his identity. He said: 'They confirmed that their homeboy Alexander Mishkin was the person who moved on to military school and then became a famous military doctor, and who received the award of Hero of the Russian Federation personally from President Putin. He told a news conference in the Houses of Parliament: 'His grandmother with whom he grew up who happens to be medical professional has a photograph, in her own words, that has been seen by everybody in the village, of President Putin shaking Mishkin's hand and giving him the award.' Chepiga was made Hero of the Russian Federation by decree of the president during a secret ceremony in the same year as his fellow assassin. Mishkin grew up in the snowy Russian village of Loyga, a snowy part of North eastern Russia which is covered by a permafrost for 11 months of the year. He and his partner in crime Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga both told the Russian state propaganda channel RT that they were in Britain because they wanted to visit Stonehenge, but they had to abandon their trip because of the snow and 'muddy slush'. But today Bellingcat revealed that Mishkin would have been very used to finding his way through the snow, which falls thickly in his home village. The hitman who used the name 'Boshirov' has already been revealed as Col Anatoly Chepiga CCTV image of Russian nationals Dr Alexander Mishkin (right) and Anatoliy Chepiga (left), pictured in Salisbury grinning after bungling their mission British politicians to be exposed for their links with Putin's Russia, Tory MP claims Tory MP Bob Seely (pictured in the Commons earlier this year) said the list - which includes peers sitting in the House of Lords - could be exposed within weeks A group of British politicians are about to be outed for their ties to Putin's Russia, a Tory MP today said. Bob Seely said the list - which includes peers sitting in the House of Lords - could be exposed within weeks. Mr Seely, who is a Russia security expert, declined to name the politicians. He said that while they are not on a Soviet-style spy list, they are suspected of having overstepped the mark with their ties to Putins state. He told BBC Radio 4s World at One: There are some parliamentarians who are, apparently from what I hear, going to be mentioned in a letter which is going to be made public in the next few weeks. I dont have more detail at the moment. I am pretty sure I know who the parliamentarians are but Ive been told in confidence so I cant say now. But that will probably generate some interest at the time and I think there is going to be some further action by government agencies on this front in the next few months.' Asked if there is a risk of a witch hunt against those with links to Russia he said: The Brits and the Russians tend to get on rather well and this is not the Russian people. This is the Kremlins political warfare, declared by President Putin in 2007 against the western liberal democracy for a variety of complex reasons. I quite agree you have to be careful. You are talking about people they havent got some Soviet era workbook, they are probably not on some KGB list that says these are our spies in the UK. They are people who probably stepped a mark over, and probably have worked for Russian oligarchs in the past. You are assuming its very black and white and I think nowadays there are shades of grey that do get manipulated. Open societies are facing a threat from closed and authoritarian societies who want to use our freedoms to damage us. And this is a more subtle threat than the Cold War and we need to get our heads around it. Advertisement Pointing to the picture of the home Mishkin grew up in, Mr Grozev said: 'He was born in Loyga in 1979 in a mountainous region of Russia. A tiny, tiny village.. 'It is a village in the middle of nowhere, it I on marshland here is literally no road access to the rest of Russia. 'We focused on the street where he grew up this phot was taken yesterday. This is literally the street where he drew up. It is muddy and slushy and that's exactly what he said he cannot tolerate. 'This is a village in Russia in permafrost and snow for about eleven and a half months of the year.' Today journalists from Bellingcat appeared in Parliament to reveal how they found out their identities. Amid a series of embarrassing failures President Putin personally gave a dressing down to the head of Russian spy agency GRU over 'deep incompetence' shown in the Salisbury poisonings and other international operations, it emerged today. GRU chief Col-Gen Igor Korobov, 62, reportedly emerged shaken and in sudden 'ill health' after his confrontation with the furious Russian president. Korobov's telling off came as the second Salisbury suspect was named as a GRU doctor, who gave himself away by using his first name and real date of birth on his fake identity passport. Dr Alexander Mishkin's false identification papers also listed GRU headquarters in Moscow as his home address. The identification of the novichok poisoning spook came as Russian Defence Ministry officials reportedly met with senior GRU staff to blast them over the agency's recent foreign operations. The secret meeting on Saturday reportedly heard furious accusations over the 'morons' behind missions in Britain, the Netherlands and the US. Those in charge of the catastrophic blunders were denounced for their 'deep incompetence' and 'infinite carelessness'. They were taunted: 'Why didn't you just wear Budenovka hats?' referring to the hats emblazoned with the Red star which were part of the Communist military uniform after the Russian Revolution. Yesterday, investigative website Bellingcat, who also outed the first Salisbury suspect Ruslan Boshirov as Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga, revealed the true identity of the second suspect. Russian documents including and facial recognition experts have been used to confirm that Alexander Petrov is actually Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin, a trained military doctor in the GRU intelligence services. Bungling Dr Mishkin even used his own birth date and first names of his parents as part of his undercover identity as Alexander Petrov, and registered his home address as Khoroshevskoe Shosse 76B in Moscow - the headquarters of Putin's elite military intelligence services. Fuming: President Vladimir Putin is said to be fuming over the way his spy agency have been handling foreign operations, including the novichok poisoning in the UK Alexander Petrov (pictured right) has now been revealed as Dr Alexander Mishkin. Ruslan Boshirov (pictured left) was revealed two weeks ago as Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga Telling off: The head of GRU, Col-Gen Igor Korobov, 62, reportedly emerged shaken and in sudden 'ill health' after being given a dressing down by the President himself Dr Mishkin was born in northern European Russia and graduated from the elite Military Medical Academies. He trained as a doctor for the Russian naval armed forces before being recruited by GRU, moving to Moscow in 2010, and assuming his undercover identity of Alexander Petrov. Bellingcat report author Christo Grozev outside Parliament today after briefing MPs about how they id'd the Salisbury poisoners Mishkin is said to have travelled extensively under his new identity, including making multiple trips to Ukraine. The website said: 'Bellingcat's identification process included multiple open sources, testimony from people familiar with the person, as well as copies of personally identifying documents, including a scanned copy of his passport.' Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by the chemical agent called novichok in Salisbury in March, leaving them critically ill in hospital. Dawn Sturgess, 44, was inadvertently poisoned when she discovered a perfume bottle filled with the deadly novichok nerve agent used on the Skripals, she later died. Conservative MP and Russia analyst Bob Seely said: 'This is yet another remarkable investigation by the Bellingcat team of digital detectives. 'It is appalling that a medical doctor appears to have been part of a team of GRU operatives that attempted to deliver a lethal poison to their target - and accidentally killed another person by mistake. 'Whilst this operation has been a botched embarrassment for the Kremlin from beginning to end, it worth remembering that we may not know about the GRU's successful operations and therefore shouldn't judge the GRU alone by their failures. 'The Government has shown strong resolve thus far, but it is yet more evidence that the UK needs to develop a long-term plan to understand and expose Russian subversion, as well as identifying the steps needed to protect our democracy.' Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by the chemical agent called novichok in Salisbury in March, leaving them critically ill in hospital The Skripal case and last week's revelations that the GRU also allegedly tried to hack into the world's chemical weapons watchdog in the Netherlands have further tattered Moscow's strained ties with the West. Last week Vladimir Putin lashed out at Sergei Skripal branding him a 'scumbag' and a 'traitor'. Dawn Sturgess died following exposure to the nerve agent Novichok in southwest England, four months after the same type of chemical was used against Sergei Skripal and his daughter The Kremlin has continued to denied it was behind the nerve agent attack on Skripal, a former double agent who sold Russian secrets to the British. But former KGB agent Putin reaffirmed his views on those who betray Russia last week in a furious outburst about Mr Skripal. Putin told an energy forum in Moscow: 'He is just a spy, a traitor to the motherland... He is just a scumbag.' Bellingcat last month revealed Boshirov was actually Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga. It was also revealed he was made a Hero of the Russian Federation by decree of the president during a secret ceremony in 2014. The disclosure, uncovered by Bellingcat in conjunction with The Telegraph, exposed Putin's claims that the Skripals' would-be killers were innocent 'civilians'. Col Chepiga and Dr Mishkin were charged over the March poisonings by the Crown Prosecution Service, but later appeared on Kremlin-funded news channel RT to reveal their bizarre cover story, prompting worldwide derision. Theresa May attacks Putin at the UN for his 'desperate fabrication' over the Salisbury spy poisoning The Prime Minister attacked Russia for its 'desperate fabrication' over the Salisbury spy poisoning as she addressed world leaders in New York in September. Britain has set out detailed evidence about the prime suspects in the nerve agent attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia while Russia has only sought to 'obfuscate', she said. Theresa May lambasted Russia for its 'desperate fabrication' over the Salisbury poisoning while addressing the General Assembly of the UN on Wednesday Mrs May told the United Nations Security Council: 'We have taken appropriate action, with our allies, and we will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure our collective security. Russia has only sought to obfuscate through desperate fabrication.' Mrs May called on Russia to rejoin the international consensus against the use of chemical weapons and said there should be no doubt of the international community's determination to take action if it did not. She said: 'We cannot let the framework be undermined today by those who reject the values and disregard the rules that have kept us safe. 'It will take collective engagement to reinforce it in the face of today's challenges. And in this, as has always been the case, the UK will play a leading role.' Advertisement Calling themselves tourists, they said they were only wandering around Salisbury after failing to get to Stonehenge because of snow, and stumbled on the Skripals' house - as shown on CCTV - because they were looking for Salisbury Cathedral, which has a 400ft spire and is 25 minutes in the other direction. The pair also refused to say why they booked into an east London hotel 127 miles away - or why it contained traces of Novichok - and failed to explain why they appeared to have no luggage when they hastily travelled home to Russia. RT even suggested the suspects weren't trained killers - hinting they were gay lovers on a romantic break because they had 'little beards, short hair cuts and tight pants'. Their claims were dismissed as 'lies and blatant fabrications' by Downing Street, and looked farcical in the light of the revelations about Chepiga's military links. He was eventually unmasked following a painstaking investigating relying on passport files, leaked address lists and public military information. Bellingcat is set to reveal how they unmasked Dr Mishkin on Tuesday. Now looking even more shaky... The 'farcical' RT interview that saw the would-be assassins claim they were innocent civilians Revelations about the military background of Colonel Anatoliy Vladimirovich Chepiga make the interview he gave to RT in September alongside the second suspected assassin Alexander Petrov appear even more farcical. Observers quickly pointed out a number of gaping holes in their story, including: The 'accidental' visit to Skripal's home CCTV released by police places the two suspects at Sergei Skripal's suburban house. Today the men admitted they may have ended up there - but claimed it was an accident. The property, which had Novichok smeared on the door, is 25 minutes away from the city centre and its cathedral - which the men said they were there to see. Ruslan Boshirov said: 'Maybe we passed it, or maybe we didn't. I'd never heard about them before this nightmare started. I'd never heard this name before. I didn't know anything about them'. The hotel 127 miles from Salisbury Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were guests at the City Stay Hotel in Bow, East London, before poisoning Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The Metropolitan Police confirmed today that 'low' levels of the nerve agent were found in the two-star 48 a night hotel in May. The men chose a spot some distance from Waterloo - the main rail route to Salisbury - despite making the Wiltshire city the focus of their visit. It is 127 miles from Salisbury. The 'bad' weather Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov claimed that they only stayed in Salisbury because of heavy snow. The pair visited days after the Beast from the East hit Britain bringing unseasonably cold weather. Describing the condition Boshirov said: 'It was impossible to get anywhere because of the snow. We were drenched up to our knees'. But CCTV pictures of the men shows the pavements were largely clear of snow. They also told RT that it snowed in the city that afternoon, but weather maps from that day show sunshine and clear skies. The missing luggage The men went straight from Salisbury to Heathrow for the evening flight. But CCTV suggested that they did not have any luggage with them on their way home. Advertisement The widow of a cancer sufferer who died after being treated by a doctor since sacked and suspended over his 'experimental' methods said he put his career before her husband. Graham Stoten, of Reigate, Surrey, is one of 10 patients whose deaths are being examined by a coroner in Sussex after they were treated by Paul Miller. Mr Miller has been accused of using unorthodox methods to treat patients with bladder and prostate cancers before he was dismissed by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in October 2014. The widow of a cancer patient who died after he was treated by Paul Miller (pictured) has said the doctor seemed more interested in his career than in her husband's welfare Giving evidence at the joint inquest today, Debbie Stoten, Mr Stoten's widow, said the NHS consultant had angrily reacted to her when she tried to investigate the experimental treatment he suggested for her husband. She said that Mr Miller called her after she had asked nurses to investigate the 'photodynamic therapy' being offered to her husband to treat his bladder cancer. Mrs Stoten told the coroner: 'He was very aggressive to me and intimidating in his tone. He said Catherine (the nurse) had accused him of not offering Graham the right treatment and said we thought it was experimental. 'He raised his voice and said sarcastically: "If you want Graham to have a cystectomy (bladder removal), then let's get on with it". 'I felt nervous and foolish and I thought, well he is the consultant, and so I foolishly agreed that he should have the experimental treatment that he recommended.' Mrs Stoten said Mr Miller had also called her on the day he had been dismissed by the hospital. She told the inquest: 'He told me he had just been suspended over the treatment of Graham. He said the hospital would use Graham's case as a whip to beat him with and asked if I thought that was fair.' Mr Miller was sacked by East Surrey Hospital in Redhill in 2014. A coroner is now looking into the deaths of 10 patients in his care She told him that her husband's condition had worsened and that he was passing blood and in pain. 'He said, quite flippantly: "Old people can live with that",' Mrs Stoten told the coroner. She added: 'We were shocked and he was only interested in his career. He didn't demonstrate any concern for Graham.' George Hugh Jones QC, representing Mr Miller, said he hadn't said 'old people can live with that'. Mr Jones insisted Mr Miller had been told by the couple that they did not want Mr Stoten to have cystectomy. Dr Karen Henderson, assistant West Sussex Coroner is also looking at the deaths of Alan Burgess, 72 years, Frederick Le Vallois, 71, Jose Cressy, 76, Keith Reynolds, 68, Leslie Owers, 75, Lilian Cole, 82, Martin Turner, 86, Renfried Avery, 80 and Ian Spurgeon, 85. The patients died between 2004 and 2015. Mr Miller was dismissed in October 2014 and the General Medical Council suspended his licence to practise medicine the following month. But the watchdog has since lifted the ban, meaning he can practise if he abides by certain conditions including not treating cancer patients. It is understood he sometimes works in Los Angeles and Barcelona, and has no plans to return to practise in the UK. However, he still keeps a house here. The hearing continues. Ten people working for the contractor responsible for the fire alarms at Grenfell Tower have been charged after an investigation into defective safety equipment installed in hundreds of London homes. Scotland Yard's complex fraud team has swooped after spending four years probing housing company Lakehouse and their work in Hackney in 2014. Their inquiry is said to be linked to a 184million government grant to improve alarms and emergency lighting in council homes. Hackney Council found that some of Lakehouse's fire safety work was 'defective, including incorrectly installed alarms and emergency lighting systems' - a claim the company denied. Lakehouse, the housing firm responsible for the fire alarms at Grenfell Tower (pictured), is at the centre of a Met fraud probe But council bosses then wrote to 166 local authorities asking them to inspect work done by Lakehouse and its subcontractor Polyteck, according to the Evening Standard. Lakehouse, which was also responsible for fire alarms at Grenfell Tower, said today: It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing criminal investigation'. Polyteck has no links to Grenfell. Today Scotland Yard has revealed it has charged ten people with a variety of offences. Contract managers Andrew Langston, 40, and Lee David Wylie, 46, are charged with bribery and theft. Their partners Josephine Ashley-Russell, 37, and Sarah Kipping, 46, are accused of money laundering. Leslie Ratty, 67, faces the same charge. Polyteck MD Costantinos Polycarpou, 40, and his company chairman father Yiannakis, 63, have been charged with bribery. Mark Middleton, 51, Stephen Ellis, 49, and Richard Lee, 43, are also accused of bribery and theft. All ten are due to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on 6 November 2018. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'In 2014 the Borough of Hackney referred an allegation of fraud to the Met. A total of 10 people have now been charged'. The chilling moment an unknown gunman escapes by motorbike after firing three bullets through the window of a 22-year-old model's car has been caught on CCTV. Tara Fares was killed in broad daylight on 27 September while driving her Porsche through the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The newly released footage shows her car rolling down a narrow residential street in the Camp Sarah neighbourhood right after the gunman is driven away by an accomplice on a motorbike. Tara Fares, 22, (pictured) was shot dead in her Porsche in a residential Baghdad street. A gunman blasted her three times in broad daylight before escaping on a motorbike ridden by an accomplice The car then rolls to gradual stop as passer-by runs towards it. The former Miss Baghdad had more than 2.6 million followers and was known for her outspoken comments on freedom, life and religion. A statement released on October 7 by the Interior Ministry, which is investigating Fares' death, said that she was killed by an known 'criminal extremist group'. The ministry did not say whether the gunmen have been detained. CCTV footage from the Baghdad street where Fares was killed shows the gunman at the window of her car (L) before running away and jumping on the back of a motorbike (R) Interior Ministry officials did not say whether the gunman and accomplice who drove the motorbike had been apprehended Fares' death came just two days after civil rights activist Suad al-Ali was also shot dead in the middle of the day by an unidentified man in her native southern city of Basra. A video posted online appeared to show an unidentified man opening fire as she got into a car near a supermarket. Her driver was also shot in the back. A month earlier, on August 17, Rafeef al-Yassiri, a famous plastic surgeon dubbed 'Iraq's barbie' and owner of a specialised beauty spa 'The Barbie Clinic' was found dead in mysterious circumstances at her home. Authorities initially said al-Yassiri was killed by a drug overdose, but have not offered an update in over a month, leading to rumours that she might have been poisoned. She was also well-known for posting images of herself on social media. And a week after that, on August 24, Rasha al-Hassan, the manager and owner of a beauty centre in Baghdad, was also found dead at home. Authorities initially said she had a heart attack. All three women were known for their humanitarian efforts and their support for human right cases. The circumstances of their deaths remain unknown. Activist Suad al-Ali (L) was shot dead in the middle of the day by an unidentified man Basra, while Dr Rafeef al-Yassiri (R) died in suspicious circumstances the month before Rasha al-Hassan, the owner of a well-known beauty centre in Baghdad, was found dead in her home. Authorities initially said she had a heart attack Although it is not clear if any of the deaths are connected, women's rights activist Hanaa Edwar said all four women, including Fares, were targeted to prevent them from being part of Iraqi public life. 'The move was meant to stop the transition from extremism and social isolation to an open horizon where women can efficiently participate in social life through humanitarian, communal and human rights activities,' Edwar said. 'All the victims are public figures and because they are public figures there should be a clear explanation about why this happened to them because anxiety is mounting among young men and women,' she added. Shimaa Qasim (pictured) was given the chilling threat after model and social media star Tara Fares, 22, was shot dead in her Porsche at traffic lights Edwar called on the Iraqi Interior Ministry to reveal the findings of the investigation into Fares' death to ease public fears and prevent more women from retreating from public life out of fear of being targeted. Local media reports also described women as being 'targeted' and described the four deaths as 'killings'. A recent decrease of the influence of conservative Islamists who came to power after 2003 encouraged a number of young women to enter the modelling industry despite the challenges, including restrictions on what clothes to display and routine online abuse. However many have now started to rethink their decision in the wake of the high-profile killings. Haider Issam Nahdi Younis, who manages social media accounts for Iraqi celebrities, said some artists and models have closed their social media accounts after receiving death threats following the deaths of the four Iraqi women. 'You can say that they are keeping a low profile and waiting for the dust to settle in Iraq,' Younis said. Shimaa Qasim, a former Miss Iraq was warned 'You're next' after the death of Tara Fares. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered intelligence officers to investigate links between the killings and the threat against women in the public eye who live a Western lifestyle. In a statement following Fares' death, he spoke of 'evidence suggesting that there is a plan formulated by organised parties to undermine security under the pretext of fighting against depravity'. Miss Qasim, a 23-year-old TV host who was crowned Miss Iraq in 2015, posted an emotional video on her Instagram feed, in which she described Miss Fares as a martyr and said successful women in Iraq faced 'being slaughtered like chickens'. Miss Fares had received a torrent of online insults from Islamic hardliners over her perceived lack of modesty. Fans of the former beauty queen, fashion model and social media star Tara Fares left flowers and candles at her gravesite, in Najaf, Iraq. Fares won fame in conservative, Muslim-majority Iraq with outspoken opinions on personal freedom The war-ravaged country is fighting to keep Islamic State extremists out of major cities after they fled to the desert. The violence has raised fears of a return to the kind of attacks on prominent figures that plagued the country at the height of its sectarian strife. Human rights activist Hana Adwar said: 'These harrowing crimes are worrying. 'There are groups that want to terrify society through the killing of popular women and activists, and tell other women to abandon their work and stay at home.' While many young Iraqis shared the videos and pictures posted by Tara Fares, others criticised her as provocative and un-Islamic. Miss Fares, who was half Iraqi and half Lebanese, became famous in 2015 when she won a beauty pageant in Baghdad. It made her a social media pin-up, and glamorous photos of herself wearing make-up, jeans and revealing blouses that showed off her tattoos attracted 2.7million Instagram fans. Her YouTube channel, on which she shared make-up tips, drew more than 120,000 followers. She spoke openly of a brief marriage at 16 to an abusive husband who posted intimate photos of her on social media and took away their son, who is now three. She also spoke out against religious, tribal and political leaders. While many young Iraqis shared her videos and pictures, others criticised her as provocative and un-Islamic. WHO ARE THE FOUR HIGH-PROFILE IRAQI WOMEN KILLED? Tara Fares' death, along with the slaying of a female activist and the mysterious deaths of two well-known beauty experts have shocked Iraq, They have raised fears of a return to the kind of attacks on prominent figures that plagued Iraq at the height of its sectarian strife. TARA FARES Tara Fares won fame as much for her outspoken social media comments on personal freedom as her daring outfits in the conservative, Muslim-majority country. The former beauty queen and fashion model was shot dead at the wheel of her Porsche in Baghdad on September 27 in broad daylight by a man who leaned into her car and opened fire before escaping on a motorcycle with an accomplice. Ms Fares, 22, who had an Iraqi father and a Lebanese mother, first became famous in 2015 when she won an unofficial Baghdad beauty pageant organised by a social club. Tara Fares was shot dead at the wheel of her Porsche in Baghdad on September 27 She became a social media darling, attracting 2.2 million followers with bold posts and photos of herself wearing make-up, jeans and blouses that showed off her tattoos. A YouTube channel drew more than 120,000 followers in addition to those on Instagram, where she shared make-up tips. She gave details of a brief marriage at 16 to an abusive husband who posted intimate photos of her on social media and took away their now three-year-old son. Fares said the experience taught her 'strength and how not to let anyone control me in anything'. Ms Fares also spoke out occasionally against religious, tribal and political leaders. While many young Iraqis shared her videos and pictures, others criticised her lifestyle as provocative and un-Islamic. She lived in Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region with her family, visiting Baghdad from time to time. In a TV interview this year, she said her family had converted to Islam in 2002. Hours after she was gunned down on September 27, a video on social media showed her body being carried away by a group of young people, with her face and white shirt stained with blood. She was buried in the Shia holy city of Najaf. DR RAFIF AL-YASSIRI Dr Rafif al-Yassiri, a plastic surgeon labelled 'Iraq's Barbie' who also posted images of herself on social media, died under mysterious circumstances on August 16. Authorities initially called it a drug overdose but have not offered an update in over a month, leading to rumours she might have been poisoned. She ran successful plastic surgery clinic in Baghdad and become known to the wider public as a TV doctor. The 32-year-old was also an activist and charity ambassador. RASHA AL-HASSAN Rasha al-Hassan, the owner of a well-known beauty centre in Baghdad, was found dead in her home a week after Dr Rafeef al-Yassiri's death. Authorities initially said she had suffered a heart attack. Rasha al-Hassan, the owner of a well-known beauty centre in Baghdad, was found dead in her home SOAD AL-ALI On September 25, a gunman killed Soad al-Ali, a prominent activist in the southern city of Basra. Ms al-Ali had organised protests demanding better services and jobs and decried the growing influence of Iran-backed Shia militias in the area. Police said the killing was 'purely personal' and had nothing to do with the protests. They opened an investigation and pointed the finger at her ex-husband, who is on the run. A gunman killed Soad al-Ali, a prominent activist in the southern city of Basra last month Advertisement One stylist who speaks under the assumed name of Safaa Nasser said an 'organised network' was behind the 'premeditated' killings, and revealed that she had changed her behaviour over safety fears. Miss Nasser, who organised fashion shows, added: 'My daughters and I go out less and I stay away from the fashion world. 'There are people who don't want Iraq to develop or for women to be visible. They want to take us backwards.' Advertisement These images capture the haunting beauty of Africa's tallest residential building, which ended up in such disrepair it was branded a 'vertical slum'. The 55-storey Ponte City tower is 567ft tall and located in a suburb of Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. It's dystopian appearance has seen the skyscraper used as a filming location for sci-fi thrillers District 9 and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. Sky high: The 55-storey Ponte City tower in Johannesburg, South Africa looms over the city from the suburb of Berea One of a kind: The unique building has been used as a filming location for several sci-fi thrillers such as District 9 and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. Don't look down: This photo taken from the top of the building shows dozens of the floors below in the tower Photos taken from inside the towering building shows the circular floors ascending towards the blinding daylight, making them appear to have been shot from the bottom of a well. Architect Dimitar Karanikolov, 42, from London, went on a tour of the building during a visit to South Africa in May this year. Mr Karanikolov said: 'Ponte city tower is probably the most amazing and also terrifying piece of dystopian architecture I've ever seen.' Built in 1975, the cylindrical skyscraper was intended to be a prime location in what was then considered an up-and-coming area of Johannesburg. But a steep rise in crime in the 1990s saw gangs move in, turning Ponte City into a 'vertical slum'. Derelict past: As crime rates rose and the standard of living fell in the tower, rubbish began piling up in the hollow centre of the building, reportedly once reaching the fifth floor Coming back: Following efforts to renovate the tower, residents have begun to return to Ponte City Sky is the limit: The 55-floor skyscraper is the tallest residential skyscraper on the entire African continent Look up: The uneven rock floor at the bottom of the cylindrical building is part of the design of the tower As the building fell further into decay and disrepair, its hollow centre was reportedly filled with so much rubbish that it reached to the fifth floor, and at one point, there were even proposals to turn it into a high-rise prison. And although the building has been renovated in recent years - with residents gradually returning - the area still has its problems. Dimitar said: 'We were told we should not go alone in this neighbourhood and especially this building as it is too dangerous. 'Even our taxi driver was surprised we wanted to get to this part of the town.' He eventually arranged to go with Dlala Nje, an organisation that works with children in the area and does guided tours of the tower, and was able to take these stunning photos. Tower of firsts: The Ponte City tower was the first ever cylindrical skyscraper in Africa, as well as being the tallest Distinctive style: The building has strict lines and was primarily designed by architect Mannie Feldman in 1975 Google designer Dave Hogue wrote a Twitter post railing against Republicans A senior designer at Google launched into an anti-Republican rant over Twitter as Brett Kavanaugh was sworn on to the Supreme Court on Saturday. Dave Hogue, who identifies himself as a lead user experience designer, told GOP senators 'f*** you all to hell' after they voted to add Kavanaugh to the court. Hogue, whose Twitter feed is filled with anti-Trump and Republican-bashing messages, has since deleted the tweet and apologized for his language - but stood by the emotion behind his message. The message comes amid accusations from Republicans and President Trump that online giants such as Google are biased against them. Dave Hogue, a senior user experience designer for Google, launched into a vicious attack on GOP senators following the vote which approved Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Hogue later deleted the tweet but uploaded a second message defending himself, though he did apologize for his lack of eloquence The message comes amid accusations from Republicans and President Trump that online giants such as Google are biased against them. Hogue's initial tweet was posted around 2pm on Saturday, in which he wrote: 'You are finished, GOP. You polished the final nail for your own coffins. 'F***. YOU. ALL. TO. HELL. 'I hope the last images burned into your slimy, evil, treasonous retinas are millions of women laughing and clapping and celebrating as your souls descend into the flames.' After the tweet was picked up by conservative news outlets Hogue deleted it, but uploaded a second message the following day in which he defended himself. He said: 'Yes, I deleted that tweet. Yes, those opinions are mine personally, and I am responsible for them. Yes, I should have been more eloquent and less condemning. 'Yes, I still believe the @GOP is wrong and not serving your best interests. Yes, I still believe we can do much better.' A Google spokesman didn't comment on Hogue's rant, other than to say employee's personal views 'have no bearing on the way we build or operate our products.' Hogue's Twitter feed is littered with attacks on Republicans, often laden with expletives, while he also puts pressure on young people to vote in November In other tweets, all sent in the last few days, Hogue repeatedly attacks Republicans, saying 'they take delight when others are harmed, when others suffer, when others are mocked.' He also pressures young people to vote in the upcoming mid-terms, saying that they will get 'abso-f***ing-lutely nothing' if they don't. President Trump has accused Google of promoting bad news about him online, complaining that social media bias is a bigger problem than fake news. At the end of August, Trump unloaded on the search giant in a pair of tweets when he wrote: 'Google search results for Trump News shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake News Media. 'In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out. Illegal? '96% of results on Trump News are from National Left-Wing Media, very dangerous. Google & others are suppressing voices of Conservatives and hiding information and news that is good. Kavanaugh was sworn in on Monday in a ceremony watched by President Trump, who has previously accused tech companies of being biased against him Facebook's COO Sheryl Sanderberg and Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey were called to the Senate to testify about social media bias last month. Google CEO Sundar Pichai refused to attend 'They are controlling what we can & cannot see. This is a very serious situation-will be addressed!' The President's criticisms came after a string of conservative and right-wing internet figures claimed they were being effectively silenced by social media giants who made accessing their content difficult. Social media executives have been summoned to several hearings over the issue on Capitol Hill, including a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing last month. Google refused to send either CEO Sundar Pichai or Larry Page, CEO of parent company Alphabet, to the meeting and offered its top lawyer instead. When senators declined the offer, the tech company was given the 'empty chair' treatment. Facebook sent COO Sheryl Sandberg, while Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey also attended. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced a multiple development agreement (MDA) with existing partner GS Star GmbH to bring 15 avid hotels to the German market. This marks a significant milestone in launching avid hotels, IHGs new mainstream brand in Europe for the first time. Germany is a priority market for IHG with 122 hotels already open or in the development pipeline. Strong growth momentum of 50 new signings since 2015 has been driven by IHGs 11 active MDA partners, which has expanded IHGs mainstream presence in Germany particularly with the Holiday Inn and Holiday Express brands. IHG has also been creating wider growth opportunities in the boutique, upscale and luxury markets with the first property for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in Germany signed in 2018 and a doubling of the Hotel Indigo footprint with three new openings by 2020. IHG is now seeking to build further on this hotel growth momentum in Germany with the ambition for avid hotels to become one of their biggest brands in Germany. The deal signed today at Expo Real in Munich between IHG and GS Star is the first important step in realising this ambition. Under the structure of the MDA, hotels will be signed within three years and opened within five. The first new-build avid hotel is planned to open by 2020. GS Star has been selected as a proven MDA partner with existing experience of developing IHGs mainstream hotels in German priority target cities. Announcing the deal at a signing ceremony at Expo Real in Munich, Kenneth Macpherson, chief executive officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, said: Avid hotels has seen strong signings in the US, Canada and Mexico, making it IHGs most successful new brand launch since Holiday Inn Express back in 1990. We are now excited to bring avid hotels to Germany where our proactive development approach has delivered exceptional growth in recent years. "GS Star is the ideal launch partner, with a strong track record in mainstream growth opportunities they are well placed to introduce this new, exciting brand to our guests in Germany. Andreas Erben, GS Star, said: We are delighted to be the first to market in Europe with this new brand from IHG, which has the potential to be a strong mainstream growth vehicle. It is a compelling guest offer, removing the frustrations of everyday travel. Attractive development costs matched with an efficient operating model will support quick growth of the concept in major Germany cities. "Weve previously benefited from IHGs comprehensive in-market franchise support and know the commitment they have to delivering commercial success in partnership with their owners. Avid hotels, launched by IHG only last year, has already received strong owner interest in the US, Canada and Mexico with 130 signings. The first avid hotels property opened in August this year in Oklahoma City. The avid hotels brand is focused on satisfying guests demands for accommodation basics done exceptionally well and on delivering a consistent and differentiated experience on four key areas; Rooms designed for sound sleep Delivering a best-in-class sleep experience, with rooms intentionally designed for reliable rest. This includes a high-quality mattress and linens, choice of firm and soft pillows, blackout roller shades and a purposeful design that reduces noise. Focused, complimentary grab-and-go breakfast A select number of high-quality, brand-name options, will be offered for guests to grab-and-go or enjoy in the lobby, alongside a complimentary premium bean-to-cup coffee experience available 24 hours a day. Plus a well-curated 24-hour market offering food, drinks and everyday essentials. Latest technology The avid hotels brand will leverage the latest in technology to enable a seamless experience for our guests including next-generation reservation system and IHG Connect enhanced Wi-Fi technology. The avid hotels guarantee the brand is committed to great stays and has developed the avid hotels guarantee to ensure that the room will be just right upon arrival so that guests can rest assured that they made the right decision by choosing avid hotels. - TradeArabia News Service New Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh took his seat on the high court Tuesday, sitting on the far right side of the bench, in the spot reserved for the most junior justice. Kavanaugh entered the courtroom shortly after 10 a.m. His wife and daughters were in the room to watch his first official day as a justice on the highest court in the land. A seat on the far right is appropriate for the conservative new judge, who is expected to shift the court in that direction after replacing retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was often a swing vote on cases. Chief Justice John Roberts opened the hearing saying it was a 'great pleasure' to welcome Kavanaugh. 'We wish you a long and happy career in our common calling,' Roberts said. This courtroom sketch depicts Attorney Brenda G. Bryn, far right, speaking in front Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr., Associate Justice Elena Kagan and Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, at the Supreme Court on Tuesday New Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh leaves his home Tuesday morning for his first official day on the job Brett Kavanaugh had a ceremonial swearing in at the White House Monday night by retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, while his wife Ashley held the bible and President Trump looked on with Kavanaugh's daughters Margaret and Liza White House Counsel Don McGahn, Supreme Court Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer attend the swearing-in ceremony at the White House on Monday Activists protest in front of the Supreme Court on Brett Kavanaugh first day on the bench Kennedy was in the room to watch his replacement. Justice Elena Kagan, who sits next to Kavanaugh, appeared to share a couple of whispered jokes with him, causing him to smile broadly, CNN reported. Kavanaugh's first cases did not involve questions of state, executive power or abortion but a matter of robbery and burglary. The matters of judicial weight will likely be a quiet respite after his bruising confirmation battle that saw protestors storm Capitol Hill and deep divides drawn along partisan lines. Additionally the massive amount of protestors feared to show up on the Supreme Court's steps failed to materialize. Given the thousand protestors arrested on Capitol Hill during his confirmation process, there were concerns a mob could materialize on Kavanaugh's first day. Only about 20 showed up, some dressed in the red costume from 'The Handmaiden's Tale,' a dystopian tale that includes the oppression of women. The cases involves a complicated and ambiguous federal law called The Armed Career Criminal Act and Kavanaugh was said to have asked about a dozen questions throughout the hearings. The law requires harsher sentences for those convicted of possessing firearms in federal court if they previously have been found guilty of three violent felonies or serious drug charges. The legal question before the court on Tuesday is what qualifies as one of those earlier offenses. In the first case, Stokeling v. U.S., the court will consider whether a state robbery offense should be considered a 'violent' felony. In the next case, U.S. v. Stitt, the court will debate what acts - under The Armed Career Criminal Act - constitutes burglary. And while theses cases aren't high constitutional drama or involve divisive social issues, at 53, Kavanaugh's lifetime appointment ensures he will be in a position to shape American law for decades. In the years to come, Kavanaugh's time on the court will likely involve cases on the legality of partisan gerrymandering in House districts; abortion rights; and executive authority. At a swearing-in ceremony at the White House on Monday evening, Kavanaugh vowed to be a team player on the court. Photographers aren't allowed in the Supreme Court but this sketch depicts Brett Kavanaugh's first day on the bench; he is seated on the far right. The other Justices from left are: Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotamayor, Stephen Breyer, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Samuel Alito, and Elena Kagan Kavanaugh, at age 53, will likely have years on the court to shape American law Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Anthony Kennedy swears in Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court while his wife Ashley holds the bible and his daughters watch Sitting in the front left section at the White House on Monday evening were sitting Supreme Court Justices including Chief Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas and Ruth Bader Ginsburg 'The Supreme Court is an institution of law. It is not a partisan or political institution,' Kavanaugh said. 'The justices do not sit on opposite sides of an aisle. We do not caucus in separate rooms. The Supreme Court is a team of nine, and I will always be a team player on the team of nine.' The entire sitting Supreme Court attended Trump's public swearing-in ceremony for Kavanaugh, including Chief Justice John Roberts, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clarence Thomas and the president's first successful appointment to the court Neil Gorsuch. Kavanaugh said his approach to the court remains the same as it always has been. He pledged that he will act as a 'neutral and impartial decider' and be perform his duties 'independent' of political considerations. 'Although the Senate confirmation process tested me as it has tested others, it did not change me,' he asserted. 'A judge must interpret statutes as written. And a judge must interpret the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent.' He has hit the ground running after his confirmation process was delayed by a week for an FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations against him, which he has denied. Republicans had originally wanted him confirmed by Oct. 1, which is when the court's new term began. Supreme Court Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch attend the swearing in ceremony for Kavanaugh at the White House on Monday Kavanaugh was President Trump's second nominee to the Supreme Court Kavanaugh has already hired four women to serve as his Supreme Court clerks - marking the first time a majority of clerks on the high court are women - and studied the legal briefs for his upcoming cases. One of Kavanaugh's Supreme Court clerks, Kim Jackson, worked for him on the federal appeals court. The other three - Shannon Grammel, Megan Lacy and Sara Nommensen - worked for federal judges appointed by Republican presidents. Kavanaugh was sworn-in on Saturday night, shortly after the Senate confirmed him in a 50-48 vote, as protestors shouted outside. On Sunday, he was already in the Supreme Court building, which sits across the street from the U.S. Capitol. He moved into chambers that had been occupied by Justice Samuel Alito, who moved to Kennedy's old chambers. And his official bio is already up on the Supreme Court's website, where it says of Kavanaugh's confirmation battle: 'President Donald J. Trump nominated him as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and he took his seat on October 6, 2018.' Tuesday he will don his black robes and enter the Supreme Court chamber from behind its red velvet curtains to begin making judicial history. He'll also take part in the traditional 'Judicial Handshake': When the Supreme Court Justices assemble to go on the Bench each day, each Justice shakes hands with each of the other eight. And as the youngest member of the court, he gets a few special jobs reserved for the newest justice. He'll be the note taker for the justices when they meet in private conferences. He also has to answer the door during any of the meetings if someone knocks. Additionally he'll sit on the committee that oversees the court's cafeteria, which is open to the public. Kavanaugh missed the first week of the court's term, in which justices heard cases about the habitat for an endangered frog and about an Alabama death row inmate whose attorneys argue he shouldn't be executed because dementia has left him unable to remember his crime. Kavanaugh won't vote in those cases, but if the court splits 4-4 when it rules, it could decide to have those cases re-argued so Kavanaugh can break the tie. But Kavanaugh will be in place for the rest of the court's term, which usually ends in late June or early July. In the first case on Tuesday, Denard Stokeling was convicted in 2016 of being a 'felon in possession' of a firearm after burglarizing a restaurant in Miami Beach. He had three prior offenses, including a conviction for an unarmed robbery in Florida in 1997. Sara Nommensen and Shannon Grammel are clerks for Kavanaugh Megan Lacy is also a Kavanaugh clerk, she is seen here at an event her alma mater Hillsdale College If his 1997 conviction counts as a 'violent felony,' then his federal prison sentence would increase dramatically, from a 10-year maximum to the 15-year minimum required under The Armed Career Criminal Act. In the second case, the court will hear a challenge to another part of the law in two cases consolidated together. The Armed Career Criminal Act determines burglaries are 'violent felonies' that count toward the harsher sentencing requirements. But it does not specify what qualifies as a burglary. The defendants in the matter - Victor Stitt of Tennessee and Jason Sims of Arkansas -were convicted under state laws that allow prosecutions of burglaries of mobile homes. The court will have to decide whether a mobile home is more like a car or a house. It's thought Scots-born gunner Corrie climbed into a bin after a drunken night Police have confirmed after a long search that the body of missing RAF airman Corrie McKeague is lost at a landfill site. Evidence, including a wheelie bin's extra-heavy weight, about the same as a man, has also helped convince the father of the young Scot that he is lost forever in a waste disposal system. The horrific conclusion has been reached after police quizzed dustcart teams who confirmed the weight of one bin they collected on the day he vanished was above average. A typical bin of waste would be between 20kg and 30kg but this particular container - which was never opened to check why - weighed 116kg. It's thought Scots-born RAF gunner Corrie climbed into the bin after a drunken night on the town, fell asleep and was taken away to a waste tip. His father Martin McKeague says he now accepts that Corrie, who disappeared from Bury St Edmunds two years ago, ended up in a Suffolk landfill site and will never be found. His father added that the McKeague family in Scotland will be holding a private memorial for him in the near future as he thanked people for standing by him in a Facebook post yesterday. Corrie, who was 23 when he vanished, was born in Cupar, Fife, but moved to Dunfermline following his parents' divorce when he was nine. In a statement on Facebook, Mr McKeague confirmed that he and his partner Trisha visited the area Corrie was last seen in the town centre on September 24th, the second anniversary of his disappearance, where they laid flowers and met with police. Officers shared the findings of waste company Biffa with the family, which suggest that the excess weight in a bin collected near Corrie's last known whereabouts was that of the RAF serviceman. In his statement, Mr McKeague said 'The police have confirmed the Biffa bin weight that suggests my son ended up in the Suffolk waste disposal system. 'They also confirmed that there is no new evidence whatsoever - whatever anyone has read in the newspapers to suggest otherwise is a lie.' Police confirmed that the body of missing Scottish airman Corrie McKeague was at a landfill site in Cambridgeshire. The area searched is circled in red but officers couldn't find the body RAF serviceman Corrie Mckeague, 23, from Fife, who vanished after a night out in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Corrie, who would now be 25, with his girlfriend April-Louise Oliver. The image was posted by his mother on his 25th birthday - exactly two years after he disappeared The devastated father of missing airman Corrie McKeague pictured with his wife Trisha Corrie was seen on CCTV entering the area known as the 'horseshoe' - a bin loading area behind Greggs bakery - in Bury St Edmunds at 3.24am on Saturday, September 24, 2016, following a night out in the town. A recent meeting between Suffolk Police and waste firm Biffa was to confirm the bin collected on the morning of September 24 could have potentially contained Corrie. A police spokesman said 'This investigation has found no other reasonable explanation for that unusually high bin weight.' Biffa bins are weighed before being disposed of, and the bin that typically weighed between 20kg and 30kg was 116kg when collected on September 24. Last month Corrie's mother Nicola Urquhart said she believes there are still unanswered questions. She said 'It was only just a couple of weeks ago that I've been told that the police never even got 12 hours CCTV footage of the immediate area, despite me begging them up until the 28-day cut-off period to go and get more.' The girlfriend of missing Corrie McKeague announced the name of their new baby as, Ellie-Louise Oliver during the search for the missing RAF man Last month Corrie's mother Nicola Urquhart said she believes there are still unanswered questions Floral tributes laid to Corrie McKeague on the second anniversary of his disappearance Corrie's dad said: 'We laid flowers and cards with notes from family and friends in the horseshoe at Bury St Edmunds on the Monday the 24th' But a multi-million pound investigation into the RAF Honington gunner's disappearance, which included two searches of a landfill site in Milton, Cambridgeshire, yielded no trace. And the family now accept further searches could take years and still find no trace of his remains, and the teams would have to be sifting through potentially deadly toxic rubbish, buried and decayed, over a huge area. Corrie's family will hold a private memorial for Corrie in the near future. In his heart-rending Facebook post, Corrie's dad says 'Hi folks, Trisha and I travelled to Suffolk on 21st September. Corrie's mother with his girlfriend April Oliver, who revealed she was pregnant with his baby 'We laid flowers and cards with notes from family and friends in the horseshoe at Bury St Edmunds on the Monday the 24th - the second anniversary of Corrie's disappearance. 'Afterwards we met with the Suffolk police and have since received a statement from them which is included below. 'The police have confirmed the Biffa bin weight that suggests my son ended up in the Suffolk waste disposal system. 'They also confirmed that there is no new evidence whatsoever. Whatever anyone has read in the newspapers to suggest otherwise is a lie. April Oliver, the girlfriend of missing Scottish airman Corrie McKeague, with their daughter Ellie-Louise Picture shows police at the landfill site in Milton,Cambridge in March 2017 at the start of the search for missing airman Corrie McKeague 'My son is gone and the McKeague family in Scotland will be holding a private memorial for him in the near future. Thank you all again for standing up and standing by us. Martin & Trisha.' A Statement from the Suffolk Police to Martin read: 'We attended the Biffa Head Office. The purpose of this meeting was to clarify the interpretation of the Biffa waste data that had been formally presented to police. 'As the SIO for the investigation into Corrie's disappearance, I am now completely satisfied that the data provided by Biffa can be relied upon, as can the 116kg recorded weight of the Greggs Bin collected on 24.9.16. 'This investigation has found no other reasonable explanation for that unusually high bin weight, thus when this data is considered alongside the other evidence held within this enquiry it confirms and consolidates my view that the preferred outcome and finding of this investigation is that during the early hours of 24th Sept 2016 Corrie came to be in the bin that was collected by the Biffa lorry and was transported away from the Horseshoe area to Red Lodge transfer station.' This is the moment a man was brutally attacked after a minor road collision in the street. Police said they believed the man had asked the other motorist for his details following a crash in Winson Green, Birmingham. A video shows a man in a white T-shirt sitting on the bonnet of a black Polo after it had been involved in a collision with another car, in a bid to stop it leaving the scene. It is believed the driver of the Polo refused to exchange details, after the collision on May 18 last year at about 3.30pm. The man, who was on the phone, refused to get off the bonnet but then two men got out of the Polo and beat him in front of terrified onlookers. They repeatedly punched him and eventually knocked him to the ground before fleeing in their Polo. The clip ended with the exhausted and beaten victim in the care of passers-by, with his shirt ripped to shreds. A man was attacked after a minor road collision in the street in Winson Green, Birmingham The victim was left with cuts and bruising and police have appealed for any information or anyone with footage of the incident to contact them. The footage was widely shared on social media and police it has been used it as evidence. A West Midlands Police spokesman said: 'An investigation has been launched after a man was assaulted following a minor collision in Winson Green (on May 18, 2017). 'Officers were called to Dudley Road, Birmingham, at around 3.30pm following reports that two cars had been involved in a collision and a driver had been assaulted. The victim was left with cuts and bruising and police have appealed for information 'It is believed that following the collision a driver of a black Polo was refusing to exchange details and that the driver along with several passengers assaulted a 31-year-old man. He was later treated for cuts and bruising. 'We are aware that a number of passing motorists may have witnessed this attack with some capturing the assault on film. 'We are appealing for those people to come forward so that we can view the footage as we continue to investigate the assault.' Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting 20BW/103386J/17. Advertisement A wildlife park is celebrating the birth of four rare cheetah cubs at a British wildlife park as part of a worldwide breeding programme to save the threatened species. The adorable cubs, which are about to take their first steps in the outside world, were born in August and are one of the biggest cheetah cub litters successfully reared in the UK. The cub's parents, Wilma and Carl came from a captive breeding population in Pretoria, South Africa are genetically distinct from the vast majority of the cheetah within Europe. The cheetah is classed as a 'vulnerable' species so the two males and two females offer hope for the future of the big cat. The cute cubs, pictured, have been born at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire as part of a worldwide breeding programme A cub is inoculated and chipped by vet Chris Manghan who is being assisted by Longleat staff, before they can go on display to the public The cubs, whose parents are called Wilma (pictured with one of her litter) and Carl, arrived in August and are about to take their first steps outside Experts say it is incredibly rare to get so many cheetah cubs survive and thrive outside of the wild The cubs are one of the biggest litters successfully reared in the UK and are making excellent progress at Longleat Experts say in the wild only 1 in 3 cubs would be expected to reach adulthood but with their mother's help the little ones are thriving at Longleat. The quadruplets bring the pair's total cubs to seven, after having Winston and Poppy in 2016 and Xena last year, who unfortunately Wilma rejected - forcing staff at Longleat to hand-rear the youngster. Amy Waller, head carnivore keeper at Longleat, said: 'We're absolutely delighted with how well Wilma and the cubs are getting on. 'Last year we were forced to intervene when a previous cub, Xena, was apparently abandoned by Wilma and so we were obviously a little worried this time, particularly as there were four cubs this time. 'However she has been an absolutely first-class parent and all of the cubs are putting on weight and starting to explore their surroundings. 'If all goes according to plan we are hoping to start introducing their older sister Xena, who we have been hand rearing, back into the group. ' Poppy and Winston have both moved to other wildlife collections now as part of the breeding programme. Cheetahs are the world's quickest land animals, which are capable of top speeds of 71 miles per hour In the wild only 1 in 3 cubs would be expected to reach adulthood but with their mother's help the little ones are thriving at Longleat The cheetah is classed as a 'vulnerable' species so the two males and two females that are part of a captive breeding programme, offer hope for the future of the big cat. Cheetahs are the world's quickest land animals and are capable of top speeds of 71 miles per hour. While running the big cats can cover four strides in a second with each stride measuring up to 26ft. Many cubs in the wild die during the first two months of their life, with most of them falling prey to lions, leopards and hyenas. The cheetah is officially classified as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species - meaning it is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve. It suffered a substantial decline in the 20th century due to habitat loss, poaching, illegal pet trade and conflict with humans. Now the global cheetah population is estimated to be approximately 7,100 in the wild. Two in every three cheetah cubs would die during the first few months of their life if they were born in the wild. Recruits for the United States Army are being advised to come well prepared for the grueling fitness test set to become mandatory in October 2020. Chief of Staff General Mark Milley spoke bluntly about the fitness expectations at the Association of the United States Army's annual conference in Washington, D.C. on Monday. 'If you can't get in shape in 24 months, then maybe you should hit the road,' Milley said, according to Task and Purpose. 'Maybe you should consider an alternative to this.' Chief of Staff General Mark Milley spoke about the fitness expectations at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual conference in Washington, D.C. on Monday The new 50-minute test includes: a strength dead lift, throwing a medicine ball overhead, a set of push ups that require hands to come off the ground, a 250-meter 'spring, drag, carry' event and a two-mile run. Along with the new test layout, each event will will graded using a 'moderate,' 'signifcant,' or 'heavy' physical exertion grade. Milley explained that the aims of the intense expectations is to greatly reduce the number of casualties on the battlefield. 'We don't want to lose thousands of soldiers,' Milley asserted. 'This fitness test is hard and no one should be under any illusions about it. But where we really don't want to lose soldiers is on the battlefield. We don't want young men and women killed in action because they weren't fit.' The new test will become mandatory on October 1, 2020 Milley cited the Koren War and how many soldiers weren't prepared for the peninsula's hilly terrain, resulting in 'countless numbers' of deaths. He added that the new test is more in line with what soldiers can expect out on the field. Milley explained: 'This has everything to do with effectiveness in combat that's why it's gender-neutral; that's why it's age-neutral. Included in the test: a strength deadlift, throwing a medicine ball, a set of push ups, a 250-meter 'spring, drag, carry' event and a two-mile run 'Combat is unforgiving. It doesn't matter how old you are. The enemy doesn't care. Before they shoot you, they don't say: 'Hey are you 25 or are you 45?' They don't do that. They just shoot you. And dead is dead. So we want to make sure that our soldiers are in top physical condition to withstand the rigors of ground combat. 'And there's nothing like it. Ground combat is unbelievable. Go look at those kids, who are walking up and down the hills of Afghanistan. My dad at the beaches of Iwo Jima went 19 consecutive days without eating in some of the most brutal combat in military history. Combat is not for the faint of heart. It's not for the weak-kneed.' Milly anticipates there to be 'a bit of a culture shock' for the army and expects complaints, but has faith that his soldiers will deliver the desired results. 'Weve got to get this Army hard,' Milley added. 'Weve got to get it hard fast.' One of President Trump's most loyal foot soldiers waged a war with pop star and self-made millionaire Taylor Swift on Twitter Monday morning, and was met with an army of fans. Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas who has failed in both of his bids for president, went after the 28-year-old music superstar who is worth $350 million in the wake of her endorsement of Phil Bredesen, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Tennessee. 'So @TaylorSwift13 has every right to be political but it wont impact election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote. Still with #MarshaBlackburn,' wrote Huckabee. 'On the subject of teen girls, it's always a treat to hear from Mike Huckabee, who fully and rabidly endorsed Roy Moore, and who urged us not to care that the Duggar boy molested his own teen sister,' wrote Slade. Scroll down for video Snake emoji: Mike Huckabee (left) took issue with Taylor Swift's (right) endorsement of Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen of Tennessee on Monday Shake it off: Swift 'has every right to be political but it wont impact election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote. Still with #MarshaBlackburn,' wrote Huckabee A few hours after Huckabee's tweet, President Trump also tried to belittle Swift when asked about her endorsement by DailyMail.com outside the White House, stating: 'I'm sure Taylor Swift has nothing, or doesn't know anything about her. And let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 per cent less now, okay?' He then touted his pick for Senate, Republican Marsha Blackburn, calling her a 'tremendous woman.' The Grammy-winning superstar being attacked by a sexagenarian and his septuagenarian pal did not respond to either of the men, but her fans came out in full force after hearing these comments. A number of others soon began pointing out that there were a number of flaws in Huckabee's conclusion and lashing out at him for going after a far younger (and yet astronomically richer) woman. Louis Virtel did a little math to dismantle Huckabee's hypothesis. 'Everybody who was fifteen when Taylor Swift wrote "Fifteen" is now 25. They can vote. Thanks for the wild guess about the lives of young women, though,' wrote Virtel. Look what you made me do: ''On the subject of teen girls, it's always a treat to hear from Mike Huckabee, who fully and rabidly endorsed Roy Moore,' wrote one Twitter fan Numbers: 'Everybody who was fifteen when Taylor Swift wrote "Fifteen" is now 25. They can vote. Thanks for the wild guess about the lives of young women,' said Louis Virtel (above) Swiftees: Judi Klein (above) shared a photo declaring her age, 70, and love for Miss Swift Writer, producer and director Craig Mazin brought his own daughters into the conversation, stating: 'My daughter is 13. Five years will go by in the blink of an eye, Huckabee. She'll be voting soon. They'll all be voting. Sleep tight.' But perhaps the best response of all came from Judi Klein, who appeared to be on holiday in Italy when she fired off her response to Huckabee. 'I am 70 and LOVE Taylor Swift ~ I tweeted this to Huckabee,' wrote Klein, attaching a photo of herself smiling as she posed on vacation. President Trump seemed to get the message and has yet to make any anti-Swift comments on social media. The president may be a powerful man, but few can withstand the force of Swift's 112 million Instagram followers combined with her 83.6 million Twitter followers and backed by 73 million Facebook followers. That all combines for a total of 268.6 million followers across just three social media platforms, meaning than any anti-Swift sentiment if sounds to be met with a 'yuge' amount of snake emojis. The wife of the former Interpol president who disappeared in China says she received a threatening phone call warning of agents coming for her while she fights for information about her husband's fate. Grace Meng said her last contact with her husband Meng Hongwei was by text message, on September 25, when he wrote 'wait for my call' and sent her a knife emoji after travelling back to China. After a week with no news, on an evening when she was at home in Lyon having put their two young boys to bed, she had a threatening call on her mobile phone from a man speaking Chinese. Grace Meng, the wife of missing Interpol President Meng Hongwei, who does not want her face shown, consults her mobile phone in the lobby of a hotel in Lyon on Sunday Beijing said Meng Hongwei is being investigated due to his own 'wilfulness and for bringing trouble upon himself', but remained tight-lipped regarding his whereabouts 'He said, "You listen but you don't speak. We've come in two work teams, two work teams just for you",' Mrs Meng said. She said the man also said: 'We know where you are,' and that when she tried to ask a question, he repeated: 'You don't speak, you just listen to me.' As a result, Mrs Meng is under French police protection. In her first one-on-one interview since Meng went missing, Mrs Meng denied bribery allegations against her high-profile husband, and told the Associated Press that speaking out about his disappearance was placing her 'in great danger'. She also added that disappearances like that of her husband are 'very common now in China'. Meng, who is also China's vice minister of public security, disappeared on a trip home to China late last month after a visit to the Nordics. A journalist holds Grace Meng's mobile phone, showing what she says is the last message exchanged with her husband: a text reading 'wait for my call' followed by a knife emoji A long-time Communist Party insider with decades of experience in China's sprawling security apparatus, the 64-year-old appears to be the latest high-ranking official to fall victim to a sweeping purge against allegedly corrupt or disloyal officials under President Xi Jinping's authoritarian administration. The revelation that China's system of shady and often-arbitrary detentions could ensnare even a senior public security official with international stature has cast a shadow over the image Beijing has sought to cultivate in recent years as a modern country with the rule of law. Chinese authorities said on Monday that Meng was being lawfully investigated for taking bribes and other crimes that were a result of his 'wilfulness', but remained tight-lipped regarding his whereabouts. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security released a statement, saying the investigation is a result of Meng's 'insistence of doing things his own way' and he 'only has himself to blame'. Beijing said the investigation into Meng's suspected acceptance of bribery and violation of law was 'very timely, completely correct and very wise' and 'fully demonstrates that anyone who violates the law must be severely prosecuted and severely punished'. Hours earlier, Interpol said he had resigned as the international police agency's president. It was not clear whether he did so of his own free will. Interpol has appointed Kim Jong Yang (pictured) of South Korea as acting president Interpol said South Korean national Kim Jong Yang would becomes its acting president, while it would appoint a new president at a November meeting of the organisation in Dubai. Kim said Interpol had not been told about the investigation of its chief. 'I find it regrettable that the top leader of the organization had to go out this way and that we weren't specifically notified of what was happening in advance,' Kim said in a phone interview. 'We still dont have sufficient information about whats happening (with Meng) or whether it has anything to do with Chinese domestic politics,' he added. Mrs Meng suggested the bribery accusation is just an excuse for 'making him disappear for so long'. 'As his wife, I think he's simply incapable of this,' she said, adding she would be willing to make their bank accounts public. She had refused to speculate on what might have happened to him or whether he had been arrested, saying: 'In China, what happened, I'm not sure.' Grace Meng read a statement during her press conference in Lyon but would not allow reporters to show her face, saying she feared for her safety and the safety of her two children She said she spoke out in the hope that it might help other families in similar circumstances. Mrs Meng refused to provide her real name to the AP, saying she was too afraid for the safety of her relatives in China. It is not customary for Chinese wives to adopt their husbands' names. Mrs Meng said she has done so now to show her solidarity with her husband. Her English name, Grace, is one she has long used, she said. A French judicial official confirmed to AP that police are investigating the threat against Mrs Meng, but said the probe has yet to determine whether Chinese teams were sent to Lyon. Previously, Interpol had said that reports about Meng's disappearance were 'a matter for the relevant authorities in both France and China.' The organisation went out of its way to say that its secretary general, not Meng, was responsible for the day-to-day running of the agency. Meng is now the latest high-ranking official, and one with an unusually prominent international standing, to fall victim to a sweeping crackdown by China's ruling party. In a sign of how seriously the authorities regard the case, Zhao Lezhi, the minister for public security, chaired a meeting in the early hours of Monday morning with senior officials of the ministry's party committee to discuss it. Meng is now the latest high-ranking official, and one with an unusually prominent international standing, to fall victim to a sweeping crackdown by China's ruling party The ministry's statement provided no details about the bribes Meng allegedly took or the other crimes he is accused of, but it suggested that he is also being investigated for political lapses. It indicated that Meng, a member of the Communist Party, may have somehow been tainted by the former security chief and ex-Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang, who is now serving a life sentence for corruption. 'We should resolutely oppose corruption and resolutely eliminate the pernicious influence of Zhou Yongkang,' it said. Meng's various jobs likely put him in close contact with Zhou and other Chinese leaders in the security establishment, a sector long synonymous with corruption, opacity and human rights abuses. Zhou and other senior figures prosecuted in Chinese president Xi Jinping's anti-corruption crackdown were mostly convicted of corruption but officials have since also said they were accused of 'conspiring openly to usurp party leadership'. At Monday's meeting, officials were told that they 'must always maintain the political quality of being absolutely loyal to the party', the statement said. News of Meng's apparent disappearance comes after Chinese officials announced that Hollywood star Fan Bingbing (pictured) had been ordered to pay millions of dollars in taxes The 36-year-old actress was previously the highest paid Chinese actress following her role in X-Men (pictured) News of Meng's apparent disappearance comes after Chinese officials announced that Hollywood star Fan Bingbing, who also vanished without a trace several months ago, has been ordered to pay millions of dollars in alleged back taxes and penalties. Fan took to social media for the first time in months on Wednesday to apologise to fans and the Communist Party for tax evasion, shortly after news broke that authorities had ordered her to pay nearly $130 million in back taxes and fines. The 36-year-old took to China's Twitter-like Weibo to acknowledge her wrongs, beg for her supporters' forgiveness, and apologise to 'society, the friends who care about me, the public and the national tax authorities.' 'Without the Party and country's good policies, without the loving attention of the masses, there would be no Fan Bingbing,' she wrote to her 62 million followers. The actress, model and producer had been a ubiquitous household name in Chinafor years and tasted Hollywood success with a role in the 2014 blockbuster 'X-Men: Days of Future Past.' But she disappeared from the public eye and her once active social media presence went silent in May after allegations emerged that she had evaded taxes on a lucrative movie shoot, charges her studio called 'slander'. Raging flood waters in Texas wiped out an RV park, and a naked man was found in the rushing waters clinging to a tree who was dramatically rescued, but at least four others are still missing. The South Llano River quickly rose after Monday after flash flooding Sunday night hammered the small West Texas city of Junction. Kimble County Sheriff Hilario Cantu said no fatalities had been confirmed thus far but that 'all the RVs, everything, got swept away.' Dramatic rescues of 19 people happened through Monday. Fifteen of those rescues were by boat and four of them were by helicopter, with one of those being the unidentified naked man. Texas Game Warden Rachel Kellner said that the four missing people are three men and a woman and that they were swept away before daybreak Monday. A naked man was in the water being swept away when he luckily grabbed onto a tree and it was dramatically caught on video Once the man was plucked from the water he was hoisted above the overtaken river A man who bystanders said was clinging to a tree in the South Llano River is rescued by helicopter, Monday in Junction, Texas. Crews in boats and helicopters are searching for at least four people still missing Right now... Im caught in a flash flood, heres an incredible helicopter rescue saving a man. I cant quite believe it. Heres the full details on Facebook: (https://t.co/aXnqwDXeTG) pic.twitter.com/Yqv6dw5IGN Adventureman (@MrJamieMcDonald) October 8, 2018 The search for them resumed Tuesday at daybreak, however 'the river is rising again, with more rain expected,' Keller added, and said the winds were again picking up. Kellner added that among the people who were rescued by air were were stuck in a tree with a dog. One woman shockingly survived being swept 18 miles down the river by riding on debris before she was rescued. Miraculously she only suffered minor cuts and bruises. Kellner said crews were continuing to search for the four missing by walking the banks of the South Llano River and there were boats with search crews in the river, but she said the current was too strong for some boats and because of the weather conditions, no helicopters could get into the air. 'The river is full of debris,' Kellner said. 'RVs, boats, fences ... normally it's a nice, crystal clear river, but right now it's a muddy mess.' Officials were able to rescue about 40 people by throwing them life jackets or ropes. Recreation vehicles are seen strewn about at the South Llano River RV Park in Junction, Texas, Monday Heavy rains the area caused the Llano River to flood and wiped out the entire RV park But, once the water got too high and they needed helicopters and boats for the rescues. National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Harrison said more than 12 inches of rain has fallen in the area since Sunday and that more is expected. 'There's still the possibility some more flooding could occur in that area,' Harrison said Tuesday, adding that the afternoon was forecast to be dry. Jamie McDonald captured the helicopter rescue of the naked man on camera outside his hotel. McDonald, also known as 'Adventureman,' is an author and motivational speaker and was visiting the city as he runs across America to raise money for children's hospitals. McDonald said he heard people shouting and screaming and opened the hotel room door. He found people on the balcony and saw a man in the water holding onto a tree. 'There was one guy just clinging on to dear life,' he said in an interview Monday, describing the scene as 'heartbreaking.' At one point, McDonald said the man became separated from a tree and it was uncertain whether he would make it out OK because the current was so strong. McDonald's footage shows onlookers worrying from afar. 'Get a hold of something,' one person says. 'God help him please,' another says. Later, the man was hoisted up from the water by helicopter and safely lowered down to a parking lot, McDonald said. He said the man, who was naked, appeared bruised and battered. 'I can't believe they actually rescued him,' McDonald says on the video. 'That was incredible, just amazing support.' A four-foot-long alligator was found swimming in Lake Michigan in Illinois on Monday. A kayaker initially spotted the reptile and thought that it was a dead salmon after seeing the alligator's head in the water and the in Waukegan, a town roughly an hour north Chicago. 'It is not every day someone reports an alligator in Lake Michigan and the report is true,' the city of Waukegan said in a Facebook post. A kayaker in northern Illinois was surprised Monday after spotting a four-foot long alligator swimming in Lake Michigan Initially the kayaker thought it was a dead salmon that was floating in the water David Castaneda was fishing for salmon when he spotted the reptile around 9:30am Monday Staff from the rescue center came by to take the gator away Nicole Garza, an animal control officer for Waukegan police, is seen holding down a four-foot alligator in a van outside city hall after animal control workers helped capture it from the lake Waukegan Police Animal Control and staff at Larsen captured the animal and took it to the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest, Illinois 'I was just in shock,' kayaker, David Castaneda, told the Lake County News-Sun. 'I wasn't sure if it was a real alligator or a toy.' 'It was just so weird, something out of the ordinary,' he said. 'It's not supposed to be here so it's not, it can't defend itself and it had its mouth closed, so it was going to die if I left it there.' Not wanting to wait for Waukegan Animal Control, Castaneda did what any resourceful angler would do and caught it. 'So I just changed my lure to one that was more of a bigger hook and threw it over its back and it hooked on to the little scales that were on its back. And I started pulling it slowly towards me so it wouldn't freak out,' he said to ABC7. October in Chicago is not an alligator's ideal climate, according to Rob Carmichael, a curator at the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest, where the animal was eventually transported The Discovery Center said it would know within three to five days how serious the situation is, but as long as there arent any major issues like a bacterial infection, the animal could well live Animal control officials and workers from a local yacht broker and storage business rescued the animal, which was taken to a wildlife center in the nearby city of Lake Forest. Rob Carmichael, a curator at the Wildlife Discovery Center where the animal was eventually transported said the reptile was 'still kinda stressed out' over the ordeal but had also won a new lease on life. 'We're going to know its real personality probably tomorrow because he'll be in optimal heat, warm water and a normal alligator climate,' he said to ABC7. It wasn't clear how the gator ended up in the lake. The creatures are not native to the area. In the photo posted to Facebook, it appeared to have tape wrapped around its mouth. The city initially reported the animal found as a caiman, which is similar to an alligator, but the Wildlife Discovery Center told the city later in the day Monday that it was an American alligator Carmichael said the reptile was 'still kinda stressed out' over the ordeal as he swaddled it The abandoning of exotic animals is something that occurs less than it used to as a result of stepped-up state regulations around ownership of endangered or threatened animals An official with the wildlife center said the animal was 'definitely on borrowed time.' 'I would say it would be lucky if it lived another couple weeks,' the official said to the newspaper. 'Lake Michigan is only getting colder and colder each week.' Alligators rely on warm weather to survive, and are most active when the environment is between 82 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit Temperatures in Lake Michigan range from freezing in winter to 80F in summer although at the present time the water was in the 70s which is slightly too cold for the reptile. The city had initially reported the animal found as a caiman, which is similar to an alligator, but the Wildlife Discovery Center told the city later in the day Monday that it was an American alligator. It is unknown how long the animal was in the water with its mouth taped shut, Animal control officers have started an investigation to determine who dumped the alligator into the water. Illinois has strict exotic animal laws so authorities are looking into where the animal came from Waukegan Police Animal Control and staff at Larsen captured the animal and took it to the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest, Illinois As with every country across the Mideast, it's hard to escape posters and laudatory fawning over Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman across the kingdom. For activists, opponents and others willing to speak out against the 33-year-old heir apparent in the world's largest oil exporter, it looks increasingly like it's hard to escape his reach either at home or abroad. The kingdom has long been known to grab rambunctious princes or opponents abroad and spirit them back to Riyadh on private planes. But the disappearance of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, who Turkish officials fear has been killed, potentially has taken the practice to a new, macabre level by grabbing a writer who could both navigate Saudi Arabia's byzantine royal court and explain it to the West. The disappearance also peels away a carefully cultivated reformist veneer promoted about Prince Mohammed amid the kingdom allowing women to drive, instead exposing its autocratic tendencies. Scroll down for video Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, who Turkish officials fear has been killed, has been missing since October 2 'I'm not Gandhi or Mandela,' the prince told CBS in March when describing his personal wealth. Saudi Arabia insists the allegations it faces over Khashoggi's disappearance are 'baseless,' but has not offered any evidence over the last week to support their claim he simply walked away and vanished into Istanbul though his fiancee waited just outside. Nor has Turkey fully explained why officials fear Khashoggi has been killed. Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., sought to convey sympathy with carefully moderate criticism in a note to friends in English the embassy shared with reporters. 'I would normally prefer not to address such outrageous claims, especially when it concerns the wellbeing of a missing citizen who dedicated a great portion of his life to serve his country,' Prince Khalid wrote. 'It goes without saying that his family in the kingdom remain gravely concerned about him, and so are we.' The disappearance also peels away a carefully cultivated reformist veneer promoted about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured) That sharply contrasts with the tone taken by Saudi local media, as well as Saudi-owned satellite channels and other broadcasters. There, newspapers have called Khashoggi's disappearance a plot ginned up by Qatar, who the kingdom has been boycotting with three other nations since last year. Al-Jazeera, Qatar's state-funded broadcaster, has focused extensively on the case in recent days. Online, the smears have been worse, describing Khashoggi as an al-Qaida supporter for the interviews he did with Osama bin Laden in the years before he turned firmly against the West and plotted the September 11 terror attacks. Khashoggi, apparently with royal court support, once even sought to have bin Laden return to the kingdom and renounce terrorism. That harshness corresponds with the growing concerns internationally about the direction Saudi Arabia is taking under Prince Mohammed and his father. The kingdom won international praise for allowing women to be able to drive in June. But just ahead of that, the kingdom rounded up and imprisoned women's rights activists, including reportedly grabbing one who was in the neighboring United Arab Emirates. A girl holds a poster with a photo of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, during a protest near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul on Monday Similarly, Prince Mohammed wowed the business world with promises of having an initial public offering of the state oil behemoth Saudi Arabian Oil Co., or Saudi Aramco as it's known, suggesting it would have a $2 trillion valuation. He hosted a major business summit at Riyadh's Ritz Carlton, complete with a humanoid robot named Sophia getting Saudi citizenship. Only weeks later, the Ritz Carlton would turn into a luxury prison as part of a mass arrest of businessmen, royals and others orchestrated by Prince Mohammed in what was described as targeting corruption. Those released agreed to sign over some of their assets, giving the crackdown the feel of a shakedown. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led war in Yemen grinds on with its years-long stalemate, its toll on civilians in the Arab world's poorest country unending. The freeze on journalism and free expression isn't limited to Saudi Arabia in the greater Persian Gulf. Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks with a Saudi prince in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia In the United Arab Emirates on Monday, an influential Emirati official named Ali Rashid al-Nuaimi reportedly told youth gathered for a summit in Abu Dhabi that 'our enemies have partnered with media organisations who have reported that the UAE has a prison camp and is committing human rights abuses in Yemen.' The Associated Press has reported on secret prisons in Yemen run by UAE-backed forces where detainees faced physical and sexual abuse, as well as how Emirati forces cut secret deals with al-Qaida militants to get them to abandon territory. 'If the worst-case scenario is realized, Saudi Arabia will have links to the murder of a vocal critic in a fashion engineered to create just enough doubt for the veneer of implausible-but-sufficient deniability,' the New York-based Soufan Center said Tuesday. 'It also sends and unequivocal signal to other journalists who dare to criticize the regime.' But even before now, some like Khashoggi had put themselves in self-exile abroad. If the worst is confirmed about the journalist's fate, that may push even more critics underground and leave fewer still willing to speak frankly about the kingdom. As Khashoggi wrote in his first column in the Post: 'That is how breathtakingly fast you can fall out of favor with Saudi Arabia.' By Auqib Javeed, TwoCircles.net Srinagar: Ghulam Hassan Najjar, 56, of North Kashmirs Bandipora district had always cast his vote along with his family in every election until now. This time, the Najjar family decided to boycott the polls over New Delhis stand on Article-35. We know that after elections are over, the Central government will start tinkering with Article 35-A. It is about our identity. If its not there, then we have no relation with the rest of the country, so this time we decide to boycott the elections as I believe Indian government has thrust these elections forcibly on us, Najjar says. Support TwoCircles In Nathpora area of the same district resides Naseer Ahmad Thoker who says that BJPs muscular policy towards Kashmir has alienated people further in the Valley. I have lost faith in democracy. Ever since the BJP came into power; we have been pushed towards the wall. I was a staunch supporter of National Conference and used to vote for them in every election but this time, even without their boycott call I wouldnt have participated in elections, he says. The first of the four-phase urban local body elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir after a 13-year break on Monday. In Kashmir, the streets wore a deserted look and voting remained abysmal in Srinagar, Bandipora, Baramulla and other areas. However, in Jammu people responded much more favourably, with voters lining at the polling station in almost all the wards. We respected the call given by militant commander Riyaz Naikoo for boycotting the polls, they are dying for us and we have no right to sell their blood in return, says a 45-year-old man from South Kashmirs Anantnag district who wished to remain anonymous due to security reasons. Another man from Srinagar City echoed the similar views saying that by participating in elections they are betraying their own people who are giving their lives for their freedom. Article 35-A was one of the reason, I didnt cast my vote plus the present scenario in the valley where people are not able to breathe, youth are forced to pick guns, innocents are being killed, how can one turn blind eye to these incidents. So my conscious didnt allow me to vote today, said a young entrepreneur Yasir Iqbal from Srinagar. Amid shutdown called by separatists in the Valley, streets were deserted and voting remained abysmal in Srinagar, Bandipora, Baramulla and other areas. Two key parties in the state the National Conference and Mehbooba Muftis Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have abstained from the elections over the centres stand on Article 35-A, making it a contest between the BJP and the Congress. The impact was visible on the ground. Mobile internet services were suspended in South Kashmir during the voting. In other parts of the Kashmir Valley, the internet speed has been reduced, said officials. According to reports, 45 candidates have withdrawn their nominations amid threats from militant groups. Frontier district Kupwara recorded the highest polling with 32%, while Bandipora remained the lowest with 3.5 % in Kashmir. The candidates were running away from the media to ensure their names dont appear anywhere. Voters were not willing to take the risk of being photographed. We were barred from entering inside the polling stations and not allowed to capture photographs, said a photojournalist Umar Parra, who works with a local newspaper. In several wards, especially those in south Kashmir, no candidate filed nomination papers for the polls. The candidates were moved to safe locations and their details were not made public. The election authorities also kept the identities of the contesting candidates from the valley secret due to security reasons, prompting the people to term these polls as secret elections. About 8.3% of the electorate voted on Monday in Kashmir Valley while Kargil recorded the highest turnout of 78%, an official said. Only 7,057 voters of the 84,692 eligible persons turned up to vote in the wards which went to polls Monday. The polling was by and large peaceful, the official said. According to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K Shaleen Kabra, the overall polling percentage across the State was 56.7%. As per officials, there were 820 polling stations across the State and the polling time started from 7 am and continued till 4 pm. While 150 polling stations were designated for voting in Kashmir Division including Kargil and Leh, 670 were set up in Jammu Division. A total of 138 polling stations were categorized as hypersensitive In Kashmir Division while the number of such stations in Jammu was 52. While 78 candidates were elected unopposed, 1,204 contenders were in the fray for 321 Municipal Wards in Phase-I including 83 in Kashmir division and 238 in Jammu division. The government had also declared a holiday for polling in the municipal areas going to polls so as to enable the voters to cast their vote. As per standing guidelines, the Central Government offices shall not be closed but the employees who are electors of the poll going wards and desire to exercise their franchise shall be offered reasonable facility- by way of coming late to office, allowed to leave office early. The Municipal Elections are being held in four phases, covering 79 municipal bodies with an electorate of about 17 lakh. A total of 3,372 nominations have been filed for 1,145 wards. The next phase of voting is on October 10, followed by the third phase on 13 and forth on October 16. Separatists welcome boycott Stating that ongoing election process has violated the very definition of the democratic process, Joint Resistance Leadership on Monday hailed peoples rejection and boycott of what it termed as sham ULB elections, and the exemplary complete protest shutdown against it. Shadow on roots of democracy: NC The key regional party, National Conference said that ongoing ULB polls have turned out to be an exercise in waste as the first phase of polling has witnessed a record low poll percentage in the valley with as many as 215 candidates getting elected unopposed with 177 wards having no candidates. In a statement, the partys Provincial Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said that the whole process has been superimposed on the state without taking into consideration the ground realities. It is an inconsiderate exercise to hold ULB polls in the valley. The institutions of the state are being bulldozed and played with just to satiate the arrogance of those who continue to target the states special status and doesnt want normalcy to return to the state, he added. 10 Injured in Clashes Meanwhile, at least ten people, including a woman were injured during protests at several places. In Lankreshipora village of Bandipora, a woman was injured when government forces used tear gas canisters and pellets to disperse anti-election protesters, witnesses said. Shabeena, wife of Javed Ahmad received multiple pellet injuries in the action of government forces. Adil Ahmad Buhru, a BJP candidate from Ward 15 was injured when protesters threw stones at him near Dachigam polling booth. Police, however, denied that Buhru was injured. Clashes also erupted in Old town of the neighbouring Baramulla, where angry protesters engaged government forces in pitched battles in the Old Town, witnesses said. However, no one was injured in the clashes. In south Kashmirs Anantnag district, protesters fought pitched with government forces in Janglat Mandi area, witnesses said. One person was injured as the government forces and protesters exchanged brickbats in the area. Clashes were also reported from many parts of the city outskirts, including Parimpora, Noorbagh, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Mochou and Karalpora. At Kralpora, government forces lobbed tear smoke shells after failing to disperse anti-election protesters with baton charge. At least four youth were injured in the violent protests that continued for several hours, said witnesses. In Parimpora and Noorbagh localities, three people were reportedly injured in stone-pelting protests. The government had placed adequate security arrangements, with 200 companies of the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police on duty. Emotional cancer survivor Julia Louis-Dreyfus has paid tribute to the surgeon who saved her life and admits she's 'very lucky' to be alive, DailyMailTV can reveal. The Emmy-winning actress praised 'compassionate' Dr Armando Giuliano over the weekend and said he became her 'partner' as she battled breast cancer. Speaking during her first stage appearance since being given the all clear, Louis-Dreyfus thanked Dr Giuliano for his support during her terrifying ordeal, saying she was 'so goddamn grateful for him'. The former Seinfeld star, 57, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2017, sharing the news the day after she won her sixth Emmy in a row for her work on Veep. Julia Louis-Dreyfus made her first stage appearance since being cleared of breast cancer over the weekend to honor the surgeon who she credits in saving her life. Pictured: The actress at the Les Girls 18th annual cabaret where she thanked her surgeon on Sunday The former Seinfeld star, 57, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2017, sharing the news the day after she won her sixth Emmy in a row for her work on Veep (pictured) The mother-of-two underwent surgery and three rounds of chemotherapy and says she owes her life to Dr Giuliano, adding that his 'kindness, his sense of humor, his attentiveness, and his steady confidence really did make me feel like I was actually going to be okay.' However, Louis-Dreyfus, who headlined the Les Girls 18th annual cabaret benefiting the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund in Hollywood, did reveal that her sister was less sure about the renowned physician and even gave him a warning before her critical surgery last year. The sister, believed to be Lauren, told the Cedar Sinai surgeon and cancer expert moments before he operated: 'Don't f*** this up.' Louis-Dreyfus said her initial cancer diagnosis was 'stunningly shocking', but got through the emotional time with the support of her 'loving family' as well as fan support. Although Louis-Dreyfus returned to work on the set of HBO's Veep a few weeks ago, her appearance at the cabaret was her first public outing. The actress, who has won Emmys for her role as Selina Meyer on Veep, also said that having her acting union's medical coverage was a key part in her recovery. The Emmy-winning actress praised 'compassionate' Dr Armando Giuliano (pictured) over the weekend and said he became her 'partner' as she battled breast cancer Although Louis-Dreyfus returned to work on the set of HBO's Veep a few weeks ago, her appearance at the cabaret was her first public outing. Pictured: The actress on set last month But she remains upset that many women do not have access or funds to receive similar levels of care. She said: 'In 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Wonderful.' She paused and then smiled: 'As shocking as it was and, it was in fact quite stunningly shocking, I also knew that I was not alone in this struggle. 'I stand here with the understanding that I'm very lucky. I've had great access to health insurance through my union. Thank you very much. Go unions. 'I have a very loving, precious family who was by my side every moment as well as many friends and members of the public.' On Dr Giuliano she said: 'I had an incredible, compassionate and brilliant doctor to be my partner in this along with a great medical team. That is not the case for a lot of people in this country.' She added: 'Tonight, I'm here to honor Dr. Armando Giuliano for his tireless efforts in breast cancer care. 'When I was first diagnosed, I really wanted to find a real hot shot surgeon and Giuliano's name kept coming up. 'When I first met him, I was honestly immediately put at ease. That is no exaggeration. His kindness, his sense of humor, his attentiveness, and his steady confidence really did make me feel like I was actually going to be okay.' Louis-Dreyfus said her sister was less sure about the renowned physician and gave him a warning not to 'f*** this up' before her critical surgery last year However for one family member the respected veteran was still a concern. Louis-Dreyfus revealed: 'But all of that, and of course his stellar credentials, weren't enough for my sister, who has been at my side throughout this cancer adventure. 'As they were rolling me into the OR, she whispered into Dr Giuliano ear, ''Don't f*** this up.'' And he didn't. 'Many thousands have benefited from his work on sentinel node biopsy, including myself, that significantly increased their quality of life. 'He makes a point to make each patient feel like a person and not a statistic. He is compassionate and truly cares about the patient's quality of life and helps them get the support that they need. 'He is a doctor who makes each and every patient feel strong, embraced, and hopeful. There are few like him and I am so goddamn grateful for him.' The event's honor for Dr Giuliano came before stars took to the stage to present their versions of pop and musical tunes with a comic twist. Since 1991, NBCC has been at the vanguard of the breast cancer movement, elevating breast cancer to an issue of national significance. For more information, please visit: www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org President Donald Trump went back to blasting Hillary Clinton's political skills Tuesday, after she called him out for his scorched-earth speech and apology 'on behalf of our nation' to Brett Kavanaugh at a swearing-in ceremony for the new Supreme Court justice. At the Monday evening ceremony, attended by the other justices, Trump pronounced Kavanaugh 'innocent' and slammed critics who hammered the president's nominee with sexual assault charges during a brutal confirmation fight. Clinton called it a 'political rally' that 'undermined' the integrity of the court. Responding to the comment from his former 2016 rival, Trump said: 'I guess thats why she lost. She doesnt get it. She never did.' 'I knew that a long time ago. Hillary never got it thats why she lost. Anything else?' he asked reporters in the Oval Office, who were there to see the president announce the departure of U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley. Hillary Clinton lashed out at Donald Trump on Tuesday morning for his scorched-earth speech at a swearing-in ceremony for Brett Kavanaugh Clinton had lashed out at Trump on Tuesday morning, saying: 'What was done last night in the White House was a political rally. It further undermined the image and integrity of the court.' 'And that troubles me greatly. It saddens me. Because our judicial system has been viewed as one of the main pillars of our constitutional government,' Clinton told CNN in a new interview. The former first lady argued that Trump has continually 'insulted, attacked, demeaned women' throughout his career, including when he ran against her, and he's 'been true to form' since he took control of the Oval Office. 'So I don't know how people are going to react to it,' she said of Monday night's speech. 'I think, given our divides, it will pretty much fall predictably between those who are for and those who are against.' Asked about Clinton's comments on Tuesday morning, Trump said: 'I guess thats why she lost. She doesnt get it. She never did' President Donald Trump made the comments about Clinton from the Oval Office as he announced that he has accepted the resignation of Nikki Haley as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Clinton spoke to CNN a day after it was reported that she and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, would headline a multi-city tour beginning next month. They're selling tickets to the roadshow that range in price from $70 to $700 at venues in Canada in the United States. They're promoting the events as a 'one-of-a-kind conversation with two individuals who have helped shape our world and had a front seat to some of the most important moments in modern history' and pledging to 'provide a unique perspective on the past, and remarkable insight into where we go from here.' The former secretary of state has found her perspective on Kavanaugh in demand since the judge complained in Senate Judiciary testimony that sexual assault accusations levied at him were a 'calculated and orchestrated political hit' and 'revenge on behalf of the Clintons' by Democrats who can't let go of Hillary's election loss and his work Ken Starr. 'Boy, Ill tell you, they give us a lot of credit,' she said last week at the Atlantic Festival. 'Thirty-six years ago, we started this against him,' she mocked with laughter. Kavanaugh assisted with the Starr investigation of the Clintons in the '90s. The probe began with real estate purchases and uncovered Bill Clinton's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The House of Representatives brought articles of impeachment against the sitting president who was allowed to finish out his term after a vote of confidence in the Senate. Bill Clinton has lamented that he was 'dead broke' when he left office as a result of the mile-high legal bills. His wife openly opposed Kavanaugh's nomination over his stances on birth control and abortion before Ford and two other women ever spoke out. She said at the Atlantic Festival that she found Ford's testimony a week prior to be 'very credible' and her presentation to the Senate to 'be very convincing.' 'I felt a great swell of pride that she would be willing to put herself out there under these circumstances,' Clinton said. Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, right, ceremonially swears-in Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, as Ashley Kavanaugh holds the Bible while daughters Margaret, left, and Liza, look on. Trump told the family on Monday that he was sorry for their humiliation Trump said that he was ashamed of the proceedings as he offered a public apology to Kavanaugh on Monday evening for the humiliation that his wife and daughters were subjected to during one of the most brutal battles over a Supreme Court seat that the nation has ever seen. Trump in remarks from the East Room before the newest addition to the court's ceremonial swearing-in said he was sorry that Kavanaugh's wife, Ashley, and his daughters, Margaret and Liza, had to witness their father deny a slew of sexual assault allegations on national television. 'On behalf of our nation, I would like to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure,' the president said during a primetime address. Trump said Kavanaugh deserved 'a fair and dignified evaluation' not the 'campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception' that he was hit with by Democrats. 'A man or a woman must always be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,' the president said to applause from supporters and staff stuffed into the room. 'You, sir, under historic scrutiny were proven innocent,' Trump declared. Addressing the controversy around his appointment, Kavanaugh admitted that it had 'tested' him in remarks of his own after his second swearing-in this week but he insisted there is 'no bitterness' in the speech before his peers that brought tears to his eyes. 'The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional. That process is over,' he said. 'On the Supreme Court, I will seek to be a force for stability and unity. My goal is to be a great justice for all Americans and for all of America. I will work very hard to achieve that goal.' President Trump opened his remarks at a public swearing-in ceremony for Justice Brett Kavanaugh with an apology for the way the judge, who was accused of sexual assault by several women, was treated in his confirmation process 'On behalf of our nation, I would like to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure,' the president said during a primetime address Sitting in the front left section were sitting Supreme Court Justices including Chief Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Kavanaugh said his approach to the court remains the same and that he will act as an 'impartial decider' and be perform his duties 'independent' of any political party Kavanaugh's family sat in the front until it was time for them to him on stage while he took the Judicial Oath. His wife and daughters stood proudly by his side as his pledged to faithfully execute the law. In subsequent remarks, Kavanaugh vowed to move past the controversy that overshadowed his experience and qualifications while taking the time to highlight his across-the-board hiring of women to serve as his Supreme Court clerks and his support for women's equality. He did not mention the sexual assault allegations that delayed what was initially expected to be a party-line but routine vote to confirm the president's pick for the bench. Nor did he respond to Democratic complaints after his combative Senate Judiciary Committee testimony that he does not have the temperament to sit on the court. Speaking directly to country he sought reassure those Americans who share those beliefs that he can and will be a devoted judge who isn't beholden to any ideology and will decide cases based on the national interest. 'Every litigant int the Supreme Court can be assured that I will listen to their arguments with respect and an open mind,' he pledged. Kavanaugh said his approach to the court remains the same as it always has been. He pledged that he will act as a 'neutral and impartial decider' and be perform his duties 'independent' of political considerations. 'Although the Senate confirmation process tested me as it has tested others, it did not change me,' he asserted. 'A judge must interpret statutes as written. And a judge must interpret the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent.' The conservative judge who had served on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals until his confirmation pointedly also promised to 'interpret the law, not make the law' in a nod to the right's long-standing concerns about judicial activism. 'As in the past, our nation today faces challenges and divisions. But I am an optimist,' he continued. 'I live on the sunrise side of the mountain. I see the day that is coming, not the day that is gone. I am optimistic about the future of America and the future of our independent judiciary, the crown jewel of our constitutional republic.' He told President Trump it was a 'great honor' to be serving on the court as he spoke from the podium for the second time since his July 9 appointment. 'I am grateful for your steadfast, unwavering support throughout this process,' he told the president who refused to withdraw the nomination in the face of troubling sex assault allegations and dueling testimony with accuser Christine Blasey Ford. 'And I'm grateful to you and Mrs. Trump for the exceptional, overwhelming courtesy you have extended to my family and me.' VICTORY LAP: the president that the proceedings that led Kavanaugh to be confirmed had proven his innocence in sexual assault charges Trump paid tribute to Kennedy in his opening remarks, saying America 'owes you a profound debt of gratitude.' Kavanaugh gave offered praise to Kennedy, as well HERO: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell received a hero's welcome as he entered the East Room on Monday night WORKING THE ROOM: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein landed on the guest list after he made nice with the president earlier on Monday To a packed room of supporters, staff and press, the president in a primetime address called it a 'truly momentous occasion' as he celebrated his victory over Democrats who sought to keep Kavanaugh from taking the bench. 'I would like to begin tonights proceeding differently than perhaps any other event of such magnitude,' he said apologizing to Kavanaugh. 'Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception. What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process.' Trump singled out Kavanaugh's daughters in his speech, telling the school-aged children, their 'father is a great man,' despite what they may have heard. 'He is a man of decency, character, kindness, and courage who has devoted his life to serving his fellow citizens. And now, from the bench of our nations highest court, your father will defend the eternal rights and freedoms of all Americans. You know that,' the president said from a platform erected in the middle of the room, looking right at them. Pivoting to the topic of America's children and what their leaders will leave behind for them, he said: 'Margaret and Lizas presence tonight reminds us what this historic event -- all about your father -- is all about. Its about what kind of nation we're going to be and what kind of country our children will inherit. Member's of Trump's White House team, including John Kelly (second left) and Sarah Huckabee Sanders (third left) listen as Brett Kavanaugh speaks following his confirmation Supreme Court Associate Justices (from left) Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Samuel Alito listen as President Trump speaks Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks with guests ahead of the swearing-in of judge Brett Kavanaugh 'It is up to each of us, and to all Americans watching tonight, to answer that question. It is up to us to reclaim our heritage of equal and impartial justice,' he said. 'It is up to us to re-dedicate ourselves to the traditions and wisdom of our Founders. And it is up to us to renew the bonds of love, loyalty, and affection that link us all together as one great American family. The president also declared the new Supreme Court justice a 'fair-minded, unbiased, and even-handed person' who 'understands that justice must be divorced from the passions of the day' and 'tethered to instead to enduring foundation of our republic: the Constitution' in his remarks that preceded Kavanaugh's second swearing-in. Kavanaugh was officially brought on to the court the weekend so that he could begin studying cases the court will hear this term. Justices began the new term last Monday on Oct. 1 without him leaving him to play a week of catch-up. He'll hear his first set of cases on Tuesday, he said, noting that his daughters would be missing school to watch him in action. Trump hinted earlier on Monday as he left the White House for the day trip to Orlando that Rosenstein accompanied him on that his remarks would be more than just an opportunity to slap fellow Republicans on the back. He ripped the emotionally-draining Kavanaugh saga as a 'hoax' perpetrated by 'evil' Senate Democrats who intentionally faked claims of sexual assault to derail the newest Supreme Court justice. He described Kavanaugh as 'a man that did nothing wrong, a man that was caught up in a hoax that was set up by the Democrats, using the Democrats lawyers' as he departed the White House to deliver a speech in Florida. The president told reporters on the South Lawn that House Democrats are already 'thinking about impeaching' Kavanaugh if they take over control of the lower chamber of Congress next month. 'The American public has seen this charade, has seen this dishonesty by the Democrats,' Trump said. Hours later, Trump told a convention of police chiefs that the weeks of constitutional limbo that put Kavanaugh's career in jeopardy and mobilized feminist groups 'was a disgraceful situation brought about by people that are evil, and he toughed it out.' 'He's a great person, and it was very, very unfair what happened to him,' Trump said. 'False charges, false accusations, horrible statements that were totally untrue, that he knew nothing about.' Monday marked the first time Trump has assigned a motive to Democrats or suggested the claims of any of Kavanaugh's accusers were intentional fiction. Justice Kavanaugh (center) joined the Supreme Court on Saturday after a contentious campaign against him that fell short when the Senate voted 50-49 to confirm him Evil? Lawyer Michael Avenatti (left) publicly advocated for client Julie Swetnick (right), who accused Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge of spiking teenage girls' drinks and participating in gang rapes; her claims were the most aggressive Kavanaugh faced, and some Republicans believe they saved Trump's nominee because they tainted the more credible ones New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is blaming the Brooklyn gym's rules against filming inside after refusing to answer a homeless activists question quipping 'I'm in the middle of my workout.' On Friday the mayor was approached by senior citizen activist, Nathylin Flowers Adesegun, 72, who pressed the mayor about the growing homeless crisis in New York City about implementing more housing for people living out on the streets. Speaking to New York 1 on Monday, de Blasio reasoned he cut his gym session short and headed for the exit at the Prospect Park Y because 'There is an explicit rule: You are not allowed to film in the place.' 'So if someone starts filming, I am not going to engage them,' he added. Scroll for video Mayor de Blasio was in the midst of his daily exercise session at the Park Slope YMCA when Nathylin Flowers Adesegun, 72, approached him on Friday Adesegun had arrived at the Ninth Street Y with a dozen other VOCAL-NY activists to advocate for the homeless folk of New York City. on Monday de Blasio says he declined to speak to her simply because she was filming- which he says is against gym rules He also told the 24-hour local cable station that he regularly engages with people at the gym and would have connected her and her grassroots group with the 'right person' at City Hall if the conversation wasn't being filmed. However, what the mayor of New York told the activist Friday, specifically, was: 'I'm in the middle of doing my workout. I can't do this now,' before he darted for the exit with his security in tow. Adesegun was among the members of the grassroots group VOCAL-NY who hit the Brooklyn gym to call on de Blasio to ask him to provide 30,000 extra units for the homeless. Adesegun had arrived at the Ninth Street Y with a dozen other VOCAL-NY activists to advocate for the homeless folk of New York City. 'He made it clear that his morning workout was more important to him,' Adesegun asserted to Patch Friday. 'Am I just supposed to stay homeless?' The activists contended that the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program excluded the 62,000 homeless New Yorkers who couldn't meet the steep income mark to get the 'affordable housing' promised through it. 'I'm in the middle of doing my workout, I can't do this now,' the mayor responded, before getting up and darting to the nearest exit Friday The activists contended that the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program excluded the 62,000 homeless New Yorkers who couldn't meet the steep income mark Of the 300,000 units added to affordable housing, only five per cent has been allotted to those who identify as homeless. 'Mayor de Blasio may love working out, but his plan for housing homeless New Yorkers is just weak,' said Coalition for the Homeless policy director Giselle Routhier. 'This is simply unacceptable and perpetuates the 'Tale of Two Cities' he vowed to fix.' Outside of the gym, de Blasio could be seen being hounded by more activists as he grabbed his suit and rushed back into the facilities. 'Why won't you commit more housing for homeless New Yorkers Mayor de Blasio?' shouted an activist. 'Five per cent is not adequate!' Activist outside the YMCA could be seen holding signs that read: 'De Blasio To Homeless NYers: Stay Homeless.' The mayor never engaged with the protesters in the clips. New Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has kept a promise he made during his confirmation process - to hire all female clerks in his first term on the bench. Four women clerks joined him at the Supreme Court building on Tuesday, his first day of a lifetime appointment to the bench. Their hiring comes after Kavanaugh denied multiple allegations of sexual assault and was the target of protestors who called on senators to believe women and vote against his confirmation. Kavanaugh made his vow in his at times angry, at times weepy testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee where he defended himself against an allegation from Christine Blasey Ford, who alleges he sexually assaulted her during a high school party in the 80s. New Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh leaves his home Tuesday morning for his first day on the Supreme Court Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Anthony Kennedy swears in Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court while his wife Ashley holds the bible and his daughters watch 'If confirmed, I'll be the first justice in the history of the Supreme Court to have a group of all-women law clerks,' he said in his emotional bid to save his nomination. Kavanaugh denied an allegation from Christine Blasey Ford, who claims Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed, groped her and covered her mouth when she screamed during a high school party in the 1980s. He also denied an allegation from Debra Ramirez he exposed himself to her during a college party at Yale University and from Julie Swetnick that he and his high school friends drugged and gang raped women. He was confirmed by the Senate on Saturday night in a 50-48 vote. With his hiring of four women, the majority of clerks at the Supreme Court are female for the first time. Kavanaugh is the first justice to have an all-female team of clerks. Kavanaugh's four clerks have previous experience working for federal appeals judges, whose cases are one of the last stops before going to the high court. One worked for Kavanaugh previously: Kim Jackson Kim Jackson, who is black, clerked for Kavanaugh when he was a federal appeals judge in Washington D.C. And, like him, she attended Yale Law School, graduating in 2017. She also signed a letter supporting his nomination. She becomes one of only three African-American Supreme Court clerks in the current term. Jackson also clerked for D.C. federal Judge Dabney Friedrich, who dated Kavanaugh in the 1990s and denied ever being physically or sexually abused by him, according to Above the Law. An anonymous letter sent to Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado claimed Kavanaugh had shoved his ex-girlfriend 'against a wall'. Friedrich denied she was the girlfriend in question and said that never happened to her. Shannon Grammel Shannon Grammel Shannon Grammel is a 2017 Stanford Law School graduate and was president of the Stanford Law Review. Grammel previously clerked for Judge Harvie Wilkinson III on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She had started a job at the Justice Departments Civil Appellate division before she received her clerkship with Kavanaugh. Grammel's father Timothy, was an Army judge who retired with the rank of colonel, and she was partly brought up on a base in Germany while he was deployed abroad. He also deployed to Iraq. Megan Lacy Megan Lacy, seen here at an event at her alma mater Hillsdale College, was a member of the White House team that handled Kavanaugh's confirmation Megan Lacy was a member of the White House team that handled Kavanaugh's confirmation and is a former counsel to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley. She was working as Senior Advisor to Brent McIntosh, General Counsel of the Treasury Department when she was detailed to the White House to join the legislative team handling the Kavanaugh nomination. She studied history and French at Hillsdale College, a private conservative Christian college in Michigan, and is a graduate of the University of Virginia Law School in 2010. In 2013-2014, she clerked for Judge Diarmuid OScannlain on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Sara Nommensen Sara Nommensen was a student of Kavanaughs when he taught at Harvard Law School Sara Nommensen graduated from Harvard Law in 2016 and has been an adviser in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. She was a student of Kavanaugh when he taught at Harvard Law School and signed a letter in support of his nomination. She also was the vice president of social activities at the Harvard Law chapter of the Federalist Society, organizing pickup volleyball for members. Nommensen signed a letter of support along with 79 other Harvard law graduates saying that Kavanaugh 'displayed an intellect and character that impressed us all', which was written before the allegations against him were made public. All four women were reported to be with Kavanaugh at the Supreme Court on Sunday after his swearing-in ceremony Saturday night, held as protestors chanted outside the building. They met with him in his new chambers, once held by Justice Samuel Alito, who moved to Justice Anthony Kennedys old chambers. Kavanaugh said during his Senate confirmation hearings that he has made a special effort to hire women after reading a New York Times story years ago about the unequal balance between men and woman hired for prestigious clerkships. 'Just after I took the bench in 2006, there was a major New York Times story about the low numbers of women law clerks at the Supreme Court and federal appeals courts,' he said. 'I took notice, and I took action. A majority of my 48 law clerks over the last 12 years have been women.' Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, right, ceremonially swears-in Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, as Ashley Kavanaugh holds the Bible while daughters Margaret, left, and Liza, look on as President Trump watches On the D.C. Circuit, Kavanaugh hired 25 women and 23 men as law clerks. He is known as a top 'feeder' judge, having sent 39 of his 48 clerks to clerk at the Supreme Court. 'In my time on the bench, no federal judge - not a single one in the country - has sent more women law clerks to clerk on the Supreme Court than I have,' Kavanaugh said at his hearing. This Supreme Court term, six of Kavanaugh's former clerks are working at the the clerk double the number of any other appeals court judge, The New York Times reported. And four of them are women. Alan Tutin, 70, is pictured arriving at the Old Bailey this morning ahead of his trial A trusted GP believed he was 'untouchable' as he molested 25 female patients as young as nine in sexually motivated examinations, a court heard. Alan Tutin allegedly carried out sexual assaults during 'unnecessary' examinations at the Merrow Park Practice in Guildford, Surrey, between 1980 and 2004. Among the 70-year-old's alleged victims across the 24 years were a midwife and a trainee GP, the Old Bailey heard. Alleged victims told police how the father-of-four would 'fondle their breasts' during consultations for unrelated concerns such as a chest infection or a foot wart. He was accused of sexual assault by one woman in 2003, but the General Medical Council opted to take no further action, instead sending him a warning letter about the need for chaperones during examinations with female patients. However a criminal investigation was launched in 2013 following several complaints and letters were sent to thousands of former patients at the practice. The court heard that the first complainant was about 17 years old when she visited Tutin for a consultation about the contraceptive pill. During an during an examination, the doctor 'fondled her breasts', it was alleged. She did not tell anyone at the time but many years later confided in her husband. One victim described how Tutin allegedly squeezed her breasts in a 'Benny Hill way, as though he 'was feeling a couple of melons'. A young woman visited Tutin with a chest infection and a wart on her foot but ended up with breast examinations, the court heard. The youngest alleged victim was aged nine when Tutin caused her to 'cry out' in pain during an intimate examination, the jury was told. A junior doctor stayed at Tutin's house when she was on call during March 1989, and claims he tried to assault her. His wife Angela, who was heavily pregnant, went to bed early leaving the defendant and the young lady alone in the sitting room, the court heard. To her surprise Tutin started to criticise her performance during her training period and this made her cry. The prosecutor said: 'The defendant came and sat next to her, put his arm around her and began to try and unbutton her blouse. 'He moved closer and attempted to kiss her. She was terrified and couldn't speak and he then said 'Alright then OK I won't touch you but go and stand over there and take all your clothes off. I like Chinese women'.' She ran off to her room where she stayed the rest of the night and decided she would never see Tutin again, the court heard. Opening his trial, prosecutor Sally O'Neill said: 'The prosecution case, in brief, is that the defendant took advantage of his position as a doctor and a GP to sexually assault a large number of women. 'These allegations span almost the entirety of his time at Merrow Park and involved his female patients, the youngest being nine and the eldest in her forties.' Allegations were also made by two female medical professionals who came into contact with Tutin through their work. Ms O'Neill said: 'The sexual assaults were typically committed under the guise of breast examinations or vaginal examinations, some of which were entirely unnecessary and were carried out for his sexual gratification and some of which may have been justified but which were carried out in a totally inappropriate way, again for his sexual gratification.' Father-of-four Tutin joined the Guildford surgery in 1980 where his wife Angela was also a partner, and he stopped practising in 2004. Having taken over as senior partner and running the financial side of the business, he 'wielded a lot of influence', Ms O'Neill said. She told jurors: 'Tutin appears to have had quite a dominant personality and perhaps a somewhat arrogant and brusque way of dealing with both patients and staff. 'He may also have been somewhat old-fashioned in his approach to patients and did not explain to them all the time what he was doing before he did it and why it was necessary. Tutin (pictured in London today) has denied all charges and the trial continues 'This trial is not about whether he fell below the standards required of him by his profession. It is about whether he used his position as a doctor to take advantage of often vulnerable patients to carry out unnecessary and inappropriate examinations of them for his own sexual gratification. 'He may have felt himself to be untouchable and unchallengeable at the time because of his position both in the practice and in society, and no doubt, you will want to bear in mind that things have changed over the years in relation to how a doctor should conduct himself towards a patient.' After the prosecution opened its case Louise Sweet, QC, defending Tutin, told the jury: 'I want to start with a small focus on the man that we represent, Dr Alan Tutin and to ask you to remember him as a human being and what this case means to him. 'You have been properly told already that he qualified as a GP in 1974, he married a GP, Dr Angela Tutin and they are still married. 'They have had three children, they have brought them up together while they have practiced and one of their children, their daughter, is also a GP. 'It cannot be overstated how much being a GP has meant to Dr Tutin, it has meant everything. 'It was not just a job it was a way of life, spending time in the surgery on call for all hours, attending childbirth deliveries at the local maternity hospital. 'He lived at the office of Merrow Park and he worked at the office of Merrow Park at the surgery which is at the top of the high street in this village and he found general practice rewarding because he was dedicated as a doctor and felt valued in the community.' Ms Sweet described how 'salacious or sexualised reporting' in the media had labelled Tutin as 'a dirty doctor.' She continued: 'Almost 21 years of general practice, or many thousands of patients, many tens of thousands of consultations - all that was to change dramatically in 1999 when sexual allegations, for which he has been wholly exonerated, were levied at his door. 'They led to the first explosion of adverse press and we say, poison from which he has never been able to recover.' The court heard there were criminal allegations of sexual abuse in 1999 resulting in two trials, none of which involved any of the complainants nor resulted in any 'adverse findings'. The General Medical Council also became involved and there was a Fitness to Practice hearing in 2001 which did include some of the women in this case, Ms O'Neill said. Most of the alleged victims did not speak out at the time, although one woman did complain of sexual assault shortly after the day it was said to have happened in July 2003. Following the 2003 complaint, police and GMC were alerted and although it did not result in a prosecution or disciplinary action, the defendant was sent a letter warning about the need to have a chaperone present during examinations of female patients, jurors heard. The defendant stopped practising the following year, in November 2004. The court heard how other women came forward and the defendant was arrested in January 2006. There was no prosecution then but there was a GMC Fitness to Practice hearing in 2008 and 2009 at which some of the current complainants gave evidence. Tutin has denied all 28 charges against him and the trial continues. Police have raided the cave of a Thai man who claims to have slept with dozens of beautiful tourists and brags about his exploits on social media. Chatupoom Losir - better known as 'The Cave Man' - is now being monitored by Thai authorities after scores of complaints from locals who claim he lacks decency. The 48-year-old came under fire after boasting about seducing a Russian woman, only to post a photo of a different woman sleeping naked in his bed the next day. Last week, police combed through his primitive tin mine-turned lair on the Full Moon Party island of Koh Phangan to see if there was anything suspicious or illegal inside. Officers later admitted the Lothario had not broken any laws or been the subject of any complaints, but said it was 'precarious and risky' for women to go into the cave. Scroll down for video Chatupoom Losir (pictured left) - better known as 'The Cave Man' - is now being monitored by the authorities after scores of complaints from locals who claim he lacks decency Authorities later admitted the lothario had not broken any laws and no complaints have been made against him 'Koh Phangan district has made an inquiry to the landowner whether he will continue to let Mr Chatupoom live in the area or ask him to leave,' Koh Phangan Sheriff Kairik Kraisong said on Thursday, The Sun reported. 'There are no complaints. If there is a complaint, the officers can take legal action,' Mr Losiri defended himself to reporters, declaring her had done nothing wrong and the women who visit his cave did so on their own free will. 'The women who sleep here, there is no compulsion in any way. None of the women are forced to do anything, and sometimes we don't have sex,' he said. 'Sometimes we just hug until morning. They are all happy and I'm happy, too.' Mr Losiri (pictured) defended himself to reporters declaring her had done nothing wrong and the women who visit his cave do so on their own free will Chatupoom Losir: 'Sometimes we just hug until morning. They are all happy and I'm happy, too' Mr Losiri became a online sensation after he began to document his holistic and off-the-grid lifestyle on the small party island, mingling with attractive backpackers. In a post to Facebook last month, Mr Losiri detailed the moment he wooed a young Russian tourist to his home. 'Today, while I was driving a motorcycle heading back to the cave, I saw a woman, a delicate, beautiful look, came from the other side of the road,' he wrote. 'I said to her, ''You interrupted me. I was riding my motorbike home, but because of your beauty, I had to turn around.'' 'I needed to talk to you and find out if you're beautiful on the inside as well,' the post read. Chatupoom Losiri (left) detailed the moment he wooed a young Russian tourist (right) back to his cave In a post to Facebook, the 48-year-old caveman uploaded a photo with the woman and detailed their romantic encounter The story progressed to a steamy setting at his beach-side home but the caveman persisted he didn't even kiss the woman. The post has since been shared thousands of times, gathered scores of comments and attracted more than 94,000 followers to his page. Despite some hailing the cave man as an idol and a romantic, others have branded his courting technique as 'creepy'. The Thai heart-throb regularly posts about his romantic escapades with western women. Days after he posted about the Russian tourist, Mr Losiri uploaded an image of a naked woman in his bed. The story progressed in to a steamy, romantic setting back to his beach-side home but the cave man persists he didn't even kiss the woman Despite some hailing the cave man as an idol and a romantic, others have branded his courting technique as 'creepy' After receiving backlash for the image, he pulled down the post and wrote 'If you find my posts disturbing, then you should not follow me. 'I didn't force anyone to follow this page. Only the people who share the same dream and lifestyle as me would have fun here [Facebook page],' he wrote. He claimed the naked woman photographed in his bed was not the Russian tourist, but another one of his 'lovers'. A car travelling along a mountainside road in south-west China was nearly crushed during a sudden rock slide. Dashcam footage of the incident on October 3 shows a massive boulder smashing into an SUV travelling in the opposite lane after tumbling down the roadside hill in Bome county in Tibet. Fortunately, the rock had hit bonnet of the car and all passengers in the vehicle were unhurt. Dashcam footage of the incident on October 3 shows a massive boulder smashing into an SUV travelling in the opposite lane after tumbling down the roadside hill in Bome county in Tibet Fortunately, the rock had hit bonnet of the car and all passengers in the vehicle were unhurt The front of the vehicle was crushed by the large rocks, which sent the entire car spinning off the track. The massive boulder continues to tumble down the hill, crashing into several trees. Loose rocks followed, narrowly missing the car. A police officer from Bome county told video news site Pear that the car is now under repair. The car was reportedly travelling on the G318, one of the longest China National Highways at 5,476 kilometres (3,400 miles) connecting Shanghai to Zhangmu in Tibet. The car was reportedly travelling on the G318, one of the longest China National Highways at 5,476 kilometres (3,400 miles) connecting Shanghai to Zhangmu in Tibet A group of British politicians are about to be outed for their ties to Vladimir Putin's Russia, a Tory MP today said. Bob Seely said the list - which includes peers sitting in the House of Lords - could be exposed within weeks. In a dramatic intervention, Mr Seely said the politicians are believed to have overstepped the mark in their ties to the country and may have been in the pay of Russian oligarchs. Mr Seely, who is also a Russia security expert, refused to name the politicians set to be exposed. And he warned that Putin's Russia is hellbent on using the freedoms enjoyed in the west to sew discord in a 'more subtle' threat to the West than posed by the Cold War. His shock claim comes as the second man behind the Salisbury poison outrage was unmasked as Dr Alexander Mishkin, 39, who used the alias Alexander Petrov. Tory MP Bob Seely (pictured outside Parliament today on the left with investigators with the Bellingcat website with Eliot Higgins, report author Christo Grozev ) said the list - which includes peers sitting in the House of Lords - could be exposed within weeks Bob Seely warned that under Vladimir Putin (pictured today with his Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the Russian town of Vody) Russia is hellbent on using the freedoms enjoyed in the west to sew discord in a 'more subtle' threat to the West than posed by the Cold War Mr Seely said that while the politicians are probably not on a Soviet-style spy list, they are suspected of having overstepped the mark with their ties to Putins state. He told BBC Radio 4s World at One: There are some parliamentarians who are, apparently from what I hear, going to be mentioned in a letter which is going to be made public in the next few weeks. I dont have more detail at the moment. I am pretty sure I know who the parliamentarians are but Ive been told in confidence so I cant say now. But that will probably generate some interest at the time and I think there is going to be some further action by government agencies on this front in the next few months.' Asked if there is a risk of a witch hunt against those with links to Russia he said: The Brits and the Russians tend to get on rather well and this is not the Russian people. This is the Kremlins political warfare, declared by President Putin in 2007 against the western liberal democracy for a variety of complex reasons. I quite agree you have to be careful. You are talking about people they havent got some Soviet era workbook, they are probably not on some KGB list that says these are our spies in the UK. They are people who probably stepped a mark over, and probably have worked for Russian oligarchs in the past. You are assuming its very black and white and I think nowadays there are shades of grey that do get manipulated. Open societies are facing a threat from closed and authoritarian societies who want to use our freedoms to damage us. GRU Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga travelled to Britain under the alias Ruslan Boshirov and both men outed themselves, investigators have said Bellingcat revealed Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin travelled to Salisbury under the alias Alexander Petrov Investigators have been to Mishkin's home village 400 miles from Moscow (pictured), which has no paved roads and his grandmother who lives there has no vanished 'And this is a more subtle threat than the Cold War and we need to get our heads around it. His dramatic claims came as fresh details emerged of the bungling assassins sent to Salisbury to kill Russian former spy Sergei Skripal with the Cold war nerve agent novichok. Dr Mishkin was sent on the hit job with GRU Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga in March this year, and both agents have been personally give Russia's highest honour by Vladimir Putin, the Bellingcat website revealed. But Dr Mishkin was unwittingly exposed by his own grandmother, who has a photograph of her grandson with Putin receiving his 'Hero of Russia' award and Gold Star medal in 2014. The picture, which she proudly showed to people in their village of Loyga in northeastern Russia, provided the crucial clue needed to reveal the doctor's identity. She has now mysteriously vanished from her village after new broke that the GRU agent's identity was about to be revealed. A mother who escaped the Grenfell Tower inferno with her children wept as she asked why the fire brigade's 'stay put' advice to residents was not abandoned sooner. Hiwot Dagnachew, who lived immediately above the fourth-floor flat where the fire broke out, fled with her family after discovering smoke and flames in her kitchen. Asked at the end of her evidence if there was anything else she felt it would be important for the public inquiry to hear, Ms Dagnachew said one 'burning question' had lingered. 'How is it that the incident commander did not know that fire was raging through flats as well, not just on the outside?' she asked. She claimed despite residents 'giving vital information' to the fire service, family and friends perished because no evacuation was ordered. Meron Mekonnen fled the 19th floor of the tower on June 14 last year with her two young daughters, who started crying and screaming 'Our home is burning' once outside The fire quickly engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, White City Ms Dagnachew added: 'What did that firefighter do with that vital information we gave, because I have always thought since then ... people we loved, people that died that evening, had there been an early evacuation decision, most of them would have been here today.' The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been criticised for initially telling residents to remain in their flats despite the speed and ferocity of the blaze's spread. The basis of the stay-put policy is that fire should not spread between compartments, so a person in an unaffected part of the building should be able to remain in their flat and await rescue safely. This was changed almost two hours after the fire started. Ms Dagnachew said she first became aware of the fire at about 1.15am and had fled the building within minutes, telling a firefighter on the way down that it had spread to her flat. She continued: 'This was very early in the night and so many people could have been evacuated. We've lost so many people because they were told to stay put. 'I was waiting for my friends, for my neighbours to come out. Why was the policy not changed early on? Why were no people evacuated early on?' Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick replied: 'It's an important question and one which we will do our very best to answer.' From left: Hiwot Dagnachew, Aysha Bora, Halima Al-huthaifi, Ahlam Saeid and Munira Mahmud, in the Hubb Community Kitchen at the Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre. Their recipes feature in the cookbook 'Together: Our Community Cookbook', with a foreword written by the Duchess of Sussex Feelings of guilt over not doing more to alert her neighbours have plagued Ms Dagnachew, as she added: '[The guilt] will stay with me forever'. Meron Mekonnen fled the 19th floor of the tower on June 14 last year with her two young daughters, who started crying and screaming 'Our home is burning' once outside. She covered their eyes to stop them witnessing 'the human tragedy unfolding', as trapped residents switched their lights on and off to attract attention. In a written statement to the public inquiry into the blaze, Ms Mekonnen told of the impact of the fire on her two daughters, then six and four, who both now struggle to sleep. She said: '[My daughter] asks, 'Why can't we go to heaven if this is where the other children have gone?'. Ms Mekonnen was woken by a phone call from her aunt Hiwot at about 1.25am. She and her daughters attempted to go down the stairs but were told to 'go back' by someone further down. They tried again and managed to successfully reach the ground floor, leaving the tower at 1.32am. Feelings of guilt over not doing more to alert her neighbours have plagued Ms Dagnachew, as she added: '[The guilt] will stay with me forever' Once outside, Ms Mekonnen called her neighbour Genet on the 18th floor, urging her, her partner and her two young sons to leave. The neighbour said she had been told by the fire brigade to stay put, and threatened to jump from the window with her family. Genet later safely made it out, but the body of her son, five-year-old Isaac, was discovered in the stairwell. Ms Mekonnen's neighbours in the flat opposite - Mohamednur Tuccu, 44, his wife Amal Ahmedin, 35, and their three-year-old daughter Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin - also died. Ms Mekonnen said: 'I personally believe that firefighters should have started going from flat-to-flat to get people out the tower as soon as they realised the fire was out of control. 'If people had left their flats at the same time as me and my children, I think that many lives could have been saved. 'I do not understand why the London Fire Brigade were telling people to stay in their flats, as the staircase was empty at the point I left and there was virtually no smoke higher up the tower at that early stage.' The public inquiry is currently in its first phase, hearing from survivors, the bereaved and local residents at Holborn Bars, central London. By Auqib Javeed, TwoCircles.net Bandipora: Rehana Gulzar, a 33-year-old woman and a mother of three, was allegedly burnt alive by her in-laws in Ahm-e-Sharief, a village of North Kashmirs Bandipora district last week. The victim sustained grievous burn injuries according to the doctors. Although she was rushed to a nearby hospital on Saturday, she soon died of her injuries. The doctors said that she had sustained 100% burn injuries. Support TwoCircles The family members of deceased alleged that she was murdered by her in-laws. They said that she was married eight years ago and ever since was continuously being harassed. She was tortured and harassed by her in-laws from the day first of her marriage over petty issues, they have burned her alive today as she was preparing to shift to her newly-constructed house, Iqbal Ahmad, a brother of Rehana said while talking to TwoCircle.net. However, Rehanas in-laws refuted the allegations saying that she had committed suicide. Rehana Gulzar was married to Lateef Ahmad Baba of Ahm-e-Sharief in 2009. They have three kids and Rehana was working as Head Nurse in the Department of Health. Meanwhile, the police have started an investigation into the case. So far, all the accused in-laws have been arrested. Let us see what comes out, SHO Bandipora Syed Gazanfur added. Meanwhile, scores of employees from Health Department staged a protest at Gulshan Chowk Bandipora, demanding justice for their colleague. Employees while displaying placards reading Justice for Rehana, Hang the Culprits, shouted slogans demanding capital punishment to the perpetrators. Our colleague was burnt by her in-laws. We have carried out this protest rally to demand justice for our colleague. A CBI inquiry should be carried out in this case and justice be delivered to her, demanded Fayaz Ahmad, a protesting health employee. Talking to TCN Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said that a Special Investigation team has been constituted to probe the death of a nurse He said that SIT has been constituted to be headed by a Police official of the rank of DySP will probe the matter. He said thorough probe will be done and justice will be delivered A New Zealand farmer is on a mission to bring the 'cutest sheep ever' to the world after successfully breeding them in New Zealand. Sally Strathdee and husband Lindsay fell in love with the Valais Blacknose breed after discovering images of the fluffy creatures online. Having successfully bred 16 of the animals in New Zealand using sperm and embryos brought from Scotland, the pair now want to introduce them to North America. Farmer Sally Strathdee is on a mission to bring the Valais Blacknose sheep to the world after dubbing it the 'cutest ever' breed Strathdee, who bred sheep for 10 years before settling in Christchurch, decided to produce the animals in 2016 while plotting a move back to the country Breeders in Scotland were more than happy to share the sheep with Mrs Strathdee, but strict laws about importing the animals to New Zealand looked to have scuppered her plans Sally came across the breed while plotting a move from her home in Christchurch, New Zealand's second city, to the countryside near Motueka, 260 miles away. Having decided she had to have some of the sheep for her farm, she set off to the first ever National Valais Blacknose show in Carlisle, England, in 2016. While there she met Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister, from Tomintoul, Scotland, the proud owners of show-winning sheep Highland Breeze, who agreed to help. But plans hit a snag when Sally realized that strict import laws around livestock prevented live animals being brought from the UK to her home country. At least that was the case until Christine Reed, a biosecurity worker and long-time client of husband Lindsay, who works as a financial adviser, told them of a rule-change that would allow them to ship embryos and sperm. Christine Reed (left), a biosecurity worker, helped Mrs Strathdee (right, with husband Lindsay) spot a loophole in the law that would allow her to bring embryos and sperm into the country The embryos landed in New Zealand in May 2017 and a short time later 16 sheep - nine boys and seven girls - were born Embryos from the top 10 ewes in Tomintoul arrived in May 2017, and 16 Valais Blacknose sheep - nine girls and seven boys - were born shortly after. Christine explained: 'Having never heard of the breed but having bred dorper sheep for a decade, I googled Valais Blacknose sheep to find the cutest sheep in the world peeking back. 'And so the partnership that became Valais Blacknose New Zealand [her farm] was formed. 'We implanted in June 2017 and later in October had the most gorgeous 16 lambs on the ground 9 girls and 7 boys. 'Miraculously, one of the embryos implanted in Sally and Lindsays flock resulted in twin girls. A very unusual event but very welcome. Mrs Strathdee said the sheep have become hugely popular in New Zealand and tourists even stop off on cruise ship excursions to see them She now plans to bring the breed to North America, where she hopes their friendly demeanor will mean they catch on 'One of the most wonderful surprises for us though, was that not only were these the cutest sheep in the world, but they had friendly inquisitive natures unlike any other sheep breed, more like your family dog following you around the fields.' 'Valais Blacknose NZ has gone from strength to strength since then,' she added. 'Our Facebook page now has almost 12,000 followers and we are receiving daily emails from all over the world for imports and a substantial interest in New Zealand as well. 'We have visitors willing to jump off cruise ships and rent cars just so they can see the sheep. 'Some visitors are also wanting to come to New Zealand just to see them and one photo quickly taken on a cell phone in January 2018 has now had 2.3 million views.' Valais Blacknose NZ are now working on getting exports allowed to North America. Hospital worker Koffi Kouakou has become the 11th person jailed after Grenfell. He swindled 24,572 worth of handouts when he was put up in a hotel for three months. He told the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea that he had been living in flat 115 with Zainab Deen, which officers soon discovered was a lie. Bangladeshi Mohammed Syed Rinku claimed he was in a gay relationship with a resident of the 20th floor of the west London block and his boyfriend had died in the blaze. But when he was asked about his affair by the police, it became clear he had researched who had died in the fire. Officers then found heterosexual porn and dating apps on his phone. The 46-year-old was jailed for 18 months for the fraud. Anh Nhu Nguyen pretended his wife and 12-year-old son were killed in the blaze so he could claim charity handouts. He pocketed 11,270 as he was put up in hotels and given clothing, laptops and cash. But police discovered the 53-year-old had 28 convictions for 56 offences spanning more than 30 years, including theft, dishonesty offences, arson and grievous bodily harm. Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam, even tried to apply for a passport by claiming his had been incinerated. He was jailed for 21 months in February. Another fraudster, Anh Nhu Nguyen, met Prince Charles during his time posing as a victim Elaine Douglas and Tommy Brooks falsely claimed they lived in Grenfell Tower to claim more than 120,000. The illegal immigrants spent eight months living in a four-star hotel, with taxpayers footing the 400-a-night bill. They also spent more than 20,000 on meals and clothing on pre-paid credit cards which were given to them by Kensington and Chelsea council. The pair entered Britain illegally from Jamaica 16 years ago on separate flights and were ordered to leave by immigration officials only to vanish reappearing in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy last year. Douglas, 51, was jailed for a total of three years while Brooks, 52, received a sentence of three years and three months. Joyce Msokeri falsely claimed to have lost her husband in the blaze so that she could claim thousands of pounds. The conwoman travelled 14 miles from her own flat to the tower block and convinced charity workers she had survived the inferno. She feigned trauma to obtain handouts of 19,000 in cash, food, clothing, three mobile phones and free stays at a Hilton hotel. The 47-year-old would have received 203,000 in handouts if she had not been caught. When Msokeri, from Zimbabwe, kept giving them different numbers for her flat in the tower block, her apparent forgetfulness was put down to trauma. She was jailed for four-and-a-half years in April. Mohammad Gamoota is pictured Mohammad Gamoota trawled a list of the dead then told officials his father was Abdeslam Sebbar, who had died after becoming trapped in his flat. The 31-year-old said he had survived only because he was attending midnight prayers at his mosque when the inferno took hold. In reality, he was not related to Mr Sebbar, 77, and did not live in Grenfell Tower, but took the details from a newspaper. Two days later, Gamoota presented himself as a bereaved relative. He was given 500 and booked into a Holiday Inn hotel where he racked up a 374 room service bill. He tried to claim a further 5,000 but a technical issue with his bank account prevented the money being paid in. He was jailed for 18 months. Yonatan Eyob falsely claimed 81,000 in cash and free hotel stays, as well as 11,000 towards a new permanent home. Eyob claimed he had lived alone in a flat that actually contained a family of five who perished in Britain's worst fire for a generation. Neighbours said he didn't and CCTV proved he had never been there. He was later charged with dishonestly making a false representation for accommodation and subsistence between June 2017 and June 2018. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty and was jailed for more than six years. Council worker Jenny McDonagh blew money for victims on holidays and meals out Jenny McDonagh stole pre-paid cash cards while working as manager of the Grenfell Fire fund at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In total she took about 62,000 from pre-paid cash cards meant for several survivors, including Fadumo Ahmed, Sacha Salaabi and Christos Fairbairn, the court heard. The money was spent on online gambling and foreign holidays. She was jailed for five-and-a-half years. Antonio Gouveia, 33, lied about escaping the inferno. The fraudster claimed to be the flatmate of 80-year-old Hermine Harris who was living in the block of flats on the night of the tragedy which left 72 people dead in June 2017. He has been jailed for three years. Abdelkarim Rekaya, 28, took advantage of the governments policy of providing amnesty for illegal immigrants living in the gutted tower block in June last year. He had been in the country since 2009 and by 2010 he had been cautioned by police for trying to steal bicycle. Rekaya first claimed he was living in flat four when the inferno claimed the lives of 72 residents. He later changed his story to say he was homeless and sleeping in the stairwell of the 11th and 12th floor. Shortly after the blaze he was put up in a luxury Chelsea hotel at a cost of 60,000 for just under a year. Judge Robin Jonathan warned him he faced a substantial custodial sentence. A school in east London has become the seventh which has been forced to close after being infested by Britain's deadliest spider. Last week, four primary schools and two secondary schools closed after Newham's Environmental Team launched an investigation into the infestations. Another secondary, Eastlea Community School will close tomorrow as its headteacher is forcing pupils to come to school and sit in spider-infested classrooms - so they can be given homework. The map shows the seven schools in east London which have been closed due to the spiders After False Widows were discovered by Newham's Environmental Team, four primary schools and two secondary schools have closed Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, pictured, is scheduled to reopen on October 16 Star Lane Primary School, pictured, is also expected to reopen on October 15 One of the schools involved, Earlham Primary school was closed while before being declared spider free. Bites from the spiders, which are the size of a 50p coin, can cause flu-like symptoms, swelling or a nasty infection if left untreated - and could even kill in rare circumstances. Pest control teams are now working to bring the outbreak under control before any more eggs hatch. A Newham council spokeswoman said: 'We are working with the schools to ensure that children continue to receive an education whilst closed.' Rokeby secondary in Canning Town will be closed until October 29. The other affected schools are Star Primary in Beckton, Ellen Wilkinson Primary in Canning Town and Lister Community School in Plaistow. Lister Community School, pictured, will remain closed until October 29 while pest control experts try to eliminate False Widow Spiders from the building Rokeby Secondary School, pictured, has also been closed until October 29. Head teacher Charlotte Robinson said clearing the False Widows would take up to three weeks Charlotte Robinson headteacher of Rokeby said a pest control company said clearing the spiders would take three weeks. In a letter to parents of the school's 770 pupils, she wrote: 'I have had to take the difficult decision to close Rokeby School to students and staff until Monday, October 29. 'We have engaged a company to deal with and eradicate this pest, they have estimated that this will take up to three weeks. 'The safety and wellbeing of students and staff must be our priority so whilst I understand that this may be very inconvenient for you it is in your child's best interest to remain at home and not at school.' Eastlea Community School headteacher Stephen Gillat confirmed the threat of spiders in a letter to students. Anthony Wilson, headteacher of Lister Community School wrote to parents to explain that the school would be closing after the spiders were found on the site Timeline of school closures October 4 Lister School closes. Will reopen after the half term on October 29. Star Lane Primary closes. Will reopen on October 15. Ellen Wilkinson primary. Will reopen on October 16. Rokeby Secondary School will reopen on October 29. Monega Primary School closed briefly but the nursery remains shut until October 15. Earlham Primary school was closed while before being declared spider free. October 10 Eastlea Community School will remain closed until October 29. Advertisement It read: 'Upon Newham environmental health inspecting Eastlea, an infestation of spiders were discovered in and around the perimeter of our buildings. 'Therefore, I have had to take the difficult decision to close Eastlea Community School to students and staff. 'We have engaged a company to deal with and eradicate this pest and they will do this as quickly as possible. 'However, they have estimated that this will take up to three weeks.' David Cross, head of Technical Training Academy at Rentokil Pest Control, said the spiders have been around for some time. He said: 'False Widow Spiders have brown bulbous abdomens with pale markings, and the females can grow up to 15mm. 'The spiders will only bite humans if they become frightened, or if they are accidentally provoked or squeezed. 'Their venom can make children ill, but bites in adults will usually only cause a temporary pain and swelling. 'The false widow spider was accidentally imported to the UK about 150 years ago and they are adapting to our temperate climate, with increased sightings across the country.' President Donald Trump once again attacked anti-Brett Kavanaugh protesters Tuesday, in the latest effort to cast opponents as being either unhinged or financially motivated. His attack came a day after Trump claimed Kavanaugh was 'proven innocent' during an honorary swearing-in ceremony Monday, signaling the president wants to keep the fight in the headlines. He again alluded to his 'paid protesters' attack though this time he did not invoke the name of financier George Soros, a tactic that drew criticism both from critics of anti-Semitic 'dog whistling' and from fact checkers. 'The paid D.C. protesters are now ready to REALLY protest because they haven't gotten their checks - in other words, they weren't paid!' Trump wrote. President Donald Trump again blasted 'paid protesters' in a new tweet, following early claims Democrats were part of an 'angry mob' 'Screamers in Congress, and outside, were far too obvious - less professional than anticipated by those paying (or not paying) the bills!' The attack differed somewhat from Trump's earlier attack, where he said protesters were paid. On Tuesday, Trump seemed to be saying the 'weren't paid,' or had somehow gotten stiffed. Trump also made the claim while addressing reporters at the White House before heading off to Iowa Tuesday. 'A lot of those were paid protesters. You saw that. Theyre all unhappy because they havent been paid yet. Ive been calling it. They were paid protesters,' Trump asserted. 'That was professional. That was orchestrated. When you look in the halls of Congress and you see screaming like that - and its like chimes one goes, the next goes,' he said. These are paid protesters,' Trump added. Before the final Kavanaugh vote, Trump went after two women, affiliated with an activist group, who confronted Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake in an elevator in a dramatic confrontation that presaged Flake agreeing to a one-week delay for an additional FBI investigation of Kavanaugh, who is now the court's ninth justice. President Trump has said protesters were 'paid,' but also said they 'weren't paid!' and were 'less professional' than expected Trump is keeping up his attack, after Republicans saw an uptick in polling in some Senate races during the Kavanaugh controversy Trump tweeted Friday: ''The very rude elevator screamers are paid professionals only looking to make Senators look bad. Don't fall for it! Also, look at all of the professionally made identical signs. Paid for by Soros and others. These are not signs made in the basement from love!' The tweet appeared to reference the conspiracy theory that billionaire investor George Soros was paying the protesters, who flocked to the Capitol in a failed effort to try to derail the Kavanaugh nomination and championed accusers who alleged he had committed sexual assault. A majority of Americans oppose Kavanaugh's nomination, with 51 per cent opposed and 41 per cent in favor. A 52 per cent majority believe his women accusers, compared to 38 per cent who believe Kavanaugh, according to the poll. Activists protest in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. The president says protesters were 'paid' Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski (C) and actress and comedian Amy Schumer (R) join the Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation Protest in front of the Supreme Court on October 4, 2018 in Washington, DC An activist holds up a sign that reads 'Devil's Triangle' during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court October 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. Kavanaugh testified the term in his high school yearbook referred to a drinking game, though senators asked if it was a sexual reference The Washington Post fact-checker pointed out that the The Center for Popular Democracy, with which the two women who confronted Flake were affiliated with, does funds from Soros' Open Society Foundations, but it is only one of multiple sources. The Soros funds are dedicated to specific programs, and groups that provie protesters with sums like $50 for bail money for protesters who get arrested say it isn't a payment and gets returned if it isn't needed. 'There is some, indirect money from Soros associated with the groups that confronted senators in elevators, but it is wrong to claim the protesters were paid by Soros or directed by him,' the fact-checker concluded. Protesters against US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh demonstrate at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2018 Demonstrators from Washington-area law schools -- including Georgetown, George Washington, Howard, The District of Columbia and Catholic universities -- march on the U.S. Capitol East Lawn to protest against the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh October 06, 2018 in Washington, DC On Saturday, hours before the final vote that put Kavanaugh over the top, Trump also floated his theory the protesters against him were 'paid professionals'. 'Women for Kavanaugh, and many others who support this very good man, are gathering all over Capitol Hill in preparation for a 3-5 P.M. VOTE,' Trump wrote. 'It is a beautiful thing to see - and they are not paid professional protesters who are handed expensive signs. Big day for America!' Trump's attack on the protesters goes along with another GOP tactic, also voiced by Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell: to cast Democrats and their allies as part of an angry 'mob.' Trump used the terminology at his Saturday rally in Topeka. 'In their quest for power, the radical Democrats have turned into an angry mob,' Trump said. 'You saw that today with the screaming and the shouting, not from the 200 people or less -- you know what? Those people, they couldn't fit in the front row.,' he said. 'You don't hand matches to an arsonist, and you don't give power to an angry left-wing mob,' Trump continued. 'That's what they have become. The Democrats have become too extreme and too dangerous to govern. Republicans believe in the rule of law, not the rule of the mob.' Nikki Haley abruptly resigned on Tuesday morning as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She'll leave her post in December. President Trump announced the departure from the Oval Office, where he said that she 'has been very special to me' and 'is a fantastic person' who has done exemplary work. 'She's done a fantastic job, and we've done a fantastic job together,' he said, citing the progress toward a nuclear deal with North Korea. 'We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to hopefully, you'll be coming back at some point.' He said that she would be welcome to return in another capacity telling her she could have her pick of jobs if she wants to come back. 'I think she's helped make it a much better position, if you want to know the truth,' he said of her tenure at the United Nations, where she was known for fiery speeches defending America's interests. 'I wonder why, but it is. I mean, she's made it a more glamorous position. She's made it a more important more importantly, a more important position.' Haley has been considered a rising star within the Republican Party and a leading candidate for president in 2020, if Trump decides not to run for reelection. She put those rumors to rest on Tuesday, though, in the joint appearance, where she said she would be campaigning for the current Oval Office occupant. 'No I'm not running for 2020,' she said. 'I look forward to supporting the president in the next election.' Nikki Haley abruptly resigned on Tuesday morning as U.S. ambassador. President Trump announced the departure from the Oval Office where he said that she 'has been very special to me' and 'is a fantastic person' who's done a 'terrific job' He said that she would hopefully she would return in another capacity - telling her she could have her pick of jobs if she wants to come back Haley spoke glowingly of the president and his family in their joint appearance in the Oval NOT A THREAT: 'No, I'm not running for 2020,' she said. 'I look forward to supporting the president in the next election' Haley praised Jared Kushner and the president's elder daughter Ivanka. The senior advisers to the president were present on Tuesday as Haley resigned publicly in the Oval Office Haley said she doesn't have 'anything set' on where she's going to go next. She noted that it has been eight years of 'intense time' in her life, having catapulted from governor of South Carolina to United Nations ambassador. She acknowledged that her departure would be picked apart by the pundits and insisted that the timing was intended to leave the Trump administration in the best possible position. 'For all of you that are going to ask about 2020, no, I am not running for 2020,' she said. 'I can promise you what I'll be doing is campaigning for this one.' She said her family has been very supportive of her career and there are 'no personal reasons' for her departure other than a belief that public servants should be term-limited and recognize when it's time to leave. Trump said that they would stay in 'constant touch' and he would continue to rely on her for advice on foreign affairs. 'She got to know the players,' he said of China, Russia and India. 'She knows everybody on a very first-name basis, and they like her.' Haley spoke glowingly of the president and his family, including son-in-law Jared Kushner and the president's elder daughter. 'Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands,' she said. 'And Ivanka has been just a great friend.' She said the couple that volunteers their time at the White House in unpaid senior adviser positions 'do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about.' Haley credited Kushner, specifically, for his work on an as-of-yet unseen Middle East peace plan. Later in the day, CNN reported that President Trump could tap his daughter Ivanka to take Haley's place. A White House spokeswoman declined to comment on the rumor to DailyMail.com. The president bit outside as he talked to reporters before his departure for an Iowa rally in Marine One. He told DailyMail.com and other journalists asking about his daughter, 'I think Ivanka would be incredible.' He immediately added: 'I would be accused of nepotism even though I'm not sure there's anyone more competent in the world, but that's OK.' Such an appointment would be unprecedented. That didn't stop the president from inviting his daughter and son-in-law to come work for him at the White House, and it's unlikely that it would keep him from promoting his daughter the position that would send her back to New York and heighten her profile on the world stage. The president said he was considering 'numerous' people for the position and spoke favorably of ex-national security adviser Dina Powell. He batted down a suggestion that Kushner could take the gig but did not rule out his daughter. He laughed and told a group of reporters: 'I think CNN would support her.' Anyone who takes the position must be confirmed by a simple majority in the Senate. Republicans hold exactly that many seats until at least the end of the calendar year. President Trump could find himself in a weaker position after the midterms, if Republicans perform poorly at the ballot box. He told reporters on Tuesday that he's looking to nominate and move someone through the Senate before it becomes a problem. 'I would say well name a successor, I dont know, within the next two or three weeks,' he offered in the Oval Office. 'Maybe sooner.' The U.N. ambassador technically reports to the secretary of state, although Haley, like Mike Pompeo, is a member of the president's Cabinet. Pompeo was coincidentally at the White House on Tuesday for lunch after returning from a trip to China and North Korea. He told reporters in a perfunctory statement: 'I wanted to thank ambassador Haley for the good work that shes done. 'Shes been a great partner of mine for now five months that she and I have been working together. I want to wish her very well in whatever comes next for her.' He declined to take questions after making the announcement. 'Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands,' Haley said on Tuesday. 'And Ivanka has been such a great friend' Haley confers with President Trump as he chairs a United Nations Security Council meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters in late September Haley's boss, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, told White House reporters in a perfunctory statement: 'I wanted to thank ambassador Haley for the good work that shes done' Haley's resignation was first reported by the news website Axios. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders did not confirm it but said a tweet minutes after Axios reported the resignation: 'President Trump and Ambassador Nikki Haley will meet in the Oval Office at 10:30am this morning. This event will be open to the pool.' The president subsequently said in a tweet that he'd be making a 'Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10:30am.' Trump's tweet suggested that Haley was leaving the administration on good terms, despite recent clashes with the president, and he offered her high praise his remarks. He said that he couldn't imagine his ambassador was guilty of ethics violations that emerged on Tuesday as she offered her resignation. She spoke out strongly in favor of Christine Blasey Ford after the university professor levied an accusation of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. 'It turns my stomach. It really turns my stomach. I mean, Ms. Ford needs to be heard, but Brett Kavanaugh needs to be heard and the Senate has a responsibility here,' Haley told Fox News. 'They have to lead, they have to make sure its fair, they have to make sure its responsible and they have got to take the politics out of this situation.' Haley defended the president in strong terms, however, a day later when a reporter asked her about an alleged plot to remove Trump from office using the 25th amendment. A Cabinet-level member of the Trump administration since the Republican took office, she said 'no one is questioning' the president's mental acuity. 'It is completely and totally absurd,' Haley said at a late September news conference during the United Nations General Assembly. 'No one is questioning the president at all. If anything, were trying to keep up the pace with him in the fact that hes got a lot that he wants to accomplish very quickly, and were going to continue to support him in the way that he does that.' Haley's weekend trip with former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell set off speculation that's she in line for U.N. ambassador Apparently, that support will no longer involve her acting as the face of the United States on the global stage at the United Nations. Even before her announced departure from the Oval Office, Haley had already wiped her Twitter bio of any mention of the United Nations and the Trump administration. A State Department source indicated to DailyMail.com that her resignation wasn't as abrupt as it seemed. 'She didn't tell anyone at State before she told the White House, but people suspected this was coming,' the person said. 'She was asking some of us a few months ago about timing. Seems now like she decided to wait until Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation was over so she wouldn't be a distraction.' Trump said that she told him roughly six months ago that she want to take time off at the end of a two-year stint. 'So, Nikki, I just wanted to tell you that we will miss you. We'll be speaking all the time, but we will miss you nevertheless. And you have done a fantastic job,' he said. Advertisement There is a deliberateness to the photographs of Evelyn Hofer that can be seen in each of her portraits whether it be people or places of New York City in the 1960s and 70s. The hairstyles and hats speak to the eras of bouffants and afros, of bums and the Bowery, and train stations and tracks that are no longer in use or have been modified beyond recognition. Her subjects the policeman with his long black coat and hands in white gloves, the boys on the stoop, the hot dog stand worker, the barflies, and the older woman looking regal with her light purple flower stare forthrightly at the camera. It was all by design. Hofer took her photographs with a German, large format 4 x 5 camera that could only be used with a tripod, explained Andreas Pauly, her former longtime assistant and friend, and one of the editors of a new book, New York by Evelyn Hofer. The new book reprises some of Hofer's city portraits of its denizens, buildings, landmarks and architecture from a 1965 book called New York Proclaimed with text by British writer V. S. Pritchett as well as including some of her photographs from the 70s. I think she was very careful in the composition and this is when you work with a big camera, you take much more care about composing an image versus snapping with a small camera and I think you can see that, Pauly told DailyMail.com. She would always ask people if they were willing to be photographed, Pauly said. And then she had to put up her tripod, her camera, get the film ready. So for her, taking portraits even on the street, it was always a collaboration with the people, he said. In a new book, 'New York' by Evelyn Hofer, there is a deliberateness to her portraits of people and places in the city during the 1960s and 70s. Hofer shot with an old-school, large format camera that required a tripod, and always asked people for their permission to photograph them. In the above image, 'Hotdog stand' from 1963, the worker (center) clad in all white makes the colors in the banner rimming the pale green stand pop all the more Hofer's former longtime assistant, Andreas Pauly told DailyMail.com that the above image, The Bowery, from 1963 was not a planned one. Hofer saw the portraits as a collaboration, he said. Manhattan's Bowery, shown here in the 60s with three men at bar, has undergone tremendous change: once called 'Skid Row' where the homeless congregated and home to punk bars such as CBGB, it has been completely gentrified Hofer was 'quite strict' with her images, according to Pauly, one of the editors of 'New York,' and would most likely destroy negatives of photographs that she didn't like. 'Car park' from 1964, above, showing the incredible tail ends of cars from the time period, made the cut Hofer was born in Germany in 1922 and her family fled 11 years later to Switzerland to escape the Nazis. Hofer moved to New York City in 1946 and would document the city with her camera. She died in 2009 in Mexico City. Pauly became her assistant in 1982, working with her both in Europe and New York. Even during that time period, Hofers camera choice was unusual, he recalled. Compared to other photographers, she took much more time for taking one image, Pauly said. An early assignment with Hofer in Rome showed Pauly how she approached her work. The first day, she went to the place without taking the camera. And I was quite surprised and I asked her why dont we take the equipment and everything. She said, Well, you know Andreas, its important for me to get the feeling from a place and I just want to absorb the atmosphere. He added: And then later on she made notes in her little notebook what she found, what she felt and then only the second day we started to photograph. Her camera was from the 50s, and she used old lenses as well because she liked the quality. It also required a black cloth that she had to drape over the viewfinder to see the image, which was upside down, he explained. Its quite another way to photograph compared to modern cameras, Pauly said. Hofer was also very careful in choosing whether or not a photograph should be in color or in black and white, he explained. For instance, Hotdog stand, from 1963 is in color - the decorative banner in hot pink, yellow and blue that rims the light green stand pops against the white top, apron and pants of the worker, while the red of the Pepsi logo on the wood crates stands out. In another color photo, Policeman, 59th Street from 1964, contrasts the black of the officers uniform with the bright red of the Miller High Life billboard ad with its slogan Enjoy Life. 'Old woman, Chinatown from 1964, which also doubles as the books cover, was not a planned image, Pauly said. An older woman, wearing a black cardigan and beaded hat, and a dark grey dress accented with a blue necklace and a light purple blossom, stares straight ahead, with a young boy on her left and a woman wearing black shades on her right. I think she saw it, and then she stopped and put up her camera, he said. It must have been Chinese New Year because there were a lot of people standing on the streets, I could see that from the other images and they were watching the firecrackers and the dragons. Pauly said that because of the camera equipment that Hofer used - she had to put up the tripod and camera as well as get the film ready - she was 'very careful' in the composition of an image. Above, 'Policeman, 59th Street' from 1964 shows an officer in a long black coat and wearing white gloves in contrast to the Miller High Life red billboard in the background 'Old woman, Chinatown from 1964, shows an older woman (center) wearing a beaded black cardigan and hat and staring straight at the camera, with a young boy on her left and a woman wearing black shades on her right. Pauly said he thinks the image, which is also the book's cover, was not planned and that it was Chinese New Year. I think she saw it, and then she stopped and put up her camera, he said Hofer, who lived in the city for decades, took photographs of everyday New Yorkers and the images she took in the 1960s became part of a 1965 book called New York Proclaimed, which included text by British writer V. S. Pritchett. After she died in 2009, Pauly and Sabine Schmid, the other editor of 'New York,' decided to the re-edit the book with a focus on Hofer's photography and included the above image titled 'Santo Domingo in New York' from 1964 that shows what looks like a family in clothes and hairstyles of the era The image above, 'L train station' from 1964, harks to a time period when there were many more elevated train stations in Manhattan. Hofer photographed several cities and took shots of their architecture and buildings Another shot that Hofer decided should be in color was Arteries from 1964, which shows avenues, highways and streets on the West Side, and Pauly said he thinks that it is the area where the Port Authority Bus Terminal is now. Thats why she called it arteries, thats where all the traffic comes in New York, he said, noting that she probably took the image from a building overlooking the area. Pauly said that other photos were better suited for black and white. Hofer took many shots of architecture, and, one image, Westside brownstones, from 1965 is almost hypnotic in its undulating image of the buildings stoops. This works only in black and white so because of the light and shadow, he said. Pauly said that he thinks another image The Bowery from 1963 was also not planned. I think she was going through the streets and she must have seen these people sitting at the bar, he explained. The black and white photo shows three men in a row inside a bar, the establishments window with its neon signs and advertising it has beer. Pauly said she took a shot of the man in the middle by himself, and then when the other two joined him, she took an image of all three. This image speaks to a different era of the city: Manhattans Bowery was once known for being an enclave of the homeless and had the moniker Skid Row. It was always the home to famous punk bars such as CBGB where bands including the Ramones played. This neighborhood is now gentrified and home to the citys priciest places. The new book also documents neighborhoods such as Soho, Chinatown, Times Square, Lower Manhattan, Upper East Side, Coney Island, Kips Bays, Little Italy and Harlem, and iconic landmarks and places such as the Manhattan Bridge and Central Park. It includes portraits of people working, such as a woman in a tollbooth, a doorman, and a man holding a sign, and of past professions such as an elevator man. Many of the images that Hofer took in the 60s was for the 1965 book New York Proclaimed, which included text by British writer V. S. Pritchett. While working on an exhibition in Munich with curator Sabine Schmid the other editor of New York they decided that its a pity that you cant get these books anymore. They decided to re-edit the book, with more of a focus on Hofers images. New York Proclaimed had a lot of text, Pauly said, and that was, I think, partly V. S. Pritchett, partly Evelyn Hofers images, which had, of course, a connection We thought we (would) concentrate on her photography and so it should be mostly a photography book. While Pauly and Schmid selected images from the 60s and the original book, New York Proclaimed, he said they also decided to add some of Hofer's photographs from the 70s, like this one, 'Three boys at the front door' from 1975, that would fit well in the new book. As in her some of her other portraits, the three young men (above) stare forthrightly at the camera This image, 'Man on roof,' from 1981 is the only one that was included in the new book, 'New York' by Evelyn Hofer, that was from the 80s, Pauly said. Hofer was always conscientious in her composition and choices for images and that can be seen in this photogragh, above, with a man (center) on a New York City building Another shot that Hofer decided had to be in color was Arteries (above) from 1964, which shows avenues, highways and streets on the West Side, and Pauly said he thinks that it is the area where the city's Port Authority Bus Terminal is now. He noted that she probably took the shot from a building overlooking the area But then we thought it would need something and thats why we asked the writer to write a little piece on these images, he said. 'New York, which is published by Steidl, does include an essay by John Haskell. We added a few more images from the 70s, he said, noting there is one photograph from 1981. We thought they might fit well in that kind of book. Thats why the pictures are slightly different then from the original book from 1964. He added, It was not everything was our choice, it was also her choice. Hofer was quite strict, he said about her images, and if she didnt like it, she most likely would destroy it. She also marked her contact prints with the photos she liked. A new book, 'New York,' by Evelyn Hofer and published by Steidl, focuses on her city portraits of New York City during the 1960s and 70s So since I was working with her for more than 20 years, I knew more or less what images were important to her, he explained. Thats why it wasnt so hard to choose images. At one point it was more difficult to eliminate images. Pauly said that they became good friends after working together for so long, and he took over managing her photo estate around 2000. The last images she took in 2000 and then she got more ill and she had an operation, and then her dementia got worse so then thats why she didnt work anymore, he recalled. When she died in 2009, he said he took care of the estate on his own. Over Hofers career she tackled different subject matters and genres. Her first book was on Florence, 1959s Stones of Florence, and was purely architectural, he said. Later on, she did more and more portraits so the last of these series of books, which was from 67 and its a book on Dublin, and this book is mainly portraits so I think that changed in her career that she got more and more interested in portraits, Pauly said. She also did fashion photography in New York when moved to the city in 1946, working for Harpers Bazaar and later on for Vogue, he said. When it became hard for her to travel in her final years, Hofer started doing still lives at her apartment in New York, Pauly said. Pauly said that the photographs in New York have taken on a new meaning with the passing of time. It makes quite a difference if you look at the images like 50 years later, so some images became more interesting by out of historical reasons because certain buildings dont exist anymore You just have a different view of certain images I think. Passengers on board a cruise ship have captured the destructive force of Hurricane Michael as they were forced to ride out the strengthening Category 2 storm off the coast of Cuba. Footage posted on Twitter by Snapper Tams showed the Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas ship being tossed around by strong seas and winds on Monday night as the outer bands of the hurricane lashed the area. The video showed the cruise ship being caught up south-west of the storm near Isla de la Juventud in Cuba as they were engulfed by fierce lightening, strong winds and rocky seas. Footage posted on Twitter by Snapper Tams showed the Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas ship being tossed around by strong seas on Monday night from Hurricane Michael He tweeted that the storm had heavily delayed their arrival into Havana because the ship was forced to sit for several hours waiting for it to move through the Yucatan Channel. Michael strengthened to a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds on Tuesday as it made its way towards the Florida coast. The storm, which is currently located over the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall in Florida's Panhandle or Big Bend on Wednesday before crossing Georgia and the Carolinas as a weaker storm. The National Hurricane Center has warned it will bring 'life threatening' storm surges and heavy rainfall, while Florida's governor Rick Scott said it could bring 'total devastation' to parts of the southern US state. The video showed the cruise ship being caught up south-west of the storm near Isla de la Juventud in Cuba The footage showed the ship being engulfed by fierce lightening, strong winds and rocky seas The storm had heavily delayed their arrival into Havana because the ship was forced to sit for several hours waiting for it to move through the Yucatan Channel Forecasters said Michael could potentially be the most powerful storm to strike the Panhandle in at least a decade. Parts of Florida's Big Bend area could see up to 12 feet of storm surge, while Michael also could dump up to a foot of rain over some Panhandle communities as it moves inland. Florida Governor Rick Scott called Michael a 'monstrous hurricane' with a devastating potential from high winds, storm surge and heavy rains. 'I can not emphasize enough. Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the FL panhandle in decades. It will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous. You cannot hide from this storm. You can rebuild your home, you cannot rebuild your life,' he said. 'I understand that evacuations are inconvenient, but this storm will bring torrential rain and heavy wind, along with dangerous storm surge throughout the panhandle. If you have been told to leave, you need to go. It could be the difference between life and death.' Mass evacuations were ordered as a 'monstrous' Hurricane Michael strengthened into a Category 2 storm on Tuesday with top wind speeds of 110 mph The storm has triggered alerts stretching from southeast Louisiana all the way to the Tampa region Mandatory evacuation orders went into effect Tuesday morning for some 120,000 people in Panama City Beach and across other low-lying parts of the coast as the hurricane approaches. Scott warned that people in potentially affected areas should not take any chances against such a large storm, adding that 'no one's going to survive' such a wall of water. Lines at gasoline stations grew as people left and tolls were waived in a bid encourage evacuations. Residents who opted to stay emptied grocery store shelves of water and other supplies. Most gas stations in downtown Tallahassee had already run out of gas by Tuesday afternoon. State offices, schools and universities were closed through the end of the week in Panhandle counties. Scott also warned caregivers at north Florida hospitals and nursing homes to do all possible to assure the safety of the elderly and infirm. President Donald Trump said he had been updated on the hurricane, adding: 'We are very well prepared for the incoming hurricane. FEMA is ready, we're all ready.' He said the storm was much bigger than earlier anticipated, but said: 'Hopefully we'll get lucky but maybe that won't happen'. Businesses in Fort Walton Beach, Florida were deserted on Tuesday in preparation for Hurricane Michael after mass evacuations were ordered Rick Johnson filled sandbags and prepared to board up his home in Fort Walton Beach as Hurricane Michael loomed A Chilean mayor will literally have to pay for her rendition of the 'Kiki Challenge'. Cathy Barriga became the latest to catch the viral dance craze back in August - taking to social media to dance to film herself dancing to the catchy rhythm of Drake's 'In My Feelings'. However, the mayor of Maipu, the second largest commune in the capital city of Santiago, angered the comptroller's office, who accused her of misusing public property to stage interpretation of the viral dance. Cathy Barriga, a Chilean mayor, was fine 10 percent of her monthly salary of $7,907 after the comptroller's office ruled she used an official vehicle to perform the 'Kiki Challenge' Cathy Barriga, a Chilean mayor, denounced government officials for harassing her during after she was fined for doing the 'Kiki Challenge' on her official vehicle On Monday, August 1 'Kiki Challenge' dance-off saw its investigation finally conclude as the municipality's comptroller imposed a fine, 10 percent of her monthly salary of $5,398,016 Chilean pesos [$7,907]. Unlike others who have gotten off their moving cars to quickly perform the 'Kiki Challenge' before quickly jumping in behind the wheel, Mayor Barriga is seated on the passenger of a sport utility vehicle. She she quickly jumps out of the SUV as Drake's hit song start to play and does her quick routine which lasts 22 seconds. Maipu is one of 32 communes that makes up the province of Santiago, Chile's capital Barriga was left furious by the ruling. She railed against the corruption carried out by other officials without any repercussions and blasted the same government officials for harassment over the first nine months of the year. 'Disappointed with the system, this is Chile, while corruption is growing and taking over many municipalities in our country, 23 seconds of dance are sanctioned, denounced by the same people who have harassed me this year for 9 months, with insults and slander,' the 45-year-old mother-of-three wrote on her Instagram account. 'The world is upside down, while one works honestly, those who have never are threatened. They want to destroy an impeccable administration where the works, projects and activities speak for themselves.' Former hedge fund manager Richard Steele, 37, faced up to six months in jail A financial consultant has avoided jail after drunkenly shoving his fiancee model three times at their friend's posh wedding reception. Former hedge fund manager Richard Steele, 37, faced up to six months in jail but magistrates cited breaches of his 'privacy' from press reports of the bust-up as reasons not to give him a harsher sentence for the domestic abuse. He only admitted assaulting Davinia Hodgson by beating after being shown CCTV of the attack in a party in Belgravia, London. Chairman of the bench Lillian Ibbett told Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'This offence is aggravated by the fact this is a domestic violence against your partner who will soon be your wife. 'You have been subject to certain press reports and your privacy has been compromised but most importantly we have been told by probation that this was a non-malicious single attack. 'Very importantly there have been no domestic violence call outs to your name.' Steele, who lives in a 2.7m home in Chelsea, west London, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered him to pay 120 costs after his fiancee also refused to support the prosecution. The pair allegedly had a disagreement over what to do after the wedding bash Chairman of the bench Lillian Ibbett added: 'The courts take any violence towards your partner quite seriously but we understand this was after a wedding, there was hugging and pushes and according to the CCTV there were hugs and pushes. 'This was a victimless prosecution, Miss Hodgson rang the police a number of times to find out about you, she contacted witness care, she herself suffered no injuries at all and when visited at home by police was still intoxicated. He only admitted assaulting Davinia Hodgson by beating after being shown CCTV of the attack 'We take into account the report on you that you showed genuine regret, you had no history of domestic violence and you have no alcohol and drugs issues.' Steele, who wore a dark jacket, white shirt with cufflinks and blue and white tie in the dock, nodded and held his hands in front of him as he was sentenced for assault by beating at about 7pm on July 12. His fiancee was not in court today because she was working abroad, his lawyer Claire Cooper said. The court earlier heard he and his fiancee had both drank alcohol before rowing over leaving to continue to drink at another venue. He denied the offence after being accused of punching his fiancee by witnesses in the party - three of whom were due to give evidence in a trial. But he entered a 'basis of plea' admitting the charge after police obtained and showed him CCTV supporting his claims that he only pushed her back to a wall three times in September. Richard Steele arriving at London Magistrates Court today to face assault charges Ms Cooper said: 'The allegations made by members of the public were a world apart of what is shown by the CCTV and it was on that basis that Mr Steele was advised not to plead guilty to the extent of the violence. 'Not only does Miss Hodgson not support the prosecution - she sustained absolutely no injuries whatsoever. 'It was something that occurred in the head of the moment albeit I accept, fuelled by alcohol taking as a deinhibitator.' Sophie Akister, prosecuting, said Steele only had one previous conviction of drink driving in 2013 and added: 'It's noted they went to hug each other and she does say they accidentally bumped heads and she says she was shocked and pushed him away but she doesn't say there was the pushing as described by the basis of plea and doesn't support the basis of plea. 'Mr Steele has accepted pushing the complainant back three times which could be a repeated assault however also indicating lesser harm. Steele denied the offence after being accused of punching his fiancee by witnesses at party 'It's aggravated by the domestic contents but obviously the defendant's lack of relevant convictions is mitigating.' The court heard Steele had been married for five years and had previous long-term relationships. Probation officer Mark Nixon said in a report to the court: 'He said he's extremely sorry for the push and what happened. 'He also said he would attend the domestic violence group however the press have got hold of this. 'Therefore the proposal I would make is that he does some one to one work with a probation officer, therefore guaranteeing his privacy. 'Because the press have got hold of this it has affected his credibility and the fact he works with big financial institutions so it has had an impact financially.' No orders he attend any rehabilitation sessions were made by magistrates. He was ordered to pay 100 in contribution to prosecution costs and 20 victim surcharge. Famed climber Alex Honnold has shared the advice he'd give to his younger self in a note penned to himself as an 18-year-old. Hannold, 33, shared the note on CBS This Morning on Tuesday, for the regular feature 'Note To Self'. 'Your lack of social skills will be one part of why you take up free soloing, climbing by yourself without a rope. But don't worry you'll eventually find yourself right at home in the climbing community, surrounded by close friends and lifelong partners.,' the note reads in part. 'Right now, you're afraid of so many things: strangers, girls, vegetables, falling to your death. That's fine; fear is a perfectly natural part of life. You will always feel fear. But over time you will realize that the only way to truly manage your fears is to broaden your comfort zone,' Hannold writes. Famed climber Alex Honnold (above) has shared the advice he'd give to his younger self in a note penned to himself as an 18-year-old Climber Alex Honnold's note to his 18-year-old self Dear Alex, Right now, you're an 18-year-old loner, lost in a sea of uncaring faces at UC Berkeley. You'll spend most of your freshman year, not at class, but at a local boulder, traversing the rock face back and forth with headphones in. You prefer it to the climbing gym because you don't have to talk to anyone. Surprisingly, this is the beginning of a path. You will leave school, move into a van, and devote yourself to climbing. Your lack of social skills will be one part of why you take up free soloing, climbing by yourself without a rope. But don't worry you'll eventually find yourself right at home in the climbing community, surrounded by close friends and lifelong partners. You've always loved the physical movement of climbing. There's a certain joy in swinging around, propelling yourself upward, the fluidity of movement. Whether it's climbing trees or buildings as a kid or climbing Half Dome in Yosemite National Park as an adult, you'll come to appreciate the strain in your arms and the burning of your muscles. You'll experience this joy climbing throughout your life; no matter how many routes you climb, it will always be at the core of your drive. The idea of free soloing El Capitan, the iconic 3,000-foot wall in Yosemite, will become an all-encompassing dream for much of your climbing life. For the first five or six years, you'll be too afraid to try too afraid to even put any effort toward a potential solo. Right now, you're afraid of so many things: strangers, girls, vegetables, falling to your death. That's fine; fear is a perfectly natural part of life. You will always feel fear. But over time you will realize that the only way to truly manage your fears is to broaden your comfort zone. It's a long, slow process that requires constantly pushing yourself, but eventually you'll feel pretty darn good, and you'll climb big walls just like this. You'll have near misses and frequently think about death. It will change your perspective and little annoyances will melt away. There will always be people calling you crazy or assuming that you have a death wish that's fine. They don't see the amount of time and effort that goes into preparation or your drive to do something difficult, especially if it's never been done before. But you will always find purpose in exploring your own limits. Don't let anyone else's opinion rein you in. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks: live your life in the way that you find most fulfilling. For many years, climbing will be the most important thing in your life. You will put climbing before everything else. But keep an open mind. Eventually you will have a wonderful girlfriend and a charitable foundation. In the end, it all comes back to El Capitan. It will give your life direction for almost a decade. It will be your muse, the reason you get up early to train and stay out for long days in the mountains. The day that you finally free solo El Cap will be one of the most satisfying of your life. It will also serve as an important reminder that no summit is more important than the long process of getting there. Climbing is a lifelong journey; use it to learn and grow. And Alex, don't forget to enjoy the view. Source: CBS News Advertisement The note concludes: 'Climbing is a lifelong journey; use it to learn and grow. And Alex, don't forget to enjoy the view.' Honnold was 31 when he pulled off the feat of scaling El Capitan, a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park in California, in June 2017 in a drama that is now the subject of a National Geographic documentary. The film is in US theaters now, in Canada starting October 12 and in the UK in December. 'So delighted,' Honnold said once he reached the top -- the climax of the film 'Free Solo,' which narrates the climb and his preparations for it. Free solo climbing is an extreme technique practiced only by the most experienced climbers. They scale mountains with their bare hands. Many die trying. One climber quoted in the film put it this way: It's so difficult and dangerous that it's as if the penalty for Olympic athletes were death if they failed to win a gold medal every time they competed. A filming team arrayed along the climbing path -- they did use ropes -- accompanied Honnold. A drone and two fixed cameras were also used. It's a terrifying thing to watch. This photo, taken by National Geographic photographer Jimmy Chin, shows Alex Honnand during his ascent of El Capitan in California in June 2017 Honnold and his girlfriend Sanni McCandless are seen last month. They are the subjects of a new documentary film, Free Solo In some places the rock looks practically smooth, leaving Honnold with nothing more than seemingly invisible bumps and other irregularities in the mountain's surface to get a toehold and hoist himself upward. At times he can squeeze his fingers into a crack or work his thumb into a small hole. One particularly tricky spot is known as a 'Boulder Problem.' There, Honnold has to perform a complicated set of arm and leg movements to keep moving ahead. In months of training, working with a rope, he learned to execute those moves to perfection. Still, on the day of the big climb, one cameraman looked away -- he couldn't watch -- as Honnold struggled to cling to the granite wall. Fear is everywhere in the film. Honnold himself is heard calling El Capitan 'frickin' scary.' The production team spent the whole time holding their breaths against the nightmarish prospect of a fall. But Honnold seemed so calm as he faced all this that researchers wondered if there was something different about his brain. With this in mind, Honnold underwent an MRI in 2016 as he got ready for the ascent. That test, which is documented in the movie, shows that a part of the brain that was once usually associated with fear -- the amygdala -- did not activate when he was shown violent or frightening images. It was as if he were incapable of feeling afraid. Alex Honnold is seen on the summit of El Capitan. He is the only person to free solo the formation in Yosemite, a climb that is the subject of a new documentary But, according to the latest research, the amygdala is no longer considered the fear center of the brain. Instead, it activates when a person sees something unfamiliar -- whether positive, neutral or negative. And fear is expressed throughout the brain, not just the amygdala, according to Lisa Barrett, an emeritus professor of psychology at Northeastern University and the author of a recent article on the brain region. Honnold himself said he knows what it is to be afraid. 'I'm afraid of death, I'm afraid of danger, I'm afraid of pain. I used to be very afraid of public speaking,' he told AFP last week on the sidelines of a pre-screening of the film in Washington. His explanation of how he conquered fear is simpler. 'To me it just shows what 10 years of preparation and practice and de-sensitization does,' he said. Hard work has taught him to tame his feelings. For years he climbed El Capitan with the aid of ropes, recording all of his movements. He was in great physical shape for the solo climb. Honnold scaled the 3,000-ft El Capitan along the Freerider route (pictured) in just under four hours in June, shattering the speed record for the route The film suggests that Honnold's determination borders on obsession, to the point of his neglecting his girlfriend, Sanni McCandless. She calls him 'brutally honest' and a 'weird dude.' She recalled how he reacted nonchalantly to news that a climber friend had died in a fall. 'What did she expect?' Honnold asked of the deceased friend's wife, according to McCandless. Honnold himself says he does not understand how his own death would affect other people. 'This is the life he wants,' said the documentary's director, Chai Vasarhelyi, who co-directed it with her husband Jimmy Chin, a climber and photographer. 'He's thought about mortality deeply. He's constructed his entire existence to have this life.' There was one thing Honnold did worry about: falling in front of the camera. He said it would be 'kind of okay if Im by myself' but 'kind of messed up' if it happened in front of his friends. 'Nobody wants to see that,' he said. Mystery has continued to surround the case of convicted child killer Keli Lane, with a series of shocking flaws in her trial unearthed in a television expose. The water polo player was jailed for 18 years in 2010 after she was found guilty of killing her newborn baby Tegan in 1996, but a fresh array of questions have surfaced following ABC's three part series, Exposed: The Case Of Keli Lane. Detective Sharon Rhodes from the New South Wales Homicide Squad began investigating the case in 2006 and despite her tireless effort, by 2008 she still had nothing to show for it. 'I used every trick in the book. An undercover strategy, covert DNA samples, every resource that was available. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. We didn't have anything,' she said. Keli Lane was jailed for 18 years for killing her newborn baby Tegan in 1996. A television expose has uncovered a series of apparent flaws in how she was trialed Detective Sharon Rhodes (pictured) began investigating Keli Lane's case in 2006 and despite her tireless effort, by 2008 she still had nothing to show for it Having exhausted all other options, and the case being especially difficult without a body, police sought legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions. Under-prepared and with minimal evidence, Ms Rhodes said the case went to trial almost immediately under the order of Nicholas Cowdery QC, former NSW Director of Public Prosecutions. Lane was charged and Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi was called in for the trial in November 2009. During the Supreme Court trial, overseen by Justice Anthony Whealy QC, Lane's defence team declined an option for her murder charge to be heard independently without details of her sexual life and unwanted pregnancies being exposed. Lane was charged and Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi was called in for Lane's trial in November 2009 (Lane pictured at a wedding the day she was discharged from hospital. The court heard she had killed her baby only hours beforehand) Details of Lane's personal life ended up being heard in a tactic orchestrated by the prosecution, as they attached a perjury charge relating to a testimony Lane gave at a coronial inquest. There were no defence witnesses heard and a bargain deal was made between the prosecution and Lane's lawyer Ben Archibald, a former Victorian police officer and Big Brother contestant. The last-minute deal was allegedly made to keep Natalie McCauley, one of Lane's friends, off the stand, while the prosecution agreed to wipe Andrew Morris. Lane had always maintained she gave her baby Tegan to a man named Andrew Morris or Norris. Police believed they found the man she referred to however found no evidence to back up Lane's claims about her relationship with the man. Keli Lane gave birth to daughter Tegan in September 1996 inside this Auburn Hospital room. This photo was presented in evidence at Supreme Court in Sydney Ms McCauley was due to inform the court of Lane telling her about an Andrew she met in the summer of 1995 and the relationship that followed, but she never got her chance. 'She talked about this guy she was having an affair with, Andrew. That's clear because it's my brother's name. She told me about Andrew at the right time period we're talking about,' she said. Her statement held significance because she would have been the only one to corroborate the existence of the mysterious Mr Norris, who Lane spoke of. She was shocked to learn a deal had been made to keep her from making a statement when approached by the ABC, saying she was passionate about children's rights and wouldn't have let her friend 'get off easy if she's hurt a child'. Lane's claims to have had a relationship with Mr Norris were further backed up by a man named Darryl Henson, who lived in an inner Sydney apartment in the 1990s. Mr Henson, who was never interviewed by police, told the ABC this year that he had seen Lane visiting his building regularly during 1995 and 1996. Lane had claimed Mr Norris lived in the unit block on Wisbeach Street, Balmain. Lane's lawyer Ben Archibald (pictured), a former Victorian police officer and Big Brother contestant, struck a deal with prosecutors which kept a key witness from the stand WHO IS BABY KILLER KELI LANE? Keli Lane was almost one of Australia's golden girls a private schoolgirl and talented sportswoman with hopes of representing her country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Tall and blonde, she was a familiar and admired figure in the Sydney surfside suburb of Manly before her stunning and tragic fall from grace. She is the daughter of a well-known surfer, rugby player and retired NSW police inspector, Robert Lane. Keli Lane is seen arriving at the Supreme Court of NSW in Sydney in 2010 An elite water polo player at national and international level, Lane was a member of the silver-medal winning Australian Junior Women's team at the 1995 World Championships in Quebec, and it was her ambition to represent Australia in water polo at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. It was perhaps this that led to her disposing of her baby - Lane became pregnant, but could not afford to care for child while pursuing her sporting ambitions. On 12 September 1996, Lane, aged 21, gave birth in secret to Tegan Lee Lane at Auburn Hospital in western Sydney. Two days after giving birth to the child, Lane and her boyfriend attended a friend's wedding and there was no sign of the baby, nor were people aware of her pregnancy - including her boyfriend. It was as if the child had never existed. Lane had a troubled history with pregnancies, which she had either terminated or given away the child soon after birth. She finally had a fourth child, who now visits Lane in prison. Lane's downfall came when a Department of Community Services officer became suspicious about the existence of a missing child and an investigation was made into the birth of Tegan. Lane first told police that Tegan was living with a family in Perth. She said the father was a man called Andrew Morris, which she later changed to Andrew Norris, and that she had handed him the child in the Auburn Hospital car park. After a controversial - and traumatic four-month trial - Lane was convicted in December 2010 of lying under oath and of murdering her baby Tegan. Advertisement Lane's lawyer called on no witnesses, bought barrister Keith Chapple just three weeks prior to the trial and opted to not have Lane psychologically assessed. During the trial the jury was presented a theory, which was ultimately withdrawn, about how Lane had killed Tegan and buried her body in concrete beneath Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush. The ABC discovered the theory had originated from former child safety officer John Borovnik, who had tipped police off that something was not right with the case. Over time Mr Borovnik became so invested he had the name Tegan tattooed on his body. The trial also heard a change in the recollection of events from Lane's midwife Ann Hanlon, who originally said she had no specific memory of the new mother. Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi (pictured) was called in for the November 2009 trial and orchestrated a tactic to have Lane's sexual history heard alongside her murder charge Auburn hospital records stated she was discharged at 2pm, however during the trial Ms Hanlon claimed Lane actually left at 11am - opening up a major window of time. The revelation gave prosecutors a new timeline, meaning Lane's whereabouts until her attendance at a friend's wedding later that afternoon was unaccounted for. Paperwork had previously shown Lane leaving the hospital at 2pm and being at her parent's North Shore home an hour later, allowing only minutes to kill Tegan and dispose of her body. Her earlier discharge erased any question Lane would have been pressed for time had she of killed and hidden her baby. For the past two decades, Lane has maintained her innocence and insisted she gave the baby to a man she first called Andrew Morris and later Andrew Norris. However Lane's murder trial found the pair had a 'one night stand' 18 months before baby Tegan Lane was ever conceived, according to the Daily Telegraph. Lane's claims to have had a relationship with Mr Norris were further backed up by a man named Darryl Henson, who said he saw her frequently at his Sydney apartment block. Lane claimed her child's biological father lived in the same block, but Henson was never interviewed Professor of psychology Dr Ann Buist and specialist in mothers who are violent towards children, met Lane in prison and conducted an assessment organised as part of ABC's investigation. 'There's a great deal of murkiness here. She's the hardest, most difficult case. She differs very much to the other cases I have seen,' she said. Dr Buist concluded she didn't think Lane was delusional, evil, a pathological liar or a narcissist, and in her view did not kill Tegan, who she believed could still be alive. Ms Rhodes, who suffered PTSD after the case, still believes Lane killed Tegan however thought she should not have been convicted. Justice Whealy was equally affected by the tolling case, revealing she was never fully convinced Keli Lane had murdered her baby. 'In my mind, I've never been certain. And now, years later, I haven't changed my attitude,' Justice Whealy said. 'By the end of the trial, it had been such a harrowing experience for me that I no longer wished to preside over any criminal trial as a judge. I didn't do any more criminal trials.' An Azerbaijani reality TV and social media star's new tattoo has caused a sensation online - but not in the way she intended. Naz Mila, 26, unveiled a gigantic but terribly-translated new tattoo on Sunday to her 850,000 Instagram followers. Written in black ink and running all the way down the side of her body, the English inscription says: 'I can judge a single god with my wrongs and wrongs.' Azerbaijani social media artist Naz Mila and her tattoo artist at the Ramazan Silver tattoo and piercing parlour in Istanbul There has been much speculation that Mila used a bad translation website in an attempt to convey a popular Turkish saying Fans thought Naz Mila, 26, might have used a dodgy online translation website to find the words for the inking. It is believed she was trying to convey the popular Turkish phrase: 'Only God can judge my mistakes and truths.' Mila was one of the most popular stars of 'With Zuhal Topal', a Turkish matchmaking show in which male contestants search for a bride. Mila, originally from Azerbaijan, was one of the most popular stars of 'With Zuhal Topal', a Turkish matchmaking show in which male contestants try to find a bride Mila regularly shares provocative selfies with her army of 850,000 followers on Instagram, a social media site The controversial show was taken off the air last year over allegations that contestants had sex for money. Mila regularly shares provocative selfies with her army of followers on Instagram. In the picture of the new tattoo, she is seen posing sideways to show it off, while seen giving fans a 'V' sign. Her new tattoo runs all the way down the side of her body and reads: 'I can judge a single god with my wrongs and wrongs' The photograph she shared of herself showing off her new tattoo did not have quite the effect she intended, and has so far attracted only ridicule Her tattooist is also seen pointing proudly at his handiwork. But the photograph has so far attracted only ridicule from social media users. One Twitter user wrote: 'Ask someone if he speaks English before you let him tattoo a human'. She had the tattoo done at the Ramazan Silver tattoo and piercing parlour in Turkey's biggest city of Istanbul. A British paedophile who campaigned for child sex to be legalised is being sued by five alleged victims who claim he assaulted them while he was abroad - in what's thought to be the first case of its kind. Five Filipinos who say they were sexually abused by Douglas Slade, before he was convicted of child sex offences in England two years ago, are suing him for damages at a civil court trial. The 77-year-old was jailed for 24 years in 2016 for abusing five boys in the UK but claims the new allegations made against him are a 'fabrication'. Lawyers believe it is the first time foreign nationals have made such a claim against a Briton in a UK court for alleged crimes that took place abroad. Slide moved to the Philippines in 1985 and bought a house in a poor neighbourhood where neighbours complained he lured children into his home and sexually abused them. Douglas Slade is being sued by five Filipinos who say they were sexually abused by him before he was convicted of child abuse at Bristol Crown Court in 2016 Slade (left), pictured with Christopher Skeaping, members of the Paedophile Information Exchange, as he was convicted of 13 offences against children between the 1960s and 1980s Despite several investigations taking place in the country where he lived for 30 years, Slade was prosecuted by authorities but not successfully convicted of any offences. He was expelled from the Philippines in 2015 and brought back to the UK to be charged with 13 child sex offences. Slade had returned to England three years ago and was arrested on arrival at Heathrow Airport by police investigating allegations of child sex abuse in England during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He had been given a 24-year jail term by a judge in July 2016 at the end of a trial at Bristol Crown Court, after being convicted of abusing five boys in Britain between 1965 and 1980. Slade, who comes from Bristol but is now in prison, was not convicted of any criminal offence in the Philippines and denies wrongdoing. The five males at the centre of the new case, the youngest of which was aged ten at the time of the alleged abuse, will give evidence from Manilla via video link. Justin Levinson, a barrister representing the five Filipinos, told Judge Mark Gargan today that one of his clients was now 20, three were in their late teens and one was 14. Slade was expelled from the Philippines in 2015 and brought back to the UK to be charged with 13 offences offences of child abuse Slade was a founder member of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) which Jimmy Savile had been linked to and campaigned for sex between children and adults to be legalised in the 1970s and 1980s He said Slade had abused them in the Philippines between 2009 and 2015 when they were children. Slade was a founder member of the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) which Jimmy Savile had been linked to and campaigned for sex between children and adults to be legalised in the 1970s and 1980s. He was first exposed as a paedophilia advocate and dubbed one of the 'Vilest Men in Britain' by newspapers which caught him telling fellow sex attackers, 'if you want to have sex with children don't bottle it up do it'. Slade's trial heard how he bragged about his prominent position in the paedophile network and ran a helpline to give advice to 'distressed' men on how to abuse children who resisted them. When Slade fled to the Philippines in the 1980s he made money through a business supplying food to hotels and restaurants, while exploiting the country's poverty and corruption to continually abuse young boys. In 1995, he was warned he faced up to 40 years jail after being arrested at his previous home in Angeles City for allegedly molesting three boys aged 12 and 13. Slade targeted young boys for years both in the UK and in the Philippines where he fled in the 1980s but was jailed in 2016 for 24 years As far back as 1975 Douglas Slade was revealed to be a supporter of sex with children but fled Britain after he was caught on tape boasting that people should just have sex with minors if they wanted But the charges were dropped after Slade boasted on camera how he could pay off the prosecutor or pay the children's families to drop the charges in return for money. He said his lawyer would discuss terms with the families 'like Michael Jackson discussed terms'. Judge Euan Ambrose said at his sentencing hearing in 2016: 'Your interest in young boys was well-established. What has happened is your past has caught up with you - a past about which you appear wholly unrepentant. 'You liked to boast about having been involved in setting them up, whether that was in fact true or not. 'It reflected your interest in sex with young boys and your wish to see sex between adults and young boys decriminalised.' Mr Levinson said today his clients had suffered 'personal injuries' as a result of Slade's sexual abuse and wanted compensation. Lawyers say each claimant hopes to win between 15,000 and 30,000. Slade denies abusing any of the five claimants and says their allegations are a fabrication. None of the claimants can be identified for legal reasons, the court heard. Judge Gargan began analysing the evidence today and the claimants are expected to give evidence on tomorrow. Slade is representing himself at the High Court trial and will not appear in court in person. Instead he will give evidence over a video-link from prison. The five claimants are also appearing via a screen link and will give evidence from the Philippines. Judge Gargan said he would not allow Slade to personally cross-examine any of the five claimants. He said he would act as defence barrister and put questions to each claimant on behalf of Slade after they had given evidence in chief. The judge said the five claimants were vulnerable. He said it was right that they should be cross-examined but not right to allow a man they had accused of sexually abusing them to directly ask questions. Barrister Justin Levinson, who represents the five claimants and is in court in London, said in criminal proceedings rules would bar alleged abusers from directly questioning alleged victims. He said such rules did not govern civil court trials but judges could bar direct questioning. Last year, a High Court judge said alleged victims of abuse should never again be questioned by alleged abusers at trials. Mr Justice Hayden, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, said in a recent case he had found it 'necessary' to allow a woman to be cross-examined by an estranged husband who she said had abused her. The judge said, in a ruling on the case in May 2017, that the process was 'inherently and profoundly unfair'. Judge Gargan yesterday told Slade that, even though a prosecution had failed in the Philippines, he might find in favour of the five claimants. He said in criminal trials juries had to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt but in civil court trials a balance-of-probabilities test applied. This is the bizarre moment a vending machine dispenses a packet of crisps containing what appears to be a bag of cocaine. Zigy Andrez Bravo, from London, posted a video on Facebook showing a group of friends gathering around the machine selling snacks as loud music plays in the background. One of the men puts two 20 and one 10 note into the slot and types 11 into the keypad to select a packet of Walkers crisps. Two 20 and one 10 note is inserted into the slot of a vending machine selling snacks The words '50 for a full gram' can be heard. After the money is inserted someone points at the screen on the machine which supposedly reads '50'. As a packet of salt and vinegar crisps falls down from the top left hand corner, someone can be heard excitedly saying: 'Here we go, here we go'. The man then reaches his hand into the machine for the bag and says: 'Packet of Walkers, yeah?' Someone types a the number 11 into the keypad and 50 supposedly appears on the screen The apparently sealed packet is opened and a he pulls out a bag of 'cocaine' that is found inside. The man holds up the packet to his friends and shakes it, saying: 'Look what we have here.' This is met with loud cheers followed by someone saying: 'Let's roll.' A packet of salt and vinegar crisps falls from the machine and is opened by the man Mr Andrez Bravo posted the video on Facebook and captioned the post: 'They have taken it to a new level, cocaine in a vending machine.' The clip has been widely shared on social media but while thousands of people have enjoyed the video, many believe it to be a fake. One user said: 'Has to be a pre-placed pack already tampered with placed in the drop zone.' Another said: 'That's weird how did they know it was in there?' One said: 'No way' A bag of what appears to be cocaine is pulled from inside the crisp packet and waved around But Mr Andrez Bravo insists the machine was genuine and that there is more than one. He said: 'It's not a joke - these machines are genuinely around.' Last month, it was reported that crack pipes were being sold in vending machines in Long Island, New York. Residents were outraged at the metal boxes which were selling two-dollar ceramic tubes. Couples looking to say 'I Do' and renew their wedding vows can now do so by signing up and hopping on one of the world's most famous train rides. Dubbed the 'Train to the Clouds', it offers service between the first stop in the city of Salta in Northwest Argentina and the Polvorilla viaduct near Chilean border in the Andes Mountains, almost 14,00 feet above sea level, the highest point of the railway. On Monday, the Civil Registry director and the president of the famed train line signed off on an agreement which will allow couples to get married in a specially designed train car equipped for the life-changing experience. Couples can now celebrating their wedding vows aboard the an Argentine tourist locomotive dubbed the 'Train to the Clouds' The 'Train to the Clouds' was recently chosen by Nat Geo as one of the world's most famous train rides due to its great scenic views The price to host a wedding aboard the 'Train to the Clouds', chosen by Nat Geo as one of the world's top train attractions for the awesome scenery it has to offer, can run between $2,400 to $3,500 Argentine pesos [$65-$100] for the marriage license. There is also an additional 50 percent marriage license tax imposed by the train line to cover the expense of hosting the unique ceremony on the locomotive. Couples will board the train free of charge while their guests wishing to be a part of the celebration will be offered a promotional discounted rate of 15 percent for their tickets. 'It's a new service we're offering in our province and we've really doing this with a lot of expectations,' deputy secretary Matias Assennato said, according to a government press release. Passengers mill around one of the rest stops along the 130-mile, 15-hour, round-trip aboard the 'Train to the Clouds' 'Train to the Clouds' has become a top tourist attraction in Northwest Argentina. The railway line first opened up in 1948 before it started serving visitors in 1972 'It's something very nice, very interesting for us Saltans and tourists to take advantage of.' The rail line first opened up in 1948 and it's first tourist trip didn't take place until 1972. The 130-mile ride crosses over 20 bridges and goes through 21 tunnels. Argentina's 'Train to the Clouds' excursion crosses over 20 bridges and travels through 21 tunnels As of Monday, customers aboard the 'Train to the Clouds' in Argentina can now celebrate their weddings in a specially designed car Customers can enjoy the 15-hour, round-trip excursion in one of the train's dining or bar cars. As of now, those looking into tying the knot can do so on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the months of October and November. December will be limited since the train only operates on Saturdays. Keping Xie, 55, was believed to be a gastroenterology professor at Houston's University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center but it is now very likely he was spying A professor at a top cancer research center facing child pornography charges has been accused of spying on behalf of China. Keping Xie, 55, was believed to be a gastroenterology professor at Houston's University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, but U.S. officials now firmly believe Xie was involved in economic espionage. Xie was part of a Chinese government science recruiting program called 'Thousand Talents' and is alleged to have funneled advanced cancer research from the facility to the Chinese government. Court documents from the case show in January the University of Texas at Houston Police opened an investigation into Xie for 'Tampering with a Government Record'. The case was in connection with suspected fraud although the type of alleged fraud is not specified and the documents don't disclose what the specific record was according to AOL.com. When the police obtained a warrant and searched his home they seized two devices and found images of child pornography. FBI agents appealed to Houston's leaders in medicine, science, and teaching about the possibility of espionage by foreign workers Xie's attorney, Nathan Mays, told NBC News that a total of 88 different devices were removed from from Xie's home, including phones, hard drives, memory sticks and computers totaling about 40 terabytes of data. Xie is charged with a single count of possession of child pornography. He has since resigned from his $250,000-a-year job after his home was searched. He had to surrender his passport and is currently out on bail. Xie denies the child pornography charges and Mays says he expects his client to be vindicated at trial. In addition, Mays says he was unaware of any investigation into Xie by federal authorities for any type of espionage. Research that takes place in Houston whether it be scientific with oil and gas industries or medical via the city's research hospitals, are a prime draw for Chinese spies. Shortly before Xie was charged in August, the FBI Houston field office conducted an unprecedented public briefing with leaders of Houston's medical, science, and academic institutions. In announcing the briefing, the bureau said, 'The FBI works closely with private partners and government agencies to ensure that federally funded research grants are guarded and protected against unscrupulous overseas enemies.' Dr. Peter WT Pisters, head of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, said, 'We have an obligation to the people of Texas and to all people facing a cancer diagnosis to do everything possible to protect our resources and to safely and securely advance our mission to end cancer.' Shaun Bailey today revealed he has been branded an 'Uncle Tom' and a 'coconut' in sick online abuse hurled at him by Labour supporters. Mr Bailey - a descendant of the Windrush generation - said he has been targeted by vile online trolls since being selected the Tory Party candidate for London mayor. He slammed those hurling the racist abuse and said he wants the next battle for City Hall to be waged on ideas - not intolerance. Mr Bailey, 47, is going head to head with Sadiq Khan in the race in 2020 after being voted in as the Conservative candidate two weeks ago. He said that a Momentum-supporting Labour member tweeted: 'Shaun Bailey is the biggest Uncle Tom to walk the planet' and a 'vile disgusting Uncle Tom'. An Uncle Tom is a racist term for a black man considered to be 'excessively obedient' to white people. Shaun Bailey (pictured last week at the Tory party conference in Birmingham) revealed he has been branded an 'Uncle Tom' and a 'coconut' in sick online abuse hurled at him by Labour supporters Another Labour supporter tweeted: 'Shaun Bailey's a lying coconut' - another derogatory term which accuses black people of betraying their race. Another Labour member tweeted that 'Shaun Bailey is the new token ethnic ... ' A third Labour member claimed: 'The Tories simply can't find a candidate with any experience for London Mayor to go against @SadiqKhan @MayorofLondon so they've chosen an Uncle Tom @ShaunBaileyUK.' Another self-declared socialist wrote: 'London IS a diverse city which must have a mayor who respects ALL religions and we do NOT deserve to be represented by a bigoted coconut.' And a Twitter user who described themselves as a Jeremy Corbyn supporter wrote to Mr Bailey: 'You remind me of that Greek-Cypriot bloke on Gogglebox who ran for Ukip and that black Tory bloke on Big Brother who let all the Tories call him 'Golly'.' Shaun Bailey is battling to oust Labour London mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured at a business awards ceremony in London last week) from City Hall in 2020 Revealing the abuse to the Evening Standard, Mr Bailey said: 'We cannot have a contest that is plagued by racial abuse, mud-slinging and identity politics. 'These attacks are poisoning the well of public debate and have no place in a modern, progressive tolerant Britain.' Mr Bailey grew up in the crime-blighted Ladbroke Grove neighbourhood of west London, and used to work as a youth and crime adviser to David Cameron. A Labour Party spokeswoman said: 'Labour does not tolerate racism of any kind. 'We won't take any lessons from the Tories who deliberately targeted Diane Abbott in their negative general election material.' The headquarters of a Russian news outlet which the US has accused of pumping out pro-Kremlin propaganda has been torched overnight. The Federal News Agency (FAN) was targeted at around 3am on Tuesday when a suspect broke into the building's ground floor in St Petersburg and threw a Molotov cocktail, police said. CCTV footage showed flames erupting at one of the workstations and a female worker at the opposite end was seen desperately trying to escaping from the approaching flames. CCTV footage showed flames erupting at one of the workstations of the infamous 'troll station' in St Petersburg Yevgeny Prigozhin, left, shows Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, second left, around his factory which produces school meals. Pictured is dated from September 2010 Chief editor Yevgeny Zubarev said: 'I believe this is tied to FAN's activities. We're most often attacked online, but these types of attacks have already taken place offline.' Police are still looking to the suspect and criminal proceedings have been launched. The so-called 'troll farm' is believed to be run by billionaire restaurateur Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is renowned for being Vladimir Putin's 'cook'. The websites have been re-branded as a media conglomerate with 15 news websites that amass more than 30 million page views every month. Prigozhin was indicted along with 12 other Russians this year on charges of defrauding the US government and trying to interfere with the 2016 US Presidential elections. According to the indictment, his firm used bogus social media postings and advertisements fraudulently purchased in the name of Americans to influence to the race to the White House. Speaking after the indictment, Prigozhin said: 'Americans are very impressionable people; they see what they want to see.' 'I treat them with great respect. I'm not at all upset that I'm on this list. If they want to see the devil, let them see him.' Yevgeny Prigozhin, left, serves food to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during dinner at Prigozhin's restaurant outside Moscow, Russia Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said companies controlled by Prigozhin broke anti-trust laws by bidding 23 billion rubles ($387 million) worth in Defense Ministry contracts. His firms would have had to face hefty fines and barred from bidding at future auctions. But the anti-trust agency delivered a ruling in November last year not to fine Prigozhin's firms because they pleaded guilty to the charges. Navalny said: 'There's Putin. He wants to steal our money, and he gives his friend and confidante a chunk of the defense ministry's budget that steals money from for himself and Putin. 'And when someone finds out about it and proves it, Putin has special agencies... that in the actual fact are covering up for all those thieves.' Michelle LeClair said she was bullied out of the Church of Scientology after coming out as a lesbian (pictured here with her partner Tena Clark) A former prominent Scientologist has claimed she was bullied out of the church after revealing she was a lesbian. In her recently published memoir, Perfectly Clear, Michelle LeClair joined the controversial religion when she was 18, and says she began to have feelings for women only a year later. But when she tried to speak to someone at the California church about it, she claims she was shut down. 'I didn't really get a chance to explore my sexuality. I didn't get a chance to be educated outside of the church,' she told Fox News. 'I didn't want to be considered a bad person [I] shut it down.' There were also harsh punishments for coming forward as gay, LeClair claimed. In an except of her book published by People, she claims despite being the 'poster girl for Scientology', she was publicly humiliated for coming out. 'I was ordered to walk the halls of the Scientology Celebrity Centre [in Hollywood] asking random members to read and sign my confession,' she wrote. 'I needed 25 signatures to be allowed to rejoin the church. I was so mortified that, after 10 or 15 requests, I ran to the bathroom and sobbed.' She claims after coming out the first time, she was silenced and forced to marry a man, and the second time, she was forced to have 25 people read a confession she had written and sign it so she could rejoin the congregation Publicly, Scientology has come out in support of same sex relationships, and the church denies LeClair's accusations LeClair, who was the former President of Scientology's international humanitarian organization, claims she was pressured into marrying a man by the church, with whom she had four children before eventually filing for divorce in 2008 - something she alleges she was forced to make a $250,000 donation to the church to do. In 2010, the 45-year-old met her now partner, Tena Clark. She says when she told the church she had met a woman, she was told she could not be both a Scientologist and in a homosexual relationship. Friends also told her the church had begun to investigate her life insurance business. 'Everything in me wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, "I can be a Scientologist and I can love the woman that I love, and you're not going to take that away from me",' she said. 'But I knew that wasn't going to happen.' In an excerpt of her book published by People, LeClair says her life 'unspooled as if I were in a suspense novel'. 'Strange cars idled at the curb by my home at all hours of the day. Men wearing dark glasses followed me to the grocery store, my kids school. My computer and my phone [were] hacked.' Soon after, LeClair was charged with running a Ponzi scheme - a charge she alleges was instigated by the church. The former life-insurance mogul was accused of enticing clients, many who were elderly, into investing their savings into a movie, which would earn them huge, risk free returns. LeClair said once she had begun a homosexual relationship, she was told she had to choose between her girlfriend or her religion Pictured: LeClair with her mother, who had first introduced her to Scientology She agreed to return $1.3million to more than 40 victims, and the 72 charges she faced were dropped. LeClair said she had been hired to raise the money for a producer who was also a Scientologist, and that he was the one at fault, but the church had found a way to protect their member by turning the investigation on to her. The Church of Scientology has adamantly denied LeClair's claims, and says they had nothing to do with her legal troubles. 'We are outraged by Michelle LeClairs attempt to slander the Church of Scientology in an effort to divert attention from the fact that she bilked millions of dollars from her investors,' they wrote in a statement to Fox News. Lila Mirrashidi, deputy commissioner of policy for California's Department of Business Oversight, also issued a statement in September, saying 'the notion that this case had anything to do with Scientology is patently false, like the claims made to investors in Leclair's Ponzi scheme. Leclair conned Californians, most of whom were seniors, out of their life savings and she got caught.' In further response to LeClair's claims against Scientology, the Church says 'everything else Ms LeClair is saying is a red herring. Allegations the Church stalked Ms. LeClair or harassed her in any way after she came out as gay are complete fiction. 'Contrary to myths spread by Ms. LeClair and her publishers as they try to sell her book, the Church has no position on sexual orientation and told that to Ms. LeClair at the time she came out. 'The Church is on record as being opposed to discrimination of any sort, including on the basis of sexuality.' Ivanka Trump said Tuesday that she won't be moving back to New York City to run the U.S. mission tothe United Nations, even if outgoing ambassador Nikki Haley thikns she would be perfect for the job. 'It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me,' the first daughter tweeted. President Trump had said Ivanka would make a 'incredible' UN ambassador, but he didn't want to be accused of 'nepotism' if he appointed her to the job. 'I've heard how good would Ivanka be,' he said at the White House on Tuesday afternoon before he left for a campaign rally in Iowa. 'Ivanka would be dynamite, but I would be accused of nepotism if you can believe it, right?' he explained. He repeatedly praised his daughter, who he hired to work as a senior adviser in the White House, but expressed his concerns about the criticism he'd face if he named her his top diplomat to the United Nations. 'I think Ivanka would be incredible, but I'm not sure I'd use her because I'd be accused of nepotism even though I'm not sure there's anyone more competent in the world, but that's OK. But we are looking at numerous people. It is interesting,' he said. First daughter Ivanka Trump said Tuesday that she would not be the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Outgoing UN Ambassador Nikki Haley lavished praise on Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who serve as advisers to President Trump, were in the Oval Office to hear Haley's glowing words White House Senior Advisors Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump listen to President Donald Trump announce that he has accepted the resignation of Nikki Haley as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Ivanka Trump's name was floated around Tuesday to replace outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who, in a move that caught many in the administration by surprise, announced she was leaving the plum post at the end of the year. The president did say he's considering a close friend of his daughter's - his former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell. 'Dina is certainly a person I would consider and she is under consideration,' Trump said Tuesday afternoon. 'We actually have many names' for the job, he added. One of those names he's considering is apparently not son-in-law Jared Kushner. 'He's very talented, but no I haven't only because I know you people. What would you do if I said that?' he said. Trump turned to a reporter for CNN and repeated himself. 'What would they do? Jared or Ivanka. How do you feel about Ivanka?' he asked. 'I think CNN would support her.' A decision is likely to be known soon. The president said earlier Tuesday he expects to name Haley's successor by the end of the month. 'Within the next two or three weeks, maybe sooner,' Trump said. Powell has had conversations with senior members of the administration about possibly replacing Haley, CNBC reported. She left Goldman Sachs to join the Trump administration at its start. She worked with Ivanka Trump on women's economic empowerment issues and later became deputy national security adviser before she left the White House earlier this year to return to the financial firm. She is already in New York, where the United Nations is headquartered, and is said to have called the ambassadorship her 'dream job.' Haley spent the weekend in her home state of South Carolina and Powell was with her according to a photo Haley tweeted. But it was Ivanka Trump, who does not take a salary for her White House gig, who became the center of attention after Haley lavished praise on the first daughter and her husband Jared Kushner in the Oval Office Tuesday. 'I can't say enough good things about Jared and Ivanka,' Haley said at the announcement she was leaving her job at the end of the year. Former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell has also been mentioned for the U.N. job President Trump said Ivanka would be 'dynamite' as U.N. ambassador but he'd be accused of 'nepotism' if he appointed her Haley was in South Carolina over the weekend and tweeted this photo of her with former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell, sparking speculation Powell could get her job The couple, who serve as advisers to President Trump, were in the Oval Office to hear her glowing words. Haley's comments about the two were notable. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump were considered two of her biggest allies in the Trump administration. 'Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands,' Haley gushed, citing his work on the renegotiating NAFTA and on various trade deals. 'Ivanka has just been a great friend,' Haley added. She said the couple do more behind the scenes in the Trump administration than people realize although she did not offer specific examples. 'They do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about because we are a better country because they're in the administration,' Haley said. Ivanka Trump returned the praise in a twitter post with Haley and her husband, adding a picture of the three in the Oval Office. 'Ambassador Haley has served America with dignity + distinction. She is a bold reformer and has been an unwavering champion of truth, principled realism and integrity within the United Nations. Jared and I are grateful for her friendship a true blessing in our lives!,' the first daughter wrote. The U.N. Ambassador job is seeing as America's poshest diplomatic posting. The job comes with a government-owned New York City condominium of nearly 6,000-square-feet. The ambassador used to live at the Waldorf Astoria hotel but was relocated due to security concerns after a new ownership group led by a Chinese insurance company bought the storied building. Haley was the first ambassador to live at the new location. The asking price for rent was $58,000 per month, according to a real estate listing. It includes 7 bedrooms, including two for housekeepers and a pair of master suites, and dramatic views of New York City's skyline. Haley's touting of Ivanka Trump came amid reports her portfolio of issues made her a fit for the position. Nikki Haley's praise for Ivanka and Jared 'It's not just the president I want to thank - the family in general. The first lady has been nothing but very kind to me. I can't say enough good things about Jared and Ivanka. Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands. To redo the NAFTA deal the way he did. What I've done working with him on the Middle East peace plan is so unbelievably well done. Ivanka has been a great friend and they do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about because we're a better country because they're in this administration.' Advertisement CNN reporter Poppy Harlow pointed out that one of Ivanka Trump's main issues is 'advocacy around the globe. And particularly when it comes to women's issues, and it's something she doesn't make a lot of headlines for, but it is an area where a lot of her work has gone. I do think she may have some interest in a role like this that would truly put her on the world stage and put her focus on some more of the global issues where she may be able to have some success.' CNN political director Mark Preston said the president was capable of appointing anyone he wanted to the position and noted the couple could want to return to New York, which is where they lived before moving to Washington D.C. after the 2016 election. 'Does she want to get back to New York?,' he said. 'There's been talk about how her and her husband would like to get back to New York. That could get them back to new York. I would argue this. I think she's in such a powerful position being right next to the president that I don't know why anybody would want that position if she was really looking for power.' Ivanka Trump was with Haley and her father at the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York City at the end of September where she sat in on some of the president's meetings with world leaders and led a few briefs of her own. She delivered an anti-human trafficking speech during her time there, calling it 'the greatest human rights issue of our time.' 'This is a call for action, a call for global unity,' Ivanka Trump said at a panel hosted by Great Britain and Northern Ireland, noting that her father has said he is 'prepared to bring the full force and weight of our government' to combat human trafficking. It's not the first time the first daughter has been mentioned as Haley's replacement - Cabinet-level position that requires confirmation by the Senate. Haley sailed through her confirmation process with senators approving her nomination by a vote of 96-4. In November of last year, The New York Times reported there was talk in the White House that Ivanka Trump could replace Haley as ambassador to the United Nations if Haley replaced Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. But Tillerson was replaced by CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Ivanka Trump returned the praise in a Twitter post President Trump said he would name Haley's replacement by the end of the month There was speculation last year Ivanka Trump could be named U.N. ambassador Ivanka Trump was at the U.N. General Assembly meeting with her husband Jared and half-sister Tiffany President Trump said 'a number of people' would want the job and noted: 'It's become a more glamorous position than it was two years.' 'I can almost say many people who want to do it,' he added. Should Ivanka Trump be named to the position, the White House would have to move fast on her confirmation process if Democrats win control of the upper chamber in the November midterm. But no matter which party controls the Senate, she would have to fill out extensive Senate disclosure forms on her and husband's finances. A Syrian refugee who is alleged to have harassed and sexually assaulted ten women in Germany had to be dragged into a courtroom today to hear the charges against him. The 23-year-old man, identified only as Rami A, is a legally recognized refugee and is married, although his wife lives in Jordan. In Dresden, he is accused of at least ten cases of assault and harassment taking place between March 8 and June 3 earlier this year. 23-year-old 'Rami A' is dragged into a court appearance by judicial staff to hear the charges of sexual assault and harassment against him The crime scenes were all in the Neustadt area of the city, which is situated near the border with the Czech Republic in the free state of Saxony in eastern Germany. At night or early in the morning, Rami A. would ambush his victims and push them against walls before groping and rubbing up against them, BILD reported. Only when the women screamed for help would he let go of them. The court process began two hours late because the defendant, who is a legal refugee from Syria, refused to co-operate He was finally caught and kept in police custody, and now faces at least ten counts of various sexual assault and harassment charges. However, it took some time before Rami A. heard the charges in court on Tuesday. In the detention cellar of the district court, the refugee resisted all attempts to get him to attend the hearing. He finally had to be tied up while several judicial officials dragged him into court. Once inside, he also did not want to sit and had to be forced down. There, the process began late in the morning rather than early in the morning with a delay of almost two hours. Surrounded by dozens of stone-faced FBI agents on a frigid winter's day, Dennis and Kem Parada stared down at the empty hole and knew something wasn't right. The father-son duo spent years combing the wilderness near Dents Run, Pennsylvania with high-end metal detectors, drills and other tools to prospect for a fabled cache of Civil War gold. They felt certain they'd discovered the hiding place of the long-lost booty, leading the FBI to the mountainous, heavily wooded area last March. At the end of the court-sanctioned excavation, the FBI escorted the treasure hunters to the snow-covered site and asked them what they saw. Dennis Parada, right, and his son Kem Parada stand at the site of the FBI's dig for Civil War-era gold in Dents Run, Pennsylvania. The FBI says the excavation came up empty, but the Paradas believe investigators might have found the legendary gold cache They gazed at the pit. Not so much as a glimmer of gold dust, let alone the tons of precious metal they said an FBI contractor's instruments had detected. 'We were embarrassed,' Dennis Parada told The Associated Press in his first interview since the well-publicized dig last winter. 'They walk us in, and they make us look like dummies. Like we messed up.' Since that day, however, neighbors' accounts of late-night excavation and FBI convoys have fueled suspicions that the agency isn't telling the whole truth. The Paradas are challenging the FBI's account of the dig, insisting that something had to have been buried in the woods near Dents Run, about 135 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. That something, they believe, was gold. 'After my years of experience here using equipment, there was something here, something here of value, some kind of precious metal. And whatever it is, it's gone now. And that's what I want to get to the bottom of, is what was in that hole,' Kem Parada said. An FBI tent is seen behind police tape at the base of a hill where investigators were conducting an excavation for Civil War-era gold in March. The FBI says the dig came up empty The FBI said it found nothing during a March dig (above) for gold in Dents Run, Pennsylvania Federal investigators insisted a few days after leaving the site that the search came up empty, adding cryptically that its work there was related to an 'ongoing investigation.' The FBI declined further comment, and a bureau spokeswoman told the AP last week that court documents related to the dig are sealed. The dispute between the Paradas and the FBI is the latest chapter in a mystery that has persisted for more than a century and a half. As the story goes, around the time of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, the Union Army sent a shipment of gold from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Philadelphia. The wagon train took a circuitous route through the wilds of northern Pennsylvania so as to avoid Confederate troops. Along the way, the gold was either lost or stolen. The legend has inspired generations of treasure hunters to take to the thick woods of northwestern Pennsylvania including Dennis and Kem Parada, who spent five years digging in a cave on state land, and two more years drilling atop the cave, before going to the FBI in January with their evidence. According to a 155-year-old legend, a Union Army wagon train was carrying two tons of gold on a 400-mile journey between Wheeling, West Virginia, and Gettysburg. The gold was sent by President Abraham Lincoln to pay Union soldiers (pictured, at the Battle of Gettysburg) The Paradas showed agents how their sophisticated metal detector lit up like crazy when aimed at the spot where they believed the gold was hidden. Within a month, they said, the FBI had hired an outside firm to conduct an underground scan using a device called a gravimeter. The scan identified a large metallic mass with the density of gold, according to the Paradas and Warren Getler, an author and journalist who's been working with them. So it was with great anticipation that father, son and Getler arrived at the dig site March 13. But nothing went as planned. The treasure hunters and Getler said they had an agreement with the FBI to watch the excavation. Officers instead confined them to their car out of sight of the wooded hillside where a backhoe was digging for six hours that first day before they were finally allowed up the hill. The digging proceeded for another hour before an agent called an abrupt halt at 3pm, saying the team was cold, tired and hungry and it would be getting dark soon. They were just 3 feet from the target. 'I said, 'You've got three hours of daylight and we're only 3 feet away,' Dennis Parada recalled. He said the agent replied, 'Denny, we're going, we're going.' Whether the FBI actually left the woods that afternoon is itself an open question. The treasure-hunting group Finders Keepers has long insisted it found the gold buried in a state forest at Dents Run, but said the state would not allow it to dig Cheryl Elder, who lives nearby, told AP she heard what sounded like a backhoe and jackhammer at least until 2am the noisy machinery keeping her awake and annoying her because she had to rise early for work and she saw that the hillside was brightly lit. 'It was just real loud all night,' the former constable recalled. 'It was driving me nuts.' The second day of the excavation was similar to the first, according to the Paradas and Getler. They said they were confined to their car for several hours, then escorted up the hill to the dig site by then a large, empty hole. The FBI had finished the excavation out of their presence, they said. The Paradas said they were cheated of a moment they had spent years working for. 'You can only dig the gold up once, and that's a historical moment. And here we were robbed of all that,' Dennis Parada said. 'I don't understand why they played that game on us.' After the Paradas and Getler had left, Elder said, she saw a half-dozen black SUVs at the site. One by one, she said, they backed up to the bottom of the hill and rendezvoused with one of several all-terrain utility vehicles. Elder tried using her binoculars, but couldn't make out what investigators were transferring from the ATVs to the SUVs. Even so, 'I know they found gold,' she declared. 'I know they found it, and they're being sneaky.' Heather Selle, who lives in nearby Weedville, said she was getting her kids ready for school on the morning of the second day when she spied a convoy of FBI vehicles driving past including two large armored trucks. 'There was too many people involved, there was too much hush-hush, and there's been too much seen,' said still another resident, Garrett Osche, whose garage was used as a staging ground for the FBI's initial foray to the Dents Run area weeks before the dig. 'Why do you close the road down if you're not loading something out? If you're not sneaking something, why do you need to do what they did?' The shipment had either 26 gold bars or 52 bars, each weighing 50 pounds, meaning it would be worth about $27million or about $55million today (Pictured, Lincoln, center right, surrounded by crowd, preparing to deliver the Gettysburg address at dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery) If Union gold was indeed recovered from the woods, the discovery of a historic and extremely valuable trove of federal property on state-owned land would almost certainly touch off a court battle over who owns it, and whether the Paradas are entitled to a cut. Bill Cluck, their lawyer, said it would be a novel case for the courts, 'a law professor's dream final exam.' According to the legend, the lost shipment had either 26 gold bars or 52 bars, each weighing 50 pounds, meaning it would be worth about $25 million or about $50 million today. The Paradas and Getler say the government contractor's scan detected a much larger quantity of precious metal 7 to 9 tons an eye-popping haul that could be worth more than $250 million if every ounce of it was gold. In May, Cluck filed a Freedom of Information Act request for documents on the FBI's investigation into the legendary gold. The agency demurred, claiming it had no files it could share. Cluck appealed to Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey for help, and, a few weeks ago, the Justice Department ordered the FBI to do a more thorough review. If the bureau determines there are documents it can turn over after all, it could still take months or years to reach that point. 'There was definitely some kind of precious metal based on the readings of the instruments at the site,' Cluck said. 'The fact they wouldn't let them be there for the dig, it's suspicious as hell and it doesn't have to be.' A British Airways pilot has declared a 'general emergency' on a plane from Manchester to London. The Airbus A319-131 was circling north of London at around 4.40pm while waiting to land at Heathrow. It has now landed. No details have emerged about the emergency might be. British Airways said the emergency was a 'precaution' following a minor technical issue'. A brazen driver had caused traffic chaos after attempting an illegal U-turn on a busy slip road in south-west China. The female driver, surnamed Liao, had taken the wrong highway exit on the Chengdu-Dujiangyan Expressway in Sichuan province and tried to veer into oncoming traffic. The woman has been fined 200 yuan (22) and received 12 penalty points on her licence. The female driver, surnamed Liao, had taken the wrong highway exit on the Chengdu-Dujiangyan Expressway in Sichuan province and tried to veer into oncoming traffic Video footage of the reckless act filmed by traffic cameras shows the woman pulling up at the shoulder of the highway, then suddenly starting to drive in the opposite direction on the two-lane slip road on Sunday at about 11am. Confused motorists were forced to stop, causing a traffic chaos. Officers on a police car nearby saw the driver and immediately rushed to stop her. Liao was detained on the spot and had her car impounded. Video footage shows the woman pulling up at the shoulder of the highway, then suddenly starting to drive in the opposite direction on the two-lane slip road on Sunday at about 11am Officers on a police car nearby saw the driver and immediately rushed to stop her She told the authorities that she had taken a wrong turn and tried to turn back in spite of the heavy traffic, according to Cover News. Her licence has also been suspended following the incident. Chinese media has dubbed her 'the most reckless driver' and net users were outraged by her careless act. 'This could have ended in disaster,' a user said on Chinese micro-blogging platform Weibo. 'What on earth was she thinking?' 'Didn't she see the police car right there? Or maybe she didn't realise it is illegal to driver into oncoming traffic!' another said. An Emirati man was sentenced to two months in jail after calling a woman 'stupid' over WhatsApp. The defendant had no previous convictions so the prison term was suspended for three years, but he was fined 20,000 dirhams - 4,000 - for violating United Arab Emirates cybercrime laws. He said he had proposed to the woman as they were getting to know each other online and 'spontaneously' sent the messages without meaning to offend her, English-speaking Arab news site Stepfeed reported. An Emirati man was sentenced to two months in jail after calling a woman 'stupid' over WhatsApp. He is contesting the sentence at the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeal (stock image) The case dates back to March and became a popular talking point on Twitter among Arab commentators. One insisted 'He deserves this and more' while another said 'This world is doomed, no one can talk to anyone anymore.' The defendant is appealing his sentence, asking for his jail term to be cancelled since he has already paid the fine. Abu Dhabi's Court of Appeal is now set to decide his fate on October 14. The UAE's laws on cybercrime are incredibly strict, with other cases involving a woman being jailed for three months after looking through her husband's phone without him knowing. The woman's husband filed the lawsuit, accusing her of violating his privacy, and a court in Ras Al Khaimah - the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates and known for its Arabian Gulf beaches - convicted her. In the husband's statement he claimed that the woman went through his phone and copied all the data to another device in order to search through the information at a later date. The husband complained after his wife was said to have scrolled through his phone as he was sleeping before transferring pictures and chats to her own device to show her siblings. Other cases involve a woman being jailed for three months after looking through her husband's phone without him knowing. The husband filed the lawsuit against her (stock) She claimed her husband gave her his password and let her go through his phone since she had caught him talking to other women previously. Some on Twitter defended the wife, with one saying: 'If she wasn't suspicious over something, she wouldn't have gone through his phone. Isn't it shameful for him to jail his own wife?' Others said the punishment fit the crime: 'She deserves this. No one told her to go through his phone.' Under the country's laws it is illegal to go through anyone's phone without their permission - even for married couples. It is also a violation of personal online privacy if an adult's information is looked at in secret by a partner, friend, relative, parent or work colleague. In August, President Sheikh Khalifa created additional cybercrime laws which could see criminals facing jail terms of up to 25 years for the most serious crimes - involving terrorism. Advertisement Violence broke out at protests across France as people demonstrated against President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular social reforms. Tuesday saw students, workers and pensioners marching in cities including Paris, Nice, Nantes, Marseilles, Tours, Rennes and Bayonne to protest what they called the 'destruction of the social model.' It came after French unions called for a national day of protest against Macron's government. One protester was seen lying bloodied on the ground during the protest in Paris. Other protesters hurled tear gas grenades and missiles at police, Le Figaro reports. Armed police officers were seen tackling demonstrators and using tear gas to keep them under control. A protester bleeds after being injured during a demonstration against the French government in Paris on Tuesday Armed police officers were seen tackling demonstrators and using tear gas to keep them under control in Paris French unions called for a national day of protest against French President Emmanuel Macron's government The day of nationwide protests comes as Macron is expected to give his approval for a government reshuffle following the resignation of the interior minister last week. Macron is likely to seize the occasion to extend the restructuring to several other government positions. He met with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Tuesday to discuss the changes. Some ministers and junior ministers could be replaced or see changes to their functions. Thousands of demonstrators protest during a one-day nationwide protest over Macron's policies in Nantes, western France Protesters face police officers in riot gear during the demonstration against French government in Paris, France, on Tuesday A protester holds a banner reading 'government of the rich' as thousands of demonstrators protest in Nantes, western France The reshuffle is expected to be presented before Wednesday's weekly Cabinet meeting. Macron is heading to Armenia on Wednesday evening. Philippe, speaking at the lower house of parliament Tuesday, said that the government is 'not febrile.' Macron has seen his popularity plummet in recent months following a series of comments perceived by some as arrogant, and a scandal surrounding his ex-security aide. Protesters hold a banner reading 'Against Macron and his world all united' during a one-day nationwide protest rally in Paris Protesters known as 'black bloc'hold a banner reading 'under the hood' during a nationwide strike over Macron's policies A protester lights a flare as a group known as 'black bloc' demonstrate during a one-day nationwide protest on Tuesday UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who stunned Washington with her surprise announcement she is resigning her post, was facing an ethics complaint over her acceptance of private travel between South Carolina and Washington, D.C. Haley had disclosed the flights on her government form for 2017. But the issue of improper private jet uses has dogged multiple administration officials, and led to the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed the complaint against Haley, who has g earned high marks for navigating global affairs and the challenges of the Trump administration, on Monday. UN ambassador Nikki Haley was facing an ethics complaint over her acceptance of private travel between South Carolina and Washington, D.C. The complaint noted she accepted flights from three separate businessmen from her home state of South Carolina on luxury aircraft between the state and Washington, D.C. She was accompanied by her husband on the flights. Haley claimed exceptions due to personal relationships with the jet owners. /Federal ethics regulations prohibit employees from soliciting or accepting gifts given because of the employees official position. They also direct employees to consider declining otherwise permissible gifts if they believe a reasonable person would question their integrity or impartiality as a result of accepting the gifts,' according to the letter from CREW seeking an Office of Inspector General probe. 'Ambassador Haley asserted that each flight qualified for an exception to the rules for gifts based on personal relationships with the donors,' according to the letter. 'It is not clear, however, that the personal relationship exception applied to these gifts.' Trump and Haley gushed about each other during an Oval Office appearance CREW filed a complaint about Haley's disclosed plane travel a day before her surprise announcement If Haley and her husband Michael were the only passengers on board, she would have been responsible for the full cost of aircraft use, according to CREW The group estimates the flights were worth 'tens of thousands of dollars' to Haley. She put the value at $3,200, based on the cost of a first-class flight for the trips, but Crew figures the value to be $24,000 if she and her husband were the only passengers on the flights. On her form, Haley identified the people who lent the aircraft as Jimmy Gibbs, the chief executive of Gibbs International Inc., as providing four flights. She said it was a company plane but that Gibbs repaid the firm. Haley identified two other individuals providing aircraft as Smyth McKissick and Mikee Johnson, both also company CEOs. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley disembarks from the plane as she arrives at the airport in Juba, South Sudan October 25, 2017 Former Heath and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned after reports about his private jet use McKissick is CEO of Alice Manufacturing, and Johnson was CEO of wood manufacturing firm Cox Industries, the Huffington Post reported. The personal exception to the rules is 'inapplicable if Ambassador Haley flew on company aircraft without full reimbursement of the company by the individual donors,' according to the letter, to the State Department's OIG. According to CREW, Haley claimed she and Gibbs had been friends for five years, during her tenure as the state's governor. All three CEOs contributed to her campaign for governor. Trump lavished praise on Haley and arranged a side-by-side talk with reporters in the Oval Office minutes after news of her sudden departure stunned political Washington. Haley gave no specific reason for leaving, saying she didn't have 'anything set,' adding that she believed in 'term limits' and letting someone else take on the challenging post. 'For all of you that are going to ask about 2020, no, I am not running for 2020,' she said. 'I can promise you what I'll be doing is campaigning for this one. So I look forward to supporting the president in the next election.' Trump said Haley 'has been very special to me' and 'is a fantastic person' who has done exemplary work. 'She's done a fantastic job, and we've done a fantastic job together,' Trump said. 'We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose [you].' 'Hopefully youll be coming back at some point,' Trump said, perhaps in a different capacity. 'You can have your pick,' he said. Price resigned last year after his costly use of taxpayer-funded private jet travel was revealed to have exceeded $1 million. FEMA head Brock Long is under fire for having taxpayer-provided protection drive him from Washington to his home in North Carolina. Veteran female television presenters Fiona Bruce and Victoria Derbyshire could take over from David Dimbleby as Question Time host. The search for a successor is underway after Sir Dimbleby announced his departure from the show - after 25 years at the helm. Secret episodes are currently being filmed at BBC studios in order to find the next presenter, according to reports. Among those filmed on Monday night were Fiona and Victoria. Victoria Derbyshire is among the favourites to take over the job as Question Time presenter Each were put in front of an audience of schoolgirls and politicians , according to The Guardian. Sources claimed Derbyshire impressed the audience while Bruce focused on the other panellists, including Tory Johnny Mercer and Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds. Two episodes of the Thursday-night political programme are being filmed at a time with MPs from all parties being asked to take part - before the footage goes over to BBC bosses to make the final decision. Girls from James Allen's school in Dulwich, south London, were among the audience in the episode which focused heavily on Brexit. Fiona Bruce is best known for reading news and presenting the Antiques Roadshow - but she could be next in line to be quizzing political leaders on Question Time Kirsty Wark has been installed as favourite to replace David Dimbleby by Ladbrokes BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson, pictured, is believed to be the only man on the list Emily Maitlis and Kirsty Wark, pictured, are among presenters being considered to replace David Dimbleby as host of Question Time Although BBC chiefs have tried to keep the audition process private, details over the events have been leaked. Questions on Monday included 'should there be a second referendum?' and 'did people vote for Brexit for racist reasons?' according to those who attended. Derbyshire - presenter of her self-titled show - is among the favourites to take the job. However, she has tough competition from ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham, Mishal Husain, Emily Maitlis and Kirsty Wark, as well as the only male believed to be in the running, Nick Robinson. BBC news reader and Antiques Roadshow presenter Bruce would be a more unlikely choice. Sir David Dimbleby is stepping down from his role as Question Time presenter after 25 years in the job for the BBC During his BBC career Dimbleby presented political programmes such as Panorama and chaired many debates including the Party Leaders' debates in the run up to General Elections since 2010. He has been the BBC's anchorman for all General Elections since 1979 and presented the broadcaster's coverage of the first referendum in Europe, a role he repeated in 2016 for the BBC's coverage of the EU Referendum. His final episode will be broadcast on 13 December. Devout parents who saw their desperately disabled son as a 'gift from God' have now won him a 4.3 million NHS compensation payout. For more than 30 years after his birth at Luton Hospital, the couple struggled on, battling with social services to get him the care he needed. Lawyers claimed there had been a negligent delay in his 1987 caesarean delivery and the trust accepted 50% liability for his injuries. For more than 30 years after his birth at Luton Hospital, the couple struggled on, battling with social services to get him the care he needed. Now aged in his 30s, the trust today agreed to settle his medical negligence claim for 4,312,159 at London's High Court (pictured) It was only when his sister qualified as a lawyer that the family finally decided to sue Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Now aged in his 30s, the trust today agreed to settle his medical negligence claim for 4,312,159 at London's High Court. 'This reflected their belief that he was a gift from God and that it was something that they should accept', said Judge Barry Cotter QC. Approving the payout, Judge Cotter said: 'For a family to soldier on over so many years is truly remarkable. 'They have been entirely dedicated to his care and they have made many sacrifices.' Speaking of the family's long fight to win him government financial support, he added: 'This is a paradigm case of the difficulties that a family can face when thrown upon the state.' The judge said he had 'the very greatest admiration' for the man's sister, whose legal training prompted her to investigate her brother's birth injuries. Had they not faced the onset of old age, his parents 'may not have supported a claim, such was their devotion to their son'. 'Caring for him has taken its toll and they cannot go on indefinitely,' the judge added. And the couple and wider family now recognised there was 'a pressing if not dire need for a professional care regime.' Alexander Hutton QC, for the trust, said: 'We are extremely sorry that the claimant suffered such a significant brain injury. 'No-one could fail to be moved by the dedication this family has shown over the last 30 plus years. 'No-one could fail to be impressed by the truly extraordinary love and dedication that they have shown.' Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will have a second summit with North Korean dictator Kim Kim Jong-un and it could happen at his private Mar-a-Lago resort club in Florida. 'He'd probably like that,' Trump told reporters at the White House. 'I'd like that too. But we'll see. We're talking about three or four different locations.' The president told reporters in the Oval Office after announcing the resignation of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim to hammer out the details. He also left open the possibility of going to Pyongyang personally in the future. 'I think eventually we're going to have lots of meetings on U.S. soil, and on their soil, by the way ... that's a two-way street. On their soil also,' Trump said. President Donald Trump said he might invite North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to his resort in Florida for their next summit Kim Jong-un is pledging to pull back on his nuclear weapons ambitions, the White House says Mar-a-Lago is Trump's private hidewaay in Palm Beach, Florida 'Timing won't be too far away,' he added, while insisting that 'it is happening, and we're setting that up right now.' 'Singapore was fantastic but we'll probably do a different location.' Pompeo on Monday hailed 'significant progress' in weekend talks with Kim, and said the two sides were 'pretty close' to agreeing on details for a second summit between Trump and Kim to follow their unprecedented June 12 meeting. Pompeo told reporters Kim had said he was ready to allow international inspectors into North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site and Sohae missile engine test facility as soon as the the United States and North Korea agreed on logistics. 'I think the speed is amazing,' Trump said, commenting on the pace of progress. 'You have no nuclear tests, no rockets. And we have a very good relationship with Chairman Kim. I like him, he likes me.' the pair last met in June in a first-ever summit held in Singampre Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been in Pyongyang this weekend hammering out details Some critics say Pompeo's four visits to Pyongyang this year have yielded little more than repackaged pledges from the past. But Trump insisted that 'we've made a lot of progress.' 'People don't realize the important of the first meeting,' he said. 'We said, "Point number one: denuclearization." And for some reason the press doesn't pick that up.' North Korea has 'agreed to denuclearization. and they continue to agree,' the president said. 'They continue.' 'Now, we haven't removed sanctions, as you know. ... We have very big sanctions. We'd love to remove them, but we have to get something for doing it.' A passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight to Shanghai, China died whilst on board on Monday evening. Delta flight 583 took off from Detroit Metropolitan Airport for Shanghai at 4:35 p.m. but around three hours later, at around 7:15, a 'medical emergency was declared,' according to a Delta spokesperson. The crew made the decision to return to Detroit, landing at 10:35 p.m. The passenger was aboard Flight 583 bound for Shanghai and about three hours into the flight when it returned to Detroit in response to the emergency By the time passenger Yury Rubel was taken off the plane, it was too late for treatment 'The aircraft landed without incident and the passenger in question was removed,' the spokesperson said. The passenger was then declared dead by airport medical staff. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday identified the passenger as Yury Rubel and said he died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The death was ruled a natural death. The age and hometown of the passenger weren't immediately available. Flight 583 was then rescheduled and took off at 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday for China. Two men behind a cash-for-crash scam that may have topped 8million and involved 250 collisions were today slammed by a judge who said all insurance customers will pay for the fraud through higher premiums. Boota Ram masterminded the sophisticated, large-scale fraud by orchestrating crashes with innocent drivers, mainly on mini-roundabouts. The 38-year-old from Slough used false driving licences and fake documents to make claims against dozens of insurance companies for fabricated injuries or vehicle damage. Police found the baker's car boot crammed with items necessary to make claims including dozens of fake IDs and insurance documents, with a judge branding the vehicle a 'mobile fraudster's office'. Boota Ram (left) and his nephew, Gagandeep Gagandeep (right), were today jailed for their parts in the cash-for-crash fraud Ram's laptop contained an immaculate spreadsheet with information for more than 500 claims, some so old the insurance firms had no details on whether they had paid out, prosecutor Michael Rogues told Reading Crown Court. An estimate based on the spreadsheet puts the potential extent of the frauds at more than 8million. But the proven profit of the fraud based on corroborating documents from insurance companies was 4million. Ram was handed a nine-year prison sentence after a jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit fraud over a three-year period. He was jailed in his absence after absconding part way through the trial. His nephew, Gagandeep Gagandeep, was jailed for three years for his part in the conspiracy. The 30-year-old deposited and withdrew claims money through his accounts, applying for insurance on cars he bought for the scam. He also took damaged cars to scrap yards. Judge Paul Dugdale said every person in the UK would feel the impact of this significant fraud through increased insurance premiums. Judge Paul Dugdale slammed the pair's fraud, saying UK customers would pay for it in the form of higher insurance premiums 'This involved a fraud which lasted three years and it involved the two defendants and a number of others carrying out induced accidents, manufactured accidents, where the fraudsters car was deliberately driven into cars driven by innocent parties who were not involved in the fraud in any way,' he said. 'This was so the fraudsters could fake insurance claims for personal injury which were dishonest. 'When Ram was arrested the contents of a car parked on his driveway can be described as a mobile fraudsters office. 'Not only was there a cost to the individuals involved in the incidents, the loss because of this kind of fraud affects almost every person in this country who drives a car. 'Insurance companies do not absorb this kind of loss. They find it forms part of their profit and loss operations and when costs increase they just pass it on to their customers who pay the higher premiums. 'Nobody should think that a conspiracy like this affects insurance companies alone. Ordinary people pay insurance premiums and they themselves become victims of this sort of conspiracy. 'It is no surprise that ordinary people who pay insurance premiums get very angry and its quite understandable in this situation. People go to work every day, perhaps each year they have to work out carefully each month how much they can afford. 'It will have a particular affect on the people of the Slough area where postcodes are taken into consideration will also be directly affected by having to pay higher premiums. 'The most aggravating factor is that for each claim it involved at first a deliberate crash where the car deliberately hit another car driven by somebody who was completely innocent. 'The collisions were not at speed and mainly on mini roundabouts. But each time a fraudster caused a collision they would not have known who was in the car, whether they be a robust driver, a vulnerable driver, a young driver or a driver with children in the car. Indeed on one occasion there were two young children in the car.' Judge Dugdale said he had to pass sentence on Ram despite the fact he vanished from the courtroom and was suspected of being in London, because he did not think he would be picked up by police for up to 15 years due to high number of false drivers licences and false documentation he had. 'Ram gave evidence and said he was innocent and he was guilty of stupidity, laying the blame on a man called Daljit Singh. I believe Boota Ram and Daljit Singh were one and the same person.' Ram, of Slough, Berkshire, was convicted by a unanimous jury of one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of possession of articles for use in fraud. Gagandeep, of Slough, Berkshire, was convicted by unanimous jury of one count of conspiracy to defraud. Mohammed Popat, 56, of Slough, Berkshire, was cleared of one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and one count of conspiracy to drive dangerously. The Brazilian man who is charged with Domestic Battery by Strangulation after his girlfriend was left bruised and bloodied in the wake of a fight at his Florida apartment last month claims he only attacked the alleged victim in self-defense. Melissa Gentz, 22, told police that Erick Bretz, 25, kicked her in the head, ripped out her hair, smacked her with a bottle and left her fearing for her life on September 23 after he had been drinking and taken Patz, a sleeping pill similar to Ambien. Bretz and his attorney are now telling a much different story however, saying that it was Gentz who was the aggressor and pointing out that she herself admitted to throwing the first punch in the police report. He also announced that he plans to sue Gentz for slander and libel after she released pictures of her bruised face while claiming to have evidence that will show Gentz had been drinking and doing drugs that night. Scroll down for video Battle: Erick Bretz, 25, is fighting back after his girlfriend Melissa Gentz, 22, publicly accused him of abuse by saying he attacked her in self-defense (Bretz on left and Gentz on right) Together: Gentz admitted to throwing the first punch in her police report, at which point Bretz allegedly kicked her, pulled her hair, and slapped her with a bottle (couple above) Horrifying: Gentz, 22, hared audio from her alleged attack at the hands Bretz, who she claims brutally beat her at his Tampa apartment (Gentz above after the alleged attack) Then and now: Bretz and Gentz went to school together and had only been dating for a few months (Bretz in high school on left and mugshot on right) 'The evidence in this case clearly dictates that Ms. Gentz was the aggressor. Erick and his legal team will bring all the facts of this incident to light and expose her account as simply untrue and that Erick is innocent,' Bretz's lawyer Larry McMillan tells DailyMail.com 'In the end, Mr. Bretz and his family will prosecute Ms. Gentz for her slanderous and libelous actions. They will seek to recover damages for the harm to his and his familys outstanding reputation.' McMillan then points out that Gentz herself admitted to police that she did 'push and attempt to punch [Bretz] after she believed he took her cellphone.' He goes on to say that her medical examination contradicts her claims, claiming that 'physical evidence reveals no sign of trauma to her neck' and his client's 'hands have no signs consistent with striking someone multiple times.' Bretz also has no history of violence and was never given time to speak with police according to his attorney. Then, there are the claims that the defendant is making against Gentz. 'Evidence will show that Melissa Gentz was drinking and consuming drugs prior to the incident she has alleged,' states McMillian. 'Evidence will show that Melissa Gentz attacked Erick Bretz sending him to a hospital.' This all comes as omne judge has lifted the protective order in the case just days after it was filed and the district attorney's office has reportedly dropped the charge of witness tampering. Bretz has pleaded not guilty to the one remaining charge of Domestic Battery by Strangulation and is out on $60,000 bail. He has had his passport revoked however and is unable to leave the country. Gentz released audio from the alleged attack on her social media last month, which is when she claims Bretz brutally beat her in his Tampa apartment. Gentz then recorded part of the fight, in which she can be heard crying while her boyfriend screams: 'Why are you so dumb? Stop being stupid, see . You have no more notion of p ... none. I already told you, see. Stop being dumb!' He then goes on to state: 'You do not accept the man who has more dominance than you. You do not accept, you think you're the man of the relationship. But you're not, you're a woman, you see , you have to accept that!' A report filed with the Tampa Police Department later that day detailed the alleged attack. Horror scene: Bretz was arrested that night while sleeping at the apartment, and booked on charges of Domestic Battery by Strangulation and Tampering With a Witness (Getz's hair from after the alleged attack) Victim: Gentz can be heard crying in the audio, which she released along with photos of the alleged bruising caused by her boyfriend of two months (Gentz above after the attack) Break down: Bretz allegedly kicked in the door to his bathroom in order to get at Gentz at one point (above) Longtime love: Gentz said she had been in love with Bretz for years, and shared a list she made in high school (above) Gentz then made the decision to share photos of her bruised and bloody eye as well as the other injuries she claimed to have suffered on social media, a move that has prompted Bretz's decision to sue. 'Unlike the victim who is trying her version of the events through social media; we have advised our client to pursue his position in a court of law that is designed to settle disputes through the legal process,' Bretz's lawyer tells DailyMail.com. 'Ultimately, the court will decide what really happened and what should be done about it. We are confident that Erick will be vindicated.' Gentz told police that the pair were at Bretz's apartment a little after 4am on September 23 when he took some 'Patz,' a medication similar to Ambien he is prescribed for insomnia. 'The defendant became argumentative and jealous after he consumed his medication and approximately four beers and three fourths a bottle of wine,' states the police report. Bretz was reportedly angry over a photo posted by his girlfriend to Instagram, which prompted him to berate the victim according to the report. That is when Gentz tried to hit and punch Bretz, who she believed had taken her cell phone. Bretz responded by physically assaulting Gentz she alleged to police. 'The defendant then proceeded to grab the victim and throw her onto the floor. He then kicked her in the face and began to strangle her with his legs,' read the police report. 'The victim advised she could not breathe while he was strangling her with his legs.' That was just the start of the attack though, with Gentz claiming her boyfriend continued to assault her by 'grabbing her hair and striking her in the face multiple times with a closed fist.' In the middle of this, Bretz also allegedly hit Gentz in the face with a bottle of Pedialyte. Gentz's first attempt to find safety however failed when Bretz allegedly knocked down a door to get to her as she tried to hide. 'The victim was able to enter the bathroom in attempt to call 911 but the defendant kicked open the bathroom door to prevent her from contacting 911,' said the report. 'She attempted to run out of the bathroom but the defendant continued to restrain her.' She was finally able to flee the apartment and get to the doorman, who called authorities. Bretz was arrested that night while sleeping at the apartment, and booked on charges of Domestic Battery by Strangulation and Tampering With a Witness. He was then released two days later after posting his $60,000 bail and agreeing to surrender his passport. Brazils Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the case. Bretz has entered a plea of not guilty and is prohibited from having any contact with Gentz, who he had known since high school but only been dating for two months. Gentz is trying to recover from her injuries in order to complete her degree by december as she had planned to do prior to the attack. She is working toward her biology degree at the University of Southern Florida. Virgin Galactic boss Richard Branson has just made an announcement about his companys progress that could send his net worth skyrocketing. The billionaire CEO has revealed that Virgin Galactic, which is in a space race with Elon Musks SpaceX and Jeff Bezoss Blue Origin to be the first company to send tourists into space, is weeks, not months away from sending a rocket into space. In an interview with CNBC, Branson said: 'We should be in space within weeks, not months. And then we will be in space with myself in months and not years. 'We will be in space with people not too long after that so we have got a very, very exciting couple of months ahead,' he added. Charging around 190,000 ($250,00) per seat on the commercial space flight, Branson is truly involved in a battle of the billionaires with the richest man in the world Jeff Bezos, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. But just how much is Richard Branson worth? Here is all you need to know about the Virgin businessman and philanthropist including who he is and what is his net worth. The billionaire Sir Richard Branson started his first Virgin businesses in the early 1970s Who is Richard Branson? Sir Richard Branson was born on July 18, 1950 in Blackheath, London. A high school dropout, Branson started his business ventures selling records he wrote about in Student Magazine in the late 60s. It was called Virgin Mail Order Records due to everyones inexperience in business. The enterprise was an overnight success and in 1971 Branson opened up the first British discount record store. With the money raised from the shop sales, Branson launched Virgin Records with Nik Powell the following year. Virgin Records first signing was the multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, whose album Tubular Bells was the third-bestselling album of the 1970s. Delighted to see my old ballooning adventures partner Per Lindstrand still at the cutting edge of ballooning and set to bring its magic to many more people https://t.co/iMcZu9pDtf pic.twitter.com/QQgIWxHu3E Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 28, 2018 Virgin Records then went on to sign the likes of the Sex Pistols, the Rolling Stones, Paula Abdul and UB40, becoming the biggest independent music label in the world. In the 80s, Branson looked beyond music to flight, founding Virgin Atlantic in 1984 and subsequently growing the Virgin Group brand to include Virgin Active, Virgin Money, Virgin Trains, and Virgin Radio. The Virgin Group is now a multi-billion dollar business corporation. In 1992, Branson sold Virgin Records to EMI for $656 million (500m) and 12 years later launched Virgin Galactic. At the height of BA Dirty Tricks, I flew on BAs Concorde to New York. Why? To convince @achrisevans to join @virginradiouk https://t.co/lwHlwvj6pc pic.twitter.com/56OpLCObMs Richard Branson (@richardbranson) October 4, 2018 Bransons wealth has allowed him to indulge his daredevil predilections. In 1987, his Virgin Atlantic Flyer hot air balloon crossed the Atlantic, becoming the first one to do so. Four years later, he was in the balloon that was the first to cross the Pacific from Japan to Arctic Canada. He has also tried to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon. In 1999, Richard Branson was knighted by the Queen as part of the New Years Honours List. Tofu is the newest addition to our Necker Island family hes a delightful Labrador/Irish Water Spaniel cross https://t.co/3DHc67LOkj pic.twitter.com/IXddx01Z1D Richard Branson (@richardbranson) October 9, 2018 Branson launched Virgin Galactic in 2004, five years after first registering the name. The company first promised to send tourists into space by 2009, but the deadline has now been extended to 2019. In 2006, Branson pledged $3 billion to tackle the threat of global warming and climate change over the next ten years. Branson has been married twice, first to Kristen Tomassi between 1972 and 1979, and from 1989 to Joan Templeman, whom he first met in the mid-70s. He has two children with Templeman. The pair were married on Necker Island, Bransons private island, which he bought for $180,000 in 1979. What is Richard Bransons net worth? Richard Bransons net worth is estimated to be $5.9 billion (4.52bn) according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2018. The list says the billionaires Virgin Enterprises, which licenses the Virgin brand, is a money-spinner and is valued at $1.6 billion (1.2bn), while his stakes in Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Money add up to $315 million (240m) and $564 million (430m), respectively. Bransons wealth ranked the billionaire 29th in the country in 2018, down six places and $446.6 million (340m) on 2017. His net worth pales in comparison to his space tourism rivals Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Musk is reportedly worth as much as $19 billion (14bn), while Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, is worth as much as $112 billion (80bn). An eighth grader who claims that he was attacked three times at his California middle school is suing the district and assailants over the incident. Leo Lin, 13, shared that two of the attacks took place last spring at Palos Verdes Intermediate school but the latest incident occurred just last week. Video obtained by a fellow student shows Lin being attacked by other students. His lawyer claimed that the 13-year-old had been talking to girls when he was pushed into the fence. Leo Lin, 13, is suing the Palos Verdes school district and students who he said contributed to three different attacks on him Video obtained by a fellow student shows Lin being attacked by other students after allegedly talking to girls at the school 'The first incident I got attacked by other students and it was filmed on tape,' Lin shared with KTLA. 'And the second incident was when a school supervisor told other students to jump me.' Lin described that the most recent attack was conducted by boys in the bathroom after he refused to by a vape from another student. He added: 'A kid pushed me from behind and then the other kid who was offering me to buy, grabbed my head and smashed it into the sink.' Lin claims that the second incident happened after a Palos Verdes Intermediate school administrator told students to jump him Lin was rushed to the hospital and claimed to have suffered a concussion. He needed stitches where his head was slammed. 'I forgot things,' the teenager stated, adding that he fears going to school. 'I have nightmares and things like that. It was horrible.' The student voiced his disappointment that the school has done 'nothing' to really punish the bullies who attacked him. He described that the most recent attack was conducted by boys in the bathroom after he refused to by a vape from another student The teen said: 'A kid pushed me from behind and then the other kid who was offering me to buy, grabbed my head and smashed it into the sink' Father, Ying Lin, added that his family has been greatly affected by the attacks 'My wife is crying and my kid is terrified,' he said. The family's lawyer, Mark Haushalter, named several defendants in the lawsuit and called out the school for its lack of response. 'This case is simply about bullying and recess is over,' Haushalter asserted. 'We will be holding the principal, the school district, the teachers and the assailants responsible. Enough is enough.' Two senior FBI officials thought that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was 'serious' when he discussed secretly recording President Donald Trump and invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office last year, a senior attorney for the bureau revealed in secret congressional testimony. Former FBI General Counsel James Baker claims that then-FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe and FBI lawyer Lisa Page told him of Rosenstein's comments in a meeting after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey in May 2017, Fox News reported. Baker offered the details to congressional investigators last week during a closed-door deposition. President Trump said Monday outside the White House that he has no plans to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein flew with Trump aboard Air Force One on Monday, where they spoke for nearly 45 minutes and made amends. Rosenstein is seen leaving the presidential plane with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly Baker wasn't in the meeting where Rosenstein made his remark, he told legislative staff but said he took McCabe and Page's account 'seriously.' He also said he suspected 'Rosenstein was coordinating with two people in the administration to invoke the 25th Amendment,' a source told the news network. The New York Times first reported Rosenstein's comment about taping the president to invoke the 25the amendment. The deputy attorney general, who has had a contentious relationship with the president, allegedly told McCabe that he might be able to persuade Attorney General Jeff Sessions and John Kelly, then the secretary of homeland security and now the White House chief of staff, to mount an effort to invoke the 25th Amendment. Rosenstein was reported to have made the remarks about secretly recording Trump in conversations with other Justice Department and FBI officials and McCabe, then the acting bureau director, was one of the people that wrote a memo that documented Rosenstein's comments. He said he never recorded the president or advocated to have him removed from office 'I never pursued or authorized recording the President and any suggestion that I have ever advocated for the removal of the President is absolutely false,' Rosenstein told the paper. Other people in the meeting were reported to have called Rosenstein's remark 'sarcastic.' Rosenstein's job at the Justice Department, which includes oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election, seems secure - for now. James Baker is a former general counsel to the FBI He cited conversations with then-FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe and FBI lawyer Lisa Page Trump said Monday he has no intention of firing Rosenstein after the two had a 'great' conversation aboard Air Force One in route to Florida, where the president was speaking to a police chiefs conference. 'I'm not making any changes,' Trump said. 'You'd be the first to know.' Monday's flight was their first face-to-face conversation in the wake of the New York Times report, although they had spoken on the phone. Rosenstein had remained in a holding pattern since September and wasn't expected to be fired after denying claims that he considered wiretapping the president in a quest to prove he's mentally unstable. He also rejected a claim that he considered approaching the president's Cabinet for help in having Trump removed. Baker was interviewed by Congressional investigators ahead of a planned closed-door House GOP interview with Rosenstein later this week. He helped secure the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page and investigators also wanted to speak to him about the Steele dossier, a document written by former British spy Christopher Steele making the unverified claim that the Russians had blackmail information on Trump, which the president has denied. A Washington Post columnist who went missing after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was spirited out of Turkey in a private jet and held captive in the kingdom where he may still be alive, a source close to its royal family has claimed to DailyMail.com. Jamal Khashoggi, a long-standing critic of Saudi Arabia and for the last year a columnist for the Post, has been at the center of international concern that he has been murdered after walking into the consulate in Turkeys largest city and vanishing. Turkish police were allowed into the building on Tuesday, a week after Khashoggi vanished, and said that CCTV footage from inside has gone missing and Turkish staff were abruptly told to take a holiday on the day in question, The Guardian reports. There are fears that the columnist was killed and dismembered inside the embassy before his body was loaded - in boxes - into a waiting van and then flown out of the country in one of two private jets rented by Saudi Arabia. But a source close to the Saudi royals has told DailyMail.com that an alternative version of events is being discussed inside high levels of the Saudi government. Allegations: Turkish police believe Mr Khashoggi was tortured and murdered inside the consulate building in Istanbul last week Flight records show that a Gulf Stream IV private jet, tail number HZ-SK2, landed in Istanbul at 3am on October 2, the day Khashoggi disappeared. Pictured: Flight path the aircraft took The jet left later that day, stopping in Dubai (pictured) and then flying on to Riyadh. Khashoggi was driven from there to Riyadh, and was held there, the source said The source said that after entering the embassy Khashoggi was taken in a black Mercedes S-500 and a white minivan with four Saudi officials to Istanbul airport, where he was flown on a private jet to Dubai and then Riyadh, where he is now being held. Flight records show that a Gulf Stream IV private jet, tail number HZ-SK2, landed in Istanbul at 3am on October 2, the day Khashoggi disappeared. The jet left later that day, stopping in Dubai and then flying on to Riyadh. Khashoggi was driven from there to Riyadh, and was held there, the source said. The source was told Khashoggi is still alive, contradicting the claims he was murdered in the Istanbul embassy. The different version of events cannot be independently verified. A friend of the columnist also revealed that Khashoggis encrypted messages had been read after he vanished. Though Khashoggi gave his Saudi phone to his fiancee before entering the Istanbul embassy - where he was due to collect divorce papers - he walked in to the building with his T-Mobile US cell phone, which he had used to contact confidential sources. Embassy officials took the phone and handed it to Saudi intelligence officials, the source said. Into thin air: This CCTV photo shows the last moment Jamal Khashoggi is seen alive, walking into the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday The source said that after entering the embassy Khashoggi was taken in a black Mercedes S-500 and a white minivan with four Saudi officials to Istanbul airport. Pictured: Saudi officials gather outside the door where Mr Khashoggi entered last week but never exited Khashoggi had gone to the embassy to collect divorce papers relating to his previous marriage, leaving his fiancee with his phone on the street outside (pictured) WhatsApp records show Khashoggi last viewed his messages on his US cell phone at 1.06pm on Tuesday, around the time he entered the embassy. However, texts sent to him after that time marked as unread cannot be deleted by the sender, suggesting the texts have since been read via software other than the WhatsApp phone app. On Monday President Trump said that he was 'concerned' about reports on Khashoggi's disappearance. 'I am concerned about that,' Trump said. 'I don't like hearing about it and hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it.' 'There's some pretty bad stories about it. I do not like it,' he added. Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, said claims Khashoggi had been killed or detained by Saudi authorities were 'absolutely false, and baseless,' according to a statement provided to CNN. On Monday President Trump said that he was 'concerned' about reports on Khashoggi's disappearance 'There are many facts regarding his whereabouts that will hopefully be revealed through the ongoing investigation. 'Despite that, we have seen over the last few days various malicious leaks and grim rumors flying around about Jamal's whereabouts and fate,' the statement says. 'I assure you that the reports that suggest that Jamal Khashoggi went missing in the Consulate in Istanbul or that the Kingdom's authorities have detained him or killed him are absolutely false, and baseless.' Earlier Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi Arabia needs to prove that Khashoggi has, in fact, left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. 'He entered the general consulate himself, and if he has entered by himself and if he did not exit it, of course this should be proven by the general consulate,' said Erdogan at a press conference in Budapest. Fanta has introduced blood orange and pink grapefruit flavours in time for Halloween. The company held a poll of which new taste Britons would most enjoy - which saw 150,000 people cast their votes in a #FlavourElection. Candidates in the pop primary included wild berries - whose campaign slogan was 'let's go wildberries!' - and peach apricot, which rallied under the phrase 'hit the jackpot - vote peach apricot'. The winning blood orange campaign used the tagline 'winning is in our blood' while pink grapefruit used the humble but evidently effective 'ready for a "grape" election'. Fanta's new flavours, blood orange and pink grapefruit, were selected after a #FlavourElection. They feature spooky seasonal graphics created by Israeli-born designer Noma Bar Four social media 'influencers' - Jahannah James, Anto Sharp, Amber Doig Thorne and Joe Tasker - created campaign videos to gather votes for their respective flavours. Voting took place through April and May this year, and in a Facebook post on September 20, Fanta announced the flavour election winners were available in stores. One sceptical social media user commented: 'Is blood orange just... orange Fanta with red food dye? :')' Fanta, who have over 90 flavours worldwide, is owned by parent company Coca-Cola The official page replied: 'Nope! Next question...' Another user asked if the flavours were only available in zero sugar, to which Fanta responded 'yes' with a smiley face emoji. The company's reply drew 45 reactions, over half of which were the 'sad' reaction. A previous social media announcement, made on April 1, declared a new 'hot cross bun' flavour, but this was revealed to be an April Fools' joke. Fanta, who are famous for their sparkling orange drink but have over 90 flavours worldwide, is owned by Coca-Cola, who face rivalry in the fizzy drinks market from competitor Nestle. Nestle own upmarket brand San Pellegrino, who already have established blood orange and grapefruit products. But Fanta's new flavours will be available in limited edition Halloween packs with spooky seasonal graphics made by Israeli-born designer Noma Bar. Mr Bar's illustrations will also feature on the labels of Fanta Orange, Fruit Twist, Fanta Lemon and several of the company's 'Zero' range. These are the eateries crowned the best Asian restaurants and takeaways in the country. The first ever Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) paid tribute to the finest British curry houses in a ceremony held at The O2 Arena, London. TV chef Ainsley Harriott joined BBC news presenter Samantha Simmonds to congratulate the businesses at the fore of a 4billion industry that Prime Minister Theresa May described as an 'immensely important and popular part of British life'. The Royal Bengal in Coventry (pictured) was crowned the best curry house in the West Midlands at the awards ceremony in London Taj Barming (pictured) in Maidstone, Kent, was crowned the best curry house in the county Spice Lounge in Staines, Surrey, won the award for the best curry house in south-central England The winners stretch from east London's bustling Brick Lane to the small Scottish town of Loanhead and the full list is below: Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Siraj Ali (owner of The Maharaja in Benfleet, Essex) National Champions of Champions: Curry Palace (Cottenham, Cambridge) National Chef of the Year: Mushfiqur Rahman (chef at Bhaijaan's Bombay Kitchen in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham) National Newcomer of the Year: Tamasha (Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex) Best Thai Restaurant & Takeaway: Bangkok Lounge (Harpenden, Hertfordshire) Best of Brick Lane: Masala Restaurant (east London) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Scotland: The Radhuni (Loanhead, Midlothian) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Northern Ireland: Bangla (Bangor) TV chef Ainsley Harriott (right) presented the awards as Theresa May (left) praised the contribution of Asian cuisine to British culture Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Wales: The Grand Sultan (Port Talbot) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in South East: The New Curry Centre (Horsham, West Sussex) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in East Anglia: Cam Spice (Cambridge) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in South Central: Spice Lounge (Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in South West: Spice Club (Bridgwater, Somerset) Pictured above, the winner of the best restaurant in the south-west of England, and, below, the the eatery voted best Thai takeaway in the country Best Restaurant & Takeaway in Kent: Taj Barming (Maidstone, Kent) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in North London: Bayleaf Restaurant (Whetstone, London) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in East London: Grand Trunk Road (Woodford, London) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in North East: The Vine Indian Cuisine (Sheffield) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in North West: Hot Chilli Restaurant (Bolton, Greater Manchester) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in East Midlands: The Spice Lounge (Rushden, Northamptonshire) Best Restaurant & Takeaway in West Midlands: Royal Bengal (Coventry, West Midlands) Thai Chef of the Year: Royal Thai Cuisine The Vine in Sheffield, south Yorkshire, topped the list out of the Asian restaurants and takeaways in Yorkshire This Bolton restaurant saw off competition in Greater Manchester and beyond to bag the best in the north west Mrs May said of the ceremony: 'These prestigious awards are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the craft of the most talented chefs and highly skilled service staff responsible for producing exceptional British Asian Cuisine. 'Asian cuisine has certainly become an immensely important and popular part of British life. Its success is owed, in no small part, to the talented restaurateurs and chefs who are being nominated for and receiving awards this year, and it is crucial that we recognise, promote and celebrate this.' Grand Trunk Road in Woodford topped the list of East London restaurants despite not being located on the capital's famous Brick Lane Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable attended the ceremony on September 30 and said: 'The purpose of this evening is to celebrate the achievements of a very important industry. 'This is a four billion pound industry, which employs over a hundred thousand people, and makes a massive contribution to the British economy and to British society. 'But its also about saving the industry, not just celebrating it. I know that in recent years weve been losing two restaurants a week - the pressures on the high street, the pressures on the industry are very great, and youre going to need maximum political support in order to pull through a crisis in the industry.' A rising star of the new series of the Apprentice is an ex-convict who was jailed for a violent assault, MailOnline can reveal. Tom Bunday, 28, spent four months in prison in Sweden several years ago for beating a man up who had cuts and bruises and required stitches. Mr Bunday, who has listed 'loyalty' as one of his best qualities, was arrested with a fellow tree-climbing enthusiast after they set upon a victim in a vicious attack. MailOnline has also learnt that the aspiring entrepreneur failed to reveal his criminal past to the BBC, while his conviction did not show up during checks on contestants because it is now spent in legal terms. Mr Bunday said: 'This incident is well in my past but I still feel a huge amount of regret for any distress caused. 'It was an extremely hard time for me and my family, but it made me realise I really wanted to give back to my family and society in general. Tom Bunday (pictured) said the assault is in his past and he has moved on with his life since serving one year in prison 'I have now created 23 full-time jobs through a company I started from scratch, which I'm extremely proud of, as well as being able to provide a stable income for my family.' Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 any person with a criminal conviction does not need to notify employers once a set time frame has passed. There are similar provisions under Swedish law. A BBC spokesperson confirmed he was not under obligation to tell the show's producers. A statement said: 'DBS checks are done for all The Apprentice candidates by the production company ahead of filming. 'A spent conviction is not disclosed under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. 'Spent convictions are designed to help people move on in life and not be excluded from opportunities to help further their careers.' The contestant's mother, Christine, 53, added: 'I'll let Tom sort this out for himself.' Mr Bunday did not inform BBC bosses he has a criminal conviction for a brutal assault in which a man was left with serious injuries The Apprentice contestant was convicted for attacking the man in Sweden and spent time behind bars Mr Bunday did not do well in school but went on to own businesses and write two books Mr Bunday has self-published two books Break It Down Start It Up and Scale It Don't Fail It to coincide with his appearance on the Apprentice. The titles were released within six days of each other. Both have attracted solid five-star reviews from users with names like Richard Major, Alex the Pirate and Mr DJ Edie. The 28-year-old promotes his own businesses so furiously on Facebook that in August, one of his friends commented: 'you know this isn't LinkedIn'. Mr Bunday (pictured far left, front row) does not have to inform new bosses of his conviction because in legal terms it is now spent Mr Bunday, an arboricultural (tree care) business owner describes himself as 'loyal' Mr Bunday struggled at school and failed to find his feet after leaving. His low point came when he was jailed after the attack, which left his victim in need of hospital treatment. After his release, he tried to leave his thuggish past behind and set himself up as an entrepreneur and self-help guru. He now runs his own tree surgery firm in his native Southampton, as well as a self-help company called Tradescaler, which gives advice to would-be entrepreneurs about how to 'scale' their projects. 'There are very few people that can genuinely say they're going to make it,' he said in an interview. 'But I know that I'm going to.' In the very first episode which aired last week the teams were sent to Malta. Mr Bunday battled with the appointed project manager during the first show to take control of a negotiation, saying he was 'very confident' he would be the one to succeed. Mr Bunday's mother did not comment on the conviction but said she would let her son 'sort this out' on his own Before the show Mr Bunday described immaturity as one of his personal attributes. He said: 'I am so immature when it comes to social environments, all the lads absolutely love me but all the lads absolutely hate me because I'm having such a good time. 'I think it's a good thing because it draws people to me. 'I am a very fair person and I think that if someone isn't being efficient, if someone isn't working their hardest, they are going to know about it because I haven't for people who are lazy or think that they are above other people.' More than 120 missing children have been found in just one day during a wide-scale law enforcement operation in Michigan. Authorities located 123 children in the Wayne County area, which includes Detroit, as part of the one-day sweep last month. The U.S. Marshals Service said Operation MISafeKid placed an emphasis on locating missing children who were victims of sex trafficking. The one-day initiative, which took place on September 26, recovered 123 of the 301 children that had been reported missing in the area following weeks of investigations. Michigan authorities located 123 children in the Wayne County area, which includes Detroit, as part of the one-day sweep last month All of those children were physically located and interviewed about potentially being sexually victimized or used in a sex trafficking ring during the time they were missing. Authorities discovered three cases that were related to sex trafficking and one homeless teen who had not eaten anything in three days. The children were turned over to Child Protective Services for aftercare. The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service's Detroit Missing Child Recovery Unit, Michigan State Police and Wayne County officers. Participating officers started investing the missing child case files prior to the operation. They visited last known addresses, friend's homes and schools in the hope of finding the children in a safe place. The U.S. Marshals Service said Operation MISafeKid placed an emphasis on locating missing children who were victims of sex trafficking The U.S. Marshals Service said they had been requested to assist on 30 missing child cases in the two weeks prior to the sweep. Marshals located and recovered nine children prior to the sweep and another seven during the operation. They also received information on two missing children in Texas and one in Minnesota, which they are still actively investigating. The U.S. Marshals Service also said Michigan State Police have asked for assistance with 14 other cases. 'The Eastern District of Michigan is fully committed to assisting state and local agencies with locating and recovering missing children and the prevention of their falling victim to sex trafficking,' the U.S. Marshals Service said. 'The Detroit Missing Child Recovery Unit is tasked with investigating and recovering missing children upon request by a law enforcement agency currently attempting to locate a missing child. 'The message to the missing children and their families that we wish to convey is that we will never stop looking for you.' A transgender woman claims she was forced to bare her naked breasts by security at London Luton Airport. Lilith Carroll, 34, was heading to Dublin when she set off the metal detector at the security checkpoint. She said a male security employee searching her touched her breasts in the public area in a post on Twitter last month. Ms Carroll, who is from Dublin, was then escorted into a separate room to undergo a more invasive check, she told The Sun. Lilith Carroll (pictured) says she was forced to bare her naked breasts by security at London Luton Airport 'I had a terribly traumatic experience going through security before my 20:05 flight from Luton to Dublin,' she wrote on Twitter on September 29. 'Tripped the machine so forced to do the body scan. A guy then searches me and touched my breasts in the public area.' Ms Carroll said that after the employee felt her bra, he asked her what was underneath. 'My breasts,' she replied. Ms Carroll said that after she was taken into a separate room, she was questioned by security, who said they would need to see what was under her bra, she told The Sun. The 34-year-old, from Dublin, said she was needed therapy after her ordeal at the airport 'I had a terribly traumatic experience going through security before my 20:05 flight from Luton to Dublin,' she wrote on Twitter on September 29 'I felt I had to comply because I was afraid that they might strip search me or detail me for not cooperating,' she told the newspaper. On top of the humiliation of exposing herself, Ms Carroll claims staff kept calling her 'sir.' Despite her repeatedly correcting them, they referred to her as a male so many times, that she pulled out her passport to show them she was a woman, she said. Ms Carroll also says that she was never asked if she wanted a woman to be present during her search. A London Luton Airport spokesman said they apologised to Ms Carroll and launched a probe 'I am still crying and shaking after the incident,' she said. 'I will now look at future flights through the UK with dread.' She says she's had to have therapy to help her after her ordeal. A London Luton Airport spokesman said: 'We were extremely sorry to hear that Ms Carroll experienced distress as she passed through mandatory security checks. 'We have apologised to her directly and immediately started an internal investigation. 'In future we will be working more closely with the local LGBT community to enhance our training for all security staff.' Hillary Clinton is firmly rejecting the idea that accusations against her husband are anything like the sexual misconduct allegations against new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh or President Donald Trump. The former secretary of state, who is joining with her husband for a joint speaking tour where tickets are going for up to $700 each, referenced independent counsel Kenneth Starr's investigation during the 1990s that led to impeachment. She called it an 'intense' and 'partisan probe' that distinguished it from allegations against Trump and Kavanaugh, who sat as the newest Supreme Court justice Tuesday after weathering sexual assault allegations from high school and college. Bill Clinton 'really believes that Democrats have to be tougher and have to stand up to the bullying and the intimidation, so I think hell have things to say about his own experience and how it applies here,' Clinton told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Hillary Clinton is firmly rejecting comparisons between allegations her husband has faced and sexual misconduct allegations against new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh or President Donald Trump 'I will certainly have a lot to say about whats going on in the world today based on not only my secretary of state years but my travel, and my book, What Happened, which came out in paperback,' Clinton said, where she writes 'about these threats to democracy.' That prompted a follow-up from the veteran CNN journalist, who noted the tour would prompt questions about what the Clintons went through, the 1998 impeachment, and 'allegations of sexual harassment.' She asked whether the situations were similar or different. Bill Clinton withstood impeachment in 1998, following revelations of his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. He gave a deposition as president in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit 'Theres a very significant difference. And that is the intense, long lasting partisan investigation that was conducted in the 90s,' Clinton responded, while nodding her head repeatedly. 'If, you know, the Republicans, starting with President Trump on down want a comparison, they should welcome such an investigation themselves,' Clinton said. President Donald Trump went back to blasting Hillary Clinton's political skills Tuesday, after she called him out for his scorched-earth speech and apology 'on behalf of our nation' to Brett Kavanaugh at a swearing-in ceremony for the new Supreme Court justice. At the Monday evening ceremony, attended by the other justices, Trump pronounced Kavanaugh 'innocent' and slammed critics who hammered the president's nominee with sexual assault charges during a brutal confirmation fight. Clinton called it a 'political rally' that 'undermined' the integrity of the court. Responding to the comment from his former 2016 rival, Trump said: 'I guess thats why she lost. She doesnt get it. She never did.' 'I knew that a long time ago. Hillary never got it thats why she lost. Anything else?' he asked reporters in the Oval Office, who were there to see the president announce the departure of U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley. Clinton had lashed out at Trump on Tuesday morning, saying: 'What was done last night in the White House was a political rally. It further undermined the image and integrity of the court.' 'And that troubles me greatly. It saddens me. Because our judicial system has been viewed as one of the main pillars of our constitutional government,' Clinton told CNN in a new interview. How the mighty have fallen. While his peers are busy making the rounds at the Toronto, Telluride and New York Film Festivals this fall, Harvey Weinstein remains on monitored arrest in Connecticut where he is staying at the home he sold last year to a neighbor ahead of his upcoming trial. He did however enjoy a brief outing last week, with the mogul stopping by the local Exxon where he picked up a bag of groceries and took some time to ogle Nicole Kidman on the cover of Marie Claire. This trip came ahead of a court appearance to determine if one of the six criminal charges against him might be dropped by the district attorney. A spokesperson said: 'He was waiting to pay for his fuel and was doing what most people do, he looked at some magazines near the register including Time, People and Vanity Fair, and was not looking at anyone or anything in particular. He didn't open the magazines to read the articles and he put them all back, and left.' Checking out: Harvey Weinstein was seen ogling Nicole Kidman on the cover of Marie Claire last week while stopping by a Connecticut gas station (above) Support: Kidman never revealed whether or not she was one of Weinstein's victims, and instead applauded those women who came forward in a statement last year (Kidman above on Marie Claire) Kidman did not ever directly address whether she was one of Weinstein's victims, choosing instead to applaud the actresses who were brave enough to come forward. 'As Ive stated before publicly, I support and applaud all women and these women who speak out against any abuse and misuse of power be it domestic violence or sexual harassment in the workforce,' said Kidman last October. 'We need to eradicate this behavior.' It has been a year since Weinstein was first accused of sexually assaulting and harassing a slew of women in Hollywood. And just last Friday a new lawsuit was filed against him by Travelers Casualty and Surety Co., which is now the fourth insurance company seeking a ruling that would allow the company to deny any requests to cover Weinstein's many pending legal battles. The lawsuit is a bit of a surprise given that Weinstein had coverage from the plaintiff while working at The Walt Disney Company from 1993 to 1998, shortly after the corporate giant acquired his production company Miramax. An even bigger surprise, which also suggests more paper for Weinstein in the future, is the revelation in the lawsuit that an additional five women have filed pre-claims that could become lawsuits in the near future. In total, there are 22 lawsuits and claims pending against Weinstein at this time, and a dwindling number of insurers willing to cover legal costs or any settlements in these cases. Weinstein has 'vehemently' denied ever committing any criminal acts. The first of the pre-claim suits mentioned in the filing from Traveler's is C.C. v. Harvey Weinstein. 'On February 21, 2018, C.C. asserted a claim against Weinstein. The claim alleges that C.C. had been subjected to a hostile and sexually abusive workplace during her time as an employee of The Weinstein Company (from June 2012 to July 2017 while performing her duties in London, New York and around the world,' states the filing. 'C.C. alleges that she was subjected to regular and pernicious sexualized behavior including penetrative sex and other sexual acts by Weinstein.' While not identified, the timeline for those allegations do line up with one of the three victims whose alleged assault led to criminal charges for Weinstein. Next is an alleged victim known only as R.P. 'On October 14, 2017, R.P. asserted a claim against Weinstein alleging that she was sexually assaulted by Weinstein in or around December, 2006, when they met to discuss business,' states the complaint from Travelers. 'R.P. also alleged that Weinstein threatened and touched her in an aggressive manner during a 2014 meeting.' Next was the pre-claim filed by B.Q. 'alleging that Weinstein sexually assaulted her at the Montage Hotel on February 28, 2017.' This is one of the most recent allegations against Weinstein, occurring at a time when he allegedly knew that stories about him were in the works thanks to his lawyer Lisa Bloom. The fourth claim is one of the older, and more graphic, to have emerged in the court documents. 'On July 17, 2018, P.R. asserted a claim against Weinstein that she was sexually assaulted and abused by Weinstein in the summer of 1995 in Dublin, Ireland,' states the filing. 'P.R. alleged sexual assault, rape, battery and trespass to the person.' Fall from garce: These were revealed just days before the one-year anniversary of the exposes which first alleged that Weinstein was a serial abuser of women in Hollywood (David Parfitt, Dianna Gigliotti, Weinstein, Edward Zwick, and Marc Morman with their Best Picture Oscar in 1999) New allegations: Five of those are pre-claims which had never been revealed before, and three of them accuse Weinstein of rape while the other two claim sexual assault (assault claim above) The last of the five pre-claims was filed by a woman known only as K.W., who 'asserted a claim against Weinstein alleging sexual assaults and batteries by Weinstein in 2009, 2010 and 2017.' This filing comes on the heels of similar suits which were submitted to the court by Chubb Indemnity Insurance Company, Steadfast Insurance and Axis Surplus Insurance Company. 'This lawsuit arises from Weinstein's claim for insurance coverage under certain primary liability policies (the 'Aetna Primary Policies'), excess indemnity policies (the 'Aetna Excess Indemnity Policies') and umbrella liability policies (the 'Aetna Umbrella Policies') issued by Aetna to TWDC for policy periods beginning on June 30, 1993 and ending on June 30, 1998,' explains the complaint. It goes on to provide a number of arguments as to why Travelers has no responsibility to indemnify Weinstein. This only came about after Travelers was contacted by the defendant via his legal counsel. 'Weinstein, through his attorneys, notified Travelers on various dates of the Underlying Claims and requested that Travelers defend and indemnify Weinstein under, inter alia, the Aetna Policies,' states the complaint. Among the reasons for refusing Weinstein's request ninth complaint are: Weinstein's wife Georgina Chapman is in the process of seperating from the mogul 'These alleged acts were not performed in the course and scope of Weinstein's employment or in performance of any of Weinstein's duties as an employee, officer or director of TWDC.' 'No coverage is available under the Aetna Policies for any 'bodily injury' or 'personal injury' unless it was fortuitous. The Underlying Claims allege that all of the damages sought are the non-fortuitous results of intentional and non-fortuitous acts by Weinstein.' 'The Aetna Policies provide coverage for 'bodily injury' caused by an 'occurrence', defined as 'an accident.' The alleged sexual assaults and harassment perpetrated by Weinstein were not accidents and, therefore, cannot constitute 'occurrences' as defined in the Aetna Policies.' 'There is no coverage under the Aetna Policies for any 'bodily injury' that was 'expected or intended' from the standpoint of the Insured. The Underlying Claims allege that all of the damages sought are the intended results of intentional acts by Weinstein.' 'No coverage is available under the Aetna Policies for any "bodily injury" that took place outside their respective policy periods. Many of the Underlying Claims are based on alleged 'bodily injury' that took place prior to the inception of or after the expiration of the policy periods of one or more of the Aetna Policies. The Aetna Primary Policies include an Abuse or Molestation Exclusion Endorsement, which excludes 'bodily injury' and 'personal injury' arising out of '(a) the actual or threatened abuse or molestation by anyone of any person while in the care, custody or control of any insured.' There is no coverage under the Aetna Primary Policies for any 'bodily injury' arising out of the actual or threatened abuse or molestation by Weinstein of any person while in the care, custody or control of any insured.' In the beginning: Ashley Judd (above in March) was one of the first women to come forward and share details of Weinstein's alleged harassment Allegation: B.Q. had one of the most recent allegations against Weinstein, occurring at a time when he allegedly knew that stories about him were in the works Weinstein was set to begin his trial in the criminal case against him that is being head by Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, but that was pushed back to November, as was the case being brought against him by Attorney General Barbara Underwood. HARVEY WEINSTEIN'S 2017 STATEMENT ON ALLEGATIONS 'I came of age in the 60s and 70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then. I have since learned its not an excuse, in the office - or out of it. To anyone. 'I realized some time ago that I needed to be a better person and my interactions with the people I work with have changed. I appreciate the way Ive behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it. Though Im trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go. That is my commitment. My journey now will be to learn about myself and conquer my demons. 'Over the last year I've asked Lisa Bloom to tutor me and she's put together a team of people. I've brought on therapists and I plan to take a leave of absence from my company and to deal with this issue head on. I so respect all women and regret what happened. I hope that my actions will speak louder than words and that one day we will all be able to earn their trust and sit down together with Lisa to learn more. 'Jay Z wrote in 4:44 "I'm not the man I thought I was and I better be that man for my children." The same is true for me. I want a second chance in the community but I know I've got work to do to earn it. I have goals that are now priorities. Trust me, this isn't an overnight process. I've been trying to do this for 10 years and this is a wake-up call. I cannot be more remorseful about the people I hurt and I plan to do right by all of them. 'I am going to need a place to channel that anger so I've decided that I'm going to give the NRA my full attention. I hope Wayne LaPierre will enjoy his retirement party. I'm going to do it at the same place I had my Bar Mitzvah. I'm making a movie about our President, perhaps we can make it a joint retirement party. 'One year ago, I began organizing a $5 million foundation to give scholarships to women directors at USC. While this might seem coincidental, it has been in the works for a year. It will be named after my mom and I won't disappoint her.' -Harvey Weinstein, Oct. 5, 2017 Advertisement Weinstein filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against him back in August that contains a number of emails sent by one of his accusers between 2013 and 2017. That woman, whose alleged rape by Weinstein in 2013 resulted in charges of rape in the first degree, rape in the third degree and predatory sexual assault, wrote in the emails that Weinstein 'is the bar' for the movie industry and comments on his 'smile and beautiful eyes. In one email, sent in 2014, the woman wrote: 'There is no one else I would enjoy catching up with that understands me quite like you.' Two weeks later, the woman wrote to accept Weinstein's invitation to bring her mother along for a drink, saying: 'She would love to meet you, plus you can see how good my genes are.' Brafman argues that emails like that and the others he submitted along with the motion, should have been seen by members of the grand jury. At the same time, he is also asking that the charge of Criminal Sex Act should be tossed because of inconsistencies. 'Mr. Weinstein was indicted for an alleged act of forcible oral sex by someone who claims she does not remember when it occurred and asserts only that it was purportedly sometime during a three-month period in 2004, nearly fourteen years ago,' reads the motion. 'He was also indicted for the rape of [email accuser], whose extensive communications and contact immediately following the now claimed forcible rape instead reflect a consensual, intimate relationship with Mr. Weinstein in an exchange of more than 400 warm, complimentary and solicitous emails with an alleged rapist for more than four years after the alleged rape, never once in those 9 communications claiming to have ever been harmed by Mr. Weinstein.' The final email, from 2017, is less effusive than the others submitted by Weinstein, reading: 'I love you, always do. But hate feeling like a booty call.' That came in response to an email from Weisntein in which he tried to schedule a meeting with the woman before heading off to a redacted city. He wrote that he could meet in the afternoon, and when the woman responded to ask the address Weinstein replied with the name of a hotel, even though he was in New York at the time. Accusers divided: Rose McGowan and Asia Argento (above in March) both alleged that they were raped by Weinstein in the first exposes on Weinstein Repeat offender: Weinstein was married to his now estranged wife Georgina Chapman during the time that all 40 emails were sent. He was indicted by a grand jury in June after declining to testify on his own behalf. Brafman complained at the time that Weinstein had been 'unfairly denied access to critical information about this case that was needed to defend him before the Grand Jury.' Brafman cited the fact that he and Weinstein did not know who the accusers were in this case as part of the issue, saying they only learned who the charges were linked to on the day of Weinstein's arrest. This despite the fact that both women shared their stories with The New Yorker. That is when Brafman told reporters after a court meeting that the woman who alleges she was raped by Weinstein multiple times during a 2013 incident in a midtown hotel was having a decade-long affair with the producer. 'This is an extraordinary case in my judgement where the only rape victim that Mr. Weinstein is accused of raping is someone with whom he has had a 10-year consensual sexual relationship - both before and after the alleged incident,' stated Brafman. He also called the woman's allegations 'absurd.' Brafman also said he had concerns about his client being able to get a fair trial. 'The ability for people to keep an open mind is of concern to me,' remarked Brafman. 'Demanding an indictment or prosecution is inappropriate pressure. It is unprecedented. It troubles me and I want to make those matters known to the court.' He then noted: 'I'm not certain that there's any remedy but I wanted to make clear I was unhappy with those issues.' Weinstein is facing six charges in total, with three new charges added last month: Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree for a forcible sexual act against a woman in 2006 as well as two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault. Predatory Sexual Assault carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life behind bars. Weinstein has been charged with Predatory Sexual Assault for for allegedly committing the crimes of Rape, Criminal Sexual Act and Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the first degree on two occasions in New York. 'A Manhattan Grand Jury has now indicted Harvey Weinstein on some of the most serious sexual offenses that exist under New Yorks Penal Law,' said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance at the time. 'This indictment is the result of the extraordinary courage exhibited by the survivors who have come forward. Our investigation continues. If you are a survivor of the predatory abuse with which Mr. Weinstein is charged, there is still time to pursue justice. Please call us at 212-335-9373.' Those new charges were added to the three charges the disgraced executive was already facing: Rape in the First and Third Degree and Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree. Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual assault by over 20 women, was arraigned on those initial three charges back in June. He entered a plea of not guilty. A woman who was fired from her job claims her former boss told her he'd 'miss that a**' before she catches him on camera telling her she would be fine if she 'keeps her legs open'. Evelyn Marie Reid was let go from her job of 10 months at Terry's Turf Club in Cincinnati on Sunday, and says her boss, Terry Carter, failed to give her a valid reason. 'Halfway through my shift, Terry came up to me and fired me, without warning and said to me youll be fine, just keep your legs open,' she wrote in a Facebook post. 'I walked to gather my belonging up a flight of stairs, Terry followed me. He said, Ill miss that a** as he was behind me on the stairs.' Evelyn Reid (left), 25, shared video of her boss telling her to 'keep her legs open' after firing her to Facebook Reid had worked for Terry Carter at Terry's Turf Club in Cincinnati for 10 months, and says she was not given a valid reason for her dismissal Reid, 25, told FOX19 Carter had told her she did not smile enough, and claims when he was making sexist remarks towards her on the stairs, he was 'shoving and hip thrusting himself into me so I would go up the stairs quicker'. 'At that point I got my phone out and started recording him because I was extremely uncomfortable. The video I took was over 3 minutes long where I was asking for some sort of explanation as to why I was fired. 'Terry refused to give me any explanation other than its just not working out. He then, again, told me I dont have to explain anything to you, keep your legs open with a smile on his face.' Video of the shocking moment shows Terry speak in hushed mumbles as he says the words, and he denies saying them to Reid - though they are audible. She repeats his words louder, asking him: 'Keep my legs open?!' 'I didn't say that,' he replies. 'You did, I just got it on camera,' she says. Carter had allegedly thrust his hips at her to push her up the stairs faster and told he he'd 'miss that a**', before Reid began to film When the former Senior Airman asks again what she had done, he directs her to speak to his attorneys, and tells her he doesn't have to give her a reason for her termination. Reid ended her Facebook post asking her friends to spread the word on Carter's behavior. 'Please do not give your business to Terrys Turf Club on Eastern Avenue in Cincinnati, OH,' she wrote. 'Please share this so that people know the type of person the owner is.' The Facebook page for the restaurant has been flooded with one star reviews from furious locals, and Yelp has disabled commenting for the next while. One of the Army's most senior officers said today it 'absolutely does not tolerate extremist views' as top brass investigated how far-right activist Tommy Robinson found himself surrounded by soldiers chanting his name. The former English Defence League (EDL) leader, 35, shared the image from Watford Gap motorway services on the M1 after meeting the young men in camouflage fatigues on Monday. He also posted a video of the incident where the Army personnel started cheering and shouting his name. But Major General Rupert Jones, who will shortly take up the appointment of Standing Joint Force Commander, said today he was 'confident' extremist views are not prevalent in the forces. He said: 'The British Army is absolutely clear that we do not tolerate extremist views and we don't tolerate extremist behaviour. 'I am very confident that is a widely held position across the Army. Much of the reaction to that incident from our people tells you that.' Tommy Robinson posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the young army personnel in camouflage fatigues Tommy Robinson posted a video of himself on Monday, believed to be at the Watford Gap motorway services off the M1 The crowd of young army personnel are cheering and some of them busy eating McDonald's The army said it was aware of the photograph and video is investigating the circumstances surrounding it 'A moment like this makes it all worth while. Today I met real British heroes ,' he wrote in the Facebook post. The Army said it is aware of the photograph and footage and is 'investigating the circumstances surrounding this'. A spokeswoman said: 'Far right ideology is completely at odds with the values and ethos of the Armed Forces. 'The Armed Forces have robust measures in place to ensure those exhibiting extremist views are neither tolerated nor permitted to serve.' In another image he said posted to Instagram he said he was 'proud' and two emojis of the British flag He also posted a video of himself on Monday with a crowd of Army personnel who started cheering and shouting his name Imam Asim Hafiz, Islamic religious advisor to the Armed Forces, said that 'any form of racism, discrimination or extremism is taken extremely seriously and will be dealt with accordingly'. 'The Armed Forces remain absolutely committed to welcoming individuals from across all faiths and cultures into its ranks,' he added. The Muslim Council of Britain said Mr Robinson 'does not represent our Armed Forces, however much he tries to claim otherwise'. 'He will rile against the very real steps taken to make the military more diverse,' a spokesman added. 'He will remain silent on the sacrifices Muslims and others made in the two World Wars. 'We welcome the swift statement by the Army in disassociating itself from the far-right and we hope that safeguards are put in place to ensure that Islamophobia will have no place in our armed forces.' A transgender girl in middle school was barred from taking shelter with the other girls in her class during a safety lockdown drill in Stafford, Virginia. The incident happened due to confusion over bathroom and locker room policies at Stafford County Public Schools, according to Equality SCPS, which describes itself as a 'community of parents, students, and allies in Virginia seeking inclusive policies for LGBTQ+ students and staff in Stafford County Schools.' 'When the drill began, a particular class of children took shelter in the bathroom/locker room nearest them as they were in PE [Physical Education],' the group wrote on Facebook on October 3. 'One student was prevented from entering either the boys or girls locker room while the teachers discussed where she should go.' Equality Stafford's co-facilitator Lesley Woods told Fox 5 News that the district has a history of inconsistent handling of transgender students' bathroom and facility use. School district spokesperson Sherrie Johnson issued the following statement: 'Stafford County Public Schools does not comment on individual student incidents to avoid divulging confidential information. However, the new superintendent has requested a review of all protocols and procedures to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect.' Equality Stafford has asked those interested in the community to attend a school board meeting on Tuesday at 7pm Eastern, in protest of the incident, which took place on September 28. A community has rallied around a transgender girl in middle school who was barred from taking shelter with the other girls in her class during a safety lockdown drill in Stafford, Virginia on Septemer 28, according to Equality SCPS's co-facilitator Lesley Woods (pictured) Equality SCPS further described what happened to the student, who remains unnamed, at the school, which has also not been named to protect her identity and the safety of all students in attendance. 'The student was forced to watch the adults charged with her care, debate the safest place (for the other students) to have her shelter. During this debate, she was instructed to sit in the gym with a teacher until the drill was complete, away from her peers and identified as different,' the group wrote. 'After some additional debate, she was made to sit in the locker room hall way, by the door away from her peers. This happened because the child, in addition to being a model student, also happens to be transgender. 'Let me be clear. During an event that prepares children to survive an attack by actual assailants, she was treated as if she was so much of a danger to peers that she was left exposed and vulnerable. These events occur across our country right now but this one happened here.' Equality SCPS described what happened to the student, who remains unnamed, at the school, which has also not been named to protect her identity and the safety of all students The group went on to say that it did not place blame with the teachers who didn't know what to do in the situation. '**ETA [Edited To Add]: It is important to highlight that the childs PE teachers are not the bad guys. They are teachers without guidance in a county without guidance for these issues. They were following that they were told to do,' the organization wrote on Wednesday. Woods said the school has been receptive to efforts to bring LGBTQ+ issues to the forefront, despite the unfortunate incident that occurred on September 28. 'The school is receptive, the school board is receptive and what we're trying to do now is really highlight the need for a little bit more pressure and a little bit more advocacy from the community to make sure that these changes happen more efficiently,' Woods said. The meeting will be held at 31 Stafford Avenue, in Stafford, Virginia in zip code 22554 (shown) Johnson's statement on behalf of the Stafford Count Public Schools District said: 'We take such matters very seriously and they will be addressed. The welfare of all students is of the utmost importance for SCPS.' The activist group is not taking any chances and has called for community members to join them on Tuesday in demanding a consistent policy. 'This is unacceptable, this cannot happen to one more child. Not one more in this county. Not ever again,' Equality Stafford wrote. 'Please bring yourselves, your friends, your colleagues and your voice to this school board meeting. We need you.' The meeting will be held at 31 Stafford Avenue, in Stafford, Virginia in zip code 22554. The activist group is not taking any chances and has called for community members to join them on Tuesday in demanding a consistent policy, among other tings The event page the group created for the gathering reads as follows: 'Let's come together as a community and show the school board that Stafford is ready to protect our LGBTQ students and staff. With a new superintendent, we need to introduce ourselves and show that these are important issues. Speakers are welcomed as are those who want to stand in solidarity. If you would just like to come out and support, please feel free to bring a sign, a flag, or wear purple. '***Staff and students who would like to send a message of their own, but are fearful of being public, we welcome anonymous letters that we are happy to read to the board. Please send to EqualitySCPS@gmail.com*** 'If you will be speaking, just sign up at the start of the meeting. 'We are advocating for the following: '1. Advocating for training for all school staff on LGBTQ issues that our students face. '2. Adding gender identity and sexual orientation to the schools anti discrimination policy. For both students and staff. As well as inclusive policies. '3. Making GSAs [Gay-Straight Alliances] available in all of our high schools and middle schools. To date, there are no GSAs at any of our middle schools and only 3 high schools have one. 'We will also applaud the school board for making changes to the gender neutral dress code policy, the formation of the Equity Diversity and Opportunity Committee, and the updated anti bullying policy.' Striding towards the shabby-looking entrance to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, this is journalist Jamal Khashoggi. According to police, the high-profile Saudi dissident and regime critic never emerged again and it is feared he was tortured and murdered inside. The footage of his last movements came as the inquiry into his disappearance threatened to escalate into a major diplomatic incident. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he had met with the Saudi ambassador to London to 'seek urgent answers' about the case. Journalist Jamal Khashoggi is seen striding towards the shabby-looking entrance to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 Bizarrely, the Saudis are claiming they had no working CCTV at the consulate on the day Mr Khashoggi vanished. Mr Hunt tweeted: 'Violence against journalists worldwide is going up and is a grave threat to freedom of expression. If media reports prove correct, we will treat the incident seriously friendships depend on shared values.' In an off air interview with the BBC three days before he went missing, Mr Khashoggi denied being in opposition to the Saudi regime. He said: 'People who get arrested are not even dissidents. 'They just have an independent mind. Until now I don't call myself an opposition. I always say I am a writer, I want a free environment to write and speak my mind. 'I wish I had that platform [to speak freely] in my home.' Asked when he thought he could go back home, he said: 'I don't think I will be able to go.' He said a friend was arrested just for talking critically, possibly at a dinner party. According to police, the high-profile Saudi dissident and regime critic never emerged again and it is feared he was tortured and murdered inside Turkish authorities are now set to search the Saudi consulate for clues to Mr Khashoggi's disappearance. The image from a CCTV camera filming the entrance shows the journalist entering the building at just before 1.15pm last Tuesday. His fiancee Hatice Cengiz, 36, said she never saw him come back out again. This was despite her waiting outside until after the Saudi Arabian consulate had closed for the day. Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz, 36, said she never saw him come back out again Senior Turkish police sources have said they believe he was 'brutally tortured, killed and cut into pieces'. Turkish authorities are now searching for a black van seen on CCTV being 'loaded with boxes', which they believe was used to transport Mr Khashoggi's remains from the consulate. Officials said the van was part of a convoy of six cars, some with diplomatic number plates, which left the consulate grounds two hours after Khashoggi went inside, according to the Guardian. Saudi officials have said he left the building unharmed. They claimed that no video cameras at the six-storey building were working on the day that he went missing. Footage obtained by police only shows him going in and not coming out, it is understood. The Foreign Ministry said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they are 'open to co-operation' and will allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry did not say when the premises would be searched. It is understood both Turkish experts and related officials will visit the embassy. Mr Khashoggi disappeared a week ago after entering the consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancee. Flight records show that a Gulf Stream IV private jet landed in Istanbul at 3am on October 2, the day Khashoggi disappeared Saudi Arabia has called the allegations that it killed the 59-year-old 'baseless' but has offered no evidence to show that he ever left the building. Speaking to the Washington Post, Miss Cengiz said she was fearing for her own safety in the wake of his disappearance. She said: 'I no longer feel like I am really alive. I can't sleep. I don't eat.' She revealed she had waited for hours outside the consulate and that security staff told her 'there is no one inside' when she inquired about her partner's whereabouts. Police said earlier that around 15 Saudis, including officials, arrived in Istanbul on two flights last Tuesday and were at the consulate at the same time as Mr Khashoggi. They said the 'death squad' left the consulate in a convoy of cars including the black van and later flew out of Turkey back to Saudi Arabia. A security guard walks in the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, on Tuesday The brother of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said he had 'regular contact' with Mr Khashoggi before his disappearance. He said he was a 'friend' as he dismissed allegations that Saudi Arabia killed or detained him as 'absolutely false, and baseless'. Prince Khalid Bin Salman, the Saudi Ambassador to Washington, said in a letter on Monday that the kingdom was taking 'extraordinary' measures to find him 'just as we would if it were any other Saudi citizen'. Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan asked Riyadh on Monday to prove its claim Mr Khashoggi left the consulate. The former government adviser has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year to avoid possible arrest. Writing in the Washington Post in February, he stated that 'writers like me, whose criticism is offered respectfully, seem to be considered more dangerous than the more strident Saudi opposition based in London'. Two powerful weather systems sweeping over Australia are set to collide - bringing hail, damaging winds and torrential rain to a vast stretch of the east coast. A fierce 'supercell' storm is expected to hit south-east Queensland and northern NSW on Wednesday, as a high pressure system moving over north-west Australia crashes into a cold front heading north from Victoria. Parts of Queensland took a pummelling on Tuesday, with the Sunshine Coast town of Coolum receiving a month's worth of rain in just 15 minutes. Hailstorms lashed areas further inland, with massive balls of ice becoming lodged in fruit nets at a rural property at Glass House Mountains. Weather expert Garry Youngberry said thousands of residents should brace for even worse conditions, describing Wednesday as 'round three for severe thunderstorms'. Scroll down for video Two powerful weather systems sweeping over Australia are set to collide - bringing hail, damaging winds and torrential rain 'The last two days we've had hail, destructive winds and very heavy rainfall. But today we are likely to see supercells,' he told the Nine Network. 'Any time from late morning to early afternoon we are likely to see thunderstorms light up right across south-east Queensland. 'It is very widespread. We are going to quite a light show and possibly damage later today.' Heavy rain is expected to persist in south-east Queensland for the next five days, with up to 150mm to fall in Brisbane. The 'supercell' storm will come as Queenslands mops up after two days of wild weather Massive balls of ice became lodged in fruit nets at a rural property at Queensland's Glass House Mountains WHAT IS A 'SUPERCELL' STORM? There are three simplified thunderstorm types: the single-cell, the multicell and the supercell. Of these, the multicell is the most common. A supercell thunderstorm is a special storm type which maintains an intense steady-state for many hours. They are a fascinating but dangerous cloud complex and they account for most of the serious thunderstorm events we experience. Source: Bureau of Meteorology Advertisement But Mr Youngberry said it will do nothing for farmers struggling to save their crops. 'Our farmers really can't win a trick. With thunderstorms, the rainfall is so heavy the only benefit for the farmers is the top up with their water tanks,' he said. 'It does more harm than good it runs off and no moisture soaking into the soil.' Weatherzone meteorologist Jacob Cronje said the two separate weather systems are typical of this time of year. 'A front is more of a winter-like system while the inland system is more like summer. It's the transition, it's typical to see this kind of set up,' he told Nine News. Parts of central and north-east NSW will also be affected, with wild thunderstorms expected to hit on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of Queenslanders took to social media to share photos of hail stones which hit parts of the state on Tuesday Pictured: A map of Australia with the expected rainfall over the next eight days Sydney will see showers with an expected top of just 17C, five below the October average. Rain is expected in the Harbour City until at least Sunday, before a cloudy and cool start to next week. Melbourne will experience strong winds with a top of 18C on Wednesday, while severe weather is expected to hit Victoria's Central, Gippsland and Wimmera regions. Adelaide will also be windy with a top of 20C, while Perth's morning storms will clear with an expected maximum of 27C. Showers are forecast in Canberra with a chilly top of 14C, and Hobart will see cloudy day with a 13C maximum. Darwin will be typically hot and sunny with and is expected to reach 34C. The heavy rainfall and wild weather will do nothing for Queendland's struggling farmers Hail storms lashed parts of Queensland on Tuesday - and residents have been warned to expect more of the same THE DAYS AHEAD IN YOUR CITY SYDNEY Wednesday: Min 15, Max 18, windy and showers Thursday: Min 13, Max 18, possible shower Friday: Min 14, Max 19, likely showers Saturday: Min 14, Max 20, shower CANBERRA Wednesday: Min 14, Max 17, clearing shower Thursday: Min 3, Max 15, mostly sunny Friday: Min 3, Max 16, partly cloudy Saturday: Min 4, Max 19, possible shower PERTH Wednesday: Min 15, Max 27, storms clearing, mostly sunny day Thursday: Min 14, Max 24, mostly sunny Friday: Min 14, Max 21, shower or two Saturday: Min 12, Max 20, showers easing DARWIN Wednesday: Min 24, Max 34, sunny Thursday: Min 24, Max 34, sunny Friday: Min 25, Max 33, mostly sunny Saturday: Min 25, Max 33, possible thunderstorm MELBOURNE Wednesday: Min 10, Max 18, partly cloudy Thursday: Min 7, Max 20, sunny Friday: Min 8, Max 22, mostly sunny Saturday: Min 11, Max 23, mostly sunny ADELAIDE Wednesday: Min 9, Max 20, mostly sunny Thursday: Min 10, Max 23, mostly sunny Friday: Min 13, Max 26, mostly sunny Saturday: Min 15, Max 27, Mostly sunny HOBART Wednesday: Min 7, Max 14, mostly sunny Thursday: Min 3, Max 16, mostly sunny Friday: Min 6, Max 19, mostly sunny Saturday: Min 7, Max 22, mostly sunny BRISBANE Wednesday: Min 17, Max 31, thunderstorms Thursday: Min 18, Max 22, showers Friday: Min 16, Max 20, showers Saturday: Min 16, Max 19, showers Source: Weatherzone Advertisement The east coast's wild weather comes after Australia was told to expect heatwaves and bushfires by the end of the year, with a 70 per cent chance of El Nino. This triple the likelihood of an El Nino system forming to bring drier than normal conditions by the end of 2018, the Bureau of Meteorology warned. 'Between the (above average) temperature and the lack of rainfall, this is not good news,' bureau climatologist Robyn Duell told AAP. 'This outlook on the back of such little rainfall and dry conditions makes it such a worry for people.' Australia endured its driest September since rainfall records began in 1900, Ms Duell said. The eastern tropical Indian Ocean is cooler than normal while the western part of the ocean is warmer than usual, which is common with El Nino, she said. A flagship Tory pledge to cut income tax for millions of working people could be ditched to help pay for the NHS. Chancellor Philip Hammond is poised to postpone or even scrap the manifesto promise to raise the starting threshold for both the basic and 40p rates of income tax in this months Budget. A senior Tory source said the pledge was up for grabs following Theresa Mays decision to announce a 20billion-a-year funding boost for the NHS. Freezing income tax thresholds could raise 2billion a year. Philip Hammond is poised to postpone or even scrap the manifesto promise to raise the starting threshold for both the basic and 40p rates of income tax in this months Budget Everything is on the table now, the source said. If you are looking for guidance on tax policy I would not look to the manifesto. We will always be a party of low tax. But the Prime Ministers priorities have changed. We have made a huge spending commitment here, which will be transformational for the NHS. But it has to be paid for and the Budget will reflect that. Mr Hammond is also considering reviving a controversial VAT change for small business, which could raise a further 2billion. But Treasury sources played down speculation that he will go ahead with a raid on the pensions of the better-off. The proposal to ditch the income tax pledge was discussed by senior ministers yesterday but has not yet been signed off by the Prime Minister. A Whitehall source denied that No 10 was at war with the Treasury over the issue. But the source confirmed that Mrs May is under pressure from her Chancellor to move on the issue after acknowledging that her NHS plan would require tax rises. In 2015, the Conservatives pledged to raise the personal allowance for income tax to 12,500 by 2020, with the threshold for paying higher rate tax rising to 50,000 by the same date. Last years Tory manifesto re-committed the party to the pledge, saying: The Conservatives will always be the party that keeps tax as low as possible and spends the proceeds responsibly. It is our firm intention to reduce taxes on Britains businesses and working families. By 2020, we will, as promised, increase the personal allowance to 12,500 and the higher rate to 50,000. Treasury sources played down speculation that he will go ahead with a raid on pensions The freeze would deny tax cuts promised to millions of voters. The current personal tax allowance the amount people can earn before they start paying income tax stands at 11,850 a year. Failure to raise it to 12,500 would cost every basic rate taxpayer 130 a year. The 40p tax rate starts at incomes above 46,350. Failure to raise it to 50,000 would cost higher rate taxpayers 730 a year. Mrs May threw the Chancellors Budget calculations up in the air in June when she announced plans for a major NHS funding increase. The 70th birthday present will be worth 20billion a year in additional funding by 2023. Treasury analysis suggests the pledge will cost 84billion over a five-year period. Mr Hammond is also under pressure to release more cash for defence, social care and the police, while still grappling with the deficit left by the last Labour government. And Mrs May has declared the end of austerity, including an end to the public sector pay freeze. Theresa May has declared the end of austerity, including an end to the public sector pay freeze The PM said the NHS increase would be funded in part from a Brexit dividend. But she acknowledged that taxpayers would have to contribute a bit more a pledge Mr Hammond is now determined to keep her to. Former Tory minister Robert Halfon last night warned against dropping the tax cut pledge, unless the money was going to be diverted to help other low income families, such as those on universal credit. Mr Halfon said: It is absolutely vital that we are the cutting-the-cost-of-living party, particularly for those on lower incomes. That should be our number one priority for government and it is hard to see how you would square that with abandoning this promise. Fellow Tory Neil OBrien said he would be surprised if Mr Hammond went ahead with the move and urged him to focus on measures that would not hit working families, such as trimming Britains 14billion foreign aid budget. He added: The Chancellor has a tricky balancing act. Id love to see more investment in things like law and order and care for older people. Raising the personal allowance was the flagship policy of David Camerons coalition government. The allowance rose from 6,475 in 2010 to 10,600 five years later, saving basic rate taxpayers 825 a year. But critics say the policy has not helped the poorest in society. And Mr Hammond has privately questioned the political value of going further. Mr Hammond is also considering slashing the VAT threshold for small firms. Cutting the threshold from 85,000 to 43,000 would hit half a million firms and boost Treasury receipts by 1billion to 1.5billion a year. Mike Cherry, of the Federation of Small Businesses, warned Mr Hammond against a blatant tax grab. The 59th annual Kiwanis Pancake Day serving piping hot pancakes and sausage under a big tent at Dalton Green, the historic park located adjacent to the Whitfield County Courthouse, will be held on Nov. 3. The breakfast was first held in 1960. It was designed to provide a fun way for members of our community to work together to raise money for local kids, Kiwanis Club of Dalton Vice President Kathy Schleier said. The local Kiwanis Club had been chartered in 1953. Kiwanian Jack Maeger said members had tried several fundraisers. The group saw the event as an annual celebration. For it to work, members believed the breakfast needed to have a tent and be located in what was then called City Park. Mr. Maeger said flags borrowed from car dealerships added to the atmosphere. Two grocers were members of Kiwanis. They helped to secure product donations from vendors including locally owned Paramount Dairies. Pancake Day continues to give the civic club an opportunity to literally serve the community. Our club has always been about helping kids, said Ms. Schleier. Cherokee Estate, Key Clubs and Circle K, scouting, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Salvation Army, and many others benefit from our work in the community both as Kiwanians and as individuals. The tradition continues. Members of the Kiwanis Club of Dalton are now selling tickets for this years breakfast. Members will serve from 6 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Nov. 3. Anyone eating under the Big Tent will have all of the pancakes and sausage they can eat along with coffee, milk, and/or orange juice. Tickets purchased in advance are $7 each. The cost on the morning of the breakfast will be $8 each. To go plates will also be available. Advance tickets are also available at a number of area businesses. They include North Georgia Toyota, Alpha Omega Insurance, Todd Love Insurance, Dr. John Schleiers office, White Pediatrics, Dart Drugs, Tire Discounters, Big B Cleaners, Jacks Pawn Shop, The Womens Enrichment Center, Love Espanadas, the Conasauga Circuit District Attorneys office, the Salvation Army, First Bank of Dalton, Bank of the Ozarks, and Atlantic Capital. A Manhattan Supreme Court judge on Tuesday declared a mistrial in the case of a nanny accused of trying to choke an infant with a baby wipe, because of the 87-year-old lead defense lawyer's deteriorating mental capabilities. Court-appointed attorney Leonard Levenson acknowledged that he was unfit to continue representing Marianne Benjamin-Williams during her attempted murder trial. Youre getting older, you dont realize youre not hearing as well or seeing as well and thats what happened to me, the veteran jurist said in court. Mistrial declared: Marianne Benjamin-Williams' trial ended in a mistrial Tuesday after her lead attorney, Leonard Levenson (left), 87, said he was unfit to continue trying the case Veteran: Levenson (left and right) has been practicing law in New York City since 1957. He conceded that his mental capabilities have been deteriorating New kid on the block: His co-counsel Raymond Loving, 46, will have 45 days to prepare for a new trial The presiding judge allowed Levenson to stay involved in the case in a supportive role Levenson is a graduate of the prestigious Columbia Law School who has been practicing law in New York City since 1957. He has no record of public discipline. Justice Ruth Pickholz told Levenson that in her opinion, he should not be trying cases anymore, reported New York Daily News. Levensons co-counsel, Raymond Loving, will take the lead as Benjamin-Williams' defense lawyer, with Levenson being relegated to a supportive role. The 46-year-old Loving, who was the one who asked for a mistrial, will have 45 days to prepare for a new trial. After his dismissal as lead counsel, Levenson conceded that his opening statement presented at the start of the trial last week was 'a whole bunch of gobbledygook.' The octogenarian said he now intends to heed the advice of his daughters and retire, then enjoy an extended winter vacation in the Caribbean. Benjamin-Williams, 45, 'shoved a wadded up baby wipe down the throat' of baby Maxwell on May 18 2017 inside the family's Waterside Plaza home, Assistant District Attorney James Zaleta said at her arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court. Williams was hired by a Manhattan doctor and his investment-banker wife to care for their two children, a 14-month-old girl and their infant son. Firefighters had removed an inch-long piece of jagged plastic from the babys mouth, but he was still struggling to breathe. Benjamin-Williams (pictured) arrives at the State Supreme Court for her trial on October 2 Benjamin-Williams consults with her lawyers who argue she tried to stop the baby choking DNAinfo reported that the child was rushed to Bellevue Hospital as his distraught parents, Dr Salomon Blutreich and Meredith Sondler-Bazar, waited to learn if he was going to live or die, said Assistant District Attorney Kristen Caruso. He's choking, Benjamin-Williams allegedly told police during the horrific ordeal. He likes to chew on baby wipes, according to DNAinfo. Doctors determined that a baby wipe had been deliberately pushed down the baby's throat and that it was not possible that his sister, 14 months, had the motor skills to do so, according to court papers. During surgery on May 19, doctors removed a 'balled-up baby wipe' from the child's throat. They believed was placed in his mouth and intentionally pushed down his throat, causing the child to 'suffer respiratory distress' court papers show. Prosecutors say Benjamin-Williams was the only one with the baby in the time that he was choking. However, her lawyer Levenson said she testified in her own defense before a grand jury to tell them what happened and that she, in fact, had tried to save the baby, who was struggling for air. The boy was rushed to the hospital and she was questioned by the police the next day. The baby's parents Dr Salomon Blutreich (left) and Meredith Sondler-Bazar (right) Responders were called to the Waterside Plaza apartment complex (pictured) to save the baby Levenson said the family his client worked for adored her and that the baby must have swallowed the gauze on his own. Levenson said Benjamin-Williams was a sergeant in the Israeli army before coming to the US 11 years ago. FDNY paramedic Timothy Anson described the terrifying scene as he arrived to the East Side building to find little Maxwell nearly slipping away. Anson, who was one of the first witnesses, said: I saw a blue, limp, pale, barely breathing baby. A crying baby means the airway is good, he explained. Theyre alive, theyre healthy. This baby was not crying it was more like a dull whimper. Benjamin-Williams is also charged with falsifying documents, which she used to get her job. Benjamin-Williams was indicted for attempted murder, assault, strangulation, reckless endangerment, possession of a forged instrument and endangering the welfare of a child. Her bail was set at $100,000 bond or cash. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A series of small statues depicting President Donald Trump with a sign reading 'pee on me' have appeared across Brooklyn. Advertising professional Phil Gable placed the statues, which carry a plug for his branded content studio, around Park Slope over the weekend. 'It was largely just a personal expression of my own disdain for Donald Trump, both as a President and a human being,' Gable told Gothamist. Advertising professional Phil Gable placed the statues, which carry a plug for his branded content studio, around Park Slope over the weekend The statues are mounted on patches of grass and depict a youthful-looking Trump from the 1980s or 90s The statues are mounted on patches of grass and depict a youthful-looking Trump from the 1980s or 90s. 'I went with the younger-looking Trump because I think that's probably how he sees himself, especially when he's paying Russian escorts for golden showers,' said Gable, referring to unverified allegations from the Democrat-financed Christopher Steele dossier. Gable said that he had sprayed the busts with a dog potty-training aid to encourage dogs to relieve themselves on the statues. He said he hoped dogs would learn to urinate on the statues rather than on flowerbeds in the neighborhood. Gable placed the first statue near the corner of Union Street and Seventh Avenue, just steps from the Park Slope Food Co-op 'It was largely just a personal expression of my own disdain for Donald Trump, both as a President and a human being,' Gable said He called it 'a new, funny way to express the disgust that so many of us feel.' Gable said he was thrilled by the positive reaction he'd gotten from neighbors in upscale Park Slope. 'The reaction has been really great so farI mean really great, probably some of the greatest reactions anyone has ever had to anything, ever.' Gable placed the first statue near the corner of Union Street and Seventh Avenue, just steps from the Park Slope Food Co-op. It was not secured and quickly disappeared. Over the weekend, he has placed additional busts around the neighborhood, anchoring them with cables. North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says she had her staff prepare a statement in support of Brett Kavanaugh before she announced her vote in opposition and that she was swayed in part by how he looked defending himself before the Senate. Heitkamp, who announced her opposition days before the final vote splitting with fellow red state Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia says she was swayed by how Kavanaugh responded to sexual assault allegations. She said she even watched his emotional Senate Judiciary testimony with the sound off and the then-nominee did not acquit himself well. 'It's something I do,' the endangered Democrat explained. 'We communicate not only with words, but with our body language and demeanor.' North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says she watched Brett Kavanaugh's Senate testimony with the sound off. ''It's something I do,' she said When she watched the muted Kavanaugh, 'I saw somebody who was very angry, who was very nervous, and I saw rage that a lot of people said, 'well of course you're going to see rage he's being falsely accused,' but it is at all times you're to acquit yourself with a demeanor that's becoming of the court,' she told CNN while campaigning in her home state. She reached her assessment of Kavanaugh as he defended himself from allegations by Christine Blasey Ford that he groped and tried to rape her during a high school party decades ago. Heitkamp said she saw 'rage' in Kavanaugh's performance UP AGAINST THE WALL: Heitkamp cast the most important vote of her career against Kavanaugh while facing a stiff challenge in a conservative state YOU BETCHA! Heitkamp explained her vote to CNN as she tours the state telling voters she is still an independent voice despite her vote with the Democratic Party leadership In doing so, she became the first swing state senator to oppose Kavanaugh, who squeaked through on a 50-48 vote. But when President Trump first nominated Kavanaugh, Heitkamp, who tends to her independent image in her conservative home state, says she was prepared to back him. 'I was concerned about these allegations but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt,' she told the network. She trailed her GOP opponent, Kevin Cramer, by double digits in two recent opinion polls. Brett Kavanaugh won confirmation on a mostly party-line 50-48 vote Kavanaugh said in an op-ed on the eve of his confirmation that he had said some things he shouldn't have said in his contentious pushback to sex assault allegations Heitkamp says she also listened to Kavanaugh's emotional testimony with the sound on as he confronted Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, when she asked whether he ever had blackouts when drinking. 'I don't know. Have you?' the nominee shot back later apologizing. 'When someone shows you who they are, believe them,' Heitkamp said. She won her 2012 race by just a single percentage point. Trump carried the state by 36 points over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Heitkamp said her mother suffered sexual assault as a teen. ''People in my life have, including my mother, and to suggest she's not strong because she's a victim was like a trigger for me. I just said she made us strong because she said don't ever let this happen, fight for your rights, don't ... this was a life-changing experience for her and she made us stronger because of it,' Heitkamp said. She made that revelation after Cramer told the New York Times women including his own mother 'cannot understand this movement toward victimization. They are pioneers of the prairie. These are tough people whose grandparents were tough and great-grandparents were tough.' President Trump said Tuesday that FOX is lucky to have his former communications director Hope Hicks at the helm of its public relations division. The 29-year-old had been considering her employment options since she resigned from the White House in February. And rumors were afoot all summer that she could come back to work for Trump in some other capacity - especially after she made an August campaign trip with him. But her new position as chief communications officer for FOX was announced on Monday, marking the end of an era. 'She's the greatest. I love it,' he told DailyMail.com. 'I'm very happy for FOX, because Hope is a winner. I'm very proud of Hope.' Former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks is going Hollywood with a PR job at FOX, a new company being built out of the remains of Rupert Murdoch's empire that will include Fox News 'She's the greatest. I love it,' he told DailyMail.com on Tuesday afternoon. 'I'm very happy for FOX, because Hope is a winner. I'm very proud of Hope' Hope Hicks has landed her next act and she's going Hollywood - the former White House communications director will be the chief communications officer of FOX, the new company being built out of the remains of Rupert Murdoch's empire, it was announced Monday. Hicks will be based in Los Angeles - far from where she made her name on the East Coast, first in Donald Trump's presidential campaign in New York and then in his White House as one its most public faces. FOX will consist of the remaining assets of Murdoch's company - such as Fox News, Fox Sports, and the broadcast television network - left out of the sale of most of 21st Century Fox to Disney for $71.3 billion. President Donald Trump waves beside White House Communications Director Hope Hicks on one of her last days in his administration The sale will be finalized next year. Hicks will be top PR honcho at the rebuilt FOX and her duties include oversight of the communications shop for the company that owns the cable news channel her former boss loves to watch. Her title is executive vice president and chief communications officer for Fox. She will report to Viet Dinh, Fox's chief legal and policy officer. But she will work closely with Lachlan Murdoch, the eldest son of Rupert Murdoch, The New York Times reported. Lachlan Murdoch will be chair and chief executive of the reconstituted FOX. Her job is the latest wave in the ebb-and-flow between Murdoch's holdings and the Trump White House. After Hicks left the Trump administration, her communications job was filled by Bill Shine, a former executive at Fox News who became White House deputy chief of staff and communications chief. Shine indicated to DailyMail.com on Tuesday that he thinks Hicks is a great fit for his old network. 'Hope is great,' he said enthusiastically after the president's remarks. Another former Fox News host, Heather Nauert, is spokesperson at the State Department. And Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton is a former Fox News contributor. Trump is a rabid consumer of Fox News and regularly watches 'Fox & Friends' in the morning. Additionally, he is friends with Fox News host Sean Hannity. It's also one of the few news outlets he doesn't call 'fake news.' White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted her congratulations to Hicks. 'FOX wont find anyone smarter or more talented than Hope Hicks. So happy for my friend. They are beyond lucky to have you and the East Coast misses you already,' she wrote on Monday. Stephanie Grisham, the communications director for the first lady, retweeted Sanders tweet with good thoughts of her own. 'Could not agree more. Congratulations dear friend - they really are lucky to have you! Well done FOX,' she wrote. Hicks left the White House in March after working for Trump throughout his presidential campaign. Previously she had been director of communications for the Trump Organization. Rupert Murdoch, left, with Lachlan Murdoch in Sun Valley in July Hope Hicks dated former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, standing to her right, during her time in the White House Hicks, a native of Greenwich, Conn., returned to New York City after her time in the nation's capitol and was taking meetings throughout town as she contemplated her next move. She had zero political experience when Trump told her she would be the press secretary of his 2016 presidential bid. What followed was a rapid rise to the top for the aide, who rarely spoke to the media despite her job title. But staff and journalists alike appreciated her ability to read Trump's move and interpret his wishes and words. Her tenure in the White House was marked by scrutiny of her personal life and accumulated in her testimony before Congress. Hicks dated then-White House staff secretary Rob Porter, whom DailyMail.com revealed had allegedly beat two of his ex-wives. Hicks in the Oval Office with Trump and press secretary Sarah Sanders in January Hicks leaves the Capitol after attending the House Intelligence Committee closed door meeting in February Sarah Sanders tweeted her congratulations to Hicks The first lady's communications director also wished Hicks well The revelations ultimately ended with losing his White House gig. He and Hicks broke up. A month before she left the White House, in February 2018, Hicks gave nine hours of closed-door testimony to the House Intelligence Committee where she acknowledged that she sometimes had to tell 'white lies' in her work. However, she refused to answer any questions about her tenure in the White House. Mrs May has announced further provisions to safeguard the mental health of youngsters Pupils are to be given routine mental health checks, Theresa May said tonight. Primary and secondary schools will carry out wellbeing assessments to spot potential issues. Mental health problems among the young have increased six-fold over the past two decades and one in ten children now has a diagnosable condition. Girls are most at risk, with self-harming reported among a fifth of those aged 14. Mrs May said half of all mental health problems arise by the age of 14 yet only one in three get the right treatment. The new checks are part of a 1.9billion plan to transform mental health services in schools. The Prime Minister also announced: The appointment of the worlds first minister for suicide prevention; 1.8million to allow the Samaritans helpline to remain free for the next four years; At least mental health specialists are to be trained to work in schools for the first time, with the first intake to start by the end of next year and a 8,000 to be recruited long-term; Every school is to have a senior staff member responsible for mental health; The Government will publish an annual state of the nation report on child mental health from next year. Mrs May said: We can end the stigma that has forced too many to suffer in silence. We can prevent the tragedy of suicide taking too many lives. And we can give the mental wellbeing of our children the priority it so profoundly deserves. The new mental health assessments are to be made available to all schools as part of new classes on mental resilience which will be part of the curriculum from 2020. Downing Street stressed that although the classes will be mandatory, it will be up to each school whether they use the assessments. But all teachers will be encouraged to use the tests in order to highlight any issues so they can better target their teaching. Officials envisage that most pupils will be assessed every year from the age of four. They expect the assessments to be in a similar form to the wellbeing surveys currently used by the Office of National Statistics to gauge the nations mood, adjusted for the age of the child. Those surveys ask people how happy they are out of 10, how they rate their satisfaction with life, and how worthwhile they believe their daily activities are. If issues with particular children arise as a result of the assessments, it will be up to each teacher whether they flag it with parents, officials said. The assessments are new element of a 1.9billion plan to transform mental health services in schools, outlined in a green paper published by the Government earlier this year. Ministers expect the overall plan to bring savings of 6.4billion by spotting mental illness much earlier in life. Health experts last night welcomed the announcement as a crucial step for the one in ten under-16s suffer from a mental health condition. But they pointed out there is a huge way to go until mental health is given the same priority as physical health. A report by the National Audit Office yesterday said the Government is further away than it thought from achieving its goal of equal access to physical and mental health services for young people. The Government aims 70,000 additional children and young people will receive treatment every year by 2020/21. But the NAO said even if Ministers deliver on their plans they are unlikely to hit the target. A separate report published in the Lancet medical journal last night found mental health disorders will drain 12 trillion per year from the global economy by 2030. Mrs May said: There are few greater examples than the injustices facing those with mental health conditions. But together we can change that. Our record investment in the NHS will mean record investment in mental health. We are not looking after our health if we are not looking after our mental health. So we need true parity between physical and mental health - and not just in our health systems - but in our classrooms, workplaces and communities too. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who yesterday hosted a mental health summit in London, attended by ministers from 50 countries and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said: We need to do more to challenge the stigma that people with mental ill-health face and make sure they feel they can reach out for help. Dr Marc Bush, policy director at the YoungMinds charity, said: While there are still big questions to be answered on future funding for NHS childrens mental health services, its good news that the government is committing to further support for schools. The wellbeing of children should be every bit as important as academic performance, and schools need the tools and resources to make this a priority. Mental health support teams could make a real difference, though the programme needs to be expanded so that it reaches all schools and students. New state of the nation reports and student wellbeing measures will help to provide robust evidence about which mental health initiatives are most effective. Only by having up-to-date insights about the experience of young people can we hope to address the current crisis. A spokesman for the NSPCC added: Increasing mental health support and awareness in schools is an important step to ensure children who need help get it as soon as possible. But we know children dont just experience mental health problems during the school day, with two thirds of contacts to Childline about mental health issues coming outside school hours. Early intervention is vital to support young people before they reach this sort of crisis point. Theresa May appoints worlds first Minister for Suicide Prevention in bid to number of people taking their own lives By Ben Spencer Medical Correspondent Theresa May has appointed the worlds first Minister for Suicide Prevention in a bid to cut the number of people taking their own lives. Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price will lead the national effort and try to end the stigma which stops people from seeking help, the Prime Minister said. Around 4,500 people take their lives every year in England and suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under the age of 45. Jackie Doyle-Price has been announced as the Minister for Suicide Prevention Mrs Doyle-Price, whose title is now Minister for Mental Health, Inequalities and Suicide Prevention, said: I understand how tragic, devastating and long-lasting the effect of suicide can be on families and communities. In my time as health minister I have met many people who have been bereaved by suicide and their stories of pain and loss will stay with me for a long time. Its these people who need to be at the heart of what we do and I welcome this opportunity to work closely with them, as well as experts, to oversee a cross-Government suicide prevention plan, making their sure their views are always heard. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: Were already making progress when it comes to suicide prevention, the suicide rate is at its lowest for seven years. But we need to do more to challenge the stigma that people with mental ill-health face and make sure they feel they can reach out for help. I am delighted we are appointing Jackie Doyle-Price as our dedicated Minister for Suicide Prevention, and I know she will make a real difference. Every suicide is a preventable death and we are determined to do everything we can to tackle the tragedy of suicide. Mrs Doyle-Price, 49, was elected MP for Thurrock in Essex in 2010 and given her first government job following the 2017 election, as junior health minister. Originally from Sheffield, she sparked a row last year when she said many elderly people are sitting in homes that really are too big for their needs - and should not expect to pass them on to their children. She had one of the smallest majorities in Parliament - just 92 votes - when elected in 2010, but has since increased the margin to 351. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details. Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price (pictured) will lead the national effort Theresa May has appointed the worlds first Minister for Suicide Prevention in a bid to cut the number of people taking their own lives. Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price will lead the national effort and try to end the stigma which stops people from seeking help, the Prime Minister said. Around 4,500 people take their lives every year in England and suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under the age of 45. Mrs Doyle-Price, whose title is now Minister for Mental Health, Inequalities and Suicide Prevention, said: I understand how tragic, devastating and long-lasting the effect of suicide can be on families and communities. In my time as health minister I have met many people who have been bereaved by suicide and their stories of pain and loss will stay with me for a long time. Its these people who need to be at the heart of what we do and I welcome this opportunity to work closely with them, as well as experts, to oversee a cross-Government suicide prevention plan, making their sure their views are always heard. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: Were already making progress when it comes to suicide prevention, the suicide rate is at its lowest for seven years. But we need to do more to challenge the stigma that people with mental ill-health face and make sure they feel they can reach out for help. The Prime Minister also announced funding for the Samaritans helpline I am delighted we are appointing Jackie Doyle-Price as our dedicated Minister for Suicide Prevention, and I know she will make a real difference. Every suicide is a preventable death and we are determined to do everything we can to tackle the tragedy of suicide. Mrs Doyle-Price, 49, was elected MP for Thurrock in Essex in 2010 and given her first government job following the 2017 election, as junior health minister. Originally from Sheffield, she sparked a row last year when she said many elderly people are sitting in homes that really are too big for their needs - and should not expect to pass them on to their children. She had one of the smallest majorities in Parliament - just 92 votes - when elected in 2010, but has since increased the margin to 351. It looks like a scene out of the Star Wars movies - colorful lights streaking at a camera as it flies at high speed through a number of explosions in the sky. The footage, though, is not the work of George Lucas or the Walt Disney Company. Rather it is amateur footage shot from a camera fitted to a drone that was flown through a fireworks display in Oxnard, California. The 150-second clip shows the drone maneuvering through what looks like a virtual minefield of colorful explosions. It looks like a scene out of the Star Wars movies - colorful lights streaking at a camera as it flies at high speed through a number of explosions in the sky Amateur footage was shot from a camera fitted to a drone that was flown through a fireworks display in Oxnard, California The 150-second clip shows the drone maneuvering through what looks like a virtual minefield of colorful explosions The vantage point of the camera makes it seem like the viewer is in the cockpit of a fighter jet that is engaged in a dog fight in the sky The vantage point of the camera makes it seem like the viewer is in the cockpit of a fighter jet. The stunning clip also included black-and-white footage of the fireworks display over the coast of Southern California. Whoever filmed the footage, however, may have broken the law. During fireworks displays, authorities establish no-fly safety zones to protect the public. According to Forbes, the punishment for violating a safety zone is a $40,000 fine and for willful violations it is a Class D felony, punishable by at least five, but no more than 10 years in prison. The stunning clip also included black-and-white footage of the fireworks display over the coast of Southern California Whoever filmed the footage, however, may have broken the law During fireworks displays, authorities establish no-fly safety zones to protect the public Toy drones, which look like miniature helicopters, are becoming more and more common, with operators flying them over concerts and beaches. The FAA prohibits drone operators from flying the vehicles near or into fireworks. Drones are also not allowed to be flown in a public area where it hovers over people. The drones are also banned at or near airports. 'It should be obvious that flying a drone through a fireworks display is unsafe and illegal,' wrote law and public policy expert Gregory S. McNeal in Forbes. 'Unfortunately stories like these demonstrate that what is clearly unsafe to most people, is somehow lost on a few careless operators.' A hunt is underway for a man who committed an act of indecency and attempted to grab a woman, 27, in a public toilet. The incident happened in toilets on The Kingsway in Wentworthville, western Sydney, on July 29. CCTV images have been released as part of a police appeal to find the man, who is believed to be in his 40s. A hunt is underway for a man who committed an act of indecency and attempted to grab a woman in a public toilet CCTV images have been released as part of a police appeal to find the man, who is believed to be in his 40s He has been described by police as of white appearance, aged in his 40s, about 170cm tall, with a large build, short grey hair and clean shaven The man flashed the woman at 4.30pm, before attempting to grab her. He then left the toilets and was last located heading to Wentworthville train station. Cumberland Police Area Command officers were alerted to the incident, however were unable to locate the man. He has been described by police as of white appearance, aged in his 40s, about 170cm tall, with a large build, short grey hair and clean shaven. He can be seen in the footage wearing black trousers and a grey zip up jumper, with black shoes. NSW Police urge anyone with information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The incident happened in toilets on The Kingsway in Wentworthville Just two months after San Francisco unveiled plans for a 'poop patrol' to clean up the city, a new report has found that the wealthy tech hub's streets are as filthy as ever. Just a 15 minute walk from the headquarters of Twitter and Uber, lies heroin needle and excrement-strewn Hyde Street. The area, known as Tenderloin, is notorious in San Francisco, with an open-air narcotics market by day and the slumped bodies of drug users at night as locals blame the ever-growing homeless population. Just two months after San Francisco unveiled plans for a 'poop patrol' to clean up the city, a new report has found that the wealthy tech hub's streets are as filthy as ever. Trash at a drop-off point on the 300 block of Hyde Street in San Francisco Homeless people on the 300 block of Hyde Street in San Francisco in September - the area has been branded the city's dirtiest block The area, known as Tenderloin, is notorious in San Francisco, with an open-air narcotics market by day and the slumped bodies of drug users at night as locals blame the ever-growing homeless population The 300 block of Hyde Street in San Francisco received 2,227 complaints about street and sidewalk cleanliness over the past decade, more than any other 'Some parts of the Tenderloin, you're walking, and you smell it and you have to hold your breath,' Yolanda Warren, a receptionist who works around the corner from Hyde Street, said. A New York Times report claims Hyde Street is the 'dirtiest block in the city.' The City by the Bay has launched repeated efforts to address it's trash and safety issues which have begun to impact on tourism. In August, San Francisco set aside funding for six full-time staff to pound the city's streets keeping the sidewalks free of feces. The poop problem is very real with the city's 311 service dealing with more than 15,000 calls so far this year. 'What we are trying to do is be proactive. So we'll have a crew that will roam around looking for locations,' San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru told KGO. 'We actually have data for neighborhoods where we get frequent calls.' Some San Francisco streets are so covered in human feces that the city launched a 'Poop Patrol' to clean the mess Mayor London Breed of San Francisco, who was elected in June, has made unannounced inspections of neighborhoods, sometimes carrying a broom San Fran's mayor, London Breed, also says cleaning up the city's streets are a top priority. 'I've had to deal with it myself in front of my home and it's not a pleasant feeling,' she told KGO. 'I want to change San Francisco for the better. I want to clean up the city. 'We have the data that shows where most of the complaints are for poop clean up,' Breed told KTVU. 'So, the goal is to make sure we have a dedicated team and they are focusing on those particular areas where we know it's most problematic.' The city receives about 65 complaints a day about feces on sidewalks, a number that has increased in the past year. Local resident Jennifer Wong even created a Poop Map - showing reports of human waste made to 311 or the Department of Public Works. The city has struggled with an increase in reports of feces in public at the same time that rents and housing prices have soared Much of it comes from dogs whose owners don't clean up after them, but also from homeless people who simply relieve themselves on the street. Out of the 7,499 homeless people recorded last year, about 58 percent, or 4,353 people, were marked as unsheltered. The other 3,146 were designated sheltered. Local resident Jennifer Wong even created a Poop Map - showing reports of human waste made to 311 or the Department of Public Works. The poop patrol with consist of six dedicated employees and two trucks at a cost of $750,000. The Department of Public Works says that the aim is to spot the mess and steam clean it away before complaints are even made. 'So, what happens is we're going to take one of those crews out and try to get ahead of those calls and look for these locations so that hopefully we can get less numbers of calls coming in,' Nuru added. San Francisco's streets are a symptom of the housing crisis that has forced thousands to live on the streets The Poop Patrol will ride around the Tenderloin neighborhood in a vehicle equipped with a steam cleaner Earlier this year, the city announced plans to tackle the hundreds of discarded drugs needles that litter the streets. Adam Mesnick, who lives in the South of Market neighborhood and owns two deli shops there, said San Francisco is 'finally kind of melting down' and that leaders have routinely ignored dangerous street behavior for years. 'I cannot have my family down here, I can't have visitors. I can, but I don't choose to, have my nieces come here,' he said. 'It's horrifying for my family to walk down the street here.' The exact number of homeless people in San Francisco is uncertain, but about 7,500 were found during a one-night count in 2017. The city's logged more than 24,300 requests last year for human waste cleanup and 9,500 for needle pick-up. This year, there already have been more than 8,300 requests to pick up waste and 3,700 for needles. San Francisco has budgeted $65 million out of a $10 billion citywide budget for street cleaning this year. Car makers were embroiled in another cheating controversy today after investigators said very suspicious parts had been found during crash safety tests. Testers responsible for car safety in the UK say they have found parts marked for crash-test only when examining family vehicles they are due to grade. It has raised fears vigorously denied by motor industry bosses that cars may have been fitted with parts specifically designed to help cheat crash tests. Both Euro NCAP, which sets test criteria, and Thatcham Research, which carries out crash-tests in the UK, found airbags and child seat fixing points marked for crash-test only after safety assessments, motoring magazine Auto Express revealed today. Crash-testing reports and star ratings heavily influence consumer sales. Car makers were embroiled in another cheating controversy today after investigators said very suspicious parts had been found during crash safety tests (stock image) Thatcham Research, which carries out crash-tests in the UK, found airbags and child seat fixing points marked for crash-test only All mass-production cars sold in the EU are crashed following set procedures during NCAP testing. After these tests, researchers from organisations such as Thatcham conduct a strip-down audit, which involves inspecting individual components. It was during these audits that researchers from Thatcham and NCAP found marked parts. Matthew Avery, head of research for Thatcham, said such markings have been found on cars from several makers but declined to name any. Sometimes weve tested a vehicle and we will see on the back of a module it says Euro NCAP test, he said. That feels very, very suspicious to us. There are lots of excuses. Were told, Well no, thats a genuine component, thats an early version, whatever. Theyre not stamping it, theyre writing it in marker pen; its marked crudely. Alarm bells ring when we see that. But Mr Avery added: Im sure 99 times out of 100 theres a legitimate reason. He suggested nervousness following the VW diesel emissions scandal may be behind the declining frequency of marked parts. EuroNCAP has also interrogated companies after finding these markings. But a spokesman told Auto Express its audits had never shown a deliberate attempt to cheat our tests. The suspiciously marked parts had ceased to appear in the last year or two following a crackdown, he added. Both Euro NCAP, which sets test criteria, and Thatcham Research, which carries out crash-tests in the UK, found airbags and child seat fixing points marked for crash-test only (stock) Auto Express editor Steve Fowler said: In a post-dieselgate world, any suspicion that a car manufacturer is cheating or trying to game a test is worrying. There is no absolute proof, but there are questions that need answering. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers, said marked parts are a normal part of the production process. SMMT strongly refutes these suggestions, he said. There is no evidence of any malpractice in safety testing and to imply otherwise shows a failure to understand the manufacturing and certification process. Such remarks cast unwarranted aspersions on the automotive industry, for which safety is the number one priority. He added: Because this [safety testing] sometimes happens before full production begins, it can be necessary to identify certain safety-critical components in order to confirm they are the latest, approved specification parts, as well as for tracking and analysis. A woman says she felt like a 'second-class citizen' after she was turned away from a premium airport lounge. The traveller, who was accompanied by a teenager, said the pair were 'dumped out' of Air New Zealand's International Lounge at Auckland International Airport while heading on a recent trip. The woman, who is a member, said she was told she had to go to a different lounge, as the International lounge was too full, the New Zealand Herald reported. The traveller, who was accompanied by a teenager, said the pair were 'dumped out' of Air New Zealand's Koru Lounge (pictured) at Auckland International Airport while heading on a recent trip The Koru Lounge seats 375 guests and membership for individuals costs $629 for one year, with an initial $255 joining fee. The woman said she was forced to sit in Strata Lounge, which is operated by the airport and open to passengers from any airline. Anyone can pay for a one-off visit to Strata Lounge, which costs $49 for three hours. After filing a complaint, the woman received a letter of explanation and an apology from the airline. The woman said she would be investigating if her membership had been breached and would not accept the apology. 'No apology can make up for the dictatorial nature of that,' she said. Social media users were amused by the woman's dilemma, with some calling it a 'first world problem'. The woman said she was forced to sit in Strata Lounge (pictured) , which is operated by the airport and open to passengers from any airline The International Lounge (pictured) seats 375 guests and membership for individuals costs $629 for one year, with an initial $255 joining fee The International Lounge (pictured) at Auckland International Airport has experienced high demand in recent weeks 'Mate, I feel like a first class citizen if I have enough to grab a feed from Burger King before my flight,' one person said. 'I'll bet she has a name like Karen and says things like 'in my humble opinion' go buy yourself a private plane princess,' another person said. 'Second class citizen? Is that how you see the rest of us non koru lounge people?' a person asked. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the lounge at Auckland International Airport was experiencing a high demand at peak times. 'In an effort to ensure that all eligible customers can get a seat prior to their travel, we are asking some on selected flights to use the Strata Lounge. 'This is a better outcome than customers missing out on a lounge seat altogether due to its popularity,' he said. 'We continue to work closely with the airport company on options for a second lounge to meet the growing demand for Air New Zealands premium services.' An overheight truck has slammed into the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, forcing police to close the road during morning rush hour. The tunnel was closed southbound on Wednesday morning, and drivers faced significant delays. Traffic through the tunnel was 'very heavy' as peak-hour commutes were affected. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel was closed southbound on Wednesday morning, and drivers have been warned to expect significant delays Motorists were warned to allow for 'plenty' of extra travel time, according to Live Traffic Sydney. The truck was removed after the crash but traffic was still backed up in long queues. Two of the five southbound lanes on the Sydney Harbour Bridge were also closed due to a three-car crash. The lanes on the bridge were later reopened. The Twelve Tribes is a community of some 3,000 members scattered across a number of locations in New England and Canada. In addition, the group also claims to have followers in Australia, Argentina, Brazil and Germany. It calls itself 'a confederation of twelve self-governing tribes, composed of self-governing communities.' Twelve Tribes was founded in the 1970s in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The group later moved to Vermont, then expanded to locations around the world. Members live and work together and home-school their children. In Plymouth, Massachusetts, the group also runs a grocery store and has a compound-style property in the historic district, where the Pilgrims first settled. On its website, Twelve Tribes says it has 2,000 to 3,000 members who live a 'tribal life' in different geographical areas of the world, 'so as to be a demonstration of how God has always wanted His people to live.' But former members have come forward with disturbing allegations that have prompted the authorities to investigate. In 2016, messages began to appear on Facebook accusing the sect's members of disciplining children with a cane or a wooden stick on the open palm or bare buttocks sometimes dozens of times each day at a bakery that it owns and operates in Plymouth. The messages also implied the sect was racist and endorsed slavery. The poster identified himself to The Associated Press as Kayam Mathias, 21, a former bakery worker who says he left the sect in 2011. 'I saw many kids beaten as "discipline," many times out of anger. The idea is to drive out the evil one from as early as possible,' he told the AP. Lev Bryant, 41, a sect member who manages the bakery, denied the allegations of child abuse and racism. 'Theres no child abuse here - period,' he said. 'Were trying to deal with this fraudulent issue.' Bryant confirmed that Mathias was a member of the sect and worked at the bakery. A Twelve Tribes commune in Island Pond, Vermont, was raided by police in 1984 after allegations of child abuse. More than 100 children were removed but were returned hours later after a judge said the raid was illegal. In 2015, an elder from the sect in southern Germany was convicted in Noerdlingen state court in Bavaria of causing bodily harm by hitting a child in his care with a 4-foot switch. Twelve Tribes has been reported to seek recruits among young people who attend concerts and music festivals. Those who have attended shows reported seeing its trademark double-decker buses known as Peacemaker. On its web site, Twelve Tribes boasts of the 'maroon-and-cream double-decker buses' that make the trek to 'many concerts' so that it can 'make many friends.' 'We still bring our buses to many events hoping to help others and find more people who desire to bring peace to this dying world,' the group says on its web site. The buses have followed tours by artists including Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead. Sources: Associated Press, The Twelve Tribes Dr Andrews is a professor of black studies in the school of social sciences at Birmingham City University. He has written books over the past five years including 'Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century' and 'Resisting Racism: Race, Inequality and the Black Supplementary School Movement'. He has also written for publications on both sides of the Atlantic including the Guardian, Washington Post and New Statesman. Writing in the latter about 2018's Black History Month, he said: 'If schools want to genuinely engage with black history then they can embed it into their teaching. 'For example, rather than teaching the industrial revolution as a triumph of British engineering alone, teachers should link it to the enslavement and colonisation of Africa, which was essential to British history. 'There is also nothing wrong with teaching the history of the rest of the world, which was just as pivotal to the development of Britain.' And speaking about the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in May, he said it was meaningless for Britain's black community in addressing racism in job prospects, the criminal justice system and health disparities. Dr Andrews added: 'When we sit back and actually analyse what's happened and what's changed, we'll realise it means nothing at all.' Google is tipped to launch a slew of new products. The search giant is hosting its big, annual hardware event in New York City on Tuesday and it's believed to be releasing more than just phones. Rumors suggest Google could have new Pixel phones, a tablet, a screen-equipped smart speaker and a pair of headphones up its sleeve. Scroll down for video Google has revealed few details about the updated smartphones, however, a number of recent high-profile leaks suggest it will launch two handsets that feature dual front-facing cameras, wireless charging, and a 'notch' display like the iPhone X. The firm's '#MadeByGoogle' event kicks off at 11a.m. (ET) on Tuesday and is hosting a livestream of all the announcements. Last year, Google rolled out the Pixel 2, Google Home Mini, Google Clips, Pixel Buds and several other gadgets, so it seems likely that there will be a substantial lineup this time around. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the successors to the Pixel 2, have albeit leaked entirely, but there's still plenty that remains under wraps. Here's everything to expect from Google's annual hardware event. Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL Google's Pixel 3 revealed in (more) leaked photos Google has revealed few details about the updated smartphones, however, a number of recent high-profile leaks suggest it will launch two handsets that feature dual front-facing cameras, wireless charging, and a 'notch' display like the iPhone X. The Pixel 3 XL boasts a 6.7-inch display, almost an inch larger than the Pixel 2 XL, while the smaller Pixel 3 has a 5.3-inch display. Google has suffered a flurry of leaks in the months leading up to the launch of its latest handset. Specifications photographed from the Pixel 3 XL packaging has confirmed the handset will have a notch at the top of the all-screen design similar to iPhone X. The Pixel 3 XL is expected to sport dual, front-facing cameras with one wide-angle sensor to allow users to take 'Super Selfies' that automatically blur the background behind the subject. Likewise, the next-generation Pixel handset has the same dual-tone case design and circular rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. It has an iPhone X-esque notch and a supposed OLED display that spans 6.2 inches, with a screen resolution of 1,440x2,960 pixels. Previous rumours suggest the phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Additional leaked screenshots show that the phone will have a 2,915mAh battery, which is a noteworthy jump in capacity from the Pixel 2. It also features wireless charging and two 8 megapixel front-facing camera. It appears that users may be able to switch between f/1.8 and f/2.2 apertures. Google Pixel Slate tablet The firm is widely tipped to launch its first Chrome-branded tablet at the event on Tuesday. It'll feature a Chromebook tablet that attaches to a separate keyboard, according to photos from MySmartPrice, which has accurately leaked Google launches in the past. The Pixel tablet will feature a touchpad, round keys, a front-facing camera and a camera on the rear, as well as a built-in fingerprint sensor. Among other features, it'll have 16gb of RAM, an Intel Amber Lake processor, as well as a 3000x2000 display. Google is expected to include a Pixelbook Pen with the Slate tablet. Last year, Google rolled out the Pixel 2, Google Home Mini, Google Clips, Pixel Buds and several other gadgets, so it seems likely that there will be a substantial lineup this time around. Google Home Hub Google's next voice-activated device could be a smart speaker with a screen. Leaked photos claim to show a smart display, called the 'Google Home Hub,' which features a 7-inch display mounted on top of a speaker. The Home Hub will be connected to Google's Assistant, enabling it to display weather, calendar events, recipes and other pertinent information on the screen, according to MySmartPrice.com, which first published the images. Google's current smart speaker line-up includes the Google Home, budget Home Mini and the Home Max. A list of specs shows that the device will have a 'full-range speaker for crystal clear sound' and 'far-field voice recognition.' It also shows that the device will be available in two colors - chalk and charcoal. Many have speculated that Google will release some kind of screen-equipped smart home device this year at it's annual hardware event in October. Google's current smart speaker line-up includes the Google Home, budget Home Mini and the Home Max. Google may attempt to differentiate itself from rivals by launching a smart display with a smaller screen, as it tries to cater toward consumers who would use it for things like weather updates and reminders, instead of things like watching videos. The firm has previously put its Google Assistant in smart displays from other providers, such as Lenovo. Leaked photos claim to show a smart display, called the 'Google Home Hub,' which features a 7-inch display mounted on top of a speaker. Pixel Buds 2 There have been few details about a new pair of Pixel Buds, Google's Bluetooth ear buds. The firm released the first pair of Pixel Buds to go along with the Pixel 2 last year, and now it's widely believed that it will release a refreshed pair to go with the new lineup of Pixel phones. Some have suggested it could release wireless Pixelbuds this time around. Redesigned Chromecast A document filed with the FCC suggests that Google could be launching a revamped version of its Chromecast device, which lets users stream content on their TV. Among the major developments, the document suggests that it could include Bluetooth connectivity. Several have noted that this could mean Google will enable connectivity with wireless headphones, or a controller, akin to a Roku remote - a feature that has reportedly been requested by users for a while now. A chemical found in everyday plastic items could led to a sixfold increase in the risk of a premature baby. Scientists said bisphenol A used in containers, some water bottles (though not in single-use water bottles made with flexible plastic packaging), food cans and till receipts can affect women who come into contact with it before they even conceive. The substance has already been linked to premature birth in mothers-to-be who are exposed to it. A chemical found in everyday plastic items could led to a sixfold increase in the risk of a premature baby. Stock photo Researchers led by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston, US, analysed the urine of 364 women at a fertility clinic before they became pregnant, of whom 32 gave birth to premature babies. Phthalates, another chemical found in food packaging, doubled the risk of an early birth in women who had high levels before conceiving, they added. Jennifer Yland, who led the study, said: 'Exposure to these chemicals is widespread as they are found in food packaging, consumer products, medical devices, plastic bottles and receipts.' It is thought the two substances can cause chemical changes as women's eggs develop that can lead to premature birth. They have also been linked to asthma and infertility, the meeting in Denver was told. Bisphenol A, used since the 1960s, mimics the female hormone oestrogen and has been linked to breast and prostate cancer. Mothers who have babies using donated eggs tend not to bond so closely with their children, a study shows. Increasing numbers of British women leave it too late to start a family using their own eggs.More than 1,400 babies were born from donated eggs in 2016 three times the number 20 years ago. But research by the University of Cambridge has found women who use egg donors may have slightly different relationships with their babies. Some admit they struggle with not being biologically related to their child. Author Alice Jolly has a son, Thomas, who is biologically hers and a daughter, Hope (pictured with Alice), born using a donor egg These women are warm and loving but show small differences when playing with the child, according to the study of 85 families who used egg donation. They are less sensitive to their baby's smile and eye contact, while the child is less likely to involve its mother by holding out or waving toys. Dr Susan Imrie, who co-authored the study by the University of Cambridge's Centre for Family Research, will present it this week at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Denver. 'Women who use egg donation have often had a longer route to parenthood,' she said. 'Our research does show that some women are still finding their feet as egg-donation mothers and that this can be challenging. 'A small number told us not having a genetic link with their child took some time to get their head around.' Egg donation began being used by fertility clinics in the late 1980s but has grown in popularity over the past decade. YOU DO WORRY YOU ARE NOT BIOLOGICALLY RELATED Author Alice Jolly has a son, Thomas, who is biologically hers and a daughter, Hope, born using a donor egg. Miss Jolly, 51, said: 'Of course you worry about not being biologically related to your child and that you might not feel right about it, that you might not bond. 'But we had waited so long for another child, and were so determined it was going to work, we were just amazed to have her. 'The egg donation was not an issue for us after she arrived.' Miss Jolly decided to use an egg donor after her first daughter, Laura, was stillborn, she had a series of miscarriages and two rounds of IVF failed. 'I knew the chances of conceiving with my eggs were very low and it would be much higher with donated eggs,' said Miss Jolly, who is married to lawyer Stephen Kinsella and lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire. 'The more we looked into it, the more I thought, why not?' The couple have not met the egg donor, who lives in the US, but send Christmas cards and have agreed that Hope, now six, can meet her if she wishes when older. Although Hope is not biologically related to her, she takes after her maternal grandmother, Miss Jolly said, adding: 'She is switched on, tough and determined We are lucky to have the child we had, but we would love her whatever.' Advertisement Women who donate eggs are usually aged 18 to 35, so their eggs are younger, of better quality and thus far more likely to result in a pregnancy. For older women whose own eggs may make it difficult or impossible to start a family, this can be the better option. The British researchers interviewed women with children from egg donation, whose partners were the biological fathers, and whose babies were aged between six and 18 months. They filmed parents playing with their children for ten minutes. Comparing mothers who used egg donation with 65 women who conceived using their own eggs, there were differences. Women who used egg donors were less sensitive towards their babies, based on behaviour such as smiling at the child or responding to a baby pointing towards a toy or showing signs of boredom.They were less good at structuring play activities. Women who donate eggs are usually aged 18 to 35, so their eggs are younger, of better quality and thus far more likely to result in a pregnancy. Pictured, egg storage for IVF Their babies were less responsive, based on eye contact and smiles towards their mother, and involved her less by, for example, waving or holding out toys. The study suggests women may interact with babies born by egg donation differently, and their babies may respond differently as a result. However, during interviews, little difference was found in the women's feelings towards their children. Women whose children came from egg donation had less confidence in their parenting skills, but this was thought to be due to the mothers' age. The results also showed no difference in hostility or controlling behaviour for women whose babies were born using eggs from another woman. The study, published in the journal Child Development, states: 'Research with egg-donation mothers of older children suggests that mothers may feel more comfortable with non-genetic motherhood over time.' Stuart Lavery, a fertility expert at Imperial College, London, said: 'This is an important study that suggests there may be some differences in the quality of the parent-child relationships between egg donation families and conventional IVF families. 'Given the increased use of egg donation and previous studies that were more reassuring, this issue deserves further studies in bigger populations, and probably most importantly over longer time frames.' They were known for their bold architecture, fearsome warriors and revolutionary thinkers. But the Ancient Greeks were also skilled forecasters, accurately predicting the rise of artificial intelligence, killer androids and driverless cars, according to a new book. American historian Dr Adrienne Mayor claims that Greek mythology envisioned many of the technology trends we grapple with today. She suggests Silicon Valley bosses could learn a thing or two from tales written by the ancients more than 2,500 years ago. Scroll down for video Talos (left), a giant humanoid build by Hephaestus to protect the island of Crete, is an example of ancient Greek mythology predicting the rise of androids (right; stock image), according to Stanford academic Dr Adrienne Mayor WHAT PREDICTIONS DID THE ANCIENT GREEKS MAKE? Killer androids: 'Bronze killer-robot' Talos; 'AI fembot' Pandora Driverless technology: Autonomous wheeled tripods in Homer's Iliad GPS: Odysseus's pilotless Phaeacian ships AI-powered helper robots: Hephaestus' Golden Maids Advertisement Several characters built by Hephaestus, the god of metalworking and invention, were early predictions of the rise of humanoid robots, according to Dr Mayor. These mythic automatons appear in tales about Jason and the Argonauts, Medea, Daedalus and Prometheus. They include 'bronze killer-robot' Talos, who guarded the island of Crete, and Pandora, who Dr Mayor describes as a Blade Runner-style 'replicant'. Pandora was a 'wicked AI fembot', she says, who was programmed to release eternal suffering upon humanity. Dr Mayor, of Stanford University, cites several other examples of tech trends in Greek Myths in her upcoming book 'Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology'. Odysseus' pilotless Phaeacian ships guided him back home to Ithaca while he was tied to the mast to stop him from wrecking the ship under the spell of the sirens According to Dr Mayor, Odysseus' self-directing ship draws parallels with modern GPS technology (stock image) Though the Greeks did not know how technology would work, they could foreshadow its rise in society, she claims. Dr Mayor describes Pandora as a 'wicked AI fembot' programmed to release eternal suffering upon humanity Odysseus's pilotless Phaeacian ships, for example, which guided him back home to Ithaca, draw parallels with modern GPS technology. In a prediction of AI-powered helper robots, Hephaestus crafted mechanical maids from gold and equipped them with learning, reason, and skill in Homers Iliad. The Golden Maids were designed to anticipate their masters requests and act on them without instruction, much like modern machine learning software. Homer's epic poem also describes self-driving wheeled tripods that carry nectar and ambrosia - a prediction of modern autonomous delivery services. Dr Mayor urges top tech bosses to closely analyse the stories of the Greeks as we close in on a future dominated by automated technologies. She says that like Pandora, who was programmed by Hephaestus to open a box and release evils into the world, AI could present unforeseen problems for humanity. But just as Pandora's box releases hope to humanity, Dr Mayor says AI could indeed bring positive changes - provided it is kept under control. The academic says Pandora has many similarities with the 'replicant' androids featured in the 1982 movie Blade Runner Following Apple and Microsoft product fall reveals, which saw the likes of the new iPhone XS and the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 unveiled, its Googles turn with the Made by Google 2018 event. The search engine giant is expected to reveal everything from the new Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL to an updated Chromecast, as well as some potential left-field surprises. Here is all you need to know about the Made by Google event including when it is, what will be revealed, Google Pixel 3 features and how to watch the event. Google's Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones are expected to be Made by Google's main attractions When is the Google Pixel 3 event? The Made by Google event will take place on Tuesday, October 9 at 11am ET/8amPT/4pm BST What to expect at the event? The Google Pixel and the Google Pixel 3 XL will naturally be the main attractions at the event, with a host of leaks suggesting the new phones will retain the favourite aspects of past iterations, while adding more advanced computational features such as an AI-powered camera. But smartphones arent expected to be the only things on the menu. While a new Google Watch, renamed Wear OS from Android Wear, is not expected to be released this year, a Google tablet called Pixel Slate is thought to make a debut at the event. The tablet can be attached to a keyboard to function as a laptop. It was first leaked by keyboard accessory maker Brydge's website. An FCC filing revealed Google was working on a Google Home Hub screen, which would be a Alexa smart-speaker smartscreen rival. Other potential products revealed could be the wireless headphones Pixel Buds 2 and an updated Chromecast. There's more to life than phones. pic.twitter.com/qRyuwbNKWA Ev (@evleaks) October 8, 2018 Google Pixel 3 leaked features With any highly-anticipated product there will be leaks, and while Googles Pixel has certainly not been short of them, the Pixel 3 has allegedly taken it to the next level, after a seemingly-legitimate Pixel 3 was available to purchase from a Hong Kong mobile phone shop, three days before the Made by Google event. Engadgets Richard Lai tested out the Google Pixel 3 XL and discovered a range of new features. Understandably suspicious at first, Lai believes the phone is the genuine article, saying its powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and has 4GB of RAM, which he suspects will be accompanied by a larger 6GB of RAM version. It has an iPhone X-like notch and a supposed 6.2 inch OLED display, with a screen resolution of 1,440x2,960 pixels. For the sake of completeness. pic.twitter.com/eC4shkx613 E (@evleaks) October 8, 2018 The phone features a 12.2 megapixel rear camera and the front now boasts two 8 megapixel cameras, one of which is a wide-angle lens. The phone appears to be running on Googles Android 9 Pie operational software. The rear main camera will also boast AI-powered features, with a new modes called Top Shot and Photobooth reportedly using software to select the best photos. This is done by the phone taking a burst of photos before and after youve pressed the shutter. How to watch it As with most tech giant presentations in recent times, Google will live-stream its Pixel 3 event on YouTube. The live-stream will start at 11am ET/8am PT/4pm BST. Watch the Made by Google event here. The 19th century mathematician and computer programming pioneer Ada Lovelace is celebrated every year at the start of October on Ada Lovelace Day. The day was established to celebrate the life and significance of Lovelace, who is described as the first computer programmer for her notes on the Analytical Engine, and to use her life and achievements to inspire more women to pursue scientific careers. Here is all you need to know about Ada Lovelace Day including when is it, what is it and who was the 19th century mathematician. The 19th century mathematician and computer programming pioneer Ada Lovelace is celebrated every year at the start of October on Ada Lovelace Day When is Ada Lovelace Day? Ada Lovelace Day 2018 is on Tuesday, October 9. What is it? Founded in 2009 by technologist and journalist Suw Charman-Anderson, Ada Lovelace Day is held every year on the second Tuesday of October and is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Its mission is to increase the presence and roles of women in STEM, thus creating new role models to encourage the next generation of girls to pursue STEM careers and support women who already work in STEM. Along with a flagship Ada Lovelace Day Live! session in London, there are many grassroot events happening around the world ranging from conferences to pub quizzes. Today for #AdaLovelaceDay, a day to celebrate women in #STEM and their contributions, we would like to acknowledge the amazing women who worked at Bletchley Park during WW2 - making up over 3/4 of the workforce. Pictures from Hut 11A: The Bombe Breakthrough pic.twitter.com/AeN25Lfnn3 Bletchley Park (@bletchleypark) October 9, 2018 Who was Ada Lovelace? Ada Lovelace was born Augusta Ada Byron on December 10, 1815, the daughter of the erratic, romantic poet Lord Byron and his wife, Annabella Milbanke. Born into an aristocratic family, albeit a broken one following Byrons abandonment of Milbanke, Lovelace grew up surrounded by a host of governesses and tutors. Her mother reportedly was worried that Ada would inherit her fathers madness and tried to instill some sort of mental discipline in the form of a scientific and classical education. Today is #AdaLovelaceDay! Lovelace was a pioneering mathematician who saw the potential of Babbage's Analytical Engine. She wrote a detailed paper on its significance including the worlds first published computer program or algorithm. pic.twitter.com/qoPuB1LUpY Science Museum (@sciencemuseum) October 9, 2018 Lovelace proved to be a precocious child with a fierce intellect, inheriting her mothers mathematical faculties (Lord Byron referred to Milbanke as the Princess of Parallelograms), as well as a shade of her fathers mania. At the age of 12, Lovelace was fascinated by flying and announced that she would write a book called Flyology, which would explore the art of flying. Her intelligence was recognised and cultivated by some of the brightest minds of her generation including Mary Somerville, Michael Faraday and, most famously, Charles Babbage. Babbage, in a parallel to her mother, referred to Lovelace as the Enchanted Maths Fairy, while another tutor, the eminent mathematician Augustus de Morgan said Lovelace had the potential to become an original mathematical investigator, perhaps of first-rate eminence. At the age of 19, Lovelace married the aristocrat William King, who would later become the Earl of Lovelace. Ada wrote what is considered to be the first ever algorithm when working with Charles Babbage on a new machine called the Analytical Engine. The algorithm used the engine to calculate a sequence of numbers. #AdaLovelaceDay #ALD18 pic.twitter.com/2eAymnOQmV Code Club (@CodeClubWorld) October 9, 2018 Two years prior, Lovelace was first introduced to Babbage, who was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics and famous at the time for his huge, unfinished, calculating machines. It was her interaction with Babbage that put her on the path to posthumous recognition. In 1842, Lovelace was asked to translate a short Italian article about Babbages Analytical Engine designs, which would have functioned as a general-purpose computer. Along with translating the original paper, Lovelace added her own notes, the pages of which ended up outnumbering the Italian paper itself. Some 44 of the 61 pages comprised Lovelace appendices. It is the last of Lovelaces notes, Note G, which is most famous. In it, she describes the potential applications of the computer including translations of music, text and images into computer-language form. Today is the 10th #AdaLovelaceDay, our annual celebration of women in STEM. Find out more at https://t.co/rXeM370EUO and check out independent ALD events at https://t.co/GCgOyNqkAM FindingAda (@FindingAda) October 9, 2018 She was the first to realise that if such a computer could process numbers, it could also therefore process symbols and thus produce music and graphics. In her notes, she published a series of instructions for the Analytical Engine, which would be able to calculate Bernouillis Numbers. The significance of what Lovelace was attempting was only recognised a century later by the codebreaker and mathematician, Alan Turing, thus earning Lovelace the nickname the first computer programmer. Lovelace died at the age of 36 from cancer in 1852, just a few years after Sketch of the Analytical Engine, with Notes from the Translator was published. Google is dropping out of the bidding for a huge Pentagon cloud computing contract that could be worth up to $10 billion, saying the deal would be 'inconsistent with its principles'. The decision by Google leaves a handful of other tech giants including Amazon and Microsoft in the running for the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract aimed at modernizing the military's computing systems. Google said in a statement 'we couldn't be assured that [the JEDI deal] would align with our AI Principles and second, we determined that there were portions of the contract that were out of scope with our current government certifications.' Scroll down for video Google says it is not bidding on a $10 billion cloud computing contract for the US military GOOGLE'S SEVEN RULES OF AI Google says for its AI to be used, projects must: 1. Be socially beneficial. 2. Avoid creating or reinforcing unfair bias. 3. Be built and tested for safety. 4. Be accountable to people. 5. Incorporate privacy design principles. 6. Uphold high standards of scientific excellence. 7. Be made available for uses that accord with these principles. Advertisement The principles bar use of Google's artificial intelligence (AI) software in weapons as well as services that violate international norms for surveillance and human rights. Google was provisionally certified in March to handle U.S. government data with 'moderate' security, but Amazon.com and Microsoft Corp have higher clearances. Amazon was widely viewed among Pentagon officials and technology vendors as the front-runner for the contract, known as the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud, or JEDI. Google had been angling for the deal, hoping that the $10 billion annual contract could provide a giant boost to its nascent cloud business and catch up with Amazon and fellow JEDI competitor Microsoft. That the Pentagon could trust housing its digital data with Google would have been helpful to its marketing efforts with large companies. Google has been dealing with significant backlash since it was revealed that the firm is participating in a military drone project. Thousands of employees penned a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai (pictured) urging the company to pull out of the contract The move comes following protests by Google employees on the tech giant's involvement in separate military effort known as Project Maven using artificial intelligence to help interpret video images. Google decided not to renew its involvement in Maven and this week backed away from the cloud computing contract, citing similar concerns about values. MICROSOFT BOOSTS CLOUD TO BID FOR $10BN PENTAGON CONTRACT Microsoft Corp said on Tuesday its expanded Azure cloud service to help government clients save data on their own servers would be available by the end of the first quarter of 2019, as it battles with Amazon.com for a $10 billion Pentagon contract. The two companies are left in the fray for the lucrative contract after Alphabet Inc's Google dropped out on Monday, saying the company's new ethical guidelines do not align with the project. Pentagon's JEDI, or Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, cloud computing solution contract is part of the Department of Defense's efforts to modernize its IT infrastructure. The expanded Azure Government Secret cloud service will make Microsoft "a strong option for the JEDI contract," said Julia White, corporate vice president of Microsoft Azure, adding that the company is capable of meeting the highest classification requirement for handling "top secret U.S. classified data". Advertisement 'While we are working to support the US government with our cloud in many areas, we are not bidding on the JEDI contract because first, we couldn't be assured that it would align with our AI Principles and second, we determined that there were portions of the contract that were out of scope with our current government certifications,' Google said in a statement. 'We will continue to pursue strategic work to help state, local and federal customers modernize their infrastructure and meet their mission critical requirements.' In June, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai unveiled a set of principles on the company's use of artificial intelligence, saying that the company would not participate in 'technologies that cause or are likely to cause overall harm' and would stay away from 'weapons or other technologies whose principal purpose or implementation is to cause or directly facilitate injury to people. Google has unveiled a slew of new hardware including its $799 (739) Pixel 3 phones, a new $599 (549) tablet called Pixel Slate and a $149 (139) smart speaker with a screen called Home Hub. The firm has pledged to build AI into its entire range at a New York event where Google's Rick Osterloh unveiled the new products, designed to take aim at Apple, Samsung and Amazon. Its new Pixel 3 handset includes AI features that allow it to answer calls itself, weeding out robocalls and transcribing messages if a user is busy, alongside a wide angle 'superselfie' lens. Scroll down for video Liza Ma, product manager at Google, discusses the new Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones. The phones will go on sale on October 18 for a base starting retail price of $799 for the Pixel 3 and $899 for the Pixel 3 XL. Google also released a new tablet called the Pixel Slate and the Google Home Hub. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) GOOGLE'S NEW PRODUCTS REVEALED Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL New handset starts at $799 (739) for the Pixel and $899 (869) for the XL and come in three colors - just black, clearly white, and not pink. Two display sizes -the 5.5inch Pixel 3 and 6.3 inch Pixel 3 XL Pixel Slate New $599 (549) tablet runs ChromeOS and will come with a cover including a keyboard and trackpad Home Hub $149 (139) smart speaker has a screen (but no camera) and will run Google's AI assistant, along wiht specially developed versions of its app and a new home control software. Advertisement However, the event was being overshadowed by a firestorm over a privacy glitch that forced it to shut down its struggling social network Google+ yesterday. The Silicon Valley giant said Monday it found and fixed a bug exposing private data in as many as 500,000 accounts, but drew fire for failing to disclose the incident. Google also today said it will not bid for a controversial $10bn Pentagon cloud computing contract following an employee revolt over its involvement in previous military projects. 'This year's new devices fit perfectly with the rest of the family,' Osterloh said. The firm boasts its new Pixel 3 is 'a phone that can answer itself, a camera that won't miss a shot, and a whole new experience while it's charging.' The new devices are available for pre-order in the US starting today, with pre-orders shipping October 17th. For buyers elsewhere, the phones can be ordered beginning on November 1st. It comes in three colors - just black, clearly white, and not pink with two display sizes -the 5.5inch Pixel 3 and 6.3 inch Pixel 3 XL - both of which feature a 'notch' like Apple's iPhone. The Pixel 3 XL screen extends all the way to the upper corners, giving an edge-to-edge experience. The firm boasts its new Pixel 3 is 'a phone that can answer itself, a camera that won't miss a shot, and a whole new experience while it's charging Google's new range: The firm unveiled the Home Hub, Pixel Slate and Pixel 3 at a New York event. It boasted AI technology is the core of each device, and hopes to gain ground in the hardware market on rivals like Apple, Samsung, Amazon and others Google has signed up Annie Leibowitz to take pictures with the new camera around the US to show it off. Google also gave an in-depth look at the handset's camera, explaining its new 'Super Res Zoom' feature, which takes a burst of photos and stitches them together to create images without any noise, even when it's zoomed in. Another feature called Top Shot takes a burst of photos and tackles a common problem of people who may blink or sneeze in photos. It then uses image processing to suggest the best photo out of the bunch of photos. It also has a new mode called 'Night Sight,' which improves photos taken in low light conditions. Google demos the new Google Pixel 3 XL wide angle selfie camera during a pre-launch preview at their campus in Mountain View All these features are possible thanks to Google's Pixel Visual Core chip, as well as HDR Plus, which powers the photo burst feature, similar to Apple's HDR+. It says the new front facing camera can capture 'superselfies' with a new wide angle lens. Called the Group Selfie Cam, it adds a second camera on the front that captures 184% more of the scene than the iPhone XS. Users zoom out with the push of a button to fit everyone in the shot without the need for a selfie stick and or a longer arm. Users zoom out with the push of a button to fit everyone in the shot without the need for a selfie stick and or a longer arm. Pictured is a 'superselfie' taken using the new Pixel 3 camera Rick Osterloh, SVP of hardware at Google, discusses discusses the new Google Pixel Slate tablet during a Google product release event, October 9, 2018 in New York City The call screen feature allows the phone to answer calls for you when telemarketers call. Users can choose to activate the feature when a call comes in, and Google Assistant transcribes the call live on screen. The phone will alert the caller that the device owner is using a transcribing service, then it will request that they state their name and reason for calling. The user then sees this transcribed in real time on the screen. HOW GOOGLE'S PIXEL 3 CAN ANSWER THE PHONE FOR YOU Gogole boasts its AI will allow the Pixel 3 to answer calls for you. 'First, starting out in English in the U.S., Pixel 3's on-device AI helps you screen phone calls and avoid spam calls. 'Imagine you're at dinner with family or in a meeting at work and a call from an unknown caller comes in. 'Just tap on 'Screen call' to find out who's calling and why, as well as other information (as prompted by you). 'You'll immediately see a transcript of the caller's responses so that you can then decide whether to pick up, respond by tapping a quick reply (e.g., 'I'll call you back later'), or mark the call as spam and dismiss. The call screen feature allows the phone to answer calls for you when telemarketers call. The user is able to see the call transcribed in real-time on the device's screen 'Processing the call details on-device means these experiences are fast, private to you, and use up less battery.' Pixel users in the U.S. will also be the first to get access to an experimental new Google Assistant feature, powered by Duplex technology, which helps users complete real-world tasks over the phone, like calling a restaurant to book a table. This feature will initially be available later this year in New York, Atlanta, Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area to help people book restaurant reservations and will roll out to other U.S. cities in the future. However, Google addressed the concenrs it coudl fool humans. 'As we develop new calling technologies, we believe its critical that we help people understand the context of the conversation. 'Well disclose to businesses receiving the call that they're speaking to an automated system, and we have developed controls to protect against spam and abuse, as well as the ability for a business to opt out of receiving calls. 'For Call Screen, we will also let the caller know that a screening service is being used.' Advertisement The firm first unveiled the Home Hub, a smart speaker with a screen. It features a 7-inch display mounted on top of a speaker. However, the firm said it decided to leave out a camera because it wants users to feel comfortable using the device in the bedroom. 'Two years ago we launched Google Home with the goal of simplifying hectic moments of life,' said Diya Jolly, google's VP of product management. 'The number of users of Google Home gone up by 400% in just the last year.' Google said it had redesigned services like search, YouTube, maps and calendars so that they're easily controlled with the device. 'We spent countless hours on the design,' said Jolly. Google also confirmed the Home Hub, a smart speaker with a built in screen designed to take on Amazon's Alexa show. Google said it had redesigned services like search, YouTube, maps and calendars so that they're easily controlled with the device. Google says it incorporated custom fabrics, rounded corners, and you can choose from colors - teal, pink, slate grey and white 'We Incorporated custom fabrics, rounded corners, and you can choose from colors - teal, pink, slate grey and white.' It also boasts a feature called Ambient EQ - a dedicated sensor and machine learning algorithm so that it can respond to light, changing the display accordingly. The Google Home Hub is also integrated with Google Photos and Google Assistant, so that it can be used as a digital photo frame, or as a way to display reminders or weather and traffic updates throughout your day. Google's Pixel Slate: The new tablet runs chromeOS, and comes with a keyboard case turning it into a laptop. Users will also be able to control their smart home easily, and the hub controls 200 million smart home devices from several brands, ranging from Sonos, to Dish Hopper, Vizio TV, Chromecast, and Phillips Hue smart lightbulbs. The firm then moved onto its new tablet, the $599 Pixel Slate. Trond Wuellner of Google said it was 'designed to be both thin and light, and has beautiful lines and rounded edges. 'It comes in midnight blue. Has 293 pixels per inch - that's 6 million pixels.' Google has also included its AI assistant, which users can use to dictate emails or issue commands. The Pixel slate also comes with a keyboard case, complete with a touchpad, turning it into a laptop. It also comes with a keyboard case, complete with a touchpad, turning it into a laptop. Dual front-firing speakers will direct stereo sound towards you, and it boasts 8mp rear and front facing cameras. Google boasts it gives a 'full desktop experience, not one designed for a phone.' It also has full powered Linux applications. Pixel Slate starts at $599, the keyboard is $199 and the pixelbook pen is $99. Google displays the new Google Pixel 3 XL and Pixel 3 during a pre-launch preview at their campus in Mountain View, California, USA, A new tablet, the Pixel Slate, was also officially unveiled at the New York Event Here's everything being unveiled at Google's annual hardware event. Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL The Pixel 3 XL boasts a 6.7-inch display, almost an inch larger than the Pixel 2 XL, while the smaller Pixel 3 has a 5.3-inch display. The Pixel 3 XL sports dual, front-facing cameras with one wide-angle sensor to allow users to take 'Super Selfies' that automatically blur the background behind the subject. Google has suffered a flurry of leaks in the months leading up to the launch of its latest handset. Specifications photographed from the Pixel 3 XL packaging confirmed the handset will have a notch at the top of the all-screen design similar to the iPhone X. The Pixel 3 XL sports dual, front-facing cameras with one wide-angle sensor to allow users to take 'Super Selfies' that automatically blur the background behind the subject. Likewise, the next-generation Pixel handset has the same dual-tone case design and circular rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. It has an iPhone X-esque notch and an OLED display that spans 6.2 inches, with a screen resolution of 1,440x2,960 pixels. It also features wireless charging and two 8 megapixel front-facing camera. It appears that users may be able to switch between f/1.8 and f/2.2 apertures. Google Pixel Slate tablet The firm launched its first Chrome-branded tablet at the event on Tuesday. It features a Chromebook tablet that attaches to a separate keyboard. The Pixel tablet will feature a touchpad, round keys, a front-facing camera and a camera on the rear, as well as a built-in fingerprint sensor that can be used to unlock the device. Among other features, it'll have 16gb of RAM, an Intel Amber Lake processor, as well as a 3000x2000 display. The firm launched its first Chrome-branded tablet at the event on Tuesday. Google Home Hub Google's next voice-activated device is a smart speaker with a screen. Called the 'Google Home Hub,' it features a 7-inch display mounted on top of a speaker. The Home Hub will be connected to Google's Assistant, enabling it to display weather, calendar events, recipes and other pertinent information on the screen. Google's current smart speaker line-up includes the Google Home, budget Home Mini and the Home Max. A list of specs shows that the device will have a 'full-range speaker for crystal clear sound' and 'far-field voice recognition.' Google's current smart speaker line-up includes the Google Home, budget Home Mini and the Home Max. Google has differentiated itself from rivals by launching a smart display with a smaller screen, as it tries to cater toward consumers who would use it for things like weather updates and reminders, instead of things like watching videos. The firm has previously put its Google Assistant in smart displays from other providers, such as Lenovo. US weapons systems being developed by the US Department of Defense can be easily be hacked by adversaries, a chilling new government report has warned. It found many systems are still using default passwords, while testers using easily available tools were able to gain full access to others within seconds. The testers also looked for previously reported vulnerabilities, and in one instance, only one in 20 had been fixed. The Government Accountability Office said the Pentagon was unaware of how easy it could be for an adversary to gain access to the computer brains and software of the weapons systems and operate inside them undetected. Scroll down for video An image from the report highlights the vulnerabilities in a modern weapons system that were examined. The Government Accountability Office found many systems are still using default passwords, while testers using easily available tools were able to gain full access to others within seconds. WHAT THEY FOUND Poor password management was a common problem, and one test report indicated that the test team was able to guess an administrator password in nine seconds. Test teams were able to gain access to systems using easily available tools Testers were able to see exactly what military operators saw Could even take control of systems, potentially allowing them to crash planes or launch weapons Advertisement The weak points began with poor password management and unencrypted communications, it said. 'Poor password management was a common problem in the test reports we reviewed. 'One test report indicated that the test team was able to guess an administrator password in nine seconds.' But it said access points for the systems continued to grow in number and are not always well-understood by the operators themselves, leaving even non-networked systems deeply vulnerable. More critically, the report faulted the US military for not incorporating cybersecurity into the design and acquisition process for the computer-dependent weapons, and said weapons developers often did not themselves adequately understand cybersecurity issues. 'Due to this lack of focus on weapon systems cybersecurity, DOD likely has an entire generation of systems that were designed and built without adequately considering cybersecurity,' the GAO said. The security holes could allow hackers to take control of weapons systems 'within seconds' the damning report warns.. Pictured, the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) fires a Tomahawk land attack missile at Syria 'In one case, it took a two-person test team just one hour to gain initial access to a weapon system and one day to gain full control of the system they were testing,' it said. In another case, it said, the test team gained control of the terminals of the system's operators. 'They could see, in real-time, what the operators were seeing on their screens and could manipulate the system.' The report examined the weapons system across the US. Pictured, the F-35 Lightning The public, unclassified version of the report did not identify which arms systems it had tested and found faults with, citing the need for secrecy. But it said that between 2012 and 2017, the Defense Department's own testers 'routinely' found dangerous cyber vulnerabilities in 'nearly all' weapons systems under development. 'Using relatively simple tools and techniques, testers were able to take control of these systems and largely operate undetected. 'In some cases, system operators were unable to effectively respond to the hacks,' it said. The risk rises as Pentagon weapons and other systems are increasingly interconnected and their dependence on software and networking continues to rise. 'In operational testing, DOD routinely found mission-critical cyber vulnerabilities in systems that were under development, yet program officials GAO met with believed their systems were secure and discounted some test results as unrealistic,' it warned. 'vulnerabilities that DOD is aware of likely represent a fraction of total vulnerabilities due to testing limitations' it warns The report also warned that defense system were increasingly linked to other networks, opening up new avenues for hackers to gain access 'Using relatively simple tools and techniques, testers were able to take control of systems and largely operate undetected, due in part to basic issues such as poor password management and unencrypted communications. 'In addition, vulnerabilities that DOD is aware of likely represent a fraction of total vulnerabilities due to testing limitations. 'For example, not all programs have been tested and tests do not reflect the full range of threats.' The report says the DOD has recently taken several steps to improve weapon systems cybersecurity, including issuing and revising policies and guidance to better incorporate cybersecurity considerations. DOD, as directed by Congress, has also begun initiatives to better understand and address cyber vulnerabilities. US Air Force F-22 Raptor: a government report says the Pentagon's weapons systems currently under development are highly vulnerable to hackers 'However, DOD faces barriers that could limit the effectiveness of these steps, such as cybersecurity workforce challenges and difficulties sharing information and lessons about vulnerabilities,' it warns. 'To address these challenges and improve the state of weapon systems cybersecurity, it is essential that DOD sustain its momentum in developing and implementing key initiatives. GAO plans to continue evaluating key aspects of DOD's weapon systems cybersecurity efforts. The report came as the US government wrestles with what it sees as concerted efforts by government-backed hackers in Russia and China to permeate government and private sector computer networks to steal data or simply wreak havoc. When Google first introduced its phone-calling digital concierge Duplex in May, some thought it sounded too human, while others worried that it would secretly record calls with people. The AI's first demonstration at a Google Developer conference prompted a massive backlash against the technology. Now, Google says it has been working to address these concerns - and plans to release it to owners of its new Pixel 3 handset within weeks. Scroll down for video Buyers of Google's new Pixel 3 handset in some US cities will be the first to get access to Google Duplex, an AI that can make calls to restaurants and other firms on behalf of users HOW WILL DUPLEX TELL PEOPLE IT'S A BOT? Google's Duplex now identifies itself in a few different ways. In one sample call, Duplex began, 'Hi, I'm calling to make a reservation. I'm Google's automated booking service, so I'll record the call.' In another, it starts, 'Hi I'm the Google Assistant, calling to make a reservation for a client. This automated call will be recorded.' Businesses can opt out of accepting calls from Duplex online, although that means Duplex won't update information on Google Maps after verifying information such as business hours. Advertisement 'Pixel users in the U.S. will also be the first to get access to an experimental new Google Assistant feature, powered by Duplex technology, which helps users complete real-world tasks over the phone, like calling a restaurant to book a table,' the firm said at the unveiling of its Pixel 3 handset today. This feature will initially be available later this year in New York, Atlanta, Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area to help people book restaurant reservations and will roll out to other U.S. cities in the future, Google said. However, it admitted it had dramatically redesigned the system following the earlier backlash. 'As we develop new calling technologies, we believe its critical that we help people understand the context of the conversation,' Google said. 'Well disclose to businesses receiving the call that they're speaking to an automated system, and we have developed controls to protect against spam and abuse, as well as the ability for a business to opt out of receiving calls.' Google previously said human operators will be standing by as backup should a call go off the rails. As for Duplex's tendency to use speech fillers like 'ums' and 'ahs,' Google notes that this technique improved the assistant's ability to book appointments by interacting more naturally with humans on the other end of the line. Google Duplex will initially be available later this year in New York, Atlanta, Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area to help people book restaurant reservations and will roll out to other U.S. cities in the future, Google said. The search giant provided these and other details in a demonstration for reporters Tuesday ahead of the system's gradual rollout this summer. The company is taking great pains to assure that Duplex conforms to a set of principles around artificial intelligence it released earlier this month. HOW GOOGLE'S PIXEL 3 CAN ANSWER THE PHONE FOR YOU Gogole boasts its AI will allow the Pixel 3 to answer calls for you. 'First, starting out in English in the U.S., Pixel 3's on-device AI helps you screen phone calls and avoid spam calls. 'Imagine you're at dinner with family or in a meeting at work and a call from an unknown caller comes in. 'Just tap on 'Screen call' to find out who's calling and why, as well as other information (as prompted by you). 'You'll immediately see a transcript of the caller's responses so that you can then decide whether to pick up, respond by tapping a quick reply (e.g., 'I'll call you back later'), or mark the call as spam and dismiss. Google boasts its AI will allow the Pixel 3 to answer calls for you 'Processing the call details on-device means these experiences are fast, private to you, and use up less battery.' 'For Call Screen, we will also let the caller know that a screening service is being used.' Advertisement Among them: only develop tools that are socially beneficial and that incorporate privacy by design. 'We're not trying to trick people,' Scott Huffman, Google's vice president of engineering for the Google Assistant, told reporters. To demonstrate the point, he played a recording of an early Duplex prototype in which a computerized, British-accented male voice tried to book a restaurant reservation for four, and filled an awkward silence with an off-kilter 'Hello.' 'The system didn't sound very good,' Huffman said. 'People would hang up on it. They got uncomfortable with the conversation. The team began to iterate on, 'How do we make it sound more natural?' As they did that, with every step, we found that our success rate went up.' Now, Duplex can successfully book hair appointments, make restaurant reservations or check holiday business hours - the only tasks it is programmed to complete - four out of five times without intervention by humans. And it identifies itself in a few different ways. In one sample call, Duplex began, 'Hi, I'm calling to make a reservation. I'm Google's automated booking service, so I'll record the call.' In another, it starts, 'Hi I'm the Google Assistant, calling to make a reservation for a client. This automated call will be recorded.' WHAT IS GOOGLE DUPLEX? Duplex is a new tool from Google that aims to use Artificial intelligence (AI) to 'accomplish real-world tasks over the phone', according to Google. It uses Google Assistant to call up businesses and make appointments or book tables for you using a convincing, human-like voice. Little is known about the technology or how it works beyond a brief demo at Google's 2018 developer conference in May. During the demo, Google Assistant dialled up a local hair salon to schedule an appointment. Google wowed onlookers when it demoed a new technology called 'Duplex' that enabled its Google Assistant to make phone calls in real-time with actual humans. Pictured is Google CEO Sundar Pichai during the demo in San Francisco First, a user asked Google Assistant to make them a hair appointment, which prompted Assistant to make the phone call. It sounded like any other women talking, but one half of the conversation was held by Google's AI-infused digital assistant. Google Assistant worked out a time and date for the appointment, even when the salon employee said they were fully booked at the time the Assistant requested. The Assistant replied 'Mhm' in a natural, believable way when the employee asked her to wait a moment. Duplex, which CEO Sundar Pichai said the firm had been working on 'for many years', is still in the early stages of development. Advertisement Businesses can opt out of accepting calls from Duplex online, although that means Duplex won't update information on Google Maps after verifying information such as business hours. People who ask Duplex to place calls can limit what it shares with businesses - for instance, by keeping their email address private. In this Tuesday, June 26, 2018, photo Valerie Nygaard, product manager for Google, presents a demo of the Duplex program, which allows the user to book an appointment over the phone, at Oren's Hummus Shop in Mountain View, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) In a test of Duplex, an Associated Press reporter acted as a restaurant employee and objected to the call being recorded. Google didn't allow audio or video recording of the demo to be shared, but the transcript went like this: Duplex: 'Hi, I'd like to make a reservation. I'm Google's automated booking service, so I'll record the call. Um, can I book a table for Saturday, the 30th?' AP: 'Uh, ok, but what if I don't want the call to be recorded?' Duplex: 'Ok, uh we'll call you back on an unrecorded line.' In this Tuesday, June 26, 2018, photo Oren Dobronsky, right, owner of Oren's Hummus Shop demonstrates the Duplex program, which allows the user to book an appointment over the phone, alongside Valerie Nygaard, left, product manager for Google, in Mountain View, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) In this Tuesday, June 26, 2018, photo Valerie Nygaard, product manager for Google, presents a demo of the Duplex program, which allows the user to book an appointment over the phone, at Oren's Hummus Shop in Mountain View, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) A human operator called back within minutes, completed the booking and said the restaurant would be opted out of receiving Duplex calls in the future. John Havens, executive director for the IEEE's Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, says Duplex's upfront disclosure leaves him 'deeply encouraged.' As people interact more with artificially intelligent systems, they need to be given clear choices about how they are willing to do so, he said. 'You hung up and a human called back. If this becomes the norm, that's great.' Duplex's initial rollout will only cover questions about holiday and weekend hours in the coming weeks, and will be limited to a select group of testers and businesses. The ability to book restaurants or hair appointments will follow later this summer. In this Tuesday, June 26, 2018, photo Nick Fox, VP of Assistant and Search for Google, talks about the Duplex program, which allows the user to book an appointment over the phone, at Oren's Hummus Shop in Mountain View, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Google's main focus is on small businesses that don't accept online reservations through apps such as Open Table, which the Google Assistant will use to book instead of Duplex if it's available. 'I think it will just bring more business,' said Oren Dobronsky, owner of Oren's Hummus, where Google demonstrated the technology. His restaurant doesn't accept online reservations, and he fears some people just don't call because of the hassle. 'Some people prefer not to talk to people. It's removing the friction.' For now, Google has no plans to give third party app developers access to the technology. Nick Fox, Google vice president of product and design for the assistant, said it's too early and Google is still learning how its bot will react with humans in the real world. 'We have seen businesses hang up,' he said. 'Is it comfortable to talk to, is it strange to talk to? That's what the purpose of this next phase is, to really understand what's working for them, what's not, iterate and go from there.' Advertisement These incredible vintage photos certainly put a new twist on the concept of mobile home living. Images from the 19th and early 20th centuries in America reveal teams of horses being used to move entire houses to new locations. It was a common practice across the country at the time. Many homes were constructed and then sold for prices from $40 for a one-storey house to $72 to $85 (the latter equivalent to around $2,500 in today's money) for a two-storey house. The timber frame structures were loaded on to wheeled wooden platforms and the horses used to drag the whole load into the desired position. Images from the 19th and early 20th centuries reveal teams of horses being used to move entire houses to new locations. Above, settlers move a house with the help of horses during the late 1800s. Many homes were constructed and then sold for prices from $40 for a one-storey house to $72 to $85 for a two-storey house (the latter equivalent to around $2,500 in today's money) The timber frame structures were loaded on to wooden platforms with wheels, before horses were used to drag the whole load into the desired position. Above, an entire family gets involved with a house move, with children watching on as the horses cart their heavy load One photograph shows six horses straining as they pull a two-storey abode forwards, with a group of men steering them as they go. Another image shows an entire family getting involved with the house move, with children watching on as the horses cart their heavy load. It appears that the practice of moving houses by horse power proved tricky at times. Indeed, one shot shows how a team of horses started trotting over a bridge but the house they were transporting was too wide. American historian Jane Sweetland notes on her blog, Ancestory Ink, that people moved frequently in the 18th and 19th centuries in pursuit of 'fertile farm land, rock quarries, whales, religious tolerance, fair weather' and 'sometimes after local catastrophes like a fire or hurricane'. One shot, taken around 1915, shows how a team of horses started trotting over a bridge but the house they were transporting, was too wide This picture is from a postcard dated to 1909. It shows an amazing wintertime house-moving operation possibly in America's Upper Midwest (the exact location is unknown), with 24 horses all harnessed together to provide the 'horsepower' to get the job done Instead of moving into a new home, Sweetland notes that people would merely uproot the foundations of their abode and move it to a new spot. She adds that this was a particularly impressive feat when 'chimneys, fireplaces, plaster walls and moldings' were thrown into the mix. Over time, the horses were replaced by trucks, of course, and today the practice of using them to move houses is pretty much obsolete. However, in some Amish communities where historical traditions are preserved, horses are still sometimes recruited to move houses. In 2016, the oldest known Amish house in Illinois - dating to 1865 - was hiked a few hundred feet by horses. The rest of the move was carried out by trucks. The two-level home, which covered around 960 square feet, weighed an estimated 45 tons. Sweetland says along with horses, oxen, trains and sled dogs were also used to move structures before the rise of motor power. Over time, the horses were replaced by trucks, of course, and today the practice of using them to move houses is pretty much obsolete Hundreds of passengers on a luxury Mediterranean cruise were reportedly struck down with a sickness bug that left them quarantined in their cabins. Around 300 people on board the Aida Cruises ship the Aida Prima were left suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea after a virus is thought to have swept the vessel following its departure from Palma in Majorca on September 22. The cruise liner had been bound for destinations including Corsica, Rome, Florence and Barcelona. Around 300 people on board the Aida Cruises ship the Aida Prima, pictured, were left suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea after a virus is thought to have swept the vessel But it reportedly had to turn back for Majorca after passengers started feeling ill with gastroenteritis, leaving on-board doctors completely overwhelmed and ordering those that were sick to stay in their cabins. According to German newspaper Bild, several passengers first started feeling unwell following a planned bus excursion. Then when all those on board the cruise returned to the ship, the bug quickly spread with some passengers having to wait up to five hours to see the doctor. Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that infected passengers were then told to stay in their cabins while they were brought bread and water by staff. After turning back to Palma earlier than planned, all guests that had been on board were reportedly taken to a farm on the outskirts of the city and told to wait for flights back to Germany. But it is believed that many refused to stay and took the first flights they could find back home. The Aida Prima, pictured, boasts 12 restaurants, 14 bars and cafes and a casino and can carry over 3,000 passengers MailOnline Travel has contacted Aida Cruises for comment. The Aida Prima boasts 12 restaurants, 14 bars and cafes and a casino and can carry over 3,000 passengers. A wave of illness also spread over one of the Prima's sister ships, the Perla, recently. Last month dozens of passengers on it fell ill and they were quarantined on board after it moored in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. The ship's German operator Aida Cruises said in a statement that crew increased hygiene measures after 'gastro intestinal infections occurred among passengers'. Local emergency services said in a statement that 70 passengers reported feeling sick and received treatment on-board. Advertisement Airport workers were today battling to free a stranded Boeing 747 after it skidded off the runway in heavy rain, injuring one passenger. The Jumbo Jet had descended on Monday night into Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, through a tropical lightning storm and monsoon downpours. But moments after touching down the jetliner - flight TG 679 from Guangzhou, China - veered to the side of the tarmac and ploughed through grass at the side. Scroll down for video A Jumbo Jet descended on Monday night into Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, through a tropical lightning storm and monsoon downpours - then skidded off the tarmac The aircraft - carrying 97 passengers and 18 crew - ran for more than 100 metres across the grass leaving thick rain-filled ditches The aircraft - carrying 97 passengers and 18 crew - ran for more than 100 metres across the grass leaving thick rain-filled ditches. The passengers had to use the inflatable slides to disembark. One passenger suffered a sprained ankle after the difficult landing, which occurred just after 11pm local time in the Thai capital. The Queen of the Skies remained stuck in the mud with airport crews seen trying to tow the plane away at 3pm on Tuesday. Aviation authorities launched an investigation into the accident while the runway remained closed. The strip was cleaned up and aircraft had to use an adjacent track. The Queen of the Skies remained stuck in the mud with airport crews seen trying to tow the plane away at 3pm on Tuesday. The plane was pictured last night with fire crews in attendance as a precautionary measure After passengers had descended on the inflatable slides they were safely transferred to the main terminal and given complimentary snacks while they waited for their luggage Flight Lieutenant Pratthana Pattanasirim, Thai's director of security and flight standard division, said Thai Flight TG 679 skidded off the runway in heavy rain. Thai Airways said in a statement: 'Air Chief Marshal Pratthana Pattanasirim, Head of Security and Standards at Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said that on October 8, 2018, TG 679 flight from Guangzhou to Bangkok departed from Guangzhou Airport at 20.58 (local time) and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 22.48 hours. 'While the pilot was landing the plane at Suvarnabhumi Airport heavy rain caused the aircraft to slip off the runway. The pilot could park the aircraft safely and bring the passengers with the crew down to the terminal. 'The company will cooperate with relevant agencies to accelerate the investigation of the incident.' After passengers had descended on the inflatable slides they were safely transferred to the main terminal and given complimentary snacks while they waited for their luggage. The plane was pictured last night with fire crews in attendance as a precautionary measure. Norwegian Air Shuttle has overtaken British Airways as the biggest non-U.S. airline on transatlantic routes to and from the New York area, highlighting how the low cost carrier is biting into British Airways territory. Norwegian carried 1.67 million passengers to or from airports in the New York area in the 12 months to the end of July, compared with the 1.63 million carried by British Airways, data from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey showed. No-frills carrier Norwegian has been rapidly expanding in the transatlantic market following its first London to New York service was on July 3, 2014, prompting the owner of British Airways, IAG, to try to buy it earlier this year. Norwegian carried 1.67 million passengers to or from airports in the New York area in the 12 months to the end of July, compared with the 1.63 million carried by British Airways, data from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey showed This table shows the breakdown of airline traffic by carrier for July 2018 at Newark Liberty International, John F.Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Teterboro The data showed four U.S. airlines, led by United, are the biggest carriers of international passengers out of the main airports in the New York area, which include John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International. Air Canada is the biggest non-U.S. carrier of international passengers, but its dominance is on travel between the United States and Canada. Norwegian, and other relatively recent entrants to the market such as Wow Air, have led a charge to shake up Europe's long-haul flight market, offering ticket prices that can be as little as half those charged by traditional carriers. The traditional airlines have responded by selling a new budget class of ticket, as well as setting up, in IAG's case, new airline Level to compete directly with Norwegian on price. 'Our commitment to New York is as strong as ever,' a BA spokeswoman said. 'We fly up to 70 times a week from all three of our London airports, and we recently announced a $65 million investment on new lounges, improved food, seating and shops at JFK Terminal 7.' Lufthansa has also started budget long-haul flights using its Eurowings brand. Norwegian said in May it had rejected two approaches from IAG, which also owns the Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling brands, because they undervalued the company. IAG owns a 4.6 percent stake in Norwegian. Data showed four U.S. airlines, led by United, are the biggest carriers of international passengers out of the main airports in the New York area, which include John F. Kennedy International (pictured), LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International The pace of Norwegian's growth - figures from July 2017 show it only carried 750,000 passengers into and out of the New York region - has weighed on its finances and it faces mounting pressure to control costs and shore up its balance sheet. A Norwegian spokesperson said: 'Passenger numbers by the NY/NJ Port Authority further endorses the strong demand for lower fares on lucrative transatlantic routes as we flew more customers to and from New York than any other international airline in the 12 months to July 2018. 'Fares have been too high for too long as transatlantic routes have been long dominated by carriers with outdated legacies running on fumes. 'In 12 months, 1.67 million customers beneffited from the fantastic value we offer and Norwegian will continue to spread its wings to the Big Apple with a third-daily service between London and New York JFK from 28 October. Greece has banned obese tourists from riding donkeys after animal rights campaigners said the creatures were being left with spinal injuries and open wounds. After images of donkeys climbing the narrow steps of the Greek island of Santorini laden down by large holidaymakers hit the headlines worldwide, lawmakers in the country have now pledged to do more to help the animals. The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations regarding donkeys' well-being after receiving multiple complaints following media coverage in July. Scroll down for video Greece has banned obese tourists from riding donkeys after animal rights campaigners said the creatures were being left with spinal injuries and open wounds These state that donkeys giving tourists rides in Santorini should not carry any loads heavier than 100kg (15 stone, 10 lbs) or one fifth of their weight. The move comes after animal activists on the island claimed with obesity on the rise, donkeys were being forced to carry ever-heavier loads while working long hours, seven days a week without shelter, rest and water - leaving them with spinal injuries and open wounds from ill-fitting saddles. The government bulletin states: 'The owners of working equidae should ensure that the animals' level of health is high. There should also be disinfection materials in their living quarters and workstations. 'Under no circumstances should be used animals unfit for work i.e., ill animal, injured, animals in an advanced pregnancy as well as animals with poor maintenance of hooves. 'The animals should be given appropriate and adequate food and fresh drinking water daily, into containers which cannot be contaminated and are cleaned at least once a day. 'Working equines should not be loaded with excessive weight for their size, age or physical condition. The load cannot exceed the weight of 100kg, or one fifth of their body weight.' Santorini is known for its hilly terrain and donkeys have traditionally been used to transport people over the famously stepped areas which vehicles cannot access, such as in capital Fira. Animal activists on the island claimed with obesity on the rise, donkeys were being forced to carry ever-heavier loads while working long hours, seven days a week without shelter, rest and water - leaving them with spinal injuries and open wounds from ill-fitting saddles Santorini is known for its hilly terrain and donkeys have traditionally been used to transport people over the famously stepped areas which vehicles cannot access, such as in capital Fira In June, charities there claimed the explosion of fat tourists meant locals who are keen to get the most out of their animals were being forced to crossbreed the animals to create mules, which are bigger and taller and can carry heavier loads with more stamina. Elisavet Chatzi, 45, a volunteer from Athens who participated in a peaceful protest in Santorini over donkeys' treatment there earlier this year, said: 'It's a very big step, I think all our hard work has paid off. 'The situation in Santorini has been going on for many years and it cannot be resolved in one day. 'We have won our fight because of the international media attention on the topic. No one could ever believe that new regulations would be set. 'The next day after the bulletin was released, I was told a tourist had been carried up the hill by three different donkeys, so as not to exhaust them...' Donkeys giving tourists rides in Santorini are now not to carry loads heavier than 100kg Animal rights charity Peta has also started a petition called 'Donkeys on Santorini Abused and Used as Taxis: Please Help Them!' But other campaigners allege that despite the reminder, nothing has changed on the island and there is still a long way to go. Maria Skourta, 42, the leader of the Athens branch of Direct Action Everywhere, claims: 'We were content with the bulletin because the purpose of our organisation is to bring matters to light and initiate conversation. 'But our goal is not to improve the lives of slaves, it's to free them entirely. '[While this means they will stop carrying obese tourists], the donkeys are still forced to carry cement, appliances, and all sorts of heavy weights.' She has posed for countless magazine photo shoots and regularly documents her glamorous life on Instagram. But Elyse Knowles, 26, has urged fans to stop admiring social media influencers and models, in an uplifting Instagram post about self-confidence. The model, who is hailed for her girl-next-door appeal, told her followers on Monday to 'quit trying to be like everyone else' and to embrace their unique qualities. 'Quit trying to be like everyone else on Instagram': The Block's Elyse Knowles has told fans to stop admiring influencers and models and instead celebrate inner beauty 'As I often say in this book, there is only ONE of you in this world,' she began. 'Your unique qualities, look and personality are special and it's important to embrace them.' She continued: 'Quit trying to be like everyone else on Instagram and in magazines and focus on being your best self. It's amazing how beautiful and confident you will feel if you own who you are. Nothing is more exquisite than self confidence.' Elyse often shares glamorous photos with her 800,000 Instagram followers - but in May she shared her concerns about the effects of social media on young people. Imparting wisdom: The model, who is hailed for her girl-next-door appeal, told her followers to 'quit trying to be like everyone else' and to embrace their unique qualities Glamorous life: Elyse often shares glamorous photos with her 800,000 Instagram followers - but in May she shared her concerns about the effects of social media on young people Selfie queen: Else said, 'The common issue we have in our generation is that we are surrounded by images that aren't real' 'The common issue we have in our generation is that we are surrounded by images that aren't real,' she told Body and Soul. 'Everyone puts their best version of themselves on social media; it's hard but we have to remember that that person doesn't look like that all the time, so definitely don't compare yourself to that person you see on social media.' In August, Elyse signed on as a Myer ambassador after the brand's longtime 'Face' Jennifer Hawkins stepped down after 12 years. Modelling success: In August, Elyse signed on as a Myer ambassador after the brand's 'Face' Jennifer Hawkins stepped down after 12 years. Both pictured at the 2015 Melbourne Cup Back on The Block? Last month reports surfaced claiming Elyse, who won The Block in 2017 with her boyfriend Josh Barker (right), would be returning to the show next season as a judge In addition to her new role at Myer, Elyse is the face of Seafolly, Davidoff Cool Water and Aveda, and has also posed for various magazines including Australian Women's Health and Women's Fitness. Last month, reports surfaced claiming that Elyse, who won The Block in 2017 with her boyfriend Josh Barker, would be returning to the show next season as a judge. However in a statement to TV Tonight, Channel Nine denied that the current judges were being replaced. Shane Gould, Brian Lake and Sharn Coombes will muscle it out for the title of Australian Survivor on Tuesday night's grand finale. And the bookies are tipping Olympic swimming champion Shane to win the reality show, closely followed by resident 'villain' Brian Lake, 36. Shane, who is the oldest competitor at 61, is the favourite with $1.60 odds, while Brian is expected to place second with $3.50 odds, according to Sportsbet. Australian Survivor betting guide: Shane Gould (pictured) is the bookies' favourite to win the competition with Brian Lake finishing second as fans prepare for 'one hell of a close final' Meanwhile, criminal barrister Sharn is predicted to place third with odds of $5.75. Sportsbet spokesman Will Byrne said: 'The money has been very even for both Shane and Brian, it's going to be one hell of a close final tribal council according to punters.' TAB is also offering similar odds with Shane - who won three gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze at the 1972 Summer Olympics - currently sitting at $1.45. 'One hell of a close final tribal council': The bookies are tipping Olympic swimming champion Shane to win the reality show, closely followed by resident 'villain' Brian Lake (pictured) Third place? Meanwhile, criminal barrister Sharn Coombes is predicted to place third with odds of $5, according to Sportsbet Brian is the second favourite with $4.25 odds, followed by Sharn at $5.50. On Monday's penultimate episode, Brian won immunity in the final immunity challenge which guaranteed him a spot in the final three. 'He's the luckiest pr*ck alive!' said Shane after the former AFL star earned the prize. Free pass: On Monday's penultimate episode, Brian won immunity in the final immunity challenge which guaranteed him a spot in the final three The finale comes after fan favourite Shonee Fairfax was eliminated on Monday. The remaining trio, who all hail from the Champions tribe, will battle each other for a chance at winning $500,000. Australian Survivor concludes Tuesday at 7:30pm on Network Ten She's gone! The finale comes after fan favourite Shonee Fairfax was eliminated on Monday Advertisement Former Gatwick Hotel owner, Rose Banks, is reportedly expected to bid on Hayden and Sara Vale's apartment on The Block at auction later this month. The property investor has reportedly inspected the Sydney couple's renovation project several times, according to Domain on Monday. Sources told the publication Rose is expected to bid on the unit, which is listed for $2.5 million to $2.7 million, when it goes to auction later this month. Do they have a bidder? ! Former Gatwick owner, Rose Banks (right), to bid on Hayden and Sara Vale's $2.7 million apartment on The Block. Pictured: Twin sisters and Former Gatwick owners Yvette Kelly (left) and Rose This would not be the first time the former Gatwick owner has invested in St Kilda's real estate market. She reportedly owns three properties in the trendy suburb, including two apartments in the building next door to The Gatwick and a one-bedroom unit nearby. She and her twin sister Yvette Kelly sold The Gatwick last year to Channel Nine's production company MicJoy for $10 million. Luxury living: The property investor has reportedly inspected the Sydney couple's renovation project several times, according to Domain on Monday Investment: Sources told the publication Rose is expected to bid on the unit, which is listed for $2.5 million to $2.7 million, when it goes to auction later this month. Pictured: Hayden and Sara's living room and kitchen Property expert: Rose reportedly owns three properties in St Kilda, including two apartments in the building next door to The Gatwick and a one-bedroom unit nearby. Pictured: Hayden and Sara's terrace Look of luxury: The apartment features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as plenty of luxurious fittings The twin sisters took over the property from their late mother in 1998 and the building once served as a half-way house. Host Scott Cam previously spoke about transforming the property on the Today show. 'It was very famous in the thirties and fell into disrepair... we've bought it back to its former glory.' Good news: The news will no doubt delight Sara and Hayden (pictured) who have worked tirelessly to transform the property Dark past: Host Scott Cam previously spoke about transforming the property on the Today show. Pictured: The Gatwick prior to renovations 'It was a boarding house. It housed a different type of person I suppose, there was a few murders, a few deaths... some colourful characters that lived there.' In December 2017, Father Bob Maguire was enlisted to bless the notorious Gatwick Hotel prior to renovations. The 83-year-old told the Herald Sun, 'It does not matter if The Block builds the most beautiful apartments in the universe, the ancestors will be there, not to frighten anybody but they will be just there.' Kim and Kourtney Kardashian left a studio in Los Angeles on Monday. The sisters were spotted leaving a studio after filming Keeping Up With The Kardashians with their mom Kris Jenner. And the outing comes after the latest episode of the show featured Kim, 37, feuding with Kourtney, 39, about their fashion choices. Spotted: Kim Kardashian, 37, was spotted leaving a studio in Los Angeles on Monday Daring to impress, Kim flaunted her gorgeous skin tone in a simple black tank as she checked her phone after the studio meeting. Kourtney flashed her enviable figure in the see-through black mesh top that was tucked into her chic jeans. Daring to impress, Kris wrapped a dark hoodie around her lithe waist as she stomped the streets in a set of black Nike high tops. Meanwhile, on the latest episode of KUTWK, the three Kardashian sisters took a trip to Japan to shoot a Yeezy campaign - which was designed by Kims husband Kanye West. Makeup mogul: The makeup mogul was spotted in a black tank top as she sat in her luxury SUV after filming Keeping Up With The Kardashians Impressive: Daring to impress, Kim flaunted her gorgeous skintone in a simple black tank as she checked her phone after the studio meeting They had a few days to shoot 20 looks, which would all be modeled by Kim. It is a lot of pressure, it is my husbands collection, said Kim, 37. On arrival Kim was busy getting the fans to shoot her in Kanyes outfits, while her sisters wore their own choice of clothes. My sisters look so crazy, like its actually embarrassing, Kourtney with Japanese inspired outfits and Khloes wearing silver sequins, turquoise eyeshadow, huge chandelier earrings, she complained. Sheer madness: Kourtney Kardashian cut a cool figure in a sheer black top Chic style: Kourtney flashed her enviable figure in the see-through black mesh top that was tucked into her chic jeans Taut: Her taut tummy and toned arms were visible through the top Theyre just like completely clashing and making my outfit look really bad and theyre ruining everything, she griped, as she tried to make them walk separately from her. I cant even eat dinner because Im so disgusted with my sisters crazy outfitslike I cant take it, she continued. You look like f*cking clowns, she raged. Matriarch realness: Daring to impress, Kris wrapped a dark hoodie around her lithe waist as she stomped the streets in a set of black Nike high tops Well, you look like you just won the Tour de France, giggled Kourtney. I want you to be more cool girl, insisted Kim. Now I think Kim is just being rude, sighed Kourtney. I dont careif you cant take the criticism you shouldnt have come on this trip, shrugged Kim. Flawless: Kris's makeup was on point as she looked eternally youthful Your f*cking outfits suck, youre wearing a puffy vest, pink hair and turquoise shoes, snapped Kourtney. I didnt come hear to wear leggings that are see through and show my a*s off, said Kourtney, a 39-year-old mother of three. KUWTK continues next week on E! Available to stream Mondays on hayu in the UK & Ireland. 'My sisters look so crazy, like its actually embarrassing': Kim trashed her sister's outfits on their first night in Tokyo She's the super fit mother-of-two known across the world for her flawless bikini body. And Tammy Hembrow certainly turned heads during a visit to the gym while travelling through Fiji on Tuesday. The Instagram model, 24, flashed her pert derriere and ample cleavage in skimpy shorts and a crop top as she took selfies while posing next to exercise equipment. Would YOU wear this to the gym? Instagram model Tammy Hembrow gave onlookers an eyeful at the gym in Fiji on Tuesday as she flaunted her pert derriere in skimpy shorts and a crop top The Queensland beauty certainly gave onlookers an eyeful as she strutted around in barely-there workout clothes. It comes after she recently raised eyebrows by doing yoga in a G-string bikini. Tammy just about covered her modesty as she performed a series of complicated poses while wearing a pink two-piece. Flaunting it! Tammy wore the same skimpy outfit in a photo shared to Instagram in August She shared a clip of the workout to Instagram in August and it eventually received over three million views. Tammy's trip to Fiji follows her interview with Jute magazine, in which she discussed her failed engagement to Reece Hawkins, 24. The fitness entrepreneur said she and Reece ended their relationship in June because they simply grew apart. Hmm! It comes after Tammy recently raised eyebrows by doing yoga in a G-string bikini 'You have a picture of what you think your life is going to be like and then circumstances change and people change too,' she told the publication. 'We were young when we got together and still figuring things out. 'I think when people are weighing in on your personal life while you're trying to understand things yourself it can feel like a lot of pressure.' She continued: 'I share so much of my life, so I understand that my followers online wanted to know what was going on. 'People were wanting to know what happened before we even knew what was going on.' Tammy and personal trainer Reece, who share two children together - Saskia, two, and Wolf, three - announced their split in June after four years together. In a tearful YouTube video, Tammy told fans that there was no infidelity involved. 'One or two months ago, I decided to end things with Reece. He didn't cheat on me, I didn't cheat on him. It wasn't like that at all,' she said. 'I don't want people to think we just gave up. Most people know relationships are very complex.' New flame: Personal trainer Reece recently confirmed his new relationship with American model London Goheen (left) He has a type! Both London (left) and Tammy (right) are well-known Instagram influencers Subtle digs: Last week, Tammy took several subtle swipes at Reece after he confirmed his new relationship with London Last week, Tammy took several subtle swipes at Reece after he confirmed his new relationship with American model, London Goheen. 'Man if people knew the TRUTH about some people. Biting my tongue so hard it's gonna bleed when I'm done,' she wrote on Instagram. She had shared another cryptic post the previous day, which read: 'Break-ups hurt, but losing someone who doesn't respect and appreciate you is actually a gain, not a loss.' Sharon Osbourne opened up about the gruesome details that led to husband Ozzy's emergency surgery on his hand over the weekend. On Monday's episode of The Talk, Sharon revealed that it all started harmlessly with 'a little cut on his thumb.' 'He just left it and then he hit it on a door and it started to get bigger and bigger, and then his middle finger, the same thing happened and his hand was probably this thick,' Sharon said as she referenced her hand and several inches thick. The skinny: Sharon Osbourne dished on the gruesome details that led to husband Ozzy's emergency surgery on his hand over the weekend Play by play: Sharon said it all started with a little cut on his thumb: 'He just left it and then he hit it on a door and it started to get bigger and bigger Eventually Sharon took Ozzy to the emergency room on Saturday. 'What had happened from a tiny thing here on the side of his nail, it had turned into two different infections in his hand,' she continued. 'He had to have this operation where they cut the side of his thumb and this (middle) finger, and they had to get rid of the infection.' Sharon went on to add that Ozzy is doing better but hinted that he's uncomfortable because he has to keep his arm and bandaged hand straight up in a horizontal position. 'He's still in hospital today. It's unbelievable. He's on antibiotic drips-- two different kinds -- and he is just stuck there eating ice cream.' Eager to be discharged: The rocker had surgery on two infections; 'I cant wait to get out of here tomorrow, thank you to all of the wonderful Doctors and Nurses taking care of me,' Ozzy shared on Instagram on Monday On the mend: 'He is still in the hospital... he is just stuck there eating ice cream,' Sharon said It appears the legendary rocker may be dealing with boredom and a bout of cabin fever. 'I cant wait to get out of here tomorrow, thank you to all of the wonderful Doctors and Nurses taking care of me,' Ozzy said on Monday in the caption of an Instagram picture showing him with his hand held horizontal. The former Black Sabbath frontman has already begun to reschedule shows. In his Instagram post, he also announced that his No More Tours 2 tour would resume October 13 in Las Vegas. That will be followed by shows at the Hollywood Bowl in LA on the 15th, San Diego on the 18th and Mountain View, California October 20. The No More Tours tour shifts to Europe beginning in January. History: Ozzy and Sharon have been married since 1982 Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson's interview with Gary Busey descended into chaos on Tuesday morning. The Hollywood actor called in to KIIS FM's breakfast radio program to promote his new book, but it didn't take long for things to go off the rails. When asked about his famous confession that he once snorted cocaine off his dog, the 74-year-old was heard shouting at an 'assistant' in the background before Kyle decided to hang up. 'Stop it!' Radio star Kyle Sandilands (pictured) hung up on actor Gary Busey on Tuesday when their interview descended into chaos The Point Break star had phoned in from the US to discuss his new book, Buseyisms: Gary Busey's Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Early in the interview, Gary made the radio hosts repeat numerous questions before offering convoluted answers replete with spiritual jargon. He also spelled out various words, much to Kyle's annoyance. Unusual interview: Early in the interview, Gary made the hosts repeat numerous questions before offering convoluted answers replete with spiritual jargon. Pictured last month Hollywood hero: Gary starred in the 1990 action blockbuster Point Break (pictured) Gary, who almost died in a motorcycle accident in 1988, declared: 'D-E-A-T-H. It's a beautiful, gifted, guided trip you take. You don't see anything, you feel everything!' He later added: 'Go to truth. T-R-U-T-H!' 'Why is he spelling out everything?' Kyle was heard muttering under his breath, as Jackie appeared baffled by Gary's answers. Odd: Gary once sensationally claimed that he snorted cocaine off his dog. Pictured in 2017 Several years ago, Gary bizarrely claimed that he snorted cocaine off his dog. When Jackie mentioned this, the interview took an unexpected turn. 'For sure, yeah I did!' the actor breezily replied, before he stopped suddenly when another person in the background - possibly a publicist - interrupted him. He subsequently changed the subject, saying: 'There is so much information that I'm dying to tell you, loving to tell you, but it's in my book!' Bizzare turn: During the interview, Gary was heard yelling at a person in the background The interview then became even more chaotic when Gary was heard yelling 'stop it!' to a person in the background. The surprise outburst caused Kyle and Jackie to burst into laughter, before they explained to listeners: 'He's got his assistant there'. Kyle then hung up, seemingly frustrated by the guest's strange behaviour. What's going on? Jackie appeared bemused by Gary's behaviour, before Kyle pulled the plug on the interview 'I've hung up,' he explained: 'Great bloke, [but] he can't understand Jackie's fast talking!' 'He's a trip and a half!' his female co-host replied, before describing Gary as 'wacky'. Late on, Kyle wondered why someone would snort cocaine off a dog, prompting Jackie to say: 'I was thinking that too!' Ashley Benson was sporting the bumblebee look, rocking yellow and black during a Monday outing in Los Angeles. The actress, who has recently played coy about her relationship with Cara Delevingne, was spotted leaving a local spa. On Saturday, Benson was spotted at LAX airport, returning home after her trip to France for Paris Fashion Week. Biker chic: Ashley Benson steps out in a unique black and yellow motorcycle jacket after a spa visit in Los Angeles on Monday Benson, 28, was seen wearing a unique black and yellow leather motorcycle jacket, black sweat pants and black shoes. The Spring Breakers star completed her lock with black sunglasses, while holding her phone in one hand. She was also wearing a leather jacket when she was spotted at LAX on Saturday, but it was not nearly as colorful and unique as this jacket, which featured a number of zippers and white straps. Bumblebee look: Benson, 28, was seen wearing a unique black and yellow leather motorcycle jacket, black sweat pants and black shoes Benson has been linked to Delevingne, 26, for the past few months, but despite being spotted together several times, their relationship has yet to be confirmed. The actress, who can currently be seen in the indie film Her Smell with Elisabeth Moss, even went so far as to claim her Instagram account was hacked after she appeared to confirm her relationship with Delevingne. Benson commented 'Mine' on one of Delevingne's photo's, along with 'I can see your' along with three sushi emojis, which, according to Urban Dictionary means a shaved vagina or to have unprotected sex. On the go: The Spring Breakers star completed her lock with black sunglasses, while holding her phone in one hand Benson also recently opened up to Cosmopolitan, about how her biggest career disappointment lead to her breakthrough role. Benson was cast as Mia Torcoletti on ABC's Eastwick, playing the daughter of Rebecca Romijn, but it was canceled after just one season. 'In that moment I was like, 'Wow, Im never gonna work again,' Benson told Cosmo. Back home: On Saturday, Benson was spotted at LAX airport, returning home after her trip to France for Paris Fashion Week A day after Eastwick was canceled, I Marlene King, creator of Pretty Little Liars, reached out and offered her the role of a lifetime, Hanna Marin. 'The next day (after Eastwick was canceled), I got a call from the producers on PLL, wanting to see me.' She added that the first time King saw her, she could just tell the actress had been crying all day, and already knew she had just met her Hanna. 'The next week I was up in Vancouver filming, and it became a huge success, so a negative turned into a positive,' Benson added. On Monday, Bravo dropped a new trailer for its show Dirty John starring Connie Britton as a lonely single mother and Eric Bana as the 'doctor' kissing and conning her. You almost can't blame Newport Beach businesswoman Debra Newell for being seduced by John Meehan as he comes in the handsome 6ft2in muscular form of the Australian 50-year-old. But it doesn't take long for the cracks to show beneath John's devilish grin as a disturbed-looking woman breaks into Debra's home, and he acts like he doesn't know her. 'John makes me feel so special': On Monday, Bravo dropped a new trailer for its show Dirty John starring Connie Britton (L) as a lonely single mother and Eric Bana (R) as the 'doctor' kissing and conning her After being urged by skeptical friends and family that Meehan might not be what he seems, Newell uncovers her new online boyfriend's criminal past. It turns out John is on probation and his ex Devon Balsamo-Gillis was granted a restraining order against him for domestic violence, stalking, and harassment. 'You're going to find out who I am,' John creepily tells Debra after she confronts him. Aussie heartthrob: You almost can't blame Newport Beach businesswoman Debra Newell for being seduced by John Meehan as he comes in the handsome 6ft2in muscular form of Bana 'Who is she?' But it doesn't take long for the cracks to show beneath John's devilish grin as a disturbed-looking woman breaks into Debra's home, and he acts like he doesn't know her Snooping: After being urged by skeptical friends and family that Meehan might not be what he seems, Newell uncovers her new online boyfriend's criminal past 'They all say it's you': It turns out John is on probation and his ex Devon Balsamo-Gillis was granted a restraining order against him for domestic violence, stalking, and harassment 'You should enjoy the time left. That's what it's going to come down to...Whatever happens between us, remember I love you.' The true-crime cautionary tale is based on Christopher Goffard's 2017 Los Angeles Times articles and critically-acclaimed podcast of the same name. 'Connie is the actress that you think of when you want to tap into the headspace of intelligent women on screen,' Dirty John creator Alexandra Cunningham told EW on Monday. John creepily tells Debra after she confronts him: 'You're going to find out who I am...You should enjoy the time left. That's what it's going to come down to' 'Whatever happens between us, remember I love you': The true-crime cautionary tale is based on Christopher Goffard's 2017 Los Angeles Times articles and podcast of the same name Dirty John creator Alexandra Cunningham told EW on Monday: 'Connie is the actress that you think of when you want to tap into the headspace of intelligent women on screen' Alexandra added: '[John] goes to church with [Debra], he loves that she's a mom... I want to show what that's like - when John, in the body of Eric Bana, turns his eye upon you and is like, "You're a goddess"' '[John] goes to church with [Debra], he loves that she's a mom...I want to show what that's like - when John, in the body of Eric Bana, turns his eye upon you and is like, "You're a goddess."' The eight-episode limited series Dirty John - premiering November 25 - also features Jean Smart, Juno Temple, and Julia Garner. And Bravo has already renewed the true crime anthology for a second season, but the next chapter will focus on a new story and cast similar to FX's American Crime Story. Premiering November 25! The eight-episode limited series Dirty John also features Jean Smart (L), Juno Temple, and Julia Garner She's never been afraid to flaunt her sensational figure. And Georgia Harrison ensured all eyes would be on her as she headed out in Mayfair with friends of Monday. Putting her ample cleavage on display, the 23-year-old reality starlet oozed glamour in a plunging white dress for her night on the town. Glam: She's never been afraid to flaunt her sensational figure. And Georgia Harrison ensured all eyes would be on her as she headed out in Mayfair with friends of Monday Featuring a daring low-cut neckline, the garment highlighted her assets before cinching in at her slender waist and flaring out into a skater skirt. The thigh-skimming garment also offered a look at her tanned and toned pins, which she boosted with a pair of nude barely-there heels. Georgia finished off the look by styling her glossy golden locks in loose waves that framed her pretty features. Taking the plunge: Putting her ample cleavage on display, the 23-year-old reality starlet oozed glamour in a plunging white dress for her night on the town It's been a whole year since Georgia was propelled into the limelight on the set of the Mallorcan villa for ITV2's Love Island. So it's no surprise that this summer's finale left the reality star feeling emotional as she watched Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham crowned the winners of the show. Despite failing to find love on the show after her romance with Sam Gowland came to a dramatic end, she hailed looking for love on TV as the best time of her life. She penned: 'Cant believe its been a whole year since the villa. Best time of my life.' Never shy from being vocal on her Twitter account, Georgia also recently hit back at internet trolls for the 'hate'. She explained: 'I wish internet trolls realised that every bit of hate they give out the universe is just returning to them. Hence why they are so angry all the time.' TV presenters Stacey Solomon and Carol Vorderman lead the celebrities in showing their support for Rebecca Humphries, following her split from Strictly Come Dancing's Seann Walsh. Taking to Twitter, the stars praised the 32-year-old actress for her 'powerful' statement about her break-up from the comedian on Monday, where she revealed Seann, also 32, kissed his dance partner Katya Jones on her birthday, and called her a 'pyscho'. While the Come Fly With Me star insisted she's 'not a victim', she accused the comedian of 'inappropriate and hurtful' behaviour, and claimed he had not apologised to her personally. Praise: Stacey Solomon (L) and Carol Vorderman (R) took to Twitter to show their support for Rebecca Humphries, following her split from Strictly Come Dancing's Seann Walsh Loose Women host Stacey, 29 shared words of encouragement to a heartbroken Rebecca: 'What a powerful, important message. You will help so many people going through similar experiences. Youre amazing. X' In agreement with her fellow TV personality, former Countdown star Carol, 57, added: 'Rebecca.....you deserve the best....and your best is yet to come.' Denise Welch, who previously claimed her former husband David Easter cheated on her during their marriage, showed her support through a powerful quote, which read: 'If another woman steals your man, there's no better revenge than letting her keep him. Real men can't be stolen.' Split: Taking to Twitter, the stars praised the 32-year-old actress for her 'powerful' statement about her break-up from the comedian on Monday Statement: While the Come Fly With Me star insisted she's 'not a victim', she accused the comedian of 'inappropriate' behaviour, and claimed he had not apologised to her personally Reality stars Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and Lady Nadia gave their two pennies worth as they waded in on the matter, with Big Brother's Aisleyne, 39, stating: 'Aisleyne - His sorry loss darling... also the cat is better off with you hun, stay strong and I hope this helps strengthen others in similar situations xx' Echoing the stars' positive and reassuring comments, Celebs Go Dating's Nadia, 36, penned: 'Wow. Go Queen. You will inspire so many other women Rebecca. Bravo for being strong and speaking out.' Nicola McLean made a reference to Rebecca's fierce statement about taking the former couple's cat: 'This will resonate with so many women and also help so many going through exactly what youve had a lucky escape from!!! Youre right youre no victim he is a victim of his own disloyalty and has lost you and the cat!' Proving to have struck up a close relationship during their time in the acting industry, Hunger Games star Sam Claflin displayed his caring nature as he reached out to Rebecca with a tweet which read: 'Love you x' Support: A legion of celebs were not afraid to display their thoughts on Rebecca's statement 'Real men can't be stolen': Denise Welch, who previously claimed her former husband David Easter cheated on her during their marriage, showed her support through a powerful quote 'His loss': Reality stars Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace (L) and Lady Nadia Essex (R) gave their two pennies worth as they waded in on the matter Hours before the wave of support, Rebecca spoke out for the first time after pictures emerged of her ex, 32, kissing Russian pro Katya, 29, who has been married to husband Neil for over five years. The auburn-haired beauty made a bold statement as she dumped Seann over Twitter, revealing she had suspicions about her boyfriend cheating for at least three weeks. Now, proven to be right the actress who says she is yet to received a first hand apology said she has left him and taken the cat and is 'not sorry' for doing so. Speaking out: Nicola McLean made a reference to Rebecca's fierce statement about taking the former couple's cat Close pal: Proving to have struck up a close relationship during their time in the acting industry, Hunger Games star Sam Claflin displayed his caring nature as he tweeted 'Love you x' (pictured with wife Laura Haddock) Posting on Monday evening, Rebecca said she was not sure about whether to publicly respond - but felt she had to 'clear up' the narrative. 'Those pictures were taken on October 3rd. It was my birthday. I was alone at home when Seann texted at 10pm saying the two of them were going for one innocent drink', she wrote in her lengthy message. Rebecca continued: 'We spoke and I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. He aggressively and repeatedly called me a psycho/nuts/mental. As he had done countless times throughout our relationship when Ive questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour.' Injecting her passage with reassurance, she insisted she's a 'strong, capable person' who is now 'free' and encourages other women to 'believe in their instincts'. Break-up: Seann was in a relationship with actress Rebecca for more than three years and Married: Russian pro Katya, 29, tied the knot to fellow dancer Neil Jones in August 2013 Katya and Seann were reportedly at the Duke Of York pub in Marylebone in Central London at around midnight on Wednesday. An onlooker who witnessed their kiss, told the Sun they were 'snogging like a pair of teenagers' and 'didn't seem to care who might see them'. However, the pair both had haunted expressions on Monday morning as they emerged for the first time since pictures emerged of their drunken yet passionate kiss on a London street. Sending his apologies on social media, Seann wrote on Twitter on Sunday: 'I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.' Katya also tweeted about the incident and said: 'I'm so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn't thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship'. Amber Rose made her public debut with new boyfriend Alexander 'AE' Edwards over the weekend at her annual SlutWalk in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old model was spotted kissing music executive Alexander who is best friends with rapper Tyga, 28. Amber has been dating the Def Jam Records vice president of A&R for a few weeks, according to an article on Monday by TMZ. New relationship: Amber Rose made her public debut with new boyfriend Alexander Edwards on Saturday at her annual SlutWalk event in Los Angeles AE and Amber have known each for several years since Tyga and Blac Chyna, 30, were dating. Tyga and Chyna made their debut as a couple in November 2011 and they split in 2014. They have a son King Cairo who turns age six next week. Tyga after their split dated Kylie Jenner until they broke up in April 2017. Tender moment: Alexander and Amber kissed during her fourth annual SlutWalk Amber has been a close friend of Chyna's since her split with Tyga. Tyga and Chyna both reportedly approve of Amber and AE's relationship. AE and Tyga along with being best friends also have been frequent music collaborators. Relationship approved: Amber and AE reportedly have gotten the approval of Tyga and his ex Blac Chyna Good friends: Chyna and Amber, shown in June in Los Angeles, have been solid friends for years Best buds: Tyga is shown with best friend Alexander last month in Los Angeles Amber has a five-year-old son Sebastian with her rapper ex-husband Wiz Khalifa, 31. Chyna also has a one-year-old daughter Dream with ex-boyfriend Rob Kardashian, 31. Amber hosted her Los Angeles-based SlutWalk in October 2015 and the walk has taken place for four straight years. He starred in one of the most popular kids' sitcoms of the 90s, but then disappeared. And on Friday Will Friedle explained why: anxiety. The Boy Meets World star, who played Eric Matthews on all seven seasons, was speaking a New York Comic Con panel celebrating the 25 year anniversary of the show's debut. Missing: Boy Meets World star Will Friedle has revealed he abandoned acting due to anxiety attacks The now 42-year-old explained why he abandoned acting when the series wrapped in 2000, in favor of voice-over work. 'What brought me to voice-over was anxiety,' he explained. 'I was planning to do more on-camera work, but then I got hit with these anxiety attacks that prevented me from doing that.' 'I was so thankful I had voice-over because I could still perform and act,' he added. Back in the day: The actor, who played Eric Matthews on all seven seasons, was speaking a New York Comic Con panel celebrating the 25 year anniversary of the show's debut (pictured 1998) Over the past 18 years, Friedle has lent his voice to comic heroes such as Batman, Nightwing, Green Lantern, Deadpool and Star Lord. He's also voiced Ron Stoppable in Kim Possible, Master Splinter in TMNT, Lion-O in Thundercats, and Bumblebee in Transformers. He said that reprising his role as Eric Matthews in spin off Girl Meets World in 2015 coaxed him back in fornt of the camera. Off-camera: The now 42-year-old explained why he abandoned acting when the series wrapped in 2000, in favor of voice-over work Reunion: He was joined at the panel by co-stars Danielle Fishel and Ben Savage '[Creator] Michael [Jacobs] was like, "Come back if you want to come back." So Ive been slowly starting that again, and its been fun,' he said. 'Voice-over is great. To train for it, Kevin Conroy, who was Batman, was kind of my mentor and showed me the ropes and what to do. Now were getting back on track.' He added that he and Boy Meets World co-star Danielle Fishel, who played Topanga Lawrence, are currently working on a project together. Weve got cool stuff coming down the line,' he revealed. 'We developed an on-camera show that we are shopping currently.' Nick Cummins has received plenty of backlash since last week's Bachelor finale, which saw him reject both contestants Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman. And while the former Wallaby, 31, has remained off the grid in Papua New Guinea throughout the media storm, radio host Matty Johns has surprisingly come to his defence. Speaking on the Triple M Grill Team breakfast show on Tuesday, the 47-year-old said that Nick made the right decision by not choosing either finalist. Scroll down for video 'Well done to him': Triple M's Matty Johns (pictured) has defended The Bachelor's Nick Cummins after he shocked Australia by picking no one in the finale 'I say, "Well done to him". Because if you get the feeling with both the girls, the more you spend time with them [that] this is not going to last and isn't going to work, it's better to cut it off now,' said Matty. Grill Team co-host Gus Worland agreed, saying: 'I think it's better to cut it off now than in three months time like everyone else.' He added: 'I honestly believe you're absolutely right, Matty. What's the point of going through with it, going to all the openings and that sort of stuff for three months and then writing through a press release, "Oh look, you know, we've worked out that it's not for us"?' Controversy: Nick Cummins has received plenty of backlash since last week's Bachelor finale, which saw him reject both contestants Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman It's over! In dramatic scenes on Thursday, Nick chose no one after he bid farewell to Sophie Tieman (right) before rejecting Brittany Hockley as well (left) The Grill Team's comments come after former Bachelor Matthew Johnson also expressed his support for Nick. On Friday, Matty told News.com.au that if Nick wasn't 100 per cent invested in either finalist Brittany Hockley or Sophie Tieman, he needed to get out as early as possible. 'It sucks that he didn't get to fall in love, and at the end of the day, he made the right call for himself, which is what you have to do in that situation,' he said. Indeed, the marketing manager claimed it was always better to choose no one than risk leading someone on. 'You can't really just dip your toe in [on The Bachelor]. You're either all in, or you're not, and I think for Nick to have picked one of the girls and said, "Hey, let's just see how this goes and give this a little crack," it would have been a lot worse,' he said. Matty, who is still dating his 2017 winner Laura Byrne, also said there was a lot of pressure from fans for the Bachelor franchise to produce 'fireworks'. She was left high and dry after being dumped on national television by The Bachelor's Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins. And the media furore surrounding Brittany Hockley's dramatic rejection appears to have taken its toll on the radiographer, who stepped out looking decidedly downcast as she visited a Sydney gym on Monday. The 30-year-old appeared rather glum while walking down the suburban sidewalk in a pair of stylish skintight leggings. Scroll down for video Sweating off the heartbreak? Jilted Bachelor star Brittany Hockley looked downcast as she arrived at a Sydney gym on Monday... after lashing out at Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins She completed her off-duty ensemble by layering a loose denim jacket on top of a white jumper and blue crop top. Looking worlds away from her days in the glitzy Bachelor mansion, she chose to wear minimal makeup and styled her brunette hair in a messy updo. Perhaps in a bid to fly under the radar, Brittany also chose to hide her famous face behind a pair of oversized sunglasses. Thinking about someone? The 30-year-old appeared rather glum while walking down the suburban sidewalk in a pair of stylish skintight leggings Sporty chic: She completed her off-duty ensemble by layering a loose denim jacket on top of a white jumper and blue crop top Back to reality! Looking worlds away from her days in the glitzy Bachelor mansion, she chose to wear minimal makeup and styled her brunette hair in a messy updo Brittany has experienced a whirlwind week following The Bachelor finale. During Thursday's shock episode, she and fellow contestant Sophie Tieman were spectacularly rejected by Nick at the last hurdle. Taking to Instagram after show aired, Brittany told her followers: 'Living it the first time was so hard, but reliving it tonight was something else. After a very long and incredible journey, I found myself standing at the end with a full heart and excited at the prospect of a happy future with Nick. Going incognito? Perhaps in a bid to fly under the radar, Brittany also chose to hide her famous face behind a pair of oversized sunglasses Emotional time: Brittany has experienced a whirlwind week following The Bachelor finale Reliving the heartbreak: Taking to Instagram after the shock finale last week, Brittany told her followers, 'Living it the first time was so hard, but reliving it tonight was something else' 'I believe everything happens for a reason, and by this point I truly believed I was meant to come here and meant to meet Nick. 'From the very beginning we connected on so many levels, some you saw, and some you unfortunately didnt.' She then added: 'Unfortunately it is not my time. I gave it my all and was always true to myself, honest and risked it for the biscuit. 'I wore my heart on my sleeve and Im proud of myself for putting myself out there. While this is not my happy ending, I made the most beautiful friends, and I am so grateful to have had Soph there with me at the end.' On Sunday, Brittany and Sophie spoke about their heartbreaking double dumping in an interview with Lisa Wilkinson on The Sunday Project. Women scored! On Sunday, Brittany and Sophie spoke about their heartbreaking double dumping in an interview with Lisa Wilkinson on The Sunday Project 'You don't go to an all-you-can-eat buffet when you've just had lunch, do you?' Brittany didn't mince words when describing Nick during her interview on The Sunday Proejct An emotional Brittany said: 'You don't go to an all-you-can-eat buffet when you've just had lunch, do you?' 'You just don't do it,' she added, seemingly referring to the fact the rugby star signed up for The Bachelor despite not being ready for a relationship. 'I just thought everything that's happened to me was for a reason and it was leading up to this moment,' she said. Will she go on Bachelor In Paradise? Thanks to her recent heartache, Brittany is in a prime position to be cast on the next season of Bachelor In Paradise Meanwhile, a tearful Sophie admitted that she hoped Nick was 'a little unhappy' after what he had done. 'I would hope he's a little embarrassed, we just went through so many highs and so many lows,' she revealed. 'And I'm sure he did too but I just hope there's something in him that's a little unhappy or uneasy with his decision because God knows we have been through it.' Old People's Home For Four-Year-Olds Rating: At what age are we officially very, very old? According to Scarlett, aged four, its once you get wibbly-wobbly on your knees when you bend down. That sounds fair. The no-nonsense wibbly-wobbly knees test, you cant argue with it. But then Scarlett adds a harsher criterion: youre very, very old at 37. By that reckoning, some of the residents of the Old Peoples Home For Four-Year-Olds (C4) are positively Jurassic. Old People's Home for Four-Year-Old's returns to our screens on Channel 4 Take retired factory cleaner Sylvia, who admits to being 102, although Im beginning to miscount on purpose. A widow of 40 years, Sylvia gave birth to her first child during the Blitz of 1940. The midwife arrived wearing a tin helmet as bombs rained down across the city. Well be all right, she assured the anxious mum-to-be, as long as one doesnt actually hit this house. Note to millennials: when very, very old people bang on about the Blitz spirit, thats what theyre talking about. Sylvia and her friends at Larkhill retirement village in Nottingham were taking part in an experiment begun on a smaller scale last year in Bristol, which had remarkable results. They were invited to befriend a group of preschoolers, joining in their games and helping with nursery lessons. Its hardly surprising the old folks enjoyed themselves, and their spirits perked up. Only a terminal curmudgeon can resist a smile from a cheeky, confident four-year-old. More unexpected were the health advantages. The company of children made the pensioners stronger, sharper and more resistant to disease. Thats bizarre, because most parents of four-year-olds find their little darlings can leave them wrung out by the end of the day. Maybe youve got to be very, very old to feel the full benefits. This is a lovely telly format. It combines the charm of Channel 4s Secret Life series, where playschool cameras eavesdrop on the childrens games, and poignant interviews with the Larkhill residents, aged 81 and up. The contrast is bittersweet. There was mischievous Scarlett, informing us that her favourite things were rabbits, spiders and worms, and serious Phoenix, who liked Underground trains and could already read. Then we met 97-year-old Dunkirk veteran Victor, a dapper man with a David Niven moustache who described himself as a bit of a hermit since the death of his beloved wife Marjorie, and compared retirement to a prison sentence What are you in here for, mate? What they all need is jelly and ice-cream, followed by storytime. Thatll make everyone happy. Return To T.S Elliotland Rating: The academic and writer A.N. Wilson described himself, at 67, as an old man in Return To T.S. Eliotland (BBC4) adding that Eliot himself had advised, Old men should be explorers. This biography of the great modernist poet saw Wilson stomping around Margate (where Eliot wrote part of The Wasteland). In his capacious, buttoned-up overcoat with round sunglasses and a colossal beret, he looked like Paddington Bears intellectual cousin. The academic and writer A.N. Wilson described himself, at 67, as an old man in Return To T.S. Eliotland (BBC4) adding that Eliot himself had advised, Old men should be explorers Whether hes truly old is arguable, but Wilson is certainly old-fashioned. He speaks with the precision of a pre-war vicar: once, all BBC commentators adopted this style but now hes the last. Like Kenneth Clark, the Sixties presenter of Civilisation, Wilson highlights his speech by emphasising random syllables. According to him, the novel Ulysses should be pronounced you-LISS-eese. Clark played the same trick with ca-PIT-alism. Like Clark, Wilson is very clever but at times it was like watching an archive documentary. Julianne Moore was literally 'in the pink' as she showed up to support the New York premiere for Rupert Everett's directorial debut The Happy Prince. The actress, 57, stood out on the red carpet in a shimmery long-sleeved dress with quirky patterns in various shades of pink. Moore, who resides in Manhattan, smiled broadly as she posed for photos at Monday night's event. Eye-catching: Julianne Moore was literally 'in the pink' as she showed up to support Monday night's New York premiere for Rupert Everett's directorial debut The Happy Prince The Still Alice Oscar winner paired her colorful outfit with a pair of white shoes. She wore her signature red hair loose with a center parting and added pink blush and pink lip color. The film, which opens in theatres on Wednesday, stars British star Everett as Oscar Wilde and the feature focuses on the 'untold story' of the Irish poet and playwright's last days. A-list: The Still Alice Oscar wore her signature red hair loose with a center parting and added pink blush and pink lip color Vibrant: The actress, 57, stood out on the red carpet in a shimmery long-sleeved dress with quirky patterns in various shades of pink. She added a pair of white shoes Happy to see you: Moore reunited at the premiere with The Happy Prince star Colin Firth with whom she worked in the 2009 film A Single Man Inside scoop: The co-stars shared a private word Vogue: Anna Wintour was on hand in a long red coat and snakeskin boots Murphy Brown! Julianne linked up with Candice Bergen Moore joined the film's stars Everett and Colin Firth at the screening. She and Firth worked together on the 2009 movie A Single Man. Firth, 58, who plays Wilde's friend Reggie Turner, looked dapper in a black designer suit with white shirt left unbuttoned at the collar. Everett, 59, also opted for a black two-piece suit along with a striped shirt and black silk tie. Suave: Firth, 58, who plays Wilde's friend Reggie Turner, looked dapper in a black designer suit with white shirt left unbuttoned at the collar Gents: Firth posed for photos with Rupert Everett, center, who directed the film and also stars as Oscar Wilde, and Sony Pictures Classics co-founder and co-president Michael Barker Labor of love: Everett, 59, promises that the film, which he also wrote the script for, will tell the 'untold story' of the tragic last days of the Irish poet and playwright On hand, too, was British actor Edwin Thomas, 31, who plays Wilde's teen lover Robbie Ross in the film. Guests who showed up to walk the red carpet included Vogue's Anna Wintour and models Hilary Rhoda and Vlada Roslyakova. The Happy Prince also stars Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson and Anna Chancellor. Supporting role: On hand, too, was British actor Edwin Thomas, 31, who plays Wilde's teen lover Robbie Ross in the film Fancy: Huma Abedin wore a gorgeous multi-colored frock VIPs: Guests who showed up to walk the red carpet included models Hilary Rhoda, left, and Vlada Roslyakova, right, who each opted for a green outfit Super model: Helena Christensen looked gorgeous in a short dark brown minidress On screen she is busy running the free world. But in real life Robin Wright has more mundane chores to attend to, like picking up groceries. The 52-year-old actress was spotted grabbing bread, toothpaste and a few other bits and bobs from a Malibu store on Monday. Chores: Robin Wright stepped out to grab some groceries in Malibu on Monday The House of Cards star rocked a pair of fitted turn-up jeans and black sneakers, with a white button up shirt. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tiny pony, while she finished the chill look in shades and a black clutch tucked under her arm. She also flaunted the simple wedding band she picked up just eight weeks ago, having tied the knot with French hunk Clement Giraudet. Cool: The House of Cards star rocked a pair of fitted turn-up jeans and black sneakers, with a white button up shirt Robin wed the 34-year-old, who is 18 years her junior, in his native France in August. He is her third husband, as she was previously married to Sean Penn from 1996 to 2010, and to Dane Witherspoon from 1986 to 1988. Earlier on Monday Netflix unveiled the first official trailer for season six of House Of Cards, which sees Robin's character Claire Underwood replacing late husband Frank as President of the United States. Laid back: Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tiny pony, while she finished the chill look in shades and a black clutch tucked under her arm Kevin Spacey's character was killed off after a wave of allegations concerning sexual misconduct. His untimely firing cost Netflix $39 million since the 59-year-old was attached to multiple projects with the company outside of his recurring role on House of Cards. House of Cards' final season is set to premiere November 2 on Netflix. Former Neighbours star Madeleine West confirmed her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett last month, after 13 years together. And following the shock announcement, the pair were spotted sharing a tender kiss during a family getaway in Byron Bay, NSW on September 28. The estranged couple were joined by their six children and Madeleine's mother on what friends have described as a 'make or break' holiday. Are they back together? Madeleine West (right) and Shannon Bennett (left) shared a tender kiss during a 'make or break' family holiday in Byron Bay... weeks after announcing their split. Pictured on September 28 Public display of affection: Wearing a khaki blouse, skinny jeans and black boots, the 38-year-old actress was seen affectionately placing her hand on Shannon's lower back Wearing a khaki blouse, skinny jeans and black boots, the 38-year-old actress was seen affectionately placing her hand on Shannon's lower back. Leaning in towards the MasterChef guest judge, she appeared thoroughly relaxed in his company. Meanwhile, Shannon kept his hands firmly in his pockets as he kissed Madeleine. Smitten? Leaning in towards the MasterChef star, Madeleine appeared relaxed in his company Sorry to see her go? Shannon kept his hands firmly in his pockets as he kissed Madeleine before they both went their separate ways Close bond: Shannon gazed affectionately at Madeleine during their public display of affection as a male friend watched on Saying farewell: After exchanging pleasantries, the pair then went their separate ways as Madeleine climbed into a vehicle and drove away The 42-year-old restaurateur dressed casually in tracksuit trousers and a navy hoodie, and went barefoot in true Byron Bay fashion. He gazed affectionately at Madeleine during their public display of affection as a male friend watched on. After exchanging pleasantries, the pair then went their separate ways as Madeleine climbed into a vehicle and drove away. Relaxed: The 42-year-old restaurateur dressed casually in tracksuit trousers and a navy hoodie, and went barefoot in true Byron Bay fashion After saying goodbye, Shannon cut a solitary figure as he strolled back towards the gates of the family property. Later that day, Madeleine was seen wheeling a grey suitcase through Ballina Airport. On Monday, a report in Woman's Day alleged that Shannon was 'desperate for a reconciliation' with the mother of his six children. 'Shannon is willing to do whatever it takes to woo her back,' a source claimed, before describing their Byron Bay holiday as 'make or break' for the former couple. Downcast? After saying goodbye, Shannon cut a solitary figure as he strolled back towards the gates of the family property. His large chest tattoo, which features the names of Madeleine and their six children, was also on display It comes after the Playing For Keeps star confirmed her separation from Shannon in an interview with Stellar magazine last month. She said at the time that raising a large family had put a strain on their romance. 'Having a public profile, having two high-pressure careers, having a multitude of children - and I will say they are a lot harder to train than dragons - it puts exponential pressures on a relationship, and cracks can form, and things that we don't necessarily plan in the beginning can happen,' she said. The estranged couple, who began dating in 2004 but never married, share six children: Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux. Leaving: Later that day, Madeleine was seen wheeling a grey suitcase through Ballina Airport Low-key exit: It comes after the Playing For Keeps star confirmed her separation from Shannon in an interview with Stellar magazine last month Lisa Wilkinson, 57, has made it perfectly clear that she doesn't miss the early hours associated with hosting Channel Nine's Today show. And ahead of the one-year anniversary of her leaving the network over a pay dispute, Lisa took another swipe at her former employer on Instagram on Tuesday. The veteran broadcaster complained about being 'tied to a desk' during her 10-year stint on Today, as she boasted about her new high-flying job at The Sunday Project. Ouch! Lisa Wilkinson has taken a swipe at Today by complaining about 'being tied to a desk five mornings a week' in her old job... as she jets to London for another Sunday Project interview Lisa captioned a photo of herself in the English capital: 'In London right now for an interview with a very special someone that's been eight months in the planning. 'Cant wait to bring it to you on The Sunday Project... PS. For a girl who used to be tied to a desk five mornings a week, Im certainly clocking up the Frequent Flyer miles these days!' It marks Lisa's second trip to London in just six months, after she flew to the other side of the world to cover Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding back in May. Having the last laugh? Ahead of the one-year anniversary of her leaving Channel Nine over a pay dispute, Lisa took to Instagram on Tuesday to take a swipe at her former employer. Pictured with her former co-host Karl Stefanovic However, despite spending months hosting The Sunday Project and enjoying numerous overseas assignments, Lisa still hasn't delivered much ratings success. Ten, which was bought out by CBS in August 2017, has showed a noticeable decline in the ratings since January - the same month Lisa debuted on the network. According to recent OzTam ratings, the Sunday Project fell to thirteenth place in the prime time slot, with just 312,000 metro viewers tuning in. High-flyer! This week marks Lisa's second trip to London in just six months, after she flew to the other side of the world to cover Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding back in May By contrast, a solid 481,000 metro viewers tuned in to watch Lisa mark her territory on the show back in January. Speaking to Who magazine following a bout of particularly disastrous ratings in April, Lisa insisted she wasn't focusing on the numbers. 'In the end, I just want to do good work and the rest will follow,' she said. 'We're bedding down particularly The Sunday Project at the moment and working out the best mix for the show and one of the wonderful things about going to The Project is the trust that people have in the journalism. 'They trust us in my experience more than any other interview program on Australian television.' Bristol Palin was distraught on Monday's episode of Teen Mom OG as her marriage to war veteran Dakota Meyer disintegrated. The 27-year-old daughter of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin said she felt lonely and 'isolated' while living with Dakota in Austin, Texas. Bristol said her two-year marriage was 'at a breaking point' after Dakota's PTSD rendered him anxious and sleep deprived. Marriage woes: Bristol Palin was ready to leave her marriage on Monday's episode of Teen Mom OG on MTV 'It's draining I live my life on complete eggshells, I think everyone in this house does, even the kids,' said Bristol, who was pregnant with her first child Tripp as an unmarried teenager, while her mother was running for US vice president. 'I don't like my marriage at all,' admitted the mother of three. Dakota, 30, saw things differently. 'I love Bristol but you can only do that for so long and not get it back,' he said. War veteran: Dakota Meyer admitted to feeling anxious and sleep-deprived due to his PTSD Tough conversation: Bristol told Dakota that she was acting on behalf of their children 'If someone tells you they don't want to be there for you, or that they're not strong enough to be there for you, don't be an idiot like me and not believe them,' he warned. 'It's been something that's been hard for me to accept, it breaks my heart, I know that I'm a good human being, I also know that I want a home where I've got support,' Dakota added. 'I don't want to have to go to other people's houses to get support,' he continued sadly. No support: Dakota said that he wanted a home where he felt supported 'I was a single mom for a long time but now, being married, I'm more lonely now than I've ever been,' said Bristol, who decided they should split. The episode, titled Unconditional Love, opened with Catelynn Lowell Baltierra, who was home after being in a treatment facility for anxiety and depression. Her husband Tyler had been unhappy in the marriage for about two years, so he sought advice from his therapist. She suggested that they watch the whole of the last season of Teen Mom OG together, so Catelynn could see how much he'd struggled to take care of everything while she was away. Therapy session: Tyler Baltierra talked to a therapist about his marriage to Catelynn Catelynn, 26, started crying and refused, saying she didn't want to 'relive' the pain all over again. Meanwhile, Amber Portwood, 28, was in Indiana, enjoying some alone time with her new baby James. She was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and also was now suffering from depression. Feeling upset: Catelynn started crying and refused to go along with the therapist's suggestion Alone time: Amber Portwood was enjoying some time with baby James as she coped with depression '[I am] just accepting the way this is going to be for pretty much the rest of my life,' Amber said. Cheyenne Floyd, threw a pool party with her baby daddy Cory Wharton and current boyfriend Zach. Cory got Cheyenne in trouble with her father, by letting it slip that Zach was living with her. Pool party: Cheyenne hosted a pool party attended by her baby daddy Cory Wharton and boyfriend Zach An argument ensued so Cheyenne's mother said: 'Your father loves you unconditionally.' 'No, I have conditions,' he corrected. 'I'm literally over itI hate him,' huffed 25-year-old mother of one Cheyenne, before storming out in tears. Not happy: The pool party got tense when Cheyenne's father found out her boyfriend was living with her Maci Bookout McKinney was having trouble with her ex Ryan Edwards, who had threatened to kill her husband Taylor McKinney. After she was granted a protective order, Ryan was still permitted to see their son Bentley. 'I'm so scared something bad is going to happen,' fretted Maci, 27. Protective order: Maci Bookout McKinney got a protective order against her ex Ryan after he threatened to kill her husband Taylor 'We're all in a crappy situation,' said Taylor. Teen Mom OG returns next week on MTV. Bristol and Cheyenne joined season seven after the departure of Farrah Abraham. Tough situation: Taylor said they were all in a crappy situation Frustrated users of Tammy Hembrow's fitness app, Tammy Fit, have complained about apparent billing and subscription issues. In a series of negative reviews posted on iTunes between June and September this year, app users claimed they were left disappointed after being charged when they signed up for a free trial. Complaints varied from billing issues and claims of inaccurate data, to criticism that the app is not worth its $99 annual fee. 'I get better workouts for free on YouTube!' Tammy Hembrow's fitness app has been slammed by frustrated customers as they complain of billing issues and expensive fees 'Not happy! I chose to do a monthly subscription to see if I actually liked this app and Apple have charged me quarterly!' one user wrote alongside a one-star review. 'Love Tammy and was so excited for her app but the macros count was completely wrong! It got all my height, weight etc. but was totally off,' another user wrote. A third commented: 'Basic... I get better workouts [for] free from YouTube.' Feedback: In a series of negative reviews posted on iTunes between June and September this year, app users claimed they were left disappointed after being charged when they signed up for a free trial. Pictured: Screenshots of the Tammy Fit app Tammy Fit offers a seven-day free trial, after which users are then billed either monthly ($19.99), quarterly ($49.99) or yearly ($99.99). Some users claimed they had been charged during the free trial period while others alleged they had been charged the wrong amount. The app includes workout plans and meal plans. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Tammy Hembrow for comment. Not happy: Some users claimed they had been charged during the free trial period while others alleged they had been charged the wrong amount Short changed? One person claimed that they could find better workouts on YouTube Queenslander Tammy rose to fame in 2014 after sharing incredible photos of her post-baby body, just two months after giving birth. She went on to build a lucrative fitness empire, which includes her fitness app Tammy Fit and clothing label Saski Collection. Tammy is believed to be worth at least $3million, with reported earnings for Saski reaching over $3.6million in just 12 months, according to a representative. Tammy's celebrity fans include Khloe Kardashian and Real Housewives of Atlanta's Porsha Williams, among many others. She boasts eight million Instagram followers and one million YouTube subscribers. In August, the fitness mentor made international headlines after collapsing at Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party in Los Angeles. Tammy shares two children with her ex-fiance, Reece Hawkins - Saskia, two, and Wolf, three. Ellie Kemper was in style at her book signing Monday. The 38-year-old actress was snapped at the Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City for the promotion of her new book, My Squirrel Days. The St. Louis native wore a yellow skirt with a billowing lace strip around the bottom, with a black leather jacket and white sneakers. She had her auburn locks parted in the middle and a light layer of makeup. Scroll below for video Beaming beauty: Ellie Kemper, 38, was snapped Monday at the Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York City to sign copies of her book My Squirrel Days The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star, speaking with UPI earlier this month, said she draws inspiration from her character on the Netflix series. 'It is a tough time in the world right now and I think whenever I feel a little depressed or hopeless, I think of what Kimmy might do in that situation and I do feel a little better,' she said. 'Bad things happen. 'It is a tough world, but you have to keep moving forward.' She said she's sad she won't be able 'to play the character any more' after its cancellation this past May. Q&A: The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star chat with fans at the Big Apple venue Happy: The actress held up a copy of her new book, which deals with her life and career experiences All in the family: Kemper chat with her husband, writer/producer Michael Koman, at the Q&A 'I'm hoping that there might be a movie on Netflix, which would be very cool,' said Kemper, who shares son James, two, with husband Michael Koman. 'I think it's a good thing to be sad about this because it means it meant something.' Kemper in her new book opens up about her 'journey from Midwestern naif to Hollywood semi-celebrity to outrageously reasonable New Yorker,' according to the publisher, Scribner. The book also is a collection of 'contagiously cheerful, predictably wholesome, and mostly inspiring' essays about her 'journey through adulthood, from unorganized bride to impatient wife to anxious mother,' according to the publisher. The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's final stretch, part two of season four, will begin streaming in January. Passion project: The Bridesmaids beauty proudly showed off her book next to her spouse On point: Ellie had her auburn locks parted in the middle and wore a light layer of makeup Big Brother star, Krystal Hipwell (nee Forscutt) has flaunted the 'skin folds on her tummy' in response to criticism she only posts 'flattering images' on social media. The former model, 32, took to Instagram on Monday to share an image of her creased postpartum stomach alongside a powerful body empowerment message. 'Been copping a bit of criticism lately from some people saying I only ever post "flattering" images,' Krystal began. 'Here are my lovely skin folds in all their glory!' Big Brother star Krystal Forscutt (pictured) compares her tummy to a 'Shar Pei' dog...as she responds to criticism she only posts 'flattering images' on social media 'But seriously NOBODY is going to choose the shot of themselves where they have four chins as opposed to the one where they have a visible jawline, thats just ridiculous!' she wrote. Hitting back at the haters, Krystal said she was proud of her body as it is the result of giving birth to her two children, four-year-old son Sunny, and four-month-old daughter, Nakoda. 'Anyway, here is a picture of my lovely skin folds in all their glory which I am actually very proud of because they are the result of my two beautiful children!' she penned. Krystal continued her self-deprecating spiel as she compared her stomach to the roly-poly aesthetic of a 'Shar Pei dog.' 'So overwhelmed with all the positive comments and messages I received on yesterdays post!' Im glad you love my saggy skin as much as I do': The blogger took to the photo-sharing app again on Tuesday to thank her legion of fans for 'loving her saggy skin' as much as she does Taut-al babe! She accompanied the body-positive message with a mirror-selfie of her flaunting her skin-fold-free abs in floral print activewear 'I just wanted to share this with you and stand proud and tall with my 'Shar Pei' looking tummy that was once a home for two awesome little humans! 'How amazing is that when you stop and think about it!' Krystal concluded. The blogger took to the photo-sharing app again on Tuesday to thank her legion of fans for 'loving her saggy skin' as much as she does. 'So overwhelmed with all the positive comments and messages I received on yesterdays post!' Im glad you love my saggy skin as much as I do. 'You guys are awesome...and now back to my old ways, here is take 158 from yesterday,' she wrote. Krystal accompanied the body-positive message with a mirror-selfie of her flaunting her skin-fold-free abs in floral print activewear. How does she do it? Big Brother star Krystal Hipwell (nee Forscutt), 32, flaunted her washboard abs in a crop top and leggings in September just four months after welcoming her second child The Australian personal trainer, who previously revealed she gained 15kg during her second gestation appears to have regained her pre-pregnancy form just four months after welcoming her bundle of joy. The former model took to Instagram in late September to share a snap of herself baring her washboard abs in skin-tight activewear during a day out with newborn daughter, Nakoda. Posing next to her baby's stroller, Krystal beamed at the camera from behind a pair of trendy sunglasses while making sure to reveal a generous glimpse of her toned torso. Bouncing back: The former reality star has bounced back to her pre-baby shape following a difficult birth The reality star-turned-personal trainer welcomed her first child Sunny into the world following a smooth pregnancy - but she recently recalled how the birth of Nakoda Ruth earlier this year was fraught with difficulty. Despite giving birth naturally and without pain relief, Krystal was rushed straight to emergency surgery after she suffered a postpartum haemorrhage. 'It took me a while to get my head around the fact that it was actually a life or death situation,' she told Nine Honey. Krystal - who is married to builder Neil Hipwell and now goes by her married name - skyrocketed to fame at the tender age of 19 on the sixth season of Big Brother. She plays the lead role of Lulu Danger in the American-British crime comedy An Evening with Beverly Luff Lin. And on Monday Aubrey Plaza hit the red carpet for the LA premiere of Jim Hosking's new film at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The 34-year old actress stunned in a soft, but elegant, white floral ensemble that gave a hint of her toned midriff. In the spotlight: Aubrey Plaza attended the LA premiere of An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn in Hollywood Monday night The outfit seemed a perfect match for her toned figure. The top rested a few inches above her waist and featured sheer fabric for the arms; while the long skirt hugged her hips and loosened up as it came down to just above her ankles. She added a pair of open toe heels and her dark brown tresses were worn long with some cool waves and a center part. Leading lady: Aubrey plays the lead role of Lulu Danger in the American-British crime comedy Owning it: The 34-year old actress stunned in a soft, but elegant, white floral ensemble that gave a hint of her toned midriff Rock solid: The 34-year old actress gave a hint of her toned midriff on the red carpet The former Parks and Recreation star flashed an infectious smile as she struck a number of poses for photographers, and at one point she was joined by co-star Craig Robinson. He opted for a much more casual look in baggy black pants, a baggy black t-shirt and black sneakers. Among the others crew members who hit the red carpet included: director and co-writer Jim Hosking, co-writer David Wike and producer Theodora Dunlap. Shining star: The former parks and recreation star flashed an infectious smile as she struck a number of poses for photographers Chummy: Aubrey joined up with co-star Craig Robinson on the red carpet at the Egyptian Theatre The film follows Aubrey's character, who is in an lackluster marriage, as her relationship takes a turn for the worse when a mysterious man from her past comes to town. 'Lulu Danger is a woman with big dreams!' Plaza revealed in an interview with ET. 'She's in a terrible marriage, and has so much more to offer in life, and is confronted with her first love, played by Craig Robinson, who shows up in her small town, and she goes after him. It becomes a love quadrangle between me, Craig Robinson, Jemaine Clement, and Emile Hirsch. So wrap your mind around that. Me, and all these ridiculous men!' she gushed. An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn hits theaters in the US October 19 and in the UK October 26. The other man: Robinnson plays Beverly Luff Linn in the new film Making his mark: The 46-year old is best known for his TV role as Darryl Philbin on The Office The Team: Co-writer David Wike also attended the LA Premiere The boss: An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn is Jim Hosking's second feature film; his first was 2016's The Greasy Strangler The Girl on the Train actress Haley Bennett is reportedly expecting a child with filmmaker Joe Wright. 'They're expecting a baby this winter,' a friend of the couple, who have been linked since earlier this year, told Page Six on Monday. Wright, 46-year-old London native, is settling down in the United States to be closer to the 30-year-old actress, sources told the outlet, and are 'very happy' at this time. Scroll below for video Pitter-patter: The Girl on the Train actress Haley Bennett, 30, is expecting a child with filmmaker Joe Wright, 46, Page Six reported on Monday The Fort Myers, Florida native, who's been seen in recent films such as The Magnificent Seven and Thank You for Your Service, is about six months along in her pregnancy, a source told the outlet. The couple was recently snapped at the New York Film Festival, where they took in the fim Cold War (which Haley later recommended via her Instagram page). Haley revealed the relationship publicly September 24, sharing a shot of the two in a romantic embrace, with the caption, 'Cling to me, Joe, my bliss.' Wright, who has past directed films such as Darkest Hour, Pride & Prejudice and The Soloist, was previously in a seven-year marriage with sitar player-composer Anoushka Shankar, 37, until their separation earlier this year. Romance: Haley revealed their relationship publicly September 24, sharing a shot of the two in a romantic embrace, with the caption, 'Cling to me, Joe, my bliss' Beauty: Haley was snapped at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in LA earlier this year 'I can confirm that Joe Wright and Anoushka Shankar recently ended their marriage,' Wright's rep told the outlet in January. 'All parties are committed to the welfare and happiness of their two beautiful children and ask that their privacy be respected.' They share two sons, Zubin, seven, and Mohan, three. Wright was in a previous engagement with actress Rosamund Pike, 38, but the pair abruptly cancelled their September 2008 nuptials. He's currently working on a film titled The Woman in the Window, with an ensemble cast featuring Amy Adams, Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore. Tim Robards has spent the past three months filming Neighbours in Melbourne. And after finishing up on Ramsay Street, the former Bachelor was ready for a well-deserved holiday. The 36-year-old recently jetted to Fiji with his wife Anna Heinrich, where they enjoyed a week-long tropical vacation. Thirsty work! The Bachelor lovebirds Tim Robards (pictured) and Anna Heinrich flaunted their flawless physiques while enjoying a romantic holiday in Fiji recently The lucky couple spent three nights on Turtle Island, a five-star resort which boasts its own secluded beaches. Fitness enthusiast Anna, 31, couldn't resist squeezing in a yoga session during her getaway. Meanwhile, Tim was pictured relaxing on a sun lounger and quenching his thirst with a bottle of refreshing Fiji Water. Namaste! Fitness enthusiast Anna couldn't resist squeezing in a yoga session during her trip Tim and Anna partnered with Fiji Water for the trip, and it appears they are a perfect fit for the brand given their healthy and active lifestyles. However, the reality TV lovebirds aren't above the occasional indulgence. In one holiday snap, they enjoyed dinner and wine as they spent the evening on the beach overlooking the ocean. Indulgent: In one holiday snap, they enjoyed dinner and wine as they spent the evening on the beach overlooking the ocean Tim and Anna married in June in a lavish Italian ceremony. After a picture-perfect honeymoon in Europe, the pair returned to Australia and have been hard at work ever since. In July, Tim revealed he would be starring in Neighbours, taking on the role of investment banker Pierce Greyson. Anna has also appeared as Kyle Sandilands' legal assistant on Trial By Kyle. My Kitchen Rules judges Pete Evans, 45, and Manu Feildel, 44, may not be Hollywood celebrities, but it appears the pair enjoy VIP treatment on set. The pair were spotted shooting scenes for the new season of their cooking show on Tuesday, apparently oblivious as a crew member shielding them from a sudden downpour. As Pete kept his hands firmly in the pockets of his expensive navy suit, bedraggled staffers dutifully held a transparent brolly over his head. Too famous to hold your own umbrella? My Kitchen Rules judges Pete Evans, 45, and Manu Feildel, 44, were spotted shooting scenes for the new season of their cooking show on Tuesday, apparently oblivious as a crew member shielding them from a sudden downpour Need a hand? As Pete kept his hands firmly in the pockets of his expensive navy suit, bedraggled staffers dutifully held a transparent brolly over his head Looking dapper as always while brandishing a tight salt-and-pepper 'do, Pete giggled with Manu as a female crew member struggled to hover the umbrellas above the pair in the gusty gale. The chaotic display appeared to tickle the presenter further as the blonde appeared to be blown away in a gust of wind. Eventually Manu, who looked handsome in a black suit, took the lead by accepting to take a brolly in his hand. Oh dear! The chaotic display appeared to tickle the presenter further as the blonde appeared to be blown away in a gust of wind That's the spirit! ventually Manu, who looked handsome in a black suit, took the lead by accepting to take a brolly in his hand Just like regular folk! A beaming Pete quickly followed suit while taking charge of own umbrella Taking shelter while engaging in an animated conversation, the pair seemed in high spirits while filming the 10th season of the hit show. And as the rain died off, the well-heeled colleagues looked more serious as they got back to business. The friendly display comes shortly after production got underway in Sydney last Wednesday. Waving the rain away: The well-heeled colleagues looked serious as they got back to business But as a new batch of amateur chefs were spotted filming scenes at Rushcutters Bay, serving up meals for franchise regulars Pete Evans and Colin Fassnidge, Manu was nowhere to be seen. When approached for comment, a Channel Seven spokesperson explained that, per the show's format, Pete and Colin host and judge the outdoor location challenges, hence why Manu wasn't present. Channel Seven's ratings juggernaut My Kitchen Rules is set to return next year for a tenth season. He has already conquered the reality TV world after appearing on Married At First Sight and Network Ten's Trial By Kyle. And in one of the most unlikely career changes in recent memory, Nasser Sultan has now turned his hand to rapping after writing and recording his debut single, Blue Tick. In the hilarious 'diss track', the 51-year-old takes savage swipes at several of his former MAFS co-stars while also reflecting on the downside of fame. EXCLUSIVE: Listen to Nasser Sultan's debut single! The Married At First Sight star has released his bombshell 'diss track' Blue Tick as he launches his rap career. Pictured: Nasser Sultan Daily Mail Australia has obtained an exclusive snippet of music video, which was filmed at a top secret location in Sydney earlier this week. The chorus of the song alludes to Nasser's ongoing battle with Instagram for 'blue tick' verification. He raps the lyrics: 'Blue tick, Sarah's got it, you know I want it, get in my life. And I'm just an old man ready to fight, you know I need it, I really need it.' The track namechecks the likes of Sarah Roza Tracey Jewel, Ryan Gallagher, Blair Rachael and even Nasser's own 'ex-wife' Gabrielle Bartlett. They won't be happy! The track namechecks the likes of Sarah Roza (right), Tracey Jewel (left), Ryan Gallagher, Blair Rachael and even Nasser's own 'ex-wife' Gabrielle Bartlett Speaking about the song to Daily Mail Australia, Nasser said: 'I think becoming a rapper was the next step for me and I will get a blue tick now. 'I struggled with my timing a little bit recording but I am hoping to start touring.' The track was also a talking point on Tuesday morning's Kyle & Jackie O Show, as the KIIS FM hosts discussed Nasser's surprising new career. One of the greats? Promoting the song on social media, Nasser shared a photo of himself superimposed alongside American hip hop group, N.W.A. Kyle Sandilands said: 'Can I just say, and I know everybody has a laugh that Nasser wants the blue tick so bad and he doesn't have it, but really he is eligible for it. 'Is this discrimination? Maybe they go, "I hate that wog, he's not getting a blue tick."' Joking about her own recent jump into the charts with charity single Honey Money, Jackie 'O' Henderson added: 'He probably thought if she can do it, I can do it!' Three-time Grammy winner The Weeknd was the first to wish his on-again 'angel' Bella Hadid a happy 22nd birthday at midnight EST on Tuesday with a PDA-filled tribute. It was a romantic, over-the-top move for the Canadian 28-year-old, who rarely posted about the IMG Model during their on/off relationship dating back to early 2015. In one shot, the R&B crooner rocked a red-eared headband while appearing to sing karaoke with the half-Jordanian, half-Dutch socialite. 'Happy birthday Angel!' Three-time Grammy winner The Weeknd was the first to wish his on-again girlfriend Bella Hadid a happy 22nd birthday at midnight EST on Tuesday with a PDA-filled tribute In another picture, The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye) and Bella locked lips while immersing themselves inside Tokyo's Mori Building Digital Art Museum back in July. Hadid and the Oscar nominee have been nearly inseparable since they officially rekindled their on/off romance during the Cannes Film Festival in May. Before that, the Pray for Me belter enjoyed a nine-month fling with Selena Gomez, which ended a year ago. Get a room! It was a romantic, over-the-top move for the Canadian 28-year-old, who rarely posted about the IMG Model during their on/off relationship dating back to early 2015 Making beautiful music together: In one shot, the R&B crooner rocked a red-eared headband while appearing to sing karaoke with the half-Jordanian, half-Dutch socialite Memories: In another picture, The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye) and Bella locked lips while immersing themselves inside Tokyo's Mori Building Digital Art Museum back in July He dated Selena Gomez in between: Hadid and the Oscar nominee have been nearly inseparable since they rekindled their on/off romance during the Cannes Film Festival in May Action! The Pray for Me belter also shared a BTS snap of the Victoria's Secret catwalker bathing in rose petals on the set of his music video for In the Night The Weeknd also shared a BTS snap of the Victoria's Secret catwalker bathing in rose petals on the set of his music video for In the Night. Bella was beaming from ear to ear on Monday night in Manhattan as she stepped out for a pre-birthday celebration. The Harper's Bazaar Arabia cover girl - who relies on stylist Mimi Cuttrell - wore glasses and she bundled up in a golden quilted bomber, unflattering blue jeans, and a black hoodie. Birthday princess: Bella was beaming from ear to ear on Monday night in Manhattan as she stepped out for a pre-birthday celebration Relies on stylist Mimi Cuttrell: The Harper's Bazaar Arabia cover girl wore glasses and she bundled up in a golden quilted bomber, unflattering blue jeans, and a black hoodie Sibling: Joining Hadid was her 23-year-old sister Gigi, who was wearing sunglasses at night along with a navy hoodie, blue slacks, and black Oxfords Joining Hadid was her 23-year-old sister Gigi, who was wearing sunglasses at night along with a navy hoodie, blue slacks, and black Oxfords. The IMG Model (born Jelena) is also on-again with her own singing beau Zayn Malik, whom she's been dating for around the same span of time as Bella and her man. The Weeknd will most likely skip Tuesday night's American Music Awards ceremony in Los Angeles (broadcast by ABC) despite being nomniated for the soul/R&B male artist trophy. She's the Hollywood beauty who hasn't let motherhood get in the way of her gruelling work schedule. And Eva Longoria, 43, looked every inch the busy mother as she touched down in Brisbane with her three-month-old son Santiago on Tuesday, ahead of filming scenes for the upcoming live-action Dora The Explorer movie. Looking sporty in an Adidas windbreaker and black leggings, the Desperate Housewives star was spotted pushing her newborn through the airport. Baby on board! Eva Longoria (pictured), 43, looked every inch the busy mother as she touched down in Brisbane with her three-month-old son Santiago on Tuesday In an attempt to go unnoticed by fans, she opted to obscure her world-famous visage behind a pair of reflective aviator sunglasses and a black trucker cap. The curvaceous glamazon also appeared to go makeup-free for the low-key arrival, while opting to leave her brunette tresses to hang in natural waves by her shoulders. Absent from Eva's company was her husband and the father of her newborn son, Jose Baston, 50. Sporty chic! Looking sporty in an Adidas windbreaker and black leggings, the Desperate Housewives star was spotted pushing her newborn through the airport Low-key arrival: In an attempt to go unnoticed by fans, she opted to obscure her world-famous visage behind a pair of reflective aviator sunglasses and a black trucker cap Natural beauty: The curvaceous glamazon also appeared to go makeup-free for the low-key arrival, while opting to leave her brunette tresses to hang in natural waves by her shoulders Proving that she really can do it all, the Devious Maids producer even kept a cloth draped over the stroller in case of emergency spills. Trailing behind her was a faithful security guard, who pushed Eva's suitcases in a large trolley. Eva was later spotted being whisked away in a car that was parked outside the terminal. Going solo: Absent from Eva's company was her husband and the father of her newborn son, Jose Baston, 50 Just in case! Proving that she really can do it all, the Devious Maids producer even kept a cloth draped over the stroller in case of emergency spills Getaway car: Eva was later spotted being whisked away in a car that was parked outside the terminal Hours after her arrival Eva stepped out on the streets of Brisbane once again, this time without her baby in tow. This time, Eva showcased a more generous glimpse of her post-baby frame, opting for a skin-tight T-shirt and leggings. Adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to her ensemble, the Grand Hotel starlet carried her belongings in a Chanel saddlebag that wrapped around her waist. Storming the sidewalk! Hours after her arrival Eva stepped out on the streets of Brisbane once again, this time without her baby in tow As usual, she attempted to go incognito by wearing her favourite aviator sunglasses and an Adidas cap. It's the second time Eva has flown to Queensland's Gold Coast to film scenes for Paramounts Dora The Explorer film, with her last arrival being just last month. The live-action feature is based on the character from the popular Nickelodeon TV series, with Eva set to play Dora's mother Elena. Actress Isabela Moner will play the titular character, while American actor Michael Pena will act alongside Eva on screen as Dora's father Cole 'Papi' Marquez. The flick is slated for release in August 2019 Yummy mummy! This time, Eva showcased a more generous glimpse of her post-baby frame, opting for a skin-tight T-shirt and leggings Ritzy accessories: Adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to her ensemble, the Grand Hotel starlet carried her belongings in a Chanel saddlebag that wrapped around her waist Back again! It's the second time Eva has flown to Queensland's Gold Coast to film scenes for Paramounts Dora The Explorer movie, with her last arrival being just last month She has taken two years off the Victoria's Secret runway. Yet Behati Prinsloo has now delighted fans with news she is making a comeback to the annual lingerie extravaganza on November 8, as she confirmed the happy fact on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Monday night. The 30-year-old model, who is married to Maroon 5 hitmaker Adam Levine, was spotted heading out of the show hours after, while showing off her model physique in a Cotton Citizen 'Monaco' crop top with low-slung silver trousers. Hurrah! Behati Prinsloo has now delighted fans with news she is making a comeback to the annual lingerie extravaganza on November 8, as she confirmed the happy fact on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Monday night Having given birth to her first daughter in September 2016, Behati revealed at the time that she will stay off the catwalk, but told the other models on Instagram: 'Love you all, have fun in Paris and see you next year!!!!' In 2007, she walked her first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which that year was held in Los Angeles. She's walked every year since, having become an Angel in 2009. In the intervening time, the Grootfontein native married Adam Levine in 2014, and gave birth to his daughter Dusty Rose two years later. On last year's show, she was absent as she was pregnant with her second child however she still sent a message of support to her fellow Angels. She penned: 'I still pinch myself!! Tomorrow is the big day... Woah! She has taken two years off the Victoria's Secret runway after having two babies (pictured on the 2014 runway in London) Happy news: The 30-year-old model, who is married to Maroon 5 hitmaker Adam Levine, was spotted heading out of the show hours after, while showing off her model physique in a Cotton Citizen 'Monaco' crop top with low-slung silver trousers Sleek: Having given birth to her first daughter in September 2016, Behati revealed at the time that she will stay off the catwalk, but told the other models on Instagram: 'Love you all, have fun in Paris and see you next year!!!!' 'Sending love to all the girls and the entire #vsfashionshow crew, i know what hard work It takes for everyone involved to make It happen. @victoriassecret Im there in spirit screaming haha!, she posted on Instagram. She has now revealed however that she is returning in a blaze of glory next month, where she will once again sport the iconic wings at the NYC show. Appearing on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen she made the announcement which will no doubt delight fans. Leather lady: She has now revealed however that she is returning in a blaze of glory next month, where she will once again sport the iconic wings at the NYC show Happy days: In the intervening time, the Grootfontein native married Adam Levine in 2014, and gave birth to his daughter Dusty Rose two years later (pictuyred in 2014) She revealed: 'I actually am returning. I'm coming back this year, I missed two years. I was pregnant so I'm really excited to walk this year. It's November 8.' As she headed out of the show, she showed off her stunning figure while sporting the abs-flashing crop top with the loose-fitting grey trousers. Adding a low-key touch to the ensemble, she wore trainers with red accents to inject her own edgy feel to the sleek look. She wore her blonde locks flowing over her shoulders with two pins either side to keep the tresses from her centre parting away from her face. Blonde beauty: She wore her blonde locks flowing over her shoulders with two pins either side to keep the tresses from her centre parting away from her face They are two of the top models in the world known for rocking edgy couture on the runway. So it may be a bit of a surprise that Bella and Gigi Hadid would opt for something much more casual on their latest outing together even if it was a rather momentous occasion. Bella opted for comfort on Monday night in Manhattan as she stepped out in rather casual clothing for a pre-birthday celebration just ahead of her 22nd birthday while accompanied by her 23-year-old sister. Casual cool: Bella and Gigi Hadid opted for comfortable clothing while out in New York for Bella's pre-22nd birthday celebrations The Harper's Bazaar Arabia cover girl - who relies on stylist Mimi Cuttrell - wore glasses and she bundled up in a golden quilted bomber, unflattering blue jeans, and a black hoodie. Birthday princess: Bella was beaming from ear to ear on Monday night in Manhattan as she stepped out for a pre-birthday celebration Relies on stylist Mimi Cuttrell: The Harper's Bazaar Arabia cover girl wore glasses and she bundled up in a golden quilted bomber, unflattering blue jeans, and a black hoodie Sibling: Joining Hadid was her 23-year-old sister Gigi, who was wearing sunglasses at night along with a navy hoodie, blue slacks, and black Oxfords Joining Hadid was her 23-year-old sister Gigi, who was wearing sunglasses at night along with a navy hoodie, blue slacks, and black Oxfords. The IMG Model (born Jelena) is also on-again with her own singing beau Zayn Malik, whom she's been dating for around the same span of time as Bella and her man. The Weeknd will most likely skip Tuesday night's American Music Awards ceremony in Los Angeles (broadcast by ABC) despite being nomniated for the soul/R&B male artist trophy. It's claimed her ex-husband Ben Affleck will have 'monitored' visits with their three children as part of their divorce agreement. Yet the custody arrangement is seemingly working for the pair as Jennifer Garner flashed a beaming smile while out with her daughter Violet, 12, on Monday - just hours after she had taken son Sam, six, to visit his actor father. The Juno actress appeared in seriously high spirits as she spent some quality time with her eldest daughter after finally settling her divorce from estranged husband Ben. Animated: Jennifer Garner flashed a beaming smile while out with her daughter Violet, 12, on Monday - just hours after she had taken son Sam, six, to visit his actor father Ben Affleck at his home Jennifer perfected a chic off-duty style in a cream sweater, which she paired with skinny jeans and smart brogues. Letting her natural beauty shine through, the actress kept her skin free of make-up and styled her brunette tresses into easy, loose waves as she gave Violet an animated welcome home from school. Earlier in the day, Jennifer, who also shares daughter Seraphina, nine, with ex-husband Ben, drove son Sam to visit his father - who completed his 30-day rehab stint earlier this month. The visit follows TMZ's claims that the Batman actor's visits with their three children will be monitored. Trendy: Jennifer perfected a chic off-duty style in a cream sweater, which she paired with skinny jeans and smart brogues However both parents will each have equal input into decisions about the future of their children, such as schooling and medical treatment. The two met with a private judge on Thursday evening at her Pacific Palisades, California mansion where they finished up their paperwork, according to People. This comes soon after it was claimed the beauty, 46, pressed hard to have the divorce finalized as soon as possible now the Good Will Hunting star was sober after 40 days in rehab. Less is more! Letting her natural beauty shine through, the actress kept her skin free of make-up and styled her brunette tresses into easy According to insiders, Ben 'is doing much better' in the wake of finishing 30 days at The Canyons rehab facility, where he will continue working on himself 'for at least a couple of more weeks.' 'As difficult as it was to have his recent trip to rehab all play out so publicly, it now seems the way it happened was for the best,' the source told People. The actor previously checked into rehab twice in the past but has been taking 'this rehab visit more seriously,' as 'this time is different,' the source told the magazine. The insider claimed Ben 'doesn't want his kids to have to go through this again' and 'is really trying very hard to get better' during this visit to rehab. Jennifer filed for divorce in April 2017, though the former couple been separated since June 2015. They had started dating in 2004 and wed in 2005. She was catapulted to fame as one of the original Nineties supermodels alongside Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford. And Helena Christensen looked every inch the catwalk star as she attended the after-party of the Cinema Society and Brooks Brothers screening of The Happy Prince in New York on Monday. The 49-year-old Danish beauty dazzled in an embroidered jacquard LBD, cinching in her tiny waist with a gem-embellished belt. Turning heads: Helena Christensen, 49, looked every inch the catwalk star as she attended the after-party of the Cinema Society and Brooks Brothers screening of The Happy Prince in New York on Monday The brunette beauty added height to her already statuesque frame with a vertiginous pair of ankle-strap courts. The mother-of-one completed her look with a black chain-trim bag and accessorised with statement drop earrings. The runway star styled her glossy raven tresses in a simple updo and highlighted her striking features with a slick of bold red lipstick. Stunning: The 49-year-old Danish beauty dazzled in an embroidered jacquard LBD Double trouble: Helena mingled with Hollywood actress Julianne Moore, 57, at the party Helena is mother to 18-year-old son Mingus with her former boyfriend, actor Norman Reedus. She also previously dated the late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, who tragically passed away in 1997, aged 37. They dated and lived together on and off for five years across France and Denmark in the early 1990s. Ready for her close-up: The runway star styled her glossy raven tresses in a simple updo and highlighted her striking features with a slick of bold red lipstick Ruling the runway: Helena took to the catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana's Spring/Summer collection during Milan Fashion Week last month In an extract from her new book, Michael's brother Tina, 70, recalled one particular 'magical' Christmas she spent with the couple in France in 1991. 'Their relationship was very loving, spirited and, at times, competitive,' Tina wrote in an extract published in Sunday Life. 'She challenged him.' Describing the couple's lifestyle in France, Tina added: 'Michael enjoyed relaying how he and Helena had gone to the local market and bargained for the beautiful old furniture.' Icon: She was catapulted to fame as one of the original Nineties supermodels alongside Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford Star: Helena's modelling career was launched when she won the Miss Universe Denmark title in 1986 Following Michael's split from Helena, he became romantically involved with Paula Yates in the mid-1990s. The couple then went on to have daughter Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence in 1996, one year before Michael died of an alleged suicide. Helena's modelling career was launched when she won the Miss Universe Denmark title in 1986. She went on to become one of the original 1990s supermodels alongside Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Claudia Schiffer. Nick Cummins divided viewers last Thursday when he became the first Australian Bachelor to brutally reject BOTH women in the show's finale. And it appears the former Wallaby's fan backlash could affect the success of his new book, The Honey Badger Guide To Life. The rugby star, 30, could be set to face a dreadful turnout when he heads out for signings on his book tour around the country next week. Scroll down for video Bachelor Nick Cummins set to face dreadful turnouts on book tour for new novel 'The Honey Badger Guide To Life'... after he brutally dumped BOTH finalists during shock finale Facebook event pages for book signings have been created for the events to be held in Victoria, Queensland, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. There has been a surprisingly low amount of RSVPs for his upcoming book tour so far, with one store only receiving four confirmed attendees. Nick left the country just days before the explosive Bachelor finale aired, flying to Papua New Guinea to embark on a Kokoda Trail trek. Of the event listings - as of Tuesday afternoon - Perth has only four people 'attending', while an event in Sydney has just six. While the events are still a week away, two events in Queensland both have more than 500 eager fans who have expressed they were definitely 'going'. That doesn't look good! Of the event listings - as of Tuesday afternoon- Perth (L) has only four people 'attending', while an event in Sydney (R) has just six Big in Queensland! While the events are still a week away, two events in Queensland both have more than 500 eager fans who have expressed they are 'going' 'Let's do it!' Nick's brutally rejected finalists Sophie Tieman (L) and Brittany Hockley (R) attempted to set light to the book while on KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie 'O' on Friday after co-host Jackie Henderson produced a lighter and suggested the women burn it Last Friday, KIIS FM shock jock Kyle Sandilands made fun of the book and claimed it was written exclusively for people with low intelligence. During the interview with Nick's brutally rejected finalists Sophie Tieman and Brittany Hockley, his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson produced a lighter and suggested the women burn it. 'After last night, there's nothing worse that can happen to us so let's do it!' Brittany replied excitedly as they attempted to set the pages on fire. He loves it! In September, Nick was in high spirits as he spruiked the book on social media and encouraged fans to pre-order their copies In September, Nick was in high spirits as he spruiked the book on social media and encouraged fans to pre-order their copies. Nick was seen flipping through his own book while enjoying a hearty cackle at the word 'dingleberry'. According to the book's publisher Macmillan, The Honey Badger Guide To Life is: 'A fast, funny, deliciously feral collection of ripper yarns, jokes, and warped philosophy.' She's no stranger to posing in racy bikinis for her legions of followers on social media. And Lianna Perdis stunned while posing topless in a chic ensemble for the November issue of Marie Claire. The 18-year-old, who is the daughter of makeup mogul Napoleon Perdis, struck a sultry pose while modelling for a collection of risque photographs for the magazine. Stripping down! Make-up heiress Lianna Perdis, 18, stunned as she posed TOPLESS in wide leg jeans and straw brim hat for Marie Claire photo shoot In one photo, the brunette wrapped her slender arms around her bare bust, offering a glimpse of her underboob. Clad in a pair of wide-leg jeans with white lining, the stunner placed her bare foot onto a flamingo statue for the snap. She teamed up the sizzling ensemble with a stylish straw brim hat, which featured a bow fastening under her chin. The glowing goddess had her tresses pulled back and styled in tousled waves. Wow! In another photo, Lianna flaunted her washboard abs and trim pins while basking in the sunlight on a pool chair Opting for a neutral makeup look, Lianna wore dewy foundation, coral eye shadow, a pop of tangerine lipstick and defined eye brows. In another photo, Lianna flaunted her washboard abs and trim pins while basking in the sunlight on a pool chair. Wearing a sleeveless sheer blouse and a pair of spotted bikini briefs, the beauty complemented her attire with platform sandals and a chained bracelet. Her glossy locks were curled in ringlets as she clutched onto a newspaper and struck a sexy pose. Issue: Lianna's photographs are available in Marie Claire's November issue In July, the makeup heiress revealed she will be returning to Australia to study a Bachelor of Media at Macquarie University in Sydney. It's the same institution her father attended as a youngster. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, she confessed: 'Between Australia, LA and Athens I changed schools four times, eventually graduating with an IB diploma.' Lianna's photographs are available in Marie Claire's November issue. She's hit headlines of late after scooping a role on The Hills' reboot. So Mischa Barton certainly has means to celebrate, as she enjoyed a night out in Hollywood on Monday alongside a male pal. Enjoying her resurgence into the spotlight, The OC star, 32, kept things low-key while nailing autumnal chic with an over-sized tweed coat, crisp white shirt, tight black jeans and open-toe nude mid-heels to boost her already statuesque height. Happy days: Mischa Barton certainly has means to celebrate, as she enjoyed a night out in Hollywood on Monday alongside a male pal Mischa looked stunning for her outing as she showed off her famously sensational style in the tight wet-look trousers with the loose white shirt. Adding a Chanel-inspired touch to proceedings, she pulled on the monochrome tweed coat which sat below her hips in length and boasted a shirt-style top. Her blonde tresses were worn tumbling over her shoulders with a sweeping side fringe framing her pretty features flawlessly. While boosting her height with the mid-heel shoes, she flashed her chic taupe pedicure while opting for a dove grey manicure. Night out: Enjoying her resurgence into the spotlight, The OC star, 32, kept things low-key while nailing autumnal chic with an over-sized tweed coat, crisp white shirt, tight black jeans and open-toe nude mid-heels to boost her already statuesque height Star of the show: From 2003 to 2006, Mischa played Marissa Cooper on The O.C., a series about an affluent group of teenagers living in Southern California Handsome: Her dinner date looked stylish in a crisp blue shirt for the outing Last week, fans were sent wild when The Hills news was announced - after Mischa herself confirmed the exciting news on Instagram. She said: 'The secret's out. I'm joining the cast of The Hills. When MTV approached me with the chance to be a part of the reality show that was inspired by The OC, it felt like the perfect opportunity for an irresistibly inviting new chapter.' From 2003 to 2006, Mischa played Marissa Cooper on The O.C., a series about an affluent group of teenagers living in Southern California. 'She was around back in the day and went to all the clubs,' an insider told Page Six of Mischa. 'She could make for good TV.' Yay! Last week, fans were sent wild when The Hills news was announced - after Mischa herself confirmed the exciting news on Instagram It's been a few years since Mischa appeared on television, with her more recent small screen credits including roles in Young Hollywood and the Freeform show Recovery Road. She's set to have a busy year ahead, with credits in movies such as The Basement, Papa, and The Malevolent. The cast of The Hills caused a frenzy in August when they appeared at the VMA Awards together to announce the upcoming reboot, The Hills: New Beginnings. The reboot is show is going ahead with Audrina Patridge, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt and their baby Gunner as well as Jason Wahler, Frankie Delgado, Justin Bobby Brescia, Whitney Port and Stephanie Pratt. She's back: It's been a few years since Mischa appeared on television, with her more recent small screen credits including roles in Young Hollywood and the Freeform show Recovery Road But stars Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, and Lo Bosworth will not be returning. Kristin now stars on the E! reality series following her life in Nashville, Very Cavallari. Her commitment to her own show precludes her from rejoining The Hills. But still, Kristin is excited to see the series return to television. 'I'm just as excited as everybody else to see it. I've been talking to Heidi and Audrina and so, I of course would love to be part of it,' she told E!. The Hills: New Beginnings is set to premiere next year. He's the former Bachelor In Paradise star who split with ex-fiancee Tara Pavlovic in June. But Sam Cochrane appeared to be leaving his heartbreak in the past as he stepped out with influencer Leanne O'Rorke at the premiere of A Star Is Born on Monday. The 34-year-old was seen posing next to the busty blonde as they were joined by notable Australian celebrities for the event. Shining bright! Bachelor In Paradise's Sam Cochrane steps out with fashion influencer Leanne O'Rorke as they join Ricki-Lee Coulter and Aussie stars for A Star Is Born premiere Sam opted for a casual ensemble consisting of a white shirt, dark wash jeans and a navy blue blazer. He wore one of his iconic hats, black loafers and hooked a glitzy pair of sunglasses at the nape of his shirt. Leanne stunned beside him as she flaunted her slender stems and washboard abs in a skintight coral pink dress, featuring a cut-out at her stomach. Cute: The 34-year-old was seen cuddling up to the busty blonde wearing a white shirt, dark wash jeans and a navy blue blazer Racy: Leanne stunned beside him as she flaunted her slender stems and washboard abs in a skintight coral pink dress, featuring a cut-out at her stomach Stunner! Also making an appearance was former Australian Idol star Ricki-Lee Coulter - who dropped jaws in a monochromatic ensemble She teamed the figure-hugging number with simple black heels and opted for a relaxed, wavy hairstyle. Also making an appearance was former Australian Idol star Ricki-Lee Coulter - who dropped jaws in a monochromatic ensemble. The smiling brunette, 32, wore a textured white shirt, a quirky mid length coat teamed with black jeans, ripped at the knee. The smiling brunette, 32, wore a textured white shirt, a quirky mid-length coat teamed with black jeans, ripped at the knee To complete the edgy get up, she wore black stilettos and a simple clutch. Keeping her makeup to a minimum, Ricki-Lee's look consisted of dewy foundation, coral blush and lashings of mascara. Meanwhile, Elle Ferguson stepped out in a bright khaki coat which she paired with light wash boyfriend jeans. Chic: Meanwhile, Elle Ferguson stepped out in a bright khaki coat which she paired with light wash boyfriend jeans All eyes on her! The gorgeous blonde dressed down the look with black boots and wore her flaxen tresses in loose waves The gorgeous blonde dressed down the look with black boots and wore her flaxen-tresses in loose waves. Adding a pop of colour to her look, Elle was seen sporting a mauve pink lip and bronze eye shadow. Richard Wilkins, 64, was spotted in a berry-coloured blazer while posing beside his girlfriend Virginia Burmeister. Virginia, 50, wore a cold-shoulder print top, jeans and peep-toe boot heels. Loved-up: Richard Wilkins (right) 64, was spotted in a berry-coloured blazer while posing beside his girlfriend Virginia Burmeister (left) Social media comedian Alan Tsibulya, 20, turned heads in a pair of quirky striped pants and crisp white sneakers. Music producer Kwame, 45, also made an appearance in a bright blue Champion hood jumper, black jeans and fluorescent orange sneakers. The American rapper sipped on a healthy purple juice while posing for the camera. Quirky! Social media comedian Alan Tsibulya, 20, turned heads in a pair of striped pants and crisp white sneakers That's different! Music producer Kwame, 45, also made an appearance in a bright blue Champion hood jumper, black jeans and fluorescent orange sneakers Wearing a velvet jumpsuit, The Loop host Olivia Phyland was joined by interviewer Scott Tweedie, as the pair flashed their pearly whites. She swept her blonde locks to one side of her face and teamed up the one-piece with transparent heels. Say cheese! Wearing a velvet jumpsuit, The Loop host Olivia Phyland was joined by interviewer Scott Tweedie, as the pair flashed their pearly whites Lauren Goodger has revealed she's sick of dating 'gangsters' and calls it a 'waste of time'. The TOWIE star ended her two-year romance with jailbird Joey Morrison in July after she discovered he'd been contacting other women from his prison cell. The 32-year-old, who had been planning to have a baby with Joey, took a swipe at her ex as she declared that it was time to 'grow up' and 'make better choices'. Moving on: Lauren Goodger has revealed she's sick of dating 'gangsters' and calls it a 'waste of time' 'I need a complete opposite to the guys I've dated in the past,' she wrote in her Now magazine column. 'They all love me but they become obsessive and want to live this wannabe gangster life,' Lauren added. 'I broke up with Joey months ago and he's out of jail now, and I just think "what a waste of time it was!"' The reality star, who previously dated Mark Wright for nine years, said that now she's single she's keen to go on Celebs Go Dating - adding that her dream man is either Channing Tatum or Tom Hardy. Jailbird: The TOWIE star ended her two-year romance with jailbird Joey Morrison (pictured in his mugshot) in July after she discovered he'd been contacting other women from his prison cell Maturing: The 32-year-old, who had been planning to have a baby with Joey, took a swipe at her ex as she declared that it was time to 'grow up' and 'make better choices' Lauren also appeared to throw shade at her ex during an Instagram Q&A on Monday. A fan told her they'd like to 'see her happy and with a nice man who deserves her', to which she replied 'Aww time to grow up and make better choices'. Joey was jailed for 16 years for a string of violent drugs-related charges. He was 24 at the time and was convicted of possession of a firearm, kidnapping, blackmail and actual bodily harm. When Morrisson was arrested, in September 2009, he was found in possession of 10,000 in cash and 60,000 worth of cocaine. He was released from jail on September 19, 2018. Lauren dated Joey for two years after 'meeting' him when she picked up the phone at his sister's house while he was calling from prison. Realisation: 'I need a complete opposite to the guys I've dated in the past. They all love me but they become obsessive and want to live this wannabe gangster life,' Lauren said Not impressed: 'I broke up with Joey months ago and he's out of jail now, and I just think "what a waste of time it was!"' she went on After much back and forth over their status, which flitted from Lauren ending things to her insisting they will have a baby when he leaves prison, they were finally united in May when he was released from HMP Highpoint South prison. She ended things with him amid claims Joey had sent explicit photos to other women, revealing that what 'hurt the most' was that they'd been planning to have a baby. One woman who reportedly spoke with Joey told The Sun: 'Joey loved to boast about Lauren. He told us me he was single but their relationship helped make him famous. No more: Joey was jailed for 16 years for a string of violent drugs-related charges, but was released in September this year 'Joey is well known in his area but he loved the idea of people outside of London knowing his name. He wants to be famous and to have a lifestyle where people are wanting to take pictures of him.' They added: 'He thinks everyone knows his name. The girls he's chatting to, it's like they're fans, he gets a real kick out of it. He says some girls love it, like they can't get enough of him being in prison.' Taking to social media, Goodger claimed she wasted money while waiting for his release and branded him a 'control freak'. A waste: Taking to social media, Goodger claimed she wasted money while waiting for his release and branded him a 'control freak' She wrote on Twitter: 'Just feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!!!! 2 years waited loyal and faithful and wasted soooo much money!! 'Now I am about to live my life with all I've missed out on!!!! I've been hurt but nothing or no one will take away my sparkle.' She later penned on Instagram: 'It's going to be my time now.. I've learned lessons! I've grown! I've changed over the years and I promise to never let myself down again! 'Just a big heart that loved 2 much! But it's ok because what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Here's to my time I promise that I'm make the most of it (sic).' She was recently arrested for protesting against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the U.S. Capitol, alongside actress Amy Schumer. And Emily Ratajkowski, 27, has opened up about her views on feminism, her recent whirlwind marriage, and being turned away from a dance at the age of just 13 for looking 'too sexy'. In a candid interview with this week's Grazia magazine, the model admitted she's afraid of 'mediocrity' and would rather be hated by trolls than inspire nothing. Honest: Emily Ratajkowski, 27, has opened up about her views on feminism, her recent marriage, and being turned away from a dance at the age of 13 for looking 'too sexy' The politically engaged actress also recalled one of her earliest memories of society policing her body as she reveals she was banned from entering a dance as a teenager for wearing a cute dress displaying her 'curvy, big-breasted figure'. The London-born model said: 'It was so embarrassing. I wasnt having sex and didnt know what being sexy was so it was very strange to get that kind of reaction. I felt like it was my fault although it wasnt.' Yet her mother, Professor Kathleen Balgley, who Emily credits for her attitude, raged against those who tried to tell her teenage daughter how to dress; never letting her feel bad about the way she looked. Speaking out: In a candid interview with this week's Grazia magazine, the model admitted she's afraid of 'mediocrity' and would rather be hated by trolls than inspire nothing Emily, who first rose to fame in Robin Thickes controversial Blurred Lines music video in 2013, went on to explain how she even made a feminist stand in her wedding earlier this year to actor/producer Sebastian Bear-McClard, 31. The couple married in February after dating for just four weeks and Emily walked down the aisle in a yellow Zara suit - a feminist statement - adding: It just felt like the most me outfit ever. Emily also didnt take her husbands name during the secret City Hall ceremony in New York, and her family has joked about Sebastian taking hers instead. When detailing her thoughts on feminism, The I Feel Pretty star said: 'For me, feminism is all about choice: socially, sexually, in the workplace, in any capacity. Women must feel liberated, not constrained, by feminism.' Politically engaged: The Gone Girl star was recently arrested for protesting against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the U.S. Capitol, alongside actress Amy Schumer The Gone Girl actress was arrested along with Amy Schumer while protesting against Judge Kavanaugh outside the Hart Senate Office building on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. In total Capitol Police arrested 302 protesters last week. Emily praised her I Feel Pretty co-star in the Grazia interview as 'smart, cool and liberating'. She took to Instagram after she was detained writing: 'Today I was arrested protesting the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, a man who has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault. 'Men who hurt women can no longer be placed in positions of power.' The model concluded: 'I demand a government that acknowledges, respects and supports women as much as it does men.' Cute couple: Emily recently got married to her beau Sebastian Bear-McClard, 31, exchanging vows in a secret City Hall ceremony in New York in February (pictured in March) Her interview comes after she revealed people often criticise her for flaunting her physique, which she says has apparently given the impression that she's vain. 'It's literally just my body... For women, it's such a huge part of our identity,' she told Pop Sugar in July. 'I'm a human, and no one out there is perfect. You're not going to love yourself every f**king day - that's too much. 'I definitely have those issues and deal with it where I look in the mirror and I'm just like, "Oh, God. Not today. Please, not today." Finding a way to kind of get past that and love yourself and give yourself a break. I love that I am imperfect.' Bling: Emily didnt take her husbands name and her family has joked about Sebastian taking hers instead Since her breakout part as Andie Fitzgerald in 2014's Gone Girl alongside Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, Emily has landed a number of acting parts in Hollywood. She's expected to star alongside Lisa Kudrow and YouTube personality Lilly Singh in the upcoming NBC comedy Bright Futures. According to Deadline, Emily will play girl-next-door type Sarah, a woman who can 'just as easily bro out with the guys as she can be the girliest girl.' The pilot is not expected to premiere until 2019. An official release date has yet to be announced by the network. She's modelled for Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren and Harper's Bazaar, but behind the glossy images, Bridget Malcolm says she was struggling with a crippling eating disorder. In a blog post on Bridget Malcolm Official on Monday, the 25-year-old Perth-born beauty responded to a letter from an anonymous reader, who is currently battling with their own eating disorder. Speaking from personal experience, Bridget said it was 'strange' to be told 'you are too thin' when you're in the midst of the illness. Getting candid: Model Bridget Malcolm says she has struggled with a crippling eating disorder in the past 'On the one hand you feel vindicated, because it means you have really lost a lot of weight,' she began. 'And on the other hand it hurts. You arent after more hate piled onto your body. There is enough inside of you for that.' She warned food becomes the 'enemy' during the struggle to take 'control' of your own life. 'The desire to disappear is seductive. It is bred from a place of feeling alone and unseen, and it grants the user a sense of clarity and safety,' she continued. Healthy: 'I know that I do not see myself correctly. Accepting this and learning to live with the dysmorphia has been a struggle,' she wrote in a blog post 'If the world around you is completely unreliable and unknown, at least you can control your food intake.' Bridget said talking to a therapist was ultimately what helped her get her life back on track. 'I was completely in denial about how much my food intake was linked to my self worth and sense of control, and having someone there to talk about my deeply ingrained thought processes was invaluable,' she explained. 'Eventually you start to celebrate achievements. That time I went to Mexico and finally ate the guacamole. My first mouthful of fruit in years. Bread.' Recovery: 'Eventually you start to celebrate achievements. That time I went to Mexico and finally ate the guacamole. My first mouthful of fruit in years. Bread' She now forces herself to eat three meals a day 'even if I dont want to', and won't exercise for more than 'more than an hour a day, four days a week'. 'I know that I do not see myself correctly. Accepting this and learning to live with the dysmorphia has been a struggle, but it has forced me to get out of the mirror and to take part in my own life again,' she wrote. 'It is so easy to beat yourself up over your perceived flaws. But there comes a point when you must choose to take the scarier, ego-less path, and learn that you are so much bigger than your outward appearance.' Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones has faced a barrage of cutting remarks after playfully bemoaning having to teach show partner Seann Walsh the basics of life just one day after they were pictured sharing a drunken kiss. The married professional dancer has come under fire following her very public kiss with comedian Walsh, the fallout of which has resulted in the comedians girlfriend Rebecca Humphries ending their three-year relationship. The moment, captured as they exited a London pub on October 3, has since prompted fans to highlight a tweet posted by the 29-year old the following day, and two days before damning pictures of her passionate embrace with Walsh, 32, emerged. Under fire: Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones has faced a barrage of cutting remarks after playfully bemoaning having to teach show partner Seann Walsh the basics of life just days before pictures of their drunken kiss emerged Tweeting on Friday as they prepared for the shows much vaunted Movie Week during which they performed to The Matric theme Katya joked about her celebrity dance partners apparent haplessness away from the ballroom floor. Taking to Twitter, she wrote: 'I thought my job was to teach him how to dance, ended up Teaching him basics of life!!!!' Somewhat inevitably fans have since used the post as an outlet for their outage over the sultry Russian's indiscretion with Walsh. Bad timing: Tweeting on Friday as they prepared for the shows much vaunted Movie Week, Katya joked about her celebrity dance partners apparent haplessness away from the ballroom floor Awkward: Somewhat inevitably fans have since used the post as an outlet for their outage over the sultry Russian's indiscretion with Walsh Commenting on Monday evening, one follower wrote: 'And then more than that also clearly...' While another quipped: 'Not sure you are doing a great job of teaching!' With tongue firmly in cheek, a third added: 'Yes, you really are thorough.' Criticism: The married professional dancer has come under fire following her very public kiss with comedian Walsh Here we go: The negative tweets poured in after pictures of Katya's kiss with Walsh emerged over the weekend Elsewhere, another wrote: 'But he can snog obviously #disappointed.' Evidently in agreement and echoing the thoughts of many, one fan chirped: 'And how to be unfaithful and snog in the street.' While another promptly added: 'And the art of cheating.' All over: Walsh had been in a relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries for three years prior to their split Walsh's actress girlfriend dumped the comedian in a Twitter statement, revealing the images of him kissing Katya - who is married to fellow Strictly professional Neil Jones - were taken on her birthday on October 3, as she sat at home alone. Posting on Monday evening, when it was revealed that Strictly bosses have re-choreographed the pair's dance for this Saturday's show to make it less sexy, Rebecca said she was not sure about whether to publicly respond - but felt she had to 'clear up' the narrative. In a heartbreaking revelation, she also revealed she was waiting for Walsh at home on her birthday - while he was kissing his Strictly co-star. Rebecca's statement: Walsh's actress girlfriend dumped the comedian on Monday night in a Twitter statement, revealing the images of him kissing Katya, 29, were taken on her birthday on October 3, as she sat at home alone She wrote: 'I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. He aggressively, and repeatedly, called me a psycho / nuts / mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when I've questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour. Rebecca, who took pet cat Winston when she left their London flat, went on to reveal Walsh and Katya have not attempted to pick up the pieces - but that her family, friends and strangers had been there for her. 'But - this whole business has served to remind me that I am a strong, capable person who is now free; and no victim,' she added. ' 'I have a voice and will use it by saying this to any woman out there who deep down feels worthless and trapped with a man they love. The husband: Katya has been married to Neil Jones, another Strictly professional dancer, for five years 'I'm not sorry I took the cat': Humphries has revealed she took pet cat Winston with her after splitting with Walsh 'Believe in yourself and your instincts. It's more than lying. It's controlling. Tell some very close friends who, if they're anything like my wonderful network, will swoop in and take care of the logistics and of you. 'It's important also to recognise that in these situations those who hold power over you are insecure and fragile, and their need for control comes from a place of vulnerability. I think it certainly does in Sean's case. Despite everything, I hope he gets what he wants from this. 'I'm not sorry I took the cat though.' He failed to find love on Channel Nine's Married At First Sight, after a tumultuous match with TV 'wife' Davina Rankin.. But Ryan Gallagher has since moved on and gushed over his new-found romance with New Zealand model girlfriend, Alya Browne, 24. Speaking to Nine Honey Celebrity on Tuesday, the 30-year-old recalled the moment he first laid eyes on the stunning blonde. Scroll down for video 'I've definitely fallen for her': MAFS Ryan Gallagher gushes over new girlfriend Alya Browne, 24, and claims the romance with the New Zealand model is his 'first real relationship in the past four years' The lovebirds met while Ryan was judging the Miss Hawaiian Tropic contest on the Gold Coast in September. 'She had never seen the show [Married At First Sight] so she had no idea who I was or what happened, so it was really refreshing,' he revealed. Admitting he was too shy to ask her out on a date in person, Ryan contacted Alya via Instagram and the pair enjoyed dinner at The Star the following day. Smitten: The lovebirds first met while Ryan was judging the Miss Hawaiian Tropic contest on the Gold Coast in September 'It's my first relationship since the show and my first real relationship in the past four years,' he gushed. Ryan added that Alya is the fourth girl he has taken to meet his parents - but the hunk does not count reality star Davina. 'I've definitely fallen for her but it's only been a month,' he confessed. 'It's my first relationship since the show and my first real relationship in the past four years,' he gushed while speaking to Nine Honey Celebrity on Tuesday Although Ayla, a fitness and bikini model from Auckland, may call New Zealand home, it doesn't appear that there will be much distance between them for long. Ryan explained that Alya is currently very busy, but he will keep making trips to New Zealand until she is able to move to Sydney. The reality star's smitten state comes after he remained single following his split with 'wife' Davina on the Nine dating show - despite being briefly linked to former Bachelorette star Sophie Monk. They became the first Love Island couple to make their union official last month, getting married in Essex and hitting the Maldives for their honeymoon afterwards. But now they're back on British soil, it seems Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen have wasted no time in becoming parents... to a French bulldog puppy they've named Winnie. Having collected her the day after they returned from holiday, Olivia, 24, told New Magazine before they got back: 'The day after we get back from the honeymoon we pick up our new puppy. We'll be new parents again.' New addition: Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen have wasted no time in becoming parents... to a French bulldog puppy they've named Winnie The couple already own a dog of the same breed, called Reggie. In the same chat, Olivia told the publication she and Alex, 27, pretend not to be married, despite only being newlyweds. 'We just pretend we're not married. You just have to take it with a pinch of salt and remember you've not changed as peaople. We're both still silly as ever. Saying I'm a wife feels old.' The pair have also revealed they're in no rush to have children - canines aside. Happy families: The couple already own a dog of the same breed, called Reggie Newlyweds: The Essex beauty, 24, and her scaffolder husband, 27, are the first ever Love Island couple to tie the knot 'I'll have another five years,' Olivia said. 'It's such a hard job I'm just not ready for it. But I want children and so does Alex.' The couple's wedding ceremony was held at Gosfield Hall, which boasts 10 acres of elegant grounds, in the blonde beauty's native Essex on September 15. In her column for New, Olivia revealed the boozy mishaps had resulted in an extremely sore head the next day. Give it five years: The pair have also revealed they're in no rush to have children - canines aside The bride penned: 'I was so hungover the day after my wedding as you can see from this picture! 'I stayed up until 3am and got McDonald's the next day. We didn't move for two days.' The reality TV pair initially jetted off to Sri Lanka just hours after their lavish reception in Essex, before moving onto the second leg of their honeymoon in the Maldives Marital bliss: Olivia and Alex tied the knot in the first ever Love Island wedding in front of friends, family and reality TV co-stars in Essex last month Sweet: They held the ceremony at Gosfield Hall, which boasts 10 acres of elegant grounds, in the blonde beauty's native Essex on September 15 Raucous night: In her column for New Magazine, Olivia revealed the boozy mishaps had resulted in an extremely sore head the next day The couple first met on the 2016 series of Love Island, in which they starred alongside the likes of Cara De La Hoyde, Nathan Massey, Zara Holland, Tina Stinnes, Malin Andersson and the late Sophie Gradon. Olivia and Alex came in second place behind Cara and her fiance Nathan Massey, and moved in together in Essex in August 2016. Alex popped the question during a romantic trip to New York that December after just five months of dating. Advertisement Seann Walsh's ex girlfriend Rebecca Humphries is set to face fresh humiliation as the BBC have confirmed that the comedian and his married dance partner will perform the Charleston on Saturday night's show. Seann, 32, and Katya, 29, who is married to professional dancer, Neil Young, were caught passionately kissing one another on October 3, the day of 32-year-old Rebecca's birthday, while she waited for him at home. The latest news comes just hours after Katya stepped out still wearing her wedding ring as it appears her husband of five years has forgiven her over the betrayal. Betrayal: Seann Walsh's ex Rebecca Humphries (left) is set to face fresh humiliation as the BBC have confirmed her ex and Katya Jones (right) are set to perform the Charleston with one another on Saturday night Shock: Rebecca and Seann (left) have been together for five years, but she dumped him and took the cat after learning of his indiscretions - he was caught passionately kissing married dance partner Katya Jones on October 3 (right) Despite the furore and calls for Seann to quit the show, the beleaguered dance partnership will take to the ballroom floor on Saturday evening, where they will perform the Charleston to Bills by Lunchmoney Lewis. On Monday evening, Rebecca dumped the comedian over social media after the pictures emerged. The actress hit out at Seann in a statement, revealing the images of him kissing Katya were taken after he told her they were going for 'a quiet drink'. Meanwhile, hours after posting her scathing statement, Seann's ex Rebecca threw her support behind a host of domestic abuse charities following her former boyfriend's heartbreaking kiss with his Strictly co-star. Rebecca's statement: Seann's ex has said she is not a victim and has left Seann and 'took the cat' after he kissed his dance partner in London - on his girlfriend's birthday Hard times: Rebecca's statement has been widely praised by fans of the show and critics of Sean and Katya Bosses at the former, penned a note reading: 'Believe in yourself and your instincts. It's more than lying. It's controlling.' If you feel worthless or trapped in your relationship, or are worried about someone Scotland's Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline is open 24/7'. The latter's message read: 'Powerful words from @Beckshumps about the controlling behavious of her ex. Her strength is a joy to see and speaking out about her experience is a huge help. Let's hope others affected read it and find their freedom.' Rebecca's Twitter account has been inundated with messages of support - and she has liked around a dozen including one saying her boyfriend had 'made a fool of her'. Stoney-faced: Katya herself, emerged on Tuesday, sporting a glamorous ensemble yet remained straight-faced and ashen-looking as the news continues to hit headlines much to fans shock Addition: She was spotted with her wedding ring in place Another she backed said: 'I've been thinking about you all day, i don't know you but the whole thing is just so cruel & heartbreaking! Something similar happened to me once & it knocked me off my feet because i wasnt expecting it all, so i can vaguely relate to your pain! You got this girl x'. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Seann and Rebecca for comment. After Rebecca's statement emerged, Katya emerged sporting a glamorous ensemble yet remained straight-faced and ashen-looking as the news continues to hit headlines much to fans shock. Rebecca has also shared a host of messages supporting her, including the posts from Scottish Women's Aid and Nottingham-based charity Broxtowe Womens Project. Hours after posting a lengthy and empowering statement in response to images showing the dance partners locking lips last week, the actress retweeted and favourited tweets praising her handling of the situation, while also giving a nod to messages she received from Scottish Women's Aid and Broxtowe Womens Project. Reach for help: After releasing her statement, Rebecca rushed to share a host of messages supporting her, including the posts from Scottish Women's Aid and Nottingham-based charity Broxtowe Womens Project Heartbreaking: The latter's message read: 'Powerful words from @Beckshumps about the controlling behavious of her ex. Her strength is a joy to see and speaking out about her experience is a huge help. Let's hope others affected read it and find their freedom' There is nothing to suggest any domestic abuse occurred in the couple's relationship. In her statement, Rebecca revealed she had suspicions about her boyfriend cheating for at least three weeks, but claimed when she brought it up, he called her a 'psycho' and accused her of being 'nuts'. Now, Rebecca, who claims she is yet to receive an apology, said she has left him and taken the cat and is 'not sorry' for doing so. She accused the star - her partner for more than five years - of 'inappropriate and hurtful' behaviour, and claimed despite speaking to the media, he had not apologised to her personally and neither had Katya. Heading out: Katya kept her wedding ring on while heading out in the midst of the ongoing drama Stoney-faced: Katya looked incredibly stern as she made her outing following the scandal Solo outing: She kept things straight and serious while heading out in the midst of the shocking drama Low-key: Katya looked keen to remove herself from the scandal as she strutted ahead in the midst of the woes Happier times: Rebecca's Instagram feed is still littered with snaps alongside her beau - having not removed the images since the scandal erupted Later on: Pictured later emerged of a downcast looking Sean and Rebecca leaving the Strictly studios Stressful time: The pair looked visibly distressed as they left the studios on Saturday evening, ahead of pictures emerging of the kiss between Sean and his dance partner Katya Heartbroken: During Saturday night's show, supportive Rebecca weeped while sitting in the audience Posting on Monday evening, when it was revealed that Strictly bosses have re-choreographed the pair's dance for this Saturday's show to make it less sexy, Rebecca said she was not sure about whether to publicly respond - but felt she had to 'clear up' the narrative. She went on to reveal Seann and Katya have not attempted to pick up the pieces - but that her family, friends and strangers had been there for her. In a heartbreaking revelation, she also revealed she was waiting for Seann at home on her birthday - while he was kissing his Strictly co-star. In response to her questions over why he was not joining her - the comedian allegedly returned a flurry of insults. She said: 'I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. He aggressively, and repeatedly, called me a psycho / nuts / mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when I've questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour. 'I'm not sorry I took the cat': Rebecca and Seann with their cat Winston the ragdoll. She revealed she has left him and taken Winston The couple's beloved pet Winston is featured often on their social media - he has been taken by Miss Humphries during the split Shocking news: Seann has been in a relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries for more than three years and Katya has been married to Neil Jones for five years 'But - this whole business has served to remind me that I am a strong, capable person who is now free; and no victim. I have a voice and will use it by saying this to any woman out there who deep down feels worthless and trapped with a man they love: 'Believe in yourself and your instincts. It's more than lying. It's controlling. Tell some very close friends who, if they're anything like my wonderful network, will swoop in and take care of the logistics and of you. Seann Walsh and Katya Jones: How the Strictly scandal unravelled Wednesday night (October 3): Walsh is seen kissing Jones outside a London pub while his girlfriend Rebecca was at home alone on her birthday Saturday afternoon: Walsh and Jones perform on Strictly and Rebecca is seen cheering him on in the crowd, appearing to cry with pride at his performance Saturday night: Photos finally emerge of Walsh and Jones kissing passionately, as Walsh and Rebecca are pictured leaving the Strictly studio looking glum Sunday night: Walsh and Jones release apologies on Twitter two minutes apart, with both claiming it was a 'one-off' mistake. Monday night: Rebecca finally breaks her silence on Twitter, as it is also revealed that Strictly bosses plan to tone down the 'sexiness' of Walsh and Jones' dance on Saturday Advertisement 'It's important also to recognise that in these situations those who hold power over you are insecure and fragile, and their need for control comes from a place of vulnerability. I think it certainly does in Sean's case. Despite everything, I hope he gets what he wants from this. 'I'm not sorry I took the cat though.' Before the dance was changed, the pair were set to perform a rumba, salsa, or Argentine tango - three of the most passionate dances on Strictly. But they will now perform something where Seann looks sombre and Katya is wearing something that isn't revealing. The pair were reportedly at the Duke Of York pub in Marylebone in Central London at around midnight on Wednesday. An onlooker who witnessed Seann and Katya's kiss, told the Sun they were 'snogging like a pair of teenagers' and 'didn't seem to care who might see them'. However, Seann and Katya both had haunted expressions on Monday morning as they emerged for the first time since pictures emerged of their drunken yet passionate kiss on a London street. Walsh, 32, appeared with baggy eyes outside his home just before 11am after Rebecca had then merely hinted that she had 'binned' him following his betrayal shortly before releasing her statement. Comedian Seann refused to comment to waiting journalists as he wandered up and down the street before getting into a waiting black Mercedes. Seann released a public statement on Sunday night calling the kiss a 'one-off drunken mistake'. Despite the outcry from some fans for the Mock The Week regular to quit the series, Seann and Katya are said to be continuing their dance training ahead of their planned appearance on the BBC One show, this weekend. Not so funny now? Seann (left) and Katya (right) appeared ashen as they were seen for the first time on Monday morning, five days after they were pictured drunkenly kissing on a London street A year ago: The couple were pictured on her birthday on October 3, 2017 - however this year he spent the day with Katya That was then: Rebecca and Seann posed for pictures on her social media accounts over the last few years. She revealed he accused her of being 'mental' when she asked if he was cheating Tellingly Rebecca liked this tweet suggesting her boyfriend was now 'in the bin' after the kiss on her birthday last week Who is Seann Walsh's ex girlfriend Rebecca Humphries? Actress Rebecca Humphries has been dating Seann Walsh for around five years. The pair live together in London. Before her stage career Miss Humphries trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Rebecca is best known for appearing as Molly in National Theatre Live: The Kitchen (2011). She has also appeared on ITVs Cockroaches, BBCs Hold the Sunset and Come Fly With Me. The actress starred in Wild Honey and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She also wrote Prom Kween, a show based on the first ever non binary teenager to win the coveted US high school title. Miss Humphries recently took a diversion from the stage to take up a role writing for Vogue. She started a sixth month role at Conde Nast Traveller magazine in August. Advertisement Seann was pictured scratching his head as he appeared outside his flat in West London wearing a black jacket, black and white striped T-shirt, dark jeans and white Nike trainers, last week. Meanwhile married Katya was stony-faced after leaving the home she shares with husband Neil ahead of another day of rehearsals with Seann. The Russian dancer, 29, wore a casual grey top and jogging bottoms while making her way towards a waiting car. It was confirmed that the duo will perform on Strictly next Saturday and a source told MailOnline: 'Seann was pictured going to dance training for next Saturdays show earlier today. 'No one is pulling out of the show. It is business as usual for all of the Strictly parties involved. The dance couple Seann and Katya have already apologised publicly. 'They will be carrying on as normal this week, where the only time theyll be adding to that will be on the BBCs Strictly show It Takes Two. And that will take place later this week on a date yet to be confirmed. 'But that will be it in terms of anyone on the show speaking out. There are no meetings with bosses scheduled in light of whats happened over the weekend. 'All the bosses were around and discussed everything in full when the story first broke on Saturday night.' The heartbreaking images came just days after Rebecca praised her boyfriend on Instagram, sharing an image of him and Katya. She wrote: 'I cant b****y breathe. These two legends are working their a***s off. Walsh has been doing moves on holiday, in coffee shops, around Westfield, at the pub, in his sleep. We have moved half our (very heavy) furniture to create a Shepherds Bush at home dance studio. I am LIVING for it. Get. behind. them.' Sorry: Seann has apologised for his 'mistake' but he didn't mention his girlfriend specifically in his apology Nothing to say? Seann clasped his hand over his mouth but said nothing as he made his way, presumably to a very awkward rehearsal amid reports he is now a single man On his way: Seann looked solemn as he made his way towards his car on Monday morning Katya's husband Neil shared a shirtless Instagram snap with fans, just days after pictures of his wife kissing another man emerged. Captioning the shot, he wrote: 'Its Monday and if you dont mind Im just going to hang out by the rocks with my smouldering look. Whats your plans for the week ahead????' Seann and Katya were spotted 'snogging like a pair of teenagers' outside a London pub on Wednesday night and as a result, have pulled out of a joint appearance on ITV's Lorraine today. Katya has been married to fellow Strictly dancer Neil Jones since 2013, and it is not known how he has reacted to his wife's drunken kiss. Critics have called for the pair to pull out of the show and there are doubts whether Strictly fans will vote for the couple to remain in the competition next Saturday. But a Strictly source said: 'Its very much business as usual', which could cause even more upset for Seann's girlfriend and Katya's husband. Seann wrote on Twitter on Sunday: 'I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.' Meanwhile: Her appearance came as husband Neil shared a shirtless Instagram snap with fans, two days after pictures of his wife kissing another man emerged Seann and Katya have both taken to Twitter to apologise for their kiss, which a witness described as a 'snogging like teenagers' Katya also tweeted about the incident and said: 'I'm so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn't thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship'. Susanna Reid has appeared to defend the kiss between Strictly Come Dancing couple and said: 'We've all had a few drinks and had a kiss'. She said on Good Morning Britain: 'It was just a kiss, and they'd had a few drinks, we've all had a few drinks.' She added: 'We've all had a few drinks and had a kiss, haven't we?' Her co-star Richard Arnold said: 'I think it's possibly the fact they had partners waiting in the wings, that's the real issue.' Support: Rebecca broke her social media silence on the shock kiss by replying to a tweet by author Marian Keyes, who sent her support to her on Sunday evening Making her point known: Rebecca liked a post which read that Seann is 'in the bin' as she unfollowed him on social media Fans were quick to comment on the statement, angrily demanding that Seann should quit the show due to his and Katya's actions. The pair have pulled out of a scheduled TV appearance on Lorraine this Thursday. Lorraine confirmed the news to viewers on Monday, saying: They were booked to appear on this very show, but have suddenly become unavailable. Theyre not coming on. If they do stay on the show, its going to be so awkward. What do you say? Yikes.' The Scottish television presenter added: I think because they apologised quickly we should give them a second chance. But I dont think that people will vote for them.' The incident also prompted furious debate on Mondays edition of Loose Women, with the panel divided over their actions. Defiant: Seann and Katya will return to the ballroom floor on Saturday evening, dispelling claims that the pair will walk, but bookmakers believe they will be axed following this weekend's performance Discussing the incident, Stacey Solomon admitted: Part of me feels sorry for them. Perhaps it was a reckless, silly thing that they did just when they were drunk. Maybe they didnt mean to do it'. Ruth Langsford, who participated on the show in 2017, added: I used to end my training with Anton with a hug, and a well done partner, you worked hard." But I didnt finish the day by falling on top of him and sticking my tongue in his mouth. Eamonn was never worried because I would absolutely never behave like that. Bookmakers have made the pair hot favourites to be axed from the programme, with online bookie Betfair pricing Seann up at 6/4 to depart the programme after the upcoming weekend's performances, with doctor Ranj Singh the next likely to leave at 3/1. Betfair Spokesperson Katie Baylis said: 'It's been quite the weekend for Seann Walsh who went from hero to zero on the Strictly dancefloor with his stomping paso doble with partner Katya Jones. The judges loved the raw passion shown between them, which clearly spilled into the night after pictures of the pair snogging emerged the next day. Reaction: Some fans insisted that it wasn't the public that he owed an apology to, however it is currently unclear whether Seann and Rebecca has spoken since the pictures emerged Budget meal: Fans had previously labelled Katya a 'cheap date' after he posted this shot of the dancer tucking into a McDonalds on Instagram 'Seann may face a backlash from viewers for his transgression as despite his comeback on the dancefloor is the 6/4 favourite to be eliminated this weekend. We also have it at 16/1 that he will just quit the show completely before the weekend.' Rebecca's page is still littered with snaps of Seann and Katya. She regularly gushed over her boyfriend's Strictly stint, sharing an image of him wearing a 'keep calm and listen to Katya T-shirt', as a good luck present. She broke her social media silence on the shock kiss by replying to a tweet by author Marian Keyes, who sent her support to her on Sunday evening. Marian tweeted to say: 'Hello. I'm putting ALL THREE of my AGINs on Seannnnnn Walsh and if anyone has any spare AGINs oging, I'll take them offa you. His poor girlfriend! (This means I'm lifting my AGINs from Faye and The Curtain Wiper and Doctor Ranj and Jeanette)'. AGIN means taking against someone - and is a phrase used by the author and her followers while watching Strictly based on who they dislike on the show. Sizzling chemistry: Seann performed the Pasa Dobleto The Matrix theme tune with the Russian dancer, 29 Proud: Rebecca , who has been dating the comedian, for five years, choked back sobs during his Pasa Doble, overwhelmed with emotion Overwhelmed: Viewers watched the actress hold her hands to her face as she watched Seann perform the outstanding routine, bursting into tears as he hugged Katya with relief In response Rebecca tweeted back 'Wanna be friends?', while liking a series of tweets including one tweet directed at Seann which said 'no apology to @Beckshumps?'. However while she has unfollowed her boyfriend, Rebecca has also recently followed Katya's husband on Neil on Twitter, with the kiss no doubt coming as a shock to both of them. Before the pictures of the kiss emerged, Rebecca was moved to tears as she watched him dance on Strictly on Saturday. The actress choked back sobs during his Pasa Doble to The Matrix theme tune with the Russian dancer. Viewers watched Rebecca hold her hands to her face as she watched Seann perform the outstanding routine, bursting into tears as he hugged Katya with relief at nailing the dance. While the judges raved about the performance, which included a backflip in the air, she could hardly contain her emotion as she watched from the front row. However, less than 24 hours later Rebecca shared her heartache on social media, liking a tweet from Corrie's Kirsty Leigh-Porter who sent her a red love heart emoji. Devastated: Following the betrayal, Rebecca shared her heartache on social media, liking a tweet from Corrie's Kirsty Leigh-Porter who sent her a red love heart emoji Breaking silence: Katya's husband Neil confused fans by choosing to ignore pictures of his wife in a embrace with Seann as he uploaded a snap of the pair dancing on Instagram Tactile display: While the judges raved about the performance- which included a backflip in the air- Rebecca could hardly contain her emotion as she watched from the front row Sexy: On Saturday they performed a sensual paso doble as Seann's girlfriend Rebecca cheered them on from the audience Meanwhile Neil confused fans by choosing to ignore pictures of his wife in a passionate embrace with Seann as he uploaded a snap of the pair dancing on Instagram. He wrote: 'Wow last nights @bbcstrictly movie week was really epic and I'm really proud of @mrs_katjones and @seannwalsh Paso Doble. Great shapes and of course like always the choreography was on point.' A source told the website that the pair have had chemistry since the day they met, adding that they are very giggly and tactile. Although their close relationship has been noted by members of the crew it has still come as a shock to everyone. They added that it is bound to cause friction on the show as Katya has to work alongside her husband Neil every week. Awkward: Katya appeared to defend her marriage with Neil on Sunday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing, following her passionate kiss with dance partner Seann But Katya appeared to defend her marriage with husband Neil again on Sunday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing. Then pro performed a romantic dance together while soul superstar Gladys Knight belted out her 1989 hit single Licence to Kill. Viewers took to Twitter in their droves as they commented on the 'cringing and awkward' dance to the 'appropriate song' which features the lyrics: 'Got a license to kill, anyone who tries to tear us apart.' While showcasing their fancy footwear, Katya and Neil twirled around the stage while the 'Empress Of Soul', 74, showcased her award-winning vocals. Fans quickly pointed out that their performance was seemingly convenient, with one fan tweeting: 'Katya & Neil dancing to Licence to Kill (anyone who tries to tear us apart) Yikes!! #Strictly.' In agreement, another penned: 'Watching Neil Jones and Katya dancing together is making me cringe. The song lyrics are not helping. #Strictly.' 'Katya and Neil dancing in a cloud of tension #strictly', a third wrote. Others were amazed by Gladys' stellar show, with viewers branding the star 'immortal' and 'a class act'. Soulful: The Russian pro performed a romantic dance together while Gladys Knight belted out her 1989 hit single Licence to Kill Passionate: Viewers took to Twitter in their droves as they commented on the 'cringing and awkward' dance to the 'appropriate song' which features the lyrics: 'Got a license to kill, anyone who tries to tear us apart' Hmm: Fans quickly took to the social media site to point out that their performance was seemingly convenient Excited: Others were amazed by Gladys' stellar show, with viewers branding the star 'immortal' and 'a class act' Stacey Solomon and Carol Vorderman lead the stars in supporting Rebecca Humphries as she finally dumps Seann Walsh after THAT kiss with Katya Jones TV presenters Stacey Solomon and Carol Vorderman lead the celebrities in showing their support for Rebecca Humphries, following her split from Strictly Come Dancing's Seann Walsh. Taking to Twitter, the stars praised the 32-year-old actress for her 'powerful' statement about her break-up from the comedian on Monday, where she revealed Seann, also 32, kissed his dance partner Katya Jones on her birthday, and called her a 'pyscho'. While the Come Fly With Me star insisted she's 'not a victim', she accused the comedian of 'inappropriate and hurtful' behaviour, and claimed he had not apologised to her personally. Praise: Stacey Solomon (L) and Carol Vorderman (R) took to Twitter to show their support for Rebecca Humphries, following her split from Strictly Come Dancing's Seann Walsh Loose Women host Stacey, 29 shared words of encouragement to a heartbroken Rebecca: 'What a powerful, important message. You will help so many people going through similar experiences. Youre amazing. X' In agreement with her fellow TV personality, former Countdown star Carol, 57, added: 'Rebecca.....you deserve the best....and your best is yet to come.' Denise Welch, who previously claimed her former husband David Easter cheated on her during their marriage, showed her support through a powerful quote, which read: 'If another woman steals your man, there's no better revenge than letting her keep him. Real men can't be stolen.' Reality stars Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and Lady Nadia gave their two pennies worth as they waded in on the matter, with Big Brother's Aisleyne, 39, stating: 'Aisleyne - His sorry loss darling... also the cat is better off with you hun, stay strong and I hope this helps strengthen others in similar situations xx' Echoing the stars' positive and reassuring comments, Celebs Go Dating's Nadia, 36, penned: 'Wow. Go Queen. You will inspire so many other women Rebecca. Bravo for being strong and speaking out.' Nicola McLean made a reference to Rebecca's fierce statement about taking the former couple's cat: 'This will resonate with so many women and also help so many going through exactly what youve had a lucky escape from!!! Youre right youre no victim he is a victim of his own disloyalty and has lost you and the cat!' Proving to have struck up a close relationship during their time in the acting industry, Hunger Games star Sam Claflin displayed his caring nature as he reached out to Rebecca with a tweet which read: 'Love you x' Support: A legion of celebs were not afraid to display their thoughts on Rebecca's statement Hours before the wave of support, Rebecca spoke out for the first time after pictures emerged of her ex, 32, kissing Russian pro Katya, 29, who has been married to husband Neil for over five years. The auburn-haired beauty made a bold statement as she dumped Seann over Twitter, revealing she had suspicions about her boyfriend cheating for at least three weeks. Now, proven to be right the actress who says she is yet to received a first hand apology said she has left him and taken the cat and is 'not sorry' for doing so. Posting on Monday evening, Rebecca said she was not sure about whether to publicly respond - but felt she had to 'clear up' the narrative. 'Those pictures were taken on October 3rd. It was my birthday. I was alone at home when Seann texted at 10pm saying the two of them were going for one innocent drink', she wrote in her lengthy message. Rebecca continued: 'We spoke and I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. He aggressively and repeatedly called me a psycho/nuts/mental. As he had done countless times throughout our relationship when Ive questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour.' Injecting her passage with reassurance, she insisted she's a 'strong, capable person' who is now 'free' and encourages other women to 'believe in their instincts'. Married: Russian pro Katya, 29, tied the knot to fellow dancer Neil Jones in August 2013 Katya and Seann were reportedly at the Duke Of York pub in Marylebone in Central London at around midnight on Wednesday. An onlooker who witnessed their kiss, told the Sun they were 'snogging like a pair of teenagers' and 'didn't seem to care who might see them'. However, the pair both had haunted expressions on Monday morning as they emerged for the first time since pictures emerged of their drunken yet passionate kiss on a London street. Sending his apologies on social media, Seann wrote on Twitter on Sunday: 'I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.' Katya also tweeted about the incident and said: 'I'm so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn't thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship'. Break-up: Seann was in a relationship with actress Rebecca for more than three years and Katya and Seann were reportedly at the Duke Of York pub in Marylebone in Central London at around midnight on Wednesday. An onlooker who witnessed their kiss, told the Sun they were 'snogging like a pair of teenagers' and 'didn't seem to care who might see them'. However, the pair both had haunted expressions on Monday morning as they emerged for the first time since pictures emerged of their drunken yet passionate kiss on a London street. Sending his apologies on social media, Seann wrote on Twitter on Sunday: 'I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.' Katya also tweeted about the incident and said: 'I'm so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn't thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship'. Advertisement They play a Western TV star and his long-time stunt double in Quentin Tarantino's hotly-tipped thriller, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. And Leonardo DiCaprio, 43, and Brad Pitt, 54, threw themselves into filming night scenes for the 60s-set drama in Los Angeles on Monday. Titanic star Leonardo looked unrecognisable as he rocked sideburns and retro pink flares, while Brad wore white jeans and a matching jacket. Hard-working: Leonardo DiCaprio, 43, and Brad Pitt, 54, threw themselves into filming night scenes for the 60s-set drama in Los Angeles on Monday Brad completed his look with a black T-shirt and cowboy boots. The Fight Club star looked unrecognisable with his long hair and moustache. The actors chatted among themselves as they prepared to shoot another scene on Tarantinos semi-fictional interpretation of sixties Hollywood and the brutal slaughter of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and three friends at the hands of the Manson family. Brad and Leonardo hit the headlines back in August when fans noticed that a press image of them was airbrushed. Sony accidentally released a press photo showing tweaks made to them, with Leonardo's chin made slimmer while the wrinkles on Brad's neck were ironed out. Who's that? Titanic star Leonardo looked unrecognisable as he rocked sideburns and retro pink flares Unrecognisable: while Brad wore white jeans and a matching jacket Just hanging out: The two actors chatted between takes with director Quentin Tarantino behind them Here he is: Brad completed his look with a black T-shirt and cowboy boots. The Fight Club star looked unrecognisable with his long hair and moustache The production team told Page Six that the error was theirs, and that neither heartthrob had requested nor were even aware of the edits. 'The actors did not request any retouching of photography from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' they said. 'We take full responsibility for the error.' The film sees DiCaprio play Rick Dalton, the fading former star of a western TV series, while Pitt plays his stunt double, Cliff Booth. Rick lives next door to actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, who was murdered by the Manson Family cult while heavily pregnant with director Roman Polanski's child. Quite the transformation! Leonardo's longer locks are a far cry from his usual preened style Spot the difference: Brad also evokes the seventies with lengthier tresses and ditches his usual stubble for a clean-shaven look Thriller: The film sees DiCaprio play Rick Dalton, the fading former star of a western TV series, while Pitt plays his stunt double, Cliff Booth Horror: Rick lives next door to actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, who was murdered by the Manson Family cult while heavily pregnant with director Roman Polanski's child Drama: Leonardo and Brad's characters embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves once again in the film industry they no longer recognize in the Hollywood of 1969, the year of the murders Star-studded: Other notable names to appear in the forthcoming film include, Al Pacino, Damian Lewis, Luke Perry, Dakota Fanning, Michael Madsen and Kurt Russell Leonardo and Brad's characters embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves once again in the film industry they no longer recognize in the Hollywood of 1969, the year of the murders. Other notable names to appear in the forthcoming film include, Al Pacino, Damian Lewis, Luke Perry, Dakota Fanning, Michael Madsen and Kurt Russell. The late Burt Reynolds also had a role, although he was yet to film scenes prior to his death on September 6, aged 82. Devastating: The late Burt Reynolds also had a role, although he was yet to film scenes prior to his death on September 6, aged 82 Historic: Charles Manson was sentenced to death for the murders. This was later reduced to life in 1972 when the state Supreme Court abolished the death penalty Hotly-anticipated: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is scheduled to be released by Sony Pictures on July 26, 2019 Charles Manson was sentenced to death for the murders. This was later reduced to life in 1972 when the state Supreme Court abolished the death penalty. Manson died in prison in November 2017 of a heart attack. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is scheduled to be released by Sony Pictures on July 26, 2019. Oh dear: Brad and Leonardo hit the headlines in August when a press image of them was airbrushed Awkward: Sony accidentally released a press photo showing tweaks made to them, with Leonardo's chin made slimmer while the wrinkles on Brad's neck were ironed out She branded MeToo 'bull**** to make lily-livered Hollywood types feel better' after kickstarting the movement when she accused Harvey Weinstein of rape this time last year. And Rose McGowan stepped out for the first time since her comments were revealed in the Sunday Times this weekend as she hit the Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, central London, on Sunday night. The actress, 45, looked defiant as she arrived at the celebrity hot-spot, wearing a cosy-looking mustard coat over an all-black ensemble. Defiant: Rose McGowan stepped out for the first time since her anti-Me Too comments were revealed as she hit the Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, central London, on Sunday night The star teamed the statement piece with striped trousers, a black bag and some edgy thick-soled boots. McGowan completed her look with her signature platinum blonde buzz cut, the actress complemented her party get-up with a blush-swept cheeks, smudged black eye-liner and a bold red lip. The actress' outing comes following her candid statement in which she said she understands why Donald Trump supporters hate Hollywood, whose apparent liberalism she says is fake. On the subject of #MeToo, she told the publication: 'I just think they're douchebags. They're not champions. I just think they're losers. I don't like them. Brave: The actress,45, branded #MeToo 'bull**** to make lily-livered Hollywood types feel better' (pictured in August) 'How do I explain the fact that I got a GQ Man of the Year award and no women's magazines and no women's organisations have supported me? 'It's all bullshit. It's a lie. It's a Band-Aid lie to make them feel better. I know these people, I know they're lily-livered, and as long as it looks good on the surface, to them, that's enough.' This is far from the first time McGowan has spoken out on the matter, with the actress being very vocal in her refusal to align herself with either the #MeToo or Time's Up movements. Back in January, she hit out at the A-listers who wore black to the Golden Globes to protest the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal by calling the idea nothing but 'Hollywood fakery. She tweeted: 'And not one of those fancy people wearing black to honor our rapes would have lifted a finger had it not been so. I have no time for Hollywood fakery.' McGowan was one of the first women to come forward last year with allegations of sexual abuse against shamed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, 66. Speaking out: McGowan kickstarted the movement when she accused Harvey Weinstein of rape this time last year (pictured together in 2007) She claimed the disgraced producer raped her at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, and said he would still make her pose with him on the red carpet. In April, she explained: 'He'd grab you tightly around the ribcage and you would just leave your body and smile because what else can you do in front of the cameras when you're being touched by the person who hurt you, who ruined your life?' Her book Brave, which was released in January, details the activist's childhood living as part of the controversial group Children of God, as well as her sexual assault at the hands of Miramax mogul Weinstein. With the abuse itself being horrific, the actress has previously explained that the fallout has been just as difficult to deal with, with Weinstein accusing her of being 'difficult' to work with, limiting the number of roles she was offered. The producer has since denied this, but Rose explained of the difficult time: 'I was alone in that world and it was harrowing. 'Even my family were confused about the difference between the person they knew and the character they read about constantly being slut-shamed.' Before adding of her strength: 'The fact I'm still here and have come through quite sane is nothing short of a miracle.' Ada Nicodemou and Johnny Ruffo forged a strong friendship while working together on Home And Away. So when the actor discovered he had a brain tumour in August last year, Ada was horrified. In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, the 41-year-old admitted she was caught off guard by the news of Johnny's cancer diagnosis. EXCLUSIVE: 'It was shocking he wasn't even 30 years old': Ada Nicodemou (left) spoke candidly about the moment she found out her former Home And Away co-star Johnny Ruffo (right) had been diagnosed with brain cancer 'It was shocking - he wasn't even 30 years old,' Ada said. 'You don't usually expect someone so young to have something so horrific happen to them.' Ada stepped out at the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation's Avant Garde Ball to show her support for Johnny last month. The actress said she and the rest of the Home And Away cast have been by their former colleague's side as he faces a very public battle against the disease. 'We're always in touch with him, he's still the same larrikin and we still have a great old time and we see him all the time.' Shock diagnosis: Johnny has been facing a very public battle with brain cancer after discovering a tumour in August last year 'You don't usually expect someone so young to have something so horrific happen to them': Ada opened up about being caught off-guard about Johnny's disease but said he was 'still the same larrikin' (Pictured: Johnny with girlfriend Tahnee Simms) Another sad loss to rock Ada and the Home And Away community was the death of Cornelia Frances. The iconic Australian actress, who first appeared on the soap in 1988, passed away from bladder cancer in May. Describing her death as 'awful', Ada said she had many fond memories of the late star. 'I've known Cornelia for a very long time - 19 years - so it was very sad,' Ada said. 'We've done so many things together through the years. She had the best personality, the funniest sense of humour. She was very naughty so I always had a great time with her.' 'It was very sad': Ada said the death ofanother co-star - Cornelia Frances (left) -to bladder cancer in May was 'awful' In July, Ray Meagher, who played Cornelia's on-screen brother on Home And Away, paid tribute to her after winning a Most Popular Actor Logie Award. And Ada said Ray's touching words about Cornelia on TV's night of nights were something she would have cherished. 'She would have loved that, she loved the industry,' Ada said. To donate to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, click here. They might be two of the most famous showbiz faces in the world, but supermodel Kate Moss and Demi Moore went very low-key for a shopping trip in Notting Hill. The long-term pals wore matching khaki for their outing, with Kate, 44, teaming hers with black skinny jeans and knee high boots. While her look might looked rather casual, she was toting a crocodile Hermes handbag which can retail for up to 80,000. Firm friends: Kate Moss, 44, and Demi Moore, 55, wore matching khaki for a low-key shopping trip in Notting Hill on Wednesday Demi walked arm-in-arm with Kate, wearing a similar jacket over tweed trousers and flat brogues, with her raven locks hanging down past her shoulders. The actress was once part of Kates hedonistic circle until she quit the Hollywood lifestyle and moved to a farm in Idaho with her three daughters by second husband Bruce Willis. Her third husband was actor Ashton Kutcher, whom she divorced in 2013. A real hoot: They appeared to be getting along well as Kate couldn't hold back her giggles Moore is rumoured to have had 200,000 worth of plastic surgery, but mother-of-one Kate, 44, has so far shunned the knife. The ladies have been friends for some time and it's now been twenty years since that iconic shot of them both at Christian Dior in Paris. Meanwhile, Kate's daughter Lila Grace has won her first major modelling contract as the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty, just days after she turned 16. There they are: The outing comes twenty years on from the iconic shot of Kate and Demi at Christian Dior in Paris She's predicted to be a millionaire in her own right, by the time she's 18. The daughter of Kate Moss and magazine editor Jefferson Hack largely grew up out of the spotlight, but in recent years she's made tentative steps into the world of modelling - appearing on the cover of Italian Vogue with her mother at the age of 13 Crucially, Lila is signed to her mother's Kate Moss Agency and she's adopted her mother's surname for work, rather than using Hack. She caused mayhem when she arrives on the Coronation Street cobbles last month. And Maureen Lipman's devious character Evelyn Plummer looks ready to bring some more drama to Weatherfield at Christmas as she loses her dog Cerberus, and sets off on a mission to find him. The feisty character becomes fearful when she realises her pet pooch is missing and immediately ropes in her grandson Tyrone Dobbs, played by Alan Halsall, 36, to help track down her beloved pup. SPOILER: Maureen Lipman's devious character Evelyn Plummer looks ready to bring some drama to Coronation Street as she loses her dog Cerberus, and sets off on a mission to find him While roaming the streets in her plaid overcoat and blue hat, Evelyn spots Cerberus, who's being walked on a lead by an unknown man. In the pictures, the actress, 72, can be seen pointing and screaming at the man from across a grass verge. As she sprints towards the unknown man, Tyrone joins runs ahead of his grandmother and confronts the man walking the adorable dog. Roy Cropper, played by David Neilsen, joins the chase, to offer support to Evelyn and Tyrone in their attempts to retrieve her pup. Distraught: The feisty character, becomes fearful when she realises her pet pooch is missing and immediately ropes in her grandson Tyrone Dobbs to track him down Over there: While roaming the streets in her plaid overcoat and blue hat, Evelyn spots Cerberus, who's being walked on a lead by an unknown man Worried: Evelyn is panicked after finding her pet pooch is missing Quick! In the pictures, the actress, 72, can be seen pointing and screaming at the man from across a grass verge After finding what she thinks is her dog with another 'owner,' Evelyn gets short shrift as the mystery man says possession is 9/10ths off the law. As the trio challenge the mystery man about stealing Cerberus, they're left dumbfounded as he refuses to hand the dog back to Evelyn. They engage in a heated argument with the stranger about the ownership of Cerberus, with the man pointing defiantly at Evelyn. Tyrone's heartbroken grandmother is left distraught as the man walks away with the dog on a lead. Help! Evelyn ropes Tyrone into joining the hunt for the dog Stop! As she sprints towards the unknown man, Tyrone joins runs ahead of his grandmother and confronts the man walking the adorable dog Thief! Roy Cropper, played by David Neilsen, joins the chase, to offer support to Evelyn and Tyrone in their attempts to retrieve her pup Evelyn seethes with anger, and Roy struggles to hold back his frustrations, exasperatedly kicking a wall. In-between filming the scenes, the actors appeared to be in good spirits, laughing and joking about on set. The current storyline comes as actress Maureen revealed she returned to Coronation Street after her late husband gave her a sign from beyond the grave. Confusion: Tyrone asks the man why he has his grandmother's dog Oh dear! After finding what she thinks is her dog with another 'owner,' Evelyn gets short shrift as the mystery man says possession is 9/10ths off the law. No way! As the trio challenge the mystery man about stealing Cerberus, they're left dumbfounded as he refuses to hand the dog back to Evelyn Back off! They engage in a heated argument with the stranger about the ownership of Cerberus, with the man pointing defiantly at Evelyn Unsure about whether to take the role, Maureen told the Mirror she was convinced it was the right thing to do when a light shone on a photograph of her late other half, former Corrie scriptwriter Jack Rosenthal, who died in 2004 aged 72. She said: 'As I was finishing writing the show my agent called and said how would I feel about going into Coronation Street. 'For a while I thought I cant do that Ive got a partner in London, Ive got dogs and grandchildren, do I want to leave London? 'I didnt know what to do but the light over my late husband Jacks picture sometimes comes on for no reason and whilst I was sitting there wondering what to do of course on it came. Distress: Evelyn anxiously debates with the man as she tries to get her dog back Furious: Evelyn seethes with fury at the mystery man as he strolls away Sad times: Tyrone's heartbroken grandmother is left distraught as the man walks away with the dog on a lead Fuming: Roy struggles to hold back his frustrations, exasperatedly kicking a wall Seeing red: Maureen looked furious as she filmed the adrenaline-fuelled scenes Getting into character: The actress could be seen chatting to the sound man ahead of takes Returning to the cobbeles Maureen's Corrie comeback was confirmed in August She's back: New series producer Iain MacLeod is delighted she is heading back to Weatherfield Talented: Producer Iain said: 'I am beyond thrilled that we are introducing such a great new character, played by someone of Maureen's pedigree' Charm: He continued: 'Evelyn is eye-wateringly withering and will add a fresh dollop of northern humour to the show as she turns Tyrone and Fiz's lives upside down' 'I thought it was a nice way to circle 50 years because I met Jack in 1969 when I came to Manchester to join a theatre group called The Stables and I thought it would be quite a nice way to go back to something that he started his career doing, he started by writing episode 13 of Coronation Street.' Maureen's Corrie comeback was confirmed in August, and new series producer Iain MacLeod is delighted she is heading back to Weatherfield. He said: 'I am beyond thrilled that we are introducing such a great new character, played by someone of Maureen's pedigree. Adorable: The sweet dog who played Ceberus looked up lovingly Happy times: In-between filming the scenes, the actors appeared to be in good spirits, laughing and joking about on set Loving life: The actors smiled as they were given direction in-between filming Cheery: Alan Halsall and Colson Smith were spotted sharing a laugh in-between takes 'Evelyn is eye-wateringly withering and will add a fresh dollop of northern humour to the show as she turns Tyrone and Fiz's lives upside down.' Maureen came under fire by Rose McGowan following her comments that some women are not helping the MeToo movement by sending out 'confusing' messages. Speaking to Radio Times magazine, she said: 'Were batting our eyelids and clenching our teeth at the same time. And that is very confusing.' Good friends: The actors enjoyed a laugh in-between takes Hilarious: Alan Halsall chuckled at his new co-star as she gazed into the distance Time to work: The actors listened to the direction given to them on set Clarification: Maureen ensured she knew exactly what was needed for the next scene In character: David appeared in his element as he filmed scenes by a fence In response to her comments, Rose, who is the force behind the MeToo movement, told Good Morning Britain: 'Ive heard that same argument for what, 5,000 million years now. 'MeToo is not just for women Ive had so many men share their stories of abuse with men Let people breathe and have their voice. 'If I feel like walking down the street naked, nobody has the right to rape meEverybody has a sovereign right to their body.' Laughter: David smiled at his co-stars as they leaned over a fence in search of the pup And again: Maureen was guided through the hunt by security specialists Katie Price has dumped her 300,000 pink horse box on a pal's property neighbouring her West Sussex home as her bankruptcy deadline looms. The cash-strapped glamour model, 40, left the eye-catching vehicle on a patch of land near her home just three weeks before learning whether she'll officially be declared bankrupt, after being given 12 weeks to organises her finances. However, The Sun has reported that while the mother-of-five's finances are in tatters, she's allegedly relying on her wealthy toyboy beau Alex Adderson, 25, to pay for everything and she 'hopes to start over' as she 'expects' to be declared bankrupt. Somebody to lean one: Katie Price has reportedly been leaning on her toyboy beau Alex Adderson financially as her bankruptcy deadline looms A source told the publication: 'Shes just avoiding it rather than dealing with the issue and most expect her to be declared bankrupt. She doesnt seem to care as long as shes got the house and can start all over again without paying her debts off.' The newspaper reports that businessman Alex has lavished Katie with a horde of gifts, including cash and a brand spanking new luxury Range Rover. With regards to her horse box, the star who has sold off almost all of the animals once roaming her land has handed it over to her neighbour as she is said to be struggling to feed her pet horses, whose upkeep she allegedly owes 3,000 on. Everybody needs good neighbours: The glamour model has dumped her 300,000 pink horse box on a pal's property neighbouring her West Sussex home as she deals with her cash woes Struggles: Animal lover Katie has handed it over to her neighbour as she is said to be struggling to feed her three pet horses, whose upkeep she allegedly owes 3,000 on The big deadline: The 40-year-old Loose Women panellist is facing a looming October 30 Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) hearing 'Its got so bad that Alex is giving her spends,' a source told The Sun. 'For now, her neighbour has taken her large horsebox off her hands. 'In return for the neighbour using it, Katie can use the neighbours horse feed and hay and anything the animals need until she gets back on her feet. The neighbours are going to repaint the horsebox so that its no longer pink.' MailOnline has contacted a representative for Katie Price for comment. The Loose Women panellist is facing a looming October 30 Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) hearing, during which she'll learn if she can pay off her mounting debts over a set period of time. Debts: During the hearing, she'll learn if she can pay off her mounting debts over a set period Pride of place: The horse box once took price of place at her West Sussex mansion, which is said to be in a decrepit state amid her financial woes In August, Katie slashed 130,000 off the price of her smaller pink horsebox, offering it up for just 29,950, in a desperate bid to make money. The Loose Women panellist attempted - and failed - to flog the vehicle on eBay, listing it as a 'famously owned' Fiat Ducato that has only covered 7,000 miles. Additional features include an automated gearbox, alloy wheels and air conditioning, while full cream leather seats with logo and headrests and skylight roof vents are also up for grabs. Other impressive mod-cons include a grooms locker, as well as a seven-inch digital monitor and reversing camera, while tinted windows allow for some added privacy. Not horsing around! In August, she slashed 130,000 off the price of her garish pink horsebox, offering it up for just 29,950, in a desperate bid to make money Up for grabs: The star attempted to flog the vehicle on eBay, listing it as a 'famously owned' Fiat Ducato that has only covered 7,000 miles Animal lover Katie, who owns three horses, bought the vehicle from new in 2012 but is now having to part with the vehicle as she scrambles to pay back creditors who have given her three months to pay off millions of pounds in debts. The TV personality, who was once worth a reported 45 million, was not present at the High Court Roll's building in London in August, but her team submitted proposals for an IVA. She is already thought to be selling her 2million West Sussex mansion, which she bought in 2014, as well as all of her beloved farmyard animals. Katie has been bidding for months to stave off bankruptcy, following the demise of her third marriage to Kieran Hayler, 31, and the collapse of her businesses. Parting ways: Animal lover Katie, who owns three horses, bought the vehicle from new in 2012 but attempted to sell the vehicle as she scrambled to pay back creditors Bespoke: The headrests are also stitched with Katie's initials and an elaborate, regal design Selling: Katie posted this advertisement on eBay, which featured several snaps of the vehicle The reality star narrowly avoided bankruptcy back in August, when she was given three months to come up with a plan to pay off her debts, totalling more than 250,000 including more than 20,000 in tax debt. She has been bidding for months to stave off bankruptcy as her once-lucrative media empire began to fall apart following the demise of her third marriage and the collapse of her businesses. She is said to already be trying to sell her 2million West Sussex mansion which she bought in 2014. Her outing with Alex comes amid claims she has has taken him to meet Bunny, four, and Jett, five, who she shares with her estranged husband Kieran Hayler. Moved on: Her ex Kieran, who she split from in March after he cheated for a second time, introduced their kids to his new girlfriend Michelle Pentecost Family: The mother-of-five has five children from three relationships, with four of them spending the bulk of their time with their fathers over the past several weeks Before she began dating Alex, Katie enjoyed a fling with toyboy personal trainer Kris Boyson, 29, who claimed they had discussed marriage and kids before their abrupt split over the summer. The former Page 3 girl is on a 28-day treatment plan at The Priory after her family urged her to seek help following her recent wild partying antics in Mallorca. Katie was reportedly confronted by her loved ones after shocking footage emerged of her rapping 'I love coke' during a booze-fuelled hen do. She broke down after the intervention and admitted she needed help to get over her chaotic behaviour - which has been blamed on her PTSD. Treatment: The former Page 3 girl is on a 28-day treatment plan at The Priory after her family urged her to seek help following her recent wild partying antics in Mallorca She had a consultation at the clinic on September 19, where she was diagnosed with PTSD and started her 28 days of rehabilitation four days later. A source confirmed the news to MailOnline. The reports come amid claims her ex Peter Andre is 'relieved' the former glamour model is finally seeking help. A source told New! magazine: 'Pete was actually relieved when he heard Kate was going to rehab. 'Whatever has gone on between them in the past, she's still the mother of his children and he's happy she's finally getting the help she needs. He wants to see her well again for Junior and Princess's sake.' John Goodman says Roseanne Barr is missed on the set of The Conners, which is about to debut next week, and that after so many years of filming together its like they are family. The 66-year-old actor was visiting Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show Live! on Monday when he made the admission about his former Rosenne co-star. Goodman was on the show to plug his new spinoff The Conners which stars Sara Gilbert and Laurie Metcalf. 'She is missed, definitely,' he said. 'After that many years, its like a family. And last year, it was so miraculous and so unreal that when it went away it was almost like a dream.' Hard times: John Goodman misses Roseanne Barr. The 66-year-old actor was visiting Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show Live! on Monday when he made the admission about his former Rosenne co-star Weird times:'She is missed, definitely,' he said. 'After that many years, its like a family. And last year, it was so miraculous and so unreal that when it went away it was almost like a dream' She is out: Barr has been trying to explain her tweet for months; seen in July in NYC Barr, 65, was fired and the ABC Roseanne revival was canceled when the actress posted a racist tweet against Valerie Jarrett, who the actress had said looked like the offspring between the Muslim Brotherhood and Planet of the Apes. This comes a week after Goodman, Gilbert and Metcalf gave their first group interview since Barr's racist tweet. The cast of The Conners - which debuts on October 16 - told People they are glad they have each other. 'Were leaning on each other when we do this show,' said Goodman 66, who returns as Dan Conner. 'And supporting each other - thats a very strong feeling among us.' 'Any sadness that we feel over what weve lost were hopefully channeling in an honest way into the show,' said Gilbert. 'And our show has always been able to deal with heavy topics, particularly for a sitcom. Its been kind of built into the mix.' 'There was the feeling of not wanting it to go away until we were ready,' added Goodman. 'There was a debt owed to this fictional family. We want to finish telling this story.' The Roseanne revival was a huge hit for ABC, and it was already renewed for a second season when Barr sent out a multitude of tweets on May 29 that were viewed as racist. She also retweeted multiple posts that attacked Jarrett. Goodman added that he was in his kitchen when either his daughter or wife told him about Barr's tweet, adding, 'It just didn't seem true' and he was 'trying to accept it.' Family reunion: 'Any sadness that we feel over what weve lost were hopefully channeling in an honest way into the show,' says star-producer Sara Gilbert Leading ladies: Gilbert, 43, (left, pictured with Laurie Metcalf) added that she doesn't remember much about her reaction to Barr's tweet Gilbert, 43, added that she doesn't remember much about her reaction to Barr's tweet, adding, 'It was more just, "Okay, what are we dealing with today?"' Metcalf, 63, was performing on Broadway, revealing her first thought was, 'Oh, I wonder if we still have a show?' She added that, coming off of 'such a high' with the new season, it was 'hard to wrap our heads around' the show's sudden cancellation. Shortly after the Roseanne revival was canceled, rumors started flying about a spin-off show that brings back the entire family, except Roseanne Conner. ABC issued a series order for The Conners in late June, less than a month after Barr's tweet, and it was later revealed that Barr will not have any, 'creative or financial ties' to the show. 'That was a very big deal,' Goodman said. 'To give us a chance.' Conner patriarch: 'There was the feeling of not wanting it to go away until we were ready,' added John Goodman, 66, who returns as Dan Conner The Roseanne Conner character will be reportedly killed off in some way in the October 16 premiere. ABC also announced a new cast member last month, Maya Lynne Robinson, who comes aboard as Geena Williams-Conner, the wife of DJ (Michael Fishman) who returns home after serving in Afghanistan. 'Its different, but we can create something new from it,' said Goodman. 'Let us finish the story on our own terms. Come along with us and see how we do. The Conners debuts Tuesday, October 16 at 8 PM ET on ABC. The future Mr. and Mrs. Sorrentino have listed several splurge-worthy items onto their wedding registry. Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, 36, and his fiancee, Lauren Pesce, have requested a $600 KitchenAid Copper Metallic Series Stand Mixer, a $550 Vitamix Ascent A3500 Stainless Steel Blender, a $380 Le Creuset pan, and a $180 dog bed. The couple plan on marrying before the reality star begins his eight month prison sentence for tax evasion. For the newlyweds! The future Mr. and Mrs. Sorrentino! Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, 36, and his fiancee, Lauren Pesce, have requested a $550 Vitamix, a $600 KitchenAid Copper Metallic Series Stand Mixer, a $380 Le Creuset Dutch Oven, and a $180 dog bed The high-end kitchen items appliances the only pricey items they've requested from guests. Their list also includes a $379 ivory sheepskin throw rug, a $375 knife set, $189 wall mirrors, a flatware set priced at $150, and a $180 standing towel rack. Mike and Lauren plan on tying the know near the start of November, his lawyer Henry Klingeman said, according to People. 'No matter what happens, he won't be designated to begin his sentence until sometime after that wedding,' Klingeman said to reporters. In the mix: The couple listed this $600 KitchenAid Copper Metallic Series Stand Mixer in their wedding registry Vitamin C: Mike and his bride-to-be are also requesting a $550 Vitamix from guests The Jersey Shore star and his brother, Marc Sorrentino, were sentenced Friday morning after having pleaded guilty in January to multiple charges of tax fraud associated with almost $9million in income. Mike's Jersey Shore cast mates were in the Newark, New Jersey, court while the judge handed down an eight-month prison sentence for the 36-year-old reality star. He apologized to the court during brief remarks and said he has overcome substance abuse. Marc Sorrentino, meanwhile, was sentenced to two years in prison by the judge. For the kitchen: The engaged couple are hoping for a $380 Le Creuset pan She's a doting mother to her eleven-month-old baby, Sunday - but Ferne McCann makes sure she sets aside some time for herself, as well. The 28-year-old was pictured leaving the gym in Essex on Tuesday, wearing a black vest top and matching leggings. Showing off her toned physique, the former TOWIE star whipped her caramel-coloured locks in a ponytail as she made her way back to her car. Time for herself: Ferne McCann looks toned as she was pictured leaving an Essex gym wearing workout gear and oversized shades on Tuesday She hid her eyes behind a pair of designer shades and carried a stack of keys in her hand, with an oversized cuddly toy keyring attached. Swigging from a water bottle, the make-up free reality star looked naturally beautiful as she made her way out into the sunshine. Ferne shares her baby with jailbird ex Arthur Collins who was handed a 20-year prison sentence for a London nightclub acid attack in April last year. Hair she goes: Showing off her toned physique, the former TOWIE star whipped her caramel-coloured locks in a ponytail as she made her way back to her car Tough time: Ferne shares her baby with jailbird ex Arthur Collins who was handed a 20-year prison sentence for a London nightclub acid attack in April last year The former I'm A Celeb! star spoke to OK! magazine about the day-to-day dilemmas she faces without the baby's father around. She said: 'While I was pregnant, I knew I was going to be a single mum, but it didn't hit me until I actually had Sunday... 'That was tough to deal with - realising I really was totally on my own. I don't have another person to confer with. I don't have another person to discuss my day-to-day decisions with - like choosing what food she has. It's tough.' Keeping hydrated: Swigging from a water bottle, the make-up free reality star looked naturally beautiful as she made her way out into the sunshine Ferne moved back in with her own mother last year, four months after moving into her own home. After welcoming her baby, she now shares her own Brentwood home with just Sunday. As well as her various reality show projects, Ferne also has a cosmetics range with Poundland. It was reported that Princess and Junior have been living with him and his wife Emily MacDonagh since June. And Peter Andre was joined by his daughter, 11, who he shares with ex Katie Price, as well as Amelia, 4, and Theo, 1, who he has with his other half Emily MacDonagh, as they headed to a Sunday lunch in Sussex. The Mysterious Girl hitmaker, 45, looked every inch the doting dad as he ventured out into the last of the British sunshine for a spot of family bonding. Family day out: Peter Andre was joined by his daughter Princess, 11, who he shares with ex Katie Price, as well as Amelia, 4, and Theo, 1, who he has with his other half Emily MacDonagh, as they headed to a Sunday lunch Peter cut a comfortable figure in a navy jumper, which featured red and white panelling across his chest. He teamed the look with a pair of jeans as he cradled adorable little Theo in his hand while little Amelia looked on. Meanwhile, Princess, 11, looked delighted to spending the relaxed day out with her dad and step-mum. Their fun-filled sighting comes reports that Peter is keen for his ex-wife to successfully complete her rehab stint in order for their children 'to have a stable mum.' Having fun: The Mysterious Girl hitmaker, 45, looked every inch the doting dad as he ventured out into the last of the British sunshine for a spot of family bonding Happy: Emily couldn't contain her giggles as she held onto little Theo Trendy: Peter cut a comfortable figure in a navy jumper, which featured red and white panelling across his chest Peter - who recently confirmed he is going back on tour in 2019 to celebrate 25 years in showbusiness - shares Princess and Junior, 13, with the troubled glamour model. A source told Mirror Online: 'Pete just wants Katie to be happy and healthy - he wants his kids to have a stable mum. 'She needs to get help for her problems - that's all Pete wants for her. Everything in his life is 100 per cent perfect except for this.# MailOnline has contacted Peter Andre's and Katie Price's representatives for comment. Doting dad: He teamed the look with a pair of jeans as he cradled adorable little Theo in his hand while little Amelia looked on Low-key cool: Emily looked relaxed in a baby pink jumper with an asymmetrical hem The reports about Peter's hopes for his ex-wife's second rehab stint come after Katie Price was spotted enjoying a cosy date night with her toyboy lover Alex Adderson in London. The pair looked smitten as they arrived at The May Fair Hotel in London on Friday night, before partying at private members' club Annabel's until the early hours of the morning. Katie's outing with the wealthy Essex businessman followed reports that she has already introduced him to her kids. Daddy day care: It was reported that Princess and Junior have been living with him and his wife Emily MacDonagh since June Family: Peter - who recently confirmed he is going back on tour in 2019 to celebrate 25 years in showbusiness - shares Princess and Junior, 13, with the troubled glamour model Sources claimed Katie's romance with Alex has escalated rapidly since they enjoyed a wild holiday in Mallorca - days after she was filmed rapping about 'loving coke'. 'Alex is very much a part of Katie's life and has stayed over at the house when Bunny and Jett have been there, so he's met them,' a source told The Sun. 'She's only introduced him as a friend but they've met him. It might seem quick to most people but she's really loved up with him.' The former Page 3 girl is currently on a 28-day treatment plan at The Priory after her family urged her to seek help following her recent wild partying antics in Mallorca. As an a-list Hollywood actress she is used to being surrounded by the very finest in the business. But Liv Tyler looked like she was loving her own company, as she enjoyed a solo trip to Oka restaurant in Primrose Hill, North London on Monday. The actress, 41, looked happy and relaxed during the evening out as she indulged in a glass of wine while engaging in chatter on the phone. Solo outing: Liv Tyler, 41, looked like she was loving her own company, as she enjoyed a solo trip to Oka restaurant in Primrose Hill, North London on Monday Liv cut a low-key figure for her night out, cladding her sensational physique in a an all-black ensemble, comprising of ankle-grazing trousers. The daughter of rocker Steven Tyler opted for a black coat atop a matching black blouse with semi-sheer detailing. Her porcelain features were enhanced with a striking coat of subtle, bronzed make-up and she switched to a pair of glasses as she headed out. Loving life: The actress looked happy and relaxed during the evening out as she indulged in a glass of wine while engaging in chatter on the phone Casually cool: Liv cut a low-key figure for her night out, cladding her sensational physique in a an all-black ensemble, comprising of ankle-grazing trousers Low-key cool: The daughter of rocker Steven Tyler opted for a black coat atop a matching black blouse with semi-sheer detailing Liv toted her belongings in a chic across-the-body-bag and accessorised with a pair of dainty earrings. The brunette clearly looked in the mood for a solo outing as she got comfortable outside the Japanese eatery to enjoy a glass of wine. She kept herself busy by enjoying a conversation on the phone, while watching people walk by. It was soon time to call it a wrap on her solo outing, and she decided to casually stroll home. Gorgeous: Her porcelain features were enhanced with a striking coat of subtle, bronzed make-up and she switched to a pair of glasses as she headed out Looking good: Liv toted her belongings in a chic across-the-body-bag and accessorised with a pair of dainty earrings In her element: The brunette clearly looked in the mood for a solo outing as she got comfortable outside the Japanese eatery to enjoy a glass of wine Chilling: She kept herself busy by enjoying a conversation on the phone, while watching people walk by On the personal front, Liv has been with her current partner, David, since 2014 and they have three children together. But back in the early 2000s rumours swirled that Liv Tyler and her Lord Of The Rings co-star Orlando Bloom were getting close on set. According to the actress, however, it was all gossip and they 'never, ever ever' dated. Recently, Liv was making an appearance on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live! , when a fan called in to ask her about the rumours. Home time: It was soon time to call it a wrap on her solo outing, and she decided to casually stroll home Pal: At one point, it appeared that her conversation got serious and Liv was seen attentively listening Home time: It was soon time to call it a wrap on her solo outing, and she decided to casually stroll home Occupied: Liv continued checking her phone as she waited on the side of then pavement Look at me! The movie-star had a sudden burst of energy and jokingly engaged in a playful strut 'No, never ever, ever,' responded the Empire Records star. He is one of my oldest friends. Obviously we grew up together and we're in Lord Of The Rings together, but no we never dated.' She added she was about 21-years-old at the time but felt so young. 'We all flirted,' admitted Steven Tyler's daughter. But then added, 'I was with Royce then, my first husband, and madly in love with him, so I wasn't on the market.' On the personal front: Liv has been with her current partner, David, since 2014 and they have three children together Heary'say: Back in the early 2000s rumours swirled that Liv Tyler and her Lord Of The Rings co-star Orlando Bloom were getting close on set Denied: According to the actress, however, it was all gossip and they 'never, ever ever' dated Questioned: Recently, Liv was making an appearance on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live! , when a fan called in to ask her about the rumours. Liv began dating her first husband Royce Langdon in 1998, and they became engaged in February of 2001 - filming for the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, began in October 1999. Liv and Royce had one child together, Milo, in 2004, but got divorced in 2008. The Strangers actress began dating Gardner in 2014, and though they are not married, the couple has two kids together, Lula, two, and Sailor, three. Insight: She added she was about 21-years-old at the time but felt so young. 'We all flirted,' admitted Steven Tyler's daughter Formerly: Liv began dating her first husband Royce Langdon in 1998, and they became engaged in February of 2001 Family: Liv and Royce had one child together, Milo, in 2004, but got divorced in 2008 Jerry Yester has pleaded guilty to eight counts of possessing child pornography. The former Lovin' Spoonful band member 'is free on a $35,000 bond, but hes due back in court [December] 21 for a sentencing hearing,' reported Fox News. The 75-year-old pianist was kicked out of the popular folk rock band in 2017 following his arrest in Arkansas. Fall from grace: Jerry Yester has pleaded guilty to eight counts of possessing child pornography. Seen here in his 2017 mugshot Yester told investigators 'hed been looking at child pornography since 2000' according to Fox. The musician was facing 30 counts of possession of child porn, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine in Arkansas. The arrest was made by the Cyber Crimes Unit at the Attorney General's Office. Yester was released after posting $35,000 bond. The musician is best known as the piano player in folk rock band The Lovin' Spoonful. The group had hits in 1960s including Summer in the City, Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?, Daydream and Do You Believe In Magic. Publicist for the band, Mark Logsdon, told TMZ last year that drummer Joe Butler and bassist Steve Boone decided to let go of Yester following his disturbing charges. Yester told investigators 'hed been looking at child pornography since 2000' according to Fox. Here in 2011 The band's members were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of fame in 2000. Former members of the group include Jerry's brother Jim, as well as his daughter Lena. Yester was also a previous member of The New Christy Minstrels, as well as Modern Folk Quartet. He also produced albums for the likes of The Turtles, Pat Boone, Aztec Two Step, and Tom Waits. Portraying Neil Armstrong in the forthcoming First Man movie was no easy task for Ryan Gosling it seems. The 37-year-old talked about the challenge in the November issue of GQ Magazine. 'So I was trying to look for points of connection,' the star said to director Damien Chazelle. whom he also worked with on La La Land. 'Because, you know, I couldn't connect to his genius, or courage, or bravery, orthe list goes on. But: I am a fan of the theremin.' That's quite the look: Portraying Neil Armstrong in the forthcoming First Man movie was no easy task for Ryan Gosling it seems. The 37-year-old talked about the challenge in the November issue of GQ Magazine Leading man: 'So I was trying to look for points of connection,' the star said to director Damien Chazelle. whom he also worked with on La La Land. 'Because, you know, I couldn't connect to his genius, or courage, or bravery, orthe list goes on. But: I am a fan of the theremin.' And in an attempt to dig deeper behind the life of the famous astronaut, Gosling admits to even having taken flight lessons in Los Angeles. All for the sole purpose of putting on a bona fide performance in front of the camera. What had appeared to have made the task less demanding for Gosling and his director, however, was the way that they were at that point familiar with each other's work ethic. The two had previously worked together on their award-winning blockbuster hit La La Land. The musical would see Gosling procure an Oscar nomination for Best Actor at the 2017 Academy Awards while Chazelle earned titles for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay respectively. Similarities? Further on, GQ draws connections between the actor and Armstrong, before asking whether Ryan believed he shared any certain characteristics from the astronaut. And Gosling says that working with the 33-year-old for the second time around wasn't all that difficult in light of the fact that he was already aware of what was expected of him. 'I think you spend a lot of time being polite in the first film, and respectful of what you imagine the other person's process is,' the Blade Runner 2049 star expressed. Once filming for First Man commenced, the Canadian didn't feel the need to put on a persona for Chazelle particularly since they were both familiar with each other's way of working on set. It consequently made the experience that much easier. 'So it's a relief to do a second film, I think, because you're less precious, and you have a shorthand, and you really feel like you can be more honest, and you're able to really work.' Further on, GQ draws parallels between the on-screen character and Armstrong, questioning Gosling on whether Neil's importance on family and privacy was something he could identify with in any way. The question comes in relation to Gosling's efforts to always keep his personal life out of the limelight while rarely discussing matters concerning his marriage with Eva Mendes. One of the most anticipated films of the year: Since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, First Man has accumulated a number of raving reviews. In the running an extensive number of awards: While, according to Variety, the movie is already drawing Oscar buzz, official nominations for the 2019 Academy Awards won't be announced until January 22. The former Mickey Mouse Club star couldn't even fathom the thought of possibly having anything in common with a man he considers to be a genius. 'But these people were strapped to the top of a ballistic missile and red into space' Meanwhile, since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, First Man has accumulated a number of raving reviews. And while, according to Variety, the movie is already drawing Oscar buzz, official nominations for the 2019 Academy Awards won't be announced until January 22. Ben Affleck has split with his 22-year-old Playboy model girlfriend Shauna Sexton. The actor, 46, is now focusing on his sobriety only, it was claimed by People on Tuesday. They had started dating in mid August. 'There was nothing to split from as it has been casual,' said a friend. 'He enjoyed being with her but is working on himself, and being together with her at this time is not something that works. He will date in the future, but for now his focus is on his sobriety, family and his next project.' This comes after the beauty shared several images from their intimate vacation in Montana where the two went fishing and looked at wildlife. Single again: Ben Affleck has split with his 22-year-old Playboy model girlfriend Shauna Sexton. The actor, 46, is now focusing on his sobriety only, it was claimed by People on Tuesday. Seen in September Sad sighting: The budding star was seen on Tuesday after news broke of their split. Ben was also seen on Tuesday; the Oscar winner was seen heading to therapy in LA with a male friend Happy again? The Batman v Superman actor did not seem to be in a sour mood as after a moment he grinned The budding star was seen on Tuesday after news broke of their split. She had on a mauve colored crop top and bicycle shirts with black sneakers in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles. Ben was also seen on Tuesday; the Oscar winner was seen heading to therapy in LA with a male friend. On Monday he had jetted home from his weekend away on a private jet, with Shauna at his side. The two had enjoyed a presumably dry trip to the country. Updates shared on Shauna's Instagram account showed them fishing, admiring wild stags and marveling at snow capped mountains. Not smiling anymore: The Pearl Harbor actor was seen leaving the therapy session alone A new step in the right direction: Affleck has to be given props for being honest about his battle and focusing on what works for him right now Couple's getaway: Affleck, 46, spent a day in the Montana wilderness with Shauna on Sunday Noticing nature: Sexton and Affleck, who traveled by car, marveled at the snow-capped mountains and wildlife of the North West Drop a line: The couple hiked to a nearby river, where Shauna successfully caught a small rainbow trout A source told People before the split news: 'Montana is a special place for Ben. Its where he can go to get away. He has spent a lot of time there both with the family and by himself at his house. Its a good and a healthy place for him to be. He goes there to clear his mind and be out in nature. Theres no distractions and its very peaceful.' The trip marked a milestone week for Ben. First he completed 40 days in rehab, before finally signing his divorce papers, dissolving his 13-year union with Jennifer Garner, three years after they split. The duo met up at Jennifer's house alongside lawyers and a private judge on Thursday. She loves to work on her body: Sexton, who was a Playboy favorite, said she worked out every day because she loved it In a statement published on Instagram this week Ben wrote 'This week I completed a forty day stay at a treatment center for alcohol addiction and remain in outpatient care. The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It's given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others. 'Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family. So many people have reached out on social media and spoken about their own journeys with addiction. In a good mood: On Tuesday Garner was seen alone in Los Angeles; she smiled from ear to ear 'To those people, I want to say thank you. Your strength is inspiring and is supporting me in ways I didn't think was possible. It helps to know I am not alone. As I've had to remind myself, if you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage, not weakness or failure. With acceptance and humility, I continue to avail myself with the help of so many people and I am grateful to all those who are there for me. I hope down the road I can offer an example to others who are struggling.' It was Jennifer - who shares Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six with the actor - who encouraged Ben to go to rehab to be 'the best father he can be'. On Tuesday Garner was seen alone in Los Angeles; she smiled from ear to ear. This is not the first time Ben has split from a girlfriend since splitting from Jennifer. This summer he called it quits with SNL producer Lindsay Shookus. Sources said it was too difficult to maintain the relationship as he lived in LA and she lived in NYC. Doing some good: The leggy winder was volunteering at a medical facility in Woodland Hills. She held on to a pamphlet and her keys Bollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra looked red hot strutting through Manhattan on Tuesday while clad in a slinky deer leather Akris pencil skirt. The Indian 36-year-old paired her wrap skirt with a matching Akris zip-up blouse, tiny purse, and snakeskin kitten heels selected by stylist Mimi Cuttrell. Hairstylist Cameron Rains coiffed the former Miss World 2000's shoulder-length blow-out while make-up artist Pati Dubroff made sure her pout matched her ensemble. Lady in red: Bollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra looked red hot strutting through Manhattan on Tuesday while clad in a slinky deer leather Akris pencil skirt Priyanka made headlines last week by kicking off 'a new chapter' in her career - investing in the dating app Bumble as well as the coding education company Holberton School. 'I'm honored to join two companies that strive to expand gender diversity in the tech space,' the A Kid Like Jake actress - who boasts 88.9M social media followers - tweeted. 'And make a social impact for the greater good...let's do this!' Scarlet fever! The Indian 36-year-old paired her wrap skirt with a matching Akris zip-up blouse, tiny purse, and snakeskin kitten heels selected by stylist Mimi Cuttrell Pretty: Hairstylist Cameron Rains coiffed the former Miss World 2000's shoulder-length blow-out while make-up artist Pati Dubroff made sure her pout matched her ensemble 'Let's do this!' Priyanka made headlines last week by kicking off 'a new chapter' in her career - investing in the dating app Bumble as well as the coding education company Holberton School Chopra's fiance Nick Jonas joined Darren Criss onstage Elsie Fest in Central Park on Sunday for a duet of Brotherhood of Man from the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The 26-year-old Golden Globe nominee had replaced the 31-year-old Emmy winner (who replaced Daniel Radcliffe) in the role of J. Pierrepont Finch during the Al Hirschfeld Theatre staging from January-May 2012. 'Now there's a second verse in here,' the American Crime Story star told the Summerstage crowd. 'I couldn't say no!' Chopra's fiance Nick Jonas (L) joined Darren Criss (R) onstage Elsie Fest in Central Park on Sunday for a duet of Brotherhood of Man from the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Same character: The 26-year-old Golden Globe nominee had replaced the 31-year-old Emmy winner (who replaced Daniel Radcliffe) in the role of J. Pierrepont Finch during the Al Hirschfeld Theatre staging from January-May 2012 'I wasn't the only person to do this show, so I'm gonna need help from another person who did this show.' The former boybander and the former Quantico stunner - who first canoodled at the Met Gala in May - made their July 18 engagement official with a traditional Punjabi Roka ceremony in Mumbai on August 18. The globetrotting couple's whirlwind romance came as a surprise to Jonas fans - who've watched him love and leave famous exes like Lily Collins, Kate Hudson, Olivia Culpo, Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, and Miley Cyrus. First canoodled at the Met Gala in May: The former boybander and the former Quantico stunner made their July 18 engagement official with a traditional Punjabi Roka ceremony in Mumbai on August 18 (pictured October 2) Syrian President Bashar Assad said Sunday that the Russian-Turkish deal to avert a military offensive in the northwestern province of Idlib is a "temporary one" that prevented bloodshed but that his government's goal is to restore control over all of Syria. As Haaretz writes in an article "Assad: Russia-Turkey Deal to Demilitarize Idlib 'Temporary'", his comments were made during a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Baath Arab Socialist Party. The Turkish-backed umbrella group for Syrian rebels said on October 7 that it has started implementing the deal reached between Russia and Turkey to demilitarize the front lines between Syrian government forces and the opposition in Idlib province. Naji al-Mustafa, spokesman for Turkey-backed 15-member National Front for Liberation umbrella group, said Sunday the groups have unanimously agreed to implement the deal reached last month and expect to demilitarize 15-20 kilometers along the front lines by October 15. He said rebel forces have started withdrawing their heavy weaponryback from the demilitarized zone a day earlier after Turkish troops reinforced the area to monitor violations. He added that the opposition forces will keep their forward bases and light and medium weapons in place. "Our forces will remain on the front lines in defense positions armed with light and medium weapons," al-Mustafa said. "Heavy weapons were mostly in back posts in our bases. So the factions will maintain their readiness to fight in these areas in case of any emergency." The largest armed group in Idlib, the al-Qaida-linked affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Arabic for Levant Liberation Committee, has not said whether it will comply with the deal. The Turkey-Russia deal also calls for the removal of all members of Syrian radical groups from the demilitarized zone. It is not clear if whether they have agreed to move out. In his comments Sunday, Assad called the West's objection to an offensive in Idlib "hysterical" adding that a Syrian government military victory there would have foiled their plans against Syria. The Syrian government accuses western countries of seeking to divide Syria and of supporting terrorist groups. He said Syria is now heading toward "the battle" to rehabilitate segments of society that supported what he called "chaos and terrorism." He didn't elaborate. The government, backed by Russia, has been holding a series of so-called reconciliation deals with former rebels, under which they surrender their weapons and accept the return of government authorities in areas they had seized before. Jennifer Garner was in a joyful mood on Tuesday as she was spotted out in Los Angeles. The actress beamed a big smile while out in her local Brentwood neighborhood amid reports her ex-husband Ben Affleck has split from his girlfriend Shauna Sexton while he continues to recover from alcohol addiction. Jennifer, 46, wore a two-tone sweater and charcoal grey leggings as she giggled while hopping out of an SUV. Something to smile about? Jennifer Garner looked super cheerful as she stepped out in Brentwood, Los Angeles on Tuesday The mother-of-three wore her locks up in a youthful ponytail and donned tortoiseshell framed sunglasses. Jennifer's divorce from Ben was finalized last week but up until recently she has supported her ex in his seeking treatment for alcohol addiction. And on Tuesday it was claimed that Ben has split from 22-year-old Playboy model girlfriend Shauna. The actor, 46, is now focusing on his sobriety only, it was claimed by People. They had started dating in mid August. 'There was nothing to split from as it has been casual,' said a friend. 'He enjoyed being with her but is working on himself, and being together with her at this time is not something that works. He will date in the future, but for now his focus is on his sobriety, family and his next project.' This comes after the beauty shared several images from their intimate vacation in Montana where the two went fishing and looked at wildlife. Sporty casual: The 46-year-old actress wore a two-tone sweater and charcoal grey leggings as she giggled while hopping out of an SUV On Monday he had jetted home from his weekend away on a private jet, with Shauna at his side. The two had enjoyed a presumably dry trip to the country. Updates shared on Shauna's Instagram account showed them fishing, admiring wild stags and marveling at snow capped mountains. Single again: Meanwhile Jen's ex Ben Affleck has split with his 22-year-old Playboy model fling Shauna Sexton Priorities: The actor, 46, is now focusing on his sobriety only, it was claimed by People on Tuesday. Affleck is seen in May Couple's getaway: Affleck, 46, spent a day in the Montana wilderness with girlfriend Shauna on Sunday Noticing nature: Sexton and Affleck, who traveled by car, marveled at the snow-capped mountains and wildlife of the North West Drop a line: The couple hiked to a nearby river, where Shauna successfully caught a small rainbow trout The trip marked a milestone week for Ben. First he completed 40 days in rehab, before finally signing his divorce papers, dissolving his 13-year union with Jennifer Garner, three years after they split. The duo met up at Jennifer's house alongside lawyers and a private judge on Thursday. She loves to work on her body: Sexton, who was a Playboy favorite, said she worked out every day because she loved it In a statement published on Instagram this week Ben wrote 'This week I completed a forty day stay at a treatment center for alcohol addiction and remain in outpatient care. The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It's given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others. 'Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family. So many people have reached out on social media and spoken about their own journeys with addiction. 'To those people, I want to say thank you. Your strength is inspiring and is supporting me in ways I didn't think was possible. It helps to know I am not alone. As I've had to remind myself, if you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage, not weakness or failure. With acceptance and humility, I continue to avail myself with the help of so many people and I am grateful to all those who are there for me. I hope down the road I can offer an example to others who are struggling.' It was Jennifer - who shares Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six with the actor - who encouraged Ben to go to rehab to be 'the best father he can be'. On Tuesday Garner was seen alone in Los Angeles; she smiled from ear to ear. This is not the first time Ben has split from a girlfriend since splitting from Jennifer. This summer he called it quits with SNL producer Lindsay Shookus. Sources said it was too difficult to maintain the relationship as he lived in LA and she lived in NYC. She was catapulted into the spotlight with her portrayal of Amy Pond in Doctor Who alongside Matt Smith. And Karen Gillan has displayed her versatile acting ability as she takes on extreme poverty with co-star David Dastmalchian in the upcoming film All Creatures Here. In a teaser clip for the independent film, set to premiere later this month, the actress, 30, follows the lead of her boyfriend Gensan (David), as the pair set out on the run to Kansas City. New role: Karen Gillan has displayed her versatile acting ability as she takes on extreme poverty with co-star David Dastmalchian in the upcoming film All Creatures Here Sporting minimal make-up and a loosely tousled ponytail, Karen transforms into a desperate Ruby, who is in search of refuge after her partner loses his job - forcing the couple to go against the law. Ruby, who has strong ambitions to start a family, finds herself in a sticky situation after discovering a baby during their journey. In the clip, Karen's character appears in awe of the abandoned newborn, to which her beau tells her: 'We can't keep that baby. There's no way you're gonna get out of this without doing some time. I got a plan'. Drama: In a teaser clip for the independent film, set to premiere later this month, the actress, 30, follows the lead of her boyfriend Gensan (David), as they set out on the run to Kansas City The indie film will debut during the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival on October 18th at Regal Cinemas. Meanwhile, Karen recently explained that moving to America made her feel like 'the shackles are off' as it gave her the freedom to pursue her dreams without judgement. In an interview with American Way magazine for American Airlines, the actress admitted things weren't easy when she caught the acting bug while living her hometown of Inverness: 'Some people would be like, "Oh, she's very ambitious," like it's a negative thing.' Support: Sporting minimal make-up and a loosely tousled ponytail, Karen transforms into a desperate Ruby, who is in search of refuge after her partner loses his job What's inside? Ruby, who has strong ambitions to start a family, finds herself in a sticky situation after discovering a baby during their journey 'I got a plan': In the clip, Karen's character appears in awe of the abandoned newborn, to which her beau tells her: 'We can't keep that baby' As an avid horror film fan, one of Karen's childhood ambitions was 'to play the female equivalent of Jack Nicholson in The Shining,' a dream she hopes to turn into reality one day. Iconic Stanley Kubrick roles aside, the flame-haired beauty has done quite well for herself in the industry as she stars in a number of big-name franchises, including roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity War sequels. She also talked about her move from acting to behind the camera, revealing she 'didn't think of directing as a female job' in an interview with PorterEdit. Set for release: The indie film will debut during the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival on October 18th at Regal Cinemas The Scottish beauty, whose directorial debut The Party's Just Beginning premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, said her switch to producer was 'one of the best ones she's ever made'. She said: 'I didn't think of directing as a female job, which is ridiculous, but I hadn't seen any examples. Then I started working in the industry and thought "I should just do this.'' Rise to fame: The auburn-haired beauty was catapulted into the spotlight with her portrayal of Amy Pond in Doctor Who alongside Matt Smith Gillan added the decision to shoot the film in Inverness was a bit of a reality check, as there was no special treatment at home compared to her luxurious lifestyle in America. 'I would be directing during the day, in an authoritative position, then coming home and being moaned at by my mother for not bringing my laundry down,' she joked. The Party's Just Beginning is a British comedy which is written and directed Karen. As well as her work off camera for the feature film, the Jumanji star will play Liusaidh, a young woman from Inverness who is dealing with the suicide of her best friend. Michael Pena is set to play the role of Mr Roarke in Fantasy Island in a new movie. The 42-year-old actor - who previously starred in such hits as Crash and Ant-Man - has been added to the cast of the film adaptation from director Jeff Wadlow, Deadline reports. Michael will star in the role that was previously filled by legendary Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban on the ABC TV series. New role: Michael Pena is set to play the role of Mr Roarke in Fantasy Island; seen in January On the show, the iconic Mr Roarke served as the overseer of the island who granted the fantasies of its visitors. The hit series, which launched in 1978, touched on a host of dark themes and the supernatural. The movie adaptation has been written by the director alongside Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. News of Michael's casting comes shortly after he claimed that attitudes towards Latino and Latina talent are changing in Hollywood. Michael initially faced a struggle to establish himself in the movie business, given the lack of opportunities for Latino stars, but he thinks the landscape is slowly changing. Loved by all: Michael will star in the role that was previously filled by Ricardo Montalban (left) on the ABC TV series; seen with Herve Villechaize (right) Our business is your pleasure: On the show, the iconic Mr Roarke served as the overseer of the island who granted the fantasies of its visitors. The hit series, which launched in 1978, touched on a host of dark themes and the supernatural He shared: 'The thing is, I started acting about 23 years ago, and it was very tough to get an audition, let alone a part. 'There are these things called breakdowns where they give character descriptions and outline who can audition for them. 'I still have some of these, where the first 10 would be caucasian, so only caucasians could audition for them.' But Michael now feels more optimistic about the movie business. He said: 'It was difficult for me to break through, because nine times out of 10, it was some gangster or whatever. Now, though, I don't have such a pessimistic viewpoint about it all. 'The way that I'm seeing it, things are changing and becoming better all the time. I'm glad I can be a part of that. I want to keep on changing the status quo. It's good to want change, but only if you're willing to be part of that change.' He found himself in hot water after he cheated on his ex-girlfriend by kissing his married Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya Jones last week. And Seann Walsh could face further retribution from scorned ex Rebecca Humphries, as pictures dating from two years ago show him getting very friendly with Inbetweeners star Emily Atack. On Monday evening, Rebecca dumped the comedian, 32, on social media revealing he kissed Katya, 29, on her birthday, called her a psycho when she asked if anything was going on and has yet to receive an apology. Cosy: Seann Walsh could face further backlash, as pictures have emerged dating from two years ago showing him getting very friendly with Inbetweeners star Emily Atack- while he was in a relationship with Rebecca Humphries Now pictures have emerged dating back to December 20, 2016, where Seann can be seen flirting with Emily, 28, while enjoying drinks in the John Snow pub, Soho. The comedian holds hands with the blonde beauty at one point, with her appearing to rest her legs on his knee. A source told MailOnline: 'I was in a pub in central London and saw him flirting with Emily. I knew he had a girlfriend so thought it was a bit out of order as they were getting very close.' Holding hands: In the snaps which date back to 2016, Seann can be seen getting very friendly with Emily, 28, as they enjoyed drinks in the John Snow pub, Soho Past romances: Emily, who rose to fame on The Inbetweeners, has been linked to a host of stars including Harry Styles, Mark Wright and Strictly's very own Giovanni Pernice A punter also told The Sun: 'They were touching each others faces as well they looked very close. 'I actually recognised him first, because I am a comedy fan myself. I watched the Inbetweeners so could tell it was Emily as well. 'After everything that has happened, it appears he was in his relationship at the time of this as well.' Way back when: Seann and Emily know each other from a E4 gameshow broadcast when they appeared on back in August, 2014 Emily has been linked to a host of stars including Harry Styles, Mark Wright and Strictly's very own Giovanni Pernice. Seann and Emily know each other from a E4 gameshow broadcast back in August, 2014. MailOnline has contacted Seann's and Emily's representatives for comment. The pictures, dated from 2016, are sure to come as a fresh blow to Rebecca, who ended her relationship with Seann on Sunday after five years together. Happier times: The pictures, dated from 2016, are sure to come as a fresh blow to Rebecca, who ended her relationship with Seann on Sunday after five years together The actress hit out at her now ex in a Twitter statement earlier this week revealing the images of him kissing Katya were taken on her birthday on October 3, as she sat at home alone. She also revealed she has had suspicions about her boyfriend cheating for at least three weeks, but claimed when she brought it up her called her a 'psycho' and accused her of being 'nuts'. Now, the actress, who says she is yet to receive a first-hand apology, said she has left him and taken the cat and is 'not sorry' for doing so. Rebecca's statement: The actress said she is not a victim and has left Seann and 'took the cat' after he kissed his dance partner in London - on his girlfriend's birthday She accused the star - her partner for more than five years - of 'inappropriate and hurtful' behaviour, and claimed despite speaking to the media, he had not apologised to her personally and neither had his dance partner Katya. Posting on Monday evening, Rebecca said she was not sure about whether to publicly respond - but felt she had to 'clear up' the narrative. She went on to reveal Seann and Katya have not attempted to pick up the pieces - but that her family, friends and strangers had been there for her. Seann has been in a relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries for more than three years and Katya has been married to Neil Jones for five years In a heartbreaking revelation, she also revealed she was waiting for Seann at home on her birthday - while he was kissing his Strictly co-star. In response to her questions over why he was not joining her - the comedian allegedly returned a flurry of insults. She said: 'I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. He aggressively, and repeatedly, called me a psycho / nuts / mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when I've questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour. Hard times: Rebecca's statement has been widely praised by fans of the show and critics of Sean and Katya 'But - this whole business has served to remind me that I am a strong, capable person who is now free; and no victim. I have a voice and will use it by saying this to any woman out there who deep down feels worthless and trapped with a man they love: 'Believe in yourself and your instincts. It's more than lying. It's controlling. Tell some very close friends who, if they're anything like my wonderful network, will swoop in and take care of the logistics and of you. Seann Walsh and Katya Jones: How the Strictly scandal unravelled Wednesday night (October 3): Walsh is seen kissing Jones outside a London pub while his girlfriend Rebecca was at home alone on her birthday Saturday afternoon: Walsh and Jones perform on Strictly and Rebecca is seen cheering him on in the crowd, appearing to cry with pride at his performance Saturday night: Photos finally emerge of Walsh and Jones kissing passionately, as Walsh and Rebecca are pictured leaving the Strictly studio looking glum Sunday night: Walsh and Jones release apologies on Twitter two minutes apart, with both claiming it was a 'one-off' mistake. Monday night: Rebecca finally breaks her silence on Twitter, as it is also revealed that Strictly bosses plan to tone down the 'sexiness' of Walsh and Jones' dance on Saturday Advertisement 'It's important also to recognise that in these situations those who hold power over you are insecure and fragile, and their need for control comes from a place of vulnerability. I think it certainly does in Sean's case. Despite everything, I hope he gets what he wants from this. 'I'm not sorry I took the cat though.' Strictly bosses have reportedly re-choreographed the dance that Seann and Katya were set to perform on Saturday night's show to make it less sexy. The pair were previously set to perform a rumba, salsa, or Argentine tango - three of the most passionate dances in the Strictly catalogue. But they will now perform something where Seann looks sombre and Katya is wearing something that isn't revealing. The pair were reportedly at the Duke Of York pub in Marylebone in Central London at around midnight on Wednesday. An onlooker who witnessed Seann and Katya's kiss, told the Sun they were 'snogging like a pair of teenagers' and 'didn't seem to care who might see them'. Despite the outcry from some fans for the Mock The Week regular to quit the series, Seann and Katya are said to be continuing their dance training ahead of their planned appearance on the BBC One show, this weekend. Just months ago, before The Bachelor aired, Beau Ryan couldn't speak more highly of Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins. However, following his double dumping of Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman, it appears there won't be any friendship forming between the retired sportsmen. During Wednesday's The Kyle & Jackie O Show, the 33-year-old ex-NRL star ripped into former Wallaby Nick, 31, ahead of his return to Australia. Scroll down for video 'It's what he signed up for, he should have picked a girl!' Beau Ryan slammed Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins following the shock Bachelor finale. Pictured right: Ali Oetjen It all began when Jackie 'O' Henderson asked if Beau knew Nick on a personal level, presumably from the sporting world. 'I do,' Beau responded. 'But I was disappointed with the [Bachelor] finish. He should have picked a girl. I think he dodged a bullet with a couple of them. Why is he on there? 'It's what he signed up for and he should [have picked someone]. I wouldn't want to let... he's let them all down.' Beau continued: 'Even the girl Britt at the end... she was upset and it turned to anger. They were pretty good girls. He dodged a bullet with a couple of them.' 'Why is he on there?' Beau questioned why Nick bothered to go on The Bachelor if he didn't intend to pick anyone Does love exist? After Nick dumped both Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman (pictured) in the final episode, Beau said they 'were pretty good girls' Jackie pointed out that Nick did not have to pick anyone and Beau replied: 'But that's why he went on the show! It's what he signed up for.' Jackie then responded: 'I don't think he handled it well. 'He could have handled it better and he should have faced the music that next day.' 'What you see on TV is quite different to how he is in real life,' Beau previously said while praising Nick on radio in March Ready to face the music? Nick is expected to return to Australia on Wednesday after completing the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea The comments from Beau were in contrast to what he said about Nick on radio back in March, when his role on the Network Ten show was first announced. 'What you see on TV is quite different to how he is in real life,' Beau said. '[Nick's] a bit more switched on, he's a bit more easy to relate to.' She reportedly kissed fellow reality TV star at Amber Davies' birthday party last week. And Ellie Brown continued to fuel relationship rumours with Joey Essex as they chatted up a storm outside Adee Phelan's men's grooming SKNHEAD LONDON launch party at his Drury Lane Salon on Tuesday evening. The Love Island star, 20, appeared in high spirits as she grinned from ear-to-ear while resting her arm against the ex TOWIE star's '250,000' white Lamborghini. Cosy: Ellie Brown continued to fuel relationship rumours with Joey Essex as they chatted up a storm outside Adee Phelan's men's grooming launch party at his Drury Lane Salon on Tuesday In recent reports, Ellie and Joey, 28, were said to have enjoyed a steamy smooch at Amber's birthday party at Chigwell's Sheesh restaurant last Wednesday. A source told the Sun: 'Ellie and Joey were all over each other at Sheesh kissing and flirting together. 'They met for the first time there on Wednesday and immediately hit it off drinking and partying until the early hours', they continued. MailOnline has contacted Ellie and Joey's representatives for further comment. Budding relationship? The Love Island star, 20, appeared in high spirits as she grinned from ear-to-ear while resting her arm against the ex TOWIE star's '250,000' white Lamborghini Romance: In recent reports, Ellie and Joey, 28, were said to have enjoyed a steamy smooch at Amber's birthday party at Chigwell's Sheesh restaurant last Wednesday Alleged kiss: 'Ellie and Joey were all over each other at Sheesh kissing and flirting together', a source told The Sun last week Hit it off! 'They met for the first time there on Wednesday and immediately hit it off drinking and partying until the early hours', the insider added Arriving in style: Chloe Sims' cousin went casual in a green hooded jumper as he relaxed in his flashy car Meanwhile, the blonde bombshell, who recently split from Love Island co-star Charlie Brake, appeared to be forget her love woes at the starry event, as she was joined by her BFF Zara McDermott. Ellie commanded attention in a form-fitting midi skirt and low-cut crop top by Missy Empire, flashing a glimpse of her toned abs. Adding to her petite frame, the Newcastle beauty sported a pair of bedazzled strappy heels, and kept accessories to a minimum. Moving on? Meanwhile, the blonde bombshell, who recently split from Love Island co-star Charlie Brake, appeared to be forget her love woes during their conversation Turning up the heat: Ellie commanded attention in a form-fitting midi skirt and low-cut crop top by Missy Empire, flashing a glimpse of her toned abs Wow-factor! Adding to her petite frame, the Newcastle beauty sported a pair of bedazzled strappy heels, and kept accessories to a minimum The former business development manager brought summer chic to the autumn season with her glossy beachy waves, and accentuated her features in dewy make-up. Ellie's appearance comes hours after she admitted she is finally feeling like herself again following her heartbreak from millionaire hunk Charlie, 23. Taking to Instagram stories on Monday, the stunner said: 'First day feeling a lil bit normal again [sic]'. Working it! The former business development manager brought summer chic to the autumn season with her glossy beachy waves, and accentuated her features in dewy make-up BFFs: Ellie was joined her her close pal Zara McDermott, who stunned in a satin red lace bodysuit by Lasula Boutique Sultry: The brunette complemented her racy look with a pair of high-waisted white trousers A friend indeed: Their appearance comes after former government advisor Zara, 21, recently said she saw 'issues' and 'cracks' in Ellie's relationship with Charlie With just a towel around her body, the TV personality held her arm to her chest and attached two sick emojis to the photo, indicating that she was ill. She wrapped her golden tresses into a towel, looking as if she'd just stepped out the shower. Opting for minimal make-up, the natural beauty showed off her tan as she pouted at the camera. Happier: Ellie's appearance comes hours after she admitted she is finally feeling like herself again following her heartbreak from millionaire hunk Charlie, 23 Back to it: Taking to Instagram stories on Monday, the stunner said: 'First day feeling a lil bit normal again [sic]' Meanwhile, Ellie's close pal Zara, 21, recently said she saw 'issues' and 'cracks' in Ellie's relationship with Charlie. The former government advisor - who will be moving in with her beau Adam Collard, 22, this month - has revealed she didn't see any 'longevity' in her best friend and fellow contestant Ellie's on-screen romance and admitted she is 'devastated' and 'upset' for her pal. The former dating show couple have only recently ended their relationship, but Charlie is already seeing Kimberley Owen, the daughter of New Zealand billionaire Steve Owen. 'Ellie is strong but she has a really sensitive side and that's what makes her so special. She was so good to Charlie with all the lovely little things she used to do for him and I saw their relationship from the outside and there were issues and cracks that I saw.' She revealed she had her lip fillers removed in July when a fan commented on her Instagram picture that she looked like 'the old Kylie.' But on Tuesday, Kylie Jenner showed off much fuller lips on her social media while thanking a dermatology clinic for 'coming through late night with a lip touch up.' The 21-year-old Kylie Cosmetics founder first got lip fillers at the age of 16 after a boy told her he was surprised she was a good kisser with her 'small' lips. Back at it: Kylie Jenner showed off much fuller lips on her social media while thanking a dermatology clinic for 'coming through late night with a lip touch up' The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star had confirmed her fillers were removed in early July in the comment section of an Instagram picture. A fan had written beneath the July photo of Kylie with pal Stassi 'She looks like the old Kylie here idk why,' to which Kylie responded: 'I got rid of all my filler.' Kylie added a worried face emoji with a smiling one after. In the image, Kylie shows off her flat midriff in a black bodysuit with high-waisted denim with her short brunette locks loose. Natural: Weeks later, the mother of Stormi was seen in Paris after she had her lip fillers dissolved sporting a much thinner pout; pictured July 21 in Paris, just weeks after getting the fillers removed Temporay break: She revealed she had her lip fillers removed in July when a fan commented on her Instagram picture that she looked like 'the old Kylie;' pictured in July after she had her fillers dissolved Closer look: In the image, Kylie shows off natural lips while posing with minimal makeup Weeks later, the mother of Stormi was seen in Paris after she had her lip fillers dissolved, sporting a much thinner pout. The dark haired beauty has been open about her insecurities about her lip size when when she was growing up. In May 2015, she admitted to getting lip fillers because of the insecurity; before that, she had used the popular technique of overlining your lips. Real talk: She had confirmed her fillers were removed in early July in the comment section of a an Instagram picture Showing off her natural lips: A fan had written beneath the July photo of Kylie with pal Stassi 'She looks like the old Kylie here idk why,' to which Kylie responded: 'I got rid of all my filler;' from an early July Instagram story The star, who gave birth to daughter Stormi on February 1, first felt insecure about the size of her lips when she was 15 years old. The Kylie Cosmetics founder said in a YouTube video published in July that Stormi has 'the most perfect lips,' adding that: 'She didn't get those from me, I thank her dad for those.' 'The one thing I was insecure about, she has,' she said, referring to full lips. Kylie added: 'She has the most perfect lips in the whole entire world,' as she noted that those are due to dad Travis. The mother of one said on her E! reality series Life Of Kylie: 'I was 15 and I was insecure about my lips. I have really small lips. And it was like one of my first kisses and a guy was like, "I didn't think you would be a good kisser because you have such small lips." But I took that really hard.' via People. Wow: Days earlier she rocked fuller lips for a selfie showing off her makeup collection; she posted the image on Thursday Through the years: Kylie pictured on left on September 7, 2016 in NYC and on the right February 13, 2017 in NYC The look: The star pictured on February 12, 2017 in NYC while rocking her fuller lips Kylie initially denied getting lip fillers as she created her now hugely successful company, Kylie Cosmetics. The business is estimated to be worth $420 million in retail sales after 18 months with her brand set to hit one billion dollars by 2022, according to Women's Wear Daily. Finally in 2015 the star came clean during an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Kylie said: 'I have temporary lip fillers,' she admitted. 'It's just an insecurity of mine and it's what I wanted to do.' Her best advert: Kylie initially denied getting lip fillers as she created her now hugely successful company, Kylie Cosmetics; pictured last week Pink and Burberry: The business is estimated to be worth $420 million in retail sales after 18 months with her brand set to hit one billion dollars by 2022, according to Women's Wear Daily; pictured on Sunday The reality star continued: 'I want to admit to the lips, but people are so quick to judge me on everything, so I might have tiptoed around the truth, but I didn't lie.' She later admitted during a fall 2016 interview with Complex that she may have initially gone 'too far' when she started the injections. 'When you first get them done, youre like, "Oh, it could be a little bit bigger on that side." Id go back and be like, "They went down" and think they could be bigger. But I went too far. It was very painful,' she told Complex. Slide me Now and then: Finally in 2015 the star came clean during an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians; Kylie (left) pictured last week and the star (right) in 2012 Doting mother: The star, who gave birth to daughter Stormi on February 1, first felt insecure about the size of her lips when she was 15 years old She enjoyed a short European honeymoon with new husband Brad Falchuk and then hosted a celebration of her website GOOP's 10th anniversary and new London pop-up store. And now, it seems Gwyneth Paltrow is on the move again. The Hollywood star posted a selfie to her Instagram Tuesday with the caption: 'In transit.' 'In transit': Gwyneth Paltrow, 46, posted a selfie to Instagram Tuesday as she appeared about to leave London after a flying visit to launch a GOOp pop-up store Paltrow, 46, is seen in the snap sitting on a winged sofa with a coffee table in front. She's wearing a stripy black and white sweater and white trousers rolled up at the bottoms revealing boots. Her signature long blonde hair is loose and as she holds up her smartphone to take the snap, she stares expressionlessly into the lens. Earlier Tuesday, she shared a photo to Instagram of St. Paul's Church which is located next to The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge where she was staying. 'Good morning, London,' she wrote. Luxury digs: Earlier Tuesday, she shared a photo to Instagram of St. Paul's Church which is located next to The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge where she was staying On Monday, the Shakespeare In Love Oscar winner made her first public appearance since tying the knot for a second time, donning a white frock and pearls for a party and dinner celebrating GOOP. She showed off her wedding band as she mingled with A-list attendees, including Demi Moore and Liv Tyler. The party began at Goop's Notting Hill location, where guests perused the store as they enjoyed cocktails and champagne. Afterwards, Paltrow and guests headed to the Chucs Serpentine at Sackler Gallery in official Goop taxis. In the spotlight: On Monday, Paltrow made her first public appearance since tying the knot for a second time, donning a white frock and pearls for a party and dinner celebrating GOOP Hostess: She posed for photos as she mingled with the A-list guests that included Demi Moore Gwyneth married TV producer Falchuk, 47, on Saturday, September 29, in The Hamptons. The pair met when the actress made a guest appearance on Glee which Falchuk co-created with Ryan Murphy. Their star-studded wedding included guests such as Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Cameron Diaz and Robert Downey Jr. The newlyweds then jetted off to Paris for a stay at the luxurious Four Seasons in the French capital. Paltrow was previously married to British musician Chris Martin with whom she shares two children. She found fame in raunchy burlesque troupe turned girl group, The Pussycat Dolls. And Ashley Roberts embraced her former life as she slipped into a sexy bustier top for the premiere of America's Musical Journey at the Science Museum in London on Tuesday. Looking like the ultimate sex kitten, the 37-year-old performer was a vision on the night. Stunning: Ashley Roberts embraced her former life as she slipped into a sexy bustier top for the premiere of America's Musical Journey at the Science Museum in London on Tuesday Ashley looked radiant in her scarlet bustier with lace trimmed cups that accentuated her ample cleavage. Proving that less is more, the blonde bombshell teamed the garment with a smart black blazer and matching trousers, whilst she boosted her frame with court heels. The Stick Wit U hitmaker finished off the look by styling her glossy golden locks in a chic high bun, whilst she accessorised with gold hooped earrings. Dressed to impress: Ashley looked radiant in her scarlet bustier with lace trimmed cups that accentuated her ample cleavage Throwback: Ashley (L) alongside Pussycat Dolls (L-R) Kim Wyatt, Melody Thornton, Nicole Scherzinger, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar, and Robin Antin were famed for their sexy outfits Whilst Ashley's days in the Nicole Scherzinger lead Pussycat Dolls are over, she's been a stunning performer in her own right during this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Ashley - who is partnered with Pasha Kovalev has been blowing the judges away with her routines, and last week was left close to tears after leaving the panel shell-shocked with her version of the iconic Dirty Dancing routine. Nailing the famous lift, the judges were stunned by her version of the iconic scene, with Darcy Bussell branding it 'fearless.' Chic: Proving that less is more, the blonde bombshell teamed the bustier with a smart black blazer and matching trousers, whilst she boosted her frame with court heels She added: 'I have done that lift in many shows and I know what you need to produce, it's not about placing, it's about the determination. Everything was clean you ticked all the boxes for me thank you.' Bruno Tonioli added: 'That was brilliant and so clever, you managed to take a few steps from the movie but you never ever copied it. That last lift, the way you hit every accent event when your were in the air, is purely sensational.' Their dance led the pair straight to second-top of the leaderboard with 35 points out of 40. Nick Kyrgios' effort is under question again after an umpire suggested a point in the second set of his Shanghai Masters defeat was "really borderline". The Australian, who at times appeared largely disinterested in his three-set loss to American qualifier Bradley Klahn, fired back telling chair umpire Damien Dumusois he "didn't care" for his opinion and "you have no right to tell me that it's poor". Three games later, Kyrgios smashed an ace and turned to Dumusois to ask "was that borderline poor?" before the French official told him "that's enough. I don't want to talk about that any more". La Repubblica reported on Saturday that Germanys refugee agency had sent dozens of letters to migrants advising them of a planned transfer back to Italy, possibly via charter flights. The first such transfer is planned for Oct. 9, it said. As Reuters writes in the article Germany denies it plans to fly migrants back to Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Sunday Italy would close its airports to any planes carrying migrants from Germany or any other EU country. If someone, in Berlin or Brussels, thinks of dumping dozens of immigrants in Italy via unauthorized charter flights, they should know that there is not and there will be no airport available. We will close the airports as we closed the ports, Salvini said in a statement. The two countries have been working on a deal under which Germany would send back to Italy migrants who have already applied for asylum there, but the accord has yet to be signed. No transfer flight is planned to Italy in the coming days, a German interior ministry spokesman wrote in an email. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said last month that a deal with Italy had been reached and that he expected it to be signed shortly. But Salvini denied that a day later, demanding more concessions from Germany. The Italian minister said at the time that he had received reassurances from Germany that for every migrant it returned to Italy the German authorities would accept a bonafide asylum seeker from Italy. But Salvini wants concessions on two other issues - a revision of both the EUs Dublin Treaty on how Europe handles asylum requests, and of the EUs Sophia naval mission which is patrolling the Mediterranean. Seehofer urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to intervene to end the standoff. The agreement has been negotiated and follows the same principle as with Greece, Seehofer told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. We return refugees back to Italy, but we must take in the same number from sea rescues. He added: But now Salvini is suddenly saying: I will only sign if Germany backs Italys position on asylum in the European Union. The heads of government are required to act (to solve this). Italy is seeking an overhaul of the Dublin Treaty so that there is an automatic distribution of asylum seekers throughout the EU, instead of requiring them to stay in the country where they first touch European soil, as is the case now. It also wants to change the mandate of Operation Sophia, which at present says that all migrants picked up in the Mediterranean must be taken to Italy. Italy has become the main route into Europe for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers arriving by sea since the other main route from Turkey to Greece was largely shut in 2016. A increase in the number of animals shipped to market from drought-parched paddocks has also pushed livestock slaughter rates higher, with the number of sheep slaughtered in Australia reaching a ten year peak in August. The rolling east coast dry means many farmers have been forced to send large numbers of sheep and cattle to market each week as they struggle to carry their livestock through severe drought. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday shows the cattle slaughter over the month of August increased by 7,500 head, or 1.1 per cent, with about 65,800 or 10.7 per cent, more cattle now slaughtered than the same time last year. There was a 4.2 per cent rise in sheep slaughters, with 312,400 or 46.1 per cent more sheep having been processed than at August 2017. Lamb slaughters continued to decrease for the month, down 2.8 per cent from July in trend terms, the largest August fall since trend estimates were introduced in 1979. Pigs slaughter remained steady for the month but was still up 5,400 animals, or 1.2 per cent for the year. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Yemeni Tawakkol Karman (R), flanked by Egytian opposition politican Ayman Nour (L), holds pictures of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a demonstration in front of the Saudi Arabian consulate on October 8, 2018 in Istanbul A top Senate ally of President Donald Trump warned Monday of a "devastating" impact on the US alliance with Saudi Arabia if allegations are confirmed that the kingdom killed a prominent journalist. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Riyadh must provide "honest answers" after a Turkish government source said that the Saudis killed Washington Post opinion contributor Jamal Khashoggi when he visited the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. "We agree that if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid -- economically and otherwise," Graham tweeted. "Our country's values should be and must be a cornerstone of our foreign policy with foes and allies alike," he said. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned in a tweet against governments attacking journalists outside their countries. "I have raised Jamal's disappearance personally with the Saudi ambassador, and while we await more information, know we will respond accordingly to any state that targets journalists abroad," he wrote. Trump and his administration have not commented on the fate of Khashoggi, whom Saudi Arabia insists left the Saudi consulate. Graham has a close relationship with Trump, especially on defense policy. A military hawk, Graham has enthusiastically supported Trump's policy of working with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states to contain the influence of Iran. Nazi hunters Beate and Serge Klarsfeld tracked down the "Butcher of Lyon", Klaus Barbie France's most famous Nazi hunters, Serge Klarsfeld and his German wife Beate, received top honours in a ceremony led by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. Serge Klarsfeld, 83, received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, while the 79-year-old Beate Klarsfeld received the National Order of Merit, having already been decorated with the Legion of Honour in 2014, with the rank of Grand Officer. The Chief Rabbi of France Haim Korsia was among those who attended the ceremony at the Elysee Palace limited to family and close friends and associates. Born September 17, 1935, in the Romanian capital Bucharest, Serge Klarsfeld escaped the Holocaust after his family moved to France but saw his father taken away to die in the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp. He was naturalised in 1950, and 10 years later, while studying at the prestigious Science-Po university in Paris, Klarsfled met Beate Kuenzel, the daughter of a former German soldier, on a metro platform. The two, who married three years later, decided to bring fugitive Nazis to justice, a mission they pursued for more than half a century. In one of their most high-profile cases, the Klarsfelds found the notorious Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, a former Gestapo officer known as the "Butcher of Lyon" for his wartime torture of prisoners, who had escaped to South America. In 1971, the Klarsfelds revealed that Barbie was living in Bolivia, and in 1983 he was extradited to France. Four years later he was convicted in a trial, and later died behind bars. They also pursued members of France's collaborationist Vichy regime, including Rene Bouquet, Jean Leguay and Marice Papon -- despite obstruction from president Francois Mitterrand. Mitterrand's successor Jacques Chirac finally recognised France's role in the deportations, a declaration Serge Klarsfeld said owed much to his and Beate's campaigning. "Neither could have succeeded without the other," their daughter Lida once said. In May, before US President Trump announced reinstating sanctions against Tehran, the IMF had projected Iran's economy would grow by 4.0 percent in 2018 and again next year The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday predicted Iran's economy will sink deep in the red due to renewed US sanctions but forecast increased Saudi growth on the back of higher oil production. In its World Economic Outlook, the IMF said the oil-dependent economy of the Islamic republic is expected to shrink by 1.5 percent this year and by 3.6 percent in 2019. In May, before US President Donald Trump announced reinstating sanctions against Tehran, the IMF had projected Iran's economy would grow by 4.0 percent in 2018 and again next year. The IMF said the Iranian economy was now expected to contract over the next two years "on account of reduced oil production, before returning to modest positive growth in 2020-23". Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in May, and his administration reimposed a round of sanctions on the Islamic republic in August. Iranian crude exports, which reach some 2.5 million barrels per day normally, have plunged by over half a million bpd and are expected to dive further when expanded sanctions on oil take effect next month, depriving Tehran of its main source of income. The IMF also sharply slashed growth forecasts for the whole Middle East and North Africa region due to the slump in the Iranian economy and increased energy costs. It now projects the MENA region to grow by 2.0 percent this year and 2.5 percent in 2019, 1.2 percent and 1.1 percent lower, respectively, than it forecast in April. "The downward revisions reflect to an important extent the worsening of growth prospects for Iran, following the reimposition of US sanctions," it said. The IMF, however, lifted its projections for economic growth in Saudi Arabia, the region's biggest economy, and its oil-rich neighbours in the Gulf. It said the Saudi economy, which contracted by 0.9 percent last year, is expected to grow by 2.2 percent in 2018 and 2.4 percent next year, raising previous projections by 0.5 percent. The growth is being "driven by a pickup in non-oil economic activity and a projected increase in crude oil production in line" agreed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and independent producers, the IMF said. Oil prices, which account for about 80 percent of Saudi public income, have increased by more than 70 percent since June last year to over $80 a barrel. The London-based Capital Economics think-tank said last week that revenues of Saudi Arabia and the five other Gulf states are expected to rise by $200 billion this year compared to 2017 due to high oil prices and output. The fatwa against writer Salman Rushdie (picture) not only forced him into hiding but made his publishers targets: William Nygaard was seriously injured in the 1993 shooting Norwegian police have formally accused several foreign nationals over a 1993 attack on the Norwegian publisher of "The Satanic Verses", thus preventing the statute of limitations from closing the case. The National Criminal Investigation Service said Tuesday "foreign nationals who are not in Norway" were suspected of "attempted murder" in the attack on William Nygaard. But the agency did not specify their number, identity or nationality. William Nygaard was seriously wounded when he was shot three times in the back near his home in Oslo on October 11 1993. No one was arrested for the attack, but police believe it was linked to the 1989 publication of the Norwegian version of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" by a publishing house that Nygaard ran. This latest move by the police prevents the usual 25-year statute of limitations closing the case. It would have taken effect on October 11. "I am relieved and pleased with the development in this case, not least that the authorities and the police say the attack appears to have targeted freedom of expression," 75-year-old Nygaard said. The case led to diplomatic tensions between Norway and Iran in the 1990s. After the 1988 publication of the "Satanic Verses", deemed blasphemous by some in the Muslim world, Iran's former supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a "fatwa" calling for the death of Salman Rushdie and his editors. Rights groups say Algeria has left some migrants abandoned in the desert, a charge Algiers denies Algeria must immediately stop collective expulsions of African migrants across its border with Niger, a UN report said, after rights groups accused Algiers of rounding up and expelling thousands of people to the desert. Algeria has sent around 35,600 Nigeriens back to Niger since 2014, according to International Organisation for Migration (IOM) figures cited in the report, including more than 12,000 since the start of the year. "These collective expulsions from Algeria to Niger are in utter violation of international law," Felipe Gonzalez Morales, UN special rapporteur on human rights for migrants, said in the report, a copy of which was provided to AFP on Tuesday. "I call on the government of Algeria to abide by its international obligation and halt with immediate effect all collective expulsions of migrants to Niger." The North African state has denied abandoning migrants in desolate border areas but said it faces an influx of sub-Saharan Africans crossing over from Mali and Niger. - Rounded up at night - Niger is a major trafficking route for migrants trying to reach Europe, with the EU estimating 90 percent of West African migrants pass through the country before moving on to Algeria, Libya or elsewhere. Sub-Saharan migrants have regularly been rescued from the Niger desert -- or their bodies discovered -- after attempting to cross in soaring temperatures with little food or water. The UN report said migrants are rounded up from their homes in Algeria often at night without having time to get dressed, or collect their belongings or money. The UN report says Algerian authorities often round up migrants at night and bus them to the border Some of them have lived and worked in the country for years with children going to local schools, it said. Others are beaten and held at police stations before being transported by bus to the border, where they are forced to walk through the desert to the nearest town, the report added. Algeria says it faces "unfounded criticism" and its efforts have stopped thousands of migrants crossing its territory in their attempts to reach Europe. Morales in the report also calls on Niger to reform its anti-trafficking law, saying it penalised migrants as well as smugglers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on October 7, 2018 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he told Russia's vice premier in talks on Tuesday that Israel must continue to hit hostile targets in neighbouring Syria, despite Moscow's decision to equip Damascus with advanced air defence missiles. Netanyahu said at a press conference that he told Maxim Akimov in talks in Jerusalem that Israel would continue to fight what it says are Iranian attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria and channel advanced weaponry to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. Despite the delivery of the S-300 air defence systems to the Syrian military, Israel was committed as a matter of self-defence to continue its "legitimate activity in Syria against Iran and its proxies, which state their intention to destroy us", Netanyahu said. It was his first publicised meeting with a senior Russian official since the accidental Syrian downing of a Russian plane during an Israeli air strike in Syria, an incident that raised tensions between Israel and Russia. Fifteen Russians were killed in the September 17 incident that Moscow blamed on Israel, accusing its pilots of using the larger Russian plane as cover. Israel disputes the Russian findings and says its jets were back in Israeli airspace when the plane was downed. In response, Moscow announced new measures to protect its military in Syria, including equipping Damascus with S-300 air defence systems. Russia and Israel set up a hotline in 2015 to avoid accidental clashes in Syria, but the new measures have led to concern among Israelis that their strikes will now be limited there. Netanyahu, who met Akimov on the sidelines of meetings of a bilateral economics committee, said he believed that the current dispute with Moscow would be resolved. "I think that with common sense and goodwill we can come to a solution that will allow the continuation of the good coordination between the Russian and Israeli militaries," he said. At the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss coordination. The leaders have spoken at least three times by phone since the September incident. Both Iran and Hezbollah -- enemies of Israel -- are supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in his country's civil war alongside Russia. Israeli planes have carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets. Civil war in South Sudan -- the world's youngest country -- erupted in December 2013 and uprooted 4.2 million people The United Nations and African Union on Tuesday called on South Sudan's warring parties to take concrete steps to implement the latest peace deal signed last month. Civil war in the world's youngest country erupted in December 2013 and uprooted 4.2 million people -- roughly a third of the population. "We are looking forward to further improvement in the security situation and other positive signals that can generate confidence and mobilisation from the international community," Jean Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under Secretary for Peacekeeping Operations, told reporters, winding up a three-day visit. Lacroix visited the country with the African Union Commissioner for Peace, Smail Chergui. He went to UN-run camps for the displaced in Bentiu hosting 114,000 people. South Sudan's warring sides signed a permanent peace agreement on September 12. A US-funded survey released recently estimated that nearly 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict. "The partners of South Sudan are keen to see a few things materialise particularly the full cessation of hostilities," Lacroix said. "Parties themselves (need to) take the lead in advancing the peace process." The African Union's Chergui issued a vague warning. "Lets just take note today that everybody wants to implement that agreement faithfully and we will hold accountable any one going the other road," he said. South Sudan broke away from Sudan in 2011 after a long and bloody independence struggle. But just two years later, war broke out, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. A struggle for power between President Salva Kiir, a member of the Dinka tribe, and rebel leader and former vice president Riek Machar, a Nuer, meant the conflict quickly took on an ethnic character with civilians subjected to massacres and widespread rape by forces on both sides. Under the new peace deal, Kiir remains president while Machar wins back his old post of deputy. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions pushed to the brink of starvation or forced to flee their homes in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the ministry of foreign affairs on May 13, 2018, attending a reception to mark the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the outgoing US ambassador to the United Nations after she resigned on Tuesday, following a tenure in which she asserted Washington's support for Israel. "I thank ambassador Nikki Haley for her uncompromising struggle against the hypocrisy of the UN," he wrote in Hebrew on his official Twitter account, wishing her success in her future endeavours. Haley has been a favourite in Israel as she pushed a hawkish line on Iran -- Israel's implacable foe -- and led the United States in quitting the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of bias against Washington and Israel. Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, in a statement praised the outgoing ambassador: "Thank you, Nikki Haley! Thank you for standing with the truth without fear." The country's education minister Naftali Bennett, head of the religious nationalist Jewish Home party, echoed the sentiment. "On behalf of the Israeli people: Thank you for what you've done for Israel. We will not forget," he tweeted. The left-leaning Israeli daily Haaretz, meanwhile, said Haley has "repeatedly defended Israel's government from criticism, and criticised the Palestinians many times." South Africa's Imran Tahir (C), pictured here on October 3, 2018, took five for 23 as South Africa bowled out Zimbabwe for 126 Leg-spinner Imran Tahir bowled South Africa to a 34-run win in the first Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe at Buffalo Park on Tuesday. Tahir took five for 23 as South Africa, defending a modest total of 160 for six, bowled out the tourists for 126. The damage was done in the first four overs as Tahir, sharing the new ball, took the first three wickets. "Ive been practising with the new ball to see if I can get more accurate (in case) I get a chance to bowl with it," he said after claiming his best figures in 20-over internationals. He came back later to take two wickets off successive balls to reduce Zimbabwe to 65 for six. Peter Moor hit four successive sixes off left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi as he and Brandon Mavuta briefly raised Zimbabwean hopes with an eighth wicket stand of 53 off 19 balls. Moor made 44 off 21 balls and Mavuta hit 28 off 14 balls. New cap Rassie van der Dussen steadied South Africa's innings, scoring 56 after coming in with his team struggling on 11 for two in the second over. Van der Dussen and David Miller (39) put on 87 off 66 balls for the fourth wicket but South Africa were unable to dominate against a disciplined Zimbabwe bowling attack on a slow pitch. "The bowlers continued their good work. They did brilliantly," said Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza, who admitted that the batting had failed again after Zimbabwe were beaten 3-0 in a one-day series before the T20 games. "We haven't had any sort of foundation," he said. Kyle Jarvis took three for 37 and Chris Mpofu took two for 24. Both claimed early wickets and bowled well in the death overs, with South Africa able to score only 36 runs while losing three wickets in the last four overs. Leg-spinner Mavuta, 21, a former Zimbabwe under-19 captain, showed outstanding control, taking one for 19 in four overs. He dismissed South African captain Faf du Plessis for a hard-hit 34 off 20 balls. "We thought 155 was par," said Du Plessis. "It was a nice challenge for us because there was quite a bit of dew out there." China will cut the amount of cash banks must hold in reserve as part of efforts to support its economy, amid an escalating trade war with the US. The move will see 750bn yuan ($109bn; 83bn) in cash injected into the financial system. As BBC writes in the article China moves to boost liquidity amid US trade war, the US is fighting a trade war with China which threatens the outlook for Chinese manufacturing and exports. It is the fourth time the country's central bank has cut its reserve requirement this year. China's central bank said it would cut reserve requirement ratios by 100 basis points from 15 October. These are currently 15.5% for large commercial lenders and 13.5% for smaller banks. Cutting reserve requirements frees up money for banks to lend to each other and consumers. The People's Bank of China's move will release 1.2 trillion yuan in liquidity, with 450bn yuan of that due to offset maturing loans - meaning 750bn yuan will be injected into the financial system. It comes as the US and China have imposed tariffs on one another's goods in a row that is hitting companies and risks hurting the global economy. The US has imposed tariffs on virtually half of all Chinese imports into the USand has threatened to target all of its imports. China has retaliated with its own set of tariffs, and has accused the US of launching the largest trade war in economic history. Neither are showing signs of backing down, with the Trump administration escalating matters with accusations of election meddling and currency manipulation. WASHINGTON (AP) - Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court fired the starting pistol for the final sprint to Election Day in the United States, with control of the House and Senate at stake. The nation's reckoning with power and who to believe about sexual misconduct has generated a new anger factor among the electorate and made the Nov. 6 balloting a referendum on more than President Donald Trump. A look at what to watch over the final four weeks: ___ KAVANAUGH, TO THE COURT Trump swore in Kavanaugh Saturday as the nation's 114th member of the Supreme Court after a savage battle that splintered the Senate and riveted the country. Kavanaugh took his oath of office to his lifetime seat just hours after the climactic 50-48 roll call. It was the narrowest Senate vote to confirm a justice since 1881. FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2018, file photo, then Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, pauses while testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Kavanaugh's confirmation is a flashpoint for the November midterms. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) It was a fitting result for a 100-member chamber that represents a nation deeply split over an array of issues, from health care to who should be considered an American. A yawning divide has opened in the last year over whether allegations of sexual misconduct should be enough to topple accused men from the pinnacle of their professions. Enter Kavanaugh, the appellate court judge accused by Christine Blasey Ford in emotional sworn testimony of sexually assaulting her in the 1980s, while the two were in high school. Accusations from other women followed, none corroborated. Kavanaugh denies that he ever sexually assaulted anyone. In a frequently-shouted sworn statement of his own, he decried the Senate for putting his nomination in jeopardy. Trump is holding a ceremonial swearing-in for Kavanaugh Monday evening in the White House East Room. ___ THE KAVANAUGH EFFECT The Kavanaugh confirmation has blown open the midterm elections from being a national referendum on Trump's stewardship to a raw emotional discussion over the lack of women in power and how to handle sexual misconduct allegations. With Kavanaugh's ascension to the high court, Republicans, long dispirited by Trump's string of scandals and the prospect of losing their congressional majorities, are whooping it up. "It's turned our base on fire," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. He added Monday that the fight over Kavanaugh, particularly that his nomination was stymied by unproven allegations, injected the GOP with an "adrenaline shot that we had not been able to figure out how to achieve in any other way." What's unclear is whether GOP unity is enough to preserve the GOP power in Congress. The same question faces the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct after the White House successfully argued that the Kavanaugh allegations should not be conflated with the rest of the movement. Even before the confirmation, Kavanaugh's opponents had a comeback line, printed on the back of jackets they wore to the Capitol: "November is coming." ___ NORTH DAKOTA Almost immediately after the Senate vote, Democrats felt the chill from faraway North Dakota. That's the state Trump won by 36 percentage points against Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. And even before the Kavanaugh controversy, the Senate race there was among a handful of close contests that could decide whether Republicans keep control of the Senate, where they have a 51-49 majority. Then on Saturday, Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp defied her state's support for Trump and voted against Kavanaugh's confirmation. Heitkamp said she was concerned about Kavanaugh's temperament after his emotional performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Without hesitation," Heitkamp told reporters, she believed Ford. Polls have put her Republican opponent, Rep. Kevin Cramer, comfortably ahead. He told The New York Times that #MeToo was a "movement toward victimization" that had caused a backlash. "The world got to see close up how ugly it can be when you go too far," he's quoted as saying. ___ FRAMING THE STORY Now it's a four-week race to tell the story. Trump has a busy campaign schedule to spread the word that the allegations against Kavanaugh were a "hoax that was set up by the Democrats" at what he's called a dangerous time for men who can be falsely accused. "I think you're going to see a lot of things happen on Nov. 6 that would not have happened before," Trump said Monday as he departed for an event in Florida. This week alone, he's expected to hold rallies in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky. McConnell has cast Kavanaugh's opponents, many of whom protested in the halls of the Senate and yelled at lawmakers, as "the mob." Democrats are pointing to the Republicans' handling of the Kavanaugh confirmation as one more reason to oppose the president who nominated him and mocked Ford. "Folks who feel very strongly one way or the other about the issues in front of us should get out and vote," said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., on NBC's "Meet the Press." ___ GOVERNORS Look for Kavanaugh's confirmation to remain a major issue, even though governors don't have a direct say in the matter. Republican candidates in heavily Democratic states previously called for further investigation of sexual assault claims against Kavanaugh and their Democratic opponents said that wasn't enough. Democrats are expected to take over some of the governors' offices now held by the GOP, which controls a near-record 33 offices. Thirty-six states are electing governors this year, with competitive races in states where the Republican incumbents are stepping aside as they hit term limits, including in the swing states of Florida, Nevada and Ohio. The Democratic candidates in Florida, Georgia and Maryland are seeking to be the first black governors there. Republicans, meanwhile, are pushing to pick up seats in increasingly Democratic Colorado and Oregon while keeping them in most of New England as well as the South and much of the West. ___ 2020 CANDIDATES Yep, they're already running - especially two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who had visible roles during the Kavanaugh hearings. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., made a beeline from the Senate confirmation vote on Saturday for Iowa and the Democrats' big fall fundraiser there. "We're not defined by a president who mocks a hero, Dr. (Christine) Blasey Ford. We're not defined by a president who doesn't believe women," Booker told about 1,000 activists. The next day, Sen. Kamala Harris turned up in politically important Ohio, where she reminded more than 1,000 of the party faithful at the Ohio Democratic Party's fall fundraising dinner that she walked out of the Kavanaugh proceedings at one point because they had become "a sham and a disgrace." She said she doesn't believe the Kavanaugh story is over. "Truth is like the sun: It always comes up in the morning," she said. "And on these issues that were presented during those hearings, I believe the truth will eventually reveal itself." ___ Associated Press writers Adam Beam in Louisville, Ky., and Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, N.J., contributed to this report. ___ Follow Kellman on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman CHICAGO (AP) - Postal workers and their supporters spent part of the Columbus Day holiday protesting what they see as a White House push to make the U.S. Postal Service private. In Chicago, workers rallied Monday near a downtown post office, carrying signs reading "U.S. Mail, Not For Sale" and "We Belong To The People, Not Corporate America." Earlier this year, President Donald Trump established a task force to study why the Postal Service is losing money. His executive order said it is on "an unsustainable financial path and must be restructured to prevent a taxpayer-funded bailout." But no final decisions have been made yet. In Washington, American Postal Workers Union President Mark Dimondstein told a crowd that privatization will mean less service and higher costs to taxpayers. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., speaks at a rally to oppose a plan by the White House's Office of Management and Budget to sell off the U.S. Postal Service to corporate interests, at Freedom Plaza, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) American Postal Workers Union president Mark Dimondstein speaks at a rally to oppose a plan by the White House's Office of Management and Budget to sell off the U.S. Postal Service to corporate interests, at Freedom Plaza, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Advocates of taxing fossil fuels believe their position is stronger now because of an alarming new report on climate change and a Nobel Prize awarded to by two American economists, but neither development is likely to break down political resistance to a carbon tax. Previous alarms about global warming met with resistance from Congress and the White House. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement on climate change last year. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a panel of scientists brought together by the United Nations, warned in a report Monday that droughts, wildfires, coral reef destruction and other climate and environmental disasters could grow worse as soon as 2040, even with a smaller increase in temperatures than used to set the Paris targets. A few hours later, the Nobel Prize in economics went to two Americans, including William Nordhaus of Yale University, who argues that carbon taxes would be the best way to address problems created by greenhouse-gas emissions. A carbon tax is a charge imposed on the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, which produce carbon dioxide. The tax is designed to make users of those fuels pay for the environmental damage they cause. The ultimate goal of some tax backers is to price fossil fuels out of the market and replace them with sources of energy that produce little or no heat-trapping emissions. Coal and oil and gas companies could pass the tax cost along to consumers, which would presumably give a price advantage to energy that is not taxed. That, advocates say, would help renewables such as solar and wind grow more quickly from their current single-digit share of the U.S. electricity market. Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, right, welcomes Yale University Professor William Nordhaus, one of the 2018 winners of the Nobel Prize in economics, to the podium just before speaking about the honor Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in New Haven, Conn. Nordhaus was named for integrating climate change into long term macroeconomic analysis. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) There is, of course, stark disagreement over the economic effect of a carbon tax. Researchers at Columbia University estimate that a tax of $50 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions would increase average U.S. consumer electricity bills 22 percent by 2030, with amounts varying by region. A Tufts University authority estimates that it would add 45 cents a gallon to the price of gasoline. Both think the impact can be mitigated by distributing the money raised through taxes to households, and that many low- and medium-income families would come out ahead. Opponents argue that a carbon tax would kill manufacturing jobs and hurt family income. A 2014 report by the Heritage Foundation said that a tax of $37 a ton would cut economic output more than $2.5 trillion, or $21,000 per family, by 2030. This year, two dozen conservative groups endorsed an estimate that a carbon tax would cost more than 500,000 manufacturing jobs by 2030. Noah Kaufman, an energy-policy researcher at Columbia and a proponent of carbon taxes, said the terrifying prognosis in Monday's report should highlight the central role of a carbon tax in addressing climate change. But, he acknowledged, such warnings are not new, and political opposition to a tax remains strong. "There are really high political barriers that continue to stand in our way," he said. "By far the biggest obstacle in the United States right now is the leadership of the Republican party, which is dead-set against any strong climate-change policy." In July, the GOP-controlled House voted for a resolution rejecting carbon taxes as detrimental to the U.S. economy. Almost all Republicans, joined by a few Democrats, voted for the symbolic measure. There are signs that the political ground could shift. - A group of former Republican officials and big corporations plan to lobby for a tax of $40 per ton of carbon dioxide produced and to give the money to U.S. taxpayers. Oil giants Exxon Mobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell support the plan, which also would protect them from lawsuits blaming them for climate change. - A Republican congressman, Carlos Curbelo of Florida, bucked party leadership this summer by proposing a carbon tax. - Voters in Washington state will decide next month whether to adopt a carbon fee. "I am optimistic that the (UN-backed) report will make a difference, but I just think we're going to have to get a little distance from where we are right now in the politics," said Gilbert Metcalf, an economist at Tufts University and author of an upcoming book advocating a carbon tax. "It's going to take a longer time, a few years." Nordhaus, the freshly minted Nobel winner, was also looking beyond the current political leadership in Washington, D.C. He said that outside the United States there is wide acceptance of the science and economics of climate change. "This administration won't last forever," Nordhaus said at a news conference. "All I can do is hope that we will get through this without too much damage." ___ Susan Haigh in New Haven, Connecticut, contributed to this report. Yale University Professor William Nordhaus, one of the 2018 winners of the Nobel Prize in economics, speaks about the honor Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in New Haven, Conn. Nordhaus was named for integrating climate change into long term macroeconomic analysis. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) Paul Romer, co-winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Economics, speaks at a news conference at the Stern School of Business of New York University, in New York, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Romer has studied the way innovation drives prosperity and has looked at ways to encourage it. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) CHICAGO (AP) - A spokesman for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has called President Donald Trump "clueless" for reviving criticism of Chicago and encouraging more stop-and-frisks by police. Trump told a police chiefs convention in Orlando on Monday that he'd order his attorney general to send officials "to help straighten out the terrible shooting wave" in Chicago. Trump also blasted a deal Chicago reached with the American Civil Liberties Union to curb stop-and-frisk procedures. Emanuel spokesman Matt McGrath says "even someone as clueless" as Trump has to realize the solution to crime isn't as simple as stop-and-frisk. McGrath also notes that Chicago's homicide rate is falling. Chicago-based ACLU official Karen Sheley says Trump has encouraged strong-arm tactics by police and the "solutions to violence in Chicago are not going to come from Donald Trump." President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, as he heads to Marine One for the short trip to Andrews Air Force Base. Trump is traveling to Florida for the day. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Coast Guard says a helicopter crew has rescued four people from a burning passenger vessel off Louisiana. A news release says people on the Grand Sun reported the fire about 2:40 a.m. Monday from the Chandeleur Sound, and a helicopter arrived before 4 a.m. The aircrew took all four to emergency medical services at Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans. Petty Officer Travis MaGee says he doesn't know where they went from there, or their conditions. An online copy of a Coast Guard database shows the Grand Sun as owned by Scobel Marine of Belle Chasse. A woman who answered the phone at Y and S Marine at the same address said she couldn't talk about the vessel or the people's conditions. She didn't give her name. A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Venice, Louisiana, monitors the location of a passenger vessel that caught fire in Chandeleur Sound, Louisiana, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans rescued four people from the vessel. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Station Venice via AP) MEXICO CITY (AP) - A Mexican couple caught carrying dismembered human remains in a baby carriage may have killed as many as 20 women. The chief prosecutor of Mexico State says the man confessed to 20 killings, but gave details including the names of only 10 victims. Mexico State is located north and west of Mexico City. The couple was caught last week in Ecatepec, on the northern outskirts of the capital. State prosecutor Alejandro Gomez told local media Monday the man appeared proud of the killings. It said there were signs he suffered a personality disorder and resented his mother and a previous girlfriend. Gomez told Radio Formula that investigators have found dismembered remains in two houses and a vacant lot where the man said he dumped them. BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - A whale calf has been freed after becoming tangled in a shark net off the Australian east coast. Experts from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Sea World Gold Coast spent almost two hours on Tuesday morning untangling the humpback calf from a net about 500 meters (yards) off Greenmount Beach at Gold Coast city. The nets are suspended from buoys to protect swimmers at Gold Coast beaches from shark attack. The calf had superficial wounds but swam away with its mother. Someone walking on the beach had spotted the whale early Tuesday and alerted authorities. In this photo provided by Sea World Australia, rescuers try to free a whale calf tangled in a shark net off Greenmount Beach Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. Experts spent almost two hours on Tuesday morning untangling the humpback calf from a net about 500 meters (yards) off the beach at Gold Coast city. (Sea World Australia via AP) In this photo provided by Sea World Australia, a rescuer tries to free a whale calf tangled in a shark net off Greenmount Beach, Australia Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. Experts spent almost two hours on Tuesday morning untangling the humpback calf from a net about 500 meters (yards) off the beach at Gold Coast city. (Sea World Australia via AP) ISLAMABAD (AP) - Washington's newly named point man tasked with finding a peaceful end to Afghanistan's 17-year war is in Pakistan to seek the help of the new government in Islamabad in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, the U.S. Embassy said Tuesday. A former U.S. ambassador in Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Pakistan from neighboring Afghanistan. His tour of the region will also include Middle East stops in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In Afghanistan, he met with President Ashraf Ghani, a long-time friend. Khalilzad, who was also born in Afghanistan, first served in Kabul as a special envoy of President George W. Bush following the 2001 ouster of the Taliban and then as Washington's ambassador to Afghanistan. But Khalilzad has a prickly relationship with Pakistan, having often accused Islamabad of fomenting violence in Afghanistan by supporting the Taliban. He has even said the United States should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. Washington and Kabul have both repeatedly accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for Taliban insurgents, a claim Islamabad has denied and countered with charges that its own insurgents have found sanctuary in Afghanistan. Both neighboring countries have been brutally targeted by militants. In Pakistan the perpetrators have most often been the region's Islamic State affiliate, as well as the Pakistani Taliban. In neighboring Afghanistan, the IS has been relentless in attacks, mostly targeting minority Shiites. The Afghan Taliban say they restrict their attacks to Afghan security forces but thousands of civilians have been killed in their attack. FILE - This March 2009, file photo, shows Zalmay Khalilzad, special adviser on reconciliation in Kabul, Afghanistan. Zalmay Khalilzad, Washington's newly named point man, tasked with finding a peaceful end to Afghanistan's 17- year war, is in Pakistan to seek the new government's help pushing the Taliban to the table, according to a U.S. Embassy statement Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File) Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan has been a strident critic of Islamabad's previous participation in Washington's so-called war on terror. However, he promised after winning the polls in July that his government would be "partners in peace." It is not clear what that would entail but Pakistan has supported Afghan President Ghani's peace overtures to the Taliban. It wasn't clear with whom Khalilzad would meet in Pakistan but the list likely includes Foreign Minister Mahmood Quereshi and also possibly the country's powerful army chief. Pakistan's Afghan policy is largely seen as navigated by the military and its intelligence agency, known by its acronym, ISI. Khalilzad's tour of the region, which was first announced by the State Department as a mission to coordinate and lead U.S. efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, has been shrouded in secrecy. One of his stops is Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. In July, the Taliban said they met there with Alice Wells, Washington's then-top diplomat in the region. Washington has neither denied nor confirmed the meeting though Wells was in Qatar at the time. It is not known whether there would be a similar meeting with Khalilzad on his visit. Direct talks with the U.S. have been a persistent demand of the Taliban, who accuse Ghani's government of being America's "puppets." The Taliban have refused so far to comment on Khalilzad's appointment. The Afghan Taliban have condemned Afghanistan's parliamentary elections later this month and threatened more attacks on Afghan security forces. In a statement on Monday, which was also released in English, the Taliban also urged Afghan candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot lists. They denounced the polls as an America-designed ploy to further U.S. interests in Afghanistan and warned Afghan security forces that they would be targeted. The statement also repeated the long-standing Taliban demand for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. ABS, Yemen (AP) - Yemeni artisans are taking the refuse of war - fragments from missiles fired by a Saudi-led coalition - and making them into their famous ornamental knives. The daggers - jambiyya (jam-BEE-yah) - were once made of imported steel, but high prices have led craftsmen to buy metal from foragers. They are worn as part of traditional Yemeni male attire - tucked into a sheath at the center of ornate belts. Missiles fired by Saudi-led coalition jets rain down on militiamen and civilians alike, killing and maiming thousands. Children, farmers and others collect shrapnel from their farmlands, from dirt alleys in impoverished neighborhoods, and offer it for sale to artisans. One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fragment steel costs about 500 rials (less than $1), half the price of Turkish steel. In this Oct. 6, 2018, photo, a craftsman holds a dagger or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) In this Aug. 4, 2018, photo, a craftsman makes daggers or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, at his workshop, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) This Aug. 4, 2018, photo, shows the final result of daggers or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, at a workshop, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) In this Aug. 4, 2018, photo, a craftsman makes daggers or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, at his workshop, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) In this Aug. 4, 2018, photo, a craftsman makes daggers or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, at his workshop, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) In this Oct. 6, 2018, photo, a craftsman makes daggers or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, at his workshop, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) In this Aug. 4, 2018, photo, a craftsman makes daggers or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, at his workshop, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) In this Oct. 6, 2018, photo, a craftsman makes daggers or 'Jambiyya' in Yemeni Arabic, made out of remains of missiles, at his workshop, in Hajjah, Yemen. Missiles raining on Yemen from the jets of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels are killing thousands of civilians and militiamen alike, but amid crashing economy, some Yemenis see the bright side of it: they make daggers out of the fragments of the missiles for ordinary men traditionally wear for prestige and a show of courage. (AP Photo/Hammadi Issa) PARIS (AP) - Uzbekistan's president has made his first trip to a European Union country, meeting with French leader Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Macron's office said Tuesday that Shavkat Mirziyoyev is signing partnership agreements with French companies including energy group Total, Veolia and Suez for water facilities, nuclear company Orano and Airbus Helicopters. No final contract was expected to be reached. The Uzbek president came to power in 2016 following the death of the country's longtime autocratic ruler, Islam Karimov. Mirziyoyev has promoted gradual liberal changes in the Central Asian country of about 33 million. He has reshuffled the government, removing many old-guard officials, including the chief of the nation's national security agency. Mirziyoyev has sought to maintain friendly ties with Russia while moving to expand ties with the West. France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, shakes hand with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, prior to a meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, shakes hand with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, prior to a meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) France's President Emmanuel Macron, left, shakes hand with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, prior to a meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Moscow is hosting the 9th Sergey Obraztsov International Festival of Puppet Theaters 'Obraztsovfest', dedicated to the Year of Culture in the CIS. Yesterday, the Abdulla Shaig Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre presented the philosophical parable 'White and Black' about a blind orphan, staged by Kamran Shahmardan. This play shows that the light can be seen even in the dark, and that you don't need eyes to see the good. Director of the theater Rashad Ahmedzade told Vestnik Kavkaza about the performance and the festival. - How did you came up with the White and Black play? - Director Kamran Shahmardan is our compatriot who lives in Finland. He has his own theater there, and he often gives puppet and drama performances in Russian cities. The White and Black play tells us that even in the most difficult moments we have to see the light with our inner vision. It's our first time when we participate in the Obraztsovfest festival, but we have performed on this stage before, in particular, during the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Russia in 1996. Today we performed White and Black in Russian for the first time. We traveled halfway round the world with this performance, we were in Russia, in Ivanovo, but we performed in Azerbaijani. And today there was the premiere in Russian! I want to thank the managment of the theater, the organizers of the festival, all the citizens for the warm reception. We always feel at home here. We invite everyone to visit Baku. You will definitely like Baku. - You presented the symbol of your theater to the Obraztsov Theater Museum. What is it? - This is Cirtdan (the little boy - one of the most popular children's characters of Azerbaijani fairy tales - VK). There are fairy tales that have become classics for puppet theaters. Our theater is the same age as the Obraztsov Theater. We received the status of a state a little bit later, in 1964, but the theater was created in 1931. Cirtdan was our favorite fairy tale from the first day of the theater's work. As long as the puppet theater lives, Cirtdan will be with us. - The next year is anniversary both for the Obraztsov Theater and for the Abdulla Shaig Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre. Do you have any ideas how the celebrate the date? - We will mark our anniversary in the 2021, not the next year, because the Obraztsov Theater and our theater were created in 1931. When we celebrated our 85th anniversary, the celebrations were massive - we held events in different parts of the republic within a whole month. I think the 90th anniversary will be also widely celebrated. - How popular is your art among Baku people? - There are only five state puppet theaters in Azerbaijan. The central one is ours. It is located in a beautiful place - on Baku Boulevard. We always have a lot of spectators. Every two or three months we stage a new play in order not to lose our spectators, so that the audience loves us more and more every day. We do our best. - Do you attend performances of other puppet theaters at the festival? - Of course. We like all the performances here. We know how difficult it is to work with dolls. Therefore, we watch every performance with pleasure. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - A week before a crucial election, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik traveled to Russia for a Formula One race - not because he's a big fan but for yet another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Footage from the race in Sochi showed Putin wishing Dodik "great success" in the Bosnian election and the Serb presenting Putin with a Republika Srpska pin, the Serb-controlled autonomous region in Bosnia. The video was a blatant display of Russia influence in one of Europe's most sensitive regions - the fragile Balkans - where the West has sought to encourage reconciliation and reform after a brutal ethnic war in the 1990s. The brief photo opportunity with Putin helped Dodik win the race to fill the Serb seat in Bosnia's three-member presidency on Sunday, deepening the ethnic divisions that have held Bosnia back since its devastating 1992-1995 war. Dodik openly advocates having Serbs separate from the rest of Bosnia and has been sanctioned by the U.S. for his policies. But he has proven to be a key ally in Moscow's efforts to undermine the Western policies of Balkan integration. While Russian influence is the most obvious in the Balkans, an upsurge of populism in Central Europe has also played into Moscow's hands, providing sympathetic political parties and politicians across the continent, including in European Union nations like Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016 file photo, a woman passes by graffiti depicting the Russian President Vladimir Putin in a suburb of Belgrade, Serbia.Just days before a crucial vote, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik traveled to Russia to a Formula One race, not because he's a fan but for another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the Russian influence is the most obvious in the Balkans, an upsurge of populism in Central Europe has also played into Moscow's hands, providing sympathetic political parties and politicians across the continent, including in European Union nations Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.(AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File) Pro-Russia forces also did well in another corner of Europe. In Latvia, an opposition party favored by the country's large ethnic Russian minority got the most votes Saturday in the Baltic nation's parliamentary election, although the party is expected to run into difficulties in trying to form a coalition government. Latvia's Russian minority is a major domestic political force, accounting for about 25 percent of its nearly 2 million people, a legacy of nearly 50 years of Soviet occupation that ended in 1991. Dodik's victory in Bosnia further strengthened Moscow's foothold in the Western Balkans, since he can how block any strategic decision - if Putin says so. Russia staunchly opposes any more Balkan countries joining NATO. Western officials have expressed fear that Russia has used its historic Slavic and Orthodox Christian ties in the region to undermine Western policies of integration. Sarajevo-based political analyst Adan Huskic said Moscow's influence was also growing in the parts of Europe that don't have those identity links. What these countries have in common are "high levels of nepotism, corruption" so bonding more closely with Western democracies is "by nature, very difficult for them," he said. Russia's strategic aim is not to assert authority over the Balkans but to "harness and magnify existing tensions," the European Council on Foreign Relations said in a report. "In Russian eyes, the EU's approach toward the Western Balkans is neither serious nor systematic, and so offers Moscow opportunities to create leverage," the report added. Russian allies in the Balkans have been actively sowing mistrust in Western democracies, presenting Washington and Brussels as enemies who want to strip nations of their identity and national pride by pushing for EU integration. Dodik is a perfect example. For him, the West and NATO are enemies while Russia is a friend full of respect for the Slavic "brethren." Absorbed in own problems - the euro debt crisis, immigration or Britain's impending Brexit departure - the EU for years has neglected the Balkans. Alarmed, some EU officials now fear that Balkans could plunge into renewed conflict unless it's quickly embraced by the 28-nation bloc. "If such a complex European region gets an impression that we are not serious with the European perspective, we will experience, sooner rather than later, what we saw in the Balkans during the 1990s," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker recently said. Those fears are not groundless. Tensions between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, have been on the rise despite efforts by the EU to hammer out a lasting solution between the two former war foes. Belgrade raised the combat readiness of its troops two weeks ago over Kosovo special police presence in its Serb-populated north. In Macedonia, U.S. and EU hopes for swift passage of a deal between Macedonia and Greece to change Macedonia's name to North Macedonia so it can join NATO suffered a blow when a Sept. 30 referendum on the name saw low turnout. The vote result raised fears of instability in the country that was on the brink of a civil war in 2001. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis saw Russian influence behind some Macedonia and Greek protests against the move. "We do not want to see Russia doing (in Macedonia) what they have tried to do in so many other countries," he said last month. Russia has denied meddling in any Balkan or Baltic country. But Russia's soft-power strategy has found fertile ground among Serbs, due to NATO's bombings in 1999 that halted a bloody Serb crackdown on Kosovo and forced Serbs to pull out. In return for Russia's support for Serbia's claim over Kosovo, Serbia has been a faithful ally even though it formally pursues EU integration and uses millions in Western recovery funds. Two Russian military intelligence operatives operated from Serbia in 2016 when they tried to organize a coup in neighboring Montenegro to stop the former Russian ally from joining NATO. "We saw that referendum has not succeeded in Macedonia," said Serbian analyst Bosko Jaksic. "We can see it now in Bosnia, where the Republika of Srpska became the bastion of the Russian interest. We saw it before in Montenegro, and we are seeing it in Serbia. This is helping Russians to invest the minimum and get nearly the maximum of their political influence." ___ Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Sabina Niksic in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Jari Tanner in Helsinki contributed. FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik in Moscow's Kremlin, Russia. Just days before a crucial vote, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik traveled to Russia to a Formula One race, not because he's a fan but for another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the Russian influence is the most obvious in the Balkans, an upsurge of populism in Central Europe has also played into Moscow's hands, providing sympathetic political parties and politicians across the continent, including in European Union nations Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. (Alexei Nikolsky/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, file) FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 17, 2014 file photo, a man rides bicycle pasts a billboards reading 'Russia' , left and 'Serbia', in Belgrade, Serbia. Just days before a crucial vote, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik traveled to Russia to a Formula One race, not because he's a fan but for another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the Russian influence is the most obvious in the Balkans, an upsurge of populism in Central Europe has also played into Moscow's hands, providing sympathetic political parties and politicians across the continent, including in European Union nations Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.(AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File) In this photo taken on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik, right, waits at a polling station in the Bosnian town of Laktasi, northwest of Sarajevo, Bosnia. Just days before a crucial vote, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik traveled to Russia to a Formula One race, not because he's a fan but for another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the Russian influence is the most obvious in the Balkans, an upsurge of populism in Central Europe has also played into Moscow's hands, providing sympathetic political parties and politicians across the continent, including in European Union nations Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - The Latest on Europe's migration crisis (all times local): 7 p.m. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, known for his tough stance on migrants, says that his country "won't be considered a refugee camp anymore." He told reporters on Tuesday that the Italian approach is gaining ground. Italy, a front-line state for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, is refusing to allow the rescue ships of non-government organizations to dock in Italy with migrants they save when rafts are stranded or sinking. Up to four months ago, Salvini said that "we were considered racists, populists, ignorant. Now, the Italian model of migration management and of closing ports when necessary is becoming popular." Salvini was taking part in a meeting of European security chiefs in Lyon, France, on fighting terrorism and controlling migration. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Claire Grady, plus Morocco, joined. Migrants clear the Aristotelous Square in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. Several hundred asylum-seekers camped outside a police station in Greece's second-largest city Thessaloniki, lining up to be arrested and formally processed, as a surge in illegal migration in northern Greece has overwhelmed authorities. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos) ___ 4:25 p.m. Poland's interior minister says other European countries are coming around to his nation's view that Europe's capacity to absorb new migrants is limited. Joachim Brudzinski told The Associated Press on Tuesday that "we are on the same wavelength that migration today, whether it's legal or illegal, can be a threat to Europe." Speaking on the sidelines of an EU-U.S. security meeting in the French city of Lyon, he said, "It is not that we do not want to help." But he said the "size of this migration flow goes very much beyond the capabilities of European countries." He said Italy, with a new populist government, is among countries now agreeing with Poland's tough stance. He acknowledged that differences remain over how to contain migration. In opening the Lyon meeting, France's prime minister insisted on the importance of finding international solutions to Europe's migration flux instead of retreating behind national borders. ___ 2:35 p.m. Bosnian police say an officer has fired warning shots to stave off an attack by migrants in a northwestern town. A statement on Tuesday said the incident happened in a migrant camp in the town of Bihac, near the border with Croatia. Police say they were called to the scene on Monday evening over migrant clashes which injured several people. The statement says that while police were conducting interviews several dozen migrants first started throwing rocks and other objects before advancing toward officers. Police say that one of the officers fired four shots in the air to avert the attack. Migrants have been arriving in northwestern Bosnia to try to cross to neighboring EU country Croatia before moving on toward Western Europe. One of the suspects in the Skripal poisoning case is a military doctor, it has been claimed. Dr Alexander Mishkin has been identified by an online investigative group as one of the two men who carried out the deadly Salisbury nerve agent attack. It comes a week after his alleged accomplice was named as Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga said to be a senior officer in the Russian military intelligence service. Here is what we know so far: Suspects On September 5, the Prime Minister told MPs that two Russian nationals were suspected of travelling to the UK to murder former spy Sergei Skripal with the nerve agent Novichok. The man believed to be Mishkin used the alias Alexander Petrov, while Chepiga used the name Ruslan Boshirov. Image issued by Bellingcat of the second suspect in the Skripal poisoning case, named as Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin (Bellingcat/PA) CCTV images tracked their movements from arriving in the UK on March 2 until their return to Russia late on March 4, the day of the attack. Evidence gathered by intelligence agencies led the Government to conclude the men were officers from the Russian military intelligence service, also known as the GRU. Putins denial A week later, Russian president Vladimir Putin publicly denied the men identified by the UK were responsible. He said there was nothing criminal about the men and said they were civilians. Mr Putin made a surprise appeal for Petrov and Boshirov to appear in public to dispel doubt about their true identity. The interview On September 13, the men appeared on Russian state-funded news channel RT. In a bizarre interview Boshirov said they travelled to the wonderful Wiltshire city to see Stonehenge and Old Sarum after recommendations from friends. He told the interviewer he wanted to see the world-renowned Salisbury Cathedral, which is famous for its 123m spire and historic clock. The suspects pictured on CCTV (Met Police/PA) Boshirov acknowledged they may have been near Mr Skripals house but said they did not know where it was. He said his life had been turned upside down after he was named as a suspect. Bellingcat revelations On October 8 investigative group Bellingcat reported Alexander Petrovs true identity as Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin a highly trained military doctor with the GRU. The 39-year-old was allegedly born in a village Archangelsk District in the north of European Russia and graduated from one of Russias elite military academies. He is said to have trained specifically for a life as a naval doctor and was allegedly recruited to the GRU during his medical studies and assumed his undercover identity in 2010. Mishkin is said to have travelled extensively under his new identity, including making multiple trips to Ukraine. On September 27, Bellingcat reported that Boshirovs real name is Anatoliy Chepiga, a 39-year-old married father-of-one. An image said to be Anatoliy Chepigas passport photo from 2003 (Bellingcat/PA) He is thought to be a highly-decorated colonel in the GRU, the group says. Born in Amur Oblast in far-east Russia, he joined an elite military academy at 18. The group said he graduated with honours and was assigned to a unit under GRU command. The unit played a key role in the second Chechen War and he was deployed to the country three times, Bellingcat said. According to the group he was given his pseudonym at some point between 2003 and 2010. The presidents man? The group said Col Chepiga was given the Kremlins highest state award, Hero of the Russian Federation, in secret in 2014. The awards are usually handed out by Mr Putin himself, meaning it is highly likely the president would have been familiar with Col Chepigas identity. Such high awards are usually handed out by Vladimir Putin (PA) What he was given the award for remains a mystery. In 2014 there were no military activities in Chechnya and Russia had not engaged in Syria. The only region where Russia is alleged to have been involved was Eastern Ukraine, where any mission would have been classified. Miushkins current military rank is unknown but based on the fact he graduated from a military medical academy, he would at least be a senior lieutenant. But 15 years have passed since he graduated, and Bellingcat believes he must now be either a lieutenant colonel or a full colonel. What has Russia said? A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry has previously dismissed Bellingcats claims, and said they were part of an information campaign to distract from the investigation into what really happened in Salisbury. What has the UK Government said? The Home Office said it could not comment on the revelations as it is still a police investigation. A spokesman for the Met Police, which is leading the investigation, said the force would not comment on speculation regarding the attackers identities. Bellingcat says it has assessed data from the Russian central passport database. The issue numbers on passports used by the men to travel to Britain differed by only three digits, making it implausible that they were issued through regular channels, the group said. Nick Kyrgios had a lengthy argument with umpire Damien Dumusois during his first-round defeat to qualifier Bradley Klahn at the Shanghai Masters on Monday. The second set of the match, which American world number 104 Klahn won 4-6 6-4 6-3, saw Frenchman Dumusois at one stage tell Kyrgios: Nick last point was really borderline. The Australian, who is ranked 38th in the world, responded by saying he did not care, before adding: You have no right to tell me its poor. It was the first of a number of exchanges between the pair about Dumusois initial comment. At another moment Kyrgios served an ace past Klahn and asked Dumusois: Was that borderline poor? He later said to the umpire: You know I literally could just go to the ATP office after this and say I just felt put down from your comment and youd be in trouble, right? Nick Kyrgios hit out at the umpire in Shanghai (Steven Paston/PA) I could literally just say I couldnt play after that because I just felt put down. You realise that, right? Im not going to do it, but Im just saying. Last month umpire Mohamed Lahyani was suspended from his next two scheduled tournaments after trying to encourage Kyrgios during a match at the US Open. Lahyani took the unusual step of climbing down from his chair and having a lengthy chat with Kyrgios when he was showing little effort as he trailed by a set and 3-0 down against against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Stan Wawrinka was also among the players to make a round-one exit in Shanghai. The Swiss three-time major winner and former world number three, a wildcard in this tournament, was beaten 4-6 6-4 6-3 by 13th seed Borna Coric. Croatian Coric will face Klahn in the second round. Others eliminated on Monday included ninth seed Diego Schwartzman, beaten 6-3 6-4 by Sam Querrey, and 14th seed Milos Raonic, who lost 6-3 5-7 6-3 to qualifier Mackenzie McDonald. Two more seeds made safe progress as Stefanos Tsitsipas (10th) and Marco Cecchinato (16th) saw off Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon respectively. 2016 finalist Roberto Bautista Agut, Marton Fucsovics, Andreas Seppi, Matthew Ebden, Taylor Fritz and wildcard Yibing Wu also advanced to round two. An investigatory website which named two of the suspects in the Salisbury nerve agent poisoning will reveal how it unmasked the second man as a Russian military doctor. The two men accused of the attempted assassination of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal were originally named by the UK authorities as Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov although it was made clear that the names were aliases. The suspect identified as Petrov was actually Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin, who was employed by Russias GRU intelligence agency, the Bellingcat group said. An extensive investigation was launched into the nerve agent attack in Salisbury in March (Andrew Matthews/PA) The 39-year-old graduated from one of Russias elite Military Medical Academies, the groups website said. During his studies he was recruited by the GRU and by 2010 had relocated to Moscow, where he received his undercover identity including a second national ID and travel passport under the alias Alexander Petrov, it added. Bellingcat has already identified Boshirov as Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga a highly decorated officer who also worked for the GRU. A lot more coming on the second Skripal suspect from @the_ins_ru and Bellingcat tomorrow. Bellingcat (@bellingcat) October 8, 2018 Skripal suspect Alexander Mishkin was born on 13.07.1979 in the village of Loyga, in the Archangelsk District in Northern European Russia. pic.twitter.com/9NzBJzNTgb Bellingcat (@bellingcat) October 8, 2018 A spokesman for the Home Office said: We are not commenting as this is still a police investigation. Further details of Bellingcats investigation will be released on Tuesday. The Press Association understands the reported identity is not disputed by UK security services. It comes after police are believed to have identified a third Russian accomplice alleged to have helped plan the Salisbury nerve agent attack. The man, from Russias military intelligence service the GRU, was reported to have visited Salisbury ahead of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, according to The Daily Telegraph. The men identified as Petrov and Boshirov are believed to have smeared the highly toxic Novichok nerve agent on a door handle at the Wiltshire home of Mr Skripal on March 4. The attack left Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia critically ill, while Dawn Sturgess, 44, who was later exposed to the same nerve agent, died in July. The suspects were identified as GRU agents and Theresa May said their actions were not a rogue operation and would have been approved at a senior level in Moscow. The activities of the GRU have come under further scrutiny after the agency was accused of trying to hack the global chemical weapons watchdog which is investigating the Salisbury nerve agent attack. Officials in the Netherlands, where the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is based, said four Russians had been expelled after the alleged cyber strike. British intelligence helped thwart the operation which was launched in April, a month after the Novichok poisoning. The GRU has also been blamed for a string of cyber attacks targeting political institutions, businesses, media and sport. The Russian militarys attempted hack of the OPCW is part of a sustained pattern of hostile cyberspace activity. Their continued efforts to flout international law will be exposed and there will be consequences pic.twitter.com/kLmnGVDnsB Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) October 4, 2018 The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said a number of hackers known to have launched attacks have been linked to the GRU. The NCSC associated four new attacks with the GRU, on top of previous strikes believed to have been conducted by Russian intelligence. Among targets of the GRU attacks were the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), transport systems in Ukraine, and democratic elections, such as the 2016 US presidential race, according to the NCSC. The centre said it was almost certainly the GRU behind a BadRabbit attack in October 2017 that caused disruption to the Kiev metro, Odessa airport and Russias central bank. Irelands Government is to unveil a Budget today following last-minute talks to rubber stamp next years spending plans. Focus will be on housing and the governments financial plans to ease the crisis, cuts in income tax for middle-income earners, Brexit and a possible hike in diesel and petrol prices. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar denied suggestions it was an election budget, adding that it was the first balanced budget in 10 years. It will be the last budget before Brexit next March with those in power setting aside 500 million euro in a Rainy Day Fund which may be dipped into in the event of a bad Brexit. The Skelligs, Irelands tourist industry may face VAT hikes (Brian Lawless/PA) Last-minute talks were being held with their political rivals on Monday evening to finalise Budget 2019. Among the reforms is a cut of 0.25% to the unpopular Universal Social Charge (USC) in a bid to ease tax burdens on average working families. A 300 million euro affordable housing scheme is also set to be introduced. It envisages an average discount of 50,000 euro on the cost of building a house. Older people may also be able to apply for a 15,000 euro grant, known as the granny flat grant, to convert part of their homes into units to ease the pressure of rental problems. Pensioners could also enjoy an added benefit of a five euro increase in the weekly pension and other welfare payments. Prescription charges are also expected to reduce. Carbon tax increases could result in a rise of excise duty on diesel and petrol prices, however Minister Donohoe faced pressure over the final taxation package not to increase the tax by 50%. There is also a boost for landlords with a possible reduction in tax burdens and a 100% mortgage interest relief on any loan used to pay for a rental property. There is controversy over the special VAT rate for the hospitality sector which is set to rise from 9% to 13.5%. In a video posted online on Monday evening, Mr Varadkar said it was a budget that was going to make a difference in peoples lives. Its going to put money back in peoples pockets, he said. There will be increases in pensions and other social welfare payments and there will also be reductions in income tax and the USC allowing workers to keep more of their hard earned money. Car exhaust emissions (Lewis Whyld/PA) Well also see some moves in the budget to reduce the cost of living and reduce the cost of accessing important social services. Mr Donohoe added: This budget will benefit families by looking to make childcare more affordable, by looking to ensure the cost of really important medical services gets a little bit cheaper than it is at the moment and then by targeting tax changes to ensure that if youre on a very normal or very average wage, youre not already paying the highest rate of income tax in our country. The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) expressed deep concern at reports that the tourism VAT rate is to be increased as part of Budget 2019. Michael Lennon, President of the IHF said the mooted increase to 13.5% would be disastrous for Irelands competitiveness as a tourism destination and represented a failure to recognise its economic potential and recovery, particularly among regional and rural tourism businesses. The proposed increase would be reckless and would result in Ireland having a higher VAT rate on tourism than 26 countries in Europe with which we compete. We are already a very high cost economy by international standards so it is alarming that the Government is now looking at imposing additional taxes on tourists and making our country less attractive as a destination. Any increase would hit tourism throughout the country with businesses outside of Dublin Irelands largest environmental coalition said it is deeply concerned by reports that the Government is set to row back on hikes in carbon and diesel taxes. The increase in the diesel levy and carbon tax are proving to be sticking points ahead of the Budget. The Environmental Pillar said it is deeply concerned as they say the measures would bring in additional revenue. Charles Stanley-Smith, budgetary spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar, said: A carbon tax is a lever that we can pull immediately to support the States long-term targets such as the retrofitting of 45,000 homes by 2021 and getting 500,000 electric cars on Irish roads by 2030. Ireland is facing multi-million euro fines from Europe if we do not meet our binding climate targets so we can either have a carbon tax and reduce the amount of fines we are to pay or we can face higher fines that the average Joe will ultimately have to dig into his or her pocket to pay. Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has insisted any deal agreed as the UK prepares to leave the EU must meet her partys red line. Speaking after her meeting with Michel Barnier in Brussels, Mrs Foster said her party needs to see the legal text of any agreement to check it against its red line, which rules out any extra barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The UK Government has promised to set out further proposals on the backstop arrangement aimed at avoiding a hard border with Ireland, with speculation that it could involve regulatory checks on goods travelling between Britain and Northern Ireland. The EUs proposed backstop would see Northern Ireland effectively remain in the customs union and single market while the rest of the UK shifts away from Brussels rules, something the Prime Minister has already said would be unacceptable. Mrs Foster, whose 10 MPs play a critical role in propping up Theresa Mays administration in Westminster, said she wants to see a deal struck that works for everyone, while respecting the result of the referendum. It is vital that the European Union understands the sensitivities surrounding Northern Ireland and that fact that we are going to be the only integral part of the United Kingdom with a land border with the European Union after we leave next year, she said. There cannot be barriers to trade in the UK internal market which would damage the economic well-being of Northern Ireland and therefore we could not support any arrangements which would give rise to either customs or regulatory barriers within the UK internal market. Its been a useful meeting today, we look forward to continued engagement over the next couple of days. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier with DUP European Parliament member Diane Dodds and DUP leader Arlene Foster (Emmanuel Dunand/AP) Mrs Foster was accompanied to the meeting by DUP MEP Diane Dodds. Mrs Dodds said any type of trade barrier between Northern Ireland and the UK would be disastrous. We do want a sensible Brexit, a Brexit that is good for the Union and good for all of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom as well as our neighbours in the Irish Republic, Mrs Dodds said. Following the meeting with the DUP delegation, Mr Barnier tweeted that his team are working hard to explain and de-dramatise the backstop. Mr Barnier also met with Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann. In our meeting with @MichelBarnier we made it clear that Unionists in Northern Ireland do not support the proposed backstop. A welcome opportunity to raise our concerns directly with the EU's lead negotiator pic.twitter.com/mO4b257iMc Robin Swann MLA #StopCovidNI (@RobinSwannMoH) October 9, 2018 Mr Swann tweeted that his party delegation told Mr Barnier that unionists in Northern Ireland do not support the proposed backstop. Earlier Mrs Foster tweeted an image from her meeting with Mr Barnier, emphasising that she will not tolerate any form of barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Meeting with @MichelBarnier . - As outlined in par 50 of the Dec 2017 joint report, there cannot be barriers to trade erected between NI and the rest of the UK. GB is our main market. - The UK voted to leave the EU. Result must be respected. The nation must leave together. pic.twitter.com/fVWBoIvOQW Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) October 9, 2018 The UK voted to leave the EU. Result must be respected, she tweeted. The nation must leave together. Five Filipinos who say they were sexually abused by a Briton convicted of child sex offences in England have begun a historic damages claim. The five, four men and a boy, allege they were abused by Douglas Slade in the Philippines. Slade, 77, who comes from Bristol but is now in prison, was not convicted of any criminal offence in the Philippines and denies wrongdoing. A judge is analysing evidence at a High Court trial in London expected to end later this week. Judge Mark Gargan said none of the five claimants could be identified in media reports. Lawyers believe it is the first time that foreign nationals have made such a claim against a Briton in a British court. Douglas Slade (Avon and Somerset Police) Judge Gargan heard that Slade had lived in the Philippines for many years. Slade had returned to England three years ago and was arrested on arrival at Heathrow by police investigating allegations of child sex abuse in England during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He had been given a 24-year jail term by a judge in July 2016 at the end of a trial at Bristol Crown Court, after being convicted of abusing five boys in Britain between 1965 and 1980. Barrister Justin Levinson, who is representing the five Filipinos, on Tuesday told Judge Gargan that one of his clients was now 20, three were in their late teens, and one was 14. He said Slade had abused them in the Philippines between 2009 and 2015 when they were children. Slade had been prosecuted in the Philippines but not convicted of any offence. Mr Levinson said his clients had suffered personal injuries as a result of Slades sexual abuse and wanted damages. Lawyers say each claimant hopes to win between 15,000 and 30,000. Slade denies abusing any of the five claimants and says their allegations are fabrication. That India and Russia held their 19th annual summit last week testifies to the highest level attention that both countries give to their bilateral relationship. For Russia, the relationship with India is not the most important and for India, ties with Russia are not uppermost in foreign policy priorities. Yet, the annual summits have been held without break, which is exceptional. This suggests that for Russia, the bilateral relationship is worth nurturing because, apart from direct bilateral benefits, it gives to Russian foreign policy a strong Asian dimension. The esteem that the Indian leadership shows for President Vladimir Putin contrasts with his demonisation by the West. Trust and confidence For India, a strong relationship with Russia is important for maintaining a balance in the countrys foreign policy. With the transformation of India-US relations and defence becoming a major pillar of their strategic partnership, maintaining a high level of understanding with Russia has become even more important. Our ties with Russia are multi-pronged and consist of formats such as the Russia-India-China dialogue, BRICS and SCO in which the West is absent. At a time when the global situation has become uncertain on all fronts, an atmosphere of Cold War is re-emerging and Russia and China have been designated by the US as its strategic adversaries, it is important for India to not be pulled in a direction that limits its diplomatic options. India has to maintain an appropriate level of engagement with all major powers to mark its commitment to multilateralism that is currently under siege. The just-concluded 19th summit has demonstrated that India will pursue its ties with Russia in the light of its national interest and will not dilute them under external pressures of the moment. For this reason, attention was focused on whether India would go ahead and sign the S-400 contract despite the threat of sanctions under Americas CAATSA legislation. The Modi government has shown courage and self-respect by concluding the S400 contract, though it has chosen to give it minimum projection by referring to it very laconically in the joint statement and excluding it from the list of agreements signed by the two sides in the presence of the two leaders. If negotiations for the Ka226 helicopter contract had reportedly reached an advanced stage, it might have been politic to have signed the contract now rather than later because this too is a significant transaction that comes within the purview of CAATSA and would require a US presidential waiver eventually. One should not expect each summit to produce eye-catching outcomes. The summits should be seen as stock-taking of ties, maintaining a forward momentum in the relationship, removing bottle-necks where necessary and laying the groundwork for future growth. In this context, the joint statement mentions the informal summit in Sochi in May this year as reflecting the deep trust and confidence between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin and an agreement to continue the practice. The just-concluded 19th summit has demonstrated that India will pursue its ties with Russia in the light of its national interests. (Photo: PTI) Strengthen trade Trade remains a persistent weak point in India-Russia relations and unless trade exchanges are expanded bilateral ties will lack an all-around solidity. Bilateral trade increased by 20 per cent in 2017, crossing $10 billion, but this figure is by no means impressive. The goal of two-way investment of $30 billion by 2025 has, according to the joint statement, become an achievable target. Most of this investment is in the energy sector, which is an area of considerable potential. According to our Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Russia is today our prime destination for investments in the hydrocarbon sector. Four Focus Sectors: Energy, Digital Economy, Startup and Infrastructure have been identified for cooperation. Support to promoting bilateral trade in national currencies has been reiterated in the joint statement, and this is important because of US sanctions on Russia. The proposed trilateral meeting between India, Russia and Iran in Moscow for the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor, signing of new long-term contracts for rough diamond supplies to Indian companies, additional cooperation in outer space (Russian cooperation in the Gaganyaan project), progress in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and trilateral cooperation involving Bangladesh, continuation of military exercises involving the three services figure in the joint statement. Points of contention On Afghanistan, the joint statement excludes any mention of negotiations with the Taliban, an issue on which the two sides differ, though the existence of external safe havens and sanctuaries (an allusion to Pakistan) is mentioned. The Iranian nuclear deal is supported with a call for all issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme to be resolved peacefully and through dialogue (allusion to US threats to Iran). On terrorism, while avoiding any mention of Mumbai, Uri or Pathankot attacks or naming jihadi organisations in Pakistan targeting India (consistent with Russian reticence on the subject), there is condemnation of all kinds of state support to terrorists including cross-border terrorism (another allusion to Pakistan). India has agreed with Russia in opposing the imposition of unilateral coercive measures not based on international law which is a veiled reference to US/EU sanctions on Russia. A little surprisingly, India has yielded to Russias support for China on the issue of a Regional Security Architecture in the regions of Pacific and Indian Oceans (not IndoPacific), with an emphasis that all new initiatives (the Indo-Pacific concept) are based on multilateralism and are not directed against any country. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also read: Buy in India and keep your economy strong our growth story continues on its upward trend This Account has been suspended. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father and trainer of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, said that he has forgiven Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor for his scathing pre-fight trash talk. McGregor unleashed a number of coarse and close-to-the-knuckle verbal volleys at Khabib during the media tours for the fight, attacking Khabib's culture, family and entourage, RT recalls. "I forgive Conor McGregor, it's all in the past. You must make an analysis of everything that went on and take lessons on board," Abdulmanap wrote underneath a picture of Khabib and Conor facing off at their ceremonial weigh-in. The 55-year-old continued: "I spoke with the elders and the wise men of our community, and we decided to move to new heights. I hope that there is a benefit in this, Inshallah (God willing)." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov will met today at the session of a bilateral commission for trade and economic cooperation. At the meeting, the Israeli PM stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries, the Prime Minister's Office said. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of the link between the two states and of the need for continued dialogue regarding threats in the region based on common interests, Jerusalem Post reported. In addition, the parties discussed furthering cooperation in the fields of medicine, science, construction and agriculture, and that they also discussed developments on an agreement to govern child adoption. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he plans to discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin Irans presence in Syria and the transfer of lethal weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. "We will continue to act with determination against Iran's attempts to open an additional front against us on the Golan Heights, and in Syria we will act against any attempts to transfer lethal weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon," Netanyahu was cited as saying by his press service. "I will discuss these matters with President Putin when I meet with him soon," TASS cited him as saying, "I decided with President Putin on important security coordination between the IDF and the Russian military, and of course together we have developed good relations between Russia and Israel," the PM added. "I know that President Putin understands my commitment to the security of Israel and I know that he also understands the importance that I ascribe to the Golan Heights, that we all ascribe to the Golan Heights and to the heritage of Israel." Putins press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Putins possible meeting with the Israeli prime minister was being looked at but it was too early to speak of a concrete date. The following companies are subsidiares of World Fuel Services: AHT Services LLC, ANY-G B.V., ANY-G Services B.V., AVCARD Holding Company (BVI) Ltd., AVCARD Services (BVI) Ltd., Advance Petroleum LLC, Air Petro Corp., Alta Fuels Llc, Alta Transportation LLC, Altitude Ventures Holding Inc., Amelia Holding AB, Amsterdam Software B.V., Ascent Aviation Group Inc., Associated Petroleum Products, Associated Petroleum Products Inc, Avinode AB, Avinode Aktiebolag, Avinode Group AB, Avinode Inc., Baseops International Inc., Bergen Energi AB, Bunkerfuels, CarterEnergy Corporation, Casa Petro S.R.L., Chrome Club Inc., Colt Aviation Holdings LLC, Colt International, Colt International Europe SARL, Colt International LLC, Colt International das Americas Servicos de Aviacao Ltda., Colt Risk Management Services LLC, Ecuacentair Cia. Ltda., Energie-Tankdienstgesellschaft Bremen mbH, Falmouth Oil Services Limited, Falmouth Petroleum Limited, Gib Oil Limited, Hellenic Aviation Fuel Company S.A., Henty Oil Limited, Henty Shipping Services Limited, Indianhead Oil, JCP Brazil LLC, K T M Inc., KTM Inc, Kinect Consulting LLC, Kinect Energy AS, Kinect Energy Denmark A/S, Kinect Energy France Sarl, Kinect Energy Germany GmbH, Kinect Energy Green Services AS, Kinect Energy Hungary Kft, Kinect Energy Inc., Kinect Energy Markets AS, Kinect Energy Netherlands B.V., Kinect Energy Pty Limited, Kinect Energy Spot AS, Kinect Energy Sweden AB, Kinect Energy UK Limited, LFO Holdings Limited, Lakeside Oil Company Inc, Linton Fuel Oils Limited, MH Aviation Services (Pty) Ltd., MS Europe B.V., MS Lebanon LLC., MS Technology Solutions Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, MSTS Consorzio, MSTS Holding LLC, MSTS Payments LLC, Marine Energy, Multi Service Aero B.V., Multi Service Comercio S. de R.L. de C.V., Multi Service Egypt, Multi Service Holding B.V., Multi Service Middle East FZ-LLC, Multi Service Pre Paid Solutions B.V., Multi Service Private Label B.V., Multi Service Pty Limited, Multi Service Singapore PTE. LTD., Multi Service Technology Solutions, Multi Service Technology Solutions Inc., Multi Service Technology Solutions Inc. / Jordan LLC, Multi Service US Holding LLC, NCS Fuel IQ Limited, NCS UK Holding Co. Limited, NCS US Inc., Nature Port Reception Facilities Limited, Nordic Camp Supply ApS, Nordic Camp Supply B.V., Nordic Camp Supply Estonia OU, Norse Bunker AS, Oil Shipping (Bunkering) B.V., Oil Shipping Korea Limited, Orchard (Holdings) UK Limited, Orchard Energy Limited, PAPCO Inc., PAX Distribution LLC, PT Oil Shipping Trans Indonesia, PT Servicios de Guatemala Limitada, Papco, PayNode AB, Pester Marketing Company, Petro Air Corp, PetroServicios de Costa Rica S.R.L., Petromundo Internacional S.R.L., Redline Oil Services Limited, Resource Recovery of America Inc., SchedAero Inc., Schedaero AB, Servicios Auxiliares de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Servicios Ecuatorianos de Energia-Secsa CIA. LTDA, Servicios WFSE Ecuador C.L., Servicios de Combustible Atlanticos S.R.L, Shell Oil Gibraltar, South Minnesota Lubes, TGS Petroleum Inc, TM Hawkins Brazil LLC, Tamlyn Shipping Limited, Tank and Marine Engineering Limited, Texor Petroleum Company, The Hiller Group Incorporated, The Lubricant Company Limited, Tobras Distribuidora de Combustiveis Ltda., Tramp Group Limited, Tramp Holdings Limited, Tramp Oil & Marine (Argentina) S.R.L., Tramp Oil & Marine (Chile) Limitada, Tramp Oil & Marine Limited, Tramp Oil (Brasil) Ltda., Tramp Oil Germany GmbH, Tramp Oil-Schiffahrts-und Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co., Trans-Tec Mundial S.R.L., U.S. Energy Engineering Inc., U.S. Energy Services Inc., UVair fuel business, WF Lubricants S.L., WFL (UK) II Limited, WFL (UK) Limited, WFL Mozambique LDA, WFS & J Company Limited, WFS (Guam) Limited, WFS Agencia de Naves Limitada, WFS Commercial Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., WFS Danish Holding Company I ApS, WFS Danish Holding Partnership K/S, WFS UK Holding Company II Limited, WFS UK Holding Company III Limited, WFS UK Holding Partnership II LP, WFS UK Holding Partnership III LP, WFS UK Holding Partnership LP, WFS US Holding Company I LLC, WFS US Holding Company II LLC, WFS US Holding Company III LLC, WFS US Holding Company IV LLC, WFS US Holding Company IX LLC, WFS US Holding Company V LLC, WFS US Holding Company VI LLC, WFS US Holding Company VII LLC, WFS US Holding Company VIII LLC, WFS US Holding Company X LLC, Watson Petroleum, Western Aviation Products LLC, Western Petroleum Company, Wilhelmsen Marine Fuels (WMF), World Fuel CX LLC, World Fuel Capital Limited, World Fuel Cayman Holding Company I, World Fuel Cayman Holding Company III, World Fuel Cayman Holding Company IV, World Fuel Cayman Holding Company V, World Fuel Commodities Services (Ireland) Limited, World Fuel Gas and Power Limited, World Fuel PG Trading Limited, World Fuel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, World Fuel Services (Bahamas) LLC, World Fuel Services (Costa Rica) Limitada, World Fuel Services (Denmark) ApS, World Fuel Services (Hong Kong) Limited, World Fuel Services (KG) LLC, World Fuel Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., World Fuel Services (New Zealand) Limited, World Fuel Services (Panama) Limited Liability Company Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, World Fuel Services (Singapore) II Pte. Ltd., World Fuel Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd, World Fuel Services (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, World Fuel Services (Taiwan) Limited, World Fuel Services (Uruguay) S.A., World Fuel Services Argentina S.R.L., World Fuel Services Aviation Limited, World Fuel Services Belgium BVBA, World Fuel Services CZ s.r.o., World Fuel Services Canada ULC, World Fuel Services Chile Limitada, World Fuel Services Company LLC, World Fuel Services Corporate Aviation Support Services Inc., World Fuel Services Europe Ltd., World Fuel Services European Holding Company I Ltd., World Fuel Services Finance Company S.a.r.L., World Fuel Services France SAS, World Fuel Services Inc., World Fuel Services International (Panama) LLC, World Fuel Services Italy S.r.L., World Fuel Services Japan G.K., World Fuel Services Kenya Limited, World Fuel Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., World Fuel Services Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited, World Fuel Services Peru S.R.L., World Fuel Services Private Limited, World Fuel Services Regulatory Holdings LLC, World Fuel Services Trading DMCC, World Fuel Services Turkey Petrol Urunleri Dagitim Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, World Fuel Singapore Holding Company I Pte Ltd, World Fuel Singapore Holding Company II Pte Ltd, and Yacht Fuel Services Limited. 7 hours ago Is Blink Charging or ChargePoint the Better Buy as the Infrastructure Bill Passes? Both companies will play a role in building out an electric vehicle charging network, but which stock is best to own now? Investors are looking at 2022 and positioning their portfolios to capture what is setting up to be a big year for electric vehicle (EV) stocks. Read Article Glencore plc produces, refines, processes, stores, transports, and markets metals and minerals, and energy products in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It operates through two segments, Marketing Activities and Industrial Activities. The company produces and markets copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, chrome ore, ferrochrome, vanadium, alumina, aluminum, tin, and iron ore. It also engages in the oil exploration/production, distribution, storage, and bunkering activities; and offers coal, crude oil and oil products, refined products, and natural gas. The company markets and distributes physical commodities sourced from third party producers and its production to industrial consumers in the battery, electronic, construction, automotive, steel, energy, and oil industries. It also provides financing, logistics, and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. The company was formerly known as Glencore Xstrata plc and changed its name to Glencore plc in May 2014. Glencore plc was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of General Dynamics: 42SIX LLC, ARMA Global Corporation, Advanced Technical Products, Aeromil (Australia) Pty Ltd, Aeromil Aircraft Engineering Pty Ltd, Aeromil Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Aeromil IT Services Pty Ltd, Aeromil Marine Pty Ltd, Aeromil Pacific Pty Ltd, American Overseas Marine Company LLC, Anteon International Corporation, Applied Physical Sciences, Applied Physical Sciences Corp., Ascend Intelligence, Australian Avionics Pty Ltd, Autonomic Resources LLC, Avion Logistics Limited, Avjet Corporation, AxleTech International, Axsys, BATH IRON WORKS CORPORATION, BP-HP Pte Limited, Bath Iron Works, Bath Iron Works Australia Corporation, Bath Iron Works Canada LLC, Bluefin Robotics Corporation, Blueprint Technologies Inc., Braintree I Maritime Corp., Braintree II Maritime Corp., Braintree III Maritime Corp., Braintree IV Maritime Corp., Braintree V Maritime Corp., Buccaneer Computer Systems & Service Inc., CSC Computer Sciences Venezuela S.A., CSRA, CSRA (Costa Rica) S.A., CSRA (Guyana) Inc., CSRA (Middle East) LLC, CSRA Argentina S.R.L., CSRA BH d.o.o., CSRA Bahamas Limited, CSRA Bahrain S.P.C., CSRA Belgium SPRL, CSRA Bolivia S.R.L., CSRA Brazil Servicos de Tecnologia Ltda., CSRA Canada Inc., CSRA Caribbean Inc., CSRA Chile SpA, CSRA Colombia SAS, CSRA Commerce 2010 LLC, CSRA Consular Services Holding Company LLC, CSRA Consular Services Inc., CSRA France SARL, CSRA Guatemala Solutions Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Honduras Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Inc., CSRA Information Systems LLC, CSRA Information Technology Spain SL, CSRA Ireland Limited, CSRA Italy S.R.L, CSRA Kosovo L.L.C., CSRA LATAM LLC, CSRA LLC, CSRA Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., CSRA Netherlands B.V., CSRA Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Panama Inc., CSRA Peru S.R.L., CSRA Senegal SARL, CSRA South Africa (Pty) Ltd, CSRA State and Local Solutions LLC, CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC, CSRA Trinidad & Tobago Limited, CSRA Turkey Bilisim Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, CSRA Uruguay S.R.L, CSRA Visa Services Israel Ltd., CSRAIT - Information Services Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Centauri Solutions LLC, Command System, Computing Devices International, Concord I Maritime Corporation, Concord II Maritime Corporation, Concord III Maritime Corporation, Concord IV Maritime Corporation, Concord V Maritime Corporation, Convair Aircraft Corporation, Convair Corporation, Creative Technology, Customer Services Ecuador CSRA S.A., Devcor, Diamond Fortress Technologies, DynPort Vaccine Company LLC, EB Groton Engineering Inc., EBV Explosives Environmental, ELCS-CZ s.r.o., Eagle Enterprise Inc., Earl Industries - Ship Repair and Coatings Division, Ebv Explosives Environmental Company, Electric Boat - Australia LLC, Electric Boat - UK LLC, Electric Boat Canada LLC, Electric Boat Corporation, Electric Boat France LLC, Electrocom Inc., Engineering Technology, Expro Finance Inc., FBD Fahrzeug und Bremsendienst GmbH, FC Business Systems, Fidelis Cybersecurity, Force Protection, Force Protection Europe Limited, Force Protection Inc., ForeSight Technology Services LLC, Freeman United Coal Mining Company LLC, GD Brazil Holdings LLC, GD European Land Systems - Steyr GmbH, GD European Land Systems Holding GmbH, GDOTS Services Corporation, GM GDLS Defense Group L.L.C., GPS Source Inc., GTE Government Systems, GWA-Datatrac FAST LLC, Galaxy Aerospace Company, Gayston Corporation - Defense Operations, General Dynamics - OTS (Global) Inc., General Dynamics AIS Australia Pty Ltd, General Dynamics Canadian Finance Inc., General Dynamics Canadian Holdings Inc., General Dynamics Commercial Cyber Services LLC, General Dynamics European Finance Limited, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Austria GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Bridge Systems GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Czech s.r.o., General Dynamics European Land Systems - Denmark ApS, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Deutschland GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - FWW GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems Romania S.R.L., General Dynamics European Land Systems S.L., General Dynamics Global Force LLC, General Dynamics Global Holdings Limited, General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Government Satellite Services LLC, General Dynamics Government Systems Corporation, General Dynamics Government Systems Overseas Corporation, General Dynamics Information Technology Canada Limited, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., General Dynamics Information Technology Limited, General Dynamics Installation Services LLC, General Dynamics International Corporation, General Dynamics Itronix LLC, General Dynamics Land Systems - Australia Pty. Ltd., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada Corporation, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada Services Inc., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canadian Services Limited, General Dynamics Land Systems - Force Protection Inc., General Dynamics Land Systems Customer Service & Support Company, General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., General Dynamics Limited, General Dynamics Marine Systems Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems International Limited, General Dynamics Mission Systems Overseas Company LLC, General Dynamics Motion Control LLC, General Dynamics OTS (Aerospace) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (California) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (DRI) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (Niceville) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (Pennsylvania) Inc., General Dynamics One Source LLC, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada Valleyfield Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Simunition Operations Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., General Dynamics Overseas Systems and Services Corporation, General Dynamics Properties Inc., General Dynamics Robotic Systems Inc., General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Satcom Technologies Asia Private Limited, General Dynamics Satellite Communication Services LLC, General Dynamics Saudi Holdings S.L., General Dynamics Shared Resources LLC, General Dynamics Support Services Company, General Dynamics Swiss Financial Management Limited, General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, General Dynamics Worldwide Holdings Inc., General Dynamics-OTS Inc., General Motors Defense, Gulfstream 100 Holdings LLC, Gulfstream Aerospace, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (CA), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (DE), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (GA), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (OK), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation of Texas, Gulfstream Aerospace Hong Kong Limited, Gulfstream Aerospace LLC, Gulfstream Aerospace LP, Gulfstream Aerospace Ltd., Gulfstream Aerospace Services Corporation, Gulfstream Aerospace Sociedad de Responssabilidad Limitada de CapitalVariable (S. de R.L. de C.V.), Gulfstream Do Brasil Servicos De Suporte E Manutencao A Aeronaves Ltda., Gulfstream International Corporation, Gulfstream Leasing LLC, Gulfstream Product Support Corporation, Gulfstream Services Corporation, Gulfstream Tennessee Corporation, Gulfstream-California Inc., Hawker Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Hawker Pacific Aircraft Management Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Airservices Limited, Hawker Pacific Airservices Pvt Ltd, Hawker Pacific Asia Holdings Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Asia Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Australia Pty Ltd, Hawker Pacific Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Hawker Pacific NZ Limited, Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd, IPWireless, IPWireless PTE. Limited, Information Services Consulting Limited, Interiores Aereos S.A. de C.V., International Manufacturing Technologies Inc., Itronix, Janteq Australia PTY Limited, Janteq Corp., Jet Aviation, Jet Aviation (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., Jet Aviation (Bermuda) Ltd., Jet Aviation (Hong Kong) Ltd., Jet Aviation (Malaysia) SDN BHD, Jet Aviation 125 Services LLC, Jet Aviation AG, Jet Aviation Brazil Holdings Inc., Jet Aviation Business Jets (Hong Kong) Limited, Jet Aviation Business Jets AG, Jet Aviation Business Jets FZCO, Jet Aviation California LLC, Jet Aviation Dulles LLC, Jet Aviation Flight Services Inc., Jet Aviation France SAS, Jet Aviation Holding GmbH, Jet Aviation Holdings USA Inc., Jet Aviation Houston Inc., Jet Aviation International Inc., Jet Aviation Malaga SA, Jet Aviation Management AG, Jet Aviation Netherlands B.V., Jet Aviation Savannah Holding LLC, Jet Aviation Services GmbH, Jet Aviation St. Louis Inc., Jet Aviation Teterboro LP, Jet Aviation Texas Inc., Jet Aviation of America Inc., Jet Aviation/Palm Beach Inc., Jet Professionals LLC, Kylmar, Longreach Energy LLC, MAYA Viz, Maricom Systems Incorporated, Material Service Resources Company LLC, Matthews Land Company, Mediaware International, Mediaware International Pty Ltd, Metro Machine, Metro Machine co, Midwest Properties Sales LLC, NASSCO, NASSCO Holdings Incorporated, NES Associates LLC, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, Network Connectivity Solutions Corp., Newberry Holdings LLC, OOO Jet Aviation Vnukovo, Open Kernel Labs, Page Europa Srl, Patriot I Shipping Corp., Patriot II Shipping Corp., Patriot IV Shipping Corp., Plane 79 LLC, Praxis Engineering Technologies LLC, PrimeX Technologies, Prodelin India Private Limited, Proyectos Prohumane Mexico S.A. de C.V., Quincy Maritime Corporation III, Raven Acquisitions LLC, SENTECH INC., SRA International Inc., Saco Defense, Santa Barbara Sistemas S.A., Savannah Air Center LLC, Signal Solutions LLC, Southern Illinois Recovery Inc., Spectrum Astro, St. Marks Powder Inc., Stabilo Pty Ltd, Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co KG, Sydney Jet Charter Pty Ltd, Tadpole Computer, Tecnologias Internacionales de Manufactura S.A. de C.V., Tenacity Solutions Incorporated, The Depth of Ideas for General Trading LLC, TriPoint Global Communications, Vangent, Vangent Servicios de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Veridian, Vertex Antennentechnik GmbH, ViPS, Vulnerability Research Labs LLC, and Weco LLC. Opening of the branch of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University in Baku was possible thanks to First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, rector of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (MSMU) Petr Glybochko said, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza today. "Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva is our graduate, she graduated from the First Medical University and now she is an honorary professor of MSMU. I can say that the idea of opening our branch in Azerbaijan has been implemented thanks to her support. The branch has been functioning for already three years, and today 500 students receive education there. Mehriban Aliyeva not just supports our work, but also constantly helps in solving the tasks that arise in the framework of the Baku branch," Petr Glybochko stressed. The rector of MGMU explained that the branches of medical universities have their own specifics. "We we need more than just audiences and computers, which we have, but also clinics and laboratories. We are pleased that, thanks to Mehriban Aliyeva, every year the branch receives these areas and all the equipment necessary for high-quality education of students. A special feature of this branch is that only MSMU professors teach there, and they are happy to work in Baku, because they have a decent salary here and all their financial expenses, be it a flight or a stay, are compensated by the Azerbaijani side," he said. "We believe that the Baku branch of our university is an interesting project, and not just for us, but also for Russian education in general, and for Azerbaijan as well. Only those guys who are fluent in Russian study in the branch, they have to take an entrance examination in Russian, which allows the branch to grow rapidly," Petr Glybochko added. In general, the rector of MSMU noted, the university is in regular contact with Mehriban Aliyeva on various issues. "It is possible that Mehriban Aliyeva will visit Moscow for the 260th anniversary of our university and will take part in all the events dedicated to the anniversary of her alma mater," he concluded. C&J Energy Services, Inc. provides well construction, well completion, well support, and other complementary oilfield services and technologies to oil and gas exploration and production companies throughout the continental United States. It operates through Completion Services and Well Support Services segments. The Completion Services segment provides hydraulic fracturing; cased-hole solutions comprising cased-hole wireline, pumpdown, wireline logging, perforating, pressure pumping, well site make-up and pressure testing, and other complementary services; and well construction and intervention services, which include cementing, coiled tubing, rig services, fluids management, and other completion and well support services. This segment also engages in the engineering and production of various parts and components, such as perforating guns and addressable switches, which are used in the completion process. The Well Support Services segment offers rig services, such as providing workover and well servicing rigs that are primarily used for the routine repair and maintenance of oil and gas wells, re-drilling operations, and plugging and abandonment operations; fluids management services, including storage, transportation, and disposal services for fluids used in the drilling, completion, and workover of oil and gas wells; and other special well site services, such as fishing, contract labor, and tool rental services for the completion and workover of oil and gas wells. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. One Turkish serviceman was killed and four more people, including a civilian, were injured in the rocket fire from Iraq's northern areas controlled by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the authorities of Turkey's Hakkari province said. "One of our servicemen was killed as a military base, located in the regional center of Cukurca in our province, was attacked by two rockets launched from the territory of northern Iraq on October 9. Four more people were injured, including one civilian who is in critical condition. The investigation is underway," Sputnik cited the statement as saying. The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Benext, Bionic, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Cloudworks, Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Entropia, Epylon, Ethica Consulting Group, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Exton Consulting, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Gevity, Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Openmind, Openminded, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Salt Solutions, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Trivadis AG, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Workforce Insight, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected]eat.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. Conifex Timber Inc. primarily manufactures and sells lumber products in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, and internationally. It is involved in the timber harvesting, reforestation, and forest management activities; manufacture of finished softwood lumber from spruce, pine, and fir logs; manufacture, sale, and distribution of dimension lumber; processing logs into lumber and wood chips, as well as by-products or residues, such as trim blocks, sawdust, shavings, and barks; and providing value added lumber finishing services. The company also develops bioenergy and bio products; and operates a 36 megawatt biomass power generation plant, which produces renewable energy for commercial sale. The company was formerly known as West Fourth Capital Inc. and changed its name to Conifex Timber Inc. in June 2010. Conifex Timber Inc. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Read More Armenian businessman Samvel Mayrapetyan, detained by the Special Investigative Service on October 7, was formally accused of complicity in bribery today, spokeswoman for the Special Investigation Service Marina Ohanjanyan said. "Mayrapetyan is charged under Article 38-311 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (complicity in bribery)," Ohanjanyan said, adding that more detailed information will be provided later. A local court is currently deciding what kind of preventive measure apply on Mayrapetyan, ARKA reported. Mayrapetyan owns the Armenian H2 TV channel and the Toyota Yerevan dealership. The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO ENERGY, XTO Energy Canada, and XTO Holdings LLC. Gas supplies via the Turkish Stream might begin on January 1, 2020, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Rossiya-24 TV channel. "As for the Turkish Stream, its construction is carried out according to the approved plans. As you know, intergovernmental agreement was signed between Russia and Turkey, a road map was approved and everything is on schedule, By January 1, 2020, it will be possible to supply gas via the Turkish stream using two lines," he said. The minister stressed that Bulgaria and Austria are the priority directions for deliveries through the Turkish Stream. "Continuing one line should ensure gas supplies to the south-eastern part of Europe, to those countries that need gas. There are different route options. There is an option for Greece and Italy, there are options for gas supplies through Turkey to Bulgaria, then Serbia, Hungary and Austria," TASS cited him as saying. "Currently the gas transportation infrastructure is expanding in these countries. Today, Bulgaria and Austria are surely priority directions for us," Novak added. A senior analyst of 'Uralsib', Alexei Kokin, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza earlier, noted that the first line of the pipeline is protected from any political and economic upheavals, and sooner or later Gazprom and Europe will return to the issue of the second line. "Continuation of the pipeline to Europe is still on the agenda, although negotiations are not underway. There are problems associated with issues of how the second line will be implemented and under what conditions, but probably Gazprom will return to it in the future," the expert believes. The executive vice-president of NewTech Services, professor of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Valery Bessel, in turn, noted that the progress of the project's construction suggests that its commissioning in the near future is guaranteed. "Like Nord Stream 2, this construction is primarily needed by our partners, in this case Turkey. Turkish companies will earn at the expense of the Turkish Stream at least three times more money than Gazprom," he noted. In addition, the future of the Turkish Stream is guaranteed by the fact that Gazprom is the most reliable and largest supplier of cheap gas in the macro-region. Europe has no place to take gas, its own reserves have decreased by 40% over the past 10 years. U.S. gas reserves, according to the latest BP data, are four times lower than in Russia. Iran, which has the same reserves as Gazprom, is shut down due to U.S. sanctions. Therefore, Europe does not have a real alternative to the Turkish stream and the Nord Stream 2," the professor of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas stressed. Turkish Stream is a natural gas pipeline currently under construction from Russia to Turkey. It would run from Russkaya compressor station near Anapa in Krasnodar Region across the Black Sea to Kykoy on the Turkish Thrace coast. The length of the sea part of the pipe exceeds 900 km. The first line will be intended for the Turkish market, the second - for gas supply to the countries of South and South-Eastern Europe. The capacity of each line reaches 15.75 bln cubic meters of gas per year. The first gas flow is expected to start in December 2019. 11 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Hugo Boss in the last twelve months. There are currently 6 hold ratings and 5 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" Hugo Boss stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in BOSS, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View analyst ratings for Hugo Boss or view top-rated stocks. Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products. It offers a range of cigarettes, fine cut and smokeless tobacco, papers, and cigars; and next generation product (NGP) portfolio, such as e-vapour products, as well as oral nicotine and heated tobacco products. The company sells its products under various brands, including Davidoff, Gauloises, JPS, West, L&B, Bastos, Fine, Winston, News, Parker & Simpson, blu, Kool, Horizon, Jade, Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo Y Julieta, Backwoods, Skruf, Golden Virginia, Rizla, and Knox in approximately 160 countries worldwide. It also provides logistics services that include the distribution of tobacco and NGP products for tobacco and NGP product manufacturers; and various non-tobacco and NGP products and services. In addition, the company is involved in the management of a golf course; marketing of papers; restaurant business; distribution of pharmaceuticals, POS software, and published materials and other products; printing and publishing activities; and provision of long haul transportation, industrial parcel and express delivery, advertising, and support management services. Further, it owns the trademarks; and retails its products. The company was formerly known as Imperial Tobacco Group PLC and changed its name to Imperial Brands PLC in February 2016. Imperial Brands PLC was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Bristol, the United Kingdom. Read More iShares MSCI South Korea ETF's stock was trading at $52.04 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWY shares have increased by 53.6% and is now trading at $79.94. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares Russell 3000 ETF's stock was trading at $158.74 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IWV stock has increased by 74.6% and is now trading at $277.15. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. There is not enough analysis data for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund. 4.5 Community Rank Outperform Votes John Hancock Preferred Income Fund has received 105 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes John Hancock Preferred Income Fund has received 48 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment John Hancock Preferred Income Fund has received 68.63% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about John Hancock Preferred Income Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe HPI will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe HPI will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next There is not enough analysis data for Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 179 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 111 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 61.72% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe KYN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe KYN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF's stock was trading at $158.09 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IWF stock has increased by 91.6% and is now trading at $302.95. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Marsh & McLennan Companies: 8WORKS INC., 8WORKS LTD, A. Constantinidi & CIA. S.C., A.C.N. 000 951 146 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 001 572 961 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 076 935 683 Pty Limited, A.C.N. 102 322 574 Pty Limited, ACE Insurance Agents Limited, ACE Insurance Consultants Limited, ACE Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Limited, AD Corretora de Seguros, AFCO Premium Acceptance Inc., AFCO Premium Credit LLC, Access Equity Enhanced Fund GP LLC, Admiral Holdings Limited, Agnew Higgins Pickering & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd, Aldgate Investments Limited, Aldgate Trustees Ltd, Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited, Alpha Consultants Limited, Alta SA, Altius Real Assets (GP) LLC, Amal Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Anda Insurance Agencies Pte Ltd, AssetVal Pty Ltd, Assur Conseils Marsh S.A., Assurance Capital Corporation, Assurance Services Corporation, Australian Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Australian World Underwriters Pty Ltd., BBPS Limited, Barney & Barney Orange County LLC, Beaumonts (Leeds) Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), Beaumonts Insurance Services Limited, Beneficios Integrales Oportunos SA, Benefitfocus Inc., Blue Marble Micro Limited, Blue Marble Microinsurance Inc., Bluefin, Bluefin Insurance Group Limited, Bluefin Insurance Services Limited, Boulder Claims LLC, Bowring (Bermuda) Investments Ltd., Bowring Marine Limited, Bowring Marsh (Bermuda) Ltd., Bowring Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Bowring Marsh Asia Pte. Ltd., Bowring Marsh Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Bowring Marsh Limited, Broderick Piller Pty Ltd, Broker 2 Broker Limited, BuildPay LLC, Burke Ford Trustees (Leicester) Limited, C.T. Bowring Limited, CMC-Belgibo NV, CPRM Limited, CPSG Partners LLC, Carpenter Marsh Fac Chile Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Carpenter Marsh Fac Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Carpenter Marsh Fac Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.C., Carpenter Marsh Fac Re LLC, Carpenter Turner Cyprus Ltd, Carpenter Turner S.A., Cascade International Holdings C.V., Cascade Regional Holdings Limited, Central Insurance Services Limited, Charter Risk Management Services LLC, Chartwell Healthcare Limited, Chronos Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Claims and Recovery Management (Australia) Pty Limited, Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers Limited, Client Provide Limited, Colombian Insurance Broking Wholesale Limited, Consultores 2020 C.A., Cronin & Co Insurance Services Limited, DVA - Deutsche Verkehrs-Assekuranz-Vermittlungs GmbH, Dawson Insurance, DeLima Marsh S.A. - Los Corredores de Seguros S.A., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Insurance Corp., Dovetail Managing General Agency Corporation, Dovetail Technology Service India Private Limited, Draw Connect Limited, Draw Create Limited, Draw Group London Limited, Eagle & Crown Limited, Echelon Australia Pty Limited, Echelon Claims Consultants Sdn Bhd, Echelon New Zealand Limited, EnBW Versicherungs Vermittlung GmbH, Encompass Insurance Agency Pty Ltd., English Pension Trustees Limited, Epsilon (US) Insurance Company, Epsilon Insurance Company Ltd., Eustis Insurance & Benefits, Evolution Management Ltd, Exchange Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Exmoor Management Company Limited, Faulkner & Flynn LLC, Freedom Trust Services Limited, GC Genesis LLC, GCube Insurance Services Inc, GCube Underwriting Limited, Gama Consultores Associados Ltda., Gem Insurance Company Limited, Global Premium Finance Company, GrECo International Holding AG, Gracechurch Trustees Limited, Gresham Pension Trustees Limited, Group Promoters Pty Limited, Guy Carpenter & Cia (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter & Cia. S.A., Guy Carpenter & Co. Labuan Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company AB, Guy Carpenter & Company Corredores de Reaseguros Limitada, Guy Carpenter & Company Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company GmbH, Guy Carpenter & Company LLC, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Ltd./Guy Carpenter & Compagnie Ltee, Guy Carpenter & Company Participacoes Ltda., Guy Carpenter & Company Peru Corredores de Reaseguros S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company Private Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Proprietary Limited, Guy Carpenter & Company Pty. Ltd., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A., Guy Carpenter & Company S.A. (Uruguay), Guy Carpenter & Company S.A.S., Guy Carpenter & Company S.r.l., Guy Carpenter (Middle East) Limited, Guy Carpenter Bermuda Ltd., Guy Carpenter Broking Inc., Guy Carpenter Colombia Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Guy Carpenter Insurance Brokers (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Guy Carpenter Japan Inc., Guy Carpenter Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., Guy Carpenter Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, HAPIP GP 2009 LLC, HAPIP GP LLC, HSBC Insurance Brokers International (Abu Dhabi) LLC (in liquidation), Hamilton Bond Limited, Hansen International Limited, Hayward Aviation Limited, INSIA Europe SE, INSIA SK s.r.o., INSIA a.s., INSURANCE BROKERS OF NIGERIA LIMITED, IRC Asia Insurance Brokers Limited, InSolutions Limited, Industrial Risks Protection Consultants, Ingeseg S. A., Ingeseg S.A., Insbrokers Ltda., InsurTech Alliance LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC, Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC [BAHRAIN BRANCH], Insure Direct - Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, International Catastrophe Insurance Managers LLC, International Loss Control Services Limited, International Risk Consultants (Asia) Limited, Invercol Limited, Irish Pensions Trust Limited, Isosceles Insurance (Barbados) Limited, Isosceles Insurance Company Limited, Isosceles Insurance Ltd, Isosceles PCC Limited, J&H Marsh & McLennan Limited, J.W. Terrill Benefit Administrators Inc., JI Holdings Limited, JIB Group Holdings Limited, JIB Group Limited, JIB Holdings (Pacific) Limited, JIB Overseas Holdings Limited, JIB UK Holdings Limited, JL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co. KG, JLM Verwaltungs GmbH, JLT (Insurance Brokers) Limited, JLT Actuaries and Consultants Limited, JLT Advisory Limited, JLT Affinity Colombia Solutions SAS, JLT Agencies Limited, JLT Asesorias Ltda, JLT Asia Holdings BV, JLT Asia Shared Services Sdn Bhd, JLT Belgibo, JLT Benefit Consultants Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions Limited, JLT Benefit Solutions SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Bermuda Ltd, JLT Brasil Holdings Participacoes Ltd, JLT Chile Holdings SpA, JLT Colombia Retail Limited, JLT Colombia Wholesale Limited, JLT Consultants & Actuaries Limited, JLT EB Holdings Limited, JLT EB Services Limited, JLT Employee Benefits Holding Company (PTY) LTD, JLT Employee Benefits SA (Pty) Ltd, JLT Financial Planning Limited, JLT France Holdings, JLT Group Services Pty Limited, JLT Holdings (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Holdings (NZ) Limited, JLT Independent Insurance Brokers Private Limited, JLT Insurance Agencies Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited ( Shanghai Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Beijing Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Co. Limited (Guangzhou Branch), JLT Insurance Brokers Ireland Limited, JLT Insurance Brokers SA, JLT Insurance Group Holdings Ltd, JLT Insurance Management Malta Limited, JLT Intellectual Property Limited, JLT Intellectual Property [UK Branch], JLT Interactive Pte. Ltd., JLT Investment Management Limited, JLT LATAM (Southern Cone) Wholesale Limited, JLT Latin American Holdings Limited, JLT Life Assurance Brokers Limited, JLT Management Services Limited, JLT Marine (Pty) Ltd, JLT Mexico Holdings Limited, JLT Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro S.A. de C.V., JLT Netherlands BV, JLT Norway AS, JLT PLA, JLT Pension Trustees Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Holdings Limited, JLT Pensions Administration Limited, JLT Peru Reinsurance Solutions Limited, JLT Peru Retail Limited, JLT Peru Wholesale Limited, JLT QFM Services Limited, JLT RE Brasil Administracao e Corretagem de Resseguros Ltda, JLT Re (French Branch), JLT Re (Northern Europe) AB, JLT Re Argentina Corredores de Reaseguros S.A.U., JLT Re Labuan Limited, JLT Re Limited, JLT Re Pty Ltd, JLT Reinsurance Brokers GmbH, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited, JLT Reinsurance Brokers Limited [French Branch], JLT Risk Management Limited, JLT Risk Solutions AB, JLT Risk Solutions AB Branch - Germany, JLT SA IB Holdings Company (Pty) Limited, JLT SCK Affinity Administracao e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., JLT SCK Corretora e Administradora de Seguros, JLT Secretaries Limited, JLT Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerlii A.., JLT Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., JLT Specialty France, JLT Specialty Insurance Broker A/S, JLT Specialty Limited, JLT Specialty Limited [DUBAI BRANCH], JLT Specialty Pte. Ltd., JLT Towner Insurance Management (Anguilla) Limited, JLT Trust Services (Barbados) Ltd, JLT Trustees (Southern) Limited, JLT Trustees Limited, JLT UK Investment Holdings Limited, JLT Vantage Risk and Benefit Consulting Private Limited, JLT Wealth Management Limited, JLT do Brasil Corretagem de Seguros Ltda, JLTPCS Holdings Pte. Ltd., JMIB Holdings BV, JSL Securities Inc., Japan Affinity Marketing Inc., Jardine IBR Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson (Proprietary) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Australia Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada Inc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson India Private Limited (UK Branch Office), Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance Consultants Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Inc., Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Holdings Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ireland Unlimited Company, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Korea Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Limited [Macao Branch], Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS (Dubai) Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS Pte Ltd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson PCS SA, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Private Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Sdn Bhd, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Valencia y Iragorri Corredores de Seguros SA, Jardine Pension Trustees Ireland Limited, Jardine Risk Consulting Co. Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited, Jardine ShunTak Insurance Brokers Limited [Macao Branch], Jardines PF- Consultoria Em Gestao De Risco Limitada, Jelf, Jelf Commercial Finance Limited, Jelf Financial Planning Limited, Jelf Insurance Brokers Limited, Jelf Limited, Jelf Risk Management Limited, Jelf Wellbeing Limited, John Lampier & Son Ltd, Johnson & Higgins (Bermuda) Limited, Johnson & Higgins Limited, KESSLER & CO AG, Kepler Associates Limited, Kessler & Co Inc., Kessler Consulting Inc., Kessler Prevoyance Inc., Key Underwriting Pty Limited, Kroll, Lambert Brothers Holdings Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Employee Benefits) Limited, Lambert Brothers Insurance Brokers (Hong Kong) Ltd, Laterlife.com Limited (in liquidation), Lavaretus Underwriting AB, Lavaretus Underwriting AB (BRANCH - Denmark), Libra Insurance Services Limited (in liquidation), Lloyd & Partners Limited, Local Government Insurance Brokers Pty Limited, Lomond Macdonald Limited, Lynch Insurance Brokers Limited, M&M Vehicle L.P., M.P. Bolshaw and Company Limited, MAG JLT SpA, MERCER ALTERNATIVES LIMITED, MM Risk Services Pty Ltd (for dissolution), MMA Mid-Atlantic Employee LLC, MMA Securities LLC, MMB Consultores S.A., MMC (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd., MMC 28 State Street Holdings Inc., MMC Borrower LLC, MMC Brazilian Holdings B.V., MMC Capital Inc., MMC Cascade Regional Holdings LLC, MMC FINANCE (EUROPE) LIMITED, MMC FINANCE HOLDINGS LTD, MMC Finance (Australia) Limited, MMC Finance (Singapore) Limited, MMC France Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., MMC GP III Inc., MMC Group Services sp. z o.o., MMC Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, MMC Holdings (New Zealand) ULC, MMC Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC International Finance (Barbados) SRL, MMC International Holdings LLC, MMC International Limited, MMC International Treasury Centre Limited, MMC Middle East Holdings Limited, MMC Poland Holdings B.V., MMC Realty Inc., MMC Regional Asia Holdings B.V., MMC Regional Caribbean Holdings Ltd., MMC Regional Europe Holdings B.V., MMC Regional LATAM Holdings B.V., MMC Securities (Europe) Limited, MMC Securities LLC, MMC Treasury Holdings (UK) Limited, MMC UK Group Limited, MMC UK Pension Fund Trustee Limited, MMOW Limited, MMRC LLC, MOW Holding LLC, MPIP III GP LLC, MPIP IV GP LLC, MPIP V GP LLC, MPIP VI GP LLC, Mangrove Insurance Europe PCC Limited, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC, Mangrove Insurance Solutions PCC Limited, Manoel Management Services Ltd, Marchant McKechnie Insurance Brokers Limited, Marine Aviation & General (London) Limited, Marsh & McLennan (PNG) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agencies AS, Marsh & McLennan Agencies Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency A/S, Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, Marsh & McLennan Agency Limited, Marsh & McLennan Agency Pty Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Argentina SA Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh & McLennan Colombia S.A., Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Funding Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Acquisition Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies Asia Pacific Treasury Center Limited, Marsh & McLennan Companies BVBA/SPRL, Marsh & McLennan Companies Finance Center (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies France S.A.S., Marsh & McLennan Companies Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., Marsh & McLennan Companies Regional Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Companies Services B.V., Marsh & McLennan Companies UK Limited, Marsh & McLennan Europe S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan GP I Inc., Marsh & McLennan Global Broking (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Holding GmbH, Marsh & McLennan Holdings (Canada) ULC, Marsh & McLennan Holdings Inc., Marsh & McLennan Incorporated (for dissolution), Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings II, Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Holdings S.a.r.l., Marsh & McLennan Innovation Centre Limited, Marsh & McLennan Insurance Services Limited, Marsh & McLennan Ireland Limited, Marsh & McLennan Management Services (Bermuda) Limited, Marsh & McLennan Risk Capital Holdings Ltd., Marsh & McLennan Servicios S.A. De C.V., Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Canada Limited, Marsh & McLennan Shared Services Corporation, Marsh (Bahrain) Company SPC, Marsh (Beijing) Risk Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Marsh (China) Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Marsh (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh (Insurance Brokers) LLP, Marsh (Insurance Services) Limited, Marsh (Malawi) Limited, Marsh (Middle East) Limited, Marsh (Namibia) (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh (Pty) Ltd, Marsh (Risk Consulting) LLP, Marsh (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Marsh A/S, Marsh AB, Marsh AG, Marsh AS, Marsh Advantage Insurance Holdings Pty Ltd, Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd., Marsh Africa (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Argentina S.R.L., Marsh Associates (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Austria G.m.b.H., Marsh Aviation Insurance Broking Pty Ltd (for dissolution), Marsh B.V., Marsh Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Marsh Brockman y Schuh Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Marsh Broker Japan Inc., Marsh Broker de Asigurare-Reasigurare S.R.L., Marsh Brokers (Hong Kong) Limited, Marsh Brokers Limited, Marsh Canada Limited/Marsh Canada Limitee, Marsh Company Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Compensation Technologies Administration (Pty) Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Isle of Man Ltd, Marsh Corporate Services Limited, Marsh Corporate Services Malta Limited, Marsh Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Marsh EOOD, Marsh Egypt LLC, Marsh Emirates Consultancy LLC, Marsh Emirates Insurance Brokerage LLC, Marsh Employee Benefits Limited, Marsh Employee Benefits Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Marsh Eurofinance B.V., Marsh Europe S.A., Marsh FJC International Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh For Insurance Services S.A.E., Marsh Franco Acra S.A., Marsh GSC Servicos e Administracao de Seguros Ltda., Marsh GmbH, Marsh Holding AB, Marsh Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Marsh India Insurance Brokers Private Limited, Marsh Insurance & Investments LLC, Marsh Insurance Brokers, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Macao) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Insurance Brokers (Private) Limited, Marsh Insurance Brokers AO, Marsh Insurance Brokers Limited, Marsh Insurance Consulting Saudi Arabia (in liquidation), Marsh Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers LLC, Marsh Intermediaries Inc., Marsh International Broking Holdings Limited, Marsh International Holdings II Inc., Marsh International Holdings Inc., Marsh Investment B.V., Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited, Marsh Ireland Brokers Limited (UK Branch), Marsh Ireland Holdings Limited, Marsh Israel (1999) Ltd., Marsh Israel (Holdings) Ltd., Marsh Israel Consultants Ltd., Marsh Israel Insurance Agency Ltd., Marsh Israel International Brokers Ltd. (in liquidation), Marsh JCS Inc., Marsh Japan Inc., Marsh Kft., Marsh Kindlustusmaakler AS, Marsh Korea Inc., Marsh LLC, Marsh LLC Insurance Brokers, Marsh LLC [Ukraine], Marsh Lda., Marsh Limited, Marsh Limited [Fiji], Marsh Limited [New Zealand], Marsh Limited [PNG], Marsh Ltd. [Wisconsin], Marsh Management Services (Bahamas) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd., Marsh Management Services (Dublin) Limited, Marsh Management Services (Labuan) Limited, Marsh Management Services (MENA) Limited, Marsh Management Services (USVI) Ltd., Marsh Management Services Cayman Ltd., Marsh Management Services Guernsey Limited, Marsh Management Services Inc., Marsh Management Services Isle of Man Limited, Marsh Management Services Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Marsh Management Services Malta Limited, Marsh Management Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., Marsh Management Services Sweden AB, Marsh Marine & Energy AB, Marsh Marine Nederland B.V., Marsh Medical Consulting GmbH, Marsh Mercer Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Marsh Nest Inc., Marsh Oman LLC, Marsh Oy, Marsh PB Co. Ltd., Marsh Philippines Inc., Marsh Privat A.I.E., Marsh Private Client Life Insurance Services, Marsh Pty. Ltd., Marsh Qatar LLC, Marsh RE S.A.C. Corredores de Reaseguros, Marsh Rehder Consultoria S.A. (MRC), Marsh Rehder S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Marsh Resolutions Pty Limited, Marsh Risk Consulting B.V., Marsh Risk Consulting Limitada, Marsh Risk Consulting Ltda., Marsh Risk Consulting S.L., Marsh Risk Consulting Services S.r.L., Marsh Risk and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, Marsh S.A. Corredores De Seguros, Marsh S.A. Mediadores de Seguros, Marsh S.A.S., Marsh S.p.A., Marsh SA [Argentina], Marsh SA [Belgium], Marsh SA [Luxembourg], Marsh SA [Uruguay], Marsh SIA, Marsh Saldana Inc., Marsh Saudi Arabia Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Marsh Secretarial Services Limited, Marsh Semusa S.A., Marsh Services Limited, Marsh Services Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Marsh Spolka z.o.o., Marsh Szolgaltato Kft., Marsh Takaful Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Marsh Treasury Services (Dublin) Limited (in liquidation), Marsh Treasury Services Limited, Marsh Tunisia S.a.r.l., Marsh UK Limited, Marsh USA (India) Inc., Marsh USA Borrower LLC, Marsh USA Inc., Marsh Uganda Limited, Marsh Venezuela C.A. Sociedad de Corretaje de Seguros, Marsh Vietnam Insurance Broking Company Ltd, Marsh Zambia Limited, Marsh Zimbabwe Holdings (Private) Limited, Marsh d.o.o. Beograd, Marsh d.o.o. za posredovanje u osiguranju, Marsh for Insurance Services - Jordan, Marsh i-Connect (Pty) Ltd, Marsh s.r.o., Matthiessen Assurans AB, Mercer (Argentina) S.A., Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer (Austria) GmbH, Mercer (Belgium) SA-NV, Mercer (Canada) Limited/Mercer (Canada) Limitee, Mercer (China) Limited, Mercer (Colombia) Ltda., Mercer (Danmark) A/S, Mercer (Finland) OY, Mercer (France) SAS, Mercer (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer (Ireland) Limited, Mercer (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Mercer (N.Z.) Limited, Mercer (Nederland) B.V., Mercer (Norge) AS, Mercer (Polska) Sp.z o.o., Mercer (Portugal) Lda, Mercer (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer (Sweden) AB, Mercer (Taiwan) Ltd., Mercer (Thailand) Ltd., Mercer (US) Inc., Mercer Administration Services (Australia) Pty Limited, Mercer Africa Limited, Mercer Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Mercer Asesores de Seguros S.A., Mercer Asesores es Inversion Independientes S.A. de C.V., Mercer Broking Ltd., Mercer Career Unipessoal Lda, Mercer Consultation (Quebec) Ltee., Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Mercer Consulting (France) SAS, Mercer Consulting (India) Private Limited, Mercer Consulting B.V., Mercer Consulting Group Inc., Mercer Consulting Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Mercer Consulting Limited, Mercer Consulting Middle East Limited, Mercer Consulting S.L.U., Mercer Consulting Venezuela C.A., Mercer Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Mercer Corretora de Seguros Ltda, Mercer Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Mercer Deutschland GmbH, Mercer Employee Benefits - Medicacao de Seguros Unipessoal Lda., Mercer Employee Benefits Limited, Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Financial Services Limited, Mercer Financial Services Limited liability company, Mercer Financial Services Middle East Limited, Mercer Global Investments Europe Limited, Mercer Global Investments Management Limited, Mercer HR Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer HR Services LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC, Mercer Health & Benefits LLC, Mercer Holdings Inc., Mercer Holdings Inc. [Philippines], Mercer Human Resource Consulting Ltda, Mercer Human Resource Consulting S.A. de C.V., Mercer ICC Limited, Mercer Investment Consulting Limited, Mercer Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mercer Investment Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Mercer Investments (Australia) Limited, Mercer Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, Mercer Investments (Japan) Ltd, Mercer Investments (New Zealand) Limited, Mercer Investments LLC, Mercer Ireland Holdings Limited, Mercer Italia Srl Socio Unico, Mercer Japan Ltd., Mercer Korea Co. Ltd., Mercer LLC, Mercer Limited, Mercer MC Consulting Borrower LLC, Mercer Master Trustees Limited, Mercer Mauritius Ltd., Mercer Oliver Wyman Holding B.V., Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mercer Outsourcing S.L.U., Mercer Pensionsfonds AG, Mercer Pensionsraadgivning A/S, Mercer Philippines Inc., Mercer Private Investment Partners IV General Partner S.a.r.l., Mercer Private Markets AG, Mercer Private Markets Advisers (US) AG, Mercer Services Poland Sp. z.o.o., Mercer Sigorta Brokerligi Anonim Sirketi, Mercer South Africa (Pty) Limited, Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, Mercer Switzerland Inc., Mercer System Services LLC, Mercer Technology Acquisitions Limited, Mercer Treuhand GmbH, Mercer Trust Company LLC, Mercer Trustees Limited, Mercer WorkforcePro LLC, Mercury Insurance Services Pty Ltd, Moola Systems Limited, Mountlodge Limited, Muir Beddal (Zimbabwe) Limited, NERA Australia Pty. Ltd., NERA Economic Consulting GmbH, NERA Economic Consulting Limited, NERA S.R.L., NERA SAS, NERA UK Limited, NERA do Brasil Ltda. (for dissolution), National Economic Research Associates Inc., NetComp Insurance Corp., Neuburger Noble Lowndes GmbH, Normandy Reinsurance Company Limited, Northern Alliance Brokers Limited (in liquidation), OWL Marine Insurance-Brokers GmbH & Co.KG, OWL Marine Verwaltungs GmbH, Oliver Wyman (Bermuda) Limited, Oliver Wyman (Hong Kong) Limited, Oliver Wyman AB, Oliver Wyman AG, Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting Inc., Oliver Wyman B.V., Oliver Wyman Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Oliver Wyman Consultoria em Estrategia de Negocios Ltda., Oliver Wyman Energy Consulting Limited, Oliver Wyman FZ-LLC, Oliver Wyman Group KK, Oliver Wyman Inc., Oliver Wyman LLC, Oliver Wyman Limited, Oliver Wyman Limited Liability Company, Oliver Wyman Limited/Oliver Wyman limitee, Oliver Wyman Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pte. Ltd., Oliver Wyman Pty. Ltd., Oliver Wyman S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman S.A.S., Oliver Wyman S.L., Oliver Wyman S.r.l., Oliver Wyman SNC, Oliver Wyman SPRL/BVBA, Oliver Wyman Sdn. Bhd., Oliver Wyman Services Limited, Oliver Wyman Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Oliver Wyman sp. z o.o., Omega Indemnity (Bermuda) Limited, Organizacion Brockman y Schuh S.A. de C.V., Osbornes Insurances Oxford Limited (in liquidation), PFT Limited, PI Indemnity Company Designated Activity Company, PT JLT Reinsurance Brokers, PT Jardine Lloyd Thompson, PT Marsh Indonesia, PT Marsh Reinsurance Brokers Indonesia, PT Mercer Indonesia, PT Nexus Asia Pacific, PT Oliver Wyman Indonesia, PT Quantum Computing Services, PT Quantum Investments, PT Quantum Support Services, Pallas Marsh Servicos Ltda., Pavilion Alternatives Group (Singapore) PTE. Ltd, Pavilion Financial Corporation Holdings UK Limited, Pavilion U.S. Investments Holdco LLC, Pension Trustees Limited, Pensionsservice Benefit Network Sverige AB, Perils AG, Personal Pension Trustees Limited, Pet Animal Welfare Scheme Limited, Portsoken Trustees (No. 2) Limited, Portsoken Trustees Limited, Potomac Insurance Managers Inc., Premier Pension Trustees Limited, Premium Services Australia Pty Limited, Professional Claims Handling Limited (in liquidation), Profund Solutions Limited, Promerit AG, Promerit Hungary Kft, Promerit Schweiz AG, Pymetrics Inc., R G Ford Brokers Limited, R R B Beratungsgesellschaft fuer Altersversorgung mbh, R. Mees & Zoonen Holdings B.V., Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters LLC, Renewable Energy Loss Adjusters Limited, Resource Benefit Associates, Rightpath Reinsurance SPC Ltd., Risk Management Australia Pty Limited, Rivers Group Limited, Rockefeller Risk Advisors Inc., Rutherfoord International Inc., SAFCAR-Marsh, SBJ Holdings Limited, SCIB (Bermuda) Limited, SCM Global Real Estate Select GP LLC, SCM Infrastructure General Partner S.a r.l., SCM International Private Equity Select III GP LLC, SCM LT General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE General Partner S.a.r.l., SCM PE II GP Ltd., SCM PE II Scotland GP Ltd, SCM Strategic Capital Management (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., SICAR Marsh S.a.r.l., SME Insurance Services Limited, Sail Insurance Company Limited, Scalene Re Ltd, Seabury & Smith Borrower LLC, Seabury & Smith LLC, Secure Limited, Sedgwick (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Consulting Group Limited, Sedgwick Dineen Group Limited, Sedgwick Financial Services Limited, Sedgwick Forbes Middle East Limited, Sedgwick Group, Sedgwick Group (Australia) Pty. Limited, Sedgwick Group (Bermuda) Limited, Sedgwick Group (Zimbabwe) Limited, Sedgwick Group Limited, Sedgwick Internationaal B.V., Sedgwick Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Barbados) Limited, Sedgwick Management Services (Singapore) Pte Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes (UK) Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Group Limited, Sedgwick Noble Lowndes Limited, Sedgwick Overseas Investments Limited, Sedgwick Private Limited, Sedgwick Re Asia Pacific (Consultants) Pte Ltd (for dissolution), Sedgwick Trustees Limited, Sedgwick UK Risk Services Limited, Sedgwick Ulster Pension Trustees Limited, Settlement Trustees Limited, Shanghai Mercer Insurance Brokers Company Ltd., Shorewest Insurance Associates LLC, Sirota Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Sirota Consulting UK Limited, Smith Long Term Disability Management Group Inc., Societe d'Assurances et de Participation Guian SA, Software Underwriting Systems Limited (in liquidation), Southern Marine & Aviation Inc., Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters Inc., Sudzucker Versicherungs-Vermittlungs GmbH, Sumitomo Life Insurance Agency America Inc., Sylvite Financial Services, TBX Solutions Limited, Talent Tech Labs LLC, The Benefit Express Holdings Limited, The Benefit Express Limited, The Carpenter Management Corporation, The Insurance Partnership Holdings Limited, The Insurance Partnership Services Limited, The Positive Ageing Company Limited, The Purple Partnership Limited, The Recovre Group Pty Ltd, Thomsons Online Benefits (HK) Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits Inc., Thomsons Online Benefits Limited, Thomsons Online Benefits Pte Ltd., Thomsons Online Benefits S.R.L, Torrent Government Contracting Services LLC, Torrent Insurance Services LLC, Torrent Technologies, Torrent Technologies Inc., Tower Hill Limited, Tower Place Developments (West) Limited, Tower Place Developments Limited, U.T.E. AMG, U.T.E. Marsh - Caja Castilla La Mancha Junta de Comunidades, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus (in liquidation), U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Reus 2012, U.T.E. Marsh - Salvado Vila-Seca 2010, UAD BB Marsh Lietuva, Vezina & Associes Inc., Vezina Assurances Inc., Victor Insurance Europe B.V., Victor Insurance Holdings Inc., Victor Insurance Italia S.r.l., Victor Insurance Managers Inc., Victor Insurance Managers Inc./Gestionnaires d'assurance Victor inc., Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. (Bermuda) Ltd., Victor O. Schinnerer & Company Limited, Victoria Hall Company Limited, Wellnz Limited, William M. Mercer (Canada) Limited/William M. Mercer (Canada) Limitee, William M. Mercer AB, William M. Mercer Comercio Consultoria e Servicos Ltda., Wortham Insurance & Risk Management, everBe SAS, and realright GmbH. MAXIMUS, Inc. engages in the operation of government and human services programs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Services; U.S. Federal Services; and Outside the U.S. The U.S. Services segment offers a variety of business process services, and appeals and assessments for state, provincial and national government programs. The U.S. Federal Services segment includes process solutions, program management, as well as system and software development, and maintenance services for various United States federal civilian programs. The Outside the U.S segment comprises of national, state, and county human services agencies with a variety of business process services, and related consulting services for welfare-to-work, child support, higher education institutions, and other human services programs. The company was founded by David V. Mastran in 1975 and is headquartered in Reston, VA. Read More Medtronic Plc is a medical technology company, which engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of device-based medical therapies and services. It operates through the following segments: Cardiac and Vascular Group; Minimally Invasive Technologies Group; Restorative Therapies Group; and Diabetes Group. The Cardiac and Vascular Group segment consists of products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiovascular disease. The Minimally Invasive Technologies Group segment focuses on respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, renal system, lungs, pelvic region, kidneys, and obesity diseases. The Restorative Therapies Group segment comprises of neurostimulation therapies and drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as areas of the spine and brain, along with pelvic health and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The Diabetes Group segment offers insulin pumps, coninuous glucose monitoring systems, and insulin pump consumables. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF's stock was trading at $37.30 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, VWO stock has increased by 39.3% and is now trading at $51.96. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of American Tower: 10 Presidential Way Associates LLC, 3267351 Nova Scotia Company, 3286208 Nova Scotia Company, 3298099 Nova Scotia Company, 52 Eighty LLC, 52 Eighty Partners LLC, 52 Eighty Tower Partners I LLC, ACC Tower Sub LLC, AT Kenya C.V., AT Netherlands C.V., AT Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT Sao Paulo C.V., AT Sher Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., AT South America C.V., ATC Africa Holding B.V., ATC Africa Shared Services (Pty) Ltd, ATC Antennas Holding LLC, ATC Antennas LLC, ATC Argentina C.V., ATC Argentina Cooperatief U.A., ATC Argentina Holding LLC, ATC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ATC Atlantic C.V., ATC Atlantic II B.V., ATC Atlantic III B.V., ATC Backhaul LLC, ATC Brasil Servicos de Conectividades Ltda., ATC Brazil Holding LLC, ATC Brazil I LLC, ATC Brazil II LLC, ATC Burkina Faso S.A., ATC CSR Foundation India, ATC Chile Holding LLC, ATC Colombia B.V., ATC Colombia Holding I LLC, ATC Colombia Holding LLC, ATC Colombia I LLC, ATC EH GmbH & Co. KG, ATC Ecuador Holding LLC, ATC Edge LLC, ATC Ethiopia Infrastructure Development Private Limited Company, ATC Europe B.V., ATC Europe LLC, ATC European Holdings Inc., ATC Fibra de Colombia S.A.S., ATC France Cooperatief U.A., ATC France Holding II SAS, ATC France Holding SAS, ATC France Reseaux SAS, ATC France SAS, ATC France Services SAS, ATC GP GmbH, ATC Germany Holdings GmbH, ATC Germany Services GmbH, ATC Ghana ServiceCo Limited, ATC Global Employment B.V., ATC Heston B.V., ATC Holding Fibra Mexico S. de R.L. DE C.V., ATC IP LLC, ATC India Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Indoor DAS Holding LLC, ATC Indoor DAS LLC, ATC International Cooperatief U.A., ATC International Financing B.V., ATC International Financing II B.V., ATC International Financing II Holding LLC, ATC International Holding Corp., ATC Iris I LLC, ATC Kenya Operations Limited, ATC Kenya Services Limited, ATC Latin America S.A. de C.V. SOFOM E.N.R., ATC MIP III REIT Iron Holdings LLC, ATC Managed Sites Holding LLC, ATC Managed Sites LLC, ATC MexHold LLC, ATC Mexico Holding LLC, ATC Niger Wireless Infrastructure S.A., ATC Nigeria C.V., ATC Nigeria Cooperatief U.A., ATC Nigeria Holding LLC, ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited, ATC On Air + LLC, ATC Operations LLC, ATC Outdoor DAS LLC, ATC Paraguay Holding LLC, ATC Paraguay S.R.L., ATC Peru Holding LLC, ATC Polska sp. z o.o., ATC Ponderosa B-I LLC, ATC Ponderosa B-II LLC, ATC Ponderosa K LLC, ATC Ponderosa K-R LLC, ATC Sequoia LLC, ATC Sitios Infraco S.A.S., ATC Sitios de Chile S.A., ATC Sitios de Colombia S.A.S., ATC Sitios del Peru S.R.L., ATC South Africa Investment Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, ATC South Africa Services Pty Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd, ATC South Africa Wireless Infrastructure II (Pty) Ltd, ATC South America Holding LLC, ATC South LLC, ATC Spain LLC, ATC TRS I LLC, ATC TRS II LLC, ATC TRS III LLC, ATC TRS IV LLC, ATC Tanzania Holding LLC, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited, ATC Tower (Ghana) Limited, ATC Tower Services LLC, ATC Uganda Limited, ATC Uganda ServiceCo (SMC) Limited, ATC Watertown LLC, ATC WiFi LLC, ATS-Needham LLC, ActiveX Telebroadband Services Private Limited, Adquisiciones y Proyectos Inalambricos S. de R. L. de C.V., Agile Airband Ohio LLC, Agile Connect LLC, Agile IWG Holdings LLC, Agile Network Builders LLC, Agile Networks Indiana LLC, Agile Networks Site Development LLC, Agile Towers LLC, Alternative Networking LLC, American Tower Asset Sub II LLC, American Tower Asset Sub LLC, American Tower Charitable Foundation Inc., American Tower Delaware Corporation, American Tower Depositor Sub LLC, American Tower Guarantor Sub LLC, American Tower Holding Sub II LLC, American Tower Holding Sub LLC, American Tower International Holding I LLC, American Tower International Holding II LLC, American Tower International Inc., American Tower Investments LLC, American Tower LLC, American Tower Management LLC, American Tower Mauritius, American Tower Servicios Fibra S. de R.L. de C.V., American Tower Tanzania Operations Limited, American Tower do Brasil - Cessao de Infraestruturas Ltda., American Tower do Brasil Communicacao Multimidia Ltda., American Towers LLC, BR Towers, Blue Sky Towers Pty Ltd, Blue Transfer Sociedad Anonima, Broadcast Towers LLC, CNC2 Associates LLC, California Tower Inc., Cell Site NewCo II LLC, Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC, Central States Tower Holdings LLC, Colo ATL LLC, Colo Atl, Communications Properties Inc., Comunicaciones y Consumos S.A., Connectivity Infrastructure Services Limited, DCS Tower Sub LLC, Eaton, Eaton Towers (Lilongwe) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana (M) Limited, Eaton Towers Ghana Limited, Eaton Towers Holdings Limited, Eaton Towers Kenya Limited, Eaton Towers Limited, Eaton Towers Niger S.A., Eaton Towers Uganda Limited, Essar Telecom Infrastructure, Eure-et-Loir Reseaux Mobiles SAS, GTP Acquisition Partners I LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners III LLC, GTP Costa Rica Finance LLC, GTP Infrastructure I LLC, GTP Infrastructure II LLC, GTP Infrastructure III LLC, GTP Investments LLC, GTP LATAM Holdings B.V., GTP LatAm Holdings Cooperatieve U.A., GTP Operations CR S.R.L., GTP South Acquisitions II LLC, GTP Structures I LLC, GTP Structures II LLC, GTP TRS I LLC, GTP Torres CR S.R.L., GTP Towers I LLC, GTP Towers II LLC, GTP Towers III LLC, GTP Towers IV LLC, GTP Towers IX LLC, GTP Towers V LLC, GTP Towers VII LLC, GTP Towers VIII LLC, GTPI HoldCo LLC, Ghana Tower InterCo B.V., Global Tower Assets III LLC, Global Tower Assets LLC, Global Tower Holdings LLC, Global Tower LLC, Global Tower Partners, Global Tower Services LLC, Gondola Tower Holdings LLC, Grain HoldCo LLC, Grain HoldCo Parent LLC, GrainComm I LLC, GrainComm II LLC, GrainComm III LLC, GrainComm LLC, GrainComm Marketing LLC, GrainComm V LLC, Haysville Towers LLC, IW Equipment LLC, IWD Equipment LLC, IWG Holdings LLC, IWG II Holdings LLC, IWG II LLC, IWG Miami LLC, IWG Towers Assets I LLC, IWG Towers Assets II LLC, IWG-TLA Australia Pty Ltd., IWG-TLA Canada Corp., IWG-TLA Encanto 1 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto 3 LLC, IWG-TLA Encanto LLC, IWG-TLA Holdings LLC, IWG-TLA Media 2 LLC, IWG-TLA Media LLC, IWG-TLA Telecom LLC, IWL-TLA Telecom 2 LLC, Idaho Tower Company LLC, InSite (BCEC) LLC, InSite (MBTA) LLC, InSite Borrower LLC, InSite Co-Issuer Corp., InSite Guarantor LLC, InSite Hawaii LLC, InSite Issuer LLC, InSite Licensing LLC, InSite Towers Development 2 LLC, InSite Towers Development LLC, InSite Towers International 2 LLC, InSite Towers International Development LLC, InSite Towers International LLC, InSite Towers LLC, InSite Towers of Puerto Rico LLC, InSite Wireless Development LLC, InSite Wireless Group, InSite Wireless Group LLC, Insite Wireless LLC, Invisible IWG Holdings LLC, Invisible Towers LLC, JT Communications LLC, LAP Inmobiliaria Limitada, LAP Inmobiliaria S.R.L., LL B Sheet 1 LLC, Lap do Brasil Empreendimentos Imobiliarios Ltda, Lease Advisors-AU PTY LTD, Loxel SAS, MATC Digital S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Infraestructura S. de R.L. de C.V., MATC Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., MC New Macland Properties LLC, MCSU Properties LLC, MHB Tower Rentals of America LLC, MIP III Iron Holdings LLC, MIP III U.S. Iron LLC, Microwave Inc., Municipal Bay LLC, Municipal-Bay Holdings LLC, New Towers LLC, PCS Structures Towers LLC, R-CAL I LLC, RSA Media Inc., Repeater Communications Group I LLC, Repeater Communications Group II LLC, Repeater Communications Group III LLC, Repeater Communications Group IV LLC, Repeater Communications Group LLC, Repeater Communications Group V LLC, Repeater Communications Group VI LLC, Repeater Communications Group of New York LLC, Repeater IWG Holdings LLC, Richland Towers LLC, Signum/IWG Tower Corp., Southeast Network Access Point LLC, SpectraSite Communications, SpectraSite Communications LLC, SpectraSite LLC, T8 Ulysses Site Management LLC, TLA PR-1 LLC, TLA PR-2 LLC, Telecom Lease Advisors Management 2 LLC, Tower Management Inc., Towers of America L.L.L.P., Transcend Infrastructure Holdings Pte. Ltd., Transcend Towers Infrastructure (Philippines) Inc., Turris Sites Development Corp., Turris Sites IWG Corp, Tysons II DAS LLC, UNIsite, Uganda Tower Interco B.V., Ulysses Asset Sub I LLC, Ulysses Asset Sub II LLC, UniSite LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint FL Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint NE Tower Venture LLC, UniSite/Omnipoint PA Tower Venture LLC, Vangard Wireless LLC, Verus Management One LLC, Viom Networks, and Virdi IWG Holdings LLC. The Williams Cos., Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company, which explores, produces, transports, sells and processes natural gas and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Transmission and Gulf of Mexico; Northeast G&P; and West. The Transmission and Gulf of Mexico segment comprises of interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. The Northeast G&P segment includes midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The West segment consists of gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. The company was founded by David Williams and Miller Williams in 1908 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Read More Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF's stock was trading at $46.36 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, VGK shares have increased by 49.8% and is now trading at $69.45. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of WESCO International: 1502218 Alberta Ltd., ALLNET Technologies Pty. Ltd., AXE Distribution Solutions Trinidad Ltd., Accu-Tech Corporation, Anixter (Barbados) SRL, Anixter (CIS) LLC, Anixter (Switzerland) Sarl, Anixter (U.K.) Limited, Anixter Argentina S.A., Anixter Asia Holdings Limited, Anixter Australia Pty. Ltd., Anixter Austria GmbH, Anixter Bahamas Limited, Anixter Belgium B.V.B.A., Anixter Cables y Manufacturas S.A. de C.V., Anixter Canada Inc., Anixter Canadian Holdings ULC, Anixter Chile S.A., Anixter Colombia S.A.S., Anixter Communications (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Anixter Communications (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Anixter Costa Rica S.A., Anixter Czech a.s., Anixter Danmark A/S, Anixter Deutschland GmbH, Anixter Distribuidor de Soluciones Empresariales e Industriales S.A., Anixter Distribution Ireland Limited, Anixter Dominicana SRL, Anixter Egypt LLC, Anixter Espana S.L., Anixter Eurotwo Holdings B.V., Anixter Fasteners Deutschland GmbH, Anixter Financial Inc., Anixter France SARL, Anixter Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Anixter Holdings Inc., Anixter Holdings Mexico LLC, Anixter Hong Kong Limited, Anixter Iletisim Sistemleri Pazarlama ve Ticaret A.S., Anixter Inc., Anixter India Private Limited, Anixter Information Systems LLC, Anixter International, Anixter Italia S.r.l., Anixter Jamaica Limited, Anixter Japan KK, Anixter Jorvex S.A.C., Anixter Limited, Anixter Logistica do Brasil LTDA, Anixter Logistica y Servicios S.A. de C.V., Anixter Magyarorszag Elektronikus Halozati Rendszer Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Kft, Anixter Mid Holdings B.V., Anixter Middle East FZE, Anixter Morocco SARL AU, Anixter Nederland B.V., Anixter New Zealand Limited, Anixter Norge A.N.S., Anixter Operaciones y Logistica s De RL De CV, Anixter Panama S.A., Anixter Pension Scheme Trustees Limited, Anixter Pension Trustees Limited, Anixter Peru S.A.C., Anixter Philippines Inc., Anixter Poland Sp.z.o.o., Anixter Portugal S.A., Anixter Power Solutions Canada Inc., Anixter Power Solutions Inc., Anixter Procurement Corporation, Anixter Puerto Rico Inc., Anixter Real-Estate LLC, Anixter Receivables Corporation, Anixter Saudi Arabia Limited, Anixter Singapore Pte. Ltd., Anixter Slovakia s.r.o., Anixter Sub Holdings B.V, Anixter Sverige AB, Anixter Thailand Inc., Anixter U.S. LLC, Anixter Venezuela Inc., Anixter de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Anixter do Brasil Ltda, Atlanta Electrical Distributors, Atlanta Electrical Distributors LLC, Atlas Gentech (NZ) Limited, Avon Electrical Supplies, B.E.L. Corporation, Brews Supply, Brown Wholesale Electric, Bruckner Supply, CBC LP Holdings LLC, CDW Holdco LLC, Calvert Wire & Cable Corporation, Carlton-Bates Company, Carlton-Bates Company (CBC), Carlton-Bates Company de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Carlton-Bates Company of Texas GP Inc, Central Security Distribution Pty. Ltd, Communication Cables LLC, Communications Supply Corporation, Conney Investment Holdings LLC, Conney Safety Products, Conney Safety Products LLC, Distribuidora Materiales Electricos E-Supply Limitada, EECOL Electric, EECOL Electric Bolivia Ltda, EECOL Electric Corp., EECOL Electric Peru S.A.C, EECOL Industrial Electric (SudAmerica) Limitada, EECOL Industrial Electric Ecuador Limitada, EECOL Industrial Electric Limitada, EECOL Power S.A., EECOL Properties Corp, Eurinvest B.V., Eurinvest Cooperatief U.A., Fastec Industrial, HMH Pension Trustees Limited, Hazmasters, Hazmasters Inc., Herning Underground Supply, Hi-Line Utility Supply, Hi-Line Utility Supply Company LLC, Hill Country Electric Supply, Hill Country Electric Supply L.P., ICV GP Inc., Infast Group Limited, Inner Range Pty. Ltd, Itel Container Ventures Inc., Itel Corporation, Itel Rail Holdings Corporation, J-Mark Inc., LaPrairie, Liberty Wire & Cable Inc., Monti Electric Supply, Needham Electric Supply, Needham Electric Supply LLC, Obras Y Servicios Sunpark S.A.C., PT Anixter Indonesia, Potelcom Supply, Pro Canadian Holdings I ULC, RECO LLC, RS Electronics, Reily Electrical Supply, SASK Alta Holdings S.A., Services Voice Video and Data Distribution de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Servicios Anixter S.A. de C.V., Signal Capital Corporation, Signal Capital Projects Inc., Stone Eagle Electrical Supply GP Inc., Stone Eagle Electrical Supply Limited Partnership, TVC Communications, TVC Communications L.L.C., TVC Espana Distribucion y Venta De Equipos S.L., TVC International Holding L.L.C., TVC UK Holdings Limited, Tri-Ed Puerto Rico Ltd. Inc., Trydor Industries, Voice Video and Data Distribution de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., WDC Holding Inc., WDCH LP, WDCH US LP, WDI USVI LLC, WDI-Angola LDA, WDINESCO B.V., WDINESCO II B.V., WDINESCO III B.V., WEAS Company S. de R.L., WESCO (Suzhou) Trading Co. Ltd., WESCO Australia Pty Ltd, WESCO Canada GP Inc., WESCO Canada I LP, WESCO DC Holding I LP, WESCO DC Holding II LP, WESCO DC Holding III LP, WESCO DC Holding IV LP, WESCO Distribution Canada Co., WESCO Distribution Canada LP, WESCO Distribution HK Limited, WESCO Distribution II ULC, WESCO Distribution III ULC, WESCO Distribution IV Inc., WESCO Distribution Inc., WESCO Distribution Ireland Limited, WESCO Distribution NL B.V., WESCO Distribution Pte. Ltd., WESCO Distribution de Mexico S. de R.L., WESCO Distribution-International Limited, WESCO Enterprises Inc., WESCO Equity Corporation, WESCO Holdings LLC, WESCO Integrated Supply Inc., WESCO Integrated Supply Polska Spolka z o.o., WESCO Netherlands B.V., WESCO Nevada Ltd., WESCO Nigeria Inc., WESCO Procurement Canada ULC, WESCO Real Estate I LLC, WESCO Real Estate II LLC, WESCO Real Estate III LLC, WESCO Real Estate IV LLC, WESCO Receivables Corp., WESCO Services LLC, WESCO TLD Holdings Co. Ltd., WND Nigeria Limited, WireXpress Ltd., Xpress Connect Supply Hong Kong Limited, XpressConnect Holdings B.V., XpressConnect International B.V., XpressConnect Supply B.V.B.A., XpressConnect Supply Colombia S.A.S., XpressConnect Supply Inc., XpressConnect Supply Mexico S.A. de C.V., and XpressConnect Supply do Brasil Ltda. The following companies are subsidiares of Lithia Motors: 797 Valley Street LLC, Albany CJD Fiat, Baierl Auto Group, Baierl Auto Parts LLC, Baierl Automotive Corporation, Baierl Chevrolet Inc., Baierl Holding LLC, Broadway Ford, Buhler Ford Inc, Cadillac of Portland Lloyd Center LLC, Camp Automotive Inc., Carbone Auto Body LLC, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Morgantown, Cranberry Automotive Inc., Crater Lake Ford Lincoln, Crater Lake Mazda, DCH (Oxnard) Inc., DCH Auto Group, DCH Bloomfield LLC, DCH CA LLC, DCH Calabasas-A LLC, DCH California Investments LLC, DCH California Motors Inc., DCH DMS NJ LLC, DCH Del Norte Inc., DCH Essex Inc., DCH Financial NJ LLC, DCH Freehold - V LLC, DCH Freehold LLC, DCH Holdings LLC, DCH Investments Inc. (New Jersey), DCH Investments Inc. (New York), DCH Korean Imports LLC, DCH Mamaroneck LLC, DCH Mission Valley LLC, DCH Monmouth LLC, DCH Montclair LLC, DCH Motors LLC, DCH NY Motors LLC, DCH Nanuet LLC, DCH North America Inc., DCH Oxnard 1521 Imports Inc., DCH Riverside-S Inc., DCH Simi Valley Inc., DCH Support Services LLC, DCH TL Holdings LLC, DCH TL NY Holdings LLC, DCH Temecula Imports LLC, DCH Temecula Motors LLC, DCH Thousand Oaks-F Inc., DCH Torrance Imports Inc., Dah Chong Hong CA Trading LLC, Dah Chong Hong Trading Corporation, Daron Motors LLC, Day Auto Group, Downtown LA, Driveway Motors LLC, Elizabeth Collision LLC, Florida SS LLC, Ford Lincoln of Morgantown, Freehold Nissan LLC, Fuse Auto Sales LLC, Hamilton Honda, Hazleton Honda, Hutchins Eugene Nissan Inc., Hutchins Imported Motors Inc., Jaguar Landrover Mission Viejo, LA Motors Holding LLC, LAD Advertising Inc., LAD Carson-N LLC, LAD Mission Viejo-JLR Inc., LAD Mobu Inc., LAD-AU LLC, LAD-MB LLC, LAD-N LLC, LAD-P LLC, LAD-T LLC, LAD-V LLC, LBMP LLC, LFKF LLC, LGPAC Inc., LLL Sales Co LLC, LMBB LLC, LMBP LLC, LMOP LLC, LSTAR LLC, Lithia AcDM Inc., Lithia Aircraft Inc., Lithia Anchorage-C LLC, Lithia Anchorage-H LLC, Lithia Armory Garage LLC, Lithia Auction & Recon LLC, Lithia Auto Services Inc., Lithia Automotive Inc., Lithia BA Holding Inc., Lithia BNM Inc. (nonoperating), Lithia Baierl-S LLC, Lithia Bryan Texas Inc., Lithia Buffalo-A LLC, Lithia CCTF Inc., Lithia CDH Inc., Lithia CIMR Inc., Lithia CJDO Inc., Lithia CJDSA Inc., Lithia CJDSF Inc., Lithia CM Inc., Lithia CO Inc., Lithia CSA Inc., Lithia Community Development Company Inc., Lithia Crater Lake-F Inc., Lithia Crater Lake-M Inc., Lithia DE Inc., Lithia DM Inc., Lithia DMID Inc., Lithia Des Moines-VW LLC, Lithia Dodge of Tri-Cities Inc., Lithia Eatontown-F LLC, Lithia FLCC LLC, Lithia FMF Inc., Lithia Financial Corporation (previously Lithia Leasing Inc. and Lithia Credit Inc.), Lithia Florida Holding Inc., Lithia Ford of Boise Inc., Lithia Fresno Inc., Lithia HDM Inc., Lithia HGF Inc., Lithia HMID Inc., Lithia HPI Inc. (nonoperating), Lithia Hamilton-H LLC, Lithia Hazleton-H LLC, Lithia Idaho Falls-F Inc., Lithia Imports of Anchorage Inc., Lithia JEF Inc., Lithia Klamath Inc., Lithia Klamath-T Inc., Lithia LBGGF Inc., Lithia LHGF Inc., Lithia LSGF Inc., Lithia MBDM Inc., Lithia MMF Inc., Lithia MTLM Inc., Lithia McMurray-C LLC, Lithia Medford HON Inc., Lithia Middletown-L LLC, Lithia Monroeville-A LLC, Lithia Monroeville-C LLC, Lithia Monroeville-F LLC, Lithia Monroeville-V LLC, Lithia Moon-S LLC, Lithia Moon-V LLC, Lithia Morgantown-CJD LLC, Lithia Morgantown-F LLC, Lithia Morgantown-S LLC, Lithia Motors Support Services Inc., Lithia NA Inc., Lithia NC Inc., Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #1, Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #3, Lithia ND Acquisition Corp. #4, Lithia NDM Inc., Lithia NF Inc., Lithia NSA Inc., Lithia Northeast Real Estate LLC, Lithia Orchard Park-H LLC, Lithia Paramus-M LLC, Lithia Pittsburgh-S LLC, Lithia Ramsey-B LLC, Lithia Ramsey-L LLC, Lithia Ramsey-M LLC, Lithia Ramsey-T LLC, Lithia Real Estate Inc., Lithia Reno Sub-HYUN Inc., Lithia Reno-CJ LLC, Lithia Reno-VW LLC, Lithia Rose-FT Inc., Lithia SOC Inc., Lithia SSP LLC, Lithia Salmir Inc., Lithia Sea P Inc., Lithia Seaside Inc., Lithia Spokane-B LLC, Lithia Spokane-S LLC, Lithia TA Inc., Lithia TO Inc., Lithia TR Inc., Lithia Uniontown-C LLC, Lithia VAuDM Inc., Lithia VF Inc., Lithia Wexford-H LLC, Lithia of Abilene Inc., Lithia of Anchorage Inc., Lithia of Bend #1 LLC, Lithia of Bend #2 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 1 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 2 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 3 LLC, Lithia of Bennington - 4 LLC, Lithia of Billings II LLC, Lithia of Billings Inc., Lithia of Casper LLC, Lithia of Clear Lake LLC, Lithia of Concord I Inc., Lithia of Concord II Inc., Lithia of Corpus Christi Inc., Lithia of Des Moines Inc., Lithia of Eureka Inc., Lithia of Fairbanks Inc., Lithia of Great Falls Inc., Lithia of Helena Inc., Lithia of Honolulu-A Inc., Lithia of Honolulu-BGMCC LLC, Lithia of Honolulu-F LLC, Lithia of Honolulu-V LLC, Lithia of Killeen LLC, Lithia of Lodi Inc., Lithia of Maui-H LLC, Lithia of Missoula II LLC, Lithia of Missoula III Inc., Lithia of Missoula Inc., Lithia of Pocatello Inc., Lithia of Portland I LLC, Lithia of Portland LLC, Lithia of Robstown LLC, Lithia of Roseburg Inc., Lithia of Santa Rosa Inc., Lithia of Seattle Inc., Lithia of South Central AK Inc., Lithia of Spokane II Inc., Lithia of Spokane Inc., Lithia of Stockton Inc., Lithia of Stockton-V Inc., Lithia of TF Inc., Lithia of Troy LLC, Lithia of Utica - 1 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 2 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 3 LLC, Lithia of Utica - 4 LLC, Lithia of Walnut Creek Inc., Lithia of Wasilla LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 1 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 2 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 3 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 4 LLC, Lithia of Yorkville - 5 LLC, Medford Insurance LLC, Milford DCH Inc., Northland Ford Inc., PA Real Estate LLC, PA Support Services LLC, Paramus Collision LLC, Paramus World Motors LLC, Personalized Marketing LLC, Prestige Auto Group, RFA Holdings LLC, Ray Laks Acura, Ray Laks Honda, Sacramento-L Inc., Salem-B LLC, Salem-H LLC, Salem-V LLC, Sharlene Realty LLC, Shift Portland LLC, Southern Cascades Finance Corporation, Subaru of Morgantown, Tampa-H LLC, Tustin Motors Inc., Wesley Chapel-H LLC, Wesley Chapel-T LLC, Zelienople Real Estate I L.P., and Zelienople Real Estate L.L.C.. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, and services medical devices and software products for treating cancer and other medical conditions worldwide. It operates through Oncology Systems and Proton Solutions segments. The Oncology Systems segment offers hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, fixed field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, artificial intelligence based adaptive radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, as well as quality assurance equipment. Its products include linear accelerators, brachytherapy afterloaders, treatment accessories, and quality assurance software; and information management, treatment planning, image processing, clinical knowledge exchange, patient care management, decision-making support, and practice management software. This segment serves university research and community hospitals, private and governmental institutions, healthcare agencies, physicians' offices, medical oncology practices, radiotherapy centers, and cancer care clinics. The Proton Solutions segment designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services products and systems for delivering proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The company has a strategic agreement with McKesson Corp. to supply treatment delivery systems and planning, services, and radiotherapy information system solutions to its U.S. Oncology Network and Vantage Oncology affiliated sites of care; and a strategic partnership with Siemens AG to represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products to radiation oncology clinics in the United States and other select markets. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. was formerly known as Varian Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Varian Medical Systems, Inc. in April 1999. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Read More Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The Liberty Jump Team will perform at the 2019 WWII Heritage Days, April 2728, making several parachute jumps to honor and recognize all veterans, especially the veterans of World War II. Team members will jump from a WWII-era C-47 Dakota aircraft to commemorate the Armys early airborne operations. The 16th annual WWII Heritage Days weekend will be presented by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing, at Atlanta Regional Airport (Falcon Field) in Peachtree City, Ga. Team members dress in WWII uniforms and equipment but use modern parachutes for safety. Uniforms and equipment include Normandy D-Day M1942 jump suits representing paratroopers from the elite 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Liberty Jump Teams participation in WWII Heritage Days will give spectators an impressive and rare sight as they watch a stick of paratroopers jump from a C-47 aircraft exactly as American paratroopers did in Normandy and Holland in 1944. The Liberty Jump Team, based in Texas, performs static-line parachute demonstrations in the United States and Europe to re-create the historic airborne operations that led to victory in WWII. Most of Americas older veterans are unable to participate in events like this one, so team members jump in their place to honor them and to show other generations how these great Americans contributed to winning WWII. Many Liberty Jump Team members are service or combat veterans who served in Vietnam, Panama, the Gulf War, Somalia, or more recently in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jumpers range in age from their 20s to their 70s and many served as U.S. Army paratroopers. Some jumpers are still serving in Americas military, some are military retirees, and some are former military members including several Purple Heart recipients (combat wounded) who jump regularly. There are also former or current members of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and representatives from Canada and many other countries. For more information about WWII Heritage Days, visit http://wwiidays.org/. For information on the Liberty Jump Team, visit libertyjumpteam.com. By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 08, 2018 | 10:12 AM | MURRAY The Murray State Police Department has concluded its investigation of the robbery reported Sunday night outside of MSU's Roy Stewart Stadium, and they now say the incident did not happen as originally reported.According to MSU Police, the student who reported the incident, Charles Patrick Vaught of Madisonville, has been charged with falsely reporting an incident. Police said Vaught sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene Sunday night. According to police, the injuries were sustained off-campus while Vaught was in the process of falsely committing and reporting the incident. Vaught originally told police he was robbed by another male, who was wearing dark clothing and armed with a pocket knife. Perfectly Human: A New Understanding of Beauty, Worth, and the Gift of Life "'Perfectly Human' is a profoundly moving and wise book." - Christianity Today "Readers will be touched by Williams's story of perseverance, faith, and love." Publishers Weekly WALDEN, NY, Oct. 9, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- When Sarah Williams learns that the baby she is carrying will likely not survive birth, her world crashes down around her. Amidst the voices of well-meaning onlookers offering to pray for healing, the bittersweet companionship of a pregnant best friend, medical staff who question her decision, and the loving support of friends who respect it, Williams and her family learn to celebrate life while preparing for the birth and subsequent death of their youngest daughter, diagnosed with a lethal skeletal deformity. Lyrical, articulate, and heart-wrenching, "Perfectly Human" (Plough Publishing House, October) describes the short life of Cerian, Welsh for "loved one," as her family comes to terms with the ultimate purpose of their daughter's short life. When a doctor asks if she has decided against an abortion on "strong religious grounds," Williams responds, "Cerian is not a strong religious principle or a rule that compels me to make hard and fast ethical decisions. She is a beautiful person who is teaching me to love the vulnerable, treasure the unlovely, and face fear with dignity and hope." In this candid account, Williams brings the reader along with her on the intimate journey towards Cerian's birthday, which will also be her deathday. In a society constantly striving for perfection -- where worth is earned, identity is constructed, children are a choice, normal is beautiful, and deformity is repulsive -- Cerian's short, beautiful life invites us to reconsider what it means to be human. This is a guest post from Risa Schwartz, a sole practitioner based in Canada focussing on the intersections between international trade and investment law and Indigenous rights (@risaschwartzlaw, risa@risaschwartzinternationallaw.com) The United States-Mexico-Canada agreement includes a new provision for the protection of the rights of Indigenous peoples. This exception, found in Chapter 32, Exceptions and General Provision, was included at the behest of Canada, but is drafted to apply to all three parties of USMCA. Found at Article 32.5, the new exception reads: Indigenous Peoples Rights Provided that such measures are not used as a means of arbitrary or unjustified discrimination against persons of the other Parties or as a disguised restriction on trade in goods, services, and investment, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude a Party from adopting or maintaining a measure it deems necessary to fulfill its legal obligations to indigenous peoples. United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Canada takes the position that Canadas obligations to Indigenous peoples under the Canadian Constitution cannot be superseded or undermined by commitments under a free trade agreement[1]. However, the addition of a general exception language to USMCA makes it clear to states and foreign investors that USMCA parties are free to meet their legal obligations to Indigenous peoples without concern that such actions may run afoul of trade or investment rules. Perhaps most importantly, this exception will apply to all three states, which is a confirmation that Canada, Mexico and the United States have affirmed their commitment to Indigenous rights in an international economic agreement. The general exception provision for Indigenous peoples is a first for North America but it is not the exception for Indigenous peoples in a free trade agreement. The Treaty of Waitangi exception was developed by New Zealand in 2001 for a bilateral free trade agreement with Singapore and is found in all New Zealand trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). According to New Zealands Foreign Affairs and Trade website, Nothing in this new Agreement will prevent the Crown from meeting its Treaty obligations to Maori. As with all of New Zealands contemporary trade agreements, CPTPP includes a specific provision preserving the pre-eminence of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand.[2] The Treaty of Waitangi exception allows for the adoption by New Zealand of measures it deems necessary to accord more favourable treatment to Maori in respect of matters covered by this Agreement, including in fulfilment of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.[3] Similar to the USMCA exception, a measure taken by New Zealand cannot be used as a means of arbitrary or unjustified discriminationor as a disguised restriction on trade in goods and services or investment . As well, the measure must be deemed necessary by New Zealand, and the exception is drafted in a manner that is self-judging. The arbitrary and unjustified discrimination language is a clear reference to the chapeau of GATT Article XX. Trade policy analysts and trade lawyers may be comfortable with this language and find it to be protective, but there were concerns by many Maori groups that the exception language did not go far enough to protect their interests, especially in the CPTTP, which includes an Investment chapter with Investor-State Dispute Settlement. A challenge to whether the exception was protective of Maori interests was the subject of a Waitangi Tribunal Report issued in 2016[4]. The Tribunal concluded that the exception offered a reasonable degree of protection to Maori interests. However, they were concerned by the language that limited the exception to measures that accord more favourable treatment. The USMCA has done away with the limiting language of to accord more favourable treatment as it can apply to any measures that the Parties take to fulfil their legal obligations to Indigenous peoples, as long as the measure is not arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination. Canada has included a footnote, which is added as a clarification, which specifies Canadas legal obligations to Indigenous peoples. Mexico and the United States did not add any footnotes to Article 32.5. The Canadian footnote reads For greater certainty, for Canada the legal obligations include those recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 or those set out in self-government agreements between a central or regional level of government and indigenous peoples. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights and rights acquired through land claims. The legal obligations listed in the footnote should not be seen an exhaustive list, as noted by the use of the word include in the footnote. Arguably, legal obligations applicable to Indigenous peoples Canada, as well as in Mexico and the United States, include Indigenous rights in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which was adopted by Mexico in 2007 and subsequently endorsed by the United States and Canada [1] Government of Canada, Trade and Indigenous peoples issue summary online: http://international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/usmca-aeumc/indigenous-autochtones.aspx?lang=eng [2] New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade, Protections online: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-concluded-but-not-in-force/cptpp/understanding-cptpp/protections/ [3] New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade ,The Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) 1 January 2001. Article 74. Online: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/FTAs-agreements-in-force/Singapore-FTA/NZ-Singapore-CEP-full-text.pdf [4] Waitangi Tribunal Report on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (Wai 2522, 2016). Online: https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_104833137/Report%20on%20the%20Trans-Pacific%20Partnership%20Agreement%20W.pdf October 18 is a legal holiday in the 49th state. Alaska Day commemorates Alaskas formal transfer from Russia to the United States in 1867. It is therefore appropriate for birders to pause and recognize significance of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). What is ANILCA? ANILCA was approved by Congress and signed by President Jimmy Carter in late 1980, the culmination of years of contentious negotiations in Congress. ANILCA resolved numerous issues regarding Alaskas public lands, in part by implementing a broad conservation goal: It is the intent of Congress in this Act to preserve unrivaled scenic and geological values associated with natural landscapes; to provide for the maintenance of sound populations of, and habitat for, wildlife species of inestimable value to the citizens of Alaska and the Nation, including those species dependent on vast relatively undeveloped areas; to preserve in their natural state extensive unaltered arctic tundra, boreal forest, and coastal rainforest ecosystems. Of particular significance for these purposes, ANILCA designated huge swaths of federal land in Alaska as units of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and National Forest System. Among these lands are some of the most productive avian breeding grounds in the United States. ANILCA is notable for its scope and ambition. At the signing ceremony, President Carter stated: We are setting aside for conservation an area of land larger than the State of California. By designating more than 97 million acres for new parks and refuges, we are doubling the size of our National Park and Wildlife Refuge System. By protecting 25 free-flowing Alaskan rivers in their natural state, we are almost doubling the size of our Wild and Scenic Rivers System. By classifying 56 million acres of some of the most magnificent land in our Federal estate as wilderness, we are tripling the size of our Wilderness System. ANILCA created, consolidated, expanded, or otherwise protected numerous units of federal public land systems, including: Describing the quantity and quality of land set aside by ANILCA requires a string of superlatives. For example, at more than 8 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias NP is the largest U.S. National Park. Gates of the Arctic NP (7.5 million acres), Denali NP (4.7 million acres), and Katmai NP (3.6 million acres) are numbers two, three, and four, respectively. For comparison, Yosemite NP in California is about 760,000 acres. But the National Parks are dwarfed by several gigantic National Wildlife Refuges, including Arctic NWR (19.2 million acres), Yukon Delta NWR (19.1 million acres), and Yukon Flats NWR (8.6 million acres). In fact, the ten largest National Wildlife Refuges are in Alaska and most were created or supplemented by ANILCA. For comparison, Aransas NWR in Texas is about 115,000 acres and Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico is under 60,000 acres. ANILCA also added millions of acres to Chugach NF and Tongass NF, two of the largest National Forests in the United States. For some of these lands, Congress mandated that they be managed primarily for the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitat, a rarity for National Forests, which are generally managed for multiple uses, including resource extraction. Collectively, ANILCA set aside approximately 100 million acres, including millions of acres that were designated as wilderness, the most protective of federal designations. ANILCA will be the last designation of protected federal land that even approaches this magnitude. ANILCA lands are not just vast, they are critical for an extraordinary variety of birds. Many locations have been designated Important Birds Areas (IBAs) and/or have been recognized by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. ANILCA lands are essential to several Pacific tubenoses, including Fork-tailed and Leachs Storm-Petrel; and Northern Fulmar; as well as seabirds such as Common and Thick-billed Murre; Pigeon Guillemot; Marbled, Kittlitzs, and Ancient Murrelet; Cassins, Parakeet, Least, and Crested Auklet; Horned and Tufted Puffin; Red-faced Cormorant; and sea ducks such as Stellers, Spectacled, King, and Common Eider; Harlequin Duck; Black, White-Winged, and Surf Scoter; and Long-tailed Duck. The numbers can be staggering: Alaska Maritime NWR alone supports approximately 40,000,000 nesting seabirds. Yukon Flats NWR is one of the most productive waterfowl breeding areas in North America. The lakes, ponds and wetlands of the Yukon Flats support huge numbers (approximately 1.5 million) of waterfowl, including American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, as well as Canada and Greater White-fronted Goose, and Tundra and Trumpeter Swan. Other sites are critical to shorebirds. For example, each year up to 500,000 shorebirds use Yukon Delta NWR, which supports one of the largest and most diverse populations of breeding shorebirds in the Western Hemisphere, including Western Sandpiper, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Red-necked Phalarope, Wilsons Snipe, and many others. (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has an excellent video about Yukon Delta NWR here.) More than a million ducks and half a million geese, including Emperor Goose, also breed in the Yukon Delta. The Copper River Delta (part of Chugach NF) is also an important stopover location for shorebirds, as well as a significant breeding area for ducks and geese. Of course, countless other birds utilize lands set aside under ANILCA, either as residents or migrants. This includes northern specialty species such as White-tailed, Willow and Rock Ptarmigan; Northern Goshawk; Snowy, Northern Hawk, and Boreal Owl; Gyrfalcon; Canada Jay; Boreal Chickadee; Arctic Warbler; Bluethroat; Northern Wheatear; Varied Thrush; Eastern Yellow Wagtail; Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch; Lapland Longspur; Snow and McKays Bunting, and many more. Many of these breeding birds disperse throughout North America, utilizing all four major flyways. For example, waterfowl banded in just one refuge (Yukon Flats NWR) have been recovered in 43 states. Thus, virtually every birder has likely seen birds that have spent time on lands protected by ANILCA. (That said, many areas in Alaska are only lightly birded. For example, there are only about 135 eBird checklists for all 8 million acres of Yukon Flats NWR.) Of course, ANILCA did not resolve all conservation issues in Alaska, even on ANILCA lands. For example, development (i.e., drilling for oil) within the Arctic NWR remains contentious, as does logging within Chugach and Tongass National Forests. Indeed, the Trump Administration recently proposed opening parts of Tongass National Forest to logging and road construction. While the acronym ANILCA may be largely unknown to birders, its impact on birds has surely been significant. Happy Alaska Day! This article was originally published on October 9, 2018, and has been updated. Photos: Tufted Puffin, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Northern Hawk Owl, and Spectacled Eider by Alaska Region USFWS. It comes five years after the fourth-gen SUV was introduced in the country in 2013. Honda is all set to launch the fifth-gen CR-V in India today. It comes five years after the fourth-gen SUV was introduced in the country in 2013. The 2018 CR-V gets a new design, along with various segment-first features. Among many such firsts is the diesel engine, which has never been seen before on the CR-V in India. Speaking of engines, the fifth-gen CR-V will be available with both petrol and diesel options. The petrol engine is the same 2.0-litre 154PS/189Nm unit, which was one of the two engine options available earlier. The diesel CR-V, on the other hand, will be powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine that makes 120PS and 300Nm. This time around, Honda will offer the CR-V with automatic transmission options. And while the diesel engine will come paired with a 9-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission, the petrol will come coupled with a CVT. Like its predecessor, the new CR-V will also be available with 4WD option, but it will be limited to diesel variants only. Also Read: Honda Details India-Bound 2019 Civic Facelift Apart from a diesel engine, the new CR-V will also be available with a 7-seat configuration for the first time. However, that will also be limited to the diesel variant. The petrol CR-V, meanwhile, will continue to be a 5-seater SUV as always. As far as features are concerned, the CR-V boasts of a pretty long list. Starting with safety, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, stability assist and hill start assist as standard. Other features on offer include full-LED headlamps, LED taillamps,LED DRLs, panoramic sunroof, push-button gear selector (diesel only), electronic parking brake, digital instrument cluster (first-in-class), lane watch assist (first-in-class), two-zone climate control with rear AC vents, third-row AC vents (diesel only) and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Honda is expected to price the new CR-V around Rs 30 lakh. The diesel CR-V, being a seven-seater and a 4WD offering, will take on the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Mitsubishi Outlander and the Skoda Kodiaq. For the petrol CR-V, other 5-seater SUV rivals at this price point will include the Hyundai Tucson and the VW Tiguan. Also Read: Fourth-gen Honda Jazz Spied For The First Time Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho. A day after his debut film 'Loveyatri' released, actor Aayush Sharma is in Dubai for an event there. The actor visited the city of gold with his superstar brother-in-law Salman Khan, while he witnessed young fans dance to Chogada, a song from his movie. Loveyatri has been getting love from audiences and Aayush's performance is being appreciated. The actor has got a big thumps up from the industry and the youth. After a hectic promotional spree, the handsome actor is going a notch higher and trying to spend as much time with his fans. Once he is back from Dubai, Aayush will get totally immersed in Navratri festivities travelling to Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and several other cities. Aayush loves to be on the move and constantly working. Mumbai: Pankaj Tripathi has been lauded for his role in Stree most recently. The actor who has always had impeccable comic timing has always been the support a film needed to take it to another level. Each time the actor comes on screen, audiences anticipate some hilarity in the form of smart witty dialogues and shocked expressions to follow. Apart from Stree, the actor is also currently shooting for Shakeela and recently wrapped up Luka Chuppi, two extremely different films with diverse roles. The interesting aspect of the actor's role in Shakeela is that Pankaj be seen channelising a mixture of several 90s superstar for the film. The actor for the first time ever will be seen as the overdramatic hero of the 90s, an era where films were massy and heroes were idolized because of their over the top style. In the film the Newton actor who plays an actor/producer will be seen rocking not just the outfits like bell bottomed pants, multicoloured shirts and shoes but will take on the role of being a rambunctious hero who is overconfident, talented and knows he will get the girl. Check out the First look here: Pankaj Tripathi's look in Shakeela biopic. When asked Pankaj he said, "Its a role of a commercial superstar from south film industry. When director Indrajit Lankesh narrated me the story, I was asked to visit Bangalore, Karnataka for the costume trial since the unit was from south. After reaching Bangalore and seeing the costume I was in two minds and questioned myself whether I'll be able to carry such a colour full dress. My character was suppose to behave larger than life like a south indian commercial hero. I am suppose to dance with the heroine. I was scared on the first day of the shoot. Normally I don't see monitor after giving the shots, later in the evening when I checked one of the scene I was surprised to see to myself how did I managed to pull these shots dancing with the heroine in swimming pool. It was quiet convincing for me and didn't looked fake at all. It is an interesting role and it was too fun playing the part and I really enjoyed the process from second day onwards. I always wanted to dance, and do some action in the film, role of a superstar travelling in huge cars. My character is unpredictable in the film and audience will be surprised to see me in the role the way I am surprised to see myself in this role." After seeing Pankaj Tripathi play the meek panditji and nerdy, Rudra, it will be fantastic to watch him transform into a 90s hero. Shakeela is a directorial venture by Indrajit Lankesh and stars Richa Chadha in the titular role. Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) on Tuesday took cognizance of Tanushree Dutta's allegations against veteran actor Nana Patekar after the former knocked the doors of the women's body seeking an investigation. The MSWC has issued notices to Nana Patekar, director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya, among others, directing them to file a reply within 10 days. The commission has also asked the state police for an update of the investigation over Dutta's complaint. The former beauty queen has been asked to appear before the MSWC and record her statement in detail as the earlier statement came through her lawyer. "We have taken cognizance of Tanushree Dutta's complaint and have asked her to appear before the commission within 10 days. We have sent notices to people against whom Tanushree has filed complaint, asking them to appear before us within 10 days," Vijaya Rahatkar of Maharashtra State Commission for Women told ANI. A directive has been issued to all cine and television associations to form committees for redressal of such complaints. On Monday, Dutta had demanded an investigation into the investigations her harassment allegations against Patekar, Ganesh Acharya, producer Samee Siddiqui, director Rakesh Sarang, and several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers. Tanushree has alleged that Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of the film in 2008. She accused him of harassing her while shooting for a special dance number in the movie and also stated that Bollywood dance choreographer Ganesh Acharya teamed up against her. She revealed how before shooting the song, she had clearly mentioned that she will not enact or perform any lewd, vulgar or uncomfortable steps. Dutta further stated that on the fourth day of the shoot, Patekar's behavior was inappropriate as he was grabbing her by the arms and pushing her around on the pretext of teaching her some steps. Dutta complained the same to the authorities, but, new steps were introduced by Acharya, which were intimate and included Patekar touching her inappropriately, she alleged. The actor further said she was being "forced and pressurized" to do the steps and after she refused, the producer threatened to defame her. On the way out, her car was brutally attacked but with the help of the police she managed to escape from the spot, the complaint further read. Dutta stated that she had also lodged a complaint with Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) in March 2008. Denying allegations leveled against him by Dutta, Patekar in a recent media interaction said that the truth behind what happened ten years ago won't change. Dental Bone Graft Market The report of Dental Bone Graft Market by Market Research Future comprises extensive primary research along with the detail analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain a deeper insight of the market and industry performance and providing an overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market Dental Bone Graft Market Overview The Global Dental Bone Graft Market is expected to reach an approximate CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period. Globally the market for dental bone graft is increasing rapidly the main reason for this is the growth is the increase in the aging population. The factors that influence the growth of Dental Bone Graft are the increasing development in technology and the different types of bone graft options such as Autograft, Xenograft, Alloplast/synthetic bone grafts and allograft. According to the British editorial society of bone and joint surgery, bone was the second most common transplanted tissue after blood with an estimated 2.2 million grafting procedures annually worldwide in 2015. However, risk and complications from bone grafting procedures and the high cost of the procedure may hamper the market growth during the forecast period. To Get Sample Report visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/867 Global Dental Bone Graft Market, by Key Players Straumann AG Dentsply Sirona Zimmer Biomet Geistlich Medtronic BioHorizons IPH, Inc ACE Surgical Supply Company, Inc. RTI Surgical, Inc LifeNet Health Kerr Dental Dentium Segments for Global Dental Bone Graft Market The global dental bone graft market is segmented on the basis of type, product, material form, application, and end-user. The global dental bone graft market by type is segmented into synthetic bone graft, xenograft, allograft, and demineralized allograft. Synthetic bone graft is further segmented into ceramics, tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and others. Demineralized allograft is further segmented bio-reabsorbable and non-bio-reabsorbable. Based on the product segment the market is segmented into bio-oss, osteograf, grafton, and others. On the basis material form, the market is segmented of injectable, granules, and putty. Based on the application the market is segmented into socket preservation, ridge augmentation, periodontal defect regeneration, implant bone regeneration, and sinus lift. On the basis of end-user, the market is categorized into dental clinics, research and dental laboratories, and others. On the basis of region, the global dental bone graft market is segmented into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The Americas is sub-segmented into North America and South America. The North American region is further segmented into the US and Canada. The European region is divided into two, namely, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe is further classified into Germany, Italy, France, the U.K., Spain, and the rest of Western Europe. The Asia-Pacific region is sub-segmented into Japan, China, India, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The Middle Eastern and African region is sub-segmented into the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and the rest of the Middle East and Africa. Regional Analysis for Global Dental Bone Graft Market The dental bone graft market is dominated by Europe owing to the rising healthcare expenditure that contributes to enhancing the market growth in this region. As there is a transition happening in the use of the types of bone grafts for the various restorative & reconstructive dental procedures, the world is adopting the new technologies leading to the massive growth in the market. It is estimated that North America stood second in the global dental bone graft market. As a result of advancement in the dentistry and development of the dental industry in Europe, the dental bone grafts market has grown significantly in the region. Browse Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/dental-bone-graft-market-867 Asia-Pacific is likely to witness growth in the dental bone graft market during the forecast period owing to the increasing number of healthcare organizations, growing advantages of the dental bone graft. The rapidly changing technology and growing awareness in the region influence the market growth. China, India, and Japan are the key market players in this region and Asia-Pacific is expected to be the largest market for the dental bone graft. The Middle East and Africa holds the least share in the global dental bone graft market due to the presence of stringent government policies and poor economies. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Media Contact Company Name: Market Research Future Contact Person: Abhishek Sawant Email: Send Email Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Address:Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar City: Pune State: Maharashtra Country: India Website: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/dental-bone-graft-market-867 The findings were presented at the world's biggest fertility conference in Denver, Colorado, US. (Photo: Pixabay) It turns out that when it comes to the size of a males manhood, size really does matter. A new study has now revealed that men with smaller penises tend to be less fertile. The study says that those with fertility problems tend to have penises around a third of an inch shorter when erect, on average, than men without any issues. The study researched 815 men going to a sexual health clinic over a span of three years. As per the study men who were infertile had an average length of 4.92in compared to fertile men with 5.27in. Speaking about it study leader Dr Austen Slade of the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, said, It may not be a striking difference but there was a clear statistical significance. She further added that it remains to be determined if there are different penile length cut-offs that would predict more severe infertility. Dr Slade said shorter penises could hint at problem with fertility but added it was nothing to be worried about. He said that men with shorter penises don't need to worry about fertility.' The findings were presented at the world's biggest fertility conference in Denver, Colorado, US. Adolescents do not accept that they have internet addiction and require several psycho-educative sessions (Photo: AFP) New Delhi: The number of people visiting the AIIMS Behavioural Addiction Clinic with complaints of "internet addiction" has almost doubled since the launch of the facility two years ago. Experts at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Tuesday said increasing number of youth, mostly school and college students, were developing "severe behavioural and psychiatric problems" due to internet addiction. An internet addiction is uncontrolled use of internet for gaming, gambling or pornography to the extent that a person stops carrying out his or her routine activities. "Many of the issues of problematic internet use is due to lack of parental monitoring and inconsistencies in discipline. Parents should therefore supervise the activities of the adolescents and also introduce other pleasurable activities. "They should also encourage their children to increase social interaction in the real world rather than spending time in the virtual world," Rachna Bhargava, clinical psychologist at AIIMS, said. "Number of people visiting the AIIMS Behavioural Addiction Clinic with complaints of internet addiction have doubled since the last two years," she said. Pratap Saran, Professor of Psychiatry at AIIMS, explained that internet addiction is often associated with "depression, mood disorders, anxiety and substance abuse", but the causality can be bidirectional which means spending too much time on internet may lead to poor academic performance, and this in turn may lead to depression or mood disorders. "Similarly, those suffering from depression may find spending time on internet as an alternate source of engagement," he said. Saran said an awareness needs to be generated among the youth and their parents about internet addiction and educate them about the use of internet in a responsible manner. "Adolescents do not accept that they have internet addiction and require several psycho-educative sessions. They are motivated to take treatment through various techniques," Bhargava said. Professor R K Chadda, HOD of the Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) chief, said 20 to 25 per cent of youth in India suffer from some kind of mental disorder with depression, anxiety, mood disorders and substance abuse being prevalent among them. The recently-concluded National Mental Health Survey of India had estimated the prevalence of mental disorders in the age group of 18-29 years at 7.39 per cent (excluding tobacco use disorder) and life time prevalence at 9.54 per cent. About half of all mental illnesses are known to begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by mid-20s, it had said. Anju Dhawan, Professor, NDDTC highlighted substance use disorders among the youth. Not only is the use of Nicotine and alcohol rising in the country among young males and females, newer drugs like 3,4-Methyl?enedioxy?methamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and glue sniffing have now risen to alarming proportions. The experts added that due to "changing economy, culture and migration" across the country, street children and those living in shelter homes are increasing in number. They form another important group of young people, who are especially vulnerable in the absence of family support and a stable home. The group is frequently exposed to drug use, physical and sexual abuse, criminal behaviour and violence, they said. ATS sources in Lucknow said a computer was seized from Nishant Aggrawal's Nagpur residence which contained secret documents. (Photo: Facebook Screengrab | Nishant Aggarwal) Nagpur: BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Aggarwal, arrested on charges of espionage, was in touch with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives through two Facebook accounts -- 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan', according to the Uttar Pradesh Police. The UP Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) stated this in the court of Junior Magistrate First Class S M Joshi in Nagpur on Tuesday while seeking Nishant Aggarwal's transit remand for taking him to Lucknow for a detailed interrogation. The court granted three-day transit remand to the UP ATS, Additional Public Prosecutor S J Bagde, who appeared for Maharashtra ATS, said. Aggarwal was arrested on Monday in a joint operation by the ATS units of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra police at BrahMos' Wardha Road facility for allegedly leaking "technical information" to Pakistan. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 'Military Industrial Consortium' (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. The Investigating Officer of the UP ATS told the court that Aggarwal was in touch with two Facebook accounts, operated under the names 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan'. These accounts, based out of Islamabad, are believed to be run by Pakistan's intelligence operatives, the ATS officer said. Such fake accounts are reportedly used to approach senior officials in India and Agrawal too was approached by those operating these two Facebook accounts, the IO told the court. Aggarwal, despite being engaged in "highly sensitive work", was "casual" on the internet and made himself an "easy target", the ATS officer said. He said Aggarwal was active on LinkedIn also. Top classified information had been loaded on the accused's personal laptop, the officer said. He added that classified registered files with red markings were found stored in PDF (portable document format) in the accused's personal laptop. "These are all top classified information which (if) shared could be a threat to the country. We want to conduct a detailed interrogation and produce him in the special court in Lucknow, and, hence, request three days transit remand," the IO told the court. The accused has been charged under sections 3,4, 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, sections 419,420, 467, 468, 120 (B) and 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code as well as 66 (B) of the Information Technology Act. Nishant Aggarwal's father Pradip Aggarwal said he did not believe that his son was guilty and has faith in the judiciary. "I don't think he is guilty. But if he is found guilty and system proves that he is guilty, then yes he is guilty," Pradip Aggarwalsaid on his son's arrest. ATS sources in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow Monday said a computer was seized from his Nagpur residence which contained secret documents. They said such documents should not be present on a personal computer. The sources said an old computer was also seized from Aggarwal's residence in his native town, Roorkee, and its contents were being investigated. They said since a jawan was arrested in September after allegedly being honey-trapped by the ISI, the ATS was keeping a close watch on fake Facebook accounts of women, being operated from Pakistan, which were in touch with people working in sensitive places. BS Yeddyurappa rubbished reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the state, terming it 'far from the truth'. (Photo: File) Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP president BS Yeddyurappa on Monday rubbished reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the state, terming it "far from the truth". He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates for the November 3 assembly and parliamentary by-polls in the state will be finalised at the party's core committee meeting on Wednesday. "All this is far from the truth, unnecessarily such news is being spread. There is no substance in it," the former chief minister told reporters in response to a question about PM Modi contesting from Karnataka. There were reports in certain sections of the local media that, with an aim to increase BJP's influence in the south, PM Modi was likely to contest from one of the southern states, most probably from Karnataka along with Varanasi, the seat that he currently represents. BJP is presently not in power in any of the south Indian states. Karnataka is the only state where the party has considerable presence and has had its government in the past. Yeddyurappa, who has been meeting several party leaders regarding finalising candidates for the Lok Sabha and assembly by-election, said it would be finalised by Wednesday. "Day after tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, we have called a core committee meeting where we will finalise our candidates for the three Lok Sabha constituencies and two Vidhan Sabha constituencies and send it to our national president for approval," he said. Discussions have taken place about candidates for almost all constituencies that would go for the by-polls, the BJP leader said, adding, "We will hold further discussions today and tomorrow before finalising the names". The Election Commission on Saturday had announced the by-elections in three Lok Sabha constituencies (Shivamogga, Ballari and Mandya) and two assembly constituencies (Ramanagara and Jamkhandi). The elections will be held on November 3 and counting of votes will take place on November 6. The by-elections had been necessitated after BJPs BS Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and B Sriramalu (Ballari), and CS Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as lawmakers on their election to the assembly in May last. Bypolls to Jamkhandi assembly seat was necessitated following the death of Congress lawmaker Siddu Nyamagouda, while Ramanagara fell vacant as Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy gave up the seat and retained Channapatna, the other segment won by him in the assembly elections. The plant is operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Raipur: At least 9 people died and 14 injured after a gas pipeline exploded in Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on Tuesday afternoon. The blast took place in a pipeline near coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town, located around 30 km from the state capital Raipur, a local police official told news agency PTI. "At least 12 people sustained burn injuries in the explosion," he added. Police personnel and a rescue team rushed to the spot, the official said, adding that the injured were rushed to hospital. The plant is operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Further details are awaited. Mysuru: Rowdy Ranga, a 46- year- old captive elephant of the Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Nagarahole National Park, was knocked down by a private bus from Kerala speeding through the camp on the Hunsur-Gonnikoppa road at around 3.30 am Monday.The impact of the bus was so strong that the elephant's spinal cord broke and its left leg was fractured and it died at around 7.30 am without responding to treatment. Rowdy Ranga was foraging around 200 meters from the camp in the Annachowkoor range of the Nagarahole Park when the bus with passengers from Kannur in Kerala, heading for Bengaluru via Mysuru, ran it down. "The bus was speeding and the impact was such that the elephant's spinal cord broke and its left leg was fractured. It was bleeding profusely before the forest officials and veterinarians arrived at the spot," said a park insider. Veterinarian, Mujib Rehman told the Deccan Chronicle that he reached the elephant by 4.30 am and found it in deep pain. "I was able to arrest the bleeding, give the elephant some pain killers, and administer a drip, but it was of no use," he recounted, adding that by 5.50 am, it was almost certain that the animal would not live. "Even if it had survived, it would have been difficult for it to lead a normal life. I have never come across such a gruesome incident. A grown elephant's spine that measures about 2.5 inches was broken," he said. The collision with the elephant damaged the left portion of the bus, but the 35 passengers were unharmed. Bus driver, Ismail Nalakat (40), a resident of Kannur in Kerala , has been handed over to the Ponnampet police, according to Director of Nagarahole National Park, Dr Hanumanthappa. He blamed the driver for the accident as he failed to take note of a signboard nearby indicating the location of the elephant camp besides the road. Rowdy Ranga was once a terror in parts of Ramnagar and surrounding areas, raiding crops and attacking humans, which earned him the nickname. He was later captured and taken to the Mathigodu elephant camp. BJP MP from north-west Delhi constituency claimed that the #MeToo movement has created a feeling of terror in India as men now avoid meeting women alone. (Photo: Twitter | ANi) New Delhi: Terming the #MeToo movement in India a wrong practice Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Udit Raj on Tuesday said every case should be examined individually, as some women level allegations for money. He also questioned the relevance of making sexual harassment allegations against someone after 10 years. "#MeToo movement is important but what is the relevance of making sexual harassment allegations against anybody ten years later? How will the truth in these allegations be established after so long? The person on whom the allegations will be levelled, how much it will tarnish his image is worth giving a thought. A wrong practice is being initiated," Udit Raj tweeted in Hindi. The lawmaker from the north-west Delhi constituency said the #MeToo movement was being used for blackmailing. "How is it possible that a girl who is in a live-in relationship level rape allegations against her partner and he is booked and sent to jail. Such incidents are happening so frequently these days. Isn't it being used for blackmailing?" he said. Speaking to news agency ANI, Raj said: "This (#MeToo) should be looked after case by case. I have seen cases where it has become a habit of women to put allegations over a man, take Rs 2-4 lakhs and then look for another. There are honey-trap cases too." He further reiterated that all cases should not be seen as one, "I accept that men do have such nature, but are all women perfect? I am saying it again that if somebody has exploited a woman then shoot him - shoot at sight. I have said this on SC/ST Act too. But all such cases shouldn't be seen as one." The BJP lawmaker further claimed that the movement has created a feeling of terror in India as men now avoid meeting women alone. "I am not saying that casting couch and exploitation does not happen. We should see that the #MeToo campaign is helping people, but it has disadvantages too. Men have economic power, they have political power. Whether they are politicians or authorities, men now avoid meeting women alone. Why do they do so? This has created a feeling of terror," he said. BJP MP Udit Rajs statement comes at a time when the #MeToo storm has gained momentum in India with multiple women from different fields accusing various men of sexual misconduct and harassment the most talked about in recent past being actor Tanushree Dutta's sexual misconduct allegations against actor Nana Patekar during the shooting of 'Horn Ok Pleassss' in 2008. Nakkheeran Gopal was detained at the Chennai airport while he was on his way to Pune. (Photo: Twitter Screengrab/ @nakkheeranweb) Chennai: Nakkheeran Gopal, Chief Editor of popular Tamil weekly magazine Nakkheeran, was arrested by the Chennai police on Tuesday morning after a complaint was filed from Governor Banwarilal Purohits office over publication's reportage on Nirmala Devi case. Gopal was detained at the Chennai airport while he was on his way to Pune. In its latest edition, the cover story of the magazine showed the pictures of Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor in Devangar Arts College in Virudhunagar district who was arrested in the infamous 'sex-for-marks scam and Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Four students complained that Devi tried to lure them to provide sexual favours to the officers and also submitted audio recordings of their conversations with the professor. Nirmala Devi allegedly prodded girls to extend sexual favours to university officials in return for marks. The article stated that Nirmala Devi had told CB-CID the agency that is investigating the case that she had met the Governor four times. The story had questioned why the Governor has not been made part of the inquiry. Governor Purohit has denied any link with Devi and has ordered an inquiry into the scandal by retired Indian Administrative Service officer R Santhanam. According to reports, the arrest was allegedly made on a complaint given by Governor Banwarilal Purohit accusing Gopal of defaming him in his reportage. Chennai police officials said the article was offensive and defamatory. Haley, 46, was the senior most Indian-American official in the Trump administration. (Photo: File) Washington: In a sudden move, Indian-American US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley resigned Tuesday, becoming the latest casualty in the dysfunctional Trump administration just weeks ahead of the crucial mid-term elections. President Donald Trump, who met Haley in the Oval Office Tuesday, said that she had done a "fantastic job" and would leave at the end of the year. "She told me probably six months ago," Trump told reporters, '"I want to take a little time off.'" Trump said there are a number of people who would like to do this job and that this is a more glamorous position than it was a couple of years ago, appreciating her work. Haley, considered as a moderate Republican alternative to Trump, in her remarks insisted that she is not going to run for president in 2020 and will campaign for Trump. Haley, 46, was the senior most Indian-American official in the Trump administration. Her resignation just ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in November came as a shock and surprise to the American foreign policy and national security experts who believe it was a big loss to the Trump Administration. She is latest Republican to exit the Trump administration. President Trump had fired his National Security Adviser Lt Gen H R McMaster in April. In March, one of Trumps longest-serving and trusted aides Hope Hicks resigned as the powerful communications director. Also, White House's top economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned over his differences with Trump on trade policy. Trump had sacked his beleaguered Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo in March. In her remarks, Haley said that this is an honour of a lifetime to serve in the administration as she listed out the key accomplishments of the Trump Administration at the United Nations and foreign policy in the last two years. Trump told Haley that "you have been very special to me," and that she has done an "incredible job". Lauding her accomplishments on issues ranging from North Korea to China at the United Nations, Trump said: "She got to know the players." "They like her, except for maybe a couple, but that's normal," he said about China, India, and Russia among others. Haley visited India in June on her first visit to the country after becoming the US envoy to the UN. She said she's a "lucky girl" for having been able to serve as South Carolina (governor) and ambassador. She said she is not leaving till the end of the year. In response to questions, Trump said, "many people" and interested in succeeding Haley and a replacement will be named in two or three weeks or maybe sooner. Haley was confirmed as UN Ambassador four days after Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. She had scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration. The daughter of Indian immigrants from Punjab, Haley was the first woman tapped by Trump for a top-level administration post during his transition to the White House. Haley's nomination was a turning point for the Indian-American community which is increasingly playing greater role in American politics. She was critical of Trump during the primary campaign and had backed Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. However, before the general elections, she switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump. Born Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa, Haley is the first minority and female governor of South Carolina, a deeply conservative state with a long history of racial strife. She is the first Indian-American woman Governor and the second Indian-American governor of any State. Prior to becoming governor, she represented Lexington County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Prior to dedicating her life to public service, Haley worked at her family business. Haley and her husband, Michael, a Captain in the Army National Guard and combat veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand Province, have two children, Rena and Nalin. Editor Nakkheeran Gopal was detained at the Chennai airport on Tuesday morning while he was on his way to Pune. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Chennai: Editor Nakkheeran Gopal, who was arrested by the Chennai police on Tuesday morning, won't go to jail for defamation as a Chennai court turned down a judicial custody request by the police. A complaint was filed from Governor Banwarilal Purohits office over the publication's reportage on Nirmala Devi case. Nakkheeran Gopal, chief editor of the popular Tamil weekly magazine Nakkheeran' said, "It's a victory. It's a slap on Raj Bhavan. It's also a slap on the spineless Tamil Nadu govt which acted upon the governor's wish. The court has judged well." Gopal was detained at the Chennai airport while he was on his way to Pune. Also Read: Journalist Nakkheeran Gopal arrested for article on Tamil Nadu Governor In the magazine's latest edition, the cover story shows pictures of Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor in Devangar Arts College in Virudhunagar district who was arrested in the infamous 'sex-for-marks scam and Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Four students had reported that Devi tried to lure them to provide sexual favours to the officers and also submitted audio recordings of their conversations with the professor. Nirmala Devi allegedly prodded girls to extend sexual favours to university officials in return for marks. The article stated that Nirmala Devi had told CB-CID the agency that is investigating the case that she had met the Governor four times. The story had questioned why the Governor was not made part of the inquiry. Governor Purohit has denied any link with Devi and has ordered an inquiry into the scandal by retired Indian Administrative Service officer R Santhanam. According to reports, the arrest was allegedly carried out on the basis of a complaint filed by Governor Banwarilal Purohit accusing Gopal of defaming him in his reportage. Chennai police officials said the article was offensive and defamatory. IndexBox, Inc. has just published a new report World Buckwheat Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights. Here is a summary of the reports key findings. Buckwheat Imports In 2017, imports of buckwheat worldwide totaled 182K tonnes, ascending by 17% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2007 to 2017; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017, when it surged by 17% y-o-y. In that year, buckwheat imports attained its maximum volume, and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term. In value terms, buckwheat imports amounted to $116M in 2017. Overall, buckwheat imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global import peaked of $131M in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2017, it failed to regain its strength. Buckwheat Imports By Country Japan (45K tonnes), and Spain (38K tonnes) represented roughly 46% of total imports of buckwheat in 2017. Italy (14K tonnes) occupied the second position in the ranking, followed by Lithuania (12K tonnes), France (9.9K tonnes), and the U.S. (8.3K tonnes). All these countries together took approx. 24% share of total imports. Ukraine (7.8K tonnes), Russia (5K tonnes), Poland (4.6K tonnes), the Netherlands (3.9K tonnes), Canada (3.8K tonnes), and Germany (3.6K tonnes) occupied the mild share of total imports. From 2007 to 2017, the most notable growth rate of imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by Lithuania (+53.3% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, Japan ($38M) constitutes the largest market for imported buckwheat worldwide, making up 32% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Italy ($10M), with the share of 9% of global imports. It was followed by the U.S., with the share of 7%. In Japan, buckwheat imports increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2007-2017. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates: Italy (+18.1% per year) and the U.S. (+12.5% per year). Buckwheat Import Prices By Country In 2017, the average import price for buckwheat amounted to $637 per tonne, dropping by -9.8% against the previous year. In general, buckwheat import price continues to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011, an increase of 17% year-to-year. In that year, average import price for buckwheat reached its maximum level of $940 per tonne. From 2012 to 2017, growth of average import price for buckwheat stood at a somewhat lower level. Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination; the country with the highest import price was the U.S. ($1,053 per tonne), while Spain ($4 per tonne) was among the lowest. From 2007 to 2017, the most notable growth rate of import prices was attained by the U.S. (+7.7% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. Description This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global buckwheat market. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2025. Browse Related Reports World Wheat Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights World Barley Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights Media Contact Company Name: IndexBox, Inc. Contact Person: Narmin Baazova Email: Send Email Phone: +1-415-799-8701 Country: United States Website: https://www.indexbox.io New Delhi/ Mumbai: The #MeToo fire that raged on Tuesday, charring carefully built up reputations as more women narrated their experiences of sexual misconduct, harassment and worse, spread to engulf Union minister M.J. Akbar and character actor Alok Nath. Though one of its ministers is prominently involved (six women have come out with their stories of sexual harassment at the hands of M.J. Akbar) there has been a deafening silence from the government which boasts of its Beti Bachao programme intended to address Indias declining child sex ratio and disempowerment of women. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj refused to answer a question on the allegations against Akbar, her junior minister, a journalist-turned-politician. The external affairs minister was asked, There are serious allegations... these are sexual harassment allegations. You are a woman minister in charge. Will there be a probe into the allegations? Ms Swaraj who was accompanied by her aides did not acknowledge the question and continued walking. The MEA later put out a statement that the incidents (of sexual harassment) happened when Akbar was not in the government. With fresh cases of sexual harassment coming to light as part of the #MeToo movement, the Editors Guild of India finally woke up on Tuesday from their slumber and asked media organisations to hold unbiased inquiries into all such cases. However, their strongly worded statement sounded like paying only a lip service as the shenanigans of top editors was rather well known and yet the premier institution had not put any system in place for redressal. The allegations have also given a handle to the main Opposition Congress to hit out at the government. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, This is an extremely sensitive issue. The minister concerned should speak up. Silence cannot be a way out. We want to hear from both the Prime Minister and the minister in question. To make the #MeToo movement and its revelations into a political ping pong ball, though, would be seriously damaging a cause that everyone needs to take very seriously. The pilot applied the emergency brakes and averted a major disaster. No casualties were reported. Hyderabad: An Indigo Airlines flight with 180 passengers on board had a narrow escape at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday. Minutes before the take off, the pilot of flight 6E743, bound for Goa, noticed a vehicle on the runway. The pilot applied the emergency brakes and averted a major disaster. No casualties were reported. Over 180 passengers were on board. The Indigo flight is a daily service between Hyderabad and Goa. The incident took place at around 6 am on Tuesday morning. Airport authorities have ordered a probe into the incident. The flight finally left for Goa at 7.30 am. Meanwhile, GHIAL spokesperson said, The reported incident is being examined by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Findings of the investigation are awaited, based on which the reason for this incident can be ascertained. In a similar incident, 72 passengers and four crew members on board an IndiGo aircraft had a lucky escape when one of its tyres burst on landing at the RGI airport in March, 2018. Similarly, Indigo Airlines flight bound from Hyderabad to Tirupati had to turn back and make an emergency landing at the RGIA in Shamshabad in August, 2018. The fire had been brought under control, the statement said. Bhopal: At least nine employees were killed and 14 others injured in a blast in Steel Authority of India Limited (Sail)-promoted Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), located nearly 30 km from Chhattisgarhs capital, Raipur, on Tuesday. The death toll may mount since at least four of the injured were in critical condition, an eyewitness said. A statement issued by state-owned Sail said a fire broke out in gas pipeline of Coke Oven Battery Complex No. 11 in BSP leading to death of nine persons and injuries to 14 others. The fire had been brought under control, the statement said. The mishap took place at around 10.30 am when maintenance work was going on, a BSP official said. According to him, two dozen workers were carrying out maintenance works when the accident took place. The parents and relatives of Kumar staged a rasta roko on the Warangal road on Tuesday demanding that the state government punish the persons behind the killing of Kumar. (Representional Image) Karimnagar: The parents of Gaddi Kumar, 22, whose body was found in the cotton fields near Vankayagudem village on the outskirts of Thadikal, alleged that their son was killed by the parents of a girl of the same village with whom Vijay Kumar had fallen in love. Gaddi Kumar belonged to the Golla community and the girl to the toddy tappers community. Her parents objected to the relationship and according to Kumar's parents, had warned Kumar a few days ago that they would kill him if he did not stop seeing the girl. His parents say the police ignored their plea that their son's life was in danger. In 2013 the police had booked a case against Kumar under the Criminal Law (amendment) Act, 2013, after the parents of the girl filed a missing person's complaint. The girl was a minor. Kumar was sent to jail a year ago. The parents and relatives of Kumar staged a rasta roko on the Warangal road on Tuesday demanding that the state government punish the persons behind the killing of Kumar. Traffic came to a halt on the main road with the rasta roko. Kumar's parents say their son and the girl were planning to get married after she turned 18. Police have registered a case of suspicious death, but some villagers allege that it was a revenge killing. They obstructed the police when they visited the village and pelted stones at the police vehicle and tried to attack sub inspector Satyanarayana. The situation was tense and additional police were deployed in the village to bring the situation under control. According to Congress sources, TJS president Prof. Kodandaram has no particular strong seat and the TRS will take special care to defeat him from wherever he contests. Hyderabad: The Congress, which is taking the upcoming Assembly polls very seriously, is keen to not lose even one seat due to selection of weak candidates. It is therefore trying to convince its allies, TJS president Prof. Kodandaram and Communist Party of India Telangana secretary, Chada Venkata Reddy, not to insist on standing for election as neither is a particularly strong candidate in any constituency, and instead to be made Members of the Legislative Council and be taken into the Cabinet if the alliance is voted to power. According to top sources, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has constituted a confidential committee with three members to deal with the the TJS and the CPI. In the seat adjustment, the Congress has no trouble with the Telugu Desam and the main hurdles are the TJS and the CPI. The TJS is asking for around 20 seats and the CPI is asking for eight seats. But the Congress and the TD feel that the TJS and the CPI have no strong leaders who have any chance of winning and seats allotted to them will only benefit the TRS. According to Congress sources, TJS president Prof. Kodandaram has no particular strong seat and the TRS will take special care to defeat him from wherever he contests. The Congress is therefore trying to convince him not to contest saying that they will make him an MLC. As an intellectual, Prof Kodandaram will be better suited for the Legislative Council, they said. The TPCC has also agreed to make him chairman of the Common Minimum Programme implementation committee. The TJS, however, is asking for the Malkajgiri seat for former MLC K. Dilip Kumar and one seat in Ranga Reddy district for TJS leader Panduranga Reddy. It wants more seats too. The Congress is also planning to give the TJS two seats Malkajgiri and another seat in Rangareddy district. Mr Chada Venkata Reddy is insisting on the Husnabad Assembly seat. According to a TPCC survey in Husnabad, former Congress MLA Praveen Reddy is a stronger candidate than Mr Chada Venkata Reddy. The Congress has proposed that Mr Chada Venkata Reddy shift to the Ramagu-ndam Assembly seat which will be safer for him. They have given the example of Telangana Telugu Desam president L. Ramana, whose home constituency is Jagtiyal represented by Congress senior leader T. Jeevan Reddy, so Mr Ramana agreed to shift to the Korutla constituency. The TPCC proposed Ramagundam as a better prospect for Mr Chada Venkata Reddy or become be an MLC. The TPCC wants to give only two or three seats to the CPI. Out of the total 119 seats, seven seats in the old city may go to the MIM. Of the remaining 112 seats, the TD will be given about 11 seats and the TJS and CPI, four or five. That leaves the Congress to contest 96 seats. TPCC sources said in two or three days seat adjustment among the Mahakutami allies will be finalised. Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy slammed caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao saying he was anti-Muslim. Uttam Kumar appealed to the Muslim community not to vote for the TRS in the next elections if they wished to defeat PM Narendra Modi. Voting for TRS is like voting for the BJP as Chandrasekhar Rao is an agent of Narendra Modi, he said. He was addressing a meeting at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday on the occasion of ex-TRS leader of Maha-bubnagar district, Mohammed Ibrahim, joining the Congress. Calling Mr Rao anti-Muslim, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the TRS government not only neglected the welfare of minorities, but damaged their cause wherever possible. He said K. Chandrasekhar Rao had openly cheated the Muslim community on the issue of 12 per cent Muslim reservation. Poor Muslims hoped for an increase in their quota in jobs and education to 12 per cent and voted for the TRS. But, Chandrasekhar Rao did nothing in all these years. No one in the history of independent India cheated Muslims in such a manner, he said. Uttam Kumar Reddy promised that the Congress if voted to power in the next elections, would introduce a sub-plan for minorities wherein funds would be allocated and spent proportionate to their population. He said, The previous Congress regime has introduced a sub-plan for SCs and STs. On similar lines, sub-plans would be introduced for Minorities and BCs in the next Congress government. The TPCC chief also slammed the TRS government for not appealing in the Supreme Court against the verdict of NIA court in the Mecca Masjid blast case. He also alleged that the truth behind the Alair encounter was not out even after four years. Lawlessness is known to take many shapes and forms in Bihar. The latest episode of an attack on a group of schoolgirls on their campus by boys and their family members as revenge for the girls protesting against sexual harassment goes beyond the ordinary. The retaliatory attack by boys from a neighbouring school who sneaked into their campus in Supaul district to write lewd slogans and were shooed out by the girls raises fundamental questions about law and order in the state if a mob can so brazenly take the law into its own hands. Caste issues are also suspected to be behind it, with the girls mostly from so-called lower castes suffering in the attack, with around 40 of them grievously injured from beatings with sticks, stones and rods and needing hospitalisation. The attackers slipped away long before the police came, and posting police guards later is like locking the stable door after the horse had bolted. This is the second episode recently involving minor girls, which only shows the Bihar administration had learnt nothing from the horrors of sustained sexual attacks and exploitation in a slave trade, even murder, of girls living in a state-funded shelter home in Muzzafarpur that shocked the nation just months ago. The brutal treatment and cynical manipulation of 34 girls at the home run by a politically influential person shocked the nations conscience. It also transpired that a monk had been harassing scores of students in Gaya. The pattern of rising crimes against women in Bihar is made clear by such incidents involving scores of hapless girls from poorer sections of society trying to make something of their lives by seeking education. The Opposition is not wrong in pointing out that the State was surrendering to criminal elements or was acting to protect them. The response from the State has to be far more noticeable, with the chief minister seen to be directing stringent action against such atrocities and violation of human rights. The name that Bihar and its chief minister may have earned for good administration, which was said to have been pathbreaking when compared to an earlier era, is under severe scrutiny now. Action should be taken to round up all the adults who had accompanied the boys on the rampage with sticks and stones. The police has so far arrested mostly minors, and unless the village is hauled up for this mob violence there will be too little to instil fear for the consequences of breaking the law. The standard bureaucratic response of strict action will be taken will not suffice any longer. Bihar is slipping back into a state of lawlessness, and these shocking events arent symptoms as much as the disease itself. B08 Once Buddha was camping in a forest with his five hundred monks. The monks were talking with each other discussing about what are the best outside paths for traveling, staying and collecting food. Their conversation revolved around which city is good to go for begging food, where generous people reside who give alms freely, which roads have big trees with huge shadows, and which places have beautiful facilities. When Buddha overheard this discussion, he was a little saddened, yet the sadness was rimmed with compassion. So he called them all for a discourse. Buddha asked them to focus on the inner path and not the outer path. He said, there are eight steps to strengthen their inner journey. Osho has elaborated on Buddhas maxims in his book The Dhammapada: The Way of the Buddha. It is very helpful to know these steps; they are like statutory warnings to erring meditators. In Buddhas vision samyaktva, rightness is immensely important in life. Whatever you do, strike a balance between extremes; follow the middle path for if you follow the middle path you will not go astray. Sounds easy but walking in the middle is no cakewalk, it is walking on the razors edge. Constantly balancing, not allowing yourself to be swept away by the storms of the mind, and regaining awareness. The eight steps are a right vision, right decision, right speech, right action, right exercise, right memory, right samadhi. The right vision means looking without a prejudiced mind or an ideology; having a straight encounter of life. If you acquire right vision you will have clarity and it will naturally lead you to the next step: the right decisions. For example, have you decided to meditate because you are frustrated, or you want to run away from your failures? If so, you will not last long on this path. Your mind will bounce back to your previous life. The third is right speech: Be very careful about what you say, and what your intentions behind it are. Just watch how much unnecessary talk you make and how it creates trouble for you. The fourth is right action: Neither overdo things nor be a lazy bum. The fifth is right action: It means earning exactly as much as is needed for your survival, neither more nor less. Do not let your greed consume your need. The sixth is right exercise: Remember that the body is a vehicle, keep it toned and tuned. The seventh is the right memory and the eighth is right samadhi: Right memory can help you drop the old baggage, the wounds hiding inside you long past their time. Drop them, so that you climb the eighth and the final step, samadhi, equilibrium. Once you reach here you will find that your inner journey is fulfilled. Now no more traveling, inside or outside. You have come back to yourself. B09 Aung San Suu Kyis silence over the plight of a million Rohingyas is globally deplored. There are calls to take back her Nobel Prize. A disappointed Canadian government has already stripped her of her honorary Canadian citizenship. The assumption is that the National League for Democracy leader dare not speak her mind lest the military in Myanmar deprive her of whatever authority she enjoys as State Counsellor, a position akin to that of a Prime Minister. Having reread Maurice Collis Trials in Burma, a book I enjoyed as a schoolboy, I can think of an even less flattering explanation. Like a true Burmese, Ms Suu Kyi probably doesnt disagree with her countrymens condemnation of the Rohingya. Collis spent 22 years in Burma as a perceptive and humane member of the Indian Civil Service, courageously risking both British wrath and Burmese anger. Describing the massacre of Indians on May 26, 1930, when he was the district magistrate of Rangoon, he says the Burmese proletariat rejoiced. They had shown the Indians their place Well, they had been taught a lesson! Short of violence to the Indians, these views were shared by upper class Burmans, the clerks, the officials, the graduates, and the landowners. Jumping to the present, perhaps also by the only Nobel laureate in Burma that is now Myanmar. One reason for her disinterest in the Rohingyas plight could be religious. Despite marrying an Englishman, Ms Suu Kyi remains a Buddhist. Although there are a handful of Hindus among them, the Rohingya are overwhelmingly Muslim. Ethnically, they are South Asians. Their demand for recognition as Myanmarese questions the countrys identity as a Mongolian, Buddhist Southeast Asian nation like Thailand or Cambodia. Significantly, Myanmar joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 1997 but has yet to respond to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperations standing invitation. Race and religion make a powerful brew. Erstwhile South Vietnam and Sri Lanka showed how fanatically Buddhist priests can fight for identity rooted in race and religion. Rohingyas are regarded as Indian, and Indians have been resented ever since the British conquered Myanmar, treated Arakan as part of the Bengal presidency, and made the entire country a province of India. All this must rankle with Ms Suu Kyi as with all Myanmarese. The officially sponsored pogroms against Rohingyas, which started in 1978, historically enjoy mob sanction. In return, the mob assumes official approval for its murderous frenzy. I didnt think that there was any objection to killing Indians, a young Burmese told Collis during the 1930 massacre. The government is against them. Adding that the Burmese believed the British were on their side, Collis admits that some British officers had no time for Indian settlers whom the Burmese regarded as little better than rats, which had swarmed into the country to the detriment of the working classes of the native population. At least 500 Indians were slaughtered, their homes were vandalised and looted, and 7,000 Indians fled for safety to Rangoons old lunatic asylum, where they cowered in terror in accommodation meant for just 500. Well might they fear for their lives, for Collis records how Indians had been hunted around the town like vermin and their women ripped up. Many factors accounted for the carnage. A lighter-skinned race felt superior to darker people. Resentment of the British conquerors was transferred to their Indian neighbours, especially since the British seemed to regard Indians as politically more advanced. Economic disparities rankled too. All Burmese from peasant to landowner nursed a grudge against Indians in Burma. Rickshaw-puller and barrister, scavenger and judge, shopkeeper and civil servant aroused equal anger. They were seen as troublesome economic refugees from impoverished South Asia. For all their pretensions to Arab and Mughal lineage, and claims to a 1,000-year history in Myanmar, the hapless Rohingya is heir to this bitter hostility. Ms Suu Kyi has suffered greatly for her people. She was under house arrest for 15 years. She has sacrificed married life. She lost touch with her children. But it happened fortuitously. She was visiting her ailing mother when Myanmar called. She responded to the peoples clamour for a representative government that recognised their rights. If anything, that identified her even more closely with the passions that move the masses. Myanmars stringent laws cater to these fundamentalist urges. Rohingyas are denied citizenship under the 1982 nationality law which, says Human Rights Watch, effectively deny to the Rohingya the possibility of acquiring a nationality. The community is not recognised as one of the countrys eight national indigenous races. Denied freedom of movement, they are excluded from state education and civil service jobs. Rohingya are viewed as illegal immigrants. That robs charges of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity of some of their moral force. An early episode highlighted Ms Suu Kyis populist pragmatism. U Nu, the democratically-elected former Prime Minister of Burma, suggested forming an interim government with other Opposition leaders. Rajiv Gandhi reportedly promised Indias support. Ms Suu Kyi categorically rejected the plan, saying the future of the Opposition would be decided by masses of the people. Her murdered father was a tough pragmatist who founded the Communist Party of Burma, served the British as premier of the Crown Colony of Burma, collaborated with the Japanese during the Second World War, and is revered as founder of the Tatmadaw (the armed forces) which still rules Myanmar today. His junior, Ne Win, Burmas dictator from 1962 to 1981 after a two-year stint as Prime Minister, always referred to her as my leaders daughter. Frail and delicate Aung San Suu Kyi might look, but she is her fathers daughter. She will do nothing to damage her inheritance or alienate the masses. B09 Google remains under pressure from lawmakers and regulators over its privacy practices in the United States, where it has acknowledged making mistakes in the past. (Representational image) Londons High Court on Monday blocked an attempt to bring legal action against Alphabet Incs Google over claims it had collected sensitive data from more than 4 million iPhone users although it said the companys actions had been "wrongful." The claimants had said Google had illegally accessed details of iPhone users internet browsing data by bypassing privacy settings on the Safari browser between June 2011 and February 2012. Richard Lloyd, a consumer activist who was behind the Google You Owe Us court challenge, had estimated that about 4.5 million people had been affected by the Safari Workaround and wanted the tech giant to pay out several hundred dollars in damages to each affected individual. Google had argued the mass case brought by Lloyd, the only named claimant, was not appropriate and should not proceed. There is no dispute that it is arguable that Googles alleged role in the collection, collation, and use of data obtained via the Safari Workaround was wrongful, and a breach of duty, the judge, Mark Warby, said in his ruling. However, he said the case brought by Lloyd did not support the contention that he and those he represented had suffered damage as specified by Britains Data Protection Act nor could the court allow such representative action to go ahead. In his ruling, he said the main beneficiaries of the claim would have been those who funded it and the lawyers. POSSIBLE APPEAL Lloyd said his group, to which 20,000 people had signed up to, would seek permission to appeal the decision. Todays judgment is extremely disappointing and effectively leaves millions of people without any practical way to seek redress and compensation when their personal data has been misused, he said in a statement. Googles business model is based on using personal data to target adverts to consumers and they must ask permission before using this data. The court accepted that people did not give permission in this case yet slammed the door shut on holding Google to account. A Google spokeswoman said: The privacy and security of users is extremely important to us. This claim is without merit, and were pleased the Court has dismissed it. Google remains under pressure from lawmakers and regulators over its privacy practices in the United States, where it has acknowledged making mistakes in the past. In 2012, it agreed to pay a then-record civil penalty of $22.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misrepresented to Apple Safari Internet browser users that it would not place tracking cookies or serve them targeted ads. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. \Solar Water Pumps Market\ Solar Water Pump is a device, which runs on the electricity generated by photovoltaic panels. Solar water pumps are not connected with the grid and result in very less emission compared to conventional pumps. Solar water pumps are increasingly used in regions where grid electricity is unavailable and alternative sources such as wind do not provide enough power for operations. Market Definition: Global solar water pumps market is growing pervasively mainly due to the Solar Water Initiative and the potential of solar water pumps in transforming lives and ways of working. Solar-powered water pumps offer so many possibilities for the development and humanitarian aid, from lighting to internet connectivity to the water provision. Augmenting demand for access to the clean and safe drinking water, globally, is escalating the market on the global platform. Regions, where solar power is abundantly available, are reducing their dependency on diesel fuel which proves to be an expensive option. And hence, these regions are investing hugely in the solarization of water supply infrastructure to bring drinking water supply sustainably. Global solar water pumps will reach exponential heights by 2023, registering a 5.6% cagr during the anticipated period (2017 2023). Market Scenario: Attributing to their wide-spread application areas, solar water pumps witness huge demand, and hence, its market is increasing rapidly. Additional factors supporting the market growth include; rapidly increasing population, industrialization, urbanization and most importantly, the depleting water reserves worldwide. Improving economic conditions are undoubtedly supporting the market growth, boosting the consumers purchasing power. Also, expansion of distribution channels is expected to provide impetus to the market growth during the forecast period. Get a Unique Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3980 On the other hand, in many countries awareness about the benefits of solar water pumps is still low which is expected to impede the market growth. As a result of increasing demand for sustainable water supply, additional funding is being secured which will enable the initiatives to expand the demand in the emerging regions, scaling up the market size. Global Solar Water Pumps Market Segments The MRFR analysis is segmented into three key dynamics for the convenience of understanding; By Products : DC Surface Suction, AC Submersible, DC Submersible, and AC Floating among others. By Applications : Agriculture and Drinking Water among others. By Region : North America, Europe, APAC and the Rest-of-the-World. Global Solar Water Pumps Market Regional Analysis Globally, the Asia Pacific region accounts for the leading market for the solar water pumps. Growing market in some of the APAC countries such as India, China, and Japan, driven by the increasing industrialization, contributes to the market growth majorly. The market is likely to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period, attributing to the burgeoning agriculture sector in the region. Furthermore, factors such as the rapid agriculture activities in countries such as China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan along with the reduced grid connectivity for agricultural activities foster the market for solar water pumps in the region. The North America market is estimated to increase at a significant pace during the assessment period. Moreover, sectors that are heavily reliant on water, such as pharmaceutical, food & beverages, and water treatment are fuelling the sales in the market. Europe region is another lucrative market for solar water pumps. The market in the region is growing mainly due to the flourishing food & beverage and water treatment sectors. The Middle East region is demonstrating enormous potential mainly due to the efforts from the countries in the region for reducing the dependency on their oil and gas market which provides opportunities to a flourishing water treatment market translating into demand for solar water pumps. Simultaneously, factors such as the increased demand for clean drinking water in countries such as Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, and Namibia in the African region, is providing impetus to the market growth, driving the demand for the solar pumps in the region. Also, the UN development programs to promote the use of solar energy in the region are fostering the market growth. Global Solar Water Pumps Market Competitive Analysis The market is highly competitive yet consolidated. Mergers & acquisitions, Innovation, brand reinforcement, and partnership remain the key trends for leading players. They strive to develop pumps that can reduce the downtime and maintenance with longer life lowering the total costs. Due to the expected extensions in product, service, and product innovations, the market is soon expected to witness a fierce competition. Key Players: Some of the eminent players leading the market include SunEdison, Inc. (US), Lorentz (Germany), CRI Pumps Pvt. Ltd (India), Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd. (India), Solar Power & Pump Co LLC (US), Shakti Solar Pumping System (India), Bright Solar Pvt. Ltd. (India), Wenling Jintai Pump Factory (China), American West Windmill and Solar Company (US), and Grundfos (Denmark). Industry/ Innovations/ Related News September 14, 2018 Patanjali Ayurved (India), one of the largest business empires, announced various plans to launch new solar street lights, solar hybrid inverter and solar water pumps. These plans were revealed during the launch of 60-megawatt solar panel plant, being established to achieve self-sufficiency for the brands energy demands. Access Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/solar-water-pumps-market-3980 Media Contact Company Name: Market Research Future Contact Person: Abhishek Sawant Email: Send Email Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Address:Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar City: Pune State: Maharashtra Country: India Website: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/solar-water-pumps-market-3980 The device will be available at a special price of Rs 6,499 during Flipkart's Big Billion Days Sale from 11th to 14th October 2018. iVOOMi has launched its first Notch Display smartphone the Z1. The smartphone is Flipkart exclusive and is originally priced at Rs 6,999. Notably, the device will be available at a special price of Rs 6,499 during Flipkart's Big Billion Days Sale from 11th to 14th October 2018. The smartphone features a 5.67-inch FullView HD+ display with a 19:9 aspect ratio. The device runs on Android 8.1 Oreo on top of SmartMe OS 3.0. It is powered by an octa-core MTK6739 chipset, clocked at 1.3GHz. It is backed by a 2800mAh battery. The company says that the operating system is power-packed and futuristic owing to the features and facilities it comes with. Furthermore, iVOOMi asserts that the AI-enabled Smart Battery Management System optimises the battery performance of the smartphone by analysing user behaviour to manage apps and background functions. The Z1 also offers face unlock feature and a rear fingerprint sensor for additional security. On the photography front, there is a 13MP rear Sony sensor with a 5P lens, assisted by a soft flash for low light photography. For selfies, there is a 5MP camera with 4P lens. The camera UI offer features such as Portrait mode, Time Lapse, Beauty mode, Face Cute, Bokeh mode, AI camera, Professional mode, HDR, and Panorama. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The company said in a blog on Monday it had discovered and patched the leak in March of this year and had no evidence of misuse of user data or that any developer was aware or had exploited the vulnerability. (Representational Image) Washington: Google will shut down the consumer version of its social network Google+ after announcing data from up to 500,000 users may have been exposed to external developers by a bug that was present for more than two years in its systems. The company said in a blog on Monday it had discovered and patched the leak in March of this year and had no evidence of misuse of user data or that any developer was aware or had exploited the vulnerability. Shares of its parent company Alphabet Inc, however, were down 1.5 per cent at USD 1150.75 in response to what was the latest in a run of privacy issues to hit the United States big tech companies. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Google had opted not to disclose the issue with its Application Program Interfaces (API) partly due to fears of regulatory scrutiny, citing unnamed sources and internal documents. Google said it had reviewed the issue, looking at the type of data involved, whether it could accurately identify the users to inform, whether there was any evidence of misuse, and whether there were any actions a developer or user could take. None of these thresholds were met in this instance, it said. We found no evidence that any developer was aware of this bug, or abusing the API, and we found no evidence that any Profile data was misused. Under the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), if personal data is breached, a company needs to inform a supervisory authority within 72 hours, unless the breach is unlikely to result in a risk to the rights and freedom of users. It seems like the downside risk of having a story that says they intentionally hid information about a major breach from users is bigger than the upside of avoiding scrutiny, said Geoffrey Parker, an engineering professor at Ivy League college Dartmouth. I wonder if there wasnt more depth to the internal debate. Regulatory Interest Google said a software glitch in the social site gave outside developers potential access to private Google+ profile data between a major redesign in 2015 and March 2018, when internal investigators discovered and fixed the issue. The affected data was limited to static, optional Google+ Profile fields including name, email address, occupation, gender and age. The WSJ report said that a memo, prepared by Googles legal and policy staff and shared with senior executives, warned that disclosing the incident would likely trigger immediate regulatory interest and invite comparisons to Facebooks leak of user information to data firm Cambridge Analytica. Allegations of the improper use of data for 87 million Facebook users by Cambridge Analytica, which was hired by President Trumps 2016 US election campaign, has hurt the shares of the worlds biggest social network and prompted multiple investigations in the United States and Europe. Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai was briefed on the plan not to notify users after an internal committee had reached that decision, according to the WSJ. Google came under criticism for refusing to send a top executive to a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Sept. 5 about efforts to counteract foreign influence in US elections and political discourse. I think Google does have a public relationship issue and this now makes their lack of openness even worse, Ivan Feinseth, an analyst at Tigress Financial Partners said. Facebooks chief operating officer and Twitters chief executive testified at the hearing, where an empty chair was pointedly left for Google after the committee rejected Googles top lawyer as a witness. It is the biggest project under the more-than USD 50 billion 'China Pakistan Economic Corridor' which India opposes as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. (Photo: AP | File) Beijing: China today played down reports of Pakistan's plans to cut down a railway project under the multi-billion dollar so-called 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' or 'CPEC' by USD 2 billion, saying Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan has assured his support to the various projects under China's flagship Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistan's Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid had recently announced plans to cut the USD 8.2 billion Karachi-Peshawar railway project by about USD 2 billion. It is the biggest project under the more-than USD 50 billion 'China Pakistan Economic Corridor' which India opposes as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. On Sunday, Imran Khan said Pakistan is reviewing the projects under the so-called 'CPEC' to safeguard the interest of the people in Balochistan. Khan in the past criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the lack of transparency and corruption in the 'CPEC' projects. He said that Balochistan had a number of reservations about the mega project. Asked about Pakistan's plans to cut down the railway projects over fears of accumulating debt, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media that the new Pakistan government has expressed its support for the 'CPEC' projects. "You have only noted some aspects of the report. Recently on the advancement of the CPEC, we have noted that there are different comments and reports coming from the media." "You can see that the new Pakistani government and Prime Minister (Imran Khan) has made it clear that they will support the advancement of the CPEC," Lu said. He was apparently referring to the assurances by the new government in Islamabad about the continuation of the so-called 'CPEC' projects during recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Pakistan. Lu said that the 'CPEC' served the economic and social development and referred to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report which he said "made it clear that the advancement of the CPEC did not cause any burden to Pakistan". "The IMF also said the CPEC from a long-term perspective will enhance Pakistan's capacity for the development," he claimed, adding that all the projects were conceived after extensive consultations with Pakistan. About the comments by some Pakistan officials to cut down the cost of the projects, he said: "We should view such comments in a comprehensive way. Actually, the advancement of the CPEC is conducive to the inter-connectivity and prosperity of the region including Pakistan". "We hope you can see that the CPEC is very important project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," Lu added. China had announced after the visit of Wang to Pakistan in September that the 'CPEC' projects will be extended to the western areas of Pakistan. It would also be extended to Balochistan. The so-called 'CPEC' is the flagship project of the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative, a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing China's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects. India has protested to China over the so-called 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor', which is being built through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which is part of India's northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir. If May secures a deal with the EU, she has to get the British parliament to approve it and would need the backing of about 320 lawmakers to get approval. (Photo: File) London: At least 40 lawmakers in Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party are willing to vote down her possible Brexit deal if it leaves the United Kingdom 'half in and half out' of the European Union, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday. "My estimate is that there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept a 'half in, half out' Chequers deal or indeed a backstop that leaves us in the internal market and the customs union," lawmaker Steve Baker told BBC radio. "Colleagues will not tolerate a half in, half out Brexit," said Baker, who served as a junior Brexit minister in May's government until he resigned in protest at her Brexit proposals. If May secures a deal with the EU, she has to get the British parliament to approve it and would need the backing of about 320 lawmakers to get approval. If 40 of her lawmakers voted against a possible deal, the fate of the government and exit process would depend on the opposition Labour Party, which has indicated it will vote against almost any deal May might secure. Under May's proposals, Britain will seek a free trade area for goods with the EU, largely by accepting a "common rulebook" for goods and British participation in EU agencies that provide authorisations for goods. Some Brexiteers say those proposals would ensure the EU kept control over swathes of the British economy and thus run counter to the spirit of her manifesto pledge to leave the EU Customs Union and the Single Market. "We are awaiting the detail of exactly what we are going to be asked for vote for. I don't doubt that every possible technique us going to be used to sow doubt in colleagues' minds and to encourage them to vote with the government," Baker said. "In the end the EU is not entitled to split the UK and it's not entitled to constrain how we regulate our economy and govern ourselves after we leave," he added. Without an approved deal, the UK would move from seamless trade with the rest of the European Union to customs arrangements set by the World Trade Organization for external states with no preferential deals. "If the UK faces either possibility then we must in the end be willing to say it's a bad deal, and no deal is better than a bad deal," Baker said. "We would need to be unafraid to go forward without an agreement." Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials have intensified the probe against two government servants who were raided last week and illegal assets seized from them. The ACB officials are contemplating referring the seizure of foreign currency at the house of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) engineer N G Gowdaiah to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). T R Swamy, Chief Development Officer at Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), who is the other accused who was raided, has been hospitalised for a heart ailment. ACB officials had found $4,000 during the searches at Gowdaiahs house in Basaveshwaranagar last Friday. A senior official said that according to rules, foreign currency will have to be surrendered after the foreign trip within a stipulated time. However, citizens can hold up to $2,000 for future use. In this case, we found $4,000. We are still contemplating handing over the matter along with the FIR to ED and the Income Tax department after taking the statement from the accused, the official said. Meanwhile, Gowdaiah appeared before the ACB officials on Tuesday for questioning. The police questioned him on the assets recovered from his house and from the premises belonging to his relatives. Sources said Gowdaiah was irritated on seeing the battery of media vehicles outside the ACB office. He accused ACB officials of passing on information about his visit to the ACB office. On the other hand, ACB officials searched the lockers belonging to Gowdaiah in various banks. However, it was found that the official had not been using the lockers for some time. However, a team of ACB officials that searched his office in the BDA found more property documents. These include three acres of land near Devanahalli in the name of Gowdaiahs mother, investment of up to Rs 60 lakh in a co-operative bank and two more flats, one in the name of his son and another in the name of his brother. Swamy hospitalised In response to the notice issued by the ACB to appear before the investigating officer, KIADB officer T R Swamys son appeared. He submitted a request letter stating that his father could not appear as he is hospitalised. We have written to the government recommending disciplinary action against both the officials. When a person is found with assets disproportionate to their known sources of income and if this is proven, such officials should be suspended, the official said. Passengers at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) could soon breeze through a Smart Security Lane with Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS), dramatically reducing wait time at the security checkpoints. Once this is introduced, men and women will no longer need to be security-screened at different locations, a first in India. The KIA's operator, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), has struck a deal with L3 Macdonald Humfrey (Automation) India Pvt Ltd, a UK-headquartered tech developer, to introduce the smart system. This agreement comes after a successful trial run in early 2017. The first phase will begin by the year-end, and the entire system will be in place by March 2019. The BIAL's decision to do away with gender-based segregation means families can stay together and will be screened together. "This new system will accelerate the process of human and carry-on luggage screening faster than the regular methods, thereby reducing waiting time and congestion, offering an easy and efficient travel experience for passengers," the BIAL said in a release. The other benefits listed by the BIAL are reduced queuing and stress, accelerated passenger throughput, a significant reduction in manual intervention and cutting down of major capital and operational costs. Once fully operational, the passenger screening capacity will increase by over 50%. "The smart lanes with ATRS will automatically return empty trays to the preparation area for passengers to place their bags and belongings, ending the hassle of looking for trays and also prevent empty trays from piling up." Besides, the automated rollers will enable trays to automatically move into the screening machine, without the need for passengers or staff to push their trays/ bags into the X-Ray machines. "We can now process more passengers in a secure and controlled environment, improving overall operational efficiency and enhancing safety and security," said the BIAL's Chief Operating Officer, Javed Malik. The first automated lanes will be installed in the domestic and international checkpoints by the end of 2018. "The existing manual lanes will be replaced in a phased manner to ensure minimal disruption to airport operations. The project is due for completion by March 2019." Mick Macdonald, president, Macdonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd, said: "Having installed similar solutions in many European, West Asian, North American and SEA airports, L3 Macdonald Humfrey has the expertise to implement this project at the Bengaluru airport." How does it work? Security screening officers will sit inside a secure central control room, fitted with a central screening system (Mach-Smart View Matrix System). They will remotely process the images from the Smart Security Lanes. Smart Lanes have 4/5 parallel divest stations where multiple passengers can get ready to be screened simultaneously. All trays can carry the maximum-allowed cabin-size baggage. Trays are RFID-tagged and tracked from start to end. Once passengers enter through the lanes, the trays will branch out into two lanes: One for security-cleared trays, easily accessed by passengers for a quick repack of their belongings. The second lane is for trays with 'rejected' baggage that has an item that the security staff will query about. Photo image and X-ray images of the tray are analysed. Possible threat items are marked on the touch screen by a screener in a remote screening room. The same images are available to the physical search officer to easily identify and remove items if required. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into cyclonic storm Titli and is moving towards the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast, the IMD said in a special bulletin Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a red alert in Odisha for Wednesday and Thursday, forecasting "heavy to very heavy rainfall" at several places and "extremely heavy rainfall" at isolated areas. The cyclone over the west central Bay of Bengal moved west-north westwards at a speed of 8 kmph during the past six hours and intensified into cyclonic storm Titli, it said. Titli lays centred at about 530 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 480 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, the IMD said. "It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours and move west-northwestwards for some more time, then north westwards, and cross Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh coasts between Gopalpur and Kalingapatnam around morning of October 11," Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, H R Biswas, told PTI. Thereafter, the system is very likely to re-curve northeastwards, move towards Gangetic West Bengal across coastal Odisha and weaken gradually, he said. Under its influence, heavy rainfall is likely at some places in south coastal Odisha's Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts from Wednesday. This apart, districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall Wednesday and Thursday, the IMD said. It also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall for Kandhamal, Boudh and Dhenkanal district from Thursday. The IMD said the rainfall would be accompanied by squally wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph and gusting to 60 kmph. It is very likely to commence along and off Odisha coast from tonight, it said. "The wind speed will gradually increase to 80-90 kmph and gusting to 100 kmph from Wednesday evening along and off south Odisha coast and 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph along and off north Odisha coast," the IMD bulletin said. The IMD said as the sea condition is likely to be rough over central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal in the next 24 hours, and very rough on Wednesday and Thursday, fishermen along the Odisha coast, and central and north Bay of Bengal have been advised not to venture into sea till Friday. In view of the adverse weather conditions, it has advised hoisting of distant cautionary signal number one at all ports of Odisha. The state government was also cautioned about possible floods in view of the heavy rainfall across the state. It also issued a storm surge warning, stating it will be about 0.5 metre high above the astronomical tide and is very likely to inundate low-lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda and Puri districts of Odisha and Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh during the time of landfall. Meanwhile, the state government has issued alert to all districts, particularly the districts of coastal region to face the ensuing situation. The district collectors have been asked to remain alert and make necessary arrangements to shift people living in low lying areas, officials said. Deputy Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra informed that around 300 motor boats have been arranged to assist in rescue operation as there is likelihood of flood situation due to possibility of heavy rains till october 11. All the 879 cyclone and flood shelters have also been kept in a state of preparedness, he said. Opposition to the bypolls for the three vacant Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka is growing, with Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar being the latest to question the rationale behind the Election Commissions decision. The Election Commission has announced bypolls for the Ballari, Shivamogga and Mandya seats, on November 3. These seats will have a term which won't last beyond six months. We have seen Andhra Pradesh where MPs resigned. Three MPs from Karnataka also resigned. But why is the law different for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka? We are neighbouring states. The Election Commission and the Central government should tell us, Shivakumar told reporters here, when asked if the Congress would even contest the bypolls-- given the short tenure these seats have. Shivakumar was referring to the resignation of five YSR Congress MPs in June this year. Former minister Kimmane Rathnakar has also shot off a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, demanding withdrawal of the bypoll notification, failing which he would move court. You are aware that there are eight other Parliamentary byelections in India, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha etc. The Parliamentary seats will not survive even for four months in Karnataka. I do not find reasonable grounds not to conduct byelection in other four states and to conduct byelections only in Karnataka, Rathnakar wrote, terming the Election Commissions decision as suspicious, doubtful...waste of money, energy, labour... The bypolls seem to have taken the Congress by surprise, with both Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah calling it unexpected and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao calling it unnecessary. On Monday, Congress legislator K Sudhakar (Chikkaballapur) urged the Congress-JD(S) coalition to boycott the bypolls as a mark of protest against the Election Commissions decision. What a waste of exchequer money and dance of democracy? Sudhakar tweeted. Key Operating Metrics - August 2018 ------------------------------------------------------------ August 2018 Change on PCP ------------------------------------------------------------ Managed Loan Settlements (During August) $84m +435% Aggregation Loan Settlements (During August) $1.15b +16% Total Loan Writers (At end of month) 1,475 +21% ------------------------------------------------------------ Perth, Oct 9, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Goldfields Money Limited ( ASX:GMY ) ("Goldfields Money" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following trading update for the month ended 31 August 2018.Managed loan settlements, aggregation settlements and recruitment of loan writers are key operating metrics as they drive both transactional and recurring revenue streams. Recurring revenues are made up from interest, trailing commissions, management fees, transactional fees on trailing commissions, platform fees, compliance fees and software as a service subscription fees.Due to the time it takes to aggregate the data the timing of each monthly report will be approximately 5 weeks from month end i.e. September 2018 metrics will be released around the end of the first week of November 2018. As previously noted the Company intends to provide this information on a monthly basis for the first half of FY19.Trading Update August 2018The month ended 31 August 2018 showed continued strong performance for both Goldfields Money and Finsure with increases across all key operating metrics including managed loans settlements, aggregation settlements and recruitment of loan writers:About Goldfields Money Ltd Goldfields Money (ASX:GMY) is Australia's new revolutionary digital bank, distributing first class products through a largely branchless distribution network. A bank without the bank. This digital banking platform is built on the recently implemented mobile first, world class core banking system provided by Temenos and our proprietary mortgage distribution software "Loankit". Goldfields is ASX listed (ASX:GMY) with two key divisions: Banking (operates under "Goldfields Money" and "Better Choice" brands) - an APRA regulated bank that offers deposit and loan products that are funded either on-balance sheet or off-balance sheet through a range of third party lenders. Our deposits are all guaranteed by the Australian Government Deposit Guarantee for up to $250,000 per customer. We are the new approach to banking in Australia, we're honest, with transparent bank practices and a straightforward approach to you and your money. It's all yours, honestly. Mortgage Aggregation (operates under "Finsure" and "Loankit" brands) - an ASIC regulated mortgage aggregation and software technology platform with over 1,475 loan writers as of 31 August 2018. Finsure puts brokers first and is a leader in the market in offering a diverse lending panel, flexible commission models, training, lead generation, proprietary SaaS and mortgage broker support services. Finsure was also recently named Aggregator of the Year for 2017 at the Australian Mortgage Awards. You can read more about us at www.goldfieldsmoney.com.au and www.finsure.com.au. UPPER DARBY Just over six months after a student threatened to shoot up the campus, Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School on Monday morning acted like it was a reality. Swarms of police cars and county emergency responders surrounded the school as students stayed locked down in their classrooms as part of two training exercises that were being played out to allow the Active Shooter Rescue Task Force to practice their plans if a shooting, like in a school, ever occurred. This task force is one that more quickly attends to injured victims and to eliminate the time it may otherwise take to start caring for their injuries after a mass shooting in a public place. For about six months weve been planning on an operational exercise after some classroom training to try and refine our rescue task force concepts, said Upper Darby Police Capt. Tom Johnson. This exercise today was the practical application of some theory that weve been working on to try and identify the seriously injured folks that are generated from one of these hostile event incidents, to make sure we prioritize resources so we can identify the wounded, rescue them, evacuate them and cut down their time to doctors and surgeons as much as we can. With help from a number of law enforcement agencies, fire departments and county services, Johnson was able to coordinate and record two exercises at the school to see how emergency personnel handles identifying victims and rescuing them. This is the training exercise established by Johnson to incorporate supporting victim rescue into the normal process of locating the shooter, securing the building and securing the students. Its an equal set of priorities started in 2014, and there is now enough info and buy in from all disciplines to get us to this point today, said Johnson about the task force. A task force team is consisted of one medical provider, three or four firefighters and two escort police officers. For the exercises, students from the Delaware County Community College theater program portrayed a number of victims who told police and fire crews what their injuries were as they laid out in the hallways to simulate a tragic scene. Some of the actors reporting severe injuries were carried out on soft stretchers and backboards. Police officers navigated hallways checking on victims and establishing that the scene was secure. Mondays practice scenarios provided an extra bit of training that the first responders did not get in their respective trainings for their professions. We got a lot of chances to observe a lot of behaviors from responders, said Johnson. We saw the instincts of the police officers of what theyve been trained to do and, now, what were trying to do. Same with the firefighters, paramedics. Johnson added that firefighters and paramedics who are part of the rescue task force are now being asked to be more included and more integrated into the scene than keeping their distance as theyre used to. In this particular scenario there isnt enough time to sterilize the scene for them to start coming in to take care of people because the life-threatening injuries evolve too quickly, he said. Its much sooner than theyre (firefighters and paramedics) used to doing it and that goes against their core training, and it goes against our training of bringing people that arent able to defend themselves into tense circumstances before we would like them to be there. It was no coincidence that Bonner & Prendie hosted this exercise after Taiwanese foreign exchange student An-Tso Sun said he was joking back in March to shoot up the school located in Drexel Hill. He was arrested for the threat and pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession of ammunition. Bonner & Prendie President John Cooke said the school has been working with Johnson since then to make sure that the schools own security policies and plans were acceptable for such an event. We have a great partnership with the Upper Darby Police Department and I think it was really important for us to continue that partnership through this program today, said Cooke. Weve had our share of moments here at B-P, but to go through the process of a lockdown and hearing everything I think is very impactful for our students to make sure they feel safe and secure. When asked how it feels to be an administrator of a school at a time when school shootings have become more prevalent, Cooke said it is a sad time. Its unfortunate that its a reality, he said. After the threat made by Sun, Cooke said the community responded well to that potentially horrific event, and, in most situations when this happens anywhere it makes you stronger. Johnson said he hopes he never has to enforce the task force plans. Were all getting used to a new dynamic. Were locking in the training now and were going to keep practicing. American high school students from 48 states, Washington D.C., Guam, and the United Arab Emirates sent 1,989 essays into the 2018 Profiles in Courage High School Essay contests at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. In 1995, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy asked me to serve as a founding judge in this essay contest. In 24 years, it has grown from the six states of New England with a $2,000 first-place scholarship to an international contest with a $10,000 one. This spring, history happened. Jeffrey Seaman of Short Hills, N.J., became the awardee, its first home-schooled student top winner. Seamans winning essay takes us to the summer of 1920 and the Tennessee state Legislature engaged in voting on the ratification of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. Would Tennessee be forever known as the 36th state needed to ratify, the last and decisive one? Republican state Rep. Harry T. Burn had voted earlier in the day to table the vote, but that motion did not pass. Seaman writes, On one side stood his political prospects, on the other stood what he knew was right. Defying popular sentiment among his constituents and political pressure from local political leaders, Burn followed the advice of his mother, college-educated and civic minded Febb Burn, who had urged him to approve the amendment. As Seaman describes in the essay, Burn endured intense harassment as a result of his courageous vote, but managed to win his seat in the next election. Today, our commonwealths federal delegation has no women. This shameful fact will become history on Nov. 6, thanks to the seven (Democratic) Pennsylvania women running for the Congress, writes Democratic Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. As an Archbishop Prendergast High School junior in 1980, Congressman Robert W. Edgar asked me as a school newspaper editor to join his Congressional Womens Advisory Council. Bob and Cliff Wilson, then Delco Dems Party Chair who served in the New York House with Geraldine Ferraro, brought her as Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate to the county campaign trail. Bob and Geraldine worked in a Congress based on serving constituents by doing excellent constituent service in the district and showing respectful regard to the opposition during negotiations to arrive at compromises with legislation. Reading Profiles in Courage at school that year, I absorbed the early lesson: we can all make a difference and we all should try. Like Jeffrey Seamans talent, John Kennedy held to a standard of consistent use of reading and writing his own speeches with his aide, Theodore Sorensen of Nebraska, delivering wit with the press along with thorough, respectful, relevant answers, developing carefully worded ideas in conversations with diverse constituents groups on the campaign trail while listening to problems to find solutions in tough places like West Virginia, where he took on the Catholic stigma straight on with clever, warm use of laughter about himself and his opponents to build trust, likeability, and a knowing of himself to the voters. President Kennedys legacy is intertwined with the work of his entire family in public service. It encourages our candidates in their campaigns to lay the groundwork to then govern the same way. During the primary season in Pennsylvania Primary 2018, Democratic voters in the new Pa. 5th District consistently told our door-knocking student interns that they want transparent, democratic, meritocratic, and open election processes. Our county vote counts showed it with four, first-time federal office candidates, favored at the final Democratic ballot count. Digitally, the story of the source of the Democratic turnout in Pa. 5 illustrates a colorful, fresh rainbow: Scanlon (28.3%); Lukenheimer (15.3%); Lazer (15.1%); Vitali (9.3%); Li(7%); Wright (5.2%); Kirkland (4%); Davidson (4%); and Arata (1.5%). On the other hand, statewide voter turnout counts for both parties Primary voters highlighted low numbers. This August, I stood in line at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, a magical gathering space where with bi-partisan member support, I gather experts throughout the world yearly to listen to each other across the disciplines of medicine, science, technology and business to brief the Congress on progress in innovation on brain disease and vice versa. That Friday, I received texts condolences from colleagues around the world consoling me about Sen. John McCains death. I cherished then and now the vivid memory of Ted Kennedy and John McCain warmly sharing the stage in May 1997 at the presidential library for the awarding of Profiles in Courage to this brave veteran. Their laughter remains but so do their example of friendship, mutual respect, passionate leadership, dedicated public service, and good listening skills. Democrat Mary Scanlon and Republican Pearl Kim could follow their example as Pa. 5 voters face the choice between two first-time federal office candidates. It only took 38 years to see it happen. We must do our part in each party return to this tradition of public service in a digital age of global connection. SALT LAKE CITY "Listen up everybody if you wanna take a chance." The 1990s boy band New Kids on the Block is coming to Salt Lake City, and that chance you might want to take? Pay up to see if the guys still sound and move like they used to. The group is bringing its "The Mixtape Tour" to Vivint Arena on June 6, 2019. We know that so many of you around the world are waiting for us to return to your city. We are planning and plotting and hope to make it to you soon, the band said in a press release. Although New Kids started in the early 1980s, it didn't find worldwide success until the late '80s and early '90s. Almost all of the orignal New Kids will be on this tour: Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Danny Wood, Jonathan Knight and Joey McIntyre. McIntyre replaced Donnie Wahlberg's brother Mark Wahlberg in 1985, after Mark Wahlberg left the group to pursue acting and modeling. Hip hop trio Salt-N-Pepa, '80s pop stars Tiffany and Debbie Gibson and hip hop group Naughty by Nature are joining New Kids on The Mixtape Tour. The fan club presale for the Salt Lake City show will begin Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. VIP packages can be bought Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. Tickets for the public go on sale beginning Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. New Kids also announced new music to go along with its tour. They released the new song 80s Baby Monday to coincide with the tour announcement. The band is best known for hits such as Ill Be Loving You, Hangin' Tough," "Step By Step," "Please Dont Go Girl and You Got it. SALT LAKE CITY Tamu Smith recalls one rainy day when she and a few others producing the new film, "Jane and Emma," took a break and drove to the Salt Lake Cemetery to visit the grave of Jane Manning James. "We were going through a hard time on set. There were tears. It was a mess," Smith said. "We spent time together. We certainly felt the spirit of Jane that day." For Smith and several other women collaborating behind the scenes on a film over a two-year period, the project was challenging and at times intense. The fictional story with an independent budget is based on real lives and touches on racial tension and polygamy in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Along the way, these female filmmakers, producers and writers found inspiration and strength in learning about the film's main characters: James, one of the most documented early black converts who lived with the Latter-day Saint prophet Joseph Smith's family; and Emma Smith, Joseph's wife, the first Relief Society President. The two women with vastly different backgrounds became dear friends. "Jane and Emma" opens in theaters Oct. 12. Working on the film, which features the two women's relationship and the night after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, was a life-changing experience for director Chantelle Squires. "From a standpoint of trying to figure out how to tell the story and understand it," Squires said. "There's a lot of important truths in this film. In order for me to get to an honest and open place about how to tell the story, I had to do a lot of hard work. I changed as a person through that process." Executive producers Madeline Jorgensen and Jenn Lee Smith, along with producers Zandra Vranes and Smith and screenwriter Melissa Leilani Larson, were instrumental in that process. Larson and others collaborated on the script for two years and revised as many as 20 drafts, she said. "One of the saddest things about some independent films is that they don't take time with the script. They don't take the time to make sure the story is in a good place. Actors are awesome, but they can only do so well with what you give them. A lot of the writing process is re-writing," said Larson, who has a background in theater and writing plays. "I think the final product is pretty great. It's been worth it. They say that it has to be hard for it to be good." During the process, these women, some of whom are mothers, often spoke by phone and made business decisions after their children went to bed and while juggling various responsibilities, including day jobs. It's never been easy for women in filmmaking, Jorgensen said. "As a woman in the film world, you have to go above and beyond. You have to earn respect every time," Jorgensen said. "But just being around women that understood and telling a story about women has been so creatively, emotionally and intellectually fulfilling for me. We created something that celebrates diversity and celebrates learning to love those differences." Amid the circumstances of life, differing opinions and personalities, some of the women found confidence and hope in James' never-quit, always-faithful example. More people need to know her story, they agreed. "There have been many times in the last two years when I said, 'If Jane can do it, I can do it,'" Squires said. "To me she's the strongest woman of faith. I think we can all learn a lot from her." Tamu Smith, a Latter-day Saint convert, first learned about James as a student at Ricks College at a time when she felt so alone she wondered if she was the only black member of the church. She was fascinated to find out there were African-American pioneers long before the 1978 revelation on the priesthood. Over the last 10-15 years, she has often played James in the stage play, "I Am Jane." "What kept me going through the rough patches? The spirit of Jane kept me going," said Tamu Smith, who partners with Vranes to make up the Sistas in Zion. "I immediately identified with her. She is kinship to me." All the women acknowledged gaining a greater appreciation for Emma Smith. But before working on this project, Jorgensen knew very little about James. "She is one of the most tenacious, kind and interesting individuals I have ever studied in history," Jorgensen said. As an Asian-American growing up in Utah, Jenn Lee Smith wished she would have known more about James and other black pioneers. "I think it would have helped me a lot growing up," Jenn Lee Smith said. The film says a lot about women standing together in hard times, balancing faith with an honest, gritty portrayal of Latter-day Saint life in the 1840s, Jenn Lee Smith said. "The whole time we were filming, we're wondering will people feel uncomfortable?" Smith said. "I think audiences have a newfound respect for covering reality. ... In the last eight years or so, the church has become more comfortable with its own history, which is important. Any organization is going to have its ups and downs, just as any individual will. I think that helps us feel closer to one another, knowing that none of us are perfect." Contrary to what some men might think, the film is not a chick flick. Rather it's the kind of movie that will keep you pondering for several days, Tamu Smith said. One key scene in the film is when James' family arrives at the Smith's Nauvoo Mansion House after walking about 800 miles from Connecticut. They knock on the door and Emma Smith invites them in. Consider the gravity of that act, Tamu Smith said. "It's 1843. Jane was born free but didn't have any free papers. In Illinois, she could be arrested and forced into slavery. It was your word against a white person's word. In a white world, black people are never invited in to sit and discuss how your day is going because they didn't care. You were there to serve them. Yet Emma invites them in, they probably look and smell like a hot mess, but they make room for them to sit, give them food and ask them to talk about their journey. Joseph tells them they are among friends and they will be protected," Tamu Smith said. "We act like it was a casual thing, but that just didn't happen. That had never happened to them before, I guarantee it." The scene demonstrates true friendship and humanity between James and Emma Smith, along with a message of greater interracial friendship and tolerance for society today, the women agreed. Vranes believes "Jane and Emma" will serve to get people thinking and talking. "I dont think were setting out to solve anybodys issues. What were doing is opening a conversation," Vranes said. "Were saying lets have this conversation and lets use the gospel as our guide. Hopefully people accept that invitation. Hopefully the movie will be a part of starting that much-needed conversation." Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Custom Fleet Signs Agreement with DriveMyCar Sydney, Oct 9, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Collaborate Corporation Limited ( ASX:CL8 ) (Collaborate or the Company) is pleased to announce that Custom Fleet has signed an agreement for the supply of vehicles to the DriveMyCar marketplace. Custom Fleet is Australia and New Zealand's premier fleet management organisation with over 2,400 customers in metropolitan and regional Australia.Custom Fleet will provide vehicles in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for collection from central locations. Additionally, vehicles are intended to be available for pick up from DriveMyCar's locations at Sydney and Melbourne airports. This new supply channel of quality vehicles will be available to private renters, business customers and Uber drivers.The initial launch will be in October in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane featuring thirty Subaru Forester vehicles with the potential for more vehicles and more locations to be added as demand increases.Collaborate CEO, Chris Noone commented "We are very pleased to commence working with Custom Fleet to provide our customers with a large fleet of quality vehicles in key locations as we gear up for increased demand in the warmer months".Michael Ortolan, Chief Risk Officer for Custom Fleet said "Custom Fleet is looking forward to developing a mutually beneficial relationship with DriveMyCar to broaden our fleet's utilisation. We believe DriveMyCar have forged a niche in the peer to peer rental space and we expect the partnership to grow".About Collaborate Corporation Ltd Collaborate Corporation Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:CL8). It is Australia's leading listed company focused on 'collaborative consumption', 'peer-to-peer' or 'sharing economy' businesses. Collaborate currently has three core business segments: www.DriveMyCar.com.au Australia's leading peer-to-peer car rental business; www.MyCaravan.com.au Australia's leading peer-to-peer caravan rental business; and www.Mobilise.com an online hire marketplace to unlock the enormous potential of under-utilised assets. Through our proprietary trust and reputation platform, www.peerpass.com.au we create 'trust' between individuals and make it possible for people to safely transact with each other in the sharing economy. PROVO Sam Brownback is a diplomat, chosen by the Trump administration to travel the world promoting religious freedom. But he sometimes describes himself as a salesman, and he thinks he's got a great deal for global leaders. If they'll agree to strengthen religious freedom protections in their countries, to defend the rights of people of faith and no faith, he can promise a safer, more prosperous future, as well as more schools, hospitals and acts of service. "I sound like one of those $19.95 commercials," he told attendees at this week's International Law and Religion Symposium at Brigham Young University. "On top of that, we'll also give you less terrorism and more economic growth." Brownback, who was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom on Feb. 1, needs more policymakers to take him up on this offer. Around the world, it's becoming more difficult to stay true to your beliefs. "How are we doing in the world on religious freedom? Unfortunately, I think my answer is I don't think we're doing very good," he said during his keynote address on Monday afternoon. Brownback described government interference with personal faith in China, where Muslims and Christians are closely monitored and some houses of worship have been shuttered. He mentioned the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar and the imprisonment of an American pastor in Turkey. He recounted traveling through northern Iraq and seeing piles of rock that used to be churches. "This is just a bit of whats taking place in the world today," he said, citing a Pew Research Center survey that found nearly 8 in 10 people worldwide are affected by religion-related government restrictions or social hostilities. It's a daunting situation, and Brownback's work sometimes amounts to just "triage," he said. He travels to the places with the most pressing needs or to the leaders who want to work with him and then he offers his sales pitch. "More religious freedom leads to more freedoms" in general, and a "better and growing country and society," he told the crowd at BYU. Brownback, who served as governor of Kansas from 2011 until this year, helped create his current job 20 years ago, while serving in the Senate. He was a co-sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which mandated the ambassador-at-large position and an annual report on international religious freedom violations. "A number of us in Congress didnt think the State Department was taking matters of religious freedom or really taking faith seriously enough in foreign policy," he said. Although the act received bipartisan support, many political and religious leaders have questioned its value over the past two decades. People worry about the optics of U.S. policymakers interfering with faith communities in other countries and wonder if issuing reports and statements leads to meaningful change. "Generally, the effectiveness of this (ambassador) position has been marginal in the sense that what it's been reduced to is naming and shaming," said Sean Casey, who previously served as the director of the State Department's Office of Religion and Global Affairs, to the Desert News last year. "There's not a lot of evidence that a foot stomp and annual report has any diplomatic impact at all." Brownback, who is the fifth person to hold his post, believes U.S. activism around religious freedom does matter. "Religious freedom is foundational in the United States," he said. "We're going to fight for it." In July, Brownback, with the support of the Trump administration, helped host a first-of-its-kind ministerial on religious freedom, which brought together representatives from 84 different countries. The event brought attention to survivors of religious persecution, as well as the communities that still suffer, and paved the way to stronger global partnerships. Over the past three months, Brownback has been traveling to continue the conversations that started at the ministerial, encouraging other countries to host their own regional meetings on religious freedom, he told symposium participants. The State Department plans to host an international gathering again next year. "I think, long term, what's really going to have an impact are these ministerials," said Cole Durham Jr., director of BYU's Center for Law and Religion Studies. "They're bringing together people focused on religious freedom from a lot of different countries." To end religion-related violence around the world, everyone needs to commit to doing what they can to help, Brownback said. He noted that college students can host discussions on religious freedom and faith communities can choose a country or crisis to study and discuss. "It takes not only the government" to protect religious freedom, he said. "It takes civil society. It takes the faith community. It takes the legal community. It takes all of us pulling together to really push this fundamental freedom forward." SALT LAKE CITY Someone might need to remind Rep. Rob Bishop that he's running for re-election. Asked Monday how his campaign in the 1st Congressional District is going, the eight-term Republican said he didn't know. "Those of you who know me, realize I'm a horrible candidate," he told the Deseret News and KSL editorial boards. "I'm probably the most optimistic pessimist you've ever met, so I always think everything is bad. I have no idea." The often sarcastic congressman said he can't afford polling and relies on the media for that. At least one survey shows he doesn't have much to worry about. A UtahPolicy.com poll in September showed him comfortably ahead of Democrat Lee Castillo 58 percent to 22 percent, with United Utah Party candidate Eric Eliason pulling 8 percent and the Green Party's Adam Davis 3 percent. Another 8 percent were undecided. Campaigning for Bishop, 67, is typically a low-key affair because no one has seriously challenged him during his tenure. If he wins this year, his ninth term would be his last. He said he isn't running in 2020, fueling speculation about his future. A former Utah House speaker, his name has come up as a possible candidate for governor. "You'll have to ask me that question in December," he said. So, he's not ruling it out? "It's appropriate for you to say that," he said. So, that's not a no? "Not yet," Bishop said. First things first. He still has a congressional race to run. Asked if he has seen much of Bishop in the campaign so far, Castillo said "not at all. He is disconnected." Castillo said he invited Bishop to a meet-and-greet with voters so "we could begin to build bridges across party lines," but hasn't heard back. "He hasn't been out talking to people and we have," Castillo said. "He's lost touch with the people he's supposed to represent." Conversely, Eliason said he's heard from longtime observers that Bishop is out and about more in this race than he has been in the past, doing town hall meetings and going to county fairs. "He should have this one easily, but it's a unique challenge. He's run against a Democrat year after year after year and now has a moderate (opponent) and no one really knows how that works out," Eliason said, referring to himself as the moderate. Bishop said his district remains conservative and that people want the things he is pushing for and to be empowered to make decisions for themselves. Bishop, Castillo and Eliason will meet next week in a Utah Debate Commission debate at Utah State University. Davis didn't poll high enough to qualify under the commission's rules. Public lands issues remain at the top of Bishop's agenda, specifically fighting for access and more local control. Bishop said he wants to push through his bipartisan bill to fund $12.7 billion in backlogged National Parks Service maintenance, including $266 million in Utah. The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act would use royalties from energy development on public lands to repair or replace deteriorating roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, restrooms and historic buildings. Both Eliason and Castillo said Bishop has had 16 years, including the past three as House Natural Resources Committee chairman, to come up with a solution for national park maintenance, but is addressing it only six weeks before the election. "It's posturing," Eliason said. Castillo said it should never have come to a backlog issue. SALT LAKE CITY In early 2012, Kat Martinez's infant son had a bad case of a respiratory illness called RSV. Martinez and her family had no health insurance, so she put off a visit to the doctor in the hopes of remedying her son's illness at home, but the infant's condition worsened. "I remember sitting in the bathroom with the shower going, trying to get the humidity going ... and thinking, 'I can't afford to take you to the hospital. Like, I don't know if I can pay rent if I take you to the hospital. But can you make it through the night if I don't?'" Martinez recalls. Martinez's son was ill enough that she felt she couldn't take any chances, so she brought him to an emergency room, where he stayed overnight. "We eventually got the thousands of dollars of medical bills that would eat at every extra penny for the next few years to pay off," the Murray woman said. "But just to have to make that decision at all is just so overwhelming." Martinez shared her story Monday with Utah health care advocates, making her case for passing Proposition 3's Medicaid expansion plan next month in order to make roughly 150,000 more Utahns eligible for the federal health insurance program. At Monday's roundtable forum in Salt Lake City, hosted by Modern Medicaid Alliance, a national health care policy group, patients and advocates shared their views of recent changes to Medicaid in Utah, and what they would like to see from the program in the near future. Public health experts with the Salt Lake County health and human services departments also shared input. Targeted expansion Adam Cohen, CEO of the Odyssey House addiction treatment center, praised the targeted Medicaid expansion that went into effect in Utah late last year, designed to serve 4,000 to 6,000 of the state's very poorest and improve their access to behavioral health services. For low-income Utahns seeking treatment at Odyssey House, that Medicaid innovation has drastically reduced their wait time as the number of beds available has increased, Cohen said. Before, a person's wait "would have been anywhere from 8 to 12 months," but now, a person applying can sometimes find an open slot at Odyssey House right away, Cohen said. In behavioral health, helping a person find treatment as soon as possible after they decide to seek it can make all the difference, Cohen said. "Peoples motivation waxes and wanes, and it mostly wanes, so when you can capture somebody in the moment, and when they say they want to get treatment, you better grab them now," he said. Odyssey House client Cedric Willis was referred to behavioral health treatment as part of Operation Rio Grande a multi-agency effort to root out crime and drug use near the homeless shelter in downtown Salt Lake City-. Willis, who was homeless for about six months, said he personally met others who were waiting up to seven months to get treatment at Odyssey House. But when he was referred, he didn't have that wait, he said, "so I took advantage of that." Thanks in large part to that treatment, Willis now has his own apartment "a comfort you just cannot describe" and a steady job. He plans to transition to an employer-sponsored health plan soon. Now, he said, "I don't have to worry about having to go in to the hospital without (any) coverage." Proposition 3 Danny Harris, executive director of AARP in Utah, said the success of the targeted expansion shows that Utah has "seen tremendous results within each one of those categories" currently eligible for Medicaid. "But Im also sympathetic to the tens of thousands of other Utahns who dont fit into a category, and because they dont fit in a category in Medicaid, they simply dont qualify for any of the benefits," Harris said. Any Utahn who earns income at 138 percent or less of the federal poverty level would be made eligible for Medicaid by Proposition 3, regardless of any other currently required qualifiers an extension of coverage known as full expansion. The measure would raise the state sale tax from 4.7 percent to 4.85 percent, which the Proposition 3 campaign, Utah Decides Healthcare, estimates would bring in $91 million and unlock $800 million in matching federal Medicaid funds. Supporters of Proposition 3 say fully expanding Medicaid is critically important for the health care access of approximately 150,000 Utahns who fall in a "coverage gap" in which they earn too much income to be eligible for the federal program, but too little to qualify for essential cost-saving subsidies on plans sold on the federal health exchange or to afford employer-sponsored coverage. Martinez says that her family "fell in that gap" for "several years." When her family has avoided that gap, "we were really able to be self-reliant and start building that nest egg," she said. "It's a huge difference." State lawmakers opposed to full Medicaid expansion have warned it could overwhelm the state budget if federal matching rates decline, and have defeated it multiple times in recent years. But this year, state legislators passed their most extensive form ever of Medicaid expansion, agreeing to offer eligibility to all Utahns at 100 percent or less of the federal poverty level. It must pass a thorough federal approval process. Legislators who voted for it have said it would carry significantly fewer concerns about the effect on the state budget compared to Proposition 3, and would make between 70,000 and 90,000 Utahns newly eligible. SALT LAKE CITY Utah residents planning to vote have reached one deadline to register. Oct. 9 marks the final day to fill out a paper registration form and mail it to your county clerk, according to the Utah elections website. The form must be postmarked by Oct. 9 in order to be valid. Residents can still register online by Oct. 30, 2018, with a current driver's license or ID. Utah was ranked 39th in the national for voter turnout in the 2016 election. While we may be the home of funeral potatoes, let's not have a funeral for democracy. Register to vote today. pic.twitter.com/8PENwTsiM9 Vote Utah (@ElectionsUtah) October 9, 2018 You can still register at your county clerks office in person by Oct. 30. You can find more information here. If youre looking for information in other states, The New York Times has a listof each states final deadlines for registering to vote. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Division on Wildlife Resources is asking for help in fighting poaching. According to Trevor Doman, conservation officer with the division in northern Utah, wildlife violations can happen any time of the year, but a spike typically occurs during the fall hunting seasons. And although division officers patrol huge swaths of land in Utah, they can't be everywhere. That's where the public comes in. "We need your help," Doman said in a statement. "Please keep your eyes and ears open, and report suspicious activity to us. Working together, we can keep wildlife in Utah safe." If you witness a possible violation, Doman said the most important thing to do is get a license plate number. "Having a license plate number will lead us to the individual so we can interview the person and start investigating," Doman said. If it isnt possible to get a license plate number, try to note the type and color of the vehicle, how many people were involved and a description of the event. "And, if you can give us a GPS coordinate, that can guide us quickly to the area where the possible violation occurred," Doman said. The best way to reach an officer is to call the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline at 1-800-662-DEER (3337). The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is also printed on hunting and fishing licenses. Please remember the hotline is not an information line. Only call to report possible poaching and other wildlife-related crimes. And, Doman said, don't confront someone who might be committing a violation. "Stay out of harm's way. Report what you saw, and let us contact them," he said. MILLCREEK Criminal charges were filed Tuesday against a man accused of running into a Starbucks and attacking an employee before he was shot by a customer. Benjamin S. Overall, 37, of Salt Lake City, is charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and trespassing, a class B misdemeanor. Just after 6 a.m. on Oct. 4, after running away from Unified police officers who were trying to question him about another incident, Overall went into a Starbucks at 3898 S. 900 East. He ran behind the counter and punched a woman on the side of her head, according to charging documents. "She couldn't get away from him, and he continued to strike her on her head, face, neck and shoulders," the charges state. Overall then allegedly grabbed a metal basket and used it to hit the woman. "She fell to the floor to try to protect herself, and he started kicking and stomping her and continued to hit her with the basket," the charges state. That woman, Shelby Hamilton, 24, said she thought she was going to die. "I didn't really know him, and he didn't really say anything. He just came in the door and hit me in the back of the head from behind," Hamilton told the Deseret News. "I was the first one he saw." At one point, she said Overall stopped and asked her, "Do you know who I am?" "I said, 'No, I don't know who you are,' and it made him very upset, and he started to continue to hit me with his fists," she said. When he was done, Overall "aggressively approached" a man in the store, according to the charges. The man, a regular patron at the coffee shop who knows Hamilton and has a concealed weapons permit, approached Overall, then shot him once when Overall went after him, according to police. Overall was convicted of intoxication in May in Salt Lake Justice Court, according to court records. In that incident, he attempted to go into a hotel room that was not his. Overall "could not stand or walk on his own (and) stated that he had drank too much," according to a police affidavit. If you've got your laptop deal all sorted out, you might want to consider the following peripherals. Whether you're gaming or crunching numbers on a vast Excel spreadsheet, an external monitor always comes handy at home. Take a quick look at these fine deals: Get the Asus VZ229H 21.5-inch LED monitor here Asus VZ229H monitor measures 21.5 inches diagonally and 7mm in thickness. It uses a nearly frameless design. It has an IPS LCD panel with LED backlighting and a blue-light filter. The resolution is a healthy 1920 x 1080 pixels. During the Paytm Mall Maha Cashback sale, the price of the Asus VZ229H monitor drops from its original selling price of Rs 10,800 to Rs 8,640 thereby giving you a total cashback sum of Rs 2,160 on purchase. Get the Samsung S24D300HL 24-inch LED monitor here This Samsung monitor has a 23.6-inch TN LCD panel with LED backlighting. It has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a maximum brightness of 200 nits. The panel has a response time of 5ms. The resolution is an adequate 1920 x 1080 pixels. During the Paytm Mall Maha Cashback sale, the price of the Samsung S24D300HL monitor drops from its original selling price of Rs 10,200 to Rs 8,772 thereby giving you a total cashback sum of Rs 1,428 on purchase. Get the Acer Predator XB241H 24-inch LED monitor here The Acer Predator has a TN LCD panel of Full HD resolution. Its refresh rate is 144Hz. It supports an HDMI and a DisplayPort connection. With a maximum brightness of 350 nits, response time of 5ms, and support for Nvidia G-SYNC, it is ideal for gaming. During the Paytm Mall Maha Cashback sale, the price of the Acer Predator XB241H 24 monitor drops from its original selling price of Rs 41,000 to Rs 32,800 thereby giving you a total cashback sum of Rs 8,200 on purchase. Get the HP 2675 multi-function inkjet printer here This HP inkjet features wireless printing, copying, and scanning. Its printing speed is 5.5 pages per minute in colour. It climbs to 20 pages per minute when printing only in black. First page comes out in 14 seconds. It uses one black and one tri-colour cartridge for printing. During the Paytm Mall Maha Cashback sale, the price of the HP 2675 multi-function inkjet printer drops from its original selling price of Rs 5,999 to Rs 4,799 thereby giving you a total cashback sum of Rs 1,200 on purchase. Get the WD WDBYFT0040BBK 4TB external hard drive here This 4-terabyte Western Digital My Passport external hard drive connects through USB 3.0. It can be hardware encrypted and password protected. It comes with a three-year limited warranty. During the Paytm Mall Maha Cashback sale, the price of the WD WDBYFT0040BBK 4TB external hard drive drops from its original selling price of Rs 9,499 to Rs 7,599 thereby giving you a total cashback sum of Rs 1,900 on purchase. After many speculations, marketing stunts and leaks, Google has finally revealed the Google Pixel 3 to the world, along with everything it can do. Of all that was expected, most of the excitement was probably centred around the camera. Google surprised everyone last year with the Google Pixel 2s camera, so its no doubt that there was lots of excitement and expectation from this years reveal. Finally, heres all that Google revealed about the Pixel 3 Top Shot One of the highlight features of the new Google Pixel 3 is a feature called Top Shot. This feature is designed to fix one of the biggest problems with taking photos; a missed shot. Sometimes, the moment passes by too fast and sometimes, youre not fast enough o press the shutter button. What Googles Top Shot does is that is starts recording still frames from when the camera is engaged, until the shutter is pressed. Then using its AI magic the photo app will allow you to select the best photo from that moment. The way this works is that image data of up to a few seconds is held in the sensor buffer till the shutter is pressed. Once the shot is taken, images going back a few seconds are also shown to you, so that you can choose the best photo, in case the one you took ended up being a missed opportunity. Its a clever trick, but Google isnt the first to implement the technique. Super Resolution Zoom Google talked about something called Super-Resolution Zoom. This is a method through which Google Pixel 3s camera is able to achieve some level of zoom, without losing any image quality. They said the technique involves stitching multiple images together based on the minute movements of the hand and the result is a clean zoomed in image. Frankly, just like last years single-lens-portrait-mode, Super Zoom Resolution does sound too good to be true, but were going to give it a thorough run-down in our review to see if Googles claims carry any weight. Night Sight Another show-stealing feature shown off is Night Sight. Not a lot was spoken about what this mode entails or how the result is achieved. All we know is that photos shot in low light using the Night Sight mode will look crisp, vibrant and well lit, almost as if they were taken during the day. This could be achieved by fusing multiple frames together and then using a method called dark frame noise reduction to clear out chroma and luma noise without reducing detail. This is definitely a feature that were excited to test thoroughly because if Googles claims are true, this could be a game changer for low light photography in smartphones. Wide-Eyed Selfies In order to facilitate better selfies, Google put two cameras on the front to give you 184-degree selfies. The on-screen demo showed little to no distortion, but well test out its usability in our review. Theres still the infamous portrait mode for the front-facing camera for stunning selfies and we are pretty excited to see if the feature has improved from its previous iteration on the Pixel 2. While we will definitely bring you an in-depth review of the Pixel 3 and a detailed analysis of the camera, you can read about all the new features, India price and availability of the Google Pixel 3 here. MNF Group Forecast for FY19 & FY20 Earnings Guidance and Investor Presentation Sydney, Oct 10, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of Australian communications specialist MNF Group ( ASX:MNF ) is pleased to announce its FY19 & FY20 guidance, incorporating the upcoming acquisition of the wholesale and enablement business from Inabox Group ( ASX:IAB ). The company will present these forecasts, together with a more in-depth overview of the transaction, at the upcoming investor webinar at 3:00pm, Wednesday 10 October.Combined FY19 forecast includes 7 months contribution from TIAB and includes funding costs and estimated amortisation expense.EBITDA excludes net interest, acquisition costs and non-cash option costs.Please see presentation for further details and commentary on the acquisition and the guidance.Investor PresentationFurther information and a consolidated forecast will be provided in an investor webinar scheduled for 3:00pm, Wednesday 10 October. Details found at: http://mnfgroup.limited/investors The company encourages interested investors and shareholders to attend the webinar, as due to timing and our upcoming AGM, the management team will be unable to accommodate one-on-one meetings.To view tables and the presentation, please visit:About MNF Group Ltd MNF Group Limited (ASX:MNF) is one of Asia-Pacific's fastest growing technology companies. Listed on the ASX since 2006, it is now capitalised at around $380m, and twice winner of the Forbes Asia-Pacific "Best under a Billion" award. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company has over 500 people located across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. MNF develops and operates a global communications network and software suite enabling some of the world's leading innovators to deliver new-generation communications solutions. As the world moves to IP, MNF Group is building the brands, services, network and technology to lead the way. For further information about MNF Group Limited please visit: http://mnfgroup.limited/ Cong engineering attacks on migrants to discredit Gujarat govt: Rupani The BJP has blamed the Congress for inciting violence against migrant workers in a bid to reduce BJPs support base in the north, as part of its vote bank politics. Chief minister Vijay Rupani has appealed to migrant workers to return to work and has offered them protection from the attackers. The attack on migrant workers in Gujarat following the rape of an infant has rapidly acquired political overtones with Congress leader Alpesh Thakor being accused of inciting the locals against the migrants. The Congress has held the state government responsible for the attacks that took place over five districts, pushing hundreds of migrant workers to move out of the state. Without naming the Congress, Gujarat home minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja has said efforts are on to find out whether "it is a conspiracy by those who are out of power in Gujarat since the last 22 years". A video has also surfaced in which the 42-year-old Thakor, who won his maiden election last year, is seen talking of "revenge" - shutting factories and declaring what he called "halla bol". His group - the Kshatriya Thakore Sena - has been accused of leading the attacks. "A 14-month-old has been raped by an outsider. This crime cannot be tolerated... We have demanded hand over the accused to us and we will punish him," Thakor is heard saying in the video, shot in Ahmedabad the day he visited the hospital where the child is recuperating. "If the police don't take action, we will take revenge. We will decide on whether to let outsiders stay here or not. We will stop the factories where these people work. We told their owners but so far there has been no action. We have declared halla bol and we will shut the factory," said Alpesh Thakor. The child was raped in Sabarkantha district on 28 September, and the man responsible for the dastardly act was arrested. Violence targeting migrant workers, however, started after a time lag and has spread to six districts - Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Patan, Sabarkantha and Mehsana over the last few days. Senior Congress leader from the state, Ahmed Patel, defended Thakore and said the BJP was trying to politicise the issue. "I think he (the state home minister) was trying to politicise the issue. The way he was saying it, I wonder if there was a conspiracy behind what is happening" Patel, a Rajya Sabha member from the state, was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India. Alpesh Thakor, he said, has clearly denied his role in these attacks on migrant workers Chief minister Vijay Rupani has appealed to the migrants to return, assuring them that there is adequate security and no untoward incident has taken place in the last 48 hours. "We are committed to maintaining law and order, and people can call police in case of trouble. We will provide them security." he told reporters in Rajkot. Amidst calls by the Kshatriya Thakor Samaj for capital punishment for the migrant worker from Bihar accused of allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl and attacks on migrant workers, at least one camp set up by the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, a social welfare trust, is sheltering some migrant workers from UP, MP and Bihar. Temporary arrangements have been made for their stay till the situation is under control. We dont want to disclose these locations. A careful recce was conducted before shortlisting these areas, says Shyam Singh Thakur, who heads the Parishad. By Monday, the men from UP, in the age group of 18-28, had settled down on the terrace of the farm house. This is the safest place for them. This village is part of the Vatva assembly constituency of Gujarats MoS for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, so there will be no breach in law and order. Also, the public here is educated and there have been regular meetings between residents, police and our organisation members, says Deepak Dubey, a Parishad member. India on `zika' alert as 22 test positive in Jaipur India has come under the threat of the deadly zika virus with at least 22 people in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, a popular tourist destination, testing positive, the health ministry said. The authorities at the centre have sent experts to try to contain an outbreak of the zika virus, which has no vaccine at present. Reports a pregnant woman is under close watch as the virus can cause severe birth defects in unborn children. Pregnant women in the area are being monitored by the National Health Mission, a body set up by the government to improve healthcare across the country. The situation continues to be monitored regularly, the ministry said in a statement late on Monday. The Toronto-based International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers said it was advising pregnant travellers to postpone trips to the area, part of Indias tourist golden triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. First discovered in 1947, the zika virus reached epidemic proportions in Brazil in 2015, when thousands of babies were born with microcephaly, a brain defect affecting speech and motor function. It is the third such outbreak in India, with the first in Ahmedabad in January 2017 and the second in Tamil Nadu in July 2017. Both outbreaks were successfully contained, the government said. The latest cases - in the middle of the countrys festival season where many Indians travel, increases the risk of transmission. There has been a spike in mosquito-borne diseases that kill thousands across India each year, according to the World Health Organisation. The capital Delhi has reported a rise in cases of dengue fever, with 169 reported in the first week of October and taking the total for the year to 650, according to NDTV, citing figures from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation that tracks mosquito-borne diseases. Link between social media and sex trafficking detailed Social media is increasingly being exploited to contact, recruit and sell children for sex, according to a study by The University of Toledo Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute. The study, which was requested by the Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Commission, reveals how traffickers quickly target and connect with vulnerable children on the Internet through social media. "It is vitally important to educate parents, professionals and youth - especially our middle school or teenage daughters who may be insecure about the dangers of online predatory practices used by master manipulators," says Dr. Celia Williamson, UT professor of social work and director of the UT Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute. "Through this outreach and education, we can help save children from becoming victims of modern-day slavery." "We know predators are using the internet to find their victims, and this eye-opening study highlights what a predator looks for in a victim and helps parents recognize the signs that their child may be a target," Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. "Using real-life examples, this study provides valuable information that parents can use to start open and honest conversations with their children about staying safe online." Through a series of 16 in-depth interviews by the institute's staff and student interns with knowledgeable members of Ohio law enforcement, judges, direct service providers, advocates and researchers who engaged with victims who were trafficked online, the study outlines how traffickers connect to vulnerable youth online, groom the children to form quicker relationships, avoid detection, and move the connections from online to in-person. "The transition from messaging to meeting a trafficker in person is becoming less prevalent," Williamson says. "As technology is playing a larger role in trafficking, this allows some traffickers to be able to exploit youth without meeting face-to-face. Social media helps to mask traditional cues that alert individuals to a potentially dangerous person." Williamson cites a 2018 report that says while 58 per cent of victims eventually meet their traffickers face to face, 42 per cent who initially met their trafficker online never met their trafficker in person and were still trafficked. The experts, whose identities are not being released, said the traffickers educate themselves by studying what the victim posts on commonly used view-and-comment sites such as Facebook, Instagram or SnapChat, as well as dating apps such as Tinder, Blendr and Yellow, or webcam sites like Chatroulette and Monkey, in order to build trust. "These guys, they learn about the girls and pretend to understand them, and so these girls, who are feeling not understood and not loved and not beautiful ... these guys are very good at sort of pretending that they are all of these things and they really understand them and, 'I know how you feel, you are beautiful,' and just filling the hole that these girls are feeling," says a professional contributing to the study. One expert in Columbus shares a telling story, "The guy was reaching out to a lot of girls all day long. One girl, who is actually in a youth home, she had access to the Internet, and he connects with her on a social media platform. He drives all the way up from Columbus to Toledo, picks her up at her foster home and drives her back down to Columbus, and then traffics her here in Columbus. You know, 20, 30 years ago he would have never been able to connect with her, but because of social media, that connection was immediately made in over a few hours. He found out where she was and she told him, 'Yeah, please come get me. I want out of here.'" Examples of social media posts that draw the attention of a trafficker include expressions of fear, emptiness and disappointment, such as: "Nobody gets me." "I am so sick of being single." "I am so ugly." "How do I look?" "My life sucks." "She's not my true friend." "My parents don't trust me." "I'm being treated like a kid." "I need to get out of here." Predators look for indicators of substance abuse, runaway activity and destabilization within the home. A trafficker's strategic response includes: "I understand you." "I love you." "I think you're beautiful. I'll encourage you to show your body. Use your body." "I'll make your life better." "I'll encourage you to take risks. You're an adult." "I'll protect you." "I'll make you successful." Grooming children for sex trafficking consists of convincing someone to send a risky picture and then using it to extort them. "They will use fear of repercussions as a way to compel the youth, coerce the youth [to move them from a monitored page to a less monitored page]... by saying, 'You don't want your parents to find out what we're talking about,'" said one expert. Technology offers traffickers ease in advertising multiple victims at one time. The study lists several advertising and sales sites browsed by "johns/sugar daddies," such as Cityxguide, Skipthegames, Bedpage, Seekingarrangement.com and sugar-babies.com. Williamson said Bedpage is a spin-off of Backpage, which was the focus of a 2017 documentary called "I Am Jane Doe" about the fight against child sex trafficking online. "Even though Backpage has been shut down, other sites are being created and gaining traction," Williamson said. "The landscape is rapidly changing." Parents form the front line in the fight to protect their child against traffickers by monitoring or blocking questionable activity. "Parents who are educated can wage a worthy defense against potential recruitment and recruitment of their youth online," Williamson said. "Parents who work to build healthy, open and communicative relationships are more likely to have youth that share information about where they go and who they talk to online." People in at risk groups and health care workers are being urged to get their annual Flu jab. The Flu season has arrived and for people in at risk groups, it is essential that they get their annual flu jab. Flu is a very serious and sometimes deadly disease, with potentially 1,000 flu related deaths in Ireland during a severe flu season. The flu is a highly contagious virus that can be spread easily. The impact of Flu across health services in Ireland is increasing year on year with the most notable increase from season 2016-2017 to 2017-2018 where Hospitalisations and Critical Care admissions nearly tripled; outbreaks in residential facilities and Hospitals doubled and mortality rates more than doubled. The 2017-2018 season figures exceeded all previous records in Ireland, including those of the 2009 pandemic. In CHO 1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo), sadly 28 people died of Flu last season with 229 deaths across the country. Dr Anthony Breslin of The Department of Public Health Medicine North West reported that in the 2017/2018 flu season, in the North West (Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim) 420 cases of flu were reported. Over 62% of the cases notified were hospital admissions. Many more cases went unreported as people looked after themselves at home and did not seek help from their GP or hospital. The annual Flu jab is the safest and most effective way to protect against the life-threatening complications of flu. It is the best defence against flu for people in at risk groups and health care workers. The at risk groups include people aged 65 years and older, people (including children) with long term medical conditions, all pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy, residents of nursing homes or long-stay facilities, all health care workers and also those in regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl. Cara O Neill, Head of Health and Wellbeing for Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan & Sligo), stressed the importance of being vaccinated against flu and keeping healthy and well this winter. She stated: I want to strongly encourage people in the at risk groups to get the flu jab to protect yourself, your loved ones and those around you. She added that a " CHO 1 Flu and Winter Plan has been prepared and will be implemented throughout the Winter period." Dr Anthony Breslin stated: "I urge all those in the at risk groups to get the flu vaccine as the winter season approaches. For some people, flu can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke, even in previously healthy people. As part of this years CHO 1 Flu Protection Campaign, a series of posters, information leaflets targeting the at risk groups and conveying the message to get vaccinated are displayed in HSE Primary Care Centres, Residential and Day Care facilities across the five counties. A series of workshops are also being held in partnership with staff to convey the importance of health care workers getting the flu jab. As part of the campaign a number of Flu Champions are in place to promote the uptake of the flu jab among staff. According to Jackie Mc Manus, Clinical Nurse Manager II, Donegal Mental Health Services. I have been a Flu Champion and an Infection Control Liaison nurse for the past 5 years. We have an ageing profile of service users and exposure to the influenza virus would be detrimental to their health resulting in fatalities. For this reason, I advocate the flu jab to all my colleagues. Dont be a carrier as a Health Care provider, we have a responsibility to our service users, we owe it to them to get the vaccine. Ann Marie Campbell, Clinical Nurse Manager, St Marys Hospital Castleblaney, Cavan/Monaghan Older Persons Services stated: For me, being a flu champion is about promoting better health and wellbeing. I feel it is important for all staff to get the flu vaccine to protect themselves their families and their loved ones. Last year in Ireland 188 people needed critical care as a result of the flu and a total of 229 people died, we need to change those statistics. The Flu jab is available from your General Practitioner and local Pharmacy. People with medical or GP visit cards can avail of the jab for free. All Health Care Workers can receive the jab for free within their workplace through Occupational Health and Peer Vaccinator clinics. Further information is available on www.hse.ie/flu. This website provides details on the annual flu vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccine, along with answers to any questions people may have about flu. Advice, tips, information and videos on getting over flu and other common illnesses are available at www.undertheweather.ie. The HSE are running an active Twitter campaign for flu which can be found at #yourbestshot #fluvaccine. Met Eireann has issued a nationwide status yellow weather alert covering three days as a storm bears down on the country. The status yellow advisory is valid for all counties across Ireland from 11pm on Thursday until 9pm on Saturday. The weather alert is for "a spell of wet and very windy, possibly stormy" weather expected on Thursday night, Friday and all day Saturday. Met Eireann has warned that a "deep depression" will track northwards to the west of Ireland and there is a risk of coastal flooding due to high tides and rainfall. "Later Friday and continuing into Saturday there is the potential for some high totals of rainfall and flooding due to another area of low pressure and series of weather fronts, with the East and South particularly at risk," the forecaster said. The UK Met Office has issued a yellow warning for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland on Friday and Saturday with a focus on flood risk and high rainfall. The Met Office said that people should expect "a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris". The UK forecaster has said: "There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs. Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges may close. There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties." Saturday brings the potential for flooding according to the UK weather office. "There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings. There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses. Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services. Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads." There is a chance of 50-80 mm of rain in 12 hours, and over 120 mm in a few spots of the UK by the end of the event. The rain is expected to be accompanied by strong winds, which may increase autumnal leaf fall and potential for blocked drains/culverts, heightening the potential for flooding. This warning comes ahead of an expected Storm Callum which Met Eireann forecaster, Joanna Donnelly, referred to as a 'ferocious beast'. The storm has not officially been named yet but this is expected in the coming days. Donegal County Council has given assurances that measures are in place to deal with heavy rain and high tides which are expected between Thursday and Saturday. The council said it is monitoring storm surge alerts from Met Eireann and will be depositing sandbags in vulnerable areas ahead of an expected storm which is due to hit on Thursday night. A status yellow weather warning has been issued for a spell of wet and very windy, possibly stormy weather which is expected on Thursday night and Friday morning as a deep depression tracks northwards to the west of Ireland. There is the risk of coastal flooding due to high tides and surge. If the depression turns into a storm it will be named Storm Calum. Cllr John Campbell asked about the council's preparations for the severe weather conditions at Tuesdays meeting of the Donegal Municipal District. He asked what preparations have been made ahead of high tides on Thursday night and Friday morning. He said the conditions were likely to result in high water in the River Eske in Donegal Town. We would not like to see the situation develop again, he said. The wind direction, which will be from the south-west, is likely to exacerbate the swell. We need to be prepared for this storm, he said. Local area roads manager Mark Sweeney said a storm surge warning is in place. He said the council would send out storm surge warnings on social media. Sandbags would be dropped in areas that are vulnerable, he added. Following the tragic death of 31 year old mother of two, Ingrida Maciokaite, her friends across Dundalk have rallied around to help support her children and to help meet the costs of her funeral, according to a local community activist. Eugene Garvey explained the background to the setting up of a fund to cover the cost of Ingrida's funeral. The community of Dundalk was in shock after finding out about Ingridas death and even more so on hearing the circumstances surrounding it. "Her friends, along with the Lithuanian community in Dundalk, wanted to help the children especially, but we needed to ensure that Ingrida was laid to rest in a proper and dignified way. The Bereavement Grant from the Department of Social Protection will cover the first 2,000 of the funeral costs, any expenses over and above that will be met by donations to a GoFundMe Page which was set up to help with funeral costs with the balance going to her children. Eugene added: All of those involved in the funeral would like to thank the people of Dundalk and further afield for their generosity. "Obviously no amount of money will ever replace their mother but it is hoped that when Ingridas children grow up, the money will be of some assistance to them and they will know that their mother was loved and highly respected within the community and we rallied around them when they needed us. The GoFundMe page will be kept open for another week until Sunday 14th October and with the costs of the funeral already met, additional donations will be going to the children. The link is www.gofundme.com/funeral-for-ingrida Gardai have made an appeal for information, following a third serious late-night assault on Rampart Lane, Dundalk, in the last month. Last Thursday, October 4, between 3 and 4am, a female was assaulted and robbed. She was walking towards the Ramparts when three to four males in dark clothes knocked her unconscious. When she awoke, her handbag, containing cash and medication was gone. The woman was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where she was treated for a dislocated thumb and abrasions to her face. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or Dundalk Garda Station. This is the third serious unrelated assault to have taken place at night in the area over the past month. At the beginning of September, a 51-year-old man was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital with head injuries after he was savagely beaten by a man with an iron bar. The victim was walking down Ramparts Lane at 1am when he was set upon. A 26-year-old man was rushed to hospital after a similar attack in the early hours of last Monday morning, October 1. The young man was walking home at around 2am when he was approached by a group of males who physically assaulted him. He suffered bruising, cuts to his face and had pains in his ribcage. It is not known, however, if these attacks are in any way related. National Breastfeeding Week took place last week and to mark the occasion, members from a local mother to mother support group based in Dundalk, were invited to Aras an Uachtarain to the annual Latch On breastfeeding morning, hosted by Sabine Higgins. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of low rates of breastfeeding in Ireland and to try to increase them by offering more supports to mothers. The local mother to mother support group meets in the community centre in Tesco Extra in Dundalk every Wednesday from 10 am to 12 pm. The group has been running for nearly 10 years, said breast feeding counsellor, Justyna Patton. It started as a really small group, she continued, just support for breast feeding mums, but very quickly grew to a group where people come and have a chat. Above: Bhoomka with baby Benjamin, Syd, Emma with baby Aidan, Elizabeth with baby Riona, Aoife Lennon with baby Oige It's a mother to mother support group. We currently have four breast feeding counsellors and three trainers. One of the group's founders, Joanne Connolly, gave some insights into the types of supports the group offers mothers. Quite often mums come along in order to meet other mums, says Joanne. Some mums might come along with a problem, say they might be struggling in terms of sleep, or in terms of latch, or they may just want to get out of the house and meet other mums who have made similar choices. Above: Sherin with Ilvesya, Bhoomka with baby Benjamin, Syd, Emma with baby Aidan, Elizabeth with baby Riona And then we find actually, often mums make lifelong friendships here, so you'll find that people come back. We've got some women here today who are back without their babies but they know other mums and are here to catch up. Justyna highlights the social aspect of the group saying, some come back with consecutive children and they don't have any issues. They just like the social aspect of the group. Breastfeeding in the workplace Justyna explained the changes in the workplace that help mothers continue with breastfeeding, should they wish, when they return to work. Currently the law in Ireland is that the work place has to provide a breastfeed pumping station in the workplace, up to 26 weeks. The employer is obliged to provide her space so she could pump, when she is away from the baby After 26 weeks, Justyna continues, it's at the discretion of the employer to continue that or not. So a lot of mums would find employers are quite good and they would provide some sort of space, but it's still a work in progress. Joanne adds to this. I would say also, sometimes it's not a big issue, because the amazing thing about breastfeeding is that after a certain amount of time, the mother's milk is regulated by the demand of the child. So we do know, Joanne continues, that the WHO(World Health Organisation), suggests breastfeeding exclusively up to six months. And then after that we've got the intro of solids, other foods and of course the baby can drink water. The benefits of breastfeeding are many according to Joanne, including the bonding it encourages between a mother and her child. Above: Joanne Connolly with baby Teagan and Sarah Lambe with baby Emily Breastfeeding can be a really nice catch up for mum and baby after they reunite or before they start the working day, Joanne says. I suppose in that sense, she continues, there's probably myths out there that breastfeeding needs to stop once it's back to work, but I found myself, and many mums find, that it's actually a really nice way to reconnect at the end of the day or even at the start of the day. What works best for mum The decision to move from breastfeeding to formula milk is totally up to a mother to decide says Justyna. It's really up to each mum to decide, says Justyna. So , if they go back to work, some mums introduce an extra bottle of formula. Some wouldn't. Some say 'water would be enough when I'm away'. Here all mothers are welcome. Justyna stressed that all mothers are welcome at the group. The ones who partially breast feed, who combine formula and breast, everyone is welcome here at the group. We try help them each reach their breastfeeding goal, what they want to achieve. Justyna adds to this, I think we're here to support their journeys. I think in Ireland especially, a lot of mums maybe give up on breast feeding because support is not there, so we are here really to be that support net. So they can come, they can talk about issues, or just about parenting things. For more info call into the group any Wednesday between 10 am and 12 pm. The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has expressed its deep disappointment at the increase in the tourism VAT rate to 13.5% announced by Minister Donohoe as part of Budget 2019. Martin Daly, Chair of the IHF Mourne, Boyne and Lakes branch said the increase is a serious jolt to the tourism industry in Ireland and represents a reckless failure to recognise its economic potential and importance, particularly to rural Ireland. Mr Daly urged the Minister to defer the increase until there is clarity over Brexit and to allow existing contracts for group bookings to be completed as prices are already agreed. Ireland will now have a higher tourism VAT rate than 26 countries in Europe with which we compete. We are already a very high cost economy by international standards so it is astonishing that the Government is now imposing additional taxes on tourists and making our country less attractive as a destination. "Have no doubt, this increase will hurt tourism across the country but rural businesses will be hit the hardest. "Regional businesses will bear the brunt, as about 300m of the 466m in additional taxes will be taken from the rural economy, which has been slower to recover from the economic crisis. This is a devastating blow for the many tourism businesses that struggle to break even or stay open outside the peak season. Mr Daly said the industry is already facing enormous difficulties due to the uncertainty around Brexit and weakened Sterling. "UK tour operators, for example, represent up to 30 per cent of the business for many hotels in Dublin and across the country. This business is highly competitive, with Irish hoteliers competing internationally. "Margins are slim and vulnerable to any price fluctuation. With bookings made up to two years in advance, prices in many cases are already contracted, meaning hoteliers will have no choice but to pick up the cost of this VAT increase. For some, it may wipe out their margin altogether, he said. "Mr Daly acknowledged the Governments foresight in introducing the 9% VAT rate in 2011. "The Government recognised the tourism industrys ability to deliver on jobs across the country and we delivered, year after year, creating over 65,000 new jobs. "We achieved this by providing a quality product, high levels of service and competing internationally for business every day. Today the tourism industry supports over 235,000 jobs in every county and town, over 70% of which are outside Dublin, generating over 2 billion in taxes for the exchequer each year. "It is deeply disappointing and frustrating that despite the strong response of the tourism industry to the 9% activation measure, its economic contribution and potential is no longer of importance to Government policy. We understand that Government needs to raise taxes to pay for many social demands on the exchequer. However, we have argued that the best way to generate the additional funds needed for public services is to support growth in those business sectors, such as tourism, which are contributing. "Time and again, tourism has shown itself to be one of the most effective ways to spread economic prosperity throughout the country and its successful recovery demonstrated its potential. Todays short-term budget fix will have long-term implications for an important indigenous export industry and rural Ireland in particular. Commenting on the VAT report published by Department of Finance during the summer, Mr Daly said that it failed to take account fully the benefits of tourism to the regions or the serious risks associated with Brexit. "It also lacked balance, basing much of its analysis on Irish household spending patterns while choosing to ignore that the vast majority (80%) of revenue generated by tourism comes from out of state visitors he concluded. He called for an immediate introduction of a Tourism Satellite Account within the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to provide a full analysis of the economic activity in the Tourism industry and how much it contributes to each county throughout the country. It will also provide independent verification to assist those who rely on the National Accounts, where tourism is not identified, to inform their deliberations on taxation and economic policy. Television Personality, Danette Crawford, Helps People Live the Extraordinary Life in New Book Contact: Karen Campbell, 616-309-4390, karen@karencampbellmedia.com VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Oct. 9, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- Danette Crawford Ministries announced today the official release of "Limitless Thinking, Limitless Living" by founder Danette Crawford. "The purpose of 'Limitless Thinking, Limitless Living' is to expand your thinking, enlarge your vision, and increase your expectations of what God can and will do in you, through you, and for you," said Crawford. "I'm so happy the book is available and I'm able to share this message with readers and to let them know there's a life of limitless power and potential just waiting to be unleashed." Our potential and our dreams are areas of our lives meant to be without limitation. But most of us haven't prepared for living a limitless life. Having overcome challenging personal, emotional, and financial limitations, Crawford takes you through each step of the process of removing hindrances, enlarging vision, and increasing expectations of the big things God wants to do in us. Crawford leads readers to the adoption of limitless thinking, showing them the reality of what limitless living can. Through gentle wisdom, Crawford offers a glimpse into a God-sized vision of your life and promises for limitless living. Kelly Wright, former FOX News anchor, writes, "Danette Crawford provides an in-depth, mind-bending, heartwarming, and soul-stirring account of how God always seeks to embrace us with his compassionate, eternal love. Whatever you did in your past, however you are living in the present, or wherever you imagine to be for a shipwrecked future, this book invites you to see life through a brighter vision." "Limitless Thinking, Limitless Living" is available wherever books are sold and is perfect for those seeking a world-changing, life-making perspective in their lives. Danette Crawford is a powerful speaker, author, TV host and international evangelist with a refreshing message of hope and encouragement. Danette has a master's degree in counseling from Regent University. She is the founder and president of Danette Crawford Ministries, which includes its outreach arm, Joy Ministries Evangelistic Association. www.danettecrawford.com Contact Karen Campbell at karen@karencampbellmedia.com for more information or to schedule an interview. Senator Richard Pan, the patron saint of vaccine mandates in California and sponsor of SB277, the legislation that radically reduced the ability for California families to make medical vaccination choices for their children, is quoted heavily in this article below. Homeschoolers are in his sites as ripe targets for his brand of medical political jack booted thuggery. Earlier this year, one of America's best known pediatricians, Dr. Bob Sears, was placed on probation for almost 3 years because of a medical exemption he granted. That's the strategy - choke off the supply despite the growing demand. Threaten the livelihood of doctors. Imagine that. Families want choice in how to vaccinate their children. Americans do NOT like to be told what we can and can not do with our bodies, our children. California allows every possible liberty under the sun - EXCEPT vaccination choice. Why? Cui bono? Pharma and politicians funded by them. ### The vaccination rate for California kindergartners went down slightly last school year, including in San Diego County, after hitting a record high the previous year. One reason for the decline: Medical exemptions are increasing. Statewide, the rate of students with medical exemptions more than tripled since the 2015-16 school year. The rate in San Diego County increased sixfold. Although medical exemptions represented a small portion of the overall student population last school year less than 1 percent in California and slightly more than 1 percent in San Diego County the increase has some concerned. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the countys child health medical officer, said the number of children who need medical exemptions should be small, so he questions whats behind the increase. Is it truly more kids who need a medical exemption, or is it that providers are getting more permissive in giving these medical exemptions? Sidelinger said. Read more in the Times of San Diego at Vaccination Rates For Kindergartners Decline in San Diego County. Budget 2019 has been hailed as fair, progressive and sustainable by Cllr. John McGahon. In a statement released this evening, Cllr McGahon says the financial package is designed specifically with Brexit in mind to protect Louth from the impending withdrawal of the UK from the EU. It also marks the first time, he says, since the recession that there is no deficit to burden taxpayers thanks to the careful management of the countrys finances by Fine Gael in recent years. Cllr. John McGahon said that 2019 Budget will ultimately put more money in peoples pockets through four key measures: A reduction in income taxes and the Universal Social Charge (USC) Welfare increases for all weekly recipients Reduces in the cost of living Pay increases I have long argued that workers enter the higher rate of income tax at too low a level of income", says McGahon. "Families deserve sustainable wages and to help this, we are increasing the entry point to the higher income tax rate for all earners by 750,from 34,550 to 35,300 for a single worker. "The third rate of USC is reduced from 4.75pc to 4.5pc to give a further targeted benefit to low and middle level incomes. "The hourly minimum wage will be increased to 9.80 and the ceiling of the second USC rate band will be increased from 19,372 to 19,874 in order to ensure that the salary of a full-time worker on the minimum wage will remain outside the top rates of USC. "There is a 5 increase of all weekly social welfare payments for recipients such as pensioners, lone parents, jobseekers, carers, people with disabilities and widows. A 100pcChristmas bonus will be paid in early December 2018. "Ours is a caring society and the self-employed will become eligible for jobseekers benefit in the final quarter of 2018. "A new paid parental leave scheme will be introduced in 2019 to provide two extra weeks leave to every parent of a child in their first year. Fine Gael intends to increase this to seven extra weeks over time," Cllr. McGahon said. Our countryside is one of our best assets and 55m has been made available to invest in rural towns and villages through the 1bn Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which begins next January. Repairs to our footpaths and roads will be guaranteed from a 40m pot. On top of this, 3.3m has been set aside for libraries which will support ICT infrastructure upgrades, meeting space technologies and digital learning suites in our public libraries. The fight against crime continues and 800 extra Gardai will be recruited next year while the Garda overtime budget is fixed at 100m. The Garda fleet will be expanded with further capital funding,. Agriculture is facing threats with Brexit posing specific challenges. To support disadvantaged farmers, an additional 57m of current expenditure is being allocated to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2019. "60m in current and capital Brexit related supports will be provided to improve resilience in the farm sector, as along with supporting productivity improvements in the food sector. "Fine Gael will next year invest more in housing (2.4bn) than any previous Government has in a single year. For those who need social housing, Budget 2019 will help to deliver 10,000 new social homes through new builds, acquisition and leasing programmes. A total of 5,000 adults and their children will be taken out of homelessness. We will invest an additional 1.2bn in health, facilitating a range of additional services including initiatives proposed under Slaintecare. "These include a 25 increase in the weekly income threshold for GP Visit cards; a 50 cent reduction in prescription charges from 2.00 to 1.50 for all medical card holders over the age of 70; and a 10 reduction in the monthly Drugs Payment Scheme threshold from 134 to 124. With Brexit looming, never has our education system been so critical for our future success and we will continue to invest in our people. "A 10.8bn investment in education, the largest ever Budget for this sector, will allow for 372 teaching posts and 950 special needs assistants to cater for growth in student population and additional special classes next year. "There will also be almost 3,500 additional undergraduate places funded next year which will present more choices for students from Louth Brexit is the political, economic and diplomatic challenge of our generation. Fine Gael has been clear on our objectives, robust in our negotiations and thorough in our planning. We will remain at the heart of the European Union and open to the world. Louth will be well prepared for Brexit as the Budget was especially prepared bearing this in [mind]", Cllr McGahon concluded. MYOB Group says US private equity firm KKR & Co has launched a conditional $1.75 billion takeover offer for the Australian accounting software provider after buying a 19.9 per cent stake. KKR, which bought 17 per cent of MYOB from its biggest shareholder, made a $3.70 per share cash offer for the remaining 80.1 per cent of the company. The price represents a 24 per cent premium to MYOBs last closing share price and values it at $2.18 billion. MYOB shares soared by over a fifth to $3.6 billion after the announcement, their highest intraday level in almost nine months. With 19.9 per cent of the register, KKR effectively own a blocking stake in the company. We think this could be enough of a deterrent for a potential interloper, JPMorgan analysts said in a note. The announcement revealed KKR had purchased 17 per cent of the companys shares from an affiliate of Bain Capital, which acquired the then privately owned MYOB in 2011 and listed it in 2015. According to the latest ASX announcement MYOB has appointed UBS as a financial advisor and Clayton Utz as legal advisor. Bain retains a 6.1 per cent stake in the administrative software company, the statement said. The statement did not specify if Bain was endorsing KKRs takeover offer and a spokesman for Bain was not immediately available to comment. Once the dominant provider of accounting software to small and medium-sized businesses in Australia, MYOB has in recent years struggled to compete for market share with global cloud and administrative software company Xero Ltd. Together they service over 80 per cent of the market, according to Wilsons Equity Research, although the research also shows Xeros growth in Australia has outpaced MYOBs. Xeros market value, at around $6.88 billion, is more than thrice MYOBs. KKRs non-binding offer is conditional on due diligence, obtaining financing for the deal and the full endorsement from MYOBs board of directors. The MYOB board has commenced an assessment of the proposal and will keep the market informed, it said in the statement. JPMorgan analysts said that at this stage, it was unlikely that strategic investors such as Sage Group, which had attempted to buy the company back in 2011, and American peer Intuit Inc., maker of popular software QuickBooks, would rival KKRs bid. An Australian-based spokeswoman for Intuit said it did not comment on market speculation. Spokespeople for Sage did not immediately return an email seeking comment outside of office hours. KKRs proposal follows its 2017 acquisition of Australian non-bank lender Pepper Group for about $682 million. With AAP. In a highly competitive global marketplace, businesses are searching for and adopting revolutionary technology and processes to stay relevant. Today, 35 per cent of Australian enterprises believe that The Internet of Things (IOT) is the key driver of digital initiatives, placing it third after cloud and mobile. With the advent of automation and analytics, manufacturing is moving from mass production to mass customisation. The immense growth of IoT in the industry has resulted in factories being able to extract critical data on operations. By using big data and machine learning they are achieving more efficiency in their workplace as well as enhancing customer experience. Without a doubt, IoT is a clear investment area for the manufacturing industry particularly in the Asia Pacific Region which is among the worlds top regions for IoT adoption and usage. To effectively work with new technologies, businesses must be prepared to think differently, adapt and invest to remain competitive. Currently, only 4 per cent of Australian companies are engaging with universities in R&D to help with digital development and implementation. This means there is untapped potential for Australian businesses to stand out from their competitors in the race to transform their businesses. Business productivity The bottom-line when adopting new technology is that itll increase overall productivity of the workplace. The integration of IoT into smart devices enables industrialists to autonomously manage manufacturing and distribution operations. IoT also allows manufacturers, and their customers, to access critical, real-time data, which that can be used to improve productivity and system performance, and give customers data on the status of their product delivery. The consistent information derived from processes of IoT can be used for preventative or predictive maintenance, resulting in reduced downtime by making more informed and targeted upkeep of equipment. Increased connectivity between pieces of equipment and machinery means improved collaboration and integration amongst stakeholders throughout the manufacturing value chain that is crucial for the success of implementation. Furthermore, IoT will continue to drive the future of factories. In the automotive industry, smart manufacturing will interconnect and better harmonise the individual stages of manufacturing production in order to advance plant-wide efficiency. From an engineering cycle standpoint, this means that manufacturers will be able to get new products to the market sooner and meet consumer demands more responsively. For example, medical device manufacturers can also leverage IoT to improve customer experiences and monitor patients more closely by managing everything from dosage through to the use and efficacy of devices. Regardless of industry, IoT will be beneficial to all businesses looking to improve their products and services amongst their competitors. Renewed business models: Servitisation Greater investment in IoT gives manufacturers an opportunity to diversify their services sector. The new buzzword in the manufacturing industry is servitisation that refers to the aftermarket service work and is a huge growth area for the industry players. This is driven by the data retrieved from IoT. The key advantage of adopting a full servitised model is in the continual relationship with the customer. A manufacturer delivers a piece of equipment as a service and is billed on basis of usage or through a revenue sharing model. By focusing on customer retention and loyalty through servitisation, manufacturers can stand out in the crowd with an enhanced customer experience. According to IMCRC, less than 30 per cent of manufacturers are in the business of selling services, which implies there is a huge scope to use IoT to its advantage. By introducing service offerings in addition to the sale of goods, IoT can give organisations competitive advantage in the saturated one-off market by increasing value differentiation. To remain competitive and increase the market share in the highly competitive manufacturing industry, IoT adoption is key. As we head towards a hyper-personalised world, customer experience will be paramount to the success of a business. Staying relevant will come from rethinking revenue and business models. Servitisation reflects changing customer expectations, with consumers no longer satisfied with one-off purchases. Ultimately, the right investments in IoT will enable businesses to tap into the potential of digital transformation that awaits. Whether it is through automatic retrieval of performance data, delivery tracking or equipment performance monitoring, an enhanced customer experience is supported by IoT and, in turn, increased competitiveness is delivered. Mike Russell, Chief Operating Officer, Central Innovation Pty Ltd. I'm about to tell you something so unbelievable but apparently true. For over three years now, it appears that a group of judges at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa who are are all alumni of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law have been coordinating an apparent human sacrifice conspiracy against an Ottawa woman named Dezrin Carby-Samuels who has been severely disabled as a result of the activities of these judges. In a nutshell, "human sacrifice" is a reputed activity of "non-human entities" who have coordinated and then reinforce the promotion of certain people into positions of power provided that they show their "loyalty" to the non-human entities when called-upon. The most vulnerable members of our society are targeted for "human sacrifice". The most heinous barbaric acts of cruelty, torture and destruction are a part of a "human sacrifice" ritual. The alleged practice has taken place since the earliest and most tyrannical societies came into existence on our planet Earth. In these societies, demonic aliens elites sought to worship demonic aliens as their God or gods that often brought technology that would then be used to support military oppression and torture. Unfortunately, Dezrin Carby-Samuels like so many vulnerable people on our planet are being targeted by non-human beings which can appear as "people". But these "people" are in no way human. Dr. Michael Salla referred to such entities as "shape shifters". David Icke has further described such entities to be reptilian that operate from a different dimension that reaches into ours. Such victims like Dezrin include children who go missing as targets of alien abduction (or become victims of pedophile rings) to homeless people on the street who from time to time appear to be been chosen by the non-human handlers as targets of apparent human sacrifice rituals. My name is Jesse, and I'm an investigative journalist. Since 2015 I have watched the bizarre activities at the Ottawa courthouse at 161 Elgin Street. I have also investigated activities by non-human entities which include alien abductions. But I never expected that my investigation on Dezrin's plight would take me to apparent non-human interference at the Ottawa courthouse through judges working in tandem with Ottawa lawyers John E. Summers and Jeremy Wright of the City of Ottawa. It is apparent that Jeremy Wright is an apparent ring leader of University of Ottawa psychopaths somehow recruited to perpetuate demonic torture against Dezrin. Jeremy Wright in his official capacity works to defend Bordeleau's rag tag gang of dirty cops who sought to block Raymond getting help of his Mom for more than three years. In one instance, when a Small Claims Court judge was just about to enable Raymond to see his Mom, Mr Wright gave some weird "wink" at a Judge sending him into an immediate panic leading him to immediately reverse his inclination to assist Raymond in helping his Mom. Mr Wright is a highly secretive lawyer embedded into the City of Ottawa as an apparent handler for a University of Ottawa "rogue group". It's notable that while one set of judges at the Ottawa courthouse would seek to liberate Dezrin Carby-Samuels from the profound abuse and torture that she has been experiencing at the hand of her husband, the "rogue group" would seek to perpetuate it. The rogue group are all members of the University of Ottawa alumni community. This group was reinforced by an apparent dirty cop named Detective Robert Griffin and a lawyer named John E Summers who is the alleged lawyer for Dezrin's husband against Dezrin's son. Funny thing is that Dezrin husband can in no way afford Mr. Summers. When Raymond asked Mr Summers who he ACTUALLY works for and pays his bills, he refused to say. There is absolutely a zero chance that Dezrin's retired husband who struggles to pay his biills when he's not abusing Dezrin with the help of others could afford the legal services of John Summers who has worked to perpetuate his abuse for more than three years at a pay rate of more than $300 per hour having been practicing law since 1999. We therefore have 100% conclusive evidence that someone or more likely a "group" without any empathy for the plight of Dezrin in conditions of abuse is paying a University of Ottawa trained lawyer who is getting the support of judges and others ALL directly affiliated with the University of Ottawa. I don't believe in such coincidences. But every time Dezrin was about to be liberated, another set of judges who simply ignore all the evidence and case law that Raymond presented. Finally, one Judge named Sylvia Corthon decided that she was going to "seize" the case, and declared not only Summary Judgement against Raymond, but also declared him to be a Vexatious Litigant. It became apparent that Sylvia Corthorn had "seized the case" to prevent another judge who is not a member of an apparent University of Ottawa demon worshiping group from trying to again help Dezrin. You see, Raymond who is Dezrin's son has sought to liberate his Mother from abuse as any loving and responsible son would want to do. One of my favourite shows is Murdoch Mysteries like so many other Canadians. One of my favourite part of Murdoch Mysteries is when Detective Murdoch connects criminal suspects with each other by tying a common association with each other using a blackboard in his constabulary office. Thinking of the Detective Murdoch character I decided that I was going to try the same technique to figure out an apparent bizarre pattern taking place against Dezrin Carby-Samuels. However, I didn't expect to find anything though this exercise. But to my amazment I did. All three Judges at the Ottawa courthouse that have apparently worked to Ottawa lawyer John E Summers to perpetuate abuses against Dezrin are all University of Ottawa alumni. These judges are Justice Pierre Roger, Justice Sylvia Corthorn and Regional Senior Justice James MacNamara. None of the three judges at the Ottawa courthouse who had sought to act fairly and support the liberation of Dezrin are connected with the University of Ottawa. The judges who acted to spare Dezrin are Justice Patrick Smith, Justice Callum MacLoed and Justice Robert Beaudoin. I have provided screenshot proof of an apparent coordinated pattern of bizarre judicial decisions by the University of Ottawa alumni at the Ottawa courthouse. It is apparent that there's a very distinct pattern of psychopath behaviours by three judges at the Ottawa courthouse with shared ties to the University of Ottawa that is extremely distinct from the behaviours of judges who aren't connected with the University of Ottawa. My screenshot shows the distinctive affiliations of legal "actors" in this matter. Coincidence? I think not. I then took my "theory" that there's "fifth" column of Judges who are seeking to subvert civil and human rights in resistance to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to different Faculties of Law across Canada to get their reaction. Only the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law members were hostile to the notion. It was almost as if they were hypersensitive based upon their own complicit behaviour. Could in fact the University of Ottawa be home to psychopaths who refuse to let go of their on-going abuse and torture against Dezrin Carby-Samuels? Are we witnessing a human sacrifice ritual that has sought to seize and perpetuate Dezrin's abuse? Is Dezrin one of possibly many people who have been subjugated to abuse in Ottawa as a result of a "human sacrifice ritual"? And guess where John E Summers attended law school? You would be right if you said the University of Ottawa. I then became more intrigued. I then looked up Ottawa's Chief of Police Charles Bordeleau's background whose Office supported the dirty cop that forcibly separated Raymond from his Mother. Once again we have a perfect match. Bordeleau also graduated from the University of Ottawa and received an award from the Tefler School of Management (screenshot attached). After Bordeleau's dirty cop orchestrated Raymond's forcible separation from his Mother that has suffering from profound domestic abuse, Dezrin lost the ability to walk, talk or write. After months of unlawfully being prevented from seeing his Mother, Raymond filed an Emergency Motion at the Ottawa courthouse in December 2015. Raymond appeared before University of Ottawa Faculty of Law graduate Justice Pierre Roger. At first, Justice Roger was going to grant Raymond's request seeing as he began to say "no harm in it". But that's when things began to get really bizarre. Someone from judge's chambers interrupted Judge Roger's deliberation. When Justice Roger came out of this "meeting" he was a different person, declaring the matter "personal to him" and that he would say "no" to Raymond seeing his Mom and checking on her well-being. Raymond persevered and eventually got a Default Judgement from Justice Patrick Smith who has no affiliation with the University of Ottawa. Justice Patrick Smith who is a member of the Lakehead University community granted Raymond's request through an order dated 11 February 2016. But shortly after, John E Summers who was a top graduate of the University of Ottawa entered the picture. He began to manufacture and support countless obvious lies to justify continued forcible separation. Raymond and his Mother last saw each other on 12 June 2016. John E Summers lies are easily transparent to any fair minded judge. So, John E Summers needed "help" if he was going to perpetuate Dezrin's abuse. John E Summers got that help when he and Raymond appeared in front of Regional Senior Justice James MacNamara who threw out Justice Patrick Smith's Order to enable Raymond and his Mother to see each other, on a daily basis, so Raymond could ensure his Mother's care as she has wanted Raymond tried to appeal that decision. But that appeal was then intercepted by an angry Justice Roger who declared his interception to be a "coincidence". I don't believe in such coincidences. It was quite improper for Roger to "coincidently" get the file. He should have recused himself. But, instead, Justice Roger "fined" Raymond $1500 for his Appeal. When the matter was referred to Justice Callum Macloed, he was quite concerned about Dezrin's well being and directed John E Summers on 24 March 2017 to obtain independent verification to ensure Dezrin has not been held a prisoner against her wishes. On our "Murdoch blackboard" Justice Macloed is a graduate of Queens in Kingston, Ontario with no U of O affiliations. John E Summers then sought to get the matter thrown out of Court. But his request was blocked by Justice Robert Beaudoin whose ties are with the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. Then all of a sudden after this decision by Justice Beaudoin, the matter was then "seized" by Justice Sylvia Corthorn who like John E Summers, Justice Roger, Regional Justice McNamara and Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordaleau are all University of Ottawa alumni. Justice Sylvia Corthorn not only totally ignored all evidence and case law presented by Raymond but also ignored any support for Raymond articulated by non-University of Ottawa Judges. When Justice Beaudoin recognized her apparent judicial misconduct by granting Raymond's request to have her recused from the trial, Justice Corthorn simply sped up her final rulings which were directed at preventing Raymond from his efforts to rescue his Mother from the "Hell of Earth" that she has lived for more than three years thanks to an apparent "University of Ottawa mafia" which has sought to perpetuate the abuse and torture of Dezrin Carby-Samuels. European Commission staff, in liaison with staff from the European Central Bank, visited Madrid from 4 to 5 October for the tenth post-programme mission to Spain. Staff from the European Stability Mechanism participated in the meetings in the context of its Early Warning System. The Spanish banking sector continues to enjoy overall comfortable solvency and liquidity. Its profitability has also improved thanks to the decline of loan-loss provisions related to the reduction in non-performing loans. The non-performing loans ratio for the Spanish banks, including on their international activity, has continued to decline to just above the EU average. Implementation of the January 2018 merger of BMN with Bankia has progressed well. Completing the privatisation of Bankia and encouraging the further divestment of banking foundations in savings banks will continue to reinforce the Spanish banking sector. Finally, the asset management company SAREB, which improved its gross margin but recorded again negative financial results, is preparing a new management strategy for its assets and is assessing how this might improve its profitability and effectiveness. Spanish economic growth, underpinned by strong domestic demand, continues to outperform the euro area average and macroeconomic rebalancing has progressed. A weaker performance of the external sector in the first half of this year has driven a mild slowdown in the growth momentum, in line with expectations. Moreover, still high external and domestic debt levels and unemployment warrant policy efforts to ensure a more durable growth path and achieve higher productivity growth. In line with the country-specific recommendations issued by the Council of the European Union on 13 July, these should include steps to continue reducing unemployment, make the labour market more inclusive, improve the business environment and enhance the innovation capacity of the economy. At the same time, Spain should pursue fiscal consolidation with a view to ensuring a decisive reduction of its high government debt ratio and re-building the fiscal buffers needed to overcome any possible adverse shocks, while preserving the long-term sustainability of its public finances. The mission would like to thank the Spanish authorities for their constructive and open discussions. The next post-programme surveillance mission will take place in spring 2019. For media queries, please contact Esther Tejedor, tel.: +49 69 1344 95596. B2B Lead Generation Service Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more. Strong encryption can be a threat to law enforcement and national security, the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand said in a statement issued Sunday. "The increasing use and sophistication of certain encryption designs present challenges for nations in combating serious crimes and threats to national and global security," maintained the countries, which are known as the "Five Eyes" based on an agreement they entered to cooperate on signal intelligence. "Many of the same means of encryption that are being used to protect personal, commercial and government information are also being used by criminals, including child sex offenders, terrorists and organized crime groups to frustrate investigations and avoid detection and prosecution," they added. The statement sets out three principles the nations agreed to abide by when dealing with encryption within their jurisdictions: Access to lawfully obtained data shall be a mutual responsibility of all stakeholders -- government, carriers, device manufacturers and over-the-top service providers. All governments should ensure that assistance requested from providers is underpinned by the rule of law and due process protections. Information and communications technology service providers should voluntarily establish lawful access solutions to their products and services. Do It or Else Whether compliance with the lawful access demands of the Five Eyes will be voluntary for long remains to be seen, especially in light of the final paragraph in the statement: "Should governments continue to encounter impediments to lawful access to information necessary to aid the protection of the citizens of our countries, we may pursue technological, enforcement, legislative or other measures to achieve lawful access solutions." That language reeks of Australia, noted Nate Cardozo, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation , a digital privacy advocacy group in San Francisco. For more than a year, Australia has been mulling over legislation aimed at regulating encryption within its borders. "Australia is looking to lead the charge against security, privacy and technology," Cardozo told TechNewsWorld. "It believes itself to be in a security crisis, and since it doesn't have much hope of getting tech investment, it's more likely to do something to the tech sector." Good Guys With Bad Encryption Forcing companies to provide governments access to encrypted data likely will be a losing proposition, both for the governments and the people they're trying to protect. "Bad guys will just be chased to places where strong encryption is available, and good citizens won't have the opportunity to use the best possible encryption," argued Balakrishnan Dasarathy, information assurance program chair at the University of Maryland University College in Largo, Maryland. "Good guys will follow the rules and not have all the best technology," he told TechNewsWorld. Although law enforcement has complained about encryption, the technology has failed to prevent it from getting what it wanted in the past. "Time and time again law enforcement gets what it needs without backdoors," EFF's Cardozo observed. "Backdoors make law enforcement's job easier at the cost of all our security," he continued. "Encryption is a magic bullet only if you use it absolutely correctly, which literally no one does." Backdoors Unnecessary There is no way to expose data to friendly spy agencies without also risking exposure of this data to not-so-friendly entities, maintained Craig Young, a computer security researcher at Tripwire, a cybersecurity threat detection and prevention company in Portland, Oregon. "The truth of the matter is that backdoors simply make the process effortless and can enable bulk data collection without individualized suspicion of wrongdoing," he told TechNewsWorld. "Even without backdoors added into communication protocols, intelligence agencies and law enforcement should generally have other tools at their disposal to gain access to endpoints and thereby circumvent the need to break any encryption," said Young. "Listening devices, hardware key loggers, and malware can all effectively defeat end-to-end encryption for an individual without adding risk to the general public," he explained. Encryption is either strong or it is broken, without much of any room for middle ground, Young contended. Encryption Horse Out of Barn Backdoors create great risk to the security of data, noted Young. "Widespread deployment of any backdoor creates tremendous risk if a third party were ever to gain access either through legal channels or reverse engineering," he pointed out. "Anything you do for the good guys will get into the hands of the bad guys also," said UMUC's Dasarathy. "It's only a matter of time. You're only kidding yourself if you think otherwise." The Five Eyes' attempt to curb the trend toward encryption may be based on an antiquated notion. "The cat is very much out of the bag on strong encryption," Tripwire's Young said. "Anyone with an inkling of technology prowess is capable of building their own private communication scheme." Backdoor keys almost inevitably would fall into the wrong hands, Cardozo suggested. Further they wouldn't enable the good guys to get the bad guys they're after. Applications with strong encryption would appear online, be downloaded and sideloaded onto phones, he said. "It takes only the tiniest bit of technical sophistication to install an app, and that's all it will take to get around a backdoor," Cardozo noted. What's more, "any attacker who is sophisticated enough to recognize a listening device or a physical implant from the NSA is certainly not going to rely on a public communication infrastructure without strong end-to-end encryption," Young noted. Public Distrust of Government If the Five Eyes decide to make good on their threat to force the use of backdoors in encrypted products, they may find themselves at odds with a lot of their citizens. Fewer than half (41 percent) of the 3,000 consumers polled in the U.S., UK and Germany believed laws that provided government access into encrypted personal data would make them safer from terrorists. The survey was conducted last year by Salt Lake City-based Venafi, maker of a platform to protect encryption keys. Skepticsm of government was high in general, with nearly two-thirds (65 percent) suspecting their governments abused their powers to access the data of citizens. That number was even higher in the United States, where 78 percent of respondents held that belief. "Giving governments access to encryption will not make us safer from terrorism -- in fact, the opposite is true," said Venafi CEO Jeff Hudson. "Most people don't trust the government to protect data, and they don't believe the government is effective at fighting cybercrime," he added. "It's ironic that we believe we would be safer if governments were given more power to access private encrypted data, because this will undermine the security of our entire digital economy." John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John. Enterprise IT Lead Generation Services Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more. An interview with IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, conducted earlier this month by Walter Isaacson for Amanpour & Co. on PBS, is worth watching. Ginni is one of the most successful CEOs in the United States. One of the questions that jumped out at me had to do with why the number of female CEOs has been declining. I've followed several female CEOs over the years. Most of the ones I've followed have failed, largely because they were both unqualified for the job and their boards didn't back them up. In several cases, the board and the CEO seemed to be in conflict, or the board simply didn't do anything. Those failures have created the impression that female CEOs are a bad bet. However, I believe the real problem is that boards haven't been doing their jobs -- particularly with female CEOs. You see, I think women make better CEOs than men, but only if they are trained and supported as well, and often that just isn't the case. I'll explain and then close with my product of the week: the Jaguar iPace, which I finally got to test drive! The Psychopathic CEO I think there is an endemic CEO problem, and it isn't simple. One aspect of it is that we tend to favor psychopaths as CEOs, which I don't think does anyone any good. A lot of them -- Intel's latest CEO was a case in point, tend to go down in flames for abuse of power. A lack of empathy in a leader, whether male or female, is not a good thing. Rather than seeming to favor this type of personality defect, I think we should be working aggressively to breed this defect out of the race. Yet we don't even seem to test for it when selecting top executives, which means a lot of folks who float to the top, male or female, don't have much in the way of empathy. That lack of empathy has resulted in some truly unfortunate decisions. I believe both former HP CEOs Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman demonstrated tendencies in line with this problem. Fiorina announced what then were the biggest layoffs in HP's history, and during the same period enhanced HP's fleet of limousines (Maybach) and its private jets, both of which were used almost exclusively by Fiorina. The result was that at the end, no one had her back, and the company effectively celebrated her getting fired. Whitman's behavior became most clear when she ran for governor of California in 2010. When she found that her housekeeper had entered the country illegally, she fired her -- and then blamed her opponent for taking that action. The housekeeper was a woman who had been with her for years, and she tossed her out with no visible remorse (and lost the Hispanic vote and the election in the process). I think what makes this particularly problematic for women is that we expect women to be more empathetic then men, and yet because we seem to favor a lack of empathy, we tend to weed out the very behavior that will be needed at the top. That in turn tends to drive both men and women psychopaths to the top of the pile, where they fail painfully. Because there are fewer women CEOs, it's my belief that we tend to focus on the physical differences rather than the problematic behavior. I'd argue the failures weren't due to the CEO's gender, but rather due to their personality defects, lack of relevant training, and lack of critical board support. The Untrained CEO IBM is one of the few exceptions where CEOs are groomed early on with a level of rigor consistent with the responsibilities of the job. Two of the most successful CEOs currently in the market in tech are Ginni Rometty of IBM and Lisa Su of AMD, both of whom went through this aggressive program. The program monitors and evaluates advancing executives and typically requires they do time as a CEO Aid to get a sense of the job. A typical new CEO has almost no clue what the job entails, and many of the skills that got them considered work against them when they're in the job. One example is self-promotion and seizing credit. As you advance in a company, you do need to make sure your accomplishments are visible so that you are high on the list for promotion, particularly when you get into management. However, as a CEO, you automatically get credit for what the company does, and successful CEOs become very good at promoting their people and sharing credit, because that results in loyalty. Given the breadth of the job, loyalty is critical to the CEO's success. Put differently: If you can't trust your people and they don't trust you, you'll likely fail as a CEO. Take Marissa Mayer. She was certainly a talented and capable manager, at least while she was at Google, but she failed badly as CEO of Yahoo. I'd argue that was because she lacked the skill set to manage a media company (which Google wasn't) and she had no visible training to be a CEO. The board should have ensured her training and backed her up with a senior media expert who could have taught her about the new (to her) industry she was in. The board apparently did neither, and she failed. The less skilled a new CEO is, the more he or she will have to depend on the board and direct reports for guidance. Asking for help from a subordinate tends to make a CEO look weak, although I still think that is better than failure. Getting advice from the board doesn't carry the same stigma. However, new CEOs don't like to ask their boards for help. I think it's because they think that also makes them look weak. In any case, the board typically selects the CEO, so the board should own ensuring the success of its selection. That clearly isn't the case in most companies with failed CEOs, whether they're men or women. Women Should Make Better CEOs Than Men My early degree in Manpower Management required studying gender differences. One clear difference is that men tend to tunnel and focus, while women can handle a lot of more moving parts at once. Men and women literally are wired differently. The nature of the CEO role isn't one of focus -- not really. That is for line and staff positions that often are defined tightly. A CEO must watch every aspect of a business, including sales, marketing, finance, manufacturing, operations and line functions. The job requires that you have a lot of balls in the air at any one time. Further, if you want to keep your best execs, you'd better be empathetic. Otherwise, you'll likely find you are standing alone, and that typically ends poorly for CEOs. Women seem to get image-building and marketing much better than men do. This is a critical, though often undervalued, CEO skill -- one that Steve Jobs showcased. Because there's a tendency to value the male-oriented skill of focus over multitasking, women often don't advance unless they learn to emulate men, which then hurts them when they become CEOs. In effect, their careers reprogram them, unfortunately, to eliminate their unique advantages as a CEO. I really think that needs to be fixed. Wrapping Up: We Need More CEOs Like Ginni Rometty and Lisa Su I constantly see columns arguing that we need more women CEOs, but if we aren't going to ensure their success, we can expect bad outcomes. What we need are more qualified CEOs, and a program in place to make sure women and men get the needed skills to be successful. We also need boards to step up and help new CEOs far more aggressively than they have done in the past, and boards should be penalized much more effectively when a CEO fails, to guarantee that they ensure the CEO's success. We absolutely need more diversity at the top, but first we must ensure the skills of the people we put into these jobs. Promoting diversity without ensuring skills is what the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission initially did, and we learned that pushing unqualified minorities into jobs was a company-killing practice -- though, admittedly, it is a ton easier than providing training. Companies should establish a rigorous CEO executive resource program, so that rising executives can gain the critical skills they'll need in case they become CEO. I think these programs should be as diverse as the firm's customer base, and that talented women should be recruited aggressively into these programs. It is my view that the more qualified and empathetic women we have running companies, the better our customer experiences, the more ensured our investments, and the more reliable our job security will become. In short both Ginni Rometty and Lisa Su showcase the capability and promise of qualified women as CEOs. We don't just need more women CEOs -- we need more women CEOs like Ginni and Lisa. It is as much a quality as it is a quantity problem, and the answer isn't multiple choice -- it is all of the above. Thanks to Dell (Dell did the virtual reality rollout for the Jaguar iPace) I was at the launch of this vehicle in Los Angeles. I almost instantly fell in love with the car and then tried to order one, which eventually took Dell getting involved. With the company's help, I got it done -- but I never actually test drove the car until last week. The Portland Oregon Jaguar Dealer (the only one in the state) offered a test drive, and we drove three hours to the dealership to give the car a try. It was a preproduction prototype, but it should be nearly identical to the production cars that are shipping. Jaguar I-Pace Now I've driven both Tesla S and X cars and found them wanting. Both were too big for me, and while I thought the Tesla S was amazing, you couldn't give me an X. I found it both ugly and a nasty mix of overly complex unreliable technology. (For instance, those damn gull wing doors have a nasty habit of breaking, and I'll likely have scars on my head for life as a result.) What makes the iPace very different than the Teslas is that it was designed from the ground up as an electric car. The motors are on the axels and the battery runs under the car, so you don't need a huge hood. The result is a car that is as small outside as Jaguar's small SUV, but nearly as big as its large SUV inside. This makes it far easier to park and drive, while the big Teslas (S and X) are kind of like driving a bus. They are huge. The other interesting thing is they tuned the iPace for the road, not a drag strip. This means the high-end Teslas are significantly faster than the Jaguar in the quarter mile, but the iPace won't overheat on a road course they way a Tesla does. This means you can take the Jaguar on a "spirited" drive and not end up in limp home mode, which isn't uncommon in a Tesla. In driving the car, the performance was in line with my Mercedes GLA45 AMG, which is the fastest car Mercedes has up to 30 miles per hour. Room and comfort were very nice -- fit and finish in line with a luxury car and generally better than a Tesla. Like most electrics, the car was dead quiet, with only some road noise making it into the cabin. Negatives were limited to a lack of rear vision through the small (for a crossover) rear window, and a slow infotainment system, which I think is due to the use of Intel rather than Nvidia or Qualcomm. One other negative is range. Range on the iPace is 250 miles, give or tak, and for fast charging, it needs a high-speed charger. Currently there are few of those installed, although VW has committed to fund a massive increase. Until they are up and running, the Tesla Supercharger network remains a huge advantage for that line. Overall, I can hardly wait till my iPace arrives in November, and the test drive got me excited all over again about this car. So, the Jaguar iPace is once again my product of the week. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network. Rob Enderle has been an ECT News Network columnist since 2003. His areas of interest include AI, autonomous driving, drones, personal technology, emerging technology, regulation, litigation, M&E, and technology in politics. He has an MBA in human resources, marketing and computer science. He is also a certified management accountant. Enderle currently is president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group, a consultancy that serves the technology industry. He formerly served as a senior research fellow at Giga Information Group and Forrester. Email Rob. A federal judge dismissed most claims in a lawsuit challenging Connecticuts restrictions on magnet schools, charter schools, and school choice programs, saying there is no fundamental right to equal education opportunity under the U.S. Constitution. A group of parents and students sued state officials in 2016, saying the restrictions are unconstitutional and have forced thousands of low-income and minority students to attend low-performing public schools. The parents say they tried to enroll their children in magnet and charter schools, but were rejected. At issue are state laws that place a moratorium on new magnet schools, prevent public charter schools from opening or expanding, and penalize school districts that accept students under a state inter-district school choice program. In a Sept. 28 ruling, U.S. District Judge Alvin Thompson in Hartford dismissed six of seven claims. The remaining claim alleges state officials have abdicated their constitutional duty to safeguard citizens civil rights. Thompson gave state officials time to file a motion to dismiss that allegation. Hawaii teachers have joined the Red for Ed movement: Last week, dozens of teachers across the state staged a walk-in protest to spread awareness about what they see as a lack of funding for public schools. Theyre urging support for a ballot measure that would put in place a property tax to fund schools. The measure, which voters will consider in November, would tax investment real estate worth more than $1 million. The states counties have urged the state supreme court to invalidate the ballot question, arguing that it misleads voters by not mentioning the word tax. But the state teachers union has said the money that would be raised from the measure is critical for schools. While Hawaiis average teacher salary is $56,651, according to the National Education Association, the union contends that when adjusted for cost-of-living, Aloha State teachers are the lowest paid in the nation. The union has also said the state is among the lowest in per-pupil spending. More than half of the nations 13 elected state superintendent positions are up for grabs this fall. But in South Carolina this year, theres a twist: As voters go to the polls to vote on their new state chief, theyll also decide whether the general publicor the states governoris best fit to select who should be in charge of improving the states schools. The ballot question to make the chiefs job an appointed one as of 2023 was initiated by the states Republican-dominated legislature and is an effort to consolidate power over the states academically struggling public school system which has been plagued by a widespread teacher shortage. The South Carolina debate is illustrative of the increasing responsibilities, visibility, and political pressures state chiefs across the nation face. You cant have two competing agendas with two different offices with two competing views, said South Carolina House Representative Bill Taylor, a Republican who sits on the states education committee and opposes having two separate elected officials pulling the strings on education policy. Ballot Watch Voters in seven states will pick state school superintendents in November, out of 13 that elect their state chiefs overall. And in one stateSouth Carolinavoters will also decide whether, in the future, the state superintendent should be appointed by the governor. Current Races Arizona Kathy Hoffman (D) : Speech pathologist, Peoria, Ariz., school district : Speech pathologist, Peoria, Ariz., school district Frank Riggs (R): Former congressman, now a charter school executive California (non-partisan) Marshall Tuck : Former president of Green Dot Public Schools, a national network of charter schools; founding CEO of the nonprofit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, which operates 18 elementary, middle, and high schools : Former president of Green Dot Public Schools, a national network of charter schools; founding CEO of the nonprofit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, which operates 18 elementary, middle, and high schools Tony Thurmond: Democratic state legislator, former social worker, local school board member, and Richmond city council member Georgia Otha Thornton (D) : Military contractor, former president National PTA : Military contractor, former president National PTA Richard Woods (R)*: Former teacher and principal Idaho Cindy Wilson(D) : High school government teacher : High school government teacher Sherri Ybarra (R)*: Former teacher, principal and district administrator Oklahoma John Cox (D) : Superintendent of Peggs public school district : Superintendent of Peggs public school district Joy Hofmeister (R)* : Former elementary school teacher : Former elementary school teacher Larry Huff (I): State education department director, college professor South Carolina Israel Romero (D) : Former special education and Spanish high school teacher and former educational administration professor at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts : Former special education and Spanish high school teacher and former educational administration professor at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts Molly Spearman (R)*: Former music teacher, assistant principal and state legislator Wyoming Jillian Balow (R)*: Former teacher, Unopposed *Incumbent But those opposed to the ballot measure say it will dilute citizens input and fails to address broader problems, such as the states uneven funding of public schools. Its just a Band-Aid, it really doesnt fix anything, said John Scott, a Democratic member of the states Senate. If the measure passes, Whoever the governor isand whatever their agenda isis going to be the agenda of the day, and that could cripple the school system even more. Nationally, theres been a major shake up in recent years over whos in charge of education policy in states, sparked in part by the federal governments 2015 decision under the Every Student Succeeds Act to concede much of its oversight of states accountability systems and learning standards. Legislatures in recent years have slashed away at the rights of state boards of education, and dozens of state superintendents have either been forced to resign or have been outright fired over disagreements regarding state policy. The average tenure of state superintendents today is a little more than two years. State chiefs in the last five years have played a more outward-facing role in helping set the direction of states overall education vision, said Carissa Moffat Miller, the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Shifting Sands Just 13 states still elect their state chiefs, down from 33 states which did so a century ago when state departments were first established as data clearinghouses for states. (Florida and Mississippi also still elect some district superintendents.) What was once seen as a pillar of education governanceletting the people directly decide who they want to oversee their public schoolshas increasingly come to be seen among political consultants as one of the root causes of political infighting and diffuse school improvement strategies. Arizonas elected state chief Diane Douglas, who campaigned in 2014 to rid the state of the Common Core State Standards, spent the majority of her tenure bickering with the governor and his appointed state board over who in the state department reports to whom, at one point bringing state policymaking to a standstill. She was recently ousted in the Republican primary. North Carolinas state chief Mark Johnson, elected in 2016, has been caught up in a legal feud with the state board over which political body has power over their state-run district, and other critical responsibilities. States With Elected School Superintendents Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Source: Education Week Wisconsins elected state chief Tony Evers, a Democrat, spent much of his eight years in office sparring with Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the states Republican-dominated legislature over the budget, interpretation of several teacher improvement and school accountability policies, and their states ESSA plan. Evers is now in the running to unseat Walker. And just last week, Indianas elected superintendent of public instruction, Jennifer McCormick, said she wont run for re-election in 2020 after months of arguing with her states board of education over how the state will hold its schools accountable. That debate culminated in the states school districts answering to two separate accountability systems this year. The states legislature decided in 2017 to make the state chief appointed rather than elected, but the legislature in recent months has wavered on when exactly the transition will happen. The government structure in Indiana is quite difficult, McCormick said. It causes confusion, and it stretches resources, but I also understand the power of having the citizens voice in education since public schools consume over 50 percent of the state budget. A 2013 study by the Center for Reinventing Public Education, a think tank based at University of Washington Bothell, found that amid mass department layoffs during the Great Recession, elected state chiefs were much less aggressive in restructuring their organizations or challenging their relationships with local districts than more politically insulated appointed state chiefs. But theres little research that shows that one governance model delivers better academic results than another. Campaign Issues Candidates in this years seven state superintendent races have debated issues including the role of charter schools, how states distribute money among their schools, and teacher recruitment and retention. Some of those races have attracted an extraordinary amount of attention and moneyCalifornias nonpartisan superintendents race between Marshall Tuck and Tony Thurmond, for example, is the most expensive race in the state this year, with the candidates raising a combined total of $20 million. In South Carolina, Molly Spearman is competing on the Republican ticket against Democrat Israel Romero, a writer and former educator. If the ballot measure to appoint state superintendent passes this November, the governor beginning in 2023 will recommend to the Senate a state chief to oversee the department based on a series of newand higherqualifications set by the legislature. The state only requires candidates for state chief to be 18 years old to run for that position. A law passed this past spring would require any governor-appointed state superintendent to have a minimum of a masters degree and substantive and broad-based experience in the field of public education. Whether or not to have their state chief elected has been debated in South Carolinas political circles for more than half a century, but took on steam in the last decade after Republicans took over the statehouse in 2003 and began handing over more power to the governor, which historically has been a weak position in the state. Today, Spearman runs a department of more than 1,000 employees, directly runs three underperforming and financially struggling school districts, and this year rolled out a new accountability system that requires the state to collect plenty more data. Despite those increased responsibilities, Spearman doesnt sit on Republican Gov. Henry McMasters cabinet. That, Spearman said, creates logistical hurdles and bureaucratic headaches. Every year, for example, the legislature considers a budget crafted by the governors staff and one crafted by the superintendents staff. In 2016, Spearman authored a joint letter with then-Gov. Nikki Haley urging the Senate to make the state superintendent position appointed rather than elected. Instead of moving the state forward with a common vision for education priorities, this divided leadership structure can result in incompatible positions, a lack of coordination and fragmented accountability for failures in our Pre K-12 education system, Haley and Spearman wrote. The legislatures bill to place the question on the ballot passed this past spring with just six senators voting against it. In a recent interview, Spearman said the increased duties of the state chief, combined with the necessary campaigning and low pay is likely to make it hard to attract qualified candidates to the job. Nationally, elected state chiefs are paid on average $115,000, significantly less than board-appointed state chiefs who make on average $223,000, according to an Education Week analysis. South Carolinas chief makes $92,000 a year. Its very difficult to find very high-quality, highly trained educators or business folks who are willing to run in statewide elections, she said. By most analyses, schools across the country are as segregated today as they were during the Civil Rights era. Both racial and economic segregation are growing. And for many young people of color, when the two come together, it usually means less access to great teachers and challenging classes, and a greater likelihood of being held back or suspended. The percentage of public schools where between 75 to 100 percent of students are both poor and Black or Latino has nearly doubled since 2000 , according to a 2016 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. For district and school leaders, taking on segregation might seem like a daunting, if not impossible, task. After all, school integration efforts in the United States have had a winding and tortuous history. Policies have been tried and failed or abandoned; court mandates have been issued, and undone. Students who attend majority high-poverty schools are less likely to go to college and more likely to drop out of high school. I'm living proof of this." However, integration must be part of a leaders plan to address inequities in her schools. Students who attend majority high-poverty schools are less likely to go to college and more likely to drop out of high school. Im living proof of this. Growing up, I went to schools where almost all my classmates were children of color like me. I dropped out of college, completely unprepared for the academic rigor, and took years to muster the courage to make my way back to the university. Contrast that with racially and socioeconomically integrated schools, where research has found smaller achievement gaps between students of color and their white classmates compared to similar more segregated schools. Tackling inequities takes strong, brave, and thoughtful leadership. In my work with both district and school leaders at the NYC Leadership Academy, I have seen how a handful of research-based leadership dispositions can help them take steps to make their schools more equitable. 1. Reflect on your personal assumptions, beliefs, and behaviors. Addressing segregation requires that we talk openly about its root cause: racism and implicit bias. For school system leaders to be able to lead productive and difficult discussions with staff, students, and community members about deep-seated racial bias and how it has played out in their community, leaders must first reflect on their own beliefs and behaviors. If, as leaders, we are not aware of how our own racial identity and biases play out in our work, then we are simply perpetuating opportunity and achievement gaps. As the founding principal of a New York City school for six years whose students, while predominately black, hailed from many different cultures, I had to actively explore my own African-American identity while learning about and affirming my students experiences. As former Saint Paul, Minn., superintendent Valeria Silva has said about the results of her own self-reflection, I began walking the schools differently, asking principals different questions, noticing how parents got access to schools, or didnt. 2. Publicly model a personal belief system that is student-centered and grounded in equity. When you take discussions about race to your staff, school board members, or families, you will inevitably get some pushback. This work is uncomfortablemany of us are afraid that we will be called a racistso resistance is normal. As leaders, we can model vulnerability by talking publicly about our own identity, biases, and privilege and the work we are doing to become more aware of them. For example, longtime superintendent John Deasywith whom I worked when he led the Los Angeles Unified School District and I was supporting the development of the districts school leadership pipelinehas consistently modeled his commitment to racial equity by openly discussing the privilege he carries as a white man. 3. Act with cultural competence and responsiveness in interactions, decisionmaking, and practice. As we model our beliefs, we can then begin to integrate them into our work. As chief of schools in Boston from 2015 to 2017, I was charged with helping turn around some of the citys lowest-performing schools whose students were almost entirely children of color. Basing every decision on the needs of each student, my team and I prioritized integrating the mostly white staff, because we knew students would benefit from a more diverse group of teachers. We communicated the urgency of our work to students, parents, and community-based organizations supporting the turnaround efforts. We offered a clear vision for what the schools demographic data meant for the kind of education we envisioned would meet the needs of each child. 4. Confront and alter institutional biases of student marginalization, deficit-based schools, and low expectations associated with race. To support your staff and families in taking on this work, you will need to facilitate their learning around how to think and talk about race and segregation. Its critical to make it clear that you expect everyone to participate in this work, and then to personalize the learning so that each person can engage from wherever they are. This means devoting more resources, as New York City Department of Education announced in May it will do by investing $23 million in anti-bias training for educators. 5. Create systems and structures to promote equity with a focus on race. Finally, to truly address inequities, district and school leaders must lead systemic change, which requires looking at structures across an entire school or districtfrom curriculum to human resourcesthrough an equity lens. How do you determine the needs of different subgroups of students across your district? How do you decide how district resources are allocated? In San Antonio, the districts chief innovation officer, Mohammed Choudhury, is doing this by leading a massive integration effort. He convinced the district to use more detailed census tract income datarather than free and reduced-price lunch datato define poverty. He has created a magnet school system that admits students through weighted lotteries that reserve a balanced portion of seats for students of different income levels. Recognizing that segregation is not just a school-level issue, he also joined the citys housing task force. School integration has and will continue to face resistance at every turn, but it must be a critical part of school systems efforts to close achievement and opportunity gaps. As leaders we can each anchor our work in these dispositions and use them to find a way to enter this work. Our children cant afford for us not to. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. Toronto would be having a book Self-Publishing + Marketing - Question & Answer Session on Saturday, October 20, 2018 2:00 PM 3:30 PM EDT. Venue is in Toronto`s Greektown area. The session will be hosted by an author with Agora Books of over 10 titles, who has over twenty years of experience in the book publishing industry. He is also a member of the University of Toronto, with a background in teaching law and designing successful news blogs. The session is aimed at helping aspiring authors learn the vital steps needed to produce, market and distribute high quality and mass-marketable self-published books. The event also seeks to empower writers to self-publish commercially successful high quality and mass-marketable books while also avoiding critical costly mistakes self-published authors. Prospective participants are advised to add AgoraCosmopolitan to their Skype contact list in order to join this event or send a text message for more information: (514) 712-7516. Tickets for the events would be sold at the rate of CA$ 25 for general admissions and CA$ 90 for extended VIP professional consulting-For one scheduled hour after event. Agora is a not-for-profit corporation that was founded in 1997by a member of the University of Toronto community to provide an alternative to often bureaucratized university presses. Agora publishing makes book publishing accessible to all writers across Canada and internationally. This includes university and community college professors as well as teachers who seek to self-publish books for their courses. AgoraPublishing.com offers among other services: Book Self-Publishing Services AgoraPublishing.com specializes in helping university and community college professors/departments as well as teachers publish and re-publish high quality book for courses or mass-market distribution. Indeed, AgoraPublishing.com Agora Books offers its many book self-publishing services as a partner in facilitating your book production, marketing and distribution. Book Distribution for Writers Agora Publishing Consortium is a not-for-profit and charitable-oriented book distributor which help authors and independent publishers across Canada and internationally distribute their books and other publications. They also enable authors and independent publishers to display and publicize their books. Agora is a not for profit organization and accept donations up to $200 from individuals. SEO for Writers Search engine optimization (SEO) can be described as strategies and tactics used to ensure that a site is accessible to a search engine and improves the chances that the site will be found by the search engine. The goal of successful SEO is to obtain a high-ranking placement in the search The higher a website naturally ranks in organic results of a search, the greater the chance that site will be visited by a user. SEO is typically a set of "white hat" best practices that webmasters and Web content producers follow to help them achieve a better ranking in search engine results. A similar event on book publishing by the same host, is also scheduled to hold on October 22 2018. Despite implementing multiple solutions to create a defense in depth and following all industry best practices, some of the very best IT security directors will confess that they have a very fundamental problem: They dont really know how well their security is working. Until recently, enterprises have had limited capabilities for assessing the damage that a cyberattack could do to their systems. They might have conducted penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, security audits, red team testing or threat hunting, but each of these approaches have limitations that prevent it from providing a comprehensive, ongoing picture of an organizations overall security posture. To fill this need, vendors have stepped up with a new type of tool called breach and attack simulation (BAS). This terminology first started gaining attention around 2017, so it is still in the early stages of development. In its 2018 Hype Cycle for Threat-Facing Technologies, Gartner places BAS in the beginning, on the rise portion of the cycle. See our list of top breach and attack simulation vendors and top vulnerability management solutions. No research has yet been published on the current size of the BAS market. However, because the need for this type of service is so great, the market for BAS tools could become huge very quickly. In its report on the automated breach simulation market, Cyber Research Databank predicted, The market for automated breach and penetration and simulation [could] reach the size of $1B by 2020. This includes internal developments and open-source tools. Organizations of any size in any industry could benefit from the software who couldnt benefit from finding and plugging as many vulnerabilities as possible? With that sort of potential, breach simulation is clearly something that IT security managers need to learn more about. What is breach and attack simulation (BAS)? Breach and attack simulation (BAS) technology pretends to be an attacker in order to test a networks cyber defenses. These automated tools run simulated attacks to measure the effectiveness of a companys prevention, detection and mitigation capabilities. For example, the software might simulate a phishing attack on a companys email systems, a cyberattack on the companys web application firewall (WAF), attempted data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks or a malware attack on an endpoint. Most of the tools can run 247 in order to provide alerts whenever a change to the network results in potential vulnerabilities or risk. Some provide the ability to run scheduled mock attacks, and some can run surprise mock attacks in order to gauge a security operations centers capabilities. Some also incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to launch more sophisticated attacks over time or to analyze data on a companys cybersecurity posture. Because this technology is very new, the solutions on the market vary widely. Some focus more on breach simulation, primarily attempting to break through network defenses. Others offer more comprehensive attack simulation with the ability to measure an organizations responses in the exploitation and post-exploitation stages of a cyberattack. Deployment also varies. Some run in the cloud; some run on-premises. Some require agents, others are agentless. Some of the software as a service (SaaS) solutions can deploy in just minutes, while others may take hours or days. However, most of them begin returning reports in less than an hour after deployment, and some can return reports in just a couple of minutes. In short, the market is still working to define what exactly constitutes a BAS solution and how it differs from other products on the market. Breach simulation vs. penetration testing Some of the confusion around the definition of BAS concerns its relationship to penetration testing. Breach simulation and penetration testing are very similar, but they arent exactly the same. Usually penetration testing is conducted by a security expert, a white hat hacker, who applies his or her knowledge of how to breach defenses to the task of penetrating an organizations networks. This approach is very effective because it relies on people who have the same set of skills as the criminals who are conducting cyberattacks. However, on the downside, penetration testing tends to be very expensive and it only offers a snapshot of an organizations defenses at a particular point in time. When organizations improve their defenses or as new attacks are seen in the wild, security managers often have no idea how the changes actually affect their security posture unless they pay for more testing. While some very large enterprises have gotten around these disadvantages by hiring in-house cybersecurity experts who can perform pen testing on a regular basis, this isnt an option for most organizations. Breach simulation automates the testing process and performs it continuously. While these tools may not have the same creativity and ingenuity as human white hats, they can test all the time across a broad spectrum of different kinds of attacks. Gartner has noted that BAS tools also have a slightly different scope than pen tests. It wrote, Penetration testing helps answer the question can they get in?; BAS tools answer the question does my security work?' Complicating matters, some tools combine breach simulation with penetration testing capabilities. Time will tell whether these remain distinct categories or if the two types of solutions conflate. Why deploy breach and attack simulation technology? The primary reason organizations would want to deploy BAS is because they want an answer to the fundamental question of whether their systems are secure. Even careful security teams sometimes find that some of their security tools have been inadvertently shut down or are not performing as desired because of configuration errors. Breach and attack simulation can help organizations identify these problems early as part of their proactive security efforts. In addition, most large organizations use many different security tools that may or may not be operating as intended or working together properly. According to Gartner, Large enterprises report having 30 to 70 security vendors. In that type of environment, security tools will be changing almost constantly, as vendors update their tools to adapt to the evolving threat landscape. The only way to know with any level of certainty that a companys networks and systems are secure as they go through those changes is with some sort of cyberattack simulation testing. And BAS tools represent the most cost-effective way to do that testing on a continual basis. Of course, its not just security tools that are changing constantly. Thanks to the rise of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), enterprise networks themselves are evolving all the time. Large enterprises may be using computing resources that are scattered all over the globe, and testing this type of environment on a regular basis is difficult with other types of security tools. Gartner concluded, BAS tools are the best option when consistent, systematic and frequent tests of production security controls are required. Potential disadvantages of breach and attack simulation technology While BAS tools offer a lot of benefits, they also carry some potential risks. They include the following: The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), an SABCS co-sponsor, will honor three renowned researchers for their work in breast cancer at the 2018 SABCS, to be held Dec. 4-8. Ian Smith, MD, FRCP, FRCPE, will receive the William L. McGuire Memorial Lecture Award presented by SABCS. Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, will receive the 2018 AACR Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer Research, which is generously funded by a grant from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Zena Werb, PhD, is the recipient of the 2018 AACR Distinguished Lectureship in Breast Cancer Research. "These very deserving recipients are the reason SABCS remains a leading global educational resource in research and treatment of breast cancer," said SABCS Co-Director C. Kent Osborne, MD, director of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "Their lectures about their work fulfill our mission of providing state-of-the-art information to scientists and physicians focusing on breast cancer." "On behalf of the American Association for Cancer Research, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations to Drs. Smith, Partridge, and Werb on receiving these highly deserved awards," said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. "Their outstanding research contributions have propelled advances in breast cancer science and medicine and have helped to save countless lives from breast cancer as well as to extend and improve the lives of patients with metastatic disease. Clearly, breast cancer patients are the recipients of their spectacular research." Smith, a professor of cancer medicine at The Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research in London, is being recognized for his extraordinary research that has changed the direction of oncology in the United Kingdom and around the world. These accomplishments include his research and testing of aromatase inhibitors, his pioneering work in neoadjuvant (preoperative) endocrine therapy for patients with large operable cancers, and his major contributions to oncology training in the U.K. Smith will deliver a lecture titled "Hold That Scalpel! Using the Tumor to Determine the Treatment." Partridge, a professor of medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, is being recognized for her work with young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Through a developmental research cohort, she has characterized many of the complex medical and psychological challenges facing young women with breast cancer and has set the stage for future research in this understudied population. Partridge will present a lecture titled "Breast Cancer in Young Women: Understanding Differences to Improve Outcomes." Werb, a professor of anatomy and associate director of Basic Science at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, San Francisco, will be honored for her pioneering studies involving the elucidation of the mechanistic role of the extracellular microenvironment in regulating breast epithelial cell function. Her research has led to a paradigm shift in the understanding of mammary gland development as well as breast cancer progression and metastasis. Werb's lecture is titled "What Can We Learn from Breast Cancers that Metastasize or Don't?" ### Smith's lecture will be presented on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 11:15 a.m.; Partridge's lecture, on Friday, Dec. 7, at 11:30 a.m.; and Werb's lecture, on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 11:30 a.m. These SABCS talks will take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio. International team of physicists explained anomalous low temperature behavior of 'dirty' superconductors. These materials possess various non-trivial properties which make them necessary for quantum computers with superconductive qubits. In a paper published in Nature Physics, scientists report how 'dirty' superconductors can violate the conventional theory of superconductivity. These results make it possible to engineer superconductive qubits that are perfectly isolated from the outer disturbances and thus can be fully used for quantum computing. Superconductors are materials that lose electrical resistance under special circumstances. When resistance falls to zero, an electrical current circulates within a superconductor without any dissipation of energy, while in wires made of conventional materials a lot of energy is lost as heat. Although superconductivity has been discovered in early XX century, the first theory explaining superconductive properties was proposed only in 1950 by Soviet physicists Lev Landau and Vitaly Ginzburg. The complete microscopic theory of superconductivity was created seven years later by John Bardeen, Leon Cooper and John Schrieffer in the USA. This theory was dubbed BCS after their initials as they were awarded Nobel Prize for it in 1972. Among other things BCS theory predicts the behavior of superconductors in a magnetic field. In a weak applied field superconductor expels magnetic flux while staying superconductive. This is called the Meissner effect. Yet large class of materials (known as 'type-II' superconductors), enable penetration of magnetic field at higher magnitudes into the bulk of superconductor in the form of quantized 'tubes' of magnetic flux. They are called Abrikosov vortices. Such a 'mixed state' is superconducting if vortices are pinned to the underlying atomic structure by disorder, which creates potential energy wells where vortices prefer to sit. But if magnetic field is increased further, at the point called upper critical magnetic field (Bc2) the sample loses its superconductivity and behaves like normal metal. When the temperature of the sample is relatively high and gets closer to critical temperature (Tc), superconductivity can be destroyed even by weak magnetic field. In different materials critical temperature varies from several to several dozen kelvins. The lower the temperature, the stronger magnetic field must be applied to 'shut down' the superconductivity. However, at a range of very low temperatures the magnetic field required to destroy superconductivity is stable and does not depend on the temperature of superconductive sample. "This classical behavior is violated in 'very dirty' superconductors", says Mikhail Feigelman, head of the Quantum Mesoscopics Department of Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics. "By 'very dirty' we mean superconductors made of some metal alloys with highly disordered crystal structure: they are almost amorphous. In these superconductors critical magnetic field continues to increase almost linearly even at very low temperatures. This abnormal behavior has been observed previously, but there was no decent explanation for it". The new research contains several experiments and theoretical explanation of the unusual behaviour of 'very dirty' superconductors. Key experimental findings were made while measuring critical current density. Along with critical temperature and critical magnetic field, critical current density is a fundamental characteristic of a superconductor. It is the maximum electrical transport current density that the superconductor is able to maintain with zero resistance. When the critical current density is exceeded, the sample ceases to superconduct and starts to heat. Authors of the new paper worked with amorphous indium oxide films of various levels of disorder - a prototypical disordered superconductor. They applied different currents to samples and measured critical magnetic fields required to destroy the superconductive state. Though similar experiments have been performed earlier, this research is the first to feature systematic measurements of the critical magnetic fields and currents in the 'very dirty' superconductor at near critical magnetic fields and near-zero temperatures. In addition to that, authors also measured the temperature dependence of the critical magnetic field value for indium oxide films. "Surprisingly, it turned out that critical current density depends in a very simple way on how close the magnetic field is to its critical value. It is a power-law dependence and the exponent is 3/2. Comparing findings made in these two experiments, we managed to understand the connection between them. When strong magnetic field is applied to 'very dirty' superconductors and they still stay superconductive, thermal fluctuations of Abrikosov vortices occur inside disordered superconductor samples. And we found a way to describe these Abrikosov vortices thermal fluctuations. Our predictions turned out to be in good agreement with experimental data", explains Feigelman. 'Very dirty' superconductors are the cutting edge of modern superconductive physics. They differ from conventional metals in many ways. Under normal conditions, any disorder introduced in a usual metal decreases its ability to conduct electrical current. The greater the disorder, the greater is the electrical resistance. When cooled, resistance of such disordered conventional metals decreases. 'Very dirty' superconductors at room temperature behave as weak dielectrics and become less and less conductive with temperature decrease. But when critical temperature is reached, they leap into superconductive state. "Superconducting and dielectric states are directly opposed to each other. This is why such a transition is amazing. 'Very dirty' superconductors have been studied for 25 years, but we still lack a complete theory to explain their unconventional behavior", notes Feigelman. In recent years disordered superconductors have been extensively studied as it turned out that these materials have a lot of practical applications. 'Very dirty' superconductors are the best materials to isolate superconductive qubits - basic units of the quantum computer - from the external disturbances. That is due to their strong inductance - sort of electrical 'inertia' that determines the intensity of magnetic flux created by the electric current circulating inside the material. The more disordered the superconductor, the stronger it's inductivity is, and components with strong inductance serve as perfect 'noise insulators' that protect fragile quantum entanglement of the qubits. ### Reference: Low-temperature anomaly in disordered superconductors near Bc2 as a vortex-glass property. Benjamin Sacepe et al. Nature Physics (2018) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-018-0294-6#author-information Pediatric researchers studying the life-threatening blood disorder Fanconi anemia (FA) have devised a method to block the abnormal biological signals that drive the disease. This proof-of-concept finding in animals and stem cells from human cord blood may lay the foundation for better treatments for children with the rare, frequently fatal disease. "We showed how, in Fanconi anemia, an abnormal protein disrupts a key growth pathway and damages the ability of bone marrow to produce blood cells," said study leader Wei Tong, PhD, a hematology researcher at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Fanconi anemia researchers did not previously appreciate the role of this growth pathway in the disease. Because drugs for other diseases can manipulate this pathway, there may be an important opportunity to develop a new treatment." Tong and colleagues reported these findings online Sept. 25, 2018 in Nature Communications. Because inherited genetic mutations trigger bone marrow failure that reduces red blood cells counts in Fanconi anemia (FA), until recently children with the disorder rarely lived past age 10. They have a high risk for leukemia and some solid tumors. To have a chance to survive, most children ultimately require a bone marrow transplant, but even that procedure is much more challenging than in other diseases. FA results from a malfunction in DNA copying mechanisms. Each time a cell divides, the genetic information encoded in DNA is replicated and distributed to daughter cells. Scientists have known for years that FA is caused by mutations in one of 22 FA proteins, which normally work together to protect the integrity of genetic information. Normally, Fanconi proteins are spell checkers, sensing errors and damage, and halting the copy machinery if there is a problem. This is particularly important in the bone marrow, where stem cells divide frequently as they generate new blood cells. If a mutation disables the "spell checking," the replication machinery keeps jamming, and errors accumulate that ultimately damage the DNA beyond repair. Unfortunately, intervening to correct the replication mechanism is difficult. Gene therapy, which has shown promise in other blood disorders, would require extracting bone marrow cells, correcting them, and transplanting them back to the patient--a difficult process for FA patients with fragile bone marrow cells. The new study suggests a different approach to the problem. The researchers used a mouse model of FA that lacks Fancd2, a key protein in the FA pathway. Similar to FA patients, the mice show DNA damage and impaired blood stem cell activity. In addition, the bone marrow cells do not transplant well. Tong and colleagues found that inhibiting a regulatory protein called Sh2b3/Lnk restored the ability of the abnormal bone marrow cells to transplant and grow in mic. Inhibiting Lnk also improved the proliferation and survival of blood cells and crucially improved genome integrity. "We expected that inhibiting Lnk would restore the ability of FA cells to repair DNA damage, but this was not the case," said Tong. "Instead, inhibiting Lnk stabilized the stalled replication machinery, allowing affected cells to continue to copy DNA, and to prevent small errors from cascading into a catastrophic failure." She added, "The most exciting aspect of this discovery is that Lnk is part of a well-known growth pathway that can be manipulated by existing drugs in other diseases." That pathway, the TPO/MPL/JAK2 pathway, is already targeted by eltrombopag and romiplostin for the blood disorder idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), and eltrombopag for aplastic anemia. Tong said that focusing on this growth pathway may finally open the door to better therapies for children with Fanconi anemia. Tong and colleagues will continue to further explore both the animal models of FA and the interactions among the human LNK gene, its associated protein, and blood-forming stem cells. "Our ultimate goal is to translate our knowledge into treatments for both Fanconi anemia and for the broader problem of bone marrow failure," she concluded. ### The National Institutes of Health (grants HL095675, HL133828, CA174904, CA138835, CA180604-01 and HL139091) supported this research, as did the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, the Department of Defense, the Basser Center for BRCA Team Science Grant, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Scholar Award and the Patel Family Award. Joanna Balcerek et al, "Lnk/Sh2b3 deficiency restores hematopoietic stem cell function and genome stability in Fancd2 deficient Fanconi anemia," Nature Communications, published online Sept. 25, 2018. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06380-1 Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 546-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu Refugee and immigrant youth in Ontario may face barriers to accessing mental health services through primary care, say the authors of a study of emergency department visits published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). The study looked at emergency department visits for mental health issues or self-inflicted harm by youth between the ages of 10 and 24 years in Ontario. There were 118,851 youth who visited an emergency department with a mental health concern during the five-year study period (2010-2014), of whom 1.8% (2194) were refugees and 5.6% (6680) were non-refugee immigrants. For many of these youth, their emergency department visit was their first physician contact for mental health services. Rather than presenting first to primary care, 61.3% of refugee youth, 57.6% of non-refugee immigrants and 51.3% of non-immigrant youth presented to the emergency department with a mental health crisis. Among immigrants, newcomers (fewer than five years in Canada) and refugees had the highest rates of first contact in the emergency department. Having a family doctor who practised as part of a team (versus a walk-in clinic model of care) was associated with better rates of receiving outpatient mental health care prior to presenting in crisis to the emergency department. "Our study highlights that immigrants face barriers to using mental health services from a physician on an out-patient basis, but there is variability within immigrant groups by country and region of origin as well as by duration of residence in Canada," says Dr. Natasha Saunders, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and ICES. "The results are consistent with those of other studies of adults that show immigrants and refugees may not have the same access to mental health services by physicians in the community compared with non-immigrants," she says. "The findings suggest a need to understand the barriers and enabling factors that contribute to the use of mental health services and access to care, including focusing efforts to reduce stigma and identify mental health problems early, before crises. This is particularly important for refugee and newcomer youth and immigrants from Africa and Central America where we saw the highest rates of first contact in the emergency department," say the authors. In a related commentary, Dr. David Cawthorpe, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, writes "What is clear from this study, however, is that first presentation with a mental health issue to the emergency department is common for all youth in Ontario, which signals general problems with access to appropriate mental health services in the province." "There is no question that marginal groups may be overrepresented at the gateways to service, and it is necessary to understand and address the contributing factors. Nevertheless, failing to grasp the overarching issues, such as the lack of integration and organization of health and mental health services, will perpetuate current barriers to access and treatment. Youth mental health resources remain the orphan's orphan -- segregated and scarce -- and proven fledging innovations directed at shaping access to appropriate services require wider dissemination," he argues. "Use of the emergency department as a first point of contact for mental health care by immigrant youth in Canada: a population-based study" is published October 9, 2018. ### ITHACA, N.Y. -When scientists first proposed adding the Tricolored Blackbird to the California endangered species list in 2004, they had a problem. Tricolored Blackbirds nest in large colonies that can move from year to year, and because the locations of these colonies in any given year may not be known, existing survey data were not enough to convince the California Fish and Game Commission to approve the listing. In 2015 the species was again under consideration for protection under the California Endangered Species Act. This time, however, partners at California Audubon were armed with new information, thanks largely to the work of Dr. Orin Robinson--a Cornell Lab of Ornithology Postdoctoral Fellow in Conservation Science who has been studying Tricolored Blackbirds for the past two years. Robinson's work combined data in eBird, a citizen-science project logging millions of bird sightings, with survey data from partners at UC Davis to develop new trend estimates for the state's Tricolored Blackbird population. By combining these data sets, Robinson developed a statistically reliable population model showing Tricolored Blackbirds declined more than 33 percent during just the past 10 years. ### Robinson's research was the key piece of evidence cited by the State of California to approve state Endangered Species Act protections for Tricolored Blackbirds this past April. Cornell University has dedicated television and audio studios available for media interviews supporting full HD, ISDN and web-based platforms. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing team up to fight common cause of death in HIV patients A team of nurses and physicians has received a four-year, $3 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to extend traditional HIV treatment protocols to improve the cardiovascular health of people living with HIV. According to the investigators, people living with HIV are nearly twice as likely to experience cardiovascular disease as uninfected populations. The project is a joint effort of the School of Medicine and Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, and Duke University School of Medicine. The nurse-led intervention calls for HIV-positive participants to be screened for cardiovascular risk factors and receive outpatient and in-home follow-up care to help reach blood pressure and cholesterol treatment targets over the course of one year. "People living with HIV may think to themselves, 'I always thought I would die of AIDS, so why do I need to worry about heart disease?'" said Chris Longenecker, co-principal investigator on the award, assistant professor of medicine and pathology at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and director of the Research & Innovation Center at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. "In fact, more are now dying of non-AIDS conditions like heart disease, but they still do not feel like they are at high risk. The result is that people living with HIV are prescribed cardiovascular prevention therapies at lower rates than the general public." Part of the new study includes interviews with HIV patients and their care providers to assess cardiovascular risk perceptions as well as facilitators and barriers to care in this population. "We've had significant and sustainable success in making HIV a chronic, treatable disease that we are now in a position to focus on preventing a growing problem in this population--cardiovascular disease," said Allison Webel, assistant professor of nursing and co-principal investigator on the award. The study's third principal investigator is Hayden Bosworth at Duke University School of Medicine. Finding care a challenge A major challenge in connecting people living with HIV to proper care is a changing workforce, say the researchers. The number of HIV specialists is declining, despite a growing patient population reflective of improved public health and diagnostic strategies. Patients are most likely to receive their care from primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants--a trend seen across medical specialties. Aligned with these trends, the newly funded intervention relies on nurses to provide evidence-based cardiovascular care to HIV patients. Nurses will coordinate baseline cardiovascular assessments, manage medications, oversee at-home blood-pressure monitoring and measure adherence and outcomes using electronic medical records. Nurses will also, more broadly, provide support for study participants. "Nurses are at the center of coordinating care for people living with HIV and serve as vital trust and communication links between HIV providers and primary care doctors," Webel said. "Nurses are able to keep patients engaged in self-management of their conditions, in this case, high blood-pressure and high cholesterol. For example, if a doctor prescribes a home blood-pressure cuff, nurses can follow-up with patients about whether they are using it, any challenges in using it and whether their medications need to be adjusted." Novel intervention According to the researchers, models that promote shared responsibilities between HIV specialists and nurses exist, but their effect on non-AIDS outcomes like cardiovascular disease has not been rigorously studied. "In many HIV clinics around the world," Webel said, "nurses are the bridge between the patient and the health-care system. We know nurse-led interventions can improve outcomes and reduce costs, and with proper adaptation, are scalable across the country." The novel intervention will assess whether nurse-led interventions work in the context of cardiovascular comorbidities associated with HIV. HIV patients can enroll at one of three study sites: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center or Duke Health. The researchers plan to begin enrolling HIV patients in the intervention by the end of this month. Their hope is that their outcomes could inform specific treatment guidelines for blood-pressure and cholesterol monitoring in HIV populations. They also hope to learn best practices to adapt cardiovascular interventions to this specialty population. ### Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 5,100 undergraduate and 6,700 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible. A novel technique that nudges single atoms to switch places within an atomically thin material could bring scientists another step closer to realizing theoretical physicist Richard Feynman's vision of building tiny machines from the atom up. A significant push to develop materials that harness the quantum nature of atoms is driving the need for methods to build atomically precise electronics and sensors. Fabricating nanoscale devices atom by atom requires delicacy and precision, which has been demonstrated by a microscopy team at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. They used a scanning transmission electron microscope, or STEM, at the lab's Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences to introduce silicon atoms into a single-atom-thick sheet of graphene. As the electron beam scans across the material, its energy slightly disrupts the graphene's molecular structure and creates room for a nearby silicon atom to swap places with a carbon atom. "We observed an electron beam-assisted chemical reaction induced at a single atom and chemical bond level, and each step has been captured by the microscope, which is rare," said ORNL's Ondrej Dyck, co-author of a study published in the journal Small that details the STEM demonstration. Using this process, the scientists were further able to bring two, three and four silicon atoms together to build clusters and make them rotate within the graphene layer. Graphene is a two-dimensional, or 2D, layer of carbon atoms that exhibits unprecedented strength and high electrical conductivity. Dyck said he selected graphene for this work, because "it is robust against a 60-kilovolt electron beam." "We can look at graphene for long periods of time without hurting the sample, compared with other 2D materials such as transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers, which tend to fall apart more easily under the electron beam," he added. STEM has emerged in recent years as a viable tool for manipulating atoms in materials while preserving the sample's stability. Dyck and ORNL colleagues Sergei Kalinin, Albina Borisevich and Stephen Jesse are among few scientists learning to control the movement of single atoms in 2D materials using the STEM. Their work supports an ORNL-led initiative coined The Atomic Forge, which encourages the microscopy community to reimagine STEM as a method to build materials from scratch. The fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology have experienced explosive growth in recent years. One of the earlier steps toward Feynman's idea of building tiny machines atom by atom--a follow-on from his original theory of atomic manipulation first presented during his famous 1959 lecture--was seeded by the work of IBM fellow Donald Eigler. He had shown the manipulation of atoms using a scanning tunneling microscope. "For decades, Eigler's method was the only technology to manipulate atoms one by one. Now, we have demonstrated a second approach with an electron beam in the STEM," said Kalinin, director of the ORNL Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials. He and Jesse initiated research with the electron beam about four years ago. Successfully moving atoms in the STEM could be a crucial step toward fabricating quantum devices one atom at a time. The scientists will next try introducing other atoms such as phosphorus into the graphene structure. "Phosphorus has potential because it contains one extra electron compared to carbon," Dyck said. "This would be ideal for building a quantum bit, or qubit, which is the basis for quantum-based devices." Their goal is to eventually build a device prototype in the STEM. Dyck cautioned that while building a qubit from phosphorus-doped graphene is on the horizon, how the material would behave at ambient temperatures--outside of the STEM or a cryogenic environment--remains unknown. "We have found that exposing the silicon-doped graphene to the outside world does impact the structures," he said. They will continue to experiment with ways to keep the material stable in non-laboratory environments, which is important to the future success of STEM-built atomically precise structures. "By controlling matter at the atomic scale, we are going to bring the power and mystery of quantum physics to real-world devices," Jesse said. ### Co-authors of the paper titled, "Building Structures Atom by Atom via Electron Beam Manipulation," are Ondrej Dyck, Sergei V. Kalinin and Stephen Jesse of ORNL; Songkil Kim of Pusan National University in South Korea; Elisa Jimenez-Izal of the University of California and UPV/EHU and DIPC in Spain; and Anastassia N. Alexandrova of UPV/EHU and DIPC in Spain and the California NanoSystems Institute. The research was funded by ORNL's Laboratory-Directed Research and Development program. Microscopy experiments were performed at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, a DOE Office of Science User Facility. ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle for DOE's Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit http://science.energy.gov/. High resolution images are available at: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/Ondrej_Dyck_ORNL_STEM.jpg https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/ORNL_trimer_1.jpg A video is available at: https://youtu.be/KFaShufMyTg NOTE TO EDITORS: You may read other press releases from Oak Ridge National Laboratory or learn more about the lab at http://www.ornl.gov/news. Additional information about ORNL is available at the sites below: Twitter - http://twitter.com/ornl RSS Feeds - http://www.ornl.gov/ornlhome/rss_feeds.shtml Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakridgelab YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/OakRidgeNationalLab LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/companies/oak-ridge-national-laboratory Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/Oak.Ridge.National.Laboratory Type of study: case-control study/peer reviewed/people Barcelona, 8th October: DNA from people who suffer from major depression is biologically older than that of healthy people by on average 8 months, suggesting that they are biologically older than their corresponding calendar age. This effect was greater in people who have had childhood trauma, such as violence, neglect or sexual abuse, who show a biological age around a year older than their actual age. This work is presented at the ECNP conference in Barcelona*. There is increasing evidence that serious depression and trauma is associated with shorter life-spans. Now an international team of researchers has shown that major depression causes measurable changes in the in the DNA of sufferers, giving values which correspond to those of older people. Working with 811 depressed patients and 319 control subjects from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, the team studied how their DNA extracted from blood samples was changed with age. The genetic material DNA is often processed in the body by methylation, which is when a methyl group (CH3) is added to the DNA. DNA methylation is a way the body allows gene function to be modified without changing the DNA sequence itself. According to lead researcher, Laura Han (from the Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam), "What we see is in fact an 'epigenetic clock'**, where the patterns of modification of the body's DNA is an indicator of biological age. And this clock seems to run faster in those who are currently depressed or have been stressed". On average the team found that patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) showed a degree of DNA methylation which corresponded to an increased age; biologically, they were on average 8 months older than healthy control subjects. In some cases of extreme depression, patients were found to have a biological age of 10 to 15 years older than the chronological age. The team checked the finding by examining post-mortem brain samples, of 74 depressed patients and 64 control subjects, and found similar results in brain tissue. Laura Han commented, "The fact that we saw similar results in both blood samples and post-mortem brain tissue helps support the belief that this is a real effect we are seeing". Participants were also questioned about trauma, such as emotional neglect, sexual or physical abuse experienced before the age of 16. On average, those in the study who had undergone childhood trauma had a body clock 1.06 years older than the controls. "This work shows that methylation levels at specific loci increase and decrease with age, and so this pattern of methylation is a good indicator of biological age. This difference becomes more apparent with increasing age, especially once people move into their 50s and 60s. We also found that where people had been subject to stressors such as childhood trauma, or Major Depressive Disorder, they showed a degree of DNA methylation which corresponded to that of older people". "When we look within the group of depressed individuals, we see that childhood traumas experienced before the age of 16 were associated with even more pronounced epigenetic aging later in life. Of course, these are associations, so we need long-term linked studies (longitudinal studies) to be able to draw any conclusions whether the trauma causes the epigenetic aging". This discovery that DNA methylation changes with age may have several practical consequences. For example, it may be useful as an early-warning sign of risk for certain age-related diseases, especially with those at the extremes who show significant shifts in their epigenetic clock. However, the major use of this technique may be less to do with individual health, but more to do with how it might help us see ageing at a population (epidemiological) level. Commenting, Professor Katharina Domschke, University of Freiburg, Germany (who was not involved in the work) said: "This work is extremely important as it signifies the biological impact of trauma and depression on an epigenetic level and the necessity to employ preventive as well as early therapeutic interventions not only with regard to trauma-related depressive disorders per se, but also with respect to age-related somatic as well as mental disorders." ### Notes: *A peer-reviewed paper based on this work was recently published, see Han, L et al. (2018). Epigenetic Aging in Major Depressive Disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, appi.ajp.2018.1. http://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17060595. None of the comments here are present in the published paper. ** Epigenetics is the study of patterns of gene expression regulation that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence. For funding information, see Notes for Editors. Lugano-Munich, 9 October 2018 - Nearly 1 in 4 patients with advanced cancer, treated at Comprehensive Cancer Care Network (NCCN) centres in the US, are receiving innovative drugs matched to DNA mutations in their tumours. This achievement, to be reported at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich, (1) shows that cutting-edge precision medicine is spreading from highly specialist cancer units to other healthcare facilities so more patients can benefit, wherever they are treated. "We have shown that we can perform large-scale tumour profiling and use the results to match patients to targeted treatment in the type of community setting where most patients are treated in the United States," said Dr. Ricardo H. Alvarez, Medical Oncologist, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Atlanta, USA. "At our hospitals, we can identify patients with advanced cancer, refractory to previous treatment, and take tissue or liquid biopsies which we send to a central laboratory for analysis and get results within three weeks. If these show alterations in tumour DNA which can be matched to a targeted medicine, we initiate treatment usually with a drug that has been approved for use against a different tumour type, or through enrollment in a gene-directed clinical trial," Alvarez explained. In the new study, tumour DNA data were analysed from 6,177 patients with advanced cancer treated by over 50 oncologists at five hospitals of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, from 2013-2017. DNA alterations were identified in 94% (5839/6496) of tumour samples, of which 47% were considered clinically relevant. Analysis of a large subset of patients showed that 23% (1169/4490) received treatment matched to DNA alterations in their tumours. This compares with 11% of patients being enrolled in clinical trials of targeted treatment on the basis of tumour DNA alterations in previously reported studies at academic centres. (2,3) "In the next few years, we hope that as many as 50% of our patients will receive matched treatment through clinical trials or off-label treatment with approved medicines," said Alvarez. "It is so encouraging to see how precision medicine is changing the way we treat our patients in the community and our next step is to analyse the effects of targeted treatment on survival and quality of life," he added. The tumours most commonly treated by the community oncologists were breast (18%), colorectal (15%), lung (14%) and gynaecological (11%). The most frequent clinically relevant tumour DNA changes were in the KRAS (23%) and PIK3CA (15%) genes, with the most common alterations being gene amplification (32%). Of patients whose DNA alterations were matched to targeted drugs, 57% (662/1169) received therapies already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a different type of tumour, and 15% (178/1169) received treatments in clinical trials. Dr. Joaquin Mateo, lead author of the recently published paper on ESCAT (ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of molecular Targets) (2) aimed at simplifying and standardising choices for targeted cancer treatment, welcomed the findings of the US oncologists: "This is an important study because of the large number of patients and what it tells us about the impact of genomic research on patient care and clinical decisions in the community where the majority of patients are treated. Studies like this are building the evidence we need to implement precision medicine within the oncology community and offer it more widely to our patients," said Mateo, Principal Investigator of the Prostate Cancer Translational Research Group from the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain. He looks forward to more detailed information about how tumour profiling determined treatment decisions, and the cost of analysing DNA samples from such large numbers of patients. "The affordability of precision medicine is an important issue and we will need to address the challenge of ensuring efficient use of funds if we can only apply the results of tumour DNA testing to the treatment of a quarter of patients," he said. Mateo suggested that some variability in matching targeted treatment to tumour DNA alterations between studies may be due to a lack of standard criteria for determining what is a match, and to differences in availability of targeted treatments. "We need to be confident that matches and the reporting of genomics data and their interpretation are robust across all treatment centres whether they are in hospital or the community. This will make targeted treatments based on these DNA alterations more likely to benefit our patients," Mateo pointed out. For this reason, he hopes for full implementation of the ESCAT which grades classes of alterations in tumour DNA according to their relevance as markers for selecting patients for targeted treatment, based on the strength of clinical evidence supporting them. (4) "We hope that the ESCAT will provide a common language for determining relevant mutations and identifying patients most likely to benefit from targeted treatment," he concluded. ### Notes to Editors Please make sure to use the official name of the meeting in your reports: ESMO 2018 Congress Official Congress hashtag: #ESMO18 Disclaimer This press release contains information provided by the authors of the highlighted abstracts and reflects the content of those abstracts. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ESMO who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data. Commentators quoted in the press release are required to comply with the ESMO Declaration of Interests policy and the ESMO Code of Conduct. References 1 Abstract 1891O_PR 'Mutational Landscape of Metastatic Cancers Discovered from Prospective Clinical Sequencing at Community Practice Cancer Program' will be presented by Ricardo Alvarez during Proffered Paper Session on Saturday, 20 October 2018, 11:00 to 12:30 (CEST) in Room 21 - Hall B3. Annals of Oncology, Volume 29 Supplement 8 October 2018 2 Meric-Bernstam F, Brusco L, Shaw K et al. Feasibility of Large-Scale Genomic Testing to Facilitate Enrollment Onto Genomically Matched Clinical Trials. J Clin Oncol. 2015 Sep 1;33(25):2753-62. 3 Zehir A, Benayed R, Shah RH et al. Mutational landscape of metastatic cancer revealed from prospective clinical sequencing of 10,000 patients. Nat Med. 2017 Jun;23(6):703-713. Erratum in: Nat Med. 2017 Aug 4;23 (8):1004. 4 Mateo J, Chakravarty D, Dienstmann R et al. A framework to rank genomic alterations as targets for cancer precision medicine: The ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of molecular Targets (ESCAT). Annals of Oncology 2018; https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdy263 About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With 18,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. ESMO is committed to offer the best care to people with cancer, through fostering integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in their professional development, and advocating for sustainable cancer care worldwide. Visit http://www.esmo.org 1891O_PR - Mutational landscape of metastatic cancers discovered from prospective clinical sequencing at community practice cancer program R.H. Alvarez1, A. Moran1, E. Meiri1, A. Loaiza-Bonilla1, A.R. Parikh1, P. Crilley1, J. Elvin2, P. Reddy2, V.A. Miller2, S. Zook1, S.M. Ali2, M. Markman1 1Medical Oncology, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Newnan, GA, USA, 2Oncology, Foundation Medicine, Boston, MA, USA Background: Tumor genomic profiling is a critical component of precision oncology allowing the detection of genomic alterations (GA) that can be therapeutically targeted. We present an analysis of the results of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) from a large series of patients assayed in the setting of a community practice cancer network. Methods: IRB-approved analysis of pts assayed with CGP using hybrid-capture NGS based CGP assays were performed on 6,177 pts with advanced cancer during the course of clinical care for the purpose of making therapy decisions, with GA suggesting the latter labeled as clinical relevant. Three genomic platforms were utilized, FoundationOne (315 genes, 89% of tests), FoundationOne-Heme (405 genes, 6%) and FoundationAct, (62 genes, 5%) Results: From 01-2013 to 09-2017, clinical samples from 6,177 pts (6496 CGP assays) with advanced cancer underwent CGP. Median age was 56 years (range, 18-94), 61% of pts were female, 68% were Caucasian. The most common tumor types studies were breast (18%), colorectal (15%), lung (14%), gynecological (11%) and unknown cancer (10%). GA were identified in 94% (5839/6496) of cases, and GA were classified as clinically relevant (47%)/not clinical relevant (52.6%). The most frequent clinically relevant GA were in KRAS (23%) and PIK3CA (15%). The most common genomic alterations were amplification (32%). Treatment history for a large subset of patients (4490) showed that 23% (1169/4490) of pts were ordered a genomically-matched treatment, 57% (662/1169) of which were tied to an FDA approved agent in a different tumor type, and 15% of which (178/1169) were referred to a matched mechanism driven clinical trial. With the access to TAPUR the frequency of matched treatment for clinical trials increased over time from 2013 to 2017. Conclusions: In a large series of diverse patients assayed with CGP in the community setting, 23% of patients received matched treatment, which was predominantly targeted therapy. The increasing frequency of matching treatment over time and the advent of immunotherapy and matching with PDL1 and tumor mutational burden may further increase the proportion of this population. Future analysis will explore outcomes for this subset of pts. Legal entity responsible for the study: Ricardo H. Alvarez, M.D., MSc. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: J. Elvin, P. Reddy, V.A. Miller, S.M. Ali: Employee, Stock owner: Foundation Medicine. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Studies have shown that hybrid powder materials based on natural layered silicates developed by the chemists of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) and the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS) decrease the friction ratio in metals sevenfold. The brand new materials obtained by the team of chemists offer new prospects for the development of more efficient anti-friction additives increasing the durability of spare parts for equipment and vehicles. The work was carried out by research associates of the School of Natural Sciences and Engineering School of FEFU, as well as the Institute of Chemistry of FEB RAS. The research running led by Nikolay Shapkin, professor of the Department of General, Inorganic, and Organoelement chemistry at FEFU. The results were published in the Inorganic Materials journal. The scientists presented in their article two hybrid composite materials based in natural layered silicates and plant products. The first one was obtained from nontronite silicate isolated from Popov Island in the vicinity of Vladivostok and modified with alkaline rice husk hydrolysate. Experiments have shown that applying of this powder reduces the deterioration of friction pairs 2.5 to 7 times. Another material based on vermiculite from Karelia and modified with regular cellulose reduced the friction ratio 1.6 times. "Tests have demonstrated that the new materials have good anti-friction properties. There are complex composite materials with better results, but the advantages of our developments are available sources of materials, simple technology. Another benefit of our materials is high heat stability, which favorably distinguishes them from Teflon, for example," said Alexander Panasenko, a senior research associate of the Institute of Chemistry, FED RAS. The scientists explained that mineral silicates and organic substances of plant origin are combined in the course of mechanochemical activation which results in the formation of a new crystallic composite material. "Layered silicates and composite materials based on them have a wide range of practical properties, including sorptive, catalytic, and tribological ones. I hope that further studies in this field will lead to the development of a metal-ceramic film to protect surfaces from friction," added Professor Nikolay Shapkin. Currently, FEFU implements a high-priority scientific project named "Materials" that unites gifted young physicists, chemists, biologists, and specialists in Materials Science. Their first developments include the new type of optical ceramics for terrestrial and space communication and a heat-resistant material with the record-setting melting temperature over 4,200K. ### Boulder, Colo., USA: Even long before medieval inhabitants reclaimed land and raised dykes at a large scale, humans have had a strong impact on river behavior in the Dutch delta plain. Physical geographers at Utrecht University, The Netherlands, have demonstrated that two present Rhine branches developed stepwise in the first centuries CE, because of two combined man-induced effects. These river branches formed due to land subsidence in the Dutch peatlands and by increased sediment supply from the German hinterland, both of which were human-induced. "What began as minor changes in the delta landscape can have unexpected large-scale outcomes. We should be aware that unintentional natural effects of human interventions are to be taken into account in the management of modern deltas," researcher Harm Jan Pierik explains. "Our research shows that human interventions can trigger the formation of new rivers along courses that natural branches would not have taken." This occurred in the downstream peatland areas of the Rhine delta. It had been an inaccessible swamp forest for thousands of years, forming an obstacle for the formation of new river courses. "However, from the beginning of the Common Era growing numbers of people settled along the edges of the swamp, and expanded their land use from the banks of rivers and creeks into the peatland." As an unintentional consequence, this caused the formation of the Hollandse IJssel (from 100 CE) and Lek (from 300 CE). Archaeological data show that on the southwestern side of the peatland, along the Meuse estuary that later became the Rotterdam harbor, settlements were present on the banks of tidal creeks. Here, agricultural land use expansion into peatland started in the last centuries BCE, testified by ditches and culverts that drained the topsoil. This caused land surface lowering, which in turn enabled flood water and sediments to penetrate deeper inland. Pierik says, "This made the tidal creeks bigger and longer, reaching ever further into the peat swamp." This situation was mirrored along the northeastern side of the swamp where creeks from the Rhine River ran into the swamp as well. In addition to that, the Rhine hinterland had become widely deforested. This increased hillslope erosion, which led to more sediment transport by the Rhine. This sediment was deposited on top of the peatland that further subsided under the additional weight, further helping the formation of creeks in the peat. The creeks from both sides ultimately connected in the middle of Holland's peatland and grew into the new rivers Lek and Hollandse IJssel. "As these new routes became the most favorable courses for the water flow, the Old Rhine course carried less water and silted up. In this way, the lower delta river network was completely transformed unintentionally, within a few centuries following the reclamation activities." Research into landscape impacts of past human activity in deltas enables us to learn about the effects this may have on the long term, says Pierik. "With the notion that reclamation activity can start a chain reaction, one can develop different perspectives towards recent increased human pressures in deltas worldwide, for example the Mekong and Ganges," explains Pierik. "In addition to anticipating sea level rise, these areas also have to deal with land subsidence, for example caused by increased groundwater use. And just as in the Dutch situation, this may not only cause major changes locally, but also on the scale of the entire delta." ### FEATURED ARTICLE Human-caused avulsion in the Rhine-Meuse delta before historic embankment (The Netherlands) Pierik, H.J., Stouthamer, E., Schuring, T., and Cohen, K.M. Geology: https://doi.org/10.1130/G45188.1. Contact: H.J.Pierik@uu.nl. GEOLOGY articles are online http://geology.geoscienceworld.org/content/early/recent. Representatives of the media may obtain complimentary articles by contacting Kea Giles at the e-mail address above. Please discuss articles of interest with the authors before publishing stories on their work, and please make reference to GEOLOGY in articles published. Non-media requests for articles may be directed to GSA Sales and Service, gsaservice@geosociety.org. http://www.geosociety.org MANHATTAN African swine fever virus threatens to devastate the swine industry and is positioned to spread throughout Asia. The virus has spread throughout the Caucuses region of Eastern Europe and was reported in China in August. It recently was detected in wild boar in Belgium. Kansas State University researchers and the Biosecurity Research Institute have several projects focused on African swine fever. Their research topics vary, but they share the same goal of stopping the spread of African swine fever and preventing it from reaching the U.S. If African swine fever enters the U.S., it could cause billions in economic losses to swine and other industries, animal disease experts say. It would devastate trade and international markets. There is no vaccine or cure for the disease, which causes hemorrhagic fever and high mortality in pigs. It does not infect humans. "African swine fever's introduction into China poses an increased threat to the U.S.," said Stephen Higgs, director of the Biosecurity Research Institute. "Introduction of African swine fever virus into the U.S. would have an enormous impact on our agricultural industry. Research, education and training at the Biosecurity Research Institute help to improve our understanding and preparedness for this threat." In 2013, the Biosecurity Research Institute became the first non-federal facility to be approved for work with African swine fever virus, Higgs said. The university projects at the Biosecurity Research Institute are part of research that can transition to the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, or NBAF, once it is fully functional. African swine fever is one of the diseases slated to be researched at NBAF, which is under construction adjacent to Kansas State University's Manhattan campus. The African swine fever projects at Kansas State University are funded in part by the $35 million State of Kansas National Bio and Agro-defense Facility Fund and also have received support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the pork industry. Read Stephen Higgs' editorial on African swine fever, which recently was published in Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Here are some of the Kansas State University faces behind the fight against African swine fever. Ying Fang Waithaka Mwangi Ying Fang , professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary MedicineVaccine and diagnostic reagent/assay development.Fangs lab has generated African swine fever virus-specific monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic assay development. In a collaborative project with Raymond "Bob" Rowland, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, and Biao He at the University of Georgia, her lab also is developing vector vaccines against African swine fever infection."Recent African swine fever outbreaks in China and now Europe pose the potential pandemic threat to global swine industry," Yang said. "Specific diagnostic assays and effective vaccines are urgently needed for disease control and prevention." Name: Waithaka Mwangi, associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo: k-state.edu/media/images/oct18/mwangi.jpg Areas of study related to African swine fever: Vaccine development and diagnostic tools. Recent African swine fever-related research: Publication in PLOS ONE; publication in Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology; publication in Clinical and Vaccine Immunology; publication in the Journal of General Virology Description of the research: Mwangi has been studying African swine fever for several years and has filed patents related to development of vaccines and diagnostic tools. In his latest research, Mwangi and Raymond "Bob" Rowland, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, as well as Shehnaz Lokhandwala, postdoctoral fellow in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, have tested vaccine prototypes at the Biosecurity Research Institute. Some of their vaccines have shown 56 percent protection against African swine fever and they have several studies pending to evaluate additional vaccine prototypes. Mwangi's lab also is developing diagnostic tools, including a highly-sensitive lateral flow diagnostic device for African swine fever. He is partnering with several companies and has received funding from the Department of Homeland Security, the National Pork Board and the Department of Agriculture as well as the State of Kansas National Bio and Agro-defense Facility Fund. Why the research is important: "African swine fever is a high-consequence transboundary animal disease for which there is no vaccine or treatment available," Mwangi said. "Thus, development of vaccines and a diagnostic test capable of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals is critically important to safeguard the swine industry and preserve future competitiveness of the U.S. pork industry. In addition, these vaccines will help in controlling virus spread in endemic regions and thereby minimize the transmission threat to the U.S." More information: vet.k-state.edu/education/dmp/faculty-staff/faculty/mwangi/mwangi.html Megan Niederwerder Jurgen Richt Megan Niederwerder , assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine.Risk of virus introduction and transmission through feed or feed ingredients and potential mitigation tools.Niederwerder's latest research has found that African swine fever virus could survive in a simulated feed shipment across the ocean, which suggests that feed may be a potential route that pathogens such as African swine fever virus spread. Her recent publication in the journalis the first publication demonstrating the survival of African swine fever virus in feed ingredients.Niederwerder is collaborating with the Biosecurity Research Institute to continue studying the risk of African swine fever virus in feed and feed ingredients. She is studying the whole swine feed transport cycle from the shipment of feed ingredients as they are imported into the U.S. to when swine consume feed on the farm. Niederwerder also is investigating potential mitigation strategies, such as storage time and chemical mitigants, to reduce the risk of African swine fever virus in feed."Although feed is a less recognized transmission route for African swine fever, the global distribution of feed and feed ingredients makes this route important to consider as a possible factor in transboundary spread," Niederwerder said. "Our research is focused on understanding the role that feed plays in viral transmission, through defining the oral infectious dose and stability in feed ingredients, and learning what mitigation tools may be utilized to reduce the risk of African swine fever virus introduction into the U.S." Name: Jurgen Richt, Regents distinguished professor and director of the university's Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, or CEEZAD. Photo: k-state.edu/media/images/oct18/richt.jpg Areas of study related to African swine fever: Novel vaccines and diagnostic approaches. Recent African swine fever-related research: Publications from the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases Description of the research: Richt was principal investigator of a CEEZAD-based research project that developed an approach based on prime-boost vaccination, combining African swine fever virus antigens encoded by DNA plasmids and recombinant African swine fever virus proteins with the aim to activate both humoral and cellular immunity. Richt also has developed gene-deleted African swine fever viruses to be used as modified live virus vaccines using CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out approaches in collaboration with Yolanda Revilla at Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa in Madrid. In diagnostics, Richt leads CEEZAD efforts to develop tests for the detection of markers of African swine fever virus and anti-African swine fever virus antibodies in different samples such as oral fluids and meat juice. Work is also being done on African swine fever virus detection using a portable detection device. Why the research is important: "African swine fever presents a serious and ongoing threat to the swine industry both in the United States and around the world, particularly with its recent spread through Eastern Europe and into China," Richt said. "It is imperative to the safety of our food supply and to our economic health that we pursue research into a solution to this important threat." More information:k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2018-08/asf82118.html and ceezad.org Raymond "Bob" Rowland Adrian Self Jishu Shi Raymond "Bob" Rowland , professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary MedicineNovel approaches for detection and control, capacity building and training, outreach to stakeholder communities.Rowlands lab has received support from the State of Kansas National Bio and Agro-defense Facility Fund and was the first to work with African swine fever at the Biosecurity Research Institute. His research focuses on developing tools to prevent the entry of the virus into the U.S. He has developed an assay that rapidly and accurately detects African swine fever infection in blood, feces and oral fluid samples. These assays will be important for routine surveillance of commercial pig herds and feral pigs. Rowland is collaborating with Ying Fang, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, and the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory to characterize antibodies that can improve the accuracy of existing African swine fever assays.The Rowland lab is working with Fang and Waithaka Mwangi,associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, to explore vaccine development by preparing vector libraries to find a combination of antigens and antigen-delivery platforms that can deliver protective immunity. Rowland also is collaborating with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory to identify gene pathways associated with disease and the recovery of pigs from infection."There is no single magic bullet solution for the prevention of African swine fever," Rowland said. "As a global problem, preventing and controlling African swine fever virus require new technologies and new knowledge along with the continuous fine-tuning of the existing tools. The greatest gap in knowledge addressed by this research is to better understand African swine fever virus immunity in pigs. Filling this gap opens the door to improved disease surveillance methods, pigs with improved response to vaccination, and vaccines that are safe, cost-effective and protective." Adrian Self , prospect director with the university's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center.Risk analysis.The university's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center is studying African swine fever through its NBAF Transition Transboundary Animal Disease risk analysis project. The project is developing timely and accurate qualitative and quantitative risk analysis for diseases, such as African swine fever, that will be studied at NBAF. The project involves a university team of epidemiologists and student researchers as well as collaborators in engineering, veterinary medicine, social science and agricultural communications. The team is using rural communities in Kansas as models to develop contacts and communication methods that helps distribute accurate information in a timely manner."It is critical to be able to quickly and accurately identify African swine fever to prevent its further spread," Self said. "We want to stop this virus from reaching the U.S. and it is crucial to understand the risks and develop a communication infrastructure now, especially with the communities and with the stakeholders who could be most affected by the spread of this devastating virus." Name: Jishu Shi, professor of vaccine immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo:k-state.edu/media/images/oct18/shi.jpg Areas of study related to African swine fever: Virus detection, vaccine development and transmission. Recent African swine fever-related research: Publication in the Journal of Virological Methods Description of the research: Shi's lab studies African swine fever virus detection, vaccine development and transmission between feral and domestic pigs. Shi has worked with Jianfa Bai, director of molecular research and development at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and other collaborators to develop and validate a multiplex polymerase chain reaction that can simultaneously detect African swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus, and foot-and-mouth disease virus in one sample. Shi's lab currently is developing novel technologies that can be used to develop African swine fever vaccines. After the recent outbreak in China, Shi is establishing new collaborations to study the transmission of the virus between wild and domestic pigs. Why the research is important: "The most effective defense against foreign animal diseases such as African swine fever, classical swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease is to keep them outside the U.S.," Shi said. "That is why we have developed fast and sensitive virus detection methods such as the multiplex polymerase chain reaction panel for African swine fever virus, classical swine fever virus and foot-and-mouth disease virus. We are developing new technologies that can be used to create an efficacious African swine fever vaccine. Before an efficacious vaccine is available, we have to understand and develop novel strategies to control the disease spillover between wild and domestic pig populations." More information: vet.k-state.edu/education/anatomy-physiology/faculty-staff/faculty/shi/ With deltas around the world experiencing similar challenges as those of the Mississippi River Delta, international collaboration plays a critical role in research at LSU's College of the Coast & Environment, or CC&E. For the last decade, Ed Laws, CC&E professor of environmental sciences and former dean, has been traveling to China, mostly to Qingdao and Xiamen, to further his collaborative endeavors in coastal wetland research. On September 29, Laws was awarded the Friendship Award from the People's Republic of China for his efforts. He accepted his award from the vice premier of China, Liu He, at a ceremony in Beijing. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Chinese government upon non-Chinese experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's economic and social progress. "We are so proud of Dr. Laws and his research on coastal wetlands. This recognition is a testimony to the outstanding faculty and research from our university," said Chris D'Elia, professor and dean of CC&E. Laws was not the only Louisianan to receive a Friendship Award this year. During the ceremony, Barry Cathey of Monroe received a Friendship Award for helping the Chinese aviation industry. And, Laws is not the first LSU faculty member to receive an award from the Chinese government. In 2017, China's President Jinping Xi presented the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award to Earl Ward Plummer, professor of physics and astronomy, for his contribution to the development of science and technology in China. "It's a tremendous honor for [Laws], and LSU. I, personally, believe we need to really enhance our interactions with China in the future, and both of these awards really open the doors to move forward," Plummer said. "The broad range and complexity of challenges with wetland ecosystem protection and restoration, require CC&E's scientists to address problems from multiple perspectives. These perspectives are gained from working with partners around the world," D'Elia said. LSU CC&E has partnership agreements with the Chinese Academy of Sciences as well as several Chinese universities, and the college's faculty and students conduct environmental research in China on a regular basis. ,p>Laws has fostered CC&E's collaboration with China through his close ties with the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, or QIMG, an alliance he forged in the late 2000s, and Xiamen University. As part of that partnership, he has been visiting Qingdao and Xiamen for two to three months every summer for the past several years. According to Nengyou Wu, Director General of QIMG, Laws introduced innovative methods for measuring primary productivity of wetland ecosystems by using the carbon-14 method. This introduction brought an innovative impetus to the biogeochemical research of QIMG and helped to establish a key coastal wetland biogeosciences laboratory within the China Geological Survey. Also, Laws proposed wetland vegetation as a renewable resource, "creating great economic value for the reed paper industry in the region of the Liaohe River Delta in northeast China," Wu said. His book, "Aquatic Pollution," is "not only a classic textbook for both undergraduate and graduate students in many American universities, but also a significant reference for environmental researchers and oceanographers all over the world. This book has been translated into Chinese and Japanese and published in numerous countries. Its Chinese version, translated by Tsinghua University, attracts great interest of Chinese students and scholars and has become popular at China Geological Survey and China's top universities," Wu said. Previously, Laws won the Qingdao Award in 2012 and the Qingdao Special Contribution Award in 2015 from the Qingdao municipal government. Laws is an example of world-renowned CC&E faculty members who perform exceptional research on every continent. ### Additional Information: LSU CC&E works with Xiamen University, in Xiamen; East China Normal University, in Shanghai; the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Changchun; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, in Yantai; China Geological Survey, and Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, in Qingdao, among others. Additional Link: LSU College of the Coast & Environment: lsu.edu/cce/. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- A class exercise at MIT, aided by industry researchers, has led to an innovative solution to one of the longstanding challenges facing the development of practical fusion power plants: how to get rid of excess heat that would cause structural damage to the plant. The new solution was made possible by an innovative approach to compact fusion reactors, using high-temperature superconducting magnets. This method formed the basis for a massive new research program launched this year at MIT and the creation of an independent startup company to develop the concept. The new design, unlike that of typical fusion plants, would make it possible to open the device's internal chamber and replace critical components; this capability is essential for the newly proposed heat-draining mechanism. The new approach is detailed in a paper in the journal Fusion Engineering and Design, authored by Adam Kuang, a graduate student from that class, along with 14 other MIT students, engineers from Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, and Professor Dennis Whyte, director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, who taught the class. In essence, Whyte explains, the shedding of heat from inside a fusion plant can be compared to the exhaust system in a car. In the new design, the "exhaust pipe" is much longer and wider than is possible in any of today's fusion designs, making it much more effective at shedding the unwanted heat. But the engineering needed to make that possible required a great deal of complex analysis and the evaluation of many dozens of possible design alternatives. Taming fusion plasma Fusion harnesses the reaction that powers the sun itself, holding the promise of eventually producing clean, abundant electricity using a fuel derived from seawater -- deuterium, a heavy form of hydrogen, and lithium -- so the fuel supply is essentially limitless. But decades of research toward such power-producing plants have still not led to a device that produces as much power as it consumes, much less one that actually produces a net energy output. Earlier this year, however, MIT's proposal for a new kind of fusion plant -- along with several other innovative designs being explored by others -- finally made the goal of practical fusion power seem within reach. But several design challenges remain to be solved, including an effective way of shedding the internal heat from the super-hot, electrically charged material, called plasma, confined inside the device. Most of the energy produced inside a fusion reactor is emitted in the form of neutrons, which heat a material surrounding the fusing plasma, called a blanket. In a power-producing plant, that heated blanket would in turn be used to drive a generating turbine. But about 20 percent of the energy is produced in the form of heat in the plasma itself, which somehow must be dissipated to prevent it from melting the materials that form the chamber. No material is strong enough to withstand the heat of the plasma inside a fusion device, which reaches temperatures of millions of degrees, so the plasma is held in place by powerful magnets that prevent it from ever coming into direct contact with the interior walls of the donut-shaped fusion chamber. In typical fusion designs, a separate set of magnets is used to create a sort of side chamber to drain off excess heat, but these so-called divertors are insufficient for the high heat in the new, compact plant. One of the desirable features of the ARC design is that it would produce power in a much smaller device than would be required from a conventional reactor of the same output. But that means more power confined in a smaller space, and thus more heat to get rid of. "If we didn't do anything about the heat exhaust, the mechanism would tear itself apart," says Kuang, who is the lead author of the paper, describing the challenge the team addressed -- and ultimately solved. Inside job In conventional fusion reactor designs, the secondary magnetic coils that create the divertor lie outside the primary ones, because there is simply no way to put these coils inside the solid primary coils. That means the secondary coils need to be large and powerful, to make their fields penetrate the chamber, and as a result they are not very precise in how they control the plasma shape. But the new MIT-originated design, known as ARC (for advanced, robust, and compact) features magnets built in sections so they can be removed for service. This makes it possible to access the entire interior and place the secondary magnets inside the main coils instead of outside. With this new arrangement, "just by moving them closer [to the plasma] they can be significantly reduced in size," says Kuang. In the one-semester graduate class 22.63 (Principles of Fusion Engineering), students were divided into teams to address different aspects of the heat rejection challenge. Each team began by doing a thorough literature search to see what concepts had already been tried, then they brainstormed to come up with multiple concepts and gradually eliminated those that didn't pan out. Those that had promise were subjected to detailed calculations and simulations, based, in part, on data from decades of research on research fusion devices such as MIT's Alcator C-Mod, which was retired two years ago. C-Mod scientist Brian LaBombard also shared insights on new kinds of divertors, and two engineers from Mitsubishi worked with the team as well. Several of the students continued working on the project after the class ended, ultimately leading to the solution described in this new paper. The simulations demonstrated the effectiveness of the new design they settled on. "It was really exciting, what we discovered," Whyte says. The result is divertors that are longer and larger, and that keep the plasma more precisely controlled. As a result, they can handle the expected intense heat loads. "You want to make the 'exhaust pipe' as large as possible," Whyte says, explaining that the placement of the secondary magnets inside the primary ones makes that possible. "It's really a revolution for a power plant design," he says. Not only do the high-temperature superconductors used in the ARC design's magnets enable a compact, high-powered power plant, he says, "but they also provide a lot of options" for optimizing the design in different ways -- including, it turns out, this new divertor design. Going forward, now that the basic concept has been developed, there is plenty of room for further development and optimization, including the exact shape and placement of these secondary magnets, the team says. The researchers are working on further developing the details of the design. "This is opening up new paths in thinking about divertors and heat management in a fusion device," Whyte says. ### The team included MIT graduate students Norman Cao, Alexander Creely, Cody Dennett, Jake Hecla, Brian LaBombard, Roy Tinguely, Elizabeth Tolman, H. Hoffman, Maximillian Major, Juan Ruiz Ruiz, Daniel Brunner, and Brian Sorbom, and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories engineers P. Grover and C. Laughman. The work was supported by MIT's Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories. Written by David L. Chandler, MIT News Office ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: ARCHIVE: MIT and newly formed company launch novel approach to fusion power http://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-newly-formed-company-launch-novel-approach-fusion-power-0309 ARCHIVE: A small, modular, efficient fusion plant http://news.mit.edu/2015/small-modular-efficient-fusion-plant-0810 NASA's Aqua satellite peered into Hurricane Sergio with infrared light to determine if the storm was intensifying or weakening. Infrared data showed cloud top temperatures were getting warmer on the western half of the storm, indicating the uplift of air in storms had weakened. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Hurricane Sergio on Oct. 9 at 6:17 a.m. EDT (1017 UTC). AIRS uses infrared light and infrared light provides scientists with temperature data and that's important when trying to understand how strong storms can be. The higher the cloud tops, the colder and the stronger they are. So infrared light as that gathered by the AIRS instrument can identify the strongest areas of a tropical cyclone. At the time Aqua passed overhead, coldest cloud top temperatures in thunderstorms circled the eye and appeared in fragmented bands of thunderstorms north and south of the center. Those temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius). The exception was on the western side of the storm, where cloud top temperatures were warming, meaning they were not getting as high in the atmosphere. Despite the slow weakening the hurricane still has a large but well-defined inner-core in the low and mid-levels. The National Hurricane Center noted at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Sergio was located near latitude 16.6 degrees north and longitude 127.4 degrees west. That's 1,215 miles (1,960 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. Sergio is moving toward the northeast near 7 mph (11 kph). A faster northeastward motion is expected for the next several days. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 80 mph (130 kph) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is anticipated during the next several days. NHC noted that there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but interests in Baja California Sur should monitor the progress of Sergio. ### More information about AIRS can be found at airs.jpl.nasa.gov For updated forecasts, visit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov Rob Gutro NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Scientists at New York University and the University of Chicago have created fruit flies carrying reconstructed ancient genes to reveal how ancient mutations drove major evolutionary changes in embryonic development--the impact of which we see today. The work, published in the journal eLife, found that two mutations that arose 140 million years ago changed the function of a critical developmental gene, which now regulates development of the head and other structures in virtually all species of present-day flies. "By introducing individual mutations that happened in the deep past into the ancient genes, we were able to show precisely how each one affected development many millions of years ago," explains Stephen Small, an NYU biologist and one of the paper's senior authors. "We found that just two chance mutations were the major causes of a profound change in the animal's developmental processes - a change that became indispensable in all of its present-day descendants," says Joseph Thornton, the paper's other senior author and professor of Ecology and Evolution and Human Genetics at the University of Chicago. Scientists have long sought to understand how genetic mutations changed embryonic development to yield the diverse animal forms we see today. But identifying the important mutations is very difficult because they occurred in the deep past, in long-extinct animals, and they have usually been mixed up with scores of subsequent mutations. The laboratories of NYU's Small and the University of Chicago's Thornton approached this problem in an innovative way: computationally inferring ancient gene sequences based on their modern descendants, chemically recreating the genes, and then putting them into fly embryos, thereby creating transgenic embryos--i.e., those inserted with a foreign gene--to follow their effects on development in the laboratory. The study is the first to use ancestral reconstruction in the field of the evolution of development, or evo-devo. The researchers focused on the evolution of a gene called bicoid. Bicoid triggers the formation of structures at the head (anterior) end of embryos in the fruit fly, an important model organism because many aspects of its genetics and development are shared with humans and other animals. Bicoid serves as the "master regulator" of anterior development by turning on expression of a set genes that carry out head development and suppress tail development, and doing so only at the anterior end. Bicoid has long presented an evolutionary puzzle. Fly embryos lacking active Bcd protein die very early because instead of forming a head they form tail structures at both ends. But the bicoid gene does not even exist in other insects or more distantly related animals, which use other genes to control anterior development. Bicoid shows that even the most fundamental aspects of development can change drastically during evolution, but how that process occurs is unknown. The Small and Thornton laboratories sought to understand how bicoid evolved its new developmental function through several means: recreating the precursor gene from which it evolved, characterizing its biochemical functions, introducing it into modern-day fruit flies whose own bicoid gene had been removed, studying its effects on the formation of head structures and expression of the specific genes that drive head development, and introducing historical mutations into the ancestral gene to determine their effects. Their initial results showed that flies carrying the precursor gene fail to develop a head, with tails at both ends and none of the key genes involved in head development properly expressed. The group then introduced into the precursor gene every mutation that happened during the ancient interval during which bicoid evolved its new role. Most of the changes had little or no effect on bicoid's functions, but two of them together allowed bicoid to activate a completely new set of target genes. When introduced into fly embryos, this evolutionary mutant version of bicoid activated most of the genes involved in head development in their proper places, and the embryos formed recognizable, albeit incomplete, head structures instead of tail structures at the anterior end. The group concluded that these two mutations, when combined, were the predominant causes of bicoid's functional evolution, with additional mutations during the same ancient period fine-tuning the gene's new function. "By combining the most advanced techniques from developmental biology and evolutionary genetics, we were able to dissect how molecular changes in an ancient gene fundamentally changed one of the most important - and otherwise conserved - processes in animal development," Small notes. ### The study's co-first authors are Qinwen Liu, a postdoctoral fellow at University of Chicago, and Pinar Onal and Rhea Datta, both postdoctoral fellows at NYU at the time of the study (Datta is now an assistant professor at Hamilton College). Other authors include Julia Rogers and Martha Bulyk of Harvard University and Urs Schmidt-Ott of the University of Chicago. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01GM051946, R01GM10439, R01GM121931, R01-HG005287, F32GM112351) and from the National Science Foundation (IOS0744966, IOS1355057). COLUMBUS, Ohio - Next time you're stung by a wasp or a honeybee, consider the elegantly designed stinger that caused you so much pain. In a new study, researchers found that the stingers of the two species are about five times softer at the tip than at the base to make it easier to pierce your skin. The stingers are harder closer to the insect's body so they don't bend too much, or break, as you yelp in agony. "Wasps and bees don't want to create too much pain to start with, and we believe the softer tip makes it less likely that you'll notice the initial insertion," said Bharat Bhushan, Ohio Eminent Scholar and Howard D. Winbigler Professor of mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University. "If you felt the pain right away, you would react and swat the insect away before it finished injecting its venom." Bhushan conducted the study with colleagues from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), led by Navin Kumar, associate professor of mechanical engineering. It was published October 8, 2018 in Nature Scientific Reports. The scientists collected wasps (Vespula vulgaris) and honeybees (Apis cerana) near IIT. They examined the stinger in unprecedented detail using sophisticated 3D imaging, a tool to measure hardness and elasticity, and numerical modelling to calculate the most efficient penetration angle. "When you really study these stingers, you see how elegant and mechanically durable they are," said Bhushan, who realizes "elegant" is probably not the first word a person thinks of after being stung. "Other words might come to mind first," he said with a laugh. "But when you're looking at it from an engineer's perspective, the stingers really are elegantly designed." The stingers of bees and wasps are different in some ways. The wasps' are curved, for instance, while those of the bees are straight. But they have much in common. In both species, the stingers have two serrated lancets (think needles) that project from the end of the stinger. The lancets move back and forth to pierce the skin. A channel between the two delivers venom. Imaging showed the stingers had hollow spaces to reduce weight while maintaining strength. "It is a clever design to optimize the mechanical properties of the stingers without being too heavy," Bhushan said. In addition to being softer at the tip, the study showed that the stingers were about seven times more elastic at the tip than at the base. "The differences in hardness and rigidity along the length of the stinger helps ensure it can penetrate as deep as possible while maintaining its structure," he said. Findings suggested that bees and wasps probably wouldn't sting straight down into a person's skin. The researchers calculated that the most efficient angle for penetration would be 6 degrees for the honeybee stinger and 10 degrees for the wasp stinger. These are the angles that would best maintain the structural stability of the stingers. In a similar previous study, Bhushan and his colleagues investigated the proboscis of mosquitos, the part that pierces skin to draw blood. Why the fascination with insects that pierce our skin? As an engineer who has made a career of designing products inspired by nature, Bhushan has a practical reason. He believes scientists can design a better, painless microneedle for medical purposes by mimicking some of the design elements of bees, wasps and mosquitos. For example, he thinks needles should be designed to be softer at the tip to lessen the pain at insertion - just like the insects' pointy parts. Health care practitioners could even use this study's findings on the best angle for stinger insertion to guide their use of a new microneedle. "We're trying to put what we learned about insect stingers to productive use by imagining the design of a better microneedle," Bhushan said. ### Other co-authors of the study, all at IIT, are Rakesh Das, Ram Naresh Yadav, Praveer Sihota and Piyush Uniyal. Contact: Bharat Bhushan, 614-292-0651; Bhushan.2@osu.edu Fewer than half of people with HIV are retained in care three years after release from incarceration, according to a study in the U.S. published October 9 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Kelsey Loeliger of Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues. The findings also suggest that better access to health insurance and transitional case-management services may improve retention in HIV care and viral suppression in this population. HIV prevention and treatment strategies aim to reduce HIV-related morbidity, mortality and transmission by retaining people with HIV in care and sustaining them on antiretroviral treatment to achieve viral suppression. Few prior studies have described long-term retention in HIV care or viral suppression for people transitioning from prisons or jails to communities. This is an important knowledge gap because HIV and incarceration are overlapping epidemics that disproportionately affect people who are already marginalized by homelessness, substance use and psychiatric disorders, and socioeconomic status. To examine this issue, Loeliger and her colleagues conducted one of the longest assessments to date of retention in care and viral suppression in a large cohort of incarcerated people living with HIV. The authors merged statewide databases from the Departments of Public Health and Correction on all people living with HIV who were released from prisons or jails in Connecticut between 2007 and 2011. Among 1,094 individuals included in the study, continuous retention in care declined over the three following years (67.2%, 51.3%, and 42.5%, respectively). Sustained retention in HIV care (RIC) and viral suppression (VS) three years after release were independently associated with older age (RIC: Adjusted Odds Ratio = 1.61]; 95% Confidence Interval [1.22, 2.12] and VS: AOR = 1.37; 95% CI [1.06, 1.78]), having health insurance (RIC: AOR = 2.15; 95% CI [1.60, 2.89] and VS: AOR = 2.01; 95% CI [1.53, 2.64], and receiving more transitional case-management services. Moreover, better treatment outcomes were strongly associated with receiving antiretroviral therapy during incarceration (RIC: AOR = 1.33; 95% CI [1.07, 1.65] and VS: AOR= 1.91; 95% CI [1.56, 2.34] and early access to care after release (RIC: AOR = 2.64; 95% CI [2.03, 3.43] and VS: AOR = 1.79; 95% CI [1.45, 2.21]). Taken together, the findings suggest that dedicated resources are needed to optimize people's HIV care while they are in prison or jail and link them to care following release. Although prior studies suggest that prison provides a temporary window of opportunity to reconnect people to care, supporting community-based retention in HIV care efforts is critical for improving long-term treatment outcomes. ### Peer-reviewed / Observational Study / People Research Article Funding: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provided funding for this project through grants F30DA041247 (KL), K23DA033858 (JPM), K24DA017072 (FLA), R01DA030768 (FLA), and R01DA030762. The project was also supported by the Yale University Medical Scientist Training Program under the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) T32GM007205 and the Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research in AIDS (CIRA) under the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) P30MH062294. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: FLA reports Speakers Bureau: Simply Speaking HIV, Gilead Sciences, Merck, Clinical Care Options (role: speaker); Grants: NIH, NIDA, HRSA, SAMHSA, Gilead Foundation (role: PI); Advisory Board: Merck, Gilead (role: member/consultant). JPM reports Scientific Advisory Board: Gilead Sciences (role: member/consultant); Grants: NIDA, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and Gilead Investigator Sponsored Award (role: PI); Faculty: Clinical Care Options. Citation: Loeliger KB, Meyer JP, Desai MM, Ciarleglio MM, Gallagher C, Altice FL (2018) Retention in HIV care during the 3 years following release from incarceration: A cohort study. PLoS Med 15(10): e1002667. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002667 Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Charles Rivezzo, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Author Affiliations: AIDS Program, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America Health and Addiction Services Quality Improvement Program, Connecticut Department of Correction, Wethersfield, Connecticut, United States of America Centre of Excellence in Research in AIDS, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002667 Petaluma, CA--Restoring forests has become a world-wide strategy for simultaneously addressing the challenges of climate change and biodiversity conservation. In a new study, scientists at Point Blue Conservation Science assessed how successful restoration efforts in California's Central Valley were at these two goals. Key among the findings was the conclusion that, in some cases, optimizing for carbon storage may come at the expense of biodiversity. Forests store tremendous amounts of carbon in the trees and soil, and they can provide valuable habitat for wildlife. But reforestations designed to maximize carbon storage may not be as successful at conserving biodiversity. Researchers found that areas with the highest densities of trees had more carbon stored in trees (as expected), but that bird density and diversity were lower. So, decisions about planting density, thinning, burning, and other actions may increase one benefit at the expense of the other. "Going into the study, we understood that restored forests of any sort are generally better for carbon storage and biodiversity than agricultural fields or cleared land. What we really wanted to know was how we can get the most benefit out of restoration projects that are being conducted," says Dr. Kristen Dybala, Senior Research Ecologist at Point Blue, who led the study. Researchers studied carbon storage and bird communities in the Cosumnes River Preserve, California USA to better understand how carbon and biodiversity relate to forest age, tree density, and canopy and understory cover. They conducted surveys in 4 study areas ranging in size from 70 - 370 acres. These included a remnant forest at least 80 years old, a 30-year old planted forest, a forest that is naturally regenerating after levee breaches 22 and 32 years ago, and an area currently undergoing restoration. The study found that after 20 - 30 years, restored riparian forests were similar to the remnant forest, storing 170 - 285 more tons of carbon per acre in the trees than the youngest study area. They also stored twice as much soil carbon and provided habitat to 4 times as many birds. Even so, there was a lot of variability within these forests, suggesting that the carbon and biodiversity benefits of riparian forest restoration could be increased even further. "One of the key takeaways from our study is that there is a lot of room to continue measuring the results from restoration efforts so we can maximize the success of these projects," Dr. Dybala adds. "As we think about ongoing forest restoration work along the Cosumnes river--as well as around the world--we need to be aware of the tradeoffs and do our best to plan for multiple benefits. These include carbon storage in soil and trees to reduce climate change; groundwater replenishment; habitat for a diverse array of wildlife species; and much more." The researchers also found that areas with more shrub cover tended to have higher bird density and diversity, and more soil carbon storage. So, planting more understory shrubs is likely a no-regrets strategy that could help maximize these benefits. "Restoration of natural and working lands is an important global strategy for The Nature Conservancy to address climate change and conserve biodiversity," says Dr. Rodd Kelsey, Lead Scientist for the Land Program at The Nature Conservancy (TNC). "Studies like this one help us do restoration projects better--to be more effective and efficient," Kelsey added. TNC is the land owner and manager for the areas included in the study, which are all a part of the larger Cosumnes River Preserve, which has multiple landowners. "We need to get better at measuring multiple things at once," says Dybala. "It's important for land managers and restoration practitioners to carefully articulate their restoration goals ahead of time, then monitor and assess along the way to make sure they're on the right track." The article, "Optimizing carbon storage and biodiversity co-benefits in reforested riparian zones" was published on October 9th in the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Ecology (DOI 10.1111/1365-2664.13272). https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13272 ### Photos are available, please contact: Zach Warnow, Director of Communications, (415) 786-5285, zwarnow@pointblue.org Dr. Kristen Dybala, Senior Research Ecologist, (707) 781-2555 x421, kdybala@pointblue.org About Point Blue Conservation Science: Point Blue advances conservation of birds, other wildlife and ecosystems through science, partnerships, and outreach. Our highest priority is to reduce the impacts of habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental threats while promoting nature-based solutions for wildlife and people, on land and at sea. Visit Point Blue at http://www.pointblue.org. Rice University bioengineer Omid Veiseh ultimately wants patients with Type 1 diabetes to forget about it. That's the goal his lab has declared with funding support from the National Institutes of Health. The agency has awarded Veiseh's lab a prestigious four-year, $2.8 million R01 grant to design hydrogel-encapsulated cells that, when placed into a patient, sense blood glucose levels and produce insulin on demand. These on-board drug factories would eliminate the need for patients to persistently monitor their blood glucose and administer insulin shots. "Our hope is that one day patients can be insulin-independent and not have to think about diabetes," said Veiseh, an assistant professor of bioengineering who joined Rice in 2017. "We want to get to the point where they get the treatment and live their lives normally." Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where the body's own immune system inadvertently destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Replacing the beta cells with protection from the immune system is a potential cure for many patients afflicted with this disease, Veiseh said. To that end, his lab at Rice's BioScience Research Collaborative is developing thousands of distinct hydrogel capsules that can protect and support pancreatic islet cells. A major challenge is developing hydrogel formulations which can hide these cells from the host immune system. The lab's solution involves the synthesis of 7,000 variations of hydrogels, each carrying islet cells and an individual bar code. These will allow the lab to inject multiple types of hydrogels into a small number of mice for in vivo testing. (In vivo tests are conducted in live organisms; in vitro experiments are conducted in test tubes and the like.) "We can't do this in vitro, only in vivo, but it would take an army to test thousands of individual animals," Veiseh said. Using the innovative bar coding technique, batches of different cell/capsule combinations can be implanted and those that survive the animal's immune system can be identified based on their bar codes. The codes themselves represent a unique approach, he said. Rather than physically marking each cell - hard to do in a jelly - or using chemical means that could induce an immune response, the researchers will encase surrogate cells along with the islet cells. These surrogates are human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Because they're culled from thousands of donated umbilical cords and have their donors' distinct genomes, they can be easily identified through next-generation sequencing. That will let the lab drastically cut the amount of time it will take to test all of its variants. "That's going to be the first pass, and it will allow us to whittle down those 7,000 formulations to a manageable number," Veiseh said. "Once we discover new leads, we will test those more rigorously to evaluate their ability to house and protect islet cells, and the cells' ability to survive and correct blood glucose." The capsules will also have to ward off fibrosis, the body's tendency to wall off invading cells by building scar tissue. Veiseh has been developing novel materials that enable cell-based therapies for close to a decade. He's a co-founder of Sigilon Therapeutics, a biotech company working to commercialize this approach for treatment of various chronic diseases. He noted the development of implantable, drug-making cells is one of this year's 10 "breakthrough" technologies listed by the World Economic Forum. While some approaches require occasional or even frequent cell injections, Veiseh's clear goal is to solve the complex management of diabetes for patients once and for all. "When I started my postdoctoral research (at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), I had a misperception that diabetes was not that big of a problem because we have insulin. But when I realized the challenges people face, particularly children, I was really inspired," he said. "My team and I are committed to making a transformative impact for patients." ### Read the grant abstract here: https://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_details.cfm?aid=9697094&icde=41470634 This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2018/10/08/rice-u-pursues-end-game-for-diabetes/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews and Omid Veiseh @veiseho. Related materials: Veiseh Lab: http://veisehlab.rice.edu/team/ Rice Department of Bioengineering: https://bioengineering.rice.edu Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,970 undergraduates and 2,934 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview. Oil pollutions have been generated by the petroleum, steel, and textile industries and the frequent oil spills during oil transportation and have been becoming critical global environmental and economic. Oil-water separation is a very significant research topic for the basic scientific research in academia and industry. Traditional oil-water separation technologies include centrifugation, filtration, dissolved air flotation, oil skinners and adsorption, etc. Such technologies are low efficiency and consume a lot of energy during complex separation processes. Membrane separation is a very promising and economical approach to tackle energy and environmental challenges and has rapidly developed in the past decades. Enlightened by the antiwetting behavior of the oil droplet on the lower side of lotus leaves or the fish scale in water, underwater superoleophobic materials have been rapidly developed in recent years. Nevertheless, some organic polymer membranes lose oil-water separation capacity at high temperature or exposure to various organic solvent and most of inorganic membranes need complex preparation process. In order to solve above problems, Ming Xue and co-workers from Jilin University, China, recently, introduced micro/nanostructure into MOF membrane to improve the water/oil separation efficiency. This work is published in Science China Materials. "We successfully constructed a ZIF-8-coated mesh membrane with excellent oil-water separation performance by simply immersing mesh in precursor solution under room temperature and atmospheric pressure", Prof. Xue introduced, "the membrane shows underwater superoleophobic properties, which is attributed to the micro and nanostructure on the surface of the ZIF-8-coated membrane." Prof. Xue explained "the water phase imbibes into the micro and nano hierarchical structure of membrane surface, forming a barrier layer, which allows the water phase to pass through the membrane by its gravity quickly, and rejects the oil phase. This is the separation mechanism." This MOF membrane exhibits excellent separation efficiency over 99.99% for various oil-water mixtures with the residual oil content in the collected water less than 4 ppm. It also shows a remarkable water flux as high as 102000 L/m2h and higher oil intrusion pressure of 6400 Pa. For the stability, Xue said "this membrane displays outstanding stability towards high temperature (200C) and various organic solvents (tetrahydrofuran (THF), N, N'-dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dichloromethane (DCM) and n-hexane) immersion." "More importantly," he added, "based on its facile fabrication method and the readily available and cheap materials, this kind of MOF membrane can be easily enlarged, and able to treat a large amount of oil-water mixture." ### This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21571076, 21390394, 21571079, 61701543), "111" project (B07016), the Ministry of Science and Technology of SINOPEC (A381) and Open Projects of State Key Laboratory of Safety and Control for Chemicals (SKL-038). See the article: Mingqiu Song, Yuxin Zhao , Shanjun Mu , Chunming Jiang , Zhan, Li, Pingping Yang, Qianrong Fang, Ming Xue*, Shilun Qiu. "A stable ZIF-8-coated mesh membrane with micro-/nano architectures produced by a facile fabrication method for high-efficiency oil-water separation" Sci. China Mater. 2018, doi: 10.1007/s40843-018-9345-3 http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1007/s40843-018-9345-3 Customers at chain restaurants throughout the United States will start to see more menus that list calorie counts for different food options on the list, but will this motivate people to order healthier items? The new information on menus is the result of an Affordable Care Act rule that was formally implemented on May 7, 2018 in an effort to tackle the country's obesity epidemic. Researchers have been studying the answer to this question in early-adopter states that rolled out the policy prior to 2018, but the results suggested that the calorie counts had little effect on consumer behavior. Rather than concluding that Americans are unwilling to opt for lower calorie items, behavioral scientists hypothesized that the location of the calorie information--to the right of the food item's name--could explain the ineffectiveness of the calorie labeling legislation. "There is a lot of research showing that the first piece of information people see seems to be given greater weight as they process details, and we wondered if this could have implications for the calorie counts on menus," says Steven Dallas, PhD, who conducted the studies at New York University. The results were published online in June in the Journal of Consumer Psychology. To test the hypothesis, the researchers initiated an experiment at a casual chain restaurant in which they asked customers waiting in line to order from a paper copy of the restaurant's menu. The paper menus had calorie information to the left of the items, to the right, or no calorie information, and they circled the items they planned to order. The results showed that participants with menus showing calories to the left of the food items ordered food with an average of 24 percent fewer calories than participants who ordered from the other two menus. "We were surprised to find such a significant difference between the groups," Dallas says. One explanation for this finding may be a cognitive pattern called predecisional distortion in which people draw initial conclusions and then view subsequent information through that lens, Dallas says. If consumers initially read calorie information that leads them to believe an item is unhealthy, then they may process the following information about that option with the same negative bias. In another experiment, the researchers gave the three types of menus to a group of Hebrew-speaking Israelis who read from right to left rather than the left to right. As expected, they found the effect was reversed: Participants who received menus with calorie information to the right were more likely to order lower-calorie foods. "What this paper shows is that a trivially simple intervention could increase the power of the calorie information on menus," Dallas says. "The calorie labeling policy should not necessarily be deemed a failure and could in fact become a powerful tool in combating the obesity epidemic." ### The abstract appeared online in May 2018, and the final publication date for the study will be January, 2019. To read the abstract, see: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcpy.1053 Contact information for the author: Steven Dallas: sdallas@stern.nyu.edu Malaria is the most prevalent blood-borne infectious disease caused by parasites of the species Plasmodium. In 2016, more than 216 million malaria infections were reported resulting in 445,000 deaths across the developing world. During the blood stage development, Plasmodium (P.) falciparum, the most common causative agent of malaria-associated pathology in humans, exports a number of parasitic proteins to the surface of infected red blood cells facilitating its cyto-adhesion to endothelial receptors. This adhesive behavior prevents splenic clearance and induces microvasculature obstruction, forming critical contributors towards the disease outcome. In a recent study, a research team from Singapore demonstrated how the adhesion of plasmodium-infected blood cells is elevated at febrile temperatures. Through dual-micropipette step-pressure technique between P. falciparum-infected RBCs (iRBCs) and Chinese Hamster Ovary cells expressing Chondroitin sulfate A (CHO-CSA), they determined that adhesion is elevated at febrile temperatures. The team also noticed that exposures to febrile temperature significantly increased both the adhesion force and adhesion percentage between iRBCs and CSA-CHO cells. Using flow cytometry analysis, the team documented an increase in phosphatidylserine expression on the iRBC surface following exposure to febrile temperature. They demonstrate that elevated levels of phosphatidylserine is linked to increased cyto-adhesion, since the trend was reversed by introducing soluble Annexin V. "These results suggest that elevated PS recruitment on iRBC under thermally stressed conditions contributes to the increased adhesive behavior of iRBCs, which might be relevant to clinical manifestations associated with malaria fever," said Dr Rajesh Chandramohanadas from the Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD). ### First author of this study, published in the science journal Scientific Reports, is Dr Rou Zhang from the Infectious Disease IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre. Other investigators involved in this project are Professor Ming Dao (SMART and Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Professor Chwee Teck Lim (SMART & National University of Singapore) and Dr Rajesh Chandramohanadas (SMART and Singapore University of Technology & Design). Resistance to therapy is a major problem in cancer patients as the cells that resist to therapy is at the root of tumour relapse and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. A better understanding of the mechanisms associated with resistance to therapy is essential for the development of better strategies to definitively eradicate cancer and prevent tumour relapse. In a study published in Nature, researchers lead by Pr. Cedric Blanpain, MD/PhD, WELBIO investigator and Professor at the Universite libre de Bruxelles, Belgium identified a population of tumour cells that persist following drug treatment, leading to cancer relapse following treatment discontinuation in basal cell carcinoma, the most frequent skin cancer. The study also identifies a combination of drugs that can eliminate this the tumor population that resists to the therapy and prevents tumour relapse after treatment discontinuation. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human cancer, affecting several millions of new patients each year across the world. Vismodegib, a FDA approved drug is used for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma in humans. Many patients treated with vismodegib experience tumour regression during treatment, but very often their tumours relapse following treatment discontinuation. The precise mechanisms involved in tumour regression upon vismodegib administration and how the tumour cells resist to the therapy leading to cancer relapse are poorly understood. In this new study, Adriana Sanchez-Danes - Universite libre de Bruxelles, ULB, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer - and colleagues identified the mechanism by which vismodegib leads to tumor regression and uncovered the origin of the relapse observed upon treatment discontinuation. They found that vismodegib promotes the differentiation of the bulk of tumour cells, leading to their elimination. Vismodegib treatment led to the emergence of population of dormant tumour cells characterized by active Wnt signaling that persists despite continuous drug administration. In collaboration with the groups of Pr. Tabernero (Barcelona, Spain) and Pr. del Marmol (Brussels, Belgium), the researchers demonstrated that this population of tumor cell population active for Wnt signaling was also found in patients with basal cell carcinoma treated with vismodegib. Adriana Sanchez-Danes and colleagues found that inhibition of Wnt signaling together with Vismodegib eliminates the persisting tumor lesions leading to tumor eradication in the vast majority of the cases. "It was really exciting to identify a combination of drugs already available in clinics that lead to the eradication of resisting tumor cells and avoiding tumor relapse in the most frequent cancer in humans", comments Adriana Sanchez-Danes, the first author of the study. Altogether, this study illustrates that vismodegib promotes tumour regression by promoting the differentiation of tumour cells. This demonstrates for the first time that inducing tumour differentiation is a safe and efficient strategy to treat solid tumours such as basal cell carcinoma. This is the first example of a FDA approved drug used to treat solid tumor that induces tumor regression through differentiation. Tumor differentiation is an exciting route to treat cancer as it is non toxic for normal cells and was proved to be a revolutionary treatment in certain Leukemia said Cedric Blanpain, the senior author of study. Our study also identifies a new mechanism of resistance to therapy in basal cell carcinoma and demonstrates that the administration of two existing drugs is sufficient to prevent tumor relapse in the vast majority of the cases. The next step would be to conduct clinical trials using the combination of these two drugs in patients with relapsing basal cell carcinomas and possibly other cancers characterized by the activation of the two signaling pathways identified here", explains Cedric Blanpain, the corresponding author of the Nature paper. ### Berkeley -- The 1972 Clean Water Act has driven significant improvements in U.S. water quality, according to the first comprehensive study of water pollution over the past several decades, by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and Iowa State University. The team analyzed data from 50 million water quality measurements collected at 240,000 monitoring sites throughout the U.S. between 1962 and 2001. Most of 25 water pollution measures showed improvement, including an increase in dissolved oxygen concentrations and a decrease in fecal coliform bacteria. The share of rivers safe for fishing increased by twelve percent between 1972 and 2001. Despite clear improvements in water quality, almost all of 20 recent economic analyses estimate that the costs of the Clean Water Act consistently outweigh the benefits, the team found in work also coauthored with researchers from Cornell University. These numbers are at odds with other environmental regulations like the Clean Air Act, which show much higher benefits compared to costs. "Water pollution has declined dramatically, and the Clean Water Act contributed substantially to these declines," said Joseph Shapiro, an associate professor of agricultural and resource economics in the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley. "So we were shocked to find that the measured benefit numbers were so low compared to the costs." The researchers propose that these studies may be discounting certain benefits, including improvements to public health, or a reduction in industrial chemicals not included in current water quality testing. The analyses appear in a pair of studies published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Cleaning up our streams and rivers Americans are worried about clean water. In Gallup polls, water pollution is consistently ranked as Americans' top environmental concern - higher than air pollution and climate change. Since its inception, the Clean Water Act has imposed environmental regulations on individuals and industries that dump waste into waterways, and has led to $650 billion in expenditure due to grants the federal government provided municipalities to build sewage treatment plants or improve upon existing facilities. However, comprehensive analyses of water quality have been hindered by the sheer diversity of data sources, with many measurements coming from local agencies rather than national organizations. To perform their analysis, Shapiro and David Keiser, an assistant professor of economics at Iowa State University, had to compile data from three national water quality data repositories. They also tracked down the date and location of each municipal grant, an undertaking that required three Freedom of Information Act requests. "Air pollution and greenhouse gas measurements are typically automated and standard, while water pollution is more often a person going out in a boat and dipping something in the water." Shapiro said. "It was an incredibly data and time-intensive project to get all of these water pollution measures together and then analyze them in a way that was comparable over time and space." In addition to the overall decrease in water pollution, the team found that water quality downstream of sewage treatment plants improved significantly after municipalities received grants to improve wastewater treatment. They also calculated that it costs approximately $1.5 million to make one mile of river fishable for one year. Comparing costs and benefits Adding up all the costs and benefits - both monetary and non-monetary - of a policy is one way to value its effectiveness. The costs of an environmental policy like the Clean Water Act can include direct expenditures, such as the $650 billion in spending due to grants to municipalities, and indirect investments, such as the costs to companies to improve wastewater treatment. Benefits can include increases in waterfront housing prices or decreases in the travel to find a good fishing or swimming spot. The researchers conducted their own cost-benefit analysis of the Clean Water Act municipal grants, and combined it with 19 other recent analyses carried out by hydrologists and the EPA. They found that, on average, the measured economic benefits of the legislation were less than half of the total costs. However, these numbers might not paint the whole picture, Shapiro said. "Many of these studies count little or no benefit of cleaning up rivers, lakes, and streams for human health because they assume that if we drink the water, it goes through a separate purification process, and no matter how dirty the water in the river is, it's not going to affect people's health," Shapiro said. "The recent controversy in Flint, MI recently seems contrary to that view." "Similarly, drinking water treatment plants test for a few hundred different chemicals and U.S. industry produces closer to 70,000, and so it is possible there are chemicals that existing studies don't measure that have important consequences for well-being," Shapiro said. Even if the costs outweigh the benefits, Shapiro stresses that Americans should not have to compromise their passion for clean water - or give up on the Clean Water Act. "There are many ways to improve water quality, and it is quite plausible that some of them are excellent investments, and some of them are not great investments," Shapiro said. "So it is plausible both that it is important and valuable to improve water quality, and that some investments that the U.S. has made in recent years don't pass a benefit-cost test." ### Catherine L. Kling, professor of agricultural and life sciences and environmental economics and Cornell University, is a co-author on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences paper. Research funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project IOW03909 and Award 2014-51130- 22494 and a National Science Foundation Award SES-1530494. Much of the research was completed while Shapiro was at Yale University. RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Anglers don't expect to take home dinner when they practice catch-and-release fishing, but they might not be the only ones missing out on a meal. In a study published today in The Journal of Experimental Biology, a UC Riverside-led research team shows that mouth injuries caused by hook removal after catch-and-release fishing hamper the ability of fish to capture prey. The results add to a growing body of literature raising questions about the practice of catch-and release fishing, which is viewed by many as a way to conserve at-risk fish species. Tim Higham, an associate professor in UCR's Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, studies the biomechanics and hydrodynamics of suction feeding, which is the way many recreational sport fish species -- including bass, salmon, and trout -- eat. During suction feeding, fish rapidly expand their mouths to suck in prey. This generates negative pressure inside the mouth relative to the surrounding water. Suction feeding relies on the resulting pressure gradient to draw prey into the mouth. Higham and his colleagues wondered if an extra hole, caused by hook removal, might disrupt the system. "The suction feeding system is somewhat similar to how we drink liquid through a straw," Higham said. "If you poke a hole in the side of your straw it's not going to work properly." To study the effects of catch-and-release on feeding performance, Higham and his colleagues studied 20 shiner perch caught near the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre in Canada, 10 of which were caught by hook and line, and 10 using a net. After being captured, the fish were immediately transported to the marine station, where the researchers used high-speed cameras to quantify feeding performance by fish in the two groups. Minimal stress was caused to the fish, which were returned to the wild after the experiment ended. As the study describes, while all fish were equally motivated to feed, the feeding performance of fish with hook-induced mouth injuries was significantly reduced compared to the fish that were caught with nets. "As we predicted, the fish with the mouth injuries exhibited a reduction in the speed at which they were able to draw prey into their mouths," Higham said. "This was the case even though we used barbless hooks, which are less damaging than barbed hooks." By modeling fluid dynamics in the suction feeding system, the researchers confirmed that performance decreases due to the hole caused by the hook, but they also found that the mouth injury alone couldn't fully explain the reduction in feeding performance, suggesting catch-and-release might impact a fish's ability to feed in other ways. Higham said further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of the reduced feeding performance. "Although we don't yet know how/if this reduction in feeding performance would affect fitness and survivability in nature, we can say that fishing-induced injuries impact the fish's ability to feed while the mouth is healing," he said. "This study emphasizes that catch-and-release is not as simple as removing the hook and all being well, but rather is a complex process that should be studied in more detail." ### The paper is titled "Angling-induced injuries have a negative impact on suction feeding performance and hydrodynamics in marine shiner perch, Cymatogaster aggregata." The lead author is Melissa Thompson, who completed the research as an undergraduate at the University of Alberta doing research at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Other authors are Sam Van Wassenbergh from the University of Antwerp in Belgium, and Sean M. Rogers and Scott Seamone from the University of Calgary in Canada. Funding was provided by the Agence National de la Recherche in France and the National Science Foundation. A short animation that media are welcome to use and share is here. The first "fine-grained" analysis of local authority budgets across Britain since 2010 has found that the average reduction in service spending by councils was almost 24% in England compared to just 12% in Wales and 11.5% in Scotland. While some areas - Glasgow, for example - experienced significant service loss, the new study suggests that devolved powers have allowed Scottish and Welsh governments to mitigate the harshest local cuts experienced in parts of England. University of Cambridge researchers found that, across Britain, the most severe cuts to local service spending between 2010 and 2017 were generally associated with areas of "multiple deprivation". This pattern is clearest in England, where all 46 councils that cut spending by 30% or more are located. These local authorities tend to be more reliant on central government, with lower property values and fewer additional funding sources, as well as less ability to generate revenue through taxes. The north was hit with the deepest cuts to local spending, closely followed by parts of London. The ten worst affected councils include Salford, South Tyneside, Wigan, Oldham and Gateshead, as well as the London boroughs of Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Kensington and Chelsea. Westminster council had a drop in service spending of 46% - the most significant in the UK. The research also shows a large swathe of southern England, primarily around the 'home counties', with low levels of reliance on central government and only relatively minor local service cuts. Northern Ireland was excluded from the study due to limited data. The authors of the new paper, published in the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, say the findings demonstrate how austerity has been pushed down to a local level, "intensifying territorial injustice" between areas. They argue that initiatives claimed by government to ameliorate austerity, such as local retention of business taxes, will only fuel unfair competition and inequality between regions - as local authorities turn to "beggar thy neighbor" policies in efforts to boost tax bases and buffer against austerity. "The idea that austerity has hit all areas equally is nonsense," said geographer Dr Mia Gray, who conducted the research with her Cambridge colleague Dr Anna Barford. "Local councils rely to varying degrees on the central government, and we have found a clear relationship between grant dependence and cuts in service spending. "The average cuts to local services have been twice as deep in England compared to Scotland and Wales. Cities have suffered the most, particularly in the old industrial centres of the north but also much of London," said Gray. "Wealthier areas can generate revenues from business tax, while others sell off buildings such as former back offices to plug gaping holes in council budgets. "The councils in greatest need have the weakest local economies. Many areas with populations that are ageing or struggling to find employment have very little in the way of a public safety net. "The government needs to decide whether it is content for more local authorities to essentially go bust, in the way we have already seen in Northamptonshire this year," she said. The latest study, which comes as England's county councils predict at least 1 billion in further cutbacks by 2020, used data from the Institute of Fiscal Studies to conduct a spatial analysis of Britain's local authority funding system. Gray and Barford mapped the levels of central grant dependence across England's councils, and the percentage fall of service spend by local authorities across Scotland, Wales and England between financial years 2009/2010 and 2016/2017. Some of the local services hit hardest across the country include highways and transport, culture, adult social care, children and young people's services, and environmental services. The part of central government formerly known as the Department of Communities and Local Government experienced a dramatic overall budget cut of 53% between 2010 and 2016. As budget decisions were hit at a local level, "mandatory" council services - those considered vital - were funded at the expense of "discretionary" services. However, the researchers found these boundaries to be blurry. "Taking care of 'at risk' children is a mandatory concern. However, youth centres and outreach services are considered unessential and have been cut to the bone. Yet these are services that help prevent children becoming 'at risk' in the first place," said Gray. "There is a narrative at national and local levels that the hands of politicians are tied, but many of these funding decisions are highly political. Public finance is politics hidden in accounting columns." Gray points out that once local councils "go bust" and Section 114 notices are issued, as with Northamptonshire Council, administrators are sent in who then take financial decisions that supersede any democratic process. In an unusual collaboration, the research has also contributed to the development of a new play by the Menagerie Theatre Company that explores the effects of austerity. In a forum-theatre performance, audience members help guide characters through situations taken from the lives of those in austerity-hit Britain. The play will be performed in community venues across the country during October and November. Gray added: "Ever since vast sums of public money were used to bail out the banks a decade ago, the British people have been told that there is no other choice but austerity imposed at a fierce and relentless rate." "We are now seeing austerity policies turn into a downward spiral of disinvestment in certain people and places. Local councils in some communities are shrunk to the most basic of services. This could affect the life chances of entire generations born in the wrong part of the country." ### Researchers have used a combination of social media and transport data to predict the likelihood that a given retail business will succeed or fail. Using information from ten different cities around the world, the researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, have developed a model that can predict with 80% accuracy whether a new business will fail within six months. The results will be presented at the ACM Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp), taking place this week in Singapore. While the retail sector has always been risky, the past several years have seen a transformation of high streets as more and more retailers fail. The model built by the researchers could be useful for both entrepreneurs and urban planners when determining where to locate their business or which areas to invest in. "One of the most important questions for any new business is the amount of demand it will receive. This directly relates to how likely that business is to succeed," said lead author Krittika D'Silva, a Gates Scholar and PhD student at Cambridge's Department of Computer Science and Technology. "What sort of metrics can we use to make those predictions?" D'Silva and her colleagues used more than 74 million check-ins from the location-based social network Foursquare from Chicago, Helsinki, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore and Tokyo; and data from 181 million taxi trips from New York and Singapore. Using this data, the researchers classified venues according to the properties of the neighbourhoods in which they were located, the visit patterns at different times of day, and whether a neighbourhood attracted visitors from other neighbourhoods. "We wanted to better understand the predictive power that metrics about a place at a certain point in time have," said D'Silva. Whether a business succeeds or fails is normally based on a number of controllable and uncontrollable factors. Controllable factors might include the quality or price of the store's product, its opening hours and its customer satisfaction. Uncontrollable factors might include unemployment rates of a city, overall economic conditions and urban policies. "We found that even without information about any of these uncontrollable factors, we could still use venue-specific, location-related and mobility-based features in predicting the likely demise of a business," said D'Silva. The data showed that across all ten cities, venues that are popular around the clock, rather than just at certain points of day, are more likely to succeed. Additionally, venues that are in demand outside of the typical popular hours of other venues in the neighbourhood tend to survive longer. The data also suggested that venues in diverse neighbourhoods, with multiple types of businesses, tend to survive longer. While the ten cities had certain similarities, the researchers also had to account for their differences. "The metrics that were useful predictors vary from city to city, which suggests that factors affect cities in different ways," said D'Silva. "As one example, that the speed of travel to a venue is a significant metric only in New York and Tokyo. This could relate to the speed of transit in those cities or perhaps to the rates of traffic." To test the predictive power of their model, the researchers first had to determine whether a particular venue had closed within the time window of their data set. They then 'trained' the model on a subset of venues, telling the model what the features of those venues were in the first time window and whether the venue was open or closed in a second time window. They then tested the trained model on another subset of the data to see how accurate it was. According to the researchers, their model shows that when deciding when and where to open a business, it is important to look beyond the static features of a given neighbourhood and to consider the ways that people move to and through that neighbourhood at different times of day. They now want to consider how these features vary across different neighbourhoods in order to improve the accuracy of their model. ### A technology revolution is coming, and the University of Delaware is on the leading edge as the recipient of a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help develop the quantum electronics of the future. The funding is part of $31 million in quantum research projects announced Sept. 24 by NSF Director France Cordova at a White House summit on quantum information science. "The quantum revolution is about expanding the definition of what's possible for the technology of tomorrow," Cordova said. "NSF-supported researchers are working to deepen our understanding of quantum mechanics and apply that knowledge to create world-changing applications. These new investments will position the U.S. to be a global leader in quantum research and development and help train the next generation of quantum researchers." Many of today's technologies rely on the interaction of matter and energy at extremely small length scales. Quantum mechanics studies nature on such a scale -- many thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair -- allowing researchers to observe, manipulate and control the behavior of particles. Next-generation technologies for communication, computing and sensing will exploit these interactions with potentially profound benefits. "The power of quantum science is that it offers totally new ways to develop electronic devices -- from computers to medical sensors -- with the promise of processing information faster and with greater accuracy and security than ever before," said Matthew Doty, associate professor in UD's Department of Materials Science and Engineering and lead investigator on the project. A whole new set of rules This new age of electronics will operate on a completely different set of rules than today's computers and smartphones. Here are some of the basics: As Doty explains, today's electronics are based on data encoded in bits. A bit is the smallest unit of information, and it exists in one of two states: 0 or 1. In the hardware of traditional electronics, the 1 state is represented by a high voltage, say 5 volts, and the 0 state by no voltage. Transistors manipulate these bits, for example, flipping the state of bit A if bit B is in the 1 state, but leaving bit A alone if B is in the 0 state. Now, let's consider quantum devices. They are based on quantum bits, also called qubits. Weirdly enough, these qubits can exist in "superposition states" that are a mixture of both 0 and 1 at the same time. This would make a quantum computer essentially capable of processing many possible scenarios simultaneously instead of just one at a time. "Let's say you want to search for a piece of information in a large database," Doty said. "A conventional computer has to go through millions of entries, one by one, to see if each entry is a good match. But a quantum computer can look at all of those entries simultaneously and figure out, based on probabilities, which one is the best match. That's why Google is so interested in quantum computing." Toward quantum computing The potential of quantum computing has been known for decades, but scientists face two extremely difficult fundamental challenges in building the hardware for quantum computers with thousands of qubits, Doty said. First, because the superposition states of the qubits are so fragile, they can "collapse" due to interactions with the atoms in the environment around them. Somewhat like creating the perfect kitchen for a restaurant where the specialty is souffles, the entire computer architecture has to be built to extend the life of the superposition states and perform operations faster than the qubits collapse. Second, while conventional computers have tools to deal with inevitable errors, quantum computers can't use such tools because each qubit state is a little bit different. Amplifiers in today's computers, for example, can be used to push a 4-volt signal back up to 5 volts because the hardware knows 4 volts must still correspond to a bit state of 1, Doty said. But such a tool would destroy the fragile superposition states in a quantum computer. Doty will lead a research team from UD, Virginia Tech and Stanford in exploring a new approach to making a quantum device. Their approach is based on "inverting the design paradigm." Instead of trying to create thousands of identical qubits -- a nearly impossible task -- they are redesigning the hardware so that each qubit is tunable from the get-go. The researchers are using gallium arsenide, a common semiconductor material, as their platform. Embedded within the gallium arsenide will be indium arsenide quantum dots, each about 10,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Each quantum dot is like a teeny container that can hold a single electron. The spin of that electron, pointing up or down, will be the logical basis (0 or 1) of the qubit. The interactions between the qubits will be controlled by light propagating in tube-like waveguides on a chip. In addition to Doty, the UD team includes Joshua Zide, professor of materials science and engineering, and Stephanie Law, Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. Zide is an expert in growing the gallium arsenide crystals that serve as the foundational material, and Law has expertise in developing semiconductor meta-materials that will be used to create the waveguides. At Stanford, Jelena Vuckovic, an expert in photonic devices, will develop the new structures for the waveguides. And at Virginia Tech, Sophia Economu, a theorist in quantum information science, will design the algorithms needed to make the device operations work. "This is a fundamentally different way of putting these devices together," Doty said. "Quite a few projects have gotten a few qubits talking to one another, but those experiments have required heroic efforts to overcome differences between the qubits. Our device will have the tuning needed built-in. The next step would be to repeat the pattern over and over on a chip to build a quantum computer with hundreds or even thousands of qubits. That is still an enormous engineering challenge, but this is a crucial first step." All of the device fabrication will be done in the UD Nanofabrication Facility, which Doty directs. This so-called "machine shop of the 21st century," which opened in 2016, provides world-class capabilities for developing technologies at the atomic level. It's already a bustling place, with dozens of academic and industry users, and destined to get much busier as "quantum" moves into everyday parlance -- and more deeply into the academic curriculum. Complementing the research, the team is planning a summer experience in quantum science for a dozen underrepresented high school students. Slated to launch in 2020, the two-week program will engage students in making actual quantum devices in UD's Nanofabrication Teaching Lab, offering an exciting introduction to a new field that will drive the workforce of the future, Doty said. ### Researchers in Houston and elsewhere have shown that robotic systems controlled by the user's own brain activity can help patients recovering from stroke and other disabling injuries. But the demonstrations have taken place in highly controlled settings, and none of the systems have been approved for use in clinics or patient's homes. An engineer from the University of Houston is leading a team of researchers, health care providers and industry to fast-track the commercialization of a groundbreaking robotic rehabilitation system. Backed by a $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation program (PFI), the goal is to build a system that can be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is sturdy, simple and inexpensive enough for stroke patients to use at home. "We want to break that wall between the lab and home," said Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UH and co-director of the Building Reliable Advances and Innovation in Neurotechnology (BRAIN) Center, a NSF-supported Industry/University Collaborative Research Center based at UH and Arizona State University. "We want to build a system that can be used at home with FDA approval." The NSF PFI program allows academic innovators to advance prior NSF-funded research by further developing technologies that show promise for commercialization and societal impact. Such technology development efforts benefit from industry-academic collaborations that are needed to accelerate the transition of technology from the academic lab to the marketplace. The rehabilitation systems work by capturing electrical activity in the brain, which can be translated into movement through the use of algorithms that decode movement intent from patterned brain activity. Early versions of this brain-computer interface relied upon a skull cap embedded with the sensors, but Contreras-Vidal said any system intended for home use will have to be far simpler for patients to use. He has worked for years with TIRR Memorial Hermann, a nationally ranked rehabilitation hospital, in a quest to design medical systems that can assist in recovery from strokes and other injuries and illnesses. Other partners in the project are National Instruments Corp. and Harmonic Bionics, both based in Austin, and TIRR Memorial Hermann. The UH Office of Intellectual Property Management will help with commercialization, and Jeff Feng, associate professor for the UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design who has a background in the design of medical devices, will work with Contreras-Vidal on the headset design to optimize usability and form factor. "It has to be very user friendly," Contreras-Vidal said. The idea is that use of the device - it will be modeled on a simple rowing machine and at least initially will focus on the upper limbs - will promote plasticity in the brain and the restoration of motor function. Contreras-Vidal said the same concept could apply to the lower limbs to restore a patient's ability to walk. While the work also has applications for virtual reality, gaming and consumer electronics, he said the researchers are focused on using it to help people recover from stroke. It will be tested in the clinic at TIRR before being sent home with patients. "The research team of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department is fortunate to be a part of this project, which will make a difference and improve the quality of life in stroke survivors," said Dr. Gerard Francisco, chairman and professor of physical medicine & rehabilitation with McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and chief medical officer and director of the NeuroRecovery Research Center at TIRR Memorial Hermann. "Each year, thousands suffer a stroke which can leave them facing a long road of rehabilitation. By developing this device for use at home, it can be an added and convenient component to their rehabilitation journey." Harmony Bionics will produce the robotic device, while National Instruments will provide a compact, embedded, hardware solution for the brain-computer interface system and provide technical assistance. "There is a growing need for accelerating the transition to practice of the discoveries and innovations that start at universities," said Igor Alvarado, business development manager for academic research at National Instruments. "This project allows us to help advance new at-home rehab technologies for stroke patients by providing the data acquisition and control platform to be used in prototyping, testing and deploying the new rehab device." National Instruments also will oversee a national competition, which will release the researchers' datasets and encourage people elsewhere to suggest improvements in the decoding algorithms. "That's STEM outreach," Contreras-Vidal said. "But it's also citizen-science and advancing the state of the art." ### The children of families who fall upon hard times are at significantly greater risk of being involved in violent crime and harming themselves as young adults, according to a major new study The children of families who fall upon hard times are at significantly greater risk of being involved in violent crime and harming themselves as young adults, according to a major new study. The research by University of Manchester epidemiologists is a major addition to our understanding of the risk factors for self-harm and violent criminality. The knowledge was generated from a study funded by the European Research Council of the young adult population of Denmark published today in The Lancet Public Health. The results are highly relevant to the UK context argue Professor Roger Webb and Dr Pearl Mok, two of the study's authors. Children who remained in the top 20% of wealthiest families over their first 15 years of life were the least likely to harm themselves or commit violent crime between the ages of 15 and 33. Compared to the wealthiest fifth, children from families who remained in the least affluent fifth of society were 7 times more likely to harm themselves and 13 times more likely to commit violent crime as young adults. Children from families whose income dropped from the top fifth to the bottom fifth were 2.9 times more likely to commit violent crime and 2.3 times more likely to self-harm as young adults. And children from families whose income rose from the bottom fifth to the top fifth were 1.6 times more likely to self-harm and to commit violent crime as young adults. Using Danish national registers of over one million young adults, the study analysed 21,267 patients who presented to hospital with self-harm episodes and 23,724 people who were convicted for violent crime aged 15 to 33. Parental income was measured at birth-year, and at ages 5, 10 and 15. Professor Webb said: "This study casts new light on our understanding of the deep-rooted causes of self-harm and violent behaviour. Though to some extent, we all make choices, what children go through does have a powerful effect on these harmful behaviours. "Though the report drew on data relating to the entire population of Denmark, its results are relevant to the UK, whose population demographics are similar, as is their health system. "In fact, income inequality in Denmark is one of the lowest in the world, so we'd expect these findings to be even more pronounced in countries with greater levels of income inequality, such as the UK." He added: "These two harmful behaviours pose serious societal challenges. After accidents, intentional self-harm and assault are the next two most common causes of death among young people globally. "Exposure to poverty can have an adverse impact on early child development as well as parental conflict and separation, harming children's psychosocial development and well-being. "We would also imagine that ten years of austerity in the UK would escalate and entrench these problems: Poverty still affects more than one in four children in the UK today according to Child Poverty Action group. "So this study underlines just how important it is to tackle socioeconomic inequalities during childhood. "That encompasses access to public services, good housing and education but also things like local and social environments." ### For three and a half centuries, astronomers have pondered a mystery: What did the French monk and astronomer Pere Dom Anthelme see when he described a star that burst into view in June 1670, just below the head of the constellation Cygnus, the swan? It was long thought to be a nova--a star that periodically brightens as it blows off mass. But now, an international team of astrophysicists, including two professors at the University of Minnesota, have cracked the 348-year-old conundrum. The monk witnessed the explosive merger of white and brown dwarf stars--the first ever identified. The work, led by astrophysicists at Keele University (England), is published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. White dwarfs are the remnants of stars like the sun at the end of its life, while brown dwarfs are "failed stars" that have 15-75 times the mass of Jupiter, but not enough to ignite the thermonuclear fusion reactions that power the sun and other stars. The two stars orbited each other until they got too close and merged, spewing out debris whose chemical composition gave away the secret of the mystery object's origin. The brown dwarf got the raw end of the deal. "It was as if you put salsa fixings into a blender and forgot to put the lid on," said Charles Woodward, a physics and astronomy professor in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. "The white dwarf was like the blades at the bottom and the brown dwarf was the edibles. It was shredded, and its remains spun out in two jets--like a jet of goop shooting from the top of your blender as you searched frantically for the lid." Woodward and fellow University of Minnesota physics and astronomy professor Robert Gehrz were members of the team that proposed studying the object and assisted in designing the program of observations, which were done at the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) of telescopes in Chile. Beneath the swan, an odd duck The unusual star has been dubbed CK Vulpeculae, as it resides in the constellation Vulpecula (the little fox). It is just below the star Albireo, the head of Cygnus, the swan. That location is inside the Summer Triangle of bright stars, which is now high in the south after nightfall. The star is approximately 2,200 light-years from Earth. The white dwarf and brown dwarf started out fairly ordinary--orbiting each other in a binary system, as astrophysicists believe most stars are born. The white dwarf had an estimated 10 times the brown dwarf's mass. As they merged, the brown dwarf was torn apart and its remains dumped on the surface of the white dwarf. That star's crushing gravity heated the brown dwarf material and caused thermonuclear "burning" that spilled out a cocktail of molecules and unusual forms (isotopes) of chemical elements. It also caused the brightening that caught the eye of the monk Anthelme. Rounding up the unusual suspects CK Vulpecula isn't visible to the naked eye, but through the telescope, the debris ejected during the merger appears as two bright rings of dust and gas that form a glowing hourglass structure around a compact central object. Studying the light from two background stars that had passed through the system, the researchers noted the presence of lithium, a light element that can't exist in the interiors of stars, where nuclear fusion occurs. They also found organic molecules like formaldehyde and methyl alcohol, which also would perish in stellar interiors. Thus, these molecules must have been produced in the debris from the collision. The amount of dust in the debris was about one percent the mass of the sun. "That's too high for a classical nova outburst and too low for mergers of more massive stars, as had been proposed earlier," said Sumner Starrfield, a professor at Arizona State University who was involved in the study. That evidence, plus isotope data, led to the conclusion that the collision was between a white dwarf and brown dwarf. And the remnant star is still blowing off material. "Collisions like this could contribute to the chemical evolution of our galaxy and universe," noted Minnesota's Gehrz. "The ejected material travels out into space, where it gets incorporated into new generations of stars." ### Other institutions involved were the University of Manchester and University of South Wales, United Kingdom; Ohio State University; the University of Warmia and Mazury, Poland; and the South African Astronomical Observatory. The research supporters include NASA, the United States Air Force, the National Science Foundation, National Research Council (Canada), Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Poland), Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (Chile), Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnolog?a e Innovacion Productiva (Argentina), Ministerio da Ci?encia, Tecnologia e Inovac?ao (Brazil), National Institutes of Natural Sciences (Japan), Ministry of Science and Technology (Taiwan), Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Taiwan), and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (Republic of Korea). To read the full research paper, entitled "ALMA reveals the aftermath of a white dwarf--brown dwarf merger in CK Vulpeculae," visit the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society website. Chapel Hill, NC - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases announced today that Ross Boyce, M.D., M.Sc., is a winner of a Grand Challenges Explorations grant - an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Boyce, a clinical instructor in the UNC Division of Infectious Diseases will pursue an innovative global health and development research project titled, Accessible Measures of Access: Novel Tools to Measure Immunization Coverage. Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) grants support innovative thinkers worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mold in how persistent global health and development challenges are solved. Boyce's project is one of 35 Grand Challenges Explorations Round 21 grants announced by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. To receive funding, Boyce and other Grand Challenges Explorations winners demonstrated in a two-page online application a bold idea in one of three critical global heath and development topic areas. The foundation will be accepting applications for the next GCE round in February 2019. Boyce works in the highlands of Western Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His home base is the Bugoye sub-county, which sits within the Rwenzori Mountains. The extreme elevations provide challenges to the people who live here. Challenges that Boyce is looking to solve. Boyce will utilize the funding from the Gates Foundation to analyze where people are coming from to get their children vaccinated. He will use software to map where these people live and analyze it in comparison to people seeking care for malaria and prenatal services. "If we see 100 people coming from one village and only 10 coming from another, it's an opportunity to improve services there and also do a little more digging to find out exactly why they aren't coming; is it just distance, or is it some sort of fear or cultural attitude," Boyce said. Around 50 percent of Ugandan children receive the standard package of vaccinations and even less receive them on time, Boyce said. "We are going to triangulate this data with data on people seeking prenatal services and malaria care so we can see where the gaps overlap," Boyce said. "Then, the next step will be to take services to these people." About Grand Challenges Explorations Grand Challenges Explorations is a US$100 million initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Launched in 2008, over 1400 projects in more than 65 countries have received Grand Challenges Explorations grants. The grant program is open to anyone from any discipline and from any organization. The initiative uses an agile, accelerated grant-making process with short two-page online applications and no preliminary data required. Initial grants of US$100,000 are awarded two times per year. Successful projects have the opportunity to receive a follow-on grant of up to US$1 million. About the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases The mission of UNC's Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases is to harness the full resources of the University and its partners to solve global health problems, reduce the burden of disease, and cultivate the next generation of global health leaders. Learn more at http://www.globalhealth.unc.edu. ### ### - Nicola J. Mason, BVetMed, PhD, associate professor of Medicine and Pathobiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Aimee S. Payne, MD, PhD, the Albert M. Kligman Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, have received the prestigious NIH Director's Transformative Research Award. The award is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, which was established to accelerate the pace of biomedical discoveries by supporting exceptionally creative scientists with highly innovative research. Autoimmunity occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissues, thereby causing diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and type 1 diabetes. According to the Autoimmune Disease Research Center at John Hopkins, at least ten million Americans suffer from the more than eighty illnesses caused by autoimmunity. Under the grant, Mason and Payne are looking to evaluate a genetically engineered cell-based therapy approach to treat pet dogs with naturally occurring autoimmune skin disease known as pemphigus. Dogs are one of the few other species to develop pemphigus naturally and the condition mirrors pemphigus in human patients. Evaluation of this approach to treat pet dogs with this debilitating disease may ultimately lead to breakthrough therapies for humans. "The successful treatment of autoimmunity in the family dog using this unique approach would not only be a breakthrough in veterinary medicine," said Mason, "but could also change the way autoimmune disease is treated in humans. We believe that this work may facilitate the translation of cellular immunotherapies for a broad range of canine and human diseases, including autoimmunity, transplant rejection, infectious disease and cancer." Mason and Payne will continue to focus on their novel gene-engineered chimeric autoantibody receptor T cell (CAART) immunotherapy and its potential to cause lasting remission of antibody-mediated disease. "Our study of CAART immunotherapy in companion dogs with naturally occurring autoimmune disease will be synergistic with our efforts to develop similar human therapies," said Payne. "By comparing how these complex cellular immunotherapies work in dogs versus humans, we will better understand how to engineer and deliver these therapies to potentially cure disease." ### Mason, who earned her BVetMed from the University of London, and her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, is a board-certified veterinary internist and immunologist. For the past ten years, she has been actively involved in evaluating the immunological responses of immune-based therapies in client-owned dogs suffering from lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Mason's research laboratory is currently developing CAR-T cell therapies for dogs with B cell lymphoma, and she serves as the PI and lead investigator on the first clinical trial evaluating CAR-T cell therapies in dogs. This research is supported by the National Institutes of Health under award number R01 AR075337. About Penn Vet Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health. Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling nearly 35,000 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet's large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles nearly 4,900 patient visits a year, while the Field Service treats more than 38,000 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center's campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry. For more information, visit http://www.vet.upenn.edu. New University of Sydney research shows bottles, dummies, and thumb sucking in the early years of life do not cause or worsen phonological impairment, the most common type of speech disorder in children. The study, published in Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, examined the sucking behaviours of 199 Australian pre-schoolers to determine if a child's history of dummy use, bottle use, breastfeeding or thumb sucking impacted the presence or severity of this common speech disorder. Lead author Dr Elise Baker said while dummy or pacifier use is a controversial topic, the study suggests they are not associated with the majority of speech problems in children. "There is a misconception that dummies impact children's opportunities to learn or practise speech, however our study shows no connection between dummy use in the early years and the presence or severity of the most common type of childhood speech problem," said speech pathologist Dr Baker from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Health Sciences. "The findings suggest that for the majority of children with speech delay the problem is not to do with the mouth, but rather associated with how children learn the sound system of language." Dr Baker admits dummies are contentious, with research suggesting both pros and cons to their use. "Dummies may have benefits such as helping premature babies develop sucking skills, reducing pain during medical procedures, reduced risk of developing allergies and possibly even reduce SIDS risk." "On the flip side they have also been associated with gastrointestinal infections, more ear infections, incorrect bite, bowel obstruction and reduced breast-feeding duration among other issues." For this study, parents were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their child's sucking habits and researchers directly assessed the children's speech to allow a comparison between those with and without phonological impairment. Phonological impairment occurs when a child has difficulty with learning how to use speech sounds correctly and in the right context. A child with this disorder might use 's' correctly at the end of a word like 'bus' but when faced with words starting with two consonants they might say 'poon' for 'spoon' and 'tar' for 'star'. The results of the study showed: 79.9 percent of children had been breastfed (with 1 in 3 of these children breastfeed for more than 12 months); 58.3 percent had used a dummy/pacifier (with 3 in 4 of these children using a dummy/pacifier for 12 months or more) 83.9 percent had used a bottle (with 3 in 4 of these children using a dummy/pacifier for more than 12 months), 15.1 percent sucked their thumb/fingers. No significant association was found between nutritive or non-nutritive sucking habits and the presence or severity of phonological impairment. Co-author Dr Sarah Masso said the study doesn't discount other health and developmental impacts of the prolonged use of a pacifier, dummy or other sucking aid. "Furthermore while we have ruled out a link with the most common form of speech disorder, more research is needed to determine if there is any relationship with less common problems such as a lisp," said Dr Masso from the Faculty of Health Sciences. How common are speech problems in children? A recent Australian study identified 3.4 percent of children as having a speech sound disorder at four years of age. The Australian Bureau of Statistics records approximately 340,000 four and five-years-olds attending a preschool program in 2017. The researchers estimate that around 11,560 of these children would have a speech disorder, with 10,404 likely having the most common type; phonological impairment. "Without early treatment speech problems have been linked to difficulties with reading and writing, anxiety and mental health problems," said Dr Masso. When should parents seek help? Research shows one in four parents of Australian children are concerned about their four to five-year-old child's speech but the majority do not act on their concerns. "Parents should be concerned when an 18-month-old isn't starting to communicate and use words, or when a two-year-old has less than 50 words and is not putting two words together," said Dr Baker. "If a child is four and their speech is still difficult to understand I would certainly suggest parents seek help from a qualified speech pathologist." ### The study is a collaboration between the University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University and the University of Bristol (UK) and was supported by funding from the Australian Research Council. MADISON - The community of microorganisms that live in the human gut has been shown to confer all kinds of health benefits. Now, an international team of researchers has shown in mice that a healthy gut microbiome is important for recovery after a heart attack. Writing today (Oct. 8, 2018) in the journal Circulation, a team led by surgeon Patrick Hsieh of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reports on experiments that show mice recovering from heart attacks are more likely to die if treated with antibiotics, a common intervention in hospitalized patients. "This is a new thing to add to the list of potential complications" for recovery from a heart attack, says Timothy Kamp, a UW-Madison professor of medicine and cardiologist who contributed to the new study. It is common, Kamp explains, for hospitalized patients to be dosed with broad spectrum antibiotics to treat a variety of infections, and some of these patients have heart attacks. But antibiotics can be indiscriminate and eliminate not only bad microbial players, but also the microbes we depend on to stay healthy, including the trillions of fungi and bacteria that help make up the gut microbiome. Working in collaboration with microbiome expert and UW-Madison Professor of Bacteriology Federico Rey, Hsieh and Kamp treated mice with antibiotics to deplete the gut microbiome a week prior to experimentally inducing myocardial infarction or heart attack. The depleted microbiome, the team found, tamps down the production of a set of three short-chain fatty acids, which are produced as the gut's community of microorganism's metabolizes food and which act as important chemical messengers to the body's immune system. The diminished response, says Hsieh, "impacts the immune response and the repair response after myocardial infarction." Conversely, when the mouse microbiome is restored through a fecal transplant, the researchers observed an uptick in mouse physiological well-being and survival. And in mice that had their microbiomes boosted through the use of probiotics or other interventions prior to a heart attack, increased cardioprotective effects and survival were the hallmark effects. Previous studies in healthy mice have shown that the microbiome influences gene expression and the deployment of the short-chain fatty acids that help regulate immune response. The current study showed that production of a small set of short-chain fatty acids was diminished by a depleted microbiome, but there likely are many more players - perhaps thousands - that may also be affected and that play a role in the immune response to a heart attack, says Kamp. The research also showed that heart attacks themselves influence the health of the microbiome: "We found changes after myocardial infarction even without any antibiotics," notes Rey. "Your microbiome changes as a result of a heart attack." However, the key finding - that a depleted microbiome and its diminished production of short-chain fatty acids blunts recovery from a heart attack - suggests that clinical intervention to manipulate the microbiome through a more nuanced use of antibiotics and supplementing it with probiotics will help human patients recover faster and more robustly from heart attacks, says Kamp. He adds that the study also identifies the short-chain fatty acids themselves as a potential therapeutic target to bolster a favorable immune response in the context of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in industrialized societies. "The immune system and inflammation play a role in repair from a heart attack. We've known about the relationship between the microbiome and immune response. Now we're getting at how that relationship works after a heart attack." ### Terry Devitt (608) 262-8282, trdevitt@wisc.edu The study was supported by a grant from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Microbiome Initiative administered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education. Researchers with the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Sciences University found that a history of binge drinking made male and female mice react differently to traumatic stress. The research may help scientists understand why men and women seem to handle both alcohol and stress differently. The results were published in the September 2018 issue of the journal Alcohol. A history of binge drinking is a strong predictor of alcohol dependence, and alcohol use disorder is often characterized by repeated episodes of binge drinking. Excessive drinking is the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States, and accounts for nearly 6 percent of deaths globally. Stress may shift alcohol use from recreational to excessive, according to the researchers. Posttraumatic stress disorder in particular has been linked with the development of alcohol use disorders. Of people with PTSD, 28 percent of women and 52 percent of men also have an alcohol use disorder. The rate of PTSD and alcohol use disorder together is even higher in the VA system, with reports of almost 70 percent in hospitalized veterans. The relationship between the two conditions goes both ways: PTSD symptoms appear to promote excessive drinking, and alcohol abuse worsens PTSD symptoms. Past research has shown that abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis--interconnected biological systems that control how the body reacts to stress--are present in both PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Differences between the sexes have also been seen in how the HPA axis responds to stress. So how do these biological differences between the sexes affect the complex relationship between alcohol use and PTSD? To answer this question, the researchers looked to a mouse study. They simulated binge drinking in mice by providing alcohol as the only source of hydration for the rodents. A group of male and female mice had seven intermittent binge drinking sessions, followed by a month of abstinence from access to alcohol. Another group of male and female mice drank water as a control. The researchers then intermittently exposed the mice to dirty rat bedding to cause stress. Previous research has shown that the odor of predators can produce behavioral and physiological responses in rodents similar to those seen following traumatic stress in humans. An earlier phase of the study showed that the dirty rat bedding increased anxiety-related behavior and increased the levels of corticosterone--a stress hormone--in both male and female mice. Lead author Dr. Deborah Finn, a research pharmacologist at the VA Portland Health Care System and professor in the department of behavioral neuroscience at OHSU, explains that her team used a device called the "elevated plus maze" to measure anxiety-related behavior in the mice. "We measure the amount of time the mouse spends in the open and closed arms in the apparatus, and some other behaviors, during a five-minute test. A mouse that exhibits more anxiety-related behavior will spend more time in the closed, protected arms, whereas a mouse that exhibits less anxiety-related behavior will spend more time in the open arms." Before and after the mice were exposed to the dirty rat bedding, they were offered two bottles to drink from, one with alcohol and one with water. Each bottle was equipped with a "lickometer," a device that recorded both the amount and frequency of drinking. Male mice that previously had drunk water increased their alcohol licks by 24 percent after four stress periods over 22 days, compared with their baseline drinking prior to the beginning of the stress period. For male mice in the binge drinking group, ethanol licks increased by 65 percent. Drinking behavior after stress--how often the mice drank and how much they drank each time they went to the bottle--increased across time for the male binge group but not the control group. In the female mice, no difference appeared between the binge-drinking group and the water group. Stress caused female mice to drink more alcohol, but the binge group did not increase their intake more than the control group, as was seen in the males. The female binge mice increased their alcohol licks by 5 percent, while the control group increased by 6 percent. However, there were two clear subgroups in the females. One group of female mice increased their drinking much more than the group average, suggesting they were more sensitive to stress. For female mice in the stress-sensitive subgroup, binge females increased their drinking by 87 percent and control females increased their drinking by 214 percent, compared to the pre-stress baseline drinking levels. This result suggested to the researchers that this group had a more dramatic response to stress, when compared to the responses in males, but prior binge drinking did not exacerbate the response to stress as in the males. The researchers found neurochemical and physiological differences between males and females, in addition to the changes in alcohol drinking behavior. When testing blood plasma, they found that predator stress exposure significantly increased corticosterone levels in mice that were consuming alcohol, with higher levels in females than in males. This finding is consistent with evidence for sex differences in HPA axis responsivity to stress. However, the stress-induced increase in corticosterone levels was lower than that observed in the mice that had never consumed alcohol, especially in the male mice. This result suggested to the researchers that a history of alcohol drinking might dampen the stress response to predator odor, particularly in male mice. The researchers also used a test called a Western blot to measure protein levels in the brain tissue of the mice. They focused on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, two brain regions that are important in the stress response. Two proteins involved in regulating the stress response, corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF-R1) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), were significantly increased by traumatic stress exposure and a history of alcohol drinking in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of female mice. Similar increases were not observed in the male mice. The clear sex difference in CRF-R1 and GR levels suggested that the HPA axis may respond differently in males and females to repeated traumatic stress and the long-term alcohol drinking. While the research was conducted using mice, it could have implications for how humans react to both excessive drinking and traumatic stress. Ample evidence from past research shows that men and women are affected differently both by stress and by alcohol. Lifetime prevalence of PTSD is reported to be twice as high in women as in men, whereas prevalence of alcohol use disorder with PTSD is higher in males than in females. Men and women also tolerate alcohol differently, past studies show. In general, men seem to have a higher tolerance for alcohol than women. Past research suggests that there may be more complex chemistry involved than just body weight. For example, men may metabolize alcohol faster than women because their bodies produce more of an enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the liver. Women also develop alcohol-related problems such heart disease, liver damage, and brain damage after fewer years of heavy drinking, compared with men. The researchers plan to use their model to look for biological and molecular mechanisms that could confer sensitivity or resilience to binge drinking and traumatic stress exposure. They emphasize that traumatic stress and binge drinking together have a greater effect than either on its own, and that men and women may need to be treated differently for these conditions. The lab research could eventually help lay the groundwork for new treatment strategies for veterans and others with both PTSD and alcohol use disorders. ### One year on from the citizenship process being made faster, officials in Canada want this years citizenship week to encourage others who move to the country to make it permanent.Since October last year people wanting to become Canadian citizens have seen greater flexibility in terms of meeting the necessary requirements. In particular, the changes reduced the time permanent residents must be physically present in Canada before applying for citizenship from four out of six years to three out of five years.By the end of October 2018, an estimated 152,000 people will have obtained Canadian citizenship since the changes came into effect, an increase of 40%, compared to the 108,000 people who obtained citizenship in the same period the year before.The Bill C 6 has allowed more permanent residents to apply for citizenship. In the nine-month period from October 2017 to June 2018, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) received 242,680 applications, more than double the 102,261 applications that were received in the same period the year before.Despite the increase in applications, processing times for routine citizenship applications remain under 12 months and this week there will be 72 special citizenship ceremonies across the nation, including to the top of the CN Tower and the Olympic stadium in Montreal.As Citizenship Week falls during Womens History Month, citizenship ceremonies across Canada will also celebrate the outstanding achievements of women who have shaped Canada, as indigenous peoples, settlers, innovators and activists.Prominent women in civics, business, science and other areas will speak as guests at several of our special citizenship ceremonies across Canada.The Government made important changes to the Citizenship Act, under Bill C 6, to provide those wanting to become Canadian citizens with greater flexibility to meet the requirements. One year later, we can see the difference these changes are making, said Immigration and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen.During Citizenship Week, I encourage everyone to celebrate their citizenship and to reflect on what being Canadian means to you. To me, being Canadian means being part of the greatest country in the world, he explained.October is also Womens History Month, making this a perfect time to give thanks and show appreciation for the many women who helped build and shape Canada throughout our history. Canada has come a long way because of women, he added.Changes to the Citizenship Act also included reducing the age range for applicants who must meet the language and knowledge requirements and counting the days that temporary residents and protected persons spend in Canada as half days, up to 365 days, toward their physical presence requirements.Hussen also pointed out that immigration is critical to Canadas economic growth. With an aging population and lower childbirth rate, Canada is relying more and more on immigrants to help fill labour and talent shortages in communities across the country. Studies from Canada and around the world have found that immigration in Canada is positive for our country, both socially and economically, he concluded. Hello, I have a question for a friend of mine. She is Polish national married to a French national. She wants to visit the US with her husband but needs a Visa. The French visa is easy, but she is being told she needs to go to Poland to get a tourist visa. Does anyone have any ideas. She tried calling the US embassy in France but it was just an automated message. She is hoping she can go to the US Embassy in France rather than back in Poland. Any help please. Does anyone know which website she should use to get the visa. There are many many website, I need the correct one please. Privacy Settings This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. The combination of two offshore drilling companies in a $2.4 billion deal will likely not be the last merger in that industry as the offshore energy sector continues to consolidate during a slow recovery from the last oil bust. The London driller Ensco, which runs its North and South America operations from Houston, will buy Rowan Cos. of Houston in all-stock deal announced Monday. The acquisition, which will provide Ensco with newer rigs with more technology, is aimed at keeping pace with larger rival Transocean of Switzerland. "Ensco is clearly making a chance to compete in that very similar space, the hi-spec, deepwater sector," said Leslie Cook, a principal analyst with Wood Mackenzie who analyzes the offshore drilling rig industry. "And they're not afraid to do it." Rowan shareholders will receive 2.215 Ensco shares per Rowan share. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2019. When completed, Ensco shareholders will control 60.5 percent of the combined company, with Rowan shareholders controlling the other 39.5 percent. Related: Millions of Texas oil dollars flowing into carbon fee fight in Washington state The combined company will have 82 offshore rigs across six continents, including 28 floating rigs and 54 jack-ups, which operate in shallower waters. Transocean, which operates largely out of Houston, last month announced the purchase of Ocean Rig for $2.7 billion. The company also bought Songa Offshore in Jan. for $1.2 billion. The purchases are helping to expand Transocean's advanced offshore drilling rig fleet, where much of the competition is right now, Cook said. The offshore drill ships are used to drill into oil and gas reserves in deep water. Offshore drillers have recovered much more slowly than their counterparts in onshore shale, which were able to make money at lower oil prices and are quicker to ramp up and down. Much of the new investment has flowed onshore, particularly to the Permian Basin in West Texas. With oil prices rising above $70 barrel, a rebound in the offshore drilling rig industry got under way in the middle of this year, Cook said. In addition to higher crude price, operators of the newest and most advanced rigs are figuring how to squeeze out more money from them by adding more automation. Continued consolidation will lead to added pressure on the remaining smaller players, said Cook, including the likes of Diamondback Offshore Drilling of Houston. The pending spin-off of Maersk Drilling from the Danish shipping company Maersk Group could also open up other opportunities for acquisitions, Cook said. One of the biggest issues hanging over the offshore drilling rig market is persistent oversupply. Cook said day rates have remained low and drilling companies have signed shorter-term spot contracts rather than commit their rigs to three-year contracts at the lower rates. She said that day rates are likely to continue to tick up as more rigs age out of the fleet and are replaced by more efficient models and oil stays at higher prices. FORT COLLINS, Colo. Texas oil and gas companies are at the center of a fight for their industrys future in Colorado, where residents wary of deadly gas explosions, encroaching oil and gas development and hydraulic fracturing are pushing a ballot measure expected to cripple energy companies. As Colorados top oil producers, Anadarko Petroleum of The Woodlands and Noble Energy of Houston could be forced to halt new production, abandon existing wells and cut jobs if the ballot measure passes. Both have poured millions of dollars into campaigns against the measure; oil and gas interests contributed at least $20 million to defeat the measure, according to campaign finance records. The ballot measure, known as Proposition 112, would enforce a 2,500-foot drilling setback up from the current 500 feet around all occupied buildings and so-called vulnerable areas, such as parks. If approved by voters in November, the measure would effectively block new production in 94 percent of the states top oil and gas producing counties, according to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the states oil and gas regulator. Economists estimate that more than 33,000 energy jobs about 1 percent of Colorados payroll employment and up to $1 billion in tax revenue would be lost by 2030. For John Cavitt, CEO of Houston well-testing firm Covenant Testing Technologies, the effects of Proposition 112 would be immediate and devastating. The company is among the top employers in the oil and gas industry in Colorado, with 400 employees testing wells as part of 24-hour monitoring systems to that assess production and emissions, among other things. If the ballot measure passes, Cavitt said his company would cut half of those 400 jobs within six months and eliminate nearly all of them within a period of a years. Cavitt estimates that his company, which employs a total of about 1,000, would lose one-third of its revenues a shock that would mean layoffs in the Houston office. Its catastrophic, he said. Anadarko and Noble both declined to comment on the potential effects of Proposition 112. But state records show that they stand to lose heavily if the proposition passes into law. Noble operates more than 7,100 wells and Anadarko, through its subsidiary Kerr McGee Oil and Gas, operates more than 6,700 more than any other companies in the state. Big spenders Both companies have large operations in Weld County, a northeastern county that is home to the Denver-Julesburg basin and the heart of the Colorados shale boom, and together they have contributed about $12 million $5.8 million each this year to Protect Colorado, the committee campaigning to block the measure, according to state campaign finance records. The oil and gas industry has operated in Colorado for more than a century, beginning with the discovery of oil in the south central town of Florence in the 1860s. The well was the first drilled west of the Mississippi, but it wasnt until a century later that oil and gas development began to grow rapidly in Colorado. Colorado ranks seventh in oil production among states and fifth in natural gas production, according to the Energy Department. As the state has grown, it has attracted residents from around the country, with most settling in Front Range, the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains and the states most populous corridor. Colorado already has some of the toughest regulations governing oil and gas production, but in recent years, Front Range communities, including Denver and its suburbs, have launched several efforts to push fracking as far away as possible. The courts and other voters have struck down previous attempts to limit the industrys spread, but Proposition 112 has advanced further in the process than any other effort. Economists expect that Proposition 112 would have a ripple effect on government budgets, leading to spending cuts for schools, law enforcement and firefighting in rural counties that rely on taxes from the oil and gas industry. Weld County, the locus of the states drilling, stands to lose the most. Nearly half the countys property tax revenue comes from oil and gas, said Chris Brown, the director of policy and research for the Common Sense Policy Roundtable, a Colorado think tank funded by real estate firms, banks and other businesses. Fort Lupton Fire District in Weld County got $3.6 million dollars from oil and gas in 2017, which is about 50 percent of their revenue, said Brown. Its huge. Proponents of Proposition 112 say it is not meant as a drilling ban, but rather as a safety measure. Oil companies have clashed with citizens as the shale boom has brought drilling closer to homes on the Front Range. In Northeastern Colorado, fracking towers loom over subdivisions, farm fields and Interstate 25, the states main north-south highway, stretching from Fort Collins through Denver to Colorado Springs. In April 2017, a cut flowline from a gas well 170 feet from a home in the northeastern town of Firestone caused a massive explosion that killed two people and injured two others. Anadarko, which owned the well, settled a lawsuit brought by the family of the victims against the company in May. Threat at the doors A second lawsuit was filed in 2017 by a handful of former employees who blamed the explosion on the companys decision to cut safety budgets. The lawsuit was dismissed in June, but refiled in August. In court record, Anadarko dismissed the allegations as a series of leaps in logic that cannot withstand scrutiny. Proponents of the Proposition 112 say Coloradans have more to fear from oil and gas than explosions. Anne Foster, a spokeswoman for Colorado Rising, an advocacy group pushing the anti-fracking measure, said that people who live near wells remain concerned about water contamination, methane emissions and other environmental hazards. Proposition 112 is really the response of mothers and grandmothers and teachers to a threat that has arrived on their doorstep, said Foster. At every turn, weve been told that nothing can be done, and the industry will develop where it would like. The debate has riven the state politically, separating conservative communities on the eastern plains and on the Western Slope of the Rockies from the more liberal metropolitan areas Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins. The states politicians have been left to straddle the divide as they try to court liberal anti-fracking communities and appease rural residents dependent on oil and gas. Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat and former oil and gas engineer, famously boasted during a U.S. Senate committee hearing in 2013 that he once drank fracking fluid with Halliburton executives as part an effort to prove that the chemical mix is not dangerous. Jared Polis, a Democratic congressman from Boulder who is running to succeed Hickenlooper, has refused to back Proposition 112, even though he supported a similar, but unsuccessful measure in 2016. Economic argument Oil and gas companies, meanwhile, are left to hope that their warnings of dire economic consequences will reach Coloradans whose only contact with petroleum products is the local gas station, said Dan Haley, president of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. Energy industry projections estimate that the approval of the initiative would cost the state nearly 150,000 jobs by 2030, including both those in the oil and gas sector and others that depend on the economic activity generated by the industry. Once Coloradans understand the broad impacts on our economy, Haley said, they will reject it. ryanmhandy@gmail.com | Twitter: @ryanmhandy Mattress Firm, as it gobbled up rivals and tripled its store count to more than 3,300 locations, seemed to have a storefront on every block sometimes two storefronts. In its quest to become the biggest player in the $15 billion U.S. bedding industry, it pursued a strategy of clustering shops close together with the aim of crowding out competition. It didnt work. The Houston retailer said as much when it filed for bankruptcy Friday, acknowledging that it operates too many stores and plans to shutter as many as 700 locations as it tries to get out from under $3.2 billion in debt through its Chapter 11 filing, which allows companies to restructure operations and finances while protecting them from creditors. I think theyre humbled, said Seth Basham, an analyst with Los Angeles-based Wedbush Securities. They grew far too fast with ambitions to be a national retailer. Related: Mapping all the Mattress Firm stores Mattress Firm borrowed heavily over the past decade to acquire 10 competitors and become the nations biggest mattress retailer. While most retail chains tend to leave plenty of space between their stores, clustering them close together has proved successful for companies, analysts said. Restaurants, car dealers and hotels locate close to each other because they have common customers who value the convenience of having several options in one area. The conventional thinking is that stores should have a 1- to 5-mile radius of separation, said Utpal Dholakia, a Rice University marketing professor. The contrarian view is, if you bring brands closer together, youre going to attract more customers because of that geographic proximity. Its not the dominant way of thinking, but its followed by enough companies. Mattress Firm, of course, was one of them. But a model that worked for coffee drinks that customers purchase every day for a few dollars didnt translate into a business in which the product, which costs hundreds of dollars, is purchased once every several years. Although mattress retailers typically benefit when they are able to mark up prices, having too many competing stores ate into Mattress Firms bottom line, Dholakia said. Mattress Firm acquired hundreds of stores in overlapping and underperforming locations, the company said in its filing last week. For example, three Mattress Firm stores are less than a mile from each other along Broadway Street in Pearland. There are many examples of a Mattress Firm store being located literally across the street from another Mattress Firm store, chief financial officer and chief operating officer Hendre Ackermann said in the bankruptcy filing. On HoustonChronicle.com: Chapter 11: Mattress Firm files for bankruptcy As it grew, Mattress Firm struggled under the weight of its burgeoning store count and the growing costs associated with operating and rebranding them. At the same time, online bed-in-a-box competitors, such as Casper, Leesa and Tuft & Needle entered the market, offering low-cost foam mattresses shipped directly home. Amazon and Walmart recently entered the fray with even cheaper bed-in-a-box offerings. Mattress Firms brick-and-mortar sales plunged further when it lost its lucrative Tempur-Pedic beds due to a contract dispute with the manufacturer. The company said in its filing that it would have run out of cash by the end of the month without bankruptcy protection. The retailer is expected to lose about $150 million in fiscal year 2018. Its highly risky to open too many stores, said Venky Shankar, research director at Texas A & M Universitys Center for Retailing Studies. Mattress Firm ended up over-storing when online retailers were disrupting the space. Theyre now paying for that. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi San Antonio door maker Steves and Sons Inc. scored a major court victory in its ongoing legal battles with a North Carolina door manufacturer. In a more than 2-year-old antitrust case brought by Steves, a federal judge in Richmond, Va., took the unusual step of ordering a subsidiary of Charlotte-based Jeld-Wen Holding Inc. to sell its door skin plant in Towanda, Pa. Jeld-Wen called the remedy to sell the plant unprecedented and fundamentally incorrect as a matter of law. Sam Bell Steves II, Steves and Sons president, hailed the judges ruling. This decision is great news for our company, our industry and for competition in the American marketplace, he said. Steves has been in business since 1866. Judge Robert E. Paynes 149-page ruling Friday followed a nine-person jurys verdict in February that Jeld-Wen Inc.s acquisition of competitor Craftmaster International in 2012 violated antitrust laws. The jury awarded Steves $58.5 million in antitrust damages, which were tripled under statute to almost $176 million. The jury awarded another $12.2 million in damages, though the judge said that amount will be reduced by almost $2.2 million. Steves had alleged the deal substantially reduced competition in the molded interior door skin market. Only two door skin manufacturers were left after the deal. Door skins make up the decorative front and back of interior doors. Such doors are lighter than solid wood doors and can be made and shipped at a lower cost. Steves also asked the court to award it an equitable remedy and restore competition in the door skin market by ordering Jeld-Wen to divest the Towanda plant. A section of the antitrust laws allows private parties to obtain a legal remedy against threatened loss or damage by a violation, Payne wrote in his ruling. Payne said part of Jeld-Wens pricing plan was to kill off some of the independent door makers that were its door skin customers. Steves was one of those customers. Jeld-Wen engaged in bullying tactics to get increased prices for door skins despite existing contract obligations, the judge found. Payne concluded that unless Jeld-Wen sells the plant, Steves would be forced out of business when its supply agreement with Jeld-Wen expires in 2021. A closure of the family business would affect 1,100 employees, the judge noted. In a statement Saturday, Jeld-Wen pointed out that its Craftmaster acquisition had cleared review by the Justice Departments antitrust division. No U.S. court has ever permitted divestiture as a remedy in private litigation for a merger that has already closed, Jeld-Wen said. Jeld-Wen firmly maintains that it has not violated any antitrust laws, CEO and President Gary S. Michel said in the statement. We will use all of our available resources to continue to challenge the erroneous antitrust verdict. The company said its options include filing an appeal. In its statement, Jeld-Wen also pointed out that in May, a jury ordered Steves to pay Jeld-Wen $1.2 million for misappropriating trade secrets. The court entered a judgment in Jeld-Wens favor, it said. The judge has appointed a special master to oversee the divestiture. The judges ruling mentioned that Steves is the only entity that has expressed interest in acquiring the Towanda plant. However, Steves executives admittedly lack knowledge about operating a door skin plant, the judge noted. Jeld-Wen Holding is publicly traded. Baird senior research analyst Timothy Wojs downgraded the stock to neutral from outperform Monday. While disappointed to be downgrading now, the (ruling) allowing for a possible divestiture is among the worst case scenarios, in our view, Wojs said. But Wojs also said, The ruling could change the industry structure in interior doors over time, possibly creating a third door skin manufacturer in North America. Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD Three Texas congressmen are asking President Donald Trump and his Mexican and Canadian counterparts to sign the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in San Antonio the same place where its 25-year-old predecessor was inked. The Alamo City took the spotlight when the final draft of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, was initialed here on Oct. 7, 1992. A commemorative plaque in what is now a courtyard of the Marriott Plaza San Antonio marks the site of the ceremony that featured President George H.W. Bush, Mexican President Carlos Salinas andCanadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, as well as an international throng of reporters. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the controversial pact in a 234-200 vote Nov. 17, 1993. It took effect Jan. 1, 1994. Given the prominent role that the city of San Antonio played in the enactment into force of the original agreement, it is our understanding that the city would be honored to host a signing of the new pact, U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, Will Hurd, R-Helotes, and Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, wrote Tuesday. It is our hope that you will consider affirming USMCA in the same state where the trade relationship was officially brought into existence. The letter was addressed to Trump, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who was San Antonios mayor during the signing of the original treaty, chimed in later in the day with a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Considering our historic ties to free trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada, I join Mayor Ron Nirenberg in extending an invitation to host President Trump, President Pena Nieto and Prime Minister Trudeau for the signing of the updated agreement, Wolff wrote. Trump campaigned vigorously against NAFTA, a pact he said encouraged companies to offshore jobs and contributed to U.S. trade deficits with both NAFTA partners. The fate of the agreement was in limbo for more than a year amid heated rounds of negotiations over everything from wage minimums and auto part sourcing to the amount of dairy U.S. producers could sell in Canada. South Texas leaders on both sides of the aisle have been outspoken about how the trade pact fueled the economic growth of the Texas-Mexico border region. U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico under NAFTA rose to $1.3 trillion annually, supporting 14 million American jobs, the congressmen noted in their letter. U.S. agricultural exports to both Canada and Mexico quadrupled, from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $38.1 billion in 2016. The leaders were somewhat relieved when the Trump administration announced a deal with Mexico on Aug. 27, meeting a deadline to have it approved before income Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office. But it was doubtful that an agreement without Canada would fly with congressional representatives in northern states. After a flurry of last-minute talks, Canada on Sept. 30 agreed to join in. The pact still has to be ratified by the governments of all three countries, and its unclear what would happen if the majority of one or both U.S. chambers of Congress swings Democrat after the midterm elections. Back in June 1990, when Bush and Salinas issued a statement suggesting a trilateral agreement, local leaders set out to claim San Antonio as NAFTA City. The idea of a three-nation treaty had great appeal to San Antonio. Trade would shift to a north-south axis, putting San Antonio geographically in the center of an expanding stream of commerce. NAFTA would create the largest trading bloc in the world, Wolff wrote in his book, Mayor. The proposed treaty would dismantle tariffs and trade barriers over a 15-year period. It would enhance the ability of the Western Hemisphere to compete with the European and Asian trade blocs. Wolff said Tuesday that the pacts outcome more than met the expectations he had then. It wasnt too long after that, I think just a few months, that we brought the North American Development Bank here and it still is located here in San Antonio, he said. Weve seen a lot of international investment here since weve kind of put ourselves on the international map. Just take this one company alone: Toyota. Their supply chain is tied to Mexico, so one of the reasons they came here was because of the NAFTA agreement. Cuellar and Hurd during a July 2017 luncheon hosted by Free Trade Alliance San Antonio and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce said they already had bids to bring a revised free trade agreement back to its hometown. Wolff said that bipartisan support would be key to seeing a remake of an event that brought the worlds eyes to San Antonio. With the mayor and I both supporting it from a local government standpoint, I think that helps, Wolff said. But I think the political muscle lies with our congressional representation, particularly the Republican representatives. lbrezosky@express-news.net Rarely has the natural gas business offered so much promise with so little reward. The United States has set new records for natural gas-fired electricity generation, liquefied natural gas exports and exports to Mexico. Even industrial consumption jumped to 20 billion cubic feet per day, also a record. Consumption and exports have totaled 93.2 billion cubic feet per day in the first half of the year, a 12 percent rise over the same period in 2017, according to the U.S. Energy Department. Demand is expected to grow even higher in the years to come. Generators are replacing old, dirty coal-fired power plants with clean-burning gas-fired turbines. A half-dozen new gas liquefaction facilities are on the drawing board or under construction. And industrial consumption at ethane crackers along the Gulf Coast is on the rise, sending plastic pellets around the world. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coal is out and oil is fading, making natural gas the fossil fuel of choice Yet natural gas prices hover stubbornly around $3 per million British thermal units. And according to at least one data firm, they could drop even further to as low as $2.25 this time next year. There is some risk to the downside, warned Jack Weixel, a vice president at OPIS, an oil and gas data analysis firm. Ten years ago, cheap natural gas appeared out of reach and prices ranged between $6 and $13. But high prices encouraged drillers to experiment with hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. Those techniques were so successful that prices dropped below $4 in early 2009 and have stayed low ever since. Low prices encourage new demand, though. Natural gas power plants are now cheaper to operate than coal-fired electricity generators. And in competitive markets, like most of Texas, that means historically low electricity prices. U.S. chemical companies have a comparative advantage now for plastics production. The ethane in natural gas is used to produce ethylene, the main component in most plastics. Exxon Mobil and other chemical companies have invested more than $140 billion in new ethane facilities along the Gulf Coast, according to my colleague Jordan Blum. U.S. gas has become so cheap, it can compete in overseas markets, even after adding the extra expense of cooling it into a liquid and shipping it halfway across the world. Houston-based Cheniere Energy was the pioneer, building an LNG export facility at Sabine Pass. But since then another one has opened in Cove Point, Md., and more are planned for the Texas Gulf Coast, including in Corpus Christi. Shell, Petronas and their partners announced last week that they would build an LNG export facility in Canada for the Asian market. The Alaska Gasline Development Corp. is expected to make a final decision on an LNG export project soon. The momentum behind LNG Canada reflects the drastic improvement in the LNG market over the past 12 months, driven by buoyant demand in China, said Dulles Wang, director for North America gas at Wood Mackenzie, a commercial intelligence firm. Firms could soon make final investment decisions on other LNG projects in Qatar, Russia and Mozambique. On HoustonChronicle.com: More pipelines needed to meet environmental goals Not all planned LNG facilities will be built, but there are plenty of customers. Global LNG demand will grow 22 percent to 360 million metric tons by 2023, according to the International Energy Agency. Basic economics would suggest that growing demand would drive up prices. But natural gas is not only a commodity but also a byproduct of oil wells. High oil prices have spurred oil drilling, particularly in the Permian Basin, and resulted in skyrocketing production of what experts call associated gas. So while gas demand this year is up 12 percent, so is supply, mainly from oil wells, the Energy Department reports. More gas is coming out of the Permian than there are pipelines to take it away. That makes Permian gas almost worthless, which is why so many drillers burn it off with flares. This gas glut drives down prices across the country and hurts the owners of natural gas wells across South and North Texas, North Dakota and Appalachia. And if oil prices remain high, oil wells will continue to throw off natural gas and keep prices low for the next three years. This is bad news for natural gas producers, but good news for the public. Energy costs in the summer and winter will be cheaper, leaving people with more disposable income. Cheap energy also makes domestic manufacturing more competitive, creating more jobs. The global economy also benefits. LNG offers China a chance to wean itself off coal, and U.S. sources keep global prices down and offer an alternative to Russian suppliers. Natural gas royalty holders are understandably disappointed by low prices, but the economic, environmental and political benefits for the planet are profound, if widely unrecognized. Chris Tomlinson writes commentary about business and economics. chris.tomlinson@chron.com twitter.com/cltomlinson Testimony is expected to start this morning in the capital murder trial of a 19-year-old San Antonio man accused of killing a beloved physician's assistant during a home break-in one year ago. Michael Clayton Robinson, 51, died after a gunfight in his home with an intruder. Jonathan Andrew Perales was 18 and wounded when Universal City police arrested him shortly after the shootout on Oct. 10, 2017. If convicted, Perales will automatically be sentenced to life in prison without parole. The District Attorneys Office has said prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. Universal City police Lt. Steve Mihalski said at the time of the shooting that Perales had broken into the Robinson home in the 8400 block of Ulysses Drive just before 2:30 a.m. A woman in the home woke up Robinson after hearing a noise and seeing an unknown vehicle in the driveway, according to an arrest affidavit. The homeowner, armed with a 9mm Glock handgun, opened the bedroom door and, face-to-face with Perales, yelled, Get out of my house, before both men fired shots, the document states. Robinson was hit once in the torso and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he later was pronounced dead, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office. Officials said other relatives in the home were not harmed. Perales, shot twice, left the scene but didnt get far. He got back into his vehicle, and he tried to leave but got lost, Mihalski said at the time of the incident. He finally bailed out of the car and asked for help. Meanwhile, authorities responding to the shooting were stopped at a nearby home and found Perales, who was wearing a red shoe on his left foot. The matching right shoe was found inside the kitchen of the Robinson home, the affidavit stated. Police at the time said they had received a report of a car burglary on the same street the night of the shooting, which led them to believe Perales targeted the area that night. News of Robinsons death spread quickly and spurred many of his former patients to leave comments and mourn his loss on his Facebook page. Married with children, he was described as an outdoorsman who was active in his church as a youth leader who took teens on camping trips. State District Judge Melisa Skinner will preside over the trial. Wednesday will be a key day for government representatives to consider and act on the Alamo Plaza site plan that would close streets, repair and move the Cenotaph and lease the city-owned plaza to the state. Alamo CEO Douglass McDonald, an Ohio museum expert who took the reins of the Texas shrine about a year ago, said the plan will turn a totally disorganized historic mission and battle site into a larger, more reverent and pedestrian-friendly space where visitors can see archaeology work done and come away with an understanding of the sites role in Texas history. The plan supports a $450 million public-private project to expand and enhance the Alamo site by 2024, with a 130,000-square-foot museum as its centerpiece. The City Council will hear a briefing on the plan at a 2 p.m. workshop Wednesday in the Municipal Plaza Building, 105 Main Plaza. It is not scheduled to vote until at least Oct. 18. At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Planning Commission and the Historic and Design Review Commission will hold a joint meeting in the Development and Business Services Board Room, 1901 S. Alamo St., to consider an agreement for the Texas General Land Office to lease and manage the portion of the city-owned plaza that once was within the Alamos outer walls. The public will get time to comment, then the two boards will vote on the agreement, as well as street closures, conceptual approval of the plans design goals and final approval to repair and reassemble the Cenotaph. Now Playing: Changes to Alamo Plaza, considered a sacred site by many, were discussed at four meetings in mid-June, providing opportunities for the public to give feedback. Video: San Antonio Express-News Terms of Alamo Plaza lease The proposed agreement between the city and the state includes these details: The lease would take effect Jan. 1 and run for 50 years, with two 25-year options for the General Land Office to extend the lease. At the end of the initial lease period or any renewal term, the Land Office may buy the property for fair market value, if approved by the city. The Land Office will give $50,000 annually to the downtown Public Improvement District for downtown services that benefit residents, visitors and businesses. The Land Office will provide "high quality programming" to tell the full story of the battle, and the "whole history of the Alamo," including events before and after 1836. The city will have access to the site five evenings a year in which museum exhibits and programs that normally charge a fee are available to the public for free. Land Office will hire a consultant to determine options for preserving the Crockett, Palace and Woolworth buildings on the west side of the plaza as part of the museum design. The city, which owns the Cenotaph, and the Land Office will coordinate restoration and relocation of the Cenotaph to the "southern part of Alamo Plaza," where the city would maintain a park police presence. The new 2.5-acre outdoor historic interpretive space would have one to three entry points during museum hours, generally 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and six entry points after museum hours at night. If a dispute arises between the city and state and is not resolved in six months, they will have at least one session with a third-party mediator before submitting any claim in court. See More Collapse Under the plan, fences and other sorts of barriers would enclose the larger plaza and access for residents and visitors will be limited between one and three entry points during daytime museum hours. Six entry points will be open at night. The lease, drafted by city and Land Office representatives, requires the Land Office to report to the city on wait times. McDonald, responding to concerns raised by Mayor Ron Nirenberg about pedestrian access to the plaza, devised standards for wait times, so wait times to enter the plaza is typically no more than 10 minutes. The city and Land Office would meet to discuss ways to reduce wait times if that 10-minute threshold is exceeded for more than 30 minutes per day. McDonald said a maximum total wait time of 10 minutes is very easy to achieve, even with a 20 percent increase in attendance. The Alamo draws about 1.6 million visitors annually. Were not going to have lines, McDonald said. To truly have it accessible to the public, you cant have long lines. Museum directors hate lines. Councilman Roberto Trevino, who serves on two committees guiding the plan, said there has been concern about pedestrian access since a formal entry to the historic plaza a gate, archway or other entrance has not been designed. Everyone has a different view of what that entry would be, he said. Also on the agenda for the joint board meeting is conceptual approval of alterations to the Paseo del Alamo, a pedestrian outdoor staircase that connects the Alamo and the River Walk. Built in the early 1980s with federal, city and private funds, it is lined with waterfalls, trees and several small businesses. It begins on the west side of the plaza and ends inside the 16-story atrium of the Hyatt Regency Hotel on a busy part of the River Walk. Renderings of the new museums location have generated concerns about the future of the paseo. Mike Fisher The planning team is in talks with the Hyatt about incorporating the Hyatt parking garage in the museum design an idea that could change the footprint of the museum. Trevino said he hopes to keep the paseo intact. We want to maintain that connection with the river, he said. How its going to be done is very difficult for me to tell you. A museum architect will not be hired until the plan is approved by the council, possibly on Oct. 18. The lease also commits the Land Office to coordinate with the city on a service and delivery plan for businesses and service providers, particularly those that will be affected by the closed streets in the plaza. A traffic plan suggests converting Losoya Street, where a lot of deliveries are made, to two-way traffic. But street closures will also affect other streets downtown, Trevino said. The impact of the changes to the Alamo site on downtown deliveries is something we felt needed to be addressed in the lease, he added. Scott Huddleston is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA Heavy rain is being reported on the north and west sides of San Antonio as a band of thunderstorms makes its way into the area. About an inch of rain is expected as the storms move over the area. They are expected to impact the rest of the city Tuesday afternoon. SAN MARCOS Two survivors who suffered severe burns in a deadly dormitory fire at a New Jersey university 18 years ago brought their message of hope to this college town, which experienced its own fatal fire at some off-campus apartments nearly three months ago. Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons, who were seriously injured while crawling to escape a fire that someone else deliberately set at their Seton Hall University residence hall in January 2000, also met privately with the parents of Zachary Sutterfield, the most critically wounded survivor of the catastrophic Iconic Village Apartments fire in San Marcos, to offer encouragement and support. The meeting happened after Deona Jo and Karl Sutterfield watched Llanos and Simons presentation at Texas State University on Monday night. We know their struggles. We know exactly what theyve gone through, Simons, 37, said of the Sutterfields after he and Llanos made another presentation at the San Marcos Activity Center on Tuesday. We want them to see that theres a time when everythings going to improve see how far we came along, said Llanos, 37, who was hospitalized for nine months and endured a five-year recovery after suffering third-degree burns to more than half his body in January 2000. We just wanted to give them inspiration. Things are going to get better its just going to take time. The Sutterfields appeared moved by the program, Simons said. They both were in tears, he said. Zachary Sutterfield, 20, remains hospitalized in San Antonio at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center, where he has undergone at least 18 surgeries after suffering head trauma and third-degree burns to 70 percent of his body in the San Marcos apartment fire. His family has declined interview requests from the media. Now on ExpressNews.com: A fire killed Zachary Sutterfield's friends. A leap saved his life. After 23 surgeries, his recovery is grueling but with significant victories. San Marcos Fire Department invited Llanos and Simons to town partly because of the Iconic Village fire, in which five people died. The cause of that inferno hasnt been determined and wont be known until lab tests are complete, most likely in November. San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens noted there are striking similarities between the on-campus dorm fire that Llanos and Simons survived 18 years ago and the recent apartment fire in his city, though the latter incident happened several blocks away from the Texas State campus. In our community, with such a huge concentration of student housing either on or off campus, (this) was a message that needed to be shared, Stephens said Tuesday. Theres a huge part of this thats forward looking and deals with healing and recovery. Llanos and Simons were among the most seriously burned survivors of the Seton Hall dormitory fire in South Orange, N.J., which killed three people and injured nearly 60 others on Jan. 19, 2000. That fire erupted about 4:30 a.m. as numerous students were asleep in their beds circumstances very similar to the San Marcos apartment fire. Investigators eventually determined the Seton Hall dorm fire was set by two other students, who ignited a banner displayed on a bulletin board in the dormitorys third-floor lounge in what they described as a prank. Both of those men were later sentenced to five years in prison. Llanos and Simons, then 18 years old, were roommates in the multistory dorm and were asleep in their room on the third floor when the fire erupted down the hall. They didnt immediately heed the fire alarm since there had been many false alarms in the preceding months. When they tried to leave, they confronted thick, black smoke that made it impossible to see more than 10 inches ahead. Both men dropped to the floor and crawled down a hallway to escape, but didnt know they were moving right toward the fire. Simons suffered third-degree burns to his hands and first- and second-degree burns to his head and face. Llanos suffered a worse fate a fireball erupted when he pushed open a stairwell door, igniting his clothes. He sustained third-degree burns extending from his head to his waist. Their program includes a documentary film that describes their lengthy treatment at The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J. The film relates one harrowing moment when Simons mother arrived at the hospital shortly after the emergency and rubbed her unresponsive sons head, only to see all his hair fall out on the pillow. Llanos experienced ups and downs in his recovery. He was in a coma for three months. At one point, he developed adult respiratory distress syndrome, and medical officials began to fear he might not pull through. My goal was always to try to stay positive and have confidence, Llanos recalled. We decided to keep our heads high and be survivors. We knew these tough days werent here to stay they were here to pass. Both men eventually recovered. In the years that followed, they each married and became fathers themselves. They travel the country today to share their story of inspiration and to highlight the importance of fire safety and prevention. Llanos and Simons said they have forgiven the two men who set the fire in their dorm. For Llanos, that forgiveness came more easily, but for Simons, it took longer. For a long time, I hated them ... It almost took about 10 years after the fire for me to fully be able to forgive them, Simons told listeners at the San Marcos Activity Center. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I dont think that we necessarily need an apology ... I think they should apologize to those parents that lost their children. After the Seton Hall fire, New Jersey passed a law requiring all colleges and universities in the state to retrofit all dormitories and residence halls with fire sprinklers. New Jersey is one of only three states nationally to have such a law, Simons and Llanos said. Iconic Village Apartments was built in 1970 and didnt have fire sprinklers. San Marcos city code doesnt require older apartments to be retrofitted with fire sprinklers unless they undergo major renovations. Peggy OHare is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHare In just a few weeks, a local developer has managed to alienate no fewer than three members of the City Council. The latest show of ill will was a letter sent Friday by Councilman Roberto Trevino, in whose neighborhood Mark Granados wants to develop a car wash. Trevino was upset that Granados had threatened to use his property as housing for the homeless if residents refused to support the removal of deed restrictions. My experience with you and your tactics is that you prefer to intimidate the communities in which you choose to develop to get what you want, rather than working with them to achieve a success for all involved, Trevino wrote. If you continue along the path you have outlined, you will receive no support from me and my office and I will vigorously defend the communities I serve from incompatible developments and developers. READ ALSO: Councilman calls for investigation of real estate developer Granados was apoplectic at the letter. You want to threaten me go ahead, like most bullies you think your (sic) a tough guy but your (sic) just all talk and at heart a coward, he emailed Trevino the next day. Recent history should have taught Granados that angry emails only further frustrate his ends. At a council meeting last week, Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran expressed her displeasure with the developer moments before denying his request to rezone a property in her district for another car wash. I was very, very concerned, concerned and disturbed at the verbiage that he was using to our neighborhood associations, saying to them that you need to commit to your support or deal with the consequences, Viagran told an employee of Granados firm, GFR Development, who had come to the meeting to advocate for the rezoning. (Granados was not in attendance.) The employee apologized, but Councilman Manny Pelaez piled on. Your boss apparently didnt learn his lesson after being reminded that he cant sue neighborhoods for practicing or exercising their First Amendment rights, Pelaez said, referring to a past clash in Beacon Hill. Pelaez then mentioned the conflict brewing in Shearer Hills, Trevinos neighborhood. Your boss then showed up at another one of my council colleagues offices recently with a very similar car wash plan, told that council member and his neighborhood that this neighborhood was worthless and that if this car wash wasnt allowed that he would destroy it, he said. That is not the way this City Council does business. READ ALSO: Former San Antonio councilman hit with hefty ethics fine In order to develop a car wash at Oblate and Jones Maltsberger, where he owns two duplexes, Granados needs more than half the neighborhoods residents to support the removal of deed restrictions on the residential property. Some are concerned an unmonitored car wash would invite crime into the neighborhood. At one point, in exchange for their signatures, Granados offered each resident $1,000 $500 in cash and $500 in a car wash gift card. This prompted accusations of bribery: accusations that incensed the developer. Its a business deal, Granados told me Monday. We would like to buy our property out of deed restrictions and get your support for it, and we would like for you to do the following. Trevino tried to defuse the situation about a month ago. He called a meeting at his field office between residents and representatives of the project. Granados arrived after the meeting started. It just didnt go well, Trevino recalled. The meeting started out pretty well, but it just didnt end well. Jeph Duarte, president of the Shearer Hills Neighborhood Association, recalled the developers intrusion in more detail. It was just very abrasive, Duarte said. He didnt really stop to let anybody else talk. He said something about, If I dont build something here, your property values are going to plummet to nothing. He said, If you dont let me have what I want, then Ill let homeless people come in and turn it into a halfway house. Granados didnt dispute this. I did, he said. And you know why? When everybody started telling me that I couldnt do this and I couldnt do that, I brought up that we had a right to turn the duplexes into low-income transitional housing for people re-entering society from the penal system. Granados added, I was making a point that I could do a lot of things. A threat is when you say something youre unwilling to do or incapable of doing. I speak in facts. We were walking along a shady street in the St. Gilles district of Brussels, Belgium, and our son, who lives nearby, gestured to a row of apartments and offices. This is some sort of Jewish social service agency, he said, pointing to the armed guards and massive brick planters between the street and row of buildings. From the name on the door, it appeared to be the local equivalent of our Jewish Family Service. My adventurous husband suggested that we might want to pay the agency a visit. Fortunately, I had a business card that listed me as past president of JFS, which allayed the concerns of those who buzzed me in. Just wait here, they said. The director is here, and she will show you around. Thats how we met Veronique Lederman-Bucquet, derectrice generale of the Service Social Juif. A native of France, she fortunately speaks excellent English. Her agency was founded after World War II with the assistance of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. It serves all the French-speaking Jews in Belgium. (An agency serving Flemish Jews is based in Antwerp.) Among its concerns are more than 200 Holocaust survivors still living in Belgium. Aside from that, they provide social, psychological and medical services to Jews and non-Jews in the community. In some respects, the agencys services mirror those of the Jewish Community Center of San Antonio and Jewish Senior Services, in that they offer clubs for seniors to meet and discuss the Bible, see films, or converse in Yiddish, Hebrew and English. They provide a space for students to do their homework after school, and many of the regulars are Muslim children. Their parents trust us, Lederman-Bucquet said. The agency has about 40 employees and a budget thats about twice as large as that of Jewish Family Service in San Antonio. The agency receives money from their royal, or national, government and from Jewish groups such as the Claims Conference, which provides funds for Holocaust survivors. The agency also raises funds. It just held a fundraising dinner in May. It also provides services we fortunately have little experience with aiding survivors of terrorist attacks. Brussels withstood a murderous attack on its Jewish museum as well as terrorist attacks on its subway and airport. Lederman-Bucquet has consulted with her counterparts in France, and they help one another in dealing with the aftermath of these all-too-common events. I shared with her our experiences with natural disasters, such as hurricanes and flooding. We deal with different sorts of disasters, but it all comes down to helping human beings cope with what the world throws at them. I am proud to be part of that effort. Marion Bernstein is past president of Jewish Family Service in San Antonio. This essay was first published in the Jewish Journal of San Antonio. Swiss International Air Lines plans to boost its operations to Serbia next year, with the carrier noting that the country remains one of its "largest markets". The Swiss national airline will add an extra seven weekly flights between Zurich and Belgrade during the 2019 summer season for a total of three daily services. "Well be flying three times a day. Belgrade is one of the largest markets and thus very important to us. That said, it is our aim to offer attractive connections to and from this market. The passenger mix consists of a growing part of business travellers but remains an important leisure route too", a Swiss spokesperson told EX-YU Aviation News. According to the "Aviatica" portal, Swiss is also considering adding extra frequencies between Zurich and Nis, although the carrier itself noted that, "For the time being we are not planning any frequency increase on the Zurich - Nis - Zurich route". The service is currently maintained three times per week in summer and twice weekly during the winter. We focus on our customers needs from and to Switzerland. Our growth is based on our market analysis that identified a great demand for Serbia. The market is very interesting for Swiss, as there is a big community from Serbia living in Switzerland. Therefore, there is a high demand for flights, the airline said previously . Swiss faces stiff competition on its flights to Belgrade from Air Serbia, which has also been growing its services to Zurich over the past year. The Serbian carrier has been maintaining seventeen weekly flights between Belgrade and Switzerland's largest city this summer, up from fourteen weekly last year, and will keep its summer frequencies over the upcoming winter season. During the holiday travel period, between mid-December and mid-January, Air Serbia will be operating up to twenty weekly rotations between the two cities. The airline intended on launching two weekly services between Belgrade and Geneva this year but later shelved such plans. Switzerland is one of Serbia's largest travel markets. In addition to the two flag carriers, both Wizz Air and easyJet maintain flights between the two countries. In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome! 3 1 of 3 Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3 BRIDGEPORT Testimony is set to begin Wednesday morning in the trial of an undocumented immigrant accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend, seriously wounding her best friend and fleeing the state with their 6-year-old daughter. In front of a 12-member jury and state Superior Court Judge Kevin Russo, Oscar Ziggy Hernandez is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, first-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor. STAMFORD - A 24-year-old New York City man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill a woman after she asked him to leave her apartment Monday morning. Akeem R. Walker, was arrested for second-degree threatening, disorderly conduct, third-degree burglary and interfering with police. He is being held on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Tuesday. According to police, Officer Michael Longo was working an extra duty assignment in the area of 1100 Hope St. when he heard a call dispatched over the police radio for a loud argument occurring at a nearby apartment. The report said a male was arguing with a female and she had called the police because he had re-entered her apartment through a window. Walker was initially an invited guest at a Hope Street residence, but he got into an argument when he was told it was time for him to leave. Walker threatened the kill the victim. but then left the residence only to then climb back in through a window, only leaving when he saw the victim calling the police. He was arguing with the victim when approached by Officer Longo, police said. Longo spotted the suspect, but the suspect refused his commands to stop. Unfortunately for the suspect, Officer Thomas Comerford was also working an extra duty assignment on Hope Street near Mulberry Street and he detained the subject as he was attempting to elude Longo. Peter Lumaj, a failed 2018 Republican candidate for governor, donated $50,000 in surplus campaign funds to a charity that is not approved by the IRS and may not even exist, campaign finance reports show. The not-for-profit Albanian Connect Inc. shares the same Bronx address as Lumajs immigration law firm, state of New York Division of Corporations records show. The donation was made in July, two months after the Internal Revenue Service revoked the organizations tax-exempt status for never filing taxes. Albanian Connect Inc. does not have a website, phone number or social media presence, is not registered with the New York State Attorney Generals Charities Bureau and, after being granted tax exempt 501(c)(3) status by the IRS in 2015, did not once file a tax return. Lumaj, who once claimed that President Donald Trump offered him the ambassadorship to Albania, did not return a request for comment. A woman reached at his office said he was in court. All statewide candidates are subject to an audit by the commission and in that process we would look at how they distribute surplus, said Michael Brandi, general counsel and executive director of the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Josh Foley, a staff attorney and spokesman for the commission, said candidates who did not participate in the states Citizens Elections Program can donate surplus campaign funds to charity if it is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) or veterans organizations registered with the IRS. Foley could not comment on the donation from Lumajs campaign because an official complaint has not been filed. The IRS classified Albanian Connect Inc. as Cultural, Ethnic Awareness, when defining its primary charitable activities in 2015. The IRS nonprofit database shows the organization never filed the required 990 tax returns, and as a result, the IRS automatically revoked the tax-exempt status of Albanian Connect Inc. on May 15, 2018. The IRS confirmed that the tax-exempt status has not been reinstated. There are no names of individuals on any of the documents associated with the organization, but the address typed incorrectly in Lumajs campaign finance report is 2322 Arthur Ave., Suite 205 in the Bronx, N.Y., the same street address and suite number of Lumajs law firm. During a Hearst Connecticut Media investigation in April, a reporter visited Lumajs law office to find it closed. The words Immigration Law Office were posted to the door with no indication the small office might also share space with a nonprofit. Lumaj, the 2014 GOP secretary of the state nominee, failed to drum up enough delegate support at the state Republican Convention to earn a spot on the gubernatorial primary ballot. He had raised money in compliance with the Citizens Election Program, but never applied for a grant. Since ending his campaign, he has supported Republican nominee Bob Stefanowski. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt The following companies are subsidiares of JinkoSolar: Canton Best Limited, Jiangxi Photovoltaic Materials Co. Ltd., Jinko PV Material Supply Sdn. Bhd., Jinko Solar (Malaysia) SDN BHD., Jinko Solar (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Australia Holdings Co. Pty Ltd., Jinko Solar Canada Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Denmark ApS, Jinko Solar Import and Export Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Japan K.K., Jinko Solar Korea Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Technology SDN.BHD., JinkoSolar (Chuxiong) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Chuzhou) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Shangrao) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Sichuan) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Switzerland) AG, JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc., JinkoSolar (U.S.) Industries Inc., JinkoSolar (US) Holdings Inc., JinkoSolar (Vietnam) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Yiwu) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar GmbH, JinkoSolar Hong Kong Limited, JinkoSolar International Development Limited, JinkoSolar Investment Limited, JinkoSolar LATAM Holding Limited, JinkoSolar Middle East DMCC, JinkoSolar Technology (Haining) Co. Ltd, JinkoSolar Trading Private Limited, Jinkosolar Household PV System Ltd., Poyang Ruilixin Information Technology Co. Ltd., Rui Xu Co. Ltd., Wide Wealth Group Holding Limited, Xinjiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., Yuhuan Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., and Zhejiang Jinko Trading Co. Ltd.. The following companies are subsidiares of BorgWarner: B80 Italia S.r.l., BERU AG, BW El Salto S.A. De C.V., BWA Receivables Corporation, BWA Turbo Systems Holding LLC, Borg Warner Europe Holdings (PDS) B. V., BorgWarner (China) Investment Co. Ltd., BorgWarner (Reman) Holdings L.L.C., BorgWarner (Thailand) Limited, BorgWarner Aftermarket Europe GmbH, BorgWarner Alternators Inc., BorgWarner Arden LLC, BorgWarner Arnstadt RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Asia Inc., BorgWarner Automotive Asia Limited, BorgWarner Automotive Components (Beijing) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Brasil Ltda., BorgWarner Chungju Co. LLC, BorgWarner Comercial e Distribuidora de Pecas para Veiculos Automotores Ltda., BorgWarner Comercializadora PDS S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner Componentes PDS S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner Cooling Systems (India) Private Limited, BorgWarner Cooling Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Diversified Transmission Products Services Inc., BorgWarner Drivetrain Engineering GmbH, BorgWarner Drivetrain Management Services de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Drivetrain de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Electric Motors L.L.C., BorgWarner Emissions Systems (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Emissions Systems (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Emissions Systems Holding LLC, BorgWarner Emissions Systems India Private Limited, BorgWarner Emissions Systems LLC, BorgWarner Emissions Systems Portugal Unipessoal LDA, BorgWarner Emissions Systems Spain S.L.U., BorgWarner Emissions Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner Emissions Talegaon Private Limited, BorgWarner Engineering Ketsch RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Engineering Kibo RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Esslingen GmbH, BorgWarner Europe GmbH, BorgWarner Europe Holding S.a. r. l., BorgWarner Gateshead Limited, BorgWarner Germany Holding GmbH, BorgWarner Germany Holding Services GmbH, BorgWarner Germany REH GmbH, BorgWarner Germany REM GmbH, BorgWarner Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, BorgWarner Global Holding S.a. r. l., BorgWarner Heidelberg I RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Heidelberg II RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Heidelberg REH GmbH, BorgWarner Heidelberg REM GmbH, BorgWarner Holding Inc., BorgWarner Holdings Limited, BorgWarner Hungary Kft., BorgWarner IT Services Europe GmbH, BorgWarner India Holdings Inc., BorgWarner Investment Holding Inc., BorgWarner Ithaca LLC, BorgWarner Ketsch Plant RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Ketsch REH GmbH, BorgWarner Ketsch REM GmbH, BorgWarner Kft., BorgWarner Kibo RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Korea Holdings (PDS) B.V., BorgWarner Korea Holdings LLC, BorgWarner Korea LLC, BorgWarner Limited, BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH, BorgWarner Ludwigsburg RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Markdorf Plant RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Markdorf REH GmbH, BorgWarner Markdorf REM GmbH, BorgWarner Massachusetts Inc., BorgWarner Mauritius Holdings Ltd., BorgWarner Mexico Holding BV, BorgWarner Mexico Holdings II LLC, BorgWarner Mexico Holdings LLC, BorgWarner Morse Systems India Private Limited, BorgWarner Morse Systems Italy S.r.l., BorgWarner Morse Systems Japan K.K., BorgWarner Morse Systems Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Muggendorf RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner NW Inc., BorgWarner Netherlands Holdings (PDS) B.V., BorgWarner Oroszlany Kft., BorgWarner PDS (Anderson) L.L.C., BorgWarner PDS (Changnyeong) LLC, BorgWarner PDS (Indiana) Inc., BorgWarner PDS (Livonia) Inc., BorgWarner PDS (Ochang) LLC, BorgWarner PDS (Thailand) Limited, BorgWarner PDS (USA) Inc., BorgWarner PDS Brasil Produtos Automotivos Ltda., BorgWarner PDS Irapuato S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner PDS Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner PDS Technologies L.L.C., BorgWarner Poland Sp. z o.o., BorgWarner Pyongtaek LLC, BorgWarner Romeo Power LLC, BorgWarner Rzeszow Sp. z o.o., BorgWarner Shenglong (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner South Asia LLC, BorgWarner Southborough Inc., BorgWarner Spain Holding S.L.U, BorgWarner Sweden AB, BorgWarner Systems Lugo S.r.l., BorgWarner Thermal Systems Inc., BorgWarner Thermal Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems Beijing Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Tralee Ltd., BorgWarner Transmission Products LLC, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Arnstadt GmbH, BorgWarner Transmission Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Korea LLC, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Tulle S.A.S., BorgWarner Trustees Limited, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems France S.A.S., BorgWarner Turbo Systems Engineering GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems LLC, BorgWarner Turbo Systems Worldwide Headquarters GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner Turbo and Emissions Systems de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner UK Financing Ltd., BorgWarner UK Holding and Services Ltd., BorgWarner US Holding LLC, BorgWarner USA Industries L.L.C., BorgWarner United Transmission Systems Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Waterloo Inc., BorgWarner Wrexham Limited, Cascadia Motion LLC, Creon Insurance Agency Limited, Delphi Technologies, Dytech ENSA, Gustav Wahler GmbH u. Co. KG, Haldex, Kuhlman LLC, Kysor Europe Limited, M. & M. Knopf Auto Parts L.L.C., NSK-Warner (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., NSK-Warner K.K., NSK-Warner Mexico S.A. de C.V, NSK-Warner U.S.A. Inc., New PDS Corp., Old Remco Holdings L.L.C., Old Remco International Holdings L.L.C., Remy International, SeohanWarner Turbo Systems LLC, Sevcon, Sevcon New Energy Technology (Hubei) Company Limited, and Transmission Systems AutoForm LLC. The Hershey Co. engages in the manufacture and market of chocolate and sugar confectionery products. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: North America; and International and Other. The North America segment is responsible for the traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position of the company, as well as its grocery and snacks market positions, in the United States and Canada. The International and Other segment is the combination of all other operating segments which are not individually material, including those geographic regions where the company operates outside of North America. Its brands include Hershey's, Reese's, and Kisses. The company was founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894 and is headquartered in Hershey, PA. Read More iShares Latin America 40 ETF's stock was trading at $22.49 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, ILF shares have increased by 13.8% and is now trading at $25.59. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Assyrian Priest Paints Grim Picture After Visit to Iraq Father Athanasis Toma at the old entrance of St. George Assyrian church in Dora, Iraq. ( AINA) (AINA) -- Father Athanasis Toma, who lives in Los Angeles, returned recently from a trip to Iraq, his country of origin. Fr. Athanasis is an Assyrian, a chorbishop in the Ancient Church of the East, with a diocese in San Fernando, CA. Fr. Athanasis was happy to visit Iraq, but is gravely concerned over the developments in that country, particularly about the situation of Assyrians, the indigenous people of Iraq. According to Father Athanasis, there are many challenges that Assyrians are facing in Iraq, including security, land seizures and Kurdish discrimination and marginalization of Assyrians in the north. The following is an interview with Fr. Athanasis conducted by Sabri Atman, the director of the Assyrian Genocide Research Center, based in Sweden. Can you tell us about your visit to Iraq? This was my second visit to the homeland within six years since leaving the country 42 years ago. It was a short but very sad visit because of the conditions and the unfair treatment of our people back home. Were you surprised about what you saw or you were already aware of the current situation? Overall I had heard about the situation and seen some posting on social media, but being with the people on the ground, it gives more in depth about their life, and the issues they face on daily bases. What kind of challenges are Assyrians facing today in Iraq? Our people are facing many challenges. The security issue of their lands and the unfair treatment of our young generation, students have no hope of good opportunities after graduation. The confiscating of lands continues. The discrimination in prioritizing the fulfillment of our village's needs, which can be as simple electricity, water, water wells, and schools. The new St. George Assyrian Church in Dora, Iraq. ( AINA) Do Assyrians still have hope in their home or they want to emigrate? The message I got was is that people have lost hope and they are looking to emigrate to the west. How is the Assyrian relationship with the Kurds and others? As we know, Assyrians always want to live in peace but cautiously with their neighbors, regardless of their ethnicity. They respect their neighbors but they truly fear them also, since what happened to them in the recent years with ISIS. Are the Kurds seizing the Assyrian land? Indeed, they are slowly steeling lands, building homes in areas not belonging to them. In other words, confiscating Assyrian lands mostly in villages that are not heavily populated or occupied by Assyrians throughout the year. Is the occupation of the Assyrian land inadvertent or is it a systematic policy by the Kurdish Regional Government? In my view, it's a systematic policy. The reason being, you hear the Kurds saying to their Assyrian neighbors "why should I purchase your property, when I can get it for free once you leave." This means they are aware of what they are doing and they are applying all kind of pressure on our villages, so our people will abandon their homes. What is the expectation of the Assyrians living in their homeland from the Assyrians in the Diaspora, how can we help them? They are truly depending on our people in the Diaspora to be their voice. I believe we owe to them by being more active and knocking on doors here in Washington and around the world. Their cry and our effort so far have fallen on deaf ears. We must find a solution, a nation that cares about our case. But most of all, we need to stand united and tear down the walls that divide us as a nation. That will be the greatest help to them. Is any humanitarian organization helping them? Very few humanitarian organizations are left. Most of them have left the country. Do you think as Assyrians and as Christians we have any future in the Middle East and particularly in Iraq? It's a question that we need to be very honest with ourselves about. If we are not united and if conditions continue as they are, I believe we will diminish and soon not many will be left. Our lands, language, history and traditions will be all gone. The following companies are subsidiares of Quest Diagnostics: AmeriPath, AmeriPath Cincinnati Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Cleveland Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Consolidated Labs Inc. (FL), AmeriPath Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Hospital Services Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Indianapolis PC (IN), AmeriPath Kentucky Inc. (KY), AmeriPath Lubbock 5.01(A) Corporation (TX), AmeriPath New York LLC (DE), AmeriPath Texas Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Tucson Inc. (AZ), American Medical Laboratories, American Medical Laboratories Incorporated (DE), Associated Clinical Laboratories L.P. (PA), Associated Clinical Laboratories of Pennsylvania L.L.C. (PA), Athena Diagnostics, Athena Diagnostics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics, Blueprint Genetics FZ-LLC (UAE), Blueprint Genetics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Finland), California Laboratory Associates, Cape Cod Healthcare - Business, Celera, ClearPoint Diagnostic, Clearpoint Diagnostic Laboratories LLC (TX), Cleveland HeartLab, Cleveland HeartLab Inc. (DE), Clinical Laboratory Partners, Colorado Pathology Consultants P.C. (CO), ConVerge Diagnostic Services, Consolidated DermPath Inc. (DE), DFW 5.01(a) Corporation (TX), DGXWMT JV LLC (DE), Dermatopathology of Wisconsin S.C. (WI), Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma LLC (OK), Diagnostic Pathology Services Inc. (OK), Diagnostic Reference Services Inc. (MD), ExamOne Canada Inc. (New Brunswick), ExamOne LLC (DE), ExamOne World Wide Inc. (PA), ExamOne World Wide of NJ Inc. (NJ), Focus Diagnostics, HemoCue, Hoffman M.D. Associated Pathologists Chartered (NV), Institute for Dermatopathology Inc. (PA), Isabella Street Urban Renewal LLC (NJ), Kailash B. Sharma M.D. Inc. (GA), Kilpatrick Pathology P.A. (NC), LabOne, LabOne LLC (MO), LabOne of Ohio Inc. (DE), Laboratorio de Analisis Biomedicos S.A. (Mexico), Lancet Labs, MACL, Med Fusion LLC (TX), Med fusion, MedPlus, Mid America Clinical Laboratories LLC (IN), Nomad Massachusetts Inc. (MA), Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Associates (GA), Ocmulgee Medical Pathology Association Inc. (GA), Pathology Building Partnership (MD) (gen. ptnrshp.), PeaceHealth Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories PLLC (WA), Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC (DE), Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Quest Diagnostics Brasil Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Domestic Holder LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics HTAS India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Incorporated (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (MD), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NV), Quest Diagnostics India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics International Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics International LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Ireland Limited (Ireland), Quest Diagnostics LLC (CT), Quest Diagnostics LLC (IL), Quest Diagnostics LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Massachusetts LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Mexico Holding Company Trust (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Mexico S de RL de CV (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (CA), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Inc. (VA), Quest Diagnostics Receivables Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Subsidiary Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics TB LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Terracotta LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Venture LLC (PA), Quest Diagnostics Ventures LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Quest Diagnostics of Pennsylvania Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics of Puerto Rico Inc. (PR), Quest HealthConnect LLC (CA), ReproSource, Reprosource Fertility Diagnostics Inc. (MA), Solstas Lab Partners, Sonora Quest Laboratories LLC (AZ), Specialty Laboratories Inc. (CA), Summit Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Anatomic Pathology Outreach Laboratory Business, Unilab Corporation, and Unilab Corporation (DE). Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV. Read More by Mike Maher | Tue, Oct 9th 9:09am EDT Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed caught just one of his two targets for 21 yards in Monday's loss to the New Orleans Saints. Fantasy Impact: Monday was certainly a disappointing performance for Reed, as fantasy owners were counting on an offensive battle and plenty of targets for Reed. Unfortunately, despite the Redskins trailing and passing the ball 39 times, Reed ended up with just one reception on two targets. Three agri-food projects in Northern Ireland have been awarded 750,000 of new funding from the Department of Agriculture. The new funding will support collaborative projects that have been successful under the US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership Programme Agricultural Call 2017. The three projects include 'Improved Animal Husbandry through Inhibition of Microbial Bile Salt Hydrolase', by Queens University Belfast in partnership with University College Cork and University of Tennessee. 'Targeted genome editing to enhance genetic resistance to Mycobacterium bovis infection in domestic cattle populations', by Queens University Belfast in partnership with University College Cork and Acceligen/Recombinetics, Inc. 'Development and validation of an on-farm, electronic disease diagnosis platform for cattle', by Queens University Belfast in partnership with University College Cork and Georgia Institute of Technology. Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture (DAERA) has been working in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) in the Republic of Ireland and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify opportunities to co-fund research in areas of shared strategic priority. The collaboration hopes to expedite solutions to some of the global challenges and opportunities facing agriculture, and will boost local research and expertise to meet the needs of Northern Irelands agri-food sector. The new funding for local scientists, technologists and advisers will play a part in helping farmers face the challenges of an increasingly competitive agri-food and forestry sectors, according to DAERA. The department is currently on target to meet its objective of identifying 11 new collaborative research projects, contracting at least 11 new postdoctoral scientists based in NI research organisations by December 2018. The Agriculture Bill enters into a crucial Second Reading in the House of Commons tomorrow, setting out a range of industry and political views. The Agriculture Bill, which will provide a range of enabling powers to ensure stability for farmers as the UK exits from the EUs Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), will enter its Second Reading on Wednesday 10 October. First published on 12 September 2018, it sets out how farmers and land managers will in future be paid for public goods, such as better air and water quality and improved soil health. The Second Reading will set the agenda for the Committee Stage of the Bill, which will see detailed amendments tabled and voted upon. Key points to be highlighted during the Second Reading include the UK leaving the CAP, post-Brexit funding and the whether the Bill is UK-wide. Leaving the CAP The UK will have to leave CAP under any Brexit scenario. The body of EU regulation which forms the CAP will become retained EU law on Exit Day. Currently, CAP allows for direct payments to farmers, rural development payments, including agri-environment schemes, and certain market interventions. As the UK has been a part of the CAP since 1973, the UK Government and stakeholders have described the Bill as a historic opportunity to radically reshape domestic agricultural policy. The scale of potential change has been compared to the Agriculture Act 1947, which sought to increase food production after the Second World War and introduced higher farming standards. This 2018 Bill sets out to provide the architecture for most parts of the UK to start to develop their approaches to supporting farm businesses whilst meeting international trading obligations. Funding The UK Government has already pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds, totalled some 4bn per year, for farm support across the UK until the end of this parliament, expected in 2022. It has pledged that any changes made to agricultural funding would reflect the Governments aim of securing a better future for UK agriculture and for the environment. A UK-wide Bill? The main body of the Bill applies to England. However, Schedule 3 (Wales) and Schedule 4 (Northern Ireland) extend similar powers to Welsh Ministers and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) so that they can start preparing replacement schemes. These powers were extended at the request of the Welsh Government and DAERA. However, the Scottish Government has not currently taken up the offer of powers in the Bill as it is in disagreement with the UK Government about its overall approach to repatriating EU powers in devolved areas of competence. There are no specific Scottish provisions in the Bill. Scotland is however covered by the UK provisions relating to the World Trade Organisation. Industry reaction The reaction to the Bill has been mixed. Whilst both farming organisations and environmental groups broadly support the new public money for public goods approach to future farm support schemes (in England and Wales), there is concern from both groups that there will not be sufficient future funding beyond this Parliament. A lot of industry comment has focused on whether the Bill has the right balance of measures between incentivising environmental protection and supporting productivity. For example, the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has challenged MPs to "grasp the enormity" of setting out new farming policies during the Second Reading, and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has called for more certainty on Government funding plans for the industry post-2022. People are now investigating after fourteen cattle worth 10,000 were stolen from a Northern Irish farm. More information is needed following the theft of cattle from a farm on the Camlough Road, Carrickmore, County Tyrone. The theft happened between the hours of 6.30pm on Wednesday 3rd October and 10am on Thursday 4th October. Fourteen cattle were taken to the approximate value of 10,000, two Limousin and twelve Charolais. Chief Inspector Robinson said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the Carrickmore area between these times, or in recent days and saw any suspicious activity or vehicles." All of the cattle are tagged with the below serial numbers: 452264-1382-2 630550-1531-2 630550-1528-6 630550-1529-7 630550-1534-5 630550-1537-1 630550-1538-2 630550-1539-3 630550-1540-4 630550-1541-5 630550-1543-7 630550-1558-1 630550-1559-2 630550-1551-1 Anyone with information has been asked to contact the PSNI on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 341 4/10/18. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The Government has been urged to use the Agriculture Bill to drive a transition towards sustainable farming practices following a stern warning by world scientists on the health of the planet. A new UN report urges Governments worldwide to increase their action on the climate crisis within the next twelve years, or face devastating consequences. The report, by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), shows even half a degree of extra warming will affect hundreds of millions of people, destroy coral reefs and collapse the Earth's ice sheets. It highlights that emissions need to be cut by 45% by 2030 in order to keep warming within 1.5C. Listing ways for Governments to soothe the dire situation, the IPCC calls for more than half of the worlds electricity to stem from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, in just over 10 years. The 728-page document also calls for a drastic reduction of methane emissions from livestock production, amongst other agricultural products. 'Transform farming' Green MEP Molly Scott Cato highlighted how the release of the report must encourage the Government to help change UK farming methods in a bid to reduce the sectors greenhouse gas emissions. Dr Scott Cato, a member of the European Parliaments Agriculture Committee, said that making sustainable farming methods the norm can transform farming from a major emitter of greenhouse gases to becoming a sector which can capture up to 100% of global annual carbon emissions in soils and plants. She said urgent reforms to Europes Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the UKs Agriculture Bill, which is entering its Second Reading this week, are needed to help drive such a transition. Liz Bowles, head of farming at the Soil Association, agreed, and said it is "deeply worrying" that only one line of the Agriculture Bill refers to the possibility of future support for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. She said: The government now urgently needs to prioritise support for widespread adoption of farming methods proven to reduce emissions and store more carbon in soils, such as organic farming and agroforestry. Controversially, both agreed on a need for less, but better, meat and dairy consumption, and a general move towards plant-based alternatives. A shift towards less but better meat and dairy consumption and production is also needed, alongside dramatic cuts to food waste and a focus on shortening supply chains, Ms Bowles said. 'Vulnerable' In response to the report, the NFU said farmers are already taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting that two fifths of farmers and growers are already diversified to produce clean, low-carbon renewable energy. NFU Deputy President, Guy Smith said: We are already starting to see the effects of global warming and this years extreme weather events have served to remind us how vulnerable farming is to a changing climate. The report by the IPCC emphasises the need for a joined-up approach to minimising the global temperature rise to 1.5C, and British farmers are committed to playing their part to reach this target. He added: Farmers are focussed on improving agricultural productivity through better management of nutrients, livestock, energy and soil, and the NFU is working with its members to implement more efficient ways of producing food for the country. Climate experts and politicians will hold a meeting chaired by Lord Krebs, former member of the Committee on Climate Change, in parliament on Wednesday (10 October) to discuss the IPCC report and consider future Government policy. Farmers are being encouraged to talk more about their feelings and well-being ahead of World Mental Health Day. The Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health. It provides an opportunity for farmers to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for the industry. Poor mental health is the biggest health topic in the UK at present - one in four people have been diagnosed with a mental illness and in farming, mental health issues continue to be of great concern. The leading cause of death for people aged between 20 and 34 is suicide - and approximately, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), more than one agricultural worker a week in the UK dies by suicide. Ahead of the 10 October, the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) is urging those within the industry not to hide problems from themselves, their families and friends and to talk about their personal feelings. The FUW made a commitment at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in 2017 to continue raising awareness of mental health problems in rural communities, and is therefore renewing the call for those who might be suffering from mental health problems to seek help. FUW President, Glyn Roberts said: This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is young people and mental health in a changing world. Our young people are faced with an uncertain future and their world is changing rapidly, which will no doubt cause anxiety and stress to many. Their farming businesses are under threat, our export markets post March 2019 are unclear and any support for the industry has still not been finalised. He added: Add to that the growing problem of bovine TB and you have a recipe for the perfect storm. But we must break the stigma attached to mental health, so if youre feeling vulnerable, stressed, or anxious, please open-up - dont bottle it up and speak to someone. That doesnt just mean today, but always. Farmers and farming families need to continue talking openly about what they are experiencing. Rural-based charities such as the Farming Community Network and Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution help farmers who are suffering from mental health issues. Two farmer representatives from England and one from Wales are sought to help shape the focus of the British sheep industry. The Sheep Health and Welfare Group (SHAWG) is an independent body with membership reflecting the range of organisations involved in the sheep industry. Its role is to focus the industry on important issues, including in key areas such as responsible medicine use, nutrition and disease surveillance, with the vision to achieve a world-class sheep industry. As part of the role, the farmer representatives are expected to feed in information from their area and other sheep farmers on current health and welfare challenges. They will provide feedback on initiatives or proposals through attendance at meetings and via the secretariat. Charles Sercombe, SHAWG chair and farmer representative, said that being part of this group is a "great opportunity" to make a difference in the industry and influence the direction of travel of sheep health and welfare in the UK. In return, you are more in tune with the latest developments and influences which makes you look at how you manage your flock in a different light, he said. Each farmer representative has a term of two years and can remain on the group for a maximum of three, two-year terms. Lis King, from AHDB, who acts as secretariat to the group added: The role is paid a small honorarium and expenses to attend the three meetings per year. We encourage anyone keen to make a difference to the UK sheep industry at such a critical time to apply. Applications for the two roles will close on Monday 5 November. For more information, contact lis.king@ahdb.org.uk or by phone on 077 4107 7244. To download the application form, visit shawg.org.uk. Slurry legislation changed in Scotland to cut emissions Changes to way that slurry & digestate is stored Summary Company Announcement Date: October 04, 2018 FDA Publish Date: October 04, 2018 Product Type: Food & Beverages Pork/Pork Product Reason for Announcement: Recall Reason Description Potential for Contamination with Listeria monocytogenes Company Name: Ukrop's Brand Name: Brand Name(s) Ukrop's Product Description: Product Description Biscuits, rolls, salads and subs manufactured using recalled ham ingredient Company Announcement Ukrops Homestyle Foods LLC, Richmond, VA today announced that it is recalling an assortment of its products in reaction to the Johnston County Hams, Smithfield, NC recall of 89,000 pounds of Ham. Johnston County Hams country ham was recalled due to its potential for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes; therefore, Ukrops made the decision that any products that contained country ham or came into contact with equipment used to process the country ham are being recalled due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The impacted products are as follows with sell-by dates from 9/7/2018 through 10/7/2018: Product Name Net Weight Country Ham on Petite Biscuits 8CT NET WT 14 OZ (397g) Country Ham on Petite Party Rolls 20CT NET WT 17.7 OZ (1.11lb/502g) Country Ham on White House Rolls 12CT NET WT 23.3 OZ (1.46lb/660g) Country Ham on White House Rolls 2CT NET WT 3.9 OZ (110g) Country Ham on White House Rolls 6CT NET WT 11.6 OZ (330g) In addition, out of an abundance of caution, Ukrops Homestyle Foods is issuing a recall of the following products, with sell-by dates from 9/7/2018 through 10/7/2018, which came in contact with the same equipment: Product Name Net Weight Chef Salad NET WT 12.6 OZ (357g) Angus Roast Beef & Cheddar Pinwheels NET WT 9.25 OZ (262g) Black Forest Ham & Provolone Sub NET WT 7.8 OZ (221g) Black Forest Ham & Provolone Pinwheels NET WT 9.25 OZ (262g) Combo Wrap Turkey & Bacon, Chicken Caesar, Buffalo Style Chicken, & Veg NET WT 4.8 LBS (2.17kg) Cuban Style Sub NET WT 8.3 OZ (235g) Ham on Petite Party Rolls 20CT NET WT 21.8 OZ (1.36lb/618g) Ham on White House Rolls 12CT NET WT 26.9 OZ (1.68lb/762g) Honey Ham & Swiss on White House Rolls 2CT NET WT 5.5 OZ (155g) Honey Ham & Turkey on White House Rolls 4CT NET WT 11 OZ (311g) Honey Turkey & Cheddar on White House Rolls 2CT NET WT 5.5 OZ (155g) Honey Turkey & Honey Ham Pinwheel Tray NET WT 43 OZ (2.69lb/1.22kg) Italian Style Sub NET WT 8.2 OZ (232g ) Italian Style Pinwheels NET WT 8.1 OZ (229g) Meat & Cheese Tray NET WT 42.5 OZ (2.65 LB) 1.2kg Roasted Turkey & Colby Jack Sub NET WT 8.3 OZ (235g) Roasted Turkey & Colby Jack Pinwheels NET WT 9.75 OZ (276g) Roasted Turkey and Bacon Wrap NET WT 9.95 OZ (282g) Roasted Turkey and Bacon Wrap 4CT Tray NET WT 5.03 LB (2.28kg) Spicy Buffalo Style Chicken Wrap NET WT 9.6 OZ (272g) Turkey & Bacon Cobb Wrap NET WT 13.5 OZ (383g) Turkey and Swiss on Croissant 3CT Tray NET WT 19.2 OZ (1.2lb/544g) Turkey Breast on White House Rolls 2CT NET WT 4.5 OZ (127g) Turkey Breast on White House Rolls 12CT NET WT 28 OZ (1.75lb/794g) The potential for contamination was discovered after Johnston County Hams, Smithfield, NC issued a recall of 89,000 pounds of ham, including country ham. The impacted Ukrops products produced at the companys plant in Richmond, Virginia and are sold through the following retailers: Kroger in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky; Publix, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Catering by Ukrops, and Hudson News at RIC in Virginia only. There are known illnesses associated with the country ham supplied by Johnston County, Smithfield, NC. There are no reports of illnesses associated with Ukrops Homestyle Foods, LLC, Richmond, VA products. The affected products are only those labeled with sell-by dates from 9/7/18 through 10/7/18. The product names, sell-by dates, and net weights are found on the top label of the product packaging. Products that carry any other names, sell-by dates, or net weights are not affected by this recall. The safety of those who consume our products is our highest priority. As soon as we learned of the supplier recall, we immediately communicated with our retail partners so that impacted items could be removed from store shelves. We are now working to ensure that fresh products will be back in stores as soon as possible, said Scott Aronson, President of Ukrops Homestyle Foods. The company advises consumers to immediately discard any of the products listed. Consumers with questions about the recall or the products involved in this recall may contact Ukrops Homestyle Foods, LLC at (804)340-3000. Ukrops Homestyle Foods founded in Richmond in 2010, operates a Bakery, Kitchen, Catering, and a distribution center. www.ukropshomestylefoods.com Company Contact Information Consumers: (804)340-3000 Media: Susan Rowe 804-340-3104 Susan.Rowe@ukrops.com Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Un tournoi historique marque par le triomphe portugais Le Portugal simpose au terme dun parcours impressionnant Le Japon et lEspagne completent le podium La Bolivie cree la surprise dans une competition riche en buts Le Tournoi de Futsal feminin des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse, Buenos Aires 2018 constituait une premiere a double titre car il marque les debuts de la discipline sur la scene olympique et constitue la premiere competition de futsal feminine organisee par la FIFA. Le Portugal entre donc dans lhistoire en decrochant la medaille dor, de meme que le Japon et lEspagne en sadjugeant respectivement largent et le bronze. Les trois equipes medaillees ainsi que la Bolivie et la Thailande sont apparues un cran au-dessus des cinq autres selections engagees dans la competition. Presente comme lun des favoris dans la course a lor, le Portugal na pas failli a sa reputation, comme en temoignent ses performances impressionnantes. Les Portugaises ont remporte leurs six matches, inscrit 57 buts (soit une moyenne de 9,5 buts par match, 0,08 de plus que la moyenne du tournoi). Imperiales en defense, elles ont conserve leurs cages inviolees a trois reprises, signant par la meme occasion un nouvel exploit. Rani Mukerjis Hichki is all set to release in China on October 12. Currently, the actress is in China to promote the film. She will be visiting five cities there - Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chengdu between 7 to 12 October. She will be meeting students and the local media to talk about the film. Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, Hichki has won hearts across the globe ever since its release. Ranis performance as a teacher, who deals with an involuntary nervous system disorder, Tourette syndrome, while changing lives of teenagers from an economically backward background, has resonated with the audience in a big way. China is a big market for Hindi films and now Rani's Hichki is all set to open there.It's Rani's first film to release there. So the actress is super excited. While her stay in China, the actress visited the Great Wall of China. Interestingly, we got our hands on a picture of Rani that shows her taking a breather from her whirlwind promotions to visit the Great Wall of China. Have a look...Heres wishing Rani all luck for Hichkis release in China. Pakistan will reportedly import 48 Chinese drones, said official sources. Announcing the deal on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team did not reveal how much it was worth, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered. A CAIC Wing Loong II UAV seen at Airshow China 2016 But the air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones. Wing Loong II, made by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company, is a high-end reconnaissance and strike multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system. It made its maiden flight in February last year, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The largest overseas order for Wing Loong IIs was obtained even before the maiden flight, Xinhua reported. The report did not specify the buyer. A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Monday. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm the deal when reached by the Global Times as of press time. It makes sense the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators. The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, Song said. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost. "Chinese UAVs like Caihong series also has clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia," Song said. 'Vikas Also Tried His Hand On Me' Nayani told Bollywood Hungama, "Whatever the girl has accused Vikas Bahl is not at all wrong because he also tried his hand on me. I literally told him that main tumhe maarungi if you do this again'. So I am sure he did the same with the girl in question as well." 'He Started Behaving Rudely With Me Because I Turned Down His Indecent Proposal "Next day, when I came on the sets, something went wrong with my hair. I didn't get it as it's not my area of concern. But Vikas blasted me and he behaved very weird with me. Now when I look back, I realized that why this behaviour. Since he did not get a chance on me, he was taking revenge." Vikas Eyed Many Other Women In The Team "They kept us in a 2-star hotel. When I said that I am not comfortable, Vikas told me that he can share his room with me. Look at his audacity!" Not just Nayani, but Vikas eyed many other women in the team. The actress stated, "We were shooting for the London Thumakda' song and in the crew, there was a 21-year-old local Delhi girl who was in the costume department. Vikas flirted even with her and she was very uncomfortable and she later confided to me that why this person is always behind me. Even Kangana Ranaut was witness to this drama and even she was taken aback. She remarked, Tu pagal hai kya?'" On Why She Stayed Quiet For All These Years "I did not say anything then. I was quiet at that time as firstly, I was alone. I did not know anyone neither from Phantom nor from the cast. Hence, I remained mum and decided to speak when the time is right. Now I thought that the time is right." Nayani Narrates Her Horrific Experience About Working With Phantom Films "Phantom Films paid me peanuts. They haggled as if they are buying vegetables. And nobody out there talks properly. The production people used to talk to us so badly as if woh humein film de ke hum pe ehsaan kar rahe hai. They kept me in a vanity van which was a mere 66 cubicle. All the props of production make up and costume was kept there and also the chest in which all these things are stored. The make-up and hair guys were also inside this small space. They had no respect for me - nobody would ask if they can use my washroom. They'll just knock, barge in, use the loo and leave. One day, when my hair-stylist was doing my hair, my hair got stuck in the blow dryer and she had to cut that chunk of the hair to get rid of it. Then once my hand accidentally touched the bulb, since there was no space, and I got burnt badly. I told them that I am burnt and need attention and medication. But just one production guy approached me, handed me a tube of Colgate toothpaste and asked me to apply it on the affected area. That's it. No apologies offered! I requested them to give me a bigger vanity van but I was told that yahan sab aise hi hai' and that I have to adjust. Moreover, Vikas humiliated me in front of everyone the day I got burnt, as I had rejected his proposal. I used to go to my hotel room in Delhi and cry and was hoping that the shoot would get over soon." 'I Promised Myself Never To Work With Vikas Bahl Or Phantom Films "When I got fed up with the hotel room offered to me, I decided to shift to a friend's place. But they didn't even allow me to stay there as they had paid for the room! Yeh kya zabardasti hai? They even told me that they won't pick me up from my friend's place, which was just 2 kms away from the hotel, by the way." She also states, "I witnessed production money being used for partying and boozing in the five-star hotels where they were staying." Nayani further revealed, "The food offered was very spicy. The production guys would speak rudely to us when we complained. Moreover, we were told that if we asked for tea at night, we'd have to pay for it from our own pockets! Can you believe that?! They even forced us to travel by train from Mumbai to Delhi, citing that even our director is traveling by train. But I put my foot down and thankfully, we were given air tickets." Her bad experience didn't get over with the shoot. She says that the team at Phantom Films took a long time in clearing her payment. Nayani told Bollywood Hungama, "I had to cry to get my own payment. I got my final instalment 8 months after Queen released. It was a meagre Rs. 8000 and yet, I had to fight for it. Everytime I'd call, they'll refuse on some pretext or other like producer bahar gaya hai, aaj woh bahar gaya hai etc. I didn't attend the screening or premiere or the trailer launch of the film. I promised myself never to work with Vikas Bahl or Phantom Films. I have told about my experience to all my friends in FTII and I have warned them that if Phantom Films call you for a movie and if you charge ten rupees, then please ask for twenty rupees and only then would they offer you eight rupees!" Tanushree Dutta Nana Patekar Controversy: Finally Nana gives his clarification; Video | FilmiBeat Recently, Tanushree Dutta opened up about facing sexual harassment by Nana Patekar on the sets of Horn Ok Please in 2008. The actress had alleged that when she refused to shoot an intimate song with Nana, he along with choreographer Ganesh Acharya harassed him. She also claimed that Nana also called some goons to attack her vanity van. Ever since Tanushree made this shocking revelations, support started pouring in from various Bollywood celebrities. Meanwhile, Nana who was shooting for Sajid Khan's Housefull 4, came to Mumbai last week. During Queen, Vikas Bahl Tried To Sexually Harass Me: Kangana Ranaut's Co-Star Nayani Dixit On Monday, Nana addressed the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by Tanushree Dutta. Without divulging any details, the actor told the media, "My lawyer has advised me not to speak on the matter. Hence, I kept silent. Otherwise, I would have no issues talking to the press." When further prodded, he added, "What should I say? I said 10 years ago. The truth which was 10 years ago remains the same today and will continue to be tomorrow as well." Yesterday, Nana was supposed to hold a press conference to speak about Tanushree's allegations. But Nana's son Malhar sent out a message to the media saying, "Sorry to be messaging at this hour , just wanted to inform that there's no press conference tomorrow , please pass on the message to your colleagues in the media , will let you know about the further proceedings soon , regards, Malhar Nana Patekar." Meanwhile, Nana has already sent a legal notice to Tanushree Dutta. #MeToo: Stree Actress Flora Saini Opens Up About Being Assaulted By Producer Gaurang Doshi! Priyanka Chopra on Monday said she had faith in her maiden Sikkimese production Pahuna (The Little Visitors) right from the outset. The film, produced under Purple Pebble Pictures, was adjudged Best Film (Jury Choice) and Special Mention by Professional Jury in The International Feature Film Category at SCHLINGEL International Children's Film Festival in Germany. "'Pahuna'. A film I've believed in from the word go! Love the response it's getting worldwide. Can't wait to see what's in store for our film next! Congrats team @PurplePebblePic for winning the 'Best Film (Jury's choice)' and a special mention at the #SchlingelFilmFestival," Priyanka wrote on Twitter. Director Pakhi A Tyrewala, thanked the actor-producer for her unwavering faith in the film. "It's true. Only person who repeatedly told me that I made a good film whenever I doubted it. She always had faith in 'Pahuna'. Thanks @priyankachopra," Pakhi replied to Priyanka's tweet. To this the actor responded saying, "Always @PaakhiATyrewala I truly believe in the power of talent and hard work. And you are exactly that. #Pahuna is an amazing film and I'm so proud of it and you. Congratulations to everyone who worked on it @PurplePebblePic and the cast and crew!" The film revolves around three Nepali children who get separated from their parents, escape the Maoists agitation in Nepal and flee to Sikkim. Pahuna had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year. Credits - PTI Tanushree Said.. "I had an intuition that it will get cancelled last minute." When asked how she got that intuition, she replied, "Intuitions don't come with a reason. Our gut feelings and intuitions are a way by which God or higher supreme intelligence communicates to us about things to come." Tanushree Grills Mr. Patekar Tanushree further added, "This inner knowing enables us to make the right choices when needed, they warn us of the impending danger as well as reassure us of a victory in dark times." Netizens Slam Nana Patekar As Well! The ongoing row has left the B-town divided. While many feel that Nana Patekar is a nobel man and he can't do anything like that to any woman, many are coming out in support of Tanushree Dutta. But ever since Nana has cancelled the press conference, netizens are surprised and claiming that he's chickened out! Here's What Nana Told Media "I said this 10 years ago too. What was true then remains true today. My legal team has asked me not to speak. Otherwise why will I not spear to you guys," Patekar told reporters on Monday. Nana Says His Lawyer Has Told Him To Stay Sush The actor, who was to hold a press conference, briefly addressed the media at his residence, saying he cannot talk in detail about the case. "I will follow what my lawyer has said. So please pardon me," he added. Meanwhile, Nana Has Sent A Legal Notice To Tanushree The 67-year-old actor's lawyer has sent a legal notice to Dutta for allegedly making false accusations against him in an incident that dates back to a decade. Dutta has also filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police against Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and the director and producer of the 2008 film. The UAE/GCC Release Varathan made an entry into the theatres in the UAE/GCC region a week after its release in Kerala. To be precise, the film released on September 27, 2018, and it made a big enough release in as many as 57 screens across the UAE/GCC regions. 10-Day Collections Much like in Kerala, Varathan received a grand welcome in the UAE/GCC regions as well with the film fetching a good opening. The film went on to continue its good run in the later days as well. According to a recent post by Forum Keralam, Varathan has managed to fetch as much as 6.97 Crores from the 10 days of its run in the UAE/GCC regions. The Big League With such fabulous collections, Varathan has gone ahead and achieved something really big. According to a list formulated by Forum Keralam, the movie is now one among the top 5 South Indian grossers of the year 2018 in the UAE/GCC regions. The film is at present at the fourth spot. The movie has raced ahead of Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. The Best Performer At The UAE/GCC Abrahaminte Santhathikal, which fetched approximately 10.3 Crores, is at the top spot. Rajinikanth starrer Kaala, Malayalam movie Sudani from Nigeria, etc., are at the second and the third spot, respectively. It has to be seen whether Varathan will go on to race past ahead of these movies as well or not. A Career Best For Vijay In an exciting development, the Karnataka theatrical rights of Sarkar have been acquired by Sri Gokul Films for Rs 8 Crore. This is a new record for a Vijay starrer and proves that the actor's popularity is not limited to Tamil Nadu alone. Interestingly, Kabali is the only Tamil film to have fetched more for its Karnataka theatrical rights. This proves that Vijay is second only to 'Thalaiva' Rajinikanth. Sarkar Bigger Than Mersal Given Vijay's strong fan following, it comes as no surprise that the Tamil Nadu distribution rights of Sarkar have been sold for a whopping Rs 75 Crore. With this, the film has already outperformed Mersal. A Big Record According to Indiaglitz, Sarkar's Madurai distribution rights have been sold for Rs 10.5 Crore and this is a new record for the Madurai market. Similarly, the film's Chennai release rights have been acquired by the veteran Abhirami. He is known for popularising the concept of 'wide release' and hence his association with Sarkar bodes well for the film. Did Vijay's Speech Make Sarkar Bigger Than Mersal? During the recently held Sarkar audio launch, Vijay had made quite a few political statements and practically set the stage for his entry into politics. In fact, at one point, he had even said that he would dedicate his full attention to the state if he ever becomes CM. The general feeling is that his politically loaded remarks went a long way in adding to the curiosity surrounding Sarkar and made it bigger than Mersal. Alok Nath accused of rape by director Vinta Nanda| FilmiBeat As the #MeToo movement in India has gained immense momentum in the last few weeks, yet another incident comes into light. Noted television producer and director Vinita Nanda has opened up about being raped and sexually harassed by a renowned actor from her show Tara. Though she hasn't named the accused, the usage of 'Sanskari' in the description clearly points at the actor Alok Nath, who is referred to as 'Sanskaari babuji'. Vinita took to her Facebook handle to share the details of the incident that took place nearly two decades ago. Recalling the incident Vinita wrote, the actor, "...came drunk on our sets. He continued to drink till the time he was called for the shot. When the moment came and the camera rolled, he felt up our female lead and very viciously. My lead actress slapped him. We asked him to leave the sets and told him that he was not going to be on the show any longer." Following this, four of Vinita's shows were shut down due to changes in the management. Little did she know what awaited her later. Vinita further wrote, "I was invited to a party to this mans house, his wife, my best friend was out of town. It was usual for our group of friends from theatre to meet regularly so there was nothing unusual about my going to the party. As the evening flowed, my drinks were mixed and I began to feel strange. Then at around 2am I left his house. Nobody followed me or offered to drop me home, which was what was rather unusual." "All I knew at the time was that I had to get home. I could sense it wouldn't be right for me to stay thee any longer. I started to walk home on the empty streets although the distance to my own house was long. Midway I was accosted by this man who was driving his own car and he asked me to sit in it and said he would drop me home. I trusted him and sat in his car. I have faint memory after that." "I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly." When I woke up the next afternoon, I was in pain. I hadn't just been raped, I was taken to my own house and had been brutalised. I couldn't get up for my bed (sic)," she concluded. Kapil Sharma Plays It Safe Regarding Tanushree Controversy; Annu Kapoor's Response Is Appalling! Amal Sehrawat Urges Everyone Not To Jump To Conclusions Amal Sehrawat, who played Alok's grandson on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, said, "I played Alok Nath sir's grandson in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and have worked very closely with him. We have had a splendid experience. I urge everyone to not jump the gun and reach any conclusion so soon." Alok Is A Wonderful Co-star He further added, "I have a very high regard for women but I also have full faith in Alok Nath sir. On set, he shared a cordial relationship with everyone and respected every actor and crew member. He is a wonderful co-star and a gem of a person. #Metoo movement is a very brave step by women but before reaching any conclusion, both sides of the stories should be evaluated." Hrishikesh Pandey On Alok Nath Controversy Alok's Piya Ka Ghar co-star Hrishikesh Pandey said, "I am shocked to know this. We really don't know what happened but I would like to say that when it happens, the person should not keep quiet. In fact, he or she should come out and fight and make sure the culprit is punished. One should not keep quiet, irrespective of the position of the person. The culprit should be punished because anything done without anyone's consent is not acceptable and one can really not understand the trauma the victims are dragged through." Alok Is A Sweet Co-star "Having said that, there are cases of people who are putting false allegations on someone, and they need to be stopped. I am on good terms with Alok Nath. He was sweet as a co-star. I think we should hear what he has to say too." Rakesh Bedi Says... Tara actor, Rakesh Bedi told Zoom TV, "It's definitely notable - maybe she didn't have the courage that time or maybe it was her friendship with his wife - so she didn't speak up. Also that time, there were social factors like - humaare upar blame aayega, hum malign ho jaaye. Aisa hua hai toh, it's unfortunate. I have no clue to his behaviour on sets, his drunkenness I have no first-hand information of anything like that." Ashita Dhawan Says Its Utter Non-sense Ashita Dhawan, who played Alok's daughter-in-law in Bidaai, refused to believe any of the allegations and claimed them to be completely false. She was quoted by TOI as saying, "I think this is utter non-sense. This was a matter that allegedly took place 20 years ago, so why is it coming up again now and for what. Why didn't the victim take a stand then?" Ashita Adds "Why did she not have the courage to take a stand then. Either, one resolves the matter or takes it to court but she chose not to do anything of that sort for so long. Also if at all has happened then she should take this fight of hers till the end and not only for 15-20 days just because it is the trend now." Vinita Visited Aloks House Back Then! "I read somewhere that she (Vinita Nanda) had visited Alokji's house back then. I mean I can't fathom this; If you are accusing someone to have molested or eve teased you, you will never want to go near that person even by mistake let alone of visiting their house. One will rather slap that person and can create a ruckus if they are being physically abused especially like this." The Producer Should Have Directly Gone To The Court! "I really feel that the producer should have then directly gone to the court and should have got Alokji banned from working then and there and not after 20 years. Everybody makes a mistake and some people's ill-doings don't even get into the limelight. I really want to see how far will this producer take this. If she genuinely wants justice, she should make sure he doesn't get a chance to work in the industry any longer and not just carry on this hyped fight just for a few days while in the media glare." Alokji Is An Angel She further told TOI, "I have worked with Alokji for so many years. Alokji is an angel until he is not under alcohol. He does get aggressive at times, I agree. I remember we had a major showdown when he was drunk and really wanted to buy a car for Parul as he treated her like a daughter. I suggested that he can decide on the same once he is a little sober. But he took it wrong since he was under heavy influence of alcohol. He abused me verbally and was aggressive and was literally not in his senses. But the next day when he realized how he had behaved, Alokji apologised to me." Noted writer and producer of the popular show Tara, Vinita Nanda, shocked everyone by accusing actor Alok Nath of sexually assaulting her. She had shared the detailed account of what she had to go through in a lengthy and heart-wrenching post on her Facebook page. Although she didn't reveal the actor's name, the usage of 'Sanskari' in her post clearly pointed at the actor Alok Nath, who is popularly known as 'Sanskari Babuji'. CINTAA had promised full support to Vinita, while Alok has neither apologised nor denied the allegation! When asked as to what made her share the story after 19 years, Vinita Nanda told HT, "It was important for me to speak up now, in light of #MeToo, or else I couldn't carry the cause forward. I had been following posts regarding #MeToo and felt it was the right time to talk. I am overwhelmed with the support and response from my peers and the public." She further added, "I didn't expect it, as I had posted on my Facebook page. I woke up feeling like a new person. I am feeling relieved. If it wasn't for this environment, I wouldn't have been able to do this. If I hadn't posted, I wouldn't have understood how strong the movement is in India." When asked as to why she refrained from naming the actor in her post, she told the leading daily, "I didn't think it was necessary to take his name. I thought 'sanskaari' was a giveaway. It was my way of revealing who he was, and there is no one who didn't understand who he was. It was in my comfort zone not to name him." When asked whether she will file a police complaint, she said, "I don't know. I posted what happened, as I felt strongly about it. I have not thought beyond that. I have to see how it turns out and what I need to do. The priority would be to protect myself. Moreover, this is a purani baat, and I am emotionally over it. I internalised it long ago." Alok Nath-Vinita Nanda Controversy: Tweeples Call 'Sanskari Babuji' A Rapist; Want Him To Be Jailed! CMT's 5th MPS (Myanmar Power Summit) on 15-16 November, 2018 in Yangon, discusses plans to address Myanmar's severe power shortages, foreign private investments in new gas-fired power plants and renewable energy as well as mini-grid solutions, among other topics. YANGON, Myanmar, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Local and international power producers, renewable energy producers and many other power industry players are heading to Yangon for 5th MPS. Day 1 opens with Ministry of Electricity & Energy's speech on 'Forward Plans on Meeting the Country's Growing Electricity Needs' highlighting plans to meet base-load and additional demand in peak hours/major cities, electricity tariffs, policy reforms, as well as private investment and IPP participation. The Ministry also addresses Myanmar's progress in using LNG to generate power. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/752338/5th_Myanmar_Power_Summit.jpg Corporate Sponsor - Wartsila joins the discussions with a session on 'Prospects of LPG & Other Fuels in Power Generation - Fuel Comparisons & Tariff Impact' while Sumitomo Corp presents on 'Regional Power Market Development and Implications for Myanmar'. In addition, Maxpower Asia Group delivers a talk on 'Development of Gas-Fired Power Plants Projects in Myanmar'. Myanmar's renewable energy plans and projects are analysed in these sessions: Developing Large Scale Solar Power Plant in Myanmar's Minbu City - Green Earth Power Minbu City - Hydropower - A Clean, Renewable & Economical Source of Power for Myanmar - IGE - Harnessing Environmentally Sustainable Hydropower in Myanmar : Rationalising the Projects - International Finance Corporation (IFC) : Rationalising the Projects Pay-As-You-Go Solar as the Fastest Way to Electrify Rural Myanmar - SolarHome The program focuses on Myanmar's mini-grid situation via sessions by: Pact - Mini Grid for Rural Myanmar: What's Needed & Challenges? - Mini Grid for Rural Myanmar: What's Needed & Challenges? Roland Berger Strategy Consultants' (Corporate Sponsor) - Mini-grid Solutions in Myanmar : What are the Opportunities for Private Investors? - Mini-grid Solutions in : What are the Opportunities for Private Investors? Tractebel and Parami Energy - Off-Grid Development in Myanmar : The Yesagyo Island Mini-Grid Project Organized by Centre for Management Technology (CMT), the summit also features a Panel Discussion themed "Attracting Investments for Sustainable Electricity Growth in Myanmar" with panelists from Sumitomo Corp, Roland Berger, IGE, Tractebel, and Wartsila. In addition, Associate Sponsor - DFDL Mekong Group explains the legal process and financial closing of power projects in Myanmar. View event website or contact Ms. Grace at grace@cmtsp.com.sg or call +65 6346 9147 for more details. 5th Myanmar Trade Summit is held concurrently with Myanmar LPGtrade Summit at the same venue in Yangon. A woman was accused of selling methamphetamine after Alachua County Sheriffs Office deputies found 14.7 grams in her car Sunday morning. Deputies stopped Krystina Bickford, 32, of Hillsboro, Florida, at 6200 Millhopper Road at about 7:40 a.m. for driving with a suspended license. While looking into the license, authorities found 14.7 grams of meth, a highly addictive painkiller called Dilaudid and drug equipment, according to an arrest report. Police decided to search the car Bickford drove after a police dog smelled drugs inside, the report said. Deputies found the meth underneath the drivers seat. A small black box on the passenger-side floor contained three syringes, four spoons with had a white substance on them and a part of a small white pill, police said. Two of the syringes had orange caps, but the third didnt. Police later found an orange cap in Bickfords bra, the report said. Inside of the box, deputies also found small clear plastic bags. A small digital scale was in the pocket of the drivers side door, police said. Both are commonly used when selling drugs. Bickford told police that the drugs and equipment in the car were hers and that the pill found was Dilaudid, the report said. Bickford was charged with one count each of possession of drugs and drug equipment and trafficking meth. Shes being held in the Alachua County jail in lieu of a $67,000 bond. Contact Jessica Curbelo at jcurbelo@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @jesscurbelo Palto Designed to Incentivize Users and Increase User Activity and Retention Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2018) -Hello Pal International Inc. (CSE:HP) (FSE: 27H) (OTC Pink: HLLPF) ("Hello Pal" or the "Company"), a provider of rapidly growing international social messaging, language learning and travel mobile apps based on blockchain technology, is pleased to announce that, along with the release of Hello Pal version 5.2, it has launched its own proprietary blockchain-based tokens to users on its established Hello Pal platform. The token, named "Palto" ("PLT"), forms a crucial part of the Company's strategy to create a thriving ecosystem that spans across the Hello Pal platform that currently houses its three main apps, Hello Pal, Travel Pal and Language Pal, and has over 3.5 million registered users spread across 200 countries and territories. In the latest Hello Pal release, Hello Pal users will earn Palto's for specific actions in the Hello Pal ecosystem such as creating popular Moments postings and helping other users learn new languages. Over time, there will be increasingly more opportunities for users to earn Paltos, including through the companion apps Travel Pal and Language Pal. Hello Pal users will earn Palto's through the use of the Hello Pal platform and cannot currently purchase Palto's from Hello Pal. The launch of Palto's follows the Company's recent release of the proprietary digital wallet feature on the Hello Pal app. Paltos earned by users will be automatically stored securely in their Hello Pal digital wallet alongside other select established blockchain-enabled digital currencies that the user may have, such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). "With the latest release, we are now able to directly reward our users for their contributions to the Hello Pal platform," said KL Wong, Founder and CEO of Hello Pal. "This will allow us to incentivize user behavior to create a better user experience for all users, and at the same time greatly improve user activity and user retention." Palto, as a decentralized store of value, also allows users to directly pay other users with Paltos who help them with their various needs, and at the same time allow users to be remunerated in Paltos from other users for their efforts in helping to fulfil those users' needs. The possible use cases for payments between users on the Hello Pal platform currently cover social, language learning and travel offered in the Company's existing apps. "There are already innumerable use cases requiring payments between users just in the social, travel and language learning sectors alone, but we see this expanding in the future to include translation, games, consultancy, freelancing and more," said Mr. Wong. "The use cases will be limited by our users' needs, which will only continue to evolve and expand over time." Apart from enabling the transfer of value between users, Paltos will also play a key role in the Company's efforts to build an expansive ecosystem consisting of multiple parties such as users, developers, service providers, publishers, advertisers, and other participants. Ecosystem activity will be fueled through the earning, consumption and transfer of Paltos by ecosystem participants across the Hello Pal platform. Paltos are ERC20-compliant tokens issued through the popular Ethereum blockchain. They are currently only available to users of the Hello Pal Platform, and are intended solely for use on the Hello Pal Platform. To download Hello Pal, Language Pal, Travel Pal or the proprietary Phrasebooks please visit the IOS or Android store. For information with respect to the Company or the contents of this news release, please contact the Company at (604) 683-0911 or visit the website at hellopal.com. Email inquiries can be directed to: investors@hellopal.com. To view a demo of the Hello Pal app please follow this link: Hello Pal Demonstration To view a demo of the Travel Pal app please follow this link: Travel Pal Demonstration About the Hello Pal Platform The Hello Pal Platform is a proprietary suite of mobile applications built on a user-friendly blockchain based messaging interface that focus on social interaction, language learning and travel. Hello Pal, has been designed from the ground up to be easy to use and enables users' the freedom to speak in their own language regardless of the other person's language they are speaking to. Hello Pal's overriding mission is to bring the world closer together through social interaction, language learning and travel. By creating a platform where it is easy to instantly interact with others around the world and giving them the tools to communicate with each other in a joyful and fun way, we hope to do our part (however small) in fostering understanding and tolerance between all citizens of the world. The Hello Pal platform also includes a proprietary digital wallet allowing users to store and transfer popular digital assets and tokens, including Bitcoin and Ether, based on blockchain technology. Hello Pal was the first app released to the public and experienced rapid growth building a diverse and active global user base. Travel Pal and Language Pal are the first and second companion apps to launch. Both apps benefit immensely from the existing and ever expanding globally based group of users. Each new app will launch with this established rapidly growing user base accelerating their adoption. Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Hello Pal cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Hello Pal's control. Such risks and uncertainties are described in Hello Pal's Listing Statement dated May 10, 2016 available on www.cnsx.ca. Accordingly, actual, and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Hello Pal undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. THE CSE HAS NEITHER APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UK / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / MDNA Life Sciences Inc. (MDNA), the molecular diagnostics company revolutionizing the development of liquid biopsy biomarkers based on the mitochondrial genome, announced today the that the Mitomic Prostate Test (MPT) is ready for release in the UK. Developed at MDNA's research facility in Newcastle upon Tyne, MPT is a liquid biopsy test optimized for the early detection of prostate cancer in advance of biopsy and is independent of PSA and age. The unrivalled accuracy of the MDNA biomarker has been illustrated in the results of a clinical study carried out in collaboration with Cambridge University that were published in the World Journal of Urology earlier in the year. The study - "A single mitochondrial DNA deletion accurately detects significant prostate cancer in men in the PSA 'grey zone'" - can be seen at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00345-017-2152-z.) MPT is designed for testing men with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer to determine who is likely to have clinically significant cancer that may benefit from immediate intervention. This represents a major advance on the current standard of care for prostate cancer screening which relies greatly on PSA levels, which are widely acknowledged as being unreliable, and results in many men being erroneously referred for prostate biopsy. MPT has 92% sensitivity - which is the measure of accuracy in detecting the presence of cancer and therefore giving more confidence to a decision to proceed to biopsy - and a negative predictive value approaching 100% - which is the measure of accuracy for identifying patients in whom there is an absence of significant cancer and who therefore can safely delay or forego biopsy altogether. The test will be carried out using MDNA's proprietary CE-IVD kit. MPT is the world's first non-PSA linked test to be made available in real-time PCR kit format and delivers unparalleled performance in the early detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. The kit is designed for use with real-time PCR platforms that are widely used in clinical laboratories throughout the world. Each kit contains all necessary reagents to process up to 21 patient samples at a time using a quick and simple workflow. Available initially by GP referral, the ultimate goal is that the test should be offered through the NHS as a screening test to reap maximum benefits for patients from early detection and to achieve significant cost savings from elimination of unnecessary biopsies. "Given the Prime Minister's announcement last week about the initiative to improve early diagnosis of cancer, the launch of the Mitomic Prostate Test is very timely. We are confident that our test will bring significant advances to the effective diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in the UK," said Harry Smart, Chairman of MDNA Life Sciences. "Preparation for the launch of the test through our distribution partner in the UK is currently underway." About MDNA Life Sciences Inc. MDNA Life Sciences, Inc. - www.mdnalifesciences.com - is leading the development of molecular diagnostic tests using its proprietary Mitomic Technology platform that exploits the unique biological characteristics of mitochondrial DNA. This innovative platform is a highly effective system for biomarker discovery, early disease detection, monitoring, risk assessment and therapeutic targeting. It has led to the discovery of numerous novel and proprietary biomarkers for a multitude of cancers and other diseases. MDNA is a participant in the Re-IMAGINE project funded by the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK under the Chairmanship of Professor Mark Emberton, Dean of Medical Sciences at University College London. The project will combine the underlying molecular changes in the cancer with state-of-the-art imaging. This will allow the prediction of prostate cancer status for the individual (low, medium or high risk) without recourse to biopsy. It will also allow prediction of which prostate cancers are likely to progress over time and which are not, this has largely eluded scientist so far. By doing so, men will be subject to fewer but better biopsies, improved risk stratification, appropriate treatment allocation, more benefit, less harm and more cost-effective care. This will allow the prediction of prostate cancer status for the individual (low, medium or high risk) without recourse to biopsy. MDNA is applying its expertise in mitochondrial genomics to develop an extensive and proprietary portfolio of blood-based molecular tests for conditions that are currently dependent on poor or absent screening tests or invasive procedures for detection. Following the successful development of the prostate test, work on a test for endometriosis is at an advanced stage and work on a test for ovarian cancer is under way. Biomarkers have been identified for other cancers such as lung, testicular, breast, uterine, cervical, bladder, colorectal, and melanoma. Link to intro video: https://youtu.be/vPaBP41LXN0 For further information please contact: Harry Smart 07768 333 371 h.smart@mdnalifesciences.com SOURCE: MDNA Life Sciences Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513650/MDNA-Life-Sciences-Announces-Release-of-New-Blood-Test-for-Prostate-Cancer-in-the-UK 2018 Nine Month Sales 09 Oct 2018 Sustained good performance Business performance In the first nine months of 2018 Givaudan recorded sales of CHF 4,073 million, an increase of 5.7% on a like-for-like1 basis and 8.4% in Swiss francs. Fragrance Division sales were CHF 1,878 million, an increase of 6.6% on a like-for-like1 basis and an increase of 7.9% in Swiss Francs. Flavour Division sales were CHF 2,195 million, an increase of 4.8% on a like-for-like1 basis and an increase of 8.8% in Swiss Francs. Givaudan has included the sales of Naturex from 1 September 2018, with sales of CHF 35 million in the Flavour Division and CHF 1 million in the Fragrance Division. Givaudan continued the year with good business momentum and with the project pipeline and win rates sustained at a high level. This good growth was achieved across all product segments and geographies, with our key strategic focus areas on Naturals, Health and well-being, Active Beauty, Integrated solutions and local and regional customers delivering strong growth, complemented by the recent acquisitions. The Company continues to implement price increases in collaboration with its customers to compensate for the increases in input costs. The Company's 2020 ambition is to create further value through profitable, responsible growth. Building on the first two years of this strategic cycle in 2016 and 2017, Givaudan's 2020 ambition is built on the three strategic pillars of 'Growing with our customers', 'Delivering with excellence' and 'Partnering for shared success'. As part of the Company's 2020 strategy, Givaudan also seeks to create value through targeted acquisitions, which complement existing capabilities in providing winning solutions for our customers. Since 2014 Givaudan has completed eight acquisitions, which are fully in line with the growth pillars within the Company's 2020 strategy. Ambitious financial targets are a fundamental part of Givaudan's strategy. We aim to outpace the market with 4-5% sales growth and a free cash flow of 12-17% of sales, both measured as an average over the five-year period of our strategy cycle. It is Givaudan's intention to maintain its current dividend practice as part of this ambition. Sales performance January to September 2018 in millions of Swiss francs 2017 Sales LFL1 Acquisition impact* Currency 2018 sales Change % LFL1 In CHF Group 3,757 212 113 -9 4,073 5.7% 8.4% Fragrance 1,740 115 28 -5 1,878 6.6% 7.9% Flavour 2,017 97 85 -4 2,195 4.8% 8.8% July to September 2018 in millions of Swiss francs 2017 Sales LFL1 Acquisition impact* Currency 2018 sales Change % LFL1 In CHF Group 1,274 73 71 -19 1,399 5.7% 9.8% Fragrance 603 41 21 -10 655 6.8% 8.7% Flavour 671 32 50 -9 744 4.7% 10.9% * Vika acquired September 2017, Centroflora Nutra in May 2018, Expressions Parfumees in June 2018, and Naturex in September 2018 Sales evolution by market January to September 2018 in millions of Swiss francs 2018 sales 2017 sales Change % in CHF LFL1 Mature markets 2,343 2,143 9.5% 4.0% High growth markets 1,730 1,614 7.0% 7.8% Fragrance Division Fragrance Division sales were CHF 1,878 million for the first nine months of 2018, an increase of 6.6% on a like-for-like1 basis and an increase of 7.9% in Swiss francs over 2017. Expressions Parfumees, acquired in June 2018 contributed CHF 27 million of sales and Naturex, acquired in September 2018, contributed CHF 1 million. Total sales of Fragrance compounds (Fine Fragrances and Consumer Products combined) increased by 6.6% on a like-for-like1 basis. In Swiss francs, sales of compounds increased by 7.8% to CHF 1,633 million from CHF 1,515 million in 2017. Fine Fragrances Fine Fragrances sales increased by 11.9% on a like-for-like1 basis as a result of strong growth in all regions. These results were driven by sustained high levels of new business wins and volume growth on established business at key customers. Consumer Products Consumer Products sales increased 5.2% on a like-for-like1 basis with balanced growth across all customer groups and geographies. On a regional basis, in Latin America all product segments contributed to the growth, with local and regional customers in the region recording double-digit growth. Asia delivered solid growth driven by all customer groups, product segments and across all sub-regions, with South Asia growing at double-digit levels. In Europe, Africa and Middle East, the solid sales increase was driven by all customer groups with local and regional customers recording double-digit growth. All sub-regions contributed to the strong performance with Africa and the Middle East growing double-digit. Sales in North America decreased, largely due to a sales decline with international customers in the fabric care segment, whilst local and regional customers performed well and recorded good growth. On a product segment basis, all segments contributed to the sales growth led by Home Care, Fabric Care, Oral Care and Personal Care. Fragrance Ingredients and Active Beauty Sales of Fragrance Ingredients and Active Beauty increased by 6.9% on a like-for-like1 basis. Active Beauty sales continued to grow double-digit driven mainly by the strong performance of local and regional customers. Fragrance Ingredients experienced good growth in the first nine months compared to 2017. Flavour Division The Flavour Division reported sales of CHF 2,195 million, a growth of 4.8% on a like-for-like1 basis and an increase of 8.8% in Swiss francs. Centroflora Nutra, acquired in May 2018, contributed CHF 6 million of sales and Naturex, acquired in September 2018, contributed CHF 35 million. The sales performance was driven by new wins and strong business momentum across all regions. In the key strategic focus areas of the 2020 strategy, sales increased at double-digit levels in health and well-being and in high single digits in naturals. From a segment perspective Beverages, Dairy, Sweet Goods and Snacks all contributed to the positive sales performance. Asia Pacific Sales in Asia Pacific increased by 5.7% on a like-for-like1 basis. In the high growth markets, India and Thailand delivered double-digit growth followed by strong growth in China and Indonesia. In the mature markets, Singapore achieved double-digit growth and Japan delivered a positive performance. Local and regional customers continued to grow strongly across the region, whilst from a segment perspective, all segments contributed significantly to the overall growth led by Beverages, Dairy, Sweet Goods and Snacks. Europe, Africa and the Middle East Sales in Europe, Africa and Middle East increased by 4.3% on a like-for-like1 basis. Good growth was achieved across the mature markets of Western Europe and in the high growth markets of Central and Eastern Europe, led by double-digit growth in Russia, Ukraine and Greece and good single-digit growth in Poland and Turkey. In Africa and the Middle East, Egypt and South Africa contributed positively to the regional performance which was offset by more challenging market conditions across the Middle East and Nigeria. All segments contributed positively to the growth performance. North America Sales in North America increased by 2.1% on a like-for-like1 basis against a strong comparable in 2017. The performance was a result of new wins and the growth of existing business in Beverages, Dairy and Sweet Goods. Latin America Sales in Latin America increased 13.5% on a like-for-like1 basis across all markets and segments in the region. There was strong double-digit growth led by Brazil, supported by the improved economic situation, as well as continued good sales momentum in Argentina, Mexico and Columbia. 1. Like-for-like (LFL) excludes the impact of currency, acquisitions and disposals For further information please contact: Peter Wullschleger, Givaudan Media and Investor Relations T +41 22 780 9093 Epeter_b.wullschleger@givaudan.com LONDON, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- International NGO founded by Dr. Jane Goodall raises awareness to protect species from trafficking With the imminent publication of Horizon Scan, a ground-breaking report that, for the first time, identifies and prioritizes the most urgent issues fueling wildlife trafficking, and as delegates gather for the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in London, UK, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) announces the launch of the ForeverWild campaign to help end trafficking of endangered species, many on the brink of extinction. Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist and ethologist, says: "Without a concerted global effort to stop trafficking, primates and other wildlife will be gone for good. My hope is that we can work together and end one of the most dangerous threats to the survival of chimpanzees, elephants, rhinos, and many other animals for whom, like us, this planet is their only home." JGI's Zara Bending, a legal expert in wildlife trafficking, is a contributor to both Horizon Scan and JGI Australia's campaign to end the domestic trade in ivory and rhino horn. "Wildlife trafficking is a global problem that demands a global response," says Bending. "There are actions everyone can take to turn the tide and put an end to the illegal wildlife trade. It starts with becoming informed and advocating for better law enforcement while eliminating demand for trafficked animals and animal parts." According to the most up-to-date analysis, as reported in Horizon Scan, emerging issues to watch closely range from rapid growth in urbanization in many African countries to increasingly active trading in endangered species through online platforms. The ongoing migration of rural populations to urban centers has caused demand for bushmeat (wild animals including endangered chimpanzees sold as meat) to spike. At the same time, monitoring the global online sales of exotic pets and animal parts poses new challenges which must be addressed. JGI is pushing back against wildlife crime on several fronts. JGI has contributed to the development of new facial recognition software to counter online marketing of great apes. JGI also operates one of Africa's largest chimpanzee sanctuaries where 138 rescued chimpanzees are protected and cared for under conditions that most closely mimic a natural life in the wild. Providing sanctuary for chimpanzees that have been victims of trafficking is pivotal to ending the practice. Enforcement agencies can only be effective if there is a safe place to bring confiscated animals. Simultaneously, JGI is actively collaborating with local communities to educate people on how and why to protect great apes from the threat of illegal trade. Through the ForeverWild (#4EverWild) campaign, the Jane Goodall Institute aims to raise awareness of the urgency with which we must end wildlife crime. In addition to JGI's multiple approaches to stopping trafficking of chimpanzees, local JGI chapters around the world are engaged in efforts to save region-specific wildlife by reducing demand for exotic pets and animal parts, changing government policies, and public engagement activities. Patrick van Veen, Chair of JGI Global, says: "The Jane Goodall Institute is in a unique position in that we can use our world-wide network to fight illegal trade of great apes and other wildlife in many places and in many ways whether it's reducing demand or supporting sustainable alternatives for income generation. If we come together we can still secure a future where wild animals can live safely in the wild." About the Jane Goodall Institute: The mission of the Jane Goodall Institute is to understand and protect chimpanzees, other great apes and their habitats, and to work towards creating an informed and compassionate multitude who will help create a better world for people, other animals and our shared environment. about the ForeverWild campaign and the Jane Goodall Institute contact: Erika Helms: erika.helms@janegoodall.global; +44-07410411586; Victoria Foote: Victoria@janegoodall.ca; +1-647-290-9384 Innovative Duco platform to help support Societe Generale's focus on reinventing its operations functions to provide better insights, enhance customer service and improve data governance. Duco, the enterprise software as a service (SaaS) company today announced an agreement with Societe Generale, the French bank and global provider of financial services to deploy Duco's platform across the group as one of its primary reconciliation and data control systems. Societe Generale will use Duco's innovative platform to automate key reconciliation processes across all business areas, dramatically improving efficiency compared to legacy systems and spreadsheet-based processes. Societe Generale will also use Duco's API to provide external reconciliation services to its clients in its capital markets business, adding value to its trade execution and clearing services. Estelle Letribot, Global Head of Reconciliation Post Trade in Societe Generale Global Banking and Investor Solutions, said, "Innovation and digital transformation are core to Societe Generale's strategy, both internally and for our clients. By working with Duco, we have an opportunity to reinvent our operations, introducing agility, automation and machine learning in a function that has traditionally proved very expensive and time consuming." Cristobal Conde, Duco advisor and former CEO of SunGard, adds, "This is the first time in more than a decade that a new reconciliation model for financial services firms is emerging and being put to use in a core, mission critical function. The transformation of the reconciliation process from installed point solutions towards Software as a Service and more intelligent user-driven controls is proving compelling from a cost and risk perspective, and is gathering pace." Christian Nentwich, CEO of Duco, said, "The advantages of SaaS and self-service solutions in the reconciliation space are clear and we are glad that Societe Generale shares our vision. With machine learning and cloud-based delivery models now ready for prime time, the industry is rapidly going through a major transformation towards agile services like Duco that mutualise cost and remove unnecessary manual work." About Duco Duco's mission is to make managing data easy. Financial services firms rely on us to reduce costs and dramatically improve efficiency in reconciliation and other data integrity tasks. Our self-service, cloud-based tools empower users to aggregate, normalise and reconcile any type of data on demand. Customers are live in 24 hours, with results in 7 days and tangible business value in 30 days. Headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Luxembourg, Edinburgh, Wroclaw and Singapore, Duco's customers include global banks, brokers, asset managers, exchanges and middle and back office outsourcers. For more information go to www.du.co View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181008005436/en/ Contacts: Duco Chris Peacock press@du.co +44 (0)20 3111 9294 GUILDFORD, SURREY / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / ANGLE plc (OTCQX: ANPCY) (AIM: AGL), a world-leading liquid biopsy company, announces that its AGM will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday 30 October 2018 at ANGLE plc, 10 Nugent Road, the Surrey Research Park, Guildford, GU2 7AF. The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 April 2018, posted to shareholders on 8 October 2018, together with the Notice of the Company's Annual General Meeting ("AGM") are available for download on the Company's website, www.angleplc.com. For further information about ANGLE: ANGLE plc +44 (0) 1483 343434 Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Finance Director finnCap Ltd (NOMAD and Joint Broker) Corporate Finance - Carl Holmes, Simon Hicks, Max Bullen-Smith ECM - Alice Lane +44 (0)20 7220 0500 WG Partners (Joint Broker) Nigel Barnes, Nigel Birks, Andrew Craig, Chris Lee +44 (0) 203 705 9330 FTI Consulting Simon Conway, Mo Noonan, Stephanie Cuthbert Matthew Ventimiglia (US) +44 (0) 203 727 1000 +1 212 850 5612 For Frequently Used Terms, please see the Company's website on http://www.angleplc.com/the-parsortix-system/glossary/ Notes for Editors About ANGLE plc www.angleplc.com ANGLE is a world leading liquid biopsy company with sample to answer solutions. ANGLE's proven patent protected platforms include an epitope-independent circulating tumor cell (CTC) harvesting technology and a downstream analysis system for cost effective, highly multiplexed analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. ANGLE's cell separation technology is called the ParsortixTM system and it enables a liquid biopsy (simple blood test) to be used to provide the cells of interest. Parsortix is the subject of granted patents in Europe, the United States, Canada, India, China, Japan and Australia and three extensive families of patents are being progressed worldwide. The system is based on a microfluidic device that captures live cells based on a combination of their size and compressibility. The Parsortix system has a CE Mark for Europe and FDA clearance is in process for the United States. ANGLE's analysis technology for proteins and nucleic acids of all types is called Ziplex and is based on a patented flow through array technology. It provides for highly multiplexed, rapid and sensitive capture of targets from a wide variety of sample types. A proprietary chemistry allows for the capture and amplification of over 100 biomarkers simultaneously in a single reaction. These technologies can be combined to provide fully automated, sample to answer results in both centralised laboratory and point of use cartridge formats. It is ideal for measuring gene expression and other markers directly from Parsortix harvests. ANGLE has established formal collaborations with world-class cancer centres. These Key Opinion Leaders are working to identify applications with medical utility (clear benefit to patients), and to secure clinical data that demonstrates that utility in patient studies. Details are available here http://www.angleplc.com/the-company/collaborators/ SOURCE: ANGLE plc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513668/ANGLE-plc-Announces-Notice-of-AGM Transformational acquisition advances Therachon's mission to develop best-in-disease therapies BASEL, Switzerland, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Therachon AG ("Therachon"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on treating root causes of rare conditions, today announced the acquisition of GLyPharma Therapeutic Inc. ("GLyPharma") for an undisclosed amount. This transformational deal marks Therachon's evolution to a multi-asset rare disease company by adding apraglutide (FE 203799), a next-generation synthetic GLP-2 analog targeting short bowel syndrome (SBS) and other devastating rare G.I. diseases. The transaction comes on the heels of a $60 million mezzanine financing led by Novo Holdings. "Expanding our pipeline with this new asset supports our mission of harnessing internal and external scientific innovation to make a difference in the lives of people living with serious rare conditions," said Luca Santarelli, M.D., chief executive officer at Therachon. "Like achondroplasia, our other area of focus, people living with SBS have significant unmet medical needs. We believe apraglutide offers a potential best-in-class profile for efficacy, as well as a favorable dosing regimen and improved tolerability compared with other GLP-2 analogs." Under the agreement, Therachon has acquired the exclusive development and commercialization rights to apraglutide, originally discovered by Ferring Pharmaceuticals ("Ferring") and exclusively licensed to GLyPharma in 2012. "This is an exciting time for Therachon as we continue to identify and advance best-in-disease therapies for rare conditions with significant unmet medical need through both internal R&D and selected acquisitions," said Behrad Derakhshan, Ph.D., head of business development. About Short Bowel Syndrome Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) results from extensive intestinal resection due to chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), acute events (e.g. mesenteric infarction) or congenital abnormalities. An estimated 20,000-40,000 patients are thought to suffer from SBS in the US and Europe. Intestinal failure (IF), a common and debilitating consequence of SBS, occurs when less than 200 cm of functional intestine remains following surgical resection. It is a life-threatening complication characterized by malabsorption and malnutrition, infections, blood clots and poor quality of life. Affected individuals are dependent on daily parenteral support, sometimes requiring up to 16 hrs of parenteral feeding per day. About Apraglutide (FE 203799) Apraglutide is a next-generation, synthetic GLP-2 analog that has undergone extensive preclinical characterization and optimization. It has successfully completed a Phase 1 single ascending dose/multiple ascending dose trials in healthy volunteers demonstrating a superior pharmacokinetic (PK) profile that affords an easy to use, once-weekly dosing regimen and is currently being investigated in two Phase 2 studies in SBS. About Therachon Therachon is a clinical-stage global biotechnology company focused on developing medicines for rare conditions with significant unmet medical need. The company is pursuing programs in rare conditions with well characterized biological root causes in both short bowel syndrome (SBS) and achondroplasia. Therachon is committed to making a difference in the lives of patients living with serious rare disorders. For more information, please visit www.therachon.com. About GLyPharma Until this transaction, GLyPharma was a Montreal-based Canadian Controlled Private Corporation funded by CTI Life Sciences Fund (CTILSF), a Montreal-based private VC Fund, Ferring and Fonds de solidarite FTQ, a Quebec-based labor-sponsored Fund. GLyPharma has been a project-focused, quasi-virtual company managed by CTILSF in partnership with Ferring and committed to developing innovative products through Phase 2. Visit us on Twitter. Visit us on LinkedIn. Media Contact Morgan Warners mwarners@gpg.com +1 (202) 337-0808 OR Danielle Cantey dcantey@gpg.com +1 (202) 337-0808 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/755223/Therachon_Logo.jpg - Itiviti FX combines rich out-of-the-box FX trading capabilities with flexible customization options. - Enables technology consolidation and cross-asset trading strategies. - Designed to fit into existing trading infrastructure. STOCKHOLM, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Itiviti, the leading global provider of multi-asset trading technology and financial infrastructure, today introduced Itiviti FX, a comprehensive foreign exchange trading solution built for today's dynamic FX market landscape and designed for compliance with the latest regulatory requirements including MiFID II. Using a modular, app-based architecture Itiviti FX combines rich out-of-the-box FX trading capabilities with outstanding flexibility, enabling highly scalable and easily customized solutions. It offers rich cross-asset trading functionality, including algorithmic trading, distribution service, order and pre-trade risk. It also features a liquidity aggregation service which allows for mixing of different types of liquidity from multiple sources. The pricing engine supports maintaining different pools of liquidity, synthetic pricing and a rich set of parameters for sales margin and other fees. Itiviti FX presents a consolidated FX market view to help traders manage the complexities introduced by market fragmentation. Trading logic is complemented by configurable connectivity for quickly adding new venues and liquidity sources. Itiviti FX comes with broad range of connectivity options to FX liquidity providers and platforms, including FIX, ITCH, OUCH and other binary feeds. "When defining and developing Itiviti FX, we have recognized the client needs for a fully featured yet easily deployed FX trading solution," says Jens Persson, Senior Product Manager, Itiviti. "It offers packaged functionality which covers a broad range of use cases, while the logic is also extendable to meet specific client requirements, by means of custom algorithms, integration and consolidation of trading technology." Itiviti FX combines a front end based on the Tbricks by Itiviti trading platform with Catalys by Itiviti, a flexible and versatile ecosystem for industry-standard FIX connectivity. This resilient and transparent low-latency technology base offers extreme scalability where performance is critical. It also facilitates customization and systems integration. All business logic is available through an open, documented API and Itiviti offers an extensive toolkit for developing custom algorithms. These may also involve Itiviti's multi-asset capabilities with crossover to equity trading, brokerage, order management, systematic internalization and more. SEB, a leading Nordic financial services group, is an early adopter of Itiviti FX. The bank has implemented the solution for its global eFX business to handle market-making in FX, automation and risk management of customer order flow. The solution includes gateway access supporting market data and order/trade capabilities to liquidity providers and venues. "We are implementing Itiviti FX in multiple phases to consolidate trading systems and technology resources. This will result in significant value from synergies and improved ability to respond to market and client demands," says Svante Hedin, Co-Head of Trading, SEB Markets. "We will be able to apply the same skill set and technology experience for all electronically traded asset classes and to streamline workflows. The solution also brings business benefits, most notably a faster time to market when adding proprietary functionality and trading venue coverage. We also rely on Itiviti's platform for our algorithm development, implementing strategies for market-making, risk management and execution. The platform will become a cornerstone in our future algo trading strategy." Itiviti FX feature summary: Market-making apps for risk management on net currency basis as well as automatic flow optimization and event protection features. Pricing and matching engine for price construction into pools of liquidity that can be distributed to clients according to pre-configured rules. Market connectivity for price distribution, sourcing of market data, and execution. Client management tools and a rich sales margin/fee module. Pricing of different instruments including swaps in addition to synthetic pricing of inverses, crosses and forwards. Built-in pre-trade risk limit system, allowing users to evaluate credit and restrict trade requests. Efficient packaged algorithms for automated order execution capabilities, for stand-alone use or as building blocks in complex proprietary strategies. Open and extendible framework with a rich API allowing for extensions of packaged features and implementation of proprietary functions. For further information, please contact: Richard Bentley, CPO, Itiviti, Tel: +44 20 7743 7223, Email: richard.bentley@ullink.com Jens Persson, Senior Product Manager, Itiviti, Tel. +46 739 01 02 10, Email: jens.persson@itiviti.com Christine Blinke, Chief Marketing Officer, Itiviti, Tel. +46 739 01 02 01, Email: Christine.blinke@itiviti.com About Itiviti Itiviti is a market-leading global provider of multi-asset trading technology and financial infrastructure solutions for buy-side and sell-side market participants, including NYFIX, one of the industry's largest FIX-based trading communities. Serving around 2,000 clients worldwide, we provide consistent, reliable access to the most up-to-date and innovative order routing, connectivity and trading solutions available. Top-tier trading firms, banks, brokers, exchanges and institutional investors rely on our technology, solutions and expertise to streamline their daily operations, connect to their desired markets, and trade when and where they want. All while being able to comply with global regulation. With global offices in 18 locations covering all major financial centers the merger of Itiviti and ULLINK in March 2018 created a full-service technology and infrastructure provider, covering all asset classes, geographies and regulatory landscapes. For more information, please visit www.itiviti.com. Itiviti is owned by Nordic Capital This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/itiviti-group-ab/r/itiviti-introduces-packaged-fx-trading-solution,c2638713 The following files are available for download: Templeton Rye is the first supplier to partner with MHW in Europe MHW, Ltd., the leading service provider for wine, beer, cider and spirits in the U.S., has announced a significant international business expansion. Effective immediately, the company will offer U.S. and international beverage alcohol companies a model to build their export business to Europe, with other world regions to follow. As part of their global expansion, MHW has also announced that craft spirits leader, Templeton Rye, will be the first major brand distributed to European markets through their new service platform. "We are delighted that Templeton Rye, an industry leader, chose MHW to efficiently realize their export goals through one seamless business solution that maximizes brand control and market opportunity from day one," says Gabe Barkley, Chief Executive Officer of MHW, Ltd. John Beaudette, President of MHW, Ltd. continues, "There is a growing demand for U.S. craft products in Europe that we are now able to serve with a depth of distribution and reach that has been previously unavailable to producers without substantial investment. Our goal is to become a trusted advisor for brands looking to enter European markets by leveraging the practices that have driven decades of success in the U.S." Since 1995, MHW has consistently paved the way in uncovering new opportunities and designing innovative business solutions. MHW, a nationally licensed importer and distributor, serves over 350 wine, spirits and beer clients in the U.S. sourced from over 80 different countries, representing annual volumes between 100 and 1,000,000 cases sold. The key aspects of MHW's European service leverage decades of operational expertise, including: (1) a seamless transition for brands looking to grow their exports; (2) a cost-effective model for market entry that can be customized to one or many countries; and (3) the ability to build a European business infrastructure with one single service provider and no back office employee overhead. "Templeton Rye is delighted to enter European markets for the first time in partnership with MHW," says Shane Fitzharris, Executive Vice President of Global Sales for Templeton Rye. "We're seeing unprecedented demand for Templeton Rye Whiskey internationally and we're able to focus on brand-building for our European consumers while MHW facilitates the critical operational support we need to succeed." In addition to their European agreement with MHW, Templeton Rye has also recently started exporting to Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and India with further plans to increase their international footprint in 2018 and 2019. The implementation of a global roll-out of the brand is supported by the opening of their new $35-million Templeton whiskey distillery in Iowa in August 2018. The MHW European platform will operate through a logistics hub in the Netherlands with additional expertise in the United Kingdom, and turnkey back-office support from over 100 professionals based in New York. Services include: compliance and European legislation consulting; customer service; operations support; and accounting, all supported by a best-in-class technology suite providing real-time business intelligence to clients. For more information, including management team interviews, please contact: Helen Gregory, helen@gregoryvine.com, and Natasja Mallory, natasja@gregoryvine.com. ABOUT MHW, Ltd. MHW, Ltd. is a nationally-licensed beverage alcohol importer, distributor, and service provider, leading the industry since 1934. With licenses in all 50 states, MHW is the preferred partner for established and aspiring brands in wine, spirits, and beer. MHW works with suppliers in over 80 countries, providing operations, logistics, compliance, sales distribution, marketing and new brand development for their clients. For more information, visit www.mhwltd.com. ABOUT TEMPLETON RYE Templeton Rye Whiskey tracks back to the early 1920s when residents of Templeton distilled a much sought-after rye whiskey. That bootlegging enterprise, forced underground during the Prohibition era, nonetheless flourished during that period. Today, the whiskey may be slightly different-instead of stills in basements and barns, the company has a modern, legal plant-but the entrepreneurial spirit remains true to Templeton's roots. On August 7, 2018, Templeton Rye Spirits, LLC marked the beginning of a new chapter, highlighting a rich history with the community they call home by the official opening of the Templeton Distillery in Iowa. The 34,500 square-foot distillery, a $35 million project, was a significant investment in the community of Templeton. Templeton Distillery Snapshot 55,000 square-foot barrel aging warehouse that can store up to 54,000 barrels Located on 20-acres of land just east of downtown Templeton Produces up to 500,000 proof gallons of rye whiskey annually Features stills imported from Scotland to produce the highest quality spirits 28 employees, up 17 positions from previous staffing needs Includes museum, visitor center and tasting room View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005078/en/ Contacts: Helen Gregory helen@gregoryvine.com or Natasja Mallory natasja@gregoryvine.com Belgium-based bpost bank has chosen Wolters Kluwer's Finance, Risk Reporting business to provide its regulatory reporting and AnaCredit software for its operations in the country. OneSumX Regulatory Reporting uses a single source of data to ensure consistency, reconciliation and accuracy and includes the firm's Regulatory Update Service. This unique service is maintained by Wolters Kluwer experts who actively monitor regulation in approximately 30 countries. AnaCredit is the European Central Bank project to set up a dataset containing detailed information on individual bank loans in the euro area, harmonized across all Member States. Wolters Kluwer's integrated, scalable OneSumX AnaCredit solution uses grid and in-memory computing to handle the large data volumes required by the extensive regulation. This enables faster processing time and a more flexible operational environment for end users. In-memory processing preserves data lineage at each functional stage enabling more transparent reporting and full confidence in the reporting process leading to lower risk of mis-reporting. "AnaCredit introduces a step-change in the amount of data that banks are required to report on and on such a frequent basis daily in some cases," noted Pierre-Aymar de Potter, Chief Financial Officer at bpost bank. "As a result we required an expert in the field to ensure we are comprehensively managing our AnaCredit and wider reporting obligations. Wolters Kluwer was the natural choice." "Wolters Kluwer is delighted to have been chosen by bpost bank to provide its AnaCredit and regulatory reporting software," commented Kris Van Bavel, Managing Director, EMEA, for Wolters Kluwer's Finance, Risk Reporting business. "We continue to add clients across Benelux and the rest of Europe and expect this trend to continue particularly due to AnaCredit." Wolters Kluwer's Finance, Risk Reporting business is a global market leader in the provision of integrated regulatory compliance and reporting solutions, supporting regulated financial institutions in meeting their obligations to external regulators and their own boards of directors. It receives frequent independent recognition of its excellence and innovation. Notably, in July 2018, Risk magazine awarded Wolters Kluwer its coveted Regulatory Reporting System of The Year Award and Central Banking magazine recently named OneSumX for Regulatory Reporting as Best Technology Solution For Regulatory Compliance. Chartis Research, meanwhile, has also named the firm a Category Leader in both its IFRS 9 Technology Solutions Report and CECL Report. About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk Compliance Governance, Risk Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, stay competitive and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance. Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2017 annual revenues of 4.4 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide. About bpost bank bpost bank was established in 1995 under the company 'Bank van De Post/Banque de La Poste'. It is an independent Belgian bank based on a unique partnership model. It is owned in equal parts (50-50) by bpost and BNP Paribas Fortis, and is managed by an independent executive board. bpost bank offers banking services to over 600,000 active customers in the Belgian retail banking market. In a financial world which is continually becoming more complex and unpredictable, we think our products and services should be simple, safe and accessible for everyone. That's why bpost bank continually strives to be an ever simpler and safer bank for everyone. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005139/en/ Contacts: Wolters Kluwer Paul Lyon, +44 20 3197 6586 Mobile: +44 77 6539 1824 Director of International Corporate Communications Governance, Risk Compliance Paul.Lyon@wolterskluwer.com Hurricane Michael may be a Category 3 storm when it makes landfall in Florida late Wednesday or early Thursday, meteorologists predict. Alachua County was declared a State of Emergency by Rick Scott in a tweet Monday morning. Senior UF administrators will later to discuss Wednesdays schedule, according to an email sent to students Monday night. An official update will be posted on the UF home page or on www.ufl.edu/alerts/michael.html by 11 a.m. Tuesday. Hurricane Michaels winds will strengthen up to 120 miles per hour as it moves north over the Gulf of Mexico, said Tony Hurt, a Tampa Bay National Weather Service meteorologist. Winds between 111 mph and 129 mph are considered Category 3, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is projected to hit west Florida coastal areas by 2 a.m. Thursday. Hurricane Michael is currently 485 miles south of Panama City, Florida. Hurt said the maximum amount of flooding currently expected will be in the Cedar Key area with six to nine feet later in the week. Hurt said Michaels track has not changed, but the intensity of the hurricane has increased. Hurt said Category 3 hurricanes and higher are called major hurricanes. Hurricane watches are in effect from the Suwannee River to the Florida-Alabama border. Tropical storm watches are in effect extending from the Suwannee River down to Anna Maria Island, Hurt said. Steve Orlando, a UF spokesperson, said the university has not decided to cancel classes this week. Hurricane Michael's path as of 10 p.m. on Monday. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now HONG KONG, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The JNA Jewellery Design Competition 2018/19 is now open for entries until November 30, 2018. To foster creativity and innovation in the jewellery industry, the competition intends to facilitate the development of fresh, exciting and progressive jewellery designs that are highly sought after by today's consumers. Sponsored by Crossfor Co Ltd, Platinum Guild International (PGI) and the Tahitian Pearl Association Hong Kong (TPAHK), the JNA Jewellery Design Competition recognises and celebrates excellence in jewellery design. The competition has three categories -- Dancing Stone, Platinum and Tahitian Pearl. Their respective themes are New Fashion Tech, Platinum Attitude and Asymmetric Perfection. Design talents are invited to reflect the specified theme while highlighting the respective materials' exceptional qualities. The competition is free to enter. There will be one champion and four merits in each category. All three champions will receive a US$2,000 cash prize and a trophy along with extensive international media coverage. In addition, winners will be entitled to a premium membership in DESIGN HUB, where designers can showcase their talents and creations to the industry at large. Submission of entries is from October 1 to November 30. There are three ways to submit your entries: Register NOW at http://www.jnadesigncompetition.com/en/enter; sign up through our official WeChat platform (wechat ID: JNAdesigncomp); or mail the completed form and design to UBM Asia Ltd, 17/F China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. About the Organiser JNA www.jewellerynet.com JNA is the flagship publication of UBM Asia's Jewellery Group. Launched in 1983, the highly acclaimed monthly trade magazine delivers the latest and most relevant market information on the international gem and jewellery industry. JNA's insightful reports provide true value that fosters synergies and yields business opportunities within the jewellery industry, while its features on design and its stylish showcases provide a glimpse of upcoming trends. JNA is owned by UBM Asia Ltd, which combined with Informa PLC in June 2018. UBM Asia is the largest trade show organiser in Asia and the largest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia. About the Sponsors Crossfor Co Ltd http://www.crossfor.com Established in 1987, Crossfor Co Ltd is the developer of the revolutionary Dancing Stone technology. Based in Kofu, Japan, the company set up its subsidiary, Crossfor HK Ltd, in 2007. In March 2011, it launched the patented Dancing Stone mechanism, which sets the centre gem in a semi-floating state to keep it moving incessantly. A leading innovator in the global jewellery industry, Crossfor successfully listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on July 20, 2017. Platinum Guild International http://www.platinumguild.com Founded in 1975, the Platinum Guild International (PGI) is a trade organisation supported by major South African platinum producers. It has specialist teams dedicated to developing demand for platinum jewellery through consumer and trade-facing programmes in the four key jewellery markets of China, India, Japan and the US. Tahitian Pearl Association Hong Kong www.tahitianpahk.com With the support of the Ministry of Perliculture of the French Polynesian government and GIE Perles de Tahiti, the Tahitian Pearl Association Hong Kong (TPAHK) was established on December 5, 2007. The TPAHK's mission is to consolidate the prestigious image of Tahitian cultured pearls and spread relevant information about the gem among industry players and consumers, thereby boosting the value of Tahitian pearls and facilitating market growth. Official Website http://www.jnadesigncompetition.com/ Social Media Facebook: JNAdesigncomp Instagram: jnadesigncompetition WeChat ID: JNAdesigncomp Weibo ID: JNAdesigncomp Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765648/JNA_Register.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765649/3_ways_to_register.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765650/JNADC.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/747905/UBM_Logo.jpg MONTREAL and LONDON, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- USD $3bn available to invest in sustainable, resilient businesses Strategy built on CDPQ and Generation ' s shared commitment to long term investing Theinvestment in FNZ, announced today, represents first transaction La Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec ("CDPQ") and Generation Investment Management LLP ("Generation") today announced a unique partnership for sustainable investing over the long term. The Partnership, which will combine the strengths of the two organisations, plans to invest an initial USD$3billion in investments with an 8-15 year duration. This is a much longer period than typical private equity investments and better suits the objectives of sustainable value creation to build successful long-term businesses. The CDPQ-Generation Partnership will target businesses with outstanding management teams and solid long-term growth prospects. These investments will be net positive for the environment, benefit society and in many cases will use technology as a key factor for driving change. David Blood, Senior Partner at Generation, said: "For nearly 15 years, Generation has worked to prove the business case for long-term sustainable investing across both listed and private equity markets. This partnership affords us the opportunity to deploy longer term capital, which truly embodies the concept of sustainable investing. This is not only an important stride in fulfilling our own mission at Generation, but one that we hope will catalyse a more sustainable form of investing in the capital markets." Michael Sabia, CEO of CDPQ, said: "This partnership is a natural match between two like-minded organizations. Sustainability begins with long-term involvement, which is why we made long-term investment the cornerstone of CDPQ-Generation. We both integrate ESG principles at the core of our investment strategies and believe they go hand-in-hand with attractive returns. We also have tremendous complementarity, as we bring together Generation's world-class equity research team with CDPQ's investment expertise and global network." John Bernstein, Partner at Generation, commented: "We are extremely impressed by the leadership CDPQ has shown to drive the long term sustainable investing agenda, which has been the mission behind Generation since its foundation in 2004. This Partnership will allow us to back larger private businesses and will help them to take a longer-term view in the way they build and back their own initiatives. It is an exciting development in the investment industry and gives a new option to entrepreneurs and asset owners who want a truly aligned partner." The first investment of the CDPQ-Generation Partnership, also announced today, is in FNZ. FNZ is a global FinTech firm, transforming the way financial institutions serve their wealth management customers. It partners with banks, insurers and asset managers to help consumers better achieve their financial goals. The CDPQ-Generation Partnership has acquired a majority stake in FNZ in a deal valuing the company at GBP1.65 billion (see transaction press release). Stephane Etroy, Executive Vice-President and Head of Private Equity at CDPQ, said: "We are delighted to be working with Generation, a pioneer in long-term sustainable investing, and we are proud to make FNZ the first investment of our new partnership. FNZ's core mission of improving engagement and lowering costs for long-term investors across all wealth segments, has significantly improved access, choice and transparency of long-term savings for all consumers. We also intend to work with FNZ to improve the ability of consumers to build sustainability into their investment decisions." About CDPQ Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at June 30, 2018, it held CA$308.3 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter @LaCDPQ or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages. About Generation Investment Management Generation is a sustainability-focused investment management firm, founded in 2004. It is an independent, private, owner-managed partnership with offices in London and San Francisco. Its approach to active investment management is focused on long-term performance and based on an investment process that fully integrates sustainability analysis into decision-making. It is dedicated to generating long-term success by investing in sustainable businesses that provide goods and services for a low-carbon, prosperous, equitable, healthy and safe society. As of June 30, 2018, Generation managed appx. US$20 billion of assets on behalf of professional investors globally. For further information, please contact: CDPQ Cesaltine Gregorio Senior Director, Global Media Relations +1-212-596-6314 +1-514-847-5493 medias@cdpq.com FNZ Brian Buckley / Eilis Murphy Brunswick +44-(0)20-7404-5959 bbuckley@brunswickgroup.com emurphy@brunswickgroup.com Generation Investment Management Richard Campbell CNC +44-(0)203-755-1601 +44-(0)7775-784-933 generation@cnc-communications.com Italian weather forecaster halves the time taken to undertake simulation models Verne Global, a provider of advanced data center solutions for high performance computing (HPC), today announced that Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo one of Europe's most innovative meteorological forecasting organisations will be utilising its HPC optimised bare-metal infrastructure solution, hpcDIRECT, to accelerate and improve the accuracy of its forecasting and data analytics capabilities. Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo provides bespoke forecasting and data simulation solutions to organisations operating in the agriculture, aviation, maritime, media, insurance, and energy industries. In 2017, when its in-house servers were nearing end-of-life, the Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo team began to explore alternative solutions to improve the speed and performance of increasingly compute-intensive applications while at the same time meet growing demand for its services. With concerns around the reliability of the local power grid in Milan, and with the rising cost of hosting applications in-house, the team decided to partner with a specialist HPC infrastructure solution provider. Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo first met with the Verne Global team at Meteorological Technology World Expo in 2016 and went on to choose Verne Global following a rigorous trial period when it moved live operational models to the data center campus in Iceland. During the trial, and with the help of Verne Global's team of HPC specialists, Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo halved the amount of time taken to process computer models. This, together with the ability to run more simulations at a higher resolution, delivering more detailed results, was a major determining factor in the company's decision to migrate all of its HPC workloads to Verne Global. "The trial results were immediate and impressive. Not only did Verne Global's infrastructure provide us with the compute power required to increase the throughput of our remote climatic visualisations and weather simulations, its team gave us invaluable advice on how to optimise our processes in order to extract the maximum performance from our applications," said Alessandro Perotto, project manager at Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo. "As we migrate all of our workloads to Verne Global's campus, we are confident that our customers will benefit from more detailed, accurate forecasts." hpcDIRECT provides a TrueHPC platform, comprising dedicated bare-metal servers in a highly optimised environment, supported by a team of HPC specialists. With this deployment, Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo will utilise HPC cores based on the latest Intel Xeon Gold Skylake Gold architecture, with specialist DevOps support for the lifetime of the project. "Verne Global provides us with the peace of mind that we have our own dedicated infrastructure that's optimised to meet our specific needs and backed-up by a team of real HPC experts, together with the flexibility and scalability that's usually only associated with cloud-based services," continued Perotto. "What's more, its precision-engineered data center appealed to us as scientists it felt like the right place to house our mission-critical applications and the trial results proved our hypothesis. Of course, as climate change researchers, Verne Global's access to 100 percent renewable energy was another vital factor in our decision." "The Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo team undertakes truly pioneering work. Not only does it provide empirical data about climate change and extreme weather phenomena, this information underpins an increasing number of machine learning deployments, which should improve the accuracy of future meteorological predictions," said Tate Cantrell, Chief Technology Officer at Verne Global. "We are delighted to play a part in this vital research." To learn more about Verne Global, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn and visit us online at www.verneglobal.com. ***** ENDS ***** About Verne Global Verne Global delivers advanced data center solutions at industrial scale, allowing high performance and intensive machine learning applications to operate in an optimized environment. Verne Global's hpcDIRECT platform provides customisable bare metal HPC on a reserved and on-demand basis, and is supported by a world class HPC technical team. About Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo Since 1995 Centro Epson Meteo Expert Meteo, has been a provider of a large variety of meteorological data and products, combining the work of highly qualified professionals in operational meteorology, broadcasting and solid scientific research and development. Science, reliability and innovation are the core values of the company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005045/en/ Contacts: Eleven Hundred Agency Michelle Edge Claire Ayles T: +44(0)20 7688 5202 E: michelle.edge@elevenhundredagency.com/ claire.ayles@elevenhundredagency.com GLASGOW, Scotland, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Rapidly growing managed services provider CommPoint IT has chosen iomart as its new cloud and connectivity enterprise solutions provider. CommPoint IT is an established provider of cloud computing, internet connectivity and VOIP telephony solutions based in the south east of England. From offices in London, Brighton and Guildford, it supports a wide range of organisations including local authorities, schools, colleges and small to medium businesses. It chose iomart because it wanted a new cloud partner that could supply its solutions from secure data centres located in the UK. Steven Jackson, Managing Director of CommPoint IT, explains: "We take care to select only the strongest partners who have a proven track record to help us support our customers. We wanted a new cloud and connectivity partner that hosts everything in secure UK data centres that it directly owns, and one that could supply its solutions at a good price point. iomart does all of this." CommPoint IT resells iomart's large portfolio of enterprise cloud services and connectivity solutions. Hosted servers can be provisioned within a matter of minutes and can be set up to be bespoke for each customer. Other services such as network, backup and Disaster Recovery are equally straight forward to implement for customers. Everything is backed up by strong Service Level Agreements and 24/7/365 technical support. Michael Ruddick, Channel Sales Manager for iomart, says: "CommPoint are a fast growing managed services provider and it's fantastic that they see the value of having iomart as their cloud partner to help them grow. Working with iomart helps CommPoint address the growing shift to as-a-Service in the market place, whilst allowing them to focus on strategically transforming their customers' ICT services." iomart is the most ISO accredited cloud provider in the UK. It owns and operates data centres at eight locations across the country from which it offers a wide range of cloud services. Steven Jackson adds: "Most of our customers are looking for hybrid solutions because they don't have the in-house expertise to manage cloud. With iomart behind us, we can meet their expectations." Read the full case study here. To find out more about iomart follow @iomart on Twitter. About iomart Group plc iomart Group Plc (AIM: IOM) helps organisations maximise the flexibility, cost effectiveness and security of the cloud. From strategy to delivery, our 300+ consultants and solutions architects provide the cloud expertise to transform your business. With a dynamic range of managed cloud services that integrate with the public clouds of AWS and Azure, our agnostic approach delivers solutions tailored to your exact needs. iomart is a long term supplier to G-Cloud and our infrastructure and cloud and backup services are designed to meet the requirements of the UK public sector. For further information visit www.iomart.com Contact: Jane Robertson PR Manager jane.robertson@iomart.com +44-(0)-141-931-6400 2018 Intralinks Annual M&A Leaks Report Indicates Increased Regulatory Scrutiny, Efforts to Prevent Market Abuse Having Desired Effect NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Intralinks, the world's leading virtual data room (VDR) provider, announced today that 8% of worldwide mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2017 were leaked prior to announcement, down from 8.6% of all such deals in 2016. The finding from the 2018 Intralinks Annual M&A Leaks Report, the analysis for which was conducted by the M&A Research Centre at Cass Business School, City, University of London, indicates increased efforts by financial services regulators worldwide to prevent market abuse are beginning to pay off. While the report found that the rate of deal leaks decreased in both the Americas and Europe in 2017, it increased in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to 10.8% of all deals, up from 9.7% of all deals the previous year. The percentage of leaked deals in Hong Kong more than doubled in 2017 to 20.8%, up from 10% in 2016. "While deal leaking decreased in both the Americas and Europe in 2017, the Asia-Pacific region continued to buck that trend, making APAC the region with the highest rate of deals leaks for the second consecutive year. This is probably a reflection of a combination of a greater cultural tolerance of deal leaking and a less well-developed regulatory and enforcement environment compared to Europe and North America," said Philip Whitchelo, Intralinks' vice president for strategic business development. "As markets globally continue to align their regulatory standards and increase their levels of enforcement, we can expect to see the downward trend in worldwide deal leaks to continue." The report also found that for the ten countries with the most M&A activity in 2017, the top three for deal leaks were Hong Kong, India and the U.S. Meanwhile, France, Germany and South Korea had no deal leaks. Hong Kong and Canada increased their rate of deal leaks over the previous year, while India, the U.S., Japan, Australia, the U.K., France, Germany and South Korea all reduced their rate of deal leaks in 2017. Other key findings include: In 2017, the Technology, Media and Telecoms sector saw the highest rate of deal leaks at 12.1%, followed closely by the Consumer sector (11.3%), and the Retail sector (11.1%). In 2017, leaked deals continued to have significantly higher takeover premiums (34.4%) compared to non-leaked deals (20.6%). The difference in the median takeover premium for leaked deals compared to non-leaked deals was US$7.7 million . . In 2017, the rate of rival bids for targets in leaked deals (1%) was lower than the rate of rival bids for non-leaked deals (4.4%) for the second consecutive year. In 2017, the completion success rate for leaked deals was marginally higher at 92% versus a 91% completion success rate for non-leaked deals. In 2017, leaked deals took 20% less time from announcement to completion than non-leaked deals. The 2018 Intralinks Annual M&A Leaks Report can be viewed at https://www.intralinks.com/insights/publication/2018-ma-leaks-report. About Intralinks Intralinks is a leading financial technology provider for the global banking, deal making and capital markets communities. As pioneers of the virtual data room, Intralinks enables and secures the flow of information facilitating strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and investor reporting. In its 22-year history Intralinks has earned the trust and business of more than 99 percent of the Fortune 1000 and has executed over US$34.7 trillion worth of financial transactions on its platform. For more information, visit www.intralinks.com. Trademarks and Copyright "Intralinks" and the Intralinks stylized logo are the registered trademarks of Intralinks, Inc. 2018 Intralinks, Inc. Media contact Jeff VanPelt jvanpelt@intralinks.com 1 (617) 574-5477 Optiv Security, the world's leading security solutions integrator, today announced it is continuing to accelerate its international growth strategy with the appointment of seasoned technology executive Andrzej Kawalec as director of strategy and technology, Europe. Kawalec, the final hire in the buildout of Optiv's European leadership team, will be responsible for Optiv's security strategy, service and technology architecture in the region. He will work with clients and partners to drive digital and cyber security transformation throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia (EMEA). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005187/en/ Andrzej Kawalec (Photo: Business Wire). Optiv began its expansion in Europe earlier this year to provide clients with worldwide expertise and experience to help them transform and simplify their cyber security programs. In Europe, Optiv will focus on helping clients with the critical challenges of identity, digital transformation and cyber operations. "Enterprise leaders today are overwhelmed with complexity in the cyber security landscape," said Simon Church, Optiv's general manager and executive vice president, Europe. "Optiv's unique approach allows company leadership to take a step back and view security as it pertains to greater corporate objectives. The focus on developing business-led cyber programs rather than reacting to external threats and vulnerabilities has proven to be a breath of fresh air in an ever-changing digital world. "Andrzej is an inspirational and creative leader who is widely recognized for his expertise in cyber security and digital change. A former CTO himself, he has a vast amount of experience working at the board-level across public and private sectors, helping to define and promote cyber security strategy. I am extremely pleased to welcome Andrzej to Optiv and excited about our trajectory and continued growth in Europe." Kawalec brings to his role with Optiv more than 20 years' experience with some of the world's largest companies. Most recently, as chief technology officer (CTO) and head of strategy and innovation at Vodafone, he led the company's enterprise vision of cyber security preparedness in the age of digital, mobile, cloud and IoT for more than 462 million users. He previously served as CTO and director of security research at Hewlett Packard (HP) where he was globally responsible for HP's enterprise security strategy, roadmap, research and development and market engagement. Prior to joining HP, Kawalec held a number of positions of increasing responsibility at companies such as Siemens, Compaq, Currie and Brown, Vistorm and EDS. "Cyber security is a global challenge that demands a global response," said Kawalec. "Organizations around the world are looking for insight and innovation to help them gain control of their security investments and posture. Optiv's unique approach to cyber security is designed to help public and private entities achieve radically simpler and stronger cyber security programs. With a dynamic and rapidly growing European team, I am looking forward to having an impact on the way we address cyber security challenges together." Follow Optiv Twitter: www.twitter.com/optiv LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/optiv-inc Facebook: www.facebook.com/optivinc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OptivInc Blog: www.optiv.com/resources/blog About Optiv Security Optiv helps clients plan, build and run successful cyber security programs that achieve business objectives through our depth and breadth of cyber security offerings, extensive capabilities and proven expertise in cyber security strategy, managed security services, incident response, risk and compliance, security consulting, training and support, integration and architecture services, and security technology. Optiv maintains premium partnerships with more than 350 of the leading security technology manufacturers. For more information, visit www.optiv.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005187/en/ Contacts: Optiv Security Brett Ater, 913-304-7683 brett.ater@optiv.com or Jason Cook, 816-701-3374 jason.cook@optiv.com LONDON, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology initiative to benefit publishers, institutions and researchers Scholarly publishers will soon be able to receive usage reporting from Mendeley, Elsevier's leading Scholarly Collaboration Network (SCN), and Digital Science's literature discovery tools, ReadCube, Papers, and Dimensions. These industry firsts are made possible by a collaboration led by Elsevier, Atypon, Digital Science and COUNTER developing a new standard for Distributed Usage Logging (DUL). (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/754760/Elsevier_Logo.jpg ) Technology and innovation have transformed researcher workflows significantly in recent years. Researchers today have more ways to access scholarly content, as well as new ways to share and collaborate on publisher platforms, aggregators, repositories and SCNs. As researchers increasingly access journal content through these off-library and off-campus platforms outside of standard COUNTER reporting channels - assessing true usage is extremely difficult. Most libraries evaluate their subscribed content using standard COUNTER reports that provide only a partial picture, which can lead to inaccurate assessments of the value of content under both subscription and open access business models. To help address this issue, Mendeley and Digital Science will begin providing publishers with article-level usage on scholarly content accessed and shared via their tools. Developed with technical support and infrastructure from Crossref, and fully aligned with COUNTER's Code of Practice Release 5, this data will be provided back to the original publisher and anonymized to the institution-level ensuring individual user privacy is preserved. Beginning in early 2019, Atypon's Literatum will be able to receive the article-level usage data generated from Mendeley and Digital Science to share with over 200+ of their publishing clients. Elsevier will also be incorporating DUL data into the COUNTER-compliant reports available to their customers. Benefits to publishers include: Providing customers with a wider range of usage events in a COUNTER compliant way, from sharing and reading platforms as well as the publishers' own platform insight Providing authors with more comprehensive insights into the consumption of their articles Gaining better insight into how a publisher's journals are consumed, to inform journal and portfolio development strategies "Mendeley is about helping researchers build their research knowledge. Enabling seamless management, sharing and collaboration of scholarly content is part of that. We are working with publishers and libraries to support standardized ways to make this happen, and at the same time derive better insights into how content is being used and valued," said Gaby Appleton, Managing Director, Mendeley. "Core to our mission at Digital Science is to develop and support innovative solutions for the betterment of the broader research community," says Robert McGrath, CEO, ReadCube. "Not only is this initiative frictionless for researchers, it also offers a simple and standardized way of interacting between content providers, libraries, and collaboration tools and platforms in order to create a flexible and sustainable ecosystem." "DUL makes it possible for usage metrics from across the publishing ecosystem to be consolidated on publishing platforms," said Georgios Papadopoulos, Atypon's CEO and Founder. "So finally, everyone gets a true picture of their content usage-publishers, librarians, research institutions, funders, and even authors." "It is great to see a core group of early adopters prove that this technology works. I hope that this will now encourage broad adoption by other publishers and platform providers in the scholarly communication ecosystem," said Chris Shillum, Chair of the Distributed Usage Logging working group and Vice President Platform and Data Integration, Elsevier. About ReadCube / Papers ReadCube develops software to make the world of research more accessible and connected - serving researchers, publishers, academic and commercial organizations. ReadCube's web, desktop, and mobile reference management apps, including ReadCube and Papers brands, dramatically improve the way researchers find, organize, read, share, and cite research literature. Visit http://www.readcube.com. About Dimensions Dimensions is a research insights platform that re-imagines discovery and access to research. Developed by Digital Science in collaboration with over 100 leading research organizations around the world, Dimensions brings together grants, publications, citations, alternative metrics, clinical trials and patents to deliver a platform that enables users to find and access the most relevant information faster, analyze the academic and broader outcomes of research, and gather insights to inform future strategy. Visit http://www.dimensions.ai. About Digital Science Digital Science is a technology company working to make research more efficient. We invest in, nurture and support innovative businesses and technologies that make all parts of the research process more open and effective. Our portfolio includes admired brands including Altmetric, Dimensions, Figshare, ReadCube, Symplectic, IFI Claims, GRID, Overleaf, Labguru, BioRAFT, PeerWith, UberResearch, TetraScience and Transcriptic. We believe that together, we can help researchers make a difference. Visit http://www.digital-science.com. About Elsevier Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps institutions and professionals advance healthcare, open science and improve performance for the benefit of humanity. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support and professional education, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, 38,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries. http://www.elsevier.com Media contact: David Tucker Global Communications Elsevier +44-79-20-536-160 d.tucker@elsevier.com LONDON, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Forecasts by Platform (Dismounted Soldiers, Land Vehicles, Naval Vehicles, Aerial Vehicles), by Technology (Helmet Mounted Display Systems (HMD), Heads-Up Display (HUD), and Smart Glasses, Plus Analysis of Leading Companies (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/523989/Visiongain_Logo.jpg ) Do you need definitive military augmented reality market data? Succinct military augmented reality market analysis? Technological insight? Clear competitor analysis? Actionable business recommendations? Read on to discover how this definitive report can transform your own research and save you time. The spate of investments in augmented reality technology has led Visiongain to publish this timely report. Visiongain assesses the military augmented reality market will reach $1.4bn in 2018. Augmented reality technologies in the defence sector are expected to flourish in the next few years because of increased spending by governments on modernizing their armed forces and also because of the changing nature of warfare, thereby driving significant growth in this market. If you want to be part of this growing industry, then read on to discover how you can maximise your investment potential. Report highlights 150+ Quantitative Tables, Charts, And Graphs Analysis Of Key Players In Military Augmented Reality Technologies Rockwell Collins Elbit Systems BAE Systems Plc Applied Research Associates BANC3 Inc Thales Group Osterhout Design Group Six15 Technologies Global Military Augmented Reality Technologies Market Outlook And Analysis From 2018-2028 133 Major Military Augmented Reality Contract And Projects Military Augmented Reality Application Forecasts And Analysis From 2018-2028 Dismounted Soldiers Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Land Vehicles Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Naval Vehicles Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Aerial Vehicles Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Military Augmented Reality Technology Projections, Analysis And Potential From 2018-2028 Helmet Mounted Displays Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Heads Up Displays Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Smart Glasses Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 National Military Augmented Reality Market Forecasts From 2018-2028 Australia Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Canada Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 France Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Israel Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Italy Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Japan Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Russia Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 South Korea Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 UK Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 US Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 RoW Military Augmented Reality Technologies Forecast 2018-2028 Key questions answered What Does The Future Hold For The Military Augmented Reality Industry? Where Should You Target Your Business Strategy? Which Applications Should You Focus Upon? Which Disruptive Technologies Should You Invest In? Which Companies Should You Form Strategic Alliances With? Which Company Is Likely To Success And Why? What Business Models Should You Adopt? What Industry Trends Should You Be Aware Of? Target audience Leading military augmented reality companies Suppliers Contractors Technologists R&D staff Consultants Analysts CEO's CIO's COO's Business development managers Investors Governments Agencies Industry organisations Banks To request a report overview of this report please contact Sara Peerun atsara.peerun@visiongain.comor refer to our website:https://www.visiongain.com/report/military-augmented-reality-mar-technologies-market-report-2018-2028/ 21st Century Fox ADS Inc. Airbus Defence & Space Airbus Helicopters Alenia Aermacchi Apple, Inc. Applied Research Associates (ARA) APX Labs ARA Arcane Technologies ASELSAN Atheer, Inc. Augmented Vision Inc. BAE Systems Hagglunds BAE Systems plc BANC3 Inc. Bell Helicopters. Boeing Company China Electronics Technology Group Corporation Cinoptics Close Air Solutions Cohort Group plc Collins Aerospace Systems Convergent Manufacturing Technologies, Cubic Corporation DAQRI Dassault Aviation DCNS Department of Defence Ordnance Technology Consortium Design Interactive (DI) Digilens DIOTA EFW Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd. Elbit Systems of America Eligo Vision Eon Reality Inc. ESA Vision Systems ESG Excelitas Technologies Facebook in 2014 FedEx Express Fincantieri Finmeccanica Future Naval Capabilities Applied Research Gentex Corporation Google Harris Corporation. Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Immy Inc. Innovega International Enterprises Inc. ISTEC ICE Ltd. J&F Alliance, JSC United Aircraft Corporation Kongsberg Gallium Kopin Corporation KRET L-3 Communications L-3 Link L3 Warrior Sensor Systems Leonardo LifeBEAM LIG Nex1 Liteye Systems Inc. Lockheed Martin Lumus Optical Microsoft Corporation NGRAIN Oculus VR ODG Optech4D Optics1 Inc. Osterhout Design Group Paravion Technology Inc. Physical Optics Corporation (POC) Precision Technic Defence A/S, Qioptiq Photonics Ltd. Quanta Computer Rafael Advanced Defence Rapid Imaging Software Inc. Raytheon ReallarR Rockwell Collins Rosoboronexport SA Photonics Saab Saab Australia SEA Shenzhen O-film Tech Co., Ltd. Six15 Technologies Sukhoi Tactical Display Group LLC TechSolutions Thales Group United Technologies Corporation (UTC) Vanfund Urban Investment & Development Co. Ltd. Vision Systems International Visual Analytics Research and Development Consortium of Canada (VARDEC) Vuzix Corporation Organisations mentioned Army of South Korea Australian Army British Army Canadian Armed Forces Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Defence Science Technology Group (DSTG) French Air Force Indian Air Force Indian Navy Industry Trade Association Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Israeli Navy Italian Air Force Italian Ministry of Defence Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade Mari State University National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) NATO Norwegian Army Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Polish Air Force Polish Ministry of National Defence Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Royal Australian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Russian Advanced Research Fund Russian Air Force Russian Defence Ministry Russian Defence Ministry Main Robotics Research and Test Center Russian Navy South Korean Air Force South Korean Army South Korean Military Academy South Korean Ministry of Science Technology & Innovation Spanish Ministry of Defence Transparency International U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) U.K. Royal Navy U.S. Defense Logistics Agency U.S. Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) U.S. Air Force U.S. Army U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) U.S. Army Contracting Command U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) U.S. Army's NVESD (Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate) U.S. Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) U.S. Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) U.S. Department of Defence Ordnance Technology Consortium U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center U.S. Navy U.S. Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) U.S. Office of Naval Research.(ONR) University of Birmingham University of Newcastle (UON) Wright-Patterson Air Force Base To see a report overview please e-mail Sara Peerun onsara.peerun@visiongain.com Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Honor Celebrates Exceptional Contributions Made in the Field of Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Guislain Museum and Janssen Research & Development, LLC ("Janssen") today announced that the Center for Victims of Torture has been named the 2018 recipient of the Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award. The award honors the Center for Victims of Torture for its extraordinary efforts to reduce stigma about mental illness and provide psychological care and resources to survivors of torture and war trauma across the globe. The Center for Victims of Torture will be honored for its outstanding humanitarian work during a ceremony in New York City on World Mental Health Day, October 10. The Center for Victims of Torture will receive a $50,000 prize that must be used toward further work to reduce societal stigma about mental health and provide psychological care and resources to survivors of torture and war trauma. "The Center for Victims of Torture has made a profound impact on thousands of lives globally by providing care to individuals and communities that have senselessly been affected by torture and war trauma," said Brother Dr. Rene Stockman, Chairman of the Dr. Guislain Museum. "It's a privilege to provide this award to an organization that is committed to not only provide resources to these individuals, but also reduce stigma by normalizing mental illness within communities and families." According to the Center for Victims of Torture, there are approximately 1.3 million refugee torture survivors in the United States and millions more around the world. Torture and war trauma have tremendous psychological and physiological impact on individuals, often resulting in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The Center for Victims of Torture provides services and support to these survivors with the goal of reducing psychological symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, depression and anxiety, and improving function by helping survivors meet basic needs, re-establish social connections and get involved with their communities. "This award honors every member of the Center for Victims of Torture family in every one of our locations around the world, including not only our dedicated staff, but also our selfless volunteers, board members, supporters, advisory council members and tireless advocates who stand with us to eliminate torture," said Curt Goering, Center for Victims of Torture executive director. "Our clients - and all survivors of torture - are at the heart of our work and the forefront of our minds every single day, and we will never stop fighting on their behalf as they navigate their own healing journeys. On their behalf, we are deeply honored to accept the Dr. Guislain Award in recognition of our work." The Center for Victims of Torture was the first rehabilitation center for torture and war trauma survivors in the U.S. and remains one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world. The organization started as a local program in St. Paul, Minnesota, thanks to the leadership of the state's governor, during a period when tens of thousands of refugees were arriving from Southeast Asia. In 1999, the programs expanded internationally to reach survivors living in very difficult conditions in other countries, where they do not have access to mental health counseling and other resources as they do in the U.S. Over the past five years, the number of individuals to whom the Center for Victims of Torture extends rehabilitative care (including domestically and internationally) has grown from just over 2,000 in 2013 to more than 4,400 in 2017. In its more than 30 years of operation, the Center for Victims of Torture has rebuilt the lives and restored the hope of nearly 36,000 survivors and touched the lives of many hundreds of thousands more through policy advocacy that generates federal funding for survivor rehabilitation in the U.S. and abroad. "We are honored to recognize the outstanding work the Center for Victims of Torture is doing to support and provide resources for victims of torture and war trauma," said Husseini K. Manji, M.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "Each year, we seek to honor organizations or individuals for their tireless efforts to reduce mental health stigma in communities around the world. The Center for Victims of Torture's extensive work to improve the lives of these individuals is incredibly commendable, vitally important and very inspiring." The Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award is named for, and honors, the legacy of Dr. Joseph Guislain (1797-1860), the first Belgian psychiatrist to provide scientifically based treatment for patients with mental illness and a staunch patient advocate. Both the Dr. Guislain Museum and Janssen are organizations with a rich heritage and long-standing involvement in the field of mental illness research, treatment and education. For more than 30 years, the Dr. Guislain Museum has existed to educate the public and rectify the misunderstandings and prejudice associated with treatment for mental illness. The Dr. Guislain Award program is a joint project of the Dr. Guislain Museum and Janssen Research & Development, LLC. Janssen provides financial and in-kind support for the program. Janssen's sponsorship of this award reflects its 60-year commitment to advance care for patients with mental illness. The Award is an important component of the Champions of Science: Healthy Minds initiative of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, which aims to encourage collaboration among biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and public-sector partners to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic solutions for diseases and disorders of the brain, as well as support the mental health community and various advocacy organizations and projects. The Dr. Guislain Museum issued the call for nominations for the Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award on February 27, 2018. A total of 35 nominations were received from across the globe, after which a jury of international mental health advocates and renowned authorities in the field selected the Center for Victims of Torture. About the Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award Individuals, organizations or projects all over the world that have made an exceptional contribution in dealing with, or promoting the awareness of, mental health care are eligible to receive the Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award. The award is given to an individual(s), organization or project that has: made an exceptional contribution to mental health care in the broadest sense on a cultural and/or social level; provided a genuine contribution to decreasing stigma around mental health conditions; promoted attention for mental health care; and done all this with passion, creativity and innovation. The jury is comprised of: Mohan Agashe - Actor, psychiatrist and member of Governing and Executive Council at Children Film Society of India - Actor, psychiatrist and member of Governing and Executive Council at Children Film Society of Ellen Baxter - Founder of Broadway Housing Communities (BHC) in New York, New York - Founder of Broadway Housing Communities (BHC) in Siri Hustvedt - Essayist, novelist and poet - Essayist, novelist and poet Vikram Patel - Pershing Square professor of Global Health and Welcome Trust Principal Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health - Pershing Square professor of Global Health and Welcome Trust Principal Research Fellow, and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health Bernard Sabbe - Professor of medical psychology and psychiatry at the University of Antwerp , and psychiatrist/psychotherapist at the University Psychiatric Hospital Duffel - Professor of medical psychology and psychiatry at the University of , and psychiatrist/psychotherapist at the University Psychiatric Hospital Duffel Andrew Scull - Distinguished Professor of sociology and science studies at the University of California, San Diego - Distinguished Professor of sociology and science studies at the Erik Thys - Professor at the KU Leuven and psychiatrist in the University Psychiatric Centre at the KU Leuven in Kortenberg and the Psycho-Social Centre St. Alexius Ixelles in Brussels, Belgium About the Dr. Guislain Museum The Dr. Guislain Museum was founded in 1986 in Ghent, Belgium, and its exhibits address the history of psychiatry in a permanent collection and through a series of changing thematic exhibitions. The Museum features an array of psychiatric photographs, two centuries of comprehensive archives and an extensive library chronicling the history of psychiatry. Comprehensively, the Museum seeks to educate the public and rectify the misunderstandings and prejudice associated with treatment for mental illness. The Dr. Guislain Museum attracts 70,000 visitors each year. About Dr. Joseph Guislain Dr. Joseph Guislain (1797-1860) was a driven activist for patients with mental illness and the first Belgian psychiatrist to provide scientifically-based treatment for these individuals. As a passionate advocate for those with mental illness, Dr. Guislain worked tirelessly to stand up for the rights of patients and help improve their social position. He lectured and published extensively about mental illness and enjoyed considerable recognition by his contemporaries. For more information about the Dr. Guislain Award, please visit www.drguislainaward.org. Media Contacts: Patrick Allegaert Dr. Guislain Museum +32 9 398 69 55 allegaert.patrick@gmail.com Yoon Hee Lamot Dr. Guislain Museum +32 9 398 69 54 y.lamot@museumdrguislain.be Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765793/Dr_Guislain_Award.jpg Almost two years after losing their daughter in a fatal car crash, the parents of UF student Abigail Dougherty received a combined $25 million in damages. The jury awarded Pat Dougherty and Anita Forester $12.5 million each after deciding the garbage truck driver who hit their daughter was negligent, according to Alachua County court records. Six days before her 21st birthday, on Oct. 28, 2016, Dougherty was killed after being struck by the truck while riding her bike north of campus, crossing West University Avenue. Late Friday evening, the jury determined that Charles Danzy, the driver, contributed to the crash, causing her death. The WCA Waste Corporation, a garbage collection service company and Danzys employer, is responsible for paying damages to Doughertys parents, according to court records. The jury determined WCA was mostly responsible for causing the crash, while Dougherty only was partially responsible, according to the verdict. A close-up of the plaque that was made in honor of Abigail Dougherty. The plaque rests below the southern magnolia treeplanted for Dougherty on Thursday. Wien (ots) - The C-QUADRAT Investment Group is to take its next strategic step toward digitalization and acquire a 50.1% interest in Quantic Risk Solutions GmbH. This company was established 6 years ago, has six partners and specializes in quantitative fundamental and risk analysis. The C-Quadrat Investment Group will thus strengthen its position in the field of quantitative asset management with the use of next-generation technologies.By means of an innovative, quantitative approach, the proprietary products "CreditDynamix" and "AssetDynamix" combine the entire financial data of stock exchange-listed companies and also companies not listed on the stock exchange. These systems predict the financial performance of individual companies. For this purpose, market and fundamental data are analyzed through a fully automated process and risk and investment strategies thus identified. The relevant company universe and specific macroeconomic scenarios can be individually defined. As the basis for this process, data of many millions of companies worldwide are quantitatively assessed, predicted and awarded a risk rating and incorporated in overall strategies.This quantitative approach is unique and represents a new evolutionary stage for the risk, insurance and investment world. Several well-known and systemically important European banks and insurance firms are already using the product "CreditDynamix"."Through this equity investment, the C-Quadrat Investment Group will be able to further develop its expertise in the field of quantitative asset management and expand its product portfolio to include risk management services," says C-Quadrat founder and CEO Alexander Schutz of this new partnership."With the C-Quadrat Investment Group, we have found a top professional partner. "We are sure that together we will establish a new benchmark in the financial sector," remarks Walter Mussil, founder and partner of Quantic Risk Solutions.Ruckfragehinweis: For further information from C-Quadrat: Andreas Wimmer Schottenfeldgasse 20, A-1070 Vienna Tel.: +43 1 515 66 316 E-mail: a.wimmer@investmentfonds.at www.c-quadrat.com For further information from Quantic Risk Solutions: Axel Walek MA Opernring 1/E522, A-1010 Vienna Tel.: +43 699 10 30 1200 E-mail: aw@quanticrisk.com www.quanticrisk.comDigitale Pressemappe: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/3309/aom*** OTS-ORIGINALTEXT PRESSEAUSSENDUNG UNTER AUSSCHLIESSLICHER INHALTLICHER VERANTWORTUNG DES AUSSENDERS - WWW.OTS.AT ***OTS: C-QUADRAT Investment AG newsroom: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/71337 newsroom via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_71337.rss2 Scientific Beta will not be including China A-shares in its indices Increasing the number of Chinese stocks in an investment universe dedicated to smart beta is not appropriate at this time ERI Scientific Beta, as a leading smart beta index provider, aims to build and publish equity indices that reflect the current state of the global economy while exhibiting a high level of liquidity, investability and replicability. To fulfil these objectives, the definition and the construction of the ERI Scientific Beta Universe is essential, as it serves as the basis for all Scientific Beta indices and solutions. The investment community has agreed that the Chinese equity market has undergone substantial changes in terms of accessibility to institutional investors, but Scientific Beta has taken the decision not to add China A-Shares to its universe at present. Nevertheless, Scientific Beta has recognised the growing importance of China in the global economy and has taken the following actions in this area: Creation of a dedicated and independent Chinese geographic basic block made up of 100 liquid constituents to ensure proper representation of the Chinese equity market within the Scientific Beta Emerging Universe. Multi-regional indices offered by ERI Scientific Beta are built by aggregating the strategies constructed at the geographic basic block level based on the total free-float-adjusted market capitalisation of each geographic basic block in the reference capitalisation-weighted index of the global universe. This approach ensures proper exposure to each geographic basic block and avoids taking geographical risks, which correspond to deviations from the weights of economic regions expressed by their market capitalisations. Addition of Chinese ADR (American Depositary Receipts) to the list of eligible securities for inclusion in the Scientific Beta Universe. Chinese ADRs offer a level of reassurance for investors, since they are not directly subject to Chinese market regulations while offering exposure to the Chinese economy. Scientific Beta noted the efforts made by the Chinese authorities to open Chinese equities to institutional investors and align its accessibility with international standards. Nevertheless, some accessibility issues that Scientific Beta considers to be penalising for its clients remain: Derivatives products linked to China A-shares need to be pre-approved (in particular index-linked investment products) and can be restricted by the exchange. Large number of suspensions affecting China A-shares when compared to other emerging equity markets. Stock Connect daily limit: Even if in April 2018, the daily quota of both Northbound stock-connect programs (Shanghai and Shenzhen) between Hong Kong and mainland China quadrupled to RMB 52 billion, the risk of breaching it during index rebalancing still exists. Limited securities lending and borrowing market. Ultimately, the China block, thanks to the inclusion of the American Depositary Receipts provides exposure to China while ensuring a good level of liquidity. The investment capacity and liquidity of the China block is comparable to that of the whole emerging universe and of the global index. Noel Amenc, CEO of Scientific Beta, said, "An investment universe that is dedicated to smart beta needs not only to be representative, but also investable and liquid. The exposure to China in an index can be controlled by creating a China block, not necessarily through an inordinate increase in the number of Chinese stocks, to the detriment of their liquidity." As part of its policy of transferring know-how to the industry, EDHEC-Risk Institute has set up ERI Scientific Beta. ERI Scientific Beta is an original initiative which aims to favour the adoption of the latest advances in smart beta design and implementation by the whole investment industry. Its academic origin provides the foundation for its strategy: offer, in the best economic conditions possible, the smart beta solutions that are most proven scientifically with full transparency of both the methods and the associated risks. ERI Scientific Beta, 1 George Street, #15-02, Singapore 049145. For further information, please contact: contact@scientificbeta.com, Web: www.scientificbeta.com. Attachment New Methodology Gives CipherLoc Customers Added Ddge Against Network Intruders AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / CipherLoc Corporation (OTCQB: CLOK), a leading provider of highly-secure data protection technology, today announced that it was informed of the Notice of Allowance for its third patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office, entitled "Local Area Network Electronic Perimeter Security."The patent details a hardware method for detecting passive listeners, also known as "sniffers," on a hard-wired network, then responding through active countermeasures. "This patent enables hardware to identify an electronic eavesdropper even if they do not actively send signals on the network," said Dr. Albert Carlson, Chief Scientist at CipherLoc Corporation. "Passive listeners have always been nearly impossible to detect. However, CipherLoc's new patented technology makes it possible to detect illicit sniffers at critical times in the data transmission process, then take action to render them ineffective through a blinding process. An IT department partnered with CipherLoc can use this methodology to schedule and direct physical checks on the network once an intrusion is detected." CipherLoc's newly patented technology is part of a multipronged method of securing a network. The technology allows for the detection of unauthorized passive network activities, then the customer can take additional actions to further obscure data being sent on the network. It also alerts the IT staff to check the network to identify intruders or unauthorized parties that should not be in the system. In many cases it is also possible to identify specifically what part of the network is being attacked. "This is the newest development in CipherLoc's suite of tools that protect data in all phases of transmission," said Michael DeLaGarza, CEO of CipherLoc Corporation. "External hackers or even unauthorized users within an organization are using increasingly sophisticated attacks in their quest for data. CipherLoc is committed to ensuring that our customers' data is protected with the most advanced encryption technologies available, rendering it unusable to an outside party. This newest technology goes a step further, enabling our customers to insert another layer of security against passive threats to support not just detection, but also an active response to thwart the intruder's efforts." About CipherLoc Corporation (OTCQB: CLOK) CipherLoc Corporation is a data security solutions company whose vision is simple - Protect the World's Data. Our highly innovative solutions are based on our patented Polymorphic Cipher Engine, which is designed to enable an ironclad layer of protection to be added to existing products, services, or applications. We deliver solutions that are highly secure, synergistic, and scalable. In short, we keep information safe in today's highly dangerous world. For further information, please go to www.cipherloc.net. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the Company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. The information found in this Press Release does not and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction based upon the information found in this Press Release. Investor Contact: Matt Kreps Darrow Associates Investor Relations 214-597-8200 mkreps@darrowir.com SOURCE: CipherLoc Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513654/CipherLoc-Corporation-Issued-3rd-Patent-for-Sniffer-Detection-Technology STRASBOURG, France and PFORZHEIM and BONN, Germany, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The ees & IBESA Summit in Strasbourg is the main meeting point for the battery and energy storage industry in France.On October 24, 2018, European manufacturers, service providers, project developers, systems integrators and research institutes will come together in Alsace to make transnational contacts. Supported by ees Europe, the continent's largest and most visited exhibition for batteries and energy storage systems, and the International Battery and Energy Storage Alliance (IBESA), summit participants will discuss the latest topics and trends. They will develop new business models and visions for the new energy future. Because we can already see today that the storage market is moving as fast in France as it is everywhere else in the world. The ees & IBESA Summit France 2018 will bring the battery and energy storage system industries together in Strasbourg. The one-day conference provides an opportunity for all relevant stakeholders in the energy storage industry to exchange knowledge and ideas about crucial topics for the future. Just like the photovoltaics (PV) industry of the 1990s, the market for storage systems is now also radically changing - and it is only becoming more international. That is why it is essential for everyone involved in the industry to network via a common platform, so they can learn from each other, develop visions for the future and correct undesirable developments early. That will ensure quality and reliability for tomorrow. The market for storage systems is booming. It has tripled in recent years in Germany alone, where already more than 100,000 solar storage systems have been installed, and there is no end in sight. The annual worldwide installation rate of stationary storage devices will increase significantly by 2030 -Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts a capacity of 125 GW with a storage volume of 305 GWh. The combination of photovoltaics and storage systems is proving to be promising, including for the French market. In France, companies which install solar systems are now using their distribution channels for storage systems, too. According to EuPD Research, 68 percent of them were already offering battery storage systems in 2016. The trend is catching on. It is accompanied by a shift from direct to indirect purchasing, with the new target group being distributors and wholesalers. Shining a light on the French storage market The French government plans to raise the share of renewable energies in the country's power supply - by 2025, nuclear energy should be reduced from 75 percent to 50 percent of the energy mix. Massive investments are necessary for this plan to work, including in the area of smart metering as well as for efficient transmission and distribution of electricity, and electrical energy storage is crucial. Strasbourg serves as precisely the right meeting point. On October 24, the ees & IBESA Summit France will take on the challenges and opportunities existing in the French and the wider European energy storage market. It will also put current political, technological and market-related issues in the spotlight. Visitors can expect a high-quality program. One of many highlights is a session about the revolution in energy storage media in Europe. A range of relevant topics are on the docket here and speakers will address such topics as the underlying political conditions, the economic climate and technical advances. Another session is focused on developments in the industry and the current status of research. This includes blockchain and the question of whether virtual power plants are the future of the industry. A third session will present business models and best practices. Among other topics, it will look at how energy storage systems have changed the energy supply in stand-alone systems and what advantages energy management systems offer for residential properties. "With falling costs and rising capacity, the range of economical applications for battery storage systems is growing. There are many opportunities for Europe to take on a leading role in this transitional period," says Pablo Ralon, Associate Program Officer, Renewable Energy Cost Status & Outlook of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). "The summit is taking place at exactly the right time. Interest in renewable energies is now growing in France, as are investment plans for storage solutions. Balancing the public grid and connecting vehicles to the power grid are also focal points," adds Louis-Narito Harada of Eversheds Sutherland. Expanding the EU market and developing new business models At the ees & IBESA Summit France, the industry will not only sketch out joint visions of how the storage market should function in the future, but will also consider the expansion of the EU market and the development of new business models. Ultimately, the industry meeting point will serve to further drive the transnational discussion on the expansion of storage technologies. The event's organizers are Solar Promotion International GmbH, the International Battery & Energy Storage Alliance (IBESA) and Freiburg Management und Marketing International GmbH (FMMI). Trion-Climate e.V. is a co-organizer. The ees & IBESA Summit France 2018 is made possible by a range of high-profile sponsors. The organizers would like to thank Hager Electro GmbH & Co. KG, SOCOMEC and Sonnen GmbH for their support. The ees & IBESA Summit France 2018 will take place in Strasbourg on October 24, 2018. For more information, please visit:http://www.ees-summit.com/france Contact: Solar Promotion International GmbH Tina Engelhard General Manager Tel.: +49-7231-58598-207 engelhard@solarpromotion.com International Battery & Energy Storage Alliance (IBESA) Daniel Fuchs Vice President Tel.: +49-228-971-4345 fuchs@ibesaalliance.org Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2018) - TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSXV: TXR) (FSE: TX0) (OTC Pink: TRXXF) is pleased to announce the completion of a helicopter-borne high resolution magnetic and radiometric survey over the Quyta-Bell property of the Yellowknife City Gold Project (YCGP). This 6409 line-kilometer survey was completed by Precision GeoSurveys Inc., of Langley, BC. A 434 square kilometer airborne LiDAR survey was also completed over the Quyta-Bell property by LiDAR Services International Inc. of Calgary, AB. Maps of the airborne geophysical and LiDAR coverage are available here (https://terraxminerals.com/site/assets/files/2649/airbornesurveys3_03oct18.jpg). These surveys received funding support totaling $160,000 (CDN) through the government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Mining Incentive Program (MIP). The MIP is administered by the Industry, Tourism and Investment ministry (ITI) of the GNWT. Dave Suda, President and CEO of TerraX, stated "These airborne surveys will be used by the TerraX technical team to better define potential gold mineralized zones on the Quyta-Bell property. The MIP funding provided by the GNWT was a key component to the completion of these leading-edge surveys. Their forward-looking approach supports innovative geoscience for use in mineral exploration throughout the NWT." The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Joseph Campbell, Executive Chairman of TerraX, who is a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." About the Yellowknife City Gold Project The Yellowknife City Gold Project ("YCGP") project encompasses 780 square kilometers of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, TerraX controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 km of the City of Yellowknife, the YCGP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power and skilled tradespeople. The YCGP lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering 70 km of strike length along the main mineralized break in the Yellowknife gold district, including the southern and northern extensions of the shear system that hosted the high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The project area contains multiple shears that are the recognized hosts for gold deposits in the Yellowknife gold district, with innumerable gold showings and recent high-grade drill results that serve to indicate the project's potential as a world-class gold district. For more information on the YCGP, please visit our web site at www.terraxminerals.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors "JOSEPH CAMPBELL" Joe Campbell Executive Chairman of the Board For more information, please contact: Samuel Vella Manager of Corporate Communications Phone: 604-689-1749 Toll-Free: 1-855-737-2684 svella@terraxminerals.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. This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts, the completion of due diligence and the results of exploration activities - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. - The New Firm, Kekst CNC, Will Have a Strong Presence across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East - Combination Builds on Years of Successful Collaboration on Cross-Border Client Engagements - Firm Opens Hong Kong Office and Further Strengthens London Presence - Announces Global Advisory Board - New Firm Remains Part of Publicis Groupe's PR Agency Network NEW YORK and MUNICH, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kekst and CNC, two of the world's premier strategic communications firms, announced today that they have combined to create Kekst CNC, a leading global communications consultancy with 12 offices around the world. The new firm provides clients with a significantly broader range of capabilities and seamless access to highly experienced corporate communications professionals in key markets around the world. For nearly two decades, Kekst and CNC, both part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40], have partnered on numerous cross-border engagements, and today are formalizing and deepening their relationship to address the growing global demands of their worldwide client base. Kekst CNC's clients include a broad range of public and private companies, institutions, alternative investment firms, and non-profit organizations from virtually every sector of the global economy. Kekst CNC has more than 250 strategic communications professionals who will serve more than 600 clients across offices in New York, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Tokyo, Brussels, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Seoul, and Stockholm, where the firm will continue to operate under the name JKL. In addition, Kekst CNC announced today that it has established a presence in the Greater China region with an office in Hong Kong. The office is headed by Pui Shan Lee, a highly experienced corporate communications executive in the region. Kekst CNC is also expanding its strong position in London with Vanessa Neill, Managing Director at Kekst, joining the leadership team in London. Kekst CNC will be co-led by Jeremy Fielding and Bernhard Meising, the current CEOs of Kekst and CNC respectively, supported by a strong and experienced group of senior professionals across the world. Jeremy Fielding, co-CEO of Kekst CNC, said, "Global perspective matters more than ever in today's environment, where business models are being upended by digitization and new stakeholder expectations. Our clients increasingly need a partner they can depend on for consistent and superior advice in the key global markets where they operate. Boards and management teams can rely on Kekst CNC to help them build confidence among stakeholders in their ability to deliver sustainable value." Bernhard Meising, co-CEO of Kekst CNC, said, "The decision for Kekst and CNC to combine is a natural development of our close relationship and our common desire to address the needs of our clients on a global scale. While each client is unique, there are few business situations that our combined team has not experienced before. We are excited by the opportunity to seamlessly bring that collective experience to our clients' most complex business challenges." Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Groupe, said, "Kekst and CNC are like-minded consultancy brands that have long been leaders in their respective geographies, and we could not be more supportive of their decision to join forces. Across every part of Publicis Groupe, we see how business leaders are facing extraordinary pressures as the pace of change accelerates and stakeholder demands rise exponentially. In this environment, the judgment, experience and insight that a combined Kekst CNC brings to market is invaluable to companies as they powerfully communicate their strategies." Guillaume Herbette, CEO of MSL and Head of Publicis Groupe's PR Agency Network, said, "The combination of Kekst and CNC strengthens the collaboration and specialization of businesses across our global network and enhances our offer to clients." Kekst CNC's Wide Breadth of Services Kekst CNC creates and implements communications strategies to enable clients to support every aspect of their strategic business objectives: helping them grow organically or through acquisition; undertake transformation initiatives; or protect themselves against specific threats or reputational issues. The firm has long been a leader on special situations including: M&A*, shareholder activism and governance, crisis communications, restructurings, regulatory investigations/resolutions, litigation support, investor relations, IPO communications, issues and reputation management, as well as change management and employee engagement. Kekst CNC's judgment and counsel is supported by data-driven insights, based on proprietary research and analysis capabilities. Formation of Kekst CNC Advisory Board As part of the decision to combine, Kekst CNC has formed an Advisory Board consisting of distinguished global leaders with expertise in a variety of fields related to the areas of most concern to our clients. The Advisory Board is chaired by Maurice Levy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe, and its initial members include Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, former German Ambassador to the U.S. and U.K. and currently Chairman of the Munich Security Conference; Nuala O'Connor, President & CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology; Goran Persson, former Swedish Prime Minister; and Matthew Westerman, co-founder of MW&L Capital Partners and a former global banking leader at Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Rothschild & Co. *For the full year 2017, Kekst and CNC combined would have ranked #2 globally in the Mergermarket M&A league tables for corporate communications counsel. About Kekst CNC Kekst CNC is a global strategic communications consultancy that was formed in late 2018 when two market-leading firms, Kekst, founded in 1970, and CNC-Communications & Network Consulting, founded in 2002, combined their teams and capabilities. The combination built on years of collaboration on many cross-border clients and projects and their shared culture of how they work with clients. The firm currently has 250 professionals in 12 offices across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Kekst CNC is part of the worldwide Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40]. For further information, please visit www.kekstcnc.com. Contacts For the U.S. Jeffrey Taufield/Molly Morse (212) 521-4800 jeffrey.taufield@kekst.com and molly.morse@kekst.com For Germany Harald Kinzler +4969506037579 harald.kinzler@cnc-communications.com For the U.K. and Middle East Richard Campbell +442032198801 richard.campbell@cnc-communications.com For Sweden Anders Lindberg +4686961201 anders.lindberg@jklgroup.com For Asia Jochen Legewie +81351560185 jochen.legewie@cnc-communications.com Note: From October 10th 2018 the Kekst CNC team can be reached under firstname.lastname@kekstcnc.com For MSL Michael Echter +16465006035 michael.echter@mslgroup.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766021/Bernhard_Jeremy_Munich_v4.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766026/Kekst_CNC_logo_solid_CMYK_hi_Logo.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 27, 2018) - Alliance Growers Corp. (CSE: ACG) (FSE: 1LA) (WKN: A2DFYX) (OTCQB: ALGWF) ("Alliance" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the OTC Markets Group to be listed on the OTCQB Venture Market as of November 27, 2018, under the OTCQB ticker symbol ALGWF. Dennis Petke, CEO of Alliance Growers, stated: "We are pleased to be listed on the OTCQB, as this provides an opportunity to attract a broader base of US and international investors with a transparent trading platform that will help to maximize the Company's share value for its shareholders. It is well known that a great number of US investors would like to invest in publicly traded Canadian cannabis stocks, such as Alliance Growers, but are unable to do so through their US brokers unless the Canadian company is dual listed in the US. Admission to the OTCQB exchange is part of our long-term strategy to introduce the company to a wide range of institutional and retail investors in the US. With the OTCQB dual listing Alliance is now able to access a new investor base that is ten times that of Canada. This times well with our current financing initiatives and expansion of our Canadian and international opportunities in the rapidly growing Cannabis sector." The OTCQB is recognized as an established public financial market and is a leading market for international companies including resource companies in the exploration and development stage. The OTCQB Venture Market offers companies the opportunity to build their visibility, expand their liquidity and diversify their shareholder base on an established, public market without the rigid procedures common with other US exchange listings. Their premium markets offer companies at all stages of development the right platform to create a transparent trading experience for their investors. The OTCQB Venture Market quality standards provide a strong baseline for transparency, as well as the technology and regulation to improve the information and trading experience for investors. Qualifying for listing on the OTCQB is a significant stepping stone for Alliance Growers. While Alliance Growers currently trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE: ACG), its new secondary OTCQB listing provides better access to institutional investors and a broader shareholder base. The OTCQB provides solutions to better engage and inform US investors about Alliance Growers. About Alliance Growers Corp. Alliance Growers is a Diversified Global Medical Cannabis Company driven by the Company's 'Four Pillars' Organization Plan - Cannabis Biotech Complex, Strategic ACMPR Investments, CBD Oil Supply and Distribution, and Research and Technology. Alliance Growers is working with Pharmagreen Biotech Inc. advancing a new business partnership, to jointly develop and operate a 62,000-square foot facility, to be the first of its kind in Western Canada to house a DNA Botany lab, extraction facility and Tissue Culture Plantlet Production facility to service the Cannabis market and agriculture market in general. The proposed Cannabis Biotech Complex's main facility is the Cannabis Biotech Centre which will grow Cannabis plantlets using proprietary tissue culture propagation, specifically utilizing the "Chibafreen Invitro Plant Production System", which allows for more tissue cultured plantlets to be produced in less space and less time. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.alliancegrowers.com or the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. If you would like to be added to Alliance Growers' news distribution list, please send your email address to newsletter@alliancegrowers.com. For more information contact: Dennis Petke CEO, President and Director Tel: 778-331-4266 DennisPetke@alliancegrowers.com Rob Grace Communications Consultant Tel: 778-998-5431 RobDGrace@gmail.com FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, the news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to Company's corporate strategy. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company's ability to carry out its business plan. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to identify and complete additional suitable acquisitions to further the Company's growth as well as risks associated with the medical marijuana industry in general, such as operational risks in development and production delays or changes in plans with respect to development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of the capital markets; the uncertainty of receiving the required licenses, production, costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; marketing and transportation; loss of markets; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of the potential market; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws and regulated regulations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the Canadian Securities Exchange. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. PORTLAND, Oregon, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Rise in demand for cosmetics & skincare products, new product innovation, and high investments in emerging countries are the factors that boost the growth of the global facial serum market. Allied Market Research published a report, titledFacial Serum Market by Product Category (Eye Serum, Blemish & Acne Treatment Serum, Face Sunscreen Serum, Face Moisturizing Serum, Facial Self-Tanning Serum, and Others) and Distribution Channel (General Departmental Store, Supermarket, Drug Store, Brand Outlet, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025. The report offers detailed insights on top investment pockets, trends & opportunities, major segments, and competitive scenario. Change in lifestyle patterns in emerging countries due to rapid urbanization, rise in awareness toward advanced skin care products, and innovative product portfolio drive the growth of the global facial serum industry. However, the high price of these products restricts the market growth. On the other hand, adoption of new technologies to develop skincare products and the growth in the online retail industry are expected to create new pathways in the global facial serum market. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) Serum is an oil and water-based skin care product with the ability to penetrate deep into the skin. These have a very high concentration of active substances such as antioxidants, exfoliates, topical peptides, moisturizers, botanicals, ceramides, sunscreens, and hyaluronic acid. When applied deep into the skin, serums provide visible results compared to other cosmetic creams and moisturizers. Serums are ideal for a number of skincare concerns such as acne, aging, skin brightening & tightening, and others. The rise in demand for cosmetic and skin care products boosts the demand for facial serums in the market. Request Sample Report at:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2336 According to Shankar Bhandalkar, Sr. Research Analyst, Consumer Goods at Allied Market Research, "Rise in incidences of skin diseases such as acne, facial wrinkles, and aging are expected to boost the demand for facial cosmetics. The facial serum being fat-based, provides a far stable environment for the active compound compared to the regular cosmetic creams. They score well over other cosmetic skin care products when it comes to targeting specific skincare areas such as acne, skin aging, brightening, tanning, and others. The high demand for facial serums to address blemish and acne issues prompts manufacturers to expand product lines in accordance to consumer preferences, which drives the growth of the global facial serum market." Today's consumer has become more conscious regarding the usage of cosmetics in an effort to step up the style quotient and overall personality. Facial serums are among the most important and essential cosmetic products used by the consumer. These serums offer blemish, skin tone correction, and skin whitening properties and are becoming more popular among young generation. They help enhance beauty of the end user. Also, the middle-aged population is aimed at while marketing for moisture-based anti-aging creams that promise wrinkle-free, acne-free. Rise in demand for skincare products by middle-aged women is one of the major factors that boosts the sales of the facial serum market. Also, the increase in male grooming is projected to be the major contributors to the growth of the global facial serum market during the forecast period. For Purchase Enquiry:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2336 Facial serums are sold through various distribution channels such as general departmental store, supermarkets, drug stores, and brand outlets. Well-known branded cosmetic products of different types ranging from low to premium are easily available to consumer through these channels. Also, continuous demand by saloon owners is expected to propel the growth of the facial serum market. In addition, several manufacturers have started offering their products online owing to convenience and easy on-the-go shopping experience. For instance, Procter & Gamble, The Body Shop, and L'Oreal Paris are some of the major companies selling their products online. The expansion in these distribution channels and digital initiatives taken by leading vendors to support the growth of this market. However, extortionate prices and availability of cheap substitutes of facial skincare products is expected to affect the growth of global the facial serum market during the forecast period. Furthermore, rise in trend of the use of natural, herbal, and organic ingredients in beauty products creates potential opportunities for manufacturers to innovate and develop new products under their established brands. The key players operating in the facial serum market are L'Oreal International., Avon Products, Inc., The Procter & Gamble Company, Unilever PLC, Oriflame Cosmetics S.A., Kao Corporation, Shiseido Company, Limited, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Burberry Group PLC, and Edgewell Personal Care. Access KNOWLEDGE TREE (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/knowledgetree Knowledge tree is a cloud-based intelligence platform that offers more than 2,000 selective, off-the-shelf reports on niche markets to enable our clients gain deep insights on the latest trends, dynamic technologies, and emerging application areas. Similar Reports: Skin Care Products Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017 - 2024 Healthcare Wipes Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017 - 2023 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Christopher Columbus never had a real connection to anyone in the United States, Adam Recvlohe said. But indigenous people do. Recvlohe, a 2009 UF political science alumnus and member of the Muscogee Creek Nation of Florida, spoke to about 35 students and faculty members Monday afternoon. The almost two-hour talk was sponsored by the UF American Indian and Indigenous Studies department to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day, which recognizes indigenous communities instead of Columbus. Recvlohe wanted to educate the UF community about indigenous people in Florida and the southeast and talk about how indigenous people helped many early colonists survive by teaching them how to plant traditional native foods, he said. Columbus has no real connection to the country and never stepped foot in what is now the United States, Recvlohe said. Indigenous people are here, and its better to celebrate a real connection, he told The Alligator. Recvlohe discussed the amount of Native American history he said is missing from the average high school textbook. Native American nations continued to establish themselves politically, even when the federal government squashed their efforts, he said. When Native Americans attempted to establish Sequoyah, an American state led by indigenous people in what is now Oklahoma, the United States government shut them down, he said. Considering what native people have endured war, forced removal, termination policies, boarding schools, relocation and we are still here practicing our way of life shows resilience, Recvlohe said. Robin Wright, a coordinator for the American Indian and Indigenous studies program, helped found the program with Recvlohe in 2008. The talk recognized how native people never disappeared in the face of oppression and are reviving their cultures and languages, he said. The native people were here for tens and thousands of years before Columbus came, and they have not been given recognition ever since the Europeans came, Wright said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Shelby Dahl, a 20-year-old UF anthropology junior, said people who embrace Columbus Day should spend Indigenous Peoples Day learning about indigenous people. For example, Native American contributions, like helping the colonizers, are rarely mentioned, while Columbus is portrayed as an American hero, she said. We need to take another look at how Columbus definitely was not the first person here and didnt bring anything good when he came here, she said. Contact McKenna Beery at mbeery@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @mckennabeery Adam Recvlohe speaks to a group of about 35 people on Indigenous Peoples Day SHELTON, CT. - October 9, 2018 - Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBB) today announced it will release its third quarter 2018 financial results prior to the opening of the market on October 23, 2018. The Company will then webcast its Analysts' Conference Call to discuss the results at 10:00 AM ET. The full text of the press release announcing the results will be posted on Hubbell's corporate website under the Press Release (http://investor.hubbell.com/?tab=press) section. You can also access this information by going to www.hubbell.com (https://www.hubbell.com/) and selecting "Investors" from the options at the bottom of the page and then "Press Releases" from the drop-down menu. The live audio of the conference call and accompanying materials will also be available and can be accessed by visiting Hubbell's Events and Presentations (http://investor.hubbell.com/?tab=event) section. You can also access this information by going to www.hubbell.com (https://www.hubbell.com/) and selecting "Investors" from the options at the bottom of the page and then "Events/Presentations" from the drop-down menu. Audio replays of the conference call are available in three ways: Two hours after the conclusion of the original conference call by calling (855) 859-2056 and using passcode number 6597175. The replay will remain available until November 23, 2018 at 11:59 PM ET. One hour after the call by going to www.hubbell.com (https://www.hubbell.com/) and selecting "Investors" from the options at the bottom of the page and then "Events/Presentations" from the drop-down menu. As a Podcast 24 hours after the original conference call by going to www.hubbell.com (https://www.hubbell.com/) and selecting "Investors" from the options at the bottom of the page and then "Events/Presentations" from the drop-down menu, then selecting "Past Events". Hubbell Incorporated is an international manufacturer of quality electrical and electronic products for a broad range of non-residential and residential construction, industrial and utility applications. With 2017 revenues of $3.7 billion, Hubbell Incorporated operates manufacturing facilities in the United States and around the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Shelton, CT. ####### Contact: Steve Beers Hubbell Incorporated 40 Waterview Drive P.O. Box 1000 Shelton, CT 06484 (475) 882-4000 This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Hubbell Inc. via Globenewswire October 9, 2018 NNIT acquires fast-growing US company to accelerate delivery of IT services to the international life sciences industry and increases revenue outlook for 2018 NNIT A/S ("NNIT"), a leading provider of IT services and consultancy announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Valiance Partners, LLC. ("Valiance Partners").Valiance Partners is a computer software and services data migration company primarily for the life sciences industry. Established in 2003 and headquartered in New Jersey, US, Valiance Partners provide end-to-end data and content migration software solutions and services for IT, quality, validation and test management.Today, NNIT entered into an agreement with the shareholders of Valiance Partners to acquire 100% of the shares for an upfront payment of USD 25.0 million and an earn-out payment of USD 10.7 million at target, depending on performance. Per Kogut, CEO of NNIT, comments: "Valiance Partners provides a perfect strategic and cultural match and I am excited to welcome this fast-growing company to NNIT. They come with a strong experience and have delivered migration services to many of the world's most successful pharmaceutical companies. Together we will strengthen our growth potential and the acquisition will boost NNIT as a global IT provider to the international life sciences industry." Richard Higger, Founder and President of Valiance Partners, comments: "We are excited to become part of the NNIT Group and continue our successful growth. With NNIT's experience in international life sciences, we see an opportunity to expand our successful business in additional markets. Our two companies have already collaborated on several projects and learned that we make a good fit." NNIT will acquire 100% of the shares of Valiance Partners, LLC for an upfront payment of USD 25.0 million. Further, the agreement consists of an earn-out element being realized until the end of 2021, which at target is USD 10.7 million, depending on performance.Following the acquisition, Valiance Partners will in daily operations continue its current business, while working together with NNIT on new and existing business opportunities. Valiance Partners will be named "Valiance Partners, LLC - an NNIT Group Company".NNIT will finance the acquisition through its operating cash flows and existing credit facilities. No external equity or debt financing will be needed.Closing of the agreement is expected to be November 1, 2018. Strategic rationale With the acquisition NNIT will strengthen its foothold as a leading IT services provider to the international life sciences industry. The demand for migration services has increased significantly over the past decade and Valiance Partners has become a leading migration partner to the life sciences industry. Our companies complement each other, combining Valiance Partners' migration solutions and references within international life sciences with NNIT's experience delivering advisory and other services to life science companies. The addition of Valiance Partners' world-class data migration tools and services to NNIT's existing system integration methodology, positions NNIT as a leading implementation provider of highly complex Software-as-a-Service solutions to the life sciences industry. About Valiance Partners Headquartered in New Jersey, US. Valiance Partners is a computer software and services data migration company primarily for the life sciences industry. The company employs 60+ staff and independent contractors, located in its headquarters and the company's Dublin, Ireland office. For the financial year 2017, Valiance Partners generated revenue of USD 9.8 million and normalized operating profit of USD 2.0 million equal to an operating profit margin of 20%. In 2018 revenue is expected to grow with more than 35% with an operating profit margin of around 24%. Valiance Partners has managed more than 500 migrations for over 100 companies, including the world's leading pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology brands. Outlook The acquisition is expected to generate additional revenue in the last two months of 2018 of around DKK 15 million corresponding to approximately 0.5pp growth in 2018. As a result, the outlook for 2018 in constant currencies is increased: Expected revenue growth is increased to be 4-7% in constant currencies (previously 3-6%) Expected operating profit margin is maintained at 10-10.5% in constant currencies The expected level of investments is maintained at 6-8% of total revenue and excludes the acquisition of Valiance Partners NNIT will host a teleconference October 9, 2018 at 14:30 CET about the acquisition of Valiance Partners. Please visit the NNIT webpage at www.nnit.com (http://www.nnit.com/) to access the teleconference, which can be found under 'Investors - Events & presentations'. Presentation material will be available on the website at the start of the presentation. Conference call details Webcast link:https://nnit.eventcdn.net/20181009 (https://nnit.eventcdn.net/20181009) Participant telephone numbers: Denmark: +45 3544 5583 United Kingdom: +44 203 194 0544 Sweden: +46 8 5664 2661 United States +1 855 269 2604 Contacts for further information Investor relations: Klaus Hosbond Skovrup Head of Investor Relations Tel: +45 3079 5355 ksko@nnit.com (mailto:ksko@nnit.com) Media relations: Helga Heyn NNIT Communications Tel: +45 3077 8141 hhey@nnit.com (mailto:hhey@nnit.com) About NNIT NNIT A/S is one of Denmark's leading IT service providers and consultancies. NNIT A/S offers a wide range of IT services and solutions to its customers, primarily in the life sciences sector in Denmark and internationally and to customers in the public, enterprise and finance sectors in Denmark. As of June 30, 2018 NNIT A/S had 3,122 employees. For more information please visithttp://www.nnit.com (http://www.nnit.com/). 09 20181009 Valiance EN (http://hugin.info/163771/R/2219785/868390.pdf) This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: NNIT A/S via Globenewswire Company to explore the science, strategy and analytics capabilities enterprises can leverage to improve the customer experience PROS (NYSE: PRO), a provider of AI-powered solutions that optimize selling in the digital economy, today announced that Chief AI Strategist, Michael Wu, Ph.D. will present at the SAP Customer Experience LIVE event. The conference, scheduled for Oct. 10-11 in Barcelona, Spain, brings together global business leaders to discuss transforming their organizations with intelligent customer engagement. Wu will lead a partner session titled "The Science and Strategy Behind Good CX," which explores how businesses can implement a scalable and sustainable strategy for creating a simple, instantaneous and seamless customer experience by analyzing and measuring the customers' experience at every touchpoint. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the analytic requirements needed to improve customers' experiences. "Emerging technologies like AI and data analytics are opening doors for enterprises to understand their customers like never before," said Wu. "PROS is excited to share its vision of the new technologies that are moving businesses forward at a key customer experience event, and help attendees understand how to leverage this technology to engage with their customers more deeply and personally than ever before." PROS is a gold sponsor of SAP Customer Experience LIVE, where it will showcase its dynamic AI solutions that power sales in the digital economy. Visit booth S13 to learn more about PROS solutions for revenue management, shopping, merchandising, price optimization management, CPQ and more. To learn more, visit the PROS website or follow PROS on Twitter at @PROS_Inc. About PROS PROS Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: PRO) provides AI-powered solutions that optimize selling in the digital economy. PROS solutions make it possible for companies to price, configure and sell their products and services in an omnichannel environment with speed, precision and consistency. Our customers, who are leaders in their markets, benefit from decades of data science expertise infused into our industry solutions. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the functionality and benefits of AI-powered solutions to organizations generally as well as the functionality and benefits of PROS software products. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon PROS historical experience with AI-powered solutions and its current expectations of the benefits of AI-powered solutions for organizations that implement and utilize such software. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein include the addressability of an organization's AI-powered solution needs, the risks associated with PROS developing and enhancing products with the functionality necessary to deliver the stated results and the risks associated with the complex implementation and maintenance of AI-powered solutions such as PROS software products. Additional information relating to the uncertainty affecting the PROS business is contained in PROS filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent PROS expectations as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change, and PROS disclaims any obligations to update or alter these forward-looking statements in the future whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005265/en/ Contacts: PROS Public Relations James Gerber, +1-617-960-9875 pros@marchcomms.com News Coincides with Influential JAMA Article: "Aging as an Important Biological Target for Prevention Therapy" Nir Barzilai, M.D., has been named Chief Medical Advisor of Life Biosciences Inc., the first and largest biotech company committed to addressing age-related decline (ARD) as a systemic breakdown of the body, rather than as a series of isolated events and conditions. In his role, Dr. Barzilai's world-recognized thought leadership and scientific insights will support the spectrum of Life Biosciences' Daughter companies, as they pursue their independent and collaborative research into the eight pathways of age-related decline. Dr. Barzilai is the co-author of a recent pioneering opinion piece published in JAMA (September 17) which describes today's exciting frontier of longevity studies as follows: "Fortunately, research has shown that fundamental aging processes can be targeted by nutritional, genetic, and pharmacologic interventions to enhance and extend both health and longevity in experimental animal models." Barzilai and his co-author, Ana Maria Cuervo, who co-founded a Life Biosciences Daughter company, Selphagy Therapeutics, also point out, "Chronic health problemsrelated to the unprecedented aging of the human population in the 21st century threaten to disrupt economies and degrade the quality of later life throughout the developed world." "Dr. Barzilai's remarkable experience is of extraordinary value at this moment in our development," said Tristan Edwards, chief executive officer and co-founder of Life Biosciences. "Dr. Barzilai's background is unique because of the breadth and depth of his expertise, intersecting with basic science, biotech research, clinical study and entrepreneurship. Among his many accomplishments, he is the founder and director of CohBar, a clinical stage public company developing therapeutics, such as novel mitochondrial-derived peptides, designed to extend healthy lifespan by treating age-related diseases. We are confident that we have found the best possible scientist, physician, and wise counselor to advance the important work of Life Biosciences." "I'm thrilled to be joining this singularly important company," said Dr. Barzilai. "The firm's unique Daughter company model gives us the ability to target the eight pathways of age-related decline. I look forward to applying my areas of focus to the efforts of this remarkable team of leading-edge scientists and entrepreneurs whose new approaches will change our healthspans." Life Biosciences was co-founded in 2017 by David Sinclair, PhD, AO, a professor in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and investment professional Tristan Edwards, who developed its innovative company structure. He views this work as Chapter Two in his life, after a highly successful career as a global institutional investor, working across all asset classes. - Dr. Barzilai's Expertise - One of the world's leading researchers in the biology and genetics of age-related decline, Dr. Barzilai has published more than 230 peer-reviewed papers, reviews and textbook chapters. He is an advisor to the NIH on several projects and is on the Board of Directors of The American Federation for Aging Research. Additionally, he is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Beeson Fellow for Aging Research, the Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar in Aging Award, the Paul F. Glenn Foundation Award, the NIA Nathan Shock Award, the 2010 Irving S. Wright Award of Distinction in Aging Research and the 2018 IPSEN Longevity Award. Dr. Barzilai's work is world-renowned. He is the director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Human Aging Research at the Harvard Medical School and the National Institute of Health's Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging. He has spoken at the Milken Global Institute and Asian Megatrends and he is an advisor for the Prime Minister of Singapore on Aging. His work has been profiled by major outlets, including The New York Times, BBC and PBS' NOVA Science Now, and TEDx Talk Science. He is also featured in the Ron Howard/Jonathan Silberberg National Geographic film, The Age of Aging Born in Israel, Dr. Barzilai served as Chief Medic in the Israel Defense Forces. He graduated from the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa and completed his residency in internal medicine at Hadassah Medical Hospital in Jerusalem. He has also completed fellowships at Yale University and Cornell University. Co-founded in 2017 by David Sinclair, PhD, AO, and Tristan Edwards, Life Biosciences is the first and largest company addressing the eight pathways of age-related decline (ARD) in totality. It has established Daughter companies around the world, led by a Dream Team of respected scientists, to independently and collaboratively attack these pathways through pioneering research and product development. The company provides Daughter companies with resources to maximize human potential, including drug development experience, a 25,000 square foot, state-of-the-art vivarium, robotics and drug screening facility, and an emerging AI platform being developed by the company's Lua subsidiary. Life Biosciences seeks to increase healthspans for everyone, including companion animals, by addressing the systemic breakdown of the body, rather than as a series of isolated symptoms and conditions. For more information on Life Biosciences, please visit www.lifebiosciences.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005317/en/ Contacts: Life Biosciences Inc. media@lifebiosciences.com or Susan Mallory susanm@lifebiosciences.com or Erin Foster erinf@lifebiosciences.com Frankfurt am Main (ots) - KfW IPEX-Bank is financing the construction of a new plant in Ireland for the Norwegian dairy cooperative TINE SA. The new production plant is to be built in cooperation with the Irish company Dairygold in Mogeely, County Cork in the south of Ireland. At the plant Irish milk will be used to make the traditional Norwegian Jarlsberg cheese. KfW IPEX-Bank is putting EUR 50 million in financing towards the total investment volume of some EUR 77 million. The state-of-the-art dairy plant, designed for environmentally friendly production, will be equipped mostly with processing equipment sourced in Europe. Once completed it will produce up to 20,000 tonnes of Jarlsberg cheese annually for the international markets in the EU, USA, Canada and Australia. The financing from KfW IPEX-Bank will support several European exporters. Markus Scheer, member of the Management Board of KfW IPEX-Bank, commented: "By supporting our esteemed business partner of many years TINE SA with its forward-looking international investment, we are contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of European companies in the global markets." TINE SA is Norway's biggest dairy cooperative and one of country's major food producers. Within KfW Group, KfW IPEX-Bank is responsible for international project and export finance. It offers medium and long-term financing to support key export industries, to develop economic and social infrastructure, to fund environmental and climate protection projects and to secure the supply of raw materials. KfW IPEX-Bank operates as a legally independent group subsidiary and is represented in the most important economic and financial centres across the globe. Originaltext: KfW IPEX-Bank digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/69662 press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_69662.rss2 Pressekontakt: KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH, Palmengartenstrae 5-9, 60325 Frankfurt Pressestelle: E-Mail: Dela.Strumpf@kfw.de Tel. 069 7431-2984, Fax: 069 7431-9409, E-Mail: info@kfw-ipex-bank.de, Internet: www.kfw-ipex-bank.de Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / MGX Minerals Inc. ("MGX" or the "Company") (OTCQB: MGXMF) (CSE: XMG) (FRA: 1MG) is pleased to announce it has signed the Definitive Option Agreement, after completing the due diligence in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding dated August 8th 2018, to acquire 50% of the issued shares of Chilean Lithium Salars SpA ("CLS"). CLS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chilean Lithium Salars Pty Ltd. ("CLSH") and holds a 100% interest in three prospective lithium exploration Projects (the "Projects") located in Chile, including Francisco Basin, Laguna Brava and Laguna Escondida Lithium Projects. Two samples from the Laguna Brava Project were received at PurLucid Treatment Solutions Inc. ("PurLucid") facilities in Calgary, Alberta to undergo pilot testing to prepare a Rapid Lithium Extraction unit deployment. Drilling contractors will be on site this week to prepare the drilling program at Francisco Basin Project, which will be overseen by SRK Consulting to deliver a 43-101 complaint Resource Estimation as soon as the exploration program is completed. Following the positive response from the Chilean state agency National Geology and Mining Service ("SERNAGEOMIN") and the Environmental Assessment Service ("SEA"), the Company plans to ship a rapid lithium brine system shortly. The Special Lithium Operation Contract "CEOL," is a requirement to carry any lithium related commercial activity in Mining Concessions granted after 1983. Francisco Basin Lithium Project The Francisco Basin lithium project ("Francisco Basin") is located 30km south of Maricunga salar, 100 km southeast of the regional center of Copiapo and accessible via a regional highway and established tracks. The lease area comprises 12,900 hectares. Historical exploration work on the project was previously limited to hydrology studies. In January 2018, CLSH completed a reconnaissance brine sampling at the project. This sampling confirmed the presence of lithium enrichment in the surface brines. The samples were assayed at the University of Antofagasta ("Antofagasta"), Antofagasta, Chile which has one of the two leading laboratories in the world for this type of brine analysis. In May 2018, sampling continued and a 2.5L sample was taken near the southern shore of the surface Northern lagoon and sent to Servicios Quimicos Ltda. ("SERQUIM"), Antofagasta, Chile for content analysis. CLSH reported results to date are shown in Table 1. A geophysical program comprising an electromagnetic survey was completed in April 2018. The survey was based on a grid of sections which indicated the presence of high conductivity brines in two zones with significant thickness and horizontal coverage. The presence of anomalous lithium levels in the water body area located in the Northern lagoon, which is potentially underlain by a fault bound, saturated basin of undetermined thickness and the presence of widespread felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks as a lithium source. Table 1. Francisco Basin Assay Samples Sample Na g/L K g/L Li ppm Mg g/L SO4 g/L B ppm Dens Northern Lagoon - January 2018 LNF 01 75.2 4.59 372 2.00 4.07 799 1.179 LNF 02 72.5 4.34 372 1.92 4.07 832 1.170 LNF 03 69.5 4.06 369 1.85 3.74 767 1.163 LNF 04 74.5 4.32 374 1.75 4.02 832 1.174 LNF 05 80.0 4.40 388 1.78 4.71 961 1.188 LNF 06 67.9 3.98 361 1.73 3.85 821 1.181 LNF 07 79.8 4.66 387 1.74 4.44 864 1.183 LNF 08 73.4 4.31 371 1.86 3.93 842 1.172 LNF 09 76.8 4.39 374 1.70 4.05 864 1.174 LNF 10 80.0 4.56 384 1.86 4.38 896 1.185 Northern Lagoon - May 2018 LNF 01 103.0 6.62 694 3.54 28.70 - - Southern Lagoo - January 2018 LNF 11 2.35 0.19 7.9 0.15 3.07 248 1.007 LNF 12 0.57 0.41 3.0 0.003 1.55 151 1.121 LNF 13 1.27 0.01 0.4 0.07 0.61 65 1.002 The Francisco Basin salar is within a large, fault-bound, alluvium-filled basin to the immediate south of the Copiapo Volcano. The basin is closed, drains a large area and the salar appears to be the lowest point within the drainage. The rocks in the drainage surrounding this salar are dominantly volcanic, ranging in age from Eocene to Miocene, juxtaposed with some older rocks. To the west is a Cretaceous sedimentary sequence separated from the volcanic rocks of the Francisco Basin area by the Cerro Guerrita Fault. To the east, an older Oligocene to Miocene volcanic sequence is overlain by the Copiapo volcanic rocks. The Francisco Basin alluvial basin sits at the junction of three catchments. These river systems presumably provide the fill for the basin and are in part, along with the limits of the salar, structurally controlled. The alluvial fill may be covering post-Copiapo aged faulting. Laguna Brava Project The Laguna Brava salar ("Laguna") is geologically prospective for lithium brine. The catchment is large and dominated by volcanic rocks, many of which have been altered by hydrothermal fluids associated with volcanism. The lake is also fed by active hot springs. Historical sampling of surface brines indicated significant lithium enrichment. In December 2017, CLSH undertook a four-hole reconnaissance drilling program at a southern access point of the salar to investigate the deeper aquifer. Prior to the CLSH reconnaissance drilling program in December 2017, no previous work had been undertaken to assess the volume and grade of the subsurface resource. Previous work recommended that the subsurface brines be investigated on the basis of his conclusion that Laguna Brava is geothermally fed. The presence of hot springs being present either at the margins or beneath salars is common within the Chilean Altiplano, other notable locations include the Salar de Coposa in Region I and Salar de Atacama in Region II. The principal origin of lithium in the Salar de Atacama is interpreted to be the lithium-bearing geothermal waters from the El Tatio Geyser Field, located north of the salar. The geothermal fluids enter the northern part of the Salar de Atacama via surface and subsurface flow. It has also been reported that the chemistry of the salar brines is almost identical to the chemistry of the geothermal fluids of El Tatio. Furthermore, work by Risacher et al., (2003) has shown that subsurface brines contained within the volcanic geology are of a much higher concentration, typically 250,000-350,000 mg/L TDS. Given this hypothesis, CLSH commissioned a reconnaissance drilling program in December 2017 comprising four bores; the locations are shown in Figure 6-4. Two bores reached the design depth of 120 m, and the other two bores were abandoned due to collar collapse because of high water flows. The results from this program confirmed the presence of lithium at depth. Results were as follows (Sanchez, 2018): Table 2. Assay Results from Reconnaissance Drilling Bore No. of Samples Li (mg/L) Na (mg/L) K (mg/L) Mg (mg/L) So4 (mg/L) B (mg/L) Density LBRC001 5 190 31860 1842 1453 8726 504 1.066 LBRC002 11 167 28376 1635 1175 8189 494 1.058 LBRC003 24 184 30979 1730 1288 8995 536 1.064 LBRC004 16 201 34059 1999 1587 8513 519 1.071 Average 185 31,320 1800 1375 8605 515 1.065 Figure 1. Location of Laguna Brava 2018 Reconnaissance Drilling A geophysical program comprising electromagnetic and gravity surveys was completed by CLSH in February 2018. The electromagnetic survey based on sections around the periphery of the salar indicated the presence of high conductivity brines exceeding 100 meter thickness at the margins of the salar. The survey indicated that drill holes completed prior to the program were in an area with brines of relatively low conductivity. Within the vicinity of the Laguna Brava salar, the Project includes additional concessions covering Lagunas del Gilguero and the southern margin of Piedra Parada. Laguna Escondida Salar The Laguna Escondida project ("Laguna Escondida") is located approximately 200 km east-northeast of the regional capital and is accessible via a provincial highway to within 10-15 km of the project. Regional Geology The Portfolio of projects are located within the Central Volcanic Zone in the foothills of the Andes mountain range on the eastern side of Chile. All the projects are located at altitudes exceeding 4,000 m. The geology of this region, like the rest of Chile, is dominated by the eastward subduction zone under the entire country generating uplift that has created the Andes Mountains and the Coastal Cordillera (Moreno and Gibbons, 2007). This subduction has intensely deformed the older rocks and generated volcanic activity that spans geological history from the Mesozoic to the present. Figure 2. Location of Laguna Brava, Francisco Basin and Laguna Escondida project Terms of the Option Agreement To acquire an undivided 50% interest in CLS, MGX has agreed to make Option Payments totaling US$1.5 million. The first US$100,000 portion of the Option Payments are payable in cash at the discretion of CLS while the remainder of Options Payments will be payable in common shares of the Company. MGX has agreed to incur exploration expenditures totaling US$2 million and also complete an NI 43-101 resource estimate on at least one of the Projects no later than 20 months after the Effective Date of the MOU. MGX will act as project operator and appoint Mr. Aldo Boitano, current project manager for CLS, as project manager to work alongside Kura Minerals. CLSH shall contribute an equal amount of expenditures to maintain its respective interest in CLS. MGX also maintains the right to participate as a service provider of the engineering, construction and/or procurement of a brine processing plant using its rapid lithium extraction technology. Closing of the transaction remains subject to due diligence. Rapid Lithium Brine Extraction Technology MGX has developed a rapid lithium extraction technology eliminating or greatly reducing the physical footprint and investment in large, multi-phase, lake sized, lined evaporation ponds, as well as enhancing the quality of extraction and recovery across a complex range of brines as compared with traditional solar evaporation. This technology is applicable to petrolithium (oil and gas wastewater), natural brine, and other brine sources such as lithium-rich mine and industrial plant wastewater. The technology was recently chosen as winner of the Base and Specialty Metals Industry Leadership Award at the 2018 S&P Global Platts Global Metals Awards, held in London in May (see press release dated May 18, 2018). Qualified Person Andris Kikauka (P. Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for MGX Minerals, has prepared, reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. Mr. Kikauka is a non-independent Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards. About MGX Minerals MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian resource company with interests in advanced material and energy assets throughout North America. Learn more at www.mgxminerals.com. Contact Information Jared Lazerson President and CEO Telephone: 1.604.681.7735 Web: www.mgxminerals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SOURCE: MGX Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513675/MGX-Signs-Definitive-Agreement-to-Acquire-Lithium-Brine-Projects-in-Chile-Permitting-in-Place-to-Commence-Drill-Program PALM BEACH, Florida, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Financialnewsmedia.com News Commentary The global cannabis industry remains one of the more difficult industries to accurately forecast because its growth is so drastic and explosive that experts are constantly being forced to reevaluate and increase their projections for the space. The overall industry is well on its way to being a consistent multi-billion dollar sector of the economy and this growth is leading to rising levels of investment, both privately and publicly. Leaders in the industry are expanding operations in order to keep up with the rising levels of demand. Examples of expansion include companies investing in additional land to expand production facilities, as well as pioneers expanding operations into new markets in order to capitalize on new opportunities. Canada remains one of the hottest markets for activity as it relates to cannabis as the country is set to legalize the substance within the next two weeks. Active Companies from around the market with current developments this week include: Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC:MCOA), Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTC:MJNA), HEMP Inc. (OTC:HEMP), GreenGro Technologies Inc. (OTC:GRNH), Terra Tech Corp. (OTC:TRTC). Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTCPK:MCOA) BREAKING NEWS: Marijuana Company of America, an innovative hemp and cannabis corporation, is pleased to announce that the Company has appointed Ian Harvey as the Global Sales Director of its wholly-owned UK subsidiary hempSMART, Ltd. in preparation for the Company's January 2019 product launch in Europe. Under the guidance of Ian Harvey, hempSMART is preparing to launch its successful Network Marketing program and industrial hemp derived Cannabidiol (CBD) product line in Europe in January 2019, starting with the United Kingdom. Pre-registration for the UK is available by visiting http://www.hempsmart.co.uk. Ian Harvey has been involved in the direct sales industry for over 35 years. Mr. Harvey has worked for and helped to develop several successful Blue Chip corporations in countries around the world including Japan, South Africa, the United States, and numerous European countries. He has several years of experience launching new product brands, training programs, and implementing strategic approaches designed to capture large networks of loyal customers on an international level. Donald Steinberg, MCOA CEO, commented, "We are very excited to add Ian Harvey to our hempSMART team. Throughout my career I have successfully launched several companies internationally, and with Mr. Harvey's experience and hempSMART's incredible product formulations, I see a unique opportunity to establish and grow our brand to become a household name in Europe and eventually worldwide." Ian Harvey commented, "I am extremely excited to be appointed as the Global Sales Director for hempSMART. My goal is to make hempSMART a brand name recognized in households worldwide. It is a great feeling to know many lives will be transformed as we rollout out our expansion plans. Our new Regional support center based in the UK is gearing up to get ready for what is expected to be a massive success story in Europe. Read this and more news for MCOAat:http://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-mcoa/ In the industry developments and happenings in the market this week include: Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTCPK:MJNA) recently announced that its subsidiary, Kannaway, the first hemp lifestyle network to offer cannabidiol (CBD) hemp botanical products, has released a new line of Sample Packs. Kannaway Sample Packs serve as an incredible new tool for sharing the company's CBD products. Each Sample Pack includes five 50 mg samples and a single travel salve. The samples available in these packs are Kannaway Pure CBD and Kannaway Pure Gold. "We are thrilled to release our new line of easy-to-use Sample Packs," said Kannaway Chief Executive Officer Blake Schroeder. "This new product is perfect for those who want to try CBD for the first time, or those who are looking for a portable product to match their active lifestyle." HEMP Inc. (OTCPK:HEMP) last week announced it is expanding its operational footprint nationwide. The hemp-derived CBD market is expected to hit $591 million this year, and it may grow 40 times this size-to $22 billion by 2022, according to the report. As a global leader in the industrial hemp industry with the largest multipurpose industrial hemp processing facility in the western hemisphere, Hemp, Inc. (HEMP) has a solid infrastructure to support the industry's rapid growth. According to the Brightfield Group, CBD has "been flying under the radar but is set to explode." The growth rate of distribution channels for these products is expected to soar in the next few years. Right now, hemp-derived CBD products are the primary sales driver in the market. "We are thrilled to be at the forefront of the hemp-derived CBD market that has already demonstrated record-breaking growth positioning us towards the very top of this multi-billion dollar industry," said Hemp, Inc. CEO Bruce Perlowin. GreenGro Technologies Inc. (OTCPK:GRNH) was recently in the headlines regarding a strategic alliance with Gala Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTC: GLPH) to boost initial demand for Gala Pharmaceutical's cannabis testing facilities. Under the terms of the agreements, over the next several months, the three companies will collaborate to develop a joint sales, marketing and distribution strategy that will collectively take them one step closer towards becoming a true vertically integrated solution provider for the cannabis industry. "Our partnerships with GreenGro Technologies and igot420 distribution will enable Gala Pharmaceutical to further develop and leverage our marketing and sales efforts to strengthen our position in the emerging market for cannabis testing facilities," said Dr. Rehman, Chief Executive Officer of Gala Pharmaceutical, Inc. "These alliances will allow us to gain access to their deep-rooted and extensive client relationships across the cannabis industry, which will rapidly boost demand for our cannabis testing facilities as the state continues to phase in new cannabis testing regulations throughout the year," concluded Dr. Rehman. Terra Tech Corp. (OTCQX:TRTC) recently announced that the City of Santa Ana has granted its East Dyer Road, East Carnegie Avenue and South Tech Center Drive locations vertically-integrated Phase I permits. These permits allow the Company to commence development of cultivation, manufacturing and distribution capabilities at these locations. Moreover, upon completion of the build-out of each location's facilities, they also confer upon the Company the right to apply for Phase II permits which are needed to commence commercial activities. The Company is expanding its presence in Southern California as the state's cannabis market continues its transformation from a black market economy into a multibillion-dollar, regulated market. By opening several locations across Santa Ana, each of which will benefit from vertical integration and will house the Company's recognizable 'Blum' dispensary brand, the Company is positioning itself as a major supplier of medical and adult-use cannabis to all the surrounding cities, such as Irvine, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, all of which currently suffer from a scarcity of existing cannabis dispensaries. When completed, the Company's expanded cultivation and extraction capabilities will allow it to ramp production of its proprietary IVXX cannabis products, which are grown and harvested under the safest and most beneficial conditions. All IVXX products are thoughtfully produced, rigorously tested and certified to the highest standards of potency and purity for sale at the Company's proprietary Blum dispensaries as well as at third party dispensaries. DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. 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This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". 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Contact Information: Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com +1(561)325-8757 PARIS, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On 27th Sept, Globalegrow attended the 6th annual event Lengow Day in Paris, the no.1 European conference dedicated to e-commerce. Occupying a new space, the event brought networking opportunities, future trends in e-commerce and workshops offering advice and best practices. Globalegrow was invited, along with internet giants like Facebook and Google, to share insights into consumer behavior and Chinese e-commerce environment observations with 400 international retailers, specialist and key opinion leaders. Get to know your future customers Themed as "Get to know your future customers", the host held a retail panel with guests from Public Desire, HAWKERS, RENAULT and Globalegrow. Andy Liang, as the representative of Globalegrow, shared his understanding about changes of purchase behavior, particularly in China. When e-commerce first started, consumers got an item in mind and then purchased it. Nowadays in China, consumers have a lot of purchase suggestions which are deeply integrated into their lives. Meanwhile, KOLs (Key Opinion Leader) are becoming a powerful e-commerce driver and is reshaping the entire Chinese social media environment. During the big shopping festival 11.11 Singles' Day, consumers watch live-streams from their favorite KOL, and they try to snatch coupons by crazily tapping on their phones. "In China, e-commerce is becoming a lifestyle. It becomes a game," Andy said. "The Chinese consumers are very concerned about how their product got from another country to theirs. You need to tell the brand history, what qualification the founder has, what are the ingredients and the purpose behind, test results and rewards the brand has won. You need to paint the picture of credibility for the brand. Every piece of information you provide leads to a better conversion rate." Local adaptation domestically and globally After the official conference, Cifnews had an exclusive interview with Globalegrow about its market strategy in China and overseas countries. In its import division, Globalegrow sources brands around the world and the range of products varies from cosmetics and skin care to mother and babies. "Our strategy is to obtain quality brands with unique selling points and a solid supply chain, which is very important to supply the Chinese population, giving them the niche that the Chinese are after," said Andy. Regarding the export business, Globalegrow, likewise, is very much aware of the importance in local adaptation. "For example, in Turkey, we have local warehousing, local staff, customer service, and even a repair center," Andy. To better serve customers worldwide, local adaptation is becoming a crucial strategy inside Globalegrow. About Globalegrow Founded in 2007, Globalegrow is an international e-commerce powerhouse dedicated to reshaping a new retail-ecosystem that closes the gap between global trade and benefits consumers worldwide. After merging with Shanxi Baiyuan Trousers Co., Ltd (aka Global Top, SZ002640) in 2014, Globalegrow is listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange and marks the first cross-border e-commerce A-share stock in China. Now Globalegrow owns global fast fashion brand ZAFUL, e-commerce platform GearBest and others. Website: www.globalegrow.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766157/GLOBALEGROW_lengow_day.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766158/GLOBALEGROW_andy.jpg TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / Cinchy, the enterprise data collaboration platform, announced today they have secured $3MM in financing led by Blindspot Inc., with additional funds coming from ScaleUp Ventures, MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF), Techstars, BDC Capital Seed Fund, and other leading investors. "Today, data is fragmented across thousands of application databases. As a result, organizations need to perform complex integration work as part of every project to share data across systems. This is inefficient, unsecure, expensive, and blocks every organization's ability to innovate quickly." says Dan DeMers, CEO of Cinchy (cinchy.co). "We created Cinchy to unlock unprecedented agility for our customers, and we are 100% committed to enabling them to out-innovate their competition." Cinchy's secure platform enables multiple systems and users to collaborate on data in real-time, without requiring separate application databases. Customers, including leading financial institutions, save time and money by avoiding the complex integration work typically required to share data across systems (including APIs). Cinchy's unique 'cross-application data network' makes it easy for businesses to access and use their data, while improving security for sensitive customer and employee data. TD Bank (TD), a leader in banking innovation, has benefited as an early adopter of Cinchy's technology. "As we continue to build the bank of the future, we are always looking at new technologies like Cinchy that contribute to operational efficiencies and help us power new experiences for our customers." says Tim Clark, CIO, Canadian Retail Banking, Enterprise Information Management and Customer Assistance at TD. The collaboration approach is a radical alternative to data sharing, and Cinchy firmly believes we are at the early beginnings of a major shift in how people think about data. "If data is as valuable as people now believe, then the world is in dire need of a platform that finally respects it. We believe all data must be secure, seamlessly connected, and immediately accessible to those who need it." says Karanjot Jaswal, CTO of Cinchy. "Not everyone gets it, but savvy executives have lost patience investing in new technologies based on future hypothetical benefits. We specifically designed Cinchy to enable immediate ROI while incrementally evolving towards a single secure network of interconnected data." Cinchy took home the top prize from the BDC's Fintech 2.0 Summit held at MaRS in Toronto earlier this year. "We are particularly excited about how Cinchy's technology helps banks and enterprise customers accelerate efforts to standardize and organize their data. Many in the industry have seen the lack of such technology as a blind spot, limiting the future potential of the growing wave of AI companies targeting enterprise customers." says Steven Abrams, Partner at the BDC IT Venture Fund and the Strategic Investment Fund. Other leading investors also believe Cinchy will transform the enterprise data landscape. "We initially selected Cinchy from hundreds of companies across the globe to join Techstars first cohort in Canada, and we are excited to follow on our initial investment as part of this round," says Sunil Sharma, Managing Director at Techstars. "Cinchy exhibits all of the qualities we are looking for when investing in high-growth early-stage technology companies, including a proven technology and founders who are passionate and capable. We are committed to supporting their continued growth," said Kevin Foley, Partner at Blindspot, who will join Cinchy's board of directors. About Cinchy: Cinchy is the leading provider of enterprise data collaboration technology, the revolutionary alternative to data sharing. Cinchy's customers unlock unprecedented IT and business agility while incrementally evolving their organization toward a single secure interconnected network of data. To learn more about Cinchy visit cinchy.co. About Blindspot: Blindspot is comprised of a seasoned team of investors and entrepreneurs. Each is committed to supporting and developing meaningful innovation in technology with applications to wealth management in North America. Together with founders, entrepreneurs and financial services executives, Blindspot combines new capabilities with expertise, capital and contacts to develop and propel new products, platforms and partnerships, faster and further to meet the new tests of customer experience in the spotlight of the digital age. To learn more about Blindspot visit blindspotinc.ca. Contact: Dan DeMers | dan.demers@cinchy.co SOURCE: Cinchy.co View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513474/Cinchy-Raises-3MM-to-Reinvent-How-Data-Works-in-the-Enterprise The PSA leader will also be announcing product updates and sponsoring a corporate headshot station at event BOSTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimble Applications , a global leader in professional services automation (PSA) software, has announced that its co-founder Mark Robinson will present at the Technology Services World (TSW) Conference, taking place October 15 -17, 2018 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Mark's session will look at " Kimble Applications Case Study: From Knee-Jerk to Strategic Decisions: KPIs v Trends ," and he will be presenting alongside Marc Lacroix, managing partner from RTM Consulting on Tuesday, October 16th at 2:45 PM. This session will discuss how professional service organizations can improve performance and forecast predictability by looking at trends to make strategic decisions, rather than reacting quickly to short-term data points. Mark will draw upon his vast experience of growing and advising a wide variety of professional services organizations and provide tips on how companies can leverage advanced diagnostics technology to make better business decisions. At TSW, Kimble will also be announcing a major, industry-changing update to its professional service automation software that will go a long way in addressing the challenges that will be discussed during the presentation. For more details regarding this product update, attendees can participate in product demos at Kimble's booth #20. The company is also sponsoring a Corporate Headshot Station , where conference goers can refresh their professional headshots. About Kimble Applications Kimble Applications helps professional service businesses by improving business performance, increasing visibility, and providing enhanced company collaboration. Kimble is dedicated to the production of unique management solutions delivered through a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. The members of the Kimble management team are recognized professional services experts, having founded, managed, and grown several successful IT and management consulting organizations. They have experienced first-hand the business problems which result from the lack of adequate software available to manage professional services. The team has harnessed the best practice and unique intellectual property gained in their careers, along with detailed design input from a range of experts from leading firms across the globe. CONTACT: Tanner Spear, tanner.spear@kimbleapps.com, 801-722-5433 3:30 p.m. - Classes at UF will not be canceled due to Hurricane Michael. Administration has been monitoring the storm and decided to keep classes going as scheduled, it said this afternoon. The university will make another announcement at 9 p.m. today and again 9 a.m. Wednesday, said UF spokesperson Steve Orlando. The plan is to remain open from here going forward, Orlando said. There has been no issued hurricane watch in the Gainesville area so the impacts of the storm most likely will be minimal, Orlando said. As of 10 a.m. today, Hurricane Michael was moving at 12 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour, according to a report from the National Hurricane Center. Florida State University closed Tuesday until Thursday. Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe issued a Declaration of Emergency in the city due to the expectation of damaging winds, power outages and road network disruption, according to a Facebook post. Alachua County Public Schools tweeted it will remain open Wednesday. 11:30 a.m.- UF administration has not decided if campus will close in response to Hurricane Michael. The next update will by made by 3 p.m., UF spokesperson Margot Winick said. "It's a fluid situation, and it's a big storm," she said. The campus will continue to operate according to its regular schedule, Winick said. Alachua County is not under a hurricane watch or warning, and UF administration is still monitoring the hurricane. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now The storm is a Category 2 hurricane as of 11 a.m., according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane is projected to hit Florida's coastal waters Thursday morning, and it may be a Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits landfall, meteorologists predict. The administration will make official updates on its website, Winick said. Santa Fe College has not decided to close campus as of Monday afternoon. Alachua County Public Schools do not plan on closing this week as Alachua county does not plan on opening any shelters. "Right now, we don't anticipate that happening unless there is a dramatic shift in the hurricane's path," said spokesperson Jackie Johnson in an email. Mayor Lauren Poe announced the city of Gainesville is under a state of emergency Tuesday morning on Facebook. While Gainesville is not in the direct path, we do expect to experience damaging winds, power outages and disruption to our road networks, Poe wrote. Closed UF/IFAS Locations North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy (Gadsden County, today to Friday) North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna (Jackson County, noon today to Thursday) Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key (Levy County, today and Wednesday) West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay (today and Wednesday) West Florida Research and Education Center in Milton (today and Wednesday) North Florida Research and Education Center-Suwannee Valley in Live Oak (Wednesday). Contact Alyssa Ramos at aramos@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @LysKRamos Contact Dana Cassidy at dcassidy@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @danacassidy_ The hurricane's projected path as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. SentryOne announced the SentryOne Monitoring Mobile App, which empowers data professionals and IT managers to view SQL Server, SSAS, and SentryOne Cloud Sync monitoring data on iOS and Android mobile devices and receive push notifications for specified conditions as they occur. The mobile app expands data professionals' options for proactively managing database performance to ensure continuous delivery of business-critical information. "The SentryOne Monitoring Mobile App meets the need for data professionals to have constant access to monitoring data, particularly notifications of critical events that demand quick response," said Andy Mallon, SentryOne Product Manager. The app provides insights regarding overall database health and wait times for user sessions. From the app, data professionals can flag events for later reference, set customized filters to refine the views based on various parameters, and share snapshots of the database environment health score with others in the organization. Data managers can simply tap on an event to see the details they need to address potential performance problems. "The SentryOne Monitoring Mobile App is another breakthrough that supports our mission to help data professionals proactively manage database performance," said Jason Hall, SentryOne VP of Product. "With constant, convenient access to monitoring insights, they can respond quickly and efficiently to emerging performance trouble areas before data users are affected." The SentryOne Monitoring Mobile App requires a SentryOne Cloud account and at least one actively monitored database. For more information about the SentryOne Monitoring Mobile App, visit https://www.sentryone.com/mobile. About SentryOne SentryOne empowers Microsoft data professionals to build, test, document, and monitor SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and the Microsoft Data Platform. We help companies accelerate performance across the data lifecycle with unmatched scalability, best-in-industry customer support, and the most powerful data performance management capabilities available. Our team includes more than 160 employees located in Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville, FL, Salem, NH, and Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at SentryOne.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005208/en/ Contacts: SentryOne Megan Keller Communications Manager media@sentryone.com or Matter for SentryOne Erik Arvidson, 978-518-4542 sentryone@matternow.com (Oslo, 9 October, 2018) REV Ocean's plan for a World Ocean Headquarters was unveiled today at Fornebu in the presence of Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg. REV Ocean has partnered with WWF, IOC of UNESCO, UN Environment, BI Norwegian Business School, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and others to create an unprecedented global ocean solution center. The World Ocean Headquarters will be based in a landmark building "The Big Blue" designed by leading Swedish architect Gert Wingardh. It will be owned and built by Aker, a renowned Norwegian industrial company, whose majority shareholder, Kjell Inge Rkke, is the founder of REV Ocean. - Norway is a world-leading marine and maritime nation and has the opportunities and prerequisites for taking on a global leadership role for the ocean. Our goal is to facilitate the gathering of world-class knowledge-, innovation- and research communities at World Ocean Headquarters outside Oslo, says Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean. The vision is shared by the Norwegian government. At the launch today, the Norwegian Prime Minister said: - Oceans are under pressure due to climate change, overfishing and waste pollution. To ensure the future growth of the ocean economy, we need to harvest resources in a sustainable way. I wish you all the best in establishing a World Ocean Headquarter that will gather, under the same roof, world class knowledge and experience. This initiative will contribute to more sustainable solutions for management of the oceans in the future. Also supporting the initiative is IOC of UNESCO: - We all know that the ocean health is in danger. Many frameworks and agreements are already in place. But we need to move from words and texts to action. The global ocean solutions hub at Fornebu will bridge research, business, governments and NGOs and will help IOC of UNESCO and its partners to better shape the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The Fornebu ocean hub will act as a solid platform for continued cooperation of IOC with REV Ocean. It is exciting to know that a newest and most advanced research vessel will soon ply the global ocean and that she will be available to host scientists from all the world, especially from developing countries. We also really look forward to the new possibilities to expand the use of ocean data by creating a global Ocean Data Platform, says Executive Secretary Vladimir Ryabinin - Through generations, Aker and Aker-owned companies have been a driving force in the development of knowledge-based industry related to marine and maritime resources. Aker will facilitate the realization of the World Ocean Headquarters, says yvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker. The Swedish architect firm Wingardhs won the Nordic architect competition with their landmark building "The Big Blue", a design created to remind us of the ocean's invaluable significance for life on earth. The World Ocean Headquarters is designed as a "campus" - an open space with several structures and one landmark building. The ambition is to bring together world-class knowledge-based institutions related to blue economy, such as sustainable fisheries and ocean management, shipping, marine technology and aquaculture. Offices, conference facilities, apartments and hotel will be included in this thriving knowledge center. For more information please contact: Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean, Cell: +47 9916 9694 Press release 9 oct_WOH (http://hugin.info/138689/R/2219827/868399.pdf) This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Aker ASA via Globenewswire According to T-Media's Reputation&Trust survey, Ponsse is the most reputable company in Finland in 2018. Ponsse received a higher score in the survey than any company ever before. Ponsse was evaluated to be excellent in all eight dimensions of reputation that were measured in the survey. In addition to the total score, the company was assessed to be historically good in responsibility and the ability to renew itself. The Supercell game company kept its second place in the overall results of the listing. The lift manufacturing company Kone was placed third. Everyone has an important role According to Riku Ruokolahti, T-Media's Development Director, the set of indicators used in the Reputation&Trust survey is challenging due to its varied nature, and success in one dimension is not enough to reach the top. "In order to increase trust, product and service evaluations must be supplemented by collecting positive views especially on openness, transparency, acting as an employer and appropriate overall business behaviour. Ponsse is an example of a company that has been successful in all dimensions and remained at the top of the industry's development. The company is committed to developing the well-being of its employees and the whole surrounding community. Ponsse has also taken care of dialogue and interaction in a comprehensive way - not just by successfully selecting sponsorships", Ruokolahti said. Juha Vidgren, Chairman of the Board of Ponsse Plc, received the Reputation&Trust award today in Helsinki. The award was presented by Prime Minister Juha Sipila. According to Juha Vidgren's assessment, the success was based on the ability to manage challenging situations. "Ponsse has come a long way since the depression of the early 1970s, when the first PONSSE forest machine was completed in Vierema. At that time, there was no capital, no engineering skills, no machine-building study, not even the company's own factory hall. Our success of today is based on winning the challenges of the early days. These starting points still serve as the foundation for the determined management of customers, persistence, tolerance for uncertainty, appreciation for work and the expertise of personnel, and flexibility. The brightest goal has always been to manufacture the best forest machines in the world. As Einari Vidgren, the company's founder, put it: the Mercedes-Benz of logging sites", Juha Vidgren said. From Makela to fame "In the tightening competition for skilled workforce, reputation plays an important role. A good reputation supports our own recruitments, while also increasing the appreciation of the whole forest machine industry, which is facing its own challenges in attracting workforce. Reputation also contributes to the pride employees feel for their work. The role of every Ponsse employee is important as a part of the whole", Juha Vidgren said. More than 6,600 Finns participated in the survey The results are based on the Reputation&Trust survey, carried out in June and July 2018 with the goal of investigating the reputation of companies operating in Finland among the general public. A total of 6,612 Finns responded to the survey, providing a total of 17,004 company evaluations. The published most and least reputable companies were selected for the survey based on a preliminary study carried out in March 2018. In the preliminary study, 1,154 Finns spontaneously named two companies which they thought had a particularly good reputation and two that had a particularly poor reputation. Thirty companies that were mentioned most often were carefully studied with the Reputation&Trust model, in which the reputation score of a company is formed as the average of eight different dimensions: governance, financial performance, leadership, innovation, dialogue, products and services, workplace, and responsibility. The target group of the survey were people aged 15-65 all over Finland (excluding Aland). The sample has been weighted to be representative in terms of gender, age and the area where people live. The statistical margin of error for the whole material is at most 1.2 percentage points either way. Vierema, 9 October 2018 PONSSE PLC FURTHER INFORMATION: Juha Vidgren, Chairman of the Board of Ponsse Plc, tel. +358 40 518 6286 Riku Ruokolahti, Development Director of T-Media, tel. +358 400 512 200 Harri Leinikka, CEO of T-Media, tel. +358 40 505 5001 Attachment Industry's Only Network IDS for Containers Adds Log Management and Expands Coverage Beyond AWS to Azure, On-Premises and Hosted Environments HOUSTON, Oct. 09, 2018the leading provider of Security-as-a-Servicesolutions, today announced major updates to the industry's only Network Intrusion Detection System. According to 451 Research Principal Analyst Jay Lyman, containers can enable faster development cycles, increased resource efficiency, and application portability, translating to a fast-growing market expected to top $4 billion by 2022. "Nevertheless, security concerns and the difficulty of inspecting and monitoring container network traffic are among impediments that cause some organizations to delay their adoption of container technology." Available in Alert Logic Cloud Defender and Alert Logic Threat Manager solutions, these expanded capabilities provide businesses with a single interface to manage the security of all containers, track events and incidents, and gain unprecedented visibility into their attack surface. Coverage includes real-time detection of known and unknown exploits that target applications running in containers on Docker, Kubernetes, Elastic Beanstalk, Docker Swarm, CoreOS, Azure Kubernetes Service, Amazon Elastic Container Service, and Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes. Because the new capabilities secure multi-cloud and multi-platform environments, container securityis easily portable across platforms, allowing customers to take advantage of cost and operational efficiencies. "Running container deployments without blind spots on AWS, Azure and on-premises is essential to our business, to our client service, and for compliance requirements," said Mike Santimaw, Rent-a-Center Vice President of Information Security, Innovation Labs & Corporate Solutions. "Alert Logic's container security already provides the real-time visibility we need on AWS, and we are excited for expanded capabilities for Azure and on-prem." "Our NIDS-based approach to container security, combined with new container log management capabilities and integration across an organization's total-and often complex-environment, provides a more comprehensive view than other solutions available today," said Chris Noell, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Alert Logic. "Businesses employ containers for ease and speed of deployment, yet struggle to maintain consistent security as they move containers across cloud, hosted and on-prem environments. Alert Logic solves this challenge by making security as portable as your containers, without any lag or disruption to business operations." Now organizations can simplify their approach by leveraging one solution to protect all workloads and to reduce complexity in multiple areas: Visualize which containers and hosts may be compromised Examine associated metadata Explore remediation recommendations Support existing security policies and workflow Provide a holistic view of attacks Alert Logic partner Claranet serves the IT needs of over 6,500 customers on multi-cloud and hosted environments throughout Europe and Brazil. "Agility, security, and compliance are required competencies for organizations operating in today's world of hybrid and multi-cloud deployments," said Tanaz Gould, Consultancy Director, Claranet. "Containers are fast-becoming the de facto deployment approach for many organizations. Alert Logic's new capability to detect threats to containers in multiple environments will give confidence to customers to move even more aggressively in adopting containers, supporting the benefit of moving workloads from one environment to the next, all while providing centralized visibility. This is a much-needed and important innovation; we applaud Alert Logic for bringing it to market." Products + Services Approach The Alert Logic container security solutions work by analyzing patterns in the data packets as they traverse the container environment to detect cyberattacks in real-time and provide a graphical representation of the compromised container and its relationships. Alert Logic's approach to log managementsimplifies container security by using the same container to collect logs and analyze network traffic. The intrusion detection capabilities for containers are fully managed by Alert Logic's 24x7 security and compliance experts in the company's Security Operations Centers. When a container threat is detected, Alert Logic's security experts prioritize the threat, proactively escalate within 15-minutes, provide visual context, and offer remediation advice for customers. Visit Alert Logic's container securitypage for more information on capabilities. Additional Resources Blog @AlertLogic on Twitter LinkedIn About Alert Logic Alert Logic delivers better cybersecurity for everyone, regardless of their company's size or technology environment. Our proactive threat management platform, always-current threat intelligence, and 24x7, customer-obsessed analyst services protect organizations cost-effectively and with fast time-to-value. More than 4,000 organizations every day trust their security to Alert Logic so they can focus on what matters most-running their business. Founded in 2002, Alert Logic is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in Austin, Seattle, Dallas, Cardiff, Belfast, London and Cali, Colombia. For more information, please visit www.alertlogic.com. Final Phase of Global Competition Puts Rapid, Unmanned, High Resolution Mapping of the Sea Floor to a Real-World Test XPRIZE, the global leader in designing and operating world-changing incentive competitions, today announced the deep sea off Kalamata, Greece, has been chosen as the field testing location for finalist teams competing in the $7M Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE. Deep sea, real-world testing is a key stage in the three-year global competition challenging teams to advance ocean technologies for rapid, unmanned and high-resolution ocean exploration and discovery. In this final field-testing round for the Grand Prize of the competition, which starts in November and runs through December, the teams have up to 24 hours to map at least 250 km2 of the ocean seafloor an area that is nearly three times the area of Paris to depths down to 4,000 meters a cold, dark and high-pressure environment that is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. On the southern coast of Greece, each team will launch and recover their autonomous underwater technologies from XPRIZE's Mission Control in Kalamata. The competition area is approximately 500 km2 and includes a number of underwater features. Finalist teams have to launch from shore and their entries must travel to the competition location by water or air and, with restricted human intervention, map at least 50 percent of the area 250 km2 at five meters resolution and at depths down to 4,000 meters, identifying and imaging at least ten archeological, biological or geological features at any depth, all within 24 hours. "We are excited to be bringing this XPRIZE to Greece, an amazing country with a long history of scientific and technological advancements that have benefited the world," said Jyotika Virmani, Ph.D., prize lead and senior director of XPRIZE's Planet and Environment team. "The Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE competing teams are creating breakthrough technologies designed to operate in extreme conditions, with the goal of rapidly mapping an area that has not previously been mapped at such high resolution; we are providing the teams with an environment that is full of mystery and geological features that will offer a true test of their technologies." The Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE has the support of the Government of Greece, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Education, Research and Religious Affairs, Shipping, and Culture and Sports. The operational team is also working with multiple other organizations, including the National Centre of Scientific Research Demokritos, Office of the Mayor of Kalamata, Municipal Port Fund of Kalamata, Hellenic Coast Guard/Central Port Authority, and the Hellenic Center for Marine Research to ensure smooth operations by providing logistical assistance. Competition organizers also continue to work with Fugro, an industry leader in ocean mapping; and Esri, the global leader in geographic information system (GIS) software. XPRIZE is also partnering with Singularity University, which is hosting the SingularityU Greece Summit in November, at which Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, founder and executive chairman of XPRIZE, will give the opening keynote and Dr. Virmani will discuss the Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE. "We are proud that Kalamata was chosen to be the host city to this international competition and are happy to be able to provide the infrastructure and logistics to support the demonstration of new and exciting technologies," said Panagiotis Nikas, mayor of Kalamata. "The waters surrounding Kalamata provide teams in the Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE with a unique and varied underwater landscape for exploration, and we look forward to supporting their work in this important final round of real-world testing." At the end of the competition, a $4M Grand Prize and $1M Second Place Prize will be awarded to the teams that receive the top scores for demonstrating the highest resolution seafloor mapping. After the competition has ended, the high-resolution seafloor map will be used by NCSR-Demokritos, the largest research center in Greece, and their Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics as part of a worldwide scientific collaboration to establish a new generation Neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean. A secondary test location to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) $1M Bonus Prize will take place in early 2019, once the Grand Prize testing has been completed. This will give all Bonus Prize finalist teams an opportunity to test their technologies and will determine the Bonus Prize winner. In this prize, competing teams will need to demonstrate that their technology can "sniff out" a specified object in the ocean by tracing a biological or chemical signal to its source. For the latest information about the competition structure, important dates and the finalist teams please visit: https://oceandiscovery.xprize.org. About XPRIZE XPRIZE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the global leader in designing and implementing innovative competition models to solve the world's grandest challenges. Active competitions include the Lunar XPRIZE, the $20M NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, the $15M Global Learning XPRIZE, the $10M ANA Avatar XPRIZE, the $7M Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE, the $7M Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE, the $5M IBM Watson AI XPRIZE and the $1.75M Water Abundance XPRIZE. For more information, visit www.xprize.org About Shell Shell companies have been technology pioneers for more than 100 years, and have come up with many industry-transforming "firsts" to deliver energy to its customers. Since 2007, Shell has spent more than $1 billion annually on research and development. In 2014, our research and development expenditures were $1.2 billion, and Shell's technical and engineering staff number more than 43,000 people. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing, and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague, and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. For further information, visit www.shell.com. About National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a science-based federal agency within the Department of Commerce with regulatory, operational, and information service responsibilities with a presence in every state and U.S. territories. NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources. For more information, visit www.noaa.gov View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005426/en/ Contacts: XPRIZE Katherine Schelbert Eric Desatnik Katherine.schelbert@xprize.org / eric@xprize.org Strong International Interest in BolaWrap at IACP Convention LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / Wrap Technologies, Inc. (the 'Company') (OTCQB: WRTC), an innovator of modern policing solutions, announced its first important international news coverage this past weekend in a report by The Times & Sunday Times based in London. The article entitled 'Kevlar lasso offers police alternative to the Taser' highlighted the Company's recent demonstration to the Yonkers, New York Police Department and noted that 'In the face of a national civil rights movement over the shooting of unarmed civilians, police forces all over the US are testing a weapon designed to lasso fleeing suspects with a Kevlar rope.' The online version of the report included a video demonstrating BolaWrap in action (Video Link). The text of the report accompanying the video and reported by The Times & Sunday Times follows: In the face of a national civil rights movement over the shooting of unarmed civilians, police forces all over the US are testing a weapon designed to lasso fleeing suspects with a Kevlar rope. Developed two years ago, the BolaWrap is slightly larger than a television remote and boasts laser sights and a range of 25 feet. It fires like a handgun, shooting out an 8ft length of rope at 640ft per second. The rope is weighted on either end with hooks designed to catch hold of a suspect's clothes as they wrap around his legs or torso. In New York, where it was tested recently by the Yonkers police department, it prompted comparisons to one of the devices carried on the utility belt of Batman in 2008's The Dark Knight. 'Anytime you have an option to use less force, it's good for everyone,' Charles Gardner, Yonkers police commissioner, told the New York Post. The Las Vegas company behind the device said it had been tested by police all over the country. Alex Barnes of Wrap Technologies said it was created by Woody Norris, an inventor who has developed sonic weapons used to ward off pirates. He said: 'The reaction from the law enforcement community has been overwhelmingly positive.' The Company is participating in the 125th International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference (Booth 339) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida through Tuesday, October 9th. 'The interest from international police agencies and distributors has been especially intense this year,' said David Norris, President of Wrap Technologies. 'We expect to report new international partnerships over the coming months as we begin to address the worldwide market for remote restraint.' For information on the Company please visit www.wraptechnologies.com. Examples of recent media coverage are available as links under the 'Media' tab of the website. About Wrap Technologies (OTCQB: WRTC) Wrap Technologies is an innovator of modern policing solutions. The Company's BolaWrap 100 product is a patented, hand-held remote restraint device that discharges an eight-foot bola style Kevlar tether to entangle an individual at a range of 10-25 feet. Developed by award winning inventor Elwood Norris, the small but powerful BolaWrap assists law enforcement to safely and effectively control encounters, especially those in mental crisis. Trademark Information: BolaWrap is a trademark of Wrap Technologies, Inc. All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements - Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's overall business, total addressable market and expectations regarding future sales and expenses. Words such as 'expect,' 'anticipate,' 'should,' 'believe,' 'target,' 'project,' 'goals,' 'estimate,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'may,' 'will,' 'could,' 'intend,' variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the company's control. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the Company's ability to successful develop and implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company's ability to manufacture and produce product for its customers; the Company's ability to develop sales for its new product solution; the acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company's product solution; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the ability to obtain patents and defend IP against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors included in the Company's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations. WRAP TECHNOLOGIES' CONTACT: Investor Relations 800-583-2652, Ext #515 IR@wraptechnologies.com SOURCE: Wrap Technologies View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513676/Wrap-Technologies-Receives-International-News-Coverage-in-The-Times-Sunday-Times-London Updates to the NGINX Application Platform position NGINX as the only vendor to combine all three solutions in a single platform, a combined $5.7B market opportunity in 2019 NGINX, Inc., the company based on the popular open source project and offering a suite of technologies designed to develop and deliver modern applications, today announced enhancements to the NGINX Application Platform including new releases of NGINX Plus, NGINX Controller, and NGINX Unit. These new releases improve NGINX's industry-leading solution in the application delivery controller (ADC) market, as well as introduce new solutions in the API management and service mesh markets. NGINX provides a single platform to compete in a combined market projected to be worth $5.7B in 2019. "Today, there is little distinction between technology companies and traditional enterprises. Technology is front and center in every business strategy, and enterprises of all sizes and in all industries must embrace digital to attract, retain, and enrich customers," said Gus Robertson, CEO, NGINX. "The latest updates to our NGINX Application Platform help companies achieve better customer experiences, agility, and ROI in the digital era. I'm particularly excited we're adding API management to our existing API gateway capabilities, and service mesh to our microservices architecture. We see both in high demand for companies as they modernize." The three new releases NGINX Plus R16, NGINX Controller 2.0, and NGINX Unit 1.4 represent the most substantial set of updates to the Application Platform yet. Updates leverage the modular architecture of NGINX Controller and enable enterprises to provide the right workflows to the right teams managing NGINX Plus in the data plane. These capabilities further simplify application infrastructures by consolidating application delivery, API management, and service mesh management into a single solution accelerating the journey to microservices. The three product releases unlock five new capabilities: NGINX Controller 2.0 enhances Load Balancer Module. NGINX Controller 1.0 launched in June of 2018 with centralized management, monitoring, and analytics for NGINX Plus load balancers. NGINX Controller 2.0 brings advanced NGINX Plus configuration with version control, diffing, and reverting and ServiceNow integration. Controller 2.0 releases in Q4 2018. NGINX Controller 1.0 launched in June of 2018 with centralized management, monitoring, and analytics for NGINX Plus load balancers. NGINX Controller 2.0 brings advanced NGINX Plus configuration with version control, diffing, and reverting and ServiceNow integration. Controller 2.0 releases in Q4 2018. NGINX Controller 2.0 introduces new API Management Module. This new module for NGINX Controller manages NGINX Plus as an API gateway. With this module, NGINX Controller provides API definition, monitoring, and gateway configuration. This lighter-weight, simpler alternative to solutions like Apigee and Axway will be available in Q4 2018. This new module for NGINX Controller manages NGINX Plus as an API gateway. With this module, NGINX Controller provides API definition, monitoring, and gateway configuration. This lighter-weight, simpler alternative to solutions like Apigee and Axway will be available in Q4 2018. NGINX Controller to include a future Service Mesh Module. A service mesh provides governance, security, and control for environments with dozens of microservices. A new NGINX Controller module, available in the first half of 2019, will manage and monitor NGINX Plus service meshes, apply microservices traffic policies, and simplify workflows. A service mesh provides governance, security, and control for environments with dozens of microservices. A new NGINX Controller module, available in the first half of 2019, will manage and monitor NGINX Plus service meshes, apply microservices traffic policies, and simplify workflows. NGINX Plus R16 debuts new dynamic clustering. NGINX Plus R16, released in September, includes clustered state sharing and key-value stores for global rate limiting and DDoS mitigation. NGINX Plus R16 also introduces load balancing algorithms for Kubernetes and microservices, enhanced UDP for VoIP and VDI, and AWS PrivateLink integration. NGINX Plus R16, released in September, includes clustered state sharing and key-value stores for global rate limiting and DDoS mitigation. NGINX Plus R16 also introduces load balancing algorithms for Kubernetes and microservices, enhanced UDP for VoIP and VDI, and AWS PrivateLink integration. NGINX Unit 1.4 improves security and language support. NGINX Unit 1.4 now supports TLS, making it the only app server to support zero-downtime config changes with seamless certificate updates. NGINX Unit 1.4 also adds JavaScript with Node.js to extend existing Go, Perl, PHP, Python, and Ruby language support. Java support is planned for 2019. With these new capabilities, NGINX is the only vendor that helps infrastructure teams deliver north-south traffic flowing from users to apps, as well as build modern apps with optimized east-west traffic. Enterprises can now use the NGINX Application Platform to function as a: Dynamic Application Gateway. The NGINX Application Platform combines a reverse proxy, cache, load balancer, API gateway, and WAF into a single, dynamic application gateway for north-south app and API traffic. Traditional application delivery controllers (ADC) from vendors like F5 Networks do not provide API gateway functionality, and lack the flexibility to act as a single, distributed ingress and egress tier for apps in all clouds. The NGINX Application Platform combines a reverse proxy, cache, load balancer, API gateway, and WAF into a single, dynamic application gateway for north-south app and API traffic. Traditional application delivery controllers (ADC) from vendors like F5 Networks do not provide API gateway functionality, and lack the flexibility to act as a single, distributed ingress and egress tier for apps in all clouds. Dynamic Application Infrastructure. NGINX, already the most popular web server for high-performance apps, now solves microservices complexity with a lightweight, NGINX Service Mesh Module for NGINX Controller. NGINX Unit complements this as a dynamic application server that executes both monolithic and microservice code. The result is a comprehensive application stack optimized for east-west traffic. For more information about the updates to the NGINX Application Platform, please visit our blog or tune into the livestream of NGINX Conf on October 9 and 10 from 9 AM to 12 PM ET. About NGINX, Inc. NGINX, Inc. is the company behind the popular open source project trusted by more than 400 million sites. We offer a suite of technologies for developing and delivering modern applications. The NGINX Application Platform enables enterprises undergoing digital transformation to modernize legacy, monolithic applications as well as deliver new, microservices-based applications. Companies like Netflix, Starbucks, and McDonalds rely on NGINX to reduce costs, improve resiliency, and speed innovation. NGINX investors include Blue Cloud Ventures, e.ventures, Goldman Sachs, Index Ventures, MSD Capital, NEA, Runa Capital, and Telstra Ventures. We are headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with our EMEA head office in Cork, Ireland and APAC head office in Singapore. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005403/en/ Contacts: for NGINX, Inc. Caitlin Noll nginx@pancomm.com Company Implements HRS' Global Booking, Sourcing and Virtual Payment Solutions, Focusing on Traveler Centricity via Innovation and Data Transparency HRS, the leading Global Hotel Solutions provider, announced a landmark new contract today, with HRS being selected by Airbus to oversee the digital transformation of its hotel program. HRS was chosen by Airbus to manage its global hotel negotiations and ensure the right content flows seamlessly into existing booking tools and new mobile applications. Beyond sourcing and booking, HRS and Airbus are working together to implement virtual payment for travelers for the totality of its preferred hotel properties. With HRS virtual payment, travelers no longer need to use personal or corporate cards at the hotel. Expense reports for lodging are done automatically. The benefits for companies with significant hotel volume like Airbus are also numerous; HRS has the world's largest hotel benchmarking database, and the company's unique auditing practices (driven by advanced robotics) delivers enhanced transparency and lower hotel rates. Mutual Focus on Digital Services for Everyday Business Travelers HRS shares the goal of increasing use of digital solutions for all traveler functions. "The trend is clearly leading in the direction of digital solutions. Data transparency, cost efficiency and traveler satisfaction are today's challenges that we solve with our solutions," said HRS CEO Tobias Ragge. "Corporations are taking a closer look at the value of outsourcing versus traditional hotel program management. Given today's corporate hospitality arena with digitization, fragmentation and globalization driving increased complexity companies need a truly customizable model, and we are taking the lead." HRS is already engaging with global hotel chains, smaller groups and independent hotels on Airbus' behalf for 2019 rate negotiations, with preferred hotel suppliers required to accommodate Airbus' virtual payment initiative. HRS to Highlight Virtual Payment Evolution at ACTE Global Summit/CLF Paris A panel at next week's ACTE Global Summit/Corporate Lodging Forum in Paris on 16 October will feature travel buyers, a hotel representative and a start-up discussing the benefits of virtual payment programs for corporations. While virtual payment is increasingly welcome at global chains, there is still progress to be made when it comes to regional chains and independent hotels. This session will explore how the industry can accelerate more widespread virtual payment acceptance. About HRS HRS simplifies business travel. Corporate travel managers and business travellers around the world trust HRS to find the best accommodation and simplify all processes related to their business travel. In addition to professional hotel sourcing and the negotiation of corporate rates with hotels, HRS optimises paperless payment of hotel accommodation and meetings as well as automated invoice processing. More than 3,000 multinational corporations rely on HRS Global Hotel Solutions. Customers include global players from the Fortune 500, including Google, Siemens, Alibaba, China Mobile and Volkswagen. HRS pursues clear goals: savings for companies and high traveller satisfaction. Founded in Cologne in 1972, HRS today has more than 1,500 employees in 35 offices worldwide, including Dallas, London, New York, Sao Paulo, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. Further information atcorporate.hrs.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005636/en/ Contacts: HRS Global Media Relations Michael Brophy, +1-214-356-4326 michael.brophy@hrs.com or HRS France Marketing Manager Lucie de Antoni, +33 1 41 34 48 42 lucie.deantoni@hrs.com 8-week induction data from pivotal Phase 3 UNIFI study presented during plenary session at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting 2018 The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson today announced new data showing treatment with a single intravenous (IV) dose of STELARA(ustekinumab)induces clinical remission and response in adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) who previously experienced an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional or biologic therapies. The findings will be presented today as part of the Late Breaking Abstract Plenary at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting 2018. Results from the induction phase of the Phase 3 UNIFI study show that treatment with a single IV dose of ustekinumab, at both doses studied, induced clinical remission in a significantly greater proportion of UC patients at Week 8 (15.6% of patients receiving 130 mg ustekinumab and 15.5% of patients receiving ~6 mg/kg ustekinumab) compared with placebo. Major secondary endpoints including the proportion of patients in clinical response, endoscopic healing, as well as health-related quality of life scores were significantly improved at week 8 among patients receiving ustekinumab compared with those receiving placebo. At least 50% of study participants were considered biologically refractory, and 17% had a history of inadequate response or intolerance to any anti-TNF antibody and vedolizumab. "Ulcerative colitis is a complex immune disease, and more than half of the patients with ulcerative colitis have not experienced remission with currently available conventional or biologic treatment options," said lead investigator Dr Bruce E. Sands, MD, Dr Burrill B. Crohn research institute, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Dr Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "The significant rates of remission observed in this refractory population through the 8-week induction, coupled with a safety profile that is well-documented through years of research and use in other immune diseases, demonstrate the potential for ustekinumab as an effective treatment for ulcerative colitis." Patients participating in the Phase 3 UNIFI study were randomised 1:1:1 at Week 0, and received a single IV dose of placebo, 130 mg ustekinumab, or ~6 mg/kg ustekinumab (weight tiered dosing: patients weighing =55kg received 260 mg; patients weighing >55kg and =85kg received 390 mg; and patients weighing >85kg received 520 mg). At Week 8, patients (n=961) were evaluated for clinical remission, endoscopic healing, clinical response, change from baseline in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) score (a health-related quality of life measure for patients with IBD [Inflammatory Bowel Disease]), and mucosal healing (an endpoint that includes both endoscopic healing and histologic healing). At Week 8: 15.6% of patients receiving 130 mg ustekinumab and 15.5% of patients receiving ~6 mg/kg ustekinumab achieved clinical remission, compared with 5.3% of patients receiving placebo (p<0.001). Remission was defined as a Mayo score =2 points, with no individual subscore >1 1 26.3% of patients receiving 130 mg ustekinumab and 27.0% of patients receiving ~6 mg/kg ustekinumab experienced endoscopic healing, compared with 13.8% of patients receiving placebo (p<0.001). Endoscopic healing was defined as a Mayo endoscopy subscore of 0 (normal mucosa or inactive disease) or 1 (mild disease activity) 1 51.3% of patients receiving 130 mg ustekinumab and 61.8% of patients receiving ~6 mg/kg ustekinumab achieved clinical response, compared with 31.3% of patients receiving placebo (p<0.001). Clinical response was defined as a decrease from baseline in the Mayo score by =30% and =3 points, with either a decrease from baseline in the rectal bleeding subscore =1 or a rectal bleeding subscore of 0 or 1 1 Patients receiving 130 mg and ~6 mg/kg ustekinumab achieved statistically significant improvements from baseline IBDQ (31.5 and 31.0 respectively) compared with placebo (10.0) (p<0.001)1 20.3% of patients receiving 130 mg ustekinumab and 18.4% of patients receiving ~6 mg/kg ustekinumab achieved mucosal healing compared with 8.9% of patients receiving placebo (p<0.001). Mucosal healing is defined as combined endoscopic healing (Mayo endoscopy subscore of 0 or 1) and histologic healing (defined as 0-<5% neutrophils in epithelium, no crypt destruction, and no erosions, ulcerations or granulations)1 In addition, significant decreases in median levels of fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin were also observed at Week 8 (p<0.05). Through Week 8, adverse events (AEs), serious AEs and infections (including serious infections) were reported in similar proportions across ustekinumab and placebo treatment groups. No malignancies, opportunistic infections or tuberculosis infections were reported through Week 8. One death from oesophageal varices haemorrhage was reported for a patient with no known history of cirrhosis or portal hypertension in the ~6 mg/kg dose group prior to Week 8. "Ustekinumab is the first and only biologic that targets interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 cytokines, which are believed to play a role in immune-mediated diseases, like ulcerative colitis," said Dr Philippe Szapary, MD, MSCE, Vice President, Clinical Development, Janssen Research Development, LLC. "These induction data from the Phase 3 UNIFI study underscore the potential for this unique pathway in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, which may lead to a new effective and safe treatment option for ulcerative colitis patients in the future." In addition to the UNIFI study data, Janssen is also presenting results from the IM-UNITI open-label long-term extension (LTE) study for ustekinumab in the treatment of adults with moderate to severe Crohn's disease, including an oral presentation on the long-term efficacy of ustekinumab, with and without concomitant immunosuppressants through two years. A poster demonstrating the long-term efficacy and safety of ustekinumab through three years of treatment will also be presented. About the UNIFI trial UNIFI is a Phase 3 protocol, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ustekinumab induction and maintenance dosing for the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults who demonstrated an inadequate response to, or were unable to tolerate, conventional (i.e., corticosteroids, immunomodulators) or biologic (i.e., one or more TNF blockers and/or vedolizumab) therapies. Both the induction and maintenance studies are randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multi-centre studies. The Induction study was of at least 8 weeks' duration for each participant. Participants achieving clinical response in the induction study were eligible for the maintenance study. The maintenance study was 44 weeks' in duration. The primary endpoint of the induction study was clinical remission at Week 8 and the primary endpoint for the maintenance study was clinical remission at Week 44 among responders to a single intravenous (IV) ustekinumab infusion. After completion of the maintenance study, a long-term extension study will follow eligible participants for an additional three years. About ulcerative colitis More than five million people worldwide are living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).Ulcerative colitis affects up to one million people in Europe.2 UC is a chronic disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and develops tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus and mucus. It is the result of an abnormal response by the body's immune system. Symptoms vary, but may include loose and more urgent bowel movements, persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloody stool, loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue.3 About STELARA(ustekinumab) In the European Union, ustekinumab is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who fail to respond, have a contraindication, or are intolerant to other systemic therapies, including ciclosporin, methotrexate (MTX), or psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA). Ustekinumab is also indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adolescent patients from the age of 12 years and older, who are inadequately controlled by or are intolerant to other systemic therapies or phototherapies. In addition, ustekinumab is approved alone or in combination with MTX for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients when the response to previous non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy has been inadequate. In November 2016, the European Commission approved ustekinumab for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease, who have had an inadequate response with, lost response to, or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a TNF-alpha antagonist or have medical contraindications to such therapies. The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson maintain exclusive worldwide marketing rights to ustekinumab, which is currently approved for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in 90 countries, paediatric psoriasis in 43 countries, psoriatic arthritis in 83 countries and Crohn's disease in 62 countries. Important safety information For complete European Union (EU) prescribing information, please visit: http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/human/medicines/000958/human_med_001065.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058001d124 About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science. We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com/emea. Follow us on Twitter: @JanssenEMEA. Janssen-Cilag International NV is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson. Cautions concerning forward-looking statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding development and potential availability in Europe of ustekinumab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen-Cilag International NV, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson Johnson and/or Johnson Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges inherent in product research and development, including uncertainty of clinical success and obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017, including under "Item 1A. Risk Factors," its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including under the caption "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson Johnson. Neither the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. References 1. Sands BE, Sandborn WJ, Panaccione R et al. Safety and efficacy of ustekinumab induction therapy in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis: results from the Phase 3 UNIFI study [abstract]. Presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 5-10 October 2018. 2. Janssen Disease Lens. Ulcerative colitis. Available at https://www.diseaselens.com/v2/index.php. (last accessed October 2018). 3. Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Ulcerative colitis. Available at https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-inflammatory-bowel-disease/ulcerative-colitis. (last accessed October 2018). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005698/en/ Contacts: Janssen Media Contacts Emily Bone Mobile: +44 7876-394-360 ebone1@its.jnj.com or Kim Rotondo Office: +1 215-628-7166 Mobile: +1 267-994-1169 krotondo@its.jnj.com or Investor Contact Lesley Fishman Office: +1 732-524-3922 Leveraging a team with a unique and world class skill set in the field, Acorus Networks raises $6 million from Elaia Partners, Partech and Kima Ventures Acorus Networks, specialized in protecting enterprise and service providers' network and web platform infrastructure from distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS), is raising $6 million from Elaia Partners, Partech and Kima Ventures. This funding round will contribute to Acorus Networks' mission to protect customers whose business activity relies on the Internet, in fields such as banking, e-commerce, gambling, government and healthcare. According to IDC Research's recent US DDoS Prevention Survey, more than 50% of IT security decision makers admit that their organization had been the victim of DDoS attacks 10 times in the past year. Of these attacks, more than 40% lasted longer than 10 hours. Now that DDoS-as-a-service (DaaS) is available at low prices, it is easier than ever for anyone malicious to launch a DDoS attack, multiplying the risk faced by companies. In 2014, Benjamin Schilz and Raphael Maunier decided to launch Acorus Networks to address this growing phenomenon with a unique approach. Both co-founders have proven track records: Benjamin is a telecommunications engineer with a background in cloud security and web hosting and an entrepreneur at heart. Raphael is one of the co-founders of France-IX, the premier internet peering service provider in France, with 20 years of experience in the telecom and network industries. Their vision is to develop an innovative customizable solution to address complex, sophisticated DDoS issues for enterprise and service provider companies alike. Acorus Networks has built a large-scale, agile and robust infrastructure enabling different and complementary methods of both web and network DDoS detection and mitigation that guarantees high availability and performance. "As an online retailer, the availability of our website is critical. In the event of unavailability, every minute results in a loss of revenue and a deterioration of our brand image. Acorus Networks' detection and filtering systems operate at the front end of our infrastructures in order to permanently protect us against denial of service," said Romain Broussard, IT Director at CDiscount.com. "High-traffic websites, e-sport and live events are recurring targets for DDoS attacks. The flexibility of the Acorus Networks solution and its ability to adapt to our specific needs, as well as the recognized expertise of the team, are at the origin of our choice. "said David Bordas, Hosting and Network Infrastructure Manager at Webedia. "The DDoS protection and mitigation market continues to grow by more than 20% each year, there is no slowing down of these malicious attacks that hurt customers in indirect or indirect cost. Since Acorus' solution is designed to answer specific industry needs, it has already met with success among leading brands. The Acorus Networks team's unparalleled experience in understanding system availability needs and their unique solution has helped them land some of the largest online brands, we are proud to be joining them on this journey." said Reza Malekzadeh, General Partner at Partech. "As cyberattacks grow (4000 attacks per day), so do cybersecurity business opportunities. We've known Acorus for some time, since they protected Scoop.it, a portfolio company, from a massive attack. I am impressed by their vision, their technology and the reputation the team has built. We are very proud and excited to be on board and confident that Acorus Networks is heading toward international success", said Marc Rougier, Partner at Elaia Partners. To answer the fast growing market demand, Acorus Networks grows its engineering and programming teams and is now looking for a head of sales to structure sales organization. Please contact jobs@acorus.net if you want to join this exciting adventure! About Acorus Networks Acorus Networks specializes in protecting enterprises from distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS), a service especially important for companies whose business activity, data or image depends on the Internet. Acorus benefits from its own protection centers worldwide and provides innovative, nonintrusive security solutions to its customers to ensure high upstream availability of their network and web infrastructures. Acorus' clients include hosting services, e-commerce sites, media companies, carriers, banks, governments and healthcare companies, among others. A customized portal allows clients to visualize their legitimate traffic in real time and counter DDoS attacks manually or automatically. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005708/en/ Contacts: Media Martial Pluque, +33 1 56 02 68 28 AxiCom on behalf of Acorus Networks martial.pluque@axicom.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2018) - Jaxon Mining Inc. (TSXV: JAX) (FSE: 0U31) (OTC: JXMNF) ("Jaxon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Alain Voisin, CPA, CGA has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Voisin has worked with Jaxon since February 2018 and has served as Controller and CFO of various private and publicly traded companies, including a number of junior exploration companies over the past 15 years. Mr. Voisin obtained his Bachelor of Science from Western University. The Company would like to thank Mr. Oleg Scherbina for his past role as CFO and wishes him the best in his future endeavours. Mr. John King Burns, Chairman, commented: "I am glad to welcome Mr. Voisin as our CFO. Alain has both scientific and business training and will contribute his advanced accounting skills, his judgment and his business acumen to the Company at a time the Company needs a focused expert in that position." About Jaxon Mining Inc. Jaxon is a precious and base metals exploration company with a regional focus on Western Canada. The Company is currently focused on advancing its Hazelton Project in north-central British Columbia and the More Creek Project (consolidating the Wishbone and Foremore properties) in British Columbia's Golden Triangle. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS JAXON MINING INC. "John King Burns" John King Burns, Chairman For Investor Relations enquiries for Jaxon Mining Inc., please call 604-609-6152, and for Corporate enquiries, please call 604-608-0400, or Toll free: 1-877-608-0007. This news release may contain forward-looking information, which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames, or at all. 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, other than as required by law. Neither TSX Venture exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2018) - PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FSE: 1ZVA) ("PowerBand" or the "Company"), a leading online auction and remarketing platform to buy and sell used vehicles, is pleased to provide the following corporate development update for its shareholders. As we enter Fall 2018 PowerBand Solutions ("PowerBand" or "the Company") continues to build and lay the foundation for becoming the premier online marketplace for used cars in North America. We do so by analyzing global market trends and building and refining our strategy accordingly. For example, we are keeping track of the recently-announced USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and how it will affect the $70 billion-dollar automotive export market into the United States. For the time being, it looks like the automotive industry will not have to face the 20-25% duties originally proposed, which should continue to help drive our business as we expand into the United States. Additionally, we have added personnel in key positions, including the board of directors, management, sales and software development. We also understand that partnerships and potential acquisitions, which, coupled with organic growth and product development, significantly complement the Company's plan to become the premier marketplace for not only cars but any vehicle with a Vehicle Identification Number ("VIN"). We continue to develop technology based on the "voice of the customer" and to develop our roadmap with a deepening focus on our mobile apps as well as the core features of our products. We believe that we are at the cusp of significant growth and that PowerBand is poised for success due to: Operating in an environment in which more people are buying and selling used cars versus new cars The fact that people are becoming more comfortable with using online and mobile tools to purchase goods, including cars The industry is broken and fragmented and is in dire need of more transparency There is considerable consolidation and capital chasing online marketplaces for used vehicles, globally, with both the US & China having the largest market share Having completed our public listing in February 2018 and subsequent share consolidation, we are pleased to report the following highlights since our last Corporate Update in May 2018: US Expansion: Although we understand that the larger market opportunity for used vehicles is in the US, with over 40 million used vehicles transacting annually, 2018 was to be focused primarily on expanding across Canada. However, through a series of partnerships and increased demand in the PowerBand platform, and in addition to expanding across Canada, PowerBand has decided to expand into the US much sooner than anticipated. This acceleration into the US will help us achieve our objectives and goals aligning with significant partners in the automotive sector in the United States in order to increase our goal to become the premier online marketplace for buying and selling vehicles. As part of this initiative, the Company has incorporated a Florida-based subsidiary, PowerBand Solutions US Inc., and has setup an office in Rogers, Arkansas. By operating in northwest Arkansas, PowerBand will be in a position to continue fostering commercial relationships with numerous companies in the area as well as enhancing existing partnerships with US-based Zoom Blockchain Solutions and DealerSocket. As part of PowerBand's expansion into the US, we have engaged Mike Moen as Strategic Advisor. Mike holds MSc, EMPA, and MBA degrees and has spent over 25 years working both in the private and public sector. Mike's extensive international experience working with technology and investment firms, including those on Wall Street and Silicon Valley, have proven to be instrumental in driving the Company's initiatives forward. LeadSource Acquisition: PowerBand completed the acquisition of LeadSource at the end of August 2018. Based in Kelowna, BC, LeadSource is a next-generation automotive private sale event marketing company. LeadSource integrates its proprietary consumer methodology with the latest in advanced database mining techniques to harvest qualified, in-equity sales leads through its customer contact center. LeadSource provides training to the dealership's staff and orchestrates all aspects of the multiday private sales events, resulting in a dynamic and transparent customer experience that is unlike any other current offering in the marketplace. We anticipate that LeadSource will be able to secure in excess of 100 events over the course of the next 18-month period. Each event averages approximately $10,000 in gross sales. Additional revenues are generated via transactions made on the PowerBand platform for trade-ins brought in by customers at these events. PowerBand will make $200 for each vehicle sold through our LiveNet auction platform at these private sale events. Furthermore, and although we are in the early stages of our acquisition, and have not seen a full 12 month cycle, after approximately 40 booked events, we are already seeing an over 50% re-booking rate by existing dealers. Since the acquisition closed on August 31st, PowerBand has seen an estimated $20,000,000 in total value of vehicles sold, of which, 70% have been trucks. Of the approximate $20,000,000 in value, 70% of these vehicles are new cars. We are greatly encouraged at these tremendous results only a few weeks after closing the transaction. In order to better serve our LeadSource customers, we have developed our own internal software lead generation tool. This tool helps to provide market intelligence and a dashboard for us to monitor leads, success of events, and various metrics and key performance indicators that should increase the number of events and margins. To supplement this lead generation tool and our sales efforts, we are also in the process of establishing our own call center which will focus on automotive events. The new call center should help increase the number of leads as well as generate higher margins and ROI as well as increase the re-booking rate by existing dealerships. Since closing our financing in February, across Canada, we have seen an uptick of over 40% in new accounts, with Western Canada growth increasing by over 70% in this same period. We anticipate that with PowerBand's ever-increasing 240+ dealer partnership network we will easily be able to not only increase the number of events but also transactions on the PowerBand platform. LeadSource has become an integral part of PowerBand's Canadian sales strategy and will help to serve other revenue streams as the Company expands its presence. Investor Relations: The Company has recently taken several steps to bring awareness of PowerBand as an investment opportunity and to increase its market presence and liquidity. The Company continues to attend highly visible investor conferences focusing on microcap technology companies and will continue to post news releases as to where these shows will be. We have an extensive number of road shows and investment events planned over the next 6 months, across North America, which should help bring increased awareness to our story. In addition to receiving a TSX-Venture and Frankfurt listing, PowerBand also has an OTCQB listing. As part of the OTCQB listing, PowerBand has also attained Depository Trust Company ("DTC") eligibility. This will make it easier for brokers in the US to clear and settle trades and to broaden the company's scope to trade in the US. The OTCQB and DTC eligibility will be instrumental as PowerBand expands further into the US and begins to receive more interest from potential US investors. Renmark Financial Communications Inc. has recently been engaged by the Company to increase its presence in both the US & in Canada. By leveraging some of the relationships Renmark has in the US & in Canada, we hope to take advantage of curated events in different cities to increase our shareholder base and drive liquidity. Partnerships: Zoom Blockchain Solutions In addition to the partnerships PowerBand already has with RouteOne, PBS Financial Systems, Quantech Software, DealerSocket, Carpages.ca, and Trader, we have also signed a Letter of Intent to form a joint venture with Zoom Blockchain Solutions to establish a disruptive automotive-related blockchain and application technologies solution, collectively known as Zoom Automotive Solutions. The Zoom Automotive Solutions alliance will include several leading automotive, technology and financial partners. These B2B and B2C blockchain applications are expected to accelerate transaction and settlement times as well as remove friction from the industry and pave the way for a much improved and trusted consumer experience. TUV Nord Mobility Additionally, PowerBand's LOI to integrate business platforms with TUV Nord Mobility, which performs technical inspections on millions of cars worldwide, will help to increase transparency and trust of vehicles transacted on the PowerBand platform, providing further ease to buyers and sellers and more easily enabling lenders to be a part of the online marketplace ecosystem. Founded in 1869 and headquartered in Hanover, Germany, the TUV Nord Group employs more than 10,000 people in more than 70 countries and is regarded as a world leader in the Technical Inspection and Certification (TIC) industry. These inspection reports will help bring further transparency as well as confidence to buyers and sellers on the PowerBand marketplace. We believe the integration of our auction platform with TUV NORD Mobility's vehicle inspection service will differentiate PowerBand Solutions in the industry. As PowerBand's MarketPlace becomes the premier marketplace for not only cars, but any vehicle with a Vehicle Identification Number, the Company will continue to develop additional revenue streams and product offerings for the vehicular sector. Additionally, as we accumulate more data and are able to better use artificial intelligence ("AI") capabilities, we can help our consumers make better purchase and funding decisions on vehicles. Since becoming a publicly traded company 10 months ago, PowerBand continues to lay the foundation to become the premier online marketplace for buying and selling used vehicles. By expanding sooner than anticipated into the US market, as well as partnering with significant players in the automotive sector, PowerBand is now poised to become a global auction marketplace leader. This credibility will enable PowerBand to hire additional team members across the Company and provide the Company with more opportunities as we continue our expansion. About PowerBand PowerBand is a technology provider listed on the TSX Venture Exchange that is developing solutions for automotive and other industries that drive efficiency and transparency in the marketplace. PowerBand has developed and commercialized a leading-edge online auction platform that increases revenues and profit margins for its automotive dealership, Original Equipment Manufacturer, commercial fleet and rental company customers. PowerBand's remarketing platform, the PowerBand Exchange, incorporates the industry's latest auction technologies, inventory management, market intelligence, and appraisal processes. For further information, please contact: Richard Goldman, VP Corporate Development 1-866-768-7653 rgoldman@powerbandsolutions.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. 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. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 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 obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by Canadian securities law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. CHICAGO, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Lighting Contactor Market by End-User (Smart Residential Complexes, Commercial, Industrial, and Municipal), Type (Electrically Held and Mechanically Held), Application (Indoor and Outdoor), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Lighting Contactor Market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 737.8 million in 2018 to USD 1,111.0 million by 2023, at a CAGR of 8.53% from 2018 to 2023. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Don't miss out on business opportunities in Lighting Contactor Market. Speak to Our Analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=24570823 This growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of energy-efficient lighting, growing demand for smart controls in lighting systems, and increasing adoption of IoT in the lighting industry. Commercial segment is expected to hold the largest share of the Lighting Contactor Market, by end-user, during the forecast period. Lighting contactors are used widely in commercial setups such as corporate offices, healthcare and retail complexes, hotels, restaurants, and educational institutes. Increasing need for energy efficiency is the major objective for governments, organizations, building owners, and other stakeholders. The governments in different countries are adopting LEDs to increase energy efficiency as it can directly reduce the maintenance and utilization cost. Lighting control systems reduce the energy consumption by optimizing ambient light levels to suit the user's needs, thereby reducing the overall demand for lighting energy. Lighting control systems require lighting contactors for controlling lights, which require frequent on and off operation. Thus, the increase in the adoption of energy-efficient lighting is likely to boost the Lighting Contactor Market. Browse in-depth TOC on"Lighting Contactor Market" 63- Tables 32- Figures 113- Pages View more detailed TOC @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/lighting-contactor-market-24570823.html Electrically held segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the Lighting Contactor Market, by type, during the forecast period. The electrically held segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the Lighting Contactor Market during the forecast period. These contactors require an uninterrupted flow of power for continuous operation. If the power is lost, the contactors isolate the light from the circuit. A constant current flow is required to keep the contactor energized. These contactors are noiseless and consume less amount of control power than other contactors. They are mainly used in smart residential complexes and commercial and industrial segments. Thus, the adoption of electrically held contactors is more than mechanically held contactors. Europe: the leading market for lighting contactors In this report, the Lighting Contactor Market has been analyzed on the basis of 5 regions, namely, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East & Africa. The market in Europe is expected to lead the global Lighting Contactor Market in 2018 and is projected to have the largest market share by 2023. The growing demand for lighting control systems in Europe makes it a potentially growing market for lighting contactor providers. The drive for green city projects has brought into the focus on energy efficiency in most of the EU countries. This has created a market opportunity for the manufacturers of LED and energy-efficient lighting control systems and solutions. Moreover, historical buildings, architectural sites, and hospitality businesses contribute to the increased demand for innovative lighting solutions. Thus, the demand for lighting control systems in commercial, residential, and industrial sectors is increasing which is likely to drive the Lighting Contactor Market. Request for Free Sample Report @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=24570823 To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the top players in the Lighting Contactor Market. The key players in the market include ABB (Switzerland), Siemens (Germany), Schneider Electric (France), Rockwell Automation (US), and Eaton (Republic of Ireland). The leading players are trying to expand in developing economies and are adopting various strategies to increase their market shares. Browse Adjacent Markets @Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/lighting-contactor-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / Medicine Man Technologies Inc. (OTCQX: MDCL) ("Medicine Man Technologies" or "Company"), one of the United States' leading cannabis branding and consulting companies today provided the following client and business update. In early September of 2018 our client, Grow Ohio Pharmaceutical became the first Level 1 medical marijuana cultivator with a provisional processing license to receive a Certificate of Operation from the Ohio Department of Commerce. The company's newly commissioned 56,000 square foot facility is located on ten acres of reclaimed mining property in Zanesville, Ohio in Muskingum County. Grow Ohio Pharmaceutical was the third Level 1 provisional licensee to convert to a cultivation based operational license. As one of only seven processor licensees receiving provisional approved so far, they further expect to receive clearance in the near future for operational status of their processing license as well. In late July our client, Calypso Enterprises, LLC of Pennsylvania was awarded a Cultivation and Processing license related to the Northwest Region of the state, achieving the third highest overall score in this second round of licensing that included over 100 applications. Calypso expects to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2019. It is also noteworthy that both Ohio and Pennsylvania have a limited number of licenses, supporting a medical only state-based mandate and that both clients are Cultivation MAX licensees. The Company has also initiated support for several other new clients since our last update including those in Arkansas (cultivation), Oklahoma (cultivation and dispensary), Michigan (cultivation and dispensary), and Massachusetts (cultivation) and have been fielding multiple inquiries from several other states. The Company continues to work with its Canadian partner, Canada House Wellness (CHV) as they prepare to offer access to our combined IP and Success Nutrients line throughout Canada. "Yesterday, we advanced our listing status from OTCQB to the OTCQX Marketplace which we believe will provide greater access to capital and open Medicine Man Technologies to a broader range of investors," Brett Roper, Medicine Man Technologies' co-founder and Chief Executive Officer commented. "This is a crucial step as we continue to expand our presence as one of the leading cannabis consultancies both domestically and internationally." Mr. Roper continued, "We also expect to exceed the guidance as provided in late July and as related to our 3rd quarter's performance wherein we indicated a $4.5M revenue cycle with substantial profitability. Medicine Man Technologies is continuing to execute on its vision of expansion and growth that has been built upon a clearly defined path to profitability as achieved in the first three quarters of this year." Andy Williams, Chairperson of Medicine Man Technologies' Board of Directors added, "As we continue to demonstrate our client facing skills in the Cannabis marketplace, we are confident we will be able to build on this foundation moving forward with our plans to become premier operator/owners in the years ahead. We believe this evolution into a "plant touching" or an operating company combined with our extensive history and strong reputation in the industry will provide for the creation of sustainable shareholder value based upon a sustainable path to profitability as we are currently demonstrating." About Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Established in March 2014, the Company secured its first client/licensee in April 2014. To date, the Company has provided guidance for several clients that have successfully secured licenses to operate cannabis businesses within their state. The Company currently has or has had active clients in California, Iowa, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Illinois, Michigan, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, Germany, and South Africa. We continue to focus on working with clients to 1) utilize its experience, technology, and training to help secure a license in states with newly emerging regulations, 2) deploy the Company's highly effective variable capacity constant harvest cultivation practices through its deployment of Cultivation MAX, and eliminate the liability of single grower dependence, 3) avoid the costly mistakes generally made in start-up, 4) stay engaged with an ever expanding team of licensees and partners, all focused on quality and safety that will "share" the ever-improving experience and knowledge of the network, and 5) continuing the expansion of our Brands Warehouse concept through entry into industry based cooperative agreements and pursuing other acquisitions as they prove suitable to our overall business development strategy. Safe Harbor Statement This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues and any payment of dividends on our common and preferred stock, statements related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among other matters, the Medicine Man Technologies may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including, but not limited to, general stock market conditions. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Company's most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in the expansion of our existing and new service lines, noting there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long-term. Additional service offerings may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s) based upon the various geopolitical locations where we will be providing services, the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time. To be added to the Medicine Man email distribution list, please email, MDCL@kcsa.com with MDCL in the subject line. For more information, visit us at - www.medicinemantechnologies.com or www.threealight.com or www.thebigtomato.com. Contact Information: KCSA Strategic Communications MDCL@kcsa.com SOURCE: Medicine Man Technologies View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513714/Medicine-Man-Technologies-Provides-a-Client-and-General-Performance-Update Technavio analysts forecast the beauty and personal care market in Africa to grow at a CAGR of over 7% during the forecast period, according to their latest market research report. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005442/en/ Technavio has published a new market research report on the beauty and personal care market in Africa from 2018-2022. (Graphic: Business Wire) The growing online retailing of beauty and personal care (BPC) products is one of the major trends being witnessed in the beauty and personal care market in Africa 2018-2022. Rising urbanization, rapidly changing technologies, evolving demographics, internet penetration, and use of smart gadgets have improved the online shopping landscape. Vendors operating in the BPC market in Africa are focusing on distributing their offerings through the online platform, which is supported by advances in technology. Easy and convenient shopping experiences, wide options of brands and products, hassle-free product returns, easy online transactions, and cash on delivery (COD) are some of the other factors driving this shift. Some e-retailers in Africa include Zando, Takealot Online, and Jumia that sell a wide variety of BPC products across different categories. Thus, these trends are expected to help the BPC market in Africa have a positive outlook during the forecast period. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing According to Technavio analysts, one of the key factors contributing to the growth of the beauty and personal care market in Africa is the increasing number of surgeries coupled with growing prevalence of diseases: Beauty and personal care market in Africa: Product innovation and product line extension Innovation is vital for the BPC market in Africa as the demand for innovative products offering optimal use and functionalities is high. The preference for BPC products that address multiple concerns within a minimal time span is also gaining momentum. Customers, of late, are opting for natural, instant ways of healing their problems related to either skin or hair. To meet the evolving customer needs, vendors focus on manufacturing innovative products. They also focus on extending their existing product lines by introducing new BPC products, tailored to customer requirements. A rise in the disposable income of customers is heightening the spending power on BPC products and triggering market growth. These BPC brands focus on differentiating themselves, based on product quality, reliability, price point, and packaging. They also invest in procuring innovative ingredients and technologies that can positively impact the health and appearance of their skin and hair. Moreover, BPC products made of natural, organic, and other innovative and technology-driven ingredients are priced at a premium with higher margin opportunities for the manufacturers. According to a senior analyst at Technavio for research on cosmetics and toiletry, "Currently, growing health consciousness and awareness of the harmful effects of toxic chemicals used in BPC products have spurred the demand for products with natural ingredients. Consumers in Africa seek products that are less harsh and have low chemical composition. Therefore, some vendors are focusing on manufacturing products without chemical ingredients and focusing on natural and organic ingredients." Beauty and personal care market in Africa: Segmentation analysis The Beauty and personal care market in Africa research report provides market segmentation by product (skin care products, hair care products, color cosmetics, fragrances, other products), and by region (South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Kenya, rest of Africa). It provides an in-depth analysis of the prominent factors influencing the market, including drivers, opportunities, trends, and industry-specific challenges. In 2017, South Africa, dominated the BPC market in Africa with a market share of more than 31%. During the forecast period, three regions namely Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya are expected to register similar incremental growth of close to 0.50%, followed by the rest of Africa. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market sizing Market size and forecast Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Geographical Segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005442/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 www.technavio.com Addition of digital asset management and content operations expands Sitecore's capabilities across the digital marketing technology stack, helps marketers increase the impact of digital experiences SAN FRANCISCO and BRUSSELS, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sitecore, a global leader in digital experience management, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Stylelabs, creator of the Marketing Content Hub platform. Used by many of the world's largest and most recognizable brands, the Stylelabs platform centralizes the ability to define content strategy and easily create, manage, and publish marketing content across channels. Adding Stylelabs' platform to Sitecore allows marketing teams to own the entire content lifecycle and understand the impact of specific content assets on individual customers' behavior, empowering them to deliver transformative experiences throughout the customer journey. Consumers today demand richer, more relevant and valuable interactions from businesses, and differentiated content is the centerpiece of delivering personalized customer experiences. Accomplishing this requires marketing teams to create content that matches each audience persona, for every channel, across all stages of the customer journey. However, only 18% of marketers feel their organization has the right technology in place to manage their content efforts1. The combined capabilities of Sitecore and Stylelabs solve this content crisis. By incorporating Stylelabs' digital asset management (DAM), marketing resource management (MRM), and product information management (PIM) applications, Sitecore Experience Cloud enables marketing departments to create and optimize the volume of assets needed to treat customers as individuals. In turn, businesses can provide the right information, products, and services right when the customer needs them, building engagement, trust and loyalty, and lifetime value. "I am thrilled to welcome the entire Stylelabs team to the Sitecore family," said Mark Frost, CEO of Sitecore. "Companies thrive by exceeding their customers' expectations. Together, Sitecore and Stylelabs will be the only company that can deliver functionality spanning the entire content lifecycle, from planning to publishing to delivering rich, relevant experiences tailored to customer needs. We're providing the best end-to-end digital marketing solution in the world to help CMOs and their teams realize the power of content as their most valuable asset to build life-long customer relationships." "We are incredibly excited to join a company that shares our culture, product vision, and desire to help marketers overcome their biggest business obstacles," said Tim Pashuysen, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Stylelabs. "Leveraging each other's strengths promises our customers the opportunity to quickly and easily deliver high-performing marketing programs that provide even more intelligent, differentiated, and exciting customer experiences." The Stylelabs Marketing Content Hub complements Sitecore's industry leading web content management, commerce, and digital experience platform capabilities with the same modern, .NET architecture, similar marketing strategies, and an overlapping client base of some of the world's most prominent brands. Upon closing of the transaction, Stylelabs' nearly 100 employees become part of Sitecore, including the entire Stylelabs leadership team. "This is a great move for Sitecore and its customers," said Melissa Webster, VP content and digital media technologies at IDC. "With Stylelabs, Sitecore controls a much broader piece of the martech stack and can help marketing streamline the delivery of seamless, personalized experiences - with full insight into what content is best suited to each individual customer. That's the key to improving reach and engagement, converting customers, and maximizing lifetime customer value." Sitecore's acquisition of Stylelabs is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in October 2018. Financial terms were not disclosed. About Stylelabs Stylelabs is a software company with 15 years of experience in the development of enterprise marketing technology for world brands, pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods, media, retail, and agencies. The company was founded in 2001 by Tim Pashuysen (CSO) and Tom De Ridder (CTO). The company's American subsidiary, Stylelabs Inc., was established in 2013. Stylelabs' clients are located mainly in Europe and the United States. The Stylelabs Marketing Content Hub enables large companies to collate, organize, and publish their marketing content across a whole range of channels, including websites, e-commerce, and social media. Marketing Content Hub enables data to be enriched, edited, evaluated, and used in worldwide marketing campaigns. Everything is centralized in an easy-to-use portal site, giving marketing departments an invaluable tool for communicating faster, more efficiently, and at a lower cost. About Sitecore Sitecore is a global leader in digital experience management software that combines content management, commerce, and customer insights. The Sitecore Experience Cloud empowers marketers to deliver personalized content in real time and at scale across every channel-before, during, and after a sale. More than 5,200 brands--including American Express, Carnival Cruise Lines, Dow Chemical, and L'Oreal--have trusted Sitecore to deliver the personalized interactions that delight audiences, build loyalty, and drive revenue. Contact Matt Krebsbach Sr. Director, Public & Analyst Relations at Sitecore matt.krebsbach@sitecore.com Sitecore Media Relations WE Communications TeamSitecore@we-worldwide.com Sitecore, Own the Experience, and Sitecore Experience Cloud are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sitecore Corporation A/S in the USA and other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. 1 Content Marketing Institute's 2017 Content Management and Strategy Survey Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/334493/sitecore_logo.jpg BERLIN, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BDI Chief Executive Joachim Lang on Brexit: "Europe Must Prevent a Worst-case Scenario" Lead negotiators must show even greater readiness to compromise A transition period to the end of 2020 is essential for business Companies are making preparations for a hard Brexit "Europe must prevent a worst-case scenario with Brexit. A split between the United Kingdom and the European Union without a separation and transitional agreement and without clarification of the future relationship remains one of the possible options. This is a worrying situation just a few days before the decisive EU summit." This is what the chief executive of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI - Federation of German Industries), Joachim Lang, told the German news media association (Bundespressekonferenz) in Berlin. "The transition period, during which the United Kingdom continues to remain in the customs union and the internal market, can only be implemented with an agreement on the withdrawal - and that up to the end of 2020," Lang stressed. "This transition period is essential for our companies." Only in this way would it be possible to adjust to the many alterations to the legal framework for the time thereafter. "A hard Brexit would be a disaster that would plunge tens of thousands of companies in Europe and hundreds of thousands of employees on both sides of the English Channel into major difficulties," Lang warned. Europe could not cope with a fiasco of this kind. For that reason, the lead negotiators must show even greater readiness to compromise.Lang: "The main point for German industry is to preserve the integrity of the internal market. Cohesion in the EU-27 has the highest priority for us in business." The British government's Chequers proposals put forward in July caused serious concerns among German companies. But the point now was to emerge from the negotiating dead end: "For this, politicians must now not look at all the things that are not possible, but continue working at whatever points of agreement there are." The next EU summit in a little over two weeks had to result in a negotiating breakthrough. "Otherwise Europe runs the risk of sliding into a disorderly Brexit. The result would be a huge crisis," the BDI chief said. Viewed rationally, all the substantive issues could be resolved sensibly. "A precondition is that reality finally dawns in London. Fear of the precipice has to stimulate the imagination." Brexit was already casting its shadow over the future, Lang said. The United Kingdom had grown just 1.1 per cent in the first half by comparison with the same period last year. This was the second-worst result in the EU. The last time things were this bad was during the crisis years 2009 to 2011. Lang said that many companies were currently forced to make preparations for no agreement until March 29, 2019. Some had announced they would halt production in the UK from April, as they had been unable to secure supply lines. Others were shifting headquarters from Britain, adapting their legal structures and looking for new transport routes. Lang: "Business needs a sensible relationship in foreign trade with the United Kingdom. At the least this should include no customs levies or quotas on imports from the respective economic partner areas. In other words, we need a good trade agreement. The political leaders must work towards this over the weeks ahead." The Federation of German Industries (BDI) is the umbrella organization of German industry and industry-related services. It speaks for 35 trade associations and more than 100,000 enterprises with around 8 million employees in Germany and 3,5 million employees in other countries. Membership is voluntary. 15 organizations in the regional states represent the interests of industry at the regional level. The Federation of German Industries Member association of BUSINESSEUROPE Contact numbers T: +49 (0)30-2028-1479 F: +49 (0)30-2028-2479 Website www.bdi.eu Email Presse@bdi.eu ROSEMONT, IL / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / For the first time, The ASSEMBLY Show will offer a New Products Awards program where attendees will be able to vote for their favorite new product through the official event mobile app. In addition, the show floor will feature The FIRST Illinois Robotics Team during the Tuesday evening welcome reception. Over 5,000 industry professionals are expected at this 6th annual event being held October 23-25 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. In addition to these two special events, The ASSEMBLY Show will include timely educational sessions, hundreds of exhibiting companies displaying products and services for manufacturing plants, a dynamic keynote speaker and exciting networking receptions. "At the end of the month over 315 companies will be displaying the newest products and services to enhance assembly lines. Our editors have worked diligently to identify a dozen new products to be voted on by our attendees in our first ever New Product Awards," said Tom Esposito, Publisher, ASSEMBLY Magazine. "Attendees can view the products on-site and vote through the Official Show Mobile App. In addition, we are thrilled to be working once again with FIRST Robotics to bring two promising high school teams to showcase their robots during our welcome reception." The New Product of the Year Nominees include: ASG - HIOS Intrtorque is a new screw and bit combination. While hexalobular bits are traditionally flat, the HIOS Intrtorque bit has a tapered end. The bit glides into the recess of the screw and prevents any unnecessary movements or wobbling upon engagement. CINCINNATI TEST SYSTEMS - The QualityWorX CTS DataHub helps engineers find answers to the causes of leak defects and helps optimize leak tests to meet quality and yield objectives. The system allows engineers to monitor all processes on the assembly line to identify defects as they occur. DEPRAG, INC. - Adaptive DFS from DEPRAG Inc. automatically installs flow-drill screws. Servo control ensures complete, adaptive adjustment of every variable of the process, including driver speed, torque, angle, axial force and fastener depth. HOOSIER FEEDER COMPANY - Heavy-Duty Centrifugal Feeder can withstand heavy, hard or sharp parts. The inner disc is supported near the circumference to prevent deflection. A discharge conveyor replaces the typical "tub" reaching into the bowl, following the inner circumference KUKA - The LBR iisy is a collaborative industrial robot for use in dynamic work environments previously untenable for automation. It can be quickly integrated into automated production lines, and programmed for numerous assembly and testing tasks, such as loading or unloading machines. LASER GAUGE - The LaserGauge System accurately inspects and measures gaps and flushness on translucent, shiny or opaque surfaces around vehicle headlights, taillights, windows and chrome while the car is advancing on a moving assembly line. NORDSON EFD - Film-Pak is a collapsible, film-based cartridge for dispensing two-component adhesives. The cartridge reduces waste by more than 85 percent compared with conventional cartridges for two-component material. PHD - Pneu-Connect is a pneumatic end-effector for collaborative robots from Universal Robots. The device connects to the robot via on-board directional control valves, so installation only requires a single air line and the tool port of the robot. PROMESS - Servo-controlled Electromechanical Platen Press is designed for assembly and material preparation applications in battery manufacturing, aerospace component production and similar areas requiring precise application of high force over a large area. The machine uses multiple electromechanical assembly presses to move the platen and apply the specified force. SCHUNK - The ERP Electric Rotary Actuator simplifies the process of commissioning automated assembly systems. The 24-volt component is simply connected to the control unit via digital I/O; the angle of rotation is defined via the end stops (90 degrees or 180 degrees); and if necessary, the end position is fine-tuned mechanically (5 degrees). SIMPLESTAKE - The SimpleStake System creates consistent heat on-demand for staking plastic bosses of all shapes and sizes. "Heat-on-demand" process control is ideal for assembling sensitive electronics and parts that are susceptible to excessive heating and pressure damage. VISUMATIC - VCM-3X.2 Collaborative Robot Module for automatic screwdriving includes an automatic screwfeeder, drive system, skeleton robot program, and an end-effector for mounting directly to the wrist of a collaborative robot. More information on the New Product of the Year Nominees and Awards can be found on the website (http://www.theassemblyshow.com/index.php/about-the-show/new-product-of-the-year) The ASSEMBLY Show is also proud to feature two FIRST Illinois Robotics high school teams who will demonstrate the robots they have built, using technology applicable for assembly manufacturing. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a 501(c)(3) not for-profit public charity which designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. In addition, the 2018 ASSEMBLY Show will feature a Keynote Presentation by Eric Pope, Vice President of Operations at US Synthetic Corp; an Exhibit Hall featuring over 315 exhibiting companies; Learning Theater Presentations; two half day workshops focused on Automated Assembly Systems and Robotic Assembly; Guided Tours of the Exhibit Floor; two Valuable Networking Opportunities, and much more. For more information and to register, visit www.theassemblyshow.com The ASSEMBLY Show is sponsored by ASSEMBLY ( www.assemblymag.com ), a monthly trade magazine read by 56,000 engineers and managers responsible for manufacturing and designing cars, computers, catheters, coffee makers, etc. ASSEMBLY covers the processes, technologies and strategies for joining discrete parts into finished products. The event is produced by BNP Media ( www.bnpmedia.com ), one of the country's leading business-to-business media companies serving professionals across 50+ industries. For further information, Contact Amy Riemer, Media Relations 978-475-4441 (office) or 978-502-4895 (cell) amy@riemercommunications.com SOURCE: The ASSEMBLY Show View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513716/Two-Exciting-Events-Announced-For-The-2018-ASSEMBLY-Show-Including-The-Inaugural-New-Product-Awards-And-The-First-Illinois-Robotics-Team Iconic Toy Brand will open shops in Canada, London, Australia and Spainreaching over 10,000 doors worldwide NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, world-famous FAO Schwarz is announcing their international expansion plans as well as November 16th as the official opening date of the New York City flagship store located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Expansion plans include: In partnership with Canada's Hudson's Bay, all 89 stores across the country will open permanent FAO Schwarz shops, ranging in size from 300 to 1,000 square feet. Items will also be available at www.thebay.com . all 89 stores across the country will open permanent FAO Schwarz shops, ranging in size from 300 to 1,000 square feet. Items will also be available at . A 27,000 square foot flagship will open in China via Kidsland China in Beijing slated for March of 2019. Additional stores and pop-ups will open over the next few years. via in Beijing slated for March of 2019. Additional stores and pop-ups will open over the next few years. In partnership with Selfridges in London, UK , the team will open a pop-up for the holidays in early November 2018 as part of their "Selfridges Rocks" Christmas Shop. in , the team will open a pop-up for the holidays in early as part of their "Selfridges Rocks" Christmas Shop. Spain's El Corte Ingles will open an FAO Schwarz pop-up in Madrid in early November 2018 through the holidays. will open an FAO Schwarz pop-up in in early through the holidays. In partnership with Australia's Myer Australia, FAO Schwarz will open a pop-up in their two flagship stores in Sydney and Melbourne as a part of their Giftorium Event starting in late October. "The expansion to these countries further exemplifies FAO Schwarz as a global kids lifestyle brand," said David Conn, CEO of ThreeSixty Brands, owners of FAO Schwarz. "FAO Schwarz was built on in-store experiences, which has made it a global destination over the years. In partnering with these amazing companies around the world, we are able to bring back that wonderment of toys and a deep nostalgia for the larger than life experience that FAO Schwarz has offered to parents and children alike for over 150 years." On November 16th, 30 Rockefeller Plaza , becomes home to the new FAO Schwarz New York City flagship with over 20,000 square feet of FAO Schwarz signature toys and items from partners such as Melissa & Doug, Marvin's Magic and Build-A-Bear as well as FAO Schweetz in partnership with IT'SUGAR. The store will feature FAO's staple retail experiences including the iconic dance-on-piano, magic shows, a baby adoption center, a kids' grocery shopping experience, and a build-your-own RC race car station, among others. Many of these experiences will be duplicated with FAO Schwarz international partner locations, offering the world that one-of-a-kind toy retail experience the brand is known for. About FAO Schwarz Founded in 1862, Frederick August Otto Schwarz opened FAO Schwarz, a marvelous bountiful emporium full of extraordinary, one-of-a-kind toys from all over the world. As one of the oldest and most iconic toy brands in the world, FAO Schwarz has always been synonymous with quality and innovation, and offering cherished memories for generations of adults and children alike. The fondness associated with FAO Schwarz is wrapped up in the theatre of it all. It's more than just toys. It's the deep nostalgia for play that came to life and was so often larger than it. A visit to FAO Schwarz meant much more than a trip to a toy store and it will again. Paris, October 9, 2018 LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's leading luxury products group, recorded a 10% increase in revenue, reaching 33.1 billion in the first nine months of 2018. Organic revenue grew 11% compared to the same period in 2017, and 13% excluding the impact of the airport concession closures in Hong Kong at the end of 2017. All geographical areas progressed well. In the third quarter, revenue was up 10% compared to the same period in 2017, a performance which continued the trend recorded in the first half of the year and to which all business groups contributed. Organic revenue growth was 10%. Revenue by business group: In million euros 9 months 2018 9 months 2017 Change 2018 / 2017 First 9 months Reported Organic* Wines & Spirits 3 565 3 514 + 1 % + 7 % Fashion & Leather Goods 13 052 10 838 + 20 % + 14 % Perfumes & Cosmetics 4 410 4 065 + 8 % + 14 % Watches & Jewelry 3 021 2 789 + 8 % + 14 % Selective Retailing 9 544 9 335 + 2 % + 8 % Other activities & eliminations (463) (446) ns ns Total 33 129 30 095 + 10 % + 11 % * with comparable structure and constant exchange rates. The exchange rate impact was -5% and the structural impact was + 4% (integration of Christian Dior Couture). The Wines & Spirits business group recorded organic revenue growth of 7% in the first nine months of 2018. Champagne volumes were stable over the period. The prestige vintages performed particularly well while continuing a price increase policy. Hennessy cognac volumes increased by 4%. The US and Chinese markets grew rapidly. The Fashion & Leather Goods business group achieved organic revenue growth of 14% in the first nine months of 2018. Louis Vuitton continues to be driven by the success of its iconic leather goods lines and by exceptional creativity in all its businesses. Ready-to-wear and shoes, in particular, experienced strong momentum with an excellent reception of the last two fashion shows of Womenswear and Menswear. A new communication for Louis Vuitton perfumes was unveiled, marking the launch of the brand's latest perfume creation. Christian Dior, consolidated since the second half of 2017, enjoyed an excellent performance. Celine made progress and began a new chapter in its history with the first runway show of Hedi Slimane, which was a great success and created enormous resonance. Fendi and Loro Piana continued to grow. The other brands continued to strengthen. The Perfumes & Cosmetics business group recorded organic revenue growth of 14% in the first nine months of 2018, driven in particular by the performance of its star brands. Parfums Christian Dior continued its remarkable progress, driven by the launch of its new perfume Joy and the exceptional worldwide success of Sauvage and its other iconic perfumes, J'adore and Miss Dior. Rouge Dior lipstick also contributed to the performance of the House. Guerlain performed very well, with the success of Abeille Royale in skincare and Rouge G in makeup. Parfums Givenchy continued its expansion, driven by makeup and its new feminine scent L'Interdit. Fresh grew strongly. In the first nine months of 2018, the Watches & Jewelry business group achieved organic revenue growth of 14%. Bvlgari had an excellent performance and gained market share. Its iconic jewelry and watch collections Serpenti, Diva, B.Zero1, Lvcea and Octo showed strong momentum; the new Wild Pop high-end jewelry line, launched at the beginning of the summer, continued to grow. Chaumet and Fred progressed steadily. In the watchmaking sector, TAG Heuer continued to develop its iconic lines. Hublot, which grew strongly, opened its first stand-alone boutique in London. The Selective Retailing business group achieved organic revenue growth of 8% in the first nine months of 2018, and 14% excluding the airport concession closures in Hong Kong. Sephora's organic revenue growth was strong, particularly in North America and Asia. The expansion and renovation of its distribution network is continuing with a new store concept in China and the first Sephora-branded store in Russia. DFS performed well, especially in Hong Kong and Macao. The recent openings of T Galleria in Cambodia and Italy progressed well. OUTLOOK In an uncertain geopolitical and monetary context, LVMH will continue to be vigilant. The Group will pursue its strategy focused on innovation and targeted geographic expansion in the most promising markets. LVMH will rely on the power of its brands and the talent of its teams to further extend its global leadership in the luxury market in 2018. During this quarter and to date, no events or changes have occurred which could significantly modify the Group's financial structure. Regulated information related to this press release and presentation is available on www.lvmh.com. ANNEX LVMH - Revenue by business group and by quarter 2018 Revenue (Euro millions) FY 2018 Wines & Spirits Fashion & Leather Goods Perfumes & Cosmetics Watches & Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities & eliminations Total First Quarter 1 195 4 270 1 500 959 3 104 (174) 10 854 Second Quarter 1 076 4 324 1 377 1 019 3 221 (121) 10 896 Total First Half 2 271 8 594 2 877 1 978 6 325 (295) 21 750 Third Quarter 1 294 4 458 1 533 1 043 3 219 (168) 11 379 Nine months 3 565 13 052 4 410 3 021 9 544 (463) 33 129 2018 Revenue (organic growth versus same period of 2017) FY 2018 Wines & Spirits Fashion & Leather Goods Perfumes & Cosmetics Watches & Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities & eliminations Total First Quarter +10% +16% +17% +20% +9% - +13% Second Quarter +3% +13% +14% +12% +9% - +11% Total First Half +7% +15% +16% +16% +9% - +12% Third Quarter +7% +14% +11% +10% +5% - +10% Nine months +7% +14% +14% +14% +8% - +11% 2017 Revenue (Euro millions) FY 2017 Wines & Spirits Fashion & Leather Goods Perfumes & Cosmetics Watches & Jewelry Selective Retailing Other activities & eliminations Total First Quarter 1 196 3 405 1 395 879 3 154 (145) 9 884 Second Quarter 1 098 *3 494 1 275 959 3 126 (122) *9 830 Total First Half 2 294 6 899 2 670 1 838 6 280 (267) 19 714 Third Quarter 1 220 3 939 1 395 951 3 055 (179) 10 381 Nine months 3 514 10 838 4 065 2 789 9 335 (446) 30 095 * Includes all Rimowa revenue for the first half of 2017. LVMH LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton is represented in Wines and Spirits by a portfolio of brands that includes Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Mercier, Chateau d'Yquem, Domaine du Clos des Lambrays, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Colgin Cellars, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Belvedere, Woodinville, Volcan de Mi Tierra, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Cape Mentelle, Newton, Bodega Numanthia and Ao Yun. Its Fashion and Leather Goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior Couture, Celine, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy, Thomas Pink, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Marc Jacobs, Berluti, Nicholas Kirkwood, Loro Piana and RIMOWA. LVMH is present in the Perfumes and Cosmetics sector with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Parfums Givenchy, Kenzo Parfums, Perfumes Loewe, Benefit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Acqua di Parma, Fresh, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. LVMH's Watches and Jewelry division comprises Bvlgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, Dior Watches, Zenith, Fred and Hublot. LVMH is also active in selective retailing as well as in other activities through DFS, Sephora, Le Bon Marche, La Samaritaine, Groupe Les Echos, Cova, Le Jardin d'Acclimatation, Royal Van Lent and Cheval Blanc hotels. "This document may contain certain forward looking statements which are based on estimations and forecasts. By their nature, these forward looking statements are subject to important risks and uncertainties and factors beyond our control or ability to predict, in particular those described in LVMH's Reference Document which is available on the website (www.lvmh.com (http://www.lvmh.com)). These forward looking statements should not be considered as a guarantee of future performance, the actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by them. The forward looking statements only reflect LVMH's views as of the date of this document, and LVMH does not undertake to revise or update these forward looking statements. The forward looking statements should be used with caution and circumspection and in no event can LVMH and its Management be held responsible for any investment or other decision based upon such statements. The information in this document does not constitute an offer to sell or an invitation to buy shares in LVMH or an invitation or inducement to engage in any other investment activities." LVMH CONTACTS Analysts and investors Chris Hollis LVMH + 33 1 4413 2122 Media Jean-Charles Trehan LVMH + 33 1 4413 2620 MEDIA CONTACTS France Michel Calzaroni, Olivier Labesse, Hugues Schmitt, Thomas Roborel de Climens DGM Conseil + 33 1 4070 1189 Italy Michele Calcaterra, Matteo Steinbach SEC and Partners + 39 02 6249991 UK Hugh Morrison, Charlotte McMullen Montfort Communications + 44 7921 881 800 US James Fingeroth, Molly Morse, Anntal Silver Kekst & Company + 1 212 521 4800 PDF Version (http://hugin.info/143740/R/2219882/868453.pdf) This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: LVMH via Globenewswire TORONTO, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. ("CellCube" or the "Company") (CSE: CUBE) (OTCQB: CECBF) (Frankfurt: 01X) is pleased to announce that a master service agreement (the "Agreement") has been signed between its wholly-owned subsidiary, EnerCube Switchgear Systems Ltd. ("EnerCube") and Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina"). EnerCube has executed several projects over the past three years providing engineered equipment, electrical buildings (e-houses) including integration to Pembina valued between $12-15 million dollars, however, the Agreement involves a new chapter in the relationship, where EnerCube will provide ongoing services to Pembina with respect to its electrical switchgear needs. The Company has received its initial purchase order from Pembina. The Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading transportation and midstream service provider that has been serving North America's energy industry for over 60 years. Pembina owns an integrated system of pipelines that transport various hydrocarbon liquids and natural gas products produced primarily in western Canada. The Company also owns gas gathering and processing facilities and an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. Pembina's integrated assets and commercial operations along the majority of the hydrocarbon value chain allow it to offer a full spectrum of midstream and marketing services to the energy sector. Source:http://www.pembina.com/ "The opportunity to have an agreement with Pembina allows EnerCube to install and maintain Switchgear for several existing and new Pembina sites," says Brian Ricker President & CEO of EnerCube. "We are currently extremely busy writing proposals for both EnerCube switchgear and CellCube energy storage and 2019 looks to be a very exciting year for EnerCube in North America." Terms The term of this Agreement shall be for one (1) year from the date hereof and shall be automatically renewed for up to four (4) additional terms of one (1) year. EnerCube Leadership Team Since becoming President & CEO of EnerCube in March 2018, Brian Ricker has initiated several significant changes to the company's business and has built a management team with a strong background in, and knowledge of, commercialized switchgear and energy storage. Brian Ricker, President & CEO brings over 30 years of business experience in the electrical industry, including 15 years in senior management roles. He recently left Eaton Corporation (a multi-national power management company) where he was responsible for managing domestic and international projects in the engineered equipment space. Olivia Metcalfe, Director of Operations, has 8 years of experience working for national and multinational companies in management roles in the Irish civil construction industry. Olivia manages operations of the company including overseeing of procurement, HR & business processes. Vineeth Vijay, Director of Projects, has over 10 years of leadership experience in executing turnkey electrical power distribution projects for worldwide customers. He has been a key player in developing and implementing business strategies for multinational corporations. His previous position was at Honeywell International where he provided engineering solutions to large customers in North and South America. He holds a Master of Engineering degree, specializing in Electrical Power Systems, from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He is a registered Professional Member with APEGA and a trained PMP member. Gordon Orser, VP of Power Haz, is a Master Electrician with 19 years experience in the electrical trade. He has experience in commercial and industrial sectors specializing in control and power systems designs and, installations, for oilfield, heavy industry, hazardous and non-hazardous area installations. He also has experience in electrical and project management for small to large installations, including complete drilling rig power and control systems, industrial and commercial installations, and industrial power machinery and equipment along with specialized training in low-voltage, standard and high-horsepower VFD systems. Adam Zarowny, Director of Production, has been involved in the custom electrical industry for the last 16 years. Before joining the EnerCube team, Adam spent time in various roles with Jet Power and Controls, Stahl Canada and Ceda as a Steel and Structural related Project Manager. As a journeyman welder. Adam has experience on the fabrication side of the electrical industry which involves E-Houses and Switchgears. Adam is CWB & PMP Certified. About Enercube Switchgear Systems Inc. EnerCube Switchgear Systems Inc. (formerly Jet Power and Controls) is a leading-edge provider of custom and off-the-shelf electrical equipment and systems. The company has been providing innovative and high-quality products for over ten years to heavy power users, pipeline companies, refineries, manufacturers, municipalities and infrastructure providers. It offers a "one stop shop" to its customers in terms of complete turn-key engineering & electrical solutions and equipment. Its key products include electrical switchgear, motor control switchers, solar power inverters and vanadium storage battery installation. EnerCube designs, manufactures, assembles, integrates, and tests a complete range of industry leading, innovative and dependable power control systems and accessories. About CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. CellCube is a Canadian public company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (symbol CUBE), the OTCBB (symbol CECBF), and the Frankfurt Exchange (Symbol 01X) focused on the fast-growing energy storage industry which is driven by the large increase in demand for renewable energy. CellCube supplies vertically integrated energy storage systems to the power industry and recently acquired the assets of Gildemeister Energy Storage GmbH, now Enerox GmbH the developer and manufacturer of CellCube energy storage systems. CellCube recently acquired EnerCube Switchgear Systems (formerly Jet Power and Controls Ltd.) and Power Haz Energy Mobile Solutions Inc. (formerly HillCroft Consulting Ltd.) and has also invested in an online renewable energy financing platform, Braggawatt Energy Inc. CellCube develops, manufactures, and markets energy storage systems on the basis of vanadium redox flow technology and has over 130 project installations and a 10 year operational track record. Its highly integrated energy storage System solutions features 99% residual energy capacity after 11,000 cycles with the focus on larger scale containerized modules. Basic building blocks consist of a 250kW unit family with 4, 6 and 8 hours variation in energy capacity. On Behalf of CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc., Mike Neylan, CEO, Director This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements are discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed athttp://www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Glenda Kelly, Investor Communications Telephone: +1-800-882-3213 Email: info@cellcubeenergystorage.com http://www.cellcubeenergystorage.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2018) - Sweet Natural Trading Co. Limited (TSXV: NTRL) ("Sweet Natural Trading", or the "Company") announces that it is updating the terms of its non-brokered private placement previously announced on September 21, 2018. The Company now intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 32,000,000 units (each a "Unit") for gross proceeds of up to $1,600,000 based on a price of $0.05 per Unit (the "Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share (a "Common Share") of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will still entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share, at a price of $0.075, for a period of 36 months following the closing of the Offering. Each Warrant will continue to have an accelerated expiry date within 30 days of when the Company provides written notice to the holder thereof that either: (i) the Common Share volume weighted average price on the TSX Venture Exchange for any 10 consecutive trading days has equaled or exceeded $0.22; or (ii) the Company closes a subsequent private placement of Common Shares at a price per Common Share exceeding $0.22. The funds raised pursuant to the Offering will be used by the Company for general working capital purposes, including purchasing inventory to satisfy new sales accounts and to pursue the Company's strategic plan. About Sweet Natural Trading Sweet Natural Trading is a leading natural sweetener company that promotes healthier eating by selling food products that reduce refined, added sugar consumption. With obesity and diabetes reaching unprecedented levels, the Company is focused on making a positive impact in reducing these lifestyle diseases. The Company's products are sold in over 5,000 stores, including major retail customers such as Loblaws, Walmart, Whole Foods, Costco, Publix, Sprouts and distributors including UNFI and KeHE. For more information about the Company please contact: Steven Haasz CEO and a director of Sweet Natural Trading Co. Limited 416.288.1019 shaasz@sweetnaturaltrading.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Offering and the Company's strategic growth plan, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. 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. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will only update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2018) - Hi Ho Silver Resources Inc. (CSE: HHS) (OTC: HHSRF) has filed a structural analysis of lineaments, and a comprehensive compilation of historical data, as well as current surface grab sampling as part of ongoing assessment requirements for the Bralorne Property, Bridge River, B.C., Canada. The extensive property includes three Mineral Tenures covering 1432.22 hA adjoining to the south the extensive productive operations of the Bralorne and Pioneer Mines operated by International Avino Mines Ltd., which have produced 4.1 million ounces of gold and 32 million ounces of silver, over the past century and a half. The extensive report by Laurence Sookochoff, P.Eng., which will also be filed on the Hi Ho Silver website,includes a structural analysis of lineaments as derived from aerial photographs, as well as a compilation of all historical data on the property. Multiple gold-bearing vein systems on the property have historically been explored extensively but sporadically in several areas, including the historical extension of drifting southward from the Pioneer onto the current property which includes the Pioneer Extension. Compilation of data by Sookochoff has indicated that the Pioneer Extension vein system, developed on the Hi Ho Bralorne property, included 4 large veins, the 77, 51, 21, and the main vein. The main vein averaged 1.2 -2 meters wide, over a strike length ranging from 1000 to 1500 meters. The vein extends down dip for 1500-200 meters and represents a significant gold exploration target within the Bralorne Property. Additional prospects, the Paymaster, Red Hawk, Mix, Holland, and Dan Tucker veins present significant exploration targets which have undergone variable amounts of work demonstrating considerable gold exploration potential. Structural analysis of lineaments has led to recommendations by Sookochoff for intensified prospecting and exploration in three separate target areas within the property. Hi Ho Silver Inc., looks forward to continuing exploration on this major land holding in the prospective Bralorne-Pioneer region of Bridge River. About the Company Hi Ho Silver Resources Inc. is a Vancouver based mineral exploration company dedicated to the exploration and development of precious and base metal mineral deposits and other mineral opportunities in North America and elsewhere. For further information contact: William G. Jorgenson C. 778-989-0770 Email: bill@hihoresources.com Website: www.hihoresources.com The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this news release. This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". The use of any of the words "anticipate', "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "would", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. A bank employee unions' federation has called upon bank unions to hold demonstrations on Tuesday to protest against the merger of three state-run lenders --Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, a union leader said on Monday. New Delhi: A bank employee unions' federation has called upon bank unions to hold demonstrations on Tuesday to protest against the merger of three state-run lenders --Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, a union leader said on Monday. "The sit-in will take place after office hours on Tuesday. All our unions are requested to hold protest demonstrations in all state capitals and in all other towns on 9 October," C H Venkatachalam, General Secretary of All India Bank Employees' Association said. The demonstrations are against the government's proposal to merge Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, he added. The demonstration has been called under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). AIBEA in a statement said that it has learnt that the board of these three banks have approved the agenda and hence they may proceed further. "The issue as discussed in the UFBU meeting held on 29 September, 2018, and it has been decided to call upon all our unions to hold protest demonstrations," it said. AIBEA said that the issue will be further discussed in the ensuing UFBU meeting to be held on 12 October in Mumbai and the further course of action will be decided upon. Separately, the National Organisation of Bank Workers (an industrial federation of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh), in a statement said that it will hold demonstrations across the country tomorrow to protest against government's decision to merge the three banks. It said the union do not agree with the government's stance of creating six-seven large banks by merging existing banks. Consolidation by way of merger will not solve the problem of non-performing assets in the banking system, it added. The boards of three state-run banks Dena Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Vijaya Bank have approved the proposed merger. The amalgamation of these three banks will create country's second-largest PSU lender by assets and branches. India has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to $719 per tonne for five years on import of nylon filament yarn from the European Union (EU) and Vietnam following recommendations by the commerce ministry's investigation arm DGTR. New Delhi: India has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to $719 per tonne for five years on import of nylon filament yarn from the European Union (EU) and Vietnam following recommendations by the commerce ministry's investigation arm DGTR. "The anti-dumping duty imposed... shall be effective for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier) from the 6th day of October, 2018 and shall be paid in Indian currency," the department of revenue has said in a notification. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in its probe has stated that nylon filament yarn (multi filament) has been exported to India from these two regions below normal values, and the domestic industry has suffered material injury on account of such dumped imports. Imposition of duty aims at guarding domestic manufacturers of this yarn from cheap imports coming from EU and Vietnam. The anti-dumping duty imposed ranged between $719.44 per tonne and $128.06 per tonne. Import of this yarn from the EU and Vietnam has increased to 13,799 tonnes during October 2015 March 2017 (which was the period of investigation) from 7,201 tonnes in 2013-14. JCT, Gujarat Polyfilms, Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals, Prafful Overseas and AYM Syntex had jointly filed for initiation of the investigations and imposition of the duty. The major uses of this yarn are in home furnishing and industrial application such as curtains, sewing and embroidery thread and fishnets. To recommend duties, the DGTR in its probe would have to establish that dumping has caused material injury to domestic players. Anti-dumping duties are levied to provide a level-playing field to the local industry by guarding against below-cost import. Imposition of anti-dumping duty is permissible under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime. Both India and China are members of the Geneva-based body. The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers vis-a-vis foreign producers and exporters. They are not a measure to restrict import or cause an unjustified increase in cost of the products. Patanjali Ayurved last month entered into the cow milk segment by launching cow milk and milk-based dairy products and also has plans to launch its apparel brand 'Paridhan'. New Delhi: Baba Ramdev-promoted Patanjali Ayurved is now focusing on the agriculture and food processing sector as it looks to bring out several products from the segment in the coming future. The company, which is working with farmers on the ground, is encouraging them to go for organic farming among them. "Now we are focusing more on agriculture and solar energy sector. The agriculture has a wide scope and Patanjali would work in several directions in the sector," Baba Ramdev told PTI. He further added: "We would encourage organic farming and we are going to bring many products based on it. We are also working on food processing and we will make our efforts in this." Patanjali Ayurved last month entered into the cow milk segment by launching cow milk and milk-based dairy products and also has plans to launch its apparel brand 'Paridhan'. "We are trying to open at least 100 stores before March 2019," Ramdev said here on the sideline of an event organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation, the women business wing of the trade body. On being asked about Patanjali's bid to acquire the debt-ridden firm Ruchi Soya, where it was competing with Adani group firm Adani Wilmar, Ramdev declined to comment saying that matter is now sub-judice. "That is now pending with the court (NCLT Mumbai)," he added Adani Wilmar and Patanjali group have been engaged in a long-drawn battle to take over Ruchi Soya. While Adani Wilmar emerged as the highest bidder with a Rs 6,000 crore offer, Patanjali group came second with a Rs 5,700 crore bid. Patanjali, which had recorded multi-fold growth in recent years, witnessed a marginal growth only last fiscal hit by the implementation of the GST regime finishing around Rs 12,000 crore. In the 2016-17 financial year, Patanjali clocked a turnover of Rs 10,561 crore, registering a 111 percent growth. On being asked about the growth this year, he said: "We expect this year to be good. Rs 12,000 crore is a decent amount and we would grow forward from here. We are aiming to make Patanjali as one of the leading FMCG company globally," Ramdev added. Ramdev also clarified that Patanjali would not go for foreign equity and not be listed on any stock exchange, as it is a charitable firm. "Patanjali will not allow foreign equity or go in for a public issue," he said Ramdev, who had actively campaigned for the BJP in 2014 general elections said that he would be neutral in the coming general elections of 2019. The rupee erased all its morning gains to hit a new record low of 74.27 against the US dollar in afternoon trade on Tuesday after Brent crude breached the $84 a barrel-mark again and the American currency strengthened overseas. Mumbai: The rupee erased all its morning gains to hit a new record low of 74.27 against the US dollar in afternoon trade on Tuesday after Brent crude breached the $84 a barrel-mark again and the American currency strengthened overseas. Moreover, unabated foreign fund outflows weighed on the rupee, traders said. At the forex market, the domestic unit opened higher at 73.93 and advanced to 73.88 on fresh selling by exporters amid weakness in dollar against some currencies overseas. However, it turned weak and slipped to trade at a fresh lifetime low of 74.27, showing a fall of 21 paise over its Monday's close of 74.06. It broke previous record low (intra-day) of 74.23 reached on 5 October. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold shares net worth a net of Rs 1,805 crore Monday, provisional data showed. Investors remained concerned over sustained foreign capital outflows and rise in crude oil price to 84.48. Forex dealers said besides strong demand for the American currency from importers, concerns rising fiscal deficit and capital outflows weighed on the domestic currency. Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex dropped by 87.79 points, or 0.25 percent, to 34,386.59 during mid-session. The news of the shutdown came as JLR released its September sales figures, which marked a 12.3 percent year on year drop. London: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) on Monday revealed plans for a two-week shutdown of its West Midlands plant at the end of October to cope with weakening global demand for its luxury vehicles. JLR, however, stressed that it would not mean any job losses at the plant in Solihull, with workers continued to be paid during the shutdown period. "As part of the company's continued strategy for profitable growth, Jaguar Land Rover is focused on achieving operational efficiencies and will align supply to reflect fluctuating demand globally as required," a JLR statement said. "The decision to introduce a two-week shutdown period later this month at Solihull is one example of actions we are taking to achieve this. Customer orders in the system will not be impacted and employees affected will be paid for the duration of the shutdown," it said. The Solihull plant, where the Tata Group company produces its Range Rover and Jaguar models, will close from 22 October. It follows a move to a three-day week for around 2,000 workers at the firm's Castle Bromwich plant and an announcement in April to lay off 1,000 workers across its West Midlands' units. Describing news of the two-week shutdown as 'deeply troubling', Unite the UKs biggest union for car workers blamed the governments incompetence over its policies around diesel vehicles and Brexit negotiations for the continued stress on the countrys car industry. "Over the past decade, Jaguar Land Rover workers have worked tirelessly to turn the carmakers fortunes around. Ministers now risk turning them and their colleagues in the supply chain from hero to zero," said Unite national officer Des Quinn. "The government must secure their future by getting a Brexit deal that secures frictionless tariff-free trade with Europe. At the same time ministers must repair the damage done over diesel by supporting a just transition to electric and alternative power vehicles as part of an industrial strategy," he said. The news of the shutdown came as JLR released its September sales figures, which marked a 12.3 percent year on year drop. Sales in China declined by 46.2 percent, which the UK's biggest car-maker blamed on ongoing market uncertainty resulting from import duty changes and continued trade tensions. "As a business, we are continuing to experience challenging conditions in some of our key markets. Customer demand in China in particular has struggled to recover following changes in import tariffs in July and intensifying competition on price, while ongoing global negotiations on potential trade agreements have dampened purchase considerations," said Felix Brautigam, JLR Chief Commercial Officer. The company said it expected lower tariffs on UK imports to be beneficial over the course of the year, with Brautigam highlighting positive customer response to new Jaguar products. "The all-electric I-PACE and the sporty E-PACE compact SUV in particular, which have only recently joined our line-up in China, are driving demand globally," he said. For Land Rover models, the company highlighted strong customer demand for the new Range Rover Velar and Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid variants. Dues amounting to about Rs 970 crore are pending against various airports in the country in lieu of providing CISF security to them, a top official of the paramilitary force said Monday. New Delhi: Dues amounting to about Rs 970 crore are pending against various airports in the country in lieu of providing CISF security to them, a top official of the paramilitary force said Monday. CISF Director General (DG) Rajesh Ranjan told reporters during an interaction here that while an amount of Rs 880 crore is pending against 'joint venture' airports or the privately-run facilities, about Rs 90 crore is due against those airports which are operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Out of the Rs 880 crore amount, the maximum Rs 788 crore is pending against the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital, run by the DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), he said. "We have communicated this to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Home Affairs as they are the expert ministries to figure out (the solution)," the DG said. Ranjan added that any call on withdrawal of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from these airports, owing to the dues, can be taken by the two ministries as they are "authorised to take a call on that. The CISF is tasked as the security force to guard civil airports in the country but as of now only 60 such facilities are under its cover. They alerted Mumbai Police and officials broke open the door of Rupali Chavan's home and found her dead. Mumbai: A 38-year-old woman activist of the BJP was found dead on Tuesday at her residence in the neighbouring Palghar district, a police official said. Some neighbours of Rupali Chavan, local leader of the BJP's Mahila Morcha, got suspicious of the foul odour emanating from her house in Nallasopara area, he said. They alerted police officials who broke open the door of Chavan's home and found her dead. She had several injuries and burn wounds, the official said. "We suspect that Chavan was killed by an unidentified person two days back," he said, adding that the exact cause of her death would be known after the postmortem. "We have registered an offence of murder and further investigation is on," he added. The mother of JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, who went missing from the university nearly two years ago, accused the CBI on Monday of carrying out a 'biased' investigation into the case. New Delhi: The mother of JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, who went missing from the university nearly two years ago, accused the CBI on Monday of carrying out a "biased" investigation into the case. The Delhi high court on Monday allowed the CBI to file a closure report in the matter, bringing an end to the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Ahmed. It did not agree with the allegation of Ahmed's mother, Fatima Nafees, that the CBI wanted to file the closure report due to "political compulsions". In view of the judgment, Nafees said she will now appeal to the Supreme Court. She also appealed to all mothers "who have faced the pain of losing their children" to participate in a march to Parliament Street on 15 October. Nafees was addressing a press conference along with the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) office-bearers at the campus after the High Court allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a closure report in her son's case. "I am saddened because the CBI carried out a biased investigation and its sole objective was to shield those who assaulted my son before he went missing. I have been facing injustice right from the first day," she said. She alleged that a sub-inspector at the Vasant Kunj (North) police station asked her not to name the persons, who had assaulted her son, before he went missing. "The sub-inspector at the police station told me on the first day, 'We will find Najeeb in 24 hours. But if you name people in your complaint, we cannot give any guarantee'. I agreed with what he said but it has been two years and I have no clue about the whereabouts of my son," she said. Nafees also raised doubts about the Delhi Police's investigation into the case, before the Delhi High Court transferred it to CBI. The case was transferred from district police to the crime branch in November 2016. "The crime branch had claimed to have found an auto-rickshaw driver who had taken Najeeb from JNU to Jamia and floated the theory that Najeeb had left on his own. Their theory about the auto-rickshaw driver fell flat after the CBI said the driver had been forced to give a false testimony," she said. She claimed that her son had not left the campus on his own but there was a "conspiracy behind his disappearance". She said she will appeal to the Supreme Court and is discussing it with her lawyers. She gave a call to mothers who have faced "apathy at the hands of the government" to join her in a protest march from Mandi House to Parliament Street. "People are not safe under the central government. Vivek Tiwari was killed in Lucknow. My son went missing from a university in Delhi but there are many mothers whose children have gone missing from their houses and colonies. Mothers are losing their sons in encounters. "All the investigating agencies are working under pressure. I am appealing to other mothers who have faced this pain to join me," she said. "I just want to know my son is safe. I know he will come back one day. I have to put up a brave front in front of my ailing husband and my children. The CBI said they have found people who went missing five years ago. Why could not they find my son?" she said. JNUSU president N Sai Balaji raised questions on the police and CBI investigation in the case and said there was an attempt to shield Ahmed's assaulters, who belong to the ABVP. Former JNU student leader Umar Khalid called the High Court's decision a "travesty of justice". "The Delhi High Court accepts CBI's plea to close Najeeb Ahmed's case. Complete travesty of justice. CBI closed the case without even once interrogating in custody ABVP goons. This is time to extend complete solidarity to Fatima Nafees, who is going to challenge it in the Supreme Court," he posted on Twitter. The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's JNU unit welcomed the verdict and said the nine students, accused of assaulting Ahmed, have been found to be "innocent". "The family life and career dreams of these nine students have been shattered due to the petty politics of AISA and its allies. The underprivileged background of these students was a big factor for Left to target them as scapegoats in this case," ABVP'S JNU unit said in a statement. The ABVP has always maintained that Ahmed's disappearance was an "internal conspiracy" of Left-backed All India Students' Association to create "Muslim issue" for the Uttar Pradesh elections in early 2017. As soon as the elections in Uttar Pradesh were over, the whole issue was forgotten by the Left, they alleged. They demanded a fresh probe in Ahmed's disappearance. "We demand that a fresh inquiry be constituted to check the roles of the then JNUSU President Mohit Pandey, AISA leader and Ahmed's roommate Mohammad Qasim (who is also the last person to have seen Ahmed) and Bhagat Singh Ambedkar Students' Organisation (BASO) leader Umar Khalid," they said. Ahmed had gone missing from the Mahi-Mandvi hostel of the JNU here on 15 October, 2016, following a scuffle with some students allegedly affiliated to the ABVP the previous night. Nafees had moved the high court on 25 November, 2016, seeking directions to the police to trace her son. However, as the Delhi Police remained clueless about Ahmed's whereabouts even after seven months since he went missing, the probe was handed over to the CBI on 16 May last year. Following the escalating voices against sexual harassment across the world as part of the #MeToo wave, more and more Indian women have come out and named prominent journalists and Bollywood personalities as sexual predators. #MeToo movement grows as more industry bigwigs, journos named by women Following the escalating voices against sexual harassment across the world as part of the #MeToo wave, more and more Indian women have come out and named prominent journalists and Bollywood personalities as sexual predators. More recently, Vinta Nanda, a veteran writer-producer has accused actor Alok Nath of sexually violating her almost two decades ago. "I have waited for this moment to come for 19 years," Nanda wrote in a long, heart-wrenching Facebook post, referring to the "predator in question" as "the actor par excellence who is known as the most 'sanskaari' (cultured) person in the film and television industry". On Monday, The #Metoo movement also singed the media with journalist Prashant Jha stepping down on Monday as chief of bureau and political editor of Hindustan Times and the media house is looking into the allegations of sexual misconduct against him. The allegations concerning the media have surfaced over the past few days with several names, including some prominent ones, being mentioned in the social media. journalist Sidharth Bhatia issued a statement rubbishing allegations against him. Further setback to 'Grand Alliance' as Congress loses CPM support after SP and BSP The Congress party's bid to forge a grand alliance to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party has suffered a set back ahead of the crucial Assembly polls in five states. After the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj party followed by Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party stepped back, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has now said that the formation of a grand alliance at the national level was not possible. Party general secretary Sitaram Yechury told the media that a "mahagatbandhan" was not possible at the national level. "It may mean an alliance of the SP (Samajwadi Party) and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) and allies in Uttar Pradesh. And in Bihar it will be led by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal). This is what I am saying... We will decide on joining the 'mahagatbandhan' when the time comes. Let things crystallise. For now, our priority is to defeat the BJP and ensure formation of a secular government," said the Marxist leader after a CPM Central Committee meeting. Narendra Modi to address farmers rally in Rohtak Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a 64-feet-tall statue of farmer leader Sir Chhotu Ram at his native village Garhi Sampla in Haryana's Rohtak district. Modi will also visit a museum where belongings of Sir Chhotu Ram are kept and see a documentary on his life. After the event, Modi will address a public rally in Rohtak where he is expected to make some major announcements in view of the recent farmers' agitation. Rupee at fresh lifetime low The rupee slumped by 30 paise to finish at a fresh all-time low of 74.06 against the US dollar on Monday amid strengthening of the greenback and steady capital outflows. The rupee had opened lower by 14 paisa against Friday's close of 73.76 in early trade as the US dollar strength against major global currencies weighed on the rupee sentiment. It finally closed at 74.06, down by 30 paise, marking its fifth straight session of decline. On Friday, the domestic unit plummeted by 18 paise to end at 73.76 Redmi Note 5 Pro price in India slashed for Diwali sale, now starts at Rs 12,999 Prices of Xiaomi's popular mid-range phone, Redmi Note 5 Pro has been slashed for the Diwali season sale. The company's India head Manu Kumar Jain, who took to Twitter on Monday to post a reveal video with Flipkarts CEO, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, announcing the Rs 12,999 price tag. Xiaomi normally sells the phone at a starting price of Rs 14,999 for the base variant. Google is shutting down Google Plus Google announced Monday it is shutting down the consumer version of its online social network after fixing a bug exposing private data in as many as 500,000 accounts. The US internet giant said it will "sunset" the Google+ social network for consumers, which failed to gain meaningful traction after being launched in 2011 as a challenge to Facebook. A Google spokesperson cited "significant challenges in creating and maintaining a successful Google+ that meets consumers' expectations" along with "very low usage" as the reasons for the move. CINTAA ready to readdress Tanushree Dutta's sexual harassment allegations "by conducting a fair and expeditious" inquiry Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) had earlier said it did not "address" the allegations by Dutta when she approached them in 2008. Dutta had filed a complaint with CINTAA a decade ago after she felt uncomfortable shooting a song with Patekar for the film "Horn Ok Pleassss". "If she asks us to reinvestigate the matter then we have told her that we will offer all possible support. But she has not yet officially come to us. Although we have spoken and written to her (regarding the matter) she is yet to revert," Amit Behl, Senior Joint Secretary, CINTAA told PTI. "But we also want to hear Nana's side of the story. We have sent a communication to Nana also," Behl added. With inputs from agencies The government has decided to revive the Strategic Policy Group, but it has been rejigged to have NSA Ajit Doval at the helm Recent moves by the government in the area of security seem to show that officials are implementing reforms from a 'lessons learnt' perspective, with an overall objective of ensuring swiftness in decision-making. This includes the designation of RN Ravi, erstwhile chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee as deputy national security advisor (DNSA), in addition to the existing DNSA post held by the formidable former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Rajinder Khanna and the newly-appointed serving officer Pankaj Saran. Earlier, a Defence Planning Committee was set up to coordinate decision making on a wide span of matters related to military and national security planning. Chaired by the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, it got off to a quick start with the first meeting held in May this year. Now comes the cherry on top. The government has decided to revive the Strategic Policy Group, once chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, but now rejigged to have the NSA as its head. That's going to cause some heartburn within the corridors of power. Most media reports focused on the fact the chairing of the SPG makes the NSA the most powerful bureaucrat in the country. This may not entirely be true. The NSA's remit is on national security matters only, with the Cabinet Secretary retaining his powerful status at the head of the bureaucracy. What this move does ensure however, is that the traditional functioning of bureaucracy one minister to one ministry is also extended to national security. This long-overdue reform that will hopefully put everyone, including senior bureaucrats, on the same page when it comes to deciding on measures required to ensure the country's core interests. For far too long, the question of what constitutes national security has been left to each ministry to interpret. The result has been chaos and delay, not to mention turf wars and a "my minister says so" complex, which derailed critical decision-making. The heartburn among bureaucrats and possible criticism from naysayers arises from the fact that "national security" is now being defined widely in most countries to encompass everything from environment to health. Experts, including some within the government, have argued for this wider definition by arguing that each of these are vital as components of 'comprehensive national power'. But heres the thing: Such wide definitions have only occurred in the West (from where we copy-paste most things) after the demise of the Soviet Union. The core members of National Security Councils or their equivalent in countries such as the US are still dominated by the core ministries (or principals). In the US, the National Security Act of 1947 that set up the NSC, still holds. That means its core members are the Departments of Defence, Energy and Finance. Its remit is simple, which is to "advise the president with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to the national security so as to enable the military services and the other departments and agencies of the government to cooperate more effectively in matters involving national security". Later administrations have since expanded the list usually as a reaction to some significant event such as after the 11 September, 2001 attacks, when the Department of Homeland Security was created. India has chosen not to define national security, but the interpretation by previous governments tended towards the wider definition. The truth of the matter however is that India does not have the luxury (or the resources) to widen the definition of national security beyond traditional parameters. The neighbourhood is just as unsafe or probably worse with the end of the Cold War. This reality is apparent in the composition of the SPG, which includes the deputy NSAs, the three chiefs, the core ministries (Home, Finance, Defence, External Affairs) as well as NITI Aayog, Departments of Space, Atomic Energy, Revenue, and Defence Production. This is an integrative body designed to power up security objectives, and for that there is a huge need for a steady hand on the tiller. This new designation will hopefully go some way towards ensuring this. There is however, the need for more reform to ensure that the foundation of the National Security Architecture, which is the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), is able to respond to these new changes with full-blooded capacity. Although ably served by deputationists from different ministries, it still needs a core national security staff, that includes subject experts on geographic or issue-based areas. It is true that the Intelligence Bureau and R&AW have formidable in-house talent. But neither of these organisations have the time, resources or capacity for continuity to ensure that subject matter expertise is nurtured and retained. The NSCS should ideally be that repository providing 'on-demand papers' based on an increasingly elusive "all-source intelligence". This includes assessment of not only the several hundred intelligence reports that come in every day, but also the vast wide world of the internet. This means pretty much sitting at a desk 24x7, and a near obsession with your subject. The trouble is that security/intelligence analysts are a much misunderstood and underrated breed in most countries. The overall impression among the hard core intelligence agencies is that they "neither toil or spin" since their world is poised delicately between intelligence and information. Steve Coll, in his book Directorate S: The CIA and Americas Secret Wars in Afghanistan writes of counter-terrorism analysts in the CIA itself who were overburdened, reviled and looked upon with suspicion, leading to their warnings on 9/11 being ignored. In a world of an overabundance of information, fake or carefully planted news, not to mention the phantasm that beckons called "big data", the need for a large and dedicated body of analysts call them ferrets if you will to patiently read, analyse and then inform is vital. They may well be that vital nail, for lack of which an entire kingdom was lost. The author is former director of the National Security Council Secretariat The Editors Guild of India has also expressed 'gratitude and solidarity towards women journalists' who shared their stories as part of the #MeToo movement. The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday "condemned all predatory conduct by men" accused of sexual harassment by scores of women journalists as part of the #MeToo movement in India. In a statement, the association "noted with concern and dismay the incidence of alleged sexual harassment and assault on women journalists by their male colleagues". The guild also expressed its "gratitude and solidarity towards women journalists who displayed courage to bring such critical issues in public debate". It emphasised its commitment to "ensuring that the legal rights of either the victims or the accused are not violated". "It is our responsibility as media leaders to ensure that it (the newsroom) remains safe and fair for all, especially women," the editors' body said in the statement. Editors Guild of India has issued a statement on the recent cases of alleged sexual harassment in the newsrooms. Please read the full text here: https://t.co/xrPM0vb2jK pic.twitter.com/vnKVzVWWik Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) October 9, 2018 Several women journalists have taken to Twitter to share their experiences of sexual harassment by their male colleagues. Some have led to consequences for high-profile editors, including Prashant Jha, who stepped down as the chief of bureau and political editor of the Hindustan Times, former DNA editor-in-chief Gautam Adhikari and the editor of The Times of India's Hyderabad edition, KR Sreenivas. The Network of Women in Media had also released a statement on its website, expressing solidarity with the women who have spoken up. It had made a number of demands, including counselling for survivors and the accused, assistance in filing complaints, support for freelance journalists who are especially vulnerable, public display of anti-sexual harassment policy and the establishment of sensitive internal committees. On Saturday, the Mumbai Press Club, too, had issued a statement, saying it stood in solidarity with the victims of sexual harassment. The EDMC on Friday had issued a circular directing all the sanitation workers to resume work from 6 October. Days after issuing a warning, the BJP-led East Delhi Municipal Corporation Monday terminated the services of 26 contractual sanitation workers and suspended 17 others, with immediate effect for allegedly "creating obstruction" in its work, the civic body said. Sanitation workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) have been on strike since 12 September, demanding regular payment of salaries and regularisation of workers. "The EDMC has disengaged services of 26 contracted Paryavaran Sahayak (Safai Karamcharis) due to creating obstruction in work and suspended 17 others Paryavaran Sahayaks of the corporation with immediate effect," the EDMC said in a statement issued on Monday night. Earlier in the day, scores of sanitation workers had staged a huge protest at the Jantar Mantar here, during which police used "mild force" to disperse the crowd. The EDMC on Friday had issued a circular directing all the sanitation workers to resume work from 6 October. "All the sanitation workers are directed to resume work from 6 October, failing which they will be removed from their post," the circular said. As decided earlier, the authorities also regularised services of six sanitation workers engaged on or after April 1, 1998, on the basis of seniority, the civic body said. The EDMC has around 16,000 workers, half of whom are permanent employees. On 26 September, it had decided to begin the process for permanent employment of contractual sanitation workers who were recruited after March 31, 1998. Accused of sexual misconduct by several women, senior journalist Gautam Adhikari has resigned from his position as senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC. Recent wave of ugly revelations claimed that Adhikari had forced himself on several women from across the media industry. Editor's note: Following Rituparna Chatterjee's report Is Indias #MeToo moment here? Women are angry and they are naming and shaming their abusers Firstpost will publish a series of articles collating personal accounts of those who have made allegations of harassment, along with responses from those who have been accused of such behaviour. This is an ongoing exercise and will be updated to reflect new developments. If you wish to draw our attention to instances of harassment you may have experienced or witnessed, tweet to us @firstpost with the hashtag #MeToo. *** Accused of sexual misconduct by several women, senior journalist Gautam Adhikari has resigned from his position as senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC. Recent wave of ugly revelations claimed that Adhikari had forced himself on several women from across the media industry. These revelations were made on social media sites as part of the #MeToo In India campaigns. The center had removed his web page, however, they have not yet responded to the requests for an official comment by Firstpost. Adhikari was named by journalist and writer Tara Kaushal in her blog, where she shared her experience from 2006. "As he closed the door behind me, he pushed me against the door and kissed me. On the lips. Tongue et al. His lips were as soft and plump and gross as the rest of his body that he ground against mine," wrote Kaushal. The ordeal was the description of her second meeting with Adhikari ever, and a job interview at his DNA office. Adhikari was the editor-in-chief of the Mumbai edition newspaper at the time. However, Kaushal isn't the first to call out Adhikari for sexual assault. Another journalist Sandhya Menon detailed the harassment she allegedly faced at the hands of Adhikari and a senior editor from The Times of India KR Sreenivas. Adhikari, who was editor in chief of the Mumbai edition of DNA at the time of the incident, allegedly forcibly kissed Menon (after an informal evening outing) and warned her against telling anyone about the incident. A third allegation surfaced against Adhikari on Saturday (6 October). Writer and professor of journalism Sonora Jha tweeted, accusing Adhikari of sexual assault. In a series of tweets, Jha recounted an incident of alleged assault that took place in 1995, in a hotel room. At the time, she was chief of metro bureau at The Times Of India Bengaluru, and Adhikari was the executive editor. Jha alleged that Adhikari called her to his hotel room to discuss flexible working hours and then forcibly kissed her. "He tried to push me into his hotel bed but I pushed him away and managed to run out the door. Later, when I told my resident editor, I was told that Adhikari had asked him to 'sideline' me on the job. The Times Of India asked him to leave but I believe they brought him back," she tweeted. In a statement given to Firstpost earlier, Adhikari said that he had no recollection of the events mentioned above, and claimed that he has stopped "greeting" women with a kiss and a hug as he realised he may be "misunderstood." Adhikari told Firstpost that he did not "recall this incident or the person at all". "I last visited Bangalore [sic] when I was in India more than two decades ago in the mid-1990s. I do not recall meeting this person. I respectfully deny this allegation," he said. "I also would like to clarify that in the distant past I may have greeted women occasionally with a hug or a kiss. But I realised soon enough that it could be misunderstood in different cultural conditions and stopped the habit. There was never any question of harassment on my part," he added in reference to the allegations made by Jha. The violent targetting of migrant labours from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Gujarat is illustrative of the inimical trend in Indian politics to construct the outsider. Rupani's legislative proposal is a spurious attempt at allaying the unfounded fears of Gujaratis that outsiders are depriving them of their jobs. Yet it subtly serves the purpose of constructing the outsider as Gujarat's bane. The violent targetting of migrant labours from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Gujarat is illustrative of the inimical trend in Indian politics to construct the outsider. It is he who is accused of turning life insecure and precarious. He is the parasite that fattens at the expense of those among who he lives. His insidious designs go unnoticed because he has the cunning to masquerade as the insider. But then comes around a politician, who rips off the mask of the insider to reveal why he can't but be the outsider. It is because he is responsible for the misery of the majority. He is the bogeyman against whom they have always been taught to be on guard. He is not them, the majority. He is the other, the enemy, whose purpose is to turn their paradise into a living hell. Banish him to regain the paradise lost. The theme of the outsider subliminally informs the onslaught against migrant workers who have reportedly fled Gujarat in thousands. It involved an intricate process of othering. A 14-month child was allegedly raped by a migrant worker. His criminality is undoubtedly individual. Yet it is ascribed as a trait of those who migrate from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to work in Gujarat. With one stroke, the entire community of migrant workers is criminalised. Only their banishment from Gujarat can instill a sense of security in its citizens. It legitimises the violence directed against migrant workers, who are viewed to be deserving of the vigilante justice meted out to them. But the anger directed against migrant workers is not only because 'they are desperadoes who can rape a child'. They are also the outsiders who have 'deprived' Gujaratis of jobs created in their state. It is the locals who have the first right to the state's resources, so goes the sons-of-soil theory. The outsider consequently becomes the cause of the rising unemployment in Gujarat. From this simplistic logic flows the solution hound migrant workers out of the state. It is precisely what Gujarati residents, the insiders, have been doing ever since the rape of the 14-month-old hit the headlines. The rape, undoubtedly, was a pretext to resort to violence against the outsider. The migrant, as the outsider, had been constructed in the fortnight before. In September, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani announced that his government was planning to frame a law to make it mandatory for industries to have 80 percent of its workforce as Gujaratis. "This will provide benefits to the local residents," Rupani said. Rupani's solution for unemployment in Gujarat was seemingly in response to the Congress' demand that the government should pay an allowance to Gujarati youths who don't have jobs. The chief minister was quoted saying, "Friends in Congress have been demanding unemployment allowance Those unemployed should be given work. To keep the youths unemployed by giving them an allowance is the Congress line of thought." It was to distinguish himself from the Congress that Rupani thought of a law laying down the hiring norms for industry. His was an example of mindless competitive politics. This is because there is already a rule in Gujarat which demands of all entities, whether in the private or public sector, to have Gujaratis in 50 percent of all managerial posts and 85 percent of all those in workers' grade. The Gujarat government has justified the need for a new law as employers are said to infringe the 85 percent rule with impunity. But a new law is unlikely to resolve Gujarat's unemployment problem. Consider this: A report in The Indian Express in 2017 claimed that 92 percent of the workforce (total 8.23 lakh jobs) in about 4.700 large industrial units in the private sector comprised locals. In the state government-controlled establishments, the percentage of locals was as high as 98.9. From this perspective, Rupani's legislative proposal is a spurious attempt at allaying the unfounded fears of Gujaratis that outsiders are depriving them of their jobs. Yet it subtly serves the purpose of constructing the outsider as Gujarat's bane it is against him that Rupani is guarding the interests of locals, after all. By targeting the outsider, Rupani seeks to emerge as Gujarat's hero. His script has gone a wee bit awry because Gujaratis took to attacking migrants, sparking off their exodus. These attacks have been ascribed to the Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena, which is the outfit of Congress leader Alpesh Thakor. He has tried to walk the tightrope, claiming that the current violence is an expression of anger against factory owners who flout the 80 percent rule in hiring. It is competitive politics at its worse like Rupani, Thakor too has constructed the outsider as the source of Gujarat's manifold problems. It is politically advantageous to construct the outsider. For one, the outsider is in minority or is electorally insignificant. His or her concerns matter to the politician. For the other, the outsider is often culturally different from the mass of people who claim to be locals or insiders in a given territory. It is easy to exploit cultural differences to create suspicion and animosity, more so when the outsider is distinctively a migrant or whose indigenous origin is contested. Gujarat isn't the first state to have framed a community as the outsider. For instance, the late Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray built his political career by constructing the outsider and hunting them. He went after the "Madrasis" and then the Muslims. But Thackeray evolved his strategy of constructing and targeting the outsider at the time he was just a city politician. It is a different matter that the inheritors of his legacy have continued to periodically target migrants from the Hindi heartland in Maharashtra. Worryingly, it is the party in power which has taken to constructing the outsider for both ideological and electoral purposes. Hindutva's foremost ideologue, VD Savarkar, considered as insiders or Indians only those for whom India was both the motherland and the holyland. Such a yardstick turned Muslims and Christians into perennial outsiders. The two communities were identified as India's Internal Enemies by none other than the second sarsanghchalak of the RSS, MS Golwalkar. To this list of internal enemies, Golwalkar also added the communists. The RSS claims to have revised Golwalkar's writings, expunging remarks it no longer considers relevant to 21st century India. But at least on the count of the outsider, the BJP has continued to execute Golwalkar's ideas. Over the last four years, Muslims have been attacked and lynched in the name of cow, at times even for wearing the markers of their religious identity. They have been disallowed to pray in public places. Likewise, Christians have been assaulted for allegedly converting Hindus to their faith. The trope of outsider has also acquired a new meaning with the preparation of the National Register for Citizens (NRC) in Assam. As many as 4 million people have failed to make it to the NRC. Unless they are able to prove that their forefathers were residents of Assam before March 24, 1971, they will be declared illegal immigrants. The NRC exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court, convinced as it was that illegal immigrants have created economic and demographic upheaval in Assam. But BJP president Amit Shah has turned Assam's illegal Bangladeshi migrants into a trope for the outsider all across India. To which ever state he travels, he speaks of Assam's NRC and promises to throw out every infiltrator. At a recent rally in Delhi, Shah said, "Are you bothered because of illegal immigrants in Delhi or not? Should they be thrown out or not? One hundred crores infiltrators have entered our country and are eating the country like termites. Should we throw them out or not?" Shah resorted to the imagery of termite in Rajasthan as well. Is Rajasthan or Delhi troubled by illegal immigrants? Who are these illegal immigrants? Are they Bangladeshi Muslims? Or are they Indian Muslims? It is hard to second guess Shah's answers. But Gujarat should tell Shah and the BJP that the outsider can be constructed in multiple ways. Its citizens have remorselessly frightened migrant workers, Indians all, into fleeing the state. Tomorrow, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar could well retaliate by giving a call for boycotting products manufactured in Gujarat. The politics of creating the outsider to pit him against the insider is inherently destructive. Kumar, who had a telephonic talk with Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Monday amid a large number of migrant workers hailing from Bihar and some other Hindi-belt states fleeing Gujarat following attacks on them, said a constant watch is being kept on the situation there. Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said top officials from the state were in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat and appealed to Biharis living in the western state to stay firmly where they were. Kumar, who had a telephonic talk with Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Monday amid a large number of migrant workers hailing from Bihar and some other Hindi-belt states fleeing Gujarat following attacks on them, said a constant watch is being kept on the situation there. "Our chief secretary and DGP are in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat. We are keeping a watch on the situation there. I would also appeal to the people (from Bihar living in Gujarat) that they stay firmly where they were notwithstanding the incidents that have taken place", Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Patna. Kumar had on Monday said he spoke to Rupani to enquire about the situation in Gujarat where violence has erupted following the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl allegedly by a Bihar resident. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, speaking separately, echoed the views expressed by Kumar and also squarely blamed Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor's outfit for the violence against Biharis. Thakor is also the Congress secretary for Bihar. "Top officials in Gujarat like its chief secretary, its DGP and IG Prisons hail from Bihar. Biharis living there are safe and secure and the state government is taking effective action against those indulging in violence. I would also urge the Gujarat government to immediately arrest people like Alpesh Thakor who is behind these incidents," the deputy chief minister said. In a statement, the BJP unit of Bihar also attacked the Congress. "The silence of top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, on the issue and reluctance to take any action against Thakor shows the anti-Bihari prejudice in the party," the party alleged. The party's Bihar unit also criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for "maintaining an alliance with the Congress despite the latter's obvious involvement in attacks on Biharis". On his part, Tejashwi Yadav hit back at Rupani for accusing the Congress of inciting "violence against migrants". "Mr CM, have you taken leave of your senses. How dare you call fellow Indians migrants? Do you mean to say a migrant won from UP and became the Prime Minister of India. We demand an immediate apology from you,"(sic) Yadav tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had served as Gujarat chief minister for more than a decade, contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Vadodara and Varanasi. After becoming prime minister, he gave up the Lok Sabha seat in his home state, while retaining the one in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Displaced from their own states with no political patronage or access to state benefits, migrant workers who form the backbone of Indias informal work sector are a vulnerable group. More than 300 people across six districts of Gujarat have been arrested for inciting violence against the states migrant population, following the rape of a 14-month-old in Himmatnagar district. Fearing a further backlash, migrants are making a bolt for their home states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. While the Gujarat Police insists the exodus is innocuous, what with the fast-approaching festive season, the testimonies of migrants some of whom have lived in the state for years tell a different tale. But this isnt the first wave of violence against migrants. In 2008, people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar faced the ire of Maharashtras Shiv Sena that put forth issues of regionalism, language and identity. Akin to that, while Gujarat Congress MLA Alpesh Thakors Thakor Sena is being blamed for the ongoing violence in the state, issues of unemployment and rising economic uncertainty are also fuelling the furore. According to Census 2011 data, India has 45.36 crore migrants, most of whom are involved in construction, agriculture, transportation, and the like. Before the introduction of Aadhaar, the ration card was the most basic of identity documents the access key to healthcare and education. Given the difficulty in obtaining a new one, most migrant workers prefer to have names on ration cards valid only in their home states, automatically removing them from the loop of state benefits. Another observation is that most migrant workers miss out on elections as they lack voting rights in the cities they work. From a legal perspective, there is no lack of protection in terms of facing violence but the sector is so informal that migrants negotiate on a daily, monthly basis through a network of social constructs, Mukta Naik, a senior researcher at the Centre for Policy and Research, says. Whats riling Gujarat is the notion that migrants are eating into their jobs, she says. Gujarat has a policy wherein industrial units that avail government incentives have to hire 85 percent of their workforce from the local population. In September 2018, the government had announced it would bring in a law to make this mandatory. Thakor has asked for implementation of this rule. The recent violence, however, has a graver ramification the politics of identity. There has been the creation of an acceptable discourse which makes it okay to attack migrants. Identity politics has hit the migrant workforce the hardest and it sends out the message that they are expendable, labour activist Rakhi Sehgal says. Displaced from their own states with no political patronage or access to state benefits, migrant workers who form the backbone of Indias informal work sector are a vulnerable group. There is little legislation to ensure their rights even though India has an Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act which requires among other things registration of establishments, rules for contractors, minimum wage for workers etc. The students of Khandeha all 155 of them have one teacher who teaches them all the subjects. Bhool Hone Par Turant Kshama Maange At first this dictum of a message, painted in no-nonsense black, minus its English translation (Upon realising your mistake, apologise immediately) on the walls of the classroom in the primary school of Khandeha village, located in Bargadh, Mau block, in the Chitrakoot district of Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, seems ironic. Or even tongue-in-cheek. After all, the school has been declared English Medium just a few months ago, but in the last almost-five months now, there hasnt been much to show for it. Not even a sign, quite literally. But for the name of the school that was hurriedly re-painted a few weeks ago. But the school has other, graver problems. The student-teacher ratio being one. The students of Khandeha all 155 of them have one teacher who teaches them all the subjects. As Akash, a young, local social worker puts it, The school turned English medium in April. But there is only one teacher here. We meet this one warm body, whose name is Vinay Kumar, the head teacher (or rather only teacher) here at the school. It appears he is doing all he can to make the best of the situation. Forthcoming with the details of how he copes with the situation, he tells us how he usually gets the students of Classes IV & V to assemble together before handing them their assignments for the day. This enables him to move onto the other grades. What can I do? says Kumar, quite simply, and very open to suggestions it seems, even from reporters such as ourselves. Im the only working teacher here to 155 students. At least 5 are needed, as per the guidelines. Sadhna, a student at the school, confirms this strategy, Yes, we generally keep studying on our own. Or we complete the assignment given to us. The Ministry of Educations directive asking for a percentage of government-run primary schools to be turned into English-medium schools was part of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme. It was meant as a counter-move to correct the steady spike in drop-out rates from government schools, with parents and guardians in rural areas choosing to shift their wards to private schools. In tandem with the governments orders, the Uttar Pradesh government declared 5,000 government primary schools English-medium, effective from the academic session of April 2018, and further promised to establish at least five such schools in every block of every district in accordance with the demand. The primary school in Khandeha village was one such school. That this dramatic change has only caused more confusion in an education system already reeling in chaos, succumbing to daily pressures, arguably goes without saying. But the data is even more worrying, especially in the context of student-teacher ratios. According to the CAG report for 2015-2016, there has been a shortage of 1.75 lakh teachers in the state, as opposed to the required 7.6 lakh; while over 17,000 primary schools did not meet the prescribed pupil-teacher ratio. The concern of under-qualified or unqualified teachers across government schools the report pegs this number at about 30,000 is also flagged by Indrajeet Singh, Assistant Co-ordinator, in the education department of Chitrakoot. Citing the basic problem as he sees it, which is also true of Khandeha, in his view, is the lack of English-speaking teachers. Says Singh, Teachers are selected, on the district-level, for English medium schools. If theres a lack in numbers, then well conduct the exam again. Hes quick to add the all-important caveat, But if we dont find anyone eligible, then we cant hire. Meeting Ganesh, whos leaving the Khandeha primary English medium school for the day, outside, marks a book-end to our report. When we ask him, in Hindi, if the English grammar and literature textbooks have arrived, he has a pat reply for us. No, he says, with a hint of a smile on his face. Khabar Lahariya is a women-only network of rural reporters from Bundelkhand. In July, former Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra declared that local body polls would be held in a phased manner. Srinagar: As the first phase of urban local body polls in Jammu and Kashmir ends with a wide gap between voter turnout in the Valley districts (8.3 percent) and Jammu (80.95 percent), candidates are hoping for some respite after being holed up in hotelsto ensure their securityfor days. Consistent calls for a boycott, threats by militants and multiple incidents of violence pose a threat to the lives of candidates, scores of whom have been put up in hotels in Srinagar's Dalgate, Munwarabad, and Rajbagh. Fayaz Ahmad (name changed) was moved into a hotel in Rajbagh, along with at least a dozen other candidates nearly a fortnight ago. The hotel, being guarded by personnel from Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), also has a few local police officers responsible for candidates' safety. Ahmad, a businessman, is an Independent candidate contesting for Ward 69 of Soura constituency: a volatile area in Srinagar dominated by stone-pelting during curfews and shutdowns. During his stay, Ahmad had to instruct hotel staff to keep his particulars hidden. It is better to lie low till the results are declared, Ahmad said. Even my family doesnt know of my decision to participate in the election. Threats, attacks led to withdrawals In July, former Jammu and Kashmir governor Narendra Nath Vohra declared that the local body polls would be held in a phased manner. To combat the threat of militants, newly-appointed Governor Satya Pal Malik directed civil administration officials to provide adequate security to candidates. The two main political partiesNational Conference and Peoples Democratic Partyboycotted the local elections (being held after a gap of 13 years) and called it planted and misconducted since the time is not right for polls. The killing of two National Conference workers on 5 October by suspected militants in Srinagar aggravated concerns. At least 10 panchayat buildings across Kashmir were also set ablaze, ultimately reportedly leading to the withdrawal of nominations by 45 candidates across the Valley. A candidate for Srinagar's Ward 62 said his home was attacked just days before he checked into the hotel. Thats the reason why I had to seek accommodation from the government, he added. As per another candidate waiting alongside Ahmad, a letter from the office of Srinagar deputy commissioner was sent to the hotel management asking for 'vulnerable' candidates to be allotted rooms. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order and Security, Munir Ahmad Khan said, It wasnt possible to provide individual security to each and every contestant. So we decided to accommodate them at hotels in Srinagar's secure areas. The ADGP, however, said the duration of their accommodation has not been decided. Once municipal and panchayat elections end, their security will be reviewed, he added. Despite security cover, several candidates expressed concern over their safety. On 4 October, 79 Independent candidates put up in a hotel at Munawarabad took to the streets to express their displeasure. 'Disparity between BJP candidates, Independents' Mohammed Fazil Khan, an Independent contesting from Ward 62 of downtowns Rainawari area on 4 October, protested against the number of Personal Security Officers deputed to guard candidates. Only eight PSOs are guarding 80 of us. How can we feel secure? Khan asked. My family is constantly under threat. All of us have put our lives on line. It is the governments responsibility to provide adequate security. Khan claimed he approached the higher authorities but there hasn't been any response. He also alleged there is a 'disparity' between Independent candidates and those belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Every BJP contestant has a personal PSO. A weapon has also been allotted to each of them for self-defence. Dont we have the right to question such partiality? he asked. According to Khan, this could also be a tactic to force Independents into withdrawing their nominations. The attack on BJP Ward 15 candidate Adil Ahmad Buhru by stone pelters in north Kashmir's Bandipora, while he was on way to the polling booth, further unnerved the candidates who are now demanding adequate security even after polling ends. "We're very scared. The government needs to ensure our security even after the elections," another candidate from the same ward, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. With the regional parties out of the fray, BJP and Congress are looking to capitalise on the opportunity to carve out a space for themselves in Jammu and Kashmir. This might be of little help since various pockets of the Valley are not favouring any political party: which led to 69 seats being uncontested in phase one. Nearly 17 lakh voters in Jammu and Kashmir will be eligible to elect representatives to 79 municipal bodies, including the Srinagar and Jammu municipal corporations. According to the state Election Commission, 2,990 candidates are contesting the four-phase polls which will end on 16 October. The results will be announced on 20 October. Firdous Hassan is Srinagar-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com In a text message, Editor Shyamal Majumdar said, Mayank Jain resigned and it has been accepted with immediate effect.' On being asked what will happen to the inquiry, Majumdar said the 'inquiry will take its natural course.' On Tuesday, journalist Mayank Jain resigned as Business Standard's principal correspondent following allegations of sexual assault being levelled against him. Business Standard editor Shyamal Majumdar confirmed the development in a text message to Firstpost, Mayank Jain resigned and it (his resignation) has been accepted with immediate effect." On being asked on the status of the inquiry against Jain, Majumdar said the "inquiry will take its natural course." Jain has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct as part of what is being seen as Indias definitive #MeToo moment online. Jain earlier declined to comment to Firstpost after The Wire journalist Anoo Bhuyan earlier outed him on Twitter as an alleged harasser Bhuyan tweeted: 24. Mayank Jain, the journalist I accused of sexual harassment, has resigned. . This was sent to @bsindia employees. "This is to inform you that Mayank Jain resigned today and his resignation has been accepted with immediate effect. Editor"#timesup Anoo Bhuyan (@AnooBhu) October 9, 2018 Bhuyan earlier tweeted: 13. Internal committee set up at @bsindia to investigate allegations on Mayank Jain. Jain not sent on leave/ fired. Committee may not have mandate to administer due process. Ill depose if required. Other women can consider deposing. Pls stay in touch.https://t.co/i0LMcwuo5a Anoo Bhuyan (@AnooBhu) October 7, 2018 Jain was named, among other journalists including Ayush Soni, Prashant Jha, and Anurag Vema in this Firstpost piece on Indias #MeToo moment as women took to Twitter to out alleged predators and sexual harassers. A West Bengal Police team arrested Tushar Sharma of Kulai area in Dhalai district on 6 October for the alleged derogatory remarks against Mamata Banerjee Ambassa: A man was arrested in Tripura's Dhalai district for allegedly making derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in social media, a police officer said on Tuesday. A West Bengal Police team arrested Tushar Sharma of Kulai area in Dhalai district on 6 October for the alleged derogatory remarks against Banerjee, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Ambassa, Asish Das Gupta said Sharma was produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Ambassa. The West Bengal Police sought his transit remand. However, the CJM rejected the request of the West Bengal Police as the arrested person was sick and ordered for his admission in a hospital. The CJM ordered that the accused be produced before it on Wednesday. A West Bengal Police team camping in Tripura said it will again appeal for the transit remand of Sharma in the court on Wednesday. Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said Mumbai will come to a standstill and its people will not even get food to eat if the north Indian community in the metropolis decides to stop working Nagpur: Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said Mumbai will come to a standstill and its people will not even get food to eat if the north Indian community in the metropolis decides to stop working, drawing sharp reactions from the Shiv Sena and the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. However, the community should not be forced to take such a step, the Mumbai Congress president warned, without naming any individual or political party. He said the north Indian community had always expressed gratitude towards Mumbai and Maharashtra. "It is the north Indian community which runs the lives of, or shoulders the burden of the people of Mumbai," Nirupam said at an event of north Indians here Sunday night. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shatrughan Sinha also attended the event. Nirupam said the members of the north Indian community were supplying milk, newspapers and vegetables to the people of the megapolis, besides providing autorickshaw and taxi services. "If the community decides to stop work for a day, life in Mumbai will come to a standstill. None will get roti (bread), vegetables, milk and auto, taxi, truck and tempo (services). "It happens sometimes, but it should not be done. (The community) should not be forced to take such a step," the former Member of Parliament added. The Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) attacked Nirupam over his remarks. The Shiv Sena stressed the city belonged to the 'Marathi Manoos' (sons of the soil), while the Raj Thackeray-led party challenged the Congress leader to bring the financial capital to a standstill. Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South-Central, Rahul Shewale said Nirupam was running out of issues and hence, the comments. "The Congress cannot win even the gram panchayat polls. Hence, Mumbaikars will show Nirupam his place in the upcoming polls," Shewale added. MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande said on Twitter, "Challenging Congress's Bhaiyya (Nirupam) to bring Mumbai to a halt". Meanwhile, a poster by an MNS worker surfaced on social media showing Nirupam as a "stray dog" and charging him with making controversial statements with an eye on votes of Hindi-speaking people. Asked about the poster, Deshpande said it was not the party's official position. The MNS, established over a decade ago to champion the cause of the sons of the soil, has in the past launched agitations against north Indians in Mumbai. Senior journalist Nakkheeran Gopal, also the editor of Tamil magazine Nakkheeran was detained by the police at Chennai Airport while he was on his way to Pune, airport officials said. A well-known editor of a Tamil weekly was arrested on Tuesday for reporting on an alleged sex scandal at the Madurai Kamaraj University, reportedly on the basis of a complaint filed by Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit. Senior journalist Nakkheeran Gopal, also the editor of Tamil magazine Nakkheeran was arrested by the police at Chennai International Airport while he was on his way to Pune, airport officials said. The weekly's website claimed Gopal was arrested based on a complaint from the Raj Bhavan over a write-up on Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor of a private college in Virudhunagar, who had been arrested for allegedly prodding female students to extend sexual favours to officials. However, there was no immediate confirmation from police officials on the reason behind Gopal's arrest, even as officials in the Raj Bhavan could not be reached for a comment. Nakkheeran had carried a story on the alleged sex scandal, reporting that Devi had met Purohit four times, while another audio clip surfaced in which Devi was heard claiming that she knows the governor and asked students to "adjust with higher officials." In a 20-minute-long conversation taped by unknown sources, Devi is heard telling four of her BSc (Maths) third year students that must "adjust with higher officials", promising financial support, even a monthly salary and all kinds of academic help. She specifically refers to the video of the meeting the governor recently addressed at the University, offering that as evidence of her access to people in powerful positions. In Tamil, she says, "Governor thatha illai (the governor is not an old man)". In the audio clip, the professor does not explicitly say the students have to extend sexual favours but leaves enough hints as to what she was trying to convey. Meanwhile, Purohit said that he has not even seen face of Devi, who has been arrested on charges of luring four of her girl students to extend sexual favours to senior university officials. "I do not know the lady... I am above politics. Strict action will be taken if someone is found guilty. We will get to know only after an inquiry," Purohit had said. With inputs from PTI Narendra Modi unveiled a 64-foot-tall statue of peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram at his native village Sampla in Haryana's Rohtak district on Tuesday. Sampla: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 64-feet-tall statue of peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram at his native village Sampla in Haryana's Rohtak district on Tuesday. After unveiling the statue, Modi paid floral tribute to the peasant leader and visited a museum built in his memory. There, Modi watched a four-minute documentary on the life of Sir Chhotu Ram. Sir Chhotu Ram, who was born on 24 November, 1881, was regarded as a messiah of peasants and was instrumental in empowering farmers in pre-Independence era and getting pro-farmers law enacted. He had fought for farmers' rights during the British rule. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Birender Singh, Union minister and maternal grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram, were present at the event, besides state ministers Ram Bilas Sharma and Captain Abhimanyu, and Congress MP Deepender Hooda. Renowned sculptor and Padma Bhushan-recipient Ram Vanji Sutar sculpted the 64-foot-tall statue. As many as 5,500 farmers of the state donated iron metal, ranging from from half-a-kg to two kgs for the construction of the statue. The unveiling of the statue assumes significance as elections to Lok Sabha and Haryana Assembly are slated for early next year. India need not take an aggressive position in public on the issue of US sanctions on nations defying its directive to bring their oil imports from Iran to zero by 4 November, says a former Indian diplomat. Hyderabad: India need not take an aggressive position in public on the issue of US sanctions on nations defying its directive to bring their oil imports from Iran to zero by 4 November, says a former Indian diplomat. India has to play a cautious role, in that priority should be the country's national interests, former Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE Talmiz Ahmad said. "India's national interests lie in maintaining relations with Iran while at the same time not totally alienating the United States", he told PTI. "And what India will do and I think that's the correct policy that there will be some reduction in oil imports for a short period and at the same time discussions with the United States will continue in order to ensure that the US policy becomes more accommodative," Ahmad said. He was of the view that over a period of time or as early as six months, the entire sanctions regime would "collapse". "My own view is that we don't need to take an aggressive position in public but constantly subserve our own interests and wait for that time when the United States' absurd policy is revised by the international community or the US itself," he said. Ahmad said this had to be done quietly without going public and ensuring the country's interests was safeguarded. According to him, there would be some reduction in oil purchases from Iran in the short term but it's not likely to continue for a longer period. NGT asked the chief secretary to send the compliance report by 30 November by e-mail. New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered closure of industrial units running in "non-conforming" residential areas of Rohini and slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the Delhi government and others for their "defaults and inaction" towards violation of rules. The green panel said the units causing pollution, including unauthorised car workshops in violation of law, must be stopped immediately, and a report of action taken may be submitted before the tribunal within one month. "Respondents are held liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 50,000 each for damage to the environment by their persistent defaults and inaction towards violations of rules and directions issued by the tribunal. This amount should be recovered from the heads of the said respondents personally to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) within one month," the bench said. The tribunal directed the Delhi chief secretary to call a meeting of the authorities concerned and seek an action plan to be prepared and implemented by a team comprising the DCP of the area, SDM and senior officer of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). It noted that the said team must also conduct a public hearing on the spot at least once in every week. "The chief secretary may also indicate persons accountable for such repeated default and failures, and take appropriate action under CCS (CCA), Rules, 1965 and submit the action taken report to the tribunal," it said. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said it was undisputed that illegal activities were going on and that there was total apathy on part of the DPCC and the police authorities in performing their duties. "The said authorities have merely shifted the responsibility from one to the other. According to DPCC, the responsibility is of the Delhi Police. According to the Delhi Police, the matter has to be dealt with by SDM under Section 133 of CrPC. This is nothing but avoiding the statutory and legal duties," the bench, also comprising Justice SP Wangdi, said. The tribunal asked the chief secretary to send the compliance report by 30 November by e-mail and posted the matter for consideration on 3 December. The direction came on a plea filed by city resident NS Yadav for stopping of activities of servicing, repairing, denting, painting and junk dealing being carried out by various unauthorised car workshops and car mechanics in the area near and around Chaudhary Brahm Prakash entry gate of village Nahar Pur and near Bhagwan Ram Mandir Temple Complex, Block-E, Rohini, Sector-7. According to the applicant, illegal activities are taking place despite complaints to the DPCC, which admitted the automobile servicing activities were being run in non-conforming areas, in violation of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021. The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined an early hearing on a review petition filed against the verdict allowing women of all ages entry into Kerala's Sabarimala temple. The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined an early hearing on a review petition filed against the 28 September verdict allowing women of all ages entry into Kerala's Sabarimala temple. The apex court said that "review petitions will come up for hearing in due course". Declining to hear the petition filed by the National Ayappa Devotees Association on an urgent basis, the Supreme Court said that "review petitions will not be taken up before the Dussehra vacations", according to India Today. The temple is set to reopen on 16 October. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph considered the submission. Supreme Court refuses urgent hearing on a review petition filed against the verdict allowing entry of women of all ages in Kerala's Sabarimala temple. Supreme Court says, 'review petitions to come up for hearing in due course.' pic.twitter.com/PuHTc2abkh ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 The association had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on Monday asking the top court to reconsider its ruling. The plea noted that the top court should not have passed an order allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine as it violated the Constitution and their religious rights. The association, in its plea, claimed that this verdict of the Supreme Court had "shocked millions of devotees". Filed by the chief of the organisation, Shylaja Vijayan, the association has urged the court to hear its case and review the ruling. "The petitioners believe that no legal luminary, not even the greatest of jurists or a judge, can be a match to the common sense and wisdom of the masses. No judicial pronouncement, even of the highest judicial tribunal in this country... can be a match for 'the voice of the people'," the petition read, according to reports. The petitioner, who is not party to the original case in the Supreme Court, called the judgment on Sabarimala "absolutely untenable and irrational, if not perverse". Hundreds of Lord Ayyappa devotees, including women, have been staging demonstrations in protest against the Sabarimala verdict. With inputs from agencies Shifting sands points to the fact that a greater resistance against the Supreme Court verdict is brewing. The Supreme Court constitutional bench verdict allowing women of a menstruating age the right to access the shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala Temple, has run into a popular backlash. This wasnt unexpected, given the fact that the 4:1 majority verdict sought to modify religious practices through judicial decree. The judges were motivated by Constitutional morality, but the apolitical and widespread protests reinforce the notion that courts cannot ram through social progress by passing verdicts that militate against religious sentiments. Not only is that unnecessary in the case of a constantly evolving religion such as Hinduism, but force-feeding libertarian principles can have the opposite effect. Judicial encroachments in realms of faith may push pluralistic and tolerant people to harden their stance. In this regard, the opinion of Justice Indu Malhotra, the sole dissenting judge in the 4:1 verdict, is enlightening. What constitutes essential religious practice is for the religious community to decide, not for the court. India is a diverse country. Constitutional morality would allow all to practice their beliefs. The court should not interfere unless if there is any aggrieved person from that section or religion. But the Sabarimala verdict does greater damage. The court assumes the role of a Papal authority and seeks to test religious customs on the touchstone of progressiveness. For instance, Justice DY Chandrachuds judgmentthat concurs with the majority verdictinterprets the wish of Lord Ayyappa (to be spared the presence of women of a certain age due to his state of permanent celibacy) as reflective of patriarchal mores that seek to impose the burden of a man's celibacy on a woman and construct her as a cause for deviation from celibacy. This is then employed to deny access to spaces to which women are equally entitled. The problem with this approach is that it misreads the nature of Hinduism. As a religion, Hinduism reflects the dynamic relationship between the faithful and the deity. This relationshipnot any written word, codes or mantrasis essential to the practice of Hinduism. The dynamism is reflected in the belief that worshipping a deity involves respecting his/her wishes, personality traits and manifestations. Lord Ayyappa in his naishtik brahmachari avatar may not wish to be visited by women of a menstruating age but there are other shrines of Lord Ayyappa where no such rules apply. Similarly, as former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju wrote in his piece for Daily O, many shrines in India practice similar restrictions on women (and even men) based on the deitys preferences. The Kartikeya temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, does not permit entry to women, as Kartikeya, like Ayyappa, is a celibate, Katju wrote. He added: There are some temples debarring men. For example, Atukkal temple in Kerala which debars men during sankranti-pongal, and Bhagawati Ma temple in Kanya Kumari. So, should we get a judicial decree to overturn each of these practices and force a monotheistic belief on a pluralistic philosophy? If we apply normative principles of modernity on these practices, the essential contract between the deity and faithful breaks down. It forces Hinduism to take on the hues of an Abrahamic religion where practices will acquire a uniformity instead of being based on the unique relationship that each faithful has with his/her deity. Justice Malhotra hints at this calamitous conclusion though she arrives here from a legal corner. In her judgment, she wrote, The respondents claim the right to worship in the Sabarimala Temple under Article 25(1) in accordance with their beliefs and practices as per the tenets of their religion. These practices are considered to be essential or integral to that temple. Any interference with the same would conflict with their right guaranteed by Article 25(1) to worship Lord Ayyappa in the form of a Naishtik Brahmachari. She minces no words in pointing out that this is judicial overreach. Judicial review of religious practices ought not to be undertaken, as the court cannot impose its morality or rationality with respect to the form of worship of a deity. Doing so would negate the freedom to practice ones religion according to ones faith and beliefs. It would amount to rationalising religion, faith and beliefs, which is outside the ken of Courts. The vociferous protests that have broken out all over the state point to the problem the judgment has run into. For many Lord Ayyappa devotees (including and especially women) the verdict is not a treatise in gender justice but a negation of their religious belief. The pushback has been mighty and spontaneous though political parties, as is their wont, have sought to cash in on popular sentiment. There have been four petitions filed in the Supreme Court seeking a review of the verdict. Among the petitioners, the Nair Service Society and People for Dharma submitted that to deny a religious denomination status to Sabarimala Temple and Lord Ayyappas devotees merely because they did not conform to Abrahamic notions of religious denominations is to defeat the very object of the absence of a definition and to Abrahamise the core of the Hindu faith, which is unconstitutional, according to media reports. On 2 October, thousands gathered in the town of Pandalam, and thousands more in Thiruvananthapuram to lodge their protest against the Supreme Court verdict. The gatherings, representing various Hindu organisations, featured a substantial number of women and youth. One of them, Sreelekha from Ambala in Alappuzha district, was quoted as saying by The News Minute: We dont want to go the temple. We have been taking the yearly vow along with the men in our family who go to Sabarimala. We will do whatever we should do. The protests grew louder with each passing day. A few days later on 6 and 7 October, Kerala witnessed statewide protests. According to another report in The News Minute, Kerala was witness to many such protest marches across various districts like Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. The BJP utilised the opportunity to call for a bandh in Pathanamthitta, the district where the temple is situated. According to the report, the protest marches saw the participation of hundreds of women. The devotees vowed to go to any extent to safeguard the beliefs of the religion and the temple. Reports also emerged of attempted self-immolation. The conduct of political parties offers the most accurate assessment of the mood on the ground. On 28 September, the Congress welcomed the Supreme Court verdict as progressive. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: There can be no discrimination to worship on the basis of gender or otherwise. A welcome and progressive move towards gender equality by Supreme Court in Sabarimala. As society evolves, so should our religious beliefs and laws. A few days later on 5 October, the Congress launched a protest march against the Sabarimala verdict and demanded that the state government file a review petition in Supreme Court to reverse the decision. The Congress position is opportunistic. Yet, it reinforces the necessity of political parties to remain attuned with popular sentiment to retain their relevance. These shifting sands points to the fact that a greater resistance against the Supreme Court verdict is brewing. The court declined an urgent hearing of the plea, but rest assured: We havent heard the last of this controversy. Women have accused former journalist and Union minister MJ Akbar of making them feel uncomfortable by calling them to his hotel rooms for interviews, inviting himself to their houses with a bottle of alcohol to even turning up at their houses for coffee. Editor's note: Following Rituparna Chatterjee's report Is Indias #MeToo moment here? Women are angry and they are naming and shaming their abusers Firstpost will publish a series of articles collating personal accounts of those who have made allegations of harassment, along with responses from those who have been accused of such behaviour. This is an ongoing exercise and will be updated to reflect new developments. If you wish to draw our attention to instances of harassment you may have experienced or witnessed, tweet to us @firstpost with the hashtag #MeToo. *** While women from across the media have flooded social media with 'MeToo in India' messages and harrowing stories of their encounter with sexual harassment, mostly at their workplace, politicians, Union ministers and leaders of ruling parties have maintained a stoic silence on the issue. However, Minister of External Affairs Sushman Swaraj on Tuesday may have made matters worse by refusing to comment on the sexual harassment allegations against MJ Akbar, a former journalist who is now a Minister of State in the MEA. Adding to the exhaustive list of women who have been sexually harassed, molested or assaulted by their male bosses, several women journalist called out Akbar on Twitter and alleged sexual harassment when he was a working journalist. Now a Rajya Sabha MP and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Akbar was the founding editor of The Telegraph, had launched The Asian Age and worked at a number of other media organisations, including The Sunday Guardian. Women began to share their encounters with Akbar after journalist Priya Ramani re-plugged her article in Vogue from October 2017. Written after a string of women accused Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, Priya wrote about her experience with Akbar, but did not name him. In the Vogue article, Ramani said that Akbar had invited her to a hotel room in Mumbai for an interview and made uncomfortable advances towards her. She was 23 years old, while he was 43. I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didnt do anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator maybe theyll share. I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didnt do anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predatormaybe theyll share. #ulti https://t.co/5jVU5WHHo7 Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) October 8, 2018 Soon after Ramani shared her tweet, a number of women retweeted and shared their own encounters with Akbar, accusing him of making them feel uncomfortable by calling them to his hotel rooms for interviews, inviting himself to their houses with a bottle of alcohol to even turning up at their houses "for coffee". Even as this latest addition to the #MeToo movement took over headlines, Sushma refused to respond when she was asked whether there would be an internal investigation into the allegations against Akbar. TimesNow and India Today reporters yell out to her, reminding her that she is a "woman minister", and ask her what action she would take against Akbar, but Sushma chooses to stay mum. Even as Sushma refused to comment on the allegations against Akbar, Congress national spokesperson Manish Tewari said the case dates back to when Akbar was a journalist, not a political leader. "MJ should come up and speak on this. The prime minister should speak on the allegations against his minister," he said. "The minister concerned (Akbar) should speak up. Silence cannot be a way out. It's an extremely serious matter and should be investigated." The #MeToo movement, which began with sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein last year, picked up pace again in India after actor Tanushree Dutta accused her co-star from 10 years ago Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of Horn Ok Pleasss. Buoyed by her move to speak up against sexual misconduct by men, women beyond the realms of just Bollywood have been sharing their experiences and the trauma they have gone through. Notable among them have been the accounts shared by female journalists, bringing to light the prevalence of sexual harassment in the media. 'Top journo-turned-politician/MP whom everyone is too scared to name' was a recurring theme on social media, several of which alluded to Firstpost's piece, written by a contributor who sought anonymity to avoid causing anguish to her family the author and this website have chosen to adhere to that original position. "My #MeToo moment: Founding editor of national paper forced himself on me" - another story of sexual assault by top journo-turned-politician/MP whom everyone is too scared to name, but so many women have stories about.https://t.co/7Q20HsVNLy Prasanto K Roy (@prasanto) October 8, 2018 A journalist quoted Ramanis tweet, saying, So many of us have an MJ story. So many of us have an MJ story. "Can I come over to your house with a bottle of rum?" he said. NO, was the answer.... Couldnt 'do' anything. Some dont get the meaning of No... they move on to the next, dont they https://t.co/eMnO6Y3PNX Harinder Baweja (@shammybaweja) October 8, 2018 Another Twitter user, who had tweeted her experience with a "brilliant, flamboyant editor who dabbled in politics" on Sunday, revealed on Tuesday that it was Akbar who had called her to his his hotel room to "discuss work" and "made life at work hell" when she refused his advances". @It was #MJAkbar I do not say this lightly..i know the consequences of false accusations &it has been now 17 yrs &i have no concrete proof. but i was young, just made features editor, super impressed with our brilliant editor, sensitive writer(read Riot after Riot), 1/4 prerna singh bindra (@prernabindra) October 9, 2018 Another Twitter user said she had gone through an experience with Akbar similar to Ramani's at a hotel in Kolkata in 1995, after which she declined the job offer. I must clarify, however, that he didn't actually do anything. But the whole experience of an interview sitting on a bed in a hotel room followed by an invitation to come over for a drink that evening was rattling and deeply uncomfortable, she wrote. In this case, #MeToo. Year: 1995, Place Taj Bengal, Kolkata. After that encounter, I declined the job offer. Shuma Raha (@ShumaRaha) October 8, 2018 A woman recounted how he turned up at my friends house one night for a coffee and how he made life hell for her at their workplace after she did not let him in. OMG! He turned up at my friend's house one night for a coffee. As a single mother with a sleeping child she told him she could neither invite him in nor go out with him. From next day he made life hell for her at their workplace https://t.co/3XRj7oWK94 Sujata Anandan (@sujataanandan) October 8, 2018 Another Twitter user highlighted an account from 1999, which he said was based on Akbar. This 1999 KP piece was about MJ Akbar (the pseudonym Editor the Great reveals more than it hides)https://t.co/hlNWW9Q38b Thejaswi Udupa (@udupendra) October 8, 2018 Scroll.in quoted a former journalist who worked under Akbar in the 1990s as saying that Akbar would try his luck with anything that moved, but was not particularly vindictive. I think Akbar is slimy in many ways. There was a clear category of successful male behaviour that he fell within this was the trouble. People didnt even realise or think that there is anything wrong with this behaviour, she added. The website quoted another journalist who worked with Akbar as saying that he would try and manipulate young, impressionable women. There were always more young women than men in office, and it used to be called Akbars harem. This was the reputation he came with, the report quoted her as saying. While the majority accused Akbar of obscenity, journalist Joyeeta Basu wrote in his defence, saying Akbar had been "one of the best bosses" to her, and that she had "never felt uncomfortable" with him. She also clarified that she was not asked to share the tweet by anyone. Since so many people are talking, hear my story too: @mjakbar has been one of the best bosses I have worked with. Learnt everything I know about newspapers from him. A tough taskmaster and a thorough professional. Never felt uncomfortable. NEVER. @PMOIndia @narendramodi Joyeeta Basu (@eeta) October 9, 2018 News18 reported that Akbar had made sexually-loaded statements and gestures in his capacity as editor-in-chief of a top national newspaper. According to the report, the Ministry of External Affairs is in the know of these allegations against Akbar, and that journalists who cover the ministry have asked for a response on the claims of Akbars unsolicited advances towards women and his subordinates. Speaking to TimesNow, BJP leader Shaina NC said it take a lot of courage for women to share their ordeals, and what they say should not be questioned. Besides Shaina even though she did not name Akbar and Union minister Maneka Gandhi, there has been no word on the matter, or the #MeToo movement from any BJP leader or the government. Akbar, who is currently in Nigeria, has not responded yet to the allegations. Firstpost has reached out to him for comment, but he has yet to respond. In her article from 2017, Ramani described mens predatory behaviour in office spaces, saying that "the world has changed but your species is just the same". The Firstpost article concludes by saying, I cannot not call him out in this climate because ensconced in his important job, he seems to believe that hes protected. But the #MeToo movement hopes to do what Ramani signed off her article with: "Well get you all one day." The idea to generate electricity by stubble-burning also never took off, as it was currently impossible to set up powerhouses that could consume 15 million tonne of paddy straw. Editor's Note: Late sowing, lack of government incentive to remove stubble mechanically have often led farmers in Punjab and Haryana to burn paddy stubble during autumn to immediately prepare the fields for wheat cultivation. Consequently, the stubble burning occurs on such a huge scale that it even engulfs Delhi in a canopy of smog: thus causing serious pollution for days and health issues. In this, part one of a three-part series, Firstpost seeks to find out why stubble is still burnt despite obvious ill-effects and a solution, if possible. This is the first part of the series. Ludhiana: For two winters, Delhi has made international headlines for its toxic air, with multiple countries classifying the national capital a punishment posting for its diplomats. This year might be no different with air pollution already in the poor category and making news. Its Delhis nearby states that are frequently blamed for increasing the winter smog due to stubble burning. In neighbouring Punjab, the paddy fields are set on fire yearly a fallout of the states efforts to conserve groundwater. The issue has been a bone of contention between Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Captain Amarinder Singh, who even had a Twitter spat over it. Paddy this year was cultivated on more than 30 lakh hectares (against nearly 29 lakh hectares last year) of land in Punjab, and the government estimates that 15 million tonne of paddy straw is burnt in the state annually. Punjabs paddy problem Till 2008, the states farmers could sow paddy, a water-guzzling crop, anytime. To clear their fields later, many of them used to dig huge pits in which they dumped the paddy straw to convert it into manure. At that time, migratory labour in Punjab was also cheap and that helped in the removal of the straw. But in a bid to conserve groundwater, the Punjab government, through a notification under Punjab Preservation of SubSoil Water Act, 2009, fixed 10 June as the date before which paddy crop could not be sowed. Later, in 2014, another notification fixed the date to June 15 and this year it was further extended to 20 June. The late sowing resulted in the delayed harvesting of the crop, leaving the farmers with little time to sow the next crucial crop -- wheat. When sown in fields after 20 June, paddy is harvested in mid-October. On the other hand, the wheat-sowing season is late October to November. Thus, to clear the fields off paddy straw swiftly, the farmers resort to burning them. This problem has only intensified over the decade. The idea to generate electricity by stubble-burning also never took off, as it was currently impossible to set up powerhouses that could consume 15 million tonne of paddy straw. Paddy over Basmati Over the years, the Punjab government has failed to attract farmers to alternative crops, resulting in major parts of the state being taken over by paddy cultivation. Paddy crop being groundwater-intensive, the state government provides free electricity to the farmers for cultivation of the crop -- an incentive that works in the crops favour. While the area under paddy has thus increased, the percentage area occupied by Basmati has reduced in the states of Haryana and Punjab by 8 percent to 9 percent. No MSP on Basmati is another reason why farmers shy away from planting a crop that could reduce stubble-burning, not to mention that Basmati straw is cattle-fodder and thus not burnt. State measures Under pressure after the outcry raised over pollution caused by stubble-burning, the Punjab government last month announced the provision of more than 7,000 farming machines to farmers for scientific management of paddy residue. Subsidy of 50 percent on the machines was offered to individual farmers and 80 percent to cooperative societies. The machinery, including paddy straw choppers, mulcher, RMB plough, shrub cutter, zero till drill, and super straw management systems on harvesters, would be used to remove stalks from 30 lakh hectare of land. The states nodal officer for the anti-stubble burning campaign KS Pannu said the agriculture department was working to ensure the delivery of machines before the onset of the paddy harvesting season. All deputy commissioners have been directed to aggressively pursue the campaign to end stubble-burning a major cause of pollution in north India, he said. The government has also appointed nodal officers in 8,000 paddy-growing villages to check stubble-burning. According to additional chief secretary Viswajeet Khanna, to curb the practice this year, staff from panchayats and agriculture, horticulture, soil conservation and other departments will also be roped in. For every 20 villages, an officer will be deployed to submit a detailed status report after the harvesting season, so that data is collated and stored in the offices of the chief agriculture officer for record and reference purpose. Farmer trials But the farmers will still be forced to burn their fields. Jagmohan Singh, general secretary of one faction of Bharatiya Kisan Union, said the paddy crop had retained moisture due to the recent rains and harvesting would be further delayed. Farmers will be forced to burn the paddy residue to clear the land for the wheat crop. The majority of poor farmers are not in a position to get machinery to remove the stubble even at subsidised rates, he said. He further pointed out that whitefly had destroyed a large portion of the cotton crop in the Malwa belt of Punjab in the past five-seven years, forcing the farmers to replace it with paddy. For long, the farmers have been demanding incentives for proper disposal of stubble from fields. Buta Singh, 39, one such farmer from Barnala, said some of his kind in his village have formed groups to get access to the subsidised machinery. If you ask for numbers, the machines are available for only 1 percent of farmers. Even at subsidised rates, poor farmers cannot hire them. Some kind of assistance by the government in removing stubble from every acre of land is required, he explained, adding that burning paddy straw was the only option left to the majority of farmers even this year. Also Read Stubble burning: For debt-ridden poor farmers in Punjab neither subsidy nor penalty can stop cultivators from burning straw The author is a Ludhiana-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com. A bench of Justice RK Gauba dismissed the plea filed by lawyer Deepak Anand challenging the Congress MP's move to bypass a magisterial court and directly approach a sessions court for anticipatory bail in the death case of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking cancellation of Shashi Tharoor's anticipatory bail granted by a trial court in the Sunanda Pushkar death case. A bench of Justice RK Gauba dismissed the plea filed by lawyer Deepak Anand challenging the Congress MP's move to bypass a magisterial court and directly approach a sessions court for anticipatory bail in the death case of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. On 25 September, the Delhi Police had partly supported the plea where the Delhi Police Standing Counsel (Criminal) Rahul Mehra informed the high court that Tharoor ought to have first gone to the magisterial court that had summoned him as an accused, to seek bail. Delhi Police had also filed a status report in the matter. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of 17 January 2014. The couple was staying in the hotel, as the official bungalow of Shashi Tharoor was being renovated at that time. Parents of Binodini Girl's High School at Dhakuria in South Kolkata staged a protest outside the school demanding an answer from school authorities on allegations of sexual assault by a male teacher on a minor. Kolkata Police on Tuesday arrested a 35-year-old dance teacher at a girls' school for sexually harassing a minor girl following massive protests by angry parents outside the school premises. The matter has been reported from the Binodini Girls High School in Kolkata's Dhakuria area. According to CNN-News18, the age of the girl is not known, but it has been confirmed that she is a minor. The incident triggered a protest by angry parents, who were demanding an answer from the school authorities regarding the allegations. #UPDATE: The teacher, accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl student in a school in south Kolkata, has been arrested. #WestBengal https://t.co/toVjzSCxqb ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 The police had a tough time trying to control the angry parents who tried to enter the school. The police had to wield batons to disperse the demonstrators after the protest intensified. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East division) Kalyan Mukherjee told PTI, "We are trying to talk to the guardians and handle the situation." Police, however, confirmed that no complaint had been lodged by the parents of the girl. The school authorities were not available for comments. Last month a teacher of the Carmel Primary School in Kolkata was arrested for allegedly molesting a minor after angry parents surrounded the school and demanded access to the accused. With inputs from PTI The Times of India's Hyderabad editor KR Sreenivas has been sent on an 'administrative leave' after seven women petitioned the national daily to take action in light of the sexual misconduct allegations him. Editor for The Times of India in Hyderabad KR Sreenivas has been sent on an "administrative leave" after seven women petitioned the national daily to take action in light of the sexual misconduct allegations him. According to The News Minute's report, in an email to its employees, The Times of India has stated that in its commitment to provide "all colleagues with a safe and conducive work environment which is free of sexual harassment", the management is looking into the complaints against Sreenivas and that for a "fair and impartial inquiry" to be conducted in the matter, he has been sent on an "administrative leave" till the completion of the same. Firstpost called Sreenivas for his reaction but the former editor refused to comment. Sreenivas said that he had nothing new to add in his defence. In an earlier statement to Firstpost, Sreenivas had said, "TOI has said the charge would be investigated by its committee against sexual harassment. A highly empowered and accessible committee under this policy and under the law is in place to investigate and address all allegations of sexual harassment. The group is headed by a senior woman executive. I will submit myself to the investigation." On Monday, seven women had written to The Times of India, accusing Sreenivas of sexual misconduct and asked for the termination of his employment with the newspaper with "immediate effect". The petition attached screenshots and annexures, of survivors' accounts, and laid out how there was a power play involved in almost all of them. It added that the women who have come out with the accusations have done so staking both their personal and professional lives, The News Minute reported. Earlier, amidst the #MeToo movement on social media, several women had accused Sreenivas of sending inappropriate messages and making sexually laden gestures which led them to mental trauma. Journalist Sandhya Menon accused Sreenivas, of inappropriately touching her when he was dropping her home one night in 2008. I went to the committee for sexual harassment at BCCL (Bennett, Coleman and Co Ltd TOI's parent company) to figure out what I need to do and the woman who headed it (I forget her name) told me she knew Sreeni for a long time and it's unlikely he'd do something like that, she wrote on Twitter. After Sandhya's tweets, more women came out with their stories of having suffered sexual harassment at the hands of Sreenivas. Author Vani Saraswathi mentioned in her account that whenever she went for assignments with Sreenivas "he would slide back in his seat and press himself against her on the bike". Whereas another journalist Pavitra Jayaraman wrote on Twitter that Sreenivas would ask her: "Why don't you come over sometime. My wife is not in town." Responding to these allegations, Sreenivas had told Firstpost, TOI has said the charge would be investigated by its committee against sexual harassment. A highly empowered and accessible committee under this policy and under the law is in place to investigate and address all allegations of sexual harassment. The group is headed by a senior woman executive. I will submit myself to the investigation. An FIR was lodged Monday by a Class XII student that he and three other school students were attacked at the college gate in the afternoon while they were going out. Ballia (Uttar Pradesh): A magisterial probe has been ordered into the alleged ban on singing Vande Mataram and chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" in a government-aided inter college in Ballia, Ballia District Magistrate Bhawani Singh Khangaraut said Tuesday. Khangaraut said he and Superintendent of Police Sriparna Ganguly visited Gandhi Mohammad Ali Memorial (GMAM) Inter College on Tuesday to examine the allegation and later ordered a magisterial probe. During the probe, statements of students, teachers and others would be recorded, the district magistrate said, adding the college principal was also asked to clarify that there is no ban on chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and Vande Matram. An FIR was lodged Monday by a Class XII student, Anuj Kumar Gaur that he and three other school students were attacked at the college gate in the afternoon while they were going out. Gaur had alleged he and the fellow students were attacked at the behest of college principal-cum-manager Majid Nasir and some teachers. He claimed the college principal and teachers were angry with him that he had told an organisation and mediapersons on Friday that singing Vande Matram and chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" were not allowed in the college. Gaur has stated in the FIR that around 20 to 25 men attacked them with lathis, while raising "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans. When they cried for help, the principal and teachers instigated the assailants, to continue the beating, Gaur has alleged. Activists from a local organisation "Manas Mandir" had visited the college at Bilthara Road and claimed the students were being punished for singing Vande Matram and chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" after the school prayers. Manas Mandir manager Shiv Kumar Jaiswal had also sent a complaint to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about the alleged ban along with the video recordings of the students and teachers testifying to the ban. The video of students and teachers' statements were also uploaded on a social networking site by the organisation. The Health Ministry on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and assured them that the Zika outbreak was under control after 29 people were tested positive for the disease in Rajasthan's Jaipur. The health ministry on Tuesday appealed to people not to panic and assured them that the Zika outbreak was under control after 29 people were tested positive for the disease in Rajasthan's Jaipur. According to a health ministry official, 29 people have so far been tested positive for the disease in Rajasthan. There was no need to panic and everything was under control, the ministry said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has sought a comprehensive report from the health ministry on the outbreak of Zika virus after 29 people were tested positive for the infection in Rajasthan's Jaipur. "The PMO has sought a comprehensive report on the Zika virus outbreak in Jaipur," a senior health ministry official said. As one of those affected in Jaipur hails from Bihar and visited his Siwan home recently, the eastern state has issued advisories to all its 38 districts to keep a close watch on people showing symptoms similar to Zika virus infection. Bihar government has issued an alert across the state. The Siwan resident, who studies in Jaipur, visited home between 28 August and 12 September to appear for an exam. His family members have been put under surveillance. A seven-member high-level Central team is in Jaipur to assist the state government in the control and containment measures while a control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation. The situation is being reviewed by Health Minister JP Nadda. "Till date a total of 22 positive laboratory-confirmed cases have been detected. A control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation," a health ministry statement had said on Monday. All suspected cases in the defined area of Jaipur and mosquito samples from this area are being tested. Additional testing kits are provided to viral research and diagnostic laboratories. All pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored through extensive surveillance and vector-control measures are being taken up in the area as per protocol by the state government, the official said. What is the Zika virus disease? The Rajasthan government has been supplied with information, education, and communication (IEC) material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus and its prevention strategies. Zika virus disease is caused by a type of mosquitoe that mostly bite during the day. The Aedes mosquitoe, which is the same that transmit dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever, carry the virus which is transmitted through the bite. The virus was first identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. The last outbreak recorded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) was in Brazil in October 2015. To date, a total of 86 countries and territories have reported evidence of mosquito-transmitted Zika infection. In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and second outbreak in July 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management, the ministry said. According to PTI, a study has found that viruses like Zika target the nervous system in the brain and spinal cord, and can also disrupt bowel movement and cause intestinal blockages. While studying viruses best known for infecting the brain, researchers at Washington University in the US stumbled upon clues to why some people possibly develop digestive problems seemingly out of the blue. The findings, published in the journal Cell, potentially could explain why some people experience recurrent, unpredictable bouts of abdominal pain and constipation -- and perhaps point to a new strategy for preventing such conditions. There is no treatment available for Zika virus infection or its associated diseases. Symptoms of the disease The symptoms of the disease are usually mild and are evident after an incubation period of 3 to 14 days. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. The symptoms are likely to last for around 2 to 7 days. According to WHO, "Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage. An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated with Zika virus infection in adults and children, including Guillain-Barre syndrome, neuropathy and myelitis." Transmission of the disease A real risk of transmission is from the mother to fetus during pregnancy. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and organ transplantation. The disease continues to be on surveillance radars of the Union health ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under WHO notification since 18 November, 2016. With inputs from agencies DELHI IS A CITY full of surprises, where a touch of the unexpected might be lurking behind a seemingly predictable facade. Yashwant Place is just such an oddity. This seemingly nondescript market, surrounded on all sides by posh Chanakyapuri with its wide, well laid out roads, and a smattering of embassies and foreign diplomats appears at first to be nothing more than a collection of cheap fast food joints. However, the eagle-eyed visitor will soon spot the cave-like entrances to a dingy basement with long, sparsely-lit corridors leading into the underbelly of a shopping complex, as if left over from some long-forgotten urban socialist experiment. Once down there, you discover a world within a world; here everything is not as it seems, and you might just forget that you are in Delhi at all... For the last 50 years, the Yashwant Place Market (also known as the Russian Market), has been catering to the shopping needs of a mainly Russian-speaking clientele. So much so, that almost all of the Indian shopkeepers here have learned to speak Russian, in many cases rather well. Down here you will find many signs in Russian: not just shop signs, but also general signage for food and drink and even a pharmacy. Russian tourists dont tend to be able to speak English, and this inability to communicate is a clear Achilles heel when it comes to shopping, bartering, ordering and negotiating. But here at Yashwant Place, the volume of Russian buyers has historically been so consistently high (and for so long), that the shopkeepers have realised that learning the language of their buyers has a definite positive impact on their profits. And this, in turn, has become part of the draw for yet more Russian-speaking tourists in India to flock to the only place in Delhi where they can communicate their shopping needs with ease. The fact that Russian is linguistically based on Sanskrit is attributed to making it easier for the local shop owners to learn the tongue; even so, its no mean feat, as anyone who has ever tried to learn Russian will tell you. The products for sale here are mainly fur coats, leather jackets and jewellery, with a few miscellaneous gifts and crafts shops thrown in for good measure. Often manufactured in other parts of India and transported to Delhi to sell, most of the shop owners here trade only in Yashwant Place, so their fate, economically speaking, is directly linked to the trading dynamics of this niche world, which in turn is directly influenced by the political fates of those Russian-speaking countries that their customers hail from. Faisal Husain, the proprietor of jewellery shop numbers 51 and 52, has had his empire here for over 30 years. Husain has witnessed firsthand the upward and downward trends of this unique shopping environment. The trading timeline of Yashwant Place, according to him, goes hand-in-hand with the socio-political climate of Russia (and the former USSR), and looks something like this: 1. The shopping complex opens in 1969, not far from the Russian embassy. At this point in Russia, communism is still deeply entrenched in the political system, the iron curtain still firmly in place, so the only visitors to Yashwant Place are Russian diplomats, Russian embassy employees and Russian students studying mostly at JNU. The whiff of communism from these frequent Russian visitors and KGB whispers adds a degree of fear and keeps the rest of the regular buyers away, thus leading to this place starting to become the Russian Market. 2. Tourist groups start to be brought over from Russia by the state travel agency Intourist in 1983, and by 1986 Perestroika has taken place, the iron curtain has fallen, allowing a freer flow of people across the border and freeing up the Russian economic markets. 3. After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, hired charter planes begin to bring increasing numbers of Russian-speaking business owners from all over the former USSR, looking to buy fur coats and leather products in bulk in India in order to sell them on the black market back in their countries. This import/export business tourism was a time of plenty for the Indian shop owners, remembered fondly and missed in the leaner trading times of today. 4. Russia devalues its currency in 1998, stricter customs procedures are put into place, spelling the end of the high volume business trade of the 1980s. However, personal tourism continues to increase, as more and more Russian speaking people finally get the chance to travel aboard, so at this stage, the bulk of the buyers are coming to buy fur coats or jewels for themselves, rather than to sell. 5. By the early 2000s, Yashwant Place becomes so well known in Russia that Vladimir Putins wife makes a visit to the market, as part of an official international delegation, stopping off at Faisal Husains jewellery store, on a recommendation by the Russian ambassador to India. 6. From 2010, a new form of customer influx begins medical tourism to India takes off, bringing with it yet more Russian speaking tourists, mainly from the ex-republics of the USSR such as Tajikistan, Kirgizstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and so on. Nowadays hospitals in Delhi even provide local guides who speak Russian to their clients, who take them to Yashwant Place on organised shopping trips. So while the type of Russian speaking customer has changed, from the early diplomats of the Soviet times, through the bulk business buyers of the 1980s, to the present day free market tourism, Yashwant Place appears to have remained consistently at the top of the shopping list for Russian-speaking people travelling to Delhi. Of course, it isnt only the socio-political changes in the customers countries that affect the success of this unique place. India has gone through many changes of her own, and these too have a direct effect on the profitability of all of these businesses. Ahmed M, of the fur store number 41, speaks of the difficulties faced by the proprietors of Yashwant Place in the current trading climate. Not only has demonetisation had a huge effect on the supply chain, which is still being felt to this day, but the introduction of GST (with its 18 percent levy that now has to be added onto each and every transaction) has also meant that prices have had to rise. This tax-driven price increase, combined with the increased transportation costs these are the costs involved in bringing the fur coats from Kashmir to Delhi, which form part of the final price of each garment brought about by the increased price of fuel in India, mean that the customers are not able to get as much of a bargain as they could in earlier years. Ahmed believes that a mix of all these factors has led to a drop in Russian-speaking tourists of late. Add to this the fluctuating exchange rates of the US dollar (the currency most Russian-speaking clients deal in), and you get a very uncertain picture of the future of this niche market. But, having lasted 50 years, and survived all kinds of political upheavals in both the source and the host countries, one has to hope that this uniquely placed market adapts, survives and prospers into its next phase. According to Faiez Husain, Faisals son, the signs of transition are clear, as the nature of the customers in Yashwant Place is noticeably changing. Nowadays, 10 percent of the buyers are Indian, 60 percent are still Russian-speaking and 30 percent come from the rest of the world. Perhaps this broadening of its clientele will offer the way forward for Yashwant Place? In photos (from top): Two beautiful sample garments are shown to potential buyers in shop number 39. The entry to Yashwant Place market, has become a landmark in the Chanakyapuri area. Rustam, a tourist from Uzbekistan, browsing the wares in M. Ahmeds shop number 41. Leather goods shop number 48 displays its shop sign in Russian, complete with a Russian style nickname for its owner (Shurik). Gulya (a medical tourist to India from Tashkent in Uzbekistan) holds little Sofia while shopping for leather goods in shop number 56 with their Russian-speaking local guide from the hospital. Faisal Husain and his son Faiez, proprietors of jewelry shops 51 and 52, proudly showing off a photograph of Putins wife visiting their store in the early 2000s (the child in the photo is now the strapping young man holding the photo). Most transactions here are cash based, but with the advent of GST, each transaction must now be carefully recorded. A selection of jewellery for sale in Faisals shop number 51. One of the long corridors of Yashwant Places basement market. Fateh Singh, owner of leather goods shops number 48, 55 and 56, with one of his sons Urmeet Singh. Fateh (seen in the mirror reflection) stocks a wide-range of leather coats in different colours and styles in his shop number 48, to satisfy every taste. A stack of Russian style fur hats for sale to customers from countries where temperatures regularly drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius, in shop number 41. Polina Schapova is a Delhi-based Russian-British photographer. Follow her work on Instagram or on her website M Veerappa Moily said the proposed grand alliance was meant for Lok Sabha elections and not the state Assemblies. Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said on Tuesday the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) would be part of the grand alliance of Opposition parties against the BJP-led NDA in the next year's Lok Sabha polls. He also claimed the Congress will win at least four of the five states where Assembly elections will be held over the next two months. The former union minister's statement followed SP president Akhilesh Yadav's comment last week that his party would not wait for the Congress to decide on an alliance for the Madhya Pradesh elections any longer, hinting that he could go for a tie-up with Mayawati's BSP. The SP's snub to the Congress came days after Mayawati ruled out a poll pact with the main Opposition party for Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to PTI, Moily said the proposed grand alliance was meant for Lok Sabha elections and not the state Assemblies. In state elections, parties have their own compulsions, he said. "Our main ambition is to see that in Parliamentary elections the Opposition is united and we are likely to achieve that target," Moily said, exuding confidence that both the BSP and SP would be constituents of the grand alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. Moily, a former Karnataka chief minister, claimed that votes would get polarised between the Congress and the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. Moily said the Congress would win the Rajasthan elections and have an edge over the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. "In Chhattisgarh, it's 50:50. There, it (the result) depends on our (poll) management...selection of candidates," he said. "We are going to win in Mizoram," he asserted. He also claimed that the Congress would bag Telangana in alliance with the TDP, CPI and other Opposition parties. "Chances are that out of the five states going to polls Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana the Congress is going to win at least four," he said. On the prime ministerial candidate of the grand alliance, he said the issue might not arise because no party in the proposed grouping would insist on that. "Ultimately, we will have to fight on the issue that we should defeat BJP and communal forces, that's the only issue. Leadership... who should become prime minister, will be taken up at an appropriate time. That should not block the Opposition unity," Moily said. BSP supremo Mayawati asserted on Tuesday that her party will rather fight elections on its own than 'beg' for seats in any alliance. New Delhi: BSP supremo Mayawati asserted on Tuesday that her party will rather fight elections on its own than "beg" for seats in any alliance. Her comments assume significance as she had last week called off talks with the Congress to fight the upcoming Assembly polls in three states together as it did not agree to part with as many seats for the BSP as she demanded. A Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) statement quoting her also lashed out at the Congress and the BJP, saying the BSP will never compromise with the self-respect of the Dalits, tribals, backwards, Muslims, other minorities and the upper castes' poor irrespective of the "malice and torture" of the governments run by these two parties. That is why the BSP has put forth the condition of being given a "respectable number" of seats to enter into an electoral alliance, Mayawati said, according to the statement. "What it clearly means that the BSP will not beg for seats in any alliance. If this (respectable number of seats) does not happen, then it will continue to fight polls on its own," she said. Speaking on the occasion of the death anniversary of the BSP founder Kanshi Ram, she said neither the Congress nor the BJP works in the interests of the upper castes' poor and the remaining majority. Mayawati, however, also added that her party will continue to strive to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party government, describing it as casteist, communal, arrogant, malicious and narrow-minded. Amid protests by upper castes groups against the Narendra Modi government's decision to restore the original stringent provision of a law on atrocities against Dalits and tribals, she said her party never support misuse of any law. The BSP had ensured that the law was not misused during its four terms in power in Uttar Pradesh, the statement said quoting her. A likely alliance of BSP and Samajwadi Party bodes ill for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, which elects 80 members of the Lok Sabha with the saffron party winning 71 of them in 2014. The SP-BSP alliance has resulted in humiliating defeats for the BJP in three Lok Sabha seat bypolls. Experts are of the view that if the BSP fights on its own, then the BJP may again do very well in the state in 2019. Voicing her concern over the Gujarat incident, Mayawati further said: 'It is sad that people who voted and made Modi ji win from Varanasi are being targeted.' New Delhi: Without taking names, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday urged political parties to end the blame game in the recent alleged violence in Gujarat which apparently led to exodus of migrants especially those belonging to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. She underscored that the Gujarat government should take strict action against those involved in the incident because north Indians are "not foreigners". Speaking to ANI, Mayawati said: "There is no point of accusing each other. North Indians are not foreigners; they are citizens of our country. I appeal to the Gujarat government to take stringent action against the accused instead of doing politics on this matter." Around 5-6 October, non-Gujaratis, especially those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were allegedly attacked after a native of Bihar was arrested on accusations of allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district. Subsequently, the violence stated to have led to many leaving the state. Voicing her concern over the Gujarat incident after paying floral tribute to BSP founder Kanshi Ram on his death anniversary, Mayawati further said: "It is sad that people who voted and made Modi ji win from Varanasi are being targeted in Gujarat. The BJP government in Gujarat should ensure that strict action is taken against those responsible for such attacks." Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ghanshyam Tiwari stated that attacking on migrants is an anti-poor mindset. "First responsibility of the Gujarat government is to ensure that every citizen is safe in the state. Attacking migrants is an anti-poor mindset. If the state is unable to prevent such attack then the state is complicit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should remember that if he cannot protect people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in his own home state Gujarat then he has no place in Uttar Pradesh as well," he said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his recent post blamed the Modi government for alleged violent attacks on north Indian migrants in Gujarat. The Gandhi scion had earlier tweeted and blamed poverty and unemployment as root causes of the situation in Gujarat. "The system and the economy are both deteriorating. It is totally wrong to target expatriate workers. I will stand completely against it," he had said. On Monday, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh, however, accused the Congress of trying to spread hatred in the country. On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani informed him that no incident of violence took place in the last three days, adding that people were only spreading rumours. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday blamed the Modi government for violent attacks on north Indian migrants in Gujarat. Rahul had earlier tweeted to blame poverty and unemployment as the root cause of the situation in the state. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday blamed the Narendra Modi government for violent attacks on north Indian migrants in Gujarat. Rahul had earlier tweeted and blamed poverty and unemployment as the root causes of the situation in the state. "The system and the economy are both deteriorating. It is totally wrong to target expatriate workers. I will stand completely against it," he had said. A recent post on Rahul's official Facebook page read: "Across Gujarat, poor economic policies, demonetisation and poorly executed GST have devastated industry resulting in the shutting down of factories and industrial units, leading to massive unemployment. Amongst the youth there is growing frustration and anger with the Government's inability to create jobs. This anger and frustration is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants, across the state of Gujarat. The migrant workforce is critical to our economic growth. Attacks on them create an environment of fear and insecurity that isn't good for business and our economy. The government must act decisively, and do all it can to restore peace and to ensure the safety of every Indian." The Congress had earlier blamed Modi and Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani for the attacks and violence on migrant workers and said they should quit if they are unable to carry out their responsibilities. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi alleged that the "politics of exclusion" had continued in Gujarat, while the concerned BJP chief ministers have done nothing to protect the interests of their constituents. A violent backlash in Gujarat against workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar following the arrest of a Bihari man for allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl in the Sabarkantha district in September had sparked an exodus of 'migrant' labourers in the state. According to several media reports, many workers belonging to northern Indian states boarded home-bound trains after some of them were targeted following the arrest of the suspect. RJD chief Lalu Yadav's eldest daughter Misa Bharti on Monday acknowledged the 'rift' between her two brothers Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Yadav but later clarified that despite all differences, the party was a 'big family'. Patna: RJD chief Lalu Yadav's eldest daughter Misa Bharti on Monday acknowledged the "rift" between her two brothers Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Yadav but later clarified that despite all differences, the party was a "big family". Latching onto her statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that Bharti's admittance of infighting in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) would lead to the collapse of the party and its dynasty politics. Addressing party workers in Maner on the outskirts of Patna, Bharti asked them to give up bickering and stay united. "Even our family has witnessed a rift between two brothers but where do differences not come up? Five fingers of our hands are not equal. But the RJD is like a big family," Bharti said. "We are not lacking in the support base. The challenge is to keep our flock together," she added. However, Bharti later claimed that her call for unity among party workers was presented in a distorted manner. Taking to Twitter she said: "My appeal to party workers to forget their differences and unite in the larger interest of the party is being distorted and presented out of context," she tweeted. Maner falls in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat from where Bharti had made an unsuccessful electoral debut in 2014. She got elected to the Rajya Sabha later. Bharti further warned that no "back-stabbing" will be tolerated by any member of the party. "The time has come for you all to give up small differences and brace for the bigger challenges and do not give our opponents a chance to exploit the situation," she said. State BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said, "Misa Bharti has admitted what we all know. The RJD will crumble because of the infighting within the family that controls the party." "The BJP has been fighting against the politics of dynastic rule and corruption. The RJD embodies these evils and it will meet its fate", Anand said. Said to be a favourite of Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi was appointed the deputy chief minister of Bihar while the elder brother Tej Pratap was given a cabinet berth, after the Grand Alliance of which RJD was a part won the 2015 assembly polls in which the brothers made their electoral debut. At present, Tejashwi-- viewed as more suave and savvy among the two brothers, is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly. Tej Pratap, whose mannerisms allegedly remind supporters of Prasad in his heyday, is currently on a pilgrimage in Kurukshetra. Some residents have decided to boycott the local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir, joining the protest by parties against the Centre's move on Article 35A. No posters, no banners, no campaigns. In Kashmir, authorities are geared up for the second phase of the civic polls on Wednesday, but residents continue to be indifferent even a day before the elections. A vegetable vendor in Srinagar's Shaheed Gunj area has no idea whether there are any candidates contesting the election from this ward of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation. When questioned, he got livid and didn't want to talk about the polls. A 42-year-old handicraft salesman, Inayat Ahmad also doesn't know whether there are any candidates contesting from his ward. The Srinagar resident also doesn't want to vote in the elections in protest against the "continuous bloodshed in Kashmir". "How can we take part in the polls when the bloodshed continues unabated?" he asked, adding the the elections had affected his business, too, and was "not doing us any good". Furqan Muzafar, a 23-year-old who runs a ready-made garment shop in Srinagar's Basant Bagh area, said he was boycotting the polls as he want "to see Kashmir free". "These elections are a sham. There is no point in taking part in the polls when atrocities by government forces continue," he said. Cancelled polls, candidates elected unopposed Besides elections to 19 wards of Srinagar district, the polls will be held from 6 am to 4 pm in the northern districts of Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla as well as in the volatile southern parts of Kulgam and Anantnag. Moreover, even though elections were scheduled for 39 municipal bodies in Budgam, officials said polling was cancelled as there were either no contests in a number of wards, or political parties did not field any candidates. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Budgam) Khurshid Ahmad said that out of the 39 wards, no nominations were filed in 20 wards, while candidates in 19 other wards were elected unopposed. In Anantnag, 14 candidates were elected unopposed, three won uncontested from Kulgam, 15 in Baramulla, and nine in Kupwara. In the 13 municipal committee wards of Frisal in Kulgam, no candidate filed their nomination papers. Officials admitted that "holding the elections didn't make any sense" when people were unaware of even the names of the candidates contesting from their wards. A senior official in the District Election Office of Srinagar said, "The candidates have told us that their names shouldn't be shared with the people." The Station House Officer of Shaheedgunj Police Station said that the list of candidates contesting the polls was not shared "due to the precarious security scenario" in the region. "A total of six polling stations have been set up for the polls here," the officer added. MLA from Langate and president of the Awami Ittehad Party, Engineer Rashid said elections were scheduled in his region on Wednesday, "but people dont know who are contesting". Candidates were elected unopposed in nine of the 13 wards in Kupwara's Langate municipality where the polls were scheduled. "There are no candidates in two wards, and the elections will be held only in two other wards," Rashid said. Local polls boycotted Like the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, the AIP also boycotted the urban local body elections in protest against the central government's move to abrogate Article 35A of the Constitution, which bars outsiders from owning properties in Kashmir. Rashid said that his party "boycotted the polls as the conditions were not conducive to hold elections." The handicraft salesman from Srinagar, who is steering clear of the elections in protest against the bloodshed in Kashmir, also asserted that "if any attempt is made to revoke Article 35A, the situation will worsen in Kashmir, and the people will rise in an agitation like never before". He added that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had deteriorated under the PDP-BJP coalition government as well as under the current Governor's Rule. "People from other parts of India run all sorts of trade and businesses here. People from outside the state work as laborers and even barbers, which deprive us of jobs," Inayat said. "The situation will become grimmer if Article 35A is revoked. The BJP government is pursuing anti-Muslim policies. Muslims in India are facing atrocities. How can we expect there to be any development during their rule in Kashmir?" Reuters US software giant Microsoft is set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $7.5 billion purchase of privately held coding website GitHub, two people familiar with the matter said on 8 October. Microsoft announced the deal in June, its largest acquisition since it bought LinkedIn for $26 billion in 2016. The GitHub deal is expected to boost the US software giants cloud computing business and challenge market leader Amazon. GitHub, the worlds largest code host, has more than 28 million developers using its platform. It will become a part of Microsofts Intelligent Cloud unit once the acquisition is completed. Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella has tried to assuage users worries that GitHub might favour Microsoft products over competitors after the deal, saying GitHub would continue to be an open platform that works with all public clouds. The European Commission, which is set to decide on the deal by 19 October, did not respond to a request for immediate comment. Microsoft declined to comment. Agence France-Presse British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he expects his Virgin Galactic company to conduct its first space flight "within weeks, not months" in a comments broadcast Tuesday, 9 October. Speaking to CNBC in Singapore, the billionaire Virgin founder said the company was "more than tantalisingly close" to launching its first mission to space, and that he himself hoped to briefly leave Earth within "months not years." "We will be in space with people not too long after that," he added. Branson's Virgin Galactic is racing against Amazon creator Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to launch the first out-of-this-world passenger flight and take paying passengers into space. Both companies will offer customers a weightless experience that will last just minutes, passing through the imaginary line marking where space begins either the Karman line, at 100 kilometres, or the 80.5-kilometer boundary recognised by the US Air Force. At this altitude, the sky looks dark and the curvature of the Earth can be seen clearly. The first space tourists, who visited the International Space Station (ISS) in the 2000s, paid tens of millions of dollars for the privilege. Branson said the proposed $250,000 (~INR 18 million) price tag of a Virgin Galactic ticket would allow those who dreamed of visiting space to lift off in larger numbers. "If I have a room full of 10 people, eight out of 10 would love to go to space if they could afford it," he said. "Ultimately," Branson said he hoped the price of a space flight would come down to around $40,000 (~INR 3 million) or $50,000 (~INR 3.7 million) over the next decade." By Brad Brooks SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's leftist presidential hopeful Fernando Haddad will have to pull off an extreme feat of political acrobatics if he wants to reverse a first-round beating at the hands of a far-right rival on Sunday. By Brad Brooks SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's leftist presidential hopeful Fernando Haddad will have to pull off an extreme feat of political acrobatics if he wants to reverse a first-round beating at the hands of a far-right rival on Sunday. To have a chance of winning the Oct. 28 runoff against Jair Bolsonaro, Haddad would need to move quickly to the centre, distance himself from his political mentor, and denounce the corruption that flourished during his party's 2003-2016 run in government, political analysts said. A 55-year-old former mayor of Sao Paulo, Haddad became the Workers Party (PT) candidate just one month ago, after former president and PT founder Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was barred from running because of a corruption conviction. Lula, a former union leader and longtime darling of the left, is serving 12 years in prison and faces five more trials. Lula led the presidential race until he was jailed and picked Haddad as his replacement. Lula remains a hero for many poorer Brazilian for his efforts to reduce poverty during his two terms in office from 2003 to 2010, but he is also a divisive figure. In campaigning so far, the PT's slogan has literally been "Haddad is Lula. Lula is Haddad." That message was necessary to maintain support from the party's left-wing factions, which have not fully embraced Haddad's centrist politics and academic background. But that pitch will not be enough to beat Bolsonaro, who holds a commanding lead. The former Army captain and veteran lawmaker beat recent opinion polls to take 46 percent of votes in Sunday's first-round election, compared to Haddad's 29 percent. "Haddad has to pivot or perish," said Sergio Praca, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a leading university. "He also must drop the talk that Lula is a political prisoner. He is not going to win with that line." Bolsonaro's popularity has surged despite his praise for Brazil's 1964-1985 dictatorship which has stirred fears he would militarize government in Latin America's largest nation. Bolsonaro has also been charged with hate speech over his tirades against gays, black Brazilians and women. He has dismissed the federal charges as a political attack. With their show of support on Sunday, Bolsonaro's voters declared that, like the Americans who back U.S. President Donald Trump, they do not mind his incendiary rhetoric. In fact, that is much of his appeal. They want him to bludgeon the political establishment, destroying a system that has refused to reform itself. In a Sunday night speech, Haddad talked of unifying the country around democratic principles. He thanked Lula for his support and said he would visit him in prison on Monday. He denounced Bolsonaro as representing a return to Brazil's dark authoritarian days. But not once did he utter the word "corruption." "Haddad has to tell the Brazilian people that the PT made serious errors, which he did not do in first-round campaigning," said Carlos Melo, a political scientist with Insper, a Sao Paulo business school. "He has no momentum and he will have to work tirelessly to explain why people should vote for him and put the PT back in power." VINDICTIVE VOTERS Melo and Praca both joined a chorus of voices calling Bolsonaro a clear danger to Brazil's democracy, which emerged from a bloody military dictatorship three decades ago. In moments of social, economic and political unrest, Brazilians have often looked for leadership from the military or a strongman backed by soldiers. Sunday's voting showed Bolsonaro, with his talk of an iron-fist on crime and corruption, fulfils that role well. The election also saw a host of experienced politicians losing congressional and governors races, as Brazilians flayed the establishment after years of investigations that revealed stunning levels of graft. Many Bolsonaro voters hold their noses when it comes to his inflammatory rhetoric on social issues. They focus instead on his frank talk about rot in the political system and his argument that stopping crime requires killing more criminals. But to win over more centrists and scoop up more votes on Oct. 28, Bolsonaro will also have to moderate his tone and better explain his policies, a task he has often left to advisors. In the past week, he tried to allay some fears about his offensive remarks. "Bolsonaro is an enormous question mark. That alone is appealing to many it's refreshing. But he will have to say repeatedly that he supports democracy," Melo said. "He has promised a total break with how politics has always been done. To do that, he has to show voters he will work with those who opposed him and that, if elected, he will govern for everyone." (Reporting and writing by Brad Brooks, Editing by Daniel Flynn, Brad Haynes and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the international community to recognise the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory seized by Israel 51 years ago. Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the international community to recognise the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory seized by Israel 51 years ago. "Israel on the Golan Heights is a fact that the international community must recognize and as long as it depends on me, the Golan Heights will always remain under Israeli sovereignty," Netanyahu said on Monday during an inauguration of a synagogue in the Golan Heights, Xinhua reported. According to Netanyahu, Iran and its proxy, the Lebanese-based military of Hezbollah, are "trying constantly to establish a force opposite us that would operate against the Golan Heights and the Galilee." He said that the Israeli presence in the Golan is "thwarting" Iran's ambitions of expansion and "is a guarantee for stability" in the region. He also reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to meet with him. He said he intends to discuss the Golan Heights and Iran with Putin in their meeting that will be held "soon." "I know that President Putin understands my commitment to the security of Israel and I know that he also understands the importance that I ascribe to the Golan Heights," he said. Netanyahu will also discuss with Putin the bilateral security coordination, which was put into question amidst the tensions between the two countries following the downing of a Russian plane in Syria. "I decided with President Putin on the important security coordination between the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the Russian military, and of course together we have developed good relations between Russia and Israel," Netanyahu said. The meeting will be the first time the two leaders would meet since a Russian reconnaissance plane was mistakenly downed last month by anti-aircraft Syrian fire when Israel was conducting an airstrike on Syria's Latakia province at the same time. The plane's 15 crew members were killed. The Russian Defence Ministry said Israel holds the entire responsibility for the incident. According to the Ministry, the Israeli air force provided misleading information about the location of its airstrikes on sites in Syria, preventing the Russian aircraft which was in the area from flying to a safe zone. Israel seized the Golan Heights in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it shortly later, claiming it as part of Israel, in a move never recognised internationally. Expressing concern over the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist, US President Donald Trump has urged the Gulf nation to support a thorough investigation into the missing scribe's whereabouts and be transparent about the results of the probe. Washington: Expressing concern over the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist, US President Donald Trump has urged the Gulf nation to support a thorough investigation into the missing scribe's whereabouts and be transparent about the results of the probe. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, has been missing since last week after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. According to some media reports, Khashoggi, 59, has been killed inside the Saudi consulate. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully, that (it) will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. "Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed inside in a planned murder. A team of 15 Saudis arrived on two planes to carry out the killing, officials have said," 'The Washington Post' reported. Saudi officials, however, insist that Khashoggi left the consulate through a back door. Khashoggi, a US resident, has written articles over the past year critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate on 2 October and has not been seen since. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi. "As the President has conveyed, the United States is concerned by his disappearance. State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter," he said. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement. US Vice President Mike Pence also commented on the mystery over the missing journalist, saying "the free world deserves answers". "Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press and human rights. The free world deserves answers," Pence said in a tweet. By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The city of Los Angeles celebrated its first Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, joining the growing ranks of local governments across the country replacing the traditional Columbus Day holiday with observances of Native American history and culture. The daylong commemoration began with a sunrise ceremony by native American residents, some in traditional dress, followed by a 5-kilometer run through downtown led by City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, himself a member of the Wyandotte Nation who grew up in Oklahoma. By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The city of Los Angeles celebrated its first Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, joining the growing ranks of local governments across the country replacing the traditional Columbus Day holiday with observances of Native American history and culture. The daylong commemoration began with a sunrise ceremony by native American residents, some in traditional dress, followed by a 5-kilometer run through downtown led by City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, himself a member of the Wyandotte Nation who grew up in Oklahoma. O'Farrell was principal sponsor of legislation the council passed last year designating the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day in the nation's second-largest city. As with the old holiday, government offices, courts, banks and many businesses were closed. The inaugural observance was to be capped Monday night with an outdoor concert headlined by the Grammy-winning group Black Eyed Peas and the Native American rock band Redbone. Los Angeles, whose earliest settlers belonged to the Gabrielino-Tongva peoples, is home to the largest indigenous population of any U.S. city, according to the UCLA American Indian Studies Center. A growing number of U.S. cities since the 1990s have replaced Columbus Day with a holiday honouring indigenous people. Others include San Francisco; Denver; Seattle; Minneapolis; Anchorage, Alaska; Phoenix; Portland, Oregon; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. A handful of states, from South Dakota and Hawaii to Vermont and Minnesota, have done likewise. Critics of Columbus Day, proclaimed a national holiday in the 1930s, say it has perpetuated a false historical narrative surrounding Christopher Columbus, the Italian-born explorer credited with "discovering America" when the first of his four trans-Atlantic voyages for the Spanish crown landed on an inhabited island of the Bahamas in 1492. While Columbus was long hailed for bringing European civilization and settlement to the New World, present-day scholars acknowledge a far more complicated legacy including enslavement and subjugation of the indigenous inhabitants he encountered. "Columbus' landfall ushered in one of the greatest injustices in human history: the wholesale transfer of wealth and lands from native peoples to Europeans," Steven Hackel, a University of California, Riverside history professor, said in a column published last year by the Los Angeles Times. Chief Red Blood Anthony Morales of the Gabrielino-Tongva of San Gabriel said the new holiday corrects an epic myth. "It's something that has been instilled in us since in school that in 1492 Columbus was this great guy who was an explorer and adventurer that was going to be a good person to us. But as we get older we learned otherwise," he said at Monday's ceremony. "The truth is out, and this is why it is so historical and meaningful for me." (Reporting and writing by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Mike Blake in Los Angeles; Editing by Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Haley, 45, is the first ever Indian American appointed to a Cabinet-level position by any president. Nikki Haley has resigned as Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, according to several reports in the United States media. Haley, 45, is the first ever Indian-American appointed to a Cabinet-level position by any president. In the past year, the two-term governor from South Carolina has emerged as a close confident of Trump and was strongly pushing for Trumps foreign policy agenda at the United Nations, attracting frequent praise from Trump himself. Haley, an Indian-American politician, is harbouring presidential ambitions and many in president Donald Trump's inner circle fear that she could be the heir to the presidency, according to Michael Wolff's book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House. Wolff, in his book, claims Haley has an eye on the presidency and Trump is seen to be grooming her for a national political future. Haley"as ambitious as Lucifer", in the characterisation of one member of the senior staffhad concluded that Trumps tenure would last, at best, a single term and that she, with requisite submission, could be his heir apparent, Wolff writes. With inputs from agencies Haley said she and Trump together had 'solved a lot of problems. They spoke in the Oval Office, shortly after word came of her plans to resign. Washington: UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is leaving the administration at the end of 2018, she and President Donald Trump announced Tuesday. She gave no reason for her departure after two years, though there has been speculation she will return to government or politics at some point. "No, I'm not running in 2020" for president, she joked. She said she would be supporting Trump. Haley said she and Trump together had "solved a lot of problems. They spoke in the Oval Office, shortly after word came of her plans to resign. Trump called Haley a "very special" person, adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off. It's the latest shake-up in the turbulent Trump administration just weeks before the November midterm elections. Haley's resignation was a closely guarded secret. Congressional Republicans involved in foreign policy matters and some key US allies did not get advance word from Haley or the White House. Haley, who is speculated to hold aspirations for higher office, said at the White House: "No I'm not running in 2020." Haley, 46, was appointed to the UN post in November 2016 and in September coordinated Trump's second trip to the United Nations, including his first time chairing the Security Council. A rookie to international politics, the former South Carolina governor was an unusual pick for to be UN envoy. "It was a blessing to go into the UN every day with body armor," Haley said, saying her job was to defend America on the world stage. At the UN, Haley helped spearhead the Trump administration's efforts to combat what it alleged to be anti-American and anti-Israel actions by the international body. Trump said he was considering many candidates for Haley's job and that a successor would be named in two to three weeks. In September, Haley wrote an op-ed article in The Washington Post discussing her policy disagreements but also her pride in working for Trump. It came in response to an anonymous essay in The New York Times by a senior administration official that alleged there to be a secret "resistance" effort from the right in Trump's administration and that there were internal discussions of invoking the 25th amendment to remove him from office. "I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country," Haley wrote. "But I don't agree with the President on everything." The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley clashed with then-candidate Trump during the 2016 campaign, denouncing "the siren call of the angriest voices" who disrespected America's immigrants. Trump tweeted that "The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley." Before she was named by Trump to her UN post, Haley was elected the first female governor of South Carolina. She was re-elected in 2014. South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally tweeted that Haley "has a very bright future and will be a key player in both the future of the Republican Party and our nation as a whole for years to come." As governor, she developed a national reputation as a racial conciliator who led the charge to bring down the Confederate flag at the Statehouse and helped guide the state through one of its darkest moments, the massacre at a black church. Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgment on the final appeal against the execution of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death in a blasphemy case. Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgment on the final appeal against the execution of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death in a blasphemy case. Asia Bibi was accused of committing blasphemy in 2009 and was convicted in 2010. Her appeal against the death sentence was rejected by the Lahore High Court. She had filed the final appeal to the apex court against the original conviction. A special three-member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel reserved the verdict on the appeal of mother of five against the execution. Chief Justice Nisar cautioned the media against commenting on or discussing the case until the detailed judgement has been issued. No date has been announced by the court about when it will announce the verdict on the appeal. Earlier, Asia Bibi's lawyer Saiful Mulook briefed the court that the case, based on a verbal clash between Bibi and a group of Muslim women, was filed by a prayer leader of Katanwala in Nankana Sahib. He said the 14 June, 2009 incident was reported on 19 June. "Are these things on the record?" the chief justice asked. Mulook said no permission to file the FIR was taken from the district coordination officer or the district police officer, which was against the law. The lawyer also highlighted the contradictory statements of the Muslim women witnesses. "What we can conclude from your statements is that the prayer leader himself did not witness the incident as it happened," Justice Khosa observed. "No blasphemous language was uttered in the presence of the prayer leader." "According to the prayer leader, a panchayat [to discuss the matter] was held in a house. It was said that 1,000 people were gathered for the meeting," Dawn reported, quoting the chief justice. Asia Bibi and two Muslim women had a heated exchange, the lawyer told the court. The reason behind it was that the women had refused to drink water from the same dish as Asia Bibi. The statements of the Muslim women, Asma and Isma, are contradictory, the lawyer said. Chief Justice Nisar wondered whether the assistant superintendent of police's probe could be relied upon, to which the lawyer replied that police had wrongfully registered the case, according to Asia Bibi. "The witness testimonies did not state that she had used blasphemous language for the Quran," he said. "No blasphemous words were used at all. Asia, in her statement, said that she could not even conceive of committing blasphemy," Mulook was quoted as saying by the paper. "She simply had an argument with two women. During that argument, they exchanged harsh words," the lawyer said. Asia Bibi's case hit the headlines after former Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who spoke out in support of her, was killed in 2011 in Islamabad by his police guard Mumtaz Qadri who was executed in 2016 for murder. Asia Bibi's supporters maintain her innocence and insist it was a personal dispute, and the Vatican has called for her release. The apex court last time took up her appeal in October 2016, but had to adjourn it without hearing after one of the judges recused himself. If the apex court bench eventually upholds Asia Bibi's conviction, her only recourse will be a direct appeal to the president for clemency. If that fails, Asia Bibi could become the first person in Pakistan to be executed under blasphemy laws which were enacted by former military ruler Zia-ul Haq in 1980s. Asia Bibi has already spent eight years in prison and her family has been subjected to continuous threats and harassment. Since he was elected in 2013, Francis has made clear that he believes the devil to be real. In a document in April on holiness in the modern world, Francis mentioned the devil more than a dozen times. Vatican City: The devil is alive and well and working overtime to undermine the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis says. In fact, the pope is so convinced that Satan is to blame for the sexual abuse crisis and deep divisions racking the Church that he has asked Catholics around the world to recite a special prayer every day in October to try to beat him back. "(The Church must be) saved from the attacks of the malign one, the great accuser and at the same time be made ever more aware of its guilt, its mistakes, and abuses committed in the present and the past," Francis said in a message on 29 September. Since he was elected in 2013, Francis has made clear that he believes the devil to be real. In a document in April on holiness in the modern world, Francis mentioned the devil more than a dozen times. "We should not think of the devil as a myth, a representation, a symbol, a figure of speech or an idea. This mistake would lead us to let down our guard, to grow careless and end up more vulnerable," he wrote in the document. The Church has recently been hit by one sexual abuse scandal after another, from Germany, to the United States, to Chile. At the same time, a deepening polarisation between conservatives and liberals in the Church has played out on social media. Francis' use of the term "the great accuser" to describe Satan hit a raw nerve with one of the pope's harshest conservative critics, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the Vatican's former ambassador to Washington. Church Divisions In an 11-page statement published on 26 August, Vigano launched an unprecedented broadside by a Church insider against the pope and a long list of Vatican and US Church officials. He accused Francis of knowing about sexual misconduct by a former US cardinal with male adult seminarians but not doing anything about it. Vigano, concluding that his former boss had singled him out as the devil in disguise, complained in his next statement that Francis "compared me to the great accuser, Satan, who sows scandal and division in the Church, though without ever uttering my name". On Sunday, a top Vatican official issued a scathing open letter accusing Vigano of mounting a "political frame job devoid of real foundation" and contesting his accusations against the pope point by point. Francis is so convinced that Satan is ultimately to blame for both the sexual abuse scandals and the divisions within the Church that he has enlisted the aid of spiritual big gun - St. Michael the Archangel. Michael is mentioned several times in the Bible as the leader of the angels who ousted Lucifer, the fallen angel, from paradise. Catholics are being asked to recite the rosary daily in October and conclude it with a prayer to St. Michael that was said after Mass until 1964 but then fell into disuse. The prayer reads: "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls." Vijeyakala Maheswaran, a former lone woman Tamil minister in the Sri Lankan Cabinet, was arrested on Monday for allegedly making controversial remarks favouring the banned outfit LTTE Colombo: Vijeyakala Maheswaran, a former lone woman Tamil minister in the Sri Lankan Cabinet, was arrested on Monday for allegedly making controversial remarks favouring the banned outfit LTTE, police said. Maheswaran, 45, a Tamil member of parliament, during an event in Jaffna in June had said that the law and order situation was fast deteriorating in the Northern Province and its people felt that they were better off under the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) when they ran a parallel administration. She said that there was no social crimes during the LTTE time. The LTTE had run a military campaign for a separate Tamil homeland in the northern and eastern provinces of the island nation for nearly 30 years before its collapse in 2009 after the Sri Lankan Army killed its supreme leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said she had been summoned to the Police Organised Crimes Preventive Division to record a statement this morning where she was arrested. Maheswaran, who was working as a State Minister of Child Affairs from the northern Tamil region representing the ruling United National Party (UNP) led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, had resigned in July after her controversial remarks that led to an uproar in Parliament. Following pressure from the nationalist opposition of the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maheswaran was stripped of her state ministerial position and was subject to an inquiry. The probe was to establish if she had endangered the national security by openly promoting banned terrorist organisation LTTE. The Speaker was asked to remove her from the parliament by opposition members who disrupted the sittings early July. Later, a police inquiry was ordered and the opinion of the Attorney General was sought. Maheswaran had publicly explained her comments saying she was moved by the rising crime against the women in the north and the police's inability to tackle them. By Brad Brooks SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's leftist presidential hopeful Fernando Haddad will have to pull off an extreme feat of political acrobatics if he wants to reverse a first-round beating at the hands of a far-right rival on Sunday. To have a chance of winning the Oct By Brad Brooks SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's leftist presidential hopeful Fernando Haddad will have to pull off an extreme feat of political acrobatics if he wants to reverse a first-round beating at the hands of a far-right rival on Sunday. To have a chance of winning the Oct. 28 runoff against Jair Bolsonaro, Haddad would need to move quickly to the centre, distance himself from his political mentor, and denounce the corruption that flourished during his party's 2003-2016 hold on the presidency, political analysts said. A 55-year-old former mayor of Sao Paulo, Haddad became the Workers Party (PT) candidate just one month ago, after former president and PT founder Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was barred from running because of a corruption conviction. Lula, a former union leader and longtime darling of the left, is serving 12 years in prison and faces five more trials. Lula led the presidential race until he was barred from running and picked Haddad as his replacement. Lula remains a hero for many poorer Brazilian for his efforts to reduce poverty during his two terms in office from 2003 to 2010. But he is also a divisive figure, with Brazil's right blaming him for orchestrating political corruption schemes, which Lula has repeatedly denied doing. In campaigning so far, the PT's slogan has been "Haddad is Lula. Lula is Haddad." That message was necessary to maintain support from the party's left-wing factions, which have not fully embraced Haddad's centrist politics and academic background. But that pitch will not be enough to beat Bolsonaro, who holds a commanding lead. The former Army captain and veteran lawmaker took 46 percent of votes in Sunday's first-round election, compared to Haddad's 29 percent. "Haddad has to pivot or perish," said Sergio Praca, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a leading university. "He also must drop the talk that Lula is a political prisoner. He is not going to win with that line." Bolsonaro's popularity has surged on promises to end a jump in violence with a police crackdown and to squeeze corruption out of politics. He has stirred fears among others though for his praise for Brazil's 1964-1985 dictatorship, raising fears he would militarize government in Latin America's largest nation. Bolsonaro has also been charged with hate speech over his tirades against gays, black Brazilians and women. He has dismissed the federal charges as a political attack. With their show of support on Sunday, Bolsonaro's voters declared that, like the Americans who back U.S. President Donald Trump, they do not mind his incendiary rhetoric. In fact, that is much of his appeal. They want him to bludgeon the political establishment, destroying a system that has refused to reform itself. In a Sunday night speech, Haddad talked of unifying the country around democratic principles. He thanked Lula for his support and visited him in prison on Monday. He denounced Bolsonaro as representing a return to Brazil's dark authoritarian days. But not once did he utter the word "corruption." "Haddad has to tell the Brazilian people that the PT made serious errors, which he did not do in first-round campaigning," said Carlos Melo, a political scientist with Insper, a Sao Paulo business school. "He has no momentum and he will have to work tirelessly to explain why people should vote for him and put the PT back in power." VINDICTIVE VOTERS Melo and Praca both joined a chorus of voices calling Bolsonaro a clear danger to Brazil's democracy, which emerged from a military dictatorship three decades ago. In moments of social, economic and political unrest, Brazilians have often looked for leadership from the military or a strongman backed by soldiers. Sunday's voting showed Bolsonaro, with his talk of an iron-fist on crime and corruption, fulfills that role well. The election also saw a host of experienced politicians losing congressional and governors races, as Brazilians flayed the establishment after years of investigations that revealed stunning levels of graft. Many Bolsonaro voters hold their noses when it comes to his inflammatory rhetoric on social issues. They focus instead on his frank talk about rot in the political system and his argument that stopping crime requires killing more criminals. But to win over more centrists and scoop up more votes on Oct. 28, Bolsonaro will also have to moderate his tone and better explain his policies, a task he has often left to advisors. "Bolsonaro is an enormous question mark. That alone is appealing to many it's refreshing. But he will have to say repeatedly that he supports democracy," Melo said. "He has promised a total break with how politics has always been done. To do that, he has to show voters he will work with those who opposed him and that, if elected, he will govern for everyone." (Reporting and writing by Brad Brooks, Editing by Daniel Flynn, Brad Haynes and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Ece Toksabay and Daren Butler ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey said on Tuesday it would search Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi vanished last week, and close ally Britain called on Riyadh to provide 'urgent answers' over his disappearance. Khashoggi was last seen one week ago entering the consulate in Istanbul to get documents related to his forthcoming marriage. His fiancee, waiting outside, said he never emerged and Turkish sources said they believe Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, was killed inside the mission By Ece Toksabay and Daren Butler ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey said on Tuesday it would search Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi vanished last week, and close ally Britain called on Riyadh to provide "urgent answers" over his disappearance. Khashoggi was last seen one week ago entering the consulate in Istanbul to get documents related to his forthcoming marriage. His fiancee, waiting outside, said he never emerged and Turkish sources said they believe Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, was killed inside the mission. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan asked Saudi Arabia on Monday to prove its assertion that Khashoggi left the consulate, while Washington urged the kingdom to support an investigation. Saudi Arabia has dismissed as baseless accusations that it killed or abducted Khashoggi, and on Tuesday Turkey's state-owned Anadolu agency said Riyadh had invited Turkish experts and other officials to visit the consulate. Britain urged the Saudi government to explain what happened. "Just met the Saudi ambassador to seek urgent answers over Jamal Khashoggi," foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter. "Violence against journalists worldwide is going up and is a grave threat to freedom of expression. If media reports prove correct, we will treat the incident seriously - friendships depend on shared values," he wrote. Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the investigation was "continuing intensively". The Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations allowed for consulates to be searched by authorities of a host country with consent of the mission chief, he said. "The consulate building will be searched in the framework of the investigation," Aksoy said in a written statement. There was no immediate comment on the report from the Saudi authorities. Anadolu later reported that a private plane that had arrived from Saudi Arabia at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport was searched last Tuesday, the day Khashoggi was last seen. The search proved fruitless and the plane took off again afterwards, it said. A Turkish security source had previously told Reuters that a group of 15 Saudi nationals, including some officials, had arrived in Istanbul in two planes and entered the consulate on the same day Khashoggi was there, and later left the country. It was not immediately clear if the Anadolu report referred to one of those aircraft. "FORCED DISAPPEARANCE" Khashoggi left his country last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post. His disappearance sparked global concern. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had not yet spoken to Saudi officials about the case. Speaking at the White House, he said he did not know anything about Khashoggi's disappearance and that he would speak with Saudi officials at some point. The U.N. human rights office urged both Turkey and Saudi Arabia to investigate what it called the "apparent enforced disappearance" and possible murder of Khashoggi. "We call for cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to make the findings public," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a Geneva news briefing. The two countries have such an obligation under both criminal law and international human rights law, she said. In July, the U.N. human rights office called on Saudi Arabia to release all peaceful activists, including women held for campaigning against a ban on driving as it was being lifted. Khashoggi was once a Saudi newspaper editor and is a familiar face on political talk shows on Arab satellite television networks. He used to advise Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States and Britain. His disappearance is likely to further deepen divisions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Relations were already strained after Turkey sent troops to the Gulf state of Qatar last year in a show of support after its Gulf neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, imposed an embargo on Doha. The two Turkish sources told Reuters on Saturday that Turkish authorities believe Khashoggi was deliberately killed inside the consulate, a view echoed by one of Erdogan's advisers, Yasin Aktay, who is a friend of the Saudi journalist. Erdogan told reporters on Sunday that authorities were examining camera footage and airport records as part of their investigation. He has also said Turkey has no documents or evidence regarding the case. The European Union fully supports U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called on Riyadh to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance, EU policy chief Federica Mogherini said. (Additional reporting by Sarah Dadouch and Ali Kucukgocmen in Istanbul, Andrew MacAskill in London, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Robert Rampton in Washington; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by William Maclean and Alison Williams) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called on Riyadh to prove its claim that Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing since last week. Budapest/Ankara: Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called on Riyadh to prove its claim that Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing since last week, left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The disappearance of Khashoggi, previously a prominent newspaper editor in Saudi Arabia and an adviser to its former head of intelligence, has sparked global concern, particularly after Turkish sources said over the weekend that authorities believed he was killed inside the consulate. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year, saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy in the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent. He entered the consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday to get documents for his forthcoming marriage. Saudi officials say he left shortly afterwards but his fiancee, who was waiting outside, said he never appeared. "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying 'he has left'," Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest, where he is on an official visit. Erdogan, who said he was personally following the case, added that Turkey had no documents or evidence regarding the case. A Saudi source at the consulate has denied that Khashoggi had been killed at the mission and said that the accusations were baseless. The consulate has also denied that Khashoggi was abducted. US president Donald Trump, in the first expression of concern by his administration on Khashoggi's disappearance, said he was troubled by reports about the journalist's fate. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," he told reporters at the White House. Khashoggi is a familiar face on political talk shows on Arab satellite television networks and used to advise Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States and Britain. His disappearance is likely to further deepen divisions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Relations were already strained after Turkey sent troops to the Gulf state of Qatar last year in a show of support after its Gulf neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, imposed an embargo on Doha. Turkey asks to search Turkey has asked for permission to search Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, broadcaster NTV said on Monday. A Turkish official also said Saudi Arabia's envoy to Ankara had been summoned to the foreign ministry for a second time on Sunday. "It has been conveyed to him that we expect full coordination in the investigation process," the official said. The two Turkish sources told Reuters Turkish authorities believe Khashoggi was deliberately killed inside the consulate, a view echoed by one of Erdogan's advisers, Yasin Aktay, who is also a friend of the Saudi journalist. Erdogan told reporters on Sunday that authorities were examining camera footage and airport records as part of their investigation. Saudi Arabia's consul in Istanbul opened up his mission to Reuters on Saturday in an effort to show that Khashoggi was not on the premises. Google earlier this year started Project Strobe which is review system for third-party developer access to Google account and Android device data and its philosophy around apps data access. Google today is announcing the first four findings and actions from this review. Google is shutting down Google+ for consumers. The company says that users over the years wanted to better understand how to control the data they choose to share with apps on Google+. So as part of Project Strobe, the companys first priorities was to closely review all the APIs associated with Google+. As the consumer version of Google+ currently has low usage and engagement; 90% of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds. The company has also discovered a bug in one of the Google+ People APIs; users can grant access to their Profile data, and the public Profile information of their friends, to Google+ apps, via the API. The bug meant that apps also had access to Profile fields that were shared with the user, but not marked as public. This data is limited to static, optional Google+ Profile fields including name, email address, occupation, gender, and age. It does not include any other data you may have posted or connected to Google+ or any other service, like Google+ posts, messages, Google account data, phone numbers or G Suite content. The company discovered this and immediately patched this bug in March 2018. It made Google+ with privacy in mind and therefore keep this APIs log data for only two weeks. But a total of up to 500,000 Google+ accounts were potentially affected and up to 438 applications may have used this API. However, Google said that it found no evidence that any developer was aware of this bug or abusing the API, and found no evidence that any Profile data was misused. Google is giving a period of 10 months (by the end of August) for users to transition. Google is also launching more granular Google Account permissions that will show in individual dialog boxes. When an app prompts you for access to your Google account data, it requires that you see what data it has asked for, and you must grant it explicit permission. Consumers will get more fine-grained control over what account data they choose to share with each app. Instead of seeing all requested permissions in a single screen, apps will have to show you each requested permission, one at a time, within its own dialog box. Google is also limiting the types of use cases that are permitted. Only apps directly enhancing email functionalitysuch as email clients, email backup services and productivity services will be authorized to access this data. Moreover, these apps will need to agree to new rules on handling Gmail data and will be subject to security assessments. Google is also limiting apps ability to receive Call Log and SMS permissions on Android devices, and are no longer making contact interaction data available via the Android Contacts API. Going forward, Google Play will limit which apps are allowed to ask for these permissions. Only an app that youve selected as your default app for making calls or text messages will be able to make these requests. Source Google Home Hub is the new entrant in the smart display space News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Google goes head-to-head with Amazon with its new smart display So now we know that those rumors of Google working on smart display were true. Yes, the company has announced the launch of the Home Hub, which brings together a Google Assistant-powered smart speaker with a 7-inch touchscreen. Although the new smart display has some out-of-the-box features, it sure does miss out on a few basic ones. For starters, there's no camera. Well, that's forgivable as Google is very much aware of privacy concerns caused by these smart home products, and wants its users to feel comfortable around them. But, this also means, you miss out on a basic feature like video calling. The display has a new Home VIew dashboard that provides a quick glance at all the smart devices, whether you choose to see the Hub or Google's mobile Home app. The display smartly adjusts according to the lighting conditions throughout the day and is also capable of displaying your Google Photos album that updates as you click new images. What's new is that it eliminates blurry and badly exposed pictures, thanks to Google's machine learning tech. The Google Home Hub will is available for pre-order for $149 and will ship in the US, UK, and Australia on October 22. It seems that Google believes the price of the device will be a key selling point. It comes at a lower price compared to other smart displays like Amazon's latest Echo Show by $50, and costs a tad higher than the original Home did at the time of launch. The aggressive pricing could be a good move from Google to pave way for smart displays into the mainstream. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications OnePlus 6T spotted on Amazon India for pre-orders ahead of official launch News oi-Karan Sharma OnePlus 6T accidentally appeared on Amazon India for pre-orders ahead of its official launch. The listing also comes with some launch offers. All you need to know. Onplus is all set to launch its upcoming smartphone the OnePlus 6T it seems that the company will have some exciting offer for Indian buyer at the launch. It has been reported that the smartphone was spotted on Amazon India and it was temporarily available for pre-order. The pre-order will get you a brand new USB Type-C OnePlus Bullets and 500 Amazon Pay balance. The USB Type-C OnePlus Bullets will play a very important role in the upcoming flagship because the company has ditched the 3.5 mm headphone jack on this smartphone. According to the listing, the offer will be valid until October 30, which is the day when the company will launch the phone. Currently, the Amazon India has pulled off the pre-order page but we can expect to see the same somewhere ahead of the official launch event of the OnePlus 6T. It seems the online store had accidentally published the page it might be planning to publish it somewhere near to the launch. It has been reported that the OnePlus 6T will look similar to the OnePlus 6 but it will lack the 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone will be upgraded in terms of battery life with a bigger battery. Under the hood, the smartphone is expected to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 clubbed with the same RAM and storage which is available on its predecessor. But this time the company has also said to ditch the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. It has been widely reported that the OnePlus 6T will arrive with an in-display fingerprint scanner. This will be the first smartphone from the company to arrive with an in-display sensor. Moreover, the company has also introduced the Lab Programm in which OnePlus is going to send 10 new OnePlus 6T to its fans before the official launch for review and feedback. So if you are also a OnePlus fan then don't miss the chance of getting your hands on the upcoming smartphone before the actual launch. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Paytm Maha Cashback Sale starts with Rs 12,000 cashback on iPhone and lot more News oi-Karan Sharma Paytm has kick started it Maha Cashback Sale with lot of exciting cashback offers and deals. All you need to know before purchase anything. The festive season is almost started and all the online stores are offering the best deals and offers to attract more and more consumers. Being the race Paytm Mall has also announced its own Maha Cashback Sale in India. The sale has kicked started from October 9 (today) and will end on October 15. The e-commerce website is offering deals on mobiles, laptops and electronic products under the sale. Moreover, if you are participating in this sale then you also have a chance of winning ten Samsung LED TVs, five Asus Laptops, seven Renault QWID cars, and the iPhone XS as well. ICICI Bank credit and cardholders can avail an additional cashback of 10 percent on their purchase. This offer is also available on EMI options. The e-commerce website will host the sale every day from 2 pm to 6 pm, and Re 1 deals will be updated every day with new products. According to Paytm, it will add some special product from 8 pm to midnight with some special reduced prices. Coming to smartphones, the Paytm Maha Cashback sale will offer buyers up to Rs. 12,000 cashback, no-cost EMI options, up to Rs. 21,000 off on exchange of old phones, and reduced rates. Notable offers include Rs. 12,000 cashback on the iPhone X, Rs. 3,000 exchange bonus on the Vivo V11 Pro and the Oppo F9 Pro, and Rs. 2,000 cashback on the Vivo V7 smartphone. Other laptops and electronics will be listed with up to Rs. 20,000 cashback and no-cost EMI options as well. Paytm is offering up to 12000 cashback on smartphones, and up to Rs 21,000 off on exchange of old phones. you can also opt for the no-cost EMI option for your smartphone purchase. Buyer will get Rs 12,000 cash back on the purchase of Apple iPhone X, you can also an exchange bonus of Rs 3000 on the Vivo V11 Pro and Oppo F9 Pro. Vivo V7 buyer will receive a cashback of Rs 2000 on their purchase. Buyer can grab laptops and electronics with cashback of up to Rs 20,000. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications WeWork Labs India launch: Community for incubators and accelerators News oi-Vivek WeWork Labs is available in 8 different countries WeWork, a co-working space providing company has officially launched the WeWork Labs in India in Bengaluru. WeWork Labs provides the community, education, connections, and mentorship to help anyone take the startup path and grow. WeWorks currently works with 268,000 members across with world with more than 1000 startups. WeWork Labs collaborates with local incubators and accelerators to provide holistic, long-term support for startups throughout their journey. This is a platform, where WeWorks offers a different layer of support to entrepreneurs to achieve their goals. WeWork Labs will partner with the people without taking equity in the member companies. WeWork Lab will be a paid programme to help entrepreneurs to make their idea into a reality. WeWork Labs can offer a helping hand at the different stages, including pre-accelerator and post-accelerator. WeWorks Labs has a global footprint and works across the industries. Companies like jackpocket, entrupy, teachable, coffee meets bagels are some of the alumni members of WeWork Labs. WeWork Labs is present in 8 countries (including India), and Gurugram has the first WeWork Labs setup in India. One can join WeWorks Labs as a Incubators and Accelerators or as a mentor. WeWorks Labs pricing in India In India, WeWorks Lab charges Rs 17,000 per person per month. WeWorks Labs India is located in Gurugram, India (Platina Tower) and the programme is open registration. To get more information on the WeWork Labs, visit WeWork India official website. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Google calls out iPad Pro and Surface Pro with the latest Pixel Slate News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Google has a new convertible in the form of Pixel Slate Google, with its latest Pixel Slate, seems to be calling out the Apple iPad Pro and the Microsoft Surface Pro. The latest Pixel Slate is basically a tablet running Chrome OS that comes with a detachable keyboard if you wish to use it as a notebook. The latest device is powered by Intel's 8th Gen processor, while another variant running Intel Core i7 chipset with 16GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The Pixel Slate comes with a 12.3-inch that is touted to have a faster refresh rate and more power efficient compared to a conventional LCD display. The availability details are yet to be announced by Google. However, what we know for sure is that the device will ship to the US later this year, along with Canada and UK markets. It will come at a price of $599 for the Intel Celeron processor, and the higher-end variants might cost as much as $1,599. The keyboard will be available separately at a price of $199, while the stylus pen will cost you $99. Just like the Pixel 3 smartphones, the Pixel Slate also features front-firing speakers. As for the optics, the device has an 8MP camera on the rear panel, while another 8MP sensor for video calls and has a fingerprint sensor that will be integrated within the power key. The company also claims that the Assistant is deeply integrated with =in the Chrome OS, allowing users to perform tasks such as email, dictate, book a reservation just using voice commands. This isn't the first time Google has launched a tablet which will go head-to-head with the iPad and the Microsoft Surface. Earlier, the company launched the Pixel C which came with a similar form factor, but with Android OS. But the latest Pixel Slate comes with an enhanced OS with better security, productivity features aiming to attract productivity seekers. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Dutch espionage allegation against 4 Russians result of 'misunderstanding': FM Lavrov Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 03:38PM Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the four Russian nationals, who were detained and expelled by the Dutch authorities on suspicion of espionage, had been on a "routine" trip, stressing that they had not done anything illegal and their expulsion from the Netherlands had been a "misunderstanding." On Thursday, Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld alleged at a press conference that her country's intelligence services had disrupted a cyber attack by four members of the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) on the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) back on April 13. She further said that the suspects had also been expelled from the Netherlands in the same month, adding that Russia's charge d'affaires to her country had also been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an explanation. Shortly after Bijleveld's comments, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the allegations as the "Western spy mania", which "is gaining momentum." On Monday, Lavrov, speaking at a joint news conference after talks with his Italian counterpart in Moscow, also rejected the espionage allegations by the Dutch authorities, saying that the Kremlin did not receive a complaint from the Netherlands at the time of the incident. "There was nothing secret about the trip by our specialists to the Netherlands. It was a routine trip... They were detained without explanation. It looked like a misunderstanding," the Russian top diplomat told reporters at the presser. "Frankly speaking, this all looked like a misunderstanding, especially considering that no protests over this incident were presented to us, neither in Moscow nor in The Hague," Lavrov further said. According to Bijleveld, the Russian suspects, who allegedly had diplomatic passports, had purportedly taken photos of the global chemical weapons watchdog's surroundings in The Hague. She added that the suspects' vehicle contained high-tech equipment that was able to hack into the organization's Wi-Fi network. Moscow summons Dutch envoy Later on Monday, Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Dutch ambassador to Moscow, Renee Jones-Bos, to protest over "the misinformation campaign launched in The Hague." Moscow last summoned the Dutch ambassador along with the Swiss ambassador in September over what Moscow said were "unsubstantiated accusations" that Russian spies had attempted to hack Swiss targets. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bellingcat Names Second Skripal Poisoning Suspect As Russian GRU Agent RFE/RL October 08, 2018 Investigative website Bellingcat has identified the second suspect in the nerve-agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain as a military doctor employed by Russia's GRU military intelligence agency. Last month, British prosecutors charged two Russians -- Ruslan Boshirov and Aleksandr Petrov -- with attempted murder for carrying out the poisoning of Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with the Novichok nerve toxin in the southern English city earlier this year. The prosecutors said at the time the two were undercover GRU officers. Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement in the Skripals' attempted murder. "We have now identified 'Aleksandr Petrov' to be in fact Dr. Aleksandr Yevgenyevich Mishkin, a trained military doctor in the employ of the GRU," the British-based group said in a report published on its website. Bellingcat, a website that covers intelligence matters, had previously identified Boshirov on September 26 as being decorated GRU Colonel Anatoly Chepiga. "While Aleksandr Mishkin's true persona has an even sparser digital footprint than Anatoly Chepiga's, Bellingcat has been able to establish certain key facts from his background," the October 8 report said. It said that Mishkin was born in 1979 in the Archangelsk region in Northern European Russia and was trained as a military doctor for the Russian naval armed forces at one of Russia's elite military medical schools. "During his medical studies, Mishkin was recruited by the GRU, and by 2010 had relocated to Moscow, where he received his undercover identity -- including a second national ID and travel passport -- under the alias Aleksandr Petrov," the report said. "Bellingcat's identification process included multiple open sources, testimony from people familiar with the person, as well as copies of personally identifying documents, including a scanned copy of his passport," the website said. In reaction to Bellingcat's latest report, British police said they would not comment on speculation regarding the real identities of those charged with poisoning the Skripals. "We are not going to comment on speculation regarding their identities," London's police force said in a statement in response to a media query about the report. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the two men shown in British surveillance footage near Skripal's home in Salisbury and identified by British authorities as Boshirov and Petrov were actually civilians on a tourist trip. Skripal, a former GRU colonel, was convicted of treason in 2006 by a Russian court after being accused of spying for Britain. He relocated to Britain in a 2010 spy swap. Putin on October 3 said that Skripal was a "scumbag" who had betrayed his country. The Skripals were found unconscious on March 4 on a bench in the southern English town of Salisbury. They were seriously ill but made a full recovery after spending several weeks in a hospital. British officials said the two were poisoned with Novichok, a military-grade chemical weapon that was developed in the Soviet Union, and blamed Putin's government for the attack. In June, a British citizen, Dawn Sturgess, died and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, fell ill when they stumbled across remnants of the poison in a town near Salisbury. Britain on September 5 announced charges against the two Russian men as police issued photographs of the suspects. The men acknowledged they were in Salisbury at the time but claimed they were there as tourists. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bellingcat-names-second -novichok-suspect/29532554.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Says Suspected Spy Actions Were Routine Dutch Trip October 08, 2018 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected accusations made by the Dutch authorities against suspected Russian spies. Last week, authorities in Netherlands said that four agents of Russian GRU military intelligence tried and failed to hack into the world's chemical-weapons watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), whose headquarters are in The Hague. Commenting on the Dutch allegations, Lavrov said the four Russians were on a "routine" trip to The Hague in April when they were arrested and deported by Dutch authorities. "There was nothing secret in the Russian specialists' trip to The Hague in April," Lavrov said at a briefing in Moscow on October 8 after talks with Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi. "They weren't hiding from anyone when they arrived at the airport, settled in a hotel and visited our embassy. They were detained without any explanations, denied a chance to contact our embassy in the Netherlands and then asked to leave. It all looked like a misunderstanding." Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it handed a note on October 8 to the Netherlands' ambassador protesting the detention and expulsion of Russian citizens, calling the incident a provocation. Dutch defense officials last week released photos and a timeline of the GRU agents' botched attempt to break into the OPCW. The OPCW was investigating a nerve-agent attack on a former GRU spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter in Salisbury, England; Britain has blamed it on the Russian government. Moscow vehemently denies involvement. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-says-suspected-spy-actions -were-routine-dutch-trip/29532598.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Scientist Arrested on Suspicion of Leaking BrahMos Details to Pakistan Sputnik News 16:47 08.10.2018(updated 17:15 08.10.2018) BrahMos is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia and is considered the world's fastest missile to date. Indian authorities on Monday arrested a scientist working in the state-funded BrahMos Missile Research Centre (BMRC) from the western city of Nagpur for leaking sensitive information about the nuclear-capable supersonic cruise missile BrahMos to Pakistan. Nishant Agarwal was employed at the missile research center near Nagpur for the last four years. He was arrested in a joint operation carried out by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Military Intelligence. Agrawal is suspected to have passed on classified and secret information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and other countries. "Very sensitive information was found on his personal computer. We also found evidence of him chatting on Facebook with a Pakistan-based person," Aseem Arun, a senior official from the Uttar Pradesh Police told the media. Sources told Sputnik that in the past two days, several other spies have been busted by India's military intelligence, including one related to the army in Meerut cantonment. In Kanpur, two officials from the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) have been questioned on suspicion of spying. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AFIMSC completes historic fiscal year closeout By Ed Shannon , Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center / Published October 07, 2018 JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- The Air Force executed a record $6.9 billion in the installation and mission support portfolio during fiscal 2018, nearly $1 billion more than last year, and culminating in a successful, historic fiscal year close out. "We have the second largest (Operations and Maintenance) account in the Air Force," said Col. Anthony Smith, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center budget director. "To have a mature process and ability to execute such a large amount of funding is mighty impressive for such a young organization." Managed by AFIMSC, financial analysts enterprise-wide teamed to fulfill an overarching strategy to place the next available dollar against the next most important requirement which highlighted AFIMSC's close out success, said Monica Anders, director of the AFIMSC Resources Directorate. "Our end of year close-out efforts are the culmination of strong processes in place and strategy we implemented from the first day of the fiscal year," she said. "These efforts were strengthened over the year by our new 2.0 structure which truly starts integrating teams and processes to provide a single integrated look across the enterprise. These integrated teams include many, many people, such as our O&M, Construction Tasking Order, and environmental analysts along with AFIMSC detachment, primary subordinate unit, and installation budget experts." End of year closeout built on momentum gained from budget execution performance in July when the Air Force exceeded a goal to obligate more than 83 percent of the I&MS portfolio by July 31. Achieving a high execution rate two months before the end of the fiscal year set up the Air Force for a well thought-out and executed end-of-year closeout and a smooth glide path into the next fiscal year, Smith said. For the second consecutive year, AFIMSC established a war room from its headquarters in San Antonio manned by approximately 30 budget analysts and financial experts during the last two weeks in September. The nerve center increased capabilities to quickly validate requirements. Capitalizing on lessons learned from 2017, AFIMSC tweaked the nerve center with innovative ideas and processes. "We increased the capacity of the war room with better logistics and improved communication," Smith said. Officials paired AFIMSC budget analysts with representatives from every Air Force major command and seated them side by side. The analysts communicated with installations by phone, email and live Defense Collaborative Services. AFIMSC issued cell phones for detachment analysts so they could be reached when they were not in the nerve center. According to Maj. Brian Hoffman, war room officer in charge, the co-location of AFIMSC and detachment analysts allowed for tasks to be accomplished quicker and with twice the expertise and knowledge. "We took advantage of all parties in the house and tackled challenges more effectively," Hoffman said. "We also improved on strategic communication throughout the war room so that we presented consistent messaging from AFIMSC to the budget shops at each installation." Capt. Amy Bragg described her first Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center war room experience with budget analysts from around the world as eye-opening. "Even though we are from different locations worldwide, we worked well together throughout the year and came together the past two weeks in the war room," said Bragg, who begins serving this month as a budget analyst for AFIMSC Detachment 8, Air Combat Command. "I have new appreciation for the work involved particularly with how the detachments work with each other and how AFIMSC leadership works with the detachments." Capt. Julian Ireland, who turns over Detachment 8 budget analyst duties to Bragg this month and one of half a dozen analysts who were part of the initial war room in 2017, said the nerve center was more organized and equipped better this year. "AFIMSC streamlined the number of updates were required to give which allowed us more time to communicate with our installations," he said. "We pushed installations for excellence, and the great individuals at unit budget offices worked hard to close out accurately and on time." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Trident Juncture Exercise Tests Deterrence Capabilities Oct. 7, 2018 By Jim Garamone Defense.gov WASHINGTON -- The world's preeminent defensive alliance is readying to demonstrate its capabilities in its largest exercise since 2002, said Navy Adm. James Foggo, the commander of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command in Italy. Foggo, who held a Pentagon news conference Friday, will command Exercise Trident Juncture, which will run from Oct. 25 to Nov. 7 in Norway and surrounding sea and air spaces. The exercise brings together 45,000 personnel from the 29 NATO allies, and partner nations Sweden and Finland. "Allies are contributing about 150 aircraft over 60 ships and 10,000 rolling or tracked vehicles," Foggo said. The purpose of the exercise is to test alliance readiness and responsiveness. "Let me emphasize that this is an exercise," he said. "This is for training, but it is real because the lessons we learned are very real and they'll benefit us in our desire to become more resilient and stronger together as an alliance." Simply holding the exercise and demonstrating the capabilities of NATO has a deterrent effect, the admiral said. NATO has invited observers to the exercise including Russia. "Exercises like this show that NATO is strong," he said. "Together, we're more effective at upholding our common values and preserving peace. Trident Juncture will prove that in this very unpredictable world NATO remains an anchor of stability; 70 years young, 70 years old, the strongest alliance in the history of Europe." Testing Interoperability Trident Juncture will exercise all aspects of the alliance and test capabilities in all domains. Air, land, maritime, special operations and amphibious forces will participate. It is designed to test the interoperability of national forces. Foggo's Canadian deputy, army Lt. Gen. Christian Juneau, will command the land forces. "I will be where I belong, at sea on either USS Mount Whitney or bouncing around some of the other ships out there," he said. "And it's going to be sporty because this is wintertime. This is the North Atlantic. And I think it'll be a challenge for all those nations to come up, some are more used to it than others. The Norwegians are certainly used to that kind of weather and those kind of seas. The American Marines that come over, this is going to be a great opportunity for them to fight in the archipelago, fight without their boots in the sand, and come ashore in Norway and work in cold weather operations." Testing NATO's 5,000-strong Response Force is at the core of the exercise, but it also tests logistics. "I call it the sixth domain of warfare," he said. "Moving 45,000 people, and 10,000 vehicles, and 60 some odd ships, and 120 aircraft around the theater is not easy, so this is a test of our ability to do that rapidly." U.S. forces handle logistics on a global scale, and NATO is looking to develop the same capabilities. "In order to deter, you have to be present," Foggo said. "You've got to be there and you've got to be there quickly." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Macedonian Opposition Leader Urges New Elections, End To Name-Change Deal RFE/RL October 07, 2018 The leader of Macedonia's opposition is urging the government to break off a deal to change the country's name and to call early elections. Hristijan Mickoski, head of the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, said a caretaker government should be installed until elections are held, which he said should happen in late November. "Macedonia is entering a new political crisis. The solution is catastrophic and unacceptable both for VMRO-DPMNE and the majority of citizens. A new crisis will completely destroy the economy," he said. Macedonians on September 30 voted 91.5 percent to back the deal to change the nation's name to North Macedonia, a move that would help move the country toward eventual membership in the European Union and NATO. However, the referendum did not attract the required 50 percent voter turnout for a valid result, finishing at 36.9 percent of the country's 1.8 million eligible voters. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has vowed to keep pushing for a change to the Balkan nation's name to end a decades-old dispute with neighboring Greece. However, the ruling coalition does not have the two-thirds majority that would be needed to complete the necessary constitutional amendment. President Gjorge Ivanov also has opposed the name change, saying the Macedonian people "clearly" rejected the accord with Greece. The name dispute between Macedonia and Greece dates back to 1991, when Macedonia peacefully broke away from Yugoslavia. Greece says the name Macedonia implies territorial and cultural claims on the northern Greek region of the same name. Greece, an EU and NATO member, has cited the dispute to veto Macedonia's bids to join the two organizations. In June, Athens and Skopje hammered out a tentative compromise to end decades of squabbling if Macedonia adopts the new name. Nationalists in both countries have opposed the deal. In Macedonia, many say it would constitute a sacrifice of sovereignty, while in Greece, many say it would allow its neighbor to continue to use the historic Macedonia name. Macedonia's economy is sputtering after a two-year financial crisis that pushed unemployment above 20 percent, one of the highest rates in the Balkans, and an average monthly net salary of about $400, the lowest in the region. Analysts say further integrating Western Balkan countries such as Macedonia into European and transatlantic structures is the best way to ensure the stability and development of a region still healing from the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. With reporting by Reuters, AP, IBNA AFP, BBC, dpa, and Balkan Insight Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-greece-name- change-vmro-dpmne-mickoski-zaev/29530511.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Land-Swap Protests In Russia's Ingushetia Stretch Into Fourth Day RFE/RL October 07, 2018 Thousands of protesters have jammed the capital of Russia's Ingushetia region for a fourth day, demanding the resignation of a longtime leader for a controversial land deal with neighboring Chechnya. With demonstrators setting up tents and campfires in the center of the Ingushetian capital, Magas, the region's first post-Soviet leader, Ruslan Aushev, met with protesters on October 7. He criticized the current leadership under Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, saying Yevkurov erred by not consulting with Ingushetia's people before committing to the deal with Chechnya. The agreement , which would exchange what officials described as unpopulated plots of agricultural land, was approved by the parliaments of both regions last week, and immediately triggered massive protests in Ingushetia. "The leadership of Ingushetia has made a grave mistake," Aushev said on October 7. Protesters say the deal is detrimental to tightly populated Ingushetia, which is closely linked linguistically and ethnically to neighboring Chechnya. Khamid Azhigov, 78, told Agence-France Presse that Yevkurov, who has run Ingushetia for the past decade, betrayed the Ingush people. "He should be in prison. We will demand that today and in the future," Azhigov was quoted as saying. Yevkurov tried to meet with the protesters on October 4 -- when the protests first erupted -- but he had to flee after the crowd booed and threw empty water bottles at him. Like many regions of Russia's North Caucasus, Ingushetia is plagued by poverty, high unemployment, corruption, and the threat of Islamic extremism. The two regions used to be parts of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. They split in 1992, a year after the Soviet collapse. There has been little to no outcry to the land swap in Chechnya, whose leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, rules the region unchallenged. Kadyrov recently threatened the Ingush protesters, saying they "will be held accountable." With reporting by Current Time TV Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/land-swap-protests-in-russia-s- ingushetia-stretch-into-fourth-day/29530479.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Least 10 Afghan Police Killed, Highway Bridges Destroyed In Taliban Assault RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan October 07, 2018 At least 10 members of Afghanistan's security forces have been killed in clashes with the Taliban in the central province of Wardak, officials say. The officials were quoted as saying on October 7 that the militants destroyed highway bridges during their assault, which was launched late on October 6. Government forces repelled the attack but gunbattles were still under way, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish. A spokesman for the provincial governor said the attackers destroyed checkpoints and set fire to a government building in Sayeed Abad district. The spokesman, Abdul Rahman Mangal, also said that the district police chief was among the 10 officers killed in the violence. He added that Afghan forces counterattacked to stop the militants from approaching the city. Officials said at least 25 Taliban insurgents were also killed in the fighting, and reinforcements were deployed to regain control of the contested highways. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's power supply company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, said power lines serving Wardak and Ghazni provinces had been cut. Supplies were also affected parts of the nearby provinces of Logar and Paktia. Teams will be sent to repair the lines as soon as security improves, according to a statement. A statement from Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants seized the center of Sayeed Abad and the surrounding security checkpoints. Provincial council member Haji Ahmad Jaffari also said that the Taliban already captured the district and that reinforcements from the provincial capital, Maidan Shar, were on their way. However, another council member, Hussain Ali Ballegh, denied that. Some reports said the attackers destroyed a highway bridge, cutting off road traffic between the national capital, Kabul, and the provinces of Ghazni, Zabul, and Kandahar. Taliban militants and the extremist group Islamic State have a staged a number of deadly attacks across Afghanistan ahead of nationwide parliamentary elections set for October 20. More than 2,500 people, including 418 women, are competing for the 249 seats in Afghanistan's lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga. Some 54,000 members of Afghanistan's security forces will be responsible for protecting polling centers on election day. More than 2,000 polling centers will be closed for security reasons. Afghan security forces have struggled to counter attacks from militant groups since the withdrawal of most NATO combat troops in 2014. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-militants-storm-district -center-in-central-afghanistan/29529903.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-Friendly Party, Populists Top Latvian Elections RFE/RL October 07, 2018 A Russia-friendly party has won the most votes in Latvia's parliamentary elections, ahead of two populist parties. The Harmony party, which gets much of its support from the Baltic country's Russian-speaking minority, took 19.9 percent of the votes in the October 6 elections, final results showed. Election authorities reported on October 7 that two populist parties seen as potential Harmony partners, KPV LV and the New Conservative Party, polled 14.1 percent and 13.6 percent, respectively. The liberal pro-EU and pro-NATO Development/For! party finished fourth with 12 percent, beating the three parties from the current center-right governing coalition of Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis, which won nearly 28 percent between them Turnout was 54.6 percent of the 1.9 eligible voters, election officials said. Seven parties and alliances will join the parliament, called the Saeima, and coalition talks could be long and tense. "No coalition combination is possible without Harmony that would appear able and stable," party leader and Riga Mayor Nils Ushakovs said. In the past, parties have refused to enter into coalition with Harmony. But many observers say they expect KPV LV and the New Conservatives to attempt to form a coalition with the Kremlin-friendly party. "No coalition combination is possible without Harmony that would appear able and stable," Harmony Chairman and Riga Mayor Nils Ushakovs told the LETA agency. "Otherwise, you could have a coalition of xenophobes and gay rights supporters, and such a government would stick together for two or three weeks," he added. Latvia, a member of the European Union and NATO, shares a 270-kilometer border with Russia. It has a sizable ethnic-Russian minority of around 25 percent, a legacy of nearly 50 years of Soviet occupation that ended in 1991, when the nation regained its independence. Latvia's mainstream parties have kept pro-Russia politicians from power as they sought ever closer ties with the West. At the last election, Harmony won the most seats but was excluded from power when the other parties refused to include it in any deal due to its ties with Russia. The populist KPV LV party and its leader, Artuss Kaimins, whose popularity has soared as he railed against corrupt politicians, has sent mixed messages on whether he would also rule out such a deal. A KPV-Harmony ruling alliance would represent "a rather radical change of Latvia's position towards the European Union and towards our security matters which, I think, is very dangerous," Prime Minister Kucinskis said. With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-friendly-harmony-leads- latvia-parliament-elections/29529343.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Drone Reportedly Spotted Near Russian Borders...Again Sputnik News 10:57 07.10.2018 Earlier, the US Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance plane was spotted near Crimea and neighboring Krasnodar Territory. RQ-4 Global Hawk, a strategic US Air Force unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flew for eleven hours near the Russian borders on Friday, according to the aviation website Plane Radar. After lifting off from the US airbase Sigonella in Italy, the UAV entered Ukraine's airspace at 8:27 Moscow time (5:27 GMT) and an hour later, the drone headed to Poland. Shortly afterwards, the RQ-4 Global Hawk flew for several hours near Russia's Kaliningrad region and then headed towards the airspace of the Baltic states, including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, thereby spending more than three hours at the western borders of Russia's Leningrad and Pskov regions. Before returning to Italy, the drone flew near the borders of the Kaliningrad region. Friday's flyover was the latest in a series of such reconnaissance flights by US drones were specifically detected near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad as well as Crimea and the Krasnodar region several weeks ago. The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly called on Washington to abandon such flights, but the Pentagon refuses to comply. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN climate panel says 'unprecedented changes' needed to limit global warming to 1.5C 7 October 2018 - Limiting global warming to 1.5C will require "far-reaching and unprecedented changes," such as ditching coal for electricity to slash carbon emissions, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said, launching a special report that finds some of the actions needed are already under way, but the world must move faster. The IPCC, the United Nations top climate panel, issued the report from Incheon, Republic of Korea, where for the past week, hundreds of scientists and government representatives have been poring over thousands of inputs to paint a picture of what could happen to the planet and its population with global warming of 1.5C (or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). "One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes," said Panmao Zhai, Co-Chair of one of the IPCC Working Groups. The landmark Paris Agreement adopted in December 2015 by 195 nations at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), included the aim of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change by "holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels." Tweeting shortly after the report was launched, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that it is not impossible to limit global warming to 1.5C, according to the report. "But it will require unprecedented and collective climate action in all areas. There is no time to waste." Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said on Monday in Geneva that there was "extreme urgency" needed on the part of Paris Agreement signatories, and "so far the progress hasn't been good enough" to keep temperature rises below even 2. "Climate change is already visible and it is having an impact on human beings and ecosystems all around the world...With 2 we will have ice-free summer in the Antarctic every year, but with 1.5 we would see that, only every 100 years," he said, giving one example of how the world's weather dramatically changes per half-degree. "There will be 420 million people less suffering because of climate change if we would be able to limit the warming to 1.5C level and we have certain areas in the world which are extremely sensitive," Professor Taalas said. "Small island states, (the) Mediterranean region and also sub-Saharan Africa is already suffering and will suffer more in the future." It is still possible to limit global warming to 1.5C, the WMO official continued, "but we should change many things how we run our everyday business today". Also in Geneva, a UN rights expert warned that failing to do more to address climate change risked "locking in decades" of grave violations. "Climate change is having - and will have - devastating effects on a wide range of human rights, including rights to life, health, food, housing, and water, as well as the right to a healthy environment," said David Boyd, Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. "The world is already witnessing the impacts of climate change from hurricanes in America, heat waves in Europe, droughts in Africa to floods in Asia." Half a degree is a big deal The report highlights a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5C compared to 2C, or more. For instance, by 2100, global sea level rise would be 10cm lower with global warming of 1.5C compared with 2C. Moreover, coral reefs, already threatened, would decline by 70-90 percent with global warming of 1.5C, whereas virtually all would be lost with 2C, according to the report. "Every extra bit of warming matters, especially since warming of 1.5C or higher, increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes, such as the loss of some ecosystems," said Hans-Otto Portner, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II. Limiting warming 'possible' but we need to move faster "Limiting warming to 1.5C is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics but doing so would require unprecedented changes," said Jim Skea, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III. With that in mind, the report calls for huge changes in land, energy, industry, buildings, and transportation-use and across cities everywhere. Global net emissions of carbon dioxide would need to fall by 45 per cent from 2010 levels by 2030, and reach "net zero" around 2050. Allowing the global temperature to temporarily exceed or 'overshoot' 1.5C would mean a greater reliance on techniques that remove CO2 from the air to return global temperatures to below 1.5C by 2100. But the report warns that "the effectiveness of such techniques are unproven at large scale and some may carry significant risks for sustainable development." "Limiting global warming to 1.5C compared with 2C would reduce challenging impacts on ecosystems, human health and well-being, making it easier to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," said Priyardarshi Shukla, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III, referring to the 17 Goals adopted by UN Member States three years ago to protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The new report will feed into a process called the 'Talanoa Dialogue,' in which parties to the Paris accord will take stock of what has been accomplished over the past three years. The dialogue will be a part of the next UNFCCC conference of States parties, known by the shorthand COP 24, which will meet in Katowice, Poland, this December. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Chad, top UN officials say humanitarian response must go 'hand in hand' with longer-term recovery 7 October 2018 - Senior United Nations officials on Sunday called for stronger joint humanitarian and development interventions in Chad as the crisis-riven central African country as it tackles poverty, displacement, malnutrition, and lack of access to basic social services. Wrapping up their first joint visit in Chad, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock visited a nutrition centre in the capital's Chad-China Friendship Hospital, where more than 16,000 children suffering from malnutrition are admitted annually. "I was profoundly touched by the plight of the women and children I met in the nutrition centre in N'Djamena today," said Mr. Lowcock, who heads up the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). While he commended the efforts and actions undertaken to deal with one of the biggest nutrition crises the people of Chad have faced, he stressed that the bigger challenge is to prevent children being in this position to start with. "Humanitarian assistance can save lives, but the solution is development, economic progress and better livelihoods. The United Nations stands ready to support the Government, who must lead in this process," he said. In N'Djamena, the two UN officials also met with senior Government representatives and parliamentarians, and discussed plans for national development, poverty reduction, the regional situation, and the recent Lake Chad Basin Region conference in Berlin. "The challenges the country faces have roots in development deficits and climatic realities that have made living conditions for communities caught up in the crisis, even worse," said Mr. Steiner, adding that there was urgent need for a scale up in the response. Around 4.9 million people are in need of urgent support, with the majority of them food insecure. Over half a million are in need of shelter: "We call upon our partners to engage in multiyear financing to facilitate mid and longer-term planning. Stepping up now will help us address the crisis today, tackle the underlying causes and help people build resilience to better cope with and be able to stand on their own after the crisis," Mr. Steiner added. The humanitarian response plan 2018 in Chad requires $544 million to respond to the needs of the 2.1 million people who are the most vulnerable in the country. To date, only 35.6 per cent of the funding has been received. This visit concludes a three-day trip to Nigeria and Chad, during which the two UN officials looked at ways both humanitarian and development actors can better support national support efforts, including in the Lake Chad Basin crisis. While in Nigeria, Mr. Steiner and Mr. Lowcock called for more support to ease the humanitarian crisis and rebuild lives in conflict-ravaged north-eastern part of the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fresh Afghan Hostilities Fuel Security Concerns Ahead of Elections By Ayaz Gul October 07, 2018 Fresh fighting in central and eastern Afghanistan has killed at least 20 people, half of them civilians, fueling security concerns among voters ahead of this month's parliamentary elections. Authorities in the central Maidan Wardak province confirmed Sunday the Taliban overnight staged a major offensive on the Sayed Abad district headquarters. The insurgents briefly overran key government installations in Sayed Abad, killing the district police chief along with at least nine other policemen. The Taliban also set fire to some official buildings before withdrawing from the district center, a usual rebel tactic. Sayed Abad is located on the main highway linking the national capital of Kabul to southern Afghanistan. Insurgents blew up bridges on the highway before assaulting the district, blocking all traffic, the provincial governor, Mohammad Arif Shajahan, confirmed Sunday. The Taliban has also planted mines on parts of the high, he added. Meanwhile, residents in the eastern Paktia province have informed top police officials that counterinsurgency airstrikes by government forces killed at least 10 civilians and wounded 20 others in Garda Sairi district. A Taliban spokesman confirmed fighting in the area, claiming its fighters killed at least 10 Afghan security forces and wounded several others, though insurgent claims are often inflated. Violence threatens elections The deadly violence comes as Afghan voters are preparing to cast their ballots in the national parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20. Afghan election officials say more than 2,500 candidates, including 418 women, are competing for the 249 seats in the lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga. The government has downplayed the security concerns, saying a comprehensive plan has been put in place to ensure voters' safety and the safety of over 5,000 polling stations. U.S.-led NATO forces have also pledged to support Afghan forces in securing the democratic process. However, officials have acknowledged more than 2,000 polling centers will be closed for security reasons. The Afghan parliamentary elections are being held after a delay of more than three years due to a variety of reasons, including security and lack of reforms. Afghan war intensifies in 2018 The U.S. military announced last week it conducted 465 airstrikes in 26 of the 34 Afghan provinces in September against Taliban and targets linked to Islamic State terrorist group, underscoring an intensification in the war which has lasted 17 years as of Sunday. Last month, the Afghan interior minister informed the parliament that insurgent attacks are killing 30 soldiers and policemen every day, strengthening concerns 2018 could be one of the deadliest years for government forces. The Taliban controls or hotly contests around 50 percent of the Afghan territory while the local branch of IS, known as Khorasan Province or ISK-P, has also increased terrorist attacks against civilians, who are bearing the brunt of the war. U.N. officials have warned civilian casualties have reached new highs this year. The Taliban on the eve of the 17th anniversary again demanded the U.S.-led "foreign occupiers" to withdraw their forces from Afghanistan and let Afghans themselves decide their future. "This is the only sound and rational way reiterated by the Islamic Emirate [the Taliban] for as a realistic and factual solution of the issue," said an insurgent statement issued Sunday. It said the Islamist insurgency is determined to continue fighting "until and unless you, the invaders, are expelled from our homeland just like the previous ones." The Taliban has consistently refused to hold peace talks with the Afghan government and it has been calling for direct talks the United States to settle the conflict, blaming Washington for starting the conflict 17 years ago. The U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban for sheltering al-Qaida leadership blamed for plotting the terrorist attacks on America in September 2001. The international alliance ended its combat mission in 2014 and its remaining around 20,000 troops, mostly Americans, under the Resolute Support mission are training, advising and assisting Afghan forces in battling the insurgency and IS terrorists. While announcing details of its airstrikes last week, the U.S. military explained again that the operations are mean to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven to the ISK-P, al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations. The operations in support of Afghan forces are aimed at applying "judicious military pressure to enable the Taliban's eventual reconciliation, reintegration and realignment," the U.S. military noted in its statement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General: Croatia is a committed Ally NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 08 Oct. 2018 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Croatia on Monday (8 October 2018). Speaking alongside Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Mr. Stoltenberg praised Croatia's many contributions to the Alliance. This includes Croatian troops serving in NATO battlegroups in Lithuania and Poland, and in NATO missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. The Secretary General also thanked Croatia for joining NATO's Operation Sea Guardian for the first time, working with other Allies to keep the Mediterranean secure. "We are grateful for Croatia's important role in NATO. You contribute to our shared security, to our collective defence," said Mr. Stoltenberg. The Secretary General and the Prime Minister discussed developments in the region, and also the importance of fairer-burden sharing in the Alliance. Mr Stoltenberg encouraged Croatia to continue to invest more in its defence. During his visit the Secretary General will also have talks with President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General thanks Serbia for hosting civil emergency exercise NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 08 Oct. 2018 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg inaugurated the civil emergency exercise "Srbija 2018" on Monday (8 October) together with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. This is the biggest exercise organised by NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, and the first to be hosted by Serbia. It will include around 2,000 personnel from almost 40 countries. 'Srbija 2018' is not a military exercise, but a platform for civilian first responders and the military, from Allied and partner countries, to learn from each other how they can save lives. The Secretary General thanked Serbia for hosting the exercise, noting that it is "a great example of how Serbia's partnership with NATO can bring concrete benefits, to Serbia, to NATO, and to the whole region." He added that the exercise is an opportunity to test new relief tools, such as artificial intelligence and a next-generation Incident Command System. "The lessons we learn this week will help us to save more lives in the years to come," said Mr. Stoltenberg. The Secretary General underlined that NATO has one overriding objective across the Western Balkans region: to help build peace and stability, which are the foundations of prosperity. He noted that NATO Allies are the biggest investors in the region, helping to bring jobs and economic growth. Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO fully respects Serbia's neutrality, and explained the concrete benefits of the partnership between NATO and Serbia. The Alliance has worked with Serbia to dispose of tons of dangerous surplus munitions, and helped Serbian forces contribute to international peacekeeping missions. On Monday, the Secretary General also joined President Vucic at the event "Leadership for a Secure Region", at the invitation of the Belgrade Security Forum. He highlighted the strong partnership between Serbia and NATO, and praised President Vucic's leadership on reforms. Mr. Stoltenberg also welcomed progress in the Western Balkans to build stability, security and economic growth. He added that more regional trade creates greater trust and will diminish nationalistic rhetoric. Mr. Stoltenberg started his visit by meeting with students and lecturers at the Department for Scandinavian Languages and Literature at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Belgrade. He also met with Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S., Malaysia Reinforce New Level of Maritime Partnership with MTA Malaysia 2018 Navy News Service Story Number: NNS181008-01 Release Date: 10/8/2018 9:21:00 AM By Lt. Clyde Shavers, CTF73/DESRON 7 Public Affairs LUMUT, Malaysia (NNS) -- LUMUT, Malaysia (NNS) As part of a growing number of maritime exercises held each year between the U.S. and Malaysia, Sailors from both partner navies kicked off Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Malaysia 2018 in Lumut, Malaysia, October 8. 2018 marks a significant growth in the relationship between the U.S. and Malaysia as both partner navies expanded their role in this year's 24th iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), 17th iteration of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), 13th iteration of the Pacific Partnership (PP), and 26th iteration of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). Maritime exercises conducted between both partner navies are designed to address the full spectrum of maritime operations with CARAT focusing on maritime security operations (MSO), PP aimed at humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR), and SEACAT on information sharing and maritime domain awareness (MDA). "With decades of cooperative bilateral and multilateral exercises, the U.S. and Royal Malaysian Navy share a unique friendship built on trust and continued commitment to find more ways to interact and engage out at sea," said Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, Commander Task Force 73. "By constantly practicing together each year, we are able to effectively sail side-by-side in any complex situation and environment allowing us to rely on each other to jointly ensure maritime stability, security and prosperity." MTA Malaysia involves subject matter expert exchanges across a broad range of maritime operations to include mine countermeasures, electronic and anti-air warfare, maritime domain awareness and engineering techniques. Each session is designed to facilitate learned discussions with dozens of specialized professionals in numerous focus areas such as search-and-rescue of trapped victims in sunken vessels, research-and-recognition of terrorist or piracy acts, and application of math and physics concepts in diving and salvage operations. "Royal Malaysian and U.S. Navy defense diplomacy has been in existence for a long time and has been translated into previous bilateral exercises such as CARAT, which began in 1995," said Captain Abd Halim bin Hj Shaari, Royal Malaysian Navy Assistant Chief Staff for Future Operations. "MTA is another initiative for both navies to work together and be on the same page in ensuring maritime security and regional stability. This will also provide the Royal Malaysian Navy a great chance to enhance their skills and capabilities beside knowledge and experience sharing between U.S. forces." CARAT 2018 consisted of a full amphibious assault demonstration with F-35B Lightning II fighter jets. Furthermore, the Royal Malaysian Navy deployed a warship, KD Lekiu (FFG 30), to RIMPAC for the first time, demonstrating the navy's increased capability to operate effectively with the U.S. Navy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban vow to attack Afghan government forces during parliamentary elections Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 06:39PM The Taliban militant group has vowed to target Afghan security forces in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the violence-wracked country. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement on Monday that the militants would pull no punches to disrupt the long-delayed vote scheduled for October 20. "People who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure" of the election, Mujahid said. Elsewhere in the statement, Mujahid described the polls as a "malicious American conspiracy" against Afghanistan. The Taliban have ordered its militants to attack authorities who are helping organize this month's parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. They have also called on candidates and voters to boycott the polls. The warning coincides with an increase in the number of militant attacks in the country ahead of the polls. A bomb attack on October 2 hit an election campaign rally in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 13 people and wounding many more. Back in April, nearly 60 people were killed and 120 others wounded in a bomb attack at the doorway of an identity card distribution and voter registration center in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi area, a neighborhood where many of the Hazara Shia Muslims live and have frequently been targeted by bombers. The Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the bombing. The polls were originally set to be held in 2015 following presidential elections the previous year but were repeatedly pushed back due to security fears and logistical problems. Candidates will contest the 249 seats in the National Assembly for five-year terms. Regional elections will also be held in districts across Afghanistan. US envoy seeks talks with Taliban Separately, the US special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, met with Afghan leaders for the first time since his appointment last month to steer efforts with the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's office said in a statement that Khalilzad met with the president and other top leaders on Sunday night to discuss "an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process." Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah welcomed the visit by Afghanistan-born Khalilzad in televised remarks on Monday. "We believe if more attention is paid to the (peace) process, there is a good chance of success." Khalilzad, a former US ambassador to Kabul, Baghdad and the United Nations, is on a 10-day regional trip. The visit comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump has been ratcheting up efforts to hold talks with the Taliban. The US has also asked Pakistan to facilitate talks with the Taliban. Zahid Hussain, a Pakistani defense analyst and author of two books on militancy in the region, earlier said the appointment of Khalilzad as a special adviser in Afghanistan could complicate his job. "He has been very critical of Pakistan in the past and his appointment will not help move things forward." Afghan people still face insecurity 17 years after the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. Although the Taliban militant group was removed from power as a result of the invasion, the country remains occupied and many areas are still threatened by insecurity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US military concerned by overdependence on China Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 11:34AM A Pentagon review ordered by President Donald Trump has found that the US military is overdependent on critical technologies on components coming from foreign countries, specially China, a report has revealed. The study, which will be released by the US Department of Defense over the coming weeks, has identified hundreds of instances where the US military is completely reliant on products that it doesn't own. These products also include micro-electronics, tiny components such as integrated circuits and transistors used in everything from satellites and cruise missiles to drones and mobile phones, according to Reuters. The study is fueled by Trump's so-called America First policy and aims to limit or eliminate dependence on foreign countries who could turn into adversaries in the future. This is highly possible in China's case, amid an all-out trade war by the White House against the Eastern Asian power. Military ties between the two sides took a major hit as a result of the trade fallout as Beijing has recently postponed direct military ties with Washington. The move came after Washington imposed sanctions on the Chinese military for buying Russian fighter jets and surface-to-air missile systems. The American military forces are so dependent on Chinese components that some officials are afraid Beijing would simply cut off vital supplies or, in worst case scenarios, sabotages equipment and rigs them for espionage purposes. The Pentagon has long feared "kill switches" that foreign suppliers could embed in their transistors, giving them the freedom to turn off sensitive US systems in case of a conflict. Moreover, the US has become over-reliant on China's supplies of rare earth minerals, which are used in countless every day and special devices employed by the US military. The Pentagon has also released a new cyber warfare strategy that openly accuses China of stealing public and private sector data in order to gain an economic advantage. This is while Trump has accused China of stealing US intellectual property for economic gains. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Journalist's Brutal Killing Puts Spotlight On Bulgaria's Poor Press-Freedom Record Alan Crosby, Ivan Bedrov October 08, 2018 SOFIA -- As Bulgarian authorities investigate whether the rape and killing of Viktoria Marinova was a random crime or connected to her investigative reporting, the case has turned a spotlight on impediments to a free press in a country where journalists are often subjected to intimidation and threats. Marinova's body was found in a park in the northern Bulgarian city of Ruse on October 6, and investigators have begun an intensive search for clues and a motive for the gruesome killing. Police could not immediately cite a motive, but many feared the worst in a country that ranked 111th globally -- and last in the European Union -- in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index released last month by Reporters Without Borders. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said evidence including DNA had been discovered at the crime scene and that "it is just a matter of time before the perpetrator is found." "We are running out of live reporters to report on the dead ones," Drew Sullivan, editor and co-founder of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), warned of the danger to journalists. "We at OCCRP are calling for an independent investigation/review by the EU of the rape, torture and murder of Bulgarian mother and journalist Victoria Marinova. Why do we keep leaving investigations to the very governments who the reporters are investigating when they are killed?" he added in a tweet. 'Dangerous To Be A Journalist' Marinova, the third high-profile journalist to be killed in the EU in the past year, and the fourth since the start of 2017, was a journalist known to ask tough questions. Working at the private TVN television, she had recently launched a current-events talk show called Detector. In the last episode, which aired on September 30, the show broadcast interviews with Dimitar Stoyanov from the investigative Bivol.bg website and Attila Biro from the Romanian RISE Project. The two had been investigating alleged fraud with EU funds linked to big businessmen and politicians when they were detained by armed Bulgarian police for more than seven hours in mid-September as they followed up on a tip that crucial documents were being burned in a field outside the capital, Sofia. It was unclear why the pair was detained, but the incident took place just a day after Bivol and RISE published the first part of their investigation alleging massive corruption in EU-funded projects in Bulgaria. The investigation focused in part on records from GP Group, a Bulgarian infrastructure company. Journalists found that as much as 40 percent of EU funds were being siphoned away from infrastructure projects and used for illegal payments such as bribes. "It's dangerous to be a journalist in Bulgaria and physical assault is just one of the threats," says Silvia Velikova, a senior journalist from Bulgarian National Radio who covers the judiciary and politics. "Corrupt institutions can arrest you on an ID check, start criminal or tax investigations against you, scare you in interviews, or even have you fired. Faced with those options, journalists may decide not to ask tough questions," she adds. 'Friendly' Media In outlining its concerns for the climate journalists face in the Balkan country, Reporters Without Borders laid part of the blame on the government. It said officials allocated EU funding to some media outlets with "a complete lack of transparency, in effect bribing them to go easy on the government in their reporting or refrain from covering certain problematic stories altogether." In another high-profile case, journalist Dilyana Gaytandzhieva broke news last year that large caches of U.S., Saudi, and Bulgarian weapons were secretly being shipped to Syria. Six weeks after the story was published in the Bulgarian daily Trud, Gaytandzhieva says the State Agency for National Security asked her to come to its offices. She says that two hours after answering questions on leaked documents she used as part of the basis for her story, she was fired by the paper without explanation. "Threats and attacks against journalists have intensified in recent months," the September report noted in the index, which put Bulgaria almost 40 places below Greece, the bloc's second-worst ranking. "It can prove dangerous to be a journalist in Bulgaria. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/journalist-brutal- killing-puts-spotlight-on-bulgaria-s-poor-press- freedom-record/29532322.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Site, Same Protest: Anger Over Border Deal Seethes In Ingushetia RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service October 08, 2018 MAGAS, Russia -- Protests over a border deal with Chechnya show little sign of abating in Ingushetia, where demonstrators have rallied for a fifth straight day in the small southern region's capital and called for the resignation of its longtime leader. On October 8, protesters moved their tents and benches from the central square in Magas to a site in front of the state radio and television company, where the city authorities have allowed them to hold their sit-in through October 15. Many are vowing to persist after that, determined to undo an agreement they say unfairly hands parts of Ingushetia to Chechnya, a larger region to the east that is headed by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. The number of protesters change as some go home to rest and then return to the site. At night there have been hundreds of people, but the crowd has swollen to thousands, including elderly men and women, in the daylight hours. The protesters have organized hot food delivery at their camp, and have been giving speeches nearby close to the central Idris Zyazikov Avenue. Police and security troops, who are monitoring the protest, have joined the demonstrators' Islamic prayers since the first day. Many cars parked near the protest camp are adorned with portraits of Ingushetia's first post-Soviet leader, Ruslan Aushev, who met with protesters on October 7 and publicly expressed his support for them. Aushev criticized Ingushetia's current leadership, saying regional head Yunus-Bek Yevkurov erred by not consulting with the Ingush people before committing to the deal with Chechnya. The agreement, which would exchange what officials described as unpopulated plots of agricultural land, was signed by Yevkurov and Kadyrov on September 26 and approved by the parliaments of both regions last week. Ingush protesters say the deal is detrimental to densely populated Ingushetia, which is closely linked linguistically and ethnically to neighboring Chechnya. Yevkurov tried to meet with the protesters on October 4 -- when the protests first erupted-- but he had to flee after the crowd booed and threw empty water bottles at him. Like many regions of Russia's North Caucasus, Ingushetia is plagued by poverty, high unemployment, corruption, and the threat of Islamic extremism. Chechnya was the site of two devastating separatist wars from 1994-2001 and the epicenter of a subsequent Islamist insurgency that spilled violence across regional borders in the North Caucasus. The two regions used to be parts of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. They split in 1992, a year after the Soviet collapse. There has been little to no outcry to the land swap in Chechnya, where Kadyrov rules unchallenged. He recently threatened the Ingush protesters, saying they "will be held accountable." With reporting by Caucasus Knot, Interfax, and Current Time TV Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/new-site- same-protest-anger-over-border-deal-seethes- in-ingushetia/29532058.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Under New Uzbek Leadership, Even Predecessor's Widow, Family Are In The Crosshairs Mike Eckel October 08, 2018 Uzbek President Shavkhat Mirziyoev has pulled no punches going after those who served under his autocratic predecessor, Islam Karimov. The list of those who have fallen is long -- including hundreds of old guard "rats" in the Finance Ministry, top government officials, and law enforcement agents. But while some immediate relatives of Karimov -- who ruled the country for 27 years until his death in 2016 -- were caught up in the purge, his widow had escaped being targeted. No more, it would seem. In recordings that were recently leaked to RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, Mirziyoev took aim at the economy of the country's Ferghana Valley. He blamed the lack of industry in the vital region on the clan that was widely known to be in control. "Over the past 27 years, not a single new factory has been set up in Ferghana. I should say that it would be more beneficial for us if we throw the whole Ferghana refinery plant into scrap metal," he said. "Those brides from Ferghana completely destroyed this plant. [I am saying it] even if it sounds rough. All of you understand who I am talking about. "Those rats occupied and destroyed everything in Ferghana. That is also the truth. They had control over the Ferghana refinery plant as well," he said. "The gangsters robbed the Ferghana region. All of you know who I am talking about." To close observers of Uzbek politics, the "who" is Tatyana Karimova and her sister-in-law Tamara, whose son -- Tatyana's nephew -- ran the factory in question, and allegedly stole millions in the process. It's unclear exactly why Mirziyoev has now chosen to go after Karimova, though it fits a pattern. Karimov's two daughters, Gulnara Karimova and Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, have been under mounting scrutiny for months -- or in the case of the elder Gulnara, years. "On the one hand, this is totally in the tradition -- in the Soviet, post-Soviet context. You move against the family or the close associates of your predecessor because you see it as necessary to solidify your position," says Jon Purnell, who was the U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan in the early 2000s. "Simple as that. Mirziyoev wants to show that he's now the boss. "On the other hand, it could be a combination. It is that, but it's also that Mirziyoev wants to signal that the kind of corruption -- call it indulgence, what you want -- that went on [under Karimov] will no longer be accepted," he said. "That may be an optimistic view, though." Personnel Purges In the months following Karimov's death, announced in early September 2016, Mirziyoev embarked on an anticorruption campaign that has purged scores of top government officials. That included the powerful head of the country's security service, Ruslan Inoyatov, who many had seen as untouchable even after Karimov's death. And Karimov himself, who during two decades in power cultivated a "father of the nation" image coupled with dictatorial control, also appears to be fair game, under Mirziyoev. Karimov's luster dimmed drastically as authorities made several highly public, symbolic moves against the man once known as the father of the nation. Several state TV journalists reported being given strict instructions not to mention Karimov's name on air. At a state museum in Tashkent, employees reported that all portraits of Karimov were removed. Meanwhile, Karimov's immediate family has been seen in public only sporadically. Tatyana Karimova was last seen publicly in August 2017 at a ceremony dedicating a mausoleum to her husband in Tashkent. The ceremony featured her speaking briefly and laying flowers during the event. Also attending the event was Karimov's younger daughter, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, who was present along with Karimov's granddaughter Iman. Iman's mother -- Lola's sister -- is the once high-flying Gulnara, a former model, diplomat, fashion designer and socialite who was once seen as a possible successor to her father but fell afoul with the Uzbek authorities in the waning months of his rule. She is believed to have been under house arrest or in prison for several years since the Uzbek authorities announced she had been found guilty of a host of corruption charges, but her exact status remains a mystery. The August 2017 ceremony honoring Karimov would be the last time Lola -- who had been stripped or resigned from of all of her state appointments -- would be seen in Uzbekistan. It also marked Iman's last public appearance. She only recently reappeared on radar after an unverified Instagram account believed to hers announced in a series of posts that she was flying home to London. Lola, who now spends her time between Paris and Los Angeles with her husband and children, had been appointed by her father to be Uzbekistan's ambassador to the United Nations' Paris-based cultural organization, UNESCO. Since the 2008 appointment, however, there's been a series of pointed slights, some highlighted by Lola herself, that indicated she and her family had lost access to lucrative business ventures in the country. That includes Abu Sahiy, a sprawling trading complex that had a near monopoly on foreign imported consumer goods under Karimov. The complex was nominally owned by Lola's husband's family, the Tillyaevs, but most observers said the business would not have thrived for so many years without the protective oversight of Lola's father. Still, in December 2017, traders in Uzbekistan reported to RFE/RL that there were growing problems with shipments headed to Abu Sahiy, and that the ownership of the complex, and the companies supplying the goods, had changed. In March, in the clearest indication to date that Lola and her relatives were under new pressure, Uzbek state television broadcast a special nine-minute program in which Abu Sahiy was accused of tax evasion and failure to pay around $55 million in taxes between 2016-17. In response to e-mailed questions from RFE/RL, Mark Raymond, a U.S.-based lawyer for Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, confirmed "the market's ownership has changed. The Tillyaev family does not hold any shares in the market or in the cargo service." He also repeated earlier assertions that Abu Sahiy paid taxes and never enjoyed any exemptions from taxes. In January, Lola complained she was no longer able to travel to Uzbekistan due "extenuating circumstances." In February, she said that she was leaving her post as UNESCO ambassador. A month later, she said she had been forced to leave her ceremonial role as head of the country's gymnastics federation. Her creation and heading of the Islam Karimov Foundation, which promotes her father's legacy and operates programs in Uzbekistan, is one of her few direct ties to her homeland. The purge of business leaders and government officials, including from Karimov's family, under Mirziyoev demonstrates how fragile and undeveloped political institutions are in Uzbekistan. "It highlights the dangerous nexus of politics and business and shows how vulnerable all these people are," says Kate Mallison, a political risk researcher and fellow at the British think tank Chatham House. "They benefited from patronage politics and they weren't subjected to the same kinds of taxes and regulations like other things," she said. "Now investors keep asking the question whether these are genuine reforms undertaken by Mirziyoev or it's just redirecting money to other businesses," she said. Ferghana Brides The economy of the Ferghana Valley, which encompasses border regions of Uzbekistan as well as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is mainly agricultural, but the Uzbek oil refinery there is a major employer, and a major source of refined oil products, as well as hard currency. Beginning in at least 2000, according to Uzbek observers, the factory was under the control of Akbarali Abdullaev, the son of Tamara Sobirova, who is Tatyana Karimova' sister. Many of the Ferghana region's other major business, including hotels, a textile factory, and a quartz-mining operation, were also widely believed to be controlled or overseen by Abdullaev. He was arrested in Ukraine in 2017 at the request of Uzbekistan, which wanted him extradited to face charges of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars. That June, however, he was offered refugee status in Ukraine after he told a court he would be killed if he returned to his home country. Abdullaev's current whereabouts are unknown. Stanislav Pritchin, a researcher affiliated with the Russian Academy of Sciences and Britain's Chatham House, said the transition from Karimov's government to Mirziyoev's is the first for post-Soviet Uzbekistan, and the purges of Uzbekistan's elite, as well as the targeting of Karimov's relatives, are unique among the five former Soviet Central Asian republics. Uzbekistan, he said, "had a high level of personification of power. There are no institutions, only people and personalities." "Islam Karimov and his family were at the center of power and the economy, and, of course, when the personality changed, the system had to be changed," he said. With reporting by RFE/RL Uzbek Service correspondent Sirojiddin Tolibov Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/brides-of-ferghana- under-new-uzbek-leadership-even-predecessor-s-widow-family -are-in-the-crosshairs/29531301.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Envoy Khalilzad In Kabul To Press Peace, Reconciliation Efforts October 08, 2018 The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan is meeting with Afghan leaders in Kabul as part of efforts to reach a peace deal to end the 17-year war with the Taliban. Zalmay Khalilzad, an Afghan-born former U.S. ambassador to Kabul and Iraq, was appointed in September to the U.S. State Department team that is leading the reconciliation effort and peace talks with the Taliban. A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said Khalilzad met with Ghani upon his arrival and was also set to hold talks with senior ministers and top diplomats in Kabul on October 8. The State Department had earlier said Khalilzad would coordinate and lead U.S. efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. It said he would lead an interagency delegation to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia from October 4-14. Khalilzad's visit comes as the Taliban and the Islamic State (IS) militant group have stepped up attacks across the country ahead of long-delayed parliamentary polls, expected to come in less than two weeks. "Peace is a holy process, and the U.S. government and people are united with the Afghan government and people in this process," Ghani's office quoted Khalilzad, 67, as saying after their meeting. The Kabul government has struggled to fend off a resurgent Taliban, IS, and Al-Qaeda militants nearly two decades after a U.S.-led coalition drove the Taliban from power in Afghanistan in 2001. The Taliban has repeatedly rejected offers to hold peace talks with the Afghan government or support the polls set for October 20. IS and Al-Qaeda have not been included in previous cease-fires and are not expected to be part of any reconciliation talks between Kabul and the Taliban. As Khalilzad met with Afghan leaders, the Taliban vowed to do everything in its power to block the upcoming parliamentary elections, calling them an "American conspiracy to further justify the foreign occupation." The militants said on October 8 that they will target anyone who tries to help the election process to succeed, especially the Afghan security forces. "The real solution of the ongoing Afghan crisis lies in the complete withdrawal of all foreign occupying forces and the restoration of a pure Islamic sovereignty," said Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's main spokesman. At least eight parliamentary candidates have been killed across the country in the past two months. Last week in the eastern province of Nangarhar, at least 18 people were killed in a suicide bombing at an election rally. The IS group claimed responsibility for the attack. Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) has said that some 54,000 members of Afghan security forces will be responsible for protecting 5,100 polling stations across the country on election day. More than 2,000 polling stations will be closed for security reasons. With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/khalilzad-envoy-kabul- afghanistan-taliban-pakistan/29531139.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Serb Nationalist Wins Bosnia Presidency Seat In Ethnically Charged Election RFE/RL's Balkan Service October 08, 2018 Bosnian Serb nationalist Milorad Dodik has taken the lead in a vote for his community's seat on Bosnia-Herzegovina's three-member presidency, as the Balkan country awaits final results due later on October 8. The main Bosniak party said its candidate, Sefik Dzaferovic, will be the Muslim representative in the presidency. And Croat voters returned Zelijko Komsic to their presidential seat. Bosnia is split into two entities: the ethnic Serb-dominated Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosniaks and Croats. The two entities are linked by joint state-level institutions, including a tripartite presidency. Voters on October 7 were choosing leaders for the three-member presidency, as well as parliamentary legislatures and canton assemblies in what may be the world's most complicated political system. Turnout was 53.3 percent of the country's 3.3 million eligible voters, election officials said. No major incidents were reported on election day. The Bosnian election commission said Dodik, who has led Republika Srpska since 2006, had 55.2 percent of the vote with 53 percent of ballots counted, topping moderate incumbent Mladen Ivanic with 42 percent. Ivanic conceded defeat. Dodik, who has close links with Russia and favors a split-up of the Balkan country, told a news conference early on October 8 that his "first priority will be the position of the Serb people and of Republika Srspka." "I believe that Bosnia-Herzegovina also may progress if everyone is respected," the head of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats said in Banja Luka, the administrative center of the Serb entity. Dzaferovic of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) was leading for the Bosniak seat in the presidency with 38 percent of the vote. "I am leading and have won the seat in Bosnia's presidency," Dzaferovic told a news conference. Komsic, a Social Democrat who has served two terms in the presidency, was leading with 49.5 percent of the vote over nationalist Dragan Covic from the largest Croat HDZ party. Covic, who had 38 percent, has called for the creation of a separate entity for Croats. Covic conceded defeat but warned of a "never-seen-before" crisis in the country. Komsic sought to reassure all voters, saying, "I will serve all citizens, even if they didn't vote for me." The elections have heightened tensions between Bosniak Muslim and Bosnian Serb officials, who have been at loggerheads since the 1995 U.S.-brokered Dayton peace accords ended the wars that ripped Yugoslavia apart. The vote came with Bosnia sitting at a crossroads: Either it continues to pursue its path toward deeper Euro-Atlantic ties, or its ethnic rivalries further derail progress toward European Union membership and NATO integration. Though the Bosnian war ended in 1995, wounds from the three-year conflict that claimed some 100,000 lives and displaced about 2 million people continue to fester With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-herzegovina-presidency- election-russia-dodik/29530509.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Drone Spotted Flying Near Russian Border Second Time in Two Days Sputnik News 21:58 08.10.2018(updated 22:02 08.10.2018) Late last week, a US Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk flew around Russia's northwestern borders for eleven hours. The latest drone flight, spotted by PlaneRadar, a Russian aviation resource, spotted the US drone taking off from the US airbase at Sigonella, Italy, flying over Greece, through Turkey, through Romania, and into Ukraine, making a loop in the country's east, and then heading southwest around the western and southern coast of Crimea toward Krasnodar, southern Russia. Taking off at 7 am Moscow time, the drone made it to Ukrainian airspace shortly after 9 am, spending close to twelve hours in Ukraine and the Black Sea, wrapping up its mission shortly before 10 pm Moscow time. Additionally, at 18:29 Moscow time, the portal picked up a Boeing P-8A Poseidon spy plane, also flying near Crimea, and occasionally intersecting with the drone's flight path. The US has stepped up its aerial reconnaissance along Russia's borders considerably in recent years, together with the buildup of NATO forces in the region. On Friday, an RQ-4, also taking off from Sigonella, flew through to the Baltic states, making several loops around the exclave of Kaliningrad, and then spending over three hours looping near the border next to Russia's Leningrad and Pskov regions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India, Japan Resume Submarine-Hunting Drill After Five Years Sputnik News 15:58 08.10.2018(updated 21:26 08.10.2018) The current policy of the Indian government dictates that the Indian Navy may not enter into any kind of a collaborative operation or joint patrolling of the South China Sea with the Japanese naval force. However, the two navies intend to augment the maritime capacity of countries in the Indo-Pacific region. India and Japan have resumed the bilateral maritime exercise JIMEX-18 in Indian waters after a hiatus of five years. The eight-day-long JIMEX-18 will include anti-submarine warfare exercises, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) drills, gun firings, cross deck Helo operations and coordinated operations in anti-submarine/ anti-air threat scenarios. The last JIMEX exercises was conducted in Dec 2013 near the Indian city of Chennai. "The conduct of JIMEX-18 after five years is indicative of an upswing in Indo-Japanese defense relations and the continued efforts of both the governments to work closely to enhance the safety and security of the global commons in keeping with 'rule-based order'," a statement issued by the Indian Navy reads. The Indian Navy will be represented by a destroyer, multipurpose stealth frigate, anti-submarine warfare corvette, a missile corvette along with one submarine, P8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft and a number of integral helicopters. JIMEX-18 is aimed to enhancing interoperability, improving understanding between the Indian and Japanese naval forces and allowing the respective forces to observe the best practices of their counterparts. "I will not consider the bilateral exercise at a gap of five years because the navies of the two countries used to engage bilaterally whenever the Malabar exercise was held in Japanese waters. But, yes, this is an indication that Japan is trying to grow its outreach in the Indian Ocean; fundamentally, because it is in urgent need to secure its sea line of communication," Cmde. Abhay K Singh (Retd), Research Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, told Sputnik. In August this year, India and Japan had reaffirmed that they have shared interests in expanding cooperation in the maritime security domain and welcomed the fact that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Indian Navy were working towards the signing of the Implementing Arrangement for Deeper Cooperation. "With the aim of deepening bilateral cooperation in this domain, the (cabinet) ministers also reaffirmed their intention to pursue cooperation in engaging with the countries of the Indo-Pacific, including through their capacity building," the joint statement issued after the India-Japan annual defense ministers' dialogue read. Security analysts believe that India and Japan will jointly prop up the maritime capacity of Vietnam to counter China in the South China Sea, where Hanoi is engaged in a territorial dispute with Beijing. On Monday, Japan and Vietnam agreed on cooperation to secure peace in the South China Sea, saying they were "determined to realize the free and open Indo-Pacific region", which covers the South China Sea. However, going by the present policy of the Indian government, it is very unlikely that the Indian Navy will engage in joint patrolling or any kind of collaboration with the JMSDF in the South China Sea. "I don't think there will be any kind of joint collaboration with Japan in the South China Sea in the near future, which is indicated by the Indian government policy in the recent past as well," Cmde. Abhay K Singh (Retd) concluded. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Stronger' effort must be made to cement peace deal for South Sudanese women and girls: UN Women chief 8 October 2018 - Putting the latest peace deal into real effect across South Sudan, must include addressing "in a stronger manner, the challenges facing women and girls", said the UN's leading voice for gender-equality, who is part of a joint United Nations-African Union delegation to the country this week. The delegation's there to express solidarity with the people and leadership of the country, in support of the peace agreement signed early last month in Addis Ababa by President Salva Kiir and his former deputy and political rival, Riek Machar. Speaking after arriving in the capital, Juba, both UN Peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the head of the UN's gender equality agency, UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said there was a need to focus on those most affected by conflict - vulnerable women and children. South Sudan's development has been stunted by ongoing conflict over the past five years, but there is hope that the new deal will stem the tide of violence across the country, which has resulted in the displacement of more than four million people. "We are currently at a time where the emphasis has to be put on the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix. "We are ready to help, we are ready to support and at the same time ready to say that it is very important to take timefor the implementation to be inclusive." Championing the rights of women who are victims of the conflict, Mr. Lacroix said that women being heard "represents the process of bringing peace to South Sudan." "There is a glimmer of hope now with the peace agreement, but we know much more needs to be done, and we are here to see how we can help that," he said. "The only way to bring durable peace is to build an inclusive peace." While there has been some skepticism about whether the political will exists to implement the peace agreement, the international community hopes that the government and opposition parties will compromise to enable peace to prosper. "The purpose of our visit is to focus on women, peace and security because of the impact of the conflict on women," said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka. "It is to be in solidarity with women and to look at how we can address, in a stronger manner, the challenges that are facing women and girls, especially violence against women." "We want to be sure that all negotiations going forward must include women in a substantive way. Women need to be supported and protectedbut women are also decision makers in their own rights, so it is important to hear their voices," she said. September's peace deal has a 35 percent quota of executive appointments set aside for women, "It's a good step and we would like them to do more," said the UN Women chief. The Africa Union's Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, who is also the chairperson of the African Women's Network on Mediation FemWise, said she wanted to encourage the women of South Sudan and tell them to join men in the struggle to develop the country. Referring to the peace agreement, she said: "What is happening in South Sudan gives us a lot of hope, and with hope, there is innovation, with hope there is rebirth." She challenged South Sudan's leaders to end the conflict and work together for peace. "The dream of silencing the guns in Africa is here, and it is up to us to take it take the bull by the horns now, in South Sudan, to make sure that this region which has been dubbed the Great Lakes Region of conflict, becomes the Great Lakes Region of peace and prosperity," she said. Female UN police and military personnel held discussions with the joint-delegation which stressed the need for increased numbers of women serving in peacekeeping missions. "We are convinced that peacekeeping with more women is more effective peacekeeping," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix. "We heard from their experiences. We heard about the challenges they are facing. He said that with more women in the UN Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, and with more women in peacekeeping operations in general, "we are better at engaging with the population, we are better at creating trust [and] confidence, and therefore we are better at building peace." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Vows to Attack and Disrupt Afghan Elections By Ayaz Gul October 08, 2018 The Taliban has ordered its fighters to attack authorities and security forces who are helping organize this month's parliamentary elections in Afghanistan, denouncing the process as "fake" and "completely bogus." The Islamist insurgency in a statement issued Monday called on candidates and voters to boycott the polls, insisting they are being held "for the sole purpose of legitimizing those stooges who are authorized by the occupying forces" in Afghanistan. While responding to the Taliban's first direct threat to disrupt the elections, a U.S. military spokesman noted the upcoming Afghan democratic process is moving ahead despite the challenge. "The enemies of Afghanistan pledging to kill people who want to participate in democracy. Encouraging to see the work being done to hold secure and inclusive balloting even with all the challenges," tweeted Colonel Day Butler (@USFOR_A) The long-delayed elections are scheduled for October 20. More than 2,500 candidates, including 418 women, are competing for the 249 seats in the lower House of Parliament, the Wolesi Jirga. The Afghan government plans to deploy 54,000 soldiers and policemen to ensure voters' safety on the polling day. Thousands of U.S-led NATO forces in the country have also vowed to assist Afghan authorities in holding the elections. "Those people who are trying to help in holding this process successfully by providing security, should be targeted and no stone should be left unturned for the prevention and failure of this malicious American conspiracy," said the Taliban statement. The insurgent announcement has raised concerns of more harm to Afghan civilians amid United Nations warnings that civilian casualties have reached new highs in 2018. "The Islamic Emirate (the Taliban) instructs all its Mujahidin (warriors) to halt this American-led process throughout the country by creating severe obstacles for it," said the insurgent statement. It also urged Taliban fighters to avoid harm to Afghan civilians, though the United Nations has blamed the insurgency for hurting more civilians this year. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warned in a new report on Sunday that insurgent plotted suicide attacks and other improvised explosive devices or IEDs continue to inflict civilian casualties. "Between 1 January and 30 September 2018, UNAMA documented 3,634 civilian casualties (1,065 deaths and 2,569 injured) from suicide and non-suicide IED attacks. These casualty figures include 247 women casualties (72 deaths and 175 injured) and 608 child casualties (155 deaths and 453 injured)," UNAMA noted. The Taliban statement on Monday again called on all U.S. and NATO forces to leave Afghanistan, saying this is the only way to end the war, which marked its 17th anniversary on Sunday. Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has arrived in Kabul to push for peace and reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban. A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said Khalilzad met with Ghani upon his arrival on Sunday. The U.S. envoy will also travel to neighboring Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar where the Taliban maintains its so-called "Political Office". The insurgent group has ruled out talks with the Kabul government and has been demanding direct negotiations with the U.S., blaming it for starting the war. A senior American official for regional diplomacy, Alice Wells, held a "preliminary" meeting with the Taliban in Qatar last July and Khalilzad is expected to further this contact when he visits the Gulf country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroon Counts Votes in Presidential Election By Moki Edwin Kindzeka October 08, 2018 Cameroon is counting votes after Sunday's presidential election, which officials and African Union observers described as largely successful. Authorities reported minor irregularities and some election-related violence, but said it was not enough to influence the outcome of the poll. Official results are not expected for two weeks. Erick Essouse, director general of elections at the election management body ELECAM, says the vote went fairly smoothly in both the English- and French-speaking regions of Cameroon. "Certain minor incidents were observed in a few polling stations caused by verbal abuse from one or two candidates who clearly sought here and there to disturb public order," he said, adding, "Such abuses are not acceptable in our democracy of appeasement and tolerance." More than 7,000 observers, including the African Union, monitored Cameroon's election. Arthene Kwessi Selaeodai Ahooney-zena, head of the AU observer mission, says no major incidents were observed that could influence the results, even though there were reports of fighting in the restive English-speaking regions. He says the AU did not send observers to those regions, but monitored from a distance. Cameroonian authorities reported that a priest and three separatists were killed a day before the election in the country's Anglophone region in clashes with security forces. Anglophone separatists want autonomous rule from the government in Yaounde and had vowed on social media to prevent Sunday's election. With security high in Cameroon's English-speaking northwest and southwest, the separatists were unable to carry out their threat. Businessman Desmund Abefuh, from the English-speaking town of Bamenda, says he voted despite the threat, and is anxious to know the results. President Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon for 36 years and is expected to win another seven-year term. Cameroon's fractured opposition was unable to rally behind a strong challenger to the 85-year-old leader. Nonetheless, some supporters of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement Party (CRM) candidate, Maurice Kamtos, are claiming victory. Lawyer Akere Muna withdrew his candidacy at the last minute and threw his support behind Kamtos. Muna says he was shocked to find his ballot papers in polling stations when he had written to request ELECAM to withdraw them. He alleges such acts are to facilitate fraud and can have serious consequences. However, ELECAM says Muna gave them only one day's notice before the vote, so there was not enough time to withdraw his name from ballots in all 25,000 polling stations. Territorial administration minister Paul Atanga Nji says it is a crime to speculate on election results before they become official. "The official proclamation of results is an exclusive right of the constitutional council and no one has the right to substitute to this legal body," he said. "Any form of challenge to the verdict of the polls other than the constitutional legal means will not be tolerated." Despite threats from separatists, Biya's party campaigned in the northwest over the weekend under heavy security. All eight of his opposition challengers either avoided the two English-speaking regions or were chased out. Anglophone separatists began a violent campaign in northwest and southwest Cameroon one year ago, citing alleged discrimination and oppression by the country's French-speaking majority. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK practicing major cyberattacks against Russia: Report Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 10:56AM The UK government has been practicing large-scale cyberattacks that could cause black outs across Russia, British officials say, amid an ongoing war of words between the two sides over a range of foreign policy issues. London has taken an aggressive line with Moscow over the past months, accusing it of increased submarine activity near British waters, poisoning a former Russian double-agent and more importantly, carrying out regular hacking attacks against British infrastructure. The Sunday Times first broke the news of the secret drills, citing unnamed officials familiar with the matter. "If they sank our aircraft carrier with a nuclear-tipped torpedo, what is our response? There's nothing between sinking their submarine and dropping a nuclear weapon on northern Kamchatka," one official said. "This is why cyber is so important; you can go on the offensive and turn off the lights in Moscow to tell them that they are not doing the right things," the official added. Last week, British officials accused Moscow of carrying out on the international chemical weapons watchdog, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). London alleged that the attempts to hack the organization showed that Russia was behind the March attack in Salisbury, during which ex-spy Sergey Skripal and his daughter were targeted by Russian nerve agent Novichok. British officials also charged that the hacking attack was aimed at derailing a pending analysis of chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The US and more recently the Netherlands have also accused the Kremlin of orchestrating similar cyberattacks. According to the report, British military planners were also drawing up plans to use "irregular forces" in order to counter possible Russian moves against the NATO military alliance in the Baltic Region as well as other parts of the world. Russia has time and again denied the Western accusations, dismissing them as "Russophobic hysteria." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump announced that Nikki Haley has resigned as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and will be leaving her post at the end of the year. During a meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said that while he is sorry to see Haley go, she had told him in advance that she wanted to take a break after having served for two years helping advance the administration's foreign policy agenda. Haley also reportedly told her staff that she intended to resign, according to one State Department source. Shes done a fantastic job and weve done a fantastic job together, Trump said during the meeting with the outgoing ambassador on Tuesday. Were all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose you. Haley pointed to accomplishments over the past two years ranging from talks with North Korea about denuclearization, improving dialogue with Russia, moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and taking a harder line with Iran. She added that she relished going into meetings with foreign leaders with "body armor every day to defend America." "It has been an honor of a lifetime," Haley said. "Now the United States is respected. Countries might not like what we do, but they respect what we do. Now if we say we're going to do something, we follow through...whether it's the chemical weapons in Syria, whether it's with NATO and other countries have to pay their share, whether it's the trade deals, which has been amazing. They get that the president means business and we follow through with that." Haley's departure brings her career with the Trump administration on the world stage full circle. In the Republican response to the 2016 State of the Union address, she urged members of her party to resist following the angriest voices, which was seen as a subtle jab at Trump, even though she didnt refer to him by name. In December, she famously told countries critical of America's decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem that the US will be taking names of countries who vote in favor of a U.N. resolution criticizing the move. By the time of her last high-profile appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in September, when she appeared alongside President Trump, she had earned a reputation among world leaders as a someone who would promote American foreign policy but also serve as a moderating voice in the room. Haley has been the UN ambassador since January 2017. Prior to that, she served as the Governor of South Carolina a role she became famous for when she called for the Confederate battle flag to be removed from the State House in the wake of the deadly shooting in a historic African American church in Charleston. Long rumored as a potential presidential candidate, Haley shot down that speculation and said she planned to campaign for the president during his re-election effort. She echoed that pledge in her resignation letter, a missive which was dated Oct. 3, and which ABC News has obtained. "I will once again become a private citizen," Haley wrote of her life after her U.N. post tenure ends. "I expect to continue to speak out from time to time on important public policy matters, but I will surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020. As a private citizen, I look forward to supporting your re-election as President and supporting the policies that will continue to move our great country toward even greater heights." With Haley's resignation, she joins the list of Trump administration officials to leave after less than two years in office. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. With boundaries blurring between crime and terror, international cooperation's vital, UN highlights 8 October 2018 - The constantly-evolving 'nexus' between crime and terrorism, ranging from simple deals to complex symbiotic relationships, demands greater understanding to break the illicit flow of black-market cash across borders, a United Nations meeting heard on Monday. Terror groups are getting increasingly-involved in "lucrative" criminal activities such as trading in natural resources and human trafficking, Michele Coninsx, the Executive Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), told the Security Council briefing on the issue. Similarly, criminal groups join hands with terrorists, and are providing services such as counterfeiting, arms dealing, and helping to smuggle terrorists from one country to another, she said. "We know that terrorist groups recruit individuals with criminal background or criminal skills, and petty crimes are committed to finance terrorist activities, including travel of foreign terrorist fighters," explained Ms. Coninsx, noting that conflicts and instability further entrench such deal-making. The head of CTED said her office and other parts of the UN counter-terror effort, such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), were working together to address the scourge. She also highlighted the Executive Directorate's work with UN Member States, identifying good practices, including joint investigative units and effective prosecution mechanisms, to handle organized crime and terrorism. Looking ahead, Ms. Coninsx urged the international community to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism and its support structures, especially to identify new terrorist trends, map linkages between terrorists and criminal groups, and share information more effectively. Links between organized crime and terrorism 'not new' At the briefing, Gustavo Meza-Cuadra Velasquez, the Chair of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), said that the links between terrorism and international crime syndicates is not new and has been high on the agenda of the Security Council as well as the General Assembly, for a long time. Mr. Velasquez, also the Permanent Representative of Peru to the UN, highlighted the importance of international instruments in particular, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its supplementary Protocols and Security council resolutions - for countries to disrupt criminal and terrorist groups. In that context, he reiterated that development of an effective response to growing nexus between terror and crime, should remain one of the highest priorities during his leadership of the Committee. 'Blurring lines' between organized crime and terrorism Speaking alongside UN officials, Laura Adal, a senior analyst at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, said that the use of violence and threat of violence employed by both terrorists and criminal groups, tends to "blur the lines" between the two. While dynamics of individual groups are unique and highly localized, both criminal and terrorist groups contribute to instability and undermine governance, and both rely on the "strategic" use of violence said Ms. Adal. Responding to the crime-terror nexus must take into account their propensity towards violence and intimidation, she said, calling for greater efforts to strengthen rule of law, democratic governance and development. At the same time, ensuring that Governments and societies allow the benefits of development to reach all citizens, is equally vital, added Ms. Adal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brazil's Top Presidential Candidate Falls Few Points Short of Outright Win By VOA News October 08, 2018 With more than 99 percent of votes counted, far-right Brazilian candidate Jair Bolsonaro won the first round of the presidential election with 46 percent of the ballots. The surprising win was not enough, however, to prevent him from avoiding a run-off election on October 28. Bolsonaro, 63, was the unexpected front-runner going into Sunday's election, and fell just a few points short of winning the 50 percent of votes needed to win the presidency outright. He is a far-right former Army captain who has praised the country's past military dictatorship and has insulted women and gay people, as well as the country's black and indigenous populations. He once told a female politician that she was too ugly for him to rape and said that he would not be able to love a gay son. Bolsonaro's views have earned him the nickname of "Tropical Trump," a reference to the controversial U.S. president. He has also promised to crackdown on crime by loosening controls on Brazil's already deadly police forces. A "step backwards," is how Barbara Aires, a transgender woman described Bolsonaro's victory. She said the politician's win could lead to "taking back rights and more violence toward the LGBT community." The election in Latin America's largest economy follows the revelation of a huge political corruption scandal in Brazil, one of the largest corruption scandals in Latin American history. Bolsonaro's closest rival was leftist candidate Fernando Haddad, who has 28 percent of the vote. Haddad is a stand-in for former President Luiz Inacio da Silva, who is jailed and was barred from running. Although the two men come from different sides of the political spectrum, each ran a campaign based on nostalgia for a return to traditional values and better, simpler times. "I voted against thievery and corruption,'' Mariana Prado, 54, a human resources expert, told the Associated Press. "I know that everyone promises to end these two things, but I feel Bolsonaro is the only one can help end my anxieties.'' However, Monica de Bolle, director of Latin American Studies at Johns Hopkins University, told AP, "These are the strangest elections I've ever seen. It's shaping up to be a contest between the two weakest candidates possible." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China calls on US to stop 'misguided actions,' pursue cooperation Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 03:28PM China has called on the United States to stop its "misguided actions" amid worsening bilateral relations in the wake of hefty trade tariffs and recent allegations of Beijing's meddling in the upcoming US midterm elections. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks as he received his US counterpart Mike Pompeo at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Monday. The two engaged in a bitter exchange of criticism after the top US diplomat arrived in the Chinese capital on the final leg of a three-day East Asia tour focused on North Korea's nuclear program. Wang told Pompeo that Washington has "stepped up rhetoric over trade tensions" after a raft of tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars in US and Chinese goods. The top Chinese diplomat also accused the US of making "a series of moves" on Taiwan a self-ruling island that Beijing regards as a breakaway province and "other issues" that harm his country's sovereignty. "These actions have affected the mutual trust between both sides, and has cast a shadow over the prospect of China-US relations, which completely go against the interest of our two peoples," Wang said. "We require that the US stop such misguided actions," he said, adding that the two countries should pursue cooperation and "not descend into conflict and confrontation." The US secretary of state responded to Wang's remarks by saying that the two countries were stuck in a "fundamental disagreement," expressing hope that they could make progress on resolving their differences. "We have great concerns over the actions that China has taken and I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss each of those today because this is an incredibly important relationship," Pompeo said. The top US diplomat also lamented the cancelation of a meeting between US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart, which was supposed to take place this month in Beijing, saying the forum was an "important opportunity" for discussion. Tensions have increased between US and China in recent months, with the two sides imposing several rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs on each other's imports. Last week, US Vice President Mike Pence accused China of making "malign" efforts to undermine President Donald Trump ahead of next month's congressional elections and of reckless military actions in the South China Sea. China hit back at Pence's allegations, saying the vice president "slandered China by claiming that China meddles in US internal affairs and elections." "This is nothing but speaking on hearsay evidence, confusing right and wrong and creating something out of thin air," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ex-Interpol Chief Probed Over 'Taking and Giving' Bribes, Other Crimes in China Sputnik News 08:47 08.10.2018(updated 09:28 08.10.2018) Meng Hongwei resigned as Interpol president on Sunday, after Beijing officials confirmed that he was under investigation in China on suspicion of various crimes including bribery. It had emerged earlier that he hadn't been heard from since September 25, when he traveled to China from France. Former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei is under investigation for suspected bribery, China's Ministry of Public Security said in a statement on its website on Monday. The ministry alleged that Hongwei had "accepted bribes," adding that any others who took bribes would be probed. "The investigation against Meng Hongwei's taking and giving bribes and suspected legal violations is very timely, absolutely correct and rather wise." The 64-year-old Hongwei, who also serves as China's deputy public security minister, left Interpol's top post on Sunday. His resignation came the same day the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China announced that Hongwei was under investigation in China. "Deputy Public Security Minister Meng Hongwei is suspected of breaking the law. The National Supervisory Commission is currently investigating him," the statement read. Hongwei's wife, who resides in the French city of Lyon where the global policing body is headquartered, reported him missing to police after having not heard from him since September 25, when he traveled from France to his native China. Later on, Chinese media said that he was detained soon after landing on suspicion of providing assistance to a certain company in obtaining a cybersecurity agreement. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, China Trade Criticism in Testy Beijing Meeting By VOA News October 08, 2018 U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told his Chinese counterpart Monday the United States has "grave concerns" about China's actions on several fronts, including human rights and the South China Sea. "We have a fundamental disagreement," Pompeo told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Both men used unusually blunt language for such a diplomatic setting. Wang accused the U.S. of escalating trade tensions with China, and said Washington was dealing with Taiwan in a way that "harms China's core interests." Beijing considers the self-ruled island part of its territory. The U.S. is obligated to come to Taiwan's aid if China tries to take back the island by force. Monday's meeting came days after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and trying to interfere in upcoming U.S. elections. A U.S. readout issued after Monday's meeting said Pompeo "directly addressed areas where the United States and China do not agree, including on the South China Sea and human rights. He emphasized the importance of maintaining cross-Strait peace and stability." Both men also spoke on the need for greater cooperation. "We believe China and the U.S. should stick to the correct path of cooperation and win-win, rather than be mired in a wrong path full of conflicts and confrontations," Wang said. The U.S. and China are also in the middle of a trade war in which both sides have slapped billions of dollars in tariffs on each other's imports. "I think part of the Chinese anger that Wang Yi displayed was a sign that the Chinese are getting very uncomfortable with the trade war, and that they always thought that the United states would stop. And that clearly is not what the United States is doing," Victor Cha, a professor at Georgetown University and former director for Asian Affairs in the White House's National Security Council, told VOA. Cha said he foresees the U.S. -Chinese relationship on what he calls a "very confrontation track," at least though next month's U.S. elections, if not longer. North Korea cooperation One area of clear cooperation is North Korea. The U.S. is trying to convince the North to give up its nuclear weapons. China is North Korea's closest ally. The State Department said Pompeo and Wang "reaffirmed their shared resolve to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, as agreed to by Chairman Kim (Jong Un) in Singapore." The North Korean leader and U.S. President Donald Trump met for the first time there in June for a historic summit. "The United States and China remain unified on our pressure campaign and are committed to a bright future for the DPRK if Pyongyang denuclearizes quickly," the statement added. Pompeo traveled to China from South Korea, where he met with President Moon Jae-in to discuss North Korea. Moon later thanked Pompeo for the visit and expressed well wishes for a potential second summit between Kim and Trump. Pompeo said that while he was in Pyongyang, he and Kim "refined options for the location and date" for the "upcoming second summit." Pompeo later said in a tweet, "Had a good trip to #Pyongyang to meet with Chairman Kim. We continue to make progress on agreements made at Singapore Summit. Thanks for hosting me and my team @StateDept." Pompeo had said the goal of his meeting with North Korea was "to make sure we understand what each side is truly trying to achieve, and how we can deliver against the commitments that were made" in Singapore. Ira Mellman, Kenneth Schwartz contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pompeo briefs S Korea on tour to DPRK People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:00, October 08, 2018 U.S. State Department said here on Sunday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday had briefed South Korea on his just concluded travel to the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK). According to a statement issued by State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, Pompeo visited Seoul on Oct. 7-8 and met with the country's president and foreign minister "to give a readout of his October 7 trip to Pyongyang." Pompeo "briefed on his meeting with Chairman Kim, which included his introducing Chairman Kim to Special Representative for North Korea Biegun as his chief negotiator, plans for a second U.S.-DPRK summit, and discussions on achieving the commitments of the June Singapore Summit including the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK as committed to by Chairman Kim and President Trump," the statement read. In a related development, the DPRK is demanding the United States take steps to secure Pyongyang's trust before its denuclearization. "Without any trust in the U.S. there will be no confidence in our national security and under such circumstances there is no way we will unilaterally disarm ourselves first," DPRK's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho told the UN General Assembly last week. Pompeo and his South Korean counterpart "also re-affirmed their commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance and continued close coordination with Japan on a unified response to the DPRK." According to an earlier statement also issued by Nauert, Pompeo, during his stay in Pyongyang, "held productive discussions" with the country's top leader Kim Jong Un on Sunday, when they discussed the four elements of the U.S.-DPRK Singapore Summit Joint Statement, the upcoming second summit between the two countries' top leaders, and options for the location and date of that next summit. Pompeo and Kim also agreed to instruct their respective working-level teams to meet soon to intensify discussions on the key remaining issues to deliver on the Singapore statement, and Kim invited inspectors to visit the Punggye Ri nuclear test site to confirm that it has been irreversibly dismantled, the U.S. State Department said. "President Trump looks forward to continuing to build upon the trust established with Chairman Kim in Singapore and anticipates meeting again soon," it added. This has been his third tour to the DPRK since he became the U.S. secretary of state. He will also travel to Beijing, according to both China and the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S., DPRK agree to hold 2nd Trump-Kim summit at earliest possible date: Pompeo People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 07:59, October 08, 2018 The United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to hold the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un at an earliest possible date, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday. Pompeo made the remarks during his meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the presidential complex in Seoul, after visiting Pyongyang earlier in the day and meeting with the DPRK leader, according to the presidential Blue House of South Korea. The top U.S. diplomat said he and Kim shared view over the holding of the second U.S.-DPRK summit as quickly as possible, while the U.S. and the DPRK sides agreed to continue consultations to determine an exact date and venue for the second Trump-Kim summit. The first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit was held in Singapore on June 12. Under a joint statement signed by Trump and Kim, the United States would be providing security guarantee to the DPRK in return for Pyongyang's commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. During his visit to Pyongyang, Pompeo said that he also discussed the denuclearization measures, which the DPRK takes, and the U.S. government's observation of the measures, while discussing the corresponding measures from the U.S. side to the DPRK actions. Additional measures for the denuclearization were discussed during the third summit between the leaders of the two Koreas in Pyongyang in September. Under the joint declaration signed by Moon and Kim, the DPRK said it was willing to continue with additional steps toward denuclearization, such as the permanent dismantlement of its main Yongbyon nuclear facilities if the United States takes corresponding actions. Pompeo told Moon that the U.S. and the DPRK sides agreed to form each working-level negotiation team to discuss the denuclearization process and schedule for the second U.S.-DPRK summit. Moon told Pompeo that he hoped a great success of the second U.S.-DPRK summit to be held, vowing to make all possible efforts South Korea can do. In his introductory remarks, Pompeo said his visit to Pyongyang was very good and he had productive talks in the DPRK, noting that the two countries walked another step forward though there were lots of things left to do. Pompeo told Moon that it was very important for him to travel to Seoul right after visiting the DPRK as it indicated South Korea having a very important role in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Moon expressed his hope that Pompeo's visit to the DPRK and the upcoming second summit between Trump and Kim become an opportunity to make an irreversible, decisive progress in the denuclearization and peace process on the peninsula. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea agrees to allow inspectors into nuclear, missile sites: Pompeo Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 07:46AM US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has agreed to allow inspectors into the country's key nuclear and missile testing sites, following their meeting in the North's capital, Pyongyang. Pompeo, who had a short trip to the country on Sunday, told a news briefing in the South's capital, Seoul, that international inspectors would be allowed access to a missile engine test facility and the Punggye-ri nuclear testing site as soon as the two sides agree on logistics. "There's a lot of logistics that will be required to execute that," Pompeo said before leaving for the Chinese capital, Beijing. He said the two sides agreed to set up "working-level" negotiating teams to finalize the date and time for a summit between Kim and President Donald Trump, who met for the first time in Singapore in June. Pompeo also met South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Seoul, and told him that his trip to Pyongyang was "another step forward" to denuclearization, but that there are still "many steps along the way." The visit to Pyongyang, the fourth this year, followed a stalemate in talks after the two sides agreed in Singapore to work toward denuclearization. Thus far, the North has been taking several steps toward the goal, including the suspension of missile and nuclear tests, while the American side has taken no moves in return. The North had denounced the US diplomat on his previous visit to Pyongyang in July, saying Pompeo was making "gangster-like demands." The US diplomat did not meet Kim on that trip. This time, however, Pyongyang's reaction to the visit was positive. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited Kim on Monday as saying, "Progress is being made implementing the decisions he reached with Trump in Singapore in June." "Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction over the productive and wonderful talks with Mike Pompeo at which mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged," said the news agency. It also confirmed that agreement had been reached to hold a second summit "as soon as possible." The state news agency did not mention any inspection-related issue, though. Kim had agreed to allow the inspectors into country when he hosted Moon Jae-in last month in Pyongyang. He also said he was prepared to permanently dismantle his country's main nuclear site at Yongbyon, but only if the United States took "corresponding steps" to build trust. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea's Kim Agrees To Second Trump Summit, Seoul Says RFE/RL October 08, 2018 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has agreed to a second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, South Korea says. The comments by South Korea's presidential office on October 7 come after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Seoul following what he called "productive" talks on denuclearization in North Korea earlier in the day. The South Korean statement reported Pompeo said that "he agreed with Chairman Kim to hold the second U.S.-North Korea summit at the earliest date possible." No specific date was set. Trump met Kim in Singapore in June for an historic summit. The leaders hailed major agreements toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but little progress, if any, has been made since. Pompeo did not immediately comment on the South Korean report of a second summit. But after meeting with Kim, he tweeted, "We continue to make progress on agreements made at Singapore Summit. Thanks for hosting me and my team." Pompeo said at a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on October 7 that he had "a good productive conversation" with Kim, in talks which represented "another step forward. Kim hailed his "nice meeting" with Pompeo and told the top U.S. diplomat that it was "a very nice day that promises a good future...for both countries." South Korea's Moon said the "whole world" was watching Pompeo's Asia visit. "I hope your trip to North Korea and the upcoming second U.S.-North Korea summit will provide a good opportunity for achieving irreversible, decisive progress in terms of denuclearization and the peace process on the Korean Peninsula." The secretary of state will also visit China, North Korea's main ally, on this trip. With reporting by AFP and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pompeo-hails-productive- talks-with-north-korean-leader/29530239.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea's Kim Hopes for 'Great Progress' at Next Trump Summit Reports Sputnik News 06:06 08.10.2018(updated 06:10 08.10.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Monday he expected significant results at his second meeting with US President Donald Trump, in a message carried by state media. "The Supreme Leader expressed his will and conviction that a great progress would surely be made in solving the issues of utmost concern of the world and in attaining the goal set forth at the last talks with the projected second DPRK-U.S. summit talks as an occasion," the KCNA news agency reported. The statement followed Kim's meeting with US State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Sunday, who came to Pyongyang to discuss a path toward the North's denuclearization and make arrangements for the summit, which will reportedly take place "as early as possible." The two had "productive and wonderful talks," the agency said, including on the prospects for stepping up bilateral communication and contacts between the two countries. South Korea's Dong-A Ilbo said the officials discussed the creation by Pyongyang and Washington of a coordination bureau. The paper stressed that Sunday talks were the first time the sides had discussed US response to North Korea's action toward abandoning its nuclear weapons. Since the beginning of the year as Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un held three bilateral meetings that resulted in a joint pledge to reach a peace treaty. Earlier, Kim reached an accord with Donald Trump that stipulated North Korea would make efforts to promote complete denuclearization in exchange for the suspension of US-South Korean military drills as well as potential sanctions relief. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Second Trump-Kim Appears Closer, Experts Still Await Concrete Denuclearization Steps By Steve Miller October 08, 2018 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made his fourth trip to Pyongyang Sunday. During his day-long trip to North Korea, Pompeo and leader Kim Jong Un agreed to arrange a second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump "as soon as possible." Pompeo called the talks with Kim, productive and "another step forward" to denuclearization. However, experts aren't as confident. Secretary Pompeo traveled to Seoul immediately after his meeting with Kim, where he met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha. Moon expressed hope that a second Trump-Kim summit would make "irreversible, decisive progress in terms of denuclearization as well as the peace process." Moon said South Korea will do everything it can to assist in facilitating a successful second US-North Korea summit. He also said the two sides will organize a working-level negotiating team to discuss the denuclearization process and the schedule of the summit. On Monday, North Korea's state-run news agency, KCNA, said Kim described the meeting with Pompeo as "productive and wonderful." "Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over the productive and wonderful talks with Mike Pompeo at which mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged," the KCNA said, adding "Together with Mike Pompeo, Kim Jong Un appreciated the positively developing situation on the Korean peninsula, explained in detail the proposals for solving the denuclearization issue and matters of concern of both sides and exchanged constructive opinions." The KCNA said Kim believed favorable dialogue between the two countries would continue "based on the deep confidence between the two leaders of the two countries" and that he expressed thanks to the U.S. leader for making a sincere effort to implement the agreements reaching in Singapore during their first summit. Although one U.S. official on the trip described the meeting with Kim as "better than the last time," that official also noted, "it's going to a long haul." Experts temper future outcomes South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Monday that Pompeo's trip to North Korea also appears to have been successful, but would not elaborate, even though the two shared a working dinner regarding its results the previous night. The State Department once more reported that Kim had invited inspectors to visit the Punggye-ri nuclear test site to verify it has been irreversibly dismantled. But in an interview with Reuters news agency, Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at California's Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said, "Like everything else Kim has done, it is a gesture that mimics disarmament that isn't actually disarmament." Cheon Seong Whun, teaching research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, was critical, calling the outcome of Pompeo's fourth visit to Pyongyang "much lower" than everybody expected. "When Pompeo decided to visit Pyongyang this meeting actually raised the hope or expectation that something important [or] substantial would come out of this meeting. But if you look at the read-out [of the meeting], there' nothing detailed," said Cheon. "I'm still cautiously pessimistic," said Grant Newsham, Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo. Newsham told VOA that Pompeo has the best insight of the developments, since he's directly involved with the behind closed door discussions with North Korea. "But I think everybody's waiting for something concrete to come out [of the talks], where the North Koreans really give up something in exchange for the Americans making a concession." Is North Korea serious? A long-held sticking point in denuclearization talks with North Korea has been the divergent view on the procedural steps to achieve it. Washington continues to assert that international sanctions will remain in place until Pyongyang completes the process, while North Korea has called for various "corresponding measures" as it denuclearizes. Many analysts believe what North Korea is looking for from the United States is a declaration ending the Korean War. Newsham says President Trump may be inclined to offer that end of war declaration, if the U.S. thinks it will get something substantial out of doing so, like a declaration of the North's nuclear and missile programs and to allow open inspections {to nuclear testing sites like Yongbyong}. "But until the North gives up something meaningful as a concession I think one is properly skeptical... [that North Korea is] playing a game which we've seen many times over," said Newsham. To that end, while the United States is committed to denuclearizing North Korea, Cheon says North Korea has an obsession to possess nuclear capabilities. He says it may become a question if the Trump administration "will regard a partial resolution as a success or conclude that North Korea's denuclearization is not feasible at the moment." Newsham adds that one way Pyongyang could signal its commitment to the process, would be to move back their artillery and missiles from within striking distance of Seoul. "That's the one thing I would consider a real concession on the part of North Korea, as it would be giving up [their] 'ace in the hole' that they've had for a long time," said Newsham. He added that the proximity of North Korean weapons to Seoul had hindered efforts by both American and South Korean administrations for decades. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India to Pursue Independent Policy Despite US Sanctions Threat Over S-400 Army Sputnik News 17:13 08.10.2018(updated 17:16 08.10.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) India will purchase the Russian S-400 Triumph air defense systems and pursue an independent security policy despite the US threats to introduce sanctions over the deal, Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army Gen. Bipin Rawat said. "When Russians asked about the American sanctions, my reply was, 'Yes, we do appreciate that there could be sanctions on us, but we follow an independent policy. You can rest assured. While we may be associating with America in getting some technology, we follow an independent policy,'" Rawat said on Sunday, as quoted by the ANI news agency. The general also pointed out that India sought the purchases of the Russian-made Kamov helicopters. "We are also looking forward to getting other weapon systems and technologies. We are looking forward to getting space-based systems and technologies to enhance our space capabilities," Rawat added. Director General of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev said on Friday that Russia began to implement the contract on supplies of S-400 to India. On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik that Russia and India had signed a historic agreement on the supplies of S-400s to New Delhi. The United States voiced its concern over the Indian plans to purchase the S-400 systems, noting that sanctions over the deal could not be ruled out. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India to Pursue Independent Policy Despite Sanctions Threat Over S-400 General Sputnik News 09:18 08.10.2018(updated 09:19 08.10.2018) The $5.4 billion deal to supply Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missiles to India was signed by the two countries in New Delhi on Friday. The delivery of the S-400s is reportedly due to begin in October 2020. India's Chief of Amy Staff General Bipin Rawat has signaled his country's resolve to pursue an independent policy in the face of looming US sanctions over New Delhi's purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems. "When Russians asked about the American sanctions, my reply was, 'Yes, we do appreciate that there could be sanctions on us, but we follow an independent policy. You can be rest assured. While we may be associating with America in getting some technology, we follow an independent policy'," Rawat underscored. He added that Russia is "very keen" on collaborating with the Indian Army because "we are a strong army, capable of standing up for what is right for us, based on our strategic thought-process." Rawat also said that the Indian Armed Forces are considering purchasing Kamov helicopters and other weapon systems from Russia. The statement came following Rawat's six-day visit to Russia where he met the country's highest-ranking military officials to discuss bilateral defense cooperation. Earlier, the Russian President's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that India and Russia had signed the $5.4 billion S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile deal on Friday during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi. The delivery of the five advanced S-400 batteries will reportedly begin in October 2020 despite the looming threat of US financial sanctions against India. The US has repeatedly tried to prevent other countries from buying the S-400 systems from Russia, particularly by invoking its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) which stipulates punitive measures for any third party that carries out major transactions with sanctioned Russian companies. For its part, India has more than once made it clear that the US sanctions would not keep it from making crucial purchases from Russia. Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described CAATSA as American legislation rather than a UN law, stressing that India would go ahead with the implementation of the S-400 deal. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On U.S. Appearance Before the International Court of Justice Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Washington, DC October 8, 2018 Today, oral proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began in The Hague in a case brought by Iran against the United States, Certain Iranian Assets. As I have stated previously, Iran's filings before the ICJ are a misuse of the Court for political and propaganda purposes. Iran brought this case in 2016 to challenge measures the United States adopted to deter Iran's support for terrorist attacks against the United States and others, as well as to respond to other internationally destabilizing actions taken by Iran. These measures include allowing victims of terrorism to recover damages from Iran and Iranian entities in U.S. courts. The actions at the root of this case, among many others, involve the Iran-sponsored bombing of the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983, which killed 241 U.S. peacekeepers. We owe it to our fallen heroes, their families, and the victims of Iran's terrorist activities to vigorously defend against the Iranian regime's meritless claims this week in The Hague, where we will show that Iran's case should be dismissed. We will continue to fight against the scourge of Iran's terrorist activities in all venues and will continue to increase the pressure on this outlaw state. These malign activities by Iran are among the reasons we decided last week to terminate the 1955 U.S.-Iran Treaty of Amity. We hope that Iran's leaders will come to recognize that the only way to ensure a positive future for their country is by ceasing their campaign of terror and destruction around the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest Poll Shows Putin's Popularity Decreasing Sharply RFE/RL October 08, 2018 A new survey shows the number of Russians who regard President Vladimir Putin as Russia's most trusted politician has plunged significantly over the past year. The survey released on October 8 was conducted between September 20-26 by the independent pollster Levada Center and asked respondents to list five or six politicians whom they trusted the most. Putin was first with 39 percent, and was followed by ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who each enjoyed the trust of 15 percent of Russians. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was fourth, with 10 percent. The survey found that trust in Putin had fallen nine percentage points since June and a total of 20 percentage points since November. A separate question found that the least trusted politician was Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, while Zhirinovsky was second with 20 percent, and Putin third with 13 percent. Putin last week signed into law an extremely unpopular bill that will gradually increase the state retirement age to 60 for women and 65 for men. Most ordinary Russians are deeply opposed to the reforms, which sparked rare street protests across the country. Putin, who has been either president or prime minister since 2000, won the March presidential election with more than 76 percent of the vote. Putin's lowest-ever rating in a Levada poll came in August 2013, when 30 percent of respondents said he was a trusted politician. His popularity surged to more than 80 percent in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/latest-poll-shows-putin-s- popularity-decreasing-sharply/29532201.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey's Erdogan says Saudis 'must prove' Khashoggi's exit from consulate Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 06:54PM Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Saudi Arabia's consulate must "prove" that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi made exit from the mission, a week after the ill-fated journo was reported as missing a few hours after entering the Arab kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. "The Saudi Consulate officials in Istanbul can't get away with [simply] saying 'he left the building.' The claimants are obligated to prove their claims. If he left the building, then you need to prove it," the Turkish leader said during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban in Budapest on Monday, refereeing to the Saudi version of the event. In a Bloomberg interview conducted on Wednesday and published on Friday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman claimed that Khashoggi "entered" the consulate and "got out after a few minutes or one hour." "If he left, you have to prove it with footage. Those who ask Turkish authorities where he is, should ask what happened," Erdogan said. Khashoggi, 59, an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since 2017, when Saudi authorities launched a massive crackdown on the dissent. He was seeking to secure documentation for his forthcoming marriage when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. His fiancee waited outside the consulate for hours without hearing from him, prompting her to report his disappearance to Istanbul police. Ankara says there is no proof he left the diplomatic mission. "There are some people that came from Saudi Arabia [that day]. The public prosecutor's office is looking into the issue," Erdogan further said, adding that footage from airports is also being closely studied. "It is our humanitarian and political duty to closely follow the issue," he also noted. On Sunday, Yasin Aktay, who advises Erdogan in his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, said he believed Washington Post contributor Khashoggi had been killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, adding that Turkish authorities further believed that a group of 15 Saudi nationals were "most certainly involved" in the matter. In a separate interview with broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday, Aktay, who is also a deputy chairman of the ruling party, said Ankara had "concrete information" on the disappearance of Khashoggi, and that he had not left the Saudi consulate. "The case would not go unsolved," he added. Furthermore, a Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press on Monday that "The initial assessment of the Turkish police is that Mr. Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul." However, Riyadh vehemently denies the murder claims, stressing that Khashoggi had left the consulate alive. Turkey asks to search Saudi consulate Media reports on Monday also said that Ankara sought permission from Riyadh to search Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Ankara's search request was made after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time Sunday over the Khashoggi's disappearance. "Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal invited Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the Ministry yesterday. Our expectation of full cooperation during the investigation process [on missing journalist] was conveyed to him," Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency quoted a statement by the Turkish foreign ministry as saying on Monday. The Washington Post newspaper, which featured articles from Khashoggi on its Global Opinions section, published blank pages on its print and website editions on Friday, demanding urgent information about the journalist whereabouts. Human rights campaigners have also demanded that the Saudi authorities clarify the issue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Khashoggi's disappearance at Saudi consulate: A timeline Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 06:06PM With about a week after the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, his case is still shrouded in a veil of mystery. Here comes a timeline of Khashoggi's disappearance at the Saudi consulate: Tuesday October 2 Khashoggi visits the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after lunch to collect paperwork he needs in order to get married with his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Khashoggi's fiancee waits outside the building for several hours and the long delay prompts her to call police. Wednesday October 3 Riyadh issues a statement confirming that Khashoggi is missing. The statement says the journalist disappeared after leaving the consulate building the day before and says the Saudi government is working with Turkish authorities to find him. Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi is being held inside the consulate building, which they cannot search without an invitation. Thursday October 4 Ankara summons the Saudi ambassador to the foreign ministry to discuss Khashoggi's whereabouts. Human Rights Watch says that if Saudi Arabia has detained Khashoggi without acknowledging it, his detention constitutes an enforced disappearance. "If Saudi authorities surreptitiously detained Khashoggi, it would be yet another escalation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's reign of repression against peaceful dissidents and critics," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "The burden of proof is on Saudi Arabia to produce evidence for its claim that Khashoggi left the consulate alone, and that Saudi agents have not detained him." Friday October 5 In an interview with Bloomberg, the Saudi crown prince says that the Turkish authorities are welcome to search the consulate building in Istanbul. "We will allow them to enter and search and do whatever they want to do ... we have nothing to hide," he told Bloomberg. The Washington Post newspaper, which featured articles from Khashoggi on its Global Opinions section, publishes blank pages on its print and website editions, demanding urgent information about the journalist whereabouts. Saturday October 6 Saudi Arabia invites a group of Reuters journalists into the six-story Istanbul mission in a bid to prove that Khashoggi is not on the premises or being detained inside the building. At around midnight, Reuters claims that two Turkish officials have revealed Khashoggi was killed shortly after entering the consulate on Tuesday. Other sources say they believe the outspoken critic of the Saudi government is dead, adding without providing evidence that the 60-year-old was tortured and his body removed from the consulate building. Saudi Arabia rejects the allegations as "baseless." Sunday October 7 Turkish police pledge to release evidence backing the claim that the journalist is dead, including airport records and video footage of boxes being put in a black car. Officials say they believe a hit squad of 15 men arrived from Saudi Arabia on September 29, were present in the building on the day of Khashoggi's disappearance and left shortly afterwards. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is "saddened" by the case and will wait for the results of the police investigation regarding Khashoggi's fate. Amnesty International issues a statement noting that if Khashoggi's murder is proven, it would amount to "extrajudicial execution." "If true, this would be an abysmal new low. Such an assassination within the grounds of the Consulate would amount to an extrajudicial execution. This case sends a shockwave among Saudi Arabian human rights defenders and dissidents everywhere, eroding any notion of seeking safe haven abroad," the prominent rights group says. The statement goes on to say that Saudi Arabia "routinely uses draconian laws to crack down on peaceful dissent at home, and has even arrested dissidents abroad in the past." Amnesty also criticizes the international community for its "deafening silence on Saudi Arabia's crackdown on freedom of expression." Monday October 8 Turkey summons the Saudi ambassador for a second time in order to request Riyadh's "full cooperation" in the investigation, including permission to conduct another search at the Istanbul consulate. Mohamed Okda, a friend of the missing Saudi journalist, says Khashoggi has "most likely" been killed, adding, "We'd like to know exactly what happened inside the Saudi consulate here in Istanbul and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and we demand his immediate release, if alive." Okda, speaking to the press outside of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, accuses the Saudi crown prince of being "a killer" who "doesn't care about international justice." Also on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked Saudi officials to prove their claim that missing journalist had left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. "Consulate officials cannot save themselves by saying that he left the building... Don't you have camera?" Erdogan told a news conference, adding, "If he left, you have to prove it with footage. Those who ask Turkish authorities where he is should ask what happened." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Wants Riyadh to Help Investigate Disappearance of Saudi Journalist By Ken Bredemeier October 08, 2018 Turkey sought permission Monday from Saudi Arabia to search Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul, looking for clues to the disappearance of a Saudi Arabian journalist whom Turkish officials have concluded was murdered inside the diplomatic outpost. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said last week that Riyadh was "ready to welcome the Turkish government to go and search our premises," because it had "nothing to hide" about the missing journalist, 59-year-old Jamal Khashoggi. But it was not immediately clear whether Turkish officials were granted access to the consulate after Monday's request. Saudi officials say the Turkish investigators' claim that Khashoggi was murdered are "baseless." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi officials need to prove that Khashoggi left the building after arriving last Tuesday to get a document for his upcoming marriage. His Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who waited for him outside the consulate, said he never came out of the building. "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying, 'He has left,'" Erdogan said on a visit to Budapest. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributing writer who had been critical of the Salman government, has been living for a year in self-imposed exile in the United States after a Riyadh crackdown on dissent in the kingdom. Turkish officials summoned the Saudi ambassador for the second time on Sunday, telling the envoy it expected "full cooperation" in its investigation. Protesters gathered outside the Saudi consulate Monday demanding to know what had happened to Khashoggi. Banners read, "We will not leave without Jamal Khashoggi." The U.S. says it is "closely following" the investigation but has not confirmed Turkish officials' conclusion that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Police said earlier that about 15 Saudis arrived in Istanbul on two flights last Tuesday and were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi. U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he and other lawmakers "agree if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government, it would be devastating to the U.S.-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid economically and otherwise." Erdogan told reporters Sunday, "I am following the [incident] and we will inform the world whatever the outcome" of the official probe. "God willing, we will not be faced with a situation we do not want." Erdogan said police are looking at surveillance video of the consulate's entrances and exits, as well as at the Istanbul airport. A Turkish official told the Reuters news agency, "The initial assessment of the Turkish police is that Mr. Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. We believe that the murder was premeditated and the body was subsequently moved out of the consulate." Reuters' Turkish sources did not say how they thought Khashoggi was killed. The Washington Post editorial board said Sunday that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States "bear inescapable responsibility" to act in response to Khashoggi's disappearance. The board said Saudi Arabia has to identify the 15 officials who were at the consulate and exactly what happened inside. Turkey, it said, must back up its conclusion Khashoggi was killed by making public any evidence it has. Amnesty International's Middle East research director, Lynn Maalouf, said if the reports of Khashoggi's killing are true, it "would be an abysmal new low" and "amount to an extrajudicial execution. This case sends a shockwave among Saudi Arabian human rights defenders and dissidents everywhere, eroding any notion of seeking safe haven abroad." A New York Times account reported Turan Kislakci, a friend of Khashoggi and head of the Turkish Arab Media Association, said Turkish officials had called him and confirmed two things that Khashoggi was killed and his body was dismembered. Multiple media reports say that the group of 15 Saudis descended on the consulate Tuesday and later left. Turkish officials are trying to identify them as part of their probe into Khashoggi's disappearance. The New York Times account says its sources report the Saudis "had arrived to silence Mr. Khashoggi, but that it was not clear if the plan had been to bring him back to Saudi Arabia alive, and something went wrong, or if the intention was to kill him there." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Army tightens grip on Daesh remnants in al-Safa hills IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Oct 8, IRNA -- Units of the Syrian Arab Army continued advancing in the rocky cliffs on the western side of al-Safa hills in the depths of Sweida province's eastern desert. SANA's reporter said that army units carried out during the past few hours a new military operation against Daesh (ISIS) terrorists within the rocky cliffs of Sweida desert, expanding their control over the area after fierce clashes with terrorists who suffered heavy losses in ranks and equipment. The army's advance came in parallel with artillery and air strikes focused on the movement of terrorists, which resulted in the destruction of their fortified points and caves and killing a number of terrorists, including snipers. The continuous military operations in the area contributed to tightening the grip on Daesh remnants amid a state of confusion and successive collapses in their ranks after the destruction of their defense lines, cutting off their supply routes, and thwarting their attempts to flee the area. 1396**1396 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow: Idleb must return to Syrian state's control IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Oct 8, IRNA -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said that Idleb will inevitably return to the Syrian state. Speaking to Sputnik on Monday, Vershinin said that Idleb in the end must 'get back under the control of the Syrian state', pointing out that the agreement on Idleb, which was reached in Sochi, is being implemented and the atmosphere has changed for the better. He added that the agreement generally prepared conditions to stimulate the political process, indicating a possibility to reduce the suffering of citizens in Syria and mainly in Idleb where terrorists maintain a stranglehold on the civilian population, creating intolerable conditions for them. The Russian diplomat said Moscow considers the task of removing heavy weapons and extremist groups from Idleb "possible", adding that the separation of terrorists and "opposition" is a complex issue. He noted that the Turkish side is working in this direction under the Sochi agreement on Idleb , and Moscow wants to see good results in this regard. 1396**1396 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Militants complete withdrawal of heavy weapons from Idlib buffer zone Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 02:31PM Foreign-sponsored militants have completed the withdrawal of heavy weapons from a planned buffer zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, conforming to a deal brokered by Russia and Turkey that has so far held off a government offensive on the last major terrorist stronghold in Syria. Turkey's official Anadolu news agency reported that Turkish-backed gunmen affiliated with the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) and members of other militant outfits pulled all their heavy military hardware, including rocket launchers, mortars and medium-range missiles, from the frontline in Idlib on Monday. The report came only hours after Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told Sputnik news agency in an interview that Moscow and Ankara had determined the borders of the demilitarized zone in Idlib. "Very good contacts, cooperation, ties have been established between the military of Turkey and Russia. They have already met more than once after signing the document," Vershinin said. Naci Mustafa, a spokesman for the National Front for the Liberation of Syria affiliated with the FSA, said on Sunday that militant groups had begun removing heavy weapons from the frontline in Idlib in a bid for a 15 to 20-kilometer (9-12 mile) demilitarized zone to be set up. Mustafa said the light weapons would remain and that his comrades would continue digging ditches as a measure against Syrian army advances. Under a deal reached following a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on September 17, all militants in the demilitarized zone, which surrounds Idlib and also parts of the adjacent provinces of Aleppo and Hama, must pull out heavy arms by Wednesday, and Takfiri groups must withdraw by October 15. The NLF is the main Turkish-backed militant alliance in the Idlib region, but the Takfiri Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group, which is a coalition of different factions of terror outfits, largely composed of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group formerly known as al-Nusra Front, holds a large part of the province and the zone. HTS, which is said to be in control of some 60 percent of Idlib province, has yet to announce its stance on the buffer zone deal. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 members of different factions of armed groups, which Syria, Russia and Turkey consider terrorists, are active in the volatile province, which is home to around three million inhabitants. Russia believes that a buffer zone would help stop attacks from Idlib-based militants on Syrian army positions and Russia's military bases in the flashpoint region. Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Militants have not withdrawn weapons from north Syria: observatory Iran Press TV Mon Oct 8, 2018 10:17AM A pro-opposition monitoring group says Turkey-backed militants have not withdrawn their heavy weapons from the buffer zone in northern Syria as they claim and are instead hiding their arms in the north of Latakia. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it has not detected any signs of militant groups moving out from the demilitarized region according to a deal brokered by Russia and Turkey. It said that 70% of the area is still under the control of the militants. Under a deal reached between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Sochi on September 17, all militants in the demilitarized zone, which surrounds Idlib and also parts of the adjacent provinces of Aleppo and Hama, must pull out their heavy arms by Wednesday, and Takfiri groups must withdraw by October 15. The agreement has so far held off a government offensive on Idlib, the last major terrorist stronghold in Syria. The UK-based group said the militants were digging tunnels to hide their heavy weapons inside the zone in the northern countryside of Latakia. According to the report, Ahrar al-Sham, Faylaq al-Sham and the Coastal Regiments 1 and 2, formed with Turkish backing in May, have not retreated from the Latakia countryside and have only hid their arms in tunnels. Naci Mustafa, a spokesman for the so-called National Front for the Liberation of Syria which is backed by Turkey, claimed on Saturday that the militants had begun removing heavy weapons from the frontlines in a bid for a 15- to 20-kilometer demilitarized zone to be set up. The observatory said the militants had not withdrawn from the buffer zone and were even reinforcing their positions in the region, especially in northern Latakia. The NLF is the main Turkish-backed militant alliance in the Idlib region, but the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group holds a large part of the province and the zone. HTS is a coalition of different factions of terror outfits, largely composed of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group formerly known as al-Nusra Front. The group, which is said to be in control of some 60 percent of Idlib province, has yet to announce its stance on the buffer zone deal. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 members of terrorist groups are active in the volatile province, which is reportedly home to around three million inhabitants. Russia believes that a buffer zone would help stop attacks from Idlib-based militants on Syrian army positions and Russia's military bases in the flashpoint region. Syria has been gripped by a foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Assad: Idlib Ceasefire 'Temporary', Gov't Will Restore Control Over All of Syria Sputnik News 12:59 08.10.2018(updated 13:27 08.10.2018) Russia and Turkey reached an agreement on the creation of a 9-12 mile demilitarized zone in Idlib between Syrian forces and militants concentrated in the region last month in a bid to avoid needless carnage and possible Western intervention. The Russian-Turkish deal to prevent an offensive by Syrian troops to liberate Idlib is a "temporary one," but has served to prevent bloodshed, President Bashar Assad said, speaking before members of the Central Committee of the ruling Ba'ath Party on Sunday. Damascus, Assad noted, has not given up on its goal of restoring control over all of Syria. Addressing Western opposition and threats against a Syrian offensive in Idlib, Assad said that such objections were "hysterical," adding that a victory by the Syrian Army would foil the West's aggressive plans to divide Syria. Syria, according to the president, is now entering a new "battle" to rehabilitate those elements of Syrian society which collaborated with or otherwise supported "chaos and terrorism." In recent months, with Russian assistance, the Syrian government has struck a number of deals on reconciliation with non-jihadist former militants, allowing them to return to a peaceful life in exchange for laying down their weapons and accepting the return of Syrian civil administration. On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told Sputnik that the borders of the demilitarized zone between Syrian forces and militants in Idlib have "been determined," and that the Russian and Turkish military forces have established "very good contacts, cooperation, and ties" with one another. The Idlib demilitarized zone, agreed on between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on September 17, is expected to be fully established by October 15. Under the deal, Ankara has promised to assist with pushing terrorist groups concentrated in Idlib out of the region. Last week, Turkish media reported that Nusra Front* jihadists had agreed to disband, withdraw their forces from the Idlib demilitarized zone and modify their ideology under pressure from Turkish intelligence. After the Syrian Army wrapped up the Southern Syria offensive in Daraa province in July, Idlib became the last major stronghold of terrorists and other armed opposition groups in Syria, with tens of thousands of militants thought to be concentrated in the region mixed among a civilian population of approximately three million. Damascus made plans to launch an operation to liberate the province in August, but Turkey, the United States and its European allies warned against an offensive, with Washington and Paris threatening to intervene militarily in the event of the use of chemical weapons by Syrian troops. Damascus and Moscow later revealed intelligence showing that militants would be likely to stage a false flag chemical attack to promote a Western intervention. *aka Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, aka al-Qaeda in Syria, a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Opposition Completes Withdrawal of Heavy Weaponry in Idlib - Reports Sputnik News 12:18 08.10.2018(updated 14:48 08.10.2018) ANKARA (Sputnik) - The Syrian armed opposition has completed the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the contact line in Syria's Idlib, Turkish media reported on Monday. According to the Anadolu news agency, the withdrawal of weaponry has been carried out within the framework of the Russian-Turkish agreement on Idlib. On September 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in the Russian resort city of Sochi and signed an agreement on setting up a 9-12 mile demilitarized zone in Idlib along the contact line of the armed opposition and the government forces by October 15. The agreement was aimed at prevention of the possible offensive of the Syrian government's troops in the province of Idlib, which remains the last stronghold of the insurgency. The province of Idlib is the remaining hotspot of militant insurgency in Syria, with the remainder of the country under the regained control of government forces. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, Turkey Determine Borders of Idlib Demilitarized Zone - Official Sputnik News 11:11 08.10.2018 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia and Turkey have determined the borders of the demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin told Sputnik in an interview. "The borders of the demilitarized zone have been already determined," Vershinin said. According to the diplomat, "very good contacts, cooperation, ties have been established between the military of Turkey and Russia." "They have already met more than once after signing the document," the deputy minister noted. On September 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in the Russian resort city of Sochi and signed an agreement on setting up a 9-12 mile demilitarized zone in Idlib along the contact line of the armed opposition and the government forces by October 15. The agreement was aimed at prevention of the possible offensive of the Syrian government's troops in the province of Idlib, which remains the last stronghold of insurgency. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ankara Eyes Syria Reconstruction to Boost Crisis-Hit Economy By Dorian Jones October 08, 2018 Turkey's hosting of a four-nation Syrian summit later this month is a diplomatic win for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. With Syria's reconstruction, a key item of the planned meeting of French, Russia and German leaders, Erdogan will be looking to strengthen Turkey's hand in the predicted building bonanza. "It is very important (the summit). After every war, reconstruction is always important, and Turkey will probably be one of the key players in this role," said international relations professor Huseyin Bagci of Ankara's Middle East Technical University. "This will be economically advantageous for Turkey." The timing could not be better for Turkey, with the economy facing a looming recession after this year's collapse of the currency. The Turkish construction industry is particularly stricken by the country's economic woes, with many companies reportedly in financial difficulties. The building sector is one of Turkey's biggest employers. "Turkey is facing a stagflation situation," said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen. "The opening of Syria just next door to Antep Hatay and Kilis (Turkish provinces) as a new market is important for Turkey." "When we enter the reconstruction phase, it will be another win for Turkey," he added, "And Turkey might turn a blind eye to (Syrian President Bashar) Assad staying in power." Repairing relations Ankara cut diplomatic relations with Damascus at the start of the Syrian civil war and remains committed to Assad's removal from power. However, with the Turkish construction industry in trouble, analysts suggest Erdogan has a vested interest in repairing relations with Damascus. Damascus may not be in a generous mood toward Turkish companies. Assad holds Erdogan responsible for the destruction of Syria because of his support for the rebels. "To what extent the regime will have control over how this reconstruction program is going to be implemented will be key," said Sinan Ulgen, head of the Istanbul-based Edam research organization. "Because the animosity between Ankara and Damascus will not evaporate, and that will certainly limit how active the Turkish contractors can be." Ankara may not be counting on needing Assad's goodwill. Turkey has taken control of a large swathe of northern Syria in a series of military operations against Islamic State and the Kurdish YPG militia. Ankara considers both groups as terrorist organizations and a security threat. No early withdrawal of troops Analysts point out that Ankara is likely calculating that the control of Syrian territory will give it leverage over Damascus and a say over the outcome of post-war Syria. This month, Erdogan made clear there would be no early Syrian withdrawal of Turkish forces. "Whenever the Syrian people hold an election, we will leave Syria to its owners," he said Thursday. Turkish construction firms are already engaged in building projects across Syrian territory under Ankara's control. But observers say Erdogan is eyeing the rebuilding of Syria's second largest city, Aleppo, 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the Turkish border. Help from Moscow Analysts suggest Ankara will be looking to Moscow for support. "Turkey does not talk to Bashar al-Assad. (But) that does not mean that Turkey is not going to play the (reconstruction) role," said Bagci. "Turkey will go through Russia. Also, Russia will stay there (Syria) for now and forever." Erdogan has developed a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, built on cooperation over Syria. Though the two leaders back rival sides in the Syrian civil war, analysts say there is a recognition they need one another to end the conflict. Syria's reconstruction nearly always features prominently in the regular meetings between Erdogan and Putin. Economic cooperation is also an essential component in deepening Turkish-Russia ties. Syria's reconstruction offers the opportunity to further cement bilateral relations. Analysts point out that who finances Syria's reconstruction will likely have a big say on who benefits from any construction boom. The United Nations put a price tag on rebuilding Syria at $388 billion. "UAE and Saudi Arabia are appearing to be softer toward Damascus, and maybe they believe they can drive a wedge between Damascus and Tehran," said Selcen. "Now, we are moving to reconstruction phases. Saudi Arabia and UAE have deeper pockets than Tehran. And this is what Germany is telling Damascus." Shared border With Turkey having the longest border with Syria and the region's largest and most developed economy, analysts suggest it remains well-placed to exploit any construction boom in Syria, whoever secures the rebuilding contracts. "If Turkish contractors (are) not able to get these precious contracts from Syria," said Selcen," once the reconstruction starts, Turkey will gain a lot by exporting food products and reconstruction materials." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Secretary announces Devonport will home all new Type 26 frigates All of the Royal Navy's next-generation Type 26 frigates will be homed in Devonport, the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced at the Naval Base today. 8 October 2018 The eight Type 26 warships will start being delivered to the Royal Navy from the mid-2020s, heralding yet another new era in the role of a base which has played a central role in the defence of the UK for hundreds of years from the Napoleonic wars to the Falklands Conflict. The 6,900-tonne frigates will be world-class anti-submarine warships and will provide cutting-edge protection for the likes of the UK's nuclear deterrent and the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, with the ability to conduct a whole range of other operations anywhere in the world. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "The largest Naval Base in western Europe, Devonport is the lifeblood of Plymouth and is as synonymous with this city as it is with our famous Royal Navy." "Ships have set sail from Devonport's dock to defend our great nation for hundreds of years, and I can reveal that the truly world-class Type 26 frigates will follow in their wake." "We are living in increasingly dangerous times, with threats intensifying both on and beneath the water. Plymouth should be in no doubt that it will be right at the heart of Britain's fight for a safer world by homing these formidable warships." Devonport has been supporting the Royal Navy since 1691, with the vast site covering more than 650 acres with four miles of waterfront. Alongside frigates, it is home to Britain's survey vessels and amphibious ships. Recently the Defence Secretary put to bed any speculation about the future of amphibious assault ships HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion by announcing he is protecting them. The Base employs 2,500 people, supporting around 400 local firms and generating around 10% of Plymouth's income. It is a key part of defence's huge footprint in the South West, where the MOD spends 5.1bn with industry more than in any other part of the country. The eight Type 26s will replace the current anti-submarine warfare Type 23 frigates. They will make up the next-generation of the Navy's fleet, along with a first batch of five Type 31e frigates. The decision on where the Type 31e frigates will be based is still to be made. The first Type 26 ships have already been ordered for 3.7 billion from BAE Systems' yards on the Clyde. The first four have already been named as HMS Glasgow, HMS Cardiff, HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham. The flexible design of the frigates will also enable these capabilities to be adapted to counter future threats, and the ships will benefit from the latest advances in digital technology. The formidable anti-submarine warship will include an embarked helicopter, powerful sonar detection systems, ship and helicopter-launched torpedoes and a design which makes the Type 26 extremely difficult for enemy submarines to detect. The move follows the announcement last year that the eight Type 23 ships fitted with a towed array sonar tail would all be based in Devonport, making the site a centre of excellence in anti-submarine warfare. The five general purpose Type 23 frigates are now based in Portsmouth, which is also the home of the UK's Type 45 Destroyers and new aircraft carriers. Australia recently decided to build nine of the British-designed Type 26 warships, confirming the world-leading capability they will offer. The deal, which could be worth up to 20 billion, has been hailed as the biggest Naval ship deal for a decade. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Launches Air Exercises With NATO Countries RFE/RL October 08, 2018 Ukraine has opened a series of large-scale air-force exercises with the United States and seven other NATO countries, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry says. The 12-day-long Clear Sky 2018 war games are being held in western Ukraine. Some 700 troops are taking part, half of them from NATO member countries -- the United States, Britain, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, and Romania. U.S. aircraft including F-15C Eagle fighter planes and C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes and drones will train with about 30 Ukrainian aircraft, the ministry said on October 8. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said Polish, Romanian, and Ukrainian aircraft will work together "in the air to protect the airspace for the first time." The aim is "to enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty and promote peace and security through cooperation," a U.S. Air Force statement said. Concerns have risen about Russia's increased assertiveness, particularly after Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014. With reporting by AFP and UNIAN Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-launches-air-exercises -with-nato-countries/29532389.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Innocence unproven in the Brett Kavanaugh witch hunt Can you tell the difference between real life and fiction? One is messy, complex and unpredictable. The other is written to a script, an idealised version of things built to entertain and reach a satisfying climax. Slate, the online magazine, has watched the Brett Kavanaugh witch hunt and come up with the headline: No One Could Be Further From Atticus Finch Defenders of Brett Kavanaugh liken themselves to the hero of To Kill a Mockingbird. Thats appalling. To Kill a Mockingbird is a work of fiction. Atticus Finch was never an actual person. No-one made up Brett Kavanaugh, and if they did the only ponderable would be: why did they bother. Yesterday, Kavanaugh was worn in as a Supreme Court justice. At the signing in shindig, Donald Trump said Kavanaugh was proven innocent of allegations of sexual assault. The Guardian calls that a baseless claim. Of course it is. You dont need to prove yourself innocent, unless it really is a witch hunt in which case you die trying. Said Trump of his man: On behalf of our nation, I want to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception.What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process. Our country, a man or woman must always be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. And thats it. End of. Christine Blasey Ford made for a compelling and credible accuser when she claimed Kavanaugh had at age 17 and she 15 pinned her to a bed, placed his hand over her mouth, groped her and tried to remove her clothes. He denied it all in a testimony that was no less compelling and credible. The worlds richest country became transfixed and frozen as two adults debated what they did and didnt do as teenagers in the 1980s. What was worrying was that to question Fords story, to ask for evidence, to wonder why she never told the police, a friend, her family, and to look for witnesses to corroborate her story was heresy. We were told to believe her. We should do this because she is a woman. But women can lie, right, forget or misremember. To believe without evidence was to support victims of sexual violence, we were told, and say #timesup to the oppressors. To believe the anti-abortionist Kavanaugh or seek facts and evidence was to advocate rape and misogyny. Kavanaugh wasnt proven innocence. Trumps a berk for saying he was. But to believe without question, to assume guilt on the strength of a single word is to undo democracy. But if you still want Kavanaugh lynched, lets hark back to another era in American history were one group were always believed: In 1931, a fight occurred between black and white boys on a freight train traveling through the town of Scottsboro, Alabama. The police rounded up all black boys riding on the train and ultimately arrested nine black boys, ranging in ages from 12 to 19 years old. Two white girls then came forward alleging that they were gang raped on the train. All nine defendants claimed innocence. After four separate one-day trials with all-white juries, eight of the nine were convicted and sentenced to death. Their appeals would last over 20 years. On re-trial, one of the rape victims testified that the rape was fabricated, yet all-white juries again returned guilty verdicts. In the end, after facing multiple re-trials, all of the Scottsboro boys had their convictions dropped or were sentenced to lesser charges. Believe without question? Check your bias at the door and consider the facts. Anorak Posted: 9th, October 2018 | In: Key Posts, News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink ROUYN NORANDA, Oct. 9, 2018 - Granada Gold Mine (TSX.V: GGM) ("Granada Gold" or the "Company") announces that it has started its autumn drill program at the Genesis Project at Granada. Program objectives are: Begin drilling mag targets defined by drone-borne magnetic survey covering the extended LONG Bars zone Extend underground gold mineralization towards the Cadillac trend to the north Test for silver and base metals in the core This program is designed to enhance its flagship gold property by continuing to explore the remaining 80 percent of unexplored 5.5 kilometer east-west mineralized structure, the Granada Gold Mine, in the province of Quebec, Canada. "Again, we are very excited to expand the exploration of our gold deposit at Granada," stated Frank J. Basa P.Eng., President and Chief Executive Officer of Granada Gold Mine. "These are highly prospective areas for production our major focus." The company has applied to extend the permits to carry on with the exploration program at Aukeko. The Company also announces a non-brokered private placement offering of 2,942,140 units ("Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $441,321. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.18 per share, for a period of three years from closing, subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange") approval. The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for surface exploration, trenching, and historical resampling of drill core on the Company's Granada Gold Property in Quebec and for general working capital purposes. All securities issued in connection with the private placement are subject to a four month and a day hold period in accordance with applicable Securities Laws. Qualified Person Claude Duplessis, P. Eng., of Goldminds Geoservices Inc., a geological, environmental and mining consultant, is an independent qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. About Granada Gold Mine Inc. Granada Gold Mine Inc. is developing the Granada Gold Property near Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The property includes the former Granada gold mine which produced more than 50,000 ounces of gold in the 1930s before a fire destroyed the surface buildings. The highly prolific Cadillac Trend, which has been the source of more than 50 million ounces of gold produced in the past century on a line running from Val-d'Or to Rouyn-Noranda, cuts through the north part of the property. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate and revised Block Model dated June 30, 2017, with effective date of May 16, 2017, includes the first material estimate of high-grade gold resources discovered in zones at depth immediately north of the LONG Bars Zone open-pit deposit. An initial Inferred underground resource of 10,386,500 tonnes grading 4.56 g/t Au at a cut-off grade of 1.5 g/t (1.5 million oz. Au) has been outlined along 600 metres of strike, north of the original near-surface discovery at Granada. Open-pit-constrained resources have 625,000 ounces Measured at 1.14 g/t Au and 182,700 ounces Indicated at 1.26 g/t Au with a cut-off grade of 0.39 g/t Au (807,700 ounces M&I at 1.16 g/t Au) representing a major increase in Block Model estimates for Granada vs. 2012 Block Model. The Company has obtained all necessary permits for the initial mining phase, known as the "Rolling Start", for which stripping has already begun, and has been conducting exploration drilling in order to expand the reported mineral resource for the property. Additional information is available at www.granadagoldmine.com. The Company has signed a provisional milling agreement with Canada Cobalt Works (TSX-V: CCW) to process an initial 600,000-to-2,000,000 tonnes of mineralized material at a grade of 4.5 g/t Au. Canada Cobalt Works has retained the engineering firm Wood Group to undertake the necessary studies to obtain the required permits to install a 600-tonne-per-day mill at the Castle mine site in Gowganda, Ontario. As well, Granada Gold has selected Ausenco Limited to commence a feasibility study for the development of a producing mine with a capacity of 80,000-to-100,000 ounces of gold per year at its 100-percent-owned Granada property, located in Quebec in the town of Rouyn-Noranda. "Frank J. Basa" Frank J. Basa P. Eng. President and Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. SOURCE Granada Gold Mine Inc. Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson believes that points would have been possible on Sunday if the Swede had have qualified better for the Japanese Grand Prix. Ericsson started at the bottom of the grid on Sunday after crashing out of Q1 - meaning he had to start in 20th, but bravely, the driver fought his way back up to 12th on the grid. "We knew that it would be a difficult race, but taking our starting position (20th) into consideration, finishing in 12th is a result we can be satisfied with," Ericsson revealed to The Checkered Flag. "We had a good pace and the car also felt quite good. I drove on the same set of tyres for the majority of the race, which required a lot of management from my side." Ericsson was pleased with his battling and overall performance, but the Sauber man was left to wonder what could have been if he hadn't have crashed out in qualifying. "It's a bit of a shame not to have started the race from a better position, because points could have been possible," Ericsson continued. "Nevertheless, it was a positive day, and I look forward to our next chance in Austin." Sauber are currently battling with Toro Rosso for eighth place in the constructors' championship - with the Red Bull junior team three points ahead. On a personal note, Ericsson is level on points with Lance Stroll in 17th - both on six points. (ANSA) - Rome, October 9 - The government is seeking to address an "unacceptable" lag in Italy's economic performance that has left over 17 million people in hardship, Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said Tuesday as he presented the DEF economic blueprint in parliament. Tria said there was "a lag in economic growth and employment, a lag that is no longer acceptable, 10 years since (the start of) the economic crisis". He said that Italy's GDP was four points below the 2008 level and regional gaps "have broadened" along with the number of people in poverty. The said the League/5-Star Movement (M5S) government has set its sights on stoking growth to improve people's lives and at the same time bringing down the debt-to-GDP ratio. He said the government's budget plan was "courageous, but not fearless and irresponsible". The executive plans to let Italy's deficit rise to 2.4% of GDP next year, saying an expansive budget will help GDP to increase by 1.5% in 2019, 1.6% in 2020 and 1.4% in 2021, with the help of new public investments and welfare spending. Tria said the growth estimates were prudent and could be surpassed. The minister said he agreed with Lower House Speaker and M5S member Roberto Fico's call for a lowering of the tone with respect to the European Commission. The Commission has criticised Italy's budget plans and sent Rome a letter expressing concern that they could lead to a breach of European rules, sparking angry reactions from some ministers, led by deputy premiers Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio. (ANSA) - Rome, October 9 - South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for Pope Francis to visit the Communist State when the former meets the pontiff in the Vatican next week, Yonhap reported on Tuesday. "When he meets with Pope Francis, he will convey Chairman Kim's message that he will ardently welcome him if he visits Pyongyang," a South Korea's presidential spokesman was quoted as saying. Oops! There was a problem! Sorry, but we can't find what you were looking for right now. The content may have been removed, or is temporarily unavailable. 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If you have any questions or concerns about a published article, please send us email at venkat@greatandhra.com . We will review your request and article will be removed immediatly. (see related stories on govt's budget plans) (ANSA) - Rome, October 9 - Bank of Italy Deputy Director General Luigi Federico Signorini warned on Tuesday that rises in Italy's bond spread have a real impact on Italian households and businesses. "Around two thirds of Italy's public debt is held by Italian individuals and institutions, but that does not isolate it from the logic of the market, which seeks value and flees from uncertainty," Signorini told a parliamentary hearing on the government's DEF economic blueprint. "Oscillations in its value also have effects on the Italian individuals, families, companies and financial institutions that hold it". Signorini added that reducing the gap in Italy's growth rates with the rest of Europe was a "fundamental objective" while adding that it was necessary to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio "under control" too. "More substantial growth and greater social cohesion are not in contrast with budget discipline," he said. Signorini also said that it was "fundamentally important" not to undo recent reforms that have made Italy's pension system more sustainable. (ANSA) - Rome, October 9 - The Valpolicella 50th Anniversary Tour is about to kick off. The internationalization activities of the consortium are set to begin on October 10 in Vancouver and later make stops in Chicago, Washington D.C. and Zurich. Canada is a strategic market for Valpolicella wines that in 2017 accounted for 25% of total Valpolicella exports, 17% of Valpolicella Ripasso and 6% of Amarone. Among the activities planned in Vancouver is a "walk around tasting" and a media dinner held in collaboration with Town Hall Brands and Consorzio Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, with the support of the Italian consulate in the city. On the same day there will be a competition for those working in the sector that will give the possibility to the winner to gain access to the second edition of the Valpolicella Education Program. The program is course for certification of Valpolicella wines and territory to train new experts that will be held in Verona January 29-31, 2019. The Valpolicella 50th Anniversary Tour will continue in the US October 15-17 in Chicago, where wine tastings and institutional meetings will be held. The international activities of the consortium for the tour will end in Zurich, Switzerland, on October 29 at Metropol. A "walk around tasting" will be held in collaboration with Vinum, a top wine magazine for readers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and the Consorzio Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. Two institutional masterclasses by Christian Eder, the correspondent in Italy for Vinum, will also be held. (ANSA) - Rome, October 9 - Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Tuesday said "nothing and no one" would stop the government overhauling the 2011 Fornero pension reform after both the bank of Italy and the IMF said it should not be touched. Salvini, the rightwing populist League leader who made scrapping the Fornero a key campaign pledge, said "on the Fornero reform nothing and no one will be able to stop us." The deputy premier said "we will go forward in a tranquil way, the economy will grow also thanks to the modification of the Fornero law, a work of social justice that will create many new jobs". The reform, which raied the retirement age to 67 for both sexes and left thousand s without a pension overnight, was implemented by 2011-2012 labour minister Elsa Fornero to help pull Italy back fom the brink of a sovereign-debt crisis in 2011. Its phones and the new tablet weren't everything Google had prepared for its big hardware event today. Three more previously leaked devices made their official debut. Meet the Google Home Hub, the new Chromecast, and the Pixel Stand. Google Home Hub The Home Hub is a $149 (or 139) smart display that is on pre-order now. It will be available on October 22 in the US, UK, and Australia. If you buy one you will get six months of YouTube Premium for free. It is basically a Google Home smart speaker with a display attached to it. The touchscreen lets you interact more with the Google Assistant, and of course it allows it to show you results instead of simply telling you about them with its voice. On the Home Hub you can use other Google services too, such as Photos, Maps, Calendar, and, naturally, YouTube. And when someone rings your Nest Hello doorbell, the Home Hub will automatically show you who's at the door. For music Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio are supported among others. Live Albums automatically update to always show you the latest pics of your favorite people and pets. The Home Hub can tell who's talking to it and will personalize things accordingly. Unlike other smart displays on the market, the Home Hub doesn't come with a camera. This was an intentional decision on the company's part, to make you comfortable with the thought of placing one of these in your bedroom, for example. The Home Hub has an ambient light sensor that works alongside AI to enable a feature called Ambient EQ. This will adapt the brightness on the screen to the conditions around it. And when you go to sleep the 7-inch screen will turn off entirely. The fabric-covered base comes in Chalk, Aqua, Sand, and Charcoal, the same colors found on other Google Home products. Pixel Stand Now that Google's phones support wireless charging again, the company is also launching a new accessory - the Pixel Stand. It's a stand for your Pixel, and it charges it wirelessly. However, it also has a neat trick up its sleeve. When you drop your Pixel into it the phone will essentially become sort of like a smaller version of the Home Hub. For example, if you have a Nest Hello doorbell and someone's at your door, you'll immediately see who on the Pixel's display when it's connected to the stand. The Pixel Stand turns your phone into a photo frame when idle, one that automatically curates pictures it thinks you will like. Before you wake up, the Pixel in the stand will mimic the sunrise with its screen for 15 minutes, brightening your room so you can get ready for your day. Then, in the morning, you'll get your personalized briefing from the Google Assistant just as you would on a Google Home device. At night, when you put the handset in the stand Do Not Disturb mode is automatically turned on. The Stand enables an enhanced music experience too, with your favorite artists' album covers on display while listening. The accessory costs $79 / 79 / 69, and is available for pre-order today. It can do 10W wireless charging, and will charge your phone in portrait or landscape. It's Qi compatible so you can drop any other device that supports the standard onto it and it will charge. Obviously the aforementioned software features are exclusive to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Chromecast Google has also refreshed its non-4K Chromecast streaming dongle with an entirely new look and its iconic G Logo that adorns every other hardware product it's making. The new Chromecast is available now for $35 (the same price as its predecessor), and you can have one in Charcoal or Chalk color versions. This Chromecast is supposedly 15% faster than the last generation, and it can do 1080p 60fps streaming. It's also able to act as a Chromecast Audio, letting you play music in sync with other Chromecasts or Google Home speakers. The multi-room audio is only launching sometime later this year, though. HMD promises a new product launch for October 11, could be the Nokia 7.1 Plus HMDs October 4 event brought us the Nokia 7.1 (not Plus). Theres another event upcoming (on October 11), which we initially thought was just the local launch of the same phone, but Juho Sarvikas is hinting at new product announcements. He should know, hes HMDs Chief Product Officer. His tweet is in response to a Nokia Mobile India tweet (the event on the 11th will be held in India), which has the tags #MegaLife and #GoBigGetBetter. Revealing the full picture soon. Stay tuned for the #MegaLife #GoBigGetBetter pic.twitter.com/kcYR9uymxi Nokia Mobile India (@NokiamobileIN) October 9, 2018 The video shows a glimpse of a phone at the end, we tried brightening it up. We also added the Nokia 7.1 (the one with the white outline) to compare the design, its pretty much the same. The phone at the end of the video, brightened up and compared to the Nokia 7.1 So, what do you think? Is this the Nokia 7.1 Plus? It doesn't seem to be, the dual camera would have looked smaller on the larger model. And the Nokia 7.1 (non-Plus) is not up on Nokia India's site yet, making it even more likely that this is a local launch of that phone. That said, the 7.1 Plus has been doing the rounds at various certification authorities and is rumored to be going on sale soon (as the Nokia X7 is China). Source While well have to wait until the end of the month for the OnePlus 6T to go official, it won't be much longer after that until we can actually buy one. As we reported earlier, the phone will hit China on November 5 and now we have the launch dates for Europe and India too. India will get it first Amazon will kick the sales off on November 2 at 12:00pm local time. You can grab an INR 1,000 gift card as a sort of pre-order and youll get free Bullet Type-C headphones and INR 500 cashback. Next up is the European mainland where sales will commence on November 6 at 8:00am GMT, followed closely by the UK launch two hours later. As a reminder, the OnePlus 6T will be unveiled on October 30. If youre in New York or New Delhi at the time, you can attend the event (but you need to buy tickets first). Source 1 | Source 2 Realme 2 Pro, Realme 2 and C1 arrive in Indonesia, will go on sale next week The new Realme trio has reached Indonesia as promised. The phones will be available for purchase from October 16 (starting at 11:00am local time). The Realme 2 Pro costs IDR 2,900,000 ($190), a stellar price for a Snapdragon 660 phone with a 6.3 1080p+ screen (with a teardrop notch), a 16+2MP dual camera on the back, 16MP selfie cam and a 3,500mAh battery. This price is for the 4/64GB model. Theres also a 6/64GB one for IDR 3,300,000 ($216) and an 8/128GB one for IDR 3,700,000 ($243). These prices exactly match the ones in India, Realmes first market. Realme 2 Pro Realme 2 Realme C1 The Realme 2 with 3/32GB memory is IDR 2,000,000 ($130) and the 4/64GB one is IDR 2,400,000 ($157). The Realme C1 will cost IDR 1,400,000 ($92). Note that Lazada will have a special offer on 11.11, but its not clear what that is yet. The Realme 2 and C1 are fairly similar with a 6.2 screen (with a wider notch), Snapdragon 450 chipset, 13+3MP dual camera and a 4,230mAh battery. The difference in price mostly comes from the memory the C1 has only 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage. While you can extend the latter with a microSD card, theres not much you can do to help the RAM situation. All three phones will be available on Lazada. Source Manila (CNN Philippines Life) In the 80 million-strong Roman Catholic Philippines, religion is sown into the fabric of society from family routine to government policy. There are also a million Protestant Christians and six million Muslims, most of the latter set to vote on whether they will be part of an autonomous Bangsamoro region next year. But what happens to other religions, which enjoy a following of millions worldwide, when located in a context far removed from where they come from? Tucked into the nondescript corners of its capital region, these rich cultures and communities are hiding in plain sight. CNN Philippines Life visited four places of worship among Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh communities in Manila and find that despite varying worldviews, most religions are more the same than different. A wide view of the Beit Yaacov Synagogue: Opposite the entrance and across a podium where readings are made are the Ten Commandments. Concealed behind the tablets is the Jewish sacred scripture, the Torah. Photo by JL JAVIER Judaism The Beit Yaacov Synagogue, the only Jewish place of worship in the Philippines, has been in Makati since 1982. Prior to that, there had been a synagogue in Manila since 1922, which took a hit during the Japanese occupation. Jews have had a long, rough, and storied history, from the ancient exodus from slavery in Egypt to persecution during World War II. According to the Jewish Association of the Philippines website, a few hundred Jews were already residing in Manila in the early 1930s following a wave of refugees from the first World War. When the second war broke out a decade later, the Philippines accepted more than a thousand Jews fleeing Europe. I cannot tell you how thankful we are that [Filipinos] opened the doors to our refugees, says Rabbi Eliyahu Azaria. He makes a nod to Biblical story of Noah, who built a ship for his family to survive a great flood. The Philippines was their ark. Azaria, a Chicago native who studied in Jerusalem, was sent to Manila in 2004 and saw the growth of the Jewish community from 30 to 140 families. He estimates that there are between 2,000 to 3,000 Jews in the country, and the synagogue has 80 to 100 regular weekly visitors. Most members are expats. The community becomes their family in a way, says Azaria. In other countries, like in Israel, people will go to the synagogue and thats it. Here, because we are far from our biological families ... we have dinners together. Rabbi Eliyahu Azaria shows an authentic Torah scroll, handwritten on the skin of kosher animal. He reads or more accurately, chants an excerpt. Photo by JL JAVIER The rabbi shows a mezuzah at the doorway of the synagogue. The case, which resembles a hinge, contains a parchment with small handwritten verses from scripture meant to keep the word of God at the doorpost of a home. Photo by JL JAVIER Judaism is the first of the Abrahamic religions, preceding Islam and Christianity. In Jewish belief, God revealed himself to the prophets most prominently Moses and Abraham and he shares a covenant with His chosen people. Its holy text is the Torah, which Christians might recognize as the first five books of the Bible. In the main synagogue, the Torah scrolls are concealed behind large tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed. The holy text is meticulously handwritten on the skin of a kosher animal; one mistake, and the whole scroll has to be done all over. Readings are sung. Overhead is a depiction of the twelve tribes of Israel. The synagogue has a kosher kitchen, or food within religious restrictions. Apart from hosting religious holiday events and rites, it also runs a kindergarten and the largest Jewish library in the region. Judaism does not send out missionaries to seek conversion a trait that Azaria says makes it a tolerant religion. Judaism believes that every human being [it] doesnt matter who it is, as long as they are moral [can] go to the next world, says Azaria. Most religions will focus on the reward in the next world. Judaism does not ... There is no reference [in the Torah] about life after death. The focus of the five books is how can we make this world a better place. The Beit Yaacov Synagogue is located at 110 H. V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati. You can reach it through the telephone number (632) 815-0265. The sitting Buddha at the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple in Malate, Manila, is the largest in the Philippines. Photo by JL JAVIER Buddhism There are many Buddhist temples in the country, catering to an estimated 47,000 practitioners of the religion, according to a 2015 census. At the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple in Malate, monks practice Humanistic Buddhism a philosophy that prioritizes charity, cultural activities, and education as a means of service. It highlights three acts of goodness: doing good deeds, speaking good words, and thinking good thoughts. Its main shrine is home to the largest sitting Buddha in the Philippines. Here, we offer candles and incense is lighted. The surrounding walls have rows and rows of the Buddhas image, so one is never out of his sight. On the ceiling is a lotus, a common Buddhist motif as the flower grows in muddy water. Life is difficult like the mud, but we have to uphold ourselves like the lotus, says a monk here, Venerable Miao Jing. The Buddha is the religions founder, Siddharta Gautama, an Indian spiritual teacher who broke the cycle of reincarnation and achieved the sought after state of nirvana. This is what Buddhism prioritizes: not gods, but the pursuit of enlightenment. Even a regular person can be a Buddha, as long as they walk the Middle Way, described by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs as a moderate path between self-mortification and self-indulgence. The religion changed the landscape of a region previously dominated by Hinduism and the caste system, as it spread from ancient India to East Asia. The temple has over a hundred students who hail from rural communities across the Philippines, and their full tuition, as well as supplies and an internship abroad, is covered. They are not made to convert to Buddhism, but elements of its belief are incorporated in their daily schedule. Photo by JL JAVIER Head Abbess Venerable Yung Guang leads a meditation among students. Photo by JL JAVIER Founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun and managed by head abbess Venerable Yung Guang, the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple has an art gallery, library, meditation hall, and tea house but most importantly, a college for full scholars in Buddhist studies and the performing arts. The monks also participate in interfaith dialogue initiatives. The hundred or so students here hail from rural communities across the Philippines, and their full tuition, as well as supplies and an internship abroad, is covered. They are not made to convert to Buddhism, but elements of its belief are incorporated in their daily schedule and practice. When students perform on stage, they are reminded not to show off, but to act for love of the art. They are trained not to pine for excess. They are also taught mindfulness, practiced in regular meditations and a silent meal where students must down everything on their plate. The idea is that every piece of food, even the smallest grain of rice, is the product of someones hard labor. We are also invited to share in this meal. Minority ... doesnt mean [excluded], says Jing. Minority may mean the number of people, but it is not exclusive. The door is always open. The Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple is located at 656 P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. You can reach it through the telephone number (632) 559-9540. Hindus offer prayers to various deities, of which the maharaj estimates there are 33 million. Photo by JL JAVIER Hinduism The temple on Mahatma Gandhi Street in Paco, Manila is the center for worship of the 3,000 or so Hindus in the vicinity. The priest, or maharaj, named Ashok Lakanani, supervises the weekly services on Tuesdays and Sundays. The temple has been around for almost 40 years. Hinduism is considered the oldest religion in the world, and is not traceable to a distinct founder. It does not rely on a single source of scripture, but some of its most prominent texts are the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse excerpt from the Mahabharata. Lakanani says there are as many as 33 million gods in its pantheon, with the primary trinity composed of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. Many deities are incarnations of the three. Lakanani even suggests that Jesus Christ could be an incarnation of Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu. Visitors at the temple must leave their footwear on the first floor before climbing the stairs to the main temple. Outside the door of the main room of worship is a statue of a cow, which is believed to be sacred. The shrine is a large carpeted space, with statues of the most well known gods encased in glass: the trinity and their consorts Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati; the elephant-headed god of beginnings Ganesha; Jhulelal, a bearded deity who sits atop a fish. Maharaj Ashok Lakanani has been the Hindu priest at the temple in Paco, Manila for 12 years. Photo by JL JAVIER The maharaj points out the deity Jhulelal, who is portrayed sitting atop a fish. Photo by JL JAVIER For the Hindu, reincarnation goes on, and each life is dependent on how the previous one was lived; one must uphold their dharma and get good karma in return. Similar to Buddhism, Hindus aspire for liberation from the cycle of birth and death, or moksha. If you [want to] be free from recycled birth It depends upon your actions and karma. If you have good karma, liberation is there, Lakanani explains. He says that Hinduism is connected to other religions they do not even force conversion, particularly in interfaith marriages. If you want to accept the Hindu religion, that's your religion. It depends upon you, says Lakanani. You have [to] decide it. No other person will decide ... Nobody can touch you, nobody can force you. The Hindu Temple is located at 1426 Mahatma Gandhi St., Paco, Manila. You can reach it through the telephone number (02) 521-8103. The Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple in Manila does not have many decorations, as the religion does not use idols or statues. Photo by JL JAVIER Sikhism Located a few blocks from the Hindu temple, the Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple has about 300 to 400 daily visitors, according to the ceremonial reader, or granthi, Gurdeep Singh. This swells to about 2,000 to 3,000 on Sundays. Regulars are mostly nationals who hail from India, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, among other countries. Visitors to the gurudwara or place of worship must adhere to a dress code and cover their heads; bandannas are available for guests and your feet must be washed before entering. The carpeted room is hardly decorated, with only the Ik Onkar or Supreme Reality, or One God captured in Punjabi writing at the front of the room. Similar to Islam, Sikhism does not use idols or statues in worship and instead places a premium on scripture. In Sikh belief, when the 10th guru died, his spirit was moved to the holy text Guru Granth Sahib, which is considered a living teacher. Singh sums it up: We have the word of God. Despite this similarity, the Sikhs clarify that they are not Muslims but they do not harbor enmity toward the religion either. The mess hall is on the first floor of the gurudwara. The kitchen here serves food daily to its visitors and those in need. Photo by JL JAVIER Gurdeep Singh is a young granthi or ceremonial reader at the Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple in Manila. Religious services are concentrated on scripture, as the religion does not heavily rely on rituals. Photo by JL JAVIER Guru Nanak was studied in both Hindu and Islamic thought when he founded Sikhism around the 15th century. He was the first of 10 gurus, the following nine being his incarnations across different lives not unlike the Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Sikhism identifies one God, does not rely too much on rituals, and rejects the traditional Hindu caste system. Guru Nanak was also depicted at the Hindu temple, along with his incarnations. Amar Jit, who identifies himself as a temple servant, responds that the guru was respected among all societies, and in his life walked 82,000 miles in the course of his teachings, even reaching Nanjing, China. He shares a story to illustrate how revered the guru was: When Guru Nanak [left] his physical body, the Muslim, Hindu, [and Sikh] people fought over the body. The Muslims said, We want to bury it, because he is our Guru. The Hindus [and Sikhs] said, No, we want to cremate [him], says Amar. He said the fight took so long, that when they returned to his body, there were only flowers which split among the three groups. The gurudwara is open to people of all religions, and even has a community kitchen that serves merienda and gives food to the poor. We feel discriminated, sometimes. Sometimes rich, arrogant people say some words it hurts, says Amar. But our religion teaches us not to discriminate anyone, on any ground. All people are one; all humans are brothers and sisters. The Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple is located on United Nations Ave., Paco, Manila. ROME - The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, said in a statement Tuesday that he is worried about Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared in Istanbul and was last seen entering the Saudi consolate there last Tuesday. Abdulaziz denied Turkey's accusations that the journalist, who was critical of the Saudi monarchy, was killed, said Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya. "I assure you that the reports that suggest that Jamal Khashoggi went missing in the consulate in Istanbul or that the Kingdom's authorities have detained him or killed him are absolutely false, and baseless," he said in a statement. "It goes without saying that his family in the Kingdom is very concerned for him, as are we," Abdulaziz said, adding that the missing journalist is a friend of his. "What we want to know is that Jamal is OK and that the truth is revealed about what has happened," he said. Abdulaziz said Khashoggi is a Saudi citizen and as such, his safety is a priority for the Saudi government. The Hill County Democratic Party held a meeting today at 7:45 a.m. at the partys headquarters in Havre to encourage people to vote. Today is the first day people can vote. More than 21 people were at the conference, including Montana Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre; Democrat Paul Tuss, who is running for Montana Senate District 14, and Democrat Doug Kaercher, who is running for the Public Service Commission. Bachmeier is facing challenges by former legislator Bob Sivertsen, running as an independent, and Libertarian Conor Burns. Tuss is challenging Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, in his bid for re-election. Kaercher faces Republican Randy Pinocci of Sun River in a race to fill the seat on the Public Service Commission held by Republican Travis Kavulla of Great Falls, who cannot run for re-election due to term limits. This mornings meeting was live streamed on the partys Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hill.co.dems/. Bachmeier went over voting registration laws and encouraged everyone to get out to vote. Its important everybody understand their right to vote, he added. The only requirements to vote in the state is that voters are 18 years or older by the day of the election; are U.S. citizens and resident in the state for at least 30 days before voting, and cannot be serving in a penal institution while polls are open. Voting is open today through Nov. 6. Bachmeier said voters can go down to Hill County Courthouse in Havre and cast their vote before election day. He added that Montana has same-day voter registration laws, so if a person is not registered to vote they can still go to the clerk and recorders office to register and cast their vote up to Election Day. He said people who are physically unable to get to the Hill County Clerk and Recorders Office can contact the office at 265-5481 and make arrangements to have paperwork sent to them so they can register to vote and get their absentee ballot. Bachmeier said if people are in need of transportation in order to get to the polls they can contact him at 870-6427. I believe in your right to vote regardless of who you are supporting. I am happy to give you a ride, Bachmeier said. Tuss said his campaign has been doing a lot of work in the past year since he decided to run for office, and he wants to encourage everyone to vote and to vote early. When I think about today and the start of elections, Tuss said, I have to think about that very snowy, incredibly cold, day in January where I threw $15 into the bucket and decided to put my name on the dotted line to run for the state Senate. He said that his campaign has knocked on more than 7,000 doors, made more than 7,000 phone calls, put more than 500 yard and highway signs in the district and talked to the constituents in his district. He said he encourages people to go down to the courthouse and vote early. The other advantage, obviously, to voting early is that those ads that we all see see, the phone calls that we all get, those begin to stop as both political parties understand that youve already voted, Tuss said. So that alone, I think, is worthy of consideration when you think about voting early. Kaercher said that like Tuss, his campaign has done a lot of work in the past year, covering the 30,000 square miles of his district for Public Service Commission. He said that in the past year he has gone to 13 county fairs, walked in six parades and attended numerous dinners and meetings to get his message out. It is absolutely imperative that we make the change to this PSC, so we have a balance going forward, Kaercher said. I believe that Ive got that experience, with a lifetime of 30 years in public service and I really need your vote. I need your support, and all the candidates on the ticket also need that vote and support. With that, lets get going, lets go get voted and be ready for next year, he added. The three candidates and others said they would go to the courthouse right after the press conference to place their votes. Havre Police Department Monday at 7:30 a.m., a Fourth Avenue caller reported money stolen. -- Esequell Pepe Belasquez of Havre, 40, was arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, open container in city, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer or other public servant and probation violation, after a caller at a First Street business reported Monday at 3:05 p.m. that a man had punched another man in the face. -- A caller at a First Street business Monday at 4:50 p.m. reported the theft of a wallet. -- A caller on 8th Avenue West asked at 5:32 a.m. today for a ride home, saying that people are driving by and harassing her. Officers searched for the caller but were unable to locate her. Hill County Sheriff's Office A caller at a North Havre facility called Friday at 10:08 a.m. with questions for a deputy. -- A Rudyard caller on Second Street Northwest reported a juvenile status offense Friday at 11:08 a.m. -- A caller on U.S. Highway 2 West reported an erratic driver Friday at 3:14 p.m., and the call was referred to another agency. -- A West Fork Road caller reported Friday at 3:35 p.m. that someone was shooting at her horses and called again at 6:38 p.m. to say that the man was back and driving crazily, spraying rocks. Deputies gave a written or verbal warning. -- Deputies were called to investigate a complaint west of R & R Trucking Friday at 5:46 p.m. -- Donna Louise Newton of Havre, 57, was arrested on a charge of shoplifting called in Friday at 6:22 p.m. from a U.S. Highway 2 West business. -- Roberta Kennedy of Hays, 23, was issued a summons on a charge of shoplifting called in Friday at 8:03 p.m. from a U.S. Highway 2 West business. -- Deputies were called to investigate a disturbance in the Rudyard area Saturday at 12:57 a.m. -- A U.S. Highway 87 caller at 2:42 p.m. Saturday reported a juvenile status offense. -- A complaint was called in from Fifth Street North Saturday at 7:37 p.m. -- Benjamin James Kaval of Havre, 28, was arrested on a probation violation charge after deputies were called for assistance on Second Street Northwest at 6:49 a.m. Sunday. -- A theft, forgery or fraud was reported from a U.S. Highway 2 West business Sunday at 10:57 a.m. -- A 15-year-old and a 14-year-old, from Box Elder, were each issued a summons on charges of shoplifting and criminal mischief, vandalism, after a caller at a U.S. Highway 2 West business reported shoplifters at 12:29 p.m. Sunday. -- Savanna Hope Kannberg of Havre, 18, was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license during a vehicle stop on First Street at 12:53 a.m. today. -- A caller on U.S. Highway 87 asked for assistance Monday at 7:58 a.m. because his son would not go to school. -- A 15-year-old from Havre was issued a summons on charges of juvenile curfew violations and possession of dangerous drugs after a deputy investigated suspicious activity at the softball complex at 12:22 a.m. today. Havre Fire Department Emergency medical personnel responded to seven calls Monday. Havre Animal Shelter The shelter this morning held two medium-hair cats and a Himalayan cat of unknown gender, a male 8-month-old short-hair kitten, a male 18-week-old medium-hair kitten, two female medium-hair cats, a male short-hair cat and a 7-month-old male medium-hair kitten. -- The shelter this morning also held a female Australian cattle dog-blue heeler-border collie dog, a male German shepherd dog, a female pit bull-terrier-German shepherd dog, a female terrier 9-month-old puppy, a female mixed-breed 8-month-old puppy, a female mixed-breed 10-month-old puppy and a female Australian cattle dog-blue heeler-German shepherd dog, along with four puppies: three male mixed-breed 7-week-old puppies and a male pit bull terrier cross 7-week-old puppy. Democrat Paul Tuss of Havre is challenging Montana Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, for a seat in the Legislature in Senate District 14. Tuss said he has been executive director of Bear Paw Development Corp. for 18 year this fall and has been involved in economic development in north-central Montana for 23 years. "I have a lot of experience in working both in the private sector as well as the public sector," Tuss said, "and to make the economy of rural northern Montana succeed and flourish you really need both of those worlds to be successful." Tuss, 53, said he was born in Anaconda, the youngest of five children, and grew up in Opportunity. He graduated from Anaconda Senior High School in 1983, then attended the University of Montana, graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1988. At the University of Montana he met Pam Hillery, his wife of 27 years before she died in 2016. Tuss has two children, son Dolan, 25, who lives in Havre, and daughter Caroline, 18, who is a freshman at the University of Montana in Missoula. Tuss has served on a variety of boards, such as the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education, which he has been on since 2011 and was also the chair of for three years; Montana Economic Developers Association, where he also served as chair; the Board of Directors for the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce; Board of Trustees for Northern Montana Hospital; Board of Directors for the Montana Cooperative Development Center, and Board of Directors for the Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association. Tuss has never held an elected office. Tuss said that throughout his life he has worked for Montana's rural communities, to improve local economies, and skills he learned in the process would be a great asset in the Montana Senate. "One of the things that I want to bring to the state Senate, should I be elected in November, is this notion that we can have great communities and a great economy at the same time," he said. "The two are not mutually exclusive. And, frankly, doing just that has been the work of my life for almost a quarter of a century. I want to take that experience with me to the state Senate." Education is another focus point, Tuss said. With his being the longest serving member on the current Board of Regents for Montana, he has been deeply involved in the university system. He added that, throughout the years, he has grown to fundamentally understand the importance higher education has for Montana youth. It is vital that higher education remains accessible and affordable to the younger generation, Tuss said, adding that education is what drives workforce development and economic development. "I feel very fortunate that I am a product of Montana's public education system, K-12 and also higher education," Tuss said. "Generations before ours made the investment to make my education possible and made me a more productive citizen, made me a more productive worker, made me a more productive Montanan. "The least that we can do for our kids and grandkids is to give them the same type of attention," Tuss added, " ... the same opportunity that we've been given to be productive citizens, to be tomorrow's workforce. Investing in education has got to be a priority and should not be partisan." He said his unique experience and perspective on the subject would be a great asset if elected, adding that education is one of the biggest things facing legislation, for him, in the future. At the end of last year when the special legislative session took place, Tuss said, the Legislature was forced to cut some programs due to a budget shortfall. He said these cuts were a result of the Legislature not taking some of the options that were presented to them. "(The Legislature) didn't take advantage of some of the revenue-enhancing options that they had the opportunity to," Tuss said, adding that because of this it created a budget crisis. "A great example," Tuss said, "of where hyper-partisanship, even at the state level, is getting in the way of what is a very fundamental constitutional responsibility of the Montana Legislature, and that's to create a balanced budget." Tuss said it is imperative that these well-intentioned, smart people who hold these offices come together and create a budget which both sides can agree on. He said he understands that, if elected, he will be only one of 150 legislators but hopes to bring with him a real understanding of working together. "Compromise is not a dirty word," he said, adding that he has "a real understanding that someone other than me might have a good idea." "If I can have even a small impact on illuminating some of that intense partisanship and trying to get people to work together to solve difficult problems in our state, I will consider my time in the Senate to be successful," Tuss said. Tuss said another concern which needs to be addressed in future legislative sessions is to adequately fund Montana's infrastructure. He said the state has a crumbling infrastructure and needs to have people willing to invest in it. The problem is not going to fix itself, Tuss said, adding that to postpone improvements would be a disservice to the people. "The state needs to keep its commitment to communities to keep a solid infrastructure," he said. In addition to infrastructure, Tuss said, it is vital to do everything possible tomaintain local hospitals, adding that many in the state are hanging by a thread. People need medical attention in emergencies, he said. If local hospitals vanish in a community, the community will follow soon after, the same applying to schools, he said. "Rural areas need to be adequately covered with proper health care and hospitals to remain open," Tuss said. A subject which is also significant to him, he said, is assuring public access to lands, nothing being more fundamental to Montanans than the freedom to enjoyteh beauty of their state. He added that this will be a high priority if elected. "These public lands should be cherished and really should be passed down to the next generation in the same condition that we've been given them, and assuring that people continue to have - citizens of the state continue to have - access to our public lands to hunt, and to fish, and to hike. I just think that is just so important," Tuss said. Montana Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, is running for re-election for his seat in the Legislature in Senate District 14, facing challenger Paul Tuss of Havre, a Democrat. Before becoming a part of the Legislature for the past year-and-a-half, Tempel said, he was a Liberty County Commissioner for 18 years, adding that he has worked with some of the same contacts during his time in both positions, which has made the job easier. Tempel said he is running for re-election because he enjoys working with people and when he was appointed he agreed, if everything went well, he would run for re-election. "I thank everybody for the support I've had in the last year and a half," Tempel said. "It's been an exciting time of my life, and I look forward to working with some of the same people and more in the years to come." Tempel, 71, was born in Havre, he said, and was educated on the Hi-Line, graduating from Joplin High School in 1966. After high school he wasdrafted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1966 to 1968 and was honorably discharched as a Specialist E4. He then attended Northern Montana College, now Montana State University-Northern, graduating with an associate degree in business. His previous political experiences, other than his 18 years as Liberty County Commissioner, included serving on a variety of boards, he said, such as water boards and church boards. "We've been pretty involved with community," he said. "Over the years, somewhat when we retired, we decided to stay involved with the community, and I guess at that point in time I didn't realize how big my community was going to be." Tempel and his wife of 48 years, Judy, have four children, three girls and one boy, and 11 grandchildren. He added that they are all good kids and he is proud of his family. He added that his 48 years with his wife is the "highlight of my life." During his time as a county commissioner, Tempel said, he was on the board of Bear Paw Development Corp. off and on over the years and also on the board of the District 4 Human Resources Development Council. He was also on the Montana Association of Counties Board and was chair of districts 4 and 5 for a number of years, he said, adding that he also served on the board of Montana Early Education. "As county commissioner, you're involved in everything that happens," he added. Before his retirement he was a farmer and did custom cutting 32 or 33 of the 34 years, he said. During a special legislative session at the end of last year held to deal with revenue shortfalls, Tempel said, the Legislature cut some programs. "The shortfall was a combination of things," Tempel said. He added that when the budget was cut certain programs were cut as much as 10 percent and some cut as little as 4.5 percent, although the Legislature tried to cut most programs 6 to 7 percent across-the-board. He said the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services was cut the least percentage at 4.5 percent. "DPHHS was not hit as hard as some other programs percentagewise," Tempel said. " ... It's the biggest program, it affects more people, but was still less percentagewise." Tempel said the cuts were inevitable this year. Part of the shortfall was due to gas, oil and coal revenues being low this year and those industries paying a large amount of the tax revenue. "The governor came up with his suggestion, which the Legislature agreed with," Tempel said, "and then there were some other cuts that were necessary." "It had to be fixed," Tempel said. He added that coming into this session he predicts the budget will be tight again. "Hopefully, the governor can maybe cut back a little bit," Tempel said. "If he would have cut back on his budget, like the year before, or started slowing things down, I think that (cuts) could have maybe been averted. Hopefully that can happen this time." Tempel said if issues, which caused the shortfall this year, are not corrected in the future another method the Legislature can look at to raise revenue is to raise taxes, although he opposes that option. "To raise anymore capital you have to add taxes and people are to the point where they don't appreciate being taxed any more than what they are," he said. He added that, as a conservative, he would like to hold back having to tax people more than necessary. Looking forward, Tempel said, the biggest issues facing the next legislative session are a variety of items, such as public lands and the timber industry. He said Montana use to be one of the top logging states in the United States, although it has been on a steep decline in recent years. One source of income which is being wasted, he added, is the timber which is salvageable after wildfires. The paperwork and process to salvage the resource is so extensive it is practically impossible, he said. Tempel said another item that he is looking at is Initiative 185, which proposes raising cigarette, e-cigarette and vaping taxes. "There are some things on that, that should really be tweaked, that have been left on I 185," he said. "I would hope that they would allow the Legislature to (work on Medicaid expansion), not through an initiative." He added that other issues which he wants to work on in the next legislative session will be concerning education, agriculture, gas, oil, coal and business. Tempel said he has served on the Education Interim Committee in the past, and the Education Committee during last session worked on the big issue of getting qualified teachers to smaller communities. "Incentive is not there. We did do a stipend, hopefully, it will encourage teachers to come to these schools," he said. Agriculture has also faced a huge struggle this year, Tempel said, and he would like that to be a focus next session, looking at options for improvements in that industry. "(Agriculture) is a bigger national issue than anything but hopefully the state can encourage the national folks to pay more attention to what agriculture is doing," he said. The laws that are put in place for gas, oil, lumber and coal, he said, are putting companies in stress. Those laws need to change, Tempel said, adding that the state should encourage business. "Over-regulation is hurting these businesses, making it difficult to function," he said. A focus should be to get these businesses back on their feet, he added. "That's a part of the job as Montana Legislature is to advocate for Montana," he said. Robert B. "Bobby" Hansen died in his sleep on September 30 at his home in Mattawa, Washington. Born in Havre August 12, 1935, to Maxine (Duncan) and Robert A. Hansen, he attended Havre schools until age 17, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the Navy, he married Sonya Sorenson from remlin. They had three children together before eventually divorcing. Bobby spent most of his adult years living in the Seattle area where he worked as a firefighter, master carpenter and, eventually, in heavy construction. When he retired, he moved to Mattawa to get away from the craziness of the city. He loved his home there and "farmed" the rocks and goatheads that dominated his place. Ever a patriot, he proudly flew "Old Glory," lighting her at night for all to see. Bobby was preceded in death by his son, Russel. He is survived by his eldest son, Paul and daughter, Cindi. Cremation has taken place and no service is planned at this time. Our ranch is just downstream from the Kendall Mine. Our family has raised cattle, grain and hay on this land since my husbands grandfather purchased the place in the 40s. In the 80s, Kendall, a gold mine, was permitted on the edge of our property. Today they call it an old mine. But I have children older than this mine children who went on to get advanced degrees in things like chemistry and environmental engineering and landscape design because they saw what happened to our family and wanted to do something about it. The mining company told us this was a modern mine. They said we had nothing to worry about. It was the same pitch mining companies make today. The same pitch they make when saying Montana doesnt need I 186. They told us the laws were strict enough and that jobs were on the line. Kendall was in operation for less than a decade. But its impact on the land on my family will last for many lifetimes. When toxic pollution flowed down our creek they tried to buy our silence. When we wouldnt be silent, they tried to bully us, intimidating our family with vague threats. Soon, they turned to their army of lawyers and tried to sue us into the ground. One day a team of company lawyers toured our property. They came to the house and asked for a drink. We told them where the water came from. They declined and left the house thirsty. Our experience is not an isolated incident. There are other stories like ours families unwilling or unable to play David to the mining industrys Goliath. It is true that some laws have changed since Kendall was in operation. But it is not true that our water is safe. Montana already has miles of streams polluted by acid-mine drainage, thallium, selenium, lead, mercury and arsenic. We do not need one mile more. Simply trusting that our water will be protected is not enough. We as Montanans must demand a guarantee. I 186 is that guarantee. To be prosperous, farmers and ranchers must care for the land. As the neighbor of a defunct, bankrupt mine, I can tell you big mining corporations dont take the same approach. Often, their highest priority is profit. If things dont work out, they declare bankruptcy and move on. They dont think about those of us left behind, trying to eke out a living on a landscape scarred by irresponsible mining decisions. Today, our water is still tested four times a year. We still raise cows and put up hay. But the long-term legacy of toxic mining pollution extends beyond time and money lost. I will likely not see the day where my family does not have to worry about the water. My children may not see that day. We are not against mining. Our families homesteaded here. They worked the mines even died in the mines in Montana. Our family helped make Montana what it is today and our love for this state and this place is everlasting. This month, we are expecting our sixth grandchild. This child will be a sixth generation Montanan. Someday, we want to pass this ranch on to our kids and their kids. It is our sincere hope that this baby will be born into a world that recognizes the necessity of clean water. We are voting yes on I 186 because we have seen first-hand what happens when companies are allowed to leave behind perpetual pollution. Were voting yes because no family should have to go through that. Stephanie Shammel and her family ranch just downstream from the Kendall Mine near Lewistown, Montana. Montanans have the opportunity to continue their tradition of common sense investment to support education this election year as we see Legislative Referendum 128 on the November election ballot. The Six-Mill Levy supports all students in higher education and the state of Montana. In my position as president of the Associated Students of the University of Montana, I have had the honor and privilege to meet some amazing students at the University of Montana that value the education they seek and the state they live in. Not only are students working to become teachers, welders, scientists and lawyers but they are also working and supporting the state and communities they call home. Our students, along with taking numerous classes year-round, are also volunteering at organizations like Flagship after school program and the Missoula Food Bank and working as Wildland Firefighters in the summer. Some of our students serve the state and the nation in the National Guard and the Army Reserves while also taking classes like statistics and ornithology. We also have students that have little ones of their own to look after. Being a parent is challenging and rewarding doing this while in school is an honorable achievement. Higher tuition not only affects students taking loans but those that work and save their money to pay for it as well. Non-traditional students such as veterans, parents, and those above the age of 25 who sometimes work to pay for school would have to work substantially more if the Six Mill does not pass. Its difficult going back to school when life has got in the way, extending that time away will only make it more difficult. Supporting education should not be a partisan issue, and in Montana, our elected leaders are proving that to be true. Both Sens. Tester and Daines and Rep. Gianforte support the Six Mill. They recognize the value of an education and understand we should all step up and stand in support. This is no easy task and Montanans have the opportunity to cast their vote in favor of education. John Adams once said this about education: The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people and be willing to bear the expenses of it. Alex Butler President, Associated Students of the University of Montana The e-commerce giant has yet to confirm, however, if the dismissed employee was part of the initial probe; where the leak occurred; or if there would be subsequent dismissals. Online merchants are barred from accessing customers contact details to prevent them from offering special deals to convince customers to change negative reviews, and to keep them from spamming customers with promotions. Third-party vendors have allegedly been shelling out as much as US$2,000 in exchange for the email addresses, The Wall Street Journal reported. Other sellers had also purportedly bribed Amazon employees to take down bad reviews. We have zero tolerance for abuse of our systems, Amazon told ZDNet in September. [If] we find bad actors who have engaged in this behavior, we will take swift action against them, including terminating their selling accounts, deleting reviews, withholding funds, and taking legal action. ROME - The Valpolicella 50th Anniversary Tour is about to kick off. The internationalization activities of the consortium are set to begin on October 10 in Vancouver and later make stops in Chicago, Washington D.C. and Zurich. Canada is a strategic market for Valpolicella wines that in 2017 accounted for 25% of total Valpolicella exports, 17% of Valpolicella Ripasso and 6% of Amarone. Among the activities planned in Vancouver is a "walk around tasting" and a media dinner held in collaboration with Town Hall Brands and Consorzio Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, with the support of the Italian consulate in the city. On the same day there will be a competition for those working in the sector that will give the possibility to the winner to gain access to the second edition of the Valpolicella Education Program. The program is course for certification of Valpolicella wines and territory to train new experts that will be held in Verona January 29-31, 2019. The Valpolicella 50th Anniversary Tour will continue in the US October 15-17 in Chicago, where wine tastings and institutional meetings will be held. The international activities of the consortium for the tour will end in Zurich, Switzerland, on October 29 at Metropol. A "walk around tasting" will be held in collaboration with Vinum, a top wine magazine for readers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and the Consorzio Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. Two institutional masterclasses by Christian Eder, the correspondent in Italy for Vinum, will also be held. (ANSAmed). A man has been acquitted of assaulting another man who later had to have part of his testicle removed. Raymond Leonard (35), of Sliabh Ban, Ballybane, Galway, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Nicholas Devlin, causing him harm at Anna Villa, Ranelagh, on August 30, 2015. The jury took just under 90 minutes to enter a unanimous not guilty verdict on day four of the trial. During the trial, Garda Gregory Devoy revealed that Mr Leonard gave a voluntary interview six months after the incident and said he could not recall the night in question. Mr Leonard, a former manager at An Bhialann restaurant in Ranelagh, told gardai: "I have never been in a fight in my life." Mr Devlin agreed under cross-examination that his "lasting impression" was of the attacker being 6ft tall. Defence counsel Keith Spencer BL put it to Mr Devlin that his client is 5ft 8in. Mr Devlin also agreed that he stated the assailant was wearing a dark shirt. Mr Spencer asked Mr Devlin to explain why Mr Leonard could be seen wearing a white shirt on pub CCTV shortly before the incident. The witness replied that he felt it was consistent to give the same evidence, as he thought it had been a dark shirt. Mr Devlin told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that he had been ejected from McSorley's pub in Ranelagh after an incident with bar staff clearing away his group's drinks. He said he approached another group of people outside the pub to see if they knew the bar staff as this group had been allowed to remain on the premises. Mr Devlin said the group's demeanour was aggressive and he had a short verbal exchange with one man, before this individual punched him twice in the face and kneed him in the groin. Crumpled He said he felt "extreme pain" immediately after being kneed and "I kind of crumpled to the ground". Mr Devlin told the court he went to hospital the following day and he later had to have surgery to remove part of his ruptured testicle. He agreed with Mr Spencer that he had said "I think I'm certain" when pointing out the individual he said assaulted him on CCTV played in court. Amy Huberman has revealed that husband Brian O'Driscoll will be making a split-second appearance in her new comedy-drama Finding Joy. Amy both wrote and stars in the new RTE series, which explores a young Irish woman in her search for what she believes is happiness. Expand Close Brian O'Driscoll. Photo: Sportsfile / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brian O'Driscoll. Photo: Sportsfile Joining Nicky Byrne and Jenny Greene on their 2FM show yesterday, the actress told how rugby legend husband Brian was set to appear in the show in a cameo role. She told on-air how the couple had been hoping that viewers at home would be second-guessing themselves, wondering if they had seen the former Leinster and Ireland star on their screens. Thunder "It is a really small little thing - and we were actually hoping people would be like, 'Is that, is that, what?'," said Amy. She said her husband wasn't trying to steal her thunder and only wanted to appear on-screen very briefly. "He was really happy to come in and do something. It's only little, like a 'blink and you miss it', which is what he wanted." It's not the first time the couple have shared the screen. Fans of The Clinic, in which Amy played the role of receptionist Daisy O'Callaghan, will remember Brian making another cameo in a 2009 episode of the highly successful drama which ran for six years on Sunday nights on RTE One. However, Brian is not the only familiar face among the cast of Finding Joy. Amy's brother Mark Huberman - who is currently treading the boards alongside Ruth Negga at the Gate Theatre in Hamlet - also appears in the show. Her good pals, comedian Aisling Bea and presenter Laura Whitmore, were also cast in the series. "You know what is even scarier than putting it out in the general domain is asking your friends," said Amy. "With anyone I had asked I said you have to take our friendship out of this and see if it is something you want to do - and I will never be friends with you again," she joked. Finding Joy airs tomorrow on RTE One at 9.35pm The latest attempt by gang thug John Gilligan to secure bail has been adjourned. Pic: Frank Mc Grath Pint-sized gang boss John Gilligan - who is accused of money laundering offences - is facing a real and immediate threat to his life, the High Court in the North has heard. Lawyers for Dublin criminal Gilligan also insisted he has no intention of fleeing the country because of his ongoing involvement in litigation over a "vast property portfolio". Further details emerged as the 66-year-old's latest attempt to secure bail was adjourned yesterday. Gilligan, of Greenforth Crescent, Dublin, was arrested at Belfast International Airport on August 23 as he was about to board a flight to Alicante in Spain. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) said officers recovered around 23,000 from his luggage. He faces a charge of attempting to remove criminal property. Prosecutors previously opposed his release by claiming he had "sold up" and was leaving Ireland behind for a new life in Spain. All the cash in his suitcase was said to have come from family, friends and the sale of belongings. One man had allegedly purchased a watch from him for 5,000, the court heard previously. However, Gilligan's legal team has insisted he only intended to rent a property in Spain for a limited period of time. Abscond With bail refused last month due to concerns the accused could abscond, Gilligan returned to the High Court in a bid to establish a change of circumstances. Opening the application, defence barrister Plunkett Nugent stressed the need to keep any subsequent living arrangements undisclosed due to a threat to Gilligan's life. "It's common case there's a very real and immediate threat to the defendant's life," Mr Nugent said. Mr Nugent argued that newly available documents showed his client fully complied with bail terms in a separate case from the 1980s. "The defendant is involved in very, very major legal proceedings in relation to a vast property portfolio in the neighbouring jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland," the barrister told the court. "Far from any notion of fleeing, he intends to pursue this to the nth degree." Questioning whether the necessary change of circumstances had been demonstrated, Justice Donnell Deeny also cited the normal period of three months before fresh applications are mounted. However, Judge Deeny decided to adjourn the legal bid so that the original judge can make a new determination on a later date. Victim Timmy Foley who died from suspected stab wounds suffered at a house in Macroom, Co Cork on Sunday night. Pic Sullpied By Provision Gardai yesterday arrested a woman in her 40s as part of a murder investigation after a middle-aged man died from stab injuries in an incident in Cork. The dead man was named locally at Timothy 'Timmy' Foley (44). Mr Foley was originally from Clonakilty, in west Cork, but had been living in Macroom in recent times where he was caring for his brother Jason. The dead man suffered fatal injuries following an incident at a property at Dan Corkery Place, Macroom, shortly before 2am yesterday. Collapsed It is understood he suffered stab injuries to his chest. Mr Foley apparently attempted to leave the bungalow after being injured but collapsed on the pavement immediately outside. He was discovered unresponsive by emergency services on the pavement in a pool of blood. Gardai investigating the fatal stabbing have arrested a woman in her 40s. The woman was arrested yesterday afternoon and was last night being questioned at Bandon Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. At approximately 1.50am gardai were called to the house and discovered a 44-year-old man with suspected stab wounds. Desperate efforts were made to stabilise the critically injured man at the scene. However, Mr Foley was pronounced dead a short time later before he could be transferred to hospital. A second man and a woman were rushed to hospitals in Cork. The man is expected to undergo emergency surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. The woman's injuries are not described as serious. Gardai hope to speak with both the injured man and woman about the precise circumstances of what happened once they are medically fit to be interviewed. The scene was immediately sealed off by gardai to allow for a full technical examination by forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau. The dead man was later removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where a post-mortem examination will be conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. Macroom gardai have launched a murder investigation as they are satisfied from the preliminary findings that Mr Foley met a violent death. Door-to-door enquiries began in the quiet housing estate to determine if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious between 10pm on Sunday and 2am yesterday. Locals were deeply shocked by the tragedy. "This is a very quiet estate," one man said. "There are a lot of elderly people here and there are also a number of families with young children. "But it is a quiet place and nothing like this has ever happened here before." Superintendent Mick Fitzpatrick appealed to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area to assist gardai. Mr Foley was a well-known figure around Macroom town. He had been caring for his brother in recent times after he had been released from serving a short sentence at Cork Prison. Caring Mr Foley's brother was dependent on the care of relatives after he sustained a serious head injury a number of years ago. The nature of the head injury left him unsuited to independent living. It is understood the dead man had been caring for his brother for a period of around 11 months. Gardai will check CCTV security camera footage from around Macroom town on Saturday and Sunday amid indications the deceased may have been socialising in the hours before his death. Detectives want to confirm precisely who Mr Foley was with at the time of the incident. The woman and man found at the scene were known to the deceased. (by Mohammad Ben Hussein). BAQAA CAMP (JORDAN) - Ahmed Ebrahim Baker is a typical bright student from al Baqaa Palestinian refugee camp secondary school: ambitious, hardworking and resilient, yet he stands out among his peers for his unique gift of gap, charisma and built in leadership. The 14 years old made history at the UN general assembly last month when he roared in front of international diplomats to sound the alarm about the uncertain future facing UNRWA (the UN agency for Palestinian refugees) in light of unprecedented financial crisis. As president of the UNRWA student parliament, he was invited to speak on behalf of half a million students across the Middle East, who fear the organization is heading for bankruptcy, a scenario that would have a profound impact on their lives, let alone aspiration for returning to their homeland in Palestine. The frail looking boy stood and spoke elegantly in earning attention of diplomats and the preying eyes of media. Confidence and determination to deliver his message helped Ahmed appear to feel at home in such an intimidating environment. "I was nervous at the beginning when I started talking in front of world leaders but I have a responsibility of representing half a million students," said Ahmed as he recalled his speech at the UN last month, an event that turned him into celebrity in the camp. "Education for Palestinian refugees is the artery of life. The road to good future and fulfilling our dreams." In the past months, Ahmed took on to promote his cause and lobby for the right of refugees to education, spoke in front of Arab league foreign ministers, drawing applauses from foreign ministers and diplomats as well as senior UNRWA staff for his bravery and pure passion about his cause. "When I come to school and see that its doors are open, I feel happy but I am afraid these schools could be shut down. This is a fear dwelling in minds of all Palestinian refugee students." The recent crisis stems from the US freezing assistance to UNRWA by withholding $305m, leaving the organisation with an overall funding shortfall of $446m for the year, or 30 percent of its budget. Services by UNRWA include: education to over 526,000 children in 711 schools, provision of health consultations in 138 health centres, delivery of food or cash to more than 1.5 million food-insecure refugees, and business loans worth on average USD 24 million per year to 33,000 refugees for micro-enterprise in support of livelihoods. Jordan, home to the largest number of Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, arranged an international donors conference in the US on Sept 27 with Sweden, Turkey, Japan and Germany as well as well as top officials from the EU and EC to seek urgent funding. The outcome was promising, according to Jordan, with donors securing funds sufficient to run the organization for the upcoming fiscal year, but donors gave no guarantees of sustained funding, according to diplomats. UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.4 million Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. In the cramped, dirty streets of the camp's public market, people rush through busy alleys as vendors entertain themselves with songs on their products. Desperation, poverty and neglect from local authorities are evident on faces of residents and rundown roads and buildings. Ahmed, whose family arrived in Jordan from Gaza after 1967 remains defiant about his goals, which can only be achieved through education. "We, as Palestinian refugees, did not chose to be refugees, but we have dreams and aspirations like any other children. I wish that in the coming days UNRWA continues to open its school in order to achieve our dreams," he concluded. Libyan Coast Guard rescues 93 migrants Were on a sinking dinghy off Khoms (ANSAmed) - CAIRO, OCTOBER 9 - The Libyan Coast Guard said it rescued 93 migrants on Sunday who were on a "vessel" in poor condition located 69 miles off Khoms, on the country's northwest coast. The coast guard said on its Facebook page that they received a call for help and intervened with their patrol boat "Zuara". The migrants, all of whom were men and three of whom where in "a very bad state", were taken to the migrant centre in Khoms after having received "medical and humanitarian care", also due to very cold weather. The post, which was published on Monday evening, said 56 of the migrants were from Bangladesh, 24 from Sudan, seven from Chad, three from Egypt, two from Sri Lanka, and one from Niger.(ANSAmed). For Subscribers Haven't got your turkey yet? Don't plan on getting one farm-raised Last year, Thanksgiving dinners had smaller turkeys because of the pandemic. This year, farmers say they're nearly sold out. Grocers say they're set. PARIS - Moments of tension occurred between police and protestors on Tuesday at the beginning of a union protest in Paris to ''defend the social model'' of France. At the beginning of the march, police used tear gas after objects were thrown at them and insults were yelled by a few protestors on Boulevard Raspail. The peaceful protest called by unions was halted for ten minutes but then resumed as planned towards Place d'Italie. Several protests were being held during the day across all of France. The CGT, Fo, Solidaires, Unef, Fidl and Unl unions called for ''defending the social model'' of the country, which in their view has been jeopardized by reforms under President Emmanuel Macron. US Jerusalem uni student stuck in Tel Aviv airport for week A BDS activist who cannot enter, says minister (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, OCTOBER 9 - For the past week, a US student enrolled at the Jewish University of Jerusalem has been stuck in Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport after being denied entrance to the country by the authorities. The 26-year-old student of Palestinian origins, Lara al-Qassam, has filed an appeal and is awaiting a hearing in court. Meanwhile, the case has garnered ever more attention in the media. The Jerusalem university she is enrolled at and which fully supports her has gone up against the Ministry for Internal Security, which claims that Qassam is an activist from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and that she must therefore be denied entrance to Israel. In an interview with the radio military, Minister for Internal Security Gilad Erdan spoke out against the ''campaign organized by the far-left'' in favor of the student. He said that he might review his decision ''if the girl were to declare explicitly that the boycott is a mistake''. University rector Barak Medina reiterated that universities are notoriously a place for different ideas to be discussed in a free manner and lashed out at the ''arbitrary decision'' by Minister Erdan to deny permission for Qassam to enter. She had arrived in Israel with a visa and her enrolment at the university shows that she is not boycotting Israel, he said. The rector then said that he was afraid an ''extreme measure'' against Qassam could set a precedent and discourage other foreign students and scholars from going to the university. (ANSAmed). ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean (ANSAmed) - ROMA, OCTOBER 9 - These are the main events scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean for today: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 LYON - EU, meeting of G6 interior ministers, with EU Commissioners Dimitris Avramopoulos and Julian King LISBON - Union for the Mediterranean conference "Women Who Build Inclusive Societies in the Mediterranean" (until 11/10). (ANSAmed). Working Day or Night, NDMS Teams Deploy to Support Healthcare Facilities and Save Lives in Communities Overwhelmed by COVID-19: We are NDMSThats What We do Saudi ambassador to US worried over Khashoggi disappearance Says Turkey's accusations are false, Kingdom wants truth (ANSAmed) - ROME, OCTOBER 9 - The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, said in a statement Tuesday that he is worried about Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared in Istanbul and was last seen entering the Saudi consolate there last Tuesday. Abdulaziz denied Turkey's accusations that the journalist, who was critical of the Saudi monarchy, was killed, said Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya. "I assure you that the reports that suggest that Jamal Khashoggi went missing in the consulate in Istanbul or that the Kingdom's authorities have detained him or killed him are absolutely false, and baseless," he said in a statement. "It goes without saying that his family in the Kingdom is very concerned for him, as are we," Abdulaziz said, adding that the missing journalist is a friend of his. "What we want to know is that Jamal is OK and that the truth is revealed about what has happened," he said. Abdulaziz said Khashoggi is a Saudi citizen and as such, his safety is a priority for the Saudi government.(ANSAmed). Following President Abdulla Yameens surprise defeat in the Maldivian election, the air of self-congratulation in New Delhi risks obscuring the challenges. India ought to learn from its experience with Sri Lanka, where China has retained its influence and leverage even after authoritarian President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, was thrown out by voters in early 2015. In the Maldives, China may be down, but its not out and could, as in Sri Lanka, re-establish its clout through debt-trap diplomacy. The Maldivian archipelago, despite its tiny population, is of key importance to Indian security, given that it sits astride critical sea lanes through which much of Indias shipping passes. From the Indian naval station on the Lakshadweep island of Minicoy, the Maldives northernmost Thuraakunu Island is just 100 km away. The election victory of opposition candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, against an increasingly autocratic Yameen cannot roll back Chinas deep strategic inroads during the incumbent presidents rule. To be sure, the outcome represents a triumph of Indian patience. Had India militarily intervened in the Maldives, it could have provoked a nationalistic backlash and strengthened Islamist forces in a country that has supplied the worlds highest per capita number of foreign fighters to terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. After Yameen in February declared a state of emergency and jailed Supreme Court justices and political opponents, India came under pressure, including from the Maldivian opposition, to intervene militarily, as it did once before in 1988 when it foiled an attempted coup. But unlike in 1988, no legitimate authority was inviting India to send in forces. By erring on the side of caution and holding out an intervention threat if the voting were not free and fair, India aided the electoral outcome. Contrast this with Indian missteps in Nepal, where India woke up belatedly to the political machinations in Kathmandu that led to a flawed new Constitution being promulgated. India then backed the Madhesi movement for constitutional amendments an agitation that triggered a five-month border blockade of essential supplies to Nepal. The resulting Nepalese grassroots backlash against India eventually contributed to the China-aided communists sweeping Nepals 2017 elections. The restoration of full democracy in the Maldives after, hopefully, a smooth transfer of power on November 17, will be a diplomatic boost for India. However, in Indias larger strategic backyard, China continues to systematically erode Indian clout. Indeed, the Maldivian election result coincided with a major development underscoring Nepals pro-China tilt. After implementing a transit transport agreement with China to cut dependence on India, communist-ruled Nepal under Chinese pressure has reversed its previous governments cancellation of the $2.5 billion Budhi-Gandaki Dam project. China bagged the project without competitive bidding. It massively inflated the project cost, which will leave Nepal struggling to repay the Chinese debt. Yameen, who signed major financing and investment deals with Beijing, will be departing after pushing the Maldives to the brink of a Chinese debt trap. Can the Maldives still escape debt entrapment by emulating the example set by Malaysias Mahathir Mohamad, who recently cancelled Chinese projects worth almost $23 billion? Or is the Maldives, like Sri Lanka, already so indebted that it will remain under Chinas sway? Nearly 80% of the Maldives external debt equivalent to about one-quarter of its GDP is owed to China. Even without any new contracts, the Maldivian debt to China will rise because of the Chinese projects already completed or initiated, thus allowing Beijing to retain its favourite source of leverage. Indeed, Beijing will seek to court Yameens successor just as it has in Sri Lanka wooed Rajapaksas successor, who has disclosed that China has gifted him $300 million for any project of my wish, besides constructing South Asias largest kidney hospital in his electoral district. In this light, the post-Yameen Maldives like Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would likely seek to balance relations with India and China, thus reinforcing how Beijing has fundamentally altered geopolitics in a subregion New Delhi long considered its natural sphere of influence. As Maldives closest partner, a proactive India must leverage its ties. India should assist in infrastructure development and be willing to refinance Maldives Chinese debt so as to achieve lower costs and a longer-term maturity profile. India will have to closely watch Chinas activities in the unpopulated Maldivian islands it managed to lease during Yameens reign. China is muscling its way into Indias maritime backyard, including sending warships to the Maldives and signing an accord for an ocean observatory there that could provide critical data for deploying nuclear submarines. The new Maldivian government should be left in no doubt about Indias red lines. Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist and author The views expressed are personal My recent travel to the highlands of Kerala for a geophysical survey of the landslide-affected regions in the outskirts of Munnar alerted me of the impending dangers of overtourism. The winding roads appeared busy as always, notwithstanding their bad condition following the landslides. Flex boards with images of the seamless hills carpeted by the purplish-blue Neelakurinji, welcomed the visitors to the festival of blooms, a spectacle that happens only once in twelve years. A Nilgiri Tahr perched on rocky escarpment looked like a symbol of precarious survival. Our trip ended at Anachal, about 15 km south of Munnar, and we were to map the surface and subsurface structures that were critical to triggering the slide. Work took us to the inner, steep, winding and narrow roads often flanked by cardamom, coffee, cocoa, rubber or mixed planations, most of which were generally disturbed by land slides. This place was different a few decades back. A second generation farmer we met recalled how his father in the 1930s and 1940s worked in the wilderness and how they spent their night in their tree-top houses for fear of animals that would stray into their settlements. The image of a treetop house, with a small kerosene-lit lamp flickering in the wind, the chill air and the occasional roar of an elephant sounded romantic and haunting. The towering concrete buildings, too imposing and ruthlessly breaking the serenity of the woods looked uninviting. Driving through the much altered hills I thought of ecotourism. Author of the famous book, Sustainable Tourism on a Finite Planet: Environmental, Business and Policy Solutions, Megan Epler Wood, describes ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Whether it is the natural settings like that of Munnar or Darjeeling or man made wonders like the Taj Mahal, there is a grave danger in the uncontrolled growth of tourism. Jonathan Tourtellot, an expert in sustainable tourism, wrote in his 2017 National Geographic blog that overtourism plagues great destinations. I think it is true for many of our tourist destinations. Regulating tourism-related activities requires safeguards and law enforcement and perhaps we are moving in that direction. Thus, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has restricted the duration of visitors to the Taj Mahal to three hours. The ASIs vision for the future includes curbing the number of visitors each day, to about 40,000 per day as against 70,000 now, newspapers have reported. Jeffrey Bartholet wrote in the Smithsonian Magazine in 2011 that the main human impact on the monument probably occurs inside the tomb, where the moist breath of thousands of daily visitors and their oily hands rubbing the walls has discoloured the marble. The local population in the hills told me that people from the cities were buying prime land for future development, as hotels and other tourist related activities. After the 2018 landslides and severe destruction to properties on the hill slopes, now they seem undecided. Perhaps this is the window of opportunity for promoting ecotourism. I met visitors walking through the cardamom planations, excited at the newfound knowledge that these seeds actually grow near the root of a plant belonging to the ginger family, and not on a tree. A family that we made friends with during our work served us black coffee, made from seeds processed at their home. They showed us how the process the cocoa fruits that later make to the nearby chocolate factory. When I brought the local chocolates back to Bangalore, my friends were surprised that such excellent chocolates were made in these hills. Many of them did not know that these hills grew cocoa. One should go to the hills, to enjoy how men live alongside nature. To explore the wilderness, one should skip the five star facilities. Dont we have enough of them in the cities? Kusala Rajendran is professor at the Centre for Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India The view expressed are personal It is not often that one particular bilateral summit helps put a number of pieces in a countrys foreign policy jigsaw in place. The just concluded 19th India-Russia annual summit did just that. After this summit, one can see various strands of Indias engagements with major powers the US, China and Russia itself. The S-400 deal was the main headline grabber. India chose to purchase the long range surface-to-air missile system from Russia risking US sanctions under its Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Whether India eventually gets a waiver depends on the US President Donald Trump. A number of experts have questioned Indias wisdom in going forward with the S-400 deal despite knowing the risks to the India-US relationship. Some have also questioned the need for India investing so much in the Russia relationship even as the strategic worldview of New Delhi and Moscow have, of late, diverged considerably. With these questions in the backdrop, three points need to be made. First, India now seems to be realising that the real balancing it needs to do is between the US and Russia, and not between the US and China. Given the current warmth between Beijing and Moscow, the distinction may not be immediately obvious. But consider this: through its actions, China has made it clear to India that New Delhi and Beijing cannot become friends in the foreseeable future. India will have to resort to some kind of balancing with China. As TV Paul, James McGill Professor of International Relations with McGill University, has suggested, New Delhis approach may not go beyond soft balancing coalitions and limited hard balancing through acquisition of asymmetrical military capabilities. However, unlike in Chinas case, India has not yet found half a coherent response which can manage its defence relationship with Russia in the face of Moscows growing unpopularity in the West. Second, Indias continuous outreach to Russia also has to do with its quest for multipolarity in the global order. After his meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: India and Russia are unanimous in strengthening multipolarity and multilateralism in this rapidly changing world. Modis commendable efforts to strengthen ties with powers like Japan and France were also partly driven by this quest for multipolarity. However, it seems New Delhi has not thought through this multipolarity question in its entire depth. It is Chinas rise that has given a big push to multipolarity. So while the goal of multipolarity may seem like an utopia, the path to it goes through Chinas ascendance a deeply discomforting proposition for India. It is well known that China takes a dim view of Indias desire to get a high seat in institutions of global governance. India got a clean waiver from the full-scope safeguards condition of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) with the US help when the latter enjoyed pre-eminent status on the global stage. New Delhis effort to receive NSG membership hasnt borne fruit in the post-financial crisis world where the US power has lost some of its shine. Moreover, the multipolar end is not guaranteed either. We may end up with a bipolar world with spheres of influence divided between the US and China. Again, India would not want this eventuality because South Asia will then most definitely fall in Chinas lap. Third, while Modi has failed to sufficiently reimagine ties with Russia and hasnt thought through the multipolarity quest, he has found the right pace to move the India-US relationship forward. Modi has been able to achieve a lot with the US: two foundational agreementsLogistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (Lemoa) and Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (Comcasa)that help the cause of interoperability between the two countries forces, the major defence partner tag and Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status for India that would shore up defence cooperation, and greater convergence among their respective Indo-Pacific strategies. This has been possible because Modi is aware of potential tripwires. New Delhis desire to buy S-400 missile systems predates Americas CAATSA law. While Indian policymakers are not stupid enough to spend more than $5 billion just to exhibit their strategic autonomyS-400 systems offer real valueit is true that Indias failure to go ahead with the deal would have strengthened voices in domestic politics that would have accused India of becoming a US lackey. Similarly, if India had last year voted in the United Nations in favour of Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital even as key US allies like Britain and France did not, Modi would have put India-US ties in the domestic political crossfire. Washington needs to appreciate this aspect of Indias domestic political dynamic; the S-400 deal is not merely a result of the legacy of defence cooperation with Russia. A waiver from CAATSA is, therefore, eminently warranted but will likely come at a cost. Kunal Singh is a New Delhi-based strategic affairs analyst The views expressed are personal The Me Too movement has received support from many artistes in Bollywood including Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker, Anurag Kashyap, Kangana Ranaut and others. Now, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan too has come out in the support of the movement. The actor, who had spoken in the past about being in an abusive relationship with actor Salman Khan, said at an event on Tuesday, I have always spoken out, I spoke in the past, I am speaking now, and I will continue to speak. Aishwarya was at an event for Loreal where she added that there was no right or wrong time to call out predators or share an incident. She said, When it comes to helping women find their voice, find the strength, feel confident about sharing their stories, its not about the current time. This has been going on since a lot of time and I am glad it has found a certain momentum today. Aishwarya also mentioned how social media has enabled conversation about an important issue such as this and help survivors find their voice. She said, Social media has enabled the conversation and any woman who comes from any part of the world today has a voice that will be heard. The Fanney Khan actor, however, refused to comment on singular cases like that of Vikas Bahl or of Alok Nath. She said instead, The #MeToo movement has been the need of the hour since time immemorial and I hope together we keep the momentum going. At the same time, if a case gets sub judice, we have to respect the law of the land. The Me Too movement in India began with actor Tanushree Dutta who accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of Horn Ok Please. This was then followed by an employee of Phantom accusing director Vikas Bahl of sexual harassment, an incident that was then corroborated by director Anurag Kashyap. Follow @htshowbiz for more Vijay Krishna Acharya of Dhoom 3 fame is back with his next outing Thugs of Hindostan. The film boasts of an impressive star cast including superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and the Dangal girl Fatima Sana Shaikh. The trailer of the film showed the grand scale on which the film has been mounted. Its cinematography reminded one of some of the biggest action adventure films. The production house YRF has now shared a video of the making of the film that shows how two huge ships were built exclusively for the film. The ships have a major role in the film and look realistic and almost functional. Director Vijay Krishna Acharya has revealed that he started working on the film in 2014 and the process from design to the final execution took more than a year. As they were looking for a place with existing infrastructure to make it a reality, they decided to build the ships in Malta. Impressed with the work done, Amitabh has said in the video, It all sounded very grand when I was hearing the sequences. I was very apprehensive that how they are going to pull this off so I kept asking them. The makers have revealed how the wooden logs were first slightly burnt and then sanded to make them look old. Then painters were roped in to add the edging effect. The team then faced the challenge of transferring the ships over a distance of one kilometre to the final spot but finally managed to make it possible. Follow @htshowbiz for more Even as Sonali Bendre puts up a brave fight against cancer in the US and actor Rishi Kapoor gets himself medically checked in New York, they keep spreading joy and positivity around them. Actor Neetu Kapoor shared two lovely pictures of them together and it will surely put a smile back on your face. Priyanka Chopra was also seen in one of the photos. Sharing a picture of Rishi, Sonali, Goldie Behl and filmmaker Srishti Behlarya, Neetu wrote: Love you @priyankachopra love you @iamsonalibendre love you @srishtibehlarya Goldie !!!!wonderful beautiful pple. (From left) Seen here, Srishti Behlarya, Rishi Kapoor, Sonali Bendre, Neetu Kapoor and Goldie Behl. (Instagram) In the picture, all five of them are huddled up on a sofa. Sonali, Rishi, Neetu and Goldie are seen with Srishti. Sonali has a grey cap on while Rishi looks sweet with his mop of silvery white hair. In another picture, shared by Neetu, Rishi and Neetu were seen with Priyanka Chopra. She wrote: Love you @priyankachopra love you @iamsonalibendre love you @srishtibehlarya Goldie !!!!wonderful beautiful pple. On September 29, Rishi Kapoor tweeted to say that he was leaving for the US for medical treatment. He ascribed it to wear and tear of more than 45 years as a Bollywood actor and requested all not to speculate. However, social media has been a abuzz with talk of the actor suffering from cancer. His son, actor Ranbir Kapoor, however, said since the diagnosis is far from over it was unfair to make such assumptions. To spell any doubts about his ill health, Rishi posted a short video of him walking on a busy New York alley with fellow actor Anupam Kher and wrote: New York,Manhattan. Kher-free or is it Care-freeon Madison Avenue with colleague and old friend Anupam Kher this afternoon! Follow @htshowbiz for more Writer-lyricist Varun Grover, who has worked on Sacred Games and Masaan among other projects, has denied allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him by an unnamed woman. A Twitter user shared an anonymous allegation which states that the incident occurred when Varun Grover was a student at BHU. After the tweet went viral, Varun took to Twitter to deny the said allegations and in a detailed statement, he wrote, Really unfortunate that these completely fabricated and defamatory allegations have been made on me. NONE of the sequence of events as described in that anonymous screenshot happened ever and I deny all of it with all the conviction I have in my bones. He added, I know it is hard to reconcile the two - Believe Women and Dont put any allegations on me. I have been thrown this curve ball and I will find a way - but at the end of the day, a complete lie cant be allowed to roam free while truth sits cornered in a dungeon. He then went on to state why the claims made in the screenshot are not true. The tweet and the account have since been deleted. In the meantime, directors Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan have come out in support of Varun. Anurag tweeted, This man I have known so closely and so so long that I refuse to believe any allegations about him. #believethevictim and investigate the claims and also be careful to not let vested interests sabotage a long pending genuine movement. Here's my detailed statement about the completely fabricated, misleading, and defamatory allegations against me. Am absolutely willing to cooperate and clear my name. Let's not allow such agenda-driven tactics to derail this movement please. pic.twitter.com/VTFeIjygcl (@varungrover) October 9, 2018 This man I have known so closely and so so long that I refuse to believe any allegations about him . #believethevictim and investigate the claims and also be careful to not let vested interests sabotage a long pending genuine movement https://t.co/A4bkVgF9Hb Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) October 9, 2018 Neeraj also tweeted, I know Varun for the large part of my life. I can never believe he would do such a thing. Never. Those allegations reek of vindictive behaviour and not a shred of truth in them. Absolutely, 100%, in solidarity with his statement below (denial statement on Twitter). He added, Its appalling how such slanderous allegations are trying to sabotage the #MeToo movement in India. Varun is someone who is truly putting his weight and career behind for this movement. It is horribly irresponsible of whoever is behind this to malign him. Neeraj also said that his response is emotional and hence it would be fair to discount it. But also added, Of course, my response is emotional and it is totally fair to discount it. This is my truth, what I believe in and I wanted to put it out there. You can wait for the truth to come in due course. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Flora Saini, who played the ghost in Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Stree, has shared her own #MeToo story as the movement gathers momentum in India with powerful men being accused of sexual harassment and worse. Calling the women who have outed these powerful names her superheroes, Flora wrote how her former boyfriend, producer Gaurang Doshi, physically abused her and scarred her for life. Sharing a photo in which she has visible injuries on her face, Flora wrote, Thats me.. Valentines day 2007 beaten up by a known producer Gaurang Doshi who I loved n was dating then .. this was the last of the one year abuse I took..came out with a fractured jaw n a scarred soul for life.. The Stree actor wrote that she spoke up about the producer but in vain, I realised me talking about it ,that time, jus went against me ,cos he was the powerful one n nobody wanted to believe some girl who was relatively new in the industry, it was his word against mine ,and of course, his word mattered. Doshi has produced films such as Aankhen, Deewar and Sandstorm. She goes on to say that speaking about it affected her career too. He threatened me that he will make sure I never work in the industry again n much more.. n he did his best to make me believe it too.. I was replaced in films, people didnt quiet wanna even meet me or let me audition. I thot I made a mistake, I shud have jus kept quiet ..I wanted to runaway, hide n be somewhere where people didnt look at me with judging eyes n cud only jus give me work.. n not judge me by the abuse I suffered at the hands of gaurang doshi with no fault of mine. She claimed she was not the only one who went through this abuse, N mind u there were girls after me who were made to suffer the same way by the same man , they called me for help but werent brave enuf to even come out n speak for themselves. Applauding the women who are naming the men who harassed them in the past and are harbingers of Indias #MeToo movement, Flora wrote, This note is for all the people who have chosen to speak who are standing up against anybody who has done them wrong, no matter how powerful or renowned ..its takes guts.. a lot of guts.. the abuser forgets, but the abused carries the baggage forever.. u guys make me so proud to b a woman in this industry today where our voice is being heard where people are not judging us for speaking out against an abuser.. they r actually coming together to make the work space safe for us even more.. to all the people who are standing up to talk n all those who standing up to support.. My life after this incident hasnt been the same n has changed me in ways that I cant ever repair .. But one thing Ive known, believed n lived as a proof is that God alone controls ur destiny n no man can ever challenge him. Live ur truth, wear it like armour n dont let anybody make u feel small.. u are not alone this time, she signed off. The Delhi High Court Monday allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a closure report in the case of JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, who went missing from the university nearly two years ago. A bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel declined the plea of the missing students mother, Fatima Nafees, to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and monitor the probe, thereby removing the CBI from the investigation. The bench said Nafees, who had moved the high court in November 2016 seeking directions to the police to trace her son, can raise all contentions available to her before the trial court and disposed of the plea. The court had reserved its verdict in the case on September 4. The CBI, which had taken over the probe on May 16 last year, had after more than a year of investigation said it had looked into all the aspects of the case and was of the opinion that no offence was committed against the missing student. Ahmed had gone missing from the Mahi-Mandvi hostel of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi on October 15, 2016, following a scuffle with some students allegedly affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the previous night. The lawyer for Nafees had contended before the court that it was a political case and that the CBI has succumbed to the pressure of its masters. Nafees had moved the high court on November 25, 2016, seeking directions to the police to trace her son. However, as the Delhi Police remained clueless about Ahmeds whereabouts even after seven months since he went missing, the probe was handed over to the CBI on May 16 last year. The Delhi Police had not opposed the handing over of the investigation in the case, saying it had done its bit in the matter. The counsel for Nafees had earlier said nine students were named in a complaint filed by 18 students, who were eyewitnesses to the alleged assault on Ahmed, yet they were not interrogated. The nine students named in the complaint have denied all the allegations against them. Delhi Police on Sunday arrested a man for allegedly hiring contract killers to get his businessman father killed in Ghaziabad in May this year. Police said the arrested accused, Gaurav Khera, had lost a lot of money in gambling, following which his father refused to give him money. Hence, he wanted to take revenge on his father and take over his chemical production business in Khari Baoli. Khera, who had allegedly paid the contract killers Rs 5 lakh, had also promised 25% share in his fathers business to a friend who had arranged for the killers, police said. On May 21, Anil Khera was gunned down around 5pm while he was on his way back from a meeting in Rajindra Nagar industrial area in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad by two motorcycle-borne assailants. After shooting Anil multiple times from a close range, the assailants allegedly fled on a black Pulsar bike. Additional commissioner of police (crime), Ajit Singla, said they received a specific input on Sunday about Anils son Gauravs involvement in planning the murder. Accordingly, a team laid a trap in Maljis Park, where Gaurav was expected to arrive with his aides Vishal Garg and Sadiq Khan. The three were detained soon as they were spotted. During questioning, the three men confessed to have committed Anils murder, Singla said. Singla maintained, Gaurav confessed that he was into gambling and had suffered substantial losses. When he had asked his father for money, he had refused to give him. Gaurav also told us that his father had even slapped him. It was then that he decided to eliminate his father for which he roped in Garg, who helped him hire two contract killers -- Shamsher and Sadiq Khan -- for Rs 5 lakh, the officer said. Singla said being the only son, Gaurav knew that he would have had to take over the business in case of his fathers death. Hence, he even promised Garg 25% partnership in his fathers chemical business. On the day of the murder, Singla said, Gaurav tipped off the killers that his father would be travelling to Sahibabad for a meeting. Shamsher and Khan followed Anil all the way to Sahibabad. As he went for his meeting, the duo waited outside. Soon as he stepped out, the two men shot him multiple times and fled. Four days after the murder, Garg and Gaurav paid Shamsher Rs 5 lakh. However, Shamsher gave only Rs 50,000 to Khan and began blackmailing Gaurav for more money. They had all gathered at Majlis Park to negotiate the money when they were arrested, Singla said. A 33-year-old woman, who died of asphyxiation after a fire broke out at a condominium in Gurugram late on Sunday night, alerted neighbours by knocking at their doors and helped many escape in time, police said. The fire, suspected to be caused by a short circuit, broke out in an electrical shaft on the ground floor of a tower at Tulip Orange condominium in Sector 69 around 2am and spread all the way up to the ninth floor, engulfing corridors with heavy smoke, fire department officials said. Rescuers found Swati Garg lying unconscious near the terrace door almost an hour after the blaze started. She died before reaching the hospital, police said. Gurugram police commissioner KK Rao said a case under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Badshahpur police station against the developer and the maintenance agency. Swati, her husband, Girish Garg, their four-year-old daughter, Anjali, and Swatis mother, Vaishali Tikekar, who was visiting them, stepped out of their fifth floor apartment after the blaze. Around 200 residents live in 40 flats in the tower. Swati and Girish moved to their three-bedroom flat at the condominium with their daughter this May. Swati was an interior designer from Pune. Her husband is from Madhya Pradesh and works in Gurugram. The burnt electrical unit at Tulip Orange society, tower B6, in sector 70, Gurugram, India, on Monday, October 08, 2018. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) In the FIR (a copy of which is with Hindustan Times), Girish said the family realised a fire had broken out after they woke up after a power cut around 2.15am. The family started descending the only staircase, but on reaching a lower floor, realised the smoke was too dense to go any further and started climbing back. I took my daughter and ran upstairs. My wife and mother-in-law were walking behind. There was too much smoke on the eighth floor and I saw a door was open in one of the (vacant) apartments and took refuge with my daughter. Swati was walking behind with her mother, an asthma patient. I thought she had taken refuge in one of the other apartments, said Girish. He said he found out later that Swati was going upstairs with her mother. However, Swati and her mother decided to split and she proceeded towards the terrace in the hope of finding some fresh air and found the two terrace doors locked, he said. Some residents said Swati knocked at the doors of people living on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors and alerted them. While some of her neighbours said she tried to open the terrace doors in the hope of providing much-needed ventilation, others said that she was left behind in the commotion. Vipin Rawat, a station house officer at Badhsahpur police station, said the residents from fifth, sixth and seventh floor evacuated their apartments and rushed to two vacant apartments on the eighth floor to take shelter. The victim tried to save the residents who were asleep and knocked at their door and asked them to come out. She went up to open the terrace gate so that the fumes could pass through and people could get fresh air to breathe, said Rawat. Around 200 residents live in 40 flats in the tower at Tulip Orange society where fire broke out on Monday, October 8, 2018. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) IS Kashyap, an assistant divisional fire safety officer, said, Upon verifying our records, we found out that the society had the requisite NOC (No Objection Certificate) and fire safety norms. However, the doors to the terrace were locked, which is a clear violation of norms. Kashyap said his department received a call at 2.28am, and four fire tenders two each from sector 29 and sector 37 fire stations were rushed to the spot. The fire department began evacuating residents floor by floor. Officials said they evacuated everyone from the building by 3.45 am. It took officials 25 minutes to douse the blaze. Girish, his daughter and mother-in-law were evacuated around 3.30 am from the eighth floor. Residents said Swati was taken to Park hospital in Sector 47, where doctors declared her dead. Autopsy said Swati died of asphyxia, a condition when the body is deprived of oxygen. No houses were gutted in the incident though the residents had to stay without power on Monday. The RWA (Residents Welfare Association) and maintenance team offered us some vacant houses as temporary accommodation but I chose to stay at a friends place in one of the other towers. The management has told us that power will resume by Tuesday evening, said Alka Kumari, a resident. Fire department officials said the situation could have been much worse had the fire spread to a locked apartment on the eighth floor where more than 30 paint tins were found with highly flammable contents. Shailesh Ranjan, maintenance head of Tulip Infratech, said, All the Tulip buildings have necessary approvals and NOCs from the concerned departments, and are equipped with fire-fighting equipment. (With inputs from Leena Dhankhar) The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) has asked the Union health ministry for a report on the localised outbreak of Zika after 22 people tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, which can cause birth defects in unborn babies, in Rajasthans capital Jaipur. The Union health ministry, in a statement on Monday, confirmed the Zika cases in Jaipur so far through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) surveillance system. A seven-member high-level central team was deputed to Jaipur immediately following the detection of the first case to assist the state government in control and containment measures. The situation is being reviewed at the level of Union ministry of health and monitored on a daily basis by the secretary, health, Union health minister JP Nadda said in the statement. The Centres expert team has been monitoring the situation and assisting in containment operations in Rajasthan since October 5. Our team is monitoring the situation closely and taking all possible steps to contain the infection. Even the pregnant women in the area are being monitored closely. So far, there is nothing to panic, and even the Bihar case had come from Jaipur, said a senior health ministry official. The official was referring to the person who has been affected by the virus and belongs to Siwan in Bihar. The Siwan resident, who studies in Jaipur, visited his home between August 28 and September 12 to appear for an examination. His family members have been put under surveillance. Bihar has issued advisories to all its 38 districts to keep a close watch on people showing symptoms similar to Zika virus infection. A joint monitoring group of technical experts headed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has met twice to monitor the preparedness and response measures. Read | Should we worry about Zika virus? All you need to know about the outbreak A control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation. All suspect cases are in the defined area and mosquito samples from this area are being tested. Additional testing kits are provided to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories, the statement added. Extensive surveillance and mosquito control measures are also being taken up in the high-risk areas. Zika is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries across the world. Symptoms of the disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. The first outbreak in India was reported in Gujarats Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and the second in July 2017 from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management. The disease continues to be on the surveillance radar of the Union health ministry although it is no longer a public health emergency of international concern as per World Health Organizations November 18, 2016, notification. In the biggest recorded outbreak of the zika virus disease in India, 29 cases have been confirmed within 18 days in the Shastri Nagar neighbourhood of Jaipur, the state health department confirmed on Tuesday. Among the confirmed cases are those of three pregnant women, but their unborn babies do not have zika, which has been associated severe birth defects, including microcephaly, a defect in which the babys head is smaller than average because of abnormal brain development. The three pregnant women who tested zika virus positive are safe as the risk to the foetus is during the first three months of pregnancy, said Veenu Gupta, additional chief secretary, state health department. One of the mothers has delivered her baby, the second will deliver in a day or two, and the third women is five months pregnant, she said. Zika is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue and chikungunya. The virus also passes from an infected pregnant woman to her unborn baby, which can lead to birth defects. There is no vaccine for Zika. The outbreak so far remains localised, according to the apex body for the control of communicable diseases. The outbreak is localised, the numbers are still small, but its a cause for concern because India has never reported so many cases , said a senior official from National Centre for Disease Control,?New Delhi, who did not want to be identified. The first patient was an 85-year-old woman admitted to Sawai Man Singh Hospital with symptoms of fever, body ache, joint pains and redness of eyes . After the National Institute of Virology of Pune confirmed the disease on September 21, door-to-door surveillance was conducted in 26,000 houses between September 22 and October 8, and 1,442 people and 1,118 pregnant women were identified with fever. Samples of 450 people and 160 pregnant women with symptoms of zika were tested. The survey also identified 28,700 mosquito-breeding sites, of which 9,000 were destroyed. The state has already started taking prompt multidimensional action and the situation has also been reviewed in two high-level meetings. The department was following the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare microplan for containing local transmission of zika virus, Gupta said. The affected area has been divided into eight zones for active surveillance done by a team of subdivisional officers, doctors, vector-borne disease consultants and postgraduate doctors from preventive social medicine department . Health ministry experts are in the field, providing technical assistance to states to contain it as quickly as possible, said the NCDC official. The Union ministry of health and family welfare has sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for kits, Rs 46 lakh for insecticides and services of domestic-breeding checkers, and Rs 49 lakh for an information, education and communication (IEC) campaign. Fogging is being done in the affected area and awareness campaigns are being run on radio, television and social media, said Gupta. Doctors in the government and private sector, including gynaecologists, paediatricians, general physicians and radiologists, were trained for early identification of zika symptoms at Kanwatia hospital in Shastri Nagar on Monday. A class 10 student shot himself dead inside the toilet of a school in Bengals East Burdwan district on Tuesday, police said. Kalim Sheikh, 16, shot himself in the head. The incident took place in Dudhia Gopal Das High School in Ketugram area, about 158 km north of Kolkata. Police found a 9 mm pistol from the toilet. Primary investigation revealed that Kalim committed suicide. We are trying to find out both the cause of his act and also where did he source the firearm from, said Rajnarayan Mukherjee, additional superintendent of police East Burdwan district. After the prayer at around 11 am, we heard sound of gunfire from the toilet. We rushed to find Kalim lying in a pool of blood, said Biswanath Ghosh, headmaster of the school. Kalams teachers said that he was not a very bright student, but there were no adverse reports against him. Like other days, he queued up for prayers and went to the toilet before the classes began. The boys mother, Muslema Bibi, is not ready to accept that her son killed himself. We are a poor family. Even if he asked for a small amount of money, I would borrow it from others. How could he procure a firearm? she said. We just cannot understand where my son got a firearm from, said Selim Sheikh, the boys father, who works as a mason. The school is co-educational and the police are also looking at a failed love affair as a possible trigger. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An engineer working at the BrahMos Missile Research Centre in Nagpur, who was arrested on Monday on charges of spying for Pakistans intelligence agency ISI and other countries, had made himself an easy target by his casual approach on the internet, a police officer said. Meanwhile, the engineer, Nishant Agrawal, was produced before the district court which sent him to three-day transit custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). He was handed over to the Uttar Pradesh ATS who took him to Lucknow for further interrogation. Agrawal, who is in his 20s, was arrested in a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra ATS from his rented Ujjwal Nagar residence on Monday morning. He is a senior system engineer with BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russias Military Industrial Consortium (NPO Mashinostroyenia) that works on Indias supersonic cruise missile. He was in touch with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives through two Facebook accounts -- Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan. These accounts, based out of Islamabad, are believed to be run by Pakistans intelligence operatives, according to Uttar Pradesh ATS sources. An ATS official, who did not want to be identified, also alleged that PDF files top classified information had been found loaded on the accuseds personal laptop. Agrawal, despite being engaged in highly sensitive work, was casual on the internet and made himself an easy target, the ATS officer said. He said Agrawal was active on LinkedIn also. This is the first spy scandal to hit BrahMos Aerospace, which is involved in making critical components for BrahMos missile, considered the worlds fastest cruise missile and one that can be launched from land, ships, aircraft or submarines. Agrawal is accused of leaking classified information to the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan as well as other countries. Some experts, however, say he worked at the integration facility and doubt he had access to any classified information. His father, Dr Pradeep Agrawal, who was at the court premises when the engineer was produced before the court for transit remand, said that his son could never do any such anti-national activities. I have full faith on the system. If he is really involved in such activities he deserves punishment, he added. Meanwhile, two scientists working in a DRDO lab in Kanpur are also being monitored for suspicious activity. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will not beg for a respectable number of seats for a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and will fight it alone, like the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, party chief Mayawati said Tuesday. If the Congress fails to offer respectable number of seats, the BSP will contest elections on its own, she said. Mayawati, who paid tributes to party founder Kanshi Ram on his death anniversary in a programme organised at Bahujan Prerna Kendra in New Delhi, told party cadre in a message that she would not bow to pressure tactics or conspiracies of rival political parties but continue with her effort to grab the key to power. The only condition BSP has put for an alliance is respectable (number of) seats. Instead of stitching the alliance, Congress leaders are following the path of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to malign the image of BSP leadership, she alleged. Cautioning party workers against the designs of rival parties, Mayawati said they were using all the tricks to weaken the BSP before the general elections but forgot the partys history was full of struggles and it will not retreat and give a befitting reply to the rivals in the Lok Sabha election. Calling on party cadre to start preparations for the assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Mayawati said that she will launch her election campaign in Chhattisgarh by addressing a rally in Bilaspur on October 13. Asked about Mayawatis statement, Congress Uttar Pradesh president Raj Babbar said: She is a respectable national president of a national party. She will never have to beg regarding alliance. The Congress national leadership respects her and the party will have talks for an alliance with her with due respect. A senior BSP leader, who did not wish to be named, however said the Congress leadership was repeating the same mistake that they committed in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Instead of offering respectable number of seats to the BSP, they are giving only a few seats. The BSP was left with no option but to ally with the Janata Congress Chattisgarh (JCC) led by former chief minister Ajit Jogi in Chattisgarh. In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the party decided to contest on its own strength, he said. The leader added that only a few months were remaining in the Lok Sabha election and if Congress wanted a grand alliance in UP and in other states where the BSP enjoys considerable influence over Dalit voters, it should offer respectable seats. Meanwhile, hundreds of BSP workers assembled at Kanshi Ram memorials in Delhi and Lucknow to pay him homage. Programmes were also organised in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh. As the political slugfest over the exodus of migrant workers intensifies in Gujarat, Congress MLA and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor has found himself in the eye of a storm. Thakor who was part of the troika, along with Patidar leader Hardik Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani, challenging the Gujarats BJP government ahead of the 2017 assembly polls has got mired in a controversy as most of the 342 people arrested in the 42 cases of attacks on migrants allegedly belong to his outfit, the Kshatriya Thakor Sena (KTS). The attacks started after a migrant from Bihar allegedly raped a 14-month-old toddler in north Gujarats Himmatnagar on September 28. Around the same time, the KTS had launched a drive demanding preference for local workers over migrants in the automobile manufacturing hub of Sanand and north Gujarat. Thakor had even announced an Adhikar Yatra on October 8 to press his demands, but cancelled the event as the exodus of migrants started hitting industrial production in the region. The ruling BJP on Tuesday launched an all-out attack on Thakor and the Congress leadership, a day after its state president Amit Chavda blamed the `Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh-Bharatiya Janata Party combine for the violence against migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. We all know who is responsible for the attacks. Congress president Rahul Gandhi should ask Thakor what his people are up to, Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel claimed Tuesday. At a press conference in Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, If Rahul Gandhi is actually worried about Gujarat, Bihar and India, he should immediately expel Alpesh Thakor from the Congress. The BJP alleged that Thakor was fanning the violence against the migrant workers. The Congress can do anything for power, even if it requires hurting the interests of the nation, Patra alleged. Chaos, conspiracy and confusion the three Cs are the hallmark of the Congress. The Congress, which has of late been giving hot and cold treatment to the 43-year-old leader, came out in support of Thakor. The BJP has failed to protect women. There have been so many rape cases against minors. The BJP is also seeing defeat in the upcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Hence, to divert attention, it is supporting the attackers and blaming Alpesh Thakor, said state party chief Chavda. A teary-eyed Thakor, whose son was hospitalised on Tuesday, said, There have been efforts to defame my community. I will resign as MLA within two days if the allegations are proved true. The latest development has put a question mark against Thakors future political plans at a time when speculation was rife about his joining the BJP. In fact, his recent appointment as co-incharge of Bihar was seen as the Congress bid to retain him. Thakor came into the limelight last year after leading a counter agitation against the Patidars demand for OBC status. At a time when the BJP is unsure about its trusted voters -- the Patidars -- it is apparently trying to woo the Kolis and Thakors, who together form almost 44% of Gujarats 60 million population. The Patidars, who make up 14% of the state population, are up in arms against the BJP over the OBC quota issue. (With inputs from Delhi Bureau) Congress MLA from Palwal, Karan Singh Dalal, suspended on September 11 from the sitting of the state assembly for a year has served a legal notice on Haryana assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal, seeking immediate withdrawal of the illegal and malafide order passed by the latter. The notice said that Congress MLA will initiate legal proceedings against the Speaker in the high court if the order was not withdrawn. Dalal was suspended for a year during the recent assembly session after he allegedly used unparliamentary expressions in the assembly. The legal notice to the Speaker served by Dalals counsel Vikram Jain said Dalals suspension was against the Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business in Haryana legislative assembly. Speaker Kanwar Pal did not respond to calls and text messages sent by HT in this regard. It is a settled proposition of law that orders passed against the rules were not sustainable in the eyes of the law. As per rule 104-B (2) of the Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business in Haryana legislative assembly, no member can be suspended from the service of the House for a period more than the remainder of the session, the notice read. It further said that even otherwise the procedure adopted by the Speaker and the fact that Dalal was not provided adequate opportunity to provide an explanation to the House is not part of the parliamentary system. As per the parliamentary system, if any member makes a statement and the same is objected to by other members, the member making such statement shall receive adequate opportunity to clarify his statement. Citing Supreme Court rulings, the counsel for the suspended MLA said the Speaker exceeded the powers vested in him by the Constitution and state legislature. The counsel for the MLA said that Dalal on September 18 sent a communication to the Secretary, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, requesting for documents with the regard to his suspension. He had also sought the provisions and rules under which he was suspended. However, till date no reply has been received from the Secretary. The Election Commission Tuesday said its decision to hold by-polls to three Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as the poll body face questions over the need for the exercise when general elections are due early next year. The Commission issued the clarification in the wake of media reports questioning why it had not announced the by-elections to fill five Lok Sabha vacancies from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, as had been done for Karnataka. It said vacancies from Bellary (ST), Shimoga and Mandya constituencies of Karnataka occurred on May 18 and May 21, 2018 respectively, whereas vacancies from the five parliamentary constituencies from Andhra Pradesh occurred on June 20. The Commission said Section 151 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 mandates it to fill the casual vacancies in the Houses of Parliament and state legislatures through bye elections within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more. The term of the sixteenth Lok Sabha is upto June 3, 2019. The Commission said, As the vacancies from Karnataka have occurred more than one year before the expiration of the term of House, bye elections are required to be held under Section 151A of R P Act 1951 to fill these vacancies within six months from the date of occurrence of vacancies, that is 18th and 21st May, 2018. In the case of vacancies from Andhra Pradesh, there is no need to hold bye elections as the remaining term of the Lok Sabha is less than one year from the date of occurrence of vacancies that is 20th June, 2018, it said in a statement. The EC had on Saturday announced the by-polls to Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha constituencies, and Ramanagara and Jamkhandi assembly constituencies would be held on November 3. The counting of votes will be on November 6. Following the announcement, political parties in the state, while welcoming the schedule for assembly by-polls, expressed surprise about the decision to hold by-elections to three Lok Sabha seats. Several political leaders raised questions about Lok Sabha by-polls being announced in Karnataka, while not doing the same for seats in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. ...even MPs in Andhra Pradesh had resigned...I dont know what different law for both these states which are neighbouring states. The Election Commission and the central government have to tell us, Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar told reporters earlier Tuesday. The by-elections had been necessitated after BJPs BS Yeddyurappa (Shimoga) and B Sriramalu (Bellary), and C S Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May last. By-polls to Jamkhandi assembly seat was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, while Ramanagara fell vacant as chief minister HD Kumaraswamy gave up the seat and retained Channapatna, the other segment won by him in the assembly elections. Armed police at airports have been told to cut down on smiling, with officials blaming the 9/11, 2001 US terror attacks partly on an excessive focus on friendliness, local media reported Tuesday. The Central Industrial Security Force, in charge of aviation safety, will move from a broad smile system to a sufficient smile system, news reports said. The move was aimed at making the CISF more vigilant than friendly, reports said. We cannot be over-friendly with the passengers because one of the reasons cited as to why 9/11 happened... was excessive reliance on passenger friendly features, CISF director general Rajesh Ranjan was quoted as saying. Ranjan also said CISF personnel would be trained in behavioural analysis by international consultants. India has witnessed a six-fold increase in passenger numbers over the past decade as citizens take advantage of better connectivity and cheaper fares in the highly competitive sector. But airports are struggling to cope with the surge and analysts have warned that the government needs to spend billions of dollars to boost capacity and safety. Industry associations in Gujarat say that the exodus of migrant labourers, mainly from north Gujarats industrial belt, may affect 15% to 20% of the production in the crucial pre-Diwali period. Armed state reserve police force are, meanwhile, patrolling manufacturing hubs such as Sanand Industrial Estate, Gujarats automobile and pharma hub, the worst affected by attacks on migrant workers and their subsequent exodus triggered by the rape of a 14-month-old in Sabarkantha last week. Of the 10 million migrant labourers in Gujarat, 60-70% are from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and West Bengal, making them the backbone of Gujarat industries. Small-scale industries in pockets of Ahmedabad and parts of Mehsana and Sabarkantha districts have been affected because part of the workforce, fearful of hate crimes, remained absent during the hectic work schedule just before the festive period, industry associations in the region said. There are some 20,000 workers engaged in auto ancillaries and pharma companies in Sanand (Ahmedabad district) out of which, around 10,000 are migrants. Around 15-20% of the total production has been affected as around 3,000 workers have reportedly gone back to their original villages or are staying back in their local homes, said Ajit Shah, president of Sanand Industrial Estate. Sanand Industrial Estate, which came into existence after Tata Motors Ltd moved its Nano car factory from West Bengal to Gujarat in 2008, has not seen a single attack on any migrant worker. These factories provide parts to auto companies like Tata Motors, Ford India and Hero MotoCorp. It is social media rumour that is keeping labourers on tenterhooks. We are going to appeal to the police chief to ban the Internet in the area for a few days, said Shah, adding that on Monday, the sarpanchs of the Bor, Hirapar, Choral, Puvar and Rasoolpara villages, homes to migrant workers employed in Sanand Industrial Estate, were summoned by industrialists to caution them against rumors. Apart from Sanand, districts like Sabarkantha, Patan and Aravali in north Gujarat are home to some 100 cotton ginning, ceramic, fertilizers and chemical units. The construction industry has also been partly affected as some migrants from Chandlodiya and Naroda from Ahmedabad and engaged in painting work have reportedly fled following threats. Gujarat is divided in industrial clusters, including Kutch, Saurashtra, central, north and south Gujarat. And, immigrants constitute around 30 % of total working force in the state. Kutch, Saurashtra and South are the driving force of the state economy. Exodus reported is from Ahmedabad and north Gujarat. And, it was only in the initial 2-3 days. Around 15% production could have been affected. There have been no reports of disturbances from other clusters, said Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GCCI) president, Jamin Vasa. We have provided security cover at industrial units and residential colonies in affected areas. The administration is also conducting community meetings for confidence building, said minister of state for home, Pradeepsinh Jadeja. Around 42 attacks on migrant labourers have been reported till October 3 from September 28 when a migrant identified as Raghuvir Sahu was arrested in Himmatnagar allegedly for raping a toddler from the Thakor community. The police have arrested 342 people, some of them members of state legislator Alesh Thakors Kshatriya Thakor Sena. BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said illegal infiltrators took away jobs of youths in the country and alleged that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties had opposed the NRC when 40 lakh such settlers were identified under the exercise. Addressing a convention of BJP workers at Polo Ground in Madhya Pradeshs Shivpuri, Shah said the BJP governments would drive each and every infiltrator out of the country after winning elections in 2018 and 2019. Taking a dig at Gandhi, Shah said he should stop daydreaming about the Congress coming to power after elections. Referring to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam, he said the BJP government would drive each of the 40 lakh illegal infiltrators out of the country as the party stands for national security and rights of Indians. When the NRC identified 40 lakh illegal migrants in Assam, Rahul baba and parties like the SP (Samajwadi Party), BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) and Trinmool Congress (TMC) raised a hue and cry and opposed the exercise, Shah said. He said the youths of the country lost their jobs to the illegal immigrants. These migrants took away the jobs of our youths. They (opposition parties) lacked concern for our youths and for the hunger of the people of this country. We will drive each infiltrator out after winning elections in 2018 and 2019, he said. Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the next two months in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram. While first three of the above states are currently ruled by the BJP, the Congress is in power in the northeastern state. Telangana was ruled by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) before chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao dissolved the assembly. Lok Sabha elections are slated to be held next year. Rahul Baba should stop daydreaming. The Congress condition is that it would (soon) be difficult to find them even with the help of binoculars, Shah said. He said the Congress lacked any issues with which it could go to the people seeking votes in the Madhya Pradesh polls. How can the Congress succeed in winning polls in Madhya Pradesh? Will you seek votes from people with the help of a raja (former chief minister Digvijaya Singh who is an erstwhile royal), a maharaja (former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia who is a royal descendant) and an industrialist (state Congress chief Kamal Nath) who have never seen poverty? he questioned. Shah said Madhya Pradesh became a BIMARU state in the rule of the then chief minister Digvijaya Singh, whereas Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pulled the state out of poverty and turned it into a developed state. Digvijaya Singh had helmed the state between 1993 to 2003. The state budget under the then Congress government was only Rs 20,000 crore, which has gone up to Rs 2 lakh crore. The per capita income has also shot up to Rs 80,000 from Rs 15,000. Simultaneously, power generation has also increased from 3000 MW to 18000 MW under the BJP rule. During the time of the Congress, people of the state used to receive power supply for only 3 to 5 hours everyday, the BJP chief claimed. Turning to Rahul Gandhi, Shah said the Congress chief had insulted jawans by asking for evidence of surgical strike conducted by the Army on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in 2016. During the Congress regime, Pakistan used to threaten India. Our government taught a lesson to Pakistan through the surgical strike. But Rahul baba was asking for the proof, Shah claimed. After our government conducted the surgical strike, even mediapersons who used to talk about Mauni Baba (a jibe the BJP uses to attack former PM Manmohan Singh) became silent, Shah said. He claimed that before the surgical operation, the US and Israel were the only countries known to avenge death of their soldiers, but the prime minister added Indias name to the list. Shah announced that the BJP-led governments across the country would celebrate the birth centenary year of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia, one of the founder members of the BJP. Before addressing the convention, Shah garlanded statue of Tatya Tope, a general in the 1857 rebellion against the British, at Shivpuri and recalled his contribution. After addressing BJP workers, Shah travelled to Guna, around 90 kms from Shivpuri, where he held a roadshow, after offering prayers at a Hanuman temple. Guna is the Lok Sabha constituency of state Congress campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia. BJP leaders, including Chouhan, state unit president Rakesh Singh, MP Prabhat Jha and others participated in the roadshow. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.) The editor of a Tamil bi-weekly magazine Nakkheeran, RR Gopal, who was arrested Tuesday under Section 124 for publishing a story critical of Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit, was released by the Egmore Metropolitan Court in Chennai. Court also quashed the Chennai city polices plea seeking Gopals custodial probe. The latest edition of Nakkheeran had carried a story, which alleged links between the governor and Professor Nirmala Devi, who is in the custody of state Crime Branch and Crime Investigation Department (CBCID) for allegedly trying to lure college girls into a sex racket. Based on the complaint of Sengottaiyan, Purohits deputy secretary, Gopal was booked under Section 124 on charges of stopping the governor from discharging his duties. Gopal was subsequently arrested at Chennai airport. Nakkheerans article alleged that Nirmala Devi who is being probed by the CBCID had admitted her links to the Purohit... the magazines cover also displayed the governors photo along with Devis. Therefore, Raj Bhavan lodged a complaint, said a top official with city police. I thank everyone who supported my release. I respect the judgment as it has protected freedom of expression..., Gopal said after his release. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented a cheque for Rs 50 lakh compensation to Indian Space Research Organisations (ISRO) former cryogenic division head S Nambi Narayanan, who was given a clean chit in the 1994 spy case, at a special function in the state secretariat Tuesday. Addressing the event held at the Durbar hall, Vijayan said there are many lessons to from the ISRO espionage case so the government had arranged a public function to honour the scientist who fought a 24-year legal battle and won. We should salute his determination. There is a lot to learn from the Supreme Court verdict, especially for those who are dealing with such issues. So the government wants to award the compensation in a public function, he said adding the government will take legal advice whether this amount can be levied from the police officers named in the case. In its verdict September 14, the apex court had awarded Rs 50 lakh compensation to 76-year-old scientist for being subjected to mental and physical torture in the case, relating to allegations of transfer of certain confidential documents to enemy countries by two scientists and four others, including two Maldivian women. It had directed the state government to pay relief within eight weeks. I lived all these years for justice. I thank the state government for organizing such a function, Narayanan said, adding the country also suffered badly due to the trumped-up case as ISROs cryogenic capability was delayed more than a decade. He also expressed confidence that the conspiracy angle will also come out before the judicial commission appointed by the apex court. Critics however said the Vijayan government had organized the function to only to embarrass a section of Congress leaders who allegedly whipped up the case as part of an intense faction feud in the party in 1990s. According to political commentators, few other cases can match the ISRO spy case for the heat it generated over two and a half decades and which is likely to continue for some more time, while the Supreme Court decision to set up a judicial commission will add to it. Many books were written on the sensational case and a Bollywood director had announced a biopic on Narayanan who had to pay a heavy price along with then Congress chief minister K Karunakaran. Narayanan had introduced liquid fuel propulsion technology in the country in late 1970s while his senior APJ Abdul Kalam was heading the solid propulsion system. While Kalam rose to greater heights and eventually became the president of the country in 2002, Narayanans world crashed when he was arrested along with fellow scientist D Sasikumar for allegedly selling space secrets to two Maldivian women in 1994. While the names of then prime minister PV Narasimha Rao and his son Prabhakara Rao had also cropped up during the investigation, it had affected the political career of Karunakaran, who was replaced by AK Antony as chief minister, was sidelined in the party and quit to float his own outfit. He rejoined the Congress a few years before his death in 2010. Soon after the verdict in September, Karunakarans daughter Padmaja Venugopal said the entire conspiracy was hatched by five leaders and their roles will come out in the course of the judicial probe. She also said she will reveal their names if the commission called her to depose before it. Masood Azhar, the chief of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has been confined to bed with a life-threatening condition, Indian intelligence officials said, and the proscribed Deobandi outfit is now operationally divided between his two younger brothers, Rauf Asghar and Athar Ibrahim, who continue to carry out jihadist attacks on India and Afghanistan. Azhar, 50, is suffering ailments that have affected his spinal cord and kidney, the officials added, declining to elaborate. The intelligence officials, who asked not to be identified, said Azhar is believed to have been treated for his spinal cord and renal condition at the Combined Military Hospital at Muree in Rawalpindi, and that the jihadist leader has been bedridden for at least a year and a half. Indian diplomats Hindustan Times spoke to could not confirm Azhars illness but said the terrorist leader, whose designation by UN as global terrorist (a move sponsored by India) was blocked by China, had not been sighted in public either in his home town Bhawalpur or anywhere else in Pakistan. That makes Indias job easier, one expert added. There is no need for India to give concessions to Beijing over designation of Azhar as global terrorist as the terrorist has been struck with debilitating illness, said a senior counter-terrorism official based in the capital. A dreaded Islamist, Indian officials hold Azhar responsible for a string of suicide terror attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 attack on Parliament, the 2005 attack in Ayodhya and the 2016 attack on Pathankot airbase. Though these attacks were partially successful, they were aimed to either force India to initiate armed hostilities against Pakistan or cause communal conflagration in India. Azhar was freed by India and transported to Kandahar in exchange for hijacked passengers of IC-814 in 1999; that hijacking was supported by the then Taliban and al- Qaeda chiefs and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The hijacking of flight 814 was carried out by Athar Ibrahim, who is now handling terror strikes in Afghanistan and Baluchistan from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, according to officials. The Jaish operation in Afghanistan has joined hands with Taliban, with whom it shares Deobandi ideology, for attacks against the Ashraf Ghani government in Ghazni province in August. Azhars other brother, Rauf Asghar, has taken over terror operations against India, particularly in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. India and the US are currently discussing moves to brand Asghar a global terrorist by the Trump administration and the UN 1267 committee, say intelligence officials. Jaish is also acting as an arm of Pakistan deep state and is involved, according to officials, in neutralising Baluchi tribal leaders opposed to Islamabad and Rawalpindi GHQ (general headquarters). Malayalam actor Mukesh who is also a legislator of the ruling CPI(M), has become the latest film personality to be accused of sexual harassment after a Mumbai-based casting director took to Twitter on Tuesday to highlight an incident 19 years ago. In her tweet, Tess Joseph alleged that when she was directing the Malayalam TV programme Koteeswaran (Malayalam version of Kaun Benega Crorepati), Mukesh Kumar who was the host, called her a couple of times and even got her hotel room changed next to his. She said she immediately contacted her boss Derek OBrien (now TMC leader) and he arranged an air ticket following which she returned to Mumbai the same night. In the tweet she also thanked OBrien for the timely intervention. Mukesh has denied the charges. I dont even remember what happened 20 years ago. You can write whatever you want, he told a news channel. But Tess Joseph has evoked some support. Actor Bhagyalakshmi backed her saying, Mukesh will have to explain. More than an actor he is also a law-maker now. Over the past couple of weeks, a clutch of high profile men including actors, filmmakers, journalists, musicians and authors have been accused by different women of sexually harassing them. Tamil magazine Nakkheerans editor RR Gopal was arrested by Chennai Police on Tuesday morning for allegedly publishing an article against Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit over a sex scandal involving an assistant professor. Police arrested Gopal at the Chennai airport while he was on his way to Pune after Raj Bhavan officials lodged a complaint against the senior journalist. Nakkeeran has published a cover photo in its current edition of the governor and assistant professor Nirmala Devi, who was arrested on charges of attempting to lure college girls for extending sexual favours to senior officials of the leading Madurai Kamaraj University. Devi, an assistant professor at the Devanga Arts College in Aruppukottai of Virudhunagar district, was arrested in April last year after an audio clip of her purported conversation with her students was shared on social media. She was also heard claiming in the clip that she has close contact with the governor and senior officials. Police also arrested Karuppasamy, a research scholar, and V Murugan, an assistant professor, in connection with the case. Nakkheeran also alleged in its report that Devi, who is under the custody of the crime investigation departments crime branch, has said she met the governor four times. The governor is the chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University to which the Devanga Arts College is affiliated. Purohit has denied the allegations and said he does not know Devi. Police sources said Gopal has been booked under section 124 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or on charges of preventing the president and governor from discharging their duties. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam s president MK Stalin condemned the arrest of Gopal. With the action of arresting Gopal, it is obvious that the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu is a puppet of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) ruling at the Centre. The governor should have the nature to face criticisms. It shows that press freedom is under a threat now, Stalin said. Manila (CNN Philippines Life) In 2017, 29 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in the country each day. Thirty percent of these cases are from Filipinos aged 15 to 24 years old. When childrens book author Segundo Matias Jr. learned about this, he cried. Nung una kong makausap yung health officer [para mag-research tungkol sa HIV] sabi niya, Actually as young as 12 years old meron kaming na-diagnose. Hindi ko alam yung gagawin ko. Naiyak ako, says Matias. This was the moment he realized that he was ready to write his next book. The first of its kind in the Philippines, Mga Batang Poz is a young adult novel that follows four poz (HIV-positive) teens as they embark on a road trip that forces them to confront their pasts and brings them closer to understanding their future living with the disease. At under 400 pages, the books length might intimidate non-readers, but Matias builds a world not too far from our own, allowing young readers to easily connect with the stories of Luis, Enzo, Gab, and Chuchay as they reckon with their desires, burgeoning sexualities, the shame of exploring these in a society that remains traditional and conservative, and the consequences of being ill-informed. Matias is no stranger to publishing radical stories of the innumerable childrens stories he has written and published at his press, Lampara Books, notable works include Mga Kwentong Dapat Mong Malaman, a series that addresses alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, and gambling, and Uncle Sam, a book about a girl and her gay hairdresser uncle. But writing Mga Batang Poz, he says, was not an easy feat. It was upon the suggestion of his MA Creative Writing thesis adviser, Eugene Evasco, that he considered pursuing the topic, but it was only when he learned of the actual figures that he decide to take it on. Matias also credits Evasco for pushing him to bare all, including the details of his characters sexual experiences. Tinapangan ko lang talaga ang sarili ko, he explains at the book launch. Nung una kong sinusulat, tinatanong ko sa sarili ko [kung bakit ko ito ginagawa]. Ang objective ng nobelang ito ay para iparating sa mga bata kung paano magkaroon ng HIV. Segundo Matias Jr. is an author and publisher who has written over 50 children's stories, including progressive and radical stories that tackle themes like alcoholism, drug abuse, and sexuality. Photo courtesy of LAMPARA BOOKS Matias apprehension is understandable, given the persistence of Catholic values against contraceptives and safe sex methods in the country. In 2015, a church group ambushed a condom companys Valentines Day giveaway promo by offering to swap them with chocolates. They came with signs that encouraged abstinence. While in 2017, the Department of Education rejected a proposal to distribute condoms at schools, saying that the law only mandates sex education. Addressing the question of which challenges he faced while writing the book, he alludes to this climate, pointing out an overarching problem in Philippine literature when it comes to writing about sex and sexuality. Hindi mo nga masabi sa literature ang salitang titi, tamod, kahit condom, he says. Pag binanggit mo sa tahanan ... parang natatakot. Dumating ako sa punto na ayoko na isulat yung mga ganun, pati yung sex scenes, he admits. Pero sabi ko, paano malalaman ng bagets? Matias shared that he took many trips to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), as well as various HIV clinics and testing centers, to talk to doctors and health officers to better understand the disease and the available treatment options for those who have been infected. All of the information gathered here he weaves into the novel, demystifying the myths about the disease while instructing readers on how to move forward living with it. At the launch, Matias was joined by Dr. Rossana A. Ditangco, head of the DOH-RITM AIDS Research Group, to discuss his research process as well as answer questions from the audience regarding HIV. Photo courtesy of LAMPARA BOOKS To better understand and represent his teenage characters, Matias dove headfirst into the world of social media, alter accounts, and dating apps. May mga in-interview akong mga bata and inalam ko yung kanilang behavior, yung social media, he says. Nag-Grindr ako, nag-alter ako. In-imbibe ko. Even the language. It has been pointed out that there may be a relationship between the rise of HIV cases and the ways in which teens have been using social media to express and discover their sexualities while also remaining anonymous. Though social media plays a big role in the novel, Matias writing does not attempt to make this assertion. Instead, Mga Batang Poz presents a visceral look into the lives of todays queer teens as they discover themselves and pursue their desires in a society that will not allow them, whether because of expectations, prejudices, or circumstance, and find a haven in both the anonymity and connection provided by social media. It uncovers the reality that a society which cannot muster the words condom or contraceptive inside the home does more harm than good. And though social media may be the tool by which these kids reach outward, it is not the scapegoat. The book cover bears an illustration of a young man wearing a face mask to represent the fear and stigma that surrounds HIV. On a research trip to a clinic, a health officer had explained to Matias that the patients wear masks not just to avoid getting sick, but also to hide their identities. Photo courtesy of LAMPARA BOOKS Matias makes it clear that it is the stigma we should be fighting. It is the stigma that weighs down on each of his characters and pushes them further away from friends and family, and from feeling hopeful about their situation despite the fact that today, an HIV diagnosis no longer equates to a death sentence. On one of his trips to an HIV clinic, Matias came up with the idea for the book cover an illustration of a young man wearing a face mask. He noticed that all of the patients waiting for their turn at these clinics wore masks, so he approached a health officer to ask why. The answer was this: Ayaw nila magpakilala Positive or not positive, nag pa-pa-test lang sila o kumukuha ng gamot, nagtatakip sila. At the launch, the author called on other writers to follow suit in the hope of starting a much needed conversation about HIV and eliminating the fears surrounding it. Sumulat pa tayo ng maraming ganito dahil napaka-konserbatibo ng Pilipinas, ni hindi masabi ang salitang condom sa loob ng tahanan. Magsimula na tayo. If these future works will be anything like Mga Batang Poz, which deftly avoids falling into the trap of becoming yet another queer tragedy or moralistic cautionary tale by demystifying the monsters of HIV, understanding the circumstances of its characters (and its audience), and giving them a positive ending, then maybe we can expect a future of readers that are no longer afraid. *** Mga Batang Poz is available at Precious Pages retail outlets, National Book Store, and leading books stores nationwide. Despite an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus disease (ZVD) in Rajasthan, Union minister of health JP Nadda said on Tuesday that there was no need to panic and that the situation was under control. Our surveillance is very robust, all such cases get detected. Weve standard protocols. ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. Theres no need to panic, Nadda said. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) has asked the Union health ministry for a report on the Zika outbreak after 22 people tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, which can cause birth defects in unborn babies, in Rajasthans capital Jaipur. The Union health ministry, in a statement on Monday, confirmed the Zika cases in Jaipur so far through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) surveillance system. The Centres expert team has been monitoring the situation and assisting in containment operations in Rajasthan since October 5. On Sunday, the Centre also sounded an alert for Bihar after a man from Siwan, studying in Jaipur, tested positive for the Zika virus. Bihar has issued advisories to all its 38 districts to keep a close watch on people showing symptoms similar to Zika virus infection. The first outbreak in India was reported in Gujarats Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and the second in July 2017 from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management. The disease continues to be on the surveillance radar of the Union health ministry although it is no longer a public health emergency of international concern as per World Health Organizations November 18, 2016, notification. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday linked attacks on migrant workers in Gujarat to larger economic issues including rising unemployment, urging the government to act decisively to restore peace and ensure safety. Poor economic policies, demonetisation and a poorly-implemented GST (Goods and Services Tax) led to closure of factories and rise in unemployment that is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants across Gujarat, Gandhi wrote in a Facebook post. Amongst the youth there is growing frustration and anger with the governments inability to create jobs. This anger and frustration is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants, across the state of Gujarat, the post read. The rape of a toddler in Sabarkantha district last week, allegedly by a migrant, has triggered attacks on workers from outside the state employed in Gujarat. The attacks have caused some migrant workers to flee the state, triggering concerns that industrial production would be hurt in the run-up to the festive period. Gandhi has been critical of the November 2016 decision to demonetise high-value banknotes that took out 86% of the currency in circulation and the July 2017 implementation of GST that replaced a raft of local levies with one direct indirect tax; some experts have described GSTs implementation as flawed. The Congress chief said migrant workers were critical to our economic growth and attacks on them created an environment of fear and insecurity that wasnt good for the economy. Later, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Claiming that over 50,000 migrant workers had fled Gujarat since the violence broke out a few days ago, Tiwari said while the Vijay Rupani government (in Gujarat) was unwilling to prevent violence on migrants, the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar governments had given a clean chit to the BJP dispensation in Gujarat. Tewari also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence and demanded an apology from Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath for claiming that no attacks had taken place on migrants from his state in Gujarat. The situation in Gujarat is extremely volatile. It seems the Gujarat government is both incapable and unwilling to stop these incidents which have now spread to central Gujarat, he told reporters. Ridiculousness and preposterousness have touched a new high. To please the Prime Minister, the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, instead of empathising with their people and trying to prevail upon the central and Gujarat governments to act, are in an overdrive giving a clean chit to the Gujarat government, Tewari said. Adityanaths recently claimed that there was not a single incident of attack on migrants from Uttar Pradesh in Gujarat and that such reports were rumours being spread by those jealous of Gujarats success. The Congress leader also referred to Bihar additional director general of police SK Singhals remarks that migrant workers were not fleeing Gujarat, rather returning home for festivals. People are fleeing Gujarat in fear and Adityanath claims no such violence. What is more shocking is Singhal saying they are coming back because of festivals, he said. Reacting to the claims, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Congress was resorting to violent tactics tolaunch Gandhis career, claiming that it will never happen because the Opposition leader had no credibility and lacked substance. He further cited the Patidar quota stir in Gujarat before the assembly polls in the state, farmers unrest in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh last year and the Bhima-Koregaon violence in Maharashtra, among other incidents to accuse the Congress of stoking unrest before elections. Whenever Rahul Gandhi gets an opportunity, he indulges in politics of breaking the society, Patra added. The union health ministry sent experts to try and contain an outbreak of the zika virus in Jaipur, with a close watch on pregnant women. Twenty-two people in the city have tested positive, the health ministry said, Bihar is on alert and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought a report.. There is no vaccine for the virus, which can cause severe birth defects in unborn children. Heres all you need to know about the virus: What is Zika virus? Zika virus is transmitted by daytime-active Aedes Aegypti mosquitos that also carry dengue, chikungunya viruses. Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947 Should we worry? *The virus is strongly suspected to cause birth defects and neurological problems in newborns, which can be a problem given high birth rate in India. *Since India provides fertile climate for the aedes egypti mosquito to grow and multiply, an outbreak situation is possible. *The mosquito also carries dengue and chikungunya viruses that claim hundreds of lives and infect thousands every year *There are no vaccines or cure for Zika virus. What are the symptoms? *Fever *Rashes *Joint pain *Head and bodyache *Conjunctivitis What are the preventive measures? *Check mosquito breeding in and around your house *The mosquito that carries Zika Virus- Aedes Aegypti- breeds in fresh water. Dont let water collect in birdbaths, planters, unused bottles, containers, discarded waste, tyres etc. *Use mosquito repellants such as creams, gels, electronic mosquito repellants, patches, incense sticks *Use bed nets *Grow plants that are known to repel mosquitoes such as citronella, basil, lemon grass, lavender, mint, rosemary etc. * Wear dresses that cover most of the body parts. *Take special precautions during the day as Aedes Aegypti is a day-biting mosquito Review petitions filed against the verdict allowing women into Keralas Sabarimala temple will be heard in due course, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, declining a request by petitioners for an urgent hearing, according to news agency ANI. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi also declined to stay the verdict by a five-judge constitution bench of the court. Lawyer Mathews Nedumpara had requested the Chief Justice to permit early listing of the case. Four review petitions have been filed in the top court against its order that allowed the entry of women of all ages into Keralas Sabarimala temple. There have also been street protests against the verdict and various organisations have demanded that the Kerala government file a petition also. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has, however, rejected the demand and accused the Congress and the BJP of not sticking to their stand on the issue. Congress and BJP central leaders have called the verdict historic and path-breaking. Now they see an opportunity to exploit the situation and they are whipping up passions, Vijayan said on Monday. Nair Service Society, a forum of the influential Nair community; Delhi-based Chetana Conscience of Women; Pandalam Palace, considered the custodians of the temple; and an association of women devotees, People for Dharma, approached the court against the ruling that ended a centuries-old ban on the entry of women between 10 years and 50 years into the 800-year-old shrine in south Keralas Pathanamthitta district as its presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is considered to be celibate. The review petitions called the majority judgment erroneous, saying it ventured beyond the questions of law and delved into the question of customs. Events after the judgment clearly demonstrate that overwhelmingly large number of women are supporting the custom of prohibiting the entry of women of menstruating age group into the temple, the petitions said. On 28 September, the top court ruled in a 4-1 majority verdict that divinity and devotion cannot be subject to the rigidity and stereotypes of gender. The court said the exclusion on the basis of biological and physiological features was unconstitutional and discriminatory because it denied women the right to be treated as equals. Justice Indu Malhotra, the lone woman judge on the bench, dissented and found the practice to be integral to essential religious practice, and said notions of rationality cannot be invoked in matters of religion by courts. Pinarayi Vijayan has stressed that changes in a social system were bound to face resistance, adding that his elected government was duty-bound to implement the Supreme Court order. Vijayans Left Front government invited Sabarimala temples priests and the Pandalam royal family for talks on Monday to defuse tension, but both declined the invitation. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has decided to organise a protest march from October 10-15 from Pandalam, around 100km north of Thiruvananthapuram, to the state secretariat in the capital. Several outfits threatened to block the entry of women into the shrine on October 18, when the temple will open for monthly pooja. The Tamil film, Theeran Adhigaram Ondru, opens with a police inspector picking up an old case file in Walajapet, a town in Tamil Nadus Vellore district. As he goes over photographs in it, phrases such as criminal tribe and dacoit gang stand out. From there on, the film offers a narrative demonising a hooded gang, which controls snakes with magical powers and goes after children and the elderly. In some scenes, the villain is shown to be brutal, wielding spears, crow bars and handcrafted pistols on its target. Released in November, 2017, the films Telugu version, Khakhee, had a good run in theatres. Soon, the Seer Marabinar Nala Sangam, or the Denotified Tribes Welfare Association (DTWA), a small body in Madurai, submitted a complaint. On December 5, 2017, M Pasumpon, DTWAs co-ordinator, filed a petition before the Madurai bench of the Madras high court, asking the court to remove references to the criminal tribes, the thugs of the 1830s, and all derogatory references to the Vettaikarans, a nomadic community. They also asked that 50% of the revenue of the film be redirected towards the welfare of the denotified tribes. The cast and crew of the film issued an apology within a couple of weeks, and agreed to delete certain scenes but the damage was already done. By the time the film became a hit in December 2017 in the south, there were calls from fans to remake the film in Hindi with actor Salman Khan. SR Prabhu, the films producer, said he was surprised at the allegation that the movie may have spawned attacks on nomads. While admitting he deleted scenes in response to protests by the nomadic community, he denied a direct link. Those attacks came from spontaneous WhatsApp messages and had nothing to do with the film, he said. While the case may have been settled, the long-term repercussions are still being felt by the nomadic community. They filed a petition with the then Madurai District Collector (currently collector of Ramnad district), K Veeraraghav Rao, who had, during his tenure, been supportive of the nomads efforts for state recognition. However, they lacked the legal knowhow to follow up the matter in court for themselves. Since the film didnt affect too many other people, its been long forgotten by most except the nomads themselves. We started to see the impact on the streets right away. We began to be treated with fear wherever we went. It has affected our livelihood, says Rajangam Raj, founder of The Empowerment Centre of Nomads and Tribes (Tent) Society in Madurai. The apology fell short, he says because the film fired the imagination of the people against nomads in various ways. It reinforced the belief in the magical powers of nomads, who made a living off fortune telling and snake charming. It built a fear of the wanderer, as someone who could not be caught, located, or held accountable. Rather than seeing the mobility of the nomad as a struggle it deprives them of the right to identity, land, settlement, education it portrayed these lacks as choices made to escape the law and a voluntary engagement with crime. While the Denotified Tribes in Tamil Nadu receive benefits, many nomadic tribes still remain unclassified and unlisted. At a conference in Mother Theresa Womens University in Kodaikanal in 2017, Bhiku Ramji Idate, commissioner of the National Commission for the Nomadic, Semi Nomadic and Denotified Tribes, declared Tamil Nadu did not have denotified and nomadic tribes any longer, but rather three denotified communities. Veeraraghav Rao did manage to help some members of the nomadic groups get houses and community certificates during his tenure, but since many groups are not on the official state lists, allotments and schemes are not made available to them. Rajangam believes the omitting of several thousands of nomads is based on a lack of data and research as the nomadic communities have never been part of any census. He estimates five lakh nomadic tribesmen in Tamil Nadu across twenty nomadic communities. Similar numbers are estimated in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The fictional fear mongering adds to the very real repercussions for the dislocated on the ground. From December onwards, more and more rumours of the nomads operating as a gang to steal children and rob homes began to circulate, say the nomads of Madurai. The rumours against child lifters were most prominent in the south. While the campaign began by building sentiments against nomads, who do not speak the local languages, it also affected the migrants. In early February 2018, in Kozhikode, rumours began to swirl that all beggars were part of a mafia. Two women from a nomadic tribe travelling in an autorickshaw, in search of work, were stopped and beaten up in Seethamgoli near Kumbala. The incident was repeated in Alampadi. In February 2018, in Palakkad district, Kerala, an adivasi youth, Madhu Chindaki, was killed by a mob of young men who accused him of stealing valuables from a house and then clicked selfies with him before beating him to death. In April, a 30-year old was killed in Parasurampatti in Gudiyatham town, Vellore. In May 2018, a 55-year-old woman on a pilgrimage was killed in Athimoor village, and, in the same month, another was killed in Telanganas Jiyapalli. K Eswara Rao, the DSP of Eluru in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, was forced to call a press conference to ask people not to believe that the nomadic gangs would harvest the organs of children in May 2018. No such incidents have taken place in Andhra Pradesh and in neighbouring states. I would request people not to believe such rumours, he said. By June, the panic had spread north, to Chandangaon and Chawani in Aurangabad. Five members of the nomadic Nath Panthi Davari Gosavi community were lynched in Dhule district. In July, a man from Bihar was beaten up in Thiruvalluvar district. While the Nath Panthis do speak Marathi, several of the nomadic communities in the region, such as the Lambadis, who wander from Maharashtra down to Tamil Nadu, also speak the languages of the bordering states, or even dialects which include words of Sanskrit and Gujarati or Rajasthani origin. The unfamiliarity with the nomadic tongue has been the primary point of identification of the other, stirring up the anti-nomadic sentiment and presenting them as outsiders. The film, Theeran, capitalised on this dissimilarity to stir the them-versus- us sentiment and to portray the outsiders as villains and thugs. Across the country, from Madurai to Dhule, the nomadic tribes have stopped going out. They now risk starvation, with many reduced to a single meal a day, and indebtedness. While the lynching of members of religious groups tends to garner some support from activists, the nomads find little protection. The chairman of the National Commission, Bhiku Ramji Idate, has repeatedly stated that the approximately 40,000 complaints made by various nomadic communities have been compiled but until actionable state panels are set up, the commission remains a toothless body. CK Janu, tribal activist from Keralas Wayanad district, says this flagellation of adivasis as outsiders, also serves political ends. Adivasis need to be given land, a place to settle and jobs. They have reached a point where they have no food to eat left in the forests and are being displaced. So they are forced to leave their areas and wander to beg or to seek employment in other areas. Beating them up as outsiders happens because they are easy prey and it allows local thugs and politicians to build the image of protecting local interests, she says. Three directors of real estate company Amrapali were taken into police custody on the orders of the Supreme Court on Tuesday after they failed to hand over account books of 46 group companies to forensic auditors appointed by the top court. A bench of justices Arun Misra and UU Lalit said the directors, Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar, will remain in custody until they hand over the documents, as ordered by the court on September 12 and 26. The court was forced to call the police after the directors failed to comply with its directives. We are constrained to observe that it is not only deliberate non-compliance of the order but effort is being made to fritter away the documents in utter violation of the order passed by this Court. No justification could be pointed out by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Amrapali Group of Companies for not complying with the orders passed by this Court, the court said in its order. The bench added: In the circumstances, since it is necessary to hand over the documents to the forensic auditors, considering the non-compliance evident on record, we find that there is no other way except to direct the Police to seize all the documents and to hand over the documents to the forensic auditors after seizing them from the possession of 46 Companies and their Director. Amrapali Group has been accused of delaying the construction of apartments and handing over their possession to homebuyers in its projects in Noida and Greater Noida in the national capital region centred on the capital.Increasingly impatient, the Supreme Court in August warned that it would order the sale of each and every property of the firm to recover the cost of construction of pending real estate projects, The group had earlier told the court in an affidavit that it was not in a position to complete the projects and give timely possession of flats to over 42,000 homebuyers. Amrapali is the second real estate company based in the NCR against whose directors the Supreme Court, which has been approached by homebuyers, has ordered action in connection with non-completion of housing projects. Unitech Ltds directors Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra have been in jail since September last year in connection with a cheating case registered against them. I am happy with the Supreme Courts order as the directors of Amrapali are in police custody now. These directors were trying to fool the buyers, but after tough action from the court we hope that our flats will be delivered without further delay. The delivery of my flat is delayed for last eight years. The sad part is that these directors did not provide required details even after repeated orders from the apex court, said KK Kaushal of the Amrapali Dream Valley Buyers Group, who has purchased a unit in the Greater Noida property. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the police to take the directors from the court to their offices and residences and other places where documents may be found. You may take one hour, one day or two hours to search. Let it be done, the bench said. Noida and Greater Noida police too was asked to participate in the searches. If the documents are bulky, they shall be kept in a room and a key handed over to the forensic auditors. The police and the three directors will visit the statutory auditors to the company to take possession of the documents. The court fixed October 24 for the next hearing of the case SC also restrained all eight directors of Amrapali, including the three sent to police custody, from leaving the country. Three ex-directors, Rakesh Mahajan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Pallavi Mishra, were also stopped from travelling abroad. Amrapalis statutory auditors, present directors and ex-directors were ordered to surrender their passports to the station house officer, Tilak Marg. The court clarified that its order did not amount to formal arrest of the directors and also that no nominee director will face the travel ban. The court also clarified that the order did not deal with any criminal case and that the police was free to carry on its investigation if it receives any complaints. Nothing comes in the way of Delhi Police, Economic Offences Wing, to make any criminal investigation in any case which is required to be made. Let the investigation be made, it ruled. This was done after the Economic Offences Wing sought permission to become a party to the case. The wing said the courts March 27 order, saying that no coercive action should be taken in connection with Amrapali case, was coming in the way of investigating complaints against the company. SC on September 12 appointed Ravi Bhatia and Pawan Kumar Agarwal as forensic auditors. On Tuesday, the two informed the court that they received details of only two companies and they were incomplete. The information given was only in piecemeal form, they said. There was no satisfactory response from the directors, the two said. The judges turned to advocate Gaurav Bhatia, representing the three directors. You are in great difficulty if you are not complying with this orderYou are again telling a lie to this court. This nonsense will not be tolerated even for one hour. We will send them to jail from here. You must hand over whatever documents they (auditors) want with folded hands. They carry the dignity of the court. You are playing hide and seek with the court, Justice Misra said. Justice Lalit pointed out that the groups accounts were finalized till 2015. Now nobody knows where the money (collected from homebuyers) has gone. Money trail can be found only if the account books are there. Your intention is clear. You are playing hide and seek. Your intent is to defeat the object of law and interfere with the administration of justice. Your design is very clear. You are trying to buy time and in the process do something which again will be interfering in the administration of justice. You are doing it deliberately. Lawyer Gaurav Bhatias plea for another chance to comply with the order was rejected. The bench got even more angry when the homebuyers counsel, ML Lahoty, said the Debt Recovery Tribunals order on handing over some of the documents of the Group has not been complied with. The bench ordered the directors to hand over the documents to the police. The bench also directed release of Rs 20 lakh each to the forensic auditors from Amrapali Hospitality Services Private Limited. Kolkata police on Tuesday baton charged an agitating group of parents and guardians who tried to storm a school following rumours that a teacher who allegedly sexually harassed a six-year-old girl last month, was hiding in the school. The accused teacher was arrested, said a police officer. The alleged sexual harassment took place on September 26. Protests began Tuesday morning as guardians gathered outside the girls school in Dhakuria, a middle class neighbourhood in south Kolkata. The accused has been arrested. We appealed to the guardians to understand that the law will deal with the accused, said Kalyan Mukherjee, deputy commissioner, Kolkata Police. TV channels played images of a woman bleeding profusely from the forehead after she was allegedly hit by the policemen. Policemen who rushed to the spot alleged that the protesters pelted stones at them. Police said they were also targeted by residents of houses near the school . The protesters vandalised a two-wheeler parked outside the school that allegedly belonged to the accused teacher. When the mob violent the police had to apply force to protect the property of the school. Three persons who were with the guardians and were found to be involved in attacking the cops have been detained for further investigation, said Mukherjee. Ten policemen including the officers-in-charge of two police stations were injured in stone pelting, he said . The guardians of the victim lodged a complaint of molestation at Lake police station at 6 am on Tuesday, said police officers. However, the school management had no knowledge of the complaint. Later at a meeting involving parents, school authorities, the police and a local councillor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation after peace had returned, the parents demanded that only female teachers should be employed. Guardians demanded that all male teachers be removed from the girls school. I shall speak to the education minister on this point. For the time being it has been decided that only female teachers will take classes till class 5, said councillor Ratan Dey. Two defence personnel, based in Kanpur and Agra, are on the radar of UP anti-terrorism squad (ATS) for allegedly passing on vital information to Pakistans intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). A police officer privy to the investigations said the UP ATS was scanning the Facebook chats of the duo with suspected ISI agents. Their activities are under surveillance. They will be taken into custody once the ATS collects incriminating evidence against them, he added. In a joint operation on Monday, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested Nishant Agarwal, 28, a mechanical engineer working with the BrahMos Missile Research Centre at Nagpur on charges of spying for ISI. A senior police officer, who did not wish to be named, said the ISI was using fake Facebook profiles to honey-trap defence personnel and influential civilians to collect sensitive information about defence and government activities. ISI agents are posing as girls to trap defence personnel, he added. Sounding an alert, inspector general (UP ATS) Asim Arun said people should be careful while making friends on social sites. The ATS has found that ISI agents are using fake IDs to pose as girls and honey-trap defence personnel. If some one finds that he has been honey-trapped, he should immediately contact the ATS and share the information, he said. On September 29, ATS had nabbed a BSF jawan Achyutanand Mishra in Noida on charges of sharing crucial information about armed forces and movement of troops with a Facebook friend. He also had a chat with a woman on WhatsApp who used a mobile number registered in Pakistan. Another senior police officer said the BSF jawan was honey-trapped through a fake Facebook profile of a woman, who had introduced herself as a defence reporter and talked to him for hours. Arun said the ATS grilled the jawan to collect details that he had shared with the woman. Meanwhile, the ATS raided the residence and office of Nishant Agarwal in Nagpur and found that he possessed sensitive documents. His computer, laptop and mobile phone were seized to find out the information that he had shared with ISI agents and if he received money in return. During interrogation, he informed the police about a laptop at his ancestral home in Roorkee where raids were later conducted with the assistance of Uttarakhand police. Agarwal told the police that he was in contact with a Facebook user for the last two years and was offered a high-profile job as well. Police said he was honey-trapped through two fake Facebook IDs and both the profiles were being run by ISI agents. UP ATS will move a petition in Nagpur court on Tuesday to take Agarwal on transit remand after which he will be brought to Lucknow for further investigation. Mumbai The Group of Tuberculosis Hospitals (GTB), Sewri, the countrys biggest facility to treat the disease, has managed to reduce transmission rates for the disease among its staff in the past six years. The high number of TB cases among hospital staff was an issue of concern, resulting in doctors and other staff reluctant to work there. In 2014, six doctors including four psychiatrists and two chest physicians, refused to join GTB. While the doctors did not cite any specific reason for not joining, hospital authorities had said that fear of infection could have been the reason. Information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) Act shows that the number of staff members, who contacted the disease, has reduced. A total of 32 staff members were infected with TB in 2013, out of which, 10 died. Only one new case has been reported in 2018 and no deaths, according to a query filed by RTI activist Chetan Kothari. Senior doctors from the hospital said stringent implementation of infection control norms and nutritious food options for the staff has helped reduce TB cases. We have scaled up the infection control norms in the past four years. The staff started wearing a good quality N95 mask and we tell patients to wear surgical masks, said Dr Lalit Anande, medical superintendent, TB hospital, Sewri. He added that a special out-patient department for the hospital staff went a long way in ensuring early diagnosis among health workers. We have an OPD every three months only for the staff members and their family during which we test them for TB, he added. Doctors said health workers at the hospital are exposed to TB cases directly and so have higher chance of developing the infection compared to others. A 2017 study published in the International Journal of Medical and Health Research found that 12% of the TB cases were among healthcare workers in the age group of 49 and 58 years with more men developing the condition compared to women. The finding shows that a staff member, working at the hospital for many years, may have a higher chance of infection. There should be rotation among staff members so that they are transferred to other hospitals every three to five years, said Dr Rajendra Nanavare, a pulmonologist and former superintendent, Sewri TB Hospital and the lead author of the study. The staff at the hospital is always overburdened as many posts are perpetually vacant, he added. The study also found the prevalence of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in health workers was 58% which is higher compared to those previously treated. TB among health workers is an occupational hazard. All measures need to be taken to ensure that hospital staff do not contract it, Dr Nanavare said. Tara writer-director Vinta Nanda accused actor Alok Nath known for his sanskari image onscreen -- of rape in a harrowing Facebook post on Monday. While the veteran producer didnt name Nath in the heart-wrenching account of the incident that happened almost 20 years ago, she confirmed his name to IANS later. Taking cognizance of her post, Sushant Singh, executive member of CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes association), has tweeted that a show cause notice will be sent to Nath. He also requested Nanda to file a complaint against the actor. Dear @vintananda I am so so sorry. As @CintaaOfficial a show-cause Notice will be sent to @aloknath first thing in the mrng, why he shudnt b expld. Unfortunately weve to follow the due process. I urge u to file a complaint against this vile creature, we extend u full support, he wrote. Dear @vintananda I am so so sorry. As @CintaaOfficial a show-cause Notice will be sent to @aloknath first thing in the mrng, why he shudnt b expld. Unfortunately weve to follow the due process. I urge u to file a complaint against this vile creature, we extend u full support. sushant singh (@sushant_says) October 8, 2018 He was an alcoholic, shameless and obnoxious but he was also the television star of that decade, so not only was he forgiven for all his bad behaviour, many of the guys would also egg him on to be his worst, Nanda wrote, adding that he even harassed Taras lead actress who was not interested in him. Sharing the worst that happened, Nanda recounted the incidents that followed after she left a party at Aloks house at 2 a.m. She says her drinks were mixed. I started to walk home on the empty streets... Midway I was accosted by this man who was driving his own car and he asked me to sit in it and said he would drop me home. I trusted him and sat in his car. I have faint memory after that. I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly. When I woke up the next afternoon, I was in pain. I hadnt just been raped, I was taken to my own house and had been brutalised. I couldnt get up for my bed. I told some of my friends but everybody advised me to forget about it and move on. Later, she got a job to write and direct a series for Plus Channel, and again her paths crossed with Alok. The man found his way through the casting route and became one of the lead actors on the show. He created an environment in which I was made to feel threatened, so I asked the producers to release me from directing the series because I didnt want to be around where he was. I continued to write the show. The most difficult part and the main reason why Nanda took so long to come out with the truth was because while she was working on this new series, she says, he asked me to come to his house again and I went to allow him to violate me. I needed the job and didnt want to leave it as I needed the money. It was after this that I quit. Nanda has urged people who have suffered at the hands of predators, to come out and say it aloud. Dont hold yourselves back. This is a moment for change, so your silence will only hold barriers to its evolution. Speak out. Shout out from the top of the roof. (With inputs from IANS) Actor Alok Nath has dismissed rape allegations levelled against him by Tara writer-producer Vinta Nanda, calling them absurd. The actor spoken to news channel ABP and said, Neither am I denying this nor do I would agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it or it will be stretched. He said his public image is of no concern to him for kuch to log kahenge. Nanda has accused Nath - known for his sanskaari on-screen image - of sexually violating her almost two decades ago. I have waited for this moment to come for 19 years, she wrote in a long, heart-wrenching Facebook post, referring to the predator in question as the actor par excellence who is known as the most sanskaari (cultured) person in the film and television industry. She later confirmed to IANS that she was referring to Nath. Nath, in his reaction, was dismissive and patronizing. At one time she used to be such a good friend... today she said such a big thing. In a way, it was me who made her what she is, he told the channel, adding, It is useless to react on the allegations as in todays world only what a woman says will be considered. In such a situation, it would be wrong to say anything. Talking about his image and the effect these allegations will have on it, he said, What do I have to do with people? People will say anything to spoil the image. Leave my image, whatever has been said, it is absurd. CINTAA general secretary Sushant Singh has said a show-cause notice will be sent to Alok. He urged Nanda to file a complaint against this vile creature, and added: We extend you full support. It is the escalating voices against sexual harassment across the world as part of the #MeToo wave that gave Nanda the courage to pen down the experiences which had left her shattered. He was an alcoholic, shameless and obnoxious but he was also the television star of that decade, so not only was he forgiven for all his bad behaviour, many of the guys would also egg him on to be his worst, Nanda wrote, adding that he even harassed the shows lead actress who was not interested in him. Sharing the worst that happened, Nanda recounted the incidents that followed after she left a party at Aloks house at 2 am. She says her drinks were spiked. I started to walk home on the empty streets... Midway I was accosted by this man who was driving his own car and he asked me to sit in it and said he would drop me home. I trusted him and sat in his car. I have faint memory after that. I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly. When I woke up the next afternoon, I was in pain. I hadnt just been raped, I was taken to my own house and had been brutalised. I couldnt get up for my bed. I told some of my friends but everybody advised me to forget about it and move on, she wrote. Later, she got a job to write and direct a series for Plus Channel, and again her paths crossed with Alok. The man found his way through the casting route and became one of the lead actors on the show. He created an environment in which I was made to feel threatened, so I asked the producers to release me from directing the series because I didnt want to be around where he was. I continued to write the show. The most difficult part and the main reason why Nanda took so long to come out with the truth was because while she was working on this new series, she says, he asked me to come to his house again and I went to allow him to violate me. I needed the job and didnt want to leave it as I needed the money. It was after this that I quit. Nanda has urged people who have suffered at the hands of predators, to come out and say it aloud. Dont hold yourselves back. This is a moment for change, so your silence will only hold barriers to its evolution. Speak out. Shout out from the top of the roof. TV writer-producer Vinta Nandas searing account of rape has left the social media shocked, adding yet another harrowing chapter to Indias #MeToo campaign. In a long Facebook post on Monday, the woman behind one of Indias most forward looking soaps from 90s, Tara, accused actor Alok Nath of assaulting her sexually on more than one occasion. I have waited for this moment to come for 19 years, Nanda wrote in a long, heart-wrenching Facebook post, referring to the predator in question as the actor par excellence who is known as the most sanskaari (cultured) person in the film and television industry. Alok Nath, famous as the sanskaari bapuji from family dramas, told ABP News that he neither denies nor agrees with Vinta Nandas allegations and that only what a woman says will be considered. 1. Nanda recounted her personal trauma saying she left a party at 2 am. I started to walk home on the empty streets... Midway I was accosted by this man who was driving his own car and he asked me to sit in it and said he would drop me home. I trusted him and sat in his car. I have faint memory after that. I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly. When I woke up the next afternoon, I was in pain, she wrote. She also wrote how the actor first harassed the lead actress on the sets of Tara - Navneet Nishan, not named in the post - and that his alleged conduct got so bad that Ms Nanda and her production associates decided to let him go. Pressure from the TV channel ended with Tara going off air abruptly and Ms Nandas other shows being cancelled as well. 2. CINTAA general secretary Sushant Singh has said a show-cause notice will be sent to Alok, asking why he should not be expelled. He urged Nanda to file a complaint against this vile creature, and added: We extend you full support. 3. Taras lead actor Navneet Nishan told PTI that she empathise with Vinta for the terrible pain she has gone through. Saying that she dealt with four years of harassment from the same actor, she added, It is unimaginable. I dealt with the four year harassment by slapping the man in question and it is done and dusted. l suffered the loss of the show and was further shamed by the man through media and I endured that. I fought my battles there and then. I am immensely glad that the power trip and sexual dominance coming from this power is being called out. It is high time. 4. In a poorly worded and dismissive explanation, Alok Nath told ABP, Neither I am denying this nor do I agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it. As for the matter, if it has come out, it will be stretched. Sounding patronizing of #MeToo campaign, he said, We only have to hear to womens stand because they are considered weak. 5. Alok Nath also claimed he made Vinta what she is. Asked about his sanskaari image, Alok said: What do I have to do with people? People will say anything to spoil the image. Leave my image, whatever has been said, it is absurd. 6. At a press conference on Tuesday, Nanda said she is no longer afraid. I am at a place in my life now where I am not afraid. I have spoken about it. I am not ashamed. The man who did this to me should be ashamed, she said. 7. Talking about how the assault changed her fundamentally as a person, she said, I took a lot of time to open up. For the longest time I thought it was my mistake. Why did I go to that party and why did I take those drinks? Why I am so bold? Why do I talk so much? Why do I talk among men? I thought what happened with me was fair. By the time the disturbance became so grave I could not bear it and I came out but everybody around me told me You are crazy, shut up, bury it. Going to police meant reopening a can of worms which was a difficult situation. 8. Mahesh Bhatt, a friend of Nandas, said he was devastated to learn of her ordeal. She is a friend. I am quite devastated... We have sat down and she has spoken about her personal issues, financial issues and her relationship problems and never brought this out. His wife Soni Razdan tweeted: Oh Vinta Nanda, so sorry you had to deal with this all alone so many years ago. Can anything be done? What is unacceptable is the fact that the channel did nothing to protect the girl in question amounting to the most abject callousness on its part. Things really need to change. 9. The Producers Guild of India has said that it is committed to addressing and ending sexual harassment in the film industry and that it will work towards creating safe workplaces in offices and on sets. It said in a statement, We are instituting a committee within the Guild to lead this effort, and we are determined to stay the course till workplaces in the industry are safe spaces for everyone. 10. Celebs such as Richa Chaddha, Swara Bhasker, Mallika Dua and Mini Mathur described Nandas account as terrifying. For heavens sake. To think someone as avante garde & ballsy as @vintananda went through this torture and couldnt speak up for 19 years!!! This makes me so sad & angry..#Sanskari my chappal!! wrote Mathur. Follow @htshowbiz for more China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its all-weather ally Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media in Beijing reported on Tuesday. The cost of the deal was not revealed. Wing Loong II, a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will also be jointly manufactured, state-run Global Times reported. China, an all-weather ally of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to the Pakistan Army. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The announcement by China to permit the sale of high-end military drones comes in the immediate backdrop of Indias move to acquire S-400 sophisticated missile defence systems from Russia. The deal was clinched during last weeks visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi. The deal for the acquisition of Chinese drones was announced by Pakistan Air Forces Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Global Times report said. It did not reveal the cost of the deal, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered, it said. The air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones, the report said. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm when the deal was reached. Wing Loong II made its maiden flight in February last year, an earlier report by the state-run Xinhua news agency said. A Xinhua report in December last year said Wing Loong II UAS has already obtained the largest order of Chinese UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight. But the report did not specify the buyer. According to the report, the system is composed of the ground station and various number of unmanned aerial vehicles. Within 10 months of its maiden flight, multiple live firing tests had been conducted in accordance with the requirement of its customers, including stationary targets, moving targets, time sensitive targets and air-ground coordination, the report said. A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be Chinas largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. It makes sense the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators. The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistans need for drones, Song said. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost. Chinese UAVs like Caihong series also has clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Song added. Bulgarian police are investigating the rape and murder of a female television reporter whose body was dumped near the Danube River after she reported on the possible misuse of European Union funds in Bulgaria. Authorities discovered the body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova on Saturday in the northern town of Ruse near the Romanian border. Police said she had been raped, beaten and strangled and her body was found in a park near the river. Marinova was a director of TVN, a small TV station in Ruse, and a TV presenter for two investigative programs. Journalists groups and foreign officials expressed shock. Harlem Desir, the media freedom representative for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, demanded a full and thorough investigation of Marinovas slaying. A Bulgarian investigative online media site went further, calling for an independent international inquiry and saying corruption could compromise an investigation by Bulgarian law enforcement. Bulgarian interior minister Mladen Marinov insisted Monday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to Marinovas work. It is about rape and murder, he said. Chief public prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov, on a trip to Ruse, said authorities had no new leads on a motive. At this stage, lets be careful, not because we dont have anything to say, but because every word uttered loosely could damage our work, he said. Bulgarian police said they were considering all possible scenarios and examining both Marinovas personal and professional lives for leads. Hundreds of Bulgarians turned out Monday night for vigils to honour Marinova. In Ruse, mourners, some tearful, placed candles, her portrait and roses the national flower at the foot of a monument. In the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, mourners gathered outside a church. One participant, Kristina Petkov, said Bulgarians now had zero trust in authorities. Whatever results the investigation (into Marinovas death) shows, people wont believe them, she said. Corruption is endemic in Bulgaria, a Balkan nation that joined the EU in 2007 and was ranked 71st on Transparency Internationals corruption list last year. Joining the bloc opened an enormous spigot of possible new EU funding for Bulgarian infrastructure projects or other programs designed to bring the nation up to EU standards funds that were very attractive to both government officials and criminal networks. Marinovas final show on September 30 was a program about Attila Biro, an investigative journalist with the Rise Project Romania, and Dimitar Stoyanov from the Bulgarian investigative site Bivol.bg. The two men were briefly detained Sept. 13 south of Sofia as they investigated a tip that documents connected to suspected fraud involving EU funds were being destroyed. Bivol.bg owner Assen Yordanov said he couldnt directly link Marinovas slaying to her work, but noted her show tackled our very sensitive investigation into the misuse of EU funds. This is a topic on which no other Bulgarian national media dared to report on, he told The Associated Press. To get to the truth, we are calling for an independent investigation.... we want independent European investigators to get involved because we believe the Bulgarian authorities are part of this countrys criminal network. Yordanov said his journalists were getting threats to their safety for reporting on government corruption. Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said Monday the commission expected a swift and thorough investigation .... that will bring those responsible to justice and clarify whether this attack was linked to her work. He quoted Juncker as saying previously that too many journalists are being intimidated, attacked or murdered and there is no democracy without a free press. The German government also sharply condemned the slaying, with the Foreign Ministry saying it was imperative that theres a fast investigation and that this horrible event will be illuminated as comprehensively as possible. Sven Giegold, a German member of the Greens party in the European Parliament, said all of Europe should worry about Marinovas slaying. First Malta, then Slovakia, now Bulgaria. It is unacceptable that in Europe journalists are getting killed again, he said, referring to the slayings of two other investigative journalists in those EU countries. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is paying very close attention to a very worrying increase in violence against journalists, especially women journalists, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Guterres has raised the issue with U.N. member states privately and publicly, Dujarric said. Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia , who investigated local government corruption, was killed in October 2017 by a car bomb. Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak was shot dead along with his fiancee in February after he reported on corrupt ties between Slovak officials and Italian mobsters. Kuciaks reporting and his slaying brought down the Slovak government. In addition, Swedish journalist Kim Wall was tortured and murdered during a private submarine trip in August 2017. Danish submarine inventor Peter Madsen was convicted and sentenced to life in prison earlier this year. Nikki Haley, the first Indian-American to hold a cabinet position in the US, has resigned as ambassador to the UN, taking many even in the Trump administration by surprise and triggering speculation about a run for the White House. Haley will leave at the end of the year, President Donald Trump said in a joint announcement with her from the White House. He said he is looking at several people as a possible replacement, and could make an announcement in two or three weeks or even sooner. Trumps daughter Ivanka has been named by some as a possible successor. Haley was effusive in her praise of Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner at the announcement. Others being speculated about are Dina Powell, former deputy national security adviser, and Richard Grenell, the US envoy to Germany, who has had an eye on the UN ambassadorship for a long time. In her opening remarks, Haley ruled out a run for the White House on her own. No I am not running for 2020 (the year of the next presidential election), she said. Turning towards Trump, she added, I can promise you what I will be doing is I will be campaigning for this one. I look forward to supporting the president in the next election. Haleys exit was greeted with as much surprise as her selection as the US ambassador to the UN in 2016. She had been a two-term Republican governor of South Carolina state, and had no exposure to foreign policy, other than leading state delegations abroad. She went on to become one of Trumps most trusted cabinet members, and they got along famously despite differences on some key issues. She emerged as the strongest defender of Trumps decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, his move to tear up the Iran nuclear deal and to pursue peace with North Korea. Speaking highly of her and her contribution to his administration you have been very special to me Trump said of her role at the UN: She got to know the players. She got to know China, Russia, India. She knows everybody on a first-name basis and they like her. Haley got to know the Indians quite well. We lost our best US ally at the UN in a long time, said an Indian diplomat, pointing to the most recent example of the support they received from her, when she brought external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to meet Trump at a UN meeting. Haley also made a successful visit to India in July, during which met the top leadership in New Delhi, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swaraj. She pressed them to cut oil imports from Iran in view of upcoming sanctions but had conveyed to them US willingness to work with India on Chabahar port in Iran that India has helped build and runs as a gateway into Afghanistan and Central Asia. Her parents came to the US from the Punjab. She grew up in South Carolina and went into politics there at a time few Indian-Americans could even consider such a career path. She won elections to the state assembly, and two terms as governor. On her appointment as ambassador to the UN, she became the first Indian-American to hold a cabinet rank position, a milestone that earned her widespread respect in the community, even among Indian-American Democrats. Haley is a rising star for Republicans and has been on every shortlist of those that the party believes can make it to the White House. Speculation about a presidential run by her has been whispered about for long, especially among Republicans unhappy with Trumps unorthodox presidency. Thats what Haley dealt with in her opening remarks, even before she was asked by reporters, as speculation about a presidential run had started within seconds of the news of her resignation, which had been among the best kept secrets of a White House known for leaks. Trump told reporters Haley had first told him about her desire to leave six months ago. She said, Maybe at the end of the year, the end of the two-year period, at the end of the year, I want to take a little time off. Trump clearly was not happy to see her go. So, I just wanted to tell you, we will miss you, well be speaking all the time, but we will miss you, he said. No departing member of the administration has been accorded a farewell anything like this, not former secretary of state Rex Tillerson, former NSA Michael Flynn, former chief strategist Steve Bannon, former chief of staff Reince Priebus or former spokesperson Sean Spicer. The White House joint announcement spoke, according to observers of this White House, of the respect Trump has for Haley, to whom he said: Hopefully you will be coming back at some point, in a different capacity, you can have your pick. New migrants wanting to settle in Australia may soon face a big condition on their stay: Sydney and Melbourne will be off limits. Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government is in the early stages of drafting plans to force thousands of migrants to settle outside the nations two largest cities. Its seeking to address concerns about rapid population growth and the impact on infrastructure ahead of an election that must be called by May. The influx of immigrants thats equivalent to one person arriving in Australia every minute is causing a backlash in the biggest cities. While the flood of arrivals has swelled the population by 50 percent over the past three decades and underpinned economic growth, residents are frustrated that their quality of life has been compromised, with house prices too high, roads clogged and wages stagnant. We are working on measures to have more new arrivals go to the smaller states and regions and require them to be there for at least a few years, Population and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said in a speech Tuesday that announced elements of the new policy. In that time, the evidence suggests that many will make it their home for the long term. The measures may affect just under half of the total intake, specifically those not sponsored to work in a major city by companies or granted visas to join their families, he said. The government is also investigating faster rail links between big cities and regional centres. There clearly is a concentration of migration purely into Sydney and Melbourne, Steven Ciobo, a member of Morrisons cabinet, said in a Sky News interview on Tuesday. We know thats putting immense pressure on a range of areas. While governments from the US to the UKto Europe have clamped down on immigration, Australia has taken the opposite route: its permanent migration program welcomed almost 184,000 new arrivals in fiscal 2017. Just over half of Australians think the total number of migrants coming to Australia each year is either about right or too low, according to a Lowy Institute survey published in June 2017. Four in 10 said the number was too high. Australias so-called points system for assessing potential migrants sees skilled workers ranked by their need, and they must also pass health and character tests. Those becoming citizens must first pass an English-language quiz on the nations constitution, history and values. India is the biggest source of skilled migrants, comprising 21 percent in fiscal 2017, followed by China on 15 percent and the UK with 9 percent. The wife of the former Interpol president who disappeared in China has revealed that she had received a threatening phone call warning of agents coming for her while she fights a so-far fruitless battle for information about her husbands fate. In her first one-on-one interview since Meng Hongwei went missing, Grace Meng denied bribery allegations against her high-profile husband, and told The Associated Press that speaking out about his disappearance was placing her in great danger. Meng Hongwei who is also Chinas vice minister of public security disappeared while on a trip home to China late last month. A long-time Communist Party insider with decades of experience in Chinas sprawling security apparatus, the 64-year-old now appears to be the latest high-ranking official to fall victim to a sweeping purge against allegedly corrupt or disloyal officials under president Xi Jinpings authoritarian administration. Speaking to the AP late Monday, Grace Meng said her last contact with her husband was by text message, on Sept. 25, when he wrote wait for my call and sent her an emoji image of a knife after traveling back to China. After a week with no subsequent news, and on an evening when she was at home in Lyon having put their two young boys to bed, she then got a threatening call on her mobile phone from a man speaking in Chinese. He said, You listen but you dont speak, she said. He continued: Weve come in two work teams, two work teams just for you. She said the man also said, We know where you are, and that when she tried to ask a question, he repeated: You dont speak, you just listen to me. As a result, Mrs. Meng is now under French police protection. Chinese authorities said Monday that Meng Hongwei was being lawfully investigated for taking bribes and other crimes that were a result of his willfulness. Hours earlier, Interpol said Meng had resigned as the international police agencys president. It was not clear whether he did so of his own free will. Mrs. Meng suggested that the bribery accusation is just an excuse for making him disappear for so long. As his wife, I think hes simply incapable of this, she said. She said she would be willing to make their bank accounts public. She said that she spoke out in hopes that doing so might help other families in similar circumstances. Mrs. Meng refused to provide her real name to the AP, saying she was too afraid for the safety of her relatives in China. It is not customary for Chinese wives to adopt their husbands names. Mrs. Meng said she has done so now to show her solidarity with her husband. Her English name, Grace, is one she has long used, she said. A French judicial official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to AP that police are investigating the threat against Mrs. Meng, but said the probe has yet to determine whether there were indeed Chinese teams sent to Lyon. Rebranding 9 October 2018 The Inn at Gran View Ogdensburg is the latest hotel to join the Ascend Hotel Collection portfolio of best-in-class unique, boutique, and historic independent hotels and resorts by Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH). A renowned community landmark located in Ogdensburg, N.Y., this 46-room family-owned-and-operated hotel sits in a lush country setting just minutes from the beautiful 1000 Islands and a short drive from both Ottawa and Montreal, Canada. The Inn at Gran View Ogdensburg has provided guests with outstanding cuisine, impeccable service, and unforgettable sunsets since it was opened by the Williams family in 1957. The hotel offers easy access to local attractions like the Frederick Remington Art Museum, Chippewa Bay, Thousand Islands, and Boldt Castle. With over 60 years of love, hard work and a dedication, the hotel has become known for supplying an unforgettable travel experience to guests that have included international celebrities to local and national dignitaries. Top features of The Inn at Gran View Ogdensburg include: The Gran View Restaurant, featuring locally inspired cuisine Max's Outlook - a recently added outdoor deck offering views of the St. Lawrence river Complimentary continental breakfast Large riverside swimming pool with shuffle board area and lawn games Fully equipped fitness room Guest laundry center Two private meeting rooms and a large ballroom for weddings and formal dinners The Inn at Gran View Ogdensburg participates in the award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty rewards program, rated no. 1 in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards list for two consecutive years and a top hotel loyalty program by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years. Choice Privileges membership is free and offers fast rewards and exclusive member rates for those who book directly at www.choicehotels.com. Members can earn and redeem points towards free nights, airline miles and more while staying at any participating Choice branded hotels. Appointment 9 October 2018 Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel franchisors, announced Terri Ryan has joined the company as vice president of brand operations for Cambria Hotels. In this role, Ryan will lead the upscale brands' compliance, design, and operations teams focused on developing sustainable programs that drive guest loyalty. She will also work closely with the company's upscale real estate, construction, and field-based Area Director organizations to ensure that every Cambria hotel is positioned for continued success and profitability through the entire development process. Ryan joins Choice Hotels with more than 20 years of industry experience. Most recently, she served as the senior vice president of hotel operations for Crestline Hotels & Resorts where she oversaw Crestline's national operations as well as organizational planning, strategic growth, brand relationships, and owner relations. Earlier in her career, she held a number of leadership roles at the property level. Ryan earned her bachelor's degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also is an active member of the local hospitality community, having served on the Board of Directors for several D.C.-based affiliations. Industry Update Appointment 9 October 2018 Jacco van Teeffelen Appointed Hotel Manager At Fairmont San Francisco - CA, USA Fairmont San Francisco is pleased to announce that Jacco van Teeffelen has been named hotel manager of the iconic property atop Nob Hill. Jacco arrived from the San Diego area, where he most recently served as the Hotel Manager at the luxurious Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort property. He brings multiple years of progressive leadership experience within the hospitality industry to this exciting, active role. In 2007 he joined Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort, as Executive Assistant Manager in charge of Food and Beverage. In 2010, Jacco was appointed Resort Manager, Soneva Gili Resort, a Six Senses Resorts and Spas, in the Maldives. He relocated to England in 2011, when he joined Fairmont Hotels & Resorts as the Director of Food & Beverage at The Savoy before returning stateside in 2015 to Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Hotelschools.com Hotel Management School Maastricht Jacco van Teeffelen (Class of 0) is a graduate of Hotel Management School Maastricht in Maastricht - Netherlands, The (Class of 0) is a graduate of Hotel Management School Maastricht in Maastricht - Netherlands, The more information Accor Accor is a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,000 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industrys most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing luxury and premium brands, midscale and economy offerings, unique lifestyle concepts, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. more information Recent Appointments at Accor Zeeshan Salem - Safety & Security Manager 12 November 2021 Salem has 10 years of experience in his field. Before joining the property, he was the security manager at Aloft Dubai South. He also worked as part of the security team at The Ritz Carlton Dubai JBR and Qatar Airways. read more Ramy Shawky - Front Office Manager 12 November 2021 The new front office manager, Shawky has more than ten years of front office experience gained from five-star hotels. Prior to his new role, he was the assistant front office manager at Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach. read more Appointment 9 October 2018 Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) today announced that Patrick Grismer has resigned as chief financial officer, effective November 2, 2018, in order to assume the CFO position at Starbucks Corporation. Upon his departure, Grismer will be succeeded by Joan Bottarini, currently senior vice president of finance for the Americas at Hyatt. Bottarini has been with Hyatt since 1999 and held a number of finance positions over her career, including vice president of hotel finance for Asia Pacific, vice president strategic financial planning and analysis, and director financial communications. Bottarini, currently senior vice president of finance for the Americas and will assume the CFO role Nov. 2, has been with Hyatt since 1999. Press Release 9 October 2018 I'm excited at the prospects for the CTO and the critical role it can play in unifying the Caribbean, not simply as a tourism destination, but as a people destined for greatness.I'm convinced that a well-supported, well-funded, CTO can take its place alongside other venerable institutions to lift the people of the Caribbean to incredible heights that are attainable but not yet achieved. Advertisements The Organisation's leadership in tourism and its contribution to the development of our human resources will help drive strong economies and build reliable, competent and productive workforces and Caribbean populations that are ready to face an ever-changing global environment. The CTO's leadership was on full display this week through the experts we brought together to share insights into how we can better build a lasting and sustainable tourism sector that will benefit every individual, every community, every country in this region. We dared to challenge the region to build better, not just the infrastructure, but the entire industry. We explored applicable recommendations for the use of technology, not only to improve the visitors' experience, but our lot as a people. We boldly tackled controversial issues such as commoditizing our cultures without exploiting them and embracing the Caribbean as a region of roots. We brought these issues to the forefront not because they're popular, but because we are convinced they must be successfully addressed sooner rather than later, if we are to truly build a Caribbean tourism industry for the future. And there's no better way to shape the future than to involve our young people. There isn't a single person among those who were in the room for yesterday's youth congress, or among the approximately three thousand people who watched it live on the CTO Facebook page, who will disagree with me when I say we have some of the most creative, imaginative and smartest young people anywhere. They are the ones who will be challenged to continue building the tourism industry on the foundation that has been laid by today's leaders and yesterday's pioneers. Based on the strength of their performances yesterday, I'm confident that the future of tourism is bright. In this context, allow me to congratulate the youth congress winner, Jamaica's Bryanna Hylton, as well as St. Maarten's Kiara Meyers and Caroline Pain of Martinique, who placed in the top three. I know you'd also like an update on our The Rhythm Never Stops campaign; I'm happy to advise that the campaign will be launched this coming Monday, thanks to the public- and private sector stakeholders who contributed to this important first phase. On the region's tourism performance, it has been a tale of two situations. On the one hand, we have robust growth in countries that were not affected by last year's hurricanes. On the other, we have seen dramatic decreases in arrivals to those hit by the storms, although the performances of these countries are steadily improving. Of the 22 reporting destinations, 13 of them registered increases in tourist arrivals during the first half of the year, ranging from 1.7 percent to 18.3, while seven recorded decreases of between a negligible -0.3 percent and 71 percent. The top performing destination during this period were Guyana at 18.3 percent, Belize at 17.1 percent, the Cayman Islands at 15.9 percent, and Grenada at 10.7 percent and the Bahamas at 10.2 percent. These individual results substantiate the regional messaging of the openness of the destinations for business and the confidence in destinations to deliver quality experiences. The performances of the key source markets varied considerably, with some destinations recording strong growth, while others registered declines. In the US market, for example, while Jamaica reported growth of 8.4 percent, the Dominican Republic was up by 6.3 percent and 11 other destinations achieved growth, six of which were by double digits, the Caribbean received Seven million visits from the US during the first half of the year. This was a 15.8 percent decrease when compared to the corresponding period last year, due mainly to a 54.6 percent fall in arrivals to Puerto Rico and decreases in arrivals to Cuba. On the other hand, there was a new record in arrivals from Canada for this time of year, with 2.4 million overnight international tourists, representing a 4.7 percent increase. Arrivals from Europe also increased, though marginally at 0.3 percent, with three million tourists visiting the Caribbean during the first half of the year. Belize led the way with 24.3 percent growth, followed by Guyana at 9.4% percent, Curacao 6.2 percent and Saint Lucia at 4.5 percent. However, overall growth was impacted by steep falls in arrivals to Anguilla, Puerto Rico and Bermuda. There was also a marginal decline of 0.5 percent in cruise visits, although there are signs of improvement. Of the 23 reporting destinations, 15 realized improvement upon their 2017 performances with Trinidad & Tobago registering increases of 166 percent, St. Vincent & the Grenadines up by 84 percent and Martinique at 54.7 percent, leading on growth rates. However, this was countered by declines of nearly 90 percent in the British Virgin Islands, Dominica was down by 88.4 percent, St. Maarten down 27.5 percent, and the US Virgin Islands decreased by 22.5 percent. Puerto Rico, though hurricane-impacted, posted a 1.1 percent increase during the period. The region's competitive advantages of a diverse tourism product and safety and security are still intact. Destinations are rebuilding, and new tourism products and services are being restored daily in the destinations impacted by last year's hurricanes. Our research department anticipates an overall decline of between three and four percent this year, but predicts a 4.3 percent increase next year. Cruise, on the other hand, is projected to grow by five percent to six percent this year. Let me take the opportunity to thank Minister Dionisio D'Aguilar, director general Joy Jibrilu and team at the Bahamas ministry of tourism, as well as our own CTO staff for working so hard to pull off a wonderful State of the Tourism Industry conference, and I thank you for your participation. Opinion Article 9 October 2018 The marketplace is bustling with experiences for consumers to consider. It hurts your head! However, Colleagues, we've got it, and others want it. The term, hospitality, evokes certain emotions and expectations, and we are the practitioners who make it work. We fulfill the dreams and deliver the goods. Hospitality represents a most worthy cachet, and we cannot afford to lose that edge. Advertisements Cachet, you say. What does that actually mean? By definition, a cachet is a sign showing something which is genuine, authentic or of superior quality - a mark of distinction and prestige. In this age of experience, that is exactly what we are relaying to our audience. Sometimes, all you have to do is mention a name. Vermont, as a destination, appeals to your senses - bucolic, tidy, clapboard villages, green mountains and verdant valleys - how life should be, whereas Maine presents itself as a state of mind - independent, varied landscape, hardy souls, tasty crustaceans. In the Caribbean, Anguilla, BWI stands for white sand beaches, - pure, natural, a paradise. Las Vegas, on the other hand, speaks to the naughty side - bright lights, gaudy tableau, flaunting some skin and some luck. All four destination markets are highly evocative, appealing to our emotions, senses and desire for adventure. Images planted, dreams launched! What does your brand look like? Naturally, big business has clamored for the same type of cachet. For Ford Motor Company, Quality is Job One. Coke is the Real Thing. Bernie & Phyl's Furniture - "quality, comfort and price - that's nice". Tiffany is the gold standard, you simply are not chic without a Prada product, and Campbells Soup is "umh, good"! Cachets can run amok, as well, with Starbucks an example. As soon as major expansion began a few years back, the company, which was selling the experience more than the coffee, began an erosion of its brand. There is no cachet located in a hotel lobby or distinction with expansion plans for a world-wide presence of 40,000 stores. You just become another cup of coffee. Even the CEO, Howard Schultz, knew he had to recapture the "soul" of the brand and return the "romance and theater" to Starbucks. That is why he came back. So, exactly what is hospitality about, what are we selling, what is that special cachet? Firstly, we accommodate, feed and entertain the world. Each of us, no matter the role or the business type, knows instinctively in our heart that to perform successfully we must have product, service and facility in top form. We deal with the public - our visitor, guest, or patron - the consumer, just like us, who have expectations, for we have painted quite an appealing picture of what their experience with us could be - our marketing dollars at work. Now, we need to deliver. The ultimate hospitality cachet is our delivery, often times, gracefully under fire. A warm smile and welcome, attending to needs, high service standards and execution, affirmation that the ongoing experience is working, and a sincere thank you. This is all accomplished with a certain style, passion, respect and dedication. Simply, it is how we all wish to be treated in that perfect world. In our trade, the realities always challenge that tri-pod of hospitality: product, service and facility. We seek transparency and excellence, but frequently settle for less. Brand integrity is tricky business, and once you lose your cachet, you are toast, not even lightly buttered. We spend an enormous amount of time and money attracting those guests to our destinations and venues. We are effusive with our promotional language, describing an experience which simply may not exist. Most destination marketing officials do not understand that their role does not end with the promotion; they need to direct the community enculturation and integration effort, too. Everyone is part of that effort, need to be engaged, oriented and trained, and become essential to that experience projected. Some sprinkle a little money and half-hearted efforts to this enculturation aspect; they wipe their hands and say they have done their part. Not good enough! The parts equal the sum of the experience. At the local level in our accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and retail stores, we try very hard. Many succeed with sparse resources. Excellence is an investment. It requires time and commitment. We share our passion and direction with our staff, who may not reflect either our standards or appreciation of the business. We do the best we can with little money, trying to attract talent, retaining our personnel through continuous training and development and competitive wages and benefits and, yes, respecting their cultural differences. We strive to present the finest in product, ever mindful of our amenities, our food preparation and overall performance standards. With our facilities we know the power of first and lasting impressions - we continually renovate, innovate and enhance. We are the cachet of Hospitality; we perpetuate that essence. For us, there is no mystique. We live it every day; this is what our guests seek. Around the world, other businesses have discovered that superb customer service is the only barometer for performance success. Whether it be health care, retail operations, like banks and grocery stores, even big business and manufacturers like General Motors - the customer is king. And, that customer needs to be lavished, attended to, listened to, respected and thanked. For generations we have embraced authenticity and care for our guests. We know what the Hospitality Experience should be. We know the ingredients, which make our calling distinctive. Be proud of the tradition! Opinion Article 9 October 2018 Do you remember, back in the day, when customers booked with certain hotels because they were loyal to the brand or because they just wanted to earn points? (I'm showing my age here!) Most hotels do too, which is why loyalty programs have been such a priority for hotel marketers - who have been relying on these programs to increase customer loyalty, boost direct bookings and create long-standing relationships with guests - in the past decade (give or take a few years). Unfortunately, those days are LONG gone. An article by Google offered a great deal of insight into the way that today's consumers research and book travel and what the key factors are that influence that purchasing decision. (Hint: it's not loyalty.) The main takeaway from the research shows a very dire picture for the future of loyalty programs: "today's frequent travelers are not loyal;" in fact, loyalty was fourth on the list of reasons for choosing the travel brands that they did (at 46%). These findings were also reflected in a recent TripAdvisor study, which showed that "73% of all first [travel] searches worldwide in 2017 were generic with no brand or destination mentioned; in the US, the percentage of generic first searches was slightly lower (63%)." Oracle's 2018 global survey gave us even more detail about consumers' views on loyalty programs - and why they just aren't as effective anymore: "Consumers are selective when it comes to signing up for loyalty programs and look for real relevance; in fact, 30 percent rarely join loyalty programs, 46 percent only sign up to select relevant programs, and just 24 percent sign up to every loyalty program". The survey also showed an even bleaker picture: "[g]iven the choice to revoke their personal information from hotel brands, more than 80% of respondents said they would." That's a staggering number given how much time and money hotels pour into their loyalty programs every year, especially since many hotels report high success rates on their programs (guys, there's a serious disconnect here. What's up?!). Yes, you may have seen a growing number of participants join your brand's loyalty program in recent years (after all, "29 percent of millennials plan to sign up to every loyalty program") but that doesn't change the fact that registration (for a loyalty program) doesn't automatically result in that person being a valuable customer. The number of people who sign up for your program isn't the metric that truly matters from an operational success standpoint because "seven in 10 hotel loyalty members participate in multiple programs;" as such, what makes a loyalty program successful is whether or not it is converting lookers into bookers. Like the Google study, all these statistics reinforce this one simple fact: loyalty is no longer the most effective factor for hotels who want to convert direct bookings. So, what does that mean for hoteliers? What are the three most influential deciding factors for high-value guests when booking travel? And how can hotel marketers leverage these influences to boost their property's occupancy and RevPAR? 3rd Most Influential Factor: ONLINE REVIEWS The Google/Greenberg study shows that, before loyalty, online reviews were the third most effective factor in influencing a high-value traveler to book with your property over the competition (50%). This probably isn't much of a surprise to most hoteliers, as we've all heard many stats, from many different sources, that show that today's consumers - especially the Millennial generation - are inspired by stories, images and videos of amazing travel experiences shared by friends, families and influencers they follow on social media. In addition to the influence of social proof and word-of-mouth recommendations, "29% of consumers consider positive reviews as [the] most likely factor to make them book a holiday." Reviews can be directly tied to an increase in sales, as "the brands that have embraced reviews and recommendations into their online retail strategy can experience an increase in sales of up to 18% - 2% of which is from repeat customers". Want to leverage the power of online reviews to boost your direct bookings? Implement these to dos to start seeing results: First and foremost, every hotel should be adding reviews to their website (surprisingly, 40% of hotel respondents to a Tnooz study said that their property did not share any reviews on their site. Come on guys, TripAdvisor is the most visited travel website for a reason!). Recognize the value in ALL reviews, not just the positive ones. Negative reviews give your property the opportunity to show new guests that you do take your guests' feedback and experiences into consideration - and that you will take action when customers' needs are not met. For every negative review, you should post an apologetic reply to the reviewer, including: First, let the reviewer know that you value their feedback and thank him/her for taking the time to let you know about the issue. In your reply, recognize (and thank them for) any positive feedback first and then address their (negative) concerns. When addressing the negative feedback, do not use defensive language or tone (as that will be perceived negatively by future guests). If the concern is serious, offer the guest the opportunity to contact you directly to discuss the issue further and consider offering the guest a small reimbursement on their stay. Let the customer know what specific actions you have taken to remedy the situation. Invite them back to stay at your property to experience the changes firsthand; if possible, offer them a discount or another incentive to encourage him/her to book with your property again. Think outside of TripAdvisor as a source for customer reviews. Reviews on Facebook, OTAs, search engines, etc. are also great ways to show potential guests that all your guests were pleased with their stay. Make it easy for guests to see your property's past guest ratings across multiple review sites/channels by adding a guest review tool into your booking engine - a tool which can dramatically increase your direct bookings (remember positive ratings = more bookings). 2nd Most Influential Factor: EASY-TO-USE WEBSITE The second most influential factor for potential guests when booking is an easy-to-use website (55%). This response makes perfect sense: the OTAs make it quick and easy for customers to book via their sites, so if your brand.com site (and booking engine) isn't up-to-par, you WILL lose bookings. Another important thing to consider when evaluating the user experience on your website is how easy it is to read and use all the functionality of the site on mobile devices. More and more potential guests are booking travel via their mobile device (especially at the last-minute) so if you want to get some of those valuable bookings, your site needs to be accessible anywhere, everywhere and on EVERY device. While the logic behind this response is self-explanatory, the action items needed are much more than just "improve your website" and "create a mobile responsive website." To make your website easier to use, you must also update your site's booking engine, which is the heart of your website's functionality - and what makes the difference between a booking and an abandoned cart. Here are some important booking engine updates that your property should be integrating/undertaking immediately to ensure that all customers are pleased with their direct booking experience: Choose a booking engine that best suits your specific property type to ensure that you are showing the most pertinent info to potential guests (to enable the conversion of lookers into bookers). For example, properties that focus primarily on leisure travel will want to highlight packages and offers in the booking engine, versus a corporate/business travel hotel, which would simplify the booking process, offering simple, clear information with minimal frills. Ensure that your booking engine is fully integrated into the design and look of your website. Having an obvious difference between the branding and design of your site and your booking engine will make customers less comfortable booking online, as they may make the incorrect assumption that it is a less secure payment processor (as it looks less professional than what they have come to expect from the OTAs and other travel providers' booking engines). Many consumers are less tied to specific dates of travel, as the Internet makes it easier to work from a laptop, at anytime, anywhere in the world (yay, digital nomads!). When booking travel, digital nomads want to find the best possible combination of price and convenience (location, amenities, etc.) so they will often compare rates across a longer period to find the exact combination that they want. By integrating a flexible date tool into your booking engine, you enable your guests to see your property's room rates and any booking rules for the period around the dates searched, on a calendar, making it easy to compare rates at-a-glance. Ensure that website visitors with specific booking criteria and/or agreements (i.e. corporate, group, travel agent, etc.) can easily book a room (or twenty!) through your booking engine, without having to contact your reservations team directly. And the MOST Influential Factor When Booking Travel is CUSTOMER (SERVICE) IS KING In my most recent article about eliminating hotel fees, I emphasized the importance of prioritizing customer service and Google's research reinforces the importance of that strategy: 60% of respondents said that customer service was the most important factor (when choosing a travel provider). By improving customer service - across all touchpoints - at your property, your customers will leave with more positive things to say about their stay, which then results in more positive online reviews (see the synchronicity of the whole cycle?!). Win, win, win So, how can you improve your property's customer service? Action items: If you don't already have one in place, develop a strategy to secure reviews from guests - both during their stay, at check-out and post-stay. It is especially important to get customers' feedback during their stay so that you can remedy any issues that the guest may encounter before they check out, which can dramatically improve your property's rankings on online review sites. Prioritize the analysis of previous customers' reviews to identify any ongoing, repeated complaints and use them as opportunities to improve your overall customer service. Respond to all reviews, either negative or positive, on all review sites and especially on your own channels (i.e. brand.com site, social media channels, etc.) - see Online Reviews (above) for more details on how to effectively respond to online reviews. So, what's the takeaway from today's article? Say "so long!" to points and miles and start using outside-the-box strategies to improve brand loyalty and convert more direct bookings. Improve your website user experience and overall customer service (across all touchpoints) to generate more positive online reviews/ratings; combined, all these improvements will translate into a boost in occupancy, ADR and RevPAR and a decrease in your cost of acquisition. After all, who are we to argue with Google's (VERY accurate) insights?! (#ilovegoogle) 1995-2021 Hospitality Net All rights reservedHospitality Net is powered by Hsyndicate Triometric today announced that Jumbo Tours Group a leading international provider of incoming travel services, headquartered in Palma, has chosen the Trio Enterprise analytics platform for real-time API performance monitoring and increased visibility into its distribution operations. Triometric, the leading provider of API monitoring and business intelligence to the hospitality and travel industry, today announced that Jumbo Tours Group a leading international provider of incoming travel services, headquartered in Palma, has chosen the Trio Enterprise analytics platform for real-time API performance monitoring and increased visibility into its distribution operations. As a leading distributor of accommodation services in top European, African and Caribbean travel destinations and accommodating more than 2 million travellers annually, Jumbo Tours has developed a robust, scalable and flexible API architecture and booking platform to serve its growing customer base. To improve its API monitoring and analysis capabilities, Jumbo has recently deployed the Trio Enterprise real-time analytics platform to monitor key performance metrics (KPIs) of its XML API and to gain meaningful customer insights into their search and booking traffic. Jumbos API is connected to hundreds of customer travel agents and tour operators making hundreds of millions of search and booking requests every day. Jumbo prides itself in its technology investment to deliver high quality of service to its customer base regardless of where they are located. Maintaining an optimised booking platform and API connections is of paramount importance to online travel providers. Any degradation of service or poor response times in the presentation of product offers or during customer booking transactions, must be detected and corrected as soon as possible to prevent loss of business opportunities. It is also increasingly important for competitive differentiation to have deep visibility into a customers search and buying journey. The Trio Enterprise platform delivers both. It is a versatile solution that delivers via reports, dashboards and alerts a wealth of operational and business critical insights to help Jumbo manage their distribution channels. As part of the evaluation process Triometric and Jumbo Tours collaborated closely to identify the key operational metrics and business intelligence needed to support performance and commercial objectives. Using Triometric, Jumbo Tours IT Team will be able to proactively track a full range of key performance indicators and rapidly respond to any service interruptions or latency issues across the web services infrastructure. Business analysts will benefit from intelligence reports covering error reporting, search patterns and inventory planning. Jumbo Tours is committed to continuous investment in technology to ensure that our API environment runs optimally and we can analyse our search traffic to drive value for our customers, Josep Company, CIO of Jumbo Tours Group. By choosing Triometric we have great hopes and ambitions to fulfil the potential that real-time intelligence will give us to support our growth We are delighted that Jumbo Tours has selected our proven API monitoring technology to gain valuable real-time operational performance and business insights that can keep systems optimised and customers satisfied. said Jonathan Boffey, VP Business Development at Triometric. We look forward to continuing to work with the Jumbo Tours Group to ensure they get actionable insights from their API traffic and XML data. About Jumbo Tours Jumbo Tours, headquartered in Palma, is a leading international provider of incoming travel services and products to Tour Operators and Travel Agencies from around the world. The company has more than 40 years experience, highly professional and knowledgeable staff and advanced technology that enables them to receive more than 2,300,000 clients per year, representing the main companies in the tourism industry. Jumbo Tours Group is part of Alpitour Group, the principal tourism group in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe. It includes the main Italian tour operators and has the biggest distribution channel with more than 2,500 travel agencies, a hotel chain company and an airline. Alpitour Group has an annual turnover of over 2.000 million euros. For more information: https://jumbotours.es/index-en.html About Triometric Triometric delivers business intelligence & operational analytics enabling companies to rapidly react to market demand & deliver a superior customer experience. Triometric Trio platform delivers actionable intelligence and operational management metrics from live XML feeds to improve product availability, performance, relevance & price. Triometric is a privately held company based in Surrey, United Kingdom. Its numerous hotel distribution customers include: Hotelbeds, GTA, Bonotel and JacTravel. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has announced a Multiple Development Agreement (MDA) with existing partner GS Star GmbH (GS Star) to bring 15 avid hotels to the German market. This marks a milestone launching avid hotels, IHG's newest brand, in Europe for the first time. IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has announced a Multiple Development Agreement (MDA) with existing partner GS Star GmbH (GS Star) to bring 15 avid hotels to the German market. This marks a milestone launching avid hotels, IHG's newest brand, in Europe for the first time. Germany is a priority market for IHG with 122 hotels already open or in the development pipeline. Strong growth momentum of 50 new signings since 2015 has been driven by IHG's 11 active MDA partners, which has expanded IHG's mainstream presence in Germany particularly with the Holiday Inn and Holiday Express brands. IHG has also been creating wider growth opportunities in the boutique, upscale and luxury markets with the first hotel for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in Germany signed in 2018 and a doubling of the Hotel Indigo footprint with three new openings by 2020. IHG is now seeking to build further on this hotel growth momentum in Germany with the ambition for avid hotels to become one of their biggest brands in Germany. The deal signed today at EXPO Real in Munich between IHG and GS Star is the first important step in realising this ambition. Under the structure of the MDA, hotels will be signed within three years and opened within five. The first new-build avid hotel is planned to open by 2020. GS Star has been selected as a proven MDA partner with existing experience of developing IHG's mainstream hotels in German priority target cities. Announcing the deal at a signing ceremony at Expo Real in Munich, Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, said: "avid hotels has seen strong signings in the U.S., Canada and Mexico making it IHG's most successful new brand launch since Holiday Inn Express back in 1990. We are now excited to bring avid hotels to Germany where our proactive development approach has delivered exceptional growth in recent years. "GS Star is the ideal launch partner, with a strong track record in mainstream growth opportunities they are well placed to introduce this new, exciting brand to our guests in Germany." Andreas Erben at GS Star commented: "We are delighted to be the first to market in Europe with this new brand from IHG, which has the potential to be a strong mainstream growth vehicle. It is a compelling guest offer, removing the frustrations of everyday travel. Attractive development costs matched with an efficient operating model will support quick growth of the concept in major Germany cities. "We've previously benefited from IHG's comprehensive in-market franchise support and know the commitment they have to delivering commercial success in partnership with their owners." avid hotels, launched by IHG only last year, has already received strong owner interest in the U.S., Canada and Mexico with 130 signings. The first avid hotels property opened in August this year in Oklahoma City. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the 157-room La Posada de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico for $50 million. Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the 157-room La Posada de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico for $50 million. The acquisition is expected to close in late October, but because the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, the Company can give no assurance that the purchase will be consummated by such date, or at all. Iconic boutique resort located in the affluent and high barriers-to-entry Santa Fe, New Mexico market proximate to the historic Santa Fe Plaza Exceptional amenities including four food & beverage outlets, an award-winning full-service spa and 7,800 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space Revenue per available room (RevPAR) of $155 for the 12 months ended August 31, 2018 The Property is a member of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio Property is in excellent physical condition with limited capex needs In connection with this acquisition, Ashford Inc. has committed to provide Ashford Trust with approximately $5 million under the terms of the Enhanced Return Funding Program ("ERFP") La Posada is located on over five beautifully landscaped acres three blocks from the historic Santa Fe Plaza. With its strong brand affiliation and world-class amenities, the boutique hotel is positioned as one of the leading properties in a lodging market with very high barriers to entry. Located in northern New Mexico approximately 60 miles north of Albuquerque, Santa Fe is one of the country's most prominent, popular and dynamic leisure destinations. Beyond the first-class hotel experience, guests have easy access to the Santa Fe area's many amenities and activities, including over 250 art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Additionally, the Property is proximate to the area's most renowned tourist demand generators, including the world-famous Santa Fe Opera House, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Museum Hill, Dale Ball Trails and La Tierra Trails, among others. La Posada has 157 luxurious and spacious rooms, including 30 suites, spread across 26 structures throughout the resort. The Property also offers an array of amenities, including the award-winning 4,500 sq. ft. full-service Spa Sage, four food and beverage outlets, including the acclaimed Julia Spirited Restaurant & Bar, 7,800 sq. ft. of flexible indoor/outdoor meeting space, an outdoor pool, 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness club as well as an on-site curator service with prominent paintings and sculptures displayed for sale throughout the property. The Property is in excellent physical condition after having received over $6 million in capital improvements during the past few years. Post-closing, the property will be managed by Remington Lodging, who also manages the Hilton Santa Fe owned by Ashford Trust. The Company expects to realize synergies from the joint management of La Posada and the Hilton Santa Fe including the clustering of revenue management resources, consolidating accounting functions as well as sharing various positions in sales and human resources. Inclusive of the funds provided by Ashford Inc. under the ERFP, and assuming the Ashford Inc. funding were to occur at closing, the adjusted net purchase price equates to approximately $287,000 per key and represents, as of August 31, 2018, a trailing 12-month capitalization rate of 5.3% on hotel net operating income of $2.4 million and a trailing 12-month 15.2x Hotel EBITDA multiple, according to the Company's preliminary estimates based on unaudited operating financial data provided by the sellers. Inclusive of the ERFP funds, the adjusted net purchase price equates to a forward 12-month capitalization rate of 7.3% and a forward 12-month Hotel EBITDA multiple of 11.7x. The Company currently forecasts the five-year, leverage-neutral IRR on this investment to be approximately 24% based upon various underwriting, pricing, and timing assumptions, which are subject to change, and include among other factors property level mortgage financing, equity investment, corporate preferred issuance, and ERFP funding. On a trailing 12-month basis as of August 31, 2018, the Property achieved RevPAR of $155, with 74% occupancy and an average daily rate (ADR) of $210, according to unaudited operating financial data provided by the sellers. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is included in the financial table below. "The acquisition of La Posada provides us the opportunity to own another high-quality asset in this attractive market where we have been a long-time owner of the Hilton Santa Fe," said Douglas A. Kessler, Ashford Trust's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that by installing Remington as manager at La Posada we should be able to realize significant operational synergies given our existing hotel in the market that should benefit both properties. Additionally, the ERFP contribution by Ashford Inc. should serve to increase the returns on this investment for our shareholders." Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing opportunistically in the hospitality industry in upper upscale, full-service hotels. Ashford Hospitality Trust La Posada de Santa Fe Reconciliation of Hotel Net Income to Hotel EBITDA and Hotel Net Operating Income (Unaudited, in millions) 12 Months Ended August 31, 2018 Hotel Net Income $ 1.2 Adjustment: Depreciation and amortization $ 0.7 Interest expense $ 1.0 Hotel EBITDA $ 3.0 Adjustment: Capital reserve $ (0.6) Hotel Net Operating Income $ 2.4 (1) All information in this table is based upon unaudited operating financial data for the prior twelve month period ended August 31, 2018. This data has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. The financial information presented could change. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Brett Kavanaugh has been confirmed as Supreme Court Justice despite the sexual misconduct scandal that rocked the nation. The situation has been a divisive one for American civilians as well as the country's senate. People like President Donald Trump came to Kavanaugh's defense before his confirmation while others condemned the man's eligibility for the role. Today, Charlamagne Tha God reminds his following of their right to vote during the general elections that will take place on November 6th. He posted an encouraging message to his Instagram, speaking to this political engagement. The matter is pressing for some since October 9th is the last day for voter's registration in many states including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. "Today is the last day to register to vote in 15 states!!! Text P2P to RTVote to make sure youre registered!!!" The video he uploaded was spliced from an episode of The Breakfast Club where the entertainer reveals his belief that the upcoming elections should be record-breaking in terms of voter turnout. "Seeing a lot of online outrage over the Kavanaugh situation. And that's cool, but y'all better be online next month at the polls with the same energy. All the hashtags are cute and the protest was great, but that's just a bunch of noise unless y'all go vote next month." https://www.instagram.com/p/BotmPitglyM 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot and killed by 26-year-old Timothy Loehmann in Cleveland, Ohio on November 22, 2014. Rice had been playing with an airsoft gun that lacked the orange tip, and neighbors in the area phoned the police. While the 9-1-1 caller did state that the weapon was probably fake, and also that he was a child, his warnings were ignored. Loehmann and his partner Frank Garmback responded to the dispatch call, approaching Rice as if he were armed. Loehmann shot and killed Rice, assuming the child was reaching for a gun. It has almost been two years since the shooting, and now USA Today is reporting that Loehmann is back at work. Although he was not indicted in the Rice case, Loehmann was fired once an investigation found that he was deemed "unfit for duty" in the past. Bellaire is a tiny village along the Ohio River near the border of West Virginia, and Loehmann was hired as a part-time officer in the town. The village has a population of about 4,000 people. Police Chief Richard Flanagan announced that he hired Loehmann, and believed since he was never indicted for the Rice case he deserves a second chance. Billionaire Elon Musk made a bold statement earlier this year. Back in July, Musk tweeted "Please consider this a commitment that I will fund fixing the water in any house in Flint that has water contamination above FDA levels. No kidding." Well apparently, he wasn't kidding. Musk is delivering on his promise to help fix the water in Flint, Michigan, by putting his money where his mouth is. https://twitter.com/_/status/1017149641991680002 As reported by CNN, Musk is replacing the water filtration systems in all 12 Flint schools, and the district's administration building, by the end of January 2019. "The UV water purification method within the water filtration systems will disinfect all lead and bacteria coming from the water pipes to allow students to drink from and fill up water bottles from school water fountains," the city of Flint said in a press release. The Flint Public School system also sent out a thankful tweet. "Thank you @elonmusk and @MuskFoundation for investing in the health/future well-being FCS Students!," read the tweet. "Your generous donation will help us replace ALL water fountains w/NEW WATER STATIONS & WATER FILTRATION at ALL SCHOOLS! Looking forward to our burgeoning partnership! More to come!" Musk responded graciously, and offered to send more aid. https://twitter.com/_/status/1048000425708797953 Anderson .Paak has been unleashing nothing but fire since the summer, coming through on both "Bubblin'" and last week's follow-up with Kendrick Lamar. The man is undeniably full of talent and the Californian regularly works with a number of equally skilled musicians. His group, The Free Nationals, tour with him all the time, contributing a signature sound to much of .Paak's catalog. Anderson is taking more of a background role today as The Free Nationals have just released a single of their own, enlisting some star power in Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Announced yesterday, "Beauty & Essex" debuts as the World Record of the day on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 Radio show. This is the sort of vibe that was all over Daniel Caesar's most recent album so it comes as no surprise that he would express interest in hopping onto this one. "Beauty & Essex" is a groovy offering, smooth in nature and sure to please fans of the R&B genre. The Free Nationals are almost guaranteed to make plenty of appearances on .Paak's upcoming album Oxnard so if you're unfamiliar with the group, get acquainted by checking out their brand new single. Let us know what you think of "Beauty & Essex." Quotable Lyrics: Sun shines through my window Your head's on my pillow, ah Spend time Feeling on that booty Caress you so smoothly, ah P*ssy wet like an ocean Aphrodisiac potion With exception to some features, Joey Bada$$ has been relatively quiet on the music front this year, having concentrated on fatherhood & growing his Pro Era streetwear brand recently, but it looks like thats all about to change soon. In fact, Joey says hes got so much music in the vault that hes just trying figure out what to put out first. The Brooklyn rapper revealed this news on a recent IG story this weekend, saying he's got TWO projects in the works. So much music in the vault just trying to figure out what to put out first. 2 projects in the works very different from each other, he wrote across the screen. Unfortunately, he didn't provide any other information about the projects, like what theyll be called or when they might be dropping, but its gotta be nearing if hes making the announcement already. The last project fans got from Joey Badass was back in April of 2017 when he dropped off All Amerikkkan Bada$$. In the meantime, hes dropped off some joint tracks like "Pretty Boys" with Kasai and "Still New York" with Max. Check out a screenshot of Joeys message/post (below). Whos excited to hear some new music from Joey Bada$$? It looks like Kanye West is getting his wish of meeting with Donald Trump this week. According to the New work Times, Kanye is scheduled to meet with the President and his son-in-law/senior adviser Jared Kushner this Thursday at The White House. Kanye, who has faced a backlash over his vocal support of the President & for wearing MAGA hats, will meet with Mr. Kushner first to talk about criminal justice system, before going on to have lunch with President Trump. Similar to what his wife Kim Kardashian did a few months back, Kanye is going to have a meeting on the criminal justice system. Kanye is reportedly seeking job opportunities for former convicts, while criminal justice reform has reportedly been Kushner's main focus recently. After that, Kanye also hopes to talk with Mr. Trump on how to increase the number of manufacturing jobs in the Chicago area, where Mr. West grew up and recently said he planned to return, according to the person briefed in the meeting. A representative for Kanye confirmed the meeting too, validating that this meeting is indeed expected to happen. Many people believe Trump is doing this just as a marketing play to the African-American community with midterm elections next month, making Kanye a puppet in all of this. Just last week, Trump praised Kanye for his SNL performance after Kanye went on another pro-Trump rant after the show last week, saying he's "leading the charge" with his support. Well be sure to keep you posted on Thursdays meeting as more information or details arise. Keep it locked until then. [Via] Katt Williams is reportedly facing the consequences of an alleged assault that took place in 2016. A lawsuit was filed against him by a man who claims he was physically attacked by the comedian during a party that followed one of Katt's shows. A default judgment has been issued since Katt Williams failed to even acknowledge the legal matter. Tyrell Williams is said to have been in the process of posting an image of Katt Williams on Snapchat during the event. Tyrell said that no fair warning was given before Katt came for him. The actor hit the man with a closed fist three times after having smacked the phone out of his hand. The damages cited include mental and physical pain, according to Tyrell. He is seeking an unknown sum of compensation for his suffering. The plaintiff recently requested a default judgment, considering Katt Williams' failure to engage with the lawsuit. He claims to have served the humorist with the appropriate legal documents in May at a courthouse when the celebrity was dealing with another legal matter. The judge accepted Tyrell's request. An upcoming hearing will determine the compensation Katt Williams will be required to offer the plaintiff. Katt is also dealing with the consequences of his Oregon arrest for assault, which took place this past weekend. Nav admits he's not the greatest Fortnite player of all time, but he's confident he's the best rapper playing, and he's willing to put $10,000 on the claim. As pointed out by DJ Akademiks, Nav recently made some bold claims on a live stream. "Any rapper who wants to face me in Fortnite playground -- $10,000 game, let's go," he said. "Put your money where your mouth is, and we'll do it on stream." In March, Drake and Travis Scott joined popular Twitch streamer Ninja for a four-hour Fortnite session, breaking streaming records in the process. Both Logic and Lil Yachty have been known to play as well, and tend to be pretty confident in their skills. At the time of Drake's stream, Logic tweeted, "Tell the boy drizzy he dont want it with Bobby!" We'll have to wait and see if he's ready to put his money where his mouth is. In May, Nav released his Reckless album. Earlier this summer, he appeared on "Yosemite" from Travis' Astroworld album, contributing a verse which inspired its own meme. It's got us wondering if Nav and Travis have ever sat down for a Fortnite sesh. Looking at the comments of the Instagram post, many rappers are being volunteered by fans. We'll keep you posted if a challenge gets off the ground. Though a few controversial comments cast 03 Greedo in a negative light throughout certain circles, the man's natural talent should not be undersold. Despite being locked up for a ridiculously long bid, Greedo's prolific nature ensured that he'd be popping up from time to time. Evidently, TNT Tez has done his part to keep the Greedo name alive, starting with "Ducced Off." The Alabama rapper is still popping off after his "Coca-Cola" single landed placement in HBO's Insecure, and now, he's linked up with us for the premiere of his new single. Taking to a methodical, ominous instrumental, Tez lays down a few hard-hitting verses, declaring notable penmanship despite never actually "writing" his rhymes downs. "Don't be surprised when n***as run up in your house with a black mask," raps Tez, "I got big bank, I'm richer than your damn dad." Greedo floats throughout the chorus, navigating the beat with an Autotune-drenched lamentation. Peep this one now, and sound off. In the meantime, it's #FreeGreedo as usual. Quotable Lyrics Don't be surprised when n***as run up in your house with a black mask I got big bank, I'm richer than your damn dad You clap at me I clap back, make you n***as tap dance Versace's sunglasses gained massive popularity amongst Hip Hop fans seemingly thanks to The Notorious B.I.G. back in the day. The rapper turned his admirers onto the brand during the 90s through stylish visuals as experiences in his music video for "One More Chance." The Italian fashion brand is pleasing fans of the retro style with a relaunch of the "Biggie Frame." Enthusiasts can cop the Versace frames for one month only, starting October 8, in-store at Barney's New York. Some countries will also have the shades available for purchase through the luxury retailer's website as well. In 2011, the brand's boss lady, Donatella Versace, spoke fondly of the New York native during an interview. Vic Mensa isn't backing down from his diss aimed at the late rapper XXXTentacion. The 2018 BET Hip-Hop Awards took place this pace weekend at The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach. The event was star-studded, and X was awarded the Best New Artist award posthumously. His mother, Cleopatra Bernard, accepted the award on his behalf. Prior to the heartfelt moment though, Vic Mensa used his pre-recorded cypher to take a shot at X and his legacy. DJ Scheme took to Twitter after the cypher was played for the audience, writing, "yo bro how u gone say 'Your favorite rapper is an abuser' and then follow it with a line saying 'some shit X some shit so I wont live long' u can deny it but everyone who was there heard that shit." The diss will be exposed to the world when the BET Hip-Hop Awards air on October 16. https://twitter.com/_/status/1048986805524156417 Vic took to Instagram on Monday (October 8) to double down on his stance. "Protect women. Domestic & sexual abuse are not excusable because you have talent or you are troubled," wrote Vic as the caption to a video post. In the video, the Chicago rapper does take a moment to acknowledge that he did not know X's mother was in attendance. "It was pre-recorded weeks ago, and I had no idea that a grieving mother would be in the audience to honor her lost son," states Vic. "I never intended to disrespect her, and I offer my deepest condolences for her loss at the hands of gun violence. However, I vehemently reject the trend in hip-hop of championing abusers and I will not hold my tongue about it." https://www.instagram.com/p/BosEJEkhNi1 Sam Houston State University, which recently acquired more than seven acres in Conroe, is moving ahead with its plan to open a medical school in less than two years, aiming to ease a shortage of primary care physicians in East Texas particularly in rural communities. The school will train students in osteopathic medicine, a branch of the profession that takes a more holistic approach than traditional medicine. Dr. Charles Henley, the incoming dean of the medical school, said Sam Houston State chose to open its College of Osteopathic Medicine in large part because graduates were more likely to practice primary care medicine and center their practice in rural areas and places like East Texas, where a long-standing shortage of doctors is worsening and some patients must travel 100 miles or more to find care. East Texas is very far behind in access to health care," said Henley, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, or DO, who has practiced for about 40 years. Related: Sam Houston State University to build med school in Conroe Sam Houston State University has pursued the medical school for about four years, choosing the Conroe location because no land was available on its main campus in Huntsville. The university in August received approval to open the medical school from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and last month accepted a gift of land from Johnson Development Corp., which donated a 7.3-acre parcel of land in Conroe's Grand Central Park, a master-planned community on I-45 just south of South Loop 336. The school is awaiting accreditation from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation in Chicago, but has tentatively scheduled the school to open in August 2020 with an initial enrollment of about 120 students. Most medical schools in the United States teach traditional medicine, known as allopathic medicine, for which doctors receive their MDs. Osteopathic doctors receive the same education but they have a more holistic approach to practicing medicine. DOs also receive specific training in the musculoskeletal system and use manipulative treatment, which entails moving a patient's muscles and joints "using techniques that include stretching, gentle pressure and resistance," according to the Osteopathic Association. There are 34 accredited osteopathic colleges in the United States, including two in Texas: The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine in San Antonio, and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas in Fort Worth. About 12 percent of medical students in Texas study osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic physicians are accepted into the same residency programs as those who go through traditional medical programs. About 30 years ago, that wasnt the case, but the the two branches of medicine are now coming closer together. "They absolutely provide good care," said Dr. Janis Orlowski, the chief health care officer of Association of American Medical Colleges "They are part of the solution." Primary care physicians are increasingly in short supply across the country as the population grows and ages. The Association of American Medical Colleges recently predicted that by 2030, the nation will experience a shortfall of between 14,800 and 49,300 primary care physicians. Related: State approves Sam Houston State University medical school In Texas, the Department of State Health Services estimates demand for primary care physicians in Texas will exceed supply every year between 2017 and 2030. In 2017, the state had a shortage of about 2,000 primary care physicians, which will increase by 67 percent, to nearly 3,400 by 2030. Nowhere is that shortage felt more acutely than in rural communities. About 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, but only 9 percent of doctors practice in those communities, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. In the last few years alone, some 64 hospitals in the United States have closed, primarily in rural areas, Orlowski said. In Texas, 80 of the states 254 counties have five or fewer physicians, according to Sam Houston State University. Sam Houston States College of Osteopathic Medicine plans to recruit students from East Texas, with the idea they would be more likely to stay and practice in the region. But placing more doctors in rural practices requires more than just opening new medical schools, health care specialists said. The profession is struggling with a shortage of residencies, the programs in which doctors train after graduating medical schools. Doctors tend to stay close to where they complete their residencies, as opposed to where they went to medical school, health care specialists said. Dr. Douglas Curran, president of the Texas Medical Association, points to himself as an example He attended medical school in Arkansas, but completed his residency in Fort Worth. He has practiced in the East Texas city of Athens since 1979. Like most doctors, I ended up within 150 miles of where I did my residency, Curran said. Thats why its important to have good medical training in Texas. To get more doctors into rural communities, Curran said that the Legislature and the colleges themselves need to do more to create residencies in Texas. The federal government pays for the lions share of the nations residency programs, but Congress in 1997 placed a cap on such spending. Total federal spending on residencies is set at $15 billion annually. The funding becomes problematic as new medical schools open and graduate more young doctors. In addition to Sam Houston States osteopathic school, two traditional medical schools are planning to open by 2020, the University of Houston College of Medicine, and a joint program by Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. On HoustonChronicle.com: Health care in rural Texas? A scary thought The Texas Medical Association forecasts the number of medical school graduates in the state will jump by nearly one-third by 2024, to more than 2,200 from about 1,700 last year, raising questions of whether they will be able to find residencies in the state. Sam Houston State University said it plans to use federal funds, particularly those designated for rural areas, to create as many as 235 new residencies in East Texas. Germane Solutions, a consultancy working with SHSU, estimates $68 million to $92 million would be provided each year to participating East Texas hospitals. Doctors typically stay close to where their residencies were done, Henley said, adding wed like to keep them here. john.roper@chron.com Hope Hicks, who advised President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and served as his White House communications director, was named Monday as the head of corporate communications for New Fox, the successor to 21st Century Fox. The appointment will place Hicks, 29, in charge of a company that will oversee Fox News Channel and other entities controlled by Rupert Murdoch. The hiring of Hicks follows President Trump's appointment of various figures from Fox News, including Bill Shine, the network's former co-president. Shine effectively replaced Hicks in June when he was named deputy chief of staff for communications. New Fox is the corporate entity that will be formed after 21st Century sells many of its assets to the Walt Disney Co. The $71 billion sale is likely to be completed early next year. Hicks left the White House in February after a chaotic first year for the administration. Among other issues, she was involved in crafting the White House's response to the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller of the Trump campaign's possible ties to Russian operatives who interfered in the 2016 campaign. Hicks reportedly urged administration officials, including the president, to be more transparent in characterizing a June 2016 meeting among Donald Trump Jr., presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Russian representatives who allegedly were offering negative information about Hillary Clinton. Now Playing: President Donald Trump's former communications chief Hope Hicks has been hired as communications director at the newly revamped Fox company. Video: Time More for you Trump heading to Iowa, dangling ethanol announcement Trump reportedly dictated a misleading public statement released by Hicks characterizing the encounter as a "short, introductory meeting" in which the participants "primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children." Hicks was formerly director of communications for the Trump Organization. She was an early recruit to Trump's campaign, joining it several months before he announced his candidacy in June 2015. At New Fox, Hicks will succeed two executives who oversaw 21st Century Fox's communications when Fox News was beset by multiple sexual harassment allegations, including against its co-founder Roger Ailes and top star Bill O'Reilly. The executives, Julie Henderson and Nathaniel Brown, are not joining New Fox. Hicks will be based in Los Angeles, according to an announcement by Viet Dinh, the company's chief legal and policy officer. The appointment was cheered by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who tweeted Monday morning, "Fox won't find anyone smarter or more talented than Hope Hicks. So happy for my friend. They are beyond lucky to have you and the East Coast misses you already." New Fox also appointed Danny O'Brien as its head of government relations. O'Brien has previously been chief of staff to three Democratic senators: Joe Biden, Del.; Robert Menendez, N.J.; and Robert Torricelli, N.J. He was also staff director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was most recently an executive at General Electric. Hours after she walked offstage Saturday in Texas, Taylor Swift posted a photo to Instagram: an image of her joyously dancing onstage in a sparkly rainbow dress. "We had an indescribably incredible time with you Dallas. Thanks for making us the first tour to play back to back nights in AT&T Stadium," she wrote to her 112 million followers, 1 million of whom "liked" the photo. Less than 24 hours later, Swift posted another Instagram photo. And this one caused an Internet meltdown. Swift, the pop megastar who launched her career in Nashville, Tennessee, has remained conspicuously silent about her political views. That is, until Sunday night, when she published a nearly 400-word message in which she endorsed Tennessee Democrats Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for the House. She also slammed Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., the GOP candidate for Senate, writing, "Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me." It was a shocking shift for a star who has refused to share her opinion on anything political, even during the divisiveness of the 2016 presidential election. Not to mention the criticism she's received for glossing over current events: Last January, her tweet during the Women's March ("So much love, pride, and respect for those who marched. I'm proud to be a woman today, and every day") resulted in backlash from those who wondered why a star who made feminism a significant part of her brand didn't join fellow celebrities at the march, or elaborate further. So what led to this abrupt turnaround? The timing is telling, as the North American leg of Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour ended on Saturday. (She takes the show to Australia and Asia later this month.) So not only is there no pressure to sell tickets or face unhappy fans, but other problems disappear as well. "The difference, I think, is this can't become a news story at one of her events," said Brian Mansfield, a Nashville-based former music journalist who covered Swift's early career in country music. "There's not going to be picketing. She's not putting her fans at risk because of somebody that might respond inappropriately to this. . . . Until yesterday, that could have been an issue." The common thinking is that Swift stayed silent for so long because she didn't want to alienate anyone, particularly her country fan base, which probably leans conservative. In her Nashville days, she declined to reveal who she voted for in the 2008 election, which isn't a surprise. Country music publicists often counsel their artists to avoid discussing politics, lest they wind up in a Dixie Chicks-type situation and anger country radio. However, now that Swift is officially in the pop world and selling out stadiums, many feel like a political stance is unlikely to spark a hugely negative reaction. Even though Swift occasionally has a song on the country chart these days ("Babe," a co-write she gave to Sugarland, is in the Top 20), she's already proved herself to the genre. "Is it a risk for Taylor to speak out? Will it damage her career? No," said Beverly Keel, professor and chair of Middle Tennessee State University's Department of Recording Industry. "But look at the attention it's receiving - it's going to be a headache. So it had to be worth it for her, and clearly she felt so strongly that she did it." Obviously, only Swift knows why she wrote it; her publicist did not respond to questions about the reasons for the content and timing of her post. Those who follow Swift know that she's long supported various causes. She helped pop star Kesha pay her legal bills in her sexual assault lawsuit. She donated money to the student-led March for Our Lives rally to stop mass shootings. At her concert in Chicago in June, she gave a speech about LGBTQ rights for Pride Month. But this time, Swift tied it all together in a forceful statement. "In the past I've been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," she wrote. "I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country." Swift's post detailed her positions ("I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG") and called "systemic racism" in this country "terrifying, sickening and prevalent." She called out Blackburn's voting record, including her stances on LGBTQ issues, and the fact that she voted against equal pay for women and an act that attempts to protect women from domestic violence. "These are not MY Tennessee values," Swift wrote. One clear connection to these issues is Swift's sexual assault lawsuit last year - a Colorado country radio DJ sued her after he lost his job when she reported that he lifted her skirt and groped her before a concert. Swift countersued for assault and battery for a symbolic $1, and won. Her searing testimony ("You can ask me a million questions. I'm never going to say anything different") made international headlines, and what she called a "demoralizing" trial experience had an effect. And of course, as social media dissected Swift's post, she was largely contrasted with her nemesis Kanye West, as they have feuded since the MTV VMAs incident in 2009 when he crashed her acceptance speech. West is now famously a Trump supporter. But in her message, Swift didn't declare a party affiliation - she just encouraged everyone to vote in general. "Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values," she said. "For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway." When asked about Swift's remarks, President Donald Trump said on Monday, "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 percent less now." Jodie Whittaker calls being cast as the first woman to portray Doctor Who a step in the right direction when it comes to gender equality in Hollywood but doesnt feel that shes broken a glass ceiling because theres more work to be done. Moments before the latest season of Doctor Who debuted Sunday, Whittaker was at New York Comic Con with showrunner Chris Chibnall and executive producer Matt Strevens talking about the new season and the historical casting decision. Do I think the glass ceiling is broken? No. Do I think that this is a positive step in the direction of equality in the representation on film? Yeah. But its not broken, Whittaker said. The long-running television series chronicles the adventures of an extraterrestrial time lord who travels to different time periods to help people, without doing anything drastic that may alter the course of history. Whittaker became the 13th to play the eponymous character and explains why she hopes to be a role model for everyone, regardless of gender. Doctor Who When: 7 p.m. Sundays Networ: BBC America See More Collapse When I was growing up, there was never a question that as a girl you would look up to guys. Thats what you did. Whereas theres a slight mythology in the sense if youre a girl, youre a hero for a girl, which is not the case, she said. And so, I think the wonderful thing about this is being a role model for anyone, which the Doctor has always been regardless of gender. While Whittaker was honored to get the role, she noted that the casting announcement seemed like a bigger deal than it was because gender becomes immediately irrelevant within the show because the Doctor is the Doctor. The actress calls herself a New Whovian that began watching the show after she got the role. What she learned from her binge-watching was how inclusive it is. On the floor of Comic Con, fans spoke positively about this Doctor. Twelve-year old Danielle Nickelson, dressed as Harley Quinn, was glad to see a woman in the role. I like that they made it a woman, because usually nowadays shows dont really have girls in them. Its more like boys, like Spider-Man, Nickelson said. And in between practicing moves from her favorite video game, Street Fighter, longtime fan Lia Vanderlinden had her own take on accepting the new Doctor. Essentially, every new Doctor is like getting a stepdad. Originally, youre like, Youre not my dad, I dont like you. And after a while you go, Youre pretty great, too. We can share time. She added: It should be interesting. There is a segment of the population that is certain the people of America are living in a politically correct dystopia where free speech is under attack and no one dares to say an unapproved socialist opinion. Those people desperately need to read Tim Mohrs book Burning Down the Haus about the rise of punk music in East Germany after the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961. It will provide some much-needed perspective. Mohr moved to the area in 1992, spending his time DJing in what he calls a shadow city, the Berlin that had grown up when punk rock was actively dangerous to associate with in ways it simply wasnt elsewhere. His story, gleaned from the histories of those who lived it, is one that takes place in dingy clubs powered with extension cords, on the streets and in church bell towers as the East Berlin youth sought to escape the oppressive regime and experience some culture. The book focuses on a colorful cast of real-life characters. Theres Major, the first true East German punk who was instantly focused on the Sex Pistols when they came over the wall thanks to Radio Luxembourg and in the few magazines she was able to procure from the West. Safety pins worn as epaulets earned her the nickname she became famous under, and virtually every punk that followed her would adopt a pseudonym along with the ripped clothes, slogans and homemade haircuts. She was followed by A-Micha, Pankow and more. Burning Down the Haus By Tim Mohr Algonquin Books 384 pages; $22.95 See More Collapse East German punk, as described by Mohr, is very different, though it harnessed the same feelings of dissolution and anger at the system. Where Englands punks lamented no future, the people in the DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) complained of too much future. The socialist country had conquered poverty, famine and unemployment to a significant degree, but the price was an existence that was planned out from beginning to end. To not work was actively a crime, and though the DDR was formally gender equal, women like Major found themselves relegated to typing pools and other menial jobs that left them secure but trapped. This bred resentment both from the punks and for the rest of the East Germans. The community that grew up around Majors apartment and the few clubs that they were able to use as staging grounds for concerts was actively seen as a threat to the comfortable status quo. Beatings were regular occurrences. Friendly DJs who offered to spin punk tunes would try to give the punks a heads up when things looked like they were about to explode, but simply being a punk was always an active danger. Many people told the punks they should have been gassed or that Hitler would have taken care of them. Major wasnt even out of her teens when the Stasi (The Ministry of State Security) opened a file on her. They were constantly on the lookout for any illegal activity she or her friends might commit so that they could be hauled off for interrogation. The Western influence of punk rock was seen as dangerous to the state, so much so that Major eventually found herself in prison for little more than dressing a certain way and listening to certain music. Compare this to England and America. The punk scenes in these countries were certainly disruptive, but official sanctions were few and extremely mild by comparison. Christian Kidd, the iconic front man of Houstons long-beloved punk band the Hates, said that during the same time period as Mohrs book, he remembers nothing but acceptance. When bands like Wutanfall were under official surveillance by the East German government, looking for the slightest reason to beat or incarcerate them, Kidd was working for the city, sporting his famliar Dayglo Mohawk and all. Punk was an existential terror to the regime in East Germany, and because of that, the brave youths who dared to identify with the music and culture experienced the kind of oppression your average YouTube free-speech advocate can only partially relate to. It was a time when bands had to be formed with homemade guitars and trash can drums because musical performance was licensed and approved by the state. The people who lived to build the scene Mohr found when he moved there quite literally courted death to express their dissatisfaction with the world they found themselves in. Burning Down the Haus is a gripping, powerful story of self-expression in the face of adversity, the sort of thing an Ayn Rand protagonist would weep over. We can see echoes of the time it describes in groups like Pussy Riot, who risk imprisonment and possible assassination in President Vladimir Putins Russia. The story of East German punk is one of rock and rolls greatest unheard tales of courage. Or it was until Tim Mohr came along. Jef Rouner is a writer in Houston. River Oaks District was buzzing with shoppers and trendsetters for the third annual Fashion X Houston. Despite the hot, muggy air, Houston fashion lovers turned out in style calm, cool and collected. Fashion X Houston is a three-day celebration of shopping, fashion and charity, founded and emceed by Austins Matt Swinney. Lacy M. Johnson writer, professor at Rice University and founding director of the Houston Flood Museum has published her third book, a collection of essays, "The Reckonings." In a review for the Chronicle, Doni M. Wilson describes the collection as "both timely and timeless, addressing issues ranging from recovering from unimaginable [sexual] trauma, to nuclear fallout, to white privilege," as the individual essays themselves seethe and shine with vividly rendered personal experiences and deeply reasoned arguments. Here, poet and essayist Georgia Pearle, who's working on her Ph.D. at the University of Houston, talks with Johnson about the writing process, social media, Justice Brett Kavanaugh and radical love. Allyn West GP: In your first book, "Trespasses," you grappled with family history and place, and in your second book, "The Other Side," took your readers through and out of deep personal trauma via the story of your kidnapping and rape. While "The Reckonings" stays anchored in your story as a survivor, a mother, a community member and someone who is attuned so deeply to wider issues of justice and mercy the stories with which "The Reckonings" means to reckon belong in some way to us all. How different was this process from your earlier work? LJ: I think there must be something about writing each book that has taught me, at least a little, how to write the next, but it doesn't feel that way when I'm actually doing the writing. Instead, it feels like I am learning to write all over again. This is at least partially because each thing I write (whether it's a book, an essay, a memoir, a poem) has never been written before, and so I have to figure out how to do it as I go. This book in particular felt very difficult to write especially coming after "The Other Side," which is single story told in a single form. In "The Reckonings," there are 12 essays, each telling a different story in a different form, and I had to learn how to write every single one. It was maybe the hardest, most rewarding writing I have ever done. GP: In the title essay of the book, you respond to the readers and audience members who believe that violent retribution against the man who kidnapped and raped you is equivalent to justice. You also write, "The worst violence that man committed was not against my body but against the story I told about the person I believed myself to be." It seems to me that these two statements are connected. How is writing itself an act of restorative justice for you? Can writing ever be enough? LJ: For me, writing works in a way I describe in a different essay in the collection, "Art in the Age of Apocalypses," where I write that if we can put something into the world that is greater than what gets taken from it every damn day of our lives, that is a kind of justice. I don't think writing can or should be the only kind of justice not by any stretch of the imagination but it does help us see in ourselves the way the world can be changed, and that is an important step. I don't think of that as being restorative justice, though, because to "restore" justice implies that there was any justice to begin with, and so many times that is simply not the case. This is where I think creativity comes into play, because it allows us to imagine new ways. GP: The essays in this collection move so seamlessly from the apparently personal to the wider cultural and political narratives that shape our lives, including so many stories that have appeared in headlines Boko Haram's kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria, the many instances of police brutality that have taken the lives of black men across our nation, the seemingly endless shootings in schools and other public places, the ever-important ongoing conversations about whiteness, class and privilege which are gripping our nation, the #MeToo movement, Hurricane Harvey and many, many others. What responsibility do you feel as a writer as you sit down to these acts of witness? Is the obligation to the stories which aren't yours a different one, or are the concerns similar? LJ: I think, in many ways, it is the same obligation. The injustices you name here that I talk about in my book are, without exception, symptoms of a broader problem that is structural and institutional. I am bothered by the injustice sufficiently to spend, in some cases, over a year reading and researching and thinking about it this includes gun violence and bigotry and environmental devastation but my moral and ethical obligation as a writer is not necessarily to linger on the injustice itself, because again, that is a symptom, but rather to trace that injustice up the causal chain to figure out how such things can happen. What is it in our society that makes mass shootings not only possible but permissible? Where does power, complicity and culpability reside when it comes to ecological disaster? It is never where you think it is. GP: I remember so clearly most of the events you describe in the book. Two that stick out to me now are the letter from Dylan Farrow about her sexual abuse at the hands of Woody Allen and the execution of Troy Davis in the state of Georgia. Many of these stories came to us primarily through social media, and it was on social media that I recall agonizing and arguing over them. What role do you think social media played in your writing of this book, and how do you see the role of social media continuing for the wider issues affecting us today? LJ: I try not to spend too much time arguing on social media, since I think it's just about the least effective venue for persuasion there is. I tend to use my social media as a news aggregator, and so yes, I think I first learned about a lot of these issues from social media not only the letter from Dylan Farrow and the Steubenville rape trial, but also the burning nuclear landfill in St. Louis and the state-sanctioned murder of black men. That said, social media is also a tool for disinformation for warping or distorting the truth or for spreading lies and mounting baseless attacks. There's no accountability, no oversight, and unfortunately people don't always have enough critical literacy to be able to discern the difference between something that is factual and an "alternative truth." In this way social media presents one of the single greatest challenges facing us today. Simon & Schuster GP: At one point in the book, you write, "I think justice means that I work together with others for our mutual joy." Will you tell us more about joy? LJ: I begin the book by talking about how we tend to understand justice only in terms of vengeance and retribution when we suffer, we make others suffer, and that this symmetry is justice. But, considering that most of us experience suffering at the hands of another as an injustice, it seems problematic that an injustice and justice are basically the same thing. This book is the product of me looking for an alternative definition, and what I keep coming back to is how we're taught that justice should feel like hatred finding pleasure in the suffering of another and I reject that model. I think justice should feel like joy. Let's take, for example, the Kavanaugh confirmation process, which has been one of the most painful things I've ever seen. I've been trying to imagine what justice would look like in this situation for survivors of sexual violence in particular, and it unfortunately requires that I cast my imagination far into the future. Imagine with me, for a moment: a day when we never have to watch a woman recount her experience of sexual harassment or assault to the Senate Judiciary Committee because a man who has sexually assaulted even one woman would not get a confirmation hearing or any kind of appointment at all. We will not have to listen to a president who has been credibly accused of sexual assault by at least 19 women mock a survivor at a rally because the president would once again be someone who is qualified for the office; she would be a woman of color. Women would fill a majority of seats on the Supreme Court because we also make up a majority of society and we would occupy a proportionate number of seats in the House and Senate. Displays of toxic masculinity like we saw from Kavanaugh and Lindsey Graham a couple of weeks ago wouldn't fly, because we would not tolerate that. I take heart now, because I know our rage in this current moment will empower us to action, and those actions will reshape the world in ways that make this imaginary future possible. When we arrive in that future, I imagine our current capacity for boundless rage might be usurped by boundless joy. Reading What: Lacy M. Johnson reads from "The Reckonings" Where: Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet Street, Houston When: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 7 p.m. Click here for more information See More Collapse GP: The work of witnessing, of facing injustice, of meditating on what precisely justice means, is of course an ongoing process, and one which feels it may never be complete. If you were starting this collection of essays now, where might you train your eye? LJ: Even now that the book is done, I still feel my eye trained on the same injustices. This book is very much of this moment, and none of the situations I describe has been resolved. At the same time, there are always new violences to witness, which is the particular cruelty of being relatively conscious in America at this moment in time: there are children being held in concentration camps in southwest Texas; there are attempts by the current presidential administration to roll back rights for asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants, people who identify as LGBT. A war is being fought, as it has always been fought, over control of the bodies of women. Until we have some kind of broad evolutionary shift in our capacity for radical love, the injustices will only multiply. They won't just go away. Georgia Pearle has been a coordinator of the VIDA Count as well as the senior digital editor for Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Fine Arts. Her poems have been published by Ninth Letter, Kenyon Review Online and WSQ and are forthcoming with Crab Orchard Review. She was recently the recipient of the Inprint Marion Barthelme Prize in Creative Writing. She is a currently finishing her doctorate in creative writing and literature at the University of Houston, where she holds a CLASS Dissertation Completion Fellowship, and she is at work on a collection of poems as well as a memoir. Get the Gray Matters newsletter. It cast its imagination far into the future. Crosby ISD on Monday became the 16th Texas school district to declare an official financial emergency since 2012, a move that will allow officials to institute mid-year layoffs in an effort to keep the northeast Houston-area school district financially solvent. Trustees voted unanimously Monday evening on a resolution that established financial exigency and a need to cut staff. Superintendent Scott Davis has not said how many people could potentially lose their jobs as the district struggles to right its finances, but the resolution included 15 employment areas that could be affected, including teachers at all grade levels, special education specialists, librarians, curriculum coordinators and the director of transportation. In all, the 6,000-student district 30 mile northeast of Houston will need to cut at least $5.5 million through layoffs. SANTA FE ISD: District looks to Legislature for mounting security costs after mass shooting After the meeting that drew a standing-room-only crowd of about 150, Davis said more details on the layoffs would be given at an Oct. 15 board meeting. He said the process of identifying jobs to cut started weeks ago and maintains one central goal: affecting classrooms as minimally as possible. District-level positions were first on the chopping block. He said he wants to finish the layoffs in one fell swoop so remaining teachers will not spend the rest of the year in fear. I handwrite birthday cards to my staff, and one of them got one today and she wouldnt open it. She thought it was a pink slip, and I thought Oh my God, this is terrible, Davis said. I want to get to an end so people can quit being afraid. Its no fun walking into a building and everyone scatters because they think youre coming to talk to them, and sadly thats kind of where we are right now. The vote is the latest in a string of drastic actions Crosby ISDs board and Davis have taken since learning the district is teetering on the edge of financial insolvency. face tea takeover? The current administration first learned the depth of the challenges in June when former Chief Financial Officer Carla Merka left the district to take a job at the much larger Pasadena ISD. After she left, current CFO Lesa Jones discovered a series of cash-flow issues that seemed to stem from three main issues: construction spending, bloated payroll expenses and poor revenue and expenditure estimations. The districts reserve funds, essentially its rainy day fund, are nearly wiped out. Officials had to dip into the construction fund to pay staff over summer. As a result, the district will need to cut a total of about $6 million from the $57 million budget trustees approved in June. While Davis has ordered every department to cut spending by 60 percent, he said the only way to slim the budget enough to continue operations would be to lay-off staff. He and Jones said the amount Crosby ISD spends on payroll far exceeds what other districts spend. Its typical for districts to spend about 80 percent of their general fund budgets on payroll expenses. Without layoffs, Crosby is poised to spend 89 percent of its general funds on salaries and benefits. That would leave the district with $5.9 million to spend on everything including fuel, school supplies and field trips. Last year, the district spent more than $12 million on such expenses. Jo Ann Crawford, who served as a trustee for 23 years before leaving the board about four years ago, said the board was responsible for approving bloated budgets, but it will be teachers and students paying the price. This hurts me to ask, Crawford said, but how can you look at our communitys families knowing everyone now has the burden of either paying higher school taxes or losing their jobs because of this boards careless decisions. Declarations of financial exigency have been rare since 2011, when the TEA created tougher statewide standards districts must meet in order to qualify. Districts now must meet one of five criteria, including: losing 20 percent or more of their fund balance; dramatic decreases in student enrollment; 20 percent decreases in per-student funding from the general fund; recovering from a natural disaster; encountering an unexpected expense costing at least 15 percent of the general fund; or another circumstance approved by the education commissioner. Since the rule-change, 15 other districts have qualified for the designation. Jones said the district could qualify for financial exigency by noting that it lost more than 20 percent of its fund balance in the past several years. Crosbys fund balance fell by 49 percent between 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. Circumstances vary in every instance in which a district has sought to declare financial exigency. Two districts near Houston have done so since 2012 - the now-closed La Marque ISD and Beaumont ISD. La Marque ISD officially was closed in the summer of 2016 after it failed to meet financial accountability goals, according to Houston Chronicle archives. Their issues began in 2012, according to the Galveston County Daily News, when the district faced a $1.4 million deficit. Voters also opted against a tax hike, and the district struggled to produce financial solvency plans that appeased the TEA. Ultimately, the district laid off teachers and was taken over by the TEA before it was ordered closed in November 2015. It also struggled academically and earned the states lowest academic ratings in 2014, 2013 and 2011, and state ratings were not issued in 2012. Even though academics approved in 2015, it was not enough to overcome the districts financial and enrollment challenges. The Texas Education Agency also took over the Beaumont ISD, according to the Beaumont Enterprise, announcing it would a board of managers to replace its elected school board and install a new superintendent in 2014. The TEA conducted two investigations before that announcement, the Enterprise reported: a financial review that found multiple instances of fraud, waste and abuse, and another that substantiated complaints about how the district handled special education services. Although La Marque and Beaumont ISDs were taken over by the state, and La Marque was ordered closed, that does not necessarily mean either fate awaits Crosby ISD. Crosby Board President Carla Mills Windfont said she would do everything in her power to keep the district open and fix its finances. She quoted Crosby Highs fight song: Onward to victory, never give in; Fight to the finish, thats how to win. Did we do everything right? No, and there were a lot of things we didnt know about. But what you let it do is be a teachable moment, Windfont said. Im here to say lets put all this behind us. If theres anything that was done wrong, were going to take care of that. Lets think about the main thing - our children. Its hard to outdo the hype every time Apple introduces a new version of its iPhone. But if anyone rates higher on the hype meter, its President Donald Trump, who seems to describe everything he does as the biggest, greatest, most significant step ever taken in America if not the world. The latest example of the presidents preternatural boastfulness was his announcement of a new treaty to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Despite Trumps assertion last week that its a brand new deal, the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, is more like NAFTA 2.0. It has a few interesting wrinkles and some important updates that dont really change its basic operating system. None of the tinkers to NAFTA are likely to greatly impact the $187 billion in annual trade between Texas and Mexico or the $40 billion in trade between Texas and Canada. Even so, the proposed treaty, which needs congressional approval, has eased fears that NAFTA might die without a replacement and hurt not only the states gas and oil industry but ranchers and farmers as well. Theres little in the new NAFTA that should excite energy companies, and the only agricultural provisions receiving much attention concern milk and cheese products mostly made in Wisconsin. U.S. producers will be allowed to supply up to 3.6 percent of Canadas dairy market, which is about the same level agreed to in the Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty that the Trump administration abandoned. The USMCAs auto industry rules are getting more news coverage. They would increase the percentage of American-made parts required in cars sold duty-free in the United States, and require the wages of a higher percentage of some Mexican autoworkers to be closer to what their American counterparts make. Some analysts predict automakers may prefer to pay the measly 2.5 percent tariff they would be charged for not following the new USMCA car parts rules and consider it just another cost of doing business. Car manufacturers with plants in Mexico also could decide to sell fewer small cars in the United States because their size makes it harder to meet the parts percentage rule. As the analysts point out, Americans seem to prefer larger vehicles anyway. All things considered, the USMCA doesnt match its hype. NAFTA needed upgrading in several areas, including intellectual property rights in the digital age, but Trump didnt need to trash the 25-year-old treaty to fix it. Trumps insistence that he needs to kill something to make it better is a reminder of his similar approach to the Affordable Care Act. The president has tried to cripple the ACA, but it survives because he cant come up with anything better. Hey, maybe he should give Obamacare a name change too, so needed improvements to the law can be made and more Americans without health insurance can receive coverage. District Judge, 182nd Judicial District: Danilo "Danny" Lacayo Jesse McClure - Republican Party: 1/2 Danilo "Danny" Lacayo - Democratic Party: 1/2 ENDORSEMENTS: The Houston Chronicle editorial board recommends... ALSO: Why do the candidate endorsements have star ratings? This is a coin-toss race to replace Judge Jeannine Barr, but we encourage voters to support Danilo "Danny" Lacayo because of his balanced experience as a prosecutor and public defender. Lacayo, 41, immigrated to the United States as a young child from Nicaragua and served as a translator for his parents while he was young. "Danny, you have to be our voice," his parents would tell him. Now he is seeking this bench in order to be a "neutral voice" for the community. Both Lacayo, a Democrat, and Jesse McClure, a Republican, seem to have what it takes to be fine judges. Each has more than a decade of experience practicing law. Both started their careers practicing civil law, found it unfulfilling and then went on to serve lengthy stints as prosecutors Lacayo for Harris County and McClure for Tarrant County. During their meeting with the editorial board, McClure, a graduate of the University of Texas Law School, and Lacayo, a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, each demonstrated a strong commitment to rehabilitative justice. McClure has practiced in multiple courts outside of Harris County, giving him an outsider's perspective. Lacayo currently serves as an assistant public defender with the trial division of the Harris County Public Defender's Office, and as such, he's the only candidate in the race with extensive defense experience. It's the sort of experience that includes getting punched in the face while talking to a mentally ill inmate in the basement of the Harris County Jail. Lacayo expressed a common-sense philosophy of trying to set up probationers for success. McClure shared that view, along with a desire to get cases expeditiously heard and tried. According to McClure, there are more than 7,000 people in Harris County waiting for their felony trials, and he thinks we can do better. Voters can't go wrong in this race between these two friendly candidates. The employer would have to look at whether they could reasonably accommodate the employee with that disability, i.e. with that addiction. It would probably be quite rare for that to occur, as safe work practices and the need for the employee to still be doing their job are going to mean that despite being a disability you are probably likely to terminate because you cant reasonably accommodate it. Cook added that the typical scenario could involve the employer suspecting the worker is under the influence and requiring them to take a drug test which they have failed. Then you would need to comply with your drug and alcohol policy and work through a rehabilitation program, so the goal would be to rid them of that addiction. Last year, HRD reported that some industries in New Zealand are struggling with talent shortages due a widespread inability to pass drug tests. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) Solicitor General Jose Calida on Tuesday said he would just forgive Senator Antonio Trillanes IV instead of filing a libel case against the senator who accused him of stealing. The government's top lawyer earlier threatened to sue Trillanes if the senator would not retract his statement that Calida took his amnesty records from the Department of National Defense and lost them. Trillanes refused to apologize. "Well, he said he won't apologize. Maybe I just forgive him," Calida told reporters in a chance interview. "We have to forgive those who have sinned against us," he added. Calida said he has made up his mind not to take Trillanes to court "as of now." "But we will see," he added. Armed Forces Chief General Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier told a Senate hearing that Trillanes' amnesty documents could not be found because of possible lapses on the part of military officers. Malacanang and the prosecution insist Trillanes should produce his application form to prove that he complied with amnesty requirements in 2011 - the filing of application and admission of guilt for mutiny attempts. These are the main arguments for President Rodrigo Duterte's Proclamation 572 which voided Trillanes' amnesty. Duterte earlier revealed it was Calida who initiated a review of Trillanes' amnesty. The President's proclamation was published on newspapers last September 4, the same day Trillanes launched a Senate probe into the security firm of Calida's family and its millions-worth of contracts with various government agencies. Calida denied any conflict of interest in these transactions. Trillanes, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, is out on bail after a branch of the Makati Regional Trial Court revived his rebellion case and ordered him arrested in line with Duterte's voidance of his amnesty. CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Clubbed with Nigeria, India features in the bottom 10 of the Oxfam index. The second edition of the annual index finds that countries such as South Korea, Namibia and Uruguay are taking strong steps to reduce inequality. (Photo: PTI) London: India has been ranked among the bottom 10 nations in a new worldwide index released on Tuesday on the commitment of different nations to reduce inequalities in their populations. UK-based charity Oxfam Internationals Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index ranks India 147th among 157 countries analysed, describing the countrys commitment to reducing inequality as a a very worrying situation given that it is home to 1.3 billion people, many of whom live in extreme poverty. Oxfam has calculated that if India were to reduce inequality by a third, more than 170 million people would no longer be poor, the index notes. Government spending on health, education and social protection is woefully low and often subsidises the private sector. Civil society has consistently campaigned for increased spending, it adds. The second edition of the annual index finds that countries such as South Korea, Namibia and Uruguay are taking strong steps to reduce inequality. However, countries such as India and Nigeria do very badly overall, as does the US among rich countries, showing what Oxfam describes as a lack of commitment to closing the inequality gap. In reference to India, the index finds that while the tax structure looks reasonably progressive on paper, in practice much of the progressive taxation, like that on the incomes of the richest, is not collected. India also fares poorly on labour rights and respect for women in the workplace, reflecting the fact that the majority of the labour force is employed in the agricultural and informal sectors, which lack union organisation and enforcement of gender rights. The index is based on a new database of indicators, now covering 157 countries, which measures government action on social spending, tax and labour rights three areas found to be critical to reducing the gap. The index is topped by Denmark, based on its high and progressive taxation, high social spending and good protection of workers. However, recent Danish governments have focused on reversing all three of these to some extent, with a view to liberalising the economy, and recent research reveals that the reforms of the past 15 years have led to a rapid increase in inequality of nearly 20 per cent between 2005 and 2015, it warns. In April, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) came out with a circular regarding data localisation policy for payment system providers. New Delhi: Facebook-owned messenger platform WhatsApp on Tuesday said it has developed a system to store payments-related data in India in line with a RBI directive that all such data must only be stored locally. WhatsApps statement is significant as a large number of foreign players have been lobbying with the government to not enforce RBIs rule to store such information locally claiming that it will increase the cost of their operations and hit businesses. In response to Indias payments data circular, weve built a system that stores payments-related data locally in India, said a WhatsApp spokesperson. The spokesperson said that, in India, almost 1 million people are testing WhatsApp payments to send money to each other in a simple and secure manner. WhatsApp formal roll out of its payment operation has been delayed after controversy over false news and rumours circulating on its platform that have led to mob lynchings resulting in more government scrutiny. WhatsApp payments is useful for people in their daily lives and we hope to expand the feature to all of India soon so we can contribute to the countrys financial inclusion goals, added WhatsApp spokesperson In April, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) came out with a circular regarding data localisation policy for payment system providers. Generally, data localisation refers to storing data within India. The central banks data localisation policy elicited mixed response from the payment services industry. While some of the prominent domestic payment companies like Paytm and PhonePe have come in support of the policy, global players like Google sought free flow of data. Internet major Google offers Google Pay in India. Some international players have also sought more time and also asked that they be allowed to mirror the data. Google is learnt to have agreed to follow the RBIs local data storage norm for payment services but wants time until December to ensure compliance, a government source had indicated recently. Besides, around 10 international associations have recently drafted a letter flagging concerns over some of the proposed clauses of the personal data protection bill, which also mandates local storage of certain types of data, according to sources. These bodies, mainly representing technology firms, are said to be of the view that data localisation proposed in the draft bill could have negative effects on the ability of companies to do business in India, the sources said recently. Imperial Valley News Center President Trump Awards Funding for Innovative Law Enforcement Projects Washington, DC - Monday, President Donald J. Trump traveled to Orlando, Florida, where he addressed the International Association of Chiefs of Police and announced $42.4 million in new grant awards for law enforcement that will fund more than 50 innovative projects through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policys (ONDCP) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program. The announcement highlights several creative law enforcement approaches currently being used to tackle the Nations drug crisis such as using new technologies to track overdoses and overdose deaths. We have HIDTA programs in all 50 States, and we are seeing forward-thinking and innovative responses to confront the 21st century drug crisis, said Jim Carroll, Deputy Director of ONDCP. This new funding helps to make the HIDTA program an incubator for groundbreaking and cutting edge approaches for law enforcement and its work against drug trafficking. This year, many of the discretionary grants have a specific focus on reducing the availability of opioidsparticularly the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which is devastating our country. President Trump has dedicated unprecedented support to address this crisis, ensuring that States and communities have the resources they need to prevent drug use, treat addiction locally, and stop the flow of drugs into their communities. Background on HIDTA: The HIDTA Program coordinates the action and priorities of Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement partners in disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations. Earlier this year, President Trump, through ONDCP, established the first new HIDTA program in 17 years to combat emerging threats in Alaska, bringing to completion coverage of all 50 States under the program. Grants provided by the HIDTA Program create a platform for innovation for law enforcement across the country. Climate study points to western Canada as the route of human migration into North America West Lafayette, Indiana - When and how the first humans reached North America is a complicated puzzle. Scientists believe these people arrived in Alaska after crossing the Bering Strait, only to be stopped by the enormous Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets. The migrants would eventually make their way down to the Americas via one of two paths: the western coast of Canada or an opening between the two ice sheets. The question, then, is which path opened first? According to a new study in Geophysical Research Letters, ice on the western coast of Canada was retreating by 18,100 years ago, potentially thousands of years before the inland route. This means that while there was probably still a lot of ice around, there was dry ground in some places, so humans could have found refuge during their journey, said Marc Caffee, a professor of physics and astronomy at Purdue University and co-author of the paper. Scientists dont know exactly when the corridor between the ice sheets opened up, but they think it was between 13,000 and 15,000 years ago. Remains of a human settlement in Chile suggest people were there 14,500 years ago, which means if they had taken this route, they wouldve had to hurry. Evidence for migration along the coast has started to accumulate over the last few years, with these findings being the most recent addition. The research team, led by Christopher Darvill, a researcher at the University of Manchester, collected rock samples from remote islands along Canadas western coast before bringing them back to the lab. Chipped from the tops of boulders and bedrock, these samples were examined for concentrations of beryllium-10, a rare isotope of beryllium often used as a proxy for solar intensity. Measurements were made in Purdues PRIME Lab, a research facility for accelerator mass spectrometry. The isotope accumulates in certain rocks over time as they are bombarded by high-energy particles cosmic rays from outer space, Darvill said. Measuring the isotope tells you how much time has passed since the rock was exposed by retreating ice. This beryllium-10 chronology revealed that if the western margin of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet reached the continental shelf during the last glacial period, it did so before 18,100 years ago. The following retreat would have exposed several islands that could have been used by early people migrating south. These findings could help archaeologists target future investigations of early human migration. They also improve our understanding of climate change, near the end of the last Ice Age and now. The Cordilleran Ice Sheet was about the same size as the Greenland Ice Sheet, and theyre both marine-based. For these reasons, the Cordilleran is often used as a proxy for what might happen to the Greenland Ice Sheet as climate warms. The ice sheets of the past provide an excellent data set against which computer models of ice sheet response to climate change can be tested, Caffee said. The research was supported by funding from the Tula Foundation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery grants, Canada Research Chairs Program and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Uganda National Day Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "On behalf of the United States, I wish to congratulate the people of Uganda on the 56th anniversary of your independence. Uganda has long been an important partner of the United States. We have worked together for years to increase global peace and security, combat the spread of infectious diseases, and grow our economies to promote the prosperity of our people. "We appreciate this spirit of partnership and look forward to building upon our strong ties in strengthening democratic institutions and basic freedoms, support of economic development, and other issues of mutual interest." Several of the fastest-growing companies in Los Angeles perfectly represent elements of their home city. For example, there's an organic pet food business on the list, reflecting L.A.'s reputation for health consciousness, as well as a company that helps aspiring celebrities grow their YouTube audiences. Only one of the businesses in this year's top 10 has made the Inc. 5000 list before, but with their combined 2017 revenue of nearly $200 million, things are definitely looking up in La La Land. 10. Greenspire 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 200 Growth 2,240% Revenue $30.73M The three-time Inc. 5000 honoree offers energy-related services such as solar power and smart home automation to help residential customers reduce their consumption and lower costs. 9. Inspire 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 196 Growth 2,276% Revenue $66.95M Inspire offers subscription-based energy management services to help consumers adopt clean, sustainable energy practices and smart home technologies. 8. Fishermen Labs 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 185 Growth 2,345% Revenue $6.14M The software company and media agency designs virtual and augmented reality experiences for brands such as Snapchat, the NFL, and the United Nations. Recently, Fishermen Labs worked with Walmart to explore ways in which VR can be integrated into customers' shopping experiences. 7. Villaway 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 142 Growth 2,896% Revenue $4.15M Need to get away? Villaway is an online marketplace for luxury vacation homes and private villa rentals. The company provides 24-hour concierge service and properties in prime destinations such as Bali, Phuket, Santorini, and Maui. 6. Real Plans 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 91 Growth 3,768% Revenue $4.19M The app and subscription service offers customized recipes and shopping lists to make meal preparation and planning more efficient. Real Plans has more than 1,500 recipes sourced from a wide variety of food and cooking blogs. 5. Pawstruck 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 87 Growth 3,891% Revenue $4.06M Founded in 2014, this e-commerce business sells hundreds of natural pet products on its website. Despite its fast growth, the company still operates with only six employees. 4. GoGuardian 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 66 Growth 4,409% Revenue $14.72M This edtech company's software provides cloud-based content filtering, classroom management, and teacher/student communication services for K-12 schools that use Chromebooks. GoGuardian has grown to 108 employees from just six in 2014. 3. ScaleLab 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 47 Growth 5,686% Revenue $27.25M ScaleLab helps YouTube creators with more than 2,500 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours grow their audiences through analytics tools, content protection services, and access to graphic designers and sponsors. 2. SnackNation 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 24 Growth 9,200% Revenue $16.89M If you're craving a midday bite, this snack delivery service will bring curated boxes of healthy snack alternatives directly to your home or office. SnackNation's client list includes Mailchimp, Wayfair, Microsoft, and Travelocity. 1. Figs 2018 Inc. 5000 Rank No. 21 Growth 9,948% Revenue $23.16M The female-led e-commerce business designs and sells stylish and comfortable apparel for medical professionals. Through its Threads for Threads initiative, the company has donated hundreds of thousands of scrubs to more than 30 countries. EXPLORE MORE Inc. 5000 COMPANIES It's not just Arianna Huffington. Richard Branson also wants Elon Musk to get some sleep. The founder of the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies, shared a few words of advice for the troubled Musk, who is currently facing an avalanche of lawsuits and a $20 million fine from the Securities and Exchange Commission after he tweeted on August 7 that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private at $420 per share. "I think he maybe needs to learn the art of delegation," Branson said, speaking to CNBC in Singapore Tuesday. "He's got to find time for himself, he's got to find time for his health and for his family. He's a wonderfully creative person, but he shouldn't be getting very little sleep. He should find a fantastic team of people around him." Branson, who competes with Musk on space tourism and transportation--and is preparing to go into space himself in the next few months--said the reason he's lived a long and "enjoyable life" is because he'd been able to find people to run his companies and only get involved on the "key issues." He also admitted that he had already spoken to the Tesla founder about it. "Learning the art of delegation better would be his one flaw," Branson said. Other entrepreneurs have rallied behind Musk in recent months. Mark Cuban called the Tesla CEO to convince him to take the SEC settlement instead of going to court. Thrive founder and sleep ambassador Arianna Huffington penned an open letter to the entrepreneur asking him to change the way he works "to be more in line with the science around how humans are most effective" and take enough downtime to "refuel." To the latter, Musk replied in a tweet at 5:32 a.m.: "Ford & Tesla are the only 2 American car companies to avoid bankruptcy. I just got home from the factory. You think this is an option. It is not." Dolly Parton has paid tribute to her former co-star Burt Reynolds, who died last month aged 82. "Burt and I were a good ol boy and girl, and I was very sad when he passed away we were really very much alike," she told the Daily Mirror. But he had not been in good health for a long time and so I hope hes resting in peace. Im sure he is. The last years of his life he had some really hard times. We were kind of like brother and sister. Despite "little arguments and little spats" between the two stars, Parton said she and Reynolds "were so honest with each other. In the same way Kenny Rogers and I are. We held no secrets from each other, we couldnt fool each other. The pair starred in 1982's The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; Parton played a madam engaged in an affair with the local sheriff, played by Reynolds. Their on-screen chemistry in the film sparked rumours of an off-screen relationship between the stars, to which Parton jokingly responded with: "I couldnt wait to jump into bed with Burt Reynolds. In the movie, not in real life. Parton has been married to Carl Thomas Dean since 1966, and said any rumours of an affair with Reynolds never troubled the couple. Carl never cared about that, she said. Lord, they had me sleeping with everybody Id have never got anything done. And the ones I did sleep with, they dont know about. Reynolds died on 6 September in Jupiter, Florida, reportedly from a cardiac arrest. He had previously undergone heart surgery, in 2010. Parton has written the music and lyrics to 9 to 5: The Musical, which is set to debut in London's West End next year, based on the 1980 film she starred in with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. "Weve got the same problems then as you have now, she said of the story's enduring relevancy. We are all created equal in Gods eyes. We should treat each other with respect. Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more When Desiree Akhavan first dreamt up The Bisexual a comedy-drama series about a lesbian who realises shes also attracted to men she pitched the idea to just about every network in LA. It didnt go well. One told her that they already had Transparent, a show full to the brim with queer people, and thus had no need for another. The next said they already had a female, brown-skinned lead in The Mindy Project (never mind that Akhavan is Iranian-American, and Mindy Kaling is Indian-American). And on it went. For most people in her position, such preposterous, blinkered decision-making would be demoralising but for Akhavan, all it did was light a fire under my ass. I was like, OK, [LA] isnt where my home is. Im gonna go figure it out, she says matter-of-factly, vaguely surprised by how shocked I am at their stupidity. Were in an office room in the London headquarters of Channel 4, the only network that did recognise the potential in her idea. Im catching her, she says, on a loooong day of press, and shes wearing the days demands heavily, her body-language weary, her spirits fluctuating. In her answers, though, she is relentlessly sharp. There is no rule that you can only have one queer show and one female-driven show, she says, but they made up that rule for themselves that year, those executives, and maybe theyre gone now, but you find another door. When it comes to making work in this industry, some people feel you have to follow the rules, and I dont. I dont care about the rules. If she had, she might not have made her funny, caustic feature film debut, Appropriate Behaviour, which put her on the map (and prompted copious Lena Dunham comparisons) back in 2014. Or cowritten and directed this years Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which stars Chloe Grace Moretz as a teenager sent to a gay conversion camp. Or blazed forward, after countless rejections, with The Bisexual and judging by the first two episodes, that would have been a travesty. (Channel 4/Tereza Cervenova (Channel 4/Tereza Cervenova) The six-parter begins with an ending: after 10 years with her girlfriend and business partner Sadie (a typically brilliant Maxine Peake), Akhavans Leila finds herself bluntly turning down a marriage proposal. Weve talked about kids and marriage, says Sadie, incredulous. Weve talked about it abstractly, says Leila. Weve also talked about euthanasia. Instead, she instigates a break fuelled, in part, by the knowledge that she has never fully explored her sexuality. Usually, later life sexual awakenings involve edging further up the Kinsey scale but for Leila, it means readjusting her six (exclusively homosexual) and dipping a toe into the world of heterosexuality. Or, heaven forbid, bisexuality. Akhavan herself is bisexual, but for reasons she tries to unpick through her work, the word has always made her shudder. Just the very nature of being attracted to men and women implies duplicity, she says. Bisexuality feels like something that is taboo in both the queer and the straight world. Its gauche, its in bad taste, its tacky. It certainly made it more difficult to come out to her Iranian parents. Well, if you could choose, she once recalled them saying, why would you choose something that makes everyone so unhappy and that makes your life worse? A few times recently, Akhavan has referred to bisexuality as the last taboo. Today she is more reticent to make such a claim. Its tricky because Im sure there are other taboos that will now be like, What about us? she laughs. And surely there are many people for whom homosexuality itself is still taboo? Sure, she says, but you have your community. You have safe spaces, and there is an identity to it. I dont think theres quite the same identity to this lifestyle. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Also, youre defined by who you happen to be with at the moment, she continues. If youre with a same sex partner, youre living a gay life; if youre with an opposite sex partner, youre living a straight life. Youre always one foot out the door. Though The Bisexual depicts this struggle with Akhavans characteristic mix of humour and emotional heft, it doesnt exactly offer up any answers. I dont have an agenda, she shrugs. Im just trying to figure sh*t out for myself. The Bisexual- trailer It is with the help of her new housemate Gabe (Brian Gleeson) a straight, white man whos sleeping with his 22-year-old student and wrote a book called Testicular that Leila tries to figure her sh*t out, as she begins to explore relationships with men. I wanted it to be this buddy comedy between a bisexual woman and a straight man, she says, and they would never fall in love. Gabe was based, in part, on Akhavans brother. Im very sensitive about how my brother responds to my work, and anything thats remotely queer, she says. Its hit and miss. Sometimes hes really touched by things, and other times he can be so dense and obtuse. He frustrates me a lot. But Gabe is trying, and so is my brother. My brother who pisses me off so much, and says the most offensive things but his heart is in the right place and he always means well. And were really honest with each other. I think we all need tolerance. Like, putting my brother in a box and being like, Well youre just a bigot, is ignorant of me. She is similarly wary of the rifts that occur between members of the LGBTQ community. At this years London Pride, for example, when members of lesbian group Get the L Out made their way to the front of the march to protest against trans rights. Those same lesbian separatist types, says Akhavan, are the ones who are disgusted with the term queer. I just dont understand being so allergic to the evolution of what it is to be homosexual. Its not gonna stay the same, because the worlds not the same. To feel so marginalised, and to feel so threatened by someone elses journey, like, its none of your f***ing business. Akhavan herself has faced a smattering of criticism from within the queer community, for her decision to cast Moretz who has only publicly dated men as the lesbian lead of Cameron Post. She agrees that its important for queer people to be at the helm of queer projects, but thinks there should be room for nuance in the debate. Im not gonna make assumptions, especially not publicly, about Chloes sexuality, but I will never apologise for casting Maxine, she says. Maxine is old enough that I feel comfortable saying shes straight-identified, and she was the only person I wanted to play that role. I think she lent authenticity and heart to that role. She had an emotional gravitas that made the whole series land. If it was entirely straight people running the show..., I begin, then that would suck, but like, this is my world, she says, referring to the LGBTQ community. And you can tell. From the specificity of place Leila takes Gabe to actual London lesbian night Aphrodyki (F*** inclusivity, says Leilas friend as they walk in, I want one space that makes me feel the way my brothers feel when they walk into Wetherspoons) to the dynamic between Leila and her acerbic best friend Deniz (a scene-stealing Saskia Chana), and even the enthusiastic but semi-apologetic L-word references, The Bisexual feels authentic, but never alienating. This is not a show that could have been made by the executives who turned it down and it is one of the best things on TV this year. Which makes it all the more galling that it nearly didnt see the light of day. I wonder aloud how much great work well never see, because its creators gave up when met with the kinds of rejections Akhavan came up against. Oh yeah, then they shouldnt do it then, she says bluntly. I laugh. She doesnt. I honestly think if you give up, if that is gonna dishearten you, youre in the wrong line of work. First Look: The Bisexual This work and all work, anything that matters is hard to make, she says, becoming increasingly animated. It was exhausting, it was challenging every step of the way, but thats what it is to do anything. Parenthood is hard. Love is hard. Things are hard. And if every time something in your life felt impossibly frustrating you were like, she brushes the imaginary dust from her hands, then what would you do?! Its hard! She hopes that the hard work has paid off and that the show resonates with people. I really hope that the gay community loves it, I hope reviewers love it, I hope janitors love it, she says. I really, really do want to reach a wide audience, because thats when change happens. But if you tell me at the end of the day that just one 14-year-old lesbian liked my work, Id be like, Great. Thats cool. Because she needed it more. She pauses. But also, it would be great if neo-Nazis liked my work, because they need it too! In a different way. Ultimately, though, its enough for Akhavan that she and her creative partner Cecilia Frugiuele are proud of the show theyve made. The rest is out of her control. Sometimes you see things do so well that are sh*te, you never know, she says. And maybe its not the right time in history. I very much hope it speaks to everyone. If it doesnt, thats fine too. Ill keep going. The Bisexual begins on Channel 4 on Wednesday 10 October Jimmy Kimmel celebrated Christopher Columbus Day by asking people what their thoughts were on the explorers nomination to the Supreme Court. Meshing the controversial hearing and subsequent confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, with the national holiday dedicated to the 15th century colonist, Kimmels team decided to trick people with the question on the latest episode of Lie Witness News. Theres a lot going on in the country, so we decided to combine two of the big things going on right now, Kimmel said on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. According to the late-night host, people should know who Columbus is - as hes the third that we learn the most about in elementary school after George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. However, despite Kimmel's confidence in Americans, the question was met with surprising answers. In response to the question Do you agree with the Supreme Courts decision to confirm Donald Trumps nominee Christopher Columbus to the Supreme Court? the first respondent said she agreed with the courts decision because: I just believe it was so long ago in the past and theres not enough evidence to back it up. She later said in the video that she believes Barack Obamas nominee Marco Polo would have made a better nominee because hes more relevant. In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Show all 21 1 /21 In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing EPA In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AP In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AP In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing REUTERS In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing REUTERS In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing REUTERS In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing EPA In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing EPA In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Chaos and fury at Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing AFP/Getty Images Of those questioned, only one person appeared to know there was a difference between Judge Kavanaugh and Christopher Columbus - but still supported the fictitious nomination. Weve been celebrating Columbus for how many years now? So it really doesnt matter to me, he answered, before confirming that he thinks its okay for him to sit on the Supreme Court. Yeah, yeah, the man concluded. You can watch the full video here. Close Bake Off 2018: Vegan Week trailer The bakers were in for their biggest challenge yet as The Great British Bake Off tackled vegan week for the first time ever, with contestants throwing out the eggs and butter to seek alternative paths to a rich texture and a nice crumble to their pastry. Although the challenges didn't turn out disastrous across the board, the episode saw some of the most (genuinely quite) nail-biting moments of the series, with a dramatic cake topple causing emotions to run high in the tent. Now that, hopefully, the remaining bakers have had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief, we look back at all the biggest talking points from the episode. Kim-Joy's woodland animals win the day This week's Star Baker was ironically, as host Noel Fielding pointed out, the one baker who found a way to bring animals into the tent on vegan week: Kim-Joy, of course! Her Showstopper celebration cake was littered with adorable foxes, while her Signature tartlets managed to squeeze in some squirrel designs on the top. Although her Showstopper was a bit pudding-y, according to the judges, and her meringues needed more fruit, her squirrel tarts proved to be a winner with the judges. She even received the all-important Hollywood handshake. Vegan week proves too much for Jon Jon, sadly, was the one to go home this week, largely for entirely failing to get to grips with the concept of vegan week. His Technical meringue was criticised for its lazily done piping and runny cream, and he simply ran out of filling for his Signature tartlets. That said, although his "Only Fools Eat Horses" Showstopper celebration cake was labelled a pitiful sight by the judges, with its drooping checkerboard design, it actually turned out to be quite flavourful. A cake collapse! As was teased on the episode's preview, vegan week didn't fail to deliver on the dramatics, as the most dreaded moment for any baker became a reality and Ruby's Showstopper celebration cake toppled over just as the competitors were leaving the tent. As Paul pointed out, Ruby's mistake was layering the heavier chocolate layer on top of the lighter lemon layer. Also, the top layer was distinctly larger than the bottom one, which may have been a contributing factor. Then again, this isn't CSI and no one's about to carry out an autopsy on a chunk of cake, so maybe we'll never know. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up A second (off-camera) collapse! However, it turned out Ruby wasn't alone in her despair: Rahul's cake had also caved in on itself, although disappointingly off camera and in a fridge so we couldn't experience the dramatics for the second time around. Noel Fielding for Doctor Who? Noel jokingly uttered the words "I'm a Time Lord" and now the internet has already lined up a replacement for whenever Jodie Whittaker wants to hang up her screwdriver. Catch-up below with the rest of the events of this week's The Great British Bake Off (please allow a moment for the liveblog to load). The Australian government has dismissed calls from a major UN climate change report to abandon coal by the middle of the century. Deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said that Australia would absolutely continue to use its coal reserves, insisting they could not be replaced by renewable energy. Released on Monday morning, the report by the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded nations must stop using coal by 2050 if they are to avoid increasing the global temperature by more than 1.5C. Recommended Latest update after IPCC urges world to respond to climate change The report contained particularly bad news for Australias Great Barrier Reef, predicting that if the planet hits 2C of warming more than 99 per cent of the worlds coral will be wiped out. Despite this warning, along with the droughts and heatwaves that are likely to exacerbate Australias already extreme conditions, ministers were unwilling to commit to phasing out fossil fuels. The fact is, coal mining ... and coal-fired power stations do play an important part of our energy mix in Australia and will do so going forward, Mr McCormack told Sky News Australia. The government [is] supportive of small business, of industry, of farms and of coal mining. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said Australia would not give up on its Paris agreement commitment to reduce emissions by 26 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. However, he said that the government would not be held to the IPCC report. On a global scale, the report concluded that emissions would need to be reduced by 45 per cent by 2030 if the most devastating consequences of global warming are to be avoided. Besides coral reef extinction, these would include regular Arctic sea ice disappearance and millions of people in low-lying areas being forced from their homes by rising tides. Recommended BBC attacked for inviting climate change denier to debate report While the scientists concluded unprecedented changes would be needed in every aspect of society, fossil fuels were singled out as one of the biggest factors in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The leader of the opposition Labor Party, Bill Shorten, said he thought a greater proportion of energy in Australia should be generated by renewable sources, but did not commit to phasing out coal. Australia is without an official policy to cut greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020 after infighting within the government led to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull jettisoning it from his energy strategy. Mr McCormack said that coal mining was vital for Australia as it provides 60 per cent of the nations electricity, thousands of jobs and a major component of its exports. Despite the nations reliance on fossil fuels, Australia has shown some progress towards a transition to renewable energy. The state of South Australia gets the bulk of its power from wind and solar sources, and has invested in major projects such as the worlds largest lithium ion battery. Nayani Dixit, who has been part of Delhi Belly and Special 26, gave Bollywood Hungama a shocking statement. A few days back, Phantom Films dissolved with each member from the production house Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena going their separate paths. In a day, the reason for the dissolvement was a crime which conspired 3 years prior to the whole matter popping up in Huffington Post. The crime involved Vikas Bahl, a part-owner of Phantom Films, and an ex-employee of the production house. Vikas Bahl surprisingly is the same director who made Kangana Ranaut starrer Queen. It was after the victim received support from Anurag Kashyap, his girlfriend Shubhra Shetty and others, that Kangana also revealed an incident where Vikas misbehaved with her on Queen sets. But she wasnt the only one. Her co-star Nayani Dixit, who has also been part of movies like Delhi Belly and Special 26, gave Bollywood Hungama a shocking statement saying, Doing Queen was the biggest mistake of my life. Recalling her incident, Nayani said, Whatever the girl has accused Vikas Bahl is not at all wrong because he also tried his hand on me. I literally told him that main tumhe maarungi if you do this again. So I am sure he did the same with the girl in question as well. She adds, Next day, when I came on the sets, something went wrong with my hair. I didnt get it as its not my area of concern. But Vikas blasted me and he behaved very weird with me. Now when I look back, I realized that why this behaviour. Since he did not get a chance on me, he was taking revenge. Nayani adds, They kept us in a 2-star hotel. When I said that I am not comfortable, Vikas told me that he can share his room with me. Look at his audacity! She states, We were shooting for the London Thumakda song and in the crew, there was a 21-year-old local Delhi girl who was in the costume department. Vikas flirted even with her and she was very uncomfortable and she later confided to me that why this person is always behind me. Even Kangana Ranaut was witness to this drama and even she was taken aback. She remarked, Tu pagal hai kya? Nayani said, I did not say anything then. I was quiet at that time as firstly, I was alone. I did not know anyone neither from Phantom nor from the cast. Hence, I remained mum and decided to speak when the time is right. Now I thought that the time is right. The actress, who had issues with Phantom Films as a whole, says, Phantom Films paid me peanuts. They haggled as if they are buying vegetables. And nobody out there talks properly. The production people used to talk to us so badly as if woh humein film de ke hum pe ehsaan kar rahe hai. They kept me in a vanity van which was a mere 66 cubicle. All the props of production make up and costume was kept there and also the chest in which all these things are stored. The make-up and hair guys were also inside this small space. They had no respect for me nobody would ask if they can use my washroom. Theyll just knock, barge in, use the loo and leave. One day, when my hair-stylist was doing my hair, my hair got stuck in the blow dryer and she had to cut that chunk of the hair to get rid of it. Then once my hand accidentally touched the bulb, since there was no space, and I got burnt badly. I told them that I am burnt and need attention and medication. But just one production guy approached me, handed me a tube of Colgate toothpaste and asked me to apply it on the affected area. Thats it. No apologies offered! I requested them to give me a bigger vanity van but I was told that yahan sab aise hi hai and that I have to adjust. Moreover, Vikas humiliated me in front of everyone the day I got burnt, as I had rejected his proposal. I used to go to my hotel room in Delhi and cry and was hoping that the shoot would get over soon. She asserts, When I got fed up with the hotel room offered to me, I decided to shift to a friends place. But they didnt even allow me to stay there as they had paid for the room! Yeh kya zabardasti hai? They even told me that they wont pick me up from my friends place, which was just 2 kms away from the hotel, by the way. She also states, I witnessed production money being used for partying and boozing in the five-star hotels where they were staying. Nayani goes on as she says, The food offered was very spicy. The production guys would speak rudely to us when we complained. Moreover, we were told that if we asked for tea at night, wed have to pay for it from our own pockets! Can you believe that?! They even forced us to travel by train from Mumbai to Delhi, citing that even our director is traveling by train. But I put my foot down and thankfully, we were given air tickets. She tells, I had to cry to get my own payment. I got my final instalment 8 months after Queen released. It was a meagre Rs. 8000 and yet, I had to fight for it. Everytime Id call, theyll refuse on some pretext or other like producer bahar gaya hai, aaj woh bahar gaya hai etc. I didnt attend the screening or premiere or the trailer launch of the film. I promised myself never to work with Vikas Bahl or Phantom Films. I have told about my experience to all my friends in FTII and I have warned them that if Phantom Films call you for a movie and if you charge ten rupees, then please ask for twenty rupees and only then would they offer you eight rupees! Talking about Vikramaditya Motwane, Nayani says, He is the only guy whom I admire. He is just interested in his work and has nothing to do with anyone. He has zero knowledge on filmmaking. By Gods grace, we had a great team, including his chief AD. She knew her work very well. Its all her contribution and Vikas just took the credit and the National Award. Warna jisne Queen banaya, woh Shaandaar jaisi itni buri film kaise bana sakta hai, she signs off. Mouth injuries caused by hooks can hinder the ability of fish to eat properly, according to a new study. The findings will be alarming for anglers who consider their hobby not only harmless to fish, but also a way to conserve at-risk species. Catch-and-release methods are common in recreational fishing, and often those involved will use barbless hooks in an effort to reduce the harm caused to their targets. However, new research from a team of California-based scientists has added to a growing body of evidence that even practices assumed to be humane can have unintended consequences. Recommended Three bizarre new species of fish discovered in depths of Pacific When a fish is hooked through its mouth, and the hook is subsequently removed, it leaves a wound that can disrupt the suction feeding system used by many popular target species like trout and carp. The principle, according to Professor Tim Higham from the University of California, Riverside, is quite simple. "The suction feeding system is somewhat similar to how we drink liquid through a straw," he said. "If you poke a hole in the side of your straw it's not going to work properly." The debate about whether or not angling causes fish any harm has raged for years, generally with animal cruelty campaigners on one side and hobbyists on the other. As for the science, this had been far from clear. Neurobiologists have often argued that fish do not have the capacity to feel pain as we imagine it, but some experiments have suggested the opposite. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary But the new study undertaken by Professor Higham and his colleagues, and published in The Journal of Experimental Biology, does not attempt to answer this question. Instead it is simply a question of mechanics. Suction feeding relies on negative pressure being created in the animals mouth, which sucks in prey, and the scientists wondered if this would change after being pierced by a hook. To investigate they studied the effect of different fishing methods on 20 shiner perch caught near the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre in Canada. Ten of these fish were caught using nets, and 10 were caught using a hook and line. After catching the fish, the scientists immediately transported them to the laboratory. Once there, they gave the fish food and used cameras placed in tanks to monitor their feeding performance. All the fish seemed equally keen to eat the food they were given, but the ones that had been caught with hooks seemed to have difficulty doing it. "As we predicted, the fish with the mouth injuries exhibited a reduction in the speed at which they were able to draw prey into their mouths," said Professor Higham. "This was the case even though we used barbless hooks, which are less damaging than barbed hooks." The fish were returned safely to the water following the experiments. "This study emphasises that catch-and-release is not as simple as removing the hook and all being well, but rather is a complex process that should be studied in more detail, said Professor Higham. He emphasised that from these experiments alone it is not possible to gauge to what extent angling affects the feeding performance of these fish in the wild. However, while they are waiting for their mouths to heal, he said it is likely their ability to feed would be affected. The BBC has been criticised for giving a prominent climate change denier airtime during a news programme on a landmark UN report warning the planet faces imminent catastrophe if carbon emissions are not radically curbed. Myron Ebell, a former environmental adviser to Donald Trump known for depicting global warming as a hoax, was interviewed by Newsnight presenter Evan Davis after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned humanity must make unprecedented changes to the way we live, including cutting greenhouse gas emissions almost in half by 2030. Last month the BBC has previously admitted it got climate change coverage wrong too often, advising its journalists they do not need to include outright deniers in discussions because scientists accept man-made global warming is a fact. In April, Ofcom rebuked the broadcaster for failing to sufficiently challenge inaccuracies during an interview with climate change denier Nigel Lawson on Radio 4s Today. Newsnights invitation to Mr Ebell, director of environmental policy at libertarian thinktank the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), prompted accusations the BBC had failed to learn from previous mistakes. This is someone who thinks scientific consensus is some sort of bizarre conspiracy, Rachel Kennerley, a climate campaign officer for Friends of the Earth, told The Independent. Giving him prominent air time is contemptible to everyone who understands that scientific fact doesnt need to be countered by someone wanting a bit of limelight. This isnt balance, its just bad programming. Environmental writer Mark Lynas described the interview as utterly pointless and embarrassing. Car-crash television, and a waste of time that could have been used addressing the real questions. If you want political analysis, ask a policy analyst. If you want propaganda, ask Myron Ebell, said Simon Lewis, professor of global change science at University College London. Responding to criticism on Twitter, Newsnight editor Esme Wren said: As part of our coverage of the IPCC report on global warming we currently plan to discuss the politics of climate change and the mindset of the current US administration. In this section it is relevant to hear from those who have advised President Trump. The issue of false equivalence is only in play when discussing the science of climate change. This point is entirely recognised and adhered to by the programme. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan Mr Trump appointed Mr Ebell to lead his transition team for US Environmental Protection Agency in September 2016. He had left the role by the time of the presidents inauguration the following January. Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said Mr Ebells brief stint working for Mr Trump did not justify his inclusion on Newsnight. Ebell has never met Trump and has never served in the Trump administration. I doubt Trump has even heard of Ebell, he said, accusing Newsnight of desperately attempt[ing] to justify scraping the barrel for climate change deniers. During the five-minute interview, Mr Ebell claimed it had become identity politics for the left to claim there was an imminent crisis in global warming. He depicted the scientists involved in the IPCC report as climate campaigners who he suggested had been instructed by the UN to give ominous warnings about global warming. He was repeatedly challenged by Mr Davis, who told Mr Ebell: I dont want to hear your argument that the science is wrong, because you dont know anything about it. The conversation only briefly touched upon Mr Trumps stance on environmental issues. Recommended 20 things we could do right now to reduce climate change Asked if he could imagine anything the scientists could say that would persuade the administration that it needs to take this more seriously, Mr Ebell responded: No. I think the administration and the American people are pretty convinced that a pro-energy agenda is much more viable and will have much better results than an energy rationing agenda. The CEI has previously received millions of pounds in funding from oil company ExxonMobil. A BBC spokesman said: The BBC does not dispute the science. We acknowledge the weight of scientific consensus around climate change and this underpins all of our reporting of the subject. This does not mean, however, that we should never interview someone who opposes this consensus, especially if they are influential in the political debate about how to tackle climate change. There are times when it is editorially appropriate to hear from a dissenting voice. On Monday, the BBCs director-general vowed the broadcaster wont give in to pressure to silence dissenting voices. Delivering a lecture to the Society of Editors, Tony Hall said: Our impartiality does not mean that we strike some sort of false balance but that we reflect all contributions to a debate, and give each of them their due weight. So, no equivalence between the climate change sceptic and the overwhelming consensus of scientific opinion. But no exclusion of viewpoints because theyre generally felt to be beyond the pale. We wont give in to pressure to silence dissenting voices nor allow those voices to be seen as mainstream. A bride-to-be wore her wedding gown to visit her late fiance's grave in heartbreaking photos taken on the day the couple were meant to exchange vows. Jessica Padgett was engaged to marry Kendall James Murphy on September 29 - however, Murphy, a firefighter in Montgomery, Indiana, died before they were able to say I do. In November 2017, Murphy, 27, was killed when his colleague crashed into three cars while driving intoxicated. At the time of the accident, which struck Murphy as he stood beside his car, fellow firefighter Colby Blake had a blood alcohol level of .21 per cent - more than double the legal limit. To honour her husband-to-bes memory on the day of their wedding, Padgett visited Murphy's tombstone dressed in her gown - where the entire wedding party showed up to support her. In one photo, captured by Loving Life Photography, Padgett kneels in front of her fiance's grave, while another shows her posing with his firefighter boots and helmet. The pictures also show Padgetts family gathered around her, as well as the moments both the maid of honour and the best man gave speeches. The family concluded the day of mourning on what should have been the couples wedding day by releasing paper lanterns into the night sky. The emotional photos were posted to Facebook by the photographer, and have since been shared more than 23,000 times. Its hard when you miss someone. But, you know, if you miss them you were BLESSED. It means you had someone special in your life, someone worth missing, the photographer wrote alongside the photos. Since sharing the pictures, the family has received an outpouring of support and sympathy from people whove seen the photos and learned of Padgetts story. What a beautiful tribute to her Kendall. I am sure his spirit was with her and his family and friends and that he felt their love and how much he was missed on that special day. My heart breaks for them, one person wrote. Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Show all 12 1 /12 Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress According to Facebook, Murphy joined the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department in 2016 - and was following in his grandfathers and fathers footsteps. He proposed to Padgett the same year. After losing his life, he was honoured by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Groom with cerebral palsy overcome with emotion as bride walks down the aisle In a post shared on Facebook after attending the event, Padgett wrote: What an emotional, amazing weekend this was! This foundation not only honoured my Kendall, but also took us in as a family. This wasnt what we wanted in the end, but at least we know we will never be alone, we have all become one big supporting family, she concluded. You will forever be in our hearts #616. For his involvement in Murphy's death, Blake was charged with causing death while operating a motor vehicle and is awaiting trial. Notorious BIGs signature Versace sunglasses, which he frequently wore at the height of his career, are making a comeback. The rapper, born Christopher George Latore Wallace, was spotted donning the iconic shades on multiple occasions, including when filming the music video for hit song Hypnotize. Now more than 20 years after Wallace's death, Versace has decided to bring the sunglasses back for a limited time. The Versace sunglasses have been released as part of Italian fashion house's 'The Clans Collection' and have been given a contemporary update since Notorious BIG wore them in the 1990s. As per the original pair, the new re-issue still features Versace's trademark gold Medusa design on the side. However, the frames have now been transformed from a classic curve to a hexagonal low-lens design that expertly taps into the trend for Matrix-inspired sunglasses. The new specs are being sold exclusively at Barneys stores in the US, retailing at 226 and are also available to purchase online from Barneys.com, where they'll only be on offer for a month. The rapper had a very close relationship with Donatella Versace, as she told Fader in 2011. "I think Biggie was amazing. He came to my shows in Paris many times, and we'd see each other often," she said. "He always used to talk so nicely about my family. I think he was so smart, so intelligent. He had such a mind. "So I loved what he was doing and how he was giving people a way to know about VersaceI do think he was giving people a way to know about VersaceI do think a lot of people started to know about Versace because of him." Recommended Biggie gets tribute in the US House of Representatives It was recently revealed that Versace had been bought by Michael Kors for $2.1bn (1.6bn). John D. Idol, chairman and chief executive officer of Michael Kors Holdings, explained the significance of the deal. For over 40 years, Versace has represented the epitome of Italian fashion luxury, a testament to the brands timeless heritage," he said. "We are excited to have Versace as part of our family of luxury brands, and we are committed to investing in its growth." Google has launched the latest version of its flagship Pixel phone and plenty more besides. The two new phones includes vastly upgraded specs, new selfie features, and a completely re-designed look. As well as the two phones the smaller and bigger version there was a new version of the Google Home voice assistant that has a screen, as well as a new tablet. Most of the new devices had already been leaked ahead of the official unveiling, but Google still managed a few surprises, especially with its exceptional camera. A full round-up of the event can be found below. Please allow a moment for the live blog to load A robot is set to become the first non-human to appear as a witness before the UK Parliament. The Commons Education Select Committee invited Pepper the robot from Middlesex University to give evidence at a hearing taking place next week about artificial intelligence, robotics and the fourth industrial revolution. "If we've got the march of the robots, we perhaps need the march of the robots to our select committee to give evidence," Committee chair Robert Halfon told Tes. "The fourth industrial revolution is possibly the most important challenge facing our nation over the next 10, 20 to 30 years." Japan's robot carers Show all 18 1 /18 Japan's robot carers Japan's robot carers A caretaker, wearing walking rehabilitation equipment 'Tree', helps a resident with his walking training at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Yoichi Suzuki holds an 'AIBO', a pet dog robot which his father used for his rehabilitation, as he stands in front of his father's portrait which he displayed at his father's funeral, at his house in Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Yoichi Suzuki spends time with 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, which his father used for his rehabilitation at his house in Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A broken 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, waits for repair in A Fun's office in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Residents follow moves made by humanoid robot 'Pepper' during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A resident approaches humanoid robot 'Pepper' to pat its head during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Parts collected from broken 'AIBO's are kept in a box in A Fun's office in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Funabashi Hiroshi from A Fun, repairs broken'AIBO's, pet dog robots, at his office in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Residents follow moves made by humanoid robot 'Pepper' during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Humanoid robot 'Pepper' is charged after an afternoon exercise routine for residents at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A resident touches robot seal 'PARO' at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers Humanoid robot 'Pepper' holds its hands up for residents to follow the moves during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A caretaker wearing a motion assist equipment 'Muscle Suit' carries a resident from a bed to a wheelchair at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A resident claps to call 'AIBO', a pet dog robot at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, which Yoichi Suzuki's father used for his rehabilitation, is seen at Suzuki's house in Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A resident reads a book during a session with 'AIBO' a pet dog robot and 'PARO' a robot seal at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A resident touches 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS Japan's robot carers A caretaker wearing a 'HAL for care support' robot suit pushes a wheelchair at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo, Japan REUTERS It is not clear whether Pepper will be pre-programmed to answer the questions or if it will rely on artificial intelligence to respond. The Independent has reached out for more details about the appearance. Despite dystopian predictions and dire warnings of robots and AI taking over people's jobs, the government has previously expressed interest in the potential of robotic technology. John Manzoni, chief executive of the civil service, said in a speech earlier this year that robots were a 21st Century solution to building a "brilliant Civil Service." Recommended Suicidal robot security guard drowns itself by driving into pond "Many of our [government] services will begin to benefit from the huge potential of robotics or, more accurately, robotic process automation (RPA)," he said. "In speed and accuracy of response, RPA could transform the experience of citizens registering for services, or applying for grants of benefits." (Reuters (Reuters) Pepper the robot, first developed by Japanese electronics giant SoftBank, has been used in a variety of roles since it was publicly introduced in 2014. Equipped with four microphones, two HD cameras and a touchscreen on its chest, versions of Pepper have been employed as a receptionist in UK offices and as an educational tool in schools. "If you think we are going to be the living version of the Matrix, it is not going to be like that. But I think it will be exciting, interesting and it's basically showing what the potential is," Mr Halfon said. "This is not about someone bringing an electronic toy robot and doing a demonstration, it's about showing the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence and the impact it has on skills." Gwyneth Paltrow has denied that her controversial lifestyle brand Goop is based on pseudoscience. The actress and CEO of the controversial brand rejected the claim in an interview with the BBC, in which she defended her company and said: We disagree with that wholeheartedly. Rather, she explained: We really believe that there are healing modalities that have existed thousands of years, and they challenge maybe a very conventional western doctor that might not believe necessarily in the healing powers of essential oils or any variety of acupuncture, things that have been tried and tested for hundreds of years. We find that they are very helpful to people and there is an incredible power in the human body to heal itself. The 46-year-old also said Goops goal is to empower women - a goal she suggested is often met with resistance. So I think any time you are trying to move the needles and youre trying to empower women, you find resistance and we just think thats part of what we do and were proud to do it, she concluded. Goop has previously faced scrutiny and legal action for false unscientific claims related to items sold on its website. Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes Show all 7 1 /7 Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes On healthy eating 'I'd rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a can' Theo Wargo/Getty Images for NBC Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes On hitting 40 You can still find yourself at a party at 3am, but you also know enough about who you are and how that informs the choices you make. Steven Henry/Getty Images Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes On maintaining a close relationship with ex husband Chris Martin: Were still very much a family, even though we dont have a romantic relationship. Hes like my brother. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes On her travel routine: When I land [from a flight] I try to find a sauna to sit in for 20 minutes to help me sweat out all the germs from the plane. Getty Images Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes On the Hollywood Gender Pay Gap: Your salary is a way to quantify what youre worth. If men are paid a lot more for doing the same thing, it feels shitty. Getty Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes On not caring what people think: I dont hold on to fear as much as I used to, because Ive learned a lot about genuinely not caring what strangers think about me. Its very liberating, Its very empowering. Getty Gwyneth Paltrow in quotes On the Met Gala (2013): Im never going again. It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all. Getty Recently, a group of district attorneys from California filed a lawsuit against the company for claims the jade and rose quartz vaginal eggs could provide women with a spiritual detox and that an essential oil blend could prevent depression. In September, the company agreed to pay a $145,000 (112,000) settlement for the false claims - however, Paltrow told the BBC it did so because we just wanted to settle it and put it behind us and the company never had to admit to any wrongdoing. In the past, the brands coffee enema kit and assertions regarding the benefits of vagina steaming have also been met with controversy. As for the companys future, Paltrow said in the interview that Goop has a whole regulatory team in place now and a science and research team, and as a startup, you have to learn on the job. The desire for a larger bottom is becoming more popular, with the number of so-called Brazilian butt lifts more than doubling in the last five years. However, a recent high profile case which involved a doctor in Miami who was banned from operating after the death of a patient during surgery highlights the risks associated with having this procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) has the highest rate of death of all aesthetic procedures. What is a Brazilian butt lift? Some people have a BBL for aesthetic reasons, but many have it after losing lots of weight, serious disfigurement after pelvic trauma, or experiencing practical problems, such as holding up trousers. The procedure involves taking fat from areas of the body where its not wanted and transplanting it into the glutes to enlarge them. To be successful, a fat graft needs nutrition and so has to be injected into tissue that has a blood supply. Fat can survive if injected into other fat, but up to 90 per cent of it can be absorbed if it is. Fat has more chance of staying in place if it is inserted into muscle but this is where the risk lies. Injecting fat into the buttock can easily lead to serious problems if done incorrectly. These include a fat embolism when fat enters the bloodstream and blocks a blood vessel. In the lungs, for example, it blocks oxygen from entering the bloodstream, while in the brain it can cause a stroke. Both can be fatal. The volume of fat is also important. Most surgeons consider 300ml slightly less than a can of soda to be a safe amount. However, some more experienced surgeons use a much larger volume of fat that may be measured in litres. Why is the mortality rate so high? A 2017 survey of 692 surgeons from across the world investigated the rate of mortality among patients undergoing BBL. Throughout their careers, the surgeons reported 32 cases of death from a fat embolism and 103 non-fatal cases, but there are probably many more that remain unreported. The worst jobs for your health Show all 10 1 /10 The worst jobs for your health The worst jobs for your health 10. Surgical and medical assistants, technologists, and technicians Overall unhealthiness score: 57.3 What they do: Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel and perform medical laboratory tests. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 88 2. Exposure to contaminants: 80 3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 69 The worst jobs for your health 9. Stationary engineers and boiler operators Overall unhealthiness score: 57.7 What they do: Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 99 2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 89 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 84 The worst jobs for your health 8. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators Overall unhealthiness score: 58.2 What they do: Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 97 2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 80 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 74 The worst jobs for your health 7. Histotechnologists and histologic technicians Overall unhealthiness score: 59.0 What they do: Prepare histologic slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 88 2. Exposure to contaminants: 76 3. Exposure to disease and infections: 75 The worst jobs for your health 6. Immigration and customs inspectors Overall unhealthiness score: 59.3 What they do: Investigate and inspect people, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the US or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 78 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 63 3. Exposure to radiation: 62 The worst jobs for your health 5. Podiatrists Overall unhealthiness score: 60.2 What they do: Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 87 2. Exposure to radiation: 69 3. Exposure to contaminants: 67 The worst jobs for your health 4. Veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and laboratory animal caretakers and veterinary technologists and technicians What they do: Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals and perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 81 2. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 75 3. Exposure to contaminants: 74 The worst jobs for your health 3. Anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologist assistants Overall unhealthiness score: 62.3 What they do: Administer anesthetics or sedatives during medical procedures, and help patients in recovering from anesthesia. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 94 2. Exposure to contaminants: 80 3. Exposure to radiation: 74 The worst jobs for your health 2. Flight attendants What they do: Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 88 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 77 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 69 The worst jobs for your health 1. Dentists, dental surgeons, and dental assistants Overall unhealthiness score: 65.4 What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 84 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 75 3. Time spent sitting: 67 Fat embolism was recently identified as the leading cause of death in aesthetic surgery. The estimated death rate from fat embolism may be as high as one in 3,000 for BBLs. A 2015 study of deaths from BBL surgery concluded that they probably occur as a result of gluteal blood vessels becoming damaged during the procedure, allowing fat to enter the bloodstream. The authors recommended that buttocks lipoinjection should be performed very carefully, avoiding injections into deep muscle planes. Deaths in the US have caused concern. In one recently reported case in the US that led to death from a fat embolism, surgeons believed injections had been made into superficial fat, but at post-mortem fat was found in the heart and lungs. There was also some evidence of damage to gluteal blood vessels. However, it should be noted that fat is also injected into muscle for some breast enhancement surgery, with no reported deaths. This suggests that there are other factors involved in the high mortality rate among BBL patients. Most of these deaths appear to have been caused by inappropriately qualified practitioners working in non-approved facilities, including homes and garages. One Brazilian celebrity plastic surgeon, known as Dr Bumbum, was recently charged with murder after the death of a patient at his home during surgery. Other post-surgery problems, such as gangrene and sepsis, can also be fatal. Is it worth the risk? The potential risk of death from a fat embolism has to be weighed against the benefits, especially in cases where there are physical and functional benefits to having the surgery. In the case of the Brazilian butt lift, perhaps the risks outweigh the benefits. Nevertheless, in a celebrity and beauty obsessed society, the procedure remains popular, despite the risks. So it is important that surgeons make the risks of the procedure very clear to anyone considering it. Patient safety should always be the top priority. And surgeons need to do more to increase the safety of the procedure and lower the unnecessarily high mortality rate. Jim Frame is a professor of aesthetic plastic surgery at Anglia Ruskin University. This article first appeared on The Conversation You are constantly second-guessing yourself, your confidence is shot, and you are questioning your perception of reality. Sound familiar? You may be a victim of gas lighting. The term is used to describe a form of emotional abuse where one person gradually manipulates another in order to gain control. It could involve the abuser pretending to misunderstand their victim, or questioning how they remember events. They then dismiss their valid worries as crazy or sensitive until the person is confused and vulnerable. Google searches of the word have gradually crept up in recent months, and the tactic is incredibly common according to Penny East, a spokeswoman for the charity SafeLives told The Independent. Abusers manipulate their victims carefully and purposefully; they switch readily between charm and rage, like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Indeed, to an outsider, the perpetrator may appear to be the perfect, caring partner, Sandra Horley CBE, chief executive of Refuge told The Independent. It is the kind of mental torment used so successfully by torturers and terrorists who know that they can keep their prisoners compliant by frightening them and disorientating them with rapidly changing moods and situations. The more a person is filled with doubt, the easier it is to control them. Emotional abuse is an attack on your personality rather than your body, and it can be just as harmful as physical abuse, she added. "It is especially powerful when a man inflicts this on a woman as it takes advantage of the damaging notion of women being somehow hysterical or over emotional," said East. The process sends the victim into a spiral that starts with disbelief, and can end in depression. Their self-esteem at rock bottom, they question their thoughts and opinions, and distance themselves from others. With a skewed perception of reality, they wonder if they are too sensitive or crazy, apologise more often, and excuse and lie to cover up their abuser's behaviour. Dr Robin Stern, the author of The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulations Other People Use to Control Your Life, described one such case where a woman called Melanie who was frantic because her husband demanded that she buy wild salmon rather than farm-raised salmon the local grocery store offers for a dinner party for his company. Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Show all 10 1 /10 Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 30 per cent of people deal with anxiety by talking to a friend or relative, or by going for a walk. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report Almost one in five people feel anxious all or a lot of the time. PA Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 22 per cent of women feel anxious a lot or all of the time, compared to 15 per cent of men. Roman Levin/Flickr Creative Commons Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 45 per cent of people who feel anxious in everyday life cite financial issues as their biggest cause of worry. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report And 26 per cent of people who feel anxious say fearing for the welfare of their children and loved ones leaves them burdened with worry. And 26 per cent of people say fearing for the welfare of their children and loved ones leaves them burdened with anxiety. Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 27 per cent of people who suffer from anxiety say work issues, such as long hours, are the source of the problem. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report But 16 per cent use alcohol to cope, while 10 per cent turn to cigarettes in the face of anxiety. Unemployed people are more likely to resort to these harmful strategies: 27 per cent use alcohol and 23 per cent use cigarettes. AFP/Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report Only seven per cent of people who say they suffer from anxiety seek help from their GP. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report People are thought to be more anxious than they were five years ago. Alessandra/Flickr Creative Commons Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report The stresses of modern life are thought to have created "The Age of Anxiety". Getty She knew her husband would accuse her of not caring enough about him to go to the store earlier in the day. Incidents like this were happening so much at home, Melanie began to believe he was right. After all, what was more important than her husband? Why wasn't she a more considerate wife? Her husband had trained her to question herself rather than his unreasonable behaviour, and attempt to understand how she had become an inadequate person. But Horleys message is clear: If you alter your behaviour because you are frightened of how your partner will react, you are being abused. If you think you may be experiencing domestic violence visit www.refuge.org.uk for support and information or call the 24-Hour Freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Refuge and Womens Aid, on 0808 2000 247 A song written in response to President Trumps comments that it is a very scary time for young men in America has gone viral on Twitter. Written in the aftermath of Brett Kavanaughs appointment to the US Supreme Court amid allegations of sexual assault, the song illustrates incidents of everyday sexism women face. It is teasingly titled: Its a really scary time for dudes right now. The comments made by choreographer Lynzy Lab, who performs the song on a ukulele, have struck a chord with millions of people across the globe, earning more than three million views in less than 24 hours. She begins the unsettlingly upbeat song by offering examples of common situations in which women may feel threatened. I cant walk to my car late at night while on the phone, I cant open up my windows when Im home alone, I cant go to a bar without a chaperone and I cant wear a mini skirt if its the only one I own. This is followed by the sarcastic refrain of it sure is a scary time for boys and further examples of female behaviour that can lead to victim-blaming e.g. her dress was short and she was drunk. The song goes on to highlight the ignorance of the argument that the #MeToo movement which encourages victims of sexual assault to speak out has gone too far: Cant speak to any women or look them in the eyes, its so confusing, is it rape of just being nice? So inconvenient that you even have to think twice, she sings. Taking a no-holds-barred approach, Lab also makes direct references to Kavanaugh in the song ("I cant speak out about my rapist after 35 years"), who was accused of sexual assault by Dr Christine Blasey Ford prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court. Ford alleges that Kavanaugh assaulted her at a party when the two were teenagers, claims which Trump has described as a hoax that was set up by the Democrats. Lab concludes by calling on women to rise up and use their collective voice to combat the injustices illustrated in the song by voting in the US mid-term elections, which are due to take place on 6 November. The short clip has been shared widely online, with some celebrities also showing their support. Listen to women like @MercedesLynz to give you an idea of the world as they experience it, wrote Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo on Twitter. We are evolving towards greater equality, which is a great thing for us ALL, he added in a subsequent tweet. Dont be afraid to have greater awareness. It can not harm you nor diminish you. Dutta had lodged a complaint against the Patekar, Acharya and Siddiqui with the womens commission on Monday. Mumbai: The Oshiwara police will record a fresh statement of actress Tanushree Dutta, in connection with the sexual harassment allegations, which she claims took place in 2008 during a film shoot. Dutta had submitted an application to the police alleging misbehaviour and harassment at the hands of actor Nana Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and producer Samee Siddiqui during the shooting of a song sequence. The process of recording her statement will be done by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, officials stated. A decision on the FIR will be made based on the details of the statement and the findings of the inquiry following her complaint letter, police said. Meanwhile, the women's commission has also issued notice to the trio after Dutta sought their intervention. The womens commission has shot notices to the trio and have also asked for a report from the Oshiwara police seeking details on the probe they have carried out in the case since Dutta submitted a complaint application. Dutta had lodged a complaint against the Patekar, Acharya and Siddiqui with the womens commission on Monday. The commission has also asked Dutta to be present in person to present her side of the story to the commission. We had approached the womens commission and lodged a complaint with them and the commission has issued summons to the trio, said Nitin Satpute, Duttas advocate. Meanwhile, the police are tightlipped on whether statement of anybody accused by Dutta in her complaint letter has been recorded as yet. After receiving her complaint letter, they confirmed that the application and its allegations would be investigated. Dutta alleged that Patekar misbehaved during the shoot of the movie in 2008 at a studio in Goregaon. The official said that the actress had approached the Goregaon police with the complaint after workers of a political party attacked her car. The application started that the police did not take any cognisance of her complaint on harassment. She has now sought a case in the incident and action against the trio. The police have stated that the inquiry into the complaint has begun. The Big Four accountancy giants face intense scrutiny after the competition watchdog announced a probe into Britains audit market. Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC have been named in a string of scandals and faced accusations of conflicts of interest over their role checking firms' books. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Tuesday that it has launched a detailed investigation into the audit sector to examine concerns that it is not working well for the economy or investors. The CMA pointed to the collapse of construction giant Carillion in January just months after its accounts had been signed off by KPMG. In February, Commons Business Committee chair Rachel Reeves, described Carillions annual reports as worthless while Labour MP Peter Kyle told two KPMG partners that he wouldnt trust the accountancy firm to do an audit of the contents of my fridge. PwC was later accused by MPs of a massive conflict of interest over its multiple roles advising Carillion, as well as the companys pension fund and the Government. The firm is expected to collect around 50m in fees for managing Carillions liquidation. The Big Fours stranglehold over the audit market has sparked repeated calls for the giants to be broken up over fears that large companies have little choice but to appoint one of them. Critics say this has led to "cosy" relationships between companies and the accountants hired to check their books. Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC audit almost all of the FTSE 100 and the vast majority of the FTSE 250. The fifth largest accountancy firm, Grant Thornton, announced in April that it would stop pitching for FTSE 350 audits because it repeatedly lost out on work to the Big Four. CMA chairman Andrew Tyrie said: If the many critics of the audit process are right, it is not just the companies which buy audits that lose out; it is the millions of people dependent on savings, pension funds and other investments in those companies whose audits may be defective. Sir John Kingman's independent review of the regulator is a big step in the right direction. And the CMA will now examine the market carefully to establish what contribution more effective competition could make to improving audit quality. The CMA will focus on three main areas including choice and switching in the audit market. The regulator will also examine the risk that each of the Big Four is too big to fail, potentially threatening long-term competition. Another question the CMA will seek to answer is whether the fact that companies pick their own auditor results in a lack of incentive to produce challenging performance reviews. Some critics have suggested that shareholders - as the outsiders who rely on an audit to assess the health of a company - should have a role in choosing the auditor. CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli said: High-quality audit work underpins a successful economy and benefits us all. Given the in-depth thinking already done by the CMA and the Competition Commission before it, we plan to move swiftly and to issue our provisional findings before Christmas. The Financial Reporting Council, the accountancy watchdog, which has been calling for an inquiry, welcomed the CMA's announcement. The Netherlands is ready to welcome companies leaving the UK due to Brexit, the Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok said on Tuesday. The relationship between the UK and the Netherlands has traditionally been close, and will remain so in the future, but the Dutch view Brexit as a lose-lose operation, Mr Blok told reporters at a briefing in the Hague. However, he added: Theres a famous saying by Johann Cruyff - Every disadvantage has its advantage. In the case of Brexit this means a number of companies are considering or have already decided to leave the UK, and of course we are in the race to welcome them. The Dutch population is English speaking, open-minded, we have deep harbours, wide highways, and a very good airport at Schiphol. We are a very attractive location, and we are not shy to promote it. He noted that many financial firms have already made the decision to move at least part of their operations out of the UK to mainland Europe, because they are insecure about the effects of Brexit. As long as there is not a Brexit agreement there can be nothing but insecurity and they are spreading the risks, he said. I understand Amsterdam will host quite a number of specialised training companies. Of course we welcome these companies but we would rather there was no Brexit - but its too late for that. Mr Blok said he was more hopeful that an agreement could be reached following Theresa Mays speech at the recent Tory conference, but added: A hard Brexit is still possible, the Netherlands is also preparing for a hard Brexit. Not because we hope for it but because we are not sure it wont happen. We are an extremely important trading partner (for the UK), with Rotterdam Harbour, the largest European harbour, facing the UK. There is very intensive trade, so we are preparing in a very practical way, engaging customs officers, engaging phyto-sanitary personnel, but also thinking about parking space at the ferry terminals in the Hook of Holland - because we have to. In terms of the Netherlands approach to the Brexit negotiations, Mr Blok said: We have no negative intentions whatsoever towards the British. While it was a UK decision to start the Brexit procedure, the Dutch regret that decision but respect the referendum result. However, he said: During negotiations we will act within one unified European combination, and thats not because we want to gang up on the UK, but because we are one trading bloc negotiating with a new trading bloc in the making, and trade negotiations within the EU are always done on behalf of the whole union. Mr Bloks comments come after King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands said he still regrets the UKs vote for Brexit. Insect-filled chocolates, rat hair-infested noodles, and orange juice containing maggots are just some of the horrors UK consumers could be forced to accept if post-Brexit Britain signs a wide-ranging trade deal with the USA. In the US, producers adhere to a Defects Levels Handbook, which sets out the maximum number of foreign bodies like maggots, insect fragments and mould that can be in food products before they are put on the market. For example, US producers are allowed to include up to 30 insect fragments in a 100g jar of peanut butter; as well as 11 rodent hairs in a 25g container of paprika; or 3mg of mammalian excreta (typically rat or mouse excrement) per each pound of ginger. Recommended Champagne and parmesan will soon be central to Brexit negotiations In the EU there are no allowable limits for foreign bodies in food products. MPs told Business Insider they are worried that a UK-US trade deal designed by Brexiteers could open the floodgates to contaminated food. Clearly, The Tories have some very unpleasant surprises for UK dinner tables if they have their way with a fast-track trade deal with the United States, Bill Esterson, the shadow trade minister, said. We know the Tories are keen on chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-fed beef but they surely cannot expect that the British public will be happy to swallow these other horrors. The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that Brexit means Brexit and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UKs economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Partys coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a specific solution would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty Caroline Lucas, ex-leader of the Green party and supporter of the People's Vote campaign, added: This is the gruesome reality of the US trade deal being touted by Liam Fox as one of the great benefits of leaving the EU. Under the government's disastrous Brexit, we will finally be free to eat all the maggot-ridden food we like. No-one voted for a Brexit that waters down the safety and hygiene of our food - but that's what the government is pursuing. 'The US actively dislikes many existing EU measures' Trade secretary Liam Fox has denied the UK will lower its food standards after Brexit, but has not ruled out changing standards in order to strike new trade deals with countries around the world. However, Sam Lowe, a trade specialist at the Centre For European Reform, predicted that the US would want the UK to move away from EU food standards and much closer to its own in any future free trade deal negotiation. The US actively dislikes many existing EU measures and will certainly pressurise the UK to jettison many of them in any FTA negotiations with the UK, Mr Lowe told Business Insider. He was echoed by a former US Treasury official, who told Business Insider: Agriculture punches well above its commercial weight in trade negotiations. The prospect of agricultural exports to the UK would be a major US objective in FTA talks. US officials have been clear that the UK would need to change many of its rules and standards in order to sign an expansive free trade agreement with Washington, particularly in areas of sanitary and phytosanitary. Wilbur Ross, Donald Trump's secretary of commerce, said last October that scrapping strict EU standards in areas like food hygiene and agriculture would be a critical component to any post-Brexit UK-UK free trade deal. Earlier this year, the US administration's trade representative (USTR) produced a 500-page wish list of what it would like to see included in a new free trade agreement with Britain after it has left the EU. The report said the US was concerned about EU measures for food safety and protecting human, animal, or plant life or health, and called for the UK to ditch these strict European rules after Brexit to liberate UK-US trade. A spokesperson for the Department for International Trade said: We have been clear we will not lower food, animal welfare or environmental standards as part of any free trade agreement. To suggest otherwise is completely false. Maintaining them is the right thing to do for our consumers and maintains the UKs world-renowned reputation for high-quality products. So what surprises could UK consumers expect to find in food imported from the US after Brexit? Rat hair and faeces Rats (Shutterstock/Gallinago_media) US food law allows traces of rodent in a variety of foods. For example, producers are allowed up to 11 rodent hairs per 25 grams of paprika and cinnamon; 4.5 hairs per 225 grams of noodles; and 4 hairs per 25 grams of curry powder. It's not just hair. US producers will also get away with mammalian excreta (mammal faeces) in their food, usually from rodents. You could find up to 3 milligrams per pound of ginger and 10 milligrams per pound of cocoa beans. Maggots Maggots (FlickrCC/Massimiliano Calamelli) A UK-US free trade deal could lead to maggots hiding in some of your favourite food products. US producers are currently allowed one maggot per 250 millilitres of citrus juice like orange and apple juice and two per 100 grams of tomato juice. You could also find two maggots for every 100 grams of the tomato paste used on pizzas. Insects Beetles crawl around in a container at an insect farm (REUTERS/Jerry Lampen) In the US, the law allows up to 30 insect fragments per 100 grams of peanut butter; 60 insect fragments per 100 grams of chocolate; and up to 100 per 10 grams of nutmeg. Worms (Shutterstock (Shutterstock) The US also allows worms and caterpillars in food products. However, there are rules. For example, only three per cent of canned peaches and five per cent of currants can be infested with or eaten into by worms. US producers are allowed two spinach worms (caterpillars) which are longer than 12mm per 24 pounds of the plant. Mould (Creative Commons (Creative Commons) According to the US' Food Defeat Handbook, mould is an acceptable feature of a wide variety of food. A quarter of salt-cured olives per batch put on the market are allowed to be mouldy, for example. As are 20 per cent of canned pineapple segments, and 15 per cent of cranberry sauce. Business Insider Read more: This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed How Uber became the world's most valuable startup These 4 things could trigger the next crisis in Europe Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. Frustrated Isis supporters who are prevented from travelling to the groups territories abroad may launch terror attacks in Britain instead, the head of national counterterror policing has warned. Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu said that before last years attacks security services believed that fighters returning from abroad presented the biggest threat. It wasnt the threat was already here and there are still plenty of aspirant or frustrated travellers who now have nowhere to go, he told the National Security Summit in London. Many come from a generation who feel disenfranchised often those from isolated minority communities in the UK. Two of the London Bridge attackers had wanted to travel to Syria before they started plotting the atrocity, with Khuram Butt dissuaded by his family and Youssef Zaghba being prevented from leaving an airport in Italy as he told police he wanted to be a terrorist. Several other terror plotters who were prevented from carrying out attacks mounted their plans after their original desire to join Isis abroad was thwarted. They include Britains youngest female terror plotter Safaa Boular and her sister, and London teacher Umar Haque, who was trying to brainwash an army of children to carry out coordinated massacres. British intelligence services have monitored suspected extremists who are prevented from leaving the country, but Mr Basu warned that plots are being mounted in a shortened timeframe since the rise of low-tech vehicle and knife attacks. Number of white people arrested for terror offences outstrip any other single ethnic group, new figures show The period between the preparation and commission of such attacks has been massively reduced and identifying the threat and intervening became much harder, he added. But as well as the increase of rudimentary techniques, the security minister warned that terrorists were still exploring new ways to kill. I see plots where the only limits to the ambitions of our adversaries is their imagination, Ben Wallace told the conference. Chemical and biological weapons are marching in close, they have developed and worked on a better arsenal and we have to be prepared for the day it might come to our streets here. Be under no doubt the threat is real. Isis is known to have used both chlorine and mustard gas in Syria and Iraq, and Mr Basu said: These things have been used on the battlefield, and whats used on the battlefield will eventually be adapted to be used on domestic soil. While the likelihood of terrorists successfully conducting a large-scale chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) strike is considered to be unlikely, Britains security apparatus is alive to the danger. The governments national risk register of civil emergencies says an attack involving CBRN materials has the potential to cause harm by contaminating people, animals, buildings, outdoor environments, water supplies and food. It adds: Extremists remain interested in CBRN materials. However, alternative methods of attack such as employing firearms or conventional explosive devices remain far more likely. The UK has suffered five terror attacks since March 2017, which killed 36 victims last year, and security services have foiled 13 Islamist and four extreme right-wing plots in the same period. Currently, 71 per cent of terror suspects arrested are UK nationals, 11 per cent are female, and over a third are under 25 years old. Terror drill on streets of London Show all 7 1 /7 Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill in London Armed officers storm the building in the City of London PA Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill in London Police officers pose as terrorists during the training exercise PA Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill in London Dummies representing casualties lie on the floor following the drill Getty Images Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill in London Police dressed as militants simulate an attack on a shopping centre PA Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill in London 'Terrorist' and 'civilian' dummies were used in the drill Getty Images Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill in London Police are being trained to 'go forward' during terror sieges PA Terror drill on streets of London Terror drill in London Police are being told to ignore casualties until suspects are immobilised Of an estimated 900 people of national security concern who travelled from the UK to Syria, around 20 per cent have been killed and 40 per cent have returned. The majority of those who have come back did so in the earlier stages of the conflict, and a significant proportion are assessed as no longer being of national security concern. Those who are believed to be a threat but who cannot be prosecuted because of insufficient evidence are monitored or subjected to restrictions including Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures. Mr Basu warned that the acceleration in Islamist radicalisation is also feeding far-right rhetoric fuelling the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action, the Finsbury Park terror attack. The very nature of the threat we face means it is now more than ever before, a question of when not if, he added. The increase in tempo has been dramatic. Counterterror police priority investigations have increased by almost a third in 18 months and Mr Basu said the rising danger had stabilised to become the new UK normal. Recommended Timeline of MI5 investigations into UK terror attackers revealed He identified driving factors including segregated communities, unregulated education, online propaganda and encryption. Mr Wallace said extremists of all kinds were spreading their twisted versions of the truth to recruit the next generation of unlit candles ready to wage war. He championed the governments Prevent counter-extremism programme as a way to divert people, saying 231 people were deemed to no longer pose a threat after deradicalisation work last year. Speaking at the same event, independent reviewer of terrorism legislation Max Hill QC called for a fresh review of the definition of terrorism as set out in the Terrorism Act 2000. He said this was necessary in light of the changing nature of the threat from international terrorism and cited the Salisbury novichok attack, adding: The question of state terrorism and its inclusion or possibly exclusion from the definition is work in progress in my view. Prison governors are to criticise ministers for getting their policy on jails completely wrong over the past decade as the watchdog issues an urgent warning about another jail in crisis. The president of the Prison Governors Association (PGA) will say the government has failed to respond quickly enough to the jail safety crisis, claiming dis-investment has contributed to the decline in standards across the estate in England and Wales. Addressing the PGAs annual conference on Tuesday, Andrea Albutt will say ministers do not have the humility to admit that they got their policy completely wrong this decade in our prisons. It comes as a report from the Inspectorate of Prisons reveals that violence and self-harm rates at HMP Exeter, which is currently one of the most crowded prisons in England and Wales, have soared in the past two years. The deterioration in conditions at the jail was so severe that Chief Inspector Peter Clarke felt compelled to invoke urgent notification protocol for the second time earlier this year requiring the government to respond publicly with plans to improve it. Four such notices have been issued in the space of nine months, with Nottingham, Birmingham and Bedford having all been subject to the same warning since the start of the year. There had been six self-inflicted deaths at HMP Exeter since the last inspection 21 months before, while self-harm had risen by 40 per cent, the report found. Yet it was observed that the situation had come to be regarded by many staff as normal. The rate of assaults between prisoners at the jail, which is currently operating at 31 per cent above capacity, had meanwhile more than doubled since the previous inspection in August 2016. Inspectors were particularly appalled to find a young man with mental health issues effectively living in the middle of a building site, which was noisy and dirty due to the refurbishment work taking place. They said staff had not even made the effort to find out his first name. In light of the very high levels of vulnerability, self-harm and suicide among prisoners at Exeter, it was shocking to see that cell call bells were routinely ignored by staff, the report states. The Howard League for Penal Reform said it was aware of 11 men who have died at the prison since the beginning of 2017. Frances Crook, chief executive of the charity, said: The alarming deterioration of Exeter prison is a national scandal, and it raises urgent questions about the prison system as a whole. How many people must lose their lives before bold action is taken to put things right? Ms Crook urged that reducing the prison population was the only way to prevent more people being swept into deeper currents of crime, violence and despair. Deborah Coles, director of the charity INQUEST, which monitors deaths in custody, said that despite repeated warnings about Exeter prison, a lack of action by the prison service and ministers had maintained a trajectory of rapid decline. Evidence from the inspectorate points to the poor and unsafe environment contributing to the highest rate of self-harm in the prison estate, she continued. Complacency around the safety of prisoners in Exeter and across the prison estate cannot continue. There must be a dramatic reduction in the use of prison to prevent more needless deaths. Recommended Government takes over Birmingham prison from G4S over raft of failures At the PGA conference, Ms Albutt will claim the only way to improve the prison system is if ministers accept that their austerity strategy has been the catalyst for the current situation. She will call for a massive capital investment in prison buildings and a reduction in the jail population, and defend Michael Spurr, who will leave his role as chief executive of the prison and probation service in March. Responding to the PGA speech, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: Senior managers in prisons do vital work and we are grateful for their dedication and commitment. We acknowledge the ongoing challenges they face and, as the [PGA] president notes, we have taken meaningful action to address them which is starting to yield results. Following the inspectorate report, Mr Spurr said they had taken immediate action in response to the urgent notification to support the jails governor. Extra funding has been provided to improve living conditions and carry out maintenance over the past few months, and weve strengthened the work being done to tackle violence and stop drugs entering the prison, he added. Well be taking more steps in the coming months to further improve conditions at Exeter as set out in our detailed action plan published today. The leader of the DUP is holding wide-ranging meetings with EU officials in Brussels over the next few days in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock ahead of a looming no-deal deadline. Arlene Foster flew in from Belfast in the early hours of Tuesday morning and met with chief negotiator Michel Barnier and other officials, as well as representatives from member states. The right-wing party, which is propping up Theresa Mays minority government in Parliament, is seen as key to a deal on the Northern Ireland border and has therefore been granted huge access in the EU capital. Critics of the government said Ms Foster had effectively taken over Brexit negotiations from Theresa May as she prepared to meet representatives of member states, negotiators, officials, and top EU parliament figures. We have a very wide range of meetings within the Commission, weve just come from a meeting with Mr Barnier, Diane Dodds, the DUPs MEP who is accompanying Ms Foster on the trip, told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Speaking at the same press conference Ms Foster accused the EU of not understanding British unionism with its plans to solve the Northern Irish border. It is vital that the EU from their perspective understands the sensitivities around Northern Ireland and that were going to be the only part of the United Kingdom with a land border with the EU after we leave next year, she said. It is vital that the EU from their perspective understands the sensitivities around Northern Ireland Arlene Foster, DUP leader The party leader added that she would not accept any checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, rejecting the EUs bid to de-dramatise them. She has in recent days appeared to shoot down a nascent bid by the British government to compromise on checks across the Irish sea, describing her red-lines as blood red. An EU bid to compromise by having checks done in advance appeared not to impress the Ms Foster either. Our own government was very clear, and we reiterated the issue last week with the prime minister that there cannot be any customs or regulatory barriers between ourselves and the rest of the United Kingdom both ways, she said. Its not just a case of regulations between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, its also between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I think thats very clear, weve made that very clear. The DUP almost certainly has the power to sink any deal signed by the government because Theresa May threw away her parliamentary majority in a snap general election last year, and now relies on DUP MPs to pass legislation with a confidence-and-supply arrangement. Though EU sources in Brussels have been optimistic about a deal, Downing Street yesterday suggested caution. British officials will be in town this week for back-room discussions as the two sides hope to secure some kind of progress before a European Council summit next week, which will be attended by Theresa May and the EU27 leaders. Labour MP David Lammy, a supporter of the Best for Britain campaign, said: Arlene Foster is not an MP and not even first minister but she holds the trump card in these negotiations. Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An abandoned shop is seen in Mullan, Co Monaghan. The building was home to four families who left during the Troubles. The town was largely abandoned after the hard border was put in place during the conflict. Mullan has seen some regeneration in recent years, but faces an uncertain future with Brexit on the horizon Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A defaced Welcome to Northern Ireland sign stands on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Mervyn Johnson owns a garage in the border town of Pettigo, which straddles the counties of Donegal and Fermanagh. Ive been here since 1956, it was a bit of a problem for a few years. My premises has been blown up about six or seven times, we just kept building and starting again, Johnson said laughing. We just got used to it [the hard border] really but now that its gone, we wouldn't like it back again Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Farmer Gordon Crocketts Coshquin farm straddles both Derry/Londonderry in the North and Donegal in the Republic. At the minute there is no real problem, you can cross the border as free as you want. We could cross it six or eight times a day, said Crockett. If there was any sort of obstruction it would slow down our work every day Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures John Murphy flies the European flag outside his home near the border village of Forkhill, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Potter Brenda McGinn stands outside her Mullan, Co Monaghan, studio the former Jas Boylan shoe factory which was the main employer in the area until it shut down due to the Troubles. When I came back, this would have been somewhere you would have driven through and have been quite sad. It was a decrepit looking village, said McGinn, whose Busy Bee Ceramics is one of a handful of enterprises restoring life to the community. Now this is a revitalised, old hidden village Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Union Flag colours painted on kerbstones and bus-stops along the border village of Newbuildings, Co Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Grass reflected in Lattone Lough, which is split by the border between Cavan and Fermanagh, seen from near Ballinacor, Northern Ireland Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Donegalman David McClintock sits in the Border Cafe in the village of Muff, which straddles Donegal and Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An old Irish phone box stands alongside a bus stop in the border town of Glaslough, Co Monaghan Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Billboards are viewed from inside a disused customs hut in Carrickcarnon, Co Down, on the border with Co Louth in the Republic Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Seamus McQuaid takes packages that locals on the Irish side of the border have delivered to his business, McQuaid Auto-Parts, to save money on postal fees, near the Co Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler. I live in the south but the business is in the North, said McQaid. "I wholesale into the Republic of Ireland so if theres duty, Ill have to set up a company 200 yards up the road to sell to my customers. Ill have to bring the same product in through Dublin instead of Belfast Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A disused Great Northern Railway line and station that was for customs and excise on the border town of Glenfarne, Co Leitrim Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Alice Mullen, from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, does her shopping at a former customs post on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh. Id be very worried if it was a hard border, I remember when people were divided. I would be very afraid of the threat to the peace process, it was a dreadful time to live through. Even to go to mass on a Sunday, youd have to go through checkpoints. It is terribly stressful, said Mullen. All those barricades and boundaries were pulled down. I see it as a huge big exercise of trust and I do believe everyone breathed a sigh of relief Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A bus stop and red post box stand in the border town of Jonesborough, Co Armagh Reuters It is telling that now she has gone to Brussels to take over from the prime minister as we get to the crunch. Theresa May and her government are in the pocket of the DUP. Michel Barnier, the EUs chief negotiator, said of the meeting that he was continuing discussions with Northern Irish political leaders today and working hard to explain and de-dramatise the backstop, referring to the EU solution for preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland. Michael Gove and the rest of the UK Cabinet have skipped a key international summit on climate change a day after a landmark UN report warned that urgent action was needed to avoid global warming disaster. Mr Goves department confirmed the environment secretary was not able to attend the meeting of EU environment ministers in Luxembourg, which is specifically about fighting climate change by cutting CO2 emissions, as well as other environmental matters such as biodiversity. Though the meeting was attended by Mr Goves top counterparts from countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, he instead sent one of his junior ministers, Therese Coffey, to cover for him with no member of the UK Cabinet present at the summit. The environment secretary, widely disliked in Brussels for his high-profile role in the Brexit campaign, has failed to attend any of the EU council meetings since he came to office, always sending deputies instead. As well as Ms Coffey, Claire Perry, a middle-ranking minister at the business department who oversees climate change policy also attended. But Mr Gove's non-attendance at Tuesdays important meeting following the IPCC report recommending rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society angered environmentalists, who said his failure to engage was damning and showed the limited extent of the government's ambitions. European ministers used the meeting to adopt a tougher position on climate change emphasising the unprecedented urgency which is needed to step up global efforts to avoid the dangerous effects of climate change and to work on new CO2 emissions standards for cars across the bloc. Michael Gove's failure to engage with the EU Environment Council tells us everything we need to know about whether they plan to take the urgent action necessary to avoid disaster. Green MP Caroline Lucas It came after Mondays report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said that the planet would reach the crucial 1.5C warming as early as 2030 under current greenhouse gas emission levels: risking wildfires, extreme droughts, floods, and serious famine. Green MP Caroline Lucas told The Independent: Yesterday's IPCC report exposed the Government's approach to tackling climate change as completely inadequate. Michael Gove's failure to engage with the EU Environment Council tells us everything we need to know about whether they plan to take the urgent action necessary to avoid disaster. With just 12 years left to turn things around, we need an environment secretary dedicated to working across borders to create a fairer, healthier, safer society not a self-promoting architect of an environmentally destructive Brexit. Dave Timms, Friends of the Earths head of politics, said: Hopefully Mr Gove is reading in-depth the hundreds of pages of evidence the IPCC published yesterday. He would do well to give particular consideration to achieving net zero greenhouse gases, and the critical role that afforestation and farming has to play in achieving that. The Environment Secretary's poor reputation at EU level traces back to his conduct during the 2016 referendum campaign. In June, the EU's agriculture commissioner, Phil Hogan, who works on the same policy patch as Mr Gove, accused the minister by name of deception and lies during the EU referendum campaign. Arriving at the summit in his absence, Mr Goves counterparts from around the EU warned that Mondays IPCC report showed the continent needed to step up its ambition. Stientje van Veldhoven, the Dutch cabinet minister for the environment, said: I think its very clear that the IPCC gave us a very strong signal. If we want to attain the Paris goals then we need to step up our ambitions. Glacier collapse shows climate impact Show all 20 1 /20 Glacier collapse shows climate impact Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Meltwater pools on top of the Helheim glacier near Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Safety officer Brian Rougeux works with student Febin Magar to assemble a radar dome while working in a science camp on the side of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Airplane Mechanic, David Fuller, left, works with a local worker to move a Nasa Gulfstream III during a pre-flight inspection before a flight to support the Oceans Melting Greenland research mission Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Meltwater pools on top of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Earth Science Flight Programs Director at Nasa, Eric Ianson, looks out at the Greenland ice sheet Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Glacial ice is seen from the window during the Nasa flight Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Oceanographer David Holland's science camp on the side of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact A large crevasse forms near the calving front of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Safety officer Brian Rougeux uses a drill to install antennas for scientific instruments that will be left on top of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Tabular icebergs float in the Sermilik Fjord after a large calving event at the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Radar Engineer, Ron Muellerschoen, monitors data collection inside a NASA Gulfstream III flying above Greenland to measure loss to the country's ice sheet Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact GPS tracking equipment is left on top of the Helheim glacier REUTERS Glacier collapse shows climate impact Sunshine lights up the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact A glacial terminus above the east coast of Greenland REUTERS Glacier collapse shows climate impact Student Febin Magar watches as leftover wood burns in a research camp Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Tabular icebergs float in the Sermilik Fjord after a large calving event Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Oceanographer David Holland repairs a broken GPS module at his research camp Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Kimmo Tiilikainen, the Finnish environment minister said: Yesterday we got the latest scientific news from the IPCCs special report and it shows that we must do more and we must do it faster in order to keep global warming at a bearable level. Although the European Union is a leading actor in climate action, also we must do more. A UK Government spokesperson said in a statement sent by email: The Government is always represented at European Councils to ensure we can fully work with our EU partners. Todays meeting was attended by Claire Perry - the Cabinet Minister responsible for climate change. The spokesperson is incorrect to say Ms Perry is a Cabinet minister, however, as she is not one. There was no reply when it was pointed out to the spokesperson that Ms Perry is not a Cabinet minister. David Davis has stepped up his assault on Theresa Mays Brexit plan, warning the Tories will lose the next election unless it is dumped. The electoral consequences could be dire without a U-turn, because it would be obvious to voters that the prime ministers promises had been broken, the former Brexit secretary said. The warning comes in an explosive letter sent to all Conservative MPs in which Mr Davis demands a looser Canada-style trade relationship with the EU. The model was described as nothing more than a shortcut to a no deal by Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, during a heated Commons appearance to set out the state of the talks. Ms May has also ruled out that option, arguing it would break up the UK by requiring a customs border in the Irish Sea and because of the damage to manufacturers, which require frictionless trade. The Liberal Democrats said the letter betrayed the growing panic rippling through the Conservative party, as the governments Brexit strategy faltered. Mr Davis quit the Cabinet in July over the Chequers plan, claiming that agreeing a common rule book with the EU on goods made a mockery of the pledge to take back control. The EU has since rejected Chequers as well but the prime minister has refused to officially drop the proposals, ahead of a crucial Brussels summit next week. In the letter, Mr Davis said the EU would either confirm its rejection of the Chequers plan next week, or demand further significant concessions. But he insisted a Canada-plus-plus-plus deal going further on trade, internal security and foreign policy was within our grasp with political will and imagination. Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, March 9 2016 This wholly false headline merited the first ruling by IPSO (the press regulator) under clause 1 of the revised Editor's Code of Practice. Clause 1 makes specific reference to newspapers printing "headlines not supported by the text" Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, November 4 2016 In perhaps the most notorious front page of the past few years, the Mail derides the High Court judges who ruled that parliament must have a vote on whether to trigger article 50 and start the Brexit process Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Express, November 4 2016 In the Express' take on the same story, they manage to incorporate the Union Jack, allude to First World War propaganda, invoke memories of Churchill and, of course, state "Brexit means Brexit" Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, March 29 2017 The Sun marked the day on which Mrs May triggered article 50 by projecting a huge and terrible pun on to the Cliffs of Dover Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, April 4 2017 Referencing their notorious eurosceptic headline from 1990 (See: Up Yours Delors), the Sun stokes the flames of the brief Gibraltar dispute, a dispute in which Spain, the supposed aggressors, only joined to note that there was "no need for it" Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, April 19 2017 This headline followed Mrs May's snap election announcement, which gave the Mail hope that dissenting opinions on Brexit would disappear Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, December 14 2017 In recent months, the Mail has often forgone catchy headlines in favour of rambling rants, this is an early example aimed at Tory Brexit rebels Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, January 31 2018 This headline (?) takes aim at the Lords over their repeated amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, June 12 2018 On the day that the EU Withdrawal Bill is to be debated in the Commons, the Sun offers two choices to MPs, desperately including all conceivable imagery that might make Brits feel patriotic, which apparently includes the Loch Ness Monster Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Express, June 12 2018 On the same day, the Express lets MPs know what the consequences of the vote may be Mr Davis wrote: If we stay on our current trajectory, we will go into the next election with the government having delivered none of the benefits of Brexit, with the country reduced to being a rule-taker from Brussels, and having failed to deliver on a number of promises in the manifesto and in the Lancaster House speech. This will not be a technicality, it will be very obvious to the electorate. The electoral consequences could be dire. So it is in both the partys interest, and crucially the national interest, that we reset our negotiating strategy immediately and deliver a Brexit that meets the demands of the referendum and the interests of the British people. Later on Tuesday, Mr Raab told MPs that talks with Brussels have intensified in recent weeks, with both sides are closing in workable solutions to all the outstanding issues, including the deadlock over the Irish border. He stood firm against Brexiteers who urged him to ditch the Chequers plan in favour of their preferred Canada-style model, which he claimed was a shortcut to crashing out of the EU without a deal. However he faced criticism from former Tory home secretary Amber Rudd over the governments gung-ho approach to no deal, as she warned that security matters are not yet in place to keep the UK safe. At the Tory conference last week, the prime minister for the first time opened up the possibility that Brexit could be halted, unless the Tories stopped fighting each other. But Mr Davis urged her not to make preposterous threats that a refusal by Tory MPs to back her could result in Brexit being lost altogether, or watered down by the need for Labour votes. Although the EU has offered Canada-plus-plus-plus, it has insisted Northern Ireland would then have to stay in the customs union and part of the single market to avoid a hard border a suggestion that Mr Davis and other pro-Brexit Tories would never accept. Earlier, Steve Baker, Mr Daviss former deputy, repeated his warning that up to 80 Tories are ready to vote down the governments proposals. Tom Brake, the Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman, said: David Daviss letter highlights the growing panic rippling through the Conservative party that Theresa Mays Brexit is going to cause nothing but misery for the country and the Tory party. People should not have to cross their fingers and hope for the Tory party to sort out this terrible mess they have got the country into. Instead the people should get the final say on the deal and the option to remain in the EU. Britain's decision to leave the EU and Theresa May's "disgraceful failure of leadership" during exit talks means there must be a second referendum on Scottish independence, Nicola Sturgeon has said. The SNP leader claimed an independent Scotland was now "clearly in sight" and told party members that, if they continue on their current course, "the momentum for independence will be unstoppable". Addressing the SNP's annual conference in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that the party's MPs would vote for a fresh Brexit referendum if the issue comes before the House of Commons. Recommended Sturgeon says SNP will back new Brexit referendum She told the conference: "This UK governments handling of these negotiations has been shambolic, chaotic, and utterly incompetent. "838 days since the Brexit referendum happened, just 171 days until exit, and and yet no one has any idea what the UKs future relationship with the EU will be. That is a disgraceful failure of leadership." Suggesting the vote to leave the EU should pave the way for a new referendum on Scottish independence, she continued: "One of the lasting casualties of Brexit is the notion that the UK is in any sense a partnership of equals. "Our vote to remain in the EU ignored, the Scottish governments compromise plan to stay in the single market dismissed, our request for a role in the negotiations cast aside, a raid on our parliaments powers." She continued: "Brexit is a serious problem for Scotland, but that is only because of a more fundamental issue: our future is not in our own hands. "Scotlands future is in Westminsters hands, and the only solution to that is to become an independent country." People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Show all 30 1 /30 People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Rex People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young protestor shouts as she takes part in the People's Vote demonstration against Brexit Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A protester's pro-EU t-shirt EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Gina Miller and Caroline Lucas EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Tens of thousands of people march through London EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators at the People's Vote March Getty People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal 'Two months too young to decide on my future' REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young girl joins in the march PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal An EU flag is draped across the statue of Winston Chruchill in Parliament Square REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Vince Cable MP, Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller, Tony Robinson and Caroline Lucas MP join with crowds PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Crowds gather on Pall Mall PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A man resembling Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, joins EU supporters Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal People gather in Trafalgar Square REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller and Tony Robinson PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EU supporters, calling on the government to give Britons a vote on the final Brexit deal, participate in the 'People's Vote' march REUTERS Government ministers in Westminster have previously dismissed calls for a second independence referendum in Scotland, although Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has hinted that he may not stand in the way of another poll. In a warning to MPs in London would who try to block another vote on Scottish independence, Ms Sturgeon said: "You can oppose independence - that is your democratic right. But you cannot - and you will not - deny Scotlands right to choose." The Scottish first minister said she would wait to see the details of the future relationship between the UK and the EU before outlining more detailed plans for an independent Scotland. She described the Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum as "shameful, deceitful and very possibly illegal" and said pro-independence campaigners must adopt a more positive approach. She added: "If we do that, then believe me - the momentum for independence will be unstoppable." Sources said Shah asked the spokespersons to build up a narrative for a personality-based campaign for the general election. New Delhi: With the polls approaching, the BJP has decided to get more aggressive and wants the 2019 general election to be personality-based. Sensing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the main vote-catcher for the BJP, the party has asked its spokespersons to build the campaign around him. BJP leaders also feel the party is falling into the trap set by the Congress and limiting itself to replying to the Congress charges and allegations. On the Rafale deal and fuel price hikes, they feel the party spokespersons are not being able to defend the government and want them to get more aggressive. On Sunday, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior leaders, including Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Piyush Goyal and Prakash Javadekar, interacted with over 150 party spokespersons and heads of media departments to discuss the media strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Sources said Mr Shah asked the spokespersons to build up a narrative for a personality-based campaign for the general election. Mr Shah told us surveys and opinion polls indicate the NDA will bag nearly a 52 per cent voteshare, but over 70 per cent of respondents prefer Mr Modi as Prime Minister, one of them said. On the basis of the surveys, the BJP chief made it clear the focus has to be Modi vs Others. Mr Shah is, however, confident the BJP will return to power with a huge majority and told party leaders that there is nothing to be afraid of. As the party was asked to build up a personality-based campaign, they were told to expose Congress president Rahul Gandhis blunders and lies. Mr Shah gave the example of Mr Gandhis reported remark that he would instal a machine that if fed a potato, will give gold in return, which had gone viral on the social media last year. It was further learnt that both Mr Shah and Arun Jaitley were not pleased with the defence put up by the partys spokespersons on the Opposition attacks, particularly on the Rafale and fuel hike issues. Both leaders wanted the spokespersons to be more aggressive and study the finer points of the (Rafale) deal, that was clarified by defence minister Nirmala Sitaraman and IAF chief B.S. Dhanoa. Mr Jaitley also came down strongly on party leaders for not being able to present a strong defence on rising fuel prices and the Rs 2.50 cut by the government last week. A death row inmate due to be executed in days has asked to die by electric chair rather than face a controversial lethal injection. Edmund Zagorski made the request hours before the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled the states three-drug injection protocol was legal, paving the way for his execution on Thursday. Medical experts have said the method causes such severe pain it tortures inmates to death, while prisoners had argued in a lawsuit it should be banned under the US Constitutions eighth amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Kelley Henry, a public defender who led the case brought against the state by 32 inmates including Zagorski, said her client had now asked to die by electrocution. Faced with the choice of two unconstitutional methods of execution, Mr Zagorski has indicated that if his execution is to move forward, he believes that the electric chair is the lesser of two evils, she said in an emailed statement. 10-18 minutes of drowning, suffocation, and chemical burning is unspeakable. In Tennessee, death row inmates whose offences were committed before 1999 can opt to be executed either by lethal injection or electric chair. Zogorski was sentenced in 1984 for the murder of two men during a drug deal the previous year. Zagorski shot John Dotson and Jimmy Porter and their slit their throats after they tried to buy marijuana from him. Alongside the request to die by electrocution, Ms Henry also said she would call for a stay of execution for her client so an appeal against the Supreme Courts ruling could be lodged. The majority opinion of the court found inmates failed to establish the three-drug protocol is unconstitutional because they did not prove there was a readily available alternative method that was more humane - a requirement of current federal and Tennessee law. However, a number of medical experts testified claiming the cocktail of chemicals used in the injection leaves inmates feeling as if they are burning on the inside and being buried alive. Ms Henry argued at a hearing last week a single dose of the barbiturate pentobarbital would be a more humane form of execution. US man denied pay out after decades wrongly spent on death row Attorneys for the state said they have been unable to procure the drug, which became widely unavailable for executions after an uproar over its use for that purpose several years ago. In August, Tennessee executed its first inmate in nearly a decade. The US Supreme Court declined to stay that execution and the states governor, Bill Haslam, has already said he will not intervene in Zagorskis case. Tennessee is one of only nine states that allow electrocutions, and just 14 of the 871 inmates executed in the United States since 2000 have been killed in the electric chair, according to the Death Penalty Information Centre. The last electrocution in the US took place in Virginia in January 2013. Additional reporting by AP Close Florida Governor Rick Scott urges residents to prepare for tropical storm Michael Authorities have warned that Hurricane Michael is likely to become a monstrous major storm by Tuesday night before it smashes into Florida on Wednesday. Forecasters fear it will bring life-threatening storm surges and flash flooding and potentially even tornadoes. States of emergency have been declared for swathes of Florida and Alabama as the storm pounded the Gulf of Mexico and eastern Carribean with winds up to 90mph which are expected to hit 111mph before Michael makes landfall in northern Florida. The National Hurricane Centre warned of storms surges up to 12ft and issued a string of alerts for coastal sites. On the Panhandle, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan advised residents that if you decide to stay in your home and a tree falls on your house or the storm surge catches you ... theres no-one that can respond to help you. Governor Rick Scott called Michael a monstrous hurricane with a devastating potential from high winds, storm surge and heavy rains. Mr Scott declared a state of emergency for 35 Florida counties from the Panhandle to Tampa Bay, activated hundreds of Florida National Guard members and waived tolls to encourage those near the coast to evacuate inland. Kay Ivey, the governor of Alabama, put the entire state under an emergency declaration and said she feared widespread power outages and other problems from the storm. Cuba is currently bracing for heavy rain and winds from Michael. It comes just a few weeks after Hurricane Florence devastated parts of the Carolinas with a deluge of rain and massive storm surges. We'll have live updates tomorrow as the weather event makes landfall. Additional reporting by agencies Donald Trump apologised to Brett Kavanaugh and his family for the terrible suffering they had been been forced to endure as he was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice, after earlier claiming that sexual assault allegations against his nominee were a hoax brought about by people who are evil. The US president said that under historic scrutiny, his pick for his nations top court was proven innocent at the ceremonial event at the White House. Ahead of a speech at a Chiefs of Police convention in Orlando, Florida, the Mr Trump told reporters that the allegations against Mr Kavanaugh were all made up, adding: It was fabricated, and its a disgrace. He added that Mr Kavanaugh was simply a man that was caught up in a hoax that was set up by the Democrats. Recommended Republicans face midterms backlash from women furious over Kavanaugh He continued his attack at the convention itself, where he claimed the controversy surrounding Mr Kavanaughs nomination was a disgraceful situation brought about by people who are evil. He said: It was very unfair what happened to him. He added that Mr Kavanaugh toughed it out against the false accusations levelled against him. The accusations, he said, were a hoax invented by his rival Democratic Party. As Mr Kavanaugh was sworn in as the 114th Supreme Court justice, he promised to always be a team player on a team of nine. Describing the confirmation process as contentious and emotional, he said he had no bitterness. White House doubles down on Trump's Christine ford Mockery: 'The president was stating the facts' The president has repeatedly hit out at critics of the justice, who was accused of sexual misconduct by three women. The first of his accusers Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that he sexually assaulted her at a party when they were teenagers. She said it had left her afraid and ashamed and had drastically altered her life. Mr Trump initially described her testimony as compelling and called her a very credible witness. But he later mocked the 51-year-old at a campaign rally. US president Donald Trump attacks Democrats after Kavanaugh sworn in I had one beer. Well do you think it was Nope. It was one beer. Oh good. How did you get home? I dont remember. How did you get there? I dont remember. Where is the place? I dont remember. How many years ago was it? I dont know. I dont know. I dont know, the president told the cheering Mississippi crowd. What neighbourhood was it in? I dont know. Wheres the house? I dont know. Upstairs. Downstairs. I dont know. But I had one beer thats the only thing I remember. Dr Ford had in fact recounted many of the details he claimed she had forgotten. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the presidents latest statements. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced her resignation on Tuesday. Ms Haley, who is an outspoken supporter of the president in the diplomatic community, and a frequent critic of the UN's stance towards Israel, first discussed her resignation with the president last week. She will be leaving the administration by the end of 2018, according to Mr Trump, who made the announcement with the ambassador in the Oval Office. Mr Trump said she is a "very special" person "who gets it," adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off to spend with her family. Mr Trump said that together they "solved a lot of problems" at the UN. "She's done a fantastic job," the president said, adding the pair will be "in constant touch". Mr Trump was a frequent critic of the UN, calling it a "good time club" but today he noted Ms Haley made the ambassadorship "a more glamorous position, she's made it a more important position". US Amabssador to UN Nikki Haley accuses Russia of cheating and helping North Korea evade United Nations sanctions "She got to know the players," Mr Trump noted. "They really like her...and they respect her," he said about China, India, and Russia among others. Ms Haley said "it has been an honour...to serve the country I love so much. Look at what has happened with foreign policy in the last two years. Now, the US is respected" "They may not like it, but they respect it," she said about controversial US policies on issues like the Iran nuclear deal, recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and leaving the Paris Agreement on climate change. "The US is strong again...it should make all Americans very proud," she said. Ms Haley said she "can't promise" what she will be doing in 2020 but it will not be running for president. There were rumours she would run for office at that point. "I can tell you, I'll be campaigning" for Mr Trump she said. She did not elaborate on the timing of her departure, however. It appeared Ms Haley was considering life outside of public service after she resigns. "It was a blessing to go into the UN every day with body armour to defend" the US, she noted on her two years leading the US mission at the world body. Mr Trump also noted Ms Haley will "hopefully" return to work for the Trump administration, "maybe in a different capacity," he added. Ms Haley praised the presidents daughter and son-in-law Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, noting they do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about. Mr Kushner in particular has been appointed as the lead on negotiations between Israel and Palestinian officials. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty I cant say enough good things about Jared and Ivanka. Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands, Ms Haley said. There is also a controversy pending over Ms Haley's use of private jets with taxpayer money, but it is unclear if that is the reason for her resignation. Richard Gowan, senior fellow at the UN University, told The Independent Ms Haley is, by and large, considered a "pretty effective diplomat in New York". He credited her with being "pragmatic and collegial with other representatives of big powers, and had a good working relationship with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres." Ms Haley was the first female governor from South Carolina and one of two Indian-Americans elevated to the position of US Ambassador. Mr Trump relied on Ms Haley in many ways within the diplomatic community, particularly to solidify the US-Israel relationship. She led the charge to withdraw the US from the Human Rights Council, a 47-member body in Geneva which Ms Haley said had a "chronic anti-Israel bias". In the wake of the 20 June withdrawal, Ms Haley said the body was an organisation that is not worthy of its name". Look at the council membership, and you see an appalling disrespect for the most basic rights, Ms Haley said. US to impose new sanctions on Russia in wake of Syria chemical attack, says UN ambassador Nikki Haley Ms Haley also accused the council of maintaining a disproportionate focus and unending hostility towards Israel" that shows it is "motivated by political bias, not by human rights". Ms Haley often criticised the UN in public, but Mr Gowan said her fellow diplomats knew she was doing it for "domestic political rhetoric" rather any particular animus towards diplomacy in general. She also was a tough critic of Russia, often hitting out at them over various issues like chemical weapons strikes in Syria and their role in the 4 March nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Salisbury, UK. She accused Moscow of "cheating" and helping North Korea evade UN sanctions on fuel, textiles, and food items. Ms Haley also accused Moscow of not only looking the other way while its citizens and companies engage in activities banned by sanctions but also of trying to cover up sanctions violations "whether they're committed by Russia or citizens of other states. She claimed a report authored by an independent party, detailing sanctions violations, had been tainted by Russia and the US has stopped publication of it. Ms Haley was one of Mr Trump's first ambassadorial appointments in November 2016, even before he was officially sworn in. The 46-year-old mother of two did not indicate what she will do at the end of her time in government. As for the UN, Mr Gowan said "there will be a lot of nervousness" come towards the end of the year as diplomats worry if Mr Trump will appoint a "hardline unilateralist to replace [Ms] Haley, creating new ruptures with the United Nations." Donald Trump has said had a great meeting with Rod Rosenstein aboard Air Force One following weeks of speculation that he was going to fire the deputy attorney general. Rumours have abounded in recent weeks that the president was set to fire the second highest ranking official in the US Justice Department and the man charged with overseeing the investigation into alleged collusion between Mr Trumps presidential campaign team and Russian officials. The speculation about his position mounted after The New York Times reported that he had discussed recruiting cabinet members to invoke the 25th amendment of the US constitution, which provides for the removal of a president if he is deemed unfit for office. It also claimed that he had suggested secretly recording Mr Trump to expose White House turmoil and dysfunction. Recommended Rosenstein meeting delayed as White House watches Kavanaugh hearings Mr Rosenstein called the allegations "inaccurate and factually incorrect". Following his meeting with Mr Trump White House spokesman Hogan Gidley confirmed the pair had spoken for approximately 30 minutes. The White House did not disclose any details about the conversation but noted the pair were not alone in the room. When asked earlier in the day if he had plans to sack Mr Rosenstein, Mr Trump replied quickly: No, I dont. He said that the pair had a good relationship, adding: "I didn't know Rod before, but I've gotten to know him, and I get along very well with him. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein says the Department of Justice won't be intimidated The president has saved much of his ire for Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the Russia probe because he was a member of Mr Trump's campaign team. Sacking Mr Rosenstein or special counsel in charge of the FBI investigation Robert Mueller, less than a month ahead of the 6 November mid-term elections would have led to severe criticism from Democrats, some political commentators have claimed. Forest rangers in a wet and bushy patch of central India have been chasing a cunning female tiger suspected of killing 13 people for the past six months. They have thrown just about everything they have at the tigress: hundreds of foot soldiers to comb the jungle, bulldozers to clear it, sharpshooters, jeeps, camera traps, a thermal imagery drone and five Indian elephants in hopes of surrounding the tigress so the veterinarians riding the elephants can dart her. No luck. So the rangers plan to deploy a new weapon: a bottle of Calvin Klein Obsession cologne. I know, its really funny, said Sunil Limaye, one of the top forestry officials directing the tiger hunt. But what are we going to do? This fragrance for men includes civetone, a compound originally derived from the scent glands of a civet though now often made synthetically. Obsession has been billed as irresistible to women. But because of the civetone, it is also scientifically proven to make wild cats go gaga. They roll around it, they take huge sniffs, they luxuriate in the smell for several minutes. Whatever is in that, cats love it, a cat expert in Australia told Scientific American. They just seem to be in absolute heaven. Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Show all 10 1 /10 Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Thai officers carry a sedated tiger outside its cage at the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Tiger Temple Getty Images Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Wildlife officials sedate a tiger at the Tiger Temple AP Thailand's Tiger Temple raid A tiger stands in a cage at a property in Saiyok district in Kanchanaburi province AP Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Thai army display a tiger skin found inside Tiger Temple as officials continue moving live tigers from the controversial place REUTERS Thailand's Tiger Temple raid A sedated tiger is stretchered as officials start moving tigers from Thailand's controversial Tiger Temple, a popular tourist destination which has come under fire in recent years over the welfare of its big cats REUTERS Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Thai wildlife officials load a cage containing a tiger onto a truck after they removed it from an enclosure at the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Tiger Temple AFP/Getty Images Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Tiger cub carcasses were found in jars containing liquid as officials continue to investigate the Tiger Temple REUTERS Thailand's Tiger Temple raid Thai officers observe the carcasses of 40 tiger cubs and a bear found undeclared at the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Tiger Temple Getty Images Thailand's Tiger Temple raid A Thai wildlife official looks at a Malayan sun bear in a cage as found during a raid at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi Province EPA Thailand's Tiger Temple raid An official looks at a stuffed bear as they continue moving live tigers from the controversial Tiger Temple REUTERS Call it outside the box thinking. Or just pure desperation. But India is going to need some fresh ideas if its tiger population continues to shoot up, as it has been. In the past decade, Indias tiger count has soared to 2,500, the worlds largest tiger population. At the same time, India, just after China, has the worlds second largest human population, at 1.3 billion, and the people and tigers are getting squeezed together. Endangered tigers are spilling out of dedicated reserves, roaming around thinning patches of forest and trotting through farms. Surrounded on all sides by villages, highways, industry and towns, the tigers are increasingly running into humans. This is what happened to the tigress, who wildlife officials call T-1. She lives in a fragmented forest near the town of Pandharkawada, in the middle of India. She has dragged away several villagers by the neck. On some of her victims, she and her two cubs have devoured large chunks of their flesh. Villagers are panicked, avoiding their fields and locking their doors at night, which they never used to do. Tiger experts in India say they cant remember a recent tiger ordeal as intense as this. The case has risen all the way to the Supreme Court. Last month, after a spirited dispute between state authorities and wildlife activists about the fate of T-1, the Supreme Court judges handed down what was essentially a life sentence: The rangers should try their best to capture T-1 to transplant her to a refuge centre or a zoo. But if that fails, the judges ruled, then T-1 can be killed. Every morning at sunrise, dozens of state forestry guards and police officers trudge out of a makeshift camp carrying AK-47s, tranquilizer guns, GPS locators, water bottles, and foil containers of rice and lentils (their lunch). All day they fight their way through scratchy mazes of lantana bushes that smell sharp and peppery. They check more than 100 camera traps. They search for tiger hairs and study the stony, undulating terrain for tiger tracks, known as pugmarks. At dusk they return, sweaty and exhausted. They line up to guzzle water and gobble down jalebi, an Indian snack of fried dough slathered in sticky syrup. Their reports stack up on a plastic table. In the boxes for observations or sightings, the answers are all the same: Nil, Nil, Nil, Nil. In the past few months, T-1 has been spotted only a few times, for just a few seconds. The rangers have sacrificed several horses to draw her out. Shes ripped into them, eaten fast, then vanished. The rangers managed to dart her once but the dart didnt stick and she slipped away. Tranquilizer darts are notoriously difficult to use. About 10 inches long with a feather on the back, they look like a flying syringe. They must be fired at close range, usually no more than 80 feet away. Lion, bear and tiger live together Show all 7 1 /7 Lion, bear and tiger live together Lion, bear and tiger live together Leo, Baloo and Shere Khan - "brothers" since cubs Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Lion, bear and tiger live together Leo watching Shere Khan wade through their enclosure's creek Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Lion, bear and tiger live together Leo and Shere Khan Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Lion, bear and tiger live together The BLT (Leo, Baloo and Shere Khan) while still cubs Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Lion, bear and tiger live together Baloo licking Shere Khan's nose Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Lion, bear and tiger live together Baloo nuzzling his "brother" Shere Khan Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Lion, bear and tiger live together (From left) Shere Khan, Leo and Baloo on the verandah of their enclosure den Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Its going to be impossible to tranquilize her, said Nawab Shafat Ali Khan, one of Indias most famous hunters who has killed dozens of elephants and tigers that went, in his words, rogue. She has learned from all these botched capture operations. Weve made her very smart. Brilliant, actually. He said it was highly unusual for a tiger to turn into a man-eater. But there is little traditional prey, like deer, left around Pandharkawada. Once a tiger encounters a person and kills, it may develop a taste for human flesh, which, Khan says, is sweeter than other animal meat because of all the ginger, salt and spices people consume. Recommended Video shows tigers take down drone in China He said T-1 has learned how easy it is to kill a person, and that she has now gone psycho. The rangers plan to spray the cologne near the camera traps to lure T-1 to a place where they can surround her. Its a game of wait and watch, said Limaye, the forestry official. At present we are on the receiving end. As night fell, he stood on the porch of a ranger station, surrounded by bush. Nearby, in the thickening gloom, sat a steel box. It was a tiger cage, big, green, rusty and empty. The New York Times Alexander Mishkin, the second man accused of involvement in the Skripal assassination plot, was likely to have been sent on the mission because he was a trained doctor capable of providing an antidote in case the novichok attack went wrong, according to security sources. Dr Mishkin, like the GRU colleague who travelled with him to Salisbury, was made a Hero of the Russian Federation with Vladimir Putin personally presenting him with the award, according to the investigative website Bellingcat. But unlike Col Anatolyi Chepiga, who was a member of the Spetnatz special forces, the nature of the services the doctor had provided for the prestigious decoration remains unclear. Dr Mishkin, who had travelled to Britain on a passport under the name of Alexander Petrov, studied at the Kirov Medical Academy, known in Russian as Voyenmed. The institute trains medics for the Russian naval forces, and specialised in undersea and hypobaric medicine, a form of treatment for decompression sickness, but also for wounds which do not heal, such as those received from radiation injury. The relative rarity of novichok, say security officials, meant that the presence of a qualified medic in an operation like the one in Salisbury would have been a very useful precaution. Pralidoxime Chloride and Atropine are recognised antidotes to nerve agents, but they must be administered within a very short time after exposure to be effective. Vladimir Uglev, a Russian scientist who was one of the team which had developed novichok at a Russian state facility had previously told The Independent that novichok, depending on the dosage, could be countered with quick use of antidote. He himself had survived a minor accident with the nerve agent after fast treatment. I had dropped some on my right arm. I felt irritation on my right arm for five, six years, but that is all, he recalled. Dr Mishkin and Col Chepiga could have acquired the antidote after arriving in London. However, there is no evidence, say Whitehall sources, of them meeting anyone or going to a pharmacy, thus the two men were likely to have been carrying it when they travelled to London from Moscow. There shouldnt have been any need for a qualified medical person to administer the nerve agent. But there were obvious advantages in having one if something went wrong Whitehall official There shouldnt have been any need for a qualified medical person to administer the nerve agent. But there were obvious advantages in having one if something went wrong, said a Whitehall official. But seeking any medical treatment in case of an accident inadvertent self-poisoning would have meant the mission being compromised and would have been incriminating, with very serious consequences: the Moscow link would have been quickly exposed. We know that novichok exposure needs immediate antidote so it makes eminent sense to have a military doctor, who is also a trained GRU operative, who can play his part in the operation and also provide a degree of medical security as well. Recommended Novichok scientist says he fears for his safety after Salisbury attack Dr Mishkin, 39 years old, received his award, like Col Chepiga, for services in Ukraine, researchers for Bellingcat were told by neighbours of his family in Loyga, in the Archangelsk District of Northern Russia. But while Col Chepigas decoration is said to have resulted from several specific operations in Crimea where he was serving with the Spetznatz, there is no evidence that Dr Mishkin had been a member of the special forces or had taken part in combat operations. Researchers for Bellingcat, however, spoke to a source close to Dr Mishkins grandmother who stated that the award may have been for his work in arranging the escape of Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraines pro-Moscow president, following the Maidan protests in 2014. Second suspect identified in Sergei Skripal poisoning The grandmother, who is also a doctor, brought up her grandson and is said to have the photograph of him being presented with the Hero award by President Putin. She disappeared from her home three days ago after the website announced that it will be revealing the real identity of Alexander Petrov. Bellingcat stated: The inclusion of a trained military doctor on the team implies that the purpose of the mission has been different from information gathering or other routine espionage activities. Bellingcat contacted various sources with knowledge of practices of Russian military intelligence who provided a range of options on what the relevance of the presence of a doctor in a foreign-operations team means. While some stated that the GRU was known to form multi-functional and multi-skilled teams as part of operational best practices, others suggested that a doctor would be a mandatory addition to a team tasked with poisoning a target either for ensuring effective application of the chemical, or to protect team members from accidental self-poisoning. A suspect has reportedly been arrested in connection with the rape and murder of a Bulgarian journalist, who had recently highlighted possible government corruption. The individual being held over the killing of Viktoria Marinova is a Romanian citizen with a passport from Moldova, according to unconfirmed reports from Bulgaria's interior ministry broadcast on national radio. Ms Marinova, 30, had hosted a show last month reporting on two investigative journalists who had been detained for their work surrounding a suspected fraud involving European Union (EU) funds. Recommended Journalist investigating alleged corruption found raped and murdered The presenters body was found dumped in a park in the city of Ruse, close to the banks of the Danube River on Saturday. Following the programme hosted by Ms Marinova, Bulgarias interior ministry said prosecutors were investigating GP Group, a large construction company alleged to have misused the EU money, and froze 14 million euros (12 million) in assets. While the reporter did not appear to have been intimately involved in uncovering the alleged fraud, her show touched on a sensitive subject in Bulgaria, where corruption is endemic. Early on Tuesday, volunteers combed bushes and ground in the park where Ms Marinova's body was found in an effort to find clues that could help police. Local had people observed a vigil overnight on Monday, where flowers and lit candles were laid in front of her image. European leaders have expressed shock at the killing. Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, said the commission expected a swift and thorough investigation that would bring those responsible to justice and clarify whether this attack was linked to her work. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty He quoted Mr Juncker as saying previously that too many journalists are being intimidated, attacked or murdered and there is no democracy without a free press. The German has also government sharply condemned the killing, with its foreign ministry saying it was imperative there was a fast investigation into the horrible event Bulgarian interior minister Mladen Marinov insisted on Monday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to Ms Marinova's work. Additional reporting by agencies A huge explosion and fires have hit an ammunition dump in Ukraine. Around 12,000 people were evacuated after a defence ministry ammo depot near the town of Ichnya, in the Chernigov region, blew up. There were two to three explosions a second, officials said. No casualties were reported. Ukraine's state security service said it was investigating possible sabotage, and the defence ministry's spokesman said the fact that explosions were set off in different parts of the depot pointed to sabotage. "There are no victims, wounded, injured or killed among military personnel, personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the local population," a Defence Ministry statement said. "As of 7am (0400 GMT), the intensity of explosions is two to three explosions per second." Emergency workers evacuate residents in the settlement of Druzhba (REUTERS) Hundreds of people and equipment were deployed to the site, a statement by the emergency services said, joined by the country's prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman, and the head of Ukraine's armed forces, Viktor Muzhenko. The president has called for a report. The airspace in a 12-mile radius has been closed and road and rail transport suspended. There have been several large fires at ammunition and weapons depots in recent years, an additional drain on Ukraines military, which has been fighting Russian-backed separatists in eastern regions of the country since 2014. About 10,000 people were evacuated, the statement by the emergency services said. From 04:22am (0122 GMT) the airspace within a radius of 20km has been closed. The movement of rail and road transport is suspended. Last year, massive explosions at a military depot in the Vynnytsya region, 168 miles west of Kiev, forced the authorities to evacuate 24,000 people. Additional reporting by Reuters They had repeatedly been on opposite sides of the Saudi divide. Jamal Khashoggi, the journalist in Riyadh, was the pundit who spoke in favour of the Saudi regime. Yahia Assiri, a 38-year-old former Saudi air force officer living in exile in London, spoke critically. On France 24, BBC, and other channels, they were invited on as talking heads. Mr Assiri said Mr Khashoggi was always polite, and reasonable, not like the Saudi regime defender who just last month angrily called for his execution in a segment that was edited out. Then one day late last year, Mr Khashoggi popped up in London and asked to see Mr Assiri. Over tea in the lobby of an upmarket West End hotel, Mr Khashoggi made an astonishing admission: he told Mr Assiri he had been right about the Saudi regime, and that Khashoggi himself now sought to join the opposition. He said, I am exactly like you, Mr Assiri recalled. I want democracy and freedom. I wanted it to be done more smoothly. I wanted to do it from the inside. But its not possible. Ive heard people very comfortably complain about whats going on with the government. Its just that now, its not tolerated in Saudi Arabia. Thats whats evolved and changed Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW Mr Khashoggis fate remains a mystery a week after he was caught on CCTV walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but then, according to Turkish officials, failed to leave. Friends and family members remain full of dread after Turkish officials said their preliminary conclusion based on security camera footage and airport transit data suggested that the 59-year-old had been killed inside the consulate, possibly dismembered, and removed from the facility with the help of 15 mysterious men somehow connected to Saudi authorities. Mr Assiri and others who knew Mr Khashoggi say his trajectory from loyal supporter of the Saudi system with strong ties to the elite to thoughtful dissident abroad made him a prime target for the Saudi security forces under the leadership of the countrys ambitious and powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. His transformation was rooted in both his own intellectual evolution as well as the increasingly intolerant Saudi state that made it all but impossible for even mild critics to have a voice. His views are the views that many Saudis I know have always expressed, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director of Human Rights Watch, and a friend of Mr Khashoggi. Ive heard people very comfortably complain about whats going on with the government. Its just that now, its not tolerated in Saudi Arabia. Thats whats evolved and changed. Mr Khashoggi had parallel careers. He was both a journalist and an adviser to a powerful Saudi prince, Turki bin Faisal, who has served as chief of intelligence, as well as ambassador to the US and UK. He later explained to friends that as Prince Turkis right-hand man, he was obliged to serve as a mouthpiece of the Saudi regime. But he also had access to the inner workings of secret Saudi dealings, including activities abroad such as newspapers, television outlets, pundits discreetly bankrolled by Riyadh and sycophantic royals seeking the favour of the monarchical elite. Protesters in Istanbul demand answers in the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khasoggi. As a journalist, however, Mr Khashoggi had long harboured doubts about Saudi Arabias course. Even when he was supporting the government, he was always saying we all want to have freedom and want our demands met, recalled Mr Assiri. He would say, Our government will do it in the future. Be optimistic. Even before his self-imposed exile, friction began to mount, beginning under King Abdullah, predecessor to the reigning King Salman. He was fired from the editorship of al-Watan, a leading Saudi newspaper. In 2015, Mr Khashoggi was named head of the new Bahrain-based pan-Arab television channel bankrolled by Prince al-Waleed bin Talal; it was ordered to close down within hours of its launch. The final straw came with the arrests of hundreds of royal family members, including Bin Talal, on vague corruption charges. They were locked up inside the Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh, with some allegedly subjected to torture. He was very conflicted about what to do, recalled Human Rights Watchs Ms Whitson. It was very much, Do I stay, or do I go? They had already fired him from numerous positions. They had banned him from writing. He concluded very rightly that he wasnt safe any more. He was warmly embraced by the US where he found numerous audiences for his work, as well as an exchange of ideas with scholars, journalists, activists, and policymakers outside of his normal sphere. In Washington, he was also able to spread his views uncensored, and in The Washington Post opinion pages, he acquired a platform to get his ideas out to a wide audience. He was highly in demand by think tanks at least those that werent funded by the Saudis. He came much more frequently in contact with a much wider array of people who had nuanced understandings of what was happening in Saudi Arabia and the region, said Ms Whitson. Jamal Khashoggi on Al Jazeera earlier this year the channel is owned by Saudi Arabias rival Qatar Over the past year, observers detected a sharpening of Mr Khashoggis criticism against of the Saudi leadership, and growing confidence about his opposition to the Crown Princes reign. In March, he told Al Jazeera, hosted and funded by the Saudi leaderships nemesis, Qatar, that Saudi Arabia would never evolve into a democracy under the current leadership. I havent heard [Crown Prince Salman] make even the slightest inference that he would open the country for power-sharing, for democracy, he said. Since his departure from Saudi Arabia, friends say he even began to account for his dual role, as a journalist and as an adjutant to the powerful Prince Bin Turki. At the meeting in the hotel lobby, Mr Assiri pressed him about his ties to the Saudi security and intelligence apparatus. He gave me concrete answers that gave me trust and confidence, he said, declining to reveal specific details of the private conversation. Joseph Bahout, a French-Lebanese scholar and friend of Mr Khashoggi, said that while he had long been a mild critic of the Saudi system, his views were changing, even hardening. In recent months, he had begun to express opposition to the Saudi war in Yemen, which is being waged by Crown Prince bin Salman. He had begun to liken the Crown Prince to Russia president Vladimir Putin and Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. He evolved gradually over the last two or three years; this is an evolution we all have, he said. It was prompted by the behaviours and excesses of the Crown Prince. Saudi Arabias ambassador to the US, Prince Khalid bin Salman, said that Mr Khashoggi continued to maintain ties with Saudi officials even after he left his country. More than anything, I think he was personally scared of Mohammed bin Salman Selim Sazak, academic Jamal has many friends in the Kingdom, including myself, and despite our differences, and his choice to go into his so called self-exile, we still maintained regular contact when he was in Washington, he said in a statement, denying his government had anything to do with his disappearance. During his time in Washington, he was an increasing presence at talks, lectures, and soirees where scholars, diplomats, and journalists mingle. Selim Sazak, a Turkish scholar based in Washington, ran into Mr Khashoggi perhaps half a dozen times over the past year. He described him as sharp, quick-witted and a bit of a contrarian, always on the lookout for a good debate. He did not appear to be guided by any particular ideology not Islamism or secularism or liberalism. He was mostly focused on the Crown Prince. More than anything, I think he was personally scared of Mohammed bin Salman, Mr Sazak said. That seemed to me like what guided his thinking. The submission of president of National Ayyappa Devotees Association had contended that verdict lifting ban was 'untenable and irrational'. A five-judge constitution bench headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, had in its 4:1 verdict, said banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and that the practice violates rights of Hindu women. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined an urgent hearing on a plea seeking review of its verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the Sabarimala Temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph had considered the submission of Shylaja Vijayan, president, National Ayyappa Devotees Association through lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara, which contended that the five-judge Constitution bench verdict lifting the ban was "absolutely untenable and irrational". "It will be listed in due course RPT course," the bench said, adding that in any case, the review petition will be heard in chamber and not in open court. The lawyer, appearing for the Devotees Association, also sought a stay on the verdict and said the temple would be opening on October 16 for pilgrimage. The bench, however, said the review petition can only be taken up after the Dussehra vacation. Besides the Association, another petition seeking review of the September 28 verdict of the apex court has also been filed by the Nair Service Society (NSS). A five-judge constitution bench headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, had in its 4:1 verdict, said banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and that the practice violates rights of Hindu women. The review petition filed by Vijayan submitted that, "Faith cannot be judged by scientific or rationale reasons or logic". "The notion that the judgment under review is revolutionary, one which removes the stigma or the concept of dirt or pollution associated with menstruation, is unfounded. It is a judgment welcomed by hypocrites who were aspiring for media headlines. On the merits of the case, as well, the said judgment is absolutely untenable and irrational, if not perverse," the petition submitted. The second petition filed by NSS, an organisation for the uplift and welfare of the Nair community, said as the deity is a 'Naistika Brahmachari, females before the age of 10 and after the age of 50 years are eligible to worship him and there is no practice of excluding worship by females. "Hence, the delay or wait for 40 years to worship cannot be considered as exclusionary and it is an error of law on the face of the judgement," the plea said. The NSS said many essential religious practices will be rendered void and the religion itself may be rendered out of existence if the general ground of equality under Article 14 is resorted to and the essential religious practices are tested on the principle of rationality. "Review judgment and order...on the ground that it is unconstitutional and void inasmuch as it is vitiated by errors apparent on the face of the record; that it is without jurisdiction or in excess of jurisdiction, that it is in violation of principles of natural justice and that it is in violation of express constitutional provisions," the plea filed by Devotees Association said. A former Miss Iraq beauty queen said she has fled to Jordan after being told youre next following the fatal shooting of Iraqi model, Tara Fares last month. Shimaa Qasim Abdulrahman, who won Miss Iraq in 2015, said she has been repeatedly threatened by Isis, who vowed to kidnap her if she refused to join the extremist group. But she decided to flee to Jordan shortly after Tara Fares, 22, voted one of Iraqs most followed social media stars, was shot dead in Baghdad on 27 September. Faress murder followed the deaths of at least three other prominent women, two of whom were beauticians and moved in the same social circles as Fares. Recommended Iraqi model and Instagram star shot dead in Baghdad Ms Qassim told Rudaw News, an Iraqi outlet, that the spate of killings was the tipping point. I was threatened with murder. My life was in danger. The killing of this many people scared me. I wasnt comfortable living there anymore. That is why I left Iraq and came to Jordan, she said. They said they would kill me ... I initially thought about going to live in Erbil. But the situation wasnt right, she added, referring to the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. She said that she was so afraid she hid at home. During the last few days I was in Baghdad, I didnt dare to even go out of my house. I was scared even at home. What is the difference between a serious threat and frightening someone? the beauty queen added. Many fear the murders are linked and part of a new trend that will see ultraconservative factions in Iraq increasingly target women deemed to be going against traditional societal norms. Shortly after Faress killing, Ms Qassim published a tearful video on YouTube saying women in Iraq were treated worse than slaughtered chickens and that she had been told she would meet the same fate. Fares, who was voted Miss Baghdad in 2015, and had nearly 3 million followers on Instagram, was shot dead in broad daylight at the wheel of her Porsche. The assailants, who attacked her in Baghdads Kam Sara neighbourhood, leaned through the car window and opened fire three times before escaping on a motorcycle. The 22-year-old lived in Erbil but regularly visited Baghdad. A few months before she was killed she had written on Instagram she was really afraid. Iraqs Interior minister Qasim al-Araji said on Monday that an unnamed extremist group was behind the murder. Security forces are making efforts to arrest the killers and reveal them to the Iraqi people, Kurdistan 24 reported him as saying. Tara Fares death: Iraqi model and Instagram star shot dead in Baghdad Days before Fares was murdered, Suad al-Ali, an Iraqi human rights activist and mother-of-four, was shot dead in similar circumstances in the southern city of Basra. Grainy CCTV footage purporting to show Alis killing showed she was gunned down seconds after she got into her car, parked to a supermarket. And in August, two prominent beauticians in Baghdad who may have known Fares died in mysterious circumstances within a week of each other. Rafif al-Yasiri, owner of the Barbie beauty centre, and Rasha al-Hassan both died in their homes. Little evidence has been made public as police investigations go on. Ms Qassim told Rudaw she had reached out to Iraqi security forces several times but had no concrete proof of who was threatening her. They killed many people in broad daylight. I couldnt wait to be killed, and then say Oh, that was a serious threat? Milans most convenient airport is to close during the summer peak next year for three months, affecting an estimated 2.5 million passengers. Linate, which is within the city limits and just six miles east of the iconic Duomo, is closing to have its single runway resurfaced. The closure was reported by the flight operations organisation, Ops Group. The last flight will take off on 26 July 2019, with the first arrival expected to be on 28 October. While it is standard practice among smaller Italian airports to close completely for runway work, with flights diverted to nearby alternatives, no previous closure has involved so important a gateway nor continued for so long. By far the biggest airline at Linate is Alitalia. The Italian national carrier has chronic financial problems, which are likely to be intensified by the closure of one of its key hubs. Most flights are thought likely to switch to Milan Malpensa, 30 miles north west of the city. But this airport second-busiest in Italy after Rome Fiumicino is already under pressure. If all the passengers who normally use Linate went to Malpensa instead, it would represent a 45 per cent increase in passenger numbers. The security search area in each terminal might find it hard to cope with a sharp increase in demand. Linate is the fifth-busiest airport in Italy. Its proximity to the centre makes it the preferred airport among business and leisure travellers. By taxi the centre of Italys financial hub is as little as 10 minutes away, while city-break weekenders can take advantage of a local bus to the heart of the city; the fare of 1.50 includes onward transportation by bus, tram or Metro. In contrast, the Malpensa Express costs 13 one way, takes nearly an hour and terminates at Milano Central station which, despite the name, is some way from the city centre. British Airways and easyJet operate frequent services to Linate from Heathrow and Gatwick respectively. A spokesperson for easyJet said: We are currently working with the airports to move our existing Linate programme across to Malpensa for the period of the closure. In the meantime the four routes we operate from Linate are also served by easyJet from Milan Malpensa so customers can choose to book onto those flights. Milan is served by a third airport, Orio al Serio, which is close to the city of Bergamo. It has overtaken Linate in passenger numbers, but is a dedicated low-cost hub and is unlikely to prove popular with travellers on other airlines. Turin Airport could potentially benefit from the closure; the city has excellent rail links to Milan and many other Italian cities. Linates old and tired terminal will also be refreshed during the closure. The highly constrained airfield footprint means substantial expansion is impossible. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, Linate was the location for a tragic accident in which 118 people died when an SAS jet collided with a light aircraft. Earlier in 2019, Dubai Airport will close one of its two runways for upgrading between 16 April and 30 May. The work is intended to boost safety, service and capacity levels. A significant number of services from the UK to the airport, on British Airways as well as Emirates, will be cancelled during the work. In one of the most surprising route announcements of the year, nonstop flights will soon connect Newquay in Cornwall with Copenhagen. From June 2019, SAS will fly between Newquay and the Danish capital twice a week through the summer. Cornwall Airport Newquay, as it now styles itself, handles about half-a-million passengers, while Copenhagen handles 30 million. While the new route is mainly aimed at inbound tourists to Cornwall, it will also open up a wide range of travel options with a one-stop connection in the Danish capital. Tim Jeans, the airports chairman, told The Independent: This new service unlocks the whole Scandinavian market into Cornwall. Hitherto a visit involved a flight to Birmingham or London and then a five-hour road journey. Now, through the SAS hub in Copenhagen, cities from Stavanger to Stockholm are just four hours away. Air connectivity into Cornwall is vital to our tourism economy and this new service will add many millions to business and enterprise across the region. The new route will, to some extent, compete with easyJet from Bristol to Copenhagen. The World's top 10 most beautiful airports Travelling from Newquay on the first SAS flight on 28 June for a week, the lowest return fare is 369. On the same dates from Bristol on easyJet, the cheapest ticket is 68 return. In 2016, Newquay was Britains fastest-growing airport. After a 5 passenger fee was dropped, passenger numbers increased by 60 per cent. Also in the southwest, Exeter Airport will see sharp expansion in the summer of 2019, with Ryanair flying to Malaga, Malta and Naples. Meanwhile, British Airways has announced that its new five-a-week link from Heathrow to Nashville will increase to a daily departure next summer. The airline says it is the fastest new route to move to a daily service in 10 years. Dramatic footage has emerged of a Ryanair plane being thrashed by Storm Ali winds as it attempted to take off at Birmingham Airport. The Alicante-bound aircraft was described as performing an Irish jig after its efforts for a smooth departure were quashed by high winds. Following an uneventful taxi down the runaway, the plane then bears the brunt of the high winds that resulted in traffic turmoil for travellers around the UK. In the hair-raising video, the plane can be seen lurching to the left as the nose wheels and right-hand wheels leave the ground. The plane then proceeds to tip to the right, as the left-hand wheels leave the ground. After a clumsy start, the plane finally becomes airborne. While the planes antics may strike many as hairy, the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) insisted that the bumbling plane was not unsafe. While it looks scary, its something pilots are routinely trained for and is no cause for alarm, a Balpa spokesperson told The Daily Mail. Pilots are specifically trained to fly the aircraft in all situations in which they might be expected to operate, including strong winds. The technique for taking off in windy condition varies from aircraft to aircraft but the general aim is to predict how the aircraft will want to react to the wind as the aircraft speed increases and apply control forces to keep it straight with the wings level. A serving long-haul captain reinforced this position, describing taking off in strong crosswinds as a bit rocky, without being intrinsically dangerous. Ryanair confirmed that the flight continued without incident". Despite unseasonably mild temperatures in the UK, the last month has seen adverse weather conditions affect travellers to and from the UK. Storm Ali resulted in the cancellation of flights and train services around the country, while dozens of flights were cancelled at London airports last week due to heavy fog. Travel disruptions are likely to continue as the Met Office issued a danger to life warning for Friday when strong winds are expected to hit Scotland and Northern Ireland. A decade after the collapse of Lehman Brothers the ultimate effects of the global financial crash are finally being felt. As Brexit takes Britain into unknown territory, and Europe seeks to remodel itself without us, there may be another major shift in the making. Since the end of the Second World War, no western European country border that is, no border to the west of Leipzig has moved. But now, thanks to the forces of nationalism revived by economic downturn, changes are afoot. By 2028, the map of Europe may have to be redrawn. There are at least three regions within European countries that are at potential risk of secession as a result of the current political turmoil: Catalonia from northern Spain; Northern Ireland from the UK; and South Tyrol from north-east Italy. How can you not sympathise with the plight of Catalans? Almost half the population of the region is deeply passionate about its unique culture, identity and politics. The appetite for a breakaway is there, but a handful of problems stand in the way of secession. One is the way the political elite in Barcelona is forcing its hand. Former governor Carles Puigdemont's language was, and still is, crude; so is that of his successor Quim Torra. Both have tried to create ethnic barriers between two groups Catalans with a purely Catalonian family tree, and those Catalans who speak Spanish at home and whose Galician and Andalusian family portraits embellish apartment corridors. Catalonia elections see pro-Independence parties gain overall majority in rebuke to Spain Feelings of mistrust between the sections of Catalan society are being artificially created by pro-independence nationalists, but many voters are wiser than that. They choose to rise above it; after all, there is nothing that Barcelonians like more than a bit of healthy banter with Madrid. All very mediatic. Nevertheless, the Catalan story is a compelling one, which George Orwell shared and celebrated a long time ago. For a reason. This is why chances of an unexpected break-up are not to be dismissed. The separatist rhetoric weavers are also quick on their feet. Northern Ireland is a second area of interest. It is going to face a major economic headache after March 2019. By leaving the EU, Northern Ireland will miss out on all-important agricultural subsidies and regeneration funds. In 2015, a study led by Dr Kurt Hubner of the University of British Columbia modelled different scenarios for Northern Ireland. It found out that leaving the UK joining the Republic of Ireland could generate 36bn of value over the first eight years of a united Ireland, with most of the economic benefits enjoyed by the northern territory. Fragile Belfast governments perpetually mediating between watchful, divided communities have propped up as much by London as they have by Brussels. Unionists, overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit in 2016, might instead find they must admit the need to opt for the financial support of an economically resurgent Dublin in the event of a major downturn a case of being more loyal to the half-crown than the crown, albeit a major test of historic political allegiances Finally, South Tyrol. The alpine region in Italy's north-east, no more than twice as wide as Luxembourg, is enjoying unusual prosperity with 2.9 per cent unemployment. It may not be on the international radar, but is consistently written about in the Italian press. The current executive in the capital Bolzano, where the local government has always been run by the same party, is flirting with Vienna as never before. The conservative chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, has repeatedly offered the Austrian passport to South Tyroleans, and a fast-growing minority quite likes the idea of accepting it. A referendum isn't on the cards just yet, but anti-Italian sentiment is bubbling away. There's a cultural clash at the foot of the Dolomites that's never been resolved: in the area, only one party is campaigning in both German and Italian (the latter spoken by 30 per cent of the electorate who will vote on 21 October for the local parliament) the pro-peace Greens. Elsewhere there are smaller battles starting to break out, such as the strive for independence on Denmarks Faroe Islands. A decade on from the financial crash, we need to get ready for another one prompted by the departure of the UK from the European Union. The impact of that will be to stimulate nationalistic tendencies and the urge for self determination - and could leave the European map looking very different indeed. Arguably it was kind of Penny Mordaunt to schedule her Brexit speech for 8am on Tuesday morning, if only to make it easier for the gathered media to understand their precise role in proceedings, which was to provide a laundry service where the international development secretary could drop off her conscience on the way to cabinet in the hope it might come out clean in the next days papers. It was well delivered, in its way, this latest attempt by a Tory Brexiter to unburden themselves from the heavily soiled consequences of their actions. If its inflections were just right, one imagines it might be because Ms Mordaunt has delivered it many times before, to her bedroom ceiling, wide eyed at 3am. Perhaps thats harsh. Perhaps she really does believe this stuff. Brexit, we learnt, not for the first time, was never about withdrawing from the world, it was about engaging with it more and more directly. Recommended DUP leader Arlene Foster meets EU officials for extensive Brexit talks And yet somehow and this must really rankle Ms Mordaunt because she could never possibly have foreseen it when she went into a polling booth and voted to leave the European Union a week after a Labour MP had been shot dead by a far-right gunman shouting the words "Britain First" she said: "There is a danger so-called populism, rising nationalism, protectionism and a lack of trust in the international system are philosophies which [are] seeking to get traction. Many of those who would try to turn us away from those qualities that have secured humanitys progress have sought to claim victory in the success of the Leave campaign. Indeed they have Penny, indeed they have. And if youd like just one reason for that, it might be because the Leave campaign of which you speak and this is not in any way contested very deliberately rejected all the old, optimistic, Eurosceptic campaign tactics of old: the Global Britain stuff, and the Out and into the World! slogan that lost by a mile in 1975. Instead, what they did was drive round the country in a bus with lies down the side and then told other lies about Turkey joining the EU, and issued posters with shadowy footprints sneaking into Britain through a back door, left ajar, marked with a British passport. There are few things more depressing in the world of political analysis than when a politician or a pundit looks at an electoral result and tells you what the people are telling us, because it is fundamentally impossible to know, and Ms Mourdant did at least acknowledge that none of us can look into the souls of our fellow countrymen and women, before, in her next breath, doing exactly that. I can say that during the referendum campaign I spoke to huge numbers of people, about their views and their feelings, she said. Many Leave voters were motivated by democracy, by accountable government, and by sovereignty. No doubt they were, but, as it happens, I have also spoken to huge numbers of Leave voters about their views and feelings. Like the guy during the immigration speech at Ukip's conference last week who shouted send them back. Or the chap who came up to Jacob Rees-Mogg when I was canvassing with him in Somerset, waving a copy of The Sun that had the refugee crisis on its front page and told him: Im glad theyre drowning. Penny Mourdant on Oxfam: If moral leadership isn't there then we cannot have you as a partner These people, Ms Mourdant is quite correct to claim, have a feeling that they have been left behind that they, their ambitions for their family, were not the politicians priorities. Shes right. And thats why these people were directly targeted by a wildly successful Leave campaign, which she now appears to think was about other things entirely and that somehow these people, who voted Brexit, are squarely behind Ms Mourdants new priorities, which involves publicly disowning them at 8am to make herself feel better. Over the last year there has been a mischaracterisation of the British people and their reasons for choosing to leave, she said, taking a long, deep look into the souls of millions of voters that were off limits just seconds ago. Youd be wrong to interpret Brexit as protectionist, nationalist, or selfish. Brexit, she said, was a noble and hopeful act. It was down to good British people, not bad boys. By whom she means Nigel Farage and co, who are nationalists, are vocal defenders of the protectionist policies of Donald Trump, and for whom fully four million people voted for at the 2015 general election, a direct electoral threat to the Conservative party and no one else, without which there would have been no referendum. But that referendum, it turns out, granted only to placate the bad boys, and in the certain knowledge it would never, actually, be lost, was suddenly an inspiring thing, true to the values she had just been imposing on millions of people that demonstrably do not have them. The very fact that we had a referendum, that we had the debate, that we had the vote, she said, that we have democracy is a sign of our strength and the qualities that we value. Maybe it is. Its just that, well, you sort of get the suspicion that if wed, you know, voted to remain in the European Union, then two years later members of the British government wouldnt be having to spend their time giving speeches about how the British people are really, really global, and not selfish little Englanders. So the fact that the vote for Brexit actually proved all those things arent true, and yet here she is, two years later, doing exactly that. Its just an unfathomable mystery, isnt it? No, no one can look into the souls of vast numbers of people, but you can count up the basic numbers involved. And you cant, unfortunately, ignore the tactics that were used to persuade them, for the precise reason that they were successful. Sorry Ms Mordaunt, weve tried our best, but the stains just wont come out. This week Im heading down to Google or at least to a huge building in London that Google has hired out for the launch of its latest phones. These big events are the highlights of the technology journalists calendar: March belongs to Samsungs flagship phone, while all of September is given over to the brand new iPhone. As October heralds autumn, it also brings with it Googles event. Tuesday will see the launch of the Google Pixel 3 phone, as well as a whole range of other new products. We know that because the company has leaked just about everything about the phones this year, losing control of them so much that some are already on sale on the black market. Today the House of Lords will begin debating the governments Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill. Like the many pieces of similarly named legislation passed by New Labour (two Terrorism Acts, the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Counter-Terrorism Act), it contains a number of new laws that amount to an unjustified and disproportionate reduction of civil liberties. The bill would make it a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison just to travel to certain places outside the UK specified by the home secretary. If you had a reasonable excuse for going (a term undefined by the bill), the burden would be on you to prove it. It would also criminalise viewing online content that is likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. Journalists, academic researchers and the innocently curious could all face up to 15 years in prison for a single, harmless click. The government asks us to trust it with these new state powers. It says it would only prosecute genuine terrorists. Yet recent history is littered with examples of anti-terror legislation being used against journalists, protesters and other innocent people, from Walter Wolfgang detained for heckling Jack Straw to David Miranda held for nine hours at Heathrow for helping the Guardian to report the Edward Snowden revelations. ACT counter terrorism campaign video encourages public to report suspicious behaviour The bill also expands a number of existing, illiberal state powers: to detain people at ports and airports without suspicion of any wrongdoing; and to hold innocent peoples DNA on record for several years. The government has failed to provide any evidence that expanding these powers will do anything to prevent terrorist attacks. This legislation would, in short, do little to fight terrorism but a lot to destroy British freedoms. Parliaments Joint Committee on Human Rights put it well when it said: This bill strikes the wrong balance between security and liberty. Thats why Liberal Democrat MPs voted against it in the House of Commons last month. As we filed through the No lobby, I confess I had hoped to see Jeremy Corbyn bringing his Labour MPs through with us. After all, he joined us on numerous occasions throughout the New Labour years to vote against similar laws being proposed by his own party: ID cards, 90-days detention without charge, the power to stop and search people without suspicion the Liberal Democrats opposed each of these affronts to traditional British civil liberties, and Corbyn was one of only a handful of Labour MPs to vote with us every time. I dont agree with Corbyn on many things, but I always admired the courage and conviction he displayed in standing up to his own partys government in defence of civil liberties. It was one of his defining causes during his 32 years on the backbenches. Indeed, its not long ago that he boasted that Ive been involved in opposing anti-terror legislation ever since I first went into parliament in 1983. But since becoming leader, Jeremy Corbyn has been notably absent in the fight to protect civil liberties. In 2016, he instructed his MPs to vote for Theresa Mays snoopers charter, which gave the government the power to collect and read everyones emails, texts and internet browsing histories. And last month, he ordered them to vote with the Conservatives to approve this latest assault. Indeed, only the Liberal Democrats and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas were left to oppose it, as the SNP failed to join us in the lobbies. Now I have passed the baton to my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the House of Lords. We have an excellent team there who will be striving to stop this bill or at least remove the worst parts from it. A number of influential crossbenchers have signalled their disapproval of the legislation too. But only if Labour actually opposes the government will we have any chance of defeating it. The human rights group Liberty says that this bill poses several significant threats to civil liberties and human rights and mistakes unreflective expansion of government power for evidence-driven responses to national security concerns. The former director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, now sits in the House of Lords as Corbyns shadow attorney general. I sincerely hope that she will listen to her former colleagues and join the Liberal Democrat peers in opposing these illiberal measures. I have no doubt that, if Baroness Chakrabarti were not on the Labour benches in the House of Lords, she would be outside parliament campaigning for this bills defeat just as she did for all those New Labour laws that we, together with Jeremy Corbyn, opposed. Now that shes on the inside, hopefully she can persuade her leader to rediscover his principles, reverse his position and join the Liberal Democrats in our fight to stop the erosion of civil liberties. Ed Davey is MP for Kingston and Surbiton and the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson The disappearance of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi from his countrys consulate in Istanbul, which comes only a week after a German court ordered the extradition of an Iranian diplomat to France accused of involvement in a planned terrorist bombing, reminds us that Russia is far from the only state that is a major danger to peace and Western interests. That the president of Turkey has accused the Saudi government of sending a team of 15 agents to torture and murder Mr Khashoggi in the consulate is remarkable. That both states are western allies in the worlds most dangerous region makes this especially worrying. We obsess about Russian espionage, while we have for decades ignored the deeply malign influence of Saudi Arabia, which has spent vast sums of money spreading the least tolerant interpretations of Islam, and this has inevitably led to the terrorist atrocities across the west since 9/11. Similarly, we ignore the malign influence of Iran, which makes any progress towards Israeli/Palestinian peace impossible by sponsoring the terrorist movements Hamas and Hezbollah. We need a more realistic view of the threats facing us in an increasingly chaotic and dangerous world, and we need to spend a great deal more money on countering them. Otto Inglis Edinburgh The perils of toxic masculinity Its not often I agree with a Jenny Eclair piece, but after the latest Trump/Kavanaugh debacle and the countless others she includes, its hard not to feel furious at the nature of this sordid media backslapping that goes on in certain circles. This toxic male culture must die. David Murphy Address supplied Brexit will break up the United Kingdom It is interesting to note that Theresa Mays determination to keep the United Kingdom together will be at great risk due to Brexit. Scotland will seek independence after being taken out of the European Union against the nations wishes. Scotland will then seek to rejoin the EU. A significant proportion of the Welsh population are even suggesting a break away post-Brexit, and there is now a majority in Northern Ireland wanting to unite with the south in order to remain in the EU, and retain the support they receive from it. It is just 10 DUP fanatical unionists who are propping up Mays government who want to stay in the UK and take the UK out of the EU. These 10 politicians not only represent a minority of Northern Irish people, they are also holding the balance of power in the entire United Kingdom. The most pertinent message to the people of England who voted to leave and break up a united Europe is be careful what you wish for. Because what you wish for will not only begin the tragic breakup of a very young united Europe, it will also precipitate the break up of an old and fragile United Kingdom. Martin Deighton Woodbridge Nicola Sturgeons hyperbole is becoming harder to swallow Preparing her setpiece speech for the SNP conference, Nicola Sturgeon had a dilemma. She had to ensure she did not say anything too specific about what her audience really wanted to hear about, namely indyref2. Equally, she had to side step the daily news of drift in the public services that are so clearly feeling the effects of the heavy hand of 11 years of SNP rule. Yet somehow the first minister needed to ensure what she delivered would be stirring stuff for the SNP faithful. Then she turned to her trusted dictionary of hyperbole and found the way out. Looking up all the best of good and bad words she then sprinkled them into her speech to ensure the most extreme contrast possible between the SNP and the UK governments, and between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK. So, she told us an independent Scotland offers a beacon of progressive values, while the UK government and the rest of the UK now always referred to collectively by the SNP as Westminster know only an unfolding calamity and despair. She went on to explain that through the SNPs vision of optimism and hope an independent Scotland would offer equality, opportunity, diversity, and fairness. A true nationalist nirvana then, but as far removed from the realities of day to day life in Scotland as it is possible to imagine. Presumably, if we can just find it in ourselves to give the SNP the absolute power it craves, all of these wonders will appear like a mirage out of the Scottish mist. Keith Howell West Linton Treating Scotland like a second-class nation? Ian Blackford, SNP leader in the Commons, has threatened maximum disruption if the government allegedly continues to treat Scotland as a second-class nation. Addressing the SNP faithful and getting into his stride, he fulminated: The Tories think they can do whatever they want to Scotland and get away with it. Yes, the wicked Tories are providing Scotland with the extra 13.4bn over and above what Scots generate in revenue, and are thereby keeping Scottish public services afloat. What rotters! Blackford seems unaware that the best way to deal with spoilt kids who drum their heels on the floor and shout I want! I want! is to ignore them. If he and his colleagues want to walk out of parliament again, let them. It could make the voting arithmetic a lot clearer. Jill Stephenson Edinburgh Shaun Baileys bid for London mayor It would appear that the Conservatives didnt do their due diligence when it came to picking Shaun Bailey as their mayoral candidate. Theresa May last week talked about the Conservatives being the party which could bring the country together. Bailey once wrote that single mums deliberately become pregnant for free flats and benefits. He also suggested that becoming a single Mum had become a cottage industry. He also suggested that allowing Hindus and Muslims to have time off would rob Britain of its community and turn the country into a crime ridden cesspool. Zac Goldsmiths 2016 campaign now looks remarkably liberal by comparison. Chris Key London TW12 Before 2018, the Republican argument I wont vote for someone because they are a woman, but because they are the best candidate for the position would have been enough to rationalise yet another year of men running Capitol Hill. The basis of this argument is rational: dont support a candidate who doesnt fully deserve it. But this argument hasnt been used against the party that invented it, and it being 2018 a tremendous year of triumph and tribulation for womens rights I believe its time to turn the tables. It is no longer the job of a party, but that of a candidate, to justify why they deserve our vote and too many candidates are failing to do so. As midterm elections are coming up, it is becoming apparent that theres a woman problem in the GOP, and it is going to do some long-term damage to Americas conservative party if they do not work to solve it. One such candidate is Marsha Blackburn, a Republican who is running to become Tennessees first female senator. When asked what the potential significance her election could have for womens rights, she told The Washington Post: I dont campaign on the gender issue. Needless to say, the gender issue, also known at one point as the right to vote, should not be belittled by any current political candidate. Trump is unfit to lead a divided America, says Republican senator Ben Sasse Not only is Blackburn refusing to acknowledge part of her identity, but she is failing to stand up on behalf of women as a whole. Blackburn may have been the ideal conservative candidate in the past (minus the dick), favouring national security and disapproving of high taxes, but this is no longer enough and its showing. This midterm election was expected to be a landslide in Blackburns favour. In the last presidential election, 61 per cent of Tennessees voters opted for Trump. Still, the results are expected to be very close. Even Taylor Swift recently took to Instagram to acknowledge her disapproval. [Blackburns] voting record in Congress appals and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women, Swift wrote. She voted against the reauthorisation of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. Im not sure when advocating for womens rights became separate from the Republican Party, but it should no longer be acceptable. Women have already given up too much in the fight for equality. One of the few Republican women embracing her gender as a part of her campaign for Senate is Martha McSally from Arizona. In her announcement video for Senate, she says: I told Washington Republicans to grow a pair of ovaries and get the job done. McSallys willingness to embrace her gender needs to become a more widely accepted idea to conservatives. She proves that being conservative and supporting women isnt mutually exclusive. You can be a champion of your party and openly support female rights. Its important to note that these are the faults of the Republican Party. The Democratic Party has time and time again proved their willingness to support different genders, races, and sexual orientations something that the Republican Party should learn from. Before Americans scramble to the voting booths to vote in the midterm elections, I encourage voters to ask themselves the tried-and-true question: are you voting for this candidate because they are the most qualified? If your candidate cant take a stance to promote equality among men, women, or any gender for that matter, they should not be rewarded with your vote. The basis of this argument is rational: dont support a candidate that doesnt fully deserve it. As per this agreement, India is to purchase 36 combat jets from France for an estimated cost of Rs 58,000 crore. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday posted for hearing on October 10 a writ petition filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda for a direction to the Centre to file details of the Rafale fighter jets agreement entered into between the Union of India and France in a sealed envelop. A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K.M. Joseph told advocate Vineed Dhanda that it will be heard on Wednes-day along with a PIL filed by advocate M.L. Sharma. The petitioner said that there has been a lot of controversy with regard to the agreement which has been entered into bet-ween the India and Dass-ault Aviation, a French Company. As per this agreement, India is to pu-rchase 36 combat jets from France for an estimated cost of `58,000 crore. There has been lot of opposition and criticism by the Oppostion parties, which have gone to the extent of calling the Prime Minsiter a thief. Unless the Centre is directed to submit the details of the agreement in a sealed cover, it would not be possible to meet the allegations, he added. Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh, the Rajya Sabha MP of AAP, filed a PIL seeking SIT probe into the deal regarding the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets and the abrupt cancellation of Request for Proposal for the purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets, announced, negotiated between the Government of India and the French government. He said it was mutually agreed that 18 Rafale jets were to be delivered by the French company in flyaway condition and remaining 108 fighter jets were to be manufactured in India at the plants of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as licensee of Dassault, and also the French company Dassault was to provide the technology to HAL for the manufacture of 108 Rafale jets. This agreement has been cancelled and a new agreement with a private company has been entered upon, he said and sought a SIT probe into the entire deal. Have you got the popcorn ready? The show is about to begin. But if you don't get a chance to school yourself before the watercooler/bar stool chatter, choose a few of the below to help you fit right in. Here are ten of the things youre likely to hear on Tuesday, October 9. 1) "I thought the boom was back, so where's the cash?" With 2.6bn of the 3.4bn the Government has for new spending already committed for public sector pay hikes and demographics, this leaves just 800m to play around with, and it will be split 2:1 in favour of spending over tax cuts. In short, feck all to go around. 2) "Will this be the year I'll eventually have my own home?" Not likely. While proposals for a special savings and affordable housing scheme to help first-time buyers, as well as a nationwide freeze on rents nationwide and a vacant home levy have been bandied about as part of Budget 2019, don't expect a dramatic change in circumstance come next January. 3) "That's it... I'm giving up the fags" Excise duty on cigarettes will increase - but it is not yet decided whether the 50c hike applied last year will be repeated. Nonetheless, even if it is, Tuesday's pledge will most likely change to "I can't believe my fags cost this much" on Wednesday. 4) "So I'm still working to pay the creche fees then" Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has been exploring how targeted childcare subsidies can be expanded in the upcoming Budget to include more squeezed workers in both the public and private sectors. But costs are still likely to exceed the mortgage payments. 5) "What the hell is carbon tax? And why do I have to pay for it?" We all (theoretically) love our planet, and our little island, and rolling measures out to mitigate climate change seems like a really good idea - before it hits your pocket. And if you happen to commute in a Diesel car... 6) "Oh yes Brexit - are we still waiting for that?" While Britain voted in favour of leaving the EU in June 2016, the date of the official exit is March 2019. Six months out from D-Day, businesses, agencies and individuals that will be potentially impacted by Brexit are still calling for extra support. But 'final' discussions are still very much underway. 7) "I wonder if Michael D will get to stay in Phoenix Park" With none of the fanfare of previous austerity budgets - and not a whole lot of money to go around - many of us have lost interest in what will be announced on the plinth. The presidential election seems Much more exciting. 8) "Can we tap into that 13bn [plus interest] we back from Apple?" Since the Government does not accept the Commission's analysis in the Apple State aid decision and have lodged an appeal with the European Courts, we're looking at an appeal process that could take, oh, about five years. And then Apple could be getting their cash back. So no. 9) "I couldn't give a toss what colour his tie is" Refer to 6. Interest in the Budget - without the prospect of much brighter things - has waned. 10) Jaysus, it's all a bit of a wet blanket, isn't it? The long and short of it is that the amount of money that's left to go around isn't really going to create any major impact. The squeezed middle income earners are likely to be more deflated than most with nothing more exciting than small cuts to the Universal Social Charge (USC) and minor tweaking widening of tax bands on the cards. Study: Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe reviews the final figures for Budget 2019 in his office in the Department of Finance. Photo: Gerry Mooney Up to 67,000 pensioners who took time out of work to care for their families could see a cash boost worth more than 30 a week by the end of March. Pensioners, mainly women and those who retired over the past six years on less than the 243 a week State pension, are set to benefit most with a double-whammy in payments. This is because of an expected hike of up to a fiver in the contributory pension in today's Budget, as well as an increase due to a new way of calculating their payment. Most of them are set for an increase due to the new calculation method, according to Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty. A review of their social insurance records has kicked off and they are due the increase, backdated to March, early next year. This could coincide with payment of the 5 Budget hike, which is expected from March. Most of those who will benefit from the new method of calculating pensions - known as a 'total contributions' approach' - are women who took time out to mind children. They lost out because of a change in State rules on how their entitlements are assessed. Those who made the lowest average contributions during their working lives have been given a smaller portion of the full pension since 2012. The new assessment method gives credit for time spent in parenting or caring duties. Age Action Ireland estimates that the average loss was between 20 and 31 a week. "We will be pleased that people would see an increase in their pension entitlements," said senior policy officer Corona Joyce. "However, we continue to receive calls from thousands of people who remain affected by the cuts." She said they include those who worked in countries without bilateral agreements with the Republic allowing them to transfer their contributions record here and the self-employed, who were not required to make contributions before 1988. The Department of Social Protection will be sending letters to the 67,000 pensioners within weeks detailing the review. EDUCATION has been allocated 10.8bn in Budget 2019, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe announced today. While funding is up 674million (6.7pc) from 2018, the Irish Universities Association has warned it is not enough, as they warned of a growing crisis. IUA Director General Jim Miley said is has "done very little to address the growing crisis in third-level funding." According to the IUA, the allocation of 57m million in extra funding on top of existing commitments on national pay increases, "while welcome, only allows the system to tread water". Mr Miley said bulk of the money was ring-fenced for specific purposes and does not deal with the core funding gap. Commenting on the promise of f a Human Capital Initiative Fund in two years time, Mr Miley said it did nothing to address the current funding shortfall. While the fund was welcome, "this amounts to no more than a future promise and does nothing to address the needs of the quarter of a million strong student population in our third level system", he said. Mr Miley said state funding per student remained virtually unchanged "as the small allocation of extra funds is mopped up by increasing student numbers. Expand Close Paschal Donohoe pictured with Budget 2019 (Photo: Gerry Mooney) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paschal Donohoe pictured with Budget 2019 (Photo: Gerry Mooney) "State funding per third level student in Ireland at 5,000 is a fraction of that in Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland, countries with whom we are in competition for investment. "It is a serious cause of concern that the government has not prioritised the education of the future workforce of the country. Third level funding is critical to generating the talent pool for the economy. Our future economic competitiveness will be eroded if the public funding deficit is not addressed. "Its patent nonsense for the Minister to continue to talk about having the best education system in Europe by 2026 while presiding over a funding regime that only provides a fraction of the funding per student of those best countries in Europe." Here are ten other things that were announced in Budget 2019 for Education: Families are to benefit from 100,000 extra GP-only medical cards, increased childcare subsidies and an income tax cut in todays Budget. Income thresholds to qualify for a free doctor and the Affordable Childcare Scheme are to be substantially hiked. Workers will get 5 a week back through changes to the income tax bands and USC, while all social welfare recipients, including pensioners, will also get a 5 boost. These will be primarily paid for by a VAT rise to 13.5pc in the hospitality sector. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has backtracked on long-planned increases to petrol and diesel through carbon tax. Other measures include: Back to School Allowance up 25; Fuel Allowance extended by a week; 25c increase to the minimum wage; Home Carers Tax Credit up 300; Inheritance Tax threshold to rise by 10,000 to 320,000; Granny-flat grant. The talks on the Budget went down to the wire last night after the Independent Alliance members of Government arrived in Paschal Donohoe's office with fresh demands. It is understood they secured a 10,000 rise in the existing threshold for inheritance tax for children who are left property by their parents - something Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ruled out just last month. They also got a commitment that Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy will establish a 'Home Conversion Grant Scheme' to help 'empty nesters' convert their houses into two units. Expand Close Additional funding: Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone. Photo: Frank McGrath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Additional funding: Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone. Photo: Frank McGrath Tourism Minister Shane Ross lost the battle to stop the special 9pc VAT for the hospitality sector being hiked to 13.5pc. However, he is understood to have got in the region of 40m for tourism initiatives as compensation. In a video message last night, Mr Donohoe said the Budget would "benefit families by looking to make childcare more affordable, looking to ensure that the cost of really important medical services get a little bit cheaper than it is at the moment". The Irish Independent understands that Health Minister Simon Harris's budget is to stretch beyond 16bn next year. This will allow for 100,000 new GP-only medical cards, a 50pc per item reduction in prescription costs for older people and a lowering by 10 of the maximum a family can pay for medicine in a single month. There will also be a dedicated allocation for Slaintecare, an additional 55m for mental health services and funding for 100 new therapists to improve assessments of children with special needs. In the area of childcare, parents with incomes of up to 60,000 after tax will be able to avail of an extra subsidy, provided they are also in receipt of a social welfare payment. Around 16,000 children up to the age of 15 are to be brought into the Affordable Childcare Scheme for the first time. Children's Minister Katherine Zappone plans to use a large chunk of the additional 90m she secured in negotiations with the Finance Minister to significantly expand her flagship scheme. At present, families with a net income of 47,500 who have a medical card, or get other assistance from social protection can qualify for childcare subsidies ranging from 50 to 145 a week depending on circumstances. The Irish Independent understands the qualifying threshold will rise to 60,000 per couple (around 85,000 gross). Many families of the 45,000 children who already avail of the targeted subsidies since they were introduced 12 months ago will also see their payments increase. There will be a significant increase to the capitation levels paid to schools - but they will not be restored to pre- recession rates. A pilot scheme for the new Special Needs Assistants will get 5m. Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty's package also includes an extra two weeks' parental leave for workers with newborns - but it won't come into effect until late 2019. The Back To School Allowance is to rise by 25 next year. It is also understood there will be "more generous" assessment levels for families getting the Working Family Payment and the One Parent Family payment next year. Lone parents will be able to earn around 1,000 more per year under new thresholds. Older people can look forward to a 5 pension rise, while the winter fuel allowance will be now paid for 28 weeks instead of 27. Opinions on carbon tax remained divided in Government last night, but well-placed sources said planned hikes had been dropped. Mr Donohoe has faced lobbying from his own TDs who feared a backlash in rural Ireland. It is understood he will target diesel cars through registration tax instead. The 0pc benefit-in-kind tax rate for electric vehicles is being maintained, while local authorities are to get funding for more charging points. On housing, Mr Donohoe has agreed a package with Fianna Fail including 300m for an affordable housing scheme. Separately, sources say he will use his speech to promise that any changes to the Local Property Tax in 2020 will not affect the most vulnerable. Cigarettes will go up 50 cents but excise on alcohol will not change. Callum Lavery and Nicole Glennon feel there wasn't enough for students in Budget 2019 There have been claims that Budget 2019 does "very little to address the growing crisis in third-level funding. The Irish Universities Association has said that the extra 57m alloted to them "only allows the system to tread water" and will impact on the education and prospect of the next generation of graduates. Two third-level students have spoken to us about the issues affecting them, including housing, mental health and an increase to the minimum wage. Callum Lavery: "It was not a Budget for students, but it was never going to be" Expand Close Callum Lavery / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Callum Lavery The lack of commitment by the Government to higher education funding shows that Budget 2019 will do little to help students. Budget 2019 has been a missed opportunity which will do nothing to address the major gap in core funding for higher education, and leaves students and faculty feeling under-appreciated and forgotten. Rather than assist students, this years Budget set aside 1.5 billion for a future rainy day fund, while students and staff across the country scream that their rainy day is now. From failing institutions, paying the second highest fees in Europe and the current accommodation crises, students feel that this Budget never had them in mind. For yet another year no income-contingent student loans were announced, while the SUSI grant will remain at the same rate for the seventh year in a row. Despite pleads from middle income earners to be able to access the scheme, no changes have been made. Even though this Budget announced an additional 3,500 places in Higher Education next year, how will students afford to take them? The most disheartening take away of this years Budget was the little done to alleviate the student rental crises, with no significant increases towards purpose built student accommodation. With many members of the USI and Irish Federation University Teachers (IFUT) calling it a landlords Budget, not a students Budget. On the upside, Budget 2019 determined that the rate of the National Training Fund (NTF) will rise by 0.1pc to 0.9pc in the coming year, and plans to increase it by a further 0.9pc in 2020. An increase of 7,000 apprenticeship registrations, and 10 new apprenticeship schemes being approved will be warmly welcomed by those who do not find university education to their taste. The 84 million addition to Mental Health Services in 2019 will be one of the most popular announcements of the Budget to students, especially with reports of plans to strengthen the counselling services in higher education. The 25c boost to the minimum wage will in no doubt also be favourable to working students and could assist with the rising cost of third level. However, it is not yet known how the 13.5pc VAT on hospitality, and carbon tax increase might balance the scales for commuter and renters especially. It was not a Budget for students, but it was never going to be. The USI fooled themselves with idea of grandeur and importance. Students were never going to be a priority and it was by sheer luck that we got the funding we did. The positive take away this year will be the increase to mental health services and apprenticeships. For everything else, students will have to wait it out in the cold for yet another year, quite literally. Nicole Glennon: "The Government has forgotten its future - let's remind them we have a vote" Expand Close Nicole Glennon / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nicole Glennon The Government has promised Budget 2019 will put money back in peoples pockets, but it seems that, as far as Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is concerned, students are not categorised as people. Another year, another budget and once again weve been forgotten about. Despite the soaring cost of student accommodation there has been no rental capitations for student housing, no adjustment to tuition fees and no increase in the SUSI grant. Earlier this month students took to the street with housing and homeless charities to highlight the impact of the accommodation crisis in the 'Raise the Roof' rally. Following the rally, at least 100 students staged a sit down protest outside Government Buildings. Despite students taking to the streets to call this what it is, a crisis, the government has failed to act. The increase in student numbers at Irish universities has not been reflected in state funding which remains virtually unchanged. State funding per third level student in Ireland (5,000) is a fraction of that in other European countries. And if that isnt enough, your student social life may also be affected - depending on your choice of poison. If youre a smoker, a pack of 20 cigarettes will go up 50 cents. Theres been no increase in VAT on alcohol, so if you can afford to drink in pubs, you can do so at no extra cost. For the majority of us who are drinking in our cramped student flats, recently introduced minimum alcohol pricing means that this is about to get more expensive. And even those students with more healthy vices will be hit too. Restaurants and cinemas will be among the businesses affected by the budget with VAT increasing from 9pc to 13.5pc. There is one bit of good news - the minimum wage for your part time job will see you get an extra 20c on the hour with the new minimum wage set at 9.80. Nada if you're on an unpaid internship. If you were hoping the government may have looked out for students in other ways, dont get your hopes up. The mental health budget may have gotten a boost, but its still merely 1 billion in a health budget of 17 billion. Plans to address the environmental crisis by implementing a carbon tax hike have failed to materialise,something that will affect our generation far more than anyone sitting in the Dail today. In summary, the Government has forgotten its future once more. While you may have had students knocking on your door to campaign for recent referendums or seen them marching down the capitals street, it seems the government have been oblivious. Its 2018 and students are struggling to get a third-level education due to financial strain, theyre being forced out of their home country to find work abroad because they cant afford to rent in the current climate and now they cant even afford a smoke. It seems that the Government doesnt think theyll face any backlash from us. Its time we start showing that they will. Weve taken to the streets, now its time to take to the polls. Lets remind the Government we have more than a voice, weve a vote. Weve nothing to lose. We had nothing anyway. For mother of four Bernie Stenson and her husband Barry, Budget 2019 is a petty attempt to keep everyone happy for an impending election. The advanced practitioner at a Dublin based hospital, believes any tax break her family are entitled to wont make a dent on their costly monthly expenses. My husband and I work extremely hard to support our family and benefiting from an extra 150 in tax relief isnt going to have much of an impact at all. I feel like nothing is being done for working couples. Thank God we bought or house when we did because theres not a chance wed be able to save for a mortgage while taking care of our family. My four-year-old will benefit from the increase in the GP visitor card, but this will be miniscule. It seems like this was simply an election budget created to keep everyone reasonably happy, she said. Ms Stenson added that in her own profession, the pay for nurses is so bad that thousands continue to flee the country in search of better conditions. At first glance it looks like a lot of money is going towards health, but theyre not saying where abouts. Were always throwing money at the health sector, but we dont seem to be getting any closer in solving this crisis. Expand Close Bernie Stenson Picture: Arthur Carron. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bernie Stenson Picture: Arthur Carron. Proper panning is essential, but there doesnt seem to be any of that going on. Its October already and we dont even have a winter plan. Im very disappointed that this budget doesnt have anything significant for nurses. The rate theyre leaving this country is extraordinary and I dont blame them. They work incredibly hard and the wage theyre on makes it impossible for them to save for a mortgage or have any real lifestyle if they live alone. I love nursing, but its a different environment now than it was when I first started 20 years ago. Its frightening to think how worse the health sector can get if their conditions dont improve. The INMO has welcomed the extra investment in Irelands public health service, but questioned the inaction on the recruitment and retention crisis in nursing and midwifery. The organisation says the HSE has been unable to hire and retain sufficient nurses and midwives to run services, and have been forced to use expensive overseas recruiters and agency staff. Recruitment of overseas staff costs over 10,000 per person hired, and by July, agency nurses and midwives had already cost over 50m in 2018. With over 500 patients waiting on trolleys today, the health service is unable to cope. The HSE simply cannot hire enough on these pay levels and the exodus of Irelands highly trained nurses and midwives will continue, said INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha. The Government plans to take 1.5bn from the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and add on 500m per year to create a rainy day fund of 3bn by 2021. (Stock image) Students are protesting outside Leinster House this morning against the proposed allocation of 500m to the Government's Rainy Day Fund. Members of the Union of Students in Ireland opted for umbrellas instead of pickets in a bid to highlight how education "needs investment made now, not on some future rainy day". THE RAINY DAY IS NOW. The Cassells report said we needed funding of 600m a year, the government announcing only 300m until 2021 today would be grossly inadequate. #EducationIs #Budget19 pic.twitter.com/Lpk1h2AJJj Michelle Byrne (@Michelle_Byrne_) October 9, 2018 The USI is calling on the Government to use the money to invest in higher education funding and to address the housing crisis as many students struggle to find affordable accommodation. In this year's Budget, 500m is to be set aside for the fund - but why are we keeping money stored away when we're in the middle of a housing crisis and our health services are in dire need of a cash injection? Here's everything you need to know. Why was the fund introduced? The fund was part of a government plan aimed at mitigating the effects of future external economic shocks. For instance, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it could be raided in the event of a "chaotic Brexit". Plans for the rainy day fund to help balance the economy were first unveiled in the 2016 Summer Economic Statement. Our economic history especially the most recent history highlights the importance of creating a fiscal safety buffer to help absorb the shocks that are inevitable in the future while, at the same time, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the public finances, it states. How does it work? The plan is to take 1.5bn from the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), add on 500m per year for three years and by 2021 we have a rainy day fund of 3bn. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe arrives to work on Budget Day 2019(Photo: Gerry Mooney) Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe arrives to work on Budget Day (Photo: Gerry Mooney) Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe arrives to work on Budget Day (Photo: Gerry Mooney) Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe arrives to work on Budget Day (Photo: Gerry Mooney) Department of Finance on Budget Day (Photo: Gerry Mooney) As day breaks over Government buildings and people make thier way to work, what can middle income earners expect from Budget 2019. Picture; Gerry Mooney Paschal Donohoe pictured with Budget 2019 (Photo: Gerry Mooney) Department of the Taoiseach on Budget Day (Photo: Gerry Mooney) Paschal Donohoe pictured with Budget 2019 (Photo: Gerry Mooney) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe arrives to work on Budget Day 2019(Photo: Gerry Mooney) It appears in the accounts as capital spending since it provides an asset, just like a new road or hospital. Except that it is a financial asset; created instantly on the government books, unlike a hospital. We don't know what it will go actually go towards. So, could it be used for bailing out the banks then? Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe hasn't ruled that prospect out. I would not expect the rainy day fund to be required to bail out banks. However... we do not know what crises we could be faced with in the future, he previously said. Sinn Fein has been critical of the fund, saying the only reasonable conclusion is that it will be used for bailing out the banks. Cork North Central TD Jonathan OBrien said this week: The only shock this economy has witnessed in the past decade is a financial crash that was followed by a bailout of the banks. This is unacceptable and covers the rainy day fund in a total lack of transparency; 500 million is not a small sum. But a huge allocation of revenue that could be invested into our creaking health services and broken housing sector, he added. Do we actually need one? There are mixed opinions on this. Some feel it is depriving the country of vital resources needed now - such as more homes - but others feel it will help us survive in the event of another economic disaster like the crash. Of course, money from the fund could eventually be used to provide infrastructure in the country. But for now, the Rainy Day Fund will remain tucked away. Women have not yet started entering the hill-top temple as this month it will open for 5 days starting October 18. New Delhi: Two petitions challenging the Supreme Court order allowing women of all ages to enter Keralas Sabarimala temple were filed in the top court on Monday, claiming that its September 28 verdict to lift the centuries-old ban was absolutely untenable and irrational and no match for the voice of people. The separate pleas have been filed by the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the National Ayyappa Devotees Association at a time when chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised those protesting against the top courts order and said the state government will implement its verdict. The NSS, an organisation for the upliftment and welfare of the Nair community, contended that the temples now-scrapped practice of restricting the entry of girls and women aged between 10 and 50 years did not amount to discrimination on the ground of sex. The delay or wait for 40 years to worship cannot be considered as exclusionary and it is an error of law on the face of the judgment, the plea said. The NSS said that many essential religious practices will be rendered void and the religion itself may be rendered out of existence if the general ground of equality under Article 14 is res-orted to and religious practices are tested on the principle of rationality. The petitioners believe that no legal luminary, not even the greatest of jurists or a judge, can be a match to the common sense and wisdom of the masses. No judicial pronouncement, even of the highest judicial tribunal in this country... can be a match for the voice of the people, said the NSS petition settled by former attorney-general K. Parasaran and filed through advocate K.V. Mohan. It said that religious practice is a matter of faith prevalent for centuries and the ban had a reasonable relation to the object of preserving the character and identity of Lord Ayyapa as Naishtika Brahmachari. Shylaja Vijayan, president of the National Ayyappa Devotees Association, which is not a party to the original petition filed by Indian Young Lawyers Association, contended in its petition that the verdict violated the fundamental rights of millions of people, the devotees of Lord Ayyappa. The judgment is absolutely untenable and irrational, if not perverse, said the associations plea, filed through advocate Mathews J. Nedumpara. The association sought a review of the verdict on the grounds that it is unconstitutional, without jurisdiction or in excess of jurisdiction, violates the principle of natural justice and constitutional provisions. The petitioner pointed out to how the Supreme Courts Jallikattu verdict was overturned through a legislation following widespread protests from people and compared the protests taking place in Kerala after Sabarimala verdict to the ones that followed a the ban on the bull-taming sport organised in Tamil Nadu during Pongal festival. The association sought the restoration of the ban on womens entry into the temple saying Lord Ayyappa wanted to prevent himself from being distracted by the presence of ladies of fertile ages and this is a matter of faith. Faith cannot be judged by scientific or rationale reasons or logic. The educated devotees of Kerala understood it as no kind of discrimination; the women devotees are allowed to enter thousands of other temples in Kerala and worship Lord Ayyappa, the petitioner said. The notion that the judgment under review is revolutionary, one which removes the stigma or the concept of dirt or pollution associated with menstruation, is unfounded. It is a judgment welcomed by hypocrites who were aspiring for media headlines, said the petition. The September 28 judgment of the Supreme Court proceeds on the foundation that the practice of banning the entry of girls and women aged 10 to 50 years is derogatory to women, but the practice is not linked to physiological occurrences but to the character of the deity who is a Naistika Brahmachari, the association said. Since review petitions are normally decided by the judges in chamber, an opportunity of oral hearing has been sought in the review petition by the NSS. The day is here, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe unveils Budget 2019 and here's five ways it will affect your wallet. 1) A fiver for all Workers and welfare recipients are set to see their weekly income increase by around 5 a week. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will today announce a series of tax cuts which will see the middle USC rate of 4.75pc reduced by 0.25pc while the entry point for the 40pc tax rate will increase 750 to 35,300. The tax changes will mean a person earning 50,000 will see their weekly net income increase by around 5. Meanwhile, Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has secured a social welfare package which will see all weekly payments increase by 5 a week. The non-contributory state pension will increase to 237 a week, the weekly carers' allowance for a person under 66 caring for one person will rise to 219, and the jobseeker payment for over 26s will increase to 203. The Christmas bonus for welfare recipients will also be fully restored this year. 2) Housing Fianna Fail decided to take ownership of the housing crisis ahead of this budget and spent much of their talks negotiating a major affordable housing scheme. The 300m funding for affordable homes will be spread out over three years and it is hoped it will result in thousands of more houses for working families. Fianna Fail also insisted on the introduction on tax breaks for landlords in return for secure tenancies to renters. The Independent Alliance secured a granny flat grant which will allow people to renovate their homes into two separate units. Minister Donohoe will also give an indication of his plans for the local property tax once the freeze on rates comes to an end next year. 3) Health The cost of going to the doctor and paying for medicine will be reduced in todays budget. Income thresholds for GP visit cards will be changed to entitle around 100,000 more workers to the service. Prescription charges for over 70s will be reduced by 50c to 1.50 per item. The threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme will be reduced by 10 to 124 a month. Additional funding will also be put into the National Treatment Purchase Fund to reduce waiting lists for surgical procedures. 4) Hotels, Restaurants and Cinemas The cost of your Saturday night out is set to increase significantly after todays budget. Vat charged on hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and hairdressers will increase from 9pc to 13.5pc. The increase will also impact on the price of cinema tickets. Businesses are likely to pass on the Vat increase to customers who already see the cost of dinner and few drinks as very expensive. Hoteliers and restaurant owners will also be impacted by the increase in the minimum wage. Excise duty on alcohol is not going up but the Government recently introduced minimum alcohol pricing which means drinking at home will also become more expensive. Transport, Sport and Tourism Minister Shane Ross resisted the Vat increase over fears it will have a negative impact on the countrys hospitality sector once Brexit kicks in. However, Mr Ross conceded to the increase in return for changes the inheritance tax threshold and the granny flat grant. 5) Childcare In the area of childcare, parents with incomes of up to 60,000 after tax will be able to avail of an extra subsidy, provided they are also in receipt of a social welfare payment. Around 16,000 children up to the age of 15 are to be brought into the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) for the first time. Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone plans to use a large chunk of the additional 90m she secured in negotiations with Mr Donohoe to significantly expand her flagship scheme. At present families with a net income of 47,500 who have a medical cards, or are in receipt of other assistance from social protection can qualify for childcare subsidies ranging from 50 to 145-a-week depending on their circumstances. The qualifying threshold will rise to 60,000 per couple (around 85,000 gross). Many families of the 45,000 children already available of the targeted subsidies since they were introduced 12 months ago will also see their payments increase. Social Protection Minister Regina Dohertys package also includes an extra two weeks parental leave for workers with new-borns but it wont come into effect on late 2019. The Back To School Allowance is to rise by 25 next year. Farmer Clive Clarke from Barna, Co Offaly, whose farm and butchers business was robbed six times in 13 years. Photo: Selina OMeara Photography Rural crime victims fear cuts to garda overtime will lead to an increase in robberies and attacks, despite the Government announcing the recruitment of 800 gardai in Budget 2019. Farmer and butcher Clive Clarke, whose Offaly farm has been burgled six times in 13 years, believes "gangs will have a field day" with a reduction in the overtime allocation. "We're going to be hit with a spate of crime on top of a bad summer and a bad winter," Mr Clarke told Independent.ie. "They increased the number of checkpoints here after we experienced three years of non-stop robberies and the same gangs carrying them out, but now they're going to probably have less gardai patrolling so we're back to square one. Expand Close Clive Clarke at his farm in Barna, Co Offaly. Photo: Selina OMeara / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clive Clarke at his farm in Barna, Co Offaly. Photo: Selina OMeara "We're coming into the winter, the long nights and it'll be open season. We might as well leave the gates open as it's a waste of time locking them. The guards on the ground do the best they can but if they don't have the time and equipment and means of doing their jobs, then there's nothing we can do to stop them [criminals]." Mr Clarke said the hiring of more gardai is welcome, but raised concerns about the safety of people in rural Ireland in the mean time as it will take time for them to be trained. In 2016, 13,000 worth of equipment - including quad bikes, trailers, money, a tractor, road diesel, meat and butcher's knives - were taken from his premises in Barna near Moneygall. "At what stage do they want us to go extinct? Things had improved recently but now people in rural Ireland will be living in fear again," Mr Clarke said. Figures from the Garda Analysis Service show that farm thefts fell by 8pc from September 2017 to August 2018. However, the Irish Farmers' Association said there is a perception that rural crime rates are starting to decrease, but it said many crimes go unreported out of fear criminals will return. "They certainly haven't got any better. It's more violent out there now, there is no doubt about that," IFA deputy director Richard Kennedy said. The farming chief called for greater garda presence in rural areas after it was revealed how father-of-three Patrick Walsh (47), from Lispopple, Swords, Co Dublin, was brutally set on when he challenged four men on his land on the evening of September 2. Mr Walsh suffered four cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder and needed stitches to his face after he was kicked repeatedly on the ground about 150 metres from his home. Expand Close Victim: Farmer Patrick Walsh, who was attacked and knocked unconscious at his farm at Lispopple last week. Photo: Frank McGrath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Victim: Farmer Patrick Walsh, who was attacked and knocked unconscious at his farm at Lispopple last week. Photo: Frank McGrath He became the latest victim of criminals who pretend they are using the lurchers to hunt hares while "sussing out" properties before a theft. "The IFA has been proactive in the fight against rural crime and is calling for greater garda presence in the troubled areas of north county Dublin and across all rural communities," Mr Kennedy said. Overtime increased across all Garda divisions in 2017 but the most significant increase was in Dublin, which accounted for 44pc of overtime. A large proportion of the overtime bill went towards fighting organised crime. The force was allocated an overtime budget of 90m for 2018, a significant increase on previous years. But spending on additional hours is currently running at about 20m over budget and this will increase to 30m by the end of the year unless drastic corrective action is taken. It was revealed today that funds will be made available for the recruitment of 800 gardai and extra training during 2019. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) said the cut to overtime would affect the capacity of all gardai on the frontline to do their job, particularly those involved in the investigation of crime gangs in the capital. "The agreed overtime must now be reinstated if we are to keep our streets safe in the lead-up to Christmas," the GRA added. Business Minister Heather Humphreys will announce a "significant" Brexit support package in todays budget. The measures will include investment in enterprise agencies and foreign direct investment initiatives aimed at luring business to Ireland after Britain leaves the EU. Ms Humphreys will announce 5m for local enterprise offices and additional funding for InterTrade Ireland. Another 10 will be invested in the next phase of Industrial Development Authority (IDA) regional property programme which it is hoped will encourage more foreign direct investment into the regions. "The minister will be announcing a significant package to support industry to prepare for Brexit," a Government source said. It is unclear if there will be any changes to the Governments Brexit loan scheme for businesses. The scheme was announced with much fanfare last year but there has been a very low uptake on the scheme. It is also expected there will also be further investment in Taoiseach Leo Varadkars plan to double the countrys diplomatic missions abroad. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is also expected to announce funding to hire hundreds of custom officials over fears of a hard border after Brexit. Felicity Geraghty says her life is all the better since she quit smoking A mother-of-two who smoked for most of her life has shared her battle to quit as the Government once again hiked the price of cigarettes in the Budget. Felicity Geraghty (41) started smoking at the age of 15 and decided to kick the habit earlier this year. She hasn't touched a cigarette since February 18 and says her life is the better for it. The main reason she decided to quit was for the sake of her two young girls, aged three and six. Another big incentive was the cost of cigarettes, and Felicity says she wanted to spend that money on her daughters, rather than something that would damage her health. "I'd been trying to quit for years but I was unsuccessful. I was hitting my 40s and I hadn't always been good to my body in my 20s and 30s, so it was a mixture of that and having two little girls and wanting to be around for them and wanting to be a good example," Felicity told Independent.ie. The Westmeath mother has a history of heart problems which also helped her decision. "You just get to a stage where every doctor you went to you'd be afraid to tell them you smoke. In social circumstances it was like you became a black sheep. If you went outside or you were in a smoking area, you noticed you were the only person that was smoking or the only person standing outside the bar or restaurant. "It's funny as last year we went to Spain on holidays and Spain reminded me of Ireland in the 90s with everyone smoking. I think Ireland as a country has changed and I think it was for the better. "After a number of failed attempts to quit, I sought help through the Irish Cancer Society's 'We Can Quit' campaign and I haven't looked back." The Government increased the cost of cigarettes to 12.50 in Budget 2019 and it looks like the price of puffing will continue to rise for the foreseeable future. "You can't justify spending money like that. If you are a dedicated smoker, you're going to find money anywhere, if you are kind of sitting on the fence about it , then the price will be a big influence. There's an awful lot more things you can buy with 12.50," Felicity said. The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, said that there would be no immediate change to the carbon tax in his delivery of the Budget 2019 today. He said the Government would put in place a long-term trajectory for carbon tax increases out to 2030 in line with the recommendations from the Climate Change Advisory Council and the special Oireachtas committee which is examining climate change. Budget 2019 builds on the new commitments made in the National Development Plan, which represents a step-change in funding commitments for climate action. One in every 5 in exchequer investment in the plan will be devoted to addressing climate change. This will provide a significant reduction in carbon emissions up to the period of 2030. In 2019, the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment will invest over 164 million in targeted measures to achieve Irelands energy efficiency and renewable objectives in line with the Governments National Mitigation Plan." Mr Donohue said that he will extend the vehicle registration tax (VRT) relief for hybrid vehicles until the end of 2019. But just a day after dire climate change warnings from international scientists, environmental groups have criticised the Government's decision not to increase carbon tax. The Taoiseachs failure to grasp the nettle in increasing the carbon tax', as he promised only two months ago, will help ensure that Ireland continues to zoom past its greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to Friends of the Irish Environment. Already nearly at the bottom of the European countries for failure to address carbon emissions, the Taoiseach's promise was supported by the Citizens' Assembly, the ESRI, the Climate Change Advisory Council, and the governments own Committee on Budgetary Oversight. Sadhbh ONeill, spokesperson for Friends of the Irish Environment, said: "Fiscal instruments are vital tools in effective climate policy. Taxing pollution puts clean, renewable technologies on a level playing pitch with dirty fossil fuels and generates revenues which can be invested in low-carbon alternatives such as public transport. "Thus U-turn on carbon taxes means the only serious new climate policy measure under consideration is now off the table, a disaster for an already-failing climate policy regime. The Minister was myopic in calling Brexit the 'political challenge of a generation'. That role is reserved for climate change." Micheal Fleming (27) spends up to two and a half hours a day in his car making the near 160km round trip from Dublin to his job in the pharmaceutical industry in Carlow. While the news that there won't be an increase in carbon tax is good for his pocket, he believes that it can only be a bad thing in the run. "I wonder where the thoughts were on greenhouse gases and climate change," said Mr Fleming. "My concern over climate change takes away from the fact that I wont have to pay more in fuel costs. Id like to think people are planning for the future and planning for things to come but it doesnt seem like that. At times it can be easy not to think of the environment. But hopefully it wont be too late when we do. "Id prefer higher taxes on fuel or incentives to switch people over to electric vehicles." Mr Fleming acknowledges its expensive to run petrol or diesel cars but there is no incentive for people to switch to electric. "We will end up paying for it later, I assume there will come a time when its too late we will have to make drastic changes. In my opinion, it would be better to have a gradual change rather than a shock to the system some years down the line." Pictured is Fianna Fail Leader Micheal Martin TD, centre, with, from left, Michael McGrath TD, Jim O'Callaghan TD, Barry Cowen TD, Dara Calleary TD, Fiona O'Loughlan TD, Charlie McConalogue TD and Eugene Murphy TD talking to the media at the Dail this evening. Photo: RollingNews.ie Fianna Fail has taken an election footing in response to todays Budget announcement as the party seeks credit for facilitating some measures introduced while blasting the Governments record on housing and calling for increased accountability of Health spending. Deputy Michael McGrath confirmed the party will abstain from a Dail vote on the increase of the Vat rate for the tourism industry, enabling the government to increase taxation on hotels and restaurants from 9pc to 13.5pc. Fianna Fails finance spokesperson pointed to a number of measures the party lobbied for under its Confidence and Supply agreement with Fine Gael. Todays Budget is the final under the terms of the existing deal. Rather than being a spectator, we have sought to use our influence to positive effect. In todays Budget, we have made progress on a number of crucial policy areas on behalf of the Irish people, Mr McGrath said. Offaly TD Barry Cowen, the partys spokesperson on Public Expenditure claimed the partys fingerprints are evident on increased spending initiatives including housing schemes, the creation of 800 new garda jobs and social initiatives. Other parties have been content to sit on their hands. In Brendan Behans words theyre like eunuchs in a brothel; they know how its done, theyve seen it done every day, but theyre unable to do it themselves. Read More Mr McGrath claimed the party secured a 300m affordable housing package over the next three years while blasting Fine Gaels record over recent years. We welcome the additional funding allocated to homelessness and the increased allocation for the construction of social housing, he said. Under this governments watch, home ownership has become a distant dream for more and more of our people. Home ownership is falling rapidly under FG. Fianna Fail makes no apologies for insisting on a major focus on Affordable Housing in this Budget. Mr McGarth also called for greater focus on environmental measures after the Government reneged on introducing further taxes on carbon fuels. He admitted Fianna Fail was unable to secure all the measures it wanted in the Budget but claimed it had significant influence. Even from opposition, we have done our best to give effect to our policies. We can point to a range of specific measures we have delivered while at the same time providing the political stability most people in this country desire. Read More Mr Cowen echoed these views, highlighting some of the partys priorities on childcare, public sector pay and spending of public services. By honouring the confidence and supply agreement Fianna Fail has delivered for people across Ireland, he told the Dail after Finance Minister Paschal Donohoes Budget speech. Minister Ross has been trying to appeal to Grannies like a political Dickie Rock. But a two for the price of one Granny grants does not to constitute a childcare policy. This is a key priority for Fianna Fail. Paid Parental Leave and subsidy increases must form part of a broader suite of measures including shared maternity leave to broaden out the capacity of parents to share responsibilities. I am firm in my belief that Fianna Fail has made a positive impact on the direction of this Government. BUSINESSES in the tourism sector have hit out at the decision by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to increase the VAT rate, saying they fear the industry will now be knocked out of recovery mode. Restaurants and rural hotels have raised significant concerns after the Government announced its plan to increase VAT from the reduced 9pc. VAT on Ireland's booming tourism sector will increase to 13.5pc, producing an extra 466m. While it will bring in hundreds of millions to help fund tax cuts and spending elsewhere, businesses fear it will have a detrimental knock-on effect for them. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Hannah Wrixon / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Adrian Cummins, CEO of The Restaurants Association of Ireland, is asking the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross to consider his role following the VAT hike. He told Independent.ie: "This VAT increase has just cost 5,000 jobs in our businesses - restaurants, cafes and bars serving food. "Minister Ross failed to defend us in the negotiations in the Budget. If VAT increased from 9.5pc to 11pc then we might have given the minister a pass mark. But we give him zero percent for complete failure and he should now resign... "This is a black day for us. In one fell swoop, we have these increases and the arrival of Brexit in March. "This is deeply annoying. It will cost the industry 440m next year. It's a 50pc hike in our VAT bills," he said. Pat McDonagh, founder of fastfood chain Supermac's and owner of a number of hotels across Ireland, says he wasn't expecting the VAT hike to be so high. "I think it will affect hotels outside Dublin because there is two different economies running, there's one inside the M50 and one outside the M50. We were looking at hotel prices in Dublin tonight and the cheapest we could see was 240 and over 70pc of them were booked out," he told Independent.ie. "We've already seen the price of food going up dramatically from the drought earlier in the year and now we have this VAT coming into effect next year. "There's a lot of uncertainty with Brexit at the moment... I've been speaking to tour operators in the west and they're fearing a decline as Ireland has gone so pricey. This is going to be a challenge, we were lucky this year with the good weather but I think the improvement we've seen is now going to be harder to maintain." Hannah Wrixon, founder of Get The Shifts, a tech-centric staffing solution that acts as a matchmaking service for experienced hospitality staff and bars, restaurants and other hospitality and events businesses, says it's wrong of the Government to target a trade that's recovering. "This will put a huge strain on many hotels and B&Bs across the country, making it harder for them to achieve median occupancy and as a knock-on effect cover the costs associated with running their businesses," Hannah told Independent.ie. "It's been a very fast recovery from the recession, so something like this can have a profound effect. People are just getting comfortable with having disposable income again and are reemerging out of the woodwork, but this will cause people to second guess again. "I think unfortunately history is repeating itself slightly and it is a question of have we learned anything from the recession. There is a concern, especially around the implication of passing on the price hike to the customer. It will have an effect, cost comes into every decision-making process and people will think longer and harder about coming to Ireland or holidaying here. "This industry needs to be less flourish until it reaches a more stable high and then possibly the Government could look at changing it, but the industry hasn't even been given a chance." Get The Shifts recently announced the creation of 700 casual roles over the next 12 months, bringing the total number of jobs it has created to 1,200. The Shannon-based company says it has recently added housekeeping roles to its portfolio in response to the demand from hotels which "cannot afford to hire a full-time team of accommodation as it is". "Many businesses already battle with negative price perception from international tourists and todays likely increase is particularly alarming when this reality is added to the looming unknown of Brexit," Hannah added. Responding to the outcome of todays Budget announcement, Failte Irelands CEO Paul Kelly said: The Governments 9pc VAT rate made a positive impact and was very much needed at a time of 15pc unemployment and falling demand. This VAT rate - along with zero Airport Passenger Duty, the creation of Failte Irelands regional experience brands like the Wild Atlantic Way and Irelands Ancient East, strong international marketing of the island of Ireland by Tourism Ireland, as well as the work of a resilient and ambitious industry - have driven significant recovery in volume, revenue and employment across the sector. "While we acknowledge the increased VAT rate will be a significant challenge to many industry players, we are still confident about the long-term future growth prospects for the sector." Michael Lennon, Irish Hotels Federation President and owner of Westport Woods Hotel in Co Mayo, said the VAT increase was "a joke to the industry". "It is not unexpected but we fought hard to try to retain the reduction. Its a reckless failure to recognise how important we are to the economy, the whole tourism industry. The growth to the economy has been helped by tourism. The reduction of VAT to 9pc has been a great motivating factor. "From a competitive stance, there are 26 countries with a lower VAT rate than us. Id be asking the tourism minister Shane Ross to go to cabinet and ask them to support our call for deferring the increase for nine months, till the end of the summer season at least. He said the government needs to be considerate of contracts already in place, particularly tour operators in the UK, Germany and America, which are important markets to the tourism economy. "The government had great foresight introducing the VAT reduction. The minister mentioned in his budget speech that there are 240,000 people employed in tourism. Since 2011, 65,000 new jobs have been created by tourism and the minister acknowledges it. "We would be asking him to do his job and hold off on the new VAT rise. Another reason we would like to hold off on this increase for another nine months would be so we can see a bit more clarity around Brexit." Philip Gavin, Managing Director of The Talbot Collection, which employs almost 700 people in the hospitality industry, called the change in the VAT rate "unfortunate and disappointing." He said: "The Coalition Government of 2011 afforded the hospitality sector a lifeline in a time of great uncertainty. "Finance Ministers since that time must be applauded and commended for retaining the Vat rate at 9pc as this certainly helped us to retain and create employment, it also afforded us in recent years to refurbish our properties to the standards we are renowned for as a 4* Collection. "It is unfortunate and disappointing that Minister O Donoghue has not retained the rate at 9pc as the uncertainty of Brexit looms and with it the certain decline in visitors from our strongest and nearest market. "This will have an negative impact on our sectors ability to sustain jobs in a labour intensive market and in some instances capital refurbishment programmes will be cancelled leading to a reduction in indirect employment." Tourists on the Skellig Islands, off the coast of Co Kerry. Photo: @storytravelers The tourism industry is braced to be the biggest loser from today's Budget, with the VAT rate on the hospitality sector to be hiked by 50pc. The move will bring in hundreds of millions to help fund tax cuts and spending increases elsewhere. Industry groups have raised massive concerns about the plan to restore the reduced 9pc rate to 13.5pc amid fears that restaurants will close and rural hotels will be hardest hit. Tourism Minister Shane Ross and the Independent Alliance had resisted the VAT hike but Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe was last night set to plough ahead with increasing the rate back to 13.5pc. The measure could raise more than 500m if applied across all areas currently covered by the 9pc rate. The Irish Independent has learned that almost 40m in extra Budget funding for tourism is to be allocated to Mr Ross's department in a bid to mitigate the impact of the VAT rise on the sector. Sources said this came after "intense negotiations" between Mr Ross and Mr Donohoe on the issue. Fine Gael Junior Tourism Minister Brendan Griffin was also involved in seeking additional funding to protect the industry. Sources said the extra funding was "vital" to offset any negative effects on the tourism and hospitality sector from a change in the current VAT rate. They said: "Minister Ross is determined any ill-effects will be compensated for, particularly in rural and regional areas". It's understood there will be engagement with the industry to decide how best to target the additional funding. The reduced VAT rate was brought in back in 2011 to help the hospitality sector which had been badly hit by the economic crash. Its continuation has been called into question due to the lost funding to the Exchequer at a time when the price of hotel rooms in Dublin are rising. Industry groups last night spoke of their fears about the expected VAT hike. Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), said there was "huge outrage and worry" among its members. He raised concern about the VAT hike on top of the potential impact of Brexit and also said: "We seem to be the collateral damage for this Budget." He accused the Government of targeting the restaurant sector because it is "afraid" to take other revenue-raising measures like increasing the cost of diesel. Mr Cummins said small businesses in rural and Border counties "will go to the wall" due to the hike. President of the Irish Hotels Federation Michael Lennon claimed the increase would be "disastrous" for competitiveness. He said that of the cash raised by the move, 400m would be borne by regional businesses and he claimed this would be "devastating" for rural hotels which would be "hit hardest". The increase in social welfare payments has received a welcoming response from many pensioners, but carers have expressed "bitter disappointment" over a lack of changes offered to help "under-supported" staff. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue announced next year's Budget earlier this afternoon, which will see 5 increase per week for social welfare payments, including pensions- but it will be delayed until March 2019. It was also confirmed that there would be a full restoration of the Christmas bonus and a 50c reduction to prescription charges for over 70s. Active Retirement Ireland said they were giving the Budget a "cautious welcome" and that they would like to see the 5 increase implemented before next March. "Were giving this Budget a cautious welcome. It contains some measures that will help older people, but a lot remains to be done to ensure people can enjoy a good quality of life and appropriate healthcare supports as they age," Peter Kavanagh, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Active Retirement Ireland said. Whilst we welcome the 5 pension increase, the delaying of its introduction until March 2019 effectively makes it a 3 increase. We are calling on Government to fully realise their commitment to a 5 increase and to introduce it at a sooner date." Expand Close Finance Minister Paschal Donohue / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Finance Minister Paschal Donohue Mr Kavanagh praised the return of the full Christmas bonus for allowing the elderly to enjoy the festive period this year. "The full restoration of the Christmas Bonus is a welcome measure. We are glad older people will be able to enjoy Christmas 2018 to its fullest, with a double payment to help with their Christmas shopping and to allow them socialise with family and friends during the festive season. One Irish grandmother was also delighted with the news about the bonus, saying she could see it helping a lot of her generation with Christmas shopping this year. "I'm grateful for the Christmas bonus, all social welfare recipients will appreciate it, but it will help with getting presents for the grandchildren. I'm very grateful for the cheaper medicines too," Ellen Reddin told Independent.ie. But the 78-year-old criticised the lack of changes for pensioners, explaining that she was hoping for more. "I just thought to myself, it sounds like all the old age pensioners simply dont matter," she said. "And yes there's the 5 increase but hats not going to happen until March, they do this on us every time. Well have to wait and see. I was sitting there thinking I had missed something about pensioners." Expand Close Ellen Reddin says older people are treated 'like aliens' in Ireland / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ellen Reddin says older people are treated 'like aliens' in Ireland Ms Reddin, who lives in Ballymun in Dublin, also said she hoped that more would be done for care packages across the country. "There was absolutely nothing about the care package. If you want to stay in your own home, you need a carer. If they dont do something theyll have more people homeless," she said. Family Carers Ireland said there were plenty of angry carers around the country following the Budget speech this afternoon. "Ive got quite a number of texts for carers, they're angry and disappointed. It's supposed to be a caring budget but they haven't tackled the crisis that is home-care," Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Carer Engagement with Family Carers Ireland told Independent.ie. "We are bitterly disappointed that the Government has ignored the most important issues in our pre-budget submission focusing on carers in crisis. It is evident that carers are under-supported and have difficulty accessing the services they desperately need, in particular respite care to give them a much-needed break. "A post-code lottery of services exists whereby where you live determines whether you will receive supports or not. To add to this, we have seen home supports cut significantly over the last 9 years alongside a greater number of people requiring care." The court turned down police request to remand Nakkheeran Gopal to judicial custody. Editor Nakkheeran Gopal was detained at the Chennai airport on Tuesday morning while he was on his way to Pune. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Chennai: Editor Nakkheeran Gopal, who was arrested by the Chennai police on Tuesday morning, won't go to jail for defamation as a Chennai court turned down a judicial custody request by the police. A complaint was filed from Governor Banwarilal Purohits office over the publication's reportage on Nirmala Devi case. Nakkheeran Gopal, chief editor of the popular Tamil weekly magazine Nakkheeran' said, "It's a victory. It's a slap on Raj Bhavan. It's also a slap on the spineless Tamil Nadu govt which acted upon the governor's wish. The court has judged well." Gopal was detained at the Chennai airport while he was on his way to Pune. In the magazine's latest edition, the cover story shows pictures of Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor in Devangar Arts College in Virudhunagar district who was arrested in the infamous 'sex-for-marks scam and Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Four students had reported that Devi tried to lure them to provide sexual favours to the officers and also submitted audio recordings of their conversations with the professor. Nirmala Devi allegedly prodded girls to extend sexual favours to university officials in return for marks. The article stated that Nirmala Devi had told CB-CID the agency that is investigating the case that she had met the Governor four times. The story had questioned why the Governor was not made part of the inquiry. Governor Purohit has denied any link with Devi and has ordered an inquiry into the scandal by retired Indian Administrative Service officer R Santhanam. According to reports, the arrest was allegedly carried out on the basis of a complaint filed by Governor Banwarilal Purohit accusing Gopal of defaming him in his reportage. Chennai police officials said the article was offensive and defamatory. The most prolific vulture fund this year in terms of registered judgments has been CarVal. Photo: Reuters Vulture funds have significantly ramped up action against debtors in recent weeks, new data reveals. Judgments amounting to 32.7m were registered in one eight-day period alone at the end of September by Irish-based affiliates of major funds CarVal, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank. Market observers believe the flurry of debt enforcement activity is a sign many of the funds are reaching their "endgame" in Ireland and are planning to move on. Internationally, vulture funds typically operate on a five-year cycle after buying distressed debt portfolios, meaning borrowers do not get an extended period of time to pay back the loans. According to data compiled by debt analysis experts StubbsGazette, 21 judgments were registered against individual debtors last month by vulture funds, compared to only six in the rest of the year. Altogether, judgments amounting to 74.4m have been registered by the main vulture funds operating in Ireland this year - more than five times the amount registered in all of 2017. The registering of a judgment allows a fund to take steps to pursue the borrower's assets to clear or partially clear the debt. This can include getting a judgment mortgage. This is where a creditor registers a charge against a property owned by a debtor. When the property is sold, the proceeds have to go towards paying off the debt. StubbsGazette managing director James Treacy said vulture funds generally "get in and out" within five years. However, this has taken slightly longer in Ireland, in part due to personal insolvency legislation passed after the financial crash. "What is being seen now is the logical progression of their strategy," said Mr Treacy. "They are moving to enforcement." Mr Treacy told the Irish Independent he expects the level of judgments being registered by vulture funds to continue on an upward trajectory in the coming year. "That is likely to increase over the next 12 months as the vultures get set to leave the Irish market," he said. The most prolific vulture fund this year in terms of registered judgments has been CarVal. Its Irish affiliate, Launceston Property Finance DAC, has registered judgments against 13 people for sums totalling 28.5m. Promontoria (Arrow) Ltd, an affiliate of vulture fund Cerberus, registered the single largest judgment against a debtor, for 30.7m, last February. Ennis Property Finance DAC and Kenmare Property Finance DAC, affiliates of Goldman Sachs, have registered judgments against nine individuals so far this year, the total value of which was 11.2m. Ornua is among a number of Irish concerns that have increased their storage capacity in Britain Irish food exporters are preparing to stockpile product in Britain in order to limit the damage from a hard Brexit. Ornua is among a number of Irish concerns that have increased their storage capacity in Britain ahead of the March 29 Brexit deadline. As the full implications of Brexit are unclear, Ornua is managing downsides and preparing for uncertainty. As such, Ornua has increased its storage capacity in the UK, a spokesperson told the Farming Independent. This is to ensure a consistent and secure supply of product to meet the needs of Ornuas customers in the UK market, the spokesperson added. In the event of a hard Brexit, imports from the EU into Britain will be subject to tariffs. There are also fears of significant transport disruption. Storage capacity across the midlands and south of England is reported to be as scarce as hens teeth as companies compete for space. Recently, The Co-Operative, Britains sixth largest supermarket group, said on Friday it could not guarantee shortages of some food products would be avoided in the event of a no deal Brexit. Cadbury owner Mondelez International is also stockpiling ingredients, chocolates and biscuits in Britain to avoid interruptions to business in the event of a hard Brexit. Recent signals from Brussels have buoyed hopes that the United Kingdom and the European Union can agree a proper divorce agreement before the UK leaves the bloc on March 29. But many business chiefs and investors fear politics could scupper an agreement, thrusting the worlds fifth largest economy into a no-deal Brexit that they say would clog up the arteries of trade. Last month Brexit minister Dominic Raab sought to reassure Britons that the army would not be called in to distribute food in the event of a hard Brexit. Currently milking 180 cows, the Gurteen pedigree Holstein Friesian herd has plans to increase herd size to 240 cows, using all home-bred replacement heifers. We could have the herd increased to 240 within a year, but we have stuck with our culling programme of culling cows with poor fertility and below average milk statistics, Gurteen Farm Manager, Ken Flynn said. Well be able to milk 250 cows comfortably, stocking roughly a cow to the acre. After this, well assess the grass situation and see if we have space for any more, explained the college principal, Mike Pearson. The pedigree herd is currently producing on average 510kg of milk solids per cow. Herd EBI is 115 and SCC is on average 140,000 throughout the year. Last year, 950kg of meal was allocated per cow, although this has climbed considerably this year, Ken plans to reduce this in the coming years. For the first six weeks of the breeding season, cows are put in calf using AI to breed future replacement heifers. After this, a Limousin stock bull is used on the dairy herd to breed replacements for the suckler herd, and then an Angus bull is used to clean up for the remaining three weeks of the breeding season. Heifers are synchronised and have one round of AI before theyre let running with the Angus bull for six weeks, explained Ken. Ken said the Tipperary herd will aim to improve fertility and increase solids through breeding. As well as this, Ken will breed for a smaller stature cow compared what was traditionally bred in Gurteen. Family Farm Lessons Mike said he wants to teach students lessons that they can bring back to the family farm. The agricultural college, is breeding for a high EBI, black and white herd, and will not be cross-breeding in the future. We teach students using a high EBI herd. Were breeding better and better black and white cows, Mike said. The principal expects to produce 1.3m litres of milk, all supplied to Arrabawn. The cows walk 900m to the furthest grazing paddock. Two thirds of the paddocks are on the parlours side of the road, the remaining is on the other. Road ways are being improved every year. A couple are a little rough for the cows, so thats something well be working on in the future, said Ken. Farm Facilities Gurteen recently upgraded the facilities on its dairy farm, costing 900,000, including a new 30-unit DeLaval parlour and a 260-cubicle shed, that is yet to be installed. The cubicle shed currently stands at 140 units, expanding to house 260 cows in the coming months. The housing shed is not hemmed in by any other building, so it can be further increased in size if needs be in the future. Operating since September 4, the herring-bone parlour comes with all the bells and whistles, which can all be turned off for learning purposes. We can now teach three or four students at a time in the parlour, the Principal of the college, Mike Pearson said. Farm Manger Ken also said that the new parlour has more than halved milking times and is a lot more comfortable for staff to work in. We put down good quality mats in the pit and it makes a huge difference, workers are far more comfortable, explained Ken. Well be working with DeLaval over the next few weeks and soon be able to make full use of all the equipment in our parlour. Having such a level of information available at our finger tips will be great, especially when were so open [to the public] with our herd performance, said Ken. Cow flow is great, cows were flying into the parlour after three or four days, he said. Show what can be possible for our students if they want to go home farming after college, he said. We might sell it to a student looking into starting a dairy farm at home, the bulk tank is relatively new as well, Mike said. He explained that larger herds, is where he thinks the future of farming is heading, that new entrants dont want to be working 24/7, and that farms need 120 cows to justify the extra labour. Herds are expanding, and farms are generally getting bigger. Younger generations dont want be working every weekend, but they need to go up in numbers to justify more labour, he said. Weve set-up the parlour to be easily run by two people, with the exception of extra labour at calving time, explained Mike. Despite announcing a significant increase in funding for the Department of Agriculture and new supports for suckler farmers in its 2019 Budget the Government has been accused of failing to understand the challenges facing farmers. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced a range of measures for the agricultural sector which he said faces a number of threats with Brexit posing specific challenges. He allocated an additional 57 million of current expenditure to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2019. The measures announced by the Minister include 44m of direct aid for farmers which included a new suckler cow payment scheme worth 20m, restoration of Areas of Natural Constraint payments to pre-crash levels costing 22.7m. Minister Donohoe said he recognised that 2018 has been a difficult year for farmers and with that in mind, he renewed the existing stock relief measures, extended income averaging to farms with off-farm trading income and provided for a three year extension of the Young Trained Farmer stamp duty relief, which was due to expire at the end of this year. 'Biggest single-issue facing family farms is income volatility.' Despite these measures the President of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Pat McCormack said that it is quite clear now if it wasnt before - that the current Government simply does not understand the scale of the challenges being faced by the farming sector. Expand Close Pat McCormack President of the ICMSA. Photo: Kyran O'Brien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pat McCormack President of the ICMSA. Photo: Kyran O'Brien Farm families can only conclude that the Government has decided that it doesnt want to support farm families and the agenda now seems to be about enhancing the position of corporate structures and big business over family farms, he said. Mr McCormack said the biggest single-issue facing family farms is income volatility and, as sole traders, the taxation system absolutely hammers farmers trying to make a living in an extremely volatile global food market. As a matter of fact, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed acknowledged this following the last two Budgets and it is extremely disappointing that he has failed yet again to deliver for farm families on this matter, he said. ANC funding welcome IFA President Joe Healy said todays Budget was some acknowledgement of the income difficulties in agriculture, but the upcoming significant issues of Brexit and CAP will require much more Government commitment and support for farming. Expand Close Joe Healy on his farm near Athenry, Co Galway. Photo: Ray Ryan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Joe Healy on his farm near Athenry, Co Galway. Photo: Ray Ryan Mr Healy said the increased ANC funding of 22.7m, to bring the allocation to 250m, was positive and reverses the cuts imposed on the lowest income farmers in previous budgets. He said IFA would continue its campaign for increased funding of 300m as it is vital for low-income farmers on marginal land. However, he also said that the 200 increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit to 1,350 does not go far enough. Weighing calves Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president Patrick Kent has welcomed the 40 for weighing calves under a new suckler cow scheme announced in todays budget; however, Mr Kent was more critical of other taxation measures. He also said that many farmers would be amazed at the substantial increase in afforestation money compared to what is being directed at livestock farming. There is a serious question over blanket sitka spruce plantations both regarding climate change and impact on rural communities. Spar says that shortages of staff are now such an issue that it has become a major factor in deciding where the chain sites new shops BWG, which controls the Spar and Eurospar brands in Ireland, has announced a 25m investment to 45 new stores, but warned that rising staff costs have become an issue. But Leo Crawford, the CEO of BWG, which controls the Spar and Eurospar chains in Ireland, said the challenge hasn't yet put it off expansion plans. He was speaking as BWG, which is 80pc-owned by the South Africa-based Spar group that controls the symbol chain, yesterday announced a 25m investment in its business here that will see it open 45 new stores across the country by 2020. Ten of the new stores will be at greenfield sites and the move will create around 1,000 full and part-time jobs. The chain has used Ireland to develop a major new store concept that might be rolled out across its network - to countries including the Netherlands, China, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. The group oversees 12,000 outlets. The new stores - one has already opened near the Jervis Shopping Centre in Dublin city - incorporate a brand-new layout, digital signage, improved food offers, and high-speed wifi. A greenfield location in Tralee, Co Kerry, opens next week, while another greenfield site in Tullamore, Co Offaly is nearing completion. A number of stores are being revamped. "Availability of staff is a huge problem," Mr Crawford told the Irish Independent. "That's particularly in city centre areas. That's down to many factors but a huge factor is that for staff to operate in the city centre they need to either live in the area or be able to easily commute," he said. "Those costs are increasing all the time for staff, which is really just pushing that cost problem on to all small and medium-sized enterprises." He said it was "absolutely" the case that in selecting new store locations BWG has kept in mind whether staff will be available, especially given lessons from the recession. "You're a price-taker in terms of your wage costs," he added. "You've got to find innovative ways to grow your top line and to grow your margin." He said that the food service area could be a "fertile ground for dealing with cost challenges". The investment by BWG in its Spar and Eurospar network comes as an extremely competitive grocery market continues to push grocery prices into deflation. Multiples are also trying to stand out with new offers. Last week, Cork-based retailer Musgrave, which controls the SuperValu chain, agreed to acquire the upmarket Donnybrook Fair chain in a deal worth up to 25m. It snatched the agreement from under the nose of Dunnes Stores, which had also been trying to buy the niche retailer. Dunnes has also invested heavily in its high-end food ranges and offers. BWG aims to grow its Spar, Spar Express and Eurospar estate in Ireland to about 500 outlets. BWG also owns UK business Appleby Westward, which operates 294 Spar stores in the south-west of England. Mr Crawford said BWG had a "very strong financial year" to the end of September. Royal Bank of Scotlands tarnished reputation could take another 10 years to recover from its role in the financial crisis and a string of scandals, the lenders chief has warned. RBS CEO Ross McEwan told the Press Association that while the bank has managed to regain its financial footing since its 45bn (51bn) bailout by UK taxpayers in 2008 recording its first annual profit in a decade this year customers are still distrustful of the once global titan. RBS recently came at the bottom of recent service rankings by the UK Competition and Market Authority for both business and retail banking, though other brands under the RBS Group umbrella NatWest and Ulster fared slightly better. Mr McEwan said he was concerned and disappointed, but not surprised. The Sydney Opera House lit up for part of Tourism Irelands Global Greening initiative for St Patricks Day Irelands nation brand has jumped 26pc to 468bn according to a global report by consultants Brand Finance. Ireland has broken into the top 30 on the list which measures the added financial benefit to businesses and brands of being based in a given country. Ireland grew faster than the USA, China or the UK. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Simon Haigh, MD of Brand Finance Ireland, said that the report analyses factors including the intangible assets in the best-run companies in a country, international perception of nations as places to do business, quality of life, and corporate ethics and governance. Irelands success can be explained by a combination of factors including continued economic growth, and a renewed appeal as a location for domestic and inbound investment, according to the report. Despite US tax reductions, discussions on EU corporate tax harmonisation, and the vagaries of Brexit deal negotiations, Brand Ireland proves ever more appealing, Mr Haigh said. Many financial and corporate entities established in the UK continue to head to Dublin to ensure the preservation of EU passporting rights after Brexit, he added. The United States remains the most valuable nation brand, with its value increasing 23pc over the past year to 22.5 trillion. The US is followed by China and Germany in the global ranking. Despite concerns around Brexit, the UK has seen its nation brand ranking improve one place to fourth overall, the report finds. THE Irish-American businessman at the forefront of Irelands National Broadband Plan tender bid has insisted that selling his 22pc stake in the bids lynchpin telecoms firm, Enet, will not weaken his involvement in the government-funded rural broadband scheme. David McCourt, CEO and chairman of Granahan McCourt, said that the sale of his stake in Enet to the state-backed Irish Infrastructure Fund does not alter his commitment to the tender bid. There is no change in the consortiums goals, he said. Granahan McCourt was always the lead entity in this consortium. We led the consortium since the pre-qualification questionnaire was submitted in March 2016 and as we are now looking ahead to delivering the NBP, and in order to fully commit our time, energy and resources to this ambitious project, we have taken the decision to sell our remaining stake in Enet. Confirming a report in the Sunday Independent, Enet will now be fully owned by the IIF after Granahan McCourts decision to sell its stake. The Irish Infrastructure Fund (ISF) is managed by AMP Capital and Irish Life Investment Managers. The Irish Infrastructure Fund is delighted to acquire the remaining 22pc in Enet, bringing the IIFs stake to 100pc, said AMP Capitals Philip Doyle, principal of the Irish Infrastructure Fund. IIF had acquired a majority stake in the business in August 2017. Over the weekend, Mr McCourt dismissed a controversy over meeting Communications Minister Denis Naughten, saying that as a major telecoms investor in Ireland over the years, he would have been p****d off if Mr Naughten had declined to meet him. Mr McCourt said that the reason he invited Mr Naughten and his officials to the July dinner in New York was to reassure them that a series of concerns that had arisen regarding the bid tender had been resolved. The dinner was prompted by me, he said. The ministers department had brought up some issues and wanted them resolved, saying that if they werent we were at risk. All I wanted to do was to make sure they knew that those issues were being resolved. If I couldnt have got hold of the minister I would have called the Taoiseach to say that I understand the seriousness. It was important. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) China relayed to President Rodrigo Duterte their concerns over the United States' naval exercises which will happen close to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country, Malacanang said Tuesday. CNN earlier reported that the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet may conduct a series of operations next month in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. American defense officials claim the exercises aim to warn China about the United States' military capability, amid rising tensions between the two nations. The issue was brought up during the courtesy call to Duterte of the Chinese envoy to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on Monday afternoon, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. "China of course expressed concern over a naval military exercise that the United States will be conducting in the area at about the same time that their president will be in the Philippines," Roque said. "The President said that we will not take part in that military exercise." Xi is expected to have a state visit in Manila in November. "The general consensus was we don't want anything to mar the visit of President Xi, so I think that the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) will do all that it can to make sure that President Xi's visit will be fruitful and as productive as we would want it to be," Roque said. Roque then said Zhao and Duterte agreed the joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea would benefit both countries, amid an ongoing territorial dispute between the two countries. He added Beijing would opt not to have confrontations with other claimants and world superpowers in the contested region. "Any military confrontation in the West Philippine Sea will have dire consequence as far as Chinese commerce is concerned," he explained said. CNN reported that the Pentagon and the U.S. Pacific Fleet did not confirm the proposed exercises. The Assam police has already completed the verification of nationality of these immigrants and they have also given consent for their deportation. According to an estimate, around 40,000 Rohingya are now living illegally in India and majority of them are staying in places like Jammu, Hyderabad, Kanpur and outskirts of Delhi. Guwahati: After deporting seven Rohingiya Muslims, Assam in consultation with ministry of home affairs has started process to deport at least 23 more Rohingiya Muslims, currently languishing in three different detention camps in Assam, to Myanmar. Pointing out that the Assam police has already completed the verification of nationality of these immigrants, security sources, however, said that these immigrants have also agreed and given consent for their deportation back to their country. The Myanmar government has also agreed to take them back besides ensuring their safety, security sources said that these immigrants are currently lodged in Silchar, Goalpara and Tezpur detention camps. Security sources said that the Myanmarese authorities, in consultation with ministry of home and external affairs, have completed the verification of their home addresses. We are in touch with the nodal agency in the neighbouring country and the deportation will take place in a phased manner, security sources said, admitting that they are yet to fix up the date for their deportation. Meanwhile, the bordering guarding forces in Assam and other frontier states have been kept on alert following an intelligence input indicating exodus of substantial number of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar to Northeastern states about two weeks back. Pointing out that border-guarding forces are on alert since then, security sources however said that no such movement of Rohingya either from Myanmar or Bangladesh was noticed. Security sources said that even the railways was alerted to keep watch on possible movement of Rohingya from the region to other parts of the country. According to an estimate, around 40,000 Rohingya are now living illegally in India and majority of them are staying in places like Jammu, Hyderabad, Kanpur and outskirts of Delhi. Most of them came some time back and the Government of India is yet to take a decision on their future. Security sources however claimed that so far, the Northeast was not facing any threat from possible mass exodus of Rohingya as it would not be easy for them to enter the region from the locations where they are staying in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Sources pointed out that in the past, a few Rohingya managed to enter the region either through the India-Myanmar border or through the international border in Bangladesh through Tripura. But their number is not large and around 30 of them were caught in different parts of Assam and are now in jail, security sources added. DENMARKs financial watchdog faces an inquiry by the EUs banking supervisor into how it handled Danske Bank, which last week said it was being investigated by the US Department of Justice over alleged money laundering. The European Banking Authority (EBA) has powers to make recommendations that national supervisors must follow, as it did during a probe into how Maltas supervisor oversaw one of its banks. We are doing preliminary breach of union law inquiries on ... the Danske bank case in Denmark, EBA chairman Andrea Enria told the European Parliament. He also said that the EBA is launching a review into how all EU member states apply anti-money laundering rules. It will report by the end of 2018. Danske Banks revelation last month that between 2007 and 2015 payments totalling 200m flowed through its tiny Estonian branch, many of which Denmarks largest lender said were suspicious, has prompted calls for an overhaul of bank supervision in Europe. The escalation in the Danske Bank case follows an admission in September by Dutch financial services group ING that criminals had been able to use its accounts to launder cash, a lapse which led to a 775m fine. Mr Enria also said EBA had opened a preliminary inquiry into how Latvias financial watchdog supervised ABLV bank which went into liquidation this year after US authorities accused it of laundering money for people from the former Soviet Union. Lawmakers on the European Parliaments economic affairs committee questioned whether EBA was doing enough to combat money-laundering. German lawmaker Wolf Klinz said a standalone anti-money laundering agency for the EU may be needed. Reuters Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) European shares tumbled yesterday as fears a trade war could have a bigger impact than expected on China added to concerns that rising US interest rates are gradually making stock markets less attractive for investors. A mounting clash between Rome and Brussels over the Italian governments spending plans also soured the mood. The re-emergence of the Italy/EU budget deficit battle as a key market mover proved to be a disaster for the European indices, said Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell. Shares in Asia slumped overnight despite Beijings central bank increasing liquidity to offset the effects of the tariff row with the US while Wall Street started in the red. The pan-European STOXX 600 benchmark index fell 1.1pc to its lowest close in around six months, while the export-oriented German index fell 1.4pc. In Ireland, the Iseq Overall Index ended the session just under 1pc lower, at 6,388.99. Homebuilder Cairn Homes slumped 3.1pc to 1.42, while rival Glenveagh Properties was 1.2pc lower at 94c. The negative sentiment towards the homebuilders makes successfully executing a planned stock market flotation here of Dres Properties by Patrick Durkan and Lone Star in coming weeks a challenge. Shares in UK-focused Irish homebuilder Abbey advanced 3.4pc, however. Shares in Ryanair advanced 1.1pc to 12 as its own broker, Davy, said the airlines prospects remain solid. Insurance firm FBD saw its shares rise 3.3pc to 3.42. The UKs FTSE-100 fell 1.1pc. Germanys DAX was 1.3pc lower and Frances CAC-40 declined 1.1pc. Italian bonds and stocks tumbled yesterday as Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini said Europe's real enemy is Jean-Claude Juncker and the Brussels bureaucracy that pushes budget restrictions and open borders. Sitting alongside French nationalist Marine Le Pen at an event in Rome, Mr Salvini said that next year's European Parliamentary elections will be a showdown between those focused on creating jobs and those more concerned with imposing austerity like Mr Juncker, the president of the European Commission, and Pierre Moscovici, the EU's economic policy chief. "We are against the enemies of Europe - Juncker and Moscovici - shut away in the Brussels bunker," Salvini said. "The politics of austerity of the last few years has increased Italian debt and impoverished Italy." As the Italian administration opens another front in its campaign against the European Union's core principles, investors are cranking up the pressure. Italy's 10-year borrowing costs crossed 3.5pc for the first time since 2014 on Monday and traded at 3.59pc by mid afternoon in Rome. The nation's benchmark FTSEMIB stock index fell to its lowest level since April 2017. "I say to those who are thinking of speculating on the Italian economy that they are wasting time and wasting money because we will not go back," Mr Salvini said. The populists setting the agenda in Italy are training their attacks on the European establishment as they prepare for the next battle over the 2019 budget. Mr Salvini and his ally Luigi Di Maio are targeting next May's EU elections as a chance to roll back the budget rules that have cramped their style since taking office. Mr Di Maio over the weekend promised the ballot will be an "earthquake". He was in Berlin yesterday for talks with officials including Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier. Italian prime Minister Giuseppe Conte hosted the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Rome. Mr Conte emphasised the need to secure the rights of EU citizens living in the UK - including 700,000 Italians - when Britain leaves the EU and Italy's interest in future co-operation on security, according to a statement from the Italian government. Just a short distance across the Italian capital, Ms Le Pen was calling for a radical overhaul of EU structures to give national governments more say. Mr Salvini and Mr Di Maio are trying to sustain the momentum behind their political takeover of Italy as their plans to cut taxes and ramp up benefit spending puts them on course for a collision with the EU budget police and the investors they need to finance their plans. "If neither the EU or Italy back down, yields will continue to climb higher from here," said Jens Peter Sorensen, chief analyst at Danske Bank. The Italian government must send a draft budget to Brussels by October 15 and EU officials have signalled that their plans will breach EU rules. "What we see is worrying," Klaus Regling, the head of the European Stability Mechanism, said. Bloomberg Mark Wilson has stepped down as chief executive of Aviva Insurance. He will remain with the group until April next year and will assist with the transition, the group said in a statement today. Mr Wilson took on the role of CEO in 2013 with the task of turning the group around. The board and Mark believe that given the turnaround has been successfully completed, it is time for new leadership to take the group to the next phase of its development, Aviva said. During the transition period the board of Aviva has asked Adrian Montague, currently non-executive chairman of Aviva, to assume executive responsibilities and lead a chairmans committee. "When I joined Aviva, the company was in poor health. Aviva is very different today. I have achieved what I wanted to achieve and now its time for me to move on to new things. It has been an honour to lead Aviva through this period of immense change," Mr Wilson said. In Ireland last year profits at the Irish arm of Aviva rose 13pc to 86m (93m) - the third year in a row of double digit percentage growth. Donald Trump has hit back at Taylor Swift after the pop star broke her political silence and revealed she was backing two Democratic candidates. Swift, who has been criticised in the past for refusing to disclose her political opinions, used Instagram to announce her support for Phil Bredesen for the Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives, as she prepares to vote in Tennessee in the midterm elections in November. The 28-year-old said she had chosen to speak out now due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years. Mr Trump defended the Republican candidate in Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn, and said he now liked Swifts music 25% less. Speaking outside the White House on Monday, Mr Trump told reporters: Marsha Blackburn is doing a very good job in Tennessee. Shes leading now, substantially, as she should. Shes a tremendous woman, I am sure Taylor Swift does not know anything about her and lets say that I like Taylors music 25% less now. In her Instagram post, Swift said she felt compelled to speak out because she believes in the fight for LGBTQ rights and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. She added: I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of colour is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. Swift went on to say that she will not vote for Marsha Blackburn, despite her desire to see women in office. Video of the Day Expand Close Taylor Swift shared her backing for two Democratic candidates following years of silence on political matters (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taylor Swift shared her backing for two Democratic candidates following years of silence on political matters (Ian West/PA) I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin colour, gender or who they love, she said. Swift added: As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appals and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the reauthorisation of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. Swift, who asked her 112 million followers to educate themselves on the candidates in their states and to choose the one who who most closely represents your values. She added: For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. Swift lives in New York but spent her later years in Tennessee. Mr Bredesen thanked Swift for her endorsement in a tweet, writing: Thank you for the kind words @taylorswift13. Im honoured to have your support and that of so many Tennesseans who are ready to put aside the partisan shouting and get things done. Were ready for it. RTE presenter Ryan Tubridy has opened up about visiting Emma Mhic Mhathuna in St Vincents hospital ten days ago. The young mother of five, who had been living in Baile na nGall in Kerry, passed away on Sunday. She had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016, having previously received two incorrect smear results. Tubridy had interviewed Emma on the Late Late Show in May this year and she received a standing ovation from the audience after she shared her story as one of the women at the centre of the cervical cancer scandal. When she finished the interview she stayed in the green room, we stayed talking about two or three hours after the show - thats not common, said Tubridy, revealing that they had stayed in touch in the months that followed. He had planned to visit her at a coffee shop near St Vincents Hospital, where she was receiving treatment, ten days ago, but Emma was unable to leave the hospital, so the presenter visited her at her bedside, something he describes as difficult. She was in her hospital bed, she was talking, she was compos mentis, but she was not well, and her drug treatment she had two weeks of ten days left on it and if it didnt take she was in trouble, and we spoke about that. We had a private conversation I wont go into, said an emotional Tubridy. I got the impression she was going to get up out of that bed and walk to good health, actually. I was completely deluding myself, probably out of hope rather than reality. Emma sent him a text last week to say that the drug test had not worked, and he received another text about her death on Sunday. He shared an image of himself with Emma on Instagram with the caption, "Desperately sad to hear that Emma Mhic Mhathuna has died. She was a remarkable woman and proud mother who fought and fought until the end. Only 37 years old, hers was a cruelly unfinished life. R.I.P.". The amount of comments from people was very striking because I think people are fed up and I think people are very angry that somebody like her should die at the age of 37. Thats just wrong, he said. People would think about their daughters, their sisters, and their mothers and think, how did it come to this? What class of country are we living in that this is going on, and that this is the end of the road? I think people are entitled to be fed up to be honest with you. Video of the Day Emmas family asked Ryan to say a few words at Emmas funeral mass at Dublins Pro-Cathedral on Wednesday but he is unable to attend as he will be in London ahead of Fridays Late Late Show special. However, he has written a tribute at the request of her family, and he spoke to Emmas uncle John, who he had previously met at the Late Late Show, on Tuesday morning. He told me that his family, Emmas family, are bowled over and overwhelmed by the decency and the generosity and kindness of the Irish people, he reveals. And thats very special. Irish people know when theres something wrong and they know when they have to stand up and be counted and I think theyre pretty furious and rightly so. Speaking about meeting Vicky Phelan, who has also been impacted by the scandal, at RTE recently, he said, When you meet these people you realise theyre not just headlines, theyre not just stories, theyre extraordinary women, whod rather not be where they are, frankly. Theyd rather be shopping and working and home with the kids doing what mums and dads do. Related video: The Special Criminal Court has viewed CCTV footage of the movements of a vehicle which the prosecution claim was registered in the name of the man accused of murdering Noel Duck Egg Kirwan. The non-jury court has heard that Mr Kirwan traded-in his BMW X5 for a Ford Mondeo on December 13 and that this BMW was later sent to Merlin Car Auctions. Earlier, a garda gave evidence that he identified Jason Keating in CCTV footage taken at Merlin Car Auctions in Naas on December 20. Mr Kirwan was sitting in his new car, a Ford Mondeo, at St Ronans Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on the evening of December 22, 2016 when a gunman shot him six times with a Makarov handgun which was later recovered at the scene. The 62-year-old, a long-time friend of Gerry the Monk Hutch, suffered eight gunshot wounds in total to his head, right arm, chest and abdomen. The three-judge court has heard that the murder of Mr Kirwan arose from a "notorious feud" between two criminal factions but the deceased had no connection with either side. The deceaseds partner, Bernadette Roe, was in the passenger seat of his car at the time of the attack. They had just returned from a Christmas lunch in a restaurant in Crumlin with Ms Roes daughter. Mr Keating (27), of Lower Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Kirwan. Garda Stephen Hughes told prosecution counsel Paul Greene SC that he was asked to attend Lucan garda station in April 2017 where he viewed CCTV footage. The witness said he observed Jason Keating with a female in this footage and also identified a green Renault Megane car which he had previously seen outside their house. Under cross-examination by Michael Bowman SC, defending, Gda Hughes said he was asked to view this footage as he had been at Mr Keatings house in the past and knew him in terms of his physical appearance. The court has seen a vehicle registration certificate for the Renault Megane issued in the name of Jason Keating. Niall Ducken, a mechanic, previously gave evidence that he bought a green Renault Megane "to sell on" in August 2016. He said he advertised the car online before he sold it to Mr Keating. CCTV footage of a green Renault Megane arriving at Merlin Car Auctions on December 20 was also shown to the court. Describing the footage, Garda Hugh OCarroll said two people are seen getting out of the car and walking towards the reception desk of the premises. He identified the male as Mr Keating and the female as his girlfriend. The two individuals can be seen walking around the stock yard where many cars are on display. Gda OCarroll testified that the pair go off camera for three minutes before walking back through the yard and leaving in the Renault Megane. Garda Conor McKeowan told Mr Greene this morning that Detective Garda Paul Cosgrove played CCTV footage in Blessington Garda Station on May 1 2017 in which he identified Mr Keating at Merlin Car Auctions in Naas. Kenneth Fitzsimons, an auction manager for Merlin Car Auctions, has given evidence that three car auctions take place on a weekly basis at his business where the public can view the vehicles and a CCTV system is in place on the premises. Under cross-examination by Mr Bowman, defending, Gda McKeowan agreed that there were 28 separate clips of CCTV and he could only identify Mr Keating from clips at Merlin Car Auctions and Ashleaf Shopping Centre. The barrister asked the witness if he was familiar with his client and Gda McKeowan said he was. However, Gda McKeowan agreed with Mr Bowman that the female who was linking arms with the man in the footage was more identifiable. The witness also agreed with counsel that he only identified this man as Mr Keating as he knew the woman in the footage to go out with him. Sergeant Damien Gannon has testified that he found a 'Gotek 7' electronic tracking device underneath Mr Kirwans Ford Mondeo on December 23. It is the prosecutions case that this electronic tracking device had first been put under Mr Kirwans BMW X5 car on November 8 which was tracking his movements. In his opening address, Mr Greene indicated that gardai established in the course of their investigation that the BMW car was moved to a car dealership in Naas and the tracker pinged from there until December 20. The prosecution claim the device was moved on December 20 and by December 21 it was again pinging at St Ronans Drive in Clondalkin. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chualachain and Judge Cormac Dunne. A child pleaded with his father, "Daddy, we can get you help, just don't do it" as the man tried to murder him and his three siblings, the Central Criminal Court has heard. The man, in his 30s, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of his four young children and will be sentenced next week. The stay-at-home father, who cannot be named, previously admitted to four counts of attempted murder at his family home in the south-east of the country on June 3, 2016. The man's four-year relationship with his wife had broken down the previous month. With a history of depression, he attempted to strangle two of his children and left them when he thought they were dead before moving on to the other two children in the next bedroom. Detective Garda Fergus O'Brien told the sentencing hearing yesterday that the defendant's father was minding other grandchildren nearby when his son arrived at 7.20pm saying: "I hurt the kids, I've done something stupid to the kids." The grandfather ran over to his son's house and saw two of the children in the driveway and found the others in the main bedroom - one was crying and the other was unconscious. He contacted the emergency services and managed to revive one of the children. Gardai arrived on the scene shortly afterwards and an air ambulance was deployed. Det Gda O'Brien agreed with Mr Burns that two of the children's faces were purple and their eyes were blood-shot. They were gasping for air and had red marks on their necks. The other two children were treated with oxygen by paramedics in their bedroom and one was in a critical condition. They were later accompanied by their mother in a helicopter to the hospital. The father-of-four was located by gardai and he told them he was planning on killing himself when he found out his wife was going on a date that evening. He did not want his children upset that he had taken his life. "I thought if I killed them they wouldn't be upset. I thought I had to do it," he said. The man said when he went to strangle two of his children, they looked at him and asked him what he was doing. He told gardai he had a history of depression and had been diagnosed with social anxiety. Det Gda O'Brien agreed with counsel the man has said he was trying to kill his children, saying: "I didn't mean to do it, I thought it would make them happier." The man was arrested and a number of garda interviews were conducted. He said he was upset as his wife of four years was going on a date with another man who she had been texting since January. The defendant said he had been crying that evening in his house and his children were worried about him. He told gardai he texted his wife and she had sent him a message saying it was "time to stop crying" and to tell the children "what he wanted". He said he started tickling two of his children in their bedroom and then his hands began to "strangle" them as he pressed down on their neck with his thumb. "I kept going until they were dead and I kissed both of them on the foreheads and left them where they were," he said. Two other children were playing Xbox in their bedroom and they did not know what had just happened. The man then grabbed two of them "at once" and put his hand up against them at the same time. The man said to them that it was their mammy's fault and one of them replied: "Daddy, we can get you help, just don't do it." The court heard he did not have the energy to "hold any longer" on their necks and he let them go before getting help from his father. He had contemplated killing his children and his wife six years ago, the court heard. When asked by gardai if he was reckless taking his medication, he said he had been without tablets for a few days and was now only taking one a day. He also told them he was going to stab himself repeatedly. The reason this had happened was because he received a text from his wife saying it was time to stop crying and there was no point "letting it all hit you now". He replied: "See you really don't care about anyone but yourself, you will regret all of this." A medical report was read to the court in which the doctor said the four children's injuries were consistent with a serious assault by their father and there was clear medical evidence of an attempted strangulation by him. A psychiatric report was also read to the court in which it said the children had suffered severe trauma that night and they had lost their safe environment. Their world had been turned upside down overnight, Mr Burns read, and things would never be the same again. Defence counsel Patrick Gageby SC told the court it was decided in 2009 that as the man was not working much he would devote his time to the children and their mother would work outside the home. Under cross-examination by Mr Gageby, Det Sgt O'Brien agreed both parents were extremely attentive. Mr Gageby said his client got depression in 2009 and got help in a local hospital. It was clear he believed he had killed two of his children but soon came to his senses as his hands started to hurt him and he was not able to complete what he set out to do. The mother-of-four took the stand and read a victim impact statement on behalf of her and the four children. She told the court she would never forget receiving a "horrible voicemail" from her eldest child screaming and a Snapchat from them of one of her other children on the bed. "I knew in my gut something crazy had happened," she said. She said they were the bravest children one could meet and she was proud of them all. Mr Gageby then read a letter of apology on behalf of his client in which he said: "Anything I say or do will not change what I've done... I want you to know how much I regret it and how sorry I am for putting my four beautiful children through this. The proudest moment of my life was the birth of my kids and they still continue to make me proud every day." Mr Justice Michael White remanded him in custody for sentence on October 17. A garda who was criticised by the Disclosures Tribunal is seeking to halt a disciplinary investigation arising from its findings. Last year Mr Justice Peter Charleton dismissed allegations made by Gda Keith Harrison and his partner Marisa Simms that gardai had coerced her to make a false complaint against him, and directed Tusla to visit their family home. The judge described some parts of their story as "nonsense" and exonerated gardai and Tusla officials against whom allegations were made. The High Court heard yesterday that the Co Donegal-based garda was notified in July that a superintendent had been appointed to examine four allegations of misconduct against him. These arose from the tribunal's findings and evidence heard during hearings. They include allegations Gda Harrison was "malicious and vexatious" in making claims that had been found to be false and entirely without foundation. The notice of investigation sent to Gda Harrison also included the allegation that adverse commentary about him by Mr Justice Charleton "would bring An Garda Siochana into disrepute" and that his conduct in a number of specific incidents was "unbecoming to a member" of the force. Gda Harrison denies any misconduct and disagrees with the tribunal's findings. He has claimed he was the victim of a five-year intimidation campaign after arresting a fellow officer for drink driving in Athlone in 2009. In an affidavit, Gda Harrison's legal team said the opinions expressed by Mr Justice Charleton were not legally binding and could not be determinative as to whether allegations made by the garda were true or false. His counsel, Mark Harty SC, appearing with solicitor Trevor Collins, told the High Court that Gda Harrison was seeking orders quashing the appointment of the investigating officer and prohibiting the disciplinary investigation. He said his client was seeking a declaration that the appointment of an investigating officer was unlawful and contrary to natural and constitutional justice. In an ex-parte application, Mr Harty told the court that while tribunal findings can have an impact on someone's reputation, they cannot have an impact on their legal rights. He said the tribunal findings could not give rise to a disciplinary investigation. Mr Harty argued that An Garda Siochana was seeking to discipline his client on the basis of matters contained in protected disclosures. This, he said, was in breach of the Protected Disclosures Act, under which someone making a such a disclosure cannot be penalised for doing so. The barrister also said An Garda Siochana was seeking to reopen matters which had already been ruled on as part of a previous High Court judicial review. That resulted in an order prohibiting disciplinary action due to "inordinate and inexcusable delay". The court heard that the investigation had not been progressed to date. Mr Justice Seamus Noonan said he would give Gda Harrison leave to seek a judicial review. The matter is due back in court next month. A man who held a knife to the throat of a pub drinker has avoided jail after a garda told the court he has made a remarkable turn around. Gerard Kelly of Ballybough Road, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury on March 27, 2015. The court heard that Kelly walked up to a man drinking at the bar of Lowry's pub on Summerhill Parade, Dublin city and threatened him. He then pulled a large kitchen knife out and held it to the man's throat. The victim thought Kelly was going to slash his throat and pushed him away with his foot. The court heard that another man in the pub was stabbed in the leg but there are no charges of assault before the court. Kelly was arrested a short time later not far from the pub and was in a delirium of alcohol his defense counsel Luigi Rea BL told the court. Mr Rea said that Kelly didn't know either of the victims in the pub. He said since the incident he had taken steps to deal with his alcoholism. Detective Garda Michael O'Brien told the court: He's a different man to the man I met in 2015. He added that it was a remarkable turn around. Judge Martin Nolan said this was a serious crime and that it was no excuse that Kelly was drunk at the time. Noting Kelly's remorse and his efforts to reform himself, he suspended a sentence of two and a half years. If he re-offends he will go to prison, Judge Nolan said. Kelly's 48 previous convictions are all for District Court offences and include offences of theft and possession of knives. 450 people held for violence; Alpesh hate video angers ruling BJP. Migrant workers board a train in Ahmedabad on Tuesday in view of protests and violence breaking out over the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district. (Photo: PTI) Ahmedabad/New Delhi: Hindi-speaking migrants continued to flee Gujarat on Tuesday after attacks by Gujarati youths, taking the figure of exodus so far to allegedly over 60,000, even as a political blame game broke out between the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress over the trouble in six districts. Chief minister Vijay Rupani attacked the Congress for inciting the violence and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi blamed joblessness under the BJP rule for sparking the local youths outburst against migrant workers. Over 450 people have so far been arrested and 56 FIRs registered after sporadic incidents of violence were reported from Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Ahmedabad, Gandhin-agar and other areas in north Gujarat following the rape of a 14-month-old Thakor community girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 by a migrant labourer from Bihar. The accused has been arrested. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said that the situation in the state has become normal but people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. He said that more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. In a Facebook post, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said poor economic policies, demonetisation and a poorly-implemented GST has led to closure of factories and rise in unemployment that is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants across Gujarat. He said there is growing frustration and anger against the governments inability to create jobs. Across Gujarat, poor economic policies, demonetisation and poorly executed GST have devastated industry resulting in shutting down of factories and industrial units, leading to massive unemployment, he said, describing the attacks as bad for business and asking the government to act decisively to restore peace and ensure safety of every Indian. In a series of tweets, chief minister Rupani asked whether Mr Gandhi will take action against his own partys members who incited violence against migrants in Gujarat. The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence against Hindi-speaking people in the state. The Congress first incites violence against migrants. Congress president tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress president not have any shame? asked Mr Rupani in a tweet. If the Congress president is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against his own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat. Tweeting is not the solution, taking action is! But will he act? he tweeted. A video in which Mr Thakor is purportedly seen making a speech against migrant workers has gone viral and is considered to be responsible for the violence against Hindi-speaking population. These people who have come from outside, they commit crime, they beat up common villagers and they go back to their state. Such people have jobs here in Maruti and other companies but our people do not have jobs here, Mr Thakor said while addressing a gathering in Bhaucharji town of Mehsana district of North Gujarat. Gujaratis are being thrown out of factories Gujaratis are dying due to starvation, he said in the video probably shot by a mobile phone. Meanwhile, Hindi-speaking factory workers continued to flee Gujarat by taking trains and buses, which were running jam-packed. There were also reports of bus fares being raised in view of the increased demand coming in from some places. Some people said they were scared and alleged that they were threatened to flee or face consequences. Some people came to our area last night and asked me to leave the place immediately and go back to my home state or they will thrash me, a migrant worker told reporters at the Ahmedabad railway station. In Patna, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said top officials from the state are in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat and appealed to Biharis living in the western state to stay firmly where they were. Our chief secretary and DGP are in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat. We are keeping a watch on the situation there. I would also appeal to the people (from Bihar living in Gujarat) that they stay firmly where they were notwithstanding the incidents that have taken place, said Mr Kumar, a day after he spoke to Gujarat chief minister over the recent attacks. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who also spoke to Mr Rupani on Monday, said, The Gujarat chief minister told me over the phone that there has been no incident in the past three days and that he had appealed to people against paying heed to any rumours. Alan Custy stole 18,950 from the woman he met through dating website smooch.com over five months in 2013 Smooch.com swindler Alan Custy was told that he was "very, very lucky" as the con man was about to walk free from court. Judge Gerald Keys made his comment at Ennis Circuit Court after imposing a suspended three-year jail term on Mr Custy for conning 18,950 from a "vulnerable, gullible, trusting" woman he met online. Custy (42), of Dun na Hinse, Ennis, Co Clare, hatched a scheme where he stole by deception around 18,950 from the woman he met through dating website smooch.com over five months in 2013. The 47-year-old Limerick woman, who lives alone, was the second online female victim of the scheming Custy, who had previously received a three-year suspended jail term in February 2012 for blackmailing a married woman he had met on connectedsingles.com. In that case, Custy posed as a Michael Lynch and in the smooch.com case, the father of two posed as an Alan Casey. Judge Keys said he regarded Mr Custy's previous conviction for a similar offence as an aggravating factor and viewed it as "very, very serious". In relation to Custy's most recent offence, Judge Keys said the way he had obtained the monies was "terrible and horrible". Counsel for Custy, Pat Whyms BL said his client has paid off the entire 18,950 to the woman and his final instalment was 750. Judge Keys said the mitigating factors were Custy had pleaded guilty; repaid all of the monies and had not come to the attention of the gardai since his plea of guilty in 2015. Judge Keys said that he would suspend the three year prison for four years. Det Garda Claire O'Shaughnessy had told the court that the female victim in the case lives alone and was trusting, gullible, had health problems and suffered from self-esteem issues when looking for romance online in June 2013. At the sentencing hearing, Det O'Shaughnessy said that the victim had become suspicious of Custy and contacted gardai in November 2013 after coming across an online newspaper account of his blackmailing case. However, by that stage, the woman had handed over 18,950. Her victim impact statement said Custy's abuse of her good nature "completely shattered my confidence in men and people in general". A screenshot of the threat made on social media A school in north Dublin has been closed today after a student allegedly posted gun-related threats online against staff. Gardai confirmed a 16-year-old boy was arrested following the incident, but has since been released and will be cautioned under the Juvenile Diversion Programme. Management from the north county Dublin secondary school sent a message to parents informing them that the school would remain shut today as gardai investigated material posted on Instagram. It is understood the student allegedly made references to bringing a gun to school. "Gardai are investigating reports of online threats against staff at a school in the north Dublin area," a garda spokeswoman said. "Its understood the material was circulated online yesterday evening. Following the reports an investigation was commenced and a 16-year-old youth was arrested. Expand Close A screenshot of the threat made on social media / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A screenshot of the threat made on social media "The juvenile has been released and will be cautioned under the Juvenile Diversion Programme." Gardai said they were liaising with management at the school and are now satisfied that there is no imminent danger to staff or students attending the school. A spokesperson for the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board Administrative Offices told Independent.ie they are confident the school will reopen as normal tomorrow. "Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) confirms that a school in north County Dublin was closed today on a precautionary basis arising from a matter which came to the attention of the school management and which has been referred to the Gardai who are investigating," they said in a statement. Expand Close A screenshot of the threat made on social media / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A screenshot of the threat made on social media "There are no further issues arising from this matter and we anticipate that the school will reopen as normal tomorrow." Last December, a decision was made at the eleventh hour for a secondary school in Kildare not to open due to a similar "safety risk assessment". That case related to a perceived safety threat written in graffiti on a bathroom wall. Scoil Dara in Kilcock posted a statement on their website at the time, stating: "Following a meeting of the Board of Management of Scoil Dara late this evening, It has been decided to close the school to students tomorrow Tuesday December 5th pending a safety risk assessment. "Sincere apologies for the late notice and inconvenience." Students who applied to UCD who get a late offer after the results of Leaving Certificate appeals are released will get their place this year - but only if space is available. UCD's Academic Council Executive Committee has agreed to extend the September 30 offers deadline introduced this year, in order to offer places to upgraded students if there is spare capacity on the course in question. The decision, which was expected, follows the High Court ruling in the case of Rebecca Carter, the Co Wexford student who successfully sought the results of a recheck of a Leaving Cert paper ahead of the normal release date in order to beat the September 30 deadline. About 60 UCD CAO applicants are expected to receive a belated offer this week. Many may have settled into other courses and may not be interested in switching. "For incoming students for the academic year 2018/2019, the university will offer a place to upgraded students if there are places available on October 10 in the course in which they are now entitled," UCD said. "Cognisant that the university will be six weeks into semester, these students may choose to join the course or to defer with a guarantee that they will have a place on this course next year, regardless of any subsequent upward movement in points. "Where courses are at capacity, the university will offer deferrals to the academic year 2019/2020 as is consistent with the current practice across the sector." While the SEC argues that it needs until October 10 to process appeals and meet its quality assurance standards, UCD is of the view that a student is seriously disadvantaged starting a course six weeks late. There has been a trend in recent years of third-level colleges starting in the first week of September, rather than later in the month. UCD stated that students who get a late offer this week should consider the fact that orientation week started on September 3, while lectures, classes, laboratories, tutorials, projects and practicals commenced on campus on September 10. A Dublin mother, who was only told in July she was a victim of the CervicalCheck scandal, lost her battle to cancer at the weekend - just hours before Emma Mhic Mhathuna passed away. The double tragedy brings the death toll among women caught up in the crisis from 18 to 20 in just two days. The Dublin woman, who wished to remain anonymous, is believed to have had multiple wrong smear test results over a number of years before getting a cervical cancer diagnosis. She had already been diagnosed with cancer when the HSE announced in July the number of women who received wrong results - and were subject to internal audit reports - rose from 209 to 221. Her condition deteriorated in recent weeks and she died in St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday, leaving her family grief-stricken. Vicky Phelan, the Limerick mother whose case first exposed the existence of the audits, revealed they had said goodbye to each other last Wednesday. Ms Phelan, who was in the same hospital for drug treatment for advanced cervical cancer, said: "I knew her and I met her daughters. It is close to home for me at the moment." Ms Phelan said Ms Mhic Mhathuna, who died on Sunday morning and leaves behind five children, received a financial settlement but no accountability from the labs which negligently misread two of her tests. "We will keep fighting that corner for Emma and for other women," she said. The failure of CervicalCheck to order an investigation to find out the causes of the two negligently read tests was also deplored by Ms Mhic Mhathuna's solicitor, Cian O'Carroll. He called on CervicalCheck to order the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) to find out what went wrong. A spokeswoman for the HSE said Dr Gabriel Scally in his report on CervicalCheck had said: "All of the laboratories visited by the scoping inquiry are meeting the regulatory requirements in their own country. "The inquiry considers there is no reason, on quality grounds, why the existing contracts for laboratory services should not continue until the new HPV testing regime has been introduced." She said the external review of labs is currently under way by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The HSE said intensive negotiations are ongoing in relation to the extension of the contracts with both laboratories. The existing contracts with Quest Diagnostics in the US and MedLab Pathology in Dublin are due to expire this month. The two main laboratories examine more than 260,000 smear tests a year under the national CervicalCheck screening programme. It's understood that these negotiations are at a critical stage and every effort is being made to ensure continuity of the cervical screening services. It's believed that one of the issues is higher insurance costs to cover a backlog of tests, which is under discussion. The scandal emerged when Vicky Phelan settled a High Court action against the HSE and US laboratory Clinical Pathology Laboratories for 2.5m over incorrect smear test results from 2011, which said that her smear was free of abnormalities. The smear tests of more than 200 women may have been incorrect, a HSE audit found, and there has been much criticism over delays in telling those affected. Dr Gabriel Scally holds a copy of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme (Brian Lawless/PA) A Dublin mother, who was only told in July she was a victim of the CervicalCheck scandal, lost her battle to cancer at the weekend just hours before Emma Mhic Mhathuna passed away. The double tragedy brings the death toll among women caught up in the crisis from 18 to 20 in just two days. The Dublin woman, who wished to remain anonymous, is believed to have had multiple incorrect smear test results over a number of years before getting a cervical cancer diagnosis. She had already been diagnosed with cancer when the HSE announced in July the number of women who received wrong results and were subject to internal audit reports rose from 209 to 221. Her condition deteriorated in recent weeks and she died in St Vincents Hospital on Saturday, leaving her family grief-stricken. Vicky Phelan, the Limerick mother whose case first exposed the existence of the audits, revealed they had said goodbye to each other last Wednesday. Ms Phelan, who was in the same hospital for drug treatment for advanced cervical cancer, said: I knew her and I met her daughters. It is close to home for me at the moment. Ms Phelan said Emma Mhic Mhathuna, who died on Sunday morning and leaves behind five children, received a financial settlement but no accountability from the laboratories which negligently misread two of her tests. We will keep fighting that corner for Emma and for other women, she said. The failure of CervicalCheck to order an investigation to find out the causes of the two negligently read tests was also deplored by Ms Mhic Mhathunas solicitor, Cian O Carroll, yesterday. He called on CervicalCheck to order the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) to find out what went wrong. A spokeswoman for the HSE said Dr Gabriel Scally in his report on CervicalCheck said: All of the laboratories visited by the scoping inquiry are meeting the regulatory requirements current in their own country. The inquiry considers there is no reason, on quality grounds, why the existing contracts for laboratory services should not continue until the new HPV testing regime has been introduced. She added that an external review of labs is currently under way, conducted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Intensive negotiations are ongoing in relation to the extension of the contracts with both laboratories, the HSE said. These negotiations are at a critical stage and every effort is being made to ensure continuity of our vital cervical screening services. Clearly it would not be appropriate to comment on specific aspects of the process while negotiations are still ongoing. Related video: Planned fasting may help reverse type two diabetes, and cut out need for insulin while controlling blood glucose. Stock photo: PA Planned fasting may help reverse type two diabetes, and cut out need for insulin while controlling blood glucose, doctors suggest. Three men aged between 40 and 67 tried out planned intermittent fasting to see if it might ease their symptoms. They were taking various drugs to control their disease as well as daily units of insulin. In addition to diabetes, they all had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Two of them fasted on alternate days for a full 24 hours, while the third fasted for three days a week. On fast days, they were allowed to drink very low calorie drinks, such as tea and coffee, water or broth, and to eat one very low calorie meal in the evening. Before embarking on their regime, they all attended a nutritional training seminar. They stuck to this pattern for around 10 months after which fasting blood glucose, average blood glucose, weight, and waist circumference were remeasured. All three were able to stop injecting themselves with insulin within a month of starting fasting. In one case this took only five days, according to the report in 'BMJ Case Reports'. Drugs Two of the men were able to stop taking all their other diabetic drugs, while the third discontinued three out of the four drugs he was taking. They all lost weight by 10-18pc. The report was compiled at Scarborough Hospital in Ontario, Canada. "The use of a therapeutic fasting regimen for treatment of [type 2 diabetes] is virtually unheard of," write the authors. "This showed that 24-hour fasting regimens can significantly reverse or eliminate the need for diabetic medication." It cautions this is an observational study, and refers to just three cases. It isn't possible to draw firm conclusions about the wider success of this approach. According to the Healthy Ireland survey, 854,000 adults over 40 in Ireland are at risk of developing type two diabetes. There are more than 300,000 in the 30-39 age group that are overweight and not taking the weekly 150 minutes recommended physical activity, leaving them at an increased risk. Lifestyle changes are key to managing the disease, but cannot always control blood glucose levels. The coffin of Emma Mhic Mhathuna is brought to Seipeal na Carraige church for her funeral Mass. Pic:Mark Condren The coffin of Emma Mhic Mhathuna is brought to Seipeal na Carraige church for her funeral Mass. Pic:Mark Condren The remains of CervicalCheck campaigner Emma Mhic Mhathuna will pass by Leinster House and Government Buildings to "hold a mirror up to the organisations and agencies that they preside over politically and practically," her family has said. The 37-year-old mother-of-five passed away on Sunday morning from cervical cancer, she was diagnosed in 2016 after receiving two incorrect smear test results. She was one of 221 women with cervical cancer found to have received incorrect results during a clinical audit of past test results by the CervicalCheck screening programme. Her family said in a statement this evening that before she passed away she requested that her remains should pass by Leinster House at Kildare Street, Government Buildings on Merrion Street and Department of Health on Baggot Street. They explained: "The purpose of this route is not to protest. It is a final and departing effort to encourage those within to hold a mirror up to the organisations and agencies that they preside over politically and practically. "Moreover, it is a request to those organisations and agencies to commit to ensure that Emma's tragic situation will never happen to another Irish mother or Irish woman again. Expand Close Emma Mhic Mhathuna. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Emma Mhic Mhathuna. Photo: Collins "Whilst Emma was at odds with institutions and the agencies her decision to pass by them should not be interpreted as a personal criticism of any one individual but rather the institutions within." They continued to say that "the final part of Emma's journey will be to Aras an Uchtrain as a mark of her personal appreciation to President Michael D Higgins." Funeral held for CervicalCheck campaigner Emma Mhic Mhathuna twitter 1 The first of two funeral services was held for Mhic Mhathuna this morning. There were moving scenes during the Requiem Mass at Seipeal na Carraige at Baile na nGall in the west Kerry Gaeltacht. As a gesture of support with Emma and the other 200 women hit by the CervicalCheck scandal, many women attending the Requiem Mass today opted to wear bright red coats and outfits to show their solidarity - bright red being the colour Emma herself insisted on wearing when she settled her High Court action against the HSE and a US laboratory over her incorrect smear test results. Her incorrect smear test results were in 2013 - and she was later diagnosed with cancer. Earlier this year she was informed her cancer had spread and was now terminal. Expand Close The coffin of Emma Mhic Mhathuna is brought to Seipeal na Carraige church for her funeral Mass. Pic:Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The coffin of Emma Mhic Mhathuna is brought to Seipeal na Carraige church for her funeral Mass. Pic:Mark Condren In a gesture specifically requested by Emma, the media were asked to assemble at the entrance to the church and were specially thanked by Emma's uncles, John and Brendan Moran, for the role they played in helping highlight the CervicalCheck scandal and Emma's case. "Emma wanted to thank you from the bottom of her heart for what you have done to highlight this," they said. Fr Eoghan O'Cadhla told the packed congregation that Emma's death had shocked the tightknit community where she had lived for the past 18 months with her five children, Natasha, Seamus, Mario, Oisin and Donnacha. "Her love for her beautiful children will live with me forever," Fr O'Cadhla said. "Her courage, her faith, her dignity and her resilience are an inspiration to me and all the people who got to know her in Corcha Dhuibhne and far beyond this place." Fr O'Cadhla also recalled how parishioners had given Emma an impromptu round of applause when she attended Mass in the days after her High Court victory. "She was delighted - she said it meant so much to her," he said. The mourners were led by Emma's children with her eldest daughter, Natasha, carrying her younger brother, Donnacha, in her arms into the packed church. Mourners also included Emma's father, Peter, her uncles John and Brendan, her aunts including Elaine to whom she was particularly close. Her children took an active role in the Requiem Mass. Mario delivered the second reading while Natasha, Seamus and Mario also brought Offertory Gifts to the altar to symbolise the loves of Emma's life. These included the An Ghaeltacht GAA jerseys of Seamus and Mario, bouquets of wild Fuschia which was Emma's favourite flower in west Kerry, a family photo, a bible, a Rosary beads and a painting. Before her death, Emma had commissioned five miniature busts of herself as special mementos for each of her five children so that they would have unique remembrances of her. Natasha brought one of the busts to the altar in memory of her mother. The entire Mass was in Irish which was a language Emma loved deeply. Some of the music and readings were performed by the classmates of Emma's children. Her decision to locate in Baile na nGall was underpinned by her desire to support the Irish language studies of her children. Special guards of honour were provided by An Gaeltacht, Scoil Mhaol Cheadair national school and Colaiste Ide where Natasha once studied. In a further gesture of solidarity, Emma's remains were given a traditional escort out of Baile na nGall with locals lining the funeral route and walking behind the hearse. Local musicians and choirs performed throughout the Mass with the accompanists including Coir Corcha Dhuibhne, Padraig O'Gairbhia, Proinsias O'Cathasaigh, Gerry O'Beirne, Eoghan Duignan, Pauline Scanlon and Eilis Kennedy. The commentary on the Offertory Gifts was performed by Mai Ui Bhruic. Emma's remains were later brought from the church to a relatives home in Ratoath, Co Meath where it will remain overnight. Emma will then have a second Requiem Mass at Dublin's ProCathedral at lunchtime tomorrow before she is buried in Maynooth, Co Kildare. The ProCathedral was chosen because Emma attended an Irish school nearby and regularly attended the ProCathedral to say prayers and light candles for loved ones. The site in Thurles, Co Tipperary, which has been rejected by Traveller families Tipperary County Council has insisted categorically it will not be providing stables or paddocks for horses owned by members of an extended Traveller family who are due to move into a new 1.7m housing development. Six new houses are lying empty outside Thurles in Co Tipperary while the families have been living on an "unauthorised" site across the road for decades and are refusing to move pending the provision of horse accommodation. The situation was described yesterday as an "embarrassment" and a "thundering disgrace" by county councillors. The council has said there was never an agreement, despite what members of the family involved say, to provide stables for two horses and some land behind each of the six new houses at Cabragh Bridge, about 2km from Thurles. "There are issues we have to address, we're going to have to negotiate and discuss it with them, but there will be no land provided by the council for horses," the council's director of services for housing, Sinead Carr, said at a meeting in Nenagh. "I do understand that the Travellers that are there have a particular love of horses and want to maintain it with them. I don't want to stop that. But I won't be doing it with the council's housing land." Expand Close Empty: The site in Thurles, Co Tipperary, which has been rejected by Traveller families living in caravans across the road. Photo: RTE NEWS / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Empty: The site in Thurles, Co Tipperary, which has been rejected by Traveller families living in caravans across the road. Photo: RTE NEWS At least 50 adults and children live in mobile homes and caravans across the road from the new housing development, and say members of their extended family have done so for decades. They have their horses living in stables and paddocks on land which is understood to be in private ownership with at least two or three different owners. The families say the matter is currently with their solicitor and there has been speculation in the council that the families are hoping to claim "adverse possession", or squatters' rights, of the land they are using for their horses. However, the council say that the agreement they made with the families, over a decade ago, was that they would provide suitable housing and that, when the new homes were ready, the "unauthorised" site would be completely cleared. There may now be attempts with other "stakeholders" to look at arranging accommodation elsewhere for the horses. Sinn Fein councillor David Doran said it was "a thundering disgrace" the houses have been built, at a cost of more than 1.7m, and are currently lying empty when there are hundreds of people on the council's housing list. Cllr Jim Ryan, an independent, said it was "an embarrassment" for the council and "a disgrace" but said on this occasion the local authority wasn't to blame. John Hogan, a councillor who was on the Traveller accommodation committee about 14 years ago when it was agreed between the council and the families living at Cabragh Bridge that the houses would be built for them, said that the agreement was that the houses would be built and then the bridge would be cleared. "We need to set a deadline," Cllr Hogan said. "Whether those people move into the houses or go elsewhere, we have lots of families for them." Ms Carr, said the council takes Traveller accommodation "very seriously" and is always keen to address any issues that arise. "The council is very clear where it stands on this," she said. "Our only objective in relation to that was to construct houses for those families. There was no agreement for anything else." An Irish law graduate who passed the New York Bar exam from her Dublin bedroom has taken the US by storm. Aoife Moore Kavanagh (24) from Louth graduated from Dublin City University with a law degree in 2016 and went on to become one of the youngest people to ever pass the New York Bar exam. Expand Close DCU graduate Aoife Moore Kavanagh / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp DCU graduate Aoife Moore Kavanagh After moving to the US, she now works as an associate attorney in a boutique litigation firm in Manhattan's Wall Street district. However, once she passed the New York Bar exam, Aoife faced another tough challenge - getting a US Work Visa. "The US visa process is extremely difficult and hasn't been made any easier in light of the current political climate. There are only a limited amount of visa options available and of those there are stringent conditions attached to each. "I had to have a job offer before I arrived in the US, which was a huge obstacle as I was still living in Ireland at the time and it took a huge amount of time and effort to finally secure employment, especially without ever having met my new employer in person. "I spent 6 months searching for a job until I received an offer that was right for me, all in all I probably sent over 1200 emails." Aoife said that when she first arrived in New York she was very homesick, but soon she became involved in the city's bustling social lfie. "New York felt really lonely. I had to get used to doing things on my own, going to events by myself and signing up for things I was interested in in the hopes I would meet people. Back home there is such a community feel to everything, on a night out someone always knows someone that you know. "I live in Brooklyn in a lively neighbourhood that has a strong Irish presence. I was lucky that I'm living with two Irish lads so it's great to be able to come and have the craic with them." The young attorney said that every day is different in New York, whether it be defending a case in the US Supreme Court or travelling to meet clients in the Hamptons. "You never know what you could be doing next, but someday I want to have my own firm over here. America is so different to Ireland, there is no end to all the possibilities here." The Congress has also been targeting the government over selection of Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault. New Delhi: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will leave for France on Wednesday night on a three-day visit, which comes in the backdrop of a huge controversy over the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. Officials sources said Ms Sitharaman will hold wide-ranging talks with her French counterpart Florence Parly on ways to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries and also deliberate on major regional and global issues of mutual interests. Ms Sitharaman, who will hold with Parly the first edition of defence dialogue, will leave for Paris late Wednesday night and conclude her visit on Saturday, they said. The sources said besides exploring ways to boost bilateral defence cooperation, Sitharaman will also take stock of progress in the supply of 36 Rafale jets by Dassault to the Indian Air Force under a Rs 58,000-crore deal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with the then French President Francois Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016. The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating the deal. The Congress has also been targeting the government over selection of Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault. Gardai were last night quizzing a woman in connection with the murder of a man who was well-known to her. The victim, named locally as Timothy 'Timmy' Foley (44), died after being stabbed several times at a house in Dan Corkery Place in Macroom, Co Cork, yesterday morning. Two other people, a man and a woman in their 40s, also suffered injuries during a disturbance at the house and were later hospitalised. A murder probe is under way and detectives have arrested a woman as part of the investigation. Gardai are probing if this female, who is aged in her 40s, was involved in the murder. A source last night told the Irish Independent: "There may have been more than one person involved in this killing, and at this stage the woman in custody is being treated as a suspect." It is understood she is known to local gardai for relatively minor offences. Mr Foley was originally from Clonakilty in west Cork but had been living in Macroom over recent times, where he was caring for his brother. Mr Foley suffered fatal injuries following a frenzied attack shortly before 2am yesterday. It is understood he suffered multiple stab injuries to his chest. The victim apparently attempted to leave the bungalow after being injured, but collapsed on the pavement. He was found by emergency services in a pool of blood. Expand Close Crime scene: Timothy Foley was found dead on the pavement at Dan Corkery Place, Macroom, Co Cork. Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Crime scene: Timothy Foley was found dead on the pavement at Dan Corkery Place, Macroom, Co Cork. Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision A second man and a woman, both similarly aged in their 40s, were also injured in the incident. Desperate efforts were made by paramedics to stabilise the critically injured man at the scene, but Mr Foley was pronounced dead before he could be transferred to hospital. The second man and the woman were rushed to hospitals in Cork. The man is expected to undergo emergency surgery for non-life threatening injuries. The woman's injuries are not described as serious. Gardai hope to speak with both the injured man and woman about the precise circumstances of what happened once they are medically fit to be interviewed. Supt Mick Fitzpatrick appealed to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to help gardai with their inquiries. The scene was immediately sealed off to allow for a full technical examination by forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau. The deceased was later removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where a full post-mortem examination will be conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. Door-to-door inquiries began in the quiet housing estate to determine if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious between 10pm on Sunday and 2am yesterday. Locals said they were deeply shocked. "This is a very quiet estate. There are a lot of elderly people here and there are also a number of families with young children," one resident said. Mr Foley was well-known in Macroom and had been released from a short prison sentence last year. Mr Foley's brother was dependent on the care of relatives after he sustained a serious head injury a number of years ago. Clonakilty has become Irelands first autism-friendly town. Over 80 businesses and organisations carried out four specific actions, in association with the As I Am charity, in order to achieve the accolade. They erected visual guides and maps to help any visiting autistic person; agreed to host a weekly quiet time or make available a relaxation box for customers or a dedicated quiet space for any autistic people who might experience sensory overload. They also agreed to be service dog friendly. The local schools, GAA and rugby clubs, Supervalu, gyms, shops, cafes, garda and fire stations are some of the spots who are now autism-friendly. Around 1 in 65 people in Ireland live with autism. People who are on the autistic spectrum can have difficulty with social communication, social imagination, social interaction and sensory processing. Adam Harris, founder of AsIAm explained that the towns designation marks an important milestone for the autism community in Ireland. The town of Clonakilty has rejected isolation, stigma and loss of potential in favour of autism inclusion, acceptance and cooperation. The small changes which the organisations in the town have committed to will make a tangible difference in the life of autistic people locally but will also have a much wider impact - challenging businesses, organisations and communities across Ireland to think what they can do to become more autism-friendly. Catriona Scally, Scallys SuperValu Clonakilty added: "Following the overwhelmingly positive response we received from the autism community in Clonakilty, Scallys SuperValu knew that there was more we could do to help. We always knew this was an ambitious undertaking, but we had the best in the country guiding us coupled with a community spirit and determination that is hard to beat." To find out more visit www.clonakilty.ie/autism-friendly-town. Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, view from roof, of Belfast City Hall (green dome) and, in the distance, the yellow Harland & Wolff cranes, Samson and Goliath Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, cocktail in the 23rd floor Observatory cocktail bar, the highest bar on the island of Ireland Room with a view? If you have a head for heights, youll be spoilt for choice in Belfasts new 23-storey Grand Central Hotel. At 80 metres (260 feet), its the tallest commercial structure on the island of Ireland. In its previous existence, it was Windsor House, a long-abandoned office block regarded as the ugliest building in all 32 counties even uglier than Dublins Hawkins House, which is saying something. Now, its a thing of beauty. The 300-room Grand Central, which opened in June, is the latest addition to the Hastings Hotels stable of thoroughbreds which includes the ultra-posh Culloden in Cultra, just outside Holywood, Co Down. Van Morrison lives a stones throw from the Culloden, but last week he was in Belfast, entertaining 350 fans in the ballroom of Hastings Europa Hotel and I had a front row ticket in my pocket. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Sir William Hastings Suite Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, afternoon tea in the 23rd floor Observatory Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, reception and lobby area Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, cocktail in the 23rd floor Observatory cocktail bar, the highest bar on the island of Ireland Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, exterior Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, view from roof, of Belfast City Hall (green dome) and, in the distance, the yellow Harland & Wolff cranes, Samson and Goliath Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Sir William Hastings Suite Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, aerial exterior of the hotel Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Seahorse Restaurant Belfast Christmas market in the grounds of City Hall / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Sir William Hastings Suite First, though, a pre-dinner and concert drink in the Grand Centrals 23rd floor cocktail bar, the Observatory, which offers eye-popping panoramic views of the northern capital. As the high-speed lift zooms ever-upward, your ears pop too. Way down below is City Hall, which opened in 1906 and in whose grounds the hugely popular international Christmas market will run from November 17 until December 22. A magnificent mass of dazzling white Portland stone, the home of the city council cost 369,000 to build the equivalent of 144m today. Transforming Windsor House into Belfasts newest hotel cost 53m (60m). Looking beyond City Hall, Samson and Goliath the two giant yellow cranes that tower over the Harland & Wolff shipyard where Titanic was built are Belfasts most instantly-recognisable landmarks. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Seahorse Restaurant Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, afternoon tea in the 23rd floor Observatory Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, reception and lobby area Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Sir William Hastings Suite Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, cocktail in the 23rd floor Observatory cocktail bar, the highest bar on the island of Ireland Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, exterior Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, view from roof, of Belfast City Hall (green dome) and, in the distance, the yellow Harland & Wolff cranes, Samson and Goliath Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Sir William Hastings Suite Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, aerial exterior of the hotel Belfast Christmas market in the grounds of City Hall / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Seahorse Restaurant The pilots of planes coming in to land at George Best Belfast City Airport delight in telling passengers that the big black H&W initials on the cranes stand for Hello & Welcome. Theres a lot more to see from the Observatorys floor-to-ceiling windows. Just to the left of Samson and Goliath is Titanic Belfast, voted the worlds number one visitor attraction in 2016. Farther left is Cave Hill with its distinctive rocky formation known as Napoleons Nose because of its perceived resemblance to the French emperors profile. The same formation is said to have inspired Jonathan Swift to write Gullivers Travels he imagined it to be the head of a recumbent giant. Shania Twain stayed in the Grand Central when she played Belfasts SSE Arena two weeks ago and enjoyed a late-night cocktail in the Observatory. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, reception and lobby area Belfast Christmas market in the grounds of City Hall Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Seahorse Restaurant Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, aerial exterior of the hotel Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Sir William Hastings Suite Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, view from roof, of Belfast City Hall (green dome) and, in the distance, the yellow Harland & Wolff cranes, Samson and Goliath Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, exterior Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, cocktail in the 23rd floor Observatory cocktail bar, the highest bar on the island of Ireland Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, Sir William Hastings Suite Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, afternoon tea in the 23rd floor Observatory / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, reception and lobby area The bar is principally for hotel residents, but visitors can enjoy a taste of the high life and those amazing views if it isnt too busy (phone ahead). Its not all cocktails, though. The Observatory is the only place north or south that offers Inedit Damm, a fruity wheat beer brewed with a blend of coriander, orange peel and liquorice and served in black glasses. The recipe was concocted by Ferran Adria, the superstar Spanish chef behind El Bulli on the Costa Brava, which was five times voted the best restaurant in the world before it closed in 2011. Its not all booze either. Afternoon tea (40/46.60) is served in the Observatory from 2 to 5pm, but if you want to save yourself a tenner, the first-floor Seahorse Lounge offers the same treats for 30/34 but without the views. Twain slept in the 21st-floor Sir William Hastings Suite, named in honour of the late hotelier who died aged 89 last December. Its one of 10 suites in the Grand Central, but they were all occupied by wealthy Van Morrison fans last Tuesday night, so after the concert I had to make do with a 14th-floor Deluxe Double room, which was bigger than most apartments Ive lived in. Regular Hastings Hotels guests often have trouble sleeping, which is no reflection on the beds rather, its the tantalising prospect of the fry in the morning. The award-winning cooked breakfast has for years been served in Hastings five other hotels. Now its available in the Grand Central which, going by my experience, will soon be picking up awards of its own especially for those unrivalled views. How to do it Rates at the Grand Central Hotel start from 180/205. See grandcentralhotelbelfast.com (00353 2890 231066), visitbelfast.com and discovernorthernireland.com. Read more: William D Nordhaus and Paul Romer have won the 2018 Nobel Economics Prize. Photo: Yale University/NYU Stern School of Business/Handouts via REUTERS William Nordhaus and Paul Romer have won the 2018 Nobel Economics Prize following pioneering work in adapting the western economic growth model to focus on environmental issues. The joint award turns the spotlight on a rapidly shifting global debate over the impact of climate change. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the duo's work was helping to answer basic questions over how to promote long-term, sustainable prosperity. Prof Romer, of New York University's Stern School of Business, is best known for his work on endogenous growth, a theory rooted in investing in knowledge and human capital. Prof Nordhaus, of Yale University, was the first person to create a quantitative model that described the interplay between the economy and the climate. Seann Walsh (L) and Rebecca Humphries attend a special screening of The Donmar Warehouse production of "The Vote" at the Ham Yard Hotel, generously supported by Chapel Down, on May 7, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Donmar Warehouse) Women's Aid have praised "women who are in a position to speak out publicly" about emotional abuse in their relationships amid British actress Rebecca Humphries' split with comedian Seann Walsh. Strictly Come Dancing's latest 'curse' scandal has taken a dark turn after pictures of contestant Walsh kissing his dancing partner Katya Jones were published in The Sun on Sunday. In the set, which included images and videos, the two share a passionate kiss and seem joyful as they walk in arm on a night out in London. Walsh has been dating Ms Humphries for five years, and last night, she released a statement on Twitter criticising her long-term boyfriend for labelling her a "psycho" when she queried the closeness of their relationship and lambasted him for not apologising privately to her, instead choosing to express his regret via a public statement. "Those pictures were taken on October 3rd. It was my birthday. I was alone at home when Sean texted at 10pm saying the two of them were going for one innocent drink," she wrote. "We spoke and I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. He aggressively, and repeatedly, called me a psycho/nuts/mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when I've questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour." She went on to say, "Believe in yourself and your instincts. It's more than lying. It's controlling. Tell some very close friends who, if they're anything like my wonderful network, will swoop in and take care of the logistics and you." This type of behaviour is referred to as 'gaslighting', which is defined as manipulating someone by psychological means into doubting themselves. Women's Aid, Ireland's leading national organisation working to stop domestic violence, cannot comment directly on high profile cases, but Margaret Martin, Director of Woman's Aid told Independent.ie: "We thank women who are in a position to speak out publicly about emotional abuse in relationships. It brings about a greater understanding of this form of insidious and harmful abuse. In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, calling you mad or psycho and turning things around to blame you can be part of pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse. Expand Close Seann Walsh (L) and Rebecca Humphries attend a special screening of The Donmar Warehouse production of "The Vote" at the Ham Yard Hotel, generously supported by Chapel Down, on May 7, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Donmar Warehouse) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Seann Walsh (L) and Rebecca Humphries attend a special screening of The Donmar Warehouse production of "The Vote" at the Ham Yard Hotel, generously supported by Chapel Down, on May 7, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Donmar Warehouse) "The use of term 'gaslighting' is relatively recent but is often used by women who ring the Womens Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 who are trying to make sense of what is happening to them." The term has been particularly championed by women who have experienced it, and last year's Women's Aid Impact Report showed 10,281 disclosures of emotional abuse and 1,443 of financial abuse alongside 3,502 disclosures of physical abuse and 607 of sexual abuse made to the organisation last year. Video of the Day "If you've been punched, if you have a broken bone, if you have a bruise - you can see it and you know it's not your imagination. The impact of emotional abuse is different and hidden but is just as, or even more, harmful," Ms Martin explained. "Talking about the situation and reaching out to Women's Aid is the best thing to do if you are experiencing emotional abuse. Abusers use tactics that can leave victims feeling isolated and confused, speaking about this manipulation can help to make the situation clearer and make the woman feel less alone. Expand Close Seann Walsh and Katya Jones. Picture: Instagram / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Seann Walsh and Katya Jones. Picture: Instagram "What happens in that conversation is that women start to see much more of what's actually happening to them and the pattern of his behaviours." Women's Aid have just launched a new campaign #TooIntoYou highlighling dating abuse during the month of October in order to educate women about the signs and whether or not they are entering - or remaining - in a healthy or unhealthy relationship. "We are encouraging all women to listen to and trust their instinct, because if it feels wrong, then it probably is wrong," Ms Martin said. On Sunday, Walsh and Jones released separate statements apologising for their actions. "In light of the story in todays newspaper I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions," he said. "This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for." Ms Jones, who has been married to fellow Strictly dancer Neil Jones since 2013, said it was not a reflection of her marriage. "Im so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions, she tweeted. "I wasnt thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship." If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse you can call the Womens Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341900 or visit www.toointoyou.ie /www.womensaid.ie A storm currently brewing in the Atlantic could batter the country with gusts of up to 150kmh later this week. A status yellow weather warning is in place nationwide from Thursday October 11 at 23:00 until Saturday October 13 at 21:00. Met Eireann said that a spell of wet and stormy weather is expected on Thursday night and Friday morning as a deep depression tracks northwards to the west of Ireland. A status yellow warning is in place as there is the risk of damaging gusts and coastal flooding in the west and north-west. Met Eireann said the stormy weather will extend to the east and south later on Friday and into Saturday. Galway City Council's weather assessment team met yesterday to assess the approaching storm. A spokesperson said the western county was experiencing a period of "very high astronomical spring tides", which would last until Thursday. But it's not all bad news for this week, with temperatures tomorrow expected to reach up to 21C before the storm hits. Warning of the storm brewing on Thursday into Friday, Met Eireann said: "Strong to gale force southerly winds could potentially give some damaging gusts, especially in the west." Cathal Nolan, of Midland Weather Channel, said: "While there remains a level of uncertainty regarding the exact track and strength of the storm, it does look as though south-western, western and northern coastal counties will see the very worst of the conditions." The former Chinese head of Interpol, who went missing last month, was accused yesterday of accepting bribes, becoming the latest top official to fall into President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption dragnet. After days of concealing the fate of Meng Hongwei - who is also China's vice-minister for public security - the public security ministry said Mr Meng had accepted bribes but provided no further details on the allegations or the conditions and location of Mr Meng's apparent detention. French officials disclosed last week Mr Meng had been reported missing after leaving France - where Interpol is based - for China, while his wife voiced concern for his life two weeks after he texted her an ominous knife emoji. Interpol said Mr Meng had resigned and would be temporarily replaced by a South Korean official until an election in November. That announcement came hours after China's anti-corruption body said he was under investigation for violating unspecified laws. The public security ministry released a statement yesterday, saying Mr Meng accepted bribes and the investigation "clearly expressed comrade Xi Jinping's" determination to fully carry out the struggle against corruption. "It shows that no one is above the law, with no exceptions. Anyone who violates the law will be seriously investigated and severely punished," the statement said, adding others suspected of accepting bribes alongside him would be investigated and dealt with. Mr Meng is the latest high-profile Chinese citizen to disappear, with a number of top government officials, billionaire business magnates and even an A-list celebrity vanishing for weeks or months at a time. When - or if - they reappear, it is often in court. Mr Meng, the first Chinese president of Interpol, was last heard from on September 25 as he left Lyon, where Interpol is based. More than 600 Irish people have been deported from Australia over the last two years. The Australian government is considering banning some immigrants from settling in big cities. Minister for cities, urban infrastructure and population Alan Tudge said his government wants to cut the number of immigrants moving to Sydney and Melbourne in a bid to reduce congestion in Australia's two biggest cities. Mr Tudge said placing conditions on visas that force immigrants to stay in less popular centres for several years would increase the likelihood that they would settle in those places permanently. "Nearly every visa has conditions attached to it, so it wouldn't be unusual to have a geographic attachment to a particular visa," Mr Tudge told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Australia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, but has long had a high proportion of its population - currently 25 million people - living in cities. Around two in every five Australians live in Sydney and Melbourne alone. The government is considering banning immigrants from settling in Sydney and Melbourne for five years after they arrive in the country, The Australian newspaper reported. Australia has the fastest population growth of any advanced Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development country other than Canada, growing 1.6% a year. But the population of Melbourne grew last year by 2.7%, while the population of the south-east corner of Queensland state around Brisbane and the Gold Coast grew by 2.3%, and Sydney grew by 2.1%. The main driver of population growth in Sydney and Melbourne was overseas migration, with 87% of skilled migrants to Australia and almost all refugees gravitating to those cities. Growth in the Brisbane-Gold Coast region reflected higher levels of population shift within Australia and a higher birthrate. Mr Tudge said some categories of immigrants would be exempt from geographic blocks. Migrants who were sponsored by employers would be able to work where employers need them, and those on family reunion visas - typically a foreigner marrying an Australian - would also be free to live where they chose. Sponsored employees make up 25% of Australia's immigrant intake and family reunion visas make up 30%. Marion Terrill, an expert on cities and transport from the Melbourne-based Grattan Institute think tank, said governments need to improve infrastructure in major cities rather than curb population growth. "People are voting with their feet, they want to be in cities and so I think the job for government is to ensure that cities work and that people can get around rather than to try to get people to go where they don't want to go," Ms Terrill said. Melissa Montero, an immigrant advocate and chief executive of the Sydney-based community migrant resource centre, said immigrants need social support, language services as well as jobs to successfully resettle. Carla Wilshire, another immigrant advocate and chief executive of Migrant Council Australia in Canberra, suggested the government should invest in services outside Sydney and Melbourne to make smaller towns more attractive to immigrants. Mark Morey, secretary of Unions NSW, which represents trade unions in New South Wales state, said the government's plan would leave immigrants isolated, with fewer job options and with less pay than they could hope for in big cities. More than 600 Irish people have been deported from Australia over the last two years. Figures released to RTE by the Australian Department of Home Affairs show that from the beginning of 2016 to the end of August this year a total of 636 Irish nationals were sent home. The most common issues leading to deportation had to do with visas with people either overstaying their visa or having their visa cancelled making up the majority of cases. Congress president will hold a 200-km road show in Eastern Rajasthan on Tuesday. Jaipur: Three days after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced dates for assembly elections in five states and Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on him while sounding poll bugle for his party in a rally in Ajmer, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi will arrive on two-day visit to Rajasthan the state where Congress according to two opinion polls, is set to make a comeback. The Congress president will hold a 200-km road show in Eastern Rajasthan on Tuesday. The next day, he will address a rally in Bikaner. However, it is the road show that would be keenly watched. Dholpur, from where Rahul Gandhi would embark on his road show, is home town of chief minister Vasundhara Raje. She is married into erstwhile princely state of Dholpur one of the only two Jat kingdoms in India. Another dominant caste is Gurjars her MP son Dushyant Singhs wife is a Gurjar. Besides, the BSP is also relatively strong in this area where it picked up one seat and came second on five in the last assembly elections. Three constituencies Baseri in Dholpur district and Bayana and Weir in Bharatpur district enroute to Mr. Gandhis road show are reserved for SC. Also, Jatav community, which is the core of Mayawatis dalit vote bank, primarily resides in this area. The Congress had won just two seats in 2013. It failed to win a single reserved seat in Dholpur, Bharatpur and Dausa that the road show would cover. Dausa district where the road show would culminate is another problematic area for the Congress. It did not win a single seat in this district, which is bastion of Dr. Kirori Lal Meena, who earlier this year returned to BJP. In this background, it appears to be a bold move. Perhaps, the Congress wants to send a strong message to not just its rival BJP but also Mayawati who earlier this week broke alliance talks with the Congress and decided to go solo in Rajasthan. Its state president Sachin Pilot has strong connection to Bharatpur and Dausa. His father, late Rajesh Pilot, represented both the constituencies in Lok Sabha. Sachin himself won his first election from Dausa Lok Sabha constituency. All three districts have strong presence of Gurjars. Besides, the Congress now hopes to cash in on resentment among Jats and Gurjars over reservation. Both have been seeking reservation. Since it was opened in 1973, Sydney Opera House has become a globally recognised icon whose famous white sails are regarded as a wonder of modern architecture. Perched on the harbour foreshore, the world heritage site has featured concerts and talks by Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and Nelson Mandela and once hosted a body-building competition won by Arnold Schwarzenegger. But there is one use to which the Opera House has not been put until now - its sails have never been used as an advertising billboard. In a move which has caused outrage, the New South Wales state government agreed to allow an advertisement for a horse race to be projected onto them. Critics said the decision was akin to placing advertisements on the pyramids or the Taj Mahal. Willy Hall, son of architect Peter Hall, who oversaw the completion of the Opera House, described the plan as a "desecration". "My father would have been sickened by it," he said. Despite the objection of the Opera House's management, Gladys Berejiklian, the state premier, ruled the sails could be used to advertise The Everest, believed to be the world's richest horse race. She was accused of buckling to pressure from broadcaster Alan Jones, who insisted the advertisement should be allowed and the building was not the private property of an artistic "elite". Louise Herron, the Opera House's chief executive, had agreed to feature the colours of jockeys on the sails but refused to directly promote the horse race. Protesters plan to use lights as a counter-projection to disrupt the advertisement. Mark Wilson is stepping down as chief executive of Aviva (Aviva/PA) Aviva boss Mark Wilson is to stand down after more than five years at the helm, as the group hailed the completion of a successful turnaround. Mr Wilson will leave his executive role immediately, the FTSE 100 insurer said on Tuesday, but remain with the group until April 2019 while a successor is appointed. Chairman Sir Adrian Montague will assume executive responsibilities while Aviva launches the hunt for a new CEO. Expand Close Aviva chairman Sir Adrian Montague will will assume executive responsibilities during the hunt for a successor to CEO Mark Wilson (Aviva/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aviva chairman Sir Adrian Montague will will assume executive responsibilities during the hunt for a successor to CEO Mark Wilson (Aviva/PA) He will chair a committee of three executive directors: UK insurance chief executive Andy Briggs, chief financial officer Thomas Stoddard, and international insurance chief executive Maurice Tulloch. The move follows Mr Wilsons decision in March to join the board of rival asset manager BlackRock, which angered some shareholders. Aviva said it was time for new leadership after five years under Mr Wilson in which he led a turnaround which the company said was now complete. He leaves the group in a far stronger state than when he joined, said Sir Adrian. Aviva is now financially strong and delivering solid earnings growth. There is much further to go in accelerating our strategic development and enhancing shareholder value. We have agreed with Mark this is the right time for a new leader to ensure Aviva delivers to its full potential. It has been an honour to lead Aviva through this period of immense change. I am happy I leave the company in a strong position from which it can thriveMark Wilson Aviva will commence the search for a successor immediately. The process is expected to take four months. Mr Wilson said: When I joined Aviva, the company was in poor health. Aviva is very different today. I have achieved what I wanted to achieve and now its time for me to move on to new things. It has been an honour to lead Aviva through this period of immense change. I am happy I leave the company in a strong position from which it can thrive. A Spanish court ruled yesterday that a doctor stole a newborn child nearly five decades ago - one of the many abducted during Spain's 20th-century dictatorship - but cleared him because the statute of limitations had expired. The Madrid court said 85-year-old gynaecologist Eduardo Vela could not be punished because one of those who were stolen, plaintiff Ines Madrigal, did not make her complaint until 2012, more than a decade after the crime had taken place. The court did find, however, that Vela was responsible for abducting Ms Madrigal in 1969, faking her birth by her adoptive parents and forging official documents. Yesterday's verdict is Spain's first in relation to the wide-scale child trafficking that took place from the onset of the country's civil war in 1936 to the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975. The right-wing regime waged a campaign to take away the children of poor families, prisoners or political enemies, sometimes stripping women of their newborn children by lying and saying they had died during labour. The children were then given to pro-Franco families or the Church, who educated the children on the regime's ideology and on Catholicism. Vela, the director of a Madrid clinic considered to be at the centre of the scandal, denied the accusations during this year's trial. Ms Madrigal, who learned at 18 that she wasn't living with her biological parents, argued that she couldn't have lodged her complaint earlier because she only learned about the scheme in 2010, when her adoptive mother, who died three years later, disclosed the details of what had happened at Vela's clinic. DNA tests confirmed the account, but Ms Madrigal's biological parents were never found. Ms Madrigal, now 49, said she considered the provincial court's verdict to be "bittersweet" and announced she would be appealing it to the country's Supreme Court. "I'm happy because the judges are acknowledging that there was theft, that I was taken away from my mother, but I didn't think they would stop short of convicting him," she told reporters, adding that "the judges should had been brave". Ms Madrigal's was the only case of "stolen babies" - as they are known in Spain - that has made it to the trial stage. Most lawsuits have been rejected in the past by courts for coming after the statute of limitations expired. Spain only started investigating the stolen babies cases a decade ago, when National Court magistrate Baltasar Garzon opened a probe into the more than 30,000 children who were under the care of the regime. Colleagues of the journalist raped and murdered in a Bulgarian park last week have called for an independent investigation into her death, amid fears she may have been targeted because of her reporting on alleged corruption. Victoria Marinova was found murdered in a park in Ruse, a town on the Danube on the country's northern border, on Saturday. She had been beaten, raped and strangled. Bulgarian police have said they are examining all possible motives for the killing, including the possibility that it was linked to her work. Investigative reporters who worked with her on her last report said they feared authorities were trying to "hide something" and warned it would be premature to rule out a motive connected with her work. "We don't want to exclude the possibility that she was targeted because of her journalistic position. But Bulgarian authorities are trying to downplay this part of the story. We think they are trying to hide something," said Atanas Chobanov, editor of the Bulgarian investigative site 'Bivol'. Mladen Marinov, the Bulgarian interior minister said yesterday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to the journalist's work. "It is about rape and murder," he said. Ms Marinova was a presenter on TVN, a local television station based in Ruse. The 30-year-old mother of one had recently launched an investigative journalism strand on the channel. Her first and final programme in this slot, which went out on September 30, covered an investigation by 'Bivol' into alleged embezzlement of EU funds earmarked for infrastructure projects. Ms Marinova was planning a report about a separate case of alleged embezzlement when she was killed. Ms Marinova is the third journalist reporting on corruption to be murdered in an EU country in the past year. Hurricane Michael has strengthened into a Category 2 storm with top wind speeds of 100mph as it continues towards northern Florida. The storm is moving north-north-west over the southern Gulf of Mexico, and mandatory evacuations are in effect along much of Floridas northern Gulf Coast, stretching from the Panhandle into the area known as the Big Bend. Michael is forecast to hit the Florida coast on Wednesday before moving over Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas on Wednesday night and Thursday. Mandatory evacuation orders came into effect on Tuesday morning for 120,000 people in Panama City Beach and across other low-lying parts of the coast. Parts of Floridas marshy, lightly populated Big Bend area could see up to 12ft of storm surge, while Michael also could dump up to 1ft of rain over some Panhandle communities as it moves inland, forecasters said. People need to start leaving now, Sheriff Tommy Ford told an emergency meeting on Monday night. He said people will not be dragged out of their homes, but anyone who stays behind will be on their own once the storm hits. Forecasters warned that Michael could dump 1ft of rain in western Cuba, triggering flash floods and mudslides in mountainous areas. Hurricane Michael is moving north-northwestward over the Gulf of Mexico. Here are the 4 am CDT October 9th Key Messages on Hurricane #Michael. pic.twitter.com/zKG49aiLqY National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2018 Disaster agencies in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua reported 13 deaths as roofs collapsed and residents were carried away by swollen rivers. Six people died in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador. Authorities were also searching for a boy swept away by a river in Guatemala. Most of the rain was blamed on a low-pressure system off the Pacific coast, but Hurricane Michael in the Caribbean could have also contributed. Florida governor Rick Scott called Michael a monstrous hurricane with devastating potential from high winds, storm surge and heavy rains. This morning, Im at the State Emergency Operations Center to give an update on Hurricane Michael as it approaches FL. The window of time to prepare is closing. This is a serious and life-threatening situation- dont take any chances. If you have been told to evacuate, leave. Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 9, 2018 He declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, from the Panhandle to Tampa Bay, activated hundreds of Florida National Guard members and waived tolls to encourage evacuations. He also warned carers at north Florida hospitals and nursing homes to do all possible to assure the safety of the elderly and infirm. Following Hurricane Irma last year, 14 people died when a South Florida nursing home lost power and air conditioning. If youre responsible for a patient, youre responsible for the patient. Take care of them, he said. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan bluntly advised residents choosing to ride it out that first-responders will not be able to reach them while Michael smashes into the coast. If you decide to stay in your home and a tree falls on your house or the storm surge catches you and youre now calling for help, theres no one that can respond to help you, Mr Morgan said at a news conference. On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Go to https://t.co/bmgmSZWtUX for more info on how to create & execute a preparedness plan. Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 8, 2018 The entire state of Alabama is under an emergency declaration, and governor Kay Ivey said she fears widespread power outages and other problems. Forecasters warned spin-off tornadoes would also be a threat. With the storm next entering the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico, which has warm water and favourable atmospheric conditions, there is a real possibility that Michael will strengthen to a major hurricane before landfall, said Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the Miami-based storm forecasting hub. A candlelit vigil has taken place for the 20 people killed in a limousine crash in New York state. Participants lifted candles above their heads as more than 1,000 people jammed a riverside park in Amsterdam. Relatives have tried to come to grips with the tragedy that happened as a group of friends and family were on their way to a 30th birthday party. My heart breaks for the 20 people who lost their lives in the horrific accident on Saturday in Schoharie. I have directed State agencies to provide every resource necessary to aid in the investigation, and I join all New Yorkers in mourning during this extremely difficult time. Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 7, 2018 The super-sized limo ran through a stop sign and hit a parked SUV on Saturday in Schoharie. Authorities have yet to say how fast the limo was going or determine why it failed to stop and sped off the road at the bottom of a long hill a known danger spot for traffic. The 19-seat vehicle had at least some seat belts, but it was unclear whether anyone was wearing them, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman Robert Sumwalt said. Expand Close Barbara Douglas lost four family members in the tragedy in New York state (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Barbara Douglas lost four family members in the tragedy in New York state (AP) The crash, about 170 miles north of New York City, came three years after another deadly stretch-limo crash in New York state spurred calls for governor Andrew Cuomo to examine such vehicles safety. There is no evidence the state took any steps to do so. Some relatives of the dead shed tears as local officials expressed solidarity with them. US representative Paul Tonko, a Democrat from Amsterdam, told a crowd that spilled onto a bridge spanning the Mohawk River: We are crushed with you, we are crushed for you. Expand Close Hundreds of people took part in the ceremony in Amsterdam (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hundreds of people took part in the ceremony in Amsterdam (AP) Some relatives shed tears as a woman sang Amazing Grace. The crash killed two pedestrians and all 18 people in the vehicle, run by Prestige Limousine, including four sisters who were headed with friends and relatives to a brewery for a party for one of the sisters. The four sisters aunt, Barbara Douglas, said they had felt they did the responsible thing getting a limo so they wouldnt have to drive anywhere. My heart is sunken. Its in a place where Ive never felt this type of pain before, said Karina Halse, who lost her 26-year-old sister Amanda. Expand Close Inquiries are ongoing into the crash (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Inquiries are ongoing into the crash (AP) The state moved to shut down the vehicles owner, Prestige Limousine, as state and federal authorities investigate the crash. Investigators plan to examine the mangled limos data recorders and mechanical systems as well as the road, which has a history as a danger spot. They are also looking into the drivers record and qualifications and conducting an examination to see if drugs or alcohol were factors. Officials have determined that the driver did not have the necessary commercial licence, and the vehicle failed a state inspection that examined such things as the chassis, suspension and brakes. Expand Close Debris scattered in the crash site in Schoharie (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Debris scattered in the crash site in Schoharie (AP) The limo built by cutting apart a heavy-duty SUV and lengthening it was also found to have been created without federal certification, though NTSB officials said they had not yet determined whether the vehicle met federal standards. Prestige Limousine issued a statement Monday expressing condolences to victims families and saying it was conducting a detailed internal investigation while also meeting with state and federal authorities. After a stretch limousine was involved in an accident on New Yorks Long Island in 2015, killing four women, a special grand jury implored Mr Cuomo to examine the safety of such vehicles. A man has been arrested over the rape and murder of Bulgarian television reporter Viktoria Marinova, who had highlighted possible government corruption, police said. Teodor Atanassov, chief police officer of the northern town of Ruse, said officers are holding a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian descent for 24 hours, but he has not been formally declared a suspect. Prosecutors said late on Monday that they had opened an investigation into the suspected misuse of European Union funds, as police investigate the rape and murder of Ms Marinova, whose strangled body was found on Saturday dumped near the Danube River. Ms Marinova, 30, hosted a show last month featuring two investigative journalists who were detained for their work on suspected fraud involving EU funds. Expand Close A vigil for murdered television reporter Viktoria Marinova (Vadim Ghirda/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A vigil for murdered television reporter Viktoria Marinova (Vadim Ghirda/AP) The interior ministry said prosecutors were investigating GP Group, a large private Bulgarian building company alleged to have misused the EU money, and froze 14 million euros (12 million) in assets. While Ms Marinova did not appear to have been closely involved in the fraud investigation, her show touched on a sensitive subject in Bulgaria, where corruption is endemic. The Balkan nation joined the EU in 2007 and was ranked 71st on Transparency Internationals corruption list last year. Joining the bloc opened up an enormous amount of possible new funding for Bulgarian infrastructure projects and other programmes designed to bring the nation up to EU standards. Journalists groups and European leaders expressed shock at the murder. Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said the commission expected a swift and thorough investigation that will bring those responsible to justice and clarify whether this attack was linked to her work. He quoted Mr Juncker as saying previously that too many journalists are being intimidated, attacked or murdered and there is no democracy without a free press. Expand Close A child lights candles next to a portrait of Viktoria Marinova (Vadim Ghirda/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A child lights candles next to a portrait of Viktoria Marinova (Vadim Ghirda/AP) The German government sharply condemned the killing, with the Foreign Ministry saying it was imperative that theres a fast investigation and that this horrible event will be illuminated as comprehensively as possible. Bulgarian interior minister Mladen Marinov insisted on Monday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to Ms Marinovas work. She was a director of TVN, a TV station in Ruse, and a TV presenter for two investigative programmes. Her final show on September 30 was about Attila Biro, an investigative journalist with the Rise Project Romania, and Dimitar Stoyanov from the Bulgarian investigative site Bivol.bg. The two men were briefly detained on September 13 south of Sofia as they investigated a tip that documents connected to suspected fraud involving EU funds were being destroyed. Bivol.bg owner Assen Yordanov said he could not directly link Ms Marinovas murder to her work, but noted her show tackled our very sensitive investigation into the misuse of EU funds. This is a topic on which no other Bulgarian national media dared to report on. Mr Biro said he had never met Ms Marinova, but one of her colleagues had interviewed him and Mr Stoyanov about their work. They are on the right path, but lets see how the investigation proceeds, he said. U.S. President Donald Trump smiles next to U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh as they participate in a ceremonial public swearing-in in the East Room of the White House in Washington US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has been sworn in at a White House ceremony, but not before President Donald Trump criticised Mr Kavanaugh's opponents for a "campaign of personal destruction". In a ceremony that could have been a unifying moment for the nation, Mr Trump instead delivered remarks that even he acknowledged began "differently than perhaps any other event of such magnitude". "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure," Mr Trump said, addressing the bitter partisan fight over Mr Kavanaugh's nomination that became a firestorm after the emergence of sexual misconduct allegations, which Kavanaugh emphatically denied. With all the sitting justices in attendance, along with Mr Kavanaugh's family and top admiration officials, Mr Trump said Mr Kavanaugh had been the victim of a "campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception". But, he told the new justice, "You, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent." Mr Kavanaugh officially became a member of the high court on Saturday and has already been at work preparing for his first day on the bench on Tuesday. In his own remarks, Mr Kavanaugh, who has faced criticism that he appeared too politicised in his Senate testimony, tried to assure the American public that he would approach the job fairly. He said the high court "is not a partisan or political institution" and assured he took the job with "no bitterness". "The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional. That process is over. My focus now is to be the best justice I can be," he said. It was the end of a deeply contentious nomination process that sparked mass protests, an FBI investigation and it comes less than a month before pivotal midterm elections that will determine which party controls Congress. Ceremonial swearing-ins are unusual for new justices. Only Samuel Alito and Stephen Breyer participated in White House events after they had been sworn in and begun work as justices, according to the court's records on the current crop of justices. Mr Kavanaugh and his law clerks already have been at the Supreme Court preparing for his first day on the bench on Tuesday, when the justices will hear arguments in two cases about longer prison terms for repeat offenders. The new justice's four clerks all are women, the first time that has happened. The clerks are Kim Jackson, who previously worked for Mr Kavanaugh on the federal appeals court in Washington, Shannon Grammel, Megan Lacy and Sara Nommensen. The latter three all worked for other Republican-nominated judges. Ms Lacy had been working at the White House in support of Mr Kavanaugh's nomination. In his Senate testimony last month, in which he denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in high school and accused Democrats of orchestrating a partisan campaign against him, Mr Kavanaugh promised: "I'll be the first justice in the history of the Supreme Court to have a group of all-women law clerks. That is who I am." Mr Trump's ceremony speech hammered a theme he has been hitting on all week: hoping to energise Republicans by attacking Democrats for opposing Mr Kavanaugh. Mr Kavanaugh was "caught up in a hoax that was set up by the Democrats," Mr Trump said as he left the White House earlier in the day for a trip to Florida. "It was all made up, it was fabricated and it's a disgrace," he said. Later, in Orlando, he called Kavanaugh "a flawless person" and said "evil" people had tried to derail him with "False charges" and "False accusations. Horrible statements that were totally untrue that he knew nothing about." "It was a disgraceful situation brought about by people that are evil. And he toughed it out," Mr Trump said at the International Association of Chiefs of Police meeting. The climactic 50-48 roll call vote Saturday on Mr Kavanaugh was the closest vote to confirm a justice since 1881. Oath of office: US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh participates in a ceremonial swearing in as President Donald Trump, Kavanaughs wife Ashley, youngest daughter Liza and oldest daughter Margaret look on in the East Room of the White House. US President Donald Trump last night apologised to Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh for the bitter battle during his confirmation hearings and declared him "innocent" of the sexual assault allegations that nearly derailed his nomination. 'I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the incredible pain you have been forced to endure," Mr Trump said last night before a ceremonial swearing-in at the White House. Expand Close President Trump congratulates the new judge. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Trump congratulates the new judge. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images "You sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent." Retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, whom Mr Kavanaugh once clerked for and whose place he has taken on the court, then administered the oath of office with Mr Trump standing by them. Judge Kavanaugh said he was not changed by a "contentious and emotional" battle over his confirmation to the nation's highest court, which was imperiled by the sexual misconduct allegations made by academic Dr Christine Blasey Ford. Speaking at the White House ceremony, Mr Kavanaugh said: "Although the Senate confirmation process tested me as it has tested others, it did not change me." His installation cements the strongest Supreme Court conservative majority since the New Deal, delivering on a decades-long ambition of the American right. It comes just in time to motivate evangelicals and social conservatives to turn out to vote in November elections that will determine control of Congress. President Trump has spent the past few days relishing Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation, which appeared in doubt as recently as a week ago after three women made sexual assault allegations against him. At a speech in Florida earlier yesterday, Mr Trump denounced the accusations against his nominee as "a hoax" perpetrated "by people that are evil." All eight of the Supreme Court's other justices attended the White House ceremony, a show of collegiality by members of an ideologically divided court. Brett Kavanaugh was joined at the ceremony by his wife and two daughters. Judge Kavanaugh will take the bench on the Supreme Court for the first time today. The court will be hearing arguments in two previously little-noticed cases involving the Armed Career Criminal Act, a federal law that imposes heightened penalties on people who repeatedly commit serious crimes. The White House event was purely ceremonial. Judge Kavanaugh took the two required oaths privately at the court on Saturday, letting him begin work right away. He has already hired four law clerks, all women, and is expected to be on the bench today when the court hears arguments. President Barack Obama's two Supreme Court appointees, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, didn't participate in oath ceremonies at the White House. They took their oaths at the court in ceremonies that were televised live. In 2009 when Sotomayor was sworn in, administration officials said Mr Obama wanted to forgo a White House oath as a sign of the new justice's independence. Meanwhile, Mr Trump yesterday said he has no plans to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, whose future has been steeped in drama. Mr Trump and Mr Rosenstein were scheduled to meet late last month following reports the latter wanted to wiretap the president early in his tenure. The president postponed the meeting amid the all-consuming confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. As he left the White House, Mr Trump said he had a "very good relationship" with Mr Rosenstein. Asked if he planned to fire him, Mr Trump said: "No, I don't." "I didn't know Rod before," he said. "I've gotten to know him, and I get along very well with him." Mr Rosenstein, who oversees the investigation of Russian election interference led by special counsel Robert Mueller, offered to resign last month after reports that he contemplated secretly recording conversations with the president. White House officials have said the president is unlikely to fire Mr Rosenstein before the midterm elections. If you want the best view of the city, climb the 366 steps of the Belfort, a stunning 13th century belfry to get amazing views, especially at sunset. A tiny European nation, almost always overshadowed by its more popular neighbours, is amongst the few places in the world I have visited more than once. Belgium offers the diversity you would expect from a country drenched in history but constantly evolving with the new. Bang in the middle of Western Europe, it surprises explorers with its medieval belfries alongside contemporary arcades, historic and quirky museums in equal measures (over 150 in total), age-old breweries bringing us frothy goodness, and comfort food like no other (waffles, frites and chocolates). The Dutch speaking Flanders (the northern part of the country) is where I flocked during both my visits. While one can never get enough of Brussels and Bruges, a quick trip to Oostende on the sea front will make it a perfect visit. Here are some must-not-miss activities in each of these cities. Get ready to be surprised by a stunning mix of old and modern, world heritage sites and perhaps an expanding waistline as you leave this cultural and gastronomic hotpot. A breathtaking view of Bruges Brussels Imagine being awestruck by old world architectural brilliance on a street and finding yourself having a meal at a funky cafe, right around the corner. Thats Brussels for you. The heart of the EU, Brussels is just the perfect mix of art nouveau mansions and hip buildings, contemporary art and cafes. A must visit is the Grand Place, perhaps one of the most stunning city squares in the world, which stuns you as the cobble-stoned enclosure pops up as you walk the narrow alleys surrounding it. Nothing compares to the comfort food! Head to Maison Dandoy near the square, for one of the best classic waffles with snowfall of icing sugar and to Fritland at Rue Henry Maus for Belgian fries, incontestably the best in the world, and of course double fried, just like the Belgians love it. Better still, just pick up your favourite food from the umpteen roadside joints near the grand place, sit back and watch life go by as you revel in the architectural marvels of antique guildhalls and statues. Belgium is beer-lovers ultimate heaven. Its innumerable old-breweries still carry the mystic charm and have a selection unmatched. I recommend The Sister, a bar which is stones throw away from the Grand Place and stacked with over 70 organic Belgian brews like the Zoevel or the Alfoncine. For the quirk-smitten, there is Le Cercueil, a famous bar with spooky and psychedelic interiors, so you can grab your beer while you chill in the bar where Exorcist was shot. The royal quarter with its museums will stun and satisfy the art lovers. The most intriguing is the Museum of Music in the Old England building which in itself is an art nouveau masterpiece. Utopia for chocolate lovers, you can get your hands on chocolate brands from famous chocolatiers include Godiva, Leonidas, Guylian and others. But the best chocolates are the indigenous ones you would buy at tiny boutiques, found aplenty in the city. Bruges Bruges looks straight out of a fairytale which makes it one of the prettiest cities in Europe. This authentic medieval charmer, with dreamy canals, most photogenic market squares, charming houses converted to museums, houses with a unique white-washed facade in every other lane, and historic towers and churches, is one of the best preserved cities in Europe. In contrast to Brussels, it is quaint, laidback but packed with the same historic charm. The old Markt Square brims with pavement cafes with best views in the evening, Groeninge museum, Bruges most celebrated art gallery prides itself in the amazing collection of Flemish and Renaissance artists, the 12th century basilica Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, a colourful chapel within the sliver facade interspersed with gold statues. If you want the best view of the city, climb the 366 steps of the Belfort, a stunning 13th century belfry to get amazing views, especially at sunset. You are sure to love the almost hidden, yet so popular De Garre Bar and their house beer staminee de garre, which is so strong that they only allow you to have three. You could also head to the Halve Maan brewery, creator of the famous Brugse Zot beer. Oostende A beautiful promenade along a white sand beach, interspersed with charming houses and historic buildings, is what best describes the fabulous coastal destination in Belgium. You can see the surprisingly intact Fort Napolean, get a hint of world war history at the Atlantikwall Raversyde, a complex of over 60 bunkers and trenches from WW 2 and 3. Walk the Belle Epoque-weg area to see lanes of charming townshouses or admire the neo-gothic architecture of St-Petrus-&-Pauluskerk historic church. You can eat at a number of sea-faced cafes but dont miss the freshly made shrimp croquettes and mussels of Bij Moustache, the smallest fish shop in all of Belgium. The near-perfect public transport in the country seamlessly connects the cities and all attractions within. Trams, metros, buses and water bus services bring easy access to the best in the cities. Whats better, Brussels, Bruges and Oostende are all on one train line. Whoever called Belgium boring is clearly oblivious to what this compact European wonder has to offer to the unsuspecting traveller. So, for your next European adventure, be sure to put it amongst the top of your list and be rest assured that you wont be disappointed. Then president-elect Donald Trump and Kanye West pose for a picture in the lobby of Trump Tower in 2016 (Seth Wenig/AP) US President Donald Trump will host one of his most famous fans at the White House, musician Kanye West, to talk about prisons, jobs and what to do about violence in Chicago, the White House said today. West will have lunch with the Republican president and also meet with Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. She did not give a date but the New York Times reported they would meet on Thursday. Kanye West is coming to the White House to have lunch with President Trump and he will also meet with Jared Kushner," Sanders said in a statement. "Topics of discussions will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago. The influential rapper emerged as one of Trumps most high-profile celebrity supporters during the 2016 presidential election campaign. He was booed at a concert shortly after the election for declaring his support for Trump, although he said he had not voted. He was booed again last month when he appeared on stage after the broadcast of the television show "Saturday Night Live" season premiere wearing a Trump campaign trademark red MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat. On Monday, Trump pledged to end a "crime spree" in Chicago, where West grew up, and called for loosening restrictions on police in the third-largest U.S. city to allow stopping and frisking suspects for weapons and other contraband. In 2013, a federal judge ruled that the New York Police Departments use of stop and frisk tactics disproportionately targeted black and Hispanic people, saying police had violated the U.S. Constitutions protections against unreasonable searches. Turkey says it will search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a missing Saudi contributor to the Washington Post, a week after he vanished during a visit there. The announcement came as a surveillance image surfaced of Jamal Khashoggi walking into the consulate just before he disappeared. Turkish officials fear the columnist was killed at the premises. Saudi Arabia has called allegations that it killed the 59-year-old baseless but has offered no evidence to show he left the building. US President Donald Trump has expressed concern about the writers disappearance, and secretary of state Mike Pompeo said US officials have raised the matter with their Saudi counterparts. Expand Close Activists holding posters of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi(Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Activists holding posters of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi(Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggis disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation, Mr Pompeo said. Tuesdays statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were open to co-operation and would allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry did not say when the premises would be searched. A search would be an extraordinary development, as embassies and consulates under the Vienna Convention are technically foreign soil and must be protected by host nations. However, activists protesting outside the consulate said more needed to be done. The surveillance image bore a date and time stamp, as well as a Turkish caption saying Mr Khashoggi was arriving at the consulate. Expand Close A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) The Post, which first published the photo, said a person close to the investigation shared the image with them. The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet also published the image. The door Mr Khashoggi walked through appeared to be the main entrance of the consulate in Istanbuls 4th Levent neighbourhood, a leafy, upscale district near the citys financial hub which is home to several other consulates. However, the consulate has other entrances and exits through which Saudi officials insist he left. It is unclear which camera the footage came from or who operated it. However, a number of CCTV cameras surround the area. Friends of Mr Khashoggi say Turkish police have taken possession of footage from the neighbourhood as part of their investigation. The Saudis have offered no surveillance footage or evidence to corroborate their claims that he left the consulate, and Turkish authorities have not provided evidence to show why they believe the columnist was killed there. If the story that was told about the murder is true, the Turks must have information and videotape and other documents to back it up, said Fred Hiatt, the Posts editorial page editor. If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out after half an hour, if thats true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that up. He added that the idea of a government luring one of its own citizens on to its own diplomatic property in a foreign country to murder him for the peaceful expression of his views would be unimaginable. Expand Close Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Tamas Kovacs/MTI/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Tamas Kovacs/MTI/AP) Mr Khashoggi had gone to the consulate in Istanbul for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancee. He had been living since last year in the US, in part due to the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has shown little tolerance for criticism. As a contributor to the Post, Mr Khashoggi has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. Those policies are all seen as initiatives of the crown prince, who has also presided over a round-up of activists and businessmen. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Mr Khashoggi left the consulate. Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials, he said. Dont you have cameras and other things? Why dont you prove it? You have to prove it. Saudi Arabia is a long-time ally of the US, but on Monday senior officials in Washington expressed alarm over Mr Khashoggis disappearance. President Donald Trump said: I dont like hearing about it. And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it, but there are some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it. Turkish authorities are to search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of an investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Foreign Ministry said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they are open to co-operation and will allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry did not say when the premises would be searched. Mr Khashoggi disappeared a week ago after entering the consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancee. Expand Close Members of the Turkish-Arab journalist Association hold posters with photos of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Members of the Turkish-Arab journalist Association hold posters with photos of missing Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Turkish officials have alleged he was killed in the compound, but Saudis officials said he left the building unharmed. Saudi Arabia has called the allegations that it killed the 59-year-old baseless but has offered no evidence to show he left the building. It came as the Washington Post published a surveillance image of Mr Khashoggi walking into the consulate, just before he disappeared. The image had a date and time stamp, as well as a Turkish caption bearing Mr Khashoggis name and that he was arriving at the consulate. Expand Close A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man said to be Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate (CCTV/Hurriyet/AP) The Post said a person close to the investigation shared the image with them. The door Mr Khashoggi walked through appeared to be the main entrance of the consulate in Istanbuls 4th Levent neighbourhood, a leafy, upscale district near the citys financial hub which is home to several other consulates. However, the consulate has other entrances and exits through which Saudi officials insist he left. It is unclear which camera the footage came from or who operated it. However, a number of CCTV cameras surround the area. If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out ... after half an hour, if that's true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that upFred Hiatt, Washington Post Friends of Mr Khashoggi said Turkish police have taken possession of footage from the neighbourhood as part of their investigation. If the story that was told about the murder is true, the Turks must have information and videotape and other documents to back it up, said Fred Hiatt, the Posts editorial page editor. If the story the Saudis are telling, that he just walked out after half an hour, if thats true, they ought to have facts and documents and evidence and tapes to back that up. He added that the idea of a government luring one of its own citizens on to its own diplomatic property in a foreign country to murder him for the peaceful expression of his views would be unimaginable. Mr Khashoggi had been living since last year in the US, in a self-imposed exile, in part due to the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman. As a contributor to the Post, he has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticising its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. All those issues have been viewed as being pushed by Prince Mohammed, who has led round-ups of activists, businessmen and others in the kingdom. Expand Close Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Presidential Press Service/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Presidential Press Service/AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Mr Khashoggi left the consulate. Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials, Mr Erdogan said. Dont you have cameras and other things? Why dont you prove it? You have to prove it. The wife of the former Interpol president who disappeared in China says she received a threatening phone call warning of agents coming for her while she fights for information about her husbands fate. In her first one-on-one interview since Meng Hongwei went missing, Grace Meng denied bribery allegations against her high-profile husband, and told the Associated Press that speaking out about his disappearance was placing her in great danger. Meng Hongwei who is also Chinas vice minister of public security disappeared on a trip home to China late last month. A long-time Communist Party insider with decades of experience in Chinas sprawling security apparatus, the 64-year-old appears to be the latest high-ranking official to fall victim to a sweeping purge against allegedly corrupt or disloyal officials under President Xi Jinpings authoritarian administration. Expand Close Grace Meng in the lobby of a hotel in Lyon (John Leicester/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Grace Meng in the lobby of a hotel in Lyon (John Leicester/AP) Speaking to the AP, Mrs Meng said her last contact with her husband was by text message, on September 25, when he wrote wait for my call and sent her an emoji image of a knife after travelling back to China. After a week with no news, and on an evening when she was at home in Lyon having put their two young boys to bed, she had a threatening call on her mobile phone from a man speaking Chinese. He said, You listen but you dont speak. Weve come in two work teams, two work teams just for you. She said the man also said: We know where you are, and that when she tried to ask a question, he repeated: You dont speak, you just listen to me. As a result, Mrs Meng is under French police protection. Chinese authorities said on Monday that her husband was being lawfully investigated for taking bribes and other crimes that were a result of his wilfulness. Hours earlier, Interpol said he had resigned as the international police agencys president. It was not clear whether he did so of his own free will. Mrs Meng suggested the bribery accusation is just an excuse for making him disappear for so long. As his wife, I think hes simply incapable of this, she said, adding she would be willing to make their bank accounts public. She said she spoke out in the hope that it might help other families in similar circumstances. Mrs Meng refused to provide her real name to the AP, saying she was too afraid for the safety of her relatives in China. It is not customary for Chinese wives to adopt their husbands names. Mrs Meng said she has done so now to show her solidarity with her husband. Her English name, Grace, is one she has long used, she said. A French judicial official confirmed to AP that police are investigating the threat against Mrs Meng, but said the probe has yet to determine whether Chinese teams were sent to Lyon. Sanjeev Pradhan has a dream. He wants every Muslim family that was forced to leave his village Dulheda in UPs Muzaffarnagar district to now return home. Of the 65-odd Muslim families in Dulheda situated in the Shahpur region of Muzaffarnagar that fled after the deadly riots that shook the area in August and September 2013, Pradhan has persuaded around 30 to return. Pradhans efforts resonate more in the restive region because the 42-year-old had helped save several Muslim families during the riots by not only giving them shelter in his home but also ferociously guarding them at the places where they had taken refuge. Afsana Begum, who came back to the village after more than four years, recalls, I remember how he and his men guarded our mosque. He wouldnt let anyone touch it. toi He protected us with his life. If he says we should come back, I will trust him without thinking twice. On his part, Pradhan says he judges people on the basis of their character, not religion. Mussalman kharab hai? Ya Hindu kharab hai? Insaan kharab hai (Is the Muslim bad, or is the Hindu bad? I will say it is the person who is bad). We need to fight and hope for change. I am only doing that, he says. Sticking to his conviction has not been easy though. Pradhan, a former village head, had to incur criticism of the members of his Jat community (who make up most of the population of the village) for being an obstacle when an opportunity had come for ridding the village of Muslim influence forever. Nawab Singh, one of his supporters, says, Sanjeev Pradhan lost the village head elections in 2015 and one of the primary reasons was his act of saving minority members lives in the riots. Some of the Hindus had even started greeting him with Salam-Alaikum in a sarcastic manner, claiming he was now almost a Muslim. Looking back, Pradhan says he wouldnt have done a thing differently. I vividly remember the day September 8, 2013. We could hear gunshots in the distance and, later, it became quite evident that the carnage had begun. Since most of the minority families and the lone mosque was near my house on the southern end of the village, we had started guarding their homes ever since the first murders were reported on August 27 in Kawal village, which triggered the riots. toi Located just a kilometre away from Kutba, the village that witnessed the killing of eight Muslims, Dulheda, too, could not remain untouched by the violence that erupted, which eventually led to 62 deaths and the displacement of over 50,000 people from Muzaffarnagar district. However, Pradhan and his supporters unflinchingly resisted all attempts by people from neighbouring villages to stoke communal fires in their village. Bala Bano, a resident who returned to the village at Pradhans insistence, recalls those terrifying days. We were full of fear and uncertainty. If Pradhan hadnt been there, we would not have survived. When the situation started to deteriorate in the first week of September (2013), he called up our menfolk who were out of the village to immediately return and took us to the safety of his house, which was being guarded by his men. Even at night, he used to sit outside and keep vigil himself. We owe our lives to him. Afsana remembers how Pradhan arranged for more than 300 Muslims to be escorted to the Palhera and Shahpur relief camps. He wanted to come with us himself to the relief camps but we told him that could jeopardise his own safety. toi He, therefore, organised buggies to transport us to the camps. I remember we were extremely scared but his supporters, all Jats wielding arms, walked by our side throughout the way and ensured that nobody was harmed. After the Muslim families had moved to the shelters, Pradhan made sure that their cattle were taken care of and their houses protected. Sajid Ahmad, one of those who returned after staying in a relief camp for some time, says, Muslim families in the village do not have big landholdings and mostly depend on cattle rearing. So, it was a big relief when we came back to find that our cattle were safe. Pradhan says that the village society works on mutual trust and can function optimally only when people co-operate with each other. Muslims in the village is a big help to farmers like us. They help us during the cane harvest, build our houses and co-operate in so many other things. We are all dependent on each other and need to respect each other. I will keep trying to get them back home. BJP MP Udit Raj supported actor Nana Patekar and questioned actor Tanushree Dutta for speaking up after a decade. He said that the #MeToo movement in India is the beginning of a wrong practice. Read more Here's more top news of the day: 1) Rajasthan On Alert As 29 Case Of Mosquito-Spread Zika Virus Reported From Jaipur BCCL The Health Ministry also claimed that the Zika outbreak was under control and that there was no need to panic. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak. Read more 2) Delhi To Move Court Against Stubble Burning In Punjab & Haryana As Air Quality Slips To Poor BCCL With winter approaching and farmers in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana already beginning to burn crop stubble, the Delhi government has said they may be forced to take harsh steps, like approaching courts, if the state governments do not take effective measures to control it. Read more 3) Industries Hit As 50,000 Migrant Workers From UP, Bihar Leave Gujarat Fearing More Attacks PTI "We are working hard to ensure trust and confidence among all citizens that they are safe and secure in Gujarat, instead of indulging in blame game," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tweeted. Read more 4) Bulgarian Journalist Brutally Beaten, Raped And Murdered After Reporting On Corruption Viktoria Marinova, a 30-year-old Bulgarian journalist was raped and killed on Saturday in a case that has sent repercussions across Europe. The journalist had become the anchor of a talk show focused on investigative reporting. Read more 5) 32-YO Woman Bravely Saves Many From Gurugram Highrise Fire, But Dies After Being Trapped Inside facebook/swati tikekar garg A 32-year-old interior designer, saved many lives in a highrise tower at Tulip Orange on Sunday night, knocking on doors of flats to alert other residents to a fire that had started in the stairwell a little after 2am. Read more Students staged sit-in outside Arts Faculty and some tried to scale the gates. They tried to block Mall Road and jumped in front of traffic. Pinjra Tod had last week submitted a charter of demands to the Vice-Chancellor of the University demanding removal of curfew timings and allowing 24-hour entry into women's hostels, abolishing the concept of local guardians for students and keeping a provision for an emergency local contact. (Photo: File) New Delhi: A women's collective on Monday began an all-night protest at Delhi University's Arts Faculty demanding curfew-less nights for women's hostels. Pinjra Tod had last week submitted a charter of demands to the Vice-Chancellor of the University demanding removal of curfew timings and allowing 24-hour entry into women's hostels, abolishing the concept of local guardians for students and keeping a provision for an emergency local contact. They had threatened to stage a protest if the demands were not met within a week. On Monday evening, around 100 students with placards staged a sit-in outside the Arts Faculty while some of them even tried to scale the gates but their attempts were thwarted by the security personnel. They later tried to block the nearby Mall Road for some time as some of the protesters jumped in front of oncoming vehicles, the police said. However, the police intervened and and facilitated a discussion between the agitating group and the Proctor, Deputy Proctor and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University. As the administration failed to pacify the crowd, the protesters, insisting that their demands be agreed to immediately, launched their all-night agitation. The protesters also accused the police of physically assaulting them, a charge denied by the police. The student's collective further demanded a new women's hostel for differently-abled students and the setting up of an internal complaint committees against sexual harassment in all colleges and institutions. An outbreak of the Zika Virus has the authorities in Rajasthan on their toes after 29 cases tested positive in capital Jaipur. Twenty-nine people have tested positive so far for Zika virus and all the cases are from Jaipurs Shastri Nagar area. Around 450 samples have been sent for testing of which 160 are of pregnant ladies, said Veenu Gupta, additional chief secretary, Medical & Health and Family Welfare Department, Rajasthan. BCCL The Health Ministry also claimed that the Zika outbreak was under control and that there was no need to panic. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak. A seven-member high-level central team is in Jaipur to assist the state government in control and containment measures while a control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation. AFP Meanwhile, the Toronto-based International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers said it was advising pregnant travellers to postpone trips to the area, part of India's tourist "golden triangle" of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. First discovered in 1947, the zika virus reached epidemic proportions in Brazil in 2015, when thousands of babies were born with microcephaly, a brain defect affecting speech and motor function. AFP It is the third such outbreak in India, with the first in Ahmedabad in January 2017 and the second in Tamil Nadu in July 2017. A political science student of Noida University has become the British High Commissioner to India for 24 hours. The British High Commission arranged this to mark the International Day of the Girl Child which is celebrated on October 11. In order to find the right person for being the High Commissioner for one day, the British High Commission organised a competition for women aged between 18 and 23 to become the British High Commissioner to India for a day. ANI To enter, the competitors submitted a short video presentation on the theme "What does gender equality mean to you?" A total of 58 students from across the country submitted their videos. The successful entry was from Bahal, who plans to become a social entrepreneur after completing her higher studies in public policy and law. Expressing delight over the achievement, acting British High Commissioner for a day, Bahal said: "Acting as British High Commissioner for a day has been a great and really unique experience. I've learned about the breadth and depth of UK-India relations - and had the opportunity to highlight the importance of gender equality and inclusivity, issues which are of great importance to me." Eenadu India Hindi British High Commissioner to India (or Deputy High Commissioner for a day since Bahal became High Commissioner for 24 hours) Dominic Asquith said, "I am delighted that we were able to run this competition and give young Indian women a platform to discuss their rights. I thank all participants for submitting their excellent videos." "Esha is truly impressive. She is clearly committed to girls' rights and her video was outstanding. I would like to congratulate her on her success and wish her all the best for her future endeavours," he added. (With inputs from ANI) Seeing as smartphones work on touch displays, were always poking and prodding them with our fat fingers, scrolling, tapping and swiping away most of the day. But if theres one thing that could distract you in that, it would be your phone touching you back. MobiLimb/Mark Teyssier Thats apparently something the MobiLimb can do, though why someone thought something so deeply disturbing was a good idea is beyond me. The device is part of a research project by Telecom Paristech, an engineering college in France. At its core, MobiLimb is a USB robotic finger that helps you in various ways. Its a robotic finger composed of five segments, and controlled by set of motors, actuators, and sensors. Thanks to all the joints, it can flex and twist just like a real human finger, but magnitudes more discomforting. One thing the MobiLimb does is let your phone crawl towards you. When activated, the finger drags itself and the phone its connected to towards you. It also works as the worlds creepiest joystick, can bend to hold and write with a pen on paper, taps impatiently to signal an incoming notification, and even lifts your phone up to the perfect angle when youre sitting back to watch a video handsfree. Oh yeah. For some reason, it can be programmed to stroke your wrist affectionately to go along with perhaps a positive emoji you receive in chat. (shiver) MobiLimb/Marc Teyssier And if all of that wasnt enough to fuel your nightmares, the researchers responsible say theyve also developed an incredibly realistic flesh-coloured silicone cover for the MobiLimb. You know, so it can be even more grotesque. Oh joy! Just imagine that detached finger stroking your wrist as youre trying to have a pleasant conversation with your wife or girlfriend. Frankly, this device is too niche to ever really be sold successfully, but Ill admit it is an interesting application of technology. After all, it does give your otherwise static phone movement capability, and the ability to be somewhat express, no matter how ungodly nightmarish it may appear. There could be no better example of Indians being cheated by major corporations than this the Maruti Suzuki Swift that is made in India scored a paltry 2-star rating (out of a possible 5) for occupant protection. The same car (hybrid variant) that is sold in Japan has been rated at 5 stars (out of a possible 5). Same car, same company, but different value for a customers life. In fact, the car sold in Europe gets a 3-star rating which though not class leading is better than the Indian market car. Global NCAP You know whats even more shocking? The Swift made in India is being exported to Europe and the home market Japan! If Suzuki can make a car that is safe enough to meet international standards right here in India, why cant it sell the car with the same safety standards to Indian buyers? Feel cheated yet? JNCAP Global NCAP used the most affordable model of the Swift, which comes with two front airbags, for the crash test. But the Swift failed to provide adequate protection for the drivers chest and knees. In fact, the cars structure was rated as unstable and declared not capable of withstanding further loadings. David Ward, General Secretary Global NCAP said The latest version of the Swift sold in India has improved and it is good to see dual airbags as standard. This confirms the beneficial effect of the Indian Governments new crash test regulations. But the performance of the Swift sold in Europe and Japan shows that a better safety performance is still possible so Global NCAP would like to see Maruti Suzuki aim higher. Its time car makers started taking Indian customers seriously. Anupam Kher met Sonali Bendre, who is under treatment for cancer, in New York. The actor is in the city to shoot his new medical serial, New Amsterdam. (Anupam Kher/Twitter photo) U.S. President Donald Trump announces that he has accepted the resignation of Nikki Haley as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, in the Oval Office Oct. 9 in Washington, D.C. President Trump said the Indian American diplomat will leave her post by the end of the year. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Pennsylvania State University assistant professor Saurabh Basu has received funding from the National Science Foundation to improve the reliability of 3D-printed parts that are operated under extreme stress. The Indian American researcher received $260,000 for the study. (Penn State photo) He said that a primary level meeting had already been held to decide on how to go about implementing this new proposal. Mumbai: The Maharashtra government wants to make the plastic ban in the state more stringent by cancelling shop licences if such material is found there, state Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said Tuesday. He said that a primary level meeting had already been held to decide on how to go about implementing this new proposal. We have succeeded up to 60 per cent in imposing plastic ban across the state. Now we want to make it more stringent by cancelling the license of shops if they are found in possession of banned plastic material, Mr Kadam said. A primary level meeting has already been held in Mumbai regarding cancellation of licence. We will take appropriate action next week on how it is going to be implemented, the minister informed. He said that visible littering of plastic bags had come down since the ban, adding that 290 tonnes of banned plastic had been seized and fines of `2.53 crore collected in this period. The minister said that the Union government was also impressed by the success achieved by the state in banning plastic and had sent a team to Mumbai to explore possibility of carrying out this ban on a wider scale. We have shared information with these (Central) officials. They were impressed with the manner in which Maharashtra implemented the ban. A detailed presentation was made for them regarding our policy, Mr Kadam said. He added that there was little possibility of extension of time for concession given for the use of some types of plastic which the state plans to ban in a phased manner. Mr Kadam said that 12 regional offices of the government had carried out raids to ensure effective implementation of the plastic ban. Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray met Kadam Tuesday and the latter briefed him on the bans impact. Switch the Market flag Open the menu and switch the Market flag for targeted data from your country of choice. for targeted data from your country of choice. Activists have reacted sharply to these diktats. Mumbai: After the Pashchim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti (PMDS)s appeal to devotees to not wear short dresses when visiting the famous Mahalakshmi temple, now the Mahalakshmi Mumbai and Mumbadevi temple trustees have urged devotees ahead of the Navratri festival not to wear shorts, torn jeans, short skirts or any indecent clothes when visiting temples. Activists have reacted sharply to these diktats. The Mahalakshmi trustee, R. Mehta, said, We are welcoming devotes from everywhere the only thing is we have appealed people to come decently dressed thats it, and this is for both men as well as women. Supporting PMDSs decision, the Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Raj Purohit who is on board of Mumbadevi temple said, People should respect a temples pious environment, wearing torn jeans, short skirts and shorts are not part of Indian culture. He added, I urge everyone to come and seek blessings in decent clothes like kurtas, even jeans and t-shirts are fine, but wearing shorts absolutely not acceptable. Raju Iyer, a trustee of a temple in Thane said, I agree with the PMDS, not only women but men should also maintain the etiquette and wear decent attire to the sacred place. However, activist Trupti Desai who is not very pleased with the idea of dress code, said, It is not fair to impose strict dress code on women. Asking devotees to follow dress code and making it mandatory for women is not at all acceptable. Wearing clothes is an individuals choice. When my grandfather started this business, he may not have known wed make it to 90 years, said Pat Gallagher, president, chief executive, and chairman of the board. What I can tell you with certainty, though, is that hed be proud to see the company that shares his name act with such integrity and show such compassion to our communities. I can think of no better way to honour him or to honour 90 years in business. In Australia, initiatives included the ice bucket challenge to support FightMND, donating to the Movember Foundation to enable progress in research and treatment of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental-health awareness, and suicide prevention, and supporting critical research into bowel cancer screening by taking part in the Tough Mudder. This year we have an even bigger Tough Mudder team braving the elements to raise important funds for charity, which speaks volumes about our active community presence and desire to make a visible difference, said Sarah Lyons, Gallagher Australias chief executive. Having a social conscience is part of the Gallagher way we should want to help, and thats what were here for both professionally and personally. I would like to thank everybody for their efforts this year, including those who went above and beyond to contribute towards achieving an outstanding international result. Its terrific to see the team pulling together and giving back as part of our blueprint for better culture. Following an extensive tender process, MetLife has been selected as insurance partner of Tasplan, Tasmanias only industry super fund, to provide its 145,000 members innovative and affordable insurance offerings. MetLife demonstrated its ability to form a unique partnership that aligns with our values and addresses the specific needs of the fund, said Nick Connor, Tasplans chief operations officer. We know the proposed federal budget changes to insurance inside super adds another level of complexity and uncertainty, and we identified the need to partner with an organisation that can respond to these changes and evolve with us and our members. The member experience is critically important to Tasplan, and the ability to offer digital solutions that make the process of both applying and claiming fast and easy, was also high on our priority list. We are agency-focused in those markets, but we would love to do more on the distribution side, Prudential Corporation Asia CEO Nic Nicandrou told Reuters. We are on the lookout for the right partners. Aside from expanding their agency forces, Asian insurers are spending large sums of money for bancassurance deals, which tap banks branch networks and digital platforms to boost the insurers distribution capabilities. Nicandrou added that Prudential is keen on making more acquisitions in Asia, but sellers are quite rare at the moment. He also responded to reports that Chinese mega-insurer Ping An is looking to buy Prudentials Asian business, saying that no offer from Ping An has been received. Additionally, he revealed that Eastspring, Prudentials asset management arm, has registered for a licence to manage non-retail funds in China, and is expected to gain the regulators approval within the quarter. We can do some team lift-outs and bolt-on M&A there to grow [Eastspring] and get a bigger share of the asset management market in China, Nicandrou said. FNI has annual revenues of about $1.5 million, a company release said. As part of the deal, FNI principals Howard Brinn and Mike Mitchell will become part of the Brown & Brown auto, RV and powersports practice. Brinn and Mitchell have a combined 60 years in the insurance industry. Howard and Mike have a wealth of experience in the automotive dealership market in the greater Chicago area, said Brown & Brown Kentucky president Mike Neal, who also leads Brown & Browns auto, RV and powersports practice. We believe that their F&I experience will further strengthen our Midwest presence when coupled with Joel Kansanback, Bill Kelly and the recently acquired Automotive Development Group team, Neal added. I am extremely excited to be joining a world class organization. Mike and I feel that combining our efforts and experience with Brown & Brown-Automotive Development Group will allow us to enhance our service to our dealer partners and continue to grow, Brinn commented. Related stories: Brown & Brown lifts the lid on its 10 acquisitions this year Brown & Brown in MGA acquisition Italian freight forwarders who say their business has been affected by a deadly bridge collapse in Genoa are taking legal advice and considering whether to sue toll-road operator Atlantia if the group is found responsible. The government has blamed an Atlantia unit, which operated the viaduct that collapsed killing 43 people on Aug. 14, for the disaster. The company is under judicial investigation, along with the transport ministry, for culpable homicide. The unit, Autostrade per lItalia, has denied wrongdoing, saying regular, state-supervised inspections had indicated the aging bridge was safe. A spokesman for Atlantia declined to comment. The freight forwarders are also looking into lawsuits against the government if the transport ministry is held responsible. The government denies responsibility. Spediporto, which represents about 330 freight forwarders in Genoa, says trucks are forced to take lengthy detours to and from the port since the collapse of the viaduct, which formed part of a motorway linking the city and its port with southern France. It fears shippers may choose alternative routes because this means an average shipping delay of more than an hour. We have already contacted our legal advisers over the possibility of a collective lawsuit and we will take a final decision in the coming months when we have collected more data over the financial impact of the disaster, Spediporto director general Giampaolo Botta told Reuters. The Genoa Chamber of Commerce estimates more than 14,500 businesses were impacted when a 200-meter (660-ft) section of the viaduct collapsed, including the container port which generates around 1.5 percent of Italys gross domestic product. It has started asking firms across the city to estimate the impact of higher transport costs arising from road detours and port delays. So far, it has spoken to 1,400 firms, said spokeswoman Anna Galleano. The survey is aimed at helping firms claim relief from state disaster-aid funds but the data could be used in future law s. She said the chamber had not sought legal advice for now. Financial Threats Civil lawsuits could take months to emerge but would pose an extra financial threat for Atlantia. Rome has already moved to revoke its national toll-road concession, worth 3.9 billion euros ($4.5 billion) a year, and threatened it with heavy fines. Autostrade has set aside 500 million euros to offer initial support to families and small businesses and also to rebuild the bridge, but the chamber said early evidence suggested the total damage could be much higher. You can easily expect that the 500 million euros will be multiplied by four, reaching 2 billion euros, Chamber General Secretary Maurizio Caviglia told Reuters. Any civil suit would have to wait until prosecutors wrapped up their investigation and could also be aimed at the transport ministry, if it was found to be culpable in its role as supervisor of safety on toll roads, said lawyer Lucio Galino. Under the Italian law, if prosecutors took Atlantia or the transport ministry to trial, businesses could file for damages with the same court. The trial judge could at the time of sentencing award provisional damages to those businesses. The government could also take legal steps. At a recent meeting in Genoa, state lawyers asked government representatives and local officials to keep records of extra emergency work and be ready in case it tries to claim damages against Atlantia, two sources familiar with the matter said. ($1 = 0.8685 euros) (Additional reporting by Francesca Landini in Milan and Domenico Lusi in Rome; editing by Anna Willard/Adrian Croft) Related: Topics Lawsuits Trucking Willis Towers Watson announced the appointment of Pamela Thomson-Hall as the head of the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEEMEA) region of Willis Towers Watson. Thomson-Hall also has been named as the head of Corporate Risk and Broking (CRB) for the CEEMEA region. She starts both roles with immediate effect and is based in London. Her goals are to drive business growth across an especially large and diverse geographic region of more than 40 countries, with a focus on client engagement and innovation. Her CRB role will involve setting strategic and operational direction for an extensive and established network of risk advisory and broking businesses. Thomson-Hall has a legal background and joined the company nearly 20 years ago as general counsel for the international region of Willis, a post she held for almost 15 years. She then led the teams involved in the acquisition and integration of major French broker Gras Savoye, before becoming chief of staff for the international region of Willis Towers Watson. Her most recent role is managing director for international. She is also chair of Willis Towers Watsons international council for inclusion and diversity. We see a lot of potential for growth in the many different markets of CEEMEA, and Pamelas role is to ensure that clients and prospects, both local and multinational, understand what we are truly capable of, said Adam Garrard, head of International, Willis Towers Watson. Having worked for many years at Willis Towers Watson across this broad geographical area, with our extensive African footprint and insurance distribution network, I am delighted to be leading this extraordinary team of dynamic and experienced colleagues in the delivery of our combined value proposition to our local and multinational clients, said Thomson-Hall. Source: Willis Towers Watson Topics Willis Towers Watson In line with the growing importance of non-traditional insurance solutions for global businesses, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) announced it is reshaping its Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) business into two new specialist teams. With effect from Nov. 1, 2018, the insurance-linked securities (ILS) markets team becomes a standalone line of business known as Capital Solutions, led by current ART Chief Underwriting Officer Richard Boyd. The remaining ART practice groups providing Corporate Solutions, Reinsurance, and Climate Solutions will continue under the existing name of Alternative Risk Transfer, led by Michael Hohmann, who moves to ART from his current position as global head of Liability at AGCS. Hohmann will be succeeded by Ciara Brady who joins AGCS on Jan. 1, 2019 from Swiss Re where she is head of Casualty Treaty Global and International. In a career spanning almost 20 years in the insurance industry, both in Canada and Switzerland, Brady joined Swiss Re in 2005 in Toronto, and since that time has taken on increasingly senior roles in casualty underwriting. She will be based in Zurich, but will travel frequently to key AGCS global locations for the Liability business. In the interim phase between Nov. 1 and Jan. 1, AGCS Deputy Global Head of Liability Alfred Henneboehl assumes responsibility for Liability. The focus of Paul Schiavone, current global head of ART, will shift to his existing regional responsibility as North America head of Long Tail Corporate Lines, said AGCS. Large companies are increasingly seeking to assume more control over their risk management beyond traditional insurance products in property or liability, said Hartmut Mai, AGCS board member and chief underwriting officer, Corporate. With our two new lines of business, we can respond to these needs by designing multi-line, multi-year, parametric or capital-market solutions to protect our clients from earnings and cash flow risks, he added. Our new structure and leadership team will help AGCS to further evolve and grow this important segment of our business. In its previous combined structure, ART has developed into a major line of business for AGCS globally, contributing 1.135 billion ($1.3 billion) of gross written premiums in 2017, including fronting revenues, AGCS said. The new ART line of business brings together AGCS and ART products and services to provide a tailor-made solution, which include non-traditional covers on a multi-line, multi-year basis, said AGCS, noting that the ART business also specializes in services such as fronting for captive (self-insurance) programs for large corporate customers. Similarly, AGCS said, the Capital Solutions team provides products that bring together the insurance and capital markets. These ILS products are sought by capital market investors such as pension funds, which are interested in accessing insurance risks to diversify their portfolios, for example, through catastrophe bonds. Source: Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) Tropical Cyclone Luban has strengthened in the Arabian Sea to the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane, according to Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Weather Underground, quoting the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The tropical cyclone is expected to weaken to a tropical storm again this weekend when it makes its closest approach to Oman and Yemen. Heavy rain could bring a dangerous flood threat to parts of those countries, said the Weather Underground report which was authored by Linda Lam. Its also possible Luban could turn farther westward and move into the Gulf of Aden. Arabian Sea Tropical Cyclone History Tropical cyclone are most likely to develop in the Arabian Sea in the spring and fall. The good news is that a landfall at the equivalent strength of a hurricane is rare in western Oman or eastern Yemen because they typically weaken as they approach the Arabian Peninsula due to dry desert air, said the report. Two tropical cyclones have hit the region this year. The first was Sagar, which entered the Gulf of Aden and made landfall in western Somalia on May 19, making it the countrys strongest and westernmost tropical cyclone in records dating to the mid-1960s. Then on May 25, Tropical Cyclone Mekunu made landfall along the coast of Oman, southwest of the city of Salalah. Mekunu was the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane at landfall, making it the strongest in southwestern Oman in modern records. Over 24 inches of rain fell in four days in Salalah. The only other Category 3 landfalls on record anywhere in Oman happened in northern Oman. These were Phet in 2010 and Gonu in 2007, said Weather Underground, quoting NOAAs historical database. Source: Weather Underground e3 Insurance recently joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance, a group of more than 100 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois. e3 Insurance is a strategic partnership between Christopher Lawrence Stone and John Moriarty, founder of e3 ConsultantsGROUP. Stone also owns the business brokerage company The Blue Collar Broker, which he opened in 2014 with his brother Mark Stone, who is the COO of e3 Insurance. e3 Insurance is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. and has additional locations in Austin, Texas, Scottsdale, Ariz., Nashville, Tenn., and Seattle, Wash. The agency specializes in auto, home, life, commercial, cyber and employment practices liability insurance. VIAA reportedly generates more than $165 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance. In the Rafale controversy, unlike V.P. Singh, Rahul Gandhi risks nothing. Rafale should have been lethal ammunition for the Opposition parties in their campaign to strike at the ruling BJP. Instead, they seem to have left it only to the Congress. The Congress Party has been exceptionally vocal on the Rafale fighter jet deal, levying charges of misuse of authority and crony capitalism against the Narendra Modi government. Except for the Left parties, the rest of the Opposition has, however, been inexplicably silent. Neither Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, N. Chandrababu Naidu, M.K. Stalin nor even H.D. Deve Gowda have taken up cudgels on the issue. Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party, is the only one to have broken his silence. But he, quite astonishingly, chose to give a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of leading the Opposition onslaught as a former defence minister. He later tried to backtrack, but not unequivocally. One might be forgiven for wondering what the silence of the Opposition parties and the flip-flop by Mr Pawar means, especially at a time when there is talk of a grand Opposition alliance to take on the Modi government in the 2019 general election. This should have been lethal ammunition for the Opposition parties in their campaign to strike at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Instead, they seem to have left it only to the Congress and its chief Rahul Gandhi to lead the charge. The silence of these parties could be because not all regional leaders and parties may feel confident of speaking on a technical and defence-related issue. It may also be that some of the regional Opposition parties want to wait for the results of the state Assembly elections in December before speaking out. On both counts it is up to the Congress to evolve a joint Opposition strategy to launch an effective attack on the government. This still does not explain Mr Pawars personal clean chit to the Prime Minister. Even though he has made a show of trying to retrieve lost ground, there can be little doubt that Mr Pawar has provided tremendous psychological relief to the beleaguered Prime Minister.Mr Pawar, however, has been the real loser of his obfuscation. The clean chit to Mr Modi was so incredulous that his partys tallest leader in North India, Tariq Anwar, not only resigned from the NCP but also from the Lok Sabha in disgust. Only Mr Pawar can discount speculation about his own interests or that of corporate houses close to him being involved or whether he acted as he did because of pressure on him and his kin. As a veteran politician, he is well aware that he cannot afford to go with the BJP in 2019 because the BJP governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra face a virulent Maratha agitation. It is curious, however, that the Rafale fighter jet deal has not as yet caught the imagination of the public in the same way that the Bofors scandal had in the run-up to the 1989 general election. Then the public anger had led to the ouster of Rajiv Gandhi from power. This is surprising considering that the size of the Rafale deal at Rs 59,000 crores is four times the cost of the Bofors deal at Rs 15,000 crores. An ill-informed Opposition cannot be the only reason why the Rafale controversy has not reached its Bofors moment. It may also be that while the Bofors scam involved a specific sum of money, Rs 64 crores, there is no comparable figure for the Rafale deal. No one can say for sure what proportion, if any, of the offset the money to be spent in India 30 per cent of the Rs 59,000 crores cost of the Rafale contract may have gone as kickback to any politician or political party. Clearly, the public impact of a direct corruption charge is much more effective than merely the suggestion of corruption. Another reason why the Rafale controversy may not have caught the public imagination could be that the volume of reporting which could turn public opinion into outrage is missing. The Bofors scam was broken by the Swedish Radio in April 1987. This was followed by a series of investigative reports by two national newspapers, Indian Express and The Hindu, who took up the issue with dogged determination. Although the first major breakthrough in the Rafale deal has also come from a foreign source French website mediapart.fr Indian media houses have failed to follow up with their own investigations. They have neither sent their reporters to France nor commissioned French journaists to carry out investigations or look for whistleblowers from Dassault Aviation to take the story forward. That critical mass of reportage that could enrage the public on the issue is unlikely to be generated by the Indian media, which has become fairly obsequious. There is also no ground to assume that the French media will step in to make up for the moral shortfall in India. The Bofors scandal also saw V.P. Singh putting his credibility and political future on the line by accusing Rajiv Gandhi. He resigned from the Rajiv Gandhi Cabinet to take up the Bofors campaign. That this allegation has not been proven till today is another matter, but V.P. Singhs stance had led to the election slogan Raja nahin faqir hai, desh ki taqdir hai (He is not a king but an ascetic, he is the future of the nation). In the Rafale controversy, unlike V.P. Singh, Rahul Gandhi risks nothing. He is in fact trying to gain some credibility by campaigning on the Rafale controversy. The Congress will clearly have to find a better way of projecting the irregularities and cronyism inherent in the Rafale deal, or else it risks wasting its limited political resources. If it cannot generate critical public opinion on Rafale, it would make better sense to use its political energies to mobilise people on issues of critical importance which they can really relate to growing unemployment, farmers distress, the attacks on the minorities and the unconstitutional and divisive Hindutva ideology of the BJP. The Michigan appeals court says a bank cant be blamed for a crash that occurred when a confused driver went the wrong way in suburban Detroit. Frank Scola was a 7-year-old passenger when his mother turned the wrong way out of a Chase Bank parking lot in Wayne and crashed into westbound traffic on Michigan Avenue. Frank was seriously injured. His attorney says Chase should have put up a sign warning drivers that the road goes one way outside the bank. But in a 2-1 decision last week, the appeals court says an average person with ordinary intelligence should have noticed the one-way stretch of Michigan Avenue. In dissent, Judge Mark Cavanagh says Scolas son had presented sufficient evidence that the bank did nothing to ease the risk. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Personal Auto Michigan Residents and businesses affected by the lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint are asking a judge to reinstate Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and other Michigan officials as defendants in a class-action lawsuit. Lawyers said Sunday that an amended complaint includes evidence not in the original lawsuit. They say it shows Snyder and his staff knew about health risks for months before making an official announcement. Judge Judith Levy dropped Snyder and others from the case in August, saying the 2016 suit didnt claim Snyder knew of risks when the city switched to Flint River water in 2014. The corrosive water caused lead to leach from old plumbing. The new complaint also alleges the administrations delayed response may have been racially motivated. Snyder spokesman Ari Adler said the administration doesnt comment on pending litigation. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Has the workplace changed in the year since New York Times reported the first allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein? At the very least, many powerful men have altered their behavior, according to a new survey from the Society for Human Resource Management. A third of the more than 1,000 executives surveyed said theyve adjusted their behaviors at work to avoid what could be perceived as sexual harassment. We know that in that universe of executives, there was some population that needed to get themselves in check, said Johnny Taylor, president and chief executive officer of SHRM. Im not convinced we wouldve done it without the identification of those Weinstein cases. Human resources consultant Sharon Sellers confirmed the shift. There are executives who are being more cautious about what theyre saying and what is said in the workplace, said Sellers, founder of SLS Consulting LLC in Santee, South Carolina. But changes may have gone too far in some instances, with men over-correcting and leaving women out of business discussions or mentoring opportunities. One executive told Sellers he now wouldnt get into an elevator alone with a woman. Unintended Consequences Im extremely concerned there may be unintended consequences, Sellers said. Thats consistent with a Pew Research Center survey released in April that found 20 percent of respondents believed that the increased awareness of sexual harassment may lead to fewer opportunities for women. The SHRM poll, released on Thursday, found 45 percent of those surveyed said they havent changed the way they act all, and another 21 percent said they had made only small changes. Since not all executives had behavior that needed changing that isnt a surprise, Taylor said. Executives, when asked by SHRM, for the most part report changing their behavior in appropriate ways. Of those surveyed, 24 percent said they were more careful about what language they used and 16 percent said they avoid specific topics or jokes. Another 9 percent said they no longer touch employees at work. By many metrics the #MeToo movement has had a measurable effect on workplaces, even outside of the firings of certain high profile bad actors. A number of companies have revamped their sexual harassment training programs, for example. A June study by Challenger Gray & Christmas found that over half of the 150 companies they surveyed reviewed their sexual harassment policies, up from about a third in January. A little under half of those surveyed said they werent comfortable with their current policies. Bystander Training Managers are very concerned, said Sellers, the HR consultant, who estimates that shes seen a 30 percent to 45 percent jump in requests from companies to do training on workplace behavior. She has a wait-list through 2019, she says. The new programs mark a shift in focus from straightforward education on harassment to bystander training, says Sellers. Were making sure employees realize if they see something in the workplace that does not seem appropriate, they should say something, she said. We want accountability from everyone. Research has found that traditional sexual harassment training doesnt do much to prevent harassment and can backfire at times. By contrast, research has found that bystander training can successfully change attitudes: One study found that people who underwent the training were more likely to report harassment than those who did not. Some data indicate that reporting of incidents has also increased. After hitting a two-decade low in 2017, sexual harassment complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission increased by more than 12 percent from last year. The federal agency has also been aggressive with litigation this year, filing 41 sexual harassment lawsuits so far, up from 33 in 2017. At a minimum, theres now an open conversation that this behavior is still occurring, said SHRMs Taylor. Dont think weve solved for this by highlighting one or two industries. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Training Development Human Resources Victims of a flash flood that damaged more than 150 structures in central Mississippi are unlikely to qualify for federal disaster aid. WLBT-TV reports the Mississippi Emergency Management completed its assessment Oct. 1 and found that damage in Pearl from the Sept. 26 flood doesnt meet the threshold for a federal disaster declaration. Agency spokesman Greg Flynn reports that 146 homes, 10 businesses and five bridges were damaged in the suburb just east of Jackson. Dozens of vehicles were also damaged. The agency reports that there were less than 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain which does not meet FEMA requirements for assistance. Flynn says MEMA will ask the federal government to provide aid to small businesses. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Mississippi Alliant Insurance Services Inc. has named Daniel J. Guth a vice president in Orange County, Calif. Guth will provide workers compensation, risk management, and property/casualty solutions to a diverse portfolio of clients. Guth was previously area vice president with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. He was a workers comp consultant with Jardine Insurance Brokers before that. Newport Beach, Calif.-based Alliant provides property/casualty, workers compensation, employee benefits, surety, and financial products and services. Topics California Workers' Compensation The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education has created a new professional credential for financial planners. The Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) provides financial advisors with practical training in all aspects of personal finance. However, this credential is not a clone of other certifications, such as the Certified Financial Planner or the Chartered Life Underwriter. It does, however, complement the CFP in many respects, although it also stands alone as a credential by itself. This article examines the curriculum and certification process for this designation and how it compares to the CFP mark. (Learn the tips and tricks of the trade before heading into this test. See Studying For The CFP Exam.) Key Takeaways The Accredited Financial Counselor designation includes training in personal finance. This credential complements the CFP or Chartered Life Underwriter credentials. Counselors must meet educational, experience, and ethical requirements. Founding Organization The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education is an international non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting financial education and helping to train financial educators and counselors. It is entirely supported by its members and resembles the CFP Board in both purpose and practice, although it is much less well-known. However, there are some general differences between the designations, which we'll address below. The membership consists primarily of university educators, private practitioners, counselors who work with members of the military and government officials as well as various financial interest organizations, such as America Saves, FINRA, the FTC, the IRS, NEFE (The National Endowment for Financial Education), the SEC, and the U.S. Treasury. Members receive periodic newsletters, research journals, and discounts for the annual conference. AFC candidates must have at least 1000 hours of experience as a financial counselor. AFC Credentials and Curriculum Like their CFP counterparts, Accredited Financial Counselors must meet educational, experience, and ethical requirements before receiving their certifications. AFC candidates must have at least 1000 hours of relevant experience as a financial counselor in one capacity or another. The definition of a financial counselor, in this sense, encompasses those who counsel others on an individual basis, those who help to train or educate clients or other planners and those who supervise them. However, this element of the criteria is narrower than the experience requirement laid out by the CFP Board, which requires three years' experience in virtually any capacity in the financial industry, regardless of whether any type of actual counseling is performed. The curriculum for the AFC is also less rigorous than what CFP candidates must complete, although it delves much more substantially into financial issues that are relevant for lower and middle-class Americans. Two Sections The AFC curriculum is divided into two sections. The first section covers some of the material found in the CFP coursework, such as retirement and estate planning, life and property/casualty insurance, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and personal income taxation. It also covers credit card and debt management, budgeting, and managing cash flows. The second module focuses much more closely on consumer debt and communication than the CFP curriculum and thoroughly explores the financial counseling process, listening and counseling skills, consumer fraud, and credit reports, debt reduction strategies, divorce-related issues such as child support, repossessions, bankruptcy, mortgages, and student loans. The Certified Housing Counselor Credential Those who wish to go on and earn the Certified Housing Counselor credential must complete a third module that covers all aspects of residential housing, such as landlord and tenant issues, property appraisals, contracts, rights and deeds, financing and taxation, the real estate and mortgage industries and legislation, and also must meet the necessary program requirements. Course Requirements and Exams Each of the modules for the AFC costs $425, plus a $50 nonrefundable fee to begin the program. Once the fees have been paid, study materials are sent to the student. The student then has three years to complete all of the required modules. After each module is completed, the student will arrange to take the final exam at a qualified proctor testing site by applying to the AFCPE office. The exam itself consists of 100 multiple choice questions and requires about two hours to complete. A score of 70% or higher must be achieved on the test in order to receive a passing grade (those who fail must pay a $125 retake fee). Once the designation has been awarded, certificants must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education every two years in order to maintain their credentials. The CFA designation is seen as the key certification for investment professionals. CFP Vs. AFC As mentioned previously, the AFC curriculum focuses much more on issues that are relevant to middle- and lower-income clients. Accredited Financial Counselors are trained more thoroughly in the particulars of debt, credit, and governmental assistance programs than most CFP candidates, who are trained to focus chiefly on the needs of upper-middle-class and wealthy clientele. Those who are seeking the best-rounded professional financial education possible may want to consider earning both credentials. However, those who are more passionate about educating the lower-income segment of the population may want to consider eschewing the CFP in favor of the AFC credential. AFC candidates are also eligible for a number of positions within the U.S. government relating to financial education and training. Conclusion The Accredited Financial Counselor designation is a relatively new credential in the financial planning industry but has received virtually no publicity compared to other designations, such as the CFP. However, it is highly relevant for much of the middle- and lower-income populations in America. For more information on the AFC credential, log on to http://www.afcpe.org/. For any number of reasons, many people consider retiring to another country. A foreign country may offer a lower cost of living, which can be important to retired adults with limited retirement savings. Some countries may have particularly appealing climates, or people may simply have fallen in love with a country they once visited and vowed to themselves they would one day retire there. For a person planning to settle down permanently in a foreign country, it is typically necessary to become a citizen of that country because it simplifies matters such as opening bank accounts and owning property. Some may choose dual citizenship, obtaining a second passport, while others may prefer to drop their U.S. citizenship altogether and become citizens of their new home country. Key Takeaways Retiring to another country typically requires obtaining citizenship in the chosen country so that the resident can own property and a bank account. Dual citizenship is an option for U.S. citizens retiring to some countries. Potential ex-pats should check whether their desired passport status allows visa-free travel, financial freedom, and how it would affect their taxes. Citizenship Some countries allow dual citizenship, and some do not. Many wealthy Americans, perturbed by what they consider oppressive U.S. taxation, have chosen to renounce their U.S. citizenship in favor of becoming citizens of nations such as Singapore or Chile. Factors to consider in terms of new citizenship and a second passport are whether your new passport allows visa-free travel, taxes and other potential obligations, and financial freedom such as the ability to open a bank account or establish a business. There is also the question of whether a retirement destination is welcoming to ex-pats who wish to become citizens. It is relatively easy to obtain citizenship in the following five countries. Dominican Republic Retirees can obtain citizenship in a reasonably short period in the Dominican Republic. The basic requirement is that a retiree document a stable retirement income of at least $1,500 per month from a source outside the Dominican Republic, plus $250 per each dependent. Non-retirees have to show a minimum monthly income of $2,000 per month plus $250 per dependent. The term dependent refers to a spouse or children under the age of 18. Provided this basic requirement is met, an individual can apply directly for permanent residency. After holding the permanent residency for two years, an individual can then apply for citizenship. The whole process takes about three years. The citizenship process also requires an interview conducted in Spanish (questions and answers can be reviewed in advance) and a medical exam. Dual citizenship is permitted in the Dominican Republic. Ireland A person can qualify to become a naturalized citizen of Ireland by living there for one year, plus four years cumulative residency over the eight years preceding the one year. The Irish government may even be willing to waive part of the residency time requirement if you can sufficiently document Irish ancestry or other associations with Ireland. If you happen to have a provable Irish grandparent, you may be able to become an Irish national by virtue of your ancestry. Ireland does permit dual citizenship. Keep in mind that obtaining citizenship does not automatically shield you from obligations of citizenship in another country (for example, paying taxes in both homelands). Peru Getting a residence permit for Peru is not too difficult for individuals who are willing to attend school, start a business in Peru, or prove that they earn more than $1,000 per month in investment or pension income. Those who meet one of these criteria can have Peruvian citizenship in approximately two years. There is a language and history test in Spanish that passport applicants must take unless they marry a Peruvian. It is advisable to go through an agent who can guide you through the process of applying for residency at a Peruvian embassy. Applicants may also need to change their name to the Spanish style of having surnames from both their mother and father. Unlike some countries that require you to renounce your previous citizenship to become a citizen, Peru allows dual citizenship. Singapore Singapore offers a simple route to citizenship. Anyone who establishes a business in Singapore obtains employment there, or marries a citizen of Singapore can obtain permanent residency. After two years of residency, individuals can apply to become a naturalized citizen. Opening a business, however, can be a costly enterprise: check carefully for the latest financial requirements; it's not just simply depositing a certain sum in a Singapore bank. Singapore requires National Service from its male citizens. If you are of retirement age, you are likely safely outside the age window that obligates you for national service. A male permanent resident can apply for citizenship after completing National Service. Singapore does not allow dual citizenship. Applicants must renounce their prior citizenship to become a citizen of Singapore. Canada Canada also offers a simple path to citizenship. Unless you have a job in Canada, you need proof of other income to obtain residency. To meet the residency requirement, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (two years) in every five-year period, according to Settlement.org. An individual needs $12,960 (CAD), as proof of funds to immigrate as a skilled immigrant. After becoming a permanent resident, you can apply for naturalization as a Canadian citizen after four years. There are interactive questionnaires you can take to deliberate if relocating to Canada is right for you. The Canadian immigration authorities are very strict about enforcing the requirement that you physically reside in the country before applying to be a citizen. You must have been physically present in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 1,095 days during the five years immediately before the date of your application, according to Settlement.org. You also must have filed your taxes for at least three years during the last five years, and any income tax you owe must be paid. Other requirements include: If you're 14 to 65, you must send documents proving that you can speak and listen in English or French, and you will need to pass a citizenship test. If you wait until you are older, these requirements will not apply. Canada does permit dual citizenship. The Bottom Line Try vacationing or staying on a short stay visa before applying for a residency visa. It is important to get a feel for a country and its ex-pat community before committing to a big move. The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) and Employee Fiduciary Corporation are both American-owned companies that provide 401(k) plans. The regulations concerning 401(k) plans are the same for all companies regardless of size. Therefore, when analyzing each company, it is important to view each company as a whole and compare the funds that are offered as well as the particular features of the funds. Company Structure The Charles Schwab Corporation provides services in four departments: investment, banking, trading, and wealth management. In November 2019, Charles Schwab announced its proposed acquisition of TD Ameritrade for a $26 billion all-stock transaction. According to CNBC, "the two firms will serve 24 million brokerage accounts, accounting for more than $5 trillion in client assets." The Employee Fiduciary Corporation is 100% owned by the employees and focuses solely on retirement plans. As of 2020, Employee Fiduciary offers more than 30,000 mutual funds, services over 2,700 plans that are worth more than $2.8 billion, and covers approximately 75,000 clients. Each month, Employee Fiduciary processes $25 million in plan contributions and completes more than 500 distributions for participants. The 401(k) plan is an employee benefit that many small business owners struggle to provide. The regulations are strict, and it takes a devoted staff to ensure that employees are receiving the proper amounts. Often, small businesses do not have the ability to provide dedicated staff, so they must choose retirement providers that offer assistance in monitoring the application of a 401(k) plan. Comparing the Funds Charles Schwab As of 2021, Charles Schwab offers various plans for business owners. An individual 401(k) plan for owners with no employees; a SEP-IRA for owners with only a few employees; a SIMPLE IRA for businesses with up to 100 employees; a personal defined-benefit plan for owners with up to five employees; a business 401(k) plan for firms with an unlimited number of employees; and a company retirement account for businesses with established retirement plans. Charles Schwab's main strength is its ability to reach a broad range of clients who have unique needs. Charles Schwab provides more than just retirement services, as wealth management is a large portion of the company's services. This additional service could be attractive to larger businesses that seek to minimize the number of providers with which they work. The way that Charles Schwab handles 401(k) plans is a major strength for the company because it can handle large firms as well as small businesses. Employee Fiduciary Employee Fiduciary is a smaller corporation and focuses on providing 401(k) plans for small businesses through 377 fund families. Employee Fiduciary is a small business compared to Charles Schwab. The size of the company, as well as the fact that it only provides retirement plans to small businesses, means that it can cater to its clients in a more personal manner. Since Employee Fiduciary is a small business, its employees are well versed in the specific needs of other small businesses and are well equipped to provide advice. This strength is also a weakness, however, as Employee Fiduciary is in a niche market. The company is not equipped to provide services to large businesses and is limited to 401(k) retirement plans only while Charles Schwab offers investment advice, trading, banking, and wealth management. Features of the Two Service Providers Both companies provide reference material explaining the various 401(k) plans available and how the funds are managed. Each company offers telephonic and digital services. The Charles Schwab website offers tools to help clients make an educated decision, including IRA calculators, while the Employee Fiduciary website refers clients to third-party sites for the same calculations. Deciding which company to choose depends on the individual needs of the client. Clients should feel comfortable with their retirement provider and the way their money is managed. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a thorough probe by ally Saudi Arabia into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Turkish officials have alleged Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate but Riyadh denies those claims and says he left the compound on his own. (Photo: Twitter) Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for a thorough and open probe by Washington's ally Saudi Arabia into the disappearance of journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement, after President Donald Trump voiced concern for Khashoggi, who vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. Turkish officials have alleged Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate but Riyadh denies those claims and says he left the compound on his own. "We have seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo said. State Department senior officials have spoken with Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about the matter, the top US diplomat added. Khashoggi, a US resident for about the past year, has written articles critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate Tuesday and has not been seen since. Vancouver, Canada - October 9, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Canamex Gold Corp. (the "Company") (CSE: CSQ) is pleased to advise that it has launched a non-brokered private placement to accredited investors, of SILVERUSA ("SILVERUSA" or "Token") Ethereum ERC20 Tokens via a Security Token Offering ("STO"). This is the first time ever that a silver-asset-backed security token, deployed on a block chain, has been offered by a North American Exchange listed public company. Further general details of this offering, are as follows: Initial STO for SILVERUSA Tokens at 30% discount to the spot silver price Exposure to silver-backed ERC20 crypto-token on the Ethereum blockchain Each token is an interest in 1/2 oz silver at initial token price of $US 5.00 per token This is 30% discount to $US 25 value per token, based on $US 14.50 silver spot price Minimum subscription: 500 SILVERUSA Tokens or $US 2,500 Purchase methods accepted: Fiat currencies, Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) Total SILVERUSA Tokens minted for issue is 210 million hard-cap For whitepaper, FAQs, and other considerations: https://canamexgold.com/silverusa/ For subscription: https://ezclosing.ca/private-placements/canamex-silverusa/ Risk Disclosures An investment in the SILVERUSA Tokens offered via this STO, should be considered speculative due to various factors, including the nature of the industry in which the Company operates. Risk factors relating to the Company are discussed in certain of public disclosures of the Company which are available for review on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com Risk factors should be carefully reviewed and considered by an investor before a decision is made to invest in the SILVERUSA Tokens. Relevant considerations and risks associated with the STO are comprehensively detailed in the whitepaper here: https://canamexgold.com/silverusa/ and have also been included below, at Annex A, attached. Other Considerations The Company reserves the right to increase the initial STO subscription offer price, if silver prices increase during the offer period. It is anticipated that this initial STO will provide additional financing to complete mine permitting and development work, to a shovel-ready stage (production decision and construction financing), at the Bruner Gold and Silver Project in Nevada. The amount being targeted by the Company for this offering is up to $5 million. Subscription Purchase methods accepted: Fiat currencies, Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC). The accredited investor subscription process is digital, via an online portal here: https://ezclosing.ca/private-placements/canamex-silverusa/. Comments from David Vincent, Chief Executive Officer of the Company: "Our company has seen the significant scaling potential for this innovative financing technique because of its sheer simplicity for creating win-win situations for all the stakeholders and investors involved. This innovative crypto-token royalty streaming model provides far more value, transparency, better terms and conditions and better profit margins within a SILVERUSA ecosystem (SILVERUSA token holders, shareholders, other junior mining companies and investors), than can be offered by traditional existing models, relying on legacy funding models." About the Company Canamex Gold Corp. is a public listed company registered in British Columbia, Canada, trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE), and is engaged in fast-tracking toward development of the Bruner Gold Development Project in the prolific gold jurisdiction of Nye County, Nevada. The region is home to several producing and past-producing mines along the Walker Lane Trend. Canamex completed a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the Bruner Gold and Silver Development Project in 2016. Based on additional drilling conducted on the property, the company completed an updated PEA in 2018, which increased the resources and improved the economics of the project. Canamex is now moving the Bruner Gold Project forward into permitting and development on the strength of this positive updated PEA. The second asset is the Silverton Gold property, a gold exploration project, in Nevada, which has geological similarities to the Long Canyon gold deposit in Nevada, being mined by Newmont Mining. The Company has signed Agreements with Harmonychain AS, for Ethereum Blockchain Smart Contract Security Tokens for Gold and Silver, as an alternative means of raising capital, potentially without equity dilution. The Agreements secure the exclusive rights to various Ethereum Token domain names, ticker codes, and associated smart contracts, for Gold and Silver. The rights also extend to patents pending and trademarks associated with these security token financing models, including ChainDelivery royalty stream delivery queuing systems. Further information is available at https://canamexgold.com Greg Hahn (CPG#7122), President & COO of the Company is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved all technical disclosures in this release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD David Vincent Chief Executive Officer and Director david.vincent@canamexgold.com Mike Stark Chairman of the Board Contact: (604) 833-4278 mike.stark@canamexgold.com The Canadian Securities Exchange accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Annex A: SILVERUSA Token - Risk Disclosures The Bruner Nevada Project As the Company is still in the development phase with its Gold and Silver Project, in Nevada, it has yet to produce any Silver. The Company has not yet made a production decision and is raising capital to advance the project through permitting and feasibility, the results of which are anticipated to support a production decision upon completion. Whilst the 2018 updated PEA is positive, and recommends advancing the project through permitting and feasibility, it is based upon mineral resources only, and not mineral reserves. Therefore, a SILVERUSA token linked to the production of such mineral resources is speculative, as there is no definitive time horizon in which commercial production of such resources could commence. Equity Holders The SILVERUSA Token effectively will be a long-term royalty interest on the Nevada Gold and Silver Project, which will require the delivery of Silver if or when commercial production is achieved. Investors of Common Shares of the Company should be aware that a SILVERUSA Token holder will receive Silver, if or when commercial production is achieved and after redemptions of Silver are satisfied, the Company could sell any remaining resources available. Equity Interest The SILVERUSA Tokens do not give the SILVERUSA Token holder any equity or other interest in the Company equivalent to a holder of common shares including, for greater certainty, a right to participate in the profits or the distribution of assets of the Company, nor any voting rights in any meeting of the security holders of the Company. A holder of a SILVERUSA Token is only entitled to delivery of Silver, on request, pursuant to the terms of the SILVERUSA STO. The Company will receive cash for this SILVERUSA Token offering and will have an obligation to meet Silver delivery requests, when commercial production is achieved. Accounting Companies continue to look to alternative sources of finance and creative deal structures for growth and funding. These have included joint arrangements, divestments, mergers, streaming, royalty deals and offtake-linked pre-financing. New investment vehicles have emerged in this alternative finance space to take advantage of investor demand for commodity exposures and the Company demand for funding. Alternative finance, by its nature innovative and deal specific, does not find a natural 'home' in the IFRS accounting standards. Each arrangement is unique and there is no 'one size fits all'. There is no 'industry guidance' in IFRS that sets out the accounting for these structures. The legal form of this SILVERUSA Token offering, is a contract to buy a non-financial item, the specified commodity, in this case Silver. Contracts to buy or sell non-financial items are normally considered executionary contracts and are outside the scope of the financial instruments guidance. The settlement is in Silver bullion, and delivery will happen in accordance with the terms of the white-paper. Therefore, this is like a Royalty model, but different in that there is no percentage of production acquired via a royalty arrangement, but a fixed volume of production that is acquired, via the SILVERUSA Tokens. The Company can be deemed to sell a proportion of resources, because a defined quantity of resources will be transferred to SILVERUSA Token holder from the Nevada project. Settlement is based on Silver bullion delivery and not net income, so SILVERUSA Token holder's entitlement basically represents a portion of the volume of Silver production. Silver Price Fluctuations in the price of Silver could materially affect an investment in the SILVERUSA Tokens. Even if the SILVERUSA Tokens are held for the long-term, that may not result in a profit, since Silver markets have historically experienced extended periods of flat or declining prices, in addition to sharp fluctuations. If the price of Silver declines, the Company expects the value of the SILVERUSA Tokens to decline. Silver bullion is traded internationally, and its price is generally quoted in U.S. dollars. The price of the SILVERUSA Tokens will depend on, and typically fluctuate with, the price fluctuations of Silver. The price of Silver may be affected at any time by many international, economic, monetary and political factors, many of which are unpredictable. Suitability Prospective purchasers need to independently determine the suitability of investing in SILVERUSA Tokens. Prospective purchasers should determine whether an investment in SILVERUSA Tokens is appropriate in their circumstances and should consult with their legal, business and tax advisors in evaluating the consequences of an investment in the SILVERUSA Tokens. An investment in SILVERUSA Tokens is only suitable for investors who: (i) have the requisite knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in SILVERUSA Tokens; (ii) have access to, and knowledge of, appropriate analytical tools to evaluate such merits and risks in the context of their financial situation; and (iii) can bear the potential economic risks of any investment in the SILVERUSA Tokens. Disclaimer/disclosure- This third party news/article is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - News that Inspires big ideas Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Disclosure this news article is a paid for news release on the Investorideas.com newswire by Canamex Gold Corp and was not created or originated by Investorideas. Learn more about costs and our newswire service https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Enterprise Group, Inc. (TSX: E) is a previous featured monthly company on Investorideas expiring on May 1 2018. More info https://www.investorideas.com/About/News/Clientspecifics.asp Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Gibraltar - Octocber 9, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) HM Government of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Finance will host events over the course of two days to mark 'Gibraltar Day in Tel Aviv'. The events will commence on the evening of Tuesday 9 October at the prestigious Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv City Centre, in the heart of Tel Aviv's business district. The following day, Wednesday 10 October, a morning seminar including a number of panel discussions and workshops focused on blockchain technology and setting up a business in Gibraltar will take place featuring a wide variety of industry experts and Government officials from Gibraltar and Israel. Commenting ahead of Gibraltar Day in Tel Aviv, The Government of Gibraltar's Minister for Commerce Albert Isola said, "This is a fantastic opportunity for robust engagement with our esteemed Israeli counterparts, and gives further expression to the collaborative spirit that is needed to bring blockchain technology to the mainstream. I look forward to engaging with a variety of leading entrepreneurs, government officials, and professional service providers from across the country." Minister Isola will provide the official opening address for 'Gibraltar Day in Tel Aviv', alongside Leora Hadar, Director for Europe at the Israeli Ministry of Economy. Later in the day, Minister Isola will meet with Tel Aviv based firms that have applied for licensing under Gibraltar's Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Regulatory Framework, where he will be joined by a delegation from the private sector, as well as Paul Astengo, Senior Executive with Gibraltar Finance, who leads on innovation initiatives. A delegation comprised of members of the Gibraltar and Israeli Chamber of Commerce (Gibrael) will visit the port city of Haifa, home to Israel's largest HiTech park, where leading tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, Intel, Yahoo, and IBM have Research & Development operations. The business delegation will also visit Jerusalem to engage with leading Israeli entrepreneurs, professional service providers, and government officials. "I'm very proud to represent Gibraltar alongside a delegation of our private sector firms on this trip, and I'm confident that the panel discussions and workshops over the course of 'Gibraltar Day in Tel Aviv' will fuel new levels of collaboration, innovation, and exploration around the great potential of blockchain technology," concluded Minister Isola. About Gibraltar A British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is a self-governing and self-financing democracy that has established itself globally as a reliable centre for the blockchain and digital assets industry. In January 2018, Gibraltar became the very first jurisdiction globally to introduce legislation around Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), and has since asserted its position as a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency hub. With Gibraltar's core values of regulation, reputation and speed to market at the foundation of its efforts within the blockchain industry, Gibraltar is now globally renowned for its commitment to creating a sustainable and secure regulatory framework for blockchain, as well as being one of the leading proponents in the advancement of the technology. For more information please visit: www.gibraltarfinance.gi About Albert Isola The Honourable Albert Isola MP is Gibraltar's Minister for Commerce with the primary responsibility of raising Gibraltar's profile as an established onshore, mainstream, well-regulated financial services centre. Working closely with the financial services regulator, the Financial Services Commission, he is responsible for financial services policy, product development, and responding to international initiatives such as international tax compliance. Minister Isola played a leading role in the establishment of the Gibraltar International Bank, a first for Gibraltar as a home-grown full-service credit institution. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp COBOURG, ON - October 9, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FSD Pharma Inc. ("FSD Pharma" or the "Company") (CSE: HUGE) (OTCQB: FSDDF) (FRA: 0K9) is pleased to announce that construction has commenced of its heritage museum and flagship dispensary at the former Kraft plant in Cobourg, Ontario, headquarters of its wholly-owned subsidiary FV Pharma Inc. ("FV Pharma"). Local politicians and media will be in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 9, 2018 at 11:30 EST in Cobourg at the Head office located at 520 William Street. Honoured invited guests include Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier who will be in attendance and the Hon. Kim Rudd, MP for Northumberland and Peterborough South who is expected to attend. All national media are welcome with media credentials. Thomas Fairfull, President and CEO of FSD Pharma stated, "We welcome politicians and media to this momentous event where we begin converting the historic Certo building located at the former Kraft plant into a heritage museum and on-site dispensary. The Certo building is an important part of Cobourg's history and the Company intends to preserve this unique building." The former Certo building was the first in the British Empire to make commercial grade pectin that was sold under the product name of "Certo" and is estimated at over 100 years old. The property is listed on the municipal heritage register as a property of cultural heritage value. Last year, Cobourg City Council endorsed several recommendations, including the designation of the Certo building under the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural heritage value. "Today, we also begin construction of our flagship on-site dispensary, an important component of our business plan as we sit on the brink of adult-use legalization on October 17, 2018. The Company is preparing in earnest for sales of our high quality, indoor grown and pharmaceutical grade product, which will be available for sale shortly," continued Fairfull. About FSD Pharma (CSE: HUGE) (OTCQB: FSDDF) (FRA: 0K9) FSD Pharma through its wholly-owned subsidiary FV Pharma, is a licensed producer of marijuana under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) having received its cultivation license on October 13, 2017. Headquartered at the former Kraft plant in Cobourg, Ontario, approximately an hour's drive from Toronto, FV Pharma management's mission is to transform the facility into the largest hydroponic indoor cannabis facility in the world. FV Pharma intends to target all legal aspects of the cannabis industry, including cultivation, processing, manufacturing, extracts and research and development. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Corporation's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the development of the Corporation's indoor cannabis facility and its business goals and objectives. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and the Corporation is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking-information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: FSD Pharma Inc. Thomas Fairfull, President and CEO, Email: thomas.fairfull@fvpharma.com, Telephone: (905) 686-7079; Investor Relations, Email: IR@fsdpharma.com, Website: www.fsdpharma.com Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp October 9, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The global gas turbines market value is estimated to be $6.84bn in 2022, declining with a negative compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% between 2018 and 2022, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. When comparing the total market value for the 5 year period 2013 to 2017 of $52.39bn and the estimate for 2018 to 2022 of $37.97bn, the CAGR decline is 0.7%. The company's latest report: Gas Turbines for Thermal Power, Update 2018 - Global Market Size, Competitive Landscape, Key Country Analysis, and Forecasts to 2022' reveals that the slowdown in the market is mainly attributed to the growing influence of renewable energy technologies and volatility in gas spot price markets. However, the growing influence of developing economies in the global energy market is expected to propel the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, to overtake EMEA as a market leader in 2022. The market in APAC is projected to grow with a CAGR of 3.95%, between 2018 and 2022. Nirushan Rajasekaram, Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: "The need to meet the short term increasing demand for electricity faces significant technical, monetary and supply challenges that are influencing governments' agendas to generate cheap electricity; utilizing indigenous resources and existing power generation infrastructure. The existing infrastructures in most nations are heavily tilted towards coal and a potential shift towards abruptly increasing gas would require substantial investments." Cost plays a significant role in assessing potential power generation technologies. Nations will prefer to capitalize on the declining prices of renewables as well as distributed energy technologies and cheaper coal to generate electricity to meet the immediate demand for electricity. Moreover, initiatives to reduce demand through various efficiency measures, would limit the need for new generation capacities, which are capital intensive development projects. However, the demand for gas turbines is primarily driven by climate change commitments, the ongoing development of suitable gas infrastructure, and evolving technologies which enhance generation efficiency. Gas power generation offers the backup capabilities of coal based generation, with the added benefit of low emissions, allowing nations to achieve their environmental commitments without destabilizing their burgeoning development growth. China, the dominant nation within the region has prioritized cleaner technologies such as gas and renewables to support its economic growth. Southeast Asia, a region with a high population and economic growth is also expected to drive the demand for gas turbines. Rajasekaram concludes: "In the long run, gas turbines are expected to be a relevant source of power generation. The transition towards low carbon economies, the phasing out of coal, restricted use of nuclear technology, stringent emission norms, the establishment of robust infrastructure and ramping up support for renewables will all help to drive the gas turbines market." Information based on GlobalData's report: Gas Turbines for Thermal Power, Update 2018 - Global Market Size, Competitive Landscape, Key Country Analysis, and Forecast to 2022 For more information Analysts available for comment. Please contact the GlobalData Press Office: Asia-Pacific: +91 40 6616 6809 EMEA & Americas: +44 (0)207 832 4399 Email: pr@globaldata.com To gain access to our latest press releases and expert analysis on developments in your industry, please connect with us on: GlobalData.com | LinkedIn | Twitter Notes to Editors: Quotes provided by Nirushan Rajasekaram, Power Analyst at GlobalData, Information based on GlobalData's report: Gas Turbines for Thermal Power, Update 2018 - Global Market Size, Competitive Landscape, Key Country Analysis, and Forecast to 2022 Report overview: The report offers an overview of the gas turbine market at global, regional (Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa) and key countries (the US, Mexico, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Egypt, the UK, and Saudi Arabia) level. The report analyzes the gas turbines market value and volume for the historical (2012-2017) and forecast (2018-2022) period. The report also covers the drivers and restraints affecting the gas turbines market, country-wise annual capacity additions and market value, competitive landscape for respective countries in 2017, and key upcoming projects. In addition, profiles of major gas turbine manufactures are also presented in this report. About GlobalData 4,000 of the world's largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData's unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData's mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp VANCOUVER, BC - October 9, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) BYD (Build Your Dreams) Canada has been awarded an order for zero emission, battery-electric buses by WESTCOAST Sightseeing, the first tour company in Canada to order clean energy buses, and the first to commit to having a 100% clean-energy fleet by 2023. Battery and Electric Vehicle Pioneer BYD is the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and batteries, and the overwhelming global leader in battery-electric buses. The largest private bus operator in Vancouver, WESTCOAST Sightseeing has agreed to work exclusively with BYD on converting their entire fleet of 90 buses, which will include open top buses, double decks and singles and others. WESTCOAST Sightseeing will also work with city to develop charging infrastructure that will not only benefit WESTCOAST but many other companies that want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact. "Our business is built around the natural beauty of our home and we are especially conscious of the impact our day-to-day operations has on the environment," said Rob Safrata, Chief Executive Officer of WESTCOAST Sightseeing." We are proudly working towards a greener and more sustainable future. And adding electric buses and boats is the first step to achieve our goal in 2023 of becoming the first Sightseeing firm in Canada with 100% electric vehicles." WESTCOAST Sightseeing recently added Electric Harbour tours to its line of sightseeing products, providing the first Harbor tour on a 100% electric boat in Vancouver. The BYD battery-electric buses will make an immediate improvement to air quality and noise levels for the B.C. region. These buses alone will deliver a reduction in carbon emissions of some 4,500 Metric Tons of carbon emissions per year based on EPA standards. "CEO Rob Safrata has long held a clean energy vision and we are excited to be working with him," said BYD Canada's Vice President Ted Dowling. "This aligns perfectly with the recent announcement by British Columbia Premier John Horgan for the need to find other ways to reduce emissions." BYD is the world leader in zero emission buses. BYD Canada was the pioneer in Canada and is now the market leader. In addition to this BC order, BYD Canada has buses on order or in operation for Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) and the Reseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) in Quebec; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Ontario; and St. Albert (STAT) and Grand Prairie in Alberta. BYD had more electric buses on the Canadian roads than any other firm. Investing more than $250 million in North America to date, BYD has delivered more than 270 buses in North America; and sold or leased in excess of 600 buses in total to more than 50 municipal, transit agency, university, airport, federal and other commercial and private sector clients in 14 U.S. states, and across 4 provinces in Canada. ABOUT WESTCOAST SIGHTSEEING Introducing the world to Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler for more than 30 years, WESTCOAST Sightseeing started in 1984 as a family business delivering guided tours onboard minibuses. Today, the firm is Vancouver's only sightseeing company to offer Hop-On, Hop-Off, Guided Tours, Charters, Electric Harbour Tours, and a seasonal shuttle to Whistler. WESTCOAST Sightseeing has created remarkable experiences for more than 250,000 guests from all over the world. ABOUT BYD The Official Sponsor of Mother Nature, BYD is the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and batteries, and the overwhelming global leader in battery-electric buses with more than 35,000 zero-emission buses in service across in service across 200 cities, 50 countries and six continents. BYD is also an industry leader in several other high-tech sectors, including high-efficiency automobiles, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, electric forklifts, SkyRail (monorail), energy storage and solar power generation. Pioneering zero-emission technology, the international firm is helping to revolutionize transportation and leave a cleaner environment. BYD's stock is publicly traded and Berkshire Hathaway based in Nebraska is the largest public shareholder. For more information, please visit www.BYD.com BYD MEDIA CONTACT: Sheila Given, Director of Communications, BYD 213-245-6503 / Sheila.Given@BYD.com More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp A measured step in the right direction but the exit tax for businesses applicable from midnight tonight may surprise some, is the budget verdict of Padraig Cronin, Tax Partner and Vice Chairman at Deloitte, Mr Cronin also suggested more could have been done to close the tax differential between employed and self-employed individuals. Budget 2019 is certainly a step in the right direction as the Minister focused on positioning the economy for future sustainable growth while simultaneously addressing a changing international tax landscape. Corporate Tax: Mr Cronin pointed out that an exit tax charge at 12.5% will apply to companies migrating out of Ireland which is effective from midnight tonight. Many companies would have been able to claim an exemption from tax prior to this change. This amendment to exit tax rules was unexpected considering that Ireland is not required to bring their domestic exit tax rules in line with EU ATAD standards until 1 January 2020 and this was a timeline many companies were working towards from a planning perspective. Mr Cronin also pointed out that Ireland is required to bring in Controlled Foreign Company Rules (CFC) as required by the ATAD from 1 January 2019 and Minister Donohue has confirmed this years Finance Bill will deal with this tax measure. SMEs: Mr Cronin welcomed the extension of the three year tax relief for certain start-up companies until the end of 2021 and the amendments to the increased limits to the share based remuneration scheme for SMEs, KEEP. These measures will be broadly welcomed by businesses and the amendments to the KEEP scheme should provide a more effective tool for attracting and retaining key staff. "While some measures were taken to reduce the personal tax burden for workers, and close the tax differential between employed and self-employed individuals, there is more that needs to be done to overhaul the personal tax system and reduce marginal tax rates. "Budget 2019 took a step in the right direction today; but more tangible measures need to be urgently taken rather than slight changes annually, he said. The American Chamber also welcomed today's budget saying it was a "jobs-friendly Budget" and the continued reductions in the personal tax burden helping to "make it easier to attract and retain jobs in Ireland". However, they said that Ireland's personal tax regime "still remains uncompetitive on the global stage", but welcomed the increased capital expenditure announced to enhance Ireland's transport infrastructure, education system and global connectivity. The US-Ireland business community also welcomed the "continued steadfast commitment" to the 12.5% corporate tax rate. Failure to address pensions was a significant oversight. The Roadmap for Pensions Reform published earlier this year outlines how the State contributory model is likely to have a 400m deficit within the next 50 years. While all budgets will, undoubtedly, have limited fiscal space within which to operate, based on our experience at Mazars, we believe that business owners, self-employed and PAYE workers would have welcomed, and reacted positively to, budgetary measures aimed at tackling this looming deficit. The ticking pension time bomb is an issue which is being kicked down the road and the Government proposal to tackle the deficit in 2022 is inadequate. Automatic pension enrolment was introduced by the UK on a phased basis in 2012. The generally shared view is that it has been a success. While the UK is in the process of seeking to extend its scope to those working in the sharing economy, for Ireland to wait until at least 2022 to commence is worrying. The State pension has the potential to replace health as the big drain on exchequer funds. With only 35% of private sector workers having personal pensions, the absence of private financial security will leave the State shouldering the responsibility. It is our experience that those with private pensions are open to making contributions. However, their decisions on contribution amounts are influenced by tax policy. Private pensions are associated with the wealthy. Steps taken by successive governments to curtail relief and increase pension taxation have aided this perception. In my opinion, we need the implementation of a national awareness campaign to highlight the benefit for employees of having a personal pension. A basic understanding of pensions is the 2018 equivalent of not understanding what a tracker mortgage is. Investment property can be a nest egg for many. The high capital gains tax (CGT) rate of 33% can discourage landlords to sell, as the rate is considered punitive. Given that the current CGT rate is one of the highest in the OECD, it is hard to disagree. Facilitating access to trapped wealth would help to ease dependence on State support. A reduced rate of 20% CGT could be more palatable to investors. Rather than this being a free-for-all, access to a reduced CGT rate could be limited to those with total retirement assets of a specified amount. If addressed in the correct manner, a reduced CGT rate could not only provide landlords with a pension nest egg, but create access to higher quality housing stock. Exchequer receipts would be aided by stamp duty and Vat on redevelopment works. This budget and successive ones should take steps to incentivise employees and employers to fund personal pensions. Measures could include doubling corporate tax deduction in respect of employer contributions; increasing the income contribution limit for self-employed; and introducing contributions deductible for USC calculation purposes. - Cormac Kelleher is international tax partner at Mazars NewsBrands Ireland - the representative body for all national newspapers, print and online welcomes the Budget 2019 announcements for the sector from the Minister for Finance, Mr Paschal Donohoe. NewsBrands Ireland Chairman, Vincent Crowley said: We welcome the Ministers decision to maintain the 9% VAT rate for printed newspapers and also to cut the VAT rate to 9% for digital publications, which will reduce the cost of access to quality, independent Irish journalism for people who access their news online. While other commentators in this supplement will have given a broader scope of the budget changes, this article will focus specifically on how the budget may help those people who work for themselves in a self-employed or limited company capacity. While the devil is in the detail and we wont know the full impact of changes for a few days, it was hoped Budget 2019 would be used to improve the taxation environment for entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Irish economy and I feel it has done very little for these sectors of the community. This is not a political commentary, but one from a business owner who was hoping for a bigger impact both personally and for my clients. The measures announced have been very limited. The major announcement for business was a future growth loan scheme for SMEs and the agriculture and food sector, providing up to 300m. Finally, an extension of the three-year tax relief for certain start-up companies until the end of 2021 was announced. However, one of the areas of interest to me, on which nothing was announced, was the job creation scheme the Employment and Investment Incentive (EII) Scheme. This gives a tax break to individuals who help start-ups to raise capital. I know, first-hand, as someone who has investment in one of these companies, that this needs to be improved. The continued delays by Revenue will make investors more reluctant to invest money in Irish companies due to the uncertainty of getting tax relief they were promised. More resources are needed for Revenue to process applications faster. In addition to more resources, the application process needs to be streamlined. Also, the Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP) a relatively new tax-advantaged share scheme for SMEs, while welcome, is too restrictive and I felt could have been improved. There are restrictions in terms of the type of companies that can qualify, as well as restrictions around the proportions of share options to salary. The restriction of share options to 50% of the value of salary is unduly restrictive as a lot of salaries in small businesses may be quite modest. Id really like to see the 50% increased considerably to let the scheme fly for SMEs. The capital gains tax entrepreneur relief, I feel, is also too restrictive. - Nick Charalambous is managing director of financial advisory firm Alpha Wealth. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) Senate Majority Leader Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said a proposed law on the Coco Levy Trust Fund is in danger of facing a presidential veto over concerns about its management. Zubiri said Duterte wants the bill amended so that majority of the trust fund board who will distribute the funds to farmers would be composed of government officials, and not civilians. The bill to distribute the coconut levy fund, which was taken from a tax imposed on coconut farmers by the late strongman President Ferdinand Marcos for the development of the coconut industry, is one of Duterte's priority bills cited in the 2018 State of the Nation Address. Zubiri said eight senators had an emergency meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang Monday night to discuss the measure after they found out about the possible veto. "Ang ayaw kasi ng Malacanang na pinagusapan namin, majority ng grupo na maghahawak ng pondo ay civilians kasi sabi nila the funds, although it's the fund of the farmers, is in trust with the government so parang they treating it as government fund," he said. [Translation: While the funds are for the farmers, it's entrusted to the government so it seems like they're treating it as a government fund. Malacanang doesn't like how majority of the group that handles the funds are civilians.] Zubiri added the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management are looking for a sunset provision for the P10-billion fund. "Di pwedeng perpetual na ire-release sa mga magsasaka, so with that we will try to salvage this important piece of legislation and hopefully pass the bicam report tomorrow," Zubiri said. Zubiri said the House and the Senate will pass a concurrent resolution to recall the bill submitted to Malacanang. Both chambers will reconstitute the bicameral committee to amend the bill and avert the veto once Malacanang returns the enrolled copies of the bill to Congress. Zubiri also blamed the Presidential Legislative Liason Office, led by Secretary Adelino Sitoy, for failing to communicate to Congress the concerns of Malacanang in a timely manner. "They should have coordinated with us on what the members of the Cabinet would like to see in major pieces of legislation," Zubiri said. The Senate Majority Leader said senators had complained to the President about the PLLO and asked for a more effective liaison to Congress. To this, Zubiri said the President just smiled. The apex court restrained media from publishing comments on the matter until announcement of verdict. Islamabad: Pakistans Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgment in the blasphemy case lodged against death-row convict Asia Bibi. The Christian woman was convicted of blasphemy in November 2010. During the two hours, 45 minutes continuous hearing, a three-judge special bench, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, highlighted several discrepancies in the statements of prosecution and court witnesses in the case. The death penalty was backed by government of Punjabs prosecution counsel. An expert in criminal law, Justice Khosa noted that the prosecution case was weak due to discrepancies in the statement of their witnesses. The statements, he observed, lacked details about the quarrel between Asia Bibi and the accusers. He also inquired about the non-disclosure of the lawyer, who drafted the complaint, during cross-examination. Justice Khosa pointed out that there were two versions about the filing of complaint: first one said the application was given to police near a river while the second stated that the application was submitted in a police station. Furthermore, five different versions of Bibi confessing before a Panchayat (tribal village court) emerged. The incident occurred on June 14, 2009 but the First Information Report (FIR) was registered five days later: June 19, 2009. The apex court restrained media from publishing comments on the matter until announcement of verdict. Justice Khosa who is the head of the bench hearing criminal appeals in murder blasphemy cases has been part of the previous special bench dealing with Bibis case. He had also authored the verdict that justified the death penalty handed to Mumtaz Qadri. The crisis-hit health services budget is set to surge 2bn to an unprecedented 17.2bn next year in a bid to overcome the systems out-of-control spending without the need for further emergency payments. Government sources confirmed the 2bn budget bump as ministers agreed to a major review of local property tax and as Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe was forced to back down on carbon tax changes after a Fine Gael backbench revolt. By Tom Tuite A bodybuilder who competed at a high level internationally has been spared jail and a criminal record after he was caught with a toxic brew of medications. Hans Vogel, of Cameron Court, Cork St, Dublin, pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Irish Medicines Board Act following a seizure of steroids at his home. Dublin District Court heard the case followed an investigation by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which had him on its radar. Judge John Brennan had told Vogel he was giving him a chance and ordered him to pay 1,000 in prosecution expenses. The judge noted yesterday the money had been paid and applied the Probation of Offenders Act, sparing Vogel a criminal conviction and a sentence. Judge Brennan heard earlier that on May 26, 2015, Vogel had anabolic steroids, a weight loss medicine, and Sildamax, a Viagra-like product containing Sildenafil. Vogels charges related to supply of six types of medicinal products which were regulated or prescription controlled. HPRA enforcement officer Alan Smullen told the court he identified Vogel as the supplier of anabolic steroids and he was granted a warrant to search his apartment. Mr Smullen was accompanied by gardai and another HPRA officer. Vogel pointed out the steroids and explained he was a body-builder. There were 300 Sildamax tablets, 1,500 Dianabol tablets, 20 vials of testosterone enanthate, 250 Rexobol tablets, 50 capsules of a product named DNP 200, and 250 Clenbuterol tablets. The HPRA officer told the court the testosterone enanthate substance was not approved for marketing in Ireland. Mr Smullen said that Sildamax was for treatment of erectile dysfunction but could have certain consequences for people with heart problems. By Joyce Fegan For family of three Anna Forde, David Hosty, and their 16-month-old baby girl Henrietta, Budget 2019 means modest change, when what they would really have benefited from were big changes in childcare. All things considered, this household will be about 400 better off in 2019. The main things creating that difference, as a result of todays budget announcement, are nominal changes to the annual income tax rates and the monthly universal social charge (USC), as well as increases to all social welfare payments. For income tax, the higher rate of 40% will now kick in at 35,300 for a single earner or at 44,300 for a married couple with one earner. They will gain approximately 150 a year or around 2.88 a week. Both Anna and David work full-time, so together they will take home 300 extra in 2019. Changes to USC mean that on incomes between 19,300 and 70,000, workers will now pay 4.5% as opposed to 4.75%. In cash, and on an annual basis, this means that 70,000 workers will have 127 more in their pocket, 50,000 workers will have 77 more, and 35,000 workers will have 39.25 more. In this double-income household, that means more than 100 extra in their 2019 budget. The USC change will not make a huge difference, nor will the change to the income tax rates, but it is great that theyre not taking things away, said Anna. What Anna and David had really been counting on to make a difference was changes to childcare support. Similar to a lot of families, childcare is the big thing. I work for a Canadian company and they have a childcare allowance. Its very progressive and something Ireland needs to look at, because the reality is that nowadays both parents have to work outside the home, said David. For Anna, who co-owns Yourelles, a chain of three hair salons in Galway, with Carol Joyce, she sees firsthand the importance of childcare support for her mostly female staff of 33. Proper changes to childcare would be the biggest plus for every woman that works in my business. I know lots of women who want to work extra hours and days, but because of the cost of childcare its not worth it. "With childcare, the Government, 100%, needs to help people out, said Anna. In the 2019 budget, changes have been made to the Affordable Childcare Scheme, where families receive money towards fees. The changes mean that the earning threshold at which you can access financial assistance has gone from 22,700 to 26,000. However, the maximum earning threshold at which you can get assistance goes from 47,500 to 60,000. Under this scheme, a family can get up to 1,040 per year for children under three. This will benefit higher earners. Another change to childcare is the roll-out of parental leave, which David sees as a social game-changer if Ireland was to follow the Canadian model. I would love to see the option where either parent could utilise leave after the birth of a child. I have Canadian colleagues who can split the maternity cover. If the wife made more money, they can go back earlier if they so choose, said David. Unfortunately, no such measure has been introduced. However, at the start of November 2019, both parents will benefit from an extra two weeks parental leave. This is on top of the existing maternity and paternity benefits already in place. From my specific situation, this cover, the extra two weeks as a father, is a good step, said David. The Government hopes to extend this to seven extra weeks over time. However, it is only available to parents of a child under the age of one. Anna has been most affected by the change in the Vat rate from 9% to 13.5%, as hairdressing businesses are included in the hospitality sector. This is a massive jump, all in the one go. Its a big change for anyone who gets their hair done as the increase will have to be absorbed somewhere, said Anna, who is, however, grateful that the Vat rate was decreased to 9% during the recession. We had a lower rate at a time when we really needed it, so you have to be grateful for that; we knew it would come to an end at some point, she added. An environmental officer for one of the firms facing charges relating to an alleged fish kill denies it was a fish kill and says a negligible number died. Peter Quigley, an environmental health and safety manager for Wills Bros, was continuing his evidence about the May 10, 2017, incident in which Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) claims as many as 400 fish died during works on the Bandon river currently one of the biggest drainage projects in Europe. Byrne Looby Partners Water Services Ltd, contracted on the flood relief project by the Office of Public Works, Rivus Ltd, of Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and Wills Bros Ltd, Foxford, Co Mayo, all face two charges under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 as amended, of injuring or disturbing a spawning bed, bank of shallow where the spawn or fry of salmon, trout, or eels may be, and of injuring or disturbing the spawn or fry of salmon, trout, or eels. They deny the charges. Mr Quigley described how the stretch of the Bandon river in which the work is being carried out had been sectioned off into taskwork areas and how the issue on May 10 last year occurred in section J. He said a number of mitigation measures were selected as the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) had said the impact otherwise would have been permanent, significant, and negative. With the mitigation efforts, that impact was to be reduced to a permanent moderate level. He said it had been decided that other steps would be taken, such as restricting works from May to September, from 8am to 6pm, and that a maximum of 60% of river flows be blocked at any one time. "This is a very serious intervention into an undisturbed river, said Mr Quigley, adding that, given the large scale of the project, there was some element of novelty in planning it. Mr Quigley was not in Bandon in the day of the alleged fish kill but relayed what he had been told through phone calls from some of those present. He referred to an earlier incident from May 8 last year when an area on the river had started to dry out. He later admitted to Stephen ODonoghue, for Rivus, that the possibility of a pooled area drying out had been on the radar. He said that on the day, everything was in place as it should have been. The court had been told on a previous occasion that as many as 400 fish may have died when water drained from a pooled area near a haul road, but Mr Quigley said figures provided on the claim form afterwards numbered in the tens and he, based on photos he had seen, believes it was a smaller number again and that no adult fish were killed. He was asked if he believes Wills Bros complied with all requirements and answered: We believe we have, yes. Mr Quigley said he believes no adult fish were involved and said the loss of 30 fry equates to one-third of a salmon in the river, adding there is always an attrition rate. When I read these numbers I think OK, thats negligible. Later, he said: We have shifted hundreds of thousands of fish out of the way of harm in this. The case continues in November. The Irish Government is not doing enough to tackle climate change as a new report warns of climate chaos unless major changes are made in all aspects of society. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has warned rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes are needed in all aspects of society to avoid climate chaos. It outlines the impacts of global warming of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and the action needed to stay below this threshold. Thew report points out global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) would need to fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 to stay within this threshold. UN special envoy on climate change Mary Robinson said the Irish Government needs to do more to tackle the threat of climate change. Ireland can do more. We are a laggard on climate change. We need to become a leader on climate change, the former Irish president said. Ms Robinson said Ireland needs to be serious about changing behaviour and this needs to be done now: The warning is that we have to do this by 2030. It really is a very short window but its the only window that humanity has, thats the important thing to remember. Our children and grandchildren will not thank us if we dont take every step we can take. I have had this sense of urgency for quite a number of years now and here is this scientific report that speaks to that urgency. In June, the Climate Action Network Europe ranked Ireland in second last place in the EU for action and ambition on climate change, while in 2017, the Climate Change Performance Index placed Ireland as the worst performing country in Europe for action on climate change. Professor Emeritus of Geography at Maynooth University, John Sweeney, said the landmark report highlights the scale of the threat Ireland now faced from climate change. For Ireland, overshooting 1.5C would accentuate our emerging problems of climate extremes and damage the economic prospects of our current young people. The report confirms that only by undertaking radical steps today to decarbonise our societies can we leave a legacy of a sustainable world for the next generation. Chairman of An Taisces Climate Change Committee, Phil Kearney also called on the Government to commit to fundamental changes across a range of sectors in order to curb the threat of climate change. However, Environment Minister Denis Naughten pointed out the Government had committed to directing almost 30bn under the National Development Plan to address the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society. He also said the National Adaptation Framework sets out the national strategy to adapt to the threat posed by climate change. Under the Framework, 12 priority sectors will prepare sectoral adaptation plans by 30 September next year, and adaptation planning at local authority level will also be introduced. The work undertaken under the Framework alongside adequate investment will be crucially important in moving us towards a more climate resilient Ireland, he said. Mr Naughten also said that the Government will invest 940m under the National Development Plan to proactively manage flood risks and reduce our vulnerability to certain impacts of climate change. A massive investment in services for drug-users must accompany the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use, a coalition of local drug groups says. The Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign said the legal change should not be considered by the Government in isolation to all the other issues in those communities most affected by the drugs trade. Citywide chairwoman, Anna Quigley, was speaking at the launch of a report, Not Criminals, by the Ana Liffey Drug Project and the London School of Economics Drug Policy Unit. It was launched by Dr Nuno Capaz, of the Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction, in Lisbon. These commissions, which operate under the Portuguese ministry of health, provide a health response to people caught by police in possession of drugs for personal use. Dr Capaz said the sky didnt fall in after Portugal decriminalised the possession of drugs for personal use in 2001. He said decriminalisation involves an administrative response, and not criminal sanctions, to an activity that is still illegal. He said wider issues have to be addressed, such as access to treatment, harm reduction generally, methadone, and finance. Ms Quigley said a major increase in services, and not just drug services, accompanies decriminalisation in Portugal, with a focus on communities most affected by the drugs trade, including improving access to housing and employment. [874379/readmore] Lord Mayor, Councillor Nial Ring, from Dublins north inner city, said he was told that decriminalisation would be a charter for dealers, as they could tell users not to worry, if they were caught. He also expressed concern that the report doesnt focus on the dangers of drugs. Report co-author, Marcus Keane, said there is no correlation between a states policy towards drugs either repressive or liberal and levels of drug use. He said no-one is saying drug use is a good idea or cant be harmful, but that the question is should the response be a health one or a criminal justice one. Fellow co-author, Dr John Collins, of LSE Drug Policy Unit, said the report is trying to segment the drugs market and not treat the consumer in the same way as the seller. The Department of Health has established an expert group to examine decriminalisation and is due to report before the end of the year. Officials from both the department of health and justice, as well as senior garda and probation figures, attended yesterdays launch. Marinova was a director of TVN, a small TV station in Ruse, and a TV presenter for two investigative programs. Authorities discovered the body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova on Saturday in the northern town of Ruse near the Romanian border. (Photo: AFP) Bucharest: Bulgarian police are investigating the rape and murder of a female television reporter whose body was dumped near the Danube River after she reported on the possible misuse of European Union funds in Bulgaria. Authorities discovered the body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova on Saturday in the northern town of Ruse near the Romanian border. Police said she had been raped, beaten and strangled and her body was found in a park near the river. Marinova was a director of TVN, a small TV station in Ruse, and a TV presenter for two investigative programs. Journalists groups and foreign officials expressed shock. Harlem Desir, the media freedom representative for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, demanded a full and thorough investigation of Marinovas slaying. A Bulgarian investigative online media site went further, calling for an independent international inquiry and saying corruption could compromise an investigation by Bulgarian law enforcement. Bulgarian interior minister Mladen Marinov insisted Monday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to Marinovas work. It is about rape and murder, he said. Chief public prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov, on a trip to Ruse, said authorities had no new leads on a motive. At this stage, lets be careful, not because we dont have anything to say, but because every word uttered loosely could damage our work, he said. Bulgarian police said they were considering all possible scenarios and examining both Marinovas personal and professional lives for leads. Hundreds of Bulgarians turned out Monday night for vigils to honour Marinova. In Ruse, mourners, some tearful, placed candles, her portrait and roses the national flower at the foot of a monument. In the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, mourners gathered outside a church. One participant, Kristina Petkov, said Bulgarians now had zero trust in authorities. Whatever results the investigation (into Marinovas death) shows, people wont believe them, she said. Corruption is endemic in Bulgaria, a Balkan nation that joined the EU in 2007 and was ranked 71st on Transparency Internationals corruption list last year. Joining the bloc opened an enormous spigot of possible new EU funding for Bulgarian infrastructure projects or other programs designed to bring the nation up to EU standards funds that were very attractive to both government officials and criminal networks. Marinovas final show on September 30 was a program about Attila Biro, an investigative journalist with the Rise Project Romania, and Dimitar Stoyanov from the Bulgarian investigative site Bivol.bg. The two men were briefly detained Sept. 13 south of Sofia as they investigated a tip that documents connected to suspected fraud involving EU funds were being destroyed. Bivol.bg owner Assen Yordanov said he couldnt directly link Marinovas slaying to her work, but noted her show tackled our very sensitive investigation into the misuse of EU funds. This is a topic on which no other Bulgarian national media dared to report on, he told The Associated Press. To get to the truth, we are calling for an independent investigation.... we want independent European investigators to get involved because we believe the Bulgarian authorities are part of this countrys criminal network. Yordanov said his journalists were getting threats to their safety for reporting on government corruption. Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said Monday the commission expected a swift and thorough investigation .... that will bring those responsible to justice and clarify whether this attack was linked to her work. He quoted Juncker as saying previously that too many journalists are being intimidated, attacked or murdered and there is no democracy without a free press. The German government also sharply condemned the slaying, with the Foreign Ministry saying it was imperative that theres a fast investigation and that this horrible event will be illuminated as comprehensively as possible. Sven Giegold, a German member of the Greens party in the European Parliament, said all of Europe should worry about Marinovas slaying. First Malta, then Slovakia, now Bulgaria. It is unacceptable that in Europe journalists are getting killed again, he said, referring to the slayings of two other investigative journalists in those EU countries. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is paying very close attention to a very worrying increase in violence against journalists, especially women journalists, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Guterres has raised the issue with U.N. member states privately and publicly, Dujarric said. Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia , who investigated local government corruption, was killed in October 2017 by a car bomb. Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak was shot dead along with his fiancee in February after he reported on corrupt ties between Slovak officials and Italian mobsters. Kuciaks reporting and his slaying brought down the Slovak government. In addition, Swedish journalist Kim Wall was tortured and murdered during a private submarine trip in August 2017. Danish submarine inventor Peter Madsen was convicted and sentenced to life in prison earlier this year. By Elaine Loughlin and Daniel McConnell Strong disagreements within the Independent Alliance have surfaced over their opposition to the proposed axing of the 9% Vat rate for hotels. The Irish Examiner has learnt that Minister Shane Ross has been at odds with his colleagues over his continued opposition to the reversal when the public is largely accepting of it. Fine Gael ministers have also lost patience with the Independent Alliance, especially Mr Ross, for bringing forward last minute demands and is now prepared to go to the polls by as November if it comes to it. This Budget process has been very, very difficult, not from Fianna Fail but from the Independent Alliance side, the minister said. These disagreements were raised during a final meeting with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe during which there were frank discussions. Mr Ross is said to be most unhappy that his sector, tourism, will be hit for a significant tax increase, worth over 500m, when as he sees it no other sector is being hit as hard. He has been most agitated over this and several of us have tried to talk him down off the ledge, one source said. A number of us believe the time has come for the lower Vat rate has to end, when hotels are ripping off people wholesale, the source said. However, the Alliance has also come under fire over a series of leaks to newspapers in the past week with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said to be most unhappy about details of his plans making the newspapers. As the two Independent Alliance ministers who sit at Cabinet, Mr Ross and Finian McGrath have borne the brunt of the unhappiness. The Alliance has secured agreement to see a doubling of the gambling tax from 1% to 2% which will raise 50m, which had been sought by Minister John Halligan. The Alliance was also adamant the Christmas bonus be fully restored and has pushed for greater relief on inheritance tax. Focus will now shift to extending the Governments deal with Fianna Fail and it is understood that Mr Varadkar is eager to kickstart this process as soon as possible. Leo will be knocking on their door before the end of the week, one senior minister said last night. Mr Varadkar had hoped to start the renegotiation of the confidence and supply agreement over the summer but this was firmly ruled out by Micheal Martin. It is understood that given the disruption within the Independent Alliance, Fine Gael is now ready to go to call an election if Fianna Fail tries to delay starting talks. However, Fine Gael backbenchers yesterday said this is not a giveaway election Budget and instead the Government is being prudent with public finances. Dublin South-West TD Colm Brophy said: It is not an election Budget, it is not an election package, it is very clearly part of a programme of Budgets which are designed to be prudent and designed to deliver sustained economic growth. Hitting out at opposition parties he said: If we had a government being led by some of these particular parties you would put at risk all the hard work that has been done over many, many years, he said. Presidential candidate Joan Freeman admits she might have been naive in accepting a campaign loan from a US businessman. She says the 120,000 was a personal loan from Des Walsh and nothing to do with his business. By Sean ORiordan A dangerous junction on a main road in Co Cork, where two tourists died, will remain closed at least until the end of the month, despite protests by locals. More than 100 people protested outside County Hall yesterday, against the closure, on June 18 last, of the junction at Waterloo, north of Blarney, on the N20 (Cork-Limerick road). Standing orders were suspended at the council meeting to discuss the issue, with all of the councillors backing the locals calls for the junction to be reopened immediately. Protesters said the closure has had a significant impact on the community of Whitechurch and Waterloo, which was bisected by the new Mallow Road in the 1980s. Keeping the junction closed goes against the wishes of the residents and councillors. The closure has dramatically increased the risk of accidents on neighbouring, minor roads, not to mention the inconvenience for all involved. We want a safe solution to the problems at the junction, and we feel we are being bullied into accepting closure, Jonathan Healy, co-chairman of the Waterloo Access Group (WAG), said. WAG co-chairman, Anthony Horgan, said his organisation is considering the legal options, including interlocutory injunction and full judicial review. Cllr Kevin Conway said traffic-calming and safety signage should be introduced at the junction, as was the case with a similarly dangerous junction a few kilometres north of Waterloo, at Rathduff. Nobody wants to see accidents happening and lives lost. But this junction can be reopened with traffic-calming measures, Cllr Des OGrady said. Council chief executive, Tim Lucey, said the closure was based on engineering and road-safety measures and input from the gardai. He said a report on its future would be brought to the municipal district council on October 26 and the junction would not be opened in advance of that. Ann O'Loughlin A man who was secretly recorded allegedly making "vile" threats to his elderly unwell mother has raised issues about the legitimacy of the recording, made on his sister's mobile phone. He is seeking a "forensic" analysis of the 33-minute recording, a transcript of which was previously provided to him, as part of High Court proceedings aimed at having his mother returned home from a nursing home to the care of himself and his father. Two of the mans sisters were in court today and the sister who made the recording said she had no difficulty with it being analysed. The sister's concern was their mother's welfare and her brother's complaints were "delaying tactics", she said. Her brother was previously invited by a garda to listen to the recording at a garda station but he and their father walked out when the recording started, she said. The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, was told today that an unencrypted copy of the recording had been provided to the man over lunch. Gardai, who have the original recording, are also happy for him to come to a garda station and listen to it but did not wish to hand it over, he was also told. In the context of the man contesting the length of the recording, the sister said she was prepared to get the necessary records from her phone service provider. The judge queried whether any of this was really necessary as the man could swear an affidavit outlining his position concerning the recording and the judge could again listen to it and then decide the competing claims. He told the son he might, in years to come, regret pursuing such matters when the priority should be his mothers welfare. The judge added he was very sorry to see such disputes between family members especially where the evidence indicated the woman is "profoundly ill". Earlier, the woman's husband said he and his wife have been married 53 years, his wife should be at home and the two sisters were "daughters from hell". A third daughter claimed their mother's condition has deteriorated since she was moved to the nursing home. At the conclusion of the matter today, the judge continued orders for the woman, aged in her seventies and with dementia and other health difficulties, to remain in the nursing home. He also continued orders restraining visits to the woman by her son and husband arising from complaints by the nursing home about their behaviour during visits. The son earlier alleged bias by the judge in dealing with the case and asked him to cease dealing with it. Mr Justice Kelly said he would not recuse himself at a stage where he is case managing the proceedings and the son has yet to file any exhibits referred to in a lengthy affidavit. The son had referred to other affidavits being provided by his father and others but those had not yet been provided, he noted. The son said he could not provide the material until he got an unencrypted copy of the recording. The judge adjourned the proceedings to allow the various issues to be addressed. Before being moved to the nursing home, the woman was moved to a hospital by court order on the application of the HSE after her daughter provided social workers with the recording of exchanges between the son and his parents in their home. Mr Justice Kelly described those exchanges as "vile and horrible". The son is appealing another High Court judges refusal to his challenge to the legality of his mothers hospital detention and all that has occurred since. He alleges the procedure under which his mother was made a ward of court-involved violations of human rights and abuse of power. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin says he will be ringing the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tonight to discuss the confidence and supply arrangement. Mr Varadkar says he is looking forward to talking about the future of the deal after the last budget of the arrangement was introduced today. By Liam Heylin Gardai objected to bail being granted yesterday to an East Cork man accused of conning people to buy non-existent concert tickets through the Donedeal website. Derek OMahony of 52 Meadowlands, Midleton, Co Cork, was arrested by gardai in Ballycotton at the weekend and charged with three counts contrary to the Criminal Justice (theft and fraud offences) Act. OMahony, 25, applied for bail at Cork District Court yesterday but gardai opposed his application. Judge Olann Kelleher said it was alleged the defendant engaged in three counts of fraud by advertising the sale of concert tickets on Donedeal when the tickets never existed. The total value of the alleged scam amounted to 600. Gardai were concerned that the accused was addicted to substances and would commit further offences if out on bail. Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said the accused would give an undertaking not to carry out bank account transactions if released on bail. Asked if he would keep whatever bail conditions might be imposed on him, the man replied: I can give you my word, 100%, I will turn up if given a chance. Judge Olann Kelleher remanded him in custody until October 11 to Midleton District Court. Mr Cuddigan said the accused would be pleading guilty to the charges against him. More than one in five young people would consider taking muscle-building anabolic steroids, it has emerged. The finding coincides with the launch of a new public information campaign on the dangers of using unprescribed anabolic steroids. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which developed the campaign, is targeting young men because of the social pressure on them to look a certain way. The sale and supply of anabolic steroids to the public outside of a registered pharmacy is illegal but there is growing evidence of non-medical use. The volume of illegal anabolic steroids seized by the authorities increased ten-fold over the last three years. The HPRA, together with the gardai, seized 449,411 doses last year, compared to 109,006 units in 2016 and 38,049 in 2015. The authoritys research reveals one in ten adults would consider taking the drugs to enhance physical performance or gain a more muscular physique. Of particular concern is that over one in five of those aged 18 to 34 (22%) would consider taking the steroids. The authority found that half of adults (48%) are unaware or not sure of the side-effects of steroid use. Possible physical effects include heart failure, liver issues, kidney damage, infertility, acne, and hair loss. The psychological and emotional impacts include mood swings and aggression, leading to depression. A part of the campaign is a new website zerogains.ie where factual information on the risks of anabolic steroid use is provided. HPRA chief executive Lorraine Nolan, said it wants to dispel the myth that non-medical use of steroids is safe and that users have nothing to lose by taking them. We believe there are no gains from using substances that have been shown to cause a range of physical, psychological and emotional damage when misused, said Dr Nolan. We know young men taking anabolic steroids are more likely to work out regularly so our campaign reflects that. Our approach is not to lecture but to provide the facts about the serious health risks in a clear and unambiguous way. We also want to urge anyone who suspects they are suffering health effects from anabolic steroid use to seek medical treatment immediately. Health Minister Simon Harris, who launched the campaign, said young men need to understand that when everything is taken into account, there are zero gains to using anabolic steroids. Sport Ireland chief executive John Treacy said it worked closely with HPRA in tackling the use of illegal substances. While the use of anabolic steroids would have traditionally been associated with improving physical performance, it is clear that they are now being taken for other purposes, he said. - zerogains.ie The Independent Alliance has been forced to admit its high-profile granny flat grant win in budget 2019, in reality, amounts to just one home and a general Fine Gael promise to "review" the scheme that is not written down in any document. Transport Minister Shane Ross acknowledged the situation at the group's post-budget press briefing today, despite insisting there is nothing to be concerned about because "we don't need written commitments". Speaking as Fine Gael sources privately said the granny flat grant - which would involve funds for 'empty nesters' to alter their homes and make them into multiple rental units - is unlikely to ever be extended past a single pilot home in Clondalkin, Dublin, Mr Ross said he believes the plan is a budget 2019 Alliance win. However, asked to clarify how the scheme will work and if the agreement for a wider review amounts to anything of substance, the Transport Minister was defensive and said he is convinced the plan will be implemented. Mr Ross said: "What [Housing Minister] Eoghan Murphy is going to do is he's going to look at it within his own budget vote, and there's a commitment to do it. "We don't need written commitments." When asked how he will respond if a review decides not to extend the plan, he added: "I don't think he'll decide that way." Speaking during the same press briefing at Government Buildings, Mr Ross rejected calls from the Restaurants Association of Ireland for him to resign for "failing" the sector and not preventing the VAT hike to 13.5%. Asked if he will consider his position, Mr Ross said this was "out of the question" and that "they won't be getting satisfaction today or tomorrow, or any day", before noting the RAI chief executive "is a very political animal, I think he stood for Fianna Fail in a local election, he ought to declare that". Mr Ross, Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath, junior minister for skill John Halligan and OPW minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran also rejected widespread reports the group has been struck with division throughout the budget talks, with all four saying they will run again as Independent Alliance candidates in any future general election. Asked jokingly to respond to Fianna Fail public expenditure spokesperson Barry Cowen's Dail label of him as "Dickie Rock" because of his focus on "granny grants", Mr Ross demurred, before Mr McGrath added, while pointing at himself, there is nothing in common "except they've both got a good guitarist standing beside them". The operator of Corks derailed tourist train could face legal action following a protracted dispute over its pickup location. Independent councillor Paudie Dineen led calls last night for last-minute talks between Cork City Council and the operator to get the service back on track. He said the city is missing out big time by not having such a service. I am confident that a solution to this can be found. I would appeal to city officials to give it one last shot, he said. The citys head of corporate affairs, Paul Moynihan, said the council has to consider all options, up to and including legal action, to ensure adherence to a contract in place between the council and the operator. Mr Moynihan said the council had incurred significant expense in preparing the contract for a tourist train service in the city. Councillors signed off on a 70,000 investment in the initiative in late 2015, with details on lease arrangements to the proposed operator, Pat Flynn, from Ovens, Co Cork, potential routes, and operating times signed off on. It had been hoped that following road tests, the service would be up and running in early 2016. Apart from a few runs over a handful of days, the service never got going. Mr Moynihan said both sides willingly entered into the contract and he alleged that the terms of the contract are not now being complied with by one of the parties. Three years work has gone into trying to find a resolution to this. But the operator perceives to have an entitlement to operate from a particular location, he said. The contract waived any right for the tourist train to operate from any other location. Mr Flynn has claimed the original pick-up location on Union Quay is not suitable to attract passengers, particularly tourists. It is understood he has repeatedly sought to secure a pick-up spot on Grand Parade, which City Hall has ruled out. by Mathias Hariyadi The two financial agencies organise fund-raising at their annual meeting, currently underway, in Nusa Dua. Some 2 billion rupiah have been raised. For IMG managing director Christian Lagarde, what we have seen in Palu and in Lombok today [will remain] very much in our minds. Jakarta (AsiaNews) During their annual meeting, currently underway in Nusa Dua, Bali (Indonesia), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) launched a fund raising initiative to help the Indonesian government rebuild areas devastated by the recent quakes that hit the islands of Sulawesi and Lombok. Delegations from 189 countries are present at the event, which opened yesterday until 14 October with 34,000 people ministers, parliamentarians, officials, and experts registered to participate. The host country (Indonesia) is not behind the fund-raising. The latter is the result of a spontaneous expression of international solidarity towards Indonesia, especially the residents of Central Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara, said Peter Jacobs, head of the Task Force for the IMF WBG Annual Meeting. Indonesia has prepared this international meeting very well despite being hit by successive natural disasters, Jacobs said in a statement. Foreign delegations are called to offer their support. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde the other day visited the island of Lombok where a series of earthquakes killed more than 500 people in early August. "Three years ago, when we decided to organise our 2018 Annual Meetings here in Indonesia, we did not know that the country would be hit by these terrible natural disasters, Lagarde said at the end of her visit to the stricken island. What we did know was that Indonesia would be the best place to hold our Annual Meetings. And Indonesia remains the best place! "So, at the IMF we asked ourselves how we could help Indonesia in the face of these natural disasters? First, cancelling the Meetings was not an option because that would be a tremendous waste of the resources [. . .]. Second, an IMF loan was not an option because the Indonesian economy does not need it. "And so, as a symbol of our solidarity with the Indonesian people, IMF staffsupported by managementdecided to personally and voluntarily make a contribution to the recovery efforts. Today that contribution stands at 2 billion Rupiah (US$ 130,000) and it will go to a range of relief efforts in Lombok and Sulawesiwith more to come. We have also launched an appeal for participants at the Annual Meetings so that they too can contribute. "Two days ago, the Secretary of the IMF, Jianhai Lin, accompanied Minister Luhut on a visit to Palu in Sulawesi to see the situation for himself and on behalf of the IMF. We are now going to go ahead with our Annual Meetings, but with what we have seen in Palu and in Lombok today very much in our minds. Tributes have been paid following the death of a tireless champion of the arts in Cork, barrister Jane Anne Rothwell, who was chairwoman of Cork Midsummer Festival for the last five years. Ms Rothwell, who was in her 40s and from Ballinlough, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, in Cork University Hospital on Sunday following a short illness. She is survived by her husband, Steven ONeill, her parents, John and Parfrey, and her siblings, Jonathan and Karl. Lorraine Maye, director of Cork Midsummer Festival, said even in the organisations darkest days, Ms Rothwell was the brightest of lights. Ms Maye said: Her energy knew no limits. She led from the front with a fierce passion, but always with fairness, kindness, and generosity. She was an inspirational leader and a tireless champion of the arts, and of artists in Cork. Thanks to her leadership, the festival will continue to grow and flourish. Lord Mayor councillor Mick Finn led tributes to her at a meeting of Cork City Council last night: Her contribution to the festival was fantastic. She moved the festival on to a new trajectory and she will be hugely missed by all involved in the arts and cultural sectors. Ms Rothwell was appointed to the board of the Midsummer Festival in March 2013 and was appointed chairwoman in September. In a statement yesterday, the organisation said she touched everyone she met with her infectious enthusiasm, boundless positive energy, endless kindness, and huge heart. She was a fearless advocate for the festival, a tireless champion of Cork arts and artists, a constant bright and supportive presence. Cait Watkins, deputy principal of Christ King secondary school, said the school community is shocked at the loss of such a valued past pupil. Following her graduation with a law degree from UCC in 1997, Ms Rothwell was called to the Bar in 1999, working mainly on the Munster and South Western Circuits. She lectured and tutored in company and tort law in UCC and Griffith College from 2000 to 2005, and was an intern and extern examiner in media law for the Irish Academy of Public Relations. She had been the honorary secretary of the Munster Bar since 2004 and organised the Cork Bar Conference abroad annually. Burial will take place in St Finbarrs Cemetery today after 11am requiem Mass in St Columbas Church, Douglas. By Anne Lucey The first of two funeral masses for Emma Mhic Mhathuna will take place this morning in the most westerly parish in Europe, at Seipeal na Carraige, Baile na nGall, in the parish of Baile an Fheirtearaigh the heart of the west Kerry Gaeltacht. The Mass will be all-Irish and chief celebrant will be parish priest of Baile an Fheirtearaigh, An tAthair Eoghan O Cadhla. He described Emma as having fought a tremendous battle for herself and for women. She had a huge sense of justice, said Fr O Cadhla, noting that she had had a lot of support and great friends. Her death leaves a huge void in the Ballydavid area, he said. A second Mass will take place tomorrow at St Marys Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough St, in her native Dublin. Her mother, Annette, had worked in the Department of Education on Marlborough St and Emma had attended the streets All-Irish school. She was a regular visitor to the cathedral to light candles and had made her First Communion there. A fluent Irish speaker, yesterdays death notices were in both Irish and in English. The family has requested donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to the Capuchin Day Centre, Bow St, Dublin. Fr O Cadhla said Emma identified with those who suffered and, like many other people in west Kerry yesterday, spoke of her deep faith. She died at the Palliative Care Unit in University Hospital Kerry on Sunday. A vigil is being organised in her memory in Tralee tomorrow evening. Her funeral notice describes her as a most precious mother and best friend to her children, Natasha, James, Mario, Oisin, and Donnacha. She is survived by her father Peter, aunts, uncles, god-daughter, cousins, relatives, neighbours, and friends. Flag at half-mast in memory of a Emma Mhic Mhathuna in the small fishing village of Baile na nGall -home to the 37 year old mother of five. With a huge love of the Irish language, Emma had moved to Baile na nGall over a year ago and had become very much part of the community, with her children playing for An Ghaeltacht and attending local schools. The youngest, Donnacha, is aged three. A guard of honour will be provided by An Ghaeltacht GAA club before the funeral Mass in Bally-david. Club chairman Sean O Cathain said Emma was a great supporter in every way. The club, he said, appreciated the way she dressed her children in the Gaeltacht colours for high-profile appearances such as meeting President Michael D Higgins when he came to visit. She was a great supporter in every way. She wanted the children to be involved with the club. said Mr O Cathain. Three of Emmas children play underage with the Gaeltacht. Emmas close friend from West Kerry, Juli Ni Mhaoileoin, said there was heartbreak and great sadness in the area when word spread of her passing. Emma had taken on the very difficult job of speaking publicly and fighting publicly, for every woman in Ireland. Silently, over 200 women are suffering at home. When she lit the fire at the vigil in Ballydavid beach in May, the intention was to start a new era in the Irish public health system, said Ms Ni Mhaoleoin. She was so courageous in her fierce ruthless pursuit of the truth. Emma was also feared, she said, by those responsible or who made any attempt to cover the truth, She also spoke of the mothers quirky sense of humour and soft heart. Emma will be buried tomorrow at Laraghbryan Cemetery, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, alongside her late mother, Annette. UCD is going to accept more Leaving Cert students who get upgrades to their exam results this year. The Dublin college will let up to 60 students in on an "exceptional basis" when their appeals make them eligible for a course. Donald Trump has said UN ambassador Nikki Haley will leave his administration "at the end of the year". The president spoke as he and Ms Haley met in the Oval Office, shortly after word came of her plans to resign. He called her a "very special" person, adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off. Mr Trump said that together they had "solved a lot of problems". It is the latest shake-up in the turbulent Trump administration, weeks before the November midterm elections. No reason for the resignation was immediately provided. Ms Haley, 46, was appointed to the UN post in November 2016 and last month co-ordinated Mr Trump's second trip to the United Nations, including his first time chairing the Security Council. Before she was named by Mr Trump to her UN post, she was governor of South Carolina, the first woman to hold the post. She was re-elected in 2014. Last month she wrote an article in the Washington Post discussing her policy disagreements but also her pride in working for Mr Trump. It came in response to an anonymous essay in the New York Times by a senior administration official that alleged there was a secret "resistance" effort from the right in the administration and internal discussions of invoking the 25th amendment to remove Mr Trump from office. "I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country," Ms Haley wrote. "But I don't agree with the president on everything." As South Carolina governor, she developed a national reputation as a racial conciliator who led the charge to bring down the Confederate flag at the Statehouse and guided the state through one of its darkest moments, the massacre at a black church. PA & Digital Desk The Iranian economy is set to fall by 1.5% for 2018 and 3.6% for 2019. Up to April the forecasts were of a plus 4%. Saudi Arabia reverses the route and scores a positive balance of 2.2%. Overall growth slashed by 3.7%, the Middle East and North Africa region suffers. Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The entry into force of the sanctions against Teheran decided by the United States will have a very strong impact on the Iranian economy; on the other hand, Washingtons punitive measures are greatly benefiting Saudi Arabia, the historical rival of the Islamic Republic in the region, which can count on the increase in oil production. This is what experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) affirm, as they cut global growth forecasts to 3.7% for 2018 and announced a further decline for the next one. Illustrating the World Economic Outlook, the IMF stresses that Iran's economy - linked to the production and sale of crude oil - is set to fall by 1.5% by the end of this year and 3, 6% in 2019. Until a few months ago, experts had assumed opposite numbers, with a growth of 4% for 2018 and also for the next year. At the center of the controversy was the economic, diplomatic and commercial war launched by the US administration led by President Donald Trump. Last May, Washington imposed new sanctions, the toughest sanctions in history , after pulling out of the nuclear agreement (the JCPOA). A decision that caused a significant drop in the Iranian economy and a collapse in oil sales, the goal of the second part of the sanctions that will be in force since 4 November. At the expense of it, it was primarily the weakest part of the population. This decline in growth, explains the IMF, is the result of "reduced oil production". However, the trend should reverse for the following years [2020-23] and mark a "modest positive index". Iranian oil exports had touched 2.5 million barrels a day, helping to revive the country's life; in recent months production has fallen by half a million barrels a day and is set to fall in the near future, depriving Tehran of the "main source of income" to the full advantage of Saudi Arabia, the Sunni rival power to Shiite Iran. If last year Riyadh was down by 0.9% last year, for 2018 a trend reversal is expected with a 2.2% increase that will increase to 2.4% in the following year. Oil prices have risen up to 70% since June last year, reaching $ 80 per barrel, a growth that has benefited Riyadh, which can count on even greater market shares. In the report, IMF experts drastically reduced the growth figures across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, dragged down by the collapse of the Iranian economy and rising energy costs. Now the forecasts speak of a 2% for this year (against 3.2% of the April forecast) and of 2.5% for 2019 (against 3.6%). "The downward revision - concludes the IMF - reflects to a significant extent the worsening of growth prospects for Iran, following the re-imposition of American sanctions". Economy Myanmars Ambitious 20-Year Plan to Attract Foreign Investment A view of the downtown skyline of Yangon. / The Irrawaddy YANGONIn an effort to counteract the significant decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) over the last two fiscal years, the governments Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) has launched a major investment promotion plan which aims to attract more than $200 billion through responsible and quality business over the next 20 years. The Myanmar Investment Promotion Plan 2018 (MIPP) announced on Monday, outlines three strategic periods in the plan to attract FDI. It projects to receive $8.5 billion the first four-year phase starting from the 2021-22 fiscal year, $12.3 billion in the four-year phase of 2026-2027 to 2030-2031 and $17.6 billion in the third phase from the 2031-2032 to 2035-2036 fiscal years. The Myanmar government believes FDI is a key driver of economic development and is committed to an open, fair and clear investment policy, according to the MIPP. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government is struggling through a chronic economic slowdown. A recently conducted short-term business sentiment survey showed that this year has been the worst across all business sectors and that business confidence had declined compared with last year, with a majority of businesspeople complaining of a lack of clear economic policies from the government. FDI in Myanmar significantly declined from $9.5 billion in the 2015-2016 fiscal year to $6.6 billion in 2016-2017, after western investors became cautious and the countrys image became badly tarnished by the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State. Director General of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA), U Aung Naing Oo said, The government is expecting to receive $5.8 billion during the 2018-2019 fiscal year which started on October 1. According to our calculations so far, we will achieve our target [of $5.8 billion] during this fiscal year. The MIPP was jointly formulated by the MIC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with an aim to implement the MIPP objectives by adopting strategies and setting up a task force, he said. The government promises to impose policies that support macroeconomic stability, encouraging and reliable laws and regulations and reliable financial systems in order to build an effective economic infrastructure. The government said they will establish simplified, fast and clear investment processes through the MIC and other related governmental organizations. They will also take responsibility for improving the investment environment, enhancing fair treatment of local and foreign investors and ensuring investor protection, according to the MIPP. The Myanmar government said they will ensure that both local and foreign investors follow the rules and regulations which outline their responsibilities to society, the environment and natural resources. The MIC said the slow-down in investments has been caused by ongoing concerns about political instability, weak macroeconomics, residual investment restrictions and uncertain investment approval procedures. They said there is a lack of investment promotion and that the infrastructure, financial sector and business regulatory systems are underdeveloped while the country also lacks skilled human resources. According to the new investment promotion plan, the government aims for Myanmar to become a middle-income country by 2030 and will make economic reforms to ensure fair and transparent investment systems and institutional development for investment promotion. They intend to oversee infrastructure development, supportive business-associated systems, competitive industrial links and a higher quality of human resources. The government projects the GDP to reach 152,174 trillion kyats during the 2021-2026 phaseup from 105,998 trillion kyats in the 2016-2021 phase. It is also expected to increase from 218,466 trillion kyats in 2026-2031 to 313,636 trillion kyats in 2031-2036. The MIPP aims for improvements in the business environment that will increase Myanmars rank in the World Banks ease of doing business index to be within the top 100 by 2020 and the top 40 by 2035. Myanmars 2018 ranking is at 171 while Laos ranks 141, Cambodia at 135 and Philippines at 113 among the ASEAN countries. The government envisions four paths of investment growth for long-term improvementsinvestment in export-oriented industries, domestic market-oriented industries, resource-based industries and knowledge industries. According to the MIPP, the government intends to make the most of Myanmars abundant labor, natural resources and cost increases in advanced Asian countries as a way of attracting more investments in export-oriented industries. There will be a focus on increasing investments in the domestic-oriented market by increasing its size and improving underdeveloped local industries (including infrastructure). The government will promote the agriculture, mineral, forestry and fishery sectors in order to bring about growth in resource-based industries. Moreover, it is also expected to promote service industries in order to be able to provide new services based on a particular expertise such as information and communication technologies, according to the MIPP. According to DICA, the government will form five working committees for the implementation of the Promotion Plan. Asia US' Pompeo Hails 'Significant' North Korea Progress; Experts Skeptical North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on Sunday. / KCNA via Reuters SEOUL/WASHINGTON US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday hailed significant progress in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the weekend and said the sides were pretty close to agreeing details for a second summit between Kim and President Donald Trump. However, experts questioned what Pompeo had achieved on Sunday on his fourth visit to Pyongyang this year. They said the North Korean leader appeared simply to be repackaging and dragging out past pledges. Pompeo told reporters Kim had said he was ready to allow international inspectors into North Koreas Punggye-ri nuclear testing site and the Sohae missile engine test facility as soon as the two sides agreed on logistics. However, Pompeo declined to say whether there had been any movement on North Korea allowing inspectors to visit its Yongbyon site, which produces fuel for nuclear weapons, as the United States has sought. North Korea has said it could permanently close Yongbyon if Washington took corresponding measures, of which there has so far been no sign. In May, North Korea blew up tunnels at Punggye-ri and called this proof of its commitment to end nuclear testing, but a senior White House official accused Pyongyang at the time of breaking a promise to allow experts to witness dismantlement of the site, which meant there was no one there to verify what actually occurred. Pompeo did not say when inspectors would be allowed to Punggye-ri, and the State Department did not respond when asked if they would be Americans or others from international nuclear bodies. Theres a lot of logistics that will be required to execute that, Pompeo told a news briefing in Seoul before leaving for Beijing, where the frosty tone of talks will raise worries about Chinas willingness to help maintain a tough US-led sanctions regime on North Korea. Selling the same horse twice Experts said the offer on inspections amounted to dressing up of an old, unfulfilled pledge as a new concession. The real takeaway from this Punggye-ri pledge is that Kim has mastered the art of milking a single cosmetic concession for months to burn clock, Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said on Twitter. We are still talking about Punggye-ri and Sohae 6 months after he pledged to dismantle them. Brilliantly selling the same horse twice. Even so, Pompeo said both sides were pretty close to agreement on the details of a second summit, which Kim proposed to US President Donald Trump in a letter last month. Both the leaders believe theres real progress that can be made, substantive progress that can be made at the next summit, Pompeo said. Trump and Kim held an historic first summit in Singapore on June 12 at which Kim pledged to work toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. However, his actions have fallen short of Washingtons demands for a complete inventory of its weapons and facilities and irreversible steps to give up its arsenal. Stephen Biegun, the US special representative for North Korea who accompanied Pompeo to Pyongyang, said he offered to meet his counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, as soon as possible and they were in discussion over time and place. Pompeo told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday his latest trip to Pyongyang was another step forward to denuclearization, but there were many steps along the way. Inspection At last months inter-Korean summit, the North expressed its willingness to close Yongbyon if Washington took corresponding action, which Moon said would include a declaration of an end to the 1950-53 Korean War. Moon also said the North would permanently dismantle the Sohae missile engine testing site in the presence of experts from concerned countries. Pyongyangs failure to keep its pledge to allow international inspections at Punggye-ri in May fanned criticism that the move could easily be reversed. In July, satellite imagery indicated it had begun dismantling the engine test site, but also without allowing outside verification. The 38 North project said last week that no dismantling activity had been spotted since Aug. 3. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Kim had invited inspectors to visit Punggye-ri to confirm it had been irreversibly dismantled. Skeptics of Trump administration policy said it was difficult to see what Pompeo had achieved. Did Mike Pompeo go all the way to Pyongyang for party planning purposes? Daniel Russel, the chief US diplomat for East Asia until last year, said on NBC. Is this just to set up yet another summit without a clear understanding of what thats going to generate? Pyongyangs official KCNA news agency was upbeat. It said on Monday Kim lauded his talks with Pompeo and explained in detail the proposals for solving the denuclearization issue. Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over the productive and wonderful talks with Mike Pompeo at which mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged, KCNA said. Kim said the bilateral dialogue would continue to develop based on the deep confidence between the two leaders, and expressed gratitude to Trump for making a sincere effort to implement the agreement made at their June summit, KCNA said. KCNA also said the two sides agreed to hold working negotiations for the second summit as early as possible. But it made no mention of inspections. North Korea had denounced Pompeo on his previous trip to Pyongyang in July for making gangster-like demands. Pompeo did not meet Kim on that trip. Moon also spoke positively of Pompeos latest meeting with Kim. He said it set up conditions for another Trump-Kim summit and help denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Moon said Kim was expected to visit Russia soon and that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was also expected to travel to North Korea, but did not elaborate. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had invited Kim to visit, but the time and place had yet to be agreed. Burma Arakanese Activist Arrested by Police in Sittwe Aung Zaw Lin participates in a freedom of expression campaign earlier this year after his senior, Wai Han Aung (shown in the picture he is carrying), was charged under the High Treason Act for reportedly supporting the outlawed Arakan Army during a lecture in northern Rakhine States Rathaedaung Township. Aung Zaw Lin was himself arrested on Tuesday. / Aung Zaw Lin / Facebook YANGONArakanese social activist and university student Aung Zaw Lin, also known as Aung Chay, was arrested by Sittwe police at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday as he and two colleagues were returning home from Sittwe University on a motorcycle. A friend of the suspect who witnessed the arrest told The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity that a fully armed group of police led by a police second lieutenant were waiting for Aung Zaw Lin on a roadside. He said the students had just completed their final day of university exams on Tuesday. As they were riding home they saw a police truck and initially thought it was a traffic police checkpoint. However, the second lieutenant walked straight up to them and handcuffed Aung Zaw Lin, the friend said. Police took the suspect directly into custody. Aung Zaw Lins two friends asked police why he was being detained but did not receive a clear answer. Asked why only one of the three was being detained, one of the police officers told them they should think about it. The friend said, A police officer just briefly told me we could discuss it at the police station. Aung Zaw Lin was taken to Sittwes No. 1 Police Station. The Irrawaddy phoned officer Moe Zaw Thu, the chief of the station, but he declined to answer and referred questions to an inspector at Sittwes No. 2 police station. I have no idea about that. I am not the inspector in that case. The investigator is from No. 2 police station, Moe Zaw Thu said. The Irrawaddy was unable to reach the head of Sittwes No. 2 police station by phone on Tuesday, as his phone was switched off. Authorities had not made any announcement about the arrest as of Tuesday evening, but some Sittwe residents speculated it was linked to the death of Military Intelligence Corporal Win Htike, also known as Phoe Lone, on Sept. 25. The corporal was shot in the back and killed while attending a festival in Sittwe with his wife and child. The day after the killing, police summoned Aung Zaw Lin and another student, Khine Thaw, from Pauk Taw Township for questioning. They were released after a few hours. Aung Zaw Lin later told The Irrawaddy the police asked him whether he had close ties with Cpl. Win Htike. A friend of Aung Zaw Lin said they were at home all day on Sept. 25, the day the intelligence officer was shot dead. Im ready to testify on behalf of my friend in court. Im absolutely sure he is innocent and has done nothing wrong, he said. The death of the Military Intelligence officer occurred on the same day the Sittwe Court re-arrested eight Arakanese just as they were completing their eight-month sentences for attending an illegal protest. Alongside his senior, Wai Han Aung, Aung Zaw Lin has been actively engaged in relief efforts to support members of Arakanese sub-ethnicities affected by conflict in northern Rakhine State for several years. Among those he has helped were victims of conflict in Maungdaw District last year. Wai Han Aung was arrested without warning early this year and charged under the High Treason Act after authorities reportedly discovered he had unwittingly offered assistance to members of the Arakan Army (AA), an outlawed rebel group. He and prominent Arakanese politician U Aye Maung are now facing serious charges at Sittwe Court. Local media previously quoted Aung Zaw Lin as saying that police had questioned him about his ties to Wai Han Aung. Cpl. Win Htike had been transferred to Yangon a few months prior to his death, but was temporarily returned to his family in Sittwe last month after he leaked via his Facebook account in April a false report that seven soldiers involved in the Inn Din massacre of 10 Rohingya villagers had been freed in a New Years presidential amnesty. The false information was reported by Myanmar National Television (MNTV) and quickly went viral on Facebook. Even the UNs Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, recklessly re-tweeted a false news report repeating the claim via her Twitter account. She later issued a letter of apology. Before Cpl. Win Htike was killed, he was publicly threatened on Facebook and some Arakanese even vowed to kill him as soon as possible. As of Tuesday, the Home Affairs Ministrys official Facebook page carried no information on Aung Zaw Lins arrest. Burma Baptist Group Says UWSA Has Released Members But Still Holds Others UWSA fighters take part in a ceremony marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Shan State in June 2015. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy Mon State The United Wa State Army (UWSA) has released more than 60 ethnic Kachin members of a local Christian group but continues to hold ethnic Lahu religious leaders, according to the groups chairman. More than 60 members of our KBC [Kachin Baptist Convention] were released in the last few weeks. Some more people were also released recently, but I dont have the latest information yet, Reverend Samson told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday. UWSA spokesman Nyi Rang, however, said he was not aware of the situation. I havent heard about the arrests or the releases, he said. The KBC says the UWSA detained about 100 of its members in early September and that it plans to speak with those recently released about how they can help secure the freedom of the remaining detainees. We will also discuss with them how to adopt new religious policies to remain in harmony with the UWSA, Rev. Samson said. He conceded that the convention had made mistakes. We have some weaknesses. Our members did not respect their [the Was] culture. The KBC also recruited many members by force, he said. But he added that the UWSA had also gone too far in restricting religious freedom by detaining KBC members and demanding that they completely stop promoting Christianity. The UWSA last month detained a total of about 200 members of the KBC and Lahu Baptist Convention (LBC) as part of the armed groups crackdown on Christian churches in areas under its control. According to the LBC, more than 100 churches have been shuttered and that some have been razed. Its secretary-general, Reverend Lazarus, said the UWSA detained 92 of its leaders and that none have been released to date. The UWSA forced our school teachers to sign [statements] that they will not promote Christianity any more in the Wa region. But our members refused, so they were locked up in prison, he said. Based in northern Shan State close to the border with China, the UWSA is the largest ethnic armed group in Myanmar and exercise significant control over its territory. The UWSA says it shut down the churches and detained members of the areas Christian community because some of its leaders were religious extremists. In a Sept. 13 statement it said all churches built after 1992 were illegal because they went up without its permission and had to be destroyed. Burma Crackdown on Illegal Wildlife Trade Focuses on Yangon A wild tiger is seen in the upper Chindwin River area in 2016 in a photo captured by a camera trap placed by WCS. / Wildlife Conservation Society-Myanmar YANGON The Yangon regional government will take a tough line on the illegal wildlife trade including the selling of wildlife curries at restaurants, said U Thein Toe, director of the Yangon Region Forest Department. The forest department announced its plan to end illegal wildlife trade in the commercial capital in the last week of September, said U Thein Toe, adding that his department has sufficiently educated shops across the region about the negative impact of the illegal wildlife trade. The announcement came 11 months after the launch of a six-month nationwide campaign Voices for MoMos against the increased poaching of wild elephants in Myanmar. Yangon is the main city and receives the most international travelers [in Myanmar]. Travelers come to Yangon both by air and by ship, so the illegal trade is higher compared to other cities, U Thein Toe told The Irrawaddy. Handicrafts made from elephant skin and parts such as tails and tusks are sold in Yangon, Mandalay and at Kyaiktiyo Pagoda in Mon State, while most of them are smuggled into China and thriving wildlife markets in the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge. Since last year, the department has been educating staff in souvenir shops at Bogyoke Market, shops at Shwedagon Pagoda, and restaurants that sell wildlife meat, he said. Foreigners like things that are normally not listed on a regular menu, so we have warned restaurants that sell wildlife curries, he said. Illegal wildlife trading is still rampant in Myanmar though the practice has been criminalized since 1994. Myanmars Parliament passed the Protection of Biodiversity and Conservation Areas Law enacted in May, which prescribes harsh penalties for hunting and illegal wildlife trading as protected under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The law carries a minimum of three to a maximum of ten years imprisonment plus a fine. Christy Williams, the country director of World Wildlife Fund Myanmar said, Were glad that Yangon has announced its new step. We are ready to help the government in enforcing the rule of law in the region. The next step is to end wildlife crimes across Myanmar. The Myanmar authorities destroyed hundreds of seized elephant tusks, pangolin scales and other animal parts, worth a total of $1.3 million on the black market, last week in the administrative capital Naypyitaw. Among globally threatened species, those found in Myanmar include the elephant, tiger, dolphin, pangolin, bear, python, turtle, banteng, takin, hairy-nosed otter, and so on. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Burma TNLA Gives Shan Woman 3-Year Jail Term Nang Mo Hom is taken away from her home in Namhkam Township, northern Shan State by TNLA members on Aug. 17, 2018. / Facebook MANDALAY The Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) says it has sentenced an ethnic Shan woman to three years in jail for informing on the armed groups fighters to the Myanmar military. TNLA spokesman Mai Aik Kyaw told The Irrawaddy that Nang Mo Hom was sentenced on Friday. It is correct that Nang Mo Hom was sentenced to three years in prison on Oct. 5 and she is in good health, he said. Nang Mo Hom, a mother of three, was abducted at gunpoint by TNLA fighters from her home in Namhkam Township, northern Shan State, on Aug. 17 for allegedly informing on two TNLA fighters extorting money from local businesses. One of the fighters was later shot dead by the military and the other was arrested. The womans relatives deny that she was an informant. They have not been allowed to meet her since her arrest. Earlier this month, the TNLA said Nang Mo Hom had violated the armed groups laws by obstructing its members from carrying out their duties. They said her trial would be transparent. But her family says it has not been informed of any of the hearings. We have heard nothing from the group about the sentence or my wife. We also do not know how she is doing and we worry for her, said her husband, Sai Saw Kyaw. The family told The Irrawaddy that Nang Mo Homs sister and activists were meeting with the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee, an alliance of seven ethnic armed groups, hoping it can help win her release. We dont know what to do yet. We are waiting for the results of the meeting and hope there will be good things for the release of my wife, Sai Saw Kyaw said. Activists urged the government to help as well. The TNLA previously said it would open up its court, but we were shock by the news that Nang Mo Hom received three years in prison. We condemn the sentence because we cannot accept that the TNLA judged her with its own laws, said Nang Thin Thin Aye, a member of the Namhkam Youth Network. We would like to request President U Wint Myint, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the government and all responsible people for the release of Nang Mo Hom and to take care of this case because it can affect the trust between Shan and Taang communities that have lived in the area peacefully for ages, he said. Mai Aik Kyaw, the TNLA spokesman, declined to elaborate on Nang Mo Homs condition or explain what evidence the armed group used to convict her and what measures it took to make the trial transparent. Burma Two Military-Appointed Cabinet Ministers Look Set To Be Replaced State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and three military-appointed ministers share a laugh in Naypyitaw on March 30, 2016. / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAWFollowing unconfirmed reports on social media and from some local news organizations that two military-appointed Cabinet posts are to be reshuffled, speculation has focused on the ministers of Defense and Home Affairs, who are near or above the age of 60, the legal retirement age for civil servants in Myanmar. The reports also suggest that the military has reshuffled several top positions in the armed forces. Defense Minister Lieutenant-General Sein Win, who was born in July 1956, is 62, while Home Affairs Minister Lieutenant-General Kyaw Swe, who was born in November 1959, is nearly 59. However, the ministers retirements would require the approval of both the president and the Parliament, government sources told The Irrawaddy. Under the 2008 Constitution, the ministers of Defense, Home Affairs and Border Affairs are nominated by the Army chief, and appointed by the president with the approval of Parliament. As of Tuesday afternoon, the military (also known as the Tatmadaw) had not officially informed the government of any reshuffle, and military spokesperson Major-General Tun Tun Nyi told the media he could not confirm the reports. [The Tatmadaw] has not reported [their ministers retirements] to us. So, it cant have been done yet, according to the Constitution. They are ministers appointed by the president. [They cant retire] without reporting to us. They [the Tatmadaw] might have a plan to do so. But so far, we havent received any report, a government source told The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity. Under military law, a lieutenant-general can retire if it has been five years since his last promotion. According to Tatmadaw leaders, however, the retirement age for a lieutenant-general who serves at a civilian ministry is 62. According to unverified Tatmadaw documents circulating on social media, Lieutenant-General Nyo Saw, who currently serves as the quartermaster general and is a graduate of the 23rd Intake of the Defense Services Academy, is set to be appointed home affairs minister, while Lieutenant-General Hsan Oo, the Tatmadaws adjutant general, will be appointed defense minister. Ko Nyo Saw is a man of military lineage. He is strong and pleasant, a source close to the Tatmadaw told The Irrawaddy. Lt-Gen. Nyo Saw rose through the ranks from general staff officer Grade-1 at Yangon Command to tactical commander, commander and quartermaster general, he said. Army Chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing has also praised Lt-Gen. Nyo Saw, the source said. Regarding the reported military reshuffle, Lieutenant-General Tun Tun Naing, commander of Bureau of Special Operations (1), has retired, according to the unconfirmed Tatmadaw documents leaked on social media. Lieutenant-General Min Naung, commander of Bureau of Special Operations (4), has reportedly been appointed Defense Services Inspector General, while Lieutenant-General Aung Soe, who has served in that post, has been transferred to Bureau of Special Operations (1). Head of Naypyitaw Command Major-General Myint Maw has reportedly been appointed quartermaster general, and the Northern Command chief, Major-General Teza Kyaw, has been named adjutant general. Major-General Moe Myint Tun, a graduate of the 30th Intake of the Defense Services Academy, who will be just over 55 in 2020 and is widely tipped to succeed Snr-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, has been transferred to Bureau of Special Operations (6). Maj-Gen. Moe Myint Tun and General Mya Tun Oo, chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, Air Force), have both risen through the ranks of the military rapidly.Gen. Mya Tun Oo was once tipped as a future military chief, but his age now makes that unlikely. Like Maj-Gen. Moe Myint Tun, Lieutenant-General Myo Zaw Thein is also seen as a potential future military chief. A retired lieutenant-general said that due to previous news leaks, the Tatmadaw no longer publishes written promotion orders, but directly informs the concerned individuals of their promotions. The information in the as-yet unverified reshuffle reports is widely believed to be credible because it mentions ranks and Defense Services Academy intakes, which are otherwise unknown to the general public, said a leader of the Union Solidarity and Development Party who is close to the Tatmadaw. At first, I heard that it [the announcement] was true, and the news was leaked. So, [the military] covered it up, he said. by Vladimir Rozanskij Today a Synod in Istanbul will decide on autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church, opposed by Moscow. The Church of Antioch is also advises against taking unilateral decisions. The risk of fracture in orthodox communion. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Today, October 9, the Synod of Bishops of the Church of Constantinople opens, which will decide on the granting of the Tomos of autocephaly to the Ukrainians. From the perspective of the ecumenical patriarchate it would appear a foregone conclusion. The question of Ukrainian autocephaly has been the main concern of the Orthodox universal communion for months and is undermining mutual relations. On October 5th, the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Antioch, under the guidance of Patriarch John X (Yagizi), issued a statement. The text expresses great concern "for the actions that will lead to a change in the geography of the Orthodox Churches", and the regret for the unilateral readings of past history, which "fuel hostility and lead to division". The Synod declares itself therefore contrary to the "founding principles of a new Church in the canonical boundaries of patriarchates or existing autocephalous Churches, as a method for resolving conflicts in the Orthodox world that passes through a fait accompli". Of the five ancient patriarchates (Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Antioch), the Syriac seat has always been the closest to the Russians, being the easternmost and historically the one that best benefited from the political and ecclesiastical protection of the patriarchate of Moscow during the long Ottoman domination. It is not surprising, therefore, that the antiochiens stand with the Russians in the ongoing conflict, even for ancient jealousies with the Ukrainians themselves. In the most convulsive periods of the history of these Churches, Kiev and Antioch have tried to influence the development of the Muscovite patriarchate in different directions, between the West and the East of the European Christian and Middle Eastern world. John X and his bishops insist on the necessary "unanimous consent" of the Churches on the issues of autocephaly, and above all the need to obtain the approval of the "Mother Church". This issue is controversial because Kiev and Moscow have been competing for centuries as the "mother of the Russian cities" and the local Church. In the statements of the Syrian synod gathered in the monastery of Balamand, there is no shortage of warnings "not to be influenced by politics, or by racial or national issues". The Antiochens propose to reunite the leaders of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches, to resolve the issue in synod. Commenting on these statements, one of the most acute observers of the Orthodox world, the Russian theologian Andrej Kuraev notes on his blog that "we cannot say at the borders over the centuries: stop there and do not move; within the patriarchal boundaries, various processes of ethnogenesis occur continuously ". Kuraev himself also notes that the Church of Antioch also belongs to that group of Churches that refused to go to the 2016 Pan-Orthodox Council of Crete, including Moscow itself. The question is coming to a conclusion today with the Synod of the Bishops of Constantinople. Kuraev writes: "The question is only one: when the Moscow locomotive will collide with the Istanbul Express, shattering the Eucharistic cup, what other churches will have the courage to follow Moscow and break with Constantinople?". Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 (8:42 am) - Score 2,253 Cambridge, Leeds and Southend-on-Sea have today been named as the next 3 UK cities and towns to be covered via Cityfibre and Vodafones joint deployment of a new Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband ISP network by the end of 2021. The rollout is being supported by an investment of 171m. At the end of last year both operators agreed a joint 500 million deal to deploy FTTH ultrafast broadband (here). Phase One of this scheme (the build phase has already begun) would seek to cover a minimum of 1 million homes in up to 12 of Cityfibres existing cities and towns, which according to Vodafone is expected to be largely complete by 2021. After Phase One theres also the potential to extend this network up to 5 million homes (approximately 50 towns and cities, representing 20% of the current UK broadband market) by 2025, although that would require even more funding. Since then Cityfibre has announced that theyve been acquired for 537.8m cash by Bidco and will be going private (here), which should resolve their future need for more investment. So far the partners have announced that Milton Keynes would be the first to benefit from this rollout at a cost of 40m, (here), which was followed by Aberdeen for another 40m (here) and Peterborough for at least 30m (here). Shortly after that Cityfibre added Edinburgh, Coventry, Huddersfield and Stirling to their plan (here), which at that point reflected a total investment so far of 315m and 500,000+ premises passed (here). Today the above have been joined by Cambridge, Leeds and Southend-on-Sea, which takes the total number of areas announced so far to ten. Overall this now represents over 465m of committed infrastructure investment in the programme by CityFibre to date, which should leave enough left for an additional two locations. NOTE: Cityfibre already runs a significant Dark Fibre style network in each of these locations (normally used for serving public sector sites and businesses), which will form the foundation for their new residential service. Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: Our roll-out is gathering pace. We have made investment commitments that will transform the digital capabilities of ten towns and cities forever. The full fibre age is taking hold across the UK and CityFibre is leading the charge. Britain should prepare for a copper-to-fibre switchover as this aging technology cannot keep up with the UKs connectivity needs. Nick Jeffery, Vodafone UK Chief Executive, said: Overhauling the nations broadband is a vital undertaking that were proud to be a part of. By bringing the benefits of full fibre to more and more cities and towns, from Stirling to Southend-on-Sea, one million homes across the country can benefit from this world-class technology. Details of the available packages, which range in price from 23 per month for 100Mbps to 43 for 900Mbps, were released last month (here). Since mid-September 2018, hundreds of customers in Milton Keynes have already placed orders for the Vodafone Gigafast Broadband service, while residents and businesses in Aberdeen and Peterborough will be eligible for the service from early November 2018. Construction work is also set to start in Edinburgh, Stirling, Coventry and Huddersfield before the end of 2018. Meanwhile detailed city-wide planning has begun for Cambridge, Leeds and Southend-on-Sea, and Cityfibre is working closely with each local authority to co-ordinate the build and maximise the benefits of full fibre. We should point out that the new areas already have near universal coverage of superfast broadband (24Mbps+) networks via FTTC from Openreach (BT) and most can also access Virgin Medias 350Mbps+ cable network. On top of that we note that theres also a fair bit of ultrafast FTTP and G.fast available from Openreach in some of those areas, which is rising steadily. Such competition could put pressure on take-up, although Vodafones are clearing aiming to undercut those via their faster service speeds and some aggressive pricing. UPDATE 11th October 2018 The funding split is as follows: Cambridge over 20m Southend over 35m Leeds over 120m Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 (12:25 pm) - Score 5,020 A new open access fibre optic network operator called Fibrus has today been jointly established by b4b and entrepreneur Conal Henry in Northern Ireland. The operator plans to invest 100m+ over the next 5 years on improving business and residential connectivity, such as via a new Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network. The most recent data from Ofcom estimates that only around 88% of premises in Northern Ireland can currently access a superfast broadband (30Mbps) network and this falls to 38% (295,000 premises) for those able to access a 300Mbps capable ultrafast connection or just 8% (63,200 premises) for those within reach of a full fibre (FTTP / FTTH) style network. At present nearly all of the above fixed line connectivity comes from Openreach (BT) and Virgin Media, which leaves N.Ireland as one of the weakest UK markets for alternative network providers. But back in May 2018 we reported that the Belfast-based ISP B4B Networks was looking to change all that by building their own full fibre network to reach homes and businesses (here). Our original report noted that they had identified projects in Belfast as well as Northern Ireland provincial towns. In addition to this, as part of the new Governments Gigabit Voucher Scheme, the operator also hinted that they were working on identifying projects in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Bristol, Bath, and North East Somerset, Coventry, Warwickshire, West Yorkshire and West Sussex. However B4B later clarified to ISPreview.co.uk that they had no plans to do FTTH in the short term and were instead currently focused on delivering FTTP for businesses. Nevertheless todays announcement of a new Joint Venture between b4b and entrepreneur Conal Henry, which has resulted in the creation of new operator Fibrus, brings some much needed confirmation. N.Irelands New Alternative Network The new venture, which will incorporate b4bs existing network, is said to be already developing fibre network services to 4,500 businesses and seeks to solve the lack of fibre and the lack of competition that is strangling Northern Irelands telecom market. Fibrus will develop and operate fibre networks on a purely wholesale open access basis, which they say will create choice for ISPs and competition for NI consumers. As part of that the new company has pledged to invest more than 100 million over the next 5 years, which will go toward the following projects (the strategy seems similar to the one adopted by Cityfibre). Fibrus Projects Fibrus to the Business Park already underway this initiative will see Fibrus directly connect 4,500 business in 40 business parks and high streets around the province to full fibre networks Metro Fibrus Working with local authorities around the province to Fibrus will aim to develop full open access MANs (Metro Area Networks) that have proven transformational in attracting economic development to towns and cities. Fibrus to the Home targeting those homes with poor copper services, Fibrus aims to work with local, regional and national government to find ways to get every home in the province connected to full open access fibre. Fibrus does have a website (linked in the first paragraph), although at the time of writing its just a holding page but more information should be up later today or this week. Dominic Kearns, CEO of b4b group, told ISPreview.co.uk: As a telecoms provider in Northern Ireland we see first-hand the importance of world class communications infrastructure. We are also very frustrated by lack of full fibre investment by BT in the provinces infrastructure so we decided to do something about it. I am delighted to join forces with Conal to launch Fibrus and with experience in building and operating fibre networks we believe we can shake up Northern Irelands communications landscape. Conal Henry said: High quality communications infrastructure is the cornerstone of economic development in the 21st century and it is too important to be left to former monopolists invested in copper. My experience is in disrupting those monopolies by developing high quality open access fibre networks in every town and village like I oversaw in the south of Ireland. We are already in discussions with service providers, public sector entities, infrastructure owners and investors and we are excited about the opportunity. The money being put down for this represents a serious investment by b4b, which clearly has both the experience and resources to support it. Similarly Conal Henry is a Belfast born entrepreneur and one who recently led telecoms company enet, which played a key role in Irelands National Broadband Plan and was recently acquired by the Ireland Infrastructure Fund in a 200m deal. Todays announcement should also be taken within the context of N.Irelands proposed plan to investment 150m on the expansion of full fibre services into rural areas (here), which will no doubt be something that Fibrus has their eye on. The operator will of course face competition from the established giants but they appear well positioned to do battle. One to watch, but as usual the proof will be in the construction. Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 (3:36 pm) - Score 1,474 A new research paper from Northumbria University has been published that details two examples of rural broadband connectivity schemes operating in Cumbria (England). The paper shows how adopting more innovative business models can successfully bring superfast broadband to some of the worlds most isolated areas. The paper Fibre to the Countryside: A Comparison of Public and Community Initiatives in the UK focuses on two familiar community-led and public (state aid) supported initiatives. Both have been used to deliver full fibre (FTTH) and fibre based FTTC/P superfast broadband (30Mbps+) or faster ISP networks in the rural county of Cumbria. The first example centres around B4RNs community funded and built 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network, which hopefully needs no introduction. Meanwhile the second example similarly looks at one of the many public-private partnership based projects between Openreach (BT) and local authorities (Connecting Cumbria), which is supported by the Governments Broadband Delivery UK programme. Over the years weve written at length about the pros and cons of both approaches. In that sense theres nothing terribly new for seasoned broadband watchers in this paper, but if youre not as familiar with the market then this might be a good place to start your research. Lecturer Paolo Gerli, Northumbria University, said: Our research studied both approaches and demonstrates how the pioneering business models used in Cumbria can contribute to bringing superfast broadband to very remote communities which have been struggling with poor connectivity for two decades. Whilst the rural digital divide remains an unsolved issue across developed and developing countries, by analysing the interplay between community-led initiatives and public-private partnerships, this research provides useful recommendations for policymakers and practitioners committed to providing everyone with fast connectivity and dealing with the roll-out of rural broadband. Paolo Gerli and Professor Jason Whalley, based at Northumbria Universitys Newcastle Business School, were recently in Washington DC where they presented their research at the prestigious 46th TPRC Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy. The paper itself was completed earlier this year. Motorola Solutions has deployed a digital radio system at New Zealands Christchurch Airport to enhance communications as the airport manages a travel boom in the country. The deployment extends the Orion Groups advanced communications network across New Zealand. Motorola says the "highly flexible" communications network is enabling further growth and success for New Zealands critical industries including the aviation sector and claims the network is playing a critical role in the delivery of efficient and safe operations every day at Christchurch Airport. Each year, more than 6.5 million passengers travel through Christchurch, with that number expected to reach 8.5 million by 2025, and with such heavy passenger flows through the international gateway to the South Island, Christchurch Airport relies on its communication system to keep services running on time, staff and passengers safe. Christchurch Airport worked with Motorola Solutions and TL Parker a founding member of New Zealands Orion Group of channel partners to upgrade its existing communications network, providing the airport with smart applications for communication between staff using radios and other devices including smartphones and tablets. Smart applications including WAVE enable instant communication between all employees regardless of the type of device they use, said Tim Morris, manager of Airfield Operations at Christchurch Airport. TL Parker claims the resilience of the airports communications network was demonstrated during the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Cellular communications went down during the 2011 earthquake but the radio network remained operational, said TL Parker chief executive Garry Parker. This was due to a single channel dedicated to all airline companies provided by TL Parker and Motorola Solutions. It proved its resilience through each aftershock and was used to help coordinate the safe arrival of civil defence and other emergency personnel into Christchurch within 90 minutes of the earthquake." Software giant Microsoft is set to get the approval of the European Union for its US$7.5 billion (A$9.79 billion at the time of the announcement) bid to buy source code repository GitHub, a report claims. Reuters quoted "two people familiar with the matter" as saying the approval would not attach any conditions to the bid which was announced on 4 June. The EU said last month that it had set 19 October as a provisional deadline for giving its verdict on the acquisition. When the deal was announced, GitHub had about 28 million developers working on 80 million repositories. Microsoft has been one of the bigger code contributors to the site. There has been mixed reaction to the acquisition, with open-source developers wary of the Redmond-based software giant's motives in buying GitHub. One security researcher, Mustafa Al-Bassam, raised the possibility that the NSA could now gain access to the code of GitHub as Microsoft has, in the past, allowed the spy agency access to its systems. The last big Microsoft acquisition approved by the EU was the purchase of LinkedIn for US$26 billion. Addressing inequality does not depend on a countrys wealth but on political will. The gap between the super-rich and the rest of humanity continues to grow. Most of the world's wealth is concentrated in three regions: North America, Europe and Asia. The total number of Asias billionaires rose to 784, toping North Americas 727. London (AsiaNews) - Singapore and India are among the countries that are fuelling the gap between rich and poor. Conversely, South Korea and Indonesia have been praised for their efforts to reduce inequalities through policies on social spending, taxes and workers' rights, said Oxfam, a confederation of independent charities focused on alleviating global poverty. The aid agency has launched an index highlighting those nations that do the least to close the divide between haves and have-nots. For Oxfam, inequality does not depend on a countrys wealth but on political will. Singapore, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, is among the bottom ten on the index. South Korea, 56th on the list, is praised for raising the minimum wage by 16.4 per cent last year. China (81) ranks ahead of India (147), devoting more than double of its budget to healthcare and almost four times as much its welfare expenditure than India. Despite such efforts, the worldwide gap between the super-rich and the rest of the world continues to grow. In fact, the global billionaire population grew strongly in 2017, rising by almost 15 per cent to an all-time high of 2,754 individuals. The net results is that, last year, the worlds wealthiest 42 people owned the equivalent net wealth of 3.7 billion people. The number of people with a net worth equivalent to the bottom 50 per cent of the worlds 7.6 billion population grew from eight to 61. Currently, most of the worlds wealth is concentrated in three regions. North America accounts for about US$ 3,272 billion and has grown by 22.8 per cent since 2016, whilst Asias US$ 2,365 billion share increased by 49.4 per cent, and Europe expanded 4.9 per cent to US$ 2,441 billion. Led by China, Hong Kong and India, the total number of billionaires in Asia rose to 784, overtaking for the first time North America, which has 727. In 2017, Hong Kong created 21 new billionaires, bringing its total count to 93 just 10 fewer than New York. Google's phones have finally beaten Apple's 79 straight monthly victories since January 2012 to win the "Mobile Phone Handset of the month" in Roy Morgan's customer satisfaction monthly award. Google has won the "Roy Morgan Mobile Phone Handset Customer Satisfaction Monthly Award" for the first time in August with its Pixel and Nexus phones, achieving what Roy Morgan says is "an impressive customer satisfaction rating of 94% just ahead of long-time favourite Apple iPhone on 92%". It's Google's first victory in the category "after launching the Google Pixel five years ago in 2013 and the Google Nexus over eight years ago in 2010". We're told that "Google increased customer satisfaction for its phones by an impressive 6% to 94% over the last year, while customer satisfaction for Apple iPhone was virtually unchanged down 1% to 92% and is now level with the other big improver over the past year Motorola up by 8% to 92%". "Samsung is fourth in August with a customer satisfaction rating of 89% unchanged on a year ago whilst Sony fills out the top five on 83%, up 2% from a year ago. Mobile phone handsets measured which didnt make the top five in August include Huawei, HTC, Nokia, LG, Telstra, Blackberry, Oppo and others." Here's Roy Morgan's "Top 5 for Mobile Phone Handset Customer Satisfaction August 2018 vs August 2017" chart: Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, September 2016 August 2017, n = 13,310. September 2017 August 2018. n=13,497. Base: Australians aged 14+ with a mobile phone handset. Google on top for satisfaction, but Apple iPhone and Samsung dominate handset market Roy Morgan notes that while Google has "broken through for a victory in the monthly Roy Morgan Mobile Phone Handset Customer Satisfaction, Apple iPhone and Samsung phones continue to dominate the overall mobile handset market in Australia with over two-thirds of Australians owning Apple iPhones and/or Samsung phones". "There are key differences between the two market leaders in terms of their customer bases. Apple iPhones have their strongest penetration amongst younger generations. Over 40% pf Generation X, Millennials and Generation Y users have an Apple iPhone compared to under a third of baby boomers and around a fifth of pre-boomers born before 1946. "In contrast, Samsungs customers tend to be older. Over 30% of Baby Boomers and Generation X have a Samsung phone compared to less than 30% of Millennials and only around a fifth of Generation Z. "Although Googles overall customer numbers are far lower than the two market-leaders it is millennials who are the most likely generation to have a Google phone. Over 40% of Google phones in Australia are owned by millennials." Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine says: Google has broken through for its first monthly victory in the Roy Morgan Mobile Phone Handset Customer Satsifaction monthly award with a customer satisfaction of 94% in August for its Pixel/Nexus phones, up 6% on a year ago, and now just ahead of Apple iPhone and Motorola both on 92%. Googles victory in August brings to an end a string of victories for the Apple iPhone over the last seven years with Apple still best placed to take out an eighth Roy Morgan Mobile Phone Handset Customer Satisfaction Annual Award for 2018. Although satisfaction with Google phones is now higher than all other brands, the market penetration of the phones is small compared to market leaders Apple iPhone and Samsung. Over 13 million Australians now own an Apple iPhone, Samsung phone or both, which is equivalent to over two-thirds of Australias adult population. Apple iPhones are the most popular mobile phones for younger Australians with over 40% of Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z owning an Apple iPhone. In contrast Samsungs largest markets are Australians aged 35-64. Over 2.9 million Australians in this age group own a Samsung. Google phones, including the Pixel, first released in 2013, and the Nexus, released in 2010, remain something of a niche product in Australia. Adoption of Google phones is highest amongst Millennials and in the States of New South Wales and South Australia but is well below the market leaders. This months impressive customer satisfaction result for Google phones highlights that there are well-regarded alternatives to the two market leaders for consumers willing to look beyond the well-known mobile handset brands. Roy Morgan also offers a "Customer Satisfaction Mobile Phone Handsets Report", priced at a relevant A$9800 for relevant parties. A bid by a British collective to sue Google over what it claimed was the company's tracking of 4.4 million iPhone users between August 2011 and February 2012 has been blocked by the UK High Court. The Google You Owe US campaign, led by Richard Lloyd, a former director of the consumer group Which?, had sought damages of as much as 3.2 billion (US$4.3 billion) from Google for bypassing default privacy settings on the Safari browser on iPhones. According to the campaign, Google had made huge amounts of money from selling targeted advertising, with US$80 billion earned from advertising in 2016. The campaign's lawyers said race, physical and mental heath, political leanings, sexuality, social class, financial, shopping habits and location data were among the details collected by the search engine. In, Mr Justice Warby said that under the Data Protection Act, there was no way for Lloyd to seek compensation over his claims. He said that there were two questions to be decided: whether the pleaded facts disclosed any basis for claiming compensation under the DPA and, if so, whether the Court should permit the claim to continue as a representative action. Mr Justice Warby said the facts outlined by Lloyd's lawyers did not support the claim that either he or any of the others cited in the suit had suffered damage as defined in the Act. This meant that the others cited in the claim did not have the same interest in the case as Lloyd, Mr Justice Warby said, adding that he was thus not permitting the action to continue. Since the claim had no real chance of success, he said he was refusing permission to serve proceedings on Google outside its jurisdiction in the US. The Google You Owe Us group said it would appeal the judgment. In a statement, it said: "Todays judgment found that Googles actions were arguably 'wrongful, and a breach of duty'. However, the judge took the view that because each class member may not have been affected in precisely the same way the case could not proceed. "Mr Justice Warby, also suggested that none of those affected in the data breach had shown 'any interest in the case'. In fact, 20,000 people had signed up to the Google You Owe Us website with 10,000 in the first week alone." Thanks to The Register for the link to the judgment. Sheng Liang: "Rancher continues to be the de facto choice for enterprises looking to run containers and Kubernetes in production." Container management software provider Rancher Labs has released version 2.1 of its software of the same name, incorporating several new features. The new version provides a path for migration for users from Rancher's Cattle orchestrator to Rancher Kubernetes. Containers allow the packaging and isolation of applications with all the files they need to run. They can be easily moved between development, testing and production environments without any loss of functionality. Kubernetes is an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling and management of containerised applications It was originally designed by Google and later donated to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Rancher continues to be the de facto choice for enterprises looking to run containers and Kubernetes in production, Rancher Labs chief executive and co-founder Sheng Liang said. With Rancher 2.1, were providing key upgrades to the product that further enables any enterprise to embrace Kubernetes and accelerate development, reduce infrastructure costs and improve application reliability. Containers are very much flavour of the month for open source providers. In March, Peter Lees, chief technologist for the Asia-Pacific region for SUSE Linux, told iTWire that containers would be the major focus of the Germany-based company for a while as it sought to consolidate its position in the Asia-Pacific region. New features in Rancher 2.1 include: Expanded integration with authentication providers: Rancher now integrates with PingID, Microsoft Active Directory Federation Server, OpenLDAP, Keycloak, FreeIPA and Azure Active Directory. Rancher now integrates with PingID, Microsoft Active Directory Federation Server, OpenLDAP, Keycloak, FreeIPA and Azure Active Directory. Drain and cordon support for nodes: Simplified process for admins to quickly cordon and drain nodes from a managed Kubernetes cluster during maintenance windows. Simplified process for admins to quickly cordon and drain nodes from a managed Kubernetes cluster during maintenance windows. Added support for project-level quotas: Administrators can now set resource quotas for users and teams that can then distributed between Kubernetes name spaces. Administrators can now set resource quotas for users and teams that can then distributed between Kubernetes name spaces. Improved application management functionality: Rancher 2.1 adds improved support for helm charts, improvements to ingress management and improved logging and alerting functionality. Rancher 2.1 adds improved support for helm charts, improvements to ingress management and improved logging and alerting functionality. Expanded Command Line Interface : Teams can now automate how they interface with Rancher and Kubernetes. : Teams can now automate how they interface with Rancher and Kubernetes. Expanded DevOps tooling: Rancher 2.1 includes fully integrated CI/CD functionality that works with Kubernetes to automate build processes and release management. Rancher 2.1 includes fully integrated CI/CD functionality that works with Kubernetes to automate build processes and release management. Support for GitLab: Rancher 2.1 adds support for GitLab to Rancher CI/CD. Previously, only GitHub support was present. The company said version 2.1 was its supported upgrade release for those who were using version 1.6. It said Rancher 2.1 also provided integration tooling that analysed Rancher Compose files and outlined how users could migrate an application directly to Kubernetes. Australian cloud software aggregator rhipe has been appointed as the first distributor in Australia of KPMGs new cloud accounting technology, Wiise. Built by KPMG on Microsoft and supported by Commonwealth Bank, Wiise is a cloud-based platform designed to solve SME pain points and combines business management capabilities with online banking and payments, and integrates into other software, such as Microsoft Office 365. rhipe (ASX:RHP) is now distributing the software through its ecosystem of 2,500 technology partners across Australia to enable the growth and adoption of the new cloud accounting software created for small to medium businesses. rhipe says leveraging the insight and skills of KPMG, Microsoft and CBA, Wiise offers accounting, finance management and reporting, basic inventory management, receivables and payables, auto-reconciliation, HR and payroll. rhipe chief executive Dominic O'Hanlon commented that as a cloud first, channel first company, were excited to provide our partners with this opportunity that will enable them to have a new conversation with their customers and accelerate cloud profitability. rhipes portal for recurring subscription management (PRISM) enables resellers of Wiise to streamline tenant provisioning, billing, reporting and 24/7 support for their end-user customers, on a pay as you go basis. Consumers can now take advantage of Wiise, purchasing the software through rhipes network of partners. Wiise executive director John Munnelly said: We are excited to be working with rhipe to accelerate the growth of Wiise in Australia. In the few months since we launched we found theres a huge demand for software that fills the gap between cloud accounting and enterprise-scale ERP solutions and rhipe is the ideal partner to bring Wiise to SMEs across the country. Under the deal announced on Tuesday, the Southern Cross Computing brand and all staff, trading from their current Deakin, ACT offices, will be retained as a new specialist division of FinXL. Founded in Canberra in 1986, SCC started as an ICT Consultancy, commencing its focus on SAP services in 1997, and becoming an accredited SAP Services Partner in 2001. It is now a recognised SAP business support leader, servicing mainly Federal Government departments. SCC managing director Paul McDonald says, Quality of consultants, flexibility, and SCCs ability to provide on the spot support to SAP's Canberra clients that interstate companies were often unwilling or unable to provide, is the companys key differentiator. SCC is still the only SAP Services Partner that specialises in supporting Federal Government clients, and this is reflected in the growing number of sites that SCC supports in Canberra over half the SAP sites in Canberra use SCC to help support their enterprise systems. This prompted SCC to open its second office in Brisbane early this year on the back of further government opportunities in Queensland. A FinXL statement says that whilst SCC has been growing steadily and consistently over 30 years, the SCC has concluded that becoming part of a larger organisation with an existing national presence, broader client base, and complementary service offerings would be a fantastic business accelerator for the company. Weve considered many approaches over the years and formed a view of what our ideal acquisition partner would look like, and the opportunity it would offer our clients and the SCC family post acquisition. Cultural fit was very important, as was a great industry reputation and the ability to offer our clients something more. FinXL ticks each of these boxes, said McDonald. FinXLs managing director Tracy Thomson said that the purchase was "an excellent opportunity to acquire a highly regarded SAP specialist consultancy and project services provider with a substantial consultant base servicing major Federal Government clients, and a very experienced and talented team. SCC both complements and extends FinXLs existing business and provides a real opportunity for us to expand SCCs market reach and delivery of SAP services further afield, leveraging our established regional network and sales teams. Looking ahead, this important acquisition provides a strong platform for future growth across Australia and into New Zealand. The SCC business adds another exciting new service specialism to FinXLs portfolio, adding 200 Consultants to FinXLs existing 1000 plus strong workforce across ANZ." A leaked transcript of an address to his staff by Google's search engine chief Ben Gomes on 18 July about the company's plan to build a censored search engine for China contradicts the few public comments that Google has made about the plan ever since it came to light. The Intercept which broke the China search plan story on on 1 August quoted Gomes as saying in the address: "Many of you have started working on this a while back. Its not been easy working on a project with no obvious outcome. Thank you for that. In doing so you have taken on something extremely important to the company our basic mission of serving all of the worlds users. "Along the way, I think there are many benefits that come to us that are auxiliary, not just from the direct work, but from all of the auxiliary things of working in China." Google has avoided public comment about the plan codenamed Dragonfly when asked. When Gomes was confronted by a BBC reporter about the plan during celebrations to mark Google's 20th anniversary. he said: "Right now, all weve done is some exploration but since we dont have any plans to launch something, theres nothing much I can say about it. But in the address to staff, Gomes said he hoped the search engine was completed in six to nine months. "And so the opportunity there is all of you will know this, but its clearly the biggest opportunity to serve more people that we have. And if you take our mission seriously, thats where our key focus should be," he said, according to the transcript. "That doesnt mean its going to be easy. Many of these things are not easy, and you all know this now from personal experience. Also given the political climate. The future is very unpredictable. Six to nine months [to launch]." Reporter Ryan Gallagher of The Intercept wrote that he had contacted Gomes twice on his mobile for comment, but the Google search chief claimed he had a bad line and cut the call. I cant hear anything that you are saying, I can just hear that you are talking, he said, before hanging up. Last week, US Vice-President Mike Pence called on Google to drop the plan to return to China. The Dragonfly project is said to have started after Google chief executive Sundar Pichai held discussions with Wang Huning, a senior figure in the Chinese Communist Party, in December 2017. Work was begun during the Western spring of 2017 and was fast-tracked after the Pichai-Huning meeting. After the meeting with Huning, Google decided to open an artificial intelligence research centre in Beijing. In May 2018, a Google file management app was released for Chinese Internet users. And in July, Google released a Guess The Sketch game on WeChat, the main Chinese messaging and social media platform. Programmers created a customised Android search app with different versions known as Maotai and Longfei and these had been demonstrated to Chinese government authorities. Since The Intercept's first report, Google has made no public statement about the project, though it has been asked for a statement on more than a dozen occasions. The final version of the app is expected to be launched in the next six to nine months, provided approval is granted by Beijing. Google had a censored search engine operating in China from 2006 to 2010, but quit the country after its servers were hacked. Basslink, the company that manages the undersea data and power cable that links Tasmania to the Australian mainland, has referred the dispute between it and Hydro Tasmania to arbitration, after dispute resolution procedures failed to resolve the issue. In a statement overnight, Basslink said following the announcement on 14 September of its having issued a notice of dispute to Hydro Tasmania a subsidiary of the government it had followed the resolution procedures specif ed under the Basslink Services Agreement but failed to resolve the impasse. "Unfortunately, the dispute has not been resolved at this time, and Basslink has referred the dispute to arbitration today in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures under the BSA," the statement said. The dispute centres around a Basslink outage that occurred in December 2015 and was not fixed for six months. In March, the Tasmanian Government formally lodged a notice of dispute, claiming damages of $122 million for the outage. The dispute went to arbitration in April. Since then, charges have been flung back and forth. On 20 December 2017, Hydro Tasmaniait had identified the cause of the Basslink failure and cited two experts who said it was because Basslink had exceeded its design limit. But two days later, Basslink chief executive Malcolm Eccles dismissed the findings, saying that the expert reports cited as proof merely outlined one possible cause of the outage. Basslink has maintained that the six-month cable failure was a force majeure event an act of God under the Basslink Services Agreement. by Anna Chiara Filice Percival Holt is the only young Indian invited to the bishops' meeting. He speaks of a new model of youth, born of the digital revolution and the imitation of Western models. A "generational transition" that upsets patterns and poses new challenges. "Faith in action" next to prayer. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - What the young people of India are asking of Catholic bishops is that they "help us find our way by realizing ourselves, not just by imitating Western models, says Percival Holt, the only young Indian present at the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican until October 28". The 25 year old has a long involvement in Catholic outreach and speaking to AsiaNews describes how the life experience of the new generations of his country, their anxieties and fears. A new "prototype of youth" emerges from his words, made of more open relationships between males and females and with other religions, of interest for Western culture, of search for personal autonomy and good jobs to achieve economic independence. Alongside all this, he adds, a new awareness of being Christians has formed: "Prayer is no longer enough for us, today's youth want to put their faith into action". Percival is 25 and has a master's degree in biotechnology; he lives in New Delhi and is the president of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement. He started attending the group at the age of 17, and has since got to know different Indian realities. For this reason he would like to point out that "there is a marked difference between how young people live in the country, from north to south". His experience is that of an educated young man, born and raised in the capital, where "the influence of Western culture is most felt. The young people of the cities aim to have a good job and even before that, a good education. They lead a very similar life to that of young Europeans or Americans. Young people who live in the more rural areas, have more or less the same expectations, with the difference that they are more family oriented ". By "family oriented" Percival means not only the attachment to family ties, but above all the need to make a career to support the family from an economic point of view. To make a simplification, "young people in the cities think more about themselves, young people from the villages of the community". What Percival recounts is the "digital generation", which witnessed the boom in the spread of internet and social media. The young man shares the perplexities of Pope Francis about this generation 2.0 always attached to the mobile phone. "Young people in India - he explains - are very rooted in family ties, in cultural traditions that often mix with religion. But in the last few years we have taken part in the digital revolution and we are surrounded by an overexposure to foreign models. This risks pushing us to passively imitate other lifestyles, trying to copy someone else's existence. But when you compare it with your own reality, the gap emerges: and this can lead to great personal frustrations or develop a sense of inferiority ". Often, Percival points out, "what young people want to be does not reconcile with family traditions and this creates deep upsets". Therefore it is necessary that "the bishops guide us in this transitory phase. We ask them to help us understand the value of work, the career, of money, the family and how to reconcile everything. We do not just want to imitate, but to realize ourselves as people ". Faced with this ever-changing society, models from abroad, the greater possibility to travel, according to Percival "prayer is no longer enough for young Catholics, they see their faith as faith in action ". Obviously prayer is the basis of our faith, and we want to express it in practice by helping others, with charitable works, humanitarian services, supporting the most needy in the search for work. If I can find work for someone, help the neediest, I feel joy in doing this for others. It is my way to live the faith, the way in which I carry out my mission as a Christian". Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) Former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Tuesday denounced remarks by the defense chief associating her with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). "Calling me a member of the CPP is actually red-tagging me and putting my life in danger, given the atmosphere of impunity in our country now," Taguiwalo said on CNN Philippines' The Source. She said she and Lorenzana have worked together for some time in the Cabinet and he has seen how she served the government, including providing assistance to military victims or their families. "Secretary Delfin, I hope you don't continue in red-tagging me," she continued. "Whatever label you call me, I have served the country well. And I have the track record to prove that." Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the remarks after Taguiwalo opposed the appointment of a military official to her previous post. President Rodrigo Duterte named Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista as the next Social Welfare Secretary, and he is poised to take the position after his retirement. "She should respect it as we respected the decision of the President to appoint her to the position knowing that she is a CPP member. Did the security sector... object?" said Lorenzana, referring to the military and police. "No." Taguiwalo clarified she is a member of Makabayan, not the CPP. She is also a Professor 8 at the University of the Philippines' College of Social Work and Community Development. Government critics have slammed Duterte's administration for red-tagging, most recently when the military listed ten schools where supposed CPP recruitment occurs. The schools were also associated with a supposed "Red October" plot to ouster Duterte but many of the institutions have decried the list. Malacanang Palace has also linked members of the political opposition in the alleged plot, although the Armed Forces of the Philippines has since disassociated them from the alleged ouster. The government previously named other critics, including United Nations Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, in a list that sought to tag communist rebels as terrorists. Related: UN urges PH to remove human rights defenders from terror list Taguiwalo was one of the left-leaning members of Duterte's early Cabinet, before peace talks with the CPP soured. The Committee on Appointments rejected her confirmation. Other officials of similar political opinions who have since left or been removed from Duterte's administration are former Anti-Poverty Commissioner Liza Maza, former Agrarian Reform Chief Rafael Mariano, and Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod. Related: Leftist undersecretary fired by Duterte was doing a good job, Bello says The former social welfare chief clarified that her position against Bautista's appointment was not personal, and she was only concerned about what a military appointment would mean for the department. "There are so many qualified social workers, social development workers who have been in the department for so long, or who have been [giving] assistance to vulnerable groups and communities for the longest time," said Taguiwalo. "It is not a question of questioning Gen. Bautista himself, but a military man in active service being appointed to a civilian position a day after his retirement so we're talking of experience, background in another field." She also emphasized that the hierarchical structure of military organizations was different from the consultative process of development work. Bautista is the latest in a string of military officials appointed across government agencies. A few others include former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Ano as Interior Undersecretary and Environment Chief Gen. Roy Cimatu. Taguiwalo raised concern about appointing officials with little experience to civilian agencies. She stressed the "principle of civilian supremacy over the military." She said such appointments blur the distinction between the military's role as protector and the role of the civilian agencies as the main provider of services. It also leads to mlilitarization of the state, she added. VANCOUVER, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX/NYSE American: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the first set of high-grade copper and cobalt assay results from this summer's exploration diamond drilling program at the Bornite Project, a part of the Company's Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP") located in the Ambler mining district of Northwest Alaska. Sample results from these four holes comprise approximately 3,871 meters from the recently completed 10,123 meter drill campaign. All four drill holes contain copper mineralization and were designed as infill holes to the 300 to 400 meter step-out holes drilled by the Company's previous round of drilling completed in 2017. At a cutoff grade of 0.5% copper the results are as follows: RC18-246 intersected three mineralized intervals of: 19.6 metres averaging 2.06% copper; 6.1 metres averaging 2.36% copper; and 7.6 metres averaging 1.04% copper. RC18-243 intersected one mineralized interval of: 2.0 metres averaging 2.23% copper. RC18-244 intersected one mineralized interval of: 20.4 metres averaging 0.83% copper. RC18-247 intersected two mineralized intervals of: 20.1 metres averaging 4.55% copper, including 16.4 meters grading 5.34% Copper and 0.21% Cobalt (The results of this mineralized interval were disclosed in the Company's press release dated August 23, 2018 ); and 33.4 metres averaging 0.82% copper. Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of Trilogy Metals commented, "We continue to see narrow zones of high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization overlain by broader zones of lower grade mineralization at Bornite. The continuity of the mineralized envelop continues to impress. With another eight holes of results due to come out over the next several weeks, we will continue to release results as they become available. After all results are in, we expect to complete an updated resource estimate at Bornite in the first half of next year." The 2018 drilling budget of $10 million for Bornite this year was funded entirely by South32 Limited (ASX, LSE, JSE: S32; ADR: SOUHY) ("South32") and represents the second $10 million payment under the Option Agreement with South32 and maintains the Option Agreement in good standing. In August 2018, South32 agreed to increase its contribution to this year's Bornite drilling program by funding an additional $800,000 to the Company for an increased budget at Bornite totaling $10.8 million, which allowed the Company to expand drilling from 8,000 meters to 10,000 meters this summer. The additional funding will reduce South32's 2019 minimum exploration budget commitment of $10 million to $9.2 million. For more information on the Option Agreement see the Company's press release on April 10, 2017 (https://Trilogy PR April 10 2017). This year's program was comprised of 12 drill holes totaling approximately 10,123 meters through a combination of infill and expansion drill holes in and around the known deposit. The original drilling campaign was budgeted to be 8,000 metres but was subsequently expanded to 10,000 metres with the addition of two more drill rigs. The 2018 program followed up on drilling completed during the 2017 exploration program which was one of the larger programs in the history of drilling at the Bornite Project. During 2017, the Company drilled nine diamond drill holes comprising 8,437 metres to test the extension of the of the currently defined resource. Trilogy Metals has recently completed its summer exploration drilling program at Bornite and geotechnical activities at its Arctic Project. Additional drill results are anticipated to be released regularly over the next couple of months as they become available. The objective of the 2018 drill campaign is to infill and expand the currently defined open pit and underground mineral resources. Results are presented in Table 1 at a cutoff grade of 0.5% copper to be comparable with previous drill results released by the Company. All the intersected widths are normal to stratigraphy and therefore can be considered to be true widths. Results at a more selective higher-grade cutoff of 1.5% copper are also presented in Table 2 to show locally higher-grade intervals. Table 3 shows drill hole locations. Figure 1 shows the location of the drill holes on a plan map and Figure 2 shows a cross-section through drill hole RC18-0246. Table 1 - 0.5% Cu cut-off with maximum 3 m internal waste Minimum 1.5 m interval Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu (%) Co (%) RC18-0243 479.56 483.11 3.55 0.65 0.02 548.16 550.18 2.02 2.23 0.01 715.77 717.65 1.88 0.60 0.01 851.63 853.63 2.00 0.53 0.02 RC18-0244 603.92 624.32 20.40 0.83 0.02 713.20 715.80 2.60 0.74 0.01 726.57 735.11 8.54 0.47 0.01 741.11 743.66 2.55 0.93 0.00 782.50 786.06 3.56 0.66 0.01 RC18-0246 664.16 666.23 2.07 0.90 0.02 699.06 718.64 19.58 2.06 0.01 723.80 725.66 1.86 0.52 0.01 731.23 738.49 7.26 0.76 0.00 750.33 756.40 6.07 2.36 0.02 763.50 766.33 2.83 0.88 0.00 776.93 784.56 7.63 1.04 0.02 790.42 792.82 2.40 0.55 0.01 838.75 840.34 1.59 0.62 0.00 RC18-0247 731.27 764.67 33.40 0.82 0.01 789.30* 809.40* 20.10 4.55 0.17 * Results for this interval were previously released on August 23, 2018 Table 2 - 1.5% Cu cut-off with maximum 3 m internal waste Minimum 1.5 m interval Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu (%) Co (%) RC18-0243 548.16 550.18 2.02 2.23 0.01 RC18-0246 703.70 713.09 9.39 3.45 0.01 751.95 756.40 4.45 2.78 0.02 RC18-0247 791.87* 808.27* 16.40 5.34 0.21 * Results for this interval were previously released on August 23, 2018 Table 3 Bornite Drill Hole Locations East (m) North (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip RC18-0243 590217 7440723 258 206 -80 RC18-0244 590187 7440902 270 206 -80 RC18-0246 590875 7440488 350 220 -72 RC18-0247 590537 7440676 318 206 -80 Figure 1- Map Showing Location of 2018 Drilling Program Figure 2 Cross Section of Bornite Drilling Showing RC18-246 Results Mineralization within the Bornite deposit occurs as a series of "Reefs" hosted by both the Upper and Lower Bornite Carbonate sequences separated by generally unmineralized phyllite units. The Cu-Co mineralization at Bornite occurs in three distinct carbonate zones, the Upper Reef, the Lower Reef, and the South Reef. All three zones were drill tested this year. Mineralization is typically observed as breccia matrix replacement and is generally dominated by chalcopyrite and sometimes by bornite with chalcocite particularly in the higher-grade zones. Mineralization can also be observed as vein and replacement zones containing chalcopyrite and calcite/dolomite gangue. These styles of mineralization were observed in all holes mentioned in this press release with bornite, chalcocite mineralization observed in RC18-0247, RC18-0246, and minorly within RC18-0244; and chalcopyrite dominating mineralization observed in RC18-0243. Bornite Resource The resource estimate utilized assay data from drill holes completed by the Company between 2011 and 2013 and re-sampled historic holes Kennecott drilled in the 1960s and 1970s. On June 5th, 2018 the Company announced an updated resource estimate for the Bornite project of 5.5 Billion pounds of copper inferred resource at a grade of 1.74% Cu and 913 Million pounds of copper indicated resource at a grade of 1.02% Cu and total Inferred Cobalt resources (in-pit and below-pit) of 182.4 million tonnes grading 0.019% Co for 77 million pounds of contained cobalt. Trilogy Metals filed a National Instrument 43-101 technical report in July 2018. See the Bornite Technical Report as well as the Company's press releases dated June 5, 2018 (https://Trilogy PR June 5 2018) and the Company's press release on the filing of the updated NI43-101 Technical Report for Bornite on July 20, 2018 (https://Trilogy PR July 20 2018). QA/QC Program The drill program, sampling protocol and data verification were managed by qualified persons employed by the Company. Diamond drill holes were typically collared at PQ or HQ diameter drill core and reduced to HQ and NQ diameter during the drilling process. Samples were collected using a 0.2-metre minimum length, 2.5-metre maximum length and 1.8-metre average sample length. Drill core recovery averaged 87% overall and 94% within the prospective lithologies. Three quality control samples (one blank, one standard and one duplicate) were inserted into each batch of 20 samples. The drill core was sawn, with half sent to ALS Minerals in Fairbanks for sample preparation and the sample pulps forwarded to ALS's North Vancouver facility for analysis. ALS Minerals in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada, is a facility certified as ISO 9001:2008 and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025:2005 from the Standards Council of Canada. The Company will submit 5% of the assay intervals from prospective lithologies to an independent check assay lab. Qualified Persons Andrew W. West, Certified Professional Geologist, Exploration Manager for Trilogy Metals Inc., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. West has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the disclosure contained herein. About Trilogy Metals Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration and development company focused on exploring and developing the Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, further drilling activity, the potential advancement of the AMDIAP, the timing and the filing of updated reports on the Company's projects, the future price of copper, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects, the likelihood and timing of the AMDIAP, the potential future development of Bornite, the future operating or financial performance of the Company, planned expenditures and the anticipated activity at the UKMP Projects, are forward-looking statements. The assay results from drill hole RC18-0247 should not be considered representative of other drilling results for the 2018 drilling campaign. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; exploration plans and budgets; mineral reserves and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving success of exploration, development and mining activities, permitting timelines, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses; mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; assumptions and discount rates being appropriately applied to the PFS; our assumptions with respect to the likelihood and timing of the AMDIAP; capital estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services the interpretation of drill results, the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties as well as the construction of the access road; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2017 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Cautionary Note to United States Investors This press release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended ("CIM Definition Standards"). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and resource and reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of "measured" or "indicated resources" will ever be converted into "reserves". Investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by Trilogy Metals in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Arctic does not have known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Strongbow Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: SBW) (Strongbow or the Company) is pleased to provide the following operational update regarding the South Crofty tin project, Cornwall, UK. Photographs and videos accompanying the following summary can be accessed here. Highlights All groundworks for the mine water treatment plant are complete, ready for concrete to be poured and plant construction to commence. The mine dewatering scheme has been devised and designed. Variable speed drives required to control the pumps have been delivered to site; and the pumps are due to be delivered by mid-November 2018. Clearing of a blockage to the New Cooks Kitchen (NCK) shaft was completed in June 2018, allowing for the installation of the pumps and pipe column into the shaft for the dewatering phase. Results from a camera survey of the New Cooks Kitchen shaft show the shaft to be open to the bottom. OPERATIONS UPDATE Mine Water Treatment Plant Following the water treatment trials that took place between November 2016 and March 2017, and the subsequent awarding of a water discharge permit by the Environment Agency in October 2017, Strongbow engaged Siltbuster Process Solutions Ltd to undertake flow sheet design and optimisation work on a full-scale plant capable of treating 25,000m3/day of mine water. The pH of the mine water is neutral (pH of 6.5). The process for removing dissolved metals from solution involves aeration (addition of hydrogen peroxide), followed by addition of lime to increase the pH to precipitate metals from the water, addition of a flocculent to bind metals for recovery in a settling tank, and then addition of CO 2 to reduce the pH before discharge of clean, treated water that meets strict Environment Agency water quality standards. The main metals recovered in the process are iron and manganese, plus lesser amounts of copper and arsenic. The optimisation works successfully focused on reducing lime consumption, reducing estimated operating costs, through increasing aeration in the Stage 1 mixing tanks. This action had the additional benefit of reducing the thickening area required to settle the sludge containing precipitated metals from the mine water during the treatment process. Nomenca PLC was engaged to work with Siltbuster to complete the detailed design and engineering of the optimised plant. To expedite the construction of the plant, Strongbow took the decision to begin groundworks during the dry summer months. However, before excavation could commence a mains water pipe that crossed the construction site had to be diverted and historical mine workings were capped. The water main was diverted and re-laid around the perimeter of the site by Balfour Beatty on behalf of South West Water. This work was completed in June 2018 enabling excavation of the main water treatment plant site to commence. The excavation works were undertaken by Henderson Mine Research Ltd, a local company that specialises in historical mine research and remediation. During the excavation, all historical shafts, adits and stopes that were identified during the site investigation were recorded and subsequently capped with reinforced concrete. Cornwall Archaeology Unit undertook a watching brief during the work to ensure that all features of historical interest were recorded. The capping works were completed in August 2018. The ground was then prepared for the main plant construction. All drainage and electrical ducts were installed before placing down compacted engineered fill material. This brought the ground level up to the formation level of the reinforced concrete slab that will form the foundations of the plant. All groundworks are complete, ready for concrete to be poured and plant construction to commence. Mine Dewatering Operations In order to enable the mine to be dewatered in an efficient and effective manner, Strongbow engaged International Mining Engineering Consultants Ltd (IMEC) to assist in devising a dewatering scheme. The scheme utilises a phased approach to dewatering using high-head multi-stage submersible pumps to pump mine water from NCK shaft directly to the mine water treatment plant. Phase 1 will dewater from surface to the 195 fathom level (350 metres below surface); Phase 2 will dewater from 195fm level to the 400fm level (730 metres below surface); and Phase 3 will dewater from 400fm level to 470fm level (the bottom of the mine, 870 metres below surface). Two pumps will be installed in the shaft, each capable of delivering 525m3/hr of water to the treatment plant. The pipe column, shaft deck and temporary lifting frame has been designed by IMEC and fabricated in Navan, Ireland, at a specialist fabrication shop that undertakes work for the Irish mining industry. The fabrication work is complete and the components are awaiting shipment to the mine site. Two submersible dewatering pumps and electric motors are due for delivery to the mine in mid-November 2018. The pump motors are designed to be controlled by a variable speed drive so that the speed of the pump can be varied from zero to 3,000 rpm. This speed variation is necessary to maintain a constant 1,050m3/hr of water delivery to the treatment plant with the varying head of water that will exist in the mine as the water level is lowered. Additionally, the speed control enables the flow rate of water through the whole treatment plant to be controlled, ensuring Strongbow can meet the conditions of its environmental permit and limit the discharge of treated mine water into the Red River during flood conditions. The variable speed drives, manufactured by Schneider Electric, have been delivered to site. Underground Preparation Works After the mine closed in 1998 a new tunnel was mined from the Tuckingmill Decline to intersect NCK shaft 50 metres below surface. The development of the tunnel resulted in a partial blockage of the NCK shaft. The blockage has been removed and the shaft is now clear for the installation of the pumps. Strongbow has also undertaken preparation works in Middle Engine Shaft and the Dolcoath Deep adit. This work will eventually allow treated mine water from the water treatment plant to be discharged into the adit system via Middle Engine Shaft, as per the conditions of Strongbows water discharge consent. Finally, an underwater camera survey was undertaken in New Cooks Kitchen shaft to ensure that the shaft compartments were open and in suitable condition to allow the dewatering pumps to be installed. As the pumps and pipe column are planned to be centralised within their respective shaft compartments by brackets supported from the existing steel guides within the shaft, a full survey of the guides was also undertaken. The survey successfully demonstrated that the shaft was open to shaft bottom, 780m below surface. ABOUT SOUTH CROFTY South Crofty is an iconic former producing copper and tin mine located in the towns of Camborne and Pool, Cornwall, UK. The first documented production history from South Crofty dates back to 1592, and it was the last tin mine to close in Cornwall in 1998. Strongbow published a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate on the project on April 19, 2016 (see Technical Report here), and published a NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment on the project on February 16, 2017 (see Technical Report here). The project received an Underground Permission (mining licence) in 2013, which is valid until 2071, and Planning Permission to construct a new process plant in 2011. In October 2017, Strongbow was successful in securing a Water Discharge Permit allowing for the dewatering of the now flooded mine workings. In January 2018, the Company completed the sale of a 1.5% Net Smelter Returns Royalty to its largest shareholder, Osisko Gold Royalties, for C$7,170,000. These proceeds are being used to construct a water treatment plant. For additional information please contact: Irene Dorsman at (604) 210 8752 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sherman Dahl of Pretium Communications at (250) 558 8340. Blytheweigh (Financial PR/IR-London) Tel: +44 207 138 3204 Tim Blythe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Camilla Horsfall This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard D. Williams Richard D. Williams, P.Geo 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. TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Aethon Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: AET), ("Aethon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce drill results from the Company's initial eight hole drill program at the Llanos De Llahuin project ("Llanos" or the "Project"), located approximately 250 km north of Santiago in Chile, and a change in its year end. Drill Results The 2018 maiden drill program at Llanos consists of eight diamond drill holes totaling 1,417 metres. The shallow drilling program tested 700 metres of strike length to depths of up to 200 metres below surface. All of the drill holes targeted in the alteration zone were successful in intersecting copper and gold mineralization related to quartz veining over narrow thicknesses within a broad (up to 300 metres wide) zone of intense alteration. Highlights Initial shallow drill program at Llanos intersects copper mineralization with gold credits, including: 4m of 1.44% Cu with 0.10g/t Au 2m of 1.23% Cu with 0.04g/t Au 4m of 0.94% Cu with 0.38g/t Au 2m of 1.25% Cu with 0.38g/t Au The drilling intersected pervasive, disseminated pyrite mineralization within the quartz-chlorite-sericite alteration zone, which could grade downwards into a potassic alteration zone with associated, higher grade copper-gold mineralization. A suite of core samples has been submitted for petrographic study to determine the possibility of a deeper copper-gold mineralized porphyry system. Robert Davies, President and CEO of Aethon, commented, "We are encouraged by the results of our first drill program at Llanos despite not intersecting widths that would be consistent of a porphyry system. We are continuing to assess these results and have commenced a petrographic study of the area in order to evaluate our next steps regarding the Project. Several areas at Llanos with anomalous near-surface copper and gold values and promising geophysical results have yet to be drilled. A suite of core samples from the quartz-chlorite-sericite alteration zone drilled at Llanos has been submitted for petrographic study to determine the possibility of a deeper copper-gold mineralized porphyry system. A second, deeper drilling program may be designed to test this possibility." The following table outlines highlight assays from the eight core holes: Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Est. True Width (m) Copper Grade (%) Gold Grade (g/t) DDLL-01 100 102 2 1 1.23 0.04 162 166 4 2 0.94 0.38 DDLL-02 24 30 6 5 0.33 1.25 72 74 2 1 0.66 0.02 112 120 8 5 0.41 0.10 DDLL-03 0 14 14 14 0.34 0.05 includes 2 12 10 10 0.41 0.06 DDLL-04 74 76 2 1 0.20 7.65 DDLL-05 48 54 6 4 0.46 0.02 67 74 7 6 0.50 0.22 DDLL-06 24 26 2 2 0.57 0.10 62 66 4 4 1.44 0.10 includes 63 65 2 2 2.50 0.08 DDLL-07 96 98 2 1 1.25 0.38 DDLL-08 34 36 2 2 0.30 1.70 Geology The Llanos project is ideally situated in between the Llahuin cluster of copper porphyry bodies (70% optionee Hudbay Minerals Inc. / 30% Southern Hemisphere Mining Ltd.), and the El Espino IOCG project (100% Pucobre [Sociedad Punta del Cobre S.A.]). Pervasively quartz-sericite-chlorite altered dioritic-granodioritic intrusive rocks at Llanos contain abundant disseminated pyrite mineralization, with quartz veining and veinlets hosting variable chalcopyrite and gold mineralization, (see Figure 1). Surface geology and geochemistry include gossanous outcrops with anomalous copper, gold and molybdenum values suggestive of porphyry style mineralization. These were the main drill target at Llanos. Figure 1 Geological Map With Drill Hole Locations Widespread quartz and quartz-magnetite veins and breccia zones have been and are being mined across the Llanos area, (see Figure 2). These copper-gold bearing vein systems are a secondary target that are scheduled for exploration by Aethon at a later date. Figure 2 Geological Map Showing Copper-Gold Mineralized Veining The quartz-sericite alteration zone intersected by drilling at Llanos is several hundred metres (500-700) higher in altitude than the copper-gold mineralization at the adjacent Llahuin porphyries and the El Espino IOCG deposit, (see Figures 3 and 4). If the Llanos mineralization is genetically related to the adjacent systems, the alteration intersected by drilling at Llanos could be several hundred metres above a more prospective potassic alteration zone. Figure 3 Locality of the Llanos Project Figure 4 Schematic Cross Section Through the Llanos Project Llanos Option Terms As announced on May 16, 2018, Aethon entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Llanos Project. The upfront initial payment was US$100,000 with total option payments allocated over 4 years totaling US$6.3 million. The Company is evaluating the results of the initial exploration program in order to determine next steps. Quality Assurance and Quality Control All sample assay results have been independently monitored through a quality control/quality assurance ("QA/QC") program including the insertion of a blind standard and blank every 20 samples. Logging and sampling are completed at a secure facility located at Llahuin, adjacent to the project area. Drill core is sawn in half on site and half drill-core samples are bagged and securely transported to the ALS sample preparation facility in La Serena, Chile. All samples are analyzed for gold by standard 30-gram fire-assaying with ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) or gravimetric finish. Other elements, including copper, are analyzed using four-acid ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy) method. Samples that exceed 1% copper are re-analyzed by four-acid ICP-AES optimized for high grades. The technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Michael Schuler, P.Geo. AIPG - CPG11559, independent consultant to the Company who is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Aethon Minerals Aethon Minerals is a mineral exploration company focused on creating value in the base metal space with an emphasis on copper mineral assets in Chile. The Company has consolidated a very large prospective land position consisting of over 130,000 hectares along prolific mining belts located in the Antofagasta and Maricunga regions of northern Chile. The Company also has an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the highly prospective Llanos De Llahuin project situated in a region with excellent access and existing infrastructure. Aethon believes it is uniquely positioned for growth and is actively pursuing selective copper-focused growth opportunities. Aethon is based in Toronto, Canada, and is listed on the TSX-V under the symbol "AET". Cautionary Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain forward-looking information, such as statements regarding estimates, expectations, future plans and objectives of the Company, exploration and future drilling plans for the Project and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information, including risks relating to the ability to complete the Company's obligations under an option agreement to earn a 100% interest in the Project. Statements or information in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is given, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators which filings are available at www.sedar.com. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGX Minerals Inc. (MGX or the Company) (CSE: XMG / OTCQB: MGXMF / FSE: 1MG) is pleased to announce it has signed the Definitive Option Agreement, after completing the due diligence in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding dated August 8th 2018, to acquire 50% of the issued shares of Chilean Lithium Salars SpA (CLS). CLS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chilean Lithium Salars Pty Ltd. (CLSH) and holds a 100% interest in three prospective lithium exploration Projects (the Projects) located in Chile, including Francisco Basin, Laguna Brava and Laguna Escondida Lithium Projects. Two samples from the Laguna Brava Project were received at PurLucid Treatment Solutions Inc. (PurLucid) facilities in Calgary, Alberta to undergo pilot testing to prepare a Rapid Lithium Extraction unit deployment. Drilling contractors will be on site this week to prepare the drilling program at Francisco Basin Project, which will be overseen by SRK Consulting to deliver a 43-101 complaint Resource Estimation as soon as the exploration program is completed. Following the positive response from the Chilean state agency National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN) and the Environmental Assessment Service (SEA"), the Company plans to ship a rapid lithium brine system shortly. The Special Lithium Operation Contract CEOL, is a requirement to carry any lithium related commercial activity in Mining Concessions granted after 1983. Francisco Basin Lithium Project The Francisco Basin lithium project (Francisco Basin) is located 30km south of Maricunga salar, 100 km southeast of the regional center of Copiapo and accessible via a regional highway and established tracks. The lease area comprises 12,900 hectares. Historical exploration work on the project was previously limited to hydrology studies. In January 2018, CLSH completed a reconnaissance brine sampling at the project. This sampling confirmed the presence of lithium enrichment in the surface brines. The samples were assayed at the University of Antofagasta (Antofagasta), Antofagasta, Chile which has one of the two leading laboratories in the world for this type of brine analysis. In May 2018, sampling continued and a 2.5L sample was taken near the southern shore of the surface Northern lagoon and sent to Servicios Quimicos Ltda. (SERQUIM), Antofagasta, Chile for content analysis. CLSH reported results to date are shown in Table 1. A geophysical program comprising an electromagnetic survey was completed in April 2018. The survey was based on a grid of sections which indicated the presence of high conductivity brines in two zones with significant thickness and horizontal coverage. The presence of anomalous lithium levels in the water body area located in the Northern lagoon, which is potentially underlain by a fault bound, saturated basin of undetermined thickness and the presence of widespread felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks as a lithium source. Table 1. Francisco Basin Assay Samples Sample Na g/L K g/L Li ppm Mg g/L SO4 g/L B ppm Dens Northern Lagoon - January 2018 LNF 01 75.2 4.59 372 2.00 4.07 799 1.179 LNF 02 72.5 4.34 372 1.92 4.07 832 1.170 LNF 03 69.5 4.06 369 1.85 3.74 767 1.163 LNF 04 74.5 4.32 374 1.75 4.02 832 1.174 LNF 05 80.0 4.40 388 1.78 4.71 961 1.188 LNF 06 67.9 3.98 361 1.73 3.85 821 1.181 LNF 07 79.8 4.66 387 1.74 4.44 864 1.183 LNF 08 73.4 4.31 371 1.86 3.93 842 1.172 LNF 09 76.8 4.39 374 1.70 4.05 864 1.174 LNF 10 80.0 4.56 384 1.86 4.38 896 1.185 Northern Lagoon - May 2018 LNF 01 103.0 6.62 694 3.54 28.70 - - Southern Lagoo - January 2018 LNF 11 2.35 0.19 7.9 0.15 3.07 248 1.007 LNF 12 0.57 0.41 3.0 0.003 1.55 151 1.121 LNF 13 1.27 0.01 0.4 0.07 0.61 65 1.002 The Francisco Basin salar is within a large, fault-bound, alluvium-filled basin to the immediate south of the Copiapo Volcano. The basin is closed, drains a large area and the salar appears to be the lowest point within the drainage. The rocks in the drainage surrounding this salar are dominantly volcanic, ranging in age from Eocene to Miocene, juxtaposed with some older rocks. To the west is a Cretaceous sedimentary sequence separated from the volcanic rocks of the Francisco Basin area by the Cerro Guerrita Fault. To the east, an older Oligocene to Miocene volcanic sequence is overlain by the Copiapo volcanic rocks. The Francisco Basin alluvial basin sits at the junction of three catchments. These river systems presumably provide the fill for the basin and are in part, along with the limits of the salar, structurally controlled. The alluvial fill may be covering post-Copiapo aged faulting. Laguna Brava Project The Laguna Brava salar (Laguna) is geologically prospective for lithium brine. The catchment is large and dominated by volcanic rocks, many of which have been altered by hydrothermal fluids associated with volcanism. The lake is also fed by active hot springs. Historical sampling of surface brines indicated significant lithium enrichment. In December 2017, CLSH undertook a four-hole reconnaissance drilling program at a southern access point of the salar to investigate the deeper aquifer. Prior to the CLSH reconnaissance drilling program in December 2017, no previous work had been undertaken to assess the volume and grade of the subsurface resource. Previous work recommended that the subsurface brines be investigated on the basis of his conclusion that Laguna Brava is geothermally fed. The presence of hot springs being present either at the margins or beneath salars is common within the Chilean Altiplano, other notable locations include the Salar de Coposa in Region I and Salar de Atacama in Region II. The principal origin of lithium in the Salar de Atacama is interpreted to be the lithium-bearing geothermal waters from the El Tatio Geyser Field, located north of the salar. The geothermal fluids enter the northern part of the Salar de Atacama via surface and subsurface flow. It has also been reported that the chemistry of the salar brines is almost identical to the chemistry of the geothermal fluids of El Tatio. Furthermore, work by Risacher et al., (2003) has shown that subsurface brines contained within the volcanic geology are of a much higher concentration, typically 250,000350,000 mg/L TDS. Given this hypothesis, CLSH commissioned a reconnaissance drilling program in December 2017 comprising four bores; the locations are shown in Figure 6-4. Two bores reached the design depth of 120 m, and the other two bores were abandoned due to collar collapse because of high water flows. The results from this program confirmed the presence of lithium at depth. Results were as follows (Sanchez, 2018): Table 2. Assay Results from Reconnaissance Drilling Bore No. of Samples Li (mg/L) Na (mg/L) K (mg/L) Mg (mg/L) So4 (mg/L) B (mg/L) Density LBRC001 5 190 31860 1842 1453 8726 504 1.066 LBRC002 11 167 28376 1635 1175 8189 494 1.058 LBRC003 24 184 30979 1730 1288 8995 536 1.064 LBRC004 16 201 34059 1999 1587 8513 519 1.071 Average 185 31,320 1800 1375 8605 515 1.065 A geophysical program comprising electromagnetic and gravity surveys was completed by CLSH in February 2018. The electromagnetic survey based on sections around the periphery of the salar indicated the presence of high conductivity brines exceeding 100 meter thickness at the margins of the salar. The survey indicated that drill holes completed prior to the program were in an area with brines of relatively low conductivity. Within the vicinity of the Laguna Brava salar, the Project includes additional concessions covering Lagunas del Gilguero and the southern margin of Piedra Parada. Laguna Escondida Salar The Laguna Escondida project (Laguna Escondida ) is located approximately 200 km eastnortheast of the regional capital and is accessible via a provincial highway to within 1015 km of the project. Regional Geology The Portfolio of projects are located within the Central Volcanic Zone in the foothills of the Andes mountain range on the eastern side of Chile. All the projects are located at altitudes exceeding 4,000 m. The geology of this region, like the rest of Chile, is dominated by the eastward subduction zone under the entire country generating uplift that has created the Andes Mountains and the Coastal Cordillera (Moreno and Gibbons, 2007). This subduction has intensely deformed the older rocks and generated volcanic activity that spans geological history from the Mesozoic to the present. Terms of the Option Agreement To acquire an undivided 50% interest in CLS, MGX has agreed to make Option Payments totaling US$1.5 million. The first US$100,000 portion of the Option Payments are payable in cash at the discretion of CLS while the remainder of Options Payments will be payable in common shares of the Company. MGX has agreed to incur exploration expenditures totaling US$2 million and also complete an NI 43-101 resource estimate on at least one of the Projects no later than 20 months after the Effective Date of the MOU. MGX will act as project operator and appoint Mr. Aldo Boitano, current project manager for CLS, as project manager to work alongside Kura Minerals. CLSH shall contribute an equal amount of expenditures to maintain its respective interest in CLS. MGX also maintains the right to participate as a service provider of the engineering, construction and/or procurement of a brine processing plant using its rapid lithium extraction technology. Closing of the transaction remains subject to due diligence. Rapid Lithium Brine Extraction Technology MGX has developed a rapid lithium extraction technology eliminating or greatly reducing the physical footprint and investment in large, multi-phase, lake sized, lined evaporation ponds, as well as enhancing the quality of extraction and recovery across a complex range of brines as compared with traditional solar evaporation. This technology is applicable to petrolithium (oil and gas wastewater), natural brine, and other brine sources such as lithium-rich mine and industrial plant wastewater. The technology was recently chosen as winner of the Base and Specialty Metals Industry Leadership Award at the 2018 S&P Global Platts Global Metals Awards, held in London in May (see press release dated May 18, 2018). Qualified Person Andris Kikauka (P. Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for MGX Minerals, has prepared, reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. Mr. Kikauka is a non-independent Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards. About MGX Minerals MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian resource company with interests in advanced material and energy assets throughout North America. Learn more at www.mgxminerals.com. Contact Information Jared Lazerson President and CEO Telephone: 1.604.681.7735 Web: www.mgxminerals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Figure 1 Figure 2 The United States accused Tehran Monday of having unclean hands as it fought an Iranian court bid to unfreeze billions of dollars earmarked by Washington for terror victims. Washington said Irans support for international terrorism, including bombings and airline hijackings, should rule out its case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Iran dragged Washington to the UNs top court in 2016 over a US Supreme Court ruling that the $2 billion should go to victims of attacks blamed on the Islamic republic. Iran said the case breached a 1955 Treaty of Amity between Washington and Tehran signed before Irans Islamic revolution. Washington tore up that treaty last week after the ICJ in a separate case ordered the United States to ease sanctions reimposed on Iran by US President Donald Trump after he pulled out of Irans 2015 international nuclear deal. Iran comes to the court with unclean hands. Indeed, it is a remarkable show of bad faith, Richard Visek, a US State Department legal official, told the court. The actions at the root of this case centre on Irans support for international terrorism Irans bad acts include supports for terrorist bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and airline hijackings, he said. Visek also accused Irans most senior leaders of the encouragement and promotion of terrorism and violation of nuclear non-proliferation, ballistic missile and arms trafficking obligations. Irans use of the 1955 treaty to lodge the case was an abuse of process, he added. The ICJ was set up after World War II to rule on disputes between United Nations member states. Its rulings are binding but it has no power to enforce them. Full reparations At Mondays hearing, a 15-judge bench is listening to US arguments over whether the ICJ can take up the case under its strict rules governing its procedure. The US Supreme Court ruled in April 2016 that $2 billion in Irans frozen assets must go to American victims of terror attacks. These included the 1983 bombing of a US Marine barracks in Beirut, in which 241 soldiers were killed, and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. In total, the decision affects more than 1,000 Americans. Iran angrily accused Washington of breaking the 1955 treaty even though it was signed at the time with the pro-US regime of the Shah and called for the US to make full reparations to Iran for the violation of its international legal obligations. A decision by the ICJs judges could take weeks or even months before being made public. But Mondays showdown risks deepening the Trump administrations rift with international justice. Last Wednesday, Trumps national security advisor John Bolton announced the US was not only leaving the amity treaty but also quitting the international accord relating to the UN top courts jurisdiction. That followed Irans shock victory last week when the ICJ ruled that the US must lift sanctions against Tehran targeting humanitarian goods like food and medicine. The step also came after the Palestinians went to the ICJ to challenge the US move of its Israel embassy to Jerusalem. Trump last month at the United Nations virulently rejected the authority of the International Criminal Court a separate court based in The Hague that the US is not a member of over a probe into US forces in Afghanistan. Wesfarmers seeks growth prospects, cutting Coles loose WESFARMERS on Friday entered into a trading halt as it provides details on its proposed $20 billion demerger of Coles, on which shareholders will vote November 15. If the demerger proceeds, which is subject to regulatory approval, Wesfarmers plans to retain a 15 per cent share in Coles and a 50 per cent interest in the Flybuys joint venture with Coles. Shareholders will retain their existing Wesfarmers shares. They may also be entitled to receive one Coles share for every Wesfarmers share they own at the demerger record date. Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said the demerger would reposition the groups portfolio to target a higher capital weighting towards businesses with strong future earnings growth prospects. Meanwhile, the company believes Coles separation from Wesfarmers will create a new top-30 Australian-listed company in the groceries market. Coles managing director Steven Cain said Coles is well positioned for success over the next decade. We will continue to focus on ensuring that Coles remains a trusted brand for Australians and maintains its market leading position by continuously improving the customer experience, he said. Also in Australian Food News In line with this, Coles has entered into an agreement with logistic-solutions provider Witron to develop two new automated distribution centres for Coles over five years in an effort to modernise its supply chain. Brian Walker, Retail Doctor Group chief executive, told AFN that the proposed demerger will result in a win-win for Wesfarmers and Coles. Wesfarmers is in the business of driving shareholder returns and there was a time that Coles had one of the highest EBDITA profits in the western world but those times have change dramatically, he said. The supermarket sector has been under heavy pressure and its increasing because of the likes of the growth of Aldi, online fulfilment models, and Amazon coming into the country. We have seen return on operating funds reducing and Wesfarmers effectively believe Coles is not meeting its criteria of strong future earnings prospects. But Coles is well placed to defend its position. Coles is a steady ship, its got a bit of upbeat competition and its ticking along. MORE: Why Wesfarmers is cutting Coles loose GRANTS PASS, Ore. UPDATE: The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) has issued an update to their statement regarding the incident on Sunday in which a detective was refused service at T-Mobile, apparently due to the sidearm that he was wearing. The following comes from Chief Bill Landis: I have spoken with corporate and local T-Mobile Management and it was conveyed to me that the employee did not act appropriately nor represent T-Mobile and their policies regarding law enforcement. T-Mobile does allow armed sworn police ocers in their stores. T-Mobile management has taken steps to ensure this doesnt happen to our police ocers or any police ocers in any of their stores now or in the future and apologized to the Detective personally for the way he was treated. There have been incidents of harassment from the public as a result of the social media posting to store employees. Please do not intimidate or harass T-Mobile or their employees for the actions of an individual who no longer is aliated or speaks on behalf of them. Thank you! (Updated 10/11/18 2:04 p.m.) UPDATE: The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) has largely confirmed the details of the incident at a T-Mobile location in Grants Pass, with one major exception according to the latest statement from GPDPS, the department has not yet been able to to directly contact T-Mobile for discussion of their "policies." In the statement, GPDPS says that one of their detectives went into a T-Mobile store on Terry Lane on Sunday. The detective was reportedly using his personal time-off during the day while trying to fix an issue with his wireless account. GPDPS says that the detective was in "department clothing, displaying his department badge and had his department owned firearm, handcuffs and other equipment in plain view." While speaking to an employee in the store, the detective was approached by another employee who said that the detective would have to leave because of his holstered gun. The detective tried to explain that he "was still subject to response/callback should he be needed to respond to an emergency," according to GPDPS. The employee who would later state that he was the store manager, GPDPS said told the detective that it was T-Mobile policy to not allow guns inside the business, and the detective would still have to leave. At this, the detective left the store. "This incident has received much attention from the press and social media," GPDPS said. "It is not clear if the employee was speaking on behalf of T-Mobile and we have reached out to T-Mobile regarding policies so that we can appropriately address the issue an continue to provide emergency services and respond to public safety needs in our community including T-Mobile." "As of this date and time, our Agency has not received correspondence from T-Mobile. Any inquiries regarding the policies of T-Mobile should be directed to them." As reported earlier, executives with T-Mobile have taken to social media and repeatedly indicated that they have extended an apology to the detective, and that the incident does not reflect any company policy of theirs. They claim that the issue has been addressed at the store in question. (Update 10/9/18 at 2:15 p.m.) INITIAL REPORT: The corporate leaders of wireless company T-Mobile have taken to Twitter in response to criticism after an employee at a Grants Pass location reportedly refused service to an on-duty police officer allegedly because the officer was armed in the store. "A mistake was made by an employee at a single store and it has been addressed," said CEO John Legere in a Tweet response. "We have nothing but respect for law enforcement." A mistake was made by an employee at a single store and it was been addressed. We have nothing but respect for law enforcement. John Legere (@JohnLegere) October 9, 2018 Jon Freier, Executive Vice President of T-Mobile's US Retail, had a somewhat more detailed response to similar critiques. "We have investigated this issue at one of our independently owned and operated stores in Oregon. While isolated at this one store with their employee, its clearly unacceptable. We will be taking the appropriate actions to ensure this does not happen again," Freier Tweeted. "And weve made contact with Detective Brown to genuinely apologize for this terrible experience. Very poor judgement. We will be taking the right set of actions and next steps," Freier continued. An account of the alleged incident quickly made the rounds on social media after Grants Pass Police Community Officer Jennifer Brown, wife of the detective who was reportedly refused service, contacted the "Blue Lives Matter" organization and told them what she had heard from her husband a detective with Grants Pass Police. NewsWatch 12 has attempted to reach out to Detective Brown and Grants Pass Police for comment. The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) has said that a press release regarding the incident is forthcoming. Deputy Chief Hamilton did confirm that T-Mobile had reached out to the department and Detective Brown to offer apologies for the incident. In a request for comment from T-Mobile, Freier said that he would have the company's Media Relations team contact NewsWatch 12 with additional information. This is a developing story, and NewsWatch 12 will be updating this article as more details emerge. Pints for Pups event features dogs, beers, conversation for a cause The 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora is holding an event on Veterans Day that will involve dogs, beer and raising money for a good cause. On Thursday, the... YMCA, FeedMore teaming up to fight hunger through fall food drive For the 11th straight year, YMCA Buffalo Niagara is teaming up with FeedMore WNY to help fight hunger this holiday season through an annual food drive. The organizations are asking... Town man indicted on manslaughter, drug charges Town of Tonawanda resident Zaire Pittman, 25, was arraigned last week on an indictment charging him with felony vehicular manslaughter, in connection with a car accident that took place in... Cardinal OHara to present Little Women in person next weekend Drama club students at Cardinal OHara High School will be presenting their first in-person fall play next weekend, following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The production will also... News Brief Following the FDAs emergency use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 through 11, the Erie County Department of Health is asking parents to fill out this survey... 14 Shares Share If you have been following my writing, you know I have been out of the surgical workforce for a year and a half. I have settled into a much more relaxing lifestyle as an author who can set his own work schedule. This week I got a flashback of what my old life was like as a general surgeon when I attended a four-day conference called FinCon. Each morning of the conference, I awoke to an alarm before my body was done sleeping. I quickly showered, ate some breakfast, and kissed my wife goodbye while she was still in bed. Then I got in my car and drove to the conference. In between sessions, other attendees wanted to talk with me in the hall so I was frequently late getting to the next session. When the conference took a break for lunch, I ran into others who wanted some of my time, so we ended up standing in the hallway talking. When it was time for the next session to begin, I realized that I missed my chance to eat lunch. So between the afternoon lectures, I would scout out what was available to snack on. I found cookies and candy bars available to eat. Not the best choice, but it kept me going until my next meal. Unfortunately, the same thing happened at dinner time and I missed another meal. Each evening, after the conference had ended for the day, there were still people who wanted to indulge in conversation. By the time I finally left, very tired, I missed my turn and needed my phone to recalculate a new route a few times before reaching the timeshare near midnight. My wife was in the same place she was when I left. I crawled into bed beside her and read a little to decompress before falling asleep. Then the alarm would sound to start that same routine all over again. After four days of this, I was exhausted. The first time I saw my wife out of bed was the day after the conference ended. After sleeping in, we spent most of the day sitting on the couch watching Hallmark movies. I even dosed occasionally. It took me two days to fully recover from the conference. Lying in bed the morning of the second day after the conference, I realized that attending this conference resembled my past life as a surgeon. I would get up early, before my body was done sleeping, and head off to work. I often worked right through lunch or ate my lunch walking down the hospital corridor. I also missed many dinners. More often than I would like to admit, I didnt get back home until my family was fast asleep. My days at the conference were relatively stress-free. I didnt have to make life and death decisions, or tell someone their family member was going to die, or field phone calls during my sleeping hours. Overall, the conference was easier on me than my surgery career. Since I was away from home and my wife knew she wouldnt be seeing me for the four days of the conference, I didnt need to work in family time. But during my career, I needed to save some time for my wife. I also worked in time with my kids and time attending their activities. Not to mention spending time with friends and extended family. I look back and wonder how I did it. Life as a surgeon is incredibly difficult. The strain on your body, the stress level in your mind, and the lack of time to do things you enjoy can really add up. Its no wonder we have such a high prevalence of burnout, nearly 50 percent. It is very difficult to keep up that schedule for any length of time. These four days reminded me of how ridiculous it is to suggest that you should pick a high paying specialty. Dont ever listen to that advice. You need to pick a specialty that you love to do, because it just might become everything you do. Imagine going through a schedule like this and not liking the work you do. What a miserable life that would be. I wrote an article about the things I learned in the first six months of my retirement. One of those things was discovering that I had suffered from chronic sleep deprivation. Many doctors suffer from sleep deprivation and dont even know it. I didnt know it until after I was off work for a few months and finally recovered. Burnout and suicide in the medical field are very big and real problems. Picking a specialty you dont like, only because it pays well contributes to these problems. Acquiring and retaining debt so you continually have a need to work more hours, along with skipping vacations so you can pay the bills are also contributors. Buying a house that is too expensive creates a financial ripple that lasts decades and contributes as well. Moonlighting to make more money when you are already overworked is another contributor. Buying things you cant afford, like private school for the kids, expensive cars and lavish vacations, are more contributors. We all have tough jobs. I was reminded of how tough it is when I went back to a taxing schedule for a few days. The contrast was incredible. We must not compound the difficulty of an already tough job, by making bad decisions that make our job even tougher. Some aspects that make our lives in the medical field difficult cannot be avoided, like dealing with patient issues and death. You will need to take your share of the call. There will be long days. But you do not need to compound your busy schedule by adding extra stress of your own making. You deserve to live a great life, so design your lifes work to create the life you want. You will make a good income, so use it to reach your personal and financial goals. Stop trying to keep up with the Doctor Joneses and start living your own life, the way you want it to be. Work out ways to spend time with your family. Life isnt just about work. Take your vacations. Make time to exercise. Work on becoming financially independent, which will give you more options in both your work life and your home life. Financial independence will enable you to stand up to your employer giving you the leverage to call the shots that are important to you. Life is too short for the nonsense that many of us put up with or create. Smell the roses. Hug your children. Call your parents. Live a good life. Make your life more than going to work every day. At the end of the movie Saving Private Ryan, an elder Ryan stood in front of the grave of a man who gave his life so that Ryan could live and said: I tried to live my life the best that I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that, at least in your eyes, Ive earned what all of you have done for me. Please live your life the best you can, and dont spend it all in the hospital. As important as the work you do is, its not everything. Make sure you take time to rest, relax and rejuvenate. Spend time with family and friends, make plans and follow your dreams. Dont let work take over your life. Cory Fawcett is a general surgeon and can be reached at his self-titled site, Dr. Cory S. Fawcett. He is the author of The Doctors Guide to Starting Your Practice Right, The Doctors Guide to Eliminating Debt, and The Doctors Guide to Smart Career Alternatives and Retirement. Image credit: Shutterstock.com EUGENE, Ore. -- We all know how important it is to prepare for natural disasters, but how prepared are you for a financial emergency? KEZI 9 News spoke to Oregon Pacific Bank President and CEO Ron Green to learn more. How much money should I set aside for rainy days? Some would suggest that you need about three months of savings set aside. Ron Green said he doesnt think thats enough. Its difficult for a lot of folks nowadays to build up a cash reserve, but Green said to pay yourself first. Of course, pay your rent and pay your bills, and set aside money for retirement. Also, set aside even $5, $10 or $15 a month into your savings account. Have one less latte, and put that money aside. Green said youre going to need some cash when something comes up. If you have banking or finance questions for Ron Green, click here. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Comedian Katt Williams has pleaded not guilty in connection with an alleged assault on a hired driver at Portland International Airport. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office says Williams was charged and pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault on Monday. RELATED: Comedian Katt Williams jailed on assault charges in Oregon He had come to Portland to perform in Nick Cannon's "Wild 'N Out" comedy improv show Friday night. Williams is accused of striking the driver of a town car after an argument about taking him and his dog to the show. Port of Portland police say the unnamed victim sustained minor injuries to his face, including swelling and cuts. Williams remains in custody on an unrelated arrest warrant as an alleged fugitive from Georgia. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Williams told court officials that he's currently on supervision for pot possession there. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A woman has filed a $1.56 million lawsuit against a central Oregon McDonald's restaurant, claiming her teen was badly burned after being served a cup of water that was too hot. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the suit filed last week by Shirelle Thomas in Multnomah County Circuit Court seeks $10,000 in medical bills and related expenses, $50,000 in future expenses and $1.5 million for pain and suffering. The lawsuit doesn't list the water temperature or explain if the 14-year-old girl spilled the water on herself or someone spilled it onto her at the Madras McDonald's in July 2017. The suit claims the teen suffered "partial thickness burns" to her abdomen, groin and inner thighs. It lists the McDonald's corporation and the individual franchise, Taylor Enterprises, as defendants. Neither returned messages seeking comment. CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is hosting a town hall meeting Friday, Oct. 12, in Corvallis. Senator Wyden said he will "throw open the doors of the government" at a time when there's so much public interest in the Supreme Court and Washington, D.C. This will be Senator Wydens 905th meeting since he took office. At these town hall meetings, Senator Wyden doesn't give speeches. Senator Wyden is expected to listen to the public's concerns and answer questions. It's part of a promise he made to visit each county in the state at least once a year. Friday's town hall will be held at the Crescent Valley High School auditorium at 1:30 p.m. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed who among the Cabinet members will run in next year's midterm elections. Speaking to the media in Malacanang Tuesday, Duterte said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority General Director Gene Mamondiong, and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque will throw their hat into the ring. He, however, did not say whether there would be a Cabinet revamp. When asked if Special Assistant to the President Bong Go would also be running for senator, Duterte said, "I think he will run...Murphy's Law, anything can happen. But I believe he is really running." In an interview with CNN Philippines last week, PDP-Laban president and Senator Koko Pimentel said Go was "not interested." Duterte said he already had someone lined up to replace Go, but did not give a name, only that the person would be a woman. When asked who he thinks could replace Cayetano, however, the President said, "I have a name. He (Cayetano) agreed, but he did not authorize me to name him now. Maybe, siya na lang pag gusto niya [he could do it if he wants to]. Roque quit Cabinet? The President was also asked about Roque, who announced he was going on indefinite leave beginning October 8. Duterte revealed the spokesperson has apparently resigned from his post. "Sabi niya, magresign siya. Sabi ko sige... Panelo, tingnan muna natin. Kung makakuha ako ng Presidential Legal Counsel. If he likes the job. Kaya naipit nga si Roque. It's not my fault actually. Sabi niya tatakbo siya, di siya tatakbo, tatakbo. Tapos sabi ko, mamili na agad ako para walang paralysis sa flow ng functions," he said. [Translation: He said he would resign, I sad go ahead...Panelo, we'll have to see. If I am able to get a Presidential Legal Counsel. If he likes the job. That's why Roque was put in a tough position. It's not my fault actually. He said he would run, then not run, then run. I said he should decide so there would be no paralysis in the flow of function.] He also said he was thinking of having Presidential Legal Adviser Sal Panelo take on the role of press secretary in the meantime. Duterte had earlier discouraged Roque from running for the Senate. "Ayan sila si Roque, gusto mag-senador. Sabi ko, 'Tama ka na. T*** i** diyan. Standby ka. Bigyan kita ibang trabaho. Hindi ka manalo diyan,'" he said during a speech before Philippine Military Academy alumni on October 5. [Translation: See Roque, he wants to be senator. I told him, "You're done. Stand by. I'll give you another job. You wouldn't win"] Roque on Friday said he might quit his post as it seemed he has not been up-to-date with some of the President's affairs. CNN Philippines' Pia Garcia, Eimor Santos, Chad de Guzman, and Ina Andolong contributed to this report. United States Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Vincent Brooks shakes hands with President Moon Jae-in in while participating in an event to commemorate the 70th Armed Forces Day, Oct. 1, in Seoul. / Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung As the ongoing peace gestures from North Korea cast doubt on the future of the United States Forces Korea (USFK), a group of U.S.-allied countries such as South Korea and Japan are on track to underline the need to maintain U.S. troops here. The controversy surrounding the USFK started making headlines here in June when U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his strong desire to withdraw or at least reduce the U.S. military presence here, saying South Korea does not properly pay for its maintenance cost. For South Korea and Japan, however, the possible withdrawal of the USFK is a worst-case scenario to weaken their security readiness and generate a potential crack in their long-term defense posture. The USFK here has for decades served as a war deterrent, preventing North Korea from staging large-scale military provocations against the South since 1953 when the Korean War ended in an armistice. But starting this year, North Korea has urged the South and the U.S. to declare an end to the war as soon as possible, in what critics view is the regime's apparent move to pull out the potentially threatening U.S. troops. For this reason, there is a lingering concern that the ongoing peace mood and the possible declaration of the technical state of war here may result in the withdrawal of the USFK in the end. South Korea is in a position that the USFK withdrawal will never turn into reality at least for the time being. Park Han-ki, the nominee for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said last week the potential declaration of the end to the war has nothing to do with the existence of the United Nations Command (UNC) and the USFK. "Even if the two Koreas declare an end to the war, the Korean Armistice Agreement (signed in 1953 between the North, China and the UNC) will remain in effect," Park said in a National Assembly confirmation hearing, dispelling concerns over the possible withdrawal of the USFK. South Korean President Moon Jae-in also recently called the USFK a peacekeeper here, saying the U.S. troops will continue to play a role for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed opposition to the possible withdrawal of the USFK here in a recent interview with a U.S. media outlet. Political commentator Lee Jin-gon said Monday that Abe's remark is in line with Tokyo's strategy to continue benefiting from the USFK without which he said Japan faces potential security threats from North Korea. "Japan has disagreed with the idea of withdrawing the USFK from South Korea, as Japan will be exposed to more security threats from external forces without the U.S. troops here," he said. ACRC chairperson Pak Un-jong answers questions during a recent interview at the anti-corruption agency's office in downtown Seoul. Courtesy of ACRC By Kim Yoo-chul Combating corruption always matters because it has a disproportionate impact on the have-nots and most vulnerable, increasing costs and reducing access to education and justice. Corruption erodes trust in government and undermines economic development and even the social contract. South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, has a weak track record in tackling various types of corruption, with the level in the country far higher than the majority of other developed nations around the world despite its great economic achievements over the last decades. But the country is improving in terms of the level of anti-corruption activities and relevant initiatives. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, also known as the Kim Young-ran Act, has been effective since its implementation two years ago, according to the head of the country's top anti-corruption agency. Pak Un-jong, chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC), believes successful anti-corruption efforts are initiated by a "coalition of concerned," which includes politicians, government officials, the private sector, communities and civil organizations. The concerted attention of governments and businesses is required to address corruption. "A recent survey showed the act's approval rating was 89.9 percent among the public, followed by 95.6 percent of public servants and 90.7 percent of teachers in schools nationwide. They said the anti-graft act was truly helping them disconnect gradually from the Korean tradition of gift-giving and guest hosting," the ACRC chief said in a recent interview. The ACRC interviewed 3,000 government officials, employees of service organizations including journalists and others who are forced to abide by the act, between Aug. 27 and Sept. 10. "One of the noticeable points from the recent survey was that the satisfaction level with the act saw more than a double-digit percentage increase both among officials and employees working at public organizations and the public," the chairperson said. The anti-corruption act, named after former Justice Kim Young-ran, places limits on the value of meals and gifts, and congratulatory and condolence money for public officials, teachers and reporters. It took effect on Sept. 28, 2016. The rules exclude open conferences and events such as official press meetings. A violation of the act can lead to imprisonment of up to three years and fines as high as 30 million won or $25,000. Pak said there had been concerns and initial uncertainties with regard to the act's scope and smooth implementation, but it has changed the way of gift-giving and various types of "goodwill" treatment in all aspects of society and business on a "positive front." Mentioning a separate survey conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Korea's most powerful industry lobby group, which said an average amount of spending by 777 listed firms was cut by 21 million won on a quarterly basis, Park noted that the act is also helping private firms promote sustainable growth including through the continued work to stop "bribery." While the effects of the law have been "quite successful," she said society is still in a "transition period" to improve the level of transparency. "The Korean business community, which is connected to the Korean traditions of gift-giving and guest hosting, is welcoming the new act. We've acknowledged there will be some occasions in the future where officials affected by the act may come into conflict with it. We can figure them out through revisions in a timely manner," the agency chief said. The ACRC recently launched a 30-member committee with officials representing the public, civil servants, business and media industry as well as academia to move forward the initiative based on views gathered from different sectors. "We want the committee to be effective and become accountable as it will set the key agenda and main issues in six different categories including education, public trust and the economy. Issues discussed will be proposed to the government. The ACRC wants to work together with representatives from different industries and people in provincial cities to improve society," the chairperson said. Going global The country's top anti-corruption agency plans to share its expertise in tackling corruption with the international community, as the ACRC plans to host the 19th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in 2020. "The conference will help the country share thoughts on how to address and handle large-scale corruption issues within a democracy. The upcoming event is also expected to explore issues such as the main role of governments, and criteria to bring changes," the ACRC chief said, adding the ACRC plans to hold five sessions and 50 workshops during the five-day conference. Korea is a developed OECD country and a young democracy with a relatively effective governance structure. It is often described as a very successful case of state-led economic development and praised for the successful transition from an authoritarian "developmental state" to a consolidated democracy, according to the agency chief. Pak said the anti-corruption agency is on track to "export" some of its best practices to Vietnam, Myanmar and Kosovo at the request of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). According to the agency chief, this move is a part of the ACRC's forwardness to lift its strategic opportunities to help increase the anti-corruption capacity of developing countries by combining the UNDP's policy expertise and its level of presence country-by-country. "The ACRC successfully launched a program to evaluate policies to fight against corruption in Vietnam back in 2016. Feedback from the 63 regional governments that adopted it there was positive. Vietnam will expand the scope of the evaluation to the central government next year," the chairperson said. She also mentioned the agency held separate sessions to "train" public officials from Myanmar and Kosovo, which were considering revising their laws to introduce anti-corruption policies. By Jun Ji-hye Concerns are growing here over the possible leaking of the country's industrial technologies and other critical intellectual properties to China amid a controversy over a Chinese military unit's alleged installation of tiny microchips into computer servers of almost 30 U.S. companies, including Amazon and Apple. Bloomberg Businessweek's report on China's alleged use of tiny chips to infiltrate U.S. companies The allegedly compromised hardware was sold by California-based Supermicro Computer, one of the world's biggest suppliers of server motherboards, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Servers from Supermicro, the Taiwanese-American founded IT firm, are also widely used in Korea by state-run research institutes, including the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), as well as financial institutions and large companies such as Samsung and LG. The tiny chips, which were reportedly developed by a computer attack unit of the People's Liberation Army, were installed in the motherboards of servers on a production line in China. The Bloomberg report said, "China's spies appear to have found a perfect conduit for what U.S. officials now describe as the most significant supply chain attack known to have been carried out against American companies." This raised the suspicion that the chips have been used to collect intellectual properties and trade secrets of American companies. A number of Korean companies and institutions have been using Chinese IT products as they are believed to be cost effective. Mumbai, October 9: Shiv Sena has issued a warning to the government over the Ram Mandir issue, in the party's mouthpiece Saamana. The party shared that 'people will throw BJP out of power if they don't deliver their promise of building Ram Mandir. Ayodhya Verdict: Supreme Court Declines to Refer Matter to Larger Bench, Says All Temples, Mosques, Churches Equally Relevant. Last year, commenting on the Apex Court's suggestion to solve the Ram Mandir issue out of court, Shiv Sena, in its mouthpiece Saamana stated that people of the country expect a decision from the Supreme Court, and not a suggestion. According to reports, the editorial further read that the court intervenes unnecessarily in many cases but when a decision is needed, the court asks the parties to settle the matter out of court. In another incident, according to a report on IANS, A Hindu seer who was on an indefinite fast to press for early construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya has been picked up from the temple town here in Uttar Pradesh and sent to a hospital in Lucknow. His pulse rate dropped alarmingly, forcing the police to intervene. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 08:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, October 9: Esha Bahal, a student of Political Science in a Noida University, became British High Commissioner to India for 24 hours after she won a competition organised by British High Commission to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. A total of 58 students from across the country submitted their videos, but Bahal was the lucky one to be selected. In a bid to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, which is celebrated on October 11, the British High Commission had organised a competition for women aged between 18 and 23 to become the British High Commissioner to India for a day. Section 377 Verdict: British High Commission in India Hosts Reception, Members of LGBT Community, Activists Gather to Celebrate. Esha Becomes British High Commissioner to India for 24 hours, See Pics. Esha Bahal, a student of Political Science in a Noida university, became British High Commissioner to India for 24 hours yesterday after she won a competition organised by British High Commission to mark the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11). pic.twitter.com/GV6jqfAujK ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2018 Bahal said her journey was quite simple as she just had to upload a video on Facebook explaining what gender equality means to me. "My journey was quite simple. I just had to upload a video on Facebook explaining what gender equality means to me. I tagged UK & India, as per the requirement of the challenge. A few weeks later, they sent a mail stating I've won it. It has been a great&really unique experience", Esha was quoted by ANI. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana For Girl Child: Minimum Deposit Amount Reduced to Rs 250, How Can You Open a New Account? Contestants taking part in the contest were required to submit a short video presentation on the theme "What does gender equality mean to you?" Being delighted over the achievement, Bahal, the acting British High Commissioner for a day said that acting as British High Commissioner for a day has been a great and really unique experience. Bahal plans to become a social entrepreneur after completing her higher studies in public policy and law. "I've learned about the breadth and depth of UK-India relations - and had the opportunity to highlight the importance of gender equality and inclusivity, issues which are of great importance to me", she added. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 12:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, October 9: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at airports will temper their 'passenger-friendly' functioning to avert a 9/11-type terrorist attack. Speaking at a press conference, CISF DG Rajesh Ranjan on Monday said 'over-friendly' approach was one of the reasons behind security breach that led to the 9/11 attacks in the US. He said CISF personnel would focus more their core duty: security. Rajesh Ranjan said the security staff in the US compromised on security because they went out of the way to ensure that the passenger is facilitated. We cannot be over-friendly with the passengers because one of the reasons cited as to why 9/11 (the 2001 terror attack on the World Trade Centre in the US) happened was excessive reliance on passenger-friendly features," the CISF DG was quoted as saying. 9/11 Attacks Anniversary Special: Conspiracy Theories Behind WTC Twin Tower & Pentagon Plane Crash. CISF ADG (Aviation) MA Ganapathy also said that the force was moving from a Broad Smile System to Sufficient Smile System to ensure foolproof security at airports. So, friendly smiles are good, but the focus should be on the core duties (of security) that we perform at the airports as also rightly pointed out by the ADG," Ranjan added. The CISF has introduced new technologies such as body scanners and body-worn cameras for its personnel at airports. Delhi IGI Airport Owes CISF Rs 778 Crore For Security, Airports Under AAI Have Outstanding Bills of Rs 90 Crore. While the scanners will ensure that a traveller does not conceal any item in his body that could be a security risk to the terminal or in the aircraft, the body cameras will be sported by CISF jawans for audio-visual recording of the interaction between them and the arriving passenger and its feedback will be used to better flying procedures and ensure correct behaviour by both parties. CISF personnel are also getting focused training on behavioural analysis from International Consultants on Targeted Security, Europe and the Transport Security Administration with help from the BCAS and the Intelligence Bureau, reported Indian Express. The specially trained force is responsible for security at as many as 60 airports across the country. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 09:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, October 9: Blaming the Opposition for the violence against migrant labourers in Gujarat, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party demanded Congress president Rahul Gandhi to sack the party's legislator Alpesh Thakor, accused of instigating attacks on migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "If Rahul Gandhi is actually worried for Gujarat, Bihar and India, then he must immediately expel Alpesh Thakor from the party. This is what we demand from Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party," said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah Reprimand Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Deputy CM Nitin Patel Over Attacks on Migrant Workers in State. The Congress, meanwhile, has expelled its regional leader Mohanji Thakor, who has been arrested by the police for his alleged involvement in the violence against North Indian migrants. Alpesh, a staunch OBC leader, is accused of delivering hate speeches in the past against migrant labourers in North Gujarat region. The Radhanpur MLA, however, has refuted the charge claiming that he has never advocated for violence. "It is true that I have been demanding the government to implement the norm that 80% recruits in Gujarat should be the local job seekers. But I have never instigated violence against those from UP and Bihar," Alpesh said. Notably, the violence in Gujarat broke out last week after a Bihar migrant was held for raping a 14-month-old infant in Sabarkantha. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has appealed the migrants to refrain from leaving the state. "We assure you that no one will be attacked. The government will ensure a safe environment for everyone," he said, adding that over 450 rioters have been arrested. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 06:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, October 9: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of three Amrapali directors. According to reports, the Apex Court has said, "Enough of your hide and seek, you will be in police custody until you comply with our orders. No release without audit reports." Dont Play Smart, Give Your Property Details: Supreme Court to Amrapali Directors. In August, the Supreme Court had asked the Directors of the Amrapali Group to file details of all their movable and immovable assets along with valuation, and warned them that they would be rendered homeless if they tried "to play smart." A bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice U.U. Lalit clarified that all the properties of the directors would be sold if the company failed to raise Rs 5,112 crore required to complete its unfinished housing projects. On August 1, the court slammed the Amrapali Group for playing "fraud and dirty games" with it and ordered the freezing of bank accounts of all the Directors of its 40 firms, besides attaching their personal properties. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 03:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). India is struggling with October heat just months after a spate of cool monsoons. Recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also revealed that there would be a spike in the number of heatwave incidents in the Indian subcontinent. The United Nations Special Report on Global Warming says that the world has heated up by 1 degree C. If nothing is done to correct it, the resultant climate change may result in natural calamities and an increase in vector-borne diseases. New research from the MIT and Harvard states that with every degree (Celsius) increase in the global temperature, theres a two percent increase in mental health issues. Among the most under-recognised casualties of global warming is the impact it has on a persons mental wellness. World Mental Health Day 2018 is celebrated on October 10 every year. Lets understand the impact of global warming on the mind. Rising temperatures could increase the incidence of mental illnesses worldwide. The study collates a decades worth of information to come to the conclusion. Blame it on our unique mental makeup, but we are quite sensitive to ambient temperatures, making us more aggressive, suicidal and depressed. 13 Subtle Signs of Suicidal Behaviour According to a Psychiatrist. Some mental health consequences of climate change may be indirect. Global warming will spur an increase in natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, bush-fires, etc., which can increase stress-related psychiatric disorders. Recent episodes like flash floods and Nipah virus fever both consequences of climate change can cause mental health issues. In the wake of climate change-related disasters, people are most likely to experience PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety spectrum disorders, transient psychosis, etc. Personal and financial losses caused by these disasters can also trigger bereavement or depression. Depression is the second-most commonly studied mental health problem seen in people who have survived natural disasters. Prolonged depressive episodes can even lead to substance abuse. Indirect effects of climate change can also result in heightened distress, social isolation, negative self-image, etc. Global warming has an obvious health impact. Physical ailments can increase. Respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems, kidney issues and gastrointestinal diseases are the common consequences of climate change. Frequent illnesses can bring down the quality of life and deplete economic resources, both of which can increase mental health problems. Among the most tangible impacts of global warming is increased suicide rates. The number of suicides increases during episodes of heatwaves. Apart from that, hot weather has also been linked to aggression, criminal behaviour, violence, psychological distress and self-harm. Climate change has become an unavoidable reality, even as corporations and politicians try to downplay its effects. Its not just the body that suffers as a result of global warming but also the mind. Firstly, the problem global warming as an agent of mental health problems should be acknowledged. Improving access to mental health services should be the second step to brace up for the problem. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2018 10:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Marine mammal vet Claire Simeone thought it was a prank call and ignored it. When her phone buzzed again, she picked up only to hear silence on the other end. Creepy, right? She kept the phone aside only to ring again. She took to Twitter saying, "So yesterday I started getting calls at our hospital, #KeKaiOla @TMMC. I was getting lunch, so I thought maybe someone had a seal-related question. I picked up. Silence." It was a gecko that caused the panic. Read the complete story to know how the tiny reptile caused panic. As she continued receiving calls from the hospital, Simeone grew worried and thought it could be an emergency. She writes on Twitter, "So yesterday I started getting calls at our hospital, #KeKaiOla @TMMC. I was getting lunch, so I thought maybe someone had a seal-related question. I picked up. Silence." Simeone is the hospital director at the Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital in Kailua-Kona in Hawaii. And last week after she stepped out of the office she started receiving the mystery calls. She rushed to the hospital, but everything was fine. Woman Calls Firefighters to Rescue 'Huge Monitor Lizard,' Turns Out To Be a Small Gecko, View Pic! In her Twitter thread, she explains, "I arrive. All is calm. Did anyone call me? No one did. I get another call. Its coming from INSIDE the hospital. So I call @HawaiianTel to check it out. Phone on the fritz? Meanwhile, several other people call the hospital, asking WHY WE ARE CALLING THEM INCESSANTLY?" She called up the telecom operator who said may be the issue was with their handsets or the phone's software. Simeone then decided to check the office phone lines. Muja, One of the Oldest Living Alligator Arrives at Belgrade Zoo! World War II Survivor Is Fit With an Enthusiastic Appetite. Very nice @HawaiianTel man says it might be an issue with one of our phones, or some of the software. He confirms that, yes, a bazillion calls are coming from one line. But I look at our office line. Its not that one. He asks me to look around to find the problem line. pic.twitter.com/QcrMjVCG4X Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 The tweet further reads, "I walk around the hospital. Not the fish kitchen. Not the office. Not the viewing room. I get another call from @TMMC on my cell. I enter the laboratory. Thats the line! I approach the phone..." Simeone found out that the calls were being made from the laboratory by a gecko. Yes, a gecko was making the innumerable calls to people from the lab's phone. Here is the gecko that called up so many people: THERE IS A GECKO SITTING ON THE TOUCHSCREEN OF THE PHONE, MAKING CALLS WITH HIS TINY GECKO FEET!!! This gecko has called me 15 times, and everyone in our recent call list. *Actual photo of telemarketer* @TMMC @GEICO @HawaiianTel pic.twitter.com/USyKeOiDbE Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018 Simeone took the fame to bring attention to their donation campaign also. She also mentioned about The Marine Mammal Center (@TMMC) and their work at Ke Kai Ola, a Hawaiian monk seal hospital. The series of the tweets were quick to go viral with social media users narrating similar experiences in the comment box. In a similar incident, in a town in England, children's nursery rhymes were being played repetitively late at night. After it tormented a woman for over a year, investigators found out that it was the work of spiders. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 04:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). In Singapore, children will no more be ranked on the basis of the scores they receive in exams. According to a new move by the Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, the government has decided to abolish student ranking system for primary and secondary school children. In a bid to encourage children the schools will no more show the student's position in their report books. On September 29, The Ministry of Education (MOE) said that the change will let students focus more on his or her learning progress. It will thus discourage them from comparisons and being overly concerned about their performances. Here are the details that will be dropped from report cards: Class and level mean Minimum and maximum marks Underlining and/or colouring of failing marks Pass/fail for the end-of-year result Mean subject grades Overall total marks L1R5 (English plus five relevant subjects), L1R4, EMB3 (English, maths, best three subjects) and EMB1 for lower secondary levels The education ministry in a statement said, "The change is to allow each student to focus on his or her learning progress and discourage them from being overly concerned about comparisons." Abiding by the new rules, all examinations for Primary 1 and 2 pupils will also be removed. Reportedly, MOE said that the teachers will encourage learning through discussion, homework and quizzes. Teachers will use "qualitative descriptors" instead of marks and grades to evaluate students' performance. Addressing around 1,700 school leaders, Ong said, "I know that coming in first or second, in class or level, has traditionally been a proud recognition of a students achievement. But removing these indicators is for a good reason, so that the child understands from young that learning is not a competition, but a self-discipline they need to master for life." He further said, "Notwithstanding, the report book should still contain some form of yardstick and information to allow students to judge their relative performance, and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses." For older students in primary and secondary schools, marks will be rounded off and given as a whole number. During parent-teacher meetings, parents will receive information about the child's progress in school. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 05:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Kabul, October 09: Afghan Taliban recently mounted an attack on a number of security check posts in the Jawzjan province, resulting in the death of at least 15 security personnel. The attack, which took place in Qosh Tepa district of the northern Afghanistan province on Sunday night, also resulted in a further 26 security force personnel being injured, TOLO News cited sources as saying. Authorities have issued warnings that unless air support is provided to aid the forces, the district will be claimed by the Taliban militants. "Clashes are still ongoing in the district," officials were also quoted by TOLO News as saying. However, a security policeman, Kamaluddin Yawar stated that "four security forces were killed in the attack and four others were wounded." Afghanistan: 41 Killed, 14 Injured in Kabul Suicide Attack. "At least 30 Taliban were killed and 19 others including their shadow district governor were wounded in the attack. Two security check posts were also fallen to the Taliban," Yawar added. The Taliban have also confirmed the attack. Afghanistan: Four Taliban Commanders Killed in Farah Drone Strikes. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chernigov, October 9: Over 10, 000 people have been evacuated after powerful explosions rocked a local ammunitions depot near the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine. According to RT, the area has been put on lockdown for air and land travel. Airspace within 20 km from the spot has been closed. 220 emergency staffers and 60 technical units have been dispatched to the explosion area. The first reports of blasts at the arsenal in the town of Ichnia came in the night at around 3.30 am (local time), Ukraine's General Staff reported. Currently, the impact of explosions in the nearby territory is unclear. Meanwhile, an emergency response headquarters has been set up. Ukraine's Sentsov Says Ends Hunger Strike to Avoid Being Force-fed. There has been no information on the number of casualties so far, First Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Yarovoy, in charge of the emergency headquarters, said. RT reported that the emergency service crews, national police, and the National Guard have all been alerted about the explosions. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Interior Ministry has called for additional back up. New Delhi, October 9: The health condition of Masood Azhar, who heads the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), is critical. According to a report, Masood Azhar is suffering from a life-threatening disease and has been bed-ridden for over 12 months. In his absence, his brothers, Rauf Asghar and Athar Ibrahim are handling the activities of the JeM. Masood Azhar's spinal cord and kidney have been affected by ailments, Indian intelligence officials told Hindustan Times. The 50-year-old terrorist is being treated at the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi. He is one of the terrorists that India freed in exchange for the safety of passengers during the IC-814 hijack in 1999. Jaish-e-Mohammed Declares India Number One Enemy. Masood Azhar had not been sighted in public either in his hometown Bhawalpur or anywhere else in Pakistan, Indian diplomats said. The Indian government has been trying to list the JeM chief as a global terrorist at the United Nations. However, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's move. Azhar is accused of several deadly terrorist attacks in India, including one on the Uri military base in Kashmir in 2016 in which 17 security personnel were killed. He was also involved in the 2001 attack on Parliament and the 2005 attack in Ayodhya. His JeM has already been in the UN's list of banned terror outfits. Since Azhar is bed-ridden, his brother Rauf Asghar has been working on terror activities against India particularly in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. India and the US are currently discussing moves to brand Asghar a global terrorist by the Trump administration and the UN 1267 committee, the report said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 10:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Ankara, October 9: Turkey's Interior Ministry says police have detained 90 people suspected of links to outlawed Kurdish rebels in simultaneous raids in nine Turkish provinces. The ministry said the operation, launched Tuesday, aimed to prevent future activities of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. Police seized documents and digital data. The ministry said the operation was still going on. It did not provide further information on those who were detained. The raids come a week after a blast on a road in southeast Turkey, blamed on the PKK, killed eight soldiers inside an armoured military vehicle. The PKK has waged a more than three-decade-old insurgency in the country's mostly Kurdish southeast region. The group is considered a terror organisation by Turkey and its Western allies. Turkish Military and Allied Militia Capture Afrin in Syria, Drive Out Kurdish Rebels. Turkey is increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia to prove Jamal Khashoggi is alive. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying 'he has left'," Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest on Monday. Jamal Khashoggi a journalist and Saudi national, has been missing since last week, after he reportedly entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, to file his divorce papers. Erdogan laid it out for the Saudi authorities, saying, "The relevant authorities are obligated to provide proof of this claim, on this matter. If he left, you must prove this, you will prove this, even if it's with visuals. Those who ask Turkish authorities 'where is he?' should first be asking 'how did this happen?'" Erdogan added. Turkish sources told Reuters news agency on Saturday they believed Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate building in what they described as a "premeditated murder". Turkey has formally requested access to the Saudi consulate for a full forensic search of the premises. The Turkish president elaborated on the effort being undertaken to reveal the fate of the Saudi columnist: "Turkish Airlines or (other) airport arrivals and departures are all being investigated. With these departures and arrivals there were certain people who came from Saudi Arabia. "The chief prosecutor's office is working on it, investigating, doing everything. And we have said - especially to all our relevant agencies, our security forces, our intelligence agency, all of them, the foreign ministry - 'work together' and we'll see the reports our prosecution prepares," Erdogan added. Saudi officials have denied Turkeys allegations, saying they are baseless. The consulate insists Khashoggi left its premises, contradicting Turkish officials. Khashoggi has been one of Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans most prominent critics. A member of the Saudi elite, he had remained in exile in the U.S. for much of the past year, from where he wrote columns for the Washington Post critiquing aspects of the Kingdoms reform programme. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 07:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). London, October 9: Cleaners at the United Kingdom Parliament have accused members of parliament (MPs) of trashing their workplace with "vomit and used condoms." The issue is apparently so serious that there are now plans of introducing a 'service agreement to force MPs and their staff to adhere to strict new rules about the appropriate use of their workspace,' reports British newspaper 'The Sunday Times'. "It's the type of behaviour you would expect from students enjoying freshers' week, not MPs and their staff," a source told the publication, "but cleaners are being confronted with vomit and used condoms in offices used by MPs and their staff." British Parliament Agrees to Expand Controversial Heathrow Airport. It added that the cleaning staff was 'disgusted' and fed up with the condition. Another daily, The Guardian, spoke to the worker of a cleaning company, who wasn't surprised at the discovery of the parliamentarians' "unruly behaviour." "I've found vomit everywhere and sh*t in the sinks; that's the kind of thing you can expect to see," the worker told the publication. BMW has already thought of a Z4 coupe Oct 9, 2018, 5:05am ET But the odds of it seeing production are slim. BMW hasn't fully ruled out building a coupe variant of the brand-new Z4. Though the body style isn't in the company's product plan, one of its top executives revealed designers have already sketched out what a hardtop Z4 could look like. "Adrian [van Hooydonk, BMW's lead designer] has shown me a coupe roof outline and roof lines but we already have two coupes in this price segment," said Klaus Frohlich, the company's head of development, in an interview with Australian website Motoring. Turning the last-generation Z4 into a coupe made little sense because the model came with a power-folding hardtop. Its replacement switched back to a conventional soft top, which leaves space in the range for a coupe, but Frohlich doused cold water on the idea. It's not because of the agreement BMW signed with Toyota, either. "On the coupe, it is simply a business case and opposite to our Toyota colleagues we have an M4 and we have an M2, so we have already coupes who drive quite well. It would be substitution, which wouldn't make a lot of sense," he explained. Van Hooydonk's sketches haven't been released to the public so we don't know whether he drew a traditional coupe or a shooting brake-like model. BMW chose the latter body style when it built hardtop variants of the Z3 and the original Z4. Toyota -- which will introduce the Z4-based Supra as a coupe at the 2019 Detroit auto show -- hasn't expressed a desire to offer a convertible. The heritage is there if the company changes its mind; the last two generations of the Supra offered a targa roof. As part of its quest to enroll up to 1,800 new students over seven years, Lehigh University is moving ahead with plans to construct two new buildings. The new health, science and technology building, which will serve as the home for Lehigh's fledgling College of Health, is slated for a Morton Street parking lot behind the Whitaker Lab. The project was granted a zoning variance by the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board in July. Lehigh is proposing a 720-bed residence hall at 68 University Drive in the city, dubbed Bridge West; it would replace Trembley Park, Lehigh spokeswoman Lori Friedman said. The land development plan, which is scheduled to be built in two phases, is scheduled to go before the Bethlehem Planning Commission at 4 p.m. on Thursday. In 2016, Lehigh President John Simon unveiled his Path to Prominence plan, outlining his vision for growing Lehigh's undergraduate and graduate enrollment, attracting more leading researchers to the faculty and adding a new College of Health. Attracting all of these new students means Lehigh has a major demand for student housing that requires lots of new construction. A five-story, student apartment building for more than 420 upperclassmen on Brodhead Avenue called SouthSide Commons is already underway. The new dorms are "part of Lehigh's efforts to foster leadership and connection through a vibrant campus environment," Friedman said. "The development of this new residential facility will allow for continued growth and bring greater vitality to the southwest corner of campus," she said. Once approvals are in hand, Lehigh plans to begin construction of the dorms this winter on the first phase of construction on the south lot, Friedman said. It will result in a 142,000-square-feet building with 405 beds, a cafe, fitness area and a new outdoor gathering space. The second 112,000-square-foot phase of the project will be built on the north lot and includes another 315 beds and a large gathering space for student events and performances. The start date for that phase of the project has not yet been determined, Friedman said. The new health, science and technology building is slated to open in the fall of 2021, Friedman said. The plans stem from a recent review of Lehigh's science and engineering programs completed with the help of Wilson Architects. "The goal of the review was to develop recommendations to improve facilities, strengthen research programs, and project future growth for each department," Friedman said. "The report determined that a new College of Health housed in a state of the art science building would transform the research culture at Lehigh University to foster interdisciplinary collaborations in science, engineering and other research areas." The new hub for the College of Health will feature community and social spaces, learning spaces, state-of-the-art labs, collaborative and open lab space and it will support interdisciplinary research in material science/nanotechnology, Friedman said. Its planned location puts it close to existing microscopy suites at Whitaker and Sinclair labs, she said. Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Bethlehem Township man is accused of repeatedly choking his wife and threatening to kill her during a dispute. Salvatore Tornabene, 65, of the 3700 block of Chipman Road, is charged and remains jailed in the incident. Bethlehem Township police at 4:39 p.m. this past Saturday responded to Tornabene's home for a report of a husband and wife involved in an altercation. The victim reported to police Tornabene twice gripped her neck with his hands on that past Friday evening and later reported a third choking that Saturday, court records say. Tornabene also allegedly threatened to kill the woman. The victim had visible red marks on her neck, police said. Court records did not state what led to the fight, but said the alleged choking began at about 7:30 p.m. Friday and continued a third time at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The victim described the choking by Tornabene as pressing his thumbs into her throat, causing her to feel pressure. He also is accused of slapping the woman's right side of the face. Tornabene is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, making terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment. He was arraigned Saturday before District Judge Vivian Zumas, who set bail at 10 percent of $25,000. In lieu of bail, Tornabene was taken to Northampton County Prison, where he remained Tuesday. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A drunken Wilson Borough man is accused of leading state troopers on a high-speed chase down Route 22 in Bethlehem Township. Eduardo Ramos Jr., 45, of the 100 block of Liberty Street is being charged with the crime. A pair of Pennsylvania State Police troopers with the Bethlehem barracks at 12:44 a.m. Monday were traveling east on Route 22 in Bethlehem Township when they spotted Ramos driving a black BMW and allegedly crossing over the center line multiple times. A trooper paced Ramos traveling at 66 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone before speeding up to 70 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone, police said. Ramos then allegedly made a lane change without signaling. Troopers enacted emergency lights and sirens, but Ramos didn't stop and continued traveling down Route 22 east at Route 33. Police said Ramos continued at a high rate of speed -- reaching 100 to 110 miles per hour -- down the center lane for an extended period of time of Route 22 east, reaching the 25th Street exit. Ramos continued to elude police, not signaling as he exited Route 22 east at the 13th Street exit and failing to stop at signs and red traffic signals, police said. He continued onto Wood Avenue near 12th Street until a PIT maneuver was performed on the BMW. Ramos eventually exited the vehicle and began running away until he was tackled by a trooper to the ground on 12th Street and arrested, police said. Ramos had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and began nodding off when speaking to troopers, according to police. Ramos was taken to the Easton DUI Center, where he allegedly refused blood testing. Ramos is charged with eluding police, drunken driving, reckless endangerment and various traffic offenses. He was arraigned Monday before District Judge Vivian Zumas, who set bail at 10 percent of $5,000. In lieu of bail, Ramos was sent to Northampton County Prison, where he remained Tuesday. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will oversee the budgetary allocation of 2.79 billion justice sector in 2019 - up 8% on 2018 budget allocation Minister Flanagan has also welcomed a 2.57 billion allocation for in day-to-day spending next year increase of 139 million, according to a statement from his Department. The gross expenditure budgets for the six sections of the Justice group is split as follows: An Garda Siochana (1.760 billion), Prisons (359 million), Courts Service (138 million), Department of Justice and Equality (525 million), Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (6.8 million) and Policing Authority (3.4 million). Spending includes 10 million additional funding for Justice and Policing Transformation Programmes as well as finding for ongoing recruitment of Gardai and Garda civilian staff to continue in 2019. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, and the Minister of State welcomed the increased resources for 2019. The increased funding for the Justice sector in Budget 2019 reflects its importance in the day to day lives of Irish people and the Governments commitment to justice and equality. This is a diverse sector with many challenges and the funding provided for 2019 will provide the tools to address many of those challenges in a responsible and sustainable way. I am particularly pleased that a specific additional budgetary allocation has been made available for the Justice and Policing Transformation Programmes. This funding will enable the commencement of the implementation of the report on the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and the completion of the restructuring programme in the Department of Justice and Equality. The Garda budget has increased by 110 million from 1.65 billion to 1.76 billion. Budget 2019 provides for the recruitment of up to 800 new Gardai and for further civilianisation to fill skills gaps and enable the further redeployment of Gardai to frontline duties. An additional 3.5 million for training and 1.5 million related to the deployment of Garda Mobile Technology - handheld devices to process information in real-time. An extra 72 million has been provided for Garda payroll costs bringing the total to 1.05 billion. Up to 95 million available for the overtime budget of An Garda Siochana Minister Flanagan stated: Since the re-opening of Templemore College in September 2014, we have been rebuilding the Garda organisation and I am pleased that the strength of An Garda Siochana will reach over 14,000 members by the end of 2018 for the first time in many years. I welcome the provision of funding to facilitate the continuing recruitment of up to 800 more Gardai in 2019 along with necessary civilian Garda staff. The work of the Commission of the Future of Policing in Ireland sets out a blueprint for the transformation of policing in Ireland. This report, on one of the key functions of the State, was delivered after lengthy and detailed consideration and consultation by a team of experts. I am currently analysing the far reaching recommendations and consulting with stakeholders with a view to bringing an implementation plan to Government later this year. Budget 2019 provides funding to facilitate the commencement of that implementation process. I fully appreciate that, as part of the reform programme, the Commissioner will need to consider all aspects of the funding requirement in the Garda Vote and how all resources at his disposal can be best deployed including in relation to the composition of the Service. Minister Flanagan pointed out that Budget 2019 provides for the continuation of unprecedented levels of capital investment in An Garda Siochana. He said: I am pleased that under the National Development Plan and the overall vision in Project Ireland 2040, the Garda capital allocation has increased from 61 million to 92 million in 2019, a 50% increase. This will facilitate investment of around 65 million in ICT which is now an important element of the fight against crime this substantial investment will provide new and leading edge technology to support our front line Gardai in their daily work. In addition, the Budget provides for a further 10 million investment in the Transport Fleet and 17 million in the Garda Building Programme. This capital investment is a key enabler in the reform programme and will be one of the main pillars on which the future of policing will be built. MORE DETAILS BELOW Justice and Equality Vote An additional budget of 80 million has been made available in 2019 including 34.5 million in capital for the new Forensic Science Laboratory, increasing the budget for the Ministers Vote to 524 million. While a large proportion of the additional funding is in response to demand-led budgetary pressures in areas such as Criminal Legal Aid (up 12 million to 61.3 million), Reception and Integration Agency accommodation costs (up 4 million to 70.6 million) and increased workloads and processing volumes in the Immigration area (up 2.6 million to 71.4 million), it has also been possible to allocate additional funding to a number of key front-line regulatory and other areas in the vote. Forensic Science Ireland A total budget of 55.8 million is being provided to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) in 2019 of which 43.6 million is capital. Criminal Assets Bureau A further 0.7 million has been provided for the Criminal Assets Bureau to fund additional staffing resources assigned to the Bureau. This brings the total budget for CAB to 8.6 million for 2019. Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission Further funding of over 1.6 million has been made available to GSOC including a re-profiling of existing budget (1.0 million) as requested by GSOC and the provision of new additional funding (0.6 million) bringing the total budget to 10.7 million. This will enable additional staff to be recruited in respect of its investigative and administrative functions and to further expand the Unit established to deal with Protected Disclosures. Additional funding of over 3.5 million provided for Equality measures The additional funding is across a range of areas including Gender Equality 1.9 million (total budget 5.1 million), Traveller and Roma Initiatives 0.5 million (total budget 3.9 million), Migration and Integration fund 1.0 million (total budget 2.5 million), and LGBTI Equality measures 0.2 million. An additional 1 million in funding is going to the Magdalene Restorative Justice Fund, stating that any additional requirements in this area will be monitored closely throughout 2019. Data Protection Commission An additional 3.6 million is being provided for the Data Protection Commission bringing the total budget to 15.3 million. This additional budgetary allocation builds further on the funding increases in recent years and reflects the fundamental transformation of the data protection landscape. The functions and responsibilities of the Data Protection Commission have been radically redrawn and expanded. The increased resources also reflect the importance of a strong regulatory data protection framework to underpin the continuing expansion and growth of Irelands digital economy. Probation and Irish Youth Justice Services Additional funding of over 1.5 million has been made available to the Probation and Irish Youth Justice Services in 2019. The total budget for these areas in 2019 is just under 61 million. The additional funding provided to the Probation Service includes 0.5 million for the implementation of a Housing First Project being undertaken in conjunction with the Irish Prison Service for the provision of accommodation and support for up to 75 hard to house prisoners. The additional funding for the Irish Youth Justice Service of 0.5 million will enable additional initiatives to be undertaken to divert young people at risk away from crime and anti-social behaviour. Other agencies and bodies in the Justice Vote In anticipation of the enactment of the relevant legislation during 2019, start-up funding of 0.25 million has been provided for both the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Judicial Council. Additional funding has also been provided in respect of the Parole Board, the National Disability Authority and the Legal Aid Board. The expanding remit of the Private Security Authority is reflected in additional funding of 0.3 million (total budget 3.3 million). An additional 2.6 million has been provided to INIS bringing the overall budget to 71.4 million in 2019. This funding will mainly supplement the existing ICT budget to provide strategic investments in key systems which will ultimately lead to process efficiencies through the reform programme in the Immigration area. Prisons Vote Additional funding of just under 18 million is being provided to the Prisons Vote in 2019 including 8 million in capital funding bringing the total vote to 359 million. From a total capital funding budget of 32.3 million, it is expected that significant progress will be made on the redevelopment of Limerick Prison with in cell sanitation and a dedicated standalone new female prison for the Munster region. The additional current expenditure of almost 10 million includes 7 million in respect of additional payroll costs and to recruit both prison and administrative staff to enhance delivery of services and the implementation of updated business processes throughout the prison service. The remaining additional funding is to meet non-payroll costs in areas such as a maintenance programme for the Prison estate. Courts Service Vote An additional 6.8 million is being made available to the Courts Service in 2019 bringing the total gross allocation to 138.4 million. Courts Service will be able to utilise at least 2 million of the additional funding for recruitment of staff including those with the skills to enable the Courts Service to successfully implement a number of key ICT and reform projects in 2019. These include projects such as e-licencing, e-probate and expanded use of courtroom technology. The successful implementation of these and other similar projects has the capacity to reduce or more effectively deploy staffing resources currently engaged in heavily paper based processes ensuring a more efficient service for all stakeholders. Met Eireann has issued a nationwide Status Yellow weather alert covering three days as a storm bears down on the country. The Status Yellow advisory is valid for all counties across Ireland from 11:00pm on Thursday night until 9:00pm on Saturday night. The weather alert is for "a spell of wet and very windy, possibly stormy" weather expected on Thursday night, Friday and all day Saturday. Met Eireann has warned that a "deep depression" will track northwards to the west of Ireland and there is a risk of coastal flooding due to high tides and rainfall. "Later Friday and continuing into Saturday there is the potential for some high totals of rainfall and flooding due to another area of low pressure and series of weather fronts, with the East and South particularly at risk." The UK Met Office which is the Met Eireann weather partner has issued a yellow warning for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland on Friday and Saturday with a focus on flood risk and high rainfall. The Met Office states that people should expect "a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris". The UK forecaster has said: "There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs. Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges may close. There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties." Saturday brings the potential for flooding according to the UK weather office. "There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings. There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses. Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services. Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads." There is a chance of 50-80 mm of rain in 12 hours, and over 120 mm in a few spots of the UK by the end of the event. The rain is expected to be accompanied by strong winds, which may increase autumnal leaf fall and potential for blocked drains/culverts, heightening the potential for flooding. This warning comes ahead of an expected Storm Callum which Met Eireann forecaster, Joanna Donnelly, referred to as a 'ferocious beast'. The storm has not officially been named yet but this is expected in the coming days. A Weather Advisory has been issued for Thursday night, Friday & Saturday.https://t.co/b24grJkqcb Note: This is an Advisory, not a Warning. Warnings will be issued in due course as is necessary. pic.twitter.com/05o1KLh4a7 Met Eireann (@MetEireann) October 9, 2018 Saturday is also going to be a wet day for many, especially across parts of Scotland, northwest England and Wales where the #rain may lead to some impacts #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/F3EVoeyXep Met Office (@metoffice) October 9, 2018 WATCH 'Ferocious looking beast' stark storm warning from Met Eireann weather forecaster. The storm due to hit Ireland this week could turn into a weather bomb, Cathal Nolan from the Midland Weather Channel has warned. The weather forecaster explained the situation following his latest observations. "The overnight model updates continue to show Storm Callum maintaining its projected track and intensity, and developing into one of the most powerful low-pressure systems in quite some time. Midlands weather forecaster predicting storm could be 'Atlantic bomb'. A design student from Laois has created a bespoke augmented reality (AR) trophy that was presented at an international start-up programme in Berlin last week. The design by Diarmuid Farrell from Killeshin was presented to the winner of Free Electrons 2018, an international accelerator programme for start-ups in the clean-technology energy space. Earlier this year, ESB challenged Irish design students to create an innovative trophy for the competition final. Diarmuid a third year student at the National College of Art and Design created the trophy from one piece of folded sheet metal. Diarmuid explained the concept of his design. The trophy is based on the idea of the big energy companies and small start-ups working together and using innovative new technologies to create clean energy. I feel the augmented reality aspect of the trophy reflects that innovation. I feel very privileged to be part of such an inspiring project. It's really amazing to see all of the work that the start-ups are doing in the area of sustainability, he said. The AR aspect works by using image targets which a phone can read and can project the digital elements in real time. Irish start-up GridWatch Mac was selected as one of the final 15 global companies to participate in the programme. The Limerick-based electronics and software company provides smart data monitoring for energy utilities. During the six month programme, GridWatch worked with the global utilities, including ESB, to refine and test their product with the potential to reach 73 million customers. The winner of the programme - SOLshare from Bangladesh - also received $200,000 in prize money. Jerry OSullivan, Deputy Chief Executive at ESB, congratulated Diarmuid and GridWatch. Innovation is at the very heart of what we do at ESB and we strive to explore and invest in creative ideas and people that will, in turn, benefit our customers. As a founding partner of the Free Electrons programme, we are excited and proud that Diarmuids inspiring design took centre stage at the event and his obvious talent was showcased. We congratulate GridWatch on being selected as a finalist, a marvellous achievement considering that more than 500 start-ups applied to participate in this programme. Ewa Ziemska the mother of the late Agnieszka has paid tribute to her daughter whose funeral will take place on Thursday morning at 10am at Clane Parish Church. . Agnieszka was reported missing on the evening of Wednesday, October 3, and her body was found in the Liffey near Moat Commons, Clane two days later on Friday evening. When Agnieszka was born, I told the doctor that it was the most beautiful day of my life, Ewa Ziemska says. And later there were only more beautiful days until now, she said, noting that she would have to keep in mind what she taught me. She said that Agnieszka who went to school in Scoil Mhuire, Clane, was different from her peers. Everyone who knew her could not dislike her because her forgiveness and goodness were her virtues, although Ewa says Agnieszka could stubbornly go against the wind as if in spite of it. We are very proud of her because despite various adversities she was able to set goals and stubbornly strive for them. Her ambition and persistence were and will be a role model for me. She always decided for herself and did not allow anyone to interfere in her decisions, she explained. Read also: Body of missing Kildare woman Agnieska Ziemska found in Clane She will always remain in our hearts and memories. Agnieszka is an Angel who even now has the ability to open hearts, unite people and show how much love and goodness is in us. The principal of Scoil Mhuire, which she previously attended, Padraig Nolan, told the Leinster Leader that the school was deeply saddened to hear of the death of their past pupil. She was a lovely quiet girl. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time, he said. Locals who spoke to the Leader said the same thing. The deceased was a quiet girl who kept to herself. Fr Paul OBoyle described Agnieszkas family, who are parishioners, as very fine people and said that they were being supported by a strong local community, both locals and Polish people. Read also: Funeral details for Clane woman Agnieszka Ziemska Emma Mhic Mhathuna, who fought a long campaign following her initial misdiagnosis with cervical cancer, died at University Hospital Kerry in Tralee, at the weekend, aged 37. She had strong links with Kildare. Emma, nee Duffy, who lived in Oaklawn area in Leixlip for many years, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016, having previously received two incorrect smear results. After a case taken against the Health Service Executive and a US laboratory she was awarded 7.5 million in a settlement. She said she had taken the legal action for her five children, age from two to 16 years. She spent much of her young life in Leixlip and went to primary school at Scoil Ui Dhalaigh in Leixlip. She was a student at Colaiste Chiarain from 1993 to 1998. She has publicly said that some her happiest memories were family picnics at the Waterfall at Louisa Bridge and summer camps at the Leixlip Amenities Centre. Ms Mhic Mhathuna will be laid to rest at Laraghbryan Cemetery, Maynooth, on Wednesday, following a service at Dublins Pro Cathedral. SEE ALSO: Funeral details for Clane woman Agnieszka Ziemska SIPTU representatives have said that Budget 2019 has failed to address the deep staffing crisis in Early Years education. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Darragh OConnor, said: The Government claims it wants a high quality, affordable and professional Early Years Sector but fails to deliver on this aspiration. While some measures announced today slightly reduce the cost of childcare for some parents it is merely a token gesture. Our members believe that Budget 2019 is ultimately a missed opportunity to deliver for educators and providers. The childcare sector is in the middle of a staffing crisis. This budget fails to recognise and reward workers in the sector and will do nothing to alleviate this crisis. Low levels of government investment mean that qualified Early Years educators earn just 10.88 per hour. Many workers are also on precarious 15 hour a week, 38 week a year contracts. This is unsustainable. He added: Unsurprisingly, this has resulted in a staff turnover rate of 28% per year as educators struggle to make ends meet. The crisis has undermined the drive to improve quality in the sector. Ireland spends just 0.2% of its GDP on Early Years education. This compares to an EU average of 0.7% and 1% in Sweden. This low level of funding is compounded by a competitive market model approach which is unfit to deliver such a vital public service. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A CHRONIC alcoholic who tried to steal a womans car after pretending he had been knocked down by her in Limerick has been warned he will go to jail if does not stay out of trouble. Gordon Ryan, aged 58, who has an address at McGarry House, Alphonsus Street, was prosecuted under the Road Traffic Act relating to an incident which happened at Church Street, Johnsgate, on March 5, last. Limerick District Court was told the incident, which was ridiculous and implausible, was captured on CCTV. During an earlier hearing, Sergeant Donal Cronin said Ryan, who has a large number of previous convictions, can be seen on the footage slowly lieing on the ground directly behind the car as the female driver reversed into a parking space. After the woman, who believed she had been involved in an accident, left the scene to get assistance, the defendant then popped up and got into the drivers seat of the car. He took possession of the vehicle for a short time, revved the engine and drove forward a short distance before being forcibly removed from the car by a butcher who had been alerted to the incident. Solicitor Sarah Ryan said the defendant was playing the eejit and that he more than met his match on the day. While the video footage was not shown in court, Judge OLeary described what happened as a nasty offence. The judge was told the injured party had declined the opportunity to prepare a victim impact statement and that Ryan has not come to the attention of gardai since. Judge OLeary said the defendants actions had been reckless and that what happened was very distressing and upsetting for the woman. She imposed a two month prison sentence which she suspended for two years on condition Ryan does not commit any further crimes and stays out of trouble. A CRIMINAL who was jailed for threatening to kill a detective garda has appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of drugs and a mobile phone at Limerick Prison, writes David Hurley. Darren OHalloran, aged 33, who has an address Aurea Cottage, Dublin Road, Limerick was brought before Limerick District Court after he was charged in relation to the seizure of contraband on January 7, 2017. The defendant, who is currently serving a lengthy sentence for a number of offences, is accused of possession of around 100 Alprazolam (Xanax) tablets for the purpose of sale or supply. The tablets which were seized had a street value of around 210. OHalloran is also charged with the unlawful possession of a G Star mobile phone at Limerick Prison on the same date. During a procedural hearing, Sergeant John Moloney said a file had been prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions who has consented to the matter being heard before the district court. Solicitor Tom Kiely told Judge Marian OLeary the defendant is currently serving a sentence and he requested the disclosure of the potential evidence in the case. Judge OLeary granted the order and adjourned the matter to early January. VISITING Limerick feels like coming home for presidential election candidate Joan Freeman. Ms Freeman, who founded the suicide prevention charity Pieta House's first support centre outside Dublin in Mungret, feels the city likes me. But then I love Limerick too, she added. Ms Freeman who is seeking election to Aras an Uachtarain later this month checked in with Limerick Suicide Watch and the Southill Family Resource centre last Thursday as well as walking around the city. She admitted she was very moved by both experiences during her visit to Limerick. I heard things today that I had never heard before. I heard the expression fuel poverty. I never knew there was such an expression. And I thought I had my ear to the ground. I thought I knew communities, Ms Freeman told the Limerick Leader. She described Southill as an "amazing community but criticised the discrimination against people in these areas when it comes to finding work. I spoke to one lady, and she told he her son could not even get an unpaid internship because of his address, the charity founder said. With just weeks now to go until the country goes to the polls, Ms Freeman said she is amazed at what she has seen across the country. In Dublin, the government and the rest of us are living in a bubble. We have no idea of the troubles and the challenges facing the different counties across our country. We were over the moon to have @SenJoanFreeman visit us today at our base, we were humbled by her kind words and caring nature for those who affected by mental health. #Aras18 #limerick #suicideprevention @rtenews @RTENationwide @ilovelimerick https://t.co/Ti9qxUH5FK LimerickSuicideWatch (@Limericksuicid2) October 4, 2018 The election takes place on Friday, October 26, and Ms Freeman will face incumbent President Michael D Higgins, alongside Sinn Feins Liadh Ni Riada, and Dragons Den stars Gavin Duffy, Sean Gallagher and Peter Casey. The latter nominated by Limerick City and County Council offered Ms Freeman a five-year loan at seven per cent, after she spoke of difficulties funding her own campaign. Ms Freeman declined to make any comment on the offer. Homelessness campaigner Fr Peter McVerry said he is surprised the Pieta House founder had never heard of fuel poverty. He said: I would have imagined most people would have heard of it. It is a well-known term. Organisations like Alone working with the elderly constantly refer to it, St Vincent de Paul would constantly refer to it. FURTHER cuts to the unpopular Universal Social Charge (USC) and increases to various benefits, and another hike in tobacco are all features of Budget 2019. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe this Tuesday delivered the third budget of the 32nd Dail, with spending over 66bn. Locally, there are boosts for Limerick Prison, the Shannon Foynes Port Company, and Troy Studios. Policing: @GardaTraffic budget up 60m leading to recruitment of up to 800 new gardai. Extra 60m of current expenditure to wider justice system to address issues with prisons, and demands faced from Office of Data Protection Commissioner. #Budget2019 Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) October 9, 2018 Senator @kodonnellLK has pointed out that @troy_studios set to benefit from budget with Film Corporation tax credit extended from 2020 to December 2024 - with time limited regional uplift of 5% over four years #Budget2019 @Limerick_Leader October 9, 2018 Mr Donohoe confirmed a 60m increase in funding at the Department of Justice will be used in the ongoing redevelopment at Limerick Prison. Shannon Foynes Port will receive a share in finance of 587m to improve connectivity, along with ports at Dublin and Cork. Shannon Foynes Port to receive share in finance of 587m to improve Irish connectivity - along with Dublin and Cork #Budget2019 Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) October 9, 2018 And it was confirmed in today's budget that the film corporation tax credit will be extended beyond the current end date of 2020 until December 2024, a move welcomed by Senator Kieran ODonnell. There will be a 50c rise in the excise on a packet of cigarettes, which mean the price of 20 will now stand at 12.70. This will come into effect at midnight tonight. Meanwhile, the government is increasing the entry point to the higher rate of income tax for all earners by 750, raising it from 34,550 to 35,300 in the case of a single worker. Mr Donohoe said the third rate of the USC will be reduced from from 4.75% to 4.5% to give a further targeted to low and middle level incomes. In what is likely to be a controversial move among tourism businesses, the 9% rate of VAT put in place to support enterprises in this sector has been replaced with a rate of 13.5%. The rate has done its job. In a new economic reality, growth is balanced, it's appropriate to increase rate to 13.5% from January 2019, he confirmed to Dail Eireann. For the second year in a row, all social welfare payments will rise 5 a week, with the changes coming in March. For the first time in almost a decade, Social Welfare recipients will also be able to look forward to the full restoration of the Christmas bonus, it was confirmed. There will be no increases in the duty on alcohol and petrol, but there will be a 1% surcharge levied to diesel vehicles across all VRT bands. Ireland will no longer buy diesel buses for urban public service fleet after July next year. Some 1.25bn is to be allocated to housing, in a move which could see up to 10,000 new social homes built. A total of 60m extra is being made available in capital funding to fund additional emergency accommodation, with 30m earmarked for homeless services next year. Mortgage interest relief for landlords will rise to 100% from January 1. In the health budget, over 1bn is being made available, bringing total spend to over 17bn, the minister said. There will be a 25 increase in the weekly income threshold for GP visit cards, with a 50c reduction in prescription charges from 2.00 to 1.50 for all medical card holders over the age of 70. The monthly drugs payment scheme threshold is down to 124 from 134, while 84m has been put in place for mental health services. There is good news for parents, with a new paid parental leave scheme introduced next November 2019 to provide two extra weeks leave to every parent of a child in their first year. Over time, its hoped the government can increase this to seven weeks. Some 950 special educational needs assistants will be recruited, Mr Donohoe said, with almost 1,300 extra posts in schools next year. The Corporation Tax rate of 12.5% remains unchanged. And in a boost for the newspaper industry, the 9% VAT rate for newspaper publications will be retained. The garda budget is up by 60m, allowing for the recruitment of 800 new front-line staff, with a further 60m to be used for various Justice schemes. Mr Donohoe described Budget 2019 as progressive and caring. It provides record levels of funding to continue to improve our public services. It helps those on middle incomes. It improves living standards for those less well off. It balances our books. It provides significant investment to build resilience. It aims to make us Brexit ready. It's responsible, sensible, consistent and in keeping with sustainability in public finance, he told the Dail. Limerick-specific measures in Budget 2019 will become clearer in the coming hours and days as each department publishes its estimates. - Stay with Limerick Leader online for more updates FIANNA Fail TDs Willie ODea and Niall Collins believe some of the social increases in Budget 2018 show the influence of their party on the multi-million euro book. Among the measures announced by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe this Tuesday afternoon are a 5 rise to all social welfare payments across the board, and for the first time in a decade the full restoration of the Christmas bonus. Some 10,000 social houses state-wide have also been earmarked. Under the confidence-and-supply deal, Fianna Fails abstention is crucial for the Finance Bill to pass. But in return, the party has had a say in the drawing up of the budget for next year. Limerick TD Mr Collins said: The key test in this budget will be the delivery. Housing is a huge issue. Weve seen over the last 12 to 18 months a government which is very heavy on spin, and the production of plans and reports, but very light on delivery. He said he party insisted on an increase in the capital allocation for social housing, and a significant package for affordable housing, something government appears to have addressed through a 100m Affordable Housing Fund, which could see properties on the market by 40% below regular rates. You can say what you like about Fianna Fail, but in government, we knew how to build houses. We never presided over the housing and homelessness crisis this government has done, he said. Fianna Fails social protection spokesperson Mr ODea said it was at his suggestion 5 was added to the annual social welfare packet. You can see Fianna Fails finger prints in the increase to social welfare, the increase in capital to schools, he added. But Labours housing spokesperson Jan OSullivan says the housing proposals show no imagination, and will do nothing to ease the housing crisis when it comes to rent. Fianna Fails so-called affordable housing scheme is a direct subsidy to developers. Its a classic from the Fianna Fail playbook providing a top-up for big builders, but doing little to deliver a real affordable scheme, the Limerick City TD argued. Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan described Mr Donohoes estimates as a blueshirt budget for the wealthy and the landlord class. Its a budget of glitz and spin with little of substance behind it. The two big crises of our age - housing and healthcare will continue to get worse as there is no change in direction of any of the measures outlined. There is nothing in this budget for renters, but lots of goodies for landlords 100% mortgage tax relief which will leave housebuyers competing with landlords for new houses and a further driving up of the prices, he said in a statement. But government Senator Kieran ODonnell said: The budget is looking to improve the standards of living for people across a range of areas in terms of the widening of tax bands, the reduction in the USC rate, and the increase in the minimum wage and the home carers credit. He said one measure, yet announced, will allow the self-employed to avail of job seekers benefit. Senator Maria Byrne added: In delivering a caring and responsible budget for a modern Ireland, we have also increased funding for childcare. Some 574 million will be invested in the childcare and early learning sector, a boost of 90 million. Now more families in Limerick are set to benefit from the Affordable Childcare scheme as we will increase the income thresholds next year. A WOMAN who committed multiple theft and begging offences to feed her husbands addictions has been sentenced to four months imprisonment. Laura Brennan, aged 41, of no fixed abode, has admitted several charges relating to the offences which occurred on various dates over the past three years. In addition to shoplifting, a number of the offences related to the theft of wallets and purses from bags which had been left unattended. In one case, 200 was stolen from a backpack which was left on the floor at Centra on OConnell Street. Inspector Dermot OConnor said Ms Brennan, who has 17 previous convictions, was observed on CCTV discarding the stolen wallet in a bin a short time later. On another date, she stole a wallet containing 150 from a customer who was in the queue at the checkout at the Roxboro branch of Tesco. Another purse containing several hundred euro, was stolen from a member of staff at the Pery Hotel in the city centre. Solicitor Tom Kiely said his client is the black sheep of her family and that her former marriage had caused her a lot of difficulty as she was sent out to get money to feed her husbands addiction. He said Ms Brennan was a drug user in the past but detoxed in hospital after she was seriously injured in a road crash. Imposing sentence, Judge Brian OShea said most of the offences before the court were at the lower end of the scale. He said the relentless nature of her offending was an aggravating factor but that there were a number of factors he had to consider as mitigation. He accepted there was a degree of success but noted she had failed to appear in court on several occasions previously. Judge OShea imposed a number of consecutive prison sentences totalling six months. The last two months were suspended for six months. The severity of the sentence has been appealed. Oct 29, 2021, 08:00 AM Also this week, a summary of market activity for U.S. graded stamps in the third quarter of 2021, and an examination of U.S. insured mail treated as registered mail from 1915 to 1935. A newly discovered long and craggy rift is splintering across West Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier, satellite images show. The nearly 19-mile-long (30 kilometers) rift started in the middle of the ice shelf, where the ice shelf touches warmer ocean waters that are melting it from underneath, said Stef Lhermitte, an assistant professor in the Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The rift only has about another 6 miles (10 km) to go before one or more icebergs calf, breaking off from the glacier, Lhermitte said. Another such event happened a mere year ago in 2017, when an iceberg 4.5 times the size of Manhattan broke off Pine Island Glacier. [Photo Gallery: Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier Cracks] The area of the upcoming Pine Island Glacier is about 115 square miles (300 square kilometers). (Image credit: Landsat OLI imagery processed by Stef Lhermitte/Delft University of Technology) Lhermitte found the new crack by analyzing satellite images of the glacier, which he receives every day in his email inbox. "It was Wednesday evening [Oct. 3] and all of a sudden I saw something I didn't see the day before," he told Live Science. If the iceberg breaks off in one piece, it will be a whopping 115 square miles (300 square kilometers), which is even larger than the one that broke off last year. (The 2017 iceberg was 103 square miles, or 267 square km.) See more If the resulting iceberg is large enough, it will receive a name, Lhermitte noted. But, regardless of whether the crack leads to one or many icebergs, this will be the sixth large-calving event that Pine Island Glacier has experienced since 2001, he said. Granted, it's natural for a glacier to calf icebergs. But what's concerning about Pine Island Glacier is that it's calving icebergs more frequently than it used to, Lhermitte said. Pine Island Glacier birthed icebergs in January 2001, November 2007, December 2011, August 2015 and September 2017. The red line shows where the 2017 Pine Island Glacier iceberg broke off. The blue line shows the newfound rift. (Image credit: Landsat OLI imagery processed by Stef Lhermitte/Delft University of Technology) The upcoming iceberg isn't loose yet, "but the fact that the rift is almost across the entire glacier, it might happen relatively soon," Lhermitte said. It's challenging, however, to say what "soon" means. According to Lhermitte, the calving event will likely happen in a matter of weeks or months, "but it probably won't take years," he said. "I expect this to happen from now to sometime this Antarctic summer." Once the breakage happens, the iceberg will likely stay frozen if it hangs out with the sea ice in the Antarctic. But if ocean currents carry it farther north, the iceberg will melt in the warmer waters, Lhermitte said. Pine Island Glacier is one of the fastest flowing glaciers in Antarctica. Every year, it loses 45 billion tons (40.8 billion metric tons) of ice, which in turn causes sea levels to rise 0.03 inches (1 millimeter) every eight years, The Washington Post reported last year. Sea levels would rise 1.7 feet (0.5 m) if the entire glacier melted. This video, which runs from 2002 to 2016, depicts just how much ice Pine Island Glacier is losing. (In the video, the colors yellow, orange, red and black represent ice loss, while blue indicates ice gain.) Ice shelves are important because like dirt clogging a sink that slows the drain of water they impede the glacier from flowing full force out into the ocean, Lhermitte said. Once the upcoming calving event happens, Pine Island Glacier will have retreated nearly 4 miles (6 km), Lhermitte wrote on Twitter. As for why Pine Island Glacier is losing more of its ice shelf (the icy portion that doesn't touch the bedrock, but extends over the ocean), it's hard to say. The warm water that is melting the ice shelf from underneath was pushed up from the deep ocean, Lhermitte said. "The reason why we get this upwelling of warm water is certainly climate related, but it's very difficult to say if this is climate change related," he said. "Antarctica is a very sensitive continent for climate change. But for this individual iceberg, this is impossible to infer." Originally published on Live Science. Palaeopascichnus linearis, which resembles a chain of fossilized poop, is the earliest macroscopic creature found with an exoskeleton. Figures B and C show magnified images of the exoskeletons of sediment the creatures cemented to themselves with their own excretions. Mysterious fossils found all over the world belong to creatures that built their own skeletons more than 550 million years ago. Palaeopascichnus linearis is among the world's oldest skeletal creatures, according to new research published in the October issue of the journal Precambrian Research. These tiny globular, ocean bottom-dwellers may have been amoeba-like creatures that accrued bits of sand and sediment around themselves to create their own exoskeleton. All earlier organisms with similar exoskeletons were much, much smaller, said study leader Anton Kolesnikov, a paleontologist at the Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics at the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the University of Lille in France. [In Images: The Oldest Fossils on Earth] "It is the oldest known macroscopic skeletal organism," Kolesnikov said of P. linearis. Mystery fossils Palaeopascichnus fossils are found the world over in rocks from the Ediacaran period, which spanned from 635 million to 541 million years ago. No one had been able to agree on exactly what the fossils were, though, Kolesnikov wrote in an email to Live Science. Some thought they were trace fossils left behind by some organism shuffling along the seafloor. Others suspected they were coprolites fossilized poop. Still others argued they were organisms in and of themselves. Figuring out the answer was difficult because many areas where Ediacaran fossils are found around the world are protected, Kolesnikov said. But in the Olenek Uplift of northeastern Siberia, past the Arctic Circle, Kolesnikov and his colleagues discovered sites where they collected more than 300 new specimens of the fossils. They also discovered more fossils from the area in collections dating back to the 1980s. "Huge amounts of fossils from Siberia allowed us to experiment with thin sampling, sectioning, cutting, studying in [electron] microscopes" and more, Kolesnikov said. DIY skeletons This analysis revealed that the fossils were made up of chains of between two and 40 spherical or oval modules, each between 0.04 inches and 0.2 inches (1 and 5 millimeters) in diameter. Each module was bordered by a fine rim of sediment. More than anything, the researchers reported, the fossils looked like today's xenophyophores, which are giant foraminifera. These bizarre creatures are amoebas that protect themselves with "agglutinated tests," or exoskeletons of sediment they cement to themselves with their own excretions. Scientists reporting in a March 2018 paper in the Zoological Journal detailed the discovery of a new species of these xenophyophores, Aschemonella monile, which look remarkably similar to the fossil versions from Siberia. The oldest microorganisms with agglutinized skeletons date back to about 742 million years ago, the researchers wrote in their new study. But P. linearis, which dates back to around 613 million to 544 million years ago, may be the oldest non-microscopic organism to boast a skeleton. Previously, Kolesnikov said, macroscopic organisms (those visible to the naked eye) weren't thought to evolve skeletons until the Paleozoic. The new findings suggest this happened slightly before that, in the late Proterozoic. Original article on Live Science. Danit Levy, director of the excavations on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, inspects the inscribed column in the field. Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest known instance of the word "Jerusalem" spelled out in full, on an ancient stone carving that was once part of an ancient pottery workshop, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, announced today (Oct. 9). On earlier inscriptions, Jerusalem was spelled "Yerushalem" or "Shalem," rather than "Yerushalayim" (pronounced Yeh-roo-sha-La-yeem), as it is spelled in Hebrew today. The carving which was written in Aramaic and says "Hananiah son of Dodalos from Jerusalem" dates to the first century A.D., making it about 2,000 years old, according to the IAA. [The Holy Land: 7 Amazing Archaeological Finds] Archaeologists found the inscription during an archaeological survey preceding the construction of a new road near Jerusalem's International Convention Center, known as Binyanei Ha'Uma, this past winter. During the excavation, the archaeologists came across the foundations and stone columns of an ancient Roman structure. One of the column drums (a cylindrical stone block that made up part of the column) had been repurposed from an earlier building, which likely dated to the time of Herod the Great's reign (37 to 4 B.C.), the archaeologists said. It was this column drum that had the inscription. The newfound column has an exhibit at the Israel Museum. (Image credit: Laura Lachman/Courtesy of the Israel Museum) It's "unique" to see "the complete spelling of the name as we know it today, which usually appears in the shorthand version," Yuval Baruch, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Ronny Reich, a professor of archaeology at Haifa University in Israel, said in a statement. "This spelling is only known in one other instance, on a coin of the Great Revolt against the Romans (66 to 70 A.D.)." Even in the Bible, in which "Jerusalem" appears 660 times, there are only five instances that spell out the full name, Baruch and Reich said. Moreover, these five instances, found in Jeremiah 26:18; Esther 2:6; 2 Chronicles 25:1; 2 Chronicles 32: 9; and 2 Chronicles 25: 1, were written at a relatively late date, they noted. Even though the newfound inscription refers to two people Hananiah and Dodalos it's unclear who those people were. "But it is likely that [Hananiah] was an artist-potter, the son of an artist-potter, who adopted a name from the Greek mythological realm, following Daedalus, the infamous artist," Dudy Mevorach, chief curator of archaeology at the Israel Museum, said in the statement. Potter's paradise In fact, the area where archaeologists uncovered the inscription appears to be a potter's quarter, the archaeologists said. The area contains vessels spanning a period of more than 300 years, from the Hasmonean period (140 to 116 B.C.) through to the late Roman era. "This is the largest ancient pottery production site in the region of Jerusalem," Danit Levy, director of the excavations on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in the statement. The site included kilns, pools for preparing clay, plastered water cisterns, ritual baths and work spaces for drying and storing the vessels. During Herod's reign, the potters focused on creating cooking vessels, the archaeologists found. [Photos: Biblical-Era Fortress Discovered in Israel] It appears that the potters were successful at their craft, because archaeologists found evidence of a small village nearby, whose economy likely depended on pottery production. The pots were sold in bulk to people living in and around Jerusalem, including at the city's gates to visiting pilgrims. After Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70, when the Romans toppled the city, the potter's workshop resumed its work, but on a smaller scale, the archaeologists said. That ended in the early second century A.D., when the Roman's 10th Legion took over and established its own workshop, allowing the Romans to make rooftiles, bricks, pipes, tableware, cooking ware and storage vessels, the archaeologists said. The stone carving, as well as the kilns from the potters' workshop, will go on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem tomorrow (Oct. 10), as part of a new exhibit that features artifacts from the capital. The exhibit will also showcase a Greek mosaic inscription from the sixth century A.D., unearthed near the Damascus Gate, which commemorated the construction of a public building likely a hostel in Jerusalem during the Byzantine period. Originally published on Live Science. The Earth's mantle acts like a giant churn, circulating cool oceanic crust downward toward the core, where it heats up into a goopy solid and then rises again a process that powers everything from plate tectonics to volcanism. But there are some hitches in this system, and new research reveals why: A slippery layer about 416 miles (670 kilometers) deep stops chunks of crust in their tracks, creating "stagnant slabs" in the middle of the mantle, the layer between the Earth's crust and its core. [In Photos: Ocean Hidden Beneath Earth's Surface] "This deflection of slabs was always puzzling to our understanding of [the mantle]," said Shijie Zhong, a physicist at the University of Colorado Boulder and the co-author of the new study published Oct. 1 in the journal Nature Geoscience. Stalled out There is no way to look directly at the mantle, but scientists study its dynamics using seismic waves from earthquakes. By detecting the waves as they propagate through the globe, researchers can construct a picture of the mantle, not unlike how radar can image objects using radio waves. What happens in the mantle is related to what's going on in the crust. The crust is made up of tectonic plates that ride across the mantle like rafts on a very, very thick sea (the consistency of the crust is similar to that of hot asphalt). In some areas, called subduction zones, one tectonic plate dives under another, grinding chunks of oceanic crust down into the mantle. From seismology, Zhong said, researchers knew that some of these slabs of crust don't always travel the full 1,860 miles (3,000 km) to the core-mantle boundary. Essentially, they get stuck partway down. Particularly in the western Pacific Ocean, near Japan and at the Mariana Trench, for example, the slabs of crust seem to stall out at around 416 miles (670 km) deep. In these areas, they seem to deflect and travel horizontally as much as 1,243 miles (2,000 km). The layer of mantle at that particular depth is unusual, Zhong said, because the rock there goes through a sudden density increase, which is the result of the pressure of all the rock pushing down on top of it. In the new study, Zhong and University of Colorado graduate student Wei Mao built a computer model of the mantle's dynamics, including both this density increase and the past 130 million years of continental plate movements. Model mantle This more complete model of the mantle naturally produced the same sort of stagnating slabs seen in the real mantle, the researchers found. What seems to be going on, Zhong said, is that the accumulated pressure of the overlying rock at 670 km creates an area of reduced viscosity in essence, the mantle is more slippery and less gooey. "That reduced viscosity essentially provides what we call lubrication on the slabs," Zhong said. The chunks of crust are able to slip and slide sideways instead of continuing their downward plunge. This hitch in the machine is only temporary. The slabs are probably only trapped for 20 million years or so, Zhong said a blink of the eye in terms of Earth's history. But their dynamics might be important for some of the geological phenomena seen on the surface. For example, volcanic activity in northeastern China, far from the volcanic arc of Japan, could be due, in part, to some of these slab dynamics, Zhong said. The model doesn't answer all the questions about the stagnating slabs. It's not clear, Zhong said, why the western Pacific seems to give rise to so many of these stagnant slabs, while subduction zones near North and South America currently don't. There are also other mystery spots around the globe, he said. "In places like New Zealand, there is still some disagreement between our convection model and the observations," he said, "so we need to reconcile those places." Original article on Live Science. The owners of Cowboys Dancehall have put the Northeast Side honky tonk up for sale two months after once again filing for bankruptcy. Cowboys Far West, the Arlington-based partnership that owns the club, has asked Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald King for permission to hire Austin-based Texas Heritage Brokers to market the venue and the 16.5-acre lot it sits on to potential buyers, according to a document filed in U.S. bankruptcy court last week. But Texas Heritage Brokers has already listed the property, an online listing shows. The asking price: $12 million. A lawyer and spokeswoman for Cowboys Dancehall did not respond to requests for comment. Related: San Antonio honky tonk Cowboys Dancehall files for bankruptcy again Selling the property wouldnt necessarily mean the country venue has seen its last rodeo. Cowboys owners could pursue a leaseback arrangement in which Cowboys would lease the property from the buyer, said Carlos Klutts of Texas Heritage Brokers. That is their plan: to continue operating, Klutts said. But despite its popularity country music star Blake Shelton played a free show there a few weeks ago Cowboys has struggled to make mortgage and property tax payments, twice seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to avoid a sale of the San Antonio venue at foreclosure auctions. Cowboys Far West first filed for bankruptcy in 2016 when Business Property Lending, then its primary lender, initiated foreclosure proceedings after the clubs owners fell behind on taxes and failed to pay a state fine for liquor violations. At that time, Cowboys owed creditors about $10 million. But the club was allowed to remain open under a Chapter 11 reorganization plan approved in September by King, the chief U.S. bankruptcy judge. Cowboys secured a new lender Oklahoma-based limited partnership Crossroads 2004 to take over its $4.2 million mortgage loan from Business Property Lending, a subsidiary of Florida-based EverBank Financial Corp. Cowboys President Michael Murphy was allowed to remain in his position under the plan. The company was to continue to servicing its primary loan to Crossroads 2004 along with a $2.1 million mortgage originally made through a Houston community development corporation thats now held by Minnesota-based Prinsbank. Cowboys also was supposed to pay Bexar County almost $154,000 in back taxes plus 12 percent interest over a two-year period. Related: San Antonio Blake Shelton fans started lining up at 2:30 a.m. for free concert tickets Seven months after that bankruptcy case closed, Cowboys Far West filed a bare-bones petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after Crossroads 2004 put the venue up for sale at a foreclosure auction. Cowboys currently holds between $10 million and $50 million in assets and between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities, according to the August bankruptcy filing. The Bexar Appraisal District assessed the partnerships 16.5-acre property at 3030 NE Loop 410 at $5.6 million earlier this year. Joshua Fechter is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering retail and tourism. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFreports Two suspects are in custody after opening fire on three pedestrians walking in the Fillmore district Friday night, San Francisco police said. Three victims were walking along the 1700 block of Eddy Street when a vehicle pulled up and someone opened fire on the trio around 6:45 p.m., said Lt. Christopher Creed of the San Francisco Police Department. In a video posted by NBC Bay Area editor Kristofer Noceda, Creed said responding officers provided first aid until two of the victims were taken to San Francisco General Hospital. The third victim later arrived at the same hospital. It is unclear if the third victim drove to the hospital or was dropped off by a companion, Creed said. All three victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Creed said police officers in the Van Ness area spotted what they believed to be the vehicle involved in the shooting and started to pursue the vehicle. The suspects vehicle crashed during the pursuit and the driver and passenger fled on foot before subsequently getting detained. Police found one or two firearms in possession of both of the suspects, Creed said. Officer Grace Gatpandan, a spokeswoman for SFPD, confirmed police detained individuals possibly related to the shooting. She did not release the identities of those individuals. Police did not immediately release any information regarding potential charges that could be lodged against the suspects. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor Melmoth By Sarah Perry Custom House. 288 pp. $27.99 --- (BEGIN ITAL)Look!(END ITAL) Over your shoulder, dear reader, she is coming for you. In her long rough black garments, Melmoth beckons you to follow and give in to her immeasurable sorrow and longing. The gaunt figure in Sarah Perry's masterful new novel, "Melmoth," haunts every page. Who is this creature? According to legend, Melmoth was one of the women who came to the tomb of Jesus Christ and saw him risen from the dead, but she would later deny her own witness. For her transgression, she was cursed to wander the earth until the Second Coming. Eternally lonesome, she seeks companionship among the other men and women who have given in to despair. It is an old story, based in part on the legend of the Wandering Jew, which has been retold in various forms, perhaps most notably in the Gothic novel "Melmoth the Wanderer" by Charles Maturin, published in 1820, just two years after Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." A golden age for monsters. But Perry has done more than take parts from the Gothic corpus to stitch together some fiend. She has introduced a wholly new creature, a monster suited to our age. Perry sets her tale in modern-day Prague, focusing on Helen Franklin, a 42-year-old English exile, whose dull and drab existence is matched only by her banal job as a translator of, for example, washing machine instructions. Winter has set in. Jackdaws tap on the windowpanes. After nine years in the Czech capital, she has only a pair of friends, one of whom hands her a portfolio of letters and frantic stories about the sudden appearance of the mysterious wraith Melmoth. Those documents lead to other archives of diaries and confessions that span centuries from early 17th-century England to the Ottoman Empire to the streets of Manila and other times and places where Melmoth has appeared to the woebegone. Pieced together, these primary sources fuel this sophisticated and delightful Gothic contraption. It is scary and smart, working as a horror story but also a philosophical inquiry into the nature of will and love. Perry did as much in her richly praised novel "The Essex Serpent," but this is a deeper, more complex novel and more rewarding for the daring reader. And the ending will sap your bones. Melmoth appears to those who have faced some moral choice in their lives, who failed and who bear witness to their sins through suffering. Those "born to sadness, as surely as sparks fly up from the fire." Those witnesses who are constantly questioning the reality of Melmoth, doubting their own faith and creating their own private hells. Who hasn't seen that monster at some point? --- Donohue is the author of five novels, most recently "The Motion of Puppets." Washington Post photo by Marvin Joseph Real estate developer and restaurateur Michael Darby is back in the camera lens for Bravo's "Real Housewives of Potomac," a network source tells us. The husband of cast member Ashley Darby had been briefly suspended from the show after a cameraman accused him groping, but prosecutors last week dropped the two misdemeanor charges stemming from the alleged Sept. 1 incident. A former Nuevo Laredo mayor was found slain Tuesday, the Tamaulipas attorney general's office said. Arturo Cortes Villada was discovered with apparent stab wounds at a home in Colonia Juarez in central Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, according to authorities. At about 1 p.m. Tuesday, first responders were dispatched to the home for a report of a "lifeless person." READ ALSO: Mexican couple may have killed as many as 20 women Authorities would identify him as Cortes Villada, according to initial reports. Tamaulipas authorities said they have opened an investigation into the case to establish a motive and find those responsible. Cortes Villada served the Sister City in the early 1990s representing the Partido Revolucionario Institucional, or Institutional Revolutionary Party, also known as PRI. Firefight breaks out In a separate incident Tuesday, at least one gunman died during a firefight that broke out early in Nuevo Laredo. His identity was not released. Mexican authorities said gunmen shot at troops with the Secretariat of the National Defense, or SEDENA, after midnight Tuesday. READ ALSO: Lion attacks owner in Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez Gunmen on board a vehicle allegedly shot at the soldiers by Bulevar Fidel Velazquez, between Avenida Reforma and Avenida Tecnologico. Tamaulipas state police officers responded to assist the military. Social media users alerted the community about the gun battle affecting various areas in the city along Reforma, Carretera Nacional and Carretera Aeropuerto, and reporting roadblocks. The gun battle resulted in property damage, according to multiple photos uploaded to social media. The armed confrontation caused traffic congestion during the morning commute. A man charged with animal cruelty was in court Monday to learn about whether he would be able to keep the 20-plus malnourished puppies he tried to import in late September at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge. Adan Sandoval, 28, appeared before Assistant Municipal Court Judge Jesus Dominguez. Dominguez ordered the puppies be kept at the local animal shelter and be spayed and neutered. He also ordered that they be put up for adoption and for Sandoval to pay $5,865 in restitution. Assistant City Attorney Jose Angel Flores Jr. said he believes there was overwhelming evidence against Sandoval. READ MORE: 25 malnourished puppies discovered at Laredo port of entry Rodolfo Gonzalez, program supervisor for the City of Laredo's animal care services, testified that the puppies were soiled, thirsty and hungry the morning he first saw them. He said the cost of caring for the puppies at the animal care center, as of Sunday, totaled $3,865. Dr. Sandra Leyendecker is owner of Critter Care Veterinary Clinic where some of the puppies are currently being taken care of. Leyendecker testified the puppies were exhausted and lacking energy the first time she encountered them. All of the puppies are alive except for one, she said. "They were really too young to be taken away from their mother," Leyendecker said. "They don't thrive very well. When they have worms and parasites like this it causes scarring in the small intestines and digestive tracts. It affects absorption of nutrients from the food they eat. "I think the manner in which they were transported was inappropriate. They were weaned way too young from their mother. They need to be on their mother's milk at least until they're eight weeks of age." As of Monday, the cost of their care at Leyendecker's clinic has totaled approximately $2,000, she said. Sandoval represented himself before the court. He said that right before attempting to cross into the United States, the puppies were fed, given water, bathed and dewormed. "I'm not the dog's worst enemy," Sandoval said. "They were in dog bags. We had them at our feet. We couldn't have them in our hands. I can't have them on top of the van. They were at our feet with the (air conditioning)." READ ALSO: Mexican police make grisly discovery inside baby carriage Flores said he is happy Dominguez ruled in the puppies' favor. "Those poor puppies were transported in the most inhumane manner," he said. "We are very pleased with the judge's ruling." U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the incident unfolded Sept. 23, when a CBP officer referred a Honda Odyssey driven by Sandoval to secondary inspection. During the examination, CBP officers said they found 25 puppies in three duffel bags. Laredo police later arrived at the bridge and took custody of Sandoval. LPD said the puppies were 4 to 12 weeks old and had no food or water. The puppies were covered in urine and their feces had worms, police said. The importation of dogs into the United States for resale, whether through commercial sale or adoption, is only allowed if the dogs are in good health, vaccinated for rabies and distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and the parainfluenza virus, according to CBP. In addition, CBP said the dogs must be at least 6 months of age and must have an import permit issued by U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. WASHINGTON - An appeals court Tuesday denied the Trump administration's efforts to block the deposition of Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in a lawsuit challenging the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. The ruling gives both sides 48 hours for appeals to the Supreme Court. Last week, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg denied the administration's request for the Supreme Court to temporarily block the deposition of Ross and acting assistant attorney general John Gore. PANAMA CITY, Fla. - With Hurricane Michael gaining strength and bearing down on the Florida Panhandle, people in the storm's path hurried to stack sandbags, fill gas tanks and stock up on bottled water in the final hours before the arrival of a system many said took them by surprise. The looming storm - forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane on Wednesday afternoon - set off a flurry of evacuation orders and canceled flights along Florida's Gulf Coast. Shelters opened and schools shuttered, in some cases for the rest of the week. "It came on so quickly" said Larry Messinger, a Red Cross coordinator at a shelter in Panama City. "A week ago, I don't think anyone in this area was paying attention, and all of a sudden, there is a hurricane." Forecasters say Michael, which strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane Tuesday, will make landfall in northwest Florida at that strength, bringing with it unforgiving winds, pounding rains and a "life-threatening storm surge" that the National Hurricane Center said could reach 12 feet in some areas. Governors in Florida, Alabama and Georgia declared emergencies while awaiting the system, which is expected to head northeast after swamping the coastlines. "Let me be clear: Hurricane Michael is a monstrous storm," Florida Gov. Rick Scott, R, said at a briefing. "And the forecast keeps getting more dangerous." Much of this was happening in a region that has rarely experienced major hurricanes making landfall in the modern era. "Hurricane Michael is going to be a devastating storm to a part of Florida that has not seen a storm of this magnitude in quite some time," FEMA Associate Administrator Jeff Byard said Tuesday. Hurricanes are categorized based on wind speed, but even storms on the weaker end of that scale can wreak havoc across communities - with the storm surge a particular focus of authorities awaiting Michael's arrival. "A very dangerous storm surge will occur along the coast and well inland," Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center, said in a briefing Tuesday. Storm surge, a swell of water fueled by a system's winds, has been the leading cause of death from hurricanes in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. The hurricane came on suddenly compared with the plodding, days-long approach of Hurricane Florence before it made landfall in the Carolinas last month, flooding much of that region and killing dozens of people. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration in Florida on Tuesday. In remarks at the White House, he said officials were "very well prepared" for the storm, which he said was "a big one - much bigger than they anticipated a week ago." On the ground in northwest Florida, preparations quickly unfolded before the storm arrived. Sandbags were distributed across the region, while residents hunkering down sought to gather supplies, though some encountered gas stations already sucked dry and grocery stores picked clean of bottled water. In Panama City, more than 160 people had camped out at Northside Elementary School, one of two shelters in Bay County, by Tuesday afternoon. Volunteers with the American Red Cross said the storm's sudden approach didn't give them much time to respond and equip the shelters with cots or blankets. Some residents said they were just thankful for a place to wait out the storm. Leticia Hernandez said she decided to take her four children to the shelter from their home in a waterfront community of Panama City that is prone to flooding. They settled in a corner of a school hallway on an inflatable bed, playing board games. Hernandez said she learned about the storm Sunday night and had just enough time to gather food and supplies and to find a safer place for her family to spend their first hurricane in Florida. "I thought about the devastating flooding from Hurricane Harvey in Texas, and I didn't want to risk it," she said. After hitting the coast, Michael is expected to weaken as it grinds across the southeastern United States, parts of which are still recovering from Florence. Forecasters warn that the dangers stretch far from the coastline, with heavy rainfall potentially extending across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and southern Virginia, causing dangerous flash floods. "It's not just a coastal issue," said Graham, the hurricane center's director, warning that people will "start seeing this rain, start seeing this wind stretch further inland." These concerns have stretched inland as well, where officials across other neighboring states warned residents to be wary and ready "for whatever Michael may bring," as Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, R, put it when she announced a state of emergency there. In Tallahassee, the Florida capital that sits 25 miles from the coast, parts of the city shut down Tuesday. Florida State University closed its campus and said it would reopen next week; City Hall shuttered at noon, with officials heading to the Emergency Operations Center. At the Apalachee Regional Park, Tallahassee residents stood under a baking sun Tuesday to fill sandbags they hope will hold back the expected flooding. Some said they had stocked up on water, gas and food before getting to work here - with more work still planned. "We have a whole hog and cow in the freezer so we're going to grill and we're going to fry," said Gwendolyn Thomas, 55, a retiree from the state highway safety department, as she and her husband worked nonstop on filling sandbags. "This was not supposed to be part of retirement." In Panama City, the sun was out and the breeze was pleasant midday Tuesday, making it hard to believe a major hurricane was just a day away, Donna Self said. "You can tell the winds are picking up," Self, a lifelong Panama City resident, said as she pushed a cart full of supplies from the local Walmart, just outside the city. "Based on the news, it looks like Panama City is a direct hit." Self wasn't worried. She and the home where she's lived for 30 years have survived various hurricanes. "Opal was pretty awful," she recalls. She didn't evacuate for that one, and she wasn't going to leave for Michael. "I am nervous but I choose to try to be relaxed, because we can't do anything about it." - - - Berman reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Patricia Sullivan in Tallahassee, Carmen Sisson in Pensacola, Florida, and Kevin Begos in Apalachicola, Florida, contributed to this report. Maryland Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ben Jealous accused Gov. Larry Hogan of "bullying" him with the release of a campaign video that mocks him for several gaffes, including one where he said he is running for governor of Virginia. Jealous said on Tuesday the mistakes were due to the stutter he has had since he was a child, which at times involves saying a different word than what he intended to say. "These ads are bullying," Jealous said at a news conference in Baltimore. "While I can take it, it encourages the bullying of young people, and it's not OK . . . It is a new low in Maryland politics." On Monday, the Hogan campaign released a 33-second video that highlights three gaffes. In one part of the clip Jealous says he is running "to remove Hogan from the White House." In another, Jealous says that if elected he would be "the first black president." And in the third segment, recorded at an event on Saturday, Jealous tells union members that with their help "you'll be looking at the next governor of Virginia." "A stutter is like a speed bump in your brain, and word replacement is a way that you deal with it," Jealous said when asked if he was blaming the gaffes on his speech impediment. He said in the heat of a campaign, when candidates are going without much sleep, "things might be more likely to go wrong. It goes right most of the time but occasionally it doesn't." A Hogan campaign spokesman said the video is not mocking Jealous for his stutter but instead is pointing out "embarrassing" mistakes during the campaign. "Whether it is dropping the f-bomb to a reporter, saying he is running for governor of Virginia or promising to raise taxes, Mr. Jealous can't simply disown his words every time he gets in trouble with voters," Scott Sloofman said in an email. The "f-bomb" reference refers to Jealous using profanity at a news conference in August when a reporter pressed him on whether he identified with the term socialist, a label Hogan had applied to him. Jealous, who is trailing Hogan in polls and fundraising, compared Hogan's use of the video with what he described as President Donald Trump's bullying tactics. He was joined at the news conference by ardent supporters, including officials with the Maryland State Educators Association and Service Employees International Union 1199. "We all have differences and ways that we cope with those differences, and its unfortunate that the governor instead is using bullying tactics," said Cheryl Bost, president of the teachers union. Recalling a Facebook post of Hogan's in 2016, she said the governor "has bullied us as educators, calling us union thugs." Jealous has only spoken publicly about his stutter since he launched his campaign last year. In his first debate appearance in the Democratic primary, he stumbled over his words in his introduction. In August, he visited the National Therapy Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to talk about stuttering, saying he sometimes experiences abnormal silences - also known as "blocks" - while speaking on television or in interviews. The Hogan campaign appeared to take advantage of one of those "blocks" in July, releasing a video titled "Ben Jealous' 7 Seconds of Silence" that showed Jealous pausing before answering a question about the Eastern Shore. The video suggested the pause showed Jealous did not know much about the region. At the time, a spokesman declined to comment on the use of the video, and Jealous did not attack the campaign for using it, instead saying it was "no different than anything that I've dealt with my entire life. I didn't sweat it." Johns Hopkins University announced it will name a new research building on campus in honor of Henrietta Lacks, whose "immortal cells" led to the development of the polio vaccine, studies of leukemia and AIDS, chemotherapy and in vitro fertilization research as well as the effects of zero gravity in space. "This building will be a place that stands as an enduring and powerful testament to a woman who not only was the beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to generations of the Lacks family, but the genesis of generations of miraculous discoveries that have changed the landscape of modern medicine and that have benefited, in truth, the much larger family of humanity," Johns Hopkins University President Ronald Daniels said Saturday during the university's ninth annual Henrietta Lacks Memorial lecture series. Construction of the new building, which will be adjacent to the university's Berman Institute of Bioethics' Deering Hall in East Baltimore, will be the site of further study "to promote research ethics and community engagement," the university said. Lacks's cells, dubbed "HeLa cells" by the scientific community, have been the subject of a best-selling book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," by Rebecca Skloot and a television movie, starring Oprah Winfrey as Henrietta Lacks' daughter Deborah Lacks. The cells have also been the center of ongoing controversy over whether the family should receive financial proceeds from their sale. In June, a lawyer representing Lawrence Lacks, the eldest son of Henrietta Lacks, told The Washington Post she planned to file a petition seeking "guardianship" of the cells. "The question we are dealing with is, 'Can the cells sue for mistreatment, misappropriation, theft and for the profits earned without their consent?'" said Christina Bostick, who is representing Lawrence Lacks and grandsons Lawrence Lacks Jr. and Ron Lacks. Bostick told The Post the cells were taken without consent from Lacks, an African-American mother of five, during a 1951 visit to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, which was racially segregated at the time. Lawrence Lacks, the executor of Lacks's estate, said the family did not know until many years after his mother's death that her cells were living in test tubes in science labs across the world. Because the statute of limitations for medical malpractice expired years ago, Bostick said, she decided to use "creative litigation" to help family members regain some control of Lacks's cells, which have been reproduced billions of times for medical research. The question of who owns the cells, she said, is complicated. "I think the answer is, no one legally owns the cells as one whole entity," she said. Bostick said the cells can be purchased on an open market, "so the purchaser owns the rights to the cells it acquires." Johns Hopkins has said it claims no ownership rights to the cells "because the cells cannot legally be patented," Bostick said. The National Institutes of Health regulates the use of the human genome completed based on the cells, she said. Lacks was a young housewife when she went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for bleeding. Physicians discovered a malignant tumor on her cervix and collected cells from the tumor without her knowledge or consent, according to a report by Johns Hopkins Medicine titled "The Legacy of Henrietta Lacks." Lacks died on Oct. 4, 1951, at 31, but her cells continued to live. Scientists in the lab discovered to their amazement that unlike the cells they had collected in other experiments, which expired almost immediately outside the human body, Lacks's cells doubled in growth every 20 to 24 hours, according to a report by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The line of cells would go on to contribute to significant advances in scientific research, leading to two Nobel Prizes in research and the development of vaccines, cancer treatments and a genome sequence that was published last year. The cells have been used in the research of toxins, hormones and viruses and to study the effects of radiation. "There are 17,000 U.S. patents that involve HeLa cells, which are theoretically continuing to make money," Bostick said. In 2017, Johns Hopkins University released a statement denying it had profited from the cells. "Johns Hopkins never patented HeLa cells, and therefore does not own the rights to the HeLa cell line," the statement said. Johns Hopkins explained that when the cells were taken from Lacks in 1951, there was no established protocol for informing patients or getting consent for research of cell or tissue specimens. "Today, Johns Hopkins and other medical research centers maintain strict patient consent processes for tissue and cell donation," Johns Hopkins said. But scientists across the world have used the cells in research. In 2013, scientists in Germany published a paper announcing they had sequenced the entire genome of a HeLa cell, "essentially putting Lacks's DNA sequence up on the Internet for all to see," according to the Guardian newspaper. That year, in 2013, the National Institutes of Health announced that two members of the Lacks family would sit on the panel that reviews applications for the genome data and would control access to HeLa cells. ISTANBUL - Turkish investigators probing the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi were checking flights records and surveillance video seeking to trace the movements of suspected Saudi agents believed to be at the center of the mystery. A week after Khashoggi was last seen publicly entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, a growing front of diplomatic pressure and forensic efforts have produced sweeping suspicions but no definitive clues to Khashoggi's fate. Turkish investigators think Khashoggi, 59, was killed shortly after he entered the consulate on Oct. 2 and his body later removed from the premises, according to a U.S. official and sources close to the investigation. The Saudi government denies any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance. Meanwhile, another possible layer in the investigation emerged with a report by Sabah - a pro-government Turkish newspaper with connections to President Recip Tayyip Erdogan - of two private jets arriving from Saudi Arabia on the day Khashoggi was last seen. Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said it now wants to inspect the consulate in Istanbul's Levent district and walk the same steps taken by Khashoggi, a writer and critic of Saudi Arabia's leadership. A statement from Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Saudi authorities were "open to cooperation" and would allow an examination of the consulate's grounds. It was not clear when the search would take place. The Washington Post published Monday an image from a closed-circuit television camera that a person close to the investigation said showed Khashoggi's last known seconds in public - as he was stepping through a door to enter consulate for an appointment to get administrative documents for his upcoming marriage to his Turkish fiancee. Turkish investigators also are trying to nail down the exact movements of 15 Saudi nationals who arrived in Istanbul the same day and are suspected of having a role in Khashoggi's disappearance. A report in Sabah said the team members arrived from Riyadh, the Saudi capital, in two private Gulfstream IV airplanes on Oct. 2. One plane, with nine passengers, landed before Khashoggi entered the consulate about 1 p.m., and the other plane, with six passengers, arrived afterward, according to the flight manifests, the newspaper reported. The veracity of the report could not immediately be confirmed, but a person with knowledge of the investigation corroborated some of its details. "The team that arrived with the first plane checked in and left their belongings at two separate hotels near the Saudi Arabian Consulate," the Sabah report said. "Those who arrived with the second plane went directly to the consulate and returned to the airport." Two and a half hours after Khashoggi entered the consulate, six vehicles left the site, Sabah reported. "There were 15 Saudi officials and intelligence workers in the vehicles. A Mercedes Vito with tinted windows and another vehicle went to Consul-General's Mohammad al-Otaibi's residence 200 meters away" and stayed at Otaibi's residence for four hours, the report continued. Turkish employees at Otaibi's residence were "hastily" told to leave that day, the report added. Both planes left Istanbul that evening. One stopped in the United Arab Emirates and the other stopped overnight in Egypt, according to the report. It added that investigators were examining security cameras near the hotels, tracking the movements of the vehicles and also looking into the possibility that Khashoggi was abducted with the help of another country's security services. The mystery has captured growing international attention because of Khashoggi's prominence and a feud between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, both regional powers. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump, a close ally of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said he would be talking to the Saudi government "soon" about Khashoggi, who has contributed to The Washington Post's Global section, "I know nothing" other than what had been reported about the case, Trump added. In another sign of the growing global interest, the BBC took the unusual step of broadcasting off-the-record comments Khashoggi made during an interview with the broadcaster three days before his disappearance. "We wouldn't normally broadcast an off-air conversation, but we've decided to make an exception, in light of the current circumstances," the BBC said in a note published on its website. In Geneva, U.N. officials expressed "grave concern" over Khashoggi'd status and called for an international investigation. "Those responsible - perpetrators and masterminds - should be identified and brought to justice," said a statement by three U.N. officials, including Agnes Callamard, the special rapporteur on summary executions. Federica Mogherini, the European Union's foreign-policy chief, also told reporters in Lisbon that Europe expects "a full-out investigation and full transparency from Saudi authorities on what happened," the Reuters news agency reported. In London, the British Foreign Office issued a warning to Saudi Arabia of diplomatic fallout if the allegations prove true. "Friendships depend on shared values," said the statement. Saudi officials have called the accusations "baseless" and "outrageous." "We have seen over the last few days various malicious leaks and grim rumors flying around about Jamal's whereabouts and fate," the Saudi ambassador to the United States, Khalid bin Salman, said in a message to journalists late Monday. "The reports that suggest that Jamal Khashoggi went missing in the Consulate in Istanbul or that the Kingdom's authorities have detained him or killed him are absolutely false, and baseless," the message said. "The first reports out of Turkey were that he exited the Consulate and then disappeared," the statement added. "The accusations changed to the outrageous claim that he was murdered, in the Consulate, during business hours, and with dozens of staff and visitors in the building." "I don't know who is behind these claims," he said. "Nor do I care frankly." Erdogan, the Turkish president, demanded Monday that Saudi Arabia prove that Khashoggi left the consulate on his own, as Saudi officials have repeatedly asserted. His comments were the most direct suggestion yet about potential Saudi culpability in Khashoggi's disappearance. "Do you not have cameras and everything of the sort?" Erdogan asked of Saudi consular officials during a news conference in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. "They have all of them. Then why do you not prove this? You need to prove it." In the past, Erdogan himself has faced international denunciations over the treatment of Turkish journalists, who have been jailed or forced out of their jobs by his government. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement said that "we have seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts" of Khashoggi. Repeating Trump's expression of "concern," Pompeo, who had just returned from a trip to Asia, called on the Saudi government "to support a thorough investigation of Mr. Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation." The Khashoggi case has provoked disquiet in Congress, even among those supportive of Saudi Arabia and the Trump administration's close relationship with its monarchy. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., sent a letter Tuesday to the Saudi ambassador in Washington dismissing Saudi claims that Khashoggi left the consulate under his own power and demanding answers about his disappearance. "This incident hangs heavy over the relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and needs to be resolved as honestly and as soon as possible," Graham wrote. In a telephone interview later, Graham said he had not received a reply from the ambassador or any information from the Trump administration. "All I can say is, you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to be concerned," he said. The Saudis have been a "good ally" in the Middle East, even if some values are not shared between the U.S. and Saudi governments, Graham said. But if "the allegations that the Saudi government mistreated this man for his dissident voice are proven true, that would be a game-changer for me." He declined to speculate on what actions might be taken. - - - The Washington Post's Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report. The lead prosecutor in the trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting two toddlers who contracted gonorrhea told jurors in his opening statement Tuesday that the defendant was the only person with the disease who had contact with the children. But defense attorneys for Adrian Vigil, 26, urged the jury to listen closely to testimony during the trial because it will show Vigil didnt have time to commit the crime. Vigil is being retried in Felony Impact Court after his first one ended in a mistrial because the defense wasnt told beforehand, as required, about evidence the prosecution presented in court. Vigil was 23 when he was arrested and charged with super aggravated sexual assault of a child. The charges stemmed from medical examinations that determined two girls he knew, ages 1 and 3, tested positive for gonorrhea. The children were believed to have been assaulted sometime in October 2015. RELATED: Body cam video shows alleged intruder begging police for help after fatal gunfight with San Antonio area homeowner In his opening statement, prosecutor Steve Speir told the panel that they would hear testimony that Vigil changed his story so many times as to how he contracted the sexually transmitted disease and when he was around the girls that it raised a red flag with authorities. It all points to him, Speir told the jurors, and asked them to find Vigil guilty. In his opening statement, defense attorney David Woodard told the jurors to set aside their anger and disgust and listen carefully regarding the timeline of events as witnesses testify, because there was a lack of time for Vigil to do what is alleged of him. Vigils first trial began and ended April 10 in 187th state District Court. The state was presenting evidence when the mother of the children testified that one of the girls said Vigil had done something to the childs sister. A Bexar County prosecutor previously on the case did not share the information about that childs outcry with the defense, Woodard said at the time. The testimony prompted Woodard to immediately ask for a mistrial, citing an unfair surprise and a discovery violation because he was not told of the childs outcry. RELATED: Suspect who turned self in for gay strip shooting: 'I didn't do this' At the time, Woodard told the court he would have planned his defense strategy differently had he known the details beforehand. State District Judge Joey Contreras declared a mistrial, stating that the defense had been put at a severe disadvantage. Speir and assistant district attorney Brittany Byrd are prosecuting the case this time around, and visiting Judge Philip A. Kazen Jr. presiding. Super aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first-degree felony punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison. Elizabeth Zavala is a courts and crime reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 Leslie Plaza Johnson, Freelancer / Contributor Not all midterm elections are alike. Sometimes the issues are so arcane or the candidates so unattractive that its difficult to get excited, but not this year. Texans on Nov. 6 will choose a governor, a U.S. senator, 36 members of the U.S. House, and in Houston decide whether firefighters and police officers should be paid the same. You wont want to miss this election, so dont forget that this is the last day to register. Record voter registration suggests the public knows the stakes are high. Voter rolls since the states last midterm election in 2014 have grown to 15.6 million people, including 1.6 million new voters, according to Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos. A 400,000-person increase in voters since March far exceeds the rate of 100,000 new voters a year that the state added between 2002 and 2014. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) The draft charter authored by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo puts the Senate President, and not the Vice President, as successor to President Rodrigo Duterte should he step down during the transition to a federal government. Section IV, Article XVII or the transitory provisions of the draft constitution authored by Arroyo and 21 other lawmakers reads: "In case a vacancy arises by reason of removal, resignation, permanent incapacity or death of the incumbent President, the incumbent Senate President shall act as President until a President shall have been chosen and qualified." Amid backlash from fellow lawmakers, Leyte Rep. and House Committee on Constitutional Amendments Chair Vicente Veloso noted the proposed charter is still a working draft. Veloso added he is open to amending or deleting the provision if his colleagues wish to do so. "If it will be the desire of all members of the House of Representatives that we delete the second paragraph, we can delete that," Veloso said Tuesday. "What we have is a proposed revised Constitution, a working draft." In light of electoral protest Veloso earlier said the provision is in light of the poll protest of former Senator Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo. "May nag-propose na idiretso na lang sa Senate President para wala 'yung case na ma-delay tayo in the occupancy sa napaka-importanteng position," Veloso said. "Ang hirap nito, it's not only an ongoing protest. It is... The dispute involves a very slim margin." [Translation:Someone proposed to direct powers to the Senate President to avoid delays in the occupancy of an important position. It's difficult. It's not only an ongoing protest. The dispute involves a very slim margin.] Veloso added the bill presumes that the transition period will last for three years at most, and a new president and vice president will be elected in 2022. But Robredo's legal counsel, Romulo Macalintal, said the measure will never happen as it is baseless. He called the proposal "mere political calisthenics." "The election protest filed by former Senator Bongbong Marcos as ground for ousting VP Leni is clearly frivolous if not outright ridiculous. Since when did a pending election protest be the basis of succession to the highest position of the land?" Macalintal said in a statement Tuesday. Macalintal said both Houses of Congress lack the time to make a final draft of a federal form of government. "Our lawmakers and the people are not even fully aware of this form of government," Macalintal said. "The Senate and the House could not even resolve how they would vote, whether jointly or separately. There is still the need to submit the proposed charter for people's ratification and the process would involve substantial time and public funds which will never be achieved till the next presidential polls in 2022." Members of the House minority bloc on Tuesday also expressed their misgivings regarding this draft charter provision. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said Vice President Leni Robredo should not be robbed of the chance to succeed Duterte during the transition period to a federal government. "That election protest will have to take its course but, meanwhile, we have an elected, a duly elected Vice President who is incumbent and should not be deprived of the constitutional right to succeed to the presidency," Lagman told reporters. Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said in a message to reporters, "We don't have time to even talk about it (draft charter)." As for Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision to amend the transitory provisions is up to Congress. "That's the constitutional obligation of the Congress," Roque said in a press briefing Tuesday. Marcos filed the electoral protest against Robredo in June 2016, after he lost to Robredo by 263,473 votes in the 2016 elections among the narrowest margins in the history of the country's vice presidential elections. Duterte, a known ally of the Marcoses, repeatedly expressed that he does not want Robredo to become his successor. He also earlier said he wants someone like Marcos as next in line for the presidency. CNN Philippines Correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report. Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: October 09 2018 Ringleader Giovani Ayala-Rodriguez Will Be Sentenced to 6 to 12 Years In State Prison and Pay Over $14k in Restitution. New York, NY - October 9, 2018 - Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood and State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II today announced the felony convictions of Giovani Ayala-Rodriguez, a.k.a. George Peters, 27, of Puerto Rico, and Orlando Gonzalez-Rivera, 26, of Syracuse, for their respective roles in an elaborate telephone extortion scheme that operated in Onondaga County and throughout New York State. Ringleader Ayala-Rodriguez will be sentenced to 6 to 12 years in state prison and required to pay $14,529 in restitution. Co-defendant Gonzalez-Rivera was sentenced to six months in jail. The case against co-defendant Eligio Jimenez-Correa remains ongoing. Terrorizing innocent New Yorkers in order to make a quick buck is unconscionable, said Attorney General Underwood. New Yorkers should continue to be on high alert and use our tips to protect themselves from scam calls. We will not hesitate to prosecute those that try to extort New Yorkers to the fullest extent of the law. New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, I commend the Office of the Attorney General and our State Police members for their hard work in exposing this heinous extortion. These criminals preyed upon the vulnerability of more than 55 victims. The prosecution of these individuals sends a strong message that those who scam innocent people will be held accountable for their crimes and brought to justice. I want to thank those who worked to put these criminal behind bars so they will no longer be able to take advantage of anyone else with their financial schemes. After receiving multiple complaints from victims, in March 2018, the Attorney Generals office issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers of this extortion scheme. A joint investigation by the New York State Attorney Generals Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and the New York State Police identified over 55 victims throughout New York State, including in the counties of Onondaga, Kings, Nassau, Oneida, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga, Niagara, Cortland, and Genesee. The elaborate extortion scheme was conducted by Giovani Ayala-Rodriguez, Eligio Jimenez-Correa, and Orlando Gonzalez-Rivera. Ayala-Rodriguez would call sequential telephone numbers, containing the same area code and three-digit prefix. When a potential victim answered, Ayala-Rodriguez often using the alias George Peters claimed that the victims close relatives were in a car accident that resulted in injury to his nephew. Ayala-Rodriguez claimed to have abducted the victims sibling, spouse, or parent from the purported accident scene to a nearby residence where they would be held until the victim paid a ransom to cover the nephews medical bills. Ayala-Rodriguez threatened to cause physical harm to the victims family member if a ransom was not paid, and claimed that that he and his nephew were drug dealers and/or gang members. To further instill fear, he would mimic the sounds of the victims relative begging, crying, and being assaulted. When certain victims hesitated to comply with his demands, Ayala-Rodriguez threatened to shoot and kill their loved ones. Some victims were directed to pay the ransom money by following a series of instructions to deliver the money to specific drop locations. In other instances, victims were directed to pay ransom money through wire transfers to specific accounts in the United States and/or Puerto Rico, including Walmart-to-Walmart money transfers. Jimenez-Correa and Gonzalez-Rivera allegedly participated in the scheme by picking up money delivered by victims. After paying the ransom money, many victims were allegedly directed to area hospitals to pick up their relatives only to learn that they were the victims of an elaborate and terrifying hoax, and that their relatives had never been in car accidents or abducted. Ringleader Ayala-Rodriguez pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Matthew J. Doran in Onondaga County Court to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, and one count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony. On October 30, 2018, Ayala-Rodriguez will be sentenced to 6 to 12 years in state prison and ordered to pay $14,529 in restitution. Gonzalez-Rivera pleaded guilty on August 24, 2018 before the Honorable Matthew J. Doran to one count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. On September 13, 2018, Gonzalez-Rivera was sentenced to six months incarceration followed by five years probation. Jimenez-Correas next court appearance is scheduled for October 17, 2018. Attorney General Underwood reminds New Yorkers of the following tips to avoid falling victim to this type of extortion scheme: If the caller is a stranger, be alert. Be aware that this type of extortion scam depends on fear. The scammer knows they need to work quickly to obtain your money because you may try to take steps, even while on the phone with the scammer, to figure out if your relative is in actual danger. Scammers will try to keep you on the line. Never give out personal information to a stranger on the phone. Never wire money through Western Union, MoneyGram, or any other wire service to a stranger. Never purchase gift or money cards for the purpose of providing the gift card numbers to someone else. Immediately contact the police if you get a call like the ones described here. The Office of the Attorney General thanks the New York State Police, Syracuse Police Department, Port Authority Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriffs Department, Manlius Police Department, Syracuse Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and United States Department of Homeland Security for their invaluable assistance on this case. The Attorney Generals investigation was conducted by Investigator Joel Cordone under the supervision of Deputy Chief Antoine Karam, with the assistance of Investigators Steven Pratt and Ismael Hernandez under the supervision of Supervising Investigator Michael Leahy and Deputy Chief John McManus. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarrella. Music, Movies & Entertainment, Local News, Arts & Culture, Press Releases By Tom Needham Published: October 09 2018 Tom Needhams The Sounds of Film will feature a variety of talent from the Hamptons International Film Festival and the Ayn Rand Institutes upcoming NYC events. Stony Brook, NY - October 9, 2018 - Tune into a special edition of Tune into a special edition of Tom Needhams The Sounds of Film this Thursday at 6 pm to hear exclusive interviews with a number of stars who turned out for the Hamptons International Film Festival including Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Damien Chazelle, Matthew Broderick, Don Lemon, Alex Winter, Cory Michael Smith and Kayli Carter. In addition, Tom will be having extended conversations with TV Host Dave Rubin and Author/Radio Host Yaron Brook about their upcoming Ayn Rand Institute special events. Matthew Broderick in The Dust. Photo Credit: A Wing and Prayer Pictures & King Bee productions in association with Storyland Pictures The Sounds of Film will be featuring unique discussions with some of biggest stars at the Hamptons International Film Festival. Academy Award-Winning director of La La Land, Damien Chazelle will be speaking about his new Neil Armstrong film, First Man. Matthew Broderick will be talking about his comedy To Dust. CNNs Don Lemon and director Alex Winter will be discussing the controversial documentary The Panama Papers. Emilio Estevez will be talking about his film, The Public, which is about what happens when a bunch of homeless people start a rebellion in a public library. Cory Michael Smith and Kayli Carter, who were both named Breakthrough Artists will be chatting about their awards and their current films. Lastly, Tom will be speaking to the Co-Chair of the Hamptons International Film Festival, Alec Baldwin, about this years incredible festival. The Sounds of Film will also be covering the upcoming celebration of the75th anniversary of Ayn Rands epic novel, The Fountainhead. On October 12th, Chairman of the Board of the Ayn Rand Institute, Yaron Brook, and others will gather for the The Fountainhead 75th Anniversary Gala at Current at Chelsea Piers. The celebration continues on October 13th when Yaron Brook, TV Host Dave Rubin and the Intellectual Dark Webs Eric Weinstein host a conversation named Free Speech, Free Minds, Free Markets at the New Yorker at 7 pm. Dave Rubin. Photo Credit: The Rubin Report Dave Rubin is the host of The Rubin Report, the worlds largest talk show about free speech and big ideas. The program has featured interviews with Larry King, Roseanne Barr, Sam Harris, and Richard Lewis. Yaron Brook is the host of the Yaron Brook Show and the co-author of In Pursuit of Wealth: The Moral Case for Finance. About the Sounds of Film Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: October 09 2018 Proclamations Declare Firefighter Appreciation Day and Fire Prevention Week in Honor of Fallen Heroes. Albany, NY - October 9, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 28 names will be added to the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the Empire State Plaza to honor the memory and heroism of the brave men and women who have lost their lives battling fires in the past year. "It is critical that we honor our brave firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for the communities they serve, to ensure their legacies are never forgotten," Governor Cuomo said. "We offer our heartfelt condolences to family, friends and colleagues who lost a loved one, and we pray for the safety of those who continue who put their lives on the line every day for the people of this great state." Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and other state officials recognized the 28 courageous individuals at the 21st Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Albany today as part of Firefighter Appreciation Day. "The Fallen Firefighters Memorial honors the legacy of men and women who faced unthinkable danger with incredible courage," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who attended today's event. "This year, eight names will be added to the monument, along with the names of 20 firefighters who were taken by the injuries and illnesses that arose in the aftermath of 9/11. Each of their stories is a testament to the heroism that is part of everyday life for those who answer the call and put on their uniform. We honor their bravery, and keep their families and friends in our thoughts and prayers." The individuals added to the wall this year can be found online here With the addition of these heroes, the Fallen Firefighters Memorial now honors 2,552 individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Fallen Firefighters Memorial, dedicated in 1998, honors the memory and valor of New York's fallen firefighters at the memorial during Fire Prevention Week each year. The memorial pays tribute to the more than 100,000 New York State firefighters who put their lives on the line every day. At today's ceremony, the Governor issued two proclamations to honor the state's career and volunteer firefighters, marking Tuesday, October 9 as Firefighter Appreciation Day and the week of October 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week. In 2017, fire departments statewide responded to approximately 1,534,586 incidents - about 4,204 incidents each day, 175 incidents per hour, and approximately 2.92 incidents every minute. "Today is a solemn day when we pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate price to help protect us, our loved ones, and our communities," said New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger L. Parrino Sr. "We mourn their sacrifice and vow to honor their memories for the sake of their fellow firefighters, their loved ones and the communities they bravely served." Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said, "On this solemn day, leaders from all across the state are gathered to recognize the bravery and heroism of those who have given their lives for the sake of others. By adding them to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Wall, we honor the 28 individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice and are reminded every day of more than 180,000 firefighters who protect the lives of their fellow citizens statewide. Each and every one of the 2,552 names inscribed on the wall represent the best of New York, and their courage will never be forgotten." Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "The brave men and women who serve their communities and our state as firefighters are the very best among us. They run towards danger and risk their lives to save others. Those who made the ultimate sacrifice and fell in the line of duty are owed a debt of gratitude from all of us for their heroism, their selflessness, and for their bravery. As we pay tribute to our fallen firefighters, it is my hope that all New Yorkers take the time to truly appreciate these heroes and reflect on how their service has made our homes, communities, and state safer." Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, "New Yorkers are blessed to have some of the most dedicated men and women protecting and serving our communities.Without hesitation, they selflessly put their lives at risk for our friends and loved ones. We could never thank them enough. Today, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by enshrining their names into this most sacred memorial. May God bless them and their families." Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb said, "Today we honor 28 fallen firefighters who personified courage, service and sacrifice. By adding the names of these extraordinary individuals to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial we salute their selfless bravery and recognize a debt that can never be repaid. As we pay tribute to our fallen heroes, my condolences are with the families and loved ones of those honored today, and my prayers are with all of New York's firefighters who put themselves in harm's way every day in order to keep us safe." "On behalf of the men and women of the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, I offer support and prayers to our fellow firefighters, friends and families of this year's honorees, as well as those from past years," said New York State Fire Administrator Francis "Skip" Nerney. President Julius Leone, of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs said, "We gather here to honor and remember our brothers and sisters that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting their communities. By honoring them today, we hope their loved ones and their fire service families will find some comfort. Their actions of heroism are a testament to their dedication and bravery to the fire service. These brothers and sisters will forever remain in our hearts." Steven Klein, President of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York said, "Today we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the performance of duty, many as a result of diseases caused by their service. It is imperative that we continue to find ways to better protect ourselves from the causes of these debilitating illnesses. To the families of those we have lost, we will never forget your loved ones. The addition of their names to this wall ensures their sacrifice will be remembered in perpetuity." The Cannabis Caravan is Coming to Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - On Saturday, October 13th from 10 am till 2 pm, and again on Monday, October 15th from 10 am till 4 pm, the Centro Universitario de la Costa in Puerto Vallarta will be hosting 'The Cannabis Caravan,' a nationwide tour offering lectures and workshops about medical marijuana, with a focus on education and commercialization. FREE and open to the public, this Medical Cannabis Conference & Expo gives anyone interested in the cannabis industry the opportunity to learn about Cannabis and Medicinal Marijuana. There will be international lecturers and workshops to provide knowledge of the medicinal marijuana industry, and experts will be on hand to talk about where Mexico stands on the legalization of cannabis. Activities include: "Knowledge is Power: Marijuana and its Benefits" Talk with Daniel Hernandez - Cannabis Movement in Puerto Vallarta THC: Cannabis History Workshop With Carlos Zamudio - The Dosage / Cannabis Library "Medicinal Applications of Cannabis" Talk with Dr. Juan Manuel Viveros Workshop for Primary Health Caregivers With Pat Zakany - Green Hope, Life and Balance "Plants of Power and Arrival of Cannabis to America" - and - "Past and Present of Cannabis Extracts in Mexico" Conversation with Guacamole Hemp How to Legalize? Proposal of the Mexican Cannabis Movement HEMP and THC Edibles Workshop with Aranza San - Sevententadores Business meeting Collectives, Organizations and Cannabis Undertakings For more information, visit the Facebook event page. But wait, there's more! Gold Leaf Smoke Shop, which was the first store of its kind in Bahia de Banderas when it opened in October 2012, will be celebrating their 6th Anniversary just as the cannabis activists arrive in Puerto Vallarta. Located at Lazaro Cardenas 379 in El Centro, Gold Leaf Smoke Shop sells E-cigarettes, vaporizers, water pipes, incense, and much more. And, on Saturday, October 13 they'll be throwing a party from 6-10 pm to celebrate 6 successful years in Puerto Vallarta. In addition to music by DJ Joaquin Estrada and the debut of a new mural by local artist Emilio Bustamante, Gold Leaf's 6th Anniversary Party will feature conversations with some of the activists from the Cannabis Caravan, including Carlos Zamudio, editor of La Dosis magazine. Free T-shirts, grinders, and other cool merchandise will be given away throughout the celebration. "The last 6 years have flown by," says Samara Alpern, owner of Gold Leaf. "I'm so grateful to our customers, and I can't wait to celebrate!" The festivities begin at 6:00 pm on October 13th. Don't miss it! You know that old saw about a broken watch being right twice a day? Thats more than you can say about a lot of opinions about the Apple Watch. Writing for The New York Times, John Herrman claims Apple Used to Know Exactly What People WantedThen It Made a Watch. (Tip o the antlers to DLAN, Philip Elmer-DeWitt and Bill in Texas.) Yeah. Who wants one of those? [Apple sells millions.] What does Herrman cite as his very first piece of evidence right in the lede? The jokey video Apple showed at the beginning of the iPhone XS release event. The subtext, in this now-customary display of self-deprecation, is that Apple, which saw its market capitalization pass $1 trillion in August this year, doesnt quite know what to do with itself. John, Freud calledwhich, yeah, is weird because hes been dead for kind of a while now, but he really called on the actual phone, its amazing but trueand he said sometimes a jokey video is just a jokey video. Apple has been pilloried in the last year (oh, look, even in The New York Times) for creating the modern smartphone which people like too much and, therefore, are always looking at. What to do now that the company has tried to give people options to reduce their smartphone dependence? Beat them over the head for that, too, by claiming the company doesnt know what its doing. Four years and millions of sales later, the Apple-Watch-as-iPhone-antidote pitch remains, as do its use cases as fitness and health devices. More important is what hasnt yet happened. Whether by accident or by design, the watch has so far been immune to the runaway success that redefined the iPhone. Wow, that is some bar. Psh, the Watch hasnt sold in the same numbers as what is arguably the most successful consumer product in history. What a total failure. But the Watch is a runaway success. No one would argue that the Amazon Echo isnt a success yet the Apple Watch sells in greater numbers at a higher price and everyone seems to think its a flop. Apple is still in the processand still in chargeof guessing what most people could get out of an Apple Watch. No, it isnt. The primary selling point of the Watch wasnt clear when it shipped and the Macalope doesnt know if Apple hadnt figured it out at that point or just wasnt ready to emphasize it then, but its health. The horny one doesnt know how anyone watching the companys Apple Watch Series 4 reveal could miss that unless they were watching it with one eye and Brazilian soap operas with the other. What future it may have still belongs to Apple. And this appears to be making the company anxious. Buckle up. Its time for some amateur psychoanalysis. These carefully chosen marketing images represent a plausible day in the life of no one so much as the very Apple executives presenting the product onstage, many appearing to be in some advanced stage of the reverse-aging epidemic that has afflicted Silicon Valley in recent years. Exercising is just a symptom of your fear of death! Dont buy an Apple Watch in a vain attempt to get fit! Give in and eat box after box of Ho Hos until you expire from a surfeit of distilled monoglycerides! Thats the only way to beat The Man. As Apple continues its institutional struggle to conceive of what the Apple Watch is, or could be, in the imaginations of its customers, its worth remembering that Apples stated commitment to privacy is, in practice, narrow. Yeah, its not like they duked it out in court with the freakin FBI over the privacy rights of a dead terrorist. Twice, the Macalope means. The competitors that Cook likes to prod about their data-exploitative business models have a necessary and complicit partner in his company, having found many of their customers though Apples devices and software. Many bad ideas are spread through books. Clearly books are to blame. Probably best to burn them all. This is especially relevant as Apple casts about for ideas elsewhere. Apple has already met with the insurance giant Aetna about ways in which the company might use Apple Watches to encourage healthierand cheaperbehavior in its tens of millions of customers. Programs that you can choose to enroll in are just the same as Facebook and Google mining your data without your knowledge. Apple is left still guessing, with more persistence than confidence, what customers might not yet know they want. Meanwhile, the market is watching, and coming up with its own answers. As one of those answers is a button that moves physical watch hands out of the way so you can see your notifications, the Macalope isnt exactly worried for the Apple Watch. If you knew nothing about the Apple Watch and read only this article, you would probably be pretty surprised to learn that its not only the best-selling smartwatch, its the best-selling watch, period. Its floptastic. Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco Joined in 'Sisterhood' Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco are now Sister Cities. The sisterhood, formalized under the auspices of the U.S. Mexico Sister Cities Association, was announced on September 29th by Puerto Vallarta city officials in a local ceremony celebrating the strategic partnership between the two Pacific Coast ports. Puerto Vallarta's Interim Mayor, Rodolfo Dominguez Monroy, led the September 28 twinning ceremony, accompanied by the General Consul of Mexico in San Francisco, Gemi Jose Gonzalez Lopez; the President of the Tourism Commission, Martha Susana Rodriguez Mejia; and the city's Tourism Director, Ramon Gonzalez Lomeli. The partnership is expected to promote cultural and commercial ties between the cities, which have shared a historical legacy since the 1960s. The two conurbations are also both home to large LGBT communities, a thriving demographic sector that contributes to the Puerto Vallarta's greatness, Rodriguez Mejia noted at the twinning ceremony. She added that San Francisco, with the highest per-capita purchasing power in the U.S., is close to Silicon Valley, home to small and large technology corporations from around the world, which could be replicated and developed as a second major industry - in addition to tourism - in Puerto Vallarta. Oliva Izaguirre, Mexico's National President of the US Mexico Sister Cities Association, pointed out that Puerto Vallarta serves as an important example of a city with optimistic, enthusiastic and intelligent inhabitants being united with other important cities to strengthen bonds of friendship, to share experiences and to collaborate in different areas such as culture. In addition to celebrating the new sister city status, Mayor Dominguez Monroy also introduced a team of local business owners who will make up the local committee to oversee the work done under the alliance, which will also work to foster tourism. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and United Airlines all offer direct flights between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco. Though significant, the sisterhood between Puerto Vallarta and San Francisco is not affiliated with Sister Cities International. It is part of the U.S. Mexico Sister Cities Association, based in La Jolla, California. For more information on the Puerto Vallarta-San Francisco sister cities program, please contact Susana Rodriguez Mejia at turismomunicipalpv(at)gmail.com. Bolsonaro won in the first round of the Brazilian general elections and could possibly be the next president of the republic. He received support from about 33 percent of the 147 million voters. Haddad (the PT candidate) received support from about 21 percent of voters. Of the total voters, 27.32 percent (more than 40m) decided not to vote for any candidate. This is an expression of the feeling that runs through the streets. The so-called "valid votes" counted by the Electoral Court produce the false impression that the winner has the majority of the population on his side. The PSDB was swept away: it went from 54 deputies elected in 2014 to 29 now. The MDB fell from 66 to 34. The largest number of deputies remains with the PT, despite falling from 88 elected in 2010, to 69 in 2014, and now 56. Bolsonaros PSL has gone from one to 52 deputies. The PSOL has grown from six to 10 deputies, despite failing to get its candidate anywhere near the presidency. Only 240 deputies were re-elected, out of a total of 513. With these results and the expansion of political polarisation a new situation has opened up in Brazil. The proletariat is without political representation When the Marxists departed from the PT in 2015, we explained that the party had broken with its historic labour base and the youth. We also argued that the PSOL could become the alternative for the reconstruction of the political representation of the working class. After more than three years, the vote in this first round has confirmed our analysis of the PT. However, the PSOL is very far from being a mass labour party. We will vote for the PT in round two to block Bolsonaro, but we have no faith in Haddad's programme, which will inevitably attack the working class / Image: Agencia Brasil The PT lost in all proletarian centres, as it had lost in the municipal elections two years ago. It also lost votes in the working-class neighbourhoods of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and, indeed, across all major cities more generally. It has become a party that survives more and more on the basis of remote areas, rather than being a party of workers and youth a party that represents the proletariat. The electoral map, including the Northeast, shows this. The PSOL, meanwhile, has increased its number of deputies, but is far from a mass party. Its presidential candidate, Boulos, had the worst candidate-to-president vote in party history. This says a lot about the "tactic" of trying to be the "other PT", rather than defending socialism. If the party managed to have the best vote for any "left" deputy in Sao Paulo, this is due more to the bankruptcy of the PT than to confidence in the PSOL. The political bankruptcy of the representation of the proletariat has led to what journalists and commentators have called the "conservative wave" or "rightist wave," which almost saw Bolsonaro elected outright in the first round. This is a critical situation. With the current policy of the PT, this scenario will hardly be reversed in the second round. The question for the Marxists, for socialists in general and for those who want to fight alongside the proletariat, is: what is the best way to fight Bolsonaro? What does Bolsonaro represent? Situating Bolsonaro in an international context, it is inevitable to compare him with the growth of other extreme right-wing politicians and parties: Trump in the USA; Marine Le Pen in France; The League in Italy; the AfD in Germany and so on. At the same time, there are differences. For example, Trump defends protectionist measures and job creation within the United States. Bolsonaro and his economist, Paulo Guedes, defend an ultraliberal economic policy, of submission to the international market (with Bolsonaro even saluting the United States flag), privatisation of everything that is currently state-owned, the end of the labour rights that still exist such as the 13th salary (an additional monthly wage given once a year), vacations, pensions, etc. Obviously, his demagoguery about arming the population against the bad guys is a blatant lie, which he intends to circumvent by extending the license to kill that the police already have and encouraging repression against workers' and youth organisations. What is similar between the cited international cases and Bolsonaro is that they all ride an anti-establishment wave that runs through the base of society. Such phenomena have a common origin: the deep crisis of capitalism, which is the root of the international political instability and the demoralisation of the so-called moderate formations of the left and right, who took turns in power to administer this system. Bolsonaro is the deformed and degenerate expression of the hatred of various social layers against the establishment and politicians / Image: Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom Placing Bolsonaro within this global perspective helps us to understand that a good portion of his constituents are not made up of macho, racist, dictatorial, fascistic types although he does enjoy the support of fascist groups. Amongst his voters are some proletarians, caught between the violence of the drug traffickers and the police, who long for the means to defend their families. There are also young men, angry with politics, who want to put someone in power who will simply burn the whole rotten edifice down. Additionally, there are, of course, petty-bourgeois elements, frightened by the crisis, who want to lower the cost of living with tax breaks and cuts to labour protections. However, today there is no organised fascist party with a mass base capable of assembling battalions to attack workers' organisations, even if the fascist groups feel more comfortable to act in this climate of social polarisation. There is no social basis for sustaining a brazen dictatorship. Supporters of the military dictatorship may make a lot of noise, but they are a minority. The need for the bourgeoisie to promote an offensive of the state apparatus in the repression and criminalisation of the struggles of youth and workers is unquestionable. However, a dictatorship or a fascist regime would have to defeat the working class, which is currently disoriented but not defeated. Bolsonaro is, in fact, the deformed and degenerate expression of the hatred of various social layers against the establishment and politicians. His policies include violent repression, destruction of public services, privatisations without limits and, therefore, will lead to further unemployment and suffering. Bolsonaro does not have a fascist party behind him, but he can certainly use the repressive instruments and levers of state power to impose his reactionary agenda. This cannot be ruled out, but it would require, first, the defeat and destruction of workers' organisations to make them abandon even their own demands. Moreover, Bolsonaro did not have (until recently) the support of the national and international big bourgeoisie. The most enthusiastic support he received in the first round was from the ultra-reactionary layers of rural Brazil, former police officers and the most degenerate evangelical sects. The sectors of the native bourgeoisie that have joined Bolsonaro are still marginal. The fact that bourgeois politicians are now supporting him in the second round represents an attempt to control Bolsonaro, while continuing to enjoy the spoils of exploitation. Some left-wing activists frightened about the idea of a coup, the imminence of fascism and dictatorship will begin to see qualities that never existed in the PT and the governments of Lula and Dilma. Under the pressure of events, they are capitulating. Others cannot understand the difference between Bolsonaro on the extreme right, and the bourgeois-worker party (as Lenin characterised the Social Democracy) in the form of the PT. These are the sectarians who declare that it doesnt matter whether the winner is Bolsonaro or Haddad, and they will spoil their ballots in the second round. The current political situation is a minefield. The bourgeoisie knows that a wrong step could lead to explosions of struggles with a revolutionary character. The ghost of June 2013 still haunts them. The PT The PT and its governments betrayed the working class, made vicious attacks against it and submitted to the interests of international capital. Lula and other PT leaders politically destroyed a mass party, constructed by the working class, as a tool of struggle. The consequence has been a disorganisation of struggles and confusion that has culminated in the current situation. For this reason, the PT lost its base in the urban proletariat, the factories and the youth, and sustains its electoral base mainly on the basis of the past, when there was some economic growth, which allowed for more jobs, and greater consumption based on easy credit. The fact is that, today, the objective economic situation, both nationally and internationally, has changed: there is no room for manoeuvre. There is no choice but to attack the workers. The proletariat will face the challenge of reorganising, resisting and fighting; overcoming the obstacles that insist on blocking and deflecting its path. The PSOLs results What was seen in these elections was a presidential candidate from the PSOL with reformist rhetoric and petty-bourgeois orientations, guided by electoral opportunism. This prevented the party from presenting itself as an alternative to the PT, that would stand against the current system, and serve as a point of organisational expression for the working class. Emblematic of their completely mistaken policy, from the point of view of the working class and youth, was the publication of the electoral programme: "50 Boulos recipes". This was presented in the format of a cookbook, trying to imitate Pablo Iglesias, who published his programme in the format of an IKEA furniture catalogue. In his programme, Boulos praised and offered incentives for "entrepreneurship": much like the PT saying it wants to develop capitalism. Faced with the political failure of his campaign, in the final stretch, Boulos declared himself "against the system". But this was already useless given the 50 recipes that he had been defending, and lacking any means to differentiate himself from the PT and Lula. Boulos candidacy and campaign were huge mistakes by the PSOL leadership / Image: public domain All this prevented the PSOL from gaining the support of those who no longer believe in the current political system, in the way Podemos in Spain, France Insoumise, Corbyn in Britain and even Bernie Sanders in the USA have been able to do, despite their limitations. Boulos candidacy and campaign were huge mistakes by the PSOL leadership. They annulled the party as a possible alternative, disarmed its militancy and resulted in an electoral regression that was enormous in relation to previous results. This was a campaign without identity, without personality and with a right-wing, reformist programme that even defended "entrepreneurship". That is: encouraging youth and the working class down a path to success in capitalism. As a consequence, Boulos had the worst vote in the history of PSOL, which contrasts with the growth of the party's congressional deputies. The PSOL must distance itself from the policies that led to the fall of the PT or it cannot develop as a true socialist party. All efforts of the Marxist Left must be directed towards assisting in the construction of an independent, mass socialist party. It was with these objectives in mind that the Marxist Left participated in the elections, focusing its campaigns on politically organising activists and supporters. It was in the spirit of class independence that we refused to touch a single cent of bourgeois state money offered through partisan and electoral funds. These campaigns were entirely funded by supporters, which guaranteed complete political independence. Nothing is decided yet. An open battle will commence to win the 27.32 percent who did not vote for anyone, as well as the voters of all the other candidates. In the second round, we will fight to defeat Bolsonaro. The Marxist Left invites all its supporters to vote against Bolsonaro in this second round of elections. We will vote for the PT, without any confidence in Haddads programme. The only objective is to bar Bolsonaro. Our struggle is to wipe out this whole rotten capitalist system and establish a real workers' government, to expropriate the bosses and democratically plan the economy. The Bolsheviks learned in August 1917, under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky, to counter Kornilov's counterrevolutionary coup, without giving any support to the Kerensky government, which repressed the Bolsheviks in July, arrested Trotsky, and forced Lenin into exile. In Germany, in the early 1930s, the Communist Party, under Stalin's direction, refused to stand with the German Social-Democratic Party whom they called "social fascists" against Nazism. This criminal leftism allowed for the coming to power of Nazism and then the massacre of Communists and Social Democrats. Trotsky, in a 1932 letter on the situation in Germany, said: "There are seven notes on the musical scale. The question of which of these notes is better: Do, Re or So, is a meaningless question. But the musician must know when to play and which notes to play. The abstract question of who is the lesser evil Bruning or Hitler also lacks any meaning. You need to know which key to play. Is that clear? For those who do not understand, let's quote another example: if one of my enemies forces me to swallow small daily portions of poison, and another enemy, lurking in an alley, is about to shoot directly at me, then I will first take the hand of my second enemy, this will give me an opportunity to get rid of my first enemy. But that does not mean at all that the poison is a lesser evil compared to the revolver." The issue in this second round is to "take the revolver" away from Bolsonaro and to continue the fight against the "poison": the attacks that a PT government would also implement. Between the two possible options, it is best for the working class to reorganise its forces and prepare for future victories. In all those states where there will be second-round elections between bourgeois parties for the position of state governors, the Marxist Left invites all its activists and supporters to spoil their ballots or abstain. There is no defeat, no demoralisation, and no fascism around the corner. What exists is social polarisation, a failed regime, a lack of revolutionary leadership, and betrayal by the traditional leaders of the working class. However, there is also a mass of people willing to fight, who will do so when they find a channel to express their indignation. An intensification of the class struggle is on the horizon; and it is in the streets, factories, workplaces and schools that our enemies will have to be defeated. The Marxist Left invites everyone to discuss these issues in the open meetings about the results of the first round that we are organising. We invite all activists and sympathisers to join our organisation, to fight together, to help build the proletarian party that the working class needs. SPRINGFIELD -- Rosebud, a 4-month-old pygmy goat, joined staffers and board members at The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center along with state lawmakers Tuesday to announce $75,000 in state funding for the 154-year-old zoo. The money, about an eighth of the zoo's $600,000 annual budget, will go to feed and care for the 150 animals this winter when the gates are closed and the weather turns cold, said Sarah Tsitso, executive director. The zoo spends, for example, $2,000 a month just on hay, she said. The funding is the latest boost for the zoo, which has pulled itself out of a challenging financial period. The zoo, governed by the Forest Park Zoological Society, expects a balanced budget this year with the state money, increased fundraising, events and attendance revenue, Tsitso said. Tuesday's announcement, organized by state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, comes as the 4-acre zoo is seeing an uptick in visitors, she said. There were 44,000 visitors in 2017, and the 2018 season, which ends at the end of October, is on track to bring 50,000 visitors or more. The zoo is not a city department, but a nonprofit organization that pays nominal rent for the land in the park. "We've added animals and new exhibits," Tsitso said. "And people have come specifically to see those new animals." Additions include a pair of of African serval cats that went on display in July with the financial help of Paul Picknelly of the Sheraton Springfield and the new Starbucks at Monarch Place. And lots of animals were brought to the zoo because they were sick, injured and unable to live in the wild or kept by people in unsafe conditions and cannot live on their own. That includes Cassie, an orphaned coyote with a broken leg, two red-tailed hawks that cannot fly and two raccoons that were kept as pets. The zoo expects to get two bald eagles -- a male and a female -- from Alaska by the end of fall, Tsitso said. The eagles both have wing injuries and cannot fly, so they need to be cared for in captivity. The zoo has already built a habitat for them. The zoo has had a bald eagle before, she said. About 85 percent of the animals at the zoo are sick, injured or too accustomed to humans to live on their own, she said. Lesser spoke of how important the zoo is as a cultural and educational tool in Springfield. State reps. Carlos Gonzalez, Jose Tosado and Bud Williams, all Springfield Democrats, said Forest Park Zoo is especially important for young people growing up in underserved neighborhoods and with limited resources. "A lot of kids in urban America never get to see animals, except on television," Williams said. Gonzelz said those kids learn about wildlife without having to travel. "If it wasn't for Forest Park, they wouldn't have that opportunity," he said. Williams also praised the staff and the board at the zoo for their work putting it on sound financial footing. "It wasn't that long ago this place was on the verge of going belly up," he said. Tsitso doesn't expect to go to the City Council this year looking for money, she said. The end-of-season audit is ongoing. Three young men are in custody after allegedly breaking into a Canton apartment with a semi-automatic rifle. Canton Police arrested Drijon Holmes, 18, and brothers Josiah Fleming, 18, and Timothy Fleming, 19, after the teens from Boston allegedly broke into a second-floor apartment at 236 Neponset Street in Canton Monday afternoon while carrying a semi-automatic rifle. Police responded to call around 1:37 p.m. in which a caller reported a man walking around the area with a "machine gun." Police said in a statement that all three suspects were wearing masks, and at least one was seen at the rear door of the apartment holding an "AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle in hand." A woman who lived inside the apartment tried to climb out of a window during the break-in. She was later taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. When the three suspects realized officers were on the scene, they ran in three different directions, police said. The Fleming brothers were immediately apprehended, while Holmes was caught shortly after in a wooded area. Authorities said the motive is unclear and the break-in is under investigation. Canton Police did say they are confident that the alleged crime was not random. Canton Police commended the responding officers for their bravery, reflecting on the most recent loss of a police member, Florence Police Sgt. Terrence Carraway, during a gunfire exchange in Florence County in South Carolina. At least six other officers were wounded in that exchange on Wednesday, Oct. 3. "We are so very grateful that today was a good day for law enforcement," Canton Deputy Chief Helena Rafferty said in a statement. Canton Police say the three suspects tied to the break-in on Monday will face multiple charges, including home invasion and possession of a large capacity firearm. In order for utility company Columbia Gas of Massachusetts to fully assess, fix and restore natural gas across nearly 10,000 dwellings impacted by the gas disaster in Greater Lawrence, crews will have to visit at least 350 units per day, officials said. "Scaling up a massive task like this requires us to do an in-depth resources assessment," Chief Recovery Officer Joe Albanese said in a phone conference from Lawrence on Tuesday. The goal is to get gas back in homes by Nov. 19. "We know that when we get to our pace that we're going to need to, we're planning to, put in place 350 to 400 house-ready units per day. And we need to get to that point in that next week, week-and-a-half," Albanese added. The large-scale efforts are because of an issue with over-pressurized gas lines, operated by Columbia Gas. The exact cause of the over-pressurization remains under investigation. It led to upwards of 80 explosions and fires that caused one death and multiple injuries in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on Sept. 13. It was initially reported that nearly 8,600 gas meters were shut off as a result of the disaster, but according to Albanese, thousands more are included in the assessment and restoration phase. In the weeks since, the company has strategized with state agencies on how to respond to the enormous task of safely restoring power and supporting evacuated residents. According to Columbia Gas, more than 20 miles of gas line has been installed in the streets and progress is ahead of schedule. In recent days, displaced residents have been offered temporary housing at apartments and hotel rooms while their homes are being fixed. "We know that all eyes are on us, and we're holding ourselves accountable for this," Columbia Gas Restoration Officer Pablo Vegas said during a press conference call from Lawrence on Tuesday. "We're going to do whatever's needed to regain our customer's trust and we'll be here to support them." Restoring power to the nearly 10,000 dwellings, including roughly 700 businesses in the Greater Lawrence area, requires a two-fold process: Fixing the natural gas systems inside, and fixing the piping outside. The "house-ready" process involves a coalition of workers entering an individual home or business to assess the safety and impact on natural gas appliances, like boilers, furnaces, water heaters. Workers will then disconnect and remove the appliances, test gas pipelines, re-install new appliances, and conduct a final safety inspection before gas can finally be turned on. Restoration leaders like Albanese and Vegas say they expect the "house-ready" process to align with the outdoor "gas-ready" process, in which crews will replace damaged pipeline. In all likelihood, the "house-ready" process will take several days at each unit. Columbia Gas has asked that families arrange for an adult to be home when workers are operating on their street. A new online, interactive map on Columbia Gas's website promises customers the ability to track when crews will arrive and work on their street. By Nov. 19, Columbia Gas believes the restoration process will be complete. As crews scale up to address 350 to 400 units per week, Albanese said gas workers will need to get to at least 250 gas meters per day. The process has required the gas company to coordinate thousands of workers, including laborers, plumbers and gas workers, who have traveled from across the country and parts of Canada into the Merrimack Valley to assist in the restoration efforts. Of the 700 businesses impacted, Columbia Gas said they are prioritizing those that have "an impact on human needs," like businesses that deal in emergency response, daycare, schools, or food services. For those who rely on revenues, Vegas said Columbia Gas's claims adjusters can work with businesses to provide restitution. "Our effort here is to work quickly and efficiently," Albanese said Tuesday, adding, "We can't sacrifice safety for anything." Boston police identified the 22-year-old man who died in a double shooting in Dorchester Friday as Gabriel Rodriguez. Police said Rodriguez was a victim of a double shooting reported at 6:48 p.m. Friday. This was the second of five fatal shootings from Friday to Sunday in Boston. Police have said the five killings are unrelated. On Friday Boston police responded to a call about a person shot near Alexander and Bird Streets in Dorchester. When the police arrived, they found two men suffering gunshot wounds. Rodriguez was pronounced dead after police found him near 11 Emrose Terrace, police said. Police told The Boston Globe that the other victim, who is recovering, is a teenager. Rodriguez is one of five men who died in shootings in the city over the weekend. Raymond Halloway-Creighton, 26, of Dorchester was shot and killed on Massachusetts Avenue in Roxbury at about 3:30 a.m. Friday. His mother Cynthia Creighton told WCVB that her son was robbed while riding a scooter home from a food delivery job. Friends and family identified Jose Luis Phinn-Williams, 67, as the victim of a shooting during an attempted robbery at Fabian Gas Station on Washington Street in Dorchester Saturday night. Kevin Williams, 21, of Dorchester, was arrested nearby and faces multiple charges including assault with intent to murder and attempted robbery, Boston police said. Additional charges are expected to be filed. Another man, who police say was in his 40s, was shot and killed at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday on Mildred Avenue in Mattapan. He has not been identified. Kai Harris, 26, of Brockton allegedly shot and killed a man in his 30s on Itasca Street in Mattapan at about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Harris is facing a murder charge and is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court Tuesday morning. Williams is also expected to be arraigned Tuesday. The five killings remain under investigation. Boston police said there have been 44 homicides in the city in 2018 compared with 42 at this time last year. Locked out union workers for National Grid accuse the company of "reckless behavior" following a recent gas incident in Woburn that impacted hundreds of homes. National Grid responded to an over-pressurized gas line in Woburn Monday morning. The incident was the result of gas technicians inadvertently introducing excess gas into a system, according to National Grid spokesperson Christine Milligan. Nearly 300 gas meters were shut off as a precaution. Workers on the scene in Woburn Monday were National Grid management gas technicians, or people "with decades of experience" who normally supervise union employees, Milligan said. Full gas restoration is expected to be completed in Woburn by Thursday. "While we always want to avoid any incidents, these do happen. That's regardless of the workforce that we have," Milligan told MassLive. In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, National Grid President Marcy Reed thanked Woburn customers for their patience and apologized for the inconveniences brought on by the gas incident. "We're blessed by the fact that it's 70-something degrees here," Reed said, adding the company will be happy to reimburse its customers for any expenses incurred during the incident. But events in the last two months have created a palpable tension surrounding gas work in Massachusetts. A three-month lockout of unionized workers, combined with last month's disastrous gas explosions on lines operated by Columbia Gas in the Merrimack Valley, has stoked fears about potential gas incidents. "As this latest incident involving a replacement worker in Woburn shows, Massachusetts' natural gas industry is in disarray," read a statement from Steel unions Local 12003 and Local 12012, the gas workers fighting for a stronger contract with National Grid. Since July, roughly 1,100 Massachusetts gas workers employed by National Grid have been locked out of work due to failed contract negotiations. Throughout the lockout, unionized gas workers have accused National Grid of more than 100 potential safety violations. "If National Grid refuses to end this irresponsible and reckless behavior, it's time for the state to step up and demand the company do so. As these most recent gas incidents highlight, natural gas is dangerous," the union added. The state is not taking gas incidents lightly: following the Woburn gas incident on Monday, the Department of Public Utilities ordered National Grid to stop all gas work except for emergency jobs. The order comes shortly after the DPU began an investigation into safety violations and other practices by National Grid workers. "I fully respect the DPU's decision to issue a moratorium," National Grid President Reed said Tuesday, adding, "We welcome their review." Reed blamed the Woburn gas incident on human error, and said governance procedures within National Grid allowed workers to catch the problem right away. GREENFIELD -- Jobs in the marijuana market and how to start a business in the industry will be among topics at the "Marijuana Industry & Careers Overview" workshop held at Greenfield Community College Nov. 7 and 8. "This six-hour workshop will include tips and strategies for navigating your way into the new and fast-growing legal marijuana industry, whether you are interested in working for others or want to participate as an investor or owner," according to the college's Workforce Development website. Greenfield Community College (GCC) is holding the event at its Downtown Center at 270 Main St. with Patriot Care, which runs a medical marijuana facility at 7 Legion Ave. The workshop is an in-depth follow up to one that GCC and Patriot Care held Sept. 27, Mark Rabinsky, director of GCC's Department of Workforce Development & Community Education, said at the Sept. 27 event. Among topics the workshop will address: overview of marijuana industry with current and future issues analysis of current Massachusetts regulations for medical and recreational marijuana working and investing in the industry, including job requirements capital requirements necessary to compete in the industry personal skills required for success challenges in banking, insurance and community and government relations faced by owners and operators in the industry review of security issues how to develop skills to work in management or meet with investors establishing a business plan hiring a team. Among speakers will be Bob Mayerson and Dennis Kunian of Patriot Care and consultant Daniel J. Delaney, of the Delaney Policy Group of Boston, the event website said. The legal sale and consumption of marijuana inside places like cafes, yoga studios and movie theaters is likely "years" away, a member of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission said Tuesday. "This is not going to happen immediately because there is no workable process under the law by which a city or town can allow this," said Shaleen Title, one of the five commissioners. Members of the commission earlier this year delayed discussions on how to move ahead with what's known as "social consumption," or consuming marijuana inside a place other than a person's primary residence. Commissioners opted to first focus on the roll-out of retail pot shops before returning to the topics of social consumption and home delivery of marijuana. A July 1 target date for the opening of retail pot shops came and went, though the commission has approved dozens of provisional licenses of varying sorts, and two final licenses for recreational marijuana stores in Northampton and Leicester. Steve Hoffman, chairman of the commission, said on Oct. 4 that openings are "weeks" away. As for cannabis cafes, Title said there would need to be a change in state law before Massachusetts cities and towns can allow them to occur. "The way it's written now, it's not workable," she said. Title made the comments at a meeting of commissioners in Boston, in an effort she said was to set realistic expectations. "They are not gong to open tomorrow." She suggested setting up a working group that would help with a pilot program for cities and towns interested in opting into social consumption. The program would benefit small businesses and applicants who can demonstrate they were negatively affected by the US war on drugs. The working group could tackle questions like whether yoga studios and massage parlors could allow on-site marijuana consumption, whether people can bring their own cannabis, what kind of security is needed, and what kind of public health concerns should be considered. Separately, social consumption could be limited in Massachusetts to vaping and marijuana edibles, due to state and local smoking laws. "There will be social consumption" in Massachusetts eventually, Title said, noting that 20 percent of the public uses marijuana, and cannabis-centered events are already happening. In 10 years, social consumption will be "as normal" as going to a movie theater and buying a drink, according to Title. Her comments came after Shawn Collins, the Cannabis Control Commission's executive director, delivered a staff report to commissioners. He said a statewide licensing set-up for social consumption doesn't exist elsewhere, with cities and towns handling the issue. In Maine, social consumption is delayed until 2023, while in the Netherlands, there are hundreds of cannabis cafes. City officials in Denver authorized social consumption but marijuana sales cannot occur on the premises, meaning customers have to bring their own or buy it from a retailer before coming into a cafe. Las Vegas is eyeing a hookah-style lounge that would operate next to legal marijuana dispensaries. Title said the staff report struck the right tone by coming across as "appropriately cautious." "I think we're all committed to do everything we can to figure this issue out," Hoffman, the chairman of the commission, told reporters after the meeting. "Personally, I'd like to see it happen, because I do think it's a social justice issue," he said. "But I also think it's a complicated issue," he added. Title's suggestion of a working group or task force "is a great way to wrestle our way through these very complicated issues," according to Hoffman. Hoffman said the commission has an agreement with state legislators to reach out for help when needed. "Obviously it's their choice, not ours, to enact legislation or not, but they've asked us to collaborate with them and we intend to do so," he said. The Cannabis Control Commission is slated to meet next on Oct. 18, with discussion of home delivery of marijuana likely to top the agenda. The Lawrence Fire Department was called to Parthum Elementary school for the second time in less than week on Tuesday morning due to the smell of natural gas odors. The office of Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty confirmed crews had been called to the scene at Parthum Elementary on East Haverhill Street for the smell of gas Tuesday morning. Few details were available, but the call came in sometime before 8:30 a.m. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said the school had been evacuated "out of an abundane of caution," and that the building was swiftly checked and cleared. Rivera said the gas odor had no ties to the gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover last month. Parthum Sch this am there was a gas smell. Out of an abundance of caution students went outside as the bldg. was checked & cleared. - Gas is turned off - 2 fire fighters will remain, students expected to return. NOT related to the gas fires of 9/13/18 #MVGasFire #recovery pic.twitter.com/U9KnRhPtsm Dan Rivera (@danrivera01843) October 9, 2018 Parthum Elementary was one of three schools investigated by authorities and workers with Columbia Gas last Thursday, on Oct. 4 due to an apparent smell of gas. Officials confirmed at the time that the gas odors at Parthum, Oliver Partnership and Arlington Middle School were not at all tied to the disaster that unfolded across the Merrimack Valley last month. Columbia Gas Operations Manager Dave Nelson said the gas smell at Parthum last week was connected to three rooftop units and a hot water heater, which had small leaks. Shortly after initial reports of gas odors last Thursday, Nelson confirmed the building was safe. CHICOPEE - Spencer is diabetic, cataracts have robbed him of his sight and at 12-years-old he could use a little extra love and prayers. So, Carol Robak put on his leash and harness and brought her terrier-chihuahua mix to St. Stanislaus Church for the annual blessing of the animals Sunday. She was joined in the school's parking by a veritable zoo. Pet owners cuddled cats and struggled with tail-wagging golden retrievers and barking chihuahuas on leashes. One brought a hedgehog and a young child brought fish that swam around in small aquariums. "I've been coming for years," Robak said, explaining she adopted Spencer after a friend found him as a puppy wandering around Holyoke streets and no one claimed him despite a search for the owner. Kaylee Raineault, 12, a sixth-grader at St. Stanislaus School, was the one who insisted her family bring their terrier mix Marley to the blessing. She and two other children were enlisted at the event to help Rev. Joseph Bayne, the new priest at St. Stanislaus Basilica, with the ceremony. "I was thinking Marley should be getting blessed since we just got her a couple of weeks ago," she said, adding Marley was a rescue dog. In fact, most of the animals at the blessing were rescued from a shelter and given a new home, including Smokey, a black cat with green eyes who Donna Skwira adopted as a kitten a year ago. "I lost my mom in February and I made a promise to her that I would get her (Smokey) blessed," she said. Skwira is a life-long parish member at St. Stanislaus Basilica. The blessing of the animals is a long tradition at St. Stanislaus Basilica, which is led by Franciscan priests who have close ties to St. Francis. A number of other Western Massachusetts churches of different denominations hold similar blessings, Bayne said. "St. Francis 800 years ago tried to see God in every creature," he said. "We all know people's pets are part of the family and they are all a blessing." During the short event, Bayne had members sing a traditional song, told the story about St. Francis and a wolf and recounted his personal experience with his family's beagles. "They howl, they whine and they lick you." After saying a prayer for all the animals, he walked around the parking lot and individually sprinkled holy water on each pet. After blessing a pair of white pigeons, Krzysztof Socha shocked the pastor by letting them go. When asked if they will return, Socha explained they are homing pigeons and were flying back to his Chicopee residence where he also has a number of birds including canaries, fancy pigeons and finches. Socha said he brings some of his birds to the blessing every year and this year his grandson Nikolas Grasakis, 2 1/2 joined in carrying a small aquarium with two betta fish, one named Nikolas and the other named Dziadzio, which is Polish for grandfather. "It is a family tradition. We do it every year and we want to teach the grandchildren about it," Socha said. He said his young grandson especially cares about the birds. Every time he visits his grandparents, Nikolas asks to feed the pigeons. "I come in honor of St. Francis. He has been very good to them," said Janice Fritsch, who brought her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Lizzie. Her friends Larry and Doreen Bourdeau came with her with their pair of Yorkshire terriers Zofia and Emma. "They are 15 and 12, I think they need all the blessings they can get," Doreen Bourdeau said. Worcester's Union Station is on the list of locations that the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is eyeing for its statewide headquarters. The state's Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance has identified several locations in Worcester for the new agency's headquarters. The State House News Service first reported the possible locations. The five-member commission and its staffers are looking for roughly 13,000 square feet of office space and they plan to move into their new digs in 2019. The other Worcester locations, aside from Union Station, include: 340 Main Street 370 Main Street 13 Sudbury Street 10 Chestnut Street 144 Commercial Street 8 New Bond Street 14 New Bond Street 324 Clark Street The agency is also looking for a 5,000 square foot satellite office in the Greater Boston area. The list of locations includes places in several Boston neighborhoods, as well as Malden, north of Boston, and Quincy, directly south of Boston: Schrafft Center in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood, close to Sullivan Square and across the river from the under-constructionEncore Boston Harbor casino 960 Massachusetts Avenue in Newmarket Square/South Bay 50 Franklin Street in Boston's Downtown Crossing neighborhood 5 Whittier Place, near the Suffolk County Jail and Massachusetts General Hospital 1495 Hancock Street, blocks away from Quincy District Court in Quincy Center 1515 Hancock Street, next door to 1495 Hancock, Quincy Center 108 Myrtle Street, near Granite Telecommunications, North Quincy 6 Pleasant Street, near Malden High School, Malden Center 94-100 Pleasant Street, next to Malden City Hall, Malden Center 157 Pleasant Street, Malden Center The commission currently has temporary offices in 75-101 Federal Street in Boston's Financial District, in the same building as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which oversees the MGM Springfield resort casino and Plainridge Park Casino, a slots parlor. Commissioners met behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss the potential sites for their headquarters and satellite offices. Material from State House News Service was used in this report. The man killed in a crash on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Charlton last week has been identified by Massachusetts State Police as 51-year-old John B. Kitchen of Ludlow. Kitchen died Thursday when the van he was driving crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 90 around 3:40 a.m. Initially, State Police reported that the victim was from Springfield. On Tuesday, State Police confirmed that he was from Ludlow. A 2013 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by a Chicopee man was stopped in the middle lane on the westbound side of the highway because of construction. Kitchen, who was driving a 2017 Ford Transit van, crashed into the back of the truck. Authorities believe Kitchen did not see traffic had stopped in front of him. The crash remains under investigation. Two men were held without bail in unrelated shootings that left two dead in Boston this weekend. Kevin Dante Williams, 21, of Dorchester, was charged with murdering Jose Williams at the Fabian Gas Station on Washington Street Saturday night. Kai Harris, 27, of Brockton was charged with murdering a man on Itasca Street in Mattapan Sunday morning. Terrell White, 36, was pronounced dead at Brigham and Women's hospital later that morning. Family members of both the victims and the accused packed the Dorchester District Courtroom where the men were arraigned Tuesday. Court officers filled the narrow row between benches, as family members watched the young men face charges through a glass window. Prosecutors said Kevin Williams shot 63-year-old Jose Williams in the chest as he was closing the gas station Saturday night. Williams, who would've turned 64 on Monday, was pronounced dead at Boston Medical Center. The men are not related. Aviva Jeruchim, the lawyer for Williams, said her client will be exonerated. She said the 21-year-old's cell phone records will prove he was not near the scene. Williams, who grew up in Quincy had just left his job at a Jiffy Lube in Taunton and was prepared to help his family move to the South Shore on Monday morning, Jeruchim said. Jeruchim argued Williams had "no reason" to shoot someone. Williams has no prior criminal record. Jose Williams was a beloved clerk at the busy gas station on Washington Street. He would have turned 64 on Monday, his family said. Friends and family set up birthday balloons outside the gas station, a short walk from the courthouse where both men were arraigned Tuesday. The remnants of a birthday cake sat in a tray surrounded by handwritten messages. They read: "Keep smiling in heaven" and "I love you look after us." In court filings, police said Harris was in a red Honda when he shot and killed 19-year-old White on Itasca Street. "Officers observed a person...apparently struck by the gunfire fall to the sidewalk," police wrote in a report filed in court. Prosecutors described Harris as a "career criminal." One officer said Harris "was the person operating the vehicle he attempted to stop after the shooting," the report said. Harris' lawyer said a different man in the car shot White. Three other men were shot and killed during a violent weekend in the city that's left residents reeling. Raymond Halloway-Creighton, 26, of Dorchester was shot and killed on Massachusetts Avenue in Roxbury at about 3:30 a.m. Friday. His mother Cynthia Creighton told WCVB that her son was robbed while riding a scooter home from a food delivery job. Boston police say Gabriel Rodriguez, 22, died in a double shooting on Emrose Terrace in Dorchester Friday night. Karim Blount, 42, of Mattapan was shot in the area of 18 Mildred Ave. around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Boston police said Outside court Tuesday, the Rev. Vernard Coulter of New Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Dorchester said the community was "hurting." "We're hurting...it is very saddening," he said. "Both shootings." Coulter said his niece is married to White's brother. He said he also knew Williams well from the gas station. "When you lose a loved one to a shooting...what do you do?" he asked. Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell released a statement offering condolences and support Tuesday afternoon. "My heart goes out to the victims' families and communities, including those who work and shop in Codman Square to whom Jose Williams was a friendly face and neighbor," Campbell wrote. "These homicides are a painful reminder of our failures to address inequities in our communities that can lead people to acts of violence and desperation, and I hope this is yet another wake-up call to the Administration that we need a plan to address prevention and a coordinated long-term approach to support and empower communities facing this level of trauma and violence." Romilda Pereira, who helped organize a community healing event Monday night, said she wants residents to channel their anger into something productive. "After the yellow tape comes down and everyone goes home we still live here," she said. Harris is scheduled to return to court Nov. 19. Williams is to return Nov. 20. A national advocacy group for LGBTQ rights in a report released Tuesday said six of 10 Massachusetts cities and towns it rated earned a perfect "Municipal Equality Index" score of 100. Northampton scored 100, as did Worcester, Boston, Cambridge, Salem and Provincetown in the "Municipality Equity Index: A Nationwide Evaluation of Municipal Law, 2018." Arlington received a 98. Springfield received a score of 60 and Amherst a 76. Lowell was the lowest of the 10 Bay State communities reviewed with a score of 48. "The average score for cities in Massachusetts is 88 out of 100 points, which falls above the national average of 58," the Human Rights Campaign Foundation said in a press release, noting this was the seventh time it has published results. The Massachusetts sample was among 506 cities and towns rated nationwide. Deborah B. Radway, Amherst's Director of Human Resources & Human Rights, in a written statement said the town improved its score 13 points from last year, from 63 to 76. "We are proud of the increase and our focus on LGBTQ rights alongside the needs and rights of our immigrant community," Radway wrote. She said the higher Human Rights Campaign Foundation score this year was the result of "increased services for LQBT seniors through the Amherst Senior Center ... of designation of all gender single occupancy restrooms throughout town government, the designation of a LGBTQ liaison for the Town (me), for the Town Manager's endorsement of legislation to protect from repeal the MA transgender discrimination law, and for having an openly LGBTQ elected official (Select Board member Connie Kruger)." Allison Turner, a spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, said the research examined measures taken at the local level to ban discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, how diversity is fostered and if steps are taken to do that. She said local action is needed because federal laws to better protect the LGBTQ members of society are lacking. The study was not intended to determine compliance with laws governing municipal employment practices, including hiring, related to LGBTQ individuals or if the manner in which cities and towns conduct their elections adhered to civil rights laws, she said. Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of the Equality Federation Institute, in a statement said, "In this political moment, as we face unprecedented challenges to fairness, justice, and democracy at the federal level, we look to local leadership to advance equality for the LGBTQ community." According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation community scorecard, Amherst fell short of a perfect score on three of the five general criteria. The town obtained 30 out of 30 points on whether it has specific ordinances that outlaw "discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity," or if the state has such laws in place that would apply, and 12 of 12 points on inclusive municipal services. The report said Amherst earned zero points out of 11 on the "municipality as employer" criteria items of: "inclusive workplace," "city contractor non-discrimination clause," and "transgender-inclusive health care benefits." The report stated that Amherst could have scored up to 10 points, but instead got none, regarding "LGBTQ Police Liaison or Task Force." Amherst was among the communities selected for the study because the town hosts the state's largest public higher education institution, University of Massachusetts, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation said. Springfield was chosen because it is one of the five largest cities in the state. Like Amherst, the city received 30 of 30 possible points in the evaluation of non-discrimination laws. But Springfield scored zero of a possible 12 points in the municipal services category that considered whether a municipality has a human rights commission or a LGBTQ liaison in the executive office. The city also received zero of 10 points in the "LGBTQ Police Liaison or Task Force" category. Mayor Domenic Sarno said Springfield does more than what the report claims, including an anti-bullying initiative in the schools, fair housing policies and the police department's domestic violence unit. "I don't know if there was a miscommunication on the reporting coming out of the city, or the other way around," he said in a phone message. "We will have to follow up ... to clarify that." In the wake of over-pressurization of a gas line in Woburn, the state has ordered National Grid to stop all work except for emergency work. The state Department of Public Utilities issued the order the same day the over-pressurization of a gas line in Woburn affected 300 homes. No one was injured, and no was evacuated after the gas incident that began around 11:30 a.m. in Woburn. The statement from Peter Lorenz, communications director for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said: "Following today's incident in Woburn, the Department of Public Utilities, under its regulatory authority over the gas distribution system, ordered National Grid to impose a moratorium on all work, except for emergency and compliance work, across the company's entire service territory pending the results of DPU's review of National Grid's safety practices. In addition, the Department is requiring National Grid to have an inspector on location for all work that could lead to abnormal pressurization until this review is complete. Separately, the Department is in the process of hiring an Independent Evaluator to assess, out of an abundance of caution, the safety of pipeline infrastructure throughout Massachusetts." An order recently issued by the state Department of Public Utilities requires National Grid to provide the state with information regarding staffing, costs, and the services that National Grid has provided during the company's current labor lockout compared to the same period in previous years. Union workers for National Grid remain locked out during a contract dispute. Members of the union booed National Grid president Marcy Reed during a Monday night press conference. Reed said gas will be restored incrementally to the entire system and then a survey will be conducted. Tests will be done before gas is restored to customers' home. The process will begin Tuesday and be complete by no later than Thursday. The USW Gas Workers Local 12012-04 said on Twitter, "An over-pressurization on National Grid gas lines in Woburn. This is when you want your trained and experienced work force." The state Department of Public Utilities launched an investigation into safety violations and possible failures to follow procedures and federal pipeline safety regulations as well. The investigation began based on information provided by residents. National Grid has until Nov. 13 to provide additional information. The Department of Public Utilities, out of an abundance of caution, also plans to hire an independent evaluator to conduct a statewide examination of the safety of the natural gas distribution system within the state. "The fact that the DPU wants to do an investigation is completely fine," Reed said. "I totally understand that. We will work with them openly to get through that." Gas was shut down at the home impacted by the incident in Woburn. National Grid technicians were working to turn gas back on in homes, but the process could stretch into Tuesday morning. The cause of the issue remains under investigation. National Grid officials said the incident in Woburn is unrelated to the gas disaster in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, when the over-pressurization of a Columbia Gas line caused upwards of 80 explosions and fires. State Police have identified the two people killed in a crash on Route 3 in Chelmsford after one of the drivers traveled the wrong way at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. A woman was driving a Nissan Altima at high speeds in the wrong direction on Route 3 northbound in Chelmsford prior to Exit 32 around 1:30 a.m. Monday, State Police said. The Nissan crashed into a Dodge Avenger, killing both drivers. State Police identified the driver of the Nissan as Rebecca Savoie, 42, of Nashua, New Hampshire. The driver of the Dodge has been identified as Noah Martin, 21, of Hudson, New Hampshire. State Police did not release any new information about the crash, which remains under investigation. ERVING -- A state-approved logging contract for the Wendell State Forest has some people alarmed. On Thursday, a group of local residents will travel to Boston to deliver a petition asking the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker to halt the forest cutting project near Broad Brook Road. The online petition names Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation commissioner Leo Roy, and asks that the forest tract be placed under special reserve status, and not managed for timber. "We want our forest as a living, wild and natural asset, not to be 'managed' and turned into dead logs for the biomass and wood pellet industry," the petition reads. The forest management plan for the state property was approved in 2016 by the DCR, and logging began in September. The entire state forest is more than 7,000 acres, including much of the land within Wendell. The plan is for the state to cut trees on 118 acres, including an 80-acre tract along Brook Road that is dominated by century-old oaks. The grove is "a place of profound beauty" and "one of the most loved, most visited parts of our forest," according to the the group "Save Broad Brook Forest." However, according to the DCR plan, "The oak hardwood stand is fairly uniform in age and structure throughout," and "harvesting operations will allow for an increase in structural complexity ... while improving forest productivity." The local advocates are receiving help from the Concord-based RESTORE: The North Woods. "There is no need to log this forest, and every reason to preserve it," said RESTORE leader Michael Kellet on Monday. He said the old trees pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide other services, and that any financial benefit derived by cutting would be minimal in comparison. "These plans to cut Massachusetts state forests could both worsen climate change and the state budget," he said. The other part of the Wendell State Forest cutting plan would manage 25 acres of white pine, and cut a separate 25 acres of red pine "at risk of decline due to red pine scale." The oak section consists of "predominantly small sawtimber and pole size trees," according to the DCR forest management plan. The Wendell Historical Society also wrote to DCR saying the logging could destroy sensitive cultural properties. The local forest advocates said they hope to meet with state officials on Thursday. Boston police have identified the man shot to death in Mattapan on Sunday, during a weekend in which five men were killed in Boston. Karim Blount, 42, of Mattapan was shot in the area of 18 Mildred Ave. around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Boston police said Tuesday. When police arrived at the scene after the shooting, officers found Blount suffering life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Boston Police Homicide Detectives at 617-343-4470. In a span of three days, five men were fatally shot in Boston. Suspects in two of the shootings, which are unrelated, faced charges in Dorchester District Court Tuesday morning. Kevin Williams, 21, of Dorchester, is accused of shooting 67-year-old Jose Luis Pinn Williams, gas station attendant. Kai Harris, 26, of Brockton, is facing a murder charge in connection with the killing of a man in his 30s. Both men were ordered held without bail. Worcester Regional Airport was transformed into a French airport, complete with French taxis and Air France signs, as crews filmed scenes for the movie "Eve" there Tuesday. The action film is being produced by Jessica Chastain, who also stars in the movie alongside Colin Farrell and John Malkovich, according to IMDB. On Tuesday, actors and extras filled the road in front of the airport terminal as crews filmed scenes for the movie. A sign on the stairs to the terminal warned that four background artists would be playing gendarmes wearing airlift plastic replica guns as part of their costumes. "We even created French taxis!" the sign read. "That you for your support of filming in Massachusetts." Scenes for "Eve" have also been shot in Wayland and Gloucester, the Metrowest Daily News reported late last month. This isn't the first time stars and cameras have showed up in Worcester to make a movie. "American Hustle" brought Worcester to the big screen. Iconic Worcester spots like Union Station and the Worcester Art Museum were visible in the movie. Last year, Amy Schumer was spotted at Worcester Regional Airport filming scenes for her flick, "I Feel Pretty." And in 2013, Robert Downey Jr. was at the airport to shoot a scene for "The Judge." Springfield needs a new courthouse. Period. End of debate. Governor Charlie Baker says he didn't realize that, but now he should. At a meeting over general topics with editors of The Republican and MassLive, Baker was told the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse on State Street is not just aging but a cause for health concerns to the people who work there. When he heard details of the situation at the 45-year-old building, Baker sat silently for a few seconds. This appeared to be the first time the governor had been informed of the severity of the problem. "I'm on it," he said after a long pause. He needs to be. Baker's attention was especially jarred by the fact two judges in recent years have worked in the same office and then contracted Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The office that housed William Boyle and the late Robert Kumor (who immediately preceded Boyle ) will now be unoccupied. Boyle's doctors at UMass Memorial and Massachusetts General Hospital were asked to describe the likelihood of two people occupying the same office, and both coming down with this fairly rare disease. "Powerball odds" was the answer. Baker said that in setting priorities for the renovation or construction of court facilities, he's normally relied on recommendations from the judicial arm of government. That's understandable, but it's created a serious glitch here that needs immediate attention - and action. Springfield's courthouse is the second busiest in Massachusetts. The situation is so urgent that Trial Court officials sent a letter to employees, outlining concerns for environmental and health conditions. According to sources of The Republican, employees have been encouraged to undergo blood tests for elevated mercury and lead levels. New air and water quality testing will be done at the building. This is not a normal situation, nor will it be solved by an ordinary renovation. Inaction could tempt lawsuits but could also cause tragic results. Whether the ALS conditions of Boyle and Kumor are directly related to courthouse conditions or not, they have set off alarm bells that can no longer be ignored. Boyle is battling his disease with courage that does not surprise those who know him. He is encouraged that at last, the courthouse atmosphere is being taken seriously and tests are being done. That's not enough. Springfield needs to improve conditions immediately for those who work in the courthouse but it also needs a new facility. No need in the state judicial system exists that is greater than the health and safety of those who work, visit and populate this busy building. A word to the wise should be sufficient: Don't believe much of anything that comes out of North Korea. This applies more or less equally to statements from the official news service as well as to comments made by President Kim Jong Un and those around him. Now, it would also seem to be the case for what U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has to say about the doings along the Korean peninsula. Pompeo, who spent three and a half hours with Kim on Saturday, was downright effusive after their meeting, saying that both Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump believe they can make "substantive progress" at a second meeting, the details of which are close to being worked out now. Speaking with reporters in South Korea, where Pompeo flew after his visit to Pyongyang, Pompeo said: "Most importantly both the leaders believe there is real progress that can be made, substantive progress that can be made at the next summit, and so we are going to get it at a time that works for each of the two leaders and at a place that works for both of them." There are many responses to this sort of drivel, of course. Here's one that comes quickly to mind: Oh, for crying out loud in the sink. Remember Trump's first meeting with Kim, staged in Singapore in June? Trump acted like it was some world-changing confab -- even though he accomplished nothing of consequence. Nothing positive, that is. He did, unfortunately, agree to suspend our nation's military exercises with South Korea, a gift to Kim in exchange for nothing save the vaguest promises from the North Korean despot. And then there was Pompeo's last trip to Pyongyang, in July. He was all sorts of bubbly after that trip, too. At least for a brief moment. Though he hadn't even met with Kim. And then North Korea quickly accused our nation's top diplomat of having made "gangster-like" demands and brought up "cancerous" matters. The little get-together Trump held with Kim in Singapore was, as they say in Texas, all hat and no cattle. It was scheduled on a whim -- is there anything this president does any other way? -- and without much resembling a real agenda. But that didn't stop Trump from making his usual over-the-top statements about its significance and his great successes as master negotiator. Yeah, right. What's important to remember is this: Our nation's goal is to rid North Korea of nuclear weapons. Kim's goal? Make his isolated, impoverished land something of a player on the world stage. As it's his nukes and his intercontinental missiles that make that possible, there is no way to reconcile what we want and what he wants. You'd think that Pompeo would understand this. Perhaps he does, and is only going through the motions to please an audience of one: former reality TV star Trump. The much-hyped June summit in Singapore was a bust because it was destined to fail. Another can only suffer the same fate. Though there's no real way to deny this, Trump -- and Pompeo -- nonetheless persist with the charade. The bottom line: Don't believe everything you hear coming out of, or being said about, North Korea. Rapper Kanye West will meet with President Donald Trump this week to discuss prison reform, gang violence and other issues, White House officials announced Tuesday. West, who has been an outspoken supporter of president, is scheduled to have lunch with the president and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner -- Trump's son-in-law -- at the White House Thursday, according to Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. The meeting is expected to focus on "manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago," the White House noted. West's White House visit comes just over a month after his wife, Kim Kardashian, attended a West Wing meeting with Kushner, Ivanka Trump and others on the clemency process. The rapper recently drew criticism from some after delivering an apparent impromptu pro-Trump speech following his performance on "Saturday Night Live." Trump took aim at the show and praised West for his support following the incident. "Like many, I don't watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) -- no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems. Word is that Kanye West, who put on a (Make America Great Again) hat after the show (despite being told 'no'), was great. He's leading the charge!" he tweeted. Like many, I dont watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) - no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems. Word is that Kanye West, who put on a MAGA hat after the show (despite being told no), was great. Hes leading the charge! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2018 West touted his support for Trump in a series of April tweets, offering that while he doesn't "agree with everything anyone does," he believes he and president "are both dragon energy." "You don't have to agree with Trump, but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy," he said, referencing a previous tweet in which he offered those with "dragon energy" are natural born leaders and very instinctive. "He is my brother. I love everyone," West continued. "I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought." Following the 2016 election, meanwhile, West reportedly told the audience at a San Jose show that although he didn't vote, he would have cast his ballot for Trump. He later met with the then-president-elect at Trump Tower in New York in December 2016. Nikki Haley announced Tuesday that she will resign her post as the country's United Nations ambassador by the end of the year. Haley joined President Donald Trump in discussing her departure during a late-morning event at the White House. The president praised Haley's work as his U.N. envoy, offering that she has "done an incredible job." "She's done a fantastic job and we've done a fantastic job together -- solved a lot of problems and we're in the process of solving a lot of problems. We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose -- hopefully you'll be coming back at some point," he told reporters. "At the end of the year, Nikki will be leaving and we'll be in constant touch." The president, who noted that Haley had informed him of her plans to step down at the end of 2018 about six months ago, said he intends to announce his pick for the next U.N. ambassador in the coming weeks. Haley said while it "has been an honor of a lifetime" to serve as U.N. ambassador, she believes it's time for someone else to take over the position. "The main thing was, I was governor for six years and we dealt with a hurricane, a thousand-year flood, a church shooting, school shooting -- that was a lot. And then, to come and do two years of Russia and Iran and North Korea, it's been eight years of intense time," she said. "I'm a believer in term limits: I think you have to be selfless enough to know when to step aside and let someone else do the job." Haley said she doesn't have any set on where she will go next and is currently focused on having "everything in place" for the next U.N. ambassador. She added that she has ruled out a potential 2020 presidential run. "No I am not running for 2020," she said. "I can promise you that I'll be campaigning for (Trump.)" Haley, who thanked Trump for his support, further touted his administration's approach to foreign policy. "Look at the two years -- look at what has happened in two years with the United States on foreign policy," she said. "Now, the United States is respected. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. They know that if we say we're going to do something, we follow it through and the president proved that." Following reports of the ambassador's resignation, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced that the president and Haley would meet in the Oval Office at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Trump teased the meeting as a "big announcement" on Twitter. Big announcement with my friend Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office at 10:30am. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2018 Haley, a former South Carolina governor, has served as U.N. ambassador since January 2017, despite several other high-profile foreign policy officials' departures from the Trump administration. In her role as ambassador, she supported the United States leaving the United Nations' Human Rights Council, which she called "an organization that is not worthy of its name." Haley also gained attention for blocking a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have rejected Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital -- the administration's first Security Council veto. The former governor reportedly discussed her resignation while meeting with Trump at the White House last week, according to Axios. News of departure came just one day after watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington called for a probe into whether Haley inappropriately accepted flights from South Carolina businessmen. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Geoff Diehl said he is benefitting from a "Kavanaugh bump" following Justice Brett Kavanaugh's controversial confirmation to the Supreme Court. Diehl, who is running for Sen. Elizabeth Warren's seat, told the Boston Herald he's seen a surge of support in the past few weeks that he attributes to the confirmation hearings. Christine Blasey Ford, a professor at Palo Alto University, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee Sept. 27 saying that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. She said Kavanaugh tried to rape her when they were teenagers. She told senators that Kavanaugh tried to remove her clothes and covered her mouth when she tried to scream. Warren was an outspoken supporter of Ford and the two other women who claimed Kavanaugh sexually assaulted them when he was in high school and college. Kavanaugh denied these and other allegations. "I've noticed just in the past few days myself people saying they don't like how things went," said Diehl, a Republican from Whitman told the Herald. "They were very upset that she seemed to be one of the ringleaders in setting up this tone." Diehl called Warren a "national embarrassment" in the interview. "It turned a lot of new people off -- she's fully willing to ruin somebody's life and reputation," Diehl said of Warren. Following a brief FBI investigation and dramatic vote marked by protests, Kavanaugh was sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice on Saturday. During the weeks leading up to this, Warren sent a campaign fundraising email out seeking donations. She referenced Ford's testimony in the email, Diehl told the Herald. "People don't like that the senator used uncorroborated testimony of Ford to fundraise," Diehl told the Herald. "Every action the senator is taking is a calculated effort to position herself for a presidential nominee." Warren has said she will consider running for president in 2020. The Global Digital Pathology Market has been segmented based on types, products, application, and end-user. By types, the market has been segmented into human pathology and animal pathology. By products, the market has been segmented into scanners, storage server systems, software and others. By application, the market has been segmented into mHealth, telemedicine, disease diagnosis, drug discovery and others. By end users, the market has been segmented into pharmaceutical companies, hospital/clinics, reference laboratories, research institutes and others. Digital Pathology Market Overview The global digital pathology market is projected to reach a significant valuation and grow at a steady pace over the forecast period of 2013-2022, as per a research report published by Market Research Future (MRFR). The digital pathology market has been observing continued growth on account of the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer. Rising incidences of cancer require timely diagnosis and treatment, and digital pathology has the potential to improve accuracy and timeliness of cancer diagnosis and hence is extensively used which induces demand for digital pathology. Advancements in digital pathology technology such as digital imaging, robotic light microscopy, and multiple fiber optic communications are expected to up the level of efficiency of diagnosis and uplift the growth of the market. Additionally, the lack of skilled pathologists who can handle the growing complexities of diagnostics has surged the demand for digital pathology. To Get PDF Sample Copy of Report visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1955 Digital pathology finds its application in various fields such as education, tissue-based research and drug development which further drives the growth of the market. The rise in a number of clinical and pre-clinical trials have propelled the growth of the market. Digital pathology is setting new standards of practice in clinical trials with the introduction of new technologies such as virtual microscopy, and digital imaging which helps improve the outcomes of clinical trials. Increasing adoption of advanced technologies to improve workflow and facilitate faster diagnostics is augmenting the market growth. Additionally, government initiative and support in various economies to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in the form of funds and subsidies foster the growth of the market. Other market drivers include a rise in automation and improvements in healthcare infrastructure across the globe. However, the market growth might be hindered by lack of standardization in digital pathology and substantial initial cost of setup Global Digital Pathology Market Competitive Analysis The global digital pathology market is fragmented and highly competitive with the presence of a multitude of well-established and small players. Owing to the lucrative growth opportunities offered by the market, there has been an influx of new players which further intensifies the competition. The notable players of the global digital pathology market include microDimensions GmbH, Q2 Solutions, LLC, Philips Healthcare, ViewsIQ Inc., Apollo Enterprise Imaging Corp., Definiens, Mikroscan Technologies, Inc., Omnyx, GE Healthcare, Huron Digital Pathology Inc, 3DHISTECH Ltd, Xifin, Inc., and others. Global Digital Pathology Industry Updates In July 2018, Enzyvant, a biopharmaceutical company, announced a partnership with Visikol, a contract research organization dealing with digital pathology and drug discovery. The partnership aims to develop a novel digital pathology approach to enable the development of a medicine for the treatment of DiGeorge Anomaly. In July 2018, Royal Philips, a leading health technology company and Oxford University Hospitals joined forces to create a digital pathology network which will enable better diagnosis of diseases. Oxford University Hospitals have planned to install the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Global Digital Pathology Market Regional Analysis The key markets of the global digital pathology market include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. The global digital pathology market is dominated by North America owing to the prevalence of chronic diseases and technologically advanced healthcare sector in the region. Europe is the second largest market for digital pathology due to the presence of a robust healthcare sector and increased expenditure on healthcare facilities. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market on account of improvements in the healthcare sector, rising healthcare expenditure, and growing awareness. The Middle East & Africa market is projected to exhibit steady growth over the forecast period. Do You Have Specific Requirement? Ask To Our Experts @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1955 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a quick malaria diagnosis either by microscopy or malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) in all patients with suspected malaria before treatment is being administered. Diagnostic testing improves the overall management of patients with febrile illnesses and may also help to decrease the emergence and spread of drug resistance by storing antimalarials for those who have the disease. The global malaria diagnostics market is expected to register a significant growth of 4.6 % CAGR during the forecast period (20182023) The scope of malaria diagnostics is growing rapidly with technological advancements and a growing number of investments. Also, growth in a number of hospitals and healthcare facilities, and initiatives taken by the government are the major factors driving the growth of the malaria diagnostics market. The malaria diagnostics market is expected to grow at 4.6% CAGR during the forecast period Some of the key players in the global malaria diagnostics market are Access Bio. Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Premier Medical Corporation Pvt. Ltd, Sysmex Partec GmbH, bioMerieux, Beckman Coulter Inc., Siemens Healthineers, Leica Microsystems GmbH, Nikon Corporation, Olympus Corporation, and Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. Get Sample Copy of this Report at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6432 Geographically global malaria diagnostics market Segmented into Americas is projected to lead the malaria diagnostics market in the forecast period. Increasing healthcare awareness, advancement in technology, medical tourism are some other factors that boost the growth of the market. The European market is expected to hold the second largest market share. The European market is projected to grow because of the malaria cases brought in the European region by tourists and refugees. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, stats reported a range of 5000 -7000 cases of malaria from 2008 to 2012. Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing region for the global malaria diagnostics market in 2018. The market is expected to witness growth owing to the rising patient population, changing lifestyle, and growing elderly population. This is expected to provide favorable backgrounds for the market to grow. The diagnostic testing market, by volume, in India is controlled by microscopy testing. With increasing awareness and growing funding from care-based surveillance systems, private sectors and national governments the necessity for diagnostic testing procedures are projected to rise, thereby boosting the market development. The Middle East and Africa accounts for the least share due to stringent government policies and low per capita income. Southeast Asia accounted for about 10% of the global cases, however, the death rate was around 7% in the same year. The global malaria diagnostics market has been segmented on the basis of technology and end-user. On the basis of technology, the market has been classified as rapid diagnostic tests, microscopy, and molecular diagnostic tests. The molecular diagnostics tests are segmented into polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). On the basis of end-users, the market has been classified as hospitals, clinics, community healthcare, and others. Brows Full Report at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/malaria-diagnostics-market-6432 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the US and they are probably the most common and preventable., an Israeli company, is using the power of artificial intelligence to detect potential errors before they happen. The company was started by Dr. Gidi Stein, MD, PhD, who had spent several years in the tech industry before deciding to use his background in algorithms to make a larger impact. He subsequently obtained his MD from Tel Aviv University Medical School and a PhD in computational biology from Tel Aviv University. He started MedAware in 2012. MedAware is currently being used at two hospitals in Israel and is in the process of being implemented in four healthcare systems in the US and Israel. In June 2018, the company announced a partnership with Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, a major electronic medical records provider in the US. To learn more, we asked Dr. Stein a few questions about MedAware. Cici Zhou, Medgadget: Tell me about the founding of MedAware. What was the inspiration? Dr. Stein: MedAware was conceptualized following a tragic story: a physician was treating a small boy who had asthma. To treat his asthma, the doctor within his electronic prescribing system meant to click on Singulair, a standard asthma medication. Sadly, he misclicked, a mistake that could happen to anyone using a computer, and prescribed the boy Sintrom, a blood thinning medication meant to treat blood clots. The physician, the pharmacist, and the parents all missed the error that led to the boys death. I was baffled by this story. How could this happen with all the technology at our disposal today? The mistake that was made was one that any overworked, tired doctor could make. None of us are above it. So, I set out to use my tech and medical backgrounds to make sure to prevent similar mistakes in the future. Medgadget: How does MedAware use AI to detect potential errors? Dr. Stein: The AI in MedAware is trained in the same way that it is in other fraud detection industries. The idea is to identify a set pattern that occurs in 99.99% of transactions and then to alert whenever we identify an outlier to that pattern. MedAware analyzes millions of clinical records, studying what medications were prescribed to which patients, and under which clinical situations. Like in the above example, it identifies normal prescription patterns. So, for instance, a small child is likely to receive a prescription to help with an ear infection but will likely not need an anticoagulant. If a doctor accidentally prescribes an outlier medication, MedAware will alert the doctor that their choice may cause harm. Moreover, when a patient receives his pills from the pharmacy and goes home, he can be exposed to harm and adverse drug events throughout the duration of treatment. MedAware continuously monitors any change in the patients clinical records throughout the duration of treatment and assesses whether these changes render one of the active medications suddenly a dangerous outlier to the changed clinical setting. Medgadget: Say a physician tries to prescribe new medication that will interact with a patients current medication. What will happen? Dr. Stein: MedAware is integrated into current Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms. When an inappropriate medication is added to the patients record, MedAware sends an alert directly to the healthcare provider via the EHR platform. Physicians have learned to trust MedAware warnings, as they are infrequent, very accurate and with high clinical relevance. Moreover, they appear differently than other alerts, and physicians are far more likely to accept them. A recent case study showed that a physician is ten times more likely to accept a notification from MedAware than from current decision support tools. Medgadget: What are some of the biggest challenges facing the MedAware team? Dr. Stein: Our primary challenge is getting hospital executives, who are burdened by tight budgets, to focus on patient safety as well. From their perspective, they just invested $500 million in an EHR system and dont want to add even a small additional component on top of it. However, the added value they receive with MedAware in both improving patient outcomes and avoiding adverse drug events, their associated costs (in the U.S. alone this cost is over $21 billion every year), and the accompanying lawsuits pays for the investment. It is our job to convince them of that. Ultimately, although we have a proven ROI of between $5 to $8 saved for every $1 spent, it is our hope that patient safety will always be the priority. Were a small Israeli startup trying to enter a massive healthcare market. Sometimes it can be hard to get noticed when you are our size. However, weve found that our tech is good enough that the right people are paying attention to us. Medgadget: Looking to the next five years, what are the biggest goals for MedAware? Dr. Stein: Firstly, we want to expand from 5 million medical records analyzed to 20 million in the next two years. With every record that our AI analyzes, MedAware improves its already high accuracy, and prevents more types of medication errors. Secondly, we want to provide medical professionals additional ways to help keep their patients safe. This includes opioid dependency risk assessment, finding gaps in a patients care, and projections of a patients status based on trends. Finally, with the growth in consumer-focused mobile health applications, we would like to provide our insights directly to the consumer. This would help circumvent interoperability problems between multiple EHRs in use in different medical institutions. Link: MedAware website Global Micro-Pump Market Key Players The major participants of this market are Advanced Microfluidics SA, Alldoo Micropump, Bio-Chem Fluidics, Cole-Parmer Instrument Company LLC, Dolomite Centre Ltd, IDEX Corporation, KNF Neuberger Inc., Microfluidica LLC, Servoflo Corporation, Takasago Electric Inc., TOPS Industry & Technology Co. Ltd., World Precision Instruments, Xavitech and others. Global Micro-Pump Market Insights The Global Micro-Pump Market has been evaluated as rapidly growing market and expected that the market will reach high growth figures. Micro-pumps have been playing a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry for last few years. Especially in the processes such as drug discovery, development and delivery. The ability of micro-pump to provide a controlled flow of fluids and controlled delivery of drug dosage into the body of the patients are the major factors boosting the demand for such techniques. This has led to the improved healthcare management and better medical outcomes. On the other hand, there are certain factors that can hinder the growth of the micro-pump market. The regulatory issues act as hindrance in the development of micro-pump market. Apart from regulatory challenges, the market also confronts issues from surface chemistry and geometrical problem during manufacturing process. Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: May 18, 2018 Axolotl Biologix (US) A specialized provider for optimized regenerative medicine announced a strategic partnership with Leonhardt Ventures (US), a product invention development laboratory. This partnership will allow the company to utilize some of Leonhardts expertise, such as bioelectric, mixed stem cell-based composition, and micro-pump combined with Axolotls amniotic-derived fluid products for organ regeneration. Get Sample report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1300 Global Micro-Pump Market Segmentation MRFR has segmented the report into five key dynamics, for the convenience of the report and enhanced understanding. By Product Type: Comprises Mechanical Micro Pump (piezoelectric micro pump, peristaltic pump, & syringe pump, others) and Non-Mechanical Micro Pump. By Material: Polymer, Silicon, and Glass, among others. By Applications: Drugs Delivery Systems, In Vitro Diagnostic, and Medical Devices among others. By End-Users: Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Companies, Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, and Research Institutes, among others. By Regions: North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World. Global Micro-Pump Market Regional Analysis The Americas dominates the Global Micro Pump Market owing to the increasing investment in healthcare, the presence of a strong economic condition, and focus of research institutions on updating technology and others. Furthermore, American micro pump manufacturers have significantly upgraded their factories and manufacturing capabilities. Europe holds the second position in the market increasing support from the government, the presence of huge healthcare spending. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the healthcare expenditure in Germany was EUR 321 billion in 2014, France recorded the second highest level of current healthcare expenditure of EUR 237 billion. To Know More Enquire @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1300 Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market owing to a greater number of developing nations present in this region, for instance, countries like India and China. These countries are encouraging the growth of the micro pump market. Recently, China has become one of the fastest growing markets for microfluidics in Asia due to increased government funding and improving healthcare facilities. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of the Peoples Republic of China, the total R&D spending of China was around USD 409 billion, in 2015. The Middle East & Africa is expected to hold the least market share due to less availability of medical facilities, and less development in the healthcare domain. However, countries such as Qatar and Kuwait are focusing more on the healthcare and developing medical facilities, which will boost the market of this region. Major Table of Content Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope of the Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics Continued. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Contact: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com Global Orthopedic Devices Market Dominant Key Players Some of the key players in this market are: DePuy Synthes Companies (US) Globus Medical, Inc. (US) Medtronic (Republic of Ireland) NuVasive, Inc. (US) Smith & Nephew plc. (UK) Stryker Corporation (US) Zimmer Inc. (US) Get Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3323 Global Orthopedic Devices Market Overview The Global Orthopedic Devices Market has emerged from conventional surgical procedures to the use of fixation and prosthetic devices. These devices are placed within the muscle systems or the bodys skeleton to offer stability or correct existing problems. Orthopedic devices market is growing at a very fast rate and is expected to grow in years to come. An Orthopedic Device are placed within the bodys skeleton and muscle systems to correct existing problems or to provide stability. Technological advancements and product development are the best strategy that yields the greatest market benefit. Changing technology, increasing prevalence of osteoporosis, increasing funding for R&D and market growth in emerging economies are major driving forces for global orthopedic devices market. Global Orthopedic Devices Market Industry Developments A leading musculoskeletal solutions company, Globus Medical Inc., has announced the launch CREO Fenestrated Screw System that is used for treating patients suffering from advanced stage tumors of the thoracolumbar spine. Medtronic Plc. has declared that the US Food and Drug Administration has offered 510k clearance of Kyphon HV-R Bone Cement for fixation of fractures of sacral vertebral body with the help of sacroplasty or vertebroplasty. Global Orthopedic Devices Market Segments Globally, the orthopedic devices market has been segmented on the basis of type, application, region and end users. On the basis of type, the market can be segmented into spinal devices, consumables and disposables, trauma fixation, joint replacement, bone repair, and others. On the basis of application, the market can be segregated into trauma and extremities, foot, knee, spine, hip, spine, ankle, and others, where knee and hip applications hold the largest market share. It has been witnessed that high rate of knee and hip replacement surgeries combined with the innovations in their treatment is contributing towards the market growth of orthopedic devices. Based on end users, the market for orthopedic devices can be bifurcated into hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and medical research centers, where hospitals hold the maximum market share. Global Orthopedic Devices Market Regional Analysis Taking the Global scenario of Orthopedic Devices Market into consideration, North America was holding the highest market share of around 39.6 % in the year 2016. With the presence of major market players and advanced technologies, the market in this region is growing steadily. Europe has been considered as the second largest market and is expected to reach USD 19,467.6 Mn by the end of 2023. Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to witness the fastest growth with CAGR of 6.2 % during the assessment period. Availability of government regulations and presence of untapped markets are sure to attract attention of global players. Moreover, Middle East and Africa can exhibit a dull growth over the forecast period due to slow implementation of latest technologies. Considering the global scenario of the market, North America was holding largest market share of 39.6% in global orthopedic devices market in 2016. Europe is second largest market and expected to reach USD 19,467.6 million by 2023. APAC is expected to grow at fastest CAGR of 6.2% during 2017-2023. On the other hand. Middle East and Africa (ME&A) Orthopedic devices market was growing lower than global average and expected to grow at steady pace. To Know More Enquire @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/3323 Major Table of Content Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope of the Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics Continued. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Contact: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com The Global Renal/Kidney Cancer Drug Market is expected to witness tremendous growth owing to the rising prevalence of high blood pressure. Other key factors such as the change to sedentary lifestyle and increase in smoking. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, 2018 database has estimated kidney cancer is the ninth most commonly occurring cancer in men and 14th most commonly occurring cancer in women. According to the American Cancer Society in 2018, 63,340 new cases of kidney cancer are estimated in the US This is expected to provide favorable backgrounds for the market growth during the forecast period. Key Players Novartis AG (Switzerland), Pfizer Inc. (US), GlaxoSmithKline plc (UK), Genentech, Inc. (US), F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Switzerland), Cipla Limited (India), Active Biotech AB (Sweden), Amgen (US), Bayer AG (Germany), Bristol-Myers Squibb company (US). Request for Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6466 Segmentation The Global Renal/Kidney Cancer Drug Market is segmented on the basis of therapeutic class, pharmacologic class, type, and end-user. The renal cancer drug market, by therapeutic class, is categorized into targeted therapy and immunotherapy. On the basis of pharmacologic class, the market is segmented into angiogenesis inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and cytokine immunotherapy (IL-2). On the basis of type, the market is segmented into clear cell, papillary, chromophobe, oncocytic, collecting duct and other. On the basis of end- user the market is segmented hospitals and clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, research centers and other. Regional Analysis The Americas is the largest in the market owing to the increasing prevalence of stroke and high blood pressure and growing healthcare expenditure. The American Cancer Society estimated about14,970 people in 2018, will die due to kidney cancer in the US. Thus, the growing cases of kidney cancer facilitate the market growth in this region. Europe (UK, Belgium, France, and Netherlands) is the second largest renal cancer drug market during the forecast period. The increasing occurrence of renal cancer drives the market in this region. According to Cancer Research UK in 2015, there were 12547 new cases of kidney cancer in the UK. Thus, the growing cases of kidney cancer facilitate the market growth. Asia-Pacific was projected to be the fastest growing region for the Renal/Kidney Cancer Drug Market in 2017. The market is expected to witness growth owing to the rising prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption in this region. According to the World Health Organization in 2015, 47.6% of people smoked tobacco in countries like China and Japan, respectively. This is expected to provide favorable backgrounds for the market to grow. The Middle East and Africa accounts for the least share due to low per capita income and lack of availability of well-trained healthcare professionals. However, the rising oncology and new cancer treating technology both at the hospital level and in the community are expected to influence the market in a positive way. Ask to Expertise @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/6466 About US: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com MarketResearchFuture.com Recently Added a new research report named as Smart Contact Lenses Market. Report covers the manufacturers data, including: shipment, price, revenue, gross profit, interview record, business distribution CAGR etc. These data help the Buyer know about the competitors better. It also covers different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers. Smart Contact Lenses Market Segments The smart contact lenses market globally has been segmented on the basis of the applications of the smart contact lenses which comprises of intraocular pressure monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring, and other applications. The other applications are sodium detection, cholesterol detection, and alcohol detection. The smart contact lenses on the basis of end users market are segmented into hospitals, home care settings and clinics. The regions that are covered in the market include APAC, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. Smart Contact Lenses Market Overview The rise in the demand for smart wearable devices has increased the demand for smart contact lenses as well of late. Market focused reports connected to the healthcare sector among others of late have been made accessible by Market Research Future which publishes reports on this industry. The market is projected to touch USD 7.2 billion in terms of revenue by 2023 while growing with a CAGR of approximately 10.4% in the forecast period. The need for continuous monitoring has been a significant factor in the expansion of the market. Moreover, improvement in the end product quality and features have led to the development of the market further. The smart contact lenses are also expected to be used extensively in the augmented reality market, which will be used extensively to stream content. Smart contact lenses also lessen the need for invasive procedures, which are otherwise complicated and painful. The application of smart lenses especially in response to treatment of diabetes is expected to boost the market favorably over the forecast period. Get PDF Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1186 Smart Contact Lenses Industry Update: March 2018 Theraoptix recently took home the MIT Sloan Healthcare Innovation Prize at their annual competitions and also received a $25,000 grand prize which was sponsored by Optum, a health services firm. The contact lens is made from FDA-approved materials and delivers eye medication in a sustained and controlled release. The lens is sandwiched between contact lens material which is a drug-filled polymer film and shaped into a tiny circular strip that does not interfere with the wearers vision. The sandwiching structure allows the drugs to seep from the film into the eye gradually. Global Smart Contact Lenses Market Players Samsung (South Korea), Sony (Japan), Alcon (U.S), Google (U.S), Sensimed SA (Switzerland) Samsung is a multinational conglomerate company manufacturing wide range of products. In April 2016, the company received a patent for smart contact lenses with in-built camera in South Korea. Global Smart Contact Lenses Market Competitive Analysis Samsung is a multinational conglomerate company manufacturing wide range of products. In April 2016, the company received a patent for smart contact lenses with in-built camera in South Korea. According to Samsung Mobiles report, Samsung started developing smart contact lenses as a means to create a better augmented reality experience than the ones that exist through Google Glass-like wearables. Google is an American multinational technology company received a patent from the U.S FDA for smart contact lenses in November 2015. Increasing demand for self-monitoring devices, increasing aging population with eye disorders associated to diabetes and user friendliness of smart contact lenses drive this market in America. Development of innovative products for eye care and diabetes management their increasing popularity among people also contribute to the growth of this market. Google agreed for partnership with the pharmaceutical company Novartis to develop smart contact lenses that can track diabetes by measuring blood glucose levels in tears and fix farsightedness as well. Do You Have Specific Requirements? Ask to Our Experts @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1186 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 , Mediapool.bg, , - . - , . 18:00 . by Steven Rosenbaum , Featured Contributor, October 8, 2018 If there was any doubt that were in a trade war with China, this week will crystallize our offensive attack. The next wave of tariffs start at 10% and climbing, to 25% on Jan. 1 keeping the economic bite until just after the Christmas holiday season. Not an accident. The tariffs on $200 billion worth of products come on top of the $50 billion already taxed earlier this year. But as the battle grows, American tech companies are warning that they are more likely to be losers, not winners, in this global economic conflict. The big guys, like Apple, remain sanguine. Since their products flow both ways, they can weather the storm. But middle-market tech is bracing to be hit hard. Element Electronics in Winnsboro, S.C. says imported parts like circuit boards and LCD screens will become 25% more expensive for the company which builds Roku-integrated smart TV next year. As reported in The Verge, Elements general counsel, David Baer, told a U.S. Trade Representative committee, I cant believe the U.S. government is intentionally out to shut down our South Carolina facility. The only TV company in the world that is the subject of these proposed 301 duties is the only company producing TVs in America. Think about that. advertisement advertisement L.A.-based CyberPowerPC, a company specializing in high-end custom computers, told the USTR that these tariffs will increase the cost of all of our products and we will no longer be able to stay competitive. The companys CEO says it may not survive the price increases. Dell Computers, which runs assembly plants in Massachusetts and North Carolina, told the USTR the tariffs could result in serious damage to Dell and its employees. Competitors with assembly plants in China wouldnt feel the same pinch. The tariffs affect the heart of the infrastructure of the internet, Rob Atkinson, president of the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, told The New York Times. ITIT is a think tank with funding from Microsoft, Google and Intel. If we are going to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, we should impose them on items that hurt the Chinese, not us. So, what will come next, and will tech sue the administration? We are exploring all options, Gary Shapiro, the president of the Consumer Technology Association, which produces the massive CES trade show each year, told CNN Money. The tariffs will stifle our global leadership in 5G, create an internet tax on business and cause uncertainty for companies. At a Politico event, Democratic Federal Communications Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the latest Trump tariffs are "a terrible thing for the future of 5G," noting they impact the "most essential networking equipment" needed for building the next-generation wireless networks. At the same time, President Trump's war against Silicon Valley is raising concerns on both sides of the aisle, worried that politically motivated crackdown on tech firms could damage free speech. Trump has claimed that Google promotes "left-wing news, then issued a vague threat to Facebook, Google and Twitter to "be careful. John Samples, vice president at the libertarian Cato Institute, blogged his concern that the Trump administrations claim of "censorship" on tech platforms is a misreading of the constitution's First Amendment free speech protection. "The First Amendment sharply limits government power over speech. It does not limit private governance of speech, wrote Samples. "Government officials bullying private companies contravenes a culture of free speech. Needless to say, having the Justice Department investigate those companies looks a lot like a threat to the companies' freedom. And CNN reports that Trump administration lawyers are demanding the private account information of potentially thousands of Facebook users in three separate search warrants served on the social media giant, according to court documents. The warrants are focused on the accounts of three Facebook users described as "anti-administration activists who have spoken out at organized events, and who are generally very critical of this administration's policies, according to their attorneys. These warrants were first reported by Lawandcrime.com. The government has also sued to get the IP addresses of 1.3 million people who visited the DisruptJ20.org website, which organized protests during the Trump inauguration. The ACLU is fighting these Justice Department actions. With attacks on tech in the China trade war, and attacks on tech in terms of free speech, its rough waters ahead. by Richard Whitman , Columnist, October 8, 2018 The biggest review of the year was just decided Fords $4 billion pitch, which the auto giant called in the spring. The news wasnt great for incumbent WPP, but it could have been a lot worse. The holding companys creative agencies have handled the account since the 1940s (starting with JWT). The holding company lost the global creative AOR, but WPP retained a huge chunk of the Ford business, including media planning and buying, shopper and performance marketing, website development, CRM, multicultural and so-called Tier 2 Ford dealership advertising. The big winner was Omnicoms BBDO, which won global creative duties, supplanting Global Team Blue, WPPs dedicated agency to all things Ford. Wieden + Kennedy was also a winner Ford added the indie agency to its roster as innovation partner for specific projects. W+K clearly impressed Ford during the review process. In August, Ford chose the agency to create its new fall campaign in the U.S., which bows this month. advertisement advertisement Actually, it is kind of amazing that WPP agencies retained the Ford creative business as long as it did. I mean, 75 years. Really? The auto business has been rocked over the past decade. GM and Chrysler both needed a bailout from the government during the financial crisis of a decade ago. Earlier this year, Ford said it was basically going to stop marketing sedans in North America to focus on SUVs, trucks and commercial fleets. Given that seismic shift in strategy, maybe the time is right to switch up its creative agency mix. A fresh pair of eyes cant hurt and its not like BBDO is a neophyte in the auto category. It was the creative agency for Dodge for decades, and more recently serviced the Mitsubishi and Mercedes accounts. It will be interesting to see what the Omnicom shop comes up with. My guess is well see pretty quickly how Ford assesses the work. It wont be decades, given the warp-speed pace at which change occurs in the marketing world today. by Sean Hargrave , Staff Writer, October 9, 2018 China has always been represented as a staggeringly huge market that is there for marketers to reach out to. Notwithstanding the current trade with the US, the country has been opening up for the past couple of decades and brands have been keen to reach a growing middle class who want to drink the best Scotch, wear the latest designer clothes and post selfies on Instagram through the latest iPhone. However, there is another side to this. The Chinese aren't just consumers. We have all seen the "Made in China" label on everyday items, but that manufacturing statement is going to go way beyond everyday low-cost items. According to the latest FutureBrand Index, Chinese businesses are in the process of building mega-brands -- and they will be coming to a high street and e-commerce store soon. What's more, according to the researchers, these Chinese brands have invested heavily in product, branding and technology to ensure they are future-proof. Hence, the researchers make the bold claims that, soon enough -- "Well be filling our cars with Sinopec, not BP or Exxon, well be taking insurance with Ping An, not HSBC or Citibank, and well be drinking Kweichow Moutai not Johnnie Walker or Pepsi." It sounds like Kweichow Moutai is the big one to watch here. It has entered the FutureBrand Index straight in at number two. It's the world's biggest liquor brand, with a claimed market cap of $128bn, and it's got serious investment behind it. The takeaway is that China's rising middle class has become used to the taste of Johnnie Walker and other Scotch brands, and so it has decided to launch its own. The middle class made the demand in China for the company to form, and it will soon be a name that is far more familiar to us all than it is today. Other ones to watch out for are Chinese insurer Ping An, which rises from 17th to 7th place in the FutureBrand Index, and China Life Insurance, which has risen to 11th, from 35th spot last year. Petrol company Sinopec is also the biggest riser of all this year, up 42 places. Ironically, the biggest losers are brands you might have thought would be doing well off the back of the growth in the Chinese middle class. Luxury goods brand LVMH is the biggest decliner -- dropping more than 50 places in the Top 100 -- and Walmart is just behind, losing 37. Ambev -- another brand one might think would be doing well from wealthier Chinese consumers raising a Bud to their success -- is down 38 spots. Sharing the same fate -- falling 37 positions -- we have Facebook. It is the most noticeable name in a list of many tech companies that have fallen because consumers are telling the researchers they have yet to see another "big thing" to get them excited. So if you thought China was there to consume, you're only half right. If you were anticipating that it would take its middle class's new tastes and behaviours and turn them into goods and services that would be exported straight back to the West, then you would be completely correct. I have to admit I have not heard of Kweichow Moutai but when it has gone straight into second spot -- above Apple but just one spot below Disney -- you know it's going to be a name to watch out for. by Wayne Friedman , October 9, 2018 Growing OTT provider Roku announced a measurement effort around 11 companies partnering with the service, all to bolster its open ad platform. Roku says its Measurement Partner Program will aid brands and publishers when it comes to OTT advertising campaigns running on Rokus platform. The partners include Acxiom, comScore, Experian, Factual, IHS Markit, Kantar, Nielsen, Nielsen Catalina Solutions, Oracle Data Cloud, Placed and ResearchNow SSI. These companies will measure specific areas: audience demographics, brand awareness, store visits, website visits and sales increases. In one example -- through its Measurement Partner Program -- marketer Jack in the Box worked with Placed to analyze its campaign on the Roku platform. From December 2017 through February 2018, it drove more than 164,000 store visits -- and 43% of the campaign reach came from potential new customers. advertisement advertisement Dan Robbins, director of advertising and programming research, Roku, stated that the company is committed to an open ad platform, giving marketers a wide variety of tools. Earlier this year, Roku also announced Ad Insights, a new measurement suite that leverages Rokus first-party data to measure campaign reach and effectiveness across linear TV and OTT. In April 2017, Roku integrated Nielsen Digital Ad Ratings (DAR), offering audience guarantees based on age and gender. Roku has 22 million users as of the second quarter this year, according to the company. Myths about postpartum fertility are widespread. From rumors that it is impossible to get pregnant while breastfeeding to beliefs that the body will not get pregnant until it is ready, it can be hard to get the facts. While unlikely, it is possible to get pregnant less than 6 weeks after having a baby. However, it is impossible until a woman ovulates again. The point at which ovulation happens varies from person to person, which means some women could get pregnant earlier than others. Sometimes, ovulation happens before a period, so it is also possible for a woman to get pregnant before having the first postpartum period. In this article, learn more about how soon a woman can get pregnant after having a baby, as well as how long to wait, and the possible risks of pregnancies that are too close together. Ovulation and the first postpartum period? Share on Pinterest Most women resume ovulation between 45 to 94 days after giving birth. Ovulation occurs when an ovary releases an egg for fertilization. If the egg is unfertilized, the body expels the egg, the uterine lining, and blood in a menstrual period. Ovulation must occur for a woman to get pregnant, and regular periods are a sign that a woman has ovulated. A 2011 review of previous studies found that women ovulate for the first time between 45 to 94 days after giving birth. Most women did not begin ovulating until at least 6 weeks after childbirth, but a few ovulated sooner. Usually, women who are not breastfeeding ovulate sooner after giving birth than women who do breastfeed. However, a womans first ovulation cycle might occur before she gets her first postpartum period. This means that it is possible for a woman to get pregnant before menstruation begins again. Pregnancy causes many hormonal shifts, and it takes the body time to get back to normal. For many women, their first few postpartum periods are irregular. Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding? Breastfeeding often prevents ovulation, but this is not always the case. However, women who breastfeed their infants exclusively for 6 months are less likely to ovulate during this time than women who do not breastfeed. Some women use breastfeeding as a birth control method. Doctors call this the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). Amenorrhea means a lack of menstruation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the following three factors must be present for LAM to have the best chance at preventing pregnancy: The baby must be younger than 6 months old. After 6 months, breastfeeding often becomes less frequent, increasing the risk that ovulation will return. The mother must be exclusively or almost exclusively breastfeeding. Giving formula or other foods to the baby increases the time between breastfeeding sessions. Breastfeeding on demand with intervals of no more than 46 hours between feedings is the most effective strategy. The womans period must not have returned. While not all menstruating women are fertile, the return of a womans period suggests the body is preparing to ovulate. Research on the effectiveness of the LAM is mixed. One major challenge of this method is that it is difficult to use correctly. Traveling away from the baby overnight or spending long days at work can create gaps in breastfeeding that make this method less effective. According to Planned Parenthood, LAM is about 98 percent effective when people use this method in the first 6 months after the baby is born. After 6 months postpartum, LAM is less effective. Women who are not considering another pregnancy might think about starting to use another contraceptive method. How long to wait to try for another pregnancy Share on Pinterest The World Health Organization advise waiting 24 months before trying for another baby. Getting pregnant again too soon after giving birth increases the risk of adverse outcomes for both the woman and baby. Recovering from birth takes time, especially if there were complications. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the safest option is to wait 24 months before trying for another baby. The charity March of Dimes suggests waiting at least 18 months. Women who have had a pregnancy loss, stillbirth, hemorrhage, or surgical birth may need to wait longer. Talk to a midwife or doctor for help timing the next pregnancy. After a consultation period, Fastmarkets has decided to cease assessing prices for this market. Rebar import volumes into Algeria have been decreasing rapidly since 2016, when the countrys government introduced import quotas That decision was made at a time when Algeria was developing its long steel rolling capacity , and the countrys government later expanded its protectionist policy in 2017.European rebar export volumes to Algeria totaled just 108,000 tonnes in January-June 2018, compared with 849,000 tonnes in the previous six months. This change in trade flows is expected to be permanent.If you have any comments on the discontinuation of this price, please contact Jethro Wookey by email at: pricing@metalbulletin.com . Please add the subject heading FAO: Jethro Wookey, re: Algeria rebar import price.All historical data relating to this price prior to its suspension will remain available in the pricing section of the Fastmarkets website.To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.metalbulletin.com/prices/pricing-methodology.html iStock/Thinkstock(MOSCOW) -- The UK-based investigative website Bellingcat has said it has identified the second suspect in the Salisbury nerve agent poisonings as a doctor belonging to Russias military intelligence agency the GRU. In a detailed report unveiled at an a press conference in Britains parliament on Tuesday, researchers from Bellingcat said that the suspect, originally named by British police under the alias Alexander Petrov, was actually Alexander Mishkin, a trained military doctor who had personally received Russias highest state honor from President Vladimir Putin. Two weeks ago, Bellingcat and the Russian website, The Insider, identified the other suspect in the nerve agent attack as Anatoly Chepiga, a highly decorated GRU colonel and special forces veteran, who had travelled to Salisbury under the alias Ruslan Boshirov. UK police have accused both men of carrying out the operation to poison former Russian double agent, Sergey Skripal with a nerve agent in the small English town of Salisbury back in March. Skripal and his daughter Yulia narrowly survived the attack, but a local woman, Dawn Sturgess later died after being accidentally exposed to the chemical weapon. The Russian authorities have denied any involvement in the poisonings. British officials have thus far not commented on the report. As with Chepiga, Bellingcat said it had identified Mishkin by obtaining his personal documents from anonymous sources and tracing his background through open source records, as well as testimonies from people who knew him. According to the Bellingcat report, Mishkin was born in 1979 and grew up in the Arkhangelsk region in northern Russia in a small town of 1,000 people called Loyga. The town is exceptionally remote, inaccessible by road except in winter when the grounds freezes hard and normally reachable only by a narrow-gauge railway. Bellingcat said that Mishkin graduated from a military medical academy in St. Petersburg between 2003 and 2004, where he trained as doctor in the naval armed forces. At some point between 2007 and 2010, Mishkin moved to Moscow, where, according to Bellingcat, he began working for the GRU. Like Chepiga, Bellingcat said, in 2014 Mishkin received a Hero of the Russian Federation award, which is presented by presidential decree. The award was likely connected to Russias intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, where GRU special forces were covertly deployed in 2014. Bellingcat said that sources who knew Mishkins family said they believed he had been given the award for actions in Crimea, or for being part of a special forces unit that helped Ukraines pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovych flee the country after he was toppled from power. A source told Bellingcat that Mishkins grandmother had a photograph of him being presented the award by Putin himself. A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, refused to comment on the Bellingcat report. But the latest revelations seemed to once again undercut Russias denial that it was involved in the Salisbury poisonings. After the two men were identified as suspects in the attack by British police, Putin said they were civilians and that there was nothing criminal involving them. The two then appeared in an interview on Russian television where they claimed they were vitamin salesmen, who had visited Salisbury as tourists interested in the citys cathedral. Bellingcat said their findings revealed those claims as false, and proved conclusively that the two men were tied to the GRU. As was the case in their investigation of Chepiga, Bellingcat said there was virtually no trace of Mishkin online. But Mishkins cover identity had retained key details from his real identity, including his date of birth, as well as his first name and patronymic -- a middle name based on a persons fathers name, a practice that is common among Russians. Using these details and searching through leaked databases of Russian housing and other records , researchers from Bellingcat were able to find a match, first tracing Mishkin to the St. Petersburg military academy where he studied. They were then able to show that Mishkin, with the same date of birth as his cover identity, had registered his car to the address of the GRUs main headquarters building in Moscow. The researchers said multiple residents in Mishkins home village, Loyga, had confirmed a photograph of the suspect Petrov was in fact Mishkin. Bellingcat also said it had obtained a copy of Mishkin's passport and that a facial recognition analysis of the passport photograph showed it matched a photo of 'Petrov.' Russian officials have dismissed Bellingcat's previous reports, but have refused to engage with their substance. The Kremlin said it had been unable to find any record that Chepiga had been awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation decoration, despite it being referenced on Chepigas military academy's website and engraved in gold on an honors wall there. The newest report from Bellingcat is the latest in a recent surge of embarrassing exposures for the GRU. Last week the U.S. Department of Justice indicted seven named GRU officers on charges they had hacked international organizations, including the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Security services in the Netherlands also published extensive materials on the operation targeting the OPCW, releasing pictures of the alleged agents and their equipment. Russias foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed the allegations, saying the men who were expelled from Holland had been there on a routine assignment to provide cybersecurity support for Russias embassy. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) Top officials of the Senate said that they simply have no more time to discuss charter change. "Because of time constraints, I really doubt that we would be able to consider it," said Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto. Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri explained that the Senate has to discuss the 2019 budget in November and December before it goes on a month-long Christmas break. Sessions would resume in the 18th Congress. However, it will only last for one month because of the looming election campaign period. "With all due respect to our colleagues in the House wala na tayong time (we don't have time)," Zubiri said, adding that discussions on charter change could resume with incoming the 18th Congress. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon added that charter change would be "dead on arrival" once it reaches the Senate because there is no time to pass a joint resolution to convene into a constituent assembly. "Let's be realistic. The first step is we pass the resolution of both Houses to constitute ourselves into constituent assembly. That in itself will generate a debate because the first issue is: should we amend the Constitution," Drilon said. Senators had agreed to wait for the report of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments if it would recommend changing the Constitution and how it would be done. The committee is currently chaired by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, and was previously chaired by Drilon. Drilon said that based on the previous committee hearings, there were a lot of opposition in amending the Constitution. No VP succession The Senate Minority Leader also expressed serious reservations on some of the provisions of the House of Representatives' draft proposed charter, which would put the Senate President as the successor of the President during the transition period to a federal form of government. READ: Arroyo's draft charter nixes VP succession during transition period "I don't find the proposal logical. The Vice President is precisely therelet's put it bluntly, the Vice President is a spare tire depending of how the President would consider the OVP. Certainly at the very least, the rule of succession applies and therefore, the Vice President should take over," Drilon said. He added that the proposal would only cause instability, as the Senate President can be replaced anytime by the 23 senators. In June, Sotto replaced Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel as Senate President after the latter stepped down. "We wouldn't even know if I'm still the Senate President by then," Sotto said when asked about the provision on succession. Members of the House minority bloc also slammed this provision in the draft charter. Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said that Vice President Leni Robredo should not be robbed of the chance to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte during the transition period to a federal government. Lagman also believes the proposal is an attack on Robredo. "That (vice presidential) election protest will have to take its course but meanwhile, we have an elected, a duly elected Vice President who is incumbent and should not be deprived of the constitutional right to succeed to the presidency," Lagman told reporters Tuesday. "That move is just consistent with the direction being undertaken by the present administration." Meanwhile, in an ambush interview, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that in the end it's up to the Filipino people on whether or not they want to amend the constitution. "What we can say that it's our obligation to bring it as far as we can bring it. But at the end of the day it's up to the Filipino people," Arroyo said. CNN Philippines' Tristan Nodalo and Xianne Arcangel contributed to this story. LARA Announces Additional October Medical Marihuana Licensing Board Meeting LARA Announces Additional October Medical Marihuana Licensing Board Meeting Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-373-9280 Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov October 8, 2018 Michigans Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) announced today that the Bureau of Medical Marihuana Regulation (BMMR) has added an additional Medical Marihuana Licensing Board (MMLB) meeting on Monday, October 29, 2018 at the Williams Building in Lansing. The meeting will begin at 1:00 P.M. In addition to the boards regularly scheduled meeting on October 18, 2018, this second meeting will allow the MMLB to consider additional applicants for licensure prior to the October 31st deadline for temporary operators. BMMR intends to set up procedures for those applicants approved at the October 29th meeting to pay their regulatory assessment and receive their operating license by close of business on October 31. On October 1, 2018, LARA issued new emergency rules to continue the implementation of the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA). Under the new rules, proposed medical marihuana facilities that would otherwise require a state operating license under the MMFLA may continue to operate with local approval until October 31, 2018 without impacting the applicants eligibility for licensure. Any temporary operation after October 31, 2018 is considered unlicensed activity and may result in a referral to law enforcement, the Michigan State Police and/or the Department of Attorney General. Prior to the October meetings, the MMLB has granted approval for licenses for 19 provisioning centers across the state. 80% of Michigans medical marihuana cardholders live in a county that is within 30 miles of a licensed provisioning center and 94% of the cardholders live in a county that is within 60 miles. For more information on BMMR, please visit: www.michigan.gov/bmmr For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara UPPER THUMB Today is the last day to register to vote. There are local and state ballot questions and numerous local, state and congressional contested elections. Local ballot proposals include: Caseville Township is requesting a 0.4 mill tax increase in for insect treatment, raising an estimated $76,418 in the first year. Lake Township has a proposal for road improvements and gypsy moth suppression. The 1.5 mill tax was reduced to 1.488 mills, and the proposal is to increase the tax back to 1.5 mills from 2019 to 2022. In the first year, it will raise an estimated $153,000. Elkton has a renewal of 0.5 mills from 2019 to 2014 for ambulance service in the village. It would raise an estimated $8,081 in the first year. Elkton also has a Headlee Override millage proposal. That includes an increase from 12.4750 mills to 12.50 mills for general operating expenses; an increase from 4.99 mills to 5 mills for streets; an increase from 0.499 mills to 0.50 mills for ambulance; and an increase from 0.0998 mills to 0.10 mills for cemetery. Those increases would raise an estimated $292,519 in 2019. The Church School is proposing reducing the number of board seats from five to three, effective Jan. 1, 2023. The proposal would eliminate two of the three seats that are to be voted this year with terms that expire Dec. 31, 2022. State ballot initiatives include legalizing recreational marijuana in Michigan; putting the power of redistricting into the hands of an independent citizens commission; and a state constitutional amendment instituting a voting rights initiative. How to Register Here are voter registration guidelines, according to the Michigan Secretary of States Office: To register to vote, you must be all of the following: A U.S. citizen. At least 18 years old by Election Day. A resident of Michigan. A resident of the city or township where you are applying to register to vote. If you want to check to see if you are registered, visit www.Michigan.gov/vote. There you will find information about registering to vote and voting, voting equipment, polling place locations, state and local ballots, the candidates, campaign finance and more. Your local clerk can help with questions about your voter registration, polling place location and working at the polls. You may obtain the application at one of the following: Your local Secretary of State branch office Your local county, city or township clerk's office Offices of several state agencies, like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Military recruitment centers Voter registration drives Online at www.Michigan.gov/sos If you hand deliver your application, the staff person helping you will take your form and you don't need to do anything else. If you have never registered to vote in Michigan and choose to mail in your application, you will need to meet an identification requirement. This means you must: Enter your driver's license number or personal identification card number where requested on the form. Or send a copy of one of the following forms of identification with your application: A photocopy of your driver's license or personal ID card, or A photocopy of a paycheck stub, utility bill, bank document or government document that lists both your name and your address. UPPER THUMB The U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement is being hailed as good for agriculture. After more than a year of negotiations, talks concluded last week to reach the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), which will replace the quarter-century-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This is a good agreement for agriculture by all indications, said Ernie Birchmeier, Michigan Farm Bureau manager of the Center for Commodity, Farm and Industry Relations. The Upper Thumb is one of Michigans top milk producing regions. Not only will the new agreement open Canadian dairy markets, but the U.S. will once again be able to ship powdered milk to Mexico, Berchemier said. He called the dairy aspect of the negotiations a major sticking point. 25 years ago when NAFTA was signed, Canada did not produce dry milk, so that product was not a part of the trade agreement, Birchmeier added. The agreement eliminated Canadas Class-7 milk classification, which undercut the market for the U.S. The elimination of Canadas Class-7 milk classification and additional access for U.S. dairy into Canada was a sticking point for the Trump administration and trade negotiators, Birchmeier said in a statement from Farm Bureau. We appreciate the fact that they held steadfast in their conviction to level the playing field for U.S. dairy farmers and accessing more market opportunities. Birchmeier told the Tribune the U.S having a larger share of the market would hopefully lead to increased demand and better prices. With plenty of supply and flat demand, that would be welcome in the dairy industry, which, Birchmeier said, "is having a hard time right now. Bad Axe-area dairy farmer Ashley Kennedy agreed. She and her husband, Eric, took over the family dairy farm from her parents a year and a half ago. Being a new farmer is challenging in any environment," Kennedy said. "But being a new farmer in this environment is extra challenging. So yes, I definitely would say its really really hard. You dont see very many dairy farmers taking vacations right now or anything like that because theres no extra money. Kennedy expects an increase in prices over the long term. I think any trade agreement with our neighbors is going to have an impact of giving farmers and, you know, the prices, some confidence and hopefully some stability," she explained. I dont think were going to see it tomorrow or next week," she added. "But I think maybe over the next six months to a year hopefully we will start to see the impact of this and hopefully it will help us. One issue that remains unresolved are high Canadian tariffs on dairy. Kennedy said tariff negotiations will take place now, as it was decided to do that separately from USMCA. So hopefully all of the tariffs that have been happening between the U.S. and Canada and U.S. and Mexico ... hopefully thats going to get taken care of here sooner than later, she said. Kennedy commented on another hurdle American dairy farmers face: The supply management system that remains in place in Canada. I dont think its as big of a hurdle as what a lot of people think, she said. It would be nice if we could all have a similarly set up industry where either were all completely free market or we all are on supply management because then were all playing apples to apples." Whereas now, were trying to have a global market and everybodys trying to play in the global market, so its like having apples and oranges trying to play in the same game," she added. "Thats where part if it gets really complicated is that everybody elses market pretty much in the world now is completely open and were all a global market and Canada is one of the few where theyre not. Regardless, the industry is excited about the new deal, she added. As an industry, were all pretty excited, she said. We need a little bit of good news. From a dairy farmer's perspective from a farmer in general were really excited to have some momentum ... hopefully in the long run as we start checking these agreements off, hopefully we will start to see the fruits of those labors and get our economy going a little bit better. But either way, I think being a neighbor to Canada, were really, really excited to have an agreement again. Hopefully any hard feelings (from Canadians) will eventually fade and it could be a good agreement for us like how NAFTA was." The USMCA maintained a zero tariff on all other agricultural products, Birchmeier said. He noted whenever there are negotiations with trading partners, theres always fear of losing the market. Mexico and Canada are critically important trade partners for us, Birchmeier said. He hopes over the long term, the U.S. will regain the market and increase its access. The important thing is that we have free and fair trade on a level platform for all countries and all commodities, he said. There are all kinds of products produced throughout the world that are not produced in the continental U.S., such as bananas, pineapples and coffee. But we consume them, Birchmeier said. The rest of the world likes the dairy, meat and beans produced here. Birchmeier added Farm Bureau appreciates the Trump administration tackling the NAFTA issue, and said it should have happened a long time ago. The agreement will be revisited every six years, he said, so we will not have to wait another 25 years before its updated. Forget rotary phones and dial-up internet. Modern-day senior housing could just as likely to feature voice activation and virtual reality, with the technology industry turning attention to an often-overlooked generation of customers. And with an aging population bringing a growing demand for senior-living communities in Connecticut and beyond, companies that build them, including Westport-based Maplewood Senior Living, are following a growing trend as they look to provide the latest in quality-of life technology for their residents. We are taking every opportunity to inject all sorts of new technology from iPad to smart boards to even telemedicine, said CEO Greg Smith, touring one of the companys newest developments in Fairfield. The technology that were putting into this building is something that is truly unique for us and even for the industry itself. Expanded experiences As development of Maplewood Southport continues, the company is integrating tablets and smart screens, Amazon Alexa with voice activation, and even virtual reality into the communitys daily operations. With locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio, the upscale senior living company will be debuting its 98-unit facility at 17 Mill Hill Terrace, in Fairfield by June on a 27-acre parcel just off Interstate 95. Among Maplewoods amenities are smart apartments that allow residents to control appliances including lights, temperature and the television. They can also let people communicate with staff and family while providing information on dining menus and scheduled events upon command. Were leveraging Amazon and Alexa technology to do that now, Brian Geyser, Maplewoods vice president of clinical innovation and population health. Virtual reality systems, provided by Rendever, can be used for recreational tours as well as in some cases as therapy for residents with dementia, offering the possibility of people visiting childhood homes or other much-loved locations. Its so pleasurable for them to go back in time because thats where they feel they are in their mind, and so were able to bring them back in time using virtual reality, Geyser said, adding that the company has plans to retrofit some of its newest technology features into its existing communities. At-home care Technology isnt new to the senior and assisted living industry, but it has grown as a crucial component to improving care, for people at home or elsewhere, according to industry experts. Were finding assisted technology is incredibly helpful as part of an overall plan of care to keep a person in their home, said Marie Allen, executive director of the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging. The Bridgeport-based agency focuses on improving the care of seniors through funding and resource programs geared toward allowing residents to age in place. SWCAA helps more than 3,500 people who are receiving at-home care with a combination of human assistance and technology including emergency response, video cameras, telemedicine and telehealth equipment and more. That array of devices has recently extended into the smart-tech realm with companies like Apple and Amazon breaking new ground on ease of use. Apples latest version of its smart watch serves as an example, with its electric heart sensor and new fall-detection feature that can summon help if the wearer is unconscious or immobilized. These are things that we never had in the past and couldnt use to supplement care plans, Allen said. The growing list of devices has created a means for more cost-effective home care, according to Allen, who said people can receive nursing-home-level care from their homes for roughly half the price theyd pay to live elsewhere. SWCAA is the state contractor for Medicaid, which Allen said helps pay for a variety of assisted living and emergency detection devices and software. Tech is one thing that does cross all different demographics from the low income to the most affluent, she said. But even as tech finds new customers, generational difference remain. For many people, depending on devices and trusting them to do what theyre supposed to goes against a lifetime of experience. Everyone who is creating new products in the market that could have an impact on people who are 50-plus needs to understand that their design process is going to be different, said Kyle Rand, co-founder and CEO of Boston-based tech company Rendever, which focuses on adapting virtual reality systems for seniors. Because those people have grown up in a much different world. Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com MIDDLETOWN Middlesex Community College will present an exclusive New England screening of the highly acclaimed documentary film, Operation Pedro Pan: The Cuban Childrens Exodus Friday. The 90-minute documentary illustrates the story of 14,048 unaccompanied Cuban refugee children who arrived in the United States between December 1960 and October 1962, in the largest recorded child refugee movement in the Western Hemisphere, according to a press release. The public is invited to attend the free screening at 7 p.m. in Chapman Hall, Room 808, at 100 Training Hill Road. Victor Triay, a longtime MxCC professor of history, is featured as the films primary historian. He is the author of Fleeing Castro: Operation Pedro Pan and the Cuban Childrens Program, the first book written about this historical event and his first of several publications centered on Castro-era Cuban exiles, according to the college. Having occurred during a particularly dangerous period in the Cold War, Operation Pedro Pan was one of the most dramatic but least-known events in 20th-century U.S. immigration history, Triay said in a prepared statement. He appears in the film as the primary historian. Operation Pedro Pan, directed by Carlos Gutierrez, is a production of Operation Pedro Pan Group, a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1991 by the former children of Pedro Pan, in collaboration with the HistoryMiami Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate and premier cultural institution in Miami. The documentary is based on research from the HistoryMiami/Operation Pedro Pan Group award-winning 2015 exhibit of the same name, the release said. After the screening, several former Pedro Pan children will join Triay for a roundtable discussion. Other former such children may also attend, according to the MxCC. Dr. Carlos Eire, T. Lawrason Riggs professor of history and religious studies at Yale University and author of the National Book Award-winning Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy (Simon & Schuster, 2003), which details his experience as a Pedro Pan child Carmen Valdivia, executive producer of Operation Pedro Pan and past president of the Operation Pedro Pan Group Carmen Romanach, past president of Operation Pedro Pan Group and current vice president The event is also being held to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month. Refreshments will be served. For information, visit: mxcc.edu/event/operation-pedro-pan, mxcc.edu/bios/victor-triay or pedropan.org/category/history. PORTLAND It wasnt something they hear every day: a resident calling for increasing water and sewer rates. But that was exactly the message resident Norm Ward presented to the Board of Selectmen during its most recent meeting. The selectmen proposed to increase the rates for both water and sewer by 3 percent. But Ward, a member of the towns Water & Sewer Commission, said that wasnt nearly enough of an increase, especially given rates have remained static for the past three years. Whats more, he said, the commission is trying to reduce a burgeoning annual deficit that in 2016 alone amounted to $363,000. Im very disappointed that we are only requesting 3 and 3 percent increases, he told the selectmen. To me, we need maybe a 12 percent increase (or 6 percent for each water and sewer). With 6 percent (3 and 3), were not facing up to our responsibility. Its like we have blinders on and were staggering in the dark. Im just astounded. Three and three. Thats just not facing the facts. Its very, very, very short-sighted, especially with a $1 million deficit. I dont see that (rate increase) carrying us into the future. Six percent over four years? Lets at least face reality, he said. Members of the commission and Richard D. Kelsey, recently retired director of public works, have repeatedly pressed officials to take steps to rein in the deficit. Those efforts have included calling for steeper rate increases. There are about 2,400 water customers in town and 1,600 sewer customers a total of 4,000, which is about 43 percent of the towns population. At the same time, it has a water system with some components that date back more than a century, which require almost constant upkeep. However, at that age, it is often difficult to find replacement parts. And the cost of chemicals used to insure both the quality and the safety of municipal water continue to escalate. The town buys 146 million gallons of water a year from the Metropolitan District Commission. First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said she hopes to renegotiate that contract. During the hearing on water rates, Selectman Ralph R. Zampano suggested our relationship with the MDC may no longer be sustainable. Bransfield said Tuesday her goal is to work to ensure maintaining the safety and quality of the towns water, while not putting an undue burden on water and sewer customers ability to pay. The issue is further complicated because East Hampton has begun to face the reality it lacks sustainable potable water. East Hampton officials have said they might reach out to the MDC to provide that water supply. That could involve having the MDC run a service line through Portland to East Hampton. Bransfield has met with East Hampton Town Manager Michael Maniscalco to discuss that idea in the broadest terms. Meanwhile, she said, I want to thank the members of the Water & Sewer Commission and the selectmens special water and sewer subcommittee, who have worked very hard to come up with a fair approach to both the rates and the maintenance of our water system. Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Cromwell and Portland for the Middletown Press. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com. NEW HAVEN Using her fork, Josephine Douglas contently picked at cubes of cantaloupe, glistening with juice. Its my favorite fruit, she said. Its sweet and its delicious. Douglas is one of about 25 senior citizens living in the Bella Vista senior living center who sat in the complexs lunchroom around noon Monday, eating cantaloupe, yams and ziti. Among the volunteers donning plastic aprons and passing out plates was U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3. DeLauro, the ranking member on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, returned to the Bella Vista complex Monday to announce that President Donald Trump signed the subcommittees funding bill into law Sept. 28, including a $10 million national increase to senior nutrition programs. DeLauros late mother, Luisa, spent much of her time at the complex. A month ago, DeLauro accompanied a Meals on Wheels driver for several stops to advocate for the funding increase; Republicans initially supported a version of the bill with no increase to senior nutrition programs. During that trip, she met a 99-year-old woman who said she relies on Meals on Wheels because her vision has deteriorated to the point that she cannot make a meal in the microwave. DeLauro touted the bipartisan approval of the increase Monday, which she said will amount to feeding thousands more seniors, although she said it would not nearly cover all the needs of the nations aging population. Im pleased with it, Im thankful for it, but we dont stop, we go on from here, she said. LifeBridge Community Services, which carries out senior nutrition programs for Greater New Haven and Fairfield County, served more than 330,000 meals to more than 3,300 seniors in the last year, DeLauro said. We absolutely could not exist without this funding, said Lifebridge CEO Alan Mathis. David Morgan, president and CEO of TEAM Inc., the service provider for the Valley region, said the return on interest for one recipient of the senior nutrition program for one year is equivalent to the cost of one day in a hospital or one week in a nursing home. Community Renewal Team Vice President of Housing and Community Services Christopher McCluskey said programs for seniors are always under attack. He said Meals on Wheels, which CRT operates for Middlesex and Hartford Counties, gives seniors companionship, as drivers are almost therapists without a degree when they visit the population. Many of the seniors served by the program live alone, he said, and drivers give seniors someone to look forward to seeing on weekdays. DeLauro said the program also can save lives, as drivers check on seniors daily; if a resident doesnt answer the door, the driver may alert medical professionals if they suspect something is wrong. Ken Basley, the manager of Bella Vistas lunch program, said meals are very important to the homebound senior population. Some of the time this is the only meal they have, he said. Douglas and Antoinette Connellan, who live in the building across the way from the complexs lunchroom, walk to their lunch daily. Its very convenient and very nutritious, Connellan said. About $5 million of the $10 million increase will go to community lunch programs such as the meal service Douglas and Connellan attend. The remaining half of the increase will go to Meals on Wheels, which transports meals to seniors with mobility limitations. Local service providers will apply for funding, DeLauro said. In a land of plenty, no one in the United States of America should go hungry, DeLauro said. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com MADISON Coming eye-to-eye with endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys; scaling the peak of Nyiragongo, an active volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and sleeping in a hut with rats running overhead are just part of what Scott Tucker loves to do on his days off. Tucker has a wanderlust for places most people just read about or see on TV the remote places that most people enjoy from afar. His goal? To go places that no ones really talking about or going to, or if they do, theyre not covering it like I cover it, the 54-year-old said. It was 1998 when Tucker got his scuba diving license and soon wanted to share his new experiences with the community. Then the camera came out, and in 2005 the footage started appearing on local access television channels. It took a few years of really getting comfortable under water, doing underwater videography, before I could say, Wow, I think Ive got this, he sid. In 2011, he started the nonprofit organization Expedition Earth to inspire and educate people about the environment and care about the environment, he said. Fast forward to 2018, to his newly released video, https://bit.ly/2JTJBZJ on YouTube. This is just the first part of a multi-part documentary on the forbidden land of Papua New Guinea, where he immersed himself in the culture and saw, firsthand, what most people only see from afar. This island country is in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and shares land borders with Indonesia. I was told not to go, Tucker says. My 11-year-old son said, Dad, dont go there, theres cannibals there. Yet, Tucker looks at vacation as a time to explore and learn. When he returns from his expeditions, he relives the experience, editing and adding music to the raw video footage accumulated during his travels. He credits Ben Rayner as the creative force behind the music that accompanies his videos. He takes a comedic approach to the adventure films. In a clip from this recent one, Tucker meets a fuzzy juvenile marsupial, a spotted cuscus, who instantly is enamored of him or his shirt front, which she nibbles at while making big eyes at the camera. I kind of feel like Im on a vacation all the time. We live in this beautiful place called New England, he said. When I get a chance to go somewhere I dont want to be comfortable, I think I get a lot out of the trips when I am out of my comfort zone. Tucker also finds time to travel with his wife, Ava, son, Race, 12, and daughter Daphne, 18. And it seems that this appetite for exploration runs in the family. Daphne has fond memories of her youth, hiking with her father and communing with nature. It is this experience that has shaped her future. After graduating from Daniel Hand High School this year she will continue her education at the University of Tampa with a marine science/biology double major. Her career goal is to become a traveling marine biologist. I grew up looking for animals, she said. I would go snorkeling with my dad all the time. He taught me to appreciate wildlife and I know so many people are scared of snakes and theyll just kill them, but he taught us to appreciate them and pass that on to other people. When he is not traveling, Tucker is an owner, along with his three brothers, of Empire Paving General Contractors, the family business started in the 1960s by their father. With his travels, Tucker says, he escapes, completely, from his everyday life. Im very vulnerable in situations like this, this intrepid traveler said. Its scary. I think being frightened is something that I have done such a great job of eliminating from my own world, that when I feel it I really get a chance to, first of all feel the feeling and second of all being able to transform over the top of it and either respond to it or go through it or get sucked into it and lose your mind. Its a test. This was never more evident during his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2016, to live among gorillas and chimpanzees and hike the top of Nyiragongo, an active volcano that features one of the worlds largest lava lakes. He has vivid memories of the hike up to the top, where the plan was to sleep on the rim of the volcano, along with a group of 19 other hikers. Tucker was dehydrated and incapacitated, with what he believes was some sort of African bug. The group leader said, Look, dude, youre not going to make it with us. We cant leave you behind, he said. It was at this critical point that he was given a choice to be carried up to the top on a stretcher or be escorted back down. He made the decision, right then and there, to pay an extra fee to get to the top and revels in the decision. I saw the birth of earth, he said. I saw active volcanoes. I heard the sound of earth being created. I looked down into a lava pool that blew me away and always will, forever and ever. When asked whats next for him, Tucker hints at being airdropped into a location where he can immerse himself in the area where polar bears make their homes. What I have found is a real spontaneity killer, for me, is to know too far in advance where Im going to, he said. I learn too much, I think too much. I try to let it percolate around December and It's that time of year again: flu season is coming. Did you know the flu shot is available for free to most military members, their families and veterans? How To Get The Flu Shot For Free Tricare Recipients If you have Tricare, you can get the vaccine for free in three ways: At a military hospital or clinic - you should call ahead to make sure it is available, active duty personnel have priority At a participating network pharmacy - you can find one by searching online or calling 877-363-1303. You should call the pharmacy first to ask when you can get the vaccine, and who gives the vaccine. Only vaccines given by a pharmacist are covered. If your vaccine is administered by a provider at an onsite clinic, it may not be covered and you may have to pay the entire cost At your primary care provider - you may have to pay the office visit copay Remember, all active duty and Guard or reserve members are required to get the flu vaccine. Active duty members must have a referral to get the vaccine from any provider other than their primary care manager. Veterans If you're enrolled in Department of Veteran Affairs health care you can get a flu shot at your local VA health care facility, walk-in flu shot clinic, or more than 60,000 in-network community retail pharmacy or urgent care locations. To get your free flu shot at a community care urgent care location you must have received care from a VA or in-network community provider in the past 24 months. You just have to show a government-issued photo ID to get the shot for free. Use the VA facility locator to find a location near you. It's always best to call before you go to make sure the service is being offered, or if there are restrictions. Others If you aren't enrolled in VA healthcare, your insurance may offer flu shots for free, or for a small fee. Check with your insurance company for details. Medicare Part B covers 100% of the cost of a flu shot as well. Stay on Top of Your Military Benefits Not sure what your veteran health care benefits are? Keep up with all the changes and details. Subscribe to Military.com. and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox. The four men on duty had agreed to watch the movie "Anchorman" as they settled into a security shift on Afghanistan's Bagram Air Field one December afternoon nearly two years ago. Zachary Woods, an Army lieutenant deployed with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at the time, was carrying on a friendly debate about handgun skills with Marine veteran Dylan Barrett, a security contractor and former police officer, witnesses said. What happened next isn't entirely clear. But the conversation ended with a bang and Woods dropped to the floor with a gunshot wound in his torso. Woods filed a lawsuit this summer in Illinois' Cook County circuit court, claiming that "horseplay with a loaded firearm" caused him serious and permanent injuries and pain. The suit alleges that Barrett and his employer, Triple Canopy, were negligent. Woods is seeking more than $100,000. Triple Canopy's lawyers say that the company and Barrett were under the Army's "operational control," which grants them protection under federal laws, including one that shields the military from state civil suits arising out of wartime activities. However, Woods wants to sue at the state level, where courts wouldn't consider Triple Canopy's arguments under federal law. In August, Woods' case went to federal court to decide whether he can sue at the state level. Woods' lawyers have argued that Triple Canopy's interpretation of federal law shielding the company and Barrett is too broad and doesn't protect against claims of simple negligence. Triple Canopy is part of Constellis, formerly Blackwater, which is also named in Woods' lawsuit. A status hearing will be held next month. An Army investigation obtained by Stars and Stripes provides more details of the incident, minus names. Court documents Woods filed about the same time included an unredacted section identifying him and Barrett. The shooting, which officials believe was a negligent discharge, occurred Dec. 19, 2016, on Bagram's Camp Alpha, an area of the base largely reserved for special operations personnel. Woods, Barrett and two others -- an enlisted soldier and a contractor -- were on shift inside the camp's Base Defense Operations Center, or BDOC, a hub for monitoring security systems, camera feeds and radio traffic. Investigators found no evidence of foul play, and Woods and Barrett were said to get along like brothers. But witness accounts suggest the shooting was the result of carelessness following high jinks by those charged with overseeing the base's security. 'Culture of complacency' The shooting came at a grim time on the sprawling U.S. base, as officials faced questions about a suicide bombing weeks earlier, the first to strike the heart of the heavily fortified base. Five Americans were killed and 17 others were wounded in the blast near a Veterans Day gathering. An Army inquiry into the attack found officials had struggled for months against a "pervasive 'culture of complacency' and indiscipline ... that permeated the forward operating base," which at the time was home to over 15,000 troops, contractors and civilians. Woods' initial lawsuit seized upon that complacency, citing Barrett's actions as part of larger security lapses at the base. "After an inordinate delay in the furnishing of weapons necessary for the provision of static security ... in protection of the air base, U.S military personnel and others at Bagram Air Field, the Defendant Triple Canopy and/or the Constellis Defendants failed to provide the necessary and proper training, instruction and/or guidance concerning firearm use and safety ... specifically including the Defendant Barrett." Woods had arrived there in August 2016 as a platoon leader in Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. A West Point graduate and son of a retired Air Force fighter pilot, he'd joined the unit earlier that year after completing Ranger School. Barrett began working the afternoon security shift sometime after training in October 2016 at a Triple Canopy facility in Moyock, N.C., said the second contractor, an employee of the same firm. Earlier in the day, the infantry officer and the former Marine grunt had been debating the "21-foot rule," a theory about the range from which a knife-wielding assailant can fatally attack someone before the victim can draw and fire a holstered sidearm. Woods demonstrated rapidly closing such a distance in the office, which measured about 23 feet, advancing on Barrett. The contractor stepped aside without drawing on him. Debates and boasts about shooting were common, Barrett said, but they were not testing the theory when Woods was shot, he said. Rather, the Marine vet had bragged that he could shoot better because of the superiority of his Glock 17 -- his off-duty weapon while a stateside police officer -- compared to the soldier's Beretta M9, he said. The lieutenant asked him to hand it over. 'Piercing gunshot' Though it held a loaded 17-round magazine, Barrett's gun should have had an empty chamber. It's common safety practice to clear a firearm before handing it off. For the semiautomatic Glock, that would mean dropping the magazine out, locking back the slide and inspecting the chamber and magazine to ensure no round is present. Barrett recounted performing these steps in a different order, starting by drawing back the slide. This could have chambered a round, making the handgun ready to fire with a pull of the trigger, which is where a Glock's safety lever is located. The M9's safety is near its hammer. Next, while removing the magazine, Barrett said he fumbled the weapon. He and Woods reached out to catch it. Barrett recalled grabbing the magazine in one hand, pistol in the other. He didn't recall hearing the shot. "Woods fell into him in almost a hug and (slid) down to the floor," the investigators wrote, based on Barrett's sworn statement. "He then noticed blood and asked if (Woods) was hit." The next moments were a blur as the other men in the room leapt up to help. More people arrived. Someone ran for a medic. Barrett opened the soldier's shirt and held a plastic sheet protector over his chest wound, he said. Woods was rushed to a clinic, then to the base hospital. He underwent surgery and was medically evacuated before dawn for further treatment in Germany. The enlisted soldier and the second contractor weren't sure later what their colleagues had been discussing right before the shooting. They'd been facing away, doing paperwork and watching TVs and security camera feeds, until hearing what the soldier called a "piercing gunshot." After Woods was carried away, the second contractor gathered the firearm, casing and spent round for evidence. The magazine was in the Glock, he said. Another witness recalled him clearing it and ejecting a second round from the chamber, which suggests the magazine was in the gun when it was fired. Clearly upset, Barrett asked to speak to Woods and blamed himself for the mishap when speaking to investigators that evening. Officials later barred him from all coalition bases in Afghanistan. Questioned at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center days afterward, Woods had no memory of the shooting, but said it had probably been an accident and that Barrett "was a good guy and means well." Eighteen months later, he filed suit. World War I experts, professors and students are carefully reviewing century-old military records to determine whether systemic racism cost combat heroes the valor awards they earned. Historians at Park University, a private school in Parkville, Missouri, are leading the effort to find out whether any of the roughly 40,000 black troops who fought in combat during World War I were wrongfully denied the Medal of Honor. They announced the project details in Washington, D.C., on Monday during the annual Association of the U.S. Army conference. The Medal of Honor was the only valor award presented to men who fought in World War I. Lower-level awards were created later, but there's never been a comprehensive review looking at why no black troops who fought during WWI were awarded the medal during that time period, said Dwight Mears, a historian and former West Point history professor. "The criteria at the time were race neutral, but no African-Americans were recognized contemporaneous with the war with the Medal of Honor," he said. "That was almost certainly a result of their ethnicity." This review, which they hope gets the backing of Pentagon and congressional leaders, seeks to remedy that, Mears added. The project has support from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, said Chris Isleib, a spokesman for the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, and the group has briefed the Congressional Black Caucus on the project. Poring through 100-year-old military, archival, newspaper and genealogical records will be no easy feat, said Timothy Westcott, director of Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War. But the hope is that it will lead them to living descendants of some of the troops who showed extraordinary heroism on the battlefield. Many military records in question were likely destroyed during the 1970s when a fire that burned out of control for 22 hours essentially erased the records of millions of troops who'd been discharged between 1912 and 1964. But looking through other records from the same time period can yield big finds. That's how Jeffrey Sammons, a history professor at New York University and co-author of "Harlem's Rattlers and the Great War," discovered that William A. Butler, a sergeant from Maryland who served with the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment, had been nominated for the Medal of Honor. Sammons was preparing for a lecture on George S. Robb, a World War I officer who received the nation's highest valor award, when he found records showing Butler had on the same day been nominated for the Medal of Honor. "Even more is that George Robb had written a glowing treatment of William Butler's exploits, in which he saved his commanding officer, 1st Lt. Gorman Jones, and a number of men from being captured by the Germans, who had actually infiltrated their trench," Sammons said. Robb would later receive the Medal of Honor for which he was nominated. Butler did not. That case prompted Westcott, Mears and Sammons to want to broaden their review so they could find other examples of cases in which men like Butler had been denied the Medal of Honor, likely based on race. Two black WWI veterans have been posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Freddie Stowers, a corporal killed while serving in a unit under French command, was awarded the medal by President George H.W. Bush in 1991. Henry Johnson, who served with what would become the 369th Infantry Regiment, was recognized for his valor by President Barack Obama in 2015. But a much more thorough, unbiased, comprehensive and systematic review of valor medals, especially the Medal of Honor, for African-American troops is necessary, Sammons said. Park University students have already begun work on the project, which is also likely to uncover instances of other minority groups not getting the recognition they deserved on the battlefield, Westcott said. "Our initial group will be African-Americans because the segregation of the units is fully documented," he said. "But there will be other groups we will look at ... likely including Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Jewish Americans and Asian Americans." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins. Updated Oct. 10, 3:42 p.m. Eastern A Marine veteran who served in Iraq was killed on his 34th birthday Saturday when the limousine he was riding in sped through an intersection and into a parked car. He was one of 20 people killed in the horrific accident, according to local reports. Michael C. Ukaj was with 16 friends in the back of a 2001 Ford Excursion limo about 40 miles outside Albany, New York, when it failed to stop at an intersection, hitting an unoccupied Toyota SUV. All 17 passengers, the driver and two pedestrians near the parked vehicle were killed. It was the deadliest transportation accident in nearly a decade, The New York Times reported. Ukaj was the last person to be identified as one of the crash victims. His mother, Mary Ashton, told the Albany Times Union that her son had enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 17 and had later deployed to Iraq. He was there on his 21st birthday, she said, when he had to take shelter underneath a table as his base was being mortared, "praying he wouldn't die," the paper reported. He lost some of his friends on that deployment and, though he'd planned to re-enlist, was honorably discharged due to a medical condition, she told the paper. Ukaj served as a bulk-fuel specialist in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2007, according to his personnel records. He was deployed to Iraq from August 2005 to February 2006, and left the service at the rank of sergeant. His last duty assignment was with the California-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 372. Ukaj had two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals and a Marine Corps Good Conduct medal. "We love you and miss you, our dear baby boy!" his mother wrote on Facebook on Monday. "You were such an inspiration when you wanted to join the Marine Corps! Thank you for your combat service, and for being my son. I love you forever. See you in heaven, baby!" A fundraiser set up to benefit Ukaj's family has raised more than $3,000. The other limo passengers included several siblings and married couples. They were: Axel Steenburg, Richard Steenburg, Amy Steenburg, Allison King, Mary Dyson, Robert Dyson, Abigail Jackson, Matthew Coons, Savannah Bursese, Patrick Cushing, Amanda Halse, Erin McGowan, Shane McGowan, Amanda Rivenburg, Adam Jackson and Rachael Cavosie. Scott Lisinicchia was the limousine driver, and the pedestrians killed were Brian Hough and James Schnurr. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he joins all New Yorkers "in mourning these deaths and share in the unspeakable sorrow experienced by their families and loved ones during this extremely difficult time." After reports of safety issues with the vehicle, Lee Kindlon, a lawyer representing Prestige Limousine, said he does not think those infractions were what led to the tragedy, according to the New York Post. The safety issues with the vehicle, he added, had been addressed and corrected. Ukaj is survived by his parents, a sister and two brothers, the Times Union reported. Ashton told the paper the Marine veteran was "just a very happy" person who enjoyed life. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins. President Trump on Tuesday accepted Nikki Haley's resignation as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, marking a sudden and unexpected end to the tenure of one of the administration's most prominent figures. Trump spoke at the Oval Office to address the resignation. He told reporters that Haley had done "an incredible job" and is a "fantastic person." He said she had told him six months ago that she wanted to take a break "maybe at the end of the year" -- and said she would serve through the end of 2018. Axios, which first reported the news, reported that Haley discussed her resignation last week when she visited Trump at the White House. The outlet reported that the news shocked a number of senior foreign policy officials in the administration. State Department sources told Fox News that Haley told her staff her intentions to resign just this morning. The U.S. Mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News. Haley had been a critic of Trump during the 2016 Republican primary campaign, but had emerged as a key figure in his administration as she pushed the administration's policy goals on Iran, North Korea and other items of international cooperation. The former governor of South Carolina was confirmed as U.N. Ambassador four days after Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. Haley was a fierce critic of U.N. mismanagement and bias against Israel and the U.S. She secured cuts to the U.S. contribution to the U.N. fund, and pulled the U.S. out of the U.N. Human Rights Council -- calling it a "cesspool of political bias." She spearheaded the administration's push to increase U.N. sanctions on North Korea, a move that ultimately led to a de-escalation of tensions in the region and talks between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. On Tuesday, Trump said that they "have solved a lot of problems together" and specifically mentioned North Korea. The shock move comes just days after the opening of the U.N. General Assembly session, where Trump spoke in front of the GA and also chaired a Security Council meeting on Iran and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Fox News' John Roberts and Rich Edson contributed to this report. U.S. Air Force bases located in Florida's panhandle are readying for Hurricane Michael, with some installations ordering mandatory personnel evacuations ahead of the Category 2 storm. Tyndall Air Force Base on Monday ordered the evacuation of all on-and-off-base personnel ahead of the hurricane, which is set to make landfall Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. "It's important to know that this order applies to all Tyndall assigned military personnel regardless if they live on base or not," Col. Jefferson Hawkins, vice commander of the 325th Fighter Wing, said in a release. "People are our most important resource, and we're committed to protecting them." Wind gusts could reach between 90 and 110 miles per hour, and the storm has the potential to increase to a Category 3, NHC officials have said. Water levels are also expected to rise. Tyndall airmen and civilians, including those in base housing, must be off the installation by 3 p.m. Tuesday, officials said. Personnel may use their government-issued credit cards "for any expenses incurred during this evacuation," the release said, adding they will be reimbursed for any travel expenses of at least 100 miles, but no more than 500 miles, from the base. Aircraft have been moved from Tyndall to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as a precaution. The base houses F-22 Raptors, T-38 Talons and QF-16s -- F-16 Fighting Falcons converted into unmanned aircraft. Officials did not specify how many aircraft had been moved. F-35A Joint Strike Fighters will also be moved from Eglin Air Force Base ahead of the storm, according to the Pensacola News Journal. ABC News reported that the F-35s were moved to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and that F-16s and F-15 Eagles belonging to test wings at the base were also being evacuated. The majority of Eglin's facilities, such as the child development center, base gym, eateries and commissary, are expected to close Tuesday. The 96th Test Wing commander "will decide about the return to normal base operations Oct. 10," according to a release. "Reporting times for base personnel will be posted on Facebook and the base website when finalized," the release states. Only "mission-essential" service members were selected to report for normal duty hours Tuesday to finish base preparations, officials said. Hurlburt Field, home of the Air Force's special tactics airmen, will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, the base said. Any military or civilian employees in non-essential roles will be dismissed until further notice. AC-130J Ghostrider and AC-130U Spooky gunships, MC-130H Combat Talon IIs and PC-12s -- known as the U-28 reconnaissance aircraft -- have been evacuated to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. It was not immediately clear whether other aircraft at the base, such as the CV-22 Osprey, were moved or if they will remain at the base, stowed in hangars. Meanwhile, special operations airmen are on standby if called upon for rescue missions during the storm. "We stand ready to support relief operations in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, state and local authorities, and international partners," a 1st Special Operations Wing release states. "Airmen are prepared to assist those in need by providing capabilities such as search and rescue and personnel recovery, airlift of humanitarian supplies, medical care and aeromedical evacuation." Naval Air Station Pensacola said it would close facilities across the base Tuesday, including Corry Station, Saufley Field and the National Naval Aviation Museum. The base's child development and youth centers, as well as the exchange and commissary, will close by 6 p.m., NAS Pensacola said in a Facebook post. "All facilities onboard the base will remain closed through Wednesday," it said. "Pending significant changes in weather forecast, the base and all facilities will reopen and resume normal operations on Thursday." The Navy evacuated some of its trainers ahead of the storm, ABC News said. NAS Pensacola keeps T-45 Goshawk and T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft. Some of the trainers will be secured or hangared at the base, ABC said, while others will be moved to NAS Whiting Field near Milton, Florida. The Navy's Blue Angels, normally housed at the base, recently wrapped flying during San Francisco's Fleet Week and head next to Nevada. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' point man on the Pentagon's Close Combat Lethality Task Force said Tuesday that the effort to boost combat power at the squad level suffers from a lack of research and development funding. "I would tell you, in my opinion, it's not a good news story," retired Marine Lt. Col. Joseph L'Etoile, task force director, said of the state of funding for research and science and technology (S&T) needed to improve lethality. In terms of Defense Department spending, "close-combat initiatives received about 0.8 percent of the department's total R&D,and S&T," he said. "That's a curve we'd like to bend," L'Etoile said in a panel discussion on building a "Ready and Lethal" force at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual meeting and exposition. Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, deputy commander of the Army's new Forces Command, said that the service's "every effort" was focused on lethality in line with Mattis' directive under the National Defense Strategy to be prepared for a potential war against a "near-peer" adversary such as Russia or China. The Army must undergo a fundamental mindset shift in the effort to achieve "Global Dynamic Overmatch," she said. To that end, she said, the Army is revamping training to emphasize short-notice exercises scheduled "at the most inopportune time" with shifting requirements, "all with the purpose of stressing the system" to gauge readiness. She cited a recent exercise involving the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in upstate New York. The division, which is accustomed to moving by rail to Combat Training Centers, was told to move by sea through the Port of Philadelphia, Richardson said. "I'll tell you our training strategy works," said Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, commander of the Army's III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas. He added that he had watched the success of operational effects in his former job as commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria. However, Funk has concerns about how improved lethality on the small-unit level would translate coherently into larger formations. "I worry about above-brigade formations," he said. In setting up the lethality task force last February, Mattis said that close-combat ground formations traditionally suffer 90 percent of the casualties, but "advances in training methods and equipment have not kept pace with changes in available technology" for small units. In a paper for AUSA's Institute of Land Warfare, retired Col. Daniel S. Roper cited Mattis' definition of close-combat overmatch as "the ability of a squad-sized unit to impose its will on a similar-sized opponent under all conditions and operational environments." In relation to the major power threats posed by near-peer states, "the fundamental problem to overcome is an erosion in close-combat capability," Roper added. As the result of a review conducted in 2017, the DoD authorized $815 million to improve the lethality of 4,005 Army small units and $485 million for 685 Marine small units for fiscal 2019, he said. Much of the money will be spent on new equipment, such as the next-generation rifle and new machine guns, but funding for 2020 and beyond is questionable, Roper said, adding that investments in planned Phases 2 and 3 on improved lethality "has yet to be determined but likely will be significantly more than the initial allocation." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Look what she made you do.... Pop artist Taylor Swift's first jump into the political realm is being credited with an extraordinary spike in voter registration after she spoke out against a Republican candidate for the House of Representatives Sunday. In an Instagram post released Sunday night, Swift encouraged fans to register to vote and to particularly vote against Marsha Blackburn. The result appears to be something that not even Swift could have imagined in her wildest dreams as more than 100,000 voters registered in the 24 hours after Swift's post went public according to Vote.org. The number is staggering considering the website documented just under 250,000 new registrations in August and September combined. More than 2,100 new voters registered in Tennessee alone in the last 24 hours according to Vote.org. And while many of Swift's fans were happy to see her speak out, it has caused some bad blood with some of her more conservative fans who have lashed out at her statement and want her to "stick to music." President Donald Trump even weighed in on the matter Monday, saying he now likes her music "25 percent less" than he used to. He did refrain from attacking the music superstar over her comments. YPSILANTI, MI - Dr. Dan Heffernan made it his life mission to help those in need, and the Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti will carry on that work even after his death. Heffernan, who lived in Ann Arbor for more than four decades, died Thursday, Oct. 4. He was 90. He founded the Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti in 1982 and served as the clinic's medical director until 2014. "He was steadfast in his faith. He was always willing to consider how we might better serve folks," said Cathy Robinson, who was the Hope Clinic's first executive director and worked with Heffernan there for more than 20 years. "He had a real servant's heart." Heffernan is survived by his six children and 20 grandchildren, according to his obituary. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Beverly Heffernan, in 2017. Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Nie Family Funeral Home, at 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, and prior to a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, Oct. 13. Heffernan's life of service was guided by his Catholic faith. Born and raised in Detroit, he attended Wayne Medical School. After marrying Beverly, he started a family medical practice in Midland, and in the 1960s, he provided medical services to migrant sugar beet workers in the Tri-City area. In 1977, the Heffernan family moved to Ann Arbor to be part of The Word of God Community. Ann Arbor News article from 1978: Doctors combine prayer, science Robinson also was part of that community. She crossed paths with Heffernan one day in 1987, and the two realized they shared a mission of service. She left the Shelter Association of Ann Arbor and joined him at the Hope Clinic eight years after it opened. When Heffernan founded the Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti in 1982, it operated as a free walk-in clinic open on Saturday mornings in a borrowed space. Video used with permission from the Hope Clinic Heffernan was always open to finding new ways to meet people's needs, Robinson said, and the clinic gradually grew to include a food bank, weekend meals program, laundry services, emergency financial assistance, dental services, produce distribution and now mental health services. "If you knew him long, you would know he saw Hope (Clinic) as God's work, and we just needed to stay out of God's way," she said. "He saw it as a privilege to serve what he called 'God's beloved poor.'" Robinson remembered how happy Heffernan was to move the Hope Medical Clinic into a building on Arnet Street in Ypsilanti in 1993 and expand the clinic's hours. "I can still see the smile on his face as we were at the closing," she said. "That meant that he could expand that part of the vision that was so near and dear to his heart." In 1992, Heffernan and Beverly visited one of their sons in Nicaragua and were moved by the lack of medical facilities there. They began sending medicine and supplies there and then organized medical brigades to travel from Michigan to remote areas of Nicaragua. That outreach became Hope Clinic International in 1997. The Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti opened a satellite clinic in western Wayne County in 2007, and in 2011, the medical clinic, dental clinic and weekend meals program moved to a renovated Hope Center building at 518 Harriet Street in Ypsilanti. Those who worked with Heffernan at the Hope Clinic remember him as a humble man, who took a genuine interest in the volunteers and patients. "He was a kind man. He was selfless. He always asked how you were doing and didn't talk a lot about himself, expect if he was bragging about his grandchildren," said Jenny Rykowski, a nurse who is originally from Ypsilanti. She has been involved at the Hope Clinic since it started, first as a volunteer and now on staff at the medical clinic. Doug Campbell, who was hired as executive director of the Hope Clinic in 2017 after Robinson retired from the position, said Heffernan is still the inspiration behind the work of the mostly-volunteer staff. "We're very conscious today that we follow the same mission he set out," Campbell said. In 2017, Hope Clinic responded to nearly 37,000 requests for service. BAY CITY, MI -- Two people who sold methamphetamine and stolen guns to an undercover police officer, then led his colleagues on a high-speed car chase through two counties, have pleaded guilty to federal felonies. On Sept. 26, both Chad T. Hartupee and Jody J. Jackson appeared before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Patricia T. Morris at the federal courthouse in downtown Bay City. Both Hartupee, 33, and Jackson, 41, pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges of possessing meth with intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit that crime, and knowingly utilizing a communication facility in furtherance of a conspiracy. Hartupee's sentencing guidelines range from 46 to 57 months, while his girlfriend's are from 70 to 87 months, their plea agreements state. To establish the defendants' guilt, their attorneys asked them a series of yes-or-no questions. In answering, Hartupee and Jackson confirmed what an ATF agent had authored in an affidavit. That document states the ATF and Michigan State Police Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (or BAYANET) launched a joint investigation after receiving information that Hartupee and Jackson had been attempting to sell guns and meth in Saginaw. On July 30, an undercover BAYANET detective spoke with Hartupee on the phone and arranged to buy two guns for $800 and 10 grams of meth for $100 per gram. Hartupee agreed to meet with the detective at the Perkins Street Market at 2817 Perkins St. near the border of Buena Vista Township and the city of Saginaw. BAYANET and ATF personnel established surveillance around the area and watched as Hartupee and Jackson drove into the business's parking lot. The undercover detective approached the vehicle. Hartupee, sitting in the driver's seat, produced a .380-caliber Sig Sauer P238 pistol and .45-caliber Rock River Armor 1911 pistol. Jackson, seated in the back, handed a Ziploc bag containing suspected crystal meth to Hartupee. Hartupee handed the bag and the guns to the undercover officer, who gave him $1,500 in cash. Hartupee then handed the cash to Jackson. Before the buy ended, Jackson told the officer she could meet up again for additional sales and asked what other firearms they might be interested in. The officer replied he was looking to buy a "choppa," street slang for an assault rifle. Jackson replied she could procure such an item. After the officer walked away, the vehicle began driving away from the market. At that point, marked police vehicles attempted to pull it over. Jackson jumped from the vehicle and Hartupee sped off. Hartupee drove onto northbound Interstate 75, then to westbound U.S.-10, with law enforcement in pursuit. Near the Auburn exit, Hart's vehicle began emitting heavy flames and eventually stopped near Seven Mile Road. Police arrested Hartupee without further incident. In the vehicle, they recovered several rounds of .380 ammunition, a .45-caliber bullet, a digital scale, a folded receipt containing a bit of suspected heroin, and a zippered case containing two loaded syringes and small baggies containing less than a gram of suspected meth. Officers had arrested Jackson where she'd fallen from the vehicle. On her they found less than a gram of suspected meth and heroin, as well as the $1,500 the undercover officer had paid with. At the plea hearing, Hartupee and Jackson agreed the guns had been stolen. Hartupee was on probation out of Isabella County at the time of the offense, having been sentenced to two years of it in February 2017 on a conviction of marijuana possession. Jackson, while not probation at the time of the incident, has nine felony convictions on her record, eight of which are drug offenses. U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington is to sentence Hartupee and Jackson on the afternoon of Jan. 24. BAY CITY, MI -- A group of Bay City commissioners plans to meet privately this week with representatives from United Bridge Partners as the city considers the future of its two aging drawbridges spanning the Saginaw River. United Bridge Partners is a private firm out of Denver, Colorado, that has proposed buying Independence and Liberty bridges, building a new one of the former and making critical repairs to the latter. Motorists would then be charged a toll to cross. Three Bay City commissioners plan to meet Thursday with the bridge firm, according to Commission President Andrew Niedzinski, 3rd Ward. Niedzinski declined to say when the meeting is happening or which commissioners are involved. The meeting is not open to the public. "Commissioners have meetings with all sorts of groups separately," he said, adding the meeting doesn't violate the Open Meetings Act of 1976 as fewer than two-thirds of the board is meeting, which would constitute a quorum. The commission president added he has also met individually with United Bridge Partners representatives in the past month. "I think they're just trying to do their due diligence to meet with other commissioners," he said. He said there is no intent to subvert or exploit loopholes within the Open Meetings Act. "This type of stuff happens all the time when people try to meet with us individually or in small groups," Niedzinski said. "The bridge issue is such a big thing, it makes it sort of hairy. The way I feel, it's really no different than meeting with other companies in the area as we've been doing since we've been on the board." Niedzinski said in August the city needs about $9 million to bring the bridges up to where they need to be, but that doesn't include future maintenance costs. Lansing-based OHM Advisors and the city met with residents in August to discuss a study under way to determine different alternatives and impacts for the operation of Liberty Bridge and Independence Bridge. The idea of toll bridges or a county millage to pay for the bridges was presented at the meeting but the city commission has not taken any action. The United Bridge Partners plan has come under increased scrutiny after a pedestrian bridge in Miami collapsed in March. That bridge was designed by FIGG Bridge Design, a partner of United Bridge Partners. The state of Michigan maintains two other bridges spanning the Saginaw River in Bay City - Veteran's Memorial Bridge and Lafayette Bridge. Detroit public schools expect to spend nearly $3.8 million enacting a long-term solution to widespread lead and copper contamination in students' drinking water. The price tag includes $741,939 to install 818 hydration stations and filters, $750,000 for water coolers until completed installation of the stations in the summer of 2019, $539,880 for environmental remediation costs, $1.2 million for maintenance services and $282,000 for facilities maintenance, according to a resolution passed unanimously by the Detroit Community Schools Board on Tuesday, Oct. 9. It's estimated there will be one hydration station per 100 students in a district of nearly 50,000. Nearly $2.4 million of the cost is being offset by donations from nonprofits and businesses. See the full list of donors. The district last month announced that water samples taken from 57 of 86 schools revealed copper or lead levels in excess of legally acceptable limits. Mass drinking water problems were discovered in at least 33 of 52 schools when test results were returned just prior to the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Results prompted administrators to install water coolers and offer bottled water to students as they returned to class in September. Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti told the Associated Press it would cost an estimated $100,000 per month to provide water to students. A list of schools that tested for high levels of copper or lead can be found here. The high lead and copper levels detected at the schools have been attributed to aging school infrastructure, and not the source water system, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Hydration stations, such as those scheduled to be installed in Detroit schools, are currently used in Royal Oak, Ann Arbor and Birmingham schools, according to the district, DETROIT, MI -- Officials and employees celebrated another major investment in Detroit inside a new massive manufacturing facility on the city's east side. Global auto supplier Flex-N-Gate, a parts supplier to Ford Motor Company, opened a $160-million, 480,000-square-foot facility on once-vacant land at 9041 St. Cyril St., with plans to hire 230 employees. About 115 hired thus far are Detroit residents, Mayor Mike Duggan said. "This is the way we reduce unemployment in the city," Duggan said. "Detroit became known around the world as the city where we made things and we decided to head back in that direction. This is the largest investment in an auto plant in (Detroit) in more than 20 years." Duggan met with Shahid Khan, Flex-N-Gate owner and CEO, in spring 2016. Flex-N-Gate was contracted to build part of the Ford Ranger in Wayne County and needed to open a plant by fall 2018, Duggan said. "This plant and the benefits it will bring to Detroit and its workforce gives me as much pride as anything I've been part of over my many years with Flex-N-Gate," Khan said. "It's amazing to have worked with partners ... who shared my goal of doing something special in the city proper of Detroit ... by creating hundreds of sustainable manufacturing jobs, investing in their training and providing a pathway to making a solid middle-class living." Flex-N-Gate supplies exterior trim components, aluminum and steel modular stamped body and chassis assemblies, lighting and other OEM automotive products, according to the city. Gov. Rick Snyder said this investment solidifies Detroit as the "capitol of the automotive industry." "We don't create these jobs; it's great companies that do that," Snyder said. "If you step back and look at what's going on in this city, in this state today, we are back, but we have more to do. There's more ways we can help neighborhoods." The manufacturer is partnering with the city's "Detroit at Work" training program to pave a path for Detroiters to access new jobs. The company hired 70 through the program and anyone interested can sign up online or by calling 313-962-WORK. "Michigan has led in the creation of manufacturing jobs in the last eight years and we're just getting started," Snyder said. Georgia Street, which stretches along the south side of the facility, is being improved through a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Administration to help keep trucks off neighborhood streets, according to the city. FLINT, MI - Bishop Airport is about to lose its westernmost destination - a Delta Air Lines flight from Flint to Minneapolis. Delta will make its final flight on that route Nov. 26, but will continue to fly from Flint to Atlanta, Pat Corfman, a Bishop spokeswoman, said Tuesday, Oct. 9. The loss of the Delta route comes as Bishop recovers from the sting of an even larger setback earlier this year when Southwest Airlines ended service to Chicago in June. Through the first eight months of this year, the number of departing passengers on commercial flights from Flint is down 3.9 percent compared to the same period in 2017, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Corfman said that despite its service losses, the airport continues to make progress in boosting its offerings, including new service on Allegiant Air to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting this month. MLive-The Flint Journal could not reach a representative of Delta for comment on its future plans in Flint or the reason for ending its Minneapolis route, a destination that has been a fixture at the airport for years. Before Delta acquired Northwest Airlines in 2009, Northwest flew the same Minneapolis route, which Delta expanded after eliminating Flint-to-Detroit flights in 2013. Corfman said the Minneapolis route has accounted for roughly 25,000 departures annually from Bishop - far fewer than flights to Atlanta, which is the airline's headquarters and primary hub. The loss of Minneapolis as a destination leaves Flint with seven direct connections -- four of which are in Florida. In the first half of 2018, Delta has been the airport's strongest carrier, accounting for more than 34 percent of all airport departures, according the Bishop website. Flint Journal files show Delta first offered service from Bishop starting in December 1986 but discontinued it after just five months. The airline returned in April 2001, flying 40-passenger Comair regional jets from Flint to Cincinnati, a small Delta hub. By 2003, it added Flint-to-Atlanta service. Bishop was Michigan's third-largest airport when measured in passenger departures in 2017 and remains in that position through the first eight months of the year, according to state Department of Transportation records. FLINT, MI - The University of Michigan-Flint will be looking for a new leader next year. Susan E. Borrego, the university's seventh chancellor, announced Monday, Oct. 8 that she will be stepping down upon completion of her five-year term at the end of July 2019. Borrego took over the leadership role on Aug. 1, 2014, succeeding former Chancellor Ruth Person who also served one term. "Under her leadership, the campus has launched new academic offerings, increased student support, secured increased funding for campus resources, and strengthened connections between the university and the Flint community," reads a university statement. The university is seeing some growth by way of an $11 million grant to help fund a $39 million project to construct a new 65,000 square-foot wing on the William R. Murchie Science Building. UM-Flint officials including Borrego partnered with Kettering University and the Hagerman Foundation to reopen a skating rink adjacent to the University Pavilion on Saginaw Street for the community that'd been closed for 25 years. Raised in Detroit, Borrego received her Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and communication from Northwest Nazarene College. She went on to achieve a Master of arts in social science: Student Development from Azusa Pacific University, and her Ph.D. in education from Claremont Graduate School. She served as vice president for enrollment management, planning, and student affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills, prior to getting the job in Flint. Borrego "looks forward to continuing this work over the next academic year adding to the great momentum she has helped to create" per the statement. "She is looking ahead to building on the important accomplishments of UM-Flint and passing the torch for the next Chancellor to carry into the future." GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Next week, the Grand Rapids school board will consider inviting firms to submit proposals to initiate community engagement opportunities to help to develop a candidate profile for a superintendent search. Last month, Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal announced she would resign effective July 1, after seven years at the helm. The Request for Proposals (RFPs) will be on the agenda of the Monday, Oct. 15, board meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the administration building. During a work session Monday, Oct. 8, the board discussed what steps would be appropriate to take ahead of the January swearing in of the five board members elected Nov. 6. The concern is that if the board waits to begin the process next year, the board members won't have time to find a replacement before Neal's departure. "The message is that we are trying to help set the stage for the next board," said school board Vice President Raynard Ross, about taking some preliminary steps. "We are not going down this road to make conclusions." School board President Wendy Falb said the major decisions regarding the search would be made by the new school board. Seven school board candidates are vying for five open seats on the nine-member board in the upcoming general election, including 3 incumbents. The incumbents are board members Tony Baker, Jose Flores, and John Matias. "All the questions I've been getting from community members about the search are, 'What is the plan? How can we be involved?'" said board member Kristin Grant, about community engagement. Flores said he is in favor of getting an early start, so that a comprehensive search is conducted, and an interim is not necessary. Neal was appointed interim superintendent in January 2012, after Bernard Taylor departed. The then school board stopped the search process and hired her that August. "I think there were many community members who were left out there with great expectations that their voice and input was going to mean something and that whole process was short fused," Flores said. He said he would hate to see the board not take the necessary steps now to engage students, staff, community members, and other stakeholders directly impacted and again have to appoint an interim. Baker said that 2012 board had every intention of following the process and using the community information collected but were in a situation with an interim in Neal that people were excited about in the community. He said that process was not as true to the community's interest as it should have been. The board is moving forward with Baker's suggestion that a November work session be held with newly elected board members about the search process. This session would include bringing in organizations for a question-and-answer session such as the Michigan Association of School Boards. A school board committee, comprised of a few members, would be charged with setting up that work session and inviting participants. If RFPs are solicited, those firms also might present their proposals. Seven Kent County school districts hired new superintendents for this school year, so there is no shortage of resources. In other board business: LOWELL, MI -- Three people are vying for the state House seat covering Ionia, Belding and Lowell that's been long held by Republicans. The candidates for Michigan's 86th House District on the ballot Nov. 6 are incumbent and Republican Thomas A. Albert, Democrat Lauren Taylor and Independent Sue Norman. The seat has been held by Republicans for more than two decades, according to state election records. It covers portions of eastern Kent County and northern Ionia County. Albert won his first term in 2016. He is a Marine Corps veteran who previously worked for the Michigan Department of Treasury as an investor for the state's pension system. Taylor is an entrepreneur who created NO CROW Rooster Collars, a device which trains backyard chickens to crow quietly. Norman is a self-employed sustainable building consultant and former teacher. This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our readers. Each candidate was asked to answer a series of questions about their policy stances. Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org - the election-information website run by the League of Women Voters. Answers were lightly edited for grammar and readability. What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them? Norman: "My guiding principle is balancing planet, people, and profit. Process: Because most problems and solutions are complex, most legislation should include inter-related initiatives to accomplish a clearly stated goal. Economy: Wages fuel the engine of a strong economy; therefore, ensure that everyone with a full-time job can earn a living wage and ensure everyone is paying their fair share of taxes to support our common interests. Education: Knowledge is power; therefore, ensure that public education is fully funded on an ongoing basis and honor the constitution of Michigan by keeping public money in public schools." Taylor: "As a legislator in Michigan's House of Representatives, I will stand for a renewed commitment to public education, 21st-century jobs, and a healthy workforce that is ready and able to live up to their potential. We need a bold re-imagining of our education future; one that addresses not only the success of our schools access to them but also addresses the struggles of parents working hard to afford quality early childhood education. It is critical that we fix the healthcare system in Michigan so that no one falls through the cracks and everyone is able to pursue their goals and contribute to society." Albert: "First, I want to continue to be a champion for paying off our debt. As the chair of the House Committee on Financial Liability Reform I have worked extensively to have a sustainable and achievable plan to pay off over $50 billion of pension debt. Second, I want to be a strong advocate for protecting K-12 funding. A large portion of the School Aid Fund now goes toward legacy costs and higher education. I want to work toward to getting more resources into the classroom. Lastly, I will continue to support a business climate that keeps Michigan competitive globally for quality jobs." What measures do you support/propose to achieve improved educational outcomes and accessibility for Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education? Albert: "I sent out an education survey to the district and it was clear that most people firmly believe that unstable homes are the biggest educational challenge in Michigan and I would have to agree. Many kids in our schools today go home and face very challenging environments. I believe substance abuse to be the biggest driver of these unstable homes. My uncle who is a retired school administrator once told me, 'A school is a reflection of the community, not the other way around.' I firmly believe we would see improvements in student outcomes if we make headway in addressing substance abuse in our communities." Norman: "Professional educators should have primary responsibility for the how-to of teaching. Legislators should focus on the how-to of funding education and provide supportive legislation based upon guidance from educators. I support a budget that fully funds education. Ensure teachers have a professional salary and benefits. Protect the variety of services needed to truly educate all our children. Emphasize equality across the state and address districts' unique unmet needs. Ensure money intended for education is spent on education. I will work toward public funding for early-childhood and post-secondary education" Taylor: "Investing in our children from a young age is good for our economy and our future. Expanding early childhood education puts them on the right path and helps them to succeed in life. Research has proven the far-reaching effects of comprehensive developmental resources on improved test scores, higher graduation rates, and increased college enrollment. In recent studies, economists found that prioritizing quality 0-5 programs yields a 13 percent rate of return on taxpayer dollars per year: a 6 percent improvement on established Pre-K programs. While also promoting good health and lowering crime rates, this investment really pays off." What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions? Taylor: "The success of Michigan's economy depends on the strength of its job market and opportunities for working people to succeed. We need to rebuild our workforce and support the entrepreneurial spirit that drives growth and innovation by preparing them with a good education and skills for 21st century jobs. I will work across the aisle to create incentives for small business owners that allow them to pay a living wage and I will stand up for their bottom line by supporting healthcare policies that relieve them of that burden and ensure that all Michiganders have the care they need regardless of their employment status." Albert: "Governments do not create jobs, but they do establish the business environment. States that choose high taxes and a lot of regulation like end up with large deficits and outbound migration. A great case study of this form of economic policy is Michigan from 2002 to 2010. It is commonly referred to the 'Lost Decade.' Keeping Michigan's economy strong requires that its leaders support policies that make businesses want to either move or grow their business right here. This can be achieved by continuing to keep taxes low and reducing regulatory burdens." Norman: "The economic position of Michigan's residents can be improved by first guaranteeing a living wage and by everyone paying their fair share of taxes. Second, we must use an approach that acknowledges the differences between a state budget and a household budget: state spending often has a return on investment by generating additional tax revenue. One great example is spending for improvements to infrastructure, which creates immediate jobs, supports commerce, and keeps Michigan attractive to tourists. I'll help citizens understand how the budget really works and how their tax dollars are being well spent." The rest of the candidates' responses can be found here. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should not be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. JACKSON, MI - A man who admitted in court to sexually assaulting two children about 12 years ago will spend more than a decade behind bars. Jeffery Burgett, 29, was sentenced Tuesday, Oct. 9, to serve 16 to 30 years in prison for one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. During his preliminary examination before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren, Aug. 9, Burgett admitted he victimized two relatives, girls ages 5 and 14 or 15, sometime between January 2000 and December 2005. The assaults involved digital or other penetration, he conceded. In exchange for his plea, the prosecutor's office agreed not to issue further charges against Burgett. The charge stems from a sexual assault investigation by the Jackson Police Department spanning 15 years, according to the prosecutors office. Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka commended the Jackson Police Department and Detective Brett Stiles for their work in the investigation. Though Burgett was a juvenile when he committed the two sexual assaults, prosecutors in Michigan can directly file adult criminal charges against young people accused of specified serious crimes, Jarzynka said. JACKSON, MI - Jackson County residents can learn about candidates and issues on the Nov. 6 election ballot during two upcoming public events. State Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, is hosting a public town hall meeting from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at the Brooklyn Area on Aging, 102 N. Main St. Shirkey will discuss initiatives on the November ballot, including legalization of marijuana for recreational use, creating an independent citizens redistricting commission and creating state constitutional rights to certain voting policies. The Jackson Community Candidate Forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at Weatherwax Hall, 215 W. Michigan Ave. The League of Women Voters, Jackson District Library and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce are organizing this event. The forum features local candidates running on the Nov. 6 ballot in Jackson County. Attendees can meet the candidates and ask them questions about November ballot items in Jackson County and the surrounding area. A soon-to-be-determined moderator will take questions from the audience and present them to candidates present, as well as preparing and asking questions to candidate before the event. An official list of candidates attending the forum is expected to be available after Friday, Oct. 12, Forgrave said. Candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives will not be present. "All three organizations involved in this event - including the library, the league, and the chamber - have always done their best to highlight local elections that will have a direct impact on local residents and voters," Will Forgrave, JDL marketing & communications manager, said in a news release. "This election, we thought it was a good idea to join forces to help inform the community about the upcoming November election." The event is part of the Jackson District Library's "JXN Community Forums" series. More information is available at 517-788-4087 or emailing adultservices@mydjl.com KALAMAZOO, MI -- Four candidates are hoping to represent the 63rd District in the Michigan House of Representatives. The four candidates, Republican Matt Hall, Democrat Jennifer Aniano, Green Party candidate John Anthony La Pietra and Libertarian Ronald Hawkins, are vying for the seat. The 63rd district includes the eastern half of Kalamazoo County along with portions of southern and central Calhoun County, including the city of Marshall. This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our readers. Each candidate was asked to answer a series of questions about their policy stances. Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org. Hall is a self-employed attorney, according to his questionnaire response. He holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from Western Michigan University and a Juris Doctor degree in advanced constitutional advocacy from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a former West Michigan liaison for the Michigan Attorney General's Office and has worked in the private sector to combat propulsion systems manufacturing, his response said. Hall beat out incumbent David Maturen for the Republican nomination during the Aug. 7 primary election. Aniano is a teacher with bachelor's degrees in journalism and history, she said in her response. She also holds a Masters of Education and serves as the vice president for the Kalamazoo Education Association for Kalamazoo Public Schools. Anthony La Pietra said he works as an attorney specializing in election law, constitutional and civil rights and freedom of information. He holds a bachelor's degree in public administration and is a graduate of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He has 10 years of experience as an attorney. Hawkins did not fill out the questionnaire. 1. PRIORITIES: What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them? HALL 1. Lower auto insurance rates. Michigan has the highest auto insurance rates in the country. I support lowering auto insurance rates by providing more plans and more choices for consumers and cracking down on fraud. 2. Continue strengthening our economy. We can further grow our economy and expand job opportunities by promoting skilled trades training, cutting taxes, supporting a quality education, and eliminating/modernizing overburdensome regulations. 3. Rebuild our infrastructure. We should dedicate our fuel tax money toward rebuilding our roads and ensure our water infrastructure provides clean drinking water. ANIANO Education Labor Infrastructure ANTHONY LA PIETRA #1]Strengthen government BY the People, boost Social Justice & Grassroots Democracy, help Michigan rise from DEAD LAST in integrity/accountability (https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/11/09/18427/michigan-gets-f-grade-2015-state-integrity-investigation) by learning from best practices & improving on them to serve People of all parties (or none). #2]Make long-term Sustainability a major policy goal in fields ranging from roads to energy to water. #3]Apply other Green Values: Ecological Wisdom, Non-Violence; Community-Based Economics, Decentralization, Feminism, Personal/Global Responsibility, Respect for Diversity. 2. EDUCATION: What measures do you support/propose to achieve improved educational outcomes and accessibility for Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education? HALL 1. Not enough elementary school students are proficient readers. Early literacy programs must be made a priority. 2. Repeal common core. More control and decision making authority should be returned to local school boards. 3. State accountability and funding systems should be changed to focus on subject matter mastery and a student should be encouraged to move at his or her personalized pace. 4. Vocational, career, and technical education in our state must become a higher priority and receive additional support. ANIANO School funding must be increased and equitable. Skilled trades should be a part of the curriculum for graduation. Testing needs to be reduced. We should focus on closing the opportunity gap, not the achievement gap. Two- year degree programs and certification programs should be free or heavily subsidized. The cost of four-year degrees must go down. ANTHONY LA PIETRA SOCIAL JUSTICE/Give all students high-quality critical education meeting their needs/interests. Tuition-free college, erase student debt. GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY, DECENTRALIZATION/Give local people more say in how public $$ are spent to educate their kids as good learners/citizens. Student/parent control of student data. Strong public oversight of any public $$ for charters/privatization. COMMUNITY-BASED ECONOMICS/State, Federal gov't help overcome varying local ability to fund education, reach fairness/equality. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY/Fund community-targeted programs, not cookie-cutter teach-to-test approaches. 3. ECONOMY: What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions HALL 1. Help hardworking taxpayers by improving skilled trades training opportunities and cutting taxes, so people can keep more of the money they have earned. 2. I support cutting overburdensome government regulations and mandates that kill job creation. 3. I support repairing Michigan's crumbling infrastructure. Taxpayer dollars spent on repairing roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects must be spent responsibly and contractors must be held accountable. Road tax money must be dedicated to repairing our roads. Public/private partnerships should be encouraged to repair our state's infrastructure. ANIANO I believe this starts with ending right-to-work. Giving power back to the every day workers in Michigan will ensure a better economy. ANTHONY LA PIETRA ECOLOGICAL WISDOM, SUSTAINABILITY/Green New Deal creating jobs for 100% fully renewable energy production, sustainable use by 2030; real jobs program hiring for needed public works. There'll be no economy or jobs if we don't end the fossil-fuel economy & reverse climate change. SOCIAL JUSTICE/Living wage ($15/hr a starting point); equal pay for comparable work; index expensing of top compensation to average worker pay. COMMUNITY-BASED ECONOMICS: Gov't is for ensuring general welfare; make stimulus efforts bottom-up, with local oversight/accountability. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY: End discrimination, stop wasting talent. 4. ELECTIONS: What state policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights? HALL I support requiring photo identification to vote. ANIANO Everyone eligible to vote should easily be able to do so. We need to do a better job of giving voting access to our elderly, disabled, and poor. ANTHONY LA PIETRA GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY, SOCIAL JUSTICE: Empower & enable all voters to vote (no caging out); all votes count; only voters to replace elected officials. Robust rights of recall/referendum/initiative; END REFERENDUM-PROOFING. Non-partisan redistricting (or PR); END GERRYMANDERS. Fair access for candidates of any party (or none) to the ballot & public financing/forums. Stronger FOIA/open-meeting laws, tougher conflict of interest definition & limits; disclose public officials' finances & gifts to them. CITIZEN REVIEW/CONTROL BOARDS for all government enforcement actions. (I take no PAC $$, max $100 from citizens.) 5. ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY: What actions or policies do you support to protect Michigan's water, air and land for current and future generations, while meeting the state's energy needs? Explain how those actions or policies would affect the future of Enbridge Pipeline 5. HALL Environmental regulations should be based on scientific evidence and not politics. I support science based, reasonable environmental regulations. ANIANO I support protecting our Great Lakes and easing into renewable energies. I understand the necessities of pipelines; however, I believe we need to protect our Great Lakes. There have been too many oil disasters in recent history for the people of Michigan not to want to protect our most precious resource. We are the gatekeepers of the Great Lakes and we need to behave as such. ANTHONY LA PIETRA FULLY SUSTAINABLE energy production & use by 2030; drop all-of-the-above plans which allow nuclear/fracking. PROGRESSIVE UTILITY RATES to boost conservation, cut consumption, reduce stress on infrastructure & "need" for extracting energy. BAN FRACKING; leave fossil fuels in the ground. CLEAN, FRESH WATER IS A HUMAN RIGHT; Michigan must protect Great Lakes (esp. from more pipeline spills, like Enbridge in Kalamazoo River; SHUT DOWN LINE 5) & ensure sustainability. NEW/WIDER ROADS DON'T CURE CONGESTION (http://wp.me/a4Avdc-1m); focus on maintenance, guaranteed durability. See GPMI platform: http://wp.me/a4Avdc-2f 6. JUSTICE: What policies will you pursue to promote social and racial justice in our state? HALL 1. I will continue to advocate for the sanctity of life. I will support legislation aimed at reducing the number of abortions occurring in our state. 2. I support reforming Michigan's civil asset forfeiture laws to require a criminal conviction before the government can sieze a person's assets. A person is entitled to due process under the law before his or her property is taken away by the government. ANIANO We have to first look at sentencing and how this practice is utilized across the state. We also have to make sure all public employees are aware of social justice, racial justice, and the systemic issues that plague our state. ANTHONY LA PIETRA Some government agencies have an inspector general or other ombudsperson. Most often, they watch how public money is spent. But we also need to watch how elected officials use power entrusted to them by the people to bring justice FOR THE PEOPLE. We need independent citizen oversight of county prosecutors, sheriffs, courts, the Attorney General's office. I will take seriously any credible claim of abuse of power, whether against a race or class or on any other basis. And I will work to end abuses, and empower and protect citizens who make such claims, so our state will have justice we can trust - FOR THE PEOPLE. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. KALAMAZOO, MI -- As Michigan voters prepare to head to the polls to decide whether recreational marijuana use should be legal, Kalamazoo County is seeing a sharp influx of businesses hoping to operate under the state's current medical marijuana laws. Since applications under Michigan's updated medical marijuana law began coming in this year, proposals have been conditionally approved by local government bodies for 32 new medical marijuana businesses in Kalamazoo County. Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Township and Portage will allow medical marijuana dispensaries and other businesses. Wakeshma Township, in southeastern Kalamazoo County, will not allow dispensaries, but will allow other medical marijuana businesses. "It's all good," Portage City Manager Larry Shaffer said, and he doesn't see a downside to allowing the businesses as long as it is done right. For the rest of the municipalities in the county, which have decided not to allow medical marijuana businesses, the process has been simple. The government takes no action and, by default, none of the businesses are permitted. Allowing the businesses has been more complicated in some cases, such as in Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo City Commission decided to opt in to allow the businesses, and the city has provisionally approved nine dispensary applications, while 11 others have been denied. The state has issued prequalification status for some of the applicants, which is the first step of a two-part process with the state. Before they can open, all businesses must also obtain a state license. The locations on the applications resulted in four clusters of proposed facilities within the city. Ultimately, only one dispensary could be allowed for each cluster, because of spacing requirements that require them to be at least 1,000 feet apart. For those locations, the city selected which of the dispensary applications to approve through a lottery draw. The following map shows the locations of marijuana businesses being planned. Click +/- to zoom and click each icon to see information about the business being planned: A pending appeal to one of the city's lottery draws means one dispensary application award has yet to be finalized, Kalamazoo City Clerk Scott Borling said, and that a fourth dispensary is expected to be approved in the area west of the intersection of Cork Street and Portage Street. In some cases, other businesses are currently operating in the spaces listed on applications. The city required each applicant to submit proof that they either own the property or had arrangements in place to obtain it, Borling said. Because of the clusters, the city denied several applicants that would have otherwise been approved, he said, though the applications are being kept on file in case another approved dispensary does not come to fruition to allow the next applicant in line to take the spot. The city also approved six grower licenses, some in combined licenses that also allow processing at the site, as well as a processor license and a testing facility license. Some of the applications include information about investors, some from out of state, and one application lists people associated with the company who have addresses in Canada. Kyle Barker, owner of Seven Point Supply, said he is planning to develop what he calls "a state of the art medical cannabis cultivation facility" that would be built in two phases. First, Barker plans about 55,000 square feet of greenhouses, and later expects to expand that footprint to about 150,000 square feet. "Our mission from the beginning has been to utilize the intense power of the sun via greenhouses to produce high quality medical cannabis," he said, which he believes will allow the business to offer more affordable prices. The proposed business location is within Kalamazoo's Davis Business Park, which was built with nearly $15 million in city, county, state and federal funding, and has sat vacant since it was ready in October 2007. Seven Points Supply, LLC President Kyle Barker presented his plan to grow 4,500 marijuana plants at indoor and outdoor facilities on 60 acres at the corner of EF Avenue and 44th Street in Ross Township. The commission held a long public hearing Monday, June 11, 2018 to discuss the request. The township later decided to reverse its position, and now will not allow medical marijuana businesses. (Malachi Barrett | MLive.com) Barker also had plans to open a medical marijuana growing business in Ross Township. But his plans were thwarted after the local government, first opting in to allow medical marijuana businesses, later decided to opt out. Barker, of Kalamazoo Township, told Portage officials he represents clients with a $10 million investment, according to January Portage City Council minutes. The Seven Point Supply team has experience cultivating cannabis in regulated markets, Barker said. He declined to comment further. Lake Effect Group, LLC, the company that has operated a dispensary in Portage for several years, was also approved by the city of Kalamazoo for a growing license and a processing license. In Kalamazoo Township, considerations for medical marijuana businesses have been under way for months, according to Township Supervisor Dexter Mitchell. Kalamazoo Township has provisionally approved five dispensaries, two grower licenses, and a secure transporter license, according to a township document obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The township is not limiting the number of businesses, Mitchell said, but their presence will be limited through zoning and other measures. Officials engaged citizens several times during discussions on the issue, he said. "I think the mood is receptive to it," Mitchell said. The businesses are not "mom and pop shops," he said, and must meet all state requirements to go into business, including having required amounts of funding on hand before opening. The various types of medical marijuana businesses are required to demonstrate between $150,000 and $500,000 in capitalization as part of their application, according to the state's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Portage has approved one new grower license and denied another. The approved license will allow Green Eden, LLC, a new company owned by James Brayton and Kimm Owsiany, to grow marijuana in a Portage facility. Portage also opened up the application process for processors, but did not receive any. Portage will begin accepting applications for the remaining types of businesses -- secure transporters, testing facilities and dispensaries -- beginning Oct. 15, Shaffer said, with a requirement that they have a prequalification from the state. The businesses will then have to go through the approval process for building, like any other business, Shaffer said. Wakeshma Township, a rural community in southeast Kalamazoo County, is allowing all of the business categories except dispensaries. The township has received five grower applications and one grower/processor application, along with a $5,000 fee from each applicant, some of which has been used to address dilapidated buildings, Supervisor Jason Gatlin said. Gatlin was the only member who voted in favor of allowing dispensaries during the Oct. 2 board meeting, after an area resident asked that it be reconsidered. Others are concerned that dispensaries could bring crime, Gatlin said, but he doesn't agree. He thinks they could bring jobs to the rural area with about 1,400 people. "What better place to grow than out in the country?" Gatlin, who wore a John Deere hat while presiding over the Oct. 2 township meeting, said afterward. Jake Loosier submitted an application to Wakeshma Township and is waiting for state approval for a Class A grow of up to 500 plants on 25 acres there. On Friday, Oct. 5, he was helping as his mother started harvesting the 36 plants she grows as a caregiver. Loosier stood trimming leaves from "blueberry" marijuana buds in the living room, where a television screen showed views of the 36-plant outdoor farm on security cameras. Loosier envisions something about ten times as big for his commercial grow, with about a 15-person crew. He estimates it will take $110,000 to $150,000 to get the facility going, and plans to quit his job laying tile with his father and brother to be a full-time grower. He points to local jobs and access for patients as positives of the expanding marijuana industry. He hopes the board will change its mind and allow dispensaries, or provisioning centers. "There should be way easier access to the medicine," he said. Oshtemo Township, with about 22,000 people, has not opted in to allow medical marijuana businesses and officials are waiting for now, Township Attorney Jim Porter said. "They're going to give it at least a year or two to see how it develops," Porter said. If the recreational ballot initiative passes, municipalities will be allowed to opt out of allowing recreational marijuana businesses. The new law would allow local governments to require the businesses obtain local licenses to operate. The recreational ballot initiative includes language that provides Michigan's soon-to-be-licensed medical marijuana businesses access to the first licenses in the recreational, or "adult-use" market, meant to provide faster access to the recreational market for customers, according to ballot initiative organizers. That means municipalities that opt out now could be behind on welcoming recreational marijuana as well. Some officials said they have not considered what the effect of recreational pot could be. Borling, who is in charge of issuing medical marijuana business applications in Kalamazoo, said some of the things concern him about recreational marijuana from an implementation standpoint. "It could get messy," he said. Some of the definitions in the two laws are similar but defined differently, he said. For example, a Class A grower under the proposed recreational law could grow up to 100 plants. Under medical marijuana laws, a Class A grower can grow up to 500 plants. Sheriff Richard Fuller said he and other area officials visited Colorado in early September, to understand what Michigan is in for as more medical marijuana businesses are set up, and with the possibility of recreational marijuana. A select few have become rich from Colorado's marijuana industry, he said, but he sees issues that come with the increased availability of pot. He's concerned about the possibility of increased homelessness and use of other drugs, he said, though he supports the state regulating the industry rather than allowing it to regulate itself. "I don't think we should be afraid of marijuana coming to Michigan if we do it appropriately," he said. Barker and Brayton, both getting into the growing business, aren't pushing for recreational pot. Brayton said he will vote against it and believes the state isn't ready for it. Barker wants the state to focus on the task at hand. For now, we would like the state to focus its efforts on the 2016 (medical marijuana facility) licensing process, Barker said. There are over 1,000 applicants for state licensing who are willing to be transparent and compliant, and only a couple dozen entities licensed for operation. NORTON SHORES, MI - An investigation continues into chain-reaction crashes that closed northbound U.S. 31 for more than 1 1/2 hours Monday afternoon. No one was seriously injured in the half-dozen crashes on U.S. 31 between Pontaluna and Sternberg roads, said Lt. Michael Kasher of the Norton Shores Police Department. The incident began around 3 p.m. Oct. 8 when a vehicle pulling a utility trailer containing debris overturned and became involved in a crash with a semi-trailer, Kasher said. That led to numerous other chain-reaction collisions, Kasher said. The northbound lanes were shut down, with traffic diverted at Pontaluna Road, for just over 1 1/2 hours, Kasher said. The driver who was towing the utility trailer was taken to the hospital for treatment, but was conscious and alert, he said. Others suffered minor injuries, he said. Michigan State Police and Fruitport Township Police assisted Norton Shores Police at the scene, he said. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - A man convicted of shooting a car passenger in the chest has been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. Jamarco Lamar Jones, 21, of Muskegon pleaded no contest to three charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. The shooting occurred May 23 at Isabella and Wood streets. It was initially believed the victim might not survive the gunshot, according to a Muskegon Police report. Jones also pleaded no contest to possession of a firearm and felony firearm. He was sentenced Oct. 1 as a four-time habitual offender to between six and 25 years in prison by Muskegon County Circuit Judge William Marietti. A witness to the shooting, the victim's sister, told police she was riding in a vehicle driven by another man in which her brother was riding in the back seat. She said when the vehicle stopped at the intersection, five men approached, according to the police report. One of them pulled out a handgun, put it through the car window and shot twice, striking the victim in the chest, according to the report. Jones was on parole for weapons offenses when the shooting occurred, according to the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office. His prior convictions, from 2014, include two for resisting and obstructing police, carrying a concealed weapon, two counts of felony firearm and larceny of a firearm, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections web site. MUSKEGON, MI - Two candidates are vying to represent Michigan's 92nd state House district. Incumbent state Rep. Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, and Republican challenger Gail Eichorst will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 6, general election ballot. Michigan's 92nd District covers Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Muskegon Township, North Muskegon, Fruitland Township, Laketon Township and Whitehall Township. This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our readers. Each candidate was asked to answer a series of questions about their policy stances. Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org - the election information website run by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. Sabo, 51, a retired firefighter and U.S. Air Force security officer, is seeking reelection to represent the 92nd state House district. He was elected as a state representative in 2017. Sabo previously served on the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners from 2013-16, and as its chairman beginning in 2015. Eichorst, 66, is a retired registered nurse who has served as a Republican Party precinct delegate since 1986. Eichorst also ran for the 92nd House seat in 2016, but lost in the primary election to Marshall Davis. Below is how each of the 92nd District candidates answered their questionnaire. What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them? TERRY SABO My priorities are to continue fighting for hardworking families and restoring lost revenue sharing to our local municipalities. Workers in this state have been under assault since 2010. It's time to put people first again in Michigan and reverse Snyder's attacks on working families by eliminating the unfair senior pension tax and repealing right-to-work "for less." Drastic cuts to revenue sharing have severely affected local police and fire services; thus, making Michigan less safe. GAIL EICHORST I am prolife. I want to make sure Planned Parenthood is completely defunded by our taxes. I want to help the schools break free from Common Core or any other similar program. I have health care issues that I would like to make right. What measures do you support/propose to achieve improved educational outcomes and accessibility for Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education? TERRY SABO Strong public schools are the bedrock to every strong and successful community. We must stop the expansion of "for profit" charter and cyber schools and adequately fund our public schools. We must invest in our children's futures as well by investing further in our public post-secondary education system including both the two year and four year colleges and universities and trade schools. This commitment will reduce the cost of college and strengthen Michigan's education system as a whole. GAIL EICHORST Candidate did not answer question. What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions? TERRY SABO The state is only as strong as its economy and middle class. I will continue to fight to keep jobs from leaving Michigan and will work to support and grow small business. I will work to improve our state's infrastructure; strong infrastructure echoes throughout our economy and has been shown to be dollar for dollar the best way to help grow the economy. It will also help to ensure that a crisis like the one in Flint never happen again. I also am in favor of mandating paid parental leave. GAIL EICHORST The economy is best left to the free enterprise system. What state policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights? TERRY SABO Strong voting rights are essential for a strong state and nation. I am against many of the recent changes to our election laws rammed through the State Legislature in Lansing. We need to implement no-reason absentee voting and automatic registration when getting your driver's license. Michigan must reform its campaign finance system to ensure special interests do not rule the roost and prevent corruption. GAIL EICHORST Candidate did not answer question. What actions or policies do you support to protect Michigan's water, air and land for current and future generations, while meeting the state's energy needs? Explain how those actions or policies would affect the future of Enbridge Pipeline 5. TERRY SABO My biggest environmental priorities are investing in renewable energy and protecting our water. We must transition away from fossil fuels and towards the clean energies of tomorrow. To get there, we need to ban fracking, provide more subsidies to renewable energy, and give more funding and grants for research and development of sustainable technology and energy. We must fight to protect our Great Lakes; ensuring that Enbridge Line 5 is properly maintained and not a threat to our natural resources, continuing to fight against the introduction of Asian Carp in our lakes, and expand the bottle return law. GAIL EICHORST If it is not broke don't fix it. Use what is easily accessible and cost effective for both the producer of energy and the consumer. What policies will you pursue to promote social and racial justice in our state? TERRY SABO I will pursue and support any policy that improves social and racial justice. In my lifetime I have seen many instances of social and racial injustice through my family and my career. Diversity and inclusion should become such a normal practice that it is something that shouldn't even have to be thought about. I am thankful for my experience in not only seeing the injustices in our society but also in how to prevent them. GAIL EICHORST We have enough laws on the books in regards to equality. We need to use them and address grievances on a case by case basis. Editor's note: All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cuts if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. The 15th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers are visiting Ann Arbor on Saturday, the start of a challenging three-game stretch for Michigan. The Wolverines lost to Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Penn State last year. MLive's Andrew Kahn, Aaron McMann, and Ryan Zuke discuss the upcoming road after looking back on last Saturday's homecoming win over Maryland. Listen below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Sony Mobile SA appoints BrandTruth Sony Mobile South Africa has chosen BrandTruth Integrated Content to be its public relations and digital marketing agency. BrandTruth was appointed by Sony Mobile after a competitive search and pitch process which included several other agencies. The agency will work on developing Sony Mobile's overall marketing communication strategy, enhancing the positioning of the brand, and raising awareness across digital and PR channels. The Cape Town International Convention Centre hosted Miss Pepper, a humanoid robot capable of detecting human emotions during the recent BIOMIN World Nutrition Forum 2018. Developed by SoftBank Robotics, "Miss Pepper" who is capable of interacting with humans and can adapt her interaction according to a human's emotions, was unveiled during the three-day international conference. Members of the organising committee of the Biomin World Nutrition Forum 2018 with Miss Pepper, the humanoid robot. Facilitating emerging technologies According to SoftBank Robotics, the Pepper robot is the "first humanoid robot capable of recognising the principal human emotions and adapting his behaviour to the mood of his interlocutor".Herbert Kneissl, chief marketing officer at Erber AG, the parent company of Biomin, said robotics, artificial intelligence and big data will become an everyday topic in the livestock industry. "She (Miss Pepper) is able to perceive emotions, and what is a conference like the Biomin World Nutrition Forum without emotions? The digital experts of Biomin additionally trained her to be the little star on the stage - to welcome the audience, break the tensions, but in first line to demonstrate that the future of using humanoid robots has started now."By using Miss Pepper we have the intention to create the image overflow from technological developments of other industries to biotechnology and animal nutrition, an overflow that develops already towards a merger, when we see the modern technologies like Farm 4.0, one of the big topics of this conference," said Kneissl.Miss Pepper is capable of recognising faces, speech, and can hear; she can also identify when someone is experiencing joy, sadness, is surprised and filled with anger. Over and above recognising these emotions, Miss Pepper can also detect tone of voice, smiles, and frowns."At the CTICC, we are committed to facilitating the introduction of emerging technologies such as Miss Pepper to delegates and visitors. The developments we are seeing in artificial intelligence speak directly to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the impact this is having, and will continue to have, on both our professional and personal lives.""It is extremely important for the CTICC to host forward-thinking conferences such as the Biomin World Nutrition Forum 2018. The conference not only considered opportunities and challenges in the 'protein economy' but also the role AI can play in scientific advancements," said Julie-May Ellingson, chief executive officer at the CTICC.The forum brought together industry professionals who discussed a number of topics including factors influencing the "protein economy", gut health, antibiotic resistance, alternatives to using antibiotics and technologies that could advance the field of nutrition. Incubeta is an international team of experts in marketing, technology, data, and creative. Fourth Leading Women Summit to be held in Durban Forbes Women Africa's fourth Leading Women Summit is scheduled to take place in Durban on 8 March 2019, which is International Women's Day. The choice to host the summit in Durban follows Forbes Women Africa having discussions with the KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau. The summit has been hosted in Johannesburg since its inception. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Nine employees were killed and 14 others injured Tuesday in a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant of state-owned SAIL in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, police said. The explosion took place around 11 am in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town, located around 30 km away from the capital, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh told PTI. "At least six people were burnt to death while 14 others received injuries and most of them were said to be in a serious condition," he said. As per preliminary information, over 24 employees were working at the spot when the accident occurred, he said. Police personnel and a rescue team rushed to the spot, he said, adding that all the victims were being taken to a local hospital. Rescue operation was still underway at the plant, operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in June dedicated the modernised and expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to the nation. As per SAIL's website, the Bhilai Steel Plant is India's sole producer and supplier of world class rails for the Indian Railways, including 260 metre long rails, and a major producer of a large variety of wide and heavy steel plates and structural steel. With an annual production capacity of 3.153 MT of saleable steel, the plant also specialises in other products such as wire rods and merchant products. With 160 deals, IT and ITES was the busiest sector followed by manufacturing and healthcare (47). The banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) space was third, recording 41 deals. Let's take a look at the biggest mergers and acquisitions in India this year. (Representative image) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Nearly 500 employees and officers of various banks staged demonstrations against the government's proposal to merge Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda. Last month, the government had announced amalgamation of three banks to create the country's third-largest lender. The protest was carried out by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions, here in the Fort area. "This merger is neither in the interest of employees nor of the customers. If the government does not revisit the merger plan, then 10 lakh bank employees will be left with no option but to go on a strike," UFBU said in a release. The envisaged amalgamation will be the first-ever three-way consolidation of banks in India, with a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, making it the third largest bank after SBI and ICICI Bank. The merger of the three banks would be through share swap, which will be the part of the scheme of merger. The boards of all the three banks have already given in-principle approvals for their amalgamation. All the three banks have now sent the merger proposal to the government for the final nod. Post-merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, the number of PSU banks will come down to 19. Italian premium bikes maker Benelli on Monday announced lowering its after sales service costs by more than a third for its customers in India. The company in a release said it has revised the service intervals from every 4,000 kms or four months periodic service to 6,000 kms or six months periodic service. With the change in service schedule, the cost of servicing has dropped up to 34 per cent and this benefit is offered to all existing customers owning Benelli TNT25, TNT 300 TNT 302R TNT 600i TNT 600 GT and TNT 899 models, it said. Owned by China's QianJiang group, the bike maker had in August said that it plans to launch a total of 12 models by next year. It had recently signed an initial pact with Telangana-based Adishwar Auto Ride International (AARI), a subsidiary of Mahavir group, to market its products and set up a local manufacturing facility near Hyderabad. "Our on-going national service camp has allowed us to connect with Benelli owners from all over the country and we intend to make further changes to improve the overall Benelli ownership experience," said Vikas Jhabakh, managing director, Benelli India. The company said that its focus on localising 25 to 30 per cent of the components remains intact, adding that it is looking at vendor development initiatives and a huge expansion of supply chain management across the country. Established in 1911, Benelli is one of the oldest Italian motorcycle manufacturer and has a presence in over 60 countries. With 160 deals, IT and ITES was the busiest sector followed by manufacturing and healthcare (47). The banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) space was third, recording 41 deals. Let's take a look at the biggest mergers and acquisitions in India this year. (Representative image) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More After getting approvals from their respective boards, state-run Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank have sent the proposal to merge all the three lenders to the government for a final approval, a top bank official said. The government had announced the merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank on September 17, to create the country's third-largest lender. "The boards of all the three banks have approved (the merger proposal) and sent the recommendations to the government. We are in early stages of rolling this out. "The next step would be the government approving formally the merger process, and then the swap ratio," Bank of Baroda managing director and chief executive officer PS Jayakumar told reporters. He said the merger will take four to six months to complete. Late last month, the boards of all the three lenders had given in-principle approvals for the proposed merger. The envisaged amalgamation will be the first-ever three-way consolidation of banks in the country, with a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, making it the third largest bank after State Bank of India (SBI) and ICICI Bank. The merger of the three banks would be through share swap, which will be the part of the scheme of merger. In April 2017, SBI had merged with itself five of its subsidiary banks and taking over Bharatiya Mahila Bank, catapulting it to be among top 50 global lenders with over $550 billion in combined assets. After the merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, the number of state-run banks will come down to 19. When asked whether he will continue to head Bank of Baroda after his term ends this week, Jayakumar said he was open but "it is for the government to take the decision". Jayakumar was one of the two chiefs of public sector banks selected from the private sector and had joined the state-owned bank in October 2015. He was appointed for a three-year term, which will come to an end on October 12. The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) is working on a comprehensive report that will spell out the details of the actual status of and misrepresentation of facts surrounding the debt-laden Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS). The report will be prepared by the end of the month as the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) will next hear the matter on October 31, sources told Moneycontrol. Ahead of the next board meet on October 12, the newly constituted board headed by veteran banker Uday Kotak is also expected to meet MCA secretary Injeti Srinivas in New Delhi on Wednesday. The board held its first meeting on October 4 in Mumbai and listed down three-four alternatives to fix the debt-mess surrounding IL&FS. While a statement from the finance ministry last week mentioned that the infrastructure development and financing company has 169 group companies, as of 2017-2018, including subsidiaries, joint venture companies and associate entities, Kotak said that it turned out that the group has 348 subsidiaries, more than twice the figure of 169 that the company had disclosed. There are 348 entities in the group, significantly larger than we expected. So, it is big task...the first objective is to work towards a comprehensive roadmap on the way forwardwe have listed down about three-four alternatives available to us as the next steps, chairman of board Uday Kotak had said last week. MCA is assessing the situation and trying to ascertain the reason why details of 179 companies were not disclosed to the public, sources said. Additional companies in the group also imply that suggested the debt levels could increase from here on. According to the government, IL&FS has infrastructure and financial assets exceeding Rs 1,15,000 crore and is currently facing tremendous debt pressure and struggling to service around Rs 91,000 crore in debt, a result of mismanaged borrowings in the past. On October 1, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the takeover of IL&FS board by government nominees, saying mismanagement at the crisis-ridden financier makes it a fit case of supersession of the board under Article 241 of the Companies Act. The decision to supersede the existing board was taken after MCAs Regional Director, Mumbai submitted a report from that brought out serious corporate related deficiencies in the IL&FS holding company and its subsidiaries. The board was suspended and a new six-member board led by Uday Kotak was constituted. The other members are former Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chief GN Vajpai, ICICI Bank Chairman GC Chaturvedi, Tech Mahindra's Vineet Nayyar, and former bureaucrats Malini Shankar and Nand Kishore. A series of defaults on short-term deposits, commercial paper and non-convertible debentures by IL&FS group companies in the last two months, as well as rating downgrades impacted financial markets causing redemption pressure on the mutual funds that held these financial instruments. This also had a negative impact on the on the stock markets, money markets and debt markets. Sahajanand Medical Technologies, or SMT, the Surat-based maker of cardiac stents isnt content with what it has achieved in India. The management now wants to take the battle to foreign shores. Its latest move stems from the outcome of clinical trials that establishes the companys flagship drug-eluting stent (DES) Supraflex on par or 'non-inferior' to Abbotts blockbuster stent Xience on safety and efficacy. A cardiac stent is a device used to unblock clogged arteries. DES are coated with medicines that help lower recurrence of an artery narrowing after corrective surgery. While SMTs Supraflex is coated with immune suppressant drug called Sirolimus, Abbotts Xience uses Everolimus. The study called 'Talent trial' was one of the largest ever clinical train conducted by an Indian company overseas to test a medical device. The study led by Dr Patrick Serruys, a globally renowned cardiology researcher, was conducted in seven European countries (United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Hungary and Bulgaria), spread across 23 centres with a sample size of 1,435 patients. The study reported that Target Lesion Failure (TLR), or the rate of major adverse cardiac events like heart attack, after implanting the stent for 12 months was 4.9 percent and 5.3 percent for Supraflex and Xience, respectively. Significance of Talent trial To be sure, SMTs Supraflex is already available in Europe and annually sells more than one lakh stents in India. But those things hardly move the needle in the companys favour in the US and Europe as doctors there are averse to place a life-saving device as critical as a stent in patients arteries unless it is tested on humans for safety and efficacy. That means companies like SMT will be limited to fringes in their fight against medical device powerhouses like Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific Corporation and Medtronics in Europe and US. But now armed with positive clinical trial data, SMT believes it has a fair chance to take on MNCs in their backyard and will also help it beat its rival Abbott in India. "There remained a perception that stents produced outside of India were superior to homegrown devices. There were demands from Indian manufacturers to prove that their devices are comparable to those made elsewhere in robust clinical trials. Talent is the first such trial to yield positive results and stands out with a far better efficacy compared to competitors, said Dr Upendra Kaul, one of the leading cardiologist from India, who was the co-chair of the Talent study. Both the US and Europe are lucrative markets with annual stent consumption of one million each. SMT is now in the process of assembling a team in Europe to crack the tender market. To choose a stent supplier, authorities in Europe offer 50 percent weightage to product specification and randomised clinical data and the balance to pricing, said Ganesh Sabat, CEO of SMT. We are very price competitive, but lack of clinical data used to be a hurdle to win contracts. Now with the data in hand, we have a higher probability to bag tenders, Sabat said. To enter the US market, the company may have to wait for some more time as it has to extend Talent clinical trials by adding US patients to gain approval from US Food & Drug Administration the final frontier for any medical device company. NPPA boost SMT was a major beneficiary of the Indian drug price regulator's - National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) - effort to rein in distorted trade margin of cardiac stents through price controls. NPPA in February last year has imposed pricing caps to lower prices of stents by as much as 85 percent to check unethical profiteering and exploitive pricing and to ensure fair, reasonable and affordable price for coronary stents. The most commonly used DES stent is now capped at Rs 28,000 per unit, excluding taxes, from up to Rs 150,000 earlier. NPPA found out that the trade margin enjoyed by distributors for sale to hospitals ranged between 13 percent and 196 percent, while the margin earned by hospitals was as high as 11 percent and 650 percent. It also imposed an 8 percent trade margin cap that would cover margins across the trade channels working from the level of manufacturers to the end user, even covering hospital-handling charges. While the NPPA decision caused heartburn to medical device makers and private hospitals and shrunk the overall size of the pie, that policy intervention has helped SMT emerge as the second largest stent maker in the country with a market share of 22 percent, trailing narrowly behind market leader Abbott which has a 25 percent share. NPPA decision certainly helped us, Sabat told Moneycontrol. According to him, what helped SMT and for that matter even Abbott to survive intense pricing pressure is their own supply chain and formidable front-end sales presence to directly reach out to hospitals, unlike other US counterparts and some Indian rivals that relied heavily on distributor-led model for their business. The distributor-led supply chain ecosystem which had an iron grip on hospitals and doctors has been crippled now. More than price ceiling of stents, it is the 8 percent trade margin cap that dealt a blow to the inefficient supply chain. This was meant to maximise revenues for hospitals and distributors over clinical or scientific outcomes, Sabat said. Diamond angle It took the ingenuity of Dhirajlal Kotadia, SMT's founder, who figured out that the laser cutting machines he is developing to help gem-cutters to improve productivity and efficiency could also be used in the manufacture of coronary stents. Cardiac stents are essentially tiny mesh tubes produced using stainless steel or an alloy of cobalt-chromium. The process requires the same equipment and skill-set as diamond cutting. All it needs is a laser to drill a hole with a diameter of 2.25 to 4.5 mm and a length of 8 mm to 48 mm. Thus, Sahajanand Medical Technologies was born in 2001. The company became one of the first companies in Asia to indigenously develop and manufacture coronary stents. The success of SMT helped Surat and Vapi emerge as a hub of India's stent making. Though metallic and cobalt-chromium stents are ruling the industry, the future is with stents that use biodegradable or naturally-dissolving polymers. To remain relevant with changing dynamics, SMT has developed a stent using biodegradable polymers. The company, which was in the red five years ago, had turned profitable and ended March close to Rs 400 crore. SMT, which raised Rs 230 crore from private equity investors such as Morgan Stanley and Samara Capital in January, has been delivering an annual revenue growth of 40-50 percent. The management now plans use funds for clinical trials on its bioresorbable stents, build sales teams in Europe and expand its production capacity in India by setting up a new plant near Hyderabad at an estimated investment of Rs 250 crore. Sabat said the Indian stent market is poised to expand from 600,000 per annum to one million stents over the next few years due to the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The proposed plant with a production capacity of 1.25 lakh stents will help it meet demand accruing domestically and internationally. Sabat said SMT isn't resting, the company has bought a small European company that is working on cutting edge research to manufacture stents to treat brain strokes. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Bank of Baroda's exposure to Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) and non-bank lenders is 'fully performing' currently, even as the debt-strapped company has defaulted on several of its debt obligations. Since August, IL&FS has defaulted on multiple repayments of its debt instruments which have had a contagion impact across the banking and largely the non-banking financial company (NBFC) sector. "As of now, these accounts we have with IL&FS and other NBFCs also are fully performing. Tomorrow what it will be, we will have to talk tomorrow," said PS Jayakumar, MD and CEO of Bank of Baroda. Of the total debt of IL&FS of Rs 91,000 crore as on March-end 2018, banks have lent about Rs 57,000 crore. Without sharing any numbers, Jayakumar said his bank continues to lend to NBFCs and housing finance companies (HFCs) despite concerns of more defaults and lack of confidence in the non-banking lenders' market. We continue to lend to NBFCs and HFCs in line with our total exposure to them. Some exposures are increasing. Overall, we also have portfolio caps, Jayakumar said, adding, in due course normalcy gets restored. NBFCs, which are battling liquidity crisis, plan to approach the government and the central bank seeking support to weather the capital crunch. Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), a self-regulatory organisation for NBFCs, is set to meet the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) next week and write to the government for support amid restricted access to capital, sources told Moneycontrol recently. According to Jayakumar, Over a period of time, all performing NBFCs, the good quality portfolio will always have customers. On fears of any exposure to NBFCs slipping into non-performing assets (NPAs), the Bank of Baroda chief said his bank is well capitalised to take care of stressed scenarios and bulk of the exposure is at project levels. Merger process in 4-6 months On the government-proposed merger of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda, Jayakumar said all the three banks have approved the merger and it has now been sent to the government for approval through its alternative mechanism. The entire merger process will take another four to six months, he added. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More NBFCs, which are battling liquidity crisis, plan to approach the government and the central bank seeking support to weather the capital crunch. Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), a self-regulatory organisation for NBFCs, is set to meet the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) next week and write to the government for support amid restricted access to capital, sources told Moneycontrol. This comes at a time when concerns due to multiple defaults of debt obligations by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS), one of the biggest NBFCs and one supported by government-owned institutions, have led to a snowballing impact of reduction in credit or financing to other non-bank lenders in the sector. "We plan to write to the government and RBI as because of this (IL&FS impact), now even the existing credit facilities are looked at negatively by most banks and this is purely based on the current fears," one of the sources said, adding that "institutions (NBFCs) which are playing a good role must not suffer". The equity market registered significant losses in September with the BSE Sensex declining 2,418 points (6.3 percent), triggered by the IL&FS default, which raised concerns about liquidity shortage in the NBFCs sector, RBI said in its monetary policy report this month. As a cautionary measure, the central bank has started an inspection of several NBFCs to assess their exposure to high-risk assets. The FIDC letter will ask for some extra financing support to NBFCs. "The financing can increase at least on a temporary basis given the situation Maybe some direct government support say from NABARD or SIDBI," an official said. Nabard and Sidbi National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and Small Industries Development Bank of India are government-owned development financial institutions to support lenders. Finance restricted to NBFCs Borrowing rates in the debt market have climbed to a four-year high, which is increasing the costs of funding for the NBFCs. Further, mutual funds are more cautious to buy their debt instruments. Amid all this, the banking regulator is tightening controls on the NBFCs making it difficult to seek funds, including from banks. As on August 2018, the banks credit exposure to NBFCs grew 43.9 percent year-on-year. It has, however, declined 1.3 percent since April 2018, as per RBI data. Also Read: IL&FS timeline: When and what happened so far The official added, "Yes, a company (IL&FS) has nearly gone down and it does raise eyebrows, but let us not create a situation where the entire sector on the block or even entire credit system in doldrums." The markets are shut for liquidity and almost all NBFCs have stopped disbursement for now. There are lot of refinancing risks in the sector right now, the chief of a smaller NBFC said. As at the end of March 2018, there were a total of 11,402 NBFCs registered with RBI, 156 of which were deposit-taking firms and 249 were systemically important non-deposit accepting ones. Their combined balance sheet size stood at Rs 22.1 lakh crore, according to RBI's financial stability report released in June. Finance needs Kailash Baheti CFO, Magma Fincrop Ltd, said in a note: "Most of these NBFC/HFCs books comprise of almost 100 percent retail book, where the risk is very widely spread. In fact, the IL&FS asset class is entirely different with large investment in very long tenor infrastructure assets such as roads and bridges. "The problems with IL&FS in some ways is similar to the problem with large corporate exposure gone wrong in the steel and power sectors, further compounded with even longer investment tenure. There is perhaps no comparison between IL&FS assets and the assets of an overwhelming majority of NBFC/HFCs." Financing needs of the non-bank lenders will only increase, given the upcoming busy festival and wedding season, consumers rush in to avail loans to buy vehicles, houses, consumer durables, jewellery, and even to go on holidays. While the RBI has stepped up to tighten norms for the NBFCs to address the mismatch in their assets and liabilities, the sector hopes that the central bank, along with the government, will come to the rescue to ease the concerns for the stable players. Air India (Commons) Shishir Asthana After failing to find a buyer for the debt-ridden national carrier, the government has decided to give Air India one more chance to revive itself. But does the airline, which lives off taxpayers' money repeatedly, deserve another chance? Air India has been a spoilt child. The only reason it is still able to fly is that the government has bailed it out every time the airline hemorrhaged. The same luxury was not available to Kingfisher or Jet Airways, now. Having said that, part of the reason for Air India's sloppy performance has been the government itself. From buying airlines to hiring staff or deciding which routes to fly, all these were dictated by politicians or bureaucrats. As a result, Air India sits on Rs 50,000 crore of debt for which it pays Rs 5,000 crore as interest every year. The government has already infused Rs 25,000 crore as equity in the company apart from the bank guarantees that the airline enjoyed over the years. Though Air India has not yet declared its 2017-18 audited numbers, in January 2018 a written reply from the ministry of civil aviation put the figure at Rs 3,579-crore loss. In short, the airline continues to bleed profusely. In order to save the company, the government has suggested a number of steps. For one, it plans to transfer Rs 30,000 crore, or 60 percent, of Air Indias debt to a special purpose vehicle. Second, it will infuse Rs 15,000 crore into Air India through loans and guarantees. This part of the deal is somewhat similar to every government bail-out package that Air India has received only for the airline to revert to its old ways. The differentiator this time around is autonomy. A company needs the flexibility to operate and make decisions on its own based on ever-changing market scenarios. Till now, Air India, unfortunately, was denied this freedom. The management was not allowed even basic decisions like retiring older staff to make way for newer people with skill sets to go with the times. As a result, while the retirement age at Air India is 58, the average age of its employees is 55. With such restrictions, it is no surprise that the airline was not making money. Now, the government is offering significant autonomy to Air India's board with the condition that the company will not seek financial support from the government after 2018-19. The Indian airline sector is one of the fastest growing in the world but at the same time, it is one of the most competitive ones. In a price sensitive market, low-cost no-frills airlines have an upper hand in terms of profitability and operating parameters. Air India has been competing in this market by keeping its price low but its high-cost structure was bleeding it. Giving autonomy to the board of the company is just one part of the job. The company will need to revamp its management with the best-in-class. This would mean paying top dollar to senior management and asking it to cut manpower in the company along with other costs. This is a tall task in a country like India and especially for a political sensitive company like Air India. Secondly, the company will have to completely re-haul its operations and come out with a profitable model for domestic operations. Thirdly, it will have to shed excess weight both in terms of staff as well as unrelated operations which need to be hived-off to raise cash. Finally, the fact that this is the last chance that Air India has needs to be registered in the mind of every employee of the company. The government's plan to revive the airline may well work with the right team in place. A profitable airline with a motivated team can easily be sold too as no one wants to be associated with a bleeding chained giant. business Editor's Take | RBI to step in to resolve issues in NBFCs Sakshi Batra discusses the fallout of the IL&FS crisis on the NBFC sector with Gaurav Choudhury, Deputy Executive Editor, Moneycontrol. Congress President Rahul Gandhi (3) Taking his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi to poll-bound Rajasthan, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax, which he referred to as Gabbar Singh Tax, had destroyed India's economy. Addressing a rally in Dholpur's Mania area, Gandhi said the prime minister had declared during elections that he wanted to be a 'chowkidar' but never clarified who he wanted to guard. The Congress president alleged that he benefited 15-20 industrialists of the country instead of farmers. According to Gandhi, the former UPA government led by his party had waived farmers' loans worth Rs. 70,000 crore. But bad debt worth Rs. 3.5 lakh crore was written off by the present government and the prime minister did not help farmers with even a one rupee waiver, he alleged. Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the state, named several industrialists, including Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Anil Ambani, and said the PM benefited them but did not take care of farmers and youths. Gandhi claimed the government had destroyed the country's economy with decisions like demonetisation and GST. Modi, he said, benefited his industrialist friend in Rafale deal and did not speak a single word when he raised the matter in Parliament. The Congress president said the Centre and state governments worked against people, small scale business, farmers, women and youths. The former UPA government introduced several schemes and programmes for the poor, including MGNREGA. Moreover, the former Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan had brought free medicines schemes but the BJP governments had weakened them and worked against the people, Gandhi said. The Congress chief, who is holding a 150 km road show in eastern Rajasthan, will visit Bikaner Wednesday. Elections in Rajasthan will be held on December 7. India Economy India has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to USD 719 per tonne for five years on import of nylon filament yarn from the European Union (EU) and Vietnam following recommendations by the commerce ministry's investigation arm DGTR. "The anti-dumping duty imposed... shall be effective for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier) from the 6th day of October, 2018 and shall be paid in Indian currency," the department of revenue has said in a notification. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in its probe has stated that nylon filament yarn (multi filament) has been exported to India from these two regions below normal values, and the domestic industry has suffered material injury on account of such dumped imports. Imposition of duty aims at guarding domestic manufacturers of this yarn from cheap imports coming from EU and Vietnam. The anti-dumping duty imposed ranged between USD 719.44 per tonne and USD 128.06 per tonne. Import of this yarn from the EU and Vietnam has increased to 13,799 tonnes during October 2015 March 2017 (which was the period of investigation) from 7,201 tonnes in 2013-14. JCT, Gujarat Polyfilms, Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals, Prafful Overseas and AYM Syntex had jointly filed for initiation of the investigations and imposition of the duty. The major uses of this yarn are in home furnishing and industrial application such as curtains, sewing and embroidery thread and fishnets. To recommend duties, the DGTR in its probe would have to establish that dumping has caused material injury to domestic players. Anti-dumping duties are levied to provide a level-playing field to the local industry by guarding against below-cost import. Imposition of anti-dumping duty is permissible under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime. Both India and China are members of the Geneva-based body. The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers vis-a-vis foreign producers and exporters. They are not a measure to restrict import or cause an unjustified increase in cost of the products. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has met all paramilitary DGs. Singh was briefed about the border situation. He gave specific instructions to all DGs for complete preparedness at the border and full strength deployment. Instructions were also given for safeguarding civilians and following standard operating procedures (SOPs) in case of any emergency. (Image: Moneycontrol) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said India will be among the top three economies of the world by 2030 if it kept up its current pace of growth. "India today is one of the fastest growing economies. We were at number nine in the list of 10 biggest economies of the world but jumped to the sixth position over the past few years," Singh said while addressing the concluding session of the two-day Investors' Summit here. "If it goes at this pace India will sure be among the world's three biggest economies by 2030," he added. Stressing that the time was right for global investors to invest in India, the Union Minister said major structural and procedural reforms were underway in the country under the "credible" leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "You will see that the GST will prove to be a boon for the country in the coming times," he said. Noting that the government's policies can be debated, Rajnath Singh claimed that the "undoubtable credibility" of the prime minister has ensured that despite the fall in the value of rupee against the US dollar, due to a combination of factors, the investors' confidence to invest in the country remains intact. "The Centre' policies can be debated but the prime minister's intentions cannot be questioned," he said. On the occasion, the home minister congratulated Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat for organising the state's first investors summit on a grand scale and said that it heralded the beginning of a new era in the economic development of the hill-state. Inviting investors to Uttarakhand he said the state had great potential in tourism and wellness sectors and its sound law and order would never give them a chance to complain. The investors will have a plethora of of opportunities to tap as 1.5 lakh wellness centres are to be set up across the country under Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Uttarakhand is capital of Yoga, Ayurveda and meditation, he said. "With a renewed interest all over the world in yoga and alternative treatment systems, Uttarakhand holds much in store for investors," he said. Pointing out that there are no challenges on the law and order front in the state, he said investors can carry out their businesses peacefully. He further noted that delayed security clearance from the home ministry was a source of headache for investors and assured them that his ministry will grant clearance within 60 days of applying. Meanwhile, Rawat said the investment summit had achieved its objective by attracting investments worth over Rs 1.20 lakh crore. In a big boost to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in India, the insurance regulator has asked companies to stop discriminating against them. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has said that HIV-positive individuals cannot be denied insurance, unless supported by actuarial studies. According to National AIDS Control Organization, there were an estimated 2.14 million people living with HIV in India at the end of 2017. The regulator has made this mandatory after the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 came into force from September 10. The Act bars insurance companies from discriminating against HIV-positive individuals. In a 2013 draft regulation, IRDAI had directed insurers to provide cover to HIV-positive patients. However, insurers had pointed out that lack of adequate data would hinder appropriate pricing of products. Star Health Insurance's Star Net Plus was the first policy in India to cover HIV-positive individuals. Other insures have stayed away from launching products for HIV/AIDS patients, since they believe the pricing would be unviable. Insurance companies have to comply to the latest direction with immediate effect. But insurance sector officials who Moneycontrol spoke to, said that the premiums will be very high for HIV/AIDS patients. For instance, if an average health insurance premium is Rs 7,000 per year, it would be 2.5-3 times that for an HIV-positive patient. Similar differences in premium will also be seen for life insurance coverage of a healthy person versus that of an HIV-positive patient. The founder of an advertising agency had been accused of sexual harassment by a few of his colleagues. But the articles of association of the company stated that promoters cannot be removed from the company. The alternative? The women who complained had to quit. That is the stark reality facing women, even as the #MeToo movement has gained ground in India over the past few days. After a Bollywood actress accused a co-star of sexual harassment, a mini-movement erupted across the country with numerous women detailing instances of inappropriate behaviour by men at their workplaces. But ask human resource officials and they will tell you that women who file sexual harassment complaints often find it difficult to get jobs. A senior lawyer dealing with human resource cases at a large law firm said that companies often cite 'internal HR policies' to reject a lady candidate who has a pending case. "There was a case in a large infrastructure company where a regional manager was accused in a complaint. However, while the lady in question decided to not pursue the matter further, it was a task to find a job within the industry as word spread quickly," he said. However, the lawyer said that complainants can drag employers to court if they are discriminated against based on any past matters reported. "Legally, a company cannot bar a woman from employment even if a case is pending. If a company says so, a woman has the right to seek access to written documents where it mentions such a policy," he said. The Act According to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, a series of unwelcome remarks and actions would constitute sexual harassment. These include physical contact and advances, demand for sexual favours, making sexually coloured remarks and showing pornography. Apart from this, any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature can also be termed harassment. Every employer is required to have an 'Internal Complaints Committee' at all their locations and units. Women can file a written complaint within three months of an incident. The internal committee looks into the matter and arrives at a decision that has to be implemented within two months. Ground realities Women who have personally filed sexual harassment cases recount that the organisation took a 'cold' approach to the situation. A media professional who had complained against her colleague recounts that from the day the complaint was filed, her co-workers stopped interacting with her. "It was a hostile work environment and I got a sense that nobody believed my accusations because he was a married man," she said. The internal committee was practically non-existent, which forced her to quit. The Act prohibits names of victims from being released. But in reality, these cases are quickly shared among industry peers, making it difficult to find suitable jobs. Kamal Karanth, Co-Founder of staffing firm Xpheno, said that in case of women looking for jobs after filing a complaint, while theoretically there shouldn't be a problem, future employers believe it could be a distraction in their future jobs if the case has not been settled. Karanth also agrees that sometimes, human resource teams are also complicit. "In all the cases I am aware of, the HR was a mute spectator and the super bosses had to step in before the senior leaders were axed or taken to task," he said. Another area of concern is that in most cases, filing a complaint may also lead to a direct impact on appraisals and promotions. "Once a case is filed, a woman can go on leave or join any other department. This may be taken as a negative during the performance review process since the lady is absent for extended periods," said the chief executive of a Mumbai-based talent management firm. Law not followed The Act mandates that women should make up at least half of the internal committee dealing with sexual harassment cases at any organisation. Except for large organisations, this rule is seldom followed. In a past case where a large production house co-founder was accused of repeated sexual harassment, all the members of the committee were men and they did not have an independent member. When it comes to senior management, human resource officials said that the first reaction is to look at how important a resource the offender is. "If he is the CEO or CFO, it is a huge challenge. Here, we would look at reconciliatory measures or transfer the employee to another location," the person quoted above added. However, this official did not know that this is a clear violation of the Act since a reconciliation can be offered only if the woman agrees. At a global automobile major too, the expat chief executive was transferred back to the home country after repeated complaints of sexual harassment. However, no action to terminate his services was taken. Grey areas When a telecom company executive quit at the time of a pending investigation on a complaint, questions were raised on the character of the complainant. The manager in question had sent her late night texts complimenting her on her looks and body features, to which she had initially responded with emojis. Later when the texts got more explicit, she filed a formal complaint. But the first question she was asked was why she did not discourage him when it started. Her response was that she was not aware that the matter would escalate to obscene messages. While these are make up a handful of instances, a lot of cases of sexual harassment, including the alleged harassment by RK Pachauri and Tarun Tejpal, have found their way to the courts. After the complaints were filed, these individuals stepped down from their respective positions. Senior IT sector professional Phaneesh Murthy had several allegations of sexual harassment filed against him, after which he had to step down from iGate. At a time when #MeToo voices are getting louder, there are several challenges that women who decide to come on record face. It is no surprise that several new incidents reported on social media are by anonymous handles. This alone depicts how powerful the people in question are. Flipkart Group CEO Binny Bansal recently resigned after an independent probe into an allegation of serious personal misconduct. While the nature of misconduct is not known, top sources told Moneycontrol that the development is related to a complaint from a female colleague a few months ago. The incident has brought back memories of top company executives who have stepped down over controversies. Here is a list of corporate Indias most controversial top management exits. Ashok Chawla | The non-executive chairman of Yes Bank stepped down on November 14 amidst reports that he felt the private bank needed someone who could devote more time and attention while CEO Rana Kapoor is on his way out. Chawla, who is also the chairperson of the National Stock Exchange and a board member of Jet Airways, was at the helm of the fourth largest private sector bank in India since 2016. Due to the multiple positions he holds, Chawla previously faced questions over possible conflict of interests. In July, CBI named him in a charge sheet in the Aircel-Maxis corruption case. Chanda Kochhar | The CEO and MD of ICICI Bank resigned on October 4 2018, amid conflict of interest allegations. A whistle-blower had alleged that ICICI Bank granted loans to Videocon Group, whose promoter Venugopal Dhoot had investments in NuPower Renewables, owned by the banker's husband Deepak Kochhar. (Image: PTI) Rana Kapoor | The founder and CEO of one of Indias largest private banks was asked to exit from the company by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that refused to extend his tenure, which ended on August 31. Yes Bank has been under the central bank's lens after it reported divergences in classification of non-performing assets (NPAs) as compared to the assessment by RBI. (Image: PTI) Shikha Sharma | The RBI had similarly denied a three-year extension to former Axis Bank CEO despite the board and shareholders backing her reappointment at the time. Axis Banks books were awash in red after massive losses in Q4 FY 18 the first ever quarterly loss in the private sector lenders history. Some branch officials were found colluding with cash hoarders to help them legitimize their money following demonetization. (Image: Moneycontrol News) Ramalinga Raju | Satyam Computers: In 2009, the now former CEO of Satyam Computers sent a letter to investors, employees and the government which raised a furore across corporate India. Raju confessed that he embezzled close to Rs 7,136 crore by manipulating accounts with the help of his relatives and close friends. He was found guilty along with 10 others by a Supreme Court bench in 2015. (Image: Reuters) S K Roy | Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) : The former chairman of LIC took up the position in 2013, only to retire under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) in 2016, a whole two years before the completion of his tenure. Roy was allegedly involved in questionable investments in the realty firm Unitech from 2008 to 2009. The company defaulted on a Rs 200 crore loan in December 2013 provided by LIC. (Image: PTI) Usha Ananthasubramanian | Allahabad Bank: The former CEO of Allahabad Bank was quietly relieved of her post after her named appeared in a chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against current and former officials of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in relation to a Rs 14,000 crore-plus fraud at PNB that was unearthed in mid-February. (Image: PTI) Malvinder and Shivinder Singh | Fortis and Religare: The sibling founders and promoters saw their entreprise being one of the most promising healthcare groups in the country, to ending up in a quagmire of mismanagement and legal troubles. Fortis shareholders' eventually approved the sale of their company to Malaysias IHH Healthcare for $1.1 billion. (Image: Reuters) Cyrus Mistry | Tata Sons: The former chairman of Tata Sons was ousted after a bitter public spat with members of the board. Mistry, in the petition filed under the Companies Act, claimed that his removal was due to mismanagement by the board's trustees and oppression of minority shareholders by Tata Trusts. The latter owns over 68 percent in Tata Sons, the $100 billion-plus conglomerate. The board said that all operating companies except TCS were performing badly under Mistry's leadership. (Image: Reuters) Vishal Sikka | Infosys: The former CEO and MD of the IT giant was hand-picked by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy in 2014 to lead the company during a time when it was battling a severe slowdown. But soon, Sikka came under fire from Murthy himself, who attacked several decisions taken at Infosys besides Sikka's supposed lavish lifestyle. For Sikka, the final straw appeared to be a leaked letter by the co-founder, in which he said Sikka was only 'CTO material, not CEO material'. (Image: Reuters) Mrithyunjay Mittu Chandalya | AirAsia: The former CEO of AirAsia made an unceremonious exit in 2016, after the airline filed a suit against him accusing him of siphoning off money by making payments to a bogus firm. This was after former Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry had accused AirAsia India of indulging in certain fraudulent transactions. Chandilya on his part maintained that he was being made a scapegoat for the battle between the Tata Group and Cyrus Mistry. Chandilya was subsequently questioned by the Enforcement Directorate. (Image: Reuters) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) rose 2 percent intraday Tuesday after company won orders for emission control equipment from NTPC. The company has bagged four orders for emission control equipment from NTPC valued at about Rs 2,900 crore. These orders involve supply and installation of flue gas desulphurization (FGD) systems for control of SOx emissions at NTPC's 3x660 MW North Karanpura, 2x500 MW Mauda Stage-I, 3x660 MW Barh Stage-I and 2x660 MW Barh Stage-II power projects. The share touched its 52-week high Rs 108.00 and 52-week low Rs 64.50 on 23 January, 2018 and 17 July, 2018, respectively. Currently, it is trading 35.19 percent below its 52-week high and 8.53 percent above its 52-week low. At 13:30 hrs Bharat Heavy Electricals was quoting at Rs 70, up Rs 0.55, or 0.79 percent on the BSE. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Britannia Industries gained nearly 3 percent intraday Tuesday as company board approved issue debentures by way of bonus. The company board in its meeting held on October 7 approved the scheme of arrangement of company and their respective shareholders, for issue of secured, non-convertible, redeemable, fully paid-up debentures by way of bonus. The bonus debentures will be issued to all the members of the company as on the record date to be fixed by the board of directors of the company including promoter/promoter group subject to approval of the stock exchanges, SEBI, shareholders, creditors, National Company Law Tribunal, Bench at Kolkata and various statutory approvals as may be required. The company will utilise its accumulated profits to the extent of Rs 869 crore for the debenture issue. At 10:07 hrs Britannia Industries was quoting at Rs 5,577.40, up Rs 38.35, or 0.69 percent on the BSE. Amol Agrawal For William Nordhaus and Paul Romer, it was always a case of 'when' rather than 'if' they will win the Nobel prize. At first blush, it is surprising that they are co-recipients of the prize given the two different areas they have pioneered. Nordhaus is the forerunner in the economics of climate change and Romer in endogenous growth theory, which posits that investment in human capital, innovation and knowledge are significant contributors to economic growth. The Nobel Prize Academy, however, figured a way to put the two on a common platform. It said Nordhaus is the recipient for integrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis and Romer for integrating technological innovations into long-run macroeconomic analysis". Thus, both their analyses help understand the drivers of long-run economic development. In a way, the award goes back to Adam Smiths magnum opus An inquiry into the Nature and Causes of The Wealth of Nations, which started economic thinking. In his work, Smith looked at factors that drive and hinder long-term growth and wealth creation. Similarly, the two laureates show that climate change is a hindrance and endogenous technological factors a driver of long-term growth. The Academy explains how Nordhaus and Romer both have built on the work of Robert Solow, who won the prize in 1987. Solow had explained how economies can generate long-term growth by technological change but he treated this as an exogenous factor, a black-box. Romer improved this model in his 1990 paper where he opened the black-box and showed how simple technological developments can also drive growth. One of the best ways to understand this is the coffee-cup lid example. Romer explained how having different lids for different sizes of coffee cups was both a wastage and required extra storage. By simply using a common lid and a common mouth for all different sized cups, this problem gets resolved leading to savings and growth for coffee companies. The takeaway is that simple ideas which develop in marketplace can drive growth. His work has helped us appreciate better the need for Research & Development for the creation of ideas and knowledge. Romer advocates well-designed regulation and patent laws to further R&D in the private sector. Nordhaus, on the other hand, showed how climate change is not looked at seriously and could dampen economic growth. He developed a model to understand impact of climate change on growth combining economic principles with those of physics and chemistry (Perhaps, this time the real science winners can have a conversation with the economics winners!). These models now called integrated economic assessment models (IAMs) help us understand the co-evolution of climate and economy in the future along with changing assumptions and policies. He advocates a global carbon tax that is uniformly imposed on all countries which again builds on a similar suggestion by British economist Arthur Pigou in 1920s. There is criticism regarding Nordhauss work which assumes high discount rates which leads to a much lower carbon tax than desired by other climate scientists. To be sure, the Academy also notes that Romers and Nordhauss research does not provide conclusive answers to these difficult questions of knowledge creation and climate changes. Romer, for instance, once tried to implement his theory of ideas and landed in controversies. He started the charter-city project in 2000s, which aimed at building new cities in developing and underdeveloped countries. These new cities will have better rules and governance than existing cities and encourage knowledge creation and growth. These new cities will attract people for their growth, people who will vote with their feet for or against these rules. The project kick-started in Honduras but quickly folded as Romer withdrew from the project citing lack of transparency. (As an aside, he was made chief economist of World Bank in 2016 but resigned amidst a huge controversy over manipulation of Doing Business Rankings. In his tenure at World Bank, he raised another storm when he questioned the increased use of math to explain macroeconomics which was not adding any value.) Still, Nordhauss and Romers work provide us an initial framework to start and begin thinking about these important issues of knowledge creation and climate change. There are some lessons for the Indian economy as well. On the knowledge front, our firms are seen as laggards in R&D investments. This is due to both lack of well-designed regulations and unwillingness of the firms to think long-term. Most Indian firms are engaged in basic trading and commerce, similar to the colonial past. Even the torchbearers of technology in Indian industry, the information technology firms, do not have a single Google or HP among them. We have also not given much thought to simple market-driven innovations in our development policies. On the climate change front, the outlook is more positive as the government has taken some measures to curb carbon emissions contributing to the global cause of sustainable growth. But as the October 8, 2018 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows, there is no room for complacency. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Motors share price corrected sharply on Tuesday, hitting nearly 7-year low on consistently weak performance from its luxury car brand Jaguar Land Rover. The stock fell below Rs 200 levels at Rs 170.65, the lowest level since December 19, 2011, falling 19.78 percent intraday. It closed at Rs 184.25, down Rs 28.50, or 13.40 percent amid high volumes on the BSE and lost Rs 8,228 crore in market capitalisation in a single day. The stock plunged nearly 60 percent in last one year due to continued weak financial performance at JLR and new emission rules in Europe which hit diesel cars sales. JLR on Monday reported total retail sales of 57,114 vehicles in September 2018, down 12.3 percent year-on-year, hit by lower demand in China, the company said. The company's sales in China declined by 46.2 percent during September as compared to the same month last year as ongoing market uncertainty resulting from import duty changes and continued trade tensions held back consumer demand. Sales of Jaguar brand of vehicles in September were at 19,146 units, an increase of 4.4 percent over September 2017, but Land Rover posted sales of 37,968 units in the month, down 18.8 percent, the company said. "As a business we are continuing to experience challenging conditions in some of our key markets," JLR Chief Commercial Officer Felix Brautigam said. Customer demand in China has struggled to recover following changes in import tariffs in July and intensifying competition on price, while ongoing global negotiations on potential trade agreements have dampened purchase considerations, he added. In North America, Jaguar Land Rover sales were 6.9 percent lower. "It was largely reflecting lower industry sales (down 5.5 percent) and reduced incentives on Jaguar sedans, although Land Rover had a record September with sales up 7.3 percent," the company said. JLR sales fell 0.8 percent in the UK and 4.7 percent in Europe, which saw large industry declines of 20.5 percent in the UK and 31 percent in Germany primarily relating to the timing of new WLTP homologation rules as well as reduced diesel demand, it added. However, JLR said strong sales of new models including the electric Jaguar I-PACE, the Jaguar E-PACE compact SUV, and the Range Rover Velar helped offset slower sales of older models, such as the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Following weak September sales, JLR announced two-week shutdown at Solihull plant to align supply to reflect fluctuating demand globally. This is further to three day week from Oct-18 to Dec-18 at Castle Bromwich plant. While Solihull manufactures RR, RR Sport, Velar, Discovery and F-Pace, Castle Bromwich makes Jaguar XE, XF, XJ and F-Type. JLR attributed slower production plans to weakening global demand, especially in China, and weakness in diesel sales. While maintaining Buy call on Tata Motors with a target of Rs 335, Motilal Oswal said it sees rising risk to its JLR FY19 estimated volume decline of around 4 percent, which implies residual growth of around 4 percent in second half of FY19. The research house had recently cut its EPS estimates for Tata Motors by 35/13 percent driven by cut in JLR's volumes by 6/4.5 percent and JLR's EBITDA by 11/6 percent, respectively. While retaining Hold rating on the stock, ICICI Securities said JLR is investing aggressively in technologies amid an uncertain business outlook, thereby generating negative free cash flows & stressing its balance sheet. This is likely to result in muted return ratios with return on capital employed less than 10 percent, it feels. Going forward while revising estimates, on consolidated basis, over FY18-20E, ICICI expects company's sales to grow at a CAGR of 5.9 percent. "On the margins front, we expect around 140 bps contraction in EBITDA margins with a consequent drop in PAT over FY18-20E. The only saviour for Tata Motors is the up trending domestic segment wherein the company is witnessing robust prospects both in the M&HCV space as well as PV segment, it feels. Assets under management (AUM) of the mutual fund industry stood at Rs 22.06 lakh crore as at September-end, down 12.5 percent from August, as per data released by the Association of Mutual Funds of India (AMFI). The significant fall of Rs 3.16 lakh crore on a month-on-month basis was on the back of huge outflows from liquid funds. Despite market volatility and the credit event, inflows of Rs 11,172 crore in equity funds is very encouraging. Equity investments through systematic investment plans (SIPs), which tends to be relatively sticky, continued to show an improving trend with Rs 7,727 crore of SIP funds mobilised in September. Equity flows are holding up well, but the same cant be extrapolated for future months if the sell-off in equities continues. Since liquid funds have been at the centre of the recent fall in both equity as well as fixed income markets, we delved deeper into the numbers. While the headline outflow number from liquid funds is eye-catching, digging deeper doesnt paint such a gloomy picture. We decipher the monthly flows of liquid funds and understand the repercussions of the same for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and system-level liquidity. Liquid or money market funds saw outflows to the tune of Rs 2.11 lakh crore in September as compared to inflows of Rs 1.71 lakh crore in August. The huge pullout from liquid funds was mainly triggered by a sharp de-rating of commercial paper (CPs) of IL&FS group companies by rating agencies. The rating downgrade forced MFs with exposure to IL&FS group companies to mark down their net asset value (NAV). The credit event increased risk aversion among investors leading to huge redemption in liquid fund units. While this narrative holds true to some extent, seasonality played a huge role. Fund houses generally see redemptions around mid-September as corporates, who are active investors in liquid funds, tend to redeem their liquid investments to meet advance tax payment deadlines. Banks are one of the largest investors in money market funds. Banking system liquidity was in deficit mode in September, which implies that banks were borrowing from the Reserve Bank. This could be another reason for the redemption pressure faced by liquid schemes. Banks could have withdrawn their liquid investments before borrowing from RBI at the repo rate. Against this backdrop, it wont be correct to compare monthly numbers. Past data indicates that there was an outflow of Rs 1,38,525 crore from liquid funds in December last year. Since we cant compare numbers on an absolute basis due to seasonality, we compare outflow as a percentage of liquid AUM at the beginning of the month. In December, there was an outflow of around 32 percent of AUM. Given this fact, liquid outflow in September at 35 percent of liquid AUM is no doubt slightly higher than normal, but by no means a precarious situation. Overall, we feel newsflow around withdrawals from liquid funds is blown out of proportion. There was a domino effect of IL&FS episode on liquid fund withdrawals, but only to a limited extent. A large chunk of outflows can be attributed to September-end phenomenon. What is the key takeaway from the monthly numbers of liquid funds? As recent as April, debt and liquid mutual funds gorged commercial papers (CPs) issued by NBFCs. The huge redemption pressure faced by MFs last month raised concerns about how NBFCs will meet their funding needs. Now that we know that last months huge liquid outflow was an aberration caused by July-September quarter-end withdrawals, the moot question is can we expect normalcy to be restored in the funding market. The answer is slightly tricky. MFs will continue to be extremely selective while lending to NBFCs. While large NBFCs with strong parentage should be able to easily place their CPs with MFs, the smaller ones will face a challenge. We see limited demand for NBFC papers from MFs in the next 3-6 months as risk aversion of MFs tends to linger on for some time. We have in the past seen that MFs behaviour is akin to a flock of birds that takes comfort in each others company and fly away at the slightest sound of risk. Having burnt their fingers after IL&FS episode, institutional investors will prefer liquid schemes with high quality papers. MFs too wont rush to shore up their liquid AUM to stay ahead in the league tables since they earn very low fees on liquid schemes. In the past, we have seen that MFs go into hibernation following a credit event, but do make a comeback. MF funding cannot be a perennial logjam but there is some time to go before MF gains confidence again. In the intermittent period, funding side pain will be inevitable for many NBFCs highly reliant on MFs. Since the start of October, banking system liquidity has moved from deficit to surplus mode. Banks are now parking excess funds (between Rs 25,000 -40,000 crore) with RBI as against borrowing over Rs 1,00,000 crore from the central bank last month. We can expect inflows from banks to liquid schemes to resume and easier liquidity in money markets in October. While liquid flows will stabilise, the after-effects of the past month events will continue to loiter in the funding market. national green tribunal ngt The National Green Tribunal has ordered closure of industrial units running in "non-conforming" residential areas of Rohini and slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the Delhi government and others for their "defaults and inaction" towards violation of rules. The green panel said the units causing pollution, including unauthorised car workshops in violation of law, must be stopped immediately, and a report of action taken may be submitted before the tribunal within one month. "Respondents are held liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 50,000 each for damage to the environment by their persistent defaults and inaction towards violations of rules and directions issued by the Tribunal. "This amount should be recovered from the heads of the said respondents personally to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within one month," the bench said. The tribunal directed the Delhi chief secretary to call a meeting of the authorities concerned and seek an action plan to be prepared and implemented by a team comprising the DCP of the area, SDM and senior officer of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). It noted that the said team must also conduct a public hearing on the spot at least once in every week. "The chief secretary may also indicate persons accountable for such repeated default and failures, and take appropriate action under CCS (CCA), Rules, 1965 and submit the action taken report to the tribunal," it said. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said it was undisputed that illegal activities were going on and that there was total apathy on part of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the police authorities in performing their duties. "The said authorities have merely shifted the responsibility from one to the other. According to DPCC, the responsibility is of the Delhi Police. According to the Delhi Police, the matter has to be dealt with by SDM under Section 133 of CrPC. This is nothing but avoiding the statutory and legal duties," the bench, also comprising Justice S P Wangdi, said. The tribunal asked the chief secretary to send the compliance report by November 30 by e-mail and posted the matter for consideration on December 3. The direction came on a plea filed by city resident N S Yadav for stopping of activities of servicing, repairing, denting, painting and junk dealing being carried out by various unauthorised car workshops and car mechanics in the area near and around Chaudhary Brahm Prakash entry gate of village Nahar Pur and near Bhagwan Ram Mandir Temple Complex, Block-E, Rohini, Sector-7. According to the applicant, illegal activities are taking place despite complaints to the DPCC, which admitted the automobile servicing activities were being run in non-conforming areas, in violation of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021. Quantela, a company that provides artificial intelligence-based smart city solutions, recently organised the Smart City Expo in Jaipur, a regional offshoot of the FIRA Barcelona Smart Cities World Congress. In a chat with Vandana Ramnani at the Jaipur Expo, Sridhar Gadhi, Founder and CEO of the US-based digital technology solutions company, told Moneycontrol that Quantela has a five-year agreement with Fira de Barcelona to hold the regional event in India and the business opportunity offered by smart cities in India was worth around $4 billion. Q: Quantela recently organised the Smart City Expo in Jaipur, a regional offshoot of the FIRA Barcelona Smart Cities World Congress, being held since 2011. Can you tell us the reasons why the need to hold such an event was felt? A: India is one of those countries that have a unique distinction of being one of the earliest adopters of the Smart Cities initiative. The country has been one of the forerunners in championing the smart infrastructure and has made the smart city a mainstream mission by creating many schemes and heavily investing in those. It continues to invest and expand its horizon in the space of smart cities through various urban transformation missions like 100 Smart Cities, 500 AMRUT Cities, Digital India, Startup India to name a few. There are many stakeholders like cities, system integrator, OEMs, solution providers involved in the implementation of smart cities. And there is no single platform currently in India that can bring all of these and also the ones from outside India at one single place. We understand this gap very well as we have been in this industry for more than three years. And that is why we thought of creating a massive international platform in India to attract governments, industry experts, policy makers, companies, innovators, influencers, entrepreneurs, research centers etc. not only from India but from across the globe to share their solutions, product innovations and best management practices with industry peers. Not just that, India as a country has the necessary infrastructure and also the global recall and recognition to host such an important global event of this scale. Q: Did FIRA approach the Rajasthan government or did the latter approach FIRA to hold such an event? A: It was Quantela that approached FIRA during the Smart City Expo World Congress held in Barcelona in 2017. We have an exclusive agreement with them for the next five years to organise this event in India. And then we went ahead and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jaipur Development Authority for partnering with us in organising an event of this scale. Q: How big is the business opportunity offered by smart cities in the country? A: As per estimates by Market and Market, the total global market for smart cities is expected to touch $1,206 billion by 2022 and Quantelas addressable market is $40 billion by 2022. The Indian smart cities market throws up an opportunity worth $4 billion. Under the 100 Smart Cities Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015, a total of Rs 98,000 crore ($14 billion) has been approved by the Indian Cabinet for the development of 100 smart cities and the rejuvenation of 500 others. Q: What were the challenges you faced while organising an event of this magnitude? A: The biggest challenge for us was to disseminate the information about the event to the right channels, partners and the stakeholders. There were also learnings for us from the expo from inception until the last day. The most important one is getting the right partners and stakeholders in the smart cities space on board. Q: In which Indian state would the next Smart City Expo be held? I am told Hyderabad has expressed interest, is it true? A: Though there are many cities that have expressed their interest in hosting the Smart City Expo next year, no decision has yet been taken on that. We will be holding meetings with all stakeholders. Q: The Smart City Expo for the first time introduced the Proof of Concept (POC) where companies give live demonstrations of their products at an exhibition. At the Expo, 31 successful POCs were reportedly executed. Can you tell us more about the concept, the top three products that were showcased and their potential? A: Companies active in the Smart City ecosystem with a special focus on startups were invited to present their solutions at the POC zone. Each of them was given a 15-minute window where they demonstrated live POC (Proof-of-Concept), including a presentation and took questions from members. The event saw some exciting solutions being showcased, including augmented reality/virtual reality, drone-based solutions, face recognition, smart waste management, smart parking, video analytics, capturing smart traffic violations and happy smart cities. Q: What is the Smart City in a Box concept? Which Indian cities have implemented it so far? A: Smart City in a Box, launched at the Smart City Expo held in Jaipur, is an innovative approach to implement smart cities initiatives. Traditionally implementing smart cities has been complex, inefficient and a time-consuming process due to complexities involved in integrating several urban solutions. Smart City in a Box is a pre-integrated solution aimed at making smart city implementation simple, efficient and cost-effective. The intelligence behind Smart City in a Box is powered by our artificial intelligence engine - Atlantis Platform that uses predictive and prescriptive analytics to provide key recommendations and insights to city administrators. It enables city administrators to proactively monitor city services, improve the efficiency of the urban infrastructure and also increase monetisation opportunities through city services. Quantela is leveraging Cisco Kinetic for Cities (CKC), which is a platform available for on-premise deployment or cloud deployment to run its Smart City in a Box solution. Smart City in a Box offers several urban services solutions like smart lighting, smart parking, environment, safety, security and transport solutions through a single platform. This easy to deploy solution helps reduce the time taken to implement and the project costs involved. Apart from smart cities, Smart City in a Box caters to smart communities and smart campuses. We want to target Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities for the Smart City in a Box initiative. These include 115 aspiring districts and the new set of cities (expected to be around 500) that may be declared in the next round. supreme court Coming down heavily on the promoters of the Amrapali group, the Supreme Court on October 9 said that the three directors - Anil Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar - will remain in police custody until they hand over the required documents to forensic auditors. Cops took into custody the three Amrapali directors within the court premises. The apex court bench of Justices Arun Mishra and UU Lalit said that the three will remain in police custody until each and every document pertaining to accounts of all 46 group companies are handed over to forensic auditors appointed by the Supreme Court. "It may take a day to a month, we don't care," the bench said. "Enough of your hide and seek. You will be in police custody until you comply with the orders," the court said. On September 26, the court had asked the directors to hand over all documents within 24 hours. "You have taken the court for granted. This is a clear case of contempt. We want you to hand over all the documents to the auditors," the court said. The apex court asked Delhi Police and the force in Noida and Greater Noida to coordinate and take the three into custody and seize all documents from Amrapali offices and the houses of the directors. The bench noted that the directors had not finalised their account books since 2015 and that there were also allegations of siphoning of money deposited by homebuyers. Last week, the top court had noted that its earlier order of handing over of the documents by the statutory auditors as well as by the Amrapali group of companies to the forensic auditors has been violated. "With respect to the handing over of the documents by the statutory auditors as well as by the Amrapali Group of Companies, we note it regrettably, that the order passed by this Court has been violated and the documents have not been handed over in spite of clear and categorical direction to handover the documents to forensic auditors within ten days," it said. Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for Amrapali, had assured that the statutory auditors will hand over documents to the forensic auditors. The bench had then directed that all the necessary documents from 2008 to till now, which may be in possession of Amrapali Group of companies in addition to statutory auditors be handed over to the forensic auditors Let account books in whatever status they are, at present, be handed over. We request the forensic auditors to send their representative on the next date of hearing to apprise us of compliance of this order," the bench had said. The court had also sought the details of all the outstanding dues of secured and unsecured creditors project-wise and in total. Last week, the Supreme Court allowed National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd (NBCC) to float tenders for selecting the builder to complete the stalled projects of Amrapali Group. The top court also asked the NBCC to prepare a detailed project report for pending projects within 60 days. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and U U Lalit asked the NBCC to submit the detailed proposals along with their terms and conditions before the court and directed the existing architects of Amrapali Group of Companies to ensure cooperation with the NBCC. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and UU Lalit asked the NBCC to submit the detailed proposals along with their terms and conditions before the court and directed the existing architects of Amrapali Group of Companies to ensure cooperation with the NBCC. The bench was informed that proceedings before the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT), Delhi, for sale of the unsold inventory of Amrapali Group has started, valuation of properties has been ordered, and the tribunal has directed for production of original documents, sanctioned plans and other relevant documents with the company. vandana.ramnani@nw18.com live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has come out in support of non-bank lenders, stating there is still opportunity to buy up to Rs 30,000 crore more of their loans. "The bank had initially planned for a growth of Rs 15,000 crore through portfolio purchase during the current year which is now being enhanced," SBI said in a statement. "As per the bank's internal assessment, there may be an opportunity to buy additional portfolio in the range of Rs 20,000-30,000 crore," it said. NBFCs typically sell down a part of their loan portfolios after holding them for a particular amount of time. Banks buy these portfolios to show growth or to meet priority sector lending requirements. In most cases, it is the latter, which is to meet the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) rules to lend 40 percent of its loans to the priority sector. SBI's statement comes against the backdrop of a critical cash-crunch situation that is plaguing non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and making it difficult for them to raise funds from the market. Yields of debt securities issued by NBFCs have spike over the past few weeks because of fear that they may not have the cash to repay bond holders at the time of maturity. This has restricted their business growth and has also limited funding from banks, which provide refinancing for their. "SBI today stepped up substantially a facility for purchasing portfolio of assets from NBFCs to provide liquidity to NBFCs... SBI would buy such portfolios up to a total amount of Rs 45,000 crore. This measure should alleviate liquidity concerns to a great extent," Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, said in a tweet. The crisis came to light after a series of defaults by Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS). These defaults sparked a fear in the market about the entire NBFC sector. In its statement, SBI said it would look at both priority sector and non-priority sector loans of NBFCs. Another large public sector lender -- Bank of Baroda -- has decided to continue lending to NBFCs and HFCs, hoping that normalcy gets restored in due course, according to CEO and Managing Director PS Jayakumar. On October 8, the National Housing Bank said it would increase the refinance limit for housing finance companies (HFCs) from Rs 24,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore. This, too, was intended to reduce the refinancing risk for HFCs. During a liquidity crisis, banks, which hold government securities, can borrow short-term funds from the RBI against a portion of those securities. NBFCs do not have that option. At a time when there are less borrowing options for them, banks too are reluctant to lend more to NBFCs. On October 5, the banking regulator said it is monitoring NBFCs and will tighten norms to address the mismatch in their assets and liabilities. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Here are the stocks that are in news today: Coal India: The firm and Neyveli Lignite sign MoU for formation of joint venture. IL&FS Financial Services: The company has said that it will be unable to service obligations w.r.t inter-corporate deposit of Rs 20 crore due on October 8. JMC Projects secures orders worth Rs 514 crore Tata Motors ' September auto sales (YoY)Total Jaguar sales at 19,146 units, up 4.4%Total Jaguar Land Rover sales at 57,114 units, down 12.3% Total Land Rover sales at 37,968 units, down 18.8% NBCC executed an MoU with Rajasthan government for redevelopment of old MREC campus in Jaipur for Rs 250 crore Britannia Industries approved the scheme of arrangement of company and their respective shareholders NCL Industries September Quarter Updates: Cement dispatches were up by 32 percent at 4.88 lakh MT versus 3.69 lakh MT. Sadbhav Infra Project subsidiary won an arbitration award against NHAI of Rs 110.50 crore IGL - ICRA has reaffirmed credit rating for Rs 4000 crore at ICRA AAA and ICRA A 1+ Gujarat Alkalies- CARE reaffirms CARE AA+ arting for Long Term Bank Facilities of Rs433.55 crore SAIL - Care keep long term bond rating as CARE AA-, the outlook revised to stable from negative Axis Bank's Prasad R. Menon ceases as an ondependent director Multiplier Share & Stock sold 5,00,000 shares of Eros International at Rs 75.35 Nomura Singapore sold 88,00,694 shares of Infibeam Avenues at Rs 60.09 JLR live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) on Monday revealed plans for a two-week shutdown of its West Midlands plant at the end of October to cope with weakening global demand for its luxury vehicles. JLR, however, stressed that it would not mean any job losses at the plant in Solihull, with workers continued to be paid during the shutdown period. "As part of the company's continued strategy for profitable growth, Jaguar Land Rover is focused on achieving operational efficiencies and will align supply to reflect fluctuating demand globally as required," a JLR statement said. "The decision to introduce a two-week shutdown period later this month at Solihull is one example of actions we are taking to achieve this. Customer orders in the system will not be impacted and employees affected will be paid for the duration of the shutdown," it said. The Solihull plant, where the Tata Group company produces its Range Rover and Jaguar models, will close from October 22. It follows a move to a three-day week for around 2,000 workers at the firm's Castle Bromwich plant and an announcement in April to lay off 1,000 workers across its West Midlands' units. Describing news of the two-week shutdown as "deeply troubling", Unite the UK's biggest union for car workers blamed the government's incompetence over its policies around diesel vehicles and Brexit negotiations for the continued stress on the country's car industry. "Over the past decade Jaguar Land Rover workers have worked tirelessly to turn the carmaker's fortunes around. Ministers now risk turning them and their colleagues in the supply chain from hero to zero," said Unite national officer Des Quinn. "The government must secure their future by getting a Brexit deal that secures frictionless tariff free trade with Europe. At the same time ministers must repair the damage done over diesel by supporting a just transition' to electric and alternative power vehicles as part of an industrial strategy," he said. The news of the shutdown came as JLR released its September sales figures, which marked a 12.3 per cent year on year drop. Sales in China declined by 46.2 per cent, which the UK's biggest car-maker blamed on ongoing market uncertainty resulting from import duty changes and continued trade tensions. "As a business we are continuing to experience challenging conditions in some of our key markets. Customer demand in China in particular has struggled to recover following changes in import tariffs in July and intensifying competition on price, while ongoing global negotiations on potential trade agreements have dampened purchase considerations," said Felix Brautigam, JLR Chief Commercial Officer. The company said it expected lower tariffs on UK imports to be beneficial over the course of the year, with Brautigam highlighting positive customer response to new Jaguar products. "The all-electric I-PACE and the sporty E-PACE compact SUV in particular, which have only recently joined our line-up in China, are driving demand globally," he said. For Land Rover models, the company highlighted strong customer demand for the new Range Rover Velar and Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid variants. Standard Chartered Plc | Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) bought 54,683 shares at Rs 31.82 per share, whereas Shreyansh Singhvi sold 50,300 shares at Rs 31.5 per share. (Image: Moneycontrol) US authorities are investigating whether Standard Chartered breached Iran-related compliance rules as recently as 2013, a year after it settled with them over earlier allegations of breaches and pledged to improve internal controls. Standard Chartered's chief executive Bill Winters said in a memo to senior staff addressing recent media reports, that "the vast majority of the payments under investigation pre-date 2012, and none occurred after 2014", in the first public acknowledgement by the bank of the later timeframe. Media reports last week said that London-based Standard Chartered faced a possible $1.5 billion fine for Iran-related sanctions violations, in addition to the $667 million it paid in 2012 to settle alleged breaches between 2001 and 2007. The investigation now underway focuses on breaches after 2007, with special emphasis on whether the US authorities were fully informed about the bank's dealings with Iranian clients at the time of the 2012 settlement. A spokesman for Standard Chartered confirmed the contents of Tuesday's memo, which was sent to hundreds of Standard Chartered's senior managers, but declined to comment further. The memo from Winters, which was seen by Reuters, also addresses media coverage of Standard Chartered's attempts to improve its financial crime controls. "We have been cooperating with an investigation related to historical conduct and control issues. Resolving this legacy matter remains a key priority," Winters said. "It has been a long process, which cannot be helped, but we are closely engaged in constructive, ongoing discussions with the authorities to reach an acceptable resolution," he added The media reports said the fine of around $1.5 billion was a preliminary assessment based on some of the communications between the bank and regulators. Standard Chartered has declined to comment on the size of the possible fine but said last week it was "engaged in ongoing discussions with U.S. authorities". The bank has been subject to a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the US since 2012. The DPA, which carries the threat of a bigger penalty if Standard Chartered breaks the terms of the settlement, is due to expire in December after it was extended in 2014 and in 2018. Standard Chartered warned shareholders in its most recent annual report that resolving the US investigation could mean substantial monetary penalties. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Rising bond yields and a weakening rupee are inflating telecom firms' cost of borrowing and could force them to increase mobile tariffs, The Economic Times reported. Large telecom operators often borrow funds from the market by issuing bonds of various maturities. If bond yields rise, they would need to pay more interest on the securities they issue. Since a lot of these companies also borrow from overseas markets regularly, the weakening of the rupee will increase their cost of borrowing in those markets, thereby eroding the benefit they enjoy of raising money from abroad. "The days of freebies for mobile consumers may be finally coming to an end as the high cost of money is definitely hurting telcos and putting pressure, particularly on the incumbents, which should lead to some tariff hikes in the next two quarters," Sanjiv Bhasin, Executive Vice-President, Markets and Corporate Affairs, IIFL, told the paper. Industry experts also believe that mobile tariffs may go up in the next two quarters given that consumption is surging, the cost of diesel is rising and the rupee is weakening. However, Rajan Mathews, Director General of the Cellular Operators Association of India, observed that fierce competition will likely force telcos to keep tariffs largely unchanged for the next two-to-three quarters. Reliance Industries-controlled Reliance Jio Infocomm, which has kept tariffs largely unchanged since January, entered the market in September 2016 with competitive prices, pushing other telecom operators to drop rates, analysts told the paper. While the move benefited subscribers, it weeded out smaller carriers and to consolidated the industry to three large private players -- Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Jio -- making it an ideal market situation for pricing power to return over time, they said. Telecom operators may now have to redesign some of their less-popular bundled offers and induce customers to upgrade to higher-value deals for the same amount of data and free voice calls, Bhasin was quoted as saying. He added that operators could also 'selectively ring in modest increases in monthly rentals of some bundled packs' to boost overall revenue. : Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Germany The head of Germany's Bundesbank said global financial leaders needed to reform the world trade order to better protect intellectual property and tackle subsidy-driven distortions. Speaking before International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings on Bali, Jens Weidmann said the reforms were vital to safeguard the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its principles of free, rules-based trade. "These include particularly improving the protection of intellectual property and also tackling distortions created by state-owned companies and subsidies," Weidmann, also a European Central Bank policymaker, told Reuters in an interview conducted by email. German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz will similarly urge financial leaders to rebuild trust in international organisations such as the WTO, as well as cut debt levels, a senior government official said on condition of anonymity. WTO member states have come under pressure to reform the body since US President Donald Trump, deeply critical of the global trading system, blocked the reappointment of WTO judges and imposed huge tariffs on China and other countries. China is widely seen as the principal target of Trump's anger, so getting it to acquiesce to tougher WTO rules on subsidies, state-owned firms and preferential treatment could be key to achieving the "shape-up" of the WTO that Trump has demanded. The former head of China's central bank, Zhou Xiaochuan, last month acknowledged that China could do more to tighten up its rules on illegal subsidies and intellectual property. Weidmann said Germany's large trade surplus, another bone of contention for Trump, was mainly the result of market decisions, energy prices and foreign exchange rates while higher German investments would barely help to reduce the US trade deficit. "A country's current account balance does not depend so much on trade policy, but more on how much is saved and invested domestically," Weidmann said. Therefore, import tariffs were not an appropriate tool to reduce the US trade deficit, which was rather likely to increase as a result of Washington's expansive, pro-cyclical fiscal policies, Weidmann said. Other topics on the Bali agenda include the regulation of shadow banks and cybersecurity, the German official said. Finance ministers and central bankers from the world's 20 largest economies will gather on the sidelines of the Bali meetings but there are no plans to issue a separate G20 communique, the official added. The aluminium industry has sought immediate resumption of coal supplies to sustain the industrys operations that has been crippled by inadequate power availability. In a letter to the coal ministry, aluminium producers with captive power units have pointed out how ad hoc decisions of stopping coal supplies and rakes has caused a crisis in the entire sector. Industry body Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has written to the Centre pointing out that coal supplies for captive power plants (CPPs) from Coal India subsidiaries such as Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) and South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) are being diverted to the power sector resulting in a coal supply crunch. The CPPs have signed FSA (fuel supply agreements) with CIL, which is a binding agreement with long term coal supply assurance, the AAI letter on October 4 to the Coal Secretary said. Any abrupt stoppage of this secured coal supply affects the operations of the industry severely resulting into a grinding halt, thereby impacting the SMEs in downstream sector, it said. This leads to higher prices of finished products, burdening consumers, the letter said. It said that the new ad hoc decision without any advance notice has brought down the industry to a standstill and the industry has been left out with no time to devise any mitigation plan to continue sustainable operations. The industry body said that aluminium smelters in Odisha require more than 6000MW of power, which is almost double the average power load of the state. Aluminium smelting requires uninterrupted quality power supply, which can be met only through in-house CPPs, operating 24 hours on all days of the year, it said. The industry body, which demanded rakes allocation on priority for aluminium industry, pointed out that decision for stopping secured coal supplies should not be taken on an ad hoc basis. The industry should be given prior notice of one to three months to devise a mitigation plan with respect to coal and power imports, it said. Vijay Rupani Hindi-speaking migrants continued to flee Gujarat after attacks on them in several parts of the state, even as the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress engaged in a blame game. Police, meanwhile, intensified patrolling in areas near industrial estates and places where migrant workers stay. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. In a series of tweets, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani asked whether Congress president Rahul Gandhi will take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat". The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence against Hindi-speaking people in the state. "Congress first incites violence against migrants. Congress President tweets to condemn this violence. Does the Congress President not have any shame?"Rupani said in a tweet. "If the Congress President is against the violence in Gujarat, he needs to take action against its own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat. Tweeting is not the solution, taking action is! But will he act?" he further tweeted. Rupani said his government is "working hard to ensure trust and confidence among all citizens that they are safe and secure in Gujarat". "However, Congress President needs to be ashamed of tweeting this when his own party is inciting violence against migrants," he further said on the micro-blogging site. Gandhi on October 8 had said that targeting migrant workers in Gujarat is "completely wrong" and he is totally against it. Taking to Twitter, he had said the root cause of violence is the closure of factories and unemployment in Gujarat due to which both the system and the economy are reeling. Thakor also said that targeting of migrants is wrong and he is "totally against it", while trying to refute the BJP's allegations against his outfit. "Most of the attackers are from Thakor community...But this allegation is an effort to suppress the popularity that I have gained with my outfit in 16 states. I am being defamed. Not a single case has been filed against either me or my people. Our truth will win," he told reporters. After the rape of the 14-month-old Thakor community girl allegedly by a Bihari migrant worker in Sabarkantha, Thakor had blamed a "non-Gujarati" for the rape in the public. A video in which Thakor is purportedly seen making a speech against migrant workers has gone viral and is considered to be responsible for the violence against Hindi-speaking population. "These people who have come from outside, they commit crime, they beat up common villagers and they go back to their state. Such people have jobs here in Maruti and other companies but our people do not have jobs here," Thakor said while addressing a gathering in Bhaucharji town of Mehsana district of North Gujarat. "Even if you consider they are Indians and give them 20 percent jobs... but Gujaratis are being thrown out of such factories, Gujaratis are dying due to starvation," he said in the video probably shot by a mobile phone. Meanwhile, Hindi-speaking factory workers continued to flee the state by taking trains and buses, which were running jam-packed. There were also reports of bus fares being raised in view of the increased demand coming in from some places. Some people said they were scared and alleged that they were threatened to flee or face consequences. "Some people came to our area last night and asked me to leave the place immediately and go back to my home state or they will thrash me," a migrant worker told reporters at the Ahmedabad railway station. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said the situation has become normal but people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. He said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. "The environment of threat and fear has ended and peace has returned. People are no longer being threatened and they are resuming work in factories," Thakur said. "More than 60,000 people have left Gujarat, and those who are leaving now are only those who had decided earlier to go back home. There is no more compulsion and threat to them to leave the state," he said. Meanwhile, police continued to patrol industrial areas of the affected districts to instill confidence among people. In Vadodara, hundreds of police personnel carried out a flag march in industrial areas having several big and small factories where more than 25,000 migrants worked. "Additional police force has been deployed in industrial areas for the security of Hindi-speaking migrants. No untoward incident has been reported in these areas," Vadodara Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot said. Zakir Naik Malaysia is yet to take a call on extraditing controversial preacher Zakir Naik to India and the matter could end up being decided by the country's courts, a senior Malaysian minister told External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj when she raised the issue during a meeting. Naik, who left India in July, 2016, is wanted on terror and money laundering charges. In January, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made a formal request to Malaysia to deport Naik. Malaysia's Minister of Human Resources M Kula Segaran, who is on an India visit, said Swaraj sought Naik's early extradition during a meeting. "She was asking for the latest on Zakir Naik, whether he will be deported from Malaysia, I did say that no final decision has been taken by the Malaysian government," he told PTI. He also told Swaraj that the Malaysian government could also leave it to the courts to decide. Asked how the extradition request could progress according to Malaysia's laws, he said, "If the government decides to deport him, that is end of the matter for us, but Zakir Naik can still challenge (it). If the government decides not to deport, we can refer it to the court and ask the court to decide the matter." Malaysia will ensure necessary "justice and fairplay" in the matter, he asserted. Asked if that means the court could end up deciding on his deportation, the Malaysian minister answered in the affirmative. He added that first the cabinet led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will decide. Naik, who is in Malaysia, in a statement published in Malaysian newspapers in July, had thanked Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for examining his case from an "unbiased perspective". Mahathir, who had met the radical Indian cleric in July, had said that Malaysia will not deport Naik to India as long as he does not create problems in the country. The previous Malaysian government had granted Naik permanent resident status. India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), that probes terror cases, had last year filed a charge sheet in a court against Naik for allegedly inciting youth to take up terror activities, giving hate speeches and promoting enmity between communities. It had first registered a case against Naik under anti-terror laws in 2016. Naik is also under investigation for issuing hate speeches that reportedly inspired a deadly terror attack on a popular cafe in Dhaka in 2016. Naik's Mumbai-based non-government organisation, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has been declared an unlawful association by the Union Home Ministry. In a tweet, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Kula Segaran and Swaraj discussed ways to enhance capacity building and fostering people-to-people contacts. Representative Image Varsha Pillai Four years into the completion of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) the nation's flagship Clean India programme has witnessed a consistently massive push towards the construction of toilets, as indicated by the near 95 percent toilet coverage across the country. The programme has its intention in the right place with a dedicated focus on influencing social and behavioural change in communities leading to increased demand for the use of latrines, supported with better sanitation infrastructure to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) India. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), open defecation (OD) perpetuates a vicious cycle of disease and poverty, making sanitation and hygiene among the most important drivers of health, social and economic environments. Within the SBM, what is noteworthy is the contribution of nari shakti (womens power) which Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded as he launched the Swacchata hi Seva movement earlier this month. In fact, the W factor in the SBM has been the leitmotif through the programme and therefore has seen women across India donning roles of rani mistrys (masons) to swachhgrahis (sanitation ambassadors) as veritable foot-soldiers of change. While the focus of the SBM campaign across India remained on the dignity and safety of women, the direct connection between the health of women and the access to and the availability of water and sanitation must not be missed and needs to be emphasized. There is evidence from various studies that confirm the adverse health impact of OD on womens genitor-urinary tract. Pinaki Panigrahi from the University of Nebraska Medical Centre points to the correlation between high numbers of stillborn, preterm births and spontaneous abortions and OD. The practice of OD among children can also pose severe health challenges since it results in immense faecal contamination in the immediate local environment resulting in exposure to faecal bacteria and pathogens. A study by the Centre for Development Economics at the Delhi School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that a 10 percent increase in OD was linked to a 0.7 percent increase in both stunting and severe stunting among children. So how has SBM impacted the health of women four years after its implementation? While there are few studies on womens health and ODF, a study by Shah Alam Khan of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), analysing the data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program run by the National Centre for Disease Control on epidemic outbreaks from 2011-2017 showed no decrease in incidence of outbreaks/alerts in the studied weeks in the 'after (2014)' group. While across the country women have enabled awareness creation both on the construction and the use of toilets, the absence of focus on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in the programme design and its implementation and roll-out is glaring. There is but a passing reference, the SBM guideline 5.9.2 states: Issues relating to womens personal hygiene namely menstrual hygiene are to be focussed under the SBM (Gramin). Girls and women have hygiene and sanitation needs linked to their menstrual cycle. Women suffer in the absence of knowledge about safe practices on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). This includes the provision of funds on activities meant for MHM-related awareness campaigns. In the grand plan of declaring India ODF, this important aspect that concerns the vast mass of women (over 61 percent of the rural population in the age group 15-59), especially in rural India, is lost and represents an important weakness of the SBM campaign. As per a 2015 MHM guidelines report by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, 90% of women remain ignorant of the appropriate way to clean menstrual cloth, while 87% used old cloth as menstrual absorbents. In a study titled 'Menstrual Hygiene Practices, Wash Access and the Risk of Urogenital Infection in Women from Odisha', there was evidence that showed that women affected with urogenital infections were twice as likely to have used reusable cloths instead of disposable sanitary pads. SBM needs to look at sanitation from an all-encompassing gender perspective that focuses not only on the safety of women but also addresses the lack of appropriate sanitation and MHM mechanisms, that severely constrain and in the long term, impair the full capabilities and contribution of women in their socio-economic life. The purity and pollution argument as a deeply entrenched social attitude, widely sanctioned by communities, impacts MHM. This change of attitude, therefore, needs to be included as a key objective of the SBM programme. Only then can we ensure that women not only have safe and private spaces that allow them to stay clean but also helps them maintain better personal hygiene. This must be the first principle of public health to unleash the immense capabilities of women in India. (Varsha Pillai is programme manager, Public Affairs Centre, a not-for-profit think-tank. Views expressed are personal.) Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav A day after Lalu Prasad's eldest daughter Misa Bharti caused a flutter with her comments about "rift" between her two brothers, her younger sibling Tej Pratap Yadav asserted there was no infighting in his family, even as Tejashwi ducked questions on the issue. While Tej Pratap took to Twitter to categorically deny any right within the family, Tejashwi, former deputy chief minister and current leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly, was posed with questions by journalists on the comments his sister made in Maner. Yadav, who is normally known to be media savvy, avoided any direct answer and rushed to his car saying, "I do not know anything about this matter. I have nothing to say". Addressing party workers in Maner on the outskirts of Patna, RJD's Rajya Sabha member Bharti had asked them to give up bickering and stay united. "Even our family has witnessed a rift between two brothers but where do differences not come up? Five fingers of our hands are not equal. But the RJD is like a big family," Bharti said. "We are not lacking in support base. The challenge is to keep our flock together," she added. Hours after her comments created a flutter in political circles, Bharti tweeted that her words were being quoted out of context. "I strongly deny the news item (about her acknowledging a rift within the family)," she said. Maner forms part of Patliputra Lok Sabha seat from where Misa Bharti had lost to union minister of state Ramkripal Yadav in 2014 poll. Tej Pratap Yadav, whose cryptic remarks in the recent past have given rise to the speculation that he shared an uneasy relationship with his brother Tejashwi, blamed the opposition parties and the media for the confusion. "The opposition as well as the media immensely enjoy searching for bad blood within the Lalu family. You may live in illusions, we are happy. But you are in for a huge disappointment there is no rift, neither in Lalu family, nor in the bigger RJD family", Yadav tweeted. Facing electoral disqualification following conviction in cases of multi-crore fodder scam, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has been working to establish his children in politics to carry the legacy. Tejashwi is seen by many as Lalu's heir apparent and was deputy chief minister when RJD was in power as part of the grand alliance government in the state and has been leader of opposition after that government collapsed. Tej Pratap, who was health minister in the grand alliance government, is an MLA from Mahua in Vaishali district. Misa Bharti, the eldest of the nine children of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, became a Rajya Sabha member after losing Lok Sabha elections. RJD national vice president Shivanand Tiwary also issued a statement to clarify Bharti's statement, saying "a general remark" by her that "rift was common among brothers in families was made to appear as if she was speaking about her own family". However, BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand took potshots at Bharti with a series of tweets. In one of the tweets, he asked, "Why are you so afraid of your little brother that you have to issue a denial? Had your family not discriminated against its daughters, you would have been the RJD's de facto leader and not Tejashwi Yadav". Sanjay Singh, spokesman of the JD(U) which shares power in the state with the BJP, tweeted, "The infighting in the family will soon spill over and engulf the entire party. The RJD will be divided into several factions headed by Tejashwi, Tej Pratap, Misa and Rabri Devi". Recalling the 2009 "underwear bomber", who attempted to blow up a Amsterdam-detroit flight mid-air, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said terrorists are pushing their "limits" and "underpants" to attack global civil aviation operations. Singh also said closer to home, ensuring security of about 40 small airports and heliports in India is a subject that cannot be "ignored". "The civil aviation sector is highly sensitive and high profile in nature. It also gets worldwide attention when hit by any attack. Often these incidents have geopolitical ramifications," he said after inaugurating a two-day seminar on 'international aviation security' here. "The case of the shoe bomber in 2001, the use of liquid explosives in London in 2006 and the case of the underwear bomber in Amsterdam in 2009, clearly indicate that terrorists are pushing the limits and even their underpants to hit the aviation sector," Singh said. On Christmas Day in 2009, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to blow up a commercial plane for the al-Qaeda, but was badly burned when a bomb sewn into his underwear failed to detonate fully on-board a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Farouk earned the nicknames of underwear bomber and Christmas Day bomber. The minister also asked aviation security agencies in the country to undertake "perspective planning" to thwart possible terror-like threats to aviation facilities. Security agencies such as the CISF should undertake "untiring and sincere efforts to maintain fool-proof security" at airports, which are thronged by lakhs of travellers daily, Singh said. The seminar is being organised by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a federal force that guards 60 civil airports at present. It is being attended by delegates from 18 countries and several airlines. Civil aviation security continues to be an extremely challenging task as the sector remains an important target for terror outfits. Terrorists always look for opportunities to draw maximum attention and media coverage, he said. Subsequently, Singh spoke about the domestic scenario. "There are 40 other operational airports and heliports under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) in India, which are guarded by airport security units carved out from the respective state police forces. "The strength of any claim is determined by the strength of its smallest unit, therefore the security of the smaller airports should never be ignored," Singh said. Officials said while there has been a talk of deploying CISF personnel at airports under the RCS or UDAN scheme, no "final decision" has been taken. These facilities continue to be guarded by state police forces, which are not as professional as the central force, in rendering aviation security duties, they said. The minister said the attacks on the Brussels and Istanbul airports (in 2016) have shown the vulnerability of airports, especially from the city side, and it highlights new threats to aviation facilities. "There have been several terror attacks on the aviation sector till date, the most devastating being the September 2001 attack (in the US) that shocked the world..." he said. Singh said it was essential to innovate and think new to meet evolving threats to aviation security. "We have come up with an adequate set of infrastructure at airports which commensurate with the increased number of air passengers. But, there are still many challenges and vulnerabilities. Therefore, we need perspective planing, more international cooperation and better coordination," he said. "We should adhere to stricter implementation of internationally agreed guidelines and norms, and induction of updated advanced technology in all airports would enhance our security capabilities, Singh said. "The governments and aviation agencies have to increasingly think about newer methods to tackle conventional and un-conventional threats," he added. The home minister spoke about some legal measures taken by his government to ensure safety in the aviation sector. "We have upgraded our anti-hijacking mechanisms since 1999 by refining our strengths and rectifying our weaknesses. Keeping the threat of aircraft hijacking by terrorists in mind, India has reviewed its preparedness towards such exigencies," he said. Singh said the CISF has undertaken untiring and sincere efforts to maintain fool-proof security at the airports under its guard. The 9/11 (2001 attack on the twin towers in the US) and the Kandahar (hijack of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999) have taught us many lessons, he said. The CISF was entrusted with airports security in the 2000, in the aftermath of the Kandahar incident. The force was raised in 1969 and has about 1.45 lakh personnel in its ranks at present. About 22,000 of the total CISF personnel are deployed for airport security duties across the country. The minister advised all stakeholders, especially the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (the national aviation security regulator) and the CISF, to infuse new technology for aviation security and ensure a judicious blend of trained human resources and modern security infrastructure. Fool-proof security warrants cooperation between different stakeholders, he said. Secretary General of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury The Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, on October 8 ruled out being a part of a pan-India opposition alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, media reports suggest. CPM is the largest party within the Left Front. "A grand alliance on the national front is not possible. The main task in front of the CPM is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But if state-wise alliances are looked at, we can look into it," CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, according to a report by Mint. Yechury, however, did not rule out a post-poll alliance. "Every election is different and it depends on what the election verdict throws up. This has been worked out in accordance with the decisions taken at the last party congress. There is no question of deviating from our party congress," he said. As per the report, Yechury said the partys focus would be to defeat the BJP and install an alternate secular government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections. "The main task before the Left and democratic forces in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections is to defeat the BJP and its allies and to ensure that an alternative secular government is formed at the Centre," he said. CPM was holding a three-day meet of the party's central committee to discuss its electoral strategy for the 2019 general election and the upcoming assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana. Speaking to mediapersons after the central committee meeting ended on October 8, Yechury said the party would contest some seats in the assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan with an aim of strengthen its assembly representation and would campaign to defeat the BJP in the remaining seats. In Telangana too, CPM aims to defeat the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the BJP, Yechury added. CPMs ally Communist Party of India (CPI) has joined the Congress-Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alliance to take on TRS in Telangana. CPM currently has 16 seats in the 60-member Tripura Assembly, besides being the largest party within Keralas ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. The party has 26 Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in West Bengal and one each in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra and Odisha. Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his economic and agricultural polices, saying not a single rupee of farmers' loan has been waived by the government and the Make-In-India campaign has "failed" with phones and T-shirts being outsourced from China. Gandhi said his party "wants phones to be made in India and have a tag of made in Dholpur". Beginning his 150-km long road show in eastern Rajasthan from Mania in Dholpur district, which shares border with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress president attacked the government on a range of issues ranging from the Rafale deal, law and order situation to demonetisation. Rajasthan goes to polls in December. Gandhi said the prime minister during the 2014 Lok Sabha election had said he wanted to be a 'chowkidar' but never clarified for whom he wanted to become the 'chowkidar'. Youth had trusted Modi. He had said he did not wish to become a prime minister but wanted to be a chowkidar. Now people are laughing. He never told that whose chowkidar he wanted to be. They got to know later that Anil Ambani is being protected, Gandhi charged at the first meeting under the road show. He alleged that Modi benefitted 15-20 top industrialists of the country instead of farmers. Raising the Rafale deal issue, the Congress president reiterated his allegation that Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd was ignored and Prime minister's industrialist friend was benefitted with the deal which was finalised with higher prices as compared to rates decided by the former UPA government. Gandhi said Modi did not speak a single word when he raised the Rafale matter. Naming industrialists Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Anil Ambani, he alleged that the prime minister benefitted them and did not take care of farmers, youths etc. He said the former UPA government led by his party had waived off farmers' loan worth Rs. 70,000 crore but bad debt worth Rs. 3.5 lakh crore were written off by the present government led by Modi and the PM did not waive even Rs. 1 of farmers. "Former UPA government gave MGNREGA, brought tribal bill, gave rights of food and information, meal to students in schools, waived off farmers' loan worth Rs. 70,000 crore. In Rajasthan, the Ashok Gehlot government introduced free medicine schemes but what Narendra Modi government and Vasundhara Raje government did for the poor? he asked. We took a decision within ten days to waive off farmers' loan worth Rs. 70,000 crore but debt wroth Rs. 3.5 lakh crore was written off by the Modi government in the last four years. He did not waive a single penny of farmers. I went to the prime minster's office only once and that too to raise farmers' issue but the PM remained silent and did not speak a single word, he said. The Congress president claimed that demonetisation and GST decisions destroyed the economy. You go and ask small scale businessmen and they will tell you what the situation is. Demonetisation and GST have destroyed the country's economy, he charged. Referring to law and order issues, Gandhi said, "Modiji gave a slogan of Beti Bachao, Beti Padao. But when a BJP MLA rapes a woman in Uttar Pradesh, both PM and CM try to save him". He said, "A BJP MLA allegedly raped a woman in UP but the prime minister did not utter a word. They say Beti Bachao, they have forgotten Beti Padao...BJP se Bachao (save from BJP)," he said. Targeting Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the Congress president alleged that Lalit Modi gave money directly to Raje's son. However, he did not specify when and why Lalit Modi allegedly paid Raje's son Dushyant Singh. He exuded confidence that the Congress would return to power in Rajasthan and said it would be a government for the poor, small and medium businessmen and youths. Speaking about attack on migrants in Gujarat, he said youths from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are being attacked and forced to leave. Youth trusted Modi but Modi betrayed their trust, he charged. The Congress president said the government has failed and urged people to form a Congress government at the Centre which would work for the poor, farmers and youths of the country once again. He said it would be a people's government in Rajasthan. The doors of chief ministers, ministers and MLAs would always remain open for people. He gave an assurace that Congress ministers would be accessible to everyone. Gandhi said the Congress is united and going to win the election in Rajasthan. They talk about their Mann ki Baat and we want to talk about people's Man ki Baat, he said. He said people should try making RSS and BJP understand that there is no benefit in "dividing" the country. Country wants to be united and move along together, he added. Congress party's state chief Sachin Pilot targeted Raje, saying she announced free electricity to farmers half an hour before the model code of conduct came in force but where was she for over four and a half years. AICC general secretary and former CM Ashok Gehlot and other leaders were present on the occasion. After the rally, Gandhi began his road show in a bus with party leaders. He will travel for nearly 150 km during the road show in Dholpur, Bharatpur and Dausa districts. 10 | Flipkart (Image: Reuters) In a conversation with Moneycontrol, Sriram Raghavan, Vice President, and Amith Singhee, Manager, Retail and Operations at IBM Research India, discuss the work being done by the tech giant in India in the field of cognitive fashion using technology such as AI, natural language processing and computer vision. Edited excerpts: Q: Why did IBM get into research in the retail space? Sriram: For good reason, there is a lot of attention on online e-commerce. Often what is forgotten is the significant and actual percentage of our retail economy that runs through brick and mortar retail. One observation was just as technology has been used, both to dramatically alter user experience, and optimise and create this online shopping experience with e-commerce, how do these same technology building blocks like AI (artificial intelligence) and blockchain help in a retail brick and mortar scenario? We looked at how can the brick-and-mortar retailers use tech like AI to leverage this rich set of data that they have including what has sold, where it has sold, their current decisions on inventory and stock management and how do they use digital technology and take it to the net level, very much like he online players. Many of us feel that when it comes to an understanding of my past purchase behaviour, online is often better than even in the physical space because somehow online world seems to know me better than the physical world. Q: But won't greater personalisation in the offline world make the experience annoying if a salesperson was constantly asking you to try new things? Amith: As a researcher, the interesting thing is that I am also a consumer. So you want to fill gaps that exist today rather than creating new types of problems for customers. Lets say a fashion conscious young woman walks in to a store and she is doing some exploratory shopping. Instead of a salesperson follow you everywhere, lets say outside the fitting room there is a cognitive mirror, and it analyses what you have worn, and it gives you suggestions to complete the look. Maybe it recognises that you're wearing something with stripes and a boat neck, and it makes more suggestions to complete the look, suggests a size etc. That's more helpful that a person hanging around For that you need some pretty serious AI that can understand looks and choice. Sriram- That interactive AI system can tell you what you're wearing Going into physical stores in India, movement is often hard because you don't know what is kept where. So this system can help you find that- you do all of that digitally, see what you want is kept where. Q: So do you draw on retail experiences from markets elsewhere, like Singapore? How much of retail research is derived from a developed market? Amith: I think its a pretty healthy mix of both.There is a lot of overlap because shopping doesn't look too different. But there are some specific Indian problems. Fore example, if you are a gold jeweller, lets say you have 100 stores across the country. You'll have some limited inventory within a store. Lets say there's a Bengali woman living in Bengaluru, and she goes to a Malleshwaram (Bengaluru locality) jewellery store. The stock over there will be tuned for local sensibiolities and she might not find things that would help her in the wedding coming up in her community in Kolkata. So that's a lost sale for the store. However, the jeweller does have that inventory in Calcutta or somewhere else. That's where we come in to say how do we encourage the person to try the stuff in the Kolkata store virtually using AI, image processing, augmented reality, etc. The customer can then choose and get it next day through the jeweller's logistics system. Q: There is also a lot of focus on omni-channel in retail. A lot of retailers want to build an online presence. How do you balance that? Amith- Much of this tech can be reappllied to boost online presence because it is software and AI driven. Sriram: A lot of retailers are also looking to offer in-store fulfilment. A customer can buy online but if you want it right way, go pick it up in the store. The same stocking decisions in the store continue to matter. Q: How may retailers are you working with in India and what kind of work are you doing with them? Sriram: Our three main segments have been fashion including apparel and jewellery. Now we're starting to get into food and grocery. Across these two, we are actively working with 4 or 5 retailers in food and in active conversations with a dozen in grocery. Early pilots have been completed with two or three retailers, and there are active pilots going on with a couple more. Conversations on refining these are going on with a dozen more. As we look at AI on the customer side and decision making side, we will see serious optimisation of the supply chain. What is very unique to India is that you have to do all this at a price point that makes sense to the customer. The next wave of innovation in India will come from technologies like blockchain that will likely come in to remove more and more friction from the physical supply chain. SuperdualT_top2 Italian brand SWM is preparing to enter the Indian market with the Superdual T on October 11. First showcased at an event adventure event in Pune, the Superdual T is an adventure tourer motorcycle -- a segment which seems to be gaining interest in the country. In India, the SWM adventure tourer will be sold by Kinetic Group's premium motorcycle division Motoroyale, which also sells MV Augusta in the country. Internationally, the Superdual is available in two variants -- an off-road special Superdual X and the street-focused Superdual Tone, which will come to India first. The bike is powered by a 600cc single cylinder liquid cooled engine that produces 57 horsepower (hp) and 53.5 Nm of peak torque. The motor is mated to a six speed transmission. Suspension duties come from a rebound-adjustable 45mm upside down fork in the front and a fully-adjustable monoshock at the rear with 210 mm and 270 mm of travel respectively. ABS comes standard with a 300 mm and 220 mm disc at the front and rear. The bike will ride on a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel and boasts of a tank capacity of 19 litres. Dry weight of the bike stands at 169 kg. The bike could face competition in the seat height comparison. With a height of 898 mm, both of Superdual's competitions -- the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT -- have their saddles at 840 mm and 835 mm respectively. The SWM Superdual T is likely to be priced at around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom), right in Kawasaki Versys and Suzuki V-Strom's price range. The launch is reported to take place at an event on October 11 where Motoroyale is also expected to showcase two new MV Augusta bikes -- the Brutale 800 RR and Turismo Veloce 800. Motoroyale also includes brands such as Norton in India, which launched the Commando 961 in the country recently. Norton is also expected to start local assembly for the Commando and Dominator in India by the end of 2018. India's largest online retailer, Flipkart is just hours away from officially kick-starting its annual festive sale the Flipkart Big Billion Days for 2018. The sale will commence on October 10 and continue till October 14 for regular users. However, Flipkart Plus users will get three extra hours to shop with the sale starting for them at 9 pm on October 9. As part of the sale, Flipkart will dish out offers on a whole host of products including smartphones, home appliances, heavy appliances, home decor, furniture, personal care appliances, smart devices, gadgets, and provide offers such as zero-interest EMIs, Flipkart Pay Later, cardless credit and EMIs on debit cards to its buyers. The retailer has also partnered with HDFC Bank to roll out exclusive offers for buyers who use the banks debit or credit cards. Additionally, buyers using PhonePe for payment can avail 10 percent cashback during the sale. Apart from mouth-watering discounts, Flipkart app users can win prizes including Google home, smartphones, televisions, Bluetooth speakers, headphones and Flipkart gift vouchers by participating in the Quiz to be hosted twice every day. Heres a list of the best deals:- Xiaomis Mi Mix 2 smartphone will be available at a discounted price of Rs 22,999. The device comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage option and carries an original price tag of Rs 29,999. Redmi Note 5 Pro will retail at a discounted rate of Rs. 12,999, down from original price of Rs.14,999. Vivo V9 Youth will come with a discount of Rs 6,000 and will retail at Rs. 13,990. The original price of the device is Rs 19,990. Mid-range performance smartphone Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 will carry a discount of Rs 1,000 and will be available at Rs. 9,999. Another Asus smartphone which will be up for sale is Zenfone 5Z. The smartphone competes with the famed OnePlus 6 and will be priced at Rs 24,999, a steep discount of Rs 5,000 from the original price of Rs 29,999. Nokia 5.1 Plus and Nokia 6.1 Plus will come at a discounted price of Rs 10,499 and Rs 14,999, respectively. Apart from smartphones, Flipkart will offer discounts on Mi Smart TVs along with televisions under brands such as VU, Kodak, Thomson, Samsung and Micromax. Also read: Amazon Great Indian Festival sale goes live for Prime Members: These are the best deals Bangladesh's cabinet on Monday approved a draft law prescribing the death penalty for drug offences, despite widespread criticism over a drugs crackdown in which police have shot dead more than 200 people since May. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the campaign ahead of a general election due by December, but the killings have prompted fears among rights groups of a bloody Philippine-style campaign to wipe out drugs. The Narcotics Control Act defines methamphetamines, also known as "yaba", and other drugs, such as "shisha", as narcotics for the first time, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters after the meeting chaired by Hasina. "It proposes the death sentence as maximum punishment for producing, smuggling, distributing and using more than 5 gm of 'yaba'," he said, adding that possession of less than 5 gm (0.18 oz) would attract a maximum jail term of five years. Alam said the stern punishment was needed to curb the spread of the highly potent stimulant smuggled in from neighbouring Myanmar. Bangladesh has said an influx last year of Rohingya fleeing Buddhist-majority Myanmar is partly to blame for soaring methamphetamine use. But many Rohingya say their young people are being pushed into crime because they cannot legally work or, in many cases, receive aid. Hasina has vowed to continue the campaign until Bangladesh is freed of the drug menace, but critics say it as a sign of her increasingly authoritarian rule ahead of the election. In more than a third of the killings recorded by Dhaka-based human rights group Odhikar since mid-May, the suspects were arrested before they were killed. The government has dismissed accusations of extrajudicial killings, saying the crackdown has popular support. China on Tuesday played down reports of Pakistan's plans to cut down a railway project under the multi-billion dollar CPEC by USD 2 billion, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured his support to the various projects under the flagship Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistan's Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid recently announced plans to cut the USD 8.2 billion Karachi-Peshawar railway project by about USD 2 billion. It is the biggest project under the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which India opposes as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. On Sunday, Khan said Pakistan is reviewing the projects under the CPEC to safeguard the interest of the people in Balochistan province. Khan in the past criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the lack of transparency and corruption in the CPEC projects. He said that Balochistan had a number of reservations about the mega project. Asked about Pakistan's plans to cut down the railway projects over fears of accumulating debt, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media on Tuesday that the new Pakistan government has expressed its support for the CPEC projects. "You have only noted some aspects of the report. Recently on the advancement of the CPEC, we have noted that there are different comments and reports coming from the media. "You can see that the new Pakistani government and Prime Minister (Khan) has made it clear that they will support the advancement of the CPEC," Lu said. He was apparently referring to the assurances by the new government in Islamabad about the continuation of the CPEC projects during the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Pakistan. Lu said the CPEC served the economic and social development and referred to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report which he said "made it clear that the advancement of the CPEC did not cause any burden to Pakistan". "The IMF also said the CPEC from a long-term perspective will enhance Pakistan's capacity for the development," he said, adding that all the projects were conceived after extensive consultations with Pakistan. About the comments by some Pakistan officials to cut down the cost of the projects, he said: "We should view such comments in a comprehensive way. Actually, the advancement of the CPEC is conducive to the inter-connectivity and prosperity of the region including Pakistan". "We hope you can see that the CPEC is very important project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," Li added. China had announced after the visit of Wang to Pakistan in September that the CPEC projects will be extended to the western areas of Pakistan, which included Balochistan. IMF International Monetary Fund Chief economist Maurice Obstfeld said on Tuesday that he was not concerned about the Chinese government's ability to defend its currency despite the recent depreciation of the yuan. "No, I don't think it's a problem," Obstfeld said, when asked about the issue on the sidelines of a news conference at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bali. But Obstfeld also told the news conference that Beijing would face a "balancing act" between actions to shore up growth and ensure financial stability. The Supreme Court on Tuesday placed in police custody three directors of the Amrapali Group of companies till they hand over documents related to their 46 companies to forensic auditors. A bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit ordered the action. Otter is a smart note-taking app that empowers you to remember, search and share your voice conversations (for English only). It creates smart voice notes that combine audio, transcription, speaker identification, inline photos, and key phrases. It helps business people, journalists and students to be more focused, collaborative and efficient in meetings, interviews, lectures and wherever important conversations happen. It creates smart voice notes that combine audio, transcription, speaker identification, inline photos, and key phrases. It helps business people, journalists and students to be more focused, collaborative and efficient in meetings, interviews, lectures and wherever important conversations happen. The free version gives you 600 minutes of transcription per month with unlimited cloud storage of all your conversations. You can record audio via internal microphone or Bluetooth device, or import existing recordings. You can even take photos (e.g., of a whiteboard, a slide, a presenter) while you record to add visual context to your conversations inline. A must-have app for recording voice notes. The Indian rupee slipped to a new low of 74.27 to a US dollar during the mid-afternoon session on Tuesday. Around 1.25 p.m., the Indian rupee traded at 74.27 to a dollar -- the lowest ever against the greenback. The Indian currency made a slight recovery at 1.35 p.m. to stand at 74.26 to a USD. It opened the day's trade at the Inter-Bank Foreign Exchange Market at 73.85 to a USD from its previous close of 74.07. Introducing the song, drummer Mick Fleetwood said it was "many, many years ago" when he heard the song that first "opened a lot of doors in my own heart." "I had no idea where it would lead to such a night, welcoming this gentleman to the stage." The band also covered Split Enz 1980 new wave hit I Got You during their Chicago set, with Finn and Nicks sharing the vocals again. The investigation into PACE is the result of both DICOs regular duties overseeing the credit union and issues raised by a third-party. However, while the investigation progresses, the credit union will operate as usual and its members, numbering more than 37,000, will still have access to their funds and can make transactions as they usually would. DICOs CEO Guy Hubert says the regulator fully anticipates that the governance issues will be resolved, reported the Globe and Mail. While PACE was initially formed to serve Peel Region, it amalgamated with smaller credit unions to grow to $1.1 billion in assets. Larry Smith was the PACEs CEO for nearly 30 years, but in March 2015 took on the role of president while his son assumed his erstwhile role. However, the Globe reports that their futures with PACE are up in the air. What role they might play at the Credit Union in the future will be determined in due course during the Administration proceedings, said DICO in a statement. According to an email sent out by Central 1 Credit Union, which services credit unions in Ontario and British Columbia, PACE is currently solvent and operating profitably. Last year, the PACE reported $5.3 million in profit. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque pushed through with doing a campaign advertisement for his possible Senate bid, although he has not made a final decision to run after President Rodrigo Duterte discouraged him from doing so. "The truth is, I shot it because it's been paid for," Roque said in a Palace press briefing, confirming earlier reports. He said he paid for the advertisement "months ago," when it was clear to him and the President that he would seek a Senate seat. "Come on, for the past five or six months, he's been calling me senator. He's been for all intents and purposes endorsing my bid in Senate," Roque added. He admitted he was "taken aback" when the President said in an October 4 speech that he would not win in the 2019 senatorial elections. "It was a game-changer; it was a change in tone," Roque said. He stressed that he has no hard feelings against Duterte, adding that the President only wants him to stay as spokesperson. Roque earlier said he would spend the weekend to think about his options, as he hinted at resigning from his post, after he was also left "in the dark" about the President's hospital visit last October 3. READ: Roque mulls resigning after remarks about Duterte's health On Tuesday, Roque said he is still talking to the President about it. He'll have to make a decision soon, as the filing of candidacies for the May 13, 2019 midterm elections happens from October 11 to 17 this year. The campaign period runs from February 12 to May 11, 2019. Roque went on leave on Monday, but he said that this leave was scheduled long ago. He said he will again take a leave of absence from October 11 to 12 to attend a conference in China. Three New Jersey men were arraigned on multiple charges in connection with their alleged roles in a mortgage fraud scheme that fraudulently obtained mortgage loans with a total value of more than $4 million, according to the US Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey. Victor Santos, a real estate investor; Arsenio Santos, a builder; and Fausto Simoes, a real estate settlement attorney, were charged on September 24 in a 19-count indictment. Each was charged with one count of conspiring to commit bank fraud and separately charged with various counts of bank fraud and making false statements in an application for credit. The conspiracy to commit bank fraud count, the bank fraud counts, and the false statement counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain to the defendants or twice the gross loss to others, whichever is greater. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) have called on the Government Accountability Office to study whether vulnerabilities in anti-money laundering laws applicable to the real estate sector present increased risk of criminal activity. The senators announcement noted that there has been widespread reporting on potential criminal activity in the real estate market, including between the Trump Organization and Russia. In a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, the senators expressed concerns that transnational criminal organizations and other corrupt actors may be exploiting the gaps in US regulatory and law enforcement processes related to the laundering of money through the US real estate market. (ODESSA, TEXAS) During an isolated incident, one person was shot today at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. The shooting involved a patient in the custody of the U.S. Marshals and occurred at approximately 4:13 p.m. The patient is currently listed in critical condition. As previously stated, no MCHS employees were involved or harmed during the incident. An Odessa man was arrested and indicted last month on a state jail felony charge of criminal negligent homicide after he allegedly caused the death of a cyclist, according to court documents. Joshua Stephen Sam, 31, was arrested Friday and released the same day on a $50,000 bond. The indictment has a filing date of Sept. 12. Sam was driving on the north service road of State Highway 191 on June 7 when his vehicle struck the rear of Dr. Brandey Ackermans bicycle, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram report. RELATED: DA: Man involved in death of two cyclists pleads guilty The grand jury indictment states that Sam caused the Midland pediatricians death while operating a vehicle at an excessive rate of speed, and by failing to keep a proper lookout, and by a combination thereof. Previous charges as a result of the wreck were for failure to control speed and expired vehicle registration, according to the report. If convicted of the state jail felony charge, Sam could face up to two years imprisonment. Sam was arrested the day after another driver pleaded guilty in the deaths of two other cyclists. A third cyclist was injured in the incident that occurred April 25 on State Highway 191. Ricardo Madera of Eagle Pass pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram story. RELATED: Mugshots: Fugitives sought by Midland-area police The charges against Madera are two counts of intoxicated manslaughter, one count of intoxication assault and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident. He agreed to sentences of 18 years in prison for each intoxication manslaughter charge with findings of a deadly weapon, along with sentences of 10 years for each hit-and-run charge. Those will run concurrently. The charges carried a maximum sentence of 20 years prison for each manslaughter count, with the possibility of sentences being stacked by a judge had he proceeded to trial, according to the Midland County District Attorneys Office. Michael Mestas, 47, and Camron Stotts, 42, died after being struck by Madera. Jason Haislip, the third bicyclist, continues his physical recovery, according to the previous article. Lab tests revealed a Madera had 0.126 blood alcohol level, more than 1.5 times the legal limit, according to previous articles. Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to walk the line on marijuana in the state. The same week that the Illinois Department of Public Health said 44,000 people in the state have asked for a medical marijuana card, Rauner once again said hes OK with medical marijuana. The governor proudly stood by a new law that he signed to allow people to swap an opioid prescription for a medical marijuana script. We studied the issue of whether we should make [marijuana] available for chronic pain. We studied it because there are pros and cons because cannabis is addictive, Rauner said. But we signed a law that basically said where opioids would otherwise be prescribed, we want to make medical cannabis available. Because it is less addictive than opioids. But the governor remains opposed to recreational marijuana because he says its just a massive social experiment, and no one know whats going to happen. What Ive done is visit governors of other states [where marijuana is legal] and medical professionals, and what most of them have recommended is that we in Illinois should wait and watch, the governor said. Because theyre learning a lot of painful lessons. And it is not all been good. However, Rauner said hes willing to study the idea of recreational marijuana in Illinois. Melania Trump is keen to make a difference in the lives of children around the world and noted as much during a speech at the 73rd U.N. General Assembly. In her remarks, she made direct mention of the good work being led by fellow first ladies H.E. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, H.E. Margaret Kenyatta and H.E. Gertrude Mutharika. First ladies, community activists and changemakers of all ages are moving the needle on important issues at local, national and regional levels. This work cannot be overlooked as Mrs. Trump travels to Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Egypt. Mrs. Trump cited a desire to replicate U.S. programs that are doing great things for children. But to make a lasting difference, she should also consider the success that is already happening in Africa. Though the world often narrows in on the obstacles, opportunity and optimism are in abundant supply. For example, Vivian Onano of Kenya, who fought for her right to an education, works to improve outcomes for women and young people across the continent. A youth representative for UNESCOs Global Youth Monitoring Report among numerous other affiliations, Vivian is dedicated to creating a more inclusive future. Ghanas Fred Swaniker was concerned by the lack of leadership training and quality education available to young Africans. While at graduate school, he envisioned a world-class academic institution where the most outstanding young students can develop into leaders who are passionate about the continent and eager to make an impact. Joining forces with other like-minded individuals, the African Leadership Academy was born. This year marks ALAs 10th anniversary. Amid widespread sexual harassment in Egypt, Reem Fawzi launched Pink Taxi to ensure girls and women had access to safe and reliable transportation, while at the same time providing jobs for women in a male dominated industry. These are three stories, and there are countless others that underscore the leadership, innovation and hope occurring across the continent. As H.E. Monica Geingos, first lady of Namibia stressed in a 2017 interview: The Africa that you used to read about, and the stereotypes weve become associated with, is different from the Africa that we know. The Africa that we know is still not perfect. The Africa we know still makes itself guilty of certain stereotypes. But the Africa that we know is also developing at a much faster rate than it ever has. There is stronger leadership. And the Africa that we currently know has a youth population that is keeping leadership accountable. Moreover, though there are some parallels in the challenges facing children and young people in the United States, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Egypt, there are also notable differences. And this is an important distinction. Africa is home to the largest youth population in the world. By 2030 , the under-18 population across the continent is expected to grow to 750 million. And by 2050, 40 percent of the worlds population under the age of 18 will live in Africa. One of the greatest resources first ladies have at their disposal is the ability to build bridges between diverse stakeholders. This includes their engagement with peers and predecessors. As we see across the work of the George W. Bush Institutes First Ladies Initiative, sharing best practices and experiences is an important lifeline for first ladies. Communication and outreach with contemporaries provide an unparalleled chance to learn from those who are in similar positions of influence. First lady Gertrude Mutharika of Malawi has focused on health and hygiene and the empowerment of adolescent girls. Ghanas first lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo is improving child health and access to education. In Kenya, first lady Margaret Kenyatta launched Beyond Zero to address maternal and infant mortality and inadequate access to health services. And this year, the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) and the African Union launched the Free to Shine campaign, a continent-wide effort that aims to reinforce the political commitment of African nations to end childhood AIDS and keep mothers healthy. This perspective is important. Context and collaboration matter. To be successful in combating the issues that children face today, consideration of local needs and leadership are vital to Mrs. Trumps goal of sharing Be Best abroad. From Africa to North America, the most influential first spouses are those who keep this fact front of mind. Natalie Gonnella-Platts is the deputy director of the Bush Institutes Womens Initiative, the co-author of A Role Without a Rulebook: The Influence and Leadership of Global First Ladies, and host of the podcast Ladies, First. During the Democratic Weekly Address, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-NY) stated that its hard for America to live up to the standard that no one is above the law and laws should work for those they are meant to protect when those in Congress join the President in trashing our most precious democratic institutions, and when the rule of law is constantly under threat. Nadler was Tuedays KVML Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Hello, Im Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York and I am the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Justice, the FBI, our courts, our immigration system and the United States Constitution. Every day, I hear from my constituents about the sense of worry, frustration and disappointment they feel when they see the consequences of an Administration that has not been held accountable to the people, with policies that tear families apart and go against the values at our countrys core. All the while, the Republican Congress has failed to fulfill its Constitutional duty to ensure that our laws and government are working for the American people. I share that same sense of frustration and anger. It is the responsibility of Congress to act as a check and balance to the Administration of the day that is fundamental to our democracy. It is a responsibility that the Republican Majority has abdicated, choosing instead only to block and deflect on behalf of President Trump and his Administration. How are we, as representatives of the American people, doing our job if we do not protect liberty and justice and refuse to hold those in power accountable? Like millions of Americans who watched and listened to the confirmation hearings of Judge Brett Kavanaugh last week, I was overwhelmed by the bravery and poise of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, to sit in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee and tell her story in the face of intense, personal, and what I am sure was extremely painful questioning. Wherever they were and whatever they were doing, Americans across the country were able to hear directly from Dr. Blasey Ford, to be inspired by her courage, and to share some small understanding of the suffering shelike so many other womenhas had to endure in silence. Our country is in the midst of a reckoning where those in power who abuse their position and take advantage of others they perceive as weaker than themselves are being forced to answer for their behavior and face the accountability that has been missing for too long and for too many. I am glad Dr. Blasey Ford came forward to tell her truth, and I believe that time is running out for those who would rather such brave voices remain silent. Whether that is President Trump or anyone else who abuses their position of power, there must be justice and real consequences for those who violate our laws. No personnot the President, not any federal judge, and not Members of Congresscan be above the law. Our laws should work for the people they are meant to protect. But America has a hard time living up to this standard when Congress fails to live up to its responsibilities, when Members of Congress join the President in trashing our most precious democratic institutions, and when the rule of law is constantly under threat. The abuses and ethical lapses we have seen in the Trump Administration, in the Trump Campaign and in Congress clearly show the need to address the culture of corruption that has developed in the absence of appropriate checks on power. This corruption is at the heart of what Donald Trump represents: self-interest and ego driven decisions that come at the expense of the American people. A responsible Congress would have exercised its authority to do its constitutional duty, demanding accountability from the Administration and passing legislation that promotes fair, honest governance and protects the rule of law. Instead, House Republicans have worked to block for the President and distract attention from the real crises caused by the Administration. Accountability is what has been missing under the Republicans, from examining the impact of the Presidents almost daily threats to our democratic institutions that uphold the rule of law, to the questions regarding the fairness and thoroughness of the investigation surrounding Judge Brett Kavanaugh the questions are not being asked and answers are not being demanded on behalf of the American people. I could list any number of issues that have been ignored by the Republican Majority since President Trump took office, including the corruption that has permitted the President, his family and members of his Administration to reap personal financial benefits from industries they govern, all at the expense of ordinary citizens. Whether it is the Justice Departments decision not to defend the Affordable Care Act in court, a decision that could strip health care coverage from tens of millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions and cost them millions of dollars in additional health care costs, or the Administrations policy to separate children from their parents, holding young boys and girls in cages without any plan for reuniting them with their families, or the systematic and concerted effort to chip away at voting rights, particularly amongst African American and Hispanic communities, or the Presidents regular attacks on the Mueller investigation and his efforts to undermine law enforcement, the courts, and the justice system to suit his own purposes all of these areas have been completely ignored by a Republican Congress unwilling to do its job for the people. This is something we have to address, in the interest of the American people and for the health and future of our democracy. This is our promise as Democrats a Congress that works For The People. A Congress that will: Lower your health costs and prescription drug prices; Raise your wages with strong economic growth by rebuilding America; Clean up corruption to make Washington work for you. We need a Congress that will work For The People, that will hold those in power accountable, and that will make sure our laws serve the interests of everyone and not just the few. This is a historic moment for our country. The stakes are high, and they demand action. Thank you. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. By years end, Permian Basin oil and gas producers active in the Delaware Basin should have a better idea of the undiscovered, technically recoverable resources in the Wolfcamp Shale and Bone Spring formations. Stephanie Gaswirth with the U.S. Geological Surveys Central Energy Resources Science Center, told those attending the recent West Texas Geological Society Fall Symposium that the agency will release its assessment by the end of the year. She declined to discuss any findings before the assessment is released, but said the assessment focuses on the Delaware Basin portion of the Permian, as opposed to the assessment released in 2016 that looked at the Midland Basin portion of the Wolfcamp and Spraberry formations. The agency said in 2016 that the estimated resource for the Wolfcamp and Spraberry in the Midland Basin was 24 billion barrels, at the time the largest domestic continuous oil assessment the survey had issued to date. Gaswirth described how the agency conducts its assessments and the challenges it faces in assessing resources. We emphasize technically recoverable, she said. We look at the resources extracted today. We dont do economically recoverable resource estimates; this is not an in-place resource estimate, its not a reserves estimate. In 2007 when the USGS issued its last assessment, it found 100 million barrels in five conventional formations in the Bone Spring, Spraberry and Wolfcamp formations. At the time, wells producing from those formations were primarily vertical, and in the ensuing 11 years there has been a huge shift to horizontal wells, she said. She said the Delaware Basin differs from the Midland Basin in that its strata is deeper 16,000 feet to the top of the Strawn, compared to 9,500 feet in the Midland Basin. The Wolfcamp formation is thicker by thousands of feet, and the Delaware has a higher thermal maturity, she said. In assessing the two formations, the USGS identified and utilized 11 assessment units: the Delaware Basin Wolfcamp D continuous gas, the Delaware Basin Wolfcamp C continuous gas, the Delaware Basin Wolfcamp C continuous oil, the Delaware Basin Wolfcamp B Lower continuous oil, the Delaware Basin Wolfcamp B Upper continuous oil, Delaware Basin Wolfcamp A continuous oil, Third Bone Spring continuous oil, Second Bone Spring continuous oil, First Bone Spring continuous oil, Lower Avalon Shale continuous oil and Upper Avalon Shale continuous oil. According to Gaswirth, the challenges in assessing the Delaware lie in stratigraphic nomenclature. Some operators have different names for the formations and their benches, she said. Another challenge was obtaining the landing zones for horizontal wells to determine which assessment unit they fell into and establishing the division of the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring units based on geologic criteria. Another question to be answered in the assessment was where, vertically and spatially is the transition from gas to oil, she said. The Delaware Basin is an anomaly in that its higher thermal maturity is to the west despite the uplift, she said. The deepest basin adjacent to the Central Basin Platform is the least mature. Mella McEwen is the Oil Editor and covers the latest business and energy news. You can read more from her here. | mmcewen@mrt.com| Thousands of former Toys R Us employees face an uncertain future after hundreds of stores were closed. But Geoffrey the Giraffe is back to work. The mascot made a surprise appearance last week at one of the largest wholesale events in the toy industry. That was just days after court filings showed that the owners of Toys R Us might be pursuing a comeback, with the hedge fund that owns the company opting to hold onto the Toys R Us and Babies R Us brand names, Web domains and other assets -- including Geoffrey. A potential revamp is also coming to light through the company's marketing. In a tweet, alongside an imagine of Geoffrey clutching a suitcase, the company said its beloved giraffe had simply been traveling the globe for a few months but was back and ready to play. On Twitter, the company said it was "actively working to bring back our iconic brands." To thousands of workers waiting for severance pay and even the chance to get their jobs back, Geoffrey's fun-filled return felt more like "lemon on the wounds," said Carrie Gleason, campaign manager for the worker advocacy group Rise Up Retail. Gleason called Geoffrey's reemergence a "PR stunt" meant to boost the tarnished brand name should Toys R Us try to reopen stores as the holiday season gets underway. "The employees love Geoffrey and love the brand, and so that's what's also insidious about this moment," Gleason said. "They are now destroying the last thing that these toy makers and these employees have, which is the brand. They're using it as the last way to make short-term profit." As Sarah Woodhams, who worked for Toys R Us for seven years, put it: "They're saying Geoffrey went on vacation. We certainly did not go on vacation." There are few details that spell out how a Toys R Us revival would work, including when and how many stores might reopen. Kirkland & Ellis, debtor counsel to Toys R Us, declined to comment. The hedge fund Solus Alternative Asset Management did not respond to request for comment. The investment firm Angelo Gordon declined to comment. In a statement, Jeffrey Pierce, chief investment officer of Snow Park Capital Partners, another Toys R Us lender, said the toy retailer's bankruptcy created a significant void in the toy industry for consumers and the supply chain. "But if the proposed reorganization plan moves forward, the void can be filled in a way that creates new opportunities for former employees, manufacturers and the brand," Pierce said. "That should be the desired outcome for creditors and the company's long-term stakeholders." In a separate arrangement, Bain Capital and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts -- two of the three firms that bought Toys R Us in a 2005 leveraged buyout and loaded it with billions of dollars in debt before liquidating the chain in June -- said they would designate millions of dollars in a fund for former employees. A third owner, Vornado Realty Trust, is not adding to the fund. Still, details on the size of the fund are hard to come by. The Wall Street Journal reported $20 million had been set aside. Rise Up Retail says workers are owed a total of $75 million in severance pay. Before its bankruptcy, Toys R Us had guaranteed workers two weeks of severance for their first year in the job, and one week of pay for every two years of work that followed. Toys R Us cited $7.9 billion in debt against $6.6 billion in assets when it filed for bankruptcy last year. In March, the company said it would shutter all 800 of its U.S. stores. But the brand name itself, combined with assets like Geoffrey, still have value. Gleason said that if the company is able to shed its debt and major costs, like the legacy wages for employees, it may be able to attempt a turnaround. "There's a lot of people making money in this bankruptcy," Gleason said. "And it's just not right." Irving Schenkler, crisis communication at New York University's Stern School of Business, said that generally speaking, hedge funds that run companies tend to not be closely connected with questions of corporate communication or reputation, instead putting their focus on increasing profit. But Schenkler described a toy retailer like Toys R Us as having a "kind of halo effect" on shoppers and their childhood memories. Any rebranding that alters that emotional connection not only affects former workers, but can seep into communities where stores may reopen. The sheer optics of protests outside a new toy store, for example, would do no favors for Geoffrey's return. "This is a company that's really predicated on emotion, pleasure, memory," Schenkler said. "Things that create a dissonance, psychologically, that can affect buying patterns. You can always just go to Amazon now." (Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Gleason said many former employees would readily start discussions about returning to their jobs, but that there's a fear that the owners of Toys R Us will bypass those employees in the search of low-wage labor. Woodhams, 32, said the company is using nostalgia purely for financial gain, and that "they traded their employees in for a couple extra bucks." Louann Crawford, 62, is wary of returning to retail after more than 25 years with Toys R Us. But she worries about finding other prospects at her age. Around the time she lost her job with the retailer, she also lost a job working in a school cafeteria. Now Crawford looking ahead to her first Christmas in decades without Toys R Us. "When they said Geoffrey was coming out," she said, "it was a kick in the gut." The Old Yoakum Community Hospital closed its door to patients more than 20 years ago, but it has continued to occasionally allow visitors in to investigate rumors of haunted happenings. At the end of the month, the hospital is inviting guests to a two-night sleepover and investigation just days before the spookiest holiday of the year. The hospital, in partnership with Haunted Texas Paranormal, is hosting an event Oct. 26 through October 28 featuring a "full blown" paranormal investigation and the opportunity to sleep in one of the abandoned hospital rooms. Guests can opt to stay for just one night or both. Contributed GREENWICH After eight years in Darien, former Greenwich independent school educator Andrew Byrne will return to town to lead Folsom House as its interim administrator starting in November, officials announced Tuesday. Byrne, who will also oversee the math program at Greenwich High School, had been assistant principal of Middlesex Middle School in Darien since 2010, and before that, he was a math and science instructor at Sacred Heart Greenwich. Most Connecticut hospitals will lose a portion of their Medicare reimbursement payments over the next year as penalties for having high rates of patients being readmitted. New data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show that statewide, 27 of the 29 hospitals evaluated or 93 percent will be penalized in the 2019 fiscal year that began Oct. 1, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis of CMS data. The Medicare program has penalized hospitals since the 2013 fiscal year for having high rates of patients who are readmitted within a month of being discharged. Nationally, hospitals will lose $566 million in penalties, which were instituted as part of the Affordable Care Act to encourage better health care delivery. No hospital in the state received the maximum penalty of 3 percent, but nine will have their Medicare reimbursements reduced by 1 percent or more. They are: Waterbury Hospital at 2.19 percent, Bridgeport Hospital at 2.01, Bristol Hospital at 1.91, Manchester Memorial Hospital at 1.74, Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs at 1.71, Midstate Medical Center in Meriden at 1.37, St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport at 1.21, Griffin Hospital in Derby at 1.17 and Yale New Haven Hospital at 1.03. Several hospitals did have penalties of less than 1 percent, including Milford Hospital (0.47 percent), Danbury Hospital (0.63) and Greenwich Hospital (0.71). Norwalk Hospital had the lowest penalty at 0.02 percent. Hebrew Home and Hospital Inc. in West Hartford and Stamford Hospital were evaluated and received no penalty. Last year, Stamford was penalized 0.2 percent and Hebrew Home and Hospital had no penalty. Two acute care facilities, The Connecticut Hospice Inc. in Branford and Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford, arent evaluated under the program. In the years since penalties were introduced, hospitals have taken various steps to reduce readmissions, said Dr. Mary Cooper, chief quality officer and senior vice president for clinical affairs at the Connecticut Hospital Association . Hospital staffs throughout the state are more attentive now to social determinants that impact peoples health, such as housing, transportation, food insecurity and the ability to understand discharge instructions. Increasingly, hospitals are working with community groups to connect patients with resources they need once they leave the hospital, Cooper said. It certainly has had an impact on behavior in hospitals. Its drawn the attention to what happens after the hospitalization, things that hospitals had said (previously) they were not in control of, she said. Still, Connecticut had a relatively high share of its hospitals penalized, compared with other states, data show. Just seven states had more than 93 percent of evaluated hospitals punished. While fines have motivated hospitals to take more creative approaches to their work, more needs to be done, said Lisa Freeman, executive director of the Connecticut Center for Patient Safety. Its bigger than just a hospital problem, she said, alluding to the broader health care system. Were treating sickness, were not providing health. Thats the problem with not appreciating that a patients health and their well-being is dependent on so much more than medication. The penalties imposed for the 2019 fiscal year reflect a major change in CMS methodology. For the first time, hospitals were placed into peer groups and their readmission rates were compared against facilities that serve similar proportions of low-income patients. CMS then examined readmission rates among the various peer groups from July 2014 through June 2017 to determine whether penalties were warranted. Prior to the change, officials at some safety net hospitals, which treat a large share of Medicaid- or Medicare-eligible patients, argued that readmissions sometimes happen through no direct fault of the hospitals. Low-income patients are less likely to have a primary physician or seek follow-up care, for instance. Safety net hospitals are going to have greater challenges in terms of readmissions and other things, Freeman said. To penalize hospitals just because that is their primary customer is not reasonable. On the other hand, it is reasonable to expect that care can be provided at a better level so these people can lead healthier lives. She added, Everybodys entitled to receive the best care we can give. We have to keep trying to make it better. Addressing the myriad social factors that impact health is the biggest challenge facing hospitals, Cooper said, but the work they are doing with community-based organizations is a good start. Many hospitals are working with consultants to better understand and address social barriers to care, she added. Its always a partnership among multiple groups, she said. Patients are having a voice and organizations are being respectful of that patient voice. The hospitals are asking to be partners with the patients. Thats a big change in culture. Thats really going to have a tremendous impact. This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to health reporting. (c-hit.org) Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media The Red Cross is urging local individuals and organizations to volunteer to host blood drives during the difficult winter season. Right now, the Red Cross needs about 250 blood drive hosts in Connecticut. The groups would need to host in December, January and February to ensure blood will be there for patients who rely on blood products. During the winter, there is often a decrease in the number of blood drives, which can contribute to blood shortages. MIDDLETOWN Retired Gen. Sar Phouthasack surveyed the development of the Lao/Hmong Special Guerrilla Unit monument a UH-1H Iroquois Huey Helicopter installed outside the Greater Middletown Military Museum Tuesday. Amid a freshly laid circular entrance and fledgling grass on a perfect fall day, Phouthasack, a U.S. military-trained agent of the CIAs secret army during the Vietnam War in Laos, was there, along with museum founder Ron Organek, building committee Vice Chairman Ken McClellan, Seving Suparat Kimmy, a former prisoner of war, and volunteer Army Reserve Ambassador Lewis P. Vasquez. They were putting the finishing touches on the installation ahead of Saturdays planned daylong dedication. SGU veterans will conduct ceremonies and ribbon cutting for the monument at the Connecticut Trees of Honor in Veterans Memorial Park on Walnut Grove Road from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The museum is a 13-year labor of love for Organek, who was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968 and served with the 14th Armored Cavalry in Germany. The museum contains a trove of memorabilia letters, uniforms, books, weapons, flags and other relics of Middletown-area soldiers who served in war. The helicopter, placed in June on the museum grounds, came as a gift from the Army National Guard. Phouthasack, of Windsor, donated the metal base. Three of four poles, each of which will fly the American, Laotian, POW and Connecticut flags, have been installed. Inside the museum is a miniature model of the helicopter safely housed in plastic glass after an accident claimed the first one Vasquez built. Phouthasack conceived the installation some six years ago and it is now set on the skirts of the Trees of Honor. His initial attempts to have the monument located in Bristol were unsuccessful, so Vasquez put him in touch with museum organizers seven months ago, knowing it would be a perfect complement to the park. The army purchased the 50-year-old helicopter, which has flown 2,345 hours, in 1968. It took three hits in battle from gun-launched, nonexplosive ballistic projectiles and was hit in the cockpit, according to the general, who served in Laos for 26 years. He came to America in 1983. You hear about the killing fields in Cambodia but you never hear about the killing fields in Laos, he said. This country, it gave me an opportunity. I tell people this is a great country. You cant be lazy. I came here and I worked hard. More for you Cromwell Police Department welcomes new officer to 'family' There is a large contingent of Laoatians who settled in Connecticut: in New Britain, Bridgeport, New Haven, Windsor, Bristol, Middletown and Torrington. Kimmy, who had 11 siblings, was 13 when she joined the Laotian resistance. She fought for six years, and was eventually captured and held for nine years, four months and one day, Sar said. She and scores of others were forced to work in the rice fields, build roads and other manual labor. One night, Kimmy, who was seven months pregnant at the time, sneaked out of the concentration camp with her husband and young daughter. They traveled at least 50 miles to freedom, Sar said. To this day, she has no idea of what fate befell her father, uncle, siblings and other family members. Phouthasack and other veterans hope one day Middletowns installation will be declared a national monument. Organizers envision commissioning a bronze statue of a wounded pilot on a stretcher or something similar, which would involve extensive fundraising. Against many odds over more than a decade, Organek never gave up his hope of opening the museum. I had doubts, but then, every so often, things would happen that told me Lets do it, because theres a lot of history here that could have been lost, not only for Middletown but Portland, Cromwell and surrounding towns, Organek said Tuesday as he worked to compile written histories of WWI and WWII. McClellan has been involved in the project since its early days. Im a kid in a candy store. Our military history has always interested me, and just getting things like this and knowing were going to be able to preserve it, and let people see and tell stories about it is fulfilling. McClellan showed off a military outfit from the early 1918. Its the actual uniform from that picture, he said, pointing to a soldiers portrait. He was in Company B. Hes got three service stripes. I had to look up to see he was a private in the 26th Yankee Division: William Braren. We know who he is, something rare with military memorabilia, much of which made its way to the museum through family members who arent knowledgeable about the items provenance. Some of the donations, such as a trunk full of war correspondences, a shaving kit, Woodrow Wilson High School diploma, American flag and other personal items contain little information. People brought in foot lockers, boxes, and said, Here, this belongs to grandpa, leaving it up to museum officials to investigate its history, McClellan said. A former English teacher at Vinal Technical High School donated replicas of food rations created by her father, a POW and artist. He drew sketches of things [soldiers] would use to cook their food. They smuggled them out when they were leaving, he said. She had the students reproduce the cans of apple pudding, dried milk, salmon, chocolate bars, cooking utensils, pots and other containers. Saturdays event includes breakfast and lunch. The museum is slated to fully open in early spring, with a soft opening set for Veterans Day from noon 1 p.m. For information, visit gmvmm.com. Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day@hearstmediact.com or Twitter @cassandrasdis. A San Francisco man known for his work in the African American LGBTQ community and mentoring recovering addicts was identified Tuesday as the victim of a tragic hit-and-run in the Panhandle. Norman Tanner, 60, was deeply involved with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and worked extensively with people recovering from addiction. Earlier this year, family spokesperson Tony Bradford said Tanner celebrated 22 years of sobriety. Tanner was diagnosed with HIV in 1990 and given six months to live. Instead, he outran doctors prognoses to co-found Black Brothers Esteem at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, a program that promotes sexual health awareness and HIV/AIDS prevention for LGBTQ men who are African American. At around 9:10 p.m. Oct. 3, Tanner was crossing the intersection at Baker and Oak streets to get to his home just a block away when a woman driving a dark-colored Toyota Prius ran a red light and struck him in the marked crosswalk, police said. Authorities said the suspect stopped and got out of her car to check on the man before driving eastbound on Oak Street toward southbound Broderick Street. San Francisco police are still investigating the hit-and-run, and detectives believe that the Prius might have sustained damage to the front end. Tanner suffered severe head trauma and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he died Friday, Bradford said. Friends remembered Tanner, who was born in New Jersey and moved to the city in 1976, as a devoted community servant. He was a super kind person that was always ready, willing, whenever he was able to help someone who needed help or answers, said Stefon Williams, a friend who met Tanner 20 years ago when the two lived in San Francisco. He was selfless, and I will always have fond memories of him, Williams added. Tanner coordinated outreach for the Black Brothers Esteem program and regularly attended the citys annual Pride parades with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. He also mentored city jail inmates struggling with addiction and was a member of Glide church. Everybody knew him, Bradford said. He was always front and foremost with HIV rights, especially in the African American community. Hes gonna be missed. Bradford said the family hopes that the driver is brought to justice so the community can heal and forgive. Memorial services are still being planned. Gwendolyn Wu is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu ISTANBUL -- The sleepless nights show in the dark circles under Hatice Cengiz's eyes as she recounts the last moments she saw her fiance before he disappeared into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to finalize papers for their wedding. She is accompanied by two plainclothes Turkish police officers for protection. She is scared. "I no longer feel like I am really alive," she said. "I can't sleep, I don't eat." It has been nearly a week since Cengiz, 36, last saw the man she planned to marry, Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and critic of the Saudi government. She is the only witness to his disappearance inside. She said she'd wait for him near the front entrance. "Fine, my darling," he said, before turning his back and heading into the squat yellow structure, which lacks the grandeur of many of the kingdom's diplomatic buildings. Khashoggi, 59, has not been heard from since. Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed inside in a planned murder. A team of 15 Saudis arrived on two planes to carry out the killing, officials have said. Cengiz has not been told whether Khashoggi is alive or dead. On Monday, she was interviewed for the second time by police. They took some of his clothes and other personal items for DNA samples, she said. Saudi officials insist that Khashoggi left the consulate alive, through a back entrance. Officials at the consulate declined interview requests. If his death is confirmed, it would represent a new level of audacity in Saudi Arabia's clampdown on dissent under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While painting himself as a reformer, he has shown himself to be ruthless in confronting any challenge to his power, jailing activists and dissenters. Once close to the Saudi establishment, Khashoggi had in the past year become one of its most high-profile critics, living in Virginia in self-imposed exile and contributing to The Washington Post's Global Opinions section. Key to the Turkish investigation could be surveillance footage from the streets adjacent to the consulate. At least six closed-circuit cameras are positioned at the front entrance of the consulate next to its barbed-wire-topped walls. Some of them are maintained by Turkish police. When Cengiz was first interviewed by the police, on the day Khashoggi disappeared, she was presented with a still from one of the cameras showing him walking in. "Is this him?" they asked her. She confirmed that it was, in the dark jacket that he had been wearing. At least four cameras keep watch on the car garage and the back entrance. Three more are pointed at the road next to the back entrance, mounted at a primary school across the way. The footage has been retrieved by Turkish intelligence, according to ISS, which handles security at the site. Cengiz said she skipped her classes at the university where she is studying for a doctorate, to accompany Khashoggi to the consulate at about 1 p.m. last Tuesday. They spent the taxi ride there discussing their future. Cengiz's father had consented to the marriage last month when Khashoggi went to ask for her hand. Turan Kislakci, a friend of Khashoggi's who went along to translate, said her father had initially been skeptical because of the age gap. Khashoggi had bought an apartment for them in Istanbul which they had just furnished. She recounted their love story, as she had for the police earlier in the day. The pair met at a conference in May. Cengiz has an interest in the Persian Gulf states, and she said she'd admired his work before they met. He was a speaker at the conference, and she asked him a question. Afterward, she asked if they could talk in more depth. They sat in a corner and chatted. They stayed in touch, then met when he visited Istanbul. "The connection got stronger and stronger," she said. Since Khashoggi's disappearance, some pro-Saudi accounts online have questioned whether Cengiz is part of a plot to discredit the kingdom. As a response, she scrolls through selfies of the two of them in the summer, smiling and pressed close. "I really exist, and he is my fiance," she said. Khashoggi was relatively at ease as they approached the Saudi Consulate, she recalled. He had been concerned before their first visit to the mission a week earlier. "He said at some point, 'Maybe it's better if I don't go,' " she said. "He was worried that something might happen." But he changed his mind. Kislakci, who is head of the Turkish-Arab Media Association, said he had sought assurances about Khashoggi's safety from people he knew who were close to Mohammed, as did another friend in London, who declined to be named. Khashoggi was determined to get married, Cengiz and friends said. To wed a Turkish national in Turkey, he needed a document that proved that he was divorced. He had been treated well when he had first visited the consulate and was told to return in a week. It was around 4 p.m. when Cengiz started to realize that something was really wrong. She checked the consulate's closing time on the Internet - 3:30 p.m. "That's when I began to ask, 'Where did Jamal go?' " she said. She called a friend as she walked to the gate. "My friend told me that I didn't sound normal when I called her," she said. "I was out of my mind." She asked a guard: "Where is Jamal?" She called the consulate: "'Where is Jamal?' I am waiting at the entrance, Jamal entered and didn't come out." A man came to the entrance. "There's no one inside," he said. Khashoggi had previously told her to call an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan if anything happened to him. She did. And she reported the disappearance to police. But solid information has been slow in coming from Turkish authorities. She is frustrated with the lack of information she has received. "As his fiancee, as someone close to Jamal and in love with Jamal, I am waiting for information from my government about what has happened to him," she said. "Where is Jamal?" Ultimately though, she said, it is up to the Saudis to back up their story. "It is the responsibility of Saudi Arabia to explain and prove how Jamal exited and from where and when," she said. Until she has proof otherwise, Cengiz continues to believe he may be alive. She scrolls back to her last text message from him. "The house is beautiful, like its owner," he wrote of their apartment. I am not giving up hope," she said. "I hope we will soon learn what happened to him, and I still have hope that he is alive. But I need to know, where is Jamal? I have to know what has happened to him." WASHINGTON - U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who abruptly announced her departure Tuesday, will leave behind a job she helped elevate to one of the most influential in the Trump administration, raising the stakes for her successor and fueling speculation about her future. Haley served almost as a shadow secretary of state during the first year of the administration, wielding more influence than the man who held the job, Rex Tillerson, and winning the confidence of President Donald Trump with her strong defense of his policies at an institution filled with foreign officials opposed to his worldview, even as he sometimes chafed at her ambition. Her influence has been curtailed in recent months as new national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reclaimed policy and political ground that their predecessors ceded, but she departs with her relationship with Trump intact. "She's done a fantastic job, and we've done a fantastic job together," Trump said during a cordial Oval Office meeting with Haley before reporters. "She's a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody that gets it." Haley portrayed her departure as coming at a natural time - after accomplishing what she wanted. Many senior officials were surprised by the announcement and learned she was leaving just minutes before the news leaked - she was already in the West Wing with Trump preparing for the announcement - and lamented that it came so quickly after the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, which the White House hoped would continue to receive heavy news coverage. "It was a blessing to go into the U.N. with body armor every day and defend America," Haley said. "And I'll always do that; I'll never truly step aside from fighting for our country. But I will tell you that I think it's time." With questions swirling about what she will do next, Haley was quick to shoot down the idea that her ambitions include taking on Trump if the president looks vulnerable heading into his reelection in 2020. "For all of you that are going to ask about 2020 - no, I'm not running for 2020," Haley said unprompted with Trump sitting beside her. "I can promise you what I'll be doing is campaigning for this one. So, I look forward to supporting the president in the next election." Trump grinned through her remarks - but it startled White House aides who already viewed her warily as a potential threat and a skeptic of the president's overall agenda. "That's so good, Nikki," Trump said. "Thank you." Haley's ability to raise the profile of the job of U.N. ambassador has focused more attention on who will replace her than is usually the case. Speculation swirled throughout the day that Trump's daughter, Ivanka, could be a contender, a move that would allow her and her family to return to New York. The president seemed eager to play along with the idea, telling reporters she would be "dynamite" before conceding she would face nepotism concerns. Ivanka Trump killed the rumor later in the day tweeting that her father would find a "formidable replacement" for Haley but that it "will not be me." That left the speculation focused on former senior White House aide Dina Powell, who Trump said is under consideration. Some Trump advisers were pushing Richard Grenell, the ambassador to Germany, for the post. Trump told reporters while on Air Force One heading to a rally in Iowa on Tuesday night that he has five names on his shortlist and that Grenell is not one of them. "He is doing so well in a position that is so important," Trump said. "Ric is doing so well that I wouldn't want to move him. I'd personally rather keep Ric where he is." Haley's resignation will be effective in January, which she wrote in her resignation letter would give Trump time to choose and confirm a replacement. Haley, 46, has long been mentioned as a potential Republican presidential or vice presidential candidate. Speculation had focused on 2024, after Trump either lost reelection or served a second term, but shifted to 2020 as Trump's potential legal problems mounted. Advisers said Haley was not interested in a Senate seat and was more likely to take board seats or secure other lucrative positions until after the 2020 election, noting her limited finances. "She needs to make some money," said one adviser who speaks to her regularly. Another adviser said regarding the timing of her departure that Haley had little to gain politically by staying in the job. "She knows there is nothing good that comes of staying around much longer," one close adviser said. "She leaves with a good reputation, on her own terms, and with the president still good with her." Haley took pride in keeping distance from the daily drama of the White House and she was determined to depart on her terms, both White House and Haley advisers said. While she maintained a good relationship with Trump throughout her tenure, the president was also leery of her ambitions and grew frustrated at times when she made announcements on TV, such as discussing new sanctions on Russia, or he saw large amounts of glowing press about her. She also made communications and policy moves without warning the communications staff, White House aides said. Haley has been privately skeptical of some of Trump's politics and tactics but has also marveled at his crowds and poll numbers. She was careful even at off-the-record dinners not to be critical of Trump, diplomats and friends who ate with her said. While not in his inner circle, officials said Haley was able to speak honestly and directly with Trump. Thomas Bossert, a former homeland security adviser, said she was often more candid with the president than other aides - and that Trump appreciated it. "She was not nervous on what to think or feel, and she was entirely comfortable in her own skin," he said. "Presidents get frustrated with that, and this one in particular can smell that. She was straightforward, tough and competent with him." Several officials questioned why Haley announced her decision before the midterm elections if she plans to stay through the end of the year, but one of her advisers said she would have delayed making her decision public if that was what Trump wanted. One day before Haley's surprise announcement, she was the subject of an ethics complaint filed by a government watchdog group. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) called for an investigation into seven free flights that Haley and her husband accepted last year on private planes from three South Carolina business executives. A spokesman for the State Department referred questions about the complaint to the inspector general's office, which declined to respond to requests for comment. Haley leaves with foreign- policy credentials and a national and international standing she did not carry as a governor, and without the damage to her reputation or standing suffered by others who quit or were fired during the Trump presidency. A Quinnipiac poll in April found that Haley had the highest approval ratings of five Trump Cabinet members tested and was the only Cabinet member to hold majority approval among Democrats, Republicans and independents. Overall, 63 percent approved and 17 percent disapproved of her performance as U.N. ambassador. The cordial scene with Trump on Tuesday was all the more remarkable for the fact that Haley had quit during a private meeting with Trump on Oct. 3, nearly a week earlier. Trump and Haley agreed to announce it together this week, a Haley adviser said, and to tell almost no one else beforehand. Tuesday morning, there was a meeting with Haley, Trump and other staffers at which wording for the public announcement was discussed. No alternate explanation for her departure was given, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting. Trump said he chose to make the announcement in the Oval Office because it seemed appropriate "when you really think somebody's done a terrific job." Trump said Haley first told him about six months ago that she would like to "take a little time off" at the end of this year. Haley's tenure was praised Tuesday by fellow U.N. ambassadors, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and others. Sen. Robert Menendez, N.J., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the White House to name a successor immediately. "I am deeply concerned about the leadership vacuum she leaves and the national security impact of her departure at this time of continued disarray for this Administration," he said in a statement. During her time at the U.N., Haley told fellow ambassadors she would "take names" when countries disrespected or worked against the United States, and she was a fierce defender of Trump's agenda to confront Iran and defend Israel at the world body. She did not disguise disagreements with Trump, however, including over refugee and immigration policies that she argued harmed U.S. influence with allies. Although Haley advanced Trump's policies, she occasionally made public statements at odds with the White House and the president she served. In December, she said that women who had accused Trump of sexual misconduct "should be heard." When a White House adviser said Haley had been confused in prematurely announcing more sanctions against Russia, she said simply, "With all due respect, I don't get confused." - - - The Washington Post's Philip Rucker, Carol Morello, Beth Reinhard, John Hudson and Scott Clement contributed to this report. CARLINVILLE Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau recently announced plans for the 4th Annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference in Carlinville. The conference will run from Thursday to Sunday, Oct. 25-28. Additional sponsors of the event are Carlinville Tourism, Macoupin County, Blackburn College, the City of Gillespie, Blue Carpet Corridor Coalition, and Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Friday and Saturdays conference sessions, keynote speaker, and roster of presenters, plus the Friday evening banquet and band and the Saturday afternoon one-act play premiere, are all scheduled to take place at Blackburn College. Featured speakers include: David Clark (Chicago), Roamin Rich Dinkela (St. Louis), Nick Gerlich, Ph.D. (Canyon, Texas), Jim Hinckley (Kingman Arizona), Cheryl Eichar Jett (Edwardsville), Geoff Ladd (Lincoln, Illinois), Jerry McClanahan (Chandler, Texas), David Schwartz (Cleveland, Ohio), Anne Maro Slanina, Ph.D. (Harrisville, Pennsylvania), Sharon Smith (St. Louis), Lisa Hicks Snell (Tahlequah, Oklahoma), Joe Sonderman (St. Louis), and Bill Thomas (Atlanta, Illinois), plus Carlinville historians and speakers Andrea Duncan, Tom Emery, Dan Hauter, and Deborah Young. In addition, six panel discussions will address Route 66 tourism topics, led by moderators Larry Bloemker (Hamel), Debyjo Ericksen (Joliet, Illinois), Nick Gerlich, Ph.D. (Canyon, Texas), Bill Kelly (Chatham, Illinois), and Bill Thomas (Atlanta, Illinois). The welcome to Carlinville will be given by Mayor Deanna Demuzio and the welcome to Blackburn College will be given by Interim President Jennifer Braaten, Ph.D. Brett Stawar, CEO and President of Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, will give the keynote address. On Thursday afternoon, registration check-in will be at Blackburn College. An optional three-hour bus tour of Historic Carlinville, with stops at the Million Dollar Courthouse, Anderson Mansion, Sears Home, and Blackburn College, featuring guide Deb Young, Carlinville Tourism President, will be available. On Thursday evening, the City of Gillespie will host Mining on Route 66 with an open house and tours at the new Illinois Coal Museum. The evening will include three showings of Coliseum Ballroom Memories, a short documentary about the legendary ballroom, and nearby restaurants will be open, all on Gillespies stretch of historic Route 66. On Friday evening, a banquet will be served in Woodson Hall on the Blackburn College campus, followed by a concert and dance featuring popular oldies band, the Robert Perry Band with the Original Mojos. On Saturday evening, the City of Carlinvilles annual Halloween Parade with this years theme of Get your kicks on Route 66 will proceed around the historic Carlinville Square. A Halloween Costume Party with a buffet, cash bar, and guest DJ Joe Sonderman is scheduled at the former Crabbys Supper Club on the south side of Carlinville. On Sunday morning, an optional three-hour bus tour of The Haunts of 66 from Carlinville and back will go in search of ghosts and ghost roads, spirits and their haunts, miners, mobsters, and murderers, presented by InSites Tours and featuring guide David Clark, the Windy City Road Warrior. A conference weekend package, as well as a one-day special Essentials of Route 66 Tourism package, are available for registration at the conference website route66milesofpossibility.com. Add-ons and single tickets for various activities are also available, and complete schedule, lodging information, and speaker bios can be found on the website. For more information call Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau at (800) 258-6645. (CNN) Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid has approved a controversial new digital security law that rights groups fear could be used to further erode press freedoms and dissenting voices online. The Digital Security Act, which was given presidential assent Monday, combines the colonial-era Official Secrets Act with new measures allowing police to make arrests without a warrant. Amnesty International described the new law as imposing "dangerous restrictions on freedom of expression" and pointed to its potential to be used against opposition voices who challenge the government online. Journalists have drawn attention to several vaguely-defined clauses within the new law that they say threaten free speech. These include Section 25(a), that authorizes sentences of up to three years for publishing information that is "aggressive or frightening," and Section 31, that imposes sentences of up to 10 years for posting information that "ruins communal harmony or creates instability or disorder or disturbs or is about to disturb the law and order situation." The law, which was originally passed by parliament on September 19, replaces the Information and Communication Technology Act (ICT), which was also heavily criticized by journalists and human rights groups. "Day by day the situation is worsening, this is the darkest period in the name of Bangladesh's democracy" said Dr Asif Nazrul, professor of law at Dhaka university and columnist for national newspaper Prothom Alo. The government Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has refuted the criticism, arguing that the digital law is necessary to "safeguard the digital space and society." "It is not a law against mass media or democracy" Haq Inu told CNN. Bangladesh ranks 146th in the Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index, behind countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and South Sudan. It has slipped from 118th when the index began in 2002. The US ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat, said last month in a statement that the "Digital Security Act (DSA) could be used to suppress and criminalize free speech, all to the detriment of Bangladesh's democracy, development and prosperity." 'Enforced disappearances' The introduction of the new law comes amid what campaigners allege is a widening repression of opposition voices ahead of elections later this year. In a report released earlier this month, the Dhaka-based Odhikar group highlighted a worrying spate of what it called "enforced disappearances" of opposition leaders, students and activists. In September alone, the rights group claims 30 people were allegedly picked up by law enforcement agencies without explanation a sharp jump from a total of 28 in the first eight months of the year. Of those who went missing in September, the group says 26 were belatedly confirmed to have been arrested. Odhikar said three were found dead, and one remains missing. "The fear that opposition leaders and activists could be subjected to enforced disappearance ahead of upcoming elections are now taking place in reality" said the group. The disappearances have added to a climate of fear in the South Asian country. "People are disappearing every single day and activists can't even hold a peaceful procession" said Jyormitroy Barua, an advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. "The government want to stop dissent, they want to create fear among the people" he explained. In the report Odhikar also accuses the government of obstructing opposition meetings and protests. Ishanul Karim, press secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, declined to comment on these allegations. The report comes on the heels of international outcry over the treatment of prominent photojournalist Shahidul Alam, who has been kept behind bars for over two months following an interview with Al Jazeera, where he accused the government of clinging on to power by "brute force." A joint statement signed by 25 human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International, called for Alam's "immediate and unconditional release," slamming the allegations against him as "a blatant violation of his right to freedom of expression." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Bangladesh's new digital law will silence critics, rights groups say." BEIJING (PTI): China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its "all-weather ally" Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media in Beijing reported on Tuesday. The cost of the deal was not revealed. Wing Loong II, a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will also be jointly manufactured, state-run Global Times reported. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to the Pakistan Army. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The announcement by China to permit the sale of high-end military drones comes in the immediate backdrop of India's move to acquire S-400 sophisticated missile defence systems from Russia. The deal was clinched during last week's visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi. The deal for the acquisition of Chinese drones was announced by Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Global Times report said. It did not reveal the cost of the deal, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered, it said. The air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones, the report said. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm when the deal was reached. Wing Loong II made its maiden flight in February 2017, an earlier report by the state-run Xinhua news agency said. A Xinhua report in December 2017 said Wing Loong II UAS has already obtained the largest order of Chinese UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight. But the report did not specify the buyer. According to the report, the system is composed of the ground station and various number of unmanned aerial vehicles. Within 10 months of its maiden flight, multiple live firing tests had been conducted in accordance with the requirement of its customers, including stationary targets, moving targets, time sensitive targets and air-ground coordination, the report said. A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. It makes sense the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators. The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, Song said. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost. "Chinese UAVs like Caihong series also has clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia," Song added. WASHINGTON - The surprise resignation of Nikki Haley as U.N. ambassador on Tuesday deprives President Donald Trump and his "America First" philosophy of its most enthusiastic and articulate advocate. Less clear is whether Haley's departure marks any change in Trump's increasingly combative and unilateralist foreign policy. There were moments when Haley, who often represented an alternative power center in the administration, seemed out of step with the White House and more in line with the sort of traditional Republican foreign policy that Trump spurned. "She would make speeches that bore little or no relation to Trump's position," said Thomas Wright, a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy at the Brookings Institution. The differences were most notable when it came to her advocacy on behalf of human rights and Russia policy, where Haley touted a hard line that conflicted with the White House's nebulous and contradictory policy. Just weeks into the Trump presidency, Haley delivered a U.N. speech in which she vowed to keep the pressure on Moscow for its "aggressive actions" in Ukraine, including the annexation of Crimea. "Crimea is a part of Ukraine," she said. "And our Crimea related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns control of the peninsula." Although the speech had been cleared by Russia policy experts in the White House, it drew a rebuke from Trump, who was taken by surprise, according to current and former senior U.S. officials. But Haley's tenure will be best remembered for her ardent defense of some of Trump's most controversial policies. During her tenure at the United Nations, Haley cheered the U.S. withdrawal from the U.N. Human Rights Council and the cultural organization UNESCO, limiting the Trump administration's ability to influence two institutions it viewed as hopelessly flawed. Trump also slashed funding for the Palestinians while recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital without winning any concessions from Israel - a move formally criticized in a lopsided 128-to-9 U.N. vote. In a break with previous U.S. foreign policy, she supported Trump's decision to slash humanitarian aid as punishment for breaking with the United States on key policy goals. "She was not effective in slowing the tide of retrenchment, and in some cases she was part of the problem," said Stephen Pomper, a senior official at the International Crisis Group who served as a senior White House official under President Barack Obama. "The whole path of taking names and using assistance as crude leverage to get votes at the U.N. was misguided. It makes the U.S. look like a nakedly unprincipled actor." Haley differed from other senior Trump administration officials, and the president she served, in the way she advocated for Trumpism. National Security adviser John Bolton, like Trump, has been a snarling presence at the United Nations. "If you cross us, our allies, or our partners," Bolton threatened in September, "if you harm our citizens, if you continue to lie, cheat, and deceive, yes, there will indeed be hell to pay." A few weeks earlier he had declared the International Criminal Court "dead to us." By contrast, Haley adopted hard-line positions but avoided hard-edged rhetoric and worked to develop a collegial rapport with foreign diplomats even as she advanced highly unpopular policies at the global body. "Clearly there has been a lot of tensions between Haley and other ambassadors over Israel and Iran, but I think most diplomats will worry that a hard-line Trump supporter will replace her," said Richard Gowan, a senior fellow at United Nations University, a global affairs think tank in New York. Haley was also popular with U.S. diplomats in New York who saw her as someone who listened to expert opinion, even if she didn't always follow it. She fought to protect her budget amid massive cuts to the State Department, viewing it as a source of power and influence over administration policy. Haley brought U.N. ambassadors to the Oval Office at least twice to demonstrate her plum spot in Trump's inner circle and to help explain to Trump how the U.N. works. Trump seemed briefly disconcerted last month when emissaries from around the world laughed as he boasted about his administration's achievements in a speech before the U.N. General Assembly. Back in the Oval Office with Haley on Tuesday, Trump focused more on her ability to get along with others than her policy achievements. "She knows everybody on a very first-name basis," he said. "And they like her - except for maybe a couple." He praised Haley for making U.N. ambassador "a more glamorous position than it was two years ago." "I wonder why, but it is," he said. Almost as an afterthought, Trump added that it was also a "more important position." But the position's importance has been on the steady wane in recent months as Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have consolidated power in Washington and constrained access to Trump. For the moment it is unclear exactly what kind of person Trump will choose to replace Haley. Trump's praise for the "glamour" Haley brought to the job suggests that he will want someone with celebrity appeal. Bolton, meanwhile, is likely to push for an ideological fellow traveler who will join him in his career-long crusade to obliterate international law or anything that constrains U.S. sovereignty. Pompeo, one of the more pragmatic members of the administration, likely will favor an ally who will defer to his leadership. "Not everyone is going to have her political skill," said Brett Schaefer, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation. "She established her relationship with Trump early on when H.R. McMaster was national security adviser and Rex Tillerson was secretary of state. Those circumstances have changed, and Ambassador Bolton has very strong views on the U.N." The fear in New York and among the more internationally-minded members of the Washington foreign policy establishment is that a Bolton-style hard-liner could make strained relations at the United Nations even worse. "Now, if Bolton wants this to go off the rails, there may be no one stopping that," said Sheba Crocker, vice president for humanitarian programs and policy at Care USA, who served as the State Department's assistant secretary for international organization affairs under Obama. "There's now more risk that will happen." In his brief remarks, Trump - perhaps still smarting from the laughter he endured at the United Nations - made clear that he craved respect from the international body and praised Haley as someone who had won allies. "People want to be on our side," he said. "Even if you look at the votes in the United Nations, votes that we would normally get no votes, we're getting very strong votes now." He seemed to be referring to Haley's efforts to block or soften measures critical of Israel, such as a June resolution rebuking the Jewish state for using "excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force" against Palestinians in Gaza. Haley failed to stop the resolution, which was adopted in a 120-to-8 landslide, but she helped encourage 45 abstentions, which some Trump allies framed as a victory. Haley chose to focus on other wins from her time at the United Nations, such as tough sanctions on North Korea, its stance toward Iran and an arms embargo she pushed through to curb the fighting in South Sudan. The embargo represented one of Haley's signal achievements as something of an independent broker within the administration. The issue didn't "resonate much in Washington," Gowan said. But "other diplomats admire her for this." It was the kind of achievement, a multilateral approach to a tough diplomatic problem, that may no longer have a champion inside the Trump administration. German Ambassador calls next generation to renew transatlanticism between U.S. and EU Photo/Heratch Ekmekjian German Ambassador to the United States Emily Haber German Ambassador to the United States Emily Haber says shes optimistic about the future of U.S.-Germany relations, and encouraged the next generation of leaders to forge new paths in establishing worldwide peace and prosperity. Haber, who began her ambassadorship in June 2018, made her remarks at a campus event marking the Center for German and European Studies (CGES) 20th anniversary. CGES, which was founded at Brandeis in 1997 with support from both the German government and university supporters, conducts interdisciplinary teaching and research on contemporary Germany and Europe. With the guidance of CGES director Sabine von Mering, the centers research primarily focuses on the social, political and cultural issues facing Germany and Europe today. Habers keynote remarks during a festive gala dinner at the Brandeis Faculty Club kicked off a two-day academic conference that brought dozens of thought-leaders, economists, philanthropists, activists and governmental officials to Brandeis from around the world. There is an intensely knit fabric in relations such as ours, Haber said. Much of this is remote of the daily disputes of politics, because of the historical ties between us. However, there is another unbreakable link, of which Brandeis is a strong symbol of: Germany, America, and of course Israel, have coming from many different vantage points made sure history and its memory are part of what they are, added Haber. Because this is so profound, it will not fade away. Haber spoke for nearly 25 minutes, touching on a variety of areas of both historic and current interest to both the U.S. and Germany: immigration, the Marshall Plan, Russia, and relations between North America and the EU. Some of Habers speech even alluded to remarks by former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl during his 1998 Commencement address at Brandeis. Kohl received an honorary degree in laws from the university and dedicated the CGES when he visited campus for graduation. He delivered, in fact, a quite remarkable and personal speech, said Haber of Kohl. He called for a renewal of U.S.-German relations. Of course, he did so against the backdrop of the end of cold war. I would say we are still struggling with shaping this renewal of relations. Renewal is so important, Haber added. Look at the challenges. Its important to safeguard alliances with like-minded states. For the U.S. and the EU, this relationship is indispensable for combatting tectonic shifts. Our core values and the challenges we face outweigh our differences. The vision of transatlanticism needs new inspiration I have framed it in terms of threats and defending our way of life, which I hope is viewed as cogent and well-founded but I hope that the younger ones among us will help define and renew the framework of a joint agreement. The core of transatlanticism remains the U.S. and EU, she said. Following dinner, von Mering moderated a discussion and Q&A about anti-Semitism and right-wing populism in Europe with Sonja Lahnstein-Kandel, an advocate and activist for civil rights and tolerance in Germany and Israel. The tenor of academic discussion continued into Sunday, which featured panels about migration in Germany; Germanys role in the EU and its relationship to North America; and the future of Holocaust education. In conjunction with the anniversary, the center hosted its first ever alumni reunion. Returning alumni included Henry Charrabe, MA99, MA01, and Nils Ringe 01, the centers two first student assistants. They were joined by Professor Emeritus and former CGES Director George Ross. Kai Keller 07, Ingrid Schulte 13, and Arina Lo Chithavong-Lester MA15 also spoke about how their work at CGES had prepared them well for their global careers in the areas of climate change, finance, and affordable housing. Alumni also sent video messages from places as far as Dakar, Senegal and Heidelberg, Germany. Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz praised von Merings leadership of CGES and expressed pride at the centers growth since its inception, particularly through its engagement with undergraduate students. CGES at Brandeis, true to our beginnings, has always been bold and daring, Liebowitz said. CGES represents a paradigm of what makes us special: global in perspective; interdisciplinary in approach; student-centered; taking on the hard questions and seeking the truth, as our motto challenges us, even unto its innermost parts. As with any successful initiative, good intentions need to be matched with competent, and in this case extraordinary, leadership, added Liebowitz. In professor Sabine von Mering, we are blessed not only with a scholar with impressive range of intellect and expertise but also a director with passion and fierce integrity and a burning desire to make our work distinctive, relevant and consequential. Jay B. Sauceda, better known as one of the brain and CEO behind the popular Texas Humor web store, has a new book out. It's not a collection of photos of smiling Texans in some of the prideful T-shirts he's help design, but a book about what the state looks like from way, way up high and it helps that Texas is pretty as hell. LONE STAR LORE: Rare photos show Texas' historical moments While Texas Humor's M.O. is to celebrate Texas pop culture, history, and community, "A Mile Above Texas" is about what we look like from the wings of a single-engine Cessna thousands of feet in the air. Being a trained pilot, like La Porte native Sauceda happens to be, has its perks. Sauceda's last book was "Y'all: The Definitive Guide to Being a Texan" which earned praise by Texans and those not lucky enough to be Texans alike. Jay B. Sauceda Released by University of Texas Press on Oct. 3, the 200-page photo book comes with 142 aerial photos that Sauceda took in 2015. In all he would take over 44,000 images over a nearly 4,000-mile odyssey, logging 36 hours in the air and stopping at 12 airports. His plane makes the odd cameo as a shadow on the ground. THIS IS HOUSTON: Rarely-seen photos from Houston's past will dazzle history buffs "I used a total of seven of cameras, including a handful of GoPro cameras," Sauceda said this week, taking time out at the State Fair of Texas. "A few times I would open a window up and shoot with a handheld camera." Some of the sights that Sauceda captured might seem mundane on the ground. But in the air take on a whole new shade of meaning. "I had to remind myself to shoot photos sometimes because I was so in awe of what I was taking in," Sauceda said. There's Surfside, decimated during Hurricane Ike, seen beginning to blossom again almost a decade after disaster. A vast green, wooded wilderness along the border of Texas and Louisiana is shown. An oil field in Perryton at the edge of the Panhandle humming with profits creates a patchwork design on a prairie. An Edinburg citrus grove looks almost painted by man. There's solitary homes on the outskirts of farmland and shrimp boats in the middle of Matagorda Bay. ARLEN OR BUST: The best fictional Texas cities we wish we could visit "I really didn't have a goal to photograph anything in particular. I knew where I was going and landing but outside of that I wanted to cruise around and see what I could find," Sauceda said. He listened to a classic Texas honky-tonk playlist along the way, soundtracking with his travels. Jay B. Sauceda Rick Bass from Texas Monthly, who chronicled Sauceda's journey first in April 2017, has even compared the collection of photos to T. R. Fehrenbach's epic Texas history book "Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans" for its fresh, breath-taking views of a familiar landscape. HOUSTON IS WEIRDER: Houston should rightfully be called the weirdest big city in Texas "That's a pretty lofty compliment," Sauceda said. "I grew up enjoying that book too." Sauceda's photo book is the kind that you don't download onto your tablet but one that gets a prominent place on the coffee table next to copies of a Willie Nelson autobiography. Sauceda wants people to devour this book with their eyes. "I tell people that we think of ourselves as conquerors of the earth but at the height I flew I discovered how much nature still dictates what we do," Sauceda said. From Jan. 26, 2019 through June 16, 2019 gallery-sized prints of Sauceda's work will be on display at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. Interactive components of the exhibit will put visitors in the plane with Sauceda along his Texas trek. Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | craig.hlavaty@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message As a pipeline worker himself, Steve Turner often stays in local RV parks when traveling for jobs. That's what his sister and two of his best friends were doing in Junction when heavy storms overflowed the Llano River and upended an RV park, sweeping away several people and their vehicles. Turner said Charlotte Moye, Joey Huss and Mike McGee are among the four people officials say are still missing after the storms cleared the area on Tuesday. The three were in the area working on a pipeline project, the Flomaton, Alabama, man said. "We travel all over the place and you'd never think of something like this happening," Turner said. "It's been pretty tough." RELATED: Severe thunderstorms make their way into San Antonio On Tuesday morning first responders were briefly prevented from searching for them as more thunderstorms passed through the area. Since the band of thunderstorms moved east into San Antonio, several boat crews have been out looking for them, according to Texas A&M Forest Service public information officer Logan Schersphel. Aircrafts and drones will also be used to aid in the search as soon as the weather stabilizes, Schersphel said. First responders rescued 19 people from the park Monday, as the the area began to flood. The additional rainfall the Hill Country received on Tuesday led to another rise in the river's crest, though Schersphel said the river was at about 22 feet, 10 feet less than Monday's peak. Turner remained in Alabama after hearing the news, but he's been contacting city officials about their rescue efforts. "I couldn't ask for (search efforts) to be any better. They're doing an excellent job for the conditions they're facing," Turner said. "I'm just hoping for the best." Turner wondered why the residents of the park weren't updated sooner about the potential for flooding by officials or local law enforcement. "They didn't know how severe the flooding would be but they knew they would get a lot of rain," Turner said. "Why didn't they send police there to get them out?" Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA San Antonio this year received its first perfect score in a Human Rights Campaign ranking of how friendly cities are to their LGBTQ communities but the Alamo City has been steadily improving its grade for years. The score was part of the Human Rights Campaigns annual Municipal Equality Index, which ranks cities based on their non-discrimination laws, employee benefits and protections, services and programs for LGBTQ constituents, relationship with law enforcement and relationship with city and community leaders. "For LGBTQ Texans, legal protections and services vary widely depending on where you call home," Pride Center San Antonio Executive Director Robert Salcido said in an email. "The City of San Antonio and local LGBTQ+ serving organizations have been intentional with our conversations and actions to strengthen our community in recent years." RELATED: City installs LGBTQ-themed crosswalk San Antonio scored a 95 in 2017, so this year's perfect score was partially a result of changes implemented within the past year. Salcido pointed to increased services for LGBTQ seniors at the city's senior centers, added policy language around anti-LGBTQ bullying for youth programs and facilities and an LGBTQ Community Advisory Team structured by the mayor's office as some contributing factors. He said growing relations between the community and city officials as well as increased representation on city boards and commissions also helped the city improve over the past year. Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who has been in office since June 2017, said achieving a perfect scorecard had been one of his goals. "I am proud that San Antonio has made it," he said in a statement. "We have come a long way in recognizing human rights over the last few years, and I am determined to continue enhancing our equal rights efforts." RELATED: San Antonio streets fill for Pride Parade San Antonio joined Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth at the top of the list. Houston came in fifth with 70 points. Corpus Christi scored 48 points and Laredo came in dead last with 0. On average, the 25 ranked cities in Texas scored a 39.56, nearly 20 points lower than the national average of 58 points. "Not all cities are created equal," the report said, acknowledging that city size and state laws among other factors could make it more difficult for some cities to achieve high scores. The report used bonus points to reward cities that implemented LGBTQ-positive programs without penalizing cities that didn't. View the full report for more information on methodology and individual state rankings. S. M. Chavey is a staff writer for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here. | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | 210-250-3122 | Twitter: @smchavey A former member of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years and one month in prison without parole for his part in a March 2006 hit on a member of the rival Hells Angels. Jesse James Kronic Benavidez, 42, of San Antonio was the getaway driver of the car from which the fatal shot was fired that killed Anthony W. Benesh III outside a pizza restaurant in Austin. Benesh, 44, had been trying to establish a chapter of the Hells Angels in Texas, which is considered the Bandidos territory. Benavidez apologized for his role Tuesday, and he and his lawyer told Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra that Benavidez had detached himself from the Bandidos by the time he was released from prison in 2014, after serving a five-year term for cocaine distribution conspiracy. RELATED: Video shows alleged intruder begging for help after S.A. shooting Like three others involved in the murder, Benavidez had already put the unsolved Benesh slaying in his rear-view mirror. But the case was resurrected as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted a racketeering investigation of the Bandidos leadership. They arrested Benavidez in March 2017 along with three other ex-members of the Bandidos for the Benesh killing, a hit ordered by Bandidos leaders. Benavidez immediately confessed to his part in the Benesh slaying, and corroborated details that included the roles of others involved, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Fuchs. He was not called to testify at the trial this spring of former national president Jeffrey Fay Pike of Conroe and Pikes vice president, John Xavier Portillo of San Antonio. Benavidez did, however, point prosecutors to news articles that contradicted the testimony of Pike, who claimed that there was no bad blood between the Bandidos and the Hells Angels at the time of the Benesh slaying. Pike, 63, and Portillo, 59, were convicted of charges that they ordered, sanctioned or led the Bandidos racketeering conspiracy that included attacks or murders on rivals and wayward Bandidos. Both were sentenced to life in prison without parole. RELATED: 3 of 4 people missing after Hill Country floods named Benavidez faced 30 years to life in prison for his guilty plea to discharging a firearm in a racketeering murder, but the government asked the judge to give him no more than 15 years in prison because of his cooperation. Benavidezs lawyer, Monica Guerrero, asked for a sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison. Last week, Ezra sentenced Johnny Downtown Romo to 15 years in prison and his brother Robert Romo to 18 years in prison, both without parole, for their roles in the Benesh slaying. Johnny Romo, a former national sergeant-at-arms for the Bandidos, put together the hit crew after orders were passed down from the leaders. Robert Romo shot Benesh with a hunting rifle from a vehicle driven by Benavidez, according to Robert Romos testimony. Ezra also last week sentenced another former Bandidos member who was part of the hit crew, Norberto Hammer Serna Jr., to 21 years and eight months in prison. Serna did not cooperate and did not testify. Two more ex-Bandidos who cooperated in the racketeering case are scheduled for sentencing: Justin Cole Forster, who was a national sergeant-at-arms, faces sentencing Wednesday, and Andrew Corky Gomez on Thursday. Guillermo Contreras covers federal court and immigration news in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland Testimony is expected to start this morning in the capital murder trial of a 19-year-old San Antonio man accused of killing a beloved physician's assistant during a home break-in one year ago. Michael Clayton Robinson, 51, died after a gunfight in his home with an intruder. Jonathan Andrew Perales was 18 and wounded when Universal City police arrested him shortly after the shootout on Oct. 10, 2017. If convicted, Perales will automatically be sentenced to life in prison without parole. The District Attorneys Office has said prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. Universal City police Lt. Steve Mihalski said at the time of the shooting that Perales had broken into the Robinson home in the 8400 block of Ulysses Drive just before 2:30 a.m. RELATED: Former patients mourn Universal City physician assistant slain in home invasion A woman in the home woke up Robinson after hearing a noise and seeing an unknown vehicle in the driveway, according to an arrest affidavit. The homeowner, armed with a 9mm Glock handgun, opened the bedroom door and, face-to-face with Perales, yelled, Get out of my house, before both men fired shots, the document states. Robinson was hit once in the torso and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he later was pronounced dead, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office. Officials said other relatives in the home were not harmed. Perales, shot twice, left the scene but didnt get far. He got back into his vehicle, and he tried to leave but got lost, Mihalski said at the time of the incident. He finally bailed out of the car and asked for help. Meanwhile, authorities responding to the shooting were stopped at a nearby home and found Perales, who was wearing a red shoe on his left foot. The matching right shoe was found inside the kitchen of the Robinson home, the affidavit stated. Police at the time said they had received a report of a car burglary on the same street the night of the shooting, which led them to believe Perales targeted the area that night. News of Robinsons death spread quickly and spurred many of his former patients to leave comments and mourn his loss on his Facebook page. Married with children, he was described as an outdoorsman who was active in his church as a youth leader who took teens on camping trips. State District Judge Melisa Skinner will preside over the trial. Elizabeth Zavala is a courts and crime reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 A suspect sought in a weekend drive-by shooting that injured three people on San Antonio's gay strip surrendered to police Tuesday but claimed a relative was to blame. Jose Rincon Hernandez, 44, is charged with at least one count of aggravated assault, San Antonio police said. SAPD Chief William McManus said investigators are confident that Hernandez is the suspected shooter who struck three people outside the Pegasus bar at 1402 North Main. See video of the suspect on mySA.com's YouTube channel. "I didn't do this. They have the wrong person," Hernandez said Tuesday afternoon as he was being placed inside a police vehicle bound for the Bexar County Central Magistrate. "My brother-in-law did it." RELATED: Police: Man who shot 3 on San Antonio's gay strip had been kicked out of bar San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said Hernandez turned himself in at 2 p.m. at Public Safety Headquarters, 315 S. Santa Rosa. We were able to identify him through a number of interviews with witnesses, McManus said. One of those witnesses recovered the weapon that was used in the shooting, the chief said. The three people shot, two men and a woman in their 20s, suffered non-life threatening injuries, investigators said. They were taken to Brooke Army Medical Center for treatment, police said. Investigators said Hernandez was kicked out of the Pegasus night club at about 12:30 a.m. but returned shortly thereafter and opened fire on the victims outside of a taco stand. Although he turned himself in, Hernandez continued proclaiming his innocence. McManus did not comment on Hernandez's claim of innocence. They're just making it look like I did it when I didn't do it, Hernandez said. jbeltran@express-news.net | Twitter: @JBfromSA Police are asking for the public's help identifying and finding the person who killed an 18-year-old man in January at a Northeast Side apartment complex. Jai-vair Turner was gunned down at about 1 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Bellevue at Windcrest Apartments in the 5300 block of Gawain Drive. All applicants for positions in the Bexar County Sheriff's Office detention division must have clean criminal records to be considered for the job, according to a recent amendment requested by the Bexar County sheriff. The new job description for detention cadets reads, "No prior arrest records for: driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, no possession or trafficking of illegal narcotics or drugs, assault, stalking, family violence, theft, crimes of moral turpitude, or sexual offenses. All applicants must not have had any prior discipline which involves a violation of the uniform code of military justice (non-judicial punishment)." The change was approved on Monday following a request from Sheriff Javier Salazar to the Bexar County Sheriff's Civil Service Commission. RELATED: Jail chief abruptly resigns from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office "We are committed to recruiting qualified applicants that will represent Bexar County Sheriff's Office with pride and uphold the BCSO guiding principles," says a statement from the sheriff's office announcing the changes. According to Sandra Pickell, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said there were previously no specific exclusions for eligibility listed in the sheriff's office's minimum qualification guidelines. They did, however, address ineligibility "based on certain court-ordered community supervision, probation, conviction or being currently under indictment." Arrests were not previously addressed. Now, even if someone is arrested for, say, possession of marijuana, they would be ineligible to serve as a detention deputy. Compared to the San Antonio Police Department's hiring practices, the sheriff's office's new policies are considerably more strict. Applicants to the police department will be disqualified if they're convicted of a Class B misdemeanor in the past 10 years, ever convicted of any charge higher than a Class B misdemeanor or other crime involving moral turpitude or are convicted of family violence. Those restrictions wouldn't include, for example, a first-offense DWI or some cases of disorderly conduct. The job description change follows other efforts to rid the sheriff's office of misbehavior. So far this year, 20 deputies, many of them in the detention division, have been arrested on charges including DWI and domestic abuse. Last month, Salazar announced his office would be hiring a psychologist to identify deputies struggling with addiction or anger issues and try to help them before they get arrested. Additionally, Jail Chief Bobby Hogeland resigned in late September. Hogeland cited "other opportunities" as the reason for his departure, but other officials hinted he hadn't been a good fit for the position. This year, the Bexar County Jail has been at the center of numerous scandals ranging from inmate escapes to pre-arranged fights between deputies and inmates. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns AUSTIN Today marks the final day for Texans to sign up to vote on Nov. 6 in an election year that has already seen a surprising surge in registration. As of Tuesday morning, more than 15.7 million Texas had registered to vote a record high, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Still, experts warn the challenge will be getting people to the polls. Texas ranks near bottom of the pack nationwide in voter turnout. The last time more than half of registered voters cast a ballot in a midterm election was 1994, when Democratic Gov. Ann Richards lost to Republican George W. Bush, according to state data. For people in Trump Country locales such as Highland County, Ohio, the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation circus has morphed into complete lunacy while validating presumptions about the media and the D.C. swamp. If evidence emerged to prove Kavanaugh guilty of sexual assault, everyone agreed he should be disqualified. But the definition of credible witness appeared to be anyone willing to make a claim against Kavanaugh. And theres general agreement, cynical though it may be, that if Kavanaugh were considered a pro-choice judge, none of these allegations would have surfaced. The reaction here to Kavanaugh being suddenly accused of sexually predatory behavior including even gang rape cannot accurately be described as outrage, because outrage is typically preceded by a surprising or shocking development. Here, what has happened was roundly predicted: Kavanaughs opponents would stop at nothing to stop him, or, more precisely, to prevent the court from gaining a dependably conservative majority. If Trump Country was insufficiently motivated to turn out in the midterms, the Kavanaugh accusations were just what the doctor ordered. At the local GOP headquarters, officials report a steady stream of Republicans stopping in to vent their frustration. The sentiment crossed party lines. People here are as loving, caring and concerned about victims of sexual assault as people anywhere else. But they shake their heads over what they have witnessed with Kavanaugh. What you hear most around here, from men and women, is concern over a new standard that the accused are presumed guilty. The presumption of guilt in regard to allegations of sexual assault may be appealing to those who view it as empowering women and correcting the ills of a patriarchal society. But aside from the obvious danger of convicting the innocent in these cases, what happens when we slip down the slope and the principle is expanded to include other allegations? The biggest casualty of the Kavanaugh debacle is the media, which has abandoned the basics of journalism to publish and broadcast unsubstantiated accusations that would have been verboten in newsrooms just a few years ago. The New York Times, which declined initially to publish claims made by a woman named Deborah Ramirez because it could find no firsthand witnesses to validate them, quickly published them after the New Yorker did, under the guise of explaining why it didnt publish them first. Welcome to journalism today. When major outlets such as the Washington Post or the Times report such thinly sourced accusations, they spread like wildfire across news services and cable news, not to mention the internet. A variation of an old saying, appropriate to today, is that an unsupported allegation travels halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on. People here knew that if the FBI uncovers nothing new, the Democrats would nevertheless come up with more delay-tactic talking points, starting with something like: This FBI report raises more questions than it answers! People know the drill, and they know the drill will be carried out, with the medias full assent and assistance. If Kavanaugh and his reputation are ultimately tossed onto the ash heap of history, who would dare accept a nomination to the bench by this president under the advice and consent of this Senate? One uncorroborated, salacious accusation is all it takes today to ruin a life and career. The next pick for the high court might reasonably be considered automatically unfit; his or her judgment should be questioned for the insane act of even accepting the nomination in todays politically driven, death-by-accusation environment. It is a sad period we are witnessing sad for victims who courageously come forward and do not deserve for their claims to be tainted by suspicions of political motivations, sad for the accused when they are innocent, and sad for young generations of Americans watching and wondering if winning at any cost is what public service means. Gary Abernathy is a freelance writer and former newspaper editor based in Hillsboro, Ohio. What was once Florida's most expensive listing has recently come back on the market. But this time around, buyers might actually be able to score a bargain on this luxe property. How's that, you might ask? The place is now called Playa Vista Islea massive 30,000-square-foot estate on a private stretch of land in Hillsboro Beach, smack dab between Miami and Mar-a-Lago. Formerly known as Le Palais Royal, it's an ostentatious Mediterranean-style palace outfitted with $3 million in gold leafing on each and every bathroom plumbing fixture, South African marble flooring, and the worlds first residential 3D Imax theater. Yet it's been on and off the market since 2014, most recently listed at $159 million. (At that price, it would still rule the market today.) This time, it's being marketed in a whole new way: The property is being offered at auction without reserve, meaning there's no minimum bid. Therefore, buyers with beaucoup bucks will have a chance to name their priceand potentially scoop up the home for far less than the previous nine-figure price tag. Inside Florida's most expensive listingand why it might sell for a lot less Mayi de la Vega, founder and CEO of ONE Sotheby's International Realty, says that offering the property at auction will create a lot of interest and demand in a short period of time for viable buyers. "If we had gone along with the normal marketing standards, it would have maybe taken us one to two years to sell," she says. Why is one of the most expensive homes in the U.S. is going up for auction? realtor.com Is Playa Vista Isle in distress? We know luxury properties are notoriously difficult to sell, but it's hard to see the word "auction" and not wonder if Playa Vista Isle is in dire straits. After all, real estate auctions are often reserved for foreclosures or bank-owned properties. But in certain situations, putting a house up for auction doesn't mean the seller is desperate. Auctions are also used for properties that are highly unique and special and require other ways of trying to identify a potential buyer pool for the property, says Cara Ameer, a real estate agent in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. This price point is really in another stratosphere, and only a select group of people in the entire world are able to afford something like this. She says the company handling this auction, Concierge Auctions, is seasoned in working with properties like Playa Vista Isle and does extensive outreach to find serious buyers using targeted mailings and public relations. The gilded gates of Playa Vista Isle realtor.com Why an auction without reserve? Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this auction is its no-reserve status. So, in theory, an interested buyer could offer a sliver of the original asking price and come out as the highest bidder. But that doesn't mean he'll snag the home. De la Vega says the homeowner wants to see what offers come to the table. "Just because it is a non-reserve does not mean that the owner is obligated to accept an offer," Ameer says. "If they dont like the numbers that the auction is pulling in, they can choose to not work with any of them." There's also a $250,000 bidder deposit required to weed out any unworthy buyers. So if you thought you could throw in a bid just for the heck of it, guess again. Qualified bidders (yes, there are due diligence documents that must be filled out) can bid during the live auction, Nov. 1215. How much could the property sell for? So the multimillion-dollar question is, if Playa Vista Isle sells, how much will it sell for? "Auctions are designed to reveal the price that the open market is willing to pay, so it is hard to know if it will end up going anywhere close to its $159 million asking price," Ameer says. She says the exclusive high-end properties in South Florida have sold in a range from $20 million to a bit over $60 million. "Given the fact it has 500 feet of private oceanfront and 500 feet of private bay-front space, along with a newly constructed concrete deep-water dock that can accommodate a 220-foot yacht, that adds a significant amount of value," says Ameer. "I would venture it may go closer to the $100 million range, or just under it. The deal seekers will want to see if they can get it for around $60 million to $70 million." Of course, if the property does sell below $100 millionthe reported amount that the seller spent on renovationsthe deal could be seen as a loss. But after trying to unload the property for four years, the seller might just be happy to move on. The property is adorned with $3 million in gold leafing. realtor.com The dramatic grand foyer with a double staircase realtor.com Does this sitting room really need five chandeliers? realtor.com Yes, that's a fish tank surrounding the TV. realtor.com Even the chef's kitchen is decked out in the finest wood and stone. realtor.com This dining room is giving us Sistine Chapel vibes. realtor.com The master suite overlooks the ocean, naturally. realtor.com The world's first residential 3D Imax theater realtor.com Nothing but clear blue water all around realtor.com Playa Vista Isle at night realtor.com The post Why Florida's Most Expensive Listing Might Actually Be a Screaming Bargain appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. SHERIFF of the High Court, Kelvin Karasa and a United Theological College employee Isheanesu Brian Kadenge were murdered in separate incidences recently by suspected armed robbers after offering them lifts. Francis Alimoso (36) and Day Kaseke (26) appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa yesterday facing charges of armed robbery and murder. The duo was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. On September 14, Alimoso, Kaseke and four accomplices went to Muza Shopping Centre in Epworth and posed as travellers looking for transport. The State alleges Alimoso and his gang sought transport from Karasa, a sheriff at Harare High Court, who driving a government-issue vehicle to Ruwa. Karasa offered them transport and when they arrived at Mara Farm in Epworth, one of the accused claimed he had reached his destination and Karasa stopped the motor vehicle. One of the accused persons then grabbed Karasa by the throat, pushed him from the drivers seat and tied his legs and hands. They searched him and took $82, a satchel with court documents and a cellphone. They also demanded his EcoCash pin. Alimoso allegedly cut the car seat belts and dragged Karasa for about 50 metres into the bush, tore his suit and used it to blind fold him before tying him to a tree. He then struck him on the head and left him for dead. The State alleges Alimoso and Kaseke drove the government vehicle for a while before dumping it in the central business district the following day. Karasas decomposing body was discovered by an Epworth resident who was looking for firewood. Alimoso and his gang also allegedly pounced on the now deceased Kadenge (24) who was driving from Norton after he offered them transport. They allegedly attacked him at the Lake Chivero turn-off, and tied his hands and legs. They took Kadenges cellphone, cash and demanded his EcoCash pin before tearing his clothes and blindfolding him. Kadenge was allegedly dragged into the bush and struck with a stone on the head and left for dead. They used his car as a taxi in town and picked up four passengers from whom they stole cellphones and cash before dumping them at Mbizi Game Park. Kadenges body was later discovered by Silindeni Mwachebe at Somerby Farm. Investigations led to the arrest of Alimoso and Kaseke who implicated their accomplises who are on the run. Kadenges wallet, his and Karasas mobile phones were recovered, along with others belonging to several complainants. Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News MDC president Nelson Chamisa has called for the urgent removal of the bond note, saying the surrogate currency has worsened the economic crisis gripping the country. In a recent tweet, the MDC leader said he is concerned by the dramatic drop of the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and bond note rates against the United States dollar. Speaking through his spokesperson, Nkululeko Sibanda, Chamisa said the bond note, which was introduced in 2016 to ease the cash crisis, had been a failure because of the mismanagement of the countrys economy. You need to have a plan to remove the bond note; you cant deal with the bond note crisis when you are an illegitimate government. In order to deal with it, you need what is called investor confidence, said Sibanda, referring to Chamisas claims that the July 30 polls were rigged in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party. You need confidence from neighbouring countries. (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa said he would join monetary unions across the region, picking and choosing the most appropriate, but in order to join those unions, you need to have an economy that is sustainable and has sufficient political legitimacy but that is a problem because he is illegitimate, he added. Since Mnangagwas inauguration in August, the bond note has continued to lose ground on the black market. Economist, John Robertson, told the Daily News that governments decision to introduce the bond note was a bad idea. The bond note issue was considered a good idea because people were externalising the US dollar notes. The theory was that, because nobody would bother externalising bond notes, they would remain in the country and their numbers would provide the needed cash balances. However, the deeper problem was falling confidence and that is what government should have tackled. If confidence had been restored by government, decisions to work with business instead of against it, the growing confidence would have reversed the flow of US dollars and the bond notes would not have been needed, said Robertson. He said the high rates prevailing on the black market were a result of the decision to cancel the collateral value of billions of dollars worth of agricultural land and lack of confidence in government by its citizens. People have grown tired of waiting for promises and when people grow tired of waiting for change, confidence ebbs away. Scarcity is the most immediate cause, but the scarcity has its own causes. Confidence seems to be going down again, possibly because the promises being made all the time are not being kept quickly enough. Government is still claiming that sanctions did the damage to the economy, but the real damage was done by policy decisions that government does not want to change, added Robertson. President of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Denford Mutashu said the upsurge in foreign currency rates was indicative of the serious shortage of foreign currency and low exports against growing import bill, and the fiscal imbalance in the country. He said companies that import raw materials and goods that are not manufactured locally were facing serious hurdles in accessing foreign currency. Almost all sectors have suddenly become a priority for foreign currency allocation, he said. Recently, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and new Finance minister Mthuli Ncube ruled out the immediate return of the decommissioned Zimbabwe dollar, saying the country will for now continue to use bond notes and the multiple currency system until the local economy stabilises. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The recently announced tax regime has divided President Emmerson Mnangagwas Cabinet right through the middle with a section of it pushing hard to have the austerity measures reversed to ease the suffering among ordinary Zimbabweans, the Daily News can report. Early last week, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube introduced a raft of measures aimed at breathing life into the countrys sickly economy including a transaction tax pegged at two cents per dollar, which backfired spectacularly after being rejected by crisis-weary Zimbabweans. To calm tempers, Ncube toned down the new measures on Friday, but that has done very little to calm markets that have hit turbulence. Militant labour unions are now galvanising their members to go on strike to protest the punitive tax regime which they say must be scrapped as a matter of urgency. Government sources told the Daily News yesterday that Mnangagwas Cabinet ministers were divided over Ncubes tax agenda. Ministers in social service ministries are particularly concerned that the new tax will make Mnangagwas administration unpopular with the generality of the population which has been hit hard by its consequences, intended and unintended. Not even some of the ministers presiding over economic ministries are on the same page with Ncube over the new measures, with Energy minister Joram Gumbo appealing to the authorities last week to review the tax measures. In an interview with the Daily News, Gumbo warned that the tax, which has already caused disquiet among petroleum firms, would lead to massive fuel price increases whose domino effect could potentially result in chaos in the economy. Gumbo went as far as engaging Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, to whom he directly reports, to intervene. In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Small to Medium Enterprises minister Sithembiso Nyoni expressed her reservations saying while there could be advantages to be drawn from the austerity measures, including easing tax collection for government, there was need for a thorough look into the issue, including canvassing recommendations from stakeholders. Nyoni spoke to the Daily News after Mnangagwa had for the first time openly spoken about the controversial tax, fully supporting his embattled Finance minister at a Professional Women Executives and Business Womens Forum (PROWEB) business breakfast held at a Harare hotel yesterday. Mnangagwa said in order to build the economy, government would have to take painful measures. Liberalisation of the economy has its own pains. This is one of the pains we are going to go through. I am happy that you have said I am decisive, for good or for bad, I am decisive. We will not continue to live in the past when the world is going ahead with ICT. Zimbabwe should not remain behind. The traditional methods of revenue collection are changing by the day, migrating from the past tradition to modern ICT patrons and as Zimbabwe, we must follow and adapt ourselves to modern trends in terms of collection of revenue, said Mnangagwa. The president said while he takes cognisance of the issues raised, it is necessary to also consider the challenges confronting the countrys economy such as its ballooning internal and external debt. He said for the country to become a viable economy, painful measures were unavoidable. This is the beginning, we will not please the tax payer. We want to please the economy not the individual. We need productivity to get the foreign currency we need, he said. At the PROWEB forum, Nyoni said it was felt that stakeholders must critically look into the matter and make recommendations. I think Mnangagwas answer was pertinent that we need to go into really understanding who is exempted from it and who is affected by it, so we need to find out what is what and which is which and then we will be able to take our recommendations through the right channels to the ministry, Nyoni said, adding it was prudent for stakeholders to do a cost and benefit analysis first before rushing to criticising the initiative. I also think we are just taking it blanketly, so without that analysis and I think as far as women are concerned, we were satisfied by the answer the president gave to the effect that we are going to sit down and analyse it. I think before we can criticise the taxes, it is important for us to study them carefully and analyse them and understand what they mean, particularly where exemptions are mentioned and I think a lot of people are criticising before they really go into what does it means or who, when and how. I think thats what I would like to encourage. I think the advantages will be that there will now be an organised way of collecting taxes, because as the president now said that we have to be digital. Several shops have since removed price tags from their goods while hire purchase companies have revoked credit and lay-by terms as panic swept across business. Some retailers have also started demanding payment in United States dollars. Suppliers also put notices to supermarkets of new price increases as a result of both the two cents per dollar tax and widening fuel shortages. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Who is the most beautiful girl in Nigeria this year? Who became the winner of MBGN 2018? Anita Ukha became the most beautiful girl in the country in 2018. She is the new miss Nigeria. Let's get acquainted with the beauty queen of Nigeria. Most beautiful girl in Nigeria in 2018 Beauty contests are popular around the world. They are held in almost every country, and although it seems like that participation in such events is not a difficult undertaking, in fact, a contestant can go through nine circles of hell before she reaches something. Beauty contestants prepare for their 5-minute performances for weeks and even months because every detail can play a crucial role for them. This year, 37 Nigerian ladies gathered on September 22, 2018. It was the late night in the Gabriel Okara Cultural Center, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. Ik Osakioduva and Toke Makinwa hosted the prestigious beauty contest. READ ALSO: Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2017 Who is the most beautiful girl in Nigeria? A 23 year old beauty from the state of Imo received the crown. Her name is Anita Ukha, and now she is the new Nigerian beauty queen. She has a beautiful figure. She is frail and petite. Anita will represent our country at the Miss World 2018, which will be held on December 8, 2018, in Sanya, China. The first runner-up, who took the second place, was Aramide Oluwatobi Lopez from Lagos. This incredibly beautiful girl has received the title of Miss Universe and will represent Nigeria in the world competition. The second runner-up, Danielle Jatto from Edo State, became Miss Tourism and will also represent Nigeria in this competition. Valentina Ogbonnaya will represent Nigeria in the Miss ECOWAS Competition, which will be held in the West African region. Toluwalope Mary Ayanfalu representing Ogun State became the fourth runner-up. Damilola Adeshina from Kwara State became the fifth runner-up and became Fast Track Winner. READ ALSO: Most beautiful girls in Nigeria 2017 The remaining participants received other titles: Obianuju Ononuju became MBGN Model Chiamaka Okechukwu from Oyo State win Miss Charismatic Berty Harry from Rivers became Miss AMITY Sandra Chisom Ndigwe from Adamawa win Miss Select Pro Daniella Jatto from Edo State also received the Best Traditional Outfit title Meyaroghene Ariagbobe from Plateau win the Best Evening Wear Congratulations to all the winners. We wish Anita great success in Miss World 2018. She deserves only the first place! Dear girls, remember that you are beautiful outside of any competition. Love yourself and be loved! READ ALSO: Most beautiful girl in Nigeria Source: Legit.ng - A Nigerian man has gone viral after he became one of the oldest serving youth corp members - According to reports, he left Nigeria at age 21 and graduated in the US at age 24 - He returned at the age of 54 and enrolled under the National Youth Service Corp Identified as Lanre Amu, this Nigerian man has stunned a lot of people after he enrolled for the National Youth Service scheme at the age of 54. According to the story, he left the shores of Nigeria at the age of 21 and studied in the US. Having graduated at the age of 24, he remained in the US and worked for 34 years before returning to Nigeria. Now at age 54, he found it difficult to get employed in some organisations because he neither had an NYSC certificate nor an exemption letter. However, on further enquiries, he was made to understand that since he graduated from the university at an age below 30, it was important he served since getting an exemption letter was impossible. READ ALSO: Terrifying story of how Ijebu native doctor rejected lady brought for rituals Speaking with The Guardian, he shared his experience as a youth corp member serving at the age of 54. He revealed that he was rejected at State House/Presidency and a law firm belonging to Osibanjo identified as Simmons Cooper Law firm. He ended doing his primary assignment at the Supreme Court of Nigeria and describe it as a worthwhile experience learning a great deal about Nigerian laws. Lanre Amu (second left) flanked by other corp members and a camp commandant Source: UGC READ ALSO: Lady gets her dream car after a man built it from scratch using wire and pliers Speaking on experiences he would never forget, he had this to say: "The hypocrisy of the administration vis-a-vis posting to State House, and Simmons Cooper Law firm are things I cannot forget. Talk is cheap. They do not live up to the good things they say and that we read in the newspapers when you approach them one on one." When asked if he would have served if he wasn't considering working with the public/private sector, he said: "I do not know, because I have an interest in public service/office. I am a Nigerian. I am passionate about the future of this country. Given the knowledge I have acquired overseas and seeing what is on the ground in Nigeria, I believe I can make contributions, immense contributions, if given the opportunity. We must fight those who are holding this country down and liberate it from the strangle hold of corrupt people masquerading as pastors, politicians, Godfathers, etc. Not to do national service will not be consistent with my make up in trying my best to be law abiding." Speaking on his experience serving, he described it as worthwhile. "I like the stress, and the fact that as a new comer, it just gave me an opportunity to interact with a lot of young people. I had a message for the youth of this country on bringing some reality to this trend of checking out of Nigeria on the mirage that the grass is greener in the West. I spent a lot of time interacting and sharing my message with fellow NYSC members. It was a worthwhile experience for me." PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App Get the hottest gist on Africa Love Aid Nigeria News Today: Davido's NYSC Trouble During Osun Election | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Lauretta Onochie has accused the CAN president, Samson Olasupo, of lying against the Muhammadu Buhari's administration - Onochie said Olasupo was peddling false statements that could heat up the polity President Muhammadu Buhari's social media aide, Lauretta Onochie, has accused the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Samson Olasupo, of lying against the government in a bid to heat up the polity of the nation. Onochie, in an open letter to Olasupo, published on her social media pages called on the CAN leader to emulate the likes of Pastor Kumuyi, Mbaka whom she described as true Christians. Her piece was a response to Olasupo's statement accusing President Buhari of being biased in his appointments. READ ALSO: Negotiations break down as FG reportedly offers N25,000 as new minimum wage Part of the open letter said: "I do not really understand what you, as the leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), stand to gain from constantly misinforming Nigerians. You keep harping on the lie that appointments made by President Buhari and VP Osinbajo, were lopsided. It has been the case that each time appointments are made, CAN would not bother to check the merits of such appointments nor the constitutional rights of Mr. President to make such appointments. "It does not bother you whether the appointees are qualified or not. The prerogative of CAN, under you, Sir, and for selfish reasons, is that members of your religious organisations only, are appointed as a way of boosting your income throw tithes and offerings that accrue to you. Vice President Osinbajo, a Christian Pastor himself, has severally, debunked the myth, the lies and fabrications about and around appointments coming from your angle. Each time, he does it with facts and figures. And then you wait for the next appointment to regurgitate the same evil sentiments. "But you Sir, President of CAN, Dr Samson Olasupo, continues to misinform and to incite animosity against a government that is reaching out to the poorest in our society, where figures show there are more Christians in government and where your Christian brother is the number two man." Onochie, who has attacked the Christian association in the past, accused Olasupo of peddling lies against President Buhari. She said: "President Buhari is ALL about the common man: the weak, the poor and the vulnerable. He will continue to defend and protect our treasury for the benefit of all Nigerians, from people like you who hide behind the cloak of religion to advocate selfish interests and corruption. The problems of our nation are corruption, tribalism and religion, thanks to unrighteous preachers. These problems are key in hampering Nigerias development. And you are fuelling these problems by what you say and what you fail to do. "The bible frowns seriously at lies and deliberate misinformation. According to the bible, the righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. You, Sir, can now see that you are not a righteous man as you love falsehood and strive to disseminate it. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app "If you have a deep rooted hatred for Muslims, go on your knees and ask God to forgive you. It is God who decides what religion we take by causing people to be born into specific families. If its the government you hate, you can start by trying to love VP Osinbajo who is also Christian. You have continued to open your mouth and allow your predecessor to speak through you. You believe and have voiced that Nigerias leadership of today is not the best. "President Buhari is a selfless leader too and worthy of emulation. So , respect yourself. Henceforth, let all your speech be always full of grace, seasoned with salt. (Col. 4:6)" Legit.ng earlier reported that Lauretta Onochie, President Muhammadu Buharis personal assistant on social media, lampooned Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, following his emergence as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She took to social media, shortly after the declaration of the result, to claim that Atikus emergence as his partys flagbearer had made the job of the presidents team easier. 2019 presidency: Nigerians reveal why they prefer Atiku to President Buhari - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - PDP has begged Governor Fayose not to leave the party - The opposition urged the governor to rescind on his threat to decamp - According to the deputy national publicity secretary of PDP, Fayose is a great asset to the party The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, to rescind on his threat to leave the opposition party. The party urged the governor to avoid taking action over the just concluded parties national convention on Saturday, October 6. Speaking on the matter, the deputy national publicity secretary, Diran Odeyemi, said Fayose is a great asset to the party. READ ALSO: If some people feel they can run PDP alone, we will see how far they can go - Fayose Punch reports that Odeyemi said: We appeal to him not to leave the party, he has been an asset and he has benefited from the party. Even when he left, he still came back to the party, so he should consider all that and not abandon the party when we need him most. "He should consider the fact that all those who left the PDP for other parties regretted that they left. READ ALSO: FG set to announce new minimum wage - NLC president He should not leave now that the likes of Atiku, Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal are back in the party. God will guide him aright, he should not take any decision in anger," Odeyemi added. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Fayose had regretted the failure of Sokoto governor, Aminu Tambuwal, to emerge as the PDP presidential candidate at the partys national convention held in Port Harcourt. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He also threatened to leave the party. Fayose, in a statement on Monday in Ado Ekiti, said he supported his Rivers counterpart, Nyesom Wike, to ensure the emergence of Tambuwal. A former vice president, Abubakar Atiku, picked the PDP ticket for the presidential race after scoring 1,532 votes to floor Tambuwal who got 693 votes. Nigeria Latest News: PDP Convention - Atiku Elected as Presidential Candidate | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The organised labour and organised private sector reportedly recommend N30,000 as minimum wage per month - Ayuba Wabba, the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, says the federal government will soon announce the new minimum wage as the tripartite committee completes its assignment - The SGF, Boss Mustapha, says the federal government will address the agitation for an increase in the minimum wage The federal governments stance that it cannot afford more than N25,000 per month as minimum wage has reportedly stalled the negotiations by the tripartite committee on a new national minimum wage. Vanguard has reported that the organised labour and Organised Private Sector (OPS) have faulted the figured by the federal government and are insisting on N30,000 minimum wage per month. READ ALSO: Why I want to dump PDP - Fayose The newspaper stated that the federal government had earlier presented N21, 700 per month as new minimum wage to the other social partners when the tripartite committee resumed sitting on Thursday, October 4. But displeased by the federal governments figure amidst the high cost of living in the country, the organised labour and OPS reportedly reached an accord, increasing their earlier figure of N25,000 to N40,000. Meanwhile, Ayuba Wabba, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) president, on Monday, October 8, said the federal government will soon announce the new minimum wage as the tripartite committee completes its assignment for onward submission to President Muhammadu Buhari. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app According to him, the committee reconvened and deliberated on a new minimum wage figure that was acceptable to all employers of labour in the country. Wabba said the presidency would make it public after deliberation by the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting. In a related report, the federal government says it will soon address the agitation for the upward review of the national minimum wage in a manner that will make workers and all Nigerians smile. The disclosure was made by the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, on Sunday, October 7, at the 22nd choir anniversary of the Christ Apostolic Church, Living Water DCC Headquarters, Abuja, Punch reports. Legit.ng gathers that the SGF, who was represented by the permanent secretary (General Services Office), Office of the SGF, Olusegun Adekunle, said the present administration was sensitive to the plight and wishes of the masses. Top 3 poorest countries: Where people have to live on a dollar a day - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Newspaper - Manir Daniya, a former commissioner for local government affairs in Sokoto state, reportedly steps down for Aminu Tambuwal as the PDPs governorship candidate in the state - An anonymous party members says the former commissioner voluntarily stepped down for the governor at a PDP meeting on Sunday night, October 7 - Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, the Sokoto state PDP chairman denies that a meeting was held to affirm Tambuwal as the PDP candidate for the Sokoto governorship election Reports have emerged that Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state may have decided to run for a second term in office after failing to secure the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Daily Trust reports that the immediate past commissioner for local government affairs in the state, Manir Daniya, who was supposed to contest the governorship race after Tambuwal made known his presidential ambition, has stepped down for the governor. READ ALSO: Please don't leave - PDP begs Fayose after defection threat A chieftain of the party who did not want to be named, told the newspaper that the former commissioner voluntarily stepped down for his boss at a meeting on Sunday night, October 7, where delegates from 23 local government areas of the state endorsed Tambuwal as their governorship candidate. Legit.ng learnt that during the meeting, former commissioners were involved in screening of delegates and taking their inventory. The delegates were reportedly called according to their local government areas to line up for a head count after which they were asked to vacate the scene. However, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, the state PDP chairman, when speaking to journalist after the meeting, dismissed suggestion that the gathering had anything to do with Tambuwals endorsement. We gathered our delegates here only to thank them for their support and cooperation during our primaries and the national convention but not to affirm Tambuwal as our candidate for governorship election," the state chairman said. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Kashim Imam, on Monday pledged to contribute N1 billion to facilitate rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of communities ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency in Borno. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Imam was among the 10 governorship aspirants that lost in the recent APC governorship primary. He said: I earmarked N1 billion for reconstruction of Borno and I intend to contribute it to my state despite losing the primary election. Imam added that he would personally reconstruct central mosques in Bama and Gwoza, provide scholarship to indigent students and offer empowerment support to youth and women in the state. Nigeria Latest News: Here's What Saraki and Tambuwal's Defection Means for the APC | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - A 32-year-old Ugandan lady recently married herself in a mock wedding ceremony - This is coming after continuous pressure from her family to settle with a good man - The event occurred on her 32nd birthday in the Kampala, the capital of Uganda on her visit home Identified as Lulu Jemimah, the 32-year-old student of Oxford University appears left many people amusingly shocked after she married herself in a mock wedding ceremony due to continuous pressure from her family to settle down. According to the story, Lulu considers marriage the last thing on her mind as she studies a masters in creative writing at Oxford, UK. So in order to get her parents off her back, she decided to throw the surprise mock wedding. On her visit to Uganda for her birthday in August, Lulu was planning a "low key" birthday celebration, until friends convinced her otherwise. However her joke about showing up in a wedding dress. READ ALSO: Beautiful Nigerian ladies spotted swimming in flooded water Tweeting photos from the event, she wrote: "Officially married. There was no groom. One bride, one goal. Hopefully, I can now focus on the #MStCreativeWritingOxford #Masters @UniofOxford" Lulu said her wedding cost her just 2 which was the fare for her taxi to the venue, and she got other things free of charge from friends. Basically she spent N950 for her 'wedding'. Her friends contributed financially in making the 'wedding' a success Source: Twitter/@lulujemimah Source: Twitter READ ALSO: It was worthwhile - Man who served as corp member at age 54 recounts experience I have a strong passion in life and I am committed to achieving my goals at becoming an academic. But all my family wanted to ask me was when I planned to get married which is very important back in Uganda followed by when I would be having children and starting a family. My father wrote my wedding speech when I turned 16. Every birthday my mother prayed for me and in recent years this has included a plea for a good husband. But I just didnt want to think about walking up the aisle. Its not the thing which keeps me up at night. The new bride, through the help of some of her friends celebrated her birthday and her self wedding at the same time.One of my closest friends Karin reminded me that I had a lot to celebrate this year like getting into Oxford and I joked that I would show up in a wedding dress." She got married at a popular pub in Kampala Source: Twitter/@lulujemimah Source: Twitter Although, her parents were absent at her big day, as they were a bit confused about her decision to get married to herself. She said: When we talked the next day she was a bit confused and slightly hurt, but explained that by even wearing a wedding dress it proved I was ready for marriage. My father still maintains that he doesnt know what to say." The wedding wasn't legally binding as you can't marry yourself but Lulu seems to have fulfilled that aspect of her life and is now focused on her studies. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App Get the hottest gist on Africa Love Aid Mom's Blog: How Easy is it to Prepare Your Children for a Return to School? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Bianca Ojukwu, wife to Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, recently began to pursue her dream of becoming a senator for Anambra south senatorial district in 2019. However, her hope was dashed when she lost the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary election to her contender Prince Nicholas. While many people are not pleased with this, the one person who has vehemently taken to the podium of social media to express his discontentment is Yul Edochie. The Nollywood actor who is now very actively involved in politics took to Twitter to loud out his extreme disappointment at Bianca losing the APGA ticket. According to him, given the fact that she was related by marriage to the prodigious Ojukwu, it was an insult for her to lose an election/ He could not come to grasp with the fact that she had been subjected to an election and defeated in the party that Ojukwu himself formed. For him, it was only honourable for her not to be put through the hassles of a tedious electoral process in the first place. See his full post here: "It's an insult to the entire Igbo race & to the Great Ojukwu who fought for the wellbeing of Ndi Igbo, same man who formed APGA, for his wife to be subjected to primaries & even announce that she lost. ABOMINATION! Automatic ticket should be given to her. Uphold honour!" READ ALSO: Bianca Ojukwu: MASSOB sets to campaign against APGA Yul's agitations and opinions have always generated a lot of reactions and this one was no exception. Quite a lot of people did not find the rant of the son of veteran actor Peter Edochie very necessary. This was because they felt being related to a person like Ojukwu does not automatically substitute competence or capability. See some of the reactions of fellow Nigerian tweeps: PAY ATTENTION: Read more authentic news on Legit.ng News App PAY ATTENTION: Love, relationship, marriage on Africa Love Aid This is coming after Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian community in China showed their allegiance to Bianca Ojukwu and vouched for her. They had urged the people of Anambra south senatorial district to vote the beautiful lady in as their senator without letting her gender act as a barrier. Well, it would appear party members of APGA were not keen on heeding this advice. Ojukwu's bunker during conflict for the independence of Biafra / Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the sole candidate of APC for 2019 poll has drawn congratulatory messages from Nigerians in Europe - A human rights lawyer in London, Saidu Abbas, referred to the president's victory as a recipe for continuity in the right direction - Other nationals in Switzerland, Germany, France and Belgium urged Nigerians to be patient with the Buhari-led government as it continues to deliver the gains of democracy A cross section of Nigerians in Europe have lauded the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections. Buhari polled a total of 14, 842,072 across the 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the partys direct presidential primary to emerge as its 2019 candidate. READ ALSO: Negotiations break down as FG reportedly offers N25,000 as new minimum wage Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Dr Saidu Abbas, a human rights lawyer in London described the move as a positive one for continuity in governance. Abbas said that the emergence of Buhari would further consolidate the gains of democracy which has been recorded since 2015. This means that there will be continuity in the fight against corruption and the general change agenda of government, he noted. Similarly, Grace Alu, a member of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Italy, in a telephone interview, commended the APC for electing Buhari as its presidential candidate. Alu described Buhari as the best President the nation has had since the return of democracy in 1999. Buhari is the only selfless leader we have had since 1999. Even the opposition can attest to that. For Nigeria to move forward, we need someone like him who will put the nation on the right path to nation building. I understand the current economic situation in the country but he is not responsible for it, as a matter of fact it would be worst under the leadership of someone else. Lets come together irrespective of ethnicity and religion to support the cause of nation building, Alu stressed All others, who spoke with NAN from Switzerland, Germany, France and Belgium, urged Nigerians to be patient as government continues to deliver the gains of democracy They advised against voting corrupt candidates into power, saying that such move would take the nation 10 years backwards. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! They unanimously agreed that the choice of Buhari was in the nations interest in terms of continuity in governance and delivery of tangible results of the change agenda. Buharis main opposition in the 2019 election is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the candidate of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) in a convention also held on Saturday, October 6, in Port Harcourt. Earlier, Legit.ng had reported that Buhari had accepted nomination to contest for a second term in the 2019 presidential election. The over 7000 delegates had converged in Abuja to ratified the results of the presidential primaries held across the country. Election 2019: President Buhari Proves He is Fit to Run in 2019 | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - One Ayodejo Fatumbi is to be extradited to the USA to face fraud charges, on the orders of the Abuja Federal High Court - The extradition application was filed by federal government, through the attorney-general of the federation - Fatumbi is wanted in the USA for money laundering, fraud and other crimes The Abuja Federal High Court has ordered the extradition of one Ayodeji Fatumbi, to the United States of America, to face money laundering and other fraud-related charges. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, delivering judgment in the extradition suit instituted against the suspect by the federal government on Monday, October 8, ordered that he should be extradited to the US, not later than 90 days, Punch reports. Legit.ng gathers that the extradition application was filed by federal government, through the attorney-general of the federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). READ ALSO: Sokoto PDP reportedly endorses Tambuwal for governor in 2019 The judgment was delivered following a dismissal of the suspects objection to the extradition application. The AGF stated that the suspect is said to be known as Paul Olawale. Malami added that Fatumbi was wanted in the USA to face nine counts in Criminal No: CR13-0324 before the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The suspect has been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud from in or about September 2003, through in or about January 2013, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. In count 9, the Nigerian was accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering from, in or about August 2006, through, in, or about March 2010, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a 27-year-old Nigerian man, Fawaz Olarewaju Animasau, was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in the United States for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Animasaun and two other persons were named in a federal indictment for charges of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, as well as aiding and abetting. Busted: Professional hacker nabbed over fraudulent purchase of N28 million porshe - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit Newspaper - Not less than $177m has been raised by the federal government to fund the much awaited cleanup in Ogoni area of Niger Delta - This disclosure was made by the minister of state for environment, Ibrahim Jibril, who said that the fund was part of the initial $1bn slated for the same purpose - Jibril further revealed that the remaining amount needed to make up the $1bn will be raised over a period of five years The federal government, through the minister of state for environment, Ibrahim Jibril, on Monday, October 8, revealed that it had raised the sum of $177m out of the $1bn needed for the cleanup of Ogoni land in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Punch reports. READ ALSO: Alleged plot to sack Saraki, Ekweremadu causes anxiety ahead of NASS resumption It said that refineries of crude oil were expected to raise the balance, adding that the $1bn was to be raised over a period of five years. Jibril made this disclosure during his reception speech in Abuja to honour the British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils. The minister said: As Im talking today, that (Ogoni cleanup) account has been credited with the sum of $177m. This is what is supposed to be given by the oil majors who are there and to pay for the cleaning and restoration of those degraded lands. He said that an earlier fund of $1bn was recommended to be used over a period of five years, stressing that with the $177m for 2018, the balance is expected to come from the refineries and we have written to inform the President, he (President) has given the directives that the petroleum ministry should handle that issue. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Commenting on the horrific effect of climate change on Nigeria, Jibril said that the ministry had to create a department to help deal with the challenges posed by the development. The issue of climate change has been brought to bear in the southern part of this country, as can been seen in the constant erosion in some of those areas. That is why we have a full Technical Department of Erosion Control, he said. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that about 400 local and international companies had been engaged for the clean-up exercise of oil pollution in Ogoni land. This was disclosed in Abuja on Monday, June 11 by Jibril at the Nnimmo Bassey National Colloquium. Legit.ng gathered that the minister stated that the contractors would be mobilised to site in August or September 2018. He also said that government has developed a framework and timeline for the Ogoni clean up which would last till December, 2019. EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger state protested the alleged shoddy handling of the party's primary election - The aspirants claimed there was actually no primary election in the state - Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello appeals for calm and believes the party's NWC will resolve the crisis The governor of Niger, Abubakar Sani-Bello, has called on contestants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, their supporters and stakeholders in the just concluded primaries in the state to remain calm and peaceful. The governor said this in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, on Monday, October 8, assuring all stakeholders of a peaceful resolution of the outcome of the primaries. He spoke in reaction to a protest by the contestants and their supporters over the way the partys primary election was conducted. READ ALSO: Negotiations break down as FG reportedly offers N25,000 as new minimum wage Channels Television reports that Sani-Bello asked all members of the party to await the a final decision on the issues raised and not take law into their hands. According to the governor, the direct primary method was adopted in the state to provide a level playing field for all aspirants and create opportunities for participation by party members, give them a sense of belonging, deepen democracy and institute a free and fair process. When we adopted direct primaries out of the three options in line with the partys constitution, we were very sure and clear about its benefits to the overall democratic process. This was to enable the people choose candidates of their choice in an open, free and fair manner. We are doing everything possible alongside the national body of the party to ensure that all members are being carried along and all grievances are resolved amicable, the governor said while distancing himself from reports that automatic tickets had been promised to serving members of the National Assembly. I, therefore, call on our people to remain calm and peaceful as we will ensure that due process is followed, we will ensure that all issues are settled amicably. We have not derailed from this provision of the party. We remain committed and we urge all party loyalists to remain faithful as the issues are been resolved in the overall interest of the party, he added. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app An earlier report said groups from various local government areas in the state protested against the outcome of the House of Assembly primary election. Some of the aspirants claimed that no election was conducted and that the results announced were not a reflection of the peoples will. Legit.ng earlier reported that a coalition of aspirants for state House of Assembly and House of Representatives in Ebonyi south senatorial zone, protested non-conduct of primary elections to select the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearers. Nigeria Latest News: PDP Convention - Atiku Elected as Presidential Candidate | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The national secretariat of the APC has been petitioned by the DG of Voice of Nigeria over the senatorial primaries in Enugu - Osita Okechukwu said some members of the party manipulated results of the primaries - According to him, the deputy Senate president also contributed to the crisis within the APC in the state The director general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has petitioned the headquarters of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC), against the result of the primary election for Enugu West senatorial district. Okechukwu in a petition Monday, October 8, said he had approached the APC primary election appeal panel to recover his stolen mandate. He accused the Enugu state primary election panel, led by Moses Momoh, of complicity in the allocation of results to Ibekaku-Nwagwu. In the petition entitled, Protest over allocation of votes to Mrs Juliet Ibekaku Nwagwu in Enugu West Senatorial District Primary Election, Okechukwu claimed that he got over 15,000 votes. READ ALSO: Please don't leave - PDP begs Fayose after defection threat The petition read in part: The allocation of the results was not only a brazen, utter imposition of candidate and without tact, but it clearly demonstrated the complicity of the Primary Election Panel led by Prof Moses Momoh; for I (Okechukwu) polled a total of 7,919 votes in Awgu, one of the five local government areas of the senatorial district. I humbly further submit that the results from the 81 wards (in the senatorial district) were in my favour as I led the other three contestants with over 15,000 votes. I am ready to furnish more evidence, if requested. He faulted the panel for declaring that a total of 12,709 votes were cast in the Enugu West senatorial primary election. He also alleged that the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, had vowed to stop him from getting the APC ticket for Enugu West in order to avoid stiff competition in the election. READ ALSO: Alleged APC plot to sack Saraki, Ekweremadu causes anxiety ahead of NASS resumption My fear as one of the foundation members of the APC is that in the general election, Mrs Ibekaku-Nwagwu lacks the gravitas to win Senator Ekweremadu. Earlier before the primary election, news filtered in that Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the incumbent, has vowed that he will make sure that Osita Okechukwu is stopped from making the list. His reason is that he needs a weaker APC candidate, who will not enjoy the massive support I have among ordinary party members and the general public. This played out when a large segment of the senators supporters jubilated over her (Ibekaku-Nwagwus) alleged victory, Okechukwu added. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Okechukwu had advised Governor Rochas Okorocha to leave the party if he so desires. Okechukwu, who spoke with newsmen at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, June 4, said that the APC would win the 2019 elections without Okorocha. He said the actions and in-actions of Okorocha have caused the APC more setbacks in the last four years in Imo and the south-east in general. Governor Fayose warns Nigerian youths ahead of 2019, tells them what to do on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Fear has gripped people of Bayelsa states over earthquake alert - The alarm and warning was given by NASRDA - Concerned stakeholders have appealed to government to provide a solution Fear has gripped the people of Bayelsa state following the alert of possible earthquake raised by the Nigerian Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) in five states among which Bayelsa is among, Vanguard reports Legit.ng gathers that over the last four years in the neighbouring Rivers state, instances of earth tremor have been recorded around Biseni and Igbgene area of Yenagoa local government and border communities of Ahoada local government, resulting to cracking of building and fear among the community dwellers. This has raised concern among the stakeholders under the aegis of Ijaw Professionals Association (IPA), homeland chapter, who are seeking the attention of both Bayelsa and federal governments to the life-threatening ecological emergencies in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa state. READ ALSO: Negotiations break down as FG reportedly offers N25,000 as new minimum wage Iniruo Wills, one of the concerned stakeholders, said: "The development is adding a new and troubling dimension to the mortal cocktail of environmental hazards faced by the Ijaws and the Niger Delta peoples. The authorities should direct and adequately fund the Nigerian Geological Surveys Agency (GSA) to commission or conduct in consultation with concerned state governments a thorough study to monitor and predict earthquake flash points and adequately prepare to avert or deal with any event or risk of earthquakes and tremors, to avoid the national threat and shame of being caught napping as with the recurrent flood disasters." Wills, who is a former commissioner for information and environment, expressed displeasure over the inactiveness of ministries of environment in the three states, adding that they lacked robust data management platform to resolve difficult environmental issues. Speaking on the development, the project office head of Niger Delta Resource Centre (NDRC), Alagoa Morris, said: "The warning needs to be taken seriously; especially if we juxtapose the example of boreholes for water (as adduced by the NASRDA) and years of drilling for crude oil and gas in the Niger Delta environment and the millions of barrels of crude oil extracted daily from the environment of communities). As important as every part of Nigeria is, the pronouncement is even more worrisome when one considers the fact that Igbogene, a community in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state is so listed among likely locations that will experience the earthquake in the country." PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had declared a national disaster in Kogi, Anambra, Delta and Niger, following high levels of flooding in the states. Mustapha Maihaja, NEMA director-general made the declaration during an assessment visit to River Niger on Monday, September 17, in Lokoja. Maihaja said that eight other states were also on NEMAs watch list. He explained that the states were experiencing the high levels of flooding as a result of heavy rainfall experienced in some parts of the country. Lagos Police Commissioner Parades Suspected Criminals (Nigeria News) | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The just concluded NASS primaries appear not to have gone down well with some APC members - Members of the party who were at odds with the conduct of the primaries stormed its national secretariat, alleging that the polls were rigged - Moreover, the former IGP, Suleiman Abba, claimed that his name was removed from the list of aspirants by the party A number of protesters across states in Nigeria stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s national secretariat of the to protest alleged imposition of candidates during the recent National Assembly (NASS) primaries. The protesters majorly from Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Jigawa and Enugu states arrived at the party's national secretariat, on Monday, October 8, to voice their dis grievance over what they referred to as the imposition of candidates and injustice, Punch reports. READ ALSO: APC senators meet over Saraki as National Assembly resumes Among those who lost out in the polls was a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, who was an aspirant for the Jigawa south senatorial district. In reaction to the development, Abba asked God to remove any person in the APC who was trying to play god. It was gathered that Abba bought the senatorial and expression of interest forms and was first cleared but the partys National Working Committee (NWC) issued a statement later saying his name was erroneously included. Speaking to newsmen, he said: Let me say that this is not a time for too much talk. This is a time for prayers and I want you all to please join me in this prayer. The prayer is this: Oh Almighty God, any person copying you and their powers should not be in this headquarters of the APC. Almighty God, if there is already one; you know what to do, so that you dont allow him to continue copying you. Almighty God, any person claiming to be an officer of the APC, if he will not work with the vision and the mission of the APC, Almighty God, dont allow him to use the demon style of destroying the APC. You know also too well that I have been a card-carrying member of the APC for over 18 months and you are also aware that a list was released where I was duly cleared and another list was also released delisting my name. Added to this, a band of protesters under the aegis of Awareness for Good Leadership, Peace and Development from Enugu state staged a peaceful protest in front of the partys national secretariat, alleging that malpractices marred the conduct of the exercise in Awgu south constituency of Enugu south. Emeka Osaac, the group's spokesperson said: As members of the APC who actively participated in the primary election in the above-named constituency in Enugu State, we didnt witness any election in the above-named constituency. Also, party members from Kano State who claimed to be supporters of President Muhammadu Buharis special assistant on NASS matters, Kawu Sumaila, besieged the secretariat to protest the return ticket given to the senator representing Kano south senatorial district, Kabiru Gaya. Senator Gaya was announced the winner of the primary election conducted across the 16 local governments, 171 wards which make up the district. Spearheaded by Muhammad Awwal Kofa, the protesters claimed that the exercise which produced Gaya was rigged. Kofa said: The primary election in Kano State was not conducted by the electoral panel sent by the National Headquarters and the result was not announced by the appropriate official legally. The election was rigged and a false result was announced. This election process was entirely in contravention of our partys guidelines and constitution. Earlier, the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, had inaugurated a national appeal committee for the partys presidential, governorship and legislative primary polls. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Oserheimen Osunbor, former Edo state governor, was nominated the committee's chairman. Other members are set up was Mike Ugwa (secretary), Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, Bashorun Reuben Famuyibo and Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu. Inaugurating the committee, Oshiomhole said: The petitions are quite a lot. Look through them, identify the petitioners, and ensure you put a face to the petitions. There must be a fair hearing. The individuals mentioned in the petitions, call them. You must do what is just, bearing in mind the constitution of our party and the Electoral Act. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that members of the APC in Ondo state had written to the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, to protest imposition of state assembly and national assembly candidates by Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu. In a letter to Oshiomhole made available to Legit.ng and signed by thirteen APC aspirants, it was alleged that there was no primary in Akoko senatorial district and other parts of the state. Nigeria Latest News: Is the NASS Leadership Still Capable of Leading Nigeria? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng At the beginning of 2018, there was trend a that got lost with time. The 'shoot your shot' trend, this trend saw ladies taking the bold step of proposing to the man of their dreams or people just taking their chance at success by putting themselves out there. After a while, the trend died down on social media, videos showing ladies proposing to men stopped emerging online. However, maybe the thought of the year coming to an end urged this woman to shoot her shot. A Nigerian woman is trending on social media after she took to Facebook to shoot her shot to become the wife of a presidential candidate. The woman identified as Cecilia Iniperitiari Dikibo proposed to become Atiku Abubakar's wife. Gorgeous Nigerian lady Cecilia proposes to become Atiku's 4th wife Photo: Facebook/UGC Source: Cecilia Iniperitiari Dikibo Source: Facebook READ ALSO: BREAKING: Nigerians react to Atiku's victory as PDP's presidential candidate (video) The woman called on the presidential candidate on her Facebook page to become his fourth wife. She told him that he should pick another wife since people are attacking him for having three wives. She also said the candidate owns the south-south region and he needs to pick a Rivers woman such as herself to pay his debts. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News Ceceilia wrote: "Dear @atiku, Secure your 4th southern wife with me, Since they are castigating you for having 3wives. (My physical size is not the issue.. Having a Rivers woman is aspirational) You owe the South-South region this much. Sign. Daughter of the Creeks 2018." PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group Legit.ng had earlier reported that Atiku Abubakar had won the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate ticket with 1532 votes on Saturday, October 6. Atiku was a former vice president of Nigeria. Nigeria Latest News: 2019 Presidency - 'Why Nigerians Must Vote For Atiku' | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Nigeria Research News First fellows arrive for training in Zika, HIV, other viruses By MARCENE ROBINSON This new initiative is already in high gear and is stimulating the initial phase of development and growth of Jamaica as a virology research hub in the Caribbean region. UB has accepted the first cohort of fellows into the Global Infectious Diseases Research Training Program, a $1.1 million program formed to train 15 scientists from the Caribbean in viral infection research. Supported by a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center, the program will produce the first of a new generation of virology researchers in Jamaica, improving the study of Zika, dengue, HIV, hepatitis and other viruses. The program is a collaboration between the UB Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB, the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, SUNY Upstate Medical University and the Jamaica Ministry of Health. Its launch will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo. This new initiative is already in high gear and is stimulating the initial phase of development and growth of Jamaica as a virology research hub in the Caribbean region, says Gene Morse, lead investigator on the award, director of the Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences and SUNY Distinguished Professor in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The scientific collaborations will lead to a needed resource to confront emerging virus infections and foster new approaches in the field among UB, SUNY and University of the West Indies faculty, fellows and graduate students, he says. The four fellows in the programs first cohort include: Michelle Georgiana Brown, who earned a bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery and doctorate of medical microbiology from the University of the West Indies. Inshan Ali, who earned a doctoral degree in medicine from Saint Georges University in Grenada. Tiffany Butterfield, doctoral candidate in microbiology at the University of the West Indies. Chadwic D. Mears, who earned a masters degree in medical microbiology from the University of the West Indies. Driven by the shortage of researchers available to conduct immediate studies during the recent outbreaks of the Zika and chikungunya viruses, the Jamaica Ministry of Health named the establishment of a virology research program as one of Jamaicas highest national health priorities. Under the program, fellows will gain clinical and translational science training, as well as develop an expertise in one or more of the following areas: arbovirology, viruses transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks; chronic viral infections that include HIV, hepatitis B and C, and the Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses; or antiviral drug development. Fellows will alternate periods of training at SUNY research labs under faculty mentors while completing research on endemic or life-threatening infectious diseases at the University of the West Indies. Research training labs in pharmacology, virology and immunology will be established at UB, University at Albany and New York State Department of Healths Wadsworth Center, and Rush University, respectively. The program also engages faculty at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, SUNY Global Health Institute and UB Center of Excellence in Antiviral Clinical Pharmacology in the Global Virus Network. By increasing the number of virology researchers in Jamaica, the program aims to further advance development of the Jamaica Center for Infectious Diseases Research, a collaboration between SUNY, University of the West Indies and Jamaica Ministry of Health. - An APC stalwart in Edo state, Dennis Idahosa, has urged party members to work for the interest of the party - Idahosa won the party's House of Representatives primaries for Ovia federal constituency - He says unity is needed among party members for APC to win the 2019 general elections A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Dennis Idahosa, has appealed to members of the party, especially the aggrieved, to eschew personal ambition and work for the interest of the party. Recall that Idahosa won the House of Representatives primaries to represent the people of Ovia federal constituency. Idahosa made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday, October 9. READ ALSO: Lagos APC senatorial primary: Senator Ashafa concedes defeat to Osinowo Legit.ng gathers that he commended the party leadership over the successful conduct of the primaries but stressed that the shortcomings arising from the primaries should be urgently addressed. Idahosa, a former commissioner in the Edo, however expressed optimism that APC would triumph in 2019 general elections. He said: While we understand that there is no perfect system in the world, as a result, we are not unaware of some ill feelings among our party faithful. Be that as it may, I want to personally appeal to those who may have one or two reasons to be aggrieved to sacrifice their personal ambition for the collective interest of our great party. No one man can do it alone, working as a team and with a common purpose, 2019 may just turn out to be another victorious year for us. We, both the victors in the primaries and those who didnt succeed, we need each other if 2019 elections are to be successful." Idahosa, who would be contesting against Omosede Igbinedion, the incumbent and a younger sister to the former Edo governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, assured that APC would win the election. He said his decision to contest the Ovia federal constituency seat was due to the fact that the constituency had not had an effective representation in the person of the Igbinedion. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a former member of the House of Representatives, Patrick Obahiagbon, on Thursday, October 4, emerged the All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo south senatorial candidate at the partys primaries in Benin. Ehiozuwa Agbonayima, incumbent House of Representative member representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor federal constituency, was returned as candidate. A serving lawmaker, Henry Okhuarobo, was returned unopposed as the APC candidate to represent Ikpoba-Okha constituency in the state House of Assembly. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari Reacts To APC Senators Betrayal | on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Governor Nyesom Wike has vowed to ensure the victory of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in 2019 elections - Atiku on Sunday, October 7, won the PDP primary election that was held in Port Harcourt - Wike said Nigerians have a duty to form a united front to remove the APC-led federal government Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has vowed to ensure that the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2019 presidential election. Wike made this known while addressing journalists after a 'Thank You Visit' by Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday evening, October 7. According to an online medium, Sahara Reporters, Wike said Nigerians have a duty to form a united front to "sack" the APC-led federal government. READ ALSO: Negotiations break down as FG reportedly offers N25,000 as new minimum wage He said with Atiku's emergence as the party's presidential candidate, "all hands must be on deck for the good of the country." He said: "We have no party that will salvage the country other than the PDP. A candidate has emerged and we owe it a duty to see that the party takes over from the most inefficient and ineffective party in control of the FG. "We are one family. You may support aspirant A or B, but once a candidate emerges, you owe it a duty to make sure your party returns to power. "We are doing everything we can to ensure that we don't give APC any gap. They have failed Nigerians and we will take over in 2019. "I am happy that the convention was successful and it went on without hitches." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app In his remarks, Atiku called on Nigerians to support the PDP. Noting that "the entire country needs a new government", he said the country has gone through challenges and needs to chart a new direction in the interest of the people. He said: "I came to personally congratulate the governor, people and government of Rivers State and also thank him for hosting a most successful convention." Atiku was accompanied on the visit by former Ogun state governor Gbenga Daniel, former Anambra state governor Peter Obi, PDP national chairman Uche Secondus, Others are Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Senator Sam Anyanwu, former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Austin Opara and Edo state PDP chairman Dan Orbih. Wike received the PDP presidential candidate alongside the Rivers state PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, Chief of Staff, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke, and Chief Sergeant Awuse. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, won the PDP primary election to emerge as its presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election. In the election conducted on Saturday, October 6 at the partys convention which took place in Port Harcourt, the former vice president defeated 11 other political bigwigs in the party. He is expected to provide stiff competition to President Muhammadu Buhari who emerged as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate. Nigeria Election 2019: What are Bukola Sarakis chances against President Buhari | Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - PDP's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is reportedly searching for a running mate ahead of 2019 general elections - He was said to have shortlisted 5 persons from southwest and southeast - It was gathered that the age, knowledge of economy would be the key criterion for nomination The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has begun search for his running mate as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of names of parties candidate expires on Monday, October 8. This Day reports that by the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, no candidature is complete without a running mate. Legit.ng gathered that the newspaper said that the Atiku camp noted at least three technocrats and two politicians have been penciled down for the position. READ ALSO: Alleged plot to sack Saraki, Ekweremadu causes anxiety ahead of NASS resumption The technocrats are, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo; former minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; and former managing director of Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Chike Obi. It was gathered that the politicians being considered for the number two position are, former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, and the deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. According to This Day, a source said the candidate and the PDP hierarchy are still undecided on the zone the position should be allotted, adding that the scope had been narrowed down to the southwest and the southeast. We would have to weigh the electoral value of both zones and decide where we would allot it. There was the need to maintain a balance between the existing political configuration, which requires the party to challenge the dominance of the APC in the high voting southwest by picking a running mate that would challenge the electoral advantage of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and the need to retain the loyalty of the southeast that had remained a PDP stronghold. "Both zones were believed to have helped Atiku to neutralise the northern zones delegates votes that went to Sokoto state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, during the presidential primary on Saturday", the source said. It was reported that the matter would be trashed out tomorrow, Wednesday, October 10, at a meeting of the presidential candidate with the party hierarchy. Apart from zoning, Atiku is also said to be considering age and knowledge of the economy and economics as two major criteria for the selection of the running mate. According to a source, the presidential candidate thinks his running mate has to be a much younger person as a strategy to appeal to the army of youths, which is already up in arms against the old brigade. Atiku is, however, said to be insisting that such a young man must also have deep knowledge of the economy as his focus is on the revival of the economy to create jobs for the teaming unemployed population. His challenge, therefore, is how to strike the balance between getting a youthful running mate and an economy savvy candidate. Both must be rolled into one, a source said, explain that this might have informed the short list that was revealed to the newspaper. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that a pro-President Muhammadu Buhari group, Re-elect Buhari Movement (RBM), said the emergence of former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2019 general election is the strongest indication that the president would win the election on a platter of gold. 2019 Presidency: Nigerians reveal why they prefer Atiku to President Buhari - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Four of the leaders of the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement have announced to take a leave of leading the group - This is following the political ambition of the co-founder, Oby Ezekwesili, who also formally announced she was stepping down from leadership of the movement - The four leaders Aisha Yesufu, Florence Ozor, Maureen Kabrik and Dudu Bakam made the decision in order to support Ezekwesili in her run to be president Following the political ambition of Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) co-founder, Oby Ezekwesili, four movement leaders have announced to take a leave of leading the group. According to Premium Times, Aisha Yesufu, Florence Ozor, Maureen Kabrik and Dudu Bakam have decided to step down after the emergence of Ezekwesili as the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN). In a statement released on Tuesday, October 9, by the key members of the BBOG, the four made the decision in order to support Ezekwesili in her run to be president of Nigeria in 2019. She has also formally announced her step down from leadership of the movement. READ ALSO: Alleged plot to sack Saraki, Ekweremadu causes anxiety ahead of NASS resumption The statement said the four women have been at the forefront of the movement since the beginning of the campaign, holding both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC) government of Muhammadu Buhari to account for not rescuing and returning all the 276 girls who were kidnapped in 2014 from Chibok, Borno state. According to the statement, Ozor said both APC and PDP have failed in their responsibility. We have spent the past four years on this journey and we continue to be fired up in ensuring that #NigerianLivesMatter like any across the world. We have confronted #APCPDP governments who have failed in their responsibility to effectively protect lives and property. Those who thought this was an agenda against the PDP saw clearly that human life knows no party as we continued our advocacy with even more determination after the change of government to the APC in 2015, she said. Kabrik in her own words said: This is a deeply emotional decision for us, when we realised this was a move we had to take, we were saddened for an extended period. We have given our hearts and our souls to ensure that human lives have meaning, and we have formed a family, especially with our very protesters, including at our daily sit outs over the past 1000+ days. Bakam further highlighted that We know how dirty old order politicians play. We are taking this step for the first time in our lives of working actively for a candidate because we think this is the only option we have for our goals of securing lives and property to be achieved. These politicians have shown they will not listen until their positions are at risk, and this is what we are going to do now. This cause is dear to our hearts so we will continue to clamour for the calls and continue to join the activities when we can until after the elections. But we will not be leading it so its crucial work can continue unhindered. The statement further highlighted that the activism of these women has also supported a broad spectrum of security causes including protests on the Buni Yadi boys, Leah Sharibu, the 48 Potiskum Boys, University of Maiduguri lecturers on NNPC assignment, Lassa Women, Rann Women, IDPs, Missing Gwoza Police Men, the #NationalDayofMourning, and #StopTheKillings organising civil action after tragedies in Plateau, Yola, Zamfara, Benue and elsewhere. Members of the movement have included members of political parties and government organs across the country. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, the group announced its new leaders of the movement to be Yassin (coordinator), Nifemi Onifade (spokesperson) and Gapani Yanga (sit-out coordinator). Legit.ng previously reported that presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili, said former vice president Atiku Abubakar cannot orchestrate the change Nigeria needs to progress. The convener of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, speaking during Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, said Abubakar, who won the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not any better than the President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Ezekwesili, Nigeria needs new politics, not Abubakar nor Buhari, who she says belong to old politics. No, he cant bring the change we are referring to. That is the old politics. Nigeria is ripe for new politics," Ezekwesili said. The Next President of Nigeria. Who Will Win the 2019 Elections? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A group in Ijaw, known as Delta Ijaw Grassroot Political Movement (DIGPM), has pledged its support for PDP's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar - The movement said that with Atiku as PDP's flag bearer, Nigeria's economy is on its way to revival and robustness - The head of DIGPM, Mala Isaac, urged Nigerians to support Atiku in order to end suffering in the country The national coordinator of Delta Ijaw Grassroot Political Movement (DIGPM), Mala Isaac, has said that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Atiku Abubakar as president can revive the country's economy, and set things right generally for all Nigerians, Vanguard reports. READ ALSO: Sokoto PDP reportedly endorses Tambuwal for governor in 2019 Isaac made this statement as he spoke to newsmen in Warri. Atiku emerged as winner of the PDP presidential primary held in Port Harcourt. Isaac congratulated him on his well deserved victory. Flanked by the DIGPM's adviser, Peter Bubor, and its national secretary, Ebikeme Abanre, Isaac praised Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP's national chairman, the National Working Committee (NWC) members and the head of the party's presidential primaries committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state for conducting a free and credible primary. The DIGPM's boss maintained that with Atiku as the PDP presidential candidate, victory was sure for the party come 2019. He stated: When the PDP was in power for 16-years, the economy was not so bad as it is today with the All Progressives Congress, APC, in power for only four-years. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He, therefore, charged Nigerians to support the PDP and vote out poverty and suffering from the country. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nigerians, especially on social media had reacted to the victory of Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the PDP after the party's national convention which took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, on Saturday, October 6. He is expected to provide stiff competition to President Muhammadu Buhari who emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s presidential candidate. Atiku's acceptance speech after being declared PDP presidential flag bearer | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The APC in Delta has recorded a huge loss as Freedom Adowei defectes from the party to the PDP - Adowei is the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger the Delta - About 10,000 of his loyalists are said to have also left the ruling party for the opposition party A former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger the Delta, Freedom Adowei, has defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party, with about 10,000 of his loyalists in the state. Vanguard reports that Adowei said his decision to decamp from the APC was based on the tremendous impact of the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in several riverine communities of the state. He maintained that the member representing Burutu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Julius Pondi, was also giving the area effective representation. READ ALSO: Negotiations break down as FG reportedly offers N25,000 as new minimum wage According to him, Under Okowa, riverine communities across the state have been receiving government attention more than ever, with some transforming into visible living communities. If you go round you will see how the governor is being commended for the construction of roads in riverine communities such as the Okerenkoko Road in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West, Sokebolou/Obotobo Road in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Township concrete road pavement and others, all within Burutu local government area of the state, as well as other parts of the riverine Delta. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app I will be delivering 20,000 Ijaw votes to the PDP in the elections next year. I moved with my followers and I have their mandate to come and contribute my part to the success and victory of PDP in Delta state. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that former commissioners and many APC chieftain as well as their supporters on Thursday, February 15, defected to the PDP in Bayelsa state. The Nation reports that among them are PDP ex-state chairman Tarila Tebepah; ex-chairman of the civil service commission Monday Karibo; and ex-leader of the House of Assembly Stephen Erebo. Others are ex-commissioner Geseye Isowo; ex-Assembly members Johnson Alalibo, Victor Awala, andA yiba Duba, among others. Age requirement reduction by the Senate; Good or Bad for Nigeria? - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Things have turned terrible for three lecturers in the Lagos State University (LASU) who were found guilty of harassing female students - The names of the lecturers are Sunkanmi Odubunmi, Ajani Ogunwande and Emmanuel Gbeleyi - The institution's authority has punished the lecturers with dismissal The Lagos State University (LASU) on Tuesday, October 9, confirmed the dismissal of three of its academic staff for sexual harassment and misconduct. The universitys spokesman, Ademola Adekoya, said the institutions governing council took the decision at its 119th statutory meeting on Thursday, October 4, as recommended by the joint council and Senate (Academic) disciplinary committee, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. READ ALSO: Ex-Mend leader defects from APC to PDP with 10,000 loyalists Adekoya named the affected staff as Sunkanmi Odubunmi, associate professor, department of Economics, Ajani Ogunwande, associate professor, Department of Chemistry. Also, Dr Emmanuel Gbeleyi, Lecturer II, Department of Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos, Adekoya said in a statement. According to him, the council also approved the promotion of 49 academic staff and 200 non-academic staff into various positions. The spokesman said 29 non-academic staff of the university had benefited from an internal recruitment exercise recently conducted by the university. They include 18 Administrative Officers II, three Technologists II, four System Analysts, two Academic Planning Officers II and two Industrial Liaison Officers, he said. Adekoya, however, noted that the current authority of the university by the development had further demonstrated its zero-tolerance for sexual harassment and general indiscipline. He said the decision of the university was also in line with its drive to continually promote the welfare of both deserving staff and students of the institution. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! NAN reports that Odubunmi and Ogunwande had invited the female students whom they had harassed and failed their courses to their office to write an exam on a Saturday, October 6. The students had reported the lecturers to the university security unit who bombarded them with recorders to trap them in the act. However, the LASUCOM lecturer, Gbeleyi was reported by two female students who he asked to buy an injection, which he allegedly used to sedate them before he forcefully took advantage of them. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that a fact-finding panel had been set up by authorities of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to investigate the alleged sexual harassment case involving a lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies at the institution, and a female student. The development was made public in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, June 8; which was signed by the principal assistant registrar, communications unit, Taiwo Oloyede. Top 3 World Universities And Their African Students | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng The confusion over the list of the National Assembly candidates of the APC in Niger state has not abated - Both the serving senators from the state and the three senatorial aspirants are laying claim to the seat - The trio of Sani Musa, Zakari Jikantoro and Bima Enagi addressed a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, October 9 on the issue The trio of Sani Musa, Zakari Jikantoro and Bima Enagi on Tuesday, October 9, in Abuja, addressed a press conference warning against the substitution of their names for that of the serving senators in the three senatorial zones of Niger state. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains warned that any attempt to go ahead with the plan will spell doom for the ruling party in the state. The candidates had won the senatorial primary elections in Niger state, but were told by the National Working Committee of the APC that there was an agreement with incumbent senators to be given automatic tickets. The decision of the APC NWC sparked protests in the state, with some members of the party laying siege on the national secretariat of the party on Monday, October 8. READ ALSO: Alleged corrupt practices: Court orders service of process on Oshiomhole, EFCC Speaking at the briefing on behalf of his colleagues, Enagi said: The gentlemen we contested with are all serving senators. They all participated in the primary elections. Some of them also campaigned the way we did, though they were not able to reach out to any local government, they remained in Minna and were calling people to come there. But, we followed our people to their own door steps. Elections were conducted, we have claims of these elections from various places. The returning officers were sent from the national headquarters of the APC summed up the results announced the results in public glare in front of the press and we were presented with result sheets. When the national headquarters of the party decided to change the team that conducted the election, the second team came, and all we were told by the state chairman was that the second team that came, came with a mandate that they have clearance for only three serving senators. Enagi said the popularity of the three winning aspirants was so firm that the elections are conducted 10 times, they will come out victorious 10 times. He said as far as they are concerned, they have their result sheets that declared them winners, adding that nothing else is acceptable to them. Enagi said they were informed by the Niger state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, that the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole insisted that there was an agreement for automatic tickets for the serving senators after meeting him in Abuja. He said: We called this press conference to tell the world that the mandate given to us by the people of Niger state cannot be retrieved. We are not going to give it up. Enagi noted that, if for any reason this should happen, it is political suici*de, not only for us, but for the APC in Niger state and I stand by it. He continued: We have worked tirelessly and we want to see who either in the national or the state party hierarchy that have given us anything to motivate us in trying to get the kind of support we got. The party was almost down. How can somebody leave his own state peacefully and try to create problems in another state, what kind of democracy are we doing? We are calling on the national chairman and the NWC of the APC to do the needful by giving us our certificates of return and making us duly candidates of APC so that APC can win Niger state. The three of us can traverse the nook and cranny of Niger state. And I can say it boldly, that the three senators they are trying to impose, cannot even do it within their wards because they have lost touch with their constituencies. Also speaking at the briefing, Alhaji Sani Musa said denying them their tickets is corruption, after the APC allowed them to buy the senatorial forms, screened them and allowed them campaign and subsequently win the primaries. I don't think our great party, our national leaders, should champion anything that has to d with corruption. They should go along with our leader - Mr President, who everybody in this country knows for his integrity, he said. Musa warned that, anything done to put the present senators in our place, will kick out our great party from Niger state. He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to step into the matter, adding that, we will not allow the mandate given to us by our people to go. Musa accused the incumbent senators of abandoning the APC in the state for the last three years, adding that they have been maintaining the party. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He added that, the national leadership of the party needs to know that these are not the friends of the party, these are not the friends of Mr President. We are the friends of Mr. President. We want to go there so that our people are not denied their rights. They are Saraki boys, we are Buhari boys. We want to get there to support the president." Meanwhile, some members of the APC under the platform of Mandate Group, Ondo state chapter, has expressed satisfaction over the party's NWC, which granted automatic tickets to some lawmakers in the state. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, October 4, during a solidarity protest at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja, the publicity secretary of the group, Comrade Gbenga Bojuwomi, said the decision of the NWC is in agreement with the affirmation by the members of the APC in Ondo state and the resolve of the party leadership in the state to put forward capable hands that can effectively represent the party. APC Is The Worst Party in Nigeria, I Regret Being a Member | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is currenly meeting with a Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere. The Sun reports that the Afenifere team, led by Ayo Adebanjo, included Senator Femi Okurounmu, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, among others met with the former president on Tuesday, October 9. They arrived at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and were reportedly ushered into the inner chamber of the former president. Although details of the meeting are not known yet, there is speculation it is related to the 2019 general elections. Meanwhile, few minutes after his emergence as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former vice president Atiku Abubakar praised former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Atiku, while delivering his acceptance speech after he was officially declared winner of the primary with 1,532 votes to Aminu Tambuwal's 693, Atiku thanked former President Olusegun Obasanjo for picking him as his vice president in 1999. He noted that without Obasanjo picking him then, he could never have become the PDP presidential candidate today. Recall that some months ago, Obasanjo had said: How can I be on the same side with Atiku? To do what? If I support Atiku for anything, God will not forgive me. If I do not know, yes. But once I know, Atiku can never enjoy my support. I do not have personal grudges with anyone. If you do not do well for Nigeria, you do not do well for all of us. It is not a question of working with or not working with an individual, he said. If you are working for the good of Nigeria, I am working with you. If you are not working for the good of Nigeria it does not matter who you are I am not working with you. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! However, Atiku said on Sunday while accepting to be PDP candidate said: "Finally, on a personal note, I wouldn't have been standing where I am today if my former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, had not made me his vice president. "Under his tutelage, I learnt quite a lot, and I believe the experience I have got is going to impact on how I eventually govern this country. I wish to pay my personal tribute to him." Nigeria Latest News: 2019 Presidency - 'Why Nigerians Must Vote For Atiku' | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Sokoto PDP chairman has reacted to the allegations that Governor Tambuwal is now the partys guber candidate - He said the allegations are baseless as the partys elected candidate has not been replaced - The party chairman, however, said the party would formally announce any change if any in future The Sokoto state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma on Tuesday, October 9, dispelled rumour that the partys 2019 election flag-bearer, Alhaji Mannir Dan-iya has been substituted. Speaking to newsmen in Sokoto, the state party chairman said the rumour that Dan-iya had been substituted by Governor Tambuwal after he failed to secure partys presidential ticket was unfounded. Milgoma explained that at present Dan-iya remained the partys 2019 governorship candidate noting that there was still time to substitute candidate according to the law. READ ALSO: Disappointment for workers as FG reportedly releases new minimum wage figure The chairman said the party would formally announce any change if any in future noting that substitution had processes which must be complied with based on electoral guidelines. Milgoma explained that the event held on October 7 at the state partys headquarters was to express Governor Tambuwals appreciation over the support he enjoyed at PDP Presidential primary election in Port Harcourt. According to him, party members are still united and will continue to support any person that emerged victorious during the concluded primaries and urged loyalists to work toward ensuring maximum success of all party candidates in coming elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that speculations were going round that the party had conducted fresh primary and produced Tambuwal as governorship candidate at the 11th hour on October 7, to comply with INEC deadline on conducting primary elections. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the deputy governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, emerged as the flag-bearer of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 governorship election. Announcing the result on Monday, October 1, in Sokoto, the chairman of the APC gubernatorial primary election in the state, Alhaji Sulaiman Abubakar, said the election was contested by four aspirants. Abubakar said that a total of 3,606 votes were cast out of the 4,600 votes during the primary election. Nigeria Latest News: PDP Convention - Atiku Elected as Presidential Candidate | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - President Buhari declined assent to 15 bills - This was contained in the letter he wrote to Senate president, Bukola Saraki - The Senate resolved to review the rejected bills President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly written a letter to Senate president, Bukola Saraki, after he declined assent to 15 bills. Premium Times reports that following the presidents decision, Saraki read out the letter on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, October 9. The Senate decided to set up a technical committee to review the rejected bills. The rejected bills are National Research and Innovation Council (Est.) Bill, 2017; National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Est.) Bill, 2018; National Agricultural Seeds Council, 2018 and Subsidiary Legislation (Legislative Scrutiny) Bill, 2018. Others are Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Chattered Institute of Entrepreneurship (Est.) Bill, 2018; Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2017. READ ALSO: FG set to announce new minimum wage - NLC president President Buhari also introduced Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Bill, 2018 to the upper chamber and requested that the bill be considered and passed into law. Senator Lawan called for the review of the rejected bills. He said: I have listened to the letters that you have read conveying the observations from Mr. President not to sign so many bills. I am of the opinion that we should take advantage of this device that is all these things that have been brought to us and understand. What I believe, we can have a platform to avoid this kind of things from happening. We should put in a lot of time and our very limited resources. If at the end of the day, we are not able to get what we want, we need to take prompt action. Therefore, I will suggest we take up a particular compromise after the chairmanship of business and rules and some loyal senators or whatever it is, we would set up a technical committee stating what happened, why those bills were not signed we may have excluded some things that may not be too serious but maybe we have not taken too much time to look at them." The suggestion was put to a vote and lawmakers unanimously voted for the committee to be set up. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, of the APC said lawmaker from his party would take the first opportunity open to them to remove Saraki as Senate president. Our demand has not changed, in fact, that demand has been accentuated by the directive of the APC national leadership, Omo-Agege representing Delta central senatorial district said. The APC senator called on Saraki to resign his position as the Senate president, insisting that he lacked the moral ground to retain the position after defecting to the PDP. Nigeria Latest News: Why Yemi Osinbajo Terminated The Appointment Of Lawal Daura | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Kamaludden Bashir, has commenced trekking from Zaria to Abuja to show his support for Atiku - Bashir believed that Abubakars structures all over the country were strong enough to push for his election - According to him, he was robbed of his money, food and water along the way A young man, Kamaludden Bashir, has commenced trekking from Zaria to Abuja to show his support over the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Bashir who arrived Kaduna on Tuesday,October 9, a day after he left Zaria, told newsmen that he plans to reach Abuja within five days. READ ALSO: I will never have anything to do with APC - Fayose fires back at ruling party I am really happy with the victory, that is why I am trekking to Abuja to show him that I am with him 100 per cent. Along the way, I will sensitizes thousands of youth to join me in the campaign to make Nigeria great under Atiku as president. I believe that only him can overcome the problems of unemployment, poverty, insecurity, communal and ethno-religious crisis disturbing the peace and stability of the country. According to him, he left Kwarbai area of Zaria at about 6:30 am on Monday after his parents prayed for him. Bashir believed that Abubakars structures all over the country were strong enough to push for his election in February. I believe in Atiku, that is why I am trekking in solidarity and praying for him to win the 2019 presidential election. I believe he is the best man that can fight corruption and take Nigerian youths to the promised land. According to him, he was robbed of his money, food and water along the way, but said the experience would not deter him from continuing with the journey. Bashir urged Nigerian youths to support the former vice president during the general elections so as to put Nigeria on a better direction. Legit.ng had reported that Isa Mohammed Munlaila one of the many excited men who allegedly trekked for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, is said to have returned and subsequently showed his solidarity with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the best news updates This is coming one month after he embarked on a trek to express his dissatisfaction with the present administration. PDP convention: Atiku elected as presidential candidate | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - President Buhari has sought the approval of the National Assembly to raise $2.78 billion Eurobonds - He said the money would be used to finance deficits and key infrastructure projects in the 2018 budget - The president also requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of an EFCC secretary, among other requests President Muhammadu Buhari has requested a National Assembly resolution to raise $2.78 billion from the International Capital Market for part-funding of the 2018 budget. Buharis request came in a letter dated July 23, and read by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, at plenary on Tuesday, October 9, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports The president said the amount, approved in the 2018 Appropriation Act, would be used to finance deficits and key infrastructure projects in the 2018 budget. The loan, according to him, will be raised from Eurobonds and other securities in the international capital market. READ ALSO: Just In: Governor Fayose speaks on joining APC In the same letter, Buhari also sought legislative nod for an external capital sourcing of 82.54 million dollars to refinance the balance of 500 million dollar matured Eurobonds in the international capital market. Buhari said the requests were pursuant to Section 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act of 2003. The lawmakers on Tuesday, October 9, resumed from their annual recess, which began on July 25. Although the break was earlier scheduled to end on September 25, it was extended to October 9 to enable them to participate in the just-concluded primaries of their political parties. In another letter dated September 10, the president requested Senate to confirm the appointment of Olanipekun Olukoyede as secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This is coming amid the pending confirmation of Ibrahim Magu, whose nomination by the president as substantive chairman of the EFCC has been rejected twice by the lawmakers. Also requested by the president was Senate consideration and approval of N346 billion as the 2018 budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The figure is N18 billion lower than the N364 billion budget approved for the commission in the 2017 fiscal year. A breakdown of the proposed amount shows a total recurrent expenditure of N32 billion and cumulative capital provision of N314 billion. The president listed sources of revenue for the commission in 2018 to include federal government contribution (N81.8 billion) and unpaid arrears by the Federal Government (N33.9 billion). Others are contributions from oil companies and others (N220 billion) and other realised income (N150 million). President Buhari also presented an Executive Bill titled Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Bill, 2018 to the Senate for consideration and passage. In a separate letter dated July 20, the president said the bill was intended to curtail illegal activities of pirates at sea and to reduce oil theft in domestic and international waters. He added that the proposed legislation would also domesticate relevant provisions of international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory. One of the treaties, according to the president, is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS II) relating to piracy. He identified another as the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts (SUA) against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, 1988 and its protocols. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Buhari had written a letter to Senate president, Bukola Saraki, after he declined assent to 15 bills. Following the presidents decision, the Senate decided to set up a technical committee to review the rejected bills. The rejected bills are National Research and Innovation Council (Est.) Bill, 2017; National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Est.) Bill, 2018; National Agricultural Seeds Council, 2018 and Subsidiary Legislation (Legislative Scrutiny) Bill, 2018. Nigeria Latest News: Why Yemi Osinbajo Terminated The Appointment Of Lawal Daura | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Tanko Beji urged Governor Ayo Fayose to stay in the PDP - The PDP chairman in Niger state said the result of the presidential primary has been accepted by a lot of people - He said Fayose has contributed a lot to the party Tanko Beji, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger, has said that the outgoing Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose has no reason to leave the party over the outcome of the National Convention. Fayose had threatened to leave the PDP following the failure of his preferred aspirant and Sokoto governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, to pick the partys presidential ticket. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tambuwal lost the ticket to former vice president Abubakar Atiku who got 1,532 votes to dwarf his 693 votes at the National Convention held on Saturday in Port Harcourt. READ ALSO: 2019: Obasanjo in secret meeting with Afenifiere Irked by the outcome, Fayose, in a statement on Monday, October 8, in Ado Ekiti, threatened to leave the PDP and defect to another political fold. But Beji, who spoke with newsmen on Tuesday in Minna, said that Fayose, a vocal founding member of the PDP, had no reason to dump the party. Fayose is the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum; he cannot abandon the position and leave the party in the middle of the sea," he said. Beji wondered why Fayose should keep the loss of the ticket to heart when Tambuwal had already congratulated the winner. Fayose cannot cry more than the bereaved. I will advise him not to take a step he could regret later. Fayose is a bold democrat we all respect in PDP. Majority of PDP members have accepted Atiku. Fayose cannot say no. What I expect Fayose to do is to join the majority. He has the right to be angry, but this is democracy and the majority has spoken, he said. The chairman also dismissed claims that some of the PDP candidates for next years general election were sponsored by the opposition. We do not have moles among our candidates. That I can assure you, he said. The chairman said that the PDP primaries were successful at all levels, declaring that the party was set to confront and defeat every rival in the 2019 general elections. Meanwhile Fayose ruled out his chances of joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (PDP). Recall that Fayose recently threatened to leave his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after his preferred aspirant, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, lost the partys presidential ticket to former vice president Atiku Abubakar. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Governor Fayose, however, said that he wont leave the PDP for the APC, advising the ruling party to bury the notion. Nigeria Latest News: PDP Convention - Atiku Elected as Presidential Candidate | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Yves here. Its useful to have a study confirm the connection between limited liability and more risky owner/operator behavior. Recall the New York Stock Exchange had stipulated that the exchange had to approve of all of the shareholders of member firms, and in the wake of the Depression, had further required that all NYSE members be partnerships to help restore trust in equity investing. That went out the window in 1970 when Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette filed to go public and the NYSE didnt kick them out. I worked at Goldman when it was a partnership, and the firm worked very hard to make everyone, even the most junior professionals, understand sources of legal and business risk and steer clear of them. Liability avoidance was close to a religion. By Peter Koudijs, Associate Professor of Finance, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Laura Salisbury, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, York University and Gurpal S. Sran, PhD Candidate in Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Originally published at VoxEU In order to protect the financial system from excessive risk-taking, many argue that bank managers need to have more personal liability. However, whether the liability of bank managers has a significant effect on risk-taking is an open question. This column studies a unique historical episode in which similar bankers, operating in similar institutional and economic environments, faced different degrees of personal liability, depending on the timing of their marriages, and finds that limited liability induced bankers to take more risks. In 2015, seven years after the failure of Lehman Brothers brought the financial world to the brink of collapse, Dick Fuld, the former CEO, sold his Idaho mansion for around $30 million dollars, setting a record for private home auctions. It seems he was ready to leave his private trout-fishing stream and return to the world of high finance. Naturally, Dick Fuld lost significant sums of money when his bank collapsed. Bebchuk et al. (2010) calculate that, in 2000, Fuld owned about $200 million of Lehman Brother stock, which would eventually become worthless. Nevertheless, Fuld withdrew about $520 million from the bank between 2000 and 2008 in the form of cash bonuses and equity sales, none of which was accessible to Lehmans creditors. This raises the question of whether bank managers incentives are set appropriately to protect the financial system from excessive risk-taking. Managers can cash in on a banks profits when things are going well, but they shoulder minimal losses if the bank fails (Bhagat and Bolton 2014). This limited liability may encourage them to take undue risks with depositors money. There is a growing chorus of commentators arguing that the financial system will only be safe if bank managers have more personal liability (e.g. Kay 2015, Cohan 2017). Whether the liability of bank managers has a significant effect on risk-taking is an open question. Bank managers care about their reputations and future careers; so, they might try to avoid the failure of their bank at any cost. Other stakeholders, such as uninsured creditors, may be able to force banks to reduce risk-taking (Calomiris and Kahn 1991, Diamond and Rajan 2000). To make their case, proponents of increased personal liability often point to what happened to investment banks over the last few decades. Before the 1980s, investment banks operated as partnerships with unlimited liability. During the 1980s, they went public. Anecdotally, this seems to have gone hand in hand with increased risk taking. However, this coincided with a period of general financial deregulation. So, how do we know what caused investment banks to take more risk? In recent work (Koudijs et al. 2018), we study a unique historical episode in which similar bankers, operating in similar institutional and economic environments, faced different degrees of personal liability, depending on the timing of their marriages. Our findings suggest that limited liability really matters for bank risk-taking. Banker Liability in the Past While bankers today shoulder relatively little risk, this was not always the case. During the US National Banking era (1864-1912), shares in national banks carried double liability. If a bank failed, each shareholder needed to pay back depositors out of personal assets, up to the amount of his original investment in the bank. For example, if he initially invested $1,000, he could lose that investment plus an additional $1,000. Bank presidents who were responsible for the day-to-day operations of the bank were major shareholders, typically owning 10-20% of their banks stock. The early part of the National Banking era coincides with a change in the marital property laws of certain US states. Under traditional American common law, when a woman married, her property became her husbands. Starting in the 1840s, states started to pass Married Womens Property Acts (MWPAs), which allowed married women to own property in their own right. However, these laws only applied to couples married after the passage of the MWPA. Crucially, the MWPAs protected a married womans property from claims against her husband. If her husband was a national bank president, this included double liability claims on his banks shares. The typical national bank president during the 1860s and 1870s was a middle-aged, married man. Depending on his birth year, age at marriage, and state of marriage, he may have been married before or after the passage of a MWPA in his state. In the latter case, his wifes property would have been protected from any double liability claims if his bank failed. As such, his household liability would have been less than that of an otherwise identical banker who was married before a MWPA. Heres a simple example. A banker with $100 in assets marries a woman with $100. The banker invests $75 in his bank. If this marriage occurred before a MWPA, depositors (represented by the regulator) could lay claim to $75 of the households remaining personal assets if the bank failed. However, if the marriage occurred after a MWPA, depositors would only have a right to the $25 the banker individuallyhad left. This reduction in personal liability may have led the banker to put his depositors money into riskier but higher-yield investments. Limited Liability and Bank Risk-Taking We collect data on the activities of New England national banks during the 1860s and 1870s, as well as information about bank presidents marriage histories. This allows us to classify bankers as protected (i.e. married after a MWPA was passed in his state) or unprotected. We then compare the risk-taking behaviour of protected and unprotected bankers. A key measure of bank risk-taking is leverage. We define this as loans and securities inherently risky investments made by the bank relative to capital invested in the bank by shareholders. A bank that extends more loans relative to capital is more likely to suffer losses that render it unable to pay back depositors. As it turns out, bankers with less personal liability managed more highly levered banks. More precisely, a banks ratio of loans and securities to capital was 7 to 10 percentage points higher if its president was married after a MWPA. This does not reflect underlying differences between protected and unprotected bankers (such as age), or the characteristics of counties or towns that they live in. It also does not reflect characteristics of the banks themselves when an individual bank switches from having an unprotected president to a protected president (through turnover, or a change in the presidents marital status), leverage increases in that bank. Not surprisingly, the impact of a presidents protection status is contingent on the relative wealth of his wife. Figure 1 plots the difference in leverage between banks with protected and unprotected presidents with different intra-household allocations of property (inferred from the ratio of the wifes family wealth to the husbands family wealth). Being married after a MWPA only increases leverage for bankers whose wives own a sufficiently large share of the households property. Figure 1 The effect of limited liability on bank leverage Source: Figure 1 in Koudijs et al. (2018). Note: Figure uses non-parametric local mean smoothing, where both the x-axis and y-axis variables are residualised with fixed effects and control variables. The vertical lines denote the 5thand 95thconfidence intervals. Bankers with less personal liability were more likely to engage in other risky lending practices as well. In particular, they were more likely to hide bad loans on their balance sheets, and to extend loans that were too risky according to regulators. Limited Liability and Financial Crises: The Panic of 1873 What were the consequences of protected bankers risky behaviour? We look at what happened to banks managed by presidents who faced different degrees of personal liability after the Panic of 1873. The Panic of 1873 was a nationwide financial crisis, triggered by the failure of an East-Coast investment bank, and followed by a string of bank failures and a lengthy recession (sound familiar?). In fact, banks managed by bankers with less personal liability fared worse after the Panic. Banks managed by bankers married after a MWPA experienced a larger decline in earnings relative to capital over the course of the depression (Figure 2). Moreover, this effect is most pronounced for bankers with relatively wealthy wives, whose personal liability would have been most limited by a MWPA (Figure 3). Figure 2 The effect of limited liability on bank earnings after the Panic of 1873 Source: Figure 2, Panel A in Koudijs et al. (2018). Note: Figure plots coefficients from regressions of aggregate earnings over capital on the protection status of the banker in 1873, including fixed effects and other controls. The vertical lines denote the 5thand 95thconfidence intervals. Figure 3 The effect of limited liability on bank earnings, 1873-1878 Source: Figure 3, Panel A in Koudijs et al. (2018). Note: Figure uses non-parametric local mean smoothing, where both the x-axis and y-axis variables are residualised with fixed effects and control variables. The vertical lines denote the 5thand 95thconfidence intervals. In short, limited liability induced bankers to take more risks, and this had real consequences for performance during a financial crisis. Our findings strongly suggest that increasing bank managers liability would discourage bank risk-taking, subject to the usual caveats about extrapolating from a historical period to the present. What does this imply about optimal bank regulation? One thing to consider is whether limiting bank risk-taking is a good thing. While less-risky banks may reduce the likelihood of a major financial crisis, they may also limit beneficial lending to innovative new businesses. We find no evidence, however, that this was the case in the 19th century the protection status of local bankers did not affect innovation in manufacturing firms, measured through the adoption of steam power. Still, this evidence is only suggestive. More work remains to be done to establish the right amount of banker liability. One important lesson is that, in terms of policy, one size does not fit all. The effectiveness of a policy that increases banker liability will depend on bankers individual circumstances. Bankers with a comfortable cushion (through marriage or an independent source of wealth) may respond differently than those who do not. So long as our laws allow bankers to shield the profits from risky investments from the claims of creditors, bankers will find clever ways to do so. Which brings us back to Dick Fuld. In 2009, when calls for personal lawsuits against bankers were loudest, Fuld sold his $13.5 million Florida beachside getaway to his wife for a mere $100a modern twist on the concept of limited spousal liability that began with the MWPAs. Regulators should ask themselves whether the benefits of limited liability outweigh the costs. Our research suggests that they may not. See original post for references By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans. Last week, New York governor Cuomo announced a $13 billion plan to improve John F. Kennedy (JFK) International airport, financed by $1 billion in public money with an additional $12 billion in private funds. The plan was originally floated in January 2017 and would transform JFKs eight existing terminals into one unified airport, according to this account in the Architects Newspaper, JFK International Airport is slated for a $10 billion overhaul. High time. The airport is a disgraceas I was reminded yet again yesterday afternoon, when I had to pass through JFK purgatory to board an international flight. And Im not the only one who thinks so. JFK ranked 14th in customer satisfaction among the 24 largest airports in the country in a survey by J.D. Power that was released last month. according to the Grey Ladys recap of the Cuomo announcement, Cuomos $13 Billion Solution to the Mess That Is J.F.K. Airport. Newarks Liberty International, ranking dead last. The refit will include construction of two new terminals, upgrades to transportation to and from the airport, as well as between terminals. But no change will occur to the basic JFK paradigm of nickel and diming passengers, with undue emphasis on improving the retail experience passengers can expect at JFK, rather than a undergoing a rethink about the fastest way to get them onto their planes, without wasting their time with security theater, unnecessary shopping digressions, or incompetence. And when, btw, will we see rollout of promised free wifi standard now even at many of the smallest Asian regional airports and not yet available at all JFK terminals. Private Financing The JFK overhaul will largely be financed by private companies. But Naked Capitalism readers know theres no such thing as a free lunch. So, what will those companies get for the financing theyve agreed to provide? According to Cuomos press release (from link above): The proposed new $7 billion, 2.9 million square foot terminal on the airports south side will be developed by the Terminal One Group, a consortium of four international airlinesLufthansa, Air France, Japan Airlines and Korean Air Lines. The plans call for replacing JFKs Terminal 1 (20 years old and undersized), which the group currently operates, and Terminal 2 (56 years old and functionally obsolete), as well as the area left vacant when Terminal 3 was demolished in 2014. When completed, it will yield a net increase of over 2 million in square feet from the existing terminals and provide 23 international gates, 22 of which will be designed to accommodate larger, wide-body aircraft (FAA Airplane Design Group V or VI) such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or Airbus A380, which provides seating for over 500 passengers. The new terminal will contain at least 24 security screening lanes, over 230,000 square feet of retail, dining and other concessions, 116,000 square feet of airline lounges, and 55,000 square feet of interior green space, childrens play areas and cultural exhibits. The complex will be operated by Munich Airport International and also be connected to the existing Terminal 4, which initially opened in 2001 and has been expanded twice since then, most recently in 2013. As for the new terminal on the northside, JetBlue will foot the bill: On the airports north side, the proposed new $3 billion, 1.2 million square foot terminal will be developed by JetBlue. JetBlue plans to demolish Terminal 7 (48 years old, undersized and functionally obsolete) and combine it with the vacant space where Terminal 6 was demolished in 2011 to create a world-class international terminal complex that would be connected to the airlines existing Terminal 5 and be occupied by the airline and its various partners currently spread throughout the airport. Terminal 5 opened in 2008 and is the newest of JFKs current six terminals. This new terminal will have 12 international gates, all of which be able to accommodate larger, wide-body aircraft. It will feature 74,000 square feet of retail, 30,000 square feet of airline lounges, and 15,000 square feet of recreational space. Ample other opportunities exist for private companies to profit, as discussed in Opportunities abound with JFKs $10 billion redevelopment. Thirty percent of state-funded contracts would be reserved for minority and women-owned business enterprises. Public Transit: Still Lacking And transportation options still underwhelm, particularly when compared to those elsewhere. Ill concede that the public transit situation has improved, and its now possible to get from Manhattan to JFK relatively quickly using public transit. The Cuomo plan includes money to improve Long Island Railroad connections, and the Air Train service. Yet as the Grey Lady summarizes: J.F.K. has been notoriously difficult to get to and from. Unlike many major international airports, it is not accessible from the main business districts in Manhattan by a single transit ride. No solution to that shortcoming is on the horizon. Still lacking are fast options modelled on the Heathrow Express, the RER (Paris), and Airport Express (Hong Kong). Hong Kong offers a sensible advance check-in service, at Central Station. Passengers can check in for their flights and leave their luggage early in the dayand then board a train later to get to the airport. Dumping ones checked-in luggage makes it easier for people to use public transit, as theyre then not burdened by luggage as they go about their business during the day, and later undertake their airport journey. Alas, no support exists for such an idea in the US. And in fact, US-bound passengers are further burdened compared to other passengers, in that now theyre not allowed to use Hong Kongs advance check-in procedures, No Plan to Address Flight Delays JFK and La Guardia, for that matter- are notorious for fight delays. But the new JFK plan wont fix this. Over to the Grey Lady again: About one-fourth of the flights into J.F.K. arrive late, compared with about 17 percent at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the worlds busiest airport. Still, the changes Mr. Cuomo announced would have only minor effects on flight delays, if any, because they do not include an additional runway or improvements in the air-traffic control system. The same is true at New Yorks other airport, La Guardia, which is also undergoing a multibillion dollar rebuilding project that is not aimed at addressing chronic flight delays. Passenger as Marks: Nickels and Dimes Instead, no opportunity is missed to nickel and dime passengers for services that should be free as they are in many if not most other airports throughout the world. Being nickel and dimed begins when one enters the airport. My pet peeve: those pay-for luggage carts. At most airports, these are free. Or if theres a charge, its a nominal charge, of a small coinone pound, one Turkish lira to use the cart, intended to get the user to return the cart to a central station. That is annoying, but not as much as getting dinged $6 before setting foot in the airport. Security Theater Security lines are long, and meandering. No one seems to know whats required. At any Asian airports, the lines are fast moving, and ones spared steps removing a laptop that are necessary in the US. I find this charade particularly annoying, as Monday, I managed to leave a favourite sweatshirt at JFK security. Im not a sweatshirt type of gal the couple I own usually last a long time, and one vintage piece in my minuscule sweatshirt wardrobe dates to my late 70s high school years. Now, Im not blaming anyone else for my carelessness in leaving my hoodie behind Monday, but why the strip tease anyway? Im sure Im not the only one who lost something at JFK yesterdaykeys, electronics. This is another cost imposed on travellers. What will be done to reduce this problem? Instead, we get Big Brother Will Be Watching You. The governors plan calls to [i]mplement state-of-the-art security technology, including regular reviews with third-party experts to update security to the future global best practices such as facial recognition and video tracking software that are currently being incorporated across New Yorks infrastructure developments. How about fast-tracking improvements in security screening that move passengers through the airport more quickly? Even keeping to US security protocols, its no longer necessary to remove electronic devices for separate screening if US airports were to invest in the latest equipment thats already in place at other airports. Why not fix procedures so that passengers can move through security in mere minutes, rather than the ample time JFK security currently requires. Wifi: Ha! The security mess means that the careful traveler gets to the airport early. And then what? After check-in, one may need to do some work. Currently, the JFK wifi situation is a lottery. What is available, and at what cost, depends on the terminal unlike many other airports, which offer free wifi or at least have cafes or restaurants where its available if you buy something. Even if available, the staff of the carriers have no idea that it is. Yesterday, I was able to find a free wifi service, but had to click through an annoying, pointless set of survey questions to access it: it made no sense to ask me what I thought of the quality of the service before I got on-line. So, Im glad to see that the governors plan envisions free, high speed wifi, and will create multiple charging stations. My response: what took you so long? And, what s the timeframe for these long overdue changes? Do we have to see the complete airport upgrade before we see changes enacted that would barely bring JFK up to the international norm? Retail Experience I dont go to the airport to shop, but as a necessary step to getting from where I am to where I want or need to be. Retail revenue is now obviously a big part of the financing model for airports. Over to the NYT again: [Mitchell L. Moss, director of the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management at New York University]. said the planned improvements international terminals, would turn the thing into a global shopping mall. But he said that is the established trend in airports around the world, where a captive audience of travelers waiting to board planes is enticed to spend money in sleek shops and restaurants. J.F.K. has been very slow to recognize that theres more money to be made on the ground than in the planes, he said. Noise Around the time of the London Olympics, IIRC, Heathrow took steps to reduce noise levels, which exacerbate passenger anxiety about flying. US airports, by contrast, bombard passengers with ubiquitous CNN coverage . I assume the network pays for the privilege of being able to blast its coverage at a captive audience. I see no attempt to reduce this scourge. Bottom Line The Cuomo plan would produce a shiny new JFK with construction starting in 2020, the first gates opening in 2023, and the full upgrade finishing in 2025. Until then, JFK passengers can expect to endure the chaos that those currently flying through LaGuardia now endure and will continue to see, until that airport upgrade is finished in ten years time. But the Cuomo plan doesnt address some of the many elements that currently make passing through JFK a hellish experience. Cant we do better than this? Rare white tiger kills zookeper in Japan BBC At last Paul Romer got his Nobel prize Lars P. Syll. UserFriendly: Somewhat shocking after his trouble with macro paper. one of my favorites. Nobel Winner Vows Zero Tolerance for Lazy, Untested Economics Bloomberg Graduate Student Solves Quantum Verification Problem Quanta Magazine (David L) Environmental consequences of nuclear war American Institute of Physics (Bill B). From 2008 but worth Who Is Neri Oxman? New York Times (David L) Hackers expose frailty of robots Financial Times (David L) Dual studies question impact of artificial sweeteners on gut bacteria New Atlas (David L) What we have is a trillion-dollar fighter jet that doesn't work and iphones with facial recognition. A Swiss startup will turn carbon dioxide into stonefor a price Quartz (David L) China? Australian government backs coal in defiance of IPCC climate warning Guardian (Kevin W). :-( Brexit U.K. Plays Down Talk of Brexit Breakthrough Bloomberg: There is a difference between people talking optimistically about a deal and a deal being done, Slack told reporters in London on Monday. There can be no withdrawal deal without a precise future framework. So UK rejects EU offer for lots of fudge to help May get Brexit through Parliament? I cant wait for Richard North to have a go at this: May seeks frictionless trade in return for deal on Irish border Financial Times. But in the meantime, the FT readers are all over it. For instance, from Blue Horseshoe Loves BINO: I suspect May will get frictionless trade without signing up to the four freedoms on the same day Wiley Coyote catches Roadrunner. But even more presumptuous: Downing Street says there will be no Brexit deal at next weeks summit unless EU leaders concede major ground The Sun Theresa May warns EU that Britain wont sign up to a 39billion blind Brexit deal as PM demands any future trading is clearly spelled out Daily Mail. Making 11th hour demands is not conducive to reaching an agreement. Either this is to help the Tories with their pretense that the EU is the bad guy, or (worse) May has totally misread the good cop pose of trying to help her by offering what could be depicted as concessions after the bad cop show at Salzburg as a sign of weakness. Europe is closing a trading loophole that banks were relying to cope with Brexit Business Insider. Reported in the FT but this is outside the paywall. Yves here. Peter Dormans post on how Martin Weitzman was slighted this year in the so-called Nobel Prize in Economics highlights his importance in the climate change debate. I must confess to only having seen Weitzmans thinking used as a critical part of a paper I have cited often, Andrew Haldanes The $100 Billion Question, describes, admittedly in economese, how Weitzman provided a way to decide whether to tax or limit/prohibit pollution: The taxation versus prohibition question crops up repeatedly in public choice economics. For centuries it has been central to the international trade debate on the use of quotas versus subsidies. During this century, it has become central to the debate on appropriate policies to curtail carbon emissions. In making these choices, economists have often drawn on Martin Weitzmans classic public goods framework from the early 1970s.13 Under this framework, the optimal amount of pollution control is found by equating the marginal social benefits of pollution-control and the marginal private costs of this control. With no uncertainty about either costs or benefits, a policymaker would be indifferent between taxation and restrictions when striking this cost/benefit balance. In the real world, there is considerable uncertainty about both costs and benefits. Weitzmans framework tells us how to choose between pollution-control instruments in this setting. If the marginal social benefits foregone of the wrong choice are large, relative to the private costs incurred, then quantitative restrictions are optimal. Why? Because fixing quantities to achieve pollution control, while letting prices vary, does not have large private costs. When the marginal social benefit curve is steeper than the marginal private cost curve, restrictions dominate. The results flip when the marginal cost/benefit trade-offs are reversed. If the private costs of the wrong choice are high, relative to the social benefits foregone, fixing these costs through taxation is likely to deliver the better welfare outcome. When the marginal social benefit curve is flatter than the marginal private cost curve, taxation dominates. So the choice of taxation versus prohibition in controlling pollution is ultimately an empirical issue. By Peter Dorman, an economist and a professor at Evergreen State College whose writing and speaking focuses on carbon policy, child labor and the global financial crisis. Originally published at EconoSpeak Most of the commentary today on the decision to award Nobel prizes in economics to William Nordhaus and Paul Romer has focused on the recipients. I want to talk about the nonrecipient whose nonprize is perhaps the most important statement by the Riksbank, the Swedish central bank that decides who should be recognized each year for their work in economics in memory of Alfred Nobel. Nordhaus was widely expected to be a winner for his work on the economics of climate change. For decades he has assembled and tweaked a model called DICE (Dynamic Integrated Climate-Economy), that melds computable general equilibrium theory from economics and equations from the various strands of climate science. His goal has been to estimate the optimal amount of climate change, where the marginal cost of abating it equals the marginal cost of undergoing it. From this comes an optimal carbon price, the social cost of carbon, which should be implemented now and allowed to rise over time at the rate of interest. In his first published work using DICE, from the early 1990s, he recommended a carbon tax of $5 a tonne of CO2, inching slowly upward until peaking at $20 in 2085. His optimal policy was expected to result in an atmospheric concentration of CO2 of over 1400 ppm (parts per million) at the end of this planning horizon, yielding global warming in excess of 3 C. (Nordhaus, 1992) Over time Nordhaus has become slightly more concerned with the potential economic costs of climate change but also more sanguine about the prospects for decarbonized economic growth, even in the absence of policy. In his latest work he advocates a carbon tax of $31 per tonne in 2015, increasing at 3% per year over the following century. This too would result in more than 3 warming. To give a sense of how modest his suggestion is, consider that, in the same paper, Nordhaus calculates that the most efficient carbon tax to limit warming to 2.5 is between $107-184 per tonne depending on assumptions. The target of the Paris Accord is 2, and most scientists consider this an upper bound for the amount of warming we should permit. What do these optimal tax numbers mean? Based on the carbon content of gas, each $1 carbon tax translates into a one cent tax on a gallon of gas at the pump. If we adopted Nordhaus suggestion for carbon pricing, the result would be minuscule compared to the year-to-year fluctuations in energy prices due to other causes. In other words, while his prize is being trumpeted as a statement from the Swedish bankers on the importance of climate change, in fact he is a key spokesman for the position, rejected by nearly all climate scientists, that the problem is modest and can be solved by easy-to-digest, nearly imperceptible adjustments to energy prices. If we go down his road we face a significant risk of a climate apocalypse. But Nordhaus is not the only climate economist on the block. In fact, he has been locked in debate for many years with Harvards Martin Weitzman. Weitzman rejects the entire social-cost-of-carbon approach on the grounds that rational policy should be based on the insurance principle of avoiding worst-case outcomes. His dismal theorem demonstrates that, under reasonable assumptions, the likelihood of tail events does not fall as rapidly as their degree of catastrophe increases, so their expected cost rises without limitand this applies to climate scenarios. (I explain this graphically here.) Not surprisingly, Weitzmans work is often invoked by those who, like me, believe much more aggressive action is needed to limit carbon emissions. It also happens that Weitzman is a giant in the field of environmental economics quite apart from his particular contribution to the climate debate. He did the original work on environmental policy under uncertainty and has contributed significantly to other areas of economic theory. (His analysis of the uncertainty problem is explained here.) Even if the greenhouse effect never existed he would be a candidate for a top prize. Because of this, whenever economists speculated on who would win the econ Nobel, the Nordhaus scenario was always couched as Nordhaus-Weitzman. (For a recent example, see Tyler Cowen, who adds Partha Dasgupta, here.) It seemed logical to pair a go-slow climate guy with a go-fast one. But as it happened, Nordaus was paired not with Weitzman but Paul M. Romer for the latters work on endogenous growth theory. I wont take up Romers contribution here, but what is interesting is that the Riksbank committee chose to yoke together two economists whose work is only loosely related. I cant recall any forecaster ever predicting a joint prize for them, no matter how much commentators have scrambled to justify it after the fact. The reality is this is a nonprize for Weitzman, an attempt to dismiss his approach to combating climate change, even though his position is far closer to the scientific mainstream than Nordhaus. An example of the enlistment of the uncritical media in this enterprise is todays New York Times, where Binyamin Appelbaum writes: Mr. Nordhaus also was honored for his role in developing a model that allows economists to analyze the costs of climate change. His work undergirds a new United Nations report on the dangers of climate change, released Monday in South Korea. Wrong. The work Nordhaus pioneered in the social cost of carbon is mentioned only twice in the IPCC report, a box in Chapter 2 and another in Chapter 3. The reason it appears only in boxes is that, while the authors of the report wanted to include this work in the interest of being comprehensive, it plays no role in any of their substantive conclusions. And how could it? The report is about the dangers of even just 1.5 of warming, less than the conventional 2 target, and far less than the 3+ Nordhaus is comfortable with. Damages are expressed primarily in terms of uninhabitable land and climate refugees, agricultural failure and food security, and similarly nonmonetary outcomes, not the utility-from-consumption metric on which Nordhaus work rests. The Nordhaus/Romer combo is so artificial and unconvincing its hard to avoid the impression that the prize not given to Weitzman is as important as the one given to Nordhaus. This is a clear political statement about how to deal with climate change and how not to deal with it. The Riksbank has spoken: it wants a gradual approach to carbon, one that makes as few economic demands as possible. Nordhaus, William. 1992. An Optimal Transition Path for Controlling Greenhouse Gases. Science.Nov. 20. 258(5086): 1315-1319. The new LaGuardia Airport will be one of the biggest American infrastructure projects of recent times. The catch? They must keep the existing airport 100% operational without descending into chaos and delays? Thursdays from 8:30pm AEDT. Femme presentee comme deleguee de Transparency International Capture d'ecran Depuis les contestations qui ont suivi lorganisation de lelection presidentielle du 07 octobre 2018, le gouvernement camerounais et ses medias passent en bouclent les declarations dune femme qui felicite lorganisation de la Presidentielle 2018 au nom de lONG Transparency international. Depuis les contestations qui ont suivi lorganisation de lelection presidentielle du 07 octobre 2018, le gouvernement camerounais et ses medias passent en bouclent les declarations dune femme qui felicite lorganisation de la Presidentielle 2018 au nom de lONG Transparency international. Surprise par cette declaration diffusee en mondovision, la Direction de cette ONG qui se trouve a Berlin en Allemagne, a fait la publication ci-dessous, pour faire savoir a lopinion publique que Transparency international na delegue personne au Cameroun pour observer le dernier scrutin LES OBSERVATEURS ELECTORAUX INTERNATIONAUX AU CAMEROUN NE SONT PAS AFFILIES A TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL Transparency International confirme n'avoir aucune mission internationale d'observation des elections au Cameroun. Un recent reportage televise presentant des individus decrits comme travaillant pour Transparency International est faux et faux. Les personnes repertoriees dans le rapport n'ont aucune affiliation avec Transparency International, a declare Patricia Moreira, directrice generale de Transparency International. Nous n'avons pas envoye de mission internationale d'observation des elections au Cameroun. Notre section locale au Cameroun a mis en place un mecanisme de rapport destine au grand public et a travaille avec un reseau de citoyens pour signaler les irregularites eventuelles a la section. Cependant, aucune de ces activites ne fait partie d'une mission d'observation electorale officielle. " Une tentative deliberee d'usurper l'identite de Transparency International ou de sciemment decrire des individus non affilies comme des employes du mecanisme de surveillance de la corruption est totalement inacceptable. En cette periode critique pour la democratie au Cameroun, Transparency International et Transparency International Cameroon exhortent tous les partis politiques et les medias a agir de maniere responsable et integre dans leurs communications autour de l'election et de ses resultats. - INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS IN CAMEROON ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL Transparency International confirms that it has no international election observation mission in Cameroon. A recent television report featuring individuals described as working for Transparency International is false and untrue. The individuals shown in the report have no affiliation with Transparency International, said Patricia Moreira, Managing Director of Transparency International. We have not sent an international election observation mission to Cameroon. Our local chapter in Cameroon has established a reporting mechanism for use by the general public, and worked with a network of citizens to report possible irregularities to the chapter. However, none of these activities are part of an official election observation mission. A deliberate attempt to impersonate Transparency International or knowingly portray non-affiliated individuals as employees of the anti-corruption watchdog is completely unacceptable. At this critical time for democracy in Cameroon, Transparency International and Transparency International Cameroon urge all parties in politics and media to act responsibly and with integrity in their communications around the election and its results. For any press enquiries please contact Michael Hornsby T: +49 30 34 38 20 666 E: [email protected] On Wednesday, 10 October 2018, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will meet the Head of the United Nations Support Mission to Libya, H.E. Mr. Ghassan Salame. Mr. Salame will then participate in a meeting of the North Atlantic Council. There are no media opportunities. Still images of the meeting with the Secretary General will be available on the NATO website after the event. Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg) Piers Cazalet: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, apologies for the delay this morning. We have just come out of a long North Atlantic Council meeting where the Admiral was briefing ambassadors on Trident Juncture. So if Admiral Foggo could first of all say a few words, and then we will pass to General Jakobsen. Admiral. Admiral Foggo: Thank you Piers, for bringing us here together today. Ladies and gentlemen, again apologies for running late, we didnt expect the meeting to go that long. I thought we would be here thirty minutes ago. I did a similar event here last year that some of you may have attended, and I am pleased to be back at this marvellous NATO headquarters today with Lieutenant General Jakobsen and Lieutenant General Christian Juneau. Christian is my honourable deputy, in Naples, he is a Canadian Forces Officer, as you can see, and he will be operating with the Land Component on the ground for Exercise Trident Juncture alongside General Jakobsen while I am at sea doing what I do best. The Trident Juncture exercise will take place in and around Norway from October 25th to November 7th. We have been very open about these dates, and they have been consistent. We will have advance activities taking place in and around Iceland from October 15th to the 17th. General Juneau will oversee the exercise from the NATO Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger and I will travel throughout the region, be there for the amphibious landings and get ashore and do key leader engagement and observe the exercise as it takes place. I will also be on the beach for the conduct of the DV Day [Distinguished Visitors Day] on the 30th October. We are boiling down Trident Juncture to a core theme of just a few words, I call it the three Ds NATO is a Defensive alliance, Trident Juncture Demonstrates our credible capability, and together we Deter potential adversaries. All 29-member NATO nations will participate in the exercise, along with our partners from Sweden and Finland. And we are delighted about that. Trident Juncture illustrates NATOs relevance and unity, and that we are ready to defend ourselves and the territory which is contained within those 29 allied nations. At the core of the exercise is the NATO Response Force and within that, the 5000 person-plus Spearhead force, otherwise known as the VJTF or the Very High Readiness Joint Taskforce. Today it is my privilege to announce that the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group, including its ships and aircraft, will participate in Trident Juncture, adding about 6000 personnel to the mix. That puts our total strength up at 45 plus 5 you can do the math. The US Navy is demonstrating its capability because of our flexibility, our agility and our commitment to the Alliance. And we have deployed the Harry S. Truman as a function of our dynamic force employment planning throughout the globe. And its one of the first platforms to actually participate in dynamic force employment; it came to the theatre, went back to the States and then returned just a month ago. While Truman remains ready rapidly to respond to any crisis anywhere, I am thrilled to announce my intent to employ this very capable strike group in Trident Juncture commencing on the 25th October. I am confident Trident Juncture will be an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate our unity and resolve, and I am very grateful to our very capable NATO Ally and host nation Norway. General Jakobsen commands Norways joint force headquarters in Bodo, I had the pleasure of visiting him the headquarters this year, and I am thrilled with their incorporation of NATO into Norways Total defence concept. Their planning and support has been nothing short of stellar. Over to you for your prospective. Lt Gen Jakobsen: Thank you very much Admiral for your kind words and I take the opportunity to highlight the outstanding partnership we have enjoyed with Joint Force Command Naples in all aspects of the preparation for the exercise. Our political leaders were very pleased five years ago when NATO decided to execute Trident Juncture 18 in Norway. Additionally to the benefits of stress-testing our national defence plans, we provide NATO Allies with first-hand experience of NATOs Northern flank and hopefully, in challenging weather conditions. Norway is a small country and our defence relies heavily on NATOs collective defence. Invoking Article 5 means to be able to receive Allied forces and reinforcements, and to that we must have plans and we mush rehearse the plans. That is why Trident Juncture 18 is important for us. The exercise will give us the opportunity to test, evaluate, further develop our Total Defence Concept, as well as national reception plans. During the exercise, the regional forces will cooperate closely with civil emergency services, the police, the railway, port and transportation authorities, as well as with local and national businesses. The size and complexity of the exercise ensure a very realistic stress test for everybody. More than 10 thousand Norwegian troops will participate directly or indirectly, and both on the tactical and operational level; the field exercise will facilitate for testing of the interoperability and training cooperation between Allies, in a high-intensity war fighting scenario. I believe Norway will provide a unique training opportunity for all participants: with large sea, air and land areas available for manoeuvre, with very high freedom of manoeuvre in all dimensions. Allied training in Norway is also highly appreciated by the normal population. More than 76% of our population are positive to NATO, and hopefully all allied soldiers will enjoy the hospitality of the local people in the exercise area. I would also like to highlight the excellent partnership we have with our neighbouring countries Sweden and Finland, who will host aircraft deployments and make their airspace available for operations. My most important task as the Joint Force Commander is to provide a good training experience for all participating troops and nations. And facilitate for every unit to meet their training objectives through the best possible host nation support. The only important task for me is to support the Commander to create a safe exercise environment. Thanks for your attention I will give the word to Piers to lead. Piers Cazalet: Thank you very much, now we have some time for questions. If you have a question could you, please say your name and your outlet. Yes, please? Bulgarian Club Z media: How far from the Russian border will it take place, thats the first question; and second question, so, according to the scenario, NATO will repel attack from the North. Does it mean that this imaginary attack will come from Russia? Thank you. Adm. Foggo: How far from the Russian border, well, Norway has a border with Russia, and we are operating in Norway and we are operating North as far as Tromso and Alta. I will let Commander Jakobsen comment on that or add to that if he desires. This exercise has several messages, that is, NATO is capable of defending, it is capable of deterring any adversary, not anyone in particular, no particular adversary, in the conduct of its operations throughout the theatre of the Alliance. And that is what we intend to do, so I wouldnt comment on any particular country. This is a message to anyone who might conduct any kind of aggressive act leading to an Article 5 scenario inside the NATO Alliance. Did you want to comment? Lt. Gen. Jakobsen: Yeah, the core exercise area is more than one thousand kilometres from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to five hundred kilometres away from the border, so there should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared, or see this as something else than a defensive exercise. And the six brigades training, they train both offensive and defensive operations, so the scenario is designed to make the units on the battalion and brigade level meet their training outcomes. ARD: I was just wondering, Admiral, can you say anything about the role of the German contribution of the exercise and second, I would like to have some personal views of your dedication to the transatlantic security environment and your personal dedication to NATO? Admiral Foggo: I was born in Monchengladbach in NATO in Northern Army headquarters of Rheindahlen in 1959, so you might say I was born into NATO. This is my fifth assignment in Europe, my forth command in NATO if you include the JTF that I commanded during the Unified Protector transition. I am a firm transatlanticist; I have been educated in Europe, at Strasburg the heart of the European community, and thats the reason I think Im here in this job. It is a dream job for me and every day I wake up and pinch myself knowing that Im a NATO commander in Naples and I am able to get underway and go to sea with a force of over 45 thousand soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, to defend the interest of this Alliance that I believe so strongly in. As to the German contribution, I am pleased to say that when I was in Berlin earlier last month I had a chance to visit General Zorn, the German CHOD, and complement and congratulate him on the contribution of 85 hundred personnel and their associated kit, if you will, the equipment that they are bringing into Norway. Germany is part of the German-Netherlands Corps, which is part and parcel of the 5 thousand-plus Spearhead Force that I told you about, the very high readiness joint task force, which shows that NATO can move quickly. Part of the discussion during the Summit in July was the proposition to be able to do the 30 / 30 / 30 point, so that was to move 30 battalions, 30 aircraft squadrons or 30 ships in 30 days. The alliance aspires to be able to do that extremely well, and we will demonstrate that with the heavy logistics capability that will be demonstrated in this exercise. I think I have said it before: logistics is the sixth domain of warfare. And you can see that play out through Trident Juncture. Thank you for your question. Lt. Gen. Jakobsen: If I can add to that the Admiral mentioned the contribution of Germany; from the land perspective they are going to provide a brigade a very robust brigade that will be part of the primary training audience, because the live portion of Trident Juncture 18 is focused at the brigade level. So, they have an extremely important role from the land perspective to play. Piers Cazalet: Can we have a question over here? Wall Street Journal Can you talk a little bit more about the challenge of getting all the equipment into Norway because logistics and military mobility is a very big issue in Europe the European Union is working with NATO on this how does this play into all of that? Thank you. Adm. Foggo: When you are talking about moving over 45 thousand soldiers, sailors and marines, over 60 ships large ships, 120 aircraft and 10 thousand vehicles to respond to a crisis, that is no small feat. It has to be done through sealift, airlift or by land. The United Kingdom has chosen to drive its force on the land, so theyre testing their ability to do that through landlines. We have plenty of forces, lots of US forces, lots of US Marines coming from the United States, that will be exercising our ability to operate in sea lines of communication. So, part of the victory of all this is that everybody shows up on Day One on the 25th October with their associated support and ready to defend. And so, thats when I say, logistics is the sixth domain of warfare we are testing that. Its not going to be perfect, we have about 10% of the personnel and the equipment on the ground right now. So weve got a heavy lift over the next 18 days to get the rest of those folks there and ready to defend; and it was designed that way, because thats kind of the way we would approach a crisis if something happens, we have got to respond. NATO is working this through its logistics programme for delivery of equipment with all various means of delivery from the sea, from the air and from the land. And there will be some significant lessons learned out of this; and we dont expect it to go perfectly. Thats why we do exercises. So, thanks for your question. Christian? Lt Gen Juneau: When we talk about over 10 thousand vehicles on Norways roads, that will present a traffic control challenge that will stress-test the system. The second point I want to make is the weather in Norway, in late October-early November, will be a factor, for sure. As a Canadian I know what it can look like in a northern country during that time of the year. They have already had some snow in Norway, so that will certainly be stressing the movement control in our logistics, as well. Janes Defence: I just wanted to build on the question about military mobility two quick questions, how much of the NRF is going to be deployed, and I assume its the entire Spearhead that will be deployed? If not, could you tell us what percentages of both of those are at play? And is the way that the NRF going to be deployed in Norway designed to specifically to test military mobility, or are you relying on air transports in the past for the Spearhead? Thank you. Christian: The whole of NRF will be deployed, its a brigade part of the German Netherland brigade, it will deploy from Europe it will finish an exercise, get on ships and aircraft and fly in theatre like it would happen during a conflict. Janes Defence: No overland movement? Christian: No, not from that element Janes Defence: Is that how it will always be in a war case situation? Christian: Well, it depends on where you are going, right? So, Norway there are very few countries from where you can drive to Norway. I know the United Kingdom will deploy a significant element over land, so theyre going to drive all the way to Denmark and then theyre going to sail to Norway, just to test that military mobility that youre talking about. Janes Defence: I guess, Im just wondering if you shouldnt be testing more overland, testing more of the movement of the NRF overland in case in future Trident Juncture was held strictly in Eastern Europe with no sea access. Lt Gen Juneau: Well, there are other exercises that are testing that, actually. The Noble Jump exercise that was conducted last summer in 2017, we had troops moving from Greece all the way to Romania overland. DPA: I have a question in the same direction, a lot of experts are wondering if NATO is really capable to deploy troops very quickly wouldnt it makes sense to also do so called snap exercises like Russia what do you think about it? Admiral Foggo: I would like to get some training value out of an exercise; and whereas a snap ex will tell you something about your readiness and your ability to respond on very short notice, I think that through a deliberate plan and over the course of time, when you have an opportunity to look at different scenarios throughout the European theatre and then apply the full force and capability of NATO, is probably better training and better lessons-learned to come out of it. Particularly with regard to monitors and assessors. So, there is a lot that comes to bear to do an exercise of the volume of which Trident Juncture has become. And so I think that deliberate approach is going to allow us to take lessons learned away from this, to refine and improve our training tactics of procedures in the future, more so, than a snap ex would do. Would you like to comment on that? Lt Gen Juneau: I can partly answer your question or concern the VJTF very High Readiness Taskforce, as part of their annual training plan, there is an alert exercise that is taking place. So we do that, we bring the folks in, bring the vehicles in, we dont necessarily deploy them right away, but at least part of that readiness is tested that way. Europa Press: Could you talk a little bit more if there is going to be any kind of training or putting into test any kind of cyber capabilities and also maybe against A2AD into the exercise? Thank you. Admiral Foggo: I wouldnt talk about offensive cyber capabilities, I wouldnt talk about specific operational aspects the exercise but, I would tell you that we intend to defend our networks against anyone who might have any kind of ulterior motives while we are in the exercise; and I believe they are very robust so we will get a chance to test that. Piers Cazalet: Any other questions? Okay. Thank you very much Admiral, Generals thank you for your time. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. (As delivered) Prime Minister, thank you for your warm welcome, for hosting me and my delegation here. And also congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of Slovenia. I very much look forward to working with you but also with your Foreign Minister and your Defence Minister, two politicians I know very well from their previous positions. So I really appreciate it to be here and to meet with all of you and to discuss the challenges we face as an Alliance. But I also appreciate to come to Ljubljana because as a child I lived in Yugoslavia in the 60s and we came back many times in the 1970s and I remember very well that when we went to Ljubljana I already then loved the city, mostly because my father always gave me sladoled in Ljubljana, so that was so to say the first time I started to like this city. This time I didnt get sladoled but I got a very good lunch so thank you also for that lunch. We are grateful for Slovenias contributions to our shared security to the NATO Alliance. You contribute forces to our presence mission in Afghanistan, helping to fight terrorism and make sure that Afghanistan doesnt become a safe haven for international terrorists once again. You are present, you contribute forces to our mission in Kosovo, which is key to make sure that we keep a safe and secure environment in Kosovo. And we just saw the quality of your special operations forces with the display they had outside this building when we arrived, the high quality of your forces, and especially of your special operations forces. Im also glad that you have contributed to and have been part of the Enhanced Forward Presence of NATO troops in the Baltics, with your presence in Latvia. And I also welcome you to the big NATO exercise later on in October, Trident Juncture, in Norway, which will be the biggest NATO exercise in many many years, showing that NATO is adapting, showing that NATO is responding to a more demanding and difficult security environment. Then, we had a very good discussion during lunch and we addressed how NATO is adapting to a new and more challenging security environment and how we are both strengthening our collective defence at home in Europe, but at the same time projecting stability beyond our borders, through our missions and operations in the fight against terrorism but also to help partners in Europe like Ukraine, like Georgia, and other partners in Europe, which are important for us, because when our neighbours are more stable, we are more secure. We also mentioned the importance of NATO-EU cooperation. We welcome the strengthened cooperation between NATO and the EU, and I also welcome EU efforts on defence as long as they are complementing and strengthening the European pillar within NATO and not duplicating or competing with NATO. So done in the right way, I really believe that stronger EU efforts on defence can improve burden sharing within the Alliance, and therefore I also welcome the close cooperation between our two organisations. But of course, burden sharing is about capabilities, its about contributions, its about NATO-EU cooperation, but its also about spending and investing in defence. And NATO Allies reduced defence spending after the end of the Cold War when tensions went down. I was then a politician in Norway and I was also responsible for reducing defence spending in Norway but when we are reducing defence spending when tensions go down, we have to be able to increase defence spending when tensions are going up as they are now. Therefore I welcome that you so clearly have stated that you will increase the defence investments of Slovenia. Slovenia is currently spending just about 1% of GDP on defence, so I encourage you to do more to increase, and as you said, this is in our security interest, its something we need to make sure we are safe, and therefore I expect all Allies, also including Slovenia, to make good on the promise we made together back in 2014, to stop the cuts and start to increase defence spending. I look very much forward to working with you and to address many different challenges including how NATO can help to address the challenges we see in the south east of Europe, working with our members there. We have a new member Montenegro. We have welcomed the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1 as our 30th member if they can implement the name agreement with Greece. And we also work with partners like for instance Serbia to make sure that NATO continues to contribute to stability in this part of Europe. So once again, thank you so much for receiving me. Moderator [Interpreted]: Thank you, Mr Stoltenberg. Now the floor is yours. Both the Prime Minister and Secretary General are available for your questions. But please first of all introduce yourself and state the name of your media. Question [Radio Slovenia] [Interpreted]: Spela Novak, Radio Slovenia. Mr Prime Minister, so considering your words, will Slovenia now more quickly increase the defence funds, and the commentary of the Secretary General, other Allies also do not comply with their commitments. And the second question for Mr Stoltenberg. Considering the climate change and the yesterday's report of the climate panel warns us that we must really take action, because the climate change is probably now the biggest threat to security, dont you think that those funds that go for climate change should also be considered as funds being spent on defence, or security? Marjan Sarec [Prime Minister of Slovenia] [Interpreted]: Thank you for your question. Let me start at the end; you have said that also other Allies do not deliver on their commitment. This is just like a child who comes from school and says, well others have also had the worst mark for their test, not just me. It's about an increase in the defence budget and not so much for the sake of NATO but, as I have emphasised, for the sake of ourselves. It is about ourselves, so that we can have a state that we can be proud of, so thats why we have to fulfil the promises. The dynamic of an increase in the defence budget will follow the planned path. We have noted down what our objective is. Some Allies are already now paying 2% of GDP, of course this cannot happen overnight in Slovenia, but of course we'll make our utmost effort to attain our objective of at least 1.5% in a couple of years. If the situation will allow this of course. Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: First on defence spending; I think we have to understand that when we made the commitment in 2014 to invest more, we didnt promise to spend 2% next year. What we said was that we should stop the cuts. After years of decline in defence budgets, we promised to stop that trend. Second, we promised to start to increase in real terms. And thirdly, we promised to move towards spending 2% of GDP within a decade, meaning within 2024. The good news is that all Allies have stopped the cuts, all Allies have started to increase, in real terms, and the majority of Allies have put forward plans on how to reach 2% by 2024. When we made the pledge, it was only three Allies that spent 2% of GDP on defence. This year, we expect eight Allies to spend 2% of GDP on defence. So, we are really making progress. I welcome also the fact that Slovenia has at least stopped the cuts and started to increase, but we have to remember that the average now in NATO - it varies how much different Allies spend - but the average, if we exclude the United States, is around 1.5%, a bit above 1.5%. Slovenia is around 1% and the difference between 1.5% and 1%, thats 50%. So, thats a significant difference. So, as I said, I encourage Slovenia to do more and I am encouraged by the strong messages from the Prime Minister and from the Foreign and Defence Ministers. So, as I said, this is something we need to because it's in our security interests, with a more assertive Russia and with all the turmoil and the violence we see in the Middle East, fighting Daesh/ISIL, and also to protect our cyber networks and address new threats and challenges. Then you asked about climate change. Well, for me, there is no way we can choose between either addressing our security challenges or addressing climate change. We just need to do both. NATO has recognised that climate change is a security challenge and thats also the reason why we have expressed concern about climate change, because it can lead to, you know, more migration, more instability. But we cannot say that we either spend on addressing climate change or defence, we just need to do both. And let me also add that, in my previous capacity, I worked with climate change - as Prime Minister of Norway. And then I think we have to remember that to invest in new technologies, to invest in clean production, is that technology and the industry of the future. So, it's profitable. It's possible to earn money if you invest in clean and environmentally-friendly technology. On top of that, we have to remember that the principle we have agreed to, in the UN and in other fora is that we need to live by the principle polluter pay, or polluters pay principle, meaning that it's not just state budgets that are going to pay for the investments in green technology. It's the industries, it's you and me, and one of the most effective tools we have in the fight against climate change is carbon pricing, and that actually generates revenue to states' budgets, which can be used them to increase defence spending. So, this is a win/win for all of us. Moderator [Interpreted]: Are there any other questions? Question [TV Slovenia] [Interpreted]: Marta Razborsek, TV Slovenia. Did you also talk about the Port of Koper? Is NATO going to use the Port of Koper? There is a protest announced in front of the parliament today, so what is your comment? Marjan Sarec [Prime Minister of Slovenia] [Interpreted]: About the Port of Koper, there's disinformation in the public about this and I am convinced that Slovenia must make use of its good geostrategic position in general. And since NATO is not solely a military organisation, but also a political organisation, this means that it is also creates cooperation, and Slovenia has a very good geostrategic position and can exploit this potential in the future, if it wishes so. We can see many opportunities for this, but of course this does not mean that there will be a base like in Aviano, what I have heard in the public, but this is not true. But as I have said, Slovenia is a member of NATO and we should state openly that there's a number of people in Slovenia who believe that NATO is not an organisation the member of which Slovenia should be, but I always look back into the history and I look back at the 70 years of NATO's history, and I concluded this organisation is successful. And let me emphasise once again that we should not throw away the results of the work of our predecessors, 15 years ago. Let us not forget the huge success at the referendum, at that time. Of course these protests, I understand them, as in spirit of democracy, what kind of a democracy would we be if people wouldnt protest? People have always protested and always will, but it should be the arguments that prevail and not power. Thank you very much. Moderator [Interpreted]: Any other questions? Question [TV Slovenia] [Interpreted]: The interest of NATO in the Port of Koper, for transport purposes. Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: Well, thats something we leave to our military authorities to address and to assess what kind of infrastructure and what kind of infrastructure we are interested in. So, I will leave that to our military authorities to comment on that. Question [Interpreted]: some indicators, public support for NATO membership in Slovenia has significantly dropped since 2004. Are you concerned by this? You recently said in an interview that political debate over NATO should not be feared, but welcomed. Does that rule apply to all member states, including Slovenia? Question [Interpreted]: And the question for the Prime Minister; is the Slovenian membership of NATO still legitimate, considering the public opinion polls, where we can see that we have less or half of the citizens' support for this? Some people who say that they wouldnt like to be members of this organisation also sit in the parliament, government, so what is your opinion? Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: NATO is an Alliance of 29 democracies, and in democracies there are always different opinions about many issues, and sometimes also about NATO, and that just reflects the fact that we are democratic societies. So, we have seen in different countries, including my own, Norway, that there is discussion about NATO, and also some parties some political movements want the country to leave NATO. But that has always been the case, for decades. And I think that history has shown us that, despite those different opinions, despite those different views, within NATO Allies and between NATO Allies, we have always been able to gather and to mobilise the necessary support from all Allies, and to unite around our core task to protect and defend each other. So, the fact that there is debate, the fact that there is discussion, is something I welcome, because I believe in open democratic processes. We should not be afraid of that. In totalitarian regimes they are afraid of debate. In totalitarian regimes they are hysterical about different views. I actually believe it is a sign of strength, not weakness, that we have open debates in our countries, including about NATO. Having said that, I know that the general trend now is actually increased support for NATO. It varies between different NATO Allies, but the support for NATO has increased, because people see that we live in a more dangerous world. We see a much more assertive Russia, using violence against neighbours - Ukraine and Georgia. A Russia which is responsible for attempts to meddle in our democratic processes, undermine our democratic institutions. And we saw last week how Russian intelligence officers tried to hack the International Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, an important international institution which is responsible for the convention that prohibits chemical weapons. So, I think that not only the use of military force, but also what we call hybrid tactics, cyber, highlights the importance of having a strong NATO, defending not only our territories, but also our cyber networks and our democratic institutions. And then we have terrorism, we have ISIL, we have instability, and all that also requires a strong NATO. The Prime Minister mentioned during the lunch that he is a firefighter and that firefighters are not always very popular, except for when there are fires, and thats exactly when we need them. And thats also the case with NATO. When there are threats and challenges, then we need a strong NATO. And now there are more threats and challenges and then the support for NATO has increased. Marjan Sarec [Prime Minister of Slovenia] [Interpreted]: About the public support, I would like to tell you that also in the UK, the public has expressed its opinion, at the referendum, that they would like to exit the European Union, but today we can see that this is not the case because some parties that kept convincing the public prior to the referendum that they should exit the EU, this has led to the problems for the entire European Union. The public opinion was also, here in Slovenia, that they will not be able to constitute the government. So, the public opinion is very intangible and, as the Secretary General stated, in democracies we always have different opinions, and if the Left wouldnt have a different opinion then we would maybe be today be in the same political party, but we are not today, we are different political parties with different opinions, and this is democracy, and this is what they were fighting for in the 1990, later with independence. And the public opinion also tells that there is no sense in going to the elections and thats why the turnout is constantly diminishing. I have attended all the referenda and all the elections here, because I believe that this is my duty. So, it's not just about the rights, it's also about the duties. And if we have become members of NATO, then when the time comes and we dont like something in NATO, we should say that we must exit NATO. But I'm asking all those NATO sceptics, what is the alternative? So, what else is left there? Maybe these concerns were in place at that time, but not anymore now. So, whether we should stay a member of NATO or not was an issue before, but now we should ask ourselves what can we do to improve NATO, how can we make sure that our voice is heard in NATO. And the same goes for the EU, because I consider that these two structures/organisations are linked and, as the Secretary General stressed, this is a group of democracies, and I hope that we will continue to be a member for a long time. And as I have said, it is completely legitimate to have different opinions. Where all are of equal opinion, this means that nobody's using the brains anymore and I think it is our task, the task of the politics, to prevail with arguments, to convince with arguments those who think that there is no place in the world for this organisation. So, we need to persuade them so that they will change their minds. As the Secretary General said, the firefighters in Slovenia have been considered drunks, and I can say this because I am a firefighter, we were just considered to be good to organise a party of firefighters, but when we had the natural disasters, like the sleet and others, then the public opinion up to 80% stated that firefighters are heroes suddenly. And I very much agree with this. If there are no such incidents, such events, of course then the awareness about the significance of such an organisation diminishes, and I am confident that this organisation will work towards this end in the future, so that Slovenia will be able to say that it does not regret it's membership. And then, by way of conclusion, what is the alternative? Moderator [Interpreted]: Thank you very much and this concludes the press conference. Visiting Ljubljana on Tuesday (9 October 2018), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg congratulated Prime Minister Marjan Sarec on taking office and praised Slovenias contributions to NATO. Slovenian troops serve in the Alliances missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as in the NATO battlegroup in Latvia. The Secretary General also welcomed that Slovenian troops will participate in NATO exercise Trident Juncture in Norway. He stressed that the Alliances deterrence and defence relies on fairer burden-sharing. Slovenia is currently spending just about 1% of GDP on defence, so I encourage you to do more to increase, and as you said, this is in our security interest, said Mr. Stoltenberg. During his visit, the Secretary General also held talks with the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, to discuss NATOs ongoing adaptation. Later, Mr. Stoltenberg will address the National Assembly and meet with its President, Dejan Zidan. (Natural News) This plant from Africa can be the new and slimy spinach. Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius), a traditional plant common in some parts of Africa, is an excellent substitute for spinach as it also supports the cardiovascular system. In a study published in the European Journal of Medicinal Plants, this plant was found to have an impressive nutritional profile, making it a potentially great antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardiovascular system modulatory agent. In some parts of Africa, jute mallow has been used in medicine as a demulcent, diuretic, purgative, bitter tonic, laxative, refrigerant, carminative, and lactagogue. In the study, researchers from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Nigeria looked at the phytochemical composition and acute toxicity effect of jute mallow leaf extracts in mice. The researchers dried and extracted the leaves of jute mallow. They then carried out a phytochemical analysis on the jute mallow leaf extract. The extracts acute toxicity value was assessed by orally administering different doses of the extract ranging from 100 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) to 5,000 mg/kg to mice. Results of the phytochemical analysis revealed that the leaf extract of jute mallow contains flavonoids, steroids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and cardiac glycoside. In addition, jute mallow leaf extract contains a total of 46 compounds, including 2-Dodecenal. The presence of these phytochemical compounds indicates that the plant is rich with bioactive substances that possess healing properties. Results of the acute toxicity evaluation showed that jute mallow leaf extract is safe to consume even at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that jute mallow leaf extract is packed with bioactive compounds that are safe and effective to consume for enhancing health, including cardiovascular health. Jute mallow could be the next new superfood Garlic, turmeric, and spinach these are some of the most common superfoods consumed. But have you tried jute mallow? Researchers suggested that African vegetables such as jute mallow should be given more attention as they can be the next superfoods. Jute mallow, together with amaranth leaves, spider plant, and African nightshade, were described as wonder plants by Mary Abukutsa-Onyango, a horticultural researcher who conducted a study on these crops at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Juja, Kenya. Abukutsa-Onyango believes that if these vegetables were consumed more often, they could help fight malnutrition in many parts of the world. This suggestion came after she discovered in her study that eating 137 grams of jute mallow can provide the recommended daily allowance of iron, which is 11 to 15 milligrams (mg) per day. This vegetable contains 20 more times the amount of iron and twice the amount of folate that cabbage can offer. In addition, it contains four times more the iron content of spinach and provides almost twice as much provitamin A as spinach. (Related: Close to 75% of conventionally grown spinach found to contain residue from toxic insecticides.) This indigenous vegetable is also rich in protein. A probable reason why jute mallow has remained unpopular until today is because it turns slimy when cooked, much like okra. Other reasons why these plants are not widely available because people often overlook the plants because they look unusual, while oftentimes, they are mistaken for weeds. Most people do not know that these indigenous plants to Africa are actually loaded with many nutrients and powerful antioxidants, which can eliminate toxins in the body and lower the risk of diseases. Read more news stories and studies on foods that help prevent diseases by going to Superfoods.news. Sources include: Science.news DailyMail.co.uk ODS.OD. NIH.gov (Natural News) On Saturday, Americans received a legal blessing that a large plurality of the country does not appreciate and likely never will: Judge Brett Kavanaugh became Justice Brett Kavanaugh after he was sworn in as the nations 114th member of the U.S. Supreme Court. A young 53, Kavanaugh can potentially serve for decades, meaning that America will benefit from his constitutional expertise and brilliant legal mind, thanks to POTUS Donald Trump nominating him. But precisely because hes a constitutionalist and not a judicial activist, Democrats and their unhinged Left-wing base despise him and were ready to throw his nomination out the window over baseless, uncorroborated allegations of sexual assault by women who couldnt remember key details, kept changing their stories, and could not find any witnesses to substantiate what they were saying. As such, and despite Kavanaugh being sworn in Saturday, the Left continues to rage and threaten the lives of Republican lawmakers who voted earlier in the day to confirm him and their families. As The Gateway Pundit noted, late Saturday it was reported that Republican lawmakers were receiving disturbing messages that included death threats. In an interview with Fox News, Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said that his wife also received a very graphic text with a video of a beheading following his vote in support of Kavanaughs confirmation: Late last month, Gardner received a letter from an anonymous individual apparently in Denver, alleging that Kavanaugh had shoved someone up against a wall very aggressively and sexually during an outing in 1998 in front of four witnesses. The allegation was later deemed not to be credible. Gardner announced in July he would support Kavanaugh. Every victim of abuse, assault, and violence has been through an unspeakable tragedy and we need to do a better job listening to them, ensuring support is available, and fighting to end abuse of any kind, Gardner said in a statement before he began receiving the graphic texts. I hope that the partisan divide we all feel today does not hinder the people that have bravely come forward. Of course, Gardner wasnt the only one to receive such threats. Kavanaugh and his wife Ashley also received them, as have other GOP senators. (Related: Maxine Waters tried to INCITE violence against Trump admin officials; now she blames TRUMP for death threats.) Dems and their staffers willfully endangering Republicans Thats not all. As Fox News Chad Pergram reported via Twitter, Amid Kavanaugh furor & threats to mbrs, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) tells Fox that his wife received a text with a video attachment showing a gruesome beheading. Someone has also released the names of and addresses of his family members. Amid Kavanaugh furor & threats to mbrs, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) tells Fox that his wife received a text with a video attachment showing a gruesome beheading. Someone has has also released the names of and addresses of his family members. Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 7, 2018 It should be noted that lawmakers private cell numbers and other information are known only to a very small group of trusted staffers who obviously cannot be trusted. This comes on the heels of the arrest by Capitol Police last week of Democratic staffer Jackson Cosko, who doxxed at least three GOP senators and perhaps as many as five. As The National Sentinel reported: Late Wednesday, Capitol Police arrested 27-year-old Democratic staffer Jackson Cosko for allegedly doxxing three GOP senators following the Senate Judiciary Committees hearing featuring Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his chief sexual assault accuser Christine Blasey Ford a week ago. The victims included Republican Senators Mike Lee, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Lindsey Graham, reported the Washington Times. All three had expressed confidence in Kavanaughs denials and were ready to confirm him to the Supreme Court. Since POTUS Trump handily defeated the most corrupt presidential candidate in our history, angry Leftists have turned to violence to express their opposition and now they seek to both normalize it and take it up a notch. With these kinds of sick threats, its only a matter of time before some crazy liberal lunatic acts on them. Meanwhile, the morally bankrupt Democrats continue to encourage it with their words and enable it with their silence. Read more about how the Democrats are inciting violence at Unhinged.news. Sources include: TheNationalSentinel.com WashingtonTimes.com TheGatewayPundit.com (Natural News) With Brett Kavanaugh now confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, its important to remind him about some crucial issues that matter to us all. The Bill of Rights describes individual liberties, but it fails to elucidate protections of medical freedom and food freedom. One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Rush, had pushed for a health freedom amendment in the Bill of Rights, but his efforts did not succeed. No one at the time could have imagined a tyrannical medical regime forcing risky interventions such as chemotherapy or vaccines onto the masses without informed consent. As a result, we now live under a system of monopoly medicine and dictatorial food control laws that have seen people arrested and imprisoned in California for merely milking cows and selling the fresh milk to happy customers. Ive posted a video appeal to Brett Kavanaugh, congratulating him on his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court and reminding him that individual liberty must encompass more than First Amendment and Second Amendment rights. The fundamental human right to say no to a toxic medical intervention must also be protected. And the right to grow food in your own yard needs to be enshrined in U.S. Supreme Court precedent. Brett Kavanaugh has a brilliant mind, and he was falsely smeared and slandered by a deep state operation involving Sen. Feinstein, Sen. Booker and a complicit left-wing media spewing carefully crafted fiction. I believe surviving that attempted character assassination attempt has awakened him to the reality of the extreme dangers of dishonest, powerful government. The Brett Kavanaugh who was sworn in yesterday is, I believe, a changed man from the Brett Kavanaugh of just one month ago. He has now personally experienced the maliciousness of all-powerful government and how completely innocent people can be framed, accused and smeared without a shred of evidence. Once you experience that, you can never go back to trusting government monopoly power. Watch my video appeal here: Brighteon.com/5846491207001 Read more news about health freedom at HealthFreedom.news. Soon were also launching a news site covering Kavanaughs decisions at Kavanaugh.news. (Natural News) A recent study released by NASA-sponsored researchers has removed the luster from one of the crown jewels of science fiction and popular science, an article in News Wise stated. The study reported that while Mars can be explored and colonized by human astronauts, the Red Planet cannot be terraformed into a habitable state, at least not with our current technology. NASA estimates that it will take around 20 years to develop the right technologies and accumulate enough experience before it will send a manned mission to Mars. It is taking the long road given the serious challenges ahead. The average temperature on Mars would not be out of place in the freezing wastes of Antarctica. Furthermore, the planets atmosphere is so thin that it only exerts less than one percent of the air pressure found at sea level on Earth. The summit of Mount Everest is a more hospitable place for humans than the surface of Mars. If humans wish to live on Mars as it is, they will need pressurized habitats. If they want to venture outside their landers, enclosed vehicles, or planetary habitats, they must wear pressurized space suits. (Related: Space travel to Mars could kill astronauts by zapping their gut bacteria.) Is it possible to make Mars habitable like Earth? There are those who believe it is possible to make Mars habitable for humans through the process of terraforming. Proponents suggest looking for carbon dioxide and other similar gases that are trapped on the surface of the planet. If these gases were all released into the air, they were theorized to be able to make the planet more livable for human beings. The atmospheric conditions would never match that of Earth, but it might be enough for humans to move around Mars without the need to maintain pressurized conditions. A NASA-sponsored study took a long, hard look at the requirements for a successful terraforming operation on Mars. The study took stock of the total amount of carbon dioxide on the planet that had been discovered during 20 years of observations via spacecraft. First, it considered the ice caps that covered the polar regions. Next was the carbon dioxide that clung to the soil particles. The third source was comprised of mineral deposits of carbon that were hidden underground. Not enough carbon dioxide and technology to terraform Mars Based on their analysis of carbon dioxide inventories, the NAU researchers came to two conclusions. First, the current level of technology prevented any serious attempt at terraforming Mars. Unlocking any of the three sources of carbon would be daunting projects even if they were conducted on Earth. Massive amounts of the Martian polar ice caps would have to be vaporized, the entire surface of Mars would require significant heating in order to separate the carbon dioxide from the dusty soil, and the underground carbon deposits would have to be extensively mined. These efforts require specialized, heavy-duty equipment and large numbers of trained personnel that are not available on Mars due to the massive distances between it and Earth. Second, even if it were possible to access and release all of these resources, they would not be able to produce enough carbon dioxide to create a habitable atmosphere on Mars. Massive amounts of carbon will have to be found elsewhere and brought to the planet. As a result, terraforming Mars is not possible using present-day technology, said Bruce Jakosky, a researcher from the University of Colorado, Boulder who served as the lead author of the report. For more stories about future visits to the Red Planet, visit Cosmic.news. Sources include: NewsWise.com Nature.com | BY Ricki Green | The sixth issue of Gabberish, creative therapy for creative minds, is out today exploring the issue of Age. Featuring an interview with Cindy Gallop (pictured below left), founder and former chair of the US branch of Bartle Bogle Hegarty, and now a powerhouse of activism on diversity in all its forms including encouraging everyone in the industry to #sayyourage. The issue also includes a fabulous essay from industry legend, Jane Evans, plus haikus, poetry, a rumination on age in art, confessions of a Gen X T Rex, a photo essay demonstrating just how much ad creatives can age in a single week and a look at how burnout in advertising kickstarted a career in shoe making. We also hear from young voices who are facing the momentous task of just starting out. Says Siobhan Fitzgerald, Gabberish editor and M&C Saatchi Melbourne ACD: On a selfish level, ageism in advertising should concern all of us. Age does not inhibit ability, creativity or innovation. A change of mindset is needed urgently around this issue, and if we dont act on it, well all be out on our butts before our mortgages are half way paid off. Says Jess Lilley, Gabberish co-editor and CD at Leo Burnett Melbourne: Much like periods in human history, our careers can be divided into ages the Naive Age, the Cynical Age, The Tired Age and, hopefully, The Wise Age. Unfortunately its at this endpoint, when weve got all our wits about us, that we find our employment most precarious. Its vital for our culture, for our young people to learn, and ultimately for our work, to make room for people across all the ages. Gabberish puts out new issues monthly(ish). Check it out and sign up to the newsletter at gabberish.com. Follow on Instagram @thegabberish What to Know United employs some 14,000 people at San Francisco International, including many at its aircraft maintenance facility Chix Fix is United's all-female entry into the Aerospace Maintenance Competition the Olympics of aircraft maintenance The members of Chix Fix came from all over the country, and want to encourage more women to get into aviation Fleet Week is all about ships and airplanes, including the rare chance to board visiting Navy vessels and in this case, an equally rare chance to see inside the facilities where United Airlines maintains its fleet at San Francisco International Airport. United employs some 14,000 people in the Bay Area, including more than 2,000 at the SFO maintenance facility, which works around the clock to inspect and upgrade planes in a sprawling array of hangars just north of the airport. It's a well-known fact in the industry that among those thousands of employees, the vast majority are men. A group of United maintenance technicians called Chix Fix is hoping to change that.[[496324581, C]] The group formed to compete as the first all-female commercial airline team in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition a contest in April that could be called the aircraft technician Olympics. "The six women that were technicians came from all over the US," said Bonnie Turner, who manages aircraft repair and overhaul for United at SFO. "(They) had never met each other before, they came together just through training, bonded and formed a phenomenal team."[[496323261, C]] The bond came after a brief moment of hesitation for technician Janelle Bendt, who said she's "the shy one." Having worked her whole career with teams of almost entirely men, she said she didn't quite know how to act in a hangar full of women. "All of us you could see, sizing each other up," Bendt said. "We started talking, and boom, that was out the door. We all just got along right away after that." The members of Chix Fix hope to spread the word to young women that aircraft maintenance is a great career for people of all genders. Check out this 360 view from inside the wheel well of a Boeing 737 at Uniteds SFO maintenance base. Theres a lot of room in here until that giant wheel swings up into this space just after takeoff! - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA Chix Fix set up shop at United's Family Day, showing visitors the inner workings of the towering jet engines on the 787 Dreamliner and the cavernous wheel wells into which the plane's landing gear hydraulically retract. United takes planes out of service every 18 months for inspections and upgrades, and our tour included a handful of Boeing 737s with panels and seats removed as technicians checked and lubricated the flight control systems. Even the smaller aircraft are massive with stairs and ladders pulled up to each wing and exit door as they sit in the hangars. But outside, teams competing in a "plane pull" managed to move an Airbus A320 across the pavement with only a rope and a whole lot of elbow grease. Call it a metaphor for all you can accomplish with teamwork and watch the video above to come along on our tour! Dr. Craig Clements and his research partner, graduate student Carrie Bowers, are zeroing in on one of the main culprits behind 250 fires that stretched across six California counties in October 2017. Its a critical weather pattern, said Clements, a meteorologist at San Jose State University who specializes in wildfire behavior. In a recently completed research study, Bowers and Clements detail the speed, location and time of a weather event known as the Diablo Winds. Those are dry, northeast winds that develop great speeds as they descend from high elevations in the Sierra range, turning into windstorms that fan out across the Central Valley and Northern California. These downslope windstorms have very strong surface winds, so its a dangerous situation when theres an ignition, Clements said. Their research paper shows that Diablo Winds happen most often in October, at the time ground fuels are driest. The combination sets the stage for extreme fire. The 50-plus-mph winds can topple electrical poles and power lines, which can ignite dry brush on the ground. Investigators from Cal Fire concluded that 12 of the blazes in last Octobers North Bay fires were caused by PG&Es electrical lines or other equipment. Coffey Park in Santa Rosa was destroyed by the Tubbs fire. This computer simulation, created by researchers Clements and Bowers, shows the wind speeds peaking in the evening hours on Oct. 8, 2017, the night of the fire. One way to combat the devastating effects of the windstorms and potential fires is to shut off power before the lines get blown down. I think its a great way to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfire, Clements said. The windstorms can be predicted and tracked up to two days before they reach vulnerable areas. Power companies can monitor them and cut power as needed. But despite ample warning of extreme fire hazards in the fall of 2017, PG&E did not preventively cut power in the North Bay. The company declined NBC Bay Areas request for an interview, but in a statement said: Proactively turning off power is a highly complex issue with significant public safety risks on both sides all of which need to be carefully considered and addressed. Years of drought, extreme heat and a record number of dead and dying trees are transforming the state and creating a new normal. The company added: "De-energizing lines can have an immediate and very broad impact on public safety, affecting first responders and the operation of critical facilities such as hospitals, the provision of water and other essential services, traffic signals, communications systems, operation of building systems such as elevators, and much more. In other words, decisions to proactively turn off power lines requires balancing of one safety risk against another. The company said it cannot ignore the significant change in how wildfires are affecting California as they impact more people than ever before. PG&E also said it didnt wait for its regulator, lawmakers or others to mandate changes and that the company took action immediately, launching an aggressive wildfire prevention and preparation program called the Community Wildfire Safety Program. PG&E also said, In light of the changing environment and last years wildfires, we believe that proactively turning off electric power for safety as a last resort during extreme fire danger conditions is an important precautionary safety measure to further reduce the threat of wildfire and protect public safety. See PG&E's complete statement here. Cutting power has been routine at San Diego Gas & Electric for five years. The utility has de-energized power to homes and businesses during 19 weather events since 2013, including the firestorms that swept across Southern California in December. Using its extensive monitoring network, the San Diego utility is able to minimize the power shutoff sometimes cutting power to a small number of customers. SDG&E has 175 weather stations in the field. Meteorologists monitor dangerous weather conditions up to 10 days in advance. They use satellite data to gauge how dry the grasses are. Crews are sent into trouble spots to see how much dry fuel exists. Even dry pine needles are taken into account. In 2017, as moisture hit record lows, Santa Ana winds of up to 90 mph were forecast. Brian DAgostino, the Fire Science Director for San Diego Gas & Electric knew it was time to hit the kill switch. Twenty-four hours before cutting power, a dialing system notified customers. We were confident with all the information we had that any ignitions in the backcountry of San Diego posed an immediate threat to life and property, so the decision was made at that point that the safest thing to do was to de-energize, DAgostino said. PG&E told NBC Bay Area that the company is now considering cutting power when conditions warrant it and that its learning how to do it from San Diego Gas & Electric. The California Public Utilities Commission agrees that cutting power can prevent wildfires and save lives and property. The CPUC announced new de-energization guidelines in July. Among the requirements, utilities must meet with communities that will be impacted and notify customers, if possible, that their power will be shut off. If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS. Two sagging Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power lines made contact and ignited a blaze last year that killed four people and injured a firefighter in Northern California, fire officials said Tuesday about the latest wildfire to be blamed on power lines. Strong winds caused the lines to touch, creating an electrical arc that sent molten material onto dry vegetation below, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The blaze in Yuba County that started on Oct. 8, 2017, scorched 15 square miles and destroyed 264 structures. Cal Fire said the report on their investigation has been forwarded to the Yuba County district attorney. It was one of several wildfires that swept through Northern California that month, killing 44 people and destroying more than 5,000 homes. State officials say insured damages alone topped $9 billion. Fire investigators have blamed PG&E equipment for 12 of last year's wildfires in wine country, including two that killed a total of 15 people. In eight blazes, investigators said they found evidence of violations of state law and forwarded the findings to county prosecutors. Authorities have not determined fault for the Tubbs Fire, the most destructive in state history that destroyed thousands of homes and killed 22 people in Sonoma County. PG&E is facing dozens of lawsuits from insurers that have spent billions settling insurance claims from homeowners. PG&E provided the following statement on Tuesday: The safety of our customers, their families and the communities we serve is our most important job. Without question, the loss of life, homes and businesses in these extraordinary wildfires is heartbreaking and we remain focused on helping communities recover and rebuild. As independent experts have confirmed, extreme weather, years of drought, and millions of dead trees are feeding an unprecedented risk of wildfires. In light of this, we recognize we all need to do even more to help reduce the risk of wildfires, and are committed to working together with our state and community partners to develop comprehensive safety solutions for the future. We look forward to the opportunity to carefully review the CAL FIRE report to understand the agencys perspectives. In the meantime, we are continuing to focus on implementing additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce wildfire threats, such as working to remove and reduce dangerous vegetation, improving weather forecasting, upgrading emergency response warnings, making lines and poles stronger in high fire threat areas and taking other actions to make our system, and our customers and communities, even safer in the face of a growing wildfire threat. A South Bay dentist on Monday morning found a terrifying message of hate outside her office. Dr. Mohsena Ahmad said she believes the racist symbols around her office parking lot happened because of her race and religion. Ahmad moved into her San Jose office three months ago and recently put up signs. She took cell phone video on Monday of the racist graffiti she found etched into her parking lot, which included a swastika and what appears to be the letters KKK. "I was stunned, I was shaken. I was also petrified," she said. "And I felt targeted because my last name people can easily recognize I am a Muslim." Ahmad called police, who are now investigating what happened shortly before 6 a.m. at Mohsena Dentist Practice on Camden and Union avenues. Surveillance cameras captured a man walking around the lot at that time wearing a patriotic shirt that says "USA." "I am American. My kids are American," Ahmad said. "Never have I felt this way, never." Ahmad said the only other time she felt attacked for her religion was after 9-11, a day she said left her shattered. Her cousin was a victim who died in the Twin Towers. Ahmad moved to the United States from Bangladesh, eventually becoming a US citizen -- an identity she holds proudly just like her name. She said a racist vandalism will not change that. "I love this country better than you do," Ahmad said, referring to the person responsible for the vandalism. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made "significant progress" toward an agreement for the North to give up its nuclear weapons. While significant work remains to be done, he said he expected further results after an as-yet unscheduled second summit between Kim and President Donald Trump. "It's a long process," Pompeo told a small group of reporters in the South Korean capital of Seoul where he traveled after meeting with Kim in Pyongyang on Sunday. "We made significant progress. We'll continue to make significant progress and we are further along in making that progress than any administration in an awfully long time." He would not be specific but said he and Kim had agreed to shortly begin working-level talks on the nuts and bolts of denuclearization, on the placement of international inspectors at one of North Korea's main nuclear facilities, and had come close to finalizing a date and venue for the next Kim-Trump summit. Trump, tweeting from Washington shortly after Pompeo left North Korea, cited progress Pompeo had made on agreements he and Kim came to at their June meeting in Singapore and said, "I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim again, in the near future.' Pompeo said he and Kim had gotten "pretty close" to fixing the logistics for the summit but stressed that "sometimes that last inch is hard to close." "Most importantly, both the leaders believe there is real progress that can be made, substantive progress that can be made at the next summit and so we are going to get it at a time that works for each of the two leaders and at a place that works for both of them," he said. "We are not quite there yet. But we will get there." North Korea's state-run news agency KCNA, meanwhile, said Monday that Kim had "expressed his will and conviction that a great progress would surely be made in solving the issues of utmost concern of the world and in attaining the goal set forth at the last talks with the projected second DPRK-U.S. summit talks as an occasion." DPRK is the acronym for the country's official name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea. In an early Monday dispatch, KCNA called the talks "productive and wonderful" and said that "mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged." In Seoul, before leaving for talks with Chinese officials in Beijing, Pompeo said Kim is expected soon to name deputy foreign minister Choe Son Hui as a counterpart for his new special envoy for North Korea, former Ford executive Stephen Biegun, who accompanied him on the trip. He and Biegun both said they expected meetings at the working level to begin soon and become quite frequent before the next summit. "We are starting to see a first wave of actions we can take on all four pillars of the Singapore communique," said Biegun, who will serve as Pompeo's pointman in negotiations with the North as well as work with South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and other countries that have an interest in the talks. In Pyongyang on Sunday, Pompeo and Kim met for about 3 1/2 hours, first in a business session and then in a 90-minute luncheon that the North Korean leader hosted at a state guesthouse, according to the pool report from the lone U.S. journalist allowed to accompany Pompeo on his Asia trip. "It's a very nice day that promises a good future for both countries," Kim told Pompeo through an interpreter as they sat down for the meal. "Yeah, so we had a great, great visit this morning," Pompeo replied. Before visiting Pyongyang, Pompeo held talks in Tokyo with Japan's prime minister, and pledged that the Trump administration would coordinate and unify its strategy for denuclearization with its allies. Japan has been wary of the initiative, but South Korea has embraced it. Pompeo has repeatedly refused to discuss details of negotiations, including a U.S. position on North Korea's demand for a declared end to the Korean War and a proposal from Seoul for such a declaration to be accompanied by a shutdown of the North's main known nuclear facility. The U.S. and Japan have pushed for the North to compile and turn over a detailed list of its nuclear sites to be dismantled as a next step in the process. The North has rejected that and South Korea has suggested it may not be a necessary next step. Pompeo, however, played down the differences. "I've never been involved in an international discussion where there weren't differences of view, not only between governments but inside of governments," he said. "But if you look at the approach, we are in lockstep with each of those two countries in terms of how we approach achieving the results that everyone is aimed at. And so there'll be tactical places where we'll have debates and disagreements, that is a necessary component of getting to the best deliverable." "But with respect to our relationship with the Republic of Korea and Japan on this issue, I have found that we are in lockstep on the most important issues and how to approach them," Pompeo said. Since the denuclearization effort got underway with a secret visit to the North by then-CIA chief Pompeo in April, there has been only limited progress, even since the June 12 Trump-Kim summit that many had hoped would jump-start the effort. North Korea so far has suspended nuclear and missile tests, freed three American prisoners and dismantled parts of a missile engine facility and tunnel entrances at a nuclear test site. It has not taken any steps to halt nuclear weapons or missile development. The North has accused Washington of making "unilateral and gangster-like" demands on denuclearization and has insisted that sanctions should be lifted before any progress in nuclear talks. U.S. officials have thus far said the penalties will remain in place until the North's denuclearization is fully verified. Also on Monday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he expects Kim to travel to Russia and for Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea soon amid a global diplomatic push to resolve the nuclear crisis. Moon said a second Trump-Kim summit could be accompanied by major diplomatic developments that could contribute to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stabilizing peace. Moon also said there was a possibility of Kim holding a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A week after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul for some routine paperwork, the mystery over his disappearance remains unresolved: Turkish officials allege he was killed in the compound; the Saudis say he left the building unharmed. The case has alarmed human rights activists concerned over Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's crackdown on dissent and strained already-tense relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The United States and other Saudi allies have taken a cautious approach toward Khashoggi's disappearance, expressing concern but refraining from any strong comments against the oil-rich kingdom. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it," President Donald Trump told reporters as he returned to Washington from Florida. "And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it." The 59-year-old contributor to the Washington Post spent last year in the U.S. in self-imposed exile after he fled Saudi Arabia amid a crackdown on intellectuals and activists who criticized the policies of Prince Mohammed. He was last seen by his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, entering the consulate to obtain a document needed for their marriage. She and Turkish officials say he never emerged, even though Saudi Arabia insists he left the building. The Washington Post obtained an image from a closed circuit television camera that supposedly shows Jamal Khashoggis last known seconds, as he stepped inside the consulate door. Turkey's Foreign Ministry says Turkish authorities will search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The ministry says in a statement released on Tuesday that Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were "open to cooperation" and would allow the consulate building to be searched. The ministry didn't say when the premises would be searched. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Khashoggi left the consulate. "Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials," Erdogan said during a visit to Hungary. "Don't you have cameras and other things? Why don't you prove it, you have to prove it." Turkish officials have said the authorities believe that Khashoggi was most likely slain inside the consulate building and that his body was later removed from the premises, though they haven't provided any evidence. Turkey's state-run news agency, quoting police, has said 15 Saudi nationals arrived in Istanbul on board two planes and were inside the consulate building when Khashoggi disappeared. The private DHA agency said the planes, which it identified as a two Gulfstream jets belonging to a Riyadh-based company that hires private aircraft, landed at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on the day Khashoggi vanished. "With these departures and arrivals there were certain people who came from Saudi Arabia," Erdogan said. "Our relevant agencies, our security forces, our intelligence agency, all of them, the foreign ministry 'work together' and we'll see the reports that our prosecutors prepare." Turkey summoned the Saudi ambassador Sunday to request the kingdom's "full cooperation" in the investigation, a Foreign Ministry official said. The Turkish private NTV television said Ankara asked for permission for its investigators to search the consulate building, but a Foreign Ministry official would not confirm the report. Ties between Ankara and Riyadh are at a low point over Turkey's support for Qatar last year in its dispute with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Turkey sent food to Qatar and deployed troops at its military base there. Saudi Arabia is also annoyed by Ankara's rapprochement with its archrival, Iran. "Turkey is maintaining a very delicate balance in its relations with Saudi Arabia. The relations have the potential of evolving into a crisis at any moment," said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund's Ankara office. He expected a measured response from Turkey, which is suffering a currency crisis and would be reluctant to chase away investment from Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states. Ankara would likely wait and see what Washington's reaction to the disappearance would be, before initiating any action against Saudi Arabia, Unluhisarcikli added. The U.S. so far has said very little. Prince Mohammed has ties to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law to Trump, who visited Saudi Arabia on his first overseas trip. However, ties have been strained by the president's recent comments implying Saudi Arabia wouldn't last "two weeks" without U.S. guaranteeing its safety as global oil prices continue to rise. Saudi Arabia long has faced allegations of capturing and sending rambunctious royals and dissidents back to the country by private jet. Last year, the kingdom even brought Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Riyadh, where he suddenly resigned in a TV broadcast, only to return to Beirut and renounce his resignation, sparking speculation he was forced to do so. Many initially believed the same fate befell Khashoggi until Turkish officials began anonymously telling journalists the writer had been killed at the consulate. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations as "baseless," but unlike in the Hariri incident, Khashoggi has not appeared on state television or Saudi-owned satellite networks since Turkey began expressing its fears he was dead. While in the U.S., Khashoggi began writing columns for the Washington Post. That was in part due to the atmosphere surrounding the rise of 33-year-old Prince Mohammed, next in line to the throne now held by his 82-year-old father, King Salman. Although there have been some reforms, such as allowing women to start driving cars, Prince Mohammed's reign has seen businessmen, royals, activists and others rounded up and arrested. Still, killing someone like Khashoggi, who long had ties to the royal family and the Saudi intelligence apparatus, in a consulate would be a major escalation in the prince's rise. "I think the Saudis may have crossed the line. It puts the U.S. in a corner will it defend its ally or will it stand up for human rights and free speech and free journalism?" said Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, a top Israeli think tank, and a former adviser to the Israeli prime minister on Iran and Gulf affairs. Sultan al-Saad al-Qahtani, the editor of the Riyadh Post website and a supporter of the crown prince, called it "a Hollywood movie scenario." "There is no country that kills opponents of its policy inside an official building in a foreign country," he said. "The responsibility of preserving Mr. Khashoggi's life rests with the Turkish government." Lynn Maalouf, Middle East Research Director for Amnesty International, said if the reports of Khashoggi's death are true, this "would be taking yet to another level the continuing crackdown on any form of dissent that's been going on in Saudi Arabia over the past year." Adam Austen, a spokesman for Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, said it was "aware of and concerned by these reports. Canadian officials are actively seeking more information." In August, Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador and froze "all new business" with Ottawa over its criticism of the kingdom's arrest of women's rights activists yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadh's newly assertive foreign policy. In the U.S., Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted Monday that if there's "any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship." He said there would be "a heavy price to be paid economically and otherwise." Graham is close to Trump and said he has talked with leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Khashoggi. He said it is "imperative" that the Saudis "give a clear answer" about what happened. Journalists and activists gathered outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul also demanded information on Khashoggi's fate. "We demand from the international community to pressure Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Salman to tell us exactly what happened," said Mohamed Okad, a friend of Khashoggi and founder of Insight into Crisis, a conflict advisory group. Among the protesters was Tawakkol Karman, the Yemeni journalist and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner. She accused Saudi Arabia of "state terrorism" and called on the international community to take action against the kingdom. A Saudi-led coalition has been at war with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels since March 2015. (CNN) U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday claimed Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination was "caught up in a hoax set up by the Democrats." Kavanaugh is set to be sworn in by Trump later in the day. "The things they said about him, I don't even think he ever heard of the words. It was all made up. It was fabricated and it's a disgrace and I think it's gonna really show you something come November 6th," Trump said as he left the White House for an event in Orlando. Kavanaugh won Senate confirmation over the weekend, earning 50 'yes' votes -- the fewest ever for any U.S. Supreme Court justice in the modern era. He was accused of sexual assault and misconduct in the weeks before senators took their votes. He denied all the allegations. Trump had previously been conciliatory toward Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, calling her a "good witness" and saying he respected her position very much. "With all of that you cannot say that we've done anything but be respectful, and I do. I respect her position very much. I respect her position very much," Trump had said to reporters. But Monday, Trump said the Democrats "tortured" Kavanaugh and his family over the accusations. "I thought that the way they conducted themselves, the way they dealt with a high-level, brilliant -- going to be a great justice of the Supreme Court -- the way they really tortured him and his family I thought it was disgrace. I thought it was one of the most disgraceful performances I've ever seen," Trump said. Later Monday, during an address at a law enforcement conference, Trump blamed "evil" people for putting Kavanaugh in a "disgraceful situation" during his confirmation process. "He's a great person and it was very, very unfair what happened to him. False charges, false accusations, horrible statements that were totally untrue that he knew nothing about," Trump said. "It was a disgraceful situation, brought about by people that are evil and he toughed it out. The President lauded Kavanaugh, saying he "will be a faithful defender of the rule of law." Trump had previously mocked Ford's testimony about the alleged assault, and Monday's comments continued the pattern of disbelieving her. During the 2016 presidential campaign, at least 13 women accused Trump of misbehavior ranging from sexual harassment to sexual assault. They came forward in the wake of a 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape that was released in October 2016 in which he is caught saying on a hot mic: "And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. ... Grab them by the p***y. You can do anything." The White House -- through press secretary Sarah Sanders and others -- has dismissed all the allegations against him as old news that had been litigated during the campaign. The President has also voiced suspicion about the year-old #MeToo movement, complaining that allegations made decades later can ruin a man's life. He has questioned why women wait so long to come forward if they are telling the truth. Last week, he expressed concern for men in this moment. "It is a very scary time for young men in America, where you can be guilty of something you may not be guilty of," Trump told reporters. "This is a very, very -- this is a very difficult time. What's happening here has much more to do than even the appointment of a Supreme Court justice."President Donald Trump on Monday claimed Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination was "caught up in a hoax set up by the Democrats." Kavanaugh is set to be sworn in by Trump later in the day. "The things they said about him, I don't even think he ever heard of the words. It was all made up. It was fabricated and it's a disgrace and I think it's gonna really show you something come November 6th," Trump said as he left the White House for an event in Orlando. Kavanaugh won Senate confirmation over the weekend, earning 50 'yes' votes -- the fewest ever for any Supreme Court justice in the modern era. He was accused of sexual assault and misconduct in the weeks before senators took their votes. He denied all the allegations. Trump had previously been conciliatory toward Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, calling her a "good witness" and saying he respected her position very much. "With all of that you cannot say that we've done anything but be respectful, and I do. I respect her position very much. I respect her position very much," Trump had said to reporters. But Monday, Trump said the Democrats "tortured" Kavanaugh and his family over the accusations. "I thought that the way they conducted themselves, the way they dealt with a high-level, brilliant -- going to be a great justice of the Supreme Court -- the way they really tortured him and his family I thought it was disgrace. I thought it was one of the most disgraceful performances I've ever seen," Trump said. Later Monday, during an address at a law enforcement conference, Trump blamed "evil" people for putting Kavanaugh in a "disgraceful situation" during his confirmation process. "He's a great person and it was very, very unfair what happened to him. False charges, false accusations, horrible statements that were totally untrue that he knew nothing about," Trump said. "It was a disgraceful situation, brought about by people that are evil and he toughed it out. The President lauded Kavanaugh, saying he "will be a faithful defender of the rule of law." Trump had previously mocked Ford's testimony about the alleged assault, and Monday's comments continued the pattern of disbelieving her. During the 2016 presidential campaign, at least 13 women accused Trump of misbehavior ranging from sexual harassment to sexual assault. They came forward in the wake of a 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape that was released in October 2016 in which he is caught saying on a hot mic: "And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. ... Grab them by the p***y. You can do anything." The White House -- through press secretary Sarah Sanders and others -- has dismissed all the allegations against him as old news that had been litigated during the campaign. The President has also voiced suspicion about the year-old #MeToo movement, complaining that allegations made decades later can ruin a man's life. He has questioned why women wait so long to come forward if they are telling the truth. Last week, he expressed concern for men in this moment. "It is a very scary time for young men in America, where you can be guilty of something you may not be guilty of," Trump told reporters. "This is a very, very -- this is a very difficult time. What's happening here has much more to do than even the appointment of a Supreme Court justice." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump calls Kavanaugh accusations a 'hoax set up by the Democrats'." | BY Ricki Green | Indago Digital has expanded its client base with the addition of three heavyweight SEO accounts Travelex, Real Insurance and the Australian Institute of Management (AIM). Foreign exchange company Travelex recently decentralised parts of its Australian and New Zealand marketing team away from London and as part of that localisation went to tender for an SEO agency. Says James Vatiliotis, online country manager at Travelex: Indago Digitals approach was light-years ahead of the competition. We were so impressed by their understanding of our business and the category, we awarded them the contract that day and extended the remit to include both Australia and New Zealand. In addition, Indago Digital won the SEO account for Real Insurance following a hotly contested pitch. Real Insurance is co-owned by financial services provider The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd (Hollard) and Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd (Greenstone), a company that specialises in the marketing, distribution and administration of personal insurance products. Indago Digital has been working with Hollard on its paid search business for the past six months and this is an extension of the services it provides to Hollard. Says Gary Nissim (pictured above), managing director, Indago Digital: This is probably one of the most satisfying new business wins of my career. Ive been trying to win Real Insurances SEO work for coming close to 10 years, over three agencies and numerous client contacts. Its particularly satisfying because it was an SEO pitch in its purest form, with the clients pitch panel made up of ex-agency SEOers something that is rare among clients. Says Raphael Pantelis, head of digital performance, Greenstone: Gary and the team demonstrated a unique data-led approach to building our SEO strategy, leveraging both on-site and large-scale content strategies, which is well aligned to our broader approach to digital performance. Were excited to be working together. Completing the new business trifecta is Australian Institute of Management (AIM), which provides corporate training for individuals and organisations with over 100 courses and qualifications that can be delivered in the workplace, on campus or online. Small businesses in Vermont were hoping to cash in on added traffic this Columbus Dayor, as it was proclaimed by Gov. Phil Scott, Indigenous Peoples Day. The cars were so constant into the Cold Hollow Cider Mills lot that the Waterbury store brought in a sheriffs deputy for traffic control. After being in Massachusetts, this is really nice, traveler Bob Carey of Pembroke, Massachusetts said of Vermont and the cider mill, where he stopped Monday. This is Gods country. Leaf-peepers like Carey are vital to Vermonts economy. According to numbers from the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, roughly 1.3 million people visit each October, spending about $280 million. The long holiday weekend tops any other weekend for the year for visitor traffic, the tourism department noted. Saturday was our all-time record day at the mill, until Sunday, which beat Saturday, Paul Brown, the owner of Cold Hollow Cider Mill told necn & NBC 10 Boston. Brown said he cooked up 15,000 cider donuts Sunday alone to keep up with all his customers. We do just about half of our revenue for the year in September and Octoberthose two months, Brown noted. While the autumn colors were slow to arrive this year, they certainly seemed in their full glory in many spots this weekendespecially in northern parts of Vermont and in communities at higher elevations. Because fall foliage travelers enjoy getting off the beaten path and exploring more rural locales, the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing said small businesses statewide see a boost. The fall foliage visitor is more likely to get out into the villages and the towns and smaller communities and experience that sort of authentic kind of way of living in Vermont would be, Wendy Knight added. Knight predicted fall weekend getaways will pay dividends down the road, too, often inspiring return trips during ski season or the following summer. Gentlemen, start your pumpkins. Only in Maine can you carve out a giant pumpkin, attach a motor to it, climb inside, and race it down the Damariscotta River. Every Columbus Day weekend, thousands of people flock to midcoast Maine to enjoy the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta, including the Pumpkinfest parade, giant pumpkin weighing contest and decorating. But it's the Regatta races that may be the main event. "This is a time for our community to get together, and it's not really about winning or losing," said Jaja Martin, who has won the Golden Gourd several times. Martin is a professional sailor, and says piloting a pumpkin boat is a delicate balance. "These are the worst boats you will ever be in," she laughed. "Mine is 671 pounds. So it's a lot of pumpkin to get going." The regatta features a pumpkin paddle boat division and a power boat division. Russell Orms traveled from Austin, Texas to help carve a 1,150 pound pumpkin into a Viking ship called the Plundering Pumpkin. He competed in the power boat division, and won for the first time. "It's the most fun you can have on the water," he said. "The hydrodynamics are somewhere between a beach ball and rodeo." More exciting than seeing a first place finish may be seeing someone fall in. The pumpkins easily take on water and sink. "When I hit the corner, I was getting hit with a wake from another pumpkin, and I was taking on water," said Dale Hartt. Divers are stationed throughout the race course to help people get out of the overturned pumpkins and swim to shore. "It was uh, brisk!" said Hartt. The Pumpkinfest helps local nonprofits raise money and awareness about agriculture. The pumpkin boat competition started as a joke about ten years ago, but has really taken off. A Hudson, New Hampshire woman was arrested for allegedly placing a Molotov cocktail under a car. Just before 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 12, officers responded to a home in Nashua where a Molotov cocktail was found under a vehicle, according to police. An investigation revealed that 31-year-old Karen Dowling placed the device there, according to police. Dowling was arrested on Oct. 5 and was charged with use of a Molotov cocktail. She was placed on personal recognizance bail and will be arraigned on Oct. 25 at the Hillsborough County Superior Court. It is unclear is she has an attorney. A motive for the incident is unclear. The Nashua Police Department encourages anyone with information on the incident at 603-589-1665. The New Hampshire Attorney General's office says a woman discovered in a storage unit died from a single gunshot. Police officers discovered the body of 45-year-old Jessica Purslow early Sunday inside a self-storage unit after being alerted by a caller around midnight. Results of an autopsy released Monday revealed she died from a gunshot but the manner of death is pending investigation. Police are asking anyone who saw Purslow at the Rochester Self Storage to contact the Rochester Police Department. What to Know Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old American citizen with Palestinian grandparents, landed at Ben-Gurion Airport last Tuesday with a valid visa. She was barred from entering the country and ordered deported, based on suspicions that she supports a campaign that calls for boycotts. In a first-of-its-kind case, Israel has held an American graduate student at its international airport for a whole week, accusing her of supporting a Palestinian-led boycott movement against the Jewish state. Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old American citizen with Palestinian grandparents, landed at Ben-Gurion Airport last Tuesday with a valid student visa. But she was barred from entering the country and ordered deported, based on suspicions that she supports a campaign that calls for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions against Israel. An Israeli court has ordered that she remain in custody while she appeals. The weeklong detention is the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case, and it was not immediately clear on Tuesday when a decision would be made. Alqasem is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, a group that supports the boycott movement. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported she is a graduate of West Broward High School. The grassroots boycott campaign, known as BDS, has targeted Israeli businesses, cultural institutions and universities in what it says is nonviolent resistance to unjust and racist Israeli policies. But Israel says its true goal is to delegitimize and even destroy the country. Israel enacted a law last year banning any foreigner who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel" from entering the country. "Lara served as president of a chapter of one of the most extreme and hate-filled anti-Israel BDS groups in the U.S.," said Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan, who is charge of the Israeli government's efforts against the boycott group. "Israel will not allow entry to those who work to harm the country, whatever their excuse." On Tuesday, Erdan floated a possible compromise, saying in a radio interview that he would drop his efforts to expel her if she apologizes and renounces her BDS support. The ministry says that during Alqasem's involvement with Students for Justice in Palestine, the club advocated a boycott against Sabra hummus, an Israeli-owned brand of chickpea dip. In her appeal, Alqasem has argued that she never actively participated in boycott campaigns, and promised the court that she would not promote them in the future. "We're talking about someone who simply wants to study in Israel, who is not boycotting anything," said her lawyer, Yotam Ben-Hillel. "She's not even part of the student organization anymore." Alqasem is registered to study human rights at Israel's Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The university has thrown its support behind her, announcing Monday that it would join her appeal. She also received a boost from her former Hebrew professor at the University of Florida, who described her as an exceptional and curious student. In a letter to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Dror Abend-David said Alqasem had an "open and positive attitude toward Judaism, Jews, and the state of Israel." In the latest shake-up for President Donald Trump's turbulent administration, U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley abruptly announced Tuesday she is resigning at the end of the year, raising fresh questions about the Trump team and about the outspoken diplomat's own political ambitions. The news blindsided some key U.S. allies and many congressional Republicans involved in foreign policy matters. And it came less than a month before congressional elections, thwarting White House efforts to project an image of stability, with the loss of one of the highest-profile women in the administration at a time when women's votes are being vigorously pursued. But Haley, the former South Carolina governor, has often been an unpredictable and independent force in the Trump administration. At times she has offered strikingly different perspectives on world events from her more isolationist-minded boss. A smiling Haley announced her decision at an Oval Office meeting alongside the president, bringing up her own political prospects even as she underscored her continued support for Trump. Without prompting from reporters, she said she had no plans to run for president "in 2020" and would campaign for Trump. Haley, who is 46 and not personally wealthy, hinted in her resignation letter to Trump that she is headed to the private sector. "I have given everything I've got these last eight years," she said, referring to her six years as governor as well as her time at the U.N. "And I do think it's good to rotate in other people who can put that same energy and power into it." Trump was asked why the announcement was made now since Haley is staying until the end of the year. Instead of answering directly, he recounted how she has had to work on tough issues, such as Iran and North Korea. White House officials had sought to put a hold on Trump's record-setting turnover in the run-up to the Nov. 6 elections, with aides being asked months ago to step down or commit to stay through Election Day to avoid adding to a sense of turmoil. Still, the prospect of post-midterm changes continues to hang over the West Wing, and Haley's exit was one that has been discussed, according to a senior administration official not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations. A number of officials speculated that the timing was meant to preserve the ambassador's own political future. A post in the Trump administration has proven to be a rickety stepping-stone to either lucrative private sector work or hopes for higher office, and the risk to those ambitions might only increase after the elections if Democrats make significant gains in Congress. Trump said Haley first discussed leaving with him six months ago. The senior official noted that their conversation coincided with the appointments of Mike Pompeo as secretary of state and John Bolton as national security adviser in an earlier upending of top foreign policy officials. Haley had expressed some frustration that her voice had been diminished as the two men became the aggressive new faces of Trump's international policy, the official said. More recently, there was the awkward moment at the U.N., when Trump's boasting of American economic strength under his leadership brought laughter at a General Assembly session. He insisted later that the delegates were laughing with him, not at him. The six-month timeline also coincides with a high-profile spat between Haley and the White House in April, when she drew the president's ire for previewing in a television appearance the administration's planned imposition of a new round of sanctions on Russia. When the sanctions never materialized, White House officials said the plans had changed without Haley being briefed, and economic adviser Larry Kudlow suggested she was confused. "I don't get confused," Haley said in a sharply worded response to the West Wing. Haley was appointed to the U.N. post in November 2016 and last month coordinated Trump's second trip to the United Nations, including his first time chairing the Security Council. A rookie to international politics, the former South Carolina governor was an unusual pick for to be U.N. envoy. "It was a blessing to go into the U.N. every day with body armor," Haley said, saying her job was to defend America on the world stage. At the U.N., she helped spearhead the administration's efforts to combat what it alleged to be anti-American and anti-Israel actions by the international body, including the U.S. decision to leave the Human Rights Council and to stop funding the U.N. agency for Palestinian Refugees. Haley also secured three successively tougher Security Council sanction resolutions against North Korea which the administration has credited with bringing Kim Jong Un to the negotiating table and an arms embargo against South Sudan. But under Haley's tenure at the U.N., the U.S. has faced strong opposition from Russia when it comes to addressing the seven-year-old war in Syria, and frustration from European allies over reimposing nuclear sanctions against Iran. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One he was considering five candidates for Haley's job and that a successor would be named in two to three weeks or maybe sooner. Among those under consideration, Trump said, is former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell. Trump told reporters that he has heard his daughter Ivanka Trump's name discussed for the post, but said if he selected her he'd be accused of nepotism. In a tweet, the presidential senior adviser and eldest daughter praised Haley, saying Trump will "nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador." She added: "That replacement will not be me." U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell's name has also been floated for the post, but Trump suggested he'd rather keep him in his current post "because he's doing such a good job." The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley clashed with then-candidate Trump during the 2016 campaign, denouncing "the siren call of the angriest voices" that disrespected America's immigrants. Trump tweeted that "The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley." Haley has one child in college and another approaching college age, and she has the potential to make much more money in the business world. She reported owing between $500,000 and $1 million on financial disclosures filed as part of her nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The debts included a personal mortgage of between $250,001 and $500,000, according to the report with the Office of Government Ethics. Before she was named by Trump to her U.N. post, Haley was elected the first female governor of South Carolina. She was re-elected in 2014. As governor, she developed a national reputation as a racial conciliator who helped lead the effort to bring down the Confederate flag at the Statehouse and helped guide the state through one of its darkest moments, the massacre at a black church. President Donald Trump drew an enthusiastic response from a law-and-order crowd Monday, advocating the use of "stop and frisk" policing and saying he has directed the Justice Department to work with local officials in Chicago to stem violence in the nation's third-largest city. "The crime spree is a terrible blight on that city," he said at a convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Trump said he had ordered Attorney General Jeff Sessions to "immediately" go to Chicago and encouraged it to embrace the stop-and-frisk policing method that was used in New York City until it was deemed unconstitutional because of its overwhelming impact on minority residents. "Gotta be properly applied, but stop-and-frisk works," Trump said. It was unclear exactly what the president had ordered of his attorney general. The White House and Justice Department didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump traveled to Orlando with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Chicago police said last week that there have been 102 fewer homicides and nearly 500 fewer shooting victims in the city this year, compared with the first nine months of 2017. Just weeks before the midterm elections, Trump accused Democrats of being soft on crime. "The Democrats fight us at every turn. Whether it's law enforcement or military. They fight us at every turn. And we win," Trump said. He singled out politicians who have criticized police, often in the wake of shootings of young, black men, saying, "Politicians who spread dangerous anti-police sentiment make life easier for criminals and more dangerous for law-abiding citizens." And he blamed "evil" people for nearly sinking his Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation, saying, "It was a disgraceful situation." Trump said Kavanaugh would be "a faithful defender of the rule of law." Hours before Trump addressed the police chiefs, a handful of protesters outside the Orange County Convention Center waved signs reading "Sexual Predators Belong in Jail Not as President or Supreme Court" and "We Wish You Were Fake News." Trump also heralded recent declines in unemployment as a positive step toward lower crime rates. He said he was working hard on the opioid crisis and announced more than $42 million in new grant funding for innovative projects to fight the drug epidemic. The money will fund more than 50 innovative projects through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Michael Tarm contributed to this report. The police officer credited with stopping a northern Illinois school shooter has been praised by President Donald Trump after being named Officer of the Year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Trump spoke about Dixon Officer Mark Dallas during the group's convention Monday in Florida, citing his quick actions in intervening when a student fired shots near Dixon High School's gym on May 16 during graduation practice. Trump pointed out that Dallas' son was among the senior class members and later said he wasn't scared because he knew his father was working. Authorities allege 19-year-old Matthew Milby fired at a gym teacher and was confronted by Dallas, who shot him in the shoulder and the hip. Milby has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges. Highly successful students will be able to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago for free under a new program seeking to keep the state's top students at home. The Chancellor's Fellows Program will be funded with UIC's share of $25 million set aside by the state for merit scholarships at the state's public universities starting in the 2019-20 school year. Those qualifying for program won't have to pay the base tuition and fees of $13,664 charged in state students. Room and board at the university range from about $10,295 and up. UIC hasn't seen the decline in enrollment recorded at many other Illinois public universities. Provost Susan Poser says although the university saw record enrollment last year, it still loses prospective students to other states. Poser says the fellows program is a good way to start to "stem the tide a little bit." Police in southern Japan said Tuesday that they are investigating the death of a zookeeper in an apparent attack by a white tiger. Police said Akira Furusho was found bleeding from his neck and lying on the floor Monday evening inside a tiger cage at Hirakawa Zoological Park in Kagoshima. Zoo officials said they believe Furusho was attacked while trying to move a male tiger from its exhibition cage to its night-time cage. The 170-kilogram (375-pound) animal is one of four rare white tigers at the city-operated zoo. Furusho was rushed to a hospital but was later pronounced dead. His autopsy results are pending. Police said they are investigating whether proper safety measures were in place at the zoo. No one saw the moment of the apparent attack. The tiger was sedated with a tranquilizer gun. Zoo director Akinori Ishido told a televised news conference that he was saddened by the loss of his staff. He said safety procedures at the zoo are designed in a way that keepers do not enter a cage for feeding or cleaning while animals are inside. The keeper somehow had entered the same space with the animal, Ishido said. Furusho's family has asked that the zoo keep the tiger alive, according to NHK public television. The white tiger area was closed to the public while police investigate. | BY Ricki Green | The One Centre has created a new high-end furniture brand called EDITION for Living Edge, Australias premier furniture destination for architects, interior designers and design enthusiasts. The launch of the brand capitalises on growing global demand for limited edition, highly collectable luxury design and art. As well as developing EDITIONs brand positioning and identity, The One Centre is helping launch the EDITION collection globally with a virtual online gallery and a Dada-esque art film, which introduces its manifesto: Furniture thats art. Art thats furniture. Says Jo Mawhinney, director at EDITION: EDITION is not just furniture, its art: a curated collection of the foremost contemporary furniture and design, with 30 pieces available at any given time through the gallery. We asked The One Centre to tap into its knowledge of luxury trends and design enthusiasts to create a high-end art and design brand with global appeal. Says Katie Molloy, general manager, The One Centre: EDITION creations are bold and rebellious, creating an art brand unlike any other in the world. Strategically, we are positioning EDITION pieces as art, their creators as artists, and their buyers as collectors. Inspired by the insight that a growing number of people are purchasing luxury brands online as investment pieces, The One Centre created editioncollection.com a virtual gallery featuring EDITIONs most exclusive sculptural art pieces, which are held in collections all over the world. The EDITION Collection includes the Leda table, inspired by Dali, Surface Table by Zaha Hadid and NEROCACTUS by Drocco / Mello, which is included in collections at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Tate Modern in London. Coveted and iconic, each piece is numbered or marked to reflect its value and exclusivity. Australias luxury retail industry is thriving, growing at a rate of around 10% per year from 2013, according to figures from IbisWorld, while Deloitte forecasts Australian luxury market sales to grow 6-8% per year through to 2024. Living Edge has launched EDITION to extend its popularity beyond Australia to an international market. The collection features exclusive pieces from design icons like Salvador Dali, Zaha Hadid, Vitra and Vernon Panton, and is designed to carve out a new category for the business along with a global revenue stream. Susan Rice, who was President Barack Obama's national security adviser, said she'll decide after next month's midterm elections whether to run for the Senate from Maine in 2020 and try to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Collins cast a deciding vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, deeply disappointing those opposed to his nomination. Speaking in New York Sunday during The New Yorker Festival, Rice said Collins "put party and politics over her own stated principles" of supporting equal rights and legalized abortion. "I think in a way that I really regret saying, she has betrayed women across this country," Rice said. Kavanaugh's confirmation was stalled by accusations of sexual misconduct when he was in high school and college, but Collins and others said they were won over by his forceful denials and a supplemental FBI report they say produced no evidence corroborating the claims. "What moved me ... was a sense of outrage and frustration that somebody who fashions herself a moderate centrist, and somebody who cares for equal rights and LGBT rights and Roe v Wade and all of this stuff, could in a very political fashion not just decide to vote for Kavanaugh but do it in a fashion that was quite dismissive of the concerns of many Americans and many Mainers," Rice said. "So it was on that basis that I decided I would think about it." Kavanaugh's ascendance to the Supreme Court now gives conservatives a working majority that could restrict abortion rights and halt the expansion of the rights of LGBT people. Collins, in remarks from the Senate floor, dismissed the possibility that Kavanaugh would vote to overturn Roe V. Wade or same-sex marriage. Rice, a Democrat, had hinted her interest in a Senate run in a one-word tweet on Friday, responding "me" to an open question about who wanted to run against Collins. She then seemed to walk it back, saying she was "not making any announcements." Collins questioned Rice's connection to Maine, saying Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that although Rice's family has a home in Maine, "she doesn't live in the state of Maine. Everybody knows that." Rice, however, said her "ties to Maine are long and deep." During Sunday's appearance, she described her grandparents' arrival in the state from Jamaica in 1912, her yearly summer visits that began in childhood and the home she now owns. "The last 20 so years I've been a home owner in the state of Maine, so it's not completely crazy," she said. Collins returned to Maine late Saturday after Kavanaugh was sworn into office. She said Sunday that despite the presence of protesters outside her home in Bangor, the response from Mainers has been "overwhelmingly positive." People angry over her vote have vowed to make her pay a political price. A crowdsourcing group says it has secured pledges of more than $3 million for her opponent in 2020. Rice, who also served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Obama, said she appreciated the enthusiasm about her potential run, but said people who are angry about Kavanaugh should focus on the midterm elections. "My bottom line is I'm going to give it due consideration, after the midterms," she said. A man from Bloomfield has died after a crash on Interstate 91 south in Hartford on Tuesday morning. The two-car crash, which happened around 6 a.m., closed three lanes of I-91 south between exits 29A and 27 for most of the morning. All of the lanes were blocked while police cleared the scene, but have since reopened. Police said one vehicle was traveling in the right lane on the highway and another vehicle, driven by 36-year-old Dwayne Reynolds, of Bloomfield, was traveling in the left lane. According to officers, Reynolds lost control on wet roads while negotiating a curve and hit the concrete barrier on the left shoulder of the highway. His vehicle then spun to the right side of the highway, where it was hit on the driver's side by the vehicle driving in the right lane. A crash has closed Interstate 91 South in Hartford. Reynolds suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash and was later pronounced dead at Hartford Hospital, police said. A passenger in his vehicle was not injured. The other driver involved in the crash suffered minor injuries and was taken to Hartford Hospital. #TrafficAlert - #UPDATE Heavy delays are forming on I-91 SB back to Exit 32 in #Hartford due to a multi-vehicle #crash on I-91 SB near Exit 27/ several lanes are blocked right now @NBCConnecticut #NBCCT pic.twitter.com/rN1ZtqZkwe Hanna Mordoh (@HannaMordoh) October 9, 2018 The crash caused about seven miles of congestion between exits 37 and 27 in Hartford and Windsor on Tuesday morning. The accident remains under investigation. Any witnesses are asked to contact Troop H at (860) 534-1000. Parents are outraged over unfilled school uniform orders by an East Hartford company. Many parents told NBC Connecticut they put in orders months ago and still have not received their kids uniforms. More than a month into the school year Hartford parent Kristina Cotto said shes already gone to Inchworm clothing five times. I ordered the uniforms back in August and I keep coming back and nothing, Cotto said. She said she hasnt gotten a clear answer as to why the order is taking so long to fill. They still have explained to me yet. Theyve just been, yeah were going to get it, were backed up, Cotto said. Some Hartford parents say theyve chosen to buy elsewhere. We just had to get our money back, Orlando Hernandez said. But parents in East Hartford dont have other choices. The schools only use Inchworm for uniforms. NBC Connecticut spoke with about a half dozen East Hartford parents who went in with order forms and came out with no uniforms. Ive been waiting, waiting, waiting. I was so upset with her right now; she said to come back tomorrow, Pearlena Patrick said. I ordered in August, and I havent heard anything. My daughter is a freshman this year, but shes wearing a middle school uniform, Kami Splettstoeszer added. The East Hartford School Superintendents Office is aware of the unfilled orders, and administrators are working to support families without uniforms by providing free ones or allowing students to be out of uniform. NBC Connecticut called and emailed Inchworms owner for a statement, but has not yet heard back. East Hartford school officials said they plan to meet with Inchworm this week, hoping to resolve the issue. See the full statement from the superintendents office below. We are aware that Inchworm has unfilled orders. While we are aware that parents do not have their orders, feedback we have collected from schools is that with limited exceptions, students are in uniform. While these uniforms may be from last year, our policy does not require parents to purchase new uniforms every year. Our school administration has done and continues to do an incredible job working to support any family that does not have a uniform by either giving them a free one (from stock that has built up over the years) or by simply allowing the student to be out of uniform. We understand and are equally disappointed to learn about the challenges our families are having with the vendor and are committed to working together with our families to resolve this issue both in the short and long term. We will be meeting with the vendor later this week. The Connecticut Supreme Court has set a date to hear the appeal of a Haitian immigrant who was convicted of killing a Connecticut woman in 2015. Attorneys for 44-year-old Jean Jacques will present their case for a new trial before the high court Oct. 17. Jacques was sentenced in 2016 to 60 years for the stabbing death of 25-year-old Casey Chadwick on June 15, 2015 in Norwich. Officials said he killed her just months after being released on parole after an attempted murder conviction. The appeal centers on whether Norwich police needed a warrant to enter Jacques' apartment five days after his month-to-month lease expired. Prosecutors said Jacques was no longer living at the apartment at the time, and he made no attempt to have family members extend the lease. The man's attorney said Jacques was entitled to his privacy rights unless he said he was moving out or was evicted. See the court documents here. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Marine Corps reservist during the Vietnam War, wrongly claimed years ago that he served in Vietnam and once spoke of the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans when we returned. Those misstatements are fair game for his political opponents to criticize. But President Donald Trump has stretched the facts about Blumenthals misstatements to absurd lengths. Most recently, amid Blumenthals criticism of Trumps Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the president falsely claimed Blumenthal went around telling war stories, claimed he fought in Da Nang Province and talked of soldiers dying left and right as we battled up the hill. Blumenthal never said any of those things. We generally let politicians fend for themselves when they are attacked for misstatements. When Trump tweeted in February 2017 that Blumenthal told a major lie, because he never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had, we did not weigh in. But like a snowball rolling downhill, Trumps account of Blumenthals misstatements has grown more exaggerated over time particularly during Kavanaughs contentious confirmation hearings. So, here we will lay out the facts about Blumenthals time as a Marine reservist during not in the Vietnam War, and how those facts have been distorted. I Misspoke Blumenthals misleading statements about his military service during Vietnam first surfaced while he was running for the Senate in 2010 when the New York Times ran a story headlined Richard Blumenthals Words on Vietnam Service Differ From History. The story, which was published May 17, 2010, noted that during a rally in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 2003 in support of the military, Blumenthal talked about Vietnam War veterans and stated, When we returned, we saw nothing like this. Let us do better by this generation of men and women. And in 2008, the paper noted, Blumenthal told a group in Norwalk, We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam. But, as the newspaper documented, Blumenthal did not serve as a Marine in Vietnam. Blumenthals Selective Service record, published by the New York Times, showed that Blumenthal got at least five educational and occupational deferments from 1965 to 1970. He then enlisted in the Marine Reserve and served for six years stateside. The Marine Reserve was never deployed in Vietnam. (We should note that Trump also got five deferments, including a final one for bone spurs in his heels, during the Vietnam War.) Sen. Richard Blumnethal, D-Conn., told Christine Blasey Ford, I believe you, in regards to her testimony that she was sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh during a high school party. He said that President Donald Trump's failure to ask for an FBI probe into Ford's claims is "tantamount to a cover up." The New York Times also found: In at least eight newspaper articles published in Connecticut from 2003 to 2009, he is described as having served in Vietnam. And yet, the paper wrote, It does not appear that Mr. Blumenthal ever sought to correct those mistakes. When the story came out, Blumenthal, then serving as Connecticuts attorney general, told reporters, On a few occasions I have misspoken about my service and I regret that, and I will take full responsibility. But I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impugn my record of service to this country. Blumenthal added that any claims he made to have served in Vietnam were absolutely unintentional a few misplaced words. He said that he usually tries to be more precise in saying that he served in the Marine Reserve during Vietnam rather than in Vietnam. Indeed, in the same 2008 speech in which he said he served in Vietnam, Blumenthal initially said he was someone who served in the military during the Vietnam-era in the Marine Corps. And during a debate in March 2010, the Times noted, Blumenthal responded to a question about Iran by saying, Although I did not serve in Vietnam, I have seen firsthand the effects of military action, and no one wants it to be the first resort, nor do we want to mortgage the countrys future with a deficit that is ballooning out of control. A week after publication of the Times story and his explanation that he had misspoken, Blumenthal offered a more full-throated apology, saying in a statement, I have made mistakes and I am sorry. I truly regret offending anyone. And he acknowledged, At times when I have sought to honor veterans, I have not been as clear or precise as I should have been about my service in the Marine Corps Reserves. Trumps Escalating Attacks As we said, Trump has on several occasions over the years ridiculed Blumenthal for his misstatements when talking about his service during Vietnam. The president ramped up those attacks after Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Kavanaughs credibility during the committees review of Christine Blasey Fords allegations that Kavanaugh sexually assault her in the summer of 1982. During a rally in Tennessee on Oct. 1, Trump unveiled a new nickname for Blumenthal, dubbing him Da Nang Blumenthal. Trump, Oct. 1: How about Blumenthal? Da Nang Blumenthal, we call him Da Nang Blumenthal. For 15 years, as the attorney general of Connecticut, he went around telling war stories. People dying left and right, but my platoon marched forward. He was never in Vietnam. It was a lie. And then hes up there then hes up there saying, We want the truth from Judge Kavanaugh. The same day, during remarks on the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Trump continued the attack. Trump, Oct. 1: Look at some of these people asking the questions, OK. Look at Blumenthal, he lied about Vietnam. He didnt just say, Hey, I went to Vietnam. No, no. For 15 years, he said he was a war hero. He fought in Da Nang Province. We call him Da Nang Richard. Da Nang, thats his nickname, Da Nang. He never went to Vietnam. And hes up there saying, We need honesty, and we need integrity. This guy lied when he was the attorney general of Connecticut. He lied. I dont mean a little bit. And then when he got out he actually dropped out the race and he won anyway, because Democrats always win in Connecticut. He won very close, probably the closest ever. And when he got out and when he apologized, he was crying, the tears were all over the place, and now he acts like, How dare you. The following day, at a rally in Mississippi, Trump added a couple new wrinkles. Trump, Oct. 2: This guy lied about his service. He didnt just say, Gee, I was in the service. No. He said, I was in the Marines. Da Nang Province. Soldiers dying left and right as we battled up the hill. This went on for 15 years when he was the attorney general of Connecticut. I thought he was a great war hero. And then it turned out he was never in Vietnam. He was in the Reserves. And I watched him two days ago. I watched him saying, We need the truth. If we dont have and heres a guy who was saying people were dying all around him and he was never there. And then he cried. When they caught him, he cried like a baby. And the reason he got elected is because in Connecticut its impossible for a Republican to get elected. And I did well there. But you cant. He actually gave up the race. Youd thought he lost. You remember that? He, sort of, gave he stopped campaigning. It was over. And then he won by three points. Again, Blumenthal in 2008 said, We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam. And he said in 2003, When we returned [from Vietnam], we saw nothing like this. (Emphasis is ours.) But Blumenthal never said he fought in Da Nang Province. He never went around telling war stories. People dying left and right, but my platoon marched forward.' He never talked about, Soldiers dying left and right as we battled up the hill. Its also untrue that when [Blumenthal] apologized, he was crying, the tears were all over the place, or that, When they caught him, he cried like a baby. Heres a video of Blumenthals initial response on May 18, 2010, to the New York Times story, in which he said, I misspoke about my service. No tears. And heres a video of Blumenthals speech at the 2010 Connecticut State Democratic Convention on May 21, 2010. No crying. And heres a video of Blumenthal talking to the media on May 24, 2010, after he released a statement apologizing for his mistakes. Again, no crying, no tears. Nor is it true that in 2010, Blumental actually dropped out the race and he won anyway, because Democrats always win in Connecticut. He won very close, probably the closest ever. Or, as Trump put it on Oct. 2, He actually gave up the race. Youd thought he lost. You remember that? He, sort of, gave he stopped campaigning. It was over. And then he won by three points. Blumenthal never dropped out of the 2010 Senate race. And while a poll taken immediately after the Times story broke in 2010 showed that Blumenthals sizable lead had dwindled to just 3 percentage points, he actually won the general election by a dozen percentage points over his opponent, Republican Linda McMahon. That was by no means the closest ever Senate race in Connecticut history. As the Washington Post Fact Checker pointed out, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman won by a smaller margin in 1988 and 2006, as did Sen. Lowell Weicker in 1982. Blumental was reelected in 2016 by a nearly 29-point margin. In a tweet on Oct. 1, Blumenthal said Trumps ridiculous personal attacks are total nonsense simply untrue. A spokesman for Blumenthal also said there is a misperception that Blumenthal frequently mischaracterized his service record, though the New York Times article cited just one instance of Blumenthal saying he served in Vietnam. As we said, Blumenthal in the same speech more accurately stated he was someone who served in the military during the Vietnam-era in the Marine Corps. So to recap, based on what we know from the public record: Blumenthal did not say he was a war hero. He did not say he fought in Da Nang Province. He never bragged about battles. He never talked about soldiers dying left and right as we battled up the hill. He never said people were dying all around him. He never went around telling war stories. He apologized and said he should have been more precise in his language, but he didnt cry like a baby. He never dropped out of the race, or stopped campaigning. He didnt eke out a win by three points; he won by a dozen points. And that wasnt nearly the closest ever Connecticut Senate race. At 19 weeks pregnant, Sarah Prowell learned her unborn son had spina bifida. Spina bifida is a birth defect caused when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly, in many cases leaving a portion of the spine exposed. Without medical intervention, the condition causes differing levels of disability, which can include paralysis and lifelong bladder issues. The Terrell mom was referred to Dr. Timothy Crombleholme, director of the newly opened Fetal Care Center at Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas. "The open fetal surgery opens up the opportunity for us to intervene at a time when things are not irreparable. We can intervene and save the baby's life or prevent unknown injury to the baby's organs," Crombleholme said. Prior to Crombleholme's arrival to North Texas earlier this year, families of babies diagnosed with the most common and severe form of spina bifida, called myelomeningocele, had to travel elsewhere for open fetal surgery. Because spinal cord damage is progressive during gestation, prenatal repair of myelomeningocele may prevent further damage. "A few years ago, if they came to our practice with this spina bifida problem, they would have had to travel to the east coast, Houston or the west coast to have this surgery," said Dr. Kevin Magee, maternal and fetal medicine at Medical City Children's Hospital. Crombleholme is one of only a handful of surgeons nationwide qualified to perform open fetal surgery and he is widely recognized for his skill and successful surgical outcomes. Baby Uriah became his first North Texas patient on June 25, 2018. Now, at almost two months old, Uriah is kicking his legs, signaling early success from leading-edge surgery for spina bifida. "He will have lifelong difficulties, but it's not going to slow him down," Uriah's father, Sean Kirby, said. "He's doing so good, better than we thought he'd be," Sarah Prowell said. "I think he'll be very determined. I think he will impress us and everyone else, like he has so far." You can follow his progress here. Fetal surgery for spina bifida is not a cure, but studies show that it repair can lead to better results than traditional repair surgery after a child is born. The surgery greatly reduces the need to divert fluid from the brain, improves mobility and improves the chances that a child will be able to walk independently, doctors said. What began with a car crash in Fort Worth, ended with a good Samaritan dead. Police are searching for a man in a brutal attack. The victim, Mark Hague, was a homeless man who reportedly tried to help after the crash. The 56-year-old died Monday morning at JPS hospital in Fort Worth. His boss, Mary Perez, says she witnessed the best and worst in humanity in a matter of minutes on Saturday evening. A sign was posted outside Enchiladas Ole on North Sylvania Avenue on Monday. It read: "Closed for a family emergency." I just couldnt open today, said Perez. I couldnt cook. Perez is devastated after losing a special employee. Every morning he beats the employees to work, she said. Hague wasnt exactly a full-time worker. Hes always wanting to know Can I take out the trash? Can I help you with this? He just wanted to belong, said Perez. Hague slept near the busy restaurant for the past three years. He was just a kind, gentle soul, she said. He would often work in order to eat, although the restaurant is known for feeding the homeless at no cost. Perez posted a video on her Facebook page showing her and Hague dancing on Saturday morning. There was a crash several hours later in front of the restaurant. We hear this horrible boom! I didnt know if a house had exploded, said Perez. I see customers run outside. Several cars had been involved in a terrible crash, some were visibly injured. A large tree was struck and destroyed on impact. Some customers and restaurant employees began to pull some of the victims out of their vehicles. As onlookers gathered around firefighters, Hague had reportedly tried to calm the crowd. He was telling people shes not going to die. Shes going to be alright, said Perez. I heard this lady tell him get the f out of here! So he turns around and says the same thing back to her. Perez says she then saw Hague walking across the street when out of nowhere a man approached him. I see this big guy just go at him. Punch him, hit him in the face. You just see Mark just fall completely down, hit the ground and in an instant that guy went around, as soon as Mark hit the ground he kicked him in the head. Kicked him in the head as hard as he could. His boot came off, she said. Stunned bystanders watched as the attacker ran away. An employee also ran after the man, according to Perez. She insists Hague did nothing to provoke such an attack. He cant talk that well because hes missing a lot of teeth and he has a deep voice, she said trying to understand why someone who hurt him. For no reason! I mean were helping these accident victims and you want to cause an accident, you know! Over words! Over words, she exclaimed. Perez cant shake the violent attack. Its the lack of respect for human life, she said. It was just a senseless, brutal attack for nothing. For nothing. The attacker and the woman involved in the verbal altercation with Hague may be connected, according to Perez. Fort Worth police say they are investigating the attack. Detectives do not want to release much information to the public regarding the suspect so as to not jeopardize their investigation. North Texas students will soon embark on a groundbreaking classroom instruction which will teach them how to safely interact with police officers during traffic stops. During the 2017 legislative session, state lawmakers voted to enact the Community Safety Education Act, which requires all high school students take the course once before graduating starting with the current freshman class. Last week, Texas school districts received their instructors guide and a 16-minute video that students must watch about safe interaction with police, using reenactments about the right and wrong ways. NBC 5 is now learning more about how many North Texas school districts will implement the course work. Fort Worth ISD will likely start implementation of the coursework after Winter Break. Our teams will soon be meeting with law enforcement to determine how we will be collaborating, Dallas ISD representative Sandra Verduzco said. A plan is expected next week. Grand Prairie ISD has already started using a video that was produced last school year by the Grand Prairie Police Department in coordination with the GPISD, Grand Prairie ISD representative Sam Buchmeyer said. This years plan is to use it extensively through our U.S. History classes. At this time, our proposed plan is to take the resources provided by (the Texas Education Agency) and incorporate them into a presentation that will be delivered to all 9th grade students after state testing in the spring, Garland ISD representative Mida Milligan said. Campus LIGHT counselor and the campus SRO (we have them at every campus) will present this information in an assembly that will be followed up with some in-class discussions and writing activities. Milligan said the proposed plan must be approved by Garland ISD leadership. Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD representative Angela Shelley Brown said schools will start implementing the coursework in Social Studies courses in the Spring of 2019. We are incorporating TEAs Community Safety Education Act curriculum officially in our social studies courses at the high school level, specifically where it fits appropriately within the structure of the course, Mesquite ISD representative Elizabeth Fernandez said. Helping students understand their rights as citizens as well as their responsibilities fits within the TEKS of World History, U.S. History and Government. In addition, Senate Bill 30 inspired a more comprehensive learning opportunity for Mesquite ISD elementary through high school students, Fernandez added. We have developed curriculum under our Cultivating Culture umbrella covering these areas: service, integrity, grit, embracing diversity and empathy. We will be embedding the curriculum into our government course that students take when theyre seniors, Arlington ISD representative Leslie Johnston Birdow said. Our district's Government Curriculum Writers came together last summer and designed a lesson to meet all the requirements of the new law and implemented it this school year, Keller ISD representative Bryce Nieman said. The lesson is a required portion of all government courses and is written into our U.S. Government course curriculum. U.S. Government is a senior-level course at our high schools. We are working on a plan to implement and teach the course to expectations. We will begin instruction during second semester, HEBISD representative Deanna Hullender said. The students that attend Prosper High School in grades 9-12 will watch the TEA required video and be instructed using the required materials by their classroom teachers, Prosper ISD representative Christal Hankey said. The instructional material and video will be presented to students by December 21, 2018. In addition, Prosper ISD video production students are creating a video that introduces all students to our Prosper High School Police Officers, Hankey added. We are fortunate in Prosper ISD to employ our own ISD Police Department and we feel it is vitally important that our students hear the same message from the state as they do from our Prosper ISD Police Officers. In the video, our officers will address the specific areas of how to appropriately interact with a peace officer set forth by the Texas Education Agency, Hankey said. One man died and five others were hurt Monday after being trapped inside a building that was under construction in West Dallas, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue. Six construction workers were inside the collapse zone when the building in the 2600 block of Borger Street caved in Monday afternoon, said DFR Spokesman Jason Evans. Jason Evans with the Dallas Fire Department gives the latest on the the building under construction collapse. The Dallas County Medical Examiner identified the man as 35-year-old Raul Ortega-Cabrera. On Tuesday, his cousin and members of the Arlington band he played with for 14 years remembered him. Members of the band, Lobillos Musical de Durango, held Ortega-Cabrera's saxophone while they sang the last song they all performed together, titled: "I'm Never Going to Forget You." "We're going to miss him a lot," said bandmate Roman Orozco. Ortega-Cabrera's cousin was on his way to work at the construction site and arrived to see him trapped under a heavy beam. "The police say, 'Sorry Raul is dead,'" said Noe Ortega-Cabrera. Several family members working on the job tried to go in to free Ortega-Cabrera from the rubble. "Yes I need to do something, the police say, 'No, sorry, no can,'" said Noe Ortega-Cabrera. Their loss is a deep one, made harder by the fact that Ortega-Cabrera and his wife were expecting their third child. "Last Friday was the baby shower and everybody's happy, especially Raul," Noe Ortega-Cabrera said. Those who loved him will hold on to those happy memories, remembering how much he loved music and how he could light up a stage. "A lot of people say can you play one more, one more and he was always ready," Orozco said. "He always was ready for playing one more and sometimes two or three." One person is dead and five others were hurt after being trapped inside a building that was under construction in west Dallas, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue. OSHA is now investigating the incident. The homebuilder, Megatel Homes, said it believed Monday's high winds and heavy rain caused the collapse. Megatel said it is also conducting an investigation of its own. The other five construction workers who were injured were transported to nearby hospitals after the collapse, but were all expected to be OK. "Considering what you see behind us, one structure completely collapsed to the ground and one right behind it that used to look exactly like what the collapsed one looks like still standing-- so considering how devastating that collapse must've been we're very fortunate that the people who did survive, survived with the injuries that they did," Evans said. Strong winds and heavy rain may have contributed to the collapse, but it is too early in the investigation to be sure. The company in charge of the site, Megatel Homes, believes weather is to blame, releasing a statement that said in part, "The high winds and heavy rain that Dallas is currently experiencing caused the unfinished structure to become vulnerable and collapse." Neighbor Irma Saenz talked to NBC 5 about weather conditions in the area. "Very windy, it looked like tornado because the winds were blowing so hard and the rain was so hard that you couldn't even see outside," she said. Others told NBC 5 that the sound of the collapse was loud enough that they thought something had hit their home. "Imagine a house or a building or something just -- bang, falling that's how it sounded," neighbor Daniel Macias said. Officials said 20 to 30 construction workers were in the area when the building collapsed. NBC 5's Alice Barr, Ken Kalthoff, Jack Highberger, Chris Blake and Holley Ford contributed to this report. | BY Ricki Green | Online bespoke music composition platform MusicBrief, has today announced two very important hires as it expands in to the UK and USA markets. Joining the team of executive producers are former Song Zu and ex-agency senior producer Lindy Lewis-Moore (left) and ex-Sound Reservoir EP and general manager Jodie Vignes (right). Lewis-Moore comes in as EP for North America, tasked with managing relationships with agencies, brands and screen composers in the US and Canada. Vignes will take on the same role in Australia and New Zealand, allowing founder Matt Hayward to focus on the UK market. Says Lewis-Moore: We live in an environment today where producing content quickly is the norm. Of course, its still imperative to produce high quality creative to communicate to our audience and customers. MusicBrief ticks all of those boxes with a stable of experienced composers around the globe, and understands the needs of agencies and organizations. Im so excited to be working with Matt again, and to be working with Jodie. Bringing MusicBrief to life in the States is a wonderful opportunity and Im really looking forward to seeing where we can take it. Says Vignes: MusicBrief has such an exciting business model that really suits the market and producers needs. The ability to upload a brief at any time and receive demos from world class composers within 48 hours is a game a changer. Im really excited to be part of the team and look forward to producing for Australia and New Zealand! Still in its first full year of trading, MusicBrief has already made inroads with its new, disruptive online model. The platform allows agencies and brands to procure bespoke music for their brand content and TVCs at a fraction of the cost of the traditional music houses, with the added bonus of super fast turnaround times and a simple licencing and payment structure. Says Hayward: I have had this vision for a number of years now a global network of EPs and professional screen composers spread out over different time zones, working on brand content music briefs around the clock, in an agile and cost effective fashion, commensurate with the budget driven and fast-paced digital world we now live in. Bringing these two exceptionally talented, hard working and professional women into the team, is just the first step in creating the ultimate dream team of producers and composers from around the world. We have a proven concept in Australia, so now it is just a simple case of finding our early adopters in two of the biggest markets in the world, and then rolling it out globally. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants Pope Francis to visit the officially atheist country, South Korea said Tuesday. South Korea's presidential office said in a statement that Kim told President Moon Jae-in during their summit last month that the pope would be "enthusiastically" welcomed in North Korea. Kim has been intensely engaged in diplomacy in recent months in what's seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons program for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure. North Korea strictly controls the religious activities of its people, and a similar invitation for then-Pope John Paul II to visit after a 2000 inter-Korean summit never resulted in a meeting. The Vatican insisted at the time that a papal visit would only be possible if Catholic priests were accepted in North Korea. Moon plans to convey Kim's desire for a papal visit when he travels to the Vatican next week. Moon said on Monday that he expects Kim to visit Russia soon and possibly hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Moon did not comment on the likelihood of a papal visit. Following an unusually provocative run of weapons tests last year, Kim has been on a diplomatic offensive since the start of this year. He initiated offers for summits with Seoul and Washington, which led to three meetings with Moon and a highly choreographed June summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at which they issued an aspirational goal of a nuclear-free peninsula, without describing how or when it would occur. Kim has presented himself as an international statesman, sharing food, wine and laughs with South Korean officials and appearing thoroughly at ease during his meeting with Trump in Singapore. But post-summit nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States got off to a rocky start, with the North accusing Washington of making "gangster-like" unilateral demands for denuclearization, and calling for sanctions to be lifted before any further progress in nuclear talks. There are doubts whether Kim is willing to fully relinquish his country's nuclear weapons, which he may see as a stronger guarantee of survival than whatever security assurances the United States could provide. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Kim in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, on Sunday for talks on setting up a second summit with Trump. The Vatican's priests were expelled by North Korea long ago and state-appointed laymen officiate services. Estimates of the number of North Korean Catholics range from 800 to about 3,000, compared to more than 5 million in South Korea. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is backing a renewed attempt by the state arm of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to generate money from specialty license plate sales. This time, the Southern historical group wants the tag to feature a rebel soldier carrying a Texas regiment's special flag at a major Civil War battle, and not the Confederate battle flag itself. CLICK HERE to read more from our media partners at The Dallas Morning News. What to Know Thirteen people were arrested and more than $10 million worth of illegal drugs were seized as part of a year-long crackdown. Those arrested include high-ranking members of a drug ring centered in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Los Angeles. Large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl were smuggled in from Sinaloa, Mexico. A multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking in Los Angeles and Ventura counties led to the arrests of more than a dozen suspects, including a San Fernando Valley man alleged to be the organization's ringleader, authorities said today. Ventura County Sheriff's Department officials said the suspects in the narcotics operation are believed to be linked to the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel. "This is an organization where the dope was coming straight from the Sinaloa area to storage areas in L.A. and then transferring from there," Ventura County Undersheriff Gary Pentis said a news conference announcing the arrests. Sheriff's officials said the arrests of 13 suspects on suspicion of various drug sales and weapons-possession allegations helped dismantle a "Los Angeles-based drug trafficking organization." The operation started in September of 2017, when detectives from the Ventura County Combined Agency Task Force began investigating a Los Angeles County resident who was suspected of dealing "bulk-quantities of narcotics" to people in Ventura County, sheriff's Capt. Garo Kuredjian said. "During this investigation, detectives learned that the source of narcotics was Omar Rangel, 29 ... a San Fernando Valley resident," Kuredjian said. "Rangel was the leader of a Los Angeles-based drug trafficking organization, which involved numerous persons," Kuredjian said in a statement. "This drug trafficking organization was found to be moving substantial quantities of narcotics originating from a drug cartel in Sinaloa, Mexico, and then distributing the drugs to bulk-quantity traffickers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties." Rangel was among those arrested in the crackdown. A dozen other people were arrested, most of them from Los Angeles County, while two other suspects are still being sought. Detectives served numerous narcotics-related search warrants, resulting in the seizure of 161 pounds of methamphetamine, 121 pounds of cocaine, 13.2 pounds of heroin, 6.6 pounds of fentanyl, 600 fentanyl pills, more than $353,000 in drug-sales proceeds, and 12 firearms, Kuredjian said. The combined street value of the seized drugs was more than $10.8 million. The Ventura County Combined Task Force is made up of members from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies who work collaboratively to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute major narcotics trafficking organizations. WHERE DOES AUTUMN LIVE? On a calendar, in the Northern Hemisphere, you can point to the second half of September, and all of October, and all of November, and some of December, too, and accurately make a claim that fall may be found within those dates. But if you needed an actual address, like, a place with a zip code, you might be more hard-pressed, even cider-pressed, to specify autumn's exact location. Of course, if you picked Nevada City as one potential place, well, few people who know the Gold Country town would dare quibble with your pretty perfect suggestion. For autumn does keep company with the historic hamlet, and that fact is on full display come October, when early Halloween decorations are vying with the changing trees for the eyes of visitors and locals alike. LOVE RED FOLIAGE? Nevada City has plenty, which isn't always the case in California, a state that easily rocks the golds, yellows, and even oranges, but fewer reds than other foliage-lovely spots. Where exactly to go, though, to see these crimsons and pinks and oaky yellows and more? The Chamber of Commerce suggests, if you're craving a drive outside of Nevada City, the Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway, a route that boasts both plentiful aspens at the upper reaches as well as "historic mining villages," too. And, in town, there are many handsome trees to be seen around the main section. A Victorian California Fall Colors Tour begins at the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. As for those sorta-spooky... HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS... seen in yards around town? A meandering walk will take you by plenty of tree ghosts and door goblins through the remainder of October. Look for the Broad Street Inn's sweet seasonal decorations for starters, and make your way to the Outside Inn, which always goes to town in the Halloween-theming department, each and every year. But legging it in most any direction around Nevada City will take the yard haunt fan by some notable gravestones, witches, and monster-fun decor. What to Know Porto's Bakery & Cafe Sizes: 2 dozen, 3-4 dozen, 5-6 dozen Dulce de leche besitos, meat pies, more... Hankerings? They can crank up our cravings, at any time of the day. And if you're having a hankering for a particular treat, and you can't get to the eatery that famously makes the famous foodstuff, well, your hankering will have to go unhankered. But if you're a devotee of dulce de leche besitos, or a maven of meat pies, and you can only be satisfied with how Porto's Bakery & Cafe makes 'em, well then. You'd have to get to the company's long-running Glendale restaurant, or the one in Burbank, or the other Porto's places that have been springing up around the area in recent years. That's all changing on Tuesday, Oct. 9, thanks to Porto's new "Bake at Home" delivery service. Oh yes: You can now slide a cookie sheet lined with guava strudel into your own oven. Guava strudel that you didn't have to pick up at a Porto's, but, rather, was delivered to your door. This is happening. There are five Porto's home delivery choices in all, at launch, including the three just mentioned dulce de leche besitos, meat pies, and guava strudel as well as Refugiado guava & cheese pastry and cheese rolls. We'll give a hearty five "mmms" to that line-up: Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, and, might we add, mmm. You have three size choices, when it comes to how many strudels or besitos you'd like with the small incorporating two dozen, the medium comprising three to four dozen, and five to six dozen delectables in a large box. "We now ship nationwide our best-selling pastries raw, frozen, and direct to you so you can bake them in your own oven!" is the effervescent message at the top of the new "Bake at Home" page on the Porto's site. Porto's pastries. In our own oven. This is, indeed, a happy day. Potato ball buffs? You'll still need to head to your go-to Porto's for your go-to goodie. Which is always a pleasure, and so very LA: Noshing a potato ball, or six, while watching the bustling scene inside the warm-hearted cafes. The popular Cuban eatery was founded by Rosa Porto over 40 years ago with a first storefront in Echo Park. It has grown and grown, perfecting pastries and savory sandwiches and salads, too, over the decades. So consider home delivery the next successful step for this Southern California classic. Enjoy your hot-from-the-oven besitos at home, and your potato balls at a Porto's, and don't forget to pick up that fabulously frosted cake for your friend's bridal shower, too. It's Porto's gone everywhere, in the tradition of other traditional local eateries, such as Philippe the Original, stepping into the home delivery service arena. Oh. Happy. Day. Sleeping in a tent, a man who ased to be identified only as "Salam" was brutally attacked and left for dead on Sept. 22 in Santa Monica. He was one of the lucky ones, however, as Ramon Escobar is alleged to have carried out the attack, and the transient from Texas was linked with at least eight brutal assaults and robberies in the cities of LA and Santa Monica. Four of Escobar's victims died as a result of the beatings, according to police. For the first time, he publicly discussed the attack. If you would like to donate to a gofundme for "Salam," you may do so here. Note that gofundme deducts a percentage of all funds in the form of platform and payment processing charges. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to change the identifying name of the victim, who said he fears for his safety. Hollywood brought one of its most iconic characters back home to Coronado Monday as film crews took over the main gate to Naval Air Station North Island. Actor Tom Cruise is revising his role as Navy pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell from the mega-hit movie "Top Gun" in a film expected out next year. On Monday, security was extremely tight as film crews set up outside the main gate to the naval military installation at 4th and Alameda. After hours on standby, an NBC 7 San Diego camera crew caught Cruise, flanked by security and production staff, as he jumped on a motorbike and let open the throttle. Cruise and his signature smile could only be seen for a few seconds before production staff put up a privacy tent that blocked the view of the set. The sequel first began filming in San Diego earlier this summer for just a few days. Filming took place at NAS North Island for a week, The Department of Defense and U.S. Navy confirmed for a previous article. The movie is scheduled for release in July 2019. Most locals can identify the San Diego streets and locations in the original 1986 film. The "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" scene was filmed at Kansas City Barbeque on Harbor Drive. Parts of Liberty Station, which was formerly the site of Naval Training Center San Diego from 1923 to 1997, served as a backdrop for the original movie. Navy property on Point Loma and a stretch of Oceanside can also be seen in the original film. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a South Florida man wanted in a $4.8 million gold heist in North Carolina. Pedro Santamaria, of Miami-Dade, is wanted in the March 1, 2015, robbery of a tractor-trailer carrying the gold in Wilson County, North Carolina, FBI officials said Tuesday. The FBI says Santamaria and two other men used a GPS device to track the gold-laden tractor-trailer heading from Miami to Massachusetts. Investigators say pepper spray was released by remote control to sicken the driver and a passenger before the robbery along Interstate 95. The thieves made off with 275 pounds of gold bars. Roberto Cabrera was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison in 2016 for his role in the heist. Adalberto Perez also pleaded guilty to robbery and firearm charges in 2016. Santamaria, who is approximately 56, is facing several charges including conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He should be considered armed and dangerous, FBI officials said. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 754-703-2000. | BY Ricki Green | What if you had the ability to create the most powerful ute ad ever seen, but werent allowed to show it? Thats the idea behind Volkswagens new campaign for the Amarok V6, the most powerful ute in its class, via DDB Sydney. Too Powerful for TV, the latest instalment in the Amarok series, tells the story of the most epic ute ad never quite made complete with a British prima donna director, austere safety officer, and a raft of clever ways to showcase what Aussie car manufacturers have struggled to for years. Says Nick Reid, commercial vehicles national marketing manager, Volkswagen: With 580Nm of torque, and 200kW on Overboost, the new Amarok V6 Ultimate 580 is the most powerful ute in its class a product benefit most marketers dream of. The problem weve got is actually demonstrating that power. So, the idea behind our new campaign is to show it, without breaking a single advertising code of conduct. Were getting the punter onside with us, taking them on a journey and giving them what we all want to see a powerful ute doing powerful stuff, in an entertaining way. DDB Sydney creative partner Vincent Osmond said this new campaign builds on the previous award-winning Amarok campaigns from DDB Sydney, The Naked Ute and Korama, which were also all about leaning into the problem. Says Osmond: We had to demonstrate the power of the most powerful ute in its class. But we cant really show its potential. So, we did what weve always done with Amarok; found a way around the problem. What weve created is a self-aware, tongue in cheek look behind the scenes at the ute ad wed all make if we could or perhaps more poignantly, were allowed to. Says Jade Manning, creative partner, DDB Sydney: We needed to punch above our weight in a big way with this new Amarok campaign. We dont have the media to engage in a war of attrition with our competitors, so we need to deliver big, fame-driving creative work that is going to stand out in this world of ute-vertising. For me, the real fun is the things we couldnt show. Every time the ute engages in activity that would otherwise be deemed reckless, a technique is employed to show us, but at the same time not show us, what it did. Its almost more entertaining not seeing it. Says Reid: For ute owners, yes its about power credentials, but they also want to know what their ute is actually capable of. Thats the challenge. So, when DDB came to us with this idea about the Amarok being too powerful to advertise we said, this is fantastic, but even if we cant show it for real we have to do it for real, because the Amarok can. So, we did. Everything you see the Amarok doing in the commercial it did for real. Sort of. The campaign, supported by digital and social, launches with a series of teaser films and is followed by a 60-second broadcast spot during Australian motorsports day-of-days, Bathurst. DDB SYDNEY: Chief Creative Officer: Ben Welsh Executive Creative Director: Tara Ford Creative Partner: Jade Manning Creative Partner: Vincent Osmond Senior Creative: Tim Woolford Senior Creative: Tommy Cehak Managing Partner: Nick Russo Senior Business Director: Astrid Noble Business Manager: Luke Thistleton Digital Business Manager: Christelle Quillien Planning Partner: Graham Sweet Head of Integrated Content: Sevda Cemo Lead Senior Producer: Tania Jeram Senior Digital Art Director: Berengere Sottas Senior Designer: Paul Jansen VOLKSWAGEN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: National Marketing Manager: Nick Reid Product Marketing Manager: James Thompson Retail and Digital Communications Manager: Nathan Johnson Production Company: Goodoil Films Director: Adam Stevens Executive Producer: Sam Long Producer: Catherine Warner DOP: Daniel Ardilley Editor: Mark Burnett from The Editors, Sydney Assistant Editor: Grace Eyre from The Editors, Sydney Grade: Ben Eagleton from BE Online/VFX: NigelMortimer,StefanCoory Post Production: Blockhead VFX, Sydney Sound Engineer: Anthony Aston, Rumble Studios Music: Johnny Green, Rumble Studios What to Know Clieve Lake, 40, was arrested Tuesday on charges including second-degree murder and child abuse with no great bodily harm, jail records show North Miami Beach Police officials say 25-year-old Rosalinda Kay Emerick was found murdered in her home Monday Police have arrested a North Miami Beach man in the murder of his girlfriend who was found brutally stabbed to death with her hands tied behind her back while their 2-month-old baby was in their home. Clieve Lake, 40, was arrested Tuesday on charges including second-degree murder and child abuse with no great bodily harm, jail records showed. North Miami Beach Police officials say 25-year-old Rosalinda Kay Emerick was found murdered in the home in the 1600 block of Northeast 160th Street Monday morning. She had been bound with her hands tied behind her back and stabbed several times, police said. According to an arrest affidavit, Lake walked to a neighbor's house holding the baby and started banging on the door. Surveillance footage obtained by NBC 6 showed him knocking on the door while holding the child. When the neighbor opened the door, Lake started yelling "my wife is dead, my wife is dead!" the report said. The neighbor went to Lake's home and found Emerick's body in a bedroom, with no pulse, the affidavit said. The neighbor left the home and found Lake rocking back and forth with the baby saying "it was the drugs, it was the drugs," the report said. Much of the report was redacted but during Lake's Tuesday bond court appearance, prosecutors said Lake claimed another woman had stabbed Emerick. But police said Lake got into an altercation with Emerick and stabbed her multiple times. "He then fled the residence and left her to die, while also leaving their infant child in the house with the dying mother. Several hours later, Mr. Lake tried to report the murder to a neighbor," North Miami Beach Police Capt. Juan Pinillos said. Lake remained behind bars on $150,000 bond Tuesday, jail records showed. Attorney information wasn't available. Prosecutors said Lake spent 11 years in state prison for an attempted second-degree murder case, and is currently on probation in Broward. The baby was placed with the Florida Department of Children and Families. Authorities are investigating after a person was found dead in North Miami Beach Monday. Homicide detectives responded to a home in the area of 16th Avenue and 160th Street as part of a death investigation around 6:30 a.m., North Miami Beach Police officials said. Police didn't release the identity of the person who was killed, only saying it was an adult. Surveillance video from a neighboring home shows a man, with a baby in his arms, walking up to the property located directly behind the scene of the crime. He forcefully knocks on the door of his neighbor's house. The neighbor's boyfriend told NBC 6 that she heard the man yelling for help as he was knocking on her door. No other information has been released. Anyone with information should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Check back with NBC 6 for updates. Renters in Weston called NBC 6 Responds after they see a dramatic increase in their water bills. Tenants said they cant afford the landlords increase. Rent can be tough to afford in South Florida, so when a landlord increased renters water bills in Weston, they called NBC 6 Responds to see if they could do anything about it. Their lease agreement outlines how much these renters could expect to pay for water each month so when that amount increased in some cases almost doubled they complained to the apartment buildings management. I am paying more for water than electricity, said renter Alejandra Valdivieso. She and other renters say they cant afford the higher bills much longer. I dont want to leave but if this continues they are making us leave, Kathy Martinez said. The neighbors said their landlord used to charge them a flat rate ranging from 45 to 65 dollars a month based on the number of bedrooms in their apartment. But they said a new administration changed the billing system. Renters said they called NBC 6 Responds after their complaints didnt change anything. NBC 6 Responds asked real estate attorney Henry Marines to look at the lease and tell us if the property owner could legally raise the water bills. Theyre well within their rights of what theyve done, Marines said. He said an addendum on the lease allows the landlord to change the way it charges for a public service as long as 30 days written notice is given. In this case, it was. Residents were told they would be billed according to the number of people living in each apartment. Marines said other than voice their opposition theres not much these neighbors can do. With most rental leases there isnt much room to maneuver to negotiate once you enter into those leases. You have to live by the terms or they can evict you, Marines said. The renters also showed us what they call examples of water being wasted, insisting they shouldnt be responsible for whats used in common areas. But Marines says that too is not unusual. So its actually common that in a condominium you would pay for the water in a common area, Marines said. After we contacted management at the apartment complex, the residents received a letter informing them that a water main leak at the property created elevated water chargesmanagement is going to credit yourwater bill accordingly. Management also said they will set a cap on water bills. The neighbors told us the changes did lead to a drop in their most recent water bill although some said its not enough to keep them from searching for new homes. Marines told NBC 6 Responds sometimes landlords will agree to make changes to a standard lease but you need to ask for modifications before signing and make sure you get those changes in writing. Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court fired the starting pistol for the final sprint to Election Day, with control of the House and Senate at stake. The nation's reckoning with power and who to believe about sexual misconduct has generated a new anger factor among the electorate and made the Nov. 6 balloting a referendum on more than President Donald Trump. What to watch over the final four weeks: KAVANAUGH, TO THE COURT Kavanaugh was sworn in as the nation's 114th member of the Supreme Court after a savage battle that splintered the Senate and riveted the country. Kavanaugh took his oath of office to his lifetime seat on Saturday just hours after the climactic 50-48 roll call. It was the narrowest Senate vote to confirm a justice since 1881. That was a fitting result for a 100-member chamber that represents a nation deeply split over an array of issues, from health care to who should be considered an American. A yawning divide has opened in the last year over whether allegations of sexual misconduct should be enough to topple accused men from the pinnacle of their professions. Enter Kavanaugh, the appellate court judge accused by Christine Blasey Ford in emotional sworn testimony of sexually assaulting her in the 1980s, while the two were in high school. Accusations from other women followed, none corroborated. Kavanaugh denies that he ever sexually assaulted anyone. In a frequently-shouted sworn statement of his own, he decried the Senate for putting his nomination in jeopardy. THE KAVANAUGH EFFECT The Kavanaugh confirmation has blown open the midterm elections from being a national referendum on Trump's stewardship to a raw emotional discussion over the lack of women in power and how to handle sexual misconduct allegations. With Kavanaugh's ascension to the high court, Republicans, long dispirited by Trump's string of scandals and the prospect of losing their congressional majorities, are whooping it up. "It's turned our base on fire," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. He added Monday that the fight over Kavanaugh, particularly that his nomination was stymied by unproven allegations, injected the GOP with an "adrenaline shot that we had not been able to figure out how to achieve in any other way." Though Kavanaugh had been sworn in on Saturday, Trump hosted a glittering East Room ceremonial swearing-in for him Monday night. What's unclear is whether GOP unity is enough to preserve the GOP power in Congress. The same question faces the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct after the White House successfully argued that the Kavanaugh allegations should not be conflated with the rest of the movement. Even before the confirmation, Kavanaugh's opponents had a comeback line, printed on the back of jackets they wore to the Capitol: "November is coming." NORTH DAKOTA Almost immediately after the Senate vote, Democrats felt the chill from faraway North Dakota. That's the state Trump won by 36 percentage points against Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. And even before the Kavanaugh controversy, the Senate race there was among a handful of close contests that could decide whether Republicans keep control of the Senate, where they have a 51-49 majority. Then on Saturday, Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp defied her state's support for Trump and voted against Kavanaugh's confirmation. Heitkamp said she was concerned about Kavanaugh's temperament after his emotional performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Without hesitation," Heitkamp told reporters, she believed Ford. Polls have put her Republican opponent, Rep. Kevin Cramer, comfortably ahead. He told The New York Times that #MeToo was a "movement toward victimization" that had caused a backlash. "The world got to see close up how ugly it can be when you go too far," he's quoted as saying. FRAMING THE STORY Now it's a four-week race to tell the story. Trump has a busy campaign schedule to spread the word that the allegations against Kavanaugh were a "hoax that was set up by the Democrats" at what he's called a dangerous time for men who can be falsely accused. "I think you're going to see a lot of things happen on Nov. 6 that would not have happened before," Trump said Monday as he departed for an event in Florida. At Monday's East Room ceremony, Trump again invoked the rhetoric Republicans are using to frame the whole episode: Kavanaugh, Trump said, had been "proven innocent," even though critics say the investigation was not thorough enough to merit that conclusion. The campaign against Kavanaugh had been based on "lies," including by "evil" people. Trump is expected to spread that message over multiple campaign rallies, including this week in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky. McConnell has cast Kavanaugh's opponents, many of whom protested in the halls of the Senate and yelled at lawmakers, as "the mob." Democrats are pointing to the Republicans' handling of the Kavanaugh confirmation as one more reason to oppose the president who nominated him and mocked Ford. "Folks who feel very strongly one way or the other about the issues in front of us should get out and vote," said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., on NBC's "Meet the Press." 2020 CANDIDATES Yep, they're already running, ostensibly in support of other midterm election candidates. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., made a beeline from the Senate confirmation vote on Saturday for Iowa and the Democrats' big fall fundraiser there. "We're not defined by a president who mocks a hero, Dr. (Christine) Blasey Ford. We're not defined by a president who doesn't believe women," Booker told about 1,000 activists. The next day, Sen. Kamala Harris turned up in politically important Ohio, where she reminded more than 1,000 of the party faithful at the Ohio Democratic Party's fall fundraising dinner that she walked out of the Kavanaugh proceedings at one point because they had become "a sham and a disgrace." She said she doesn't believe the Kavanaugh story is over. "On these issues that were presented during those hearings, I believe the truth will eventually reveal itself." Sen. Bernie Sanders is embarking on a nine-state battleground tour on behalf of Democratic candidates to test the durability of the left-leaning coalition he assembled in 2016. And Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is spending heavily on Facebook ads in an effort to build a national base of support, according to the Boston Globe and the Center for Responsive Politics. Associated Press writers Adam Beam and Geoff Mulvihill contributed to this report. What to Know Anti-immigration signs appeared in Sunnyside, Queens, Sunday New York City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer, activists, community organizations and educators have condemned the signs The white supremacist group Vanguard America confirmed that they are responsible for creating the signs, according to Van Bramer Anti-immigration signs have appeared in Sunnyside, Queens, and now activists, educators and a New York City council member have joined forces to denounce the presence of white supremacist activity in the borough after a hate group said it was responsible for creating the signs. Council member Jimmy Van Bramer said the signs were discovered at 35th Street and Skillman Avenue on Sunday. Videos on his Twitter page show him ripping the posters down and throwing them out. On Tuesday, Van Bramer who was joined by Make the Road New York, Catholic Migration Services, Sunnyside Community Services, Sunnyside & Woodside Action Group (SWAG), representatives from LaGuardia Community College, immigration activists and local residents urged the community to serve as sanctuary neighbors and to actively confront hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric when they see it. There is no room for white supremacist trash in our sanctuary city. We must be sanctuary neighbors and reaffirm to all immigrants and refugees that everyone is welcome here, Van Bramer said. Saw this trash on #SkillmanAvenue during my a.m. run. Tore them up. We are a #SanctuaryCity & we need to be a sanctuary neighborhood. All Immigrants are welcome here. If you see these, feel free to take them down. Be a sanctuary neighbor. #QueensValues must trump #TrumpValues! pic.twitter.com/9mtuZeW1Cn Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) October 7, 2018 The signs read: "A Notice To All Citizens In The United States of America It Is Your Civic Duty To Report Any And All Illegal Aliens To US Immigration and Customs Enforcement They Have Broken The Law." According to Van Bramer, the signs were made to look like official ICE material as a means to intimidate immigrants and to pit neighbors against one another. The white supremacist group Vanguard America confirmed that they are responsible for creating the signs, but unaware of whom is responsible for posting them in Sunnyside, according to Van Bramer. Identical signs have been posted in cities and on college campuses across the country. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More The Anti-Defamation League describes Vanguard America as a white supremacist group that opposes multiculturalism and believes America should be an exclusively white nation. Van Bramer called the vigilantism the signs may inspire as dangerous and illegal. White supremacist propaganda that encourages the racial profiling and harassment of immigrant families is against our Queens values and will not be tolerated in Sunnyside, he added. What to Know A 31-year-old man was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition after he was shot in the stomach in Queens, police said Two of the bullets pierced a white vinyl fence around a neighbor's yard where kids play, one resident said The shooting happened at the intersection of 171st Street and 119th Avenue in Jamaica just before 12:30 p.m. A 31-year-old man was shot in the stomach in Queens, police said and two of the bullets that were fired pierced a fence around a yard where children play, according to a neighbor. The man was shot in the stomach at the intersection of 171st Street and 119th Avenue in Jamaica just before 12:30 p.m., the NYPD said. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical but stable condition, according to police. Neighbors told NBC 4 New York they heard several shots fired at the intersection. Two of the bullets pierced a white vinyl fence around one neighbors yard, she said. It sounded like firecrackers. My grandkids play here. My children, she said. I went outside to make sure none of them were hurt or anything. Its a very scary experience, she added. Police didnt immediately say whether they looking for one or more shooters. The incident is under investigation. The New Kids On The Block are going on tour with Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty by Nature and they will be performing in Philadelphia. This is the first time these bands that all had big hits in the 1980s will tour together and one of the stops on the 53city Mixtape Tour 2019 tour across North America next summer is at the Wells Fargo Center. The show will be at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, June 27. Tickets will go on sale Friday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Presale and VIP package tickets for "The Block" fanclub members opened at 10 a.m. Monday. You can log onto Ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmasters national toll-free charge by phone number 1-800-745-3000. The tour will also make stops in Pittsburgh, Hershey and the Borgata in Atlantic City. See the full tour list. New Kids On The Block has also released a new song, 80s Baby and you can here it here. | BY Ricki Green | Zenith is celebrating its 30th birthday. In October 1988, Zenith opened for business in a converted warehouse in Paddington, London. Created from the media buying departments of Saatchi & Saatchi, BSB Dorland and KHBB, it went on to become the first worldwide media agency network. From its original UK base, Zenith became the first media agency to launch in many of the key markets around the world, most notably in China in 1994 and the US in 1995. In 2000, Zenith merged with Optimedia following Publicis Groupes acquisition of Saatchi & Saatchi. In 2002, ZenithOptimedia unveiled its unique positioning and commitment to marketing performance: The ROI Agency. Over the course of that decade, ZenithOptimedia became one of the fastest growing networks, launching into performance, branded content, analytics, full service digital and sponsorship consulting. Following the creation of Publicis Media in 2016, the network was reborn as the new Zenith with a new growth proposition for clients, a state-of-the art platform ROI+ and refreshed brand identity. Last month, Forrester named Zenith as a Leader in its Wave: Global Media Agencies report, recognising the network for its future-facing strengths in e-commerce, personalisation, marketing consulting, automation, AI and data visualisation. Zenith in Australia has achieved many milestones, most recently the launch of its CX Suite and data capabilities. The CX Suite gives Zenith its unique point of difference, focusing on the CX journey and putting consumer insights and data at the heart of Zeniths strategy and planning to drive consumer engagement with brands. Says Nickie Scriven, CEO, Zenith Australia: Zenith has come a long way in 30 years, from one of the first stand alone media agencies in Australia, to offering clients a world-class CX proposition. We have invested in our data and insights offering and in the development of our talent in these areas. We lean into the future to ensure that Zenith, our people and our clients have a business partner that can deliver the ROI and business growth they require. Our expertise in CX, data and analytics provides real-time actionable insights to our optimisation teams and is delivering real business outcomes for our clients. The acknowledgement by Forrester as being a leader in these areas demonstrates that our capability today is resonating with clients and will continue to do so in the future. What to Know Sgt. Steven Floyd was killed during the riot, and three other staffers were taken hostage at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. 16 inmates were charged with murder, kidnapping, assault and other crimes following the Feb., 2017 uprising. Two others face lesser counts. The first trial is set to start Oct. 22, a full year after the inmates were indicted on riot-related charges. Jury selection has begun in a trial against four of the inmates accused of taking part in a riot at a maximum-security prison in Delaware that killed a prison guard. News outlets report jury selection started Monday in the first of five trials against a total of 18 inmates charged in the riot that killed Sgt. Steven Floyd. The inmates have been split into five separate groups of defendants to stand trial on charges of participating in a hostage-taking and uprising. Each group will face its own jury. The first trial is set to start Oct. 22, a full year after the inmates were indicted on riot-related charges. The Delaware State News reports Judge William C. Carpenter Jr. told potential jurors this trial may take up to four weeks. What to Know The Miss America Organization is undertaking a purge of rebellious state officials, terminating the licenses of four states, including PA. States whose licenses are terminated must replace current leaders and can request an appeal hearing from Miss Americas executive committee. The Miss America Organization would not say how it decided which states to terminate and which to threaten with probation. The other heel has dropped at the Miss America Organization, which had endured a revolt by dozens of states this summer against the national leadership of the pageant headed by former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. The crowning of the latest Miss America took place last month with the pageants national leadership largely silent on the calls for their resignation from many states. But now the national organization is undertaking a purge of rebellious state officials, terminating the licenses of four states, including Pennsylvania, threatening about 15 with probation and thanking others whose officials stood by the national leadership in the first Miss America pageant without a swimsuit competition. States whose licenses are terminated must replace current leaders. They can request an appeal hearing from Miss Americas executive committee. The Miss America Organization would not say how it decided which states to terminate and which to threaten with probation, issuing a statement to The Associated Press that read, in its entirety, The process regarding Miss America state licensees is confidential. State officials say their dissatisfaction stemmed not from the elimination of swimsuits, but by the way Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper ran the organization since taking over in January. Georgia and West Virginia are among states that were notified in recent days that their state licenses are being terminated, Paul Perkins, a lawyer representing both states, told The Associated Press. And a Pennsylvania state pageant official, Chet Welch, confirmed his state has gotten a termination notice as well. One other state also has been terminated, according to state officials and a former national board member, but its officials did not respond to messages seeking comment Monday. Other states have been asked to explain in writing why they acted as they did in the run-up to the pageant. They are upset, but now they are scared, too, said Jennifer Vaden Barth, a former national board member and a former Miss North Carolina. This just validates why people are upset and why they felt the need to speak out in the first place. A state organization that has its license terminated can no longer claim to be affiliated with the Miss America Organization and must, among other things, turn over bank accounts with scholarship money to the national organization. Vaden Barth formed a GoFundMe account called the Miss America Organization Leadership Change Fund that has raised over $22,000 to help states defend themselves and advocate for new leadership at the top. When this years pageant was held last month, 46 of the 51 state pageant organizations (the District of Columbia is included) had called on the two to resign, along with 23 former Miss Americas. It followed the release of a remarkable letter from the outgoing Miss America, Cara Mund, in which she said she had been marginalized and bullied by top pageant leaders. An investigation commissioned by the Miss America Organization found no evidence to back up that claim, but investigators did not interview Mund for the report, which was issued the day after the most recent pageant was held. Carlson, who was Miss America 1989, and Hopper depict the opposition as a noisy minority resistant to change, particularly one as large as the elimination of the pageants swimsuit competition. But many state officials say their opposition is rooted in a lack of transparency and communication from national leaders, and does not involve the swimsuit decision. Technology giant, Teradata, celebrated the recent move of its global headquarters from Dayton, Ohio to Rancho Bernardo with a ceremony Monday. The move is expected to bring hundreds of new tech jobs to the area, company officials said. "Startups are in our DNA," San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer told a crowd at the new headquarters. "Growing great companies into bigger companies. The fact that we have more Ph.D.'s per capita than any city in the United States." Teradata has already hired 300 employees locally and will add another 200 this year. They are averaging 35 new hires a month, a spokesperson said. "Our unemployment rate is low, which is good," said City Councilmember Mark Kersey, who represents District 5. "But that can also make finding a talented workforce a challenge." The new headquarters has a gym, coffee machines, ping pong tables, and other amenities to attract candidates. Teradata is a data analytics firm which launched in the late 1970s in Brentwood, California. In 2015, the company reported a revenue of $2.53 billion. A 3-year-old boy reported missing by his mother Tuesday morning was found safe hours later with his babysitter who told San Diego police his mother had dropped him off. The sitter called police around 2:45 p.m. when they saw that police were looking for the boy, according to SDPD Lt. Brent Williams. Lt. Williams said the boy was dropped off there earlier in the day and the mother had forgotten. The sitter told police his mother dropped him off. When the mother reported the boy missing at around 10 a.m., she told investigators she left the room to use the restroom and when she came back he was gone, SDPD said. The sitter told police the child was dropped off earlier than that. Williams couldn't explain the mother's lapse in memory. "Those are questions that we're asking the mother now," he said. An SDPD Sergent told NBC 7 the mother, Maria Flores, was evaluated by doctors at the Psychiatric Hospital of San Diego County. Upon further investigation, it was learned that Flores provided police with false information about her son's whereabouts. She was arrested and booked into jail. According to Maria Isabel, Flores' sister-in-law, Flores remembered taking her 14-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter to school Tuesday morning but didn't remember dropping off her 3-year-old son. Isabel said Flores was in a car accident recently and is concerned her lapse in memory could be tied to the accident. Williams said it is protocol for police to contact Child Protective Services (CPS) in any missing child case and said CPS would conduct its own investigation. SDPD said the boy, and Flores' two other children, are with police while officers question Flores and the sitter. SDPD did not say if or when the children would be returned to their mother. A helicopter was flying over the Linda Vista area aiding in the search, and K-9 search and rescue teams arrived around 11:30 a.m. The dogs were given a few of the boy's belongings to get his scent. At 1:40 p.m., police confirmed they were bringing in additional deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The search area was expanded to include a five-mile radius before the boy was found. Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available. Surrounded by dozens of stone-faced FBI agents on a frigid winter's day, Dennis and Kem Parada stared down at the empty hole and knew something wasn't right. The father-son duo spent years combing this bit of Pennsylvania wilderness with high-end metal detectors, drills and other tools to prospect for a fabled cache of Civil War gold. They felt certain they'd discovered the hiding place of the long-lost booty, leading the FBI to the mountainous, heavily wooded area last March. Now, at the end of the court-sanctioned excavation, the FBI escorted the treasure hunters to the snow-covered site and asked them what they saw. They gazed at the pit. Not so much as a glimmer of gold dust, let alone the tons of precious metal they said an FBI contractor's instruments had detected. "We were embarrassed," Dennis Parada told The Associated Press in his first interview since the well-publicized dig last winter. "They walk us in, and they make us look like dummies. Like we messed up." Since that day, however, neighbors' accounts of late-night excavation and FBI convoys have fueled suspicions that the agency isn't telling the whole truth. The Paradas are challenging the FBI's account of the dig, insisting that something had to have been buried in the woods near Dents Run, about 135 miles (220 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh. That something, they believe, was gold. "After my years of experience here using equipment, there was something here, something here of value, some kind of precious metal. And whatever it is, it's gone now. And that's what I want to get to the bottom of, is what was in that hole," Kem Parada said. Federal investigators insisted a few days after leaving the site that the search came up empty, adding cryptically that its work there was related to an "ongoing investigation." The FBI declined further comment, and a bureau spokeswoman told the AP last week that court documents related to the dig are sealed. The dispute between the Paradas and the FBI is the latest chapter in a mystery that has persisted for more than a century and a half. As the story goes, around the time of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, the Union Army sent a shipment of gold from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Philadelphia. The wagon train took a circuitous route through the wilds of northern Pennsylvania so as to avoid Confederate troops. Along the way, the gold was either lost or stolen. The legend has inspired generations of treasure hunters to take to the thick woods of northwestern Pennsylvania including Dennis and Kem Parada, who spent five years digging in a cave on state land, and two more years drilling atop the cave, before going to the FBI in January with their evidence. The Paradas showed agents how their sophisticated metal detector lit up like crazy when aimed at the spot where they believed the gold was hidden. Within a month, they said, the FBI had hired an outside firm to conduct an underground scan using a device called a gravimeter. The scan identified a large metallic mass with the density of gold, according to the Paradas and Warren Getler, an author and journalist who's been working with them. So it was with great anticipation that father, son and Getler arrived at the dig site March 13. But nothing went as planned. The treasure hunters and Getler said they had an agreement with the FBI to watch the excavation. Officers instead confined them to their car out of sight of the wooded hillside where a backhoe was digging for six hours that first day before they were finally allowed up the hill. The digging proceeded for another hour before an agent called an abrupt halt at 3 p.m., saying the team was cold, tired and hungry and it would be getting dark soon. They were just 3 feet from the target. "I said, 'You've got three hours of daylight and we're only 3 feet away,'" Dennis Parada recalled. He said the agent replied, "Denny, we're going, we're going." Whether the FBI actually left the woods that afternoon is itself an open question. Cheryl Elder, who lives nearby, told AP she heard what sounded like a backhoe and jackhammer at least until 2 a.m. the noisy machinery keeping her awake and annoying her because she had to rise early for work and she saw that the hillside was brightly lit. "It was just real loud all night," the former constable recalled. "It was driving me nuts." The second day of the excavation was similar to the first, according to the Paradas and Getler. They said they were confined to their car for several hours, then escorted up the hill to the dig site by then a large, empty hole. The FBI had finished the excavation out of their presence, they said. The Paradas said they were cheated of a moment they had spent years working for. "You can only dig the gold up once, and that's a historical moment. And here we were robbed of all that," Dennis Parada said. "I don't understand why they played that game on us." After the Paradas and Getler had left, Elder said, she saw a half-dozen black SUVs at the site. One by one, she said, they backed up to the bottom of the hill and rendezvoused with one of several all-terrain utility vehicles. Elder tried using her binoculars, but couldn't make out what investigators were transferring from the ATVs to the SUVs. Even so, "I know they found gold," she declared. "I know they found it, and they're being sneaky." Heather Selle, who lives in nearby Weedville, said she was getting her kids ready for school on the morning of the second day when she spied a convoy of FBI vehicles driving past including two large armored trucks. "There was too many people involved, there was too much hush-hush, and there's been too much seen," said still another resident, Garrett Osche, whose garage was used as a staging ground for the FBI's initial foray to the Dents Run area weeks before the dig. "Why do you close the road down if you're not loading something out? If you're not sneaking something, why do you need to do what they did?" If Union gold was indeed recovered from the woods, the discovery of a historic and extremely valuable trove of federal property on state-owned land would almost certainly touch off a court battle over who owns it, and whether the Paradas are entitled to a cut. Bill Cluck, their lawyer, said it would be a novel case for the courts, "a law professor's dream final exam." According to the legend, the lost shipment had either 26 gold bars or 52 bars, each weighing 50 pounds (23 kilograms), meaning it would be worth about $25 million or about $50 million today. The Paradas and Getler say the government contractor's scan detected a much larger quantity of precious metal 7 to 9 tons an eye-popping haul that could be worth more than $250 million if every ounce of it was gold. In May, Cluck filed a Freedom of Information Act request for documents on the FBI's investigation into the legendary gold. The agency demurred, claiming it had no files it could share. Cluck appealed to Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey for help, and, a few weeks ago, the Justice Department ordered the FBI to do a more thorough review. If the bureau determines there are documents it can turn over after all, it could still take months or years to reach that point. "There was definitely some kind of precious metal based on the readings of the instruments at the site," Cluck said. "The fact they wouldn't let them be there for the dig, it's suspicious as hell and it doesn't have to be." The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a Washington, D.C., man for threatening the Vaticans ambassador to the United States. The suspect has a long history of protesting the church and has been arrested in several highly-secured, sensitive locations in recent years, according to a review by the News4 I-Team. Darryl Sharp, 57, is facing a federal charge of threatening a federal official. Police arrested Sharp Friday in Northwest Washington. According to a U.S. Secret Service affidavit, Sharp has menaced employees and officials with the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest for years. According to the affidavit, Many of Sharps threats are directed at the ambassador, whom Sharp refers to by name. The affidavit also said, in August, there was an incident in which a witness reported, Sharp began screaming and referred to the ambassador by name saying that hed better get out here, otherwise there will be consequences.' Requests for comment from Sharps attorney were not returned. In 2015, Sharp spoke with the I-Team and said he is protesting and planning legal action against Catholic church leadership for financial improprieties. An I-Team investigation of Sharp showed several other arrests in sensitive locations. In 2015, U.S. Capitol Police arrested Sharp at least twice. In one incident he was accused of impersonating a federal officer while inside the offices of U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.). Earlier in the year, Sharp was arrested for illegally entering a U.S. Senate office suite to use copier machines. Sharp denied the allegation hed impersonated a federal officer in his interview with the I-Team in 2015. He said he did use copier machines at the U.S. Senate, but said he was given permission to do so by staff. There are multiple stay away orders against Sharp in federal facilities. Court filings show dozens of prior arrests, at least one of which led to a 60-day jail sentence. The U.S. Secret Service affidavit said Sharp also faced a stay away order from the Vatican embassy but nevertheless continued his threatening and harassing behavior toward embassy employees. The Vatican embassy has not yet replied to requests for comment. A longtime federal worker who was set to be married died in Northern Virginia on Saturday after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver, police say. Nathan Dickerson, of Alexandria, was killed, Virginia State Police said. He was 47. "Everyone loved him. He was just the gentle giant," Dickerson's fiancee, Sonya Andrade, said. Dickerson, known as "Big Nate," was a native Washingtonian who worked for the Social Security Administration after years with the Office of Personnel Management. He had two grown children, and loved the Washington Nationals and the Dallas Cowboys. On Saturday, Andrade feared something had happened to Dickerson. He texted to say he was on his way home from MGM National Harbor but never arrived. Hours later, at 7:30 a.m., state police went to Andrade's door and told her her fiance had been killed. "You took away my future. You took away my love, my best friend," Andrade said as her granddaughters tried to console her. About 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Dickerson was headed west on the Inner Loop of the Beltway. Near the Eisenhower Avenue ramp, his Nissan Altima hit the Jersey barrier, bounced to the other side of the interstate and collided with an RV, his car badly damaged. Dickerson got out of his car and was hit by a red sedan. Its driver fled. Dickerson was pronounced dead at the scene. No one in the RV was hurt. Andrade pleaded for the driver to come forward. "How can someone do that? How can someone just hit someone and leave them like that?" she said. Anyone with information for police is asked to call 703-803-0027. With two young children in the back seat of a car in Northeast D.C., a man was shot and killed, and the children's mother was wounded. Robert Merritt died after being shot Tuesday morning in the 1600 block of Montana Avenue NE, police said. He was 26. Merritt's girlfriend was shot and wounded as her 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter sat in the back of a dark sedan. Nine shots rang out as the mother took her children to day care about 8 a.m. Tuesday. Merritt fell to the ground and later was pronounced dead. The woman was rushed to a hospital in critical but stable condition, police said. Neighbors said they heard the children screaming. They were shaken but uninjured. Assistant Police Chief Robert Contee said the crime should shock D.C. residents. "The public should be outraged by this, as we are," he said. The search for the shooter is underway. No information on a suspect was released. D.C. has seen a spike in deadly shootings this year. To date, 126 people have been homicide victims in D.C. in 2018. At this time last year, 88 people had been killed. In all of 2017, 116 people were killed. Anyone with information for police is asked to call 202-727-9099. A reward of as much as $25,000 is offered. Five-year-old Alex Duan loves the D.C. Metro system. Alex can list the stations in order, recite rail car recordings by memory and identify train models on sight. So it was only natural for Alex's dad, Charles Duan, to suggest that they use wooden toy train tracks to recreate the system. The father and son built a full-system model of D.C.'s Metro system. Hes been a Metro kid for a long time, Duan said. This weekend my 5yo and I fulfilled my years-long dream of recreating the #wmata metro map in wooden railway tracks pic.twitter.com/H2VCS5NbhM Charles Duan (@charles_duan) September 30, 2018 Alex and his dad hunkered down in their D.C. home on a recent Saturday to lay out how the replica would work. Their model features junctions at Gallery Place and L'Enfant Plaza, and uses an assortment of toy rail cars from across the country. Alex knew exactly how it should look, his father said. It was fairly fast. My 5-year-old would redirect the construction, Duan said. They used Metros official map to build a replica of the six lines that stretch into Maryland and Virginia, and Duan tweeted a photo of it that night. Greater Greater Washington posted the photos later that week. The family has collected wooden tracks and rail cars for years. They have replicas of trains on D.C.'s Silver Line, the L in Chicago and CSX freight lines. Alex was 3 years old when he started to memorize the names of stations on the Red Line, starting at Cleveland Park and ending at Union Station. He was so excited when we would take him to preschool, Duan said. The two took trips to the NoMa-Gallaudet University station to watch trains head toward and away from Union Station. He absolutely loved it, Duan said. On a school field trip, Alex led the class in reciting a Metro trains recording: Doors opening. Step back to allow customers to exit. When boarding, please move to the center of the car. Step back, doors closing. In recent weeks, Alex tweaked Metro's map. (Paul Wiedefeld, take notice!) He added service to Annandale and the Costco warehouse in Northeast D.C., and connected the Blue and Green lines in Northeast D.C. Alex is interested in other cities' transit systems too, especially New York's subway, his dad said. A trip to the city may be in order. Dreaming of an island escape? A private island with sweeping views of the Potomac River just hit the market, but island living does not come cheap. Chopawamsic Island will cost you $15 million. The 13-acre private island, which is located off the coast of Marine Corps Base Quantico, is the only island on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. In addition to the gorgeous views, history buffs will love the island's lore. The big thing about the island is the history. We have almost 400 years of recorded history," said realtor Nick Leterdre. Captain John Smith -- yeah, that one -- is believed to have visited the island in 1607, making him one of the island's earliest visitors, according to WTOP. Alexander Graham Bell was also a frequent visitor to the island in the 1800s, and the Mount Vernon Hunting Club, along with President Theodore Roosevelt's son, would hunt ducks on the island and bring them back to the White House for dinner. The most recent inhabitant of the island was Dr. William Fry. Leterdre said Fry renovated many of the island's structures and even hand-dug a swimming pool in front of the island's main home. "Before the overgrowth, you could see the Potomac from the house and pool," Leterdre said. No one has lived on the island since 1979, and the structures that remain on the island today are unsafe to enter. But the island's amazing views remain. "The views are absolutely breathtaking," Leterdre said. "You can see for miles." Chopawamsic Island has had many names over the years, including Scott's Island, but the island's new owner will get to name it whatever they want. Leterdre said $15 million is a steep price to pay for an island, but the owners are open to any serious inquiries and offers. What to Know Police tried to serve an arrest warrant for Alton Thodos at a motel Sept. 29, but he escaped through the attic. Police suspect Thodos rummaged through several cars and stole a car Oct. 3. The police pursuit ended in District Heights, where police took Thodos into custody. A car theft suspect who eluded capture at a Virginia motel last month was apprehended after a police chase that ended in Maryland Tuesday afternoon. Alton Thodos, 32, was spotted in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County in a stolen car about 11 a.m., police said. Officers tried to stop him but he sped away. Police followed him through Alexandria, Arlington and D.C. but lost him. Later he was spotted in Prince Georges County in a Ford Escape. Police pursued him and took him into custody at Scott Key Drive and Marlboro Pike in District Heights. "He jumped out the driver's side window," a witness said. "When he jumped out the driver's side window, he climbed over the car, tried to run, but the police officer tackled him. When he tackled him they got him down. One person got him down but they couldn't keep him down." Several officers had to restrain him, the witness said. "There was like 10 of them, they still couldn't get him down," the witness said. One officer was injured. "One of our officers was struck in the face during the apprehension process," a police representative said. Thodos was wanted on grand larceny, credit card theft and credit card fraud charges and a probation violation when police tried to serve an arrest warrant at a motel in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County Sept. 29, police said. He threatened to harm himself if police entered his room, but police managed to enter when a woman in the room with Thodos came out. Thodos had escaped through the ceiling into the attic, police said. Police used tear gas to try to get him to come out until detectives viewed surveillance video showing him leaving the building before police could secure the perimeter. About 10 a.m. Oct. 3, police received a report of a man trying to open car doors in the Belle Haven Road and Radcliff Lane in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County. Several cars had been rummaged through, and loose change and small items were missing. A man matching Thodos description left the area in a 2012 Subaru Outback reported stolen from Arlington, police said. About 2 p.m. that day, a man believed to be Thodos allegedly stole the keys to a 2018 Nissan Rogue from inside a home in the 3100 block of Burgundy Road and drove away in the car, police said. Then at 3:45 p.m., police found a 2007 Nissan Titan believed to have been stolen by Thodos in D.C. New warrants were obtained for charges including burglary, grand larceny, credit card theft, credit card fraud and petit larceny. A man who killed his wife and a Virginia police officer didn't kill only those two women; their mothers said Tuesday that he killed them too. The mothers of Crystal Hamilton and Prince William County Officer Ashley Guindon said at an emotional hearing Tuesday that convicted killer Ronald Hamilton broke their hearts. With tears in her eyes, Sharon Guindon turned squarely to look at her daughter's killer and addressed him. "Ronald Hamilton, you not only killed my daughter on that night; you killed me too. Ashley was my whole world. Now my life will never be the same," she said. Some jurors and police officers in the Manassas, Virginia, courtroom wiped away tears as they listened. Hamilton, who was convicted of capital murder on Sept. 26, buried his face in his hands. Hamilton, 34, may face the death penalty for killing his 29-year-old wife and the 28-year-old officer on Feb. 27, 2016. It was Guindon's first day on patrol. In addition to killing the two women, Hamilton seriously wounded two other officers who responded to the domestic violence call. Jurors also heard from Crystal Hamilton's mother, Cherry Murphy, on Tuesday. "I'm broken. My life will never be the same again. When she died, I died along with her," she said. After the heartbreaking testimony, the prosecution rested its case in the death penalty hearing. Next, Hamilton's defense team will call their own witnesses and try to convince jurors that Hamilton should serve life in prison rather than being put to death. Those deliberations are set to occur in a few weeks. What to Know Gov. Rick Scott warned people across northwest Florida at a news conference that the "monstrous hurricane" was just hours away. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for Florida ahead of landfall UPDATE: Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. Read more here. Michael's leading edge careened onto northwest Florida's white-sand beaches as a still-growing Category 4 hurricane Wednesday, lashing the coast with tropical storm-force winds and rain and pushing a storm surge that could cause catastrophic damage well inland once it makes landfall. The unexpected brute quickly sprang from a weekend tropical depression and grew to top winds of 150 mph, the most powerful hurricane in recorded history for this stretch of the Florida coast. The sheriff in Panama City's Bay County issued a shelter-in-place order before dawn Wednesday, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted that for people in the hurricane's path, "the time to evacuate has come and gone ... SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY." At 1 p.m., Michael was about 20 miles south of Panama City and 15 miles from Mexico Beach, but moving relatively fast at 14 mph. Tropical storm-force winds, extending 185 miles from the center, were already lashing the coast, and hurricane-force winds reached out 45 miles from the center. "This is the worst storm that the FL Panhandle has seen in over a century," Scott tweeted Wednesday morning. The storm now appears so powerful with a central pressure dropping to 933 millibars that it is expected to remain a hurricane as it moves over central Georgia early Thursday, and unleash damaging winds all the way into the Carolinas. Rainfall could reach up to a foot (30 centimeters), and the life-threatening storm surge could swell to 14 feet (4 meters). "We are in new territory," National Hurricane Center Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday. "The historical record, going back to 1851, finds no Category 4 hurricane ever hitting the Florida panhandle." Florida officials said more than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast had been urged or ordered to evacuate. Only a skeleton staff remained at Tyndall Air Force Base, which is located on a peninsula just south of Panama City. The home to the 325th Fighter Wing and some 600 military families appeared squarely targeted for the worst of the storm's fury, and leaders declared "HURCON 1" status, ordering all but essential personnel to evacuate. The base's aircraft, which include F-22 Raptors, were flown hundreds of miles away as a precaution, a spokesman said in a statement. Evacuations spanned 22 counties from the Florida Panhandle into north central Florida. But civilians don't have to follow orders, and authorities feared many failed to heed their calls to get out of the way as the hard-charging storm intensified over 84-degree Gulf of Mexico water. "I guess it's the worst-case scenario. I don't think anyone would have experienced this in the Panhandle," meteorologist Ryan Maue of weathermodels.com told The Associated Press. "This is going to have structure-damaging winds along the coast and hurricane force winds inland." Maue and other meteorologists watched in real time as a new government satellite showed the hurricane's eye tightening, surrounded by lightning that lit it up "like a Christmas tree." University of Georgia's Marshall Shepherd, a former president of the American Meteorological Society, called it a "life-altering event," writing on Facebook that he watched the storm's growth on satellite images with a growing pit in his stomach. Sheriff A.J. Smith in Franklin County, near the vulnerable coast, sent his deputies door to door urging people to evacuate. "We have done everything we can as far as getting the word out," Smith said. "Hopefully more people will leave." Most of the waterfront homes stood vacant in Keaton Beach, which could get some of the highest water seas up 9 feet (2.75 meters) above ground level. "I know it's going to cover everything around here," said Robert Sadousky, who at 77 has stayed through more than four decades of storms. The retired mill worker took a last look at the canal behind his home, built on tall stilts overlooking the Gulf. He pulled two small boat docks from the water, packed his pickup and picked some beans from his garden before getting out like hundreds of thousands elsewhere. The local geography low-lying land and lots of areas where people live along waterways means many people living inland could see their homes flooded as Michael makes landfall. "We don't know if it's going to wipe out our house or not," Jason McDonald, of Panama City, said as he and his wife drove north to safety into Alabama with their two children, ages 5 and 7. "We want to get them out of the way." Scott had warned of a "monstrous hurricane," and his Democratic opponent for the Senate, Sen. Bill Nelson, described a destructive "wall of water," but some officials didn't see any rush of evacuees ahead of the storm. "I am not seeing the level of traffic on the roadways that I would expect when we've called for the evacuation of 75 percent of this county," Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said Tuesday. In the dangerously exposed coastal town of Apalachicola, population 2,500, Sally Crown planned to hunker down with her two dogs. "We've been through this before," she said. "This might be really bad and serious. But in my experience, it's always blown way out of proportion." Mandatory evacuation orders went into effect in Panama City Beach and other low-lying areas in the storm's path. That included Pensacola Beach but not in Pensacola itself, a city of about 54,000. Michael will weaken over land but could still spin off tornadoes and dump rain along a northeasterly path over Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia before its remnants head out to sea again. Forecasters said it also could bring 3 to 6 inches of rain, enough to trigger flash flooding in places still recovering from Hurricane Florence. As every country across the Mideast does with its leaders, it's hard to escape posters and laudatory fawning over Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the kingdom. For activists, opponents and others willing to speak out against the 33-year-old heir apparent in the world's largest oil exporter, it looks increasingly like it's hard to escape his reach either at home or abroad. The kingdom long has been known to grab rambunctious princes or opponents abroad and spirit them back to Riyadh on private planes. But the disappearance of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, who Turkish officials fear has been killed, potentially has taken the practice to a new, macabre level by grabbing a writer who could both navigate Saudi Arabia's byzantine royal court and explain it to the West. The disappearance also peels away a carefully cultivated reformist veneer promoted about Prince Mohammed amid the kingdom allowing women to drive, instead exposing its autocratic tendencies. "I'm not Gandhi or Mandela," the prince told CBS in March when describing his personal wealth. Saudi Arabia insists the allegations it faces over Khashoggi's disappearance are "baseless," but has not offered any evidence over the last week to support their claim he simply walked away and vanished into Istanbul though his fiancee waited just outside. Nor has Turkey fully explained why officials fear Khashoggi has been killed. Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., sought to convey sympathy with carefully moderate criticism in a note to friends in English the embassy shared with reporters. "I would normally prefer not to address such outrageous claims, especially when it concerns the wellbeing of a missing citizen who dedicated a great portion of his life to serve his country," Prince Khalid wrote. "It goes without saying that his family in the kingdom remain gravely concerned about him, and so are we." That sharply contrasts with the tone taken by Saudi local media, as well as Saudi-owned satellite channels and other broadcasters. There, newspapers have called Khashoggi's disappearance a plot ginned up by Qatar, who the kingdom has been boycotting with three other nations since last year. Al-Jazeera, Qatar's state-funded broadcaster, has focused extensively on the case in recent days. Online, the smears have been worse, describing Khashoggi as an al-Qaida supporter for the interviews he did with Osama bin Laden in the years before he turned firmly against the West and plotted the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Khashoggi, apparently with royal court support, once even sought to have bin Laden return to the kingdom and renounce terrorism. That harshness corresponds with the growing concerns internationally about the direction Saudi Arabia is taking under Prince Mohammed and his father. The kingdom won international praise for allowing women to be able to drive in June. But just ahead of that, the kingdom rounded up and imprisoned women's rights activists, including reportedly grabbing one who was in the neighboring United Arab Emirates. Similarly, Prince Mohammed wowed the business world with promises of having an initial public offering of the state oil behemoth Saudi Arabian Oil Co., or Saudi Aramco as it's known, suggesting it would have a $2 trillion valuation. He hosted a major business summit at Riyadh's Ritz Carlton, complete with a humanoid robot named Sophia getting Saudi citizenship. Only weeks later, the Ritz Carlton would turn into a luxury prison as part of a mass arrest of businessmen, royals and others orchestrated by Prince Mohammed in what was described as targeting corruption. Those released agreed to sign over some of their assets, giving the crackdown the feel of a shakedown. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led war in Yemen grinds on with its years-long stalemate, its toll on civilians in the Arab world's poorest country unending. The freeze on journalism and free expression isn't limited to Saudi Arabia in the greater Persian Gulf. In the United Arab Emirates on Monday, an influential Emirati official named Ali Rashid al-Nuaimi reportedly told youth gathered for a summit in Abu Dhabi that "our enemies have partnered with media organizations who have reported that the UAE has a prison camp and is committing human rights abuses in Yemen." The Associated Press has reported on secret prisons in Yemen run by UAE-backed forces where detainees faced physical and sexual abuse, as well as how Emirati forces cut secret deals with al-Qaida militants to get them to abandon territory. "If the worst-case scenario is realized, Saudi Arabia will have links to the murder of a vocal critic in a fashion engineered to create just enough doubt for the veneer of implausible-but-sufficient deniability," the New York-based Soufan Center said Tuesday. "It also sends and unequivocal signal to other journalists who dare to criticize the regime." But even before now, some like Khashoggi had put themselves in self-exile abroad. If the worst is confirmed about the journalist's fate, that may push even more critics underground and leave fewer still willing to speak frankly about the kingdom. As Khashoggi wrote in his first column in the Post: "That is how breathtakingly fast you can fall out of favor with Saudi Arabia." EDITOR'S NOTE Jon Gambrell, acting Gulf news director for The Associated Press, has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins may be in trouble. After declaring her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh last week, local activists raised over $3.6 million to unseat Collins in 2020. The Maine senators controversial decision sparked outrage from activists and her constituents who opposed Kavanaugh's nomination for weeks amid sexual assault allegations and concerns of Roe v. Wade. Collins backed Kavanaugh after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. The newly-appointed U.S. Supreme Court justice underwent an FBI investigation in wake of the allegations before he was confirmed Saturday in a 50-48 vote. Jim Melcher, a political science professor at the University of Maine Farmington, said as a result of Collins vote, there is an intense anger with her, particularly with liberal women. "It was like a betrayal to women," said Melcher. "There could be carrying power (from the anger) through the next two years. There never has been this depth of anger toward her like this time." A crowdfunded campaign created by Maines People Alliance, Mainers for Accountable Leadership and activist Ady Barkan, to fund the Maine Democrat who will challenge Collins in 2020. In an interview with "60 Minutes," Collins called the crowdfunded campaign a "classic quid pro quo." Collins added that if individuals are buying votes and positions, "then we are in a very sad place," in the political sphere. After Collins' decision to confirm Kavanaugh, many speculate who may challenge her in the 2020 election. Susan Rice, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted out a response to former White House Communications Chief Jen Psaki, that she could challenge Collins. Rice was promoted from her role as U.S. ambassador to national security adviser under former President Barack Obama. Although she does not currently live in the state, she has family ties to Maine. Rice spoke this weekend at the New Yorker Festival and said that she will contemplate on running after November. Maines current house speaker, Sara Gideon, wrote a statement on her Facebook page that she is focusing on electing Janet Mills for Maines gubernatorial race this midterm election. However, Gideon hinted that she may seek a potential run in 2020 after midterms. She said she is considering how to "elevate the voices of people who deserve and demand to be heard and represented in Washington, D.C." Zak Ringelstein is a Democratic candidate running against Maine's Sen. Angus King, an independent incumbent running for re-election during this year's midterm contests. If Ringelstein loses in November, a potential run in two years is an option for the young candidate. However, he has not made a final decision yet. Ringelstein told NBC10 Boston he is committed to defeating Collins after her "yes" vote. He added that he will do whatever it takes to defeat her -- whether it is running against Collins himself or backing the Democratic candidate. "I think it's an utter disgrace to the state and country Collins voted for Kavanaugh," said Ringelstein. "Many people in Maine want to unseat her." Diane Russell served in Maines House of Representatives. Diane Russell, a Democrat who served in Maine's state House of Representatives, organized protests in Washington after Collins announced her vote. However, she announced in a Facebook post that she will no longer run for office. "We do not need an answer today on who will run in 2020," she wrote. "We need to grieve and then focus on electing Janet T. Mills to be our next Governor." Other potential Democratic candidates who are mulling over a run in two years include Emily Cain, Jared Golden, Adam Cote and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree. Melcher said that Cain, Cote and Gideon would be strong Democratic candidates against Collins in 2020. Cain was the states former House minority leader and now works for Emilys list, a D.C.-based organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women running for office. Cote, a U.S. veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnian wars, once ran for Maines 1st Congressional District, but lost in 2008. A potential challenger within Collins own party could be Max Linn. Linn ran as a Republican for the U.S. Senate nomination but was disqualified due to fraudulent voter signatures. Linn teased a run in 2020 after a third-straight court loss over the states ruling the pro-Trump Republican candidate did not qualify for the 2018 primary. "Were going to talk about 2020 in 2020," said Annie Clark, Collins' communications director. "But just for the record, we know there will be a Democratic candidate for the Senate in 2020, and it makes no difference to us who it is." However, Maine Democrats are still keeping their eye on the 2018 midterm election. The Maine Republican Party did not respond to requests for a comment by NBC10 Boston and necn. Authorities in Amesbury, Massachusetts, managed to remove a black bear and her cub from a tree in a residential neighborhood after they got stuck there Tuesday morning. The wildlife rescue took place on Elm Street, across the street from Mount Prospect Cemetery. NBC10 Boston's Sky Ranger caught the moment the adult bear dropped from a tree in the neighborhood and into a tan blanket below, with wildlife experts attending to the wild animal immediately after. After being hit with a tranquilizer dart by wildlife officials, the bear cub dropped from the tree and into another tan blanket shortly after noon. It took nearly six hours for environmental police to resort to tranquilizing the bears, after which each animal was tagged and released into the wild. Residents living near Atlantic Avenue and Elm Street were asked to avoid the area as local and state environmental police worked to rescue the bears. "It's the best and safest option for both the bears and the residents," Amesbury fire officials said on Facebook. The request from wildlife officials and first responders wasn't heeded by all, as the rescue efforts drew a huge crowd of people who were watching and hoping for the best. Police arrested three masked teenagers in Canton, Massachusetts for an attempted home invasion Monday after one of the men was seen trying to enter an apartment with a semi-automatic rifle. Officials received a call at 1:37 p.m. of a man walking in a residential area with what the caller described as a "machine gun." At the scene, responding officers were directed to the second floor of an apartment on 236 Neponset Street, according to the Canton Police Department. While two of the men were walking up the stairs, the third suspect headed towards the rear door of the apartment with an "AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle," Canton police said. At the same time, a female resident at the apartment was climbing out a window, trying to avoid detection. Upon realizing police were on the scene, the suspects fled in different directions. Eighteen-year-old Drijon Holmes and 18-year-old Josiah Fleming were immediately apprehended. Flemings brother, 19-year-old Timothy Fleming, was caught within the hour. Although a motive has not been determined, Canton police said they "can say with confidence" that the incident was not a random crime. The female resident was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries, officials said. No responding officers were injured. The suspects are facing charges that include home invasion and possession of a large capacity firearm. It is unclear if any of them have an attorney. A new memorial dedicated to the victims of the deadliest disease outbreak in modern times is taking shape in central Vermont. In 1918, the Spanish Flu claimed more lives than the number of people killed in World War I, but there are very fewif anypublic memorials to those victims. Its pretty emotional, Brian Zecchinelli said when he saw the name of a man on the granite memorial whom he never met, but one he sure wants to remember. Im feeling really humble and proud at this moment. His grandfather, Germinio Zecchinelli, died 100 years ago this week from the terrifying Spanish Flu pandemic that was sweeping the globe. All told, more than 50-million people died worldwide. That number included 675,000 Americansmore than 1,700 of whom were Vermonters. The communities of Barre, Montpelier, and Burlington were particularly hard-hit in the pandemic, Zecchinelli said, citing research he conducted in commissioning the new memorial. It was shocking, Zecchinelli told necn, describing the disconnect between the size of the death toll from the pandemic and an apparent scarcity of memorials to the victims. To change that, Zecchinelli turned to Rock of Ages in Barre, and the companys famous monument-makers. I think its overdue, Steve Benoit of Rock of Ages said of the idea of a memorial to the flu victims. Rock of Ages artisans crafted a new reflection bench, honoring all the lives lost to the Spanish Flu a century ago. Itll sit in Barres landmark Hope Cemetery, overlooking the plot of Brians grandfather and many other people the virus struck down in their prime. Were not forgetting about their loved ones, Zecchinelli said of the people around the world who lost ancestors to influenza. At the headquarters of the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration in Middlesex, archivist Rachel Muse researched Vermont records on the 1918 flu, which struck well before the era of vaccines and todays knowledge of disease prevention. Muse said the emergency sparked public policy changes in Vermont, such as when communities report concerns to the state and when schools would be ordered to shut down to stop an outbreak. I think theres a lot to be learned, Muse said of the legacy of the Spanish Flu. It definitely impacted how we treat public health crises to this day. The new reflection bench to the Spanish Flus victims, including Germinio Zecchinelli, is scheduled to be dedicated Oct. 26. When asked about how the project may indicate that its never too late to remember a significant event like this, Steve Benoit of Rock of Ages responded, Especially when its as personal as this to Brian and his family. Massachusetts police have located a child who had been missing in Peabody. Authorities said 13-year-old Kamari Unique Bunn had attended a full day at the Higgins Middle School after leaving her Cranebrook Way home at 7 a.m. Tuesday and didn't return home. Police said she left a note stating that she was running away after school. According to police, Bunn recently moved to the area from Texas. Just before 7 p.m., authorities posted on Facebook that Bunn had been located "safe and sound". No other information was available. Newly-released surveillance video shows the moments that led up to a shooting which police in South Burlington, Vermont, blame on road rage. In the video, you can see a black sedan waiting for a traffic signal to change, then a white SUV running a red light and nearly hitting the black car. This happened on Williston Road in South Burlington shortly after 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 30. After that near-crash, South Burlington Police said the driver of the black car followed the other vehicle into a parking lot, punched the driver who ran the red light, then pulled out a gun and shot at the SUV as he tried to get away. The victim, who is from Minnesota, suffered facial injuries from shattered glass. He was treated and released from the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. Investigators released the video hoping it jogs the memory of a witness who can provide information that may point police to the suspect. The suspect is described as an approximately six-foot-tall white man with a slender build, who was driving a newer-model black sedan. If you witnessed the incident, South Burlington Police would like to hear from youat 802-846-4111. More than four million Massachusetts households have received a copy of the state Voter Guide a booklet sent from the Secretary of States office with everything you need to know about the upcoming 2018 election. But Secretary Bill Galvins Republican opponent says Galvin owes taxpayers an apology and a refund for some of the information included in this years book. Anthony Amore doesnt have a problem with the election information in this years voter guide... its the non-election information that has him outraged: People of Massachusetts dont want to see their tax dollars going towards this sort of thing Weve talked to the State Ethics commission and the attorney generals Office about investigating. Amore points to page 21 which includes a section directed toward victims of investment fraud suggesting Secretary of State Bill Galvins office can help. Amore says, Its clearly a campaign driven advertisement for him, he mentions himself 12 times. But Secretary of State Bill Galvin says its the exact same information that gets sent to voters each year. Galvin says there were blank pages in the book after losing two ballot questions earlier in the year and it made sense to fill them with useful and neutral information. Galvin says, One is to help victims of domestic violence. Well he can criticize that all he wants. Im very proud of what we do there. We protect peoples lives with that program. This is not the only issue the two disagree on. Amore a security expert who currently works at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum says the states voter registration system is vulnerable. Galvin says, He has no idea what hes talking about. First of all, we are not vulnerable, we were not hacked, we only have paper ballots in Massachusetts. Galvin says Amore advocates for much of the voter fraud election views of the Trump administration. Galvin says, Trump alleged thousands of people from Massachusetts got on buses and went to New Hampshire and other crazy things. Amore says he did not vote for Trump adding, Its a desperate attempt to paint me as something that the taxpayers of Massachusetts might not like. Hes wrong. Amore is calling on Galvin to refund tax payers for the information in the voter guide that had nothing to do with the election. A man suspected of fatally shooting a 67-year-old man at a Dorchester gas station appeared in court Tuesday. Kevin Williams, 21, of Dorchester, was held without bail at his arraignment in Dorchester Municipal Court. He hid behind a door as he pleaded not guilty to assault with intent to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and attempted robbery. Williams is accused of shooting and killing Jose Luis Phinn Williams in what was suspected to be an attempted robbery on Sunday. Officers on patrol near the Fabian Gas Station at 528 Washington St. responded to the sound of shots fired shortly after 11:30 p.m., according to police. Upon arrival, they found Phinn Williams suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim, who was an attendant for 10 years at the gas station, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died. He would have been 68 on Monday. Phinn Williams' loved ones held a vigil in his honor. He is remembered as a good person who was generous. "My brother was a hard worker," Rose Phinn-Westby said while holding a picture of her brother. "He'd been here since 1970 and he has seven children." This was the second time he was attacked at the gas station, the sisters said. In 2016, he suffered a concussion after being mugged on Halloween. He was out of work for six months. "You know you get some people on the news station to say how good the person was...no one can outclass him as far as goodness is concerned," Lewis Edward Polk said. For 10 years, he worked on Washington Street. "He was a good guy, man. He'd give you the last dollar in his pocket," former co-worker Eddie Elliot said. "If I didn't have the money for gas, he would say, 'pay me next week,'" one woman said. Kevin Williams is due back in court Nov. 19. It is unclear if he has an attorney. More news, no ads Police appealing for witnesses to eight seperate incidents A FORD Transit van, three bicycles and several other valuables were stolen during a five-day crime spree in Newbury last week. In total, police are appealing for witnesses to eight seperate incidents. Between 10pm on October 4 and 7.20am on October 5, offender(s) stole a Ford Transit van containing a Honda lawnmower in Newport Road, Newbury. If anyone has information about this incident, contact the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101 using the reference number 43180303894. In another incident, between 4.30pm on October 5 and 8.20am on October 6, offender(s) broke into a silver Renault Megane stealing various CDs in Ireland Drive, Newbury. Call 101 using reference 43180305176 if you have information. Between 6pm on October 5 and noon on October 6, offender(s) broke into a silver Toyota Corolla stealing a satnav and sunglasses in Derby Road, Newbury. Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 43180305650. In another incident which occured between 10pm on October 4 and 8.30am on October 5, offender(s) broke into a black Peugeot 207, stealing a camera in Well Meadow, Newbury. Contact 101 quoting 43180303995 if you have information. In another incident between 10am and 10.25am on October 5, offender(s) stole a bicycle in Park Way, Newbury. If you have information, call 101 quoting 43180304694. Between 4am and 11.30pm on October 7, offender(s) stole a Carrera Vengeance bicycle by breaking the lock in Racecourse Road, Newbury. Call 101 using the reference number 43180306280. Between noon and 1.25pm on October 7, offender(s) stole a purse from a silver Mini Cooper in Cheap Street, Newbury. Again, contact 101 quoting 43180306491 if you have any information. Finally, between 5pm on October 8 and 8.30am on October 9, offender(s) stole a black Carrera bicycle with green and yellow detailing in Kingman Way, Newbury. Call 101 if you know more (Ref 43180308058). Cancer experts warn that Brexit will seriously harm UK cancer research and could trigger a manpower crisis that will negatively affect the health of our citizens. Researchers from Queen's University Belfast in collaboration with King's College London and the University of Leeds have produced new evidence on the positive benefit that researchers from other European Union (EU) countries currently have on cancer research in the UK. The study, which was recently published in the premier cancer journal, The Lancet Oncology, demonstrated that there have been an increasing number of scientific papers on cancer published by research teams which include at least one non-UK EU born member of staff. Even more significantly, cancer research papers that include non-UK EU born authors had a much greater scientific impact, being published in the top tier of medical and scientific journals. Professor Mark Lawler, from the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's University Belfast, said: "The challenge of cancer is so great, it is critical that we bring together the best minds to find the best solutions to improve cancer outcomes for our citizens. Currently, in the UK we attract high quality talent (both from the UK and elsewhere in the EU) and that is why we are a powerhouse for cancer research across Europe. "Nearly 20 per cent of our research staff are non-UK born. The 'Brexit effect' on our research reputation could be catastrophic, and given that high quality research underpins better cancer outcomes, we risk undermining the cancer care of our patients." The study indicates that the loss of human capital that would result from a tightening of restrictions on free movement from the EU to a post-Brexit UK would have serious ramifications for the quality and impact of UK cancer research. Professor Richard Sullivan, Director of the Institute for Cancer Policy at Kings College London and joint author on the paper, commented: "Our results indicate a very positive and statistically significant contribution of foreign staff to the UK cancer research knowledge base, one that we must preserve following the UK's departure from the EU. "In the uncertainty of a post-Brexit world, we risk the distinct possibility that cancer scientists from other parts of the EU either won't want to or won't be allowed to work in the UK. The knock-on effect could be devastating." Professor Lawler continues:"You also have to factor in the effect on research funding. UK researchers have been incredibly successful in competing for European research funding, drawing down 4.8 billion of overall funding since 2014. But, whereas in 2015, we were at Number one in research funding in the EU, with an annual intake of >15 per cent of the overall budget, this has dropped to <12 per cent by June 2018 and now we have been replaced at the top by Germany. "This is definitely a Brexit effect and it is clear that potential European research partners are worrying about having a UK researcher on their collaborative research grant." The study demonstrated that overseas staff contributed to nearly 80 per cent of cancer research papers published in the UK. In a related study, the researchers highlighted that foreign scientists in other disease domains have also contributed greatly to the quality of UK research, while EU medical doctors, particularly those from Eastern Europe are an increasing component of the UK's medical workforce. Professor Lawler concludes: "The UK's departure from the EU could trigger a medical manpower crisis, impacting negatively on the health of the 65 million citizens that live in the UK. These studies show that the decision to exit the EU will have substantial ramifications for UK cancer research and for the health of our society." CDx Diagnostics, an innovator in computer-synthesized, three dimensional tissue analysis for the early detection and surveillance of Barretts esophagus, today announced new data for WATS3D, or Wide Area Transepithelial Sampling with 3D Tissue Analysis, demonstrating the clinical significance of crypt dysplasia as an important risk factor for progression to high-grade esophageal dysplasia or esophageal cancer. Dr. Nicholas Shaheen, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is presenting the data today in a Presidential Plenary session at ACG 2018, the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, taking place October 5 -10 in Philadelphia. WATS Computer Synthesized En Face View of Crypt Dysplasia. Credit: CDx Diagnostics Detecting still harmless, but pre-cancerous dysplasia can prevent the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma, the most rapidly growing cancer in the U.S., and one of the most fatal. Accurately identifying which chronic heartburn patients who develop Barretts esophagus have also progressed to dysplasia can have an important impact on patient care. The clinical significance of dysplasia involving crypt cells has not been well understood due to limitations in detecting crypt dysplasia by conventional biopsies. The data reported today suggest that samples obtained and analyzed with WATS3D allow detection of this condition. Most importantly, the data also suggest that crypt dysplasia is something we should wish to detect, because it has a higher risk of progression to high-grade dysplasia or esophageal cancer compared to non-dysplastic Barretts. Together, the data suggest that WATS3D provides information that forceps biopsy cannot. Dr. Nicholas Shaheen Barretts esophagus (BE) occurs when the normal epithelial lining of the esophagus is replaced by goblet cells that are typically found in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Patients with BE have an increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a cancer that attacks 17,000 people in the United States each year of which 16,000 will die from. Given this risk, it is recommended that patients with BE undergo periodic surveillance endoscopy to monitor for pre-cancerous changes to the esophageal lining. While non-dysplastic BE (NDBE), low- or high-grade dysplasia (LGD or HGD, respectively) can be diagnosed using standard biopsy criteria, morphologic changes that fell between NDBE and LGD were traditionally classified as indefinite for dysplasia and often grouped with NDBE due to the inability to distinguish dysplasia involving crypt cells (which are located below the epithelial cells) from esophagitis resulting from uncontrolled reflux. Due in part to the inability to accurately diagnose crypt dysplasia (CD), its clinical significance has not been well understood. The study results presented today are the first to show that WATS3D enables accurate diagnosis of CD as a distinct histology; they also show that CD is a risk factor for HGD and EAC and that progression rates from NDBE and LGD to HGD/EAC detected with WATS3D are similar to those obtained using traditional forceps biopsies. What has been under appreciated by clinicians is how incredibly effective the WATS3D computer-assisted analysis and neural network program is at helping pathologists detect dysplasia and, most notably, its earliest form, termed crypt dysplasia. The WATS 3D technology allows pathologists to put into focus atypical lesions that would otherwise be considered indefinite. The results of this study prove, for the first time, that early dysplastic lesions are clearly important to detect because of their now established increased risk of neoplastic progression. Thus, computer-assisted pathologic detection of these lesions will undoubtedly improve patient care. Dr. Robert D. Odze, Harvard Medical School The study reported at ACG 2018 followed 4,512 patients who had two WATS3D assessments six months apart. Patient-years (pt-yrs) were calculated by multiplying the mean period of follow-up by the number of patients with each type of histology. Of 4,512 patients, 4,049 with NDBE at baseline were followed for an average of 1.4 years between WATS3D assessments (5,736 pt-yrs) and 380 with NDBE at baseline were followed for an average of 1.25 years between assessments (475 pt-yrs). An additional 83 patients had LGD at baseline WATS3D and were followed for a mean of 1.25 years (103.7 pt-yrs). Key findings from the study include: 19 of the NDBE patients followed for 1.4 years experienced progression to HGD/EAC, for a rate of 0.33%/pt-yr. 10 of the NDBE patients followed for 1.25 years experienced progression to HGD/EAC, for a rate of 2.1%/pt-yr. 8 of the LGD patients experienced progression to HGD/EAC, for a rate of 7.7%/pt-yr. The overall rate of progression from WATS 3D -determined CD to LGD/HGD/EAC was 9.9%/pt-yr, which is comparable to the rate of progression from biopsy-confirmed LGD. -determined CD to LGD/HGD/EAC was 9.9%/pt-yr, which is comparable to the rate of progression from biopsy-confirmed LGD. Results show that a finding of NDBE or LGD on WATS 3D predicts progression to HGD/EAC at rates that are comparable to or higher than the reported risk of progression when these histologies are determined by biopsy. predicts progression to HGD/EAC at rates that are comparable to or higher than the reported risk of progression when these histologies are determined by biopsy. For patients with BE, CD or LGD at baseline, the trend for progression to HGD/EAC was statistically significant. These results highlight the clinical benefits that WATS3D provides with respect to accurate surveillance of esophageal changes in patients with BE, said Mark Rutenberg, Founder and CEO of CDx Diagnostics. We believe these data highlight how WATS3D provides physicians and patients with accurate and critical information that can inform the management of BE and help preempt esophageal cancer. The fact that WATS3D accurately differentiates CD from reflux esophagitis, which is not feasible with forceps biopsy analyses, adds to its already compelling value proposition and advances our ability to achieve our vision of preventing unnecessary cancer deaths. Today, Celmatix, a next-generation women's health company, has announced a commercial agreement with Oncotest-Teva Ltd, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) in Israel to bring the Fertilome test, the world's first multigene panel test for a woman's reproductive health and fertility, to the Israeli market. This partnership, which brings together two pioneers in the field of personalized medicine, represents the first strategic international collaboration for Celmatix and will make the Fertilome genetic test widely available to women through their doctors in Israel. Among developed nations across the globe, women are waiting longer to start building their families, leading to a worldwide surge in the use of assisted reproductive technologies including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cryopreservation. In Israel, a country with 1.7 million women of reproductive age, the impact of this demographic shift is stark: Today, more than four percent of babies born to Israeli mothers each year result from IVF treatments, compared to approximately one percent in the U.S. However, the insights that lead women to pursue fertility treatment have, to date, been limited. With the Fertilome test, Celmatix is ushering in a new era of personalized medicine in reproductive health. With this collaboration, the company is taking that movement global. A simple blood test ordered by a doctor, the Fertilome test can empower women to be more proactive about their family building by revealing whether they have genetic markers that have been associated with fertility-affecting conditions such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). "Israel is considered the IVF capital of the world, with more cycles reported per capita than any other country," said Lior Soussan-Gutman Ph.D., Oncotest-Teva Managing Director. "By gaining an early understanding of their risk of developing conditions that could affect their fertility and reproductive health with the Fertilome test, women in Israel can make more informed choices that may ultimately improve their own outcomes, either by trying on their own or pursuing treatment sooner than they may have otherwise." "This is a watershed moment for the global reach of the personalized medicine revolution in women's reproductive health," said Piraye Yurttas Beim Ph.D., founder and CEO of Celmatix. "Israel's unique position as a global leader in IVF makes it an ideal market for the first international expansion of the Fertilome test, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have as women and their doctors make decisions informed by genomic insights." Dr Mark McPhail from the Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences and Dr Vishal Patel from the Institute of Liver Studies at King's College Hospital have been awarded 2.3 million by the National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) to lead a new UK wide multi-centre trial to treat liver disease. Liver disease is the fifth commonest cause of death in the developed world and is rising in incidence, with liver failure a common mode of death. In the UK, it is estimated that 60,000 people have cirrhosis with approximately 11,000 attributable deaths each year. In many cases patients present with internal bleeding from oesophageal varices, which occurs unpredictably requiring emergency treatment, and leading to the need for intensive care admission and may be life-ending if not stoppable. This NIHR HTA grant will provide 2.3 million to recruit, treat and follow-up with 1,200 patients from 25 different hospitals around the UK. The trial will take 6 years to complete aiming to assess whether the risk of bleeding can be reduced. Both Dr McPhail and Dr Patel are leading the application alongside Dr Ben Carter from King's College London Clinical Trials Unit. Of the trial, Dr McPhail states We predict a reduction in liver bleeding by almost 50% after three years of follow up with less hospital admissions". Dr Patel comments: Diabetes UKs Making Hospitals Safe for People with Diabetes report, released today (08/10/2018), has revealed concerning inadequacies in care for diabetes inpatients. The report calls for hospitals to adopt six key requirements which would make them safe for people with diabetes, lead to significantly improved patient experiences and shorter lengths of stay. Diabetes UKs analysis showed that 260,000 diabetes inpatients experienced a medication error during their hospital stay last year which could have resulted in serious harm or death. 9,600 diabetes inpatients experienced a serious and potentially life threatening episode of hypoglycemia because of poor insulin management during their hospital stay last year. Over a million people with diabetes were admitted to hospital last year. One in six hospital beds are currently occupied by people with diabetes, with this number expected to rise to one in four by 2030. Emily Watts, Diabetes UKs Inpatient Program Manager and co-author of the report, said: 9,600 people experiencing a severe, potentially life threatening episode of hypoglycemia because of inadequate care whilst in hospital, a place where people should feel supported and safe, is shocking and unacceptable. We hope our report will serve as a wake-up call, and lead to system-wide changes which make hospitals safe for people living with diabetes. Over a million people with diabetes spend time in hospital every year. Its essential that hospitals are safe places for each and every one of these people. But the sad truth is that currently, not all of them are. Everything recommended in our report already exists in certain hospitals across England. We want hospitals to stop working alone, and start learning from each others successes. Inpatients with diabetes have higher infection rates and longer lengths of stay (one to three days longer than patients without diabetes). This has implications on NHS spending and workload. Diabetes inpatient care costs the NHS 2.5 billion a year, 11% of the annual inpatient budget. Adopting Diabetes UKs recommendations and having the right workforce in place could significantly reduce the NHSs spending. For example, investing 5 million on new diabetes inpatient specialist nursing services in 54 trusts would yield savings of 14 million per year, a net saving of 9 million annually. Improving care for diabetes inpatients would not only yield long term savings for the NHS, but also help to alleviate the strain on our NHS. Chris Askew, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said: The NHS is under immense strain, and diabetes is just one of the complex issues competing to be a priority. However, the number of diabetes inpatients receiving inadequate levels of care is a clear reflection that more must be done to make hospitals safe for those living with diabetes. The evidence clearly shows that fully resourced, proactive diabetes inpatient teams and an educated inpatient workforce can lead to happier, better supported patients and shorter lengths of stay. We will continue to work for better care for people with diabetes until every patient feels safe in hospital, from the time of admission to the point of discharge. NHS National Diabetes Inpatient Audits over recent years have shown gradual improvements to diabetes inpatient care, but the statistics released in the Making Hospitals Safe for People with Diabetes report make clear that much more must be done. Diabetes UKs Making Hospitals Safe for People with Diabetes report was developed by visiting hospitals across the UK. The authors of the report spoke to people with diabetes, inpatient teams, healthcare professionals working in hospitals and hospital managers. The requirements which Diabetes UK are calling on hospitals to adopt came out of these conversations and are fully elaborated on in the report. They include: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed eNightLog, a multi-function nighttime monitoring system for elderly with dementia, to track their respiration and activities in bed for preventing fall or wandering away. The safe and non-restraint system, particularly designed for coping with the typical environment of nursing homes in Hong Kong, will help greatly improve the elderly's quality of life, while enhancing the efficiency and lessening the workload of healthcare personnel. It is projected that the number of people aged 65 and above in Hong Kong will reach around 2.5 million by 2040, about one-third of the overall population then. Among the elderly at that time, around 332,700, or one out of 10, would suffer from dementia, triple of the figure in 2009. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease, characterized by gradual deterioration in one's mental capacities including memory, judgment and communication ability, as well as usual symptoms of depression, agitation and sleep disturbances. The eNightLog system, developed by a research team led by Ir Professor Zheng Yongping, Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at PolyU and Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, was awarded Gold Medal at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva this year. Members of the research team include Dr Eric Tam, Dr James Cheung, Mr Will Lai and Mr Alex Mak. "PolyU has profound history of applying the assistive and rehabilitation health technologies developed by our faculty members to cope with social needs. By helping various nursing homes to set up the eNightLog system we developed, we hope to contribute our expertise for helping create an age-friendly society," said Professor Zheng. He is glad that the government has pledged support towards constructing "Smart Living" for all citizens especially for the disadvantaged, and planned to roll out a HK$1 billion fund this year for subsidizing elderly service units to make good use of gerontechnology. He hopes that with such support, eNightLog can bring benefits to not only more elderly with dementia, but also other elderly in need and other disabled groups. eNightLog system provides safe and non-restraint monitoring The non-contact and non-invasive eNightLog system is embedded with event sequence tracking and different kinds of remote sensing and imaging technologies, based on innovative algorithm developed by the BME team of PolyU. This innovative technique has already been patented. Seventeen systems have been installed and tested in a nursing home for 2 months this year for nighttime monitoring. During this period, 380 incidences of elderly leaving bed alone were recorded, with all them being successfully detected (100%), and only 2 times of false alarm occurred (0.5%). In addition, the system recorded 525 events of caregivers visiting elderly and accompanying the elderly leaving, and accuracy rate is 100%. The eNightLog system includes following sensors to detect different activities of the elderly in bed: 1.Near Infrared 3D sensor tracts the resident's positions and postures (lying down, sitting on bed or bedside, standing beside the bed, bed-leaving) and caregivers' visits. It thus helps prevent the resident from falling and wandering, and improve staff response time. The algorithm can also detect caregivers paying night visits to the elderly, thus avoiding false alarm. 2.Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Impulse Radar sensor detects small motions even under quilt, including respiration rate, to identify the resident's health condition and sleep quality. 3.Environment sensor provides various ambient measurements and controls, such as room temperature and light control. The activity status and alarm of multiple residents are transmitted in the form of text, icons or processed infrared image, to display on the caregivers' computer stations or mobile devices. Signals detected beyond the pre-set normality range will trigger alarm for caregivers to take immediate actions. The research team will soon extend the functions of eNightLog system to detecting heart rate and body temperature, and connect the system with different kinds of smart devices such as electronic diaper. In addition, the system can also link with an ultrasound bladder volume detector to facilitate caregivers to take better care of their residents, especially in handling urinary incontinence. The team is exploring big data analysis to provide more preventive information for health care of elderly. "Being a multi-sensing system and platform, eNightLog is greatly scalable in connecting with other devices, including wearable, non-contact or remote-control ones. The further applications and development of eNightLog with advancing rehabilitation health technologies can be very promising," said Dr Eric Tam. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five US school-age children and young people ages 6 to 19 years suffers from obesity, a tripling of such numbers since the 1970s. For individual children, genetics, eating and exercise all play a role in weight status -- but the influence of a community's design, programs and policies on childhood obesity hasn't been comprehensively understood. Now, groundbreaking research appearing in the current issue of Pediatric Obesity represents the most wide-ranging investigation to date of how broadly and successfully communities across the U.S. implement programs and policies to prevent obesity in kids. The work also includes analysis of individual and community factors associated with positive change in childhood obesity. Researchers Stephen Fawcett, Vicki Collie-Akers and Jerry Schultz at the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas' Life Span Institute spearheaded the community measurement aspect of the work, dubbed the Healthy Communities Study. "This is the largest study of its kind examining whether community investment in programs and policies to promote physical activity and healthy nutrition is associated with healthy weight -- lower BMI, or Body Mass Index -- among children," said Fawcett, research professor at LSI. "No one had attempted to map the dose of community programs and policies actually being implemented in a large and diverse sample of U.S. communities." Conducted between 2010 and 2016, the Healthy Communities Study looked at community policies and programs (CPPs) in each of 130 US communities, linking them to the weight status, eating habits and physical activity of 5,138 elementary and middle-school students in those locales. The sample included many children from low-income, Hispanic and African-American families. To estimate the dose of CPPs being delivered, the study's researchers devised an intensity score that reflected the number of CPPs in place and their estimated strength, duration and reach. "Analyses were conducted to see whether the intensity of CPPs was associated with lower BMI, or Body Mass Index, for children in the communities," said Fawcett. Among the study's key findings: The intensity of community programs and policies is significantly associated with lower BMI in children. More comprehensive CPPs -- those targeting a greater number of distinct behaviors related to physical activity and nutrition -- were associated with lower child BMI. Community initiatives are more successful when CPPs are in place longer. Across the nation, there's a broad range in the number and intensity of programs and policies aimed at promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition and healthy weight in kids. Some communities invest more in CPPs, others very little. These communities showed variation in the number and types of behavior-change objectives. Over time, investments in CPPs are increasing -- and this matters for child health. For a community that goes from the minimum observed intensity score to the maximum, its children would see a reduction of -1.4 BMI units Communities that were predominately white benefited more from CPPs than those that were predominately African-American, with the least improvement in BMI seen for Hispanic children. "This study has important implications for communities trying to assure a healthy environment for its children," Fawcett said. "It suggests: Invest in programs and policies to promote physical activity and nutrition -- lots of them, of strong form and reach, and targeted to the many different kinds of behaviors that promote healthier weight. To ensure that children are exposed to them, make sure that you've created changes in multiple sectors and settings through which children pass; like schools, parks, Boys & Girls Clubs and community organizations. Make sure they are in place long enough to make a difference. Six years or more was most effective. The exposure needs to be prolonged." Examples of community programs and policies to combat childhood obesity seen in U.S. communities include boosting availability of healthy foods in schools, encouraging kids to drink water instead of sugary beverages, increasing the amount of time that students are physically active, and building walking trails, parks, playgrounds and more pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. The KU research team emphasized the need to approach community programs with an emphasis on equity for populations of kids from different economic and cultural backgrounds. "You need to bring an equity lens to designing community programs and policies intended to promote healthier weight among children," Fawcett said. "You should not assume that all children will benefit equally from community investments that are not targeted and adapted to address children and families, such as African-Americans and Hispanics, that experience health inequities. What works in one community -- predominantly white and affluent -- may not work as well in a community where more supports for those experiencing health disparities are needed to assure healthy conditions for all our children." Researchers from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have introduced the Laboratory of Discrimination and Inequality (D-Lab), which aims to advance the scientific study of discrimination and social inequality by promoting research and methodological innovation. This laboratory provides the necessary infrastructure to carry out experimental field research in the area of social sciences concerning discrimination in the labour market. Its directors hope that the D-Lab will become a centre of reference in the study of discrimination in Europe. At present, the D-Lab is engaged in several projects. One of these focuses on discrimination in the employment of second-generation immigrants and is being carried out simultaneously in five countries in Europe, including Spain. The project is called the Growth Equal Opportunities Migration and Markets (GEMM) project and it is conducting a comparative study on ethnic discrimination in employment in Germany, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. "This is a unique and very innovative project with a huge potential for scientific impact," says the director of the D-Lab, Javier Polavieja, a lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences and Banco Santander professor at the UC3M. Another of the ongoing projects, the NewAIR (New Approaches to Integration Research), which is funded by Spain's Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, focuses on the analysis of the integration of international migrants in European societies. "The Laboratory provides training within the framework of these projects for undergraduate and graduate students and can be a springboard for the development of the early career of young researchers," says Javier Polavieja. Furthermore, the D-Lab's advisory board includes internationally renowned experts in the areas of migration, social inequality and experimental research. Financial Secretary Paul Chan will attend international conferences in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea from October 10 to 19. On October 10, he will leave for Bali, Indonesia, to attend the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group annual meetings as a member of the Chinese delegation. During his stay, Mr Chan will meet International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group representatives, other government officials and prominent banking sector figures. He will return to Hong Kong on October 13, then head to Papua New Guinea on October 14 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers' Meeting. Mr Chan will also take the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with financial officials. During his absence, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau will be Acting Financial Secretary. (CNN) The head of Interpol, who vanished after taking a flight to Beijing, is being held and investigated for corruption, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said in a statement Monday. Meng Hongwei, who also was a vice minister of public security in China, has been accused by the Chinese government of accepting bribes and committing unspecified other crimes. "(Meng) insisted on taking the wrong path and had only himself to blame (for his downfall)," the country's top law enforcement official, Zhao Kezhi, was quoted as saying in the statement. Authorities had previously remained tight-lipped about the whereabouts of Meng, following his sudden disappearance last month after he flew from France to China. In an earlier statement released on Sunday, the Chinese government said Meng was "under investigation" by the National Supervisory Commission, the country's top anti-corruption unit, but gave no further details on whether he was in custody or what the charges might be. Concerns over Meng's whereabouts were first raised by wife, Grace, who reported him missing to French authorities in the city of Lyon, where the couple live, last Thursday. She was moved to contact authorities after she received a final text message on September 25, shortly after he arrived in China, with a knife emoji and instructions to "wait for my call." That call never came. The South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based newspaper known for its connections inside the Chinese government, said Meng was "taken away" for questioning upon landing last week. The newspaper cited an unnamed source. In a separate development, Interpol said it had received Meng's resignation from the international police agency with "immediate effect" according to statement posted Sunday. It made no mention of the former president's whereabouts or the Chinese investigation. Loyalty to Xi Meng is the latest high-profile figure to be taken into custody following the wide-ranging campaign against corruption undertaken since Chinese President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012. The Chinese president promised his government would catch both "tigers and flies" -- the powerful as well as regular citizens -- and has brought down high level officials such as former security tzar Zhou Yongkang. In the statement on Monday, authorities alluded to ties between Zhou and Meng, who rose through the government's security apparatus under Zhou. The statement said Meng's fall highlighted Xi's resolve in cleaning up the ruling Communist Party and stressed the importance of political loyalty to the party's leadership under Xi. The admission by Chinese authorities comes just one week after another prominent Chinese figure on the world stage appeared to vanish after falling foul of Beijing. One of China's best-known actresses, Fan Bingbing, reappeared following a lengthy disappearance in the past week, admitting to tax evasion and promising to pay a large fine. "That China feels so emboldened to disappear even one of its most famous actresses ... should be a real wake up call that anyone within China could be next," human rights advocate Michael Caster wrote for CNN in September. Mystery disappearance Speculation as to the whereabouts of Meng has dominated international headlines, in the face of an initial stony silence from the Chinese government. Meng has lived in Lyon, where Interpol is headquartered, since assuming the role of president in 2016. In an emotional press conference Sunday, Grace Meng told reporters that concern for her husband is a matter that "belongs to the international community." She added, "Although I can't see my husband, we are always connected by heart." Grace, who waited 10 days before reporting her husband's disappearance to French authorities, told police in Lyon that she has received threats on social media and by telephone. In a statement Friday, the French Interior Ministry confirmed that it was looking into the situation and that a "suitable police mechanism" had been put in place to guarantee Grace Meng's safety. Following the Chinese official's apparent resignation, Interpol announced South Korea's Kim Jong Yang would serve as acting president until the organization's general assembly picks a permanent president next month. When Meng was chosen as the next president of Interpol in 2016 the move was warmly welcomed by Beijing, who said China was ready to "take on bigger responsibility and make greater contribution to push for global law enforcement." Meng was the first Chinese Interpol president and oversaw the agency's executive committee, which sets overall strategy. However, there were concerns after the announcement was made that having a top Interpol official with a position in the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party could turn the body towards Beijing's aims. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Head of Interpol Meng Hongwei accused of corruption, Chinese government says." GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Canberra : The Australian government has rejected calls from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to phase out coal-fired power by 2050. The landmark IPCC report on Monday warned that the world has 12 years to avoid climate change catastrophe, saying that unprecedented changes to society were required to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, reports Xinhua news agency. Despite the dire warning, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said that Australia would "absolutely" continue to use and exploit its coal reserves, arguing that renewable energy sources could not replace coal. "The fact is, coal mining... And coal-fired power stations do play an important part of our energy mix in Australia and will do so going forward," McCormack told the media. "The government (is) supportive of small business, of industry, of farms, and of coal mining," he said. The IPCC report found that Australia was responsible for approximately 1 per cent of global emissions despite accounting for only 0.3 per cent of the global population. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday said that Australia would not abandon its Paris agreement commitment to reduce emissions by 26 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 but said that his government would not be "held to" the IPCC report. Leader of the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP), Bill Shorten, said that a greater proportion of Australian energy needed to come from renewable sources but did not commit to entirely phasing-out coal-fired power. Mexico City : Police in Mexico are investigating a couple arrested for transporting body parts in a pram in connection with at least 10 murders. At a hearing following their arrest, the man reportedly confessed to killing 20 women in a suburb of Mexico City. Investigators have found body parts in the couple's flat and at another nearby property. They were kept in buckets filled with cement and in a fridge, the BBC said. Prosecutors said the couple sold the body parts but it is not clear to whom. Femicides -- murders of women -- are common in Mexico and often go unpunished, but the gruesome details of this case have caused outrage and triggered street protests in Ecatepec, the poor suburb in Mexico state where they occurred. Neighbours said that whenever they saw the couple they were pushing the pram in which police found the body parts, the BBc report said. Police stopped and searched them after the disappearance in September of a 28-year-old Nancy Huitron and her two-month old baby, Valentina. During the hearing, the accused Juan Carlos confessed to killing Huitron and identified two other of his victims as 23-year-old Arlet Olguin and 29-year-old Evelyn Rojas. Prosecutors say he also confessed to sexually abusing some of the victims before killing them and selling off their belongings and some of their body parts. The three victims, all of them single mothers, had disappeared in recent months. Huitron disappeared on September 6 with her baby after dropping her two older daughters off at school, the BBC reported. When the two older girls were not picked up from school, a neighbour raised the alarm. Police have found baby Valentina who, they say, was sold by the couple. She has since been handed to her maternal grandmother. Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi: Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) LT Hrangchal has joined the ruling Congress in Mizoram and will contest the upcoming state Assembly elections scheduled , party sources said. The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee said that Hrangchal may contest from Chalfilh seat and is likely to be pitted against Lalrinliana Sailo. ALSO READ: Hyundai Santro to make comeback later on October in India Sailo left the Congress and joined the Mizo National Front (MNF) recently. Chalfilh seat is at present represented by Dr H Ngurdingliana of the Congress. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party is planning to go it alone in the state elections, according to party sources. New Delhi: An explosion occurred at Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, killing nine people and injuring 14 other workers. A rescue team has been rushed to the spot and the injured taken to a local hospital, police said. #UPDATE: Death toll rises to 9 in a gas pipeline blast in Bhilai Steel Plant. #Chhattisgarh https://t.co/5pyWoiiFPR ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 Also Read | 10,000 people evacuated after powerful blasts hit Ukraine's Chernigov depot; airspace, roads put on lockdown The explosion took place around 10:30 am in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section, around 30 km away from the state capital, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh told PTI. Superintendent of Police of Durg district Sanjeev Shukla stated that at least nine people were killed in the incident. At least nine people were burnt to death while 14 others received injuries and most of them were said to be in a serious condition, Shukla said. In an unfortunate incident around 10.30 am, today at SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant, there was fire in a gas pipeline of the Coke Oven Battery Complex No 11 during a scheduled maintenance job, SAIL said in a statement. aaaaa aaaYaa aaaaaaY aaa aaa aaaaaaaa aaaaaaYaa aa aaaaaa aa aaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaa aa aaaaaaaaa aa aa aaaaaa aaaaaaa aa aaaaa aa aaaaaaa aa aaaaa aa aa aaaa aaa aaaa aa aaaaa aaaaaa aaaaa aaaaa aaaaa aa aa aaaaaa aa aaaaa aaaaaaaaa aaa aaaaa ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) October 9, 2018 Some persons working at the site sustained burn injury... So far, nine persons have lost their lives and 14 are undergoing medical treatment, it said. The steel plant, situated at Bhilai in Durg district, around 30 km away from the state capital Raipur, is operated by state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). SAIL collective stands by the families of the affected and will ensure that and no stone is left unturned in providing all kinds of support, the statement said. I have got the preliminary information about the blast in a coke oven at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), said Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh. Rescue operations are underway and relief mesaures are being sent, the minister said. I have asked for further detailed information from the authorities. Rescue and relief measures are underway, he said. Earlier in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated the expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to India with state-of-art-facilities. On June 12, 2014, a gas leak in Bhilai Steel Plant, Chhattisgarh, killed six people which included two senior officials. Over 50 people were critically affected by the gas leak. A fault in the water pump house had caused the poisonous gas of carbon monoxide to leak and infiltrate the plant. Two deputy general managers were among the dead. The leak had started at around 6:10 pm. Set up with the help of the USSR in 1995, the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) is India's first and main manufacturer of steel rails. Other than that, it is also a major producer of wide steel plates and other steel products. The plant also markets chemical by-products from its coal chemical plant, and coke ovens. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The BSE Sensex erased all its early gains to end lower by 175 points in see-saw trade on Tuesday, posting its fourth fall in five sessions due to widespread selling in auto, consumer, realty, oil and gas and banking stocks amid worries over weakening rupee and boiling crude oil prices. Market sentiments were further dampened on unabated foreign fund outflows and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgrading outlook for world economy to 3.7 growth on Tuesday. The Indian currency collapsed to a new lifetime low of 74.27 in intra-day trade, raising concerns on the macroeconomic front. A mixed trend at other Asian markets and a lower opening in the euro zone too triggered selling on the domestic bourses here. Also Read | Google+ social network to be shut down after bug exposed data of lakhs The 30-share Sensex opened higher at 34,651.82 points but slipped into the negative zone to hit a low of 34,233.50 before concluding at 34,299.47, recording a fall of 174.91 points, or 0.51 per cent. Similarly, the NSE Nifty after shuttling between 10,397.60 and 10,279.35 points, ended 47 points, or 0.45 per cent, lower at 10,301.05. Selling was more pronounced in consumer durables, auto, oil and gas, FMCG, realty, PSU and banking stocks that dragged the indices into the negative zone. Among Sensex constituents, Tata Motors was the worst hit, plunging 13.40 per cent to end at multi-year low of Rs 184.25, after the company-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported 12.3 per cent decline in global sales in September. Other laggards include Asian Paints falling 3.95 per cent, Maruti Suzuki 3.07 per cent, HUL 2.73 per cent, Bharti Airtel 2.29 per cent, Bajaj Auto 1.85 per cent, ITC 1.81 per cent, RIL 1.58 per cent, ICICI Bank 1.50 per cent, M&M 1.36 per cent, SBI 1.26 per cent, NTPC 1.22 per cent, Axis Bank 0.67 per cent and HDFC Bank 0.17 per cent. In contrast, Adani Ports emerged as the top gainer by rising 4.52 per cent, followed by HDFC falling 2.59 per cent. Read More | Youth Olympics: Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga creates history, bags India's first gold medal Vedanta, Tata Steel, Coal india, Yes Bank, Sun Pharma, Wipro, TCS, L&T, Infosys, IndusInd Bank and Kotak Bank too showed strength, gaining up to 2.44 per cent. Shares of oil marketing companies such as HPCL, BPCL and IOC were down up to 4.20 per cent as global crude oil prices again rose on reports of decline in crude export from Iran. Sectorally, the BSE consumer durables index emerged worst performer by falling 3.91 per cent, followed by auto at 2.62 per cent, oil and gas 1.92 per cent, FMCG 1.68 per cent, PSU 1.19 per cent, realty 1.06 per cent, power 0.62 per cent, bankex 0.47 per cent, infrastructure 0.41 per cent, capital goods 0.25 per cent. However, metal, healthcare, teck and IT indices managed to close in the positive zone by rising up to 1.01 per cent. Elsewhere in rest of Asia, Japans NIkkei fell 1.32 per cent, Straight Time shed 0.49 per cent, while Shanghai rose 0.17 per cent. In the euro zone, FTSE, CAC and DAX were little changed in their late morning deals. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Nagpur: Nishant Agrawal, the suspected ISI agent reportedly working at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in Nagpur for the past four years, was produced before the Nagpur Sessions Court on Tuesday morning. The court has granted three days transit remand of Agrawal to the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror squad. Nishant Agrawal was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror squad on charges of spying and for allegedly leaking technical secrets to Pakistan. He has been reportedly working at the BrahMos Aerospace unit for the last four years. Maharashtra: Brahmos engineer Nishant Agrawal being brought out of Nagpur Sessions Court. The Court has granted his three days transit remand to Uttar Pradesh ATS. He was arrested yesterday on charges of spying. pic.twitter.com/Vwma9PdjPQ ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 Agrawal was living in a rented accommodation on Wardha Road since the past year, his landlord Manohar Kale said. The police team arrived at the building at 5.30 am and was there till 5 pm, he said. Read More | Not so sanskaari? Alok Nath accused of rape by director Vinta Nanda Agrawal hails from Roorkee and got married two months ago, he said. He was staying with his wife here and had given his Aadhaar card copy and a certificate from his employer to me while moving in, he said. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Military Industrial Consortium (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. The company was set up through an inter-governmental agreement signed on February 12, 1998, between India and Russia. The name BrahMos represents the fury of Brahmaputra and the grace of Moskva rivers. Also Read | Sabarimala Temple verdict: Supreme Court declines urgent hearing on plea seeking review The Defence Research and Development Organisation facility from where he was arrested makes propellents, or fuel, for the BrahMos missile. The BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic missile that can be fired from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. The fact that it is the fastest cruise missile in the world makes the arrest even more critical. Last month, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested a BSF jawan from Noida on the charge of sharing vital information with Pakistan ISI agents. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants from Gujarat after attacks on them in several parts of the state turned into a political slugfest among the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as the violence continued unabated on Tuesday. As the attacks on Hindi-speaking factory workers continued, more and more have fled the state by taking trains and buses. In an effort to control the tense situation, police strengthened security in and around the industrial estates and places where migrant workers reside. Over 25,000 migrants work in factories and industrial estate in Vadodara alone. Also Read | Rishi Kapoor looks weak and frail after his medical treatment in this picture with Sonali Bendre and Priyanka Chopra So far, 533 people have been arrested and 61 cases registered, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said. Also, seven cases were filed separately under the IT Act and 20 people arrested for spreading hate messages on social media, the minister said Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. He claimed that people who had decided earlier to leave the state continue to board buses and trains. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on October 6 announced the dates for the Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram Assembly polls. Political parties have fastened their seat belts and tightened their grips and with it Indias most trusted channel News Nation and News State have conducted a survey to know how the people feel ahead of the elections. A lot of questions were asked with various answers and opinions forming up due to the ground survey which News Nation and News States reporters conducted. To know the complete results, switch on to News Nation at 8:00 pm while News State MP/Chhattisgarh will telecast the survey results at 9:00 pm. According to the opinion polls conducted by ABP, Times Now (ChromeDM) and Times Now (WARROOM), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who are in power at Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, might lose out on these three states, even if they win, their vote count might slip massively. ALSO READ: Former Mizoram IGP LT Hrangchal joins Congress, may contest elections It is to be noted, that the News Nation and News State survey was done by the reporters and the results are not provided by any agencies. Madhya Pradesh: As per the survey by ABP News, the Bharatiya Janata party might face a major shock with the ruling party BJP only getting 108 seats with the Congress bagging 122 seats. If this happens, then we will witness a major shake-up in the 15-year BJP-ruled state with Congress making a grand comeback. While Times Now (WARROOM) survey says that the Congress will get only 77 seats with BJP winning with a huge majority by bagging 142 seats. The remaining 11 seats will go to other parties. Whereas as per Times Now (ChromeDM) survey, the Congress will bag 103 seats and the BJP clinching 108 seats in Madhya Pradesh. The remaining 19 seats will go to other parties. ALSO READ: Hyundai Santro to make comeback later on October in India Chhattisgarh: According to a survey by ABP News, BJPs vote percentage in Chhattisgarh will reduce. The Rahul Gandhi-led Congress could win a total of 47 seats, while BJP will win 40 seats, as per the ABP News Survey. Whereas, according to the survey by Times Now (WARROOM), the BJP could bag the majority by winning 47 seats, while Congress might bag 33 seats, while the other 10 seats could go to other parties. Rajasthan: As per the survey by ABP News, Congress could bag 142 out of 200 seats in the upcoming assembly elections, while BJP might win 56 seats, while other parties might bag two seats. And as per the Times Now (WARROOM) survey, Congress will win 115 seats in the state while BJP gets 75 seats. The remaining seats will go to other parties. Whereas, as per Times Now (ChromeDM) survey, the Congress will bag 102 seats in the state, while the BJP will win 89 seats, with 9 remaining seats going to other parties. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: As many as 163 Delhiites featured in the Barclays Hurun India Rich List 2018 and their cumulative wealth stood at a whopping Rs 6,78,400 crore, a report said on Tuesday. The Barclays Hurun India Rich List, which is a compilation of the richest individuals in India having a net worth of Rs 1,000 crore or more, noted that in terms of cities, Mumbai emerged as the hub of the rich and famous - with 233 names hailing from the city; while New Delhi and Bengaluru accounted for 163 and 69 names, respectively. Also Read | Explosion in Bhilai Steel Plant; 9 killed, 14 injured, rescue operation underway The Delhi list was topped by HCLs Shiv Nadar with a total net worth of Rs 37,400; closely followed by Eicher Motors Vikram Lal with Rs 37,100 crore and Roshni Nadar at the 3rd place with a total wealth of Rs 31,400 crore. Bharati Airtels Sunil Mittal and family was placed at the 4th place with total wealth of Rs 22,500 crore, while Rajiv Singh of DLF broke into the top 10 in the latest edition with a net worth of Rs 21,000 crore and was at the 5th place. Others in the top 10 include, Kiran Nadar at the 6th position with a net worth of Rs 20,900 crore, Anand Burman (7th, Rs 19,500 crore), Rajan Bharti Mittal & family (8th, Rs 13,900 crore), Rakesh Bharti Mittal & family (9th, Rs 13,900 crore) and Rahul Bhatia (10th, Rs 12,800 crore). While the top 10 list had only 2 women; there were as many as 29 women among the 163 Delhiites who made it to the list. Read More | Alok Nath rubbishes rape allegations: Rape must have happened but someone else would have done it; VIDEO inside An industry-wise analysis shows that Auto and auto component sector contributed 21 names to the rich list, followed by Capital Goods (11 names), Pharmaceuticals and FMCG sectors (10 names each). However, in terms of share of cumulative wealth represented by each sector Software & services topped the ranking followed by Auto & auto components, FMCG and Telecommunications sectors at the second, third and fourth position, respectively. The list was compiled on the basis of net worth of living Indians as on 31st July, 2018 when the rate of exchange to the US Dollar stood at Rs 68.51. It relates to Indians only, defined as born or brought up in India. Meanwhile, the overall list had 831 super rich individuals, led by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani with a networth of Rs 3.71 trillion. There were 831 Indians having a networth of Rs 1,000 crore or more in 2018, which is 214 individuals more than the 2017 list. New York: Google is expected to introduce two new smartphones on Tuesday, part of its continuing push to embed its digital services and Android software more deeply into peoples lives. The new Pixel-branded phones will anchor a product event on Tuesday in New York. Google launched its line of high-end phones two years ago to better compete against Apple, Samsung and other device makers. That includes many that rely on free software and apps such as the free Android operating system, which powers most of the worlds mobile devices, as well as Googles search engine, Google Maps and YouTube. Google is also likely to roll out several other gadgets, including a new version of its smart Home speaker, a rumored tablet with a detachable keyboard and an update to its Chromecast streaming device, based on media leaks. Also Read | Bigg Boss 12: Surbhi Rana pulls Srishty Rode's hair to win a task, watch video The latest Pixel phones are likely to attract the most attention, even though the first two generations have so far barely made a dent in the market. Google has sold an estimated 7 million Pixels over the past two years, almost imperceptible next to the 3.6 billion phones shipped during that time, according to the research firm International Data Corp. Google doesnt disclose its phone shipments, unlike Apple, which has sold about 388 million iPhones since the first Pixel came out in October 2016. If you have a Google tattoo on you, then these are the phones for you, IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said of the Pixels limited appeal so far. Google has been somewhat restrained in its distribution and marketing the Pixel phone, Llamas said, because it doesnt want to alienate Samsung and hundreds of other device makers who feature Android in their own phones. Because Android highlights Google services, its key to Googles business of selling ads through its search engine and other mobile apps. Read More | Youth Olympics: Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga creates history, bags India's first gold medal The iPhone also features Googles search engine, but Google may be paying Apple as much as $9 billion annually for that privilege, based on the estimates of Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall. Although it has plenty of other partners, Google still feels compelled to release its own phones. That partly because Google uses the Pixel phones to demonstrate the best way to use Android and also wants to ensure the software has a place on devices designed for wealthy consumers a segment of the market that Apple dominates. The new Pixel phones are expected to follow the trend of expanding the phone screen nearly to the edges of the device. Apple, for instance, just released its biggest iPhone yet, the XS Max, which sells for as much as $1,450. Google hasnt yet discussed prices for its Pixel phones. Analysts are also expecting Google to add higher resolution and more cameras to the Pixel, whose first two generations attracted rave reviews for its high-quality pictures. BRIDGEWATER Bud and Maureen Wright moved to Bridgewater in 1972, looking for some open land for their horses. Shortly after, Bud Wright became one of the original members of the Bridgewater Land Trust, so that they could work to preserve these open spaces. He made another step in his conservation goal with the recent sale of the development rights of Comanche Hill Farm to the state Department of Agriculture ensuring the 34 acres can never be developed. It was always a dream of both of us to protect farming because we hated the idea of developers coming in and plopping houses in the middle of beautiful land, Wright said. In our own small way, we were able to protect 85 acres in Bridgewater. Were pretty proud of that. The 34 acres, the vast majority of which is considered prime or important farmland, is protected through the Farmland Preservation Program, which keeps the land for agricultural uses. Though the state has the development rights, the owner still owns the land and continues to pay local property taxes. More than 45,000 acres at hundreds of farms have been protected under the state program. The long-term goal is to protect 130,000 acres. The Bridgewater sale, which gave Wright $13,000 per acre, is the first application Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust has filed with the Farmland Preservation Program. The Wrights came to Weantinoge in 2015 when they learned the trust was beginning to get northwestern farmers in the program. The deal closed this summer. Seven other farms have been enrolled in the program in the past two years in several Litchfield County towns, including New Milford. Protecting farmland has become an increasing important part of what we do, said Catherine Rawson, Weantinoges executive director. Aside from this program, the trust has preserved 29 working farms and 3,000 acres of agriculture soil in its 52-year history. The trust began partnering with the DOA a few years ago to protect land after requests from young farmers for suggestions of places to start farming and lifetime farmers who wanted more access to farmland, Rawson said. About 15 percent of the states farmland was lost between 1985 and 2010, with development as the biggest threat. Paul Elconin, Weantinoges director of land conservation, said Litchfield County is underrepresented in the Farmland Preservation Program, accounting for about 25 to 30 percent of the acreage. He said a lot of the protections are in the eastern part of the state where there are more active farms and cheaper land. This farm is part of Bud and Maureens outstanding legacy of land protection and looking out for Bridgewater, Elconin said. Wright bought the property from Emma Randall in 1990 for $400,000. Hes been growing hay on it ever since. We promised her we would never develop it, Wright said. DOA Commissioner Steven Reviczky said the program is important for the states future and quality of life. He added that the department only has three employees who work on the program statewide and so these partnerships with municipalities and land trusts are needed. We cant do the work alone, he said. Being able to partner with Weantinoge is important to protect these irreplaceable farms across Connecticut. He added that the farmers deciding to protect their land are also essential because, though they are compensated, they could make more money from some of the developers offers. Wright said he encourages other farmers and landowners to protect their properties. He said Weantinoge made enrolling in the program easy and the state paid him a lot of money to protect it, while still leaving the land in his ownership. He said he knows others interested in protecting their land but who are hesitant to sell the development rights to the state because of the taxes on that amount. He urged state legislators to create a law that would prevent that money from being taxed and encourage more people to preserve their land. I think that would be the next step forward to preserve land, Wright said. Theyre running out of farmland in Connecticut. You cant move fast enough. kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345 WALLINGFORD Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will participate in live events with audiences across North America, and one of the stops on the tour will be the Toyota Oakdale Theatre. The Clintons announced their tour Monday. It will include a visit to four cities in 2018 and nine in 2019. They are scheduled to make the Connecticut stop April 26. Tickets for the event go on sale Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. through a Live Nation pre-sale. For the general public, tickets will be available Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. Tickets range from $75-$750. Hong Kong's rare rejection of a British journalist's visa was about far more than the fringe political ideology he was accused of promoting. The move has been viewed as the latest escalation in a methodical campaign to tame dissent in the former British colony. The push, which took shape after the Occupy Central movement locked down swaths of the city four years ago, has seen the Beijing-backed government expand the zone of national security threats to include pro-independence activists and journalists who give them a platform. The ultimate goal, say China's supporters and critics, is passage of long-dormant legislation giving Hong Kong expansive powers to limit speech, protest and the activities of foreign groups. Calls to enact the legislation -- known as Article 23 for the section of local law requiring its passage -- have reached their loudest level since 2003, when half a million protesters persuaded the government to abandon its last attempt. The day after the Foreign Correspondents' Club hosted a pro-independence activist's speech in August, China's top minister overseeing the city, Zhang Xiaoming, blamed "Hong Kong's inadequacies in protecting national security." Since then, the government has approved an unprecedented ban against activist Andy Chan's Hong Kong National Party. The city also took the unusual step of denying a work visa renewal to Financial Times journalist Victor Mallet, who presided over Chan's talk as the FCC's acting president. On Tuesday, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam dismissed as "pure speculation" efforts to link the visa decision to Chan's address. The incidents have fanned concern that Chinese President Xi Jinping -- emboldened by economic might and political turmoil in the West -- is less committed to Hong Kong's colonial-era guarantees of free speech, independent courts and capitalist markets. They come amid international criticism over Xi's efforts to consolidate power on the mainland, including jailing rights lawyers, holding tens of thousands of ethnic Uighurs in "re-education camps" and expanding online censorship. The U.S. and U.K. governments, as well as organizations representing almost 1,400 multinational companies with regional headquarters in Hong Kong, have demanded an explanation for Mallet's visa denial. Among their concerns: China's efforts to reduce a threat to national stability could jeopardize the city's status as a commercial hub. "These incidents cannot be brushed off as individual, isolated events every time they happen," the American Chamber of Commerce, the largest international business chamber in Hong Kong, said in a statement Monday. "Any efforts to curtail press freedom in Hong Kong could damage Hong Kong's competitiveness as a leading financial and trading center." The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs's local office hit back at such criticism, saying in a statement Saturday that Beijing "firmly supports" the Hong Kong's government's handling of visa issues. "No foreign country has any right to interfere," it said. The controversy has put more pressure on Lam, who delivers her annual policy address Wednesday, to rein in political dissent that has endured under China's handover agreement with the U.K. While Lam has repeatedly said -- including in a Bloomberg interview before talking office last year -- that she wants to rebuild public trust before advancing divisive legislation such as Article 23, she has faced calls for tougher action. During a visit last year to mark 20 years of Chinese rule and swear Lam into office, Xi warned that challenges to Beijing's authority wouldn't be tolerated. Lam's predecessor and former boss, Leung Chun-ying, has reemerged in recent weeks to call for revocation of the FCC's government lease over Chan's speech, comparing it to promoting "racism, antisemitism or Nazism." "There is a growing degree of pressure from the radical left on Article 23 and we are starting to wonder if Carrie can really hold on to her position on this matter," said Alvin Yeung, leader of the opposition Civic Party. "No one has a crystal ball, but subject to what we have seen, those freedoms are under challenge." China has demonstrated a willingness to use existing powers to crack down on its opponents in Hong Kong, even without passing Article 23. In recent years, tycoons and booksellers who published works critical of the Communist Party have disappeared from Hong Kong's streets only to show up in police custody on the mainland -- an apparent violation of restrictions on national law enforcement operating locally. After pro-independence activists were involved in a 2016 riot that left scores of police officers injured, the government seized on the public backlash. Officials such as China's local legal chief Wang Zhenmin argued that publicly advocating pro-independence views would be a violation of Hong Kong's Basic Law, which describes the city as an "unalienable" part of China. After the government used similar arguments to ban some radical candidates from seeking seats in the city's Legislative Council in 2016, Leung led a legal fight to oust those who were elected to the body. China's national parliament, the National People's Congress, exercised a rarely used power to interpret the city's law, paving the way for courts to remove two would-be lawmakers who had insulted the country during their oaths of office. Chan's party? It was banned using a colonial-era law that requires all social groups and organizations to register with the police. To many in Hong Kong, the government's message was clear: Pass national security legislation, or we'll use the tools we have. "When there were the first attempts to legislate Article 23, we didn't see any groups coming out to openly advocate for Hong Kong independence," said Holden Chow, vice chairman of the largest pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. "Now, we really see the existence of these sorts of organizations, so I would say we have an imminent threat and the need to protect our national security." --With assistance from Bloomberg's Fion Li. President Donald Trump's more than 5,000 lies are well documented. He and his party boldly attempt to refashion the reality staring us in the face, daring us to object. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says GOP senators were "literally under assault" during the Supreme Court fight. If so, it's the crime of the century pulled off in broad daylight. They were not assaulted; Christine Blasey Ford was assaulted. Republicans claimed the women sharing their stories and protesting were paid operatives. (If this reminds you of attempts during the civil rights era to cast ordinary protesters as outside provocateurs, you are in good company.) Women survivors are "a mob," and Ford's testimony, once called "credible" by Trump, becomes a "hoax." Women exercising their constitutional rights become criminals, victims become pawns of a left-wing conspiracy and accurate accounts of both become "fake news." This is the all-too familiar tactics of authoritarians who do not tolerate dissent and refuse to acknowledge reality. They weaponize language to repress opposition in an attempt to avoid accountability for their actions and to delegitimize opponents. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., put on a tutorial on how to respond to such efforts when her Republican opponent, Rep. Kevin Cramer, infamous for incendiary language (including his assertion that the alleged attack on Ford didn't count because there was no actual rape), insisted that the #MeToo movement is about "victimization." It's the opposite of course; it's encouraging real victims to step forward and hold their abusers/attackers accountable. Heitkamp let him have it, as The New York Times reported: "The better part of my career in public life has been working with victims," said Ms. Heitkamp, a former state attorney general. 'Did you ask him how many victims during this process he actually sat down with, and survivors he sat down with, and visited with personally?' "Then Ms. Heitkamp's voice grew thick with emotion. " 'I think it's wonderful that his wife has never had an experience, and good for her, and it's wonderful his mom hasn't,' she said. 'My mom did. And I think it affected my mom her whole life. And it didn't make her less strong.' "With tears welling in her eyes, Ms. Heitkamp stared intently at a reporter and continued: 'And I want you to put this in there, it did not make my mom less strong that she was a victim. She got stronger and she made us strong. And to suggest that this movement doesn't make women strong and stronger is really unfortunate.' " Republicans like to play the victim these days as part of their pandering to white, non-college-educated men who feel something is being taken from them. In doing so, Republicans find it useful to insult women, ignore and demean real victims, and lie. In other words, they do what the president does day in and day out. The solution is to catch them at it, call them out, correct the record and reestablish the dignity and credibility of actual victims. Who knows if it will work in North Dakota for Heitkamp, but holding Republicans to account for their language and their cruelty is essential not only as a political matter, but as a defense of our democracy and humanity. Cass Sunstein commented on the Republican "triumphalism" and mocking of victims in the wake of the Kavanaugh confirmation: "Many Republicans are joyfully celebrating the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Senator John Cornyn tweeted a photograph of what was apparently Champagne, with the words, 'Not quite #Beers4Brett but #Bubbly4Brett instead.' "Senator Mitch McConnell says that he wants to "thank" Kavanaugh's opponents - whom he called "the mob" - because 'they've done the one thing we were having trouble doing, which was energizing our base.' The White House called out "obstructionist Democrats," who would be held "accountable for their reckless behavior in November." . . . "One reason not to kick people when they're down is obvious: Eventually they are going to get up, and if they've been kicked, they're more likely to strike back. "Here's an even better reason for restraint: empathy." But, of course, the presdient and his Republican Party have banished empathy. It's one of the defining features of the Party of Trump. They are betting enough of their followers - as they did when he mocked Ford at a rally in Mississippi - will love it. Democrats will need to learn to deal with the party that has elevated bullying and cruelty to high art. They could do a lot worse than to follow Heitkamp's lead. The ultimate solution is to take away the bullies' power, to vote them out en masse. EAST SYRACUSE, NY -- Should recreational marijuana use be legal for adults in New York state? A "listening" session to gather public input on the issue takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 6301 Route 298, just off Carrier Circle. The session is in the hotel's Niagara/Seaway Room. Speakers are encourgaed to pre-register. Gov. Andrew Cuomo set up the sessions in the wake of a study he commissioned in January that found "the positive impacts of a regulated marijuana market in New York State outweigh the potential negative impacts." The study, led by the state Department of Health, found that any concerns or issues with legal marijuana could "be mitigated with regulation and proper use of public education that is tailored to address key populations," according to the governor's office. As the next step, Cuomo established a Regulated Marijuana Workgroup to provide advice on how to write laws and regulate marijuana use. At the listening sessions, the workgroup is expected to hear from the public on topics such as protecting public health, providing consumer protection, ensuring public safety, addressing social justice issues and earning and investing tax revenues. Seventeen listening sessions have been set up around the state. Upcoming sessions include: -- Wednesday, October 10 - Utica -- Thursday, October 11 - Watertown -- Tuesday, October 16 - Long Island (Suffolk County) -- Wednesday, October 17 - Westchester County New York state already has a legal medical marijuana program, one of 29 states to do so. Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. In the age of the internet, public downfalls from scandalous behavior happen all the time. But the public's appetite for scandal is nothing new. In the autumn of 1928, a Watertown hospital orderly, John R. Smith, 28, was a frequent subject in many Upstate New York newspapers, after his four marriages, all at the same time, were discovered. Watertown's "most married man," John Smith, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years of hard labor after it was discovered he was married to four different women. And he was suffering from tuberculosis. Charged with bigamy and suffering from a painful illness, Smith's story was often front-page news and he received little sympathy from reporters. It was, the Syracuse Herald reported, "women and newspapers - and particularly women" which led to Smith's fall. Other papers nicknamed him the "marrying orderly" or "Watertown's most married man." His background was not clear. His age varied depending on who you talked to and he was said to have come to Upstate New York from Ohio, or maybe it was Ontario. He was known in Jefferson County for being a "fast talker." He arrived in Watertown a few years before and worked as an orderly at the House of the Good Samaritan hospital. His troubles began in September 1928 when he married Miss Helen Clark, a Watertown graduate nurse, he met at work. Possibly knowing something was not quite right about Smith, her father tried to stop the wedding, but it went ahead. "It was a beautiful wedding," the Herald said, "and it was duly chronicled in the newspapers. Smith did not object to the publicity - at the time." On Sept. 19, he left a note to his new bride telling her he was going to visit Utica on business. Unfortunately for Smith, news of his wedding had beat him there. His wife of three years, Ida Hemstreet Smith, lived there and saw the wedding announcement. She told Utica police, who were waiting for Smith when he arrived in the city and arrested him on charges of bigamy. But "this misfortune did not come alone." At that exact moment Smith came down with a case of mastoiditis, a painful infection inside the ear. He was sent to Watertown's Mercy Hospital under police guard. The guard outside his room could not however protect him from wife number three, Mrs. Grace Ball Smith, of Hammond in St. Lawrence County. She had missed the wedding announcement because her specialty was "police news." Reading of the arrest of her husband of five years, she packed up her two children by him and confronted Smith in his hospital room. On her way out, she insisted that the guard add charges of abandonment. (Smith "buried his head in his pillows" and refused to look at her, according to reports.) Holding his head from the pain in his ear, Smith gave an exclusive interview with the Watertown Daily Times on Sept. 24. "My head is hurting me so," he said. "I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown." Why did he marry three women? "I can't even tell you. I suppose I'll have to go over the road for it. I know I did wrong when I married the second woman, but I had no self-control. I couldn't resist the temptation. I have no judgment where women are concerned." He sobbed loudly and said he was lonely because nobody visited him. "I wouldn't care if I even had a minister come to see me." He angrily denied a Utica report which said he may have had 12 wives: "Just the three wives, that's all." He did not have 12, but he did a have a fourth. On Oct. 6, the Syracuse Herald reported, on its front page, alongside news from the World Series and preparations for the transatlantic flight of the Graf Zeppelin, that Mrs. Violet York Smith, of Lowville, had come forward. Again, the Herald tied newspapers to the discovery. She had been too busy to keep up with the news but a "lull in affairs of men caused by the fall season made it possible for her to return to one of her favorite winter recreations (reading newspapers). Therefore, she read the account of the arrival of wife No. 3. Therefore, also, she arrived to be wife No. 4." "Women are my weakness," was all he could say. His mastoiditis had improved but he was now suffering from a severe case of tuberculosis, which kept him bed-ridden in the hospital. He did not contest the charges, hoping his weakened condition would earn him leniency. (Smith often needed to be carried up the courthouse steps during his sentencing.) It did not work, nor did a possible insanity defense. "Do you consider this man's penchant for marrying due to a form of insanity," the judge asked Dr. J. Monroe Smith. "No, your honor, he's just a rapid worker," the doctor answered. On Nov. 19, Smith was sentenced to two-and-a-half to five years of hard labor at Auburn Prison. One week later, Smith was discharged from Mercy Hospital and began heading towards Auburn. Smith, unaware of where he was going, "exhibited deep despondency" when told his destination. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle: Email | 315-427-3958. China will try to use lasers, microwave radar and a lot of computation to detect submarines down to 500-meter depth. Experiments carried out by the United States and former Soviet Union achieved maximum detection depths of less than 100 meters, according to openly available information. The detection depth has been extended in recent years by the US in research funded by Nasa and the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). A device developed by DARPA, for example, was mounted on a spy plane and achieved reliable results at a depth of 200 meters, detecting targets as small as sea mines. Light dims 1,000 times faster in water than in the air, and the sun can penetrate no more than 200 meters below the ocean surface, a powerful artificial laser beam can be 1 billion times brighter than the sun. Naval researchers have tried for more than half a century to develop a laser spotlight for hunting submarines using technology known as light detection and ranging (lidar). The satellite is designed to generate high-power laser beam pulses in different colors, or frequencies, that allow sensitive receivers to pick up more information from various depths. Those laser beams can scan an area as wide as 100km, or concentrate on one spot just 1km wide. It will be used in conjunction with a microwave radar, also mounted on the satellite, to better identify targets. Although the radar cannot penetrate water, it can measure the surface movement with extremely high accuracy so when a moving submarine creates small disturbances on the surface, for example, the radar will tell the satellite where to throw the laser beam. The team is working to combine every available sensing method to achieve the maximum possible depth of detection. In 2017, Chinese scientists claimed to have made a breakthrough in magnetic detection technology with a device that can monitor tiny disturbances in the Earths magnetic field caused by metallic objects such as submarines. Researchers are also working on sensors using cutting-edge quantum technology to chase the gravitational abnormality that a submarine creates in a large body of water. Powerful listening devices have also been planted in strategic seabeds near the American naval base in Guam and in the South China Sea, some of which can hear low-frequency sounds from more than 1,000km away. In Qingdao, researchers are working on an exascale supercomputer called Deep Blue Brain that, when completed in 2020, aims to be the most powerful computer in the world. The supercomputer will then use the masses of data along with artificial intelligence to recreate the worlds oceans, in unprecedented detail, in digital form. It will have a high-resolution virtual ocean. MILFORD-An account holder using drive-thru services at the Peoples United Bank on Broad Street Monday night was robbed at gunpoint. The gunman ordered the driver to withdraw a sum of money and give it to him. The holdup man then fled the area on foot. BRANFORD While the U.S.S. Chowder Pot III owners will continue to serve very their popular seafood dishes, they are also working behind the scenes on reducing their carbon footprint. The future of efficient is really smart buildings, its not as much about changing out equipment, like lights, its more about creating a smart building and managing it, explained Maria Fields, JouleSmart senior vice president, business development. With this in mind, Chowder Pot has teamed up with JouleSmart, of Oregon, to make the restaurant more energy efficient, while at the same time saving money for the small business. Former Executive Chef John Bencivengo, Jr., who has been with the restaurant since day one, recently purchased the business from Johnathan Smith, who opened the restaurant almost 40 years ago. I was lucky enough to be put in this situation 16 months ago, said Bencivengo, choking back tears. Mr. and Mrs. Smith sold me the place. They believed in me. Its going great. With a smart phone in the palm of his hand, Bencivengo can now control the temperature in the building and refrigeration/freezer system, control the inside and outside lights and be alerted if a door is left ajar after closing time. There are temperature and occupancy sensors and smart thermostats that connect to the HVAC units and then its this brain that really brings it all together and gathers data about weather, about the building, said Fields. All that is creating an operational efficiency. First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove explained that the town is also working on energy efficiency and applauds Bencivengo and his staff. You have the conservation end of it, first, when you talk about energy efficiency, said Cosgrove. These types of measures are not only conserving energy, but at the same time he is investing in his infrastructure, investing in his building. Chowder Pot owners expect to save between 10-50 percent on their energy costs. In addition to working with JouleSmart, Bencivengo has begun to institute other restaurant practices to make his business more environmentally friendly including paper straws and takeout containers. Its amazing. Theres not going to be any waste, said Bencivengo. The lights outside, I can turn them off, I can turn them on. Its just really, really more efficient. While Bencivengo will save money, that really is secondary to what he is doing for the environment with his changes. Its more about going green, he said. Going green, its big, its big now. Its a new trend, its big now. We changed all our cleaning supplies. No more bleach, no more ammonia, all non-toxic, children safe, he said. Cosgrove applauded the Chowder Pot is their effort to reduce their carbon footprint. This is great, he said. As we all know, Chowder Pots been a landmark in Branford for a number of years. Its not only a landmark for Branford residents, but also a destination for people across the state. We often focus just on the renewable energy component of it, but theres a lot that we can be doing and I think the Chowder Pot is showing that theres stuff that we can be doing to address the energy efficiency through other measures, he said. So, its all about utilizing our resources efficiently in terms of not only our natural resources, as a society, but our tax dollars, Cosgrove added, and I think this is great to see the Chowder Pot being one of the businesses on the forefront of this technology in the state. NEW HAVEN Teachers in the city know they work hard, but union leadership may take for granted whether the public knows about these struggles, according to Cameo Thorne, who announced Monday she is running for president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers. Thorne, a former teacher at High School in the Community and one-time Teacher of the Year for New Haven, currently oversees implementation of restorative practices in city schools. Restorative practices are seen as an alternative approach to discipline, where instead of focusing on punishing perpetrators, emphasis is placed on restoring the harm caused to any victims or the community. This work is still super important to me, Thorne said Tuesday. She said if elected, she hopes someone else will continue to carry out implementation of restorative practices in the citys schools. She said she intends to run for president of the union because she believes the current leadership is not communicating as well as it should. Dave Cicarella, the current president, has not done enough to get the public behind teachers, she said. Cicarella disputed that assessment Tuesday, saying accountability is where I think I get my highest marks. Everybody has my cell number. I take calls on weekends, before school and after school, he said. Most people dont call their union steward; they call me directly. Thorne said she wants to run a campaign solely based on issues without disparaging Cicarella, but she was disappointed with leadership decisions he had made not to commission a study on the work hours and productivity of teachers. Ultimately, she said she appealed to central office staff who gave her permission to run the study and she received 531 responses. (Teachers) are losing the ability to take care of themselves and their families, they reported by and large, she said. I took it to everybody: (COO) Will Clark, then (former Superintendent of Schools) Garth (Harries), then (former interim Superintendent of Schools) Dr. (Reginald) Mayo, then to the talent office when they were talking about teacher retention. And nothing happened. Cicarella said he believes it was Thorne who didnt communicate well about that survey, claiming she mentioned it to him but didnt follow up until later. She did do a survey, but thats her job, he said. Thorne said she believes the rank and file of every union in New Haven is more engaged than that of its teachers. Theres not really any proactive planning, she said. Whats good for teachers is good for students and whats good for students is good for teachers. Although Thorne said she believed a recent wave of layoffs was predictable, she said union leadership has not communicated the extent of teacher shortages in the schools. Ive seen parents at board meetings really upset about the number of layoffs, but we did not replace teachers who retired and did not replace teachers who left the district, she said. Cicarella has said in public that he is pleased with how the union negotiated the number of proposed layoffs down from 135 to an initial number of 37 later reduced to 24, a number that shrank a bit more in recent weeks as laid-off teachers were used to replace some vacancies but Thorne said teachers retiring and leaving the district are not being replaced, and estimates current vacancies exceed 135. Thorne also said she would want to see union leadership communicate with the public more directly. She said there are multiple things the public may not understand about education from an educators perspective, and cited an op-ed she submitted to the New Haven Independent over the summer about what she sees as a false tension between raising property taxes and hiring educators, as an example. Cicarella said he believes its a nice idea, but too much of his time is occupied by speaking with and following up with members. The reality is you have a job to do here and its a time consuming job, serving members with phone calls and emails, following up with folks whatever the issue might be, he said. Id love to sit around and write op-eds, but if Im doing that Im not taking care of the members. Cicarella in his fourth three-year term has run unopposed in the past two cycles. Thorne said she believes many teachers dont know its an election year for union leadership. Cicarella was mentioned in a February 2012 New York Times column for negotiating a contract tied to teacher evaluations, which columnist Nicholas Kristof called The New Haven Model. Cicarella subsequently was honored by the Obama White House for being a School Turnaround Champion of Change in August 2012. Thorne said she believes the union had a national platform at the time, and she believes the spotlight was not used as effectively as possible. Cicarella said his platform for 2018 is to get back to the school reform work the union was doing before a period of turmoil, with two controversial searches for a superintendent of schools between 2013 and 2017. A lot of the school reform initiatives, we need to revisit some of those, he said. Thorne, who was employed at High School in the Community when the union took over management of the school in 2012, lost her job as assistant building leader in 2015 during a turnaround effort, with Cicarella delivering the news, according to the New Haven Independent. Thorne subsequently was hired by Cicarella to oversee the final year of an American Federation of Teachers Innovation Fund grant to implement restorative practices in the schools that summer. Thorne continued doing that work for the Board of Education after the grant funding ended. Cicarella said he fought pressure to replace leadership at HSC until after the end of the three-year Commissioners Network program, a state-led turnaround program. I had to give them an opportunity. I did not change leadership and they stayed there for three full years, he said. After the Commissioners Network, we assessed everything and decided it was in the best interest of the school to make a leadership change, because we werent seeing the changes that were needed. At least one person has announced intent to run for union vice president, a position currently held by Tom Burns. Kirsten Hopes-McFadden, a teacher at Engineering and Science University Magnet School and a volunteer with the grassroots community group NHPS Advocates, which has challenged the school board on matters of transparency, said she expects to enter the race. I want to empower teachers and get ready for this fight, she said. Theyre talking about laying people off and more furlough days. The fight has already started. Votes in the election will be counted on Dec. 4. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com Stock photo NEW HAVEN New Haven resident Javon Moorning pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and crack cocaine. Moorning also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction, according to a press release from John H. Durham, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut. The conditions of supervised release stem from a 2011 case in which Moorning was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 8.33 years of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine, the press release said. In December 2014, the sentencing judge reduced Moornings sentence to seven years of imprisonment to give Moorning credit for time that he had served in state custody on related charges. NEW HAVEN The five friends had squeezed into a booth around their late lunch, catching up on what was going on at their schools and slurping on Twisted Freezes. The group has been to the Taco Bell Cantina at 956 Chapel St. only open since Friday several times already, and fell into full marketing mode to sing its praises. The manager is nice. They are all nice, said Gio Arroyo, 17, of Cooperative Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School, two blocks away. Fellow Coop classmate Andre Huckabee, 16, sat across from him. Usually Taco Bells are further out, so to have one downtown is great, Arroyo said. The food is great, Huckabee said. Jada Kelly, 17, a student at Gateway Community College, said her only complaint was when the machine that makes the frozen drinks went on the fritz. Kayla Cross, a senior at Wilbur Cross High School, was impressed by the physical layout. It is so nice and spacious, she said. I like the (charging) outlets, Jada Nelson said. Eveyones phone is usually dead. Its clean, Nelson added. There was no school on Monday because of the Columbus Day holiday. I just like the customer service. The food comes out quickly and they are very tech savvy for our generation, lots of TVs, Anthony Tullo, 17, said. The positive reviews are what Arturo Elescano, director of operations, wants to hear. This Taco Bell is unusual in that it serves alcohol to adults. Elescano said the physical layout makes it the second-largest Taco Bell in the country, behind one in Las Vegas; it is the first in New England to serve alcohol and about the 31st in the country. There is a beer menu and customers can add tequila, rum or vodka to a Twisted Freeze, which is a drink made with ice and syrup. The restaurant also offers a cantina margarita. The restaurant will open at 7 a.m. for breakfast starting Wednesday. From Sunday through Thursday it will be open until 2 a.m., but stop serving alcohol at 1 a.m. On Friday and Saturday it is open to 3 a.m., with no alcohol served after 2 a.m. Elescano said the location near Yale University, Gateway Community College and Coop is what made the space so attractive to the company. There are also a lot of walkers and the bus stop is right there, Elescano said. We wanted to bring some value to New Haven. Compared to everyone else, we are cheaper, he said. Elescano said he also manages the Taco Bells on Foxon Boulevard and on Amity Road in New Haven and one in Wallingford. He said they have hired almost 50 people for the New Haven Taco Bell. Most of them go to school, so we are very flexible, Elescano said. Two Yale University students also were at the fast-food restaurant Monday afternoon. It is nice that there is another late-night cheap-food option, Evan Mendez said. There are other places that are open until 3 a.m., but not in this area specifically. mary.oleary@hearst mediact.com; 203-641-2577 Two days before a limousine crashed in Schoharie, killing 20 people, Prestige Limo had apparently listed the vehicle for sale on Craigslist. Prestige Limo listed a modified 2001 Ford Excursion limousine for sale for $9,000. The contact number for the advertisement matches the number for several other companies owned by Shahed Hussain, the company's owner. The listing, which did not have a photo, described the vehicle as being in excellent condition with 180,000 miles and being "DOT ready." The company owned a single 2001 Ford Excursion, according to inspection records. State records indicate the vehicle had failed multiple inspections, something the company's attorney has disputed. The crash killed two bystanders and all 18 people in the limousine, including the driver. Most of the victims in the vehicle were from the Amsterdam area. The family of the driver of the limo, Scott Lisinicchia, released a statement Tuesday through their attorney, George Longworth, saying they were devastated by the tragedy and that they believe he would never have knowingly put others in harm's way. "The family believes that unbeknownst to him he was provided with a vehicle that was neither roadworthy nor safe for any of its occupants," the family said. They also asked for the public and media to reserve judgment until the state and federal investigations into the crash are complete. State Police opened a criminal investigation into the crash. It is unclear what charges the company's owners could face. State Police also released the identities of the 20 victims on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier in the day, several hearses carrying some of the victims' remains left Albany Medical Center and drove to Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Home in Amsterdam. The funeral home is expected to announce arrangements for at least some of the victims later Tuesday. WASHINGTON, D.C. The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood has received the Future of Feedback Award for success and innovation in serving the states youngest children and their families, according to a press release from the agencys publicist. The award was presented to Commissioner David Wilkinson for the OECs efforts at effective listening to the people it serves and the nonprofit providers who serve them. The recognition was awarded at the annual Feedback Summit here. The Office of Early Childhood is honored to be recognized for its efforts in communicating effectively with Connecticuts families and providers, and for finding strategies to meet their needs, said Commissioner Wilkinson. The parents we serve and the community providers we support are the best experts in what they need to succeed, but too often they dont have a seat at the table. OEC is trying a new approach to put parents and our hardworking providers at the center of our policymaking. ... An award like this is an encouraging validation of our efforts to listen to families and providers, and then do all we can to act on their advice. OEC was established in 2014 through a bipartisan effort of Gov. Dannel Malloy and the legislature. It oversees and funds Connecticuts early childhood programming - including child care, pre-K, early intervention for children with developmental delays, and family support services for at risk families - programs once located in five different state agencies. OEC is among the 10 largest state agencies. Its mission is to keep the states children safe, healthy, learning and thriving. Through its innovative feedback efforts, the agency is proving that engaging providers and parents in policymaking yields better results. OECs outreach to families - and frontline service providers - is creating conversations about what matters most, and what they can all do together," said Dennis Whittle, Co-Founder of Feedback Labs and GlobalGiving. The organizer of the summit, Feedback Labs is a global network of over 400 leading aid, philanthropy and governance organizations around the world. Feedback was conceived in 2013 and launched in connection with the Obama White House. Whittle also co-founded GlobalGiving, a leading marketplace connecting social, environmental and economic development projects to individual and corporate donors. Since its inception, GlobalGiving has facilitated $335 million in funding to over 20,000 projects in 170 countries. Nothing gets Americans more riled up than legislation they feel tramples on their rights as citizens. The right to privacy is one of those issues and some New Haveners are not happy about an alders push to have red light cameras installed throughout the city. The cameras would capture images of drivers and their vehicles when traffic law violations occur, such as driving through a red light. There have been previous attempts by lawmakers to get legislation on the table but the lobbying force against such a measure has been fierce. The trucking industry consider the lights a trap as truckers do not have the means to stop on a dime when the light turns red. The ACLU has raised concerns about privacy and previous reports have noted the Black and Hispanic Caucus was worried that minorities would be targeted. Republicans call previous endeavors to have the lights installed a money grab by the city. But Alder Abby Roth disagrees and so do we. This is a situation where it is the direct actions of people that are potentially forcing lawmakers hands. Not only are people blatantly disregarding traffic laws, hit-and-run accidents where victims are left lying helpless on the ground have occurred. Even children leaving school buses are not safe as motorists disregard the warning sign and speed past. To emphasize the need to have the cameras installed, Roth went to a notoriously busy city intersection and studied the traffic for three days. Her findings suggest action is needed. Roth said she counted 156 cars that blew through the red traffic light at the corner of South Frontage Road and York Street as drivers jockeyed to get on Interstates 91 and 95 or head downtown. Thats unacceptable, Roth said during a recent meeting with the East Rock Community Management Team. We dont like the idea of red light cameras but we agree that Roth has a point and something must be done. Too many innocent people are being killed while standing on a street corner. Waterbury resident Melissa Tancredi was killed in January 2017 when a car jumped the curb at that intersection, as was Mila Rainoff in 2008. Both women worked for Yale New Haven Hospital, whose vice president for communication joined Roth during her three-day traffic study and expressed ongoing concerns about road safety for the hospitals employees. Roth said she doesnt understand why some opponents feel this is a privacy issue as motorists are on a public road and in a public space where there is no expectation of privacy. Still, some lawmakers in states where red light cameras have gone up are questioning how effective they are and are considering legislation to ban them. Arizona state Rep. Travis Grantham told Fox News the system is ripe with corruption, citing a recent conviction by a vendor. He is concerned law enforcement contracts the camera programs out to third-party companies and those third-party companies have the ability to access cameras and data. And a report in Scientific America states red light cameras may not make streets safer. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety prepared a study for the state legislature in October 2017 that determined 140 communities in 23 states had red-light camera programs. New Haven indeed, all of Connecticut should be one of them. If done correctly, fears about privacy, minorities being targeted and the city out to make a buck will become moot. It is about safety. Red light cameras should get the green light but yellow should be the approach. JERSEY CITY -- The attorney for a Navy veteran who last week was acquitted of attempting to kill two police officers in West New York but convicted of other offenses called the verdict contradictory and said he will file a motion for a new trial. Emmanuel Hernandez, 28, was convicted of aggravated assault for firing a handgun at an officer and aggravated assault for running over a police officer's foot during the Feb. 5, 2017 incident, which led to a 12-hour standoff with authorities. He was also found guilty of eluding police, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a weapon in the incident, which began at a QuickChek in North Bergen and ended in the prolonged standoff at his 57th Street home. Defense attorney Peter Willis noted that Hernandez was found not guilty of possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The motion for a new trial will question how Hernandez could be found not guilty of that count and still be found guilty of using a gun to shoot at the officer and a car to run over another officer's foot. Willis said that if granted a new trial, Hernandez will not be exposed to the two attempted murder charges again because he was acquitted of those charges and facing those charges again would constitute double jeopardy. During the trial, defense and state experts both agreed that Hernandez suffered from the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. There was evidence presented that he was treated for PTSD for more than six years before the incident, including medication and therapy. The defense expert opined that Hernandez suffered a flashback when confronted by an officer with his gun trained at the on him at the start of incident. The psychiatrist testified that trauma Hernandez suffered during life and death confrontations, including his time in Iraq, propelled him into a dissociative state on the day of the standoff. But a state expert testified that Hernandez was in touch with reality at the time of the incident and knew what he was doing. At trial, the state played the recorded conversation of a 911 call Hernandez made during the incident and noted that it was clear based on Hernandez's words that he knew where he was, what he was doing, and that he was interacting with police -- not foreign soldiers. Willis had argued that his client could not be found guilty because Hernandez was insane at the at the time of the incident and had slipped into a dissociative state as a result of his PTSD. Willis said he expects to file the motion within a week and that arguments would be heard in about a month before the trial judge, Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mark Nelson. The state's final plea offer to Hernandez had been two 20-year consecutive prison terms. Given the verdict, Willis said Monday that his client could face two consecutive prison terms of five to 10 years. He said a successful retrial could result in no prison time. The jury found Hernandez not guilty of the attempted murder charges based on the evidence presented at trial and did not find Hernandez was insane at the time. The New York Red Bulls and Southern New Hampshire University teamed up on Friday to host a vocational day for individuals receiving assistance from the Covenant House of New Jersey and The Leaguers. More than 20 under served individuals participated in the educational program to continue working towards their career goals. Professional workshops hosted by Southern New Hampshire University and Red Bulls staff members took place throughout the afternoon focusing on subjects which included resume building, mock job interviews, multimedia and video education, LinkedIn training, sales/marketing workshops and more. The day concluded with on-site job interviews, and complimentary professional attire, courtesy of 501c3 non-profit organization That Suits You, was provided to those who participated in the program. "We're thrilled to host our third annual vocational day with the New York Red Bulls," said Steve Thiel, the senior director of strategic partnerships at Southern New Hampshire University, in a statement. "This program will give these individuals the tools they need to advance their careers, and will help transform the lives of so many in the Newark community." Several individuals who took part in the program in the first two years were eventually hired by the New York Red Bulls in various departments with the club. "As a proud SNHU alumnus, it's inspiring to see the commitment they have to assisting those in need within the community," General manager of the New York Red Bulls Marc de Grandpre said in a statement. "The foundation of our partnership is predicated on the shared values we both have for providing educational resources to support our neighbors." Southern New Hampshire University is the official education partner of the New York Red Bulls. Tyler Adams, Red Bulls midfielder currently with the United States Men's National Team, is taking courses with Southern New Hampshire University as he pursues a degree in psychology. JERSEY CITY-- The state is seeking the maximum jail sentence against the man accused of dumping his daughter's body in a suitcase in Jersey City earlier this year. Travis Plummer sat slouching with his hands behind his back as he waited for his arraignment Tuesday in Hudson County Superior Court where he appeared on one count of disturbing or concealing human remains, a second-degree offense. The body of his daughter, Te'Myah Layauna Plummer, was found in a pink suitcase along train tracks near Journal Square on April 11. Later that month, Plummer, 37, was arrested in Puerto Rico and extradited to New Jersey. The crime is punishable by five to 10 years in prison under New Jersey law. But the state will be filing a motion to extend Plummer's term and seek a larger sentence, Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Seborowski said. Plummer's prior criminal convictions allow the state to seek an extended term. In 2005, he was convicted of child abuse in Virginia when his 8-month-old son drowned in a bathtub after he was left unattended, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. The state did not offer Plummer a plea deal as of Tuesday's arraignment in Hudson County Superior Court. Plummer, represented by Andre Vitale- assistant deputy public defender- did not speak during his arraignment. His first status appearance in court is on Nov. 7. In July, The Jersey Journal reported that investigators believe Plummer had been hiding out at a friend's home in Jersey City since late October 2017, after he took the child from her mother, Teshauna Cooper, in Virginia. But investigators believe he "traveled to New Jersey with the decomposing body of Te'Myah wrapped in multiple bags in a suitcase" and left the suitcase in his friend's garage, Seborowski said in July. Jersey City police went to the home in March and while they were to Plummer's friend, "the defendant literally jumped out of the back of the residence," Seborowski said in court this summer. Authorities believe Plummer later returned, grabbed the suitcase containing his daughter's remains and dumped it near the train tracks under the Tonnelle Avenue bridge. The suitcase was found a month later. A pair of Hudson County communities received perfect scores in an annual examination of just how inclusive local laws, policies and services are for the LGBTQ populations in more than 500 municipalities across the country. Both Jersey City and Hoboken scored 100s in the Human Rights Campaign's annual Municipal Equality Index. Hoboken's perfect score was up eight points from the city's rating in 2017, while Jersey City recorded a perfect rating for the sixth year in a row. The report evaluates cities in five categories: non-discrimination laws, municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ equality. This year, the HRC rated 13 municipalities in New Jersey. Hoboken, Jersey City, and Asbury Park were the only New Jersey communities to receive scores of 100. In Hoboken, Mayor Ravi Bhalla has touted the recent introduction of a gender neutral bathroom ordinance and a non-discrimination executive order for contractors as steps in the right direction. In August, Hudson Pride Center honored Bhalla with the Evolution Award for adopting policies that keep pace with society's evolving understanding of gender and sexuality. "I'm proud see Hoboken recognized as a welcoming and inclusive city for the LGBTQ+ community," Bhalla said in a statement. "While the work we've done this year is important, a score of 100 is not the end goal. I will continue to advance policies designed to correct centuries of institutional disenfranchisement." First Ward Councilman Michael DeFusco, who is gay, applauded the work the city has done to become more inclusive. "I'm thankful that with the efforts of former Mayor Zimmer, Mayor Bhalla and the City Council we have achieved this new rating," DeFusco said in a statement. "Hoboken has always been a progressive community that leads on issues of equality and social justice and it's very satisfying to see our local government's shortcomings in this area be addressed." Meanwhile, the honor is nothing new for Jersey City, which has recorded a perfect score in the report every year since Mayor Steve Fulop was elected in 2013. "From being the first in the state to provide healthcare coverage for transgender public employees, to implementing LGBT sensitivity training for new police officers, as the city's diversity grows, this administration continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership representing all Jersey City residents," Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said in a statement. Founded in 1980, the Human Rights Campaign is the largest LGBTQ civil rights and advocacy organization in the country with more than 3 million members and supporters. The Lebanon Borough School PTA will host a Basket Auction on Friday, Oct. 19. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. The first drawing will be at 7:30 p.m. and the event ends at 9:30 p.m. The auction will be held at the Lebanon Borough School which is located at 6 Maple St. in Lebanon. The Basket Auction will feature nearly 100 baskets and refreshments will be served. The funds raised from this event will help to support the purchase of new technology for the classrooms, enrichment programs and educational assemblies for the entire school. This is the largest fundraiser the PTA hosts to support the school and students. The fee to enter is $20 and includes a sheet of tickets. The ticket package includes: six sheets of tickets, ten grand prize tickets and ten class basket tickets for $100. Attendees must be 18 years old and over. For more information, e-mail Kathleenseelig@hotmail.com or call 908-328-1342. Submitted by The Lebanon Borough School PTA HOBOKEN -- The business partners behind Hoboken nightclub The Hub are turning on one another in the wake of the sex show that landed the club in legal jeopardy and placed The Hub's future in doubt. The two groups of owners have filed competing complaints in Hudson County Superior Court as city officials weigh whether to yank the bar's liquor license over the raunchy episode, caught on videos that went viral. One group alleges the second group is solely responsible for the "repugnant, debasing" acts captured on video last month. The second group claims it spent more than $2 million renovating The Hub as the first group refused to help and schemed to take over the place. And, this being New Jersey, some of the allegations involve a pizza joint. The Hub shut down on Sept. 12 after police saw the videos of an unidentified man and a woman committing multiple sex acts in front of a crowd inside the bar the weekend before. The city's Alcoholic Beverage Control board filed 15 charges against the bar, and more are coming. The plaintiffs and defendants in the lawsuits are largely a collection of limited liability companies controlled by the individuals behind some of the city's most popular nightspots, not just The Hub but Texas Arizona, Cadillac Cantina and Birch. All four are located just steps from Hoboken's PATH station and transit hub. The business interests are largely intertwined. Determining their ownership is like disassembling a Russian nesting doll. The Hub is owned by an LLC called HubNJ Group, which is owned by four other LLCs. Three of those are owned by one individual each. The fourth is owned by two other LLCs, each owned by one man. Here are the players: Married couple Mario and Dian Fini along with Patrick Cappiello are managing members of 16-18 & 20 Hudson Place Realty, the company that co-owns 16 Hudson Pl. That's the massive building that houses The Hub. Mario Fini is a real-estate broker and battalion chief with the city's fire department. Cappiello is a retired fire captain and nephew of the late Steve Cappiello, who was Hoboken's 35th mayor. Cappiello and his wife, Debra, control another LLC, PDC 16-20 Hudson Place Realty, that is the second co-owner of 16 Hudson Pl. The Finis and Patrick Cappiello also own an LLC called Teak on the Hudson. That's the company that controls The Hub's liquor license. It was also the name of the restaurant/nightclub located at 16 Hudson Pl. before The Hub opened there in April 2017. Brothers James and Brian McCue each manage an LLC that owns 66 percent of HubNJ Group. The Finis and Cappiello each also own an LLC that has a combined 33 percent ownership stake in HubNJ Group. James McCue, meanwhile, owns a 1 percent stake in Teak on the Hudson LLC. Two days after The Hub shut down, the Finis and Cappiello began eviction proceedings against HubNJ Group. A court hearing is scheduled for this month. On Sept. 17, the trio, in their capacity as part owners of The Hub, filed a seven-count complaint against the McCues in Hudson County Superior Court's chancery division, seeking a judge to remove the McCues' LLCs as co-managers of HubNJ Group; stop the use of any funds in the bar's bank accounts; appoint a special fiscal agent to take control of the bar; immediately suspend all of The Hub's social media accounts; and dissolve HubNJ Group. In that complaint, the Finis and Cappiello allege that the McCues mismanaged the bar and that James McCue was present the night the sex acts were caught on video. "Defendant James McCue witnessed the lewd acts and did absolutely nothing to stop their occurrence," the lawsuit says. On Sept. 27, three LLCs controlled by the McCues filed an 11-count lawsuit against the Finis, Cappiello and the multiple LLCs they control. The brothers say that, after Teak on the Hudson closed, the Finis and Cappiello said they would help pay for renovations at 16 Hudson Pl. to make way for The Hub, then did not contribute any cash. The brothers also allege the Finis and Cappiello were supposed to sign over control of the Teak liquor license to them but failed to do so. The McCues also allege that all five parties plus Peter Belasco, of Glen Rock, partnered in Venti Woodstone, the pizza place next door to The Hub. The McCues and Belasco allege the Finis did not contribute cash toward starting up Venti and then demanded nearly $250,000 in rent and late fees from the McCues and Belasco. Michael Profita, who represents the Finis and Cappiello, told The Jersey Journal that the three did indeed contribute cash toward The Hub renovation; that the McCues, and not his clients, were supposed to handle the paperwork involved in the liquor license transfer; and that the McCues and the Finis paid 50 percent of the startup costs for Venti. A request for comment from the McCues' attorney was not returned. The eviction proceedings are scheduled to be heard by a judge on Friday. The Hub's hearing in front of the city's ABC board is scheduled for Oct. 25. A Hudson County Superior Court judge ordered the man accused of gunning down a 33-year-old in Jersey City to be detained through the course of his prosecution. Michael Weathersbee Jr., 25, was arrested on Sept. 26 around 10:30 p.m. and charged with the murder of Laquan Clark on Sept. 23, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. At a detention hearing Friday it was revealed that Weathersbee has one prior criminal conviction for a drug offense. Weathersbee also has a prior disorderly persons conviction for a drug offense. Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul Depascale ruled that there was no condition or combination of conditions that could be imposed on Weathersbee to ensure that he show up for his next court hearing and deter him from threatening a witness if released. The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office has not offered Weathersbee a plea offer at this time and the date of his next court appearance was not yet available as of yesterday. On Sept. 23, Clark was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside a car on New Street at approximately 2:10 a.m. and taken to nearby hospital where he died, according to authorities. Suarez said Clark was shot in the head and torso. Weathersbee was arrested three days later at the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office in Jersey City. EDITOR'S NOTE: Interested in the marijuana business industry? NJ Cannabis Insider is a new premium intelligence briefing that features exclusive weekly content geared toward entrepreneurs, lawyers and realtors. View a sample issue. New Jersey's top state lawmaker says he won't support a tax rate on legal marijuana any higher than 12 percent -- a stance that could throw a wrench in negotiations with Gov. Phil Murphy. "Twelve percent is as high as I'll go," state Senate President Stephen Sweeney told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday after lawmakers met on a bill that would legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. "I don't want to put it too high because people won't buy it legally -- they'll buy it illegally," Sweeney, D-Gloucester, added. The tax rate is one discrepancy between Sweeney and Murphy, a fellow Democrat, as New Jersey's leaders continue to work out details on a plan to legalize weed. The bill lawmakers had been considering put the tax rate at 10 percent -- which would be the lowest in the U.S. But Murphy believes that's too low, according to published reports citing sources who say he'd prefer 25 percent. The governor won't say publicly the rate he is seeking. Spokespeople for Murphy did not immediately return messages seeking comment Tuesday. Lawmakers have yet to formally introduce a bill to the public and public hearings have not been scheduled. But Murphy has said he wants lawmakers to pass a measure legalizing weed by the end of the year. Sweeney has said he expects at least the state Senate, the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature, to vote on a bill on Oct. 29. He said Tuesday that's still a possibility, though he still needs to discuss that with state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex. "That's what I'm shooting for," Sweeney said. "But like I said, I've got to talk to the speaker." Both the Senate and the Assembly, the Legislature's lower house, need to pass the measure before Murphy could sign it into law. Members of the Democratic caucuses that control both the Senate and Assembly held separate meetings Tuesday to discuss the bill. Sweeney said there was "a lot of information to share and a lot of information to take in," though many of his members couldn't make the meeting. "We finally had a bill we could put in front of our members," Sweeney said. "We expect them to digest it, and we'll be talking about it more real soon." Sweeney said he and Coughlin need to discuss when the measure will be formally introduced. "We agreed we'd do things together," he said. Coughlin said in a statement Tuesday that his caucus had "a productive and positive meeting with many of the members." "There was good feedback on the issue and I look forward to working with them to come up with a bill that will positively impact the state of New Jersey," the Assembly speaker added. NJ Advance Media staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Three long-serving Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office employees accuse Prosecutor Damon Tyner of criminal mortgage fraud, hiding information in a high-profile murder case, and abusing his power by hiring family and protecting friends from prosecution. The accusers - two assistant prosecutors and a detective lieutenant - sent a formal complaint to the state Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey dated Oct. 4, requesting the offices investigate Tyner for alleged ethical violations ranging from misusing funds to sweeping gender discrimination complaints under the rug. NJ Advance Media obtained a copy of the letter, from Diane Ruberton, a former first assistant prosecutor; Heather McManus, a former lieutenant; and Donna Fetzer, a chief assistant prosecutor. Fetzer is the only one still employed at the office. The letter said Tyner fired Ruberton after she confronted him about alleged misconduct. "All three of us have expressed concerns over the actions of Prosecutor Tyner by way of complaints and concerns made to others internally within the ACPO," the women wrote. "We eventually were forced to seek out a third party employment lawyer to assist us because Prosecutor Tyner was not interested in remedying the problems. In fact, just the opposite." Tyner twice ran for State Assembly and left his post as a Superior Court judge to become the county's first black prosecutor in March of 2017. He has built his reputation as prosecutor partly on the progress his office made in investigating and prosecuting defendants in the 2012 shooting death of April Kauffman. Among the allegations the women made against Tyner are: Conspiring with his family members to commit mortgage fraud Hiring of "unqualified relatives and political friends" Violating so-called Brady laws for failing to conduct internal affairs investigations into detectives in the Kauffman case or disclose issues to defense attorneys Refusing to prosecute "friends and political allies" and not recusing himself from matters involving them Misuse of funds and government vehicles Having "unethical media contact" for In a statement Tuesday, Tyner said the accusations were based on "personnel issues with disgruntled former employees and current employee." "The great work of the women and men of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office will continue unimpaired under my leadership," he said. Accusations of mortgage fraud In the complaint, Ruberton, McManus and Fetzer claim that the FBI has been and may still be investigating Tyner for mortgage fraud. The allegations date back to 2006, they said, but were still impacting him when the bank began to foreclose on his home the day before he was sworn into office on March 15, 2017. They allege that he and his wife, Nicole Milan Tyner, bought their home on Rainbow Trail in Egg Harbor Township for $275,000 in 2004. In 2006 -- after spending money on his unsuccessful run for State Assembly in 2005 -- his father-in-law Herbert Milan bought the home from them for $425,000, though it remained valued at $267,000. Seven months later, in September of 2006, he sold it back to Tyner for $1. This transaction, the letter said, "allowed him to pay off the first mortgage and secure a second mortgage at double the value of the home in order to, essentially secure a low interest loan to, it is believed, pay off a political campaign debt." They said it is similar to other mortgage fraud cases because it may involve a so-called "phantom sale," where a person transfers property to get funds through a mortgage loan, and also "property flipping fraud." The latter is a situation where people by and sell property to each other to artificially inflate its value, the complainants wrote. They also claimed that Tyner was in default of his mortgage payments when he was being vetted for the prosecutor job, and the women question whether he disclosed this. Allegations he hid information in Kauffman case Ruberton, McManus and Fetzer also claim that Tyner was so concerned about the success of prosecutions in the Kauffman case that he violated ethical rules and Attorney General directives to keep issues with the investigators quiet. April Kauffman, a radio personality, was killed in her home in 2012. In February, Tyner's office announced that they had cracked the case and believed her husband, Doctor James Kauffman, had hired members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club to kill her because she threatened to reveal that he and the gang were operating a prescription drug ring. Dr. Kauffman committed suicide in jail and Pagans member Ferdinand Augello was convicted of murder earlier this month. The three women told state and federal officials in their complaint that Tyner and the first assistant prosecutor on the Kauffman case, Cary Shill did not reveal the internal affairs history of the lead detective to the defense attorneys as required by law and did not investigate or inform the defense that a detective had possibly lost evidence or failed to complete reports in the case. The office also didn't investigate reports that a member of the SWAT team that arrested Kauffman had leaked confidential information about a cooperating witness, the women claimed. The current and former staffers also claim that Tyner's appearance on "20/20" to "further his other political career-oriented aspirations" risked derailing the prosecution and violated prosecutor's code of ethics. The judge in the case issued a gag-order afterward. Allegations of nepotism and political favors The women also accused Tyner of hiring people he was close with and making legal problems go away for his friends or political allies, including the following allegations: After the law partner and brother of Tyner's "close personal friend" was caught bringing drugs into the jail, Tyner did not recuse himself and instead ordered that no charges should be filed After a politically-connected person was charged with assault and weapons offenses in 2017, the assistant prosecutor on the case, Ruberton was ordered to "allow the court to dismiss case for lack of prosecution at the direction of Tyner, despite the victim wishing to pursue the case and additional investigation that should have been completed." That he hired his brother, Michael Graham, and violated ethics rules by directly overseeing Graham himself That he hired his former law clerk to work as an assistant prosecutor even though she failed a pre-employment drug test The letter goes on to make other allegations, including that Tyner has repeatedly made sure that gender discrimination and sexual harassment complaints by women in his office were not investigated or passed on to the county's attorney, and that he misused forfeiture and other funds for inappropriate uses including to help put on dinners and events by the NAACP and the bar association. The Attorney General's Office declined to comment on the matter. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey confirmed the letter was received Tuesday but said his office couldn't comment further. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Commuters on their way home from work are routinely stuck on trains going nowhere. So perhaps it is not the best time for NJ Transit to Tweet out: "We made it halfway through the week..." As it if it didn't have enough problems running a railroad -- NJ Transit also has trouble navigating Facebook and Twitter and other social media. That is just one of the conclusions coming out of a highly critical audit of the beleaguered state agency that was released on Tuesday. To put it mildly, the railroad's well-intentioned efforts to build rapport with its riders do not always find a welcome audience. "Facebook can be a perilous channel for some organizations, and this is especially true for transit authorities as they can often be shot down with angry comments as they try to engage the public," said the report. How much money did New Jersey pay for this njtransit audit that told them what social media has been saying for years?If it was more than a $1mill you got ripped off @GovMurphy Rocker (@Rocker182) October 9, 2018 The consultants noted that the emergence of social media has created a new avenue for providing daily information, becoming a vital tool for daily social interaction. However, they said NJ Transit has not quite found its voice with long-frustrated riders. For example, the audit acknowledged that maintaining an active presence on Twitter "can be a challenging task with a lot of vitriol thrown back" at those handling the social media accounts for NJ Transit. But it said "they could make their lives easier by crafting a more helpful message at times." NJ Transit buses consistently late. I admire the dedication @NJTRANSIT (@hidingnparadise) October 9, 2018 One example is that when NJ Transit signs off from its social media at 8 p.m., it wishes everyone a good night. "This is guaranteed to rile customers who aren't having a pleasant commute," said the consultants. "Also, some messages like 'We made it halfway through the week' are good attempts to build rapport with customers but could easily be read in an embarrassing light for a transit authority." It also said NJ Transit needs to do more to respond to users. "Users aren't thanked for kind words or positive engagement," it said. RIP anyone trying to catch NEC3928 after Princeton Junction, 3926 just got evacuated and were all coming to join you! #NJTransit pic.twitter.com/vW4K8NR4fh Brick Walters (@brickwalters55) October 9, 2018 The audit said there were some great responses by members of the NJ Transit social media team that converted those complaining on Facebook from being detractors. "That being said, more could be done by NJ Transit to put a more positive foot forward, rather than defending itself," it said. While Facebook can be used to humanize the agency and connect with customers, it's probably not going to work all that well if the message is to "be safe while crossing light-rail lines" and use of jargon, like "positive train control." Some transit authorities have had success on social media by requesting and sharing content. But timing is everything. Like posting during rush hours, when traffic or services are more strained. No one wants to hear light-hearted banter from NJ Transit in the middle of a difficult commute. "Some of the more critical comments on the Facebook page are likely during the early morning or evenings commuting times. When posting content designed to create a positive atmosphere it would be best done after 11 am and before 3 pm," the audit said. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Photo: Jon Manchester With just over a week until recreational marijuana becomes legal across Canada, B.C. residents began receiving an informational pamphlet in the mail this past week, which answers questions many citizens may have about legal weed. Sent out by the provincial government, the gatefold pamphlet outlines the basics of legalization and directs readers to the province's Get Cannabis Clarity website. It spells out details such as the legal age to buy, use, possess, or grow non-medical cannabis, which is 19, and that cannabis will be sold exclusively at government-run stores, licensed private retailers, and the B.C. governments online store. It notes the following points: Public retail stores and the online store will be operated by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch. Adults can carry up to 30 grams of dried, non-medical cannabis, or its equivalent, in a public place. Public use will be allowed in spaces where tobacco smoking and vaping is permitted. Consumption is banned on all school properties, and it's illegal for both drivers and passengers to consume cannabis in vehicles. The site also outlines health concerns and guidelines for safe and responsible use, noting a Statistics Canada survey in which 17 per cent of British Columbians reported consuming cannabis within the past year. Adults will be allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants per household, however, landlords and strata councils can further restrict or prohibit this. The site also offers advice on travelling with marijuana and notes it is illegal to transport cannabis across the Canadian border. By Joshua Sotomayor Einstein While the elections for Congress are consuming much media attention and the Menendez campaign is rightfully being defined by his long years of corruption (as highlighted by the bipartisan Senate admonishment he received and the charges brought against him by the Obama administration), another election is important to Jersey City, the Polish American community, and all Americans. That election in Jersey City is the referendum on whether to remove the Katyn Monument from its location at Exchange Place. The Democratic Party power structure in Jersey City, comprised of a loose coalition of entrenched politicians, their particular developer friends, and their respective political machines made sure that the ballot question undoing the City Council's vote to remove Katyn Monument would not be on the November general election ballot. They did this in an effort to depress the election voting day numbers of those who know that historical memory is important and that victims of Soviet oppression deserve to be remembered. Their effort must fail. My fellow Republicans in Jersey City, I urge you to stand with the Polish-American community and vote to keep the monument in its current location. While it is true that the current iteration of the theoretical municipal plan is to move it to an, as of yet, unbuilt park, the reality is that many believe (with good reason) that the initial plan was to junk the memorial altogether. Moreover, the alleged reason for taking down the statue from Exchange Place is the complaint that it is aesthetically unappealing. Yet the fact remains that the memorial has been at its location since its unveiling in 1991 where it has educated tens of thousands about one of the many crimes against humanity by the Soviet Union. The Katyn Memorial commemorates the memory of over 22,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals, and leaders murdered by the Soviet Union, then allied with Nazi Germany. Disgracefully, the pillaging of Eastern Europe by the Soviets has been almost completely whitewashed from most American history lessons. Whether in history lessons in schools or on the History Channel, little is ever said about ethnic cleansing and war crimes of the Soviets. Mass murders, mass rapes, and mass arrests as well as the deportation of entire ethnic groups were regularly practiced before and after their alliance with the Nazis and lasted until the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991. Under Joseph Stalin, now glorified by many in Russia and elsewhere, over 15 million people were murdered. The victims of the Katyn Massacre were a relatively small group of those murdered but are a testament to the amazing tapestry of pre-war Poland and included ethnic Poles as well as their fellow Belarusian, Ukrainian, and Jewish (including Chief Rabbi of the Polish Army, Baruch Steinberg) Polish citizens. Just as the Nazis often targeted those who might lead resistance to their rule, the Soviets too targeted those who would resist their rule - the Polish officer corps, Polish non-commissioned officers, community leaders, and intelligentsia. The crimes of the Soviets are an important part of history overlooked by far too many. The ahistorical and morally repugnant romanticism some hold for socialism leads them to whitewash its crimes and ignore its victims. Hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens of Polish ancestry and countless numbers Americans of Eastern European descent have not forgotten nor should we Republicans. From the Holodomor (the Soviet engineered starvation of Ukrainians in 1932-33), to the Katyn Massacre and the attempted erasure of Polish and other Eastern European peoples, to the violent invasion of the Czech Republic in order to suppress the freedom movement that was the 1968 Prague Spring, right down to its collapse, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a violent tyranny that must be remembered as such. Republicans in Jersey City should remember that it was President Reagan, who stood up and correctly identified the Soviet Union as an Evil Empire and who provided support to Solidarity, the Polish freedom movement. The Republican Party stood with the people of Poland and all those across Eastern Europe, who were chaffing under the oppressive weight of socialism. Republicans should stand again with the Polish community to ensure the Katyn Memorial remains in place and that the victims of socialist oppression are not forgotten. Joshua Sotomayor Einstein is Hoboken Municipal Republican Secretary and a NJ GOP State Committeeman from Hudson County. Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com New Jersey, more than most other states, has a shortage of family practice physicians, as its older doctors retire and newbies choose more financially attractive specialties. We're also notorious for not being able to lure the best and brightest students back home for jobs once so many of them graduate from out-of-state colleges. These are thorny problems that may require expensive, ongoing measures to solve. Now, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney presents the latest "brain drain": lawmakers' own constituent services staff. According to NorthJersey.com, the lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy agreed surreptitiously during this year's contentious budget negotiations to add $10 million to the appropriations for their own local office staffs. According to the website, each of 80 Assembly members can tap $135,000 in 2018-2019 -- up from the previous $110,000 a year -- for salaries of staffers who handle Homestead Rebate complaints and arrange grip-and-grin photos of their bosses at at grant presentations. The NorthJersey.com article didn't disclose how much extra money each of the 40 state senators will get for their office staffs, or whether districts where all three legislators and share a local office will get a sweet $75,000 extra annually to toss around. Look, a lot of folks have had good experiences with these staffers who, at their best, are good at shredding red tape. These overall office stipends haven't been increased since 2002, which indeed has put pressure on legislators who want to give raises to the best ones. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, denies that there was any attempt to hide the $10 million. Taxpayers, however, might be a little miffed at the reasons Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin gave for the increases: You have to be able to retain staff, because so many people want to hire them away. Are we ready for the same kind of private-sector salary race that has sent CEO and other top executive pay into the stratosphere, and more recently was used to justify big compensation boosts for presidents at taxpayer-supported colleges? OMG! They might take another job someplace else! A statement from Coughlin's office said the speaker thought the allocation boost was important to "attract and retain the talented professionals" at the district offices. "Talented professionals?" No slight intended, but these staffers aren't doctors, engineers or even school administrators who go through extensive, costly educations just to practice their craft. Even if some of these staffers hold public policy or political science degrees, it's not their career goal to man the phones in a state legislator's local office. This is a move-up step, just as a law clerk's job is for a new attorney. "We can't retain people," Sweeney told NJ Advance Media on Monday. "It's easy to bring a young person out of college on. But, if after a year, you can't pay them more, they're gone." Well, yeah. Isn't that the point? And, tell us, how many of the "they're gone" employees move to a better, more challenging, but still politically connected, job, such as those in the Legislature's Trenton majority and minority staffs? Also, claiming a need to "retain" these district staffers ignores that the lawmakers themselves are elected for as little as two years at a time. It's not customary for a new lawmaker, especially one from the opposite political party, to keep the old lawmaker's staff. Again, we're not against modest raises for these hard-working folks. It's the attempt to justify the boosts as a competitive necessity that sticks in the craw and doesn't ring quite true. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. That dust-up over Brett Kavanaugh was great fun while it lasted. But now we have to concentrate on issues that are a bit more complicated, such as: Why did that guy with a gun show up the other day at a compound in the Poconos where a key Turkish dissident lives? Is that connected to the case of a dissident Saudi journalist who disappeared last week after entering Saudi Arabia's consulate in Turkey? This is real spy-novel stuff, so I figured I'd call a former CIA agent who has written a spy novel or two, as well as a guide to how assassins work. That's Bob Baer and the title is "The Perfect Kill: 21 Laws for Assassins." In it, Baer lays out laws for assassins that apply equally to those who merely wish to make their intended targets disappear. One such target seems to have been Jamal Khashoggi. He's the Saudi journalist-in-exile who entered his country's consulate in Istanbul last week to do some routine paperwork - and never came out. What happened to him? Baer suggested a method of disposing of bodies that was highlighted in the TV series "Breaking Bad." "They kill the guy and throw him in a bathtub filled with caustic soda," he said. There's no evidence yet as to exactly what happened to Khashoggi, who wrote regularly for the Washington Post. But the regime of Turkish strongman Recip Erdogan is demanding that the Saudis explain how he seemed to vanish on their soil. Perhaps that stems from some higher motive. Or perhaps it's because Erdogan is just jealous, said Baer. Our Saudi allies are experts at making opponents disappear, he said, usually by shipping them to some outpost in the desert. But "the old rules are gone if you're killing someone in a NATO country," he said. The Turks are no better, Baer said. In July, Turkish intelligence agents in Mongolia snatched a Turkish citizen by the name of Veysel Akcay off the streets of Ulan Bator. They tried to spirit him off to a nearby airport where a Turkish military plane disguised as a charter jet was waiting. But the government grounded the plane and Akcay was released. Mongolia is 6,000 miles away, you might say. That sort of thing can't happen here. Or can it? Michael Flynn seemed to think so. He's the retired general who was booted from the Trump administration almost as soon as he was hired back in 2017. Flynn pled guilty to charges of lying to the FBI about improper contacts with, among others, agents of the Erdogan regime. Erdogan's greatest enemy is a Turkish citizen by the name of Fethullah Gulen, who is holed up in a compound in Saylorsburg, Pa., a mere 10 miles from the Jersey line. Gulen's power base is a network of schools all over the world, including Mongolia, where Akcay is a key leader. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Flynn was involved in a plot remarkably similar to that Mongolian plot. "The discussions allegedly involved the possibility of transporting Mr. Gulen on a private jet to the Turkish prison island of Imrali, according to one of the people who has spoken to the FBI," the Journal reported. Flynn might be a military genius, but he's no intelligence expert. I realized that a few months ago when I visited the compound where the 77-year-old Gulen lives. It's too heavily guarded for an abduction. Nevertheless, last week "an unknown man, who appeared to be armed, attempted to enter," according to a report filed with the police by the Alliance for Shared Values, which is the group Gulen heads. After a guard fired into the air, the guy fled. But what was he doing there? I discussed that with Yuksel Aslandogan, the executive director of Gulen's group. He said that just before the attempted incursion, a spokesman for Erdogan had encouraged his loyalists to launch "operations" against Gulen's supporters all over the world, including in the land of Turkey's NATO ally the United States. This is just the latest evidence that the U.S. has proven itself incapable of managing the Mideast, said Baer. "We're the most naive people on the planet," he said. "Once you remove any sort of expertise from the equation, you're bound to screw it up." That's what administrations both Democratic and Republican have been doing for the entire century, Baer said, with a price tag approaching $3 trillion. "I defy anyone to say we're not making things worse," he said. As for me, I defy anyone to answer this question about our "allies" Turkey and Saudi Arabia: With friends like these, who needs enemies? WASHINGTON -- Nearly one of every five Hispanic likely voters in New Jersey haven't decided whether to vote for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez this fall, according to a poll released Monday. While Menendez, D-N.J., led former Celgene Corp. executive Bob Hugin, 57 percent to 20 percent (Libertarian Party Murray Sabin had 3 percent) among Hispanic voters, the key number was 19 percent. That was the percentage of Hispanics who remained undecided in the survey by Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy for the Telemundo stations in New York, WNJU Channel 47, and Philadelphia, WWSI Channel 62. "That was the one number that jumped out," said Brad Coker, Mason-Dixon's managing director. "He's kind of their guy, he probably hits 80-90 percent of their vote routinely, and it's one month out and you have 1 in 5 not convinced." Coker suggested that Menendez's ethical problems may have turned off Hispanic voters. They said honesty and integrity in government was the third most important issue facing the country (15 percent), behind only the economy (21 percent) and immigration (18 percent). Honesty in government had not been offered as a choice in Mason-Dixon polls of Hispanic voters in other states, but so many respondents in New Jersey named it as their top concern without prompting that it was added to this survey, Coker said. "That issue isn't even on the radar screen anywhere else," Coker said. "It's pretty safe to say that has soured people, even people in the Hispanic community." Through June 30, Hugin pumped $15.5 million of his own money into the campaign, most of it for television ads attacking Menendez, who was only the 12th senator ever indicted. His trial ended up with a hung jury, and after a judge acquitted him of some counts, federal prosecutors declined to try him again. The Senate, however, severely admonished him for intervening with federal agencies on behalf of a friend an campaign donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen. "It's a lack of enthusiasm," Coker said. "They just may say, 'Screw it' and not bother to vote." Rep. Albio Sires, D-8th Dist., said he will expect Hispanic voters to eventually vote in big numbers for Menendez. He said the senator got a warm reception during Sunday's 43rd annual Hispanic Parade on Sunday in Hudson County. "He got a great reception; nobody said boo or anything like that," Sires said. "People don't like to commit. They know who they're going to for vote but they don't like to say it on the phone." Hispanics accounted for 13 percent of the electorate in the 2017 gubernatorial election, according to NBC News exit polls. If the 19 percent of undecided Hispanics stay home, that could shave two or three points over Menendez's final vote percentage, Coker said. That's the difference between Menendez and Hugin in a recent Stockton University poll, though Menendez led by 11 points in a Quinnipiac University survey and six points in a Fairleigh Dickinson University survey. Those three polls were of likely voters. The issue with Hispanic voters mirrored Menendez's problem with his fellow Democrats in the FDU survey, in which 22 percent of Democratic likely voters said they were undecided in the race. "He could still bring home the Democratic vote," Coker said. "I don't think it's doomsday yet. He's got 30 days and a heads up. But he's got to spend time rebuilding his base "For every hour he's doing that, that's an hour he's losing going after the so-called swing voters." Sires said there's nothing to worry about. Even if Hispanics say they're undecided now, "that doesn't mean they're not going to go for him," Sires said. "At the end of the day, they'll all come home." The poll of 625 registered Hispanic likely voters was conducted Oct. 1-4 and had a margin of error of 4 percentage points. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. A top staffer for Gov. Phil Murphy abruptly resigned last week without any explanation of his departure from the governor's office. Albert J. Alvarez, who most recently served as chief of staff to the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, abruptly left the administration last Tuesday, according to multiple people with knowledge of Alvarez's departure. The sources requested anonymity because they weren't authorized to talk about the resignation. Murphy himself acknowledged Alvarez left the administration, but he declined to give any details about the departure Tuesday when asked at a public event. "I know that Al has resigned and beyond that I have no more color to offer," the governor said in Metuchen. Alvarez, of Wood-Ridge, did not respond to a message for comment from NJ Advance Media. He worked on Murphy's gubernatorial campaign as the director for community outreach for the campaign. He was also deputy director for personnel on the transition. Alvarez also was a deputy chief of staff for former Gov. Jon Corzine. In between his stints with Democratic governors, Alvarez was an attorney at the firm Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP. He earned $140,000 a year at his post in the Murphy administration before his resignation. NJ Advance staff writers Brent Johnson and Susan K. Livio contributed to this report. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. WASHINGTON -- The chant rose from the hundreds of protesters who filled the top steps of the Capitol as the Senate prepared to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. "November is coming." While Kavanaugh opponents were defeated as the Senate voted primarily along party lines in favor of him nomination, they will get another chance a month from now. That's when Americans go to the polls to elect a new House Senate in an election seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump. "This will be yet another motivator and energizer to go out and vote," said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. "In New Jersey, it is a reminder for Democratic women voters that elections count and matter." That would be welcome news to U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., whose narrow advantage in polls over Republican challenger Bob Hugin is built on women voters. In a Quinnipiac University poll released last week, Menendez led Hugin among women, 57 percent to 38 percent. They each received 48 percent among men. "The only check and balance that can now be had at this point is with a different majority in the House and the Senate," Menendez told NJ Advance Media after the Kavanaugh vote. Hugin supported Kavanaugh's confirmation while criticizing the proceedings. "I'm hopeful that the last few weeks in Washington are a low point for our politics and our society," Hugin said. "Washington has become too partisan and dysfunctional, and Bob Menendez represents everything that is wrong with our politics today. We need leaders in Washington who are willing to put people above party and politics." Republicans claimed that their supporters, too, have been energized by the Kavanaugh fight. "You're going to see a lot of things happen on Nov. 6 that would not have happened before," Trump told reporters at the White House Monday. "I think a lot of Democrats are going to vote Republican." Still, Kavanaugh's confirmation was opposed by a majority of Americans, 51 percent, while 41 percent supported him in a CNN poll released Monday. In addition, the Kavanaugh fight gave a new jolt of energy to those who have been working against Trump since his election, to women who came forward with their own stories of sexual harassment, and to those who believed Christine Blasey Ford only to see Trump on Monday describing her allegations as "a hoax," a "charade," and "dishonesty by the Democrats." "Kavanaugh being voted upon and being brought onto the Supreme Court, given the very credible allegations against him, will further energize and enrage many women," said Tara Dowdell, a Democratic political snd business marketing consultant. "It propels the energy and propels the anger. Energy is great but that energy had to be sustained though Election Day." On a conference call organized by Planned Parenthood, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker urged those who unsuccessfully fought Kavanaugh's nomination to turn their attention to Nov. 6. "We have even more reasons to go out this November and vote -- but not just vote, work over the next 30 days to get people out voting," said Booker, D-N.J. The need to both vote and get others to the polls was echoed on the call by Stephanie Schriock, president of Emily's List, which raises money for female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights. "There are Americans waiting for us to come and knock on their door or make that phone call," Schriock said. "I want you to look at your calendar. I want you to start allocating hours of your day to volunteer. We need you to get out there." Indeed, people who signed up online to listen to the call could click on screens on their computers or laptop and immediately sign up to go door-to-door in their communities. "It's all about turning out," said Kelley Robinson, national organizing director at Planned Parenthood's political arm. "We're going to knock on more doors and reach more voters than ever before. Grab your friends, grab your neighbors. I want to see you out there knocking on your neighbors' doors." Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. WASHINGTON -- Former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor Mikie Sherrill held a slight lead over Assemblyman Jay Webber in one of the four New Jersey congressional districts key to the chances of a House Democratic takeover this fall. Sherrill's 48 percent to 44 percent lead over Webber, R-Morris, among likely voters is within the 5-point margin of error in the Monmouth University Poll released Tuesday. There was little change from a June poll that also gave Sherrill a 4-point advantage. Men preferred Webber, 54 percent to 39 percent, while women sided with Sherrill, 57 percent to 35 percent. The poll reflected voter opposition to President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Webber, and his tax plan that targeted New Jersey and other high-tax states by curbing the federal deduction for state and local taxes. "The basic contours of this race have not changed," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. "Even though Republicans have the edge in party affiliation, many are not happy with the president or key GOP initiatives such as the tax reform plan." The 11th District, which is being vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, is one of four Republican-held seats that Democrats are either favored to win or no worse than 50-50. Both the Cook Political Report and Inside Elections, two Washington-based publications that track congressional races, have made Sherrill a slight favorite, and Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight gave her a 3 in 4 chance of winning election in November. Murray said the furor over the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has not affected the race so far. "Most of the voters who say they have been motivated by the Kavanaugh nomination are partisan identifiers, which suggests this issue has been more likely to firm up their choice rather than actually flip their vote," he said. While more than half of likely voters, 56 percent, said Trump's Twitter endorsement had no impact, 28 percent said it made them less likely to support Webber while 15 percent sad it would make them more likely. Trump, who carried the district in 2016 with less than 50 percent of the vote, had a job approval ratings of 49 percent positive and 48 percent negative, also within the margin of error. Webber also received fundraising help from Vice President Mike Pence in August. "It's no surprise that Webber has not been trumpeting the president's endorsement when you look at these poll numbers, Murray said. "Trump does not really help even though this is a Republican district." His tax plan was opposed by 46 percent, with 34 percent saying they strongly disapproved, and suppoted by 43 percentm with 25 percent strongly in favor. "If anything should play well in a wealthy Republican district, it's a tax cut," Murray said. "But the elimination of certain deductions takes the sheen off this plan for many voters." The poll of 356 likely voters was conducted Oct. 3-7. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Photo: Wayne Moore Skid row survivor George Pierce takes a break from dishwashing duties at the Gospel Mission Monday. George Pierce has been clean and sober for 41 years, and off the streets for more than 20 years - but he still remembers his dark days like it was yesterday. Pierce, 70, and dozens of other volunteers gave up part of their holiday Monday to help feed, and comfort, those less fortunate than themselves. They were part of the team who will serve about 800 meals to the homeless and downtrodden at Kelowna's Gospel Mission. "I'm a skid-row survivor from Vancouver," Pierce says proudly. "I've been in Kelowna since 1977. I was 29 when I sobered up." Pierce says he was on the streets of Kelowna for a number of years before, through AA, he says he found himself. Now, living in his own place, Pierce still takes the time to come to downtown streets to talk with people and support those who are where he was so many years ago. "It was like yesterday," he says of his own experience on the streets. Thanksgiving, he says is a special time for those on the streets struggling to get by., "It's more than one day. We all get to know each other like brothers and sisters here. We're all family here. "The people I volunteer for, they're like my brothers and sisters, and we take care of one another. And, we give thanks for everything." Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick has been serving meals for Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas at the Mission for more than a dozen years. "Whenever they need me, I like to support the community - same with Inn from the Cold," he said. "I'm just one of many volunteers. You look around the room and you see some new faces, but you also see some veteran people who keep coming back." Letnick says it's part of their DNA. "We're born to serve and we go wherever we're asked, and the Gospel Mission keeps asking us." A number of volunteers have been working for weeks preparing the dinner that will serve about 800 people. They prepared more than 60 turkeys, 16 hams and 500 pounds of potatoes, vegetables and stuffing. The former Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club president accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual harassment has filed a petition for injunction against the organization, saying it violated several bylaws when it suspended his membership and removed him as king this summer. Naaman Stewart said Zulu's board of directors voted to suspend him at a July 18 meeting, and members voted to remove him as king at an Aug. 5 meeting. He was elected king May 27 and confirmed July 1. The moves to remove him came after Gemell Hulbert filed a civil lawsuit June 29 alleging Stewart followed her into a club bathroom and refused to let her leave unless she showed him her breasts and had sex with him. The alleged encounter happened in June 2015, according to her lawsuit. Several other Zulu members and the organization itself also are named defendants. Hulbert accused those members of intimidating her by showing up to her work wearing "I am with Naaman" T-shirts and telling her she should forget about the incident. A judge dismissed sexual assault and battery claims in the civil lawsuit against Stewart Sept. 14, as the one-year statute of limitations had passed. Hulbert filed a supplemental petition for damages Sept. 28. She made the same allegations under several claims, including invasion of privacy, harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and collusion. Attorney Nicholas Lindner filed the petition for injunction on behalf of Stewart in Orleans Parish Civil District Court Friday (Oct. 5). "This is not about the merits of the allegations against Mr. Stewart, but simply that he receives the process he is due as a dues-paying member of the organization," Lindner said. "He seeks to have the organization follow procedures outlined in its constitution and bylaws." Zulu's president, Elroy James, and historian Clarence Becknell did not return a message seeking comment. Court records do not list an attorney for Zulu. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Zulu's bylaws allow the club's president to temporarily suspend a member for "grave cause," according to Stewart's petition. The matter is supposed to be referred to a grievance or investigatory committee within the organization. A member can be suspended only after he is found guilty of the charges brought against him, and at the recommendation of the grievance committee or independent investigation, Stewart claimed in his petition. The board of directors must approve the suspension, and the member has the right to an appeal. "To date, there has been no grievance committee review or the allegations, nor an independent investigation of those allegations," Stewart wrote in his petition. Stewart said he wasn't notified his potential removal as king would be discussed at the Aug. 5 meeting, which he was prohibited from attending because of his suspension. At that meeting, members voted to replace him with George V. Rainey. That action, he said, violates Zulu's bylaws which "provides for the selection of a replacement king by the board, ratified by the membership and only in case of death or any unforeseeable incident which prevents the continuance of King Zulu's reign." Stewart said he has been a "key member" of Zulu for 28 years, has served on the organization's board of directors for three years and as vice president and president for six years each. He also is an honorary and hall of fame member of Zulu, Stewart wrote in his petition. Stewart said in his petition he has not been given an opportunity to speak with any Zulu officers or board members about Hulbert's accusations. He was not arrested and criminal charges have not been filed. To date, Zulu has never provided Stewart with any written notice of his suspension or his removal as 2019 king, according to his petition. A hearing on Stewart's preliminary injunction is scheduled this week. A man whose body was found in the driver's seat of a burning sport utility vehicle at a River Ridge apartment complex early Monday morning (Oct. 8) died of smoke inhalation and severe burns, according to the preliminary findings of an autopsy performed by the Jefferson Parish coroner's office. Authorities have not yet positively identified the man, though they have some leads, Chief Death Investigators Mark Bone said Tuesday. The man's body was so badly burned that pathologists will have to use scientific means, such as DNA or dental records, to confirm his identity, according to Bone. The coroner's office is also still working to determine the man's manner of death - homicide, suicide or accidental. Crews with the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department discovered the man's body as they extinguished a vehicle fire at the Creeks of River Ridge, a gated community of eight apartment complexes located off Dickory Avenue between Citrus Boulevard and Earhart Expressway. Several residents called 911 to report the blaze around 3:27 a.m., according to fire Chief Dave Tibbetts. The Jeep SUV was fully involved in flames by the time firefighters arrived. The cause of the fire is also still under investigation, Tibbett said Tuesday. "We're waiting on some lab work," he said. Stay with NOLA.com for more on this story. Hurricane Michael increased in speed and strength Monday evening (Oct. 8) as it inched closer to the Florida Panhandle, according to the National Hurricane Center. According to a 10 p.m. National Hurricane Center advisory, Michael, was moving with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, a 15 mph increase from this morning's advisory. Category 2 storms have 96 mph to 110 mph winds. The storm, which was 450 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida, was moving north at 12 mph, nearly doubling in speed since 7 a.m. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 35 miles from the core and tropical-storm-force winds out 175 miles. Michael is the seventh hurricane to form in the Atlantic in the 2018 season and the fifth within the past two months. Forecasters predict Michael will become a Category 3 major hurricane by Tuesday night, before it makes landfall along the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday. The brunt of Michael's rainfall and winds will likely stay east of Louisiana, but the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries preemptively announced the indefinite Tuesday (Oct. 9) closure of Elmer's Island. Since the storm will spend two to three days over the Gulf of Mexico, which has warm water and favorable atmospheric conditions, "there is a real possibility that Michael will strengthen to a major hurricane before landfall," Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the Miami-based storm forecasting hub, wrote in Monday evening's advisory. Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 35 Florida counties from the Panhandle to Tampa Bay, activated hundreds of Florida National Guard members and waived tolls to encourage those near the coast to evacuate inland. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Scott also said Monday afternoon that state health officials are reaching out to hospitals and nursing homes to be prepared. Following Hurricane Irma last year, 14 people died when a South Florida nursing home lost power and air conditioning. By Monday evening, lines had formed at gas stations and grocery stories as people sought emergency supplies even as evacuations were expected to intensify in coming hours. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents of barrier islands, mobile homes and low-lying coastal areas in Gulf, Wakulla and Bay counties. In the small Panhandle city of Apalachicola, Mayor Van Johnson Sr. said the 2,300 residents are frantically preparing for a major hurricane strike that could be unlike any there in decades. "We're looking at a significant storm with significant impact, possibly greater than I've seen in my 59 years of life," Johnson said of the city, straddling the shore of Apalachicola Bay, a Gulf of Mexico inlet that reaps about 90 percent of Florida's oysters. In a Facebook post Monday, the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office said no shelters would be open because Wakulla County shelters were rated safe only for hurricanes with top sustained winds below 111 mph (178 kph). With Michael's winds projected to be even stronger than that, Wakulla County residents were urged to evacuate inland. "This storm has the potential to be a historic storm, please take heed," the sheriff's office said in the post. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Earlier this year, Robert Redford made news when he announced that the equally charming and wistful caper film "The Old Man and the Gun" would mark his final on-screen appearance. Since then, he has walked back that statement a touch, calling it "a mistake" in an interview with Variety, so it's anybody's guess whether he means it. But personally, I hope he's done. That's not because I don't enjoy seeing Redford work. All these years later, I certainly do. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Sting" remain on my go-to list of films to re-watch when in need of a lift. His near-wordless performance in 2013's "All Is Lost" still strikes me as a thrilling cinematic high-wire act. Rather, I hope it's true because director David Lowery's stylish "Old Man and the Gun" -- which wears its 1970s cinematic sensibilities handsomely -- would serve as a perfect career capper for a Hollywood legend of Redford's stature. Lyrically and lovingly shot on 16 mm film, it's an endearing and embraceable story in its own right -- part crime thriller, part light comedy, part love story -- that makes full use of the octogenarian actor's still-significant charm. At the same time, it also doubles as a lovely career retrospective for Redford, borrowing images from numerous films made earlier in his career. Those images are used to help tell the poetic story at hand, but they also serve as a big-screen tip of the cap to all he has accomplished since cementing himself as a Hollywood heartthrob with 1965's "Inside Daisy Clover" and, a year later, the locally shot "This Property is Condemned." In one scene late in "The Old Man and the Gun," Redford's character finds himself on horseback, turning and riding away from the camera as the sun dips. It's not the film's final image, but it feels like it could have been, and maybe should have been -- one final shot of a faithful and noble old hand as he rides off into the sunset on his own terms. In fact, the film itself feels like one long, friendly goodbye, an ode to a man who does what he loves because he simply can't imagine being happy doing anything else. In the case of Redford, of course, that avocation has been telling us stories. In the case of his character, it's robbing banks. Written by Lowery from a 2003 New Yorker article by David Grann, "The Old Man and the Gun" is a "mostly true" account -- as it declares itself in its opening title card -- of Forrest Tucker, a career criminal and prison escape artist whose life of crime finally came to end in 2000 when he was arrested after robbing four banks in a single day. He was 79 at the time. He's portrayed by Redford as an inveterate charmer, a gentleman bandit who always wears a hat, a tie and a smile to work. His isn't a phony baloney charm, though. Those he robs always describe him the same way to the pursuing police officer played by frequent Lowery collaborator Casey Affleck: He seemed really, really nice. He just seemed happy. Pleasant. At one point, Redford's Tucker asks a young bank teller whom he's robbing why she's crying. When she responds that it's her first day on the job, he comforts her with a grandfatherly sincerity: "Chin up. You're doing a great job." That sort of sweet breeziness is the overriding characteristic of Lowery's film, which also gets maximum mileage from the chemistry between Redford and Sissy Spacek -- playing the comely widow who catches his eye -- as well as that between him, Danny Glover and Tom Waits, who form two-thirds of his so-called "Over the Hill Gang." A dedicated visual stylist, Lowery ("Ain't Them Bodies Saints," "A Ghost Story") strikes a nice balance here between serving his own artistic inclinations and the story itself. Here, Lowery isn't trying to convince us of anything, other than the fact that he's got a dandy of a story to tell. Then, he proceeds to deliver it. The result is his most effortlessly enjoyable film to date -- one that doesn't seem to be working too hard to win us over, and which proceeds to win us over as a result. I suppose we'll have to wait to see if "The Old Man and the Gun" is, indeed, Redford's swan song. If it is, it's nice to know that he's going out on a high note. ___________ THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN 4 stars, out of 5 Snapshot: A "mostly true" drama about Forrest Tucker, a career bank robber whose life of crime came to an end when he was arrested after robbing four banks in the same day -- when he was 79 years old. What works: Although it boasts an appealing, 1970s-informed visual style, its chief asset is the charm of Robert Redford in the lead role and the chemistry he shares with Sissy Spacek and others in the film's superb supporting cast. What doesn't: There's a certain preciousness to it all that threatens to break the spell from time to time. Cast: Redford, Spacek, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, Tom Waits, Elisabeth Moss. MPAA rating: PG-13, for brief strong language. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. When and where: Opens Friday (Oct. 12) at Canal Place and the Elmwood Palace. High water in Lake Pontchartrain has prompted some road closures in St. Tammany Parish and officials say they'll continue monitoring road conditions as Hurricane Michael rolls through the Gulf of Mexico. Also, two popular state parks in St. Tammany -- Fontainebleau and Fairview-Riverside -- were dealing with high water, the Louisiana State Parks office said in a Facebook post. The post said Fairview-Riverside was closed and the day-use areas at Fontainebleau are closed until further notice. Lake Road in Madisonville was closed Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 8-9), and Mandeville police said they were setting up barricades on some stretches of Lakeshore Drive in Old Mandeville. The state highway department also said Tuesday that the U.S. Highway 51 on-ramp to Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish is closed due to high water pushing over the roadway. In Slidell, meanwhile, the Police Department said in a Facebook post that it will partner with the area Fire Protection District No. 1 to have staffing and vehicles on standby to go into neighborhoods that experience street flooding. It warned people to not drive down flooded roadways. The department said the rising tide has already pushed water over some streets in the Palm Lake subdivision. The state later Tuesday said that Bayou Liberty Road, near the marina, was closed due to high water. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Lakeshore Drive, which runs along Lake Pontchartrain, is prone to holding water when strong winds push water into the western side of the lake. The flooding is not widespread, but authorities nonetheless are reminding drivers to not drive their vehicles through any high water. "We'll set up some barricades,'' Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker said Tuesday morning. "It's really stating the obvious, but sometimes we have to state the obvious.'' Meanwhile, St. Tammany Parish government said in a news release Tuesday morning that it continues to monitor Hurricane Michael. Michael is projected to hit the Florida Panhandle sometime Wednesday. Though all indications at this point are that Michael is headed well east of Louisiana, St. Tammany government has instituted its "storm in the Gulf'' protocol. The parish said it would continue to monitor Michael and "pre-positioning" signs in low-lying areas in the event they begin to flood. As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, Michael was a Category 2 hurricane. It could become a Category 3 before hitting land, the National Hurricane Center said. Photo: CTV More than 100 residents of a heritage Vancouver apartment building could be out of their homes for months after fire damaged the structure last week. The blaze damaged several units of the Washington Court complex at Thurlow and Nelson streets on Thursday, forcing the residents from their homes. Fire officials say the flames travelled up the walls and into the ceilings. Repairs could take close to a year, and emergency social services help runs out today. Damage on the fourth and fifth floors was so bad, residents were not allowed back in to gather their belongings. Stacey Smale was at work when the fire started in her unit, and a neighbour rescued her dog, which was trapped inside. "There are people in the building who have been there for 30 years that are seniors, that are on fixed incomes, with pets, and I honestly don't know where they're going to go," said resident Alexis Maledy. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help the affected residents. with files from CTV Vancouver Photo: The Canadian Press In this Sept. 20, 2018 photo, Dennis Parada, right, and his son Kem Parada stand at the site of the FBI dig for Civil War-era gold in Dents Run, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by dozens of stone-faced FBI agents on a frigid winter's day, Dennis and Kem Parada stared down at the empty hole and knew something wasn't right. The father-son duo spent years combing this bit of Pennsylvania wilderness with high-end metal detectors, drills and other tools to prospect for a fabled cache of Civil War gold. They felt certain they'd discovered the hiding place of the long-lost booty, leading the FBI to the mountainous, heavily wooded area last March. Now, at the end of the court-sanctioned excavation, the FBI escorted the treasure hunters to the snow-covered site and asked them what they saw. They gazed at the pit. Not so much as a glimmer of gold dust, let alone the tons of precious metal they said an FBI contractor's instruments had detected. "We were embarrassed," Dennis Parada told The Associated Press in his first interview since the well-publicized dig last winter. "They walk us in, and they make us look like dummies. Like we messed up." Since that day, however, neighbours' accounts of late-night excavation and FBI convoys have fueled suspicions that the agency isn't telling the whole truth. The Paradas are challenging the FBI's account of the dig, insisting that something had to have been buried in the woods near Dents Run, about 135 miles (220 kilometres) northeast of Pittsburgh. That something, they believe, was gold. "After my years of experience here using equipment, there was something here, something here of value, some kind of precious metal. And whatever it is, it's gone now. And that's what I want to get to the bottom of, is what was in that hole," Kem Parada said. Federal investigators insisted a few days after leaving the site that the search came up empty, adding cryptically that its work there was related to an "ongoing investigation." The FBI declined to comment further, and a bureau spokeswoman told the AP last week that court documents related to the dig are sealed. The dispute between the Paradas and the FBI is the latest chapter in a mystery that has persisted for more than a century and a half. As the story goes, around the time of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, the Union Army sent a shipment of gold from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Philadelphia. The wagon train took a circuitous route through the wilds of northern Pennsylvania so as to avoid Confederate troops. Along the way, the gold was either lost or stolen. The legend has inspired generations of treasure hunters to take to the thick woods of northwestern Pennsylvania including Dennis and Kem Parada, who spent five years digging in a cave on state land, and two more years drilling atop the cave, before going to the FBI in January with their evidence. The Paradas showed agents how their sophisticated metal detector lit up like crazy when aimed at the spot where they believed the gold was hidden. Within a month, they said, the FBI had hired an outside firm to conduct an underground scan using a device called a gravimeter. The scan identified a large metallic mass with the density of gold, according to the Paradas and Warren Getler, an author and journalist who's been working with them. So it was with great anticipation that father, son and Getler arrived at the dig site March 13. But nothing went as planned. The treasure hunters and Getler said they had an agreement with the FBI to watch the excavation. Officers instead confined them to their car out of sight of the wooded hillside where a backhoe was digging for six hours that first day before they were finally allowed up the hill. The digging proceeded for another hour before an agent called an abrupt halt at 3 p.m., saying the team was cold, tired and hungry and it would be getting dark soon. They were just 3 feet from the target. "I said, 'You've got three hours of daylight and we're only 3 feet away,'" Dennis Parada recalled. He said the agent replied, "Denny, we're going, we're going." Whether the FBI actually left the woods that afternoon is itself an open question. Cheryl Elder, who lives nearby, told AP she heard what sounded like a backhoe and jackhammer at least until 2 a.m. the noisy machinery keeping her awake and annoying her because she had to rise early for work and she saw that the hillside was brightly lit. "It was just real loud all night," the former constable recalled. "It was driving me nuts." The second day of the excavation was similar to the first, according to the Paradas and Getler. They said they were confined to their car for several hours, then escorted up the hill to the dig site by then a large, empty hole. The FBI had finished the excavation out of their presence, they said. The Paradas said they were cheated of a moment they had spent years working for. Oct 9, 2018 NR Young Tiger NTR's Aravindha Sametha has completed its censor formalities the other day and has got UA certificate. The movie is all set for a grand release on 11th of this month across the globe as Dussehra Special. The movie is said to be Two Hours 47 Minutes long which is usually considered lengthy by the normal standards of Telugu Cinema. Happening Heroine, Pooja Hegde is romancing NTR in the film directed by Trivikram Srinivas. Click the Movie button below for more info: Aravindha Sametha Photo: Twitter The Japanese online retail tycoon who plans to travel to the moon on the SpaceX rocket says he respects and trusts Elon Musk as a fellow entrepreneur, despite his recent troubles. "Twitter can get you into trouble," Yusaku Maezawa, chief executive of Zozo Inc., said Tuesday at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Tokyo. "And that can be said of Elon Musk, too." Musk's tweet in August that declared he had secured financing for a Tesla buyout got him in trouble with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Under a settlement, Tesla and Musk each must pay a $20 million penalty. Musk also stepped down as Tesla's chairman. Maezawa, 42, who is also quite active on social media, is set to be a passenger on Musk's Space X, the first-ever private commercial space trip, scheduled for blastoff in 2023, to orbit the moon, in what Maezawa has dubbed his "#dearMoon Project." Maezawa said he got a good feel for Musk's character by visiting Tesla, and seeing the relationship Musk had developed with his employees. "They believe in Elon Musk," he said. "That kind of company is marvelous. I felt that as another entrepreneur." Although Maezawa said nothing was decided yet on who was going with him on the space travel, he said he wanted to take visual artists, fashion designers and musicians from a variety of backgrounds, including the actress he was dating, Ayame Goriki, "if she proves to be a good match for the mission." Maezawa said his company has a twitter policy, and experts go over his tweets in advance. Sometimes he gets emotional on social media, but he is careful not to say anything that might hurt his company, he said. Recently, he took to his twitter and Instagram accounts to lash out at online hecklers, who had ridiculed his halting rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on an expensive Stradivarius violin he had just purchased. Maezawa is known for lavish purchases, including artworks by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. But he is equally known for sharing them with the public. He shrugged off the possible dangers of space, just as he brushed off the risks of tweets and associations with Musk. "There is no end if you start thinking about that," he said of the risks. Maezawa said he has not yet started training for the mission, but he has been getting regular medical checkups and is brushing up on his English. In a nation where people tend to be focused on blending in and getting along, Maezawa has stood out. Forbes magazine estimates his wealth at $2.9 billion. Maezawa ran an import CD business and played in a rock band before he embarked on his online fashion business with his shopping site Zozotown. Recently, he has begun making clothes, such as a wearable technology called Zozosuit. The suit, splattered with hundreds of dots, takes body measurements with a software application, ensuring a good fit. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to cloudy skies and rain during the afternoon. High 59F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. " Sometimes as an artist you might not feel you're getting the respect you want, but you never know how the work is impacting people. Sometimes it takes weeks or years to find out what your work meant to someone. " Photo: Twitter A man was taken into custody Tuesday in connection with the slaying of Bulgarian television reporter Viktoria Marinova, whose body was found dumped after she highlighted possible government corruption, the Bulgarian interior ministry said. The ministry said "a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian descent" was held, and a team of top investigators are actively working to solve the murder. Police are investigating the rape and slaying of Marinova, 30, whose strangled body was found Saturday near the Danube River. Marinova hosted a show last month featuring two investigative journalists who were detained for their work on suspected fraud involving EU funds. The interior ministry said late Monday that prosecutors had opened an investigation into GP Group, a large private Bulgarian building company alleged to have misused the EU money, and froze 14 million euros ($16 million) of its assets. Interior Minister Mladen Marinov and Bulgaria's leading organized crime investigator, Ivaylo Spiridonov, are part of the investigating team. While Marinova did not appear to have been closely involved in the fraud investigation, her show touched on a sensitive subject in Bulgaria, where corruption is endemic. The Balkan nation joined the EU in 2007 and was ranked 71st on Transparency International's corruption list last year. Joining the bloc opened an enormous spigot of possible new EU funding for Bulgarian infrastructure projects or other programs designed to bring the nation up to EU standards. Journalists' groups and European leaders expressed shock at Marinova's murder. Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said Monday the commission expected "a swift and thorough investigation .... that will bring those responsible to justice and clarify whether this attack was linked to her work." The German government also sharply condemned the slaying, with the Foreign Ministry saying it was imperative "that there's a fast investigation and that this horrible event will be illuminated as comprehensively as possible." Bulgarian Interior Minister Mladen Marinov insisted Monday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to Marinova's work. Marinova was a director of TVN, a TV station in Ruse, and a TV presenter for two investigative programs. Her final show on Sept. 30 was a program about Attila Biro, an investigative journalist with the Rise Project Romania, and Dimitar Stoyanov from the Bulgarian investigative site Bivol.bg. The two men were briefly detained Sept. 13 south of Sofia as they investigated a tip that documents connected to suspected fraud involving EU funds were being destroyed. Photo: Google Maps Vancouver Island-based Catalyst Paper Corp. has reached an agreement to sell its operations to Paper Excellence Canada of Richmond. Catalyst CEO Ned Dwyer says when the transaction is complete it will benefit customers, employees, suppliers, communities where it operates, along with B.C.'s pulp, paper and forest products industries. Details of the transaction have not been released, but it will need the approval of the B.C. Supreme Court and at least two-thirds of Catalyst shareholders in a vote at a special meeting. The B.C. government says the purchase secures the livelihoods of about 1,500 provincial forest workers at Catalyst Paper facilities in Crofton, Port Alberni and Powell River. Paper Excellence has close to two million tonnes of pulp production capacity at five Canadian mills and two in France. In August, the United States issued a final decision on anti-dumping and countervailing duties totalling 20.26 per cent on Cataylst's printing- and writing-grade paper exports, and Dwyer says those duties were punitive and without merit. In 1964, John Coltrane ascended to an upstairs room of a two-story house in Huntington, N.Y., and made compositions that would turn into one of the most revered albums in jazz: A Love Supreme. Later that decade, Alice Coltrane recorded her solo debut record, A Monastic Trio, in a studio in the basement. The Coltrane Home, where John Coltrane lived between 1964 and his death in 1967 and Alice Coltrane, his wife, lived until the early 70s, has been named a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The organization will assist with renovation and preservation efforts at the home, which is in disrepair. Plans for the property include renovation of the home (recent efforts have included replacing the roof, rebuilding the chimney and fighting mold) and, eventually, the installation of a public park on the surrounding land. The Friends of the Coltrane Home, the group that manages the property, also hopes to offer music education programs there. Earlier this year, the group was awarded a $75,000 grant by the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, an initiative of the National Trust, to hire a project manager to help them achieve those goals. Restoring and reusing the home for music education and outreach presents an outstanding opportunity to honor the Coltranes values of innovation, creativity, hard work and self-empowerment, Stephanie Meeks, the president and chief executive of the National Trust, said in a statement. The price of emissions. The case for using cost to reduce greenhouse gases got an implicit nod from the Nobel Prize in economics. William Nordhaus, one of the two American winners on Monday, was cited for making the case for a global scheme of carbon taxes that are uniformly imposed on all countries. Scientists who produced the U.N.s landmark new report, which warns of just a 12-year window to limit climate-change catastrophe, saluted his work. Its really a way of getting the true impacts of emissions into the economy, one said. Above, a red-alert pollution day in China. More than 40 governments around the world, including the E.U. and California, have put a price on carbon, with direct taxes on fossil fuels or cap-and-trade programs. The challenge: widening the practices (President Trump has remained silent on the U.N. report), and setting prices high enough to deeply dent emissions. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. WASHINGTON When President Trump visits Iowa on Tuesday he will unveil a pro-ethanol perk aimed at soothing corn and soybean farmers in the heartland made anxious by his decision to impose tariffs on China, a move that kicked off a trade dispute with a major buyer of American agricultural products . The trip to Council Bluffs, Iowa, which comes on the heels of campaign rallies in Minnesota and Kansas, is part of Mr. Trumps efforts help Midwestern Republicans facing tight midterm election races this November because of a backlash to his trade policies. Lawmakers acknowledged that the plan which will include lifting a federal ban on summer sales of higher ethanol blends of gasoline, something the industry has long sought will be critical to assuaging farmers in Iowa and elsewhere who have grown deeply worried about the falling prices of corn and soybeans. There is anxiety about the presidents program on putting on tariffs, said Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican of Iowa, though he noted the administrations successful renegotiation of a trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico has allayed some of those worries. Still, he said that for farmers, the ethanol announcement would be a big boost not only because of the anxiety of tariffs but because were having another record corn crop and that naturally drives down prices. Mr. Grassley has long pushed to allow the sale of higher ethanol blend gasoline in summer months. The restrictions have been in place out of concerns that burning more ethanol in hot weather contributes to smog. A 71-year-old woman was sexually assaulted and her husband, a retired police lieutenant, was attacked with a blade during a brutal home invasion in Brooklyn on Monday, the police said. The intruders remained at large Monday evening and their motive was unknown, the police said. The police were called about the attack, on Madison Place, near Marine Park, around 5:30 a.m., said Sgt. Jessica McRorie, a spokeswoman for the New York Police Department. Three men broke into the home and attacked the couple, she said. The woman was tied up and assaulted. The man, 72, who is retired from the Police Department, was injured after being struck in the head with a box cutter, the police said. Many people are worried, rightly, about what the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh means for America in the long term. Hes a naked partisan who clearly lied under oath about many aspects of his personal history; thats as important as, and related to, the question of what he did to Christine Blasey Ford, a question that remains unresolved because the supposed investigation was such a transparent sham. Putting such a man on the Supreme Court has, at a stroke, destroyed the courts moral authority for the foreseeable future. But such long-term worries should be a secondary concern right now. The more immediate threat comes from what we saw on the Republican side during and after the hearing: not just contempt for the truth, but also a rush to demonize any and all criticism. In particular, the readiness with which senior Republicans embraced crazy conspiracy theories about the opposition to Kavanaugh is a deeply scary warning about what might happen to America, not in the long run, but just a few weeks from now. About that conspiracy theorizing: It began in the first moments of Kavanaughs testimony, when he attributed his problems to a calculated and orchestrated political hit motivated by people seeking revenge on behalf of the Clintons. This was a completely false, hysterical accusation, and making it should in itself have disqualified Kavanaugh for the court. But Donald Trump quickly made it much worse, attributing protests against Kavanaugh to George Soros and declaring, falsely (and with no evidence), that the protesters were being paid. Tamara Cofman Wittes served as deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs during the Obama administration, and is writing a book about Americas complicated relationship with its autocratic allies. She told me that because the Saudi monarchy has developed a close relationship with the Trump family, they dont think that they need to give as much weight to anything else that comes out of Washington or that comes out of the United States. Besides, Trump has made it clear that the United States will no longer even pretend to stand up for liberal values globally. The administration basically tells all of these governments: Dont worry. Its O.K. Do what you need to do, said Margon, of Human Rights Watch. Around the world, restraints on brutal behavior are loosening. In just the last couple of days, the head of Interpol has been detained in China, and the Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova, whose television show featured investigations into powerful businessmen and politicians, was found raped and murdered. Those who most need the protections of international human rights law dissidents, journalists, civil society actors these vulnerable people are used to operating in the knowledge that big governments out there in the world care, said Wittes. They dont have that now. On Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont will give a speech on what he describes as a new authoritarian axis developing worldwide, a phenomenon that gave rise to Trump, and that Trump accelerates. When I spoke to Sanders on Monday, he compared the possible killing of Khashoggi to Russias assassinations of defectors in England. We think this would not be happening if not for the support of Trump and Kushner for the despotic government of Saudi Arabia, Sanders said. Earlier this year, Sanders teamed up with the arch-conservative Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, to introduce a resolution ending American support for Saudi Arabias war in Yemen. It failed, 55-44, with most Republicans voting against it. In the wake of Khashoggis disappearance, Sanders plans to reintroduce it. It could pass if theres anything left of the Republican Party that once purported to stand up for democratic values. I wouldnt count on it. Last Tuesday, Jamal Khashoggi, the self-exiled Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist, walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get some divorce papers. He has not been seen since. Turkish officials have raised the horrendous possibility that he was tortured and killed and his body dismembered by a team of Saudi agents. Thats a terrible charge. If true, it could hold grave consequences for Saudi Arabia and its relations with the United States, Turkey and other Western states. Turkey should not leave its accusation dangling without official confirmation or evidence, and Saudi Arabia cannot dismiss it with blithe denials. At the very least, it can immediately accede to Turkeys demand to search the consulate. And the Trump administration which has embraced Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a close ally and the power behind the Saudi throne has a duty to insist on a prompt and credible explanation. President Trump said Monday that he was concerned about the case. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but theres some pretty bad stories going around, he said. There has been no official administration protest, however. Mr. Khashoggi, 59, had been both a consummate Saudi insider and a bold critic during his career. He was at one time the editor of a major Saudi newspaper, at another an adviser to Saudi ambassadors in Britain and the United States. He was known to journalists as someone who could explain the politics of the House of Saud and its several thousand princes. But with the ascent last year of Prince Mohammed, widely known as M.B.S., who has combined promising social and economic reforms with ruthless suppression of any opposition or criticism, Mr. Khashoggi assumed another role critic in self-imposed exile. WASHINGTON A day after the United Nations issued its most urgent call to arms yet for the world to confront the threat of climate change, President Trump boarded Air Force One for Florida a state that lies directly in the path of this coming calamity and said nothing about it. It was the latest, most vivid example of Mr. Trumps dissent from an effort that has galvanized much of the world. While the United Nations warned of mass wildfires, food shortages and dying coral reefs as soon as 2040, Mr. Trump discussed his successful Supreme Court battle rather than how rising seawaters are already flooding Miami on sunny days. The presidents isolation is not just from the world: In California, New York, Massachusetts and other states, governments and companies are pushing ahead with regulations and technological innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That bottom-up activism is a source of hope for those who have watched in despair since last year when Mr. Trump declared he would pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. But experts say it is no substitute for the worlds largest economy, and second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, turning its back on the fight. What was said Chris Wallace: Maybe I have this wrong, but when you blocked Merrick Garlands nomination from President Obama, you basically said that we dont do this in a presidential election year and that we wait until the election and then whoever the people choose, they get to pick the Supreme Court nominee. But what you just said now was its a question of whether or not its the party in control of the Senate is different than the president. The question I guess Im getting to here is, if Donald Trump were to name somebody in the final year of his first term in 2020, are you saying that you would go ahead with that nomination? Mr. McConnell: Well, I understand your question. And what I told you is what the history of the Senate has been. You have to go back to 1880 to find the last time a vacancy created in a presidential election year on the Supreme Court was confirmed by a Senate of a different party than the president. interview on Fox News Sunday on Sunday What I did was entirely consistent with what the history of the Senates been in that situation going back to 1880. Mr. McConnell, also on Sunday, in an interview on CBS Face the Nation the facts This is misleading. After the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland, who sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat. At the time, Mr. McConnell cited a nonexistent tradition to insist that the Senate should not consider a nominee in a presidential election year. On Sunday, a day after the Senate confirmed Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Mr. McConnell was asked whether he would follow the tradition he cited in 2016. He responded, Well see. Democrats have embellished Mr. McConnells remarks from 2016. But Mr. McConnell himself is now selectively omitting parts of them, and focusing on a different, misleading rationale to justify his actions two years ago. Photo: Contributed Carol Bellringer British Columbia's auditor general says the provincial government needs to know more about the billions of dollars in tax breaks it gives to people and corporations every year. Carol Bellringer says the government's reporting of tax expenditures and how they relate to government spending has been largely unchanged for the past 25 years. She says the province must ensure politicians have all the information they need to decide whether tax expenditures, estimated at $7 billion in 2016-2017, help achieve their objectives. The tax breaks give support to social, economic and environmental policy objectives but Bellringer says providing those benefits comes at a cost of lost revenues. For example, she says the government doesn't charge provincial sales tax on the purchase of new bicycles to help meet its environmental goals, but that means it gives up about $23 million in taxes every year. Bellringer says B.C.'s homeowner grant, introduced in 1957 to relieve the pressure of rising property taxes, is a decades old expenditure that has undergone few changes or reviews since its introduction. President Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are expected to meet with the musician Kanye West on Thursday at the White House, two people familiar with the plans said. Mr. West, who has faced a backlash over his vocal support of the president, will meet first with Mr. Kushner and then have lunch with the president, the two people said. Mr. Kushner, who serves as a senior adviser to Mr. Trump, has been focused on overhauling the criminal justice system, and one person briefed on the meeting said that Mr. West wanted to discuss the availability of job opportunities for former convicts. He also hopes to discuss with Mr. Trump how to increase the number of manufacturing jobs in the Chicago area, where Mr. West grew up and recently said he planned to return, according to the person briefed on the meeting. RIO DE JANEIRO By the time Brazilians were done voting Sunday, mighty power brokers had been tossed out of office, long-dominant political parties had been humbled, and a far-right populist suddenly looked like he just might be the most powerful man in the country. It was, in short, the most sweeping political shift Brazil had ever seen in a single election since democracy was restored in 1985. What we are watching today is the collapse of our current system, said Maria Herminia Tavares de Almeida, a political scientist at the University of Sao Paulo. The near-winner in the first round of voting in the presidential race was Jair Bolsonaro, a former army captain. He offered few detailed policies. But his draconian approach toward fighting violence he would make it easier to for the police to kill suspected criminals and imprison more people for longer appealed to many in a nation traumatized by rising crime, a dispiriting economy and a political class widely regarded as venal and unresponsive. A life in dance offers few material rewards, especially for noncommercial artists working outside of major companies. Audiences are small and engagements short; two years of rehearsals might end in three nights of performance. And money? Not a motivator. As the choreographer Merce Cunningham once said of dancing, It gives you nothing back, only that single fleeting moment when you feel alive. So while the Bessies, or New York Dance and Performance Awards, are perhaps the lowest-profile awards show in the performing arts, the recognition they bestow is vital to the artists in the field. That was joyfully clear during the 34th awards ceremony on Monday, as choreographers, performers, designers and dance supporters came together to celebrate one another at N.Y.U.s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Hosted by the tap artist Ayodele Casel and the pop performer Shernita Anderson, the ceremony cast a wide net, with four winners (out of 12 nominees) in each of two main categories: outstanding performer and outstanding production. The outstanding performer awards went to Germaine Acogny for her solo Mon elue noire (My Black Chosen One): Sacre #2; Courtney Cook for sustained achievement with Urban Bush Women, and with Maria Bauman and Marguerite Hemmings; Elizabeth DeMent for her role in Big Dance Theaters 17C; and Sara Mearns for sustained achievement with New York City Ballet and various artists. Additional women subsequently came forward to describe similar experiences as well as a culture at the firm that looked the other way. When he went on leave, he said of the accusations: While our recollections may differ, I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my behavior. But in the interview last month, he said: People can say whatever they want. I didnt recognize one of them. I did not know who they were. I did not know their names. I focus on doing the work. He also said last month that he had taken a leave for health reasons, not because of the accusations. Mr. Meier, a winner of the Pritzker Prize, architectures top award, has designed noteworthy buildings like the Getty Center in Los Angeles. He is known as one of the worlds starchitects, along with major names like Frank Gehry and Rem Koolhaas. The firm will continue to be known as Richard Meier & Partners Architects. Stella Lee, who accused Mr. Meier of exposing himself to her, said that maintaining the name tells me that the partners believe that Richard Meiers brand will continue to have commercial value going forward. LONDON Christian Marclays video installation The Clock is functional: The 24-hour montage of film and TV clips featuring clocks and watches actually tells the time. It also leads you through a century of cinema history, like a high-art version of the pop culture supercut. We go from the Marx Brothers to The Matrix, Annie Hall to Zoolander. There are several Sherlocks, many Bonds. The Clock has become a sensation around the world since it was first shown at the White Cube gallery in London in 2010. But given that the clip-gathering was done by a team of movie-watchers in the city, its arrival at Tate Modern feels like something of a homecoming. (It runs through Jan. 20, with 24-hour screenings on Nov. 3 and Dec. 1.) Mr. Marclay insists that any gallery that wants to show The Clock must have some overnight screenings. Its a work that can be very deep if you want to dig into it, spend more time with it, he told reporters at Tate Modern in September. Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep and lets us get paid to watch comedy. If youre interested in hearing from The Times regularly about great TV, sign up for our Watching newsletter and get recommendations straight to your inbox. Kavanaughs Confirmation Jimmy Fallon on Monday had to turn the bitter and contentious Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh into comedy. Fallon stuck mostly to a familiar laugh-line about Kavanaugh: He likes beer. Right after the confirmation vote, many Republicans began applauding. Kavanaugh would have clapped for himself, but he had already duct-taped two 40-ounce beers to each hand. JIMMY FALLON While Kavanaugh was being sworn in there were lots of angry protesters outside. It got even worse when Kavanaugh stepped onto the balcony and threw beads at the crowd. JIMMY FALLON Fallon also made a reference to the personal calendars Kavanaugh keeps. (The judge showed one from 1982 during his confirmation hearing, while defending himself against sexual assault allegations.) On Saturday night, Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in as Supreme Court justice. He said it was a night hell never forget, because he wrote it on a weird calendar hell keep for 30 years. JIMMY FALLON A man in Kentucky who is also named Brett Kavanagh went viral this weekend for tweeting, This is a terrible time to be named Brett Kavanagh. Then a guy named Bill Cosby Weinstein was like, It could be worse! JIMMY FALLON Kimmel on Indigenous Peoples Day Most late-night shows were off on Monday, some as part of a weeklong vacation and others in observance of Columbus Day. Jimmy Kimmel went on the air, and he dismissed Columbus Day as a federally mandated holiday today that no one seems to celebrate anymore. Kimmel said Columbuss legacy wasnt as simple as American history books once held. Columbus didnt really discover America. Columbus discovered America in the same way we just all discovered poke. JIMMY KIMMEL But he was feeling cynical about the alternative name for the holiday that many people have come to use instead: Indigenous Peoples Day. Kimmel joked that holidays in the United States arent just about commemorations theyre about sales, too. He wasnt sure Indigenous Peoples Day passed the capitalism test. Somebody needs to come up with a catchier name than Indigenous Peoples Day. It took me 14 minutes to spell it today. I get it, but that word is not going to sell any mattresses, thats all. JIMMY KIMMEL OBrien Bids Farewell to His Band Here are two descriptions of the moon, from Sarah Perrys new novel, Melmoth: Overhead the low clouds split, and the upturned bowl of a silver moon pours milk out on the river. And: The moon freshly polished: an opal on a bit of velvet. To speak of Perrys novel, inspired by a 19th-century Irish story, Melmoth the Wanderer, means to to reckon first with its language thick, painterly, sometimes unwieldy. Every time I think of that first image, I get a small rush from the transubstantiation of moonlight into milk. Every time I think of the second, I recoil. How forced it feels in comparison, how kitschy. But if there were ever a genre that could comfortably embody these qualities, that could be so unapologetically lush and overwrought, it is the Gothic novel which is Melmoth to its core, from its filigreed sentences to its twisty, supernatural plot. Did your heart sink at supernatural? Is the supernatural decidedly not for you? Trust that no one would be more stalwartly at your side than this novels protagonist. Helen Franklin is 42, and as stolid as they come. An Englishwoman living in Prague, she works as a translator not of novels but of operating instructions for power tools. Determinedly drab, she is allergic to any form of artifice or titivation. We meet her trudging through a snowdrift, her neat coat belted, as colorless as she is, nine years worn. It becomes clear that there is something extreme in her fastidiousness. She sleeps on an uncovered mattress, allows herself no butter or sugar, drinks only bitter tea. She resists pleasure and companionship as assiduously as a Trappist avoids conversation. 1. Nikki Haley, the U.N. ambassador, above, said she would resign at the end of the year. Ms. Haley, who was one of the few women in the cabinet, was an outspoken envoy for the U.S., overseeing its shifting relationship with the global body. She has also long been considered a potential presidential candidate but she insists she isnt running in 2020. It was a blessing to go into the U.N. with body armor every day and defend America, she said, seated next to President Trump in the Oval Office. (Want to get this briefing by email? Heres the sign-up.) Good morning. Heres what you need to know: And then there were nine Justice Brett Kavanaugh will join his colleagues on the bench for the first time this morning, as the Supreme Court hears arguments in three cases concerning sentences for gun crimes. With four weeks until the midterm elections, President Trump is working to turn the furor over Justice Kavanaughs confirmation into an asset rather than a liability, focusing on the treatment of men who deserve due process, rather than on the treatment of women in the #MeToo era. The top court: Justice Kavanaugh is one of 114 to have been appointed to the nations highest court. All but six were white men. Two Americas: In a Mississippi restaurant, two longtime friends with very different political views navigate their differences over Mr. Trump and Justice Kavanaugh. Good Tuesday morning. Sundar Pichai of Google, Mary Barra of General Motors, Peter Thiel of Founders Fund and Lachlan Murdoch of Fox will all be speaking at our Playing for the Long Term conference on Nov. 1 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Register to attend. (Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.) Google might regret this data leak cover-up Google will shut down its ill-fated Google Plus social network over a security flaw that exposed the private data of up to 500,000 users. The vulnerability revealed the email address, occupation, gender and age of the users to 438 third-party applications via online programming interfaces. Google discovered the flaw in March but chose not to disclose details because, the company says, it did not appear anyone had gained access to the data, and its privacy team decided it was not legally necessary. The company made the call amid Facebooks Cambridge Analytica scandal, when it saw how bad public blowback over data security could be. (An internal memo seen by the WSJ warned of immediate regulatory interest if the company went public.) Shira Ovide of Bloomberg Opinion argues that the decision was unwise: If the company had disclosed the Google Plus problem in March, it would have been a big deal but not a crisis. This cover-up, however, makes the Google Plus digital-security problem so much worse. More Google news: The company will not bid for a $10 billion Pentagon A.I. contract, citing its ethics guidelines. It is poised to appeal a $5 billion fine from the E.U. over its Android operating system. And it avoided a lawsuit over accusations it had illegally tracked 4.4 million iPhone users in Britain. A scientist, who was working as a engineer at the BrahmMos Missile Research Centre in Nagpru has been accused of spying for Pakistans intelligence agency ISI and other countries. Nishan Agrawal, who was arrested on Monday, has allegedly leaked information about Indias Brahmos missile. In a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS), 28-year-old Agrawal was arrested and his home and the Brahmos Aerospcae office in Dongargaon,40 km south of Nagpur, were searched. Agrawal worked as senior system engineer at Brahmos Aerospace, a joint venture between DRDO and Russs Military Industrial Consortium (NPO Mashinostroyenia) that works on Indias supersonic cruise missile. Reacting to the development, his landlord Manohar Kale said We never thought that Agrawal would be linked with spying. As per media reports, Agrawal was held on the basis of the inputs provided by a members of the Hizbul Mujahideen group who was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh ATS in Kanpur a few days ago. He is suspected of spying for ISI and American intelligence agencies and provided them secrets related to the Brahmos missile to these countries. According to the regional Defence Public Relations Officer, Group Capt Basant Pande, Agarwal was not a direct employee of the DRDO but was working with Brahmos Aerospace Private Ltd. Investigators said the accused may have shared details on Facebook and found sensitive information on his computer. The accused is being taken to Kanpur for further questioning. Also read: Tej Pratap-Tejashwi rift: RJD Chief Lalu Yadavs eldest sister Misa Bharti revealed something big about their fighting that will shock you At Shanghais Disney Resort, a combined cooling and heating plant reduces emissions by 60 percent partially by converting waste heat into energy. Disney also is building three new cruise ships that will be run on clean-burning liquefied natural gas when they head out to sea in 2021, 2022, and 2023. But going green hasnt always worked perfectly at Disney. For example, in 2015, when it first tried to green its bus fleet, executives thought the solution might be electric buses. But they discovered that electric buses failed to reduce carbon emission as much as using renewable fuels made with used cooking oil and non-consumable food waste. While some renewable energy advocates would like Disney to do even more to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, Disneys leadership in this area is likely to encourage others. What Disney is doing is an important part of the trend thats changing the nations grid, says Gregory Wetstone, chief executive of the American Council on Renewable Energy. Just five years ago, very few companies were actively producing their own renewable powers, Mr. Wetstone said. But now, he said, the most sophisticated companies are learning how to go out on their own and do it. Of course, none can accomplish this without enlisting energy partners. Disneys new facility in central Florida, for example, is a collaboration with the Reedy Creek Improvement District and solar project developer Origis Energy USA. Disney officials declined to discuss the financials of their renewable energy projects. Also in central Florida, Disney with the help of Duke Energy opened a solar facility in 2016 thats famously shaped like Mickey Mouses head. The five-megawatt solar facility on 22 acres near Epcot is made of 48,000 solar panels. Duke Energy sells the resulting alternative energy enough to power 1,000 homes to Reedy Creek. In some cases, Disney park customers can already see solar at work. At the flagship Disneyland Resort, solar panels sit atop the Radiator Springs Racers ride in Cars Land. The system which opened in 2016 generates electricity for the Disney California Adventure Park. The 40,000-square-foot operation features more than 1,400 high-efficiency solar panels and generates enough energy to annually power 100 Anaheim homes. If we want to change climate change legislation, we have to break those relationships, said Chris Garrard, a representative from Art Not Oil, a British-based coalition of environmental groups focused on the arts. But the sense of urgency isnt shared equally across the arts, even in Europe. BP still sponsors important traditional cultural institutions such as the British Museum, as well as the BP Portrait Awards at the National Portrait Gallery. BP has continued five-year sponsorships at the Londons Royal Opera House and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Funding the arts is something that BP has been involved in for over 50 years, said Shannon Wiseman, deputy head of the group press office at BP, said. Its an important part of what we think of as our local community, and something we continue to be involved in. She added that it helps our partners to know that they have funding for a secure amount of time. The money is often a small part of the overall budget, however. For instance, BP provided just 0.8 percent of the British Museums annual income, according to Platform. And the Paradise Papers revealed that some institutions still invest in fossil fuels, even if they have made claims to curb their direct investments. There has been less of an outcry against oil company funding in the United States. BP has made significant donations to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and sponsored a major exhibition on Dutch Golden Age painters at the National Gallery of Art in Washington this year, according to company statements. The relationship between art museums and oil companies is more pronounced in Houston, a museum hub and energy capital. Richard D. Kinder, the executive chairman and co-founder of Kinder Morgan, an energy infrastructure firm, is the chairman of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The museums top corporate sponsors include a number of fossil fuel-related companies, such as Aramco, Shell and TMK Ipsco. In 2016-17, the museum reached a record net worth of $1.6 billion, according to its financial statements. Mad Magazine, the 66-year-old humor publication, has been in free fall for years in terms of both circulation and cultural relevance. This month, however, people as varied as the comedians John Hodgman and Patton Oswalt, as well as Lee Unkrich, a co-director of Coco, were heaping unlikely praise on the magazine known for anarchic satire aimed at the rich and powerful. The reason? A four-page comic strip appearing in the Halloween issue depicting 26 children, one for each letter of the alphabet, who were or would soon become victims of a school shooting. As damning and dark as it is beautiful, Mr. Hodgman wrote on Twitter. The strip, The Ghastlygun Tinies, is a homage to The Gashlycrumb Tinies, the 1963 work by the American illustrator Edward Gorey, which depicted the grisly and strangely comic deaths of children in alphabetical order. Sadly, times have changed and theres basically one way most kids seem to die now, an introduction to Mads strip said. It begins innocuously: A is for ALICE the young science whiz. But by the time D is for DANA who had a hall pass is introduced, an ominous shadow lurks outside the childs classroom door. Soon come three drawings that make the message of the strip clear F is for FRANK, more than a statistic; G is for GREG who was caught unawares; H is for HIRO who needs more than prayers. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. Now that the bad news has dropped, what is the world going to do? A report issued Sunday by 91 scientists painted a stark portrait of how quickly the planet is heating up and how serious the consequences are. In response, the United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, warned world leaders, Do what science demands before it is too late. The latest figures from the International Energy Agency dont suggest that many are listening: Carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector continued to grow through 2017, with a projected rise for 2018, according to the agency. The next two months will be crucial. In December, experts and officials from around the world will gather in Katowice, Poland, for a new round of international climate negotiations. What about the Paris Agreement? Every country agreed, nearly three years ago, to set its own targets to bring down its greenhouse gas emissions. Thats the good news. When the war was booming and demand was high, there was a lot of fake Aleppo pepper or Aleppo-style chile going around, said Mr. Bahlawanian, who in 2014 finally found a Syrian source for real Aleppo pepper, grown and processed in Aleppo and its surrounding farms. His connection which he prefers not to name purchases the ground spice in 10- to 50-pound bags directly from farmers and ships it out of Lebanon. Ron Sahadi, an owner of the venerable Middle Eastern food market Sahadis, in Brooklyn, also had trouble obtaining Aleppo pepper during the early years of the war. Like Mr. Sercarz, he now gets the chile from Turkey, where it is processed from plants grown from cherished Syrian seeds. It is Aleppo, Mr. Sahadi said. It has the same taste and consistency. Other food vendors, like Mr. Lowcock, have turned to buying and producing the cultivar domestically. The chef Jeremiah Langhorne, of the Dabney restaurant in Washington, buys fresh Aleppo peppers from Virginia greenhouses, then dries and grinds them himself. In Lakeside, Calif., James Duffy of Refining Fire Chiles has been cultivating and selling Aleppo peppers since 2012 from seeds he obtained in a roundabout way from an Italian horticulturist who got them from a United States Department of Agriculture seed bank. The Aleppo peppers journey to the Western Hemisphere is something of a repatriation. Chiles originated in South America and were among the New World crops, like potatoes and tomatoes, that Christopher Columbus and other early explorers introduced to Europe in the 15th century. Chiles soon spread across Europe to Syria and Turkey, then part of the Ottoman Empire. Because chiles have what the French call terroir flavors particular to their environments Aleppo chiles grown in the United States are bound to taste somewhat different from those grown in Syria or southern Turkey, said Paul Bosland, director of the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University. Juju, who seems to possess his mothers charisma and makes frequent cameos on her show, was not looking forward to it. I have the best Mexican food at home, he explained, so I dont need to go to Taco Bell. Food is Ms. Jinichs third career, if you include motherhood. A dozen years ago, she was trying to put her masters degree in Latin American studies from Georgetown University to use writing policy papers for Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. She dreaded going to work, except for the part where she got to think about lunch. One day, she was asked to compare the transitions to democracy in Peru and Mexico, but instead went deep researching the differences between Peruvian and Mexican ceviche. Thats when she knew. Instead of writing about strengthening democratic institutions in Mexico, she recalled thinking, how about I write about the food of Mexico? She enrolled in night school at LAcademie de Cuisine in Maryland, which is now closed. Cooking didnt come naturally to her, although her three older sisters are in the business and her father, Moises Drijanski, is a larger-than-life kind of guy who ran two restaurants in Mexico City. He would sneak jam and caviar home in his suitcase, and once fed the family so much fettuccine at Alfredos in Rome that the chef came out to see who was eating it all. Many in the family were surprised that the youngest child the studious, serious one would become a food star. But not her dad. In my story, I included two patients, Mackenzie Ames and Rodney Scheidel, who had very high levels of LDL cholesterol (the dangerous kind) and were at high risk for heart attacks in fact, Mr. Scheidel ha d already had a heart attack. They needed the drugs, known as PCSK9 inhibitors. But their insurers had denied them coverage. They, like many others, were caught in a battle between insurers, who want lower prices for these expensive drugs, and drug companies, who set the prices and negotiate deals with insurers. To put pressure on the two companies that make PCSK9 inhibitors, Amgen and Sanofi-Regeneron, insurers have made it very hard for patients to get the drugs. My story was published on Oct. 2. That night, I got an email from Regenerons two founders and presidents : Dr. George D. Yancopoulos, who is also the companys chief scientific officer, and Dr. Leonard S. Schleifer, who is also its chief executive officer. They wrote: If you can, please put Mackenzie and Rodney in touch with us, and we will try and help them get covered, or we can arrange to give them the drug for free. They added: While we cant give everyone free drug , we can help Mackenzie and Rodney, especially as they had the courage to step forward and share their experiences. In a subsequent email, Dr. Yancopoulos provided his personal phone number and asked me to give it to the two patients, explaining that he can be slow answering emails. Do you worry about climate change? Do you ever think about how conditions on the planet may change in your lifetime? Have you ever chosen to do or not do something because of the environmental effects of that action? In Major Climate Report Describes a Strong Risk of Crisis as Early as 2040, Coral Davenport writes: A landmark report from the United Nations scientific panel on climate change paints a far more dire picture of the immediate consequences of climate change than previously thought and says that avoiding the damage requires transforming the world economy at a speed and scale that has no documented historic precedent. The report, issued on Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists convened by the United Nations to guide world leaders, describes a world of worsening food shortages and wildfires, and a mass die-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040 a period well within the lifetime of much of the global population. The report is quite a shock, and quite concerning, said Bill Hare, an author of previous I.P.C.C. reports and a physicist with Climate Analytics, a nonprofit organization. We were not aware of this just a few years ago. The report was the first to be commissioned by world leaders under the Paris agreement, the 2015 pact by nations to fight global warming. Students, read the entire article, then tell us: What, if anything, do you believe needs to change in light of reading the article and, perhaps, the report its about? Why? Do you think there is new cause for alarm? If so, what do you think should be done? Why? How old will you be in 2040? The article says its politically unlikely that the world economy will be changed to address the environmental consequences outlined in the report. Do you agree? Explain. Do you feel that you have a good understanding of climate change? What, if anything, do you wish you knew more about regarding this topic? Before reading the article: Why was the nomination and subsequent confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court contentious? Who is Christine Blasey Ford? What did she accuse Justice Kavanaugh of doing when the two of them were teenagers? How many Senators ultimately voted to confirm Justice Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court? How many voted against his appointment? Now, read the article, With Battle Over, Kavanaugh Quickly Gets to Work as a Supreme Court Justice, and answer the following questions: 1. What do Justice Kavanaughs critics say about his hiring of four women and no men to serve as his Supreme Court clerks? If you think weddings are a lot of work, try walking a couple of trees down the aisle. Every spring, Accettura, a mountain village of about 2,000 people in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, celebrates its patron, Saint Julian, with an arboreal wedding. Called Il Maggio di Accettura, the wedding is an ancient pagan tradition that draws thousands. Three years ago, Gianluca De Bartolo traveled to there to document it. For me, it has been very important to share this unique rite that has been handed down for centuries, Mr. De Bartolo said. It has preserved, in those centuries, peculiarities and traditions without the constraints of modern times. Mr. De Bartolo said that the celebration is important for reuniting people who grew up in the village. In recent years, a poor economy and bleak employment outlook have forced many young people to leave Accettura. While foreign investment remains prevalent in Italys north, the south lags behind. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said that despite the sanctions imposed by the United States, Indian companies have made nominations to purchase oil from Iran. Delivering the opening remarks at the inaugural conference of The Energy Forum here on Monday, Pradhan said: "Two days ago, two of our companies made nominations to purchase Iranian oil in November. We do not know if we will get a waiver (from US sanctions) or not. Isn't it new diplomatic power and recognition of the new leadership of India?" Stressing on the need to lower carbon footprint and enhance self-sufficiency in terms of energy, Pradhan noted that the Centre is focusing on achieving a significant reduction in the import of carbon molecules. "Energy is an important component for any economy. India, being the third largest energy consumer in the world, imports nearly 300MMT of carbon molecules every year. Our challenge is to lower this import volume, enhance self-sufficiency and lower our carbon footprints," he said. Emphasising on the Centre's efforts to expand India's gas-pipeline network, he added, "We aim to expand India's gas-pipeline network to nearly more than half of the country and are pushing to establish India as a gas-based economy, with domestic as well as foreign investments and also enhancing exploration and production activities to augment our own hydrocarbon production capacities" Asserting that 'when the bottom of the pyramid is transformed, the characteristic of the country is transformed' he underlined the positive impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on the lives of women. "I interacted with a large number of beneficiaries of Ujjawala Yojana a few days back. All of them unanimously said that previously they had to spend around Rs. 1000 to 1200 to purchase wood, coal and other items for cooking. Today, they buy gas cylinders at a maximum cost of Rs 900, out of which Rs 400-450 is returned in the form of subsidy, and hence, the effective expenditure is only about Rs 500. They also said that many of their eye issues were resolved because of the same and they were getting more time to rest now." The conference aims at analysing the global energy industry and overcoming challenges to address India's energy security. Other significant issues such as import reduction, sustainability, and reduction of CO2 footprints were also tabled for discussion at the conference. -ANI The civil war has started. This is what the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik announced to the interviewers interrogating him on July 22, 2011. Earlier that day, Breivik had parked a van crammed with about 2,000 pounds of explosives in front of a 17-story government building in central Oslo housing both the prime ministers office and the Ministry of Justice. The bomb exploded, killing eight, while he was driving the 19 miles to a summer camp on Utoya Island run by the Labor Party. There, he slaughtered 69 additional people, most of them teenagers. Paul Greengrasss latest, 22 July, recreates the massacre and its aftermath. Fiction that hews close to fact, the movie is serious and meticulous, yet hollow. Best known for his contributions to the Bourne franchise, Greengrass also has a longstanding interest in terrorism, which hes explored in movies as distinct as United 93 and Captain Phillips. He brings his estimable skills to this new story, taking you through it, grim beat by beat. He introduces the characters, some soon to be dead, and restages the assault, the trial and the grief. Guns are discharged, tears shed, experts consulted, Breiviks noxious views aired. All that is missing is a clear, motivating idea (political or otherwise). The movie opens on the day of the attack, and after some pro forma place setting aerial shots of the lush countryside quickly gets to the carnage. As is his wont, Greengrass employs a fast, kinetic approach and uses crosscutting to knit together assorted locations and characters, especially Breivik (Anders Danielsen Lie), whos seen preparing for his mission, putting on a police uniform and hitting the road, all while crowds of smiling young people arrive on Utoya. Breiviks lethal actions tie these and a few other places and faces together, including his watchful, distant mother (Hilde Olausson), and the prime minister (Ola G. Furuseth) and other government types. Suffused with a sentimentality that Wilde himself would have deplored, The Happy Prince is narratively mushy and meandering. Yet, beneath the prosthetics, theres genuine pathos in Mr. Everetts portrayal of a man bitterly aware that his talents are unreliable armor against the perceived sin of his homosexuality. And when he sings a music-hall song to defuse a cafe riot, we see someone who has long used words to deflect violence and charm protectors. Scenes like this have a stand-alone power, infusing Wildes witticisms and clowning with tragic import and repositioning them as a bulwark against the hypocrisies of the age and the indignities of decline. An ill-advised reunion with Bosie Douglas (Colin Morgan), the selfish lover who caused his downfall, prompts Wilde to describe himself as an old sheep with his butcher. Like the sacrificial fairy-tale hero of the title, hes a martyr to his self-destructive impulses, but Mr. Everett gives him a grandeur that prohibits pity. Its a performance that far outshines his writing and direction, leaving the cinematographer John Conroy to pick up the slack with coppery, burnished images edged frequently in ominous shadow. In The Happy Prince, death is never far away, no matter how numerous Wildes purple moments in the sheets or drunken ditties in the cafe. For nearly a decade, beginning in 1998, the brothers Pedro and Margarito Flores were two of Chicagos most prolific drug dealers, overseeing the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars in Mexican cocaine in their hometown and in dozens of other cities across the United States, the government says. By their own account, the Floreses were canny smugglers, initially moving most of their product in cargo trucks and trailers with secret compartments in the roofs. But in 2005, while they were in Mexico, they met a man who claimed to be a lifelong friend of Mr. Guzman. The man, the brothers have testified, recruited them to work for Mr. Guzman, and they began receiving cocaine shipments from the kingpin, smuggled in luxury yachts, submarines and airplanes, even a custom-fitted Boeing 747. In 2008, fearing arrest in Chicago, the brothers turned on Mr. Guzman. During a clandestine meeting in a Mexican hotel room, they agreed to help American law-enforcement officials by undertaking a perilous mission: secretly recording their billionaire boss talking on the phone about the details of his business. The prosecutors said that in doing so, the Floreses assumed great personal risk and gave the government unparalleled assistance in fighting Mr. Guzmans operation. The brothers were each sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2015 and have not been seen in public since. But because of their undercover work, their father, Margarito Flores Sr., was murdered in 2009 by a cartel hit team in what law enforcement officials thought was an act of vengeance. [The son of the limo company owner at the center of the investigation was arrested.] In 2001, a 45-year-old gas-station owner from Pakistan named Shahed Hussain walked into the Department of Motor Vehicles in Albany and obtained a drivers license using fake documents for a would-be taxi driver who paid him $1,000. Mr. Hussain was caught, faced federal charges and, to avoid deportation, began a secret career that led him to pose as a recruiter of terrorists. He continued to run a series of businesses with his family, despite bankruptcy and legal issues including, eventually, a limousine service that repeatedly ran afoul of state inspectors. Now, Mr. Hussains improbable journey from asylum-seeking immigrant to petty criminal to trusted ally of government prosecutors, has taken yet another turn. His complicated past is central to the investigation of the nations deadliest crash in years. There were two unusual lines, both confusing and concerning, on Jonathan Latimers vote-by-mail ballot: "MAIL 6619 and BROWN UNIVERSITY. Neither line is part of his actual address in Middlesex County, N.J., and so Mr. Latimer, 76, who went to college in California many years ago, was concerned the erroneous and random insertions threatened to invalidate his mail-in ballot for Novembers midterm elections. If the address on his ballot didnt match the address the state had on record, he wondered, would it be counted given New Jerseys strict vote-by-mail requirements? Turns out, Mr. Latimer is not alone. More than 43,000 vote-by-mail ballots were sent out, and the Middlesex County Clerks office estimated that a large percentage of them contained erroneous address information, though they were not able to give an exact number of affected ballots. Here are five problems the agency faces and proposals for how to fix them: New Jersey Transit lurches from crisis to crisis From one annual state budget to the next, New Jersey Transit leaders never knew where they would get enough money to run their existing service, much less make investments for the future. Mr. Murphy has pledged to provide a significant increase in funding, but in his first year, the agency continued a much-criticized practice of shifting money from its capital budget to pay for its day-to-day operations. (On Tuesday, Mr. Murphy reiterated his pledge that there would be no fare increases before mid-2019.) Today, N.J. Transit is facing the unintended long-term consequences of these actions, which have only increased over time as subsidies continued to erode a deterioration of its assets, continued schedule and safety problems, and a disillusioned ridership, the report, conducted by the consulting firm North Highland, concluded. The consultants recommended creating an office to develop a vision for the agencys future and a plan for managing its assets, which have shrunk by $1.5 billion in the last eight years. In short, they advised, Run N.J. Transit more like a business and less as a state agency. Employees have been abandoning ship New Jersey Transit has been losing key employees, some to competing transit agencies in the New York region, and has been having trouble replacing them. The hiring process is also hobbled by out-of-date practices. For many positions, the agency relies on paper applications and pencil-and-paper tests. But in a year when Democrats are determined to take back control of the House of Representatives, the campaign rhetoric of Mr. Reed, 46, may not be as well received as in previous elections. He faces a formidable challenge from Ms. Mitrano, 60, a cybersecurity expert with a law degree and a Ph.D. in history. For the record, Ms. Mitrano, who formerly oversaw digital information policy for Cornell University, no longer lives in Ithaca, and most of her political stances are to the right of extreme liberal. She won a five-way primary in June but was left with only $8,000 in her campaign account. Her chances in the 23rd Congressional District, where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 20,000, seemed bleak. But like many Democrats challenging House Republicans in the midterms, Ms. Mitrano has benefited from a surge in grass-roots donations. In the third quarter of 2018, she reported raising $950,000. The race between Mr. Reed and Ms. Mitrano shares some of the contours defining many contests involving incumbent Republicans. Mr. Reed embraces Mr. Trumps agenda, including the tariffs that many conservatives say threaten the economy. He has a Trump score of nearly 97 percent, one of the highest of his Republican colleagues in the state. The score is given by FiveThirtyEight, the data journalism website, and measures how often a lawmaker has voted to support the presidents position. The surprise victories of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New Yorks 14th Congressional District and Ayanna Pressley in Massachusettss Seventh Congressional District were important because both candidates were relatively young women of color who reflected the changes in their district. Both defeated white men in majority-minority districts. But these men were liberal, especially Mike Capuano in Massachusetts. The two women are favored to win in November, and in Congress , their votes are not likely to differ significantly from the votes of the members they replace, so they will not change the distribution of votes in the House Democratic Caucus. Second, the most successful endorsement group in the 2018 primaries was not Our Revolution or any of the other new progressive political action groups it was that most staid of all organizations, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which won 39 of the 41 races in which it endorsed a candidate. By focusing on candidates who fit the district and had deep roots there, such as Jason Crow in Colorado and Linda Coleman in North Carolina, the congressional committee was looking at more than ideology. It was looking for candidates who could win. Third, progressive candidates brought both a new energy and a new issue to the table this year. A recent Pew Research Center report shows that Democratic turnout in the congressional primaries was up substantially this cycle a 56 percent increase over the 2014 midterm elections. This is most likely a function of the large jump in contested Democratic primaries and the energy on the left. The new issue was Medicare for All. In our review of the congressional candidates, this was endorsed much more often by progressive candidates than by establishment ones. But this is not as divisive an issue as some would make it out to be. Democratic Party platforms have called for universal health care for decades. Buy-in to Medicare for those over 55 years old was considered by the Democratic Congress in 2009 and lost narrowly. Medicare for All will be debated if the Democrats return to power. But in the meantime, it is not the kind of idea that will cause a civil war inside the Democratic caucus. As we go into the November elections, the notion that the Democratic Party has been captured by the extreme left simply doesnt hold water. Elaine Kamarck is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and the author of Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know About How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook and Twitter (@NYTopinion). The numbers in a report released this year by Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab confirmed what housing advocates and public-interest housing law scholars have always known: Evictions from rental housing are a national epidemic. Over two million United States families were forced from their homes in 2017, in big and small cities alike. In some states, like Virginia, which has five of the top 10 cities on the list of cities with most evictions, the number of renters who have faced eviction is jarring. I deem an eviction the civil equivalent of capital punishment. The person or family that is evicted suffers civic death in society. They lose not only their housing but also their independence and dignity, often becoming isolated and hopeless. With so much at stake, its unacceptable that in the average suit for eviction in the United States, tenants do not have legal counsel, while landlords do. In the District of Columbia, where I practiced as a tenant lawyer for many years, over 90 percent of landlords had lawyers and over 90 percent of tenants did not. This is representative of whats happening across the country. In October 2017, a Pew Charitable Trust study found that 85 to 90 percent of landlords across the country have legal counsel in their eviction actions. There is an obvious way to alter the legal inequity tenants often face in court, one that could reduce the bad outcomes they so often experience in eviction cases: Give all low- to moderate-income tenants free legal counsel, the same kind offered to people charged with criminal violations. So many beer emojis. The gloating crested over the weekend. On Saturday, once Justice Kavanaugh was a sure thing, Senator John Cornyn tweeted out the #beersforbrett hashtag, along with a picture of a glass of champagne. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, thanked the clowns who protested Justice Kavanaughs ascension and helped unify his party. Senator Marco Rubio complained about the angry mob that stormed the steps of the Supreme Court building, while Senator Rand Paul praised the incredible group of kind and friendly women in pro-Kavanaugh T-shirts who showed up at his office. What a difference from the other violent protesters weve seen around here. For the record, the clowns, the angry mob, the violent protesters, were the women who confronted elected officials in office halls and in elevators. Many are survivors of sexual violence, the same kind that Christine Blasey Ford testified that she endured. They were trying to get the men in power to hear them and act accordingly. Clearly, that did not happen. Emotional women, loud women, angry women get ignored. Emotional, loud, angry men get to sit on the Supreme Court. They rise ever higher, borne aloft on gusts of male laughter. The spectacle of Justice Kavanaughs confirmation hearing reminded us that, for so many conservative men, and the women who support them, womens suffering is still a joke. What am I supposed to tell my daughters about all of this? Of course, I already know. Ive been talking to them about it for years. Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure someone knows where you are, and when to expect you back. Dont drink too much. Dont put your drink down. Dont walk or run or bike the same route. Dont stay out too late. Dont walk alone in the dark. If a guy asks you out and youre not interested, dont hurt his feelings, and dont laugh at him, because a humiliated man is an angry man, and, sometimes, angry men hurt women. Our girls will learn to police their clothes, their words, their drinking, their behavior, their choices, because theyve been watching, and what theyve seen is this: If you get hurt, its probably your fault, and if you tell, probably no one will believe you, and even if people do, probably nothing will happen. Its the old Ginger Rogers chestnut: To get where men get, to be believed as men are believed, women have to do what men do, only backward, and in heels. Our behavior must be impeccable; our manner, above reproach; our back stories, pure inspiration; our histories, spotlessly clean. Beijing has refuted United States Vice President Mike Pence's allegations about Chinese interference in US internal affairs and elections, claiming the same to be "groundless"and based on hearsay evidence. Addressing a presser, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "The relevant speech made unwarranted accusations against China's domestic and foreign policies and slandered China by claiming that China meddles in US internal affairs and elections. This is nothing but speaking on hearsay evidence, confusing right and wrong and creating something out of thin air. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to it. The efforts made by anyone to distort the facts are doomed to be in vain." Chunying stated that it is "very ridiculous" of the US to brand their exchanges and cooperation with China as being the latter's intervention in its internal affairs. "China always follows the principle of non-interference in others' internal affairs and we have no interest in meddling in US internal affairs and elections. The international community has already known fully well who wantonly infringes upon others' sovereignty, interferes in others' internal affairs and undermines others' interests. Any malicious slander on China is futile," Chunying said. He further urged the US to "correct its wrongdoing, stop groundlessly accusing and slandering China and harming China's interests and China-US ties, and take concrete actions to maintain the sound and steady development of China-US relations." Pence has recently launched a scathing attack on China, accusing them of using "predatory" economic practices and military aggression against the US and trying to cripple President Donald Trump's chances of winning re-election. The Vice President also said that China should follow Taiwan's lead in democracy, which, Pence added, will always be recognised by the US as being a better path for the Chinese people. Responding to the same, Chunying said, "There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. The US has no right at all to pick on relevant countries who chose to develop relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. "Taiwan independence" forces and their separatist activities pose the gravest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Addressing Pence's "reckless harassment" allegations on the near collision between a Chinese military ship and a US Navy ship near the disputed area of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Chunying said that China has "indisputable sovereignty" on South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters. "Installing necessary national defense facilities on the Nansha Islands which are our territory is China exercising its right of self-preservation and self-defense as a sovereign state in accordance with international law. It has nothing to do with 'militarization'," he added. He also refuted Pence's allegations of human rights violations by China by saying, "The Chinese government attaches high importance to protecting and promoting human rights. People of all ethnic groups in China are entitled to full freedom of religious belief in accordance with law. -ANI To the Editor: Re A Generation Goes Off to College, Parents in Tow (China Dispatch, Sept. 24): Tianjin University is compassionate and smart in helping low-income parents stay a month with their freshmen children, realizing that college separation is a major family stress and that family-aided transitions can soften its effect, lowering depression rates among new students. A loving parents company during such an enormous life change makes students stronger in facing the future. I know because my own twins just left for college, and visiting them has helped us all adjust. Chinas hardscrabble farm families are not cosseting little emperors by visiting, but are making great sacrifices for their childrens education. Both they and their children face psychological hardships that those of us from more comfortable backgrounds can hardly imagine. I hope that American universities realize that similar outreach here could help lower income students adjust, succeed and graduate on time, with fewer personal difficulties. But youre right. It does feel different this time. And I think the difference is that the fights arent really about policy. Theyre about our personal experiences and deepest fears. Christine Blasey Ford was electrifying because so many women said: Shes me; her suffering is so much like my own. And, at the same time, a lot of men fear that their careers could be upended by an allegation from long ago, unprovable but devastating. So were not just arguing about the best course for the nation in the abstract. Were fighting for our own corner. Gail: Thanks for bringing us around to Brett Kavanaugh. Quick question: If youd been in the Senate, how would you have voted? Bret: Id have voted for him. Susan Collins spoke for me on pretty much every point. Gail: I appreciate your standing up for Susan Collins when so very many commentators, including me, felt she just took a dive. Obviously, Id have voted no. By the end a vote for Kavanaugh was a vote for a guy who went out of his way to rally the troops by turning the nomination into a partisan us-against-the-Democrats battle. I realize the Democrats were not exactly working above the fray themselves. But the Supreme Court is about transcending partisanship. Thats supposed to be the whole point. And if the justices dont always live up to that goal, that doesnt mean you pick a new guy whos given up the fight before he starts. Bret: In a better world, Kavanaugh would have stood down and Democrats would have promised a vote on another nominee before the midterms. But something tells me that if the nominee were Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats would look for a reason to postpone the vote, hope to retake the Senate and then take revenge for Merrick Garland by refusing to hold a vote. Gail: Not necessarily agreeing, but Merrick Garland is an open sore. Particularly since Mitch McConnell keeps gloating about it. Bret: One thing we can probably agree on is that the process managed to degrade and demean just about everyone who participated in it. Blasey never intended to go public, but Washington cant keep a secret so her name got leaked. I doubt Kavanaugh intended to go on the attack quite the way he did, but, yet he was advised by White House counsel Don McGahn to channel his outrage and indignation. This article is part of the Opinion Today newsletter. You can sign up here to receive the newsletter each weekday. My message in this upcoming election is very simple: Its vote, Barack Obama told his former speechwriter Jon Favreau in a recent episode of The Wilderness podcast. Its not that much to ask. This isnt really a 50-50 country. Its like a 60-40 country, Obama continued. Democrats could and will do even better if every one of your listeners not only votes but makes sure that all your wishy-washy, excuse-making, Internet-surfing, TV-watching, grumbling-but-not-doing-nothing friends and family members get to the polls. Vote. Obama was clearly smiling as he delivered the line. But as soon as I heard it, I knew the reaction that many progressives would likely have: Dont blame us blame voter suppression! Its the same reaction that Ive heard when I have written about the miserably low voter-turnout rates in midterm elections. On Speaking Up Image Lisa Baracker is a doctor, mother, wife and former Catholic turned agnostic Jew who lives in California. Credit... Luigi Pasquini We must break the patriarchy now! We asked readers: If you were to pass down one lesson to your son or daughter from the Kavanaugh nomination and hearings, what would it be? I will tell her AND my sons to look closely at Dr. Ford and how strong she was under fire. We must emulate her strength in our daily lives. Every. Single. Day. I want my children to know that they never have to wait 30 years to tell me if something bad happens to them, because I will believe them the minute they tell me and I will fight for justice for them. I want my children to know that if they ever act the way Kavanaugh did, either in high school or for a job interview, that I will not be on their side. I will discipline them for vile behavior with everything in my power. Dr. Lisa Baracker, California Image Nicole MacKinnon is a Catholic stay-at-home mother of two young daughters. She lives in Columbus, Ohio. Watching the childish reactions of liberals pounding and scratching at the Supreme Court doors, blocking roads, attacking people on the right, chasing politicians or pundits through subways, out of restaurants, etc. has only firmed my stance on my beliefs. Her lesson: If you are ever a victim of sexual harassment or assault, speak up when it happens. Nicole MacKinnon, Columbus, Ohio How Much Power Do Millennials Actually Have? Depending on whos speaking, its either a generation of the downtrodden or a demanding, implacable horde. White Kickers and Punters at Black Colleges Are a Thing There are not many black kickers and punters in the country, even at the nations historically black colleges and universities. Lets Figure It Out Parvathy Bhushan, a recent graduate from Mount Holyoke College, sent us a problem to figure out: In college and immediately after, I started to build a professional network that would help me kick-start my career and that definitely helped me land my first job. What advice do folks have on sustaining and continuing to build their network? How do you keep in touch with your contacts so that when the time comes, it doesn't feel awkward to reach out to them for help? Alan Henry, a Smarter Living editor, has done a lot of thinking about this, so we invited him to weigh in. Heres what he said: First of all, congratulations! Youre tackling something that a lot of people dont pay enough attention to. Everyone should have a professional network, and instead of calling it that, I wish we all called it what it really is: friends willing to help each other with work stuff. I wrote a guide to building and maintaining a professional network a while ago, and the tips still hold, I think. The big ones, though, are not to force anything and it wont feel awkward or sleazy. Be genuine, and be genuinely helpful to other people, and theyll look out for you, too. Let those friendships grow organically after all, you spend 40+ hours a week with your colleagues. Youll be able to figure out which ones like you, and which ones you like. Avoid work cliques, (youll know them when you see them), and dont stress out about being one of the cool kids who effectively sit together at the career lunch table. Youll make your own friends, and if not, make friends at other companies and industries. You should do that anyway! Consider joining a professional organization, affinity group, or other society centered around your skills or industry. The key is to surround yourself with people who believe in you and your talents, and are willing to help you succeed if they can, and vice versa. That way, it gets a little easier to stay in touch without feeling awkward. With professional societies, there are conferences and meetings, pre-planned get-togethers you can just attend. With good friends, catching up feels good to do. Make it easy: hang out doing something of mutual interest, or just grab quick, low-intensity coffee together. 15 minutes, maybe 30, max. I have people in my network Id hang out with all evening laughing and talking, and others where a coffee to catch up is more than enough, and both are fine! Make it a recurring appointment on both of your calendars, maybe monthly, or even quarterly. Pick a spot you both love but dont get to visit as often as youd like. Make an excuse to do something fun. I know, it can be difficult, especially for those of us already anxious about our careers or naturally introverted, or if were part of a group specifically told that boasting about our accomplishments is undesirable behavior. But dont look at your network as a thing apart from real friendships. These people are or can be your friends, and the whole point of being friends is to take that stress away. You dont need to impress them, and you can be open and honest with them. And like any friends, try to make sure theyre only people you feel comfortable spending time or energy with. Face cleansing used to be the most boring part of a skin-care regimen. Want bells and whistles? Better to look to the pricey moisturizer that comes in a faceted faux-crystal jar. Need targeted skin-care solutions? Look to potent serums and masks for results. But with beauty customers more educated than ever, attention has turned toward the humble face cleanser. Korean and Japanese beauty have introduced double- and even triple-cleansing routines. Face wash formulas come in a Willy Wonka variety of forms: foams and balms and gels, mousses, milks and clays. Add concentrated and exotic ingredients, and many of todays cleansers have little in common with the old-school bar of soap. To parse all the products and figure out the best solution for you, youll need the dermis of an armadillo. Good thing weve done some of the work for you. The Ideal Cleanser Dont get distracted by slick marketing campaigns. According to Barbara Sturm, an aesthetic medical doctor in Germany who has a namesake skin-care line, the function of a daily cleanser should be straightforward. Its to remove dead skin cells, oil, dirt and other pollutants from the skin, unclog pores, prevent skin conditions such as acne, and prepare the skin for the next step in your skin-care regimen. The difference between what some employees believe is their total compensation and what the company believes they are being paid also may come down to accounting rules. Amazon said that if employees in 2018 get stock that was granted to them two years ago, that legally counts as compensation this year. But some employees believe that was compensation for work done two years ago. The difference whether because of miscommunication or incomplete information given to employees has resonated in Amazon warehouses around the country, particularly with employees with a longer tenure at the company. The dispute is over two compensation programs that will end on Nov. 1. The first, the Variable Compensation Plan, is paid out each month. It offered up to a 4 percent bonus for attendance, and an additional 4 percent if a workers building met certain production goals. Ms. Iber said someone in her warehouse wrote BRING BACK VCP!!!! on a whiteboard where employees are encouraged to communicate with management. In the three months around the holiday season, known as double down, the bonus doubles, meaning employees could earn as much as 16 percent on top of their regular wages. The second program gave employees shares in Amazon stock each year. They get to keep the shares if theyre still working at the company after two years. Recently, employees have been getting two shares, worth about a combined $3,725 at the current market value. With the changes, workers get to keep the stock granted in previous years but will not earn new shares. Documentation that Ms. Iber provided showed that her bonus amounted to $1.28 an hour in August. In the three months around the holidays, that could be more than $2.50 an hour, far more than the $1-an-hour increase in base pay shes getting. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. For much of the last decade, Apple and Samsung have dominated sales of smartphones. So why would anyone bother trying to sell a new phone? That hasnt dissuaded Google. The company on Tuesday unveiled new versions of its Pixel smartphone, which is a high-end challenger to Apples iPhone and Samsungs Galaxy phones. It also introduced a smart speaker with a built-in display and a laptop that doubles as a tablet, in response to products from Amazon and Microsoft. The gadgets are Googles third wave since it started making consumer devices in 2016. The internet company has pushed these products as a way to showcase its prowess in areas like artificial intelligence and image processing. Yet the efforts have not had a meaningful impact on Googles sales or market share. For a company that makes most of its money selling advertising next to search results, the hardware increasingly appears to be an expensive hobby. One of its biggest hits thus far is a Google-branded wireless router, which is too much of a niche product to serve as the foundation of a hardware strategy. The American rural experience, as told by Henry David Thoreau and Aldo Leopold, is all about becoming immersed in largely unpopulated, natural places. For weary urbanites, such places offer a chance to find solitude and reflect. Too often, it seems, the scattered towns that dot these landscapes are ignored, lost in the shadow of their wild surroundings. So it goes for West Virginia. The mountains and the wilderness that blankets them are the stuff of American lore: blue forests, trout-filled creeks, pristine backcountry. For many visitors intent on hiking, biking or rock-climbing, the communities of Appalachia, with their rich folk culture and rugged individualism fail to register. The mountainous belt that stretches down West Virginias eastern side is one of the few large tracts that have resisted development in the eastern United States. While persistent poverty still weighs down many corners of the region, travelers coming to experience its natural gems have, in recent years, fueled a modest resurgence in the towns that lie near them. Joining an old guard of native residents, an influx of outsiders has helped resuscitate communities that were all but burned out after the near-collapse of the coal and logging industries in the earlier part of the 20th century. On Oct. 20, 2014, the night Laquan died, Officer Gaffney and several other officers had trailed the teenager for blocks. Those officers requested the help of a colleague with a Taser and followed Laquan from a distance, even as he popped the tire of a police cruiser with a three-inch pocketknife he was carrying and slashed at the vehicles windshield. Laquan was walking away from the officers when Officer Van Dyke arrived and started shooting. The gunshots continued as Laquan crumpled onto the ground. Almost immediately after the gunfire stopped, prosecutors say, a cover-up began. As part of the conspiracy, prosecutors wrote in a court filing unsealed last week, officers failed to report or correct false information in official police reports and concealed the true facts of the events surrounding the killing of Laquan McDonald. At the scene, the officers failed to interview people who witnessed the shooting, the prosecutors said. Later that night, the officers huddled at the police station and then gave dubious accounts of the shooting that were nearly identical. A story emerged, contradicted by video, of Laquan trying to stab three officers and then trying to get up from the ground after being pummeled by bullets. Days later, a sergeant assigned to the case sent an email defending Officer Van Dyke and criticizing those who questioned his actions. He said the offender chose his fate and that it was possibly suicide by police. The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, a key Madhesi party, demanding amendment in Nepal's constitution, has threatened to walk out of the two-third majority government led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. The RJP-N sent a memorandum to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers on Monday through the Chief District Officers of the country. The Madhesi party threatened to walk out of the government if it does not address its demands and previous promises. "If the two-third majority gaining government does not allow Resham Chaudhary to take oath as MP, withdraw the political cases filed against the cadres, release the imprisoned ones along with the political and public demands along with the issue of constitutional amendment and does not take it forth, the RJP-N will be compelled to withdraw its support to the government," the memorandum stated. The party also said that the country will be pushed into strife once again, the responsibility of which will have to be taken by the incumbent government. The RJP-N further accused KP Oli-led government of showing "indifferent behaviour" towards its demands since it was formed around 210 days ago. Earlier too, Madhesi leader Rajendra Mahato had warned the current administrations that if it failed to amend the constitution, it will have to face similar crises like the previous government. A previous attempt to amend the Constitution had failed, owing to lack of a two-thirds clear majority in the previously dissolved parliament in 2017. With the three-tier elections were held simultaneously within a short duration, the Communist parties of Nepal garnered a two-thirds majority and appointed K P Sharma Oli as the first Prime Minister of federal Nepal. -ANI On the second floor of the New York Public Librarys Riverside branch last week, a handful of high school students were eager to hear Michelle Lee, a young adult librarian there, discuss tricks for finding employment. Who has a job? Ms. Lee asked. (No hands went up.) Who wants a job? she continued. (All hands went up.) For the next hour and a half, as some students munched on snacks, Ms. Lee covered the dos and donts of interviewing and offered tips on how to produce a strong resume, even using fictitious examples for Peter Parker and Kamala Khan to illustrate her point. And off to one side of the room were the most unusual new additions to the librarys collection: neutral-colored handbags and briefcases, and purple, blue and striped neckties, all of which can be checked out like books for up to three weeks. Its Tuesday in America, and the midterm elections are exactly four weeks away. After last weeks distasteful partisan horror show ended with now-Justice Brett M. Kavanaughs elevation to the Supreme Court, the question everyones asking is how this unseemly episode will affect the forthcoming elections. Mainly, were wondering who it might most galvanize to turn up at the polls. Since this is not actually a national election, but instead a series of local and state ones, the results will also turn on issues as various as the country is large. And though the unpleasantness in Washington is wafting its way across the country, intensifying divisions on the right and left, not every political event is a roiling cesspit of fear and acrimony. I recently attended a perfectly civil meet-the-candidates lunch in Macon, Ga., sponsored by Georgias Chamber of Commerce, a business-promoting association. Georgia is one of 36 states with governors seats in contention this fall, and its race is one of the spicier ones. The candidates Stacey Abrams, a Democratic state lawmaker, and Brian Kemp, Georgias Republican secretary of state both defeated more moderate opponents in their primaries, part of a national trend. The race has gotten added attention because if she wins, Ms. Abrams will become the nations first black female governor. WASHINGTON Three days after the fierce battle over his nomination ended in his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh joined his new colleagues on the bench for the first time on Tuesday morning, taking a seat on the far right side of the bench, in the spot reserved for the most junior justice. The rancor that had consumed the Capitol, just across the street, ahead of his confirmation vote last week had dulled to a polite hush as spectators gathered in the courtroom midmorning. The arguments concluded without any protests, a contrast with the outbursts that disrupted Justice Kavanaughs testimony about sexual assault allegations against him and the Senate vote on his elevation to the Supreme Court. Shortly before the arguments began, Justice Kavanaughs wife, Ashley Kavanaugh, entered and sat on the south side of the room, closest to his new seat. His daughters sat at her side, gazing at the elaborate marble frieze near the ceiling. Minutes later, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, whose seat on the court was filled by Justice Kavanaugh and for whom Justice Kavanaugh once served as a law clerk, entered and sat just feet from the new justices seat. A court officer then gave unusually stern and detailed instructions to the audience. It is critical that you remain seated and silent, he said. WASHINGTON As the Senate hearings on Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh cleaved the country, Ron DeSantis, the Republican candidate for governor of Florida, stayed mostly out of the fray uncharacteristic reticence for a politician who usually relishes partisan battles. But by last weekend, Mr. DeSantis had changed his tune. These people really debase the Senate, he said of Democrats during a campaign rally soon after the Senate voted, largely along party lines, to confirm the Supreme Courts newest justice. What they did was a disgrace. That line of attack, honed by Republican senators to help shield Justice Kavanaugh from sexual assault allegations, and then picked up by Senate candidates in tight races, is now catching fire across the political landscape in competitive contests for governor, the House of Representatives and other positions that had nothing to do with the confirmation process. If many Republicans werent sure, initially, how to handle the accusations against Justice Kavanaugh, some are now determined to harness outrage among their core voters and make him an issue in races up and down the ballot to counter the energy on the left. In several of the countrys tightest and most closely watched midterm contests, the critical goal now is to find the right words and messages to ensure that anger over Justice Kavanaugh remains a potent motivating factor from now until Election Day. Many Republicans believe that, by portraying him as the victim of political sabotage, they will have one more argument to help unify an otherwise fractured party anxious about keeping control of the House and Senate in November. WASHINGTON Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, confirmed to the Supreme Court amid fiery accusations of sexual misconduct against women, arrived Tuesday for his first day on the bench with an unprecedented all-female class of law clerks. As a result, more than half of the Supreme Courts law clerks this year will for the first time in American history be women. Former colleagues of Justice Kavanaugh have described a longstanding reputation of promoting women in law. During his 12 years at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the majority of Justice Kavanaughs law clerks were women 25 of 48 and during his confirmation hearings he testified that he graduated more of them to clerkships at the Supreme Court than any other federal judge. Supreme Court clerkships among the most coveted credentials in American law offer young lawyers unusual influence over the courts proceedings. There are about 36 law clerks each term, and they offer recommendations on which cases to hear, help prepare the justices for oral arguments and draft major portions of the opinions and dissents. So, at the end of the year, Nikki will be leaving, and well be in constant touch. I know that whenever you have any ideas, youre going to call me, because you know all the players. President Trump accepted Nikki Haleys resignation as ambassador to the United Nations. He appointed Haley just weeks after winning the presidential election. It has been an honor of a lifetime. She first served under Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who preferred behind-the-scenes diplomacy, allowing Haley to step in as the public face of U.S. foreign policy. Haley became a regular on the Sunday political talk shows. And Jerusalem is where the prime minister is, the president is, the Parliament, the Supreme Court. It makes sense for our embassy to be there. But one appearance caused a rift with the administration. In April, Haley announced there would be tougher sanctions on Russia for supporting Syrias Bashar al-Assad. This apparently caught Trump off guard, and one official said Haley was perhaps confused. In the last half-hour, I was able to get in touch with Nikki Haley and she said, quote, With all due respect, I dont get confused. Haley also championed controversial policy decisions on the world stage. She slashed funds to the Palestinian aid agency, withdrew from the Human Rights Council and made her opposition to Iran her signature goal. In December, Haley staged a presentation of missiles at a military base in Washington, accusing Iran of providing weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen. The weapons might as well have had Made in Iran stickers all over it. Her evidence fell short, but it served as a step in the Trump administrations effort to punish Iran for its activities throughout the Middle East. I, Michael Richard Pompeo When Mike Pompeo became secretary of state and John Bolton, national security adviser, they took a more public approach, and Haley became less influential. Bolton became more involved with issues in Haleys portfolio, like Iran and the International Criminal Court. Haley had many successes of her own, including passing sweeping sanctions on North Korea and imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan. Look at what has happened in two years with the United States on foreign policy. Now, the United States is respected. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. And Haley was widely respected by her diplomatic colleagues, even those from nations who disagreed with this administrations foreign policy decisions. Many in the U.N. saw Haley as a reasonable figure in an otherwise unpredictable administration and are closely watching who might succeed her. WASHINGTON President Trump has spent the past week praising his new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico as a win for farmers, saying the pact will send cash pouring into the United States and enrich Americas agriculture and industrial workers. The farmers are so thrilled with the U.S.M.C.A., Mr. Trump said on Tuesday, referring to the new United States Mexico Canada Agreement. We just opened up Mexico and Canada and its great for our farmers, he said ahead of a campaign rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa. But many are not ready to cheer. American businesses still face a cloud of trade uncertainty as Mr. Trump seeks to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, Nafta, with the new deal. The biggest concern: lingering tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. The metal tariffs, combined with retaliatory taxes that foreign governments have placed on American products, are undercutting the concessions that Mr. Trump won in the deal. While the new trade pact gives American farmers greater access to Canadas dairy market and requires that a higher percentage of a car be produced in the United States, business and trade groups are raising questions about whether the agreement will actually deliver the economic boost the president promises. Taylor Swifts decision to jump into politics over the weekend, announcing her support in an Instagram post for two Democrats in Tennessee and urging her 112 million followers to register to vote, appears to have contributed to a flurry of last-minute registrations before deadlines in many states. In the hours after Ms. Swift shared her political views on Sunday, the voter registration site Vote.org recorded a flood of requests, both nationwide and in the pop superstars adopted home state of Tennessee. More than 166,000 people across the United States submitted new registrations on Vote.org between Sunday and noon on Tuesday, with about 42 percent of the registrants falling between the ages of 18 to 24, officials at the site said. People have had plenty of reasons to rush to fill out voter applications this week: 18 states have some type of registration deadline on Tuesday, including Tennessee. Many other states have deadlines later this week or later in the month, ahead of Election Day in November. Registrations usually surge as deadlines approach. I keep going back to who Jesus was when he walked on earth, she said. This is about proximity to people in pain. Image Emily Mooney said that placing a Beto for Senate sticker on her car and driving it to church felt like an act of rebellion. Credit... Ilana Panich-Linsman for The New York Times Its far from clear how much influence voters like Ms. Clarke and her friends will have in the Senate race. Texas remains a deeply conservative state. One in three Texans is evangelical, according to the Pew Research Center, and 85 percent of white evangelical voters in Texas supported Mr. Trump in 2016, higher than even the national average, which was a record high for a presidential election. Republican strategists dismiss the notion that their Texas base shows any signs of cracking. Its not worrisome at all. That would be an anomaly, said Chris Wilson, a strategist for Mr. Cruz, citing data from his firm showing Mr. Cruz leading Mr. ORourke 87 percent to 11 percent among evangelical activist voters. The New York Timess Upshot section has been polling the race, and most public opinion polls show Mr. Cruz holding a small lead. Still, Ms. Mooney and her friends may represent an under-the-radar web of white, evangelical women in Texas whose vote in November may be more up for grabs than at any time in the recent past. They are angry with many of Mr. Trumps policies, and frustrated because they feel their faith has been weaponized to support his agenda. Sarah Damoff, who is a court-appointed special advocate for children, voted a straight Republican ticket after Kermit Gosnell, a Pennsylvania physician, was indicted in 2011 for murdering babies born alive in botched abortions. But she was moved watching Mr. ORourke sit with migrant women separated from their children, and reflected on her own vulnerability growing up with a single mother who was blind. How does my vote represent the little girl that I used to be ? she said. The Republicans used to be the party of family, and morals and values, and now they are not. Good Tuesday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today. Rick Gates, a top Trump campaign official, requested proposals in 2016 from an Israeli company to create fake online identities designed to dissuade Republican delegates from backing President Trumps primary race opponents and to gather intelligence on Hillary Clinton. Read the story. It was a disgraceful situation brought about by people who are evil. Mr. Trump called the sexual misconduct accusations against Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh unfair and a hoax. Read the story. On Monday, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein traveled with Mr. Trump on Air Force One, with his fate at the Justice Department hanging in the balance. After the flight, he still had a job. Two women in a Mississippi restaurant have the easy rapport that comes from working together for 23 years. But their politics are sharply different. Read how they coexist and reflect a divided country. In a nation bitterly divided over gun ownership issues, these efforts have met dissent. Dr. Arthur Przebinda, director of Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership, framed Dr. Wintemutes efforts as part of a broader anti-gun bias in institutional medicine. Dr. Przebinda said asking physicians to sign such a pledge encourages them to propagandize Americans against their constitutionally protected rights to gun ownership and privacy. Dr. Przebinda said he gets several requests a day from patients looking for gun-friendly physicians. Some, he said, are tired of their doctors sending them anti-gun YouTube videos and other materials. His group, which he said has over 1,400 members, has set up a referral service connecting patients to gun-friendly doctors. For doctors and other health professionals, navigating this politically fraught issue can be difficult. If doctors dont bring up the topic, family members can and should. Here are the leading issues: Is it legal to talk to patients about guns? Yes. No state or federal law bars health professionals from raising the issue. Why dont doctors do it? The top three reasons are lack of time, being unsure of what to tell patients and believing patients wont heed their advice about gun ownership or gun safety, one survey of family physicians found. Theres no medical or health professional school in the country that does an adequate job at training about firearms, Dr. Wintemute said. He said he is now working with the American Medical Association to design a continuing medical education course on the topic. Other doctors dont believe they should ask. Dr. Przebinda argues that doctors should almost never ask their patients about guns, except in very rare, very exceptional circumstances for example, if a patient is despondent or homicidal. He said placing patients gun ownership information into an electronic medical record puts their privacy at risk. When is it time to broach the subject? The Veterans Health Administration recommends asking about firearms as part of a safety screening when investigating or establishing the suspected diagnosis of dementia. The Alzheimers Association also recommends asking, Are firearms present in the home? as part of a safety screening. That screening is part of a care planning session that Medicare covers after initial dementia diagnosis and annually as the disease progresses. The American College of Physicians recommends physicians counsel patients on the risk of having firearms in the home, particularly when children, adolescents, people with dementia, people with mental illnesses, people with substance use disorders, or others who are at increased risk of harming themselves or others are present. Ive never been sure what to expect when meeting someone whos just tried to take his own life. But Ive learned to stop expecting anything. Sometimes, the person in front of me barely speaks, staring right through me, lost in a deep catatonic depression. Sometimes he or she cant stop talking, breathlessly describing what happened as if were gossiping at brunch after an hour of SoulCycle. Yesterday, my patient, a 20-something graduate student, swallowed a jumble of unmarked pills, hoping to die, after his father told him never to come home again. Today, he greeted me with a soft smile, his delirium starting to clear, his heart beating normally again. Whoops, he said. Hed been a happy kid who aimed to please. He once felt so bad for lying about having done his homework before playing video games, he told me, that hed grounded himself. Sociable but square, he didnt drink until he was 21, even though hed gone to a college with a reputation for partying. Deeply religious, he was gay but desperately wanted not to be. A whos who of opposition leaders took turns filing past Mr. Albans coffin, which was draped in the Venezuelan flag. His grieving sister brought a framed portrait of her deeply religious brother shadowed by an image of Jesus Christ. Hours after his death, a few dozen of Mr. Albans supporters gathered outside the police building yelling Maduro killer! and contending that Mr. Alban had been murdered. They later assembled outside Caracass morgue to demand his body be handed over as rumors spread he would be cremated. Theres no doubt this was an assassination, the opposition leader Julio Borges said in a video filmed from exile in neighboring Colombia, without providing evidence of his claim. The only thing left for this government is torture, violence and destruction. Mr. Borges, who led the delegation to the U.N., said Mr. Albans wife told him that her husband had been under intense pressure to testify against him in the ongoing investigation into the alleged plot to kill Mr. Maduro using two drones loaded with explosives. More than two dozen people have been jailed on suspicion of involvement in the plot, which Mr. Maduro claims was orchestrated by Mr. Borges with the support of Colombia and the United States. The chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Albans death, which he classified as a suicide. In brief comments on state TV, he said Mr. Alban was in the headquarters of Venezuelas intelligence police waiting to be transferred to a courthouse when he asked to use a bathroom. He then threw himself from the 10th floor of the building, officials said. SEOUL, South Korea Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, which has been condemned as one of the worst suppressors of religious freedom in the world, has invited Pope Francis to visit his country, South Koreas government said Tuesday. The invitation will be relayed by South Koreas president, Moon Jae-in, a Roman Catholic, when he visits the Vatican for two days next week to seek the popes help in easing tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula, said Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman of Mr. Moon. Mr. Moon met with Mr. Kim in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, last month. If the pope visits Pyongyang, we will give him a rousing welcome, Mr. Kim told Mr. Moon, according to Mr. Moons spokesman. There was no immediate comment from the Vatican on whether Francis would accept the invitation, but it is considered highly unlikely. Its extremely regrettable to lose staff in this way, he added. Kyodo reported Tuesday that the police are investigating how the zoo cares for Riku and its three other white tigers. The news agency said that around the time of the attack, the staff had planned to move Riku from a display cage to his sleeping chamber. Mr. Ishido told reporters that staff members are not permitted to be in cages with dangerous animals, but that the rule was evidently broken in this case, The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported. The zoo opened in 1972 and has more than 1,000 animals, including koalas, polar bears and red pandas, according to its website. Kyodo reported that Riku the white tiger is nearly six feet long and weighs about 375 pounds as much as some sumo wrestlers. The Hirakawa Zoological Park was open on Tuesday, Kyodo reported, but access to the area near the tiger display was restricted. The episode was not the first tiger attack on a zookeeper in Japan. In 2008, for example, a Siberian tiger attacked and killed Atsushi Ito, a zookeeper who had been cleaning its cage at a zoo in Kyoto, the countrys former imperial capital, Kyodo reported. He died from a broken neck. SYDNEY, Australia Americas highest ranking Marine Corps officer stationed in Australia was relieved of his command last month after he was arrested on drunken driving charges in Darwin, the military said on Monday after the officer, Col. James Schnelle, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle at twice the legal blood-alcohol limit. I am personally responsible for the poor judgment exhibited in the early hours of Sunday 30 September, Colonel Schnelle said in a statement, adding he was guilty for the charges rendered. Colonel Schnelle oversaw a contingent of more than 1,500 Marines stationed in Darwin, a city in northern Australia on the doorstep of Southeast Asia. American Marines have been stationed in the city since 2012, and their numbers have steadily grown since then. Colonel Schnelle was randomly tested by police officers in the early hours of Sept. 30 while returning from a Darwin bar. A breathalyzer test revealed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.102 percent, double the 0.05 percent legal limit in Australia. Europe and the U.S. are not simply taking different approaches to Iran, but are actively working against one another in a policy field which is of significant strategic interest to both sides, he said. The dispute over the Iran deal, he continued, is a major driver of European debates about a form of strategic autonomy from the United States and represents a more serious cleavage in the Western alliance than did the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The latest American sanctions against Iran, scheduled to take effect Nov. 4, will be the toughest so far, hitting the countrys oil industry and central bank. The sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products will be restricted, and foreign financial institutions will face sanctions for transactions with the Iranian central bank of other financial institutions designated under legislation Congress passed in 2012. To get around the penalties, the Europeans are hoping to create a special purpose vehicle to allow payments related to Iranian exports, including oil, and Iranian imports, to assist and reassure economic operators pursuing legitimate business with Iran, according to the European Union. The mechanism could use a form of barter, offsetting values of imports and exports priced in euros while avoiding banking transactions. The main objective is to allow Iran to keep selling its oil, on which much of its economy depends exactly the reason Washington is trying to restrict that commerce. But it remains unclear if the European efforts will succeed. Big multinational firms like Total, Peugeot, Renault, Eni, Siemens and Daimler are already pulling out of Iran, saying they cannot risk being shut out of the American financial system. There were 15 of them. Most arrived in the dead of night, laid their trap and waited for the target to arrive. That target was Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi critic of his countrys government and its young crown prince. Since his killing in Istanbul, Turkish media has released a steady drip feed of evidence implicating Saudi officials. Weeks of investigation by The Times builds on that evidence and reconstructs what unfolded, hour-by-hour. Our timeline shows the ruthless efficiency of a hit team of experts that seemed specially chosen from Saudi government ministries. Some had links to the crown prince himself. After a series of shifting explanations, Saudi Arabia now denies that this brazen hit job was premeditated. But this reconstruction of the killing, and the botched cover-up, calls their story into serious question. Its Friday morning, Sept. 28. Khashoggi and his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, are at the local marriage office in Istanbul. In order to marry, hes told that he needs Saudi paperwork and goes straight to the consulate to arrange it. They tell him to return in a week. It all seems routine, but its not. Inside theres a Saudi spy, Ahmed al-Muzaini, whos working under diplomatic cover. That very day, he flies off to Riyadh and helps concoct a plan to intercept Khashoggi when he returns to the consulate. Fast-forward to Monday night into Tuesday morning. Saudi agents converge in Istanbul aboard separate flights. Muzaini, the spy, flies back from Riyadh. A commercial flight carries a three-man team that we believe flew from Cairo. Two of the men are security officers and theyve previously traveled with the crown prince. A private jet flying from Riyadh lands around 3:30 a.m. That plane is often used by the Saudi government, and its carrying nine Saudi officials, some who played key roles in Khashoggis death. Well get to Team 3 later on, and for now focus on these men from Team 2. This is Salah al-Tubaigy, a high-ranking forensics and autopsy expert in the Saudi interior ministry. Turkish officials will later say his role was to dismember Khashoggis body. Another is Mustafa al-Madani, a 57-year-old engineer. As well see, its no accident that he looks like Khashoggi. And this is Maher Mutreb, the leader of the operation. Our investigation into his past reveals a direct link between Mutreb and the Saudi crown prince. When bin Salman toured a Houston neighborhood earlier this year, we discovered that Mutreb was with him, a glowering figure in the background. We found him again in Boston, at a U.N. meeting in New York, in Madrid and Paris, too. This global tour was all part of a charm offensive by the prince to paint himself as a moderate reformer. Back then, Mutreb was in the royal guard. Now, he would orchestrate Khashoggis killing. And his close ties to the crown prince beg the question, just how high up the Saudi chain of command did the plot to kill go? Early Tuesday morning, Khashoggi flies back from a weekend trip to London. He and the Saudis nearly cross paths at the airport. The Saudi teams check into two hotels, which give quick access to the consulate. Khashoggi heads home with his fiancee. Hed just bought an apartment for their new life together. By mid-morning, the Saudis are on the move. Mutreb leaves his hotel three hours before Khashoggi is due at the consulate. The rest of the team isnt far behind. The building is only a few minutes away on foot, and soon, theyre spotted at this entrance. Mutreb arrives first. Next, we see al-Tubaigy, the autopsy expert. And now al-Madani, the lookalike. The stage is almost set. A diplomatic car pulls out of the consulate driveway and switches places with a van, which backs in. Turkish officials say this van would eventually carry away Khashoggis remains. From above, we can see the driveway is covered, hiding any activity around the van from public view. Meanwhile, Khashoggi and his fiancee set out for the consulate, walking hand-in-hand. In their final hour together, they chat about dinner plans and new furniture for their home. At 1:13 p.m., they arrive at the consulate. Khashoggi gives her his cellphones before he enters. He walks into the consulate. Its the last time we see him. Inside, Khashoggi is brought to the consul generals office on the second floor. The hit team is waiting in a nearby room. Sources briefed on the evidence, told us Khashoggi quickly comes under attack. Hes dragged to another room and is killed within minutes. Then al-Tubaigy, the autopsy expert, dismembers his body while listening to music. Maher Mutreb makes a phone call to a superior. He says, Tell your boss, and The deed was done. Outside, the van reportedly carrying Khashoggis body pulls out of the side entrance and drives away. At the same time, the Saudis begin trying to cover their tracks. While Khashoggis fiancee waits here where she left him, two figures leave from the opposite side. One of them is wearing his clothes. Later, the Saudis would claim that this was Khashoggi. But its al-Madani, the engineer, now a body double pretending that the missing journalist left the consulate alive. Yet theres one glaring flaw: The clothes are the same, but hes wearing his own sneakers, the ones he walked in with. Meanwhile, the van thats allegedly carrying Khashoggis body makes the two-minute drive from the consulate to the Saudi consuls residence. Theres several minutes of deliberations but the van eventually pulls into the buildings driveway. Again, its hidden from public view. Its now three hours since Khashoggi was last seen. The body double hails this taxi and continues weaving a false trail through the city. He heads to a popular tourist area and then changes back into his own clothes. Later, we see him joking around in surveillance footage. Over at the airport, more Saudi officials arrive on another flight from Riyadh. They spend just five hours in Istanbul, but were not sure where they go. Now we pick up Maher Mutreb again, exiting from the consuls house. Its time for them to go. Mutreb and others check out of their hotel and move through airport security. Al-Muzaini, the spy, heads to the airport too. But as theyre leaving Istanbul, Khashoggis fiancee is still outside the consulate, pacing in circles. Shell soon raise the alarm that Khashoggi is missing and shell wait for him until midnight. The alarm spreads around the world. Nine days later, the Saudis send another team to Istanbul. They say its to investigate what happened. But among them are a toxicologist and a chemist, who also has ties to the hit team. He and Tubaigy attended a forensics graduation days before Khashoggi was killed. Turkish officials later say that this teams mission was not to investigate, but to cover up the killing. Now the Saudi story has changed, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for several suspects in Khashoggis killing. But that doesnt include Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who many Western government officials are convinced authorized the killing. Khashoggis remains still havent been found. JERUSALEM As a student at the University of Florida, Lara Alqasem served a recent stint as president of the tiny local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group typically had a single-digit membership, and one of its more notable political activities appears to have been a campaign to boycott an Israeli brand of hummus. A Facebook event post indicated that all of 19 people showed up for the campaigns launch. But that seems to have been enough for the Israeli government to bar Ms. Alqasem from entering the country under a 2017 law intended to combat the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, a loose network whose goals include pressuring Israel into ending the occupation of the West Bank. Israeli officials consider the B.D.S. movement to be anti-Semitic and bent on Israels destruction, since it also promotes the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees to their former homes. Ms. Alqasem arrived at Ben Gurion Airport last week with plans to enroll at an Israeli university, and has been held there since while she appeals a deportation order. On Tuesday, the Israeli government presented her with a choice: Apologize and renounce her support for the boycott movement, or give up on her plan to study in Israel and be placed on a plane back to the United States. Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and dissident, remains missing a week after he seemed to disappear inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Mr. Khashoggis fiancee and friends fear he has been either kidnapped or killed. Turkish investigators have concluded that he is dead. The Saudi government maintains that he left the consulate on Oct. 2 and is not in their custody. Here is what we know about the details of Mr. Khashoggis disappearance. Akasyali St. Mr. Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2 walking toward this entrance. Entrance Entrance Saudi Arabia Consulate, Istanbul The consulate is in the financial district. The building has entrances at the front and back. Akagac St. Entrance Akasyali St. Mr. Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2 walking toward this entrance. Entrance Entrance Saudi Arabia Consulate, Istanbul The consulate is in the financial district. The building has entrances at the front and back. Akagac St. Entrance Akasyali St. Mr. Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2 walking toward this entrance. Entrance Entrance Akagac St. Entrance Saudi Arabia Consulate, Istanbul The consulate is in the financial district. The building has entrances at the front and back. Mr. Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2 walking toward this entrance. Akasyali St. Entrance Entrance Akagac St. Saudi Arabia Consulate, Istanbul The consulate is in the financial district. The building has entrances at the front and back. Entrance The New York Times | Aerial image by The Associated Press Friday, Sept. 28 Mr. Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year. He visited the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to collect a document that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiancee, but was told he would have to return. He left Istanbul that afternoon and flew to London for a conference. At some point after that visit, most likely over the weekend, Mr. Khashoggi called the consulate saying he could return to pick up the document the next Tuesday. Someone from the consulate later called him back and asked him to come in at 1:30 p.m. the day of the appointment, his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, said. Saturday, Sept. 29 Jamal Khashoggi spoke at a conference in London organized by the Middle East Monitor on Sept. 29, three days before he went missing. Reuters Mr. Khashoggi spoke at the conference, which was hosted by the Middle East Monitor, a nonprofit group. Monday, Oct. 1 Mr. Khashoggi met two friends for lunch in London to discuss a column he had drafted about free speech in the Arab world. The friends later said he appeared unconcerned about his planned return to the consulate in Turkey. He returned to Istanbul later on Monday, Ms. Cengiz said. Tuesday, Oct. 2 At 3:13 a.m., a private charter plane carrying nine Saudi officials and intelligence officers, some with diplomatic passports, arrived at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to the Turkish news outlet Sabah and government officials who spoke with The New York Times. The plane was a Gulfstream jet owned by Sky Prime Aviation Services, a charter company based in Riyadh that has long worked with the Saudi government. A January 2018 image of the Gulfstream jet thought to have flown Saudi officials and intelligence officers from Riyadh to Istanbul hours before Mr. Khashoggi disappeared. AirTeamImages The Saudi officials checked into two hotels near the Saudi Consulate in Istanbuls financial district, booking rooms for three nights. They later retrieved their belongings and departed the same day. A Turkish news organization, Sabah, published images of 15 men that turkish officials have identified as Saudi operatives who flew to Istanbul. Saudi forensics chief and autopsy expert Air Force lieutenant Source: Sabah and Turkish officials Saudi forensics chief and autopsy expert Air Force lieutenant Source: Sabah and Turkish officials Saudi forensics chief and autopsy expert Saudi Air Force lieutenant Source: Sabah and Turkish officials At 1:14 p.m., Mr. Khashoggi entered the consulate. He gave his two cellphones to Ms. Cengiz and told her to get help if he did not reappear. AP via TRT WORLD A senior Turkish official said that within two hours of his arrival, Mr. Khashoggi was killed by a team of Saudi agents, who dismembered his body with a bone saw theyd brought for the purpose. Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, have insisted that Mr. Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after he arrived, but no evidence has emerged to support that claim. Around 4 p.m., six vehicles left the consulate carrying Saudi officials and intelligence officers, Sabah reported. Two other vehicles drove to the Saudi consuls residence on Meselik Street, which is 200 yards from the consulate. Investigators suspect Mr. Khashoggi was in one of these vehicles, Sabah reported. The vehicles stayed there for four hours. Turkish staff members of the residence were unexpectedly told not to report for work that day. Meselik St. Saudi consuls residence On Meselik Street, 200 yards from the consulate. Akagac St. Saudi Arabia Consulate Saudi consuls residence On Meselik Street, 200 yards from the consulate. Meselik St. Akagac St. Saudi Arabia Consulate Meselik St. Saudi consuls residence On Meselik Street, 200 yards from the consulate. Akagac St. Saudi Arabia Consulate Meselik St. Saudi consuls residence On Meselik Street, 200 yards from the consulate. Akagac St. Saudi Arabia Consulate The New York Times | Aerial image by Google Around 5:15 p.m., a second Sky Prime Aviation Services jet carrying six Saudi officials landed at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. It departed just over an hour later at 6:20 p.m. and stopped in Cairo before returning to Riyadh. At 10:46 p.m., the jet that arrived earlier on Tuesday departed Istanbul for Dubai. Ms. Cengiz waited for Mr. Khashoggi at the consulate until 1 a.m., but he did not emerge. Wednesday, Oct. 3 Ms. Cengiz returned to the consulate on Wednesday morning, but there was still no sign of Mr. Khashoggi. It was supposed to be their wedding day. Reuters reported that Mr. Khashoggi was missing, citing interviews with Ms. Cengiz and a friend. SELAMAT DATANG DI MESINSLOT. SITUS JUDI CASINO DAN SLOT TERBAIK DI iNDONESIA - Pemeliharaan Terjadwal: Global Gaming pada 2021-02-26 dari 10:00 AM sampai 2031-02-26 10:00 AM (GMT + 7). Selama waktu ini, Global Gaming permainan tidak akan tersedia. Kami memohon maaf atas ketidaknyamanan yang mungkin ditimbulkan. - Pemeliharaan Terjadwal: Asia Gaming pada 2021-04-07 dari 1:00 PM sampai 2021-04-08 11:00 PM (GMT + 7). Selama waktu ini, Asia Gaming permainan tidak akan tersedia. Kami memohon maaf atas ketidaknyamanan yang mungkin ditimbulkan. - Pemeliharaan Terjadwal: S128 Cockfight pada 2021-02-26 dari 12:00 PM sampai 2031-02-26 12:00 PM (GMT + 7). Selama waktu ini, S128 Cockfight permainan tidak akan tersedia. Kami memohon maaf atas ketidaknyamanan yang mungkin ditimbulkan. A Russian man miraculously survived after inserting an 8-inch kitchen knife into his skull. Asked why he did that to himself, the man told police that he was trying to make another hole so he could breathe better. Last week, police in the town of Donetsk, Russias Rostov region, found a local man kneeling by himself in a field with a knife handle sticking out of the top of his head. The 8-inch blade was almost completely buried into his skull, but the man was fully conscious and did not appear to have sustained any serious brain damage. When a shocked policeman asked him who had stuck the knife into his head, the man calmly said that he was having trouble breathing through his nose, so he used the knife to make another hole to breathe through. But the knife got stuck and he couldnt get it out Photo: RoAll/Pixabay My brain is not breathing, thats why the blade stuck in my head, the man said. Dont touch, dont touch, a bemused police officer can be heard instructing the strange man in a video that has been doing the rounds on Russian social media since last week. Sit as you are, do not move.do not bend your head. The man, identified as 41-year-old Yury Zhokhov, a factory worker from Donetsk, was carefully transported to a local hospital, where shocked doctors didnt dare touch the knife for fear that any movement of the blade would kill the man or cause irreparable brain damage. It was horrific. Even our experienced nurses, who have seen so much, still cannot get over it, an Emergencies Ministry spokesperson told reporters. The X-rays were made showing the blade was exactly between the two hemispheres of the brain. Local doctors did not dare pull it out. They called the regional hospital, and asked them to send specialists for help. Neurosurgeons from the regional capital of Rostov-on-Don were brought in to remove the knife, and Zhokhov miraculously survived the procedure. However, doctors say that he remains in critical condition due to the increased risk of infection inside the brain. Watching the shocking video of the mans discovery by police, its shocking to see and hear him talk with a knife deeply embedded into his skull, as if nothing were wrong. Zhokhov is expected to remain in intensive care for a week, after which he will be transferred to a psychiatric facility. Corporate, financial and M&A communications advisory giant Kekst & Company announced today that it has merged with Publicis financial and corporate communications unit CNC. The newly-merged entity, Kekst CNC, boasts a dozen offices and counts more than 250 staff members globally. It will be co-led by Kekst CEO Jeremy Fielding and CNC CEO Bernhard Meising. The agency will remain part of Publicis Groupes PR Agency Network. CNC, an acronym for Communications & Network Consulting, was founded in Germany in 2002. Publicis acquired the firm in 2012 and folded it into MSLGroup. CNC had previously been affiliated with Kekst, partnering with the agency on numerous engagements over the years. Kekst CNC co-CEO Jeremy Fielding told ODwyers that the merger comes as a response to clients demands for consistent, quality strategic communications counsel around the world to assist in responding to their business challenges and engaging with the stakeholders that matter to them. Kekst CNC co-CEOs (from L to R): Bernhard Meising and Jeremy Fielding. Reputation has become a strategic asset for companies that want to grow, transform or protect themselves, Kekst CNC co-CEO Bernhard Meising told ODwyers. Reputation doesnt stop at borders. Thats why our clients expect us to be able to serve them around the globe. Kekst CNC currently maintains offices in New York, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Tokyo, Brussels, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Seoul and Stockholm, where it operates under the moniker JKL, after MSLGroup merged CNC with the Stockholm-based corporate and financial shop of the same name last year. Coinciding with todays news, however, the newly-combined operation also announced that it had expanded its footprint into the China region with the launch of a new outpost in Hong Kong. That office will be led by Pui Shan Lee, an FTI Consulting alum who was also previously vice president of APCO Worldwides Shanghai office. Kekst managing director Vanessa Neill, meanwhile, has moved across the pond, where shes joined Kekst CNC's London leadership team. Kekst CNC has also formed an advisory board in light of the merger, which will consist of global leaders specializing in fields pertaining to areas of concern for the agencys clients. It will be chaired by Publicis Groupe chairman Maurice Levy. Vladimir Putin You got to give Facebook a lot of credit. The social media giant that was the No. 1 "fake news" weapon of choice of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and his army of trolls during the 2016 election, now wants to put a Facebook camera, video screen and microphone in the homes of millions of Americans. Talk about being tone-deaf to PR. Facebook unveiled Portal on Oct. 8, which Recode says is "a kitchen or living-room gadget meant to compete with Alexa devices from Amazon and related gizmos from Google." Executives are adamant that Portal was designed with the most-stringent privacy safeguards. "There should be no surprises on it, period," said Dave Kaufman, Portal's marketing lead. "You should know that you have full control over everything you're saying." Facebook claims that Portal "aligns with the company's mission to connect people with their friends and family," according to Recode. What's the rush? The Cambridge Analytica scandal is still fresh in the minds of the 87 million Facebook users who had their data collected without their permission. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who at first downplayed reports of Russian manipulation of the social giant during the 2016 election season, now has apologized and reversed course. He says Facebook has launched an all-out effort to reduce the amount of disinformation, fake news and divisive messages on its site. Last month, Zuckerberg posted a more than 3,000-word blog outlining all the security measures that have been put into place. "In 2016, we were not prepared for the coordinated information operations we now regularly face," he wrote. "But we have learned a lot since then and have developed sophisticated systems that combine technology and people to prevent election interference on our services." Zuckerberg has been raked over the coals. He's starred in high-profile Congressional hearings, in which Facebook was roundly blasted for its role in election interference here and overseas. More attacks are ahead. Intelligence services have already warned that Team Putin is eager for a disinformation encore. Portal is simply a product whose time has not come. The specter of Vlad hijacking Portal to peek into US living rooms and kitchens is downright creepy. At the very least, Zuckerberg should have waited until well after the midterm elections before introducing Portal. The company needs to show the world that its tools to defeat disinformation work. The midterms are a good test. If the Russians return to Facebook during the midterms, Zuckerberg will have many more important things (e.g, the future of the company) to worry about than the success of Portal. Edenderry Tidy Towns recently held their 2018 AGM following another successful year which saw them increase their National Tidy Towns competition marks by five points. Outgoing Chairman Noel Cribbin welcomed all to a very well attended Edenderry Tidy Towns AGM and looked back on another busy year. Noel said the highlights were the launch of the group's historical app of Edenderry in conjunction with the historical society and the local Lions Club; the public realm improvements works in the Square; the floral display on the town this year; the continued Sunday morning litter pick and the National Tidy Towns awards marks increase to a high of 287. Cribbin paid a big thanks to sponsors BNM, Michael Tedders Chemist, Rosderra, Croi Laighern Credit Union as well as to all local business and townspeople who supported the Edenderry Tidy Towns' various fundraisers. He also recognised the hard working and committed officers and committee, the CE scheme workers who work for the Tidy Towns and many other clubs in the area, both indoor and outdoor staff in Offaly County Council. Edenderry Tidy Towns are continuing to work on a number of upcoming projects, including improvement works at the harbour; the upgrade of The Famine graveyard at Sister Senan Court; as well as projects in Scoil Bhride and St Marys Secondary School. The meeting also elected the following officers for 2019: Life President: Michael Tedders Chairman: John Cooley Vice-chair: Noel Cribbin Secretary: Natalie Leeper Murphy Assistant Sec: Tom Reilly Treasurer: Ann Conlan Assistant Treasurer: Henry Byrne PRO: Noel Cribbin Incoming Chairman John Cooley thanked outgoing chair Noel Cribbin for all his efforts and guidance for many years and looked forward to working with the members on new projects. His priority for 2019 is to bridge the 13 marks needed from 287 to break through the 300 points in the National Tidy Towns Awards. The Tidy Towns group also welcomed the 200,000 awarded to Edenderry in the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, a portion of which will go toward improvements works on Phase 2 of the JKL Streetscape which will continue with new paths and public lighting from the Bank of Ireland up to the Square. "The proposal and submission for this huge project came from the members of Edenderry Tidy Towns and we are delighted that our submission was included and are pleased to play our part in bringing such a significant grant and upgrade to Edenderry," PRO Noel Cribbin concluded. Offaly County Council failed to deliver a single 'new build' social house in the first six months of 2018, new figures have revealed. According to the latest Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report for Q2, Offaly County Council relied upon direct Local Authority and Approved Housing Body acquisitions to meet two-thirds of its social housing delivery targets. Offaly's social housing target for this year is 307 but up to June, they had delivered just 202 of those, none of which were direct council builds. The figures show that no Local Authority (LA) or Approved Housing Body (AHB) houses were completed in the county, 36 were delivered through LA and AHB acquisitions, seven were leased, while zero came through the Rental Accommodation Scheme. 159 of the 202 social housing solutions delivered by Offaly County Council so in the first six months of 2018 came through HAP contracts. Those on HAP schemes are entitled to remain on the social housing list. Launching the report, Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said: "The pace of delivery on the build side will have to pick up considerably in the second half of the year." "29 out of 31 authorities saw completions in the first half of the year with many more projects progressing through the pipeline." The issue of housing was raised at the most recent meeting of Offaly County Council where councillors railed against the slow rate of direct builds. The meeting was informed that 15 families are living in emergency accommodation in the county, while a further 20 single people are also in temporary emergency accommodation. Councillors were told that almost 1,500 people are eligible for social housing with 675 of those currently on the social housing list, and 805 currently on the HAP scheme. The housing section said that their target handed down by government is to provide 468 social housing units between 2017 and 2021. It was revealed that just 86 of those are projected to be direct builds, with over 100 expected to come from council acquisitions. Leasing, voids and refurbishment projects were also included in a figure of 522 Offaly County Council expects to provide by 2021. In the short-term, the meeting heard that the housing department expects a number of direct builds to be completed before the end of 2019. Construction is due to commence on four units through housing agency Mid Offaly Housing in Mount Bolus, while work on 26 units at Killane Drive in Edenderry through Tuath and six at Scurragh with Cluid in Birr are set to begin before the end of the year. Close to 100 others are at various stages of approval and progress. Responding to the figures, particularly those outlining the number of families in emergency accommodation, Cllr Declan Harvey described it as "a terrible crisis." He went on to say, "Emergency accommodation is not suitable for small kids - some of it is actually inhumane." Cllr Peter Ormond added, "We have to get into the real world and increase supply somehow, and the Department needs to move things along faster." The Fianna Fail member went on to call for more incentives for private sector building projects to add to the affordable and social housing stock. Cllr John Leahy spoke on the issues and questioned the rhetoric of Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy who seemed to apply blame to councils in relation to action on housing. "If all county councils were working as efficiently as the housing section of Offaly County Council, there would be no need for such rhetoric out there." Cllr Leahy also went on to express concern over a number of people on HAP schemes who are in unsuitable or unsatisfactory accommodation but who may be locked into contracts. Having heard that the social houses commencing this year may not be delivered until late 2019 or early 2020, a number of councillors questioned the effectiveness of housing agencies in the building of social housing units. Cllr Declan Harvey asked, "Why can't the council build houses directly like we used to? We always had a good record of delivering for people." "Cllr John Carroll described the providers as "quango agencies" and wondered why the system was ever moved away from direct council building. While saying "this housing crisis needs to be addressed seriously," Cllr Carroll eluded to "too many schemes" who "take too long" to get houses from start to finish through all the stages required. He also criticised the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans established in February of this year to help those who have been denied a mortgage through traditional lenders. The meeting heard that 39 applications for the loan had been received by Offaly County Council but just six loans to the value of 716,000 had been approved as of September 1. Cllr Carroll criticised the level of deposit still required for the scheme, saying the main thing barring people from purchasing their own home is the process of renting as prices rise while also saving a 10% deposit. "You give it with one hand and take it away with the other, " Cllr Carroll said of the scheme. Cathaoirleach Danny Owens concluded the lengthy discussion by agreeing with the view expressed about housing agencies and the protracted process of housing delivery they incur. He said he had expressed disagreement with such agencies "for a long time." Offaly County Councillor and RENUA Ireland leader John Leahy has called on Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, to resign following the delivery of Budget 2019. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue delivered the budget for the coming year in the Dail on Tuesday afternoon where he announced a plan to increase the rate of VAT in the hospitality sector to 13.5%. Leahy slammed the move and Shane Ross for not protecting his department in tourism and allowing the "regressive VAT change to hit rural Ireland." "The government's reversal of the only tax break enterprise in rural Ireland has received in a decade is a deeply regressive step," Leahy claimed. The RENUA leader added, "thousands of jobs were created by the reduced 9% VAT rate. The cut proved that taxes on work and enterprise are always regressive." "Now, because of profiteering in Dublin, rural Ireland's recovery, at a time of great danger from Brexit, is being hit. This represents a total political rout for the Tourism minister Shane Ross," John fumed. "Mr Ross was so busy writing everyone else's budget he apparently forgot to protect his own Department," he continued. "The 466 million drive-by fiscal shooting tourism has experienced under his non-watch means the minister must resign immediately." "Thousands of rural jobs have been now put in danger by his toothless performance. Dublin hotels can pay this increase. The cost for rural Ireland in a budget which saw increases for every other Department will be more shutters going back up on our main streets," Leahy concluded. Offaly TD and Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Barry Cowen has criticised the government in the wake of Budget 2019, delivered by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue on Tuesday afternoon. Budget 2019 is the third from the Fine Gael-led Government under the Confidence & Supply Agreement brokered with Fianna Fail following the 2016 election. It is the final budget committed to by Fianna Fail under that arrangement. Speaking in the Dail, Barry Cowen said, "many believed there would only be one and that Fianna Fail would have used the precarious and perilous state of uncertainty for political gain, that we would be opportunistic. This could not be further from the truth." "We have kept faith with the agreement often in difficult circumstances and messy compromises to maintain the centre ground in Irish politics. We have worked for the ordinary citizens who want their government to work for them. Other parties have been content to sit on their hands," he added. He went on to acknowledge the positives achieved under the Agreement, including a Rainy Day Fund, successive cuts in USC, a 15 increase in the old age pension, 15 increases in the carers and disability allowances and a 15 increase in unemployment benefit. He also pointed to the restoration of pay to our public servants, the reactivation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, funding for mental health, the extension of mortgage interest relief for over 400,000 homeowners, increases in rent supplements and housing support payments, the re-opening of the Clar programme and Local Improvement Scheme and 1,600 extra Gardai on the streets as positives of the Confidence and Supply Agreement. "As we face into the deep uncertainty of Brexit the arrangement has provide stability. Preparing our state for Brexit runs through our approach to this budget like a seam of rock. By honouring the confidence and supply agreement Fianna Fail has delivered for people across Ireland," Cowen claimed. Cowen also went on to criticise the Fine Gael-led government, and referencing health, he said, "the Governments health policy has failed, and yet they would like us all to believe that public healthcare is a lost cause, that no matter who is in Government it will not be improved." "As Sean Lemass once said a 'Defeatist attitude now would surely lead to defeat, we cannot opt out of the future.' We cant afford the fatalism the government has taken to our Health service. We need real ambition and energy to build it into a service our state can be proud of," he added. "The recurring overspend in the Department of Health is symptomatic of this lack of focus. This year the Department will be 700 million over budget and once again the revenue from corporation tax will be used to fill that hole. For a Government claiming to be prudent and responsible, this is neither," Cowen said. He also pointed to the area of housing as an are where Fine Gael have fallen short. He said, "too often the government has focused on spin over substance. Since coming into power Fine Gael has launched Construction 2020, Social Housing Strategy 2020, Re-Building Ireland 2016, 2012 Capital Plan, 2015 Capital Plan & 2018 Plan. These six separate plans exclude the numerous re-launches involved. That is more launches than local authority homes built in several counties so far this year." "Housing is the key test for this budget and this government. Its a fight for the right to have a safe and secure roof over your head as the basic starting point of any decent life. The homelessness crisis that scars our towns and cities, challenges us to act decisively." "Now is the time for real ambition and genuine delivery. The state needs to get back building on the same kind of scale that defined the ambition of the 1930s. Back then with a population of less than 3m we built 8,200 units year during the worst recession the world has seen. Last year we only managed less than half of that last year despite a surging population of over 4.7m." "To address the housing crisis a major capital injection is needed. Todays announcement falls short of that but it is a start. The 60m boost to homelessness funding must be the beginning of a campaign to end the nightmare of emergency accommodation so many families are locked into." "A 100m fund per annum over the next three years will see some 7,500 units in train by 2021. This is a beginning and in combination with the new Land Development Agency should be able to play a greater role in delivering decent, affordable homes in the years to come. These units will be available for sale at a price of 200,000 for single earners up to 50,000 and joint income earners up to 75,000," Barry stated. In conclusion, Barry Cowen said, "I am firm in my belief that Fianna Fail has made a positive impact on the direction of this Government. Make no mistake about it, it is not a position we would have wanted before the 2016 General Election. But when Ireland required a stable government, Fianna Fail chose to act and in so doing changed the direction the country was heading." "This Budget is certainly not the Budget we would have written but there is little doubt that this Budget is a fairer one because of our input through the Confidence and Supply Arrangement. Through often difficult discussions and messy compromises, we have upheld our side of the agreement," Cowen concluded. You can catch up on Barry Cowen's full speech and the entire Budget 2019 proceedings on Oireachtas TV online. Registration Open for Church Excellence Conference in OKC Oct. 26-27 October 9, 2018 St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City is partnering with Oklahoma Baptist University to host the 2018 Institute on Church Excellence (ICE) Conference Friday, Oct. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 27. The conference theme is Building Better Bridges: Moving Ministry from Maintenance to Excellence. It is not too late to register to attend. Designed to help small churches grow in the areas of leadership development, administration, millennial issues and technology, the event will feature engaging workshops, keynote speakers and practical discussion on various relevant topics. Additionally, the conference will provide practical tools and skill development opportunities for participants while sharing with and learning from others who are doing similar things successfully. Todays churches are facing fierce challenges including financial crises, social/cultural shifts and demographic changes. With limited resources, small churches need assistance. The ICE Conference addresses these needs. Dr. Major Jemison, who is the conference founder and senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, explains the critical need for this type of conference. The Institute on Church Excellence provides small churches and remote located churches with the necessary tools to be successful in a changing world, Jemison said. Areas to be covered include administration, finances, worship, youth programs and other pertinent topics. Workshop leaders are considered experts in their field and have a love for God and humanity. The conference will feature Dr. Joel C. Gregory, George W. Truett endowed chair in preaching and evangelism at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University, as the keynote speaker. Other workshop leaders include Dr. Major Jemison, senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. Heath Thomas, dean of the Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry at OBU; Dr. Daryl Green, assistant professor of business and Dickinson Chair of Business at OBU; Dr. Ray Owens, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Tulsa; Dr. Lawrence Kirk, director of education at St. John Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. Sandra Thompson, professor of music and undergraduate coordinator at the University of Central Oklahoma; and Terry Buxton Sr., senior pastor of Agape Bible Fellowship in Tulsa. As Ephesians 4:11-12 is the central verse for the conference, the vision of ICE is to help smaller churches grow in areas of leadership development, administration, millennial/youth issues and technology, creating connections by sharing and learning from others who are doing similar things successfully while being inclusive and intentional in embracing diversity within the body of Christ. The conference features many workshops. Fridays workshops include the power of prayer; developing young disciples of Christ through Childrens Ministry; practical strategies for reaching Americas largest generation, The Millennials; intentional worship that experiences Gods presence; and ensuring safety within the church. Saturdays workshops are broken into three tracks: administration and leadership development, technology use in ministry, and financial management. These three breakdowns allow minsters to decide what information best fits their churchs needs. The Institute on Church Excellence Conference will be held at the St. John Missionary Baptist Church Conference Center at 5700 N. Kelley Ave. in Oklahoma City. Spots are still available to attend. The cost of the event is $75 per participant. To register for the event, visit http://www.stjohnokc.org/ice-conference. 2019 LS polls may see a grand alliance minus the Congress India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 9: In the run up to the assembly elections for the five states, there have been a series of announcements in which regional parties decided to ditch the Congress. While all these parties, including the BSP and SP have said that this decision pertains to the assembly polls alone, there is a huge question mark on whether this would play out in 2019 as well. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, there has been a lot of talk about opposition unity and how all parties led by the Congress should forge a front to take on the BJP led NDA. In the current scenario, there is a very poor chance of a grand alliance being formed for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. An alliance would be formed, but it would be minus the Congress. Also Read | Alliance woes continue, with more joining the anti-Congress bandwagon The BSP and SP have already ditched the Congress in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The Left parties on the other hand are mulling the prospect of separate front for 2019. The CPM, which is the largest constituent of the Left Front said after its Central Committee meeting that it would do all it could stop the BJP from coming to power. Further it was also decided that it would support the formation of an alternate secular dispensation at the Centre in 2019. CPM general secretary, Sitaram Yechury said that various parties have various roles in different states. A concrete decision would be taken closer to the Lok Sabha polls. However our main intention would be to defeat the BJP, he also added. Also Read | Why the assembly polls in 5 states will be a clear pre-cursor to the 2019 LS elections On the upcoming Assembly polls, he said that they would fight as many seats as possible. We will support whoever is in a better position to defeat the BJP, he also added. The CPM, SP and CPI along with the smaller left parties have already formed a front for the Rajasthan polls. In the other states, other options are being explored. In Telangana the CPM and CPI, would however fight against each other. The CPI decided to join the Congress-TDP front while the CPM on the other hand is fighting alongside the Bahujan Left Front. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 8:36 [IST] Attack on migrants in Gujarat: BJP demands expulsion of Alpesh Thakor from Congress India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 9: Amid exodus of migrants from UP and Bihar from Gujarat, the BJP has stepped up the attack on the Congress and demanded that Alpesh Thakor, who had allegedly made inflammatory speech against the outsiders, be expelled from the grand old party. The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence against Hindi-speaking people in the state. Hundreds of migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have left north Gujarat after protests broke out over the rape of a 14-month-old girl allegedly by a man from Bihar. "If Rahul Gandhi is actually worried for Gujarat, Bihar and India then he must immediately expel Alpesh Thakor from the party. This is what BJP demands from Rahul Gandhi and Congress Party," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said on Tuesday (October 9). Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani asked whether Congress president Rahul Gandhi would take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat". Rupani was referring to Alpesh Thakor. On Monday, a video of Thakor talking to people had surfaced in which can he heard as saying that if police don't act swiftly then they will avenge the rape of the infant. The video had gone viral and is being considered to be responsible for the violence against Hindi-speaking population. [Attack on migrants: Yogi speaks to Rupani,says those jealous of Gujarat's progress spreading rumours] Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. [Rape backlash: Fearing for lives workers from UP, MP and Bihar flee Gujarat] Also, some members of Thakor Sena, an OBC outfit in Gujarat led by Alpesh, were arrested by the police in connection with the violence. The victim belongs to the Thakor community. Thakor today said that targeting of migrants is wrong and he is "totally against it", while trying to refute the BJP's allegations against his outfit. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 18:09 [IST] BJP Mahila Morcha to organise 375 kilometres-long race to commemorate Vijaya Raje Scindia India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 9: Besides commemorating leaders of the party like A B Vajpayee, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prashad Mukherjee, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is organising a 375 kilometres-long Women Empowerment Race from Gwalior to Delhi to commemorate one of its tallest leader Vijaya Raje Scindia. The programme is being launched by the women wing of the BJP. National president of BJP Mahila Morcha Vijaya Rahatkar said, "BJP Mahila Morcha is organising this event to commemorate Vijaya Raje Scindia on her birth anniversary on October 12. This will be her 99th birth anniversary. We will organise many other programme on the way to Delhi. The march will start from Gwalior to be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shiv Raj Singh Chouhan and end in New Delhi in the presence of party president Amit Shah at Talkatora Stadium on October 16, 2018." Also Read | BJP Mahila Morcha to organise 300 motorbike rally across the country In view of elections in five states and later Lok Sabha elections in 2019 the women workers of the BJP too are being activated this celebration of anniversary of Vijaya Raje seems to be part of that programme only. The name of the race has been given as Women Empowerment Race. The race starting on October 12 from Gwalior and concluding in New Delhi will have over 100 runners and this race will pass through five states. Around fifty programmes will be organised on the way. Rahatkar said that the race will be welcomed by Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje at Dhaulpur in Rajasthan while this will be welcomed by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in his state along with deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma. The race will be welcomed by Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal in Faridabad. The march will pass through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. Runners participating in this race will cover around 60 kilometers' distance in one day starting from 7 am in the morning to 8 pm in the evening. This will be like a relay race for which five teams will be formed that will run one after another. This will be accompanied by a van that will display schemes launched of the Modi government benefiting people of the country. Also Read | Organisational structure of the Madhya Pradesh BJP in tatters; lacks coordination The programmes that will be organised on they way included tea with Ujjwala beneficiaries, meeting with first time women voters, dialogue with intellectuals, demonstration of lets live programme, meeting with booth workers and Shakti Kendra workers, chaupal with beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojna, meeting with beneficiaries of Saubhagya schemes and meeting with beneficiaries of electricity connection, meeting with Asha workers and self help group people. There is also programme scheduled to meet beneficiaries of Mission Indradhanush and a fair for Mudra Loan will also be organised. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 12:50 [IST] BrahMos breach: How gaming codes were used to send seeker technology of the missile India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 9: A joint operation by the Anti Terrorist Squads of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra led to the arrest of a Brahmos Aerospace engineer in Nagpur. The person to be held has been identified as Nishant Agrawal and has been booked under the Official Secrets Act. The probe is underway and ATS IG Aseem Arun informed that very sensitive information has been found on Agrawal. He also said that they have in their possession chat transcripts which show that he was chatting with some Pakistan based operators on Facebook. The trail: It all began with the arrest of Achutanand Misra, a BSF jawan hailing from Mewat. He had been honey-trapped, following which he started sharing information about operation unit details. The police say that Misra who had been arrested from Noida had shared sensitive information about the police academy as well. He was in contact with a woman, who had honey trapped him after claiming to be a defence reporter. It was during the questioning of Misra, that Agrawal's name cropped up. During the probe two more Facebook profiles of women cropped up. It was found that Agrawal was part of these profiles and had been in touch with the women. Also Read | Big breach at BrahMos missile unit: Agent passing on information to Pak-US arrested Sources in the ATS tell OneIndia that Agrawal was contacted by the two women, who went on to offer him a job. He had been in touch with them since the past two years. The ATS source also confirmed that the IP addresses of the accounts were from Pakistan. The trail is expected to get longer, with two more persons coming under the scanner in connection with the same probe. The source said that there is nothing concrete found on these two persons as yet and hence we are not revealing their identity. We are probing the matter to find out if something more comes up. However we are sure that this is a huge ring and many more names would crop up during the future course of our probe. What was found on Agrawal: ATS sources further added that on Agrawal's laptop, they had found confidential information pertaining to defence and security. The extent of the information that was shared is still under investigation. However we can confirm that what ever had been shared was very sensitive in nature. Agrawal during the questioning was unable to give any satisfactory answer as to why such confidential information was on his laptop. We are studying the history of the conversations and this will tell us the nature and extent of the information that he had shared since the past two years, the officer also said. Also Read | Arrest of Hizbul terrorist: ATS looking for two suspected accomplices Agrawal was privy to a lot of information. He was supervising new projects at the BrahMos facilities at Nagpur and Pilani. Among the information that was sought by the handlers was the new technology that was being developed jointly by India and Russia. Officials said that they suspect that the information was not being shared only with the ISI, but another foreign agency as well. When the news of his arrest broke out on Monday, it was said that he was also in touch with an American agency. The information that was sought was related to the seekers. It is the seeker technology that determines the accuracy of a missile. It may be recalled that the BrahMos was successfully flight tested with an indigenous seeker. The agencies are also probing if Agrawal had leaked sensitive data pertaining to the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos to his handlers in Pakistan. ATS sources say that he had used a coded game to send across vital information to his handlers. The ATS would have more information once they are able to decode the gaming codes and decrypt the information. What we know about Agrawal: His Facebook profile states that he studied at the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshethra. He also worked as a research intern at IIT Roorkee. At the Brahmos Aerospace, he worked as the head of the hydraulics-pneumatics and warhead integration (production department). He headed a 40 member team that included personnel from systems, R&D group, engineers, technical and technology. The 27 year old engineer originally hails from Uttarakhand and had been awarded the Young Scientist Award recently. He was living in a rented accommodation on Wardha Road, Nagpur since the past one year. Hailing from Roorkee he was living with his wife. He had got married only two months back. Couple steals car to impress relatives at wedding; arrested India oi-Shubham Ghosh New Delhi, Oct 9: Entering into a wedding dinner with a false gift (like that empty envelope in 3 Idiots!) is not something new. That's something our Bollywood film-makers find to be a reliable element to entertain the masses. But in reality, how many times have we seen an effort so serious that it involves stealing a car to impress the relatives at a wedding? Well, it's some rare we must tell you. At least, out of the reel life. A couple from Dehradun and Delhi decided to impress their relatives at a wedding by arriving at the venue in a car but since they didn't have one, they decided to steal one! According to a report in Hindustan Times, the Delhi Police later arrested the couple for stealing the vehicle at gunpoint last week. The couple reportedly abandoned the car in a desolate place in Raghubir Nagar. Bihar: Nine arrested for thrashing 30 schoolgirls over harassment complaint It was reported that three persons, including a woman, booked a cab on October 3 to travel from Dehradun to Palam in Delhi and back. When their vehicle reached Moolchand Flyover in Delhi, they took out a gun and intimidated the driver and drove away. The driver, Subham Sharma, lodged a complaint with the police and it was easier for them to track the vehicle since it had GPS installed in it. "...After we received information that on Saturday, two people who were allegedly involved in this car jacking will come near Keshopur Mandi, we intercepted a man and a woman, who were travelling on a motorcycle. They were identified as Vansh Varma and Sapna," Hindustan Times quoted a police officer as saying. The couple revealed the reason for stealing the car after they were taken to custody. Sapna reportedly said that she is from a poor family background and after having a dispute with her husband, she started to live with Varma in Dehradun. She said when it came to attending her brother's wedding, she wanted to impress the family members with a car and she, along with Varma, and another friend Kajal from Roorkee, stole the car. Mumbai: Drug addict model arrested for pushing mother in bathroom It was also found that the motorcycle on which the couple was travelling was stolen too. The police also recovered a country made pistol from them. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 10:08 [IST] For migrant workers it is extended festival vacation but loss for many businessmen India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 9: Exodus of migrants workers from Gujarat is continuing and as per a rough estimate over 50 thousand workers belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have already left Gujarat for their respective states. There is a threat to life for people of these regions but such a big magnitude of exodus is due to festive season that is approaching. Month of October and November have lots of festivals including Dussera, Deepawali and Chath besides some smaller occasion attached with these festival. Dussera and Deepawali is celebrated in big way in UP and MP and Deepawali and Chath are celebrated in Bihar and people from these region come home to celebrate festivals. So some people are saying that the festive rush has started little early. These people are reaching different stations from Gujarat are saying that they have to start off a week early due to these threat and people speaking Hindi are being attacked. So why to put life under danger and it is better to proceed for holiday little early so some of them are taking it that way to get a week's extra vacation. SC/ST commission orders Rs 8 crore compensation for 96 workers died cleaning drainages Ram Mani, who works in Surat, said, "We will come back once against when things are settled down and it is not one sided affair as if we need job, they too need their work get done and Hindi speaking people have been working here for long. I am in the city for past 30 years but never witnessed such a situation in the past. So let the dust get settled down and once elections are over nothing of this sort will be raked up." Wokers' welfare scheme should be finalised by Sep 30 says SC However, lots of people stationed at different railway stations in Delhi for their journey further on are of the view that things will be settled in a month or so and by the time festivities will be over and they will go back to work. Rakesh Yadav from Azamgarh in UP, Vijay Yadav also from Azamgarh in UP, Virat Singh from Motihari in Bihar and Prem Chandra from Kisenganj in Bihar were involved in diamond and apparel industry have reached Delhi and took their train for their respective places. However, they accepted that there is an environment of fear in four-five districts. So people are fleeing by catching any train and most of them are reaching Delhi before reaching to their final destinations. But this is impacting on many things as before festive season they need to finish off lots of work order but production in many factories got closed harming not only factory owners but also workers who get bonus by company owners. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 17:17 [IST] Government not to respond in MJ Akbar's case; will wait for him to clarify in individual capacity India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 9: Many heads have already rolled with the social media flooded with the 'MeToo Campaign' against sexual harassment. Minister of State for external affairs M J Akbar too has been alleged of sexual harassment by one of the journalists named Priya Ramani. She alleged that during one of his journalistic assignment, he had made her feel uncomfortable and harassed her in a hotel room. The question concerning junior minister in the ministry of External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj was not answered by her. She refused to comment on the issue when media persons asked her. It is not only that Sushma Swaraj had avoided the question but the ministry is also not responding to the queries asked from it. Sources in the ministry said that allegations of misconduct made against the junior minister do not pertain to his tenure as a minister of the government. So the government will not give any response on this issue. But MJ Akbar on his individual capacity is free to respond to media query when he comes back to the country. The ministry will not release any statement on this issue. [Minister MJ Akbar named in #MeToo, Sushma Swaraj ducks questions] Sources further said but this was the decision of the government prior to the statement made by Union women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi who later said that investigation must be made against these allegations while Sushma had taken the official line of the government. The government is now waiting for M J Akbar to reach Delhi as he is away in Nigeria on an official tour. So it is now up to him if he himself takes a call on it and resigns but the government stand is clear on this issue. The government is of the view that these allegations are of the time when Akbar was not a minister so there is no question of government taking any call on it. ['Tanushree Dutta motivated me to speak up', says Vinta Nanda who accused Alok Nath of rape] Sources said that it is most unlikely that the government will ask him to quite. However, he will definitely be asked clarification on the issue as soon as he reaches New Delhi. Women from different professions have flooded social media with 'MeToo in India' messages. They have been narrating horrific stories about their encounter with sexual harassment mostly at workplace. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 20:56 [IST] How the #MeToo bug has hit the high and mighty India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Oct 9: The #MeToo wave that started in America, taking down Oscar awardee Hollywood filmmaker Harvey Weinstein, has finally seems to be mustering a momentum in India. The country is experiencing wave of the #MeToo movement, in which women across the world have levelled sexual harassment charges that has forced many powerful men out of their jobs. In recent days, Bollywood figures, a comedian, a best-selling author and top journalists have all found themselves accused of abusing their positions to behave improperly towards women. Let us have a look at those people who have been accused as part of the #MeToo campaign in India: Hindustan Times political editor Prashant Jha Prashant Jha is one of the first high-profile figures named to step down from his role since the #MeToo movement hit the Indian media. A former Hindustan Times correspondent, Avantika Mehta had accused Jha of harassment. She posted screenshots of Whatsapp conversations between her and Jha on Twitter. Mehta later clarified that the conversations were from 2017, when she was no longer an employee of the Hindustan Times. Also Read | MeToo movement in India is a wrong practice: BJP MP Udit Raj AIB Founders Tanmay Bhat, Gursimran Khamba and Actor Rajat Kapoor India's leading comic content-production house, All India Bakchod (AIB), said two of its four co-founders will be stepping down until further notice for their roles in alleged cases of sexual misconduct. AIB co-founder and CEO, Tanmay Bhat, quit in light of his inaction even after a woman accused a former colleague, Utsav Chakraborty, of sexual assault. On Monday, a survivor who wished to stay anonymous accused Gursimran Khamba from popular comedy collective All India Bakchod (AIB) of harassing her back in 2015-16. He reportedly made unwelcome advances towards her on a couple of occasions. Calling her up in an inebriated state, he reportedly "emotionally blackmailed and emotionally abused her". Bollywood actor Rajat Kapoor Bollywood actor and filmmaker Rajat Kapoor has been accused of harassing two women. A journalist claimed Kapoor asked her if she was "as sexy as (she) sounds" and if she'd tell him her "vital stats." An assistant director said he persistently asked her to shoot with him in an empty house. Then, a third woman said Kapoor called her 17 times and confronted her after they exchanged contacts for work. Filmaker Vikas Bahl Bollywood director Vikas Bahl (of Queen fame) was accused of forcing himself upon a crew member in May 2015. Subsequently, Phantom Films, a production house he set up with three others-Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Madhu Mantena-was dissolved. Following the revelation, Bahl was reportedly also dropped from a show he was supposed to direct for Amazon Prime Video. Ever since Bahl was accused of sexual molestation, the Queen director seems to be losing out on various projects. Recent news reports in Pinkvilla state that Bahl might have been ousted from the sets of Ranveer Singh starrer 83. Mobasher Jawed Akbar, better known as MJ Akbar MJ Akbar, minister of state for external affairs, has been accused of conducting inappropriate interviews in hotel rooms with young women in his previous role as a media veteran. Journalist Priya Ramani, who wrote a piece for Vogue India in October 2017 titled "To the Harvey Weinsteins of the world," tweeted that the nameless "celebrity editor" whose conduct she had described in the piece was indeed Akbar, who was one of India's best-known newspaper editors. Also Read | MeToo movement: Cong IT cell member Chirag Patnaik accused of harassment by ex-colleague It is not rare in India that women are harassed sexually by their male colleagues or seniors at the workplace on a daily basis. However, such incidents hide behind the shadow of anger and guilt and get buried under years of silence. However, it was back in 2012 that India's abysmal record on sexual violence had sought an international attention ever since the Dec 16 gang-rape incident took place which had sparked nationwide protests. The incident had led to tougher sentences and reforms in the country's rape laws but sexual crime remains rampant. Also Read | #MeToo in India: Actor Rajat Kapoor accused of sexual misconduct, issues apology on Twitter But the major question arises here is for vast numbers of women, their life remains grim. They don't have access to Twitter to speak out for themselves and seek justice. Where and when will these voices be heard? While it is tremendously important that India's MeToo moment happens and it is happening, it is also equally important to find voices which are not in urban spaces. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 16:31 [IST] No Bitcoin scam, says ruling BJP; No foul play in investigation: Bengaluru police Karnataka bypolls 2018: Congress, BJP to finalise candidates today India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Oct 9: Congress and BJP leaders to finalize candidates for assembly and Lok Sabha by-polls on Tuesday. Karnataka Congress in charge KC Venugopal to hold a meeting with KPCC leaders in Bengaluru today. State BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa to hold a meeting with BJP leaders at party's office in Malleshwaram today. BJP leaders to finalise candidates for assembly and Lok Sabha by-polls. Karnataka Lok Sabha bypolls: Acid test for Congress-JDS alliance By-polls to the Shivamogga, Ballari and Mandya parliamentary seats and the Ramanagara and Jamkhandi will take place on November 3 and the results will be out three days later. The by-polls were required to fill vacancies left by the BJP's BS Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and B Sriramalu (Ballari), and CS Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya). They resigned as Members of Parliament on their election to the assembly in May last. What is biting the Karnataka Congress this time The Election Commission's decision to hold by-elections to three Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka on November 3 has surprised political parties who question the logic, with general elections due early next year. Karnataka bypolls 2018: Gowda family may strengthen dynastic politics India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Oct 9: In September, a high-level delegation from Karnataka led by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek relief for flood-hit seven districts of the state. Kumaraswamy's father, former PM Deve Gowda and brother PWD Minister HD Revanna were part of the delegation. Three Congress ministers were also part of the delegation. The Hindu quoting a source reported, PM Modi observed, in a lighter vein, that half of the 'delegation comprises of his (Gowda's) family' and Gowda, apparently, chose not to respond. That was the story about the first political family of the state a month ago. Karnataka Lok Sabha bypolls: Acid test for Congress-JDS alliance In all likelihood, the Janata Dal (Secular) is going to prove PM Modi's observation right in the upcoming Mandya Lok Sabha and Ramanagar assembly bypolls. Both Mandya and Ramanagar seats are Vokkaliga dominant constituencies. The party swept all seven Assembly segments in Mandya district in the May elections. Mandya parliamentary seat fell vacant after CS Puttaraju contested in the last assembly elections and Ramanagar was open for the contest after Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy chose to represent Chanaapatna seat. As expected, the party is not taking the trouble to look for candidates for Ramanagar seat as Kumaraswamy has blocked it for wife Anita Kumaraswamy. Only official announcement is awaited. Her candidature as a former MLA and doughtier-in-law of the political family is beyond question among party workers and in the constituency. However, Mandya has a different story to tell. Contenders are more in number for Mandya Lok Sabha seat. According to reports, Prajwal Revanna, son of H.D. Revanna, IRS officer Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, former legislator LR Shivarame Gowda are strongly vying for the ticket. Surprisingly, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of HD Kumaraswamy, has come up as a contender. Amongst them, Prajwal Revanna is eager to make a debut, though Lok Sabha term ends soon. He had missed a chance to contest from Rajarajeshwarinagar in the last assembly elections. He was kept out of the contest by HD Deve Gowda and adhered to party line by saying only two from the family- HD Kumaraswamy and HD Revanna- would contest assembly polls. Karnataka by-polls: Surprised say political parties, but game is on Deve Gowda did not buckle under pressure by Prajwal Revanna's supporters to field his grandson. We can rile about dynastic politics, but it comes handy for patriarchs to justify while selecting candidates. In this election, JDS may toe the same line. JDS could choose either Prajwal or Nikhil by saying preference to other than family members may to lead to discontent among ticket contenders and workers. On this note, party workers can easily be silenced. Therefore, the Appa-Makkalu (father-Son) tag that JDS carries will stay permanently. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 17:08 [IST] Karnataka Lok Sabha bypolls: Acid test for Congress-JDS alliance India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Oct 8: Ever since the Election Commission announced bypoll for three Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, Congress is more than unhappy with bypolls just ahead of 2019 general elections. Prima facie the bypoll looks like a waste of public money for the voters and the candidates as well. But BJP has strategic advantages in these by-elections. On bypolls for three Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said the polls were uncalled for citing waste of resources for a term of 5-6 months as a reason. "Assembly elections are important but announcing by-poll election without taking state govt into confidence...Those who contest these will have to bear election expenses only for a term of 5-6 months. They could've stopped it but they've done this earlier too whenever they want, they postpone/pre-pone election. It wasn't needed. Some areas are facing drought, some flooded. Due to Model Code of Conduct, no work can be done," Mallikarjun Kharge was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Also Read: Karnataka by-polls: Surprised say political parties, but game is on However, the BJP isn't naive to press for elections even after knowing that the term will end in less than a year. Taking into account advantages it will have ahead of 2019 elections it sounds a good move. First of all, with elected MPs, the BJP can sabotage advances of Congress-JDs alliance in these Lok Sabha constituencies. As Congress-JDs coalition, which was believed to collapse sooner or later, is going strong in Karnataka. The coalition will try to strengthen base in these constituencies. Without an MP on top, BJP may find it difficult to counter the coalition. Out of three, Ballari and Shimoga were held by the BJP, and Mandya by JDS. Both Shimoga and Ballari have been BJP bastions. But JDS and Congress combined together may or may not make the difference. What is biting the Karnataka Congress this time Secondly, it gives an opportunity to see how the pre-poll Congress-JDS alliance will fare against the BJP. If BJP wins that breaks the confidence of the alliance. Even if BJP is over-confident of winning Ballari and Shimoga there is no surprise as the previous elections have shown it. BJP has been making progress in Shimoga since 1998. BY Raghavendra and his father BS Yeddyurappa won the LS seat in 2009 and 2004 respectively. Yeddyurappa got 53.63 per cent of total votes in the last general election. This time, Yeddyurappa will leave no stone unturned to get a ticket for his son. But depends on BJP high command. As we know in the last assembly election his son Vijayendra was denied ticket at the last minute. In Ballari, BJP is on winning streak since 2004. G. Karunakara Reddy won in 2004, J. Shantha in 2009 and B. Sriramulu in 2014. Definitely, Reddy brothers and Sriramulu will try to maintain the hold in the district. Overall, Congress-JDS will not have a cakewalk in Shimoga and Ballari. The only hope for the alliance is Mandya which is a solid Vokkaliga bastion. JDS won in 2009 and 2014 and the BJP is yet to open its account. JDS may not agree to give away Mandya for Congress as it had won the seat in 2014. In coalition politics, winning party does not give up its seat to its ally. The moment bypoll announced, Congress-JDS coalition is in a state of confusion about candidates selections. Especially, finding candidates in Ballari and Shimoga constituencies will be easy for Congress. Already, the Congress is witnessing infighting due to delay in Cabinet expansion. It is challenging for Congress to chart out a strategy for the bypolls and managing the disgruntled MLAs. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 5:30 [IST] Norovirus outbreak in Kerala: How contagious is it? Symptoms, treatment, all you need to know Kerala college opens exclusive toilet for only transgender student India oi-Shubham Ghosh Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9: The government of Kerala has taken a number initiatives to help the transgender community - from reservation in higher education institution to offering free sex surgeries - and it has been praised all over for the work. Now, the state government has come with another noble move. A government college in Malappuram in the state has set up an exclusive toilet for its only transgender student Riya Isha. Twenty-even-year-old Riya joined the bachelor's course in economics in the college recently and is also the first Muslim trans-woman to join a college in the southern state. Handbook on rights of transgenders launched According to a report in The News Minute, Riya said it is the right of a trans-personality to have access to an exclusive toilet. "There are students who come from orthodox backgrounds, who don't like us using the same toilets as them. Some girls even turned their backs on seeing me. But there are others in the college - including the authorities - who are extremely friendly and helpful," The News Minute quoted her as saying. The college authorities were more than eager to cooperate with the student as well. Principal KS Maya told The Hindu that it is their responsibility to ensure that such people are treated equally. Meet Sathyasri Sharmila, country's 1st transgender lawyer, who is an inspiration for all The student communities on the campus have also come out supporting Riya and praised the college authorities for treating her with extra care. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 10:27 [IST] MeToo in India: Accused Alok Nath says,'rape must have happened but it wasnt me' India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Oct 9: Adding to the long list of women who faced sexual abuse, TV producer-writer Vinta Nanda on Tuesday, accused her co-worker Alok Nath "the most Sanskaari person in the film and TV industry" of rape and sexual assault. In a detailed Facebook post, Vinta Nanda has retold her time in the 90s when she was producing several shows and writing for them. One of the shows was Tara where this Sanskari lead actor would harass the lead actress. The action was taken against him and he was removed from the show. It was only a matter of time when he was brought back by the channel and Vinta Nanda was shamed by the members of the channel. However, Actor Alok Nath who has been accused of rape by a TV director, quashed all accusations levelled at him. He said,"Neither I am denying this nor do I would agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it as for the matter if it has come out, it will be stretched." Also Read | MeToo in Inida: 'Anybody found guilty of sexual harassment be punished', says Editors Guild "Neither am I denying nor do I agree. Rape must have happened but it wasn't me. Someone else must have raped her", said Alok Nath. The actor then went on to take credit for Vinta's success in her career. Claiming that she was a good friend at one point, Alok added that "in a way" he was responsible for making Vinta who she is today. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 17:23 [IST] MeToo movement: Cong IT cell member Chirag Patnaik accused of harassment by ex-colleague India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Oct 9: Following Tanushree Dutta's allegations of sexual harassment against actor Nana Patekar, scores of women have come out in public to narrate their stories of sexual abuse. #MeToo movement has now hit Congress IT cell. Chirag Patnaik, has been accused of sexual harassment by ex-colleague. Patnaik was arrested in July as an ex-employee with the team had accused him of breaching her personal space and indulging in immoral behaviour. He was later released on bail. The survivor said she tendered her resignation citing 'psychological disturbances' as a reason. She also claimed that she had written to both Rahul Gandhi and AICC Grievance cell chairperson Archana Dalmia but her complaint was not heard. Also Read | #MeToo in India: Actor Rajat Kapoor accused of sexual misconduct, issues apology on Twitter Patnaik was booked under Sections 354 A and 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Patiala House Court has taken cognizance of the charge sheet and summoned Patnaik in February next year. "Between April 4, 2018 and May 23, 2018, on many occasions, under the pretext of checking tweets, Patnaik violated my personal space by coming too close to me, while I was busy busy concentrating on my computer screen, Patnaik encircled me from behind in a manner most immoral, pretending to check the tweets," said the charge sheet quoting the victim. Also Read | #MeToo in India: Chetan Bhagat accused of sexual harassment, says sorry 'was going through a phase' The complaint added that the accused also "exhaled in my (victim) breathing space whenever he encircled me." Tanushree Dutta motivated me to speak up', says Vinta Nanda who accused Alok Nath of rape India oi-Vikas SV Mumbai, Oct 9: TV producer Vinta Nanda, who has levelled rape allegations against actor Alok Nath, said that she was motivated to speak up on the issue after Tanushree Dutta spoke openly about harassment. Tanushree Dutta left the nation shocked when she came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Nana Patekar. Dutta accused Patekar of harassing her on the sets of Horn OK Please. Dutta claimed the actor insisted on adding an intimate dance sequence with her, which wasn't mentioned in her contract. "I was motivated by Tanushree, seeing her speaking up I felt that I should also speak. Women, girls and journalists who are speaking up against their predators, I have great admiration for them," Vinta Nanda told news agency ANI. Patekar, however, on Saturday denied he misbehaved with Tanushree Dutta on the sets of the 2008 film, calling her claims a "lie". [MeToo in India: Accused Alok Nath says,'rape must have happened but it wasn't me'] Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) has taken cognisance of Dutta's complaint and asked her to appear before the commission within 10 days. "We have sent notices to people against whom Tanushree has filed complaint and asked them to appear before us within 10 days," MSCW's Vijaya Rahatkar told ANI. Tanushree had accused Nana of getting too close for comfort on the sets of the 2008 film Horn Ok Pleassss. She claimed that when she refused to perform an intimate dance with him and was about to leave the set, he called members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to intimidate her. Meanwhile, Nanda on Tuesday accused Alok Nath "the most Sanskaari person in the film and TV industry" of rape and sexual assault. ['Jo jhhooth hai wo jhhooth hi hai': Nana Patekar on Tanushree Dutta's sexual harassment allegations] In a detailed Facebook post, Vinta Nanda has retold her time in the 90s when she was producing several shows and writing for them. One of the shows was Tara where this Sanskari lead actor would harass the lead actress. The action was taken against him and he was removed from the show. It was only a matter of time when he was brought back by the channel and Vinta Nanda was shamed by the members of the channel. Alok Nath has dismissed rape allegations levelled against him by Tara writer-producer Vinta Nanda, calling them absurd. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 19:28 [IST] #MeToo: Vikas Bahl gets clean chit, to be credited as director of 'Super 30' Minister MJ Akbar named in #MeToo, Sushma Swaraj ducks questions India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Oct 9: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday dodged questions seaxual harassment allegations against her ministry colleague MK Akbar. "There are serious allegations...these are sexual harassment allegations. You are a woman minister in charge. Will there be a probe on the allegations," Tribune reporter Smita Sharma questioned Ms Swaraj. However, Swaraj remained silent to journalists' questions as to whether any action would be taken against her junior minister on the basis of the allegations. How the #MeToo bug has hit the high and mighty Priya Ramani had alleged that Akbar during his tenure as an Editor of a newspaper made her feel uncomfortable and harassed her in a hotel room. Alleging M.J. Akbar, journalist Priya Ramani wrote in her article "Akbar is an expert on obscene phone calls, texts, inappropriate compliments and not taking no for an answer." She further added, "You know how to pinch, pat, rub, grab, and assault. Speaking up against you still carries a heavy price that many young women cannot afford to pay." In her piece titled "To the Harvey Weinsteins of the world" published in Vogue India in October last year, Ramani had alleged that "Akbar is an expert on obscene phone calls, texts, inappropriate compliments and not taking no for an answer." "You know how to pinch, pat, rub, grab and assault. Speaking up against you still carries a heavy price that many young women cannot afford to pay," the article reads. MeToo movement in India is a wrong practice: BJP MP Udit Raj While the article at the time of publishing did not mention the name of harasser in question, the woman who penned the piece confirmed her allegation and named MJ Akbar. Soon after Ramani's tweet, other journalists also accused Akbar of calling women to his hotel rooms for interviews, or making women feel uncomfortable by seeking to be alone with them. MJ Akbar has been the editor of several leading newspapers like 'The Telegraph', 'Asian Age' and 'The Sunday Guardian'. MP elections: Congress-SP fissure widens over Budhni fiasco? India oi-Shubham Ghosh Bhopal, Oct 9: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has brutally snubbed the Congress in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh and refused to make an alliance, blaming the local leadership. On Monday, October 8, another major party from the Hindi belt - the Samajwadi Party (SP) - also increased the Grand Old Party's (GOP) worries by inviting candidates who did not get Congress's tickets to contest the election to his own party. A fissure in the Congress-SP relationship seemed to have widened after the latter's candidate from Budhni constituency, Arjun Arya, defected to the Congress on Monday saying it was necessary to strengthen the hands of the GOP to end the regime of Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The SP wanted to field Arya against CM Chouhan who himself represents Budhni in the state Assembly. Why the assembly polls in 5 states will be a clear pre-cursor to the 2019 LS elections On Saturday, October 6, the SP independently announced a list of six candidates, giving enough indication of a probable go-alone stance if things did not go well about the alliance. Former MP Congress chief to join SP? Meanwhile, a News18 report cited other sources to claim that senior Congress leader Arun Yadav was planning to the SP following his unceremonious ouster as the chief of the MP state Congress earlier this year. The SP chief and former UP chief minister was not happy with things and said in Khajuraho that the Congress had irked the BSP in a similar way. He said if the Congress is responsible behind Arya's returning his party's ticket, he would welcome all those people who want to contest on the SP's ticket. Congress jittery over alliance with the BSP not working out in Madhya Pradesh The SP president also said that whenever the Congress has found itself on a weak turf, the SP has stood by it. He put the ball in the Congress's court when asked about the failure of the idea of grand alliance to come through in the central Indian state. MP will go to polls on November 28. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 17:30 [IST] Bihar By-polls: Lalu Yadav to campaign for RJD candidates on Wednesday to ensure 'visarjan' of Nitish Kumar Muzaffarpur Shelter Home case: HC dismisses ex-Bihar minister Manju Verma's bail plea India oi-Deepika S Patna, Oct 9: The Patna High Court on Tuesday dismissed an anticipatory bail petition filed by former Bihar social welfare minister Manju Verma in connection with the recovery of cartridges from her in-laws' place during a CBI raid as part of the probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex-scandal case. Verma approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail after the Begusarai civil court dismissed the bail petitions filed by her and her husband Chandrashekhar Verma in the case on August 25. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on August 17 raided 12 places in four districts of Bihar, including the residences of Manju Verma in Patna and her in-laws' place in Begusarai, in connection with the sexual abuse of minor girls in a state-funded shelter home run by an NGO in Muzaffarpur. Also Read | Muzaffarpur shelter home case: Bihar Minister Manju Verma resigns The CBI had registered an FIR on August 18 against Verma and her husband in connection with the recovery of 50 live cartridges from her in-laws' house at Arjun Tola village. Verma had resigned as the social welfare minister following a disclosure that her husband had spoken to the prime accused in the scandal, Brajesh Thakur, 17 times between January and June this year. Also Read | Rape backlash: Gujarat assures safety of migrant workers from UP, Nitish wants fair probe The shelter home scandal came to light two months ago when an FIR was lodged by the social welfare department, following a social audit report submitted by the Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences, which mentioned sexual abuse of girls lodged at the Muzaffarpur shelter home. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 12:08 [IST] DigiLocker as ID proofs at airport: According to a TOI report, the order issued by the BCAS chief states that upon request from National e-governance Division, ministry of electronics and information technology, the issue related to acceptance of Aadhaar card, PAN card, issued by Income-Tax dept as well as driving licence, as a valid photo identity document when presented from the digital locker of a departing air passenger, has been examined and can be used as an identity proof to enter airports. However, it is stated that the documents uploaded by the passenger himself/herself shall not be taken into account as a valid photo identity document. Passengers may not need boarding pass: Meanwhile, it has also been reported that soon, air passengers may not need boarding passes to check in on flights as many airports are likely to do away with the boarding pass system. Therefore, passengers will be able to get security clearance just by simply looking into a camera as the airports are planning to install automated facial recognition system for passenger boarding process. Initially, the move will start in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports and later it will be introduced in Varanasi, Vijayawada and Kolkata airports as well. Also Read |What is DigiLocker, the storage of soft copies of key official documents? What is a DigiLocker? DigiLocker is a cloud-based digital locker to save documents online. Itis a platform for issuance and verification of documents and certificates in a digital format, thereby eliminating the use of physical documents. Indian citizens who sign up for a DigiLocker account get a dedicated cloud storage space that is linked to their Aadhaar or UIDAI number. How does it work? DigiLocker is part of the government's Digital India initiative. The project was launched by PM Modi in 2015, when it had a beta version. It is now completely ready, with the government telling all states to start officially recognising it. It is aimed at reducing the need to carry physical documents, while also aiding in paperless governance. Organisational structure of the Madhya Pradesh BJP in tatters; lacks coordination India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 9: Organisational structure of Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has almost collapsed which has been scripting its success stories on the sheer strength of the organisation in the state. Impact of this is reflecting in the election management all across. The party has never hesitated to accept that Madhya Pradesh has the best organisational structure among all states. Sources said that the state known for its best organisational structure was undergoing the worst-ever crisis with a total lack of coordination between Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shiv Raj Singh Chouhan and leaders in the organisation which is making things even more difficult for the party in the state where elections have already been announced. Party insiders are saying that there is a zero understanding among the government and organisation forget about any coordination. There is no one to take decision on behalf of the party. Moreover these deterioration in the party have not happened in months but in years. Lack of coordination between the government and the organisation started around two-three years ago which has now reached its zenith when elections are round the corner. The party did not pay its attention to address them. Also Read | Times Now survey predicts win for BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Congress to do better than 2013 On the contrary, Rajasthan where there was no coordination between the organisation and the government was being managed in a better way. The party insiders are saying that the organisational strength of Madhya Pradesh was the strongest but it has almost collapsed in the state which is reflecting on its election management and planning. Sources said that due to lack of coordination many people have sat at home and this is being the reason that BJP rallies are not getting any crowd. The state organisation is undergoing major change. Feedback in this regard has been sent to the central leadership of the party but the state leadership is of the view that time is running out for the Madhya Pradesh BJP. Also Read | BJP workers wants some guidance from party president on SC/ST Act on his Gwalior visit Moreover, the BJP leadership in the state are also worried as they feel that there is a Congress undercurrent at least in Madhya Pradesh from where returning for the BJP is almost impossible. The BJP needs a Gujarat to happen in Madhya Pradesh if they want to retain power. There might be differences in the Congress leadership in the state and they are going alon in the state but people want to replace the BJP this time round. AP EAPCET Round 1 seat allotment delayed again: New date to be announced soon 'Playing hide and seek': SC sends 3 directors of Amrapali group to police custody India oi-PTI New Delhi, Oct 9: The Supreme Court Tuesday sent three directors of the Amrapali group to police custody, directing them to hand over all the documents of the 46 group companies to forensic auditors. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and U U Lalit took exception to the Amprapali group not handing over all the documents to forensic auditors and said that they will remain in police custody till they hand over all the documents. The three directors are -- Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar. We will make you homeless, don't act smart, SC tells builder Amrapali The apex court's order came on a batch of petitions filed by home buyers who are seeking possession of around 42,000 flats. The court said the conduct of the directors was in "gross violation" of its order. "You are playing hide and seek. You are trying to mislead the court," the bench said. It directed the Delhi police to seize all the documents of the Amrapali group and hand them over to forensic auditors, emphasising that not a single document of these companies should remain in custody of the group. Sabarimala verdict: Supreme Court says no urgent hearing on review plea The top court had earlier allowed National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd (NBCC) to float tenders for selecting the builder to complete the stalled projects of Amrapali Group and asked it to prepare a detailed project report for pending projects within 60 days. On September 12, the apex court had appointed NBCC to develop stalled projects of the realty firm and directed the Debts Recovery Tribunal to sell the unencumbered commercial properties of the group. It had also directed the opening of an escrow account in the apex court in which the amount received after the sale of properties would be deposited and later disbursed to the NBCC to start construction of the pending projects in Group A and B Categories. Besides, it directed that bank accounts, balance sheets and other documents of all the 46 Amrapali companies and Jotindra Steel, since 2008 be given to the forensic auditors. The apex court had on September 6 identified 16 properties of Amrapali for auctioning, preferably by the NBCC, to give the PSU an initial corpus to start work on the stalled projects. It had also ordered a forensic audit of the firm and its promoters to gauge the extent of financial wrongdoings. The group CMD had come under the top court's scanner for declaring his assets worth at Rs 67 crore as against Rs 847 crore in his affidavit filed during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when he had unsuccessfully contested as a JD(U) candidate from Bihar's Jehanabad constituency. The NBCC had earlier given a proposal for completion of 15 residential projects of Amrapali having 46,575 flats at an estimated cost of Rs 8,500 crore in six to 36 months. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 17:25 [IST] Fake: This is not an image of a protest in Assam against Bangladesh violence Police nabs 16 illegal Bangladesh immigrants in Mathura India oi-PTI Mathura, Oct 9: Sixteen immigrants from Bangladesh have been nabbed by Police while four children were detained in Mathura for residing illegally in India on Monday. Police said all of them have several government t identity cards including Aadhaar. The illegal immigrants were nabbed at a private plot in Kosi town under Kosikalan police station on Sunday evening, they said. Bangladeshi migrants are termites, will be struck off voter list: Amit Shah "On the basis of a tip-off, the local intelligence wing and police in a joint operation nabbed 16 residents of Bangladesh along with four children who had been living illegally in Kosikalan for over two years" SP (Rural) Aditya Kumar Shukla said. One of the two persons harbouring immigrants has also been arrested while the other is absconding, he said. He said the immigrants were in possession of Aadhaar card and other documents. According to Shukla, they used to pay Rs 8,000-10,000 for crossing the border. He said they were working as rag pickers. Efforts are on to nab the other accused, Shukla said. Seven mobile phones, eight Aadhaar cards, one PAN card, a driving license and Rs 500 in Indian currency were recovered from their possession, police said. In Aadhaar verdict, word of caution to Centre on illegal immigrants The migration of Bangladeshi people to India has been happening since the time of Bangladesh's independence which had led to instances of mass violence and political tension between Bangladesh and India but also created economic benefits to both nations. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 13:26 [IST] Rajasthan polls: All parties intensify campaigning on social media India oi-Shubham Ghosh Jaipur, Oct 9: The election date for Rajasthan has been announced. The state will decide its rulers on December 7 and the counting will be done on December 11. All parties have been campaigning aggressively for the election, not just on the ground but also on social media, including Facebook, Twitter and others. According to an NDTV Khabar report, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deployed information technology personnel in each of the state's 51,000 booths. Teams of 10 representatives have been set up at the Mandal level to keep a track on these IT personnel and besides, separate social media teams have been put into action at the district and state levels. Also Read | Sachin Pilot targets Modi govt over Rajasthan polling dates Hirendra Kaushik, BJP's social media in-charge in Rajasthan said the party has established connection with as many as 14.5 lakh people through WhatsApp. Also, each district has its own Facebook page that comes handy for public relations exercise. On Twitter, the BJP has links with 1.35 lakh people, the report said. Congress also making full use of social media power It said the Congress, which is otherwise a party known for its traditional ways of electioneering, has also taken to social media this time. The party has recently launched its Project 'Shakti' aiming to strengthen the grassroots connect and it is making use of this platform to connect to lakhs of youth, the report said. Media in-charge of Rajasthan state Congress committee Dr Archana Sharma said though they ignored it last time, they are focusing to utilise the power of social media fully this time. Also Read | Why the assembly polls in 5 states will be a clear pre-cursor to the 2019 LS elections The Aam Aadmi Party, which is also set to test the electoral waters in Rajasthan this time, will also deploy a social media manager for the campaigning of each contestant, the NDTV report added. The Rajasthan elections this time will see 67 lakh more votes compared to the last time and most of them are youths and hence the political parties are keeping no stone unturned to attract them. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 17:15 [IST] RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 4 per cent for 8th time in a row PM Modi launches RBI Retail Direct, Integrated Ombudsman schemes: All you need to know RBI Grade B Phase 2 Result 2018: Candidate selection subject to HC order India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 9: The RBI Grade B Phase 2 Result 2018 has been declared. The results are available on the official website. The second phase of the RBI Grade B exam were conducted on September 15 and 16. The marks list and category wise cut-off of the examination will be displayed on the website after completion of the selection process and declaration of final results. Candidates who have cleared the exam, need to appear in interview will begin tentatively from last week of October and end in January 2019. The interview call letters indicating date, time and venue of the interview will be sent separately in Phases (in due course) on their registered email address of the candidates. Last but not the least, a Writ Petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking stay on declaration of Phase II results. This would mean that the selection of the candidates following the interview would be subject to the outcome of the writ petition. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 6:54 [IST] Sabarimala verdict: Supreme Court says no urgent hearing on review plea India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Oct 9: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled out an urgent hearing of a plea seeking a review of its verdict allowing women into Kerala's Sabarimala temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph had considered the submission of Shylaja Vijayan, president, National Ayyappa Devotees Association through Mathews J Nedumpara, which contended that the five-judge Constitution bench verdict lifting the ban was "absolutely untenable and irrational". Despite review petition, Kerala government to implement Sabarimala verdict The apex court said there will be no out of turn hearing of bunch of review petitions against Sabrimala judgment. "It will be listed in due court," the bench said, adding that in any case, the review petition would be heard in chamber and not in open court. It also said the review petition could only be taken up after the Dussehra vacation. The review plea was filed by Shylaja Vijayan, the president of the National Ayyappa Devotees Association. Only a believer could have challenged Sabarimala ban, the greatest judge can't match peoples' voice In the review plea, it is stated," the petitioners believe that no legal luminary, not even the greatest of jurists or judge, can be a match to the common sense and wisdom of the masses. No judicial pronouncement, even of the highest judicial tribunal in this country can be a match for the voice of the people, the petition stated while terming the original verdict as absolutely untenable, irrational and perverse. The review petition comes in the wake of the Kerala government refusing to interfere and file an appeal in the Supreme Court. There have been massive protests on the streets questioning the verdict of the SC, which allowed the entry of women of all ages into the temple. SC throws open doors of Sabarimala Temple to women On September 28, a five-judge constitution bench headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, had in its 4:1 verdict, said banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and that the practice violates rights of Hindu women. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 14:54 [IST] Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Kumar, who had a telephonic talk with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday amid a large number of migrant workers hailing from Bihar and some other Hindi-belt states fleeing Gujarat following attacks on them, said a constant watch is being kept on the situation there. "Our Chief Secretary and DGP are in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat. We are keeping a watch on the situation there. I would also appeal to the people (from Bihar living in Gujarat) that they stay firmly where they were notwithstanding the incidents that have taken place", Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Kumar had on Monday said he spoke to Rupani to enquire about the situation in Gujarat where violence has erupted following the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl allegedly by a Bihar resident. Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, speaking separately, echoed the views expressed by Kumar and also squarely blamed Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor's outfit for the violence against Biharis. Thakor is also the Congress secretary for Bihar. "Top officials in Gujarat like its Chief Secretary, its DGP and IG Prisons hail from Bihar. Biharis living there are safe and secure and the state government is taking effective action against those indulging in violence. I would also urge the Gujarat government to immediately arrest people like Alpesh Thakor who is behind these incidents," the deputy chief minister said. [Attack on migrants in Gujarat: BJP demands expulsion of Alpesh Thakor from Congress] In a statement, the BJP unit of Bihar also attacked the Congress. "The silence of top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, on the issue and reluctance to take any action against Thakor shows the anti-Bihari prejudice in the party," the party alleged. RJD's Tejashwi Yadav The party's Bihar unit also criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for "maintaining an alliance with the Congress despite the latter's obvious involvement in attacks on Biharis". On his part, Tejashwi Yadav hit back at Rupani for accusing the Congress of inciting "violence against migrants". "Mr CM, have you taken leave of your senses. How dare you call fellow Indians migrants. Do you mean to say a migrant won from UP and became the Prime Minister ofIndia.We demand an immediate apology from you," Yadav tweeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had served as Gujarat chief minister for more than a decade, contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Vadodara and Varanasi. After becoming Prime Minister, he gave up the Lok Sabha seat in his home state, while retaining the one in eastern Uttar Pradesh. To earn their daily bread, how the urban naxals have spread India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 9: The elimination of naxalites has increased, the geographical spread has decreased and the surrenders have shot up. There is ample data on hand to suggest that the naxalite movement is gradually seeing its last days. The issue is being sorted out largely in the jungles, but then the propaganda in the cities is there in your face. This is largely to do with the fact that the urban movement has been witnessing a steady rise over the years, even though the movement in the jungles has been facing setbacks. The urban naxal corridor: Intelligence Bureau officials have identified the Surat-Pune industrial corridor, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Kolkata to be the epic-centre of the urban naxal problem. Several organisations have come up in these areas, through which desperate attempts are on to bridge the movement between the urban and rural areas. Also Read | Project Hinduism as mother of all evils: Ploy by missionaries and naxals unearthed It is these organisations, which are putting the propaganda right out there and this has become a major problem, the Intelligence Bureau says. In addition to this several regional bureaus and sub-committees have been formed to either put out the propaganda or bridge the rural-urban gap. The MHA says that in recent times there has been an escalation of this problem in the states of Gujarat and Punjab as well. There has been a steady rise in the urban movement and more states are being chosen to set up committees. It is clear that these persons want the propaganda machinery to work full time as the movement is seeing a steady collapse in the rural areas, an Intelligence Bureau official informed OneIndia. The desperation: With the naxal movement being largely subdued in the rural belts, these are desperate times for them. There are two main issues and they are the number of recruitments is down and so is the funding. In the urban areas, naxalites have been operating largely through NGOs. However since the squeeze on NGO funding, the coffers are gradually drying up. This has led the rise in setting up committees in more states in a bid to boost recruitments and also spruce up the funding, IB officials also explain. Also Read | How Christian missionaries are funding naxals, their urban friends to 'BREAK INDIA' In the various states where these persons are setting up shop, they have not found to be working independently. They first get in touch with persons with a like-minded ideology and then seek their help in setting up shop. Currently this menace is on in nearly 18 states in the country, the IB says. This is a very dangerous precedent says the IB. In both cases of terrorism and naxalism it has been noticed that it is the ideology that has been more dangerous. Hence it is of utmost importance that the spread of the urban movement is curtailed at its earliest, the officer also said. Down, but not out: Statistics that OneIndia has clearly suggest that there has been a decline. However it would be too early to write them off as yet as their friends in the city are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the movement is kept alive and revived in a big way. Home Ministry data available with OneIndia suggests that in the past two years, between 2016 and 2018, the number of naxalites arrested is 4,123. Security officials say that the high number of arrests are due to better coordination and concrete intelligence. Also Read | What the urban naxals are not telling us: Their jungle friends are taking up govt jobs Take for instance the year 2016, the number of naxalites arrested stood at 1,840, while in 2017, it was 1,888. The number of naxalites arrested in 2018 until March stood at 395. Incidents of violence reduced by 36.6% from 6,524 to 4,136. Left Wing Extremism related deaths also decreased by 55.5% from 2,428 to 1,081. The naxalites however witnessed severe casualties. The elimination of naxalites have increased by 14.6 per cent fro 445 to 510, while the surrenders increased by 143% from 1,387 to 3,373. Data prepared by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SAT) suggested that the number districts from where fatalities were reported declined from 42 in 2016 to 40 in 2017. Civilian fatalities were reported from 33 Districts in 2017, as against 35 in 2016. Similarly, SF fatalities were reported from 12 Districts in 2017, as against 18 in 2016. The overall spread of Naxalite violence recorded a decline through 2017, with the number of Naxalism-affected Districts dropping from 104 in 13 States in 2016, to 100 districts in 12 States in 2017, the SATP data suggests. Elimination of LWE cadres increased by 14.6% from 445 to 510. Surrenders by LWE cadres increased by 143% from 1387 to 3,373. Security officials say that the mounting pressure is what is leading to such a large number of surrenders. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 10:57 [IST] Sad for myself happy for them: Babul Supriyo wrote after resigning as union minister Digital Health ID Card 2021: How to apply, registration, benefits; all you need to know Why Ajit Doval was made Indias most powerful bureaucrat India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 9: The Narendra Modi government has decided to revive the Strategic Policy Group in a bid to assist the National Security Council. The group apart from being the main mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination, will also form the national security policies based on integration of inputs. The difference however this time is that the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval would be heading the group as opposed the Cabinet Secretary, who was in charge all these years. This group to be headed by Doval would also include the Niti Aayog Vice Chairman, the cabinet secretary, RBI Governor, three military chiefs, Home Secretary, finance and defence secretary. Also Read | With R N Ravi back as Deputy NSA, team Doval's 3-tier security system gets a boost While the NSA would call for the meetings, the cabinet secretary would coordinate with ministries and also the states for the implementation of its decisions. Three tier security system: Recently the government re-designated R N Ravi as the Deputy National Security Advisor (internal affairs). Ravi became the third deputy NSA to Doval after former Research and Analysis Wing chief, Rajinder Khanna and serving diplomat Pankaj Saran. While the deputy NSAs would play a major role in shaping the security policy of the country, Doval would be right on top of the security strategy setup. He is also the chairman of the defence planning committee. Also Read | What Ajit Doval had told the US ahead of the Indo-Russia S-400 Missile Air Defence deal The Strategic Policy Group would also have the secretary of Defence Production and Supplies, scientific advisor to the Defence Minister, and secretary cabinet secretariat. Officials from the departments of revenue, space, Intelligence Bureau and energy too would be part of the group. Doval on his party would advise the PM on internal and external threats apart from overseeing strategic and sensitive issues. The prime push for the government has been internal security. With the three tier internal security structure in place, the emphasis has been on controlling home grown terror, external threats from groups such as the Islamic State and also the insurgency in the North Eastern states. Coordination: A senior official explained to OneIndia that certain changes in the mechanism were necessary to get the coordination right. There has to be one man in the know of affairs to head such important positions. There was in fact a time in the early part of 2014 when the IB had stopped giving the government information. The coordination between the R&AW and the IB was also nothing to tom-tom about. Intelligence was shared with the cops, but more often than not, it made its way to shredder as it was considered not actionable. The scenario has changed considerably today, thanks to coordination. The IB deals with all levels of officers in a bid to pass on intelligence that is actionable in nature and also ensures that the same is acted upon. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 13:11 [IST] Why no Lok Sabha bypolls in Andhra Pradesh?, EC clarifies India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Oct 9: The Election Commission of India Tuesday clarified why bypolls to fill five vacancies in Lok Sabha from Andhra Pradesh were not announced and decided to hold bypolls in Karnataka for two Lok Sabha seats. In response to newspapers report questioning the announcement of bypolls, EC said, " ...Vacancies from Bellary(ST), Shimoga and Mandya of Karnataka occurred on 18th May, 18th May and 21st May, 2018 respectively, whereas vacancies from the five parliamentary constituencies from Andhra Pradesh have occurred on 20th June, 2018." Also Read | Karnataka Lok Sabha bypolls: Acid test for Congress-JDS alliance "Section 151A of Representation of the People Act, 1951 mandates EC to fill casual vacancies in Parliament and State Legislatures through by-elections within 6 months from date of vacancy, provided that remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is 1 year or more," EC said in its statement. Also Read | Organisational structure of the Madhya Pradesh BJP in tatters; lacks coordination EC further stated that in the case of vacancies from Andhra Pradesh, there was no need to hold bye-elections as the remaining term of the Lok Sabha is less than one year from the date of occurrence of vacancies that is 20th June, 2018. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 13:01 [IST] World Post Day 2018: Why is it celebrated? India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 9: Today (October 9) is World Post Day. It is celebrated to highlight the importance of the postal service. In this world of e-mails and online messaging, writing letters has become something which we rarely do. But, some 2 decades back, writing letters was an important form of communication. Since phones were also not as common as they are now, writing letters to each other used to be the main way to keep in touch. World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. The purpose of World Post Day is to bring awareness to the Post's role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development. History: Postal systems have been in operation for many centuries. From way back in history, people sent letters to each other. These were delivered on foot or on horseback by special messengers. From the 1600s the first national postage systems began springing up in many countries. These were more organized and many people could use them. Slowly countries agreed to exchange mail internationally. By the late 1800s there was a global postal service, but it was slow and complicated. The birth of the UPU in 1874 opened the way for the efficient postal service in existence today. In 1948, the UPU become an agency of the United Nations. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 5:00 [IST] Haleys successor: Trump says he has 5 names in mind but names only Dina Powell There is much to gain from Trump-Modi friendship: Nikki Haley Nikki Haley resigns as US Ambassador to the UN, Trump accepts resignation International oi-Vikas SV Washington, Oct 9: Nikki Haley has resigned as the United States' Ambassador to the United Nations, said reports. US President Donald Trump has reportedly accepted Haley's resignation. The reason for resignation is not known yet. Haley has been Trump's one of the most prominent aides. Haley was confirmed as US envoy to the UN in January 2017. "Nikki Haley did an incredible job, she is leaving at the end of the year to take a break," reports quoted Trump as saying. A Reuters report quoted Haley as saying that she will not be running in 2020 and will campaign for Trump. Haley had been acting as the international face of the Trump administration. In April, she clashed with the White House when a Trump aide suggested she had prematurely announced a new round of sanctions against Russia, reported BBC. Haley served as the 116th Governor of South Carolina, and is a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Haley was the first female governor of South Carolina, and the second Indian-American, after Bobby Jindal, to serve as a governor in the United States. On November 23, 2016 the then President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Haley for Ambassador to the United Nations. On January 20, 2017, President Trump sent Haley's nomination to the United States Senate. It has been reported that President Trump initially offered Haley the position of Secretary of State, which she declined. Talks with China will not help says USA NSA on situation on Ladakh 20 members of a family removed from US flight after mask of 1 slipped under nose US, China foreign ministers speak uneasy words at joint presser International oi-Shubham Ghosh Beijing, Oct 9: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi did not hide their concerns against each other's country on Monday, October 7, during the former's brief visit to the Chinese capital. The US and China are amid a bad trade tussle with none ready to blink first. The dispute has left an alarming impact on global trade. Besides, the two countries have also had diplomatic irritants over issues like North Korea and Taiwan. While the exchange between the two diplomats featured pleasantries and the need to cooperate, their words before the media before the beginning of the meeting at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guest House were far from assuring. Also Read | Kim, Pompeo agree to 2nd US-North Korea summit 'at earliest date' At a joint appearance with his American counterpart, Wang said: "Recently, as the U.S. side has been constantly escalating trade friction toward China, it has also adopted a series of actions on the Taiwan issue that harm China's rights and interests, and has made groundless criticism of China's domestic and foreign policies." "We believe this has been a direct attack on our mutual trust, and has cast a shadow on China-U.S. relations. We demand that the U.S. side stop this kind of mistaken action." When his turn came, Pompeo said: "The issues that you characterised, we have a fundamental disagreement." Also Read | US State Secy Mike Pompeo visits N Korea again, meets Kim Jong-un "We have great concerns about the actions that China has taken, and I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss each of those today because this is an incredibly important relationship," he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 14:17 [IST] AP EAPCET Round 1 seat allotment delayed again: New date to be announced soon East Delhi sanitation workers call-off strike New Delhi oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 9: The strike by East Delhi Municipal Corporation sanitation workers, which began on September 12, ended on Tuesday. The sanitation workers called-off their strike after successful talks with Mayor and Commissioner of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). The workers had been demanding regular payments of salaries, clearance of dues and regularisation of sanitation workers who have been inducted on a temporary basis. Because of the strike, the sanitation workers had not been collecting garbage which turned many parts of East Delhi a big garbage dump. Heaps of garbage lay strewn around major areas like Laxmi Nagar, Vinod Nagar, Geeta Colony, Krishan Nagar and Azadpur. [Strike by East Delhi Municipal Corporation workers enters 23rd day, protest held near CM's residence] EDMC mayor Bipin Bihari had last month blamed the AAP government for the mess and said the employees could not be paid because the Delhi government did not release funds. The areas worst affected by the strike include Dharampura, Kailash Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Trilok Puri, Kalyan Puri, Geeta Colony and Shahdara. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 23:54 [IST] The police have arrested a Sri Lankan national in its probe of a recent explosion at a local oil storage facility, police officials said Monday. The arrest came one day after an explosion at the oil storage facility in Goyang, just north of Seoul, consumed a large storage tank with 2.66 million liters of gasoline, enough to fill 250 tank trucks. The police said the 27-year-old Sri Lankan is believed to have accidentally caused the fire by releasing a sky lantern in the vicinity of the oil storage facility. The police believe the sky lantern may have started the fire when it fell on the lawn of the oil storage facility, causing flames that later spread into the ventilation system of the oil tank, causing the explosion. The 27-year-old is said to be a construction worker currently working at a site near the facility. (Source: Yonhap) Ongoing FEMA has closed some of its Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC), established last month to assist residents and businesses whose property was damaged by Tropical Storm Ida. However, face-to-face assistance is still available. Residents can find their nearest DRC online at fema.gov/drc,... Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett Monday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $181 million in 88 projects that will build community infrastructure and facilities in 27 states. Rural Development State Director Jim Tracy announced today that USDA is investing over $2.3 million in six projects in Tennessee, including South Pittsburg. In order for rural Tennessee communities to prosper, they must have the proper infrastructure in place to meet the needs of their citizens, Mr. Tracy said. I am excited that USDA is committed to assisting communities in making infrastructure a priority. USDA is making the investments through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The funding helps rural areas make infrastructure improvements and provide essential facilities such as schools, libraries and day care centers. Tennessee projects include: The city of South Pittsburg will use a $204,500 loan and $38,500 grant to purchase three cars that will be used by the police department, a fire department vehicle and three light duty pick-up trucks that will be used by the public works department. The city will also buy a compact track loader with tilting bucket, brush cutter and street sweeper attachments to better serve a community of 3,000. The Nolichuckey Valley Volunteer Fire Department will use a $975,000 loan and $47,500 grant to construct a fire hall in Chuckey. This project will establish permanent location for the volunteer fire department, which provides services to about 6,800 residents. Additional funding will be provided by Washington County. Lewis County will use a $264,000 loan and $50,000 grant to purchase a replacement chip spreader to allow the Lewis County Highway Department to reservice rural county roads. The town of Brighton will use a $500,000 loan to purchase a new fire engine and additional equipment to better serve the occupants of approximately 2,735 residential dwellings and three county schools that house 3,100 students and 300 staff. The Monroe Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. will use a $65,000 loan to purchase a new brush truck. The truck will allow the fire department fight fires in rural and mountainous areas, better serving the 3,000 area residents. Additional funding includes a $15,000 Rural Development Impact Initiative grant. The city of Mt. Pleasant will use a $170,000 loan to purchase a new mini pumper fire truck to replace a 32 year old vehicle. The truck will be primarily used within the city limits but will also provide mutual aid to surrounding areas on an as needed basis, which would include a total of around 10,000 residents. Additional funding includes $47,500 in Rural Development Economic Impact Initiative grants. The additional projects announced yesterday will help improve the quality of life for 1.1 million rural residents in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally and state-recognized Native American tribes. Applicants and projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Loan amounts have ranged from $10,000 to $165 million. The Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus spending bill increased the budget for the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program to $2.8 billion, up $200 million from FY 2017. In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Forces findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB). USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: The $1.1 trillion global fund manager Northern Trust Asset Management appointed Wouter Sturkenboom as new chief investment strategist for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. The investment management firm said in a press release that Sturkenboom, formerly of Russell Investments, will be responsible for designing, implementing and communicating global investment strategy for the firm's investors, across the three regions. The press release said that this latest appointment follows that of Marie Dzanis, who was named as the head of Northern Trust Asset Management's business for EMEA in July 2018. "Through these strategic appointments, we are well-placed to continue to serve the varied needs of investors across the region," it said. From his base in the Netherlands, Sturkenboom reports to Jim McDonald, chief investment strategist, Northern Trust. In his role, he is responsible for helping develop tactical and strategic investment strategies and supporting Northern Trust Asset Management's multi-asset class initiatives worldwide. "With Wouter's deep capital market expertise, extensive analytical experience and comprehensive understanding of global markets, we are confident he will help us deliver distinctive insights that will resonate with investors worldwide," said McDonald. Sturkenboom most recently spent six years at Russell Investments as a senior investment s...................... To view our full article Click here Dairy Processing Equipment Market Analysis, 2025 - Tetra Laval group, SPX Corporation, Feldmeier Equipment, Inc., Alfa Laval Corporate AB, The Krones group, https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1614 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/dairy-processing-equipment-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1614 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Global Dairy Processing Equipment Market by Type, and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025", the growth of this market is attributed to the increase in demand for consumption of dairy products and technological advancements in the dairy processing equipment. The dairy processing equipment industry is expected to grow at a robust pace during the forecast period.Request Sample Report at:Milk is a valued nutritious food that has a short shelf-life and thus, needs careful handling. Milk is extremely perishable since it is an excellent medium for the growth of microbes, predominantly bacterial pathogens that can spoil it and cause diseases in consumers. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.S., in the last three decades, global milk production has increased by more than 50%, from 500 million tons in 1983 to 769 million tons in 2013. This growth in milk production encourages the usage of dairy processing equipment. Various equipment are used for processing milk that help preserve the milk for days, weeks, or even months, and thereby, reduce food-borne disease. The shelf life of milk can be extended for several days through various techniques using processing equipment such as homogenizers, separators, dryers, membrane filters, pasteurizers, churning equipment, & others.Consumers have become more health conscious and seek healthy products with low fat, low cholesterol, low sugar, and new flavors. This rise in health awareness among people fuels the consumption of processed dairy products, which encourages the growth of the global dairy processing equipment. The emergence of high-income urban population group in the emerging economies such as China and India, prefer processed milk and milk products over raw milk, which creates the need for dairy processing equipment. Moreover, adoption of efficiency-enhancing technologies and increase in automation provided by processing equipment, further supplements the market growth.Access Full Summary:According to Shankar Bhandalkar, Senior Research Analyst, Consumer Goods at Allied Market Research, "Rise in consumption and production of dairy products coupled with increase in the usage of automation process for production are anticipated to drive the dairy processing equipment market."In 2017, pasteurizers emerged as the largest equipment type and is expected to continue the trend during the forecast period owing to its various uses. Pasteurization is the first step in milk processing. It is a heat treatment procedure that extends the shelf life of milk and reduces the pathogenic microbes to a minimum level that prevents them from posing as a health hazard. In developed markets, consumer demand for fortified dairy products such as whey-based products and milk protein dairy products is on the rise. Thus, the market for dryer equipment is growing at a higher pace.For Purchase Enquiry:In 2017, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for the largest market for dairy processing equipment in the world. India is the largest producer of milk in the world. Hence, the market for pasteurizers and homogenizers has been consistently rising in the Indian dairy processing equipment market. Europe was the second-largest market for dairy processing equipment in 2017. Moreover, the abolishment of milk quota in March 2015, boosted the production and processing capacity of dairy products in Europe, which in turn is expected to fuel the dairy processing equipment market.About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions. AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesUSA/Canada (Toll Free):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1(855)550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Biopsy Devices Market : Eminent Industry Players Angiotech (Surgical Specialities Corporation), Cardinal Health, Inc., Carefusion Corporation, C.R. Bard, Inc., Devicor Medical Products, Inc., DTR Medical, Hologic, Inc., INRAD Inc. https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/731 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/731 Biopsy devices market growth is driven by growing occurrence of cancer; Global Biopsy Devices Market size was valued at $1.76 billion for 2015 and is projected to record CAGR of about 6.6% during forecast timeframe. Rising occurrence of cancer, increasing demand for minimally invasive drug procedures and enhanced expenditure on efficient investigative methods are few of the main aspects promoting industry growth.Rise in proportion of patients suffering from cancer ailment is predicted produce heavy demand for biopsy methods. Launch of new government policies aimed at enhancing compensation coverage like Obamacare Act in countries like U.S. is predicted to broaden the customer base. High rate of penetration of technically modernized devices like disposable items and vacuum assisted systems is projected to promote biopsy devices industry trends.Request sample copy of this report @Increase in old age population who are at high risk of acquiring cancer ailment has led to growing occurrence of cancer ailment globally. Furthermore, rising geriatric population along with large unexplored potential avenues in nations like China, India and Japan is predicted to stimulate industry growth during forecast timeframe.Product InsightsGlobal biopsy devices industry is segmented into various products like needle based biopsy gun, biopsy forceps, biopsy needles and biopsy guidance system.Needle based biopsy gun segment is sub-segmented into core needle segment, vacuum-assisted segment and fine needle segment.Biopsy forceps segment is also segmented into sub-segments like hot biopsy segment and general biopsy segment. Biopsy needles segment is segmented into reusable segment and disposable segment. Biopsy guidance system is sub-segmented into robotic and manual segments. Biopsy guidance system dominated the product segment and it was followed by needle based biopsy gun segment as well as biopsy needles segment.Biopsy guidance system segment contributed about 44% to total revenue for 2015 and the size of the segment is projected to surpass $1.2 billion by end of forecast timeframe. High costs related with robotic guidance systems added significantly to the revenue growth of the segment.Vacuum assisted biopsy sub-segment contributed maximum revenue share to needle based guns segment. Demand for this sub-segment is increasing owing to rising preference for minimally invasive methods. Biopsy guidance system segment was led by manual sub-segment for 2015.Disposable needles sub-segment is predicted to record high growth due to its capability to prevent infection and cross contamination.Regional InsightsGlobal biopsy devices market is segmented into geographical regions like LATAM, North America, APAC, MEA and Europe.North American industry was biggest regional industry contributing about more than 55.1% to the total industry share for 2015 and was followed by Europe and APAC.U.S. biopsy devices market price was about $1.2 billion for 2015 with contribution more than 80.1% to the North America biopsy devices industry share.Europe biopsy devices market share is predicted to observe moderate expansion with Germany contributing more than 28.2% for 2015.APAC, led by India and China biopsy devices market, is projected to record highest expansion during forecast timeline and is predicted to be most profitable investment destination for business growth. In addition to this, presence of large patient pool with unfulfilled requirements along with fast growing healthcare infrastructure is predicted to stimulate regional industry expansion.Make Inquiry about this report @Competitive InsightsGlobal biopsy devices industry is oligopolistic and only few industry participants contributed more than 90.1% to the industry share for 2015. Key industry players profiled in the report include Hologic Incorporation, Devicor Medical Products Incorporation, Surgical Specialities Corporation, CareFusion Corporation, Cardinal Health Incorporation, C.R. Bard Incorporation, DTR Medical and INRAD Incorporation.Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.com Data Analytics Outsourcing Market 2018: Growth, Share, Opportunity, Trends, Technology Innovation & Top Players (Accenture, Capgemini, Mu Sigma, RSA, Genpact, IBM, Infosys, Sap, ZS, Opera, Tata, ThreatMetrix, Wipro etc.) Data Analytics Outsourcing Market https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/506719 https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/506719 https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/506719 Data Analytics Outsourcing Industry 2018 Global Market research report provides a detailed analysis of market growth factors, industry share, regional trends, size and Forecast till 2025. This report also studies the industry status, competition landscape, growth rate, market drivers, opportunities, challenges, sales channels and distributors information.Get Sample Copy of This Report atDevelopment policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions North America, Europe, Japan, China, and other regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America, Middle East & Africa etc.)Inquire more or share questions if any before the purchase on this report @Key Companies Analyzed in this Report are: Accenture Capgemini Mu Sigma RSA Security Fractal Analytics Genpact IBM Corporation Infosys Sap Global Data Analytics Outsourcing Market report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through analytical research, market survey and observations) and secondary research. The report also features a complete focused on qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain, growth aspects, utilization ratio and manufacturing capacity.Place a Direct Order Of this Report @Major Points Covered in Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview of Data Analytics Outsourcing2 Global Data Analytics Outsourcing Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles4 Global Data Analytics Outsourcing Market Size by Type and Application (2013-2018)5 United States Data Analytics Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook6 EU Data Analytics Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook7 Japan Data Analytics Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook8 China Data Analytics Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook9 India Data Analytics Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia Data Analytics Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2018-2025)12 Data Analytics Outsourcing Market Dynamics13 Market Effect Factors Analysis14 Research Finding/Conclusion15 AppendixAbout UsOrian Research is one of the most comprehensive collections of market intelligence reports on The World Wide Web. Our reports repository boasts of over 500000+ industry and country research reports from over 100 top publishers. We continuously update our repository so as to provide our clients easy access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, and products. We also specialize in custom research in situations where our syndicate research offerings do not meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clients.Contact UsRuwin MendezVice President Global Sales & Partner RelationsOrian Research ConsultantsUS: +1 (415) 830-3727 | UK: +44 020 8144-71-27Email: info@orianresearch.com Mobile Financial Services Market Opportunities for Telcos in Latin America https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1911340 https://www.researchmoz.us/mobile-financial-services-market-opportunities-for-telcos-in-latin-america-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketsizeinfo.blogspot.in/ Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Mobile Financial Services Market Opportunities for Telcos in Latin America" to its huge collection of research reports.Mobile Financial Services Market Opportunities for Telcos in Latin AmericaSummary"Mobile Financial Services Market Opportunities for Telcos in Latin America", is a new Telecom Insider Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of mobile financial services (MFS) in Latin America. It delivers deep qualitative insight into the telco service portfolios and positioning strategies in the region, analyzing key trends on telcos' mobile financial practices, business models to foster their in the mobile financial space, and case studies.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Latin Americas mobile subscriptions reached 112% of population in 2017. However, only 11% of the total population are mobile money users. In the region, MFS has not reached significant scale yet due to low awareness of MFS, security concerns over mobile payments, and low broadband penetration.It provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Section 1: Mobile Financial Services: Portfolio: This section provides an overview of the core portfolio of mobile network operators' mobile financial services.- Section 2: MFS in Latin America: This section looks at the recent development and the current state of mobile financial services in the region while also providing a closer look at market conditions of MFS adoption.- Section 3: Case studies: This section looks at a total of two MFS case studies from Latin America giving insight into mobile network operators' strategies and ambitions .- Section 4: Key findings: it consists of a summary of key findings and recommendations for the Latin America mobile financial services market.Scope- Given that the vast majority of Latin American countries fall under undeveloped markets, the opportunity for telcos to offer consumers mobile financial products is still present. No country in the region presents a penetration above 50% of Mobile Money Users.- The lack of smartphones and mobile broadband altogether create a high barrier to entry in the MFS market. Although smartphone penetration reached 68% of the population in Latin America, only 55% of people have access to mobile broadband- Upper middle income countries are significantly different from middle income countries in terms of the MFS market as these countries show the highest account ownership within the traditional banking system.Telcos generally play a small role or size a less lucrative opportunity in MFS. As a result MFS are being adopted at a slower rate.Reasons to buy- Offers a comprehensive and detailed understanding of mobile financial services (MFS) opportunities in the Latin America markets.- The report investigates MFS trends, milestones, and competitive attributes, looking in particular at the various drivers and inhibitors in the Latin America region.- To study Latin Americas most competitive MNO MFS provisions, in order to inform strategic decision-making.- The report discusses commercial and technical developments in the wider mobile money market and what these developments might mean for the future.Table of ContentsTable of contents 3List of exhibits 4Executive summary 5Section 1: Mobile Financial Services (MFS) Portfolio 6Definition and EvolutionMFS portfolio definition 7MFS market evolution and current market phase 8Section 2: MFS Opportunities for Telcos in Latin America 9Key drivers and inhibitors enabling MFS success for telcos 10Market conditions conducive to MFS adoption 11Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Section 3: Case studies 12Tigos Paraguay experience 13-14Telcels partnership with Paypal 15-16Section 4: Key findings and recommendations 17Key findings and recommendations 18Appendix 19Acronyms and definitions 20Mentioned companies 21About the authors 22About GlobalData 23Contact information 24Continue...About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on @ Optimizing Networks: Global Markets for Small Cells and Carrier Wi-Fi : Cisco Systems, Inc., Ericsson Inc., IP.Access Ltd., NEC Corp., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and ZTE Corp https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1901582 https://www.researchmoz.us/optimizing-networks-global-markets-for-small-cells-and-carrier-wi-fi-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketsizeinfo.blogspot.in/ Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Optimizing Networks: Global Markets for Small Cells and Carrier Wi-Fi" to its huge collection of research reports.Report Scope:The study includes key trends and detailed geographic analyses regarding the small cell equipment market and its various segments. It also describes the global market size, compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and revenue prospects for various segments and subsegments through 2023. The report classifies the global small cell and carrier Wi-Fi market into the equipment types: femtocell, picocell, microcell, metrocell, C-RAN small cell and carrier Wi-Fi. The report provides the market size for standalone equipment and Cloud RAN (C-RAN) small cell technology and carrier Wi-Fi.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The market is also segmented on the basis of operating environments in which small cells devices are deployed, including indoor and outdoor operating environments. Further, the small cell and carrier Wi-Fi market is segmented based on the various user types including enterprises; single offices and home offices (SOHOs), small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises. The study is primarily aimed at providing insights on the market trends and analyzing revenue generated through penetration of small cell and carrier Wi-Fi devices across regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world (RoW). The report also analyzes the revenue generated by small cell and carrier Wi-Fi deployment in various locations or coverage areas; urban areas, rural areas, and residential areas. Additionally, it also analyzes its application in hospitality industry, and public safety.This report also includes company profiles of key small cells and carrier Wi-Fi vendors (i.e., vendors holding maximum market share) and their competitive analysis. Some of the key small cell and carrier Wi-Fi vendors include CommScope, Ericsson, Huawei, ip.access Ltd., Samsung, NEC Corp., Nokia and ZTE Corp. Cisco has confirmed end-of-sale and end-of-life for its various small cell product line as, mentioned on its website, annual report and other publications. The companys entire in-house licensed-spectrum small-cell base station portfolio was scheduled to reach the end of its life in July 2017. Some of the other key small cell and carrier Wi-Fi manufacturers are Airspan, Argela, Arqiva, Baicells technology, Fujistsu, Fiberhome Networks, Parallel Systems, Zyxel and others.However, the report also profiles some of the key MNOs such as AT&T, Vodafone, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and others reselling other manufacturers small cells under their own brand name.Report Includes:- 39 data tables and 21 additional tables- Comprehensive overview of the global markets for small cell and carrier Wi-Fi- Analyses of global market trends with data from 2017, estimates for 2018, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2023- Identification of growth inhibiting drivers, restraints and other factors impacting the global small cell and carrier Wi-Fi market- Characterization and quantification of market potential for small cell and carrier Wi-Fi by product type, user type, operating environment, location/coverage area and geographical region- A brief study of applications of small cell and Wi-Fi technology at different type of locations on the basis of area size and user density- Comparison of product offerings and market strategies of key players and stakeholders in the small cell and carrier Wi-Fi ecosystem- Description of key mergers and acquisitions in the small cells and carrier Wi-Fi industry- Company profiles of key small cell vendors, including Cisco Systems, Inc., Ericsson Inc., IP.Access Ltd., NEC Corp., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and ZTE Corp.Table of ContentsChapter 1 IntroductionWhat Are Small Cells?How Does a Small Cell Work?Study Goals and ObjectivesScope of ReportIntended AudienceInformation SourcesMethodologyGeographic BreakdownAnalyst's CredentialsBCC Custom ResearchRelated BCC Research ReportsGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Chapter 2 Summary and HighlightsChapter 3 Market OverviewIntroductionCurrent Market ScenarioGlossary of Key Terms and TechnologiesElectromagnetic (EM) WavesEquivalent Isotopically Radiated Power (EIRP)FadingFrequency and WavelengthISM BandPatch AntennasPolarizationQ-FactorRadiation PatternSide LobesSmart AntennaMIMO AntennaWaveguidesEnabling Technologies for Small Cells and Carrier Wi-Fi Cellular StandardsGSM4G/Long-Term Evolution (LTE)Mobile Broadband -- Simultaneous Game Changer and Challenge for Network DesignersMarket DriversProliferation of Smartphones and Increasing Data TrafficHigh Quality Wireless Service at Low Cost and PowerIncreasing Deployments in EnterprisesMarket RestraintsContinue...About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on @ Flow Cytometry Market is to Expand at a CAGR of 11.5% till 2023 | by Top Vendors as Coulter, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Danaher, Thermo Fisher Scientific, etc Flow Cytometry Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6433 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/6433 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/6433 This MRFR Market Perspective Examines the Historical Trends and Current Scenario of the Flow Cytometry Market to Deliver a Highly Pertinent Growth Forecast. The primary objective of the report is to deliver Industry insights, market facts and relevant data that will allow report users to make informed decisions and device growth strategies.Flow Cytometry Market - Segmentation:The global flow cytometry market has been segmented on the basis of products & services, technology, application, and end-user.On the basis of products & services, the market has been classified as reagents and consumables, flow cytometry instruments, services, software, and accessories. The flow cytometry instruments segment has been further divided into cell analyzers and cell sorters.The market by technology has been divided into cell-based flow cytometry and bead-based flow cytometry.Request for Sample Report atThe application segment has been divided into research applications, clinical applications, and industrial applications. The research applications segment has been segmented into pharmaceutical and biotechnology and immunology. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology sub-segment has been divided into drug discovery, stem cell research, and in vitro toxicity testing. Furthermore, the immunology segment has been sub-segmented into cell sorting, apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, cell viability, cell counting, and other research applications. The clinical applications segment includes cancer, hematology, immunodeficiency diseases, organ transplantation, and other clinical applications.The market, by end-user, has been segmented into commercial, research institutes, hospitals and clinics, and academic institutes.The market has been segmented, by region, into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The flow cytometry market in the Americas has further been segmented into North America and South America, with the North American market divided into the US and Canada.The European flow cytometry market has been segmented into Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe has further been classified as Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe.The flow cytometry market in Asia-Pacific has been segmented into Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The flow cytometry market in the Middle East & Africa has been segmented into the Middle East and Africa.Flow Cytometry Market - SynopsisThe global flow cytometry market is expected to grow during the forecast period (20182023) at a CAGR ~11.5%. Flow cytometry is used to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of a cell or a particle. Flow cytometry of a cell can determine the cell size, cell count, cell cycle and other characteristics of the cell. It helps scientists and researchers to extract specific information about the cell or particle.The increasing use of flow cytometry in diagnosis, increasing applications of flow cytometry in healthcare research and growing adoption of new technology are responsible for the growth of the market. Moreover, the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS and cancer cases are contributing to the growth of the market. According to the UNAIDS, in the year 2015 more than 36.7 million people worldwide were affected by HIV/AIDS and out of which 1.8 million were children below 15 yrs.The high costs of flow cytometry instruments and reagents, lack of awareness about applications of flow cytometry and scarcity of technicians may hamper the growth of the market during the assessment period.Various factors that can hamper the growth of the market are the presence of the generic drug in the market and the high cost of R&D investment for the development of a new drug for treatment.Check Discount atVital Players:cytometry are Beckman CoulterBectonDickinson and Company.Danaher.Thermo Fisher ScientificMerck KGaABio-Rad LaboratoriesSony Corporation and more.Regional Analysis:The Americas are likely to dominate the global flow cytometry market owing to the presence of a well-established healthcare system, adoption of highly advanced technology and increase in the number of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases in the region and with that the increase in the use of flow cytometry for diagnostics purpose. According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, more than 50 million Americans are suffering from autoimmune diseases and autoimmune disease is one of the top ten causes of death in women and children.The European market is expected to be the second-largest flow cytometry market. The market growth in this region can be attributed to government funding and support to the research and development activities, raising awareness about healthcare diagnostics and increasing cases of cancer patients in the region. Moreover, increasing research and development activities in the pharmaceutical industry is contributing to the growth of the market in this region. For instance, according to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, in the year 2015, the European pharmaceutical sector has invested more than USD 33,557 million in research and development activities.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing flow cytometry market during the forecast period owing to the increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases, increasing awareness about healthcare and rising investments and collaborative activities in healthcare and expansions by market players in the region. For instance, in June 2017, Beckman Coulter, Inc. entered into extensive distribution agreement with Grifols S.A to expand its diagnostics portfolio.The market in the Middle East & Africa is expected to account for the smallest share of the global flow cytometry market due to an underdeveloped healthcare sector, lack of technical knowledge, and poor medical facilities.Ask Any Question atAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com The efficiency of a solar cell is one of its most important parameters. It indicates what percentage of the solar energy radiated into the cell is converted into electrical energy. The theoretical limit for silicon solar cells is 29.3 percent due to physical material properties. In the journal Materials Horizons, researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and international colleagues describe how this limit can be abolished. The trick: they incorporate layers of organic molecules into the solar cell. These layers utilise a quantum mechanical process known as singlet exciton fission to split certain energetic light (green and blue photons) in such a way that the electrical current of the solar cell can double in that energy range. The principle of a solar cell is simple: per incident light particle (photon) a pair of charge carriers (exciton) consisting of a negative and a positive charge carrier (electron and hole) is generated. These two opposite charges can move freely in the semiconductor. When they reach the charge-selective electrical contacts, one only allows positive charges to pass through, the other only negative charges. A direct electrical current is therefore generated, which can be used by an external consumer. The team around HZB researcher, Prof. Klaus Lips, gives now a solution to build the solar cell in such a way that certain high energy photons are used to generate two pairs of charge carrier simultaneously. The effect they used resides in some organic crystals and is known as singlet exciton fission (SF). In order for this multiplier effect to be possible, charge carrier pairs have to fulfill certain quantum physical conditions: all their spins have to be parallel meaning charge carrier pairs called triplet exciton. These triplet excitons are quite durable and very strongly bound together. The challenge was to split apart them at an interface to silicon. This unbinds the positive and negative charge carriers, permitting them to contribute to the solar cells current. In a pioneering experiment the researchers have shown the splitting to be possible. "With implementing this concept successfully, we can make a silicon solar cell with a maximum quantum efficiency of 200 percent (double the normal limit), and a theoretical efficiency limit of around 40 percent," says Dr. Rowan MacQueen, an Australian researcher who joined the HZB team two years ago and is realizing the charge carrier multiplier solar cell at the HZB. In the recently-reported work, the HZB researchers integrated a 100 nanometer thick layer of singlet fission-capable tetracene crystals into the surface of a silicon solar cell. Using spectroscopic investigations, triplet charge carrier pairs in the thin tetracene layer were detected, a signature of singlet fission. "The challenge was to separate the triplet pairs at the silicon interface without significantly disrupting the current flow of the silicon solar cell," explains Klaus Lips, since a poorly conducting organic layer borders on the well conducting silicon layer, a situation that could greatly impede the current flow. The splitting succeeds with an additionally introduced organic conductor called PEDOT:PSS meaning another organic layer is necessary. The interfaces play a special role in this structure, says Dr. MacQueen, which is why the researchers used X-ray light from the BESSY II@HZB synchrotron to study the interface properties. They then fabricated a series of working tetracene-silicon solar cells. A key finding was that the addition of the organic layer did not impede the electrical performance of the silicon cell, which is critical for producing an efficient device. The electrical performance of the first silicon singlet fission solar cell showed that tetracene absorbs the blue-green portion of the light, while low-energy photons are absorbed by the silicon. Using a simulation, the researchers were able to estimate that currently about 5-10 percent of the triplet pairs generated in the tetracene layer could be added to the output power. For Klaus Lips this is a great success but he is already considering follow-up experiments: "With this solar cell structure, we have shown that the approach works in principle, and delivered a workhorse design. And we already know what we have to do to increase the yield of separated triplet excitons to up to 200 percent". Marine Insurance Market 2018 | Top Players - Allianz , American International , Aon , AXA , Insurance brokers , Marsh Marine Insurance Market 2018 http://bit.ly/2OIzNYl http://bit.ly/2OMfUzz https://www.garnerinsights.com/Global-Marine-Insurance-Market-2018-by-Manufacturers-Countries-Type-and-Application-Forecast-to-2023 Marine Insurance Market Research ReportThe Marine Insurance market report is a complete an in-depth analysis of the current state of global and regional Marine Insurance markets including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.The research report provides an informative and statistically evaluated data about the Marine Insurance industry. It presents a detailed study of the Marine Insurance market, enlightening the major areas such as future market scenario, growth factors, market segmentation, industry challenges and forecasts. Then, the market study sheds light on the various market opportunities, tie-ups, acquisition, innovative business approach, new launches, revenue and global trends as well as the report describes the drivers and restraints for the Marine Insurance market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. In addition to this, the industry growth in distinct regions and R&D status are enclosed within, the report.Get a Sample PDF Report:This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million US$) and volume (K Units). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Marine Insurance market, to estimate the size of various other dependent sub-markets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.The scope of the ReportThis report studies the Marine Insurance market status and outlook of Global and major regions, from angles of players, countries, product types and end industries; this report analyzes the top players in global market, and splits the Marine Insurance market by product type and applications/end industries.Increase in premium contribution from the emerging markets is driving the market.The global Marine Insurance market is valued at xx million USD in 2017 and is expected to reach xx million USD by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2017 and 2023.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.North America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Marine Insurance.Europe also play important roles in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2017 and will be xx million USD in 2023, with a CAGR of xx%.Market Segment by Companies, this report coversAllianzAmerican InternationalAonAXAInsurance brokersMarshMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversCargo InsuranceOnshore Energy InsuranceHull InsuranceMarine Liability InsuranceMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoSmall Recreational BoatsOn-Water Commercial And High End LeisureUnderwater LeisureUnderwater AUVGet Discount on this Report:The scope of the report:The Marine Insurance report study further provides a comprehensive examination of the regions mentioned in the report. For every mentioned region, the report articulates the progress of the market so far and the upcoming growth has also been mapped in the report. The market research report will also present an edifying overview of the competitive landscape of the Marine Insurance market with a compilation of inventions, activities, facts, figures, product portfolio, and strategies. Special focus has been put on occurring mergers and acquisitions along with upcoming agreements and developments of the influential market players.The report also includes details analysis of market segments, sub-segments, market dynamics, feasibility study, key strategies used by leading players, cost structures and growth prospects of the industry. The report also evaluates the growth established by the market during the forecast period.The study objectives of this report are:a. To analyze and study the global Marine Insurance capacity, production, value, consumption, status, and forecast;b. Focuses on the key Marine Insurance players, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in the future.c. Focuses on the global key players, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.d. To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application, and region.e. To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity, and challenge, restraints, and risks.f. To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting market growth.g. To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.h. To strategically analyze each sub-market with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market.In the end, The report covers the precisely studied and evaluated data of the global market players and their scope in the market using a number of analytical tools. The analytical tools such as investment return analysis, SWOT analysis, and feasibility study are used to analyze the key global market player's growth in the Marine Insurance market industry.Read Full Report with TOC:If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at sales@reportsmonitor.comAbout UsGarner Insights is a Market Intelligence and consulting firm with a comprehensive experience and rich knowledge of the market research industry. Our vast repository of research reports across various categories gives you a complete view of the ever-evolving trends and current topics worldwide. Our constant focus is on improving the data and finding innovative methods, which will help your business drive profitable growth. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide.Contact UsKevin ThomasDirect: +1 513 549 5911 (US)+44 203 318 2846 (UK)Email: sales@garnerinsights.comWebsite: garnerinsights.com Global Microgrid Market Brief Analysis by Top Key Players ABB Ltd, General Electric, Eaton Corporation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Honeywell International, GE Alstom, EnSync Inc, Viridity Energy, Inc, Hitachi Ltd & more Microgrid Market, Microgrid Market trends, Microgrid Market forecast, Microgrid Market analysis https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/707335/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/707335/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/microgrid-market https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-microgrid-as-a-service-maas-market-2018-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023?utm_source=RR-AN https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog Global Microgrid market report added by MarketstudyReport.com is one of the most comprehensive research studies on Microgrid offering 798 data tables, 12 figures, covering 17 companies and regional outlook for 24 countries on segments covered in this report.Global microgrid market will exceed USD 19 billion by 2024; according to a new research report.Meticulously analyzed in terms of pivotal industry segments, global Microgrid market report effectively covers the scope of this space in terms By Connectivity, By Source, By Storage, By Application and the prominent contributors. Additionally, the report also outlines intricate details regarding the lucrative opportunities that industry contenders can expect in conjunction with the potential threats that have been envisioned for this business sphere in the forthcoming years.Request a sample of this premium report at:The report extensively bifurcates the various contenders of global Microgrid market. Prominent contributors such as ABB Ltd, General Electric, Eaton Corporation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Caterpillar Inc., Honeywell International, GE Alstom, Homer Energy LLC, Power Analytics Corporation, Advanced Microgrid Solutions, EnSync Inc, Viridity Energy, Inc, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Exelon Corporation, Hitachi Ltd, Emerson Electric Co have been scrutinized in terms of their financials, strengths, weaknesses, potential threats in the market, and future opportunities.The U.S. microgrid market is set to reach over 2 GW by 2024. Growing deployment of sustainable energy sources to reduce the dependence on existing electric networks will positively encourage the industry dynamics. Increasing investments across clean energy sources in the country will further propel the business landscape. According to IEA in 2016, the U.S. invested over USD 250 billion toward development of various energy sources across the nation.Natural gas as a fuel is set to witness strong growth on account of increasing exploration of unconventional sources across the U.S., China and Russia. Ongoing adoption of fuel as a low emission substitute to conventional source will foster the microgrid market. In August 2016, Capstone Turbine signed a deal with the government of China to supply microturbine for 10 MW microgrid network.Utility microgrid market is set to grow owing to the rapid industrialization and urbanization across the emerging economies. Escalating high-end electricity consumption backed by the presence of new HVAC and heavy load machinery systems in the industrial sector will foster the business growth.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Rising concerns toward energy security coupled with increasing adoption of sustainable energy sources will stimulate the Japan microgrid market. Government backed extensive research and development projects along with implementation of virtual private networks (VPPs) to mitigate emergency crisis will further embellish the business outlook. In 2017, Panasonic in collaboration with Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry planned to build Solar PV powered microgrid to provide electricity to 117 homes in western Japan.Growing off-grid networks across developing nations will complement the microgrid market outlook in next few years. Favorable government norms pertaining to integration of renewable energy technology coupled with ongoing measures to electrify rural and urban areas will foster the microgrid market share. Power reliability, economic competitiveness, relatively low power cost and reduced T&D losses are some of the key parameters which will boost the product adoption. Global microgrid market will exceed USD 19 billion by 2024, according to a new research report.Table of Content:Chapter 1. Methodology and ScopeChapter 2. Executive SummaryChapter 3. Microgrid Market Industry InsightsChapter 4. Microgrid Market, By ConnectivityChapter 5. Microgrid Market, By Grid TypeChapter 6. Microgrid Market, By Power SourceChapter 7. Microgrid Market, By Storage DevicesChapter 8. Microgrid Market, By ApplicationChapter 9. Microgrid Market, By RegionChapter 10. Company ProfilesFor More Details on this Report At:Related Report:Global Microgrid as a Service (MaaS) Market 2018 by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023The market growth can be attributed to the reduction in operational costs and negligible upfront investments by MaaS end users, rising demand for MaaS from hospitals, universities, and remote regions and high investments by governments in microgrid infrastructure for improved resilience. The market for software as a service is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2016 and 2022. The global Microgrid as a Service (MaaS) market is valued at xx million in 2017 and is expected to reach xx million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2017 and 2023. The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fast growing India and Southeast Asia regions.About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Digital Map Market Explained: Where will be Market in 2025? Digital Map Market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/industry-research/digital-map-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/request-sample/digital-map-market The global market was valued at $1263.0 million in 2014 and is likely to garner $4393.7 million in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 12.49% during the forecast period 2018-2025 according to Progressive Markets report, Digital Map Market Size, Trend, Share, Opportunity Analysis & Forecast, 2014-2025.Access Full Summary at :The report provides a comprehensive review of the digital map market covering details on research methodology, digital map market size, digital map market share analysis, digital map market trends, digital map industry statistics, digital map market forecast, market dynamics, Porters analysis, and company profiles. The report is a useful tool as it helps identify the opportunities in the space and offers accurate information and forecasting that empowers qualitative decision making among market players, investors, shareholders, and new entrants.The report provides an executive summary of the global digital map industry to help market players and new entrants understand the overall market status and plan strategies for growth. Market attractiveness helps measure the potential market value while trends analysis helps predict the future changes in the price of a stock. Key findings are listed in the report to help market players determine investment viability. The competitive landscape is provided to help industry players determine the competitive environment within the industry and take steps to gain a competitive edge.Download Exclusive Summary of Digital Map Market:The market landscape of the digital map market is provided in terms of the growth drivers, restraints and opportunities, Porters Five Forces analysis, and market share analysis. The rise and fall of the digital map industry are dependent on the drivers and restraints of the market. The drivers lead to the growth of the market while the restraints result in the downfall of the market. The drivers of the digital map market include the increasing use of 3D platforms and advanced technologies for surveying and making digital maps. Furthermore, the rise in the adoption of real-time digital maps provides the opportunity for the growth of the industry. Nonetheless, the growing adoption of free crowdsourcing digital maps, strict regulations, and legal challenges cause hindrances to the growth of the digital map market.The report offers a detailed segmentation of the global digital map market based on usage, functionality, and geography. Based on usage, the digital map market is divided into indoor application and outdoor application. The indoor application segment is expected to garner $270.3 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 10.73% during the forecast period. The outdoor application segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.62% during the forecast period. Based on functionality, the market is classified as computerized, scientific, and GPA navigation. The scientific segment garnered $551.3 million in 2017 and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 12.98% during the forecast period. The GPS navigation sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.69% during the forecast period. Based on geography, the digital map market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. In North America, the market is analyzed across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. In Europe, the market is studied in the UK, Germany, France, Russia, and the rest of EU. In Asia-Pacific, the industry is analyzed across China, Japan, India, Australia, and the other parts of Asia-Pacific. In LAMEA, the market is analyzed across Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.The report provides an extensive analysis of the key market players operating in the global digital map market. A business overview for each player is provided in the report to help market players and investors gain an understanding of the existing competition and determine investment suitability. Besides the overviews, financial and business segments of each player are offered in the study. Recent developments by them are also discussed. Key market players noted in the study include Apple Inc., Google Inc., HERE, Micello, Inc., TomTom International BV, MiTAC International Corporation, ARC Aerial Imaging Limited, Esri, Nearmap Ltd. and MAPQUEST.The company makes use of primary corporate research and secondary inputs from trusted sources to build its own reference base. It maintains consistency in quality as it keeps itself updated with changes in market dynamics and gauging its net effect on global business trends.Reach UsMr. Shriram Dighe4th Floor, Unit 12, Marisoft III,West Wing, Marigold IT Park,Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014,India: +91 20 66346040Toll Free: + 1-888-906-9222help@progressivemarkets.com Ongoing Study Traces the Expansion of Oral Cancer Rapid Test Kit Market During 2016 - 2024 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11908 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11908 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Oral cancer is one of the largest group of cancers, which comes under category of Head and Neck cancer. It includes lips, tongue, throat, sinuses, and floor of the mouth. About 90% of the oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). According to oral cancer foundation in 2016, around 48,250 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.S. and has relatively low survival rates. The death rates due to oral cancer are relatively higher due to lack of proper diagnosis test, which can detect oral cancer at the early stage. Hence, early stage diagnosis is an alternative solution that helps prevent the deaths of people infected by oral cancer. The Conventional diagnostic tests available in the market are time-consuming and costly. Currently, very few technologies are available in the market for routine screening of the oral cancers. Hence, companies are trying to develop the Oral Cancer Rapid Testing Kit (OCRTK), which can detect the stage of cancer effectively in less time to perform test at home/clinic. Vigilant biosciences developed OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB Test, which is accurate, cost effective, and uses non-invasive technology. This technology also got the CE mark in Europe that enables this product to sell all over Europe. Various companies and universities are trying to develop the rapid detection technology for oral cancer kits to detect oral cancerThe increase in usage of tobacco, which includes smokeless tobacco, HPV-induced cancers, and consumption of alcohol are major factors that drive the growth of the market. Furthermore, increase in awareness and aging population also contribute to the prevalence the oral cancers. According to the cancer research center in U.K, globally over 3, 00,000 persons were diagnosed with oral cancer. Smoking is a major factor that is turning many men and women into victims of Oral cancer. In U.S., black males are having high incidence rate than their whiter counterparts because of cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Lack of new diagnostic technologies in the market is a major factors that is limiting the growth of the OCRTK market.Request For Report Sample@Segmentation by ProductOncAlert Oral Cancer LABLab on ChipInsilixa testPrevo-CheckSegmentation by PrincipleSensor basedColorimetryImmunoassayOthersSegmentation by End UserHospitalsDiagnostic centersResearch centersConsumerOCRTK will have higher impact in the Oral cancer diagnosis market because currently there very few rapid test kits available in the market to diagnose the Oral cancer. Government organizations are actively funding companies that are operating in OCRTK. This highlights the importance of this domain. Factors like low cost, easy process, and instant results are expected to drive the growth of the market.On the basis of product segmentation, OncAlert Oral Cancer LAB is expected to hold major market shares of the OCRTK market as it is the only available product in the market with clinical effectiveness. On the basis of principle, sensor-based devices will have a relatively higher share due to its highly sensitive nature and precision results.On the basis of End User, hospitals, and diagnostic centers hold major market share comparatively than the research centers and consumers as mainly all the operations are carried out in hospitals and diagnostic centers. However, in future the end user is expected to shift their preference towards the consumer as companies are developing techniques to perform tests easily at home.OCRTK market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold relatively high market share due to factors such as growing awareness about the disease and rise in the aging population. However, Asia Pacific region and European regions also might have good market due to increase in incidence of oral cancer.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Some key players in the market are Vigilant Biosciences, Abviris Deutschland GmbH, Insilixa, and University of Sheffield.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size Growing with a CAGR of 11.3% during 2018-2025 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1914584 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-virtual-private-network-vpn-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025-report.html This research report titled Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2018-2025 has been added to the wide online database managed by Market Research Hub (MRH). The study discusses the prime market growth factors along with future projections expected to impact the Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market during the period between 2018 and 2025. The concerned sector is analyzed based on different market factors including drivers, restraints and opportunities in order to enlighten the readers about the actual scenario prevailing in the Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @This report focuses on the global Virtual Private Network (VPN) status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Virtual Private Network (VPN) development in United States, Europe and China.A virtual private network (VPN) extends a private network across a public network, and enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network. ("In the simplest terms, it creates a secure, encrypted connection, which can be thought of as a tunnel, between your computer and a server operated by the VPN service.") Applications running across the VPN may therefore benefit from the functionality, security, and management of the private network.VPNs may allow employees to securely access a corporate intranet while located outside the office. They are used to securely connect geographically separated offices of an organization, creating one cohesive network. Personal VPN Users Internet users may secure their wireless transactions with a VPN, to circumvent geo-restrictions and censorship, or to connect to proxy servers for the purpose of protecting personal identity and location. However, some Internet sites block access to known VPN technology to prevent the circumvention of their geo-restrictions.A VPN is created by establishing a virtual point-to-point connection through the use of dedicated connections, virtual tunneling protocols, or traffic encryption. A VPN available from the public Internet can provide some of the benefits of a wide area network (WAN). From a user perspective, the resources available within the private network can be accessed remotely.Traditional VPNs are characterized by a point-to-point topology, and they do not tend to support or connect broadcast domains, so services such as Microsoft Windows NetBIOS may not be fully supported or work as they would on a local area network (LAN). Designers have developed VPN variants, such as Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS), and layer-2 tunneling protocols, to overcome this limitation.The Europe VPN market generated the highest sales in 2017, as organizations in Europe are equipped with advanced technologies. Moreover, presence of large number of enterprises and increase in number of internet users have supplemented the market growth. The Asia-Pacific VPN market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR, owing to rise in penetration of internet, rapid industrialization, and significant economic growth.In the cloud VPN connectivity type, the remote access cloud VPN is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. This is due to the high adoption rate of mobile devices and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trends among organizations. In the organization size segmentation, the SMEs segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR, due to the large-scale adoption of cloud VPN solutions and cost effectiveness and centralized management capabilities during the forecast periodIn the cloud VPN end-user market, the verticals segment is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. This is due to the preference to purchase the cloud VPN solutions and services directly from software vendors without relying on third-party service vendors.In 2017, the global Virtual Private Network (VPN) market size was 1260 million US$ and it is expected to reach 2960 million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of 11.3% during 2018-2025.The key players covered in this studyPrivate Internet AccessNord VPNTorGuardCyber GhostHotspot ShieldIP Vanish VPNBuffered VPNGolden FrogVPN PureExpress VPNSafer VPNMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoRemote Access VPNSite-to-Site VPNOthersMarket segment by Application, split intoPersonal VPN UsersCorporate VPN UsersMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South AmericaRequest to Buy Full Report@Table of Contents1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2013-2025)1.4.2 Remote Access VPN1.4.3 Site-to-Site VPN1.4.4 Others1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Share by Application (2013-2025)1.5.2 Personal VPN Users1.5.3 Corporate VPN Users1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size2.2 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size by Regions (2013-2025)2.2.2 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Share by Regions (2013-2018)2.3 Industry Trends2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Opportunities3 Market Share by Key Players3.1 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size by Manufacturers3.1.1 Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Revenue by Manufacturers (2013-2018)3.1.2 Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)3.1.3 Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Virtual Private Network (VPN) Product/Solution/Service3.4 Date of Enter into Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans4 Breakdown Data by Type and Application4.1 Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size by Type (2013-2018)4.2 Global Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market Size by Application (2013-2018)Continued.. @@#About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like Software market research and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of industry reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.com Sodium Saccharin Global Market Analysis 2012-2017 and Forecast 2018-2023 https://www.research2reports.com/sample-report-chemical/sodium-saccharin-market/55480 https://www.research2reports.com/report-chemical/sodium-saccharin-market/55480 https://www.research2reports.com/enquiry-before-buy-chemical/sodium-saccharin-market/55480 https://www.research2reports.com GET SAMPLE REPORT @The global Sodium Saccharin market will reach xxx Million USD in 2017 and CAGR xx% 2018-2023. The report begins from overview of Industry Chain structure, and describes industry environment, then analyses market size and forecast of Sodium Saccharin by product, region and application, in addition, this report introduces market competition situation among the vendors and company profile, besides, market price analysis and value chain features are covered in this report.Product Type Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Major Company of Product Type etc.):5-8 Mesh8 To 16 Mesh10-20 MeshOthersCompany Coverage (Sales Revenue, Price, Gross Margin, Main Products etc.):PMCJMCKaifeng XinghuaTianjin BeifangTianjin ChangjieShanghai FortuneApplication Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Different Demand Market by Region, Main Consumer Profile etc.):Food IndustryFeed AdditivesCosmeticElectroplatingOthersRegion Coverage (Regional Output, Demand & Forecast by Countries etc.):North AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaACCESS REPORTTable of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 Sodium Saccharin Industry1.1.1 Overview1.1.2 Development of Sodium Saccharin1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 Upstream1.2.2 Downstream1.3 Cost Analysis2 Industry Environment2.1 Policy2.2 Economics2.3 Sociology2.4 Technology3 Sodium Saccharin Market by Type3.1 By Type3.1.1 5-8 Mesh3.1.2 8 To 16 Mesh3.1.3 10-20 Mesh3.1.4 Others3.2 Market Size3.3 Market Forecast. CONTINUEDFOR ANY QUERY, REACHContact Us:Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune 411001Phone Number: 020 - 2612 6969Email: info@research2reports.comWebsite -Research 2 Reports offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune 411001 High-Voltage Switchgear Market 2026 | Top Key Players: ABB Ltd., Eaton Corporation, Fuji Electric Co. Ltd., General Electric, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, Crompton Greaves Ltd Market Research Report Search Engine https://www.mrrse.com/sample/16546 https://www.mrrse.com/high-voltage-switchgear-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/16546 https://www.mrrse.com/ This comprehensive report by Market Research Report Search Engine analyzes the High Voltage Switchgear Market at the global and regional level. The report provides an analysis for the period 20162026, where 2017 is considered to be the base year and 2018 to 2026 is the forecast period. An in-depth and unbiased market assessment has been made to offer readers in-depth and accurate analysis. The report analyzes all the major trends likely to influence the growth of the global high voltage switchgear market from 2018 to 2026. It also analyzes drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the market. The study provides a perspective of the high voltage switchgear market in terms of value and volume (US$ Mn and Units) across five regions: Asia Pacific, South America, North America, Middle East & Africa, and Europe.To Get Sample Report Click here @The report includes a detailed value chain analysis, which provides an extensive view of the global high voltage switchgear market. Porters Five Forces analysis is also provided in the report to understand the competitive scenario in the global high voltage switchgear market. The study incorporates market attractiveness analysis, wherein the product standard, component, insulation type, and application segments are benchmarked based on size, growth rate, and attractiveness. The report also includes attractiveness analysis for each region in order to provide the overall competitive scenario in the high voltage switchgear market.The overview section in the report analyzes the market trends and dynamics that include drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the current and future high voltage switchgear market. A market outlook analysis has also been provided in the report. Additionally, the report offers analysis of business strategies adopted by the key players in the high voltage switchgear market. The introduction chapter provides a snapshot of different trends and services related to high voltage switchgears.Global High-Voltage Switchgear Market: Scope of the ReportIn terms of product standard, the global high voltage switchgear market has been segmented into IEC, ANSI, and others. Based on component, the global market has been classified into circuit breakers, relays, and others. In terms of insulation, the global high voltage switchgear market has been categorized into air-insulated switchgears (AIS), gas-insulated switchgears (GIS), and others (oil and vacuum). Based on application, the global market has been divided into power generation, oil & gas, utility sector, and industrial. The report provides region-wise breakdown of the high voltage switchgear market and categorizes it at various levels, thereby providing valuable insights at micro and macro levels.The report also highlights the competitive scenario in the global high voltage switchgear market, ranking the major players according to key developments and geographic presence. The insights for the global market are the result of extensive primary interviews, secondary research, and in-house expert panel reviews. These market estimates have been analyzed by considering the impact of different economic, political, social, legal, and technological factors.In terms of country, the market in North America has been classified into the U.S., Canada, and Rest of North America. Europe has been analyzed for Germany, France, the U.K. and Rest of Europe. Asia Pacific has also been segmented into China, Japan, India, Australia, and Rest of Asia Pacific. Middle East & Africa covers GCC, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East &Africa. South America comprises Brazil and Rest of South America. This report provides all the strategic information required to understand the high voltage switchgear market along with its products, components, and applications. Additionally, the report provides insights related to the components and different applications for the regions mentioned above.View Complete Report with TOC @The research methodology is a combination of primary research, secondary research, and expert panel reviews. Secondary sources include annual reports, company websites, SEC filings and investor presentations, national government documents, internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases, relevant patent and regulatory databases, market reports, government publications, and statistical databases.Primary research involves telephonic interviews, e-mail interactions, and face-to-face interviews for detailed and unbiased reviews on the high voltage switchgear market, across regions. Primary interviews are usually conducted on an ongoing basis with industry experts and participants in order to get latest market insights and validate the existing data and analysis. Primary interviews offer new and fresh information on important factors such as market trends, market size, competitive landscape, and growth trends. These factors help to validate and strengthen secondary research findings. Moreover, the data collected and analyzed from secondary and primary research is discussed and examined by our expert panel.Global High-Voltage Switchgear Market: Competitive DynamicsThe research study includes profiles of leading companies operating in the global high voltage switchgear market. Market players have been profiled in terms of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, business strategies, and recent developments. Key players in the global high voltage switchgear market are ABB Ltd., Eaton Corporation, Fuji Electric Co. Ltd., General Electric, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, Crompton Greaves Ltd., Hyosung Corporation, and Toshiba Corporation, among others. These companies focus on expanding business through strategic acquisitions and partnerships with several end-use industries.The global high voltage switchgear market has been segmented as follows:Global High-Voltage Switchgear MarketBy Product StandardIEC StandardANSI StandardOthersBy ComponentCircuit BreakersRelaysOthersBy InsulationAir-insulated SwitchgearsSF6Non SF6Gas-insulated SwitchgearsSF6Non SF6Others (oil & vacuum)By ApplicationPower GenerationOil & GasUtilities SectorIndustrialBy RegionNorth AmericaS.CanadaRest of North AmericaEuropeGermanyFranceK.Rest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East &AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaSouth AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaEnquire Now @About Market Research Report Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY 12207(United State)Telephone: +1-518-730-0559(Toll-Free)Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: Agricultural Micronutrients Market | Key Players are The Dow Chemical Company, BASF SE, The Mosaic Company, Akzo Nobel N.V https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/1967 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/talk-to-analyst/1967 Agricultural micronutrients are useful for the growth of plants and a play significant role in balanced crop nutrition. These include zinc, manganese, nickel, boron, copper, molybdenum, and chloride. Lack of any one of these micronutrients in the soil can hamper plant growth, despite sufficient nutrients are present in sufficient amounts.Soil application dominated the global agricultural micronutrients market, owing to their most common use, requires less labor, and time. Moreover, micronutrients directly come in contact with the roots when applied to soil, thus they are highly effective, resulting in high productivity and yield. Foliar is expected to boost growth of the global agricultural micronutrients market over the forecast period, owing to various advantages offered by foliar sprays, such as easy and uniform application, low cost of application as compared to soil application, and immediate response to nutrient applied, thus correcting the deficiencies during the growing season.Download PDF Brochure at :Among product types, the zinc segment is projected to demonstrate significant growth in the global agricultural micronutrients market. This is owing to various advantages offered by zinc fertilizers, such as higher crop yield and economical costs. Zinc deficiency in the soil reduces the growth and productivity of crops, thus making up for a useful component.Among crop types, the cereal segment witnessed highest growth, owing to the rise in consumption and demand for cereals, globally. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the production of cereals is estimated to grow by 12% by 2025 from 2015, which is majorly augmented by yield improvements, with limited area expansion. Moreover, the consumption of cereal is estimated to increase by 14% by 2025, from 340 million tons in 2015 to 2818 million tons in 2025.Market DynamicsThe augmenting demand for biofuels and rising soil deficiency is one of the major factors propelling growth of the global agricultural micronutrients market. The U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) expanded the renewable fuel standard to increase biofuel production to 36 billion gallons by 2022.Moreover, the rising urge for effective fertilizers owing to imperfect soil quality and burgeoning demand for uniform and quality yield backed by rising population is expected to drive the agricultural micronutrients market at a global level. However, lack of awareness of agricultural micronutrients among farmers, especially in the emerging economies and critical application doses of these micronutrients are key factors restraining factors for this market.Agricultural Micronutrients Market OutlookAsia Pacific held a dominant position the global agricultural micronutrients market in 2017. Growing awareness regarding the benefits of micronutrients among the growers is driving growth of the agricultural micronutrients market in India. Also, according to The National Informatics Centre (NIC), India ranks second in agricultural production in the world and is a leading producer of various agricultural commodities, further boosting growth of the agricultural micronutrients market in the country and thereby, in Asia Pacific. Moreover, in 2017, the Indian biofuels industry aimed to invest US$ 2.25 billion in the upcoming projects over the next years to increase the industrys value to US$ 7.5 billion by 2022.North America held a significant market share in the global agricultural micronutrients market in 2017, with U.S. being the major contributor to the market growth in 2017. This is owing to rise in demand for quality food products and adoption of newer technologies for improving yield. For instance, in 2017 SUL4R-Plus LLC, a provider of innovative fertilizer products for agricultural market, introduced SUL4R-Plus B+Z fertilizer with zinc, boron, sulfur, and calcium.Key PlayersKey players operating in the global agricultural micronutrients market include The Dow Chemical Company, BASF SE, The Mosaic Company, Akzo Nobel N.V., Yara International ASA, The Potash Corporation, Land O'Lakes, Inc., Marubeni Corporation, and Nufarm Limited.Talk to Analyst :About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com 3D Reconstruction Technology Market 2018 Global Market to Reach USD 565 million By 2022 Including Key Players : Pix4D, Agisoft PhotoScan, Autodesk, RealityCapture, Acute3D, PhotoModeler, Photometrix 3D Reconstruction Technology Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3403622-global-3d-reconstruction-technology-market-report-2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3403622-global-3d-reconstruction-technology-market-report-2018 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=3403622 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On 3D Reconstruction Technology Market 2018 Global Market to Reach USD 565 million By 2022 Including Key Players : Pix4D, Agisoft PhotoScan, Autodesk, RealityCapture, Acute3D, PhotoModeler, Photometrix.Description:-The 3D Reconstruction Technology industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, 3D Reconstruction Technology market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of 16.40% from 130 million $ in 2014 to 205 million $ in 2017, The analysts believe that in the next few years, 3D Reconstruction Technology market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the 3D Reconstruction Technology will reach 565 million $.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThis Report covers the manufacturers data, including: shipment, price, revenue, grossprofit, interview record, business distribution etc., these data help the consumer knowabout the competitors better. This report also covers all the regions and countries of the world, which shows a regional development status, including market size, volume and value, as well as price data.Besides, the report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.Sections:-Section 1: FreeDefinitionSection (2 3): 1200 USDMajor Player DetailPix4DAgisoft PhotoScanAutodeskRealityCaptureAcute3DPhotoModelerPhotometrixElcovisionVi3Dim TechnologiesParacosmMatterportRealsense (Intel)MensiSkyline Software SystemsAirbus4Dage TechnologyBlackboxcvShenzhen Zhineng Shixian TechnologySection 4: 900 USDRegion SegmentationNorth America Country (United States, Canada)South AmericaAsia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)ContinuedEnquiry About Report @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsSection 1 3D Reconstruction Technology DefinitionSection 2 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Major Player Share and Market Overview2.1 Global Major Player 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Revenue2.2 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market OverviewSection 3 Major Player 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Introduction3.1 Pix4D 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Introduction3.1.1 Pix4D 3D Reconstruction Technology Revenue, Growth Rate and Gross profit 2014-20173.1.2 Pix4D 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Distribution by Region3.1.3 Pix4D Interview Record3.1.4 Pix4D 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Profile3.1.5 Pix4D 3D Reconstruction Technology Specification3.2 Agisoft PhotoScan 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Introduction3.2.1 Agisoft PhotoScan 3D Reconstruction Technology Revenue, Growth Rate and Gross profit2014-20173.2.2 Agisoft PhotoScan 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Distribution by Region3.2.3 Interview Record3.2.4 Agisoft PhotoScan 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Overview3.2.5 Agisoft PhotoScan 3D Reconstruction Technology Specification3.3 Autodesk 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Introduction3.3.1 Autodesk 3D Reconstruction Technology Revenue, Growth Rate and Gross profit 2014-20173.3.2 Autodesk 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Distribution by Region3.3.3 Interview Record3.3.4 Autodesk 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Overview3.3.5 Autodesk 3D Reconstruction Technology Specification3.4 RealityCapture 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Introduction3.5 Acute3D 3D Reconstruction Technology Business Introduction3.6 PhotoModeler 3D Reconstruction Technology Business IntroductionSection 4 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Region Level)4.1 North America Country4.1.1 United States 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation(Industry Level) 2014-20174.1.2 Canada 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.2 South America Country4.2.1 South America 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation(Industry Level) 2014-20174.3 Asia Country4.3.1 China 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (Industry Level)2014-20174.3.2 Japan 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.3.3 India 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (Industry Level)2014-20174.3.4 Korea 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.4 Europe Country4.4.1 Germany 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.4.2 UK 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (Industry Level)2014-20174.4.3 France 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.4.4 Italy 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (Industry Level)2014-20174.4.5 Europe 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.5 Other Country and Region4.5.1 Middle East 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.5.2 Africa 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (IndustryLevel) 2014-20174.5.3 GCC 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Size and Market Segmentation (Industry Level)2014-20174.6 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Region Level) Analysis 2014-20174.7 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Region Level) AnalysisSection 5 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Type Level)5.1 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Type Level) Market Size 2014-20175.2 Different 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Type Level) Market SizeGrowth Rate 2014-20175.3 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Type Level) AnalysisSection 6 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Industry Level)6.1 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Industry Level) Market Size2014-20176.2 Different Industry Trend 2014-20176.3 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Industry Level) AnalysisSection 7 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Channel Level)7.1 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Channel Level) Market Size andShare 2014-20177.2 Global 3D Reconstruction Technology Market Segmentation (Channel Level) AnalysisContinuedBuy 1-user PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Cell Cycle Analysis Market 2023 Top Key Players are Becton, Dickinson and Company, Merck & Co., Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Danaher Corporation, GE Healthcare, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Olympus Corporation Cell Cycle Analysis Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/673 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/673 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/673 Namely Cell Cycle Analysis Market Report has Been Published by Market Research Future Which Covers All the Geographical Locations with Demand, Trend Analysis with near about Forecasted results and Also Covers the Market Expectations.Market Scenario:The Cell Cycle Analysis Market is expected to show a prominent growth during the forecast period (20182023).Cell cycle analysis products are used in numerous life science research activities as well as in biomedical research and clinical research laboratories. Cell cycle analysis is carried out to check the effects of various internal and external factors on cells. Increasing expenditure on cell level research by the corporate sector, government initiatives for cell research, increasing chronic genetic diseases, rising occurrence of cell-specific diseases, and cancer and aggressive strategies by market players are expected to drive the growth of the market. For instance, In March 2018, Agilent technologies which is one of the major players in the Cell Cycle Analysis Market acquired advanced analytical technologies for USD 250 million.The high costs of cell analysis instruments and expensive maintenance might be a problem for small research groups and it can hamper the growth of the market during the assessment period.Company Profiles:Becton, Dickinson and CompanyMerck & Co., Inc.Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.Danaher CorporationGE HealthcareAgilent Technologies, Inc.Olympus CorporationPerkinElmer, Inc.Promega CorporationBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Miltenyi BiotechNexcelom Bioscience LLC.Get Sample Copy @Segmentation:The Cell Cycle Analysis Market has been segmented on the basis of product, application, and end-user.On the basis of product, the market has been classified as consumables and instruments. The consumables segment has been further divided into reagents, assay kits, microplates, and other consumables. The assay kits segment has been further divided into immunoassay and cell-based assay. The instruments segment has been classified into microscopes, flow cytometry, spectrophotometer, qPCR, cell counter, high content screening systems, and cell microarrays. The microscopes segment has been divided into electron microscopes, inverted microscopes, stereomicroscopes, fluorescence and confocal microscopes, phase contrast microscopes, Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopes (NSOM), and other microscopes. The flow cytometers sub-segment has been segmented into flow cytometry instruments and flow cytometry software. The spectrophotometers segment has been divided into fluorescence microplate readers, microplate spectrophotometers, and colorimeters. Furthermore, cell counters have been sub-segmented into automated cell counters and hemocytometers and manual cell counters. The synthetic High-Content Screening (HCS) systems segment includes cell imaging and analysis HCS systems and HCS software.The market, by application, has been segmented into cell identification, cell viability, cell signaling pathway/signal transduction, cell proliferation, cell counting and quality control, cell interaction, cell structure study, target identification, and validation and single-cell analysis.Based on end-user, the market has been divided into, academics and research institutions, hospitals and diagnostic laboratories, pharmaceuticals (CROs and biotechnology companies), and other end-users.The market has been segmented, by region, into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The cell cycle analysis market in the Americas has further been segmented into North America and South America, with the North American market is divided into the US and Canada.The European cell cycle analysis market has been segmented into Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe has further been classified as Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe.The cell cycle analysis market in Asia-Pacific has been segmented into Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The cell cycle analysis market in the Middle East & Africa has been segmented into the Middle East and Africa.Cell Cycle Analysis Market Regional Market Summary:The Americas are likely to dominate the Cell Cycle Analysis Market owing to the presence of well-established research and development facilities, government funding to encourage cell level research and development, and rising prevalence of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2016, 15.5 million cancer cases were found in the US. The expenditure on cancer care in 2017 was USD 147.3 billion.The European market is expected to be the second-largest Cell Cycle Analysis Market. The market growth in this region can be attributed to the adoption of highly advanced technology. Moreover, a growing number of life sciences and medical research institutes in Europe is contributing to the growth of the market in this region.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing Cell Cycle Analysis Market during the forecast period owing to the rising investments in life science and healthcare research and government support and favorable policies for the research sector.The market in the Middle East and Africa is expected to account for the smallest share of the Cell Cycle Analysis Market due to an underdeveloped research sector, lack of technical knowledge, and poor research and development facilities.Get Exclusive Discount @TABLE OF CONTENTS:1 Introduction1.1 Definition1.2 Scope of the Study1.2.1 Research Objectives1.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations1.3 Market Structure2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Process2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model3 Report Excerpt4 Forecast Indicators4.1 Introduction4.2 Growth Drivers4.2.1 Corporate & Government Support in Cell-Based Researches4.2.2 High Prevalence of Chronic Genetically Diseases4.2.3 Growing Healthcare Industry & Increasing Medical Spending4.2.4 Rising Incidence of Cancer4.2.5 Technologically Advancements4.3 Growth Barriers4.3.1 High Prices Of Automated Cell Cycle Analysis Instruments4.3.2 Reluctance among Researchers to Use Advanced Cell Cycle Analysis Techniques4.4 Market Opportunities4.4.1 Growing APAC Market4.4.2 Rising Stem Cell Research4.4.3 Rising Cancer Researches4.5 Macroecnomical Indicators Toc Continued!Ask Query @About US:Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Multiplex Assays Market 2023 Top Key Players are Luminex, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Qiagen, Abcam, Becton Dickinson and Company Multiplex Assays Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6135 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/6135 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/6135 The report titled Multiplex Assays Market Research Report Forecast to 2023 is a direct appreciation by Market Research Future of the market potential of the Multiplex Assays Market. The report intends to provide accurate and meaningful insights, both quantitative as well as qualitative. It can be said with high confidence level, that this report will satisfy the need for comprehensive insights needed to compete and beat other players in todays winner takes all market!The Global Multiplex Assays Market is expected to reach an approximate CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period.Get Premium Sample Copy @Global Multiplex Assays Market Key Players:Luminex, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Qiagen, Abcam, Becton Dickinson and Company, Merck, Agilent Technologies, Meso Scale Diagnostics, Randox Laboratories, Quanterix, Bio-Techne, Olink, Seegene, and others.Market Overview:The increase in high-throughput screening tests in research and development for detection of biomolecules of various diseases drives the market growth. Multiplex assays are used for diagnosing various autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. According to the National Institutes of Health (2012), autoimmune diseases are most prevalent as compared to other diseases and 23.5 million people in America suffer from autoimmune diseases, whereas 9 million people have cancer. Thus, growing prevalence of such diseases and rise in government funding for the R&D sector influence the growth in this market. The growing demand for rapid and precise measurement of analyses, operational and labor cost reduction, rising use of multiplex assays for diagnostic uses, and technological advancements are also the key factors for the market to grow.However, factors such as expensive multiplex assays, heavy capital investments, shortage of skilled labor, and others are expected to restrict the market growth during the forecast period.Segmentation:The global multiplex assays market is segmented on the basis of product and service, type, technology, application, and end-user. The multiplex assays market, by product and service, is sub-segmented into consumables, instruments, software and services, and others. On the basis of type, the market is categorized into protein multiplex assays, nucleic acid multiplex assays, cell-based multiplex assays, and others. Protein multiplex assays are further sub-segmented into planar protein assays, bead-based protein assays, and others. Nucleic acid multiplex assays are further sub-segmented into planar nucleic acid assays, bead-based nucleic acid assays, and others. The technology segment includes flow cytometry, fluorescence detection, luminescence, real-time multiplex PCR, and others. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into research and development and clinical diagnostics. The research & development segment includes drug discovery and development and biomarker discovery and validation. The clinical diagnostics segment includes infectious diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, nervous system disorders, metabolism and endocrinology disorders, and others. On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals and research institutes, reference laboratories, and others. On the basis of region, the global multiplex assays market is segmented into the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa.The Americas is sub-segmented into North America and South America. The North American region is further segmented into the U.S. and Canada. The European region is divided into two, namely, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe is further classified into Germany, Italy, France, the U.K., Spain, and the rest of Western Europe. The Asia Pacific region is sub-segmented into Japan, China, India, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the rest of Asia Pacific. The Middle Eastern and African region is sub-segmented into the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and the rest of the Middle East and Africa.Apply for Attractive Discount @Regional Market Analysis:The multiplex assays market is dominated by North America owing to strong R&D activities in this region. According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), the United States is the leading country in Biopharmaceutical Research and Development (R&D) activities and conducts around half the world's Research and Development (R&D) in pharmaceuticals. Increased adoption of technologically advanced devices and the high amount of healthcare expenditure drive the market in this region.It is estimated that Europe stood second in the global multiplex assays market. Increasing healthcare expenditure and health care activities and increase in the use of diagnostics and unmet needs for health care are driving the growth of this market in Europe. The use of multiplex assays for diagnostics influences the market growth in this region. According to the European Heart Network (2017), 45% of deaths in Europe are due to cardiovascular diseases. Thus, increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Europe drives the market growth. Furthermore, growing biotechnology sector in Europe is expected to boost the market in this region.Asia Pacific was projected to be the fastest growing region for the global multiplex assays market. Key factors such as rising number of patient population, increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and growing research and development activities in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diseases, such as cancer and other infectious diseases influence the market in this region.The Middle East and Africa holds the least share in the global multiplex assays market due to the presence of stringent government policies and poor economies. However, increasing investment by private market players in this region can boost the market growth.TABLE OF CONTENT:Chapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 LimitationsChapter 3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size EstimationChapter 4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restraints4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4.6 Technology Trends & AssessmentContinued!Enquiry about Reports @Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Industrial Gas Turbine Market Major participants include Kawasaki Heavy Industries, General Electric, Man Diesel & Turbo, Siemens, Harbin Electric, Solar Turbines Incorporated and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/272 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/272 https://www.gminsights.com https://gminsights.wordpress.com http://algosonline.com/news Increasing industrialization couples with rising demand for the safe and reliable electricity will drive the global industrial gas turbine market size by 2024. In the past decades, largescale industries made significant investments towards the development of captive generating stations to reduce their dependencies on utilities which has positively influence the industry growth. In 2017, Aluminum Bahrain awarded GE to supply its H Class technology for powering its single site smelter which is considered as one of the largest in the world.Growing measures to ease the effects of carbon footprints arising from conventional coal fired generating facilities will fuel the industrial gas turbine market share. In 2015, Government of UK took a decisive step to roll out the existing conventional coal fired systems in the next ten years to achieve their clean energy target. Stringent government norms to limit the GHG emission has substantially raised the investments towards the development of gas fired power stations which may positively boost the industrial gas turbine market growth.Request for Sample Copy of this research report @Heavy duty accounted for over 80% of the 2015 global industrial gas turbine market share. Development of high capacity cogenerating facilities to cater the growing electricity demand coupled with measure to curb GHG emissions will embellish the industry outlook. In 2016, Mexico based Altamira power station has deployed Siemens H-class technology across its 350 MW generating facility.U.S. industrial gas turbine market is anticipated to exceed 14 GW by 2024. Federal government initiatives to expand the penetration of natural gas fired station will augment the industry outlook. In 2015, EIA had projected that the by 2025 more 30% of total U.S. electricity production will come from natural gas.International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced TIER III regulations to reduce the NOx emissions from marine diesel engines installed on new constructed ships on or after 1st January 2016. These norms are currently imposed to the U.S. Caribbean Sea and North American Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Industrial gas turbine market share from oil and gas is anticipated to expand over 8% by 2024. Rising E&P activities across deep and ultradeep sea bed will complement the business outlook.France industrial gas turbine market for 2015 was valued over USD 120 million. In 2015, regulators had introduced Energy Transition for Green Growth legislation targeting to reduce the emission level by 40% by 2030 from 1990 levels.China industrial gas turbine market size is set to strong growth owing to ongoing development of high capacity electricity generating stations. Government focus to reduce air pollution may further push the business growth. As per Xinhua one of the leading state news agency, Beijing has become first city in China to have all its power stations fueled by natural gas with an objective laid under clean air action plan.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @The U.S. industrial gas turbine market was calculated over USD 1 billion in 2015 and is set to witness extensive growth over the forecast timeframe. Favorable government initiatives to promote the applications of sustainable technologies is attracting enormous private funding across cogeneration industry which in turn augment the business size.For Europe, UK industrial gas turbine industry is predicted to witness significant growth of over 6% by 2024. Growing investments towards the replacement of aging conventional coal fired stations with modern gas fired power plants will drive the industry share. In 2015, Government of UK announced to shut down all the coal power station within a decade to meet its climate change commitment.Notable companies catering industrial gas turbine market include Harbin Electric, Vericor Power Systems, Zorya-Mashproekt, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Opra Turbines, Siemens, Solar Turbines, Cryostar, NPO Saturn, Ansaldo Energia, Bharat Heavy Electricals, Capstone Turbine, General Electric, and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power.About Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary researchContact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Explore Our Blog @ Airport Security Market by Top Players American Science and Engineering Inc., Bosch, C.E.I.A SpA, Hitachi Ltd., L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, OSI Systems Inc. Airport Security Market https://www.researchbeam.com/global-airport-security-market-2018-by-manufacturers-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023-market/request-sample?utm_source=Anil&utm_medium=OPR https://www.researchbeam.com/global-airport-security-market-2018-by-manufacturers-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023-market/purchase-enquiry?utm_source=Anil&utm_medium=OPR https://www.researchbeam.com/global-airport-security-market-2018-by-manufacturers-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023-market/enquire-about-report?utm_source=Anil&utm_medium=OPR Airport Security encompass devices and software solutions that assist in monitoring, detection, and prevention of threats to the commercial facility.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Airport Security in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.The industry has witnessed a major shift in market share among regions. The industry which was primarily dominated by the U.S. is now shifting towards Middle Eastern and Asia Pacific regions. The growing threat of terrorism is a major driver for growth in these regions. In additions, booming economy and growing passenger volumes also act as an enabler for market growth in the Middle East and Asia Pacific.Get Sample Copy of this Report @Over the past few years, there has been a rapid increase in the construction and development of new airports worldwide, particularly in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Growth in the aviation sector is critical for any regions economic growth, therefore boosting the inflow of travelers by means for capacity expansion are key strategies adopted globally.The worldwide market for Airport Security is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly xx% over the next five years, will reach xx million US$ in 2023, from xx million US$ in 2017, according to a new GIR (Global Info Research) study.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers American Science and Engineering Inc., Bosch, C.E.I.A SpA, Hitachi Ltd., L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, OSI Systems Inc., Safran Morpho, Siemens AG, Smiths DetectionMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers Access Control Cyber Security Perimeter Security Screening Surveillance OthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Civilian and Commercial Airport Military AirportGet a discount on this research report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Airport Security market.Chapter 1, to describe Airport Security Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Airport Security, with sales, revenue, and price of Airport Security, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Airport Security, for each region, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 12, Airport Security market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2023;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Airport Security sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceTable of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Airport Security Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Access Control1.2.2 Cyber Security1.2.3 Perimeter Security1.2.4 Screening1.2.5 Surveillance1.2.6 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Civilian and Commercial Airport1.3.2 Military Airport1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 United States Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)Enquiry before Buy @About Us:Research Beam is a high end and wide online market for market research reports that contain detailed and rational market research. Research Beam is a one stop report destination that offers clients well drafted and accurately analyzed report with insightful data.Global Head Quarters5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United States+1 (800) 910-6452help@researchbeam.com Spintronics Market to Grow at 47.04% CAGR and Projected to Reach US$ 16.88 Million by 2023, Emerging Players: NVE CORPORATION, EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, SPIN TRANSFER TECHNOLOGIES, CROCUS TECHNOLOGY, QUANTUMWISE https://marketprognosis.com/sample-request/17283 https://marketprognosis.com/discount-request/17283 https://marketprognosis.com/enquiry/17283 The global spintronics market was valued at USD 1.67 million in 2017, and is expected to reach a value of USD 16.88 million by 2023, at a CAGR of 47.04%, over 2018-2023 (the forecast period). The global spintronics market is segmented by type of devices, applications, and geography. Devices segment comprises of two type of devices, metal-based devices and semiconductor-based devices. Metal-based devices includes u2013 GMRs, TMRs, spin-transfer torque devices, and spin-wave logic devices. Semiconductor-based devices include u2013 spin diodes, spin filters, and spin field effect transistors (FETs). Applications segment consists of electric vehicles, industrial motors, data storage, magnetic random access memory (MRAM), magnetic sensing, semiconductor lasers, magnetic tunnel transistors, and others. Others application segment consists of semiconductor lasers and magnetic tunnel transistors. This report focuses on adoption of these solutions by various end users within India. The study also emphasizes on latest trends, industry activities, and vendor market activities.Detailed Sample Copy of Updated Analysis @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.The global spintronics market is in the emerging phase. Compared to conventional electronics, spintronics takes advantage of spin properties instead of, or in addition to, charge degrees of freedom. In recent years, spintronics have been extensively deployed in the data storage devices, due to their faster data transmission capabilities and increased storage capacity, compared to conventional storage devices. MRAM deployed with spintronics provides faster data reading and writing speeds. Furthermore, it consumes significantly low power compared to DRAM storage. These factors are expected to increase the demand for spintronics in the MRAM application segment. In addition, demand of spintronics in portable devices has increased in past few years, due to its low power consumption tendency. Giant magneto resistance-based devices (GMRs) is expected to have the highest market share in the coming years, due to technological developments in the segment and increasing adoption of GMR effect in the hard disk drives.Key Developments in the Market October 2017: Spin Transfer Technologies secured USD 22.8 million funding from Allied Minds subsidiary, via a convertible bridge facility. The fund is operated for the development work of next-generation ST-MRAM, which is designed to achieve industry-leading speed, size, low-power consumption, and endurance. March 2016: Everspin Technologies joined the open power Foundation, an open development community, based on the power microprocessor architecture. This collaboration is expected to fulfill the efforts of Everspin, to revolutionize memory architecture, and also, the goals of open power, to enable next-generation server, storage, and networking systems.Major Players:NVE CORPORATION, EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES INC., SPIN TRANSFER TECHNOLOGIES, CROCUS TECHNOLOGY, QUANTUMWISE, amongst others.Request Discount on this report @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.Growing Need for Higher Data Transfer Speed and Increased Storage CapacityThe amount of data in the past decade has increased manifolds in the past decade. Moreover, data has become essential for all end-user industries, due to incorporation of data-driven decisions. These factors have increased the significant need for solutions, which increases the data processing power. Spintronics fulfills the needs of consumers, by enabling faster data transfer speeds and larger storage for data. MRAM is expected to replace flash memory devices, such as SD cards and compactflash.Furthermore, companies in the MRAM business segment are on rise after the advent of spintronics. One such company, Everspin in 2017, launched a perpendicular spin-torque MRAM. It eliminates the need for batteries and supercapacitors in case of unexpected power failures.Increased Adoption of Electric Vehicles drives the Spintronics MarketThe increasing demand for lightweight construction and reduced battery operation space, weight, and power consumption in electric vehicles have driven the adoption of sensors. Automobile transportation has been witnessing a paradigm shift to higher fuel efficiency and cleaner running fuel/electric hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles. Government initiatives have been instrumental in encouraging the utilization of these vehicles. For instance, the US federal government enacted policies and legislations, such as The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which have promoted the penetration of EVs in the US market.Major economies in Europe and America have also supported the advanced technology vehicle adoption through improvements to tax credits, investments in R&D, and competitive programs to encourage communities to invest in infrastructure supporting these vehicles.The growing demand for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and automated driving technologies in driving, turning, and braking has pushed manufacturers to adopt technologies that offer high-accuracy in motor control, through enhanced sensor capabilities providing high accuracy and safety.China on Its Way to Accelerated Growth in the Spintronics Market, Witnessing a CAGR of 48.92%Chinas spintronics markets growth is backed by government initiatives, like 13th Five-Year Plan, Internet, and Made in China 2025. The trend can directly be witnessed in the ongoing R&D initiatives within the country. Starting in 2013, China began experimenting on Spintronics, and maintains a steady growth. The country had around 4,085 citations and patents in 2016. The current storage solutions in demand in China are DRAM & SRAM, and if supported by technology, MRAM is expected to commercialize by 2022. High R&D capability in the region is likely to decrease the price of storage products in coming years. The Chinese government is encouraging foreign automakers to enter into 50/50 joint ventures, with Chinese companies, to make and sell cars and trucks in the Chinese market. In 2016, total vehicle sales in China reached over 28 million, up 13.7% from the previous year. 359,000 electric vehicles were sold in China compared to 159,000 in the United States.Enquiry Before Buying@Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.About Market PrognosisWe at Market Prognosis believe in giving a crystal clear view of market dynamics for achieving success in todays complex and competitive marketplace through our quantitative & qualitative research methods.We help our clients identify the best market insights and analysis required for their business thus enabling them to take strategic and intelligent decision.We believe in delivering actionable insights for your business growth and success.Contact us:ProgMarkPvt Ltd,Thane - 421501India.Contact No: +1 973 241 5193Email: sales@marketprognosis.com Potash Ores Market | Agrium Inc., BHP Billiton Ltd., Elementals Minerals Limited, Encanto Potash Corp. and Others are Top Players (2017-2023) Potash Ores Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-toc-and-sample/3176 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/3176 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Potash ores are the materials employed in manufacture of certain fertilizers, potash, and different chemicals. Its composition include sylvite (KCl) & halite (NaCl) as well as presence of carnalite, anhydrite, silicate, and carbonate (insoluble residue). The chemical processing of potash ore involves hot leaching, followed by crystallization of potash salt from saturated salt brines. This method is dependent upon physiochemical properties of potassium chloride, sodium chloride, & water, and used for manufacturing potassium compounds in granular and white crystalline form. The mechanical processing method for potash ore is floatation, which is dependent upon the capacities of sylvite and halite surfaces that are moistened with water via adding specific chemicals such as surfactants.Get Access to TOC / Sample Report @The growth global potash ores market is driven by the development of fertilizer industry, as potash is an important fertilizer meant for crop and plant nutrition. In addition, potash ores are useful during waste water treatment, which supplements the market growth. However, fluctuation in potassium chloride prices hampers the market growth. Ongoing R&D activities on potash as bio-fertilizers are anticipated to provide growth opportunities for the market.The report segments the potash ores market on the basis of mineral extracted, application, and geography. Based on mineral extracted, the market is divided into potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and others. By application, the market is categorized into agriculture, chemical, metallurgical, and others. Geographical breakdown of the market includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.Comprehensive competitive analysis and profiles of major market players provided in the report are: Agrium Inc. BHP Billiton Ltd. Elementals Minerals Limited Encanto Potash Corp. EuroChem Intrepid Potash K+S GmbH Mining Associates PotashCorp UralkaliKey Benefits This report provides an extensive analysis of the current trends and emerging estimations & dynamics of the global potash ores market. Comprehensive analysis of factors that drive and restrict the growth of the market is provided. Detailed analysis of the industry based on the mineral extracted and application help understand the potential application in the analysis period. Porters Five Forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplierbuyer network. Extensive analysis of the market is conducted by following key product positioning and monitoring of top players within the market framework.Send Enquiry on this report @About usAllied Market Research, a market research and advisory company of Allied Analytics LLP, provides business insights and market research reports to large as well as small & medium enterprises. The company assists its clients to strategize business policies and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.Allied Market Research provides one stop solution from the beginning of data collection to investment advice. The analysts at Allied Market Research dig out factors that help clients to understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The company amplies clients insight on the factors, such as strategies, future estimations, growth or fall forecasting, opportunity analysis, and consumer surveys among others. As follows, the company offers consistent business intelligent support to aid the clients to turn into prominent business firm.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free (USA/Canada):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1(855)550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Baby Infant Formula Market Expected to Reach $39,541 Million, Globally, by 2023 Baby Infant Formula Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/baby-infant-formula-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2629 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2629 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Baby Infant Formula Market by Type, Ingredient, and Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023," the global baby infant formula market was valued at $19,892 million in 2016, and is projected to reach $39,541 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 10.4% from 2017 to 2023. In 2016, the infant milk segment accounted for more than five-ninths share of the global market, in terms of revenue.Access Full Summary at :Baby infant formula comprises infant milk, follow-on-milk, specialty baby milk, and growing-up milk designed for the consumption of infants and toddlers. Infant milk contains the necessary nutrients, minerals, and vitamins for normal development of the baby. Physicians recommend infant formula as an alternative to breastmilk, as it can be fed anywhere and at any time, which makes it a convenient for working mothers. Many working mothers return to their jobs shortly after giving birth. Thus, infant formula can be fed at convenience and provides a healthy and nutritious alternative.High nutrition content in baby infant formula, change in lifestyle, rise in middle-class population, and increase in disposable income of people in emerging economies, such as India, China, Indonesia, are expected to propel the market growth from 2017 to 2023.Get the PDF brochure:In 2016, infant milk accounted for the highest share in the market, and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. It contains vitamins and nutrients, such as iron that can help prevent anemia. Some types of infant formula are supplemented with probiotic called Bifidobacterium Lactis, which prevent diarrhea, ease colic, and lower the risk of food allergies. Active launch activities and promotion of infant formula in the U.S. and UK have led to its high penetration rate.Growth in awareness among consumers has led to increase in preference for organic baby food products. Thus, baby infant formula free from ingredients such as added sugar, sodium, and preservatives may present novel opportunities for the baby infant formula manufacturers. However, concerns related to food safety and decline in global birth rate may hamper the market growth.Make a purchase enquiry:The key players profiled in the report include Abbott Laboratories, Arla Foods, Beingmate Group Co. Ltd., Campbell Soup Company, D. SIGNSTORE, Danone, Heinz and Hain Celestial Group, HiPP GmbH & Co., Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, LLC, and Nestle S.A.Table of Contents:Chapter: 1 INTRODUCTION1.1. REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2. KEY BENEFITS1.3. KEY MARKET SEGMENTS1.4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY1.4.1. Primary research1.4.2. Secondary research1.4.3. Analyst tools and modelsChapter: 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1. KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY2.2. CXO PERSPECTIVESChapter: 3 MARKET OVERVIEW3.1. MARKET DEFINITION AND SCOPE3.2. KEY FINDINGS3.2.1. Top investment pockets3.2.2. Top winning strategies3.3. PORTERS FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS3.3.1. Bargaining power of suppliers3.3.2. Bargaining Power of buyers3.3.3. Threat of new entrants3.3.4. Threat of substitutes3.3.5. Intensity of competitive rivalry3.4. MARKET DYNAMICS3.4.1. Drivers3.4.1.1. Increase in number of women participation in labor force3.4.1.2. High nutritional content of infant formula3.4.1.3. Rise in middle-class population in emerging economies3.4.2. Restraints3.4.2.1. Concerns related to food safety3.4.2.2. Decline in global birth rate3.4.3. Opportunity3.4.3.1. Growth in preference for organic baby food & drinksChapter: 4 BABY INFANT FORMULA MARKET, BY TYPE4.1. INTRODUCTION4.1.1. Market size and forecast4.2. INFANT MILK4.2.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities4.2.2. Market size and forecast4.3. FOLLOW-ON-MILK4.3.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities4.3.2. Market size and forecast4.4. SPECIALTY BABY MILK4.4.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities4.4.2. Market size and forecast4.5. GROWING-UP MILK4.5.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities4.5.2. Market size and forecastChapter: 5 BABY INFANT FORMULA MARKET, BY INGREDIENT5.1. INTRODUCTION5.1.1. Market size and forecast5.2. CARBOHYDRATE5.2.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities5.2.2. Market size and forecast5.3. FAT5.3.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities5.3.2. Market size and forecast5.4. PROTEIN5.4.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities5.4.2. Market size and forecast5.5. MINERALS5.5.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities5.5.2. Market size and forecast5.6. VITAMINS5.6.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities5.6.2. Market size and forecast5.7. OTHERS5.7.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities5.7.2. Market size and forecastChapter: 6 BABY INFANT FORMULA MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL6.1. INTRODUCTION6.1.1. Market size and forecast6.2. HYPERMARKETS6.2.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities6.2.2. Market size and forecast6.3. SUPERMARKETS6.3.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities6.3.2. Market size and forecast6.4. PHARMACY/MEDICAL STORES6.4.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities6.4.2. Market size and forecast6.5. SPECIALTY STORES6.5.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities6.5.2. Market size and forecast6.6. HARD DISCOUNTER STORES6.6.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities6.6.2. Market size and forecast6.7. OTHERS6.7.1. Key market trends, growth factors, and opportunities6.7.2. Market size and forecastAbout UsAllied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions. AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free (USA/Canada):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1?855?550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: 2018-2025 GLOBAL DIGITAL PRINTING MATERIAL MARKET ANALYSIS COVERS TOP MANUFACTURER |3A Composites gmbh, 3M, Shanghai NAR Industrial Co., Ltd., Weifang hengcai Digital Photo Materials, Co., Ltd., ORAFO ETC. DIGITAL PRINTING MATERIAL MARKET http://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/home/contact/51016?ref=Sample-and-Brouchure&toccode=SDMRCH51016 http://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/home/toc_publisher/51016?code=SDMRCH51016 http://supplydemandmarketresearch.com The Digital Printing Material market report provides a complete decision-making overview including definition, product specifications, market gains, geographic regions Digital Printing Material industry peers for 2018-2025.This report researches the worldwide Digital Printing Material market size (value, capacity, production and consumption) in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (China, Japan) and other regions.Request for PDF Sample of this Report @This study categorizes the global Digital Printing Material breakdown data by manufacturers, region, type and application, also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.Global Digital Printing Material market size will increase to Million US$ by 2025, from Million US$ in 2017, at a CAGR of during the forecast period. In this study, 2017 has been considered as the base year and 2018 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Digital Printing Material.This report focuses on the top manufacturers' Digital Printing Material capacity, production, value, price and market share of Digital Printing Material in global market. The following manufacturers are covered in this report: 3A Composites GmbH 3M Shanghai NAR Industrial Co.,Ltd. Weifang HengCai Digital Photo Materials Co.,Ltd. ORAFODigital Printing Material Breakdown Data by Type Paper Photo paper Fabric Glass Metal Marble Other substancesDigital Printing Material Breakdown Data by Application Printing House Publishing Company Architecture OthersDigital Printing Material Production Breakdown Data by Region United States Europe China Japan Other RegionsThe study objectives are: To analyze and research the global Digital Printing Material capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast; To focus on the key Digital Printing Material manufacturers and study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in next few years. To focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis. To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region. To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth. To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market. To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Digital Printing Material :History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025Read full report@Table of ContentChapter One: Study CoverageChapter Two: Executive SummaryChapter Three: Market Size by ManufacturersChapter Four: Digital Printing Material Production by RegionsChapter Five: Digital Printing Material Consumption by RegionsChapter Six: Market Size by TypeChapter Seven: Market Size by ApplicationChapter Eight: Manufacturers ProfilesChapter Nine: Production ForecastsList of Tables and Figure Figure Digital Printing Material Product Picture Table Digital Printing Material Key Market Segments in This Study Table Key Manufacturers Digital Printing Material Covered in This Study Table Global Digital Printing Material Market Size Growth Rate by Type 2018-2025 (K MT) & (Million US$) Figure Global Digital Printing Material Production Market Share 2013-2025 Figure 10 micron thickness Product Picture Table Major Manufacturers of 10 micron thickness Figure 10~15 micron thickness Product Picture Table Major Manufacturers of 10~15 micron thickness Figure 15~20 micron thickness Product Picture Table Major Manufacturers of 15~20 micron thickness Figure 20~25 micron thickness Product Picture Table Major Manufacturers of 20~25 micron thickness Figure 25~30 micron thickness Product Picture Table Major Manufacturers of 25~30 micron thickness Figure 30 micron thickness Product Picture Table Major Manufacturers of 30 micron thicknessContact Ussales@supplydemandmarketresearch.comPhone Number: +1-778-686-7521About Supply Demand Market Research(SDMR)We have a strong network of high powered and experienced global consultants who have about 10+ years of experience in the specific industry to deliver quality research and analysis.Having such an experienced network, our services not only cater to the client who wants the basic reference of market numbers and related high growth areas in the demand side, but also we provide detailed and granular information using which the client can definitely plan the strategies with respect to both supply and demand side.302-20 Misssisauga Valley, Missisauga, L5A 3S1, Toronto E-Commerce Logistics Market to 2025 - DHL International GmbH, FedEx Corporation, SF Express Co, United Parcel Service, Clipper Logistics, CEVA Logistics, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Kerry Logistics Network, Nippon Express http://bit.ly/2A0fNYM http://bit.ly/2Cxxlhr http://bit.ly/2ElJR5F E-Commerce Logistics Market is a set of communication computing and collaborative technologies that helps to transform logistical processes to be consumer centric by sharing data, knowledge and information with supply chain partners. The ultimate aim of e-commerce logistic is to deliver right product in right quantities at right place and to the right customer.Get Sample Copy of this Report atIncrease of cross-border e-commerce activities and rise in the internet penetration are the major drivers which help in surging the growth of e-commerce logistics market whereas infrastructural challenges restrict the service of last-mile connectivity which act as a restraining factor for this market. Large amount of logistic from abroad and value-added services such as innovative tracking of parcel and route optimization will add new opportunities for this market in the coming years.The "Global E-Commerce Logistics Market Analysis to 2025" is a specialized and in-depth study of the e-commerce logistics industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global e-commerce logistics market with detailed market segmentation by service type, operational area, end-user and geography. The global e-commerce logistics market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Leading E-Commerce Logistics Market Players:-1. DHL International GmbH2. FedEx Corporation3. SF Express Co., Ltd.4. Amazon.com, Inc.5. United Parcel Service, Inc.6. Clipper Logistics Plc.7. CEVA Logistics8. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.9. Kerry Logistics Network Limited.10. Nippon Express Co., Ltd.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global e-commerce logistics market based on service type, operational area and end-user. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall e-commerce logistics market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 16 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Inquire about this Report atBesides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key e-commerce logistics market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Some of the key players influencing the market are DHL International GmbH, FedEx Corporation, SF Express Co., Ltd., Amazon.com, Inc., United Parcel Service, Inc., Clipper Logistics Plc., CEVA Logistics, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., Kerry Logistics Network Limited. and Nippon Express Co., Ltd among others.Reason to Buy- Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global E-Commerce Logistics Market- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the E-Commerce Logistics Market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.Direct Purchases@About Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Breast Cancer Therapeutics Market Comprehensive Analysis 2024|Key Players are Roche Diagnostics, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Sanofi, Eisai Breast Cancer Therapeutics Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/466 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/466 The Breast Cancer Therapeutics Market size is set to exceed USD 28 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.Key Players:Some of the companies operating in breast cancer therapeutics market are Roche Diagnostics, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Sanofi, Eisai, and Eli Lily. New product launches, strong product pipeline, geographical expansion, mergers and acquisition will mainly boost the business. Chief industry players will endeavor to strengthen their place in this competitive market by implementation these strategies.Request for a sample of this research report @Market Overview:Rising prevalence of breast cancer, launch of numerous diagnostic and screening programs globally and favorable insurance and reimbursement policies will serve as high influential factors for the breast cancer therapeutics market growth.Advancement in technologies for cancer biology, increasing research and development for introduction of novel drugs to treat the disease will stimulate industry growth over the coming years. Rising adoption of minimally invasive cancer therapy methods should improve patient compliance.Moreover, increasing awareness towards disease prevention, early screening and diagnosis will further propel the industry size. However, prohibitive cost associated with breast cancer therapeutics may restrain its adoption in emerging economies. Compliance to therapy may reduce due to high maintenance treatment price.Targeted drug therapy market should witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to factors such as their structure that is deliberately designed to interact with their target and search for specific molecular targets that are associated with cancer. Growing focus of much anticancer drug development on targeted therapies will drive the augmented demand for these products.Hormone drugs segment will grow at substantial rate. Features like affecting the activities of tissues and cells at numerous sites in the body, frequently reaching their targets through bloodstream will drive the segment growth. Moreover, slowing or stopping the development of hormone-sensitive tumors by interfering with effects of hormones on breast cancer cells or by blocking the bodys capability to produce hormones will offer significant segment growth opportunity.Distribution of breast cancer therapeutics through retail pharmacies has become the most popular medium. In 2016, retail pharmacies held the largest market share and will grow at considerable rate over the forecast timeframe owing to increased number of pharmacies in both developed and developing regions.Regional Analysis:U.S. breast cancer therapeutics market accounted for largest business share in 2016 and is anticipated to grow substantially over the forecast period. Increases access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment services will be the chief growth rendering factor. Moreover, increasing adoption of therapy drug by patients will fuel regional business growth.Rising incidence of disease due to increasing exposure to factors such as use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), lifestyle related factors such as alcohol consumption, obesity and alteration in family size which stimulates the usage rate of therapeutics over the forecast period will propel the industry growth.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @China should witness considerable growth in the coming years due to increase in awareness programs to spread alertness regarding breast cancer screening, robust economic growth and rising disposable income.Brazil breast cancer therapeutics market is projected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Increased life expectancy among individuals and healthcare facility development are the chief features driving breast cancer therapeutics market growth in the country.Chapter 3. Breast Cancer Therapeutics Industry Insights3.1. Industry segmentation3.2. Industry landscape, 2013 20243.3. Industry impact forces3.3.1. Growth drivers3.3.1.1. Increasing breast cancer prevalence in the developed countries3.3.1.2. Advancements in cancer biology3.3.1.3. Launch of several diagnostic and screening programs worldwide3.3.1.4. Favorable insurance and reimbursement policies3.3.2. Industry pitfalls & challenges3.3.2.1. High cost of breast cancer therapeutics3.4. Epidemiology landscape3.4.1. U.S3.4.2. Europe3.5. Growth potential analysis3.5.1. By Product3.5.2. By Distribution channel3.6. Pipeline analysis3.7. Porters analysis3.8. Company market share analysis, 20163.8.1. Strategy dashboard3.9. PESTEL analysisGlobal Market Insights Inc. is a global market research and management consulting company catering to leading corporations, non-profit organizations, universities and government institutions. Our main goal is to assist and partner organizations to make lasting strategic improvements and realize growth targets. Our industry research reports are designed to provide granular quantitative information, combined with key industry insights, aimed at assisting sustainable organizational developmentGlobal Market Insights, Inc.4 North Main StreetSelbyville, Delaware 19975 USAPhone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email:sales@gminsights.com A Billion-Dollar Boom in 3D Cell Culture Market at a CAGR of 29.4% during the period, 2017-2025. http://bit.ly/2yq2NKg http://bit.ly/2E605iW http://bit.ly/2C2V5ZX Global 3D Cell Culture Market- Size, Trend, Share, Opportunity Analysis & Forecast, 2014-2025, the industry is anticipated to register a CAGR of 29.4% during the period, 2017-2025. It offers description of the market in terms of market dynamics which would help new entrants to gain insight into the current as well as future market trends.The research describes the global 3D cell culture market in terms of scope and product. It comprises of summary of the industry in reference to market attractiveness, trends, and competitive scenarios. It incorporates the Porters Five Forces Analysis (PFFA) to have a comprehensive know-how of competition scenario in the industry. It evaluates these landscapes based on bargaining power of customers & buyers, threat of substitutes & new entrants, and industry rivalry. It segments the market into type, application, region, and end user.Get sample Report:Based on product type, the report classifies the global 3D cell culture market into scaffold-based platforms, nano-porous scaffolds, scaffold-free platforms, solid scaffolds, services, gels, microchips, and bioreactors. The industry finds its application in cancer research, regenerative medicine, stem cell research, and drug discovery. End-users of the market include biotechnology & pharmaceutical companies, academic institutes, and contract research laboratories. Based on geography, the study segments the industry into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America Middle East & Africa (LAMEA).Get a customized report @20% discount:The report further classifies the global 3D cell culture market, such as the North America region, countries explored are Canada, U.S., and Mexico. In the Europe, nations discussed are France, U.K., Germany, Italy, and Spain. In the Asia-Pacific region, nations assessed are Japan, China, India, South Korea, and Australia. The LAMEA countries included are Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and South Africa. The study analyzes market share by applications, geographies, end users, and product type for the period, 2014-2025.Access Full Report:The research evaluates size of the global 3D cell culture market by each product type by region during the historic as well as forecast period, 2014-2016 and 2017-2025, respectively. It assesses the aforementioned parameters by every application, end user, and region for the historic period and forecast period. It discusses major manufacturers of the industry, such as 3D Biotek, LLC, Synthecon, Incorporated, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Advanced Biomatrix, Inc., VWR Corporation, Corning Incorporated; Lonza Group Ltd., Merck & Co., Kuraray Co., Ltd., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.The experts assess each vendor based on different strategies adopted by them in order to keep themselves updated about evolvement in market trends. These strategies include collaboration, product development, acquisition, and product approval. Further, they business & finance segments and recent development. They also offer an overview of every top vendor. In addition, the research helps to explore factors that drive and impede growth of the market. The aspects that propel progress of the industry include rise in investments from governments and private organizations, increase in demand for organ transplant & drug discovery. It is noted by the experts that there is increase in prevalence of cancer across the globe.The analysts also highlight factors that restrict growth of the global 3D cell culture market are less skilled professionals. Further, it offers numerous takeaways of the industry, such as it provides great edge to manufacturers, stakeholders, and new entrants. These are comprehensive evaluation of aspects that are have potential to restrict or drive the industry. The experts explore competitive scenario which helps them to understand the present rivalry within the geographical locations. Further, they assess the opportunities that prevail within these regional distributions. An in-depth assessment of developments in the market aids manufacturers and new entrepreneurs to understand the industry behavior. The research thoroughly follows the status of the products and also provides a substantial examination of top manufacturers of the market framework.The study illustrates the abovementioned parameters of the global 3D cell culture market through tables and figures. For instance, there are table that depict market value of each type, application, and end user by region for the forecast period. There a few tables that show market share by geographies, applications, end users, and types during the historic period. It depicts the same characteristics through figures.The company makes use of primary corporate research and secondary inputs from trusted sources to build its own reference base. It maintains consistency in quality as it keeps itself updated with changes in market dynamics and gauging its net effect on global business trends.Reach UsMr. Shriram Dighe4th Floor, Unit 12, Marisoft III,West Wing, Marigold IT Park,Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014,India: +91 20 66346040Toll Free: + 1-888-906-9222help@progressivemarkets.com DeVrys lease comes as the for-profit colleges parent company, Chicago-based Adtalem Global Education, nears completion of its long-planned transfer of the DeVry brand to a venture of Bradley Palmer, chairman of Connecticut-based venture capital firm Palm Ventures. Palmers firm has a deal to take control of the embattled DeVry brand which has been hit by declining for-profit enrollments and fraud complaints filed by students at no cost. An organized tenants strike at a Southeast Portland apartment complex landed in court Tuesday after the building's manager filed an eviction case against one of the strike's leaders. Eleven residents at Holgate Manor, an 82-unit complex near Southeast 36th Place and Holgate Boulevard, stopped paying rent to the landlord in August, saying the owners of the complex had raised rents while failing to address maintenance concerns. Rent strikes are rare even in a hot rental market that's led to widespread rent hikes, and none in recent memory have played out so publicly. The eviction suit against resident Sara Brassfield, an organizer of the strike, is the first, and perhaps only, to go to court. An attorney for Holgate Manor on Tuesday offered to dismiss the case and waive the three months of rent that Brassfield has withheld if she drops her complaints. According to court filings, she owes $2,142 in rent plus late fees and utilities. Brassfield's attorney, Michael Fuller, said his client wouldn't take the deal, saying it was part of a campaign to intimidate her into dropping her claims. Brassfield has cited cockroach and rat infestations, as well as construction noise that interfered with her right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property. A city inspector who visited the property in July found fire safety and sanitation issues in multiple units, as well as plumbing work conducted without a permit. The building's management said previously it was working with the city to fix those issues. Managers have made requested repairs, a spokeswoman said in a statement. Brassfield has paid rent for the last three months into a trust controlled by her attorneys, Fuller said, and will pay to the court going forward while the legal case proceeds. It's unclear how many residents are still participating in the rent strike. A spokeswoman for the building's owner, Fred Kleinbub of La Jolla, California, said only Brassfield was still withholding rent of four who had not paid for October. One of the tenants was leaving the complex; two had agreed to move into other units at Holgate Manor, spokeswoman Jill Eiland said in a statement. But Portland Tenants United, a tenants rights organization that had supported the strikers, said at least six Holgate Manor residents were still participating as of October. If the eviction case goes to court later this month, Brassfield will seek damages and reimbursed fees, she said in a response to the suit. Her attorney said he took the case pro bono through a referral from Legal Aid Services of Oregon. Kleinbub bought Holgate Manor for $12 million in January, and managers soon announced plans for major renovations. They offered to pay residents up to $5,500 to vacate ahead of renovation work, and the company said residents could return at discounted rates once the work was completed, though the discount would last only for one year. Residents who didn't take the payment, however, said their rents were raised 9.9 percent this year -- just under the threshold when landlords must compensate tenants for moving costs under city code. -- Elliot Njus enjus@oregonian.com 503-294-5034 @enjus Dub's St. Johns, one of Portland's few soul food restaurants, is closing its doors after less than 10 months in North Portland, owner William "Dub" Travis III announced on Facebook. Dub, formerly one half of Mack & Dub's Excellent Chicken and Waffles, the fire-torched Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. restaurant, originally operated Dub's St. Johns out of Ranger Tavern, a neighborhood bar on North Lombard Street. The restaurant moved to what was to be its permanent home a bit closer in on North Lombard Avenue with a party on New Year's Eve, 2017. In addition to its good fried chicken and waffles, the restaurant served ribs, fried catfish and classic soul sides. According to the Facebook post, Dub's was not making enough money to keep going. "Thank you so very much for making us feel like family," the post reads. "Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Thank you for coming to the table. Thank you for letting us feed you for these last 5 years." The closure leaves Portland with just a handful of soul food restaurants, including Po'Shines Cafe De La Soul in North Portland's Kenton neighborhood, and the popular food carts #Kee's Loaded Kitchen and Trap Kitchen. -- Michael Russell Tom McCall doesn't have his name on a Portland park, and at least two Oregon schools, because he was soft on the environment. The former governor, a Republican, is revered because he bucked special interests and signed legislation that made Oregon what it is today. He protected our beaches, conserved our farmland and cleaned up our cherished Willamette River for all to enjoy -- resident and visitor alike. If McCall were with us today, I'm confident he would support the Clean Energy Jobs bill. This bill continues the tradition of environmental and social stewardship McCall started. In the spirit of his legacy, we Oregonians have the opportunity -- even duty -- to press our lawmakers to stand up for the health of the state and its people the way McCall did. Climate change is a real threat to Oregon. Ask our oyster farmers, salmon fishermen and those growing food in the Willamette Valley or Eastern Oregon. Ask the business owners who depend on tourists who come to ski in the winter and hike in clear Cascades air in summer. Ask the farmers who depend on a clean air, access to water and temperate weather to produce their harvests. More carbon means more heat. More heat means more drought, fires and smoke, followed by flooding, erosion and landslides when fall rains begin. On the coast it means ocean acidification, rising seas and stronger storms. And everywhere in Oregon it means a threat to our economy, communities and natural resource heritage. The Clean Energy Jobs bill would reduce carbon emissions by bringing Oregon into an tested and established cap-and-invest system, which asks the biggest greenhouse gas emitters to pay modest fees to incentivize a change in their business practices. Proceeds collected will be invested in training for well-paying jobs, projects to bring more clean energy to Oregonians and businesses, and valuable transportation infrastructure. This bill is well-conceived, tested and has been proven to work in other jurisdictions around the world. What can a lawmaker do that I cannot? They have the power to create broad, systemic change to permanently transition our economy away from fossil fuels to a clean energy economy. To do that lawmakers will need to rebuff special interests in favor of the common interest. In the spirit of Tom McCall, I hope they do. We can all gain hope when we notice iconic brands commit to the low- or no-carbon economy. Companies like Apple, Nike, Intel, Coca Cola, Bank of America, eBay, Facebook and WalMart have made public commitments to take responsibility for their carbon footprints. These companies have learned that reducing greenhouse gas emissions saves money. They have also learned that sticking to old, polluting ways of doing business alienates customers. It may be comforting to some that we are not first: in fact we are following the lead of California, Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, all of which passed pioneering legislation years ago and their robust economies haven't suffered a bit. Nine states in the Northeast use a similar system to reduce pollution from their utilities. It's working so well that two other states are in the process of joining them. Washington state is also considering requiring large emitters to pay for their greenhouse gases. Oregon's work to cap and price pollution will surely qualify as major leadership on both a national and global scale. Lawmakers may have said that the short session wasn't the time, and that 2018 wasn't the year. But they clearly stated that 2019's longer session is the time to pass the bill. Let's hold them to that promise, and in doing so continue McCall's legacy of environmental stewardship that spans across party lines to accomplish what's best for our state. -- Al Jubitz is a retired businessman (Jubitz Corporation) and is currently active on children's welfare, environmental and peace issues through various affiliations. By E.J. Dionne Jr. The Washington Post WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court's legitimacy is in tatters. Conservative forces in the country, led by the Republican Party, have completed a judicial coup, decades in the making. Republicans rushed through Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to avoid the possible consequences of an election. They aborted a full investigation because they feared what it might find. They made themselves complicit in a presidential attack on Christine Blasey Ford, a brave woman who asked only that her case against Kavanaugh be taken seriously. After all these outrages, there will be calls for a renewal of civility, as if the problem is that people said nasty things about each other. But the answer to this power grab cannot be passive acceptance in the name of being polite. The causes and consequences of what just happened must be acknowledged frankly. The conservative struggle for the court began in the 1960s, but it hit its stride in the Bush v. Gore decision after the 2000 election. Five conservative justices violated the principles they claimed to uphold on states' rights and the use of equal-protection doctrine to stop a recount of votes in Florida requested by Al Gore, the Democratic nominee. They thus made George W. Bush president. The pro-Bush justices made abundantly clear that they were grasping at any arguments available to achieve a certain outcome by declaring, "our consideration is limited to the present circumstances." Translation: Once Bush is in, please forget what we said here. Bush then appointed two staunch conservatives to the court: John Roberts (one of Bush's legal foot-soldiers in Florida) as chief justice as well as Samuel Alito. More recently, Senate Republicans kept the late Antonin Scalia's seat open for over a year, refusing Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee, either a hearing or a vote. Neil Gorsuch, a far more conservative jurist, took the seat instead. Now comes Kavanaugh. In blocking Garland, Republicans said it was urgent to wait until after the 2016 election to let the voters speak. They rushed Kavanaugh through to get him onto the court before the voters could speak in 2018. When power is all that matters, consistency is for suckers. In the process, the White House turned the FBI investigation of Ford's claims and Kavanaugh's (questionable) credibility into a whitewash. Don McGahn, the White House counsel and Kavanaugh's leading advocate, told Trump, as The New York Times put it, that a "wide ranging inquiry ... would be potentially disastrous for Judge Kavanaugh's chances of confirmation." You wonder what McGahn thought it would find. There is also this: A generations-long conservative majority on the court has been cemented in place by a political minority. Kavanaugh was named by a president who won 46 percent of the popular vote and confirmed by senators representing 44 percent of the population. When you lack a majority, controlling the branch of government not subject to the voters is vital to working your will. Democracy is all that opponents of the coup have left. In next month's elections, the party responsible for this travesty must be punished. The idea that "both parties are equally to blame" is an unadulterated falsehood. The undemocratic nature of representation in the Senate is unlikely to be remedied anytime soon, so progressives and Democrats need to organize far more effectively in the low-population red states. Critics of the judicial right need to remind voters that conservative judges regularly serve the interests of the wealthy and the powerful, not those of the heartland. If Democrats take control of the House, they should hold hearings on the administration's manipulation of the FBI investigation. These could also shed light on the extent to which Kavanaugh misled the Senate. And there should now be no squeamishness about the urgency of enlarging the Supreme Court if Democrats have the power to do so after the 2020 elections. The current majority on the court was created through illegitimate means. Changing that majority would not constitute politicizing the court because conservatives have already done this without apology. "Court-packing" makes people uncomfortable for good reason. Were it thrust upon the country suddenly by fiat, many Americans would be uneasy, as were even many Democrats in the 1930s with Franklin Roosevelt's court-enlargement plan. That's why we need a considered two-year debate over changing the number of justices -- it was done seven times during the 19th century -- as the only plausible response to the conservative court-packing project that reached fruition on Saturday. Its foes need to stay angry. But even more, they need to vote, organize and think boldly. Democracy itself is at stake. E.J. Dionne's email address is ejdionne@washpost.com. Twitter: EJDionne. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group So, Brett Kavanaugh's reactions to the unfounded claims of being an attempted rapist does not comport to the demeanor of someone who would sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Put yourself in his position. Sen. Dianne Feinstein holds Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's accusation for two months and releases it at the last minute. For 16 days, Kavanaugh and his family were drug through the sewer and subject to personal attacks. If I were Kavanaugh I would have to contain myself from doing physical harm to that smug Feinstein and other Democratic senators. Her actions display Democrats will do anything to derail President Donald Trump's agenda, especially his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. The reason most Americans are thoroughly disgusted with today's politicians is being displayed daily by Democrats. The hypocrisy of the left is incomprehensible. Former President Bill Clinton, a sexual predator, was given a pass explained away as, "Oh, it was just sex." Rep. Keith Ellison is being given a pass with hard evidence against him. We need divine help to get our country back on track. -- Bill Dowdall, Beaverton Share your opinion Fired up? ! Submit 250 words or less and please include your first and last name, hometown and a phone number for verification. I've been a Democrat since I graduated from college and haven't voted for a Republican candidate in over 20 years. Honestly, I rarely look too closely at Republicans on the ballot, because I would never vote for a candidate who is not pro-choice or is unsupportive of marriage equality. This year, however, I am proudly voting for the Republican nominee for governor, Rep. Knute Buehler. Buehler's support of marriage equality and women's reproductive rights opened the door for me to take a closer look. I learned he cares deeply about the same issues I do: education and homelessness. Buehler has a vision and a solid plan to fix both our classroom funding crisis and our homelessness problem. We haven't seen any such vision or plan in Gov. Kate Brown's almost four years in office. Brown is simply not willing to tackle the classroom funding crisis. Buehler, on the other hand, is ready and willing to roll up his sleeves and get to work to get more dollars into our schools. He is not ideological. He is a problem solver who is willing to give up his successful career as a surgeon and dedicate the next phase of his life to working on solving Oregon's problems. Please join this proud Democrat in voting for Knute Buehler for governor. Danielle Miller, Lake Oswego Donald Howard A Vancouver man was arrested Monday in connection with the November 2016 killing of a man discovered inside his burning Woodland home. Dustin A. Griffin, 39, was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder. He is accused of killing 62-year-old Donald W. Howard, who died of blunt force trauma, according to the results of an autopsy. The county sheriff's office hasn't released any information explaining how Howard was killed, why or what led to his death. The sheriff's office also hasn't said how investigators were able to determine Griffin was involved in Howard''s death. Authorities responded to Howard's home on Nov. 22, 2016, after someone reported the structure was on fire. Firefighters extinguished the flames and found Howard dead inside. The sheriff's office said Howard often fished all over the area and picked up cans and trash on the river and along nearby roads. Everton Bailey Jr. The mother of a 14-year-old girl has filed a $1.56 million lawsuit against a central Oregon McDonalds restaurant, claiming that her daughter badly burned her lap after being served a cup of water that was far too hot. The lawsuit doesnt list the temperature of the water or explain if the teen, Christina Thomas, spilled the water on herself or someone spilled it onto her at the Madras McDonalds in July 2017. The suit, filed last week in Multnomah County Circuit Court, says the water was served at a dangerous temperature. The girl ended up with partial thickness burns to her abdomen, groin and inner thighs, the suit states. It lists both the McDonalds corporation and the individual franchise, Taylor Enterprises, as defendants. Neither returned messages seeking comment. McDonalds also didnt answer a question about the serving temperature required for its hot beverages. Such lawsuits aren't uncommon roughly a quarter-century after a 79-year-old Albuquerque, New Mexico, woman spilled scalding-hot coffee on herself and filed suit against McDonald's. Stella Liebeck suffered burns that nearly killed her and required major surgery. Liebeck acknowledged she spilled the coffee on herself but argued that the coffee's temperature -- between an estimated 180 to 190 degrees -- was dangerously hot and endangered the public. A jury awarded her $2.86 million. The amount was later reported to have been reduced to about $500,000. In 2010, a drive-through customer at the Portland McDonald's at Northwest 19th Avenue and Burnside Street filed a $7,500 suit against the restaurant, claiming the coffee she spilled on her lap was too hot and the cup's lid was too loose. Aurora Hill's case was dismissed later that year. Court records indicate an "arbitration award" was made but they don't state how much. In 2015, another woman filed a $132,000 suit against Starbucks in Wood Village, claiming she was burned by hot coffee she had ordered. That suit was dismissed before trial in 2017, and it's unclear if it settled. No settlement amounts were disclosed. Other suits have been filed across the nation against an assortment of businesses, including Dunkin Donuts, Southwest Airlines and Dennys. Last weeks lawsuit was filed by Shirelle Thomas, the mother of the teen who was burned at the Madras McDonalds. Bend attorney Emmanuel Miller is representing the family, who lives in Warm Springs. In addition to $10,000 in past medical bills and related expenses, the suit seeks $50,000 in future expenses and $1.5 million for pain and suffering. Miller didn't respond to messages Monday seeking more information about the lawsuit. Read the lawsuit here. -- Aimee Green A month before the Nov. 6 election, the Oregon governor's race remains tight, a new poll shows. A survey commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive and KGW (8) shows that 49 percent of the respondents would vote to re-elect Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, while 45 percent would choose Republican Rep. Knute Buehler. The online survey of 356 likely voters by Riley Research Associates had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.2 percentage points. That means it's also possible that Buehler actually has a small lead or that Brown is headed to a crushing victory. Among the ballot measures, the survey clearly pointed to strong opposition to an initiative to ban public funding for abortions. The two tax initiatives were within the margin of error and could go either way. "The governor's race seems to be about as expected," said Mike Riley, president and research director of Riley Research Associates. Buehler has "about a 4-point deficit at this point. That's consistent with the other polls I've seen." Women provided 58 percent of Brown's support, explaining in part why her campaign has focused on abortion rights and reproductive health care. The survey showed that Measure 103, which would ban taxes on food, could be extremely close. Roughly 80 percent of voters have already made up their minds to support or oppose it. Voters are similarly split on Measure 104, which would make it more difficult for the Legislature to trim tax breaks; however, nearly a third of the voters surveyed remain undecided. Meanwhile, voters strongly oppose Measure 106, the abortion funding measure. Fifty-six percent said they would vote no, versus 34 percent who would vote yes. A majority of respondents oppose repealing the state's sanctuary law as proposed in Measure 105, although that result is barely outside the margin of error. At the same time, a majority of those polled support Measure 102. It would amend the state Constitution to allow governments to issue debt for affordable housing projects involving non-government organizations, such as nonprofits. The survey targeted a selection of voters who would represent typical turnout in Oregon, reflecting region, gender and political party. Democrats accounted for 44 percent of respondents, Republicans represented 34 percent, the non-affiliated comprised 11 percent, and other parties made up the rest. Fifty-six percent of respondents were men, which Riley said was a higher percentage than is typical in telephone polls. "I think maybe that's indicative of a more highly motivated demographic," Riley said, explaining that he did not make any adjustments to account for the higher survey participation among men. KGW and The Oregonian/OregonLive had requested a larger sample of likely voters than Riley Research Associates was able to achieve with the online survey. Riley said his firm has traditionally done telephone polls but tried the online-only survey as "kind of an experiment." "While it's not a large sample, I do think it's a robust sample," Riley said. "And it does accurately represent the characteristics of likely voters in Oregon." -- Hillary Borrud hborrud@oregonian.com 503-294-4034; @hborrud Multnomah County released the official transcript Tuesday from the grand jury that declined to indict two Portland State University police officers for shooting and killing a 45-year-old man near campus this summer. On Sept. 13, the grand jury said it would not indict the two officers involved in a shooting that killed Jason Washington outside The Cheerful Tortoise bar. The incident ignited protests and rekindled calls to end the school's policy of arming its public safety force. Last week, the school's Board of Trustees held a meeting during which it heard hours of testimony from students, staff and local advocates urging the school to change its policies. Here's a link to the full grand jury transcript. Officers Shawn McKenzie and James Dewey will not face criminal charges in the death of Jason Washington, 45, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office said in a news release. Campus police killed Washington, a U.S. postal worker and Navy veteran, amid a street fight near the Cheerful Tortoise just before closing time June 29. Full story on the transcripts: -- Andrew Theen All the jobs that they had were both seasonal and part-time, and too far away from my house, said Schule, who is currently unemployed. Schule said she might apply for a seasonal delivery job in Elgin, but worried that she might not meet the physical requirements. Portland State University police Officer James Dewey said he was screaming and begging Jason Washington to drop a gun in the moments before Dewey and his partner fatally shot the 45-year-old man during a late-night, chaotic fight that broke out near a campus-area bar in June. Washington was in possession of a friend's handgun amid the drunken melee outside the Cheerful Tortoise bar when Dewey and partner Officer Shawn McKenzie ordered him to drop the weapon, authorities have said. Within seconds of the command, and after they say Washington refused to drop it and turned toward the crowd, the officers opened fire. Nine bullets struck Washington. "So he's gonna start shooting people, I have to make that stop," Dewey told grand jurors, according to transcripts released Tuesday. "Uh, you fire until either the gun's on the ground or he's on the ground or the threat goes away." Washington died at the scene. He had earlier confiscated a friend's gun after a night of drinking and was holding it amid the street fight, according to police reports and body camera footage. Several witnesses told authorities that Washington repeatedly tried to keep friend and fellow veteran Jeremy Wilkinson from getting into a fight June 29. The altercation outside the Cheerful Tortoise was with at least four other men who accused Wilkinson of using a racial slur. Wilkinson, 43, fought with one of the men after throwing the stranger's phone. Washington fell while trying to pull the other men off his friend, according to the body camera footage. Video shows a pistol holstered to Washington's hip before the fall and the gun in his hand as he gets back on his feet while the officers yell for him to drop the firearm. Seconds later, Washington appears to be walking away from the officers as they continue to yell, Dewey says they will shoot him, and then both officers fire shots as Washington appears to change direction, the police footage shows. The grand jury last month said it would not indict Dewey and McKenzie, and Multnomah County on Tuesday released the official grand jury transcript. Here are excerpts of grand jury testimony: Officer James Dewey Dewey, 33, was a Portland native and Wilson High School alum who was working as an officer while also taking classes at PSU. He served 7 years in the U.S. National Guard and was deployed once to Afghanistan. Dewey was also a volunteer firearms instructor for the PSU police agency as well as the state police academy, according to transcripts. Dewey told the grand jury he had worked as a bartender in college and was "well-versed" in the scene he saw unfolding on the sidewalk in downtown Portland. "This had every feeling to me like it was a big drunk bar fight," Dewey said. When one of the bystanders pointed out Washington's gun, Dewey said he noticed it immediately after. He told the grand jury he saw a black item that appeared to be a semi-automatic firearm on Washington's hip. He told the grand jury that was "shocking to say the least in downtown Portland." Dewey, who said he was a scout sniper while in the National Guard, told grand jurors that the scrum escalated from "a stupid drunk street brawl into something that can be deadly very quickly" because of the gun Washington had. The officer also described the sinking feeling when Washington and a group of other men tumbled to the ground in a fit of chaos, but then Washington stood up and the gun was no longer holstered. That provided a "twisting, like nauseous adrenalized feeling in your gut," Dewey told the grand jury. "It's no longer in the holster, it's not safe anymore, it's now in a fight and in his hand." Dewey said he had only moments to assess the scene. A gun escalates the danger and the need to act, he said. "It's pretty easy at the flick of the wrist to go from one person to the next if their body is positioned toward you," he said. "Um, so that was my thought, uh, the gun came up above his waist, he's gonna start shooting people and, uh, uh, my partner must've thought the same thing 'cause I think we started firing simultaneously." He said he wasn't shooting to kill Washington. "No, no ... the only consideration is make him stop pointing the gun at people and that's, that's it." That's when he and McKenzie fired. Washington "fell and Shawn and I both stopped firing," he said. Officer Shawn McKenzie McKenzie, who has since left the department for another job, told the grand jury he and Dewey were on their way to another call when they noticed the fight outside the Broadway Housing building near the Cheerful Tortoise. McKenzie said he didn't turn on the vehicles lights or sirens when he stopped in front of the group. "I just didn't think about it at the time," he told the grand jury when asked why. "And also, if you want somebody to stop, lights and sirens indicates that a reasonable person ... they're being stopped. I really didn't want to stop an entire crowd of people." Although Dewey told his partner Washington had a gun soon after the two stopped to tend to the fight, McKenzie said he didn't see it in the beginning moments of their interference. "I just see a bunch of people out there, and I'm looking at people's hands and waistbands to see if, if I can locate the gun," he said. It wasn't until somebody tackled Washington, then rolled off him, that McKenzie saw the holstered gun. "So, a lot of thoughts run through my head at this time," McKenzie told the grand jury. "Obviously, my stress level's higher. I don't know why, but I can assume that these two are fighting over that gun." By the time Washington stood up, however, McKenzie said the man was holding the gun in his right hand and pointing it at him and Dewey. "In my mind I'm like thinkin' I'm gonna be shot right there, and I fire a couple rounds," he said. "I see him fall to the ground." McKenzie then called for more units, he said. Portland police officers showed up moments later, one of whom put the gun in the backseat of his cruiser. McKenzie said he called his supervisor after that. "I said there was a fight, guy had a gun, told him to drop the gun, pointed the gun at us and we shot," he said. "And I called our union guy." McKenzie told the grand jury he was too close to consider using a Taser or pepper spray on Washington once he saw the gun. Davidson asked if police training deemed such options as an "appropriate tool" in those situations. "No, not against a firearm, no," McKenzie said. Portland Police Homicide Detective Rico Beniga Beniga said officers recovered Wilkinson's gun, which had one round "in the chamber" and 14 additional rounds in the 15-magazine ammunition clip. He identified Wilkinson and Mohamed Tuffa, another bargoer, as the most intoxicated individuals at the scene. Beniga reviewed video footage from the Rialto billiard house, one of several bars the men attended that night. Shortly after 10 p.m., Wilkinson got into a "confrontation with a security personnel" at the bar, and the officer shoved him down. They were all ejected from the bar. The detective said video evidence shows Washington "at some points intervenes and prevents" Wilkins from approaching a group of men with whom the group had been arguing. Beniga said that the holster on Washington's hip was typically worn on the inside of the pants. "In this case he was actually wearing it in the pocket," Beniga said, "Which generally its not what it's designed for." There was no indication Washington brandished the gun before police arrived, Beniga said. "We never found anybody that would say that, uh, Mr. Washington actually brandished that firearm prior to the PSU police arriving," he said. Mohamed Tuffa, a Cheerful Tortoise patron who fought with Jeremy Wilkinson Tuffa said he had been at the bar since 2 or 3 p.m. in the afternoon that Thursday, meeting with friends and drinking. He said he even met Washington at the bar that night. "I was drinking with him," Tuffa said. "He's a good guy." But around 2:30 a.m. Friday, he said he was hanging out outside the bar smoking a cigarette when things shifted. "I was talking to somebody else and then (Wilkinson) walked by and he thought I was talking to him," Tuffa said, "and then he got offended." Words were exchanged. He remembered Wilkinson as "the drunkest person" there, but "nobody was like, you know, like blacked out drunk." Tuffa and his friends followed Wilkinson and his friends around a corner, but, said Tuff, "we were keeping our distance because everybody saw Jason Washington had a, a gun. ... Like, he wasn't trying to cover it or anything." Tuffa said Washington was attempting to usher Wilkinson away and Tuffa was following and recording Wilkinson. The group moved to near Mak's Minimart, Tuffa said. "That's when Jeremy pushes me." At this point, Tuffa said, PSU police pulled up. "I thought they were gonna pull everybody apart and everything was gonna go all right," Tuffa said. "And they didn't do nothing. So just there, they were just there watching." Then, Tuffa said, Wilkinson hit Tuffa's phone from his hand. When Tuffa reached for it, Wilkinson did too, grabbed it first and then smashed it into the ground. Tuffa said he lunged for Wilkinson. The men began fighting and fell to the ground, Tuffa said. Washington was trying to pull people off of Wilkinson as the police watched. "They didn't say police, get out of the way, stop the fight," Tuffa said. "They just pulled up and they just watched it. They just sat there." The senior deputy district attorney conducting the interviews contradicted Tuffa's assertion about the police not announcing themselves, saying the video shows they did. During the melee, Tuffa said, Washington dropped his gun. "So," Tuffa continued, "he got his gun and he put it back in his holster and he was running away. He was running when the police yelled gun, gun, gun, drop the gun and they shoot him. I was maybe 2 feet away from him right when I heard the first shot." Donald Dietz, a 25-year-old Cheerful Tortoise employee Donald Dietz, who was working that night, said Washington's group was arguing to get into the bar for free, asking for a veteran's discount. The bar's $1 beer night has a $3 cover charge, Dietz told the grand jury. A confrontation occurred between Washington's group of friends and some younger college-aged regulars. Wilkinson was allegedly yelling racial slurs at Tuffa, one of the young men. "I was just trying to keep the regulars back," Dietz said, "because they know me and they, we have a little bit of a rapport and whenever I tell them to calm down, most of the time, they do it, and but they were pretty amped up that night." Dietz said a bartender called police after it became clear Washington was carrying a gun. Dietz then followed the two groups outside. Dietz said the younger crew of men was "taunting" Washington, asking him if he had a permit for the weapon, "and daring him to use it and stuff." Tuffa then started fighting Wilkinson after Washington could no longer keep the men separated, the employee said. Washington tried to push Tuffa away from Wilkinson, who had been kicked in the face by a third man and was splayed on the ground. Dietz saw the gun in Washington's pocket and on the ground but never saw it fall or in Washington's hand. Dietz also said he wasn't focused on Washington. Dietz said Washington never responded to the taunts. "He just seemed like he was tryin' to get his friend outta there and kinda break things up a bit. Uh, I didn't, I didn't really see a, uh, or hear him taunt back or go for his gun." Tyler Koenig, a Cheerful Tortoise server Koenig said he didn't witness the shooting or the brawl outside the bar that night. But he did witness the younger crew pursue Wilkinson and heard allegations of racial slurs used that night. Koenig said he urged the bar regulars to let the other group leave. "I just told them, just to leave it be, just to drop it, everybody's leaving, just separate your ways. And they were very insistent on crossing the street and fightin' with these guys more." Koenig said he never saw a gun or heard that the cops were called. Scott Willadsen, the use of force coordinator for the Oregon Start Police Academy Willadsen said officers are trained to shoot for the "center mass" of the subject. They are trained to shoot until the threat ends, but that doesn't mean they shoot to kill or wound just until the weapon is no longer a threat to officers or the public. "I can't predict how many rounds it's gonna take for them to stop being a threat and then whether or not, um, they end up dying from that," he said to the grand jury. "The longer you wait, the more likely you are to get shot, possibly killed, so actually under the law, under federal law, they're not even required to give a verbal command in that instance." One juror asked Willaddsen how officers are trained to deal with individuals who are legally carrying a concealed weapon or open carry weapon. It all depends on the totality of circumstances, he said. A person calmly eating a meal with a visible weapon on their hip isn't a threat, but that is different from when an officer pulls up to a drunken brawl and "a gun flies out." "This is probably the wrong time and place to be carrying that gun because the officer doesn't have the time to rationally evaluate and be like, 'wait, are you like expressing your rights or you about to kill me?'" Portland Police Officer Anthony Eugenio, who analyzed footage from the involved officers' body cameras Eugenio said near the end of the altercation that Washington appeared to point a "black object" at the Portland State officers and civilians on the scene, according to the video. Jeremy Wilkinson, owner of the gun that Washington was carrying when he was killed Around 2 p.m. on the day of the shooting, Wilkinson and Washington, and their Navy friend Ryan Pratt, met up at the Cheerful Tortoise to watch the Oregon State Beavers play in the College World Series, Wilkinson said. Wilkinson was carrying a Walther PPQ 9 mm legally, he told the grand jury. He has had a concealed weapons permit since November. When asked why he was carrying the gun, he said, "I take it everywhere." Wilkinson said he doesn't remember much of what happened inside the Cheerful Tortoise, beyond talking to Jason and then Pratt about pool rules. "But," he said, "I do remember Jason grabbed me kinda by the shirt and saying, 'Come on. Let's go.'" Wilkinson said he remembers that a group of men followed them as they left the bar. "I don't know why but I do know they were doing it and, and assuming it's something I said or did," he said. Wilkinson said he remembers he was the focus of the group's anger. Wilkinson said he is aware that the other guys said he used the n-word, but, he said, "That's not true." He said he would never use that word, mainly because of Washington, who was African American. Wilkinson did admit he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. Wilkinson said he doesn't know how the argument escalated, but, "I remember like yelling back at them, and they're yelling at me." Wilkinson said Washington was getting in between him and the angry group, trying to get him to leave. The men walked away and Wilkinson called an Uber to come pick him up. But he never got into an Uber. Instead, Wilkinson said, the men kept following them and he gave his gun to Washington. Wilkinson said knew he was about to get into a fistfight and "it didn't seem appropriate" to bring his gun. Washington, he said, "would never fight, ever." Also, he felt safe giving Washington his gun because, like Wilkinson, Washington has a concealed carry permit. Then, the fighting began. Wilkinson said he remembers the other men following them and "sticking their phones in our faces." When a man in a red shirt put his phone in Washington's face, he said, "that really ticked me off, so I, I smacked it out of his hand and then that's when the guy jumped on me." "I think I was on the bottom at first," Wilkinson said, "and then I rolled onto the top and then apparently, I got kicked so I don't, I don't know anything after that." The Sunday after the incident, Wilkinson said he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a concussion. Wilkinson said his next memory is being dragged away in handcuffs. He didn't know Washington has been killed, or that there had been a shooting, until 7:30 a.m. the next morning. Wilkinson said he had no memory of the police showing up. Sgt. Joseph Schilling, a PSU officer Schilling, who worked for more than 25 years with the Portland police before leaving to help set up the university's security force, answered grand jury questions about why officers wouldn't try to take non-lethal action or wound a person with a gun. "It's not like the movies," he said. "You can't see the gun, and the guys gives you a little flinch, and then you're gonna outdraw him, and you'll be okay. It doesn't work like that. You're always gonna lose." Schilling said officers frequently use profanity or yell at subjects because it disrupts their thinking and makes them concentrate on what's happening around them. "It's automatic for people to think, 'Well, why are they shoutin' at me?' Or they'll get angry that you're shouting at them, which again delays their response time, um, and makes them think a little more about what they have to do. So it gives you time, uh, to make some kind of decision," he said. Patrick Dean, a regular at the Cheerful Tortoise Dean, 23, said he joined the fight after taking a friend home to a nearby apartment. He said he saw that something was happening with his acquaintances outside the bar. At some point, Dean said, he thinks he remembers Washington pulled out his gun. "I think he pulled it out but he didn't point it at anybody," Dean said. "I think he just pointed it in the air." As the fight continued, Dean, who acknowledged he had been drinking and smoking marijuana and "wasn't fully sober," said he was not aware that the police had arrived. "I don't remember the police," he said. "I didn't hear the police yell to stop the fight. That doesn't mean that that didn't happen." Rebecca Millius, deputy Oregon State Medical Examiner Millius said Washington was shot multiple times. She didn't give the grand jury a specific number of bullets but said either of the wounds to his chest or torso would have been fatal. One of the wounds lacerated and "completely transected the aorta," she said. The university released a statement Tuesday after the transcripts became public: "Portland State has hired separate consultants OIR Group and Margolis Healy to review the June 29th fatal officer-involved shooting and conduct a comprehensive review of campus safety," the statement said. "The transcript from the Multnomah County Grand Jury proceedings and the Portland Police Bureau investigation will be part of those reviews." The Oregonian/OregonLive Andrew Theen, Eder Campuzano, Lizzy Acker and Jim Ryan of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report A Portland mom who police say had a backpack with a gun inside that discharged at her children's school while she was picking them up last week says she wasn't responsible for the gunfire. Antoinette M. Riley, 27, told Portland police detectives that she'd been shot in the buttocks when the gun went off Thursday at Jason Lee Elementary School on Northeast 92nd Avenue, according to a probable cause affidavit. Riley is accused of possession of a weapon in a public building, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in a public place and reckless endangering. Riley declined comment to The Oregonian/OregonLive. She told KPTV she never had a gun, was sitting at a table in the cafeteria with her son, reached for her phone next to her bag and then was struck from an unknown direction. It's not clear if the bag was on her when the shooting occurred. She told the TV station she and others left the school immediately after. No other injuries were reported in the shooting. At least 50 kids were in the area when one round from the gun was discharged, the affidavit said. Portland police said investigators haven't found the firearm. An after-school program supervisor identified Riley to police as the source of the gunfire, according to the affidavit. She said the gun went off while Riley was picking up her children at the school and that the bullet hit the table and bench where Riley had been sitting with her kids. Riley and her children were gone by the time officers arrived at the school. She was later arrested in the area. According to the affidavit, a detective found an apparent bullet hole in the backpack Riley had, but it's not clear where on the bag. Police said it doesn't appear the gun was discharged with the intent to hurt anyone. Aimee Green and Shane Dixon Kavanaugh of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey Scott Darling Tech debuts have enjoyed a renaissance on Wall Street in the past year, with dozens of initial public offerings amid renewed investor enthusiasm for young technology businesses. Dell Technologies' venture arm has had a hand in some of those most promising companies, including DocuSign, MongoDB and Zscaler, each of which has had its IPO in the past year. Dell's top venture investor is an Oregonian, Scott Darling, who previously helped lead Intel's venture arm in Hillsboro. Though he spends most of his week in the San Francisco Bay Area, and reports directly to Michael Dell at Dell headquarters in Texas, Darling still calls Oregon home and spends his off hours here. And he said he remains well acquainted with Portland's tech scene. Dell currently has just one Oregon company in its venture portfolio, Twistlock, which recently moved its headquarters from San Francisco to Portland. But Darling said concerted effort could raise the state's tech profile considerably to take advantage of the resurgent national tech scene. "Portland has a tremendous opportunity for exactly the kind of economic development we want, which is high-skilled, well-paying, family wage and above kind of jobs," Darling, 62, said in a recent conversation. The key to that opportunity, Darling said, is that more robust tech markets - chiefly Seattle and the Bay Area - are growing too expensive for companies, too pricey for their employees. He said Oregon offers a practical overflow valve which could provide a "triple win": for the businesses, for their workers and for the state. Silicon Forest deals Some of the investment and acquisition activity in Oregon and southwest Washington so far in 2018. Exterro , Beaverton: Sold a large stake to a private equity firm for more than $100 million Jama Software , Portland: Sold a big stake to a private equity firm for more than $200 million nLight , Clark County: Raised $96 million in the region's first tech IPO since 2014 Puppet , Portland: Raised $42 million in a late-stage June venture round RFPIO, Beaverton: Raised $25 million in July Twistlock : Moved headquarters to Portland, raised $33 million Urban Airship , Portland: Raised $25 million Vetsource , Gresham: Raised $50 million It's not a new idea, of course. Oregon has long been a fruitful second home for tech companies, with substantial outposts for everyone from stalwarts such as Intel and Amazon to upstarts such as New Relic. Darling, though, said he would like Oregon to develop a more focused strategy around recruiting growing businesses from out of state. "If we were to systematically pursue that I think we could have some great success with that," Darling said. As it happens, a regional delegation was in the Bay Area just two weeks ago recruiting an unnamed biotech company, a computing company and battery technology company in hopes of persuading them to open Oregon outposts. That's encouraging, according to Darling, who said Oregon entrepreneurs are benefitting from the nation's long economic expansion and investors who are increasingly willing to look beyond the Bay Area or other large tech hubs for promising companies. Oregon startups used to complain it was hard to get the attention of blue-chip investors in Silicon Valley or on the East Coast, and entrepreneurs sometimes moved their companies to be closer to prospective backers. Darling said those cash-starved days are in the past. "There's no problem getting capital in Portland anymore," Darling said. "The world is awash in capital." Indeed, Oregon and Southwest Washington tech companies have enjoyed an especially lucrative year, with hundreds of millions of dollars in investments and acquisitions. Transactions include an IPO for Clark County's nLight, a $200 million private equity deal for Portland-based Jama Software, $100 million for Beaverton legal tech company Exterro and $50 million for Gresham-based Vetsource. Nationally, though, there are growing concerns about a high number of IPOs from unprofitable companies. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that more than 80 percent of U.S. IPOs through the first nine months of 2018 were from companies that lost money in the prior year. That has spawned comparisons to the dot-com bubble. For his part, though, Darling said he still seeks many solid companies with well-defined markets that are positioned to withstand an economic downcycle. While another downturn is inevitable, eventually, Darling said Dell remains active and enthusiastic about the companies he is seeking. "We continue to invest," he said. "I'm doing plenty of investing." -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Maybe you've heard there's an election coming up. Taylor Swift is encouraging you to vote in it. So is former President Barack Obama. The old folks in a new, partisan "public-service announcement"? They want you to stay home. "Don't vote," an elderly American in the ad advises. "Everything's fine the way it is." "Sure, school shootings are sad," another admits. "But I haven't been in a school in 50 years." Progressive activists recognize that the 2018 midterm elections will come down to voter turnout, and that's a scary thing for them. As the famous saying goes: "If you aren't a liberal when you're young, you have no heart, but if you aren't a conservative at middle age, you have no head." Whether the saying is true or not, this much is indisputable: the middle-aged and older in this country tend to vote. The young don't. And so engaged progressives, through taunts and mockery, are trying to goad 20-somethings into finding their way to the polls in November. "We'll be there," points out one of the gray beards in the PSA. "But you won't." Adds another, putting the knife in: "Because we're a generation of doers. Not whiners." Watch the video below, but first a warning: a curse word is used in it. Two Midland County officials are seriously concerned that state voters could legalize recreational marijuana -- or Proposal 1. The issues is on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot statewide "I think it is a very important topic," Midland County Prosecutor J. Dee Brooks said. "I believe that we will ultimately truly regret the full legalization of marijuana as proposed in Proposal 1." Brooks gave three reasons for his opposition to Proposal 1: An increase in expected drugged driving cases. An increase in use by teenagers and young children. An increase in crime. Midland County Medical Director Dr. Catherine Bodnar agrees with Brooks, but also stated that when perceived risk goes down, use rises. Should Proposal 1 pass, it would legalize the possession, use and cultivation of marijuana for those over age 21. Added to the 6 percent sales tax would be a 10 percent excise tax, which would be dedicated to start-up costs, clinical trials, education, roads and municipalities. Even though marijuana would be legal in Michigan, it would still be illegal under federal law. The University of Colorado reported a 114 percent rise in marijuana-impaired fatalities since its legalization of recreational marijuana took effect in 2012. "We have already seen a significant increase in these cases and related serious personal injury automobile crashes," Brooks said. "I believe there is a clear lack of understanding about how marijuana impairs a person's ability to drive safely." Both Bodnar and Brooks warned about how strong today's marijuana is compared to marijuana of 40 years ago. "First, people need to understand how potent today's marijuana is and how dangerous edibles and vapors (with over 90 percent THC content) are," Brooks said. He also included the marketing of edible marijuana products. "Looking to make life-long customers, recreational marijuana is clearly advertised to entice young people and as easy access goes up, and the perception of risk goes down, we can expect much greater use by teens," Brooks added. A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse stated that 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it. For those beginning to use marijuana in their teens that number doubles to 17 percent. To review the study, visit: https://bit.ly/1Rwn6FN "Marijuana affects brain development, the brain is not fully developed until the mid-20s," Bodnar stated. "Teens who use marijuana at least once a week are more likely to have problems with their learning, memory, math skills, and reading skills and are less likely to graduate from high school." The former Dow Chemical Co. physician added that those teens and young adults who used marijuana are more likely to have serious mental health problems. If the proposal passed, marijuana would become easier to obtain. "The demand is already there and organized criminal organizations have jumped on this opportunity," Brooks said. "With just medical marijuana legalization (in 2008), we have experienced a great number of Cuban grow operations in mid-Michigan (even one so far in Midland County). This will only get worse with full legalization." Should Proposal 1 pass, the 10 percent excise tax would be one of the lowest in the nation. "There are those who see the state of Michigan becoming the Midwest marijuana distribution center," Brooks added. "I don't think that would be good for our communities." The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter John Kennett. Sunday, Oct. 7 12:13 a.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to the Larkin Township Hall in reference to several intoxicated subjects fighting inside and outside the hall. Upon arrival, the subjects that were causing the problems had left. Anyone remaining at the scene did not wish to make a report for anything that had occurred. 12:23 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Larkin Township residence in reference to a verbal argument between a 17-year-old Larkin Township woman and her parents. The deputy spoke to all parties and gave advice about how to prevent further issues. The woman was advised of her position in the household. 12:38 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Warren Township roadway in reference to a four-wheeler or similar vehicle running over political signs. Five signs were run over and two signs were missing. 1:30 a.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township establishment in reference to a report of a fight. Prior to arrival, it was reported that the individuals that had been involved in the fight had left. Further, that a male subject was waiting at the location because he thought his vehicle had been damaged. Deputies made contact and all parties had left prior to deputies' arrival. The complainant advised that there was no damage to his vehicle. 2:27 a.m. -- A deputy arrested a 17-year-old Coleman man for possession of marijuana while checking on a suspicious vehicle at a park and ride in Jerome Township. He was transported to the Midland County Jail without incident. 2:29 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to the Midland County Jail for an inmate damaging a fire sprinkler in his cell. A report is being sent to the Midland County prosecutor. 9:42 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a report of a verbal argument between a 26-year-old Lee Township woman, and her 17-year-old brother. Both parties were calm upon deputy arrival, and no assault was reported. 1:57 p.m. -- A 28-year-old woman reported that her tan 2013 Chevrolet Equinox was stolen. It was believed to have been stolen by her husband's 33-year-old male friend. A report was completed and a statewide BOL was disseminated. 3:06 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a Mills Township residence for a report of debit card fraud. Contact was made with the complainant, a 35-year-old woman, who reported that someone withdrew $520 from her checking account using her debit card information. There are no suspects at this time. 4:40 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Mills Township location for a report of someone shooting in the area all day. A deputy checked the area and the neighborhood was quiet. 4:44 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to Jerome Township for a be-on-the-lookout for a possible intoxicated driver. A 17-year-old man reported that his father, a 42-year-old Midland man, was intoxicated. The suspect became angry when confronted by his son for drinking and driving. There was no assault. The suspect was not located. 8:04 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Larkin Township residence in reference to the complainant reporting that someone had damaged his mailbox. 11:18 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Larkin Township residence in reference to the resident reporting that they had been gone for the weekend and came home to notice a window unlocked. Further, the house/dog sitter advised them that a door in the residence that is normally unlocked, was locked, and that they also heard someone ring the doorbell but when they got to the door, no one was there. Upon examination of the residence and window, nothing was missing or disturbed and the window appeared to have been unlocked for quite some time and had not been opened as there were cobwebs and debris in the window jamb. It is unknown who may have been at the residence and rang the doorbell. Saturday, Oct. 6 1:50 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a Homer Township residence for a domestic verbal dispute between a husband and wife. A 32-year-old man reported his 32-year-old wife hit him with a shoe and cut his finger. They had been arguing. The woman was arrested for domestic violence and taken to the Midland County Jail. 2:43 a.m. -- A deputy responded to a Greendale Township property in reference to a noise/loud music complaint. The complaint came in a little earlier in the evening, but deputies weren't available. It was determined that the property owner was hosting an event, but the music was no longer playing. 3:24 a.m. -- Officers made an arrest for DWLS in the area of Discovery Way and South Saginaw Road. 11:50 a.m. -- An arrest was made at South Saginaw Road and East Haley Street for a hit and run, driving without a valid license, possession of drugs. 1:18 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a Lee Township residence for a report of an assault. Contact was made with the complainant, a 26-year-old woman who reported that she was assaulted by a 45-year-old woman. The suspect intentionally took too much medication prior to deputy arrival. She was transported to the emergency room by EMS for treatment. 1:58 p.m. -- A 40-year-old Jerome Township man called because a neighbor's dog had gotten into his trash. The complainant called back and stated he no longer wanted the MCSO to respond, he will hire an attorney to handle the situation. 2:19 p.m. -- A domestic verbal dispute/assist EMS was reported in the 1300 block of Jefferson Avenue. 4:12 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a Greendale Township location to assist EMS with a possible drug overdose. The unknown man was transported to the Mid-Michigan Medical Center Emergency Room without incident. 6:40 p.m. -- A be-on-the-lookout (BOL) was issued in the area of Eastman Avenue and Saginaw Road. 8:22 p.m. -- Officers responded to a verbal domestic dispute in the 4000 block of Letts Street. 10:10 p.m. -- A 34-year-old Lincoln Township woman was issued a misdemeanor citation for driving while unlicensed. The woman was initially stopped for an equipment violation. 10:51 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a Larkin Township residence in reference to the complainant being concerned that her husband may have been drinking and driving with their 7-year-old daughter. The husband was not home and the complainant located her daughter, who was safe. 10:58 p.m. -- An arrest was made for weapons/violation/alcohol violation and obstructing justice in the 2000 block of South Saginaw Road. Friday, Oct. 5 2:12 a.m. -- Deputies assisted the Midland City Police with attempting to locate a suspect from a retail fraud. 2:22 a.m. -- A deputy assisted Midland City Police officers by issuing a be-on-the-lookout for a vehicle involved in an assault complaint at a city of Midland business. 2:39 a.m. -- Officers responded to a loud party in the 1600 block of Sayre Street and made a warrant arrest. 4:10 a.m. -- An arrest was made for OWI-person under 21 at Tittabawassee River Road and Dublin Avenue. 4:36 a.m. -- Officers responded to a case of home invasion in the 1000 block of Elizabeth Street. 6:20 a.m. --Domestic violence was reported in the 4500 block of North Saginaw Road. 8:34 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to the area of North Meridian Road near Iris Road for a possible under aged/unlicensed driver. The deputy checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle. 10:24 a.m. -- Midland County Animal Control was dispatched to Urgent Care in reference to a dog bite. The dog involved belongs to a Bay City resident. Information was passed to Bay County Animal Control. 10:48 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to an Ingersoll Township residence in reference to a verbal argument between a 13-year-old male, and his 42-year-old mother. The 42-year-old woman stated that the 13-year-old was being disrespectful and wouldn't listen to her. The deputy spoke with both parties, and the 13-year-old agreed to behave. 10:52 a.m. -- A 39-year-old Hope Township man failed to register as sex offender in the prescribed month as instructed by law. A report will be forwarded to the Midland County prosecutor for review. 3:09 p.m. -- A deputy completed a salvage inspection at a City of Midland residence. 4:55 p.m. -- A deputy checked the area of M-20 near North Eleven Mile Road for a report of loud music. Deputies checked the area but did not locate the music. 6:42 p.m. -- Officers responded to retail fraud-third degree in the 900 block of Joe Mann Boulevard. 7:56 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to an area in Hope Township in reference to a single vehicle crash. There were no injuries. A Violation of Basic Speed Law citation was issued. 8:49 p.m. -- A hit and run/property damage accident occurred in the 4000 block of Waldo Avenue. Here, Google confirms that by deleting your Plus profile, you're also deleting your account on Google+. Doing so won't delete your general Google account, nor will it delete any of your photos or contacts. But it will delete all "+1s" - the Google equivalent of a Facebook like - as well as any posts you've created on the platform. To the editor: On Aug. 1, the Midland Daily News ran an article highlighting the expenditures of, and contributors to, the campaigns of Sarah Schulz and Annette Glenn.The article did not show the total income of the two campaigns, except by inference. Therefore, I have to conclude that each campaign has received monies equal to the sum of their current balance on that date, and the total expenditures of the campaign. It would appear that Annette Glenn, on that date, had a fund balance of $47,991, with expenditures of $4,503; for a total income of about $52,494. The article then went on to list Glenns $1,000 contributors. Of the $52,000-plus Glenn appears to have raised, more than 11 percent ($6,000) came from the DeVos family of Grand Rapids and the Amway Corp. I have had connections with the city of Midland, my wifes hometown, for more than 60 years, and I have now lived in the city for 18 years, as a retiree. My wifes family has been part of the city since the early 1930s. To me, it has always seemed that the community of Midland had a high priority on public education for all its citizens. Like every community, state funding for public education has been an important component of having enough money to provide what our students needed to be successful in their educational goals. Enter the DeVos family. It has been very evident for many years, that the DeVos family has a strong interest in devaluing public education in favor of charter schools with a strong religious bias. As secretary of education, Betsy DeVos has worked diligently to undermine public education at all levels, from local communities to higher education. I cannot help but believe that if Annette Glenn is elected to the Michigan House, she will be expected to pay back the generosity of the DeVos family with solid votes against public education and by extension against the students in the public schools of her district, including Midland. For that reason alone, I would urge Midland citizens to not vote for Annette Glenn. THE REV. ROBERT C. SNYDER Midland Carafem offers two types of abortions: one that is achieved by taking a series of pills, first in the office and then at home, and, another, aspiration, that uses a suction device and is performed in the clinic. Carafem charges $425 to $475 for the pills and $550 for aspiration, without insurance. Skokies Carafem is in the process of joining insurance companies local networks so the medication and aspiration can be covered by insurers in coming months, Boyd said. The activity of consul Konstanty Rokicki, who during WWII issued false passports saving in this way hundreds of Jews from Nazi German occupied Poland "symbolises a brighter star in the abyss of despair of those years," President Andrzej Duda said in Switzerland on Tuesday. "We bow our heads before all the victims of the terrible Holocaust, of the darkest years of the 20th century, and probably the darkest in the history of mankind. We bow our heads before millions of bestially murdered Jews, we bow our heads to millions of bestially murdered citizens of various European countries. But let me bow my head today especially before millions of murdered Poles, including Poles of Jewish descent," the president said. Polish consul Konstanty Rokicki, who together with Ambassador ados belonged to the so-called Bern Group, which during WWII issued false passports to Jews to make it possible for them to escape to South America. (PAP) at/mf/ When I told my friend Rich that four-packs of Sip of Sunshinea delightfully drinkable double IPA from Stratford, CT-based Lawsons Finest Liquids Brewerywere spotted on the shelves of a local organic grocery store, his response wasnt what I expected. I know he loves this beer. Hell, he turned me onto it when he brought it back from one of his many forays into New England. We shared pours of that 16-ounce can happily, and it inspired a love for the beer in me that has made it a staple any time I visit a state that distributes it. But rather than asking what I thought would be the follow-up question: Where can I get this stuff and can we go RIGHT NOW? Richs response was more akin to existential ragea condition all too constant in those trapped in the midst of the industrial wedding complex. I forget his exact words, but Damnit probably sums it up. And it wasnt because hed fallen out of favor with the beer. Quite the contrary. But he was in the tail end of planning his wedding, a big to-do in the nuptial Mecca that is Newport, Rhode Island. He and his now-wife are unabashedly enthusiastic lovers of craft beer. In fact the wedding, which took place on a picture-perfect evening last August, had an army of guests that his bride Allison met while working at The Brickskellar, a now-closed tavern in our home town of Washington, DC, that was one of the first to offer craft beers from around the world to an ever-growing crowd of beer snobs, myself included. His consternation was simply that, after a lot of wrangling, theyd decided to serve Sip of Sunshine at their wedding, and they were both looking forward to introducing that beeror reuniting it, as the case may bewith the legions of out-of-town guests that would be in attendance. The beer was still fantastic, but I think Rich was worried that if people could get it readily at the local store, it wouldnt have the same impact on guests. Choosing that beer itself was a chore that neither bride or groom anticipated. They had wanted to secure beer from a local brewery, but the state laws that govern liquor distribution in Rhode Island (and many states hamstrung with arcane liquor laws like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts) made simply sourcing beer from a local brew-pub an impossibility. The wedding venue, planner, and catering teams worked diligently, and were able to secure a selection of beers that they could serve. And Sip of Sunshine made the list, as did a surprising 11th-hour inclusion of Vintage 2018 Sang Noir, a spectacular bottled dark sour from Portland, ORs Cascade Brewing Barrel House that they were able to find, and that stood in as their version of the requisite Champagne. All this, along with cans of Flower Power IPA from Ithaca Beer Company. By all accounts, the wedding was a huge success, and the large crowds of hung-over guests the next day proved that all the Sips of Sunshine and pours of Sang Noirboth of which were fully consumedwere enjoyed, perhaps too enthusiastically, by almost all in attendance. But it did indicate that, at least in some states and in certain venues, craft beer continues to play second fiddle to wines and champagnes at most weddings. For the beer-loving soon-to-be-married set, there are some refreshing exceptions. Baltimore, MD-based Chefs Expressions love to work with beer and offer hors doeuvres that join a burger slider with a shot of beer, and Blue Plate catering out of Chicago prides itself on finding ways to work with local breweries to add a wow factor for out-of-town guests. Brewers Alley, a Baltimore craft beer staple, offers a Wedding Alt with customizable labels, while Albany, NY-based C.H. Evans Brewing Company has a beer trailer ready to be pulled up to your wedding reception. Is Rhode Island merely mired in legalese that prevents them from cashing in on the wider craft beer craze? Possibly. Brides magazine reported in late 2017 that craft beer bars at weddings were on the rise, while the wedding trend-spotting website Zola.com IDs craft beer selection as the fourth-most popular trend in wedding food and drink in 2018. What beer you can serve at your wedding reception does mostly fall to where you decide to hold the reception. Richs venue accommodated him in ways that eventually erased any frustration they initially encountered when they tried to get local beer added to their menu. Receptions in restaurants, likewise, fall into that same trap of being anchored by whatever alcohol they already servewhich, it should be noted, carries over into wine and spirits as well as craft brew and are typically broken out into three quality levels. Stage your event in a private venue, and you can bring whatever will fit into the trunks of the cars of all the people you can cajole to help. And loads of breweries will host wedding receptions, and possibly work with the bride and groom to make something for the special event. And of course, industrious couples with the right connectionsor enough time to pull it offcan craft signature beers for their wedding. Sufferfest Beer Company got its start when founder Caitlin Landesbergs wanted to serve her own low-gluten beer at their wedding. That said, your craft beer selection might turn off a few lessexposed palates, so consider including a few macro-brews. Theyll probably be gone by the end of the night, and itll save you from seeing your hard-to-source craft beer getting half-consumed by guests who try itand then leave it half-empty for the caterers to clear. As for Sip of Sunshine and its place on the shelves of our local shops? Try as we might, for now it looks like that, like the wedding itself, was a one-time event. The Google Pixel Slate isnt the first Chrome tablet, but its setting new standards for what a Chrome tablet can be. Announced Tuesday at Googles Made By Google Launch event in New York, the Pixel Slate isnt a laptop trying to be a tablet, said Googles Trond Wuellner, or a tablet thats really a phone pretending to be a computer. The Pixel Slate shows how Googles trying to evolve Chrome OS from its original desktop aspirations. The Pixel Slate brings together touch, pen, and voice input in a compact, versatile form factor. The Pixel Slate also looks as gorgeous as an Apple iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S. Weve highlighted below the important specs and most intriguing new features that we know so far. Well update this piece as we learn more about the Pixel Slate. Google The Google Pixel Slates purchase price includes three free months of YouTube TV. Accessory pricing is also shown here. The Pixel Slate will be available later this year, according to Google, shipping first to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The starting price for the Pixel Slate will be $599, and its purchase will include three free months of YouTube TV. The feature options vary widely, and the most expensive Pixel Slate will start at $1,599. You can join the waitlist at Googles Pixel Slate product page. There will be two optional accessories for the Pixel Slate. The Pixel Slate Keyboard (more on that below) will cost $199, and has a waitlist you can join on its product page. The Pixelbook Pen, which was introduced last year with the Pixelbook, is already available in the new midnight blue color to match the Pixel Slate (as well as its original silver color) and costs $99 from GoogleRemove non-product link. Pixel Slate specs CPU: Intel Celeron, or Core m3, i5, or i7 Memory: 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB Weight: 1.6 pounds (tablet only) Dimensions: 11.45 x 7.95 x 0.27 inches Battery: The 48Wh battery is rated to last up to 12 hours. In addition, it can fast-charge to get up to two hours of use from 15 minutes of charging. Pixel Slate design Google The thin, 12.3-inch Google Pixel Slate has an aluminum chassis in a distinctive midnight blue color. The Pixel Slates aluminum case features curved corners and a distinctive midnight-blue color. Its light, thin, and has a balanced center of gravity, Google says, so its comfortable to hold in your hands. The display uses Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The dual front-firing speakers are designed to project toward the user. Google also says it tuned the sound algorithms to avoid the tinny sound typical of speakers on mobile devices. Pixel Imprint fingerprint reader Google The Google Pixel Slate has a fingerprint reader, called Google Imprint, incorporated into the power button. Weve already seen fingerprint readers on laptops and phones. The Pixel Slate gets one, too, called Pixel Imprint. Incorporated into the power button, it will allow you to log into your Pixel Slate without having to type in your Google account password. Pixel Slate cameras The dual 8MP cameras on the Pixel Slate deserve their own section because theyre not just cameras. Google incorporated machine learning algorithms so the cameras can help you take better photos and even weed out the subpar snaps. The front camera, called the Duo Cam, features a wide-angle lens so you can fit everyone into the picture for video chats or group selfies. Its also tuned to take better images in low-light conditions (such as indoors). Google The Google Pixel Slates 8MP front camera has a wide-angle leans so you can fit the whole gang into the video chat. Pixel Slate Molecular Display We know Google knows how to make a beautiful screen, whether its on the Pixelbook or preceding Chromebook Pixel, or on the Pixel phones. The Pixel Slate has Googles new Molecular Display. Google The Pixel Slates Molecular Display boasts 293 ppi and 6 million pixels. It measure 12.3 inches diagonally and boasts 293 pixels per inch (ppi), for a total of 6 million pixels. Thanks to the thin bezels on the Pixel Slate, the display takes up 80 percent of the devices front surface area. Pixel Slate Keyboard Google The Pixel Slate keyboard features round, backlit Hush Keys that are also designed to be quiet. The optional Pixel Slate Keyboard attaches to the Pixel Slate to serve as a keyboard as well as a stand and cover. The folio back allows the Pixel Slate to recline to various angles (but not lie flat), or cover the tablet for safe storage in transit. The full-size keyboard features round, backlit Hush Keys, which, as you might guess, are designed to be quiet. Theres also a large trackpad. Google The Pixel Slate Keyboard also supports the Pixel Slate tablet in various angles of recline. Chrome OS tuned for touch and for you Google is also using the Pixel Slate to show off new Chrome OS capabilities. Wuellner said Chrome OS could offer both desktop-like and touch-optimized experiences, depending on how youre using it. The Pixel Slate will also be able to run developer tools and full Linux applications. Google The Google Pixel Slate will show off new features for Google Assistant, so you can talk through even more ways for it to help you. The Pixel Slates Chrome OS has a new priority, too: You. The launcher has been redesigned to suggest the apps youre most likely to use next. Do Not Disturb and Nightlight features help you reduce distraction and tune out at the right times. The Pixel Slate will also show off new Google Assistant capabilities: Youll be able to use it to find restaurants, write emails for you, or fetch your favorite show for streaming. Check out Googles Pixel Slate blog post for more information. Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Well, you can't blame us for trying. With Gov. Tom Wolf in the hot seat on Monday for an endorsement interview with the PennLive/Patriot-News Editorial Board, we figured what the heck, let's ask him to do another debate with Republican rival Scott Wagner. The answer was a polite, but firm, 'No thank you,' from Pennsylvania's chief executive. "The campaign has run five-and-a-half months," Wolf told the board. "I have done my best to do as robus a job as I can to get my positions and values out, to make sure that people know what I have done." When he was asked whether voters deserved another bite at the apple, given that last week's face-off with Wagner, moderated by "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek, was something of a train wreck, Wolf again gave us the "No gracias." "I'm not sure what the magic is about another formatted debate," he said. "I think the key is make sure that people make the informed decision that we need them to make." Team Wagner, meanwhile, blasted out a press release reprinting comment from about a dozen news organizations and their editorial boards (including this one) criticizing the lack of public meetings between the two candidates. "Pennsylvania demands another debate," the release blared. But, to naught. In an email this morning, Wagner's spokesman, Andrew Romeo, blasted Wolf. "Tom Wolf is a coward, plain and simple. Pennsylvanians are embarrassed to have a governor that is too soft to stand on a debate stage and explain his tax hiking record and second term agenda in a forum where he can actually be cross examined," Romeo said. The lack of respect Tom Wolf is showing the people of Pennsylvania will backfire at the polls." Perhaps hoping to mollify us some, Wolf added that editorial board meetings are "helpful for voters to hear what the candidates are saying." Which is a nice gesture, and we appreciated the quality time. But it's still a tad disappointing, but entirely unsurprising, that Wolf decided to pooh-pooh our request. But as they say in the biz, the only question you regret is the one you don't ask. So there you have it. The rest of the day's news starts now. In western Pa., congressional candidates Conor Lamb (D) and Keith Rothfus (R) debated and managed to avoid running to extremes, The Post-Gazette reports. In Lancaster County's 11th District, Republican U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker faced Democratic opponent Jess King and things got heated, LancasterOnline reports. And out in Erie, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly faced Democrat Ron DiNicola on the debate, stage, The Erie Times-News reports. Anyway ... Republican Scott Wagner, who never served in the military, is out with a new ad criticizing Gov. Tom Wolf ... for never serving in the military, and for trying to avoid service in Vietnam. Wolf served in the Peace Corps, an admittedly divisive, but not uncommon choice during that era. During the spring campaign, Wagner lambasted then-rival Paul Mango, an Army vet, for receiving a 'free education' at West Point. Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a car bill for consumers that only car dealers could love, The Inquirer reports. Starbucks is opening a new outlet in West Philadelphia to try improve its relationship in cities, BillyPenn reports. For the trainspotters among you, here's your #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day: Increasingly expensive special education costs are falling to local school districts and taxpayers, WHYY-FM reports. There are so many adorable beagles in this Morning Call story that your head might explode. You're welcome. Republican Scott Wagner complains in a new email that he's 'tapped out' and can't self-fund anymore, PoliticsPA reports. Looking at the topography of the U.S. House, Politico finds that 209 seats are in falling into Democratic hands - that's nine shy of the 218 needed for a majority. Roll Call profiles one of the vanishing breed of congressional Blue Dog Democrats. What Goes On (Nakedly Political Edition). 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast for Rep. Doyle Heffley 8 a.m.: Breakfast for Pa. House candidate Torren Ecker 8 a.m.: Breakfast for Pa. Senate candidate Judy Ward 11 a.m.: Luncheon for Rep. Tim O'Neal 5:30 p.m.: Reception for Rep. Ed Neilson 6 p.m.: Reception for Rep. Jim Marshal Heavy Rotation. Here's a bit of extended Bob Marley to get your morning going. And now you're up to date. It was only after the high-speed police chase ended that cops say they found the 13-year-old boy in the suspect's getaway car. As WPXI in Pittsburgh reports, police in Greensburg initiated the chase when the suspect's car was spotted by an officer without its lights on around 3:30 a.m. Monday. The officer checked the plate and found it didn't belong to the vehicle. That's when the office hit the lights to pull over the suspect vehicle, but it sped away, instead, prompting a 5-mile chase, according to WPXI, which adds: "They were speeding, going through red lights and weaving down the highway. Luckily, it was 3:30 in the morning so traffic was minimal," Capt. Robert Stafford, of the Greensburg Police Department, told WPXI. Police pursued the car until it crashed into a telephone pole. The two men inside, David Steath Jr. and Ramon Williams the III, were wanted on warrants out of Allegheny County. But there was a third person in the suspect vehicle -- a 13-year-old boy in the back seat of the car, police say. There was no immediate word on who the boy was or why he was in the vehicle. No one was seriously injured in the crash, police say. Police tell WPXI they found a driver's license and gun belonging to someone else in the car. Additional charges are pending against the pair. Editor's note: Updated with the 11 p.m. coordinates from the National Hurricane Center. MIAMI -- Hurricane Michael gained new strength Monday and is expected to keep growing stronger ahead of an expected midweek strike on Florida's Panhandle, forecasters said. Michael could become a major hurricane with winds topping 111 mph (178 kph) by Tuesday night before the anticipated landfall Wednesday on the Panhandle or Big Bend, according to the National Hurricane Center. Since the storm will spend two to three days over the Gulf of Mexico, which has very warm water temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions, "there is a real possibility that Michael will strengthen to a major hurricane before landfall," Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the Miami-based storm forecasting hub, wrote in an advisory. This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a view of Tropical Storm Michael, lower right, churning as it heads toward the Florida Panhandle, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, at 6:52 p.m. Eastern Time. Michael's large size, strong winds and heavy rains could produce hazardous flooding along a stretch of Florida's Gulf coast with many rivers and estuaries where seawater pushed ashore by a hurricane could get trapped, said Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham. "This is a part of the Gulf of Mexico that is incredibly vulnerable to storm surge," Graham said. Parts of Florida's curvy Big Bend could see up to 12 feet (3.5 meters) of storm surge, while Michael also could dump up to a foot (30 centimeters) of rain over some Panhandle communities as it moves inland, forecasters said. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents of barrier islands, mobile homes and low-lying coastal areas in Gulf, Wakulla and Bay counties. In a Facebook post Monday, the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office said no shelters would be open because Wakulla County shelters were rated safe only for hurricanes with top sustained winds below 111 mph (178 kph). With Michael's winds projected to be even stronger than that, Wakulla County residents were urged to evacuate inland. READ MORE: Pa. may get hit with another tropical drenching before fall weather finally arrives late week "This storm has the potential to be an historic storm, please take heed," the sheriff's office said in the post. A large mound of sand in Tallahassee was whittled down to a small pile within hours Monday as residents filled sandbags to prepare for potential flooding. A couple breweries in the city offered free filtered water to anyone bringing in growlers, jugs or other containers. "All indications are that it's going to be severe," said City Commissioner Gil Ziffer, adding that if the storm hits Florida's capital, there would be significant tree damage and power outages. "Hopefully we will have no one hurt and no loss of life." Two years ago, Hurricane Hermine knocked out power for days in Tallahassee and caused widespread flooding as it came up through the Gulf Coast. Ann Beaver was among the three-quarters of city residents who lost power after that storm. She was preparing Monday for a similar experience. "I don't want to lose everything in the freezer, but it is what is," said Beaver as she loaded sandbags into her family's pickup truck. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, had planned to campaign in South Florida on Monday and Tuesday, but he said he would return to the city to help with storm preparations. Florida State University and Leon County schools canceled classes from Tuesday through Friday. Farther west along Florida's Panhandle, the city of Pensacola tweeted to residents, "Be sure you have your emergency plan in place." By 11 p.m. Monday, Michael's top sustained winds were around 90 mph as it headed north at 12 mph. Steady to rapid strengthening is forecast during the next day or so. READ MORE: What are the names of the hurricanes that have been retired, and is Florence next? The storm was centered about 30 miles (45 kilometers) off the western tip of Cuba, and about 450 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the storm's center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. Michael was lashing western Cuba late Monday morning with heavy rains and strong winds, according to the hurricane center. Forecasters warned that the storm could produce up to a foot of rain in western Cuba, potentially triggering flash floods and mudslides in mountainous areas. Florida Gov. Rick Scott has issued an order for a state of emergency for 35 counties, from the Panhandle through to Tampa Bay, freeing up resources and activating 500 members of the Florida National Guard. He urged residents to quickly wrap up final storm preparations Monday, calling it a "monstrous storm" with great destructive potential. He also waived tolls in a move to help coastal dwellers leave. Also Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey in neighboring Alabama signed an emergency declaration for her entire state, in anticipation of widespread power outages, wind damage and heavy rain. Aside from causing power outages, flooding and property damage, Michael could also worsen a toxic algae bloom that has plagued Florida's beaches for a year. The red tide in the Gulf of Mexico off southwest Florida that began last October after Hurricane Irma swept up the state has killed massive amounts of marine life and caused respiratory irritations in people. The bloom has spread to Florida's Panhandle and the Miami area. ___ Jennifer Kay and Gary Fineout Associated PressFineout reported from Tallahassee, Florida. A Palmyra man is accused of sexually assaulting a girl from the time she was 10 years old until five years later, the Lebanon County District Attorney's office said Monday. Lebanon County District Attorney David J. Arnold Jr., charged Michael Cassatt, 32, with rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors, the office announced. Police believe Cassatt first sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl in 2013, then continued abusing and sexually assaulting her until July 2018. The assaults occurred in a residence on Horseshoe Pike in Palmyra, police said. Cassatt was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Carl Garver and placed in the Lebanon County Correctional Facility on $150,000 bail. ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- The other heel has dropped at the Miss America Organization, which had endured a revolt by dozens of states this summer against the national leadership of the pageant headed by former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. The crowning of the latest Miss America took place last month with the pageant's national leadership largely silent on the calls for their resignation from many states. But now the national organization is undertaking a purge of rebellious state officials, terminating the licenses of four states, threatening about 15 with probation -- and thanking others whose officials stood by the national leadership in the first Miss America pageant without a swimsuit competition. States whose licenses are terminated must replace current leaders. They can request an appeal hearing from Miss America's executive committee. The Miss America Organization would not say how it decided which states to terminate and which to threaten with probation, issuing a statement to The Associated Press that read, in its entirety, "The process regarding Miss America state licensees is confidential." State officials say their dissatisfaction stemmed not from the elimination of swimsuits, but by the way Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper ran the organization since taking over in January. Georgia and West Virginia are among states that were notified in recent days that their state licenses are being terminated, Paul Perkins, a lawyer representing both states, told The Associated Press. And a Pennsylvania state pageant official, Chet Welch, confirmed his state has gotten a termination notice as well. One other state also has been terminated, according to state officials and a former national board member, but its officials did not respond to messages seeking comment Monday. Other states have been asked to explain -- in writing -- why they acted as they did in the run-up to the pageant. "They are upset, but now they are scared, too," said Jennifer Vaden Barth, a former national board member and a former Miss North Carolina. "This just validates why people are upset and why they felt the need to speak out in the first place." A state organization that has its license terminated can no longer claim to be affiliated with the Miss America Organization and must, among other things, turn over bank accounts with scholarship money to the national organization. Vaden Barth formed a GoFundMe account called the Miss America Organization Leadership Change Fund that has raised over $22,000 to help states defend themselves and advocate for new leadership at the top. When this year's pageant was held last month, 46 of the 51 state pageant organizations (the District of Columbia is included) had called on the two to resign, along with 23 former Miss Americas. It followed the release of a remarkable letter from the outgoing Miss America, Cara Mund, in which she said she had been marginalized and bullied by top pageant leaders. An investigation commissioned by the Miss America Organization found no evidence to back up that claim, but investigators did not interview Mund for the report, which was issued the day after the most recent pageant was held. Carlson, who was Miss America 1989, and Hopper depict the opposition as a "noisy minority" resistant to change, particularly one as large as the elimination of the pageant's swimsuit competition. But many state officials say their opposition is rooted in a lack of transparency and communication from national leaders, and does not involve the swimsuit decision. This is the ninth in a series of veterans reflections, part of the 100 Years of Heroes package that will run through Veterans Day. In her more than 20 years in the Army, Myra Fields-Rouse saw first-hand the dark underbelly of the military. Fields-Rouse experienced racism, sexism and even sexual assault. Born and raised in a military home, Fields-Rouse had the tough emotional armor that helped her through those difficult times. After multiple deployments, including during Desert Storm, Rouse is now channeling her strength to help other veterans. She is a Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator with the Philadelphia Veterans Court, and works to ensure veterans - in particular women - get the help and services due to them. In spite of the gender and race progress that has distinguished the armed forces from other sectors of the U.S. workforce, she says equality can still be elusive. "It's amazing what stands out when you sign a contract ... when you join," Fields-Rouse said. "You don't sign up and say, 'I'm female soldier.' You sign up to defend the Constitution of this country. There's nothing on gender, but a lot of time they forget. You get treated like a second-class citizen. It's really bad." Fields-Rouse says that even in spite of the cultural #MeToo movement, women in the military still contend with sexism, sexual trauma and an underlying outlook that still views women on a subordinate level from men. Fields-Rouse enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1985, and was promoted quickly and recommended for officer candidate school. She was the only black female in her class. "It was very rough," she recalls. She didn't get commission right away and that troubled her. "It seemed like a lot of men were able to get their commission," she says. Fields-Rouse eventually joined the Army and used her military benefits to put herself through school, earning an undergraduate and master's degree. During her time in the service she rose to the rank of captain. Deployments to places like Kabul, Afghanistan gave her an appreciation for the dangers of military service. Fields-Rouse was injured while evacuating a bunker during an air raid. She lost her footing and fell hard injuring her back. She was unable to walk for two weeks. To this day, she suffers from chronic back pain. She suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and the trauma of sexual assault. She was sexually assaulted during one of her deployments. Her combat experience, she says, transformed her. "It's amazing that when you go overseas . . . or even to be on an installation stateside . . . to worry about staying alive and worrying about staying safe from your counterparts, it's just crazy," Fields-Rouse said. "A lot of things occurred that people don't think about, but they did." Today, as an advocate for veterans she is determined to help others negotiate the hurdles that come with emotional and physical injuries, the opioid epidemic and the societal obstacles of sexism and racism. "I want to make sure people are able to stand back on their feet and become productive citizens," she said. "That they are not throwaways." She continues to focus on helping women, which make up the largest growing segment of the military. "Women can be capable of serving this country . . . they love their country and their service, but there's a lot that needs to be corrected," Fields-Rouse says. Editor's note: If you are a Pa. veteran or know of one who has a story to tell, contact Paul Vigna at 717-255-8404 or send an email to pvigna@pennlive.com. Read more: By Mark Janus and Keith Williams When the U.S. Supreme Court restored the constitutional rights of government employees in its recent Janus v. AFSCME decision, we were thrilled. For us, this was no mere academic exercise or legal nuance; the ruling was personal. For years, we were among the millions of government workers forced to give part of every paycheck to a government union as a condition of working in public service. The unions used our money to fund their policy and political agenda, with which we strongly disagreed. The reason we went into public service careers - Mark, as an Illinois child support specialist and Keith as a Pennsylvania teacher - was to make a difference in kids' lives; we were never interested in bankrolling political government unions. Then, in June, the U.S. Supreme Court restored our rights to free speech and freedom of association. For the first time in more than 40 years, government workers have a voice and a choice when it comes to unions at their workplace. The ruling affects more than 5 million government workers in America, including 330,000 in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, not all welcomed this victory for workers' rights. Gov. Tom Wolf described Janus as "a major step backward." National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen Garcia said the court's restoration of workers' constitutional rights was "a blatant slap in the face." Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees, called the decision an "unprecedented and nefarious political attack." Their reactions are unsurprising. Many politicians have a financial incentive to support union leaders and oppose giving workers a choice. For example, Wolf has received more than $10 million in political support from state and national government unions since 2013, according to campaign finance records. Politicians fear that if enough workers choose to leave their union, the torrent of political money will dry up. How do government workers feel about the ruling? A survey conducted by Lloyd Corder of Carnegie Mellon University asked hundreds of public-sector union members for their take on the Janus decision. Of those polled, 71 percent were aware of the decision and its implications. A majority - 51 percent - defied their leadership and united in support of Janus. While union leadership and their political allies might be surprised by these results, workers like us weren't; we've known for years that the rift between union executives and workers has escalated into a full-blown schism. Meanwhile, government workers across the country have begun exercising their newly-restored rights. The survey shows 6 percent of workers have stopped paying union fees, and another 25 percent are planning to do so. Why are unions unpopular with their own members? Here's one example: All public school teachers in Pittsburgh are represented by a teachers' union - but not a single classroom teacher today ever voted for this union to represent them. The union was elected, or "certified," to represent Pittsburgh teachers 45 years ago! The same issue is prevalent across the country. The Janus decision represents a breakthrough for workers' rights. In fact, we both believe so strongly in empowering workers to exercise these rights that we recently left our government jobs to serve as advocates at nonprofits dedicated to ensuring government workers are informed about and equipped to act on their Janus rights. Despite pushback from government union-backed politicians, we're happy to report that legislators are moving to protect workers from further coercion. Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Kate Klunk, R-York, ensures new workers and non-union members are aware they can't be forced to pay a union. The bill also eliminates now-outdated regulations that conflict with the Janusruling and prevents government unions from collecting fees they are no longer entitled to. Other pending bills would roll back policies that keep workers trapped in union membership for the term of a years-long contract and would allow workers to regularly vote on what union represents them. Proposals like these will ensure that the constitutional rights most Americans take for granted can finally be acted upon by teachers, first responders, health care workers, and other government employees who've had their voices ignored for far too long. Mark Janus, a former child support specialist from Illinois, was plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME and is now a senior fellow at the Liberty Justice Center. Keith Williams, a former Pennsylvania teacher, is director of outreach at Americans for Fair Treatment, an Oklahoma-based conservative advocacy group. By John Plonski The "Restore Our Parks Act," recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, calls for funding a multi-year program to attack the $11.6 billion deferred maintenance backlog in our national parks as detailed in a 2017 report released by the National Park Service. A similar bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. If it's eventually enacted, the legislation will finance the rebuilding of crumbling roads, deteriorating bridges and time-worn historic buildings in virtually all of the 417 national park sites across America. It will also restore outdated campgrounds, leaking water and sewer systems, and eroding trails. These essential repairs will ease access, ensure public safety and enhance environmental protections. Meanwhile, the projects to get there would provide well-paying jobs in design, construction, and maintenance for thousands of workers. The resultant expected increase in park visitors will stimulate the economies of those towns and counties that serve as national parks' gateways. The nineteen national park sites situated in Pennsylvania account for $300 million of all necessary repairs as listed in the park service's report. Such iconic sites as the Gettysburg National Military Park and Valley Forge National Historical Park account for $92.4 million of the total. The revered Flight 93 National Memorial requires $8.0 million to erase its backlog. And, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, popular with more than three million outdoor enthusiasts annually, adds another $64.1 million to the state's bottom line. Examples such as these can be replicated in every state in the union. From Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the eastern seaboard to Glacier National Park in the mountain west, the list spans the entire country. The Trump administration and Congress may believe addressing the issue of the national parks' backlog is daunting. Indeed, it's been insurmountable for many years now. But, it can be done with enlightened bipartisan leadership. In fact, a similar initiative that took place in Pennsylvania has produced the broad restoration of this state's award-winning state park system. The story of Pennsylvania's success can be a model for our representatives in Washington as they enact a national parks rebuilding program. It began with a meeting of the minds of a new governor and experienced legislators who were determined to address the downgrading of Pennsylvania's public lands. Similar to what we are seeing now nationally, state parks' infrastructure by the mid-1990s had deteriorated to the point where sites were becoming unsafe, unhealthy and unattractive. So, Pennsylvania's political leaders got to work. State senators and representatives from both parties, working hand-in-hand with the administration, devised an infrastructure renewal program that became known as "Growing Greener." The legislation was hugely popular with citizens who wanted their parks brought back to the jewels they once were. The rest is history: over the ensuing eight years, the infrastructure of nearly all of Pennsylvania's 116 state parks was rebuilt or refurbished with generous funding from "Growing Greener." Subsequently, a bond-issue question was put before the voters: should the state continue investment in environmental protection and natural resources? An overwhelming majority voted "Yes!" Since that moment, more than 130 projects have resulted in upgrades to facilities and infrastructure in state parks and nearby forests. In addition, thousands of acres of pristine natural areas have been conserved. This grand accomplishment led to millions of people coming back to state parks to enjoy modern campgrounds, cleaner water, safer roads and bridges, and new access to fishing piers and cabins for those visitors who require physical assistance. This Pennsylvania Model proves that enacting a comprehensive national parks' restoration program can be done. Here's how Washington can do it: first, federal legislators from both sides of the aisle come together to pass a bill that digs deeply into parks' deferred maintenance. Second, the President signs the legislation into law. In the meantime, Pennsylvanians can build momentum by contacting Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R) and Bob Casey (D) to voice their support for the "Restore Our Parks Act." While they're at it, they can also call, email or write their elected officials in the U.S. House of Representatives and urge them to pass the bill that will fix our national parks. Nothing moves an elected official to action more than hearing from thoughtful, engaged constituents. Imagine, then, what can happen when congressional and administration leaders, working collegially, accomplish this nationwide goal: More than 330 million annual visitors to national parks will enjoy the results of hundreds of vital improvement projects. Before long, the constellation of national parks will shine brightly once again. John Plonski, who has visited over 100 national park sites, is the former Executive Deputy Secretary for Pennsylvania's State Park and Forest Systems. He writes from Malvern, Pa. With the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, legal analysts suggest that he could be a deciding vote in overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, and that has ratcheted up interest in the abortion issue in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial contest. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf makes no bones about it. He wants no part of anything that would further restrict a women's access to abortion than what is permitted now in state law. He has vetoed or threatened to veto bills that would have done just that. "This issue is the woman's right to choose. It's about the choices that the person most directly involved makes," he told PennLive/The Patriot-News editorial board on Monday. "If this new court has swung to the right more so now with the Kavanaugh confirmation, if they threaten Roe v. Wade then here in Pa. I will continue to stand as I have done, stand as backstop for any legislation that seeks to interfere with the right of the woman to make whatever choice she feels is appropriate." His Republican challenger Scott Wagner, meanwhile, describes himself as "100 percent pro-life." His record backs that up. He voted in favor of a bill that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks and criminalize a medically accepted method of terminating a pregnancy. He said he would support a bill banning abortion at as early as six weeks or when a fetal heartbeat is heard. He co-sponsored a bill that would ban abortions based solely on a prenatal Down Syndrome diagnoses. Currently in Pennsylvania, women can get an abortion for any reason except for the purpose of gender selection up until the 24th week of a pregnancy and only in certain circumstances after that. The majority of voters seem content with leaving that nearly 30-year-old law alone. Thirty percent of people responding to an August poll by Franklin & Marshall College said abortion should be legal under any circumstance and 54 percent said it should be legal under certain circumstances. Just 15 percent held the view that abortion should be illegal and 1 percent didn't know. Despite the overwhelming support for legalized abortion in at least some situations, F&M political scientist G. Terry Madonna said this issue doesn't rank among the top three or four issues that will affect a voter's decision. If a particular proposal to change the abortion law was in play close to the election, that would be a different story he said. That appears unlikely with so few days left on the Legislature's voting schedule. But pro-choice organizations such as Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Votes aren't taking any chances. They are spending millions to try to defeat Wagner. "Make no mistake. Scott Wagner is a danger to Pennsylvania women and families and he does not deserve to be in the governor's office," said Sari Stevens, executive director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Votes. During Wagner's visit with PennLive/The Patriot-News' editorial board last week, he was asked if he were elected and Roe v. Wade was overturned, whether he would sign a bill to make abortion illegal in all instances in Pennsylvania. "When that is presented to me, I will make that decision," he responded. But his campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo signaled in comments made to Breitbart back in June that Wagner would most likely sign the bill. He said unlike Wolf, who is funded by the likes of Planned Parenthood, "Scott has a strong record standing up for the unborn in the Senate and will sign pro-life legislation as governor." Moreover, Wagner said in a statement in January when the March for Life was held, "Senseless, elective abortions stand contrary to every principle that makes America great. And we need to come together to stop as many abortions as we can.... I promise that protecting life will always be one of my guiding principles." In the spring primary contest when Wagner's abortion stance came under attack, it drew a pointed response from the Pennsylvania Pro-life Federation defending Wagner's pro-life voting record. A message left last week at the federation's Harrisburg office for further comment was not returned. Given his record, pro-choice supporters see Wagner as a threat to women's access to abortion services and are mobilizing forces to re-elect Wolf. "Governor Tom Wolf will continue to be the last line of defense against attacks on women's health in Pennsylvania especially after Donald Trump's nomination of a Supreme Court Justice who supports overturning Roe v. Wade," said Wolf campaign spokeswoman. Beth Melena from his campaign committee. "He will continue to defend a woman's right to make her own health care decisions and support organizations like Planned Parenthood." That's another area that distinguishes Wolf from his opponent. Wagner opposes taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood. He told the editorial board that the organization should look to private donors for funding. "A lot of people in Pennsylvania have made it clear they do not want taxpayer funds used to fund Planned Parenthood," Wagner said. "There are a lot of wealthy donors out there that donate to those causes." Stevens of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Votes called that idea ludicrous. She said the combination of President Donald Trump and a hostile Pennsylvania governor would put a third of the organizations' funding at risk. That, in turn, would affect the 90,000 women in Pennsylvania that her organization serves annually. "Donations can never fill the reimbursement of services nor should they," Stevens said. "Medicaid, particularly family planning care, saves Pennsylvania taxpayers an unbelievable amount of money because we prevent unintended pregnancies. We detect cervical cancer before it is cervical cancer. We treat [sexually transmitted diseases]. And we help people plan their pregnancies, which are ultimately healthier and therefore, cost the commonwealth less money." Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Ken Krawchuk proposes a "pro-option" solution to defuse the abortion issue. Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Ken Krawchuk, meanwhile, is pro-life but has staked out what he calls a "pro-option" position that he sees as a way to defuse the abortion issue. He proposes allowing pre-natal adoptions. That way a woman who doesn't want her unborn child could sign away rights to the child, making it eligible for adoption. If the woman doesn't want the baby or doesn't want to carry it to term, she could abort it or carry it until labor could safely be induced. Individuals who step forward to adopt the baby would pick the women's medical bills for the delivery. "A lot of babies are aborted for economic reasons," Krawchuk said. "We are guaranteed to reduce the number of abortions and guaranteed to preserve a woman's right to choose." He joins Wagner in opposing funding for Planned Parenthood. "There's no way the government should get involved in supporting abortion. Abortion is murder and to use taxpayers' money to support murder is crazy," Krawchuk said. Green Party candidate Paul Glover's position on abortion and funding for Planned Parenthood more closely resembles Wolf's. He said, "Women have an unqualified right to decide whether they will bear a child. Abortion will be rare when women and men have free access to birth control and family planning, when sex education is taught in public schools rather than in car seats." He added that if Roe v. Wade was overturned, "our state and other states would permit abortion, just as states have defied marijuana laws." *This story has been updated to add Paul Glover's comments. Despite the growing pressure to have Pennsylvania's major party candidates face off in a debate between now and Election Day on Nov. 6, Gov. Tom Wolf is not bending. Wolf, 69, said he is not going to do it. He said he doesn't see what the "magic is of a formatted debate." Instead, the Democratic incumbent governor told PennLive/The Patriot-News' editorial board on Monday that he will convey his message through his five-and-a-half-month-long campaign. "During that five and a half month period, I will have done my best to make sure I do as robust a job as I can, as active a job as I can to get my positions, my values out so when Election Day comes the people will know exactly where I stand and what I might do, and in fact, in my case, what I have done," he said. Wolf's bid for a second four-year term is being challenged by Republican Scott Wagner, Green Party candidate Paul Glover and Libertarian Ken Krawchuk. The only face-to-face encounter Wolf and Wagner have had took place at last week's Chamber dinner with "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek who did most of the talking and left little time for the candidates to distinguish themselves on issues. Wolf, who formerly owned the Wolf Organization, a cabinet and building supply business, said if re-elected, he will continue to live in his family home in Mount Wolf. He also will continue to donate his full salary to charity as he has done since taking office in January 2015. Other topics covered in his conversation with the editorial board included among others, his running mate John Fetterman, liquor reform, legalizing marijuana, the prospect of a broad-based tax increase, and whether he will revisit an early retirement offer for state employees. On his running mate: Aside from both growing up in York County and both having no hair on the top of their heads, Wolf said he and his running mate John Fetterman share a common view about the need for government to play a more supportive role in making the lives of Pennsylvanians' better. Fetterman came to realize that after serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Allegheny County, helping students earn their GEDs, Wolf said. As for himself, he came to realize that through the leadership roles he served in York County community organizations including the United Way, the chamber, and York College of Pennsylvania. "I recognized that there's certain things we need to do together. That's why we need a Democratic elected governor," Wolf said. Wolf described his running mate as a bright, energetic, and thoughtful man. As for the role Fetterman would play in his administration, he said that hasn't been determined yet beyond the constitutionally required roles of the lieutenant governor as president of the Senate and chairing the Board of Pardons. "I look forward to sitting down and having a focused conversation if and when we win this" and deciding how to delegate decision-making responsibility, Wolf said. Legalizing recreational marijuana: Don't look to Wolf to jump on board this train, at least not yet. While he ran four years ago on decriminalizing possession of recreational marijuana, he said, "At this point I'm not ready to sign or promote legislation that legalizes it." Wolf told the editorial board he wants to see what the experiences are of the states that now number nine plus District of Columbia that have legalized recreational marijuana. He noted each seems to be approaching it in different ways, how they tax it, how they regulate it. "I think we can learn a lot from that," he said. "It'd be very prudent to see what their experiences are." Liquor reform: One of the accomplishments from Wolf's first term that he touts is changing the state's antiquated liquor laws in 2016 to allow for the sale of wine and beer in grocery stores. As for whether he is up for liberalizing the state's liquor laws to say, allow for liquor to be sold in places other than state stores, he said he wants to give it more time to see how the more convenient beer and wine sales works. "Whatever you think about the system in Pennsylvania, it is owned by the people of Pennsylvania and we need to be responsible stewards of that asset," he said. "I will continue to do what I've tried to do if I get another four years: to make that asset as productive and valuable as it can be." As for selling off the system, Wolf stopped well short of going there. "Simply liquidating and giving it away is irresponsible from the point of view of the citizens of Pennsylvania who own this," he said. "Whether I like it or not, I am a guardian of that asset and I don't think it's my job to fritter it away." Will the sales or income tax rates rise? Wolf shied away from making a commitment about not increasing either of those broad-based tax rates if re-elected. But he did say, "I don't have any plans to do that." Early retirement offer for state employees: Last year, Wolf proposed the idea of an early retirement program for state government employees but it never went anywhere much to many state workers' chagrin. Now, Wolf said he sees no need to offer one. He said the state government workforce got thinned out on its own through attrition. "That seems to have worked well," Wolf said. "Operating expenses are fairly flat." He pointed to the merger of the Department of Corrections and Board of Probation and Parole and having agencies share human resource and information technology functions as examples of ways he has streamlined state government. He was less successful in getting the Legislature to go along with his proposal last year to combine the departments of aging, human services, drug and alcohol programs, and health in an effort to make it easier for people to navigate those government services and streamline operations. "One reason we were able to put money in the Rainy Day Fund and I hope to do it again this fiscal year is because we've been looking for ways to make government work more efficiently, not slash and burn that I think is traditional in politics ... but look for strategic ways to make government work better," Wolf said. *This post has been updated to correct Gov. Wolf's response about the possibility of a broad-based tax increase. Antonio Brown told police on April 23 that $80,000 and a 9mm handgun were missing from his Florida apartment, according to a report by TMZ. The report was filed by the Steelers' wide receiver one day before police were called to the same apartment complex where Brown was throwing furniture and vases from his 14th-floor apartment, according to a lawsuit filed in August. Brown had returned from an 11-day trip to find $80,000 cash was missing from a tote bag he had hidden in his closet, TMZ reported. According to the report: Cops obtained surveillance video which showed a cleaning crew entering Brown's place on April 13. Cops found the women who said they had been hired and authorized by someone claiming to be Brown's representative. The women denied taking the cash and the gun -- and insinuated it could have been other people who were in the house in the days before Brown left for his trip. The next morning, Brown tossed the items out of his 14th-floor apartment "in a fit of rage," according to the suit. The vases nearly struck the 22-month-old boy and his grandfather, who were walking near the complex's pool, the suit claims. According to the lawsuit, the toddler was "severely traumatized by the incident, crying for hours on end the day it occurred and was unable to sleep that night." Brown was not arrested for the incident, police said. Police were called to the apartment complex again on April 25, when Brown said his black Rolls-Royce was stolen, TMZ reports. However, when they arrived, Brown said he found the car before closing the door in their faces, according to the report. Antonio Brown theft police report by PennLive on Scribd Pittsburgh Steelers' star receiver Antonio Brown threw furniture and vases out of a high-rise apartment, nearly hitting a toddler, according to a lawsuit filed in Florida. Brown tossed the items out of his 14th-floor apartment "in a fit of rage" on the morning of April 24, according to the suit. The vases nearly struck the 22-month-old boy and his grandfather, who were walking near the complex's pool, the suit claims. "These large and heavy objects could have killed Plaintiff or his grandfather had they fallen just a foot or two to the left or right," the suit states. Brown, who was "extremely agitated," yelled at security personnel, the suit claims, adding that local police arrived on the scene and can verify the accusations in the suit. The plaintiff, Amnon Sternberg, is a toddler, and the suit was filed on his behalf by his father, Ophir Sternberg, on Aug. 16. The incident occurred in April, the suit states. According to the lawsuit, the toddler was "severely traumatized by the incident, crying for hours on end the day it occurred and was unable to sleep that night." "Since that day, Plaintiff has exhibited symptoms of fear and anxiety, having night terrors every night and waking up numerous times in a panic and crying, when this never occurred prior to the incident," the suit claims. Mike Tomlin says he has no comments on the Antonio Brown lawsuit and knows nothing about it. Jacob Klinger (@Jacob_Klinger_) October 9, 2018 According to the suit: "On April 24, 2018, on or about 10:30 am, Plaintiff, a twenty-two (22) month old child at the time, was walking with his grandfather near the pool at The Mansions at Acqualina ... when large objects started to fall from the building many floors above them and crash to the ground. The lawsuit states that "security personnel investigated this incident and determined that the objects were thrown from the balcony of Unit 1402 by Mr. Brown." The suit states that the objects included "two very large vases, estimated to be over three feet tall each, as well as a large, heavy ottoman and other pieces of furniture ... continued to fall for several minutes ... [and] some of these items fell within a mere feet or two of the Plaintiff and his grandfather." "Apparently, Mr. Brown also caused extensive damage to Unit 1402 in a fit of rage and threw objects over the balcony with blatant disregard to the safety of his neighbors, including Plaintiff," the suit says. "Mr. Brown was extremely agitated, acting aggressively, and yelling at security personnel when the Sunny Isles police arrived to the scene. These events are confirmed by the reports of the Sunny Isles police." The suit is seeking damages in excess of $15,000, which is the minimum amount to file in Miami-Dade County's Circuit Civil court rather than its small claim courts. A separate lawsuit filed against Brown by the apartment building is seeking damages in excess of $15,000, as well. The second suit claims that the receiver breached "his lease agreement" at the multimillion dollar residential ocean-front condominium property "by destroying, damaging, defacing the premises as well as the furnishings, appliances, and other personalty belonging to the Plaintiff, which were located within the leased premises." The Steelers, through a spokesperson, have declined to comment. OPHIR STERNBERG ET AL VS ANTONIO BROWN by PennLive on Scribd AQUALINA 1402 LLC VS ANTONIO BROWN by PennLive on Scribd Health department reports first pediatric COVID-19 death The Health Department of Northwest Michigan reported the first pediatric death due to COVID-19 within its four-county jurisdiction on Friday, Nov. 12. Now Bowen has the unit on the market for $3.75 million. The space has two outdoor patios, which are east- and west-facing, as well as a private 1,500-square-foot rooftop terrace, which has primarily west views but exposure in all four directions. Written by Andrew Jones Think your relationship is pretty good? Chances are, youve got nothing on Heidelbergs Martin and Melissa from MB Cycles. He builds rad bikes and she photographs them. He gives her a rad bike and she rides it. She likes it so much, she sends it to us to see what we think. And hey presto, Martins better half just got him a Pipeburn feature. Heres their latest metallic offspring a bouncing baby brat 87 BMW R80 with more than a few nice surprises. As a wunderkind, Martin thought it would be a good idea to steal his Mums bike and customise it by lengthening the front forks. At 13 he got his first moped. It was a gift and since he didnt have the cash for petrol, he made it run with turpentine and whatever else he could find in the family garage. At 18 and with a new moto licence in his pocket, he dropped a bunch of cash on a fully customed Yamaha XT. But in his 20s he somehow drifted away from two wheels and left his hometown of Miltenberg to move to Heidelberg. Living hippie rough in an old bus, he worked at the Christmas markets every year for a couple of weeks to earn enough money for trips to Burma, Nepal, Thailand and India. During his travels in India, he constantly bumped into all sorts of cool customised Royal Enfields and became a little nostalgic for his two-wheeled teens. Then on his last trip to India (or more specifically, Rajasthan) he bought two Royal Enfields, rebuilt them with the help of some locals and exported them back to Germany where the Department of Employment was very interested as to how an unemployed biker was able to afford to be a motorcycle importer while also receiving government assistance. Why yes Mr Government Bureaucrat, maybe registering my own import moto business would be a good idea Its a small racer, meant for fun, says Mel. We bought it as a complete piece of garbage (except for the motor) from Martins friend at the local moto repair shop. It was abandoned somewhere in his huge garage; there was even hay sticking out of it. I was the inspiration, I guess. I wanted something small, light and easy to handle. Something to run errands or just visit the lake in the summer. Normally I ride a custom HD Sportster and since I am a wimp, its already quite heavy in certain situations. Originally it was a BMW R80 monolever from 1987, but not for long. Soon after it was rescued, the bike was totally ripped apart, including the frame, both wheels, forks and triple trees. Basically, everything was cactus and had to be replaced something that neither Martin or Mel knew beforehand. I started to build the rolling chassis, says Marty, chiming in. I shortened the front fork and cleaned it, then I tossed the original rear frame and replaced it with a handmade update which included the brake light and turn signals. It wasnt easy to find a cool gas tank because nothing really fits on the BMW frame and of course I didnt even think of using the original BMW item its way too huge! Then at a swap meet I found this old KTM tank which of course didnt fit on the frame at all, but I only used it as a shell and totally rebuilt the underside of it. The cool thing about the KTM tank is it has a small compartment to store things in. Like all his bikes, this one definitely ticks the less is more box. Everything that was not needed was removed or minimised including the electrics that were hidden under the gas tank and inside the motors covers. Of course, it was damn hard to be so minimal and to hide things at the same time. [superquote]Then at a swap meet I found this old KTM tankit has a small compartment to store things in.[/superquote] Marty also hid the new battery under the transmission; its case and the mufflers were prototypes from his buddy Markus Walz from Walzwerk Racing. The headers he made himself. The most annoying aspect of the build was continuously finding new things that were broken and needed to be replaced, he bemoans. Sounds a lot like an old girlfriend of mine. What I like best about this bike is that it has a very racy look matched with a very sparse feel. It also feels like riding a very fast bicycle because of its new weight. Normally I focus on v-twin motors mainly Harleys but this was a favor for my girl. And what a favour it was! [ MB Cycles Facebook | Photos by Riders Eyes ] The Royal Danish Ballets Ballet Festival in Copenhagen this June could have doubled as a showcase for corps dancer Liam Redhead, 23. On opening night, Redhead demonstrated his Bournonville mettle with a floating ballon and effortless charisma in Napolis Act I ballabile. Then he delivered dazzling jumps as the Jester in artistic director Nikolaj Hubbes Swan Lake, and later unleashed visceral power in Akram Khans Vertical Road. Redhead in The Nutcracker. Photo by Henrik Stenberg, Courtesy RDB. Trained in tap, jazz and hip hop in his hometown of North Bay, Ontario, Redhead joined Canadas National Ballet School at 12. The turning point came two years later, when he was cast as Billy Elliot on Broadway. All of a sudden I had to perform at a high level, regardless of how I was feeling that day, he says. It whetted his appetite for a professional dance career, and after graduating from NBS, he joined RDB in 2014. Mastering the Danish style (and learning the language) is an ongoing process, but Redhead thrives on the challenge, and on the varied rep. I feel the most stimulated and fulfilled when Im pushing myself, he says. 4.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The Republican theory that Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court will help them in the upcoming midterm elections took another hit on Monday as new polling shows just the opposite is true. According to CNN, female opposition to the Republican push to confirm Kavanaugh shot up by double digits since last month, from 42 percent to 55 percent. The complete breakdown of CNNs survey shows how Kavanaughs unpopularity has surged among all groups except, of course, for self-identified Republicans. Americans overall also believe Kavanaughs accusers over him: All told, 52% of Americans say they believe the women accusing Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct over the judges denials of those accusations (38% said they believed him more than the women), CNN reported. MSNBCs Ari Melber discussed the GOP problem with women voters on Monday and explained how the Kavanaugh confirmation has only energized them more with less than a month until the midterms. The Beat host said: Female voters in battleground House races they prefer Democrats, and that trend has been accelerating all the way since 2016. The blue line, rising for Dems. The red line dropping for Rs. More women basically walking away from the Republican party. Kavanaughs confirmation also has the organized women groups focusing energy on efforts to promote more Democratic candidates in targeted midterm races and thats happening. A record number of women are running and winning in the House and Senate primaries that weve been tracking that have already occurred this year. Trumps support from women is also sinking fast Another troubling sign for Trump and Republicans is that the presidents approval rating among women is deep in the cellar following the Kavanaugh fiasco. According to CNN, a stunning 62 percent of women do not believe Trump is doing a good job as president. Only 31 percent approve of his performance. If Trump doesnt turn that number around, its hard to imagine a scenario in which he can win a national election in 2020. Trump approval rating by gender via @CNN > Men: 51% approve, 43% disapprove Women: 31% approve, 62% disapprove Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) October 8, 2018 At the end of the day, Trump and his Republican allies in the Senate might still be exchanging high-fives over Kavanaughs confirmation, but it could prove to be a nightmare for them in the midterm elections. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. 2.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard While Republicans take a victory lap over the confirmation of an accused sexual predator that the majority of the country doesnt support, Joy Reid warned them that evidence against Brett Kavanaugh could jeopardize his position on the United States Supreme Court. From the thousands of unreleased documents from Kavanaughs time in the Bush administration to the possibility of more accusers coming forward, the new Supreme Court justice is still not out of the woods. In other words, itll take more than a sham FBI investigation to keep the truth under wraps. We really do not have a road map for how to handle the prospect of a Supreme Court justice with so many outstanding complaints or potential complaints against him, Reid said on Monday. Video: Joy Reid explained why we are in uncharted territory when it comes to Kavanaughs Supreme Court seat: This particular Supreme Court nomination has left a lot of loose ends hanging. There are thousands, if not millions, of documents related to Brett Kavanaughs time in the George W. Bush White House that the Senate and the public never got to see. More of those documents will be released, and even more will be foiad over time, and more evidence may emerge that Kavanaugh lied under oath about his activities during that time. Weve also learned that Chief Justice John Roberts has received more than a dozen judicial misconduct complaints against Kavanaugh passed along by a judge on the D.C. Court of appeals where Kavanaugh was a judge until this weekend. We dont know what if anything may become of those complaints now that Kavanaugh is the chief justices colleague. And The New Yorkers Ronan Farrow, who broke the story of Kavanaugh accuser Deborah Ramirez, hinted this weekend there might be more accusers yet to share their stories of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh. We really do not have a road map for how to handle the prospect of a Supreme Court justice with so many outstanding complaints or potential complaints against him. How will such complaints be adjudicated if and when they come to light? So thats one thing to keep in mind as we go forward. We are in completely uncharted territory right now. The truth will eventually come out, even if Republicans dont want it to The White House may have forced the FBI to run a sham investigation that cleared Kavanaugh of any wrongdoing, but there is plenty of documentary evidence yet to be released. As Reid pointed out on Monday, these documents could provide evidence of what most of us already knew: Kavanaugh lied under oath during his Senate testimony. Not to mention the fact that more accusers could potentially break their silence over Kavanaugh. Republicans may be celebrating now, but sticking with Kavanaugh could be a dire mistake as more evidence and allegations are likely to surface. That wont only put a permanent cloud over Brett Kavanaughs Supreme Court seat, but it will inflict severe political damage on the Republican majority that confirmed him. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. 291 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Bernie Sanders is on a battleground tour to help Democratic candidates in the November elections and he may make a big difference in close races. Sanders has a full October travel schedule, and this is his longest stretch of campaigning since he stopped his 2016 presidential campaign. He is going to many states, including Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada, where there are very important early primaries or caucuses on the 2020 presidential election calendar. Sanders has not decided yet is he is going to launch another campaign for president in 2020. Hes expected to announce his decision in just a few months. The results of his upcoming tour will probably influence his decision on whether to run or not. According to the Associated Press, Sanders barnstorming tour will allow him to test the durability of the left-leaning coalition he assembled in 2016 and build relationships with elected officials who could serve as allies should he run again. Jeff Weaver, Sanders 2016 campaign manager, had this to say about what the Vermont senator is doing: He wanted to go where he thinks he can be helpful in energizing the base and bringing in young people and independent voters and working-class voters who supported him. His message has reached across the Democratic base and positions him well were he to decide to run in the primary but also in the general election as the candidate who can best beat Trump. Weaver made clear that his former boss has no timeline or deadline for making a decision on 2020. He also said that he will focus on who he thinks is best able to defeat President Donald Trump, which is every Democrats top priority. The 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries are expected to be very wide-open contests. The early buzz favors such party stalwarts as Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California. A front runner in early Democratic polling is former Vice President Joe Biden, a true elder statesman for the party. In addition to those big names many other members of Congress, governors and mayors have expressed an interest. Even Stormy Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti and multi-billionaire Michael Bloomberg may throw their hats in the ring. Sanders has built goodwill by continuing to promote his progressive agenda of free college tuition, a $15 hourly minimum wage and a Medicare for all health care program for all Americans. He believe this platform, and his passion in promoting it, will win over general-election voters. Many people gave Sanders credit after Amazon announced last week it would raise its wages for its workers to $15 per hour starting next month, and will raise pay for employees who make more than that. According to the AP: The tour kicks off on Oct. 19 in Bloomington, Indiana, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, with rallies and events on behalf of Liz Watson, who is challenging Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Ind., and Gretchen Whitmer, who is running for Michigan governor. Sanders will hold rallies and other events in South Carolina and Iowa on Oct. 20-21, including stops in Iowa in Sioux City, Fort Dodge and Ames on behalf of J.D. Scholten, who is challenging Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. The itinerary will also include rallies in Wisconsin, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and California, spanning a number of competitive races key to Democrats electoral success. He will be campaigning alongside Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin; David Garcia, who faces Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey; Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo.; and Jacky Rosen, who is aiming to unseat Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. Sanders California swing will help Rep. Barbara Lee and two California congressional hopefuls, Ammar Campa-Najjar and Mike Levin. The above schedule makes clear that Bernie Sanders is both very energetic and also very committed to making a difference in this years election, and beyond. He has already traveled to 17 states this year in and to 30 states since the 2016 election. Sanders is also a fundraising powerhouse and he has maintained a list of millions of his supporters that he can use to help raise money for candidates who he endorses. Explaining his reasons for what he is doing, Senator Sanders said: We are clearly in an unprecedented moment in American history, a very, very dangerous moment. We have an unstable president who is a liar, who has very strong authoritarian tendencies. There has been a waking up among the American people, a desire to move this country in a very different direction, a disgust with the movement of this country toward oligarchy. If Bernie Sanders has his way America will soon be going in a very different direction, and he will be the one leading us there. 3.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trumps election has clearly pushed independent and Democratic women into action, resulting in record numbers of women running for office, and huge numbers of women doing political organizing and becoming activists for the first time. It is possible that Trump and the Republican are not alienating just left-leaning and independent women voters though. They may also be alienating Republican women. Some people believe that what current GOP leaders are doing is permanently damaging the partys reputation among women and reducing the number of women in the Republican Party forever. The slow migration of female voters from the GOP to the Democratic Party has been occurring for decades, but it has sped up under Trump. According to a recent article in POLITICO, this moment in American politics might prove a breaking point for women in the GOP. Almost all political pollsters agree that this does not bode well for the Republican Party in this years elections or in the long run. After the votes are all counted after November 6ths elections it is expected that we will find there was a record gender gap between how men and women vote. Many women started voting for Democrats decades ago in response to the civil rights and womens movements. Only more recently did large numbers of GOP women start leaving the Republican Party. According to a study done by the Pew Foundation, in 1994, 42 percent of women and 52 percent of men identified as Republican. By 2017, only 37 percent of women and 48 percent of men still did. In 1994, 48 percent of women and 39 percent of men identified as Democrats but by 2017, those numbers were 56 percent of women and 44 percent of men. After Trump has further alienated women, this means that nearly 60 percent of women now favor Democrats, while just over one-third of women favor Republicans. And this trend is not seen reversing itself any time soon, especially after the Brett Kavanaugh nomination debacle. Because so few women identify as Republicans, headlines that read 84% of GOP Women Support Trump dont mean much since GOP women are such a small part of the total electorate. Gender shifts in party allegiance matter because women vote in higher numbers and at higher rates than men. Nearly 10 million more women than men voted in the 2016 election. About 63% of eligible women actually vote, while just 59% of eligible men actually vote. In an election like this years, women are highly mobilized and motivated which will magnify the effect of the trending gender gap favoring Democrats. Amy Walters from The Cook Political Report recently wrote: The most recent NBC/Wall Street Journal survey found that white college-educated women support a Democrat for Congress by 22 points58 percent to 36 percent. In 2014, they preferred a Democratic Congress by just 2 points. If these trends continue, political scientist Melissa Deckman of Washington College told POLITICO, womens preference for Democrats will be a big contributor to the midterm results. If these trends continue, womens preference for Democrats may affect not only this years midterm results but election results for decades to come. Thanks to Donald Trump and his enablers in the GOP, it appears that tens of millions of American women voters have left the Republican Party forever. 277 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard With Hurricane Michael on a path to devastate 300 miles of northwest Florida coastline tomorrow afternoon, Florida Democrats want the voter registration deadline extended. Michael is bringing to Floridas northern Gulf Coast its most serious hurricane threat in decades, and the National Hurricane Center has said the devastation caused by storm surges may be greater than anything residents there have ever seen before. The storm will make landfall Wednesday as a major category 3 hurricane. Michael is poised to push ashore a life-threatening surge of ocean water 10-12 feet high that will inundate low-lying coastal areas for miles. The storm will also unleash a foot of rain causing flash flooding and destructive winds of over 110 miles per hour. As a result of this expected mayhem, the head of the Florida Democratic Party is asking Florida government officials to allow an unprecedented extension of the voter registration deadline. A formal letter was sent by Florida Democratic Party Chairman Terrie Rizzo to GOP Governor Rick Scott and Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Monday afternoon. In the letter Rizzo requested that Scott and Detzner extend the deadline as hundreds of thousands of Floridians face a potentially disastrous storm. Tuesday is the states deadline for eligible individuals to vote ahead of the elections to be held November 6th. In his letter Rizzo wrote: The impending hurricane will adversely impact the ability of these eligible, but unregistered individuals who may have waited until the last day in order to register to vote. Since most people in northwest Florida have begun evacuating, and since Scott has declared an emergency in 35 Florida counties, Rizzo is concerned that many Floridians voter registrations will be adversely impacted. He added: These individuals may forego registering, in view of your warnings regarding the danger of the storm as well as County evacuations, the need to prepare, and both announced and anticipated evacuation orders. Rizzo also pointed out that government offices were closed on Monday for a holiday, and will also be closed on Tuesday in the counties that are in the path of Michael. He ended his letter by writing: In consideration of these exigencies and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, I would request that you exercise the authority vested in each of you, respectively, under Florida law, including the power vested in the Governor pursuant to Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, to extend the period of time for our citizens to register to vote, as necessary, to permit eligible individuals to register to vote in order to participate in the November 6, 2018 general election. On behalf of all Florida citizens, I would appreciate your favorable action on this request. Florida has important races for governor and U.S. Senator this year. Democrat Andrew Gillum is leading Republican Ron DeSantis in the race for governor, and Democratic Senator Bill Nelson is leading Scott in the U.S. Senate race. Nilsson will appear from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3, signing copies of his latest book, The Nordic Baking Book (a follow-up to his best-selling The Nordic Cookbook). The cocktail reception will include hors doeuvres and other bites, based on Nilssons recipes, prepared by Somerset chefs Lee Wolen, Meg Galus and Alexander Roman. 320 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard On September 30th we reported: The Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court hearings, along with the testimony from his sexual assault accuser Dr. Christine Ford, have generated a windfall of cash for Democratic candidates. ActBlue, an online clearinghouse for Democratic donors, reported that they raised $10 million from small donors on Friday, their highest daily total ever since the site was founded. That was then. And now, the fundraising windfall for Democrats has increased even more. According to a new Axios special report: The Brett Kavanaugh confirmation fight has led to a huge increase in donations to Democrats and groups that support them. Here are the details: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $500,000 in one day after Dr. Christine Fords testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. DCCC low-dollar fundraising facts over the last week, but with ACTUAL numbers: Donations: 467% (an incredible 162K gifts) Raised: 277% (a whopping $4.38M raised) Average Gift: 111% (thats a lot of $27 gifts!) Average Raised Off Text: 228% (a record $404K) https://t.co/Wx5VEBiVLO DCCC (@dccc) October 5, 2018 Senator Kamala Harris of California raised over $400,000 for North Dakota Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp after she voted against Kavanaugh. This money came in just 24 hours from a single email , per NBC News. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says it also raised nearly $5 million from September 30th to October 5th which was the day it was announced that Kavanaugh would be confirmed by the Senate. During the week of Kavanaughs confirmation, the National Democratic Training Committee raised $240,000 the groups best seven-day fundraising period ever. The day before the Kavanaugh vote, it received a record $40,000. This is important because this group trains Democratic candidates throughout the country. ActBlue raised over $20 million on October 5th and 6th, two of its biggest fundraising days ever. As Axios points out, Money isnt everything, but its a good sign that Kavanaugh is going to drive a lot of angry voters to the polls on November 6th. There is no question that millions of Democrats and independent women voters have been raising their voices in anger at the way Republican senators treated women who courageously came forward with their stories of sexual assault. And now it is clear that these voters anger is being followed up with contributions of cold, hard cash to Democratic candidates. Members of the Resistance are very vocal, and it is clear they are putting their money where there mouths are. And this is not what GOP candidates want to hear right now. 785 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard UN Ambassador Nikki Haley will be leaving the administration before the blue wave crashes into the White House and sinks Trump. Video: At a White House appearance with Haley, Trump said: I wanted to do this because Nikki Haley ambassador to the united nations has been very special to me. Shes done an incredible job. Shes a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody that gets it. She has been at the united nations from the beginning with us, from the beginning, and worked with us on the campaign. Its been really a long time, very intense, and she told me probably six months ago, she said you know, maybe at the end of the year. At the end of the two-year period or the end of the year, I want to take a little time off. I want to take a little break. Shes been a very successful governor of South Carolina for eight years, and then she did this, and this is possibly even more intense with whats going on in the world and very dangerous and a lot of things. But shes done a fantastic job, and weve done a fantastic job together. Weve solved a lot of problems, and were in the process of solving a lot of problems. In the beginning, North Korea was a massive problem, and now were moving along. Its moving along really nicely. I can speak for secretary of state Mike Pompeo. He thinks the world of Nikki, so were all were all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose you. Hopefully, youll be coming back at some point, but maybe a different capacity. You can have your pick. But I just wanted to let you know so at the end of the year Nikki will be leaving, and we will be in constant touch. You know all the players, and that was really the thing I think she did best at the united nations. She got to know the players. She got to know China, Russia, India. She knows everybody on a very first name basis, and they like her, except for maybe a couple, which is normal. They cant all like you, but they do. They really like her, and I think maybe, more importantly, they respect her. So Nikki I just wanted to tell you that we will miss you. Well be speaking all the time, but we will miss you nevertheless, and you have done a fantastic job, and I want to thank you very much. Haley toed the Trump company line with her remarks. The Exodus From The Trump Administration Has Begun Haley is just the beginning. Sarah Sanders, Raj Shaw, along with several cabinet heads are all expected to be leaving. If Democrats win back the House or Senate, expect those who would be under the most investigative scrutiny to bail. Someone like Ben Carson at HUD, Betsy DeVos at the Department of Education, Attorney General Jeff Sessions will be gone if Republicans keep the Senate. Should Democrats win the Senate, Trump will struggle to confirm a nominee, so a Democratic Senate could mean that Sessions stays. The turnover after the midterm is going to be more intense than with other administrations. Nikki Haley got out ahead of the blue wave, but she is just the first of many who are going to be fleeing Trump after November. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. A new report from Axios is saying that President Donald Trump has accepted the resignation of United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. BREAKING: Nikki Haley resigns from role in Trump admin BREAKING: Nikki Haley resigns from role in Trump admin: report https://t.co/N3lPpTa9xg pic.twitter.com/iG1LBwGx2C The Hill (@thehill) October 9, 2018 Two people familiar with the matter reported on Tuesday that President Donald Trump accepted Haleys resignation. They did not say when she would depart or what day her resignation would be effective. Haley is the former Republican governor of South Carolina. She joined the Trump administration in 2017 just four days after the president officially took office. There were reports that she had discussed leaving her position at the United Nations last week when she visited with Trump at the White House. According to Axios, Her news shocked a number of senior foreign policy officials in the Trump administration. Ambassador Haley has been a key player in the Trump Administration, overseeing the presidents shift in many foreign policies. This includes a change in the fundamental nature of how the United States deals with the United Nations. For example, she was instrumental in arranging the U.S. exit from the UN Human Rights Council, which Haley called the organizations greatest failure. Haley wrote a Washington Post op-ed in September in which she expressed her opinions concerning the criticisms of Trump in the notorious New York Times anonymous op-ed piece that was very critical of the president. In her own published opinion piece, Haley wrote: I dont agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person. Like my colleagues in the Cabinet and on the National Security Council, I have very open access to the president. He does not shut out his advisers, and he does not demand that everyone agree with him. I can talk to him most any time, and I frequently do. If I disagree with something and believe it is important enough to raise with the president, I do it. And he listens. Rumors of Ambassador Haley leaving her post have been swirling around Washington for weeks. PoliticusUSA will bring you more information about this breaking story as it develops throughout the day. 4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A recent New York Times story about Trump family tax fraud has opened tax probes in several states and may lead to Trump owing hundreds of millions of dollars. Although it is unlikely the president or anyone in his family will be charged with crimes, it is very possible that they may owe so much money that Trump family assets may have to be liquidated to pay their debts. If this happens the president, his siblings, and his children could all be in serious financial trouble. Recently the New Yorker magazine published an in-depth article on this issue, written by an expert on Trump family fraud, Adam Davidson. In the article Davidson revealed how deep the criminal enterprise ran by Fred Trump went and how Donald Trump could soon find himself facing major financial difficulties. According to Davidson, the New York Timess report that uncovered massive Trump tax fraud was the beginning, not the end, of the saga. The storys not over, Davidson told Chris Hayes on his MSNBC show Monday. Its not that they found one time there was massive fraud, Davidson told Hayes. What they found is at the core of the Trump Organization was decades and decades of unimaginably blatant fraud, creating false companies to pretend to buy hundreds of, millions and millions of dollars worth of equipment. It also shows that Donald Trump himself added virtually no value to the company, Davidson added. Trumps businesses in New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Virginia these are states that either likely will have or could well have Democratic attorneys general who have every right to seek both criminal investigations for tax fraud as well as to start reclaiming money, Davidson said. The Trump family might owe as much as $400 million just in New York state tax, forget about federal taxes, Virginia taxes, Florida taxes. What the New York Times found is unbelievable documentary evidence through 2004 of ongoing schemes for decades, he noted. The exact same people continued to run the Trump Organization. We have no evidence that they change their strategy. Though the Times acquired the mountain of data that led to the bombshell investigative article, its reporters dont have subpoena power but prosecutors do, Davidson observed. According to Davidson, the clock on the statute of limitations starts when Trump ceased all evasive activity and its not clear if that has ever happened. So Trump may actually be open to may criminal and civil penalties as well as unpaid taxes. The courts are very clear that while the statute of limitations for criminal tax fraud is generally six years, its six years from the last effort to conceal. I think a prosecutor would have a fairly easy time saying, no no, this is an ongoing criminal enterprise, Davidson concluded. Davidson is right, because already the New York attorney general has begun an investigation into the Trump family foundation for criminal behavior. After the Times article appeared they said they would vigorously pursue unpaid taxes and penalties owed by Trump. The mayor of New York City also said he would seek payment for taxes and penalties the president and his family may owe. Other states where Trump does business, such as Florida, New Jersey and California, may also begin new investigations into Trump tax fraud. In New Jersey the Democratic attorney general, Gurbir Grewal, said, if theres any indication of any criminal activity, or anything like that, well use the powers at our disposal to investigate. We have a lot of tools at our disposal. If Democrats win a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, they will be able to direct investigationsand issue subpoenas concerning many potential Trump federal crimes also. The Times investigation revealed that Donald Trumps wealth came from his father, who committed large-scale tax and financial fraud to obtain that wealth. It is now clear that Trump and his family might owe many hundred of millions dollars in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties to state and city governments. He may have comparable amounts owed to the U.S. Treasury also. In short, there is a very good chance that, to pay his debts, Donald Trump may eventually have to hold a fire sale and liquidate his precious real estate assets. This may generate cash to pay his debt, but it could also completely wipe out his family fortune. For Donald Trump, there is no question that the fear of losing money is more terrifying to him than anything else. Which means that right now he should be very, very afraid. 1.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard As the days led up to the Kavanaugh confirmation, I knew in my gut Republicans would pull this off. Kavanaugh himself was the central key to their ability to protect Trump and to push forward a far right agenda with no morals or principles to slow them down. No other justice would do, because other justices might put the Constitution and actual conservative principles first. A blow right to the core of my being as my country abandoned me and all of the other women, children and men who need a government to defend the laws that protect their right to not be assaulted. My country thinks that being accused by many credible women of sexual assault is not only okay, but appropriate for the highest court in the land and the White House. Others around me had hope, but I had none. When you have looked into the face of evil, you know that the rule is when it sees you are vulnerable, it kicks harder. When it sees you need help, it spits on you. When it sees that its actions are harming you, it smiles. This is exactly what Republicans have been doing, and Mitch McConnell is even celebrating himself being a villain to half the country. The agenda is not the same. Most of us are doing what we think is best for our country and the people in it, but some people, and many of them are in elected positions and now the Supreme Court, do not care one bit about our country or the people in it. Their agenda is not the same, and this is not a matter of ideology; its a matter of gluttonous power grabs. An abuse of power so grave it can hardly be digested. So I knew it was coming and it did, yet still it knocked me off my feet. I howled in agony. I am not a howling kind of person, and that the actions of Republicans are forcing me to reveal parts of myself that I am not comfortable with let alone are not my professional voice or part of my personality makes me even more angry. Yes, I literally went outside to the woods and howled. I couldnt contain myself. And again, I am not a person who cries or shows emotion easily. This government does not see womens bodies as mattering, and now Republicans are trying to frame our anger over grievous violent assault against us being ignored as anarchy. But he might be innocent, a Republican said to me on Twitter. Yes, well, he might be guilty. And that is more to the point, since this was a job promotion and not a trial. Isnt this something you would want to know before putting him on the Supreme Court. I know I wouldnt hire a writer who had many women accusing him of gang rape and drugging them. But I guess my standards are higher. Republicans say this is a Soros/Clinton conspiracy. They say our rage, our pain, our loss of autonomy over our own bodies, is a joke. They are accusing all of us of making up our anger. If our anger isnt real, that means that what happened to us is not real. That is the message Republicans keep hammering home. Not only did they silence the women accusing Kavanaugh, but all of us. Every single one of us, because our anger is not even real. Our pain is not real to them; its a joke. Its a weapon to be deployed against us for daring to speak up. We are now a mob. Republicans are not only dismissing their constituents who have been gravely harmed, but painting a target on our backs by calling us a mob. Politics can be very personal. Laws and the people who interpret and enforce them can impact our lives in the most personal ways. I used to be someone who valued compromise and following traditional rules in government even when they didnt favor my own ideology. All of that is gone now. Because when I recover from this blow, and I will, I will give everything I have to restore human dignity and human rights to the American people, and that means that Republicans must go. Every last one of them. There is not a single Republican right now who can be trusted to value the rights of the people they are supposed to represent over their partys alarming power grab. They all have to go. And inevitably, because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, we will need balance again one day. I hope a real conservative party is reborn out of the ashes of this repulsive, gloating collection of evil-enablers. But right now, if our country is to survive, we need to get these people who are behaving like sociopathic monsters (jailing babies, putting a probable rapist on the Supreme Court, mocking a rape victim, I could go on and on) out of office. This has been the most painful experience of my life. Worse than being sexually assaulted. Worse than being stalked. Worse than many of the other horrible things that have happened to me because of my gender. Its worse because every single one of the women I love is also writhing in pain and unable to even talk about this yet. Female strangers I meet here in Trump country have broken down sobbing to me about Kavanaugh. A customer service representative cried on the phone before praying for our country and warning me about wire hanger abortions killing women. All of the women I love are in horrendous pain, and Republicans are mocking them and laughing at them. All of the men and women and children who love these women are helpless to soothe, and can do nothing but stand by and rage, as Republicans laugh at us all. I have been forever changed by this. I know Im not alone, and that is almost worse because I hate to think of other people feeling this horrible. I spent the weekend curled into a ball taking Xanax to get me through the hours of wondering why am I here. What is the point. No one cares about us, we are worthless. But by Monday, I knew it was a lifetime war. Tuesday I knew I would get there. And I will. I hope you join me. This article is an editorial by PoliticusUSAs co-publisher Sarah Jones. The outcome of referendum in Macedonia has been music to the ears of pro-Kremlin analysts, with some proclaiming that the results are victory for Vladimir Putin and will bring a halt to the process of Macedonia joining NATO. In Skopjes city center, one can see the deserted boycott protest camp in the park across the parliament building, with placards and tents standing idle. While tourists stroll on Skopjes main square and the city seems quiet, worried locals call on the government and opposition parties to reach an agreement before parliament reconvenes and the debate turns messy. In the walkup to the referendum, many local news outlets in Macedonia picked up the anti-Western narrative. According to the German Marshall Funds Asya Metodieva this was the result of Russian efforts and a stream of fake news on social media. Still, Macedonian political analyst Vladimir Petreski told Polygraph.info that this played only a minor role in the outcome of the referendum. More significant were the inflated number of voters on the Macedonian electoral registry list that has not been upgraded since 2002 which includes emigrated and deceased persons and the number of Macedonians who have left country because of its ailing economy. More people voted for the governments plan [for Macedonia joining NATO and the EU] than for any other party or coalition in any elections held after the countrys independence, Zoran Zaev, the countrys prime minister, told the Financial Times on October 1. In the September 30 referendum, Macedonian citizens were asked: Do you support EU and NATO membership by accepting the agreement between Macedonia and Greece?" The agreement would result in Macedonia changing its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. A day later, the Central Election Committee declared the referendum had not passed because of low voter turnout. Only 37 percent of Macedonias 1.8 million registered voters cast ballots, while a 50 percent turnout or higher was needed. However, 92 percent of the 650,000 voters who did cast ballots supported the name change and EU and NATO integration. Russian Media Narratives During the October 1 talk show on Sputnik Radio, the host said Macedonia would be cannon fodder were it to join NATO in defiance of the referendum result. A Russian analyst from a Serbian analytical center told the Russian international broadcaster RTVi that Macedonia could be blackmailed to enter NATO through Western pressure in the upcoming parliamentary ratification of the agreement with Greece. If that scenario doesnt turn out, an early general election could be called the referendum was a big deception, said Ekaterina Pomortseva. Pomortseva claimed that Montenegro had been blackmailed by the West to join NATO and the same thing was being done to Macedonia. Montenegro joined NATO in June 2017, after Russia-backed groups tried to prevent this by a failed coup in October 2016. Fedor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, a magazine published by the Russian government-owned newspaper Rossiskaya Gazeta, claimed the referendum question skewed the voters. [T]he [referendum] organizers were interested not in solving the really significant problem with the name, but in using it to force a geopolitical choice, Lukayanov wrote. Not surprisingly, blatant politicking by one side (the pro-Western one) triggers a corresponding response by the other. Macedonias Declining Population However, Russias advocates did not address what some Macedonia officials say is the real reason why the September 30 referendum did not attract 50% of the vote overblown numbers in the Macedonian electoral registry list and massive emigration out of the the country over the last 15 years. Political analyst Vladimir Petreski and entrepreneur Robert Hot told Polygraph.info that the electoral registry list does not correspond with the actual Macedonian population. The electoral registry list is based on the countrys last census, conducted in 2002. The previous Macedonian government, formed by the rightist VMRO-DPMNE party and the Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), failed to carry out a census scheduled for 2011. Earlier this year the special prosecution opened a criminal case related to the failed census in 2011. Defendants are ex-VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski, and Ali Akhmeti, DUIs current chief. If the government wanted to carry out a successful referendum, it should have directed its efforts to more deep cleaning of the electoral registry and changing the referendum law regarding turnout, said Hot, who is a member of the Macedonian trade and economic chamber. Macedonia is a totally different country from what it was in 2002, said Vladimir Petreski, a political analyst and editor. In 2002, Macedonia had 244,740 elementary school students, Petreski noted. In 2016, this number decreased to 185,992 students. In addition, almost 100,000 Macedonians got Bulgarian citizenship since 2002. A majority of them moved out of the country because they can get legal employment in the EU, he said. Emigration from Macedonia over the last decade has been massive. An International Republican Institute poll conducted June through July 2018 found that 46 percent of Macedonians have a family member who left the country to live and work abroad during the last three years. Referendum Results What Now? Looking at the results of the referendum, and the number of voters who did exercise their rights, Zaev is confident that Macedonias government has a clear mandate to push for changing the countrys name in order to integrate the country more closely with the West. Under the Referendum and Other Forms of Direct Citizens Expression Law, if a referendum is called, its results can be regarded either as consultative or obligatory. The government opted to view the September 30 vote as consultative. And so, since the referendum did not pass because of insufficient turnout, the debate over the name change will now go to Macedonias parliament, where a two-thirds majority is needed to adopt constitutional changes. That means at least 80 of the legislatures 120 members would have to support the name change deal. The governing majority, plus the opposition parties who support the deal, have only 71 seats, nine short of the required two-thirds majority. Hot said that Zaev made a mistake in calling for the referendum. Any opposition parliamentary member who might have been supportive of the name change will now be proclaimed as a traitor if they join the majority, he said. Look at [Greek Prime Minister] Alexis Tsipras: he never called for a referendum in Greece regarding the Macedonia name issue., Hot added. They will just ratify the agreement in the parliament and the deal is done. For example, Switzerland puts only communal and local questions to a referendum. Solving the big national issues, such as a countrys name change, cannot be delegated to the people it is the sole responsibility of the national institutions elected by the people. Meanwhile, Russian news picked on the idea that any parliamentary vote would turn badly and that Zaev would be defeated in early elections that could be called as result of the failed vote. Euro Asia Daily cites a Serbian expert who claims that under the Constitution, any referendum result is obligatory, failing to mention that under the referendum law, plebiscites could be called either obligatory or consultative. Article 8 of the law states that if a referendum called is consultative its result is not obligatory and can be overruled. Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. British-based Restaurant magazine announced its 2014 list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants Monday, and Alinea was back in the top 10 this year. Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas' Lincoln Park restaurant was ranked No. 9 in the world, up six places from last year's No. 15 ranking. Alinea placed seventh in 2012. Advertisement "I fully did not expect to be in the top 10 this year," Kokonas said. "It certainly feels better to go up than down. I don't know it matters for Grant and I so much as it does for our staff. They see that ranking, and it's really gratifying. I know (chef de cuisine) Mike Bagale is really happy right now." The annual list is voted on by a panel of 900 "restaurant industry experts" from around the world. This year's top two ranking is a reversal of last year's: Copenhagen's Noma rose to the top spot, while Girona, Spain's El Celler de Can Roca dropped to No. 2. Advertisement Alinea is the second highest-ranked American restaurant on this year's list. New York's Eleven Madison Park ranked No. 4, up one spot from last year. In 2012, Alinea and Eleven Madison Park traded cities for one week, cooking in each other's restaurant space. There's a certain randomness involved in these rankings it's hard to quantify the differences between first and second (full disclosure: I was once a voting member, but haven't voted for the past three years). Where it does make a difference is in international name recognition. Being No. 9 is a symbolic victory and then some; it assures any publication that runs the top 10 short list will include the name Alinea. "This list generates by far the most interest (online) worldwide, even more so than the Michelin guides. It's not even close," Kokonas said. "Our web traffic goes way up." Kokonas remembers that one year, they averaged between 5,000 and 10,000 page views a day on Alinea's website. On the day the World's 50 Best Restaurants list was named, it shot up to over 250,000 views. Once again, Alinea is the only Chicago restaurant whose U.S. entries were otherwise entirely in the Bay Area or New York. Other American restaurants include: Le Bernardin (New York, No. 21), Per Se (New York, No. 30), Daniel (New York, No. 40), The French Laundry (Yountville, Calif., No. 44), and Coi (San Francisco, No. 49). Further down on the No. 51-100 list includes: Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Westchester, N.Y., No. 54), Manresa (Los Gatos, Calif., No. 62), The NoMad (New York, No. 68), Saison (San Francisco, No. 69), Momofuku Ko (New York, No. 70), The Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena, Calif., No. 80), Marea (New York, No. 93) and Jean Georges (New York, No. 98). The full list can be found here. ***TUESDAY UPDATE*** The blog Fine Dining Lovers is reporting that Alinea will be opening a temporary pop-up restaurant in New York this fall. Advertisement "We're going to open Alinea in New York city for a very short amount of time, undetermined but likely a month, maybe more," Achatz told the blog. "It will be in Uptown Manhattan." The pop-up restaurant will be a move-for-move replication of the Chicago experience, with 60 seats and the full tasting menu. David Slade is a senior Post and Courier reporter. His work has been honored nationally by Society of Professional Journalists, American Society of Newspaper Editors, Scripps foundation and others. Reach him at 843-937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com Michael Majchrowicz is a reporter covering crime and public safety. He previously wrote about courts for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Massachusetts. A Hoosier native, he graduated from Indiana University with a degree in journalism. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. In a move that stunned the international community, as well as her home state of South Carolina, United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley abruptly resigned her post Tuesday after less than two years on the job. President Donald Trump accepted her resignation. Haley plans to stay on through the end of the year. During a joint Oval Office appearance with the president, Haley said she has no plans to challenge him for the White House in 2020, as some had speculated. Many political analysts continue to peg the 46-year-old former South Carolina governor as one of the most formidable GOP prospects in 2024 or beyond. Trump said Haley first told him of her plans to resign six months ago. Haley's resignation letter is dated Oct. 3. Trump lavished praise on Haley and lamented her departure. "She got to know the players. She got to know China, Russia, India. She knows everybody on a very first-name basis. And they like her," Trump said. "And I think maybe more importantly, they respect her." Friendly foreign heads of state said there would be void in U.S. relations left by Haley's exit. "I would like to thank Ambassador Nikki Haley, who led the uncompromising struggle against hypocrisy at the UN," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Youve shown that with enough strength and determination, real change is possible. Haley was seen as a GOP rising star before she stepped down as governor in 2017 to accept Trump's offer to serve as U.N. ambassador. She was confirmed to the international role four days after his inauguration and has received plaudits as a stabilizing force within his often turbulent administration. Haley called her service "an honor of a lifetime." "I'll never truly step aside from fighting for our country," Haley said. She touted achievements that included condemning chemical weapons in Syria, changing NATO and adjusting tariffs. Why Haley is leaving remains unclear but she cited her support for term limits as one reason. "I think you have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job," Haley said. Haley also tried to quell longstanding rumors that she has presidential aspirations at least for now. "No, I am not running for 2020," she said. "I can promise you I will be campaigning for this one," she added, pointing to Trump. Haley, who has clashed openly with the president at times during her tenure, praised the Trump administration. She called Trump's son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner "a hidden genius no one understands." Haley also called Ivanka Trump "a great friend." "They do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish people could see," Haley said. "We're a better country because of the administration." Reaction to her exit came mostly in the form of praise. "She is a clear, concise voice for American leadership, American values, and has been a true agent of reform when it came to the United Nations," said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., called her "a trailblazer." The news of Haley's impending departure reverberated through social media, shocking many. House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted his support of Haley, calling her "a clear, consistent, and powerful voice" for America on the world stage. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated on the Senate floor that he was proud of her "American moral leadership." He also added, "I hope this is not the end" of Haley's time in public service. Many longtime Haley allies in South Carolina were as surprised as anyone by her decision. In my mind, she will be the first female president, said U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C, who entered the Statehouse along with Haley in 2005. But this is a shocker. Haley's predecessor in the governor's office, U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, questioned the timing of the announcement. "This is not typically the kind of thing one would announce before a fairly pivotal set of midterms," said Sanford, R-Charleston. "That leads one to guess if there's another shoe about to drop from the administration's standpoint." Sanford cited recent news that a Washington watchdog group had called for an investigation into Haley's flights on private jets. Two former members of the Trump administration, EPA Chief Scott Pruitt and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, both resigned this year amid ethical questions about their lavish air travel. "His job is to smell the political winds," Sanford said of Trump. "And if you look at what happened to Pruitt and Tom Price, the private plane issue proved lethal." Asked if that complaint factored into Haley's announcement, Trump said he knew nothing about it. "I know Nikki," Trump said. "This is one of the most honest human beings you'll ever see." Haley's resignation announcement also comes shortly after her rotation as president of the United Nations Security Council ended last month. Experts predicted that foreign diplomats would miss Haley's presence in New York. Richard Gowan, a senior fellow at the UN University Centre for Policy Research, said Haley appreciated the value of a functioning U.N. to America's foreign policy. "I think Haley will be remembered as an effective ambassador who made real progress on issues like sanctioning North Korea," Gowan said. "She proved critics who lamented her lack of foreign policy experience wrong. She was mainly pragmatic in dealing with other diplomats, although there were flashes of real tension over Israel and Iran." Before the Tuesday's press conference, Haley's Twitter account already had deleted any mention of her past position in her bio. Only a link to her Instagram account, which also had removed any mention of her tenure at the U.N., remained along with her location in New York. In a Saturday post on social media, Haley shared a photo of herself in South Carolina with former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell, who some believe could be Haley's successor at the U.N. Later Tuesday, Trump himself confirmed that Powell is a "person I would consider." Introducing sweet friends to one of our favorite places.... #ItsAGreatDayInSouthCarolina pic.twitter.com/ZNygye9MaK Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) October 6, 2018 Trump said the search for Haley's successor has begun and announcement could occur "within the next two to three weeks, maybe sooner." He noted Haley will be directly involved in picking the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Trump also said Haley has made the job a desirable one. "She made it a more glamorous position that it was two years ago," he said. "She made it a more important position." Haley said she plans to do whatever she can to make sure things are ready for her successor. In a modified refrain of what became her signature salutation as governor, "It's a great day in South Carolina," Haley told the nation Tuesday, "It's a great day in the United States. And I'm proud to have been part of the team." Watchdog and Public Service reporter Thad Moore is a reporter on The Post and Couriers Watchdog and Public Service team and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. To share tips securely, reach Moore via ProtonMail at thadmoore@protonmail.com or on Signal at 843-214-6576. "Life's Been Good," the definitive Joe Walsh song from 1978, is about a rock 'n' roller who tears out hotel walls, loses his license speeding in a Maserati and sloughs all the bills onto his accountant. Thirty-four years later, "One Day at a Time" repudiates the guy from "Life's Been Good." "Well, I finally got around to admit that I might have a problem," Walsh sings in the new song. "But I thought it was just too damn big of a mountain to climb. Well, I got down on my knees and said, 'Hey, I just can't go on livin' this way.'" Both songs, says the 64-year-old longtime Eagles guitarist and intermittent solo superstar, are about his life. The difference is that something was missing back then and it isn't missing anymore. By the mid-'70s, after Walsh took his master's program in hotel-room destruction from professor Keith Moon of the Who, he was wielding a chain saw to tear down the walls, just like he reports in the song. Today, as he mentions several times in a 20-minute phone interview, he's 18 years sober and happily married to Marjorie Bach, whose sister, Barbara Bach, is Beatles drummer Ringo Starr's longtime wife. Advertisement "My wife was the part of me that was missing," Walsh says. "And I got that whole family that came along with her in the deal. It's an extended family, and they're very close, and it's a dynamic that's never been around me before. I've been pretty much all alone, or isolating heavily, in the dark days." It was Walsh's wife who encouraged him to focus on "Analog Man," his first solo album since 1992's "Songs for a Dying Planet." Advertisement "It's all her fault, really," Walsh says. "She said, 'Hey, I really believe in this, and I think it's time you focused on it and put out an album, and by the way, here's (producer) Jeff Lynne's number.' When I really did make my solo album my first priority and got a work ethic and got into it, it came together really quick." Born in Wichita, Kan., Walsh first started playing guitar in rock bands at Ohio's Kent State University in the late '60s. There's a story about his early prodigiousness: When he heard the Beatles' "And Your Bird Can Sing," which contains a ridiculously finger-stretching George Harrison guitar solo, Walsh worked tirelessly until he mastered it. Years later, after he became famous, Walsh met Starr (who plays on his new album) and told him the story. Starr looked at Walsh like he was nuts. Harrison had played two guitar parts separately and tracked them on top of each other in the studio. "Nah, nah, nah he played it twice," Starr told Walsh. "It's two notes playing together!" "I think I'm the only guy who can play it including George," Walsh says. After Kent State, Walsh joined a Cleveland trio, the James Gang, and wound up creating guitar solos that air repeatedly on classic-rock radio "Funk #49" and "Walk Away." He then moved to Colorado, put out solo hits such as "Rocky Mountain Way" and, in 1976, replaced Bernie Leadon as guitarist in the Eagles. It turned out to be a critical career decision Walsh's first album with the Eagles was "Hotel California," which turned the band into mega-stars. It was during this time that Walsh was at his most excessive. "The first time he showed up at the radio station, he showed up in the bathrobe of the hotel he was staying at. That's sort of the persona he was living back in those days," recalls Bob Stroud, who worked at Chicago's WLUP radio station and is now mid-day DJ for classic-rocker The Drive (FM-97.1). "At one point, back in his crazy heyday, you might have looked at him and thought, 'God, he's never going to get out of this.' A lot of guys didn't make it out. I'm glad he did." Although Walsh has focused recently on making "Analog Man," he continues to work his day job, nightly reproducing beloved guitar solos with the Eagles, one of the top touring bands in North America. ("When I'm playing with them, I'm kind of on duty," he says. "But having both worlds is wonderful, because doing solo gives me a chance to play a little freer.") onthetown@tribune.com Advertisement Twitter @chitribent When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Naperville Exchange Club Ribfest, Knoch Park, 421 W. Martin Ave., Naperville Tickets: $15; 800-514-3849 ext. 4 or ribfest.net The 11 pairs were tasked with celebrating a time in their lives that left a lasting impression. While many of the other contestants were inspired by heartbreak for their emotional performances, Amabile focused on his totally insane 2018. The 32-year-olds life changed when he was picked to compete on Season 14 of The Bachelorette. He showed so much charm during his brief appearance on that series that he was invited to join the cast of the summer show Bachelor in Paradise, where he met his girlfriend, The Bachelor alum Kendall Long. A: That comes back to the point of history and context. If youre wearing a wedding dress on the subway, theres an incongruity there because of the context. Again, she is in a position of power. These are specific public events that she is going to that are relevant for current events, and so to pretend that theyre not seems like wishful thinking, to wish a lesser significance on something than it actually has. NORRISTOWN A Franconia man was sent to jail after he admitted to stealing landscaping equipment from several businesses in Montgomery and Bucks counties. Brian Thomas Gragg, 44, of the 600 block of Morwood Road, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 111/2 to 23 months in the county jail after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft by unlawful taking in connection with incidents that occurred in May 2017. Judge William R. Carpenter also ordered Gragg to complete three years probation following parole, meaning Gragg will be under court supervision for about five years. The judge said Gragg must pay $6,534 in restitution to the seven theft victims. The victims or the companies they worked for were located in Upper Gwynedd, Lower Salford and Towamencin townships in Montgomery County and in New Britain Township in Bucks County, according to court papers. Additionally, Judge Carpenter ordered Gragg to stay away from the victims as a condition of the sentence. An investigation began on May 23, 2017, after Lower Salford police received a report of the theft of three backpack blowers from a Telford area landscapers trailer that was parked in the 300 block of Hamilton Drive while workers were cutting grass at the Rosecliff Manor development. The three blowers were valued at $600 each, according to court papers. Investigators obtained video surveillance footage from residents of the development that depicted a male operating a Dodge Durango who was in the area at the time the blowers were stolen, according to the criminal complaint. When police distributed an attempt to identify flyer containing two of the surveillance photos they received a tip that led them to Gragg. It was soon determined that Upper Gwynedd police were investigating multiple reports of landscaping equipment being stolen from landscapers trailers while they were parked at job sites in the township between May 15 and May 17, 2017, according to the criminal complaint. Witnesses reported seeing a suspicious man in the area, who was driving a blue SUV, at the time of the thefts. When police placed Graggs residence under surveillance they observed him operating a blue Dodge Durango which fit the description of the vehicle depicted in the surveillance video that recorded the May 23 theft in Lower Salford. Police subsequently learned that police in New Britain Township, Bucks County, and in Towamencin Township, also were investigating similar thefts of landscaping equipment during the same time period, according to court documents. Cellphone analysis eventually determined that Graggs phone was in the vicinity of several of the thefts when they occurred. When Gragg was confronted with the thefts he admitted to several of them. However, when questioned he couldnt recall being on the streets where some of the others occurred. Gragg allegedly told investigators, It doesnt mean I didnt do it, but I dont remember doing that one, according to court papers. Investigators also uncovered a May 23 text conversation on Graggs cellphone during which he asked a man if he was interested in buying landscaping equipment, specifically, five blowers, according to the criminal complaint. Take a look at how Huffposts Daniel Marans covers for Keith Ellisons long-time membership in the Nation of Islam hate cult and past support of cop killers in Racism Rears Its Head In Keith Ellisons Attorney General Race. Marans has no shame. Ellisons past causes are of course an embarrassment to him as he seeks the office of Minnesota attorney general, the states chief law enforcement officer. He continues to lie about them baldly and Marans aids and abets him. Compare and contrast Maranss apologetics with Louis Farrakhans first congressman and Can Keith Ellison turn lawman? Marans follows Ellisons approach to his life and causes as I laid it out in The Ellison elision. Maranss theme is nobody knows the troubles Keiths seen. Ellison, however, has the Star Tribune turning a blind eye and Marans doing public relations. So hes got that going for him. UPDATE: Marans writes: The current union head, Bob Kroll, called the local cops fatal June shooting of Thurman Blevins, an unarmed black man running from the police, heroic. Blevins, however, was armed with a gun. Blevins was not only a felon in possession of a firearm, he also fired at the officer while fleeing from him. Last night, we returned from a two week trip to Greece. We visited Athens, Crete, and Thessaloniki. Athens and Crete are familiar American tourist destinations. Thessaloniki is not, and for good reason. Its interesting, but not interesting enough to cause many American tourists to visit it. We went because its where my wifes father was born. At that time, in the early years of the last century, Salonika (as the city was called) was one of the most fascinating cities in the world. My wife and I arrived 100 years too late. Thessaloniki, Greeces second most populous city, is located in Northern Greece, in the region of Macedonia. Its named after the daughter of Phillip of Macedonia, the half sister of Alexander the Great. The name celebrates one of Phillips great military victory his conquest of Thessaly, a powerful region to the south. Given its strategic location as a kind of southern gateway to the Balkans and Asia Minor, Thessaloniki was an important outpost of the Roman Empire. During the Byzantine Empire, the city was, at times, second in importance only to Constantinople. When the Ottomans attacked Thessaloniki, the city refused repeated demands to surrender even after the cause was clearly lost. Its leaders invoked the protection of the citys patron saint, Demetrios, a Roman soldier and Christian martyr who was said to have protected Thessaloniki from the Slavs centuries earlier. Because of the citys fierce and stubborn resistance, the Ottomans basically massacred the male population and sold the women and children into slavery. Thessaloniki was depopulated, and the Ottomans were unable to replace the Orthodox Christians with a Muslim population commensurate with the citys strategic and potential commercial importance. The solution to this problem appeared when, approximately 50 years later, Spain expelled its Jewish population. The Ottomans invited the Jews to Salonika and Jews came in large numbers. Soon, they outnumbered the Muslim residents. Orthodox Christians who migrated to the city from the countryside ran a distant third in the population sweepstakes. For the next 400 years, to oversimplify, Turks administered the city while Jews dominated its economic life. Jews probably made up around 50 percent of the population. Of the remainder, Muslims outnumbered Orthodox Christians by something like a 2:1 ratio. This in a city whose population probably ranged from 150,000 to maybe 200,000. The three religious groups lived in separate parts of the city. There wasnt much intermingling. However, relations between the three were largely harmonious. The Orthodox Christians probably bridled, but did so quietly. The Ottoman authoritys main difficulties were with Janissaries and Albanians. Salonika thus became a city unique in Europe a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious city with a hugely exotic flavor. And it was a city that worked. Naturally, Salonika had its ups and downs, and the Ottoman Empire itself became sick in the 19th century. But mainly the city prospered. And it dwarfed Athens in size, prosperity, and significance. This situation changed dramatically in the early years of the 20th century. In 1912, the Greek state conquered the city. A multi-cultural city with a minority Greek Orthodox population was not consistent with Greek nationalist aspirations. The government tolerated the situation but yearned to see it altered. In 1917, a fire destroyed something like one-third of the city. It hit worst in the the Jewish quarter the center of the city. Approximately 50,000 Jews became homeless. Nearly all of the citys 50 or so synagogues burned down. The government helped the Jews find housing, but not in the city center. Instead, the Jewish population was dispersed. Some say the fire was started intentionally for the purpose of burning down the Jewish section of the city. However, as I read the evidence, it does not support this conspiracy theory. Because of the fire, my wifes father was never sure how old he was. His birth certificate and the citys records of birth were destroyed. This may also be why Ataturks birth date is in doubt. The father of modern Turkey was born in a middle class neighborhood in Salonika in 1881, but the month is uncertain. In the early 1920s, the Greek state invaded the nascent Turkish one. After making initial progress, the Greeks were routed. As part of the settlement that ended the conflict, the parties agreed to a population swap. Something like half a million Muslims left Greece for Turkey. More than a million Orthodox Christians in Asia Minor moved to Greece. Thessaloniki was now inhabited by Greeks, Orthodox Christians on their way to feeling Greek, and Jews. Jews no longer outnumbered Christians and many immigrants, a population that had suffered grievously, resented, the Jews, but the Jewish community fared pretty well during the next 15 years. Jews no longer lived in large numbers in the center of the city, but they ran a great many businesses there. Synagogues were rebuilt to the point that they numbered around 30. Zionism was influential in Thessaloniki, but the mainstream Jewish organizations rejected it in favor of assimilation. In a sense, Jews had long since assimilated, but not necessarily with Greeks. The Germans brought Jewish life in Thessaloniki to an abrupt end. 96 percent of the Jewish population was killed off by the Nazis during World War II. Only one synagogue survived the one the Red Cross used. Today, the Jewish community of Thessaloniki numbers about 1,000. The city has two synagogues. One of them, organized after World War II, hosts regular services. The second, the one the Germans did not destroy, holds weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and services on special Jewish holidays. Thessaloniki is a university town. Aristotle University sits where the Jewish cemetery once did, before the Germans destroyed it. The city is known for its cafes, bistros, and restaurants. Its seaside setting is also a big plus. There is much of historical interest for tourists to enjoy, but not many remnants of the Ottoman and Jewish past. Go there for the Byzantine-era churches, the Roman ruins, and the general setting. My wifes father left Thessaloniki for France in the 1920s. He avoided the Holocaust, spending World War II in Casablanca (of all places). One of his cousins was sent from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz. He survived but his pregnant wife did not. Many decades later, he finally returned to Thessalonki for a visit (as far as I know, my wifes father never did after the War). He found almost nothing to hold onto. Sitting on the balcony of his hotel looking down on the nearly unrecognizable city, he smoked cigarette after cigarette and tried to hold back tears. John wrote about the possible FBI connection to the Kavanaugh smear. Speaking this morning with Hugh Hewistt audio and transcript here Senator Tom Cotton drew the connection to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Hugh asked Senator Cotton if he had any doubt that the smear was planned long before it was unveiled. Senator Cotton responded: Hugh, I believe the Schumer political operation was behind this from the very beginning. We learned last week that a woman named Monica McLean was Ms. Fords roommate, and she was one of the so-called beach friends who encouraged Ms. Ford to go to Dianne Feinstein and the partisan Democrats on the Judiciary Committee. Well, it just turns out, it just so happens that Monica McLean worked for a Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, now a virulent anti-Trump critic on television and former counsel to Chuck Schumer. So I strongly suspect that Chuck Schumers political operation knew about Ms. Fords allegations as far back as July and manipulated the process all along to include taking advantage of Ms. Fords confidences and directing her towards left-wing lawyers who apparently may have violated the D.C. code of legal ethics and perhaps may face their own investigation by the D.C. Bar. The Democrats deserve Schumer as the face of their party. He is a slimeball without a conscience. I do hope the truth will emerge and the truth will set us free. UPDATE: Bharara has responded to Senator Cottons comments via Twitter. He denies that Monica McLean ever worked for him and states he has had zero contact with her. She apparently worked for the FBI field office in New York City until she quit suddenly in 2016. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 15:02:01 Industrys Only Network IDS for Containers Adds Log Management and Expands Coverage Beyond AWS to Azure, On-Premises and Hosted Environments HOUSTON, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alert Logic, the leading provider of Security-as-a-Service solutions, today announced major updates to the industrys only Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) for containers. The release adds container log management and extends capabilities beyond Amazon Web Services (AWS) to Microsoft Azure, on-premises and hosted environments. Organizations gain a simplified, comprehensive picture of their risk through improved visibility into any workload in any container, as well as the ability to collect, aggregate and search container log data for improved security and compliance. According to 451 Research Principal Analyst Jay Lyman, containers can enable faster development cycles, increased resource efficiency, and application portability, translating to a fast-growing market expected to top $4 billion by 2022. Nevertheless, security concerns and the difficulty of inspecting and monitoring container network traffic are among impediments that cause some organizations to delay their adoption of container technology. Available in Alert Logic Cloud Defender and Alert Logic Threat Manager solutions, these expanded capabilities provide businesses with a single interface to manage the security of all containers, track events and incidents, and gain unprecedented visibility into their attack surface. Coverage includes real-time detection of known and unknown exploits that target applications running in containers on Docker, Kubernetes, Elastic Beanstalk, Docker Swarm, CoreOS, Azure Kubernetes Service, Amazon Elastic Container Service, and Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes. Because the new capabilities secure multi-cloud and multi-platform environments, container security is easily portable across platforms, allowing customers to take advantage of cost and operational efficiencies. Running container deployments without blind spots on AWS, Azure and on-premises is essential to our business, to our client service, and for compliance requirements, said Mike Santimaw, Rent-a-Center Vice President of Information Security, Innovation Labs & Corporate Solutions. Alert Logics container security already provides the real-time visibility we need on AWS, and we are excited for expanded capabilities for Azure and on-prem. Our NIDS-based approach to container security, combined with new container log management capabilities and integration across an organizations totaland often complexenvironment, provides a more comprehensive view than other solutions available today, said Chris Noell, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Alert Logic. Businesses employ containers for ease and speed of deployment, yet struggle to maintain consistent security as they move containers across cloud, hosted and on-prem environments. Alert Logic solves this challenge by making security as portable as your containers, without any lag or disruption to business operations. Now organizations can simplify their approach by leveraging one solution to protect all workloads and to reduce complexity in multiple areas: Visualize which containers and hosts may be compromised Examine associated metadata Explore remediation recommendations Support existing security policies and workflow Provide a holistic view of attacks Alert Logic partner Claranet serves the IT needs of over 6,500 customers on multi-cloud and hosted environments throughout Europe and Brazil. Agility, security, and compliance are required competencies for organizations operating in todays world of hybrid and multi-cloud deployments, said Tanaz Gould, Consultancy Director, Claranet. Containers are fast-becoming the de facto deployment approach for many organizations. Alert Logics new capability to detect threats to containers in multiple environments will give confidence to customers to move even more aggressively in adopting containers, supporting the benefit of moving workloads from one environment to the next, all while providing centralized visibility. This is a much-needed and important innovation; we applaud Alert Logic for bringing it to market. Products + Services Approach The Alert Logic container security solutions work by analyzing patterns in the data packets as they traverse the container environment to detect cyberattacks in real-time and provide a graphical representation of the compromised container and its relationships. Alert Logics approach to log management simplifies container security by using the same container to collect logs and analyze network traffic. The intrusion detection capabilities for containers are fully managed by Alert Logics 24x7 security and compliance experts in the companys Security Operations Centers. When a container threat is detected, Alert Logics security experts prioritize the threat, proactively escalate within 15-minutes, provide visual context, and offer remediation advice for customers. Visit Alert Logic's container security page for more information on capabilities. Additional Resources Blog @AlertLogic on Twitter LinkedIn About Alert Logic Alert Logic delivers better cybersecurity for everyone, regardless of their companys size or technology environment. Our proactive threat management platform, always-current threat intelligence, and 24x7, customer-obsessed analyst services protect organizations cost-effectively and with fast time-to-value. More than 4,000 organizations every day trust their security to Alert Logic so they can focus on what matters mostrunning their business. Founded in 2002, Alert Logic is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in Austin, Seattle, Dallas, Cardiff, Belfast, London and Cali, Colombia. For more information, please visit www.alertlogic.com. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 22:35:35 Press Information Polaris Market Research Contact us- Mr. Neel Corporate Sales, USA Polaris Market Research Phone: 1-646-568-9980 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com Mr. Neel Manager 1-646-568-9980 email https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/ # 729 Words Contact us-Mr. NeelCorporate Sales, USAPolaris Market ResearchPhone: 1-646-568-9980Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.comWeb: www.polarismarketresearch.comManager1-646-568-9980 According to a new research report the Global Contact Lenses market is anticipated to reach USD 18.9 billion by 2026. Once of the key factor driving the contact lenses market is to enhance aesthetic appearance by using them as fashion accessory particularly, by the youth population. Also, constant development in technology of product materials and given a boost to colored or decorative contact lenses, which is further anticipated to influence the demand. Moreover, the rising incidences of visual imparities such as myopia, presbyopia, hyperopia and astigmatism is propelling the market growth. The World Health Organization, in 2015, estimated that approximately 1.9 billion people across the globe have been affected by myopia and the number is anticipated to be more than 2 billion by 2020. Thus, the demand for contact lenses during the forecast period will experience a growth.Request sample copy of this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/contact-lenses-market/request-for-free-sample Major Key Player: -Alcon Laboratories, Inc.Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.Bausch + LombIncorporatedCarl Zeiss AGCooperVision, Inc.Contamac U.S., Inc.Hoya CorporationEssilor International S.A.MedenniumJohnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.The contact lenses manufacturers and vendors are appealed by the high profit margins offered by the contact lenses thus, boosting its manufacturing as well as enhancing the network of distribution. Also, advancements in technology in form of material will provide new opportunities to the manufacturers with time. By type segment, the Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses was valued over USD 800 million in 2017 owing to factors including, sharp vision, high oxygen permeability, cost-effectiveness in the long run, and durability.Make Inquiry about this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/contact-lenses-market/inquire-before-buying The contact lenses market by usage type is segmented into Corrective, Therapeutic, Cosmetic, Prosthetic, and Lifestyle-oriented. The corrective lenses usage segment is currently growing at a CAGR of more than 6.2%. The demand is attributed to its various applications. Whereas, cosmetic lenses segment is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. On the basis of design, the hybrid lens segment is anticipated to experience a noteworthy growth as it is a combination of both soft lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses. Thus, it provides comfort of soft lenses coupled with the visual clarity offered by rigid gas permeable lenses. The growth of hybrid lenses segment is expected to propel with the increased demand from people with keratoconus and astigmatism conditions.The North America market holds the largest share owing to presence of better eye care treatment facilities as increasing elderly population. Although, the Asia Pacific market is expected to bolster with a high CAGR attributed to the increased awareness regarding contact lenses among the population as well as their increasing ability for healthcare spending.Browse Complete Report Details @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/contact-lenses-market/ The key strategies adopted by the market players include long-term partnerships among the other players in supply chain particularly, distributors and suppliers with an aim to increase their geographical footprint. For instance, in 2016, Vision Direct Group Ltd. was acquired by Essilor International S.A. for the enhancement of its online retailing business presence.About Polaris Market ResearchPolaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide our customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities.We mainly focus on aiding our customers with substantial competitive intelligence, helping them to secure a competitive advantage in the market and accomplish sustainable growth in different market domains. Adept with a highly competent, experienced and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to our customers. Through dedicated qualitative and quantitative primary and secondary market research and consulting assignments, we adeptly formulate competitive strategies to address business challenges for our clients through analyzing market trends and emerging technologies.Contact us-Mr. NeelCorporate Sales, USAPolaris Market ResearchPhone: 1-646-568-9980Email: sales@ polarismarketresearch.com Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 15:28:02 GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cross Ocean Partners, a global asset management firm, announced the successful final closing of Cross Ocean USSS Fund I (A), its US Special Situations (USSS) credit fund, on June 29, 2018. The fund closed with total aggregate committed capital of c. $605 million, which brings aggregate capital commitments across the firms USSS strategy to c. $885 million. Commitments to the strategy came from a global investor base, represented by investors from North America, the Middle East and Australia, including public and private pension plans, insurance companies, family offices and a sovereign wealth fund, amongst others. The USSS strategy focuses on investments in stressed and distressed corporate debt, primarily senior and asset backed instruments that offer more downside protection. As of June 30, 2018, Cross Ocean USSS Fund I (A) has drawn c. 39% of its committed capital. We are delighted with the success of our first time fund in the US, said Graham Goldsmith, Chief Executive Officer and co-Chief Investment Officer of Cross Ocean Partners. The firm is very pleased and grateful to have the support of existing Cross Ocean limited partners and develop relationships with new ones. Our deployment rate has been steady, and we believe we have a strong pipeline of opportunities ahead. About Cross Ocean Partners: Cross Ocean Partners is a global asset management firm focused on credit investments in a broad range of asset classes, including corporate loans and bonds, hard assets, commercial real estate, liquidations and structured credit. As of October 1, 2018, the Firm has 47 employees globally, with offices located in Greenwich, Connecticut; London, United Kingdom; and Dublin, Ireland. Cross Ocean Partners advises assets of $3.2 billion globally across its affiliated asset management entities, and its funds and accounts have raised approximately $4.4 billion of aggregate committed capital to date. The firm also has European and Aviation Special Situations strategies. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 12:44:01 Ericom Shield Secures Browsing and Enables Compliance with Internet Surfing Separation (ISS) Regulations Ericoms Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) Solution to be Demonstrated at Cloud & Cyber Security Expo Singapore 2018 Ericom Ilan Paretsky ilan.paretsky@ericom.com 201-767-2210 Ericom Software, a global leader in securely connecting the unified workspace, today announced that it will showcase Ericom Shield at this weeks Cloud & Cyber Security Expo 2018 in Singapore, at Booth P32. Ericom Shield is a secure browsing solution that provides organizations with the highest level of Internet security and protection against web-borne threats, including ransomware, drive-by downloads and zero-day attacks. Singapore is a global leader in requiring separation between the public Internet and secure internal networks and user devices for public sector workers. Following the recent hacking of the countrys public healthcare system agencies, many are recommending that the regulations be extended to healthcare organizations and other critical sectors as well. For this reason, as well as for increased awareness of the threat of ransomware, cryptojacking and other browser-borne attacks, there is growing demand in Singapore and in other countries worldwide for user-friendly solutions that support seamless Internet use while ensuring complete network separation and user endpoint protection. Ericom Shield is just such a solution, providing end users with a natural Internet browsing experience that is completely isolated from the endpoint device. Working in conjunction with existing IT policies, Ericom Shield executes websites and other web-based content in a remote isolated environment, inside a disposable Linux container. When the user closes a tab or stops browsing, the container is discarded along with all code picked up from the site malicious and benign. The solution ensures a smooth and seamless browsing experience from any standard browser and any device, using any OS. Ericom Shield also ensures the safety of all files downloaded from the web, using factory-integrated Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) technology to disarm downloaded content before releasing it to the users device. Singapore is leading the region in adopting compulsory Internet separation. As security experts increasingly recognize the need for organizations to reduce the attack surface they expose to hackers, we can expect increased adoption of similar policies in other industries and regions, said Ilan Paretsky, Ericoms CMO. With the introduction of clientless remote browser isolation solutions such as Ericom Shield, which is nearly transparent to users and easy to install and manage, there is no reason for organizations to remain vulnerable to browser borne attacks. Cloud & Cyber Security Expo Singapore attendees can visit Ericom Software at Booth P32 or schedule a demo of Ericom Shield by emailing Shield@ericom.com. For more information on Ericom Shield, visit: https://www.EricomShield.com. About Ericom Ericom is a global leader in securing and connecting the unified workspace. Ericom empowers todays connected workforce and the IT organizations that support them by securing and optimizing desktop, application, and web content delivery to any device, anywhere. Founded in 1993, Ericom provides enterprise-grade secure remote access and web security solutions to a global customer base of more than 30,000 midsize to Fortune 100 organizations. With a focus on application delivery, cloud enablement, and secure browsing, Ericom advances secure connectivityproviding end users with a superior work experience and optimizing enterprise productivity. With over 10 million end users, Ericom has offices in the United States, United Kingdom and EMEA and an extensive network of distributors and partners throughout North America, Europe, APAC, and Africa. For more information about Ericom and its products, please visit our website. You can also follow Ericom Software on our blog, as well as on Twitter, Facebook, and our YouTube channel. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005 Ericoms Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) solution to be demonstrated at this week's @CSE_Global Expo in #Singapore, Booth P32 They adapted what is known as the RAPP assessment for newborns (respiratory status, activity, perfusion, position) to include a positioning of the mother not flat on her back to ensure the baby is not prone and to have a nurse dedicated to the baby as well as the mother following delivery. The infants nurse checks him or her at 10, 20, 40 and 60 minutes after birth and every 30 minutes thereafter for up to the first four hours. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 15:31:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 892 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / Global Cannabis Applications Corp. ("GCAC" or the "Company") (CSE: APP), (FSE: 2FA), (OTCQB: FUAPF), a leading developer of innovative data technologies for the medical cannabis industry, is pleased to announce it has signed a letter of intent (the "LOI") with Cannact LLC ("Cannact"), a seasoned distributor of cannabis technology and products in California, to enter into a license agreement to integrate the Citizen Green patient-care solution onto Cannact's platform with potential integration for related cannabis retailer partners."We are very impressed with the Citizen Green Community platform, its technology solution and crypto-based loyalty program offered through a partnership with CGAC," said Yoni Alter, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Cannact LLC. "Our goal is to ensure our customers are receiving the very best in customer care and that their experience with cannabis has a positive impact on physical and mental health. Having a resource like the Citizen Green Prescriptii patient-care solution for us and our customers will enable an improved and more complete medical cannabis treatment."Said Brad Moore, CEO of GCAC "Cannact is the first of many licensed producers and dispensaries who will seek Citizen Green's innovated solutions to improve health, safety and patient outcomes in the cannabis industry. Our Onward Program is a cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind loyalty reward program using the Citizen Green Coin cryptocurrency as an incentive tool to acquire new customers and retain existing ones. I look forward to working with the Cannact team as we integrate our innovative solution for the medical cannabis industry."The Cannact team have established relationships with over 50 (fifty) retail partners and dispensaries. The Citizen Green Prescriptii solution will be integrated onto the Cannact platform and then offered to its large retail, distribution and medical partner network. This will provide the basis for the GCAC and Cannact to collaborate and collect clinical and user cannabis data with the goal of validating treatment efficacy and improving patient outcomes globally.Citizen Green's Prescripitii solution is an innovative patient care application that builds and enhances the relationship of trust that already exists between medical cannabis sellers and their patients. The use of smart technology to drive better health outcomes enables licensed producers, retail owners, dispensaries and pharmacies to focus on their business's success. The Prescriptii desktop application offers the best possible medical cannabis product for a specific ailment for clients, which are tracked and recorded to include usage experiences. This information is aggregated and then made available to the retailer enabling them to better understand their clients and provide superior guidance on next steps.GCAC has launched its innovative Citizen Green patient-care solution to the global cannabis marketplace, starting with California which is experiencing explosive growth.About Cannact LLCCannact LLC is a distributor of cannabis products and technologies, based out of Sacramento, California. With years of experience in the California market, the Cannact team has established relationships with every phase of the supply chain. From the cultivator to the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer, Cannact have built a platform for distribution of unique cannabis technologies throughout California.About Global Cannabis Applications Corp.Global Cannabis Applications Corp. is a global leader in designing, developing, marketing and acquiring innovative data technologies for the medical cannabis industry. The Citizen Green platform is the world's first end-to-end from patient to regulator medical cannabis data solution. It uses six core technologies: mobile applications, artificial intelligence, regtech, smart databases, blockchain and digital reward cyrptocurrency, to qualify candidates for clinical studies. These technologies facilitate the proliferation of digital conversations by like-minded people in the medical cannabis community. Managed by digital and cannabis industry experts, GCAC is focused on viral global expansion by providing the best digital experience in the cannabis market.For more information about the Company, please visit online at www.cannappscorp.com , or review its profiles www.sedar.com and on the Canadian Securities Exchange's website ( www.thecse.com).To schedule an interview, please contact:Bradley MooreChief Executive OfficerTelephone: 514.561.9091Email: bmoore@ cannappscorp.comFor more information, please contact:Corporate Communications Canada & EuropeTelephone: 1.855.269.9554 Email: info@ cannappscorp.comwww.cannappscorp.comCorporate Communications United StatesHayden IRTelephone: 1.917.658.7878Email: hart@ haydenir.comForward-Looking InformationThis news release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of GCAC. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of GCAC. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because GCAC can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. GCAC disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of this information.SOURCE: Global Cannabis Applications Corp.View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/513704/GCAC-signs-LOI-with-California-Partner-for-use-of-the-Citizen-Green-Patient-Care-Solution-for-Medical-CannabisView source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/513704/GCAC-signs-LOI-with-California-Partner-for-use-of-the-Citizen-Green-Patient-Care-Solution-for-Medical-CannabisView source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/513704/GCAC-signs-LOI-with-California-Partner-for-use-of-the-Citizen-Green-Patient-Care-Solution-for-Medical-CannabisView source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/513704/GCAC-signs-LOI-with-California-Partner-for-use-of-the-Citizen-Green-Patient-Care-Solution-for-Medical-CannabisView source version on accesswire.com: MRRSE PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 08:49:14 Press Information MRRSE State Tower 90, State Street Suite 700 Albany, NY - 12207 United States Abhishek Budholiya Marketing Manager +1-518-730-0559 email https://www.mrrse.com/ # 520 Words State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesMarketing Manager+1-518-730-0559 Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has actively included a new study titled Industrial Pipe Insulation Materials Market: High Performance at Low Cost Continues to Enable Polyurethane & Polystyrene Reign Supreme: Global Industry Analysis 2013 2017 and Opportunity Assessment 2018 2028, which talks about the overall market scenario prevailing in the global market for industrial pipe insulation materials. Readers can access vital information such as geographical market share, market size and future projections based on different segments present in the global market.For More Information Request Free Sample on Industrial Pipe Insulation Materials Market Report @ https://www.mrrse.com/sample/16928 This analysis starts with the market overview and market introduction section that covers useful data linked to market taxonomy. Furthermore, readers can access information associated to macro-economic factors, opportunity analysis and global economic outlook. In addition, crucial factors such as market drivers, trends and restraints are enclosed in the report which deliver a specific idea about the future transformations expected to occur in the industrial pipe insulation materials market.The global industrial pipe insulation materials market is assessed on the basis of product type, end use and region. Based on product, the target market includes materials like mineral wool, glass wool, polystyrene, cellular glass and many more. At present, the market is highly controlled by polyurethane and polystyrene materials. These materials are highlighted to manage significant market share and growth rate; there are positive expectations that they will continue to lead the global market in the following years. On the other hand, considering the primary market drivers for the global industrial pipe insulation materials market, replacement of existing HVAC equipment across many countries is an evident factor. In developing countries, the growth in urbanization rate is driving momentous demand for HVAC installations. The end use segment of the global industrial pipe insulation materials market includes chemical, oil & gas, power, food & beverages, metal manufacturing and other industrial operations. Each of these segments are calculated based on market size (US$ Mn) and volume (KT) forecast during the period 2018-2028, together with market attractiveness analysis.The final section of the report stressed on the competitive analysis that discourse knowledge about major players functioning in the global market for industrial pipe insulation materials. Some of the manufacturers examined in the report include names like Linde Group, Praxair Technology, Inc., Air Liquide and Taiyo Nippon Sanso. Each of these players are analyzed in terms of product portfolio, sales footprint, strategy overview and a lot more.Browse Complete Detail on Industrial Pipe Insulation Materials Market Research Report with TOC @ https://www.mrrse.com/industrial-pipe-insulation-materials-market About (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords. MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting. MRRSE PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 08:39:24 Press Information MRRSE State Tower 90, State Street Suite 700 Albany, NY - 12207 United States Abhishek Budholiya Marketing Manager +1-518-730-0559 email https://www.mrrse.com/ # 622 Words State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesMarketing Manager+1-518-730-0559 Widespread consumption of dried fruits and nuts worldwide is expected to be the major influencing factor behind the growth of the macadamia market throughout the forecast period 2018 to 2028. This is particularly true in developed countries owing to a relatively high consumption rate. In addition, the growing trend of veganism, growing demand for plant based foods and the reduction in the consumption of red meat worldwide are expected to also contribute positively to the demand for macadamia.Revenues emerging from the macadamia market are expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of more than 7% through 2028. The insights given above have been taken from the report titled Macadamia Market: Processed & Raw Forms of Macadamia to See Significant Adoption in Processed Food Industry that was recently included in the vast repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE).For More Information Request Free Sample on Macadamia Market Report @ https://www.mrrse.com/sample/16921 Processed macadamia is expected to hold a relatively larger share of the market owing to its extensive application in food, personal care and cosmetics industry. The Asia Pacific region is expected to continue as the top regional player in the macadamia market and is expected to witness a relatively higher growth rate throughout the forecast period.Macadamia Market: Report OverviewThis detailed report provides a regional and global-level analysis & forecast on the macadamia market, in terms of value (US$ Mn) and volume (Metric Tons), for the period of forecast 2018 to 2028. Essential dynamics such as social, technological, and economic influencers that play an important role in impacting demand and the need for macadamias have been thoroughly analyzed in the report.An end-to-end value chain analysis on the macadamia market has been given in this report, and the researched intelligence has been effectively used for making the readers understand the competitive situation among leaders and emerging market players with information on the right opportunities and restraints. A market attractiveness analysis, on the basis of factors such as market size, general attractiveness, competition matrix, and Y-O-Y growth rate, has also been incorporated in the report.Browse Complete Detail on Macadamia Market Research Report with TOC @ https://www.mrrse.com/macadamia-market Macadamias Market: Research MethodologyDetailed discussions and extensive interviews have been carried out with a number of highly experienced industry experts and opinion leaders during the development of this report. Primary and secondary research methodologies have been used widely, which have helped in offering relevant intelligence on the macadamias market. Primary research represents bulk of the research efforts, which has been further validated with an extensive secondary research.Major companies and new entrants in the macadamias market have been assessed, while a variety of data sources such as press releases, investor presentations, annual reports, and other related documents have been used for comprehensive analysis on the markets competitor landscape to gain better market understanding. The research approach employed here has been regarded as being a reliable and efficient approach to harness precise intelligence on the market data, by finding and making use of unused business opportunities, and gaining useful insights about the actions of various industry participants.Enquire More about This Report @ https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/16921 About (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords. MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 22:35:22 Press Information Polaris Market Research Contact us- Mr. Neel Corporate Sales, USA Polaris Market Research Phone: 1-646-568-9980 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com Mr. Neel Manager 1-646-568-9980 email https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/ # 856 Words Contact us-Mr. NeelCorporate Sales, USAPolaris Market ResearchPhone: 1-646-568-9980Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.comWeb: www.polarismarketresearch.comManager1-646-568-9980 The Global Immuno-Oncology Market Size was estimated to at USD 8,333.0 billion in 2017. Immuno-oncology, also called as cancer immunotherapy is a biologic treatment, which enhances the bodys natural defenses to stop the growth of cancer. This therapy uses constituents made by the body or in a research laboratory to improve or re-establish the immune system function.Request sample copy of this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/immuno-oncology-IO-market/request-for-free-sample Top Key Player: -Bristol Myers SquibbMerckAstraZenecaRoche Holding AGPfizer Inc.Incyte Corporation.Immuno-oncology represents an innovative approach to cancer research that seeks to harness the bodys own immune system to fight tumor cells. Currently, world is at the forefront of this science with several compounds in development that are being investigated for use in a variety of cancers, as well as an approved immuno-oncology medicine that continues to be studied for new uses. The more precise targeting of patients for selected therapies is another important area of focus in oncology. Clinical biomarkers and pharmacogenomic studies are increasingly used to identify groups and sub-groups of patients most likely to benefit from an investigational agent in order to maximize its potential benefits.The global immuno-oncology market is driven by the factors such as rising occurrence of different forms of cancer, technological advancements in the field of immune oncology for cancer treatment, and rising awareness concerning the benefits of ablation procedures over conventional treatment procedures. Moreover, rising number of ablation centers, surgical centers, and hospitals are driving the growth of tumor ablation market globally. Additionally, the developments in oncology treatments, leading to the increased development of pioneering products are also advancing towards significant growth of the global Immune Oncology market.Make Inquiry about this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/immuno-oncology-IO-market/inquire-before-buying The increasing trend was also seen in the research in the novel agents and increase in the number of clinical trials in combinations as well as monotherapy. The most notable new agents in Immuno-Oncology are IDOs, LAG-3, TIGIT, TIM-3, VISTA, KIR, NKG2A, B7-H3/H4. The Report has also emphasized on the Oncolytic viruses, Neo-Antigen therapies, TCR Therapies and CAR-T therapies.On the basis of treatment type, the global immuno-oncology market is segmented into Monoclonal Antibodies, Therapeutic Vaccines, Checkpoint Inhibitors, and Cytokines. Checkpoint inhibitors were the largest treatment process segment in 2017 that accounted for 54.7% of the overall revenue. On the basis of novel targets, the global market is segmented into IDO1i, LAG-3 CPI, oncolytic virus, STING agonist, TLR agonist, HDACi, TIL, VEGFi, MEKi, TIGIT, CPI, GITR agonist, TGF-b trap, and A2AR antagonist/CD73i. VEGFi was the largest novel target segment that was used for immuno-oncology treatment processes in 2017 with a total market share of 11.2%. on the basis of cancer type, the global immuno-oncology Market is segmented into Melanoma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Head, face & Neck Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Classical Hodgkins Lymphoma, Merkel Cell, and carcinoma. Revenue share of immuno-oncology treatment for classical hodgkins lymphoma was the largest in 2017 i.e. 15.31% among the listed tumor types in the report.Browse Complete Report Details @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/immuno-oncology-IO-market/ On the basis of geography, North America was the largest regional market in 2017. High levels of spending on cancer treatments, also U.S. being one of the major country y with a huge population of cancer affected people on a global scale, the country being the host to the development of this technology, higher frequency of innovations of immuno oncology treatments or processes in the region specially in the U.S. etc., all of these factors have driven significant investment and alongside the demand for IO in the region. These factors have driven the North American market since the inception of this technology and over the forecast period it is expected to increase further.About Polaris Market ResearchPolaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide our customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities.We mainly focus on aiding our customers with substantial competitive intelligence, helping them to secure a competitive advantage in the market and accomplish sustainable growth in different market domains. Adept with a highly competent, experienced and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to our customers. Through dedicated qualitative and quantitative primary and secondary market research and consulting assignments, we adeptly formulate competitive strategies to address business challenges for our clients through analyzing market trends and emerging technologies.Contact us-Mr. NeelCorporate Sales, USAPolaris Market ResearchPhone: 1-646-568-9980Email: sales@ polarismarketresearch.com Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 14:36:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 876 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / MGX Minerals Inc. ("MGX" or the "Company") (OTCQB: MGXMF) (CSE: XMG) (FRA: 1MG) is pleased to announce it has signed the Definitive Option Agreement, after completing the due diligence in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding dated August 8th 2018, to acquire 50% of the issued shares of Chilean Lithium Salars SpA ("CLS"). CLS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chilean Lithium Salars Pty Ltd. ("CLSH") and holds a 100% interest in three prospective lithium exploration Projects (the "Projects") located in Chile, including Francisco Basin, Laguna Brava and Laguna Escondida Lithium Projects.Two samples from the Laguna Brava Project were received at PurLucid Treatment Solutions Inc. ("PurLucid") facilities in Calgary, Alberta to undergo pilot testing to prepare a Rapid Lithium Extraction unit deployment. Drilling contractors will be on site this week to prepare the drilling program at Francisco Basin Project, which will be overseen by SRK Consulting to deliver a 43-101 complaint Resource Estimation as soon as the exploration program is completed.Following the positive response from the Chilean state agency National Geology and Mining Service ("SERNAGEOMIN") and the Environmental Assessment Service ("SEA"), the Company plans to ship a rapid lithium brine system shortly. The Special Lithium Operation Contract "CEOL," is a requirement to carry any lithium related commercial activity in Mining Concessions granted after 1983.Francisco Basin Lithium ProjectThe Francisco Basin lithium project ("Francisco Basin") is located 30km south of Maricunga salar, 100 km southeast of the regional center of Copiapo and accessible via a regional highway and established tracks. The lease area comprises 12,900 hectares. Historical exploration work on the project was previously limited to hydrology studies. In January 2018, CLSH completed a reconnaissance brine sampling at the project. This sampling confirmed the presence of lithium enrichment in the surface brines. The samples were assayed at the University of Antofagasta ("Antofagasta"), Antofagasta, Chile which has one of the two leading laboratories in the world for this type of brine analysis. In May 2018, sampling continued and a 2.5L sample was taken near the southern shore of the surface Northern lagoon and sent to Servicios Quimicos Ltda. ("SERQUIM"), Antofagasta, Chile for content analysis. CLSH reported results to date are shown in Table 1.A geophysical program comprising an electromagnetic survey was completed in April 2018. The survey was based on a grid of sections which indicated the presence of high conductivity brines in two zones with significant thickness and horizontal coverage. The presence of anomalous lithium levels in the water body area located in the Northern lagoon, which is potentially underlain by a fault bound, saturated basin of undetermined thickness and the presence of widespread felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks as a lithium source.Table 1. Francisco Basin Assay Samples Sample Na g/L K g/L Li ppm Mg g/L SO4 g/L B ppm Dens Northern Lagoon - January 2018 LNF 01 75.2 4.59 372 2.00 4.07 799 1.179 LNF 02 72.5 4.34 372 1.92 4.07 832 1.170 LNF 03 69.5 4.06 369 1.85 3.74 767 1.163 LNF 04 74.5 4.32 374 1.75 4.02 832 1.174 LNF 05 80.0 4.40 388 1.78 4.71 961 1.188 LNF 06 67.9 3.98 361 1.73 3.85 821 1.181 LNF 07 79.8 4.66 387 1.74 4.44 864 1.183 LNF 08 73.4 4.31 371 1.86 3.93 842 1.172 LNF 09 76.8 4.39 374 1.70 4.05 864 1.174 LNF 10 80.0 4.56 384 1.86 4.38 896 1.185 Northern Lagoon - May 2018 LNF 01 103.0 6.62 694 3.54 28.70 - - Southern Lagoo - January 2018 LNF 11 2.35 0.19 7.9 0.15 3.07 248 1.007 LNF 12 0.57 0.41 3.0 0.003 1.55 151 1.121 LNF 13 1.27 0.01 0.4 0.07 0.61 65 1.002 The Francisco Basin salar is within a large, fault-bound, alluvium-filled basin to the immediate south of the Copiapo Volcano. The basin is closed, drains a large area and the salar appears to be the lowest point within the drainage.The rocks in the drainage surrounding this salar are dominantly volcanic, ranging in age from Eocene to Miocene, juxtaposed with some older rocks. To the west is a Cretaceous sedimentary sequence separated from the volcanic rocks of the Francisco Basin area by the Cerro Guerrita Fault. To the east, an older Oligocene to Miocene volcanic sequence is overlain by the Copiapo volcanic rocks.The Francisco Basin alluvial basin sits at the junction of three catchments. These river systems presumably provide the fill for the basin and are in part, along with the limits of the salar, structurally controlled. The alluvial fill may be covering post-Copiapo aged faulting.Laguna Brava ProjectThe Laguna Brava salar ("Laguna") is geologically prospective for lithium brine. The catchment is large and dominated by volcanic rocks, many of which have been altered by hydrothermal fluids associated with volcanism. The lake is also fed by active hot springs. Historical sampling of surface brines indicated significant lithium enrichment. In December 2017, CLSH undertook a four-hole reconnaissance drilling program at a southern access point of the salar to investigate the deeper aquifer. Prior to the CLSH reconnaissance drilling program in December 2017, no previous work had been undertaken to assess the volume and grade of the subsurface resource. Previous work recommended that the subsurface brines be investigated on the basis of his conclusion that Laguna Brava is geothermally fed. The presence of hot springs being present either at the margins or beneath salars is common within the Chilean Altiplano, other notable locations include the Salar de Coposa in Region I and Salar de Atacama in Region II. The principal origin of lithium in the Salar de Atacama is interpreted to be the lithium-bearing geothermal waters from the El Tatio Geyser Field, located north of the salar. The geothermal fluids enter the northern part of the Salar de Atacama via surface and subsurface flow. It has also been reported that the chemistry of the PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 18:32:03 Hereby we announce the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (hereinafter the Meeting) of AB Linas Agro Group, registered address Smelynes St. 2C, Panevezys, Lithuania, code 148030011, (hereinafter the Company) is convened. The date, time and venue of the Meeting 31 October, 2018 at 10.00 a.m., hotel Smelyne, Conference Hall (Smelynes St. 3, Panevezys, Lithuania). Accounting day of the Meeting is 24 October, 2018. Only the persons who are the shareholders of the Company at the end of the Accounting day of the Meeting shall have the right to attend and vote at the Meeting. The Rights Accounting day is 15 November, 2018. Only the persons who are the shareholders of the Company at the end of the Rights Accounting day shall have proprietary rights. Agenda of the Meeting: Presentation of the Companys Audit Committee Activity Report. Presentation of the independent auditors report. Presentation of the Consolidated Annual Report of the Company for the financial year 2017/2018. Approval of the consolidated and the Companys set of financial statements for the financial year ended 30 June, 2018. Acquisition of own shares by the Company. Formation of the reserve to acquire own shares. Approval of the Distribution of the Companys Profit. Election of the Companys auditor for the financial year 2018/2019 of the Company and establishment of the payment for the services. Initiator of convening of the Meeting is the Board of the Company. The Meeting is convened by the decision of the Board of the Company, adopted on 9 October, 2018. Registration of the Shareholders of the Company starts: 31 October, 2018 at 9.15 a.m. Registration of the Shareholders of the Company ends: 31 October, 2018 at 9.55 a.m. The Company does not provide possibility to attend and vote at the Meeting through electronic means of communication. Persons who at the end of the Accounting day of the Meeting will be shareholders of the Company, or their authorized persons, or persons with whom an agreement on the disposal of the voting right has been concluded, will have the right to personally participate and vote at the meeting. A person attending the Meeting must submit a persons identification document. A person who is not a shareholder must additionally produce a document confirming his/her right to vote at the Meeting. Each shareholder shall have a right in the manner established by the Laws to authorize natural or legal person on his/her behalf to attend and vote at the Meeting. At the Meeting, an authorized person shall have the same rights as the shareholder represented by him/her, unless otherwise specified in the issued power of attorney. A power of attorney issued abroad must be translated into Lithuanian and legalized in the manner established by the Laws. The Company does not require a special form of power of attorney. The agenda of the Meeting may be supplemented by initiative of the shareholders holding shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes. The drafts of proposed decisions on proposed issues or, if the decision shall not be adopted, explanation on each proposed issue of the agenda of the Meeting shall be presented alongside with the proposal to supplement the agenda of the Meeting. The proposal to supplement the agenda shall be submitted in writing by sending it by registered mail to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Smelynes St. 2C, Panevezys, Lithuania or by e-mail group@linasagro.lt. The agenda of the Meeting shall be supplemented if the proposal is received not later than 14 days before the Meeting. The shareholders who own shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes shall have the right at any time before the Meeting or during the Meeting to propose new draft decisions on the issue already included or to be included in to the agenda of the Meeting. The proposed draft decisions must be presented in writing by sending them by registered mail to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Smelynes St. 2C, Panevezys, Lithuania or by e-mail group@linasagro.lt. The shareholders shall also be entitled to propose draft decisions on the agenda issues of the Meeting in writing during the Meeting. The shareholders shall have the right to present questions related to the agenda issues of the Meeting to the Company. The questions in writing can be presented not later than 3 working days before the Meeting, by providing the shareholders personal identification number and consent to process personal data by e-mail group@linasagro.lt or delivered to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Smelynes St. 2C, Panevezys, Lithuania. Responses of general character shall be posted on the Companys website www.linasagro.lt. The Company will not respond to the shareholder personally if the respective information is posted on the Companys website. A shareholder or a person authorized by him/her shall have right to vote in writing in advance by filling in the General Voting Ballot. Upon a written request of the shareholders holding the voting right, the Company shall send the General Voting Ballot by registered mail not later than 10 days before the Meeting or present personally against acknowledgement of receipt at the registered office of the Company. The General Voting Ballot is also provided on the Companys website www.linasagro.lt. The filled in General Voting Ballot must be signed by the shareholder or by the person authorized by him/her. If the person who is authorized by the shareholder is voting, the document confirming the right to vote must be attached to the filled in General Voting Ballot. The document confirming the voting right must be in Lithuanian or translated into Lithuanian by authorized translator and his/her signature must be confirmed by notarius. The filled in General Voting Ballot and the document confirming the voting right must be submitted to the Company in written form not later than the last working day before the Meeting, by sending it by registered mail to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Smelynes St. 2C, Panevezys, Lithuania or personally to the Company against acknowledgement of receipt. The shareholders can familiarize themselves with the documents, related to the agenda of the Meeting, draft decisions on each issue of the agenda, documents to be submitted to the Meeting, and other information regarding execution of the shareholders rights, in the website of the Company www.linasagro.lt, also at the Companys office during business days from 8.00 a.m. till 12.00 a.m. and from 1.00 p.m. till 5.00 p.m. On the day the Meeting is convened the total number of the Company's shares is 158,940,398, and the number of shares granting voting rights is 158,158,426. The own shares in amount of 781,972 acquired by the Company do not grant voting rights. The ISIN code of the Company's shares is LT0000128092. Sincerely Chairman of the Board Darius Zubas Attachments PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 14:30:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 971 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Employee Benefits Organization is Adding Novus to Health PlansMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 9, 2018 / Novus Acquisition and Development, Corp. (OTC PINK: NDEV), through its wholly owned subsidiary WCIG Insurance Services, Inc., is a diversified insurance entity in health, liability, annuity and accident, and, the nation's first carrier/aggregator offering a cannabis health plan, today proudly announces its footprint expansion as it signs an agreement with Alloy Insurance Services, a new group provider to bundle Novus Cannabis MedPlan.Novus executed a bundling agreement with Alloy Insurance Services LLC, an entity that provides employee benefits and administration services for over 50,000 employees nationwide.John Pine Alloy's Chief Executive Offices, commented, "We are confident adding Novus' benefits as a solution to an emerging market will provide them a competitive advantage, as they have the only medical plan that will offer a preferred pricing on medical marijuana in the United States. Integrating Novus to our existing packages in states that allows distribution for Medical Regulated Cannabis, will add to Alloy's expansion in level funded health plans, acute care and telemedicine, pharmacy management, gap insurance and all other employee benefits."Pine further stated, "This relationship benefits Novus at a perfect time. With open enrollment for 2019 around the corner, millions of Americans are faced with many competing solutions for their health plans and Alloy's level funded medical plan solutions, partnered with Novus, will provide those alternatives."Frank Labrozzi, Chief Executive Offices of Novus, stated, "We are pleased that Alloy recognizes the competitive advantage of Novus Cannabis MedPlan. This agreement is evidence that the healthcare industry is recognizing the competitiveness of adding medical cannabis to employer group health polices. This is a burgeoning game changer for Novus and we are confident that this is the entryway to furthering the effort to make cannabis a fundamental benefits plan in North America."You're invited to review our benefits packages: http://bit.ly/2PjDvon Novus Capital Structure as of June 30, 2018: - No Convertible Notes - 98,233,624 common shares issued and outstanding - No sales of insider shares since the third quarter of 2015We invite you to review Novus filing(s) here: https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/NDEV/filingsAbout AlloyAlloy Insurance Services is a privately owned specialized general agency that exclusively partners with Brokers, Consultants, and Third-Party Administrators to negotiate, implement, and assist in providing management support in stop loss and ancillary benefits with the top-tier carriers. This is inclusive to their bundled products that offer medical dental, supplemental insurance, MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage) and EMEC (Enhanced MEC). Please visit: https://alloyemployer.comAbout NovusNovus Acquisition & Development Corp. (NDEV), through its subsidiary WCIG Insurance, provides health insurance and related insurance solutions within the wellness and medical marijuana industries in states where legal programs exist. Novus has developed its infrastructure within many lines of the insurance business such as, health, property & casualty, life, accident and fixed annuities.Novus medical cannabis benefits package will work as outside developers and will not cultivate, handle, transport grow, extract, dispense, put up for sale, put on the market, vend, deliver, supply, circulate, or trade cannabis or any substances that violate the United States law or the Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the future and will continue to follow state and federal laws. The statements made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on these press releases or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. Once a push notification is competed the transaction is solely between the state-licensed dispensary and the registered patient.The state laws are in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act. The current administration has effectively stated that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state designated laws, allowing the use and distribution of medical marijuana. However, there is no guarantee that the current administration, nor any future administration, will not change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws strongly. Any such change in the federal government's enforcement of current federal laws could cause significant financial changes to Novus Medical Group. While we do not intend to harvest, distribute or sell cannabis or cannabis related products, we may be harmed by a change in enforcement by federal or state governments. Forward-Looking StatementsThis release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflects management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, includes codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. Novus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact InformationCorporate:Chairman and CEOFrank Labrozzifrank@ ndev.biz 855-228-7355Investors:Hayden IRhart@ haydenir.com 917-658-7878SOURCE: Novus Acquisition and Development, Corp.View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/513705/Novus-Signs-Agreement-with-Alloy-Insurance-Services-a-National-Provider-to-Bundle-Cannabis-MedPlanView source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/513705/Novus-Signs-Agreement-with-Alloy-Insurance-Services-a-National-Provider-to-Bundle-Cannabis-MedPlanView source version on accesswire.com: PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 08:22:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 991 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 OXFORD, UK and PARIS, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / October 09, 2018 / Digital health company Vitaccess and Pharnext SA, (FR0011191287 - ALPHA) a biopharmaceutical company pioneering a new approach to the development of innovative drug combinations based on big genomic data and artificial intelligence, today announced the launch of an international study on Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) using a bespoke digital app named CMT& Me.CMT&Me is an observational, non-interventional study, sponsored by Pharnext, to collect Real-World Evidence (RWE) from people living with CMT. The objective of the study is to better understand the impact of the disease on patients' daily lives: the burden of CMT, its natural history and treatment, and medical, social and pharmacoeconomic effects.The app launches this week in the U.S. and will expand in a matter of weeks to Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. It has been developed in collaboration with international CMT experts and Patient Advocacy Organisations (PAOs): HNF (Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation) and CMTA (Charcot Marie Tooth Association) in the U.S.; Federacion ASEM (Federacion Espanola de Enfermedades Neuromusculares) in Spain; ACMT-Rete in Italy; CMT U.K.; CMT France; and the CMT European Federation. The data collected will be valuable to researchers, scientific societies, PAOs and Pharnext. Access to the data is subject to approval by the study's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), composed of international CMT experts and representatives of the PAOs mentioned above.Using the MyRealWorld(TM) RWE digital platform developed by Vitaccess, the study will provide an extensive overview of what it is like to live with CMT. Using "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) technology, participants will be able to use the CMT&Me app on their smartphones (Android or iOS) in the comfort of their own home or on-the-go, and data will be collected in real-time. They can fill out background and quality of life questionnaires, record their symptoms in a diary and access a knowledge feature that contains medical and practical information about the condition. Data collected are sent to a central database and aggregated. Researchers and PAOs can explore the anonymised, aggregated data via dashboards in order to further knowledge of CMT and improve patient care. Tailoring of the digital platform and supporting materials has been informed by close collaboration with PAOs and patients.From October 10 to 13, the Pharnext and Vitaccess teams will attend the 2018 American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. to showcase the project. Join the chat session organised by HNF on Friday, October 12 from 08:00 to 09:30 Eastern Time, where Mark Larkin (Vitaccess Founder and CEO) will present the CMT&Me app.For more information about the study and the CMT&Me app, please visit https://vitaccess.com/cmt-and-me/ or contact us at cmt@ vitaccess.com.About CMT1ACharcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease encompasses a heterogeneous group of inherited, progressive, chronic peripheral neuropathies. CMT type 1A (CMT1A), the most common type of CMT, is an orphan disease affecting at least 125,000 people in Europe and the US. The genetic mutation responsible for CMT1A is a duplication of the PMP22 gene coding for a peripheral myelin protein. Overexpression of this gene causes degradation of the neuronal sheath (myelin) responsible for nerve dysfunction, followed by loss of nerve conduction. As a result of peripheral nerve degradation, patients suffer from progressive muscle atrophy of legs and arms causing walking, running and balance problems and abnormal hand functioning. CMT1A patients end up in wheelchairs in at least 5% of cases. They might also suffer from mild to moderate sensitivity disorders. First symptoms usually appear during adolescence and will progressively evolve through patients' lives. To date, no curative or symptomatic medications have been approved and treatment consists of supportive care such as orthotics, leg braces, physical and occupational therapy or surgery.About PharnextPharnext is an advanced clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for orphan and common neurodegenerative diseases that currently lack curative and/or disease-modifying treatments. Pharnext has two lead products in clinical development. PXT3003 is currently in an international Phase 3 trial for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A and benefits from orphan drug status in Europe and the US. The results of this trial are expected in the second half of 2018. PXT864 has generated positive Phase 2 results in Alzheimer's disease. Pharnext has developed a new drug discovery paradigm based on big genomic data and artificial intelligence: PLEOTHERAPY(TM). The Company identifies and develops synergic combinations of drugs called PLEODRUG(TM), offering several key advantages: efficacy, safety and robust intellectual property. The Company was founded by renowned scientists and entrepreneurs including Professor Daniel Cohen, a pioneer in modern genomics and is supported by a world-class scientific team.Pharnext is listed on Euronext Growth Stock Exchange in Paris (ISIN code: FR0011191287).For more information, visit www.pharnext.comCONTACTS: PharnextXavier PaoliChief Commercial Officer investors@ pharnext.comTel: +33 (0)1 41 09 22 30Media Relations (Europe)Ulysse CommunicationBruno Arabianbarabian@ ulysse-communication.com+33 (0)1 81 70 96 30Media Relations (U.S.)RooneyPartnersKate L. Barrettekbarrette@ rooneyco.com+1 212 223 0561About VitaccessVitaccess is a digital health company based in Oxford, UK. Our experience in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) and Market Access consultancy makes us a trusted partner to the pharmaceutical industry. We understand the complexities of governance - including GDPR and HIPAA - and these standards have been applied to the creation of our digital platform, MyRealWorld(TM) where we capture real-world evidence in real-time.MyRealWorldTM: the patients' voice, digitallyOur powerful real-world evidence platform quantifies patients' experience of illnesses and treatments in everyday life, which can be very different from the impact measured in clinical trials. We are producing smartphone apps for which we can adapt data collection.HEOR and Market Access, optimisedWe develop effective and pragmatic recommendations that optimize patient access and health technology assessment (HTAs). Our approach is grounded in detailed and up-to-the-minute understanding of the global P&R landscape, supported by analytical rigour and insight.CONTACTS: VitaccessDr Mark LarkinFounder & CEOmark.larkin@vitaccess.com+44 (0) 1865 818 983Media RelationsCoralie Rassinouxcoralie.rassinoux@vitaccess.com+44 (0)7513 230 PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-09 07:56:02 Companies can now rely on Utimacos CryptoServer CP5 HSM to comply with European eIDAS regulation for digital signatures, seals and timestamps Certification according to eIDAS Protection Profile EN 419 221-5 opens up new business opportunities for Utimaco and its partners Dedicated Utimaco CryptoServer CP5 simulator available for evaluation and integration testing Utimaco HSM first to be Common Criteria EAL4+-certified according to eIDAS Protection Profile EN 419 221-5 Utimaco Alexandra Guennewig, +49 241 1696-200 pr@utimaco.com or Contact Agency: Akima Media Jan Gutheil, +49 89 959 18-0 utimaco@akima.de Utimaco, a leading manufacturer of Hardware Security Module (HSM) technology, received the Common Criteria (CC) EAL4+ certification for its CryptoServer CP5 HSM based on the eIDAS Protection Profile EN 419 221-5. CryptoServer CP5 is the first HSM in the market with a CC certification based on this protection profile, making it a future-proof choice for eIDAS trust services. These include local and remote electronic signing and sealing, issuing of certificates, website authentication and timestamping. For application development and regression testing, Utimaco offers a dedicated CryptoServer CP5 HSM simulator to prospects and customers. eIDAS Protection Profile EN 419 221-5 Cryptographic Module for Trust Services The German hardware security specialist was engaged with and contributed to the creation of the security requirements and protection profiles within the Technical Committee 224, Working Group 17 of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). New business opportunities with existing and new partners For Utimaco business partners, this recent certification opens up a wide range of business opportunities, among which remote signing solutions. German-based IT service provider Bank-Verlag, together with software developer achelos and Utimaco, is developing a Signature Activation Module for banking applications. The service enables bank customers to generate online signatures remotely and speeds up and simplifies processes such as signing contracts, opening an account or issuing insurance policies. Ascertia, a global provider of digital signature creation and verification solutions, will be using the Utimaco CP5 HSM within its ADSS SAM Appliance, a remote QSCD currently undergoing CC EAL4+ certification against EN 419 241-2. There is great market interest in the powerful combination of Ascertia software working with Utimaco HSMs to deliver eIDAS compliant remote signing. With eIDAS, the European Commission is looking to stimulate the digital market in Europe, says Malte Pollmann, CEO of Utimaco. Being the first vendor certified according to Protection Profile EN 419 221-5, Utimaco helps pave the way for compliant and highly secure trust services. These ambitions are reflected in a number of current and upcoming partner projects. Proof of concept with the CryptoServer CP5 simulator Several companies have already made use of the CryptoServer CP5 simulator for testing purposes in the past months. One of these is Halcom, a provider for digital banking solutions based in Slovenia. Having extensively tested the CP5 HSMs functionalities with the help of the simulator, Halcom is now able to kick-start the implementation of CryptoServer CP5 into its solution and provide its customers with both secure and compliant trust services. Luka Ribicic, Head of Halcom-CA, notes: To be able to offer our clients eIDAS-compliant solutions, cooperating with a trustworthy HSM provider was crucial. The CryptoServer CP5 simulator as well as the affordable price point were key factors in our decision for Utimaco. About Utimaco Utimaco is a leading manufacturer of Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) that provide the Root of Trust to many industries, from financial services and payment to the automotive industry, cloud services and the public sector. We keep cryptographic keys and digital identities safe protecting your critical digital infrastructures and high value data assets. Our products enable innovation and support the creation of new business by helping to secure critical business data and transactions. Founded in 1983, today Utimaco HSMs are deployed across more than 80 countries in more than 1,000 installations. Utimaco employs a total of 200 people, with sales offices in Germany, the US, the UK and Singapore. For more information, visit https://hsm.utimaco.com/. Follow us: LinkedIn, Twitter and Youtube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181008005 Utimaco HSM first to be Common Criteria EAL4+-certified according to eIDAS Protection Profile EN 419 221-5 Barely few weeks after the collapse of Skye Bank, same fate has befallen a community bank in Bauchi, Garu Micro-Finance Bank, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The manager of the bank, Ibrahim Abubakar, told NAN in Bauchi on Tuesday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had revoked its license, adding that the bank had been taken over by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The manager said the micro-finance bank was closed because it was facing liquity problem. The bank was closed because the shareholders of the bank have been unable to recapitalise it, he said According to him, timing of the closure is inauspicious because they are currently paying pensioners and September salaries. All the same the NDIC and the management are collecting forms from depositors to process their payment with designated banks across the state, to enable them receive their money, he assured. He said the microfinance bank had been operating for over 20 years in the state, adding that pensioners and other depositors had gotten used to the bank. A senior staff of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Bauchi office, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said the CBN approved the liquidation of the bank. The CBN has revoked the licence of Garu Micro Finance Bank Bauchi,for its inability to meet up with the financial obligations guiding operations of micro finance banks, he said. According to him, as soon as the NDIC officially deems that a bank has failed and is unable to meet its credit obligations, it notifies customers and the public, that it has assumed the responsibilities of receiver. It closes the doors to the public and immediately starts working with the banks staff to bring the books of account up to date, and ultimately post all relevant entries to the banks general ledger. This liquidation process entails more than converting assets to cash. It also involves finding new ownership for the failed bank, he said. He however assured that the NDIC would determine the number of depositors, their individual deposits and work out modalities for refunding their money. Meanwhile, customers of the bank, most of them pensioners, expressed concern at the development, urging the state government and shareholders to come to their aid. A customer and a pensioner, Bala Halliru, told NAN that he came to withdraw some amount and met the bank closed. This embarrassment is too much; this bank has been in existence for over 25 years, he complained . Another customer, Lydia Orgu, expressed same sentiment, saying that she felt pained by the development. (NAN) I went to his place after an evening out with some co-workers, and he was acting strange, Bemis wrote on Facebook, in response to my query. He said he had to make a phone call and then went to a bedroom to do it in private. I was mad because, I mean, why did he need privacy? I was going to leave, and then he came by me and said, I had to call my mom to see if it would be inappropriate to ask you to marry me without having a ring yet. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, says airline business in Nigeria requires stiffer aviation industry regulations to succeed. Mr Kuru attributed the short lifespan of airlines in the country to poor corporate governance in the management of the airlines. The AMCON boss who was the guest speaker at the 3rd Nigeria TravelsMart Colloquium in Lagos by the Nigeria Travel Market (NTM) highlighted the major challenges airlines and airports face in attempt to achieve growth and stability. He blamed the incessant collapse of airline businesses in Nigeria on lack of good corporate governance and inadequate regulatory oversight in the management of aviation business in the country. He also called on the federal government to concession airports across the country, a move that has been rejected by aviation workers in the past. It is high time government, the regulatory agencies and practitioners realised the important role of aviation in the development of a nation, he noted. Critically, it is a source of quality employment. For these reasons, it is a strategic sector deserving of a careful plot to greatness if Nigeria is to occupy its rightful place in the comity of nations. The AMCON chief spoke on the theme: Corporate Governance and Airline Industry development in Nigeria. He said the aviation regulatory bodies like the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) must develop the courage to insist that corporate governance is strictly adhered to by all operators. The industry, he noted, was riddled with several airline businesses that have failed due to lack of good corporate governance, with most board of directors represented by family relations such as father, mother, son who have no competence to manage a business as fragile and sensitive as aviation. Other challenges include lavish lifestyle of airline owners, who he noted take precedence over payments of pilots and engineers; as well asairline owners and staff becoming contractors for services thereby compromising standards. He also said chairpersons of the airlines take decisions to buy aircraft running into several billions of naira without due diligence. Mr Kuru said the trend was that in such airlines without structure, staff loyalty will only be to the owner, not to the company. Once the airline operates this sort of structure, vendors will naturally withdraw all forms of business support and the airlines tether to the point of failure, he said. He called on the NCAA to step up it regulatory functions like was being done in the banking sector. The aviation industry, he noted, was as important and requires even more regulation than as the health and banking industry, because it deals with the lives of travelers. It is only in Nigeria that an airline can abandon you at the airport for more than five hours without any recourse. Indeed, there are consequences for frequent cancellations. However I cannot recall any airline punished in the recent past, Mr Kuru said. A new Chinese animation movie titled Travel With The Wind was screened at the Ozone Cinemas, Yaba, Lagos, on Saturday. The movie is an initiative of Chinas Hangzhou Minglang Film Production Company Limited and is expected to hit Nigeria cinemas at the end of 2018. It tells a growth story about a small but courageous dinosaur Wind going on an adventure in a forest. Hosted by the film producer, Minglang Production, and its distributor, Silverbird Film Distribution, the screening was attended by children, parents and the select media. The animation movie deeply explores Chinese arts and culture and delivers values that are upheld in Nigeria. The producers told PREMIUM TIMES that the movie screening is part of efforts by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Star Times to promote cultural exchange between Nigeria and China. They added that they aim to explore the African animation industry and promote its development, starting with Nigeria, which has huge market potentials. A member of the production team and screenwriter of the film, who spoke to the guests ton video during the screening, admitted that children would learn lots of moral lessons by watching the cartoon. Hopefully, youll learn something and a lot of meaning to your life. We sincerely hope Travel With The Wind can help promote cultural exchange around the world. It is our desire that children around the world especially in Africa will like the animation movie, she said. Although the animation is set in China, the dialogue and characters are similar with what Nigerian cartoon buffs are already used to. It is expected to bring happiness and teach morals to Nigerian families, Rosana George-Hart, Business Manager, Silverbird Film Distribution, told the media at the event. The Digital Marketing Manager, StarTimes, Daniel Zhang, also expressed the readiness of the Chinese pay TV outfit to partner Minglang Production in showcasing the rich tradition and cultural values of the Chinese through Travel with the Wind and other artistic contents. Posters of the characters in _Travel with the Wind._ _Photo via Mtime.com China has banned imports of pigs, wild boars and products from Belgium after an outbreak of African swine fever. The country did same for imports from Japan after a regular swine fever outbreak, the General Administration of Customs said on Tuesday. The ban followed two African swine fever outbreaks confirmed in Belgium in September, and a case of regular swine fever in Japan in the same month, Chinas customs said. China also ordered the return or destruction of products shipped from the two countries, customs said. On Monday, China banned imports of pigs, wild boars and products from Bulgaria following an outbreak of African swine fever in the European country. (Reuters/NAN) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he plans to speak with Saudi Arabian officials at some point about the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing a week ago. Mr Trump, speaking at the White House, said he does not know anything about Khashoggis disappearance and that he had not yet spoken with Saudi officials about the situation. Mr Khashoggi has not been heard from or seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday, his fiancee and friends have said. Turkish officials told Reuters over the weekend they believed he had been killed inside the consulate. Saudi officials earlier on Tuesday invited Turkish experts and related officials to visit the consulate, according to Turkeys state-owned news agency Anadolu. Jamal Khashoggi [Photo: Middle East Monitor] On Sunday, Mr Trump said he was concerned about reports regarding the journalist and did not like hearing about it, but that he hoped the situation that will sort itself out. (Reuters/NAN) South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has appointed former Central Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni, as his Finance Minister on Tuesday, after he had accepted the resignation of Nhlanhla Nene. Mr Ramaphosa said he had received a resignation letter from Mr Nene and had decided to accept it. Nene faced calls to resign after he admitted visiting the Gupta brothers, friends of scandal-plagued former President Jacob Zuma, who have been accused of high-level influence-peddling, and failing to disclose the meetings earlier. Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing. The rand firmed, moments before Mr Mboweni, was announced Finance Minister at a ceremony in Cape Town. Its a measure of his character and commitment to the country that he has decided to resign in spite not being implicated in any wrongdoing, the president said. I am confident that Mr Mboweni will bring the leadership that is needed now. As a former governor of the Reserve Bank and before that, as Minister of Labour, Mr Mboweni brings with him vast experience in areas of finance, economic policy and governance. Mr Nene became a divisive figure in the scandal after acknowledging in a hearing that he had visited the Gupta brothers at their homes in Johannesburg, a confession his opponents said tarnished his credentials. He publicly apologised on Friday. The Gupta brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh have been accused of using their friendship with Mr Zuma, Mr Ramaphosas predecessor, to syphon off billions of rand in state funds and of inappropriately influencing cabinet appointments. The crisis over the finance minister had thrown a spotlight on Mr Ramaphosas promise to crack down on corruption and boost economic growth. Mr Mboweni, the nations fifth finance chief in less than three years, will have to oversee an economy thats fallen into recession and help Mr Ramaphosa rebuild confidence battered by almost nine years of mismanagement under Mr Zuma. He must also reassure investors and credit-rating companies of credible plans to stabilise the debt and revive growth in the mid-term budget on October 24. Mr Mboweni, who trained as an economist, served as head of the South African Reserve Bank for a decade until 2009 and for four years as labour minister in the former President Nelson Mandelas cabinet. His major achievement at the central bank was building the nations foreign-exchange reserves to almost 40 billion dollars from less than 10 billion dollars. Mr Mboweni was born on March 16, 1959, and he was the eighth governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first black South African to hold the post. Mr Nene was born on December 5, 1958, and appointed finance minister on February 27, 2018. He previously served as minister of finance from May 25, 2014, until his controversial removal by Mr Zuma on December 9, 2015. (Reuters/NAN) Venezuelas Prosecutor General, Tarek Saab, on Tuesday confirmed the suicide of an opposition councilman, Fernando Alban, who jumped from the building of the National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) where he was detained. The councilman was to appear later in the day before the courts for alleged involvement in the failed assassination attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in August. Alban requested to go to the bathroom and jumped from there, said Saab to the Venezuelan state television (VTV), adding that an exhaustive investigation will be conducted to determine and establish the causes of this unfortunate event. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said via Twitter that the opposition politician had been detained at SEBIN since October 5. He added that the Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigative Corps (CICPC) will work jointly with the Public Ministry into the investigation. During an outdoor ceremony on August 4 to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Venezuelas National Guard, two drones carrying explosives flew close to the presidential stand as Mr Maduro was giving a speech and detonated. Mr Maduro was unharmed but several members of the military sustained injuries. (Xinhua/NAN) The Syrian Government, on Tuesday, announced an amnesty for men who deserted the army or have avoided military service, local media reported It gave them several months to report for duty without facing punishment. The fear of conscription and the potential punishment for ducking it or for desertion is frequently cited by aid groups as one of the main reasons refugees give for not wanting to return home. Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, in a decree issued on his social media feeds said the amnesty covered all punishments for desertion inside or outside Syria. A report says men inside Syria will have four months to take advantage of the amnesty while those, outside will have six months. Under Syrian military law, deserters can face years of prison if they leave their posts and do not report for service within a set amount of time, it said. Syrias conflict began in 2011 after mass protests against Assads rule, eventually leading to half a million deaths and drawing in the world and regional powers. Many soldiers deserted, some to join the rebels, and others to escape the fighting. More than half the pre-war population fled their homes, while about 5 million went abroad and millions of others were displaced within Syria. While the amnesty covers desertion, it does not cover fighting against the government or joining the rebels, who are regarded by the Syrian Government as terrorists, the government. In the past three years, Russian and Iranian Military support has helped Assad regain control of numerous enclaves held by anti-Assad rebels or jihadist militants, ending fighting in many areas. After a Russian-Turkish deal to avert an assault on the last major opposition stronghold, in the northwest, it is unclear if there will be significant new military offensives soon. Lebanon says 50,000 Syrian refugees, among the more than a million it says, are on its soil, have gone home voluntarily in assisted returns this year. However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Chief, Filippo Grandi, said conditions have not yet been fulfilled for mass refugee returns. Grandi, while speaking in Beirut in August, said refugees were concerned about conscription and other issues such as the lack of infrastructure. (Reuters/NAN) Three journalists were arrested in Myanmars commercial hub, Yangon, on Tuesday for violations of a colonial-era law protecting public tranquility, according to their employer. Local newsgroup Eleven Media editors, Kyaw Zaw-Linn and Na Yi-Min and senior reporter Phyo Wai, were charged under Section 505(b) of Myanmars penal code at Tamwe Township police station, according to Elevens executive editor, Ko Oo. I dont know why they have been charged, but they are not being held yet, Ko said. Tamwe Township police station did not answer dpas calls. Section 505(b) forbids publishing statements or reports with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public or induce a person to commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquility. It is punishable by two years in jail. Myanmar Press Council and local media said all three reporters had been detained. Zaw-Linn posted on Facebook on Tuesday that he had acted ethically when he wrote an article on Yangons chief minister, Phyo Min Thein. Myanmars de facto leader, Aung-San Suu-Kyi, has been slammed for a backsliding in press freedom in the country after ending decades of military rule in elections in 2015. In August, Myanmar jailed for seven years under a colonial-era law two local reporters working for Reuters. The pair were arrested after uncovering a massacre of minority Rohingya Muslims, 700,000 of whom have fled Myanmar since security forces launched a brutal crackdown which the UN has said had genocidal intent. (dap/NAN) At least 310 children have died of acute malnutrition since 2016 at health centres in Gombe State, an official said. The state Nutrition Officer, Suleiman Mamman, disclosed this in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Gombe on Tuesday. He said 36,932 malnourished children have been admitted at the 18 Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres in the state within the period. The centres are situated in Gombe, Dukku, Nafada and Kaltungo local government areas of the state. According to Mr Mamman, 55 of the deaths were recorded between January and August this year, as latest records revealed. He said 10,171 malnourished children were admitted at the centres within the period this year, out of which 6,906 were attended to and discharged. However, he said 385 children were withdrawn by their parents before completing treatment, while 81 did not recover due to complications including being HIV/AIDS positive. Among those admitted at the centres this year, 2664 are still receiving treatment, he disclosed. In 2016, Mr Mamman said, 12,618 were admitted, 11,531 of them cured, 105 died, 833 defaulted (withdrawn before completion of treatment) and 149 did not recover. In 2017, the nutrition officer said, 14,143 children were admitted to the CMAM centres, from among which 150 deaths were recorded. He said 13,069 were cured and discharged, 710 defaulted and 214 did not recover. He said the children who did not recover from the condition were so labelled after being treated for eight months but showed no improvement. Mr Mamman said most of the children in this category were HIV/Aids positive and were thus referred to various hospitals across he state for further treatment. According to the officer, Nigeria is one of the 20 countries responsible for 80 per cent of global child malnutrition, adding that approximately 2.5 million under five children are affected by malnutrition in the world. This (under-five children malnutrition) accounts for one tenth of the global total. Nearly a thousand Nigerian child die of malnutrition-related causes every day, or 361,000 each year, he said. Mr Mamman added that maternal under-nutrition results in low birth weight, which in turn contributes to high infant mortality and is also a significant factor in the high incidence of maternal mortality in the country. Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood illnesses. 45 percent of all under five deaths are attributable to under nutrition. According to the officer, malnutrition often hinders socio-economic development of nations and increases poverty. Gombe State is listed among 12 states in Nigeria to benefit from an intervention project being funded by international donors for preventive and treatment aspects of malnutrition. The five-year Accelerated Nutrition Result Project, for which $10 million has been set aside, will be run through each states health ministry. But due to its failure to pay counterpart funds to match the donor interventions, a condition for accessing fund under the project, Gombe State may lose the opportunity of implementing the project. Senior workers at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on Monday urged the Nigerian government to ask the Executive Secretary of the scheme, Usman Yusuf, to step aside after again accusing him of fraud. At a press briefing in Abuja, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria at the NHIS restated some of the alleged misconducts over which Mr Yusuf was suspended from office last year and accused him of refusing to turn a new leaf since his reinstatement. The executive secretary was suspended by the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, in July 2017 over alleged gross misconduct and fraud. The minister then set up a panel to investigate the allegations. According to documents in possession of PREMIUM TIMES, the panel indicted Mr Yusuf on most of the allegations and recommended sanction, following which the minister forwarded the report to the presidency. But in February, without informing the minister and against the recommendations of the probe panel, President Muhammadu Buhari reinstated the executive secretary into his office. The reinstatement ignited an uproar, with a group of workers staging a protest at the agency against it. The head of Abuja secretariat of the association of senior civil servants, Isaac Ojemhenke, who addressed the conference on Monday, said the NHIS boss spent millions of naira belonging to the scheme on his personal needs, in contravention of rules guiding the civil service. The association alleged eight different fraudulent acts against Mr Yusuf. According to Mr Ojemhenke, the executive secretary collected about N3.6 million to fuel seven vehicles attached to himself while he was on suspension. He said since his recall to office, Mr Yusuf has embarked on activities capable of jeopardising industrial peace and harmony in the scheme. On Monday, the senior workers also alleged that Mr Yusuf fraudulently awarded a contract of N17.5 million to his brothers company. This, Mr Ojemhenke said, was for the training of NHIS staff on capacity building on communication strategy in public service delivery which took place in Benin City, Edo State. Mr Yusuf was also alleged to have brought his nephew, Hassan Kabir, to the procurement department of the scheme to pave way for him to award a contract of N46,798,512.00 to his brothers company. The association also said Mr Yusuf attempted to move N25 billion of enrollees fund for investment barely 24 hours before the inauguration of the NHIS governing council. Mr Yusuf was also accused of disregarding a directive to recover N14,158,000.00 paid to him and four others for a trip to The Netherlands. The association said the ES has continued to pay himself undeserved and illegal allowances, while allegedly claiming he has the ears of the authorities and such, nothing will happen to him. Mr Ojemhenke described Mr Yusufs conduct as a clear case of financial recklessness, abuse of office and breach of financial regulations. In an attempt to end their dispute with him, the workers said they met with Mr Yusuf before his suspension but he rebuffed them. As part of its protest, the association had earlier sent a petition to the governing council of the agency. They urged the federal government to do the needful by asking the NHIS boss to step aside to serve as deterrent to others. Mr Yusuf could not be reached on his known telephone numbers. However, reacting to the allegations, the chairperson of the NHIS governing council, Ifenne Enyanatu reaffirmed that her council received petitions by the group levelling several other allegations against Mr Yusuf. All those allegations they made in their press statement, they have also sent as petitions to the council. The council will be meeting on the 17 and 18 of October and each one of these issues is going to be tabled because we want answers she said. Once I got into high school, she would tell me things, said Peter Ruiz, now 48. I appreciated that honesty and seeing the world through her eyes. But there wasnt a day where she wasnt hugging me or trying to kiss me. For a kid that gets kind of old, but she would never stop showing affection. What seems like the longest annual recess of the National Assembly is expected to be over Tuesday. Federal lawmakers are expected to resume plenary on October 9 if the recess is not postponed again. The recess is ideally a few weeks break lawmakers embark on every year. It gives them time to proceed to their constituencies to interact with their constituents on varied issues of national interest. The National Assembly embarked on its annual recess on July 24 amidst controversies of defection and preparation for party primaries. It was scheduled to resume on September 25 but was postponed to October 9. The clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, made the announcement in a statement on September 23. He said the postponement was due to primaries of the political parties. Since the Senate embarked on recess, a lot of issues arose from both the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) and the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There was also a matter of urgent national importance from the executive. Also, at this time, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, defected from the APC to PDP and announced his presidential ambition. The Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, also joined the APC and stepped down as the minority leader. These defections sparked outrage from leaders and top members of the parties which led to accusations and counter accusations from both sides. Following Mr Sarakis defection, there were calls from the APC for the senate president to step down or be removed a threat which he (Mr Saraki) ignored as he said he would not step down. Outside politics, issues were also raised about the killings in some parts of the country. Senate President, Bukola Saraki. During the recess, lawmakers, top politicians and other Nigerians continually called on Mr Saraki to reconvene the upper chamber and tackle these issues but the senate president, as well as other lawmakers were busy pursuing their political ambitions. Here are some expectations of Nigerians as the Senate resumes. More possible defections Hours before the recess, there was mass defection in both chambers of the National Assembly. Fourteen senators dumped the APC for PDP and other parties while 37 members of the House of Representatives defected as well. Few weeks after their defection, Mr Saraki announced his defection to the PDP. It is believed that lawmakers who have defected from one party to another, did so in a bid to settle at a party where securing a ticket for another term would be easy. Prior to its presidential primaries on Saturday and Sunday, some lawmakers of the party had threatened to leave the party should it adopt direct primaries for the 2019 elections. Some senators who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES in August, said if the party adopts the usual indirect primary, it will lose its majority status at the Senate. For them, the only way to reclaim leadership of the senate is an assurance of direct primaries by the party. The APC adopted direct primaries and conducted its convention over the weekend. To ward off further defections, the ruling party favoured incumbent senators in its primaries. However, political analysts now say the victory of Atiku Abubakar who emerged as the flag bearer for the PDP, will cause more lawmakers to join the PDP as he is believed to have loyalists, even in the APC. More so, the PDP has boasted that some APC lawmakers and governors are willing to join the opposition party. It will therefore, be unsurprising to witness more defections when the senate resumes. Impeachment Threat Following his announcement to join the PDP, some senators and leaders of the APC have continued to mount pressure on Mr Saraki to relinquish his position as senate president since his party does not have majority at the senate. Top among people making such calls is the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole. He had accused Mr Saraki of not acting in the interest of Nigeria. He also asked Mr Saraki to resign or be removed from office. Mr Saraki, however, said he would not resign as he believes he still enjoys the support of majority senators. The APC says it still has a slight majority of 53 of Nigerias 109 senators. However, two-thirds is constitutionally required to remove Mr Saraki, which means the ruling party would need the support of many opposition senators to achieve that feat, something it is unlikely to get as the race for 2019 heats up. Prior to his defection, officials of the State Security Service (SSS) laid siege to the Abuja residences of Mr Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. Speculation had been on, on the appropriateness of Mr Saraki as senate president, having defected from the ruling APC to the PDP. Some lawmakers and top politicians claimed that the siege was a plot to stop the leaders of the upper chamber from coming to the National Assembly so as to remove Mr Saraki and install a new leadership. Ahmed Lawan was touted as a possible new senate president while Hope Uzodinma would be his deputy. That plot to remove Mr Saraki is expected to continue. 2019 Election Budget: Another key issue that members of the upper chamber are expected to tackle is the 2019 election budget. The president had on July 14 transmitted the proposed budget for next years election to the Senate. He sought the approval of N245 billion which he said will be drawn from the 2018 and 2019 budget. President Muhammadu Buhari Legislative work on the budget got controversial when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented a budget of N189.3 billion for the election even though the president in his letter, asked that N143.5 billion be released to INEC in 2018 and N45.6 billion be released in 2019. Members of the Senate committee on INEC were compelled to reconvene and invite the chairman of the electoral commission, Mahmood Yakubu, to explain the budget. The commissions request caused members of the committee to again deliberate on whether to grant INECs request or that of the president. While some members of the panel suggested that the entire N189 billion be approved as requested by INEC, others were of the opinion that approving the entire amount will be going against the presidents request. After thorough deliberation (which lasted over a week) of the reviewed budget of N143 billion presented by INEC, the committee adopted N143 billion (N143, 512,529,455) for the elections cutting the amount by exactly N200, 272,500 million. Report from the committee is expected to be at the top of the order when on the day of resumption as leaders of the committee had said recommendations will be forwarded to the National Assembly leadership and the Committee on Appropriation for consideration and final approval. Insecurity And Flooding The resurgence of killings by armed bandits across the country, especially some parts of Plateau State has raised concern among political and religious leaders and Nigerians in general. Most recent reports of killings happened in Bassam and Riyom local governments of Plateau State and the University of Jos. There have been reports of killings in some parts of Benue and Borno as well. This recent violence has been condemned by the president as well as the governor of the state, Simon Lalong, who called for calm and urged residence of the state to live in peace. Another issue of concern is the recent flooding in several parts of the country. Some of the affected states include, Kogi, Niger, Anambra, Delta and Taraba. Others are, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara States. A flooded street at Bale at Ajegunle lkorodu, Lagos state [picture used to illustrate the story Flooding in the communities of these states prompted the National Emergency Management Agency to declare National Disaster in the states. Even though the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, visited the affected areas and assured victims of the federal governments help, political watchers cannot but expect a motion that seeks to improve security as well as provide help in the affected areas. The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday resumed plenary after recess its recess which lasted over two months. It had suspended plenary on July 24 and was scheduled to resume on September 25 but the Clerk to the National Assembly in a letter, announced the postponement of resumption to October 9. Upon its resumption on Tuesday, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, led the prayers at about 11:06 a.m. and the Senate went into a closed door session thereafter. Nigerians have anticipated the Senates resumption as many believe there are pressing issues to be tackled by the lawmakers. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reviewed some of the key issues including the budget for the electoral commission, INEC, and whether the ruling party, APC, can successfully remove Mr Saraki who defected to the opposition PDP a few months ago. More details later Some legislative aides to federal lawmakers on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest to demand unpaid allowances. The aides were positioned in the complex, at the lobby between both chambers of the National Assembly, as they sang solidarity songs and held up placards with inscriptions, we are aides, not slaves. Both the upper and lower chambers were expected to resume plenary today. The Senate resumed plenary and promptly entered into a closed-door session presided by Senate President Bukola Saraki. Nyakari-Abasi Etuk, who led the protesters, told journalists that they have not been paid Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) among others, since the inception of the 8th assembly. Some of us they are owing us up to one point something million and these are funds we use to go on errands and other miscellaneous things. The last leadership of the national assembly paid us up to date. We are not talking about training, the issue of training is also there, we are supposed to have four trainings in a year. Ever since we started we have not had training. The training that we had was sponsored by the National Assembly Service Commission. All we are asking for is our entitlements, he said. He further explained that their demands have been channeled to the leadership of the National Assembly, but were not attended to. This is our plight, this is our concern. We are telling everybody today is the resumption date most of the aides, some have died, some dont have money to send their children to school. The leadership, as a matter of urgency, we are calling on the leadership to ensure that our allowances, to ensure we collect our duty tour allowances. Every year, allocations and budget are given to the national assembly which captures the legislative aides. So all we are saying, all we are asking for is for them to pay us. We are over 3,000 legislative aides. No one from the leadership of the National Assembly was present to address the legislative aides at the time of this report. The Nigerian Senate has suspended its sitting over the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Funke Adedoyin. Funke Adedoyin, a representative from Kwara State, died on Friday afternoon in Abuja. Her profile on the Nigerian National Assembly website put her age at 56. A fellow lawmaker from Kwara State, Razak Atunwa, said Ms Adedoyin died of cancer. The upper chamber adjourned barely an hour after it resumed from its annual recess which lasted for ten weeks. The House of Representatives, after resuming on Tuesday, also adjourned its sitting to honour the late lawmaker. The National Assembly had embarked on its annual recess on July 24 amidst controversies of defection and preparation for party primaries. It was scheduled to resume on September 25 but was postponed to October 9. Opening the session for the day, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, led the prayers. The lawmakers, thereafter, went into an executive session. After the closed-door session, Mr Saraki read out some letters from President Muhammadu Buhari. Coming under Order 43 of the Senates standing order, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, thereafter, asked the Senate to observe a minute silence in honour of the deceased. He also asked the Senate to suspend plenary for the day in line with the tradition of the National Assembly. The lawmakers adopted the two motions after a voice vote. The plenary was adjourned at 12:19 p.m. Ms Adedoyin was daughter of famed Nigerian industrialist, Samuel Adedoyin. She was appointed minister of state for health by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his second term between 2003 and 2007. Ms Adedoyin was amongst a host of All Progressives Congress lawmakers who joined the Peoples Democratic Party in a mass defection earlier this year. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday said the federal government has spent N1.7 trillion on capital projects in two budget years. He made this claim while addressing participants at the 9th Presidential Quarterly Business Forum held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. The vice president said infrastructure development was crucial in economic growth and job creation. In his words, I am convinced that we can crack the jobs problem and we are in the right direction. First, by investing in infrastructure; we are investing more in infrastructure today than any previous governments in our history. We have spent so far in two budgets, N1.7 trillion in capital investment that is the largest in the history of the country. Despite earning 60 per cent less, we are doing far more with far less resources, he said. THE CLAIM We have spent so far in two budgets, N1.7 trillion in capital investment that is the largest in the history of the country despite earning 60 percent less; we are doing far more with far less resources, Mr Osinbajo said. Verification Of Claim The vice president said N1.7 trillion was released for capital projects in two budget years. Since the present administration, under Muhammadu Buhari, was sworn in on May 29, 2015, the first full year budget of this current administration was in 2016. Hence, verifying this claim will be based on the realities of the 2016 and 2017 budget. According to the Budget Office of the Federation, the 2016 budget, as approved by Mr Buhari has an aggregate expenditure of N6,060,677,358,227 (N6 trillion) out of which N1, 587,598,122,031 was projected as capital expenditure; but the total release for capital projects in 2016, according to the Accountant General, was N1,219,471,747,443 (N1.2 trillion) which translates to the fact that 20 per cent of the total budget size was spent on capital projects. In 2017, a total expenditure of N7.44 trillion was passed by the National Assembly. Out of this, N2.99 trillion was earmarked for non-debt recurrent spending, while N2.36 trillion was budgeted for capital expenditure, which represents 31 per cent of the entire budget. According to official documents from the cash management department of the ministry of finance, out of the N2.36 budgeted for capital expenditure in the 2017 budget, a total of N1.6 trillion was released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for financing capital projects in the 2017 federal budget. Going by available data on capital releases for 2016 and 2017, a total of N2.8 trillion was spent on capital projects by the current government for the 2016 and 2017 budget years, a figure which is more than the N1.7 trillion quoted by the vice president. The claim by the vice president that this government has so far spent N1.7 trillion in two budget years on capital projects is, therefore, TRUE. A previous fact check had also shown that the latter part of Mr Osinbajos claim that the capital release is the largest in the history of the country is also true if the actual figures (N1.2 trillion in 2016 and N1.6 trillion in 2017) are taken in real value. In no previous year was up to N1 trillion actually released for capital projects in a budget year. President Muhammadu Buhari has written to Senate President Bukola Saraki to express his decision to decline assent to 15 bills. Following he presidents letter, the Senate on Tuesday resolved to set up a Technical Committee to review the bills that were rejected by Mr Buhari. The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe) moved that the committee be established after Mr Saraki read out letters from President Muhammadu Buhari, withholding assent to the 15 bills passed by the National Assembly. His decision to withhold assent to these bills was communicated to the Senate via several letters. Although Mr Buhari communicated his decision to the parliament while the National Assembly was on its annual recess which started in July, Mr Saraki read out the letters Tuesday upon resumption. The bills are National Research and Innovation Council (Est.) Bill, 2017; National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Est.) Bill, 2018; National Agricultural Seeds Council, 2018 and Subsidiary Legislation (Legislative Scrutiny) Bill, 2018. Others are Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Chattered Institute of Entrepreneurship (Est.) Bill, 2018; Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2017. During the break, the president also rejected the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and five constitutional amendment bills. The president also introduced Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Bill, 2018 to the upper chamber as he requested that the bill be considered and passed into law. In his reaction, Mr Lawan suggested that the Senate take advantage of Mr Buharis observations and review the bills. I have listened to the letters that you have read conveying the observations from Mr. President not to sign so many bills. I am of the opinion that we should take advantage of this device that is all these things that have been brought to us and understand. What I believe, we can have a platform to avoid this kind of things from happening. We should put in a lot of time and our very limited resources. If at the end of the day, we are not able to get what we want, we need to take prompt action. Senator Ahmed Lawan Therefore, I will suggest we take up a particular compromise after the chairmanship of business and rules and some loyal senators or whatever it is, we would set up a technical committee stating what happened, why those bills were not signed we may have excluded some things that may not be too serious but maybe we have not taken too much time to look at them, he said. Mr Saraki, thereafter, put his (Mr Lawans) suggestion to vote and lawmakers unanimously voted for the committee to be set up. Nigeria has assured the international community of its unalloyed commitment to the advancement of womens rights and the eradication of violence and all forms of discrimination against women. The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, Babatunde Nurudeen, stated this while making Nigerias presentation on Advancement of Women to the UN General Assembly in New York. Mr Nurudeen said: The advancement of women remains a critical issue for continuous engagement and calls for action-related measures for the achievement of national and international policies capable of promoting and enhancing their fundamental rights. Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is unequivocally committed to the advancement of women rights, gender equality, empowerment of women through eradication of poverty, prohibition of trafficking in women and girls, elimination of violence and discrimination against women. He also said Nigeria had developed a National Gender Policy aimed at eliminating gender discrimination, and promoting political, economic and social opportunities in the public and private sector for women. The Nigerian envoy said in furtherance of the objectives of the UN Security Council Resolution 1235, Nigeria has launched its Second National Action Plan of the Councils resolution. He said: To reinforce governments commitment to the eradication of all forms of violence against women, Nigeria has adopted a programme on Stop-Violence Against Women in Election (VAWIE). The adoption is with the objective of mitigating violence against women and demonstrating the link between gender-based electoral violence vis-a-vis the reduced participation of women in the political landscape. To facilitate its full implementation, a special contingent of VAWIE monitors are deployed to man designated situation room at various election centres for the purposes of collating and reporting cases of electoral violence against women during any election in the country. In the area of women empowerment, Mr Nurudeen said the Nigerian government had introduced an empowerment programme to disburse $1.66 million micro-credit lending to businesses at the bottom of the financial pyramid. This has created an array of women entrepreneurs in the country, especially given the soft conditions of zero collateral, zero interest and only five per cent administrative fee attached to the loans, he said. In combating gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies, he said the government recently unveiled a Road Map on Call to Action on Protection from Gender Based Violence in Emergencies. The Road Map, he said, provided a model and standard operating procedures aimed at ensuring that women and girls are protected from violation in conflict situation. He said the plan had been further externalised with its subsequent launch, during the Oslo II/Berlin Conference on the Lake Chad, held in Berlin in September. The Nigerian envoy said the launch had given further impetus for the international recognition of the roadmap as a model for preventing gender based violence during humanitarian and emergency situation. According to him, Nigeria acknowledges the pivotal role of its women in achieving accelerated national economic growth and development. He added that the country attached importance to realising demographic dividend and gender equality in all spheres of our national development plans. Mr Nurudeen announced that Nigeria had been selected as one of the three pilot countries for the Demographic Dividend with a Gender Dimension for 2018-2022. The project is being implemented by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, as entry points for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. He emphasised that Nigeria believed the advancement of women must be approached in a concerted and collective manner. Nigeria reaffirms the importance of the effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and other International Agreements for the promotion of gender equality and womens empowerment. We must work together to ensure the upliftment of womanhood in the realization of objectives of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063, he stressed. (NAN) Four of the leaders of the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement have announced to take a leave of leading the pressure group, following the political ambition of a co-founder of the movement, Oby Ezekwesili. Aisha Yesufu, Florence Ozor, Maureen Kabrik and Dudu Bakam have decided to step down after the emergence of Mrs Ezekwesili as the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria. In a statement released on Tuesday by the key members of the BBOG, the four made the decision in order to support Mrs Ezekwesili in her run to be president of Nigeria in 2019. She has also formally announced her step down from leadership of the movement. The statement said the four women have been at the forefront of the movement since the beginning of the campaign, holding both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC) government of Muhammadu Buhari to account for not rescuing and returning all the 276 girls who were kidnapped in 2014 from Chibok, Borno State. According to the statement, one of the women, Ms Ozor said both APC and PDP have failed in their responsibility. We have spent the past four years on this journey and we continue to be fired up in ensuring that #NigerianLivesMatter like any across the world. We have confronted #APCPDP governments who have failed in their responsibility to effectively protect lives and property. Those who thought this was an agenda against the PDP saw clearly that human life knows no party as we continued our advocacy with even more determination after the change of government to the APC in 2015, she said. Ms Kabrik in her own words said this was a move they had to take. This is a deeply emotional decision for us, when we realised this was a move we had to take, we were saddened for an extended period. We have given our hearts and our souls to ensure that human lives have meaning, and we have formed a family, especially with our very protesters, including at our daily sit outs over the past 1000+ days, she said. Ms Bakam further highlighted that We know how dirty old order politicians play. We are taking this step for the first time in our lives of working actively for a candidate because we think this is the only option we have for our goals of securing lives and property to be achieved. These politicians have shown they will not listen until their positions are at risk, and this is what we are going to do now. This cause is dear to our hearts so we will continue to clamour for the calls and continue to join the activities when we can until after the elections. But we will not be leading it so its crucial work can continue unhindered. The abduction of the chibok girls made the group, led by Mrs Ezekwesili, Ms Yesufu, Ms Ozor, Ms Kabrik and Ms Bakam begin a daily campaign for the release of the girls. Although many of the abducted girls have been released while others have died, about 112 of them remain missing and are believed to be with the terror group. The statement further highlighted that the activism of these women has also supported a broad spectrum of security causes including protests on the Buni Yadi boys, Leah Sharibu, the 48 Potiskum Boys, University of Maiduguri lecturers on NNPC assignment, Lassa Women, Rann Women, IDPs, Missing Gwoza Police Men, the #NationalDayofMourning, and #StopTheKillings organising civil action after tragedies in Plateau, Yola, Zamfara, Benue and elsewhere. Members of the movement have included members of political parties and government organs across the country. Meanwhile, following the decisions of the four women, the group announced its new leaders of the movement to be Yassin (coordinator), Nifemi Onifade (spokesperson) and Gapani Yanga (sit-out coordinator). The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described a statement attacking him by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as irresponsible. The APC in a statement on Tuesday by its publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, said Mr Sarakis loss shows PDP delegates were fed up with his political style. Mr Nabena said the disappointing performance of Mr Saraki at the PDP Presidential Election Convention is a befitting end to the ambition of a greedy, untrustworthy and double-dealing politician. Mr Saraki, who recently defected to the PDP from the APC contested the partys presidential ticket but came third with 317 votes, behind Aminu Tambuwal with 693 votes and Atiku Abubakars 1532 votes. The ruling party has consistently called on Mr Saraki to resign as senate president since his defection but the former Kwara State governor has dismissed such calls. In response, Mr Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, accused the ruling party of always being disturbed at the mention of his name. We have noted the irresponsible statement issued by the APC spokesman, Yekinni Nabena. We know that he and the leadership of the APC are always incensed and disturbed at the mere hearing of the name, Saraki. It is also notable that Nabena and the APC are always concerned about the developments in the opposition party, the PDP. However, we believe that with the civil war that Adams Oshiomhole and Yekinni Nabena have ignited in the APC and the very low level that they have dragged the party, in such manner that the ruling party is wallowing in confusion and disorganization, they have too much to pre-occupy them than to be poking their noses in what happens to Saraki or the APC (sic PDP), he said. No fewer than 36 banking centres have been opened by the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) in the South-east, the zonal manager, Asuquo Abianga, has said. Mr Abianga disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 2018 World Post Day. He said that the essence of the centres was to provide financial facilities to the unbanked populace in the zone. He said that the facilities were located in the remotest parts of the zone as a way of ensuring inclusion in the provision of infrastructure. He said that due to the inability of certain players in the private sector to provide certain amenities most communities rely on us as a one-stop-shop for their services. The post office provides social inclusion to capture people living in isolated and disaster-prone areas. With our manpower, millions of unbanked people are covered and we are leveraging on technology to achieve this, he said. Mr Abianga said that the post had the largest network, competitiveness, security, pricing and reliability to achieve such feat. He said that the Postmaster General, Bisi Adegbuyi, had made laudable efforts to reposition NIPOST with the reforms. The zonal manager said that the reforms were aimed at attaining strategic importance as well as increasing the operational efficiency, accessibility and penetration of the post. He said that in spite of the daunting challenges facing the NIPOST, the management had gone ahead to make an indelible mark in driving the industry. NIPOST has steadily evolved from providing traditional postal services such as sales of postage stamps, mail delivery to game-changing products and services, he said. He named their new services as E-stamp, NIPOST Youth Engagement Strategy, Address Verification System, E-Money Order, agency banking and others. The theme of the 2018 celebration is The Post Delivering Goods to the World. NAN reports that the highlight of the celebration was a road show by members of staff of NIPOST. (NAN) Rock Island County Sheriff Gerry Bustos said Van Dyke arrived at the jail early Tuesday afternoon and was in the process of being booked. Bustos said Van Dyke will be held in protective custody out of the general population of the jail, located about 180 miles from Chicago on the Iowa border. A young man, Kamaludden Bashir, has commenced trekking from Zaria to Abuja to show his support over the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mr Bashir who arrived Kaduna on Tuesday, a day after he left Zaria, told journalists that he plans to reach Abuja within five days. I am really happy with the victory, that is, why I am trekking to Abuja to show him that I am with him 100 per cent. Along the way, I will sensitises thousands of youth to join me in the campaign to make Nigeria great under Atiku as president. I believe that only he can overcome the problems of unemployment, poverty, insecurity, communal and ethno-religious crisis disturbing the peace and stability of the country. According to him, he left Kwarbai area of Zaria at about 6:30 am on Monday after his parents prayed for him. Mr Bashir believed that Mr Abubakars structures all over the country were strong enough to push for his election in February. I believe in Atiku, that is, why I am trekking in solidarity and praying for him to win the 2019 presidential election. I believe he is the best man that can fight corruption and take Nigerian youths to the Promised Land. According to him, he was robbed of his money, food and water along the way, but said the experience would not deter him from continuing with the journey. Mr Bashir urged Nigerian youths to support the former vice president during the general elections so as to put Nigeria on a better direction. (NAN) The unions in the aviation sector have threatened to shut down operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos on Wednesday over alleged sack of 20 employees who indicated interest to unionize. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions had in a Notice of Strike obtained by NAN on Tuesday threatened to disrupt operations at the terminal operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL). The unions are; The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE). The notice of strike dated October 5, was jointly signed by the General Secretary of NUATE, Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole and General Secretary, NAAPE, Ocheme Aba. The unions said they were compelled to issue the notice following the refusal of the BASL management to cooperate with the interventions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airport security agencies. The unions said all services to MMA2 would be withdrawn effective October 10, unless the management fully reinstate all the affected workers without loss of pay or seniority. They also advised the management to recognise the unions and allow the unhindered processes of unionisation in BASL in compliance with extant labour laws. By this notice, all aviation workers connected with MMA2, including the employees of BASL, are hereby directed to withdraw their services as above notified and join other members in the organised protest activities at the terminal on that date as from 6a.m. By this notice also, all business enterprises, including airlines are hereby advised to note this development and make alternative arrangements as may be feasible. In similar manner, the traveling public are equally advised to seek alternative traveling points, or dates, the unions said. The unions, while apologising for any inconvenience caused by the disruption, vowed to continue the protest until BASL accede to their demands. NAN reports that the unions and BASL had been at loggerheads since May when the workers were laid off. The spokesperson for BASL, Steve Omolale, had said contrary to the claims of the unions, these workers who were relieved of their appointment were staff, who had either attained retirement age or who were found not to be diligent in their duties. (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) has mocked Senate President Bukola Saraki over his loss at the recently held presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) . The party in a statement on Tuesday by its publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, said his (Saraki) loss shows PDP delegates were fed up with his political style. The disappointing performance of Sen. Bukola Saraki at the Presidential Election Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a befitting end to the ambition of a greedy, untrustworthy and double-dealing politician, the party said. Mr Saraki, who recently defected to the PDP from the APC contested the partys presidential ticket but came third with 317 votes, behind Aminu Tambuwal with 693 votes and Atiku Abubakars 1532 votes. The ruling party has consistently called on Mr Saraki to resign as senate president since his defection but the former Kwara State governor has dismissed such calls. The APC says it believes Mr Sarakis loss is because the PDP delegates are tired of his political style. It also accused him of lacking credibility and being a saboteur. The PDP delegates have given clear indication that they are fed up with Sarakis political style. When a leader cannot be trusted, cannot be relied upon, and cannot keep agreements, the people take due cognisance and records of these actions and respond with their votes at the appropriate time. Saraki must do the needful by giving up the Senate President position. He should be a distinguished Senator in name and in deed. He cannot continue to preside over the APC-dominated Senate as a member of the minority PDP. The delegates of the PDP have rejected Saraki as their presidential candidate. Let the Senators also do likewise by rejecting the greedy, deceitful and unreliable Senate President as their leader. A new President of the Senate, free from all allegations of criminality is needed NOW. Mr Sarakis spokesperson was yet to respond to an enquiry from the reporter as at the time of filing report. The National Assembly is set to resume plenary today after several weeks of recess. The campaign office of Atiku Abuabakar has described the opposition presidenital candidate of being a job creator. The office also took a jibe at President Muhammadu Buhari saying he has never run a successful job creating enterprise. Now we urge the Buhari Presidency and the APC to mention even one successful private endeavour that the president has successfully run. And by private enterprises, we are not referring to 150 cows that never increase in number, year in year out, the campaign office said. Read the full statement below. The open, democratic and free and fair election (something alien to the APC according to Buharis own wife) on Sunday of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate for the PDP, has clearly left the All Progressives Congress in a state of panic and confusion. On Sunday, the Buhari Campaign Organisation launched the first weak salvo. And on Monday, the APCs National Publicity Secretary unleashed his own knee-jerk reaction, accusing His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, of being desperate. Our response to the APC is to ask who is desperate between a Muhammadu Buhari who said If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood and an Atiku Abubakar who said Love and peace should not only be preached, but must also be put into practice for the sake of sustaining the peace in our land? It is left for Nigerians to judge, but even a blind person can see that Nigeria has been soaked in blood ever since she was unfortunate enough to have fallen under the rulership of a man whose words are destructive and never productive. The APC scribe was foolish enough to say The pertinent question to ask about Atiku is, what was his scorecard in public office? That is a very easy question to answer and we will answer it now. Some of HE Atiku Abubakars achievements as Nigerias Vice President are that as head of the National Council of Privatisation, he superintended over the GSM revolution that saw Nigeria go from 50,000 to 100 million GSM lines, has added 500,000 direct jobs to the Nigerian economy and attracted $27 billion to our GDP. Our question to President Buhari and the APC is how many jobs have they created? Another of HE Atiku Abubakars achievements is the successful privatisation of many public enterprises that hitherto consumed government resources without yielding profit. In response, we ask President Buhari how many loopholes in public expenditure has he plugged? The spectacular failure of the 419 Nigeria Air is still fresh in the memory of Nigerians. A further achievement of the former Vice President is initiating, starting and completing several road projects all over Nigeria including roads in President Buharis home state of Katsina. In return, we challenge President Buhari and the APC to mention three projects that they have initiated, started and completed in the last three years. Finally, the APC spokesman had the guts to question His Excellency, Atiku Abubakars source of wealth. We wish to remind APCs National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, that Atiku Abubakar is not like President Buhari who has never run a successful private business throughout his life. Unlike Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar is an expert job creator who has founded many successful and thriving businesses including the American University of Nigeria, Yola, a Microfinance Bank that has moved 45,000 families out of poverty and Rica Gado, a livestock feed company that has significantly reduced instances of herdsmen/farmers clashes by providing a business-friendly solution instead of asking Nigerians to give up their lands for cattle ranching or face death, as the Buhari government did. Unlike President Buhari, Atiku Abubakar does not believe Nigerian youths are lazy. How could, when 25,000 out of his 50,000 employees are youths? Nigerians should note that we have just listed only a few of the many booming commercial enterprises founded by Atiku Abubakar. Now we urge the Buhari Presidency and the APC to mention even one successful private endeavour that the President has successfully run. And by private enterprises, we are not referring to 150 cows that never increase in number, year in year out. The fact of the matter is that no other candidate is as poised Atiku Abubakar to Get Nigeria Working Again. Nigerians want jobs and Atiku means JOBS. It is no surprise that that is one thing the APC do not want to talk about, seeing as they have lost 11 million jobs in the last three years. Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation As part of the Journalism Welfare Campaign, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) and The Olive Prime Psychological Services (TOPS) Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on September 10 at the PTCIJ office in Abuja to provide free mental health assessment and care for journalists. The PTCIJ in recognition of the peculiarity of the journalists job and the effect it has on their psycho-social health, sought partnership with TOPS, a psychiatric health facility based in Abuja, to provide psychological support and counselling for journalists to ensure that their mental health is catered for. The signing of the agreement by Joshua Olufemi, Programme Director PTCIJ, and Opeyemi Atanda, the Service Manager of TOPS, comes as one of the follow up action-oriented steps towards the holistic welfare of Nigerian journalists after previous comprehensive training geared at helping journalists build resilience in the face of the weight of the demands of their work. This agreement is a fruit of the advocacy for the improved holistic welfare of journalists in Nigeria. It is an initiative which has its roots in the 2017 No News Is Bad News Programme organised by Free Press Unlimited (FPU) organisation in collaboration with PTCIJ. The workshop birthed the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), a collaboration of investigative newsrooms and Civil Society Organisations working on Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom in Nigeria with support from FPU. It is in fulfillment of the objectives of the coalition to fight for media rights that the PTCIJ launched its Journalists Welfare Matters project and a one-day advocacy workshop with the same theme recently to inform, educate, and promote the holistic welfare for journalists which includes care for the mental health of journalists. The coalition understands that the demands of the profession take its toll not only on the physical well-being of journalists but also on their mental health as holistic welfare will be incomplete without taking care of the psychological needs of journalists. Increasingly, research has shown that journalists are growing prone to psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental illnesses. These psychological disorders had previously been thought to be prevalent among journalists who are at the frontline covering war, conflict, and disaster. However, a number of journalists who are not covering clearly traumatising beats are presenting with symptoms of mental disorders from work-related stress. This situation is perhaps understandably so as the boundaries of conflict are shifting from country borders to non-defined lines within them as is the case with the unrest in the north-east, south-south and north-central regions of Nigeria; and journalists are exposed to these conflicts as they occur in the course of their role as reporters. In a report on the psychological effects of reporting violence by American Journal of Psychiatry published in September 2012, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has a lifetime prevalence rate of 28.6 per cent, 14.3 per cent for alcohol use, and 21.4 per cent for Major Depressive Disorder among journalists reporting a violent conflict. Amidst all of these is the challenge of freedom of the press especially in developing countries where there are still laws that criminalise certain journalistic duties. Reporters are unlawfully arrested, detained without trial, harassed and tortured for doing their jobs. The cases of Samuel Ogundipe and Jones Abiri are recent examples of such violations against journalists and freedom of the press in Nigeria. Such negative exposures predispose journalists to psychological disorders and present a strong reason for the welfare of journalists to include care for their psychological well-being. Journalists are as much susceptible to trauma as the people in their stories, and working in conditions that do not take cognisance of this makes them even more so, thus. The collaboration between PTCIJ under its Journalism Welfare Matters project and TOPS is taking cognisance of this often ignored need and bringing the issue of the psychological welfare of journalists to the forefront. Journalists can under this programme access psychological assessment, counselling services, therapy services, among others by reaching out to PTCIJ via info@ptcij.org. Leaders of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Tuesday visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo for what they described as part of deliberations ahead of the 2019 general elections. The group explained that the visit was aimed to further harmonise the Yoruba desire of supporting a candidate who is ready to restructure the country, in the 2019 presidential election. The publicity secretary of the group, Yinka Odumakin made this known while speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting with Mr Obasanjo at his Penthouse located within the complex of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta. He also disclosed the body will soon disclose the presidential candidate it will support in the forthcoming general elections. He said though the 2019 election is going to be interesting, what is paramount to the Yoruba race is restructuring. The 2019 election is going to be interesting. The most important thing for us is restructuring and clearly, you should know that Afenifere will always support a candidate that is ready to restructure the country because without restructuring we are going nowhere. We have heard someone saying that 2014 report was kept in the archive and we have also heard another person saying that Nigeria can be restructured clearly, so we know where to go. We are going to make a pronouncement very soon. The pendulum is swinging and we will know where it will swing, he said. The group also explained that some months ago, Mr Obasanjo came to Lagos to visit one of its leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and we discussed some issues and today we are here to as well to visit him (Obasanjo) and appreciate his visit to Lagos the other time. We are trying to further the friendship so that there can be harmony in Yoruba land so that our people can know that leaders across divides are coming together to discuss the way forward, Mr Odumakin said. Governor Bindow Jibrilla of Adamawa State has said he remains loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari even as he raised concern over an alleged plot by some unnamed politicians who lost out in the APC primaries to blackmail him by pitching him against the presidency. Speaking through the state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, the governor said the disgruntled politicians planned to print campaign posters of him and that of Atiku Abubakar, the recently elected presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Mr Sajoh said that the posters would be pasted in Yola and Abuja. Mahmoud Ahmed, a relative of the presidents wife, Aisha Buhari, and a former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, were some of the politicians defeated in the North-east states APC primaries. It is not clear if the governor was referring to either of these. Both have condemned the exercise and called for its cancellation. In separate media briefings Saturday in Yola, the state capital, Mr Ribadu and Mr Ahmed alleged that the process was hijacked across the state by corrupt state officials. The two are contesting for the APC ticket along with the incumbent governor. They said party members who thronged polling centres were stranded throughout Friday as no officials turned up to conduct the election. Mr Ribadu said the hijack of the process was a confirmation of worst fears over the neutrality of party officials in the state. Mr Ahmed also called for sanction on the party officials who allegedly masterminded the hijack, which he said was done to create confusion in the party. The two aspirants called on the national leadership of the party to cancel the purported primaries, and dissolve party leadership at the local level to give way for a fair contest. The presidents wife a few days later also condemned the state-wide primaries of the ruling party saying it was sad that the anomalies witnessed in many states happened under a comrade leader, in a veiled reference to Adams Oshiomhole, the APC chairman. Mr Oshiomhole was a former labour leader before he was elected Edo State governor. Mrs Buhari has been known in the past to criticise the government headed by her husband. But the governor in his statement on Tuesday said he remains a loyal supporter of Mr Buhari despite the upheavals that has hit his state. We have credible information that the posters would be pasted in Yola and Abuja as a means not only to blackmail the governor but to creat a rift between him and the president. Let me reiterate for the avoidance of doubt that governor Bindow has no intention to leave APC or work for anyone outside APC or support anybody that is not the candidate put forward by APC. We are APC government and remain loyal to the party at all levels and the president who is the leader of the party and the most credible candidate we can market. Mr Sajoh also listed a series of federal government projects particularly roads and empowerment programmes going on in Adamawa, adding that Adamawa people have no reason not to support Buhari again. He urged all those who lost out in the party primaries to heed to the call by President Buhari to show sportsmanship and join hands with winners for the partys victory at all levels. Our correspondent observed that posters of the Messrs Bindow and Abubakar have started appearing in parts of the state. The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has congratulated the two female aspirants who won APC ticket to contest for senate seats in Adamawa State. The winners Binta Masi-Garba, a serving senator and Aishatu Dahiru Binani picked the APC tickets to contest for the Adamawa North and Adamawa Central senatorial seats. Mrs. Buharis message was contained in a statement signed by her media aide, Suleiman Haruna, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja. She said their success would encourage other women to join the political arena and contest for elective offices. We pray that the two women and all other APC female candidates will emerge winners at the secondary elections in 2019, the statement added. While calling on the candidates to remain steadfast to the APC manifesto, she appealed to them to pay special attention to women empowerment and initiate policies that would help vulnerable families, when elected. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Aishatu Binani, a new entrant into the Senatorial race, defeated former Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority, Umar Umarana, and one other male aspirant, to pick the ticket. Mrs Buharis brother, Mahmoud Ahmed, who ran in the governorship primaries lost to the incumbent, Jubrilla Bindow. (NAN) Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara on Monday claimed that all primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general elections have been concluded in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Yaris declaration came at a time when representatives of the party from the APC National Headquarters said no election was held at all. Mr Yari alleged that the primaries had earlier faced challenges in the state following the failure of the first national committee chairman, Abubakar Fari, to conduct a credible exercise. He said, since we must conduct elections and declare results before 12 midnight of October 7, we have done what is expected of us and we have submitted the results to the APC authorities. We do not know why those people (the second national committee led by Maj. Gen. Abubakar Mustapha (rtd.) are here, why they did what they did because I have since ordered for the continuation of the election on the 1st and 2nd of October. Because I am the leader of the party in the state, he maintained. He said, it was in order to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline that results were collated from all the 147 wards of the 14 local government areas of the state and submitted to the party. He also said that this effort would ensure that the state was not left out in the submission of its candidates for the general elections. The governor then directed the party chairman in the state, Lawali Liman, to announce winners of the primaries for governorship, national and state assemblies. According to the results, Muktar Idris won the governorship ticket while Mr Yari was elected as the partys senatorial candidate for Zamfara West, Tijjani Kaura for Zamfara North and Ikira Bilbis for Zamfara Central. However, Mr Mustapha, the chairman of the APC committee mandated to conduct the primaries in the state said, as far as the committee charged with the responsibility of conducting the primary elections in Zamfara is concerned, no election was conducted at all. We have all the election materials intact in our position, and we are going to submit same as well as our report to the national secretariat of our party which mandated us to come and conduct the election. I will not talk any further but we should wait for the next line of action from the national headquarters of our party NAN reports that party members had in the past two weeks turned out in large numbers to participate in the primary elections of the party especially after the directive from the APC National leadership to the state to adopt direct primary. (NAN) The EU and French Development Bank have committed to procure a 330KVA transformer to improve power supply to President Muhammadu Buharis hometown, Daura Local Government Area and surrounding communities in Katsina, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said. An official of the company, Wale Adeyemi, made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of the project site, saying the 110KVA transformer in the area would be upgraded to ensure regular and stable power supply. According to him, the project to be financed by the federal government, EU, French Development Bank, and other donor agencies, when completed would also boost the socio-economic lives of the people of the area. We will ensure timely completion and quality execution of the project in accordance with the laid down terms and conditions, Mr Adeyemi said. He said that the upgrade would cover Katsina-Daura-Giwa-to Tsamiyar Kara in Kano State, adding we would soon deploy men and materials for the job to kick start without delay. Abba Mato, the Daura council chairman, described the project as highly commendable. He said that the decision of both the federal government and donor agencies to improve electricity in Daura was desirous and timely. Mr Mato said that the council would cooperate with the TCN to ensure the success of the project. He called on the people of the benefiting communities to continue to support government policies and programmes for sustainable development. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Maiadua, Sandamu, Baure and Zango LGAs in Daura emirate have been battling with irregular power supply for some time. (NAN) When, when that person gets caught, Im going to be notifying the community, and Im going to encourage the community to come to court with us to really throw the book at this person, he said. Because to have a 2-year-old murdered, shoot into a crowd with disregard for life, that person deserves the maximum penalty. The Lagos State University (LASU) on Tuesday confirmed the dismissal of three of its academic staff for sexual harassment and misconduct. The universitys spokesman, Ademola Adekoya, said the institutions Governing Council took the decision at its 119th Statutory Meeting on October 4, as recommended by the Joint Council/Senate (Academic) Disciplinary Committee. Mr Adekoya named the affected staff as Sunkanmi Odubunmi, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Ajani Ogunwande, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry. Also, Dr Emmanuel Gbeleyi, Lecturer II, Department of Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos, Mr Adekoya said in a statement. According to him, the council also approved the promotion of 49 academic staff and 200 non-academic staff into various positions. The spokesman said 29 non-academic staff of the university had benefited from an internal recruitment exercise recently conducted by the university. They include 18 Administrative Officers II, three Technologists II, four System Analysts, two Academic Planning Officers II and two Industrial Liaison Officers, he said. Mr Adekoya, however, noted that the current authority of the university by the development had further demonstrated its zero-tolerance for sexual harassment and general indiscipline. He said the decision of the university was also in line with its drive to continually promote the welfare of both deserving staff and students of the institution. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Messrs Odubunmi and Ogunwande had invited the female students whom they had harassed and failed their courses to their office to write an exam on a Saturday. The students had reported the lecturers to the university security unit who bombarded them with recorders to trap them in the act. However, the LASUCOM lecturer, Mr Gbeleyi was reported by two female students who he asked to buy an injection, which he allegedly used to sedate them before he sexually took advantage of them. (NAN) Piranha: In 2006, fisherman Edward Reinhart pulled a piranha from the Des Plaines River, according to a Tribune report at the time. It was described as being as big as a dinner plate and had a red belly. Though piranhas are native to South America, a lot of people keep them as pets and release them for a variety of reasons into local water streams. They've been found in a few other Illinois rivers and even Lake Michigan. There was a cover-up. There were emails that were uncovered. In fact, in (Freedom of Information Act) requests, they were blacked out because he didnt want to let people know what really was going on which was an effort to cover their butts, to make sure that they werent held accountable, he said. For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. LONDON, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alteryx, Inc. (NYSE: AYX), revolutionizing business through data science and analytics, today announced the alliance and channel partners honored for the 2018 "Partner of the Year Awards" at its annual Inspire Europe conference. Winning companies were honored during today's Partner Summit for their unrivaled expertise, customer service and contributions to Alteryx global expansion. Alteryx partners with world-class system integrators, value-added resellers and analytics experts to support Alteryx users globally, empowering them to reach business-altering moments of insight. This global network of channel and technology alliance partners spreads Alteryx sales and support across more than 50 countries and drives valuable business outcomes for customers through real-time training, best practice sharing, and workflow and model development. The 2018 EMEA Partner of the Year Award winners include: UK Partner of the Year: The Information Lab The Information Lab Central Europe Partner of the Year: Woodmark Consulting Woodmark Consulting Southern Europe Partner of the Year: Keyrus Spain Keyrus Spain BENELUX Partner of the Year: Infotopics Infotopics Nordics Partner of the Year: CGI CGI Middle East & Africa Partner of the Year: Dimago Dimago Rookie Partner of the Year: Quant "The winning organizations have unmatched expertise of the modern, data-driven world and serve as incredibly valuable, trusted resources to our expanding global user base," said Steve Walden, senior vice president of business development. "As the Alteryx community continues to grow, these awards serve as a token of appreciation to our network of partners that support data scientists and analysts alike and encourage them to uncover answers that never seemed possible." Alteryx also recognizes the sponsoring partners that made 2018 Inspire Europe possible, including Javelin Group & Accenture, The Information Lab, Tableau, DataRobot, ThoughtSpot, Snowflake, DVW Solutions, Theobald Software, Exasol, H2O.ai, Keyrus, MB Research and Continuum. The breadth of sponsors reflects the extensive expertise of the data science and analytics ecosystem Alteryx is assembling in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. About Alteryx Revolutionizing business through data science and analytics, Alteryx offers an end-to-end analytics platform that empowers data analysts and scientists alike to break data barriers, deliver insights, and experience the thrill of getting to the answer faster. Organizations all over the world rely on Alteryx daily to deliver actionable insights. For more information visit www.alteryx.com. Alteryx is a registered trademark of Alteryx, Inc. All other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Alteryx, Inc. Related Links http://www.alteryx.com Orlando Marzo, from Melbourne's acclaimed Lume restaurant, has been named the world's best bartender by the biggest bartending competition on the planet, WORLD CLASS Global Bartender of the Year 2018. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765964/WORLD_CLASS_Bartender.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765963/WORLD_CLASS_Bartender_1.jpg ) Orlando beat over 10,000 bartenders from every corner of the globe in a competition that spanned five continents, six months, hundreds of challenges and countless cocktails. It culminated in a four-day final, where 56 of the best bartenders in the business battled it out in the global cultural hotspot of Berlin. Shaking it all the way to the top was no mean feat for this leading bartender, but his winning cocktails well and truly blew the judges away. Diageo Global Cocktailian and WORLD CLASS judge, Lauren Mote, said: "All the finalists brought their A game, but Orlando really was on another level. The Zacapa aperitif he made for the 'Before and After' challenge was one of the best I've ever tasted and the way he held his nerve in the 'Cocktail Clash' finale - for me, that's the mark of a truly WORLD CLASS bartender." So how did he do it? Hard work and an incredibly supportive bar team back home, according to the newly crowned winner. "I can't believe it!" said Orlando, "Just being here, competing alongside the best bartenders in the world, judged by some of the most iconic names in the business was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but to actually win? I'm still in shock. I couldn't have done it without the support of my amazing team back home - they've cheered me on every step of the way!" 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of WORLD CLASS, and guests at this year's Finals in Berlin were treated to a show unlike any other. In an eclectic capital known for its cutting-edge bar scene, trends were set, new ground was broken, and the boundaries of mixology were pushed further than ever before. The competition kicked off on Friday 5th October, as dozens of the world's best mixologists gathered for the biggest event on the bartending calendar. On Monday, after a gruelling weekend of challenges, 56 competitors were whittled down to the final four, who put every skill in their bartending arsenal to use in the 'Cocktail Clash' grand finale. The standard this year was truly exceptional, but Orlando stood out as the best of the best. Armed with Diageo's award-winning Reserve brands, he blew the judges away, taking sustainable bartending further than ever before in the Ketel One 'Better Drinking' challenge, and reigning supreme in the 'Flavours of a Nation' round with his innovative twist on the classic Johnnie Walker Black Label Highball. To seal the deal, he went head-to-head with his fellow competitors in the 'Cocktail Clash' Grand Finale and brought the house down with one show-stopping creation after another. Orlando has an incredible year ahead of him - he will have the chance to travel the world as a Diageo representative, making bespoke drinks in exotic and far-flung locations and judging competitions. He will also join a roll call of the industry's finest, becoming the 10th member of the WORLD CLASS Hall of Fame. Emily Wheldon, Global Head of WORLD CLASS, said: "For the 10th anniversary of WORLD CLASS we were on a mission to make this the biggest and best Global Finals yet - and it didn't disappoint! Cocktail culture continues to reign, and over the last four days in Berlin, these WORLD CLASS finalists have set the standard for the year to come. The venue was spectacular, the challenges more innovative and exciting than ever before and the talent on display was second to none. The aim of WORLD CLASS is to inspire people to care as much about drinks as they do about food, and we've certainly achieved that here this weekend!" WORLD CLASS is on a mission to inspire people to drink better and shape the future of drinking, whether at home or in the bar. If you have been inspired to drink better, visit http://www.theworldclassclub.com or the WORLD CLASS Facebook community, where you can find winning recipes from this year's finalists to try at home. SOURCE WORLD CLASS MEXICO CITY, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco Santander (Mexico), S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple, Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico (NYSE: BSMX; BMV: BSMX) ("Banco Santander Mexico"), one of the leading banks in Mexico, announced today that it will release its fiscal third quarter 2018 financial results before market open on Wednesday, October 31st, 2018. A conference call will be held on October 31st, 2018 at 10:00 am U.S. ET (8:00 am Mexico City Time). The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-4018 (U.S. & Canada) or 1-201-689-8471 (International) and ask for "Santander Mexico's Earnings Call". A presentation will also be available for download from the company's IR site before market open on October 31st, 2018. Additionally, a simultaneous web cast of the conference call will be available at: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=131540. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available between 1:00 pm U.S. ET on October 31st and 11:59 pm U.S. ET on November 7th, 2018. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 U.S. & Canada or for international & Mexico callers 1-412-317-6671. The access code for the replay is: 13683705. The audio of the conference call will also be archived on the Company's website at www.santander.com.mx/ir. ABOUT BANCO SANTANDER MEXICO (NYSE:BSMX; BMV:BSMX) Banco Santander (Mexico), S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple, Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico (Banco Santander Mexico), one of Mexico's leading banking institutions, provides a wide range of financial and related services, including retail and commercial banking, financial advisory and other related investment activities. Santander Mexico offers a multichannel financial services platform focused on mid- to high-income individuals and small- to medium-sized enterprises, while also providing integrated financial services to larger multinational companies in Mexico. As of June 30, 2018, Banco Santander Mexico had total assets of Ps.1,379 billion under Mexican Banking GAAP and more than 16.0 million customers. Headquartered in Mexico City, the Company operates 1,376 branches and offices nationwide and has a total of 18,268 employees. SOURCE Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Related Links https://www.santander.com.mx NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN) announced today that it signed an exclusive, worldwide option and license agreement with the University of Connecticut for the development and commercialization rights to UC1MT, a therapeutic antibody targeting extracellular metallothionein (MT). Extracellular MT has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Under this agreement, Biohaven has the option to acquire an exclusive, worldwide license to UC1MT and its underlying patents to develop and commercialize throughout the world in all human indications. The antibody was discovered in the laboratory of Professor Michael Lynes, Head of the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, at the University of Connecticut Storrs. Professor Lynes is a world leader in the study of metallothioneins and their role in disease. Biohaven and the University of Connecticut also signed a Sponsored Research Collaboration Agreement to support the ongoing exploration of the role of MT in human disease. Vlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven, commented, "We are very excited about this opportunity to potentially expand our portfolio with the addition of this novel antibody and assess its activity in a range of diseases, including neuro-inflammatory disorders. The pre-clinical discovery work by Professor Lynes at the University of Connecticut, and his collaborators at the Ghent University and the Joslin Diabetes Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, suggests that metallothionein can have dramatic influences on the modulation of both innate and adaptive immunity. We look forward to further evaluating this antibody and potentially advancing it into the clinic." Professor Lynes commented, "This agreement represents a critical next step for my research group, as it helps define the path for taking our basic research discoveries into the clinic. The expertise that Biohaven Pharmaceuticals brings to my research team has been invaluable in advancing this goal. I believe we have an exciting opportunity to develop this new approach to the management of important inflammatory and autoimmune diseases where metallothionein plays a significant role." MTs are a family of low molecular weight, cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins that have a wide range of functions in cellular homeostasis and immunity. MT has traditionally been considered to be an intracellular protein that can be found in both the cytoplasm and nucleus; however, MT also can be found in extracellular spaces, particularly in disease states involving chronic cellular stress where intracellular MT production is upregulated by inflammatory cytokines, and extracellular MT acts as a danger signal, attracting leukocytes and modulating the immune response. In pre-clinical studies, UC1MT has been observed to block this extracellular pool of MT and the resulting MT-mediated inflammation and immunomodulation. "We are looking forward to this partnership as we see great potential for this novel mechanism in inflammation. We intend to capitalize on our strong development experience and the deep scientific expertise of Dr. Lynes' team to rapidly advance innovative therapies to patients," stated Clifford Bechtold, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Biologic Development at Biohaven. Mr. Bechtold has previous pharmaceutical industry experience in optimizing biologics development and manufacturing capabilities. This option builds upon Biohaven's portfolio of innovative, clinical-stage product candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative, neurologic and neuropsychiatric disease indications. Under the terms of the agreement, Biohaven paid an upfront option fee and, if Biohaven exercises its option to in-license the program, the University of Connecticut will receive additional license fees and will be entitled to low single-digit percentage royalties based on net sales of any commercialized products as well as milestone payments based on the achievement of development, regulatory and commercial milestones. About Biohaven Biohaven is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, late-stage product candidates targeting neurological diseases. Biohaven combines internal development and research with intellectual property licensed from companies and institutions including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca, Yale University, Catalent, ALS Biopharma LLC and Massachusetts General Hospital. Currently, Biohaven's lead development programs include multiple compounds across its CGRP receptor antagonist, glutamate modulation, and myeloperoxidase-inhibitor platforms. More information about Biohaven is available at www.biohavenpharma.com. About the University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut (UConn) is one of the top 25 public research universities in the nation and is a research leader in the fields of genomics, advanced materials, cell biology, cardiovascular research, additive manufacturing, biomedical devices, cybersecurity and nanotechnology. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology faculty members are active in many of these areas of cutting edge research, and the department is a focal point for both graduate and undergraduate education in these fields. As Connecticut's flagship institution of higher education, UConn serves as an important resource for Connecticut economic development and is dedicated to building collaborations with industry and entrepreneurs. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release, including the Company's potential exercise of its option to license UC1MT, the Company's plans for the clinical development and potential regulatory approval and commercialization of UC1MT, the potential for UC1MT to be an effective treatment, and potentially a first-in-class treatment, for autoimmune or inflammatory diseases and the potential benefits of targeting MT in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including "potential", "believe", "could", "expect", "may" and "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve the plans and objectives disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, including uncertainties relating to the future clinical success of UC1MT, and whether the results observed in pre-clinical studies of UC1MT will be observed in future clinical trials. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2018. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Media Contact: Dr. Vlad Coric, the Chief Executive Officer, Biohaven [email protected] SOURCE Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. Related Links http://www.biohavenpharma.com In Petobo, tsunami warnings would not have helped because there was no time to respond to the waves of mud. All that remains of the village, located about 30 minutes from the center of Palu, is a muddy wasteland where only the very tips of roofs remain above ground in places. Satellite images show a heavily populated area stretching more than 100 hectares (250 acres) being devoured by what looks like a giant layer of chocolate milk. In mobile phone videos, buildings are seen sliding like pucks across a slab of ice. Some people spent hours trying to find their homes after the disaster, locating them about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from where they once stood. SHORT HILLS, N.J., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) announced today that it has awarded 66 Quality of Life Grants totaling $1,248,983 to support to nonprofit programs across the country to support key areas of need for people living with paralysis nationwide. Funding for the grants was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) (Cooperative Agreement number 90PR3002). This cycle piloted a tiered grant approach, with three higher-dollar amount levels of High Impact Priority grants that support key areas of need for the community of people living with paralysis, as well as a Direct Effect tier that is broad in scope and awards grants up to $15,000. The High Impact Priority areas include Employment (5 grants at $50,000 each); Nursing Home Transition (4 grants at $40,000 each); and Transportation, Respite/Caregiving, and Disaster Response, each with three grants of up to $30,000 each. The Foundation received an unprecedented total of over 600 requests, and after a rigorous review process, ultimately funded 18 High Impact Priority grants totaling $679,922 and 48 Direct Effect grants totaling $551,061. "As we get closer to the 20th year of our Quality of Life Grants Program funded by the Administration for Community Living, it is exciting to see so many first-time applications as well as new requests from past grantees seeking to continue or expand their projects," said Maggie Goldberg, Vice President of Policy and Programs, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "The new tiered structure enables us to highlight, address and fund topics of critical importance to our community while continuing to support the wide range of services that have been traditionally supported by the grants program created by the late Dana Reeve." Since the program's inception in 1999 by Dana Reeve, the Quality of Life Grants Program has given over $23 million to more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations whose work mirrors the mission of the Reeve Foundation. "Through our federal partnership with ACL, we constantly strive to make the Quality of Life Grants Program the very best it can be," said Donna Valente, Director of Quality of Life Grants. "We are gratified that the new grants structure will help to support ACL's strategic priorities and honor Dana's vision and her legacy of caring by maximizing the impact of the grants." This cycle's recipients include: Disability Connection in Gulfport, Mississippi, received a High Impact Priority Employment Quality of Life grant of $50,000 to support Employment Connection, which will support an online employment resource center for individuals living with paralysis to help them prepare for, find and maintain employment. Access to Independence of San Diego in San Diego, California, received a High Impact Priority Quality of Life Nursing Home Transition grant of $40,000 to support Oahu Ho'olilo, which will support the replication of their successful nursing home transition program to their Hawaii branch. People living with paralysis who reside in skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals and acute care hospitals will be assisted in transitioning to the community-based option of their choosing. Main Line Health/Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in Malvern, Pennsylvania, received a High Impact Priority Transportation grant of $30,000 to support The Road to Independence Driver Rehab Program, which trains individuals that live with paralysis how to safely drive in a vehicle adapted with special equipment to enable driving with hand controls operating the gas and brake pedals. Regaining the ability to drive is a tremendous booster to independence, particularly in areas that lack accessible mass transportation options. Baptist Health Foundation in Little Rock, Arkansas received a Direct Effect Quality of Life grant in the amount of $12,500 to support a the installation of a Ceiling Lift for the Wheelchair and Seating Clinic. The Wheelchair and Seating Clinic serves approximately 150 individuals per year, many of whom require total lift assistance for transfers in the Clinic for skin inspection and pressure mapping. The ceiling lift will make the transfers safer, more comfortable, and more time-efficient for patients and health care workers, and will result in more thorough assessments of patient needs, better decisions about which cushions and wheelchair features will promote healthy skin, and allow a greater volume of patients to be seen. Camp PossAbility, Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana received a Direct Effect Quality of Life grant in the amount of $15,000 to support Camp PossAbility Camper Scholarships for a one-week summer camp designed specifically for young adults ages 18-to-35 years old who live with physical disabilities and who use a wheelchair for mobility, and who have received their high school diploma or equivalent. The camp's main goal is to provide social enrichment that will encourage our young adults with disabilities to seek their full potential. The Reeve Foundation 2nd Cycle 2018 Direct Effect grants process is currently open. Online applications for Direct Effect Quality of Life grants of up to $25,000 may be submitted until the deadline on October 31, 2018. Nonprofit organizations seeking funding for innovative initiatives for individuals living with paralysis and their families are welcome to find out more at www.ChristopherReeve.org/qol. A free technical assistance webinar will be presented on October 9, 2018 and archived on the Reeve Foundation YouTube channel. About the Reeve Foundation: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy. The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) is the support side of the Reeve Foundation's twin missions to provide "Today's Care" and to strive for "Tomorrow's Cure" and offers a free, comprehensive, national source of informational support for individuals living with paralysis and their caregivers. The PRC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Administration for Community Living. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-539-7309. SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Related Links http://www.christopherreeve.org TSX Venture: KBLT OTCQX: CBLLF FRA: 27O TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Cobalt 27 Capital Corp. ("Cobalt 27" or the "Company") (TSXV: KBLT)(OTCQX: CBLLF)(FRA: 27O), is pleased to announce that its common shares are now trading on the OTCQX Best Market, a U.S. market operated by OTC Markets Group in New York, under the symbol CBLLF. Cobalt 27's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol KBLT, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 27O. "As the leading electric metals investment vehicle, Cobalt 27 offers direct exposure to metals integral to electric vehicles and grid energy storage systems. Trading on the OTCQX, will provide Cobalt 27 with a platform to expand our U.S. shareholder profile and allow a broader group of investors to participate in the global market for battery metals through Cobalt 27's targeted cobalt and nickel metal streams, royalties and physical cobalt position," commented Anthony Milewski, Chairman and CEO. The OTCQX Best Market provides added service, value and convenience to U.S. investors, brokers and institutions seeking to trade CBLLF. The OTCQX Best Market is OTC Markets Group's premier market for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To be eligible, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, demonstrate compliance with U.S. securities laws, be current in their disclosure, and have a professional third-party sponsor introduction. Cobalt 27 is in the process of securing Depository Trust Company ("DTC") eligibility for its common shares. DTC manages electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies across the United States and in 131 other countries. Trading through DTC allows for cost-effective clearing and guaranteed settlement, simplifying and accelerating the settlement process of daily trades. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com/stock/CBLLF/quote. The Company also announces the retirement of John Kanellitsas from the Board of Directors, in order to focus his efforts as Executive Vice Chairman of Lithium Americas Corp., including the development of its Cauchari-Olaroz project in Argentina, and his primary responsibility for managing the company's recently announced collaboration with Ganfeng Lithium. Mr. Kanellitsas has agreed to continue his contributions to Cobalt 27 in the capacity of a member of the Company's Advisory Board. About Cobalt 27 Capital Corp. Cobalt 27 Capital Corp. is a leading electric metals investment vehicle offering exposure to metals integral to key technologies of the electric vehicle and battery energy storage markets. The Company has acquired a cobalt stream on Vale's world-class Voisey's Bay mine beginning in 2021, including the announced underground expansion, is acquiring the world's first producing cobalt nickel stream on the low-cost, long-life Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Mine, and holds one of the World's largest stockpiles of physical cobalt. The Company also manages a portfolio of nine royalties and intends to continue to invest in a cobalt-focused portfolio of streams, royalties and direct interests in mineral properties containing cobalt. For further information please visit the Company website at www.cobalt27.com or contact: Betty Joy LeBlanc, BA, MBA Director, Corporate Communications +1-604-828-0999 [email protected] 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. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains certain information which constitutes 'forward-looking statements' and 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements pertaining to the Company's listing on The OTCQX Best Market. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the Company's control. For more details on these and other risk factors see the Company's most recent Annual Information Form on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the heading "Risk Factors". Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying these forward-looking statements materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise it to reflect new events or circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE Cobalt 27 Capital Corp Related Links www.co27.com NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SecurityScorecard , the leader in security ratings, will host the company's annual CISO User Conference on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at SecurityScorecard headquarters in New York, New York. At this year's SecurityScorecard CISO User Conference attendees will be exposed to the latest research and findings in the vendor risk management arena as the recognized top innovators in the cybersecurity space. "As SecurityScorecard continues to expand globally, the annual CISO User Conference serves as a cybersecurity consortium to brainstorm the next phase of understanding the vendor risk ecosystem with the top minds on the front lines," said Sam Kassoumeh, Co-founder and COO of SecurityScorecard. "SecurityScorecard customers and partners are at the heart and forefront of our product innovation and roadmap for the company's security ratings platform." The conference keynote, Translating National Risk to the Enterprise Ecosystem, will be delivered by SecurityScorecard advisor and former 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus. Mabus served as Secretary of the Navy under President Obama from 2009 to 2017. As Navy secretary, Mabus oversaw an annual budget of over $170 billion and almost 900,000 people. Mabus has also served as governor of Mississippi, ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and chairman and CEO of Foamex, a manufacturing company. In addition, attendees will participate in round tables focused on: SecurityScorecard Roadmap Vendor Risk Management Cyber Insurance Self Monitoring & Reputation Management Compliance SecurityScorecard continually monitors over 200,000 businesses across the world and rates them on an easy to understand A-F scale. Companies that rate as a D or F are 5.4 times more likely to be breached than companies that rate as an A or a B. The platform also provides ratings across 10 risk factors, which give deeper insights into the company's security. About SecurityScorecard Headquartered in the heart of New York City, SecurityScorecard's vision is to create a new language for measuring and communicating security risk. The company was founded in late 2013 by Dr. Aleksandr Yampolskiy and Sam Kassoumeh, two former cybersecurity practitioners who had served, respectively, as Chief Information Security Officer and Head of Security and Compliance. With cloud solutions becoming an increasingly integral part of the security technology stack Yampolskiy and Kassoumeh recognized the need to address third- and fourth-party risk as well as better understand the security capabilities of their business partners. Since its founding, the company has grown dramatically and now counts hundreds of leading brands as customers. SecurityScorecard is backed by leading venture capital investors including Sequoia Capital, GV, NGP Capital, Evolution Equity Partners, Boldstart Ventures, AXA Venture Partners among others. For more information, visit securityscorecard.com. SOURCE SecurityScorecard Related Links http://www.securityscorecard.com CSE: HUGE OTCQB: FSDDF FRA: 0K9 COBOURG, ON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - FSD Pharma Inc. ("FSD Pharma" or the "Company") (CSE: HUGE) (OTCQB: FSDDF) (FRA: 0K9) is pleased to announce that construction has commenced of its heritage museum and flagship dispensary at the former Kraft plant in Cobourg, Ontario, headquarters of its wholly-owned subsidiary FV Pharma Inc. ("FV Pharma"). Local politicians and media will be in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 9, 2018 at 11:30 EST in Cobourg at the Head office located at 520 William Street. Honoured invited guests include Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier who will be in attendance and the Hon. Kim Rudd, MP for Northumberland and Peterborough South who is expected to attend. All national media are welcome with media credentials. Thomas Fairfull, President and CEO of FSD Pharma stated, "We welcome politicians and media to this momentous event where we begin converting the historic Certo building located at the former Kraft plant into a heritage museum and on-site dispensary. The Certo building is an important part of Cobourg's history and the Company intends to preserve this unique building." The former Certo building was the first in the British Empire to make commercial grade pectin that was sold under the product name of "Certo" and is estimated at over 100 years old. The property is listed on the municipal heritage register as a property of cultural heritage value. Last year, Cobourg City Council endorsed several recommendations, including the designation of the Certo building under the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural heritage value. "Today, we also begin construction of our flagship on-site dispensary, an important component of our business plan as we sit on the brink of adult-use legalization on October 17, 2018. The Company is preparing in earnest for sales of our high quality, indoor grown and pharmaceutical grade product, which will be available for sale shortly," continued Fairfull. About FSD Pharma (CSE: HUGE) (OTCQB: FSDDF) (FRA: 0K9) FSD Pharma through its wholly-owned subsidiary FV Pharma, is a licensed producer of marijuana under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) having received its cultivation license on October 13, 2017. Headquartered at the former Kraft plant in Cobourg, Ontario, approximately an hour's drive from Toronto, FV Pharma management's mission is to transform the facility into the largest hydroponic indoor cannabis facility in the world. FV Pharma intends to target all legal aspects of the cannabis industry, including cultivation, processing, manufacturing, extracts and research and development. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Corporation's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the development of the Corporation's indoor cannabis facility and its business goals and objectives. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and the Corporation is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking-information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE FSD Pharma Inc. Built on 40 hectares in Szazhalombatta, near Budapest, partially on the site of the Dunamenti Power Plant, the Park will produce enough electricity to supply approximately 9,000 households. Consisting of two single sub-projects with 1,200 kWh/kWp annual specific yield that have an estimated energy production of 25,546 MWh per year. The Park is owned by MET Group. MET Group is an integrated European energy company, headquartered in Switzerland, with activities in natural gas, power and oil, that is focused on multi-commodity wholesale, trading and sales, as well as energy infrastructure and industrial assets. MET Group is represented in 15 European countries, with more than 1,700 permanent staff in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The involvement of GCL-SI in such projects demonstrates the company's commitment to the further development of the photovoltaic industry by supplying reliable and quality products worldwide. "We will continue to expand our presence in Europe as we strive to bring green, renewable power to more and more people," said Mr. Luo Xin. To ensure the quality of the products, their on-time delivery and overall safety, GCL-SI follows stringent industry and local standards. About Solarpro Holding AD Established in 2007, Solarpro Holding AD (Solarpro) (www.solarpro.bg) is one of the leading turn-key EPC players in the CEE and MENA PV sector as well as in sector of E-mobility, which has installed and is maintaining more than 120 charging stations for EVs. The group has more than 300 employees in 10 countries. Solarpro and its subsidiaries are currently involved in the building of PV projects of over 120 MW in Eastern Europe, Egypt, Jordan and other countries. One of the most experienced OM providers, the company recently introduced a state-of-the-art SCADA services solution, with powerful data analytics included. About GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. is a one-stop solutions provider for solar projects. From silicon to energy platforms, it combines the best materials to offer custom-made solar systems, EPC, operations & management (O&M), energy financing with capital leasing and funding. The company focuses on developing, owning and operating utility-scale solar projects, and has experience in the United States, Puerto Rico, Latin America, and numerous other international markets. SOURCE GCL-SI DUBLIN, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Head & Neck Cancer Market and Competitive Landscape - 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Head & Neck Cancer Market and Competitive Landscape - 2018, provides comprehensive insights into Head & Neck Cancer pipeline, epidemiology, market valuations, product sales, market forecast, product forecasts, and market shares. This study accurately estimates and forecast Head & Neck Cancer market size and drug sales. This research also provides insights into Head & Neck Cancer epidemiology and late stage pipeline. The research is classified into following sections - Head & Neck Cancer overview with definitions, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, treatment options; Head & Neck Cancer pipeline insights covering late stage clinical trials pipeline; Head & Neck Cancer prevalence trends by countries; Head & Neck Cancer market size and forecast by countries, market events, trends; product sales and forecast by countries; market shares by countries. The research scope includes G7 countries - US, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan. Research Scope: Head & Neck Cancer pipeline: Find out the drugs in clinical trials for Head & Neck Cancer by stages, phase 3 clinical trials, phase 2 clinical trials, and phase 1 clinical trials, by pharmacological class, by company Find out the drugs in clinical trials for Head & Neck Cancer by stages, phase 3 clinical trials, phase 2 clinical trials, and phase 1 clinical trials, by pharmacological class, by company Head & Neck Cancer epidemiology: Find out the prevalence of Head & Neck Cancer by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan ; prevalence forecast to 2023 Find out the prevalence of Head & Neck Cancer by countries - US, , , , , , UK, ; prevalence forecast to 2023 Head & Neck Cancer products: Identify key products marketed and prescribed for Head & Neck Cancer by brand name, by molecule, by company, by branded / generic, by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan Identify key products marketed and prescribed for Head & Neck Cancer by brand name, by molecule, by company, by branded / generic, by countries - US, , , , , , UK, Head & Neck Cancer market size: Find out the market size for Head & Neck Cancer drugs by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan ; Find out how the market advanced from 2014 Find out the market size for Head & Neck Cancer drugs by countries - US, , , , , , UK, ; Find out how the market advanced from 2014 Head & Neck Cancer drug sales: Find out the sales of Head & Neck Cancer drugs by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan , Global Find out the sales of Head & Neck Cancer drugs by countries - US, , , , , , UK, , Global Head & Neck Cancer drugs sales forecast: Sales forecast for Head & Neck Cancer drugs to 2023 by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan Sales forecast for Head & Neck Cancer drugs to 2023 by countries - US, , , , , , UK, Head & Neck Cancer market share analysis: Find out the market shares of Head & Neck Cancer drugs and outlook by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/l724fc/global_head_and?w=5 Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Irritable Bowel Syndrome Market and Competitive Landscape - 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Irritable Bowel Syndrome Market and Competitive Landscape - 2018, provides comprehensive insights into Irritable Bowel Syndrome pipeline, epidemiology, market valuations, product sales, market forecast, product forecasts, and market shares. This study accurately estimates and forecast Irritable Bowel Syndrome market size and drug sales. This research also provides insights into Irritable Bowel Syndrome epidemiology and late stage pipeline. The research is classified into following sections - Irritable Bowel Syndrome overview with definitions, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, treatment options; Irritable Bowel Syndrome pipeline insights covering late stage clinical trials pipeline; Irritable Bowel Syndrome prevalence trends by countries; Irritable Bowel Syndrome market size and forecast by countries, market events, trends; product sales and forecast by countries; market shares by countries. The research scope includes G7 countries - US, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan. Research Scope: Irritable Bowel Syndrome pipeline: Find out the drugs in clinical trials for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by stages, phase 3 clinical trials, phase 2 clinical trials, and phase 1 clinical trials, by pharmacological class, by company Find out the drugs in clinical trials for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by stages, phase 3 clinical trials, phase 2 clinical trials, and phase 1 clinical trials, by pharmacological class, by company Irritable Bowel Syndrome epidemiology: Find out the prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan ; prevalence forecast to 2023 Find out the prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by countries - US, , , , , , UK, ; prevalence forecast to 2023 Irritable Bowel Syndrome products: Identify key products marketed and prescribed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by brand name, by molecule, by company, by branded / generic, by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan Identify key products marketed and prescribed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by brand name, by molecule, by company, by branded / generic, by countries - US, , , , , , UK, Irritable Bowel Syndrome market size: Find out the market size for Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan ; Find out how the market advanced from 2014 Find out the market size for Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs by countries - US, , , , , , UK, ; Find out how the market advanced from 2014 Irritable Bowel Syndrome drug sales: Find out the sales of Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan , Global Find out the sales of Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs by countries - US, , , , , , UK, , Global Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs sales forecast: Sales forecast for Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs to 2023 by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan Sales forecast for Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs to 2023 by countries - US, , , , , , UK, Irritable Bowel Syndrome market share analysis: Find out the market shares of Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs and outlook by countries - US, Europe , Germany , France , Italy , Spain , UK, Japan Benefits of this Research: Evaluate commercial market opportunities for Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs Synthesize insights for business development & licensing Track market size, competitor drug sales, market shares in Irritable Bowel Syndrome market Develop in-depth knowledge of competition and markets Analyze sales data to update your brand planning trackers Develop tactics and strategies to take advantage of opportunities in the market Track market trends and analyze key events in Irritable Bowel Syndrome market Develop forecast models, healthcare frameworks, or economic models Answer key business questions; supports decision making in R&D to long term marketing strategies For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/23khql/global_irritable?w=5 Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Michael is predicted to be life-threatening, and is expected to hit parts of Florida Wednesday with strong winds, devastating flooding and storm surge as high as 12 feet in some places. The storm is still strengthening with winds already close to 110 mph. Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate, and governors in Florida and Alabama have already declared states of emergency. "We urge people to take this dangerous hurricane very seriously and make their final storm preparations now," said Brad Kieserman, Vice President of Disaster Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. "The Red Cross is working closely with state and local authorities in Florida, Alabama and Georgia to support evacuation centers for as many as 30,000 people who may need a safe place to stay during the storm." Evacuation centers are meant to safely house people for about 72 hours until the storm passes and weather conditions improve, and it should be noted that some of these centers may not have cots, food, running water or electricity. In time, and if needed, local government officials may transition evacuation centers into emergency shelters if residents can't return home after the storm passes. The Red Cross supports both pre-landfall evacuation centers and post-landfall emergency shelters with trained workers, shelter supplies and other aid. Anyone coming to an evacuation center should bring items like blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, and items for children. In advance of Hurricane Michael, the Red Cross is mobilizing trained volunteers, shelter supplies and other equipment, preparing to provide shelter for tens of thousands of people until they can return home or find other places to stay. The Red Cross is also seeking to partner with organizations that can support the temporary placement of household pets; please regularly check media to best understand where those facilities are located. HURRICANE FLORENCE RESPONSE CONTINUES Meanwhile, more than 2,700 trained Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground in North Carolina and South Carolina, continuing to provide food, shelter and other relief services to people impacted by Hurricane Florence. On Monday night, more than 560 people were still in 12 shelters, primarily in North Carolina. To date, the Red Cross and partners have served more than 1.53 million meals and snacks, and distributed more than 300,700 relief items throughout the affected areas. HURRICANE SAFETY STEPS Find a shelter by visiting redcross.org or by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App. The Emergency App also puts real-time information about the storm and hurricane safety tips at your fingertips. The app is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps. Get tips on how to prepare and stay safe at redcross.org/hurricane. HOW YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by storms and countless other crises by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters. PLEASE GIVE BLOOD Severe weather events like Hurricanes Florence and Michael often force the cancellation of blood drives and decrease donor turnout in affected areas. To meet the needs in these impacted areas and throughout the country, the Red Cross asks individuals to give blood. There is a critical need for blood and platelet donations right now. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross needs to collect more than 13,000 blood donations and 2,500 platelets every day to meet patient needs across the country. Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and make available for patients, so even a few days of disruption can impact patient care. The Red Cross encourages organizations to set up blood drives throughout the year so that blood on the shelves can help save lives in an emergency. CORPORATIONS HELP The generous donations from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) and the Disaster Responder Program enable the American Red Cross to prepare communities for disasters big and small, respond whenever and wherever disasters occur and help families during the recovery process. ADGP $1 Million members are: Adelson Family Foundation; American Airlines; Anheuser-Busch Foundation; Anthem Foundation; Bank of America; Brown & Brown Insurance; Caterpillar Foundation; The Clorox Company; ConocoPhillips; Costco Wholesale; Delta Air Lines; Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation; FedEx; Grainger; The Home Depot Foundation; LDS Charities; Lowe's Companies, Inc.; Mazda North American Operations; Microsoft Corp.; Nationwide Foundation; PepsiCo Foundation; State Farm; Verizon; VSP Global; Walmart and the Walmart Foundation; and The Walt Disney Company. ADGP $500,000 members are: 21st Century Fox; Altria Group; AmazonSmile; American Express; Aon; BMW of North America; Capital One; CBS Corporation; Cisco Foundation; Citi Foundation; Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation; Discover; Edison International; Energy Transfer/Sunoco Foundation; Ford Motor Company; General Motors; Humble Bundle; IBM Corporation; International Paper; John Deere Foundation; Johnson Controls; LabCorp; Medtronic Foundation; Meijer; Merck Foundation; Mondelez International Foundation; New Balance Foundation; Nissan; Procter & Gamble Company; PwC; Southwest Airlines; Target; Tata Consultancy Services; TD Ameritrade; The TJX Companies, Inc.; United Airlines; UPS; The USAA Foundation; The Wawa Foundation; and Wells Fargo. Disaster Responder Program members are: 7-Eleven Cares Foundation; Adobe; AdvoCare International L.P.; Alliance Data; Assurant; AT&T; AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; Avangrid Foundation; AXA Equitable Life; The Ball Foundation; Barclays; Boise Paper; CarMax; Choice Hotels International; Cox Automotive; DICK'S Sporting Goods; Duke Energy; Entergy Corporation; Farmers Insurance; Harbor Freight Tools Foundation, LLC; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation; HP Foundation; HSBC Bank; Ingersoll Rand Foundation; The J.M. Smucker Company; Land O'Lakes, Inc.; Mastercard; Morgan Stanley; Neiman Marcus Group; Northrop Grumman Corporation; Northwestern Mutual and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation; Prudential Financial; Raytheon Company; Rodan + Fields Prescription for Change Foundation; Ryder; SC Johnson; Southeastern Grocers Home of BI-LO Harveys Winn Dixie; Standard Textile; The Starbucks Foundation; Stearns Bank; Toyota; U-Haul International; United Technologies Corporation; U.S. Bank; and Visa. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. SOURCE American Red Cross Related Links http://www.redcross.org OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobsen White Law, P.C., www.jacobsenwhitelaw.com, filed suit on September 27, 2018 on behalf of "Jane Doe," a long-time patron of the Claremont Hotel & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel, alleging that she was sexually assaulted during a massage by massage therapist Janvier Bubanje. The civil complaint, which was filed in Alameda County, alleges that Bubanje sexually molested the plaintiff after being allowed to perform the massage despite having expired certifications. The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief, also alleges that the Claremont Hotel & Spa never contacted the plaintiff to investigate, and failed to report its unlicensed massage therapist's sexual assault to the police. Concerned that nothing was being done, the plaintiff took it upon herself to report the sexual assault to the police. According to the police report, when the reporting officer contacted the Claremont Hotel as part of his investigation, he was simply sent to voicemail. The investigation is still pending. The complaint also alleges that the Claremont Hotel & Spa continues to employ Bubanje. The California Massage Therapy Council's website shows that Bubanje's credentials expired November 4, 2017, nearly two months prior to the alleged sexual assault. "I have been a loyal patron of the Claremont Hotel for more than 15 years. I was sexually assaulted by Janvier during a massage at the Claremont Hotel and I reported it immediately, and absolutely nothing was done to prevent him from sexually assaulting another unsuspecting patron. To add insult to injury, no one from the Claremont Hotel has returned my calls or emails. It never occurred to me that it would be this hard, and, frankly, humiliating, to get someone to listen to me. Instead, the Claremont has spent the last nine months ignoring me and pretending it didn't happen," said the plaintiff. "I brought this lawsuit as a last resort. The Claremont Hotel and Spa has failed to do the right thing to protect unsuspecting women, so I will." "It is astounding that my client's complaints have not been taken seriously and that Bubanje continues to be employed, posing a risk to other patrons. The Claremont promises that they will be 'turning moments into memories' with 'unforgettable experiences.' They have certainly done so in this case. It is time we start believing women," said Erika Jacobsen White, Esq., counsel representing Plaintiff. Contact: Erika Jacobsen White ([email protected]) Jacobsen White Law, P.C. (510) 788-0234 SOURCE Jacobsen White Law, P.C. Related Links http://jacobsenwhitelaw.com Galloway joins GODIVA with nearly 30 years of marketing and leadership experience. He started his career with world class marketing agencies, including Young & Rubicam and TracyLocke. This was followed by a very successful 13-year period with PepsiCo where Galloway held marketing leadership roles for Gatorade, Pepsi and other PepsiCo brands. Galloway left PepsiCo to become the CMO for Hard Rock International, where he amplified digital & experiential marketing to elevate Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Hotel and Hard Rock Casino. His vast scope also included licensing, creative studio, digital division, music, memorabilia, and artist relations. Under his direction, Hard Rock International step-changed their digital efforts across the board, dramatically increasing owned and earned media through social and CRM platforms. He also launched the brand's first unified loyalty program across 75 countries. "John has incredibly valuable knowledge of digital, CRM and experiential marketing," said Annie Young-Scrivner, CEO of GODIVA. "His creative agency experience infused with the disciplined approach of the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry and his entrepreneurial spirit make him the perfect leader for this role. John believes in the power of teams and has gained strong followership in each of his leadership roles. I know that John is looking forward to joining our Executive Committee team and his team to revitalize our brand across multiple channels globally." "GODIVA is a beloved, iconic brand that holds a special place in everyone's heart," said Galloway. "I've always celebrated life's special moments with GODIVA. I feel incredibly fortunate to join this business and work with its talented people around the world to make more meaningful connections with our customers across all channels and own more occasions." About GODIVA Chocolatier GODIVA Chocolatier is the global leader in premium, artisanal chocolate. The company was founded in Brussels in 1926 by Belgian Chocolatier, Pierre Draps. Nearly a century later, every piece of GODIVA chocolate is still bursting with quality, Belgian craftsmanship, and the world's finest ingredients. GODIVA has distribution in more than 100 countries across the globe. Customers can experience GODIVA at the iconic brand's chocolate boutiques, chocolate cafes, GODIVA.com, and at many fine retailers. GODIVA is committed to innovative and delicious food and beverage products that exceed consumer expectations and create wonderful moments. From its famous truffles and shell-moulded chocolate pieces to its European-style biscuits, individually wrapped chocolates, gourmet coffees, hot cocoa, soft serve and other indulgences, GODIVA is dedicated to bringing the ultimate chocolate experience to the world. As a socially responsible business, GODIVA has global practices and programs designed to provide meaningful support to cocoa farmers, safeguard our environment, and empower the communities where we live and work. To learn more about these powerful initiatives, visit GODIVA Cares. The legend of our namesake, Lady GODIVA When Lady GODIVA, wife of Lord Leofric, protested against the taxation of his subjects, she agreed to ride through the streets of Coventry "clad in naught but her long tresses," and, so long as the residents remained in shuttered buildings, their tax burden would be lifted. The following morning, she made her famous ride and, despite the temptation, the citizens graciously remained indoors. Leofric kept his word and reduced the taxes to the delight of his subjects, ensuring GODIVA's legendary status throughout the centuries. Inspired by the values of Lady GODIVA passion, generosity, and pioneering spirit -- GODIVA's legendary name has become a universal symbol of luxury, quality and the most delicious chocolate. Contact: Imani Rodman, [email protected]oth.com SOURCE GODIVA Chocolatier Related Links http://GODIVA.com "If Lara Alqasem will tomorrow in her own voice, not through all kinds of lawyers or statements that can be misconstrued, say that support for BDS is not legitimate and she regrets what she did, we will certainly reconsider our position," he said. "It is my pleasure, on behalf of the entire Partnership, to welcome our new colleagues," said Mazars USA Chairman and CEO Victor Wahba. "This year's candidates for the partnership were some of the strongest we've seen. As we continue to pursue our growth strategy across all markets that we serve, being able to promote such extraordinary individuals is critical for best serving our clients and ensuring our organizational vitality." Stacey Barbaro is in the Entrepreneurial Services Group and Jennifer Safran in the Real Estate Group, both in Long Island; Michael LaMantia is in the New York City Real Estate Group; Christopher Lieto is in the New Jersey Private Client Services Group; Chris Moore is in the Maryland Management Consulting Group; Laura Peth is in the Sacramento Healthcare Consulting Group; and Jeremy Rice is in the Chicago Manufacturing & Distribution Group. Wendy Stevens, Partner and leader of the [email protected] strategy, commented, "Having these three extremely capable women named to the firm's partnership demonstrates the success we're having through the [email protected] program both in attracting and retaining exceptional women." [email protected] is a long-term effort supporting the full potential of women leaders at Mazars through education, awareness, and improving visibility of and access to role models. It actively engages all men and women at the firm, building diverse teams to enhance the growth of the firm and the individual. "Recognizing the dedication of our talented teams and their contributions to the success of our firm is truly gratifying," Victor Wahba added. "I look forward to seeing our new Partners and Principals continue to excel in their expanded roles." Stacey Barbaro is exemplary at working with owner managed businesses. She specializes in the areas of real estate, distribution and service businesses. Stacey has been featured in Long Island Business News's, Who's Who in Women in Professional Services and honored as one of the Long Island top 50 Women in Business. Michael LaMantia specializes in providing assurance services to clients in the real estate industry, including residential, commercial, developers and operators and real estate investment advisors. Christopher Lieto serves as a trusted advisor to financial executives, individuals, entrepreneurs and family groups. Chris Moore a business and technology specialist with experience helping clients across a wide range of industries develop and execute their strategies. Laura Peth is a management consultant delivering operational leadership, support and project management to a variety of healthcare organizations. Jeremy Rice provides audit and advisory services to a wide variety of local, national, and international organizations. He is a leader in the Automotive and Industrial Manufacturing. Jennifer Safran specializes in providing auditing, accounting and tax services to real estate clients. Jennifer has been featured in Long Island Business News's, Who's Who in Women in Professional Services and honored as one of Long Island's 50 Top Women by. A video of our new Partners and Principals, describing what Mazars means to them, can be viewed here. About Mazars USA Mazars USA LLP is a high-performing accounting, tax and consulting firm with significant national presence in strategic US geographies. Since 1921, our dedicated professionals have leveraged technical industry expertise to develop customized solutions for clients, create value, and Optimize their performance. We offer a broad array of industry specialists providing services to growth-oriented enterprises and individuals. As the independent US member firm of Mazars Group, we deliver seamless access to the expertise of 20,000 professionals in 86 countries. At local and global levels, we are proud of our value-added services, building lasting relationships with our clients and communities. For more information, visit us at www.mazarsusa.com . For more information, contact: Mazars USA LLP Beth More, 732-205-2012 [email protected] Makovsky Ben Jaffe, 212-508-9646 [email protected] SOURCE Mazars USA LLP Related Links https://mazarsusa.com ESMO Abstract # Avelumab: LBA6_PR, 659P, 1290P, 1291P, 1282P, 877P; M7824 (TGF -trap/anti-PD-L1): 1048O, 1463P, 1931P, 757P, 643P, 642P, 661P; tepotinib (MET kinase inhibitor): 1377O, 621PD, 698P; M6620: 1437P; M3814: 1845P; M7583: 1014PD; abituzumab: 487P First presentation of Phase III data for avelumab (plus axitinib) in previously untreated, advanced kidney cancer New and updated data for bifunctional immunotherapy M7824 Results from Phase II trials for tepotinib, including in EGFR TKI-resistant NSCLC Additional pipeline data feature abstracts for a further four innovative agents across multiple tumor types with a significant patient need DARMSTADT, Germany, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company which operates its healthcare business in the U.S. and Canada as EMD Serono, today announced that new data from a variety of high-priority clinical development programs will be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress (European Society for Medical Oncology Annual Meeting), October 1923, 2018, Munich, Germany. In the year that Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany celebrates its 350-year anniversary, abstracts at the congress represent a company record with eight therapeutic agents across 14 tumor types, reinforcing Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's position at the forefront of clinical development in oncology. "Our data at this year's European Society for Medical Oncology Congress expand our understanding of avelumab in renal cell carcinoma and other tumors, and demonstrate the headway we are making with our pipeline, including bifunctional immunotherapy M7824 and tepotinib," said Luciano Rossetti, Global Head of Research & Development for the Biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "We look forward to many more years of real and significant progress towards our vision of transforming the management and treatment of cancer." Data from the Phase III study JAVELIN Renal 101, evaluating avelumab* in combination with axitinib, compared with sunitinib as initial therapy for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), will be presented for the first time during the Presidential Symposium at ESMO on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at 5:20 PM 5:35 PM CEST. Avelumab is being jointly developed and commercialized with Pfizer. The results represent the first positive Phase III immunotherapy trial in combination with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in any tumor type, supporting Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's interest in the potential use of avelumab in combination with currently approved therapies and novel agents. These results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Other updates include new avelumab data in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. New data for M7824 will be presented from expansion cohorts of two ongoing Phase I clinical trials, including the first tumor-specific data for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), biliary tract cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma. In addition, updated data for M7824 in patients with gastric cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will be shared. M7824, discovered in-house at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is an investigational bifunctional immunotherapy designed to combine a transforming growth factor (TGF-) trap by 'fusing' it with the anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) mechanism. To date more than 650 patients with various types of solid tumors have been treated across the program with M7824 and the safety profile is consistent with that observed with other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and previously described skin lesions (keratoacanthomas, SCC, hyperkeratosis) associated with TGF--inhibiting therapies. Data for tepotinib** include results from three Phase II trials in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) TKI-resistant NSCLC and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, providing further evidence of this precision medicine's potential clinical activity in a range of tumors. Tepotinib, discovered in-house at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is an investigational, oral MET inhibitor that is designed to selectively inhibit the oncogenic MET receptor signaling caused by MET (gene) alterations or MET protein overexpression. Additional pipeline abstracts feature updated data from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's comprehensive DNA damage response (DDR) portfolio. These include results from a Phase I trial investigating M6620 (formerly VX-970) in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced NSCLC, and combined data from two Phase I trials of DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, M3814. Results will also be shared from a Phase I/II trial of M7583, a Bruton's TKI, in patients with B-cell malignancies, as well as a retrospective analysis of the Phase I/II Poseidon study investigating abituzumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Data to be presented at the congress for Erbitux will add to the growing body of real-world evidence supporting the therapy's role as a standard of care in RAS wild-type mCRC and first-line recurrent or metastatic SCCHN (R/M SCCHN), and for patients with locally advanced SCCHN (LA SCCHN) who may not be able to tolerate cisplatin-based regimens in full. *Avelumab is under clinical investigation for the treatment of RCC, MCC, CRC, gastric and GEJ cancer, and has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective for these indications. There is no guarantee that avelumab will be approved for RCC, CRC, gastric or GEJ cancer by any health authority worldwide. **Tepotinib is the recommended International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for the MET kinase inhibitor MSC2156119J. Tepotinib is currently under clinical investigation and not approved for any use anywhere in the world. Tepotinib, M7824, M3814, M7583, M6620 and abituzumab are under clinical investigation and have not been proven to be safe and effective. There is no guarantee any product will be approved in the sought-after indication by any health authority worldwide. Notes to Editors Key abstracts supported by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, slated for presentation are listed below. In addition, a number of investigator-sponsored studies have been accepted (not listed). Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location Avelumab Late-Breaking Abstracts JAVELIN Renal 101: a randomized, phase 3 study of avelumab + axitinib vs sunitinib as first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) R Motzer LBA6_PR Sun, Oct 21, 4:30 6:10 PM (5:20 5:35 PM lecture time) Hall A2 Room 18 Poster Sessions Avelumab (antiPD-L1) in Japanese patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC): updated results from the phase 1b JAVELIN Solid Tumor JPN trial T Doi 659P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Avelumab in European patients (pts) with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC): experience from an ad hoc expanded access program (EAP) P Nathan 1290P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Cost-effectiveness (CE) of avelumab vs standard care (SC) for the treatment of patients (pts) with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) M Bharmal 1291P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Responder analysis based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and clinical endpoints (CEPs) in patients (pts) with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) treated with avelumab SP D'Angelo 1282P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub First-line (1L) or second-line (2L) avelumab monotherapy inpatients (pts) with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) enrolled in the phase 1b JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial UN Vaishampayan 877P Mon, Oct 22, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location M7824 (TGF -trap/anti-PD-L1) Proffered Paper Session M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in patients (pts) with advanced SCCHN: results from a phase 1 cohort BC Cho 1048O Mon, Oct 22, 2:45 4:15 PM (3:00 PM lecture time) ICM, Room 14B Poster Sessions Updated results of M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting TGF- and PD-L1, in second-line (2L) NSCLC L Paz-Ares 1463P Sat, Oct 20, 12:30 1:30 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Assessment of PD1/ PD-L1 colocalization in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using brightfield double labeling and quantitative digital image analysis T Mrowiec 1931P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in Asian patients with pretreated biliary tract cancer: preliminary results from a phase 1 trial C Yoo 757P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in patients with post-platinum esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC): preliminary results from a phase 1 cohort B Tan 643P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Phase 1 study results from an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cohort treated with M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting transforming growth factor (TGF-) and PD-L1 CC Lin 642P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Updated results from a phase 1 trial of M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in patients with pretreated recurrent or refractory gastric cancer YJ Bang 661P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1.45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location Tepotinib Proffered Paper Session Phase 2 study of tepotinib + gefitinib (TEP+GEF) in MET-positive (MET+)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant (MT) non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) YL Wu 1377O Fri, Oct 19, 4:00 5:30 PM (4:51 PM lecture time) Hall A2, Room 18 Poster Discussion Phase 2 trial of tepotinib vs sorafenib in Asian patients (pts) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) BY Ryoo 621PD Fri, Oct 19, 3:45 5:30 PM (4:25 PM lecture time) Hall B3, Room 21 Poster Session Phase 2 efficacy and safety data for the MET inhibitor tepotinib in patients (pts) with sorafenib-treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) T Decaens 698P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location M6620 Poster Session Phase I dose expansion data for M6620 (formerly VX-970), a first-in-class ATR inhibitor, combined with gemcitabine (Gem) in patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) R Plummer 1437P Sat, Oct 20, 12:30 1:30 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location M3814 Poster Session Safety, clinical activity and pharmacological biomarker evaluation of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNAPK) inhibitor M3814: results from two phase I trials M Mau-Srensen 1845P Sat, Oct 20, 12:30 1:30 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location M7583 Poster Session Phase I/II, first in human trial with M7583, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), in patients with B cell malignancies W Jurczak 1014PD Sun, Oct 21, 4:30 5:45 PM Hall B3 Room 21 Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location Abituzumab Poster session Patient selection for targeting integrin with abituzumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A retrospective analysis of the randomized phase I/II Poseidon study R Laeufle 487P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub About Avelumab Avelumab is a human anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody. Avelumab has been shown in preclinical models to engage both the adaptive and innate immune functions. By blocking the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 receptors, avelumab has been shown to release the suppression of the T cell-mediated antitumor immune response in preclinical models.1-3 Avelumab has also been shown to induce NK cell-mediated direct tumor cell lysis via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro.3-5 In November 2014, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer announced a strategic alliance to co-develop and co-commercialize avelumab. Avelumab is currently being evaluated in the JAVELIN clinical development program, which involves at least 30 clinical programs, including seven Phase III trials, and more than 8,600 patients across more than 15 different tumor types. For a comprehensive list of all avelumab trials, please visit clinicaltrials.gov. Approved Indications in the US The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for avelumab (BAVENCIO) for the treatment of (i) adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) and (ii) patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Important Safety Information from the US FDA Approved Label BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, including fatal cases. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis, and evaluate suspected cases with radiographic imaging. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3), life-threatening (Grade 4), or recurrent moderate (Grade 2) pneumonitis. Pneumonitis occurred in 1.2% (21/1738) of patients, including one (0.1%) patient with Grade 5, one (0.1%) with Grade 4, and five (0.3%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis, including fatal cases. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hepatitis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) immune-mediated hepatitis until resolution and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis was reported in 0.9% (16/1738) of patients, including two (0.1%) patients with Grade 5, and 11 (0.6%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater colitis. Withhold BAVENCIO until resolution for moderate or severe (Grade 2 or 3) colitis, and permanently discontinue for life-threatening (Grade 4) or recurrent (Grade 3) colitis upon reinitiation of BAVENCIO. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.5% (26/1738) of patients, including seven (0.4%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated endocrinopathies, including adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency during and after treatment, and administer corticosteroids as appropriate. Withhold BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency was reported in 0.5% (8/1738) of patients, including one (0.1%) with Grade 3. Thyroid disorders can occur at any time during treatment. Monitor patients for changes in thyroid function at the start of treatment, periodically during treatment, and as indicated based on clinical evaluation. Manage hypothyroidism with hormone replacement therapy and hyperthyroidism with medical management. Withhold BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) thyroid disorders. Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroiditis, were reported in 6% (98/1738) of patients, including three (0.2%) with Grade 3. Type 1 diabetes mellitus including diabetic ketoacidosis: Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Withhold BAVENCIO and administer antihyperglycemics or insulin in patients with severe or life-threatening (Grade 3) hyperglycemia, and resume treatment when metabolic control is achieved. Type 1 diabetes mellitus without an alternative etiology occurred in 0.1% (2/1738) of patients, including two cases of Grade 3 hyperglycemia. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater nephritis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) or severe (Grade 3) nephritis until resolution to Grade 1 or lower. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for life-threatening (Grade 4) nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.1% (1/1738) of patients. BAVENCIO can result in other severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions involving any organ system during treatment or after treatment discontinuation. For suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, evaluate to confirm or rule out an immune-mediated adverse reaction and to exclude other causes. Depending on the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold or permanently discontinue BAVENCIO, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and initiate hormone replacement therapy, if appropriate. Resume BAVENCIO when the immune-mediated adverse reaction remains at Grade 1 or lower following a corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for any severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reaction that recurs and for any life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated adverse reaction. The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in less than 1% of 1,738 patients treated with BAVENCIO: myocarditis with fatal cases, myositis, psoriasis, arthritis, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, pemphigoid, hypopituitarism, uveitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and systemic inflammatory response. BAVENCIO can cause severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Patients should be premedicated with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to the first 4 infusions and for subsequent doses based upon clinical judgment and presence/severity of prior infusion reactions. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions, including pyrexia, chills, flushing, hypotension, dyspnea, wheezing, back pain, abdominal pain, and urticaria. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion for mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) infusion-related reactions. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 25% (439/1738) of patients, including three (0.2%) patients with Grade 4 and nine (0.5%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus including the risk of fetal death. Advise females of childbearing potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BAVENCIO and for at least 1 month after the last dose of BAVENCIO. It is not known whether BAVENCIO is excreted in human milk. Advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose of BAVENCIO due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants. The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 20%) in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) were fatigue (50%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), diarrhea (23%), nausea (22%), infusion-related reaction (22%), rash (22%), decreased appetite (20%), and peripheral edema (20%). Selected treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities (all grades, 20%) in patients with metastatic MCC were lymphopenia (49%), anemia (35%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (34%), thrombocytopenia (27%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (20%). The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 20%) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) were fatigue (41%), infusion-related reaction (30%), musculoskeletal pain (25%), nausea (24%), decreased appetite/hypophagia (21%), and urinary tract infection (21%). Selected laboratory abnormalities (Grades 3-4, 3%) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC were hyponatremia (16%), increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (12%), lymphopenia (11%), hyperglycemia (9%), increased alkaline phosphatase (7%), anemia (6%), increased lipase (6%), hyperkalemia (3%), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (3%). Please see full US Prescribing Information and Medication Guide available at http://www.BAVENCIO.com. About M7824 M7824 is an investigational bifunctional immunotherapy that is designed to bring together a TGF- trap and 'fuse' it with the anti-PD-L1 mechanism. M7824 is designed to simultaneously block the two immunosuppressive pathways targeting both pathways aims to control tumor growth by potentially restoring and enhancing anti-tumor responses. M7824 is currently in Phase I studies for solid tumors. About Tepotinib Tepotinib (MSC2156119J) is an investigational, oral MET inhibitor that is thought to inhibit oncogenic MET receptor signaling caused by MET (gene) alterations, including both MET exon 14 skipping mutations and MET amplifications, or MET protein overexpression. It is a precision medicine and is designed to have a highly selective mechanism of action. About M6620 M6620 (previously known as VX-970) is an investigational small-molecule thought to inhibit ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR). ATR is believed to be a key sensor for DNA damage, activating the DNA damage checkpoint and leading to cell cycle arrest. Inhibition of ATR could potentially enhance the efficacy of DNA-damaging agents, but is also being investigated as a monotherapy against tumors with high levels of replication stress induced by overexpression of oncogenes. About M3814 M3814 is an investigational small-molecule which is thought to inhibit DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). DNA-PK is a key enzyme for non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), an important DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway. Clinical studies investigating combinations of M3814 with other commonly used DNA-damaging agents such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy are underway. About M7583 M7583 is an investigational therapy that is thought to be a highly selective covalent inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTKi) designed to minimize off-target effects. About Abituzumab Abituzumab is an investigational pan- integrin inhibiting monoclonal antibody thought to show activity against v1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 integrin heterodimers. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany entered into a development agreement with the SFJ Pharmaceuticals Group for abituzumab in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This collaboration will allow Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and SFJ to develop the potential of abituzumab in a targeted way, focusing on a patient population that may benefit from the treatment the most. About Erbitux (cetuximab) Erbitux is a IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). As a monoclonal antibody, the mode of action of Erbitux is distinct from standard non-selective chemotherapy treatments in that it specifically targets and binds to the EGFR. This binding inhibits the activation of the receptor and the subsequent signal-transduction pathway, which results in reducing both the invasion of normal tissues by tumor cells and the spread of tumors to new sites. It is also believed to inhibit the ability of tumor cells to repair the damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy and to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels inside tumors, which appears to lead to an overall suppression of tumor growth. Based on in vitro evidence, Erbitux also targets cytotoxic immune effector cells towards EGFR expressing tumor cells (antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, ADCC). The most commonly reported side effect with Erbitux is an acne-like skin rash. In approximately 5% of patients, hypersensitivity reactions may occur during treatment with Erbitux; about half of these reactions are severe. Erbitux has already obtained market authorization in over 100 countries world-wide for the treatment of RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer and for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany licensed the right to market Erbitux, a registered trademark of ImClone LLC, outside the U.S. and Canada from ImClone LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, in 1998. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group Website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service. About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of 15.3 billion in 66 countries. Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, holds the global rights to the "Merck" name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials. References Dolan DE, Gupta S. PD-1 pathway inhibitors: changing the landscape of cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Control 2014;21:2317. Dahan R et al. FcRs modulate the anti-tumor activity of antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Cancer Cell 2015;28:28595. Boyerinas B et al. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity of a novel anti-PD-L1 antibody avelumab (MSB0010718C) on human tumor cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3:114857. Kohrt HE et al. Combination strategies to enhance antitumor ADCC. Immunotherapy 2012;4:51127. Hamilton G, Rath B. Avelumab: combining immune checkpoint inhibition and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2017;17:51523. SOURCE Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Since launching on March 12, 2018 with six original series and more than 70 hours of programming, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 237 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists; showing the Church as a global organization; and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. In just the first six months of broadcasting, the Scientology Network has been seen by millionson satellite, live streaming and on demand. The network earned five Telly Awards honoring excellence in video and television across all screens and has been lauded by top industry executives for its diverse, compelling content and exceptional production qualities. The network has also been praised for shattering the paradigm of religious broadcasting, ushering in a new era that shows a religion in action, making the world better. While most religious networks began with a few hours of programming, Scientology Network launched with a full schedule of original content airing 24/7. The Scientology Network doesn't preach but, instead, through its dynamic selection of programs, simply shows the religion, its members and its work, so that viewers can see for themselves. The network also uniquely features the good works of those across all major faiths, while providing a platform for independent filmmakers to air poignant, uplifting films on important social issues that underscore the goodness of the human spirit and show how determined individuals can make a difference. ORIGINAL SERIES The Scientology Network's new programming will include a lineup of eight original series: Inside ScientologyIn the network's debut season, viewers were taken inside some of the Church's most important facilities, including its spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida ; its archival project to preserve religious scripture; and its state-of-the-art print and publishing houses. New episodes go even further inside the Church. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at Scientology Media Productions (SMP), home of the Scientology Network. Housed on a five-acre complex on the world-famous Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles , SMP is the nerve center of Scientology's global media operations, featuring the most advanced digital media studio and fully integrated television facility on Earth. What began as a silent movie studio in the early part of the 20th century has been painstakingly transformed into a global broadcasting, digital and print media hub for the 21st century. Future episodes of Inside Scientology will take viewers on board the Freewinds, the Church of Scientology's religious retreat and humanitarian ship. Also featured will be Saint Hill, the historic home of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard in East Grinstead, Sussex, England , where he made some of his most important discoveries about the mind and spirit. ; its archival project to preserve religious scripture; and its state-of-the-art print and publishing houses. New episodes go even further inside the Church. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at Scientology Media Productions (SMP), home of the Scientology Network. Housed on a five-acre complex on the world-famous Sunset Boulevard in , SMP is the nerve center of Scientology's global media operations, featuring the most advanced digital media studio and fully integrated television facility on Earth. What began as a silent movie studio in the early part of the 20th century has been painstakingly transformed into a global broadcasting, digital and print media hub for the 21st century. Future episodes of Inside Scientology will take viewers on board the Freewinds, the Church of Scientology's religious retreat and humanitarian ship. Also featured will be Saint Hill, the historic home of Scientology Founder in East Grinstead, , where he made some of his most important discoveries about the mind and spirit. Meet a ScientologistLast season, viewers met a fascinating array of Scientologists, such as the makers of an iconic brand of banjos; a veterinarian with a 24-hour emergency care hospital; Italian entrepreneurs who revitalized a motorcycle industry legend; and a leading camera robotics engineer. New episodes will likewise be diverse, including a Hall of Fame skier and American legend; a YouTube skateboarding sensation; a Russian award-winning ballroom dancer; an Egyptian percussionist; a CEO of a leading steel fabrication company; a Danish aerobatic pilot and more. Voices for HumanityThis mini-documentary series presents individuals from a variety of faiths, cultures and nations as they work to make a difference by helping communities in partnership with Scientology-sponsored humanitarian programs. The launch season featured such efforts as a Zambian priest helping impoverished communities; a father and daughter in New York educating schoolchildren on the dangers of drugs; a minister bringing warring gangs together in peace in South Los Angeles ; and the leader of Volunteer Minister rescue efforts bringing relief to those devastated by a massive earthquake in Nepal . New episodes will include a man who uses hope as his weapon of choice to battle drugs on the streets of Minneapolis ; an acclaimed professor in Nigeria doing wonders to combat illiteracy and improve education in that country; as well as the grandson of a blues legend who has committed his life to fighting sex trafficking and educating kids on the importance of human rights. educating schoolchildren on the dangers of drugs; a minister bringing warring gangs together in peace in ; and the leader of Volunteer Minister rescue efforts bringing relief to those devastated by a massive earthquake in . New episodes will include a man who uses hope as his weapon of choice to battle drugs on the streets of ; an acclaimed professor in doing wonders to combat illiteracy and improve education in that country; as well as the grandson of a blues legend who has committed his life to fighting sex trafficking and educating kids on the importance of human rights. I am a ScientologistThe program that features Scientologists from all walks of life and every part of the planet has already introduced viewers to film directors, painters, salon owners, karate instructors, beatboxers and scores of others whose lives have been transformed and enriched by the religion. New episodes will showcase hundreds more Scientologiststheir cultures, values, professions and personal stories. Destination: ScientologyViewers are taken to Churches of Scientology worldwide to explore what makes each unique and the impact they have on their communities. The network previewed the series in March with an episode taking viewers inside the Church of Scientology and Community Center in Inglewood . The Scientology Network next previewed Destination: Scientology Tampa, presenting the Church in Ybor City , including the restoration of the historical property erected by Cuban immigrants as the first cigar factory in Tampa and now serving as the Church's home. Upcoming episodes will take viewers inside Churches of Scientology around the world: in the heart of New York City's frenetic Times Square; Melbourne, Australia ; London, England ; the San Fernando Valley, California ; Copenhagen, Denmark ; Harlem, New York , and otherseach showing the diversity and energy of the Church and its parishioners and what they bring to their communities. . The Scientology Network next previewed Destination: Scientology Tampa, presenting the Church in , including the restoration of the historical property erected by Cuban immigrants as the first cigar factory in and now serving as the Church's home. Upcoming episodes will take viewers inside Churches of Scientology around the world: in the heart of frenetic Times Square; ; ; the San Fernando Valley, ; ; Harlem, , and otherseach showing the diversity and energy of the Church and its parishioners and what they bring to their communities. L. Ron Hubbard Library PresentsThese films explore the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion through the groundbreaking writings of its Founder. The series will include new episodes such as: The Anti-Social/Social Personality The Aims of Scientology A Description of Scientology What is Scientology? L. Ron Hubbard : In His Own VoiceScientology is the only major religion with recordings of the voice of its Founder intact. This series, chronicled in L. Ron Hubbard's own voice, presents his remarkable life and discoveries through autobiographical vignettes in episodes such as: Life as an Author, Travelogue Through Life and Trail of Discovery. The fall season includes an extraordinary presentation of L. Ron Hubbard's timeless article, Is It Possible to Be Happy?the only essay he himself ever recorded. Originally presented on radio in 1954, the recording is now brought to life on film. : In His Own VoiceScientology is the only major religion with recordings of the voice of its Founder intact. This series, chronicled in L. own voice, presents his remarkable life and discoveries through autobiographical vignettes in episodes such as: Life as an Author, Travelogue Through Life and Trail of Discovery. The fall season includes an extraordinary presentation of L. timeless article, Is It Possible to Be Happy?the only essay he himself ever recorded. Originally presented on radio in 1954, the recording is now brought to life on film. Citizens Commission on Human RightsThis ongoing investigative series features the global advocacy organization taking on powerful, well-funded psychiatric interest groups to educate the public on abuses of psychiatry. Featured documentaries expose the truth about the marketing of psychotropic prescriptions, the dangers of those drugs and the industry's terrifying history. New to the series will be a gripping expose, Therapy or Torture: The Truth About Electroshock, revealing how the $5.2-billion industry is shocking one million people worldwide every year, resulting in brain damage, memory loss and even death. ADDITIONAL NEW PROGRAMMING Documentary ShowcaseFundamental to Scientology is its humanitarian mission that extends to some 200 nations with programs for human rights, human decency, literacy, morality, drug prevention and disaster relief. For this reason, the Scientology Network is providing a new platform for independent filmmakers who embrace a vision of building a better world. The all-new series, Documentary Showcase, debuts films weekly from award-winning independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues. Documentaries airing in the new season will range from an acclaimed film on the rescue of hundreds of Jewish children from the Nazi Holocaust; a profile of a Nobel Prize-winning former head of state; an artist who uses her talent to tell stories of racial injustice; and the incredible journey of an all-female film crew traveling across America spotlighting powerful women leaders in a variety of industries. FILMS EXPLORE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES The Scientology Network will also present films on the beliefs and practices of the religion, airing the content to answer questions about the faith, philosophy and technology. They include: Scientology Principlesquestions are answered about the most basic tenets of Scientology, explaining the fundamental beliefs and core truths of the religion. Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought presenting the basic theory of Scientology from the book of the same titlehighlighting discoveries that enhance every aspect of life, the mind and the spirit. presenting the basic theory of Scientology from the book of the same titlehighlighting discoveries that enhance every aspect of life, the mind and the spirit. The Problems of Work: Scientology Applied to the Workaday World here is the technology to resolve problems to not only bring stability to the workplace, but to return joy to life itself. here is the technology to resolve problems to not only bring stability to the workplace, but to return joy to life itself. Scientology: Tools for Life19 short films drawn from The Scientology Handbook, providing solutions to challenges in a wide array of areas such as marriage, raising children, education and communication. The program also presents free online courses corresponding to each chapter from The Scientology Handbook. The Way to HappinessL. Ron Hubbard's moral code and common sense guide to living universally applied to anyone regardless of religion or cultural background. Brought to life on film, The Way to Happiness is the moral code Scientologists abide by each day. The book has been translated into 115 languages and distributed to more than 120 million people worldwide. An additional 21 short films titled "Common Sense for Life" depict the precepts of The Way to Happiness. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS Ongoing humanitarian documentaries show viewers the core of the Church's drug education and human rights programs. Through the work of more than 1.7 million volunteers, these humanitarian initiatives have distributed information about the realities of drug abuse to over 700 million people worldwide and have brought human rights education to individuals, groups and governments in more than 190 nations. Programming will include: The Truth About Drugs: Real People, Real Stories providing personal accounts on the dangers of the most abused drugs. providing personal accounts on the dangers of the most abused drugs. They Said, They Lied dramatic short films debunking the lies youth hear about the most frequently used drugs. dramatic short films debunking the lies youth hear about the most frequently used drugs. The Story of Human Rights defining one of the world's most misunderstood subjects, covering ancient history to the modern era. defining one of the world's most misunderstood subjects, covering ancient history to the modern era. 30 Rights Brought to Lifea series of vignettes on each of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. THREE-HOUR LAUNCH SPECIAL The new season of the Scientology Network on October 8 will launch with a three-hour special featuring programs across the channel's spectrum of content, including: Inside Scientology as it goes behind the scenes at Scientology Media Productions, where all television programming is produced and broadcast. Meet a Scientologist spotlighting an acclaimed Emmy Award-winning television and film composer. Destination: Scientology goes inside the Church of Scientology in the heart of New York City . . Voices for Humanity shows the efforts of a courageous champion for drug education who takes on New Jersey's addiction crisis. addiction crisis. Is It Possible to Be Happy?, the landmark article in L. Ron Hubbard's own voice. A NEW ERA OF RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING With the historic launch of the Scientology Network on March 12, the Church entered a new era of multimedia production and religious broadcasting. Unlike conventional TV channels, the Scientology Network produces all its own television content, and original programs air with no paid advertising. From scripting to shooting, editing, scoring and mixing, all productions are created in-house at Scientology Media Productions. Even digital media content for print magazines and social media are created at the one-of-a-kind global media center. The network is continually fed up-to-the-minute content from six continents through 20 roving correspondent teams based across the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Australia, Russia, Asia as well as the United States and Canada. Purchased from public television station KCET in 2011, Scientology Media Productions each day produces programming from a studio complete with: Multiple production crews working 3 sound stages 136,000 square feet of studio production space 16 high-definition broadcast cameras with 3 production control rooms 20 editing suites 6 voice recording studios 4 music scoring rooms 2 live music recording studios 7 full 5.1 surround sound mix rooms All of it networked through 27 miles of fiber optic cable And of course, fully integrated Broadcast Master Control AVAILABLE TO WATCH ANYWHERE, ANYTIME The Scientology Network is immediately available on satellite TV and through live streaming via: Scientology.tv Apple TV Amazon Fire TV Roku Mobile apps that can be downloaded for smartphones and tablets. And will continue to expand through additional platforms in the future. CONTACT: Media Relations (323) 960-3500 [email protected] SOURCE Scientology.tv Related Links http://Scientology.tv NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Reuters, the world's largest international multimedia news provider, announced today that it is partnering with the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) to host an event for U.S. Media Literacy Week. The event will bring together journalists, educators and students through a series of interactive panels and discussions that will highlight the importance of media literacy, civic engagement and trust in the media. The event, hosted two days after the midterm elections, aims to educate today's youth on how to become civically engaged and active in the democratic process. This marks the second year that Reuters and NAMLE have partnered for a U.S. Media Literacy Week event. "As the line between facts and misinformation continues to be blurred, media literacy is more important than ever," said Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler. "Reuters is committed to teaching the next generation the critical skills needed to determine where information is coming from and whether it is trustworthy. Our partnership with NAMLE allows us the opportunity to work directly with students and educators to share knowledge and experience in a meaningful way." "We are thrilled to be partnering again with Reuters during U.S. Media Literacy Week," said Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, Executive Director of NAMLE. "We are excited to bring together students, teachers, and journalists for an important conversation about the midterm elections, civic engagement, and media literacy." This year's event will take place on the last day of U.S. Media Literacy Week, November 9th, in New York. Reuters Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world's largest international multimedia news provider reaching more than one billion people every day. Reuters provides trusted business, financial, national and international news to professionals via Thomson Reuters desktops, the world's media organizations and directly to consumers at Reuters.com and via Reuters TV. Follow news about Reuters at @ReutersPR. CONTACT Heather Carpenter PR Manager, Head of Special Projects Reuters [email protected] 646-223-8551 SOURCE Reuters WALLDORF, Germany, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced that Deutsche Telekom AG; Cooler Master Corp., a global thermal solutions provider; and KSB Group, a manufacturer of pumps and valves, have adopted the SAP Sales Cloud solution to build trusted relationships with their customers and bring more efficiency and speed to sales. "Customers are no longer making decisions based on price and product," said Giles House, general manager, SAP Sales Cloud, SAP. "They're basing it on trust. And while customers have evolved, most CRM systems have not. To overcome this gap, sales need to be faster, more connected and intelligent to stay ahead of the constantly changing customer and build relationships that go beyond one-off transactions." Deutsche Telekom chose SAP for its out-of-the-box solution that tackles complexity, improves usage and shortens time to market. The solution can be easily maintained without the need for sophisticated IT skills. Deutsche Telekom expects to reduce time to market by simplifying the configure-price-quote (CPQ) process. Cooler Master, a leading Taiwan-based innovator in thermal technology, has replaced its current platform with the SAP C/4HANA suite to build a sales model improving after-sales business and forecast management. "Our legacy system was quite challenged by the complex sales and service processes we have at KSB," said Hansen Willerding, program lead for SAP Cloud for Customer solution, KSB Group. "Implementing SAP CRM software was core to our digital strategy. Our sales and service teams have access to relevant data now, increasing speed and efficiency of our processes, but also offering our customers a better service one that meets the requirements of digital transformation." The SAP Sales Cloud Solution Brings Deal Intelligence to Users Twenty customers are exploring machine learning (ML) innovation with SAP software. Four of them, including Insight Enterprises Inc., have gone live with ML capabilities supported by SAP software that integrate deal and lead intelligence. Historical data is used to train the machine learning model, which helps predict customer preferences and enables more efficient sales. "Working with prospective clients means establishing meaningful connections," said JP Kato, CRM manager, Insight Enterprises. "In order to help them run smarter and maximize their IT investments, Insight has implemented SAP Sales Cloud and machine learning. The predictive analytics and deep-learning algorithms allow us to efficiently determine our clients' needs and allocate the appropriate sales resources to intelligently connect with the businesses that would benefit most from Insight Intelligent technology solutions." The deal intelligence capability of SAP Sales Cloud automatically scores prospective sales and ranks them according to their likelihood to close. With ML-enhanced deal and lead intelligence features integrated in the SAP Sales Cloud solution, Datahug from CallidusCloud provides sales managers with new capabilities. They include identifying "at risk" opportunities in a timely fashion and eliminating opportunities in the pipeline that have a low probability of closing. SAP has integrated the incentive compensation management solution from Callidus Software Inc. with the SAP HANA business data platform. Benchmark testing shows that calculating commissions improved 15-fold, a speed that makes intelligent recommendations possible in real time. Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews, and SAP Customer Experience at @sap_cx. About SAP As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 404,000 business and public sector customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com. Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. 2018 SAP SE. All rights reserved. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx#trademark for additional trademark information and notices. For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only: Michael Baxter, SAP, +49 151 1719 6185, [email protected] , CET SAP News Center press room; [email protected] Jenny Radloff or Nikki Festa, PAN Communications, +1 (617) 502-4300, [email protected], ET SOURCE SAP SE Related Links https://www.sap.com BALTIMORE, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior Helpers, the nation's premier provider of in-home senior care services, today announced it will host a company-wide National Caregiver Recruitment Day event on Tuesday, October 23. In an effort to encourage passionate, friendly people to consider a rewarding caregiving career, including those with no previous caregiving experience, Senior Helpers locations around the U.S. will be hiring in droves, with the goal of bringing on 1,000 new caregivers. There are currently 50 million seniors in the United Statesthe largest aging population this country has ever seen, and this event underscores the company's commitment to building a strong infrastructure and nationwide network of trusted, loyal caregivers to care for them. "The demand for senior care has never been greater and we need to hire more caregivers to continue to provide the kind of quality care our elderly population needs," said Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. "At Senior Helpers, we want to inspire people to join a rapidly growing industry that's also very rewarding. National Caregiver Recruitment Day will open our doors to a host of passionate candidates, who in turn will service our ever-increasing senior population." For many Americans, the availability of well-trained, reliable and safe caregivers represents the elderly's best, and perhaps only, option to achieve the goal of aging with dignity at home. According to AARP, aging at home, and not in an institution, is the goal of approximately 90 percent of elderly Americans. Senior Helpers assists to deliver this level of personalized care to tens of thousands of seniors nationally, by continually fortifying its network with highly trained caregivers who have passed rigorous background checks. Senior Helpers' National Caregiver Recruitment Day is designed to find individuals to fit the role through interviews and several other recruitment activities. Founded in 2001, Senior Helpers operates with a vision to be the leading home care company in each community it serves. Its caregivers are fully trained and certified to offer the highest level of care possible based on the company's Senior Gems Alzheimer's and Dementia care program. As the gold standard for excellence in personalized in-home senior care, the program was developed in conjunction with nationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC. The company also offers a Parkinson's Care Program, a specialized training program for their caregivers created in conjunction with leading experts from the Parkinson's Foundation's Centers of Excellence network. For more information on Senior Helpers National Caregiver Recruitment Day and to request an interview from a Senior Helpers location near you, visit www.seniorhelpers.com/jobs. About Senior Helpers Senior Helpers is a premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2001 with a vision to help seniors who wish to remain in their homes despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has 311 franchised businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors with a pledge to "provide care and comfort at a moment's notice." Senior Helpers was recently ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 Ranking, and appointed to the Healthcare Leadership Councilan exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting seniorhelpers.com. Contact: Megan O'Neal Havas Formula (619) 234-0345 [email protected] SOURCE Senior Helpers Related Links http://www.seniorhelpers.com NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Adient plc ("Adient" or the "Company") (NYSE: ADNT). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980. The investigation concerns whether Adient and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here to join a class action] On January 17, 2018, during an investor conference, Adient disclosed that its "near-term results are being significantly impacted by" the Company's capital-intensive metals business (the "SS&M business"). On this news, Adient's stock price fell $8.03 per share, or 9.8%, to close at $74.15 per share on January 18, 2018. On January 29, 2018, during an earnings call, Adient announced disappointing financial results for Adient's first fiscal quarter of 2018, again citing issues with the Company's SS&M business. On this news, Adient's stock price fell $5.53 per share, or 7.6%, to close at $66.77 per share on January 29, 2018. On May 3, 2018, Adient announced that the Company had recorded a $299 million impairment charge related to its SS&M business and admitted that certain previously announced operational goals were "no longer going to be achievable". On this news, Adient's stock price fell $6.14 per share, or roughly 10%, to close at $55.84 per share on May 3, 2018. Then, on June 11, 2018, Adient announced the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer, Bruce McDonald, and sharply lowered the Company's earnings guidance. On this news, Adient's stock price fell $8.88 per share, or 15.6%, to close at $48.10 per share on June 11, 2018. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com CONTACT: Robert S. Willoughby Pomerantz LLP [email protected] SOURCE Pomerantz LLP Related Links http://www.pomerantzlaw.com HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) recently released its updated Ten Most Wanted List. There are five new additions to the list, taking the places of five suspects who were captured throughout the past year. The new suspects on the Ten Most Wanted List are: Kern Mayers, wanted for felony drug charges in Luzerne County from 2006 from 2006 Khadir Shareef Blue , wanted by the Philadelphia Police Department for a 2017 homicide , wanted by the Police Department for a 2017 homicide Santos Torres-Garcia , wanted for a 2017 rape in Adams County , wanted for a 2017 rape in Tremaine Divine Jamison , wanted for a 2017 homicide in Luzerne County , wanted for a 2017 homicide in Richard Brandon Tyler , wanted for a January 2018 aggravated assault in York County Fugitives are chosen for inclusion on the most wanted list based on severity of the crime committed and the availability of suspects' information. The complete list is available for download here. "State police and our local law enforcement partners will not stop searching for these dangerous fugitives, whether they've been on the run for months or decades," said Acting Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel Robert Evanchick. "Someone knows where these suspects are, and we ask for anyone with information to come forward and help bring them to justice." Tips may be submitted through the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1-800-4-PA-TIPS. All Crime Stoppers tips are anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Three suspects from the previous edition of the Ten Most Wanted List were located thanks to information submitted to Crime Stoppers, and the organization paid a total of $6,000 in rewards directly to the tipsters. MEDIA CONTACTS: Corporal Adam Reed or Ryan Tarkowski, 717-783-5556 SOURCE Pennsylvania State Police Department Related Links http://www.state.pa.us NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Victor is a world-renowned Dermatologist and Board-Certified Regenerative Medicine doctor who specializes in a unique technique for stem cell therapy. Based on Park Avenue in New York City, Dr. Victor has developed groundbreaking procedures and products to help people look their best and feel their greatest using innovative techniques. Dr. Victor continues to gain considerable notoriety in the field of Dermatology by pioneering some of the most effective and interesting treatments in skin rejuvenation today. He will be attending, in particular, the "Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapies: Regulatory Strategies for Unorthodox and Unproven Treatments. Dr. Scott Steingard | Mr. Mark Staz, FSMB USA meeting." Dr. Victor said, "We thought Dubai would be the perfect center in the GCC to set up a clinic as it is a great base for medical tourism as well as a popular destination in and of itself. We have seen people coming in from India, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, confirming the need for a regional establishment." One of the pivotal fields that Dr. Victor specializes in is Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells (SVF)Cs where he can take a patient's own regenerative cells to diminish lines and wrinkles and firm the skin. He has also successfully treated patients with unmet clinical needs. He said, "Regenerative medicine is a rapidly expanding set of innovative medical technologies that restore function by enabling the body to repair, replace and regenerate damaged, aging or diseased cells, tissues, and organs. It is great to see the US Medical Boards getting involved in the US regulations of stem cell therapy." Media Contact Anna Rhodes Phone: 212-249-3050 Email: [email protected] SOURCE ReGen Medical Secretary of State for Agriculture and Procurement (SEAB) approves next generation stevia sweetener derived from the stevia leaf RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. and WESTCHESTER, Ill., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweegen, a nature-based sweetener company, and Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced today that the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Procurement (SEAB), has approved Sweegen's next-generation, non-GMO Reb D sweetener derived from the stevia leaf for use as a tabletop sweetener and added it to food and beverage categories already approved by Codex for steviol glycosides. This follows a review of the composition and manufacturing process of Sweegen's Reb D stevia leaf sweetener, with documentation submitted to the organization in early 2018. Reb D is a non-caloric stevia sweetener that provides sweetness with clean, sugar-like taste and now enables food and beverage manufacturers in Colombia to reduce sugar without sacrificing taste. Reb D received Non-GMO Project verification in late 2017. The ingredient joins Reb M as part of a range of stevia leaf sweeteners that can be used in applications such as beverages, dairy, bakery and confections. "We are excited to introduce our non-GMO Reb D stevia leaf sweetener to food and beverage manufacturers in Colombia," said Katharina Pueller, director, natural sweetener business, Sweegen. "Consumer demand for zero- and reduced-sugar products is on the rise globally, and our non-GMO Reb D provides a solution that helps reduce sugar without sacrificing taste." Ingredion is Sweegen's exclusive global distributor in all markets (excluding Sweegen's house accounts and in the People's Republic of China, where it is a non-exclusive distributor). This collaboration enables both companies to benefit from each other's strengths and to engage a diverse number of customers in the global food and beverage industry. "Reb D and Reb M stevia leaf sweeteners are helping to reshape the way manufacturers formulate to meet consumer preferences," said Silvina Lebiecki, marketing manager, sweetness innovation, South America at Ingredion. "Reb D stevia leaf sweetener now gives Colombian manufacturers a new sugar-reduction tool to meet consumer demands for great-tasting, reduced-sugar products." ABOUT SWEEGEN Sweegen is dedicated to the development, production and distribution of non-caloric sweeteners for the food, flavor and beverage industries. Sweegen's robust product pipeline, intellectual property portfolio, dedicated manufacturing capacity and R&D provide the Company its foundation for innovation and delivery of high-quality sweeteners. For more information please contact [email protected] and visit Sweegen's website, www.sweegen.com. ABOUT INGREDION Ingredion Incorporated, (NYSE: INGR) headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in more than 120 countries. With annual net sales of nearly $6 billion, the company turns grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials into value-added ingredients and biomaterial solutions for the food, beverage, paper and corrugating, brewing and other industries. With 27 Ingredion Idea Labs innovation centers around the world and more than 11,000 employees, the Company develops ingredient solutions to meet consumers' evolving needs by making crackers crunchy, yogurt creamy, candy sweet, paper stronger, and adding fiber to nutrition bars. For more information, visit Ingredion.com. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb D stevia leaf sweetener. These statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of each of Sweegen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated. Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in the historic filings of Sweegen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, and therefore should be carefully considered. Each of Sweegen, Inc., and Ingredion Incorporated assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments. SOURCE Sweegen, Inc. Related Links http://www.sweegen.com Minister Regenvanu with Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation within the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta That's not entirely a surprise. The vulnerable incumbent is one of a handful of Democrats running for re-election in states Trump won. NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The increase in demand for curbing carbon emission and need for convenience and safety is expected to drive the market for advanced tires. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05582487 The advanced tires market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.98% during the forecast period, to reach a USD 1,148.3 million by 2030, from an estimated USD 219.7 million in 2020. Increased demand for convenience and safety in LDVs and increasing cost of maintenance of HDVs are the key drivers of this market. Alternatively, the high capital costs and inability to mass produce the advanced tires can hinder the growth of the market. The agricultural tractors segment, for the off-highway advanced tire market, is projected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period. The agricultural tractors segment is estimated to be the fastest growing in the off-highway advanced tires market during the forecast period.The reducing agricultural population and growing average farm size have increased the overall cost of labor. As a result, the rate of mechanization in agriculture and demand for high power tractors has increased tremendously.This demand for high power tractors has increased the demand for advanced tires as high-power tractors are expected to be the early adapters for advanced tires. Additionally, trends such as autonomous tractors will also drive the overall demand for advanced tires in agricultural tractors. The LDV segment is projected to account for the largest market share of advanced tires market for on highway vehicles. The LDV market is estimated to account for the largest market share of the on-highway advanced tires market.Increased production of premium vehicles in regions such as North America and Europe coupled with increased demand for connected technologies have resulted in the high growth of the advanced tires market. Additionally, because of personal use and high demand for convenience, the LDVs have a higher installation rate of advanced technologies as compare to HDVs. This trend can be seen across the globe, and thus, the advanced tires market for LDVs is estimated to be the largest. Europe to be the fastest-growing and North America to be the largest advanced tires market from 2020 to 2030. Europe is the leading manufacturer of premium cars worldwide as Germany and the UK collectively manufacture around 35% of total premium cars.Additionally, Europe is home to vehicle manufacturers such as Mercedes (Germany), Audi (Germany), Ferrari (Italy), and Lamborghini (Italy). The highest number of premium vehicle manufacturing coupled with a high rate of adoption of advanced technologies is estimated to drive the European advanced tires market at the highest CAGR. The presence of leading economies such as the US and Canada coupled with a high installation rate of advanced technologies is estimated to make North America the largest market for advanced tires. BREAKDOWN OF PRIMARIES The study contains insights provided by various industry experts ranging from equipment manufacturers, shipping authorities, and distributors. The break-up of the primaries is as follows: By Company Type: Tier 1 - 58%, Tier 2 - 25%, OEM - 17% By Designation: Manager level - 67%, C-Level - 25%, Other 8% By Region: Europe - 42%, Asia Oceania - 42%, North America - 8% and RoW - 8% The report provides detailed profiles of the following companies: Continental (Germany) Bridgestone (Japan) Michelin (France) Goodyear(US) Pirelli (Italy) Sumitomo (Japan) Yokohama (Japan) Hankook Tire (South Korea) Nokian (Finland) CEAT (India) Toyo Tire (Japan) Research Coverage The primary objective of the study is to define, describe, and forecast the advanced tires market by on-highway vehicle type (LDV, HDV), off-highway vehicle type (industrial equipment, agricultural tractors, and construction & mining equipment), material, niche technology (3D printing and autonomous vehicle), technology, type (run-flat, pneumatic, and airless tires) and region (Asia Oceania, Europe, North America, and RoW).The material, niche technology, technology, and type markets are further segmented into regions. On-highway and off-highway are further segmented by vehicles used in each application respectively.The study analyzes the opportunities offered by various segments of the market to stakeholders. It tracks and analyzes the competitive developments such as market joint ventures, acquisitions, new product developments, and other industrial activities carried out by the key industry participants. Reasons to Buy this Report The study provides qualitative and quantitative analyses of the various advanced tires types represented in terms of value (USD million), volume (units), and material (represented in terms of volume thousand kg). The 10 key companies that have a significant impact on the market have been profiled along with their financial structures, recent developments, and product portfolios. The study provides qualitative and quantitative analyses of various advanced tires market by 3D printing technology and for autonomous vehicles. The study analyses the market of the various tires used in on- and off-highway equipment and is represented in terms of value (USD million) The study segments the advanced tires market on the basis of technology The report covers the competitive landscape, which reflects the market share analysis of leading players along with the dominant strategies adopted by these stakeholders to retain their positions Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05582487 About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuous rise in the demand for fuel-efficient vehicles is likely to propel the automotive battery sensor market Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05582488 The automotive battery sensor market is estimated to be USD 2.35 billion in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.09% during the forecast period (20182025), to reach a market size of USD 4.92 billion by 2025. Rising emission concerns to curb CO2, increasing sales of high-end vehicles, and growing vehicle production are some of the major factors driving the growth of the automotive battery sensor market. System malfunctioning is a major factor which is restraining the overall growth of the market. The passenger car is estimated to be the fastest growing segment, in terms of value, of the automotive battery sensor market, by vehicle type The rising demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, coupled with increasingly stringent emission norms, has propelled the growth of the passenger car segment for automotive battery sensor market.The factors driving the overall growth of PC are the rising demand for luxury vehicles, increased passenger car production in China, India, and Mexico, stringent CO2 emissions, and improved battery life. Also, the adoption of advanced technologies continues to be high for passenger cars due to the higher production and sales of passenger cars worldwide in comparison to commercial vehicles. The HEV is the largest segment of automotive battery sensor market The growing sales of HEVs in Japan, China, India, and others are driving the market for automotive battery sensor.Automotive manufacturers are focusing on the production of hybrid vehicles to meet the stringent emission norms. Moreover, policies such as exemption from road tax, crowding charge waiver, and free car parks at various places have encouraged consumers to buy hybrid vehicles.In Asia Pacific, the adoption of HEVs is increasing. China, India, and Japan have made significant investments to encourage the adoption of HEVs. Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest growing regional market for automotive battery sensor Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest growing market for automotive battery sensor, with China accounting for the largest market share in 2018. The market growth in the region can be attributed to the increasing vehicle production, high demand for luxury vehicles, rising emission concerns, and growing demand for commercial vehicles. The study contains insights provided by various industry experts, ranging from equipment suppliers to Tier-1 companies and Tier-2 companies. The break-up of the primaries is as follows: By Company Type: Tier-147%, Tier-244%, and Tier 39% By Designation: Clevel Executives 41%, Directors39%, Others20% By Region: North America32%, Europe39%, Asia Pacific27%, RoW2% The report provides detailed profiles of the following companies Bosch (Germany) Continental (Germany) HELLA (Germany) NXP (Netherlands) Vishay (US) Furukawa Electric (Japan) Denso (Japan) Texas Instrument (US) TE Connectivity (Switzerland) ams AG (Austria) Inomatic (Germany MTA SPA (Italy) Research Coverage The report covers the automotive battery sensor market, in terms of volume (000' Units) and value (USD million).It explains the quantitative aspects of the automotive battery sensor market based on voltage type (12V, 24V, and 48V). The report also segments the automotive battery sensor market by communication technology (LIN and CAN), hybrid vehicle (HEV and PHEV), vehicle type (PC, LCV, and HCV), and region. The market has been projected, in terms of volume (000' units) and value (USD million). Reasons to Buy the Report: The report provides insights into the following points: Market Penetration: The report provides comprehensive information on automotive battery sensor market and the top players in the industry. Regulatory Framework: The report offers detailed insights into norms related to the automotive battery sensor and the effect of the regulations on the market. Market Development: The report provides comprehensive information on various technologies of automotive battery sensor. The report analyzes the markets for various automotive battery sensor technologies across different countries. Market Diversification: The report provides exhaustive information about emerging technologies, recent developments, and investments in the global automotive battery sensor market. Competitive Assessment: The report offers an in-depth assessment of strategies, services, and manufacturing capabilities of leading players in the global automotive battery sensor market. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05582488 About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com LONDON, Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Herbal Medicine Market Size and Forecast, By Product (Tablets & Capsules, Powders, Extracts), By Indication (Digestive Disorders, Respiratory Disorders, Blood Disorders), And Trend Analysis, 2014 - 2024 Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5583962 The global herbal medicine market is expected to reach USD 117.02 billion by 2024, driven by rising popularity of herbal therapeutics compared to conventional drugs. The market for herbal medicines and remedies is anticipated to record profitable growth due to their cost-effectiveness as compared to allopathic ones. In 2016, Europe was the largest market for traditional medicines, contributing to 40.8% of the share and is expected to retain its leadership during the forecast period due to shifting from conventional drugs to herbal products. Fewer side effects and low toxicity compared to allopathy products are expected to provide a competitive advantage over other medicines in the market. Additionally, ready acceptance of herbal products owing to its benefits is the key factor for market growth and is expected to play a significant role in future. Increased preference of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among others has resulted in the growth of herbal medicines in Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is expected to record the fastest CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period. Furthermore, Europe is anticipated to generate maximum revenue over the forecast period due to increasing awareness created by various associations such as Association for Natural Medicine in Europe (AIME). Concerning product segment, tablets & capsules are expected to witness the fastest growth owing to increasing acceptance of tablets over extracts and powders. Furthermore, properties such as high dose accuracy essential for optimum therapeutic effect will, in turn, promote the herbalism market growth. The extracts segment is expected to grow at a lucrative rate as they show an immediate therapeutic effect on administration. For instance, in geriatric patients, extracts and other liquid dosage forms are preferred for administration as tablets show delayed therapeutic effect. Furthermore, extracts provide high potency as they possess only the active ingredients and no fillers which are present in tablets & capsules. The rigorous focus on developing better extraction and purification techniques by herbal medicine manufacturers is expected to fuel the market. Furthermore, respective governments are also introducing several strategies to promote the uptake of herbal medicine market. For instance, in July 2017, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology invested USD 12.5 million for development of herbal treatments for the treatment of cancer and HIV/AIDS. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5583962 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com LIVERMORE, Calif., Oct. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigilant Solutions an AI and data analytics company that provides technology to public safety today announced it awarded its Vigilant Communities Award at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in Orlando, Fla., to three law enforcement agencies: Brookhaven Police Department (BPD), Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and New Jersey State Police (NJSP). The Vigilant Communities Awards program recognizes law enforcement agencies for the exceptional use of artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent and solve crime. "We are honored to present the Vigilant Communities Award to these three police agencies," said Shawn Smith, Founder and President of Vigilant Solutions. "Each agency has distinguished itself in using technology to prevent crime by arresting prolific offenders. They are among our nation's top innovators in using AI technology to solve cases and keep their communities safe. We look forward to watching them continue to innovate and model the use of technology to achieve success in the law enforcement community." BPD received its Vigilant Communities Award for building an outstanding partnership between public and private sectors to utilize shared automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology for the reduction and prevention of crime. The BPD pioneered a public-private collaboration that has allowed for the installation of 44 ALPR readers city-wide creating an invisible fence to protect its residents. For example, in mid-2018, the metro Atlanta area saw an identifiable trend among several burglary crews who were using yellow crowbars to forcibly enter commercial buildings. During that time, a Brookhaven convenience store fell victim to one such burglary. Video evidence showed that the suspect vehicle was a gold SUV. The BPD queried the Vigilant investigative platform and learned that a gold Nissan Murano passed an ALPR camera entering the City of Brookhaven shortly before and one-half mile away from the burglary. This information provided a critical lead that investigators needed to locate a suspect and issue arrest and search warrants, where bright yellow crowbars were found inside the suspect's car. In honor of BPD, Vigilant Solutions is donating $2,000 in its name to the Brookhaven Police Foundation a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization. The Foundation provides scholarships for officers in school, charitable contributions to the 'Shop with a Badge' outreach program and a line-of-duty death benefit payable to the officer's beneficiary. The LVMPD received its Vigilant Communities Award for its exceptional use of AI via ALPR to solve crimes and close cases. For example, on August 25, 2017, in the southeast corner of the Las Vegas valley, three hooded and armed suspects robbed an armored truck in a bank parking lot. This armored truck robbery was the fourth of its kind in a matter of a few weeks. Up until that time, there were little to no leads for investigators to focus on. On this date, a partial plate was obtained at the scene. That license plate was entered into Vigilant Solutions investigative platform, which catapulted the investigation forward. Within two more weeks, the armed and violent robbery suspects would be arrested. The arrest would take place in a bank parking lot, with the perpetrators wearing masks and carrying guns, with the intent to complete their fifth armored truck/ bank robbery. The closure and prevention of additional violent crime would not have been possible without the use of the ALPR system. In honor of LVMPD, Vigilant Solutions is donating $2,000 in its name to the Las Vegas Victims Fund, a fund established to aid victims of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. The NJSP received its Vigilant Communities Award for its exceptional use of AI technology via gun crime mapping to solve crimes and close cases. NJSP has been using GunOps an interactive investigation tool that allows firearm examiners, detectives and intelligence analysts to work as a team, linking crimes, guns and suspects. Via GunOps, NJSP has been sharing National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), ALPR and Records Management System data statewide to over 700 users, including state police homicide detectives, users at eight state crime labs and district attorneys' offices, as well as with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. NJSP uses GunOps a solution driven by artificial intelligence to show links to shootings that occurred across jurisdictions. The sharing of intelligence has helped NJSP cross-reference the additional information that is appended to NIBIN in GunOps and share this intelligence statewide to find commonality between crimes and generate leads. With this platform they have been successful in disrupting gun violence cycles and reversing the trend of cross border hits that at its high exceeded 48 percent. Gun crime is down over 20 percent and ballistics processing productivity is up over 300 percent. In honor of NJSP, Vigilant Solutions is donating $2,000 in its name to The Officer Down Memorial Page1, Inc., (ODMP), a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring America's fallen law enforcement heroes. More than 22,000 officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the United States since 1791. About Vigilant Solutions Vigilant Solutions' technology helps law enforcement solve crimes faster to keep officers and communities safe. A leader in machine vision and data analytics for the public safety market internationally, Vigilant Solutions provides license plate recognition (LPR), facial recognition, ballistic analysis, firearm mapping and body worn camera technology to deliver intelligence to agencies across the globe. Built for agencies of all sizes, Vigilant Solutions' technology increases investigative efficiency, generates more leads, connects cases and reduces crimes with advanced analytics, billions of nationwide commercial LPR detections and hosted facial recognition and ballistic image galleries. Bring criminals to justice with Vigilant Solutions. Visit www.VigilantSolutions.com. Media Contact: Mary Alice Johnson 703.606.2413 [email protected] 1 NJSP's ethics guidelines prohibit the agency from providing Vigilant Solutions with a recommendation for its charitable donation. In compliance with these guidelines, Vigilant has selected the recipient of the charitable donation in its name on its own, without input from NJSP. SOURCE Vigilant Solutions Related Links http://www.vigilantsolutions.com New Delhi, Oct 9 : Actress Pallavi Sharda has joined the team of Gurinder Chadha's India-set drama "Beecham House", and says working with the director is an "absolute joy". She has been roped in to play role of a princess in the period drama. "It has been an absolute joy to work with Gurinder Chadha, someone who has inspired me since I first watched 'Bhaji on the Beach' as a young girl. She has pioneered the representation of South Asian identity on mainstream screens globally and as a child of the diaspora - her work impacted me greatly," Pallavi said in a statement. "It is so fulfilling to have a female leader with so much courage, gumption and a shared goal of bringing South Asian perspectives out of the shadows in the western world," she added. The series takes place on the cusp of 19th century in Delhi, and follows the life of residents of the titular mansion. It will be filmed in India as well. It also stars Tom Bateman, who has featured in films like "Murder On The Orient Express" and "Snatched" and Marc Warren, known for shows like "The Vice" and "State Of Play", and Lesley Nicol of "Downton Abbey". Talking about her character, she said: "I play Chandrika, who is bold, proud and clings viscerally to her roots. She is close to John Beecham (played by Bateman), but no one in the house understands why. She is like a gallant and warrior-like, Indian woman who is prepared to fight for what she believes in. I didn't have to think twice when I got the offer to play Chandrika." Pallavi was last seen in "Lion" with Dev Patel. San Francisco, Oct 9 : Social media giant Facebook has unveiled a pair of artificial intelligence-powered smart video chat devices, Portal and Portal +, which are designed to connect people and feel like being in the same room. Facebook on Monday said the new video communication speakers with tablet-size screens for the home can dramatically change the way people keep in touch and their built-in AI technology makes video calling easier and more like hanging out, Xinhua reported. The debut of the Facebook-brand-bearing electronic gadgets represents the social network's first bold entry into the fray in a competition of consumer hardware with other internet giants such as Amazon and Google, which launched their smart speakers years ago. The Portal, which is equipped with a 10-inch 1280x800 display, can let users video chat with their families and friends over Facebook Messenger, while the Portal + has a 15-inch 1920x1080 pivoting display. Facebook said the two speakers are powered by AI as well as smart camera and sound technology that let users have a better, more convenience and hands-free experience. The speaker's Smart Camera can sense the movement and action, and automatically pans and zooms to keep everyone in view. While the two Facebook-branded hardware makes consumers' home smarter and better connected with family members, there is growing concern about user privacy that could arise from internet-related technology, especially after Facebook has been questioned about its privacy policy since a data breach scandal earlier this year. Facebook has been extensively challenged about its security measures in protecting users' sensitive data since a British data mining firm Cambridge Analytica was accused of illegally accessing the data of 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was summoned to a hearing in US Congress in April to explain the firm's privacy policies. Last month, Facebook reported vulnerabilities in its account login mechanism that could affect more than 90 million users, who risked having their private information including names and passwords accessed by hackers. London, Oct 9 : Apple is reportedly in touch with British telecom provider BT to expand the reach of its Apple TV. According to a report in The Telegraph on Tuesday, the Cupertino-based iPhone maker is in talks with BT and its mobile offshoot EE to give customers the option to purchase an Apple TV that comes pre-loaded with BT's pay-TV channel apps. "The telecoms operator would offer the technology to EE broadband customers pre-loaded with apps to deliver BT Sport and channels from other broadcasters," said the report. Apple already has a similar deal in Switzerland. It has also signed a multi-year agreement with Oprah Winfrey and ordered a pair of children's shows from the creators of Sesame Street. In 2017, Apple announced that Netflix and Amazon Prime 4K videos would also come to Apple TV. Apple's TV app now supports live news -- a feature announced in September 2017 when company CEO Tim Cook introduced the new Apple TV 4K. Mumbai, Oct 9 : Actress-producer Priyanka Chopra has praised "Pahuna - The Little Visitors" director Paakhi A. Tyrewala and said that she is talented and hardworking. "Pahuna - The Little Visitors", a Sikkimese film backed by Priyanka and her mother Madhu Chopra's banner Purple Pebble Pictures (PPP), won two awards at the SCHLINGEL International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience in Germany. "Its true. Only person who repeatedly told me that I made a good film whenever I doubted it. She always had faith in 'Pahuna-The Little Visitors'. Thanks Priyanka Chopra," Tyrewala tweeted on Monday. Priyanka replied: "Always Paakhi A. Tyrewala. I truly believe in the power of talent and hard work. And you are exactly that. 'Pahuna-The Little Visitors' is an amazing film and I'm so proud of it and you. Congratulations to everyone who worked on it Purple Pebble Pictures and the cast and crew!" The film won the European Children's Film Award and got a special mention in the Awards of The Professional Jury Feature Film International category. The film received an overwhelming response at the European premiere of the film at the festival held on October 2 and October 5. It won the awards on October 6. On winning the award, an elated Priyanka tweeted: "'Pahuna...' a film I have believed in from the word go! Love the response it is getting worldwide. Can't wait to see what is in store for our film next! "Congrats team Purple Pebble Pictures for winning the 'Best Film (Jury's choice)' and a special mention at the SCHLINGEL International Film Festival." "Pahuna - The Little Visitors" narrates the story of three Nepalese children separated from their parents and their journey back home. Islamabad, Oct 9 : Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to shift the focus of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from motorways to agriculture, job creation and foreign investment, a media report said on Tuesday. The decision was taken on Monday in a meeting presided over by Khan. "Earlier, the CPEC was only aimed at construction of motorways and highways, but now the Prime Minister decided that it will be used to support the agriculture sector, create more jobs and attract other foreign nations like Saudi Arabia to invest in the country," Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told Dawn news. He said Khan's proposed visit to China in the first week of November was also discussed during the meeting. "Arrangements are being made for the visit and its date is yet to be finalised," Chaudhry said. During the meeting, the Prime Minister said strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership with China was the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and early implementation of the CPEC projects would help realise the true potential of Pakistan-China economic relations not only for the two countries but for the entire region. Khan said that CPEC was a great opportunity to learn from the Chinese experience, especially in the social, agricultural and other sectors. He said that agricultural output of the country, considered as the backbone of economy, could be enhanced manifold by learning from Chinese expertise and employing latest technologies and efficient methods. Prime Minister Khan stressed the need for focusing on early establishment of special economic zones in various parts of the country along the CPEC which would help the local industry grow through industrialisation and would also create huge employment opportunities for youths. He said the CPEC under Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping also offered opportunities to other countries to invest in CPEC projects and reap benefits in various sectors. Last year China had temporarily suspended funding of road projects related to the CPEC till what the Chinese authorities said "new guidelines" to be issued from Beijing, Dawn news reported. It is expected that Khan will raise the issue during his meetings with the Chinese leadership. Tokyo, Oct 9 : A rare white tiger has mauled a zookeeper to death in its enclosure at a zoo in Japan, an official said. The 40-year-old man was found bleeding from the neck in the tiger's cage late on Monday at the Hirakawa Zoological Park in Kagoshima city. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead, the BBC reported. Zoo authorities believe he was attacked by one of the park's four white tigers. The tiger was sedated with a tranquiliser before rescue workers and police arrived at the scene. Police is now probing how the zoo looks after its white tigers, Japan's Kyodo news agency said. In 2017, a British zookeeper was killed by a tiger in its enclosure in a Cambridgeshire zoo, while in Russia a keeper survived a tiger attack in the city of Kaliningrad. Democrats loathe Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. He often stalemates them. Armed only with a veto pen and a bully pulpit, he blocks their exclusive dominion over lawmaking. Which is precisely why we endorse Rauner, and urge you to re-elect him: to shield Illinois from ruinous one-party rule. London, Oct 9 : A second suspect accused of poisoning former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK, has been named, an investigative website has revealed. According to the British website Bellingcat, the second suspect is the man who travelled under the alias Alexander Petrov who in reality is a military doctor working for GRU or the Russian intelligence, the BBC reported on Tuesday. Last month, Bellingcat named the first suspect as Anatoliy Chepiga, a claim rejected by Russia. The website said it had identified Petrov using testimonies from people the suspect knew and a scanned copy of his passport. It said both his real passport and the false passport he travelled to the UK on in the name of Petrov carried the same date of birth. Bellingcat claims he was recruited by Russian intelligence while he was completing his medical studies and made several trips to Ukraine, including during the 2013 unrest. The Home Office and the Metropolitan Police are yet to comment on the development. Skripal, who sold secrets to British intelligence MI6, and his daughter Yulia survived being poisoned with Novichok on March 4 in Salisbury. The suspects were alleged to have smeared the nerve agent on a door handle of Skripal's home in Salisbury. The attack left Skripal and Yulia critically ill, but Dawn Sturgess, 44, was later exposed to the same nerve agent and died in hospital. Leh (Jammu And Kashmir), Oct 9 : Forty-eight-year-old Stanzin Rigzin's left knee-joint has been aching of late, making it difficult for her to walk with ease. But her village has only a government clinic and no orthopedic expert. So, one morning, she took the first bus from her village in Turtuk, a little over 200 km from Leh, and arrived at the Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) Hospital in Leh around 8.30 a.m. Her only reason for travelling such a distance was to get a chance to consult medical experts from New Delhi's prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences, or AIIMS, who were conducting a week-long camp at the SNM Hospital -- as they have been for a quarter of a century. "The experts are here so I came early so that I can get good treatment. I wanted to be among the first to get an early appointment for a medical check-up," Ringin told this visiting IANS correspondent with a smile. She was quickly examined by a doctor and underwent surgery to relieve her pain. The camp is organised by Delhi-based Buddhist organisation Ashoka Mission in Leh with experts from the premier referral institute. At times, the doctors also set up camp in Kargil. Dr C.S. Yadav, an orthopaedic from AIIMS who has been coming here for the past two decades, said that nothing is more challenging than conducting surgeries at an altitude of 3,500 metres above sea level, where even local residents at times gasp for oxygen. "I carry around 400-500 kg of instruments and logistics just for the purpose of conducting surgeries. Due to geographic conditions, the residents, especially women aged above 50, are more prone to health issues related to bones," he added. Around 24 doctors from different departments visited the camp this year. However, the camp was reduced to five days owing the to adverse weather conditions. Yet, authorities at SNM Hospital said, more than 2,700 patients had visited the camp. While the camp earlier had only OPDs, Dr Yadav conducted the first joint replacement in 2013. Since then, more than 80 surgeries have been successfully completed every year. "There are, of course, challenges like lack of proper instruments, OT infrastructure and even low oxygen levels. All this puts extra pressure on us," he noted. This year, there have been 27 surgeries -- 21 knee and six hip replacements -- Dr Yadav said, adding last year his team had achieved the rare feat of 112 knee and hip replacement surgeries. "Time was a constraint this year or else we could have done more surgeries. More than 350 patients were examined in the OPD," Dr Yadav said. For the locals, the camp is a boon, especially for those living in far-off villages and belonging to the lower economic strata. Like Rigzin, Abdul Hamid of Alchi village, some 70 km away, visited the camp along with his wife and child. "The doctors coming here is a blessing for the people of this region. A majority of these patients cannot afford to visit Delhi. Even at AIIMS, there is a long queue of patients, one has to wait for several days to get a date," said Hamid, who was at the camp for check up in the gastroenterology department. "Our motive is only to provide as much healthcare as possible to this region. And what can be better than AIIMS supporting this programme. The patients whose treatment remains pending or any case which is critical is being taken forward on emergency basis at AIIMS in Delhi," Ashoka Mission President Lama Lobzang told IANS. "We do screening of patients and keep a list of those cases which need to be prioritised. We have our surgeons and doctors, we discuss on how to carry ahead an OT case and then move forward. The local doctors as well as those from AIIMS make a collective effort so that a majority of the cases are resolved here," SNM Hospital Medical Superintendent Tsering Sanphel told IANS. (Somrita Ghosh was in Leh on an invitation from AIIMS and Ashoka Mission. She can be contacted at somrita.g@ians.in) Mexico City, Oct 9 : Police in Mexico are investigating a couple arrested for transporting body parts in a pram in connection with at least 10 murders. At a hearing following their arrest, the man reportedly confessed to killing 20 women in a suburb of Mexico City. Investigators have found body parts in the couple's flat and at another nearby property. They were kept in buckets filled with cement and in a fridge, the BBC said. Prosecutors said the couple sold the body parts but it is not clear to whom. Femicides -- murders of women -- are common in Mexico and often go unpunished, but the gruesome details of this case have caused outrage and triggered street protests in Ecatepec, the poor suburb in Mexico state where they occurred. Neighbours said that whenever they saw the couple they were pushing the pram in which police found the body parts, the BBc report said. Police stopped and searched them after the disappearance in September of a 28-year-old Nancy Huitron and her two-month old baby, Valentina. During the hearing, the accused Juan Carlos confessed to killing Huitron and identified two other of his victims as 23-year-old Arlet Olguin and 29-year-old Evelyn Rojas. Prosecutors say he also confessed to sexually abusing some of the victims before killing them and selling off their belongings and some of their body parts. The three victims, all of them single mothers, had disappeared in recent months. Huitron disappeared on September 6 with her baby after dropping her two older daughters off at school, the BBC reported. When the two older girls were not picked up from school, a neighbour raised the alarm. Police have found baby Valentina who, they say, was sold by the couple. She has since been handed to her maternal grandmother. Panaji, Oct 9 : From being censured for "bad conduct" in a convent school, to eloping with his lover and getting married using fake witnesses, an upcoming authorised biography of Goa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Vinay Tendulkar candidly spotlights the saffron leader, who's now in the reckoning for chief ministership in the wake of incumbent Manohar Parrikar's prolonged illness. Authored by a former journalist and poet Sanjiv Verenkar, a close friend of Tendulkar, the biography, "Dabhal to Delhi", chronicles the life of the Rajya Sabha MP, from a rural hamlet of Dabhal in South Goa to the national capital. The book, written in Konkani, speaks about his humble origins as a son of a charity-prone grocer, as well as his early association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which triggered a crisis of sorts ahead of his class 10 examinations. Fr. Cyril Mascarenhas, principal of the Immaculate Conception Convent where he was studying, refused to give Tendulkar the prescribed eligibility form to answer the crucial Board examinations, which the BJP MP claims was on account of his association with the RSS. "Tendulkar insists, that the convent school denied him the form because of his RSS links, but the principal maintained that he had failed in physical training," the book states. The incident created a state-wide furore back then, but eventually the school retreated on its position and a PT re-test saw Tendulkar pass with an A+ grade. The book also speaks liberally about Tendulkar's romance with his wife-to-be Pratibha, whose house Tendulkar would keep circling around on a Bajaj Chetak scooter. However, opposition to his overtures by her parents, over caste differences, stalled any further progress, until Tendulkar on Nagpanchami day eloped with her and married her subsequently in the presence of fake relatives at a remote village temple. The biography also focusess on Tendulkar's grit and determination to succeed. A young Tendulkar tried his hand at a whole range of businesses, while being employed with the Dempo Group of companies. To begin with, he took over the running of a mining company's canteen, then a small market cafe, a two-wheeler garage, vegetable trading and even hawking "kanna", traditional moong porridge, outside temple theatre performances. But it was his stint at running a canteen for mine workers in Kirlapal village, which helped him network with people and served as a stepping stone for his political activity, Verenkar says in his book. "A mining canteen is not just about food. It was a place for drivers, labourers, workers to gossip and bond with each other. Novels can be written about the goings-on in a mining canteen... In reality, Vinay's political career started with his stint at running canteen, where he interacted with people from all walks of life," the book states. Verenkar says that the senior BJP leader also acted in a tiatr, a theatre form popular among Goa's Catholics, where finding an RSS worker as an actor is rare. The biography also speaks of Tendulkar's close ties with politicians across party ranks, including current leader of opposition Congressman Chandrakant Kavlekar and former Chief Minister and Congressman Francisco Sardinha, who the BJP leader still bonds with. "After he became Rajya Sabha MP, Vinay and Sardinha were returning from Delhi via the same flight. At Goa's Dabolim airport, Vinay saw Sardinha lugging two bags. Despite Sardinha's resistance, Vinay grabbed one bag from him to lighten his load and walked along with the former CM," the book says. The biography also recounts how the "polite and unassuming" BJP leader had, in the past, willingly sacrificed his ministerial berth, as well as an assembly election ticket, always playing a willing loyalist. However, one would need to wait and see what role the loyalist would be offered in the current political clime, when the Goa BJP is beginning to look at life after a colossus called Manohar Parrikar. (Mayabhushan Nagvenkar can be contacted at mayabhushan.n@ians.in) New Delhi, Oct 9 : French 3D experience major Dassault Systemes on Tuesday brought its "SOLIDWORKS 2019", the latest release of its portfolio of 3D design and engineering applications, to India. The software company also announced the availability of its "Global Entrepreneur Programme" for Indian startups, entrepreneurs and makers that will provide an impetus to the growing start-up community in the country. "The introduction of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is going to lead the way data and information are turned into knowledge and know-how with the help of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning," said Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault SystAmes. "To serve the purpose, specialised personnel will be required, the AWorkforce of the FutureA as we phrase it. To achieve that the formation needs to start now, driven by the availability of engineering knowledge and know-how that will naturally evolve the required skills," Bassi added. "SOLIDWORKS 2019" delivers enhancements and new functionalities that help millions of innovators improve the product development process to get products into production faster, and create new categories of experiences for customers. The "Global Entrepreneur Programme" leverages Dassault SystAmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, applications, online services and a community of mentors, industry professionals and peers, from the earliest seed stage to late maturity stage. More than 3,000 startups, entrepreneurs and makers globally have already embarked with Dassault SystAmes on digitally developing real-world products and experiences. Nagpur, Oct 9 : The Uttar Pradesh anti-terror squad was on Tuesday granted a three-day transit remand of Nishant Agrawal, a senior systems engineer working with BrahMos Aerospace. Agrawal was arrested in a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh ATS and Military Intelligence on Monday on espionage charges. He was produced before the Nagpur Sessions Court early on Tuesday, which granted the transit remand to the Uttar Pradesh ATS, officials said. Authorities are probing if Agrawal had passed on sensitive information about the supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, to his 'handler' suspected to be a Pakistani. Agrawal will soon be taken to Lucknow for further investigations into the sensitive case. New Delhi, Oct 9 : For Emily Thompson and Ernest Reid, leading bartenders from Australia and Europe respectively, the entire bartending community has now tangibly evolved along with a booming cocktail culture in India. With the cocktail culture skyrocketing in other parts of the world and with well-travelled Indians experiencing this, the demand has now reached all the way to Indias non-metros, they say. As local brand ambassadors of scotch whisky brand Dewar's in India, both Thompson and Reid will be individually responsible for certain key markets in the country. In an e-mail interview with IANS, Thompson said that with more avenues making travel an affordable indulgence, an increasing number of Indians have been globetrotting and bringing different cultures to a huge melting pot. "The discerning Indian consumers are now on a constant lookout for experiences that are new, globally inspired and exclusive. This particularly has helped evolve bartending from a mere 'open a beer can' culture, to a rather experimenting one that involves innovations with spirits, for both- the eyes and palate of the drinker. "Bartenders are taking more pride and effort in reinventing their roles and craft, encouraging patrons to trust them and their expertise. With cocktail culture booming in India, the entire bartending community has now tangibly evolved," she said. On the other hand, Reid says the current cocktail culture in India has seen a boom like no other era. "This is mainly courtesy young Indians travelling and experimenting with their palates. With the cocktail culture skyrocketing in other parts of the world and Indians experiencing this global cocktail culture, the demand has now watered down all the way to India's non-metros. "The industry is at an evolution stage and the bartending community, along with the consumers, are all getting there," Reid told IANS. The two will spend over a year in different cities of India getting people to experience Dewar's portfolio of double-aged scotch and classic cocktails. Not only do they bring their experience from other global markets, they also have an interesting journey to narrate. Asked for their take on how Indians are adapting to global cocktail trends, Reid said that having worked in other global markets such as Europe, he doesn't think "adapting is the right word". "The Indian drinking culture needs to experiment more with drinking routines and preferences. Due to the taste preferences, the Indian palates are much more complex than the European palates. Indians need to be more experimental with the idea of having spirits and scotch in certain formats. The culture is slowly evolving, and I am glad to be contributing in my own small way," he said. Thompson added: "So far in my travels here, I've found many places that offer mocktails, adding alcohol to these is just an expansion of flavour for the palette. Taking into consideration the complexity of food, Indians are really picking rich and flavour some aspects of international drinks to suit their vibrant culture." Being a girl how difficult or easy was it for Thompson to make her career in bartending? She said: "Globally, it's a usual notion that bartending is the skill and space for men. However, over the years a lot many women have shaped their existence and changed this phenomenon in the cocktail bar scene, by not only curating some delectable cocktails, but also representing some of the biggest brands. "From where I come, Australia has a rich history of strong women in bar roles. I've been privileged to have learnt and grown in a supportive and encouraging work culture...I feel that it's all about living true to your passions and dreams at the end of the day. If you have the courage and the belief to follow your dreams, your gender should never hold you back." (Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in) Jakarta, Oct 9 : Indonesian authorities on Tuesday urged for calm, while warning people against fake online reports of another moderate temblor, accompanied by images of earlier disasters, that created panic in the country. The warning came after another 5.2-magnitude quake hit the Sulawesi Island where a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on September 28 killed nearly 2,000 people, while 5,000 remain missing, reports Efe news. National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo in a statement asked people to only trust official sources of information. Tuesday's earthquake had struck 5 km northeast of Palu, the city most affected by the September 28 earthquake which was followed by a tsunami with waves higher than 9.8 feet. The provisional death toll in the Sulawesi quake currently stands at 1,944 after mudslides, giant waves and collapsed buildings wreaked havoc in the area, while around 75,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Search and rescue efforts are continuing in areas worst affected by the earthquake, especially in Palu's Balaroa and Petobo districts, where up to 5,000 people could be still buried under the rubble, although the official count of missing people stands at 835. According to the BNPB, water, power and fuel supply has been restored in major parts of the island and banks and markets have opened in recent days. The Sulawesi quake and tsunami were the worst to have struck the country after the 2004 tsunami that had swept off the Aceh regency, in the west of the archipelago, leaving 167,000 people dead. Islamabad, Oct 9 : The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation will hold talks here on Tuesday with Pakistani officials to discuss ways of bringing about peace in Afghanistan. A Pakistani official told Xinhua news agency that Zalmay Khalilzad will meet Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other senior officials. A US embassy spokesman said Khalilzad will "explore how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan". The envoy is visiting Pakistan as part of his 10-day visit to five countries -- Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He ended his two-day visit to Afghanistan on Monday where he met President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and several Afghan leaders. Khalilzad's mission is to coordinate and lead US efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. He will do so in close coordination with the Afghan government and other stakeholders, the US State Department said last week. The US is seeking help of the stakeholders to encourage the Taliban to sit with the Afghan government to find out a political solution to the conflict which has entered its 18th year. Pakistan and all regional countries favour direct talks between the Taliban and Kabul. But the Taliban wants a dialogue with the US and a time-frame for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. Seoul, Oct 9 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, the South Korean presidential office said on Tuesday. The invitation was revealed during a press briefing here about South Korean President Moon Jae-in's upcoming visit to Europe, which includes a trip to the Vatican on October 17 and 18. "Chairman Kim (Jong-un) said he will 'ardently welcome the Pope if he visits Pyongyang'," said presidential spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom, according to Yonhap news agency. Moon and Kim have met three times this year, with the last meeting taking place in September in Pyongyang. "Moon will deliver this message from the Pyongyang leader when he meets the Pope," the spokesperson said, adding that the South Korean leader will also seek the Vatican's support for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. The Pope has in the past supported dialogue between the two Koreas and the historic summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump, which took place in Singapore on June 12. The Pontiff visited South Korea in August 2014. Cengiz was the last person to see Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi alive before he walked into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to pick up documents he needed before their wedding. As he walked toward the entrance, she said she would wait for him outside, The Washington Post reported. Fine, my darling, he told her. Turkey says he never came out. Panaji, Oct 9 : A controversy surrounding the use of formalin to preserve fish sold in Goa is threatening a split in the Goa Forward, a ruling party, even as its Vice President has accused his leadership of being mum on the issue and being a party to the victimization of a whistle-blower who exposed the formalin-in-fish scandal. In a letter to Goa Forward President Vijai Sardesai, Vice President Trajano D'Mello on Monday said that the inability of the party to take on the fish mafia's use of formalin, a carcinogenic cadaver preservative, in fish sold in Goa and allowing the witchhunt of Food and Drugs Administration official Iva Fernandes amounted to the party abetting the officer's harassment. "What disturbs my conscience is that the designated officer Iva Fernandes, an honest and upright person, conducted the formalin tests on fish and gave her factual findings, bringing to light the criminal activities (slow poisoning) of the fish mafia that endangers the life of every Goan," D'Mello said in the letter to Sardesai. "This officer is now being harassed/mentally tortured to an extent that she has had to approach the Goa Human Rights Commission. Your silence on this matter is deafening and indicates that you are abetting in the harassment of this upright officer," the letter said. The controversy involving the use of formalin in fish erupted in July after a Food Drugs Administration team led by Fernandes found traces of formalin in fish sold in Goa. The BJP-led coalition government, of which Goa Forward is a partner, has been on the backfoot ever since after several of its ministers were accused of allegedly protecting fish traders who were allegedly importing formalin-laced fish consignments from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Responding to D'Mello's letter, the Goa Forward issued a statement late on Monday that Trajano D'Mello was likely to quit the party to join the Congress, the main opposition party in the state. "Trajano's pathetic alibi to mask his act of betrayal as a protest against the supposed harassment of Iva Fernandes is a hollow attempt to justify his sellout... It is obvious that the Goa Congress is on a recruitment drive and that habitual deserters and jumping jacks are being offered packages," said Dilip Prabhudesai, also a Vice President of Goa Forward. The party denied any harassment of the FDA officer, who has now complained to the Goa Human Right's Commission about harassment by her superiors. "Goa Forward party is in no way connected with the FDA department and the officer and the supposed harassment that he mentions," Prabhudesai said. New Delhi, Oct 9 : Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) patron Sharad Yadav on Tuesday said the BJP-led Gujarat government should quit for failing to protect migrant workers in the state after a worker from Bihar was held for raping a toddler. "The Gujarat government has failed to provide security to the residents of other states, especially those from the Hindi-speaking states. So this government should immediately step down," Yadav said in a statement. He said it was "extremely unfortunate" that the workers from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh had been "forced to flee" from Gujarat after widespread attacks on them following the rape of a 14-month-old in Sabarkantha district on September 28. "These workers have been providing services to the people of Gujarat for the past several years. Surprisingly, the BJP is in power both in the Centre and in Gujarat, yet it is unable to protect the workers of other states." He added: "The present exodus of migrant workers from the state shows that the BJP government is not for the people of the disadvantaged sections of the poor and the society... This is nothing but an attempt to spoil harmony in the country." Lucknow, Oct 9 : A special court on Tuesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi for failing to turn up despite repeated summons in a case dating back to 2010, an official said. The Allahabad court, set up to exclusively try criminal cases pending against Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, issued the warrant against Joshi and asked her to be present on October 31. The Centre has set up 12 such special courts across 11 states in the country. Joshi, as the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief in 2010, had allegedly violated prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 and organised a public meeting in the state capital, and then led a march to the assembly, triggering a clash with police. Joshi has since quit the Congress party, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Despite several reminders and summons, Joshi did not present herself before the court, prompting the Judge, Pawan Tiwari, to issue the non-bailable warrant. Chennai, Oct 9 : Targeting about 8,000-9,000 units per month domestic sales of its new Santro car model, Hyundai Motor India Ltd also plans to ship out about 20,000-30,000 units per year, said a top company official on Tuesday. He said the total sales target for the Santro model is about 120,000 units for 2019. Unveiling the new Santro at the company's plant near here Y.K. Koo, Managing Director and CEO told reporters the new car was expected to drive Hyundai Motor India's market share by 0.5-1 per cent. In 2017, the company reported an overall market share of 16 per cent. The company will begin booking for the new model online from Wednesday onwards till October 22, he said. The model comes with three years/100,000 kms warranty and three years road side assistance. The booking amount is Rs 11,100 for the first 50,000 customers, he added. According to Koo, the Santro will have two variants - petrol and CNG (compressed natural gas). "With Santro we can compete in the tall boy and compact car segments. However, in the Santro segment (mid compact) the company hopes to garner 30 per cent market share," Koo added. In order to play in the two segments, the company has reduced the height of the new Santro to 1,560 mm and extended its length to 3,610 mm. The old Santro stood 1,590 mm tall and had a length of 3,565 mm. He agreed the company decided to leverage the popular Santro brand for the new model instead of building a new brand at a higher cost. The company had stopped production of the older Santro model in 2015. "Santro has been the one big success brand name for Hyundai in India. As the model ages, and literally becomes obsolete in terms of contemporary need, want, desire and aspiration, Hyundai needs to offer the latest and the best for Indian roads," Harish Bijoor, Brand Expert and Founder Harish Bijoor Consults Inc told IANS. He said: "Therefore, as an all new offering is put together, the challenge is to either discard the old model and the old brand name altogether or to retain the old brand name and slap it on the new offering." Bijoor said Hyundai's strategy of prefixing 'All New' to Santro is a wise move. "The brand equity built for Santro and the vestiges of quality residues remain intact. They become heritage properties that will help the new model run with greater ease," Bijoor added. According to Bijoor, if the model was named anything else, it would take time, energy and very big money to build equity. Hyundai has done a nifty thing by naming the new model Santro. On the export front, Koo said India will be the hub for Hyundai's small cars and Santro will be shipped out from January 2019 onwards. "Santro will be exported to North America, Middle East, South Africa and other markets," Koo said. He said, the model will also be made in Vietnam where Hyundai Motor has a joint venture for the domestic market there. According to Koo, the company hopes to sell about 550,000 units in the domestic market and export about 160,000 units in 2018. Beijing, Oct 9 : China on Tuesday sought to defend the CPEC after Pakistan decided to slash Chinese investments and review the multi-billion dollar project. The new government in Pakistan under Prime Minister Imran Khan is reportedly concerned over the heavy Chinese loans under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which, it fears, could push the South Asian country into a debt trap. Last week, Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid announced a cut in the cost of a railway project under the CPEC from $8.2 billion to $6.2 billion, saying Pakistan cannot afford huge loans. Besides, Imran Khan had said that the CPEC was under review. Responding to the developments, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the media was focusing on only one aspect of the story. Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said China and Pakistan were equal partners in the CPEC and the terms and rule were fair to both the parties. "You have only noted some aspects of the report. Recently, on the advancement of the CPEC, we have noted that there are different comments on the reports from the media," Lu said at a press briefing. "...the new Pakistani Prime Minister has made it clear that he will support the advancement of the CPEC and the CPEC serves the economic and social development. "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also made it clear that the advancement of CPEC did not cause any burden to Pakistan and stated in the long term it will enhance Pakistan's capacity for development... We should view such kind of comments in a comprehensive way," Lu said. "We hope you can see that CPEC as a very important project of the Belt and Road initiative. From the beginning, we have said that we follow the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution. "And also as for the choice for the projects and other aspects, China and Pakistan have conducted consultations on the basis of equality," the spokesperson said. The CPEC is the chief component of China's ambitious Belt and Road project which envisages connecting Asia, Africa and Europe through a network of highways, seaports and lanes. The estimated cost of the Belt and Road is about $1 trillion of which China has pledged some $60 billion for the CPEC. Critics say Pakistan may not be able to pay back the debt and end up becoming its satellite colony. India opposes the project as it passes through the disputed Kashmir held by Pakistan. Kolkata, Oct 9 : A Kolkata school teacher was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly molesting a Class 2 girl student inside the school premises a few days back, police said. The school turned into a battlefield of sorts after angry parents arrived at the school demanding immediate action. The police baton charged to bring the crowd under control. "The accused teacher has been arrested. The situation turned really tough but now it is under control," Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East division) Kalyan Mukherjee said. According to the victim's parents, the dance teacher had molested the girl on several occasions. On Monday, a police complaint was lodged. Alleging that the school authorities refused to take action despite repeated complaints, angry parents and guardians demonstrated outside the school leading to the police using force to disperse them. Television visuals showed several protesters bleeding after they were baton charged. Even some of the police personnel were injured. "Why are they hitting us," an angry woman who was bleeding said. Dholpur, Oct 9 : Declaring that the Congress will form the next government in Rajasthan, party President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not waived a single penny of farmers' loans. Addressing a rally in Dholpur, the home turf of BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, he said Modi did not utter a word on farmers' loans. "A month before the elections, Raje said she will give free electricity to the farmers. I want to ask her what was she doing since the past four-and-a-half years," Gandhi said. "Your Prime Minister has not waived even a single penny of the farmers' loans. When the opposition demands he waive off the loans, he does not utter a word." He also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government over the Rafale deal saying Modi gave the contract to a private company and not to a state-run entity "which generate jobs for thousands of engineers". He also declared that the Congress was going to form the new government in the state as its cadres were working hard and together to win. "The Congress is going to form a government here -- a government which will be of the poor, farmers, small businessmen, youths and party workers. "Last time, I know the ministers did not pay much attention to the demands raised by the workers but I will assure you this time the doors of the Chief Minister and Ministers will be open for both the general public and the party workers. The party is working hard and together to win," he added. Assembly elections in Rajasthan will take place in a single phase on December 7. The term of the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly is set to expire on January 20, 2019. New Delhi, Oct 9 : Under attack over its decision to hold by-elections in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka with only months to go for general elections, the Election Commission on Tuesday defended itself saying vacancies in Shimoga, Mandya and Bellary (ST) seats occurred more than one year ahead of the end of the tenure of the House. In a press release, the Commission referred to news reports that while it had announced by-elections in Karnataka, it had not done so for the five Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh. The statement said vacancies from Bellary (ST), Shimoga and Mandya occurred between May 18 and 21 whereas vacancies from the five parliamentary constituencies from Andhra Pradesh occurred on June 20. Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act mandates the Election Commission to fill the casual vacancies in Parliament and Assemblies through by-elections within six months from the date of the vacancy, provided the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more. The term of the 16th Lok Sabha is up to June 3, 2019. As the vacancies from Karnataka have occurred more than one year before the expiration of the term of House, the by-elections are required to be held within six months. In the case of vacancies from Andhra Pradesh, there was no need to hold by-elections as the remaining term of the Lok Sabha was less than one year from the date of occurrence of vacancies: June 20. Former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and a Congress leader in Karnataka have questioned the need for the Lok Sabha by-elections with only a few months to go for the general elections. Los Angeles, Oct 9 : Rapper Kanye West, who is a supporter of US President Donald Trump, is expected to meet with him and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner on Thursday. According to the New York Times, West will first meet with Kushner and then have lunch with the President. West is meeting with Kushner and Trump to discuss similar issues, as Kushner has been tasked with overseeing criminal justice reform for the White House. The meeting will not be West's first with the President, as the two came face-to-face in a much-publicized meeting in Trump Tower in 2016 during the presidential transition. Earlier, the "Lift Yourself" hitmaker has come under fire over the past two years for his pro-Trump stances. West's meeting follows that of his wife Kim Kardashian West in May. It resulted in the release of 63-year-old Alice Marie Johnson, who was sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for a first-time non-violent drug offense, variety.com reported. Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Oct 9 : At least nine people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in a blast at a gas supply pipeline in Bhilai Steel Plant, the flagship unit of Indias largest steel maker in public sector. "It was a major incident. Nine people have died so far," Vijay Mairal, the spokesperson of the Bhilai Steel Plant, told IANS. He added that the death toll could go up. The Bhilai plant, located 30 km west of the state capital Raipur in Durg district, is India's sole producer and supplier of rails for Indian Railways. Shares of SAIL fell as much as over 4 per cent on Tuesday after news of blast was flashed by news channels. "In an unfortunate incident on Tuesday at around 10.30 a.m., there was a fire in the gas pipeline of Bhilai Steel Plant's Coke Oven Battery Complex No 11 during a scheduled maintenance job," the company said in a statement. It said: "The fire has been controlled. So far, nine persons have lost their lives and 14 are undergoing medical treatment. All resources have been mobilized to provide adequate care to the injured." The injured were rushed to the Bhilai plant's Sector 9 hospital. The disaster triggered anger against alleged poor safety arrangements by the plant management despite repeated requests by trade unions at the sprawling complex. The production at the plant was halted on Tuesday as hundreds of workers trooped out in panic after the incident and refused to resume work. Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg makes jobs and the economy a priority. No, he didnt join us in supporting President Trumps growth-focused tax reform package. But he did co-sponsor a bill to provide high school and post-secondary students with on-the-job training in fields such as cyber-security and advanced manufacturing. Krishnamoorthis commitment to addressing the skills gap is one reason we like him. Another is his belief in bipartisanship. Krishnamoorthi told us in his questionnaire that he was the lone Democrat who attended Trumps signing ceremony for that job training bill. He felt uncomfortable but put aside those feelings. The people of this country elected us to govern, he wrote. Exactly so. Running against Krishnamoorthi is Republican Jitendra JD Diganvker, an Uber driver and small business operator from Schaumburg. Krishnamoorthi is endorsed. Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 : CPI-M legislator Mukesh, a popular Malayalam actor, was on Tuesday accused by a woman of harassment. He has denied the allegation. The woman revealed her experience on Twitter, claiming she was 20 years old and was quiz directing "Koteeswaran" when host Mukesh Kumar telephoned her room multiple times and then had her room changed besides his own. She said her then boss, Derek O'Brien, spoke to her for an hour and got her out on the next flight. "19 years on, thank you Derek," read the tweet. When a Twitter user asked her if the person was actor-politician Mukesh, she confirmed it was him. Mukesh, who won the 2016 Assembly elections for the first time on CPI-M ticket, has said he does not remember such a woman and denied the allegation. "Maybe this could be a conspiracy against me to see I resign as MLA," said Mukesh. Kollam district Congress President M. Bindukrishna has demanded Mukesh's resignation from the Assembly. CPI-M State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the matter must be examined according to the law while P.K. Sreemathy, the Kannur CPI-M Lok Sabha member, said she will react once she finds out more details. Jakarta, Oct 9 : Indonesian authorities on Tuesday raised the death toll to 2,010 from the 7.5-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Sulawesi island on September 28. The official number of missing remained 671 while it is feared that 5,000 people could be still buried under the rubble, reports Efe news. The majority of the victims, 1,601, died in Palu, the provincial capital of Central Sulawesi, the most affected region, National Agency for Disaster Management spokesperson, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said during a press conference. The rest of the deaths occurred in Sigi (222), Donggala (171) and Parigi Moutong (15) regencies in Central Sulawesi while one death was registered in Western Sulawesi. Sutopo said that 10,679 people were injured, with 2,549 of them seriously injured, while 82,775 were displaced and have been placed in hundreds of shelters. More than half of the victims have been buried in mass graves while the others were buried by their families. A majority of the 8,276 people who have left Palu - a city of 350,000 inhabitants - have done so via its airport that is operating normally, although 200 meters of its runway was damaged. Meanwhile, the search and rescue operations that will continue until Thursday will focus on recovering bodies beneath the debris and mud in the most affected regions of Balaroa district and Petobo village in Palu and Jono Oge village in Sigi. According to Sutopo, nearly 5,000 people were buried in Petobo and Balaroa where the national search and rescue agency, Basarnas, has retrieved 20 and 18 bodies, respectively. The authorities have been able to restore 90 percent of the power supply in the affected area. The Asian Development Bank on Monday approved a grant of $3 million for immediate humanitarian aid. The Sulawesi quake and tsunami were the worst to have struck the country since the 2004 tsunami that hit Aceh, in the west of the archipelago, leaving 167,000 people dead. New Delhi, Oct 9 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking to cancel an anticipatory bail granted to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Justice R.K. Gauba rejected the plea. Tharoor has said the plea was not maintainable because law has granted the right to the accused to move it apprehending arrest and that the sessions court has the power to deal with it. The court was hearing advocate Deepak Anand's plea for cancelling the anticipatory bail granted by a sessions court on July 5 to Tharoor, who is accused of abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. Delhi Police supported the plea but questioned the petitioner's stand on filing the plea. The petitioner said the anticipatory bail application of the Congress leader was premature and not maintainable since it was not in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and also in violation of the law laid down by the Supreme Court. Citing a top court judgment, Anand said that anticipatory bail plea can only be filed during investigation or prior to investigation but not after the issuance of summons. On June 5, the trial court had taken cognisance of the police charge-sheet and issued summons to Tharoor. On May 14, police charge-sheeted Tharoor under Sections 306 and 498A of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to abetment to suicide and cruelty to wife, which entails jail for up to 10 years. Pushkar, 51, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a hotel room in Delhi on January 17, 2014, days after she alleged that Tharoor was having an affair with a Pakistani journalist. Colombo, Oct 9 : Nearly a million people in Sri Lanka suffer from blindness or from conditions that could lead to blindness due to an increase in the number of cataract patients, authorities said on Tuesday. To commemorate the World Sight Day 2018 which falls on October 11, the Health Ministry said that one of the major causes of cataract was diabetes while school children who suffered from obesity were also vulnerable to cataract or other vision impairment diseases later in life, reports Xinhua news agency. Director General of Health Services Anil Jasinghe said that over 285 million people suffered from optical issues in the world and over 90 per cent of them were from low or middle income countries. He said cataract was the main cause for blindness in Asia and Africa. Jasinghe said that Sri Lanka would soon amend its Vision 2020 programme to meet the rising demand for eye care in the island. The programme enables free eye care and lenses to patients and aims at eliminating avoidable blindness from Sri Lanka by the year 2020. Bengaluru, Oct 9 : Urging teachers to teach students moral values and ethics, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday advised educational institutions to make social service mandatory for their wards. "Make social service or service to armed forces or voluntary organisations like National Service Scheme (NSS) and Scouts & Guides mandatory for conferring degrees," said Naidu at a function here. Addressing the valedictory function of the V.P. Deenadayalu Naidu's centenary celebrations here, Naidu said social services would help students inculcate the spirit of oneness, nationalism and social consciousness. "Students should draw inspiration from a visionary leader and a nationalist like Deenadayalu," he said. The Vice President said moral science should be included in the school syllabus. Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Deenadayalu (1917-98) was the National Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts & Guides from 1992-95 and was elected the Bengaluru Mayor in 1955. As a student leader during the freedom movement, Deenadayalu was imprisoned thrice by the British. Concerned over the declining values in public life, the Vice President stressed the need to elect representatives with calibre, capacity and conduct. "We need committed leaders to fight social evils like poverty, illiteracy, violence and others. They must be responsive to the sufferings of the people and ensure the benefits of government schemes reach the poor, said Naidu. The National Adventure Institute of the Bharat Scouts and Guides at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh was set up during Deenadaylu's tenure. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala, State Cooperation Minister Bandeppa Kasampur and officials, members and 100 Bharat Scouts and Guides were present on the occasion. Mumbai, Oct 9 : Actress Alankrita Sahai, who will feature in Vipul Shah's "Namaste England" as a twist in the tale, says it was wonderful to work with actors Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. "It's been a fantastic experience working with Parineeti and Arjun. We had an absolute blast on the sets and I am sure the people are going to love the sneak peak into the film," Alankrita said in a statement on Tuesday, when the film's second trailer was released. On her role in the film, Alankrita said: "I play this character named Alisha, who is a Punjabi girl from London. My character traverses a journey through the course of the film showcasing a varied range of emotions. "Arjun Kapoor's character Param and Alisha have an excellent chemistry in the film, with Alisha acting like a catalyst and adding a twist to the film. There is a lot of sacrifice and understanding involved between my character Alisha and that of Arjun's Param." Alankrita's last on-screen appearance was with Vicky Kaushal in "Love Per Square Foot". New Delhi, Oct 9 : Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt wonders why veteran writer-producer and his friend Vinta Nanda didn't confide in him about getting sexually violated by actor Alok Nath, known for his "sanskaari" on-screen image. Nanda, writer-producer of the ahead-of-its-time 1990s' show "Tara", has accused Alok of sexually violating her almost two decades ago. She shared her experience through a long, heart-wrenching Facebook post. Asked for his reaction, Bhatt told IANS: "She is a friend. I am quite devastated... We have sat down and she has spoken about her personal issues, financial issues and her relationship problems and never brought this out. What was it that was keeping her (from talking about it)?" "By saying 'Why are you saying it now?' I am not doubting her. I am saying, 'Why didn't you tell me?'. When Mallika Sherawat said somewhere that she was being solicited by men when she was working, I said 'Why didn't you tell me. You should come and tell me everything about what's happening'. "I am just curious. I am not saying that you are (Nanda is) lying," added Bhatt, who was here to promote his forthcoming film "Jalebi". Nanda recounted the experience, sharing that Alok raped her after she left a party at his house at 2 a.m. She says her drinks were mixed and she was sexually violated. Bhatt's wife Soni Razdan tweeted: "Oh Vinta Nanda, so sorry you had to deal with this all alone so many years ago. Can anything be done? What is unacceptable is the fact that the channel did nothing to protect the girl in question amounting to the most abject callousness on its part. Things really need to change. "And I wish you would file an FIR as well." Oslo, Oct 9 : Norway's police on Tuesday charged various people over the attempted murder in 1993 of the Norwegian publisher of Salman Rushdie's bestselling book "The Satanic Verses". William Nygaard, head of Norway's second largest publishing house, was shot three times outside his Oslo home on October 11, 1993 following a death sentence or fatwa issued by Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini which condemned Rushdie and his publishers to death, Efe news reported. "I inform all zealous Muslims of the world that the author of the book entitled The Satanic Verses -- which has been compiled, printed and published in opposition to Islam, the Prophet, and the Quran -- and all those involved in its publication who were aware of its content are sentenced to death," the fatwa said. The police said in a statement that they had indicted new suspects to avoid the case going cold given that Thursday will mark 25 years since the crime and technically the statue of limitations would put the case into retirement. The police went on to say that the case was not out of date and that they were still interested in any information people could supply. Police officials said that the people who were arrested as suspects were foreign nationals and do not live in Norway. The fatwa quickly made Rushdie a household name and forced him into hiding. Although the fatwa is still active, Rushdie is regularly seen in public. New Delhi, Oct 9 : Chinese electronics brand GOME on Tuesday announced its debut in the Indian smartphone market with the launch of two smartphone "C7" and "C7Note". The company announced its entry in partnership with Agaston Mobile Private Limited. "GOME is very excited to come to India. It is a market ready for benefiting from the greatest innovation. We hope to provide solutions that offer a new era of experiences, powered by technology," said Sean Sha, CEO GOME Telecom. Priced at Rs 5,999, the "C7" features 5.45-inch HD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by a 1.5 quad-core processor paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt storage that is expandable up to 64GB. The "C7 Note" comes in two variants -- (2GB+16GB) and (3GB+32GB) for Rs 6,999 and Rs 8,499 respectively. It features 5.99-inch HD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio and backed with a 3,500 mAh battery. The smartphones will be available for purchase from October 20. Shimla, Oct 9 : Banks should target agriculture, tourism, horticulture and services sector for increasing the credit-deposit ratio and ensuring all-round development, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Tuesday. Presiding over the state-level bankers' conference here, he said the credit-deposit ratio in Himachal was 35.47 per cent, which was quite low than the national average of 75.64 per cent. He said the banking sector should create conducive atmosphere for people to go for institutional loans. The efforts would be made to bring cooperative banks in the state under the preview of the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Entrepreneurs for availing credit guarantee coverage for collateral free loans. The Chief Minister said the banks should also simplify cumbersome documentation and procedure requirements for availing bank loan. Citing a survey, he said it has found that a large proportion of households accessed non-institutional sources for loans. He said only about 46.51 per cent of households opted for institutional loans. Thus the bankers should come up with easy and simple procedures for financing. The Chief Minister said efforts should be made to encourage and credit link the farmers' cooperatives like self-help groups and farmers producer organisations. He said banks should come help promote small and micro industrial units by providing them need based loans and other logistic support. Thakur said that there was immense potential in sectors like health care, skill development and human resource development for expanding banking activities. Additional Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Khachi said the state had over Rs 1.05 lakh crore deposits in bank whereas it has only Rs 37,400 crore loans. He said the bankers should focus on housing sector for increasing credit-deposit ratio. Himachal Pradesh's economy is highly dependent on hydroelectricity, horticulture and tourism. New Delhi, Oct 9 : The Congress on Tuesday hit out at Gujarat government saying it was unwilling to prevent violence on the migrants even as it assailed Uttar Pradesh and Bihar governments for giving a "clean chit" to the Vijay Rupani-led BJP dispensation. The Congress also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence and demanded an apology from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for claiming that there were no attacks on the migrants from his state in Gujarat. "The situation in Gujarat is extremely volatile. It seems the Gujarat government is both incapable and unwilling to stop these incidents which have now spread to central Gujarat," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari. "Ridiculousness and preposterousness have touched a new high. To please the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers of UP and Bihar, instead of empathising with their people and trying to prevail upon the central and Gujarat governments to act, are in an overdrive giving a clean chit to the Gujarat government," said Tewari. The former Union minister was referring to Adityanath's recent assertions that there was not a "single incident of attack" on the migrants and that there were merely rumours spread by those who were jealous of Gujarat. Tewari also referred to Bihar Additional Director General of Police S.K. Singhal's remarks that migrant workers were not fleeing Gujarat, rather returning to their home state to celebrate festivals. "People are fleeing Gujarat in fear and Adityanath claims no such violence. What is more shocking is Singhal saying they are coming back because of festivals," said Tewari, claiming that over 50,000 migrant workers have fled Gujarat since the violence broke out a few days back. The Congress leader demanded Adityanath to publicly apologise for his insensitivity and urged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take strong action against Singhal. Targeting Modi, Tewari questioned his "deafening" silence on the issue. Naypyidaw, Oct 9 : A group of civil society organisations on Tuesday urged the Myanmar government, led by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, to strengthen the country's National Human Rights Commission to have a decisive impact on the country's development. The 12 non-profits also released "Return to Sender", the Myanmar chapter of the 2018 report of the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), Efe news reported. "Myanmar is facing a critical time in its history, with various human rights crises around the country. Now more than ever we need a strong, capable, and principled human rights institution that is independent from the government and the military," said Thwin Linn Aung, Director of non-profit Genuine People's Servants, a signatory to the report. "So far, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission has failed to take decisive action in almost all critical human rights cases and situations," he added. The ANNI study explored the current human rights situation in Myanmar and concluded that the MNHRC was "yet to prove itself as an institution that is committed to defending human rights". "The Myanmar military commits some of the worst widespread and systematic human rights abuses against civilians in conflict-affected ethnic areas, such as in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States. Yet the MNHRC has not taken any decisive action against the perpetrators or the institution that is committing these crimes," said Aung Khaing Min, Executive Director of non-profit Progressive Voice. A UN fact-finding mission on human rights violations in Myanmar had released its most extensive report in September and said there was an evidence of an "intentional genocide" of the Rohingya minority by the country's military in Rakhine province. The UN report, rejected by the Myanmar government, also flagged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the states of Rakhine, Kachin and Shan. At least 725,000 Rohingyas, a mostly Muslim minority community, fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since the beginning of a military offensive in Rakhine in August 2017, following a series of attacks on government posts by Rohingya rebels in the region. Chandigarh, Oct 9 : For maximum participation of government officials in the ongoing anti-stubble burning campaign, the Punjab government has issued instructions to its staff making them accountable for paddy-straw burning on land owned or cultivated by them. State Nodal Officer of the anti-stubble burning campaign K.S. Pannu said on Tuesday the government wants the employees to create awareness among farmers about the ill-effects of stubble burning. He said stubble burning was causing irreversible damage to nature, environment and human health. "In case any employee fails to comply, disciplinary proceedings would be initiated," Pannu said. "These officials have also been mandated to bring to the notice of the authorities about any incident of stubble burning across the state," he added. "The government has embarked on a massive programme for management of paddy straw, without burning, by the farmers. As many as 24,315 subidized agro-machines/equipment are being supplied to the farmers and cooperative societies. About 8,000 village-level nodal officers have been deputed to create awareness against stubble burning amongst farmers," a state government spokesman said on Tuesday. Paddy is grown across 65 lakh acres in Punjab. After harvesting paddy, about 20 million tonnes of the straw are left in the fields to be managed by farmers before sowing the next Rabi crops. "It is estimated that 15 million tonnes of paddy straw is burnt by farmers for early and easy clearance of the fields," the spokesperson stated. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh recently wrote to Prime Minister Modi seeking Rs 100 per quintal as compensation only for those farmers who do not burn the paddy residue. Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston Chennai, Oct 9 : The Tamil Nadu Police suffered en embarrassment as a court freed senior Tamil journalist "Nakkheeran" Gopal, hours after he was arrested on charges of allegedly defaming Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Gopal, 59, was taken into custody at Chennai airport while waiting to fly to Pune on a complaint from Raj Bhavan. The police slapped him with Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code. which refers to assault on President or Governor to restrain them from exercising their lawful power. As his arrest drew widespread condemnation in the state, Chief Metropolitant Magistrate Gopinath rejected a police request for remand of Gopal. The offending articles published in "Nakkheeran" in May linked the Governor to Nirmala Devi, an Assistant Professor who was arrested for allegedly luring college girls to provide sexual favours to officials of Madurai Kamaraj University. After his arrest at the airport, Gopal was taken to Chintadripet police station and from there to a hospital for medical check-up before being taken to a court. Following the release of Gopal, MDMK leader Vaiko, who had been arrested as he protested outside the police station where Gopal was taken to, was also freed. Gopal's lawyer V.T. Perumal argued that Section 124 cannot be applied as the police could not prove that the Governor and Gopal had ever met and so there could not have been any "assault" -- as defined in the Penal Code. Interestingly, the court heard senior journalist N. Ram of The Hindu Group who submitted that there was no relation to Secton 124 and the case in question. Ram told the judge that if such an arrest was allowed, it would set a dangerous precedent and police all over India would resort to this. And no journalist had been arrested under this section, Ram said. A grateful Gopal later thanked all political leaders who came out in his support. "I bow to the court which has stood for media freedom," he told reporters. The "Nakkheeran" Editor said if the Governor had any complaint about the story his magazine had published, he could have issued a rebuttal or taken recourse to other remedies. Vaiko demanded to know why BJP leader H. Raja was not arrested for his derogatory remarks about the judiciary and police. The MDMK leader said Gopal's arrest was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party to suppress media freedom. DMK President M.K. Stalin accused the Modi government and the Tamil Nadu Governor of enforcing an undeclared Emergency in the state. Stalin earkuer said that the state government was subservient to the central government and demanded the withdrawal of all cases filed against Gopal. PMK founder S. Ramadoss said if the articles were defamatory, then defamation cases could be filed. Gopal's arrest was also denounced by actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan. Gopal was once the emissary of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments to negotiate with sandalwood smuggler Veerappan after the latter abducted Kannda star Rajkumar. Like Veerappan, Gopal's handlebar moustache became his trademark. Gopal has also faced several defamation cases filed by the AIADMK government led by the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. New York, Oct 9 : Human traffickers are exploiting social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or SnapChat, as well as dating apps such as Tinder, Blendr and Yellow to hunt for potential underage victims, reveals a new study. Traffickers educate themselves by studying what the victim posts on these sites to build trust, said the study by the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute of the University of Toledo in Ohio, US. The study, which was requested by the Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Commission, revealed how traffickers quickly target and connect with vulnerable children on the Internet through social media. Grooming children for sex trafficking consists of convincing someone to send a risky picture and then using it to extort them. The traffickers use fear of repercussions as a way to compel the youth to move from a monitored page to a less monitored page by saying, "You don't want your parents to find out what we're talking about", the study suggested. Technology offers traffickers ease in advertising multiple victims at one time. "It is vitally important to educate parents, professionals and youth -- especially our middle school or teenage daughters who may be insecure -- about the dangers of online predatory practices used by master manipulators," Celia Williamson, Professor of Social Work at the University of Toledo, said in a statement released by the university. "Through this outreach and education, we can help save children from becoming victims of modern-day slavery," Williamson added. For the study, the researchers conducted 16 in-depth interviews with knowledgeable members of Ohio law enforcement, judges, direct service providers, advocates and researchers who engaged with victims who were trafficked online. The study outlined how traffickers connect to vulnerable youth online, groom the children to form quicker relationships, avoid detection, and move the connections from online to in-person. "The transition from messaging to meeting a trafficker in person is becoming less prevalent," Williamson said. "As technology is playing a larger role in trafficking, this allows some traffickers to be able to exploit youth without meeting face-to-face. Social media helps to mask traditional cues that alert individuals to a potentially dangerous person," Williamson added. Nagpur (Maharashtra), Oct 9 : A Nagpur court on Tuesday granted to Uttar Pradesh Police the three-day transit remand of scientist Nishant Agrawal, arrested a day earlier on charge of spying for Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and other countries, officials said. The Uttar Pradesh Police will soon take him to Lucknow for obtaining his proper remand and further investigatin the sensational case. The UP Police informed Judicial Magistrate (First Class) S.M. Joshi that the accused, working in the BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd and arrested under the Official Secrets Act, was in touch with certain Pakistani intelligence operatives via two Facebook accounts operated under assumed names of 'Pooja Rajan' and 'Neha Sharma'. These accounts, created in Pakistan capital Islamabad, are reportedly operated by the Inter-Services Intelligence and Agrawal was found chatting with them, police said after presenting the accused in the court on Tuesday. The UP-ATS had monitored these fake accounts aimed to honeytrap key officials working in sensitive defence-related organisations in India. Agrawal was accused of leaking sensitive information on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to foreign countries. The ATS said that certain secret and ultra-sensitive information was found on Agrawal's personal computer which it said "should not have been there, and it violates the provisions of the OSA." The joint ATS teams of the two states also searched his office and from another location seized an old laptop which is being examined. They said that after the investigations into what kind of chats he was indulging in with the fake accounts on Facebook, the accused may be slapped with additional charges. The UP-ATS also raided two other persons in Agra and Kanpur and seized their laptops for investigations. As per preliminary information, Agrawal was reportedly passing on certain highly classified information to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as well as the USA. However, official circles here are not aware of his access to the type of sensitive information or security clearance levels Agrawal enjoyed in the company. Hailing from Roorkee in Uttarakhand, the young scientist had been living in rented home in Ujjwala Nagar of Nagpur in central India, and got married earlier this year. Among other things, the BrahMos centre here is involved in manufacturing certain critical components for the BrahMos missile, considered the world's fastest cruise missile that can be launched from land, ships, aircraft or submarines. The Indo-Russian joint venture's development of the latest version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has elicited keen interest in global defence circles and several major political powers in the world. The missile -- successfully test-fired on July 16 from the Integrated Test Range at Balasore in Odisha -- is an outcome of a joint venture of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia Corp since 2011. Mumbai, Oct 9 : Equity indices resumed their slide on Tuesday, as rising crude oil prices, a likely tariff war-induced global slowdown, and a persistent decline in the Indian rupee have roiled investor sentiments. "Negative global cues amid concerns over a slowing world economy, triggered by trade war between the United States and China, dragged the market lower," said Geojit Financial Services Head of Research Vinod Nair. Heavy selling was witnessed in auto, consumer durables and banking stocks. The NSE Nifty closed at 10,301.05, down 47 points or 0.45 per cent. The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex, which had opened at 34,651.82, settled at 34,299.47, down 174.91 points or 0.51 per cent from the previous close. The Sensex touched an intra-day high of 34,711.68 points and a low of 34,233.50. The broader markets, the S&P BSE Mid-cap index declined by 0.16 per cent, while the S&P BSE Small-cap index slipped 0.45 per cent. "Volatility continued in the market. However, short-term investors are accumulating select beaten-down stocks, with an eye on the upcoming quarterly earnings," said Nair. According to Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities: "After Monday's bounceback, markets corrected on Tuesday as they failed to sustain the gains." "Major Asian markets have closed on a mixed note. European indices like FTSE 100, DAX and CAC 40 traded in the red. Technically, while the Nifty remains in a downtrend, we remain open to pullback rallies that could push the Nifty higher in the near term." The Indian rupee closed at a new low of 74.39 (74.3950) per US dollar, down 32 paise. "Oil prices rebounded last night, gaining almost 2 per cent. That has dented sentiment for the rupee," said Mustafa Nadeem, CEO, Epic Research. The rupee depreciation may continue and may hit 74.6-74.8, he said. Provisional data with the exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors sold stocks worth Rs 1,242.46 crore and domestic institutional investors bought stocks worth Rs 1,526.00 crore. In the last six sessions beginning October 1, FIIs have sold shares worth about Rs 13,000 crore. "The FII take cues from the macros of a country. India's current macro-economic senario does not inspire confidence due to the decline in the rupee," said Astha Jain, Senior Analyst, Hem Securities. Also, a rising interest scenario in the US has spurred investors to pull out their funds from emerging-markets, including India. The top Sensex gainers were Adani Ports, up 4.52 per cent at Rs 318; HDFC, up 2.59 per cent at Rs 1,713.45; Vedanta, up 2.44 per cent at Rs 211.90; Tata Steel, up 2.23 per cent at Rs 572.30 and Coal India, up 1.96 per cent at Rs 272.90 from its previous close. Major losers included Tata Motors, down 13.40 per cent at Rs 184.25; Tata Motors(DVR), down 12.34 per cent at Rs 101.20; Asian Paints, down 3.95 per cent at Rs 1,202; Maruti Suzuki, down 3.07 per cent at Rs 6,691.90; and Hindustan Uniliver, down 2.73 per cent at Rs 1,514.75 per share. Washington, Oct 9 : Nikki Haley, the first American of Indian descent to hold a cabinet-level position in the US, resigned as Ambassador to the UN on Tuesday. CNN said that Haley sent her resignation directly to President Donald Trump. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted: "President Trump and Ambassador Nikki Haley will meet in the Oval Office.. This event will be open to the pool." Islamabad, Oct 9 : The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and the Pakistan Foreign Minister on Tuesday agreed to cooperate for peace in Afghanistan, days after the former visited Kabul in a bid to restart talks with the Taliban to end the war. During the meeting with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad here, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Islamabad welcomed Washington's efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, Geo News reported. Delegation level talks between Pakistan and the US on the Afghan reconciliation process were held earlier in the day at the Foreign office, according to Radio Pakistan. The Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and the US side by Khalilzad. Khalilzad was visiting Pakistan as part of his 10-day visit to five countries -- Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He ended his two-day visit to Afghanistan on Monday where he met President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and several Afghan leaders. "Special Representative Khalilzad's mission is to coordinate and lead US efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table," the US State Department statement said last week. "Khalilzad will also be working in close coordination with the Afghan government and various stakeholders and explore how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict," it said. Qureshi said Pakistan will continue to play its role to find a political solution to the Afghan issue. Khalilzad and Qureshi earlier met in New York where the latter told the US that Pakistan believed that peace in Afghanistan was directly related to long-lasting stability in Islamabad. The US is seeking help of the stakeholders to encourage the Taliban to talk to the Afghan government to hammer a political solution to the long-drawn conflict. Pakistan and other regional countries favour direct talks between the Taliban and Kabul. But the Taliban wants a dialogue with the US and a time-frame for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. New Delhi, Oct 9 : The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday expressed concern over instances of alleged sexual harassment, and called upon the news media organisations to conduct unbiased probes into all such cases. In a statement, the Editors Guild expressed solidarity with the women journalists "who have displayed the courage to bring these critical issues in public debate". The statement came in the wake of a #MeToo campaign which singed newsrooms, with some women journalists using social media to mention cases of alleged sexual harassment against them. The Guild said it unequivocally condemns all "predatory conduct" by such men. "It is worse when the perpetrators also happen to be enjoying senior or supervisory positions in the profession." The statement said that the Guild is also committed to ensuring that the legal rights of either the victims or the accused are not violated. "A fair, just and safe working environment is essential if press freedom is to flourish. The newsroom in our profession is a relatively informal, free-spirited and hallowed space. It must be protected." "The Guild extends its total support to all women journalists, who suffered a disadvantage in their careers, physical or mental trauma, as a result of any sexual predation," the statement added. Jaipur, Oct 9 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he projected himself as a 'chowkidar' but never specified as to whom he was serving. "It is now clear that he is a 'chowkidar' of an industrialist. Modi took him to France to sign the Rafale fighter jet deal and transferred Rs 45,000 crore in his pocket," Gandhi alleged while addressing a public rally in village Mania in Dholpur, the native place of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. The Congress chief also questioned the central and Rajasthan governments on the initiatives they had taken for the welfare of the poor, small traders and farmers in the last four years. "The Congress-led UPA government introduced the Right To Information Act, loan waiver of Rs 70,000 crore for farmers, midday meal scheme for schoolchildren and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme for the unemployed poor. Rajasthan's then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot introduced a scheme for free medicines to the poor." "Now, I question Modiji and Vasundharaji -- what did you do for the poor, farmers and small traders in four-and-a-half years?" Gandhi alleged that at present, the doors of banks were closed for farmers but Indian billionaires were getting loan waivers totalling lakhs of crores. "A few of the richest billionaires were given loan waiver of Rs 3.5 lakh crore. These include Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. Modiji gives money to people like Nirav Modi...." He also took a dig at the BJP for the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' slogan, saying that it should be changed to 'Beti Padhao and BJP MLA se Beti Bachao'. "Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath tried to protect an MLA accused of rape by a young woman. Even the Prime Minister maintained silence and never dared to ask his party to sack the MLA," said Gandhi. As for the attacks on north Indians in Gujarat, he said: "The BJP-RSS should be made to understand that no one has benefited from dividing the nation. Hindustan wants to grow but with love and harmony." He also brought up the issue of unemployment and reminded his audience about Modi's promise fo jobs once the BJP came to power. "But it was a false promise. (When Congress comes to power) we will ensure that people get jobs." The Congress chief said the new government formed after the Assembly elections will listen to people's 'Mann ki Baat' since the present one discusses its own 'Mann ki Baat' and is on its way out. "The new government will be of Congress workers, the poor, the farmers... the doors of the Chief Minister and Ministers will always remain open for the people," he added. Lashkar Gah (Afghanistan), Oct 9 : A candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Afghanistan and seven other people were killed on Tuesday in a suicide bombing in Lashkar Gah city, officials said. Eleven others were wounded in the attack which took place in the afternoon when candidate Saleh Muhammad Achakzai and some of his supporters were holding a gathering inside his campaign office. "Eight civilians including the candidate himself were martyred and another 11 of the supporters were injured," Omar Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, told Efe news. The suicide bomber was on foot and had a suicide vest under his clothes when he entered Achakzai's campaign office, the spokesperson said. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials said that the number of casualties were likely to rise and an investigation was ongoing into the incident. The violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by militants at the time when the country is preparing for parliamentary and district councils elections slated for October 20. During the elections, nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, will cast their ballots to elect members of the 249-seat lower house of Parliament for a five-year term. They will also vote to elect members of the district councils. New Delhi, Oct 9 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday sent in police custody three Directors of the Amrapali Group till they handed over all documents related to their 46 companies to forensic auditors. The court said that in case the three directors -- Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar -- "failed to hand over the documents as ordered, they shall remain in police custody till such time the documents are handed over." A bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit observed that there was blatant and deliberate violation and non-compliance of its directions to the construction company's Directors to submit the said documents. The court also issued a contempt notice to the three, asking them to explain as to why they did not comply with the court's earlier orders. It ordered that these three and other company Directors to surrender their passports. Nominee Directors will not be covered by this direction, the court clarified. The court also said that none of the statutory auditors and Directors shall leave the country. Asking the police to seize all the documents, the court said: "It is not only deliberate non- compliance with court order but also efforts are being made to fritter away the documents in utter violation of court order." The court directed that documents not handed over as per the October 4, 2018 order of the Debt Recovery Tribunal too will be handed over to police. The court took a dim view of the conduct of the Directors, after one of the forensic auditors said that all that the company had furnished till now were documents relating to only six of the 46 companies. "Why this hide and seek and violation of compliance with our order? Whatever they (forensic auditors) want, it should be handed over by today," Justice Mishra said. The documents supplied to the forensic auditors include two internal audit reports of the real estate group pertaining to a period from 2008 to 2015, but nothing from 2015 until 2018. Directing the Delhi Police to take assistance of Noida police and seize all necessary documents, Justice Mishra said: "If you fail to give any documents, you will not come out of this (custody). "If they want to live in dignity, then they (Directors) should hand over all the documents immediatelym," Justice Mishra added. The court warned the three Directors: "You are in great difficulty, if you don't comply. We are in action. This will not be tolerated even for an hour. You don't play with the court." The court reminded the Amrapali Directors that they were in the wrong as far as principles of law and administration were concerned as "you have not prepared the accounts from 2015 till 2018. The court posted the matter for October 24. Washington, Oct 9 : Nikki Haley, the first American of Indian descent to hold a cabinet-level position in the US, resigned as Ambassador to the UN on Tuesday and said that despite speculations she was not planning to run for President in 2020. CNN said that Haley sent her resignation directly to President Donald Trump, who told reporters in the Oval Office that she would be leaving the post at the end of the year after doing "an incredible job". Joined by the former South Carolina Governor in the Oval Office, Trump invited her to come back in a different role. "You can have your pick," he said. According to reports, the President said that Haley had told him six months ago she wanted to take some time off. She was confirmed as US envoy to the UN in January 2017. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley was a frequent and early critic of Trump during his election campaign while she served as South Carolina Governor. In December 2017, she said that the women who had accused Trump of sexual assault "should be heard". At one point she suggested that Trump's rhetoric could trigger a world war. Talking to reporters, Haley said that despite speculation, she was not planning to run for the White House and would be campaigning for Trump, who has already announced his re-election bid. Her exit came after she served as the temporary President of the UN Security Council for one month. Haley's Twitter bio has already removed all references to her role as UN Ambassador. From the beginning of her tenure, Haley stood out as a fierce advocate of Trump administration's policies, announcing the US would be "taking names" of countries that did not support US votes, the Washington Post said. She spoke often of the need for reform within the UN and its peacekeeping forces as well as frequently chastised UN agencies for taking anti-Israel stances. Haley pushed for Security Council resolutions imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea and chastised members who the administration suspected had been cheating. In April, she clashed with the White House when a Trump aide suggested she had prematurely announced a new round of sanctions against Russia. Haley also acknowledged her policy disagreements with the President in an op-ed in the Washington Post in September when she slammed an anonymous senior administration official who penned an opinion piece in The New York Times, describing a chaotic administration in which many of Trump's aides disagreed with their boss. "I don't agree with the President on everything... When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person," she wrote in the op-ed. New Delhi, Oct 9 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined an early hearing of petitions seeking recall of a constitution bench judgment allowing entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi declined the plea. A review plea is considered by the judges of the bench that had delivered the verdict. The Nair Service Society (NSS) and others had moved the top court on Monday (October 8) seeking the recall. The Kerala government has, however, said that it would take steps for implementing the judgment. Contending that religious practices cannot be "tested on the basis of rationality", multiple petitions were filed on October 8 seeking review of its September 28 verdict lifting ban on the entry of women in the 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Besides NSS, the petitions for recall of the constitution bench verdict were moved by National Ayyappa Devotees Association and Chetana Conscience of Women, raising points of procedural error in the judgment. The five-judge constitution bench headedv by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra (since retired) by 4:1 verdict had said that the ban on women in menstruating age group, whose presence at the Lord Ayyappa temple was considered to be "impure", violated their fundamental rights and constitutional guarantee of equality. The review plea by the NSS contended that "without holding that the questions raised related to matters of religion which are not within judicially manageable standards, the majority decision in substance effectively has the effect of holding that the character of the deity can be altered based on individual faith and belief, in violation of the tenets of a particular religion and or religious sect". The petitioners have also argued that besides "patent legal errors" in the verdict, the assumption that the temple practice is based on notions of menstrual impurity is "factually erroneous". Pointing to massive protests against the verdict by women worshippers, the petitioners have said: "The subsequent events that transpired after the judgment clearly demonstrate that overwhelmingly large section of women worshippers are supporting the custom of prohibiting entry of women in the menstruating age group to the temple." United Nations, Oct 9 : Nikki Haley, the first Indian-American to serve on the United States cabinet and the highest profile woman and non-white in the current administration, has resigned her position as the Permanent Representative to the UN, she and President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday. In the surprise announcement, she said she will leave at the end of the year. She said that she did not know as yet what she will be doing next, but ruled out a run for president in 2020 saying she would campaign for Trump. After eight years of public service -- two as a governor and two as UN ambassador - she said that she wanted a change after the stressful tenures and that government officials should limit their terms in office so that there are new people coming in. Trump praised her for her role at the UN saying that she was respected by leaders and diplomats at the UN and that the US is more respected. He called her a "special friend" and said he hoped to see her back in some capacity in the administration or politics. The daughter of Sikh immigrants from Amritsar district, Haley had a meteoric rise in Republican politics and was the megaphone of President Donald Trump's aggressive global policy at the UN often using harsh rhetoric at opponents. She was the first woman and non-white to be elected governor of South Carolina before she was appointed the UN ambassador -- a cabinet post in the US. Haley is very popular among Republicans. But she was despised by Democrats -- especially Indian Americans -- who hold that non-white persons should not be in the Republican Party and hold a high government office in Republican Administration. The resignation of the highest profile woman in Trump's cabinet less than a month before the mid-term elections roils the political situation just after widespread protests by women's groups and polarisation over the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual harassment, to the Supreme Court. Her main achievement was getting China and Russia to stringently adhere to Security Council sanctions on North Korea, which ultimately led to its Kim Jong Un agreeing to negotiate denuclearisation with the US. Trump praised her role on North Korea, which led to his diplomatic coup. She also backed the moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, which led to the virtual isolation of Washington at the UN, with even allies abandoning it. She also backed cutting US aid to the UN agency for Palestinians. In addition, she was behind the US pulling out of the UN Human Rights Council because, she said, it included several human rights violators. Despite promoting the Trump's policies, she also had differences with him, pursuing a far more aggressive policy towards Russia than Trump does. While Rex Tillerson was the Secretary of State, she had a higher profile, which dimmed somewhat after Michael Pompeo took the job and assumed a more public role. She was also hemmed in by National Security Adviser John Bolton, a former US Permanent Representative, with his own foreign policy agenda that was sometimes at odd with Pompeo on North Korea and Russia. Haley had been a critic of Trump during the campaign for Republican Party nomination for president in 2016 and supported Marco Rubio. But after Trump won the nomination, she supported for him. She acknowledged that she had differences with Trump while at the UN but could air her views with him. In an op-ed in The Washington Post, she wrote, "I don't agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person." After her departure, among the high-ranking Trump administration officials are Ajit Pai, the Federal Communications Commission Chairperson, and Seema Verma, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Neither are at cabinet level. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) Kolkata, Oct 9 : Taking a dig at the BJP government in Gujarat, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the attacks on migrant labourers in the western state of the country was a dangerous trend. She also alleged there was "provocation" in the widespread attacks on migrant labourers. "The problem is very serious. If any crime happens in any state, police must take action, according to law. We are living in a country where all are staying together. "Of course, the provocation is there. Why do they provoked like this? People are scared and afraid. People are coming out of Gujarat. There are many families who stay in the Gujarat over many years. This is a very dangerous trend and I do not understand why the BJP (government in Gujarat) is not controlling it," she said. The incidents of attacks on migrant labourers from north India spurred following the rape of a 14-month-old girl in a village near Himmatnagar town, around 100 km from Ahmedabad. "I am really concerned about the situation. What is going on...the indication is very clear. I am also scared. If you try to divide, the country will fall," she said at the state Secretariat Nabanna. After the rape of a toddler, there were widespread attacks on migrant labourer residents, believing that some from the community were responsible for the ghastly crime. She accused BJP of creating confusion and communal tension among people. Police have filed 35 complaints and detained around 450 persons for attacking the migrant community residing in Gujarat, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja had said on Monday. Nongstoin (Meghalaya), Oct 9 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday asked his fellow legislators to adopt school in remote area of the state in the larger interest of the students' community. "Education is a priority and important and every small contribution matters. I have adopted one school in Shohphria village and the Nongstoin MLA (Macmillan Byrsat) is now going to adopt one school in my (South Garo assembly) constituency," Sangma said. "I request all legislators to help each other in this endeavour to make a difference and live by our own example," he asserted. On Tuesday, Sangma drove to remote Shohphira village near Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills, and inaugurated Shohphria Government Lower Primary School, which was renovated recently with Chief Minister's one and half month salary amounting to Rs. 3.14 lakh. The school established in 1956 by the Presbyterian Church was taken over by the government after the creation of Meghalaya, carved out of Assam. The school had remained neglected for over two decades, with broken walls, no rooftop. New Delhi, Oct 9 : A gang of gunrunners was busted with the arrest of five members on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut and 84 pistols seized, police said. Mohammad Shaidulla, 37, Nasim, 25, Mohammad Shabir, 32, Mohammad Intiaz, 29, and Mohammad Obayed, 33, were arrested after a brief exchange of fire with police, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said. The Special Cell seized 84 sophisticated, semi-automatic pistols with five cartridges and 40 magazines. Raw material, instruments and apparatus used in manufacturing firearms was also seized, apart from a stolen car with a fake number plate used for ferrying weapons. He said that in order to avoid detection, trained persons from Munger in Bihar used to bring raw material to Meerut, where they manufactured the illegal firearms. Ranchi, Oct 9 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday searched 15 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with a probe into the role of some companies allegedly involved in funding of a Maoist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), said the agency. Fifteen teams of the NIA were assisted by the state police forces during the raids it conducted at the residences and offices of managers of different companies in Ranchi, Hazaribagh and Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, and Durgapur in West Bengal. The companies are associated with purchase and transport of coal in Amrapali and Magadh coalfields in Jharkhand and allegedly involved in providing funds to TPC, an NIA statement said. The anti-terror agency has also seized huge incriminating materials and documents pertaining to payments made to Amrapali and Magadh area committees, bank account details and fixed deposits, deduction of levy amount, computers, hard discs, mobiles containing accounts of companies, and diaries containing entries of money paid to TPC and Peoples Liberation Front of India during the raids. The NIA has also seized cash equivalent to Rs 68 lakh, besides 10,000 Singapore dollar and 1,300 USD, besides Rs 86,000 demonetized currency. The NIA took over the case from Jharkhand Police and registered an FIR on February 16 this year following Home Ministry's order. The Jharkhand Police had registered an FIR in the case in January 11, 2016. From why Rice Krispies snap, crackle and pop, to foods that explode when microwaved, to the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, here are 36 fun food facts you have no reason to know but will enjoy knowing anyway. (Kaitlin Miller and Bianca Sanchez, The Daily Meal) New Delhi, Oct 9 : A 41-year-old security guard riding a cash van carrying Rs 5 crore was seriously injured as a group of unidentified men fired at him in south Delhi, police said on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Kumar Singh said that the incident happened on the DND (Delhi-Noida Direct) flyover around 10 p.m. on Monday when victim Bishambar and his colleagues, who work for a security agency, were on way to deliver three boxes of cash from Janakpuri to Noida. Complainant Sandeep Kumar, 27, said that he was sitting on the van's rear seat while Bishambar was sitting beside driver Mahender when some men in a Scorpio SUV overtook their vehicle and forced them to stop. "A man came out and started scolding our gunman (Bishambar)... another car came from behind and the men opened fire at the cash boxes." They eventually shot at Bishambar and fled, leaving one of their cars behind when Kumar ran away to make a call to the police. The car was seized. "We are scanning CCTV footage from the area to trace the accused," the officer said. New Delhi, Oct 9 : The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a mobile health app to provide health information to the users, including first-aid and other health and nutritional topics, Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. The 'MedWatch' was launched on Monday on the occasion of IAF's 86th anniversary and was conceived by the the doctors of IAF and developed in-house by Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) "with Zero financial outlay". "'MedWatch' will provide correct, Scientific and authentic health information to airwarriors and all citizens of India. "The app is available on www.apps.mgov.gov.in and comprises host of features like information on basic First Aid, health topics and nutritional facts; reminders for timely Medical Review, vaccination and utility tools like Health Record Card, BMI calculator, helpline numbers and web links," the ministry said in a statement. The 'MedWatch', it added, is first such health app to be built by any of the three armed forces. New Delhi, Oct 9 : The Delhi government requested the High Court on Wednesday to dismiss the plea seeking to minimise the legal age of drinking -- currently 25 years -- in the national capital. "That in any event age cannot be an irrelevant factor for regulating personal consumption of liquor, therefore fixing a minimum age for the same cannot be arbitrary," Delhi government told the court citing studies that show negative impact of drinking. The government said that limitation of drinking age is a policy decision. The court was hearing a plea filed by social activist Kush Kalra through his counsel Charu Walikhanna who sought to minimise legal drinking age in Delhi while focusing on responsible consumption and responsible sale of alcohol in the city. The petitioner has sought quashing of Section 23 of Delhi Excise Act which prescribes 25 years as legal age of drinking in the national capital and said discriminated against the residents of Delhi. He mentioned the legal drinking age of other state like Sikkim, where it is 18 and Goa - 21. He also sought directions to the Delhi government to conduct awareness programmes on responsible consumption of alcohol among college and school-going students by including it in the curriculum. New Delhi, Oct 9 : To empower the schools and to lessen red-tape, the Delhi government on Tuesday approved the School Management Committee (SMC) Funds, under which the SMCs will get at least Rs 5 lakh per annum per shift. Through the funds, the schools can take care of their various needs on their own, said an official statement from the Delhi government. "The funds for the schools running in two shifts will be Rs 10 lakh (Rs five lakh for each shift SMC)," it said. The amount to be given will depend on the number of students in the school. "Schools having 1,500 students will get Rs 5 lakh, those having 2,500 students will get Rs 6 lakhs and those having students more than 2,500 will get Rs 7 lakhs," it said. The SMC is headed by the Principal/Head of the School (HoS) and consists of two teachers, two social workers and 12-elected parents. Addressing a press conference, Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia said it will empower the Principal and the SMC a lot. "They would be able to take care of small requirements of the schools on their own and won't have to run to the directorate for every small issue," he told media. According to the norms set by the latest decision, 50 per cent of the amount would be spent on the works related to maintenance and 50 per cent on SMC initiatives. The work on which the money is to be spent will be decided by the HoS and the SMC. "Maintenance works will include things like maintenance of blackboard, small breakages and such other things. "Under the SMC initiative, the school will be able to use the money for engaging expert guest lectures, expert teachers, subject experts and so on," he said. New Delhi, Oct 9 : National passenger carrier Air India will launch direct flight services from Bengaluru to London with effect from November 17, 2018. According to Air India, the service will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. "The non stop flight will fulfill the long standing demand of IT professionals and health tourism in the region," the airline said in a statement on Tuesday. New Delhi, Oct 9 : Overwhelmed at the welcome on his maiden visit to the country, Italian MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci on Tuesday expressed his desire to race in India. "I would love to race in India very soon...hopefully we have one of our races in this country. The warmth and love I received here is fantastic," Petrucci said on the sidelines of the launch of Shell Lubricants' new semi synthetic engine oil. The event witnessed participation from auto-aficionados and bikers who had the opportunity to meet and interact with one of the world's most acclaimed MotoGP riders. Petrucci also spoke about his experiences in riding high-performance bikes on intensely competitive tracks and the crucial role of the right lubricant in maintaining bike engine health. Talking about the critical role of the right oil in ensuring engine health, Petrucci said: "There is increasing enthusiasm in the youth for riding higher cc bikes, and using the right lubricant is critical in ensuring the engine health of these. Shell's involvement in premier class motorcycle racing has helped develop the Shell Advance lubricant range for the road." New Delhi, Oct 9 : In the wake of attacks on migrant labourers from north India in Gujarat, the BJP on Tuesday accused the Congress of instigating the violence and alleged the opposition party was dividing the country. "The only motive behind all this (violence) is to launch Rahul Gandhi, who has not been politically launched till date anyhow," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra said at a press conference here. Patra said that he cannot be launched as "susbtance" is required. "And your leader (Rahul Gandhi) lacks creidibilty, lacks substance, does not understand this country's policy and lacks basic education in Indian polity," he said. Patra accused that the Congress was another name for the Gandhi family, which can do anything for power. "And once they are thrown out of power, this family's condition is like a fish outside water," he said. The BJPleader claimed said that the Congress want the country divided, by taking the help of urban Naxals and hugging Pakistanis. Alleging that Gujarat Congress MLA Alpesh Thakore was behind the violent attacks on migrant workers in the western state, he said that some videos had come to the fore that clearly show that he was "trying to instigate violence" against migrants. "From the clips it is clear about the kind of violence Thakore wanted to instigate in the state. He is not only a Congress MLA, but also a favourite of Rahul Gandhi," Patra said. He said that it was due to the Congress chief's blessings that Thakore was made co-incharge of party affairs in Bihar. "This is the characteristic feature of the Congress. The only three Cs linked to the Congress are -- chaos, conspiracy and confusion," the BJP leader said. Attacks on migrant labourers came in the wake of rape of a 14-month-old toddler in a village near Himmatnagar town, around 100 km from Ahmedabad. Gujarat Police has filed 35 cases and detained around 450 persons for the attacks. Patra said that Gujarat Police has so far arrested about 30 Congress workers for alleged involvement in the violence. He alleged that the Congres agenda includes spreading falsehood and dividing people. Patra said that Congress was involved in the Patidar community's stir in Gujarat, Bhima- Koregaon violence in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh's Madsaur farmers protest. In property conveyancing, dates are essential terms in the contract. Buyers and sellers regularly negotiate property settlement dates that work for them both. And with just 80 days to Christmas, it is timely to consider how best to work around the calendar to secure a smooth sale. Finding a private treaty buyer is taking around 40 days in Sydney, according to CoreLogic. Then settlement typically takes place six weeks after contracts are exchanged, but this can be a point of discussion before the signature on the contract. Whether its a sale by private treaty or by auction, once a contract has been signed, the settlement date is fixed. A home purchase doesn't finish with signing the sales contract. In fact, the signing is the beginning of the most important process. Of course, just because there's a date within the signed contract, doesnt mean that the date isn't movable. But there could be consequences. There are often issues that arise before actually taking possession of the property. Around one in five property settlements in Australia is delayed by a median period of seven days, according to Property Exchange Australia (PEXA). This delay has financial and emotional repercussions. And the postponed settlements often create a knock on effect resulting in additional property settlement delays. The proximity to Christmas, New Year and the school holidays heightens stress, so it warrants the earliest consideration of delayed settlement terms. The seller and buyer need to agree to push back the move date before signing the contract. I think it is actually a selling point to be flexible on settlements, possibly pushing the settlement well into 2019 as its offers the pre-Christmas buyer plenty of time to find the buyer of their home too. Ofcourse, some buyers might have already sold and be keen for a quick settlement. Either way, vendors need to be receptive to enhancing their sale prospects. There will likely be some attendant issues, such as insurance, bank approvals, bridging finance and maybe deposit release. Communication and common sense are needed in the formal and informal interactions between the buyer and seller, along with their estate agents, lenders and conveyancers. I'm told Australia's most expensive house, Fairwater, which sold last month to tech entrepreneur Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes ending the Fairfax family's 100 year plus hold on the exclusive beachfront, was done with delayed settlement terms. They agreed on six month settlement terms. Finding finance won't be an issue for the Atlassian billionaire, but vendors do need to be aware of looming problems if their buyer struggles to find purchasing funds in these straighten lending times. On the formal front, in the event that a NSW purchaser is not in a position to settle on the settlement date, generally the vendor can charge penalty interest for each day that settlement is delayed and also issue a notice to complete, which gives the purchaser an additional 14 days to settle, thereby making time essential. In the event that the purchaser is not able to settle by that date, the vendor may be able to terminate the contract and keep the purchasers deposit. Changing minds isn't the go. A residential complex in Burwood in Sydneys inner west has come to market for the first time in 36 years and is expected to sell for more than $30 million. Savills Australias Stuart Cox, Neil Cooke and Johnathon Broome have been appointed to manage the expressions-of-interest campaign, saying they expected competitive enquiry from a broad buying pool of investors and developers. Its very rare to be able to acquire an entire block of 26 units in one line so were anticipating strong competition, Cox said. The complex occupies 3,165 sqm across one title and generates a gross holding income of $725,608 per annum. It is zoned for B4 Mixed Use with an associated floor space ratio of 3:1. Currently underdeveloped for an impressive site area of this size, this site presents substantial development upside and holding income, Cooke said. It has a building height limit of 30 metres and potential to construct up to 9,495sqm of gross floor area, subject to council approval. Via a redevelopment, the site lends itself to a premium residential flat building (STCA), with excellent views and solar access provided to the majority of apartments. Mr Cox said the sites prestigious location in one of Sydneys most tightly held inner-west suburbs was another key selling point. Burwood is a panoramic district, with Sydney CBD and Blue Mountains views on offer via a redevelopment of the site, he said. The property is well serviced by surrounding arterial roads and public transport, with outstanding access to local amenity and close proximity to Westfield Burwood, Burwood Railway Station and MLC School. Cox went on to say that the complex was well positioned within Sydneys western growth corridor, where transport, housing and economic infrastructure was set to explode to cater to the rapidly increasing population. An extra 420,000 people are expected to move into the corridor between Greater Parramatta and central Sydney in the next 20 years, he said. More than 300,000 new jobs will be created by 2036 across this same corridor; its only natural that residential projects will continue to profit throughout this timeframe in response to the influx of residents. Expressions of interest close October 31. Real estate agents, lawyers and accountants won't face the toughest new anti-money laundering measures as the federal government has delayed its full crackdown on the professions. Australia has been promising to introduce comprehensive "tranche 2" laws since 2006 but the Department of Home Affairs confirmed it will instead seek "phase 1.5" laws as a transitional step. The laws will clarify aspects of Australia's money laundering offences. But anti-money laundering experts have warned that failing to crack down on illicit funds flows, including 'hot money' from China, has added significantly to Australia's housing affordability problem, Thomson Reuters head of financial crime intelligence Nathan Lynch said. There was a highly critical report from the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) three years ago that warned Australia's real estate sector was at significant risk for money laundering. "The government is currently preparing a bill to amend the AntiMoney Laundering and CounterTerrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act)," a spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs told Fairfax Media. "Timing for introduction is subject to the parliamentary schedule." The new legislation is expected to include changes to the "tipping-off" rules and other secrecy provisions to allow more sharing of information between the government and private sector, including with foreign partners. The bill will also simplify reporting requirements for cross-border movements of cash or bearer negotiable instruments. But the government confirmed the laws will not include the long-awaited coverage of lawyers, accountants and real estate agents. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) estimates organised crime costs the Australian community $36 billion each year and "the most common professions exploited by organised crime include lawyers, accountants, financial and tax advisers, registered migration agents, stockbrokers, real estate agents and customs brokers", their report said. (US DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, OCTOBER 9, 2018) On October 4, 2018, in the case of BRACKEEN v. ZINKE, in the Northern District of Texas, Civil Action No. 4:17-cv-00868-O, a federal judge struck down the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The case was brought by the states of Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, and individual plaintiffs, including adoptive parent clients of two attorney members of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA). The court struck down almost all of ICWA and its new 2016 regulations on multiple grounds, including under the equal protection clause (on the basis that the placement preferences and certain other provisions in ICWA are unconstitutionally race-based in nature), the "non-delegation clause" (that 1915(c) unconstitutionally delegates federal authorities to tribes), the anti-commandeering clause (on the basis that ICWA unconstitutionally commandeers states to carry out federal duties), and the Administrative Procedure Act (on the basis that the new regulations were promulgated without authority). AAAA has long been involved in efforts to seek clarification that the Indian Child Welfare Acta law passed by Congress in 1978 with the laudable purpose of strengthening Indian familiesshould never be applied in ways that undermine the best interests of children. AAAA supports legal efforts to ensure Indian children have the right to equal protection under the law. About the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) is a credentialed, non-profit organization dedicated to the competent and ethical practice of adoption and assisted reproduction law. It advocates for laws and policies to protect the best interests of children, the legal status of families formed through adoption and assisted reproduction, and the rights of all interested parties. It is represented by 470 attorneys or Fellows from the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Israel and the United Kingdom who specialize in adoption law, assisted reproductive technology law (ART) or both. AAAA is headquartered in Greenwood, Indiana. For more information, visit us at adoptionART.org Hurricane Michael is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday. Heed all evacuation notices from state and local officials. If your community is told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible. Both of these firms bring a multi-disciplined approach to solving their clients unique challenges. We are excited to welcome these firms to Alera Group. Alera Group, a leading national employee benefits, property and casualty, risk management and wealth management firm, has acquired two new firms: Distinctive Insurance and GLB Insurance Group of Nevada. Distinctive Insurance is an employee benefits consulting and insurance firm located in Southern Nevada. Distinctive creates tailored benefit solutions through thoughtful strategic planning, valuable professional services, and technology-based solutions. Since 1990, the firm has sought to function as an extension of the companies that it represents by working collaboratively with them to achieve their financial goals. GLB Insurance Group of Nevada is a full-service insurance agency committed to creating innovative policies and providing unparalleled customer service since 1941. Located in Las Vegas, the group serves over ten different industries in the areas of commercial insurance, life and health insurance, workers compensation, personal insurance and surety bonds. Both of these firms bring a multi-disciplined approach to solving their clients unique challenges. In addition, these firms enhance our presence in the southwestern United States, said Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera Group. We are excited to welcome these firms to Alera Group and look forward to their contribution as we continue to enhance the client experience. Alera Group was formed in early 2017 and is one of the nations foremost independent insurance agencies and privately-held employee benefits firms. For more information on partnering with Alera Group, visit Partnership Opportunities at http://www.aleragroup.com. About Alera Group Based in Deerfield, IL, Alera Groups over 1,000 employees serve thousands of clients nationally in employee benefits, property and casualty, risk management and wealth management. Alera Group is the 15th largest independent insurance agency in the country. For more information, visit http://www.aleragroup.com or follow Alera Group on Twitter: @AleraGroupUS. M&A Contact Rob Lieblein, Chief Development Officer Email: rob.lieblein(at)aleragroup.com Phone: 717-329-2451 DocLink has stayed with us through so many acquisitions and even an ERP change, it is an amazing solution. As new companies are brought on, we are able to easily get them into the workflow. DocLink has been a lifesaver for us, its truly an enterprise solution. - DocLink Customer Nexstar Altec, a leader in enterprise document management and process automation solutions, announced today its Premier sponsorship of the 2018 Dynamic Communities GPUG and D365UG/AXUG Summits taking place next week, October 15-18 in Phoenix, AZ. As a Premier Sponsor, Altec is hosting two unique, interactive sessions based on actual customer experiences for both GP and AX users: Tuesday, October 16 3 Ways to Take Everything Digital in 2019 with DocLink panelists and customers outlining their dos and donts. GPUG 2:00-3:00pm AXUG 2:30-3:30pm Wednesday, October 17 How to Implement Paperless Projects Beyond AP to break down how attendees can successfully utilize DocLink in AR, HR, legal, IT and beyond. GPUG 10:00-11:00am AXUG 10:00-11:00am Both sessions are focused on providing attendees with real-world stories from DocLink customers Plymouth Poultry and NexStar about the business impacts and tangible benefits they have experienced via their digital transformation with DocLink. Attendees will learn how to spend less time managing their data while streamlining business processes, improving efficiencies and reducing costs for an immediate ROI. DocLink customer and presenter Everton Raymond, Director, Business Applications for Nexstar Media Group, one of the largest local TV station operators in the country states, DocLink has stayed with us through so many acquisitions and even an ERP change, it is an amazing solution. As new companies are brought on, we are able to easily get them into the workflow. DocLink has been a lifesaver for us, its truly an enterprise solution. DocLink As a Certified for Microsoft Dynamics (CfMD) product, DocLink has achieved Microsoft Corporations highest standards for partner-developed software solutions. Delivering tight integration to Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, DocLink allows companies to digitally transform how their businesses operate by automating business processes and creating significant efficiencies. Taking everything digital results in a paperless environment that allows for faster approvals, less data entry and human errors, and overall time and cost savings. Merri Jo Cleair, Director of Product Management for Altec says, The Dynamics User Group Summits are an excellent forum for demonstrating DocLinks immense value proposition to attendees. When an Altec customer first implements DocLink, they see immediate results in the efficiency of their business operations handling paper becomes a thing of the past, workflow approvals collapse internal time cycles to move transactions between employees, customers, and suppliers, and less time is spent manually managing volumes of information and paper. The business impacts are tangible; DocLink allows companies to better serve their customers, employees, and vendors. We look forward to meeting attendees and showing them how DocLink can help them make a digital transformation that will change the way they do business. Where to Find Altec at the Dynamics User Group Summits Attendees can visit Altec at Booth #835 to speak with company experts and get a personalized demo of DocLink. The company is also joining the deFacto 5K Summit race as a corporate sponsor. The race will take place Wednesday, October 17th and raise money to end hunger for local charity Metropolitan Ministries. Conference attendees can also join Altec for one of the presentations listed above. To make an appointment with Altec personnel, email DocLinkSales@altec-inc.com to schedule a meeting. About Altec Altec is a leading provider of integrated document management and process automation solutions. Its flagship product, DocLink, helps companies connect people, processes and data providing them with the ability to store, search, retrieve and send any document securely. DocLink effectively eliminates the need for paper while automating processes that improve organizational efficiency and reduce costs associated with human errors. With thousands of customers globally, Altec enjoys collaborative partnerships with Sage, Microsoft, Acumatica, Intacct, Key2Act, SAP B1, Amtech, Epicor and more that deliver flexible, comprehensive solutions to adapt to an ever-changing global market. Learn more at http://www.altec-inc.com. As customer needs expand into cloud-based CPaaS, were excited to respond with DaVinci, a product that can speak to pure cloud communication and CRM. AMC Technology, a leading customer service integration platform provider, is launching its newest product, DaVinci for Microsoft Dynamics. DaVinci is a flexible cloud-based contact center solution that scales to fit the needs of any organization. As customer needs expand into cloud-based CPaaS, were excited to respond with DaVinci, a product that can speak to pure cloud communication and CRM, said Anthony Uliano, Founder and CTO of AMC Technology. The integrations to Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce and SAP C4C provided by DaVinci and the CPaaS like Twilio Flex, Amazon Connect and Nexmo and The Vonage API Platform, add to the breadth of connections AMC already provides with its premise-based platform, Picasso. The DaVinci App for Microsoft Dynamics gives contact centers the ability to choose different applications for the communication channels they use and consolidates them, allowing them to use the best-of-breed solutions they want. Customers could configure Skype for Business for agent to agent chatting, Twilio Flex for voice and customer chat and Vonage/Nexmo for SMS handling. If an organization has made these apps available, DaVinci will manage them and provide a seamless experience for the agent, said Uliano. If a customer has simpler requirements, a single app can handle all the channels through a single platform. Customers can also expect advanced telephony features within DaVincis toolbar like screen pop, activity creation, call notes and advanced reporting. The nature of the cloud offering brings a new set of benefits to customers including ease of install, use and sign-up, and affordable payment options for all business sizes with pay-as-you go subscription models. Through AMCs joint cooperation with Microsoft in their private preview, AMC is one of the first companies to offer support for Microsofts new Channel Integration Framework, which enables an immersive communication experience. As part of the celebratory launch of DaVinci, AMC Technology will unveil details of the new product at CRMUGs Summit in Phoenix October 15-18. AMC will be share demos and features of DaVinci and Picasso at booth #1536 at the Phoenix Convention Center. In addition, AMCs Lorelea Moore will be presenting an interactive session, Elevate Your Contact Center: Dynamics 365 Best Practices on Thursday, October 18 at 9:45 AM. I cant tell you how excited I am about launching DaVinci. Weve been working behind the scenes for well over a year and its great to see our vision come to reality. I look forward to hearing the feedback we receive at Summit, said Uliano. For more information including pricing, visit http://www.contactcanvas.com or contact Mariah Mays at (804) 419-8610. The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is pleased to announce a pilot program to begin in January 2019 that will assess the value and feasibility of a longitudinal assessment option to the 10-year secure examination. Jerry Kruse, MD, Chair of the ABFM Board of Directors, announced this news today to family physicians attending the 2018 American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates in New Orleans. Physicians who are current with continuous certification and are due to take the examination in 2019 would be eligible to participate in the pilot. Dr. Kruse stated, based on the popular Continuous Knowledge Self-Assessment (CKSA) platform, the longitudinal assessment pathway will deliver 25 questions online each quarter to those Diplomates who choose this new option. This approach is more aligned with the ongoing changes in medicine and draws upon on adult learning principles, combined with modern technology, to promote learning, retention and transfer of information. Over time, we will be able to assess the core clinical knowledge of board-certified family physicians and recognize the vast majority who work to keep up to date to take care of their patients. This summer, the ABFM contracted with the University of Florida to conduct an independent, randomized survey of Diplomates who recently took the 10-year examination, to inquire about their interest in a variety of options to the exam. The most popular choice voiced by respondents was for a longitudinal assessment model. A combination of physician experience with the CKSA platform, feedback from Diplomates over time, the independent survey, and information gleaned from the experience of other ABMS boards, all contributed to ABFMs design of the new online, longitudinal assessment process that will serve as the exam option for this pilot. The ABFM has two years of Diplomate experience with the CKSA platform. Feedback from the more than 24,000 family physicians who have participated in CKSA has consistently shown that this model provides continuous, systematic learning and identification of knowledge gaps, and is highly rated as a useful and convenient platform. We believe that longitudinal assessment can meet many of the needs and desires we have heard voiced by family physicians, said Dr. Warren Newton, incoming President and CEO of ABFM. It will provide questions on a regular, longitudinal basis, in a format that is much more convenienta few questions at a time, in the place and time of your choice. You may use clinical references during the assessment, much like you do in practice. You will not need to travel to a test center, nor spend additional time and money on preparatory courses. And, we believe that longitudinal assessment will support your desire for continued learning and practice improvement. The pilot program was approved by the ABFM Board of Directors earlier this month. In November, it will be presented for approval to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Committee on Continuing Certification. More details will be forthcoming after this final approval step from ABMS. Throughout the pilot, regular feedback will be sought from participants, which will be used to inform program modifications for the future. Appleton, Wisconsin Attorney Kristen S. Scheuerman As the chair of the Womens Caucus, Scheuerman will lead the committee in creating opportunities for women within the WAJ. Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., is proud to announce that attorney Kristen S. Scheuerman is serving as chair of the Wisconsin Association for Justices Womens Caucus. She will head the caucus for one year, having previously served as the vice-chair. As the chair of the Womens Caucus, Scheuerman will lead the committee in creating opportunities for women within the WAJ. The Caucuss tasks include encouraging female personal injury attorneys to join the organization, identifying women to serve in leadership positions, and providing networking and mentoring services. Appleton, Wisconsin, lawyer Kristen Scheuerman is a partner at Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., practicing personal injury litigation. She joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2011 after receiving her juris doctor from Marquette University in 2010. Besides her work with the Womens Caucus, Scheuerman sits on the Board of Directors for the WAJ, is a program chair for the Education Program Committee, and serves as a trustee for the Justice Fund. Scheuerman was elected onto the Wisconsin State Bars Litigation Section Board in 2016 and is currently serving a one-year term as treasurer. Scheuerman was recently named to the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys list for Wisconsin in 2018. She was selected as one of the Wisconsin Law Journals 2016 Women in Law honorees, was named to Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in Wisconsin from 2014 to 2017 and was named a Top 10 Attorney Under 40 for Wisconsin by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys in 2015 and 2016. The WAJ is Wisconsins largest voluntary bar association, made up of attorneys working in the civil justice system. About Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd.: Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., provides legal representation for individuals and businesses throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Founded in 1959, the firm handles cases involving family law, personal injury, business law, and wills and trusts. Clients can visit one of the firms four offices in Appleton, Green Bay, New London, and Oshkosh. To schedule an initial consultation, call 920-739-7366 or visit https://www.herrlingclark.com. BankerAdvice Logo FIMAC has excellent tools that nicely complement the current solutions that BankerAdvice offers. We were impressed with their financial analytics solutions and believe that we will be able to gain increased market penetration with our existing sales and marketing process." BankerAdvice (bankeradvice.com), a platform founded to offer financial institutions compliance (springhousecompliance.com), technology and cybersecurity solutions (threatadvice.com), announced today the purchase of FIMAC Solutions, LLC (http://www.fimacsolutions.com), a Denver-based financial analytics company. The FIMAC product suite will complement BankerAdvices current compliance, cybersecurity education and fintech solutions currently offered to the financial marketplace. FIMAC Solutions has been in business almost fifteen years and has approximately 400 bank and credit union customers. The company specializes in providing the financial services industry with banking software focusing on risk management and profitability analytics. At the core of FIMAC Solutions services are their proprietary financial analytics solutions. The company also provides a variety of financial consulting services. We were impressed with the experience that BankerAdvice had quickly developing and bringing successful solutions to market as well as with the management teams extensive experience marketing and selling to financial institutions, said John Anton, president of FIMAC Solutions. As part of BankerAdvice we have additional resources available to improve our current solutions while working to develop fresh new products for the financial market space, he said. Under the terms of the agreement John Anton was named president of BankerAdvice and FIMAC executive Lance Smith was named managing partner. FIMACs 14 Employees will join BankerAdvice. FIMAC has excellent tools that nicely complement the current solutions that BankerAdvice offers, said David Brasfield, CEO of NXTsoft.com, BankerAdvices holding company. We were impressed with their financial analytics solutions and believe that we will be able to gain increased market penetration with our existing sales and marketing process. In addition, FIMAC has a talented team and we will leverage that expertise to continue to grow BankerAdvice, he said. About BankerAdvice BankerAdvice is the go-to platform for financial institutions to find information on anything compliance and technology related. Featured solutions include many options in the reg-tech space such as innovative auditing and risk management and a suite of compliance solutions that enable financial institutions to stay on top of the latest financial regulations. BankerAdvice has additional expertise in providing cybersecurity education and threat intelligence solutions to help identify cybersecurity threats before they hit. For more information visit http://www.bankeradvice.com or call 205-739-2265. Avoid Post-Hurricane Michael Scams Shortly after Hurricane Michael passes, consumers affected by the storm will start to evaluate any damage done and begin the clean-up process. Better Business Bureau receives hundreds of complaints every year concerning subpar work performed by contractors, and encourages consumers to take the time to properly research contractors to avoid creating a bigger problem. Natural disasters can bring out the best in people, as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis typically also brings out many types of scams and unlicensed contractors who take advantage of those who have been victimized. Better Business Bureau is warning local residents that may be affected by Hurricane Michael to beware of storm chasers and out-of-town contractors soliciting business. It is common for out-of-town storm chasers to solicit business after storms; read more about how to protect yourself. Disaster victims should never feel pressured to make a decision by an unknown contractor. Consumers should Start With Trust and look for the BBB Accredited Business Seal; these companies are screened, monitored, licensed and trusted. Storm chasers may not have proper licensure for your area and may offer quick fixes or make big promises to which they wont deliver. Your BBB offers resources for Hurricane Michael victims at http://www.bbb.org/floridahurricane. BBBs Florida Hurricane Guide provides a one-stop resource page to help Florida's consumers, businesses and nonprofits prepare for a hurricane. Within this guide, you will find tips on disaster preparedness, recovery and repair, how to avoid storm chaser scams, giving wisely to disaster relief charities and additional government resources. Please take a moment to review this guide and share with your family and friends. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your local Better Business Bureau. If you hire an uninsured and unlicensed contractor and a serious injury were to occur to the contractor, you, as the person that hired them, could potentially be liable for paying the workers compensation benefits. This could turn a simple $1,000 repair into a bill for tens of thousands more. In addition, a neighboring property, a passerby or other property that is negligently damaged by an unlicensed contractor can become a liability to the person that hired the contractor. Start With Trust. For reliable information, lists of BBB Accredited Businesses by industry and BBB Business Profiles you can trust on local businesses, visit http://www.bbb.org. About BBB BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organizations high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles and BBB Wise Giving Reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is a difference in viewpoints. For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. Five BBB offices service the State of Florida, with primary locations in Clearwater, Jacksonville, Longwood, Pensacola and West Palm Beach. Modus eDiscovery Modus seamlessly supports both our small and large eDiscovery productions and document review projects. Modus, a leading provider of eDiscovery business intelligence services, today announced that it has extended a multi-year Managed Service Agreement with Berkowitz Oliver LLP. Modus has been a trusted partner for many years and we value their flexibility and ability to help us efficiently leverage our internal resources, says Shazzie Naseem, Partner at Berkowitz Oliver LLP. Modus seamlessly supports both our small and large eDiscovery productions and document review projects. Our clients are better served because of our firms access to their critical technology, and our ability to manage larger cases has never been better. "Berkowitz Oliver is a highly regarded litigation firm, says Gabe Wiechman, EVP of Sales and Business Development for Modus. Allowing them to utilize our best-of-breed infrastructure in Amazon Web Services, software options of Relativity and Venio and the integration of dedicated project management allows for a very successful partnership. ABOUT MODUS Modus is an innovative eDiscovery company that helps law firms and corporations optimize their eDiscovery matters by orchestrating pristine communication between people, processes and technologies. Modus advanced suite of eDiscovery and managed service solutions helps clients leverage critical business intelligence to make better-informed legal business decisions. ABOUT BERKOWITZ & OLIVER, LLP Berkowitz Oliver LLP is a litigation boutique dedicated to excellence in legal work and client service. Based in Kansas City, we have been privileged to represent clients in matters in the Midwest and throughout the United States. Cape, the leading cloud platform for drone telepresence and data management, today announced it will be joining first responders at the inaugural Texas Public Safety UAS Summit Oct. 10-11 in Burnet, Texas to demo its Aerial Telepresence software. Hosted by the Texas Technology Consortium, the first annual Public Safety UAS Summit will take place at Reveille Peak Ranch, a first-of-its-kind and the only NIST-certified UAV training course in Texas. The two-day event will focus on emerging technologies and innovations that showcase the capabilities of UAVs, helping public safety agencies increase situational awareness, and keep their teams and communities safe. Cape will conduct a live demo of its Aerial Telepresence platform live from Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas on Wednesday, Oct.10 at 9am CDT, highlighting the benefits of real-time aerial visualization and data for improved safety and incident response. We are eager to highlight the unique and critical power of real-time aerial intelligence and the impact it can have on both operations and safety for public safety agencies, said Chris Rittler, CEO of Cape. When dealing with potentially dangerous scenarios, total situational awareness is paramount for keeping both first responders and the surrounding community safe. Were looking forward to showcasing the impact of drone integration and capabilities at the summit. Public safety agencies and first responders require tools and technology solutions that not only help catch criminals but enhance the safety of our teams, community residents and visitors, said Roxana Kennedy, Chief of the Chula Vista Police Department. In working with Cape, we have seen first-hand the impact of drone integration and its ability to drive major operational efficiencies, and more importantly, keep both our team and our local community safe. This technology is a game-changer for public safety agencies and something that every city should be putting at the top of their priority list. Public safety officials around the world turn to Cape Aerial Telepresence to improve the safety of teams and communities, increase operational efficiency, and enable innovation within the field of public safety. Earlier this year, Cape was selected as a participant in the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) in partnership with the city of San Diego. As part of the program, Cape-enabled drones will be used by the Chula Vista Police Department to support emergency response efforts. Additionally, Cape has had success in Ensenada, Mexico, where Cape-enabled drones helped reduce crime rates by 10 percent while improving emergency response times by 90 percent. Cape is one of the first and only companies in the U.S. to be awarded precedent-setting waivers under both Section 333 and Part 107 regulations, and has performed more than 100,000 flights in the U.S., Mexico, Middle East, and Australia, with zero incidents. About Cape Cape unlocks the full potential of commercial drones, giving companies all of the benefits with none of the traditional hassle. Every day, Cape users log in to the Cape Aerial Telepresence platform, connect to physical drones around the world, and safely conduct flights with remote visibility to capture live, high-resolution video. The only cloud-based system for drone telepresence and data management, Cape provides secure, real-time visualization that increases productivity and operational efficiency and improves safety. Since its founding in 2014, Cape has been a leader in software for drone usability, and the trusted drone software solution for a wide range of use cases, from construction and public safety to oil & gas and agriculture. To date, more than 100,000 Cape-enabled drone flights have been completed with zero incidents. For more information about Cape, please visit http://www.cape.com. Were setting the standard for senior care training and looking at the future of healthcare CareAcademy, a social impact enterprise that empowers family and professional caregivers to learn how to deliver the best care to older adults won the North American finals in the 2018 North American MIT Inclusive Innovation Challenge (IIC), a global competition that awards entrepreneurs using technology to reinvent the future of work. "Were setting the standard for senior care training and looking at the future of healthcare," said Helen Adeosun, CEO and Co-founder of CareAcademy. "Theres a shortage of senior caregivers nationwide and were developing e-learning tools and methodologies that employers can use to educate and upskill entry level healthcare workers." MITs Inclusive Innovation Challenge awards grants to entrepreneurs that are using technology to solve the grand challenge of our time: to create shared prosperity by reinventing the future of work in the digital era. CareAcademy won $20,000 in the Skills Development and Opportunity Matching category. They will now progress to the Global Grand Prize Gala at MIT on November 8, where one million dollars in prize money will be awarded to four Global Grand Prize Winners, selected from Regional Winners from around the world. Imagine a training program that gives you the education and skills you need to get your first job in healthcare. says CEO Helen Adeosun. Now imagine that education being delivered on your smartphone and it can be completed in under 10 days. And what if this education was provided to you at no cost, by local healthcare employer who needs to hire dozens of workers every month to keep up with the rapidly growing demand for in-home senior care. Were working with senior care employers across the United States and Canada to do that and the industry is starting to take notice. About CareAcademy: Boston-based CareAcademy provides expert-developed online training for senior home care professionals. Hour-long video courses, which can be accessed on any mobile device, cover critical topics such as infection control, nutrition and meal preparation, dementia, fall prevention, and safe transfers. The company provides 24/7 English and Spanish language technical support to accommodate over 18,000 caregivers schedules. Red Dot Alerts provides 24/7 emergency connection, protection & notification services to seniors who are housebound, mobile with chronic illnesses and those managing memory care issues. Please join us to celebrate the launch of a new private public partnership between Bruyere and FCi to launch Red Dot Alerts (formerly Bruyere Helpline). The partnership will enable Red Dot Alerts to introduce new independent technology while extending its reach through Bruyeres Helpline Emergency Service. Red Dot Alerts provides 24/7 emergency connection, protection & notification services to seniors who are housebound, mobile with chronic illnesses and those managing memory care issues. These products will help seniors stay independent, active and healthy. They will notify caregivers in the case of an event and will track users locations in real time along with providing fall detection capability. When: Mon., Oct. 15 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. ET Where: Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital, 43 Bruyere St., Ottawa (Cafeteria) What: Red Dot Alerts & Bruyere Helpline Partnership Launch Event will include: A first look at Red Dot Alerts personal alert device solutions (demos available) Discussion around active aging, caregiving and the families of those in elderly care Interviews and photos with Red Dot, Bruyere and clients/Red Dot users Whats Unique about the Technology: At-Home emergency response service that works within 300m of the home with monitoring and fall detection capability that uses a landline On-the-Go mobile solution that provides a full featured set for seniors. It works anywhere there is cell coverage. It provides two-way communication to a bilingual monitoring station, fall detection, GPS tracking, automatically notifies family and caregivers and you can create safe zones for those who wander or have dementia. Fully integrated managed service. Red Dots Memory Care Solution is a GPS SafeSole shoe insole which utilizes GPS tracking technology to create predetermined zones that will notify a caregiver/family if the location is breached (AKA Geofencing). Why it Matters: Red Dot Alerts is meeting the growing needs of older adults and their caregivers via wearable tech enabling aging adults to live actively and independently, while providing caregivers peace of mind. By deploying Red Dot Alerts personal alert solution technology with Bruyere Helplines extensive network of clients, Red Dot Alerts will be able to enhance the product through tangible research results, and introduce new, innovative technologies to help the growing aging population and its caregivers. A portion of proceeds from Red Dot Alerts subscription sales will support research and go back into Bruyere. About Red Dot Alerts: Red Dot Alerts knows how important it is to keep your loved ones safe. As a continuation of Bruyere Helpline, we offer top of the line personal alert solutions that are easy to use and will give you complete peace of mind. To learn more about the company, visit its website at http://www.reddotalerts.ca or follow them on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. About Bruyere: As one of the largest academic health care centres of its kind in Canada, Bruyere plays a key role in addressing the health care needs of the vulnerable and medically complex in the Champlain region, offering complex continuing care, rehabilitation, palliative care, long-term care and affordable housing for older adults. We facilitate the transition between acute care settings and the community. We strive for excellence and innovation through patient-centred teaching, education and health services research. Our Bruyere Foundation works tirelessly to raise funds that help change the lives of our regions aging population. To learn more about Bruyere, please visit http://www.Bruyere.org. This is an opportunity to open these homes up to buyers looking to see a number of properties in a short amount of time. Chicago real estate brokerage Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group has announced that on Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14, 2018, the company will hold a Paint the Town Cabernet Open House Blitz to showcase properties for sale throughout Chicagoland. The name of the event, inspired by the companys cabernet color, is a reference to the cabernet-colored open house tent signs that will be outside Chicagoland homes that weekend en masse. We expect to have around 500 open houses during this weekend. A comprehensive list of the open houses can be found at PaintTheTownCabernet.com or KoenigRubloff.com. Open houses are also promoted through social media and advertising. Nancy Nagy, CEO of KoenigRubloff, said, The fall market is in full swing and were excited to showcase our fantastic listings during this wonderful event. She continued, This is an opportunity to open these homes up to buyers looking to see a number of properties in a short amount of time. She continued, We hope that all of the Chicagoland communities have fun during the event and that were able to help them in their search for their dream home! ABOUT BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES KOENIGRUBLOFF REALTY GROUP Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group is a full-service real estate firm with nearly 1,500 real estate professionals and staff in 23 offices serving customers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, the North Shore, Western Suburban communities and Harbor Country, Michigan. Deep local roots are complemented by the extensive global reach of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the top real estate brand in the nation. Affiliated and ancillary services in the form of HomeServices Lending, Fort Dearborn Title, and HomeServices Insurance complete the comprehensive services offered to clients. Visit KoenigRubloff.com. To support our clients and partners, dancker is on course to becoming the largest integrated interior solutions provider in the Mid-Atlantic. Baltimore is the perfect location for achieving this goal. Integrated interior solutions firm dancker announced today that it has acquired the assets of Hyperspace, a Steelcase furniture dealer headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, making dancker the single Steelcase dealer in Baltimore and increasing its ability to serve clients in the region. This is danckers second acquisition in Maryland this year. In July, the company acquired the assets of U.S. Business Interiors, another Steelcase furniture dealer with offices in Baltimore and Capitol Heights. We are very proud to be adding the talented team at Hyperspace to our organization and expanding our footprint in and around Baltimore, says Steven Lang, dancker President & CEO. To support our clients and partners, dancker is on course to becoming the largest integrated interior solutions provider in the Mid-Atlantic. Baltimore is the perfect location for achieving this goal and we look forward to working with our clients and growing relationships with the commercial real estate and design community. We anticipate and are committed to a long-lasting presence in this great city. Hyperspace was established in 2012 when OSI of Hagerstown, which was founded in 1972, re-branded and opened a second location in Baltimore. Hyperspace will begin doing business as dancker immediately and will continue to provide the same products and exceptional services for which the company has become known. Hyperspace employees will join danckers team which now spans from the northeast to the mid-Atlantic region. An integration team is in place to assist with the transition to ensure continuity in business practices and assimilation of company culture. Nathan Kooi, Vice President and General Manager for danckers mid-Atlantic region will work with sales leadership team to lead the sales efforts expanding danckers client base and overall market presence in this region. Additionally, the company is seeking additional local talent in Baltimore to join their team. Hyperspace was built on 45 years of providing exceptional service and great products, so we are especially excited to join an organization that also has a long, proud history and outstanding reputation. The opportunity for us also means our clients can benefit from working with an industry leader able to provide fully integrated architectural, furniture, technology, and logistical solutions, notes Treva Ghattas, Principal of Hyperspace. At nearly 200 years old, dancker creates effective and flexible environments for organizations that include several Fortune 100 companies. dancker is the only Northeastern company to be named Steelcase Premier Partner for five consecutive years and has strong relationships with over 400 manufacturers in the furniture, architectural products and audiovisual industries, including partners like Steelcase, DIRTT, Maars Living Walls, Crestron, and Microsoft. About dancker Founded in 1829, dancker is one of the countrys oldest privately held companies. dancker integrates architectural, furniture, technology and logistics solutions as a one-source provider to corporate, education and healthcare facilities. A leading interior solutions firm, dancker works with its clients to create spaces that maximize the flow between people and ideas to unleash creative, productive, human potential. The core of danckers culture is to inspire creativity, promote productivity, and improve engagement for both customers and employees. dancker operates from Experience Centers and logistics facilities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, supporting clients locally and across North America. For more information, visit http://www.dancker.com, email info(at)dancker.com or call us at (908) 231-1600. Image used with permission. Contact iStock Ref: 949375566 With travel insurance costing as little as 2 for destinations within the UK, its really a no-brainer to cover your UK trip, especially if it is your annual family summer holiday thats been put at risk by any home based travel disruption. Recent travel chaos at one of Londons busiest transport hubs, Euston station, serves as a reminder to travellers that insurance can be equally as relevant at home as abroad. August Bank Holiday Monday saw thousands of passengers delayed due to Euston station upgrades, and while train operators may have allowed passengers to re-route or re-book alternative travel, the knock-on effects to your travel plans and the increased costs caused by the inconvenience can be significant. Its not just airline delays or failures that can ruin your travel plans; the great British holiday can also fall foul of transport system glitches and consumers would be wise to do a little more homework, according to insurance tech specialist Aquarium Software. Everyones situation is different and we all have differing travel cover and needs. Thats why its important to look at the small print and understand that for an increasing number of people choosing to holiday in the UK, domestic travel insurance may have a value, said Aquarium Software Director, Mark Colonnese. With travel insurance costing as little as 2 for destinations within the UK, its really a no-brainer to cover your UK trip, especially if it is your annual family summer holiday thats been put at risk by any home based travel disruption, added Mark. While you might be able to rely on the NHS in the UK, what many transport and travel operators will not cover is the knock-on costs of missing connections; not being able to make check-in times/dates for hotels etc; and the overall effect that problems on their network have on your holiday. If your trip is one of the most important family events of the year and your financial investment in it is one that you want protecting, it makes absolute sense to view UK travel in the same way as travel abroad, and make sure you have comprehensive travel cover, concluded Colonnese. Aquarium Software is used by a number of travel insurers; pet insurers; and other consumer service providers and affinity partners in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. For further information contact Aquarium Software on +44 (0)161 927 5620 or visit http://www.aquarium-software.com By breaking down communication barriers, TBW Global ensure that defense and security organizations can scale and achieve their objectives. TBW Global have successfully married the latest in automation and recruiting technologies to people-based-services, to bring formidable solutions to long-time challenges that the Defense industry has faced. Fast paced, global defense and contingent workforce company TBW Global has led great, innovative changes in the defense industry. Using state-of-the art technology, TBW Global operate and deploy expert linguists, training personnel and other specialist contractors into areas of conflict around the globe. By breaking down communication barriers, TBW Global ensure that defense and security organizations can scale and achieve their objectives. Over the last year, thebigword Group founded by Executive Chairman Larry Gould has gone through great changes the creation of two businesses with their own independent identities. The translation and interpreting business thebigword is now led by Nihat Arkan, whilst Defense business TBW Global is led by Joshua Gould. Having the two separate businesses has proved successful, as the increased focus has led to all round growth across the Group, which now has a combined revenue in excess of $100m. In June, TBW Global opened up its latest office in Washington DC to support its long-term goals of becoming a major Defense contractor to the US government. TBW Global currently supply the US Army, Navy and State Department as well as NATO with outstanding services and are looking to further build and expand on their early success. Alongside language and cultural awareness solutions, TBW Global has diversified their services to include human intelligence (HUMINT), training and security, travel risk management, multilingual intercepts, role-plays and situational scenarios, learning management technologies and staff augmentation. Recently, TBW Global has secured major deals with the US Army to supply role-players to its base in Germany, as well as the MOD and NATO to supply frontline language support in conflict-zones. Over the last few years TBW Global has gone from a start-up to operating sophisticated teams in Afghanistan, Germany, Iraq, UK, Ukraine and the US, as well as temporary teams in Bosnia and Oman. This has made the company particularly advantageous to NATO countries and positioned them well for future contract wins. TBW Global CEO Joshua Gould said: Our growth is a result of having an incredible team and a reputation for delivering on our promises. We have successfully married the latest in automation and recruiting technologies to people-based-services, to bring formidable solutions to long-time challenges that the Defense industry has faced. TBW Global proudly secured the title of ATCs Company of the Year alongside its Executive Clare Riches being named Rising Star at the Barclays Yorkshire Women in Business Awards 2018. TBW Global is a fast and exciting business which unusually, for the sector is led by a millennial who is taking the approach of building scalable human resource services backed by best in class technologies. Gould added that the company is looking forward to more years of success and the exponential expansion of its outstanding services. Sensato Cybersecurity Solution Provider The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has officially executed a tri-lateral agreement between the FDA, the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (H-ISAC) and the Sensato-Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (Sensato-ISAO), Sensato announced today. The goal of the agreement is to ensure that essential medical device or healthcare cybersecurity vulnerability information can be shared with all stakeholders within the HPH Sector, including those who are not members of H-ISAC and Sensato-ISAO, according to a statement from the FDA. This collaboration will help inform a common understanding of that risk threshold upon which exploit of a vulnerability might impact on patient safety and/or public health. Through the agreement, the FDA, H-ISAC, and Sensato-ISAO will create a mechanism for information about cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats to be shared, along with critical best practices and other intelligence and guidance related to medical device cybersecurity. MEDICAL DEVICE CYBERSECURITY: STATISTICS There is an average of 6.2 vulnerabilities per medical device and the FDA has issued recalls for pacemakers and insulin pumps with known security issues Medical devices were specifically targeted by cyber attackers as recently as April 2018 About 60 percent of medical devices are at end-of-life stage, with no security patches or upgrades available The average organizational cost of a data breach for companies in the U.S. is $7.35 million The longer it takes to detect a breach, the more it costs - about $4 million more on average Cyber thieves target patient data because they can get top dollar for it - $500 for a Medicare number, for example SENSATO MEDICAL DEVICE CYBERSECURITY TASK FORCE, EVOLVED The partnership is an evolution of the Medical Device Cybersecurity Task Force (MDCTF) Sensato started in 2016, with a goal to move quickly and minimize bureaucracy to better address medical device cybersecurity. The MDCTF developed a vendor assessment framework, a cybersecurity medical device policy, and other best practices and approaches, growing from 20 organizational members to 83 in the manufacturing, government, healthcare, consultancy, and other sectors with a vested interest in safeguarding patient lives. The FDA learned of MDCTFs progress and assigned MITRE (the nonprofit that manages federally funded research and development centers supporting several U.S. government agencies) to the task force as its representative. We are so honored that MITRE approached us to consider evolving the MDCTF to an ISAO and formally partnering with the FDA and H-ISAC, says Sensato CEO John Gomez. More than ever before, medical devices are being targeted and we need to be nimble and proactive in how we protect them and the patients they serve. This partnership to advance education and critical intelligence in the healthcare industry aligns with Sensatos mission of proactive, comprehensive cybersecurity protection for healthcare and other critical infrastructure enterprises. Sensatos signature cybersecurity solution, Nightingale, provides a next-generation layer of protection for enterprises by delivering an advanced system of intrusion detection, forensic analysis, and countermeasures. About Sensato Sensato is top-500 cybersecurity innovator located in Red Bank, New Jersey. Founded in 2013, Sensato provides risk assessment, penetration testing, security operations, executive guidance, and software. CEO and founder John Gomez is an internationally-known cybersecurity expert, author, and speaker. Sensatos programs, systems, services, training, and intelligence gathering are the product of designing the highest level of security for those who provide critical services that impact human health and safety: healthcare, medical, pharmacological, and related organizations; law enforcement, fire, and emergency services; clean water, power, and heat providers. Visit http://www.sensato.co. City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul Former US Navy SEAL Ephraim Mattos teamed up with New York Times bestselling author Scott McEwen (American Sniper) to write the upcoming book, City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul available everywhere on October 23 from Center Street / Hachette Book Group. City of Death tells the unforgettable story of an American warrior turned humanitarian forced to fight his way into and out of a Hell on Earth created by ISIS. City of Death is the true story of Ephraim Mattos and what he witnessed while volunteering as a frontline combat medic during the historic battle to retake Mosul from ISIS - the deadliest urban combat the world has seen since WWII. After leaving the US Navy SEAL teams in 2017, Mattos, age 24, flew to Iraq to join a small group of volunteer humanitarians known as the Free Burma Rangers, who were working on the frontlines of the war on ISIS. Until being shot by ISIS on a suicidal rescue mission, Mattos witnessed unexplainable acts of courage and sacrifice by the Free Burma Rangers, who, while under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, assaulted across ISIS minefields, used themselves as human shields, and sprinted down ISIS-infested streets - all to retrieve wounded civilians. The moment Mattos was shot was actually captured on video. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/3P0pZvn22xk In City of Death, Mattos recounts in vivid detail what he saw and felt while he and the other Free Burma Rangers evacuated the wounded, conducted rescue missions, and at times fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Iraqi Army against ISIS. Filled with raw and emotional descriptions of what it's like to come face-to-face with death, this is the harrowing and uplifting true story of a small group of men who risked everything to save the lives of the Iraqi people and who followed the credence, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Neil Ryemill Neil is a valued part of the team and it is great to see his achievements recognised. At Star hard work is always rewarded. An engineer from one of the UKs leading refrigeration manufacturing companies is celebrating after achieving Star Technician (ST) level 5. Neil Ryemill, who joined Star Refrigeration as an apprentice, is an inspiration for other young engineers in the industry with an ambition to progress to the top of the career ladder. Mr Ryemill is now on the highest skills and pay level for refrigeration and heating engineers after receiving ongoing training since taking an apprentice role at Star Refrigeration in 1996. James Ward, Operations Director of Star Refrigeration said, Congratulations to one of our longstanding and talented service and maintenance engineers on reaching the top engineering competence and paygrade it is truly deserved. Id like to highlight the progression opportunities within the company, which many of our employees are taking advantage of. At Star, hard work is always rewarded and thats why 15 is the average number of years our high graded engineers stay with us. Neil is a valued part of the team and it is great to see his achievements recognised. Mr Ryemill is part of the Star Refrigeration Operations Group team, which provides 24 hour assistance and technical support for businesses all over the UK. The nationwide network of engineers provides maintenance, servicing, contracting and spares and this arm of the business accounts for around half of Star Refrigerations total revenue. When interviewed about his career journey from ST1 to ST5 Neil said the biggest challenges have been completing fast track install and commissioning jobs over the past few years. He said, I progressed from ST3 to ST4 in 2008 after commissioning a large install at a major dairy in Bridgwater. This job included extensive PLC testing on and off site and seeing the job through from start to finish over 4 to 6 months. My best advice to anyone wishing to progress in the refrigeration industry would be to take up any opportunity to work within different engineering departments from sales, consultancy, design, manufacture, project management to commissioning. From my experience you learn so much about all aspects of the refrigeration business but most importantly, about the customer and their needs. James Ward said, It just goes to show what an apprentice can go on to achieve with the right training. Were always on the lookout for fresh engineering talent and apprentices, so if youd like to work for one of the UKs largest refrigeration and heating engineering companies, visit our websites career page to apply. Star is currently hiring refrigeration engineers in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Derby, Bristol, Oxford, London, Norfolk and Suffolk. If you want to advance your engineering career then register your interest here: http://www.star-ref.co.uk/careers-in-industrial-refrigeration.aspx To find out more about the leaders in industrial refrigeration, go to http://www.star-ref.co.uk Ellevate Network will provide Franklin Templeton Investments female employees with access to an inclusive community of ambitious professional women and online educational resources. We are excited to work with Ellevate to provide our female employees with access to a network of professional, talented and successful women with whom they can share ideas and experiences. Franklin Templeton Investments, a global leader in investment management, is launching an initiative with Ellevate Network, the leading network for professional women, to advance the professional development of its female employees. As part of a year-long pilot program, Ellevate Network will provide Franklin Templeton Investments female employees with access to an inclusive community of ambitious professional women and online educational resources, as a means of supporting their professional development and long-term success. This initiative aligns with Franklin Templetons ongoing commitment to employee engagement and fostering a culture of inclusion and collaboration. We are excited to work with Ellevate to provide our female employees with access to a network of professional, talented and successful women with whom they can share ideas and experiences, said Sherry Dondo, vice president of Talent Development, who spearheads Diversity and Inclusion at Franklin Templeton Investments. As we look to build and empower female leaders at the firm, we view opportunities such as this as an investment in our people, which we are confident benefits both Franklin Templeton and our clients. Ellevate Network CEO Kristy Wallace said, What a pleasure it is to be launching this program with Franklin Templeton Investments, a company that is genuinely committed to the professional development and engagement of their employees through networking and resource sharing. At Ellevate Network, our goal is to bring more diverse voices to the table where important conversations are happening and working with Franklin Templeton Investments is a key part of that initiative. Were looking forward to working together this year to further employee development in a way that has a positive long-term impact. Ellevate Network will be a complement to Franklin Templetons existing Business Resource Groups, including Women@FTI, which aim to foster diversity by providing employees with forums to discuss topical issues that apply to their life and work, to network with people from different personal or professional backgrounds, to build meaningful relationships, and to contribute to the business and community. Learn more about Franklin Templeton Investments and its commitment to collaboration and inclusion here. You can also learn more about how Ellevate can support your D&I and talent acquisition/recruitment initiatives here. About Franklin Templeton Investments Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management to retail, institutional and sovereign wealth clients in over 170 countries. Through specialized teams, the company has expertise across all asset classesincluding equity, fixed income, alternative and custom solutions. The companys more than 650 investment professionals are supported by its integrated, worldwide team of risk management professionals and global trading desk network. With offices in more than 30 countries, the California-based company has 70 years of investment experience and over $717 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2018. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com. About Ellevate Network Ellevate Network is a global network of professional women committed to elevating each other through education, inspiration, and opportunity. We believe that when ambitious professional women get more opportunity to have a voice in important conversations, to have a seat at the table where decisions are made, to steer our collective economic power towards that which we care aboutit ultimately benefits everyone, and leads to a more equal world. We do this by providing women with a community to lean on and learn from. Ellevate also works with companies committed to gender diversity and has a proven track record of changing business culture from the inside out. "When we met Lesley at Open-Call, we loved her passion for her work, and her determination to manufacture her products in her home state." - Scott Gutchie, Senior Director of U.S. Manufacturing, Walmart Lesley Riley, also known as Mama Biscuit, has perfected the buttermilk biscuit and will now be bringing her gourmet biscuits to Walmart shelves at 55 stores in 9 states starting October 8th. This women and minority-owned business based in Frederick, MD is just three years old and was one of the 500 companies and 750 products invited to attend Walmarts Open-Call event in June 2017. With 15 full time employees in a 7,700 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, Lesley Riley is committed to keeping jobs in Maryland. I think its important to hire local and keep manufacturing in Maryland while still expanding nationwide, she explains. Walmarts investment into Mama Biscuits is a true testament to commitment to U.S. jobs and I look forward to our partnership. In 2013, Walmart pledged to purchase approximately $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023. The Open Call event, held every June, is one way the company supports this effort. At each daylong event, Walmart buyers choose from hundreds of local entrepreneurs, giving them an opportunity to develop their businesses further and possibly onto store shelves. Mama Biscuits will offer two flavors in Walmart stores: Cinnamon Vanilla Cream and Blueberry Lemon Cream. As the nations sole Gourmet Biscuit Company, Riley hopes to continue expanding into more Walmart stores across the country. Walmart is thrilled to see Mama Biscuits launching on our shelves! When we met Lesley at Open-Call, we loved her passion for her work, and her determination to manufacture her products in her home state, explained Scott Gutche, Senior Director of U.S. Manufacturing at Walmart. By investing in products that support American jobs, we are able to bring new products to our shelves that our customers want and new jobs to our communities. Increasing domestic manufacturing will help create additional jobs in the U.S., and that's good for American businesses. Mama Biscuits is also available at Sams Clubs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. About Walmart in Maryland Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 260 million customers and members visit our more than 11,600 stores under nearly 60 banners in 28 countries and eCommerce websites. In Maryland, we serve customers at 60 retail units and online through Walmart Grocery Pickup, Walmart.com and Jet.com. We are proud to employ 18,554 associates in Maryland. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $ 1.2 billion with Maryland suppliers in FY18, which supported 34,837 supplier jobs. Learn more at the Walmart Today blog, and our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram channels. About Mama Biscuits Mama Biscuits is located in Frederick, Maryland is currently located in 200 stores on the East Coast but ships nationwide through their e-commerce shop. The shop offers more than 50 unique flavor combinations of both sweet and savory on a rotating basis and all flavors can be made in a gluten-free version. Some of their top selling flavors include Bananas Foster w/Salted Caramel Pecan-Praline, Chicken Pot Pie and Kahlua Stuffed Brie. For more information on Mama Biscuits Gourmet Biscuits, visit MamaBiscuit.com. FreeConferenceCall.com, the most recognized conferencing and collaboration brand on the planet, today announced that company Chief Financial Officer Scott Southron will be presenting at the Bowery Capital Finance Summit in New York City on Thursday, October 11. Presentation details: Title: Freemium Business Model: Business Strategy or Marketing Tool Date: October 11, 2018 Time: 11 AM - 11:30 AM Location: MEET in SoHo, 466 Broome St, 4th Fl, New York, N.Y. Tickets: Click here Bowery Capital's Annual Finance Summit brings together 100 CFOs from market-leading SaaS startups for a day of in-depth, tactical dialog. The summit provides an intimate environment for the sharing of actionable business strategies between C-level peers managing high-growth software businesses. For more information on FreeConferenceCall.com and to sign up for a free account, visit our website. About Scott Southron Scott Southron is the Chief Financial Officer at FreeConferenceCall.com and is responsible for all financial operations, accounting and reporting, treasury and banking services, corporate finance, human resources and company administration. Prior to joining the team in 2014, Scott worked as a CFO for over 15 years at a number of growing businesses in the technology, telecom and media industries, including SpinMedia Group, eSolar, The William Lyon Apartment Company and NWP Services Corp. His experience also includes senior financial roles with MCI/Worldcom, EDS, and The Walt Disney Company. Southron earned his BS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Southern California and spent over 7 years at Price Waterhouse where he earned his CPA License. Scott lives in Huntington Beach with his two boys and enjoys watching them play lacrosse, spending time on the water or heading to the mountains for some boarding. About FreeConferenceCall.com FreeConferenceCall.com is the most recognized conferencing brand on the planet with users in more than 800,000 businesses, including nearly all Fortune 500. Service offerings around the globe with unlimited use include high-quality HD audio conferencing, screen sharing, video conferencing, audio and visual recordings, customized greetings, security features, desktop scheduling and mobile applications. Mid-market and enterprise customers can take advantage of FreeConferenceCall.com For Business: high-quality, reliable and secure conferencing and collaboration services complemented by 24/7 customer support, enterprise account management teams, consolidated billing, customized user analytic reports, employee rollout and training and white-label services. FreeConferenceCall.com was founded by David Erickson in 2001 and is based in Long Beach, Calif. Good360 can amplify a cash gift by a minimum factor of 10, meaning that for every dollar donated, we can distribute at least $10 in critically needed goods," said Howard Sherman, CEO of Good360. "This grant will allow us to distribute at least $1 million in goods to those impacted by Florence. Good360, the global leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving, is pleased to announce a charitable contribution in the amount of $100,000 from partner American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) to help with long-term support and recovery in communities impacted by Hurricane Florence. This commitment follows the companys collaboration with Good360 to support survivors of both the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season as well as Californias devastating wildfires in both 2017 and 2018. AEO has also recently pledged its support to the Resilient Response initiative (https://www.resilientresponse.org), a coalition of nonprofits and corporations pledging to commit to a necessary shift in disaster giving and long-term relief initiatives to better support impacted communities after natural disasters. Support from partners like American Eagle Outfitters is critical during times of disaster, said Howard Sherman, CEO of Good360. Good360 can amplify a cash gift by a minimum factor of 10, meaning that for every dollar donated, we can distribute at least $10 in critically needed goods. This grant will allow us to distribute at least $1 million in goods to those impacted by Florence. As part of our responsibility to be good corporate citizens, American Eagle Outfitters is proud to partner with Good360 on long-term disaster recovery initiatives, said Marcie Eberhart, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and the AEO Foundation. AEO is committed to making a lasting impact in the communities where our associates and our customers call home. Studies show that 70% of giving happens within the first two months of a disaster, often leaving the hard work of long-term rebuilding abandoned and resource-starved. The needs of a disaster-impacted community evolve over time, so sustained and strategic giving and planning is needed to drive recovery and build resiliency. About Good360 Good360s mission is to transform lives by providing hope, dignity, and a sense of renewed possibility to individuals, families, and communities impacted by disasters or other challenging life circumstances who, without us, would struggle to find that hope. As the global leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving, we partner with socially responsible companies to source highly needed goods and distribute them through our network of diverse nonprofits that support people in need. Good360 has distributed more than $9 billion in donated goods around the world, helping its network of more than 60,000 prequalified nonprofits strengthen communities and improve the lives of millions. Good360 is proud to partner with corporate donors such as Walmart, UPS, CVS Health Foundation, Amazon, Advance Auto Parts, RH (Restoration Hardware), American Eagle Outfitters, Tempur Sealy International, Mattel, Gap, Inc., Eddie Bauer, Levi Strauss & Company, and JPMorganChase. Good360 is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at https://www.good360.org. About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle and Aerie brands. The company operates more than 1,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 25 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.ae.com. HighRadius, a fintech enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company specializing in automating the order to cash process with its Integrated Receivables platform, today highlighted several Q4 industry events company executives and partners will be attending and speaking at including, the Deloitte Shared Services conference, Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) conference and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Future of Financials 2018. The complete list of Q4 events at which HighRadius will be present can be found here: http://www.highradius.com/about/events/ 2018 Deloitte Shared Services Conference The 2018 Deloitte Shared Services Conference will focus on how to leverage advances in technology to create a more personalized, improved service for end users and customers, examining how digital businesses work and exploring new applications of working in a shared services context. WHO: Gwyn Roberts, VP EMEA at HighRadius WHAT: HighRadius VP EMEA Gwyn Roberts will be on-site to engage with the media, HighRadius customers and other conference attendees. WHEN: October 9-10, 2018 WHERE: The Prague Congress Center, 5. kvetna 1640/65, Nusle, 140 00 Prague 4. Czechia Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) 2018 Conference AFP is a society of established finance professionals that administers the Certified Treasury Professional and Certified Corporate FP&A Professional credentials. Each year, AFP hosts the largest networking conference worldwide for over 6,500 corporate finance professionals. WHO: Mike Dignen, VP Banking Channel at HighRadius WHAT: Mike Dignen will be attending alongside HighRadius partners speaking on HighRadius behalf, including Carolyn Etress, Director Accounts Receivable at EBSCO Information Services; Ellen Farish, Sr Operations Manager, Shared Financial Services; and Marinko Marijolovic, Director Corporate Credit Services at ShurTech Brands will deliver presentations on AI, payment reconciliation and cash management and receivables WHEN: November 4-7, 2018 WHERE: McCormick Place, 700 South King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616 Bank of America Merrill Lynch Future of Financials 2018 As in past years, Bank of America Merrill Lynch will bring together management from across different sectors, including banks, brokers, asset managers, exchanges and specialty finance, to discuss how Wall Street, Main Street and Silicon Valley will intersect in the future. WHO: Sashi Narahari, Founder & CEO at HighRadius WHAT: Sashi will sit on a panel among other finance professionals to address attendees on the role of AI in wholesale banking. WHEN: November 5, 2018 at 3pm ET WHERE: The St. Regis Hotel, Two E 55th St, New York, NY 10022 About HighRadius Corporation HighRadius is a Fintech enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company. The HighRadiusTM Integrated Receivables platform reduces cycle times in your order-to-cash process through automation of receivables and payments processes across credit, electronic billing and payment processing, cash application, deductions and collections. Powered by the RivanaTM Artificial Intelligence Engine and FredaTM Virtual Assistant for order-to-cash teams, HighRadius enables teams to leverage machine learning to predict future outcomes and automate routine labor-intensive tasks. The - radiusOneTM B2B payment network allows suppliers to digitally connect with buyers, closing the loop from supplier receivable processes to buyer payable processes. HighRadius solutions have a proven track record of optimizing cash flow, reducing days sales outstanding (DSO) and bad debt, and increasing operational efficiency so that companies may achieve strong ROI in just a few months. To learn more, please visit http://www.highradius.com. Coastal Deli Inc., a Jasons Deli franchisee, and Hawthorne House Partners LLC, an investment partnership of Corinthian Real Estate Inc., have recently remodeled the long-standing deli location at 5920 Holly Avenue. After 10 years in the building, Jasons Deli has updated and improved the interior of the restaurant and added a patio for outdoor dining. To celebrate their brand-new look, Jasons Deli will be holding a Grand Re-Opening celebration on October 12th from 11AM to 7PM. Festivities will include a ribbon cutting, cakes, prizes, and a guest appearance by Bee Bee the Clown. Everyone is encouraged to join the festivities and check out the updates at this longtime family favorite deli. In business for over 40 years and with 275 locations, Jasons Deli remains a family owned and community focused business. The company prides itself in its commitment to providing healthy food made with wholesome ingredients. Jasons Deli offers a variety of meal options including soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastas alongside an extensive catering menu. We are proud to work with community focused businesses like Jasons Deli, said Brad Jones, CEO of Corinthian Real Estate Inc. and Manger of Hawthorne House Partners, LLC. After 10 successful years in the building, we are excited to assist in the improvement of the space and look forward to our continued partnership. Coastal Deli Inc. has been a successful and independent franchise of Jason's Deli for 23 years. It operates 16 locations in New Mexico and South Texas, including 3 well-established locations in Albuquerque. Coastal Deli Inc. is a franchise of Deli Management Inc., which has been operating Jason's Deli restaurants throughout the country since 1976. Patrick O'Boyle, President and CEO of Coastal Deli Inc., stated that he is proud to make major reinvestments in the great city of Albuquerque with the recent remodel of their location off Paseo Del Norte. "Albuquerque is a fantastic city in which to do business and we plan to be here for many more years to come" said OBoyle, "Our near 200 employees in ABQ, our local management personnel who are partners in our success, and especially our thousands of dedicated customers who so loyally support us deserve this fresh new look in THEIR neighborhood deli. The team working to complete the improvements include; property managers Amy Flores and Connie Pryde of Commercial Real Estate Management, and Christina Simmons Regional Manager of Jasons Deli. Corinthian Real Estate, Inc. is a privately held real estate investment, development and management company headquartered in Houston, TX. Since its founding in 2008, Corinthian has achieved consistent success and profitability for its investors and partners. The Companys portfolio includes retail, offices, industrial business parks and multifamily projects within the greater Houston area and beyond. For more information on Corinthian Real Estate, Inc. visit corinthianre.com Lerner and Rowe Gives Back Serving our country is one of the most selfless acts that one can take on.Supporting them is our civic duty and the KUPD packing party is the way to make sure that they feel cared for over Thanksgiving and the holidays. Lerner and Rowe and 98KUPD invite you to join us on Friday, November 9th from 6am 10am for a packing party hosted at the 98KUPD studios. Well have food trucks on-site for our Veteran and Active Duty service members as well as those helping with the process. The staff at 98KUPD and Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys have an appreciation for those who serve without the thought of the sacrifice they make in their own personal lives. We continue living our lives knowing that they have our backs, no matter what. Beginning Monday, October 1st, 98KUPD and Holmbergs Morning Sickness will be extending their support by collecting troops wants/needs and shipping them out to the deployed troops serving overseas from our home state of Arizona. Serving our country is one of the most selfless acts that one can take on, said Kevin Rowe. Supporting them is our civic duty and the KUPD packing party is the way to make sure that they feel cared for over Thanksgiving and the holidays. Donation items There are approximately 1,300 troops from Arizona deployed at this time. Please join us in collecting the following items: 1. Full-size wet wipes 2. Dental Products including: Full-size dental floss, Full-size toothpaste and a Toothbrush 3. Disposable Razors (original packaging, 1-3 packs only please) 4. Crew length socks 5. Lip Balm 6. Travel-size foot/body powder If you want to donate, you have some options on where to drop them off at. This includes: -At the studio, -Thursday mornings 7a-9a Walmart van stops (10/4-11/8) (Check their website for specific locations) -And Tempe Marketplace/KUPD events Cant attend the packing party? Questions? Have a bulk donation you would like help with? Please contact or call the 98KUPD Studios M-F 8:30am 5:30pm at 602-629-8660 and ask for the Promotions Department. You can also contact Lerner and Rowe Gives Back online or by calling us today. More about Lerner and Rowe Lerner and Rowe Gives Back strives to make a difference in the community and the lives of people in need by serving and giving back. Find out more about our philanthropic endeavors by following our pages on Facebook and Twitter. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys has years of experience handling a variety of cases and we will put them to your case. For additional information about Lerner and Rowes Phoenix personal injury attorneys call 602-977-1900. We look forward to hearing from you. Were investing our resources in A.I. technologies to provide an optimized platform so our agents can focus on what they do best Movoto Real Estate is excited to announce that its chief executive officer, Imtiyaz Haque, will host a seminar at the 2018 California Association of Realtors REimagine! conference, the largest real estate event in the state. The event is taking place at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California from Oct. 9 until Oct. 11; Haque will present on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 1:45 p.m. Movoto will be sponsoring the event for the second year in a row. Its exciting, says Haque. This summit provides an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and meet with colleagues from different brokerages from across the state. At Movoto, we are inspired by committed colleagues providing exceptional service to their clients. Haque, who also has an extensive background in the tech industry, will present the seminar titled A.I. Concepts for Collaboration, a session about incorporating artificial intelligence into real estate businesses. At Movoto, were investing our resources in A.I. technologies to provide an optimized platform so our agents can focus on what they do bestproviding the best experience for their clients and helping them wherever possible, says Haque. He notes that Movoto recently rolled out an image recognition feature for Movoto website on Mobile devices which conveniently categorizes pictures by room type and exteriors. Advancements like this will allow us to release new and additional features in the coming months with our A.I. engine, says Haque. Agents are encouraged to visit Movotos booth, which will be located within Exhibit Hall, at booth 900. When agents are done learning about vital real estate technology, they can head on over to the after-hours networking party, which is sponsored by Movoto. About Movoto Movoto Real Estate is the second largest online real estate brokerage in the US and the only one licensed in all 50 states. With over 100 million people searching for homes annually on Movoto.com and over 30,000 properties sold, Movoto is one of the most influential online real estate platforms in the United States. Movoto is expanding to click-and-mortar locations in California to provide their customers: home buyers and sellers, agents and brokers with unmatched services and technology solutions. For more information see our news and press resources and real estate market trends. Sell your home with Movoto or search for available homes for sale. Using NES Financial as our third-party fund administrator has been a game changer for us. NES Financial announced today that it has been selected by The January Fund as the third-party administrator for the companys new private real estate fund. The January Fund is a Houston-based, SEC-registered debt fund that provides credit facilities to non-bank real estate lenders. It issues shares to investors in order to raise capital for the purpose of acquiring a portfolio of loans secured by real estate. Using NES Financial as our third-party fund administrator has been a game changer for us, said CEO Steven Kaufman. Not only do their robust security and compliance give our investors peace of mind, the bundled package they offer from onboarding to capital distributions to end-of-year tax statements gives our team confidence in our whole back-end operation. And the hands-on service NES Financials engagement managers give us is second to none. NES Financials Fund Administration Solution has changed the landscape for small- and mid-sized private equity funds by providing a highly scalable technology platform that features built-in compliance, data security, enhanced reporting, and greater transparency. Designed to help funds of any size successfully raise and manage capital by reducing executional risk, improving compliance capabilities, and providing superior value to fund investors, the solution is becoming the ideal choice for funds seeking to improve marketability by leveraging operational excellence. For nearly 15 years, The January Funds parent company, New York Mutual, has maintained an impeccable reputation for funding short-term and non-traditional real estate transactions, with exceptionally low default rates and Steven is a legend among real estate investors and entrepreneurs, said NES Financial CEO Michael Halloran. We are delighted to partner with him and his team using our robust, data-driven fund administration solution and to help The January Fund rapidly reach its full potential in the market. About NES Financial NES Financial provides the private equity industry with data-driven fund administration services that deliver operating efficiencies, actionable intelligence and greater risk mitigation, at scale. Their unwavering commitment to cyber security, redundancy, transparency and compliance reporting is evidenced by 12 consecutive years of successful independent audits of their technology, processes, and financial controls. For more information, please visit nesfinancial.com. About The January Fund Based in Houston, The January Fund is a private fund that offers non-traditional credit facilities and credit lines to non-bank real estate and hard money lenders, allowing them to increase their cash and yields while offering a common-sense approach to financing creditworthy borrowers. The fund addresses a variety of unique transactions involving the purchase, refinance, and renovation of residential and commercial real estate. The January Fund is managed by New York Mutual. For more information, visit thejanuaryfund.com. We are delighted to have these breweries, all regional entrepreneurs, partner with us in bringing people together to build brighter futures for our fellow New Yorkers, said CUCS CEO Tony Hannigan. On October 18th in the heart of Chelsea, the Center for Urban Community Services | CUCS will host Raise UP: Beer, featuring six of New Yorks finest craft breweries, and welcome a gathering of friends, donors and partners dedicated to helping New Yorkers rise from poverty, exit homelessness, and be healthy with CUCS. Thanks to the contributions of The Brooklyn Brewery, Graft Cidery, Peekskill Brewery, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, and Harlem Brewing Company, CUCS will ensure that 100% of the proceeds will go to CUCSs work. We are delighted to have these breweries, all regional entrepreneurs, partner with us in bringing people together to build brighter futures for our fellow New Yorkers, said CUCS CEO Tony Hannigan. The event will take place October 18th from 6:00 8:30 pm at the airy Caelum Gallery, at 526 W 26th St #315, New York, NY. The breweries contributing are: The Brooklyn Brewery. Like its namesake borough, The Brooklyn Brewery is made up of a rich collection of characters from all over the world. Together, these Brooklynites have assembled the skills to transform a home brewing hobby into a brand that has become an international beacon for good beer. It will provide an array of brews: Brooklyn Oktoberfest, Brooklyn Sorachi Ace Saison, Bel Air Sour and Post Road Pumpkin Ale. http://www.brooklynbrewery.com Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. In 2015, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company opened Westchester Countys only brewery. Since then, Captain Lawrence has more than tripled its brewing capacity. With 9 core beers available year-round, 11 specialty sour brews, and 5 seasonal offerings, Captain Lawrence has a beer for everyone to discover and love. http://www.captainlawrencebrewing.com Peekskill Brewery. Founded in 2008 and led by owners Kara Berardi, Keith Berardi, and Morgan Berardi, Peekskill Brewery, also known as PB, is craft obsessed from the top down. To PB, craft is clever, quality, and fresh. These are the elements PB uses to deliver innovation every day. Authentic and without pretense, PBs mission is to make bold, authentic beer with techniques that honor the crafts rich historywhile pushing forward with innovations that challenge convention. Featured brew will be Paramount Pale Ale. http://www.peekskillbrewery.com Brewery Ommegang. Brewery Ommegang opened in 1997 on 136 acres of land that used to be a hop farm near Cooperstown, the 19th centurys hop production epicenter. Expected brews include Witte, Abbey Ale, Hennepin and a special limited release. http://www.ommegang.com Graft Cidery. Founded by siblings Kyle and Sarah Sherrer, Graft Cidery pays respect to the old world style of cider making while simultaneously experimenting with modern brewing techniques. They harness the flavor profiles created from century-old European traditions and develop unique and innovative styles that take a nod from the best craft beer producers in the world. Featured brews will be Farm Flor and Lost Tropic. http://www.graftcidery.com Harlem Brewing Company. Founded in Harlem in 2000, Harlem Brewing has more than 17 years of history and brewing tradition. Harlem Brewing is unique because of its focus on unusual flavors and infusions, but more importantly, because of its passion for its Harlem heritage and flavorful recipes. Expected brews are Sugar Hill Golden Ale and Harlem Renaissance Wit. http://www.harlembrewing.com Raise UP: Beer tickets are on sale now at http://www.cucs.org/raiseupbeer. About CUCS: CUCS helps people rise from poverty, exit homelessness, and be healthy. It excels at developing affordable housing and providing programs that link housing, training, health, and social services for homeless, formerly homeless and low-income individuals and families. Every year 56,000 individuals find support and services with CUCS. http://www.cucs.org Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. He still gets to wake up every day and see his family and enjoy pleasures life has to offer, Decker said. We know from his actions he feels he is being treated unjustly and cruel. How lucky he is to even breathe. He took that right away from my mother. Our partnership with Osler and its commitment to drive both digital and cultural transformation at the firm has helped Introhive build a better overall solution for the legal industry. - Adam Draper, Vice President, Introhive Over a five-year partnership, Osler has worked with Introhive to develop cutting-edge solutions that would enable the firm to better meet its clients legal and business needs. The partnership was created to support the firms commitment to finding new and better ways to deliver world-class client experiences. This latest evolution in Oslers innovation roadmap will allow the firm to gain deeper insight into its relationship intelligence and CRM data to offer even more client value. Our innovation efforts begin and end with our clients and innovation isnt new for us. We have been transforming our products, services, technology infrastructure, and internal operations for years to better serve our clients needs, says Colleen Moorehead, Oslers Chief Client Officer. By focusing on the future and collaborating with clients and technology partners, we continually explore creative ways to break new ground, advance our service offerings, and deliver more value to our clients. And technology like Introhive enables our firm to do that. Over the last five years, Osler has successfully centralized information from across the firm to improve insights into client data and the overall relationship capital of the firm, and Introhive has helped to make that possible. The Introhive platform helps us turn individual knowledge about a client into institutional knowledge. It helps us share important information about our clients in a private and secure manner, so we all have a deeper understanding of their businesses, their goals, the values that drive them, and whats keeping them up at night, explains Harshal Dalal, Senior Manager of Marketing Technology & Analytics at Osler. As one of Introhives longest-standing customers, Osler has been pioneering how the legal industry uses CRM automation and relationship intelligence to deliver superior client service, says Adam Draper, Vice President at Introhive. Our partnership with Osler and its commitment to drive both digital and cultural transformation at the firm has helped Introhive build a better overall solution for the legal industry. About Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP Osler is a leading law firm with a singular focus your business. From Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver and New York, we advise our Canadian, U.S. and international clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues. Our collaborative one firm approach draws on the expertise of over 400 lawyers to provide responsive, proactive and practical legal solutions driven by your business needs. For over 150 years, weve built a reputation for solving problems, removing obstacles, and providing the answers you need, when you need them. Its law that works. Learn more at https://www.osler.com/. About Introhive Introhive is the leading CRM automation and relationship intelligence platform for the professional services industry. The platform leverages artificial intelligence (A.I.), machine learning, and data automation to improve team productivity, data accuracy, and completeness of information in CRM. Map more relationships across colleagues, clients, and prospects to accelerate business development and marketing team impact. Learn more at https://www.introhive.com. Today, Photographer.org is excited to announce The Photographer.org Annual Academic Scholarships. The Photographer.org Annual Academic Scholarships are annual $1,000 scholarships to be used to help pay tuition and academic expenses to an accredited non-profit college/university or vocational/technical school in the United States. Eligible students can apply to be awarded one of 3 academic scholarships to support their growth and education. Established by Photographer.org as part of a new initiative to establish a channel of support for the next generation of photographers, The Photographer.org Annual Academic Scholarship supports the future of photographers and their photography education. Any recently accepted high-school student, undergraduate or graduate student from an accredited college/university in the United States may apply. Interested students are encouraged to visit The Photographer.org Annual Academic Scholarship page on their website for more information on submitting your entry. https://www.photographer.org/academic-scholarships/ About Photographer.org Photographer.org is a new kind of modern Photographer Membership Organization, founded in 2017 where membership is FREE and the focus is on helping photographers connect with new clients. It was created by photographers and it will always be free for both consumers and photographers to use. In Memoriam of Sammy Day who used to sing with Rabbi Blane "There are holy sparks in all creatures." Sim Shalom online synagogue and Rabbi Steven Blane are proud to include all members of the family in its services. We are Jewish Universalist and welcome all....pets are no exception. On Friday, October 12th everyone is invited to a Blessing of the Animals service online at 7:00pm EST. Rabbi Steven Blane will sing songs about animals including "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," "Rockin Robin" and Steven Blane originals. Congregants bring their pets or photos of those deceased and join other holy gatherings across the country who are honoring their beloved friends. While the tradition had its beginnings in Catholicism as a day to remember St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, congregations of all denominations, including Jews, now celebrate the specialness of all creatures. October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis (1182-1226) a monk who founded the contemporary order of Franciscans. He was known for his vow of poverty and his special connection to animals, among many other things. According to Rabbi Steven, "There are holy sparks in all creatures. Our pets bring much comfort and joy to us, especially for those who are alone or ill. Pet therapy and service animals are valuable resources in our society. Let's give thanks for all that our creatures do for us. " The Blessing of the Animals fosters the loving relationship between all Gd's creatures. Animals are widely recognized as helping and supporting humans and it is imperative in G-ds plan that we care for them. Holding the blessing service at the beginning of the Jewish new year reaffirms our covenant of compassion and kindness. It also corresponds with reading the book of Noah in the Jewish calendar. About Sim Shalom and Rabbi Blane Sim Shalom is an interactive online Jewish Universalist synagogue which is liberal in thought and traditional in liturgy. Created in 2009 by Rabbi Steven Blane on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Sim Shalom offers a means of connecting the unconnected. Rabbi Blane leads accessible and short Shabbat services every Friday night using a virtual interface and additionally Sim Shalom provides online education programs, Jazz concerts, conversion and life-cycle ceremonies along with weeknight services at 7:00PM EST led by Rabbis and students of this online community. Rabbi Blane is also the founder and director of the Jewish Spiritual Leader's Institute, http://www.jsli.net, the online professional rabbinical program and the Union of Jewish Universalist Communities,http://www.ujuc.org. Sim Shalom, a non profit 501 (3) tax-exempt organization, nurtures a Jewish connection through its mission of innovative services, creative education and dynamic outreach to the global community. For more information visit our website or call 201-338-0165. With over a decade of professional experience as a multiple award winning RE/MAX Advantage Plus Realtor in the Twin Cities market, Mark Abdel is pleased and excited to be included in RE/MAXs year-to-date top ranking residential agents list for 2018. This list tracks the sales volume and commission of RE/MAX agents between January to August 2018. Ranking in the number one position for number of total transactions and the number two spot for sales commission in the entire state of Minnesota, continuing to prove Mark Abdels dedication and commitment to his valued and trusted clients. Covering all top RE/MAX real estate agents throughout the state of Minnesota area, the companys list includes candidates from RE/MAX Advantage Plus, RE/MAX Results, RE/MAX Professionals, RE/MAX Professionals, and more, proving the top honor that Mark Abdel carries as the top individual agent for RE/MAX in the entire state. Working with RE/MAX Advantage Plus, one of the leading real estate firms in the Twin Cities area, Mark is able to offer local knowledge with global resources. He has been awarded over multiple years as one of the top RE/MAX agents in the State of Minnesota. As a testament to his dedication to his clients and passion to his industry, Mark has received awards and honors multiple years in a row including top producer, an award he received over 300 other agents in Minnesota. This honor recognizes consistent success and places Mark at the top of his profession. Outside of being an award winning real estate agent, Mark Abdel is also heavily involved in local philanthropy with charitable causes including St. Marys Coptic Church in Minneapolis, the Childrens Miracle Network, the Word Indeed Ministries, St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Childfund, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. For more information about Realtor Mark Abdel, visit http://mark-abdel.com/ or call (952) 226-7700. ### ...we couldnt be happier to see so many of our customers converse about how they use real-time store operations solutions to simplify work for store colleagues. Reflexis Systems, Inc. is proud to announce that they held their first ever EMEA Customer Forum on Wednesday 26th September 2018 at the Malmaison Hotel in London. Top European retailers including Tesco, Morrisons, Co-op, Waitrose & Partners, John Lewis & Partners, McDonalds, Coop Group (Switzerland), Dixons Carphone and Selfridges, Amadeus Food (The NEC Group) and OBI joined Reflexis representatives for a day of sharing retail industry insights. With a mix of new and long-standing customers, the EMEA Customer Forum was a welcomed opportunity for retailers to network and hear best practice guidance from other Reflexis users who are streamlining their store operations and optimising workforce management. Customers also gained a clear overview of the Reflexis product roadmap and the increasing value that they can expect in the following year. Some of the highlights from the day were the Workforce Management Customer Panel that included Waitrose & Partners, McDonalds, and Dixons Carphone, and was hosted by Chris Love, Chief Alliances Officer at REPL and the Task Manager Customer Panel that was joined by Tesco, Coop Group (Switzerland) and Co-op UK. George Lawrie, Vice President & Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, also attended and gave an insightful presentation on Next Generation Retail. The day ended on a high note with the Customer Recognition Awards that were won by customers for their innovative use of Reflexis products, ROI achievement, and outstanding implementation. Being transparent with our customers and providing retailers with a platform to share their knowledge is one of the most important things we can do. Hosting the EMEA Customer Forum allowed this to happen, and we couldnt be happier to see so many of our customers converse about how they use real-time store operations solutions to simplify work for store colleagues, says OP Choudhary, Managing Director, EMEA. Next year Reflexis will build on the success of this event and engage an even bigger number of leading retailers in conversations about best practices and lessons learned. About Reflexis Systems, Inc. The Reflexis cloud-based Real-Time Store Operations Platform helps retailers simplify store operations, improve line of sight for field managers, and streamline corporate processes. Reflexis store execution, labor operations, mobility, and analytics solutions enable retailers to unleash the power of store associates, giving them more opportunities for customer engagement, providing customers with a more consistent brand experience. Since 2001, Reflexis has helped more than 250 of the worlds best retailers improve store-level execution and drive quantifiable business value and significant ROI. Reflexis Systems, Inc. is privately held and headquartered in Dedham, Massachusetts and has offices in Atlanta, Columbus, London, Dusseldorf, and Pune (India), with additional sales presence across Europe and Latin America. For more information, visit http://www.reflexisinc.com. Follow Reflexis on: LinkedIn | Blog | Twitter | YouTube SEO Sherpa Wins Best Large SEO Agency and Best SEO Campaign at MENA Search Awards SEO Sherpa demonstrated excellent strategy, objectives, and budget. A very worthy winner. Dubai-based SEO agency, SEO Sherpa, stands atop the heap, having been named winners of the Best Large SEO Agency and Best SEO Campaign categories at the 2018 MENA Search Awards. Becoming MENA Search Awards winners cements SEO Sherpa as a true entrepreneurial success story. In just five short years, SEO Sherpa has gone from a one-man operation, working out founder James Reynolds living room to a 50-person operation working with clients such as HSBC, Harpers Bazaar and Guinness World Records. Despite being only in its second year, the MENA Search Awards is already regarded as the premier celebration of SEO, PPC, and content marketing in the Middle East & North Africa. To date, it is one of the largest gatherings of influential search industry leaders and experts in the MENA market. The 2018 awards ceremony, took place at Madinat Jumeirah Resort in Dubai, on Thursday, 20 September. The awards ceremony and gala dinner brought together the leading digital and search agencies in the search industry to celebrate excellence in search. The MENA Search Awards featured 26 categories, honouring excellence, leadership, and innovation in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay-Per-Click Marketing (PPC), and content marketing. Awards categories featured throughout the night included Best Use of Search, Best PPC Campaign, Best SEO Campaign, Most Innovative Campaign, Best Software Innovation and the MENA Search Personality of the Year. All of the winners at the MENA Search Awards were decided by an international panel of judges, influential industry leaders who are respected in the search industry. The international panel of judges comprised of search industry experts, including Branded3 Strategy Director Stephen Kenwright, DeepCrawl Chief Marketing Officer Jon Myers, RE:Signal Managing Director Kevin Gibbons, Bluerank Managing Director Zbigniew Nowicki, and Yandex Director Dominik Johnson. Judging the winners for the MENA Search Awards was done through a rigorous two-stage process which included pre-scoring to determine shortlists and a judging meeting where entries are discussed and evaluated in detail to decide the winning entries. Each category featured a shortlisted group of finalists, with one winner from each group of finalists being awarded. Winning the Best Large SEO Agency and Best SEO Campaign awards is a real testament to the hard work of this 50-strong SEO Sherpa team. Weve come along way since I started the business just a few years ago said James Reynolds, founder of SEO Sherpa, who was present alongside members of the SEO Sherpa team to receive the accolades at the awards ceremony and gala dinner. Judges praised SEO Sherpas contribution to the search industry, having been impressed by SEO Sherpas strategy and execution ability to gain results. Judges singled out SEO Sherpa, citing the agencys capabilities in demonstrating excellent strategy, objectives, and budget, and having delivered impressive results on a tight budget but had a large impact on the business. These three prestigious awards are the culmination of all the hard work SEO Sherpa has put in both in its business and for its clients. The MENA Search Awards are a real measure success and SEO Sherpa is honoured to be recognised for its ambition and dedication to distinguishing itself as an organic SEO service, delivering outstanding performance and superior service to its clients and customers. Full details about the MENA Search Awards can be found at https://www.menasearchawards.com/ To learn more about SEO Sherpa and its services, get in touch: https://seosherpa.com/contact-us/ About SEO Sherpa SEO Sherpa is the organic SEO service that helps companies like Aramex, Harpers Bazaar and Guinness World Records win more customers by getting them found first in Google search. From fast growth start-ups to world leading brands, SEO Sherpa has been committed to helping businesses generate more traffic, leads, customers, and climb the ranks in Google. About MENA Search Awards The MENA Search Awards celebrate the expertise, talent and achievements of the search industry. It is regarded as the premiere celebration of SEO, PPC and content marketing in the Middle East & North Africa. The awards are also open to those based elsewhere around the globe who are delivering work for the MENA market. Serenity Thompson, Managing Director of the fast-growing travel tech and ecommerce consulting firm, A23 Advisors, was named a Finalist in the Executive of the Year category in the 15th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and will ultimately be a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie Award winner in the program. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees and the companies they run worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the worlds premier business awards. Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be announced during a gala event at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in New York on Friday, November 16. Nominated women executives and entrepreneurs from the U.S.A and several other countries are expected to attend. The event will be broadcast on Livestream. More than 1,500 entries were submitted this year for consideration in more than 90 categories. Thompson is a Finalist in the Executive of the Year category, recognized as exceptionally effective in her role at A23 Advisors, as well as in her role as Interim Chief Marketing Officer to several of the firms renown clients. Serenity Thompson is exceptional in her deep knowledge of how the pieces of any organization fit together, and uses it to create unique value for clients, said A23 Advisors founder Cady Wolf. She maintains a solid grasp on the ever-changing context within which businesses compete, and has been instrumental in successfully positioning our firm and our clients at the forefront of market disruption and emerging trends. Finalists were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on five juries. Their scores will also determine the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements that will be revealed at the 15th annual awards dinner and presentations in New York. In its fifteenth year, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business received a record number of nominations. With the new Women|Future Conference preceding the announcement of winners on November 16, it will be a day to celebrate the achievements of working women around the world, said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of the Stevie Awards. Were looking forward to recognizing the Stevie Award winners next month. Thompson is a also Finalist in the Woman of the Year category. About A23 Advisors A23 Advisors is a boutique consulting firm serving travel technology, hospitality, ecommerce, adtech and fintech companies at any stage of growth. Our objective is to build your brand, differentiate your products and services, and accelerate business growth while providing the expertise you expect from your executive team. With our consulting services in four key areas - Commercial Development, Business Operations, Strategic Marketing and Human Capital Management - we excel at contributing to the development of long term strategy at Group and Corporate levels. Clients include some of the hottest startups across our key verticals, including FLYR, Points.com, Bonwi.com, TripTuner and myDigitalOffice. Learn more about us at https://www.A23Advisors.com. About The Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. ### Coin Castle by Las Vegas artist James Stanford has been created through innovative purpose-specific digital technology and influenced by Zen Buddhism. It is featured in the new Shimmering Zen book. Applying modern technology to images of derelict neon signs, while incorporating the artifice of perfect symmetry, allows me to create these spiritual objects of meditation, says James Stanford of his vintage Las Vegas neon signs and landmarks work in his new Shimmering Zen photography book. For the first time in North America, Las Vegas artist James Stanford will introduce his photography book, Shimmering Zen, which features a unique interpretation of vintage Las Vegas neon signs and architectural elements through innovative purpose-specific digital technology and Zen Buddhism. The book is being published by Smallworks Press, a specialty arts and publication company. Stanford is a Las Vegas native and Zen Buddhist and combines his love of the city particularly from the 1950s and 1960s and philosophy with art for conceptually complex and visually captivating images that invite contemplation of both spiritual and material realities. His work represents an interpretation of the ancient traditions of Buddhism, drawing from historic metaphor, Chinese fable and the aesthetics of the mandala, a ritual and spiritual symbol used in both Buddhism and Hinduism to represent the universe. The Shimmering Zen book launch, discussion and reception will be at the Neon Museums Ne10 Studio in downtown Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. The nonprofit museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. Neon Museum President and Chief Executive Officer Rob McCoy will join Stanford in the discussion. A book signing will follow, and a portion of book sales will be donated to the museum. Applying modern technology to images of derelict neon signs, while incorporating the artifice of perfect symmetry, allows me to create these spiritual objects of meditation, explains Stanford. When you open up your mind, you become so full of this one vision, everything becomes pure energy, pure light. Thats Shimmering Zen. And incorporating iconic Las Vegas images for their beauty, uniqueness and historical significance in the city and my life makes this book even more special. Vintage neon signs inspire people from around the world every day who visit our Neon Museum Boneyard or see our spectacular, augmented-reality experience, Brilliant, says McCoy. Weve never seen anyone accomplish what James has done, however, with these stunning works of art. Theyre absolutely mesmerizing. A large-format, hardback compilation of 150 of Stanfords art works created during the last 15 years, Shimmering Zen offers insight into the artists creative process. In addition, the book includes original images of the signs that inspired him and nostalgic tales of his life growing up in Las Vegas. Shimmering Zen premiered at the 20th Anniversary of Asia Art in London, the global hub of Asian contemporary art and antiquities featuring more than 60 of the worlds top dealers, major auction houses and museums for an annual 10-day celebration of the finest in Asian art. Shimmering Zen is being distributed through Midpoint, a subsidiary of Ingram Content Group. The book is available through Amazon and Smallworks Press. A companion Shimmering Zen exhibit recently opened at The Studio at the Sahara West Library, also in Las Vegas, and runs through Nov. 24. It features 46 works Stanford created during the past 20 years. Stanford also has included new works inspired by his recent visit to London, such as a large scale triptych (96 X 192) printed on metal and composed of three mirrored montages featuring Buckingham Palace, entitled Trioca Pentaptyc. The Shimmering Zen North American launch event is free to the public with books available for purchase and signing; a cash bar will also be available. The Ne10 Studio is located at 1001 W. Bonanza Road, Las Vegas, Nev., 89106. For information, visit http://www.shimmeringzen.com or https://www.neonmuseum.org/events/shimmering-zen. About James Stanford An international exhibiting artist, James Stanford graduated with painting degrees at the University of Washington (UW) with a Master of Fine Arts and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and also practices photography, digital illustration and drawing. Dedicated to creativity and the fine arts, he has taught at UNLV and UW, established the Smallworks Gallery/Lost Vegas, and curated exhibitions at various venues, including the Las Vegas Contemporary Arts Center. Stanford also served as chairman of the Arts Commission of the City of Las Vegas and later president of the Las Vegas Contemporary Arts Center. Stanfords recent exhibition at Asia Art in London and the release of his book, Shimmering Zen, at The London Library, further showcases his ability to create new and innovative art. Due to the success of Shimmering Zen, he has further broadened the scope Smallworks Press, an independent publishing company specializing in books on arts and culture. He currently lives and works in Las Vegas. For information, visit http://www.jamesstanfordart.com or http://www.shimmeringzen.com or call 702-524-1019. About The Neon Museum Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. It has been named Best Museum by Las Vegas Weekly, one of Sin Citys Best Retro Sites by MSN, No. 1 Las Vegas Museum Sure to Entertain and Educate by USATodays 10best.com, One of the Top 10 Coolest Things You Didnt Know You Could Do by Forbes.com, one of the Top 10 Historic Spots in Las Vegas by Vegas.com; one of 15 Most Fascinating Museums in the U.S. by VacationIdea.com; and earns a consistent 4.5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor. On its 2.27-acre campus, the Neon Museum houses an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard (boneyard is traditionally the name for an area where items no longer in use are stored); the North Gallery, home to the nighttime augmented-reality, audiovisual spectacle, Brilliant!; the new Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors center, housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby. The museum collection also includes nine restored signs installed as public art throughout downtown Las Vegas and one restored sign on view at the outdoor Fashion Show Plaza on the Las Vegas Strip. Public education, outreach, research, archival preservation and a grant-funded neon sign survey represent a selection of the museums ongoing projects. Both the Neon Boneyard and the La Concha Visitors Center are located at 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North in Las Vegas. Click here for tour schedules and pricing information. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. About Smallworks Press Founded in 2006, Smallworks Press specializes in arts and culture publications and treats each book with a commitment to impeccable production, design and marketing. With more than 100 years of collective experiences, the Smallworks Press team has enjoyed collaborating with a wide-spectrum of artists, authors and talent to create works with beautiful chromatic illustrations and stimulating interpretation with the finest print quality. Smallworks Press has fulfillment thru Midpoint (North America), a subsidiary of Ingram Content Group, and CBL Distribution (United Kingdom). For information, visit http://www.smallworkspress.com, email info@smallworkspress.com or call 702-577-6592. ShipperHQ partners with cross-border delivery platform Zenda With Zenda, retailers can ship packages to the customers doorstep in four to eight days with tracking visibility throughout the whole shipping process ShipperHQ, the leading ecommerce checkout shipping solution, is announcing a new partnership with cross-border delivery platform Zenda to expand door-to-door international shipping for online merchants of all sizes. With Zenda, retailers can ship packages to the customers doorstep in four to eight days with tracking visibility throughout the whole shipping process. As a sister company to British Airways, Zenda flies packages from the United States to Europe on over 80 flights daily from 20 major domestic airports. Online merchants in the United States who plan to expand their delivery network into Europes more than 500 million ecommerce shoppers can offer a solution that is less expensive than express shipping, and significantly faster than traditional postal options. Zenda also offers delivered duty paid (DDP) shipping, where duties and taxes are calculated in advance to eliminate any unexpected fees, delays, and general customer frustration during delivery. We are extremely excited to partner with Zenda and bring this new cross border solution to our merchants, said Daniel Ziegler, Director of Partnerships at ShipperHQ. I believe this new relationship with Zenda is going to be a game changer in the world of ecommerce. Anywhere British Airways lands is a potential route for more customers, making Zendas future reach huge. With ShipperHQ, retailers have the power to differentiate themselves with full control of shipping options and an ultra-fast customer experience catered to individual shipping preferences. To mitigate the need for custom coding, the new integration with Zenda will also include real-time landed cost calculation. This is going to be an exciting partnership to bring Zenda to tens of thousands of the worlds leading ecommerce shippers, stated David Shepherd, Zendas Managing Director, and veteran of British Airways and IAG Cargo. Zenda and ShipperHQ will be working hand-in-hand to enhance the international shipping experience in ways that have simply not been available before now. ShipperHQ enables retailers to incorporate Zenda into their shipping strategy with a few easy clicks of a button. Retailers will also receive the added benefit of ShipperHQs market-leading capabilities like multi-origin shipping, dimensional rating and powerful rules and restrictions for shipping rates. By translating complex shipping logic into a seamless checkout experience, ShipperHQ makes it easier for retailers to expand to new markets. Merchants that utilize Zenda have access to their purpose-built web interface, the behind-the-scenes tool taking care of the complexities of international shipping such as real-time duties and tax calculation, customs declarations, DDP delivery, and fully transparent shipment tracking. ShipperHQ is launching its full integration with Zendas services for Magento 2, BigCommerce, Shopify and Salesforce B2C Commerce by the end of 2018. The ShipperHQ team will be available at MagentoLive Europe in Barcelona October 9-10 to answer questions and provide additional information about this new integration with Zenda. Contact ShipperHQ at ShipperHQ.com or visit ShipperHQ at booth S33 at MagentoLive Europe to learn more. About ShipperHQ ShipperHQ is the worlds #1 storefront shipping management system, allowing ecommerce merchants to offer the best possible shipping rates and options at checkout. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA with global staff in the UK and Australia, ShipperHQ works hard to develop innovative, powerful storefront shipping solutions that make the lives of ecommerce merchants easier. Visit the ShipperHQ website at http://www.ShipperHQ.com to learn more. About Zenda Zenda, a sister company of British Airways, is an international shipping platform for ecommerce packages. Headquartered in London, Zenda provides pickup and delivery services with full door-to-door tracking, automated landed cost calculation, and DDP delivery (pre-paid duties and taxes) to ensure a smooth delivery process for the end customer. Zendas offering is noticeably less expensive than express shipping, and significantly faster than typical postal options, with a standard delivery time frame of 4-8 days from the US to Europe. Visit the Zenda website at http://www.zenda.global to learn more and watch Zendas introductory video. The Danbury from Southland Log Homes Consistently winning recognition with these top design awards is further demonstration of Southlands leadership in the log home industry. Southland Log Homes, designer and manufacturer of Americas Favorite Log Home, has been honored with national awards for excellence in log home design presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at the industrys annual conference in October. Southland received log home design honors for the less than 2000 square feet, and 2000 to 3000 square feet categories. The award winning log home designs were built in 2017-18. Southland has won log home design awards for the past several years running. Southland Log Homes provides its customers with personalized designs and high quality log cabin kits, as well as support in working with quality log home builders, understanding financing options, and identifying available land anywhere in the US. Consistently winning recognition with these top design awards is further demonstration of Southlands leadership in the log home industry, said Ken Sekley, Southlands President and CEO. Southlands design team is expert at turning our customers log home dreams into reality, ranging from beautifully rustic traditional log home plans to the latest in modern design trends and sustainability. About Southland Log Homes: Headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, Southland Log Homes was founded in 1978 and is the largest log home company in the United States. Southland operates model home sales offices and has authorized Southland dealers located throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Model homes are located in Atlanta, GA; Baton Rouge, LA; Biloxi, MS; Birmingham, AL; Charlotte, NC; Christiansburg, VA; Columbia, SC; Dallas, TX; Danville, PA; Fredericksburg, VA; Greensboro, NC; Greenville, SC; Houston, TX; Northwest Indiana; Kansas City, MO; Lake City, FL; Louisville, KY; Macon, GA; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Springfield, MA; and San Antonio, TX. For more information about Southland Log Homes, call 800-641-4754 or visit SouthlandLogHomes.com. About NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country, as well as internationally. NAHBs builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year. Rodgers and Hammersteins Cinderella: See the musical at 7 p.m. Oct. 12-13 and 19-20 and 6 p.m. Oct. 14 and 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at Vero Voce Theatre in St. Charles. In this version, all the beloved songs and familiar characters are there, but the entire script has been condensed to better suit young attention spans, and the plot has been slightly altered so as to highlight some important lessons. Tickets are $10-$15. At 951 State Ave. Call 630-584-0139 or go to verovoce.com. I am excited to be a part of the conversation at the 2018 Holistic Student Support Institute, by hosting a panel with colleagues from the Community College of Pennsylvania, Columbus State Community College, and SUNY Broom, said Howard Bell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Starfish. Hobsons, the education technology leader and company behind Starfish, will today present at the 2018 Holistic Student Supports Institute, hosted by Achieving the Dream. Over 300 community college professionals have gathered at the Institute to discuss how they are ensuring each of their students are receiving the support they need to achieve their goals. Through intensive workshops and presentations, attendees will examine student movement through their institution and design and execute a coherent strategy for designing a student support model that supports the whole student. Howard Bell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Starfish, will lead a panel presentation, Engaging Your Entire Campus in Your Student Success Strategy, today at 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CDT in Grand Ballroom H. The panel will feature multiple student success leaders who are making change happen on their campuses and will discuss achieving campus buy-in, engaging a variety of stakeholders in student success initiatives, and ways institutional departments can work together to achieve retention and completion goals. I am excited to be a part of the conversation at the 2018 Holistic Student Support Institute, by hosting a panel with colleagues from the Community College of Pennsylvania, Columbus State Community College, and SUNY Broom, said Howard Bell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Starfish. We will be talking about how community college students are especially vulnerable to challenges that could impede their progress towards achieving their goals, and strategies for institutions to support their overcoming those hurdles. It is critical that student success and support professionals work to continuously improve the support available to these students. The Starfish Enterprise Success Platform helps more than 450 colleges and universities scale their student success efforts so more students can achieve their academic and life goals. By helping higher education institutions leverage reliable data to pinpoint areas of concern and opportunity within courses and student populations, as well as institutional programs and services, Starfish connects these findings to action by identifying at-risk students, connecting students with valuable resources, and building academic plans to achieve student goals with the least momentum lost. To learn more about Starfish, visit http://www.starfishsolutions.com. About Hobsons A leader in education technology, Hobsons helps more than 15 million students to identify their strengths, explore careers, match to best-fit educational opportunities, create academic plans, and reach their education and life goals. More than 13,000 K-12 and higher education institutions partner with Hobsons and leverage our expertise and our solutions -- Naviance, Intersect, and Starfish -- to improve college and career readiness, college recruiting and admissions, and higher education student success to support millions of students. Partnering with Switchpoint Ventures to further refine and enhance our platform is good news for all those who want to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients at the lowest cost. Switchpoint Ventures, which helps companies build and operationalize Artificial Intelligence solutions, is teaming up with Raiven Health, a provider of prescriptive analytics solutions for behavioral health organizations, to further the capabilities of the Raiven platform and its ability to deliver assisted decision making enhanced by Artificial Intelligence. For organizations engaged in risk-based contracts such as Accountable Care Organizations, Raiven focuses on care beyond the clinic and through case management to help providers navigate patient treatment or intervention. As a result of this partnership, Damian Mingle, chief data scientist for Switchpoint, will work with Raiven Healthcare, in an advisory capacity, to help accelerate the development of its AI platform. Mingle previously held the position of chief data scientist at data science company WPC Healthcare, who along with Ray Guzman, chief executive officer and Nolan Rhem, chief operating officer, facilitated its acquisition by Intermedix. Mingle will participate in a panel called Tools of Change with other industry leaders on Oct. 11 at 9:35 AM at The Cohen Veterans Care Summit in Washington DC. Cohen Veterans Bioscience and Cohen Veterans Network, funded by billionaire Steve Cohen, host the summit, which seeks to advance Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) care. Learn more about the summit at https://www.cohencaresummit.org First-hand I have seen the impact that artificial intelligence can have when embedded into a proper workflow within organizations. The AI solutions that Raiven has developed to date are marvelous and truly cutting-edge. Raiven is offering its clients a way to optimize decision-making within a behavioral health setting that is often inefficient, costly, and latent with suboptimal outcomes. Switchpoint is excited to be arm-in-arm with an organization looking to revolutionize the industry, said Mingle. We know clinicians can benefit from our AI tool to help make the best treatment choices for their patients, says Dr. Jim Stefansic, president and chief executive officer for Raiven. Partnering with Switchpoint Ventures to further refine and enhance our platform is good news for all those who want to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients at the lowest cost. About Switchpoint Ventures For more than five years, the founders of Switchpoint Ventures have been working to create artificial intelligence solutions that make a difference in the lives of people. The companys name was inspired by switchpoint analysis, a powerful analytic tool that determines where a change has occurred that might be overlooked through traditional data techniques. Switchpoint Ventures is an innovation enabler making AI investments in organizations that seek transformation through machine learning. Through its partnerships and portfolio companies, Switchpoint delivers the strategy, capital, operational expertise, and machine learning capabilities to identify ways to monetize, manage, and measure information as an asset creating competitive advantage. Switchpoint helps companies connect to AI capability and investors connect to AI opportunity. Learn more at http://www.switchpointventures.com. About Raiven Healthcare Providers use the Raiven Healthcare real-time, predictive analytics platform for complex health treatments, accessing the artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help determine the clinical treatment path that will deliver the best outcome at the optimum cost for a specific patient. The companys groundbreaking technology has increased outcomes by 40% while decreasing cost by 60%. Raivens solutions are ideal for those engaged in risk-based contracts, including accountable care organizations (ACOs) and providers in gainsharing agreements that require advanced algorithms to deliver actionable results that address specific problems. For more information about Raiven, visit http://www.raivenhealth.com. Debrianna Mansini Constant throughout Mansinis work has been the belief that storytelling highlights the human condition, causing us to reflect on ourselves and how we interact with others. Debrianna Mansini plays disaster survivor Sandy McGreevy in a new Netflix series shot in New Mexico, Messiah. This uniquely 21st Century political thriller chronicles the worlds reaction to a man who emerges from the Middle East, creating a groundswell of followers who claim he is sent from God. Is he what they say he is or is he a dangerous fraud bent on dismantling the worlds geopolitical order, causing civil havoc as he beguiles the worlds media and its audience? The answer to that question, unfolds across ten episodes told from multiple character viewpoints (including a US Intelligence agent, a Palestinian refugee, an Israeli Shin Bet officer and a Latino preacher and his Daughter.) At its core, Messiah is a series that challenges us to examine what we believe and who we are. Messiah is created by Michael Petroni, and executive producers include Michael Petroni, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, James McTeigue, and Andrew Deane. Known recently for her acting roles in Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, Mansinis career has spanned decades to include radio, film, TV and theater. She is now gaining recognition as a playwright for her solo show, The Meatball Chronicles. The transcendent play recounts an Italian-American familys meatball recipe, passed down through generations of women. Each ingredient has a story attached to it, and Mansini shares universal life lessons that come together as the meatball is formed. The show partners with local chefs to deliver a sensory experience for audiences, and each performance benefits charitable causes. The Meatball Chronicles will begin touring again in 2019. Constant throughout Mansinis work has been the belief that storytelling highlights the human condition, causing us to reflect on ourselves and how we interact with others. Her activism includes supporting Project Angel Food and working to end lunch shaming by making sure all school children receive equal treatment regardless of whether their parents can pay for lunches, as she spoke about as a recent guest on The Bob Cesca Show. Mansini is drawn to entertaining as a vehicle for teaching, healing and helping us understand what it means to be human. Contact O Agency 505-344-3149 Dr. Panda is a leading developer of paid educational apps for children Dr. Panda is the second largest developer of paid kids apps, with a total of 37 childrens games titles having generated over 90 million installs. Dr. Panda, a leading developer of paid educational apps for children and the creator of the award-winning series of Dr. Panda games, announced today that it was acquired by Tomorrow Advancing Life (TAL) Education Group, a leading K-12 after-school tutoring services provider in China. Dr. Panda will serve as an independent brand under TAL, with its original management team remaining in place. TAL is committed to fully supporting Dr. Panda with all its technological, academic and talent resources in a collaboration to explore new models for future education. Dr. Panda is the second largest developer of paid kids apps, with a total of 37 childrens games titles having generated over 90 million installs. With hit games including Dr. Panda Town, Dr. Panda Restaurant 2, Dr. Panda Firefighter and more, the companys apps are played by more than 5 million monthly active users worldwide and have been ranked as the #1 kids app in the App Store in over 50 countries. Dr. Panda has received the App Stores Best Game of The Year award for four years consecutively and six Editors Choice awards. Aside from apps, Dr. Panda has two upcoming original childrens edutainment animations, Dr. Panda TotoTime (2D series) and Dr. Panda (3D series), with the latter premiering to audiences in China, the Middle East and North Africa through Discovery Kids in early 2019. Dr. Panda launched its first Augmented Reality toy, Dr. Panda Plus: Home Designer, in 2017, designed to cultivate creativity in children through hands-on play and kid-friendly technology. Since releasing its first game in 2012, Dr. Pandas products have inspired and educated millions of children through an open-ended approach designed to spark creativity and imagination. It is this element of Dr. Pandas ethos that falls in line with TALs own philosophy and its pursuit of future education. As the leading technological education company in China, TAL embraces the ability of the Internet and mobile technologies to deliver a better study experience for children. TAL constantly strives to perfect its products, prioritizing the user experience in an effort to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction,. We believe Dr. Pandas expertise can assist us by enhancing strategic planning for TALs many diverse developments, as well as in providing quality services for more families, says a spokesperson for TAL. TAL acknowledges that a high quality user experience has always been a top priority of both Dr. Panda and its own organization, together equally committed to creating high quality creative content. It is because of the two companys shared values and missions that they combine efforts as they look to the future, promoting educational developments in this new era of technology, solidifying TALs place as a pioneer in content creation in childrens education. As a part of the TAL family, we wish to make education and kids learning more fun, and we can achieve this by utilizing TALs many channels and resources, supported by the experience of Dr. Pandas own achievements to date, said Thijs Bosma, founder of Dr. Panda. We want education to stimulate creativity, as opposed to traditional methods that spoon-feed knowledge. Our shared goal is for kids to have fun when learning through creativity. Dr. Pandas international team and creativity model will support TAL in its efforts to build a firm foundation in education with its technological prowess. Together, they will infuse the education industry with new energy, fostering creating and fun in kids learning experiences. About TAL Education Group TAL Education Group is a leading K-12 after-school tutoring services provider in China. The acronym "TAL" stands for "Tomorrow Advancing Life," which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for Chinese students through both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive tutoring services to students from pre-school to the twelfth grade through three flexible class formats: small classes, personalized premium services, and online courses. Our tutoring services cover the core academic subjects in China's school curriculum including mathematics, English, Chinese, physics, chemistry, and biology. The Company's learning center network includes 594 physical learning centers as of February 28, 2018, located in 42 key cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi`an, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Suzhou, Shenyang, Jinan, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao, Changsha, Luoyang, Nanchang, Ningbo, Wuxi, Fuzhou, Hefei, Xiamen, Lanzhou, Dalian, Changchun, Guiyang, Dongguan, Changzhou, Xuzhou, Nantong, Foshan, Zhenjiang, Shaoxing and Yangzhou, Yantai, Wenzhou, Zhongshan and Zibo. We also operate http://www.jzb.com, a leading online education platform in China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TAL." About Dr. Panda Dr. Panda is the largest original IP independent developer of educational apps for children. The award-winning Dr. Panda franchise includes more than 30 fun and easy-to-play apps that go beyond the ABCs and 1, 2, 3s to provide important life skills that help children get familiar with the world around them. With more than 90 million downloads worldwide, Dr. Panda apps simulate real-life activities such as grocery shopping, cooking, airline travel and others in a way that makes kids more comfortable when they encounter those situations in the real world. All set in a safe, gender-free environment with no ads, no in-app purchases and no inappropriate content, Dr. Panda games have received the Children's Technology Review Editor's Choice award, Parent's Choice award, several National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA) honors and more. The company is based in Shanghai and Chengdu, China. For more information visit http://www.drpanda.com. # # # Media Contact: Matt McAllister Fluid PR & Communications (510) 229-9707 matt (at) fluidspeak.com Better World Campaign President Peter Yeo today issued the following statement on the resignation of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley: Over the past two years, Ambassador Haley was critical in ushering in UN reforms in close partnership with the Secretary-General around development, management, and peacekeeping operations. While there were areas of great contention between the U.S. and the UN, and American financial arrears to the UN have grown dramatically, she played an important and constructive role in maintaining U.S. leadership at the UN. As to what comes next, we call on President Trump to nominate an individual who will continue Ambassador Haleys efforts to strengthen the UN, not retreat from it, while fostering a strong partnership with UN Secretary-General Guterres. About the Better World Campaign The Better World Campaign works to foster a strong relationship between the U.S. and the UN to promote core American interests and build a more secure, prosperous, and healthy world. The Better World Campaign engages policymakers, the media, and the American public alike to increase awareness of the critical role played by the UN in world affairs and the importance of constructive U.S.-UN relations. Ned Monroe We are thrilled bring on Ned Monroe who has had a very accomplished career in both the association and corporate fields. The Vinyl Institute today announced that Ned Monroe, CAE will join the VI as President and CEO, replacing Dick Doyle who has announced his retirement for the end of 2018 after successfully leading the association over the past seven years. The members of the Vinyl Institute are very pleased with the leadership and direction that Dick Doyle provided the association during his tenure, and we want to wish Dick and his family well in retirement, said VI Chair Dick Mason of Shintech. We are also thrilled to be bringing on Ned Monroe who has had a very accomplished career in both the association and corporate fields. Monroe will lead the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer, and vinyl additives and modifiers. The Vinyl Institute serves as the voice for the vinyl industry, engaging industry stakeholders in shaping the future of the vinyl industry. The U.S. vinyl industry encompasses nearly 3,000 vinyl manufacturing facilities, more than 350,000 employees, and an economic value of $54 billion. It is a very exciting time to be joining the Vinyl Institute, said Monroe. With the growing demand for top quality durable products in the U.S. and around the world, the vinyl industry is well positioned to meet the needs of the worlds expanding population in a more sustainable fashion than competing materials. I am honored to join this highly effective association, and I am looking forward to continue advancing the many valuable products and services that the Vinyl Institute offers its members and their customers. Prior to joining the VI, Monroe served as the Executive Director of Global Public Affairs and Communications at SC Johnson in Racine, Wisconsin. While there he led all corporate internal and external communications for the privately held global consumer goods company. He directed employee communications, crisis communications, reputation management, media relations and public affairs. Monroe also served as the Senior Vice President for External Relations at the National Association of Manufacturers. His responsibilities included directing public affairs, issue advocacy, political action, component relations and meeting management. He also served as the treasurer of NAM-PAC. In his almost 20 years experience in associations, he also worked at the National Restaurant Association, the National Automatic Merchandising Association and Associated Builders and Contractors, a national trade association of commercial and industrial construction companies. In his capacity as President and CEO of the Vinyl Institute Monroe will oversee all operations and management of the staff and consultant teams. He will also serve as the primary VI representative to the vinyl product associations, Global Vinyl Council, NAM Council of Manufacturing Associations, Council of Chemical Association Executives, among other organizations that work with the Vinyl Institute as it carries out its mission to advance the interests of the vinyl industry. Ned is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, and resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Theresa and two sons, Troy and Harry. About the Vinyl Institute: The Vinyl Institute (VI), founded in 1982, is a U.S. trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl additives, and modifiers. The VI works on behalf of its members to promote the benefits of the worlds most versatile plastic, used to make everything from household appliances to flooring, roofing and wallcovering. The vinyl industry in the United States employs over 350,000 highly skilled employees at nearly 3,000 facilities, and generates an economic value of $54.4 billion. For more information visit: vinylinfo.org Wexxar Bels IPAK TF-330GH Agricultural Tray Former Wexxar Bel, a product brand of ProMach, introduced today the latest refinements of its leading tray former, IPAK TF-330GH for the agricultural industry, which is rated at up to 40 trays per minute. Engineering advancements shorten the lead time for machine delivery, give customers greater operational flexibility, improve uptime, and equip agricultural customers with a ruggedly constructed machine that requires minimal maintenance. A new adjustable tooling system creates a more universal tray former a platform that allows agricultural packaging operations to overcome the issues associated with forming trays from different suppliers. Adjustable tooling also gives packaging operations the flexibility of setting up new tray sizes without the need of sending samples to the factory. Through mandrel and folder adjustment, the operation can quickly continue to produce trays when inconsistency of material arises. Adjustable tooling reduces tooling costs and provides greater flexibility for in-field set-up of new tray sizes. Changeover time averages 10 minutes. Maintenance free lubrication reduces upkeep and improves uptime for greater throughput. The advanced gluing system option reduces adhesive consumption by up to 40 percent over earlier machine generations. The IPAK TF-330GH is user-friendly and incorporates the latest available safety systems to help companies cope with a skilled labor shortage and an increasingly diverse workforce. Illustrative on-machine pictographs alleviate language barriers and guide operators through the changeover process. The TF-330GH ergonomic design makes it easier to physically load the magazine and also offers the opportunity to be more efficient with it new single-stage, side-load magazine option that doubles time between loading, freeing the operator for other duties. See Wexxar Bels upgraded IPAK TF-330GH running live at Pack Expo 2018, Booth #S-3546. Visitors will also be able to see Wexxar Bel case forming, erecting, packing, and sealing systems. About Wexar Bel At Wexxar Bel, corrugated container packaging applications are limited only by the imagination. Our Wexxar case formers and case sealers have been installed in nearly 40 countries and consistently bring customers the lowest cost of ownership and the highest standards of safety. Wexxar also offers the Bel line of corrugated box sealers, tapers, and packing systems as well as the IPak line of tray and bliss formers, stackers, and sealers systems. As part of the ProMach End of Line business line, Wexxar helps our packaging customers protect and grow the reputation and trust of their consumers. ProMach is performance, and the proof is in every package. Learn more about Wexxar Bel at http://www.Wexxar.com. About ProMach ProMach is a family of best-in-class packaging solution brands serving manufacturers of all sizes and geographies in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and household and industrial goods industries. ProMach brands operate across the entire packaging spectrum: filling and capping, flexibles, pharma, product handling, labeling and coding, and end of line. ProMach also provides Performance Services, including integrated solutions, design/build, engineering services, and productivity software to optimize packaging line design and deliver maximum uptime. ProMach designs, manufactures, integrates, and supports the most sophisticated and advanced packaging solutions in the global marketplace. Its diverse customer base, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller, privately held businesses worldwide, depends on reliable, flexible, technologically advanced equipment and integrated solutions. ProMach is headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio, with manufacturing facilities and offices throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, United Arab Emirates, and China. For more information about ProMach, visit http://www.ProMachBuilt.com. YourMechanic is the industry leading mobile car repair network YourMechanic is profoundly changing the process of auto maintenance and repair by bringing a higher level of convenience, efficiency and transparency to car owners and auto technicians alike, said, Anthony Rodio, CEO, YourMechanic. YourMechanic, the industry leading mobile car repair network, today announced that it has closed $10.1 million in Series B1 funding led by institutional and individual investors including Royal Bank of Canada, SoftBank Capital, Verizon Ventures, American Family Ventures, Data Point Capital, and Rick Wagoner, former Chairman and CEO of General Motors, among others. YourMechanic will use the funds to accelerate international expansion for its mobile car repair platform, which connects car owners with mobile mechanics who provide more than 800 repairs, maintenance, and diagnostic services. The company will also utilize this funding to build out additional services for rental, rideshare, corporate, and government fleet managers. YourMechanic is profoundly changing the process of auto maintenance and repair by bringing a higher level of convenience, efficiency and transparency to car owners and auto technicians alike, said, Anthony Rodio, President and CEO, YourMechanic. We are addressing the top challenges faced by fleet managers by delivering flexible service packages, including mobility centered repair services delivered multiple fleet locations. With this funding, well accelerate those services and expand into Canada, to reinforce our market leadership position worldwide. YourMechanic is the global market leader in mobile car repair, with 1.3 million cars on the platform. The company has mechanics in more than 5,000 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Initially launched in 2017, YourMechanics Fleet Solution has doubled its customer base in the rental, rideshare, corporate and government markets in the last 12 months. All aspects of the auto industry are undergoing incredible transformation, including service. said Rick Wagoner, former Chairman and CEO, General Motors and investor in/advisor to YourMechanic. Mobility is going to be a part of that transformation and I believe the team at YourMechanic has a compelling technology platform and vision. Were excited about YourMechanics accomplishments to date, and look forward to working with their talented management team, said Joe Medved, SB Capital Partner, Lerer Hippeau. We view YourMechanic as an exceptionally effective and innovative platform that can facilitate mobility in car repair and maintenance issues across many use cases, and they are leading the market with their international expansion and service offering for fleet customers. For more information about YourMechanic, please visit https://www.yourmechanic.com/. About YourMechanic YourMechanic is the industry leader in mobile car repair, offering more than 800 repair, maintenance, and diagnostic services. YourMechanic is available in most major metropolitan areas across the US and Canada. YourMechanic connects mobile mechanics to customers who seek affordable and convenient car repair services at their home or office, seven days a week. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, YourMechanic is funded by SoftBank Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, Ashton Kutcher, Data Point Capital, and others. The company has secured $35.3 million in funding to date and holds an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. For more information on YourMechanic, to book a service, or to view current career opportunities, visit http://www.YourMechanic.com. News From Bulgaria Minister Neno Dimov will participate in the meeting of the EU Council on Environment Bulgaria will raise the issue of introducing measures against air pollution due to the expected influx of used cars from countries where diesel cars are banned AUTHOR: publics.bg Within the Council, Member States will debate the targets set for reducing carbon emissions by 2030. The Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov will participate in the meeting of the EU Environment Council, which will be held in Luxembourg on October 9, 2018, the Ministry of Environment and Waters (MOEW) announced. In the framework of the Council, on the initiative of Minister Dimov, Bulgaria, supported by Poland and Slovakia, will bring to the attention of the EU Environment Ministers and the European Commission the issue of taking action against air pollution in relation to the expected influx of used cars from Member States with high average per capita income to those with lower numbers as more and more cities in Western Europe are introducing bans on diesel cars due to their increased emissions. The Council's agenda envisages the adoption of a common position for EU countries under the Regulation laying down emission standards for new passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles. Member States will debate the targets for reducing carbon emissions by 2030 and the mechanism for stimulating zero and low emission cars. The European Parliament adopted its position on 4 October 2018, laying down the extremely ambitious target of a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. At the initiative of the Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Four - Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic which Bulgaria will join, our country will support in determining the emission reduction, take into account the socio-economic element and would not accept a reduction of more than 30%. The Council will adopt Conclusions setting out the key elements of the EU's negotiating position for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Poland this December. Ministers are also expected to adopt EU Council Conclusions on the EU position on the forthcoming UN Framework Convention on Biological Diversity meetings in November. The document presents the long-term vision of the Union for sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Mayor Mickey Straub said some of the testing would be done at Gower Middle School and the testers would need to perform indoor air tests when the students were not present but when Sterigenics is active. That date had not yet been set. Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA) members were greeted by protest drums last Friday, as striking hotel employees interrupted an otherwise banner year for the NCIBAs Fall Discovery Show. The October 3-5 convention was held inside the Oakland Marriott City Center, one of the Marriott properties picketed by more than 2,500 striking hotel workers in the Bay Area. Thursday attendance was through the roof, said NCIBA executive director Calvin Crosby, noting that the strike diminished attendance on the final day of the conference. Along with a few attendees, one exhibitor and one speaker had declined to cross the picket line on Friday. People loved the fact were back in Oakland, said Crosby, as the convention returned to the city for the first time in more than a decade. With over 350 attendees and a few new vendors, NCIBA attendance held steady compared to last yearbut NCIBA had anticipated exceeding 2017's attendance before the strike landed. Early registration was up for the show and membership expanded as the NCIBA counted six new member bookstores in 2018: Vallejo Bookstore, Twice Told Books, Owl & Company Bookshop, Wolfman Books, Booklandia, and Crawfords Books. NCIBA also made some changes to its catalog program, teaming up with the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association (SCIBA) to release a first joint holiday catalog that features 150 titles. The new partnership increased the catalogs promotional budget by 40% and raised the annual catalogs print run by 300,000 copies. Our whole purpose is to drive people to bookstores to buy these particular books, said NCIBA catalog coordinator and All Things Book consultant Vicki DeArmon. Ive got 1.1 million catalogs dropping across the state of California, and 90% of those are inserted in newspapers. Publishing reps shared the years biggest books with booksellers for two days straight. A 1,000-page illustrated Ursula K. Le Guin hardcover drew attention on the exhibition floor. Its a big event, said Simon & Schuster rep Cheri Hickman, showing off Charles Vess illustrations for The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition, an omnibus work celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beloved fantasy series. The Earthsea books have never been published together by the same publishing house. Le Guin chose the illustrator, and wrote the introduction before she passed, said Hickman. Other buzzy books included: She Would Be King, a debut novel by Wayetu Moore; From Crook to Cook, a Chronicle cookbook from rapper Snoop Dogg; The Dreamers, Karen Thompson Walkers new novel about a fantastical sleeping sickness epidemic in Southern California; The Long Path to Wisdom, Jan-Philipp Sendkers retellings of folktales from Burma; and Dry, a Neal Shusterman novel set in a future California wracked by drought. Educational programming filled both days, including a session about maximizing sales on Independent Bookstore Day, an initiative that began in California and will celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2019. Samantha Schoech, the San Francisco-based director of Independent Bookstore Day, revealed some news about the program: booksellers will order directly from Ingram in 2019 and Chronicle Books will sponsor the official tote-bag for IBD, giving booksellers an 80% discount on the bags and free shippingimproving the profits booksellers can make on the annual souvenir. In another session, Stanford psychology professor Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt discussed her forthcoming book, Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do. The author urged booksellers to encourage "positive contact" between different social groups in their community space, "working together for the same goals, rather than competing." Memories of 2017s challenges were still fresh at the Fall Discovery Show. It was nice not having to get ready for the show out of the trunks of our cars, said NCIBA administrator Ann Seaton, recalling how NCIBA staffers and booksellers were displaced by devastating wildfires before last year's show. The Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) helped NCIBA booksellers last year, and Fall Discovery attendees bought special glow-in-the-dark skull rings to raise funds for Binc this year. We come into this space with all our world-weariness, but when we get down to talking about books, everything gets better, said Melinda Powers, the head book buyer at Bookshop Santa Cruz, describing her positive experience at the show while sporting a lime green superhero cape on Friday. Thats how bookstores are right now for the community as well. And if you have a cape, its even better! Bookseller McNally Jackson will leave its 52 Prince Street location, in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, at the end of June 2019. The store has been in business since 2004, when it was initially opened as part of founder Sarah McNally's family bookstore operation, McNally Robinson. The news, originally reported by Bowery Boogie following the appearance of leasing banners on the storefront on Monday, was confirmed by its owner, McNally, via email on Tuesday "McNally Jackson is moving at the end of June. I will be able to make a formal announcement on our new location soon, but I can promise that it will be nearby," McNally said, adding: "We have put aside a nest egg for this day. We have known it was coming." The news comes roughly a year after McNally Jackson announced plans for a store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which opened earlier this year. McNally Jackson is also slated to open a South Street Seaport location by the end of 2018, after a delay from its original 2017 opening plans. "This whole process has made me think about the soul of McNally Jackson," McNally said about the new plans to move.. "What about McNally Jackson is irreducible? Its certainly not the current space, which is in a shoddy building that was thrown up over a former chicken abattoir. The soul of McNally Jackson is the books and the booksellers. We have remained devoted to an old-fashioned idea of bookselling, in which bookstores are edifying spaces. While so many bookstores have cut back on inventory, weve gone deeper." She added: "We have always prioritized our mission to be a hub of global literary culture, with 14,000 books in our literature section alone, divided by geography. I dont know a better retail resource for international literature, anywhere in the world. This we will keep, and translate into a new space." Penguin Random House will launch next year PRH South East Asia. The new publisher will be based in Singapore with a mandate to discover and publish local and international voices across English-language adult and childrens fiction and nonfiction formats for Singapore and Malaysia, as well as from Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Myanmar. It will start with a list of about 50 titles a year. According to PRH, the establishment of PRH South East Asia marks the extension and expansion of its commitment to local publishing in Asia, which is currently represented by its Penguin Random House North Asia and Penguin Random House India companies. Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO PRH India and South East Asia, will oversee the new company, currently named Penguin Books Singapore. Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar, previously with Pearson Education SE Asia and Marshall Cavendish, will join the new company in November as executive editor. PRH said that her network of relationships and keen knowledge of the region will be key in establishing a publishing presence for Penguin Random House in Southeast Asia. Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, said: This new trade publishing program with original books written by local authors is a natural extension and complement to the longstanding business we have selling adult and childrens fiction and nonfiction by our international authors into this vibrant market and community. Gaurav Shrinagesh said: These are exciting times for book lovers, as publishing transcends geographies and languages to open access to literature from all over the world. Penguin Random Houses expansion into South East will broaden our audience reach and local consumer insights to create publishing opportunities to further develop our editorial portfolio by supporting local authors in emerging markets and building their audiences. Click Here to go to PublishersWeekly.com Creative Carpet & Flooring, which opened in 1990, moved from its longtime home to its new location at 19845 S. LaGrange Road. The building had been home to a number of restaurants over the years including Kingsberry and Golden Oak, but had been vacant for more than a year. Here we have a case in which defendant, despite giving being given many opportunities, has failed to comply with the Courts rules in two different ways; the first in actually searching the documents in its possession to ensure that all responsive documents are produced to the plaintiff and the second, to ensure that the information in its possession is maintained and not damaged, McGrath said, according to a court transcript of last weeks proceeding. He said Nana Akufo-Addo's 20-month old government has failed Ghanaians. He said the NDC ensured a more stable economy and addressed problems of price volatility on the markets, but same cannot be said of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under President Akufo-Addo who has plunged the country into hardship. In an interview on Citi TV, Spio said: [The NPP is] borrowing and not showing much with the borrowing. At the least NDC borrowed and you can see what they did, schools, hospitals, roads etc". He also said that while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after several loans cannot account for it in terms of infrastructure, the NDC government invested monies it borrowed in many infrastructural projects in various sectors including health, roads and education. ece-auto-gen According to him, there is a high demand for a change in leadership in the party especially persons who superintended over the partys abysmal performance in the last elections in 2016. The meeting is said to take place in Abuja, today, Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Sources familiar with the meeting told Bloomberg News that it will allow both parties to decide on the documents earlier submitted and negotiate a deal that may help reduce the size of the claim. The meeting is coming two days after the CBN chief told reporters in London that MTN and its bankers had provided more documents that may reduce Nigerias $8.1bn claim on the South African mobile phone network, which could be resolved soon. Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Citibank and Diamond Bank are parties to the forex repatriation dispute. MTN had filed a court case against the Nigerian authority and refused to comment on latest developments. Nigeria's Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, stated this in a statement released by James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs department of the Ministry of Transportation, on Monday in Abuja. Sirika said the aim of the meeting is to address some of the issues, misinformation, allegations and opinions following to suspension of the Nigeria Air project, News Agency of Nigeria reports. It is in the light of this that the minister has decided to invite aviation stakeholders and members of the public to a Stakeholders Forum in Abuja on October 23, 2018. The interactive forum will, as usual, enable the ministry, stakeholders and interested members of the public to adequately address all issues associated with the national carrier project. This will involve airline operators, regulators in the aviation sector, prospective investors, the media practitioners, labour unions. Also, aviation service providers, officials from the ministry of transportation and its agencies, as well as interested members of the public, the statement reads in part. Last month, the government suspended plans to set up a national carrier, Nigeria Air. Sirika had noted that the decision to suspend the project was 'strategic' and had nothing to do with politics or pressure from stakeholders. Mixed reactions had earlier followed the project as Nigerians expressed disappointment over timing and operations of the proposed national carrier. Majority of questions such as ownership, mode of operations and among others have kept people in the dark. Walmart may be the next big retailer to get into the marijuana business. The big-box retailer's Canadian division told Bloomberg it has carried out some "preliminary fact-finding" on potentially carrying CBD (or cannabidiol) infused products, but has no plans to do so yet. Walmart's stock was up 2% following the reports. CBD is a non-psychoactive component of marijuana linked to a range of health benefits but can't get you high. Canada is set to legalize marijuana federally on October 17. Coca-Cola is reportedly eyeing a deal with Aurora Cannabis to produce beverages infused with CBD for the Canadian market. Read more of our cannabis industry coverage: Endorsement of the Illinois Right To Life Committee is an endorsement of a particular religious viewpoint, Biegel said. And it claims, that one, being ordained by God is at odds with the founding principles of our country and two, the mention of specific religious denominations constitutes an endorsement of Catholic and Protestant, along with a misstatement of Jewish views. During a Thanksgiving Sunday service at the RCCG Throne of Grace Parish in Ebute-Meta, Lagos, Daily Post reports that the General Overseer declared that God is the only one that can help this country. RCCG G.O says Nigeria's solutions lie with God Pastor Adeboye, fondly referred to as Daddy G.O said, "No human can solve our challenges in Nigeria, we need divine intervention and If we truly humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and pray, God will answer our prayers. If we refuse to forsake our evil ways and just pray, God will not answer." He also noted that Nigeria is better off than other nations, adding that he has been to places where citizens have nowhere to sleep but the graveyards. "At least our case has not become so bad that we now have to sleep in the graveyard," were his words. Pastor Adeboye went on to encourage everyone to turn to God in order for things to become better. In his words, "It is important that we seek God's mercy because we manufacture most of our own problems if there is an armed robber, one parent gave birth to such a robber who failed in their responsibility. We need God's forgiveness and mercy in Nigeria for us to experience glorious turnaround." Daily Post reports that the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Bestman Okereafor is calling on presidential candidates to avoid violence in during their campaigns. In a statement issued on Monday, October 8, 2018, in Enugu state, he also advised security agencies to do better in order to maintain law and order during the electioneering period. He said, "The leadership of the apex students' body, NANS, wishes to congratulate all political parties for the good, peaceful and fair conduct of their presidential primaries." "NANS leadership is set to partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission and organized civil societies in the aspect of massive voters sensitization and enlightenment." Okereafor concluded, "As a non-partisan but formidable body and major determinant of elections, we pray that Almighty God will give victory to a progressive-minded leader who will take us to the promise land." ALSO READ: NANS distance themselves from Lagos politics Meet the new NANS President The National Association of Nigerian Students has a new president named Comrade Danielson Bamidele Akpan. He won the election with a total number of 104 votes out of 272 delegates that participated in the exercise. This makes him the first student from Nassarawa State University to become NANS President. ece-auto-gen Since becoming the 32nd NANS president, Akpan has banned student unions from giving awards to individuals, politicians and corporate organizations. The documentary showcases the freed female hostages of Boko Haram, detailing their lives in captivity and since their release. The girls, popularly referred to as Chibok Girls, revealed how they are adapting to life after their traumatic experiences in the hands of insurgents terrorizing the North Eastern part of Nigeria. ALSO READ: Tonye Princewill reaches agreement with army to make a Boko Haram film Two girls in the documentary - Margret Yama and Hannatu Stephens- reflect upon their experiences as they learn to adjust to life on the outside while talking to the filmmakers who were granted access to them. Margretand Hannatu, are two girls from the group of 82 that were released in May 2017, as they reunite with family and friends. In 2014, 276 Nigerian school girls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok, Northern Nigeria and hidden in the vast Sambisa forest for three years, by Boko Haram, a violent Islamic insurgent movement. A year ago, 82 were released. Stolen Daughters: Kidnapped by Boko Haram tells the story of the girls time in captivity, following their lives over the past year. Stolen Daughters: Kidnapped by Boko Haram's plot Following a global social media campaign with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, featuring global celebrities such as Michelle Obama, huge pressure was brought to bear on the Nigerian Government to get the girls back. Three years later, 103 had been freed and a handful had escaped. Activities for the talent factory officially commenced in the West African region of the project on Monday, October 8, 2018. The 20 trainees from Nigeria and Ghana have begun their 12-month training programme at the academy. ALSO READ: 20 Nigerians, Ghanaians make it to Multichoice Talent Factory According to the academy regional director, Femi Odugbemi, the 20 trainees will be provided with the skillset to ignite their passion, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling. ece-auto-gen "These talented creatives will have the opportunity to know how to make films and tell stories while actually making films and telling stories," Femi Odugbemi said. Continuing, Odugbemi said, "The talented creatives that will go through the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy will be primed as key players in the growth and sustainability of Africas creative film and television industry. As Academy Director, I will be preparing these candidates as future business owners who will in turn, play their own part in building the economy around the industry. Its time that we not only reap the rewards of high-end quality TV and film products, but we also equally benefit from the investments behind the lens. Experts in film industry expect a lot from trainees - Steve Ayorinde The Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Honourable Steve Ayorinde has said the 20 selected trainees for the Multichoice Talent Factory owe a lot to the stakeholders in the film industry, who are expecting a lot from them. ece-auto-gen Ayorinde said this at the launch of the academy on Monday, October 8, 2018 on Victoria Island, Lagos. ALSO READ: All you need to know about Multichoice Talent Factory The commissioner also commended MultiChoice Nigeria for giving the young Nigerians and Ghanaians selected from across the country an opportunity to understand the business of film production. What MultiChoice did deserves huge commendation and these 20 students should consider themselves lucky. They need to acknowledge the fact that stakeholders in the entertainment industry in Nigeria and across the continent expect a lot from them and the students on their part should make good use of this opportunity given to them Ayorinde said. In a statement by the association's president, Isreal Eboh, NANTAP extended the heartfelt condolences of members to the family of Moses Adejumo on the death of the legendary and iconoclastic comic artiste. Describing the passing of Baba Sala as the end of an era, Eboh said this is so because the late Baba Sala as the last of his generation of pioneers of Nigerian theatre. ALSO READ: Baba Sala, the actor who taught king Sunny Ade the basics of Juju music The NANTAP boss said the NANTAP joined the family and other admirers in mourning the elder artiste who had a distinguished career as a thespian. "He brought joy to millions and exemplified the spirit of adventure synonymous with most Nigerians. He created many classics that will ensure his memory lives with us forever" Eboh said. The thespian association boss added further that the late actor has left an indelible mark and an impressive legacy of courage, dedication, hardwork, discipline and commitment to the theatre vocation. Lai Mohammed mourns late actor, Moses Olaiya The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has expressed sadness over the death of Moses Olaiya, popularly known as Baba Sala. Baba Sala died in his Ilesa hometown in Osun State on Sunday evening, October 7, 2018. In a statement on Monday, October 8, 2018, the Minister said the death has robbed the nation of an incomparable thespian and a colossus of his time. The hotel joins the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton, a collection of more than 60 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts celebrated for their individuality and appeal to travellers seeking local and authentic experiences. The stylish hotel is adjacent to the airports private jet terminal and has an exclusive immigrations and customs desk in the hotel for private jet passengers. The hotel is also approximately five kilometres from the domestic terminal and one kilometre from the international terminal. The hotel features 54 spacious guest rooms and suites, unique culinary experiences at De Bull restaurant and bar and Sky Lounge, and extensive business and leisure facilities. For more information, or to make a reservation, visit Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio Collection by Hilto or call +234-1-9044111. During that period, two Nigerian girls named Omotayo and Shola were killed by their bosses in Saudi Arabia. This time, it seems one of those girls, suffering similarly terrible working conditions needed to escape. According to Satellite Times, the unnamed ladys family thought she was in Europe, working. Instead, she was stuck in Saudi Arabia, slaving away at the hands of a terrible boss. She wanted to run away but was prevented by the contract she had signed with the recruitment agencies in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. These agencies are also privy to the terrible treatment these girls are subjected to. This unnamed girl also says that she was kept indoors all day, so she would not run away. ALSO READ: Read about the exploitation of young Nigerian women in Saudi Arabia What changed? She learned that the previous maid to her boss before her was killed by her boss from excessive beating, maltreatment and improper feeding. That maid was Omotayo, the girl who sent a picture of her battered self to her family members. It was then that something snapped in her, she knew only desperate measures would suffice. What ensued was a display of fake madness to make her boss was disinterested in her as possible. She put on tattered clothes, plastered her face with powder and started yelling gibberish, including Yoruba incantations, which both shocked and amazed her boss. She continued this for three days, through which she wasnt fed, nor did she drink water. On the second day, her boss placed a call to the recruitment agency to query why she got an insane maid. After no reasonable explanation was forthcoming, the boss had her put on a plane, possibly deported She survived. According to Satellite Times, Omotayo had sent a picture of her battered self to her loved ones before she sadly passed away from the excessive battery. Shola was beaten and was not fed, she also passed away in sad circumstances. They say extreme conditions trigger extreme measures. You remember those wicked seniors in Secondary Boarding Schools you had to fake-faint for so they would stop beating you? This is a modern representation of one of those situations. Mrs Otike-Odibi, was arraigned in June on a two-count charge of murder and misconduct contrary to Section 165 (b) and 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 165 (b) provides a five-year imprisonment while Section 223 stipulates death for a convict. She allegedly committed the offences on May 3, 2018, at Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos State. The three witnesses were, friend of the family, Stanley Grange-Koko; the deceaseds sister, Dr Anwuli Akwukwuma and the deceaseds brother, Andrew Otiko-Odibi. The first witness, Stanley Grange-Koko, friend to the deceaseds sister, Dr Anwuli Akwukwuma another witness in the matter. Grange-Koko lives in the same estate as the embattled couple and got a disturbing call that night from Akwukwuma that her brother and his wife were having grave problems and that Udeme was threatening her husband with a knife. ece-auto-gen According to Premium Times, he says, When I got to their house, there was no response at the gate and no noise from their house so I went back to my house. Grange-Koko also reveals that he was compelled to visit the couple around 5:30 am when he received another call from Akwukwuma that her brother had been stabbed. He continues, When we broke down the door, I didnt see anybody but when I checked the bathroom, I saw blood everywhere and I traced the blood to the bedroom door but it was locked. With the help of security men, we broke down the door and I saw the defendant and her husband on the bed in a pool of blood. The defendants head was dangling off the bed and his (the husbands) intestines were outside. I ran out of the room and met Anwuli at the door, I tried stopping her from going in but she insisted and went in. ece-auto-gen For her testimony, family physician and sister to the deceased, Dr Anwuli Akwukwuma says that she received a call from her mother that her brother was under threat to life from his wife around 10:30 pm. In turn, she started placing calls out to friends around the state, and Grange-Koko returned her call. ALSO READ: Abuja woman stabbed to death by her Nanny In her words, When I got off the phone with my mother, I started calling both of my brothers lines but he didnt pick. After a while, Udeme picked up and I asked what was going on and she said a lot was going on and dropped the call. At about 3 a.m, I received a call from Mr Charles, Udeme sisters husband who requested to speak to my husband, I put it on speaker and he told my husband that Udemes mum called him that my brother and his wife were in a fight. Immediately he dropped the call, I started calling friends and Mr Stanley called me back that he had been there but there was no response at the gate and no noise from the house. At around 5 a.m, I received a call from Maureen, Udemes friend that she was called by Udemes mother that Udeme had stabbed my brother. At that point, I picked up my kit and got into my car. I called Mr Stanley and told him what I heard, asking that he go over to the house and help me break down the doors as I am on my way to the estate. When I got to the house, they had broken down the front door and I can hear them breaking down the bedroom door. They tried to stop me from going into the bedroom but I told them I had to see him. I saw my brother already cold and stiff and after preliminary examinations, I concluded he couldnt have been dead lesser than four hours ago. His intestines were out and he was holding something in his right hand, there was blood on the floor and walls. I checked on Udeme and realised she is still breathing but her pulse is weak so I called them to take her to the hospital, I couldnt do a proper examination on her. A policeman asked me if I was sure they lived alone and I said yes. Then he asked if I realised that his genitals were cut off and that was when it dawned on me that what I noticed he was holding in his right hand was his genitals. The third witness was the deceaseds brother, Andrew Otiko-Odibi through whom his deceased brother met the defendant. He claims he had known the defendant for more than 25 years as they were colleagues at Diamond Bank. He corroborated everything his sister said. He, however, initially thought it was just another one of those fights and didnt take it to heart. In his testimony, he says, I and the defendant were colleagues at Diamond bank and we maintained a relationship even after I left the bank, he said. Up until December 2017, I would say that they had a normal marriage with the normal fights but when I didnt see the defendant at our yearly gathering at my moms place, I asked my brother what was going on and he said she travelled to the UK for medicals. My brother also travelled during the New Year and when he got back he was very upset. He sent me a Whatsapp message which contained a letter the defendant had written to his friends wife accusing the friend of infidelity and asked me if this is the person I call a friend. He came to my office two days later and we talked about it. He said he was done with the marriage but I counselled him and told him to allow the Holy Spirit minister to him and he should continue with his marriage. The last time I spoke to my brother in his house, he said he no longer eats at home since she got back from the UK in April and he wants to travel to the USA to clear his head by 7th of May. Mr Andrew said he also spoke to the defendant, several times, about the need to settle her problems with the deceased. The last time we spoke I took her for lunch and told her to relax and take things easy. I even asked her if she had learnt anything from what happened with my brother and she said she had learnt not to push him and I said that was a good lesson to have learnt. In our talks, her major complaints was that his friends send him pornographic videos and pictures on Whatsapp and he is refusing to cut them off. She said she had even confronted one of them in the US and he feels it was wrong of her to have done that. I told her to let him be and pray for him as it is impossible to change a 50 years old man. The NDLEA charge, marked FHC/L/2c/2012, reads that Konyeaso and Chidi conspired to aid one Victor Keyamo to export 3.3kg of cocaine. According to Punch, during the course of the matter, Konyeaso was granted bail by the court and he has since been on the run, with the Law firmly on his tail. Its on this run that he has been convicted in all four counts, pressed against him. His wife has however been discharged and acquitted of all charge. Prosecuting counsel for NDLEA, Mrs. Iwuchukwu Ahaji, argued that the couple committed the offence in July 2007 at their Plot 729 Atere, Omole Estate, Ikeja, Lagos residence, contrary to sections 14(b), 19 and 12 of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and are liable to be punished under the same law. His sentence has however not been pronounced by Justice Mohammed Idris. Chidi had in the course of the matter informed court that her husband refused to come home since he learned that NDLEA operatives searched and found the 3.3kg of cocaine in their apartment, abandoning their her and their three children. Elgin's panhandling ordinance states it is "not intended to regulate or restrict the content of any personal solicitation other than to prohibit threatening, abusive or false or misleading speech that is not protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and to restrict the immediate receipt of funds in certain nonpublic forums." The angle was simple; celebrity means power that ignites a following, viral potential, and loyalty from large sections of individuals that follow the action of or even idolize these celebrities. The Stan culture, the internet, and the social media era have revolutionized the status of celebrities to near demi-gods. The means of information dissemination has been so significantly abridged by social media activity that with a single swipe of the finger from a particular celebrity, influence can reveal the fate of certain phenomena or even politician. ALSO READ: Did Davido influence the Osun gubernatorial elections? Taylor Swift 24 hours ago, multi-platinum recording artist and pop star, Taylor Swift took to her Instagram account @taylorswift to urge people in her home state of Tennessee, in the United States to register for the November 6, 2018 polls she also told them she would be voting in the elections. Importantly, she canvassed for votes against, Republican, Marsha Blackburn because, "She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. "She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives." Galvanizing people against Blackburn, she says, "So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do." The results were simple, the registration site recorded its second busiest day of 2018 with 155,490 unique visitors after the National Voters Registration Day. In a nutshell, the Instagram post led 65,000 people to register for the upcoming polls, underlining the power of celebrity to tip the scales and swing the pendulum towards a particular candidate or cause. Earlier this year, the actions or inactions of celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Rihanna in boycotting the social media site, Snapchat led to a significant slump in share pricing and in turn market capitalization of the company. The company lost $1.3 billion in market value according to Bloomberg Business. In 2015, the Lagos State Gubernatorial race received a massive facelift of the cool and swank when acts like Ice Prince, Yemi Alade, MI Abaga and Olamide recorded a song titled, "Gbabe" in support of then-contestant, Akinwumi Ambode the song became an anthem that arguably endeared people towards Ambode and kept his name in conversations, despite being slightly obscure and unknown to the masses or mekunu at the time. The power of celebrity is so pivotal to campaigns these days that whatever they endorse is sure to get a kick up the backside and experience some upturn in fortune. The Nigerian reluctance to get a PVC Like what Tennessee was experiencing in the reluctance to participate in the election, potentially electing a problematic politican, unknown to them, probably due to grievances with the government of the day, Nigeria has been experiencing similar reluctance, especially from millennials to obtain the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), the symbol of eligibility to vote during the 2019 general elections. The grievances with the current government are well-documented, and that is the reason why certain influencers have started the #GetYourPVC hashtag to ensure Nigerians participate and kick underperforming politicians out, especially when advents like #NotTooYoungToRun is considered. But despite their best efforts, turn-outs are still not at optimum level. ALSO READ: How to get your PVC for the 2019 general elections Also despite the compelling reasons, several millennials like this scribbler are still significantly disinterested in getting their PVC because they feel the electoral corruption is far too steep, that whatever they do, the central government they want out might yet win again. They fear their vote will not count for much and those fears are valid. Asides that, the stressful exercise to get this PVC is unreasonable. A lot of people spend bare hours in the sun to get this simple card and it goes further to exemplify the problem with Nigeria that increases cynicism in the minds like mine of an already averse person to the idea of getting that PVC. People feel like Nigeria is not good enough to warrant such dedication to a cause that might only be good enough to foster manipulation of numbers and to justify rigging, come 2019. Nigerian millennials dont even celebrate independence. Some people even obtained this PVC because they needed it as a means of identity, or probably due to the absence of a National Passport, Drivers License or National ID card, OR towards doing more personally profitable causes like opening a bank account or getting a job OR securing a way to get out of Nigeria, to a distant western colony. ALSO READ: Nigerian millennials don't care about independence day The question then remains; with these documented issues, can any celebrity significantly sway already cynical Nigerians like Taylor Swift? The answer is simple; not really. Yes, endorsement of the PVC cause from a much-loved celebrity to get a PVC will go some way, but Nigeria is a different animal altogether. Americans usually love their country more than Nigerians currently do. Most Nigerians, especially millennials couldnt give Nigerian a second, except it pays them mad dividends and its not their fault. The country doesnt inspire much loyalty or love from her citizens and its problems seem to only fester as years become decades and decades roll into centuries. Celebrities are already galvanizing Nigerians to go get their PVC, but it has not worked. No amount of celebrity charge will inspire Nigerians to get that PVC in those numbers, it seems. The reason is equally simple... There is a fundamental reason for such stoic cynicism The reason is Nigeria, a country people, especially see as not worthy of their loyalty, time or energy, except personal gratification is involved. It is this simple reason why no amount of celebrity endorsement will inspire Nigerians to get the PVC like Taylor Swift has rallied her fellow Tennessee natives to register for the upcoming polls. The Gade tribe and settlements are predominantly found in parts of the FCT, Nassarawa and Niger states. Brief History The Babye, popularly known as Gade people, can be traced back to their first ancestors called Adakpu. Adakpu migrated from the Congo-Niger Basin through Sudan to Kano area in search of farmland, in the year 1068 AD. They settled in the Gadawur area, present Jigawa State, with their leader Gakingakuma during the reign of Tsamiya, the then Emir of Kano, till 1075 AD when Tsamiya was succeeded by Bagaudu. In the course of their migration, they joined other Kwararafa lineage such as Jukuns, Igala, Alago, Afo, Korn and Egburra. ece-auto-gen When the Gade leader, Gakingakuma, died, it led to the mass exodus of the people from Kano to the Doma area in the present Nasarawa State. Gade is actually a corruption of the word Ngade meaning, "I said", a name adopted because the Hausa people wanted to distinguish between Gade and Maguzawa. Within themselves, they are known as Babye. The group can further be split into the Gazargawa, Zadawa, Sheme, Gadawa and Tokarawa tribes. Today, the Gade can be found majorly in the North Central region of Nigeria. In the FCT, the Gade settlements include Yanga, Kurudu, Anguwa Gade Gwagwalada, Anguwan Gade Dobi, Anguwan Gade Tungan Maje, and Anguwan Gade Dabi and Sabo. Economy The Gade people engage in many activities for economic purposes, but mainly, farming and hunting are their main occupation. Their women are good weavers of clothes and makers of baskets. Culture and beliefs ece-auto-gen This ethnic group are predominantly of Islamic religion but have mystic and traditional beliefs. During their festivals, memorial ceremomies and occasions such as the Annual Gade Cultural Festival, there are masquerades that come out to display such as Adakpu masquerade, Zurukpukpu masquerade, the masquerade for women Kakamauwu and the Zurunuba masquerade. At their festivals, some of their mystic displays include pounding of millet with a mortar placed on the abdomen of an old man and young men slicing every part of the bodies with sharp knives. Language This meal is actually just an omlet with vegetables rolled in bread, very similar to the egg and plantain frittata. You can add whatever vegetables or garnishing you want to have a full serving. Cooking time 25 minutes Recipe category Breakfast Recipe cuisine Ugandan Cooking method Frying Recipe Yield 1 serving Ingredients Instructions 1. Wash and finely chop your ingredients. 2. Crack your eggs in a bowl and add the chopped ingredients. Mix till well combined. 3. Heat a frying pan and oil slightly. Pour the eggs into the pan in a flat circle and cook till back is slightly browned. Flip to the other side and cook for some more minutes. 4. Place the Chapati bread on top and allow to warm up. 5. Remove both from heat and leave to cook a bit. When cool, roll the chapati and omlet together (with the bread being the outerlayer) to form the rolex. Tanzania is one of the many countries in East Africa and an affordable travel location. It boasts a vast wild life with the Serengeti national park harbouring the 'big 5 games' - lion, elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, and white/black rhinoceros. It is also home to Mountain Kilimanjaro which is Africa highest mountain. Tanzania's gorgeous island of Zanzibar was just named one of the hottest travel spots for Nigerians in 2018. It was also one of the 29 African countries Nigerians could visit without a visa. Nigerians could either get it at the border or apply for the visa while in Nigeria. However, this change in visa processing will eliminate the option of visa-on-arrival for Nigerians as well as other countries such as Mali, Niger, Yemen, Somalia, etc. What does this mean? Now, Nigerian travellers will have to apply for a Tanzanian tourist visa at the Embassy or have the Tanzanian host apply for them. Applicants are expected to submit the following, in addition to the processing fee, to the Tanzanian Embassy in Abuja: The bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Tanzania works on reciprocal system so a change in visa policy in one country will reflect on that country's citizens in Nigeria i.e. Tanzanian visitors to Nigeria will also now have their visa-on-arrival option withdrawn. Buharis request came in a letter dated July 23, and read by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, at plenary on Tuesday. The president said the amount, approved in the 2018 Appropriation Act, would be used to finance deficits and key infrastructure projects in the 2018 budget. The loan, according to him, will be raised from Eurobonds and other securities in the international capital market. In the same letter, Buhari also sought legislative nod for an external capital sourcing of 82.54 million dollars to refinance the balance of 500 million dollar matured Eurobonds in the international capital market. Buhari said the requests were pursuant to Section 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act of 2003. The lawmakers on Tuesday resumed from their annual recess, which began on July 25. Although, the break was earlier scheduled to end on Sept. 25, it was extended to Oct. 9 to enable them to participate in the just-concluded primaries of their political parties. In another letter dated Sept. 10, the president requested Senate to confirm the appointment of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede as Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This is coming amid the pending confirmation of Mr Ibrahim Magu, whose nomination by the president as substantive Chairman of the EFCC has been rejected twice by the lawmakers. Also requested by the president was Senate consideration and approval of N346 billion as the 2018 budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The figure is N18 billion lower than the N364 billion budget approved for the commission in the 2017 fiscal year. A breakdown of the proposed amount shows a total recurrent expenditure of N32 billion and cumulative capital provision of N314 billion. The president listed sources of revenue for the commission in 2018 to include Federal Government contribution (N81.8 billion) and unpaid arrears by the Federal Government (N33.9 billion). Others are contributions from oil companies and others (N220 billion) and other realised income (N150 million). Buhari also presented an Executive Bill titled Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Bill, 2018 to the Senate for consideration and passage. In a separate letter dated July 20, Buhari said the bill was intended to curtail illegal activities of pirates at sea and to reduce oil theft in domestic and international waters. He added that the proposed legislation would also domesticate relevant provisions of international treaties to which Nigeria is signatory. One of the treaties, according to the president, is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS II) relating to piracy. The APC national leader said this at a symposium organised by The Nation and TV Continental, with the themed: Towards an Enduring Peace. According to Vanguard, Tinubu, was represented by an Executive Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Sunday Dare also said that the crisis was not political. According to the APC leader, the crisis is as a result of scarcity of water. He said The government must help herders gradually shift from their traditional nomadic existence to a more static lifestyle. We have to face the reality that modernity is making the nomadic way counterproductive and inefficient. An acutely thirsty man remembers neither Bible nor Quran very well until his thirst is quenched. Dire need often pushes a man to behave as if bereft of compassion for a person in equally dire circumstance. No doubt the problem has exacerbated during the past decade. We must assume climate change plays a role. Herdsmen react On his part, the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bodejo called for herdsmen who were arrested in Benue state as a result of the anti-grazing law to be released. He also said that the military should stop bombarding herdsmen communities. The recent anti-grazing laws enacted by some states should be suspended as the laws have become a recipe for conflicts. The immediate release from detention of hundreds of pastoralists languishing in jails without trial particularly those arrested in Benue on the pretext of violating anti-grazing laws, he added. It has nothing to do with Buhari Also, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu who spoke at the event, supported Tinubus stand that the crisis is not political. Ribadu said the crisis had nothing to do with the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari was a Fulani man. The former EFCC boss said People have continued to misunderstand what is going on. President Buhari has nothing to do with what is going on. In fact, the Fulani are even angry with him because they think he has abandoned them. They think he is listening to the others and that he meets people from Benue, Plateau and never gave them an audience. They are saying that he gave billions of naira to others as victims but has not given them anything. But the Buhari I know is just an honest man. He is not taking sides in this struggle, but he cannot change himself because he is a Fulani man or claim that he is no more a Fulani man because it has become an issue. You can hardly see any nomadic Fulani man that is part of a state assembly or the National Assembly and they form about 15 to 20 million of the population and they are marginalised. They are not in any way benefiting from what is happening in the country today. There has been only one attempt to address the problem and that was the nomadic education programme. Many of those who participated in the nomadic education programme are PhD holders today and those that are working are helping their communities. Other than that, I have not seen any effort geared towards solving their problem. Buhari had earlier blamed the crisis between herders and farmers on the late Libyan president, Muammar Gaddafi. Addressing the repented militants on Tuesday in Uyo, the state Deputy Gov. Mr Moses Ekpo, commended them for renouncing their actions after they surrendered their weapons to the amnesty committee. The committee is made up of heads of security agencies in the state. Ekpo said the state government had signed an undertaking on their behalf, to protect them from harassment by security agencies and drawn up a rehabilitation programme that would reform their lives. He said that with their action, the crisis ridden and deserted communities would begin to experience a new lease of life. The deputy governor promised that work would soon begin on projects abandoned by contractors due to insecurity. Government is proud that most of you have said you want to live a meaningful life. I am glad that some of you say you want to work in the security agencies and want to rise to the level of even a police commissioner. Government is happy with you and will give all of you start up skills and education to enable you realise your dreams in life, Ekpo said. In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Samuel Ogunjemilusi, commended the former cultists for their commitment to the restoration of peace in their communities. He urged them to surrender the remaining weapons in their custody so as not to be tempted to use them to commit crime again. The security agencies in the state are committed to the success of the amnesty programme and restoration of lasting peace in the area, Ogunjemilusi said. He, however, warned that the amnesty would only cover their past and not those crimes committed after the amnesty programme. One of the leaders of the repentant cultists, Unyime Ibanga, alias Overcomer, thanked the state government and security agencies for the opportunity given them to live normal lives again. Ibanga pledged the commitment of his members to the restoration of lasting peace in the state. ALSO READ: How FG fights militants over control of oil in Niger Delta He said that unfulfilled promises from government was a reason for their violent actions and called on the state government to keep to its promise of rehabilitating them. Ibanga said the rehabilitation became necessary so that he and his colleagues would not be tempted to return to crime. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rehabilitation process for the 264 men who surrendered from Ukanafun Local Government Area has started. The struggle for economic resources like land and water between farmers and nomadic cattle herders, usually of the Fulani extraction, has led to a lot of bloodshed in the country. More than 1,000 people have been killed this year alone in attacks credited to herdsmen in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna and a host of other states. While speaking at a two-day national summit on conflict resolution on Monday, October 8, 2018, Ribadu said the country has not made any concrete efforts to integrate the Fulanin tribe who make up "15 to 20 million of the population". He said the Fulani people are constantly in search of land for their animals because they don't have lands of their own and will continue to be a problem as long as the situation persists. He said, "Nomads are normally landless people who have animals to take care of and, in doing that, there is likely going to be a problem. "There is also the issue of continuous migration and the attendant problem on ecology and this has continued to put pressure on the system. That is why in Nigeria today, there has been a problem and we have failed to address the fundamental issue. "We forget that people who are landless will continue to be a problem and part of the problem we are facing today is these people fighting to say we are part of this country. "They want a place of their own where they will be taken care of, but there is resistance. That is why you see what is going on in Zamfara, Birnin Gwari and most of the places. "The Fulani in the town who claim to be part of them, or even their traditional rulers who claim to be their leaders, dont understand what they are going through. They are people who are completely out of everything. "You can hardly see any nomadic Fulani man that is part of state assembly or the National Assembly and they form about 15 to 20 million of the population and they are marginalised. They are not in any way benefiting from what is happening in the country today. "There has been only one attempt to address the problem and that was the nomadic education programme. Many of those who participated in the nomadic education programme are PhD holders today and those are working are helping their communities. Other than that, I have not seen any effort geared towards solving their problem." Buhari not to blame for herders/farmers crisis - Ribadu The former EFCC boss further defended against allegations that he tolerates the several attacks allegedly launched by Fulani herdsmen because they're his kinsmen. Ribadu noted that Fulani people are actually angry with the president because they believe he's listening to advise from other people on the crisis. "People have continued to misunderstand what is going on. President Buhari has nothing to do with what is going on. The Agencys Manager in the area, Alhaji Yusif Hakimi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia on Tuesday. He said the spread of the disease was mainly caused by the blockage of drainage channels, which served as breeding centres for mosquitoes. Hakimi said that the residents must evolve effective waste disposable scheme involving government and Community Based Organisations to tackle the menace. We must devise a means of continuous drainage of our waste because mosquito eggs are mostly hatched in the drains in our environment, he said. The manager disclosed that the agency had trained 26 medical laboratory technicians in microscopic diagnosis of malaria for more reliable result. He added that the participants were drawn from the existing nine primary health care centres in the area. Although the RDT is faster because it takes just five minutes to get results, the microscopic diagnosis takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get result. Our investigation has shown that the microscopic diagnosis is more reliable and effective, hence the need for this migration. The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a five-count charge bordering on forgery. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Ojo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000, and asked him to provide two responsible sureties as part of the bail conditions. She said one of the sureties must be a property owner in Lagos while the other must be working in a reputable company. Both must be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Earlier, Police Prosecutor Kenrich Nomayo told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 29 at 10.00 a.m at Yaba Magisterial District. He said the accused forged a court judgment with suit no. MCY/368/15 purported to have been prepared by Chief Magistrate Toluwalase Abayomi of Court 4 in Surulere, Lagos. He alleged that the legal practitioner also forged the signature of Mrs Busola Banjo, the registrar of Yaba Magistrates Court. On July 6, the accused also forged the signature of Magistrate O.A. Banjo on a forged judgment with suit no. MCY/103/18 and forged a magistrate court of Lagos State cashier stamp, Nomayo said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Sept. 25, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke after Oseghale was apprehended, had vowed to ensure he was prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others. The Oke had noted that the forgery of orders, rulings and judgments had become rampant in the state. The matter is already in the hands of the police and we will ensure that he is prosecuted. The officers of the Lagos State Judiciary who are involved are willing to testify against him, Oke said. First United Methodist Church bought the property in 1954 to be used as a parsonage. It has not been occupied or used since 2004, according to the news release, when the church purchased a new parsonage at 111 N. Fourth St. According to Daily Post, the young man, who left Zaria on Monday, October 8, 2018, arrived Kaduna on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Bashir told newsmen while in Kaduna state that he hopes to get to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the next five days. Atiku emerged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Bashir said I am really happy with the victory, that is why I am trekking to Abuja to show him that I am with him 100 per cent. Along the way, I will sensitizes thousands of youth to join me in the campaign to make Nigeria great under Atiku as president. I believe that only him can overcome the problems of unemployment, poverty, insecurity, communal and ethno-religious crisis disturbing the peace and stability of the country. Buharis aide mocks Atiku Reactingto Atikus election as PDPs flagbearer for 2019,Lauretta Onochie,Buharis new media aide, said that the ex-VP's emergence has made the work easier for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Onochie also mocked him saying Bearing in mind that you can't go to America to represent us at the United Nations, nor meet with Nigerians in America. He gave the assurance when he received a delegation of Ugep Kingdom, Cross River State, led by His Royal Highness, Obol Ofem Ubana, Obol Lopon of Ugep on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, in Abuja. Buharis statement was in response to a request by the royal father for the Federal Government to intervene and resolve inter-ethnic conflicts, affecting several communities namely Nko, Nyima, Oyadama, Edibe, Usumtong, Adadama and Ekureku. This was made known by the presidency in a statement issued on Twitter, via the handle, @ NGRPresident. Buhari said I assure you that under my watch, no part of Nigeria will be ignored. I am very pleased that you [the traditional ruler] have shared some professional background as a former military officer. My experience of being in the military afforded me the opportunity to work with all Nigerians and this is a lifetime experience. In his remarks, the traditional ruler thanked the President for appointing Yakuur sons into exalted positions in government, including the Chief of Naval Staff, Minister of Niger Delta and Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution. Monarch pledges support The monarch also said that his community will support the Presidents quest to rescue Nigeria. Speaking further, Obol Lopon said: We are increasingly losing our youths to inter-tribal wars which if nothing is done will leave our communities without youths in the near future. As Obolo Lopon of Ugep, I am ready to partner with relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibility and management of communal conflict resolutions. Major Lazer, the American electronic dance music group, comprising Diplo, Jillionaire, and WalshyFire, were in Nigeria as part of a broader Africa tour which has taken them to South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Uganda. Following performances by leading Nigerian disc-jockeys, United States Consul General F. John Bray delivered brief remarks to hundreds of excited music lovers. Tonight we are all here for Major Lazer. Music is the weapon, peace is the mission. As the 2019 general election draws close, I encourage you all to make a commitment to a non-violent and peaceful democratic process, Consul General Bray who was accompanied on stage by leading Nigerian artistes Sound Sultan and Korede Bello remarked just before Major Lazer began their performance. It was a night to remember for the hundreds of fans who thronged the Hard Rock Beach as the electronic dance music trio thrilled the audience with a blend of local and international tunes. Major Lazers visit to Nigeria underscores the strong U.S.-Nigeria cultural and people-to-people ties. The electronic dance music group has recently dropped three singles featuring three popular Nigerian acts Tied Up featuring Mr. Eazi; Loyal featuring Kizz Daniel and All My Life featuring Burna Boy. The Cultural Affairs Office at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos organises a broad range of activities promoting cultural relations between the people of Nigeria and the United States. It all began when the APC issued a press statement alleging that Atiku bought his PDP flagbearer ticket, while warning the former vice president that the Nigerian presidency is not for sale. After accusing Atiku of corruption, the APC said: Atiku is known as a super-rich Nigerian who entrenched the undemocratic practice of buying votes of delegates. During the APC National Convention in 2014, he spent several millions of dollars to buy delegates votes and emerged third, after Buhari and Rabiu Kwankwaso. On Sunday, he reportedly bought over virtually all the PDP delegates and was declared winner of the PDP presidential primaries. With these huge expenses expended to secure the PDP ticket, how will Atiku recoup his investment if not from the public treasury should he win the presidency? We have put together Atikus response to the APC and Buhari in five ways, and its well worth the read. 1. Atiku says the APC primary which handed Buhari an automatic ticket had been criticized by the presidents wife We ask, how can the Buhari Campaign Organisation disparage the PDP primary that produced Atiku, when even the Presidents own wife, Not only did Mrs Buhari condemn the APCs primaries, she described them as unfair and lacking in integrity. Who can know President Buhari better than his wife?, Atiku asked in his statement. 2. Atiku says Buharis emergence as APC flagbearer is fraudulent The statement from the PDP flagbearer reads in parts: 11 aspirants contested against Atiku, during the presidential primary of the PDP. Every single one of them accepted his victory. ece-auto-gen President Buhari was the only candidate cleared by the APC to contest its primary. Yet, a coalition of five aspirants is challenging his victory. That alone tells Nigerians his emergence is fraudulent. 3. Atiku says if he is corrupt, a vindictive Buhari would have long arrested him Here is how it was put: Nigerians know that Atiku Abubakar is the most investigated politician in Nigeria and any smear by the Buhari administration remains just that. With the vindictiveness of President Buhari, he would have arrested Atiku if he had been found wanting. 4. Atiku actually called Buhari lifeless Move over Donald Trump, Atiku now has the mic. Heres Atiku for the records: The choice before Nigerians in 2019 is a simple one. Nigerians have a choice of electing a lively candidate with a record of providing 50,000 jobs to Nigerians in his private capacity versus the of a candidate under whom Nigeria lost 11 million jobs and became the world headquarters for extreme poverty. Nigerians have a choice of a man who will provide an efficient and business-friendly solution to the herdsmen crisis and a man whose government said giving land for cattle ranching is better than death. 5. Atiku says the APC primary was obviously rigged However, to set the record straight, we want to remind Nigerians that the Atiku Abubakar got 1,532 votes in a contest televised live to millions of Nigerians. As both chambers of the National Assembly resumed legislative duties after over two-month recess, most Nigerians were expecting fireworks from the legislature Senate, especially. During the break, Saraki dumped the ruling APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His decision was greeted with threats of impeachment from the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. APCs acting spokesman Yekini Nabena at the moment. Delta lawmaker, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. But, as lawmakers arrived the for plenary on Tuesday morning, the mood was rather sober. APC Primaries You see, the APC primaries have humbled some of these Senators who stuck their neck out for the party, a source told . Only a few of them got the ticket of the party. Most of them are not coming back. Senate spokesman, Abdullahi Sabi, and his colleagues from Niger did not win during the primary election in the state. In Lagos, Senator Gbenga. Senator Shehu Sani's fate of returning to the upper legislative chamber is currently hanging in the balance as Governor Nasir El-Rufais candidate, Uba Sani, is just few hours away from being handed the APC certificate of return for Kaduna Central Senatorial District. In Delta state, Senator Omo-Agege has not been handed the ticket. Saraki also lost his presidential bid to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, at the PDP primary election in Port Harcourt. The source said most lawmakers who spoke during executive session had dropped their bows and arrows. Most of these guys are yet to recover from the shock from the primaries. They have decided to set politics aside and give peace a chance. In the coming days, they will be no fights as they all agreed to focus on national issues, the source announced. "The members agreed to give peace a chance and avoid allowing the red chamber of the Federal Legislature to degenerate into an arena of conflict over partisan and personal issues. "The APC Caucus leadership also extracted a promise from the Senate President that national interest will continue to take precedence over any other consideration in the activities of the Senate. "The Senators agreed not to allow external forces and influence to cause disaffection, disturbance or crisis within the legislature," the source declared. As at press time, senators Abdullahi Adamu and Omo-Agege were yet to pick calls or reply text messages sent to them by our reporter. Saraki's spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu, was also not available for comments on the matter. The Minister stated this on Monday in Abuja when he paid advocacy visit to the headquarters of Daar Communication Plc, owner of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio stations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the minister was at the media house to drum support for the National Campaign Against Fake News launched by the Federal Government on July 11. Fielding questions from members of Board and Management of Daar Communication and some newsmen at the event, the minister expressed the confidence that Nigerians would make the right choice in President Muhammadu Buhari n 2019. The stark choice for Nigerians in the 2019 election is either to go back to the past a sordid corruption lading past or a brighter future, which beckons as represented by President Muhammadu Buhari. I am, however, very confident that Nigerians will make the right choice, he said. On the fake news phenomenon, the minister said it was assuming a dangerous dimension, especially as the nation approached the 2019 general elections. He disclosed how fake news was used to almost scuttle the recent Osun governorship election won by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mohammed also said the recent fake news on the release of Sharibu Leah from Boko Haram captivity had serious security implications. There is no better time to intensify the campaign against fake news, especially as we approach the 2019 general elections. The enemies of democracy will explore the phenomenon of fake news even more than before. "As you witnessed in the last Osun governorship election, especially the rerun, about 16 PDP members were arrested by the Police for impersonating international observers to perpetrate violence. But, within minutes, the whole story was turned as if it was APC stalwarts that were arrested. This is the power of fake news." The minister continued: A few days ago also, news circulated in the social media that Sharibu Leah has been released. You can imagine how much trauma this would have caused the parents of Leah, the embarrassment it has caused the country, as well as its security implications. This is why we believe that fake news, if not checked or stopped, it has the potential to destroy than a civil war, he said. The minister also reiterated that the Farmers/Herdsmen clashes was being given ethnic and religious coloration by the fake news purveyors to cause crises in the country. He stressed that the clashes were as a result of demography, climate change which necessitated struggle for scarce resources and in some cases, sheer criminality. Mohammed, however, noted that the campaign against fake news being championed by his Ministry had yielded results. This campaign has succeeded in creating national awareness against fake news and brought the issue to the front burner. Since we launched the campaign there have been national discourse and lectures against fake news. Only recently, Facebook has indicated interest to, along with other policy makers, come and have discussions with us on how to combat the menace of fake news, he said. Mohammed also said that fake news as a global issue, various countries had devised various means including legislation and punitive measures to combat the menace. He reiterated that the Federal Government would not censor, coerce or make legislation against fake news. We intend to leverage on the sense of responsibility of all our media organisations, who also recognise the fact that if they do not self regulate it will lead to self destruction, he said. The minister appealed to Daar communication to support the government in the campaign. Mr Tony Akiotu, the Group Managing Director of Daar Communication gave the assurances of his organisation to support the government in the campaign. Even though the 2019 presidential election is expected to be keenly-contested between President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives' Congress (APC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, of the the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Nigerians have been clamouring for a third choice that could upset the candidates of Nigeria's two leading parties. With a third force pool that includes candidates like Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Omoyele Sowore of the Africa Action Congress (AAC), and Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), it could be argued that Nigerians are spoilt for choice. However, none of these candidates, or the two leading candidates, can boast of being annointed by the divine power of Jesus Christ. The one person that can boast of such divine mandate is Apostle Sunday Chukwu-Eguzolugo of Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP). How Jesus annointed Chukwu-Eguzolugo as presidential candidate Chukwu-Eguzolugo was announced as the party's flagbearer after he won at its primary election on Friday, October 5, 2018. While other parties elected their candidates through delegates and party members, Chukwu-Eguzolugo's victory was engineered by the endorsement of the party's so-called Wise Men, a 16-member committee. "The wise men are people that have integrity to be able to vote," explained the committee's national coordinator, Chief Charles Otis. Even though Chukwu-Eguzolugo needed a mundane election supervised by INEC's watchful eyes to be declared the party's candidate, he was already annointed by a higher power before last week. According to a statement signed by the party's national chairman, Olusegun Ijagbemi, Chukwu-Eguzolugo's spiritual inauguration took place on September 17 in a dream. The way he describes it, the candidate had had a dream around 2:00am where he knelt down in the midst of Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Enoch Adeboye and Jesus Christ. In Ijagbemi's own words, he said, "While he was in the midst of the three of them, Papa Adeboye laid hands on him together with Bishop Oyedepo and Christ said that heaven is celebrating the birth of the new party that will establish God's system of government in Nigeria in a very short time. "And Christ said to him 'Fear not, you're sent with this divine mandate to the nation NIGERIA'. "I have appointed a party for my nation NIGERIA, a party of my own, and I will shake other political parties and shake out the just out of them and plant them into my own party, and they shall dwell and move no more, neither shall the wicked rulers afflict Nigeria as before time. This is how the symbol of the rainbow in the logo came about. "The LORD said to him again, that in this dispensation of His era in Nigeria, JMPP shall be established on top of the mountain and it shall be exalted above all the parties, and it shall give light to our nation, Africa and the rest of the world, and all nations shall model their lifestyle after the New NIGERIA." JMPP is God-sent to Nigeria While Chukwu-Eguzolugo's divine annointment might come as a shock to many, it's merely a continuation of the party's unique standing in Nigeria's political space. Chukwu-Eguzolugo, it turns out is the party's founder, and that only came about in another dream that he had while sleeping in the house of his Muslim friend in Kebbi State in 2010. This is why he's fondly called "Vision Bearer". In Ijagbemi's words, "He was born on 20th August, 1979, and he was the Chief Executive of his clearing and forwarding agency, Phildelson W. A Ltd at International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, until 1995 when he started experiencing supernatural encounters indicating a divine assignment for the rescue of the nation from corruption and self destruction and her restoration into a glorious future beyond human imagination. "In 2010, he accompanied his friend, Hon. Bello Kaoje to Kebbi for a political rally and while asleep in his friend's bedroom, he saw heaven open and a gift in a very big white envelope came down unto his hands with the name written on it in gold, later interpreted to him as JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL PARTY (JMPP)." According to the party's official 'About' page, JMPP is a divinely established revolutionary party consisting of Christians and Muslims that fear the Almighty, with answers delivered by the Almighty to all national problems and questions. The Almighty's vision, as shown to Chukwu-Eguzolugo, directed that JMPP must raise a godly government which must ensure justice, fear of God, truth, righteousness, peaceful co-existence, and unity that would restore Nigeria back to the original purpose of God, to be the leader-country in Africa. When executive members were inaugurated in June 2018, they swore to righteous deadly oaths. The oath employed three ordinances of the Earth, the Sun and the Blood, stipulating that any member who takes it and goes against its tenets will die. Executive members stood barefooted on sand, held on to the Holy Book, looked at the sun and then took the oath that was sealed by a cleric. JMPP will change Nigeria's name, currency Part of JMPP's plans for Nigeria includes changing the name of the country to Pisonia and the currency from Naira to Pison. According to Ijagbemi, the leadership of JMPP has got a wind of how the country is being impoverished with its currency and will correct this when in government. He also noted that the country will be fenced and its citizenship laws will be reviewed so as to promote citizens' welfare and security of lives and property. "This party is going to fence Nigeria and create only regulated route for people to come in and go out of the country," he said. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the advice in at the Workshop for election professionals from the Commonwealth Africa Region on Monday in Abuja. Yakubu reminded remind political parties and candidates that the end of primaries did not mean the immediate commencement of campaigns. Section 99(1) prohibits campaigns by political parties earlier than 90 days before polling day. Therefore, going by the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the Commission, campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on Nov. 18. Campaign for Governorship and State Assembly elections begin on Dec. 1. I call upon political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to these dates, he said Yakubu said that with the conclusion of primaries by political parties yesterday, the next activity was the commencement of the process of nomination of candidates to the commission. He reminded political parties that the dates for the submission of list of candidates (Form CFOO2) and their personal particulars (Forms C1001) for presidential and National Assembly elections were from Oct 10 to Oct.18. Yakubu added that the date for the governorship and State Assembly elections was Oct. 22 and Nov. 2. The commission will receive the submission from political parties at Aso Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, from 9.a.m to 4.p.m. daily. Although we have communicated these dates to all political parties, let me reiterate that there will be no extension of time. Similarly, in making submissions to the commission, the covering letters as well as the list of candidates must be duly signed by the National Chairmen and National Secretaries of political patties in line with the commissions Guidelines. Yakubu said that the workshop and its theme Strengthening Electoral Democracy in the Commonwealth African Region were topical and relevant. He said that all the countries of the Commonwealth, Africa region, needed to further consolidate on election process so that elections were not merely periodic but also peaceful and credible. Bringing election managers together to share experiences and build capacities is a critical step to the consolidation of electoral democracy. Yakubu said that participants would be taken through five interrelated sub-themes; ranging from the promotion of sustainable electoral democracy, strategic planning, gender and elections, electoral technology to elections and new media. He said that hosting it in Nigeria was an indication that the Commonwealth was taking notice of the progressive improvement in the country electoral process. The workshop participants are from all the 19 Commonwealth countries in Africa except Mozambique which is scheduled to hold its Municipal elections on Oct. 10. Ghana National Electoral Commissions Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa in his remark, said that the conduct of elections would always bring out new challenges. He said that the workshop would enable electoral officers in the region to proffer solutions to their various electoral challenges. Bawa urged all electoral managers to be resolute in the discharge of their national duties, adding that the impact of poorly conducted election would not be felt in the country where it took place. INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye said the event came at a period when INEC was at the middle of organising general elections. Okoye said the gathering comprised those that organised elections in their respective countries. He added that looking at challenges and sharing ideas in the Commonwealth African countries would give the commission firsthand knowledge on how things were been done. Recall that Sanwo-olu was backed by godfather Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a cast of APC chieftains in Lagos to halt incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambodes second term bid. understands that the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Campaign Office (BOSCO) is situated at N0 58/60 Oduduwa Crescent in the GRA Ikeja area of Lagos. Sanwo-Olu has also settled for Obafemi Hamzat as his running mate, insiders in his campaign structure have told Pulse. Sanwo-Olu and Ambode appear to have mended fences after a bitter primary election campaign in which Ambode called his opponent an insane politician who was arrested for splashing fake dollars at a nite club in the United States,and who has spent time at a Rehab. At the APC convention of Saturday, October 6, 2018, Sanwo-Olu, former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola, incumbent Governor Ambode and godfather Tinubu, were photographed shaking hands and grinning broadly together. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! He was just really shaken, after something like that, said Evanston Fire Department Division Chief Paul Polep. We just went up there to assist him getting down, which I think he was really grateful for. The National Assembly had hurriedly embarked on a legislative recess during its July 24 plenary amid a controversial clampdown on its leadership with security operatives laying siege on Saraki's residence as well as that of Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. Shortly after the recess, Saraki dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as he accused the party of witch-hunting him for undemocratic reasons. His defection has triggered unrelenting calls from the ruling party, with its slight majority in the Senate, for Saraki to resign his position or face impeachment. During the recess, the party repeatedly called for the leader of the National Assembly to reconvene lawmakers to approve the budget for the 2019 general elections that had been sent by President Muhammadu Buhari in July. Many people believed this was a ploy to carry out Saraki's impeachment. APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, has repeatedly boasted in public that Saraki will be removed as Senate President in a democratic manner if he does not hounourably step down. Even though the National Assemby was initially scheduled to resume on September 25, it was postponed for a further two weeks due to the primary elections that were being conducted by political parties. With the elections done, the Senate President will now face his opposition at plenary for the first time since the threat for him to step down or be impeached was made. This is coming just days after he lost the presidential ticket of the PDP to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, leaving his future in the Senate past 2019 uncertain. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, might also face some impeachment threat of his own after he also more recently dumped the APC for the PDP. In a statement signed by Saraki's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, he said the Oshiomhole is too pre-occupied with the lawmaker instead of resolving his own party's issues. The statement is a response to one earlier released on Tuesday by the APC's acting national publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, where he described the loss of the Senate President in the presidential primary election of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as a disappointing performance that proves he cannot be trusted. The party said Saraki's performance is a clear indication that the PDP delegates are fed up with his political style, noting that he cannot be trusted to keep agreements in political circles. In Saraki's reply, he said Oshiomhole and Nabena have dragged the APC to a very low level. The statement read, "We have noted the irresponsible statement issued by the APC spokesman, Yekini Nabena. We know that he and the leadership of the APC are always incensed and disturbed at the mere hearing of the name, Saraki. "It is also notable that Nabena and the APC are always concerned about the developments in the opposition party, the PDP. "However, we believe that with the 'civil war' that Adams Oshiomhole and Yekini Nabena have ignited in the APC and the very low level that they have dragged the party, in such manner that the ruling party is wallowing in confusion and disorganization, they have too much to pre-occupy them than to be poking their noses in what happens to Saraki of the PDP." 3G UMTS HSDPA: High Speed Downlink Packet Access 3G UMTS HSDPA, High Speed Downlink Packet Access enables high speed packet data up to 14.4 Mbps to be carried in the downlink of 3G UMTS 3H HSPA includes: 3G HSPA introduction HSDPA HSDPA channels HSDPA categories HSUPA HSUPA categories HSUPA channels Evolved HSPA (HSPA+) Dual carrier HSPA 3G HSDPA High Speed Downlink Packet Access provides additional capability to the basic 3G UMTS cellular telecommunications system. HSDPA was the first upgrade along the path to HSPA which enabled high speed data to be carried in both directions. However as much more data was carried in the downlink direction, HSDPA was standardised and implemented first to provide the maximum benefit as soon as possible. HSDPA technologies The 3G HSDPA upgrade includes several changes that are built onto the basic 3GPP UMTS standard. While some are common to the companion HSUPA technologies added to the uplink, others are specific to HSDPA High Speed Downlink Packet Access, because the requirements for the each direction differ. Additional channels: In order to be able to transport the data in the required fashion, and to provide the additional responsiveness of the system, additional channels have been added which are described in further detail below. In order to be able to transport the data in the required fashion, and to provide the additional responsiveness of the system, additional channels have been added which are described in further detail below. Modulation: One of the keys to the operation of HSDPA is the use of an additional form of modulation. Originally W-CDMA had used only QPSK as the modulation scheme, however under the new system16-QAM which can carry a higher data rate, but is less resilient to noise is also used when the link is sufficiently robust. The robustness of the channel and its suitability to use 16-QAM instead of QPSK is determined by analyzing information fed back about a variety of parameters. These include details of the channel physical layer conditions, power control, Quality of Service (QoS), and information specific to HSDPA. One of the keys to the operation of HSDPA is the use of an additional form of modulation. Originally W-CDMA had used only QPSK as the modulation scheme, however under the new system16-QAM which can carry a higher data rate, but is less resilient to noise is also used when the link is sufficiently robust. The robustness of the channel and its suitability to use 16-QAM instead of QPSK is determined by analyzing information fed back about a variety of parameters. These include details of the channel physical layer conditions, power control, Quality of Service (QoS), and information specific to HSDPA. Improved scheduling: Further advances have been made in the area of scheduling. By moving more intelligence into the base station, data traffic scheduling can be achieved in a more dynamic fashion. This enables variations arising from fast fading can be accommodated and the cell is even able to allocate much of the cell capacity for a short period of time to a particular user. In this way the user is able to receive the data as fast as conditions allow. Further advances have been made in the area of scheduling. By moving more intelligence into the base station, data traffic scheduling can be achieved in a more dynamic fashion. This enables variations arising from fast fading can be accommodated and the cell is even able to allocate much of the cell capacity for a short period of time to a particular user. In this way the user is able to receive the data as fast as conditions allow. Fast HARQ: Fast HARQ (hybrid automatic repeat request), has also been implemented along with multi-code operation and this eliminates the need for a variable spreading factor. By using these approaches all users, whether near or far from the base station are able to receive the optimum available data rate. HSDPA 16QAM use The rate control within HSDPA is achieved dynamically by adjusting both the modulation and the channel coding. Both 16WAM and QPSK are used, the higher order 16QAM modulation being used to provide a higher data rate, but it also requires a better Eb/N0 (effectively signal to noise ratio). As a result the 16QAM modulation format is normally used under high signal conditions, e.g. when the mobile is close to the NodeB and in the clear. The coding rate as well as the modulation are then selected for each 2ms TTI by the NodeB according to its assessment of the conditions. In this way the rate control mechanism can rapidly track the variations that may occur. Hybrid ARQ and soft combining Hybrid ARQ or HARQ is hybrid automatic repeat request and it is essentially a form of the more common ARQ error correction methodology. When the basic ARQ format is used, error-detection information bits are added to data to be transmitted. One form of this may be a cyclic redundancy check, CRC. However when Hybrid ARQ is used, forward error correction (FEC) bits are also added to the existing error detection bits. The added error detection means that Hybrid ARQ performs better than ordinary ARQ in poor signal conditions, but the additional overhead can reduce the throughput in good signal conditions. The combination of Fast Hybrid ARQ and soft combining enables the terminal to request the retransmission of data that may be received erroneously. This can be done within the adaptive modulation and channel coding scheme so that when error-rates rise the link can be modified accordingly. The user equipment or terminal receives the data and decodes it, reporting back the result to the NodeB after the reception of each block, and in this way rapid retransmission of any blocks with errors can be undertaken. This significantly reduces delays, especially under poor radio link conditions or when the link is changing rapidly. Soft combining is a process whereby the user equipment or terminal does not discard information it cannot decode. Instead it retains it to combine with any retransmission data to increase the chance of successful decoding of the data. A process called Incremental Redundancy (IR) is also used with the retransmissions. This process adds additional parity bits in retransmissions to make the data retransmission more robust. HSDPA provided a significant improvement in performance for 3G. With peak user data rates of around 10 Mbps and peak raw data rates of 14.4 Mbps, the system gave a marked improvement over what was available with basic 3G UMTS. When combined with HSUPA and other HSPA upgrades, the system was able to provide performance that rivalled that of the next generation networks. Wireless & Wired Connectivity Topics: Mobile Communications basics 2G GSM 3G UMTS 4G LTE 5G WiFi IEEE 802.15.4 DECT cordless phones NFC- Near Field Communication Networking fundamentals What is the Cloud Ethernet Serial data USB SigFox LoRa VoIP SDN NFV SD-WAN Return to Wireless & Wired Connectivity A leading fuel company manager believes the costs involved getting oil to New Zealand is behind the rise in fuel prices. According to the Prime Minister, New Zealand's petrol price may be the product of 'profiteering'. Petrol prices have risen extremely fast over the past year due to a combination of global market forces, a weakening New Zealand dollar and tax increases. Jacinda Ardern has one culprit behind the high price in her sights, petrol companies, and the Government is rushing through legislation to allow the Commerce Commission to investigate pricing. But Dave Bodger, general manager of Gull, told RadioLIVE Drive that while the industry has not been profitable in the past, it is now - though they are not "super profits". He doesn't think the PM is pointing the finger at them as Gull's prices can be around 20 cents a litre lower than the competition. But believe it or not, we're still paying less at the pump than motorists in some countries. Logan Skinner, owner of the Glacier Country Campervan Park joins Wendyl Nissen to explore the issues he has with the money that is being pumped into infrastructure in the West Coast. The funds are being used to help facilitate freedom camping -- which has been a long-running issue in the district. Mr Skinner discusses how it will likely impact on businesses like his. The crusade against the fuel industry has been sparked further by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has reiterated her stance that excise tax is just a small part of rising fuel costs. She told a post-Cabinet press conference this week New Zealanders have been fleeced by fuel companies, and believes a new Bill will force the industry to reconsider their prices and be more transparent with consumers. Appearing on The AM Show on Tuesday, Ms Ardern said the Government will prioritise passing the Commerce Amendment Bill when Parliament resumes next week. After it passes, Commerce Minister Kris Faafoi will seek nominations from fellow ministers for possible market studies before it takes effect. "We are literally changing the law so the Commerce Commission can go in and demand information from the fuel companies," Ms Ardern said. Speaking to RadioLIVEs Mark Sainsbury, Newsroom Pros Bernard Hickey said the National Government sat on a recommendation from the Productivity Commission for four years. The Productivity Commission recommended the then National Government bring in these market studies powers, these are the ones the Prime Minister said this morning she was going to bring in the next two weeks, he said. The previous Government sat on that recommendation for four years and did nothing; this is despite margins going up during that time and despite Simon Bridges when he was energy minister reading the riot act to the fuel companies. Listen to the full interview with Bernard Hickey above. Morning Talk with Mark Sainsbury, 9am - 12pm Weekdays and streaming live on 'rova' channel 9 - available on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. Every Tuesday night after the 10pm news, Mitch Harris is joined by Elevation Capital CEO and founder Christopher Swasbrook to talk on the latest business news, both here in New Zealand and internationally. On the agenda tonight: - Chris starts Tuesday night business by commenting on his current issue with the NZX, after he highlighted 11 NZX employees were taken to New York which was paid for by shareholders. - The new Italian government and officials in Italy's banking sector are at complete odds. How serious is this? Could this situation set off another financial crisis? - Should other European countries be worried that this situation in Italy could affect their economies? - The government's announcement of a $5.5 billion surplus today. What should be done with the money? Should tax cuts be on the cards, or should the money be saved for a rainy day? - The segment finishes with Mitch and Mr Swasbrook talking on Banksy's artwork that self-destructed at Sotheby's in London. The image of a girl reaching for a red balloon had just sold for $1.4 million Night Talk with Mitch Harris, 8pm - 12am Monday to Thursday nights on RadioLIVE, and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. SmartVOD is a rental and digital purchase service for streaming Hollywoods newest releases, available throughout the region on web browsers, mobile apps and smart TVs. It recently launched the streaming of new releases in 4K HDR quality, available to stream on the platform via supported smart TVs.The collaboration with Life ISP shall enable the customers to access SmartVOD with Life processing the payments and user details.The news comes as LG Electronics said that it will pre-install SmartVOD in smart TVs sold in seven key countries in Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Panama.New LG smart TVs sold in these countries will come with the service, and LG will also push it as a software update to existing TV models. LG will also promote the SmartVOD app through premium placement on its main content screen. Vonetize has more than 3.5 million active users of SmartVOD in Brazil already. The Trump administration and some others in the U.S. government have sent some not-so-subtle hints lately that they are open to a military invasion of Venezuela to oust President Nicolas Maduro. It's a regime that frankly could be toppled very quickly by the military, if the military decides to do that, President Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. President Joao Lourenco has begun the task of changing Angola from one of Africas most notorious kleptocracies into a country that can do business with the rest of the world. It is no small endeavour. In one year in office, Lourenco has unseated many of former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos cronies, relatives, and bagmen and has started down the road to economic reform. But before the International Monetary Fund rewards Angola with a $4.5 billion loan, and before the World Bank opens an office in Angolas capital, Luanda, Lourenco needs to take a few more steps against corruption. Angola is the worlds eighth-largest petroleum-exporting nation, shipping out $32 billion-worth of oil annually in recent years. Despite these substantial oil revenues, 30 million Angolans are among the globes most impoverished. The 2017 Global Hunger Index, which measures malnutrition and child mortality, ranks Angola 104th out of 118 countries. The mortality rate for children under the age of 5 in Angola in 2015 was 15.7 percent, the worst in the world. Under former President dos Santos, who ruled for 38 years, Angola missed nearly every opportunity to become part of the global economy. The World Bank ranked Angola 175th out of 190 countries in its Ease of Doing Business Index last year. Transparency International ranks Angola 167th out of 180 nations in its most recent Corruption Perceptions Index. The Heritage Foundation classifies economic freedom in Angola as repressed and notes, Modest reforms have somewhat modernized the regulatory environment, but pervasive corruption and institutional weaknesses continue to undermine other important reforms. In short, for decades, Angolas government did not serve its people, but robbed them of their natural resources and economic opportunities. Despite the new Presidents best intentions, corruption persists in Angola. The Africa Growth Corporation (AFGC), a U.S. public company, invests in real estate in Sub-Saharan African nations in order to develop low- and moderate-income housing. Its rental properties in Angola, valued at $55 million, were stolen by local government and military officials. Specifically, early last year armed Angolan senior officials seized AFGCs properties in Luanda, the Angolan capital. They forged AFGC executives signatures and, using threats of violence and intimidation, managed to transfer control of AFGCs Angolan subsidiaries and titles to AFGCs properties to themselves. Angolan government agencies and the police chose to look the other way. In another case of acting unlawfully against a U.S. company, the Angolan government refused to fulfill its contractual obligations and pay Florida-based company LS Energia monies owed for providing power generation in Angola. Much like AFGC, LS Energia was forced to file suit for more than $50 million against the Angolan government. As a result of the suit, the Angolan government agreed to compensate LS Energia, but so far has failed to pay. There is also the strange case of the $175 million Angolan jobs-training center funded by U.S. and British oil companies. It was never built, and the money provided for funding remains unaccounted for. Lourenco is clearly sincere in his desire to put Angola on the right path and to begin to develop the economy in a way that will improve the lives of his citizens. But by not acting on these and other cases of obvious corruption, he is risking his reputation for probity and good government and is persuading foreign companies not to invest in Angola. The ultimate victims are average Angolans, who deserve better. Courts have been trying to remedy these problems. AFGC has taken its case to Angolan courts twice. Both times the courts ruled in AFGCs favor. Last November, an Angolan judge ruled that the property had been taken unlawfully by violent means and ordered it returned. A second court order was issued last December. But the Angolan regime has failed to enforce the court orders. AFGC is now in U.S. federal court in Washington, D.C., where a motion for final judgment against Angola is pending. LS Energia also is still pressing its case for relief. The holdup for both is with Angolas government. President Lourenco should compensate AFGC and LS Energia. If he doesnt, the U.S. government -- both the Congress and the Trump administration -- should urge the IMF and World Bank to pause in its embrace of his promising but stalled anti-corruption agenda. A little bit of pressure now can lead to an outcome that benefits all Angolans. Scott Mortman is Executive Chair of Africa Growth Corporation. The views expressed are the author's own. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Porterville, CA (93257) Today Morning fog, then mostly cloudy this afternoon. High around 75F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low 49F. Winds light and variable. House Bill 191, also known as the Ballot Access Bill, could potentially dilute the requirements for third party and independent candidates on the state level. In a press release sent out on Feb. 12, the Libertarian Party of Georgia announced it had helped draft HB 191 and asked for support to diminish the strict ballot access policies. A body was found in a creek at Sells Mill Park in Jackson County at around 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 11. The body was found by a visitor who notifie We are trying to talk to people about what they like and dont like and what is needed in Glencoe, Doyle said. Where are the gaps that we may not even know about? We need to talk to people outside of the library to understand why they are non-users and what the library can do to engage. HARTFORD Bouke de Vries is the featured artist in the 180th installment of the MATRIX contemporary art series at the Wadsworth Atheneum. This is the first American showing of War and Pieces, a 26-foot installation inspired by the sophisticated figural centerpieces that decorated 18th century European banqueting tables. Such figures, first made of sugar and later made increasingly of porcelain, were displayed during the dessert course on special occasions and told stories or conveyed political messages. War and Pieces uses this mode of table culture to call attention to our current culture of waste and mass production. De Vriess piece is also a commentary on the follies of war and its continuing impact on our lives. The exhibition is on view through Jan. 6, 2019. War and Pieces, de Vriess first large-scale installation, coopts the 18th and 19th century tradition of holding a grand banquet on the eve of battle. His modern centerpiece is arranged around a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion whose force appears to have turned the entire table into a wasteland. Battles rage across the heap of porcelain shards, old and new, fought by myriad miniature figures with conventional arms. Jesus on the cross and the Chinese Buddhist goddess of compassion, Guanyin, watch over the death and destruction. Brightly-colored contemporary plastic toys-indestructible symbols of our own toxic times-contrast vividly with the pure white of the porcelain and sugar. A conservator by trade, de Vries usually repairs porcelain. As an artist he inverts that role using old objects with newly broken inexpensive IKEA plates, mass-produced in China. In this way he casts light on the irony of how much the value of porcelain has changed since the 18th century and he shares that with the viewer by putting one of the fragments upside down to reveal the IKEA logo. Porcelain skulls and broken figures make up the mushroom cloud-de Vries sourced them from dealers and flea markets along with unfinished Hummel porcelain figures of children which were found at an old German factory site and sold on eBay. For de Vries, the mushroom cloud is the culmination of the centerpiece, an image that is both beautiful and horrible at the same time. Featuring War and Pieces at the Wadsworth Atheneum makes perfect sense, said Senior Curator and Charles C. and Eleanor Lamont Cunningham Curator of European Decorative Arts Linda Roth. We have an outstanding collection of the very kind of porcelain figures and centerpieces that Bouke de Vries references in this monumental work. And we are especially pleased to have War and Pieces coincide with our fall exhibition, Monsters and Myths, which like de Vriess installation, is a creative reaction-a great work of art-born of bellicose times. War and Pieces has been shown at a number of stately properties in Europe and is making its American landfall at the Wadsworth. Here it is confronted by walls hung densely with mirrors and empty frames from the collection, set with Chinese plates and his gilded cutlery. Displaying porcelain in front of or on mirrors was common in the eighteenth century, when the only light in the evening was provided by candles. The reflective nature of the porcelain and mirror glass enhanced and enlivened the flickering candlelight to create a magical dining setting. But the porcelain creations on 18th century tables would have been either lighthearted fantasies or symbolic presentations imbued with political narratives. Born in Utrecht, The Netherlands, Bouke de Vries studied at the Design Academy, Eindhoven, and Central St Martins, London. After working with John Galliano, Stephen Jones and Zandra Rhodes, he switched careers and studied ceramics conservation and restoration at West Dean College. De Vries has written about his work relating it to his practice as a private conservator where every day he was faced with issues and contradictions around perfection and worth. The Venus de Milo is venerated despite losing her arms, but when a Meissen muse loses a finger she is rendered virtually worthless; where even an almost invisible hairline crack, a tiny rim chip or a broken finger render a once-valuable object practically worthless, literally not worth the cost of restoring. Using his skills as a restorer, his artworks reclaim broken pots and ceramic sculptures; instead of reconstructing them, he deconstructs them, emphasizing their new status, installing new virtues, and moving their stories forward. The Wadsworth Atheneum, is located at 600 Main Street, Hartford. For more information and hours, visit wadsworthatheneum.org. TORRINGTON Access Health CT is holding a series of upcoming community-based educational discussions, Healthy Chats. The purpose of these discussions is to help Connecticut residents become informed about the best ways to get, keep and use health insurance coverage prior to open enrollment that begins November 1 and ends Dec. 15. The Torrington event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington, located at 469 Migeon Ave. Registration will open and refreshments will be served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to register online, ahead of the session, but can register upon arrival. Access Health CT has also arranged for a discount with the ride sharing service Lyft. To reserve a spot for the event and/or obtain the discount code for Lyft transportation, visit learn.accesshealthct.com/locations. At Access Health CT our main goal is to reduce the uninsured rate in Connecticut, Chief Executive Officer James Michel said in a written statement. We do this by helping Connecticut residents understand their options for healthcare coverage and connecting them with plans that meet their unique needs. Access Health CT Director of Marketing Andrea Ravitz said, Connecticut residents have an important decision to make every year about their health care coverage. By connecting with people in their communities, we create an opportunity for smaller discussions that make this important insurance decision more approachable. 3 1 of 3 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media / Show More Show Less 3 of 3 HAMDEN Police are looking for two males who allegedly robbed a 19-year-old New Haven resident, with the victim telling police he was on his way to meet a prostitute at the time, police Capt. Ronald Smith said in a news release. The man who reported the robbery told police on Sunday that he was scheduled to meet with a prostitute on State Street at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, Smith said in the release. TORRINGTON Ronald Merriman, whose family owns the poplar holiday attraction, the Christmas House, says he doesnt know what he would do if the house were sold at an upcoming foreclosure auction. A large sign announcing the civil court action and auction was placed on the front lawn of the multi-family house at 285-287 Main St. late last week. I dont know whats going on. There are a lot of decisions, said Merriman, who lives with his mother and sister in the multi-family house. A judge set the auction date for Nov. 3 at the property. Undeterred about the impending sale, Merriman said he will still decorate the house this year, with a display that attracts as many as 15,000 visitors each season. Ive started setting them up. It will be there, Merriman said. The sheer number of Christmas lights and animated characters requires a 200-amp electrical system, he noted. There are 20 light switches in the entry hall. Theyre all on different circuits, he added. The switches are lined up in rows on the front wall. It may be October but in the Merriman house, its Christmas all year. He owns so many decorations that they fill the attic and basement, while boxes of unused decorations line every stairway. If the family must move once the foreclosure auction is held, Merriman said he thinks it would take him six months to move. It would take three trailers, he said. The now-famous Christmas wonderland began in 1982, one year after Merriman said he and his family bought the house for $115,000. They purchased it from a second-party in a bankruptcy process, he noted. Merriman dropped out of Lewis S. Mills High School in the 10th grade. He said he worked in the produce business for a while, picked up some electrician skills and now at 63, he builds porches for a contractor. He shares the three story home with his 81-year-old mother, Alice Merriman, who lives with her son in the upstairs apartment. His sister Donna, 61, lives in the downstairs apartment. His father, Bob, died about 8 years ago, Merriman said. His hope is that supporters will begin a GoFundMe account to save the house. If that were done, the amount raised just to allow someone to bid on the house would have to be $11,600. The amount is 10 percent of the assessed value of the home, built in 1900. The first bid will be from Webster Bank, said attorney J. Michael Schonyers of Bantam, who also said he serves on the committee hired to supervise the auction process. An interested party could buy the home for about $30,000, he said in a recent interview. The family has not made a mortgage payment since spring 2017, according to court documents, leaving an unpaid balance of $11,350. Asked why the mortgage hadnt been paid for more than a year, Merriman replied, I cant pay, I ran out of money. I had $12,000 in the bank and my boiler blew. That cost $6,000 to fix. Ronald Merriman didnt hire an attorney to represent the family until August, when he received the foreclosure notice. He said the attorney he hired no longer returns his calls. Attempts to reach the attorney for comment on this story were unsuccessful. The attention around the foreclosure and the fate of the Christmas light display has Donna Merriman thinking about change. I have to be prepared to move. I have no choice, she said. I did like it when (the display) first started. It was nice for people, she said. In another portion of the park, Charlie Trimble, 2, was one of many children looking for coins in the Chips in the Hay play area. His father Patrick watched, happy with the community atmosphere. The family just moved to Glencoe over the summer. Liu Xinglian (L) and Yan Bojun (R) are shown after their arrival in Taiwan, Sept. 27, 2018. A U.S.-based activist from a banned pro-democracy party has flown out to Taiwan to assist authorities in assessing the political asylum application of two Chinese nationals stranded in an airport on the democratic island after fleeing Beijing's influence in Thailand. Yan Kefen (also known as Yan Bojun) and Liu Xinglian were placed in an airside hotel in Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport last week pending their application, but were later evicted after being unable to pay for their rooms. They are now camped out in a passenger lounge sleeping in reclining chairs and eating simple takeout meals. "We are still awaiting a decision on our immigration status from various quarters," Yan told RFA on Tuesday. "Now that we have fled here, we would like to either gain political asylum or to be accepted for resettlement by a third country." "We would also like to express our huge gratitude to the Taiwanese for finding us this temporary accommodation," Yan said. Wang Min, chairman of the banned Chinese Democracy Party (CDP) in the U.S. flew in on Oct. 6 to confirm their credentials after the authorities said there was too little evidence to prove their claim. He told reporters the two would likely face further persecution at the hands of the ruling Chinese Communist Party if they were forcibly repatriated to China. "Given they have both suffered persecution in mainland China, and their participation in the China Democracy Party (CDP) and human rights activism, hey will be arrested and otherwise persecuted if they are sent back there," Wang said. He confirmed that Yan is a CDP member with whom he has had a number of conversations online. "It is clear to me beyond doubt that Yan Bojun participated in the civil rights activist movement of Dr. Xu Zhiyong," Wang said. "In addition, after Yan Bojun arrived in Thailand, he served as the deputy secretary-general of the CDP in Thailand." Yang Sen-hong, president of the Taiwan Association for China Human Rights, said his organization agreed that there is scant evidence to support Liu and Yan's claim. Yang said his group, which sponsored an emergency humanitarian visa for mainland activist Huang Yan earlier this year, hasn't yet been asked to contribute in their case. "Although we have a lot of information coming in, it's not enough for us to feel that our view would be different from that of the government right now," he said. "We will wait and see, because neither the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) nor any other department have asked for our assistance." Humanitarian considerations Wang called on the Taiwan government to help Liu and Yan out of humanitarian considerations, even where evidence supporting their asylum claim may not be immediately available. He said efforts are under way in Canada to find other ways to rescue them before they are forcibly repatriated. Taiwan lacks legislation on the status of refugees, and its government says it deals with applications for political asylum from mainland Chinese on a case-by-case basis. However, many applicants are unable to furnish the required evidence because they were forced to leave China in a clandestine manner and lack access to documents detailing their case. Meanwhile, two Chinese political asylum seekers are facing trial for immigration offenses in Thailand, and fear they may be sent back to China. Wu Yuhua and Yang Chong, who face charges of violating Thai immigration law despite holding United Nations documents describing them as refugees, are currently out on bail in the Thai capital. Wu, who is also known by her nickname Ai Wu, was detained by police in Bangkok with her husband on Aug. 29 and locked up in an immigration detention center. An appeals court in Bangkok ruled Monday their trial will begin on Nov. 7 at the Pathumwan Municipal Court in Thailand. Each side will call and examine four witnesses, according to attorneys who participated in Mondays pre-trial hearing. Yang was released on bail on Oct. 2 after friends and supporters collected 300,000 baht (U.S. $9,096) to secure his release, lawyers representing the couple told a BenarNews reporter who was at the courthouse. Yang and Wu were initially targeted by Chinese police after taking part in the press freedom protests in the southern city of Guangzhou in January 2013. They fled the country in February 2015 and made their way to Thailand after Wu started a support group for disappeared rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng. In Thailand, they eked out an existence without papers in the country's Pattaya region. They were approved as political refugees by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangkok in 2017, but had yet to be accepted for resettlement in a third country amid a global tightening of national immigration policies. Thailand has sent refugees from China back home in the past. In July, authorities in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing jailed rights activist Dong Guangping and political cartoonist Jiang Yefei after they were sent home from Thailand as they were awaiting resettlement as political refugees, prompting an international outcry. Reported by Hwang Chun-mei for RFA's Mandarin Service, by Chung Kuang-cheng for the Cantonese Service, with additional reporting by BenarNews. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. I think if you look at what we are doing with the money, we are generating very good value for the use of funds, he said. We are very cognizant that this is the taxpayers money and we take that very seriously and try not to spend more of it than we need to. Police cars park outside the offices of the Eleven Media Group in Yangon, Myanmar, Oct. 9, 2018. Police in Myanmars Yangon city appear set to arrest three journalists working for the Eleven Media Group on still unspecified charges after they published an article focusing on the citys budget, sources in the country say. Officers came looking for the threechief editor Kyaw Zaw Linn, chief reporter Nayee Min, and senior editor Phyo Waiat their office at about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Eleven Media editor and spokesperson Ko Oo told RFAs Myanmar Service. They said a case had been opened under Section 505(b), he said, referring to the section of Myanmars penal code that criminalizes the circulation of statements and reports with the intent to cause fear or alarm in the public. We told them that the men had left the office because they had finished their work, but the police waited for about an hour and a half, he said. Later, they talked to our publishers and said they would continue their questions either here at 10:00 in the morning or at the police station. Police would not say who had brought charges against the men, or why they were being sought, Ko Oo said, adding that nothing was said concerning any article they wrote that may have caused offense. However, reports on social media tie the mens troubles to an Oct. 6 article published in Eleven Medias daily print edition titled Skepticism on the Yangon Division Budget. Responding to a reporters phone call seeking comment, an officer at the Tamwe Township police station confirmed a case had been opened against the three, but refused to provide details, suggesting the reporter call the township court in the morning. They can tell you what the charges are about. Youll find out everything about this then, he said. Section 505(b) of Myanmars penal code carries a maximum punishment of two years imprisonment, a fine, or both, and usually does not allow for bail to be granted. An increasing number of defamation suits under vaguely worded laws have also recently been filed in Myanmar by government and judicial officials, Buddhist monks, and military officers to silence their critics, especially journalists. As a result, Myanmar journalists and rights groups have slammed the two-year-old civilian government under de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi for appearing to backpedal on press freedom and other rights after decades of stifling military rule in Myanmar. The government has also faced international condemnation over the jailing last month of two Reuters reporters for seven years for breaching a law on state secrets during their reporting on the killing of Muslim Rohingya villagers by security forces amid a crackdown in western Myanmars Rakhine state. Reported by Nandar Chann for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Richard Finney. Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi waits for her delegation before a meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo, Oct. 9, 2018. Myanmars largest non-state army has called for ethnic armed organizations that have not signed the governments nationwide cease-fire accord to be included in a meeting next week with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and the military commander-in-chief to discuss barriers to the countrys peace process. Leaders from the 10 ethnic armies that have signed the nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) have agreed to attend the event on Oct. 15 in Poppa of Kyaukpadaung township in central Myanmars Mandalay region. The meeting will be the first time that the armies have met with both the state counselor and military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the same time since the peace process began in 2011 under former President Thein Sein. The parties plan to discuss basic principles for a future federal system of governance and unresolved issues that continue to hinder the peace process. But the United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of several armed groups that have not signed the pact, wants non-signatories to participate as well. The 30,000-strong Wa army leads the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), a grouping of ethnic armies that have not signed the NCA, in its discussions of peace-building issues with the government. Aung San Suu Kyi and the civilian-led National League for Democracy (NLD) government are spearheading a series of nationwide peace talks in a bid to end seven decades of civil war in Myanmar. Nyi Yan, a spokesman at the UWSAs office in Lashio in Shan state, said it will be "dangerous" if the meeting excludes NCA non-signatories, many of whom believe that the national military and government have organized the Mandalay meeting to reduce international pressure on Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine state. We welcome anything that supports having peace in the country, but it would be better and more effective if the meetings are all-inclusive when were working on peace, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. We shouldnt ignore any group when were working for peace. If we do, then it will be dangerous. Government spokesman Zaw Htay said invitations to the meeting have been sent to the 10 NCA signatory groups but that non-signatories will not be invited. We havent invited the non-NCA groups because of limited time and space, he told RFA. Furthermore, we are going to discuss the difficulties and barriers facing the peace process that are still outstanding from previous talks with the NCA signatory groups. Propaganda tactic Some said the non-signatories see the meeting as a propaganda tactic to try to change the international communitys critical view of Myanmar, whose reputation has been damaged by the military campaign that last year drove 720,000 Muslim Rohingyas into neighboring Bangladesh, prompting calls from the United Nations for generals to be prosecuted for war crimes. Tun Zaw, secretary of the Arakan National Council and a member of the central executive committee of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the umbrella organization for ethnic militias that have not signed the NCA, said the meeting is just for show. Its not easy for the government to try to forge peace by trying to end 70 years of civil war, and it will take time because its a huge problem that cannot be resolved in a day, he said. So then holding this summit just to show the world that it is working on peace and that the process is getting better wont work. Khaine Thukha, a spokesman for the non-signatory Arakan Army (AA), said the current government will face much more hardship than did previous governments if it fails to advance its negotiations with the ethnic armed groups. He noted that the U.N. and rights groups have called for the prosecution of Min Aung Hlaing and other top Myanmar commanders for atrocities committed against the Rohingya during the 2017 crackdown. Security forces are accused of conducting a campaign of widespread killings, rape, and arson that left thousands dead and created a refugee crisis with Bangladesh. The summit can be seen by the international community as an effort on behalf of the government to try to negotiate between the military and the ethnic groups to forge national reconciliation and peace, he said. Japans Prime Minster Shinzo Abe (L) and Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (R) meet for a summit at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo, Oct. 9, 2018. Credit: AFP Credible investigation needed Aung San Suu Kyi intended to hold peace talks every six months under the 21st-Century Panglong Conference, the first session of which was held in August 2016. But the Rohingya crisis and ongoing clashes primarily in Shan and Kachin states have disrupted the plan, and only three rounds of negotiations have been held. The state counselor, who is in Japan to attend the Mekong-Japan Summit, told Japanese business leaders on Monday that she would increase transparency over the governments handling of the Rohingya crisis. Im ready to acknowledge that we have challenges to face, particularly with regard to the Rakhine and with the struggles we have on the peace front, she was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse during a speech to try to drum up foreign investment for Myanmar. On Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Aung San Suu Kyi that a credible investigation by an independent panel into alleged human rights violations against the Rohingya is crucial to working out tensions in Rakhine state, the Associated Press reported. Abe also told a news conference that Tokyo will support Myanmars efforts to accommodate Rohingya who return to Rakhine from refugee camps in Bangladesh, the AP report said. Myanmar has agreed to take back some of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled the crackdown under a repatriation agreement with Bangladesh, though only a few have returned. Meanwhile, a four-member inquiry commission set up by Myanmar in July has started investigating human rights violations in Rakhine state, though observers have low expectations for it. Prior attempts by the country to investigate the military campaign against the Rohingya largely absolved the army and were dismissed as a whitewash by Muslim groups and human rights experts. But on Tuesday, Aung San Suu Kyi defended the panel as free and effective, and called its two international and two Myanmar members experts on human rights issues, the AP said. Holding Myanmar accountable Myanmar previously prevented a U.N.-mandated panel from conducting an independent investigation into the atrocities, and stopped Yanghee Lee, the U.N.s special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, from continuing her periodic visits to the country, which included stops in Rakhine state. On Monday, Lee tweeted that a report she submitted on the situation in Myanmar to the U.N. General Assembly in August had been publicly posted. In the report, she notes that although the Myanmar government previously said it would take action against perpetrators of human rights violations in Rakhine during the crackdown if allegations were backed by sufficient evidence, it has so far failed to do so. In spite of those pledges and the abundance of evidence that crimes in violation of international law have been committed in Rakhine state, perpetrators have not been held accountable, with the exception of seven unnamed soldiers reportedly convicted by a military court for the massacre at Inn Din village, she wrote in the report, referring to troops who were tried and sentenced for the killing of 10 Rohingya civilians in northern Rakhine. Lee also said that the new commission of inquiry appeared to not have a mandate to advance accountability on human rights abuses and called on the International Criminal Court or a comparable body to fill the void. The situation in Myanmar, where genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes may have been committed, warrants the attention of the International Criminal Court or another credible international judicial mechanism, her report said. The international community should stand firm and promote accountability in Myanmar, it said. Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. A powerful explosion has hit a Russian-owned oil refinery in northern Bosnia-Herzegovina, killing one worker and injuring nine, police say. Previous reports said eight people were injured in the October 9 explosion at the oil-processing plant in Bosanski Brod, near the Croatian border. The blast hit the facility at around 9:30 p.m. local time, triggering a huge fire that was extinguished by firefighters early on October 10. Authorities said the cause of the blast was still being investigated. Several houses located around the refinery had their windows broken due to the explosion, which was heard on the other side of the border, across the Sava River in Croatia. Local media reported that black smoke and an odor were moving downriver toward Croatia. The Brod refinery is majority-owned by a unit of Zarubezhneft, a state-owned Russian oil company. It can process up to 1.2 million tons of crude oil per year. With reporting by AP and Reuters SHALI, Russia -- Oyub Titiyev, a dogged Russian activist who is in jail and on trial in his native Chechnya on what he says is a fabricated drug-possession charge, says he was not tortured in prison only because of his age. After the October 9 session of his trial, which was open to journalists, Titiyev told Current Time TV that he had been initially detained by security officers in January, who stopped his car and "planted drugs." Current Time TV is a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. Titiyev has been in custody since he was detained on January 9 by security forces in Chechnya, who said they found a plastic bag with some 180 grams of marijuana in his car. Titiyev said he was held in a police station for more than an hour, while officers tried to make him "confess" that he possessed marijuana. "They then threatened to interrogate my relatives. After I refused to confess, they brought me back to the place where my car was initially stopped, and traffic police rearrested me after that. I guess they did not torture me only due to my age," said Titiyev, who is 61. "If I were younger, the issue would have been 'solved' long ago, I guess," he said, suggesting he would have been tortured into confessing. Titiyev, who succeeded the slain activist Natalya Estemirova as head of the Chechnya office of the prominent Russian human rights group Memorial in 2009, expressed his thanks to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for awarding him the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. "Tell them I am grateful for their recognition of my humble work," Titiyev said. The PACE announced the award on the opening day of its autumn plenary session on October 8. Titiyev and his colleagues say the drugs were planted in his car and have described the case as part of an effort to push Memorial out of Chechnya -- ruled for years by Kremlin-backed strongman Ramzan Kadyrov -- and other parts of Russia's North Caucasus. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted in the trial, some hearings of which were closed to the public in September. The United States, several European Union member states, and the Council of Europes human rights commissioner have condemned Titiyevs arrest and expressed concerns about the case. Memorial has called the charges against Titiyev bogus, saying they were clearly fabricated as a means of silencing him. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called the charges a pure fabrication and Amnesty International has called the case a grave injustice that strikes at the heart of Russias human rights community. One week after being driven out of Armenias governing coalition, Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) leader Gagik Tsarukian has committed himself to helping Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian force snap general elections in December. In a joint memorandum signed after a meeting in Yerevan on October 8, the two men said they "concur regarding the conduct of preterm parliamentary elections" before the end of this year. The document says that the BHK will therefore not nominate or endorse any other candidate for the post of prime minister after Pashinian's widely anticipated resignation. The Armenian constitution stipulates that the 105-member National Assembly, in which the BHK holds 31 seats, can be dissolved only if lawmakers fail to elect another premier in case of that resignation. Pashinian has pledged to step down to ensure that fresh elections are held in December. As recently as October 2, Tsarukians party helped former President Serzh Sarkisian's Republican Party (HHK) push through a bill that could complicate the success of Pashinians plans. The premier reacted furiously to the development, accusing the BHK and another coalition partner, Dashnaktsutyun, of involvement in a "counterrevolutionary" conspiracy. He also scrapped his power-sharing agreements with the two parties reached in May. BHK representatives said at the time that the fresh elections should be held in May or June, rather than in December. Like HHK leaders, they argued that political forces need time to amend the Electoral Code and properly prepare for the ballot. But Tsarukian signaled a change of this position in a televised interview aired early on October 5. "If the people want the preterm parliamentary elections to be held in December, then so do we," he said. Pashinian hailed that statement at the start of his meeting with Tsarukian on October 8. "It was obvious from the content of your interview that we have something to discuss," he said in remarks publicized by his office. Tsarukian, who is also a wealthy businessman, stressed for his part that he and his party supported the Pashinian-led "revolution" that toppled Armenia's previous government headed by Sarkisian. "Nobody expected that Serzh Sarkisian would resign," the tycoon told Pashinian. "I told the people then that I stand with you." Sarkisian's HHK controls around half of the seats in parliament. The former ruling party remains opposed to holding the elections in December. But it has yet to clarify whether it will try to install another prime minister if Pashinian tenders his resignation for tactical reasons this month. A suspected suicide bomb attack at an election rally in southern Afghanistan has killed at least eight people, officials say, as militants escalate their attacks across the country ahead of general elections scheduled for later this month. Umar Shakti, the provincial governors spokesman, told RFE/RL that 11 people were also injured in the bombing, which took place in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, a Taliban stronghold. The bomb struck the office of a parliamentary election candidate, Saleh Mohammad Khan Achakzai, while a campaign rally was under way, said Haji Abdul Aahad Sultanzoy, a member of the provincial council Achakzai was among those wounded. No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, which comes as the Taliban and the Islamic State (IS) militant groups have stepped up attacks across Afghanistan ahead of long-delayed parliamentary polls set for October 20. Last week in the eastern province of Nangarhar, at least 18 people were killed in a suicide bombing at an election rally. The IS group claimed responsibility for that attack. And the Taliban on October 8 vowed to do everything in its power to block the vote, which the group called an "American conspiracy to further justify the foreign occupation." The militants said that they will target anyone who tries to help the election process to succeed, especially the Afghan security forces. On October 9, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) insisted that taking part in elections was a citizen's right enshrined in the Afghan Constitution and a basic human right for all people. "Afghan men and women have a basic human right to freely choose their government and leaders," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan and the head of UNAMA said in a statement. Yamamoto called on "all actors in Afghan society do everything within their power to safeguard this fundamental right so that citizens can cast their vote without obstruction, threat, or intimidation." At least eight parliamentary candidates have been reported killed across Afghanistan in the past two months. In the northern province of Jawzjan, officials said that a Taliban assault killed at least 12 members of Afghanistans security forces and wunded 10 others in the northern province of Jawzjan. Provincial police chief General Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani said the attack occurred in Qosh Tepa district late on October 8. Jawzjani added that 30 militants were also killed and another 19 wounded in the attack, which he described as a failed attempt to capture the district. Abdul Hai Hayat, the head of Jawzjan Provinces council, said a total of 13 security forces were killed and another 20 were wounded in the overnight assault. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group was claiming responsibility for the attack. With reporting by AP, Reuters, dpa, and TOLOnews Cybersleuthing group Bellingcat says it has found that two men that Britain suspects of poisoning former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter were awarded Hero of the Russian Federation medals by President Vladimir Putin four years ago for conducting covert operations in Ukraine. Releasing details about its latest findings on October 9, Bellingcat said that Aleksandr Mishkin was decorated at around the same time as Anatoly Chepiga in 2014 -- the year Russia seized Crimea and fomented separatism in eastern Ukraine, helping start a war that has killed more than 10,300 people. A day earlier, Bellingcat said it determined that the suspect who traveled to Britain in March on a passport under the name Aleksandr Petrov is actually Mishkin, a military doctor employed by Russia's military intelligence agency, widely known as the GRU. The British-based open-source investigation group's founder, Eliot Higgins, and researcher Christo Grozev told reporters at an event at the British Parliament that they found out that Mishkin had participated in covert operations in Ukraine and Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester. People acquainted with his family said they thought the hero award was given for activities "either in Crimea or in relation to [former Ukrainian President Viktor] Yanukovych," according to the Bellingcat report. Bellingcat said it sought out hundreds of Mishkin's fellow graduates at the Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg, and that two remembered Mishkin, but they said that all members of the class had been contacted recently and told not to speak about him. The organization added that The Insider, Bellingcat's investigative partner in Russia, sent a reporter to the northern Russian village of Loyga, where at least seven people recognized photos of the man identified initially as Petrov as "our local boy" Mishkin. The reporter heard that a woman identified as Mishkin's grandmother had shown many villagers a photograph of Putin shaking hands with her grandson and was very proud of it. Bellingcat said the reporter was not able to talk directly to the grandmother. Bellingcat made waves late last month when it said that Chepiga was the true identity of the other suspect, who had a passport in the name of Ruslan Boshirov, and that he was a GRU colonel decorated with the Hero award. British authorities allege that the two Russians smeared a Soviet-designed nerve agent called Novichok on the front door of Skripal's home in the English city of Salisbury on March 4, the day the former spy and his daughter were found incapacitated on a bench and rushed to the hospital. Both survived after weeks in critical condition, but Dawn Sturgess, a woman who authorities said came in contact with the poison after her boyfriend found a fake perfume bottle containing it, died in July. The poisonings have added tension to already severely strained ties between Russia and the West, leading to additional U.S. and European Union sanctions on Moscow and to an exchange of diplomatic expulsions. Russia denies involvement, but Bellingcat's findings have added to the evidence against Moscow and exposed the GRU to ridicule. Putin has insisted that the two men identified by Britain as poisoning the Skripals were ordinary Russian civilians. With reporting by AP and AFP A man taken into custody in Bulgaria in connection with the killing of a television journalist who highlighted suspected government corruption was released due to lack of evidence that he was involved, Bulgarian police said on October 9. Teodor Atanasov, the police chief of the northern Bulgarian city of Ruse, announced the release of the man, who wasn't identified but was described as a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian descent. He declined to provide further details on the investigation. Viktoria Marinova's body was found on October 6 in a park near the Danube River in Ruse. Police have said the 30-year-old journalist was brutally beaten, raped, and strangled, and that their inquiry was looking into both her personal and professional life. Marinova, who served as a member of the management team of the private television station TVN, hosted a show last month featuring two investigative journalists who were detained for their work on suspected fraud involving EU funds linked to businessmen and politicians. The pair, Romanian Attila Biro from the Rise Project and Dimitar Stoyanov from Bulgarian website Bivol, were briefly detained in Bulgaria in September while looking into the case. Marinova is the third journalist to have suffered a violent death in the European Union alone over the past 12 months, after Jan Kuciak in Slovakia in February and Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta in October 2017. Both Kuciak and Caruana Galizia were known for their work exposing corruption. While Marinova didn't appear to have been closely involved in the fraud investigation, her show touched on a sensitive subject in Bulgaria, where corruption is endemic. Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007 together with Romania, but both have been kept under EU monitoring for corruption and lack of enough justice reforms. Hundreds of people went on to protest against corruption in front of the Palace of Justice in the capital, Sofia, and called for the resignation of the government and chief prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov. Led by the anticorruption group BOETS, the demonstrators pledged to continue protesting daily until the journalist's killer is found. Interior Minister Mladen Marinov and Bulgaria's leading organized crime investigator, Ivaylo Spiridonov, are part of the investigating team. Marinovas death also drew international calls for a rapid and resolute action, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging governments to ensure "accountability" for crimes against journalists such as Marinova's "grisly murder and rape." UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that there has been a very worrying increase of violence, sexual and otherwise, that's particularly targeting women journalists." The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm, took to Twitter to urge Bulgaria to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the killing and to bring those responsible to justice, saying "there is no democracy without a free press." Frans Timmermans, vice president of the European Commission, said October 8: "Again a courageous journalist falls in the fight for truth and against corruption. The EU pledged its support for Bulgarian authorities as they continued their investigation. On October 9, PEN America, a U.S. freedom of expression group, called for a thorough and swift investigation into the the killing of Marinova, saying that "the horrifying rape and murder....demands an immediate, rigorous, and independent investigation." With reporting by Ivan Bedrov, Balkan Insight, AP, and Reuters Hundreds of people attended an October 8 vigil in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, to honor slain television journalist Viktoria Marinova. Police said Marinova was killed in a brutal attack two days earlier in which she was beaten, raped, and strangled. Authorities said they were investigating the killing, and it was not yet clear if the attack was related to Marinova's work as a journalist. Eleven people have died and 29 were injured on October 9 in three crashes involving multiple vehicles in Serbia, police said. A police statement said that dense morning fog was the cause of two of the crashes on the main north-south highway in central Serbia, which resulted in seven people being killed and and 27 injured. The accidents happened on both sides of the highway about 110 kilometers southeast of the capital, Belgrade. The statement said the crashes involved 34 cars and trucks. Earlier, Serbian television reported that some victims were stuck in their cars and needed to be pulled out by rescuers, while traffic was halted in both directions. An unidentified truck driver told state TV that the fog was "dense as a wall." The third crash occurred in the evening on a local road in the same general area and involved two trucks and a car. Four people were killed and two injured, police said, without mentioning what might have caused the collision. With reporting by AP The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Iran's economy fell into a recession this year that will get worse next year as a result of renewed U.S. sanctions on Tehran. In its World Economic Outlook released late on October 8, the IMF said Iran's oil-driven economy is expected to shrink by 1.5 percent this year as a result of declining oil exports, with the drop in economic output accelerating to 3.6 percent in 2019. In May, before U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he was reinstating sanctions against Tehran, the IMF had projected Iran's economy would grow by 4 percent in 2018 and 2019. The IMF said the contraction in the Iranian economy that it now is projecting over the next two years was due to "reduced oil production" under the sanctions. Washington has already imposed a first round of sanctions on Iran's economy, while warning Iranian oil clients to start looking for other suppliers. A second round of sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector is due to go into effect on November 5. The sanctions are being reimposed as a result of Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which had lifted sanctions in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear activities. Iranian crude exports, which reached a peak of some 2.5 million barrels after sanctions were lifted in 2016, have plunged by over 500,000 barrels a day and are expected to dive further when expanded sanctions on oil take effect next month. Darker Outlook Trump administration officials have said their goal is to slash Iranian oil exports to "zero." But other world powers that signed the agreement -- Russia, China, Britain, Germany, and France -- have said they will help Iran circumvent the sanctions and keep selling its oil. While the IMF's cut in Iran's growth forecast was particularly dramatic, it also reduced its growth forecast for the Middle East region as a whole, citing the slump in the Iranian economy and increased energy costs due to soaring oil prices. The IMF also sees a darker outlook for the world economy mostly as a result of tariff wars between the United States and China, the two largest economies. It is now projecting that global growth will average 3.7 percent in 2018 and 2019, down from a projection of 3.9 percent this spring. "U.S. growth will decline once parts of its fiscal stimulus go into reverse," IMF chief economist Maurice Obstfeld said. "Notwithstanding the present demand momentum, we have downgraded our 2019 U.S. growth forecast owing to the recently enacted tariffs on a wide range of imports from China and Chinas retaliation." The IMF sees China's 2019 growth declining to 6.2 percent from the previously forecast 6.4 percent. With reporting by AFP and Reuters BRUSSELS -- Oleh Sentsov, a Ukrainian film director imprisoned in Russia after opposing Moscow's takeover of his native Crimea, has been placed on a short list of candidates for the 2018 Sakharov Prize. Sentsov, who said last week that he was forced to end a 145-day hunger strike in a prison in northern Russia, was selected as one of three finalists in a closed October 9 vote by members of the European Parliament's foreign affairs and development committees. The other short-listed candidates are Moroccan activist Nasser Zefzafi and 11 NGOs that work to save the lives of migrants traveling across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. The winner will be chosen on October 25 in Strasbourg, and the award ceremony is scheduled for December 12. The prize, named in honor of the Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, was established by the European Parliament in 1988 to honor individuals and organizations who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Sentsov, a Crimean native who opposed Russia's 2014 takeover of the Ukrainian peninsula, is serving a 20-year prison term after being convicted of terrorism in a trial that he, human rights groups, and Western governments contend was politically motivated. He is currently imprisoned in the Far Northern Yamalo-Nenets region of Russia where he started a hunger strike on May 14, demanding that Russia release 64 Ukrainians that he considers political prisoners in Russia. He ended his hunger strike on October 6, saying he had to do so to avoid being force-fed by the prison authorities. With reporting by RFE/RL Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak Words are everything to Iranian-born poet Jila Mossaed, who says she is obsessed with their "mysterious hidden powers." "I breathe through words," said the 70-year-old naturalized Swede, who has written books and poetry collections in Persian and Swedish. Her dedication to her art has now secured Mossaed election to the most prominent cultural institution in her adopted country and around the world -- the Swedish Academy that has awarded the Nobel Prize for literature since 1901. Mossaed, whose writings are rich in symbolism and frequently evoke loss and longing, is thought to be the first immigrant to hold one of the centuries-old Swedish Academy's 18 lifetime seats. She replaces Swedish author Kerstin Ekman, who ended her involvement with the Academy in 1989 over its refusal to condemn a religious fatwa issued by the late Iranian cleric and revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini against British author Salman Rushdie for his novel The Satanic Verses. Mossaed told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that her words were not appreciated in her country of birth, which she fled with her two children in 1986. "When [one of my] books was published in Iran, there were two very insulting critiques of it that were very painful for me to read," she recalled, adding that she was summoned by officials in charge of literary censorship at the Culture Ministry to explain some of the passages. Mossaed described herself as a hard-core atheist who did not belong in Iran, where Islamic laws and strict censorship have been enforced since a 1979 revolution. In Sweden, she said, her poetry found freedom. "It's very different here -- there is no censorship and in a way my poetry was liberated, it has reached purity, sincerity that is appreciated here," Mossaed told Radio Farda by telephone from the western Swedish city of Gothenburg, where she lives. Mossaed said she was "shocked" and "honored" when the Swedish Academy contacted her after a secret ballot selected her and Swedish Supreme Court Justice Eric Runesson as new members on October 5. "This is a very Swedish institution; until now no foreigner has [occupied] any of the seats there," she added. "Of course, I was surprised. I became acquainted with [Swedish] at the age of 38 and 10 years later I started to write in Swedish. I never thought I would be elected to the academy, even though I had been receiving good critiques for my work." She said had worked hard to feel close to Swedish. "I had to bear witness to my existence in the West, because it hasn't been easy. It's been painful, leaving one's cradle toward the grave; my grave will be here," she added. "The pain has made me shout and say some things in Swedish." 'Breath Of Fresh Air' Mossaed's and Runesson's elections follow the creation of two fresh vacancies in May, after a sexual-harassment scandal created a deep rift in the Swedish Academy and prompted it to abandon plans for a literary Nobel in 2018. Instead, the academy has said, it will hand out two prizes next year. Jean-Claude Arnault, the man at the center of the scandal, was recently convicted of rape and sentenced to prison. Mossaed said she believes she was elected to the academy to bring some "fresh air" and a "different view" in light of her background. "I use Iranian symbols and metaphors in my Swedish poetry, and I think that makes it attractive here," she said. She said she hoped to be able to offer others a taste of Persian poetry, which she described as among "the most beautiful" in the world. "Oil and gas are not [Iranians'] wealth, our poetry is our wealth," Mossaed said, adding that she felt Persian poetry has not received the attention it deserves in the West. Iran has a rich tradition of poetry, including figures like the 14th-century poet Hafez, whose book of poetry is found in most Iranian homes. "I've been given a rare opportunity, and I hope to make the best of it," Mossaed told Radio Farda. "I think both Iranian modern literature and classic poets must be introduced. They are not known, and now is the time." Mossaed will be inducted into the Swedish Academy at its next annual meeting, on December 20. With reporting by Elahe Ravanshad and Mehrdad Ghassemfar of RFE/RL's Radio Farda Macedonia's government has asked parliament to start the process of amending the constitution to change the country's name, as called for under a deal with neighboring Greece to pave the way for Skopje to join NATO and the European Union. Government spokesman Mile Boshnjakovski said the proposed name change to Republic of North Macedonia and other modifications to the constitution's preamble and two articles were sent to the parliament for action on October 8. The request follows a September 30 referendum on the name deal, which was overwhelmingly approved by those who voted, but the nonbinding referendum was ruled invalid due to low turnout by voters. Parliament is expected to take up the government's request on October 9. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev is believed to be about a dozen votes short of having the two-thirds majority of votes needed to approve the proposed changes in the 120-seat parliament. Zaev has been pressuring nationalist opposition lawmakers to back the change so the country can finally open a path to membership in NATO and the EU after espousing that goal for decades. "Now all deputies in parliament, no matter which party they are from, have the historical duty and obligation before the citizens to secure the road for Macedonia toward stability, security, and economic prosperity," Boshnjakovski told a press conference after the government sent the legislative package to parliament. However, the main opposition party, the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE, has vowed to defeat the legislation, maintaining that it was already rejected by voters because of the poor turnout of only 34 percent for the referendum. To be valid, a referendum requires a turnout of more than 50 percent. Zaev has said he will call early elections if the amendments fail to pass in parliament. He came to power after elections 22 months ago. Under the deal with Greece, in exchange for Macedonia changing its name, Athens agreed to lift its objections to the former Yugoslav republic joining both NATO and the EU -- obstacles that had blocked Skopje's bid to join the Western bloc for decades. Greece for years maintained that Macedonia's name implied the Balkan nation had territorial claims to its northern province of the same name. With reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump caught Washington, and a good portion of the U.S. political world, off guard when he made the unexpected announcement that Nikki Haley, his ambassador to the United Nations, was leaving her post. A former governor of South Carolina, Haley held a prominent position in Trumps cabinet and was widely seen as a solid diplomat who put to rest doubts about her lack of foreign affairs credentials. Her diplomatic work, at least publicly, brought Trumps punchy, confrontational approach to foreign policy into the meetings of the Security Council. Her comments on October 9, made in the Oval Office as Trump announced her planned departure, also echoed that brash approach. Look at what has happened in two years with the United States on foreign policy. Now, the United States is respected, she said. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do. They know that if we say we're going to do something, we follow it through. And the president proved that. She outlasted Trumps first secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who, unlike Haley, generated friction with Trump: on substance, on style, on mannerisms, and other matters. Here are several things to know about Trump's first ambassador to the world body. Sharp-Elbowed Diplomacy? In one of her first statements upon taking up the job two years ago, Haley was decidedly undiplomatic. "For those that don't have our back, we're taking names. We will make points to respond to that accordingly," she said. That was a clear indication of the approach she sought at the UN, and she followed through, at least publicly. In Security Council meetings and elsewhere, she routinely called out Iran and Syria and engaged in rhetorical jousting with other members. In fact, she also called out the Security Council itself, accusing the body of obsessing over Israel. "Truth be told, the Security Council often makes the Middle East more complicated than it actually is. It obsesses over Israel. And it refuses to acknowledge one of the chief sources of conflict and killing in the Middle East that is, Iran and its partner militia, Lebanese Hizballah, she said in August 2017. In May, when clashes along Israels border with Gaza resulted in more than 60 Palestinians being killed, Haley walked out of an emergency Security Council meeting when the Palestinian UN envoy began giving his speech. As one of the top foreign policy officials in the U.S. administration, she also was at the forefront of the effort to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. That move, which was hailed by Israel but derided by many U.S. allies in the Middle East and Europe, was cited by Haley in her remarks alongside Trump on October 9. Haley also led the White House charge against the UN Human Rights Council, which Republicans, and some Democrats, have criticized for giving seats to countries with horrible human rights records: Venezuela, China, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, among others. For too long, the Human Rights Council has been a protector of human rights abusers, she said in June in announcing the United States' withdrawal from it. Other achievements she has claimed credit for include cutting the UN budget by $1.3 billion; imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan; passing three sets of sanctions on North Korea; and highlighting what she said was Irans continuing efforts to destabilize the Middle East: Bringing attention to the world that every country needs to understand you can't overlook all of the bad things they're doing; you have to see them for the threat that they are. Same Page, Different Page Trumps decision to tap Haley for the UN post raised eyebrows not just because of her relative lack of foreign policy experience. Haley was a critic of Trump during the 2016 election campaign, and she supported one of Trumps rivals for the Republican nomination -- moves that have typically been immediate disqualifiers for Trump, who sees such behavior as signs of disloyalty. Though her work at the UN largely reflected Trump policy, she eked out some distance from the White House. On Russia, for example, she has been an outspoken critic, putting her at odds with Trump, who has regularly called for a more conciliatory approach toward Moscow. In May, she called Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula "a textbook example of the direct violation of the sovereignty of one member state by another member state." In September, after Britain publicly accused Russian intelligence officers of carrying out the nerve-agent poisoning of an ex-Russian double agent in England, Haley ripped into Moscow. Also last month, she publicly accused Russia of cheating on UN sanctions imposed on North Korea: Its violations are not one-offs. They are systematic. The United States has evidence of consistent and wide-ranging Russian violations. The perception that she wasnt entirely on the same page as Trumps White House came into sharpest focus in April, when she appeared to preempt a White House announcement about imposing new sanctions on Russian companies working with Syria. After one White House official, Larry Kudlow, told reporters that there might have been "some momentary confusion," Haley pointedly responded: With all due respect, I dont get confused. Haley has also diverged from Trump on domestic affairs, as well, most notably after Trump blamed both sides for the violence that erupted at a demonstration of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017. Days after Trumps comments drew pointed criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, Haley said publicly that she had a personal conversation with the president about Charlottesville, and I will leave it at that remarks that most interpreted as her criticizing the president. And in an op-ed article published in The Washington Post, she put a marker down on her willingness to challenge Trump. I dont agree with the president on everything, she wrote. Whos Next? Haley said she will remain in her post until the end of 2018. The timing of the announcement prompted quick speculation that she was planning to challenge Trump for the presidency in 2020. However, she put that to rest quickly, saying explicitly that she wasnt going to run and that she planned to support Trump. That gave way to more immediate speculation about whom Trump would tap to replace her. In her Oval Office remarks, Haley gave fulsome praise to Trumps daughter Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, who has been a White House envoy on Israel and Middle East policies, including the move of the U.S. Embassy. That led to some open discussion about whether one of them could end up with the UN portfolio. Ethics experts, however, point out that would be problematic due to nepotism issues. Other names that have floated include Heather Nauert, who, before becoming spokeswoman for the State Department, was a correspondent for ABC News and a host on Fox News. Dina Powell, a former deputy national security adviser earlier in Trumps administration, has also been mentioned in U.S. media reports as a possible successor, as has Richard Grenell, currently the U.S. ambassador to Germany and formerly a spokesman for John Bolton when he served as UN ambassador in the early 2000s. The owner of a company whose limousine was involved in a crash that killed 20 people in New York State this past weekend is a Pakistani immigrant who has been a government informant in the investigation of suspected terrorist threats. Police said on October 8 that the company owner, Shahed Hussain, is currently in Pakistan. A stretch limousine that federal records show was owned by Hussain's company, Prestige Limousine, crashed in the city of Schoharie on October 6 while carrying a a group of people who were on their way to a birthday party. Police are investigating why the limo passed by a stop sign and sped off the road at the bottom of a long hill, killing the driver, all 17 passengers, and two other people. According to the Associated Press, Hussain has been a paid government informant who has helped U.S. law enforcement authorities investigate potential domestic terrorist threats after the September 11, 2001, attacks. The government credited Hussain with rooting out radical Muslims in a sting operation at a mosque in the city of Newburgh, New York, in 2009, according to AP. Hussain posed as a wealthy representative of a Pakistani terrorist organization in that operation, the jury in the resulting trial was told. Four men were convicted of plotting to attack synagogues and shoot down military planes. According to AP, Hussein "drove a BMW and other luxury vehicles provided by the FBI to maintain his cover" and "made hundreds of hours of video and audio tapes of the defendants picking targets for jihad and ranting against Jews." His cooperation resulted in the conviction of the four men in the thwarted plot. Defense lawyers and civil liberties groups accused the government of entrapment in the case, and the judge who sentenced the defendants said the plot would not have been hatched if the government had not instigated it with the sting operation. In his own testimony at the trial, Hussain said he first entered the United States in Texas with his wife and two sons in the 1990s and later went to Albany, the New York State capital, where he received asylum. Hussain said he was working as a government translator in 2003 when he pleaded guilty to fraud for helping someone get their driver's license illegally. He avoided further jail time by agreeing to working as an FBI informant. AP said the FBI declined to comment on Hussain on October 8. At a news conference on October 8, New York State police Major Robert Patnaude did not indicate how long Hussain has been in Pakistan. He said it is not yet clear whether Hussain might face charges over the crash, which appeared to be the deadliest land-vehicle accident in the United States since 2005. It was the country's deadliest transportation accident of any kind since a plane crash in New York State killed 50 people in 2009. With reporting by AP, the Daily Gazette, and the Rochester Democrat And Chronicle U.S. President Donald Trump has said Nikki Haley will be leaving her post as UN ambassador at the end of the year. At a meeting with Haley in the Oval Office at the White House on October 9, Trump confirmed that he had accepted her resignation. No reason for the resignation was immediately given. Trump called Haley a "very special" person, adding that she told him six months ago that she might want to take some time off. Trump said that together they "solved a lot of problems" and said he hoped she could come back to the administration in another capacity. "We're all happy for you in one way, but we hate to lose (you). ... Hopefully, you'll be coming back at some point. Maybe a different capacity. You can have your pick," Trump said. Haley said during her meeting with Trump that her job was to defend America on the world stage. "Look at what has happened in two years with the United States on foreign policy. Now, the United States is respected," she said. "Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do." Haley has promoted a hawkish line on Iran and justified U.S. reductions in foreign-assistance funds. Also during her term at the UN, the United States earlier this year left the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of bias against Washington and Israel. Haley, 46, a former governor of South Carolina, is the daughter of Indian immigrants. She is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and a possible candidate for the 2020 presidential election. Despite the speculation, Haley said during the meeting with Trump: "No, I'm not running in 2020." Haley's departure comes just weeks before next month's midterm elections. Her departure is the latest in a long list of senior staff members to leave the Trump administration, including former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was fired in March. Haley, a novice in international politics, became UN envoy in January 2017. Last month, she coordinated Trump's second appearance at the United Nations, including his first time chairing the Security Council. Trump said he was considering many candidates for Haley's job and that a successor would be named in two to three weeks. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP Chechen human rights activist Oyub Titiyev accused police of planting drugs on him before he was arrested for the possession of an illegal substance. Titiyev was interviewed in Shali prison in Russia's Chechen Republic on October 9 by Current Time, a Russian-language digital network produced by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America. Titiyev is the head of the Chechnya office of the human rights group Memorial, and has been in detention since January. He was awarded the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on October 8. Yodgor Fayzov has just been named head of Tajikistan's eastern Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region in what appears to be the government's latest attempt to increase control over an area that arguably has little in common with the rest of the country. President Emomali Rahmon visited Gorno-Badakhshan's administrative capital, Khorog, on September 15 and criticized local officials for failing to rein in lawlessness, which Rahmon suggested was the work of "five or six criminals." Rahmon said that if local authorities could not bring order to Gorno-Badakhshan within one month's time, the government would be forced to send additional security forces to the region -- a potentially fraught idea for locals who have seen the consequences of government security operations several times already. The government in Dushanbe has never had complete control over Gorno-Badakhshan. No one ever has. For hundreds of years, China, Russia, and an assortment of emirs and khans had claimed the area, but probably few of those living there ever knew they were part of any empire -- or even that there was an empire. Difficult To Reach "The gates are mine to open, As the gates are mine to close, And I abide by my Mother's House,' Said our Lady of the Snows."* Those lines, from Rudyard Kipling's Our Lady Of The Snows, could have been penned about Gorno-Badakhshan, an area high up in the Pamir Mountains. Until very recently, only one road led from the Tajik capital to Khorog, and that road is closed by snow and avalanches most of the year. (There has long been another road from Kyrgyzstan through the Tajik town of Murghab to Khorog, the lifeline for Gorno-Badakhshan during the civil war.) During Tajikistan's 1992-97 civil war, travel was regularly interrupted on the Dushanbe-Khorog road. During the winter, small planes are the main means of transport to Khorog, but unpredictable and often severe weather through the high Pamir Mountains can make flying impossible for days, and sometimes weeks. Gorno-Badakhshan accounts for some 45 percent of Tajikistan's territory, yet only about 220,000 of Tajikistan's 9 million people live there. Tajik language is spoken there, but local languages, Pamiri languages, are also still spoken, including Shugnani, Rushani, Yazgulomi, Ishkashimi (Vakhani), and Sariquli (the latter in the Chinese border area), preserved by isolated communities in the region's remote valleys. Most of the people in Gorno-Badakhshan are Ismailis, Shi'ite Muslims, the people of the Aga Khan. Fayzov, the region's newly named head, also heads the Aga Khan Fund office in Tajikistan and follows several Ismailis who were previously in charge of Gorno-Badakhshan. The Aga Khan, Prince Karim, and his fund have provided more assistance to Gorno-Badakhshan than any other individual or group, including the Tajik government. The Aga Khan Foundation has helped build small power stations, developed hybrid crops that can grow at the high altitudes of Gorno-Badakhshan, established a university in Khorog, and built bridges across the Pyanj River to open up trade with Afghanistan, among other projects. But the region has no major industries to speak of. Unemployment is believed to be well over half of the eligible workforce despite a government figure of around 20 percent. Reports for decades have cited smuggling as a major source of income in the region. The same "narrow defiles and strong situations" that Marco Polo used to describe the land of "Balashan" and giving "apprehension of any foreign power entering it [Badakhshan] with a hostile intention" are also well-suited to smuggling, from precious stones and narcotics to cigarettes. The Soviet government was probably the first government to actually control Gorno-Badakhshan. Gorno-Badakhshan borders Afghanistan and China, so there were strategic military concerns. But Soviet policy sought to rid the U.S.S.R. of illiterate peasants, and great progress was made toward teaching all the inhabitants of the Soviet Union, including the mountain villagers of Gorno-Badakhshan, to read and write in Russian. In the 1970s, Soviet authorities decided to move large groups of Pamiris from the eastern mountains to the flatter agricultural lands of southwestern Tajikistan. The policy appeared to accomplish two goals at once: further integrating the Pamiris into the relatively developed areas of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic and providing extra labor in the fields. Mountain people don't tend to fare well when moved to lower altitudes and hotter climes, and so it was with the Pamiris. But following 1991 independence, these Pamiris had other pressing concerns. Back in their native region, a nationalist group called Lali Badakhshan had quickly sought greater autonomy from Dushanbe; then when civil war broke out in 1992, Lali Badakhshan sided with government opponents. The Pamiris who had been forcibly resettled in the west less than two decades earlier were easy targets for pro-government supporters, and they were massacred. The western part of Gorno-Badakhshan, along the road from Dushanbe, was the scene of protracted battles. Russian border guards protected the border at a series of posts along the frontier with Afghanistan (and were later briefly joined by "peacekeeping" troops from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan), the only areas in Badakhshan that could be generally regarded as having something resembling law and order. Khorog was nominally under government control, with help from Russian troops. The rest of Gorno-Badakhshan was beyond anyone's control, and remained so after the Tajik peace accord was signed in late June 1997 and peace settled in. 'Informal Leaders' With only the most tenuous of holds over the region, the Tajik government allowed powerful local figures -- "informal leaders" -- to administer to Gorno-Badakhshan as representatives of the Tajik government. Many of these local officials, natives of the region, have been suspected of being part of smuggling operations. One example of the influence, or lack thereof, the Tajik government has had in Gorno-Badakhshan came on February 23, 2008, when an armed group loyal to Mamadbokir Mamadbokirov, the former chief of the Murghab border-guard unit, attacked the Interior Ministry building in Khorog. The Interior Ministry gave Mamadbokirov's gang until 6 p.m. local time on February 26 to surrender and hand over their weapons. Mamadbokirov ignored the deadline. Asia-Plus at the time quoted many residents of Khorog in support of the Interior Ministry's intention to disarm "illegal armed groups"; several hundred locals came out into the streets to demand that such groups be neutralized. The government appeared to have lost much of its support when it announced it was incorporating six districts of western Gorno-Badakhshan into Tajikistan proper. By mid-March 2008, several hundred Khorog residents were protesting against the government's move. Dushanbe then sent reinforcements to Gorno-Badakhshan, which appeared to increase local resentment. At the start of July 2008, the government signed a deal aimed at ensuring law and order in Gorno-Badakhshan. Signing on behalf of Gorno-Badakhshan were local leaders Imomnazar Imomnazarov, Tolibbek Ayombekov, Yodgorsho Mamadaslamov, and Mamadbokirov, the latter being not only still free but also back in a position of authority. Tolibbek Ayombekov later resurfaced. In July 2012, members of Ayombekov's alleged gang were accused by the authorities of killing Gorno-Badakhshan's regional security chief, General Abdullo Nazarov. At the time of the killing, Ayombekov was the commander of the Ishkashim border detachment; he was subsequently accused by the government of being a tobacco and gem smuggler after Nazarov was dragged from his car, in the Ishkashim district, and stabbed to death. The government sent more troops, and dozens of people were killed in the ensuing violence. (Eurasianet recently did a fine job of recounting the events of summer 2012.) Ayombekov, still free, was in the news again recently, rejecting -- in comments posted on RFE/RL's Tajik Service (Ozodi) website -- reports that he had beaten Shodikhon Jamshed, the man Fayzov this month replaced as head of Gorno-Badakhshan. There are dozens of figures like Ayombekov or Mamadbokirov in Gorno-Badakhshan. They probably know the people there far better than officials in Dushanbe. It is still difficult to imagine the government establishing firm control of Gorno-Badakhshan, and the authorities in Dushanbe seem disinclined to take steps that could arguably help the region. For example, trucks that cross from China into Gorno-Badakhshan pay no customs fees until they arrive at Dushanbe. That policy deprives Gorno-Badakhshan of revenues from cargo trucks that transit the region. The Tajik government does not appear to have debated any plans for building factories or plants in Gorno-Badakhshan. There are no obvious development plans for Gorno-Badakhshan, except to claim it as part of Tajikistan. So there is Gorno-Badakhshan and there is the rest of Tajikistan. With limited resources, Gorno-Badakhshan probably needs whatever support and supplies the Tajik government can offer. But equally, the terrain; the cultural, religious, and linguistic differences; and recent historical animosities suggest the Tajik government might never gain firm control over Gorno-Badakhshan except through statecraft that Dushanbe does not appear willing to engage in with respect to its eastern region. * Thanks to Karl Meyer and Shareen Bryan for including that Kipling passage in their excellent book Tournament Of Shadows, a must-read for those interested in Central Asia. RFE/RL's Tajik Service contributed to this report. Also thanks to Edward Lemon, formerly from the Harriman Institute, currently working at the Kennan Institute, for his help. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL Amateur video shows explosions and fire lighting up the night sky above an ammunition depot in Ukraine. This was in the early hours of October 9 near the town of Ichnya, some 180 kilometers east of Kyiv. About 12,000 people were evacuated from homes nearby but there were no reports of injuries. Ukrainian officials said they are probing potential causes, including possible sabotage. Ukrainian government forces have been fighting Russia-backed separatists further east in the country since 2014. While our attempt to meet the Guinness World Record of 30,851 for the most pumpkins carved and lit at once remains on our horizon, now in our third consecutive year with Make-A-Wish, our commitment and focus to bring benefit to these families has deepened, Pecaro said. KYIV -- Volodymyr Balukh, a pro-Ukrainian activist jailed in Russian-controlled Crimea, has suspended a months-long hunger strike pending his expected transfer to a prison in Russia. Archbishop Klyment, the cleric responsible for Crimea in the Kyiv-based Ukrainian Orthodox Church, told reporters in Kyiv on October 9 that Balukh will resume the hunger strike once he arrives at prison in Russia. He is currently being held at a jail in Crimea. Klyment read aloud from a letter in which Balukh wrote that he "used the last chance to find at least a crack in the occupier's punitive system, where some elements of common sense and honor might be present, and decided to halt the hunger strike." He said he will resume the protest fast once he is in a prison in Russia. "I will not allow myself to consume food from the occupiers' hands and wear their prison robes," Balukh wrote, adding that if he dies he would like to be buried in the "unoccupied part of Ukraine." Initially arrested in December 2016, Balukh was convicted on a weapons-and-explosives possession charge in August 2017. His conviction and nearly four-year prison sentence was reversed on appeal and returned to a lower court, which issued the same verdict and sentence in January 2018. A new case against Balukh was opened in March, after the warden of the penal facility where he is being held sued him, claiming that Balukh attacked him. In July, a court found Balukh guilty of that charge and ruled that he will serve a total of five years in prison for both convictions. On October 3, the top regional court reduced Balukh's five-year prison term by one month. Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014, sending in troops and staging a referendum denounced as illegitimate by at least 100 countries, after Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was pushed from power by protests. Rights groups say that since that time Russia has moved aggressively to prosecute Ukrainian activists and anyone who questions the annexation. An intense series of explosions and a fast-moving fire ripped through an ammunition depot in Ukraine, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people and igniting suspicions of sabotage in a country mired in a simmering war with Russia-backed separatists. Authorities said about 12,000 people were evacuated from their homes after the blaze and blasts began before dawn on October 9 at the munitions dump near the Chernihiv region town of Ichnya, some 180 kilometers east of Kyiv. Regional authorities said 63 people came to hospitals, saying they felt ill after inhaling smoke, but a Defense Ministry statement said no civilians or military personnel were injured or killed. "As of 7 a.m. [local time], the intensity of explosions is two to three explosions per second," it said. The country's Security Service (SBU) said in a statement that the military prosecutor's office in central Ukraine launched an investigation on suspicion of negligence, but that the SBU is considering all possible causes including sabotage. A deputy chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, Major General Rodion Tymoshenko, said he suspects sabotage, though he did not point to a possible culprit. "There were two simultaneous explosions first and they were followed by two other explosions on the other side of the depot. The explosions caused the fire," Tymoshenko told reporters in Kyiv. "The intensity of the explosions in different parts of the depot indicate that it was most likely a sabotage," he said. The emergency services said in a statement that authorities temporarily closed the airspace in a 30-kilometer radius around the site, as well as rail and road traffic. 'Restrictive Measures' The fire and explosions began at around 3:30 a.m. local time at the Defense Ministry's depot No. 6, which covers about 700 hectares, a statement said. Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman and the head of the countrys armed forces, Viktor Muzhenko, traveled to the site. Muzhenko said that "appropriate restrictive measures" were being introduced across the Chernihiv region. There have been several explosions and fires at Ukrainian arms depots in recent years, amid fighting between government forces and the Russia-backed separatists who hold parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a few hundred kilometers southeast of the depot site. The war has killed more than 10,300 people since it began after Russia seized Crimea and fomented separatism following the ouster of Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled in the face of months of pro-European protests in Kyiv. Cease-fire deals signed in Belaruss capital, Minsk, in September 2014 and February 2015, have failed to end the conflict. 'Significant Shortcomings' In March 2017, a massive conflagration at a munitions depot near the eastern city of Kharkiv prompted the evacuation of about 20,000 residents living within a 20-kilometer radius of the site. And in September 2017, more than 30,000 people were evacuated after artillery warehouses on a military installation exploded in the Vinnytsya region, southwest of Kyiv. Authorities have frequently blamed the blasts on sabotage, and the government has allocated 100 million hryvnyas ($3.6 million) for protection of the country's ammunition storage facilities. After the fires in 2017, a parliamentary defense committee inspected other depots and said that there were "significant" shortcomings in the way the site near Ichnya was managed, according to a lawmaker on the committee, Dmytro Tymchuk. In a post on Facebook, Tymchuk said that he had sent a document to the heads of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff of the Armed Forces that "listed the shortcomings" and included "a request to intervene in the situation and solve existing problems." With reporting by Reuters, UNIAN, and Ukrayinska Pravda The United States has expressed some concern about what it called "shortcomings" in Bosnia's election process even as it said it remains "committed to a stable and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina." In a statement late on October 8 after the results of the October 7 election showed a Serb nationalist who has advocated splitting up Bosnia won the Serb seat on its three-member presidency, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the United States "shares concerns about the electoral process, as expressed by the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] election observer mission, international observation teams, and local [non-governmental organizations]." "These include concerns over accuracy of voter registration polls, impartiality of election observers, equitable access to media, and misuse of public resources," she said. "Such concerns are at odds with Bosnian authorities' stated commitment to a fully fair and transparent election, and we encourage Bosnian institutions to address shortcomings raised by the OSCE observers." "We expect all stakeholders and citizens to pursue any grievances through established legal channels," Nauert said, calling on victors to be "magnanimous" and losers to be "gracious in defeat." It was not clear what specifically was behind the concerns raised by Nauert. The AP news agency reported that opponents of Milorad Dodik, the Bosnian Serb leader who won the Serb presidential seat, are seeking a recount of the vote over alleged "numerous discrepancies." AP reported that Mladen Ivanic, the opposition candidate for the post, said drastic differences seen in results in various areas of the Serb Republic, or Republika Srpska, a Serbian mini-state within Bosnia, were "impossible." Though Washington said its concerns were also shared by the OSCE, the European agency was mostly positive about the election outcome in its public comments. 'No Time To Waste' OSCE Secretary-General Thomas Greminger said on Twitter that Bosnian "citizens expressed their will in peaceful and democratic elections. Now political leadership must ensure results are implemented through formation of legislative and executive authorities at all levels." Greminger said that there is "No time to waste. Essential to act beyond party lines," adding that "OSCE support continues." The Reuters news agency reported that international election monitors said the vote was generally orderly despite some reported allegations of fraud and misconduct, which monitors said should be investigated. Given the potential for divisions with the elevation of Dodik, a pro-Russian Serb who told Russia's Izvestia newspaper after his election that he will fight any bid by Bosnia to join NATO, the European Union called on the newly elected leaders to work for unity. "We expect all political leaders to engage in the formation of the governments at all levels, by working constructively together," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said in a joint statement. Bosnia consists of two entities: the ethnic Serb-dominated Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnian Muslims and Croats. The two entities are linked by joint state-level institutions, including the tripartite presidency. The main Bosnian Muslim party said its candidate, Sefik Dzaferovic, will be the Muslim representative in the presidency, while Croat voters returned Zelijko Komsic to their seat. Voters on October 7 were choosing leaders for the three-member presidency, as well as parliamentary legislatures and canton assemblies in what may be the world's most complicated political system. With reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters The United States has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to throw out a claim by Iran to recover $1.75 billion in bank assets seized by U.S. courts. The United States was responding on October 8 to an Iranian lawsuit before the Hague tribunal in which Iran is seeking to recover funds impounded during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that the funds must be turned over to American families of victims of alleged Iranian terrorist attacks, including the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, in which 241 soldiers were killed, and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. "The actions at the root of this case center on Iran's support for international terrorism," which should disqualify it from presenting a case before the court, Richard Visek, legal adviser to the U.S. Department of State, told the ICJ. "Iran comes to the court with unclean hands. Indeed, it is a remarkable show of bad faith," he said. "Iran's bad acts include support for terrorist bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and airline hijackings." The current Iranian case before the UN high court is separate from Iran's lawsuit against U.S. economic sanctions, which the court decided in Iran's favor last week. Like the sanctions case, Iran is basing its claim to recover impounded funds on a 1955 Amity Treaty with the United States, which was signed 24 years before its Islamic Revolution. Washington announced last week that it would withdraw from the treaty, but it could take up to a year for that withdrawal to take effect. Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters The childrens retail shop will be near the front of the store, with the snack area in the middle and a childrens play area in the rear. Parents will be allowed to purchase a one-day pass or sign up for multiple visits, Makovski said. Great military parade in Cancun to be led by president Pena Nieto Cancun, Q.R. Authorities are preparing for a historic military parade which they say will be led by Mexicos president Enrique Pena Nieto. Pena Nieto will arrive in Cancun to lead the parade along with the Chief of the Armed Forces. In a press conference, Cancun mayor Mara Lezama Espinoza announced that on October 9, officials will arrive for the inauguration of the Military Police Battalion. The inauguration of the new military city, which is on the mainland of Isla Mujeres, will cause the closure of streets of Avenida Tulum. In a statement, the municipal government said that Great Military Parade will be held on October 9 from 9:00 a.m. in Cancun. The Municipal Traffic Directorate will have both lanes of a section of Tulum Avenue closed for several hours during the parade. The road closure will include both lanes of Tulum Avenue from Coba Avenue to Lopez Portillo Avenue, so drivers are to use alternate roads Bonampak and Nader avenues. Traffic will be manned by 35 police in those areas of the city during the parade. More than 3,000 people are expected to participate in the military parade to officially inaugurate the military city outside Cancun that has become home to 3,200 military personnel. The Mexican presidents attendance at the military parade will be the first time in Cancuns 47 years of existence that a president has led a parade. The driver of the Trailblazer, a 38-year-old Zion man, was transported to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan with non-life-threatening injuries. The Chicago woman was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical injuries, according to the statement. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Additional forces were deployed in industrial areas in Gujarat for the security of Hindi-speaking migrants after attacks on them sparked their exodus that prompted the state government on Monday to make an appeal for their return. Assuring security to the migrants, the Gujarat government said 431 people were arrested and 56 FIRs registered in connection with the attacks, as Chief Minister Vijay Rupani appealed to people not to engage in violence. Claiming that no untoward incident had taken place during the last 48 hours, Rupani said the situation has been brought under control by police. "We are committed to maintaining law and order, and people can call police in case of trouble. We will provide them security." he told reporters in Rajkot. Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar--Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar-- and Union minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan, who hails from Bihar, spoke to Rupani to voice their concern over the attacks. Since the alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people, police said. Advertisement Police have arrested Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a local ceramic factory, for the crime. Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad president Maheshsingh Kushwah claimed that over 20,000 people belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar had already fled Gujarat due to the prevailing situation. "Over 20,000 migrants from these states have fled due to fear as Hindi-speaking people are being attacked in different parts of the state. All non-Gujaratis should not be seen as culprits for the misdeeds of one person," he said. Yogi Adityanath A political dimension to the attacks was also injected with a leader of the JD(U), which is headed by Nitish Kumar, dashing off a two-page open letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, blaming his party for the violence against Biharis. "You appointed your Gujarat MLA Alpesh Thakor as one of the national secretaries in-charge of Bihar and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena is driving out migrant Biharis," Neeraj Kumar, JD(U) MLC and spokesman, alleged. Without naming opposition Congress, Gujarat Home Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja said efforts were underway to find out whether "it(attacks) is a conspiracy by those who are out of power in Gujarat since the last 22 years". Advertisement Jadeja said it is the responsibility of the state government to provide security to those who come to Gujarat for employment from other states and appealed to those who have fled to come back to the state. He said additional forces have been deployed in industrial areas for the security of migrants. Jadeja told a press conference in Gandhinagar that the Centre had been apprised of the steps taken by the state government to bring the situation under control. "The attack on migrant workers is highly condemnable. The chief minister has instructed us to take all necessary steps to stop the attacks. "I also appeal to people not to be misled by those who are inciting people for their political gains," Jadeja said. Jadeja said only a handful of people are involved in the violence. "We have deployed additional forces in industrial areas for the security of migrants. We have also decided to set up points (camps) for the State Reserve Police (SRP) and increase patrolling in such areas." Nitish Kumar Advertisement While police have arrested several members of the Thakor Sena in connection with the attacks and also mentioned the outfit's name in some of the FIRs, its president and Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor alleged that youth from the community were being falsely implicated. Condemning the rape incident, Nitish Kumar said the guilty must be punished but an entire community must not be tarred with the same brush. "Our government is aware and alert. I spoke to the Gujarat chief minister yesterday. Our Chief Secretary and DGP are also in touch with their counterparts in Gujarat," Kumar told reporters in Patna. "If somebody has committed a crime, he must be punished severely. But on account of one incident, people must not generalize and hold a grouse against an entire state." Adityanath said the Gujarat chief minister told him that his government has ensured the safety of all and that are all welcome. Rupani also informed there had not been any incident since the past three days and he has also appealed to people against paying any heed to rumours, Adityanath told reporters in Lucknow. Adityanath said Gujarat is a peace loving state and a model of development and that those do not want development spread rumours. "Some North Indians living there had called me and I have told them also not to pay heed to the rumours.," he said. Finance Minister Manpreet Badal Chandigarh (Spokesman News Service), 9th Oct'18: The Congress Election Manifesto Drafting Committee, set up by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to prepare a pro-people manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, met today in Chennai. The meeting attended by the Punjab Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President Mr. S.K. Thirunavukarasar, Rajya Sabha member Mrs. Rajni Patil, discussed issues being faced by the farmers and common masses. Revealing this here today, a Media spokesman of Minister said that the manifesto committee will discuss and prepare manifesto on the core issues related to Defence, Ex-Servicemen, Agriculture and Senior Citizens. "In today's meeting, the burning issues like present agrarian crisis and proper marketing of crops were discussed", he added. Advertisement "On October 10, the committee members will hold a meeting at Hyderabad (Telangana) to discuss the demands and problems of farmers in detail", said the spokesman while adding, "After this, the committee will further discuss issues of Ex-servicemen, Defence and senior citizens in Pune (Maharashtra) on October 11 and Bengaluru (Karnataka) on October 12. Few days back, Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal held a meeting with representatives from different walks of life including farmers, ex-servicemen, defence personnel and senior citizen at the Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh Chandigarh (Spokesman News Service), 9th Oct'18: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday condoled the death of veteran journalist and former president of Chandigarh Press Club, Akhil Gautam (70), who passed away in Delhi after a prolonged illness. In his condolence message, the Chief Minister described Akhil Gautam as an outstanding journalist, who was always at the forefront of championing the cause of freedom of the press. His distinguished services in establishing Chandigarh Press Club would be always remembered by the media, said Captain Amarinder. The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, relatives and friends in this hour of grief. Meanwhile, the Chief Ministers Media Advisor Raveen Thukral also mourned the passing away of Akhil Gautam, saying his death had left a void in the journalistic fraternity, which would be difficult to fill. Akhil Gautam is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. According to the tenant, her apartment was one of the few that didnt sustain a lot of damage, but when she went on Saturday after the fire to reclaim her belongings and those of her roommate, she was given five hours and that was it. I believe change is ever-present and, to be successful, you have to start with a clear vision, invest in developing strong relationships, and deliver on your plan with equal parts of patience, persistence and adaptability, she added. Lake County is fortunate to have a strong team of professionals. I am confident working together we can meet the demands of added responsibility. On the other hand, 14th Street is currently an absolute mess of ragged pavement, awaiting its turn in the construction cycle. It is lined up for a $17 million rebuild from Green Bay Road all the way in to Sheridan Road starting early next year, but those who value their suspension and alignment might want to consider alternate routes starting right now, and especially with winter on the agenda. [NOUMEA] The Marshall Islands climate strategic plan to go carbon neutral by 2050 is also an environmental message and challenge to the world from this tiny Pacific nation that is responsible for less than 0.0001 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions. The Marshall Islands is only the tenth country to submit a long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as required by the Paris Agreement. A new assessment of the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released on 8 October, said limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented commitment from all countries to reduce carbon emissions. If one of the smallest and most isolated nations can do it, so can everyone else, including the big emitters Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine If one of the smallest and most isolated nations can do it, so can everyone else, including the big emitters, said Hilda Heine, president of the Marshall Islands, while launching her countrys plan at the opening of the (2430 September) Climate Week NYC in New York. The plan focuses on the electricity sector, which has the greatest potential to reduce GhG emissions. At least 10 per cent of the Marshall Islands GDP is spent on importing fossil fuels for electricity generation. About a third of the low-lying equatorial countrys emissions have to do with an outsized shipping industry, the result of thousands of tankers, oil rigs and freighters finding it convenient to fly the Marshall Islands flag. Like all the other Pacific island nations, the Marshall Islands are leading by example and have submitted ambitious national contribution propositions to reduce global emissions above the Paris Agreement, says Sylvie Goyet, director of the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability department of the Pacific Community. And they remain faithful to it, says Goyet, pointing to the fact that the Fiji Islands have just published their energy transition road map and the Tokelao islands are now fully based on green energy, with the Tonga and Cook Islands following close with their climate strategic plans. Goyet tells SciDev.Net that it is not easy for a small country to have a long-term low GhG emission strategy. The Pacific islands face many difficulties starting with extreme tropical climatic conditions. Solar panels need to be extra strong to endure violent winds, sea air, sands and tropical storms, and that can be expensive. There also are social considerations, like differentiated impacts of climate change on women, men and youth. On the islands, women are in charge of the shellfish fisheries on the reef flats, while men work the offshore fisheries. With shellfish sensitive to ocean acidification, the women face the prospect of not being able to fish anymore and the men having to stay away due to depleting fisheries. Its a fact that by 2050 even if global carbon emissions are reduced, some tropical islands will disappear, says Goyet. Rising oceans that reduce water availability and Pacific acidification that causes coral bleaching and threatens food security are among issues facing the island territories, she says. The Marshall Islands are among the nations that are most vulnerable to sea level as the average elevation of the 1,150 islands that make up the territory is less than two metres above sea level. The Pacific islands are now calling on the international community to consider climate change security. Global warming can lead to multiple insecurity questions; should a climate refugee status be created for climate migrants, if an island is submerged do maritime boundaries move? Goyet says. These questions will be at the centre of the climate vulnerable summit organised by the Marshall Islands this coming 22 November just ahead of the Katowice (Poland) Climate Change Conference meeting on 2-14 December. This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Asia & Pacific desk. Salt is essential for life. As ancient civilizations evolved from hunters and gatherers to agrarian societies, it has not been clear how people acquired this mineral that is a biological necessity. However, an anthropologist at LSU discovered remnants of an ancient salt works in Belize that provide clues on how the ancient Maya at the peak of their civilization more than 1,000 years ago produced, stored and traded this valuable mineral. New analyses of stone tools found at this site, called the Paynes Creek Salt Works, reveal that not only were the Maya making salt in large quantities, but they were salting fish and meat to meet dietary needs and producing a commodity that could be stored and traded. "Since we found virtually no fish or other animal bones during our sea-floor survey or excavations, I was surprised that the microscopic markings on the stone tools, which we call 'use-wear,' showed that most of the tools were used to cut or scrape fish or meat," said Heather McKillop, the study's lead author and the Thomas & Lillian Landrum Alumni Professor in the LSU Department of Geography & Anthropology. McKillop worked on this study with co-author Professor Kazuo Aoyama from Ibaraki University in Japan who is an expert on the use-wear damage on stone tools. McKillop's study site is a 3-square-mile area surrounded by mangrove forest that had been buried beneath a saltwater lagoon due to sea level rise. "Sea level rise completely submerged these sites underwater," she said. The soggy mangrove soil, or peat, is acidic and disintegrates bone, shells and microfossils made from calcium carbonate. Therefore, no remnants of fish or animal bones were found. However, the mangrove peat preserves wood, which normally decays in the rainforest of Central America. After finding the preserved wood in 2004, McKillop and her students mapped and excavated the underwater sites with funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society. They discovered more than 4,000 wooden posts that outline a series of buildings used as salt kitchens where brine was boiled in pots over fires to make salt. The pottery is also used in modern and historic salt-making and is called briquetage. The salt was hardened in pots to form salt cakes and used to salt fish and meat, which were storable commodities that could be transported to marketplaces by canoe within the region. The Classic Maya from 300-900 A.D. may have traveled by boat along the coast and up rivers to cities about 15 miles inland to trade and barter. "These discoveries substantiate the model of regional production and distribution of salt to meet the biological needs of the Classic Maya," McKillop said. A progressively drying climate punctuated by variable wetter episodes may have precipitated the transition from our hominin ancestors to anatomically modern humans, according to research published on Oct. 8 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS). Since the discovery of a rich assemblage of human fossils as well as stone tools and other archeological evidence in the rift valley of East Africa, a region often referred to as the cradle of humanity, scientists have attempted to piece together the complex puzzle that is the history of our human origins, including the environmental context of that history. The study, based on lake sediment cores, is the first to provide a continuous environmental context for the diverse archeological evidence recovered from nearby localities in the rift valley basins of southern Kenya. The cores were sampled from Lake Magadi as part of the Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project, or HSPDP, which is directed by University of Arizona professor Andrew Cohen. Lake Magadi, a shallow, periodically dry lake, is close to the Olorgesailie basin in Kenya, one of the most productive sites for archaeological evidence of human evolution in Africa. The authors suggest that the profound climatic changes may have been driving forces behind hominin evolution, the origins of modern Homo sapiens and the onset of the Middle Stone Age. While previous hypotheses have related hominin evolution to climate change, most prior studies lack regional-scale evidence for a link between environment and hominin evolution, the authors write in the paper, "Progressive aridification in East Africa over the last half million years and implications for human evolution." According to the study, a trend toward intense aridification in the area began 575,000 years ago. The change, not previously documented in continuous continental cores from East Africa, corresponds with faunal extinctions and a major transformation in stone tool technology documented in the Olorgesailie region. "Much evidence for human evolution has been gathered from the area, but linking those records to detailed environmental records was missing until now," said the study's lead author, Richard Owen, of Hong Kong Baptist University. "There is a big gap in the records between the last Early Stone Age tools 500,000 years ago and the appearance of Middle Stone Age tools about 320,000 years ago. Our results plugged that gap with a continuous environmental record." A critical transition occurred sometime during this gap, a period for which archeologists have unearthed evidence of a leap in early humans' abilities to make, use and trade stone tools. advertisement The cores from Lake Magadi provide the first detailed link between climate change and events known from the region's archeological record. "We have known for a while that the climate at the time was very varied, but the key here is that the records are in proximity to the archeological evidence for this transition," says Cohen, a professor in the University of Arizona's Department of Geosciences. "The older stone tools found at Olorgesailie did not change much between 1.2 million and a half-million years ago. And suddenly, after 500,000 and before 320,000 years ago -- we don't know exactly when, but in that timespan -- there was a critical transition in archeology when tools became more sophisticated and were transported over longer distances." At the same time the lake core records point to the climate becoming drier and more variable, there is evidence elsewhere in Africa of the appearance of modern Homo sapiens, prompting much speculation whether the two are connected, Cohen said. "Whether the evolution of bigger brains goes hand in hand with new toolkits is not entirely clear," he said. "But the earliest modern Homo sapiens fossils from Morocco date back 325,000 years, the same time we see this transition of tools. And both happened around the same time that our core record indicates severe drying very close to the archeological sites." The deepest core drilled at Lake Magadi reached 200 meters (650 feet), penetrating all sedimentary layers down to the volcanic bedrock of the lake. The core samples, each about 10 feet long and 2 1/2 inches in diameter, are cut into manageable 5-foot segments, packaged and air-freighted to the National Lake Core Facility at the University of Minnesota for curation, analysis and storage. advertisement According to the hypothesis of variability selection, a rapidly changing environment creates selective pressure that forces species to adapt to rapid change, Owen said. Under that scenario, the larger brains of anatomically modern humans would have allowed our ancestors to adapt quickly to an increasingly less predictable world. "Now we have evidence that at the same time the toolkits were changing, the mammal fauna changed and the climate became more arid," Owen said. "So you have a series of coincidences that makes you think, 'This could be real.' Now we can say when the environment changed and then compare that to the archeological evidence of the region." Drilling at other nearby sites by HSPDP has been completed as researchers gather more of the region's climate data to continue studying the importance of environmental variability in the course of human evolution. The Hong Kong Research Grants Council, the International Continental Drilling Program, the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan funded the research. A new study shows that Atlantic salmon use the Earth's magnetic field as a navigational tool -- much like their cousins, Pacific salmon -- and don't lose that ability through several generations of fish even after they have been transplanted into a land-locked lake. The findings suggest that Atlantic salmon, which are widely used in aquaculture, may have greater potential to navigate and thus invade novel habitats if they escape their pens, researchers say. Results of the study are being published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This is the first time in which scientists have documented that another genus of salmon use the magnetic field as a map for navigation. A landmark 2014 study by Oregon State University researchers show that Chinook salmon use the magnetic field to orient themselves as they migrate over hundreds, even thousands of miles through the Pacific Ocean to target their oceanic foraging grounds. The researchers constructed a testing apparatus at the Oregon Hatchery Research Center with several "arenas" surrounded by wooden coils wrapped in copper wire to mimic Earth's magnetic field, and tested 1,150 juvenile Atlantic salmon transported from Oregon's Hosmer Lake. Atlantic salmon had first been brought to the land-locked lake from Maine some 60 years ago, and the researchers were curious to see if they had navigational abilities similar to ocean-going salmon, according to lead author Michelle Scanlan, faculty research assistant in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and lead author on the PNAS article. advertisement "We wanted to see how Atlantic salmon would respond if we put them into different magnetic fields at the boundaries of Pacific salmon oceanic range," Scanlan said. "If we put them into an extreme northern field, would they 'course-correct' and align themselves in a southerly direction, and vice-versa? And the answer was yes. They clearly aligned themselves in the tank to adjust to an appropriate magnetic field signal." This ability to use the magnetic field to navigate by land-locked Atlantic salmon is of particular concern because of an incident in August of 2017, when 200,000 to 300,000 Atlantic salmon escaped an aquaculture pen in Washington's Puget Sound. Eight months later, one of the fish was reportedly caught 40 miles up the Skagit River, raising concerns about the impact on native salmon and the ecosystem. The state of Washington has since banned Atlantic salmon farms. The study also raises some interesting questions about how long fish in general, and salmon in particular, retain skills they no longer need, said Nathan Putman, a senior scientist with LGL Ecological Research Associates in Bryan, Texas, who led the 2014 Pacific salmon navigation study as a post-doctoral scholar at OSU. "Why didn't the Hosmer Lake fish lose their ability to navigate?" Putman said. "It apparently isn't a 'use it or lose it' skill. It may be possible that they have some finer-scale navigation tools at their disposal to use in a lake. Even at small-scales, fish are confronted by a variety of spatial tasks that might benefit from use of magnetic cues -- from traveling in a straight line to maneuvering through the water column. More research is needed to answer those questions." A study by the same researchers published in February in Biology Letters found that larval salmon use the magnetic field when emerging from "redds" or nests and into the water column -- suggesting salmon do have some fine-scale magnetic tools that may not have been fully identified. advertisement On a broad scale, however, the use of the magnetic field explains, in part, how salmon can find the way to their river of origin. "The magnetic field is kind of like having a GPS system in your car," said Amanda Pollock, a graduate student in OSU's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and co-author on the study. "That gets them close to their river and then their olfactory senses kick in." And that ability is retained even throughout many generations of landlocked individuals. The senior scientist for the project is David Noakes, professor in the OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. In string theory, a paradigm shift could be imminent. In June, a team of string theorists from Harvard and Caltech published a conjecture which sounded revolutionary: String theory is said to be fundamentally incompatible with our current understanding of "dark energy" -- but only with "dark energy" can we explain the accelerated expansion of our current universe. Timm Wrase of the Vienna University of Technology quickly realized something odd about this conjecture: it seemed to be incompatible with the existence of the Higgs particle. His calculations, which he carried out together with theorists from Columbia University in New York and the University of Heidelberg, have now been published in Physical Review. At the moment, there are heated discussions about strings and dark energy all around the world. Wrase hopes that this will lead to new breakthroughs in this line of research. The theory for everything Great hope is placed in string theory. It is supposed to explain how gravity is related to quantum physics and how we can understand the laws of nature, which describe the entire physical world, from the smallest particles to the largest structure of the cosmos. Often, string theory has been accused of merely providing abstract mathematical results and making too few predictions that can actually be verified in an experiment. Now, however, the string theory community all around the world is discussing a question that is closely related to cosmic experiments measuring the expansion of the universe. In 2011, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for the discovery that the universe is not only constantly growing larger, but that this expansion is actually accelerating. This phenomenon can only be explained by assuming an additional, previously unknown "dark energy." This idea originally came from Albert Einstein, who added it as a "cosmological constant" to his theory of general relativity. Einstein actually did this to construct a non-expanding universe. When Hubble discovered in 1929 that the universe was in fact expanding, Einstein described this modification of his equations as the biggest blunder of his life. But with the discovery of the accelerated expansion of the cosmos, the cosmological constant has been reintroduced as dark energy into the current standard model of cosmology. advertisement Like an apple in the fruit bowl "For a long time, we thought that such a dark energy can be well accommodated in string theory," says Timm Wrase from the Institute for Theoretical Physics of the Vienna University of Technology. String theory assumes that there are additional, previously unknown particles that can be described as fields. These fields have a state of minimal energy -- much like an apple lying in a bowl. It will always lie at the very bottom, at the lowest point of the bowl. Everywhere else its energy would be higher, if we want to shift it, we have to exert energy. But that does not mean that the apple at the lowest point has no energy at all. We can put the bowl with the apple on the ground, or on top of the table -- there the apple has more energy but it still cannot move, because it is still in a state of minimal energy in its bowl. "In string theory there are fields which could explain dark energy in a similar way -- locally, they are in a state of minimal energy, but still their energy has a value greater than zero," explains Timm Wrase. "So these fields would provide the so-called dark energy, with which we could explain the accelerated expansion of the universe." But Cumrun Vafa from Harvard University, one of the world's most renowned string theorists, published an article on June 25, raising many eyebrows. He suggested that such "bowl-shaped" fields of positive energy are not possible in string theory. advertisement The Higgs field -- a contradiction Timm Wrase of the Vienna University of Technology quickly realized the implications of this claim: "If that is true, the accelerated expansion of the universe, as we have imagined it so far, is not possible" he says. "The accelerated expansion would then have to be described by a field with quite different properties, like a tilted plane on which a ball rolls downhill, losing potential energy." But in that case, the amount of "dark energy" in the universe would change over time, and the accelerated expansion of the universe may one day come to a halt. Gravity could then pull all matter back together and assemble everything at one point, similar to the time of the Big Bang. But Timm Wrase, who had already dealt with similar questions in his doctoral thesis, found that this idea cannot be the whole truth either. "Cumrun Vafa's conjecture, which prohibits certain types of fields, would also prohibit things that we already know to exist," he explains. Wrase was able to show that the Higgs field also has properties that should actually be forbidden by Vafa's conjecture -- and the Higgs field is considered an experimentally proven fact. For its discovery, the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded. Wrase uploaded his results to the preprint website Arxiv, quickly sparking a lot of discussions in the string theory community. Now the work has been peer reviewed and published in the journal Physical Review. "This controversy is a good thing for string theory," Timm Wrase is convinced. "Suddenly, a lot of people have completely new ideas which nobody has thought about before." Wrase and his team are now investigating which fields are allowed in string theory and at which points they violate Vafa's conjecture. "Maybe that leads us to exciting new insights into the nature of dark energy -- that would be a great success," says Wrase. The hypotheses that arise will (at least in part) soon be tested experimentally. In the next few years the accelerated expansion of the universe will be measured more accurately than ever before. I had to take a trip to Racine the other day and I took Green Bay Road. When I crossed the state line into Wisconsin, it was like Dawson City during the gold strike. Theres construction going on everywhere; building going on everywhere. Apartment complexes are being built. And I thought this is all because Wisconsin fought the unions and made it a right to work state. So did Missouri and Indiana, and theyre booming too. And so I want to say to the union members, I know you should get paid a decent wage for the skilled work that you do. But I dont appreciate paying taxes in order to give some guy $75 an hour to dig a ditch with a shovel. And thats where the unions are. Theyre corrupt. The heads of them are corrupted. And theyre no good. And were in a stranglehold. Illinois can be like Wisconsin. We just need a change in government. How much the city will have to pay for the repair is not clear. But Beidler and her 1st Ward colleague Ald. Jed Morris are leading a private fundraising drive. Beidler said they had raised more than $100,000 for the effort as of Oct. 5 and hoped to collect $500,000 altogether. The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a Virginia real estate developer with skimming investor funds that were intended for use in purchasing an office building near the site of a planned commuter rail station on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Silver Line. The complaint also alleged commingling and misappropriation of investments in various real-estate and other projects. As alleged in the SEC's complaint, over at least a four year period, Todd Elliott Hitt used two of his companies - Kiddar Capital LLC and Kiddar Group Holdings, Inc. - to raise more than $20 million from investors for the purpose of acquiring and operating the Silver Line office building, new home construction in Northern Virginia, and a fund managed by Hitt that invested in a start-up business. The SEC alleges that Hitt made misrepresentations about his own investments in the ventures and misappropriated several million dollars of investor funds to support his extravagant lifestyle and make Ponzi-like payments to prior investors. As part of his settlement with the SEC, the terms of which remain subject to court approval, Hitt consented to entry of a judgment freezing his assets and imposing conduct-based injunctions that enjoin him from participating in the offer or sale of interests in real estate development companies. Hitt has also consented to the appointment of a receiver over a number of the corporate defendants and relief defendants. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, the Receiver would protect investors, prevent asset dissipation and loss, and attend to the businesses. Penalties and disgorgement would be determined by the court at a later date. The SEC's complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, charges Hitt, Kiddar Capital, and Kiddar Group with violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and also charges Hitt with violations of Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The investigation has been conducted by Daniel H. Rubenstein, Michael T. Grimes, Keith A. O'Donnell, Michael S. Fuchs, Shipra G. Wells, and Paul Harley, and supervised by C. Joshua Felker. Patrick Costello and Nicholas Margida will lead the SEC's litigation under the supervision of Fred Block. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Im excited as for once, the weather is beautiful and who doesnt love ice cream? Underwood said, addressing the crowd. I know there are people here that arent political, but there are those that came out that are inspired and want to take action. I see a lot of diversity here with kids and their parents. Everyone is happy there is a palpable joy. When do you see that recently at political events? Billionaire Salesforce chief Marc Benioff is going all in on supporting Proposition C, the November ballot measure that would tax the biggest businesses in San Francisco to raise as much as $300 million for homeless programs, pledging what amounts to at least $2 million to help pass the measure. The entrance of the cloud software mogul into the campaign his strongest purely political action to date, and one that could cost his company millions of dollars in new taxes forcefully highlights the split between the two philosophies surrounding the measure. One side, led by the city Chamber of Commerce, says suddenly infusing hundreds of millions of dollars into indigence programs would be fiscally irresponsible and would mostly just attract more homeless people to the city. And the other, led by the San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness and community-based organizations, says a surge of funding toward compassionate programs would dramatically clear the streets. Benioff, who in recent years has donated millions of dollars to house homeless families and vigorously advocated for more street programs, said the only way to significantly reduce the crisis of 7,500 individuals and 1,200 families languishing in the streets, and to get ahead of the inflow, is to scale up government spending. In the case of Prop. C, that means an amount of funding that essentially doubles what San Francisco already spends to assist homeless people and keep them housed. Given that homelessness has for years been commonly listed as the citys No. 1 problem, We need to be super aggressive about this, he said. There is risk involved in taking such a huge leap, he admitted. But the economy is booming and the publics frustration with the street problem is as high as its desire to have the crisis solved. So its a risk well worth taking, Benioff said. Im excited about Prop. C, he said. Its exciting because its a program we can get going now. Benioff told The Chronicle Monday that he and his company will give a collective $1 million $500,000 from himself, $500,000 from Salesforce to the Prop. C campaign and then spend about $1 million or more on his own advertising campaign supporting the proposition. The ads are expected to go out over radio, television, print and digital media sometime next week, and include at least one pitch by a celebrity as well as pictures humanizing homeless people and their needs. Prop. C would impose an average of about 0.5 percent in gross receipts tax on corporate revenue above $50 million. A report by the citys Office of Economic Analysis last month concluded the economic impact would be small, and that the funding would probably reduce the homeless population. The money would, among other things, provide housing for 5,000 people, pump as much as $75 million into mental health programs and create 1,000 new shelter beds. Opposition to Prop. C picked up momentum last week when Mayor London Breed and two state legislators all said in statements that there wasnt enough accountability in the measure to ensure funding would be properly spent. But Benioff, whose Salesforce is one of the biggest businesses in town with $13 billion in expected revenue this year, says he thinks he can turn the tide and pull other big business leaders out of the shadows. Salesforce would have to pony up about $10 million more a year in taxes if Prop. C passes, Benioff said but it would be well worth it. He said recent federal tax cuts saved the company more than that. Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, and Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, and some city supervisors, including Hilary Ronen, are other high-profile proponents of Prop. C. Breed said she appreciated Benioffs sentiments, but they did not change her mind about the proposition. Marc and I have talked a lot about homelessness, and I respect and appreciate his passion and what he does with his company, she said in a statement to The Chronicle on Monday. But with respect to Prop C, as the leader of the city, who is responsible for our budget and our economy and addressing all of our Citys challenges, I have to make decisions with my head, not just my heart. I do not believe doubling what we spend on homelessness without new accountability, when we dont even spend what we have now efficiently, is good government. I have to think about how this will affect our entire economy, including retail businesses, like grocery stores, auto dealers, and department stores, and manufacturing jobs. I absolutely do agree business can pay more to address our homeless crisis, which is why I will lead the effort to do this the right way as mayor, and I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Marc and others to do that, she said. Benioff said he, in turn, respected Breeds position, but believes that he has more freedom to back the measure since he is not an elected official. I can understand this is not a risk that she can take, he said. But as a private businessman, as a private entrepreneur, and as a fourth-generation San Franciscan, this is a risk that I can take. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Benioff and other backers of the measure are aiming for a two-thirds vote in favor of Prop. C, saying the margin of passage would help avoid legal challenges from those who say just over 50 percent would not be enough under state law. Jess Montejano, a spokesman for those opposed to Prop. C, said he doubts the tech leaders entrance into the political debate will change the tide. Businesses do want the street problem solved humanely, he said, but Prop. C raises the fear that higher taxes will drive firms out of the city, while at the same time attracting homeless people for programs paid for by Prop. C that may or may not work. Voters citywide understand that the homeless budget has tripled over the past decade but homelessness has still increased, he said. They understand that more money with no plan is not a serious approach to addressing our citys most pressing issue. The anti-Prop. C campaign has so far raised about $100,000, but Montejano said he is confident hundreds of thousands of additional dollars will come in, and we will have enough resources to effectively communicate our message to voters citywide. Theres no doubt about that. Before Benioffs pledge, the pro-Prop. C campaign had raised about $400,000, and its main spokesperson said she was thrilled with the new backing. We have seen the real-life impact of Benioffs contributions in housing homeless families, said Jennifer Friedenbach, head of the Coalition on Homelessness. He is leading with the values San Franciscans share. We look forward to winning this campaign and tackling homelessness together. Benioff said simple math is one reason he supports the measure. The $37 million, two-year-old Heading Home Initiative he helped start with the city for housing homeless families he donated $11.5 million has housed nearly 400 families through rent subsidies. He said the success of that leads him to believe that spending not much more than $35,000 apiece on stabilizing every homeless person could practically clear the streets. That comes to a bit more than $250 million for all 7,500 individuals in the street about what would be raised by Proposition C. At the end of the day, its going to be are you for the homeless or not for the homeless? For me, its binary, he said. Im for the homeless. Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron Libby Schaafs first term as mayor of Oakland saw some of the most trying events in recent city history among them, the deadly Ghost Ship fire in 2016 and a sexual misconduct scandal at the Police Department. Add to that a growing homelessness crisis, skyrocketing housing prices and a high-end building boom that have upended life in the city for many, and Schaafs re-election might look endangered. But while she has plenty of challengers nine are running against her, mostly from the left none has emerged as a serious threat. Its somewhat unfamiliar political territory for a city that in recent elections has seen hard-fought battles for the top job. Schaaf, who famously sparred with President Trump over her disclosure of an impending federal immigration raid in the city, deserves some but not all of the credit for this, political observers said. If someone lived in Oakland, youd hardly know theres a mayors race, said Jim Ross, an Oakland political consultant who follows city politics and is not working with any mayoral campaign. I dont even think theres a mayors race for all intents and purposes. ... Most people think Libby Schaaf should and will get re-elected. But that doesnt fully reflect the profound disappointment in the direction of the city that a lot of people feel. If Schaaf prevails in November, she would be the first incumbent mayor to win re-election since Jerry Brown clinched his second term as the citys lead executive 16 years ago. The continuity inside City Hall would be a marked difference from surrounding neighborhoods, where construction cranes and high-rises are taking their place in the new skyline as fast as flourishing homeless encampments fill the streets. Five of Schaafs challengers are perennial candidates or lacking visible campaign operations. None has previously held public office. The four who have raised funds, door knocked and debated Schaaf at town halls are Cat Brooks, a nonprofit manager and activist; Pamela Price, a civil rights attorney defeated in the June Alameda County district attorneys race; Saied Karamooz, a businessman and city commissioner; and Marchon Tatmon, who has worked in the nonprofit and finance worlds. Schaaf and her campaign staff say they take the competition seriously. She said the race is an opportunity to re-engage residents, tell them what their city government has been doing and correct misconceptions, which she said are rampant, especially in forums with the other candidates. I never take anything for granted, Schaaf said. I dont think any incumbent can ever take re-election for granted or assume that its a foregone conclusion, particularly in an activist city like Oakland. Theres always a demand for change, for more radical ideas. For Schaaf, who served one term on the City Council prior to her 2014 mayoral victory, this is her first race as an incumbent seeking re-election. Schaafs battle with Trump, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and conservative media, in response to her public warning about an immigration enforcement operation in February, elevated her national profile from that of a mostly unknown local politician to a leader of the anti-Trump resistance. She said the attention and ensuing tit-for-tat with the White House were unexpected and that shes since been trying to focus on city and regional problems. For weeks, Trump and his administration officials called Schaaf a disgrace, compared her to a gang lookout and said she should be prosecuted for obstruction of justice. I definitely knew that it was risky. I knew that a lot of people would be deeply offended, she said. I had no idea that the president would notice what I did and, frankly, obsess about it. Many political watchers noted that being on the receiving end of a Trump attack is a dream of any California Democrat. Schaafs challengers have mostly framed themselves as to the left of the mayor. Some, like Brooks, have promised to end homelessness in the city within 100 days of being inaugurated through using city-owned land and buildings to house anyone who seeks shelter. Brooks, best known for leading street protests with the Anti Police-Terror Project, said the outcome in November will define the character and legacy of the city for generations. This election will be very telling about the direction of Oaklands politics, Brooks said. If (Schaaf) wins, were San Francisco 2.0 at the end of the four years. Price pointed to the precinct-level results from the district attorneys race, which showed her leading incumbent Nancy OMalley in Oaklands flatlands, as proof of the viability of her campaign. The message that we brought to Oakland resonated, she said. Oakland voters want change. Oakland voters are tired of police misconduct and a lack of accountability. Oakland voters want public officials who are transparent and willing to work with the community. Supporters of Brooks and Price contend the two are in the mold of ultra-progressive candidates who have defeated establishment incumbents in attention-grabbing Democratic congressional primary upsets this year, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York City and Ayanna Pressley in Boston. They hope that a tide of Democratic enthusiasm and displeasure with the status quo will be enough to launch one into the mayors office. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. One factor on their side is ranked-choice voting, in which ballot-casters select up to three preferred candidates. If no one receives a majority of votes among No. 1 picks, then the candidate who received the fewest first-choice votes is taken out of the running, and their votes are redistributed to the No. 2 choices on those ballots. The process continues until someone gets a majority. Teaming up against the favorite an anyone-but-Schaaf strategy promoted by Brooks and Price saw success in the 2010 Oakland mayors race when Jean Quan and City Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan used it to defeat Don Perata, who got a plurality of first-round votes but lost to Quan after ranked-choice redistribution. Ross, the political consultant, said many of Oaklands troubles are not Schaafs fault. Problems around homelessness and housing affordability, for instance, are vexing the entire region, he said. I think that her response has been a little late and a little slow, but its been getting some traction, Ross said. I also think people are willing to give local elected officials a bit of a break on the housing issue because they have limited tools to fix it. But Ross said Schaaf and her administration are on the hook for certain quality-of-life and city-services issues, such as illegal dumping, which unites neighborhoods across the city in frustration. Karamooz, a member of the Oakland Coalition for Police Accountability and Privacy Advisory Commission, said beautifying the city would be among his priorities as mayor. I challenge any Oaklander to find one pathway through our city where they would be proud to take an out-of-town guest, he said. Not one exists. Each one will be filled with illegal dumping, tagging and encampments. Oaklands most entrenched, complex problems like balancing the budget and addressing unfunded pension liabilities are not for newcomers, Schaaf said. She sparred, sometimes bitterly, with the citys unions last year, saying Oakland couldnt afford the pay raises they wanted. Workers went on a weeklong strike. Ross said Schaafs relative fiscal prudence compared with that of her predecessors could position her for a more aggressive second term. It gives her a real opportunity to define and put a stamp on the city of Oakland, he said. Its also likely in her second term shell face an economic downturn. How she deals with that will be defining. Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov Sugar (slow) rush I dont understand it. Its as if weve never seen a doughnut before. A woman waiting in the drive-through line at Irelands first Krispy Kreme franchise last week, speaking to the Guardian. Lines of horn-honking doughnut devotees persisted around the clock, and the company was forced to end the overnight hours after neighbors complained to government officials and Krispy Kreme executives that the noise from the doughnut store had kept them awake for days, the Irish Times reported. Understatement of the week Twitter can get you into trouble. And that can be said of Elon Musk, too. That was Yusaku Maezawa, right, the Japanese online retail tycoon who plans to travel to the moon on Musks SpaceX rocket. Musks recent tweets about taking Tesla private led to $20 million fines for both the company and Musk himself, to settle charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Maezawa, who is also quite active on social media, said his company has a Twitter policy, and experts go over his tweets in advance. Are you listening, Tesla board? Number of the day Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes $349 Thats how much Microsofts new headphones will cost. The ear-covering headphones, the newest addition to the Surface line, feature 13 levels of noise cancellation. Microsoft said only that they are coming soon, but gave no date for when they would be available. Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. For more items and links, subscribe to the Tech Chronicle newsletter at www.sfchronicle.com/newsletters. Twitter: @techchronicle La Victoria Bakery, one of the first Mexican-owned businesses in the Mission, is closing Tuesday after 67 years in business. A landmark to many longtime Mission residents, La Victoria had endured in a rapidly changing neighborhood that has pushed out many other Latino residents and businesses. Yet gentrification itself is not directly to blame: The closure caps a complicated and bitter family battle over the business and its building, which are both owned by the same family. Gabriel Maldonado founded La Victoria in 1951 across the street from its current location, at a time when the 24th Street shopping corridor was largely occupied by Irish and Italian businesses; that made it one of the first Mexican businesses in the neighborhood, according to Maldonados son, Jaime, who ran the operation for the past 20 years. Gabriel moved the business into its current location on the corner of 24th and Alabama in the early 1960s, converting a former pharmacy with an Italian bakery in the back into a Mexican panaderia whose windows looked into a case of pan dulces, cookies and breads. He also bought up the surrounding businesses and residences, patching some together into the existing storefront, renting others out. ALSO Napa Valley restaurant Redd to close after 13 years in Yountville Maldonados timing was impeccable: As immigrants from Mexico and Central America settled in the Mission through the 1960s and 1970s, the bakerys location down the street from St. Peters Catholic Church made it a popular Sunday stop for families. La Victorias restaurant, which operated from 1963 to 1998, became a community gathering point in itself. Maldonado, now in his late 90s, handed over the running of the bakery to Jaime in 1997 and the ownership of the building to a family trust overseen by his wife (and Jaimes stepmother), Susana Maldonado, in the mid 2000s. Jaime is also a member of the trust. Even though the Maldonado family has not been forced to navigate rising rents or eviction attempts as the Mission has changed, La Victoria has struggled to keep up. Jaime Maldonado tried numerous strategies to revitalize the business and draw in new customers: hosting pop-ups, hiring trained pastry chefs to update decades-old recipes, subleasing the kitchen to small food businesses and renovating the dining room in order to reopen the restaurant as a small-plates bistro, a plan that never came to fruition. As Mission Local reported in March, the relationship between family members has deteriorated into legal and financial chaos over the past two years. Jaime Maldonado dates the troubles back to a small fire that displaced the tenants in a residential unit above the bakery storeroom, which required extensive repairs and set off a cascade of debts, insurance claims and lawsuits. Eventually the trust put the building on the market for a reported $3.4 million, and as part of the settlement between the parties, Jaime Maldonado subleased the bakery business to a third party. Laura Hernandez, a former employee, took over the bakery and management of its 15 employees in January 2018. Daughter Jacqueline Hernandez says her mother has made money and taken care of the property since then, but in August the trust served her with an evacuation notice. She and other subtenants have fought the eviction but received final notice last week that they needed to vacate by Oct. 10, pending the sale of the building. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Shes feeling pretty sad, Jacqueline Hernandez says of her mother, because shell have to leave a lot of people without work. While they look for a permanent space, they are moving into a commercial baking space in Dogpatch to bake bread for wholesale clients and take orders for Day of the Dead and Three Kings Day specialties. Im saddened about the situation that La Victoria has gone through after supporting the neighborhood and being an anti-gentrifier, Jaime Maldonado said. I feel sad that the neighborhood is going in such an ... interesting direction. Jonathan Kauffman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jkauffman@ sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @jonkauffman. Hyatt Hotels Corporation will spend $480 million to buy Two Roads Hospitality, whose brands include San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hotels, Destination Hotels, Alila Hotels & Resorts, Thompson Hotels and tommie, a Thompson affiliate. The deal should be concluded by year's end, Hyatt said, giving it another 85 properties in eight countries, including 23 markets where it currently has no presence. This comes on the heels of Hyatt's addition of 500 properties to its World of Hyatt loyalty program through a partnership with Small Luxury Hotels. Hyatt has long struggled with a size problem- the chain was just not big enough to compete with the likes of leviathans like Marriott/Starwood or Hilton. These additions will help it become more of a global player, and more attractive to points-obsessed frequent travelers. The deal includes a number of San Francisco hotels such as Hotel Vitale on the Embarcadero, as well as some prime California resorts like Carmel Valley Ranch, L'Auberge Del Mar, Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Paradise Point in San Diego, The Landing in South Lake Tahoe, and the Resort at Squaw Creek. Now Playing: TravelSkills editor Chris McGinnis breaks down the cheapest times of year to travel, from the dead weeks in January to the "fall shoulder." Video: Edited by Katie Wood / SFGATE After the closing, "Hyatt will create a dedicated lifestyle division as a catalyst to bring together the operations of Two Roads' and Hyatt's lifestyle brands," the company said. Here's a look at the components of Two Roads Hospitality that will become part of Hyatt (and its World of Hyatt loyalty program): Joie de Vivre Hotels is a San Francisco-based collection of 19 boutique properties around the U.S., but mostly in California. Its hotels in San Francisco include the Galleria Park, Hotel Carlton, Hotel Del Sol, Hotel Kabuki, Hotel Vitale, The Marker, and the Laurel Inn. Its roster also includes the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, Monterey Tides in Monterey, the Wild Palms Hotel in Sunnyvale, Hotel Avante in Mountain View, Carmel Valley Ranch, and the Avatar Hotel in Santa Clara. Joie de Vivre also has locations in New York City, Chicago, Baltimore and Washington D.C. Destination Hotels has some urban locations like the Hotel De Anza in downtown San Jose, the Embassy Row Hotel in Washington D.C., The Derek in Houston, Hotel Motif in Seattle and the Royal St. Charles in New Orleans, but its portfolio includes mostly resort properties. In addition to the California resorts mentioned above, Destination Hotels also operates L'Auberge de Sedona and The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch in Arizona; several ski properties in Vail, Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado; eight locations in Hawaii; and resorts in Oregon, Washington State, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Joie de Vivre Hotels Alila Hotels & Resorts is a luxury brand with properties mostly in Asia. The one U.S. hotel in its roster is California's spectacular and recently refurbished Ventana Big Sur Resort (Previously the Ventana Inn). It has eight hotels in Indonesia, three in India, two in China, and one each in Malaysia, Cambodia and Oman. The luxury/boutique Thompson Hotels group includes "urban lifestyle" locations in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York City, Chicago, Nashville and Toronto, as well as Cabo San Lucas, Zihuatanejo and Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Finally, the tommie brand (they spell it with a lower case T) is a concept without locations yet, although its first property is under development in Hollywood, California. Two Roads says tommie will be a "lifestyle micro hotel brand" with locations in "gateway cities." Hyatt's planned acquisition of the boutique Joie de Vivre brand and "lifestyle" brands like Thompson and tommie is the latest example of how the major traditional hotel giants are eager to branch out by adding trendy, design-focused, experiential properties that might appeal to Millennials and other younger travelers like InterContinental Hotels Group did with its purchase of Kimpton Hotels, and like Marriott is doing with the development of the hip Moxy Hotels brand. What do you think about Hyatt's grand expansion plans this year? Experiences with Joie de Vivre or Thompson hotels? Please leave your thoughts in the comments. Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. The problem with lead pipes is an issue for many older towns, but the number in Naperville is far lower than in others. In Elgin, for example, its estimated there are more than 11,000 homes known to have lead service lines and another 7,600 that could have them given the time they were built or the type of work homeowners may have done. The Diocese of Oakland will release the names of all clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse, in a move that echoes an announcement made last month by the Catholic Diocese of San Jose. In an editorial published Monday in Oaklands Catholic Diocese newpaper, the Catholic Voice, Bishop Michael C. Barber said the decision is intended to stop the scourge of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. This public accountability will allow you and others in our community to see we are keeping our promises, Barber wrote. We have nothing to hide. It is the right thing to do. The announcement comes on the heels of Augusts bombshell Pennsylvania grand jury report that found the states Catholic Church had covered up abuse by more than 300 priests over seven decades. The report prompted government officials around the country to launch probes into their own clergy, in states including Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska and New Mexico. San Jose and Oaklands decision to publish the names of priests and clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse coincides with internal investigations. Both dioceses said theyve enlisted the assistance of a consulting firm led by former FBI Assistant Director Kathleen McChesney. Oaklands process will come in two parts. After the dioceses investigation and publication of the first list, McChesneys team will review the churchs files to ensure our list is as accurate as possible, Barber said. The first list is expected to be released in 45 days, and the second review will be completed in early 2019. A similar move is under serious consideration at the Archdiocese of San Francisco, spokesman Mike Brown said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. He added that Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone has been conducting town hall meetings on the issue that are expected to wrap up later this month. Barber urged anyone wishing to report an allegation of sexual misconduct by any clergy or diocesan employee to contact local police or sheriffs deputies. Chancellor Stephen A. Wilcox, who serves as the victims assistance coordinator in the Oakland diocese, is required to report allegations of child abuse to authorities and can also assist in processing the allegations, Barber said. Wilcox can be reached at swilcox@oakdiocese.org or 510-267-8334. Additionally, the Survivor Advocacy Network can be reached at 510-267-8373 or survivors@oakdiocese.org. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy SACRAMENTO The state Department of Motor Vehicles admitted Monday that it may have incorrectly registered 1,500 people to vote, including some who were not citizens of the United States. It was the latest embarrassment for the DMV, which said last month that it had included errors in voter registration data for 23,000 people. Gov. Jerry Brown ordered an audit of the agency after that disclosure, which came on top of weeks of criticism over hours-long waits at DMV offices for people trying to obtain or renew drivers licenses. The DMV said none of the errors it may have made in registering people to vote involved undocumented immigrants, who are eligible to sign up for drivers licenses in the state. The agency said an internal audit found that DMV employees may have improperly registered 1,500 people at field offices between April 23 and Sept. 25. The DMV notified Secretary of State Alex Padilla of the possible errors in a letter Monday, saying that any mistaken registrations were through no fault of the customer. Padilla responded that he is deeply frustrated and disappointed by persistent errors that undermined public confidence in your basic responsibility to collect and transmit accurate voter registration information. Padilla urged the department to hire an outside agency to review technology and practices that led to the failures. The latest problem occurred when DMV customers, including some noncitizens, accidentally filled in the wrong voter eligibility response on drivers license applications and asked staffers to make the corrections, the audit said. The revised responses were not correctly logged. The error has since been fixed and affected customers will be notified, the DMV said. Last month, the DMV said it had botched voter registrations for 23,000 people by putting the wrong political party and vote-by-mail preferences for those Californians. Those errors occurred when DMV technicians had more than one customer record open on a computer at the same time, causing those records to merge. Updated software and staff training will prevent the mistake from occurring again, DMV officials said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. We have worked quickly with the Department of Technology to correct these errors and have also updated the programing and added additional safeguards to improve this process, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a statement Monday. Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, said extensive issues in the DMV highlight the need for new leadership. There is much more to see here than what the DMV is admitting to, Patterson said. They have either been hiding the truth from the public or are completely unaware of this voter registration disaster either should be a startling realization for this governor and the public. ... We cannot trust the current management to fix the very problems they created. Melody Gutierrez is The San Francisco Chronicles Sacramento bureau chief. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez The world is already standing at the brink of failure when it comes to combatting climate change, according to a dire report from the United Nations intergovernmental scientific panel on climate change. The U.N. panel is considered the top international body studying the phenomenon. Its report, issued on Monday, is shocking. Not only is climate change already here, but its going to get worse very quickly. The report describes a planet of worsening wildfires, droughts and food shortages, along with inundated coastlines and massive coral reef die-offs. It could be here as soon as 2040. Theres even more bad news. Under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, nearly 200 nations agreed to slice greenhouse gas emissions enough to stave off a temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Unfortunately, the scientists found, most land regions are warming faster than the global average: Warming in many regions has already exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Over a fifth of the global population lives in regions that have already reached this level of warming, they concluded. There is no positive way to spin these devastating conclusions. Theres no easy way out, either. Warming will not be limited to 1.5 (degrees Celsius) or 2 (degrees Celsius) (without) transformations, the scientists wrote. Their recommended transformations include phasing out coal completely and transforming the carbon footprint of our food. At the moment, such transformations may be politically impossible. President Trump, who leads the worlds second-largest greenhouse gas emitter, is trying to increase coal use and has pulled the nation out of the Paris agreement. Yet what the report also makes clear is that non-action comes with enormous price tags of its own. The most serious damage associated with climate change comes with a price tag of $54 trillion and thats before accounting for the costs of increased poverty, weather-related immigration and other dramatic human damages. California has led the way on climate change, but we cant do it alone. Only concerted federal leadership can move the worlds largest economy toward our necessary future. Sadly, the cost of Washingtons lack of leadership is becoming grimmer by the day. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. In January 1972, news agencies heralded a groundbreaking visit to three African nations by first lady Pat Nixon. The official purpose of her trip was to represent her husband, Richard Nixon, at the inauguration of Liberian President William Tolbert. But she also conferred with Tolbert and other African leaders about U.S. foreign aid, apartheid in South Africa, and the Nixons forthcoming trip to China. Never before had an American first lady visited Africa, acted as the nations official representative at an event of state, or conferred with heads of state on behalf of her husband, Time magazine declared. I thought of Pat Nixon as I read about Melania Trumps four-country tour of Africa last week, which was arguably more historic. To paraphrase Time, never before has an American first lady visited Africa or anywhere else on her own behalf, not her husbands. Easily mocked for her fashion choices, especially the strange jacket she wore to the U.S.-Mexican border, the former model might one day be seen as the woman who broke the model for presidential wives. At first glance, to be sure, all of Ms. Trumps African activities fell squarely into the traditions laid down by her predecessors. She visited a clinic in Ghana, where she obligingly kissed a very cute baby. She attended a ceremony to donate textbooks at a school in Malawi. And she fed young elephants in Kenya, another requisite first-lady photo-op. But heres the difference: Melania Trump was visiting Africa to promote her own Be Best campaign for childrens well-being, not to support President Trump or his policies. Indeed, to some observers, it seemed like she was subverting them. So in Malawi, where Melania Trump watched the U.S. ambassador present 1.4 million school books courtesy of the Agency for International Development, news accounts noted that the Trump administration had tried unsuccessfully to slash USAIDs budget by 30 percent. Critics also highlighted Trumps recent comments about restricting American aid to countries that are friendly to the United States. In Kenya, meanwhile, Ms. Trump visited a site where authorities had burned ivory in an effort to curtail its trade. Conservationists were quick to point out that Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke an avid game hunter, like President Trumps two sons recently had lifted a ban on importing elephant trophies to the United States. So here, too, it seemed, Melania Trump was subtly critiquing her husbands policies. Perhaps. But the effort to parse Melania Trumps views of the president already a favorite D.C. parlor game negates her real achievement, which has been to move beyond his shadow. Whatever she might think of Donald Trump, Melania Trump made it clear that she wasnt in Africa to speak for him. And that makes her different from all of our other first ladies, who dutifully supported their husbands international agendas. Rosalynn Carter went on a two-week, 12,000-mile diplomatic trip in 1977 to six Latin American countries and Jamaica, where she promoted Jimmy Carters policies on human rights, arms control and drug trafficking. Hillary Clinton led the American delegation to the 1995 U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where she famously declared that womens rights were human rights and vice versa. Laura Bush likewise stressed female empowerment during three trips to Afghanistan; she also attended the inauguration of Liberias Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president of an African country. And Michelle Obama visited several countries on behalf girls education, dotting her popular Instagram feed with photos of schoolgirls around the world. But all of these first ladies were serving as official representatives of the president; behind the scenes, meanwhile, they also lobbied their husbands to take up womens causes. That brought two different and, in some ways, contradictory kinds of criticism. Some Americans complained that presidential wives held too much sway over policy, while others worried that they exerted this influence solely by virtue of their marriage to the president. Call it the first ladys double bind: Youre either the power behind the throne or an appendage to it. Melania Trump could be the first presidential wife to escape from that trap. President Trump tweeted a note of praise for her, proclaiming that [o]ur countrys great First Lady, Melania, is doing really well in Africa. But whatever shes doing, its not for him. Shes on her own. So shes also a pioneer, in ways none of us could have predicted. Criticizing Rosalyn Carters 1977 Latin America tour, where Ms. Carter simply echoed her husband, columnist Meg Greenfield wondered whether America would ever have a first lady with a separate set of views and purposes. Forty years later, we might have found her. Jonathan Zimmerman teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author (with Emily Robertson) of The Case for Contention: Teaching Controversial Issues in American Schools (University of Chicago Press). Privacy has become a hot topic across the country. With emerging technology creeping into every sphere of our private and public lives, protecting the privacy of San Francisco residents and visitors has become a seemingly endless game of whack-a-mole. And while emerging tech is neither inherently good nor bad, lawmakers and the general public have yet to truly come together around a set of guiding principles to ensure that consumers privacy rights are protected. Proposition B on San Franciscos November ballot would establish a set of principles that put your privacy before profit a privacy bill of rights. Among other core principles, Prop. B would mandate that legislators establish laws to protect sensitive personal information including your race, sexual orientation, national origin or religious affiliation from unwarranted collection or disclosure. These principles include the ability to move around the city freely, meet with friends and organize with groups without being tracked at every turn. These principles aim to secure your personal information from unauthorized access or manipulation. Widely recognized innovation has also brought with it the specter of public harm. Just this year, as residents and visitors hopped aboard private scooters in San Francisco, most riders didnt realize that by clicking through the terms of service, they were consenting to having their credit reports run and shared with third-party advertisers, loan providers and government agencies. The Chronicle Recommends "But the possibility that politicians will be put in charge of access laws is drawing opposition from media, voting rights and good-government groups on both the left and right. That should be a warning. Vote no on B." -Editorial, Sept. 27. See More Collapse Last month, while BART considered acquiring facial recognition surveillance technology (or biometric surveillance tech), articles circulated about this technologys inability to accurately identify people with darker complexions. Particularly in the context of the Trump administrations disastrous immigration policies, the consequences of any misidentification were too severe to entrust to any law enforcement agency. And, in the wake of a presidential election hacked by using personal information scraped from Facebook, lawmakers have all but idled while the European Union advances comprehensive data privacy protections. Shielding our constituents personal information from abuse is as urgent as ever. Prop. Bs privacy protections would be implemented through legislation that must be revisited at least every three years for the sake of ensuring that San Francisco privacy protections keep pace with a rapidly evolving industry. Prop. B is not a guarantee of privacy, but because the principles will guide the development of laws and policies, it will be an effective tool to create the protections that we need. As your personal information is collected by every device, no abuse of that information is off limits unless we all insist on mandating it. In the coming years, insurance companies may base their premiums on wearable tech that monitors your heart rate and body temperature. People will soon depend on the convenience of voice-controlled microwaves and other mundane household objects capable of listening to your every conversation. Everyone should have a fundamental right to privacy, and cities have a critical role to play in catalyzing state and federal policy to ensure that right. In lieu of a self-regulating industry that is willing to put its profit motive below your personal privacy rights, it falls to all of us to ensure that our cherished privacy is afforded the protections it is due. San Francisco has broad jurisdiction to set new best practices in the area of data privacy regulation. By establishing a moral basis and the political will to put your privacy before profit, Prop. B is a critical step forward. This November, join us in supporting Prop B. Jackie Speier represents San Mateo and a portion of San Francisco counties in the U.S. House of Representatives. Aaron Peskin is a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Catharine Baker calls herself pro-choice, pro-environment and pro-gun control. As the only Republican to hold partisan office in the decidedly liberal Bay Area, it may be the only way she can hang on. Since she was first elected in 2014, the East Bay assemblywoman has split with the GOP on issues that define it nationally and has sought to distance herself from the man who now controls the Republican Party, President Trump. Her tenure in Sacramento has been marked by frequent excursions across the aisle to work with Democrats. Thats one of the strongest signatures of my record: independence from parties and interest groups, Baker said. I feel Im one of the most effective members of the Legislature that way. But now, Baker is running for re-election against an actual Democrat, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. A law professor and first-time candidate, Bauer-Kahan questions whether Baker is really all that moderate and is working to tie her more closely to the Republican Party, in hopes of dislodging the GOP from the lone elective office it holds in the Bay Area. Sarahbeth Maney / Special to the Chronicle I do respect choosing the best person and that can transcend party lines but then it does come down to the issues, Bauer-Kahan said. I just couldnt stand by when my representative wasnt voting my values. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle The demographics of a district that runs through suburbs from Walnut Creek to Livermore would appear to favor Bauer-Kahan: Democrats hold a 14-point registration advantage over Republicans. But Baker has defied those odds twice, and she points to a glowing tribute from Gov. Jerry Brown as proof she deserves a third term. To read the full story, click here. Deep dives and late takes Benioffs big splash: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff commits $2 million of his and his companys money to pass San Franciscos Proposition C, which would tax the citys biggest businesses to pay for homeless programs. Spring forward full time: California would go to year-round daylight saving time if supporters of a measure on the November ballot have their way. Why Cox runs: John Cox, the Republican candidate for California governor, says he came to distrust politics early. That distrust has motivated him to run for office five times. Newsom calls out S.F.: The city he used to govern has become too permissive when it comes to open drug use, says former Mayor and current candidate for governor Gavin Newsom. Sign up for Political Punch Like what you're reading? Sign up for the Political Punch newsletter on our sign-up page. It's sent twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and provides an expert political perspective with a Golden State spin. See More Collapse Fixing California: Governor candidates Gavin Newsom and John Cox agree that California is becoming unaffordable. At their one and only pre-election debate, thats where the agreement ended. Cage fight: Animal rights advocates are at odds over a California ballot measure that would specify how much space farm chickens, pigs and veal cows should be given. Where they stand: The Chronicle asked the candidates for San Francisco supervisor about their top priorities. Heres what they said. Schaaf gliding: Oakland is changing rapidly, with high-rises sprouting around downtown and homelessness becoming a major problem. But one thing appears constant: Libby Schaaf is on track to be the first mayor to win a second term since Jerry Brown. California countdown: The first ballots are arriving in California voters mailboxes. Theyll say a lot about the elections even before theyre counted. Siren call: California voters are being asked to decide whether ambulance workers should be on call during their breaks, after the Legislature couldnt resolve the issue. Political events: Appearances by Danica Roem, the first openly transgender member of a state legislature, and Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova highlight the Bay Area political calendar. Everything you need: Complete coverage and endorsements in Californias election campaign: Its all in The Chronicles Voter Guide. The Political Punch newsletter publishes Tuesdays and Thursdays between noon and 3 p.m. It is produced by the staff of The San Francisco Chronicle and edited by politics editor Trapper Byrne. Email: tbyrne@sfchronicle.com The concept of a wing invites a number of clever tie-ins: The notion of flight, for example, or protection. Taking someone under ones wing, a supportive wing-woman or even a hive make sense. All of which the Wing embraces. Earlier this month, the women-focused work and community space opened its first West Coast location a West Wing, if you will in San Francisco. The Bay Area outpost is in an overhauled 8,000-square-foot space on the second floor of 115 Sansome St., a Financial District Beaux Arts building built in 1912 as the headquarters of the Standard Oil Co. Its neighbors reflect the changing tides of San Francisco. Blue Bottle Coffee, on the first floor, took over the original location of Cable Car Clothiers, which had provided three-piece-suits to local financiers. Next door, Equinox now occupies the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange building, while the Mills Building now houses mobile gaming company Pocket Gems and poverty-fighting nonprofit the Tipping Point, among others. The five Wing locations (three in New York, and one in Washington, D.C.) have about 6,000 members, and although the exact qualifications are private, it is looking for diverse members who advance its mission in unique ways, according to a spokesperson. A single location membership is $2,350 a year ($215 a month) less than co-working spaces such as WeWork or Bespoke, and comparable to womens wellness clubhouse the Assembly. The Wings timing is remarkably prescient. Its inaugural location, in Manhattans Flatiron district, opened in October 2016, three weeks before the presidential election. In San Francisco, it opened three days after the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. When visitors walk in to its new lobby, the first conference room is named for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. I think we saw something a little ahead of its moment, says co-founder and chief executive officer Audrey Gelman during a walk-through of the new space. Its been interesting. That day changed a lot, but women have been facing a lot of the same challenges for decades, and arguably centuries. It just happens that they now happen to be on the front page of the New York Times, and people care about them. There is an undeniable comfort in recognizing yourself in those around you; maybe, in fact, this is what it has felt like for men at work until relatively recently. Even now we hear from a lot of women in tech and venture in San Francisco who feel like they are not in the rooms where decisions get made, and I think our message is like, lets create new rooms, Gelman says. More Information The Wing: 115 Sansome St., Suite 200, S.F. https://www.the-wing.com. Three things to know about the Wing 1. There's food and drink The Wing Cafe menu features more than 40 Bay Area food artisans, and S.F.-specific menu collaborations including Gold Rush Soup, La Mission (10 percent of sales benefit the nonprofit La Cocina), and bread pudding from Elisabeth Prueitt (Tartine). Biodynamic wines are sourced from female winemakers, and cocktails include "The Virgin Woolf" and "Reclaiming My Thyme." 2. Friends in high places San Francisco Mayor London Breed, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Representation Project founder Jennifer Siebel Newsom are on the event roster during the first month. Members (at other locations) include the likes of activist Chelsea Manning, editor Tavi Gevinson, Glossier founder Emily Weiss, former J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons, the Daily Beast founder Tina Brown and rapper Remy Ma. 3. Sharing the wealth All of the Wing's 250-plus employees receive health benefits and 401k, and there's a training program for those who haven't previously worked in kitchens or restaurants. It's also started an incubator called the Wingable Challenge that will invest more than $100,000 (total) on women-run businesses who are part of the Wing community, in addition to a new scholarship program. - M.M. See More Collapse San Francisco bespoke suitmaker Emily Meyer joined in New York to meet clients for fittings, which is an intimate and personal process. After the election, Meyer says, the Wing became a sanctuary. When the elevator opens, you can exhale. There are no existential threats, she says, admitting that in the beginning, she was skeptical. I thought, Is there going to be another cool group here? Is this going to be a club full of Instagram influencers or people who are very fake? I was completely uprooted in thinking that. Everyone is supremely authentic, and I am praying that translates to San Francisco. The founders emphasize a come as you are ethos. Ive seen members in face masks, co-founder and chief operating officer Lauren Kassan says. But also a conference call closing a massive deal, Gelman continues. You are on guard in a weird way when youre out in the world, and we wanted a space where women could toggle between the personal and professional more easily. In addition to expected elements (desks, conference room, phone booths, a cafe), the female design team added features that are made to be female-friendly, not just aesthetically but conducive to work. In addition to guest speakers, manicures, a women in tech breakfast, and a weed and wellness talk are also planned. A basket of blankets awaits in a corner near plush velvet chairs in shades of apricot, mustard and burgundy. A beauty room is stocked with complimentary products from Chanel, Glossier and Carols Daughter, while showers and lockers invite a quick change between gym and meetings. For those with babies in tow, a mothers room is decorated with Maison C wallpapers custom Coven design of nude women dancing. Theres also a lending library selected by the Strand Bookstore. An art gallery, curated with Lolita Cros in participation with San Franciscos Jessica Silverman, sells works by female-identifying artists from California. Gelmans original vision formed when she was traveling as a political consultant, pretending to be a guest in a hotel so that she could work and change. It expanded with the help of Kassan, who came to appreciate a community approach through her work with fitness-booking service ClassPass. The programming reflects a safe space mentality, with support circles on topics such as postpartum depression, addiction and sexual abuse. Historian Alexis Coe brought thousands of pages of ephemera from 19th century womens clubs, which partly informed the branding of the Wing. Men, Gelman says, were comfortable to use (mens clubs) for business and cigar-smoking, and women were never comfortable with them limited to that. The womens clubs created the modern library system and played a pivotal role in the suffrage movement. But what does it say about us that a women-focused club inspired by the 1800s is relevant today, when the times now are so different? Not that different, Gelman counters. Its a continuation of the promise of those spaces a hundred years ago. And business does get done. Members and interior designer Nicole Gibbons launched a startup from inside the Wing, while Jessica Ramos was convinced to run for the New York State Senate and blogger Nikki Vargas launched a feminist travel magazine. Media coverage has often focused on the founders fashion-friendly provenance and the heavy use of Millennial pink. (Gelman worked on Hillary Clintons 2008 campaign and, as a best friend to Lena Dunham, inspired her Girls character Marnie.) When it expanded to D.C., a Washington Post article asked, Is The Wing too hopelessly Manhattan for the working women of Washington? With the protest-prone Bay Area, the founders seem to be taking a wait and see approach. We have a mission and a point of view, and if you try to be something for everybody, you are actually nothing for everybody, Kassan says. Its important to put what we are doing out there and feel confident and good about it. Both are all too familiar with the heightened level of scrutiny that faces women-led endeavors. Everyone is like, Yeah, more women need to run for office! And then the minute they do, they are picked apart to a crazy extent, Gelman says. Its the same thing with startups: Its so abysmal the number of women-founded startups that get funded; there have to be more women. And you go for it and there is a level of scrutiny that dudes with vests in the tech scene dont face. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. In the fundraising arena, the Wing seems to be doing all right. Its raised $42.5 million from the likes of Kleiner Perkins, BBG and even co-working space WeWork, which has faced criticism for a frat culture. And the Wing certainly doesnt pussyfoot around the fact that its by women, for women. Its mission is the professional, civic, social and economic advancement of women through community. We believe that the act of coming together in furtherance of the Wings mission creates new opportunities, ideas and conversations that will lead to greater mobility and prosperity for womankind. In March, the New York City Commission on Human Rights investigated the Wing for a possible discrimination violation, ostensibly because it was a women-focused club a matter the founders declined to discuss. Although it has previously been reported that male guests, even for business meetings, are not allowed, the official policy is that guests are welcome regardless of perceived gender or gender identity. There are also many nonbinary, transgender and gender-nonconforming members, a spokeswoman says. New member Khalida Ali, who recently moved from New York to work in diversity at Zendesk, hopes that what she learned of the Wing in New York will happen locally. A lot of my world is centered around tech, so Im excited to connect with people who are part of a larger ecosystem and other industries. Its been cool seeing how intersectional their work and approach has been, by highlighting and connecting with the women who come from a number of different backgrounds and identify in different ways, Ali says. The organization has gotten endorsements from a range of local high-profile women. New members include One Kings Lane founder Allison Pincus, Cuyana founders Shilpa Shah and Karla Gallardo, Instagram head of communications Kristina Schake and Uber Head of Strategy and Leadership Meena Harris, who as founder of the Phenomenal Woman organization was behind the full-page ad in the New York Times in support of Christine Blasey Ford. The Wing will build a strong cohort of civic-minded members connected through a commitment to diversity and respect, wrote S.F. Board of Supervisors President Malia Cohen. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this new establishment will have on our community. New members are bullish. It was way more affordable for us to become members than to get our own office space, says Cyo Ray Nystrom, who, with Rachel Washtien, is co-founder of Quim Rock, which makes plant-based vaginal wellness products. As a female, Millennial, femme-identifying entrepreneur who is marketing a cannabis-based womens health product, Nystrom has faced major fundraising challenges. In addition to being surrounded by potential new customers, she hopes that working at the Wing will help her refine her investor pitch. Its interesting that in a members-only club they are using vestiges of the patriarchy which were for white, land-owning men of a certain station so when we create spaces that are for women, we need to make sure that we are not making the same mistakes as these old white guys, she says. Meyer, the suit maker, adds that, if anything, the last two weeks show a need for something different. San Francisco and Silicon Valley have always lacked a counter to tech bros and brotopia, and this is it. For that reason, they might not get any backlash. She concedes that members do need some level of disposable income. San Francisco is not a Chanel city, but we will see, Meyer says. A local scholarship program targets those who work on issues such as homelessness, affordable housing, immigration and equality. If anything, Gelman and Kassan are open to feedback. Sometimes, its counterintuitive what a city will want more of, Gelman says. Our ears are open. Maghan McDowell is a San Francisco freelance writer. Email: style@sfchronicle.com. It's dubbed "Indian summer," and for San Francisco it's an ephemeral part of October brimming with magic light and hot, still air. The National Weather Service defines it as any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in October or even November. But beyond that, we begin to run into differing definitions and diverging origin stories some more benign than others. When San Franciscans say "Indian summer," they tend to do so affectionately, as it represents an sunny island amid a soupy sea of year-round fog. But the etymological PC test for the term appears to stand on shaky ground by today's standards. One theory speculates that this period of hot autumnal weather was originally communicated to settlers by Native Americans, while another bases it on conditions when Native Americans hunted. More sinister is the theory that Indian summer somehow means "false summer" like the slur "Indian giver." There is even an international theory that places its origins in the Indian Ocean with cargo ships. So, given the mystery of its history, do people actually find the term offensive? It depends on who you ask. "In an environment where we're struggling to be addressed with any degree of respect at all, I'm not fussed," said San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck, a member of the Cherokee Nation. Shuck was one of dozens who pushed for and celebrated the Sept. 14 pre-dawn removal of the "Early Days" statue at Civic Center, a more than 100-year-old bronze sculpture which depicted a fallen, nearly naked American Indian lying at the feet of a vaquero and a missionary. Also: Why now is the time to see Yosemite's Bridalveil Fall San Francisco State University American Indian Studies Professor Andrew Jolivette, who chaired the department until 2016, said there are a host of popular terms with negative subtext such as "circling the wagons," "Geronimo," "Indian burn," "going off the reservation" and "going on the warpath." In particular, Jolivette finds the term "tribalism" a word rising in popularity to signify political gridlock in Washington to have a very pejorative subtext for Native Americans. He said using the term Indian summer might seem innocuous, but it's really part of a larger body of normalized euphemisms that keep Indians tied to nature and an imagined past in the minds of most Americans. The term "going native" also fits into this motif. When Jolivette hears Indian summer said aloud, "I usually cringe," he said. "It's like when people say, 'that's so ghetto' but it's not supposed to be seen as a negative thing." The website Indigenous Corporate Training, which enumerates culturally offensive phrases that business people should use at their own risk, specifically calls this phrase out. "Again, the inference can be that all Indians are late and that an Indian summer is a late summer. Many people in response have said 'But I use this phrase in the highest respect for a beautiful time of the year,'" the post reads. "Remember that it may not be your intention to offend anyone but the phrase has a history and by using this term you may have a negative impact on the people with whom you are trying to work." Late summer? Add that one to the list of possible meanings. In Europe, a heat wave in the fall season can be marked by the name of a saint or with a colloquial phrase like "old woman's summer." By the 20th century, the term Indian summer had displaced European ones like St. Luke's summer, St. Martin's summer and all-hallown summer in the United States. As the contemporary political climate in America offers revisions to both history and vernacular, it stands to reason that one day the term Indian summer could meet its social expiration date, and a new name may be needed for this little, second summer. But for San Franciscans who endure the cold gray skies from June gloom to "Fogust," there's no need to panic Indian summer in the city is simply known as summer. According to police, the two, one identified as female, entered 7-Eleven, 240 Chicago Ave., at about 11:07 a.m. The second person, who was described as wearing all dark clothing with hair in a ponytail, made a purchase and left the store, police said. A man is in serious condition after falling off a cliff at Fort Funston in San Francisco, fire officials said Monday. The victim fell at about 5:12 p.m., and crews from both the San Francisco Fire Department Golden Gate National Parks responded to the scene. Beach units drove to the victim from the bottom of the cliff, while crews from the top hiked down, said Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman with the San Francisco Fire Department. Due to the mans injuries, Baxter said crews decided to forego the traditional rope rescue and transport the man to the hospital via Sloat Boulevard. Baxter said its unclear exactly where man fell, but cliffs in the area top about 100 feet. We normally have fatal recoveries at that location, he said. Fire officials earlier this year rescued a sheepdog that fell more than 150 feet off a Fort Funston area cliff. Baxter said officials dont know the details of how the man fell, but said the man did have some friends there with him. Fort Funstons bluffs which can reach up to 200 feet high are a popular destination for hang-gliders, hikers and horseback riders. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy A San Francisco Muni bus driver who crashed into a building in the Marina last month has died, according to his family. Milton James, 66, was driving the eastbound 28-19th Avenue bus around 5:44 a.m. on Sept. 11 when he lost control of the bus and struck a tree and dry cleaning business on Lombard Street. A shocking dash cam video of the incident shows the bus careening over the center divide and into the tree and building. James was hospitalized in critical condition and died two weeks later on Sept. 24. His family declined to comment further Tuesday. Two bus passengers were hospitalized and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Authorities do not know why James lost control of the vehicle. San Francisco police are still investigating the incident. James had been driving for the agency for 38 years. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, or Muni, recognized him in 2014 for his safe-driving record. His death was first reported by the San Francisco Examiner. James once was the victim of a violent attack while driving a bus route through Bayview-Hunters Point. On Christmas night in 1995, a passenger hit James on the head with a plastic pipe and started fighting with him. A crowd of bystanders joined in the assault, stealing James wallet and sending him to the hospital with cuts and bruises. Gwendolyn Wu is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu SEATTLE Last week, Dave Clark, Amazons senior vice president in charge of operations, stood on a ladder in a warehouse near Los Angeles and announced to employees that Amazon was raising pay for its vast blue-collar workforce. As soon as he said new Amazon minimum wage of $15 an hour, Clark was drowned out by more than 10 seconds of cheers and high-fives. Clark posted a video of the meeting on Twitter, where it since has been viewed more than 400,000 times. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who had repeatedly criticizing Amazon for how it treated its workers, praised the raise and shared the clip, adding another half-a-million views. But in Amazon warehouses across the country, many longtime workers are fuming that based on the information they have received so far they may end up making thousands of dollars less a year. Yes, Amazon is increasing wages, which will benefit most employees. But it will no longer give out new stock options and monthly bonuses. Some workers believe that means their total compensation will shrink. Whether Amazon finds a way to close that gap will be closely watched in Washington. On Oct. 4, Sanders, an independent from Vermont, sent a letter to Jay Carney, who runs Amazons public policy, asking Amazon to confirm how the total compensation of employees who would have received stock options those with the company for two or more years will be affected as a result of the recent changes, according to a copy provided to The New York Times. Sanders, who was alerted to the issue by workers, has not yet received a response from Amazon, a spokesman for the senator said. The New York Times spoke to about a half dozen workers around the country, from Texas to Kentucky, and viewed numerous employee discussions on Facebook. All of the workers shared their pay stubs, but few would allow their names to be used. Near Minneapolis, Katy Iber, who handles returned products at an Amazon warehouse, works the night shift. Her region has a tight local labor market, so she already makes more than $15 an hour. In an all hands meeting at the start of her shift Thursday her first day at work since the pay raise was announced she learned Amazon was raising her base pay by $1 an hour. But it was also ending monthly attendance and productivity bonuses, known as the Variable Compensation Plan, or VCP. And she would no longer be granted valuable Amazon shares. The trade-off meant she would be losing money, she said. It was as though the company was saying 'thanks, we appreciate you going into the holidays. Heres less money,' Iber said. The New York Times reached Iber through the Awood Center, a nonprofit that is organizing East African workers in the region. Amazon maintained in a statement that the higher hourly wages more than compensates for the phase out of the stock and incentive bonuses. A traditional pay raise, the company said, is more immediate and predictable. Amazon said more than 250,000 employees and an additional 100,000 seasonal workers would benefit from the pay changes and announced similar changes for workers in Britain. Deutsche Bank estimated that Amazons pay increase represents less than 1 percent of its projected 2019 revenue. For many workers, including those who work part time and were never eligible for stock and bonuses, the raises in base pay will certainly put more cash in their pockets. Amazon officials said that over the next week they will adjust the pay of some employees to make sure workers do not end up losing money with the changes. The difference between what some employees believe is their total compensation and what the company believes they are being paid also may come down to accounting rules. Amazon said that if employees in 2018 use stock options granted two years ago, that legally counts as compensation this year. But some employees believe that was compensation for work done two years ago. The difference whether because of miscommunication or incomplete information given to employees has resonated in Amazon warehouses around the country, particularly with employees with a longer tenure at the company. The dispute is over two compensation programs that will end Nov. 1. The first, the Variable Compensation Plan paid out each month, offered up to a 4 percent bonus for attendance and an additional 4 percent if a workers building met certain production goals. Iber said someone in her warehouse wrote BRING BACK VCP!!!! on a whiteboard where employees are encouraged to communicate with management. In the three months around the holiday season, known as double down, the bonus doubles, meaning employees could earn an as much as 16 percent on top of their regular wages. The second program gave employees shares in Amazon stock each year. They get to keep the shares if they are still working at the company after two years. Recently, employees have been getting two shares, worth about a combined $3,725 at current market value. With the changes, workers get to keep the stock granted in previous years but will not earn new shares. Documentation Iber provided showed that her bonus amounted to $1.28 an hour in August. In the three months around the holidays, that could be more than $2.50 an hour, far more than the $1 an hour in base pay increase she is getting. She is down even more when stock grants are taken into account. She will keep old shares, but will not be granted new ones. In a Facebook group popular with employees, workers fumed over the changes, according to screenshots from the page that were viewed by The New York Times. There were so many negative pending posts on the day Amazon announced the $15 wage that a moderator wrote that she deleted them and pleaded with workers to write to the corporate offices in Seattle rather than vent online. Another poster wrote that her co-workers were contemplating a walkout on Black Friday, the big shopping day after Thanksgiving, and others said they were saddened to lose the sense of ownership that the stock compensation provided. Workers said the timing of the change, just as bonuses double for the holiday season, stings. Iber said a co-worker told her he regretted paying down some credit card debt in anticipation of the extra holiday bonus. He worried that without the extra holiday pay, he will not be able cover his regular monthly bills. She could sympathize. Last year, Iber used the holiday season bonuses to pay for insulation in her attic. She was going to get a new water heater this year, but now she is holding off. She said she will wait for the heater to break, and if it does, she will put the repairs on a credit card. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Six female suspects nearly beat a man to death early Sunday morning in San Franciscos Bernal Heights, authorities said. The 20-year-old victim was attacked around 2:20 a.m. on the 3300 block of Mission Street after a verbal confrontation with six female assailants, whose ages are unknown, escalated into a physical altercation, according to San Francisco police. The man transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Authorities did not release the victims name or the nature of his injuries. No arrests have been made. A previous version of this story misstated the district of the alleged crime. MORE NEWS: Large fire breaks out near Oakland's BART Coliseum station Emma Heath is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: emma.heath@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emmabheath There's something inherently Halloween-friendly about San Francisco. It could be that it's not particularly unusual to see someone walking around in a full costume at any point during the year, or it could be that it perpetually feels like it could be fall outside. RELATED: Immersive haunted house (with cocktails!) to take over the San Francisco Mint Maybe all that compounds in the weeks leading up to Halloween, when local businesses and events set out to frighten, thrill and entertain Bay Area locals as they celebrate the spookiest day of the year. This year's calendar sees a few notable additions. The historic Mint building in San Francisco, for one, will transform into the "Terror Vault," a legit haunted house, and the Napa Wine Train is staging a true "Murder on the Orient Express"-type event, where guests will attempt to solve a murder mystery unfolding in real time. RELATED: Fake blood, sweat and tears: behind the scenes at a Bay Area haunted house See the above gallery for some of the best ways to spend Halloween in 2018. Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira. Love concerts, movies and the Bay's nightlife scene? Stay up to date with Datebook's newsletter covering entertainment news and events in the Bay Area, coming soon. To sign up, head here, enter your email at the top, and check the box marked "Datebook." Police were not in direct pursuit, but an officer assigned to a CTA detail at the time of the crash noticed that one of the vehicles involved fit the description of a vehicle used to flee the robbery incident, Powers said. Officers arrived immediately after the crash and took the suspects into custody after a short foot chase. UPDATE: The City of Healdsburg tells SFGATE that the artist, Doug Unkrey, is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the return of the sculpture. It might sound like part of the plot for a "Thor" film. And the truth, actually, is just as weird: Someone (or someones) heisted a massive, 800-pound hammer artwork from the lawn in front of a community center in Healdsburg. San Francisco, a new study declares, is the "doo-doo capital" of the nation. The esteemed honor was bestowed upon the city by folks at the real estate listing site RealtyHop, which probed publicly available 311 data to determine how many "poop sightings" were recorded in San Francisco over the past few years. Unsurprisingly to anyone who's ever braved a San Francisco sidewalk, the city had the highest incidents of feces complaints in 2017 compared to New York and Chicago. Nearly 21,000 poop sightings were reported in San Francisco in 2017 about 10 times New York City's poop-sighting total and more than 20 times that of Chicago. On average, there are 455.89 complaints filed for each of San Francisco's 47 square miles. To help visualize the vast landscape of street poop, RealtyHop created an interactive map cheekily coded in shades of brown and yellow that shows the San Francisco neighborhoods with the highest volumes of reported feces. Neighborhoods in the center of the city had the highest incidences of poop complaints in 2017. SoMa snags first place for most poop complaints; in 2017, 311 received 4,436 reports about 2,493 sightings per 10,000 households. The Mission, Tenderloin, Portrero Hill and Hayes Valley followed behind SoMa. See the number of complaints for other San Francisco neighborhoods in the above gallery. ALSO: Life on the dirtiest block of San Francisco Of course, this report takes into account only complaints called into 311, which means the actual number of street poop is probably much higher. The study also takes into consideration the population size of each neighborhood by reporting the number of reports per 10,000 households. This helps correct the fact that districts with higher populations could be the source of a higher volume of calls (the more people in a neighborhood, the more eyes on the sidewalk). 2017 was the worst year for poop complaints on record in San Francisco, but 2018 is on track to surpass that. The city is taking some steps to address its sticky sidewalk situation. It recently launched a "Poop Patrol" a team of five Public Works staffers, equipped with a steam cleaner, who patrol the alleys around San Francisco's poop-prone hotspots. "We're trying to be proactive," Public Works director Mohammed Nuru told The Chronicle. "We're actually out there looking for it." Nuru said much of the waste comes from dogs, despite a city ordinance that makes it illegal for pet owners to not pick up after their pets. ALSO: 'SnapCrap' app invites SF residents to report poop on city streets What doesn't come from animals can mostly be attributed to people without homes. With this in mind, Mayor London Breed has committed $1.05 million to construct fie Pit Stop public toilets and expand operating hours at five existing locations. Currently, the city operates 22 toilets around the city, most of which are open only until the evening or late afternoon, leaving few options for those who must use the restroom overnight. Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. When 56-year-old Joshua Schroeter finished singing karaoke at the Red Onion bar in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle about midnight Sept. 29, he found someone in his seat, police reports say. It wasn't the first time someone tread on his territory that night; he allegedly shoved another man out of his chair earlier. But this time, he used a different tactic to prompt the man to leave the seat, court records indicate. RELATED: 'I'm dying': Man charged with stabbing 3 siblings in Kent home Prosecutors charged Schroeter with second-degree assault Wednesday, saying he stabbed the bar patron that night and punctured the man's lung. Officers arrived at the bar at 4210 East Madison Street about 12:01 a.m. to find a man with a wound to his chest and another bar patron applying pressure to his injury, according to the incident report. The man told cops he was seated next to a friend in the bar when a man, later identified as Schroeter, sat down next to him and told him he had to move. The victim refused to change seats, prompting back-and-forth shoving between the men, police accounts indicated. He then felt sharp pressure in his ribs and believed Schroeter had elbowed him. Schroeter got up and left the bar. RELATED: 'You are not my father': Man gets 25 years for fatally stabbing wife in Kent The victim lifted his shirt, however, to find that he'd been stabbed. A witness told police that he sat next to Schroeter earlier that night, but Schroeter shoved him out of the seat, reports claim. The then said he saw Schroeter return to his seat after signing karaoke to find the victim in his seat and watched the ensuing scuffle. Witnesses persuaded Schroeter to stay at the bar and wait for police. Schroeter also allegedly removed a knife from his pocket and placed it on the sidewalk. RELATED: Charge: Wallingford woman stabbed 60+ times in 'senseless' killing Responding officers saw the folding knife, which included a three-inch blade, and found blood on Schroeter's hands. Schroeter allegedly told police, "He assaulted me, I defended myself. That's all I have to say." He was released from jail Oct. 2 on bail. SeattlePI reporter Lynsi Burton can be reached at 206-448-8381 or lynsiburton@seattlepi.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LynsiBurton_PI. Find more from Lynsi here. WHAT'S THE CASTRO LIKE? If only the Mexican land barons and European homesteaders who built the Castro district could see it and the price of its real estate today. What was once dairy farms and dirt roads is now one of the city's most vibrant and cohesive communities, saturated with stylish shops and bars so popular that patrons spill out onto the streets. Irish, German, and Scandinavian immigrants came to the outskirts of San Francisco in search of cheap land, which became bona fide suburbs after 1887 when the Market Street Cable Railway linked Eureka Valley (as the Castro was then called) with the rest of the city. Thanks to these homesteaders, who built large, handsome Victorian houses for their large families, today's residents have someplace to pour their money into, and the vast majority of the neighborhood's classic homes have been lovingly and artfully restored. Eureka Valley remained a quiet, working-class neighborhood until the postwar era, when large numbers of people started fleeing the city for the "suburbs." Finally, in the 1960s and '70s, gay men began buying the charming old Victorians at relatively low prices ($20,000-$40,000), and the neighborhood was soon named for its busiest thoroughfare, Castro Street. The activism of the '60s and '70s forged a community with sizable political and economic power, and when the historic Twin Peaks bar at Market and Castro streets was built with floor-to-ceiling windows, most took it as a sign that Castro residents were secure in their gay identity. There were, however, tense and sometimes violent clashes with the police, and the assassination in 1978 of openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk was a turning point in the community's history. Milk's death and the impact of AIDS brought the community together and made activists of almost everyone; the Castro became not just open but celebratory about its thriving gay and lesbian population. Today, the Castro's queer identity is itself a tourist attraction, beckoning throngs of pilgrims and revelers from all over the world. Since the introduction of the F Market street car, shuttling unsuspecting Midwestern families down from Fisherman's Wharf, denizens have been lamenting the demise and dilution of the gayest spot on earth. Yet the unabated proliferation of shops selling, ahem, adult accessories and sporting neon signs touting "Lube 4 Less" tips off even the most untrained eye to the deeply entrenched community here. BEST TIME TO VISIT THE CASTRO The Castro is bustling all day long, but at night it really comes alive, as the bars from the Mint to the Midnight Sun fill up and the Castro Theatre's neon marquee lights up the main drag. EVENTS Castro Street Fair: In October, the city's longest-running street fair (founded by Harvey Milk himself) features booming music on multiple stages, crafts, drag shows, comedy, food, plenty of drink and more people than you knew existed. Halloween: Once one of the biggest and most extravagant festivals of its kind, Halloween festivities in The Castro have become a shadow of their former bacchanalian selves after multiple shootings and stabbings in 2006. Since then the city has cracked down on the party and withdrawn official support, but it is still worth considering as the place to spend your hallowed eve. San Francisco Pride Month: The last Sunday in June, Market Street becomes a throbbing, queer sea of human beings for this annual display of LGBT power. The parade is always led by the SF Women's Motorcycle Contingent, the celebration at Civic Center will fulfill your every need for rainbow and pink-triangle bric-a-brac, and the plethora of pre- and post-parade parties will satisfy even hard-core circuit boys. The Saturday before the big parade, the Mission and Castro districts are taken over by lesbians from all walks of life, as well as their children, pets and musical instruments for the SF Dyke March (and Rally). Frameline SF International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival: June is truly the most exciting time of year in the Castro, when this venerable fest attracts filmmakers from around the world for ten days of screenings, parties, and discussions about queer film. LANDMARKS Castro Theatre: No matter what's playing, buy a ticket to see a movie at the Castro Theatre (429 Castro St.). Hearing its Mighty Wurlitzer Organ alone is worth the price of admission. Prepare to be amazed at the art-deco, Moorish and otherwise lavish combination of interior designs that is The Castro. Magnet: Smack in the middle of the Castro, Magnet (470 Castro St.) takes a truly holistic approach to gay men's physical, mental and sexual health, but this is no sterile clinic. Yes, you can get anonymous STD and HIV testing, but Magnet also offers counseling, classes, seminars, performance arts and even game nights where gay men can socialize, interact and learn in a judgment-free zone. GLBT History Museum: (4127 18th St.) This small museum provides a space where you can learn about San Francisco's LGTBQ history and see some of the relics from its past including Harvey Milk's megaphone. SF LGBT Center: (1800 Market St.) For tourists, there may not be much more to see here than the giant purple victorian that flanks the entrance to The Castro neighborhood. But for locals, the Center offers classes, gathering spaces, meal nights and many other resources geared towards members of the LGBTQ community. TOURS CityGuides' free, volunteer-led walking tour, called Castro: Tales of the Village takes you on a stroll down the historic byways of the Castro, from its roots as an Ohlone Indian foraging ground, through its humble beginnings as a working-class neighborhood of immigrant homesteaders to its emergence as the vibrant, eclectic district it is today. (Donations welcome!) Coffee Shops & Sweets Castro Coffee: Sure, they still sell cheese, but you'd never know it from the overpowering aroma of dozens of types of coffee. (427 Castro St.) Spike's Coffee & Teas: With its friendly baristas, Spike's Coffee & Teas is a local favorite. (4117 19th St.) Thorough Bread and Pastry: Since 2008, this unassuming bakery has been secretly tucking away a charming back patio and offering baked goods created by a French pastry chef who brought his Michelin-star-rated experience to SF in the 90s. Don't let the humble storefront fool you, Thorough Bread offers some of the best pastries and relaxed ambiance SF has to offer. Samovar Tea Lounge: Tea aficionados and those looking for a break from coffee culture have a retreat in Samovar Tea Lounge (498 Sanchez St.), where more than 100 whole-leaf teas and herbal infusions from around the globe are offered in a contemporary yet serene environment. Samovar also offers a range of globally inspired breakfast items and small plates. At Hot Cookie (407 Castro St.), old favorites like chocolate chip and snickerdoodle are served fresh out of the oven. In the spirit of the neighborhood, they also offer up chocolate-coated, phallic-shaped cookies. Giddy Candy (2299 Market St.) brings some childhood wonder to The Castro with shelves lined with large, glass jars full of candy, ranging from classics like red licorice to new school flavors like the passion fruit sour skulls. CASTRO RESTAURANTS In a city with such high expectations for food, the Castro long lagged behind other neighborhoods in its culinary offerings. Less than a decade ago, there were few options outside the basic slice of pizza or greasy-spoon diner. High-quality eateries have emerged in recent years, though not every newcomer has raised the bar. And yes, you can still get that slice of pizza or cup of diner-grade joe, if that's what you're looking for. A handful of diners are absolute fixtures in the neighborhood, having occupied their respective locations for decades: Orphan Andy's (3991 17th St.) and Cove Cafe (434 Castro St.) are virtually interchangeable in cuisine, atmosphere and clientele, and each offers a taste of the Castro of old, fresh off the griddle. If you haven't gotten a Vietnamese-inspired sandwich at Dinosaurs (2275 Market St.) yet, there is a good chance you've had at least one friend tell you that you should. This local spot saves the frills for the flavors they pack in their affordable sandwiches and spring rolls. Something about the brusquely imperative nature of the name of Squat and Gobble (3600 16th St.) leaves a foul (fowl?) taste in our mouths, but in fact this quaint crepery manages to serve up tasty, hardy and hefty portions, as does the somewhat more elegant Crepevine (216 Church St.). With a variety of concoctions combining crepes, eggs and a variety of meats and veggies, each is a popular spot for post-bender absorption brunches. With its giant wrap-around patio flanking Market and Noe streets, Cafe Flore (2298 Market St.) is not the place to hide on laundry day unless you happen to own a pair of fabulous cat-eye sunglasses as you're bound to run into someone you know. Tucked a block off Market, Kitchen Story (3499 16th St.) offers up another great brunch option with menu items that combine fresh, hearty ingredients with an Asian flare. With items like Mascarpone Stuffed Deep Fried French Toast, you'll leave feeling like you just had a meal fit for southern comfort lovers. Catch (2362 Market St.) dishes up traditional but tasty fish and a modicum of other treats for landlubbers. It boasts one of the few open-air eating spaces in the 'hood, semi-enclosed with heaters for those chilly summer brunches. There's no earthly reason to take guests to Fisherman's Wharf to get New England Clam Chowder, freshly-shucked oysters, or fresh crab, when you can get diner-style counter service at the clean, non-frilly Anchor Oyster Bar and Seafood Market (579 Castro St.). You can even get oysters to go. Anything from the wood-fire oven is a good choice at the super-popular, organic-driven Chow Food Bar and Market (215 Church St.). La Mediteranee (288 Noe St.) or La Med, as it's colloquially called offers consistently delicious Middle Eastern fare at reasonable prices. Amasia Hidei (149 Noe St., website), tucked away in a quiet corner of Duboce Triangle, breaks form with the very fusion-y sounding sushi crepes. Although it's a relative newcomer to the Castro, Fable (588 Castro St.) has already made a name for itself. The restaurant serves causal American cuisine with an air of magic that validates its name. Nothing is as it seems since even the simplest dishes are delightfully re-imagined to keep even the snobbiest eater happy. Be warned, it is a small venue so it can be on the crowded side, but the attentive staff and the friendly atmosphere make it okay. Longtime favorite Thai House (599 Castro St.) sprang from their almost secretive location in Duboce Triangle smack onto Castro Street, eschewing its old ornate ornamentation for a slick, edgy interior. The Sausage Factory (517 Castro St.) pays homage to The Castro's gay community, as well as to the location's origin as a working sausage factory in the 19th century. A Castro haunt since 1968, this family-owned Italian restaurant offers an old school vibe for pasta-loving diners. No one interviewed by the attorneys reported seeing inappropriate touching during the gatherings cited by Jones, though one township employee is recorded as saying that she noticed Jones kind of flinched a little bit and had like an uncomfortable, upset look, just a flash while the township officials were being photographed as a group in January. It was during this photo that Jones alleged Carrabotta lightly swiped his hand across my bottom, according to the complaint she filed. None of the individuals who were reportedly escorted by Karas had tickets for the event and no one in the group was searched by security for weapons or other contraband, the Stephens complaint alleges. This action was reckless and potentially endangered the participants at the event, the complaint says. There are about 4,487 homeless students from pre-kindergarten through high school identified in the state, and those numbers are on the rise. But officials arent sure if its a true increase or if schools are getting better at reporting such situations, said Louis Tallarita, who oversees the rights of such children as the states McKinney Vento coordinator. Regardless of the trend, the need is great, shelter operators say, and there are many complex systems in place to assure the needs of children are met. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has made it a priority to help as many homeless families as possible by December. The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, in place for some 30 years, protects the rights of such children to education, and financial help with supplies, clothes and lunches, and from discrimination. Tallarita said the count of 4,487 homeless students throughout Connecticut was for 2016-17 school year. According to the state statistics from last school year, the number of homeless students in area municipalities include: 274 in Bridgeport; 40 in Middletown; 47 in Torrington; 28 in Branford; 34 in Hamden; 12 in Milford; 23 in West Haven, 38 in Danbury. Towns with six or fewer homeless students are not disclosed. Tallarita said homelessness includes several scenarios: those living in shelters, cars, motels, parks, unsheltered areas, campgrounds and those doubled up living with friends or family. The state numbers for primary nighttime residence of those students show 1,070 are in shelters or transitional housing; 2,872 are doubled up or living with another family; 57 are unsheltered living in cars, parks, campgrounds, temporary trailer, or abandoned buildings; 488 are in hotels or motels. It is considered in the best interest of homeless children to stay in their home school for consistency, but there is also a school choice policy in which parents can petition for children to attend the school district in which they are homeless if its different than the one they came from. Tallarita said some people arent aware of their rights and so parents are hesitant to report they are homeless. Some dont consider themselves homeless if they arent living in shelter or on (the) street, Tallarita said. The law is in place to serve and protect childrens ability to stay in school. Every school system has a coordinator in place under the federal law to help keep kids stay in school, get them services, remedial assistance if needed, and supplies. Federal funds are available to school systems. Tallarita said theres a stigma attached to homelessness and parents are afraid their case will be referred to the state Department of Children and Families and they will lose their kids. But Tallarita said thats a misconception, because being homeless does not in itself qualify as abuse and neglect, although living in a car may under some circumstances be considered unsafe. Tallarita said DCF may be able to help with resources. Dierdre DiCara, executive director of the FISH shelter and food pantry in Torrington , said the need is great in Northwest Connecticut. She said more than 500 families used the food pantry last year and that translates to more than 1,700 people. For a family, its such a dilemma because families want to stay together, she said. They are so worried about DCF. DiCara said when children with families move into the shelter, they try to determine where their subsidized or low-income housing will be, and they get the children into that communitys school system. She said she recently had a family from Winsted with three teenagers who wanted to move back to Winsted, so the bus came to the shelter so they could stay in the schools in that community. Parents aware of residency statutes that require children to live in the district where they attended school are fearful if they are homeless and out of district their kids will be taken out of their home school. But the federal act protects them from that, Tallarita said. Last year, 2,000 students from Puerto Rico and other areas hit by storms came to the state, so this year numbers will likely be higher, he said. New Haven spokesman Laurence Grotheer said the citys school district receives a very modest amount of funding through a series of three-year grants, to help with its approximately 721 homeless students, as of last year. Grotheer said that figure includes 212 evacuees from Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria. Homeless students are enrolled in the general population; the district provides some school supplies and solicits donations for other accessories like coats, hats, gloves, as needed transportation to and from school is provided by the district, Grotheer said. NHPS has a districtwide McKinney-Vento liaison to state officials, as well as a designated McKinney-Vento liaison in each school to help individual homeless students with any other wraparound services they need, Grotheer said. Jennifer Paradis, executive director of Beth El Center shelter in Milford, said she encourages families who are homeless with no place to go to call the 211 hotline. We want people to come in for shelter and accept services, Paradis said. Paradis said the shelter has a system to bring in families the same day, and that there is a complex system in prioritizing for children, including family housing navigators in New Haven trying to remedy homelessness in cars. Its a shocking number, she said of the homeless student statistics. Paradis said the staff works closely with homeless students to ensure success. Beth El has a family shelter that houses six families and can expand space in crisis to house more in other areas. It is critical that education be a constant in life, for those dealing with housing insecurity and family displacement, Paradis said. She said working with homeless students requires advocacy and negotiation, on the students behalf, including making sure they are performing well. We work in partnership with others, we do everything in our power to partner, Paradis said. This is a child experiencing something overwhelming in their lives. Paradis said homelessness looks different in different situations. The important piece is theres a lot of coordinated effort, she said, and the work is to prioritize, identify issues. She said summer is when there is the most impact on children because there is an increase in family destabilization. Kids being around more at home causes stress of more noise and higher food costs. For that reason, shelters usually see an influx of students at the beginning of the school year. It takes a lot of education of the school system, she said. DiCara agreed that summer brings stresses and doubling up with others doesnt always last. She said a couple from Litchfield served by the shelter arrived because it became too stressful for a grandparent with whom they lived. The mom and dad had a 3-year-old and a baby, and both parents lost their jobs. The scenario had a happy ending, she said, as both parents later found jobs and housing. Everyone eligible should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. Vaccination should be voluntary but those who don't get vaccinated should be frequently tested for COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel and employment. Both vaccination and testing should be voluntary and not required as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. I defer to the judgment of lawmakers as long as they base their decisions on a consensus of medical professionals. Vote View Results In addition to the traditional clothes, accessories, home goods and beauty products, Yoshimura plans to offer appliances, gourmet food and wine, furniture and artwork. He said hes looking to reopen the Southlake Mall store at some point, but not the large, two-story space it occupied. He also said the Hobart mall a behemoth covering two floors and almost 200,000 square feet wont be among the first to open. Orland Square, Yorktown and Evergreen Plaza malls all in Illinois are being considered as the first new Carsons that could open soon. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A longtime San Francisco Municipal Railway bus driver involved in a crash in the city's Marina District last month has died, the city's medical examiner's office confirmed today. Milton James, 66, died on Sept. 26 from injuries he suffered in the Sept. 10 bus crash. James, a San Francisco resident, had worked as a bus driver for Muni for 38 years. The crash occurred around 5:40 a.m. in the 2300 block of Lombard Street, where the eastbound 28-19th Avenue bus James was driving crossed the median and went into the westbound lanes of Lombard Street. The bus then struck a parked car, a tree, a parking meter and the awning and sign of a dry cleaning business. James was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. Two passengers, both women aged 25 and 56, were also hospitalized but with minor injuries, according to police. The dry cleaning business only sustained minor damage as a result of the crash, officials with the city's Department of Building Inspection determined. San Francisco police spokeswoman Giselle Linnane said today that the crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Eric Cole died after he found a handgun under a bed at the home of Rachel Griffin, 24, and Brett Beatty, 29, who were babysitting Eric and his sister. Both were later charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and neglect of a dependent, according to court records. OAKLAND (BCN) The Diocese of Oakland this fall plans to release the names of its clergy who are "credibly accused" of child sex abuse, the diocese announced Sunday. "It's the right thing to do," said Bishop Michael Barber, head of the Oakland diocese, in a letter to parishioners. "We have nothing to hide." In the letter, Barber said he anticipates the list will be ready for publication in about 45 days. "This is the latest step in the ongoing commitment of the Diocese of Oakland to stop the scourge of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults," Barber said. Last month, the San Jose Diocese made a similar announcement, and said it planned reforms in response to more revelations about priest sex abuse in Pennsylvania and around the world. A full text of Barber's letter is available at https://www.oakdiocese.org/news/diocese-of-oakland-to-release-names-of-credibly-accused-clergy Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN JOSE (BCN) A dog has died and four people have been displaced following a one-alarm fire at a home in East San Jose late Monday night, according to fire officials. The blaze was first reported at 11:20 p.m. at a home in the 3400 block of Mt. McKinley Court, according to San Jose Fire Department Captain Mike Van Elgort. Van Elgort said crews contained the fire around 11:45 p.m., which was also complicated by a downed wire from the home to a power line. Two other dogs were also displaced with the residents, who are being assisted by the American Red Cross. No other residents or firefighters were injured in the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Voting for the Nov. 6 election began today in Santa Clara County with early-bird voting open and about 640,000 mail-in ballots sent out to county residents. The county is offering several physical locations to submit early ballots: the Registrar of Voters office at 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2 in San Jose; early voter centers at libraries in San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Palo Alto and Morgan Hill; ballot drop-off sites at every City Hall and dozens of libraries and colleges in the county. Residents can also send their ballots in the mail with prepaid postage included with each ballot. Ballots submitted by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Nov. 9. Physically submitted ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day. The last day to register to vote in California is Oct. 22. Registration can be completed or verified online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A person is in serious condition following a fall this evening at Fort Funston in San Francisco, fire officials said. The fall was reported at 5:12 p.m. and firefighters responded to rescue the person. The person is being taken to a trauma center, according to fire officials. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. One person has died and two others remain hospitalized with serious injuries following a multi-car crash that injured five people in San Francisco's Marina District Thursday, according to police. The crash, which was reported at 11:43 a.m. at Lombard and Divisadero streets, involved four vehicles, police said. Three people were transported to the hospital and one of those patients, a male, has since died, police Officer Grace Gatpandan said. One female patient remains in the hospital in critical condition, and a male patient is in serious condition, Gatpandan said. Two other people suffered less serious injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation and no arrests have been made as of Thursday afternoon, Gatpandan said. The intersection remains closed. Two more people have come forward to report they were sickened after eating the Thanksgiving dinner prepared by the Golden Hills Community Church in Antioch, according to Contra Costa Health Services. The two new cases bring the total number of people who fell ill after the meal to 21, three of whom died. All of the people developed symptoms within 24 hours of eating the food, which was provided by the church and served at Antioch's American Legion Hall. The three people who died were identified by the county coroner's office Wednesday as Christopher Cappetti, 43, Chooi Keng Cheah, 59, and Jane Evans, 69. All had similar "intestinal abnormalities," according to the coroner's office. The cause of the deaths and illnesses, which surfaced after 835 people ate the meal, is still under investigation but county health officials said it's likely a food-borne illness. Biological samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for additional testing, a process which county health officials said could take months to complete. People should practice food safety at all times, said county health spokeswoman Victoria Balladares. People should take care to wash their hands thoroughly, keep raw and cooked food separated and properly store ingredients and prepared food, Balladares said. More food safety tips are posted at the Health Services website http://cchealth.org. A federal magistrate judge in San Francisco has granted the U.S. Internal Revenue Service approval for a first step to gain information about bitcoin users who may have failed to pay taxes due. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley on Wednesday authorized the IRS to issue a summons requiring virtual currency exchange company Coinbase Inc. to disclose the names and records of its U.S. customers who exchanged bitcoin and other virtual currency between 2013 and 2015. Coinbase, founded in San Francisco in 2012, is the nation's largest virtual currency exchange, allowing users to convert virtual currency such as bitcoin to traditional U.S. currency. Bitcoin is the most used and most prominent type of virtual currency, or online representation of monetary value. The number of Coinbase users whose names the IRS will request could be up to several million. Coinbase now has 4.9 million users in 33 countries, but does not disclose how many are in the United States, according to spokesman David Farmer. IRS lawyers told Corley in their request for the summons that because of the relative anonymity of virtual currency, the agency is concerned that people who use it are not reporting taxable income or the capital gains from buying, selling or trading the virtual currency. Corley said in her order that "there is a reasonable basis for believing that such group or class of persons has failed or may have failed to comply with any provision of any internal revenue laws." The summons is known as a "John Doe" summons because the identity of the people about whom information is being sought is not known. According to a copy filed in court with the request for approval, the summons will ask for names and data relevant to tax liability for Coinbase users within the United States between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2015. Federal law requires the IRS to obtain court approval before issuing a John Doe summons. Coinbase said in a statement that the company expected the ruling and will oppose the broad nature of the expected summons after it has been served with the document. "As we previously stated, we remain concerned with our U.S. customers' legitimate privacy rights in the face of the government's sweeping request," the company said. After the IRS filed its request for approval of the summons last month, the company said that while it has a policy of cooperating with "properly targeted" law enforcement injuries, it was concerned about "the indiscriminate breadth of the government's request." U.S. Justice Department Tax Division chief Caroline Ciraolo said on Wednesday, "As the use of virtual currencies has grown exponentially, some have raised questions about tax compliance." "Tools like the John Doe summons authorized Thursday send the clear message to U.S. taxpayers that whatever form of currency they use -- bitcoin or traditional dollars and cents -- we will work to ensure that they are fully reporting their income and paying their fair share of taxes," Ciraolo said in a statement. The Justice Department noted that there are no allegations that Coinbase engaged in wrongdoing and that the purpose of the summons is to gain information about individuals who may have evaded taxes. An Oakland woman was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in state prison for deliberately running over an Emeryville kiteboarding shop owner with his own car in Oakland in May 2015. Ella Coleman, 25, was charged with murder for the death of 47-year-old Royce Vaughn with his own car in the 800 block of 28th Street on May 29, 2015, but prosecutors recently agreed to let her plead no contest to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. Oakland police said Vaughn, a married 6 feet 4 inch, 220-pound man who owned KGB Kite-boarding in Emeryville, had picked up Coleman on San Pablo Avenue and hired her as a prostitute. But they said when he got out of his 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser in the 800 block of 28th Street she allegedly jumped into the driver's seat and ran him over, killing him. Police said they had gotten into an argument, possibly over money. Coleman then allegedly fled in his car, which was later found abandoned in the 1400 block of 44th Avenue. Vaughn's death went unsolved for months, but Coleman was arrested for a robbery and assault in August 2015 and in December 2015 police developed enough evidence to connect her to the crime and have her charged with murder. Police said Coleman admitted when she was interviewed on Dec. 8 that she had killed Vaughn. Prosecutors said she has a prior conviction for accessory to a crime in 2010. KGB Kite-boarding continued operating after Vaughn's death and held a memorial for him in June 2015. A woman was hit by a bus while crossing the street in Petaluma Thursday morning, police said Thursday. The 46-year-old woman was crossing North McDowell Boulevard near East Madison Street at 10:45 a.m., headed toward the Plaza North Shopping Center, police said. She was in the crosswalk when she was hit by a Petaluma Transit bus making a left turn onto North McDowell Boulevard. The woman was dragged about 29 feet before the bus stopped, police said. Arriving officers found the woman trapped under the bus and it had to be lifted to get her out. She was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with injuries to her left arm and head. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening. The bus driver, a 77-year-old Petaluma woman, said she saw the pedestrian out of the corner of her eye as she was making the turn but was unable to stop in time. Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information has been asked to call Officer Mario Giomi at (707) 776-3722. A woman who was exposed to lead oxide in Hollister and then flown to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose Thursday morning is in serious condition, a hospital spokeswoman said. Hospital staff received a call from air ambulance provider CALSTAR of a woman they were flying in from Hollister for exposure to lead oxide and another substance containing lead, hospital spokeswoman Joy Alexiou said. The woman was initially decontaminated in Hollister along with air emergency responders, Alexiou said. Medical staff called for a hazardous materials team to respond to the hospital located at 751 S. Bascom Ave. through the Santa Clara County emergency communications service around 10:40 a.m., San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow said. A local hazardous materials team was called to remove any residual contaminants on the woman before entering the medical facility, Matlow said. The woman was taken to the emergency department, where she is in serious condition, according to Alexiou. No other patients or medical staff were threatened, Alexiou said. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced her opposition Friday to citywide Proposition C, which seeks to use business taxes to support homeless services, just before early voting is set to get underway. "We're disappointed that the mayor chose to oppose this measure. We're confident we're going to win this without her," spokeswoman with the Coalition on Homelessness, Jennifer Friedenbach said today, adding that the proposition has the support of U.S. House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo. "We have a really strong grass roots campaign that is really inspiring the hearts of San Franciscans who want to see the homelessness crisis tackled today," Friedenbach said. In a statement, Breed argued that Prop. C lacks fiscal oversight for the $250 to $300 million it seeks annually in taxes from large businesses, defined as companies that gross more than $50 million. "We all recognize the crisis on our streets, we see it everyday. So I understand why Proposition C sounds appealing," Breed said. "I must consider the long-term impacts on our city, and thus, upon lengthy analysis and consideration, I cannot support Proposition C. "Prop C does not audit the homelessness funds we are already spend nor provide stable legal footing for its own funds. It puts the cart before the horse and then sends both down a dead-end street," she said. State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Assemblymember David Chiu, D-San Francisco, also both announced their opposition to Prop. C on Friday. Fifty percent of Prop C funds, or about $150 million, would go toward housing and 25 percent, or about $75 million, toward mental health and substance abuse services. The rest of the funds would go toward prevention and providing more shelter beds. The measure would also require an oversight committee. In addition to Pelosi and Speier, other elected officials who have pledged support for Prop. C include Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, Public Defender Jeff Adachi and Supervisors Vallie Brown, Hillary Ronen, Aaron Peskin, Norman Yee, Rafael Mandelman, Sandra Lee Fewer and Jane Kim. Vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 6 election are set to arrive in mailboxes this week and early voting at San Francisco City Hall begins Tuesday. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A man who died in a crash caused by an alleged drunk driver in eastern Contra Costa County early Sunday morning has been identified by the county coroner's office as 27-year-old Brentwood resident Julian Clark. California Highway Patrol officers responded at 2:17 a.m. Sunday to the report of a car that crashed into a traffic signal pole in the area of Byron Highway and Brentwood Boulevard. The crash split the car in half, killing Clark but causing only minor injuries to the driver, later identified as 25-year-old Brentwood man Keith Brown, according to the CHP. Investigators allege Brown was speeding in his 2007 Dodge Magnum when he went off the roadway and hit the pole. Brown was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries and then was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI, CHP officials said. Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to call the CHP's Contra Costa-area office at (925) 646-4980. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. PETALUMA (BCN) Petaluma police are looking for a suspect who shoplifted clothing worth more than $500 from a sporting goods store Saturday evening. Police on Monday released a photo of the suspect, who was described as possibly a Hispanic male about 19 years old with medium-length brown hair. The suspect entered Dick's Sporting Goods at 401 Kenilworth Drive in the East Washington Place shopping center around 6:15 p.m. He left as a passenger in a gold Toyota Camry. Anyone with information is asked to call Petaluma police Officer Christian McAlvain at (707) 778-4372. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) The San Francisco Sheriff's Department will soon give inmates being released from jail the option of staying overnight if their release occurs during the evening hours, department officials said today. According to sheriff's spokesperson Terry Rather, the department is working on updating its policy to allow inmates being released between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. to voluntarily stay in custody for up to 16 additional hours, or until normal business hours. The policy update is "still a work in progress," Rather said, but it could be finalized within the next two weeks. The policy changes comes more than two months after the Alameda County Sheriff's Office faced criticism for releasing 26-year-old Berkeley resident Jessica St. Louis from Dublin's Santa Rita Jail around 1:10 a.m. on July 28. St. Louis was found dead four hours later near the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station and is believed to have died from a drug overdose. Following St. Louis' death, Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, announced she was working on legislation to end late-night releases at county jails. "Releasing a woman in the dead of the night under these circumstances is a recipe for tragedy," Skinner said in a statement back in August. "People need to be released at a reasonable hour and be given basic support to ensure they can enter our community safely and successfully." Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office and four current and former deputies were sued Monday by a former jail inmate who alleges that the deputies allowed another inmate to spray him with urine and feces multiple times and then broke his arm. The four deputies -- Justin Linn, Erik McDermott, Stephen Sarcos and Sarah Krause -- were all charged in criminal court last year for their alleged involvement in a series of similar assaults on jail inmates. Their cases are still pending in Alameda County Superior Court; Krause and Sarcos are scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week. The new lawsuit was filed Monday by Fernando Miguel Soria, who is represented by civil rights attorney John Burris. Soria alleges that he was arrested in November 2016 after he visited John George Psychiatric Pavilion in San Leandro. Employees there tried to sedate him with a shot, but he refused and a struggle ensued, according to the lawsuit. Sheriff's deputies arrived and arrested him for resisting arrest. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, at first housed in an isolation cell and then taken to another cell, according to the lawsuit. While he was jailed, the four deputies allegedly allowed another inmate known as "Preacher" to spray him with urine and feces from a plastic shampoo bottle, an assault common in jails and prisons known as "gassing." The deputies would allegedly open the cell door and allow Preacher to spray Soria. After the attacks, the deputies wouldn't even allow Soria to change his clothes or bathe, and the only way he could clean himself was with the water from his toilet, according to the suit. At one point, the deputies allegedly kicked Soria's cell door closed while his arm was extended through the handcuffing port, breaking Soria's arm. After that, he didn't receive medical attention for a week, despite repeatedly complaining about being injured, according to the suit. Another time, McDermott allegedly entered Soria's cell while he was lying down and sprayed mace on his chest and didn't allow him to wash it off. Preacher sprayed the wrong inmate while attempting to target Soria at least once, according to the suit. Another victim identified in criminal court filings told investigators that after he was assaulted under similar circumstances, his attacker apologized and said that he'd intended to spray a different victim with a broken arm. A news conference with Burris is scheduled for today to release more information about the lawsuit. An Alameda County sheriff's spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Im graduating (college) next year and Im looking for an internship that may lead to a job, said John Levison of Highland, as he looked over the list of employers that sent representatives. This (event) is just one avenue Im traveling Ive gone online and actually just dropped off some resumes in person. SANTA ROSA (BCN) Sonoma County residents gathered in Courthouse Square this evening to observe the first anniversary of the Sonoma Complex fires that killed 24 county residents and 20 more in Napa and Mendocino counties. Adults and children made drawings and wrote words in chalk on the sidewalk and the paved center of the square that recalled the horror of the firestorm the night of Oct. 8-9 and the grief of losing homes and loved ones and the hope of healing and recovery. Among the artwork were the words, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged," "Hold On, Pain Ends," "Water is Life" and "Enjoy the Little Things." "Everyone went to work a year ago tonight," KSRO news radio reporter and host Pat Kerrigan said. She told the crowd of about 200 that the first responders "are ingrained in our cellular beings. So many uncounted lives were saved." The Press Democrat columnist Chris Smith said, "It was a year that went quickly, but for many it was the slowest year ever." He asked everyone to observe a moment of silence on Tuesday. Elected officials from Santa Rosa, Sonoma County and the state stood silently on a stage, choosing to let the moment speak for itself. California Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci told the crowd the loss of lives and homes left an enormous emotional and physical scar. "I'm deeply impressed with the response and the amazing determination and action of nurses, teachers, students and emergency personnel," Ghilarducci said. "The first days were critically important to our community and the healing process. Tonight we remember those we lost and the lives that have been changed," he said. Sonoma County Poet Laureate Maya Khosla read three short poems inspired by those who were lost and those who after the fires thrived and gained strength. One of the poems, "Blue Oak" was based on scenes from Pepperwood Preserve in Santa Rosa that sustained extensive fire damage. Sebastopol resident Nicole Barden said Khosla's words reflected the heart of the community and the tenor of the event itself. "The whole vibe was art and poetry. It wasn't just talking," Barden said. Santa Rosa resident Celeste Dodge said, "For me it was like a salve to get the community together." The ceremony ended with the Santa Rosa Fire Department's Honor Guard ringing a silver bell 44 times in memory of the residents in the North Bay that died in the fires. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The nonprofit Tipping Point Community today announced it has allocated more than $30 million to organizations supporting low-income communities hardest hit by the wildfires in Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties. More than 3,300 donors and 220 companies contributed $33.8 million to the Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund that was launched four days after the October 2017 fires that killed 44 people in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties. All the grant money goes to 48 nonprofits that focus on housing, employment, health and social services. Donors are invited to give contributions to the 48 nonprofits. A list is available at www.tippingpoint.org/relief. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office and four current and former deputies were sued Monday by a former jail inmate who alleges that the deputies allowed another inmate to spray him with urine and feces multiple times and then broke his arm. The four deputies -- Justin Linn, Erik McDermott, Stephen Sarcos and Sarah Krause -- were all charged in criminal court last year for their alleged involvement in a series of similar assaults on jail inmates. Their cases are still pending in Alameda County Superior Court; Krause and Sarcos are scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week. The new lawsuit was filed Monday by Fernando Miguel Soria, who is represented by civil rights attorney John Burris. Authorities are looking for a man who was placed in handcuffs in a San Jose police vehicle after being found in a stolen big-rig early this morning and then somehow escaped and fled in the police car, which was later found empty in Hayward. San Jose police officers responded at 5:23 a.m. to a suspicious vehicle in the first block of Holger Way. The person who reported the vehicle said the GPS system in the truck showed it was stationary in that location, police spokesman Sgt. Enrique Garcia said. The officers found 40-year-old Andrew Trujillo in the truck's cab and took him into custody. They placed him in handcuffs in the back caged area of a patrol car and continued their investigation, Garcia said. Somehow, Trujillo escaped from the back of the car and drove away in it. Officers found the stolen police car later this morning in the 23000 block of Clawiter Road in Hayward and the police weapons in the vehicle were accounted for, according to Garcia. Trujillo remains at large. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has identified two drivers who died in a collision west of Petaluma on Sunday morning as Patricia Harris, 61, and John Mello, 64, both of Petaluma. Harris was driving a Ford van on Bodega Avenue around 10:25 a.m. Sunday when she crossed the center line and collided head-on with a GMC pickup driven by Mello, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Allan Capurro said. One of two dogs that were riding in the van was killed in the collision. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the collision and there were no signs of excessive speeding or erratic driving, Capurro said. A longtime San Francisco Municipal Railway bus driver involved in a crash in the city's Marina District last month has died, the city's medical examiner's office confirmed today. Milton James, 66, died on Sept. 26 from injuries he suffered in the Sept. 10 bus crash. James, a San Francisco resident, had worked as a bus driver for Muni for 38 years. The crash occurred around 5:40 a.m. in the 2300 block of Lombard Street, where the eastbound 28-19th Avenue bus James was driving crossed the median and went into the westbound lanes of Lombard Street. The bus then struck a parked car, a tree, a parking meter and the awning and sign of a dry cleaning business. Livermore police are reporting a traffic collision this morning that is expected to cause delays in the downtown area until this afternoon. Police wrote on Twitter at 8:51 a.m. about the crash at the intersection of First and Maple streets and said delays are expected until the early afternoon. More details about the collision were not immediately available. At least one person was seriously injured when they were run over by a paving machine at a work site at Bethel Island in unincorporated Contra Costa County on Monday afternoon, according to East Contra Costa Fire Protection District officials. According to fire officials, emergency crews arrived at the scene in the 3900 block of Willow Road around 4:45 p.m. Monday to find the person on the ground. The workers reportedly told fire crews that the person was run over and then backed over to free them from underneath the machine. The victim was flown to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek with possible internal injuries. The person was not identified. Petaluma police are looking for a suspect who shoplifted clothing worth more than $500 from a sporting goods store Saturday evening. Police on Monday released a photo of the suspect, who was described as possibly a Hispanic male about 19 years old with medium-length brown hair. The suspect entered Dick's Sporting Goods at 401 Kenilworth Drive in the East Washington Place shopping center around 6:15 p.m. He left as a passenger in a gold Toyota Camry. A lane will be closed on a main Concord thoroughfare today and on five other days later this month and in November to facilitate the rebuilding of an apartment complex under construction that was burned down by an arsonist in April. The 180-unit second phase of the Renaissance Square apartments was about 60 percent completed along Concord Boulevard near Galindo Street when someone set it on fire around 1 a.m. on April 24, causing an estimated $55 million in damage. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has determined the fire was an arson and released surveillance videos showing a suspect climbing a fence to enter the property just before the fire started, then climbing back over and running away. After six months of investigating and clearing the scene and then preparing for reconstruction, Concord city officials said a lane of Concord Boulevard in the area will be closed for six days starting today so a tower crane can be assembled to pour a new concrete foundation. The lane will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, as well as Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Nov. 8, Nov. 9 and Nov. 14. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN PABLO (BCN) A woman was displaced following a kitchen fire at an apartment complex in San Pablo on Monday night, according to Contra Costa County Fire Protection District dispatch. The blaze was reported at 11:03 p.m. at the residence located in the 1200 block of Brookside Drive, a fire dispatcher said. The fire was extinguished at 11:20 p.m. The Red Cross was contacted to help assist the woman who was displaced. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. My son and his friends are some of the most discriminated against. People treat him like hes a kid, they dont talk to him with respect, he gets taken advantage of, Stodola said. They need more programs, and not just ones ran by the agencies paid to do so. They need to be set up by people who care. Hes in a good music program, hes with (Helping Hands adult services). He has a stuttering problem, and sometimes music helps him. People make him so nervous and don't take the time to listen to him. They make him feel unimportant, like he's invisible. On the evening of Sept. 30, the 25-year-old victim was at Walmart with four other people, while Hughes was at the store with a female, police said. Detectives determined from surveillance video that Hughes and the 25-year-old victim noticed each other inside the store, Gonzales said. If youre a senior citizen or anyone approaching retirement, then this is the most important election Of your lifetime. Many Republicans have gone on record and said that they will eliminate, if possible, or drastically cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to pay for their tax cut. It's an easy thing for them to do, because these are programs that none of them will ever have any use for. God help us, seniors, if we get this vote wrong. A Texas woman's sarcasm-infused song mocking President Donald Trump's comment about victimized young men has taken on a life of its own. Last week, Trump said the reaction to sexual assault allegations against then Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh makes it a "very scary time for young men in America." RELATED: 'A dark day' or time for a victory lap Twitter reacts to Kavanaugh confirmation Kavanaugh was recently confirmed and sworn into the Supreme Court after a widely-viewed committee hearing in which Christine Blasey Ford recounted an alleged sexual assault involving the justice. The hearing fueled rigorous debate online. And Lynzy Lab, a Texas State University faculty member, created a song that struck a chord with thousands of people who have shared or commented on her video, which can be found here. "I can't use public transportation after 7 p.m. I can't be brutally honest when you slide into my DM's. I can't go to the club just to dance with my friends, and I can't ever leave my drink unattended," she says in the song as she plays her ukulele. "But it sure is a scary time for boys. Yeah gentleman! Band together, make some noise. It's really tough when your reputation's on the line. And any woman you've assaulted could turn up anytime." Lab takes direct aim at the fallout from the Kavanaugh hearing, and thousands of people praised her on social media. "As a father of 2 daughters & a grandfather of 4 young ladies i can't thank u enough for this song," one man said in a Facebook comment on the video. The video also appeared to have some international influence. RELATED: Trump says 'scary time' for young men facing false charges "There are so many girls and ladies in India that I know live every day in fear or worse get harassed almost every where they go," one commenter wrote on YoutTube. Lab sings about multiple instances where women have to be more cautious than men. Then, by the end of the piece, she breaks her pattern of sarcasm to deliver the presiding message in the song. It's not such a scary time for boys," she sings. "They've always had the upper hand. They've always had a choice. It's time for women to rise up, use our collective voice. The day to vote's November, so let's go make some noise." Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com Its very powerful to be immersed in the physical space, she said. You feel like youre standing there in the shower, in the barracks, in the crematorium. But what makes it most powerful is hearing Pinchas tell his personal recollections of the last time he saw his sister. Also, him making comparisons and thinking how we need to apply these horrible lessons to today, in wars and genocides. And how we need to take action against them. That very comfort drove him and his wife to pray about a continuing urge they had toward missionary work. When they first flew to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to see if the urge would hold true, Brubaker said that he still wasnt certain, until he met people who eventually became his colleagues as part of the WorldVenture missionary organization. Count me among those least surprised that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is departing. I've repeatedly urged she do just that to preserve her reputation and political viability and to get out before the special counsel's report lands. Aside from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, she is the only Cabinet-level official whose stature has arguably increased (or at least not decreased) during her time in the administration. She is the only one with a political future who can say that. Haley was a forceful advocate at the United Nations, a staunch ally of Israel and, in an administration that pandered to dictators, a credible voice for human rights. The Post reports: "Though Haley advanced Trump's policies, she occasionally made public statements at odds with the White House and the president she served. "In December, she said that women who had accused Trump of sexual misconduct 'should be heard.' When a White House adviser said Haley had been confused in prematurely announcing more sanctions against Russia, she said simply, 'With all due respect, I don't get confused.'" The timing, however, is curious - but less so than one might imagine. She is giving the administration ample notice and not leaving until the end of the year. Perhaps her announcement was triggered over the administration's tepid response to the disappearance and possible murder of Post Global Opinions contributor Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and critic of the Saudi government. She might have had enough after the GOP's nasty, misogynistic rhetoric expressed throughout the confirmation of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. Or this just might have been the most convenient moment - after Kavanaugh was sworn in and far enough in advance of the midterms to not be too much of a distraction. Haley is in a unique position among ex-Trump Cabinet officials. She's uninvolved in the Russia probe (although we do not know if she was interviewed in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry). Republicans have no cause for complaint, and yet she managed to let her criticism of incidents such as President Donald Trump's post-Charlottesville remarks be known. She has a bunch of options. First, she has invaluable insight into the president's mental condition and temperament. If she actually agrees with many sources in Bob Woodward's book and the unnamed New York Times op-ed author that Trump is incapable of carrying out his duties, she has an obligation to relate those insights to Congress. Next January, if Democrats win the House, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., who would chair the House Judiciary Committee, may want to talk to her - as well as others who've left (Rex Tillerson, H.R. McMaster, Gary Cohn) to assess Trump's fitness. (What we do about that beyond investigating is far from clear, but if Haley knows of a risk to the country, she is obligated to come forward.) Second, she might simply bide her time, waiting for the Trump administration to collapse under the weight of multiple investigations. She will then be in a position to pick up the pieces, a unifying figure not objectionable to Trump cultists or to the flock of Republicans who when things go downhill will claim they opposed Trump all along. She will be untainted and arguably the most highly credentialed challenger to Trump still within the GOP fold in 2020. Third, she might prepare to primary fellow South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey O. Graham, who is up for reelection in 2020. Because Graham has become the president's vicious attack dog, he'll look terrible in hindsight if Trump's scandals catch up with him. His crazed rhetoric during the Kavanaugh hearings has made him a hero inside the GOP but a laughingstock outside it; depending on how Kavanaugh and Trump fare, Graham's conduct not only with regard to Kavanaugh but also in slavishly defending Trump may be his undoing. Fourth, if Trump's grip on the GOP remains - and his attacks on the rule of law, facts, women and decency continue - she would be an entirely credible member either at the top of or in the No. 2 slot on a center-right independent ticket, especially if the Democrats choose a far-left candidate with limited appeal. Haley-Murkowski? Kasich-Haley, or Haley-Kasich? Haley-Heitkamp? There are oodles of options. Google executive Dave Hogue deleted a Tweet telling GOP senators to go "to hell" after they voted to add Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Saturday. After pulling the emotional message from his account, Hogue replaced it with a more measured one standing by his frustration against Republicans. He wrote: Yes, I deleted that tweet. Yes, those opinions are mine personally, and I am responsible for them. Yes, I should have been more eloquent and less condemning. Yes, I still believe the @GOP is wrong and not serving your best interests. Yes, I still believe we can do much better. This latest tweet now has more than 5,000 comments, the majority attacking Hogue for his "lefty" politics. Hogue, a user experience design lead at Google, posted the first message on Saturday at 2 p.m. writing, "'You are finished, GOP. You polished the final nail for your own coffins. "F---. YOU. ALL. TO. HELL. "I hope the last images burned into your slimy, evil, treasonous retinas are millions of women laughing and clapping and celebrating as your souls descend into the flames." This all comes as there's growing sentiment among Republicans that online companies such as Google are biased toward those on the political right and censor content. Republican lawmakers called a House Judiciary Committee meeting in June to explore the "filtering" practices of Facebook, Google and Twitter. Conservative media outlets latched onto Hogue's message, posting screen captures of Hogue's tweet and publishing articles directing readers to his Twitter account. Hogue in turn deleted his message before posting the new one. In response to Hogue's recent Twitter activity, Google's press office released a statement reading, "What employees say in their personal capacity has no bearing on the way we build or operate our products." No one likes to overpay for a purchase, and this is particularly true when buying a home. After all, every square foot of space or block closer to a top school will cost you big-time! So if you're a thrifty soul who must make every home-buying dollar count, check out these home features that often inspire sellers to jack up their price. That's fine if you truly want these things, but if not? You're wasting your money. Berkowsky said Winnetkas crew reached the sailor first. Rescuers had less success with the capsized boat, he said. Crews tried unsuccessfully to right it for about an hour, he said. Although they got it righted once, it was so full of water that it rolled over again. Now it looks as if the sail is stuck in the sand. SEOUL North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants Pope Francis to visit the officially atheist country, South Korea said Tuesday. South Koreas presidential office said in a statement that Kim told President Moon Jae In during their summit last month that the pope would be enthusiastically welcomed in North Korea. Kim has been intensely engaged in diplomacy in recent months in whats seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons program for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure. North Korea strictly controls the religious activities of its people, and a similar invitation for then-Pope John Paul II to visit after a 2000 inter-Korean summit never resulted in a meeting. The Vatican insisted at the time that a papal visit would only be possible if Catholic priests were accepted in North Korea. Moon plans to convey Kims desire for a papal visit when he travels to the Vatican next week. Moon said on Monday that he expects Kim to visit Russia soon and possibly hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Vatican did not comment on the possibility of a papal visit. But immediately after the news, the Vatican press office released a statement confirming that the pope would receive South Koreas president in an audience at the Vatican on Oct. 18. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the audience will come a day after the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, celebrates a Mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula in St. Peters Basilica, where Moon will participate. Francis visited South Korea in August 2014. On the plane ride back to Rome, he expressed hope that the divisions would be overcome, saying the two Koreas are brothers, they speak the same language. When you speak the same language it is because you have the same mother, and this gives us hope, the pope said. The suffering of the division is great, and I understand this and pray that it ends. North Koreas reported overture comes a few weeks after the Vatican signed a landmark deal with Communist China, North Koreas closest ally, over bishop nominations, aimed at ending decades of tensions that contributed to dividing the Chinese church and hampered efforts at improving relations between China and the Vatican. Kim Tong Hyung is an Associated Press writer. ISTANBUL Turkey said Tuesday it will search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as it investigates why journalist Jamal Khashoggi vanished there a week ago, an extraordinary probe of a diplomatic post amid Turkish officials fears the writer had been killed inside the building. That Saudi Arabia would allow foreigners to enter a consulate and search it shows the growing international pressure the kingdom faces over the disappearance of Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post. The Saudis have called allegations of any involvement in his disappearance baseless, but had no immediate comment on Turkeys announcement. It remained unclear when the search would take place. President Trump and European leaders all have called on Riyadh to explain what happened to the 59-year-old journalist who has criticized the Saudi government. So far, the kingdom has offered no evidence in the past seven days to show that Khashoggi ever left the building, as a new surveillance photo surfaced showed him walking in its main entrance. The Saudi Consulate cannot absolve itself of responsibility for this incident by allowing its premises to be searched, said Gulseren Yoleri of the Human Rights Association. It has to prove that Jamal wasnt oppressed at the consulate and that he left safely. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said U.S. officials have raised the matter with their Saudi counterparts. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were open to cooperation and would allow the consulate building to be searched. Such a search would be an extraordinary development, as embassies and consulates under the Vienna Convention are technically foreign soil and must be protected by host nations. Saudi Arabia may have agreed to the search in order to appease its Western allies and the international community. A surveillance image has surfaced, showing Khashoggi entering the consulate Oct. 2. The picture bore a date and time stamp, as well as a Turkish caption saying that Khashoggi was arriving at the consulate. As a contributor to the Washington Post, Khashoggi has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticism of its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of womens rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. Ayse Wieting, Suzan Fraser and Jon Gambrell are Associated Press writers. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "Face Up and Focus: Mimi Aloia Self-Portraits and Assemblages" is on display through Friday, Nov. 9, in the Library Archives & Special Collections at the College of Staten Island. The Grasmere native has donated journals covering more than 45 years, in which she reflects on her life on Staten Island and travels that inspired her work as an artist, poet, and writer. "My journals include my life, in every direction, and a lot of Staten Island and the nature that Staten Island affords," Alois said. "It's been a wonderful journey living here ... and I'm happy to present one aspect of my art, which is relatively auto-biographical in that it joins with the journals in presenting my work, both self-portraits and assemblages, which relate to my life." MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST: A graduate of Richmond College with a bachelor of science degree cum laude, with a focus on studio art, Aloia studied in the New York University Masters Studio Art Program and has been active in community arts organizations for decades in New York and in Palm Beach, Fla., where she's exhibited her visual works -- and has read her poems. She is a member of the Staten Island Poetry Society, Poets of the Palm Beaches and the National League of American Pen Women Throughout the years, Aloia has instructed continuing education classes at Wagner H.S. in pressed flower art and oil painting for 15 years. In 1995, she began teaching classes in painting and creative writing for the United Federation of Teachers, retiring in 2009. Over her artistic life, she has frequently exhibited at public galleries. In 1994, Aloia received a grant to publish an illustrated poetry book, "Diary Patch Works," inspired by journals of a 19th century Staten Island farm woman. She has published additional poems and prose, which included her cover art and drawings, including "Mi Dilly Dilly and Mi" (2002) and "My Father's Fish" (2013), and is currently working on a novella, "The Odalisque." The wife of the late Tom Aloia, she is the mother of Thomas Aloia II and Dean Stedman Aloia and grandmother to six grandchildren. SEE MIMI'S EXHIBIT: "Face Up and Focus: Mimi Aloia Self-Portraits and Assemblages," is up now in the Library Archives & Special Collections, Room 216 in Building 1L at the College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd., Willowbrook. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. More information: Visit www.library.csi.cuny.edu/archives/. STATEN ISLAND -- The holiday season and evening rush hour commute are the times New Brighton Resident Yvonne Cornick dreads commuting back home from work on the ferry the most. Its the time she has to maneuver her way around tourists taking their time as they try to get over to the side of the ferry that passes the Statue of Liberty, unaware of their surroundings as they take pictures. She said evening rush hour ferry commutes are a nightmare because its the time of day when you are not only making the dash home with fellow Island commuters, but with tourists too. Cornick said it gets worse during the summertime and holiday season when many tourists are visiting New York City on vacation. On several occasions, she said slow moving tourists have also made her miss her connection bus at the St. George ferry terminal. Cornick said she understands that tourists want to experience the ferry and New York City, but wishes the city could find a way to get them to stop interfering with Staten Islanders after work rush hour commute. TOURIST ARE GREAT, BUT NOT DURING RUSH HOUR, COMMUTERS SAY Theyre trying to take in the whole New York experience, but not during rush hour, Cornick said. Cornicks solution would be to have tourist board on the lower level boarding area at the Whitehall Terminal during the after work rush hour commute. Island commuters have other ideas too -- like putting the tourists on another boat altogether. But by and large, many Island commuters say a better solution would be to charge tourists to ride the ferry to deter them from going on the boat during rush hour. [Tourists] really shouldnt be on here at rush hour, you couldnt even sit outside if you wanted to, Island resident Patty Boccio said. Maybe if they start charging the tourists, maybe they wont take the boat another Island commuter, Rachael B. of Annadale, said. Sal Schnnici of St. George said if the city charged tourists even just $2 or $3, he thinks it would make a difference. It slows down the commute a little bit Schnnici said of the tourists on the ferry during rush hour. CHARGE THE TOURISTS? MAYOR STILL LOOKING INTO IDEA Last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to look into the concept of charging tourists to ride the ferry, after tourists told the Advance they would be willing to pay to ride the free ferry. He called it an interesting idea at the time, however, it is unclear whether OMB looked into the concept and where things stand. A spokesperson from the mayors office, Seth Stein, told the Advance this week, that the administration is looking into this proposal, but had nothing more to say at the moment. A 2014 study from the Independent Budget Office found that a $4 fee for non-borough residents and tourists would generate at least $2.4 million annually. The study factored in 1 million additional riders that are estimated to take the ferry for the Empire Outlets shopping center and the now-embattled New York Wheel coming to the North Shore. According the 2018 Mayors Management Report, this year some 24.5 million people rode the Staten Island Ferry, a two percent increase over last year. Meanwhile, the average cost per passenger increased by 23 cents to $5.39. FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Church leaders declined to release details of the substantiated sex-abuse allegations against Monsignor Francis Boyle, a former longtime pastor at Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church in West Brighton. I am deeply sorry for all the events that are mentioned," said Monsignor Peter Finn, dean of the Staten Island Vicariate and current pastor of Blessed Sacrament. "The people that are involved are in our prayers. We strive to ask Gods blessing upon all of them. When asked if any alleged incident was reported at Blessed Sacrament during Boyles 13-year tenure as pastor, Monsignor Finn declined to comment. The allegations of abuse were brought against Monsignor Boyle through the Archdioceses Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) that assists victims of alleged priestly abuse, according to a notice posted by the Archdiocese on Sept. 16 in the Blessed Sacrament bulletin. The Lay Review Board has concluded that the allegations were credible and substantiated, the notice said. Msgr. Boyle has been suspended, and may not function or present himself as a priest. The Holy See will decide an appropriate penalty, which could include dismissal from the clerical state or imposing a life of prayer and penance. However, it is certain that Msgr. Boyle will never serve as a priest again. Camille Biros of the IRCP said she was unable to share specific information about Boyles alleged indiscretion. The IRCP maintains strict confidentiality of all details of the claims of child sexual abuse that come before us, Biros said. The Advance had asked for the approximate year and location where the alleged abuse occurred, an age and sex for the victim and where Boyle was assigned at the time of the alleged abuse. The victim-survivor is free to tell his/her story to whomever they wish, sad Joseph Zwilling, communications director for the archdiocese. We place no restriction on the victim-survivor. We, however, will not reveal any details that could identify the victim-survivor. Monsignor Boyle ministered at Blessed Sacrament from 1991 to 2004, but participated in events in later years as pastor emeritus, according to Advance records. In 1995, he was one of eight Island priests elevated to the title of monsignor by then Cardinal John J. OConnor during a service in St. Patricks Cathedral in Manhattan, based on Advance records. Previously, he was pastor from 1979 to 1991 of Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Parish in Pelham Manor in Westchester County, according to Advance records. A similar notice of the abuse allegations was disseminated by that Westchester parish. Monsignor Boyle served on the Priests' Personnel Board of the Archdiocese of New York in the 1990s and the Priests' Council from 1985 to 1990. He was chairman of the Commission of Inter-Parish Finances from 1983 to 1985, and the Priests' Senate from 1979 to 1983. He was also assistant director of the Priests' Conference on Pastoral Life from 1966 to 1970, according to Advance records. Earlier in his career, he was a procurator of the former Cathedral College Preparatory Seminary in Manhattan. At St. Josephs Seminary in Dunwoodie, Yonkers, N.Y., he functioned as director of field education and dean of students for 12 years. He also served at St. Malachys Parish in Manhattan and St. Gabriels Parish in the Bronx, based on Advance records. Born in Manhattan, Monsignor Boyle studied for the priesthood at Cathedral College and St. Josephs Seminary in Dunwoodie before his ordination on May 28, 1955. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Sunday morning fire in Clifton that left one 62-year-old man dead is still under investigation by the New York City fire marshals, according to an FDNY spokesman. No cause has been identified as of Sunday evening, the FDNY spokesman said. City firefighters responded at about 2:47 a.m. to 121H Circle Loop in Clifton with 25 units comprised of 106 firefighters and emergency service unit personal, according to an FDNY spokesman. The fire also injured a firefighter, who was transported to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, in stable condition, according to an FDNY spokesman. The fire was put under control at about 3:53 a.m., according to an FDNY spokesman. The deceased male, John "Woods" Finley was affectionately remembered by his neighbor, Khokon Miah, 53, as "a very nice guy," who always hosted get-togethers and barbecues. Public records show Finley lived in the townhouse for nearly 20 years. Finley had two dogs that each survived the fire, and were temporarily being cared for by neighbors, according to sources at the scene. The fire was a somber kick-off to the FDNY's Fire Prevention Week, which began on Sunday. Fire Prevention Week is centered around educating New Yorkers about minimizing the risk of fires. Throughout the week, the FDNY is hosting events around New York City to teach families ways to practice fire safety. Two of the events will be held on Staten Island: Thursday, Oct. 11: Staten Island Mall; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12: Target, 2900 Veterans Rd. West; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A third event, a community fair and weekend walk, will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tappen Park, between Canal Street and Wright Street. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Devil made them do it? Try again, Pope Francis. The Catholic Church is embroiled in a sex abuse scandal that is shaking the church to its very foundations. Clergy around the world have been accused of molesting minors. The abuse went on for decades. Church leaders covered it up. Problem priests were transferred to other parishes, only to continue their predatory ways. Other priests were quietly removed from the ministry and prohibited from having any contact with minors. Here's what didnt happen: Priests that the church knew were sexual predators werent brought to the attention of the police. They were not arrested. They did not serve jail time, as should happen with any child molester. The scandal has hit home on Staten Island recently, with a church panel substantiating abuse claims against Monsignor Francis Boyle, former pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in West Brighton. A ticking time bomb for a while now, the whole mess has exploded on Pope Francis watch. The pope himself has been accused to covering for former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who resigned his office in the face of abuse accusations. The Vatican has made certain acknowledgements about abuses that took place. There have been investigations, including one that is ongoing in the New York Archdiocese. Some victims are receiving compensation. Its a start. But the church has a long way to go before things are made right. Lawsuits and other investigatory documents have not been made public, including in the case of Boyle. Questions about the true scope of the abuses, as well as the exact accusations against particular priests in particular parishes, continue to go unanswered. True transparency is lacking. The church is in effect saying, We know theres a problem. Were taking care of it. Trust us. Sorry. Thats too big a leap of faith given the heinous nature of the accusations. And Pope Francis seems too intent on deflecting blame. The pope on Sunday said that the Devil was trying to attack and divide the church. He said the church needed to be saved from the attacks of the malign one, the great accuser and at the same time be made ever more aware of its guilt, its mistakes, and abuses committed in the present and the past. Lets not muddy the waters, Your Holiness. Satan isnt the problem. Unless by that you mean the evil that could manifest itself in any one of us. The evil that turns diabolical thoughts into immoral and illegal actions. You can call that the Devil if you want, but dont make it sound like these abusive clergy members were other-directed somehow and were not responsible for their own actions. These are adult men were talking about. These priests knew that child molestation was wrong. Not just a grave sin. Not just a breaking of their vows. But a crime. They were not in thrall to a supernatural being. And, if they were, thats something that can be settled in the afterlife. But justice has to be meted out in this world first. Dont bring Beelzebub into it. The church is actually under attack from within. Its own clergy and elders have undermined faith in the institution. Faith that must be gained back if the church is to endure. Lets face: Predator priests got off easy for decades. They were never called to truly account for their crimes. Everything was swept under the rug. A mighty big rug, by the look of it. But as Scripture tells us, everything is brought into the light eventually. The pope has also called upon believers to say a rosary every day for the month of October, and to supplement it with a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, the one who cast Satan into the pit in the first place. Its a good idea. But the cleansing cant stop there. A new industrial warehouse sold off the plan at 2/68 East Derrimut Crescent for $2.05 million. The 1499 sq m high clearance warehouse and office had a rear yard, hardstand and loading canopy, Leo Mancino from CVA said. Oakleigh A 1116 sq m warehouse at 5 Kingston Town Close sold for $2.6 million via tender, Colliers Internationals Harry Larwill, Andrew Chrapot and Andrew Ryan said. Preston A 1460 sq m development site at 176 High Street sold for $4.25 million. On the corner of Bell and High streets, it had planning approval for an eight-level mixed-use building with 73 apartments and shops. Knight Franks Andrew Greenway and Tom Zhou handled the transaction with Jellis Craigs Richard Rose. Keilor The CBA has offloaded a vacant former bank branch. The shop at 692 Old Calder Highway in Keilor Village sold through Fitzroys Terence Yeh and Ervin Niyaz for $830,000 plus GST. Doncaster East A group of three shops at 26-28 Mitchell Street sold for more than $1 million above their reserve price to a Malaysian investor. The shops, leased for a combined $60,160 annual income, sold for $2,352,500 through CBREs Mark Wizel, Rorey James, Nic Hage and JJ Heng. The reserve was $1.2 million. LEASES Melbourne Foreign exchange shop Chang Jiang Financials has leased 58 sq m ground floor space at 208 Swanston Street. The prime location was let at $270,000 per annum net on a five year term with options, Teska Carsons Gideon Marcus said. The deal underlines the value of a key CBD address ... high level of foot traffic, excellent exposure, and immediate proximity to all essential services, he said. Richmond Tenant demand in Richmond is exceptional, according to Anthony Kelly from Kelly & Kelly, who has overseen a number of recent deals. Nutrano Produce will relocate to 1 Albert Street in a stand-alone 380 sq m building where they will pay gross of around $440 per sq m. Another Richmond business, Salespreso, will move to 16 Harvey Street at rent of $460 per sq m. At 255 Mary Street, a modern two-level office, Hamilton Murphy leased 353 sq m and Ispark Solutions took the remaining 285 sq m on rents of around $450 gross. Another business, Tigermist, took 473 sq m in a neighbouring building on rent in the high $400s. Other recent transactions include the Fernwood head office taking 642 sq m at 49 Elizabeth Street in the mid $500s per sq m and two tenants taking 634 sq m at 250 Swan Street on rents in the mid $400s. Melbourne Colliers Internationals Brigitte Doupe and Zak Seccull have secured two new tenants at Lombard House in Queen Street. Property developer Sunland Group will occupy 147 sq m on the ground floor, while Winya Indigenous Furniture has leased 224 sq m on the lower ground floor. Rents in the building are between $480 and $520 per sq m gross. Recruitment agency Sirius People will relocate to 517-535 Flinders Lane occupying a 302 sq m office on level 2 on a five-year term, Milly Stockdale and Mr Seccull said. Security firm e-Secure will relocate from Port Melbourne on a two-year lease to 838 Collins Street, Ms Doupe and Mr Seccull said. The firm took 71.6 sq m on gross rent of $705 per sq m. Prahran A social media marketer has leased 99 Greville Street and will operate a small cafe at the front of the site. The 200 sq m of retail warehouse was leased as a shell for $75,000 per annum net, Cayzer Commercials Matthew Crowhurst and James Keep said. MOVERS Knight Frank has appointed Paul Lillis as a senior executive to its retail team in the Glen Waverley office. Mr Lillis spent the last five years at Ray White Commercial. Co-sharing office space operators have been labelled the biggest disruptors in the industry with predictions being made that they could one day merge with landlords as a one-stop shop for tenants. Property technology, known as Proptech, will also grow in stature and influence in the market with a number of new products being offered. WeWork is one of the largest office sharing businesses while landlords, including Dexus and GPT Group, have expanded their offerings to clients through Dexus Place, Suite X and Space & Co, while shopping centre owners are also reviewing opportunities in the sector. Shared workspace: WeWork on Bourke Street, Melbourne. Credit:Daniel Mahon. Professor Andrew Baum from the University of Oxford's Said Business School, was in Sydney last week and said there could be a time when WeWork could merge with Dexus, as an example of how influential co-working office space has become. The sun is set to shine again on Sorrentos Continental Hotel as developer Steller starts an $80 million redevelopment of the historic landmark. The ambitious, staged redevelopment of the Italianate-style hotel at the popular Mornington Peninsula seaside getaway, a short drive from Melbourne, is a joint venture between Nicholas Smedleys Steller group and prominent hotelier Julian Gerner. Sorrento's Continental Hotel Credit:Marina Oliphant Mr Gerner, who stepped away from the successful Melbourne Pub Group in 2013, still co-owns the Royal Saxon hotel in Richmond and runs Sorrentos Morgans Beach Shack, itself about to undergo significant redevelopment. The Continental project will see the upper level of the property transformed into three function rooms, the middle art deco section become a fine-dining restaurant named 1875 after the pubs founding date, and the ground floor turned into the Coppins public bar and bistro. Telstra is facing a showdown with investors over pay for its top executives after influential advisory groups called for shareholders to vote down executive pay arrangements at the struggling telco's annual general meeting next week. The rebuke over executive pay comes just months after chief executive Andy Penn - who is set to earn $4.5 million this year - unveiled a radical strategy to revive the company's fortunes, including an overhaul of his senior management team, and plans to cut $2.5 billion in costs and 8000 jobs. Telstra CEO Andy Penn has a tough job. Credit:Arsineh Houspian A Telstra spokesman said the company was "aware a number of proxy advisor firms have recommended against Telstras remuneration report and a number of investors have also indicated a vote against". "While we will not know the result until the annual general meeting, we are therefore expecting a material vote against the report ... which is naturally of great concern," he said. How much does Ed Sheeran earn? The answer is a lot. The British pop star raked in more than 36 million ($67 million) last year, according to his company's annual report. Not bad for someone who started out as a busker. The documents reveal the Shape of You singer recorded a profit of 27.36 million ($50 million) before tax for the year ending December 31, 2017. This is because the 27-year-old spent a massive 8.9 million ($17 million) on operational costs (presumably to keep the first year of his worldwide tour running smoothly). It's expected Sheeran's bank accounts will be even healthier in the coming years, given his worldwide tour doesn't end any time soon. Despite visiting Australia in March, he isn't due to wrap-up his tour dates until August 2019. Eating disorders, youth and Indigenous mental illness will be prioritised in the first round of funding as part of a $125 million federal government plan. The three target areas announced on World Mental Health Day on Wednesday as part of the Million Minds Research Mission acknowledged the "alarming" effects they each have on the Australian population, Health Minister Greg Hunt said. Eating disorders, youth and Indigenous mental illness are the first priorities of the federal government's Million Minds Research Mission. Credit:Tanya Lake More than three-quarters of mental health problems begin before the age of 25, that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience higher levels of certain mental illness and higher rates of suicide deaths than other Australians, and that eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness, Mr Hunt said. They are the first of five core areas deemed to be of critical importance to Australias mental health according to the decade-long Million Minds Research Mission, which aims to help an additional one million people at risk of missing out on the benefits of research into new approaches to prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and recovery for mental illness. Private health insurance premiums have been predicted to rise by up to 12 per cent for some people next year if a scenario, favoured by the government is adopted, confidential federal health department modelling leaked to Fairfax Media shows. Doctors are warning that the reforms, meant to be "premium neutral", should be looked at with "extreme caution", are not "consumer focused" and lack input from medical professionals. The changes, due to start in April 2019, will see cataract, bariatric, spinal and some orthopaedic surgery insured only at the highest priced level, despite being covered in some lower-cost policies now. The changes will see cataract, bariatric, spinal and some orthopaedic surgery insured only at the highest priced level, despite being covered in some lower cost policies now. Credit:Fairfax Media The new system classifies insurance into four tiers Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Gold with much sharper clinical definitions of what is included at each level. The ACCC will examine, among other things, why major companies in Australia, including the big four banks, seem to be able to consistently charge high prices and examine price competition amongst suppliers of foreign currency conversion services. Remittances booming World Bank figures show international money outflows from Australians to their relatives and friends overseas was three times more in 2016 compared to 10 years earlier one of the biggest increases of any country in the world. Almost 90 per cent of those answering the survey said support for family and friends is the main reason they remit money abroad. The World Bank says Australians sent around $8.8 billion overseas in 2016 and that Australia is the third most expensive G20 country for consumers and small businesses to send money from. Online money transfer platform WorldRemit surveyed 1600 of its customers and found that of those who gave their income that two-thirds have have household incomes of less than less than $90,000 annually and more than half live in households that earn less than $70,000. By comparison, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the average gross income for households is $109,668. Loading Despite earning less, WorldRemits customers send at least 7 per cent of their annual household income back home. Almost 90 per cent of those answering the survey said support for family and friends is the main reason they send money abroad; key destinations for money transfers include several countries in Africa and India and Columbia. One of those WorldRemit customers is Okeny Secondo, a 32-year-old migrant living in Redbank Plains, south-west of Brisbane, who sends more than 30 per cent of his income overseas to support family. Secondo's story, as told to WorldRemit, is that he and his family fled Sudan for Uganda when he was about 6-years-old. Since migrating to Australia about seven years ago, Secondo has been working as a disability support worker and his wife as a meat industry processor. When we first came to Australia we kept our expenses low and focused on work, he says. Okeny Secondo sends a good portion of his income overseas, but was still able to save for a house deposit. Credit:Jared Vethaak We refused to spend our money on things we didnt need, like expensive clothing." He makes sure he has enough money for food, bills and mortgage repayments then sends what he can to family and friends. I know what its like to live with uncertainty in a war-torn country and Im very happy to be able to support my family and friends to make them more secure. Sometimes we get urgent requests for emergencies and its great to be able to get money to them immediately." Despite sending a good portion of their income overseas, Secondo and his wife managed was able to save $150,000 for a deposit on a house. Transparency under scrutiny The ACCCs inquiry will include the way prices are presented to customers. The exchange rate you google is not the exchange rate you get from the big four banks. The difference is known as the mark-up, and its often a big part of the price consumers pay when converting currency, the ACCC's chair, Rod Sims said when announcing the inquiry. The ACCC is expected to provide its final report to the Treasurer in May 2019. A spokesperson for the Australian Banking Association says the association welcomes any moves to improve a customer's ability to easily compare fees for foreign transactions by banks and other non-bank payment providers. "The banking industry looks forward to a thorough, evidence based report from the ACCC which encompasses not just banks but all providers offering international money transfer services," the spokesperson said. Shop around to save now Everyone should shop around and seek-out better value online money transfer providers to find the most competitive rate for their money transfer, says Mozo's Kirsty Lamont. That is even more for those sending large amounts overseas or making regular transfers, for whom the savings will be much greater than those taking the occasional overseas holiday. The best online money transfer providers offer lower fees and better exchange rates than the big banks, Lamont says. In April this year consumer group Choice updated its review of money transfers. It said that though non-bank services are "better by a long shot" than big banks, some of the online services are more transparent than others. For example, it is not always clear if the consumer is seeing the inter-bank rate or the actual customer exchange rate that applies to the transfer. Canberra may be billboard-free, but it's still to be seen whether our national institutions could be canvasses for commercial advertising after the National Capital Authority refused to say whether it would approve a request similar to that made by the Everest horse race advertisers for the Sydney Opera House. The Opera House's chief executive Louise Herron last week refused to project the barrier draw for the lucrative horse race on the opera house's sails, saying it wasn't a billboard. Enlighten has the walls of the national institutions all to itself, with no third parties asking to project advertisements on the significant buildings. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos After political pressure to go ahead with the event, and a petition against it, the announcement is set to go ahead at 8pm on Tuesday, although the actual barrier draw was done privately on Tuesday morning. Much of the opposition to the horse race promotion on the opera house was due to the belief it would cheapen the landmark by advertising a brand with close ties to gambling. The widow of a former Canberra firefighter who died of cancer presumably contracted on the job has joined the United Firefighters Union in criticising ACT authorities' response to contamination caused by firefighting chemicals, and calling for a national response to the issue. But one of the ACT's top firefighters insists the territory is handling the issue, and with no clear evidence to suggest that poly- and per-fluoroalkyl chemicals - known as PFAS - cause cancer, it is unclear what more authorities can do. On Tuesday, a day before what would have been her 48th wedding anniversary, Robyn Wood said her husband Ken Wood deserved better at the end of a life of service that included seven years in the Navy, two years as a police officer and 28 years as a firefighter. Robyn Wood, the widow of ACT firefighter Ken Wood, holds photos showing Mr Wood before and after his cancer diagnoses. Credit:Karleen Minney Mr Wood died on August 30 last year, after being diagnosed in January 2015 with colorectal, liver, lung and secondary lung cancer. Police will rely on hundreds of exhibits seized from six crime scenes to convict lovers Hannah Quinn and Blake Davis of Sydney rapper Jett McKees murder, a court has heard. Hannah Quinn outside court on Tuesday. Credit:Sally Rawsthorne In a brief mention at Sydneys Central Local Court on Tuesday morning, the Director of Public Prosecutions James Ly said that the evidence seized at the Forest Lodge street where Mr Davis allegedly fatally hit Mr McKee with a samurai sword would take up to two months to process. Police are also waiting on CCTV footage, Mr Ly told Magistrate Robert Williams. Ms Quinn, 23, and Mr Davis, 28, were both charged with murder over the gruesome inner west attack in August. After a dramatic weekend on the run in hotel rooms across Sydney, the pair handed themselves in at Newtown Police Station on August 14. North Dakota Innovation Academy: We launch tomorrow! Tomorrow I have the privilege of launching a 7-day Innovation Academy with school leaders across the state of North Dakota. The dates are spread out across the year. We end next May. The Innovation Academy is sponsored by my national center, CASTLE, and the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders (NDCEL), with the extremely generous support of Ted Dintersmith, author of the excellent book, What School Could Be, and executive producer of the amazing film, Most Likely to Succeed. North Dakotas Governor and other state organizations have been focusing on school innovation for many years now. I am honored to have the opportunity to build upon their past work. We have 72 participants yes, thats right, 72! in the year-long Innovation Academy, representing a variety of school districts and other organizations across North Dakota: Alexander, Beulah, Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks Jamestown, Mandan, McKenzie County, Northern Cass, Rugby, Solen/CB, Valley City, Williston, Legacy Childrens Foundation, Missouri River Education Cooperative, North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, North Dakota Governors Innovation Task Force, and the South East Education Cooperative. THIS is my favorite kind of work: long-term investments in leadership capacity-building. Previous statewide or in-district innovation academies in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Kentucky all have gone incredibly well. I cant wait for tomorrow! What are you doing to invest in your leaders ability to facilitate transformative school change? Image credit: David Flowers The continuous effort to restrict speculative property purchases and curb house prices has paid off in a number of cities as the market in early October displayed signs of cooling down, according to industry experts. China's real estate sector usually regards September and October as golden months, with sales normally peaking during this period. However, the market in the first week of this October has remained stable. According to China Index Academy, a Chinese property market databank, only 7,000 square meters of property were sold in Beijing from Oct 1 to 6, a 19 percent drop year-on-year, while Shenzhen, the nation's rising technology hub, witnessed a 49 percent decline in transaction volume year-on-year. Average transaction volume in the four first-tier cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen increased by 39.5 percent, mainly boosted by Shanghai and Guangzhou, where 60,400 and 59,600 square meters of houses were sold respectively, up 271 percent and 40 percent compared to the same period last year. The sales performance in third-tier cities showed a dramatic decline of 51.5 percent year-on-year. "The low transaction volume in the Beijing property market doesn't mean insufficient demand," said Yan Yuejin, research director with the E-house China R&D Institute. "Rather, it shows that the policy to restrict purchases and mortgages has paid off and stabilized the market." Zhang Dawei, chief analyst at Centaline Property Agency, said although the majority of cities are still experiencing rising property prices, signs of a price drop have started to emerge in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. He said some major cities will enter a phase in which supply exceeds demand. Such a trend does not appear to be a good news for real estate developers, which held more frequent sales promotions in cities such as Shanghai. During the holiday period, one of the most eye-catching headlines in social media was a real estate developer in Shanghai promised a free BMW car for house buyersor a 200,000 yuan ($29,100) discount. At a September meeting of Vanke, one of the leading real estate developers in China, Chairman Yu Liang said the company failed to hit half of its annual goal of 630 billion yuan by the end of September, according to a report by The Paper, a Chinese media outlet. "If the sales performance stays low, the company will have 100-billion-yuan worth of property in stock by the end of year," he was reported as saying. Zhang, from Centaline, said if the regulatory policy continues to tighten, developers will start to offer more discounts as they face growing financial pressure. Zhang Hongwei, an analyst with Tospur Real Estate Consulting, agreed, saying developers may offer greater discounts if sales fail to meet their expectations in October. Melbourne Express, Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Were sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Changes to sexual consent laws in Canberra threaten to make rape trials "more aggressive" and force more jurors to "fall back on their own prejudices", the ACT Law Society has warned. Greens crossbencher Caroline Le Couteur wants to introduce an affirmative consent model in the ACT that would define consent as "free and voluntary agreement" and require the accused to prove they knew or were "satisfied on reasonable grounds" that consent was freely given. Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur wants to introduce affirmative consent laws. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong Currently, to prove a defendant is guilty of sexual intercourse without consent, prosecutors must prove four elements beyond a reasonable doubt - that the accused engaged in the act; that the act constituted sexual intercourse; that the complainant did not consent; and that the accused was reckless as to whether the complainant consented. ACT Law Society criminal law committee chair Michael Kukulies-Smith told a Legislative Assembly inquiry on Tuesday Ms Le Couteur's bill conflated two separate issues - whether consent was given and whether the defendant reasonably believed it was - and he would struggle to explain it to a first-year law student. Expected savings used to justify changes to the way the Australian Public Service manages property leases - reforms resisted by some agencies - were also based on untested figures from consultants, the national auditor has found. The Finance Department overseeing the bureaucracy's spending in some cases overestimated the pay-off from efforts to cut unused floor space, a national audit has found. Coalition government claims it will save $300 million by squeezing public servants into wasted office space have unravelled in an audit showing they were based on untested estimates. His report, tabled in federal parliament on Tuesday, revealed losers in Canberra's office rental market as the Coalition moved agencies out of buildings when leases expired and shifted them into unused space elsewhere. Auditor-General Grant Hehir's finding that Finance failed to test savings estimates as the Coalition embarked on the project to cut wasted floor space, dubbed "Operation Tetris", brings into question the estimated multimillion dividend from the project. The agency also appeared to ignore modelling from a consultant that may have let it provide a more accurate savings estimate. Lease agreements between agencies show the government may save less than estimated by the Finance Department, which based its figure on a simple formula multiplying the average cost of floor space and the size of wasted space filled. The agency gave no evidence supporting its estimate of the average rent paid at the time, had assumed agencies would have leased the same amount of space if they had not moved, and that leases would last 10 years. The new fight over religious freedom comes at the worst possible time for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wounded government. The Liberals and Nationals are desperate to smooth over their differences after the trauma of the August leadership spill but there is no way to pretend they are unified on this issue. The idea of giving religious schools the power to turn away students on the basis of their sexual orientation is poison to some Liberals and many in the wider community. Fairfax Media reveals today the official advice to the government. The report chaired by former attorney-general Philip Ruddock, a trusted Liberal with respect throughout the party, sets out firm recommendations including the power for religious schools to discriminate. When it comes to those with backgrounds that weren't fully verifiable, the report said a separate government agency was responsible for the hike in clearances. "Much of this can be attributed to a single entity adjusting its reporting methodology over the year," the report said. In this case, the department also didn't explain which agency had changed its reporting. Historically waivers for uncheckable backgrounds have mostly been at the positive vetting level, the report said, reflecting "more onerous PV background checking expectations". However in 2016-17, 137 waivers were granted at negative vetting 1 level, from just seven the year before. "Where clearance requirements are waived, government faces increased malicious insider risks (and may be more vulnerable to exploitation from organised crime and interference from foreign governments)," the report said. Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's International Cyber Policy Centre Danielle Cave said the increase in "checkable background waivers" was surprising and deserved greater explanation. "It is concerning that there has been an increase in the number of waivers given out for security concerns, mostly because the reasons behind this increase havent been well explained by the government," Dr Cave said. "One possible explanation, given the timing, is that some of the increase in waivers in 2016-17 were for new political advisers and the result of major ministerial reshuffles that occurred in Parliament both in 2015 and 2016," Dr Cave said. She also said that there may be national security reasons behind the secrecy around which government agencies were involved, but if that was the case, it should have been explained in the report. While the report maintained the number of non-citizen waivers was less than 0.2 per cent, and the uncheckable background waivers less than 0.1 per cent of the more than 200,000 clearances given to government workers, Dr Cave said it was important to keep the rate of waivers low. "The government should be aiming to have as few security clearance waivers in action as possible because, just like cyber threats, malicious insider threats are also a risk to classified government material," Dr Cave said. The increase from 218 security clearance waivers handed out in total in 2015-16 to a total of 533 in 2016-17 "introduces more unnecessary risk into Australias security system and also places a burden on departments like the Attorney-General's Department who are responsible for administering Australias protective security policy," Dr Cave said. The ongoing backlog of security clearances to be approved and the increased number of people requiring clearances could contribute to the increase in agencies requesting waivers for their employees, director of defence and strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Michael Shoebridge said. The government could consider moving to more ongoing monitoring to those with clearances to manage security risks, he said. "This means moving from the big issue being whether or not to issue a clearance, towards an approach based on through career monitoring," he said. "This can reduce the up front work required for a clearance, as the risk of the individual is monitored over the course of their employment. That would speed up the clearance process." The report also sounded the alarm over information security at government departments, labelling compliance in the area "an area of ongoing concern". Loading "Despite increased awareness of cyber security risks, and a concerted effort over the year to promote risk mitigation measures, entity compliance with information security requirements did not see significant change," the report said. Public schools will be offered a $14 billion spending boost over the coming decade as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten escalates the contest over education by pledging to fund thousands of additional teachers under a Labor government. Mr Shorten will promise more federal funding for every public school across the country as part of an election plan that adds to the $23.5 billion spending increase for all schools legislated by the Coalition last year. The Opposition Leader will release the policy on Wednesday with a call on the states to sign up to a national plan with strong funding targets, clearing the way for a renegotiation if Labor wins the next election. Labor leader Bill Shorten and education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek. Credit:Jason South The new policy resets the cost of Labors intention to outspend the Coalition on public schools, reviving the argument over the Gonski funding reforms of 2012 and the lower funding in the Abbott government budget in 2014. Australians could soon be confronted with warning labels spelling out the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant, with state and federal government ministers due to meet on Thursday to vote on a proposal to make the stickers mandatory. The proposal, spearheaded by the Western Australian government and supported by doctors and public health lobbyists, would force alcoholic beverage makers to display clear warnings on their products stating that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for pregnant women. But stakeholders fear that Rural Health Minister Bridget McKenzie may bow to pressure from industry groups and sabotage their efforts by pushing for a watered-down version of the scheme, despite indications that most state governments will support the move. The DrinkWise logo that appears on some alcoholic drinks. Credit: AMA president Tony Bartone called on the federal government to back "clear and precise, significant front-of-label warnings" to address the concerningly high incidence of drinking among pregnant women. The number of people waiting for skilled regional visas has blown out by more than 50 per cent under the Coalition and the number of people being approved has halved, as the Morrison government faces calls to explain how it will force new migrants to settle in the regions. Population Minister Alan Tudge wants more migrants to move to regional areas. Credit:Andrew Meares Department of Home Affairs figures cast doubt on the governments claims that Australias immigration distribution, which has clogged transport and roads in Sydney and Melbourne, is the fault of the former Labor government. The figures show non-regional skilled migration visas have risen every year under the Coalition, while those dedicated to the regions dropped from a high of 20,510 in 2012-13 to 10,198 under the Turnbull government in 2016-17. The five consecutive years of cuts to permanent regional migrant visas coincided with a rise in the total immigration level to record highs of 180,000 a year, meaning proportionally more migrants were arriving on non-regional skilled visas under the Coalition. In Khaz Uruzgan, close to where Australias effort was focused, elite Afghan commandos have been similarly surrounded for whats now a period of two months. The Taliban may not, strictly speaking, "control" the province, but Kabul certainly doesnt own it either. Its soldiers remain trapped behind sandbags unable to either escape or attack and waiting for relief. Local politician Obaidullah Barakzai says the surrounded garrison does not even have bread and has been waiting desperately for relief for weeks. The problems cascade. Because the insurgents control the night; because they can wander into villages and execute anybody who cooperates with the government during the day; nobody really owns this land. Because there is no front line there is no safe and secure rear area where soldiers can be rebuilt and soldiers rested. Theres no prospect of victory. Those conscripted into the army and forced into the line know the only way out is either death or surrender. Nobody wants to die, particularly when they know their death will mean nothing. As the prospect of victory recedes the willingness of soldiers to take risks evaporates and the army retreats behind the sandbags. This battlefield dynamic is now too firmly entrenched to be overturned. Neither side can win so instead they turn their guns on civilians who cant shoot back. Thats why, last Friday, 10 children were killed when a small, remote-controlled Taliban drone floated down to explode in their midst. Another three were beheaded at their school the insurgents apparently didnt approve of the curriculum. Yet this is where the ideological battle segues into more intimate, bitter rivalries. Uruzgan Governor Sahfiq Asadullah Saeed is honest. Last week he told a Jirga, or council meeting including representatives from Kabul that he fears the provinces homegrown strongmen just as much as the Taliban. This is hardly a message likely to inspire his audience or convince them to support him. What was a shock to me, though, was when I heard who these strongmen were, because I didnt recognise one name. Id visited this province three times in the past decade, and yet the names now are completely unfamiliar. Thats because the ones I knew have now all been killed off assassinated or killed by the Taliban (or, in one tragic, confused case, by our own SAS late at night). Without an effective civil space, a forum in which the open society can flourish, its inevitable that only the most ruthless will survive and thats whats happening in provinces throughout the country. China has decided to initiate a campaign to regulate tax payment in the film and TV industry and promote its healthy development, according to a notice from the State Administration of Taxation. The notice demands all levels of taxation authorities inform the film and TV firms and relevant personnel with exorbitant casting fees to conduct self-examinations of their tax payments since 2016 from Oct. 10. The affected businesses include production companies, talent agencies, performing companies and celebrities' studios. Those who make remedial payments to taxation authorities before Dec. 31 will be exempt from administrative punishment and penalties, the notice said. The taxation authorities will then move in at the beginning of 2019, and those who still refuse to take action will be severely punished. The notice vowed to establish and improve the taxation system in the film and TV sector. The campaign also targets violations and dereliction of duty of taxation officials. In a recent case involving actress Fan Bingbing, the local taxation bureau in Wuxi, eastern China's Jiangsu Province, was criticized and called out for rectification, and relevant officials were imposed administrative sanctions of warning and record of demerits. More than 1000 protesters chanting "save our sails" and "its our house" gathered in front of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday night in protest at the Racing NSW projections on the World Heritage listed building. When the sails were lit up at 7.39pm, the crowd let out an enormous boo and screamed "shame on you", "our house not for sale" and "turn it off" during the 20-minute illumination. The protesters, who stretched from the western boardwalk, swarmed all over the podium stairs and as far back as eastern Circular Quay. Many in the crowd shone their mobile phones and torches onto the sails, calling it a "sale shaming" of NSW leaders. Willy Hall, the son of Peter Hall, the Australian architect who completed the building, spoke movingly to the crowd before the illuminations. Beijing: Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told a prominent Chinese business magazine that Australia will seek to work closely with the US and China amid the worsening trade war because Australia has "independent relationships with both countries". "I always believe it's best to have those conversations directly and quietly in an encouraging and positive way because the prosperity and security of our region depends on it," he said in an interview with Caixin published overnight. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Credit:AAP "Australia is in a unique position to engage with both China and the US," he said, noting Australia came from a "position of friendship with both countries." Chinese foreign policy analysts have warned the Trump Administration would force US allies to take sides in the trade war, and pointed to Australia's ban on Huawei participating in the 5G network - after national security warnings from Washington - as an early example. Miami, Florida: A tropical weather system rapidly strengthened into Hurricane Michael off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and forecasters said it was moving into the Gulf of Mexico where warm waters would continue to fuel its development. Michael could strengthen into a major hurricane with winds topping 178 km/h by Tuesday night in the US, before an expected strike on Florida's Panhandle or Big Bend, according to the National Hurricane Centre. Forecasters at the Miami center say Michael is expected to strengthen quickly and become a major hurricane by Tuesday night. Landfall is expected Wednesday on Florida's northeast Gulf Coast. On Monday evening, US time, Michael's top sustained winds were around 140 kp/h as it headed north at 19 kp/h. Gates first heard about Psy-Group's work during a March 2016 meeting at the Mandarin Oriental hotel along the Washington waterfront with George Birnbaum, a Republican consultant with close ties to current and former Israeli government officials. Gates had joined the Trump campaign days earlier with Paul Manafort, his longtime business partner, to try to prevent a revolt of Republican delegates from Trump toward Cruz, who was the favoured candidate among the party's establishment. According to Birnbaum, Gates expressed interest during that meeting in using social media influence and manipulation as a campaign tool, most immediately to try to sway Republican delegates toward Trump. "He was interested in finding the technology to achieve what they were looking for," Birnbaum said. Through a lawyer, Gates declined to comment. A person familiar with Gates' account of the meeting said that Birnbaum first raised the topic of hiring an outside firm to conduct the social media campaign. Mueller has been extraordinarily deferential and patient while bringing down Trump associates. Credit:AP The special counsel's office indicted Manafort and Gates last year on multiple charges of financial fraud and tax evasion. Gates pleaded guilty to several of the charges this year, and he is cooperating with Mueller's investigation. It is unclear whether the Project Rome proposals describe work that would violate laws regulating foreign participation in American elections. Psy-Group hired Covington & Burling, a Washington-based law firm, to conduct a legal review. Stuart Eizenstat, a former US diplomat and a partner at the firm who participated in the legal review, declined to comment on its conclusions. Birnbaum was a protege of Arthur Finkelstein, the legendary Republican political operative, and has spent years as a consultant working on behalf of candidates in foreign elections. In 1996, Birnbaum helped Finkelstein engineer Benjamin Netanyahu's victory over Shimon Peres to become the prime minister of Israel. Loading Since then, Birnbaum has worked extensively as a campaign consultant for Israeli politicians and has developed a network of contacts with current and former Israeli security officials. He served as a foreign policy adviser to the 2016 presidential campaign of Ben Carson, the neurosurgeon who is now the secretary of housing and urban development. Birnbaum appeared to initiate the contact with Gates, asking for his email address from Eckart Sager, a political consultant who had worked with both men, to pitch Gates on a technology that could be used by Gates' and Manafort's clients in Eastern Europe. Sager's name emerged this year in a filing by Mueller's team, which claimed that Manafort had tried to influence Sager's court testimony in the special counsel's case against Manafort. After the hotel meeting with Gates in March 2016, Birnbaum worked directly with Psy-Group employees to refine the proposals for the Trump campaign, according to people familiar with the work. The proposals all promise the utmost secrecy, including the use of code names and password-protected documents. Filled with jargon and buzzwords, they sketch out a vigorous campaign where Psy-Group employees would conduct the tedious work of creating messages that could influence delegates based on their personalities. The first document, dated April 2016, said that the company "was asked to provide a proposal" for "campaign intelligence and influence services." Psy-Group promised that "veteran intelligence officers" would use various methods to assess the leanings of the roughly 5000 delegates to the Republican nominating convention. The barrage of messages would continue for months and include 'both online and offline' approaches, even telephone calls. After scouring social media accounts and all other available information to compile a dossier on the psychology of any persuadable delegate, more than 40 Psy-Group employees would use "authentic-looking" fake online identities to bombard up to 2500 targets with specially tailored messages meant to win them over to Trump. The messages would describe Cruz's "ulterior motives or hidden plans," or they would appear to come from former Cruz supporters or from influential individuals with the same background or ideology as a target. The barrage of messages would continue for months and include "both online and offline" approaches, even telephone calls. Psy-Group also said that it would obtain "unique intel" by different means, including "covert sources" and "tailored avatars." Each approach would "look authentic and not part of the paid campaign," the proposal promised. The price tag for the work was more than $US3 million ($4.2 million). To carry out the plan, Psy-Group intended to double its size, hiring an additional 50 employees some of them American citizens and renting new office space, according to former employees of the company. A second proposal focused on gathering information about Clinton and 10 of her associates through publicly available data as well as unspecified "complementary intelligence activities". Psy-Group promised to prepare a comprehensive dossier on each of the targets, including "any actionable intelligence." A third document emphasised "tailored third-party messaging" aimed at minority, suburban female and undecided voters in battleground states. It promised to create and maintain fake online personas that would deliver messages highlighting Trump's merits and Clinton's weaknesses or revealing "rifts and rivalries within the opposition". Though it appears that Trump campaign officials declined to accept any of the proposals, Zamel pitched the company's services in at least general terms during a meeting on August 3, 2016, at Trump Tower with Donald Trump jnr. That meeting, revealed in May by The Times, was also attended by George Nader, an emissary from the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, and by Erik Prince, a Republican donor and the founder of the private security company formerly known as Blackwater who is working to privatise the war in Afghanistan. Former Psy-Group employees said that, in anticipation of the Trump Tower meeting, Zamel asked them to prepare an updated version of the third proposal. A lawyer for Zamel said that Zamel had not personally discussed specific proposals with Trump jnr. or anyone else from the Trump campaign. "M. Zamel never pitched, or otherwise discussed, any of Psy-Group's proposals relating to the US elections with anyone related to the Trump campaign, including not with Donald Trump jnr, except for outlining the capabilities of some of his companies in general terms," said the lawyer, Marc Mukasey. Nader and Zamel have given differing accounts over whether Zamel ultimately carried out the social media effort to help the Trump campaign and why Nader paid him $US2 million after the election, according to people who have discussed the matter with the two men. The reason for the payment has been of keen interest to Mueller, according to people familiar with the matter. ~ PM making sure UPP supporters are taken care of while existing booth holders are being victimized.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has been boasting that Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin is considering to give (SCDF) a contract to manage the Festival Village. A few months ago representatives of SCDF held a meeting with Romeo Marlin and representatives of the Council of Ministers and it was promised that SCDF will be granted the contract to manage the Festival Village as of May 2019. Already the President of SCDF Alston Lourens has been informing the booth holders, that are presently operating in the Festival Village under the SOG program that SCDF will be managing the Festival Village as of May 2019. SCDF also started to eliminate their longtime booth holders for the 2019 carnival season. Already a petition is online as the long-standing booth holders are contesting the decision taken by SCDF. It should be noted that SCDF has been seeking the management of the Festival Village for years now but was denied by previous governments in order to avoid a conflict of interest as SCDF is charged with the organizing of carnival and not the management of governments owned facilities. Internal advice from various government departments had strongly advised the Council of Ministers not to grant the management of the Festival Village to SCDF. Strong reasons are their financial statements and financial reports are not in order. Previous Ministers of TEATT had to overrule the advice of the Finance department not to grant the annual subsidy until they receive SCDF financial reports. SCDF dispatched an email on May 12th to the booth holders about their decision to recruit new booth holders even though giving the current booth holders credit for their excellent services over the past years. It should be noted that SCDF President Alston Lourens is a strong supporter of the UP/UD and awarding SCDF Festival Village management is a sort of payback since Lourens campaigned heavily for the snap elections that was held in February 2018 and previous years. Clearly the management of Festival Village to SCDF is a political payback even though illegal. The present booth holders in the Festival Village are very much concerned as SCDF has proven to be an organization that is not transparent and very shady in the way they treat the booth holders. Should the PM push through on her promise to grant the Management of the Festival Village to SCDF then this will be met with strong protest from the public of St. Maarten at large due to the negative proven track record of SCDF and its members. Carnival 2019 is the 50th celebration of carnival celebrations on St. Maarten and already there is some uproar. MIAMI:--- Workshop topics and panels announced for the Caribbean's largest cruise tourism conference and trade show-including a record 10 chairmen, presidents and/or CEOs from FCCA Member Lines-with a focus on developing mutual understanding and success between cruise lines and stakeholders. Miramar, FL (October 9, 2018) - Cruise tourism stakeholders are one step closer to a glimpse of the industry's inner workings, as workshop topics and panels have been finalized for the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, the largest and only official cruise conference and trade show in the Caribbean, taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico this November 5-9. Led by some of the 150 cruise industry decision-makers expected for the event who represent 95 percent of global ocean cruising capacity, along with high-level government representatives, the workshops will focus on key elements to foster long-standing mutual success between cruise lines and destination stakeholders. Plus, for the first time in the event's 25-year history, chairmen of cruise lines and corporations will take the helm, with presidents and CEOs steering a separate workshop, to present both unique perspectives and an all-encompassing view of the industry. "We could not be prouder to announce the workshops this year because they show the industry's commitment to doing business with our partners in the Caribbean and Latin America," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "From the ultimate decision-makers to high-level executives that determine where ships call, what sells on board and how to invest in destinations and products, the cruise industry will truly be on hand - and focused on maximizing synergies and potential opportunities with the audience." The participating chairmen of FCCA Member Lines-Micky Arison, chairman, Carnival Corporation & plc; Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; and Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, MSC Cruises-will take the wheel following the opening ceremony on the morning of Tuesday, November 6. During their "Chair Talk," they will shine the spotlight on trends and developments driving the industry's record success and future growth, along with how it all relates to specific topics, and can grow business, for the stakeholders in attendance. Presidents and CEOs will then take the stage later that afternoon. Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International; Arnold Donald, president and CEO, Carnival Corporation & plc; Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line; Jason Montague, president and CEO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; and Andrew Stuart, president and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line, will join the moderator and FCCA president, Michele Paige. They will deliver the "Presidential Address," discussing some of the differentiations and innovations driving the unique cruise brands that are going all in to stand out and appeal to their target markets both on board and on land - and how and why working together with destinations and stakeholders leads to benefits for all. High-level executives representing numerous sectors throughout the industry will get the floor on Wednesday, November 7. Carlos Torres de Navarra, vice president, global port and destination development, Carnival Corporation & plc, will moderate "Creating Great Destinations: From Demand to Experiences, Ports to Tours" with a panel including Russell Benford, vice president, government relations, Americas, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Russell Daya, executive director, marine and port operations, port developments and itinerary planning, Disney Cruise Line; Albino Di Lorenzo, vice president, cruise operations, MSC Cruises USA; Chrstine Manjencic, vice president, destination service operations, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; and Matthew Sams, vice president, Caribbean relations and private islands, Holland America Group. They will share what draws passengers to destinations and creates unforgettable memories once there, revealing how to increase both demand and guest satisfaction from an overarching destination level to individual port, tour and transportation options. The final workshop will take place on Thursday, November 8 and gather top representatives from both the cruise line and destination sides, including Adam Goldstein, vice chairman, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and chairman, FCCA; Richard Sasso, chairman, MSC Cruises USA; Giora Israel, senior vice president, global port development, Carnival Corporation & plc; Hon. Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister, Saint Lucia, and chairman, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); and Beverly Nicholson-Doty, commissioner of tourism, United States Virgin Islands. In "Investing in Your Future," they will review ways in which both parties are preparing for their long-term futures, and how those plans often involve partnership with each other, from port and destination developments, new attractions and even agreements preserving natural elements, to business continuity, emergency plans, and best practices. Overall, the event will help attendees learn about the cruise industry and how to maximize its benefits during an agenda balancing business sessions with networking, promoting and exhibiting opportunities, including the workshops along with available preset one-on-one meetings between Delegates and cruise executives, evening functions and even tours to help develop relationships and show some of Puerto Rico's enchantment and local flavor, and a Trade Show featuring exclusive executive viewings and special events to drive participation from attendees and executives. "I look forward to interacting with cruise tourism's key stakeholders at the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show," said Goldstein. "This is a valuable opportunity for regional destinations and operators to learn how they are being affected by and can take advantage of the industry's latest developments." PHILIPSBURG:--- Through a partnership with Now You Know Radio Program, hosted by Ms. Valerie van Putten, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise is able to serve nutritious breakfasts to the pupils of the Prins Willem Alexander School. The purpose of the breakfast program is not to replace parents' / guardians' role as a provider, but to assist schools with promoting healthy nutritional habits, and to increase the academic performance of students. Since eating breakfast increases a childs ability to learn, improves behavior, and decreases the risk of being overweight, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise launched the Breakfast Program in August 2012. To date, more than 200 children attending four of the islands public schools continue to benefit from a nutritious meal in the mornings. The objective of this program is to increase the probability of students eating a nutritious breakfast in the morning and, in turn, improve their learning. Now You Know Radio Program partnered with the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise in 2015 and committed to contribute financially to the program each academic year. President of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise, Valda Hazel stated that the program is very essential for the well-being of the students, very often children attend school without having a proper breakfast and this, in turn, can impact their academic performance. Some parents give their children whatever they want to eat and as a result, find it difficult to ensure a variety of healthy meals, which leads to their children getting bored of the same foods. In other cases, parents have difficulty in managing their finances, as the nutritious food groups are usually the most expensive; they sometimes are unable to manage their time to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals, and therefore resort to the choice of purchasing convenient fast food, as was discovered by a local research. Ms. Valerie Van Putten of Now You Know, stated that her aim has always been to give back to those in need, and even though it has been extremely difficult with sponsors and certain businesses going through a difficult time, I felt it just has to be done, especially now in this time when many families are still displaced on the island. The children who receive the Breakfast are selected by the school officials. The school has the responsibility of coordinating the distribution of breakfast to the students on daily basis. Students collect their breakfast at school cafeteria and the school will submit a monthly report, which will include: the number of children who received breakfast, the number of days each child received breakfast; the menu for each day/week, students academic and behavior progress, bottlenecks/challenges they experienced, and measures taken to overcome challenging situations. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by representatives of all parties involved stipulating the commitment of executing and maintaining the Breakfast Program. PHILIPSBURG/WILLEMSTAD:--- In the event of future emergencies, inter-island cooperation regarding the protection of children is important to reduce the risks of children becoming victims of neglect, violence, exploitation, and abuse. This was the consensus at the two-day meeting between representatives from the six Dutch Caribbean islands. During the meeting, the representatives drafted inter-island protocols on evacuation and care of (separated) children in disaster situations. UNICEF Netherlands and the Sint Maarten Court of Guardianship hosted the meeting last week on Curacao. Attending the meeting were representatives from the Court of Guardianship, the social sector in the disaster management structure and the disaster management coordinator - from each of the six Dutch Caribbean islands. Mrs. Richelda Rodriguez Emmanuel (Director Court of Guardianship), Ms. Joy Arnell (Coordinator of the Emergency Support Function 7) and Mr. Paul Martens (Disaster Management Coordinator) represented Sint Maarten at the meeting. Attendees at the meeting discussed inter-island cooperation with regard to strengthening child protection across the Dutch Caribbean territories in the event of future disasters. Although it is customary in the region, there are risks involved in sending children off island without their primary caregiver during emergencies. Children are vulnerable to falling into the wrong hands or experience hardship being away from home. It is important to have harmonized arrangements between the islands about registration, legal guardianship and access to services, such as education, when a child has been evacuated, says Anna Kroon, child protection specialist with UNICEF Netherlands. The various stakeholders shared their experiences within their role related to Hurricane Irma, identified possible areas of cooperation, and made draft inter-island agreements on how best to cooperate between islands in future emergencies to ensure that children are protected from neglect, violence, exploitation, and abuse in times of emergencies. During the meeting, other responsible stakeholders in the emergency evacuation processes involving children were also identified and follow-up consultations with these stakeholders will be planned. After hurricane Irma, UNICEF Netherlands was formally invited by the Government of St. Maarten to conduct post-disaster needs assessments in the areas of education and child protection from a childrens rights perspective. Similar assessments were also conducted on St. Eustatius and Saba. The child protection assessments revealed that voluntary evacuations to the other five Dutch Caribbean islands and beyond began before and continued after the hurricane hit with limited procedures in place to register children, assess adults traveling with them, or collect contact information from Sint Maarten or their destination. The child protection assessments and later meetings on Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire held in March this year, revealed that while family unity is one of the highest priority protection concerns, professionals involved in the disaster response desired increased knowledge about the risks associated with family separation and welcomed related inter-island cooperation in the event of future emergency situations. During the course of this year, UNICEF has supported the Court of Guardianship on St. Maarten with organizing a Child Protection in Emergencies Training to mainstream child protection across St. Maartens disaster management system and supported development of the Court of Guardianships Disaster Preparedness Plan and a draft Inter-island Protocol to be further discussed and developed with relevant stakeholders. This work forms a part of UNICEF Netherlands recovery project funded by the Dutch Red Cross. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Public Prosecutors Office (OM) organized a two-day event on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th of October in the context of Learning & Development and Team Building for all its employees. Colleagues from the BES islands, Sint Maarten, Aruba, and Curacao came together for this event On Thursday, the OM Carib Academy took place on Curacao for the first time. The first day was dedicated to Learning & Development. The morning program started with a lecture by psychologist Micha van de Vorst. Here he dealt in an interactive way with the subject 'How to deal with the vehemence of work'. For the rest of the day, the employees of the OM could follow different workshops. The offer consisted of workshops aimed at (further) developing legal knowledge and/or personal development. There was also plenty of room to get to know colleagues better. The day ended with a teambuilding activity where the employees could show their musical talents in an interactive and fun way. The next day the Big Parket meeting (GPV) took place. The GPV is an annual event where the colleagues from OM Carib come together and deal with a specific topic. This year the GPV was in the context of Integrity. Integrity is a subject that is central to the work within the Public Prosecutors Office and it is therefore of great importance that the colleagues discuss this topic together and learn how to deal with integrity issues. During the afternoon, all employees worked together in a creative session on various paintings, eventually creating four large paintings. The paintings reflect the characteristics of the different islands. This certainly contributed to the team spirit of the participants. The day ended with a happy hour with all participants. The OM looks back on two instructive and successful days. Prosecutor's Office Press Release. Guns, death, poverty and long patrols across swamps and deserts under a baking sun thousands of kilometers from home is a hard life for any young woman. Yet this was the path that Zhang Yuanyuan chose. She was 23 when she was deployed in 2015 to Juba, capital of South Sudan, as part of China's first female infantry squad to serve in a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The squad had 13 members. On Oct 2 that year, Zhang went on her first long-distance patrol in an armored vehicle. The first two nights were quiet, but gunshots and flares broke the peace on the third night at about 4 am when the Chinese convoy encountered a battle between the South Sudan military and anti-government rebels. "Bullets were zipping over our camp and heads," Zhang said. "I didn't feel scared for my life, nor unusually brave and heroic - just really nervous and a little bit excited." The gunshots continued for three days, and Zhang's anxiety peaked when the convoy commander ordered everyone to load their weapons. It was then that Zhang saw a South Sudanese man crawling toward the Chinese camp with a bullet wound to one of his feet. By then, more than 700 refugees had come to the camp for safety, including a small boy named James, whom Zhang remembers vividly. "We gave James a piece of chocolate for helping us by running errands and fetching water, but he gave it to his little sister, whom he held in his arms. Our squad leader gave him another piece, hoping he could eat it, but James gave it to someone else. What a nice kid." Usually, each long-distance patrol takes about seven days, but Zhang and her group took 11 days to complete their first mission to ensure the warring factions had ceased fire and the locals were safe. The Chinese peacekeepers' rations were quickly depleted, but they salvaged what little they had to make rice porridge to help the refugees. At dinner time, James held Zhang's hand, smiled to her and said, "Thank you, sister." "It was at that time that I realized that every hardship is worth it," Zhang said. When her battalion completed its eight-month deployment and was ready to return home, Zhang wanted to give James some money to help improve his life. But he refused to accept it. Instead, he carried pumpkins grown by locals and sold them to the Chinese peacekeepers at an extremely low price. Zhang is now studying at the PLA University of Army Engineering in Beijing, and she often pays attention to the situation facing Chinese peacekeepers, especially those in South Sudan. "I miss them all," she said, adding that she still remembers educating the locals about sanitation and teaching children in refugee camps kung fu and painting. Last year, Zhang received a photo of James with one of her fellow peacekeepers in South Sudan. "My friend told me James had asked how I was doing, and he said he missed me," Zhang said. "James' brother and father are in the military, but James told me he did not want to fight in wars. He wants to go to school and learn," Zhang said. "It's kids like James that embody the hope for peace in South Sudan." United Tenants Association won the first case against SMHDF PHILIPSBURG:--- Scores of other tenants living in Belvedere Housing Project and are renting from the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) plans to file a second case against their landlord SMHDF. Monday evening the tenants gathered at the playground in Belvedere where members of the United Tenants Association (UTA) apprised them on the outcome of their recent court case. The tenants who did not participate in the first case said they will acquire the services of Attorney at Law Geert Hatzman to petition the court since they too are living in deplorable conditions since the passing of hurricane Irma. On September 12th Judge Alexander van Rijen visited the homes to get a firsthand view of the damages the homes in Belvedere sustained. In his September 28th, Judge van Rijen stated that he was shocked to see the conditions of the homes the tenants were living in. He also awarded the tenants 75% of the rent since the passing of Irma to repair their homes while the tenants must pay SHDF 25% of their rent. Tenants were also advised to pursue the ownership of their homes, especially those that began the process and has the necessary documents to support their claims. Bechtle to acquire BT Stemmer Posted by Publisher Internet Bechtle today announced it is to acquire Munich-based BT Stemmer GmbH, a specialist in networking solutions, unified communications, IT security and managed services. BT Stemmer, which last year recorded revenues of about 60 million euros, employs 160 people in Munich, Duisburg, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Siegen and Stuttgart. Like Bechtle, BT Stemmer supports small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and public sector clients. The networking specialist has been owned by BT (British Telecom) since 2008 and holds top partner certifications from Cisco and NetApp. Within the Bechtle Group, the company will operate under the name Stemmer. Henning Heimann and Oliver Herrmann will continue in their positions of managing directors. ?BT Stemmer strengthens us in a critical business area as network competence is becoming increasingly important for hybrid cloud architectures. BT Stemmer has a wealth of experience in this field and is a reliable, well-established IT partner for a multitude of companies and public-sector clients. We are especially pleased to welcome almost 160 highly qualified specialists to the Bechtle Group?, says Michael Guschlbauer, COO, IT Systems Integration and Managed Services, Bechtle AG. BT Stemmer serves around 850 customers in the implementation of both national and international projects. In addition to matching portfolios, a harmonious corporate culture was also a factor in the merger for both parties. ?We very quickly discovered great similarities in our values and corporate culture. BT Stemmer and Bechtle are entrepreneurial, decisive, customer-oriented, reliable and pragmatic ? ideal conditions for rapid integration,? says Michael Guschlbauer. ?Joining Bechtle will give our customers access to an enhanced portfolio and expertise, while they can maintain their regular contacts at BT Stemmer. In addition, this move will offer great opportunities for BT Stemmer?s employees. This is the start of an exciting new chapter in the BT Stemmer story?, says Henning Heimann, managing director for sales & marketing at BT Stemmer. ?We are delighted that BT Stemmer is joining Bechtle,? says Bas Burger, CEO Global Services, BT. ?This is great news for the customers and employees of BT Stemmer as the deal will deliver continuity and opportunities for growth. It is also great news for BT as it carries out a strategy focusing its global resources on the network, cloud and security needs of a defined set of 800 multinational companies. BT remains strong in Germany where we count many of the largest global brands among our customers, operate a significant network and run a state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre.? BT and Bechtle have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Bechtle AG is one of Europe\-\-s leading IT providers, with some 70 systems integrators in Germa-ny, Austria and Switzerland as well as e-commerce subsidiaries in 14 European countries. Founded in 1983, the company is headquartered in the southern German town of Neckarsulm and currently employs some 9,000 people. Bechtle provides 70,000 customers from the industri-al, trade, financial and public sectors with a comprehensive, vendor-neutral portfolio that covers all aspects of IT infrastructure and operation. Bechtle is listed on the German stock index MDAX. In 2017, the company generated revenues of around 3.6 billion euros. Learn more at: becht-le.com North American credential theft industry records substantial quarterly increase, against declines in Europe and Asia 141% increase in compromised credentials detected in North America during Blueliv quarterly analysis Fewer compromised European and Asian credentials detected over same period (22% and 36% decreases respectively) LokiPWS malware family distribution continues to increase faster than Pony this quarter 09 October 2018 Barcelona, Spain Blueliv, a leading European enterprise-class cyberthreat intelligence company, today releases its latest quarterly credential theft analysis following the initial release of its report on The Credential Theft Ecosystem in June 2018. According to Blueliv\-\-s credential detection data, compromised credentials retrieved from botnets geolocated to North America has risen by 141% quarter-over-quarter (March to May 2018 over June to August 2018). Meanwhile, Blueliv has observed that Europe and Russia saw a decrease of 22%, while compromised credentials geolocated to Asian countries dropped by 36%. These trends in cybercriminal success rates suggest that there have been some profitable campaigns in the North American region over the summer quarter. However, despite an overall decrease in the European and Asian regions over the three months, some curious statistics emerged between the months of July and August. Month to month there was a steep drop in geolocated credentials detected from Europe and Russia (33% decrease), against a huge rise in Asia during the same period (77% increase). Blueliv observations suggest that a sizeable botnet was taken down in Europe, while a campaign focusing on different countries in Asia was thriving. Daniel Solis, CEO and founder Blueliv, said, \All it takes is a single good credential for a threat actor to gain access to an organization and cause havoc. We are observing a booming market for credential theft, and the latest statistics show that this sort of cybercrime is a truly global enterprise. By understanding the lifecycle of the compromised credential, CISOs seeking to protect their business and analysts looking for IOCs gain valuable information to shrink their attack surface.\ LokiPWS continues to thrive The May report observed some interesting trends in malware families being used to harvest these credentials. Pony, KeyBase and LokiPWS (also known as Loki Bot) were consistently the most active but Pony has always been several lengths ahead of its malware counterparts in terms of popularity. In May, LokiPWS malware distribution had increased by more than 300% over past year. Now, LokiPWS samples have almost doubled again, with a 91% increase quarter over quarter. Daniel Solis continued, \Our analysts have been following the development of a huge variety of malware families. Source code leaks of different versions of LokiPWS in recent years have probably influenced its increase in usage as a credential stealer, but this does not mean that we should discount the likes of Pony, Emotet, KeyBase and AZORult, which continue to be disturbingly effective around the world.\ LokiPWS can act as both a loader for other malware as well as a password and cryptowallet stealer. It is available from a variety of underground markets as a modular product, with prices ranging between USD200-300, depending on the desired functionality. The Credential Theft Ecosystem report covers in depth: Illicit tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) used by cybercriminals to gather credentials; Why credentials are targeted, how they\-\-re used and their value in illegal marketplaces; Methods used to filter, extract and validate credentials; The ways criminals profit from credential theft and how various industries are affected. This intelligence is part of an ongoing effort to share practical guidance, helping security teams of all sizes access relevant information, implement its value and improve their security posture. Socialising cybersecurity means encouraging parity and fighting cybercrime collaboratively and more effectively. Event Overview: ADI EXPO Manchester 2018 provides visitors insight into all the latest security technologies. The attendees will get to meet the faces behind the brands and hear about new industry developments. The event features a range of free-to-attend seminars, product demonstrations and launches. The event offers a unique opportunity to meet over 50 market leading manufacturers all under one roof. The 8th edition of BuildTech Asia 2018 The 8th edition of BuildTech Asia 2018 returns to focus on SMART technologies and solutions that complement existing construction techniques within the built environment sector. This years expo is expected to gather more than 10,000 high-level attendees in construction, architecture, infrastructure, facilities and design in Singapore. BuildTech Asia continues to attract more productive technologies with some 300 international and regional brands covering over 10,000 sqm floor space at Singapore EXPO. The expos primary motive is to address the current and future challenges of building and construction across different vertical industries. BuildTech Asia is your gateway to meet a wide range of practitioners, technology experts, major industry players, traders and distributors from across varied segments in buildings, engineering, procurement and construction, research development and more. Riding on the great success of the previous staging with 32% increase in visitorship, BuildTech Asia 2018 returns as one of the leading South East Asia building and construction trade events within the built and environment sector beyond the region. The 3-day trade exhibition explores business opportunities, expanding enterprises market share and ways to penetrate into growing sectors where building, infrastructure, and other aspects of construction are needed in the Asian region. BuildTech Asia continues to be the gateway in Asia to meet a wide range of practitioners, technology experts, major industry players, traders and distributors from across varied segments in buildings, engineering, procurement and construction, research development and more! Hong Kong's tourism sector experienced a bumper National Day Golden Week holiday this year, as the newly opened cross-border high-speed rail link attracted more holidaymakers from the Chinese mainland. More than 1.52 million mainland tourists visited Hong Kong during the weeklong break, up 20 percent year-on-year, according to data from Hong Kong's Immigration Department. Hong Kong and Macao retained their crowns as the top destinations for Chinese mainland short-haul trippers during the Golden Week holiday, according to a report released on Sunday by online travel agency Tongcheng-ELong Holdings and Tongcheng International Travel Service. "The highly anticipated high-speed rail link comes as a much-awaited booster for Hong Kong's tourism industry, so much so, the growth of mainland visitor arrivals during the Golden Week holiday really was beyond our expectations," said local tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing. Mass Transit Railway Corporation, which operates the HK$84.4 billion local stretch of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, said on Sunday that 650,000 trips between Hong Kong and mainland destinations were made using the link from Sept 28 to Oct 7. That sent the total number of passenger trips to and from Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station since the new rail line got off to a smooth start on Sept 23 to more than 880,000. MTR, which also operates the city's subway system, said more than 1 million tickets have been sold for the express rail link. On Friday, the number of passengers on the bullet trains hit an all-time high of 80,020, meeting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's initial estimate of average daily ridership of 80,000 for the first time. Charles Ng Kwong-wai, chairman of the Hong Kong Inbound Tour Operators Association, said the number of tour groups visiting the city during the Golden Week was up more than 10 percent yearon-year, and the best performance in five years. Ng said he believed the new high-speed railway, which slashes travel time between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, capital of neighboring Guangdong province, to 47 minutes from the previous two hours, was helping the city retain its allure and rekindling mainland tourists' desire to visit Hong Kong. The city's retailers were said to have ended the Golden Week on a strong note. Local wholesale and retail sector lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai said earlier that pharmacies were believed to have seen sales rise 20 percent year-on-year during the break, while jewelers and cosmetics stores also posted double-digit sales growth. BREMEN, Germany The first European-built service module for NASA's Orion spacecraft is finally ready to be shipped to the United States for final preparations before a scheduled mid-2020 launch. At a press conference during the 69th International Astronautical Congress here Oct. 3, representatives of NASA, the European Space Agency and companies involved in the program said the first European Service Module, the "powerhouse" of the Orion spacecraft, should be shipped from a nearby Airbus factory late this month. "We're planning to ship on the 29th of October," said Nico Dettmann, head of ESA's Exploration Development Group. Some final testing of the service module could delay that shipment by up to a week, he said, "but we're very confident that we'll ship on the 29th." [Exploration Mission-1 in Pictures: How Orion Will Fly to the Moon] The service module will be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center, where it will be mated to the Orion crew module already there and undergo more testing in preparation for launch on the Space Launch System. That crew module is effectively complete, said Mike Hawes, vice president and Orion program manager at Lockheed Martin, other than some work replacing avionics boxes. "The U.S. team is ready," he said. Development of the service module suffered extensive delays because of technical problems that at one point required Lockheed to provide some technicians to Airbus, the prime contractor for the module, to help speed things along. "The first one always carries the character of being the first of its kind," said Oliver Juckenhofel, vice president of on-orbit services and exploration at Airbus. He said the company is incorporating lessons learned from the first service module for future modules, as well as design improvements and other changes to reduce its mass. Some of those changes will need to reflect the fact that, unlike the uncrewed Exploration Mission (EM) 1 flight that the first service module was built for, future Orion missions will be crewed. "For the EM-1 mission, we had certain cases which allowed us to waive requirements because there was no crew on board," Dettmann said. "There was a strict obligation to fix it for EM-2." The service module has been one of the items pacing the overall development of EM-1, along with the core stage of the SLS. "Right now we're about neck-and-neck" with the SLS core stage in terms of what element is on the critical path to launch, said Mark Kirasich, NASA Orion program manager. Delivery of the service module in the coming weeks, though, would keep the mission on track for a 2020 launch. "If we get the service module by November, we're working to target a June 2020 launch date for EM-1," said Kirasich. Airbus has already started construction of the second and even the third service modules, Juckenhofel said. Development of the later service modules involves a complex set of deals for ESA, including contracts with Airbus and agreements with NASA, as well as support from ESA's member states. David Parker, ESA's director of human and robotic exploration, said the ESA Council gave approval in June to start procurement on the third service module. "We're in the process of a commercial procurement at the moment with Airbus, waiting for a proposal to come in," he said. "Long-lead items are already under contract, so that's off and running." The fourth service module will be included in the package of proposals ESA's member states will consider at the next ministerial meeting in late 2019. In the long term, Parker said ESA is considering a block buy of several more service modules beyond the fourth. By that point in the module's development, he noted, the design should be stable, making such a deal feasible. At the same time, Parker said ESA has "ongoing discussions" with NASA on a deal to provide those service modules. The first two service modules were provided by ESA in exchange for ISS logistics services. That future agreement, he said, could be part of a broader exploration package that will also include European contributions to the lunar Gateway. Such an agreement could include provisions for ESA astronauts to fly on future Orion missions. "The aspiration is obviously there to get a European astronaut" on a mission, he said. This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. NASA astronaut Rick Searfoss, seen here as STS-76 pilot in 1996, is seen on the aft flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis Rick Searfoss, a former NASA astronaut who launched on three space shuttle missions before serving as a test pilot for a commercial rocket plane, has died. He was 62. Searfoss died on Sunday, Sept. 29, at his home in Bear Valley Springs, California, according to the Tehachapi News on Friday (Oct. 5). The cause of death was not reported. The Association of Space Explorers, which counted Searfoss among its members, posted a memorial to its Facebook page on Monday evening. An aspiring astronaut since his youth, Searfoss was serving as a flight instructor at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California when he was chosen with NASA's 13th group of candidates, nicknamed "The Hairballs." "I received a life-changing phone call in January 1990 when Don Puddy, Johnson Space Center Flight Crew Operations Director, came on the line and asked, in his smooth bass voice and Texas accent, 'Rick, how'd you like to come on down to JSC and work for me in the Astronaut Office?'" wrote Searfoss in "Liftoff: An Astronaut Commander's Countdown For Purpose Powered Leadership," his 2016 motivational book. "My immediate response: 'I'll be there tomorrow if you want!'" Official portrait of NASA astronaut Rick Searfoss. (Image credit: NASA) His first mission assignment was as pilot of the space shuttle Columbia. "Chief Astronaut Dan Brandenstein called me into his office. 'Rick, we have a mission assignment for you. You'll pilot STS-58 on Columbia.' Ecstatically, but professionally, I responded, 'Thank you! I really appreciate the opportunity.' Internally, it was 'Woo-hoo! Oh yeah, I'm going to space!'" recalled Searfoss. Lifting off on Oct. 18, 1993, Searfoss and his six crewmates spent two weeks in Earth orbit while studying the physiological effects of spaceflight. During the 14-day Spacelab flight, which also included 48 laboratory rats, Searfoss helped test a joystick-enabled, laptop computer-based simulator for maintaining proficiency in landing procedures on extended space shuttle missions. He also took control of Columbia as part of an experiment to measure the aerodynamic forces that act on a space shuttle in orbit and during the early stages of entry into the atmosphere. Rick Searfoss, STS-90 commander, is seen aboard the flight deck of the space shuttle Colum-bia in 1998. (Image credit: NASA) Searfoss' second spaceflight, STS-76, marked his second time as pilot and the third space shuttle mission to dock with Russia's space station Mir. Launched on March 22, 1996, Searfoss and mission commander Kevin Chilton flew the space shuttle Atlantis on an approach to the orbiting outpost after a two-day rendezvous. "In the endgame, we were able to fly Atlantis to a docking port with a displacement error of less than an inch at a precise 0.1 plus or minus 0.02 feet per second closure rate. Not a bad parking job for a one hundred-ton vehicle!" wrote Searfoss in "Liftoff." STS-76 delivered Shannon Lucid (who also flew with Searfoss on STS-58) for a six-month stay on Mir and included the first U.S. spacewalk around two docked spacecraft. Before returning to Earth, Searfoss provided the confirmation needed to avoid an emergency landing. Contrary to the telemetry being received by Mission Control, he verified that a latch to Atlantis' payload bay doors was clear, allowing the cargo hold and its critical heat radiators to be reopened. (Poor weather at their primary landing site in Florida resulted in a late wave-off of their re-entry to the next day.) "Unbeknownst to us in space, the one available emergency landing site in our time window was Hickam Air Force Base, collocated with Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii. Once everything settled down and we opened the payload bay doors, we learned the flight director had been seriously considering sending us there. It almost made me wish I'd reported back from the Spacehab module that the latch was a no-go for door opening. It would've been an interesting first to land a space shuttle in Hawaii," wrote Searfoss. His third and final mission saw him assume leadership of a crew. "It was the most incredible privilege I could imagine to be granted command of an American space mission," said Searfoss. The STS-90 "Neurolab" mission launched on the space shuttle Columbia on April 17, 1998, to study the effects microgravity has on the nervous system. According to Searfoss, the 16-day flight was the only shuttle mission to produce a book of peer-reviewed science results over the course of the program's 30 years and 135 missions. It also marked the 25th and final flight of the European Space Agency's Spacelab modules, which first launched in 1983. On May 3, 1998, Searfoss brought Columbia in for a landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In total, he logged 39 days, 3 hours and 18 minutes in space on his three missions. Rick Searfoss, XCOR chief test pilot (at right), with SpaceShipOne and XCOR test pilot Brian Binnie in XCOR's hangar in 2014. (Image credit: XCOR Aerospace) Richard Alan "Rick" Searfoss was born June 5, 1956 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, but he considered Portsmouth, New Hampshire to be his hometown. Searfoss received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978 and a master of science in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) on a National Science Foundation Fellowship in 1979. He graduated in 1980 from undergraduate pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. From 1981 through 1984, Searfoss flew the F-111F tactical strike aircraft at RAF Lakenheath, England, followed by a tour at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, where he was an F-111A instructor pilot and weapons officer until 1987. In 1988, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River in Maryland, as a U.S. Air Force exchange officer. Rising to the rank of colonel in the Air Force, Searfoss logged more than 6,100 hours in 84 different types of aircraft. After joining NASA but before he made his first spaceflight, Searfoss served as a "Cape Crusader," part of a team responsible for crew ingress prior to launch and crew egress after landing. Subsequently, he was assigned to flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) at Johnson Space Center in Houston and served as the Astronaut Office representative for both flight crew procedures and shuttle computer software development. Searfoss also served as the vehicle system and operations branch chief, leading a team of several astronauts and support engineers working on space shuttle and International Space Station systems development, rendezvous, landing and rollout operations, as well as advanced projects initiatives. Searfoss retired from the astronaut corps and the U.S. Air Force in 1998, but his departure did not mark the end of his work as a pilot. From 2001 to 2003, Searfoss flew as a research pilot in the flight crew branch at NASA's Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center in California. Searfoss was appointed the chief judge of the Ansari X PRIZE, presiding over the $10 million contest won in 2004 by Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne for the first privately-funded, suborbital crewed vehicle to fly into space. He was also one of two test pilots to qualify to fly the now-former XCOR Aerospace's EZ-Rocket, an experimental rocket plane and predecessor to the planned Lynx suborbital space plane. He served as an instructor pilot at the National Test Pilot School at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California, a consultant and motivational speaker. Searfoss also advised several Hollywood movies, including "The Core" in 2003 and "Oblivion" in 2013. He had a cameo appearance in the 2011 superhero movie "Green Lantern" starring Ryan Reynolds. In 2008, Searfoss appeared in a television commercial for Volkswagen, appearing opposite a "talking" VW Beetle. Searfoss was the recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal, a Distinguished Flying Cross and NASA Exceptional Service and Outstanding Leadership medals, among other awards and honors. Searfoss is survived by his wife, Julie (McGuire), and their daughters Megan, Liz and Camille. See more photographs of space shuttle astronaut Rick Searfoss at collectSPACE. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2018 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. The two New Zealand companies Ravensdown and Ballance Agri-Nutrients, now the only two clients of phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara in the world, are defending their purchases on social media. Here is what is wrong with what they claim. Published: 13.09 - 2018 21:29 The last couple of days, the two companies Ravensdown and Ballance Agri-Nutrients in New Zealand, both importing phosphate rock from a Moroccan state-owned company in occupied Western Sahara, have been busy trying to explain their trade. The responses have been published through their websites, social media and comments to journalists. The replies are either not addressing the question, or erroneous. Now, the Green Party of New Zealand has asked for a select committee enquiry to investigate the New Zealand imports. The topic has come to the surface as a series of large stories have this week appeared in the important online news website Stuff. It is useful to go through the background to the issue, and what the companies are actually stating. Is New Zealand the only country left to import? From 2019, two New Zealand farmer owned co-operatives will be the only in the world to finance Moroccos occupation of Western Sahara through phosphate rock imports. Since 2012, companies from the following countries have stopped importing phosphates from Western Sahara: USA, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay, Lithuania, Spain, Australia, South Korea, Brazil, Ukraine. The US/Canadian import stop was announced in August 2018, and will take effect from end of this year. The remaining importers are: 1) New Zealand 2) India. The importer in India is a subsidiary of the Moroccan state owned phosphate company. So practically, the only external clients in the world of the mine are two farmer-owned co-operatives in New Zealand. From 15 global importers in 2012, the number is now down to three, two of which are from New Zealand. Many of the companies that pulled out stated it was due to concerns of human rights or international law. The ones registered on stock-exhanges pulled out after pressure from international banks and public/private pension funds. The New Zealand companies are different - they are not owned by large banks owned by farmers. Seemingly harder to convince of the legal and reputational risk. What volumes are we talking about? Western Sahara Resource Watch has carried out a daily monitoring of vessels since 2012. Based on assessing each vessels cargo capacity, WSRW can establish the estimated cargo for each of the two NZ companies annually since then. Based on the phosphate rock market price, it is also possible to estimate the value. The two New Zealand co-operatives have during the years 2012-2018 imported 2 million tonnes of phosphate rock, at a value of over a quarter billion USD. The trade is detailed on WSRWs annual reports. Our latest report about the global trade with the problematic commodity - including to New Zealand, published in April 2018. What is done by the Government of New Zealand? The New Zealand government played a highly constructive role while in the UN Security Council, advocating for the right to self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. When it comes to trade from Western Sahara, the government states that it has made clear to those companies importing phosphate rock from Western Sahara that they must comply with international law". This formulation has reappeared from the NZ government through the years. No reference, however, is made to whether the Government is actually advising the two co-operatives regarding what international law actually says. NZ has a responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights to advice companies on such matters. So while the NZ government perfectly defends the right to self-determination in the UN, it is not clear from the statements from the NZ government as to whether it has informed the companies what this right means for the companies. The consequence is that the companies repeatedly claim in the public domain that they have received advice from the NZ government, while that is not really the case. As long as the government of NZ does not clarify how it interprets international law to be applicable in Western Sahara, the companies can then invent their own version of what international law states. How do Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Ravensdown argue? Ballance states in its most recent annual report that it has conducted due diligence. Ravensdown states it conduct(s) our due diligence with OCP. However, none of the two companies have ever made a public statement as to why it believes the Moroccan state-owned phosphate mining company OCP has a legal right to sell them the resource from the neighbouring and occupied territory in the first place. None of them have ever answered as to whether it has asked the people of Western Sahara for permission to buy the resource. Ravensdown's clarification that it has made the due diligence in partnership with the supplier illustrates the meager approach. Would one get reliable data if one asks a thief for data on how the owner of a robbed house is beneficial or legal? There are several weak elements in the narrative that the two companies present: Problematic argumentation 1: Do not understand the status of the territory The companies in question do not seem to recognize that Morocco has no right to be in the territory. In a letter to Western Sahara Campaign New Zealand on 23 February 2016, the Communications Manager of Ravensdown noted that "We will continue to [...] assessing campaigners' perspectives on both sides of the separatist/unification debate". The terms Separatism and unification are terms from the Moroccan narrative. Western Sahara has never been part of Morocco. This was latest clarified in judgments by the Court of Justice of the EU, and this aspect is a corner stone in the recent South Africa judgment on the NZ-bound shipment. There is no debate on this internationally. Morocco argues for Western Sahara to be united with Morocco, and labels all others separatists. One cannot have separatism for a territory that no country in the world recognize as part of Morocco. Ravensdown applies the term area of Western Sahara. It would be as imprecise as saying the area of New Zealand. Western Sahara is a territory with international borders, recognized by the UN as a territory under decolonization. Ravensdown compares the situation of Western Sahara to other non-self-governing territories under dispute, such as Gibraltar (administrated by UK, but disputed by Spain), and the Falkland Islands (administered by UK, but disputed by Argentina). However, issue of Western Sahara can under no way be compared to the ones mentioned. Gibraltar and the Falklands are both controlled by UK, a state that is recognized by the UN as the administering power of the two colonized territories. The UK has on both cases made sure that their presence respects the right to self-determination. A referendum on independence in Gibraltar in 2002, and a referendum on independence in Falklands in 2013 confirmed that the peoples of those two territories wanted to remain non-self-governing under colonial rule. Western Sahara, on the other hand, is illegally occupied by a third party state which is not recognized as the administering/colonial power by the UN. Morocco has no intention to allow the people of the territory to self-determine. It would be more correct to compare Western Sahara to East Timor under Indonesian illegal occupation or Namibia under South African illegal occupation. Problematic argumentation 2: Do not represent correctly the conflict In a twitter and Facebook message on 12 September 2018, Ravensdown wrote: The territorial dispute between Algeria, Morocco and the local population has been going on for over 30 years. This is not a conflict between Algeria and Morocco. It is a conflict between Morocco and the people of Western Sahara. The Moroccan invasion is labelled an occupation by the UN General Assembly. Labelling this a conflict between Morocco and Algeria, is applying the very same and highly political narrative as the Moroccan government is doing. Ravensdown refers to the conflict as a post-colonial dispute. That is incorrect. The dispute is not post-colonial, as the territory is still treated as a colonized territory according to the UN. This goes into the core of the matter: the conflict is one of decolonization that is prevented by Morocco. Problematic argumentation 3: Failure of applying the law applicable to resource activities in Western Sahara Ravensdown writes the following: The UNs framework of managing resources in territories like these is that: 1. The operations should promote economic advancement and provide direct and indirect benefits to the inhabitants of the territory and to the territory itself 2. Working conditions should be non-discriminatory 3. The operations should be conducted rationally and sustainably to ensure long-term access to resources. It is not clear how Ravensdown has come to this conclusion. The main aspect of dealing with the resources of a non-self-governing territory is that the peoples right to self-determination is respected. This was the essence of the Court of Justice of the EU judgment in 2016, which in turn the court case in South Africa was based on. The entire aspect of self-determination the right to choose is totally omitted from the companies reasoning. The two companies have never answered to the question on whether they have achieved the consent of the people upon dealing with Morocco. Ravensdown notes that it is satisfied that OCP does comply with the UN framework at this time. However, again, there is no reference to what UN framework it refers to. OCP does nothing to ascertain that the exploitation is in line with the wishes of the people, which is the principle requirement when it comes to matters of a non-self-governing territory. Ravensdown notes that We are confident that domestic and international law currently permits importing phosphate rock from Western Sahara. It is correct that New Zealand has no embargo in place. But stating that international law allows the trade of Western Saharas resources suggests that Ravensdown has not read the judgments from the Court of Justice of the EU nor the judgment in South Africa which intercepted their cargo in 2017. Problematic argumentation 4: Applies the wrong argument In order to defend the operations, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Ravensdown consistently refer to the benefit of the local population. Most of the companies responses is regarding the aspect of benefits. It should be noted that a) This is not a relevant argument when looking at the applicable law. The irrelevance of benefits is mentioned by the Court of Justice of the EU, judgment 2016, paragraph 106. b) The data/narrative presented is methodologically very weak, depending on figures presented by the exporter OCP which operates illegally in the territory. It is very little credible that 76% of workers are Saharawi, as Ballance claims in a video; c) even if accepting to enter into a discussion on benefits, one quickly finds that it is not beneficial (see for instance this statement from the Norwegian Governments public pension fund regarding its several hundred million dollar sales of dirty shares in a phosphate importer, stating that "OCPs employment of some Saharawi does not compensate for the fact that the territory is being depleted of its resources and that the great majority of the Saharawi population is not benefiting from this"). In order to give arguments for continued trade with Western Sahara, Ravensdown has posted a video that displays Moroccan propaganda (portraits of the king and Moroccan flags) on events on occupied land.The aspect of New Zealand companies claiming what is beneficial to the people of Western Sahara is rather insulting to the people of Western Sahara. Notice that neither Ballance nor Ravensdown address what it has done to ascertain the consent of the people to operate there which is the key legal requirement. Ravensdowns opinion of local benefits is actually irrelevant. If the owner of a stolen goods do not allow property to be sold, then it is illegal and unethical to buy it. The insulting approach vis-a-vis the people of Western Sahara is clear also when the companies use a OCP propaganda video to legitimise its claims of local support. The video (see screenshots to the right) repeatedly shows images of the king and the Moroccan flag, even though the operation is on occupied land. What did the companies state to WSRW? Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Nutrien have never responded to questions asked by Western Sahara Resource Watch. Our association has received one letter from each, but they fail to address our questions. WSRW sent letters to Ballance on 4 May 2014, 5. June 2014, 9 February 2015, 27 January 2016, 21 March 2017, but only received one reply back, on 6 May 2014. The latter reply did not contain an answer to the questions asked. A letter sent from the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara on 1 July 2008 was never responded to. WSRW sent letters to Ravensdown on 4 May 2014, 8 March 2017 and 22 February 2018. A response was sent from Ballance to WSRW on 3 June 2014, while one letter was sent from Ravensdown to Western Sahara Campaign New Zealand on 23 February 2016. What should the Government of New Zealand do? The grave legal misunderstandings by the companies involved, illustrate an urgent need for the Government of New Zealand to advise the co-operatives on the interpretation of international law and human rights applicable. It is not sufficient to state that laws have to be respected. The Government needs to specify how the companies should interpret international law, as this seems misunderstood by the NZ co-operatives. The Government could also assist. One importer in Perth, Australia, managed to stop the controversial imports through investing on the plant to be able to take in other global sources. It is not known whether the NZ government has entered into a dialogue with the companies to assess how to invest in the plants so that they can receive phosphates from other reserves internationally. Ballance and Ravensdown already import from uncontroversial mines in Morocco proper, and it should be realistic to get the supplies through those mines. Both state in the public that they seek to diversify. (SPS) 062/SPS/WSRW https://www.wsrw.org/a105x4268 Another day, another incredible success beyond the borders of the Bay Area: Root Insurance Co., a digital auto insurance company that plans to expand nationwide by the end of next year, was valued at $1 billion after it raised $100 million in a Series D funding round. More impressively, it managed to secure that capital from its headquarters in ... wait for it ... Columbus, Ohio. It's happened: The mass migration of tech from its longtime confines in San Francisco/Silicon Valley is well under way. Both nationally and internationally, money is following tech into new territories. The largest venture capital fund in the world is now in Tokyo. For the first time, American VCs are investing more money outside of San Francisco than inside, The Economist reported. In the second quarter of 2018, startup deals in China accounted for nine out of the 10 largest deals globally, including the largest-ever VC financing deal -- $14 billion for the Chinese company, Ant Financial. Clearly, the mass migration of tech is more than a cute catchphrase. Related: 3 Cities That Taught Me What Tech Looks Like Outside of Silicon Valley The new techies As the startup landscape shifts, so does the workforce. More "nontechies" are gaining access to the tools they need to launch their own startups. In fact, Mary Meekers latest Internet Trends report showed that more than 50 percent of the globe is now plugged into the internet. Easy access to the internet -- combined with better development tools and platforms -- has democratized the creation of companies by nontechnical co-founders. The next generation of tech leaders will be older, will be industry experts rather than coders and will be spread all over the world. Unconvinced? Let's explore a tale of success beyond Silicon Valley. That story focuses on Ernie Garcia, the founder and CEO of Carvana, a Phoenix-based tech company that's working to revolutionize the way we buy cars. The company has a $5.65 billion market cap, and its one of the largest tech companies in Arizona. Garcia went to public school in Phoenix before heading to Stanford for college. He stayed in the Bay Area after earning his degree and began working with Y Combinator in 2014 to flesh out his idea for Carvana. This sounds like the story of countless San Francisco tech co-founders, right? But, heres where things take a turn: Garcia decided to leave San Francisco and move Carvana to the middle of the desert, back in his old stomping grounds of Phoenix. A few years later, Carvana entered the unicorn club and went public on the New York Stock Exchange. As Ernie says, a successful startup ecosystem requires four components: ideas, people, capital and a catalyst. He believes many markets (such as Phoenix) are simply missing the right catalysts. The key to startup success is finding those sparks in your community. Related: The 2 Words That Can Shift Your Company Interested in launching your own company beyond the safe confines of the Bay Area? Here are a few pointers to get you started: 1. Don't bank on VCs getting you started. All too often, as the head of an accelerator, I meet founders who are trying to raise money with a pitch deck. The problem is, it's actually quite rare for us to see ideas raise capital, particularly outside of San Francisco. And when we do, that money is typically coming from angel investors, friends and family members. Of course you probably know that it's going to take a little elbow grease and some savvy cash management before you're far enough along to bring in the big VC guns. So, think like Ipsy founder (and YouTube star) Michelle Phan. Having built a name for herself online, Phan was able to leverage her eight million followers and $500,000 in seed funding to launch a subscription-based beauty startup that generated $150 million in revenue before ever turning to a VC. Phan is one of the countless examples of startup successes that didn't begin with a massive amount of VC funding. So, emulate their model, because there are plenty of ways to get things started that will make your long-term funding prospects brighter. 2. Validate unit economics, and invest in those channels. As you validate the most critical assumptions in your business model and begin to generate revenue, take note of the mechanisms you use to get those first customers. In the early stages, cycle small and inexpensive user acquisition (and marketing) experiments. Measure your investment in each experiment and the revenue that it generates. Don't invest in marketing channels until you've validated their efficacy on a smaller scale. According to a Rakuten Marketing report, marketers suspect that 30 percent of their budgets are wasted because of poor planning. A premature marketing push can turn into a black hole of cash if you sink money into untested and unproven channels early on. 3. Work your network. Research by The Economist Intelligence Unit suggests that networking has been vital to the entrepreneurial success of 78 percent of startups. No man (or woman) is an island, and the same is true of companies. A significant part of your time as a founder should be devoted to networking. Get past the tired competition routine and connect with other startups and corporations. (I've previously written about how to leverage those relationships to gain new insights into your local business community.) Master the art of persistence. Never stop asking other people questions about your existing or future products. There's no better way to build brand awareness and excitement (or to learn how you can improve your products). Getting in front of as many people as possible will help you test and refine your value proposition, generate new sales leads and gather valuable feedback on what you're building. 4. Play to your city's strengths. Cisco recently announced plans -- to the tune of $2.35 billion -- to acquire Michigan-based cybersecurity startup, Duo Security. The deal shined a spotlight on the modest Midwestern town of Ann Arbor, revealing it to be a major player in the cybersecurity industry. Plenty of other cities have their own unique niches. Take some time to discover your city's. When you understand the key industries of your area, you'll be better positioned to build your startup in sync with those industries. And when your company meshes with your community, you'll be poised to enter the market and attract investors. Related: 5 Tips From One Nontechnical Founder to Others 5. Refine your fundraising. At some point, you'll need to go after capital. When that time comes, you'll need to put yourself in the shoes of your potential investors. There's plenty of money to be had -- $57.5 billion has been invested in VC deals so far this year -- but there are also a wealth of startups going after a slice of the same pie. Why should you get a piece? The key to acquiring that precious investment from VCs is understanding their strategies. What types of deals do your targeted VCs prefer (B2B or B2C?). Do they do lead-rounds, or do they prefer to follow on the heels of other investors? What are their revenue expectations for a Series A round? I've seen too many deals fall through simply because founders didnt know these crucial details about their investors. Tech's great migration presents exciting opportunities for a new breed of founders and the cities where they choose to incubate. With a little forethought, many of these entrepreneurs can attract VC funding and see their startups soar. Follow these strategies, and all you have to decide is where you want to put down roots. Related: 5 Winning Strategies for Building a Tech Business Beyond the Bay Area You Might Be Overlooking One Unexpected Factor About Your Company's Diversity: Location VC Confidential: Why Investors Say No Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The heads of 39 villages in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong were removed from office and put under investigation in the first eight months of the year for suspected involvement in mafia-style gangs. A People's Daily report published on Monday quoted Guangdong authorities as saying elections to replace the dismissed village Party chiefs and village committee directors were completed last month. Police have busted a large number of violent gangs that used to be active in rural areas in a grassroots-level anti-triad campaign across the province since the beginning of this year. The gangs active in some areas had posed a serious threat to grassroots governments and organizations, the authorities said. In addition to drug crimes and robberies, the gangs interfered with grassroots elections, illegally owned weapons, illegally raised funds, were involved in frauds, produced and sold counterfeit products, and ran underground casinos, harming the interests of villagers. They also used violence to monopolize local markets, forced locals to trade with them and then used the big profits they illegally earned to support their secret societies and drug and related crimes, the authorities said. Police seized 31 guns and froze 2.54 billion yuan ($390 million) worth of assets after busting 25 secret-society organizations and 85 violent gangs in rural areas during the campaign. Liang Ruiguo, political commissar of the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Public Security, promised to redouble efforts to combat organized crime and gang activities in rural areas in the near future. He hinted more special campaigns will be launched against such crimes in the months to come, focusing on exposing and shutting down crime networks and their protective umbrellas. Zhai Kaixia, head of drug enforcement with the Guangdong Provincial Department of Public Security, said police seized more than 8.5 metric tons of drugs after cracking down on 9,083 drug and related cases in the province in the first eight months of the year. A total of 11,338 suspected drug traffickers, including 26 Hong Kong and three Taiwan residents, were detained. Its Friday morning and Americans are processing Brett Kavanaughs survival of sexual assault accusations to advance to a confirmation vote for U.S. Supreme Court justice. The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education feels like the appropriate place to be right now. Staff members and volunteers spend their days and nights helping survivors move forward after being attacked. They are often the first people survivors talk to on a hotline. They meet them in the dead of night in emergency rooms. They are available when news events trigger distress. Which makes them tougher than most people. Tough enough to maintain poise even after 51 senators were more swayed by politics than by a womans torment. After Donald Trump took the temperature of an audience and felt it was the right time to break out his new third-grade insult comic routine impersonating a womans account of sexual assault. The president mocked a woman who tearfully recalled details of her claim that a Supreme Court justice nominee drunkenly attacked her when they were teenagers. You cant stand back far enough to truly assess the big picture. But thats what were trying to do at The Centers headquarters in downtown Stamford Friday. When Christine Blasey Ford hushed the Dirksen Senate Office Building for four hours during her testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee Sept. 27, every computer in this office was tuned in while staff members continued to work. People were so impressed with her, people believed her, says Melissa Gallaher-Smith, development associate for The Center. Even the president called her a credible witness. And other congress people and senators said she was believable. And then there was that shift. That shift. Theyve seen it before. The creepage of doubt in the absence of physical proof. This time, though, it was guided by a president declaring it a very scary time for young men in America. Even if you question the narrative, it makes no sense to abuse Ford. Marie Corriveau, a 24-year-old community educator, works with young people in towns served by The Center: Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton. We teach people how to be empathetic, how to be respectful and how to know and respect someones boundaries, she explains. Empathy, respect and boundaries. Admirable qualities to nurture in the classroom. Elusive qualities inside the Beltway. The testimony and subsequent disavowal by Kavanaugh and his supporters served as a national moment of triggering for others who have been reaching out to The Center. On Saturday, staffers held a session with a group that wanted a safe space to talk through the news cycle. Progress regarding sexual assault on campuses is painfully slow. Gallaher-Smith was a freshman at The College of William & Mary when a fellow student appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1991 to share her experience as a victim of date rape. There was no office, procedure, what to do with the accused and the accuser on the same campus, she says, recalling that rape whistles were distributed to female students. A generation later, she has a daughter in college. When mother and daughter were taking college tours, mom would grill guides about counseling resources. For help The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education has a bilingual, 24-hour hotline at 203-329-2929. For more information, see www.thecenter-ct.org See More Collapse It just so happens that 1991 was the same year Anita Hills account of Clarence Thomas sexual misconduct wasnt enough to prevent him from being named to the U.S. Supreme Court. For some, Thomas and Kavanaugh wear black robes like scarlet letters. It is so politicized that you wonder, do they really not believe her? Gallaher-Smith asks. Or is it because it doesnt serve their side? I express a concern that verbal stoning of Ford in the public square could discourage vulnerable survivors of sexual assault from seeking support. Corriveau acknowledges that it perpetuates the fear of people coming forward. Thats why sexual violence is so under-reported, because of that fear. She manages to find hope. On the other end, there are people who are angry and want even more to express their stories. After Ford told her story, a posting on The Centers Facebook page was shared 150 more times than anything they previously posted, reaching 40,000 people and drawing donations. People wanted to do something, and this was a way to help local survivors, Gallaher-Smith says. The Center reassures survivors they are not alone. Thats how things change, Corriveau says, you talk about it. If only everyone would listen with empathy and respect. John Breunig is editorial page editor of the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. Jbreunig@scni.com; 203-964-2281; twitter.com/johnbreunig. In the Women Entrepreneur series My First Moves, we talk to founders about that pivotal moment when they decided to turn their business idea into a realityand the first steps they took to make it happen. When Afton Vechery set out to understand her own fertility, it was a complicated, pricey process. Lab tests to predict fertility were hard to access, prohibitively expensive, and it was impossible to understand her results without consulting multiple physicians. I knew there had to be a better way, she says. So she started researching the industry, and saw a massive opportunity: Fertility tends to be addressed once women encounter difficulty when they're trying to get pregnant -- but what if we take an educational approach and empower women of every age to take control of their fertility and its impact on their lives? Vechery became an expert on the subject among her friends, and after meeting Carly Leahy -- whod worked in branding at such companies as Uber and Google -- set out to solve the problem for more than her own social circle. Together, Vechery and Leahy started to build Modern Fertility, a startup that hopes to make fertility education and testing an accessible and affordable option for women across the country. Afton was super steeped in this space, and I was one of those women who didnt think I needed to be bothered with fertility info at all, Leahy says. But when I looked into fertility science, I couldnt believe how much I didnt know and how easily I could have become a statistic. Now, their startup has VC backing, a passionate community of women turning to them for advice and access and support from physicians and medical experts. Heres how they laid the (very complicated) groundwork. 1. Talk to your future customers -- all of them. The co-founders knew they had hit on an area of concern for many women, but they wanted to make sure that the approach they took would actually resonate with all women. I grew up in a small town in Maryland, so it was very important to me that, if I was going to start a company in Silicon Valley, I wasnt going to solve just a Silicon Valley problem, says Vechery. She and Leahy dove deep into research, sent out surveys on Google to collect opinions and eventually even held events to both educate potential future customers and gauge their understanding of their own fertility. It was fertility 101, Vechery says. Most women havent looked at an ovary since sex-ed in high school. They also realized that ease of use for their tests was even more important than they had originally realized. Our customers are busy, career-oriented women who get home from work at 9 or 10 p.m. and want to do their own blood draw then, Vechery says. Of course, in healthcare, you cant cut corners, so we had to learn how to make this happen while following all regulations and certification requirements. RELATED: How Sheryl Sandberg Inspired These Fashion Founders to Ditch Their Corporate Jobs and Launch a Startup. 2. Focus on the work, and only the work. Modern Fertility was part of Y Combinators summer 2017 seed accelerator program, which gave them time and space to focus solely on building the business. We did nothing but work on the company for three months, Vechery says. We had a list called AC -- a running list of everything going on in the company, things that Afton was doing, things Carly was doing. We built this company list by list. Because of the visibility and reputation of Y Combinator, the co-founders spoke to a couple of reporters who were interested in learning more about Modern Fertility. When we announced the company at the end of Y Combinator, all those reporters wrote about us. We saw this insane outpouring of support, and when we opened up pre-orders, we got $70,000 worth. 3. Get the industrys support. As the founders worked toward launch, they knew input and support from doctors would be integral to the success and trustworthiness of Modern Fertility. Vechery had connections to fertility clinics thanks to a project she worked on during her days in private equity, but still found it difficult to chase down busy physicians and explain that she was trying to turn their industry on its head. I was spending a ton of time trying to reach out, going to conferences, getting on planes and just showing up, she says. I didnt have a secret sauce to get physicians on board, but we had to make it happen. It was hundreds of hours on the phone. RELATED: 'All Moms Are Right' Says the CEO of This Portable Breast Pump Startup. 4. Ask talented friends for help. Both Vechery and Leahy had already enjoyed career success when they decided to go all in on Modern Fertility -- and their networks proved invaluable. Starting a company in your late 20s or early 30s is different than doing it when youre 22, because you have all these former colleagues, Vechery says. We were pinging everyone, saying, Wanna moonlight with us? We promise well pay you after we raise money. As they called in those favors, they saw the brand come to life -- something that was deeply important to both women. For women to do this, we knew we had to create a beautiful experience, and invested in brand a lot earlier than most companies do. Y Combinator even advises against that. 5. Make your product easy to understand. Perhaps the biggest hurdle was taking super complicated medical information and making it digestible for the average consumer. Leahys brand-building expertise led her to push for conversational language on Modern Fertilitys materials, while Vechery was focused on detailed medical accuracy. We wanted it to sound like you were talking to your OBGYN who just happens to be your best friend, Vechery says. But as we worked on the language, we got into what we call the Google Doc Wars. Explains Leahy: I kept saying, lets talk like humans. Use contractions! The pair finally found a balance, and with every edit consulted their network of physicians to make sure the info was still clinically correct. It was thousands and thousands of hours of back and forth, Vechery says. 6. Make it affordable. When Vechery had explored her own fertility, it cost her $1,500. Modern Fertility had to make these tests accessible. Historically, the only people that got these tests were women that were having issues and showed up to the clinics for testing as part of treatment, she says. She and Leahy realized they could provide these kinds of tests at a much lower cost by focusing on fertility education rather than simply treatment, which would require larger amounts of tests that would help them shave dollars off the cost. By opening testing up, we can get economies of scale and efficiencies and pass along all of those savings. When a customer purchases a test, it costs them just $199. She can perform the test at home and send for her results in the mail, or, if shes more comfortable, visit a Quest Diagnostics lab in 47 states. At home testing technology has been around for 40 years, but its never been applied to womens health, Vechery says. RELATED: How the Founder of Daily Harvest Escaped Corporate America to Build Her Successful Food-Delivery Startup. 7. Get investors attention. From the beginning, the founders knew they would need outside funding to be able to grow the company and achieve maximum impact. I had a set amount of dollars in my bank account before I would go into credit card debt, and I had a timeline of how long I could take to get something up and running, Vechery says. The further you get something along, it can impact how much you could raise and your valuation. When Vechery and Leahy started meeting with investors, they knew they had their work cut out for them. When youre raising for a product and the majority of investors wont ever be users, its tougha lot of people we met with said they wanted to ask their wife or girlfriend. But they held out for folks who understood their mission -- and it paid off, eventually raising $7 million. We wanted investors to be in the room and intuitively understand what we were doing, says Vechery. Related: 'We Built This Company List By List' Says the Co-Founder of This At-Home Fertility Testing Startup How the Founder of Daily Harvest Escaped Corporate America to Build Her Successful Food-Delivery Startup How Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla Curated Handmade Goods From Around the World to Build Nonprofit The Little Market Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Guang'an, birthplace of China's late leader Deng Xiaoping, has become a source of inspiration not only for native Chinese but also for others who visit it to study his family background and link it to his sweeping opening-up and reform policies that transformed China into a global economic powerhouse. "Foreign scholars also come here to seek inspiration from Deng's reformist vision and ideology," said Li Xing, business section chief of the Guang'an Administrative Bureau of Deng Xiaoping's Hometown. They visited Deng's home to pay their respects to his great contribution and seek to understand how his outstanding ideas were formed by his family background and Chinese rural life. They attended seminars on Deng's works, childhood and experiences, which are organised almost on a daily basis. Annually, around three million people visit Deng's hometown, located in the suburbs of Guang'an City in Sichuan province. It has been recognized as a national Grade AAAAA tourist site integrating Red tourism, eco-tourism, ancient town tourism and rural recreation. It also serves as the model site for patriotic and corruption prevention education. The scenic area has over 20 important activity sites related to Deng's formative years. When a team of Nepalese journalists toured the historic site this July, they were awestruck by its flawless perfection and Chinese people's love for their leader and civilization tradition, and ecological awareness. Local people revere Deng as their economic saviour and a source of stability. "I spent my early years in poverty, but, today, I have a better and happy life," said Liu Chenging, now aged 70. A resident of Wusheng County said Deng's policy of reform and openness had dramatically transformed China from a poor country into an advanced one. "Now we have better education and employment opportunities," he said. When this writer talked to a number of people with regard to Deng's contributions in building a modern China, they shared similar ideas. They recounted how their life witnessed significant changes with the mesmerizing economic development in the last four decades: They described how, in the past, ordinary Chinese families never had enough to eat. They used to eat meat once a week, but now they can have it every day. They used to buy new clothes once a year, but now they go shopping every week if they want. In the past, all family members had to cram in a single room; now, they live in modern apartments. Today, many Chinese travel from one place to another in their own cars, which was beyond imagination a few decades back. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up that paved the way for its transformation from a poor agrarian society into a global economic power. On Dec. 22, 1978, the CPC under the guidance of comrade Deng decided to open China to foreign investment, resulting in the establishment of several economic zones along the coastal lines. Prior to this ground-breaking announcement, the CPC had adopted the Four Modernizations theory that sought to advance agriculture, industry, national defence, and science and technology. Deng skilfully combined a market economy with socialist principles to create a socialist market economy, hence coinage of the term "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics." His focus on export-oriented light industries proved to be a correct development strategy as it enabled the country to increase capital and boost technological innovation. He introduced "economic incentives" in the place of "political appeal" to fuel industrialization and achieve high economic growth. He knew that without incentives to workers, farmers and investors, the economy was unlikely to take off. With Deng's sweeping economic reforms, China succeeded in lifting millions of people out of poverty in four decades that many Western countries took two centuries to accomplish. China continues to develop. Under President Xi, it is in the vanguard of world economic advancement. His ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is connecting the world through comprehensive networks of roads, railways, ports, transmission lines and energy pipelines. Summing up all these developments, Hu Qiang, chairman of Guang'an Municipal Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Foreign Affairs, said: "Mao Zedong made the Chinese people stand up, Deng made them richer and Xi is making us stronger." U nilever has bowed to the wishes of some of its major shareholders, such as Aviva, Legal & General, Schroders, Columbia Threadneedle and Royal London. It has decided not to pursue its plan to be a Dutch rather than an Anglo-Dutch- registered business, which would have meant among other things that it would retain its Dutch share listing, but it would lose its one in London. That will please the shareholders who lobbied fiercely to keep the London listing. But though the shareholders may dress up their objections as a good example of corporate governance, it is no such thing. Governance involves talking with management about the business, where it is going and what strategy it will have. It is about succession planning and how the business is responding to the opportunities and threats which beset it. This, in contrast, was about losing the London listing. It was short-term, self-interested and self-serving, but it was not engagement. As Daniel Godfrey, the former head of the Investment Association, said in the Financial Times, it should not matter what index the business inhabits. The main argument that it would fall out of UK indices and associated portfolio mandates is, as the lawyers like to say, wholly without merit. The FTSE 100 share index is multinational, and even British companies such as BP and GlaxoSmithkline get only a small proportion of their revenues from the UK. Indeed that is one reason why their executives think they should be paid so massively, though that is another issue. It does not matter to tracker funds who is in the index they will back a Kazakh miner if there is one, even if it has no revenues in the UK. Active funds in contrast do use the index as their benchmark but that is so they can get a short-term advantage to show pension trustees, or whomever, that they are generating performance every three months. Siemens or BMW have huge businesses over here, but they are not in the index because they are German and are listed elsewhere. But fund managers could buy in Germany if they wanted to. It could have been the same with Unilever. The fund managers could all buy Unilever shares in Holland if they wanted to. What stops them is the mechanics and conventions of fund investment and the managers bonuses, not whether Unilever is a good company or not. It shows how far the industry has strayed. Indices are important only if people think they are. It should not matter which index Unilever inhabits; it is irrelevant to the business and irrelevant to end-investors. What matters is the security and retirement of these end-investors and that is dependent on business performance over decades, not the short-term performance of an index. Mind you, it did not help that Unilever failed to make its case well. It said that the dual structure was inefficient, which it probably is, but it did not hammer the point home. It wanted a single structure, and it wanted that to be Dutch. But shareholders also thought this was a way of making the management immune to shareholder pressure, because Dutch legislation makes it harder to unseat the incumbents. And they were probably at least half right, though with Brexit looming and the pound lower it might be a good idea if British companies had more defences to call upon. G oogle has decided against bidding for a $10 billion (7.6 billion) Pentagon contract on moral grounds, it emerged today. The Defense Departments pending cloud storage contract could span a decade with Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle viewed as the major contenders. Following protests from staff over the deal, the tech giant pulled out. It comes as more than 3000 Google employees wrote a letter this year to chief executive Sundar Pichai, protesting about its involvement in a Pentagon pilot programme called Project Maven. Project Maven is an artificial intelligence project designed to use data captured by government drones to identify and track objects viewed on surveillance footage. Google said: We couldnt be assured that [the deal] would align with our AI Principles and second, we determined that there were portions of the contract that were out of scope with our current government certifications. Googles principles bar the use of the companys artificial intelligence software in weapons and services that violate international surveillance laws and human rights. In response to the staff outcry, the head of Googles cloud division Diane Greene said the firm would establish a code of ethics to guide the companys use of its technology and products. This has not yet been published. Technology employees have become more outspoken about the way their companies operate. T welve years ago Tesco was getting excited. It unveiled plans to take on the Yanks on their own turf. Its Fresh & Easy brand, based on extensive consumer research was going to be a UK success story, the fitting peak to former boss Sir Terry Leahys marvellous career. The first store opened in Hemet, California in November 2007 after three years of planning. The supermarket chain took press and analysts to LA and Las Vegas to show them how brilliant this was going to be. Sceptics were rubbished even as trading losses mounted. Investors, including Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway, began to doubt. Charlie Munger, Buffetts side-kick, noted: Tesco is God Almighty in England. But you come into southern California and you have Trader Joes and CostCo, thats tough competition. So it proved. By 2012, Fresh & Easy had lost 1 billion. Tesco quit the US, returning home with its tail firmly between its legs. Tesco was unfortunate to have launched Fresh & Easy into an economic downturn. But it seemed to make an awful lot of mistakes; seemed not to understand the market it had supposedly spent three years studying. One story doing the rounds at the time had it that Tesco had failed to figure out that the reason the areas it targeted had very few supermarkets was because those areas also had very few people. It cant be true that the miscalculation was this spectacular, surely, but Tesco definitely got something wrong. Last month Tesco, to similar fanfare (its own) launched Jacks, a new brand to tackle German discount kings Aldi and Lidl. You cant say for sure it will go the same way as Fresh & Easy, but theres definitely some in the City who think theyve seen this movie before. Tesco launched Jacks with razzamatazz its good at that. But its ambition seems paltry. So far it has just four Jacks stores. By one calculation thats 200,000 square feet out of the chains total of 36 million. A pimple on Tescos bum, is how one analyst puts it. Its subscale, which means it cant work. By this thinking, Jacks has been over-fluffed and over-hyped, with perhaps even Tesco not sure it is going to work, which is why it has so far only committed itself to a maximum of 15 stores this year, some next to existing Tesco shops. Early reports from Jacks have been upbeat. People have enjoyed trying the stores, though some extremely tasty early deals on TVs and the like may have helped. The Citys scepticism about Jacks has three main points. The first is obvious; wont it just cannibalise existing higher-priced sales? If Jacks is just selling Tesco products rebranded, what does that say about Tescos pricing? Second, all the good discount sites have gone. We might think of Aldi and Lidl as recent developments, but actually theyve been here for decades. If there were good places to open a Jacks, the metaphorical German towel has been on the sun-lounger for years. Third, despite bold claims about how cheap it is going to be, the first effect of Jacks will be to add costs and complexity into Tescos supply chain. If we are looking at a race to the bottom on price, thats not a good place to start. Overwhelmingly, the main reason for concern about Jacks is that no one, anywhere in the world, has managed to beat the Germans at their own game. The only way to win is to play on a different pitch altogether. Since Aldi and Lidl are privately owned, they dont have to worry about what a burst of intense competition does to share prices. A luxury Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons dont have. Asda tried to do a Lidl a while ago with its Essential range, it flopped. Sainsburys tried with Netto, not obviously a success. Now, theres no reason not to wish Tesco well here. It remains a very good company, doing lots of the right things, not least of which is paying a proper amount of corporation tax. W hile weve been fretting about how to cater for an ageing population , the top ranks of British politics are dominated by figures entitled to a Freedom Pass. Labours Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell are 69 and 67 respectively, Theresa May is 62, so is her Chancellor and the Lib-Dems are being presided over by Vince Cable, aged 75. The Prime Minister was cheered as a good sport for her conference Dancing Queen routine , but that was a hit in 1976. Kicking off the leaders speech with a song more than 40 years old is akin to having a Benny Goodman number herald the arrival of the Thatcher revolution. This is unsatisfying for a country in which the most pressing issues Brexit, job uncertainty, worries about student debt and acute housing shortages affect the young and middle-aged most. Fair enough, a mixture of experience and youthful vigour is powerful and Labours current alliance between the CND badge-wearers, 1980s trade unionists and fervent members of Momentum under 30 is an obvious example. But it cannot replace a steadier approach to rejuvenation at the top. It is the role of leader and Chancellor that ultimately defines tone and content. If the Conservatives seek to be more than the group that simply hangs on to power by virtue of the fact that the Opposition is such a perilous prospect, it needs to get ready for a generational shift soon. Anne McElvoy It's too early to see how the new entrants to Parliament at the last election have fared but here are a few thoughts after watching their first steps in the public arena. Many are more outspoken than their predecessors. They are less reverential in tone about the Blair and Cameron years and perhaps because of the invigorating effect of Corbynism, less tied to the emollient language of Left- and Right-leaning centrists of the early 2000s. One who has caught the eye of senior Tory colleagues for example, is Kemi Badenoch , MP for Saffron Walden, who, once asked if she didnt have some sympathies with the Centre-Left, replied flatly: Im not really Left-leaning on anything. Theyre also more direct about ambition. Tom Tugendhat, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, declared it would be great to be leader and that Mays successor should be from my generation. The rise of a Tory Glastonbury grouping featuring, among others, Tugendhat, Bim Afolami and Alan Mak shows that much of the debate about the future direction of the Conservative Party happens off the ranch. Inevitably, the next generation of British politicians will be influenced by Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell. Younger Tories are beginning to realise that they need more convincing answers to Labours promises of unfunded largesse and four-day weeks than just mocking the poor grasp of practical economics. No one, says a member of the Treasury team, will win this argument just by pointing out that Labour doesnt understand stuff. "No one will win this argument just by pointing out that Labour doesnt understand stuff" For all Corbyns pratfalls, the Labour campaign machine is envied by younger Conservatives. However, the Opposition also has an uncertain prospectus for life after Jeremy. No wonder we want a general election soon, notes one backbencher. Time is running out for Jeremy to look like he can serve a full term. We need to travel back to Lord Palmerstons time in the late 18th century to find a newly elected septuagenarian on the steps of No 10, although Corbyn might counter that Gladstone was well into his 80s by the time of his fourth administration started in 1892. Precedent however is a less binding problem for Labour than how to arrange a transition which will have to take place at some point to reconnect the broken points between Corbynism and the centre-Left. Privately, many moderates acknowledge it will need new blood to achieve it, because the divisions in Labour run so deep. That rules out anyone around in the Blair or Brown era, concedes one former leading Brownite. Some great leaps forward are taking time to arrive. McDonnell has said he hopes the next Labour leader will be a woman. But a motion at conference to create a female joint deputy leader position was withdrawn after intervention from the leaders office. That deprived Angela Rayner of her first run at power, although it wont be her last. The shadow education secretary is pursuing her ambition to rise in the wake of the Corbynite greybeards. Her latest announcement, of a grandly named National Education Service a move to downgrade free schools and academies and appeal to hardliners in the teaching unions established her as a voice seeking to appeal to the Left. A battle between Rayner and Rebecca Long-Bailey is under way. As shadow business secretary, Long-Bailey has had the task of touring TV studios attempting to make McDonnellomics add up. The most competent performer in the Commons however is Emily Thornberry, but at 58, shes no novice. Nether of the main tribes at Westminster are able to attract the younger generation in trying times kudos to Vince Cable for conceding that he will step aside next year. Observe the strain of bright young Conservative MPs parroting whatever muddled line is demanded of them on Brexit plans this month. Witness the less dim or bedazzled Labour backbenchers striving to develop personalities and remedies under a leadership that cannot accommodate differences and fears innovation. Its time to speed up the succession planning and cultivate the new breed. B ad buildings make us sick. Nationally, Public Health England estimates unhealthy housing costs the NHS more than 1.4 billion a year. This affects our physical and mental wellbeing through everything from trips and falls to respiratory disease and depression. However, the urgent conversation we need to have about how to improve the health of people living in poor-quality housing or struggling with daunting mega-hospitals is still not happening. From social inequality to deafening political rhetoric, the link between ill health and our built environment is still dangerously loose. Nowhere does that feel truer than in London. The tragic Grenfell Tower fire serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe and secure housing for all. Communities are bearing the brunt of misdirected housing policy. Social housing has all too often been stripped of its utopian promise, and has stigmatised people stranded by a housing market that bears no relation to most Londoners income. For many, economic regeneration carries with it the threat of exclusion rather than the promise of a healthier life. While proponents of people-centred, sustainable architecture do exist, too many of our new buildings still feel designed to impress, rather than include. This connection between society, politics, health and architecture is the subject of a new exhibition at Wellcome Collection, and asks whether there is anything we can learn from the past. As any student of Dickens knows, fears that regeneration and redevelopment might leave communities behind are not new. The preface to Oliver Twist states clearly that nothing effectual can be done for the elevation of the poor in England until their dwelling places are made decent and wholesome. And, like the philanthropic factory owners of Bourneville and Saltaire in the 19th century, who built towns for their workers with amenities to encourage healthier living, we are now finding ways to create urban environments better suited for their inhabitants. The Bromley-by-Bow Centre is a pioneering health and neighbourhood hub in east London. Founded in 1984, it aims to build a healthy community person by person. Places such as this that take a more rounded view of health are leading the way in tackling the enormous challenges as more and more people live in metropolitan areas. We need a lot more of this kind of thinking. Through Wellcomes Our Planet Our Health programme, were funding research to find the best ways to make our cities healthier, as well as addressing the massive inequalities that exist within them. If bad buildings make us sick, then the role architects, city planners and engineers play is more akin to the role of a doctor. And as doctors know patients always come first. T he Nobel Peace Prize is a welcome reminder of humanitys best efforts. The winners, Yazidi activist Nadia Murad, telling her story of rape and enslavement by Islamic State, and Denis Mukwege, who has treated thousands of women who were victims of rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are advocates that policymakers must heed. What an injustice, then, to see the US government appoint Judge Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court Justice a man who is the subject of sexual violence allegations, nominated by a President who has laughed off accusations of sexual assault against him personally. Both of these men now have extraordinary powers to take away womens freedoms. These stories may seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum but they are linked. As long as Donald Trump and his government normalise violence against women they enable others to normalise it too last week Johnny Depp protested his victimhood in GQ while Cristiano Ronaldo used the malevolent phrase fake news to dismiss his accuser. The US is one of the biggest exporters of ideas. Violence against women and girls is everywhere. In the UK one woman has been killed at the hands of a man every two-and-a-half days since 2012. We have a long way to go until this violence is recognised as cause and consequence of womens inequality. Sophie Walker Womens Equality Party EDITOR'S REPLY Dear Sophie I have also been horrified and saddened watching the Brett Kavanaugh saga unfold over the past few weeks. The bravery demonstrated by Christine Blasey Ford in coming forward with her allegations of sexual assault was extraordinary, and it was deeply disheartening to see the way that she was treated. I wonder whether other women will now feel so bold. Im not sure that I would. But perhaps the most depressing element was how predictable it all seemed, particularly the actions of the President. News that last night Trump publicly apologised to Kavanaugh for a campaign of personal and political destruction based on lies and deception barely even registers as shocking. But it should we dont have to accept this. The Nobel winners offer a timely reminder that good people are still working tirelessly to end violence against women. Lets celebrate them. Lucy Hunter Johnston, Executive Editor, Features Bad idea building on existing homes In PETER Eversdens letter, he advocates councils allowing and amplifying building on top of existing residential housing [Councils should rule on planning October 4]. I am the leaseholder in a flat in London in a small new-build which I bought new eight years ago. Several years ago the freehold was sold, and planning permission was granted to develop further flats on top of this building. What followed was two years of hell for everyone living and working in the building. Multiple leaks, outbreaks of vermin, extreme dirtiness, and a construction timetable that went over the estimated time by 100 per cent. I think it is ridiculous to allow such construction when people live in a building. It is bordering on immoral. In theory allowing building on existing flats makes sense in practice it is an extremely bad idea. James Oestreicher Cut defence cash in favour of NHS A FAMILY member recently needed a cataract operation. There were some 20 patients before us in the waiting area of a local, recently built NHS hospital wing. It took four hours from registering to being discharged. Add two hours for travelling and it became a very tiring day. This length of time would be especially tiring for the elderly. It is time for our out-of-touch politicians living in their ivory towers to break the status quo and study how health services are funded and operated in Scandinavian countries as well as France, Germany, Singapore and Japan where medical treatment is at its best, and more or less available on demand. With time on our hands and a desperate need for escapism, podcasts have really come into their own during lockdown. Not least because mercifully they dont require any time spent scaring at a screen. And in recent years the fashion industry has embraced the medium with gusto. From exploring the realities of working in the industry, or the urgency of addressing the colossal environmental damage it causes, through to frothy red carpet dissections and celebrity banter, a podcast is relaxing way to immerse yourself in some of fashions most fascinating stories. Read on for the best fashion podcasts to listen to now. Chanel Connects Chanel Metiers dart 2020/21 2020 was a year of seismic change that created an existential moment for culture, with artists forced to consider how, why and where they tell stories and connect with audiences. To interrogate this shift, Chanel has launched a seven-episode podcast, bringing together talents from film, art, architecture, dance, music, and fashion to imagine the new cultural frontiers of 2021. Conversations span topics from technology in creative working, to culture as an agent for social change, and the guestlist includes the likes of actresses Tilda Swinton and Keira Knightley, musician Pharell Williams, designer ES Devlin and curator Andrew Bolton. Chanel Connects sees cultural gamechangers delve deep into their imaginations to share ideas across disciplines, projects and institutions," says Yana Peel, the brands Global Head of Arts and Culture. As well as fascinating insight into the minds of todays most creative innovators, its a prescient reminder to continue supporting the arts, championing whats next and celebrating work that has the power to transform lives and wider society. Business of Fashion Heralded as the fashion bible, this podcast from Business of Fashion will appeal to an industry audience. Meticulously detailed in content, listen to BOF journalists and CEO Imran Ahmed interview the industrys biggest innovators. Covering topics from biofabrications to conversational commerce, it's not for the faint-hearted, nevertheless it offers a fascinating examination into how the industry is rapidly evolving. Listen to episode 40: The Great Fur Debate. The name says it all. Fashion No Filter Influencer Camille Charriere and journalist pal Monica De La Villadiere break the superficial taboo associated with fashion, with intimate cafe-style interviews with interesting industry figures. From the Instagram generation for the Instagram generation, the duo give a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the fashion industry operates, while still being an accessible pleasure to listen to. An archive with timeless relevance, look to episodes What Men Really Think of Fashion, and Eco Warriors. The Wardrobe Crisis Illustration by Juliet If youre on a mission to educate yourself on fashions devastating impact on the environment, this award-winning podcast is the perfect place to start. Lunched by Vogue Australias first ever sustainability editor Clare Press in 2017 and now on its 133rd episode, The Wardrobe Crisis profiles the industry innovators setting about to make a change from within, much like Press herself. Ted Talks While not strictly reserved to fashion, sifting through the Ted Talks archive conjures up a select number of fashion-related episodes. Averaging on quick 15-minute insights into some forward-thinking ideas, consider it a fashion-quickie - no doubt you'll learn something. Noteworthy episodes include a celebration of natural hair with Cheyenne Cochrane, and 3 Creative Ways to Fix Fashion's Waste Problem with Amit Kalra. Fashion hags From obsessive red carpet dissections to criticisms over relevant industry issues, Vancouver trio Abby, Evan and Katie's down-to-earth commentary will guarantee a few laughs. Occasional swearing, strong opinions and shade-throwing make for an entertaining hour. As self-confessed non-industry experts, their obvious passion for fashion fuels far more accessible conversations - ideal if you enjoy tuning into a podcast cocktail in hand. Check out episodes 56: The Demise of the Fashion Magazine, and 37: How Dat T-Shirt Get Made? Sheerluxe Those wanting an up-to-date summary on the latest happenings in fashion, beauty and culture will find the SheerLuxe Highlights a handy companion each fortnight. Although with a very newsy focus, their Success Stories series has a more timeless archive featuring interviews with some of Britain's most inspiring female entrepreneurs. The Vogue Podcast Joan Smalls Vogue cover If the sassy demeanour of Andre Leon Talley doesn't sell it to you, maybe the fact that it's Vogue will. From a position of undoubted authority in fashion, a scroll through their archive offers interesting interviews with some of the top names in the business. The recently added In Vogue: The 1990s series is a must for nostalgia enthusiasts, featuring episodes on everything from Tom Fords Gucci to the rise of the supermodel and grunge. You Must Remember This While it's not strictly related to fashion, all fashion lovers will be captivated by this podcast. Mini-series portraits shed light on some of the famous scandals and behind-the-scenes gossip surrounding Hollywood's biggest 20th century stars. Anyone who romanticises in pop-culture of the past will indulge in the intimate revelations of Hollywood's Golden Age elite. Particularly controversial series look at Madonna: From Guy Pierce to Warren Beatty, and Dead Blondes including conspiracies surrounding Marilyn Monroe's death. Articles of Interest Whoever thought fashion and philosophy made an unlikely match, Avery Trufelman begs to differ on her new podcast Articles of Interest. A spin-off series from the design podcast hit 99% Invisible, Trufelman takes us on a thought-provoking fashion quest examining the real meaning behind certain trends and how they inform what we wear. If youve ever wondered why womens clothes have tiny pockets or how your denim collection is impacting the environment, this podcast should be on your radar. Fashion Fix BBC On Tuesday the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for her second official engagement following maternity leave, five months after the birth of Prince Louis. This time, accompanied by husband Prince William. Their first joint visit in many months was for a worthy cause, as they attended the first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London, an event which strives to improve mental health around the world. In contrast to her casual look last week, the mum-of-three looked radiant as she donned her usual dress and heels combination. Looking lovely in lavender, the duchess chose to recycle a purple A-line dress with flattering waist belt by British designer Emilia Wickstead. She first wore the 1,350 ensemble in 2017, while in Hamburg on a royal tour of Germany along with Princess Charlotte and Prince George. William and Kate arrive for first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit Always a pro at re-styling ensembles, Kate accessorised the old look with a new handbag by debuting a 695 taupe bag with faux croc detail by British brand Aspinal of London. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit / PA Wire/PA Images It wasnt just Kate who proved her thrifty re-wearing ways. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Germany in 2017 / Getty Images T he Southbank Centres annual literary festival has returned, bringing with it those heavy hitters it's known for. From Mohsin Hamid to Riz Ahmed, and Salman Rushdie to Sally Field, there are panel discussions, interviews, debates and poetry readings. Heres what you can expect from the London Literature Festival. An Evening with Roger Daltrey The Who frontman will talk about his new memoir, Thanks a lot Mr Kibblewhite: My Story, giving an insight into the story of the bands beginnings and successes. From his childhood in suburban west London to topping the charts, drugs, trashed hotel rooms and the death of Keith Moon, he talks through the timeline of one of rock musics era-defining bands October 18, Royal Festival Hall Bridget Minamore Writer, critic and Londons first young poet laureate Minamores debut collection of poems on modern love and loss was released in 2016, and she writes regularly about pop culture, theatre, music, class and race for various publications. Here she will speak about her dystopian short fiction and poetry. October 19, Royal Festival Hall Slay in Your Lane Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene will share their take on navigating life as a black woman. Their book, Slay in Your Lane, is chock full of interviews with dozens of successful black women from Amma Asante to Jamelia and Malorie Blackman to Dawn Butler MP, celebrating the achievements black women have made before and providing advice and inspiration for those wishing to make a better future. October 19, Purcell Room An Evening with Sally Field John Russo Academy Award-winning actor Sally Fields new memoir In Pieces is soon to be released, and shes due to star next year in Arthur Millers All My Sons at the Old Vic. She'll use this evening to speak about winning her first television role at 17 and captivating audiences for more than five decades, in a chat with journalist and author Elizabeth Day. October 19, Queen Elizabeth Hall Madeline Miller Masterclass on Rewriting Myth Known for telling a different side of the classic Greek stories, Millers book The Song of Achilles won the Orange Prize and her second novel Circe came out this year. She will share advice on rewriting those well-known tales in a new time. October 20, Royal Festival Hall 10 London spots that have inspired great poets 1 /8 10 London spots that have inspired great poets 10 London spots that have inspired great poets Hampton Court Alexander Pope, The Rape of the Lock Getty Images 10 London spots that have inspired great poets Keats House, Hampstead John Keats, Ode to A Nightingale Getty Images 10 London spots that have inspired great poets Westminster Bridge William Wordsworth, Composed Upon Westminster Bridge AFP/Getty Images 10 London spots that have inspired great poets London Underground John Betjeman Summoned by Bells PA Archive/PA Images 10 London spots that have inspired great poets The Strand Samuel Johnson, London PA Archive/PA Images 10 London spots that have inspired great poets Regents Park George Eliot, In a London Drawingroom PA Archive/PA Images 10 London spots that have inspired great poets London Bridge T.S. Eliot , The Waste Land AFP/Getty Images 10 London spots that have inspired great poets St Pauls William Blake, 'Holy Thursday' Jeremy Selwyn Marilynne Robinson The American novelist and essayist will look at hope and the nature of generosity in difficult times, in a conversation with Neel Mukherjee. Her most recent book What Are We Doing Here? is a series of essays considering the state of democracy, media and religion in contemporary society. October 20, Queen Elizabeth Hall What Makes a Man? Poet Andrew McMillan and author Joseph Cassara ask all the pressing questions about masculinity: How do we construct identity? How do masculinity and manhood intertwine? How to boys become men? The pair hope to unpack rituals, friendship, conflict, love and intimacy. October 20, Royal Festival Hall Carol Ann Duffy and Friends Coinciding with her final publication as poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy will bring together a group of friends for a poetry reading: Imtiaz Dharker, Keith Hutson and Mark Pajak join her to share their work. October 20, Queen Elizabeth Hall Akala and David Olusoga: Striking the Empire Poet Akala and historian David Olusoga are set to discuss everything from empire and race to class and culture, looking over the roots of modern British society from an historical perspective. Akala has recently published his memoir, Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, while Olusogas books include Black & British: A Forgotten History and Civilizations: Encounters and the Cult of Progress. October 20, Royal Festival Hall An Introduction to the Odyssey Classicist Mary Beard will discuss Odysseuss epic journey across the ancient Mediterranean with the help of Simon Goldhill, Daniel Mendelsohn, Karen McCarthy Woolf and Madeline Miller. The panel will pick over why the story continues to inspire curiosity in us. October 21, Queen Elizabeth Hall Salman Rushdie: From Midnights Children to Trumps America Beowulf Sheehan The internationally renowned Salman Rushdie will make his first appearance at the Southbank Centre in more than a decade, speaking about his latest novel The Golden House, and the state of American politics. This is his thirteenth novel, which takes a satirical look at Donald Trumps America. October 23, Royal Festival Hall Under the Skin: Knowing Your Character Juno Dawson, Robert Muchamore and Melvin Burgess will take a look at believable and flawed characters in young adult fiction. All three authors have faced controversy for writing about subjects some have deemed too adult. Here, they talk about the limits of YA fiction, chaired by Sarah Shaffi. October 27, Purcell Room Soraya Chemaly and Laura Bates: Feminism in Trumps America Two influential feminist writers and thinkers, Chemaly from the US and Bates from the UK, talk about the power of rage in the battle against misogyny. They will discuss the power of rage for women and how women can harness that anger. October 27, Purcell Room Sue Perkins Steve Ullathorne Sue Perkins will celebrate the release of her new travel book, East of Croydon, which takes her from the Himalayas to Hong Kong. Shell also answer questions at a Q&A and sign books after the talk. October 28, Royal Festival Hall Mohsin Hamid and Riz Ahmed: Migration and Magic Author of Exit West and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mohsin Hamid will be joined by actor and writer Riz Ahmed to discuss why migration is a story that so many wish to tell. Ahmed starred in a recent film adaptation of Hamid's book, The Reluctant Fundamentalist. October 28, Queen Elizabeth Hall W hen Anni Albers swapped paintbrushes for a loom, she taught the world a thing or two about art. As a pioneering textile artist at the forefront of the modern agenda, Albers changed the way artists approached crafts in relation to making art. Although she was one of the great women artists of the famous Bauhaus school a German art and design school that revolutionised modern art teaching Anni is (somewhat predictably) often proceeded in the line-up of famous arty Alberses by her painting husband Josef. Tate Modern is looking to make sure you know everything about Anni with a major exhibition of her work, exploring her innovation and legacy. Interested? Here's why she matters. Anni Albers was made to study textiles because she was a woman Albers may be one of the most famous textile artists in history, but she initially wanted to be anything but. While the famous Bauhaus school of art was pioneering and forward-thinking in many ways, its leader Walter Gropius was still sceptical about the abilities of women. When Albers (nee Fleischmann) arrived at the school in 1922, she was shunted into the weaving department often referred to as the Womens Workshop. In Albers words, she initially thought weaving was rather sissy. She was a pioneer and even weaved with cellophane 2018 The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/DACS, London In spite of her reluctance to work with the medium, Alberss artistry shone through in her complex, original weaving work at the Bauhaus, using thread as a sculptor or painter uses his medium. Her extraordinary designs broke boundaries both in how they looked and how they were constructed. Albers 1930 diploma piece was partly constructed of cellophane, which was a relatively new invention in itself. This allowed the material to be both sound-absorbent and light-reflective, a pioneering move that was typical of Albers' work. Albers got a senior role at the Bauhaus but it was cut short by the Nazis Albers became so well respected at the Bauhaus that, almost immediately after graduating from the school, she succeeded Gunta Stolzl as Head of the Weaving Workshop in 1931. Albers was one of the few women in the school to rise to such prominence, but her tenure was cut short. The Nazi party, which was rising to prominence in Germany, disliked the Bauhaus modern attitudes to art and put pressure on it to disband after moving to Berlin for a brief period, it was ultimately forced to close. By 1933, Albers had moved to North Carolina to escape the political tumult. Anni Albers was married to painter Josef Albers for more than 50 years The Jewish Museum, New York, Gift of the Albert A. List Family, JM The Bauhaus was home to not just one Albers, but two. Anni Fleischmann met and married Josef Albers, a student at the school who was 11 years her senior, in 1925. Josef Albers went on to become a Junior Master at the school and one of the most respected abstract painters of his generation. During their marriage, which lasted until Josefs death in 1976, the pair taught students across the US, and were hugely influential in modernising art education. Anni Albers was the first designer to have a solo show at the MOMA Anni Albers wasnt just famous within the Bauhaus the effect of her groundbreaking designs have been felt worldwide. In 1949, Albers had a solo exhibition at the prestigious Museum of Modern Art in New York, and in doing so became the first designer ever to be granted a one-person show at the museum. The exhibition of her work was so popular that it went on to tour for two years. Anni Albers runs at Tate Modern from October 11 to January 27 2019. For more information visit tate.org.uk A s public booking opens for this years BFI London Film Festival, our critics round up the must-see movies. Matthew Norman Widows Widows - Trailer 2 Steve McQueens festival-opener, his first film since 12 Years a Slave, finds him delving into the British telly nostalgia pool for Lynda La Plantes 1980s telly drama about four women intent on finishing the botched robbery that widowed them. With Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) as McQueens co-writer, and a strong cast led by Viola Davis, expect this female ensemble heist flick to stand as a rebuke to the anaemic Oceans 8. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote The Man Who Killed Don Quixote trailer Precisely when Terry Gilliam began this legendarily delayed passion project is unclear, though rumour points to the mid-18th century. In a modern take on the Cervantes novel, reliably compelling Adam Driver plays the contemporary Sancho Panza while Jonathan Pryce does the windmill-tilting as Donny Q. God willing its worth the wait. Colette Blazing the #MeToo trail in the sybaritic Belle Epoque Paris of a century ago, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette emerged from controlling husband Willys shadow to become Frances most feted novelist. Keira Knightley tweaks Dominic Wests Willy as the country girl who became a Nobel nominee. Sundance went bananas for Colette. London no doubt will too. Can You Ever Forgive Me? You can forgive Melissa McCarthy anything short of genocide for Bridesmaids and her Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live. But after a couple of critical and commercial stinkers, she shouldnt need absolution for her warmly received biopic turn as Lee Israel, a boozy failed writer in 1950s New York who turned her under-appreciated literary skills to forging letters from literary giants. Stan & Ollie The festival closes with the world premiere of Jon S Bairds biopic about historys most enduringly adored comic duo as they try to revive their careers on a post-war British tour. With two galactic-class comic actors in the title roles Steve Coogan as Laurel, and the suitably crumpled Michael C Hall donning the fat suit as Hardy the saliva glands gush in anticipation. Nick Roddick Bergman: A Year in a Life A Year in a Life explores the life and times of the Swedish master in a way that leaves us with a dilemma. The year in question is 1957: it saw Bergman make The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries. The word masterpiece is duly bandied about by several interviewees. But others tell of a man who had seven children from six wives but could hardly remember their names and who manipulated his own family history so he was the central focus (it was actually his elder brother, not Ingmar, who got the stick from their stern pastor father in Fanny & Alexander). So does knowing the film-makers nasty side affect our assessment of the films? Or should we disregard the man and just watch the work? The Last Movie The Last Movie, long available only on a few scratchy 35mm prints with much of the colour leached out of Laszlo Kovacs luscious cinematography, has now been digitally restored. With Easy Rider as leverage, Dennis Hopper persuaded Universal to give him $1 million to make a western in Peru. Hopper eventually ploughed through can after can of film to find the story of a stuntman (Hopper) who stays on in Peru after a Hollywood shoot finishes. The result is fragmentary, surreal, self-indulgent but, taken as a whole, a magnificent folly. They dont make em like this any more. In fact, they never really did. Peterloo Peterloo - Trailer Social history has never been British cinemas strongest suit: theres Ken Loachs TV miniseries Days of Hope (1975) about the General Strike; Bill Douglass Comrades (1986) about the Tolpuddle Martyrs; and now Mike Leighs Peterloo, about the 1819 Manchester protest violently repressed by mounted soldiers with swords drawn. Leigh, so often a miniaturist, here works with the broader palette of Mr. Turner and does so to epic effect. This was never the British Revolution but, had it been, Maxine Peake as single mother Nellie would be on the barricades as its Marianne, Rory Kinnear as the radical speaker Henry Hunt its Danton. Roma Roma trailer Sharing little more than a title with Fellinis flamboyant film, Alfonso Cuarons low-key, black & white evocation of his home town is every bit as intense, emotionally charged and memorable. The Roma referred to here is Colonia Roma, a middle-class neighbourhood of Mexico City where Cuaron grew up, comfortable but not cossetted, his doctor father often absent but the home held together by the women: his mother and, above all, the live-in nanny Cleo. The year is 1970; the comfortable certainties of Mexican life are about to be stirred by tales of student revolt and revolution filtering in from abroad. Cuaron wrote, produced, directed, shot and co-edited the film which has a mixture of intimacy and a historical scale that has rarely been equalled. Funded by Netflix (and excluded from Cannes for that reason), Roma which won the Golden Lion in Venice is something very special indeed. Utya July 22 July 22 trailer On July 22 2011, far-Right terrorist Anders Breivik shot dead 69 young people at a summer camp on the Norwegian island of Utya. Erik Poppes film is remarkable for its rigour, which gives it its power. The audience is thrust into the events on the island as they must have appeared to the young campers: unexplained, inexplicable, terrifying. We never see Breivik, just hear the sound of his rifle, now distant, now horrifying close. The film lasts exactly as long as the attack, with each rifle shot happening in real time within the film a decision by the filmmakers that forbids exploitation and remains respectful to the victims and breaved, yet also ratchets up the tension. Charlotte OSullivan Happy New Year, Colin Burstead Ben Wheatley wanted to call this Colin You Anus. Which would have been funnier, obvs. Still, advance word suggests the black comedy has many other jokes. In a doomed attempt to impress his loved ones, Colin (edgy Neil Maskell) hires a country manor, for the holidays. Wheatley, when on form, makes Christmas come early. Heres hoping. Been So Long In a bar, single mum, Simone (superlative Michaela Chewing Gum Coel) gets swept off her frazzled feet by cocksure Raymond (Arinze Kene). Thanks to the Camden setting, its been called Londons answer to La La Land and will surely suggest North West is best. If Beale Street Could Talk Barry Jenkins and James Baldwin: what a combo! I cant wait to see what the writer-director of Moonlight makes of Baldwins 1974 novel, a love story exploring (inter alia) the impact of corrupt cops black communities. The trailer introduces us to young Harlemites Tish and Fonny, (newcomer KiKi Layne and charismatic star of Race Stephan James). It looks poetically precise and painfully good. Wild Rose Everyones buzzing about Jessie Buckleys performance in this British musical, which hot-foots it from Glasgow to Nashville. Flawed single mum Rose-Lynn has a home-grown voice that kicks like moonshine. Buckley (so brilliant in Beast) sings all the numbers herself. Beautiful Boy Francois Duhamel Timothee Chalamet is as more-ish as crystal meth. Those hooked on him in Call Me by Your Name and Lady Bird will love him dominating Felix Van Groeningens drama about a young addict whose hyper-middle-class divorced parents (Steve Carell and Amy Ryan) cant understand whats eating their golden boy. David Sexton The Favourite The Favourite - Trailer Queen Anne (1702-1714) has been our forgotten monarch in drama. No longer: director Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer) has made the most original, exuberant period movie imaginable about the intimate infighting for her favour, between the bossy Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz) and an impudent newcomer, Abigail Hill (a convincingly English Emma Stone). As Anne, Olivia Colman gives her greatest performance yet, veering between the infantile and imperious, now greedy, now pathetic, always human, never merely royal. She took Best Actress at Venice Film Festival and the film the Grand Jury Award. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Netfilx Described as an anthology film, this collection of six entirely unrelated western stories, presented as chapters from a book, was apparently intended by Netflix for broadcast as a series. No matter. The Coen brothers bring to each all their extravagant cynicism and exhilarating expertise. Together, these short stories are an exhibition of the Coen brothers mastery, taking Best Screenplay at Venice. Sunset Laszlo Nemess follow-up to his astonishing 2015 debut, Son of Saul, is equally formally rigorous, restricting the viewpoint largely to that of its heroine, Irisz Leiter, tensely played by Juli Jakab. She arrives in Budapest in 1910, trying to uncover the mystery of what happened to her family, who created the citys leading hat-shop but died in a fire when she was a child. Is there a vast conspiracy leading right up to the imperial family? Is her vanished brother still alive but a murderer? Mystery piles on mystery and the fact we see only what Irisz sees, in shallow focus so that much remains a blur, and hear only partial, unclear dialogue, means it is often impossible to know what is real, what is actually happening, in a peculiarly oppressive fashion. A puzzle piece. Dogman Matteo Garrone is celebrated for his 2008 film Gomorrah, a scarifying tale of life in Southern Italys Camorra crime syndicates. Dogman, more intimate in scale, is an even more brutal study in gangsterism and male monstrosity. Marcello (Marcello Fonte) is a small, sweet-natured man, separated from his wife and daughter, who runs a dog-grooming business, used by gangsters proud of their mutts, in a derelict coastal town where drugs are the main currency. Marcello himself also sells a little coke on the side, to pay for treats for his daughter and he is being grossly bullied by a psychotic giant thug, Simone (Edoardo Pesce). Garrone brings an extraordinary texture to this tragedy, frightening and tense, almost end of the world. Suspiria Suspiria trailer After the triumphs of A Bigger Splash (2015) and Call Me By Your Name (2017), Luca Guadagnino has turned back to remake one of the films that inspired him to become a director in the first place, Dario Argentos 1977 giallo horror classic, set in a dance school run by witches. Guadagninos key collaborator and muse, Tilda Swinton, plays both the inspirational head of the dance school, Madame Blanc, and, under elaborate prosthetics, elderly psycho-analyst Dr Jozef Klemperer, who tries to discover what exactly is going on among the dancers. Guadagnino calls his film a cover version, so perhaps it is best enjoyed as an elaborate tribute. Thom Yorke of Radiohead contributes a haunting score. A policeman has suffered head injuries as moped raiders stormed a watch shop in an attempted robbery in north London. Six thugs on three motorbikes targeted the shop at the Brent Cross shopping centre in shocking scenes on Tuesday evening, Scotland Yard said. Witnesses described how one suspect burst into the shopping complex brandishing a pick axe. The injured officer was rushed to hospital and a woman in her 50s suffered an arm injury and was treated at the complex. One witness wrote on Twitter: Man rode a motorbike into the shopping centre holding what looks like a pick axe! Man ran off, bike left in concourse, no one attacked, police on scene immediately. Two men were arrested on conspiracy to rob but the others fled after the violent scenes unfolded at about 7pm. One of the suspects was taken to hospital with minor injuries and the other was in custody. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The four other suspects made off on two motorcycles. A family GP accused of sexually assaulting female patients across two decades believed he was untouchable thanks to his status in the community, the Old Bailey heard today. Dr Alan Tutin, 70, carried out entirely unnecessary and inappropriate examinations of victims breasts and intimate areas for his sexual pleasure, including one on a girl as young a nine, it is said. Jurors heard he abused his position of trust throughout his time in charge of Merrow Park surgery in Guildford, allegedly groping and molesting patients from 1981 through to 2003. He has faced police questioning, past criminal trials, and professional misconduct hearings, and is now on trial accused of sex attacks on 25 women. Prosecutor Sally ONeill QC said Tutin did not face complaints early in his career, but that might be because of his status as a respected GP in Surrey: The relationship people have with their doctors is a special one there is a level of trust that the doctor knows best and an unwillingness to complain. Alan Tutin appears to have had quite a dominant personality and perhaps a somewhat arrogant and brusque way of dealing with both patients and staff. He may also have been somewhat old-fashioned in his approach to patients and did not explain to them all the time what he was doing before he did it and why it was necessary. She said the trial was about whether he used his position as a doctor to take advantage of often vulnerable patients to carry out unnecessary and inappropriate examinations of them for his own personal sexual gratification. He may have felt himself to be untouchable and unchallengeable at the time because of his position both in the practice and in society. The court heard the GP worked alongside his wife, Dr Angela Tutin, at the practice from 1980 until his retirement in 2004. Miss ONeill QC said some alleged victims did not come forward until years after the claimed attacks. The combination of the implicit trust ... in a doctor, the relatively minor nature of some of the sexual assaults, the general disinclination to make a fuss ... may all have played their part in the reluctance to complain, she said. In 1999 Tutin was accused of sexual abuse involving different women and faced two trials which did not end in adverse findings, said Miss ONeill. He went through a General Medical Council fitness to practice hearing in 2001, and two years later a complaint of sexual assault due to feature in this trial was made against him by a patient. Tutin was then warned by the GMC to have chaperones in the room during the examination of female patients, and he was arrested in 2006 when more complaints were made. He was not prosecuted at that time but faced more GMC hearings. The police inquiry was reopened in 2013, with about 10,000 letters sent to Tutins former patients, eliciting more than 100 responses. A school business manager has been jailed after draining her employers accounts of more than 220,000 to set up a taxi company in The Gambia with her boyfriend. Kirsty Holmes, 45, and her partner Sunday Kalu, 47, siphoned off taxpayers money from Battersea Park School over a period of six months. The pair enlisted friends to cash fraudulent cheques worth between 7,500 and 32,000 before the money was transferred to them. They moved to The Gambia and bought a property and a fleet of taxis and minibuses. For three years the couple, from Gillingham, Kent, ran a transport business in the West African nation, police said. At Kingston crown court, the couple were jailed for three and a half years after being found guilty of theft after a six-year investigation. The court heard Holmes worked at Battersea Park School from January 2009 until late 2011. The school, in the borough of Wandsworth, was taken over and became a Harris Academy in 2014 after a damning Ofsted inspection found it was one of the worst in the country, plagued by dire results and truancy. It has now turned around and was rated outstanding in an Ofsted report this year. On her LinkedIn account, Holmes boasts of 29 years administrative experience and she was responsible for preparing annual budgets of up to 7 million and provided expertise in long-term financial management for Battersea Park School. Between May and November 2011 following the 2010/2011 financial audit 15 cheques totalling 220,209 were paid out of the schools account. Holmes resigned in October 2011 and left the school the following month. In January 2012 a fresh audit unearthed the cheque payouts and found there were no corresponding invoices. Bosses at the school, which was placed in special measures in June 2013, reported the theft to police in March 2012. Detectives established the cheques had been deposited into bank accounts around Gillingham and Chatham, which were found to belong to friends of Holmes and Kalu. The money was later deposited into the pairs bank accounts. All the accounts involved were emptied by the end of December 2011. Holmes was arrested at Gatwick Airport in December 2014 after returning to Britain when her relationship broke down. Kalu was arrested the following year. Both denied knowledge of the theft and blamed each other. Ds Donnett Oseni, the Met CID officer who led the investigation, said: This was a very difficult case that took more than six years to bring to trial, with most witnesses reluctant to give evidence. Holmes abused a position of trust by stealing school funds taxpayers money that was intended for the running of the school and the education of the students. The jail sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of the offence. A n RAC recovery driver was knocked down and killed on the hard shoulder of the M25 as he loaded a broken down car onto his truck, a court has heard. Stephen Godbold, 52, was hit by a delivery lorry driven by Dariusz Mrozek as he helped the stricken motorist. The 43-year-old Asda lorry driver was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. It happened on the M25 between junctions 4 and 5, near Orpington, at around 6.15am on September 22 last year, Woolwich Crown Court heard. Prosecutor Paul Valder told the court that Mr Godbold had been called to help a Hyundai driver who had a puncture. As he was loading the car onto his recovery vehicle he was hit and flung into the air. Opening the case Mr Valder said: The prosecution says the lorry, which was travelling at about 50mph, veered across onto the hard shoulder. The lorry struck Mr Godbold who was tragically fatally injured. He said Mrozek had just rested at a service station when the collision happened. Mr Valder added: The defendant was distressed and said [to the driver Mr Godbold had been helping] F*** Ive killed a man. The jury was told Mrozek helped perform CPR to try to save Mr Godbolds life. The prosecutor told the court Mr Godbolds vehicle had bright orange lights flashing and he was wearing high-visibility clothing having been despatched to help the driver by the RAC. He said: This defendant was driving a Scania for Asda supermarket. There were no relevant defects to the vehicle, following tests by specialist officers, and the weather and road conditions were normal, Mr Valder said. Mrozek, of Gravesend, denies causing death by dangerous driving. T en people have been charged with offences following a four-year investigation by the Mets complex fraud team into the contractor responsible for fire alarms at Grenfell Tower. Housing services company Lakehouse was being probed after accusations it installed defective safety equipment in hundreds of London properties. An Evening Standard investigation last year revealed the inquiry relating to a 184 million government grant to renovate council properties and install alarms and emergency lighting. Hackney council had received allegations of fraud and overcharging from whistleblowers. Police released images showing the inside of the burnt-out building / Met Police A council investigation found some fire safety work was defective, including incorrectly installed alarms and emergency lighting systems. Lakehouse denied any wrongdoing. The council wrote to 166 town hall chief executives warning them to check work done by Lakehouse and subcontractor Polyteck. Today police revealed 10 people have been charged. Andrew Langston, 40, and Lee David Wylie, 46 among five people charged with bribery and theft are understood to have been contract managers at Lakehouse. The other three are understood to have worked for a variety of contractors on behalf of Lakehouse. Langston and Wylies partners Josephine Ashley-Russell, 37, and Sarah Kipping, 46, were charged with money laundering, as was Leslie Ratty, 67. Costantinos Polycarpou, 40, Polytecks managing director, and his father, Yiannakis, 63, the company chairman, were charged with bribery. A Met spokesman said: In 2014 the Borough of Hackney referred an allegation of fraud to the Met. A total of 10 people have now been charged. The allegedly defective works were signed off by staff at Hackney Homes, the arms-length management organisation set up by the council in 2006 in order to receive its allocation from the Governments 1.6 billion Decent Homes programme, which aimed to help councils raise the standards of housing stock. Sources said the allegations date back to the inception of the schemes 2011 funding strategy. A spokeswoman for Hackney council said: We are pleased that after a long period of investigation, this matter is finally being progressed. A Lakehouse spokesman said: It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing criminal investigation. Polyteck said it had never carried out any work on Grenfell Tower, and that the bribery charges related only to work carried out for Hackney Council. P olice in Bulgaria have said a suspect will be released over the murder of journalist Viktoria Marinova. Earlier on Tuesday, the country's interior ministry said "a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian descent" was taken into custody. "Our work is continuing. For the time being there are no facts and circumstances that we can announce. The Romanian citizen is to be released," said Teodor Atanasov, the head of Ruse regional police. He declined to provide further details on the ongoing investigation. The European Union and the United States have urged Bulgaria to find the killer. Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov spoke to media in Ruse, Bulgaria yesterday / REUTERS/Bulphoto/Ruse Media "We have in custody a person whose alibi we are checking, but for the time being we do not have a concrete suspect. Work with him is continuing," Atanasov told reporters earlier on Tuesday. Ms Marinova was a reporter on the newly re-launched investigative programme "Detector" on the TVN network. In her final broadcast on the air, Ms Marinova had criticised the environment journalists find themselves when reporting on matters of public interest. Crowds flocked to a candlelit vigil at the Liberty Monument in Ruse, Bulgaria. / AP/Vadim Ghirda "The number of forbidden topics is growing all the time," she said. "Investigative journalists are being systematically removed. "Our team is committed to providing a platform for journalistic research exclusively on topics relevant to the public interest. This is the meaning of "detector". The TV program that detects lies." No link has been established to Ms Marinova's work. On Monday hundreds of mourners held vigils around Bulgaria, said to be the worst country in the European Union for press freedom. The vigil yesterday, October 8, was intended as a protest against the brutal killing as the "corruption-plagued" Bulgarian government faces pressure to conduct a swift investigation. / EPA TVN posted heartfelt tributes on its website, showing reporters' "enormous pain and insurmountable grief" to the loss of the reporter. There has been a huge show of outrage by members of the press across the world, as the death coincided with the anniversary of journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya's assassination in 2006. Vice President of the EU Commission Frans Timmermans urged authorities to conduct a swift investigation. T ributes have been paid to a former pub landlady who died after being struck by a car in west London. Mary Forde, 60, was rushed to hospital in critical condition after being hit as she walked along a street in Ealing on October 2. She died the following day. Speaking following her death her family said Ms Forde, who ran the Sir Colin Campbell pub in Kilburn, will be eternally missed. She had made a full recovery from cancer this year, her family added in statement. They described her as a strong and determined woman who battled against all adversity in a tribute her on Monday. The statement said: Mary was due to move to her new home the week she died. She was looking forward to the future and moving on with her life. She was in a happy place." It added: Mary made a full recovery from cancer this year, after a difficult fight. She was a strong and determined woman who battled against all adversity. Ms Forde, who also worked at a nursing agency in Marylebone, has a large and loving network of family and friends, the statement added. She was struck by a Vauxhall Astra as she walked along Gunnersbury Avenue, at the roads junction with Leopold Road, shortly before 1.40pm on October 2. The driver of the car stopped at the scene and no arrests have been made. Police are investigating the crash and appealed for witnesses to come forward. Scotland Yard in statement said: Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Alperton are investigating, and would particularly like to speak to a motorcyclist and an Uber driver who stopped at the scene. T en fire engines and 70 firefighters battled a fire in a Brunel University student accommodation block in west London. Firefighters from London Fire Brigade raced to the scene, on Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, at about 4.10pm. The LFB said that part of the third floor is was alight and crews from Hillingdon, Hayes, Southall, Northolt and Ruslip were at the scene. 50 people were evacuated from the building before firefighters arrived, and there were no reports of injuries. Brunel University London have confirmed there was a fire on campus. Following the fire, which was under control three hours after brigade arrived, the LFB said an extraction system cupboard on the first, second and third floors was damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation. C riminals are using bogus lawyers letters to smuggle the psychoactive drug Spice into Londons largest prison in a trend that is fuelling violence, a watchdog warned today. The Independent Monitoring Board for Wandsworth Prison warned that convicts were now receiving deliveries hidden in mail marked as legal correspondence as drug suppliers with fertile minds sought new ways to beat security. In some cases, the Spice was being smeared on paper, photographs and even stamps on letters sent to inmates by associates pretending to be solicitors protected by the rules of legal privilege. The disclosure came as the watchdogs annual report warned of rising drug use inside the prison and a startling 147 per cent increase in the number of assaults. The board said that other problems included a failure by the privatised probation company working in the jail to help released inmates find jobs and accommodation despite the vital role that this could play in preventing re-offending. It also expressed concern about the prolonged detention of severely mentally ill prisoners inside Wandsworth because of a lack of secure psychiatric hospital beds to which they could be transferred. The most striking alert, however, was over the use of legal correspondence, which is normally exempt from examination by prison officers under confidentiality rules, to smuggle illicit contraband into the jail. There were occasions when the legal mail system was being used for the importation of drugs, todays report warns. New psychoactive substances, commonly known as Spice, were being smuggled in via prisoner mail marked as legal correspondence. These illegal contents were discovered by prison sniffer dogs. Elizabeth Baker, the independent monitoring boards chairwoman, said that the drug smugglers appeared to be bogus solicitors, people masquerading as lawyers and were resorting to the tactic because of intensified efforts to close other routes into the prison. Spice is a very difficult drug to identify ... The prison staff are very much aware of this and checking letters much more, but people always find new ways of doing things. Their minds are very fertile. Things are still coming in. Ms Baker added that staff now had a list of authorised solicitors whose correspondence should not be checked, but were examining other correspondence which claimed to be from a lawyer. Todays report, which covers the 12 months to the end of May, says that assaults by prisoners on staff rose to 467, compared with 173 a year earlier. Attacks by one inmate on another also more than doubled, from 140 to 307. B rexit Secretary Dominic Raab has said he is confident of a Brexit deal by this autumn. Mr Raab addressed MPs on the latest negotiations on Tuesday evening, making the bold claim. Speaking at the House of Commons, Mr Raab said the final few weeks of talks are "always going to be tough" but that was all the more reason for the UK to "hold our nerve". He added: "I remain confident we will reach a deal this autumn, saying it is "time for the EU to match the pragmatism we have shown". Labours shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer argued against Mr Raabs claim however, saying the statement would have been much better coming from the Prime Minister. He said: Its no good hiding behind the badge of the Salzburg summit as informal. Mr Raab addressed MPs on Tuesday evening / EPA It was the PM who pushed for Brexit to be on the agenda at Salzburg. And it was the PM who failed to secure a breakthrough. Mr Raab also categorically ruled out an indefinite customs union to resolve Irish border difficulties in the Brexit talks, amid Tory warnings over the Government's "gung-ho" approach to no deal. He told MPs that talks with the EU have "intensified" in recent weeks and the two sides are "closing in on workable solutions" to all of the key outstanding issues before urging Brussels to match the UK's "ambitions" and "pragmatism". Mr Raab also categorically ruled out an indefinite customs union to resolve Irish border difficulties / AFP/Getty Images Labour accused Mr Raab of "pretending that everything is going according to plan" and urged him to "scotch rumours" the Government is not intending to publish an Irish border backstop proposal by next week, before questioning if an "indefinite UK-wide customs union" would be part of the offer. Sir Keir also asked Mr Raab to rule out a "vague or blind Brexit", adding: "No government has the right to plunge the country into chaos as a result of its own failure. "Time is running out but there is still time to change course and I urge the Secretary of State to do so." Sir Keir Starmer / EPA Mr Raab, in reply to Sir Keir on the suggestion of an indefinite customs union, said: "No, categorically that is not correct." He suggested Sir Keir had almost become the "prince of process" given his questions before accusing Labour's leadership of having "trashed their promise" at the last election to deliver on Brexit. Labour MP Christopher Leslie, former shadow chancellor, asked if Mr Raab was ruling out a blind Brexit and "we will have full details of that trade relationship for the future". "First of all there's no question of some kind of blindfolded Brexit," Mr Raab said, going on to insist the withdrawal agreement would contain substance and detail on the future relationship. He said: "We want to make sure in the political declaration on the future relationship that we have enough detail and enough of substance so that this House and the country at large can understand the choice of the model of economic and security cooperation that we're going to be pursuing." F oreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has met with the Saudi ambassador to seek "urgent answers" over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Prominent reporter Mr Khashoggi went missing after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week, sparking claims he had been killed inside the building. Mr Hunt said that if reports of Mr Khashoggi's death proved correct, the UK would treat the situation "seriously", adding: "Friendships depend on shared values." After he met ambassador Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud, Mr Hunt tweeted: "Just met the Saudi ambassador to seek urgent answers over Jamal Khashoggi. Violence against journalists worldwide is going up and is a grave threat to freedom of expression. "If media reports prove correct, we will treat the incident seriously - friendships depend on shared values." The meeting came a day after Downing Street said the UK was "working urgently" to establish the facts behind Mr Khashoggi's disappearance. The Turkish authorities are set to conduct a search of the Istanbul consulate building, after announcing that Saudi Arabia had declared itself "open to co-operation" in the investigation. A CCTV still of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 / Hurriyet/AP A critic of the kingdom's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mr Khashoggi was living in self-imposed exile in the United States. He was writing opinion pieces for the Washington Post before his disappearance. Mr Khashoggi visited the consulate last Tuesday to obtain a document confirming he had divorced his ex-wife, in order to allow him to remarry. Turkish officials have said he was killed on the premises and his body was then removed. Saudi officials have denied the allegations as baseless. Jeremy Hunt pictured outside Downing Street on Tuesday / Simon Dawson/Reuters Polly Truscott, Amnesty International UK's foreign affairs expert, responded to Mr Hunt's meeting by saying: "Whether or not it is definitively established that Saudi Arabian officials were behind the disappearance - and possible murder - of Jamal Khashoggi, this case should act as a much-needed wake-up call for the UK in its dealings with Saudi Arabia. "For far too long the UK has publicly downplayed the severity of the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, maintaining that 'dialogue' and 'access' were effective means of encouraging human rights reforms in the country. "The UK needs to seriously rethink its strategy on Saudi Arabia's abysmal human rights record and the deeply concerning Khashoggi case may be the jolt that ministers need." O n a summer morning recently, while strolling through a park in Ealing with his teenage son, Kamal Ahmed noticed an older white man staring and pointing. He thought that the man had recognised him as the BBCs economics editor and was about to wave. Instead the mans arm stayed raised and it dawned on Ahmed, who is half-Sudanese, that he was witnessing a Nazi salute. When I was young the National Front marched in Southall near where I grew up. But for that to happen today, I was astonished. I thought: If Im getting that in a leafy west London suburb, worse is happening elsewhere. It is, he argues, where part of the political debate is, post-Brexit and post-Trump. Certainly its not where he expected it to be when he first sat down to write about being mixed-race in the afterglow of Barack Obamas election to the White House in 2008. That attempt was abandoned after various calamities in his personal life (he divorced twice), but when he finally pulled chair to desk a decade later the world had changed. The trajectory hed envisioned marked by the smooth path of progression towards Obama and a feeling of isnt this great? was no longer true. So instead Ahmed has written The Life and Times of a Very British Man, which is about racism and prejudice (including his own), and his pioneering parents: an English mother, Elaine, who was a progressive teacher, and a father from Omdurman, Abubaker Ismail (known as Seddig), who was an ophthalmologist for the NHS. Anyone who imagines Ahmed, tall and lean in tailored suits and cashmere coats, glided through life to reach his latest BBC berth as the corporations new editorial director should brace themself. As a kid he was scrappy and shouty: Kamal the Clown with a foghorn voice who was going to make some bloody noise. He got into fights, pretended his father flew Concorde, farted in a teachers face and used racial slurs to the Asian kids. Here was the outward expression of how confused he felt being the only mixed-race child in his year in a 1970s comp in London. The Progress 1000, in partnership with the global bank Citi, is the Evening Standards celebration of the people who make a difference to London life and will be announced on October 10. #Progress1000 When he hands me coffee in his immaculate Hackney flat (hes even microwaved the milk) its impossible to imagine. Hes speaks fluent BBC (us, we) about leverage, and content being repurposed, and how kids today live in a different architecture which is not what we describe as linear news by which he means they dont consume news at set times so the BBC will repackage items so audiences can pick and choose. His colleague Mishal Husain said in her own book that before an interview Ahmed always stays standing rather than accept a seat so as not to relax. That shivering drive is palpable. He uses my name a lot for emphasis, which I always think is a male management thing. For instance: would he take a pay cut in the name of equality? Charlotte, Charlotte. I dont want to go into that. I was given a Nazi salute if Im getting that in a leafy west London suburb, worse is happening elsewhere Its important to him that the BBC needs to be as famous for explaining as for reporting the news as part of the normal news cycle. In part this is to combat fake news in a world where lies get round the world in the click of a mouse. He cites Reality Check and Long Reads as giving news context: Thats going to be a big part of my new role explaining the why as well as the what. Also theres the BBC centenary in 2022. A big moment, he says. And I want to ensure we are prepared for the next 100 years. To an extent thats what the editorial director job is about, trying to set a bit of that strategic direction under Fran [Unsworth the director of news and current affairs]. Wow, hes focused. Is he the next BBC director general? He laughs. No, he says. Then: Well Im not answering that. Ive only just got a new job. (He starts on November 1.) Anyway, he continues, this interview is not about the BBC its about the book. Its his life story interspersed with reminders of how far weve come as a country from our difficult relationship with people who are other, as he terms it. There are uncomfortable reminders of what were cultural norms: the use of half-caste as a description; the fact that Ahmed was given a golliwog doll as a baby (its probably still up in the loft at my mums). Heroes are not spared: Marie Stopes, much vaunted as a campaigner for womens rights, advocated sterilising mixed-race children, he points out, and John Maynard Keynes and George Bernard Shaw too had dubious views on eugenics. As part of his research he re-met classmates like Andy, whose Afro-Caribbean heritage was never spoken about. Thirty-five years later [I was] listening to how his childhood and time at school made him feel useless: not fit for much academically. How he hadnt known much about his history. How his parents held down exhausting jobs and found it difficult to engage with school. I thought: This is a guy I was mates with and this is the first time Ive heard this. Ahmed was lucky under his mothers guidance (she taught him to read with flash cards in the bath) he sped through school, read politics at Leeds, did an MA at City and pole- vaulted up the rungs of journalism media editor at The Guardian, political editor at The Observer, business editor, then economics editor at the BBC. He is close friends with the bosses he was at the Paris stag-night dinner of James Purnell, the BBCs director of radio on November 13, 2015, the night of the horrific terror attacks across the city. (When I ask if he felt like breaking out of the restaurant to report, he laughs: As James Harding said, Im not sure, Kamal, if you got out and started walking around with your name, that that wouldve been the most sensible use of your time, frankly.) Kamal Ahmed as a child with his mother, Elaine / ES local feed Here and there the book is unintentionally revealing. Theres a paragraph on Gemma Curtin, his first wife (a wonderful woman) with whom he split when his two kids were small that has echoes of guilt. We are very good friends and weve been on a long journey, stamped parent, he says now. In the acknowledgements he mentions his girlfriend of two years Polly Glynn, a brilliant lawyer, who has calmly taken my hand and agreed there is much more life to live. Shes a very assured, careful and calm and calming person, he adds. Theres a great line by a writer about a person who has the good fortune to have a face that always rested on a smile. Thats Polly in a nutshell. Is he in love? Yes. But hes also coy She is a very private person, he hastens. Absent entirely is Elizabeth Day, the author and journalist whom he married in 2011. I didnt feel without her agreement I should write about it, he explains. It meant contacting her, getting into things which are still pretty raw. Day packed her bags and left in 2015 not long after suffering a miscarriage. She has written about it poignantly, which Ive found it difficult, he admits. We had an amazing relationship. It blew up over complicated things. I take responsibility for the things that I did, the mistakes I made. And I made a lot. There were things I should have done differently. Ahmed says friends got him through brutal times, as well as a therapist, who constantly pushed me to see things from Elizabeths point of view. So when he was doing that, how did he think Elizabeth felt? If you go through an emotional, really wrenching dislocating moment in your life, understanding your role can make you a stronger person. His parents marriage ended when he was still small, but writing about them gave him an insight into them as the young people they were when they met. For instance, he hadnt known that his mother was the first white person his father had met when she picked him up from Heathrow (she was friends with his cousin). T he Army has announced it is investigating Tommy Robinson after he posted a picture of himself surrounded by soldiers. The former English Defence League (EDL) leader also posted a video of himself with a crowd of Army personnel who started cheering and shouting his name. A spokeswoman for the Army said: "Far right ideology is completely at odds with the values and ethos of the Armed Forces. Mr Robinson, 35, posted the footage and image of himself with the grinning men in camouflage uniform on Facebook, writing: A moment like this makes it all worthwhile. Today I met real British heroes (SIC)." The Army said it is aware of the photograph and footage and is "investigating the circumstances surrounding this". A spokeswoman said: "Far right ideology is completely at odds with the values and ethos of the Armed Forces. "The Armed Forces have robust measures in place to ensure those exhibiting extremist views are neither tolerated nor permitted to serve." Imam Asim Hafiz, Islamic religious advisor to the Armed Forces, said that "any form of racism, discrimination or extremism is taken extremely seriously and will be dealt with accordingly". "The Armed Forces remain absolutely committed to welcoming individuals from across all faiths and cultures into its ranks," he added. The Muslim Council of Britain said Mr Robinson "does not represent our Armed Forces, however much he tries to claim otherwise". "He will rile against the very real steps taken to make the military more diverse," a spokesman added. "He will remain silent on the sacrifices Muslims and others made in the two World Wars. "We welcome the swift statement by the Army in disassociating itself from the far-right and we hope that safeguards are put in place to ensure that Islamophobia will have no place in our armed forces." Mr Robinson later addressed the Army's move on Facebook. He wrote: "Watch the backlash if the army attempt to discipline these young recruits for expressing the very freedoms they are expected to fight & die for." D avid Davis has warned of the dire consequences for Conservatives at the next general election if the government continues with its Chequers plan. In a letter to Conservative MPs, the former Brexit Secretary said that Theresa Mays plan would deliver none of the benefits of Brexit. He added that the Chequers deal would make it very obvious" to voters at the next general election that the government had broken promises from the 2017 Conservative manifesto. Mr Davis repeated his call for the Cabinet to ditch the Chequers plan, which envisages a free trade area for goods based on a "common rulebook", and go for a looser free trade agreement like the Ceta deal between the EU and Canada. In his letter, obtained by The Sun, Mr Davis said that the EU was likely either to reject the Chequers proposals at next week's crunch summit in Brussels, or to demand "further significant concessions". But he said a "Canada-plus-plus-plus" deal was "within our grasp with political will and imagination". Mr Davis attacked the Prime Minister's Chequers plan / PA And he told fellow MPs: "If we stay on our current trajectory, we will go into the next election with the Government having delivered none of the benefits of Brexit, with the country reduced to being a rule-taker from Brussels, and having failed to deliver on a number of promises in the manifesto and in the Lancaster House speech. "This will not be a technicality, it will be very obvious to the electorate. "The electoral consequences could be dire. "So it is in both the party's interest, and crucially the national interest, that we reset our negotiating strategy immediately and deliver a Brexit that meets the demands of the referendum and the interests of the British people." Steve Baker, former Brexit minister told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme that there are a number of MPs that oppose the Chequers plan / Rex He cautioned Mrs May against using "preposterous threats" that a refusal by Tory MPs to back Chequers could result in Brexit being lost altogether or watered down in order to get it through Parliament on the back of Labour votes. Mr Davis's letter came after the Prime Minister was warned that she faces a Commons rebellion of at least 40 Conservative MPs if she returns from Brussels with a deal based on her Chequers plan, leaving the UK "half in, half out" of the EU. Former Brexit minister Steve Baker told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that as many as 80 Tories are ready to oppose the plan agreed by Cabinet at Mrs May's country residence in July, adding: "The whips would be doing incredibly well if they were to halve the numbers. "My estimate is that there are at least 40 colleagues who are not going to accept a half-in, half-out Chequers deal or indeed a backstop that leaves us in the internal market and the customs union, come what may." Theresa May said talks to finalise a withdrawal deal were continuing on "an intensive basis" / Jeremy Selwyn Meanwhile, Mrs May told her Cabinet that Britain will not accept an EU withdrawal deal without a "precise" political declaration setting out how its requirements on trade and security will be delivered. Despite optimistic comments from senior EU figures about the prospect of progress at the October 17-18 European Council summit, the PM made clear that agreement has not yet been reached on key issues including the Irish border. Mrs May told the regular weekly Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street that talks to finalise a withdrawal deal were continuing "on an intensive basis". Her official spokesman said: "She made clear that we can't agreed to a withdrawal agreement without a precise future framework which delivers the future trade and security partnership which the Government wants. "The PM said the UK would continue working hard in the talks on Brexit and the message from EU leaders is that they want to reach a deal." B ritish Islamic State fighters who have taken part in the conflict in Syria will be accepted back into this country even if they cannot be prosecuted, the Governments security minister said today. Ben Wallace said it was his number-one preference to see Britons from IS face justice in a court, and this country would accept any who were either sent here or returned voluntarily. But he warned there were clear legal challenges, both in securing the return of Britons currently held by Kurdish forces in Syria and in obtaining enough evidence to prosecute some of them. Nine British IS fighters are being held in Syria by rebel forces. In a speech at the National Security Summit in London, Mr Wallace denied claims that Britain was refusing to take them back if legal obstacles, including human rights protections and the absence of an extradition treaty, could be overcome. He said: If we have evidence we would like to try them. Theres nothing better that I want than to see British foreign fighters in a court facing justice for the crimes that they have committed. That is my number one preference. He added: British citizens are British citizens. If they seek to come back to this country or another country deports them, we will take them and we will either seek to convict them or we will try to deradicalise them. He also warned of a growing threat of a chemical or biological attack in this country. Britains top counter-terror officer, Met Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, warned the summit segregated communities and unregulated education were fuelling the extremist threat. A pawnbroker whose shop was destroyed by fire in the 2011 London riots is suing the building firm brought in to clear the property, claiming its workmen looted six safes filled with valuables. Stephen Moore, 63, owner of Paradise Gems in Tottenham High Road, is seeking 800,000 in compensation from Squibb Group Ltd, arguing the demolition company is liable for the alleged actions of its employees. He claims 12 of his safes were left intact in the rubble when his business was burnt to the ground by vandals during the disorder. But Mr Moore says workmen cracked open two of them and made off with another four entirely. When Prince Charles visited Tottenham after the riots, Mr Moore told him how he was struggling to get his family business back on its feet. Outlining the case, judge Karen Steyn QC told the High Court: The claimants case is that, during the demolition work, employees of the defendant stole four of the 12 safes held on the premises and broke open two others, stealing their contents. The defendant company is alleged to be vicariously liable for the alleged acts of its employees. Stephen Moore The defendant denies that its employees stole the missing safes or broke open the damaged safes and stole the contents. The court was told that Paradise Gems had been in business for more than 20 years before it was destroyed by fire on the first night of four days of unrest in August 2011, when violence and looting broke out across London. Mr Moore claims at least one of the safes that was raided showed evidence of burning on the outside but not inside, suggesting it was opened after the fire had been extinguished. He also believes CCTV footage showing a cabinet in a JCB excavator was probably one of his metal safes. The Paradise Gems store My reputation on this high road is destroyed now completely, along with my pension and everything else, Mr Moore said in the aftermath of the riots. He subsequently received support from an aide to Charles, who put him in touch with the princes charity Business in the Community for support. His business is still in operation, although not in the same location. Squibb, based in Essex, denies any liability for loss of goods and points to the possibility that the safes were opened or removed by rioters. It says tools could have been brought by the vandals to damage the safes and disputes the claim that the cabinet in the JCB was a safe. C linical waste firm Healthcare Environment Services (HES) has been stripped of its NHS contracts after hundreds of tonnes of hospital waste - including human body parts - were allowed to pile up at its facilities. Amputated limbs were reportedly among the matter which had been allowed to build up. In a statement to Parliament on Tuesday, health minister Stephen Barclay said NHS Improvement had found HES "failed to demonstrate that they were operating within their contractual limits". He said: "Consequently, 15 NHS Trusts served notices to HES formally to terminate their contracts at 4pm on Sunday." Mr Barclay told MPs new arrangements have been made with another firm, Mitie, to "step in and replace this service" while "NHS services continue to operate as normal". He said the government was first aware of concerns in July. "While the waste was stored securely," he said, "it was not being processed and disposed of within the correct regulatory timescales. "At no point has there been an impact on public health or any delay to the ability of the NHS to carry out operations." The new Mitie contract was "fully operational" from Monday morning, he told MPs. After a criminal investigation had been launched on the issue last week, a Healthcare Environmental Services spokesman had said: "Healthcare Environmental has highlighted the reduction in the UK's high-temperature incineration capacity for the last few years. "This is down to the ageing infrastructure, prolonged breakdowns and the reliance on zero waste to landfill policies, taking up the limited high-temperature incineration capacity in the market. P iers Morgan became embroiled in a furious row with an academic who said Churchill was "racist" and compared the former prime minister to Hitler. Professor Kehinde Andrews, a Black Studies expert at Birmingham City University, appeared on Good Morning Britain to debate the iconic leader. It came after an astronaut was heavily criticised over the weekend for quoting Churchill in a tweet. Scott Kelly was forced to apologise after he wrote on Sunday: One of the greatest leaders of modern times, Sir Winston Churchill said, in victory, magnanimity. I guess those days are over. The American later said he would educate himself on Churchill's atrocities and racist views following backlash over the tweet. Mr Andrews told GMB: The historical record here is clear. Even Boris Johnson admits that he was racist. He believed that the white race was superior, that natives didn't have right to their lands in the Americas, the Indians were a ghastly people. Kehinde Andrews said Churchill "believed that the white race was superior" / GMB Morgans co-host Susanna Reid then asked if Churchill could be defended because those were the views of the time. Mr Andrews replied: That is the Jimmy Saville defence, it was just a bit different back in the day. At the time Leo Amery, the secretary of India, actually said that Churchill's views on India were so extreme he couldn't separate them from Hitler's. Piers Morgan took issue when academic Kehinde Andrews called Churchill racist on Good Morning Britain / GMB The truth is Hitler was a great military leader, a product of his time, and if they won the war we would be having this discussion now. This is the problem that Britain has, the reality is that the history of this country is built on racism and everyone involved in it probably has a really racist past. However Morgan was quick to shut Andrews down. Piers Morgan praised Churchill's role in defeating Hitler / GMB Im not going to be told to feel ashamed of my country just because you say were a bunch of racists, he declared. He said although Churchill had "obvious flaws" he played a crucial role in defeating Hitler and the spread of Nazism. If it hadn't been for Winston Churchill I think we probably wouldn't have the stomach to take on Hitler, he said. He rallied everyone in this country." Morgan then asked Mr Andrews why he still lived in Britain, despite being a successful man and having enough money to live somewhere else. This is the problem with Churchill; colonials and imperialism has ruined other parts of the world," he replied. P rison officers are to be given synthetic pepper spray to combat violence in jails. Acting national chair Mark Fairhurst told the Standard: We welcome it, its a sensible decision. We have been campaigning for this for years. Its a positive step for improving the safety of prison officers and prisoners as well. Pepper spray has been trialled in four prisons and worked well. All we have at the moment is extendable batons. But pepper spray can be used at a distance and we dont have to get in the middle of a melee. Prison officers are to be given pepper spray to combat violence in UK jails. These Prison Officers' Association members are pictured striking outside Bedford Prison last month / Stefan Rousseau/PA Its non-lethal, just an incapacitant, with no lasting effects. Its better than hitting someone with a piece of metal. But he added the government needs to do far more to improve prison conditions. We need to see major investment in prisons, for living and working conditions. We need workshops so prisoners can acquire vocational skills. And we need more staff we have lost 7,000 since 2010. Prisons minister Rory Stewart was warned more investment is needed in the nation's jails (Stefan Rousseau/PA) / PA The pepper spray canisters will be handed out at all prisons with male inmates. The announcement comes ahead of the Prison Governors Associations annual conference on Tuesday. President Andrea Albutt is expected to accuse the government of failing to react to the prison safety crisis, with drugs and self-harm also plaguing the nations jails. She is expected to say: "We have crumbling prisons and an inability to give a safe, decent and secure regime to large numbers of men and women in our care due to lack of staff, not fit for purpose contracts and a much more violent, disrespectful, gang and drug affiliated population." T he second Salisbury Novichok assassin was awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation Award, according to the Bellingcat websites investigators. Dr Alexander Mishkin, who reportedly worked for Russias GRU military intelligence, is believed to have been given the recognition for his work in Ukraine or Crimea. He is said to have been born on 13.07.1979 in the village of Loyga, in the Archangelsk District in Northern European Russia, which is believed to be snow covered most of the year. This cast fresh doubts on the claim by the two agents alleged to have been sent to target former double agent Sergei Skripal, that they left Salisbury because it was cold and slushy. Bellingcat said that Loyga is so remote that it has no road access to the rest of Russia, and for most of the year is only reachable via a narrow-gauge railroad. Alexander Mishkin is believed to have travelled to the UK under the alias Alexandar Petrov / AP Alexander Mishkin lived in his home village until at least 1995 when he was sixteen, it added. For a large part of his school years, Mishkin lived with his grandmother, Loygas only medical practitioner at the time. The true identity of the second Salisbury attacker was revealed last night as Russian military doctor Mishkin. Investigations website Bellingcat said Mishkin, who worked for the GRU, was the man who entered Britain using the alias Alexander Petrov. It used facial recognition technology and other research to uncover his identity. Dr Alexander Mishkin who is believed to have travelled to Salisbury under the alias Alexander Petrov ( PA ) / PA Mishkin, 39, graduated from one of Russias elite military medical academies, where he was recruited by the GRU, according to Bellingcat. By 2010, he had relocated to Moscow, and received his undercover identity, including a second national ID and passport under the alias Alexander Petrov. His identity, which British security sources are not disputing, was uncovered by Bellingcat after it unearthed a 2001 passport of Mishkin carrying the same date of birth as that used by the second Salisbury poisoner. Facial recognition technology also matched the image on Mishkins passport with that on Petrovs document. Suspects in Skripal poisoning claim they went to Salisbury to 'visit cathedral' The unmasking of Mishkin, who is understood is to have travelled extensively using the Petrov alias, will be viewed by the UK Government as further confirmation of Russias responsibility for the Novichok poisoning of Mr Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury on March 4. Both were left critically ill after the nerve agent was smeared on the door of Mr Skripals Salisbury home, after being carried into Britain by Mishkin and his accomplice, Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga, in a perfume bottle. Dawn Sturgess, 44, who was later exposed to the same nerve agent, died in July. Her partner Charlie Rowley was left seriously ill. Bellingcat has already identified Col Chepiga a highly decorated officer who also worked for the GRU as the other attacker. He entered Britain on a genuine Russian passport in the name of Ruslan Boshirov. It has also emerged that an enraged Putin gave a personal dressing down to the head of Russias military intelligence service Colonel-General Igor Korobov, 62, chief of the GRU. Separately, a secret meeting at the Russian defence ministry responsible for the GRU heard angry accusations over the morons behind spy operations in Britain, the Netherlands and the US. Those in charge of the blunders were denounced for their deep incompetence and infinite carelessness. They were taunted: Why didnt you just wear Budenovka hats? These hats, emblazoned with the red star, were part of the Communist military uniform soon after the Russian Revolution. T he real name of the second man allegedly sent to carry out a nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury has been released by an investigative group. Bellingcat, an investigative website, revealed the name of the suspect after it named his accomplice as Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga, who had used the name Ruslan Boshirov. A European arrest warrant has been issued for the pair, who have been charged with the attempted murder of Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March. The incident was also linked to the death of Dawn Sturgess, who died after coming in contact with a discarded bottle that contained Novichok, in July. As Bellingcat release the name of the second suspect, here the Standard outlines what we know about him so far The website reports Mishkin travelled to Salisbury under the alias Alexander Petrov / PA Who is the suspect, where is he from and what was his job? Dr Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin was named on Monday night as the man travelling under the alias Alexander Petrov. Mishkin was allegedly born in a village in the Arkhangelsk District in the north of European Russia. The 'real names' of both suspects have now been released by the investigative website / REUTERS His rank is unknown, but he is believed to be a military doctor and a graduate of one of Russia's elite military medical academies. He would have graduated with at least the rank of senior lieutenant, and is likely to have reached the rank of lieutenant colonel or full colonel in the 15 years since leaving medical school. Vladimir Putin calls Sergei Skripal a 'scumbag' When was he recruited by the GRU? He was reportedly recruited by Russia's intelligence agency the GRU while still a student, and was given the alias Alexander Petrov - including an identity card and a passport - in 2010 Between 2011 and 2018 he travelled extensively under his new identity, Bellingcat said, including making frequent trips to Ukraine. The last of which was reportedly in December 2013, just ahead of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution which led to Russia's annexation of Crimea. Suspects in Skripal poisoning claim they went to Salisbury to 'visit cathedral' What do we know about his cover identity? For his cover identity he used most of his own details, including his date of birth and first name, and the first names of his parents. Until September 2014 his home address was registered as the Moscow headquarters of the GRU. D onald Trump has apologised to Brett Kavanaugh and his family for the pain and suffering they endured during the process leading to his Supreme Court nomination. The US leader described the sexual assault allegations against the judge as a campaign of lies as he spoke at a swearing-in ceremony for Mr Kavanaugh on Monday. He said the judge deserved a fair and dignified evaluation not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies he was hit with by the Democrats. Mr Trump then told Mr Kavanaugh directly: You, sir, under historic scrutiny were proven innocent. Brett Kavanaugh looks on as Donald Trump speaks during the judge's ceremonial public swearing-in / REUTERS Speaking at the ceremony, held at the White House on Monday, the president said: I would like to begin tonights proceedings differently than perhaps any other event of such magnitude. On behalf of our nation I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. Brett Kavanaugh (L) at his ceremonial swearing in by retired Justice Anthony Kennedy (R) alongside President Donald Trump, wife Ashley, youngest daughter Liza and oldest daughter Margaret / Getty Images It comes after Mr Trump said the judge, who was confirmed to the nations highest court after a vote on Saturday, was caught up in a hoax that was set up by the Democrats. Mr Kavanaughs nomination for the court sparked a national and international rift after an academic came forward and accused him of sexual assault in the 1980s. The judge has denied the allegations. Mr Kavanaugh hugs his wife Ashley Kavanaugh after being ceremonially sworn in / EPA Also speaking at the swearing in ceremony on Monday evening, Mr Kavaugh addressed the controversy surrounding his nomination by admitting that it had tested him. Although the Senate confirmation process tested me as it has tested others, it did not change me," he said. He also thanked the president for his unwavering support throughout the process, adding that he is honoured to serve alongside his colleagues at the court. Mr Kavanaugh said the confirmation process was "contentious and emotional" but said he has "no bitterness following the political firestorm that came after the allegations. Justice Brett Kavanaugh speaks during the ceremony at the White House / REUTERS To applause from supporters and staff gathered for the event, Mr Trump said: A man or a woman must be presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty You sir, [Mr Kavanaugh,] under historic scrutiny were proven innocent. Reacting to the news earlier on Monday, Mr Trump said: Ive been hearing that now theyre thinking of impeaching a brilliant jurist, that did nothing wrong. A man that was caught up in a hoax, that was set up by the Democrats, using the Democrats lawyers and now they want to impeach them Ive heard this from many people, I think its an insult to the American public. Democrats had been hugely opposed to Mr Kavanaugh's appointment. B rett Kavanaugh has hired four female law clerks on his first day at the Supreme Court. It means that Mr Kavanaugh is the first Supreme Court judge to hire an all female staff. The clerks have been named as Shannon Grammel, Megan Lacy, Sara Nommensen and Kim Jackson. Ms Jackson previously worked for Justice Kavanaugh on the appeals court. During Mr Kavanaughs testimony, he confirmed that he had provisionally hired his four supreme clerks and they were female. Brett Kavanaugh (L) at his ceremonial swearing in by retired Justice Anthony Kennedy (R) alongside President Donald Trump, wife Ashley, youngest daughter Liza and oldest daughter Margaret / Getty Images The appointments now mean that women make up the majority of the Supreme Courts clerks. He met with the new law clerks on Sunday in preparation for upcoming cases. On Sunday, Mr Kavanaugh was sworn in as a US Supreme Court justice following a historic and divisive Senate vote. In the final vote approving his nomination, which was disrupted repeatedly by protesters in the gallery, Mr Kavanaugh's selection was cleared by a narrow margin of 50-48. His nomination for the Supreme Court by Donald Trump sparked a national rift after an academic came forward and accused him of sexual misconduct. G oogle is shutting down much of its social network after the private data of up to 500,000 users was left exposed. The tech giant said a bug in its software for Google+ meant information that people believed was private had been accessed by a third party. The announcement came in a Monday blog post, which was Google's first public description of the privacy bug. The flaw could have allowed 438 external apps to scoop up user names, email addresses, occupations, gender and age without authorisation. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Google deliberately avoided disclosing the problem at the time, in part to avoid drawing regulatory scrutiny. Google said it did not find evidence that any of the affected personal information was misused. It said that is one reason it delayed disclosing the problem. The timeline laid out by Google indicates the company discovered the privacy lapse around the same time that Facebook was under fire for a leak in its far more popular social network. Facebook's breakdown exposed the personal information of as many as 87 million users to Cambridge Analytica, a data-mining firm affiliated with Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign. Congress summoned Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to be grilled about his company's privacy issues in April. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai recently declined to an invitation to travel to Washington to testify before the Senate about foreign governments' manipulation of online services to sway US elections. His absence incensed some legislators, who left an empty chair for Google alongside the Twitter and Facebook executives who appeared before the Senate committee in September. "With this breach announcement, the empty seat bearing Google's name just became a lot hotter," said Mike Chapple, an associate professor of information technology, analytics and operations at the University of Notre Dame. M ore than 300 miles of the Florida coastline has been put on alert due to a life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding expected from Hurricane Michael. Thousands of Gulf Coast residents were ordered to evacuate on Monday, two days before the hurricane was forecast to slam ashore with dangerous waves, winds and rain. The states governor mobilised National Guard troops as Michael sustained winds of up to 85mph and gained strength as it skirted past Cubas western tip. The storm has already claimed the lives of 13 people in Central America as it battered Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba with drenching rains and winds of up to 80 mph. Michael becomes a hurricane near Cuba on its way to Florida / EPA Forecasters predict the hurricane will make a landfall in Florida on Wednesday as the most powerful storm to strike the Panhandle in at least a decade since Hurricane Dennis. Currently ranked as a Category 1 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale, Michael could grow into a Category 3, becoming the second major hurricane in the Atlantic basin this year following Florence last month. The storm is expected to unleash coastal storm surges of up to 12 feet along Florida's Panhandle and dump as much as 30cm of rain across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported. A satellite image of hurricane Michael approaching the US coast / EPA The NHC warned that both could trigger deadly flooding, and that residents within the hurricane warning zone should likewise "prepare for life-threatening winds." There are currently warnings for more than 300 miles of coastline, the National Weather Service added. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 35 counties along Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend regions. Mandatory evacuations were under way in coastal areas, with 1,250 National Guard soldiers aiding the process and more than 4,000 troops placed on standby, Scott tweeted. "The FL panhandle needs to be prepared for a direct hit with sustained hurricane force winds," Scott wrote on Twitter on Monday. Alexander Charnicharo fishes at the seafront in Havana as Hurricane Michael passes by western Cuba / REUTERS In Gulf County alone, the first to begin ordering residents of low-lying areas to higher ground, mandatory evacuation notices encompassed an estimated 3,800 homes, said Jessica Sasich of the county's emergency operations centre. Many are located in the coastal town of Port St. Joe, the county's largest municipality, lying directly in the hurricane's projected path, she said. Swimmers braved turbulent waters in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, yesterday as Michael moved through the Gulf of Mexico. / EPA In neighbouring Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey declared an emergency for the entire state on Monday in anticipation of wind damage, heavy rains and power outages. Some southern Alabama counties were under a tropical storm watch, and high surf warnings were in effect on the coast. The governor's office cautioned that flash flooding and tornadoes are possible. A hurricane warning was issued from the Alabama-Florida border eastwards to Suwannee River. T he most powerful hurricane to ever hit north-west Florida has left at least two people dead and thousands of homes without power. Hurricane Michael made landfall in the US state's Panhandle region on Wednesday afternoon as a category four storm. It was reported that two people, including a child, were killed by falling trees, according to officials. Earlier this week, Florida's Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 35 counties along the panhandle in the northwest and Florida's Big Bend regions, stretching across northern Florida. Neighbouring state Alabama declared a state of emergency on Monday, warning of potential wind damage, heavy rain and power outages. More than 370,000 people received evacuation orders, although officials report many residents ignored the warnings. The storm has already claimed the lives of 13 people in Central America as it battered Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba with winds up to 80 mph. Here's everything you need to know about Hurricane Michael, including the latest travel advice: Where is Hurricane Michael? Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on Wednesday at around 2pm local time. The eye of the storm then made its way to the Florida Panhandle east of Panama City. In a tweet posted on Wednesday just before Michael was due to make landfall, the National Weather Service described the storm as: "a life-threatening event for the northeastern part of the Gulf Coast." Michael has since been downgraded to a tropical storm as it makes its way through Georgia. The storm is then expected to travel northeast and off into the Atlantic. How dangerous is Hurricane Michael? Satellite image taken on October 8, 2018 shows Hurricane Michael off the US Gulf Coast. / AFP/Getty Images Predictions by AccuWeather state that Hurricane Michael's "total damage and economic impact in the US will be close to $15 billion". AccuWeather's president and founder Dr Joel N Myers said: "Due to Michael's movement, inland flooding is not expected to be nearly as severe as it was with Florence. "Our forecast for Michael's ultimate economic impact factors in damage to expensive coastal resorts, costs of evacuations, lost wages, disruptions and damages to businesses, power outages, mold concerns and other health hazards in the six-month tail period following the storm as well as delays in the Florence cleanup." What's causing Hurricane Michael? Michael is the latest hurricane to threaten the US during the Atlantic Hurricane season, the eight week period when the most powerful storms usually form. Hurricane season comes when the Atlantic Ocean is at its warmest, normally between mid-August and September. Storms will then generally form over the equator, pushed along by currents in the tropical Atlantic. Hurricane Michael: Storm hits Florida 1 /41 Hurricane Michael: Storm hits Florida Damaged homes are seen after hurricane Michael passed through Mexico Beach, Florida. Getty Images A resident looks for items to salvage from where her friend's home once stood Getty Images Homes destroyed by Hurricane Michael are shown from the air in Florida Getty Images Homes destroyed in Florida by Hurricane Michael Getty Images A woman checks on her vehicle as Hurricane Michael passes through AP A man works with a team to fell a storm-damaged tree in South Carolina Getty Images A tree lays on a home and car after hurricane Michael passed through the area on October Getty Images AP AFP/Getty Images REUTERS AP Hurricane Michael closed in on Florida's Gulf Coast on October 10, 2018 as an "extremely dangerous" category four storm packing powerful winds and a huge sea surge, US forecasters said AFP/Getty Images REUTERS EPA Getty Images AP AP Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AP AP AP AP Getty Images AP AP REUTERS Debris is blown down a street by Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida Getty Images AP AP REUTERS Boats lay sunk and damaged at the Port St. Joe Marina AP A store's windows are seen shattered as hurricane Michael passed through the downtown area of Panama City Getty Images The storm hit four hours before high tide REUTERS Palm trees are seen during Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach REUTERS Waves take over a house as Hurricane Michael comes ashore in Alligator Point, Florida REUTERS The storm battering the beachfront Getty Images The storm surge and waves from Hurricane Michael start to overtake the roads and homes Getty Images The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle at a possible category 4 storm. Getty Images Hotel employees look at a canopy that just collapsed AP Is it safe to travel to Florida? The Foreign Office are yet to impose travel restrictions to Florida and surrounding states, but have warned visitors to stay vigilant. "A state of emergency has been declared in Florida and Alabama," they said. "You should monitor local and international weather updates and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders." T ens of thousands of people are fleeing from their homes on the Florida coastline as Hurricane Michael howled closer threatening high winds and towering waves. It has now been upgraded to an "extremely dangerous" category four storm that has the potential to be one of the worst hurricanes in the region's history, according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC). The NHC said it could unleash devastating 13ft waves that could rush in land for miles on Wednesday. Floridas governor Rick Scott earlier said the life-threatening hurricane was expected to be the most deadly, destructive storm to the panhandle in decades. Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency for the entire state with the hurricane expected to slam ashore by midday. It is currently located about 170 miles southwest of Apalachicola, Florida, and packing winds of 130 miles per hour. Winds of that magnitude can inflict substantial damage to roofs and walls of even well-constructed homes, the National Weather Service warned. Michael is likely dump vast amounts of rain over Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas - areas that are still recovering from severe flooding from last month's Hurricane Florence. Up to a foot of rainfall (30 cm) is forecast for some areas. Tens of thousands of residents and tourists have been ordered to evacuate from low-lying areas in at least 20 Florida counties stretching along 200 miles of shore in the Panhandle. Waves crash against the shore as outer bands of Hurricane Michael strike Havana, Cuba / AP A stark hurricane warning has been posted along more than 300 miles of the coast from the Florida-Alabama border south to the Suwannee River. "If you don't follow warnings from officials this storm could kill you," said Mr Scott. A lost tabby cat has incredibly been found 900 miles away from its home, a year and a half after it went missing. Missing tabby cat Bobby was found by animal control officers last month in Reno, Nevada, after leaving its owners in Great Falls, Montana. Owner Kyle Preston, 73, told the Reno Gazette Journal he and his daughter, Erika, canvassed the neighbourhood for the missing pet, but had no luck. More than one year later since Bobby was last seen, on September 25, animal control officers positively identified the cat, via microchip, after picking up a stray. Angela Rudolph of the SPCA of Northern Nevada said: We arent sure how he got here. Mr Preston said he believes his pet may have hitched a ride on a nearby train that passes his home. The SPCA wrote on Facebook: Kyle never gave up hope, he even put out special food for Bobby every night, hoping to coax him home. Bobby couldnt smell the food but hes headed home. Some compared the cats journey home to childrens film, Homeward Bound. A gecko accidentally made a "bazillion" prank calls after it lay on top of a phone pressing buttons at an animal hospital. Dozens of vets, employees and customers of the Marine Mammal Centre were were left confused when they starting to receive "incessant phone calls" from a number at the hospital. One marine vet who was out getting lunch went back to work to investigate, after believing there was an emergency. After searching the hospital, she found a gecko "sitting on the touch screen of the phone making calls with tiny gecko feet." Dr Claire Simeone of the Ke Kai Ola animal in Hawaii said she was "panicked" when she started to receive constant phone calls from a "silent caller". She posted on Twitter: "I started getting calls at our hospital, Ke kai Ola. I was getting lunch, so I thought maybe someone had a seal-related question. I picked up. Silence." "More calls," she added. "Nine calls in 15 minutes. I start to panic a bit, and drive back to the hospital." Dr Simeone said she thought there could be a "seal emergency." But when she arrived back at work, she said "all was calm". Thinking her phone was "on the fritz" she called the Hawaiian Telephone company for help, and discovered other people were calling the hospital asking "why are we calling them incessantly?" But then the phone company confirmed that, "yes, a bazillion calls are coming from one line," said the vet. "I walk around the hospital," she continued her suspenseful tale in a series of tweets. "Not the fish kitchen. Not the office. Not the viewing room. "I get another call from TMMC on my cell. I enter the laboratory," and that's where she discovered the phantom caller. "There is a gecko sitting on the touchscreen of the phone making calls with his tiny gecko feet!" The marine animal veterinarian, who is an expert in her field and appeared in TEDtalks in the past, said she apologised to the phone company employee, who said he "hadn't heard that one before. "This gecko has called me 15 times, and everyone in our recent call list" added Dr Simeone, who posted a photo of her new "telemarketer". "I had to send out a note to all of our staff and volunteers, who may have received telemarketing calls." Her tweets and stories about the drama have been shared tens of thousands of times on Twitter, and swapped stories of their own techno-phile animals. N orth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit the country, officials have said. Kim told South Korean president Moon Jae-in during their summit last month that the Pope would be enthusiastically welcomed into North Korea, South Koreas presidential office said. The invitation to visit Pyongyang will be delivered by Moon when he travels to the Vatican next week. A similar invitation from North Korea, which is officially atheist and strictly controls religious activities, for the then-Pope John Paul II to visit after a 2000 inter-Korean summit never resulted in a meeting. The Vatican then insisted a papal visit would only be possible if Catholic priests were accepted in the country. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wants Pope Francis to visit his country / AP Kim has been engaged in intensive diplomacy in recent months in what is seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons programme for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure. Moon said he expects Kim to visit Russia soon and possibly hold a summit with Japanese president Shinzo Abe. He did not comment on the likelihood of a papal visit. Following an unusually provocative run of weapons tests last year, Kim has been on a diplomatic offensive since the start of this year. He initiated offers for summits with Seoul and Washington, which led to three meetings with Mr Moon and a highly choreographed June summit with US President Donald Trump at which they issued an aspirational goal of a nuclear-free peninsula, without describing how or when it would occur. Kim has presented himself as an international statesman, sharing food, wine and laughs with South Korean officials and appearing thoroughly at ease during his meeting with Mr Trump in Singapore. But post-summit nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the US got off to a rocky start, with the North accusing Washington of making "gangster-like" unilateral demands for denuclearisation, and calling for sanctions to be lifted before any further progress in nuclear talks. There are doubts whether Kim is willing to fully relinquish his country's nuclear weapons, which he may see as a stronger guarantee of survival than whatever security assurances the US could provide. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo visited him in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, on Sunday for talks on setting up a second summit with Mr Trump. The Vatican's priests were expelled by North Korea long ago and state-appointed laymen officiate services. Estimates of the number of North Korean Catholics range from 800 to about 3,000, compared with more than five million in South Korea. A lion cub found abandoned in a field by a jogger in the Netherlands has become the star attraction at a big cat sanctuary. The runner discovered the four-month-old male cub in a cage near the village of Tienhoven six miles north of Utrecht on Sunday, sparking a police appeal for the owner to come forward. The cub is being cared for by the Lion Foundation, whose staff have named it Remy. Director Robert Kruijff said the cub was doing well and did not seem malnourished. Remy is being cared for by the Lion Foundation / AP We have him in quarantine, and he needs a lot of rest. A caregiver is giving him small pieces of meat, said Mr Kruijff, whose organisation mainly takes care of former circus animals. A n enraged Vladimir Putin has given a personal dressing-down to the head of Russias military intelligence service, it was claimed today, as the unmasking of the second Salisbury Novichok poisoner exposed Moscows deep incompetence. Colonel-General Igor Korobov, 62, chief of the GRU, emerged shaken and in sudden ill health after his confrontation with the president, said reports in Russia. Separately, a secret meeting at the Russian defence ministry responsible for the GRU heard angry accusations over the morons behind spy operations in Britain, the Netherlands and the US. Those in charge of the blunders were denounced for their deep incompetence and infinite carelessness. They were taunted: Why didnt you just wear Budenovka hats? These hats, emblazoned with the red star, were part of the Communist military uniform soon after the Russian Revolution. The second Salisbury attacker has been named as Russian military doctor Alexander Mishkin / PA The claims about Mr Putins fury came as the true identity of the second Salisbury attacker was revealed, as Russian military doctor Alexander Mishkin. Investigations website Bellingcat said Mishkin, who worked for the GRU, was the man who entered Britain using the alias Alexander Petrov. It used facial recognition technology and other research to uncover his identity. The revelations about the angry response within the Kremlin were made by Russian investigative journalist Sergey Kanev of The Insider, which has worked with UK-based Bellingcat. He has been close to recent stories on the identities of the GRU agents sent to Britain and Holland. He is known to have excellent secret services contacts and has fled into exile amid fears he faces arrest in Russia. Kanev said stories circulating among GRU officers say Col-Gen Korobov went straight home to his high-security dacha complex after the meeting with Mr Putin. A clean-out in the military spy agency is expected after the disastrous operations, with Col-Gen Korobov facing the axe, it was claimed. Russian Spy Sergei Skripal: Salisbury Nerve Agent Incident 1 /14 Russian Spy Sergei Skripal: Salisbury Nerve Agent Incident Investigators in protective gear pursue the probe into the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal Getty Russian spy 'poisoning': Sergei Skripal and Yulia Skripal are fighting for life in hospital PA Personnel in hazmat suits work to secure a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA ilitary personnel are deployed to help remove vehicles from the scene after former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found critically ill after exposure to a nerve agent in Salisbury Getty Images Military in protective clothing remove vehicles from a car park in Salisbury EPA Police cordon: Military personnel in Salisbury PA Traces of the nerve agent used to poison Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found at Zizzi in Salisbury PA Amber Rudd: she visited the scene where Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found after having been poisoned by a nerve agent REUTERS Personnel are helped from their hazmat suits (right), after securing a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA Personnel in hazmat suits walk away after securing a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA Police put a red bag inside a police evidence bag immediately after the nerve agent attack on a Russian spy. Officers previously issued CCTV of a woman clutching a red bag Solent news Snap Fitness 24/7 Police activity in the cul-de-sac in Salisbury that contains the home of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal who was poisoned along with daughter Yulia with a nerve agent PA Sergei Skripal shops at Bargain Stop in a CCTV image from five days before his apparent poisoning Mishkin, 39, graduated from one of Russias elite military medical academies, where he was recruited by the GRU, according to Bellingcat. By 2010, he had relocated to Moscow, and received his undercover identity, including a second national ID and passport under the alias Alexander Petrov. His identity, which British security sources are not disputing, was uncovered by Bellingcat after it unearthed a 2001 passport of Mishkin carrying the same date of birth as that used by the second Salisbury poisoner. Facial recognition technology also matched the image on Mishkins passport with that on Petrovs document. The unmasking of Mishkin, who is understood is to have travelled extensively using the Petrov alias, will be viewed by the UK Government as further confirmation of Russias responsibility for the Novichok poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury on March 4. Both were left critically ill after the nerve agent was smeared on the door of Mr Skripals Salisbury home, after being carried into Britain by Mishkin and his accomplice, Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga, in a perfume bottle. Dawn Sturgess, 44, who was later exposed to the same nerve agent, died in July. Her partner Charlie Rowley was left seriously ill. Bellingcat has already identified Col Chepiga a highly decorated officer who also worked for the GRU as the second attacker. He entered Britain on a genuine Russian passport in the name of Ruslan Boshirov. A spokesman for the Home Office said: We are not commenting as this is still a police investigation. A rare white tiger mauled a zookeeper to death in its enclosure in Japan, officials said. The tiger attacked and killed the 40-year-old keeper who was found bleeding from the neck in its cage on Monday. A tranquilliser gun was used by rescue workers to sedate it before they could get to the man, named as Akira Furusho. He was pronounced dead in hospital. The killing took place at Hirakawa Zoological Park in the southern city of Kagoshima. The male tiger is named Riku and is five years old, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency. It is about 1.8 meters in length and weighs about 170 kilograms. It is understood to be one of four tigers at the park. U S Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has resigned, President Donald Trump today announced in the Oval Office. Mr Trump praised her for doing "an incredible job" and said Ms Haley can come back to his administration, adding: "You can have your pick." He told reporters that Ms Haley would be leaving the post at the end of the year. Ms Haley was appointed US ambassador to the UN in November 2016, and has admitted she often clashes with Mr Trump. Here's everything you need to know about Nikki Haley's career and her resignation: What work has Nikki Haley done with the UN? US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley delivers her remarks / REUTERS Before her role in the UN, Ms Haley became the first female and first minority governor of South Carolina, as well as the youngest governor in the country. In a career-defining move, she removed the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds in response to the shooting of the African-American church in Charleston in 2015. In 2016, Ms Haley joined the Trump administration. Nikki Haley: US is locked and loaded against Syria During her career with the UN, she became known for promoting US foreign policy while maintaining a moderating voice when it came to negotiations. Her accomplishments over the years include talks with North Korea about denuclearisation, improving dialogue with Russia and taking a tough stance with Iran. Why did she resign? Ms Haley has not confirmed why she chose to leave her role, and said the future direction of her career is uncertain. She said "there's no personal reason" for her departure, but said it's "very important" for government officials to know when it's time to step aside and make way for a fresh face. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley addresses the Security Council / EPA In a press conference, she told reporters she was not planning to run for president in 2020. She added: "Thank you, Mr President. It has been the honour of a lifetime." What was Nikki Haley's relationship like with Trump? Ms Haley's working relationship with Mr Trump has been far from steady. She was an early critic of Mr Trump in the presidential race, choosing to back Senator Marco Rubio. In the past, she has suggested that Mr Trump's rhetoric had the potential to cause a world war. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Oval Office of the White House after it was announced the president had accepted the Haley's resignation in Washington. / REUTERS Nonetheless, she has been keen to promote her backing of the president. In a recent article, she wrote: "I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country. But I don't agree with the president on everything. When there is disagreement, there is a right way and a wrong way to address it. I pick up the phone and call him or meet with him in person." For his part, Mr Trump appears to speak highly of Ms Haley. He said of his time working with her that she "has been very special to me, she has done an incredible job she is a fantastic person very importantly but she is also somebody that gets it". Who will replace her? It is unclear as to who will replace Ms Haley, but Mr Trump has assured that there's plenty of contenders, and claimed it's a more "glamorous" position than it was a few years ago. S eann Walsh today faced a new accusation of publicly humiliating his girlfriend - four years before he was caught kissing his Strictly Come Dancing partner in the street. Comedian Walsh and Katya Jones, who is married to fellow Strictly professional Neil Jones, apologised after pictures of their tryst were published. His girlfriend Rebecca Humphries has ended their relationship, tweeting she had suspected something was going on but Walsh had called her a psycho for saying so. Now Walsh has been accused of shouting at Ms Humphries in public while the pair were on holiday in Florida in 2014. A fan wrote to her on Twitter, saying: If it was you with him in Epcot WDW [Walt Disney World] in Sep 14, I saw him yelling at the girl he was with and it was genuinely upsetting to see. Im happy for you that youre free from it. No one should be trapped in a relationship like that xxx. Ms Humphries appeared to confirm the claim by liking the message. She has since moved out of their home in west London, saying in her statement that she had taken their cat. TODO: define component type apester A spokesman for the BBC today refused to comment further on the scandal and it is not yet clear if Walsh and Jones will be dancing on Saturdays show. Walshs spokeswoman has also declined to discuss the allegations. Cheating: Seann Walsh and Katya Jones shared a kiss / BBC/Guy Levy Ms Humphries, an actress, broke her silence with her Twitter post yesterday in which she insisted: I am not a victim. She wrote: Its incredibly good of Seann and Katya to apologise in the media. I have received nothing, other than the support of my family, friends, and a host of strangers on the internet who all wanted to make sure I was OK. Dumped: Seann Walsh has now split from his girlfriend (Instagram/ Rebecca Humphries ) / Instagram/ Rebecca Humphries She went on: Those pictures were taken on October 3rd. It was my birthday. I was alone at home when Seann texted at 10pm saying the two of them were going for one innocent drink. We spoke and I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. Piers Morgan DEFENDS Seann Walsh after Katya Jones kiss "He aggressively, and repeatedly, called me a psycho/nuts/mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when Ive questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour. Ms Humphries, who was in a relationship with Walsh for five years, added that she was free and no victim then urged women who felt trapped in a controlling relationships to tell friends. She also wrote that Walsh was controlling as he was insecure. She added: I hope he gets what he wants from this. Im not sorry I took the cat though. G reat British Bake Off viewers were stunned when Ruby Bhogal suffered a major disaster during Vegan Week as her two-tiered cake collapsed. After finishing the special weeks showstopper, during which the bakers could only used plant-based ingredients for their celebration cakes, the remaining six left the tent to get some fresh air. But the bakers watched in horror as Rubys chocolate, lemon and coconut cake tumbled down from the baking stand. Presenter Noel Fielding delivered the heartbreaking dessert news to Ruby, who burst into tears with her head in her hands. And viewers were feeling equally distraught for the 29-year-old, who had struggled throughout the challenges during week seven. One wrote: Well that was awful to watch. Got no nails left. Poor Ruby #GBBO Another said: Collective national yelp as Rubys cake collapses #gbbo. Feel so bad on Ruby omg #GBBO, commented somebody else. Mess: Ruby's two-tiered cake collapsed on her bench / Channel 4 But some redeeming news came for Ruby when judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood enjoyed the cake, with Leith branding it delicious. Elsewhere, Jon Jenkins became the latest baker to leave the tent after failing to impressing with his Vegan creations, talking openly about his preference for a kebab week. The 47-year-old Welshman and meat-eater was defeated by the challenge of producing plant-based bakes, with his showstopper branded "hideous" by Hollywood. He said: "My real downfall this week was the Signature, that is what finished me off, and I won't be turning vegan soon that's for sure. I didn't think a vegetable would prove to be my nemesis, but the vegan gods got to me. "As a self-confessed meat-eater I have only ever cooked one vegan meal in my life. I am very patriotic and managed to get a bit of Wales in nearly every episode. I couldn't get any of Wales in Vegan Week and that's probably where I went wrong." Week seven of the competition marked a first for the show with a Vegan Week, swapping eggs and flour for plant-based ingredients. The episode kicked-off, as ever, with the signature challenge which saw the bakers tasked with preparing eight savoury tartlets four with one filling and four with another with a short crust pastry. The Great British Bake Off continues On Channel 4 with the quarter finals, next Tuesday at 8pm. V iewers were in tears watching Old Peoples Home for 4 Year Olds as four-year-old Scarlett told 85-year-old Beryl about her late mother. Scarlett and Beryl were teamed up in the first episode of the second series of the Channel 4 experiment, which sees four-year-olds paired up with pensioners to spend time together. The show itself is a unique look at loneliness in the elderly, and techniques to combat the feeling, with Monday nights episode travelling to Lark Hill Village care home in Nottingham to keep residents company. Team: Scarlett and Beryl's friendship won over viewers / Channel 4 Beryl was tasked with helping Scarlett write a party invitation to her parents but Scarlett said: No, my mum's died. So it's to Gran-Gran and Daddy. Scarletts dad Tim then revealed that mum Sally had died nine-months-ago after a battle with cancer, having been diagnosed in 2015 before discovering it had spread on their wedding day. Holding back tears, Tim said: What I want Scarlett to get from this is confidence. She will always be the little girl whose mum died when she was three and I cant ever change that. Family: Scarlett and dad Tim. Mum Sally passed away nine-months-ago after being diagnosed with cancer in 2015. / Channel 4 "But I dont want her to grow up to be the woman whose life was wrecked by her mum dying when she was three. Beryl was then on screen, saying: Scarlett talks quite openly about her mum. Must have been shattering, you cant imagine it really, before footage of the two playing together. Viewers were in tears, taking to social media to praise little Scarlett and Beryls relationship. One wrote: When Scarlett politely announced that her mummy had died so she couldn't invite her to the party. My heart #OPHF4YO. While another said: When you think your life is pretty crap then you see what little Scarlett has been through in her short life #oldpeopleshome4yo #OPHF4YO. Oh my god im actually going to cry. Poor Scarlett #OPHF4YO, commented somebody else. B ashar Assads father Hafez, the first President Assad of Syria, had a novel approach to international diplomacy. It was known as the hamburger trick, and he tried it on six consecutive American presidents. The trick involves an act of diplomatic sleight of hand, in which Assad is compared to a street food vendor. First, using charm and persuasion, he sells a hamburger to a passer-by, convincing them it is just what they wanted. At the point of sale, while the buyer is looking forward to the meal, he removes the meat from the package, leaving only the bread. Bashar, who took over as the ruler of Syria when his father died in 2000, did the same thing to Tony Blair, when as Prime Minister in the aftermath of 9/11 he visited Syria, seeking an alliance. Assad drove Blair personally through the main souk and took him on a tour of a mosque, leaving the British premier in no doubt he had secured his support in the War on Terror. Pictured: Bashar al-Assad in uniform with Syrian flag, November 1994 / BBC/Abd Rabbo/Shutterstock Then at the subsequent press conference, he left Blair holding onto the metaphorical bun. Its chastening, really, that we know so little about Assad, given that the strategic importance of Syria at the heart of the Middle East, and the effect his decisions continue to have on world affairs. Nick Greens fascinating film (this is the first of three parts), had a working title of The Assads, and it explores the dynamics of Syrias ruling regime (BBC Two, 9pm), with a particular focus on Bashar and his wife Asma, from Acton (I know the Central line extremely well). Pictured: Syrian President, Hafez al-Assad, and his family in Damas, Syria, 1974. (l-r) Maher, Hafez, Majd, Bassel, Anisa (Hafezs wife), Bushra, Bashar / BBC/Alexandra De Borchgrave/Getty Images It is a family business. Hafez was an old-school tyrant. Male soldiers were ordered to kill puppies in front of him. Female soldiers were made to bite the heads off snakes. His regime was a socialist military dictatorship, albeit one in which the leader could commission a family palace for himself, costing $1 billion. Bashar was never meant to assume the presidency. Having decided to devote his life to humanitarian works, he was training to be an eye doctor at St Marys Hospital in London. But when Bashars older brother Bassel was killed in a car accident in 1994, his life changed direction. He was fast-tracked through the military and given a crash-course in how to be the very model of a Middle Eastern dictator. Pictured: David Hockney and Alan Yentob / BBC/Louise Lockwood Meanwhile in Westminster Abbey, the Dean, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, has commissioned revered artist David Hockney to design a window to celebrate the Queens reign (BBC One, 10.45pm), thus triggering a film profile by Alan Yentob. The Dean had the idea when he visited Hockneys Yorkshire exhibition at the Royal Academy and noted a tangible air of joy among the spectators, people of a certain age. As an exercise in deference, the whole enterprise could hardly be bettered. Is there, perhaps, a joke in the title? The peculiar bit refers to the Abbey, but its the artist who gets the royal treatment. The windows design done in two days on an iPad is certainly bright. It shows hawthorns in an English spring, says Hockney, when it looks as though champagne has been poured over every bush. What, you might wonder, does Her Majesty think of it? I can imagine this would be something that would appeal to her, says Yentob, optimistically. I hope so, replies the Dean. Pick of the day The Deuce - Sky Atlantic, 10pm Season two of the drama set inside the porn industry in Seventies New York has set a slightly lighter tone than the first series. The series successfully manages to blend a prurient fascination with the sleazier side of life with a consideration of the ethics of the time. As before, the heroine in this is Maggie Gyllenhaals Eileen Merrell (aka Candy) whose attempts to get off the streets have led her into film production. Pictured: Maggie Gyllenhaal as Candy / HBO Her struggle isnt over shes still not taken seriously by most of the men she meets but she does manage to smuggle little hints of her world view into her work. This week, Candy asks Frankie (James Franco) to become a co-producer on her film Red Hot, which Lori (Emily Meade) is keen to star in. Also, Big Mike (Mustafa Shakir) and Black Frankie (Thaddeus Street) hit a gambling house in the Bronx, and Bobby (Chris Bauer) has trouble at home and at the Hi-Hat. And while Paul (Chris Coy) hits trouble with his renovation plans, Shay (Kim Director) fresh out of rehab agrees to move in with Irene (Roberta Colindrez). The Great British Bake Off 2018 - Meet the contestants 1 /15 The Great British Bake Off 2018 - Meet the contestants The Great British Bake Off 2018 Sandi Toksvig, Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood and Noel Fielding with contestants taking part in The Great British Bake Off 2018 Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire The Great British Bake Off 2018 Imelda, Kim-Joy, Ruby, Manon, Luke, Rahul, Dan, Karen, Jon, Terry, Antony and Briony Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Bake Off will be returning to our screens later this month PA Rahul Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Ruby Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Kim-Joy Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Luke Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Manon Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Karen Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Jon PAMark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Antony Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Terry Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Dan Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Briony Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Imelda Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions/PA Wire Screen time The Great British Bake Off - Channel 4, 8pm It must be tricky coming up with fresh tests for the Bake Off contestants, and occasionally the challenges seem to exist at the fringes of pointlessness. But tonights show will resonate with parents struggling to cope with the changing tastes of their teenage children, as well as viewers who have abandoned animal products for ethical or health reasons. Yes, for the first time ever, its Vegan week. The Signature challenge calls for a savoury pastry, and theres an unusual ingredient in the Technical. The big drama happens in the Showstopper round, when the heat of the tent and the laws of gravity play havoc with one contestants creation. After all that, you may want to sit down with a nice piece of Victoria Sponge. Birthday Girl - London Live, 12.15am A package John Buckingham (Ben Chaplin) would, in retrospect, prefer to have missed the delivery of is the bride he believed would bring him so much happiness. The arrival of Russian bride Nadia (Nicole Kidman) does, at first, bring him happiness; then cousin Yuri (Mathieu Kassovitz) and his friend Alexei (Vincent Cassel) pitch up with a wicked scam. Doctor Who new Trailer Spooks - London Live, 11pm The question which must have been asked in the MI5 office this evening is, Who most looks like a Christian extremist capable of murder? Theres no indication to the margin of victory but Adam (Rupert Penry-Jones) is deemed to be the officer with that air of murderous fundamentalism but loves a good village fete. A group naming themselves the Sons of Phinehas emerge as a threat to Muslims, this operation open to funding from others who share their same views, so Adam is sent undercover with his cheque book to find out more about one of their key faces, Steven Paynton (Shaun Dingwall). MI5 arent the only spy outfit on this groups tail, which places Adam in a sticky situation Catch up Doctor Who - BBC iPlayer Is it the year when terrestrial TV fights back? Huge ratings for Bodyguard have been followed by a successful launch for Jodie Whittakers debut as the Doctor, below, with up to nine million viewers watching it live. Whittaker has made the role her own, but new Whovians are reminded that the previous 10 series of the show are available on the iPlayer. Michael Palin In North Korea - My5 Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging think tanker, aspiring novelist, hanger on of academia, parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, Speedboat, proudly banned from Twitter so officially more dangerous than the Taliban, eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me. The Belt and Road Initiative is increasingly interlinked to China's foreign and economic policy. Both in China and in numerous countries politicians, diplomats, scholars and journalists regularly make references to the initiative. It all started five years ago. In September 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a landmark speech in Kazakhstan. By proposing to revitalize the ancient Silk Road, he offered a new ambitious framework for the signing of economic and business accords, the realization of investments and generally the strengthening of ties between China and the world. At that time, the success of the proposed idea could hardly be anticipated. Although Chinese state owned enterprises had already started to invest abroad before 2013, the scale and level of their external engagement would obviously increase and deepen following Xi's address. The unknown factor was to what extent this engagement might be welcome at the international level. In spite of some exceptions, most countries decided to embrace the Belt and Road Initiative. Their motivation has been largely economic. Chinese investments contribute to growth, create jobs and often outline the geopolitical importance of countries where they are taking place. The so-called "win-win" framework varies according to the quantity and quality of reciprocal benefits. But it does certainly apply. As Xi said at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May 2017: "If we take the first courageous step towards each other, we can embark on a path leading to friendship [and] shared development." After this speech many heads of state joined the Chinese president in praising the initiative from their own national perspective. Beyond mutual benefits, another critical parameter of the Belt and Road Initiative's success is that China's international role is being strengthened. The recently issued white paper on China and the World Trade Organization offers useful data. From 2013 to 2017, for instance, the total value of China's trade with other Belt and Road countries exceeded US$5 trillion while total investment by Chinese enterprises in these countries exceeded US$70 billion. As a result, China's contribution to world growth and trade is growing. The Belt and Road Initiative goes beyond the steps of ancient emissaries and travelling merchants. The initial land and maritime routes and corridors suggested in 2013 are multiplied. The initiative is marked by openness and inclusiveness. More countries, for example in Africa and Latin America, wish to join and China is encouraging this positive tendency. Connectivity is thus enhanced. Five years after Xi's Kazakhstan speech, China's presence in the international arena is becoming dynamic. Although still a developing economy, its voice is being heard more loudly in international organizations such as the UN, the World Bank and the IMF. This assists Beijing's systematic effort to push towards reforms in global governance. The West is taking note of this continuous change and does not necessarily favor it. By contrast, it exerts criticism on China which often takes the form of Sinophobia which paints the country as a threat. Some analysts even compared the Belt and Road Initiative as a new Marshall Plan whereby China seeks to contain other countries or acts in Cold War terms to confront an enemy. On the whole, the American approach is principally geopolitical whereas the EU one remains economical. Both sides, the U.S. and the EU, clearly endeavor to restrain China's influence, which is expanding, they say, via the realization of the new Silk Road. Despite external pressures, the future of the Belt and Road Initiative is bright. The aim of China is not to dominate, but to offer a new type of international relations. Within this framework, synergies are placed on Beijing's agenda. A big family of shared development and peaceful coexistence can hardly be achieved without disagreements, especially when partners with different interests are involved in the process. Of course, these disagreements should not be the reason for a permanent contradiction but for a constructive dialogue facilitating fruitful syntheses. This is the right way forward. George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. T oday (9 October) marks Ada Lovelace Day, the annual event that celebrates the achievements of women in science and tech. Founded back in 2009, the day was inspired by Ada Lovelace who is considered the first person to ever write a computer program back in the 19th Century. Whilst Ada Lovelace Day is about Ada, its also an opportunity to think about the women breaking ground in STEM now and who are inspiring us every single day. This is no easy feat: just two weeks ago, a male physicist at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern) said that physics was invented and built by men and, therefore, not suitable for women. He also said that women were only welcome in science if they proved themselves enough to win a Nobel Prize, despite not having won one himself. He has since been suspended. It's frankly unbelievable that we are still having this debate over whether there is enough room in science, or tech, or maths, or engineering, for women. In honour of Ada Lovelace Day, lets forget the detractors concentrate on just a handful of incredible women doing amazing things in science. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore: Royal Society Science Book Prize Winner Scientific books are an amazing way to being to life heavy concepts to people not in the industry. Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, who is a specialist in cognitive neuroscience at UCL, recently won the Royal Societys Science Book Prize this year for her book exploring the teenage brain. Named Inventing Ourselves: The Secret Life of the Teenage Brain, the book takes us inside the goings on of the adolescent brain; how our behaviour changes during this tumultuous period and what it means for our future adult brains. Blakemore said that receiving the book prize was an honour I never dared to dream. Jocelyn Bell Burnell: leading UK astronomer Is there a cooler job than being able to stare at space all day and turn it into ground-breaking research? Obviously, theres more to it than that, which is why Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell has become one of the UKs most respected astronomers. She made headlines this year after winning the Breakthrough Prize for the discovery of radio pulsars, a type of neutron star that emits a beam of radiation, and choosing to donate her 2.3 million winnings. Instead of keeping the funds for herself, she is going to use it to fund women, under-represented ethnic minorities, and refugee students to become physics researchers, saying: I dont want or need the money myself and it seemed to me that this was the best use I could put to it. Burnell knows all too well the challenges women face in science. The Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974 was gifted to her male collaborators for the discovery of radio pulsars, but she was left out of the prize citation. Queen Elizabeth II with Dame Jocelyn Bell (right) during a visit to the Royal Society of Edinburgh / Jane Barlow/PA Archive/PA Images Donna Strickland: Nobel Prize in Physics winner Speaking of Nobel Prize winners, Professor Donna Strickland became the first women in 55 years to win the respected prize in physics. She won the prize alongside Gerard Mourou, for work which paved the way for the shortest, most intense laser beams every created. This technique was instrumental in allowing doctors to perform corrective laser eye surgery. She told the Guardian: We need to celebrate women physicists because were out there, and hopefully in time itll start to move forward at a faster rate. Im honoured to be one of those women. Amen to that. Merritt Moore: physics en pointe What would you get if you combined a quantum physics PhD with a professional ballerina? Youd get Merritt Moore, known as @physicsonpointe, who has spent the last 10 years studying quantum physics and graduated last year from Oxford. As well, she also spends her time dancing with the likes of the English National Ballet, Boston Ballet and Zurich Ballet. Despite being told she couldnt pursue both passions at the same time, Moore has proved all the haters wrong by continuing to excel in both. In fact, she believes that her two loves complement one another. I really do think its made me a better dancer to have done physics and a better physicist to have done dance. You need the creative brain in the lab to think of new ideas, and you need the analytic brain in the dance studio to figure out your centre of mass, she told Forbes. Samantha Yannine: schooling us on science via social media Want to learn more about science? Then you need to start following Science Sam on Instagram and Twitter. A PhD researcher in Toronto, she uses social media to school her followers on important nuggets of information and debate around what is happening in science right now. Science Sam also uses the platforms to promote science as a career for women. She told Buzzfeed earlier this year: "Science is like any other field where women are often objectified and sexualized. I think young women especially especially if youre femme-presenting in any way tend to be looked down upon and a lot of assumptions are made about you." Its great to see women like Sam breaking down these barriers and assumptions, and engaging people with science on social media at the same time. There's only a few hours before the Google launch and the leaks keep on coming. AndroidPolice has spotted that Google is currently offering a discount on its website when you buy the Chromecast Ultra and it's yet to be released Google Home Hub later today. F orget about Apple, Google is the new tech product company to keep an eye on. At a packed event in London, the company unveiled its latest product range including the much-anticipated Google Pixel 3 phone, a brand new Pixel tablet and some new Google Assistant products. But we all know what you really care about is the exciting new phones, with a distinct new 'not pink' colour coming to the range. Here's what you need to know about the new Pixel 3 smartphones. Google Pixel 3 The new Google Pixel 3 comes in three colours: black, white and pink (Google ) / Google In a nutshell The Google Pixel 3 has had a big screen update, going up to 5.5-inches, from 5-inches on last year's phone, and the headphone jack has finally been retired. Wireless charging has been added, and the phone promises to be one of the best camera phones out there thanks to some new AI enhancements. Theres a new colour this year too, in the form of the not pink. Specs The new phone has an OLED HDR screen, like the new iPhone XS range, and it has a thin bezel at the top of the phone. No notch for the smaller Pixel 3. Battery size, the phone has a 2,915 mAh battery, slightly bigger than the previous phone but still not that big compared to other devices on the market. However, Google promises seven hours of usage for 15 minutes of charging, which sounds pretty decent. Wireless charging comes courtesy of a new glass back, protected by Gorilla Glass 5. There's no hardware update coming to the camera this year. Theres one single lens on the back, 12.2-megapixels, but it has undergone a massive improvement on the software side. Google has gone to town on its AI system, including a feature that makes sure that everyone in the photo is smiling and has their eyes open. This is what we want from our cameras. Inside the phone is powered by Snapdragon 845 chipset, with 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of memory. Price and release date The new Pixel 3 will be released in Europe on November 2, with prices starting from 739. Verdict Theres not that much change from last years phone, but like with all things Google, its all about the software. Those new camera features look great and the bigger screen will make people happy too. Google Pixel 3XL The Google Pixel 3 XL in white / Google In a nutshell The Google Pixel 3s bigger sibling, coming in at a sizeable 6.3inches and that notorious notch, something Google has shunned before. Theres a second front-facing camera, and wireless charging, and inside the phone runs on Android Pie out of the box. Specs Theres that new OLED HDR screen, like the smaller Pixel, with a Gorilla Glass 5-protected glass back. Inside, the phone is also powered by Snapdragon 845, and the same RAM and memory storage as the other phone. It has a bigger battery though, which wed expect for the size, going up to 3,430mAh. The camera is the same as last years Google Pixel 2, but with those software updates. One AI application is Super Res Zoom, to enhance your digital zoom. It also has an IP68 water rating, though wed expect nothing less now as this is what most smartphones come with. Price and release date The Google Pixel 3 XL has the same release date as the Pixel 3, November 2, with prices starting at 869. Thats around the same price as the Samsung Note 9, and looks a whole lot better, and a lot cheaper than the iPhone XS Max. Verdict Flash Tourist arrivals from China to Zimbabwe have risen considerably, however the southern African country remains largely unknown in China because of absence of market presence, tourism experts said. Latest statistics from tourism promotion body, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), showed that within the first half of 2018, tourist arrivals from the China recorded a 23 percent increase, with 7,296 travelers compared to 5,935 for the same period in 2017. A total of 14,407 Chinese visited Zimbabwe in 2017, representing a 57 percent improvement from 9,164 in 2016. Trends during the past 14 years reveal that tourist arrivals from China have generally been growing every year, except in 2005, 2012, and 2015 when arrivals dropped sharply. Jeffreys Manjengwa, ZTA's director of international marketing, said despite employing various strategies and efforts to woo Chinese tourists, Zimbabwe remained a relatively unknown tourist destination in China. "Zimbabwe is still unknown in China and there is need to invest more resources for destination marketing programs in collaboration with key stakeholders promoting business to Africa," he told China Daily. "The ZTA anticipates that government under the new dispensation will provide adequate funding for destination marketing in all source markets of the world." Deputy chairman of the Chinese Federation of Zimbabwe, Steve Zhao, who runs a travel agency, said Chinese tourists knew very little about Zimbabwe but added that tourism traffic between the two countries has spiked by at least 30 percent this year. "At the moment, there are not many challenges in bringing Chinese tourists to Zimbabwe. The government recently sorted the issue of visas. Chinese tourists no longer need to apply for visas before they come. They can do it at the port of entry," said Zhao, whose company hopes to bring over 15,000 Chinese visitors this year. Since its transformation from a third world country into the world's-second largest economy, China has, over the years, become one of the most lucrative tourism markets in the world. In 2016, Chinese tourists spent $261.1 billion globally in outbound tourism expenditure. For Zimbabwe, the Chinese market is an important sector too. According to ZTA, Chinese visitors spend on average $1,544 per person per trip in Zimbabwe according to the Visitor Exit Survey (VES) showing how valuable the market is for the country. Typically, 68 percent of the Chinese international outbound trips have been holiday trips, 25 percent business trips while 7 percent have been visits to friends or relatives and other trips. In Zimbabwe, the trend is almost the same with most Chinese visitors about 48 percent coming mainly on holiday while about 32 percet for business, the ZTA said. Over the years, ZTA has employed numerous initiatives to entice Chinese tourists to the country such as the approved destination status, plying a tourism office in Beijing, direct flights to Beijing, travel shows and roadshows in China, and participation at investments forums in China. Other strategies have included cultural exchange and training programs, joint marketing programmes with Chinese companies, destination promotion, celebrity hosting and publicity films. Sadly, most of the initiatives are no longer functioning owing to lack of funds and support from central government. The ZTA identifies Zimbabwe's non-representation in the Chinese market as one the chief reasons impeding the successful marketing of the country to China. A tourist office that was opened in Beijing in 2004 is presently unmanned while there is no single direct flight from China to Zimbabwe following the withdrawal of Air Zimbabwe in September 2011, heightening the cost of travel for potential tourists. Other challenges pertain to visas, poor funding for promotional programs, limited destination awareness, and the unavailability of Zimbabwe on Chinese social media platforms. The Chinese market does not use the social media platforms like Facebook but uses own platforms such as Weibo, WeChat and Renren. Nonetheless, Manjengwa anticipates that the relaxation of the Chinese visa to category B (landing visa) in July 2018, which allows tourists from this market to get visas at the port of entry, will boost travel to Zimbabwe from China. Zhao said Zimbabwe needs a robust marketing strategy to bring in more Chinese visitors. Currently, the tourism promotion body is working with Touchroad Holdings Group and China's fourth-biggest television network, Zhejiang Radio and Television Group, to produce a film documentary on Zimbabwe to increase awareness of the country in China. In 2014, ZTA engaged China Business Network to assist in destination promotion but lack of funding has gotten into the way of the initiative. Flash China on Monday urged the United States to immediately correct wrongdoings and stop actions damaging its rights and interests, calling on the two major countries to "follow the right path of win-win cooperation, rather than go astray toward conflict and confrontation." Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Noting the current China-U.S. ties were at a critical phase, Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said China had "openly demonstrated its position and lodged solemn representations to the U.S. side on the negative remarks it had made against China." He said China would firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. Yang called on the United States to "make right choices and meet China halfway to seriously implement important consensus the two heads of state have reached in their several meetings." "To guarantee bilateral relations follow the right path, the two countries should properly handle differences on the basis of mutual respect and expand pragmatic cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit," he said. Yang reiterated China's positions on trade, the Taiwan issue and the South China Sea issue. Pompeo said the United States was committed to realizing cooperation and win-win results with China, and is willing to strengthen communication with the Chinese side to seek for a constructive plan to tackle challenges the current bilateral relations are faced with. He said the U.S. side would adhere to the one-China policy and continue to maintain communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues. The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Pompeo's trip to China came after his visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Pompeo earlier on Monday. Wang said that the United States had "escalated trade friction with China, took actions that jeopardized China's rights and interests on the Taiwan issue and unwarrantedly condemned China on its domestic and foreign policies." Stressing that the moves directly impacted mutual trust and cast a shadow over China-U.S. relations, Wang urged the United States to immediately stop making negative remarks. Wang expressed his hope that Pompeo's Beijing visit would play a positive role in supporting healthy bilateral ties. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the United States. "The past four decades have witnessed tremendous changes in both countries and substantial benefits from mutual exchanges," Wang said. "The most important lesson is that cooperation leads to win-win results while conflict ends up with a loss for both sides." He said China would maintain peaceful development and continue reform and opening-up, to realize rejuvenation while avoiding the "power leading to hegemony" stereotype. He called on the U.S. side to stop "groundless accusations against China and wrong actions undermining China's core interests." Wang illustrated China's positions on trade friction with the United States, as well as the Taiwan issue and the South China Sea issue. He said a trade war would never solve problems and promised that China was still willing to negotiate with the United States "on the basis of equality, honesty and solemnity." "China completely respects all countries' decisions, and will never intervene in other countries' domestic affairs," Wang said, noting China has a clear conscience in this respect. "China urges the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the regulations of the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, stop official and military contact with Taiwan, revoke arms sales to Taiwan, stop unreasonable intervention in countries that have established or are hoping to establish relations with China, restrain 'Taiwan independence' forces, so as to maintain China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait through practical actions," he said. Pompeo said that despite obvious differences on many issues between the two sides, the United States did not mean to oppose China's development, and there was no policy to fully contain China. As the world's two largest economies and most powerful countries, the United States and China shoulder important responsibilities for world peace and prosperity, he said. Pompeo called for more communication, trust and cooperation based on rules and promised that the U.S. side adhered to the one-China principle. He briefed Wang on his visit to the DPRK, voiced the U.S. side's appreciation of China's consistent position on the Korean Peninsula and its efforts on denuclearization, and expressed a willingness to continue related cooperation. Wang said China's position was "clear, consistent and will never change." He called on the U.S. to attach importance to the DPRK's reasonable demands for safety and development with positive responses. "China supports direct dialog between the United States and the DPRK, Wang said. "Based on mutual respect and accommodation of each other's concerns, China is willing to continue its unique and important role." Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe Ambassador of the State of Israel to Romania Tamar Samash affirmed that the shoah is undoubtedly one of the darkest periods in the history of the world and of our consciousness. The Holocaust in Romania undoubtedly remains one of the darkest pages of history, but this must be assumed, acknowledged and understood so as to avoid that such tragedies ever happen again, Tamar Samash said at the wreath-laying ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial in Bucharest. The ambassador said that no appropriate words exist to describe the horrors of that period in history.The Holocaust in Romania is different from the Holocaust in other European countries. Here it was about a radicalisation process of the Romanian gov't's policy under Antonescu's regime, who has annexed Romania to the German war. Starting with 1940 severe anti-Semitic measures occurred, an intensification of the violence, included. (...). The Holocaust is, first of all, a story of humankind, a story about men, women, children. (...) Six million Jews, one million and a half of children included, were murdered during the Holocaust in the countries occupied by Nazi Germany. Should we forget them, we kill them again. Therefore, we want today to remember together the people who perished and those who survived, but also to be grateful to those who have fought and endangered their lives to fight oppression, Tamar Samash asserted.The official said that one must not forget that there still are people who deny the Holocaust, and that this could be put right with the help of education.Unfortunately, these days people still exist all over the world and also here in Romania who out of ignorance or meanness deny the Holocaust. That is why education has a paramount role in combating ignorance and prejudice and in the enlightenment of the people's minds and souls whilst seeding the values of democracy and cultural pluralism into the new generations, the Ambassador of Israel to Romania stressed.The Romanian authorities manifested a strong commitment in their fight against anti-Semitism and the denial of Holocaust and for this I voice my deep appreciation, Tamar Samash added. Flash Marine Le Pen, head of French opposition party National Rally, said she wanted to "save the real Europe" from the European Union (EU), in a high-profile meeting on Monday with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. The Rome meeting featured two of Europe's most vocal anti-migrant, Euro-skeptic populist politicians. Both voiced strong and dramatic language opposing the continued integration of the 28-nation bloc, saying that the interests of European citizens were different than the political interests of the EU. "We are against the European Union, but we represent Europeans," Le Pen said at a press event after the closed-door discussions between the two leaders. She argued the EU had become "totalitarian" and operated against the interests of the citizens it represents. "Together we will build a true Europe," she said. Salvini echoed that view, saying the European Commission -- the executive body of the EU -- were "enemies of the happiness of Europeans, barricaded in their bunkers in Brussels." Le Pen and Salvini said they want to help their brand of right-wing populism do well in the May 2019 vote for the European Parliament. The populist political philosophy Le Pen and Salvini represent is on the rise in many European countries, though Italy is the first to install a government based on such views. Salvini heads the League party, one of the two major parties supporting the government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The anti-establishment Five-Star Movement is the other party supporting the Conte government. Meanwhile, Le Pen's party finished second to Emmanuel Macron in the election for the French presidency last year. She is a member of the French National Assembly. President of the Aspen Institute Romania Mircea Geoana on Tuesday expressed his conviction that Romania can responsibly take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, adding that Romania needs to reaffirm its commitment to a successful Europe, in the context of the current global challenges. "We do not know if the current world order will survive, as it is now, with the federative model. We do not know if America will survive the way it is, since it is a guarantor of this kind of order. The world is changing and I think Europe is weaker than ever. I don't hold out dreams that Romania's Presidency of the Council of the EU will be a magical solution, but I believe we will have to reaffirm our full commitment to a successful Europe, and I am convinced that the subject of this year's conference - collision or cooperation between the East and the West - is more topical than ever. (...) I am convinced that Romania can responsibly take over and act as President of the Council of the EU," Geoana said at the start of the Bucharest Forum. He underscored that through the organization of the seventh edition of the forum, Bucharest becomes for two and a half days the "capital of global thinking". Geoana also mentioned that the event is attended by participants from five continents representing over 30 nationalities. The former Foreign Minister also said the forum is intended as a launch pad for the next Presidency of the Council of the European Union, providing support to the Government and the Presidency in addressing the issues facing Europe.Geoana also referred to the fact that forum participants are about to tackle subjects such as Russia, migration or cyber-attacks.Bucharest Forum 2018 is organized by the Aspen Institute Romania and the Bucharest office of the German Marshall Fund of the US, with the support of the Romanian Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the National Military Club, the Ministry for Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship and the National Bank of Romania. It would be a mistake if the European Union were to "punish" the United Kingdom for its intention of leaving the community bloc, former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini stated on tuesday in a discussion about the future of the European project within the Bucharest Forum conference. At the same time, a "no deal" situation - the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union without an agreement following the negotiations with Brussels - would not be beneficial for the United Kingdom, Frattini pointed out, making an appeal in this context to "more leadership" on behalf of the EU. Frattini also made an appeal that Europe should take advantage of Brexit in order to become a real protagonist on the world stage, given that the presence of the United Kingdom proved to be an obstacle in certain fields, mentioning in this sense the security and common defence policy.An agreement is highly desirable through which the European Union can keep a close relationship with the United Kingdom and in equal measure it would be good for the latter not to sever its ties with the community block, the former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs recommended. The Romanian diplomat emphasized that Romania and Turkey share security interests and cooperate actively, both on bilateral and allied level, in order to promote common goals and identify appropriate responses to the current challenges. "Naturally, security developments in the wider Black Sea region and the role of NATO in this context, strengthening the deterrence and defensive posture on the eastern flank, or relations with the eastern partners are among the subjects on which we have a deep-going dialogue," Ambassador Sopanda says in the interview. On the other hand, the Romanian ambassador notes that the efficient EU-wide management of migration and asylum is an EU priority goal Romania will pay particular attention to during its term at the helm of the Council of the EU in the first half of next year.With regard to Romanian-Turkish economic relations, Ambassador Gabriel Sopanda mentions that Turkey is a privileged commercial partner to Romania and this is due primarily to geographical proximity, but also to similar cultural and social elements that facilitate cooperation.The e-mail interview is part of the #DiplomaticCentennial editorial project conducted by AGERPRES throughout the year, with emphasis on diplomatic relations in the context of the 100th anniversary of the Greater Union.Gabriel Sopanda: In recent years, bilateral relations have continued to expand and develop, especially in the priority areas defined in the Joint Declaration on the strategic partnership signed by the two Presidents in 2011 and the Strategic Partnership Plan of Action signed at the level of Foreign Minister in 2013. Thus, there is a very high level of dialogue and cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Turkey, characterized by mutual trust and support, based on common interests and values. The frequent contacts between the Romanian and Turkish authorities, both in bilateral format, but also within the regional or multilateral framework, find their continuation in the business, academic, university and cultural environment.There is also an ongoing dialogue among parliamentary structures, especially between the Committees on Foreign Relations and the Groups of Friendship. A particularly useful format for co-operation on regional security is represented by the annual Romania - Turkey - Poland trilateral meetings at both foreign ministers and parliamentary level.This year, besides the political, diplomatic and consular activity, the Embassy paid special attention to organizing public diplomacy events for the promotion of the Greater Union Centennial, for marking the 140th anniversary of bilateral relations between Romania and Turkey, as well as for the promotion of Romanian traditions and cultural values.Gabriel Sopanda: Turkey is a privileged trading partner to Romania. This is primarily due to geographical proximity but also to similar cultural and social elements that facilitate cooperation. The increase in trade volumes in the first two months of 2018 is significant, but monthly developments are fluctuating. Maintaining this direction is likely to result in a total volume of 5.5 billion euro at the end of the year, which means an increase of 10 percent, a normal expectation considering previous developments.Analytical assessments of Romania and Turkey's export potential indicate a maximum volume of Romanian exports to Turkey worth 2.6 billion euro, but as exports currently stand at 1.7 billion euro, there follows that there is an unused potential of 1.25 billion euro, which means that under optimal conditions, in an optimistic scenario, we can expect an increase towards 7.8 billion euro / year in the coming years, very close to the target of 10 billion dollars (approximately 8.5 billion euro) agreed upon in March 2016 by President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis, and his Turkish counterpart, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the occasion of their meeting in Ankara.There are multiple factors that contribute to exports by both parties, most of which escape our and the exporters' control, as they are generated both by regional and international economic and financial developments, as well as by the regional security situation.Gabriel Sopanda: Cooperation between Romania and Turkey, as NATO members, is running at very good parameters. Given also their geographical location, Romania and Turkey share security concerns and interests and cooperate actively bilaterally and at allied level to promote common goals and identify appropriate responses to current challenges. Naturally, security developments in the wider Black Sea region and the role of NATO in this context, the strengthening of the deterrence and defense posture on the eastern flank, or relations with the eastern partners are among the subjects on which we have a deep-going dialogue.Bilateral political, diplomatic and military consultations at various levels are frequent and lucrative. Of course, there are also punctual subjects on which our countries have more nuanced or specific positions. Our bilateral dialogue is honest and open, facilitating better mutual understanding and the identification of common points. On military ground, the two states have a rich history and cooperation, beginning with the military educational institutions and goes through all categories of forces - Navy, Land and Air Forces - and materializes in institutional dialogue, visits, exchanges of experience and joint exercises of the two armies.Gabriel Sopanda: The July 15, 2016 coup attempt marked a turning point that is important for the recent history of this country, with multiple social, economic and political consequences. The entire country was strongly affected, as 248 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured, although the military attempt to overthrow the regime has failed.Following these events, on July 22, 2016, the Turkish authorities instituted the state of emergency, which was kept in place for nearly two years. Substantial changes have taken place in the institutional landscape of Turkey, but despite the difficult situation created by the state of emergency, in the streets, in shops or in any other context, people show the same openness, beacon one with coffee or traditional tea, characteristic to the hospitality of this people.Gabriel Sopanda: The authorities in Ankara have the sovereign freedom to decide on the measures of internal and external policy they take, of course under observance of the international law they are committed to. The failed coup d'etat in June 2016 occurred in a climate of permanent terrorist threat generated by the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party, Ed. note) on the one hand, and by Daesh (the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group, Ed. note) on the other hand, given the geographical proximity of the Syrian civil war. Turkish institutions and dedicated forces have been successfully foiling a large number of terrorist plots in various preparation stages. As a result of the situation ensued, in January 2017 the Turkish authorities decided to set up the 'Commission of investigation into the measures taken during the emergency situation'.Gabriel Sopanda: As a result of the effects of armed conflicts in Syria, Turkey and the entire Europe are faced with an unprecedented refugee crisis with regional and global impact. To address it, the European Union has already launched numerous programs and projects, while also creating support mechanisms to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees in the Republic of Turkey.There is the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) for Turkey, which has a special dimension for refugees, there is also the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI). A specially created European tool is also the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, a complex, joint mechanism, all EU member states (including Romania) contribute to yearly. As much as 3 billion euro have been allocated under this mechanism starting in 2016 to various projects representing efforts to address all the needs of the refugees, while also supporting the Turkish authorities wherewith Brussels maintains a close and permanent collaboration.The Facility for Refugees focuses in particular on humanitarian assistance, support for educational and health services, migration management projects, building municipal infrastructure, social and economic support. According to the European Commission, at the end of December 2017, there were 72 projects through which 3 billion euro have been contracted; of this amount, 1.93 billion euro had already been transferred to the project partners as early as the beginning of April 2018. The resources allocated to this mechanism come from the European Union (1 billion euro), supplemented by national contributions from EU member states totaling 2 billion euro. On March 14, 2018 the European Commission set in place the legal framework for the launch of the second tranche of 3 billion euro under the Facility for Refugees in Turkey.The European Commission acts in close coordination with the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and with representatives of the civil society in this country and in the EU member states to allocate the first tranche of 3 billion euro and implement projects for refugees. Romania contributes annually a certain share to this amount and analyzes concrete ways to cooperate with the Turkish authorities for the carrying out of such projects.Gabriel Sopanda: The European Council declared Turkey a candidate state in December 1999, and accession negotiations began in October 2005. So far, 16 negotiation chapters have been opened and one has been closed. The Turkish government has consistently reiterated its commitment to joining the EU. Accession to the European Union is a lengthy and complicated process of adjusting all domestic areas of the candidate countries to the Union principles, values, standards and legislation. The fulfillment of the accession criteria by the candidate countries is monitored by the European Commission, which releases regular country reports on the relevant progress of the candidate countries.EU membership cannot be acquired from one day to the other, but involves going through a complex procedure. Once the accession requirements have been met, the candidate countries must enforce European legislation in all areas. Given the very high volume of European regulations each candidate country has to transpose into national law, negotiations take a long time. The Union reserves the right to decide when it will be ready to accept new members.It is equally true that each country has difficulties to overcome - politically, socially and economically - without following an ever-upward development trend. After the events in July 2016 and the attempted coup, Turkey makes efforts to recover, and the authorities in Ankara permanently show interest in maintaining negotiations for EU membership as a strategic foreign policy goal.Let us not forget that the Republic of Turkey spans 783,562 sq km, by 139,761 sq km more than France (EU's largest state) and has 79.51 million inhabitants, about 1 million less than Germany, which is the EU most populous country (80.39 million). To the 79.51 million we should also add over 3.5 million refugees who are currently settled on Turkish soil. Once integrated, each state brings to the Union all its benefits as well as the problems it faces. In this regard, as it prioritizes member states' issues, the European Union will decide when it is ready to accept new members, meanwhile creating the necessary framework to accommodate the new realities arising from the new member states, by closely monitoring the implementation of the acquis communautaire in the candidate states.Gabriel Sopanda: Twelve years on since its accession to the European Union, Romania is about to take over as of January 1, 2019 the responsibility of the six-month Presidency of one of the most important institutions - the Council of the European Union. Preparing and running this mandate is a national priority. Romania's exercising the Presidency of the EU Council in the first semester of 2019 is the most important country project after the EU accession on January 1, 2007. For Romania, a successful Presidency will mean first and foremost the strengthening of its profile as a EU member state and implicitly increasing our ability to influence the decisions adopted at the level of the European Union.Romania will exercise the Presidency of the EU Council at an important moment for the future of the European project, under the motto 'Cohesion, a common European value'. Thus, Romania intends to contribute to the debate on the strengthening the unity of the EU and will act to ensure the cohesion of the member states.The most important milestones during the Romanian Presidency of the EU will be: the completion of the Brexit process, the preparation of the new multiannual financial framework, the end of the term of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Specific for this moment is that, on the one hand, sustained efforts will be needed to close the current legislative files, and on the other hand, the possibility to add new themes on the European agenda will be quite limited. Thus, the subjects of interest during the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council will be structured on four pillars of action: Europe of convergence: growth, cohesion, competitiveness, connectivity; Europe of safety; Europe as a global actor; and Europe of common values.Turkey has been and stays an important partner for Romania, both politically and economically, and this is also confirmed by the solidity of the strategic partnership between our countries, which is based on a tradition of close traditional friendship.In the EU context, we need to continue implementing the EU-Turkey agreement on migration, and Turkey's efforts to handle migration by hosting a large number of refugees on its territory deserve appreciation. This cooperation takes place based on the joint Plan of Action adopted in November 2015 and on the EU-Turkey Joint Statement endorsed by the European Council of March 17 - 18, 2016.The major goals of cooperation with Turkey include limiting illegal migration on the Eastern Mediterranean / Western Balkans route, combating migrant trafficking networks and providing humanitarian support for the accommodation of Syrian refugees in Turkey. The efficient Union-wide management of migration and asylum is a priority goal at European level, Romania will also pay particular attention to while holding the Presidency of the EU Council.Gabriel Sopanda: Indeed, there are multiple anniversaries this year. As you have mentioned, 2018 is not just the year of the Greater Union Centennial, but we also celebrate 80 years since the promotion to embassy relations, and 140 years of diplomatic relations. In this context, we have already launched a number of promotional and public diplomacy initiatives, some of them in a first, organized in partnership with other institutions in Turkey and Romania.Such an event was recently held in Ankara on May 2, 2018 - the first Festival of Romanian Gastronomy, given the similarity of our countries' culinary traditions. The festival ran one week in the restaurant of the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara, where dishes prepared according to traditional Romanian recipes by the chef, such as stuffed cabbage or vine leaves meat rolls, grilled minced meat rolls, beef tripe soup, 'amandine' chocolate-glazed syrup-soaked cakes, and 'papanasi' - fried cottage cheese doughnuts could be served. During the opening of the festival, the book Sharing the Same Tastes: The Common Turkish and Romanian Traditional Cuisine - republished in Romanian, Turkish and English by the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO - was presented and offered to the guests.Another one-off event was the opening in February 2018 of the first lectureship on Romanian language, culture and civilization in Turkey, at the Faculty of Languages, History and Geography of the University of Ankara, which has currently over 50 Turkish students enrolled.There was also a series of events to mark the celebration of the Constantin Brancusi Day, in cooperation with the National Library of Turkey and the French Institute. And, since we mentioned the National Library of Turkey, in the year of the Centennial, the Embassy managed to breathe a new lease of life into the "Window to Romanian Culture" at this Library, as it donated the institution over 300 volumes which were made available to us by the National Library of Romania, the Romanian Cultural Institute and the "Carol I" Central University Library.Also, the Embassy organized a string of events to highlight the spring-celebrating tradition of 'Martisor', aimed at instilling this tradition into the souls of children in various schools in Ankara, through workshops for the crafting of March tokens, offered by Romanian artisans. The Embassy has also initiated and coordinated the organization, together with the Embassies of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Moldova, of a joint event to mark this traditional celebration, where 100-year-old March tokens were offered to members of the Romanian community in the Ankara metropolitan area.In June this year the Embassy organized an event to celebrate the Romanian folk blouse 'ia' and the Romanian folk costume, a charity event for the children of the Syrian refugees living in the Ankara metropolitan area; the Embassy also launched the first edition of the program dedicated to Turkish children 'Come play in Romania'.In the last quarter of this year, together with the "Dimitrie Cantemir" Cultural Institute in Istanbul, we will organize an extraordinary concert in celebration of the Centennial and of 140 years of Romanian-Turkish diplomatic relations, offered by the internationally renowned violinist Alexandru Tomescu together with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey, an exhibition of archival documents on diplomatic relations between the two states, as well as other actions with public impact.For the celebration of the Greater Union Centennial, the Embassy plans to organize several public diplomacy events in November and December, including a large-scale action scheduled for December 1. I would also mention that right from the beginning of my term, I have visited the local communities in Turkey and I have come into contact with people from the more remote areas, in order to talk to them about the Romanian culture and traditions, European values, and the Greater Union Centennial and its significance for all Romanians, but also about the centuries-long relationship between our states, our friendship and strategic partnership. In the year when we celebrate the Centennial and 140 years of diplomatic relations, we also envisage twinning agreements between Romanian and Turkish cities, as well as opening new honorary consulates. AGERPRES Aurel Vainer, the President of Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania (FCER), brought to mind that 9 October 1941 marks the beginning of the deportation of the Jews in Romania to Transnistria. "We are gathered here this year too at the Holocaust memorial in Romania to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust in our country. (...) We, the Jews, have some values (...) the values of Judaism, an old teaching, of yore (...) These values, that we turn to good account today, are memory and gratitude," Aurel Vainer said. The president of FCER specified that the representatives of the Jewish community are grateful to the Romanian state for establishing a Holocaust day."We are showing our gratitude to these innocent victims, but at the same time we are showing gratitude towards the Romanian authorities for establishing this Holocaust day, who erected this monument in the center of the Capital, forcing us in a way to appeal to our memory and to know that something like this happened in Romania," Vainer also said. "If we are to succeed in boosting Serbia's negotiations with the EU during our Presidency, we are to consider it a successful one, when talking about the Western Balkans. We will consider it a historic presidency, if, during our presidency, we are to have a formal invitation toward Macedonia for the beginning of the accession negotiations. It's one of our main tasks, but I assure you all that we will put in all the efforts to achieve these two objectives during our presidency. This thing will show that we honored our commitments toward the region," Teodor Melescanu stated. Within the International Conference called "Security challenges in the Balkans" organised in Timisoara by the Timisoara West University and New Strategy Center, the head of the Romanian diplomacy stated that no country managed by itself to face the challenges of security, hard-soft, migration, destructive influence, external actors, adding that a path towards progress must be drawn together."I believe that we can find in our society the instruments to fight the security challenges and, from this point of view, education plays a key-role in developing the culture of dialogue, and stimulating citizens to get involved in the civic live. (...) NATO's door is opened and I believe that there is no external pressure that can impede a nation to achieve its goals (...)," Melescanu stated.He also commended, among others, the developments and positive results registered by Serbia in the accession process to the EU, underscoring that the door towards a brighter future should be opened and "the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is very encouraging.""It's being noted that the leaders of both parties expressed the determination to get involved, after years in which both sides awaited for a miracle solution from the other side. (...) We are confident that the regional stability will be consolidated and hope that there won't be created more problems than the number of issues solved. It remains to be seen if these lead to a final agreement," Melescanu stated.The Foreign Affairs Minister also pointed out the efforts of the current Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which are "cornerstones towards an enlargement process in the region," assuring that Romania's presidency will continue this trend and put in all the efforts to record positive results."We hope that this time the EU's enlargement attempts will be successful. The enlargement of the EU is part of the future of the EU and Europe. It is up to us, because the EU has learned its lesson and the Western Balkans should act with determination towards an European destiny. I am confident when thinking about the moment when Romania will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, because we can write history together," the head of the Romanian diplomacy stated.He also mentioned that at the informal summit of EU leaders of May 2019 among the goals that Romania will try to shape up there is also an enhanced commitment related to the Western Balkans, leading to "an important step forward" in this regard. AGERPRES Democracy, peace, diversity and respect for human rights represent the fundamental values of the European construct that we need to defend with all our energy, President Klaus Iohannis said, on Tuesday in the message sent with the occasion of the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Romania. "In less than three months we will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a mandate that will have as its objective consolidating the European values and countering anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance, included. We are doing this, aware of the urgency and importance of the times we are living in, in which populism, chauvinism, extremism and non-liberalism represent dangerous threats that jeopardize the security and peace in Europe and that can only be countered by promoting solidarity and cohesion between member states. Democracy, peace, liberty, diversity and respect for human rights represent the fundamental values of the European construct that we need to defend with all our energy. To us, Europeans, history has fully proven that straying away from these solid cornerstones leads to hatred, violence and death," the head of state says in his message. He reminds that the Holocaust represents the saddest page in humanity's history."Today, our pious thoughts are going towards the victims of the cruelty triggered by anti-Semitic policies. Jewish Romanians were forced 77 years ago to give up a normal life and to face the inhumane conditions of the concentration camps and Transnistrian ghettos. We have a duty to keep the memory of the victims unaltered and to avoid repeating such atrocities, that soiled our souls and mutilated our history," the president said.Klaus Iohannis mentions that recovering the memory of the Holocaust, as well as countering anti-Semitism have represented for Romania "priority objectives in the last decade and a half, and the results are noteworthy.""We have a very well defined legislation, that prohibits organizations and symbols of a fascist, racist or xenophobic nature, and the principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in the Constitution. In the educational field, significant progress was recorded, and for a deeper understanding of the Jewish community's history in our country, we are in the process of establishing the Holocaust and Jewish History Museum in Romania. On an international level, Romania is directly involved in the efforts of combating anti-Semitism," Iohannis highlighted.The head of state shows that 2018 is a year in which Romania marks the Centennial of the Greater Union, a "good opportunity to carefully evaluate the history of the past century, with the good and the bad.""Intolerance, racism, radicalism and xenophobia, then the systematic violation of the rule of law and human rights have led to 50 years of dictatorship and straying away from the aspirations of the Greater Union of 1 December 1918. Let us learn how the Greater Union could be achieved, but also how totalitarian political regimes could develop in Romania. Proving to have mastered the lessons of the past, Romania must remain, in the second century of modernity, strongly attached to the democratic principles. May the memory of the victims forever be in our hearts!," Klaus Iohannis ends his message on the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu and Cristina Lesnic, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Republic of Moldova, on Monday exchanged opinions on the developments within the conflict settlement process in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, a press release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES informs. "Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated Romania's support for the '5+2' format negotiations in view of agreeing upon a solution that would respect the territorial sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Moldova," reads the release. At the same time, the head of the Romanian diplomacy emphasised the importance of continuing the European commitment and the reform process for the democratic and prosperous future of the Republic of Moldova.Melescanu reaffirmed Romania's support for the European option and the modernisation and transformation process in the Republic of Moldova, intended to generate direct benefits for the improvement of the life of this country's citizens.During her visit to Bucharest, Cristina Lesnic also had a round of consultations with Secretary of State Dan Neculaescu aimed at deepening the dialogue on the stage and perspectives of the conflict settlement process in the Transnistrian region.On this occasion, Dan Neculaescu referred to some aspects of interest for Romania, such as the demarches of the Republic of Moldova at the UN level and showed that MAE will continue to grant special importance to developments on the matter.Neculaescu highlighted the importance of ensuring a negotiation process that allows for a comprehensive and viable settlement of the Transnistrian file to be reached. The common interest for the continuation of the bilateral consultations on this topic was also underscored, the release further shows. Romania is a state with a pro-European society, and the EU's future is a national interest topic, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Tuesday. "Romania can fulfill a European role that matches its real share and potential within the Union. It is about participating in an advanced European process, based on the fundamental idea of European cohesion and unity. Romania is a state with a pro-European society. The future of the European Union is a national interest topic for us, and that is why we commit ourselves to it wholeheartedly," Dancila told Bucharest Forum 2018, organised by the Aspen Romania Foundation. According to the head of the Executive, Romania's taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union favourably falls within "the maturity age of our European scope." "We will invest our experience in consistent priorities to the citizen's benefit," Viorica Dancila further said. Romania will take over the presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region on 1 November 2018 for a period of one year, Doru Dorobantu, advisor with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), told a Monday's conference on this topic. "We are in a special situation this year and the next one, as Romania will also take over the EU presidency as of 1 January 2019, so that the mandates will overlap and will be a high priority," Dorobantu said. According to him, Romania aims to promote four priority themes and directions for action during the mandate: improving connectivity and mobility in the Danube region by promoting transport, tourism, digitization and people-to-people contacts; reinvigorating the European Strategy for the Danube Region by creating synergies between all the actors involved and the European Commission, making operational the Secretariat of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSRD).Another direction is the development of experience exchanges on the priority areas of the macrostrategy, such as the transnational development of clusters through the exchange of good practices among the entities participating in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region."The major objective for Romania is the relaunch of the strategy, which requires both a political and a technical approach. It is necessary to use all the mechanisms and levers that our country has, including through the fact that we will hold the EU presidency. Thus, we stand all chances to achieve this important objective. We want to increase the visibility of EUSRD by supporting local and national projects," the MAE representative said.He pointed out that this strategy represents a community mechanism for the cooperation of the Danube states, structured on four pillars: the interconnection of the Danube region, the protection of the Danube, the prosperity and the consolidation of the region.Each of these pillars is segmented on priority areas. There are 11 priority areas, each of which is coordinated by two states. Romania coordinates three priority areas.The Romanian Government approved at the meeting on 20 September 2018 the concept of the Romanian Presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region and the timetable of the meetings and thematic events proposed by our country during the term, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry.The process of preparing the concept and calendar of the events concerning the Romanian Presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region was managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the minister-delegate for European Affairs, as the national coordination structure and entailed a wide consultation exercise of all relevant actors (governmental institutions involved in the management of priority areas, representatives of the local public administration and of the academic and associative environment). "Indeed, before the referendum, I announced that my colleague, MEP Renate Weber, discussed with the NGOs that promote the rights of the LGBT minorities the need to promote a civil partnership bill. So far as I know, the bill has been drawn up together with valuable lawyers of the CNCD, who also discussed with non-governmental organisations, with ACCEPT," Tariceanu told Parliament. He said the floor leaders of all the parliamentary groups will also be consulted on this issue."The bill will be discussed, possibly even today. I knew that my colleague Steluta Cataniciu was going to participate, together with leaders of the other parliamentary groups that had rallied to our discussion initiative, in a preliminary discussion. Afterwards, we can accept the other parliamentary groups also taking responsibility for the bill, which will be submitted to Parliament for a debate," added Tariceanu.Being told that leaders of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), major at rule, announced the initiation of a bill on this issue, Tariceanu said that he does not want to claim "project paternity.""I do not want to claim paternity, only paternity for the idea, project paternity, not because I said that it was drawn up by CNCD lawyers in discussions with the ACCPET association. Renate Weber told me she had gone through the project and has some amendments to make, a few remarks; she told me that the bill is good and can be a fundamental for debate in Parliament," national leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) , minor at rule, Tariceanu stated.He mentioned that he did not have a discussion with PSD leader Liviu Dragnea on this issue."No, we did not have a discussion. We had a discussion with Mr Dragnea, but not on this bill, it was a phone conversation because we can talk over the phone as well," Tariceanu said.On Monday, Minister-delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu announced that a civil partnership bill would be submitted to Parliament next week. AGERPRES You are here: World Flash One person was killed and another was seriously wounded on Monday in a shooting in Toulouse, southwest France, local media reported. According to the reports, two armed men on a motorcycle targeted at a bar in Papus district in Toulouse in a likely dispute between gangs. One person lost his life and the situation of the other person remained serious, said the report. Police operation is underway to search the perpetrators who are still at large. "I don't know what is the medicine that keeps Romania calm. In the political sphere, this medicine is the EU, which is the medicine that cures all problems in the Balkans. (...) We still have a series of problems in the Balkans' area, but these mustn't fuel wars. What we need to do instead is to gain the understanding of the international community. In this respect, Serbia is trying to have a balanced foreign policy in observing all the country's strategic objectives, one of which is entering the EU," said the Foreign Affairs Minister of Serbia. Invited to the International Conference "Security Challenges in the Balkans," organised by Universtatea de Vest of Timisoara and the New Strategy Center Association, the head of the Serbian diplomacy focused his speech on the Serbia, Kosovo relation, while appreciating the fact that Romania didn't recognize Pristina's independence."Serbia is very grateful to Romania (...), for Romania didn't recognize Pristina's independence. (...) However, we still cannot enter the EU, unless we reach a legal solution with Kosovo. (...) Probably Romania and other EU countries, Spain, Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, who did not recognize Kosovo, will say that Serbia does not have to recognize Kosovo, but there will be other countries nonetheless that will say Serbia must recognize Kosovo bilaterally. That's why I believe the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU is very important, because Romania is our great friend and I hope that Romania will continue to understand and to be understanding in respect to the problems in this region. When I was a child I was told a saying, that Romania has two friends, Serbia and the Black Sea. We do not have the Black Sea, only the Romanians," detailed Ivica Dacic.He voiced hope that during the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU new negotiation chapters will be opened."EU is a good project, especially for us, for it represents stability in the region, which is very important for the stability in Europe," added the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Serbian Republic Ivica Dacic. AGERPRES The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) pays tribute to the Holocaust victims worldwide and expresses solidarity with the survivors of the tragic events during WWII, a MAE release sent to AGERPRES informs. On the very day of the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Romania, MAE reiterates that the promotion of diversity, respect for the other, citizens' equality as regards the fundamental rights and freedoms are essential principles for a democratic society's development. 'Understanding and respect are all the more important as today new manifestations of anti-Semitism occurring in several states can be noticed, within certain societies with a consolidated democracy on the European continent, included. MAE stresses the significant efforts Romania has carried out lately as regards the assuming of its past, the condemnation of the Holocaust denial and of anti-Semitism,' the release says.Thus, in March 2016 - March 2017, Romania was at the wheel of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and backed the adoption of the working definition of anti-Semitism within the organization. In June 2018, two years after the adoption of the definition, Romania's Parliament has passed a special law on combating anti-Semitism that defines anti-Semitism in the terms used in the IHRA definition and incriminates the distribution and promotion of anti-Semitic content materials, as well as the promotion of anti-Semitic ideas, conceptions or doctrines. The passing of this law is the expression of Romania's commitment to its fight against anti-Semitism, against the hate-motivated offences and any manifestations of racism, xenophobia, racial discrimination and intolerance.In Romania, through the Government Decision no. 672 / 5 May 2004, the date of 9 October (marking the beginning of the Jews' deportation to Transnistria, in 1941) was approved for the official national commemoration of the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Ambassador of the US in Bucharest Hans Klemm stated on Tuesday that Elie Wiesel represents the pure expression of the ideals which we aspire to and encouraged the audience to take his example and values in order to allow tolerance to develop throughout the world. Hans Klemm stated that Elie Wiesel represents the pure expression of the ideals we aspire to, namely defending the vulnerable people against the wicked ones, the courage to speak freely even if others don't do it and the vision of a world that gladly welcomes others. At the unveiling ceremony of the 1986 Nobel Laureate's bust in Bucharest, the US Ambassador encouraged those attending the event to take Elie Wiesel as an example and his values during hard times and work together in order to allow tolerance and acceptance to further spread and develop throughout the world. In her turn, General Mayor of Bucharest Gabriela Firea paid homage to Elie Wiesel, for being "a fighter for peace, humanity, tolerance, love and good understanding between people."Ambassador of the State of Israel in Bucharest Tamar Samash said that Elie Wiesel was a true messenger of humanity, as he was called by the Nobel Committee and evoked, among others, through the writer's words, the hell of those pushed into the abyss of Holocaust.US sculptor Marc Mellon, the one who created the bust of Elie Wiesel, encouraged the audience to preserve the writer's memory.Director of the "Elie Wiesel" Institute Alexandru Florian conveyed a message from Wiesel's son, in which he encourages Romanians to be responsible about the manner in which they educate their children, wanting for Romania to be known as a country where foreigners are greeted with warmth and receive shelter, because this way, the national heritage will be enriched.Numerous figures of the Romanian political, diplomatic and cultural environment attended the unveiling ceremony of Elie Wiesel bust, organised by the Bucharest City Hall, with the support of the "Elie Wiesel" National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust.The bust, which was created by sculptor Marc Mellon was donated to the Bucharest City Hall by the "Elie Wiesel" National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust.The event was included in the series of activities dedicated to the commemoration of the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Romania - 9 October.Born in Sighetu Marmatiei on 30 September 1928 and deceased on 2 July in New York, Elie Wiesel was a survivor of the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps. He was a Romanian-born American Jewish writer, philosopher and journalist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1986, honorary member of the American Academy of Art and Letters and honorary member of the Romanian Academy. Flash German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Monday that Germany and the European Union (EU) should make more contribution to the security and stability in the world, in which "the old certainties break away." Maas said at the German Forum on Security Policy that the European pillar of NATO and the common approach in the EU, as with the Franco-German defense cooperation, should be expanded. "Old certainties break away. This applies to the transatlantic relationship, but it also applies to cohesion within the EU, the Brexit, a topic we are struggling with these days," added Maas. He called for further development of civilian and military instruments together with the European partners. "Only with the appropriate skills can a strong and also a sovereign Europe give security policy. And you also have to be prepared to invest in this security," said the minister, demanding that the "rapid reaction capability" be increased both civilian and military. Europe must become faster in European operations. A means for this is the establishment of a European Center of Competence for Civilian Crisis Management. In addition, "stabilization pilots" could quickly create a situational picture for the EU. Maas welcomed the proposal by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to extend qualified majority voting in the common EU foreign and security policy. Germany had decided to push this discussion forward. "We must finally make the EU capable of foreign policy," he said. It is "in our own interest that we Europeans should take more responsibility for security and also take over," said Maas. "It takes a lot of courage, because we know that these issues of security policy in public debate in our society -- and not only here -- are often extremely difficult to manage." Flash Mayor of Chicago, the third largest U.S. city, on Monday voiced opposition to President Donald Trump's suggestion that Chicago should implement stop-and-frisk to curb its violence. "The failed policies he's talking about have no place for a city that's working together with communities about how to build -- not only trust, but a collaborative and cooperative relationship," the mayor Rahm Emanuel said during a local event. Earlier Monday, Trump told a meeting of the International Association of Police Chiefs in Florida that he has ordered Attorney General Jeff Sessions to go to Chicago "to help straighten out the terrible shooting wave," and suggested stop-and-frisk would help fix the crime problem. The mayor said "while resources are always welcome, the idea of what President Trump is talking about is not only not welcome -- it's antithetical to what we're working on, and that is about a strong, pro-active, professional police department." Karen Sheley, director of Police Practices Project, an initiative of the American Civil Liberties Union's Illinois branch, argued that Chicago needs real reform, not a return to "failed and unconstitutional policies." "Black and Latino Chicagoans have lived through the decades of excessive force, unconstitutional and harassing stops, and coercive interrogations leading to false confessions," she said. On September 30 the UKs foreign minister, Jeremy Hunt, delivered an astonishing tirade, saying The EU was set up to protect freedom. It was the Soviet Union that stopped people leaving. The lesson from history is clear: if you turn the EU club into a prison, the desire to get out wont diminish, it will grow and we wont be the only prisoner that will want to escape. His comparison of the EU to gulags of former years played well with many people in Britain, but was understandably regarded as totally inappropriate by the EU, whose spokesmans polite observation was I would say respectfully that we would all benefit and in particular foreign affairs ministers from opening a history book from time to time. The lunacy didnt stop there. Not content with insulting the EUs 27 countries, the government in London decided to whip up even more patriotic fervour by again trying to portray Russia as a threat to the United Kingdom. In June 2018 the UKs Sun newspaper carried the headline Britain will send RAF Typhoon fighter jets to Iceland in bid to tackle Russian aggression and since then Mr Williamson hasnt altered his contention that the Kremlin continues to challenge us in every domain. (Williamson is the man who declared in March 2018 that Frankly Russia should go away it should shut up, which was one of the most juvenile public utterances of recent years.) It was reported on September 29 that Williamson was concerned about growing Russian aggression in our back yard, and that the Government was drawing up a defence Arctic strategy with 800 commandos being deployed to a new base in Norway. In an interview Mr Williamson highlighted Russias re-opening of Soviet-era bases and increased tempo of submarine activity as evidence that Britain needed to demonstrate were there and protect our interests. Mr Williamson has not indicated what interests the United Kingdom could have in the Arctic region, where it has no territory. The eight countries with territory north of the Arctic Circle are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. They have legitimate interests in the region which is twice the area of the US and Canada combined. But Britain has not one single claim to the Arctic. Not even a tenuous one like Icelands, which is based on the fact that although its mainland is not within the Arctic Circle, the Circle does pass through Grimsey Island, about 25 kilometres north of Icelands north coast. Britains Shetland Islands, its northernmost land, are 713 kilometres (443 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. So why does the UK declare that it has interests in the Arctic and that the region is in our back yard? How can it possibly feel threatened? The Arctic Institute observed in February 2018 that Russias newer Arctic strategy papers focus on preventing smuggling, terrorism, and illegal immigration instead of balancing military power with NATO. These priorities suggest that Russias security aims in the Arctic have to do with safeguarding the Arctic as a strategic resource base In general, the government-approved documents seem to have moved from an assertive tone that highlights Russias rivalry with NATO to a less abrasive tone based on securing economic development. And economic development is what its all about. On September 28 it was reported that a Danish-flagged cargo ship successfully passed through the Russian Arctic in a trial voyage showing that melting sea ice could potentially open a new trade route from Europe to east Asia. It is obviously in the best economic interests of the European Union and Russia that the route be developed for commercial transit. To do this requires avoidance of conflict in the region. So whats your problem, Defence Minister Williamson? In August Britains Parliamentary Defence Committee published On Thin Ice: UK Defence in the Arctic which concluded that There is little doubt that the Arctic and the High North are seeing an increasing level of military activity. There is much greater divergence in the evidence we have taken on what the reasons behind this are, particularly in relation to Russia. One view is that there is no offensive intent behind Russias military build-up and that it is simply trying to regenerate military capacity in order to reassert sovereignty. The opposite view is that this is just one more part of Russias aggressive reassertion of great power competition. The Danish Government told the Committee that Presently, Denmark sees no need for an increased military engagement or enhanced operative role for NATO in the Arctic, and the Swedish Ambassador said The Swedish Arctic is a limited part of Swedish territory. We are more a Baltic Sea nation than an Arctic nation Obviously, the whole area around the Arctic, in particular the Kola Peninsula, is of strategic importance to Russia and they have a serious military presence there. We see all of that. Is that reason to call it militarisation of the Arctic? In January Reuters reported that China had notified its Arctic strategy, pledging to work more closely with Moscow in particular to create an Arctic maritime counterpart a Polar Silk Road to its one belt, one road overland trade route to Europe. Both the Kremlin and Beijing have repeatedly stated that their ambitions are primarily commercial and environmental, not military. It couldnt be plainer that Russia and China want the Arctic to be a profitable mercantile trade route, while Russia wants to continue exploration for oil, gas and mineral deposits, which are important for its economy. To develop the Arctic requires peace and stability. It would be impossible to reap the benefits of the new sea-route and potentially enormous energy and mineral riches if there were to be conflict in the North. It is obviously in the best interests of Russia and China that there be tranquillity rather than military confrontation. But Britains Defence Minister insists there must be a military build-up by the UK in the Arctic If we want to be protecting our interests in what is effectively our own back yard. He is backed by the Parliaments Defence Committee which states that NATOs renewed focus on the North Atlantic is welcome and the Government should be congratulated on the leadership the UK has shown on this issue. NATO is always on the lookout for excuses to indulge in military action (such as its ninemonth blitz that destroyed Libya), and has announced it will conduct Arctic-focussed Exercise Trident Juncture in November, which Naval Today noted will be one of the largest ever with 40,000 personnel, around 120 aircraft and as many as 70 ships converging in Norway. The NATO military alliance is preparing for war in the Arctic, and deliberately confronting Russia by conducting manoeuvres ever-closer to its borders. It had better be very careful. Photo: Flickr Al Qaeda is trying to survive the defeat of Islamic terrorist groups, mainly ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), in Syria and is doing so with a lot of help from the Turks. The main reason the rebels lost in Syria was the appearance of ISIL, which led to more fighting between rebel groups than with the Syrian government. That is another reason why ISIL is so unpopular throughout the Islamic world. Meanwhile, al Qaeda survived in Syria, first as al Nusra in 2012. In 2015 and 2016 al Nusra joined coalitions with other Islamic terrorists to deal with ISIL. Finally, in 2017 al Nusra declared itself to be the lead member of the HTS coalition, an organization that is still loyal to al Qaeda but insists it isnt. HTS is trying to cut a deal with the Turks to get most of its members out of Syria alive (although disarmed). HTS has always been on good terms with the Turks, who have in turn been willing to let Islamic terror groups that will behave in Turkey or Turkish controlled portions of Syria operate freely. This policy has been criticized by fellow NATO members because it means Turkey is providing sanctuary to Islamic terror groups that consider themselves at war with the West. This is one of the many disputes the current Islamic government of Turkey has with its NATO allies. As a practical matter, it is not much different than the policy Saudi Arabia has long maintained but the Saudis are an acknowledged problem in that area while the Turks, as NATO allies, are supposed to know better. These attitudes towards largely Arab Islamic terrorists bothers a lot of Turks, who remember the old saying (popular when the Ottoman Empire ruled many Arabs); dont involve yourselves with the affairs of the Arabs. The Arabs tended to put the most powerful local Arab leader in charge and remind him that any disloyalty would result in a costly visit by a Turkish army. This worked for centuries but that sort of thing is not acceptable these days. Thus many Turks, and most Westerners see the current Turkish government as playing with fire that will eventually burn the Turks and many others in the region. Undismayed by this criticism some former members of HTS, mainly the NLF (National Liberation Front) are already operating under Turkish control, alongside the more secular FSA (Free Syrian Army) rebels. NLF is a dissident faction of HTS which has allied itself with Turkey earlier this year. HTS is also in the process of removing its heavy weapons (mortars, rocket launchers and missiles) from the buffer zone. The buffer zone must be cleared of rebels by October 15th. Some rebel groups refuse to move but Turkey believes that it controls (or heavily influences) so many of the rebels in Idlib that the few groups that will not cooperate will be so outnumbered as to be unable to stop the peaceful Syrian takeover of Idlib. As part of this deal, Turkey says it will disarm and accept (as refugees) most of the Islamic terrorists currently in Idlib. It is believed that the Turks will then arm many of these Islamic terrorists and use them to fight the Syrian Kurds who still control most of northeast Syria and apparently seek to be autonomous like the Kurds in northern Iraq. The Assad government says it will accept this plan if it works, but expects to ultimately regain control of all pre-2011 Syrian territory. The Turks are not eager to surrender control of the buffer zone they set up and run on the Syrian side of the border. The official Turk position is that they will not leave until Syria holds national elections. That might not be too far from happening. However, elections during the decades of Assad rule were far from free and fair. Iran Strikes Back Iran is finding less consideration and cooperation from its allies in Syria. Russia, Turkey and the Assad government see the continuing Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets in Syria as a matter between Israel and Iran. The obsession with destroying Israel is seen as an Iranian weakness. Although Russia, Turkey and Iraq are technically allies with Iran in Syria the historical record shows Iran is usually the enemy of these three nations and that has been the case for centuries, long before Israel came along in 1948. One thing everyone can agree on is the need to get rid of the remaining Islamic terrorists in Syria. Most of these are currently surrounded in the northwest Syrian province of Idlib. There are some ISIL groups hiding out in eastern Syria but these are seen as much less of a threat than the tens of thousands of Islamic terrorists in Idlib. Everyone in and bordering Syria would like to see the Iranians go back to Iran and stay there. The few hundred Iranian troops and over 50,000 Iranian mercenaries in Syria are seen as a constant source of trouble. Iran realizes that their allies in Syria have, and will probably continue, to collaborate with Israel if an opportunity presents itself. Yet Iranian leaders fail to see the absurdity of this situation and despite widespread popular protest against the Syrian operations continues to operate like its forces in Syria are on the verge of destroying Israel. Discussions continue on how Russia, Iran and Turkey will operate in Syria once the civil war is officially over. Iran insists that it will still be in Syria at that point. Syria is negotiating peace deals with Kurds (who control the northeast), Druze (wh0 occupy much of the Israeli-Jordan border) and Sunni groups (tribal leaders and local leaders who have not been hostile). Syria wants to attract a lot of foreign aid for reconstruction but that is complicated by Iranian plans to establish a permanent military presence and continue threatening Israel. Several members of the Assad clan are facing war crimes charges and Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan want to send back several million Sunni Arab refugees (which the Assads do not want). The war will not end quickly or in a tidy fashion. ISIL Hunters As ISIL personnel are now generally in hiding it is difficult to get an accurate count. Official mid-2018 estimates were about 17,000 in Iraq and 13,000 in Syria. But that implies that the number of armed men ISIL had in Iraq by 2014 is the same as mid-2018. How can that be given the relatively low level of ISIL activity since early 2018. The answer is that the official estimates include a lot of unarmed supporters, including family members. Captured ISIL members will often exaggerate the size of the group he belongs to as will ISIL members delivering threats to local civilians who the Islamic terrorists are trying to intimidate into compliance (not informing on ISIL). Cooperative civilians are immune to ISIL attacks so there is that. But the ability of ISIL to enforce the cooperation is often an illusion because ISIL tries to appear more omnipresent than they actually are. A population of cooperative civilians is essential for ISIL to survive as guerillas and that is why there are probably more ISIL operating in Iraq than in Syria. The civilians not only provide some cover but are also a source of supplies (which ISIL strives to pay for, in order to build more loyalty.) This is all basic guerilla tradecraft that is made more difficult when there are a lot of cell phones around. That increases the risk of some angry (or not even local) civilian making a call to the police to report possible ISIL activity. These phone calls have become more frequent and have led to the growing number of arrests or discovery of ISIL hideouts and the destruction of active ISIL terrorists. This has led to a decline in terror related deaths and more violent encounters between security forces and the many sleeper cells ISIL deliberately left behind when they lost control of an area. What has kept ISIL going are Sunni Arab areas where they still have some support, at least as someone who will fighting hack against the Kurds and Shia Arabs. There are fewer Sunni majority areas in Syria for ISIL to get support from. In Syria, most of the ground forces used to find and eliminate ISIL are Kurdish led (and mostly Kurd) SDF rebels. In this effort, the SDF is assisted by about 5,000 American troops and several thousand contractors operating from 22 bases, most of them near the Iraqi border and in the northeast. The current American policy is to keep troops in Syria until ISIL and the Iranians are gone. The American advise and help train the Kurdish forces that control the Syrian northeast (which is adjacent to the Kurdish controlled areas of northern Iraq). Some of the U.S. troops in Iraq are in the Kurdish north where American and British troops have been operating since the early 1990s. The Russian Presence In Detail In mid-2018 Russia revealed that they had sent 63,012 troops to Syria since mid-2015. That includes army, navy and air force personnel, many having been there multiple times (but are only counted as one of the 63,012). Not included are contractors, who are civilians, even if they took on some of the most dangerous jobs and suffered more casualties than the military personnel. However many of the contractors were never near combat and were there mainly to help the Syrians refurbish and revive their rundown military equipment and infrastructure. Out of those 63,000 Russian military personnel who have been in Syria (some for less than a day, few for more than six months) only about a hundred have died in combat so far. There have been half as many military contractors serving in Syria and they have suffered several hundred dead. No official numbers of military contractor fatalities have been released but Russian volunteer organizations have tried to keep track of the funerals or other indications of young men dying in Syria and it is clear that being a military contractor is a lot more dangerous. The point here is that there are still some Russians willing to take dangerous combat jobs but there are not enough them to maintain the million man military Russian leaders want. Russia knew going in that Russian troops getting killed overseas, even if they were not conscripts (who were kept out of Syria from the start) was politically unpopular with most Russians. Even volunteer troops getting killed overseas was unpopular although opinion surveys showed that the average Russian was not upset if a contractor (or mercenary) was killed because they were paid a lot more and were professionals who knew what they were getting into. Russia also revealed that 41 percent of the Russian troops in Syria were officers and that seven percent of the troops sent were artillery specialists. Thats because Russia did have some artillery (tube and rocket) and anti-aircraft units in Syria as well as a lot of artillery officers and technicians to help rebuild the Syrian army artillery and air defense equipment and train personnel. Next, to artillery troops there were nearly as many special operations troops. These were there both for training Syrians and carrying out, well, special operations. Most of these were eventually replaced with contractors, some of whom had earlier served in Syria as a soldier. Most of the Russian troops in Syria were there to provide training, combat advisors and, most importantly, technical help in rebuilding the Syrian inventory of weapons and equipment. These support personnel were also hard at work maintaining Russian aircraft and military equipment in general. The Russian aircraft maintainers made it possible for Russian warplanes to fly 39,000 sorties (an average of 36 a day) that, according to Russian estimates, killed at least 86,000 enemy personnel. This air support was a key factor in Syrian forces being able to regain control of most of the country by 2017. Is It Safe Lebanon says that about 50,000 of the 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon returned home so far this year. Lebanon believes that up to 200,000 Syrians might leave Lebanon by the end of 2018. Then again, maybe not. In Syrian areas recently returned to government control police have been making arrests (of those suspected of being rebels or rebel supporters) and ordering young men to join the army and carry out their mandatory conscript service they avoided by leaving the country. Sunni Arab refugees are particularly suspect but even Shia and Christians are subject to serving conscript duty that was avoided in exile. Most of the five million Syrian exiles are Sunni Arabs and these were the backbone of the revolution and over 70 percent of the population in 2011. The Assad government would prefer that most of the Sunni exiles stay where they are, permanently. October 6, 2018: In the northwest (near the Turkish border, north of Aleppo) Islamic terrorists set off a car bomb outside the Turkish controlled town of Azaz. Four civilians died. In the south (across the border in the Israeli Golan Heights) several dozen Israeli Druze held a pro-Assad demonstration that was acknowledged by Syrian soldiers guarding the border (who shouted encouragement). The Israeli border police did not interfere because even though most of the 20,000 Druze living in Israeli controlled (since 1967) Golan Heights have retained their Syrian nationality they have been loyal to Israel. A growing number of younger Druze are accepting the offer of Israeli citizenship. Many of the Druze in Syria (about five percent of the population) turned against the Assad government by 2015. Since late 2014 al Nusra and other Syrian rebels controlled most of the border adjacent to Israel. This created problems with the Israeli Druze who feared for the safely of the 500,000 Syrian Druze. The 130,000 Israeli Druze have been pressuring Israel since 2013 to rescue or help protect Druze living across the border in Syria. Israel has agreed to help but never released a lot of details. The solution apparently involved quietly making deals with Syrian rebels. This solution meant there was no need to allow lots of Syrian Druze into Israel or send Israeli troops across the border to establish a safe zone for Syrian Druze. This would preserve the lands of Syrian Druze and not turn them into refugees, but would also be more expensive (in cash and lives) for Israel by establishing a new border. That never happened. In 2015 Al Nusra was temporarily allied with ISIL and both these groups, especially ISIL, were very hostile to Druze (a semi-Islamic sect considered heretical by most mainline Moslems). By 2015 over a hundred Druze had already been murdered by Islamic terrorists in Syria and there was a sense of desperation among Israeli Druze. Al Nusra apologized for Druze their men killed but ISIL was unapologetic. Other Syrian rebel groups were willing to leave the Druze alone and even protect them in order to gain immunity from Israeli attacks. With ISIL gone from the Israeli border by late 2017, al Nusra and Assad forces controlled most of the border. Al Nusra was driven away from the Israeli border by Syrian soldiers and Iranian mercenaries in early 2018 and now the entire southern border is controlled by the Assad forces. October 5, 2018: In the northwest (Idlib province) Turkish backed NLF rebels clashed with HTS (al Qaeda) Islamic terrorists in the new buffer zone. Two FSA and one HTS men were killed along with three civilians. The clash was apparently over HTS efforts to arrest a troublesome Islamic terrorist commander. October 3, 2018: In the northwest (Latakia province) S-300 equipment flown in for the Syrian military began arriving. This equipment is from the Russian 583rd Air Defense Regiment based near Murmansk on the Russian northern coast (Arctic Ocean). Russia said this unit had recently upgraded to the S-400 and that their S-300PM equipment was checked over and any problems were fixed. Russia often sells or gives away these used S-300 systems. Flying 39 vehicles (launchers, radars, control vans) to Syria via An-124 transports will include some of their operators and maintainers. Russia says Syrian crews will be trained by the end of October but that seems unlikely. It is quite possible that Russia is sending enough S-300 operators to get at least one of the batteries operational by the end of October. Russia wants the S-300s capable of confronting the Israeli air threat to Iranian and Syrian forces as soon as possible and is actually sending experienced crews along. Russia said it is providing the three S-300 batteries (24 launchers plus associated search radars and control centers) free of charge. Senior Israeli officials have said the S-300 wont make any difference in Syria and that Israeli forces can deal with the S-300s as effectively as they did the S-200s. Israel already has lots of experience with the S-400 batteries Russia has brought in to protect its bases near the Mediterranean coast and Israel sees the Russian S-300s for the Syrians as an unfriendly gesture as well as a potentially embarrassing one. If the Israelis go ahead, as they say they will, and keep attacking Iranian targets and the Syrians use their S-300 systems to try and stop them, and get the same dismal results as they did with their S-200 systems it is bad news for Russian military tech. Maybe Russia felt it had no choice after the recent embarrassing incident (a Syrian S-200 missile destroyed an Il-20 maritime surveillance aircraft operating off the coast). But Russia is doing more than deliver S-300 missiles, it is also assigning Russian troops to operate with Iranian forces, making it more likely that Russians will get hurt if the Iranians get hit by an Israeli airstrike. The Israelis have made it clear they will not tolerate an Iranian presence in Syria and if the Russians want to take more losses because of that, it is a Russian decision. President Bashar Assad gave an interview to a Kuwaiti newspaper. This was the first time since 2011 that Assad has talked to a Persian Gulf Arab newspaper. Assad confirmed that he had been speaking with other many Arab League members since late 2017 and had obtained offers of assistance in rebuilding Syria and assisting Syria in becoming an active member of the Arab League once more. In late 2011 Syria was suspended from the Arab League and many of the 21 other League members cut diplomatic relations or imposed sanctions. But the Arab League was unable to do much else. By early 2013 the Arab League was still unable to muster enough unity to call for international (Western) intervention in Syria. The Arab League did that in 2011 for Libya and many Arabs considered it shameful that the Arab world could not handle the military intervention itself. Despite trillions of dollars in oil income and hundreds of millions of Arabs demanding something be done, the Arab League had to call on outsiders to save Libya from degenerating into a drawn-out bloodbath. That is what was happening in Syria and many Arabs refused to accept responsibility and just blamed the West and Israel for the mess. Given that toxic atmosphere, Western nations, including NATO member Turkey, were reluctant to do what the Arabs wanted it done but would not admit they cannot do it themselves. Meanwhile, the SNC (Syrian National Coalition, the umbrella organization for rebel groups) opened its first embassy in Qatar. At that point diplomats working for the Assad government were under pressure to switch sides (and some did) to represent the rebel government. By March 2013 SNC was recognized by the Arab League as the legitimate representative of Syria. This made it easier for the SNC to establish official diplomatic relations. At the same time, the U.S. refused the SNC request that NATO Patriot anti-aircraft missile batteries on the Turk-Syria border be ordered to shoot down Syrian warplanes operating within their range (which would mean some 50 kilometers into Syria). The SNC points out that these Syrian aircraft are constantly attacking civilians, as well as armed rebels. But the U.S. and NATO are still trying to avoid military involvement in the civil war, as that would mean Arabs would blame the West for everything that goes wrong. There would also be criticism in the West because armed support of the rebels would, indirectly, be aiding the Islamic terrorist rebel factions. The SNC allied itself with the FSA (Free Syrian Army) but both groups were brushed aside after 2013 by the growing power of Syria Islamic terrorist rebels. By early 2018 the FSA formally ended its alliance with the SNC and that confirmed that SNC was officially powerless even though it still exists. October 2, 2018: In the east (Deir Ezzor province) two American soldiers and three SDF militiamen were killed when their vehicle was hit by an ISIL roadside bomb. American and SDF forces in the area are seeking to surround and destroy the last organized group ISIL has in eastern Syria. This operation has been going on since early September and has slowly but steadily forced ISIL from villages and rural areas near the Iraq border. ISIL tries to limit the mobility of SDF forces by using a lot of mines and roadside bombs. Three civilians were killed in the same area by an ISIL rocket attack on a pro-SDF village. This is the same area where the Iranian ballistic missiles landed yesterday. SDF provided data on where ISIL targets were likely to be. So far the SDF has arrested 2,300 people (about 30 percent adult males) on suspicion of being ISIL supporters or members. Iran has agreed to build a $460 million power plant in northwest Syria (Latakia province). Construction begins next year, although this agreement is unpopular with most Iranians and that might delay planned construction in 2019. Western and most Moslem nations refuse to contribute to rebuilding Syria until there are free and fair elections in Syria. That is not something the Assads do so they have to depend on Iran, China and Russia for reconstruction funding and technical assistance. October 1, 2018: For the second time Iran has fired Zulfiqar ballistic missiles from Western Iran at ISIL targets 570 kilometers away in eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province). This time six missiles were fired and the press release noted that three had names; Death to Israel. Death to America and Death to the Saud Family. At least one missile failed and landed inside Iran and damaged a farm near the Iraqi border. Others may not have made it all the way either. The point of these names was to remind everyone that from western Iran Zulfiqar missiles can hit American bases in Syria (most of which are near the Iraqi border). These missiles can also hit the Saudi capital, although Iran has been trying, without success, to do that since 2016 by firing over a hundred ballistic missiles (with varying ranges) from Yemen into Saudi Arabia. All have been intercepted by Patriot air defense systems. If Iran could operate Zulfiqar from Iraq (dubious considering the current anti-Iran riots) the missiles could reach Israel and be intercepted by Israeli Patriot systems (plus several other air defense systems). The Iranian press release did not mention the failure or interception rates of Zulfiqar and similar Iranian ballistic missiles. The last time Iran fired missiles at Syrian targets was in June 2017 when six Zulfiqar ballistic missiles were fired at ISIL targets in Palmyra and Deir Ezzor. Only two of the missiles hit anything of value but some of them traveled about 620 kilometers. Four apparently landed in western Iraq. Iran denied these Israeli claims about accuracy and Israel dismissed the denials as more Iranian posturing. This public disagreement went on for a week and the Israelis did not back down with their claims that the Iranian missiles performed poorly. For a nation constantly threatened with attack by Iranian ballistic missiles the Israeli observation of the Zulfiqar performance is yet another embarrassment for Iran. The Iranian media described (and published pictures) of the Zulfiqar ballistic missile. This appeared to be another version of the Fateh-110 which is a 3.5 ton, solid fuel ballistic missile with a range of 250 kilometers and a half ton warhead. Iran first revealed Fateh-110 in 2002. These missiles were also manufactured in Syria before 2011 (as the M-600). The Iranian version appeared to be based on the Chinese DF-11, which entered service in 1979 and continues to be used by China and was exported to Pakistan. The DF-11 (also known as the M11) is a single stage solid fuel missile that weighs 4.2 tons, has a range of 300 kilometers and carries a .8 ton warhead. By 2011 there were reports of a DF-11A which used a smaller warhead and larger solid fuel to achieve a range of over 700 kilometers. Several years later an update of the DF-11A entered service with a more accurate and reliable guidance system. This is a missile quite similar to the Zulfiqar, which Iran announced in 2016. So far no Zulfiqars have been sent to Syria or Lebanon. In 2013 Iran was found to be airlifting more Fateh-110s to Syria, apparently meant for Hezbollah. These longer range missiles, that can reach all of Israels major cities, are a primary target for Israeli forces in any future war with Hezbollah and some were destroyed by during at least one of the recent Israeli air strikes in Syria. The 2017 Iranian ballistic missile attack was in response to a recent attack in the Iranian capital by six ISIL men armed with firearms and explosive vests. The attack went after two targets; the parliament (in central Tehran) and a shrine to religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (who established the current religious dictatorship) south of Tehran. All six attackers were killed but not before seven other people died and 43 wounded. It was soon discovered five of the dead ISIL men were Iranians who police knew or suspected had left the country to join ISIL. The five apparently returned to set up an ISIL branch in Iran and ISIL boasts that this is the first attack of many in Iran. The 2018 missile attack was in response to a recent attack on an Iranian parade that left about 30 dead. September 27, 2018: The U.S. repeated that it would remain in Syria until Iranian forces were gone but that American presence would not always include troops on the ground. Currently, there are 2,000 American troops in Syria, most of them training and advising Kurdish forces. All these could be removed if the United States believed it could maintain its leverage in Syria using air power and diplomacy. September 24, 2018: Russia announced that it would begin upgrading Syrian air defenses by delivering S-300 SAM batteries. First deliveries will arrive by mid-October. In addition, Russia said it would try to jam electronics of aircraft making attacks in Syria. In other words, Russia is threatening to stop Israeli air operations in Syria. Unless Israel could get around this jamming electronically (possible, but difficult) the usual response is to destroy the jamming equipment. In most cases, the jammers will be operated by Russians and that would be a problem for Israel and disastrous for the Russians, who are trying to hide the fact that a lot of their military equipment is not as effective as the Russians claim it is. This is all about the recent loss of a Russian four engine Il-20 maritime patrol aircraft off the coast to Syrian S-200 SAMs. This sort of friendly fire is not supposed to happen, at least if your IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) equipment works. Something failed and it was apparently Russian and Russia does not want to dwell on that with existing or potential customers. One of those potential customers, Saudi Arabia, is not happy about the Syrians getting S-300 systems, because the S-300 surveillance radars have sufficient range (over 300 kilometers) to monitor air traffic in much of Saudi Arabia. Israel has repeatedly made it clear that it will not stop attacking Iranian targets in Syria. This sort of threat is usually the Russian way of saying (to Israel); we have to talk about how Israel is going to help get Russia out of this mess. September 18, 2018: Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria since July have killed about 120 Iranians and Iranian mercenaries. September 17, 2018: An Israeli airstrike in northwestern Syria (Latakia) destroyed a large warehouse used to store Iranian weapons as well as a nearby facility for assembling large rockets and ballistic missiles. During the airstrike Syrian SAMs (surface to air missiles) hit a Russian Il-20 maritime patrol aircraft, killing the crew of 15. Russia automatically blamed Israel but soon even Russian news commentators pointed out that the fault lies with Syrian and Russian procedures for preventing this sort of thing. Russia promptly said it would deliver S-300 SAM systems to Syria and Israel pointed out it could destroy them. Syria currently has older S-200 SAMs but uses them in a careless and reckless fashion, apparently frustrated at being unable to hit anything. Israel also published high-resolution satellite photos of the Syrian presidential palace compound in Damascus. These photos were recently taken by the new Israeli made Ofek 11 spy satellite, which was put into orbit by an Israeli rocket. Russian, Turkish and Iranian official worked out a way to deal with the remaining Islamic terrorists in northwest Syria (Idlib province) without triggering a large movement of refugees trying to get into Turkey. This deal calls for the establishment (by October 15th) of a demilitarized zone 15-25 kilometers wide that would separate government and rebel forces. Russia and Turkey would then deal with the Islamic terrorists in some undefined manner that apparently involves Turkey persuading most of the Islamic terrorist rebels that are Syrian to join FSA, a secular rebel group that Turkey backs. Those who refuse this offer would be attacked in such a way (a few small groups hit at a time) that a lot of civilians would not be compelled to flee. This compromise is vague on critical details but has delayed the offensive to take Idlib from the Islamic terrorists by force. Iran goes along with whatever Russia and Turkey want because Iran is more concerned with their efforts to destroy Israel. September 16, 2018: In Syria, two more IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) men were killed in combat. Unofficial data (collected from the Internet or local Iranian reports of funerals) indicates about 2,400 Iranians have died in Syria since 2011. Syria held its first elections since 2011. These were elections for 18,478 local council jobs in government controlled areas. The local councils have limited power over government actions and mainly advise. The Kurdish controlled areas did not participate. September 15, 2018: An Israeli airstrike in Syria (Damascus) not only destroyed a warehouse full of Iranian weapons. The airstrike also destroyed a B747 freighter aircraft belonging to Saha Airlines, an operation owned by the IRGC. This aircraft had recently landed at the airport and not yet been unloaded. The IRGC operates several freighter aircraft, most of them B747s using several Iranian airlines. Apparently, Israel is seeking to destroy the aircraft. September 8, 2018: Russia resumed its airstrikes in northwest Syria (Idlib province). Actually, the Russians had never completely stopped airstrikes against Idlib targets because some Islamic terrorists (mainly al Qaeda affiliated ones like HTS) in Idlib regularly try to attack the nearby (Latakia province) Russian Hmeimim (or Khmeimim) airbase. There were several damaging attacks in 2017 but so far this year the rebels have made many attempts but none got through. The Hmeimim airbase was built by Russia in 2015 near the port city of Latakia, which is 85 kilometers north of Tartus and 50 kilometers from the Turkish border. Part of the Tartus port has become a long-term foreign base for Russia, along with Hmeimim. Russia does not consider these defensive airstrikes part of preparations for retaking Idlib but if those airstrikes are increased and Syrian troops are nearby it is an offensive because the Syrians or Iranian mercenaries will advance. September 7, 2018: The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey met in Iran to decide what their common strategy will be in Syria and Syrian troops assemble in the northwest to retake Idlib province from the last major force of rebels left in Syria. Turkey asked for a truce in Idlib so that Turkey could try and negotiate a peaceful surrender. Russia and Iran rejected that at first but the final agreement was all about everyone coordinating their efforts in Syria and that means Turkey has an opportunity to negotiate and carry out as many deals with Idlib rebels as it can manage. Turkey intends to indefinitely maintain a buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border and this would include Idlib province. This would give Turkey the opportunity to offer somewhere for former rebels can live that is in Syria but not subject to retribution by Syrian or Iranian troops or secret police. In eastern Syria, near the American base at Tanf, a company of U.S. Marines conducted a live fire training exercise involving an aerial assault. This was done for the benefit of Iran, Syria and Russia, who have indicated they might deal with the Tanf base (which is near the Iran and Jordan borders). The United States has already attacked Iranian mercenaries and Syrian troops who got inside the 35 kilometer security zone the United States has established around the Tanf base. The only way a ground assault could work would be if the attackers had air support and only Russia has modern warplanes in Syria that have a chance of dealing with American fighters and air defenses in general. Yesterday Russia said its aircraft might enter the 35 kilometer (from the base) zone in pursuit of Islamic terrorists. The U.S. responded that American forces could take care of any intrusion and Russian aircraft should stay out. The American show of force caused the Russians to withdraw their offer of air support. September 4, 2018: Russia has moved 26 warships to the Syrian coast, apparently in support of the Syrian offensive against Idlib, the last rebel held province. The naval force includes submarines, destroyers, frigates, smaller warships and several support ships. This is the largest number of warships Russia has ever deployed to the Syrian coast and this is officially an effort to deter the U.S. Navy from attacking the Syrian forces (which the U.S. said it would do if the Syrians used chemical weapons in Idlib). Russia has also moved more warplanes to Syria and has some heavy bombers ready to fly from southern Russia to launch cruise missiles at targets in Idlib. In northwest Syria (Latakia province), Russian air defenses shot down two UAVs headed for the Russian air base at Hmeimim. At the end of July, there was a similar incident. Russian forces shot those down as well and examining the wreckage determined that Islamic terror groups in the area (especially nearby Idlib province) are the main suspects. Russia launched some airstrikes at neighboring Idlib province in response to Islamic terrorists from Idlib attacking Syrian forces in Latakia. The airstrikes today were the first in 21 days as the Russians had been holding off on more air attacks in Idlib until they could convince Turkey to halt its opposition to a military solution in Idlib. Israel revealed that since 2017 they had carried out more than 200 attacks (usually from the air) against Iranian forces in Syria. Many of these attacks were not made public by anyone, especially those against convoys or troop positions in the countryside. Israel released this data to emphasize that it will fight to prevent Iran from establishing a Syrian version of Hezbollah. The Israelis believe that Iran is using thousands of its foreign mercenaries (mainly Afghans but also Iraqis and other Arabs. Flash The 14th Beijing-Tokyo Forum, the highest-level platform for public diplomatic communication between China and Japan, will be held in mid-October at Japan's capital city Tokyo. Co-organized by the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and the non-profit Japanese organization Genron NPO, the annual session will focus on such topics as promoting mutual trust, cooperation, peace and development. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries. Forum attendees are expected to offer suggestions on enhancing practical bilateral cooperation in all fields, at a time when the world faces grave challenges in maintaining the UN framework, promoting equality and cooperation, seeking mutual benefits, and protecting multilateralism and free trade. A public opinion poll on bilateral ties will be released ahead of the meeting. Founded in 2005, the forum has been held alternately in Beijing and Tokyo every year, aiming to provide a platform for non-governmental exchanges and improve China-Japan ties through conducting public opinion polls and high-level dialogues. A Labour Inspectorate operation targeting Chorus subcontractors has found that nearly all of the subcontractors identified are breaching employment standards. The Inspectorate completed 75 proactive visits as part of a joint operation with Immigration New Zealand and Inland Revenue in June of this year. Initial analysis identified 73 subcontractors rolling out broadband networks throughout Auckland had breached minimum employment standards. The investigations represent the first phase of inquiry into employment breaches within the data cabling industry and further are planned across New Zealand. We were made aware that migrant workers in the broadband industry were potentially being exploited by various subcontracting companies undertaking work on behalf of Chorus," says Labour Inspectorate National Manager Stu Lumsden. Breaches we observed to-date included contracting employers failing to maintain employment records, pay employees minimum wage, holiday entitlements, and provide employment agreements. In a number of cases it was found that contractors deliberately used practices such as volunteering or extended trial and training periods without pay. To emphasise the size of the operation, approximately 900 subcontracting companies have had working agreements with Chorus and its three main sub-contractors. Each of these have different work practices ranging from the compliant down to the outright exploitative, so the investigations are very involved and will continue. Many of these employees represent a vulnerable section of the New Zealand workforce that often arent aware of their minimum employment rights, and are concerned with their visa status. Large companies such as Chorus need to be proactive and ensure that their contractors and subcontractors are not exploiting their workers. Its very disappointing that a national infrastructure project of this scale which is well resourced has failed to monitor compliance with basic employment standards. Despite earlier public assurances from Chorus that any breaches involving its contractors were isolated cases, the investigations and analysis to date demonstrates systemic failures in quality management, says Mr Lumsden. The Labour Inspectorate is continuing with its investigations with a view to taking a wide range of compliance actions. MBIE encourages anyone concerned about their employment situation, or the situation of someone they know, to call 0800 20 90 20 where they can report their concerns in a safe environment. Statement on Chorus subcontractors investigation The Governments priorities to strengthen employment law, to better protect New Zealand workers and stamp out migrant exploitation, are justified by the findings revealed today by the Labour Inspectorates investigations into Chorus subcontractors, says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. Initial analysis by the Labour Inspectorate has revealed that of 75 proactive visits to subcontractors rolling out broadband networks for Chorus throughout Auckland, 73 had likely breached minimum employment standards. The investigations found that contracting employers were failing to maintain employment records, pay employees minimum wage, holiday entitlements, and provide employment agreements. This is simply not acceptable and it is not welcome in New Zealand workplaces. This activity is in breach of minimum employment standards required by law, it is clearly exploiting migrants, and it is a timely reminder why the Government is strengthening employment law to protect vulnerable workers. This also demonstrates the previous Governments procurement process prioritised cost over the welfare of New Zealand workers in allowing contracts that encouraged this kind of behaviour. The Labour Inspectorate operations findings demonstrate why the Coalition Government has embarked on a programme of restoring fundamental rights for New Zealand workers. One of my top priorities for this term of Government is improving protections for contractors and workers in precarious employment arrangements. The Coalition Agreement also sets tackling migrant exploitation as one of this Governments top priorities. We have already increased the number of Labour Inspectors and further work to stamp out migrant exploitation will begin before the end of the year. It is critical that our workplaces are free of the kind of exploitative practices that the Labour Inspectorate has found. It is bad for workers, it is bad for our reputation and ultimately, bad for our economy, Iain Lees-Galloway says. Bay of Plenty Ever thought of joining the civil construction industry? if so then this is your chance to get a foot in the door. We are... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Bay of Plenty We are looking for a storeman with an OSH forklift license. You will need to be physically for as the job is about 70% forklift... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz The NZ Transport Agency expects to have the traffic lights at SH29A Barkes Corner back in operation within the next four weeks, following changes to the roundabout metering system. The green light will be removed from the traffic light, and more sets of traffic lights and signage will be added on Pyes Pa Road and SH29A westbound. The traffic lights will be different to the ones there before. When the traffic builds on one of the roads, the lights will activate by turning amber, then red. The red lights will stop the vehicles for between 30 seconds and one minute, allowing traffic from the busiest road to enter the roundabout. When the red light turns off, traffic can approach the roundabout. Standard give way rules apply when entering the roundabout, even if drivers have stopped at the red light first. When no amber or red light is showing, vehicles can approach the roundabout in the normal way. It is important to reinforce to drivers that standard give way rules apply when entering the roundabout, even if drivers have stopped at the red light first, says Bay of Plenty transport system manager Rob Campbell. The roundabout metering began operating on September 17, however the traffic lights were turned off on September 20 due to safety concerns. The sets of lights were removed from October 5. Rob says most people were navigating the new lights at the roundabout well. However, we recognised it was not intuitive enough for all road users, and as such, we turned them off, and will make improvements. Barkes Corner is a critical intersection for people in Tauranga and we recognise that it is important that it operates both efficiently and safely, says Rob. New Zealand guidelines state that roundabout metering lights require a green phase. A process has been initiated to now allow this project to operate differently with just the amber and red lights used as they do in parts of Australia. The changes will be trialled for 12 to 18 months. The Transport Agency will collect data to analyse improvement in journey times. Click the image above to watch the video Today we are expecting cloudy periods with westerly breezes. Its a three-clothing and one-windproof layer day today with a high of 18 and an overnight low of 8 degrees. Humidity is 89 per cent. High tide is at 8.20am and low tide at 2.30pm.(Tay Street times). Theres a sea swell of 0.4m and the water temperature is 16 degrees. Sunset today is at 7.23pm. If youre going fishing, the next best fish bite time is between 5.30 and 8.30pm. In NZ history on this day in 1975 the Waitangi Tribunal was created. The government created the Tribunal to hear Maori claims of breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. It has evolved ever since, adapting to the demands of claimants, government and public. In world history on this day in 732 at Tours, France, Charles Martel killed Abd al-Rahman and halted the Muslim invasion of Europe. In 1733 France declared war on Austria over the question of Polish succession. In 1789 in Versailles France, Joseph Guillotin said the most humane way of carrying out a death sentence is decapitation by a single blow of a blade. In 1845 the U.S. Naval Academy was founded at Annapolis, Md. In 1863 the first telegraph line to Denver was completed. In 1911 the revolution in China began, and the Panama Canal opened. In 1971 the London Bridge, built in 1831 and dismantled in 1967, reopened in Lake Havusu City, Arizona, after being sold to Robert P. McCulloch and moved to the United States. Today is the birthday of Henry Cavendish, the English physicist who measured the density and mass of the Earth. Born in 1731, he once said "Young people must break machines to learn how to use them; get another made!" To get involved in activities and events, please check out the What's on page on the SunLive website. Have a great day! Syracuse, NY -- Prosecutors say an 18-year-old lost his life to a gang war between the Richmond Zoo and the 18th street gangs in Syracuse. And Chief Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle has said she's concerned that the accused killer, Lamar Murray, 16, could try to intimidate witnesses before his upcoming trial. Murray is accused of killing Jaquan Moore on Dec. 8, 2017. County Court Judge Stephen Dougherty has issued a little-known order that bars Murray's own lawyer from disclosing identities of witnesses to her client. She can see unredacted police reports, but cannot show them to her client or discuss the names contained in them. Today, defense lawyer Susan Carey said it was time to lift that order: she needed to go over trial strategy with her client. And, of course, Murray has a Constitutional right to confront his accusers at trial. McGunnigle said she was still concerned about Murray contacting his friends with the names of witnesses, giving them time to intimidate witnesses before trial. Dougherty wrestled today with timing: when should he lift the order, giving Murray enough time to assist his own defense while not so much time that it lent itself to witness intimidation? The judge delayed his ruling today, moving the case closer to a Nov. 13 trial. Murray will come back Oct. 17, at which point the judge may decide if it's time to allow him to know his accusers by name. Coincidentally, the same issue came up with another murder case later in the day. Rafael Jackson is facing a murder charge for the Dec. 24 death of Jay Ford. Jackson's lawyer, Graeme Spicer, also asked for police reports so he could go over trial strategy before Jackson's Nov. 26 trial. But prosecutor Robert Moran said he also was concerned about witness intimidation. In this case, Jackson consented to receiving only redacted police reports. Spicer, his lawyer, will be able to see the unredacted reports. But Jackson, too, will get the chance to see the unredacted reports before his own trial. There is no known connection between the murders of Moore and Ford. Anthony Saccone (far right) in court Tuesday morning. County Court Judge Matthew Doran denied Saccone's request to withdraw his guilty plea. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Anthony Saccone, the 31-year-old man who admitted killing three people while driving drunk then fleeing the scene of an accident near Onondaga Community College, will not be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea, according to an Onondaga County judge. County Court Judge Matthew Doran denied Saccone's request Tuesday morning. Saccone pleaded guilty in July to aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges. He accepted a plea deal for 10 to 30 years in prison. He had faced up to 25 years to life in prison. Saccone said in court Sept. 17 that he was "coerced" into pleading guilty and he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea. Killed in the early Feb. 23 crash at Onondaga Boulevard and Onondaga Road were Baylie Rose, 19, Michael Walker, 18, and Samra Osmanovic, 20. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick has said Saccone was drunk and high on cocaine, going more than 80 mph when he blew through a red light and crashed into the victims' car. The judge Tuesday gave the lawyers and Saccone an opportunity to speak before announcing his decision on Saccone's request to withdraw his plea. Saccone took the opportunity to fire his lawyer, William Sullivan. Saccone said Sullivan, who was retained by Saccone, "failed to represent" him and that the two don't "see eye to eye." "This man no longer speaks for me," Saccone said. While out on bail in July, Saccone was arrested early on the Sunday of Syracuse Nationals weekend, accused of drinking in a motor vehicle and "spinning" wheels in a parking lot off Seventh North Street. That sent him back to jail. Fitzpatrick said last month that there wasn't enough proof that Saccone was driving or drinking and the charges were dropped in Salina Town Court. Saccone said the July charges were false and were used to "coerce" him into taking the plea deal for the fatal crash. Saccone also said he thinks Sullivan didn't believe him when he said he was innocent of the July charges. Saccone said prior to his July arrest, Sullivan had intentions in defending him through the fatal crash case. But after Saccone was arrested in July, Saccone said Sullivan changed. "He clearly thought I was guilty of crimes I didn't commit and he gave up on me," Saccone said. Doran ruled that Saccone could hire a new attorney for his sentencing, which will be on Oct. 19. Saccone said he felt pressure to take the plea deal. "I was basically told that I had to pick the lesser of two evils," he said of facing 25 to life or taking the plea deal of 10 to 30 years in prison. "I was terrified." The judge said he reviewed Saccone's request to withdraw his guilty plea, letters submitted to the court and Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick's response. In conclusion, Doran ruled to deny Saccone's request. "At no time did the defendant mention during (the plea proceeding) that his attorney, the court or anyone had coerced him into the plea agreement or he felt pressured into pleading guilty," Doran said. "Nor did he mention that he felt that he didn't have time to discuss the offer with his attorney." After Doran's ruling, as court was starting to clear out, Saccone spoke again. "For the record judge, I think the power of this court has been abused more than once," Saccone said. "With that being said, I still respect your decision, but it's clearly an abuse of power. I was clearly coerced. I clearly made a plea involuntarily." Doran told Saccone that he was done. "I'm not debating it anymore with you Mr. Saccone," Doran said. Syracuse, NY -- It's not usually a good thing when a criminal court judge remembers you. But that's what happened to Amir Williams when he came before County Court Judge Stephen Dougherty today for a bail review on a murder case. Dougherty didn't need to look through his notes to recall Williams: he's presided over illegal weapons cases involving Williams in the past. "It's not good," the judge said of Williams' criminal history. Today, Williams came before the judge, charged with murdering Zyree McMullen on Sept. 15 on Syracuse's Near West Side. Williams, 25, of Jamesville, has already had one illegal weapons charge covered by youthful offender and another that left him with a record, the judge noted. A third was recently dismissed, the judge said. Typically, a judge waits for the lawyers to catch him up to speed on the defendant's past. But Dougherty needed no such help. Williams' character and reputation were bad, as well as his criminal history, the judge noted. Defense lawyer Patrick Hennessy argued that Williams had close ties to Syracuse and was caring for an ailing family member. Williams worked "day jobs," his lawyer said. But prosecutor Melinda McGunnigle noted that Williams had violated parole both times he was sent to prison. Even more, Williams was found in Cleveland, Ohio, after the recent homicide, suggesting that he did have ties outside of Syracuse, she said. Hennessy said Williams was visiting a friend and not trying to flee. In 2009, Williams was convicted of firing into a West Colvin Street house, according to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard archives. He was granted youthful offender status -- and a sealed record -- on appeal. His second illegal weapons case -- an attempted weapons conviction -- sent him to prison in 2014, according to prison records. He was paroled in April 2017. Today, Dougherty set bail at $500,000 cash or $1 million bond. Williams hasn't been able to make far less bail in previous cases, his lawyer indicated. Williams' case will now be presented to a grand jury. He was charged with murder and illegal gun possession. Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse teenager admitted today that he accidentally killed another teen during a February incident on the city's Near West Side. Dwight Murray, 17, admitted to second-degree manslaughter in the death of 18-year-old Niko Santana at 443 Shonnard Street. Murray was originally charged with illegal weapon possession, not manslaughter. But in an unusual plea, he took responsibility for the death in exchange for a lesser sentence than he faced for the illegal weapon charge. Murray had faced up to 15 years for the violent felony of illegal handgun possession. Instead, he pleaded to the manslaughter charge, a non-violent felony, in exchange for the 3-to-9-year potential sentence. Under law, County Court Judge Matthew Doran must consider youthful offender status when sentencing Murray, though prosecutor Caleb Petzoldt said he would obviously oppose it. Youthful offender status would seal Murray's record and limit his prison sentence to 1 1/3 to 4 years. It's very rare for someone to plead guilty to a charge they weren't originally accused of. To make it work, Judge Doran had to appoint himself as a lower court judge to arraign Murray on the manslaughter charge. Doran then took Murray's plea to the charge minutes later. The original handgun charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Murray appeared confused when asked by Doran whether he'd recklessly caused Santana's death. But his lawyer, Heather Vincent, quickly stepped in, saying everyone could agree to that. Murray then said he was guilty. The facts surrounding the accidental shooting have not been revealed. Murray, who remains free, will be sentenced Jan. 4, 2019. It's the second time in the past month that a teen has pleaded guilty to recklessly killing someone. Jheezzmearr Thompson, 19, pleaded to both manslaughter and illegal weapons possession in the Oct. 29, 2017 death of Jamia Singleton on Glenwood Avenue. Thompson faces between 7 and 10 years in prison based on the illegal weapons conviction. Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Three men made more than $14,000 in a "terrifying and elaborate" Syracuse-based phone scam which tricked victims into thinking their loved ones were being held hostage. The ringleader in the hoax pleaded guilty today in Onondaga County Court. Authorities said Giovani Ayala-Rodriguez, 27, of Puerto Rico, led an elaborate telephone extortion scheme that operated in Onondaga County and other parts of New York state. The scam included 55 victims in 10 different counties. Ayala-Rodrigues is expected to be sentenced to 6 to 12 years in prison. He and his co-defendants were ordered to pay $14,529 in restitution. A second defendant, Orlando Gonzalez-Rivera, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty earlier this year. Gonzalez-Rivera, 26, was sentenced to six months in jail in September. The case against a third defendant, Eligio Jimenez-Correa, 40, of Syracuse, is ongoing. The investigation by the state's attorney general and state police began earlier in 2018 after multiple victims complained they had received calls. The AG's office published a "consumer alert" warning New Yorkers of the scam. According to the AG's office, the men would call potential victims claiming their close relatives were involved in a car accident. That was just the beginning of an elaborate story they crafted: Ayala-Rodriguez told the victims his nephew was injured as a result of the accident. He then claimed he had abducted the relative -- a sibling, spouse or parent of the call-taker. He told them he was keeping the loved one hostage at a residence nearby the accident scene until the call-taker paid a ransom to cover the nephew's medical bills. Ayala-Rodriguez often used an alias, George Peters. He threatened to harm the victims' family members, and claimed he and his fictitious nephew were drug dealers or gang members. "To further instill fear, he would mimic the sounds of the victim's relative begging, crying and being assaulted," according to a press release from the AG's office. If victims hesitated to comply with his demands, he threatened to shoot and kill their loved ones, the AG said. He then directed victims to pay the ransom through wire transfers or by delivering money to "drop locations." The Syracuse defendants were often the ones to collect the money, the AG's office said. "After paying the ransom money, many victims were allegedly directed to area hospitals to pick up their relatives -- only to learn they were the victims of an elaborate and terrifying hoax, and that their relatives had never been in car accidents or abducted," according to the press release. The AG's office provided tips to avoid falling victim to an extortion scheme. Authorities recommend: Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 ONONDAGA, N.Y. -- The Cider Mill restaurant on Fay Road west of Syracuse reopens today after closing for more than a month for renovations. Owners Dan and Teresa Seeley replaced a ceiling, floors and walls that were damaged in August. "We changed the look a bit, but the layout is the same," Dan Seeley said. The Cider Mill at 4221 Fay Road in Taunton opens for dinner tonight with a new fall menu and a redesigned beer list. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday evenings for dinner. The fall menu includes such entrees as a Double-Cut, Bone-In Pork Chop with sweet potatoes, Brussels Sprouts and a pancetta-cider reduction, and a Roasted Magret Duck with potatoes, greens and cipollini onion and pear demi glace. The dessert menu features a deconstructed pumpkin pie. The recently remodeled dining room at the Cider Mill on Fay Road. The restaurant reopens Oct. 9 after more than a month for renovations. This was the third major renovation at the Cider Mill in 16 years, said Seeley, who also operates Diamond Catering from the upper floor. After years of renting the property, the Seeleys purchased it a few years ago. "She's an old girl and needs constant care," Dan Seeley said. Everyone is doing their part putting things back together. Were loving the way this is coming together. See you soon ! CiderMill3.0 Posted by The Cider Mill on Thursday, October 4, 2018 In March 2015, just a few months after the Cider Mill opened, about 40,000 pounds of ice crashed through the roof and and upper floor, severely damaging the building's front end. It took seven months for that damage to be fixed, and the Cider Mill reopened in October 2015. The Seeleys later bought the building and did extensive renovations, adding a bar and reworking its "new American" menu. See our review. The building, on Fay Road between Onondaga Boulevard and Route 173, once housed Morey's Mill, well known for its apple cider and Friday fish fry dinners. The original building burned down in 1963, and Gwynn Morey built the current structure then, Seeley said. Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Dr. Arthur Mercado of New Hartford is not the only repeat offender in New York who's been allowed to keep his medical license. Dr. Nasim Haider, of Queens, practiced medicine for decades despite his history of sexually abusing and assaulting patients. Haider racked up almost 30 abuse and misconduct charges at three different medical practices in New York City and was arrested in 2012 for sexual abuse and forcible touching, according to the Village Voice. The state Board for Professional Medical Conduct suspended his medical license in 2004 and put him on probation, but did not revoke his license until 2017. The state sanctioned Dr. Martin S. Tesher, also of New York City, for inappropriately prescribing drugs in 2000 and 2006, but let him keep practicing. Tesher, nicknamed "Oxy Doc," was convicted in July in federal court in Brooklyn of providing more than 2.2 million oxycodone pills to drug-addicted patients, one of whom died of an overdose. He agreed earlier this year to stop practicing while the state board investigates him. The board disciplined Harry Black, a former DeWitt doctor, in 1998 for prescribing painkillers 49 times to a patient to feed an addiction, not to treat a medical condition. The discipline was a censure and reprimand, essentially a slap on the wrist. The board also put Black on probation, but let him keep practicing. Nine years later Black, his wife, Lisa, and 14 others were arrested on felony drug charges following a two-year federal investigation of a Syracuse area drug ring. Black was writing prescriptions for OxyContin, amphetamines and other drugs to his wife and other patients, who would give him some of the drugs for his own recreational use. Black pleaded guilty in 2009 and was sentenced to four years in federal prison. He surrendered his license the same year. Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245 SYRACUSE, NY -- The state Board for Professional Medical Conduct was acquainted with Dr. Arthur M. Mercado when he was recently charged with misconduct. The board had suspended the New Hartford doctor's license for nine months in 2007 after he admitted having sex with a patient in his office. The family medicine doctor came under the board's scrutiny again in June, this time for illegally writing bogus painkiller prescriptions for his stepdaughter. Mercado, 61, pleaded guilty in November in Oneida County Court to attempted criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance, a felony, and was sentenced to five years of probation. The board let Mercado keep his medical license despite his criminal conviction, history of egregious misconduct and failure to show remorse at a June 14 hearing. Instead of revoking the doctor's license, the board suspended it again. The board prohibited him from prescribing narcotics and said it will let him work in a hospital or other supervised setting if an evaluation shows he's fit to return to practice. The case illustrates the tendency of medical boards in New York and other states to go easy on troubled doctors. "Why in the world do we want a guy who has misbehaved twice in two very different, but serious ways to remain in practice?" said Art Levin, founder of the Center for Medical Consumers, an advocacy group in Manhattan. "How is the public protected by allowing someone of such questionable moral character to be seeing patients?" Sanctions that resulted in the loss of a license by doctors practicing in New York represented 7 percent of the board's 311 disciplinary actions against physicians in 2017, according to state data. About half of the 311 disciplinary actions involved out-of-state doctors. When a doctor who has a New York license is disciplined by a medical board in another state, New York usually imposes the same sanction. New York has more than 95,604 licensed doctors. Twenty-one doctors practicing in the state lost their licenses in 2017. The board revoked eight licenses and the other 13 were surrendered, or given up, as part of negotiated settlements. A total of 92 lost their licenses when including out-of-state doctors whose New York licenses were revoked or surrendered last year. Public Citizen, a national consumer watchdog group, used to rank state medical boards on the rates of serious sanctions imposed on doctors. It stopped doing this after the Federation of State Medical Boards stopped releasing state by state data in 2012. Public Citizen ranked New York 24th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in its last report in 2012. Wyoming, ranked 1, had the highest rate of serious disciplinary actions against doctors, while South Carolina, ranked 51, had the lowest rate. A few state medical boards publish the number of doctors who lose their medical licenses. California, the only state with more doctors than New York, took away 168 doctors' licenses in 2017, or 12 per 10,000 licensed physicians. New York, by comparison, took away 92, or 10 medical licenses per 10,000 doctors. Florida took away 59 doctors' licenses, or eight per 10,000 physicians. The Federation of State Medical Boards still publishes national data on physician disciplinary actions. Its information shows state medical boards nationwide took away 692 doctors' licenses, or seven per 10,000 physicians, in 2015, the most recent year for which data is available. Dr. Michael Carome, director of health research at Public Citizen, said some states are stricter than others. But state medical boards in general are too lenient, he said. The New York board says in an annual report it takes a "... stern response to misconduct that presents serious risk to patient safety." Rehabilitation vs. punishment Andrew Knoll, a Syracuse doctor-turned lawyer who represents physicians accused of misconduct, said the board believes the public is better served by rehabilitating wayward doctors than ending their careers. But a former member of the state board said protecting doctors seems to be a higher priority for the board than protecting patients. Arthur Caplan, an expert in medical ethics at New York University Medical School in Manhattan, served on the board in the 1980s. "They don't want to see someone lose their ability to make a living," Caplan said. The board fears taking away medical licenses could leave some parts of the state without enough doctors, he added. "It could be better to have nobody than someone who is unfit," he said. Doctor discipline in New York state is handled by two arms of the state Health Department. The Office of Professional Medical Conduct, OPMC for short, investigates doctors and physician assistants accused of wrongdoing. The Board for Professional Medical Conduct serves as the judge and determines punishment ranging from a slap on the wrist to license revocation, the most severe penalty. While state law gives the board authority to revoke licenses, it does not specify the grounds for imposing that penalty. The board includes 68 doctors and 23 lay people appointed by the state health commissioner. Three-member panels made up of two doctors and one lay person determine penalties in misconduct hearings. OPMC handled 7,587 complaints against doctors in 2017. 'Complete betrayal of doctor-patient relationship' The board accused Mercado of having sex with two patients in 2006 after discussing his divorce with them. He admitted to the board he had sexual intercourse with one of them in his medical office. The board suspended his license for nine months and made him have a chaperone present whenever he treated or examined women. Dr. Sidney Wolfe, an expert on doctor discipline at Public Citizen, said that misconduct case alone should have ended Mercado's career. "That's the complete betrayal of the doctor-patient relationship," he said. "That's a zero tolerance offense." The state began investigating Mercado's prescribing practices early last year after Marc Camp, 35, of Rome, walked into a Utica drug store and was surprised to learn Mercado had written numerous painkiller prescriptions for him, even though he was not Mercado's patient. An investigation by the state Health Department revealed Camp's ex-wife, Amie Camp, dropped off and picked up 13 prescriptions in 2015 written by Mercado in her ex-husband's name for hydrocodone, percocet and oxycodone. Amie Camp is Mercado's stepdaughter. Marc Camp said in a deposition Mercado was not his doctor and he never asked his ex-wife to get prescriptions from Mercado. When investigators showed up at Mercado's home, he told them Marc Camp was his patient and he prescribed the drugs to treat Marc Camp's back pain. Mercado, however, had no notes, insurance forms or other documents to prove Marc Camp was his patient. After investigators interviewed him, Mercado called the Utica pharmacy and asked for records showing when he wrote prescriptions for Marc Camp. The pharmacy refused to provide them because of the pending criminal investigation of Mercado's prescribing practice, according to a deposition from a pharmacist who took Mercado's phone call. "It was apparent Dr. Mercado was trying to obtain the prescription dates in an attempt to create Mr. Camp's medical record from 2015," Laurence Martin, an investigator with the Drug Enforcement Administration, said in a report. Even though he was not paid for writing the prescriptions, Mercado was charged with criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance. Cash does not have to be exchanged in order to be charged with that crime, said Grant Garramone, an Oneida County assistant district attorney who prosecuted Mercado. "He was giving them to somebody, knowing they did not have the authority to have that medication," Garramone said. Amie Camp was charged with falsifying business records and other crimes in connection with the prescription scheme, but not prosecuted. "Ultimately Dr. Mercado became the focus of our prosecution," Garramone said. Mercado did not respond to two letters from syracuse.com requesting his comments for this story. A woman who identified herself as his wife answered the door of Mercado's New Hartford home. She said Mercado was not home and did not want to comment. Mercado's misconduct case stemming from his illegal prescribing was reviewed June 14 by a hearing committee of the state medical board made up of two doctors and a layperson. Mercado did not attend the hearing, but participated by phone. Doc shows no remorse for wrongdoing In its decision, the board said Mercado did not accept responsibility for his conviction during the hearing. It called his comments "generally self-serving and lacking repentance." The committee considered revoking his medical license. But it opted for a less severe punishment because it said the illegal prescribing was an "isolated event, rather than a pattern of behavior." The committee also said Mercado's previous suspension for having sex with a patient was unrelated to the illegal prescribing. Wolfe said the two instances of misconduct are related in that they both show "extreme breaches of morality and ethics." "They are bending over backwards to come up with some reason to let him off lightly," he said. Knoll disagrees. "This is not a slap on the wrist," Knoll said of the disciplinary action against Mercado, who he did not represent. He noted that Mercado cannot return to practice until he goes through a clinical competency evaluation which could cost him about $11,000. Mercado also may find it difficult to find work because he can no longer prescribe controlled substances and can only practice in supervised settings, Knoll said. "The board's perspective is to recognize that people who do have issues are usually salvageable and put in place mechanisms to protect the public," he said. The Health Department said state law prohibits it from commenting on the Mercado case. "The Department of Health does not tolerate professional misconduct among medical professionals and takes all necessary steps to protect patients from harm or abuse," it said in a statement. But Wolfe said the board jeopardizes patient safety by letting doctors like Mercado continue practicing. "How many more episodes is the medical board willing to tolerate before his license is revoked permanently?" Wolfe said. Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245 'Herb' Philipson's Army and Navy Stores announced Tuesday it has filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 as the company secures new financing. Guy Viti, owner and president, emphasized that the stores are not closing. Viti, who worked for the company for more than three decades - purchased the company from the Philipsons earlier this year. Viti said a lender pulled out and the company now has a new bank in line to provide financing. Making the transition will take some time, and that's why it is necessary to restructure under Chapter 11, he said. "This is just a step we are taking to give us more time for our financing,'' he said. "We are still hiring, we are still getting merchandise in and we are getting ready for Christmas." Viti said everyday in retail "is a struggle" but the business is doing well overall. With 350 employees, the company has locations in DeWitt, Liverpool, Rome, New Hartford, Oneida, Herkimer, Watertown and Newark. To the Editor: Monday was a big day for climate news. One of the was awarded to Yale economist William Nordhaus, who created a model that "describes the global interplay between the economy and climate." Nordhaus promotes a carbon tax as the best way to lower greenhouse gas emissions rapidly, to avert the worst effects of climate change. The other big news was from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which released an exhaustively researched document saying the world must decrease carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 50 percent before 2030, and eliminate them by 2050, in order to protect the livability of the planet. 2030 is ! Both of these news stories point to the urgent need for a carbon tax. By raising the price of fossil fuels to reflect the true cost of burning carbon -- costs including mitigation efforts after super storms; military costs of protecting our oil supplies from the Middle East; health effects of carbon pollution; and the list goes on -- market forces will stimulate alternative energy investment and R&D. Green technologies will get cheaper. Many jobs will be created in that sector. And emissions will come down at the pace we need that to happen. There is such legislation being discussed by some members of the House Climate Solutions Caucus in Washington. It would put a steadily rising price on all carbon pollution at the source, then return that fee entirely to individual households in the form of a monthly dividend. Polls show that a majority of people believe we should be doing more to address climate change. We all want to give our grandchildren and their grandchildren a livable planet. People are often unsure what action they should take in the face of such a big problem, but many of the solutions we need are already available. We just need to activate the political will to enact them. Contact your member of the House of Representatives and tell them you want them to sponsor Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation now. For more information go to Martha Viglietta Pompey Erin Maxwell, in photo submitted by out of town relatives. Maxwell died at the hands of her stepbrother, Alan Jones, who has been released from prison after serving nine years. Why are the laws regarding crimes against children so lax? To the Editor: Of all the disturbing things that take place in our society today , the ultimate tragedy took place when little Erin Maxwell was murdered by that excuse for a human being. I won't even say his name. I'm sure I'm not alone in being so sickened by the news that this person was released from prison because the law uses a fine point with the definition of "depraved indifference." If raping and strangling that little girl did not constitute depraved indifference, I don't know what does. Can someone explain why the laws regarding crimes against children are so lax? That person and Erin's father and stepmother have no right to be able to live their lives, sleeping, eating, walking, being outdoors, watching TV, doing all the everyday things we all are privileged to do -- and yet, they are. What we know of Erin Maxwell's horrific life and tragic death haunts me. We have all failed this little girl. I pray for her and pray that her father, stepmother and stepbrother will someday spend eternity in hell. Rest in peace, Erin. G. Majka Syracuse Child protective services overwhelmed by reports of child abuse To the Editor: Alan Jones's release from prison after only nine years points to the epic disaster that is the child welfare system. We've all heard horror stories of foster care and youth homes, but even more horrific is the practice of mandated reporting and 9-to-5 Child Protective Services workers. "A mandated reporter" must report signs of abuse/neglect to CPS or risk losing their job. All adults who work with children are mandated reporters. A child telling a teacher they were home alone (even though a child can legally be left alone in New York state) can warrant a phone call to CPS, depending on that teacher's interpretation of what was said. Far too many reports are being called into the system. Why can't calls be voluntary? Perhaps workers would have been more apt to listen when the teachers called to tell them Erin had been eating out of garbage cans and that her clothes were consistently dirty and smelled of cat urine. To make matters worse, CPS is a 9-to-5 county job. There are a lot of cases to go through in eight hours. So, When Erin's parents didn't come to the door, CPS left and figured they would come back. Nonsense. Workers should have waited outside the property line until someone came home. This girl was consistently eating from the garbage. An investigation cannot wait. The worst cases of child abuse fall through the cracks because the parents of the truly abused/neglected do not open the door, and there are too many other cases to attend to involving parents who do open the door. Erin Maxwell died at the hands of her older stepbrother, who is released after nine years in prison. There are people who have committed lesser crimes that have done more time. The system has failed to deliver justice for Erin Maxwell once again. Rachel Lee Mattydale Former Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner is running low on cash heading into the final month of her independent campaign for New York governor, according to new disclosure reports filed Monday. Miner reported having about $55,000 left in her campaign bank account, after spending $406,575 since July in her long-shot bid to upset Gov. Andrew Cuomo in November's election. Cuomo still had more than $9 million remaining in his campaign account. The governor spent about $26 million to defeat actress and activist Cynthia Nixon in September's Democratic primary election. Cuomo's main rival, Republican Marc Molinaro, was also running low on cash and reported about $210,000 remaining in his campaign account. Miner, Syracuse's two-term Democratic mayor, raised $298,800 since July, according to reports filed by her campaign. The total included $50,000 in loans from two women in New York City - Caroline Muller ($25,000) and Gretchen Beidl ($25,000). Muller is the wife of Scott Muller, chairman of the Serve America Movement, the upstart political organization backing Miner's bid. Beidl is married to Michael Willner, a director of SAM. Miner has spent some of her campaign cash on digital advertising, but she has not been able to afford television ads to help increase her name recognition among New York voters. Miner spent most of her campaign cash since July with BrownMiller Group, a New York City political consulting firm. Records show the firm was paid more than $234,000 through September. Her campaign also paid Albany public relations consultant Sherman Jewett about $25,000 during the period. Jewett serves as Miner's campaign manager. A Siena College poll made public last week showed about 78 percent of likely voters had never heard of Miner. The poll found Cuomo (50 percent) has a 22-point lead over Molinaro (28 percent). Libertarian Larry Sharpe (2 percent), Miner (1 percent) and Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins (1 percent) of Syracuse were struggling to gain any momentum. Nixon received support from about 10 percent of likely voters, but she has since asked to be removed from the Working Families Party line on the ballot. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Mattydale, N.Y. -- Betty Johnson and Kathy Sniezak started their gluten-free bakery, The Cookie Connection, nearly a decade ago. At first, the sisters ran a stand at the Central New York Regional Market. Then they moved into a space behind Strada Mia in Syracuse. Slowly, they built a following of customers and businesses, who grew to trust that their half-moon cookies, lemon pound cakes, chocolate muffins, birthday cakes and pizza crusts were completely gluten-free. They only opened to the public for a few hours on Saturdays. The National Celiac Association certified the bakery is safe for people with gluten intolerance. During the week, as they years went on, they baked for a growing list of wholesale buyers, which now includes Syracuse University and Wegmans. A few weeks ago, they moved into a storefront in Mattydale Plaza at 2803 Brewerton Road. The new space is more than triple the size of their old spot at Park Avenue and North Geddes Street. This Saturday, they'll celebrate with a grand opening. The sisters say they learned to bake from their mother and grandmother. But they taught themselves how to make sweet treats and breads out of gluten-free doughs. "It's nothing like regular baking," Sniezak said. "The mixing, leavening, baking time. It's all different." Gluten is a protein in wheat flour that provides strength and softness in baking. But it can also cause health problems for some people who have digestive problems and autoimmune diseases such as celiac. About a decade ago, Sniezak was diagnosed with lupus, Crohn's disease and other health conditions. "I was not able to work," says Snieszak, who used to be a nurse. "I was barely able to get off the couch." A provider suggested she give up gluten. She soon felt better, she says now. At The Cookie Connection, the sisters rely on a variety of flours: tapioca, potato, millet, sorghum, cornstarch and almond. They also use gluten-free oats for the oatmeal cookies that took time to perfect. "I remember throwing a lot of oatmeal cookies out," Sniezak said. The early batches spread so thin "you could look through them." Now they sell partially-baked, frozen pizza dough, gluten-free stuffing for holidays and stuffed hand pies. They make sandwich bread loaves. Sniezak said she's still trying to perfect a recipe for Italian bread. They said many Syracuse-area restaurants and delis use their products, including Vince's Gourmet Imports, Attilio's, Strada Mia and Carmelita's. The sisters plan to stick to the same basic business plan at the larger location - a few retail hours and lots of wholesale baking. They do plan to open for a few more hours each week: from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Customers are welcome to call during the week to place special orders, or to request favorite baked goods for the Wednesday or Saturday shopping hours. And they definitely do gluten-free birthday cakes, they said. For some kids, "it's the first birthday cake they can eat," Johnson said. "It's so rewarding." AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (AP) -- More than 1,000 people jammed into a riverside park to honor the victims of a limousine crash that killed 20 people in upstate New York. Some relatives of the dead shed tears as local officials expressed solidarity with them at Monday's vigil. Some victims lived in the small city. U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko told the families, in his words, "We are crushed with you, we are crushed for you." He's a Democrat from Amsterdam. The ceremony ended with participants lifting candles above their heads to signal unity and perseverance. The 19-seater limo ran a stop sign and hit a parked SUV on Saturday in Schoharie. Two pedestrians and all 18 people in the limo died. The passengers were headed to a 30th birthday party. Students spend approximately 2,160 keeping in contact with friends over the course of a degree. A recent survey by TransPennine Express discovered that students are willing to travel to visit friends over contacting them through social media. Fingertip access to people through social apps such as Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook seems to fall short when compared with the ability to meet in person; 41% of respondents opted for face time over the 16% preferring FaceTime. Moreover, the survey revealed that students take an average of 16 trips per year, accumulating to three days of traveling, with average train journeys estimated to be an hour and a half long. Moving away from home to study and live independently can be a great experience, but its understandable that keeping in touch with loved ones is a priority for many students, says Caroline Anchor, Head of Marketing at TransPennine Express. The reliability of social media in providing a platform for continuous contact is not an adequate substitute for reuniting with friends and family in person, as this survey demonstrates. Not every university ranked the same, with Manchester students travelling only around 2,916 miles over three years compared to students at Liverpool who trek an astonishing total of 4,266 miles to see friends. Students in the South East travel far less, with a mean of 31.74 miles a year. Although seeming expensive and time-consuming, the journey is worthwhile for 38% of respondents, who claim to have lost touch with a friend due to not being able to visit. As an international student with many friends studying abroad in the UK, I undertook a small great British adventure in an attempt to visit those attending universities in the southern parts of England. Wearing my 16-25 railcard as a badge, I travelled across the south to the likes of Canterbury and Brighton, with tourist stops along the way at Dover. I can assure those that wish to undertake a similar pilgrimage that it is indeed a costly, time-consuming and frustrating journey, but undeniably worth it to stay in touch with those friends that have unfortunately fallen into the backdrop of your daily encounters. The anticipation for this rollicking comedy was palpable before the show even started. Completely sold out for its one-night only performance, throngs of eager spectators descended upon the Corpus Playroom; a room of people already bound together in their shared excitement. From the outset, expectations were high and the atmosphere electric. Holmans mere entry provoked rapturous applause and cheers and we all knew we were in for something truly special. Holman takes us through a colourful romp of her life and times, spanning across a huge range of topics: family, childhood, university, adulthood, dating, and dipping into some serious issues too, including feminism and mental health, all tackled with a humorous charm and poignancy, highlighting her comic skill on all fronts. Her use of the space was effective and engaging, with minimal props a chaise lounge, power-point slides, and, of course, mayonnaise (from sachets dangling along the walls in makeshift bunting to a jar which she playfully handles throughout). Her humour is vivid enough to conjure up imaginative scenes before us and her command of the stage, as she waltzes to and fro, conversational with the audience, never wavered. There is much for the average Cambridge student to relate to in Holmans comic look at studying here; as an English student myself, her lyrics I hate writing essays about Chaucer, when theres not enough sherbet in my flying saucer were a personal favourite. Nor is she afraid to tackle the sheer absurdism of pedagogic academia; when she imagines her future offspring bemoaning their malnutrition, Holman retaliates with brisk wit that she is queering the social conventions of motherhood. Alongside her sparkling personal anecdotes, time is taken to comment on the lack of sexual education for women, and the tendency of some men to avoid the term feminist. As she strums on her ukulele in an amusing musical tirade against a certain Buzzfeed writer who deservedly incited her wrath, she croons hes an egalitarian, bro; hes not a feminist, no, and sighs he just doesnt get the suffra-gist just one example of the delightful word-play by which all her lyrics are punctuated. In a brief diversion from the light-hearted humour of the majority of the show, she touchingly departs to a conversation on mental health, the importance of communicating with friends, and recognising progress in recovery. Here a noticeable shift occurs and, where she began the production with a song on everything she loathed (which ended with a 10/10 photoshop of her unimpressed face plastered over a rainbow), in the final song she sings of the things she loves, ending with her smiling beside the rainbow. We are likewise encouraged to relish the things we love, a beautifully wholesome end to a show which also acknowledges that its ok to find joy in disliking things, from hundreds of years of colonial atrocity to Piers Morgans Twitter. More importantly, joy can be found in the bizarre eccentricities of human existence, whether its in an adoration of mayonnaise, or anything else. I count myself incredibly lucky to have been among the lucky few witnessing this one-night rallying cry, for students and feminists, for online daters, family navigators, mayonnaise lovers, and anyone who likes a good laugh. I look forward to seeing Holman in action again, and being among an audience so uniquely supportive of someone onstage. The spirit of the evening was perhaps best captured by the resounding cheer I heard all the way up Kings Parade as Holman stepped out into the street, throngs of admirers lingering to sing her praise. She is indeed worthy of it. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are creating more cases of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD in the United Kingdom. A new study from researchers from the King's College in London found that the estimated overall rate of probable PTSD among members of the UK Armed Forces increased to 6 percent in 2014 to 2016. The findings were published in The British Journal of Psychiatry. Increase In PTSD Cases The significant increase of the overall probable rate of PTSD is primarily seen among ex-serving personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Among those who were deployed to the conflicts, the rate of probable PTSD for veterans was at 9 percent. In comparison, the rate of probable PTSD among veterans who were not deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan was 5 percent. Meanwhile, the rate of probable PTSD among military personnel currently serving and deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan is 5 percent. The rate of probable PTSD among the civilian population is 4 percent. "For the first time we have identified that the risk of PTSD for veterans deployed in conflicts was substantially higher than the risk for those still serving," explained Sharon Stevelink from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London and the lead author of the study. "While the increase among veterans is a concern, not every veteran has been deployed and in general only about one in three would have been deployed in a combat role." Among the ex-servicemen who were deployed into combat, 17 percent reported symptoms of PTSD. Those who took on the role of medical, logistics, signals, and aircrew had a 6 percent rate of probable PTSD. The research involved nearly 9,000 individuals, about 62 percent of which had been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. It is part of the major study funded by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom and has been running since 2003. Alcoholism In Military Personnel The researchers also looked at the cases of alcohol misuse and found that rate has decreased in the past two years. From 2014 to 2016, the rate of alcohol misuse among military personnel, current and ex-serving, dropped to 10 percent from 15 percent in 2004 to 2006. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Diocese of Lafayette disclosed Monday it had received a sexual assault allegation against a priest nearly a quarter-century ago but only removed the priest from active ministry this past weekend after a review board determined the complaint had "the semblance of truth." Monsignor Robie Robichaux is accused of abusing a teenage girl between 1979 and 1981, when the victim was 16 or 17 years old. Bishop Douglas Deshotel announced at a Monday news conference that Robichaux had been placed on administrative leave but refused to take questions from reporters. He did not say what action any of his predecessors took, if any, when the allegation was first made two dozen years ago. Will names of Louisiana clergy accused of sex abuse be released? Bishops considering it When Louisianas five Catholic bishops met last week in Lafayette for their regular quarterly meeting, there was no need to consult an agenda. Deshotel said Robichaux is the head of the diocesan marriage tribunal, a church court, and Robichaux is also listed as chancellor on the website of Sts. Leo and Seton Catholic School in Lafayette. Deshotel did not mention Robichaux's position at the school and diocesan officials did not respond to further questions Monday afternoon. The allegation was first made in 1994 and in 2004 the victim requested in a notarized statement that Robichaux be removed from the ministry based on church policies adopted in 2002, Deshotel said. Bishops adopted the policies that year in response to clergy sex-abuse cases nationwide. Can't see video below? Click here. Deshotel said he was first made aware of the allegation on Sept. 18, then referred the matter to the churchs Sexual Abuse Review Board. It's not clear how Deshotel learned of the allegation, but he indicated the victim had once again come forward. After receiving the notarized victim statement in 2004, former Bishop Michael Jarrell obtained a determination from the churchs Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the victim was considered an adult under canon law at the time of the alleged abuse, Deshotel said. However, Deshotel added, the victim would have been considered a minor under state law. Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Its not clear what, if anything, Jarrell did after receiving the determination that the victim was considered an adult under canon law. Deshotel said Jarrell should have referred the matter the Layperson Sexual Abuse Review Board, but he did not elaborate as to why the former bishop did not. It was not immediately clear what the allegations entail. Asked about next steps in the disciplinary process, including the length of Robichauxs leave, a diocese spokeswoman said those details are still being worked out. A receptionist in Robichauxs office said he was not available and would not make any statements. The allegation against Robichaux is third involving the Lafayette Diocese to surface publicly for the first time in the last four months. Michael Guidry, a former priest at St. Peter Church in St. Landry Parish, confessed in June to abusing a 16-year-old altar boy three years ago. New details in Lafayette diocese abuse case surface in lawsuit in St. Landry case The family of a teenager accusing a Diocese of Lafayette priest of sexual assault filed a civil lawsuit Friday in state court, despite a threa The sweeping Pennsylvania grand jury report detailing allegations in six dioceses in that state revealed that one of the accused former priests, John Bostwick, was transferred to Lafayette in 1992, after Bostwick had refused to get church-ordered counseling. Bostwick came at the invitation of former Bishop Harry Flynn, according to the Lafayette Diocese. Bostwick was removed in 1996 after an investigation of allegations he abused minors in Virginia in the early 1980s. Priest named in Pennsylvania grand jury report was transferred to Lafayette after refusing counseling A former priest named this week in the sweeping Pennsylvania grand jury report on sexual abuse in Catholic Church was transferred to the Dioce Meanwhile, allegations against Kenneth Morvant, the late pastor of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, resurfaced in the news last month when 11 plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit moved their case to the 15th Judicial District Court. The federal suit accused Morvant of repeatedly abusing the male victims in the 1970s. The recent news has strengthened calls on Deshotel to release a list of names of priests who were accused of sexually abusing children in the 1980s. The diocese in 2004 disclosed that 123 accusers had received a total of $24.4 million in legal settlements related to allegations against 15 priests, but has never released the names of the priests. The Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce will hold its Main Street Meet and Greet at 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday in Crowley. Ray Scriber, the director of Louisiana Main Street program with the Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser's office, will attend the event at Zeus, 512 Parkerson Ave. He will discuss the Main Street Program with downtown business owners and property owners, including grant opportunities and the historic tax credit. "It's a great way for Crowley Main Street businesses to learn more about the resources available to them and also allows them to meet each other as it creates a more cohesive downtown environment," said Amy Thibodaux, president and CEO of the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce. For more, contact Connie John at 337-384-4402 or at crowleymainst@gmail.com. A California biomedical company has completed its acquisition of Lafayette-based LJR Security Services and its wholly owned subsidiary, company officials announced Tuesday morning. NuLife Sciences closed its merger with the electronic security company along with Gulf West Security Network, also headquartered in Lafayette, on Monday. NuLife, a publicly traded company that focuses on medical research and technology, made the move to expand into the rapidly growing life safety and security industry, according to the company announcement. LJR has offices in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Louis J. Resweber was also appointed board chair and president and CEO of the combined company and will replace Sean C. Clarke, who resigned as president and CEO but will remain on the board of directors. Resweber, a Scott resident and St. Martinville native, founded, owned and operated LJR Security and Gulf West and has 35 years experience in the industry. Both companies have only a handful of employees, but Resweber said officials are considering moving all operations to Louisiana. While the two companies don't have many employees, Resweber noted that "the last business plan we executed like this was a substantial employer. We're looking to grow employment tremendously." Research shows the life safety and electronic security industry is a rapidly growing but highly fragmented sector that currently generates over $22 billion annually but is predicted to top $57 billion by 2022, Resweber said. ExxonMobils allies in Baton Rouge voiced swift and vociferous opposition to BREC in recent weeks following the parks systems decision to appeal the petrochemical company's property tax assessment, which the agency had claimed was too low. Emails obtained by The Advocate show that an executive at a firm that supplies workers to ExxonMobil's facilities, Stephen Toups of Turner Industries, resigned from the BREC Foundation board in protest of BRECs appeal. An ExxonMobil spokeswoman emailed a former ExxonMobil employee a draft citizen letter to the editor slamming the agency, a letter that was forwarded to BREC. ExxonMobil also filed a public records request for a wide range of documents and correspondence about the decision. The emails reveal a wave of pressure put on BREC following its appeal, and shed light on the industry giants clout in Baton Rouge. Meanwhile, several members of the Louisiana Association of Educators on Monday filed a lawsuit against East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor Brian Wilson over ExxonMobils assessment, prolonging an effort that last week appeared dead when BREC dropped a separate challenge. The lawsuit tracks closely to Together Baton Rouge's analysis of ExxonMobil's tax liability. The educators claim Wilson is "obligated" to place capital improvements made on ExxonMobil's property in 2017 on the tax rolls, and said Wilson's policy of directing companies not to declare property eligible for exemptions is violating the law. BREC abruptly drops its challenge of ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge property assessments The Baton Rouge parks department, which last month formally appealed ExxonMobil's property tax bill and claimed the petrochemical giant's prop Tia Mills, president of the East Baton Rouge Parish Association of Educators, along with Anita Augustus, Minette Carpenter, Alexandra Clark, Sydney McPherson and Sherleen Sanders are listed as plaintiffs. All are employees of the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. Assessor Brian Wilson is listed as the defendant. "Without those resources, I'm at a great disadvantage," Mills said at a press conference Wednesday at the LAE offices. "My classroom for the most part is completely funded by me. I've spent at least $1,000 if not more on my classroom to make sure it is a conducive environment to my students." Brian Wilson said Monday he had not been served with the suit and declined to comment. Together Baton Rouge and several teachers first raised questions about ExxonMobil's assessment, saying $338 million worth of property was left off the rolls. If left uncorrected, the group said, local taxing bodies would miss out on $5 million in revenue. Together Baton Rouge approached BREC about the analysis, and the department filed a formal appeal before the Metro Council, which upheld Wilsons assessment. BREC late last week declined to appeal to the Tax Commission, the next step in the process. Wilson previously said $121.9 million of the $269 million Exxon ended up spending on property was not declared because it is eligible for, but has not yet received, an exemption through the state's Industrial Tax Exemption Program. Still, Together Baton Rouge's analysis found even when accounting for that, the property depreciated at a rate far higher than it should have. Also, more property from expiring exemptions should have rolled onto the company's tax documents, TBR has said. ExxonMobil last week declined to provide specific details about how its fair market value was calculated for its chemical plant, refinery, plastics plant and polyolefins plant, or why its property value for those four facilities fell from $1.45 billion last year to $1.39 billion this year. The company said that sharing data about its valuation with the public would disclose confidential business information to its competitors. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber previously said there was no pressure campaign against BREC to drop the appeal, as Together Baton Rouge had claimed. Emails show the parks agency received pushback from Adam Knapp, president and CEO of BRAC. Metro Council upholds ExxonMobil assessment, sheriff OKs tax exemption The East Baton Rouge Metro Council on Wednesday upheld the property assessment for ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge facilities, despite an appeal from This is astounding BREC would do this without talking to us to ask about fact from fiction on this, Knapp wrote in an email to BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight on Sept. 21, the day The Advocate published a story about the appeal. TBR is a deceptive untrustworthy organization and its a black eye for BREC to align with. BRAC spokeswoman Kelly Bienn said Monday that Knapp's email is in line with what the chamber has said publicly in recent weeks about concerns over accuracy and transparency in the appeal effort. McKnight told BREC staffers she probably would not return Knapp's call and said she thinks "he might be a little confused about who I work for and it is not the chamber." "He would not help me when I needed him, so old well (sic) we are moving forward," she wrote. "If Exxon does not owe BREC, I will move on, but if they do, they will need to pay their correct tax bill. Turner Industries, an industrial services firm that contracts with ExxonMobil to provide workers in its Baton Rouge facilities, also opposed the challenge. Toups, an executive vice president at Turner, on Sept. 24 wrote in an email to BREC Foundation Executive Director Carl Stages that he saw BRECs comments toward ExxonMobil, and would resign from the BREC Foundation board that day. He linked to an Advocate article about BRECs appeal. Exxon is one of our largest clients and I just cannot be seen to be contradicting all of their work in the community, Toups wrote. I went and testified until 10 p.m. the other night on the good use of the ITEP incentives for their expansion and then for the BREC Commission to attack them publicly like that just flies in the face of my role here for the company and the Turner family. Sorry, I know the foundation and the commission are different but it is a close tie in the eye of many of our clients. I am sure you understand how fragile comments like that can get in the media. Stages said he received a resignation letter from Toups on Monday. In an interview Monday, Toups said BREC should have picked up the phone and called ExxonMobil if it had an issue with the assessment. He said it was not fair for the agency to attack a donor, and said he "can't be associated with that," especially because ExxonMobil is a big client of Turner's. Two days after Toups email, Exxon spokeswoman Megan Manchester sent an email to Marvin Borgmeyer, a retired ExxonMobil employee who sits on the boards of the BREC Foundation and Friends of the Zoo. The subject line said Here you go and the email was blank, except for an attachment titled CITIZEN LETTER TO THE EDITOR--DRAFT FOR REVIEW--9/25/18. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The unsigned letter called McKnights decision to appeal Exxons assessment reckless and uninformed. It also called BREC a sucker for spreading Together Baton Rouges misinformation. Manchester told the Advocate the letter was written by an unnamed "communications firm" and was sent to ExxonMobil "for review." Borgmeyer forwarded Manchesters email to McKnight, asking her to please comment ASAP. In a lengthy reply to Borgmeyer, McKnight called the letter very wrong, reactionary and ridiculous. She said BREC was not trying to hurt Exxon or the assessor, and added she was willing to drop it if the assessments ended up being correct. This venomous (sic) must be stopped and everyone should calm down, McKnight wrote. She later called the planned letter to the editor ugly. BREC spokeswoman Cheryl Michelet said Monday she does not know who composed the letter, and said "we heard from both sides of the issue as is normally the case." Michelet said BREC disagrees with the suggestion that BREC "dropped" its appeal, because the agency filed the appeal with the Board of Review. After the Board of Review, which in Baton Rouge is the Metro Council, upheld the assessment, BREC decided not to pursue the appeal anymore and accept the council's decision. Borgmeyer, in an interview on Monday, called the letter to the editor nasty and said it was written by some lobbyist guy he declined to name. Borgmeyer said he was trying to mediate between BREC and ExxonMobil, and said Manchester emailed him the letter to the editor to ask what I thought of the letter. He said he told her it was terrible, and added he would reach out to McKnight to comment on it. The Advocate has no record of receiving the letter. Manchester said Borgmeyer was "free to express his own opinion, choosing to use some or all of the draft editorial information that was sent to him or none at all." She added Borgmeyer did not speak on behalf of ExxonMobil. After BREC filed its appeal, a number of community members contacted Exxon to express their disapproval, Manchester said, and ExxonMobil remains concerned about Together Baton Rouge's role in the appeal. "ExxonMobil looks forward to continuing to build a strong partnership with BREC and to supporting its foundation going forward," she added. Borgmeyer also said he does not think McKnight decided to drop the appeal because she was intimidated by the letter, and said she did not want her to leave the agency on a bad note. McKnight is leaving the agency when her contract ends in early 2019. You know all the hell she went through with the zoo stuff? No she was not intimidated by a letter at all, he said. Borgmeyer added that he is convinced ExxonMobils assessment is accurate. In emails obtained by the Advocate, Borgmeyer asked McKnight to drop the appeal and apologize. ExxonMobil also made a public records request for a wide range of information regarding BREC's appeal. Corey Wilson, BREC's chief of management and business services, wrote in an email about the request that "we've seen this tactic before when someone doesn't agree with our decisions." In a host of emails, McKnight sought to portray the appeal not as an attack on ExxonMobil, but as an effort to ask questions and make sure the rolls are accurate and BREC is receiving the proper amount of funding. Wilson at one point wrote "folks are coming out of the wood works (sic) fussing our decision to appeal but so far no one has explained how the 2018 taxes we (sic) calculated or determined." McKnight also asked Stages and other staffers to provide a report on how much money Exxon had donated to BREC's programs in recent years, following a report ExxonMobil apparently sent McKnight detailing more than $650,000 in donations since 1998. Stages responded with a report detailing more than $400,000 in recent donations, including $300,000 for a new tiger exhibit at the zoo that was contributed in 1999-2001. "Take a look at this ridiculousness from what Carl Stages pulled together," McKnight wrote to the staffers in response. "These are peanuts!" When asked specifically about that email, BREC doubled down. While BREC appreciates all donations, including Exxon's $300,000 contribution to the zoo from 1992-2002, Michelet said, "based on the needs of our community and what we have seen across the nation in terms of private business support to park and recreation agencies, private contributions to our agency fall short of what's occurring across the nation and in other areas of our state." Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission A paraplegic inmate testified in federal court Tuesday that conditions were so foul in one of the infirmaries at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola that he couldn't wait to return to the prison's general population. The infirmary reeked of human waste and was filled with the moans of prisoners "crying out to the Lord," Farrell Sampier testified. Sampier, a diabetic who was testifying from a wheelchair in an orange prison jumpsuit, was describing conditions he said he experienced in the Ward 2 infirmary for prisoners with serious chronic care needs. "I didn't want to die in that situation," Sampier testified as the first witness on the opening day of the trial of a class-action lawsuit that alleges grossly inadequate medical care at the maximum-security prison. Lawsuit claims Angola inmates receive grossly inadequate medical care Grossly inadequate medical care has put the 6,000-plus prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola at serious risk, while many oth "I had to get off the ward. I had to get in general population," he said The suit claims inmates have suffered unnecessary pain and suffering, exacerbation of existing conditions, permanent disability, disfigurement and even death as a result of "grossly deficient" medical care. Sampier, who arrived at Angola in 2013 and suffers from an autoimmune deficiency, testified about inmate orderlies going from patient to patient in the infirmary without changing their gloves. When lawyers would visit the infirmary or others would tour the facility, he said, prison officials would "spruce up the place." When Mercedes Montagnes, a lawyer with The Promise of Justice Initiative in New Orleans, asked Sampier how he feels about Angola's medical care staff, he replied, "I think they could be more empathetic, a little more caring about their job. It could be a lot better." In addition to The Promise of Justice Initiative, Sampier and his fellow Angola inmates are represented by lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The suit's defendants are the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc and Angola's wardens. The state has said Angola's inmates receive quality medical care. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Angola prisoners get appropriate, quality care, but there are challenges, a state health official said Thursday Prisoners at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola receive quality health care, the state corrections departments medical director said Thur Mary Roper, one of the defendants' attorneys, suggested to Sampier and Chief U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick that the prison's medical staff was tough on him in the infirmary because they wanted him to become more independent and rejoin the general prison population. Other testimony Tuesday came from Dr. Michael Puisis, one of the plaintiffs' medical experts. He is an expert in medical care provided in correctional facilities. Puisis said he spent four days at Angola and found the medical care there to be inadequate. Medical personnel fail to diagnose or properly treat illnesses, he said, and also fail to provide follow-up care ordered by outside medical providers. "We found inadequate care in almost every record we reviewed," he testified. "The errors were pervasive." Puisis said he observed many medical examinations conducted at inmates' cells when they should be performed in a clinical setting. He likened the practice to a doctor seeing a patient in a lobby. Puisis also found that the prison fails to provide or maintain medically necessary devices and said record-keeping practices are inadequate. He also found unsanitary examination rooms and evidence of food being eaten in clinical areas. Montagnes, in her earlier opening statement to the judge, called the medical care at Angola "abysmal" and said it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. "There is no doubt there are good actors in the system, but the system itself is broken," Montagnes said. +3 'Blind man denied ... a cane': Louisiana State Penitentiary medical care lawsuit heads to trial The medical care provided to more than 6,000 inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary will be under the microscope for the next few weeks i Randal Robert, one of the defendants' attorneys, told the judge the defense would withhold its opening statement until it begins to call its own witnesses. A search Tuesday in Ascension Parish for evidence in the killing of a Brusly High teacher who went missing in 2011 came up empty, but East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputies expected to continue the effort in the coming days. Casey Rayborn Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office, called the operation Tuesday just off Interstate 10 in Gonzales an "attempted recovery" of any evidence, part of which involved a diver searching a waterway just off the interstate. Hicks would not say if deputies were searching specifically for the remains of Sylviane Finck Lozada, whose body has not been recovered. But she said she expects deputies to continue their search for evidence in the days to come, perhaps in different locations. Can't see video below? Click here. Oscar Lozada admitted to killing his wife, Sylviane Finck Lozada, after his extradition back to Baton Rouge last week. He was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison early Saturday on second-degree murder, more than seven years after his wife went missing. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said following Lozada's arrest that investigators still hope to find Sylviane's body but it wasn't clear if that would be possible. He would not say if Oscar Lozada had explained the location or status of her remains. In September, Mexican officials assisted U.S. and Baton Rouge authorities to bring Lozada back to the country, which he had fled years earlier, the timing in accordance with his wife's disappearance. The day after Sylviane Lozada last spoke by phone to her mother in Belgium, Oscar Lozada purchased two round-trip tickets to his home country of Venezuela for his 4-year-old daughter and himself, investigators found. He also bought 15 bags of Quickset Concrete and nine 5-gallon buckets with lids and luggage locks. Like Sylviane Lozada's body, those items have also never been found by officials, nor has an explanation been offered for why the items were purchased. Sylviane Lozada, a Belgium citizen, was a Spanish and French teacher at Brusly High School. She had reported a few instances of domestic violence by her husband both to her friends and local authorities. The couple's daughter, Angelina, now 12, was also safely brought back to the U.S. in September. Ten candidates for five seats on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Monday offered a wide range of things they'd like to do if elected to improve schools, especially when it comes to the education of African-American males. The candidate forum, held at McKinley Middle School, was organized by four groups, which have made a priority of improving the lot of African-American men: Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Our Schools Our Excellence and Urban Congress on African-American Males in Baton Rouge. The parish School Board has nine members, five white and four black. But all four black representatives are women. Tramelle Howard, an educator who currently works for the nonprofit group City Year, said issues that affect African-American men would achieve higher priority if he and other African-American men were elected to the School Board. In order to address an issue, we need to have a seat at the table, he said. One key issue is the historically low graduation rates among men of his skin color, he said. It has not been something weve put as a priority, Howard said. We need to hold our leadership accountable and understand why our young black and African-American men are not graduating from high school. Dawn Collins, the incumbent board member representing District 4, disputed Howards suggestion that she can't adequately represent men. I think I know something because I am a mother of two African-American men and a grandmother of an African-American boy, Collins said. Candidates for Districts 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were present Monday, though only four of the incumbents for those five districts were there. District 3 incumbent Kenyetta Nelson-Smith was not present. Nor were the candidates in the sixth local School Board race on the Nov. 6 ballot incumbent Jill Dyason and challenger Tammy Dabadie. Students, teachers ask Baton Rouge school board candidates about pay, teacher vacancies and school conditions Before McKinley High student Digby Stridiron Jr. asked candidates for East Baton Rouge Parish School Board what they would do about teacher sh One point of contention during Mondays forum was how much of the problems in East Baton Rouge Parish schools, home to 32 schools with letter grades of D and F, can be traced to the schools themselves or if other factors are to blame. Tania Nyman, a parent activist challenging District 7 incumbent Mike Gaudet, has focused her campaign on an array of external factors that she said are making local control of schools difficult to impossible. These include the states accountability system, which she said is largely geared towards making certain schools look bad so they can be targets for privatization. What we really need is multiple measures (to judge schools), Nyman said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Gaudet suggested local schools have to get more efficient and figure out ways to meet the challenge set for them by the state. We can no longer hide behind we have no resources. We can no longer hide behind other issues, Gaudet said, Every child can learn. Every child deserves the resources. Collins echoed Nyman, saying the state's accountability system provides an incomplete picture of how schools are doing and mostly just exposes underlying problems of community poverty. Folks been poor a long time and it never stopped us from succeeding before, she said. District 2 incumbent Vereta Lee also suggested that the state accountability system was not accurately capturing the progress of schools in Baton Rouge and said the state is also manipulating the system to make them look worse. I think our schools are doing great and our children are doing great, Lee said. But every time they do better, the state moves the mark. Lees two challengers in District 2 immediately challenged that idea. One of the things I said when Id do when I started to run for this office is I refuse to play the blame game, said Dadrius Lanus, an educator running against Lee. Joycelyn Hall, Lees other challenger and also an educator, said she accepts rising state standards. If they move the mark, we need to make sure the children meet that mark, Hall said. Hall suggested that the way schools are run, though, make it hard to meet that mark. She and Chrisdelin Kelly Lyles, who is running against Collins in District 4, talked at length about how teachers are ignored when it comes time to make decisions about classrooms instruction. Were not allowed the autonomy we need to have in our classrooms, said Hall. A lot of our principals arent given the autonomy as well. Morale is low, Lyles said. Teachers dont believe they are valued, not just because of the pay but because they are not at the table. Updated Tuesday 1:16 p.m. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced moments ago that Bayou Liberty Road (La. 433) near the Bayou Liberty Marina just west of Slidell has closed because of high water. Fairview-Riverside State Park near Madisonville will be closed until further notice because of rising water associated with Hurricane Michael. Park Manager Steven Welch said the Tchefuncte River, on which Fairview-Riverside sits only a few miles from Lake Pontchartrain, rose overnight and flooded parts of the park's back campground. Welch wasn't sure how deep the water is, but he said it since has spread to the park's front campground and day-use area. Out of an abundance of caution, Welch decided to close the park, which he said is a decision made by staff at individual parks. As of 11:30 a.m., most everyone on site had left the facility, including several campers visiting from out of state. "It's kind of crazy, the way the water came up," Welch said. "It happened pretty fast overnight. Whenever we get a southeast wind, the water in the river rises, but this is storm surge. It'll probably stay up a bit until the storm passes through." Madisonville Mayor Jean Pelloat said that the Tchefuncte is higher than usual, but has not spilled its banks near Town Hall, and he doesn't think it will. Pelloat said a portion of Lake Road (La. 1077) below La. 22 has been closed for several days, and there are two city blocks that have standing water in the north part of town -- a block of St. Paul Street, as well as a portion of Johnson St. where it crosses 5th St. "Those are low areas that usually do hold water," Pelloat said. "But that's water from Bayou DeZaire coming down from Covington in those two spots, not storm surge." St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Pelloat said crews were busy Tuesday morning setting up for the 29th annual Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival. He said all indications are the celebration will go off without a problem this weekend. Still, an official with the St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control said Tuesday that they were moving Wednesday's scheduled meeting from the library in Madisonville to the Causeway branch in Mandeville. The Madisonville branch is located just south of La. 22 on the Tchefuncte River. Fontainebleau State Park, which is located near Mandeville about 10 miles due east of Fairview-Riverside, also has closed its day-use area until further notice. Fontainebleau staff made the announcement on the park's Facebook page earlier this morning. Mandeville Mayor Donald Villere said Tuesday there was some standing water near the lakefront on West Beach Parkway and by the Pontchartrain Yacht Club. Given Michael's current path, however, Villere doesn't expect any local businesses or homes to be affected by rising water. The Office of State Parks also noted that Grand Isle State Park, at the southern tip of Jefferson Parish, was closed Tuesday and for possibly the next few days, due to high water. Though Hurricane Michael is projected to make landfall somewhere on the Florida panhandle Wednesday evening, it already has filled up much of the Gulf of Mexico as it gains intensity. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, the storm had grown to Category 2 hurricane and was packing winds up to 110 mph. Federal prosecutors struck a plea deal Tuesday with one of three men charged with a deadly armored truck robbery attempt in Mid-City last year. Deltoine Scott, 25, pleaded guilty to various charges pertaining to the May 31, 2017, killing of Loomis employee Jimmy McBride. In return, prosecutors dropped a count charging Scott directly in the slaying of McBride, which would have resulted in a sentence of life imprisonment if he had been convicted at trial. It is expected that Scott will now testify against Jerome and Armstead Kieffer, who are scheduled to go to trial Oct. 22 in front of U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle. Lemelle set Scott's sentencing date for Jan. 30. Scott signed a summary of the case against him before entering his guilty plea during a rearraignment hearing. That document wasnt immediately available Tuesday morning, but it is expected to be filed into the court record and shed light on the slaying. According to investigators, Scott and Jerome Kieffer each held pistols when they ambushed McBride and two of his Loomis co-workers near outside Campus Federal Credit Union in the 400 block of South Galvez Street. Armstead Kieffer was positioned nearby as a lookout. The two robbers took a bag of money but realized it was empty when they got to their getaway car. Jerome Kieffer then returned to the armored truck, and McBride was fatally wounded in an exchange of gunfire that ensued between one of his colleagues and the robbers, prosecutors allege. The robbers fled without stealing any money. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up A key break in the case came when New Orleans police pulled over Scotts grandfather as he drove the getaway truck hours after the killing. The grandfather told authorities he let Scott borrow the truck for most of that day, and officials later obtained surveillance camera footage as well as cellphone records that tied Scott and the Kieffers to the deadly, botched robbery. All three were later arrested and charged in federal court with McBrides killing as well as the robbery at gunpoint of a Brinks armored car in the parking lot of a Chase Bank in the 1400 block of North Broad Street nearly two years earlier. The U.S. government prosecutes robbery cases involving banks and armored trucks, whose money is federally insured. It had the option of pursuing the death penalty against Scott and the Kieffers but declined to do so. Scott pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit armed robbery, committing armed robbery, brandishing guns during the robberies, brandishing a gun in the stick-up leading to McBride's murder and lying to federal agents. He faces decades in prison with the possibility of parole. Wearing shackles and a red prisoner's jumpsuit, Scott said little. He answered Lemelle's questions, "Yes sir, your honor," or "no sir, your honor," and repeatedly indicated he was pleading guilty voluntarily. "We didn't want to him spend the rest of his life in jail," said Benny George, Scott's attorney. "As young as he is, he took responsibility." George said his client's family was deeply involved in the decision to plead out rather than contest the case at trial. Scott was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Haller and Michael McMahon. The Kieffers have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting their trial in federal custody. Their attorneys declined comment on Scott's plea. Rose McGowan has lashed out at suggestions she has turned her back on the global #MeToo movement. Earlier this week, there were reports the actress had described elements of the #MeToo movement as "bullshit". However, the actress has since said she was referring to the actions of some in Hollywood, as opposed to survivors around the world who have shared stories of abuse and sexual harassment. McGowan has been one of the leading figures in the #MeToo movement since The New York Times revealed last year that she had reached a $100,000 settlement with Harvey Weinstein in 1997 after an encounter in a hotel room. She later turned to social media to claim the disgraced movie mogul had raped her and that Hollywood's "golden boys" knew about his behaviour. New coal mines or approved expansion of existing ones have the potential to lift NSW production by almost 2 billion tonnes, potential unleashing an "emissions bomb", according to calculations by NSW Greens. The tally includes the new 120 million-tonne Bylong coal mine proposed by Korea's KEPCO group for the Hunter Valley, which secured Department of Planning support on Monday. The approval came on the same day the United Nations released a special report recommending a phase-out of coal used in power stations by 2050. It's not yet time to stop expanding, coal industry says. Credit:Peter Morris NSW now has 1.881 billion tonnes of coal either recently approved or in the planning pipeline, with 1.1 billion tonnes for expanded mines alone, the Greens estimate. If all the coal were burnt it would emit the equivalent of 5.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, or 10 times Australia's current annual emissions. A Brisbane financial planner has admitted bludgeoning his biggest client to death with a hammer and hiding his body in storage, but denies he is a murderer. Trung The Ma has pleaded not guilty to murdering 63-year-old Huegio Bonham in February 2014. Family and friends of Hugo Bonham leave the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Tuesday. Credit:AAP Prosecutors rejected his guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter. Ma has also admitted interfering with Mr Bonham's corpse. "It was the best apprenticeship anybody could have ever had in their lifetime. It was the most important delicatessen store that Australia had at that time and it's been very sad to see business decline over the years." Salt fish being sold by Teresa Carnovale in the Lygon Food Store. Paul Ferraro, co-owner of the nearby University Cafe, still remembers the scent of cheese and cured meat wafting from the store as business boomed in the 1980s. "It was always alight and abuzz with people from all walks of life," Mr Ferraro said. "It had hundreds of different cheeses back in its day. Every Tom, Dick and Harry would go there for whatever they needed for their lunches or dinners. Mums and dads would packed in there with their kids on Saturday mornings ... at lunchtime, you couldn't even get in the door some days, with everybody going in their to get one of their famous paninis." The head of one of Australia's biggest online betting agencies says a new tax on bookmakers set to hit state parliament this week has turned them off buying the WA TAB. On Tuesday afternoon the WA state government announced historic reforms for the racing sector including the sale of the TAB and a 15 per cent tax on profits earned in the state by bookmakers - known as the new "point of consumption" tax. Bet Easy is licensed in the Northern Territory and owned by global online betting corporation The Stars Group. Chief executive Matt Tripp confirmed they had shown interest in the TAB, even speaking with the state government about it, but a bid was now off the table. We have been engaging with the government and its advisors as an interested party in the possible sale of the WA TAB," he said. The tampered hardware was found in a facility that had large numbers of Supermicro servers, and the telecommunication company's technicians couldn't answer what kind of data was pulsing through the infected one, said Appleboum, who accompanied them for a visual inspection of the machine. It's not clear if the telecommunications company contacted the FBI about the discovery. An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment on whether it was aware of the finding.Representatives for AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. had no immediate comment on whether the malicious component was found in one of their servers. T-Mobile US and Sprint didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Sepio Systems' board includes Chairman Tamir Pardo, former director of the Israeli Mossad, the national defense agency of Israel, and its advisory board includes Robert Bigman, former chief information security officer of the US Central Intelligence Agency.US communications networks are an important target of foreign intelligence agencies, because data from millions of mobile phones, computers, and other devices pass through their systems. Hardware implants are key tools used to create covert openings into those networks, perform reconnaissance and hunt for corporate intellectual property or government secrets.The manipulation of the Ethernet connector appeared to be similar to a method also used by the US National Security Agency, details of which were leaked in 2013. In emails, Appleboum and his team refer to the implant as their "old friend," because he said they had previously seen several variations in investigations of hardware made by other companies manufacturing in China. In Bloomberg Businessweek's report, one official said investigators found that the Chinese infiltration through Supermicro reached almost 30 companies, including Amazon.com and Apple. Both Amazon and Apple also disputed the findings. The US Department of Homeland Security said it has "no reason to doubt" the companies' denials of Bloomberg Businessweek's reporting. People familiar with the federal investigation into the 2014-2015 attacks say that it is being led by the FBI's cyber and counterintelligence teams, and that DHS may not have been involved. Counterintelligence investigations are among the FBI's most closely held and few officials and agencies outside of those units are briefed on the existence of those investigations.Appleboum said that he's consulted with intelligence agencies outside the US that have told him they've been tracking the manipulation of Supermicro hardware, and the hardware of other companies, for some time. In response to the Bloomberg Businessweek story, the Norwegian National Security Authority said last week that it had been "aware of an issue" connected to Supermicro products since June. It couldn't confirm the details of Bloomberg's reporting, a statement from the authority said, but it has recently been in dialogue with partners over the issue.Hardware manipulation is extremely difficult to detect, which is why intelligence agencies invest billions of dollars in such sabotage. The US is known to have extensive programs to seed technology heading to foreign countries with spy implants, based on revelations from former CIA employee Edward Snowden. But China appears to be aggressively deploying its own versions, which take advantage of the grip the country has over global technology manufacturing. Three security experts who have analyzed foreign hardware implants for the US Department of Defense confirmed that the way Sepio's software detected the implant is sound. One of the few ways to identify suspicious hardware is by looking at the lowest levels of network traffic. Those include not only normal network transmissions, but also analog signals - such as power consumption - that can indicate the presence of a covert piece of hardware. In the case of the telecommunications company, Sepio's technology detected that the tampered Supermicro server actually appeared on the network as two devices in one. The legitimate server was communicating one way, and the implant another, but all the traffic appeared to be coming from the same trusted server, which allowed it to pass through security filters. Appleboum said one key sign of the implant is that the manipulated Ethernet connector has metal sides instead of the usual plastic ones. The metal is necessary to diffuse heat from the chip hidden inside, which acts like a mini computer. "The module looks really innocent, high quality and 'original' but it was added as part of a supply chain attack," he said. The goal of hardware implants is to establish a covert staging area within sensitive networks, and that's what Appleboum and his team concluded in this case. They decided it represented a serious security breach, along with multiple rogue electronics also detected on the network, and alerted the client's security team in August, which then removed them for analysis. Once the implant was identified and the server removed, Sepio's team was not able to perform further analysis on the chip. The threat from hardware implants "is very real," said Sean Kanuck, who until 2016 was the top cyber official inside the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He's now director of future conflict and cyber security for the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington. Hardware implants can give attackers power that software attacks don't."Manufacturers that overlook this concern are ignoring a potentially serious problem," Kanuck said. "Capable cyber actors -- like the Chinese intelligence and security services -- can access the IT supply chain at multiple points to create advanced and persistent subversions." One of the keys to any successful hardware attack is altering components that have an ample power supply to them, a daunting challenge the deeper into a motherboard you go. That's why peripherals such as keyboards and mice are also perennial favorites for intelligence agencies to target, Appleboum said. In the wake of Bloomberg's reporting on the attack against Supermicro products, security experts say that teams around the world, from large banks and cloud computing providers to small research labs and startups, are analysing their servers and other hardware for modifications, a stark change from normal practices. Their findings won't necessarily be made public, since hardware manipulation is typically designed to access government and corporate secrets, rather than consumer data. National security experts say a key problem is that, in a cybersecurity industry approaching $100 billion in revenue annually, very little of that has been spent on inspecting hardware for tampering. That's allowed intelligence agencies around the world to work relatively unimpeded, with China holding a key advantage."For China, these efforts are all-encompassing," said Tony Lawrence, CEO of VOR Technology, a Columbia, Maryland-based contractor to the intelligence community. "There is no way for us to identify the gravity or the size of these exploits -- we don't know until we find some. It could be all over the place -- it could be anything coming out of China. The unknown is what gets you and that's where we are now. We don't know the level of exploits within our own systems." Ellie Morales Recalde, 5, attends a sunrise ceremony in downtown Los Angeles for the first celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day. Credit:LA Times The day-long commemoration began with a sunrise ceremony by native American residents, some in traditional dress, followed by a 5-kilometre run through downtown led by City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, himself a member of the Wyandotte Nation who grew up in Oklahoma. Los Angeles: The city of Los Angeles has celebrated its first Indigenous Peoples Day, joining the growing ranks of local governments across the United States replacing the traditional Columbus Day holiday with observances of Native American history and culture. O'Farrell was principal sponsor of legislation the council passed last year designating the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day in the nation's second-largest city. As with the old holiday, government offices, courts, banks and many businesses were closed. The inaugural observance was to be capped with an outdoor concert headlined by the Grammy-winning group Black Eyed Peas and the Native American rock band Redbone. Dr Leslie Jimenez, Hopi Nation member and descendent of Mexican and Ethiopian indigenous peoples, wears traditional celebratory face paint, used to connect to ancestors, during an Indigenous Peoples Day blessing in Seattle on Monday. Credit:AP Loading Los Angeles, whose earliest settlers belonged to the Gabrielino-Tongva peoples, is home to the largest indigenous population of any American city, according to the UCLA American Indian Studies Centre. Genesis Essentia Named Best Concept - 2019 G70 Best Luxury Sedan FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., October 8, 2018 The all-new 2019 Genesis G70 was awarded Ruedas ESPNs Best Luxury Sedan. The G70 luxury sport sedan was selected by the Ruedas ESPN Executive Committee, a jury composed of industry experts. Receiving this award from Ruedas ESPN is further proof of the enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the launch of G70, said Erwin Raphael, Executive Director, Genesis Motor America. Ruedas ESPN is the leading Spanish language automotive radio show in the United States, broadcast live on ESPN Deportes Radio, a network of 44 radio stations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as SIRIUS and XM Channel 157. Also last week, on Friday, October 5, the Genesis Essentia concept was chosen as Star of the Show at the Miami International Auto Show by the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA): the highest honor bestowed upon a vehicle at the Miami International Auto Show. Five judges unanimously decided that the all-electric, high-performance Essentia should receive the award. This was the first time the SAMA judges have rendered a unanimous decision for Star of the Show. Essentia is not only a breathtaking design, its a breath of fresh air, said SAMA head judge Juan Gregory Robbin. Its unlike any other concept car weve ever seen. We hope this concept becomes a reality someday. Genesis Motor America Genesis Motor America, LLC is headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. Genesis is a global luxury automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of performance, design and innovation. A total of six new Genesis models, including the flagship full-size G90 luxury sedan, mid-luxury G80 and G80 Sport sedans and the all-new G70 entry-luxury sport sedan, will launch by 2021 and compete with the worlds most renowned luxury car brands. All Genesis vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by an industry-leading warranty with enhanced roadside assistance and concierge services. In just the first half of 2018, Genesis has won highest-ranked brand in the automotive industry awards for quality and owner satisfaction from highly-respected, third-party experts Consumer Reports, JD Power and AutoPacific. Protesters against Kavanaugh. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images A new CNN poll shows that 51 percent of respondents do not support Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court. This is a 12 point increase since September, before Christine Blasey Ford came forward with her allegation of sexual assault. Along party lines, Democrats opposition to Kavanaugh jumped drastically. In September, 63 percent of Democrats opposed his confirmation. Now, 91 percent of Democrats do not support him. The inverse is true for Republicans: In September 74 percent supported Kavanaugh; now 89 percent do. Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court on Saturday, following a limited FBI investigation into Fords allegation that Kavanaugh tried to rape her while they were both in high school. His confirmation was the closest Supreme Court vote in history, and was protested across the country. At the U.S. Capitol, over 150 were arrested while demonstrating against the judge. Kavanaugh has been accused by three women of sexual assault and misconduct: Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, and Julie Swetnick. Lawyers, former classmates, and former Supreme Court justice John Paul Stevens are all included in the list of people who have voiced their opposition to Kavanaughs confirmation. The former South Carolina governor had become a bit of a star in the Trump foreign policy firmament. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images In a surprise development, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tendered her resignation today, as first reported by Axioss White House reporter Jonathan Swan. As speculation spread about the odd timing of this announcement (shes not actually leaving until the end of the year), the president held a press availability with Haley in the Oval Office. There was a lot of mutual billing and cooing and denials that anything strange was afoot. The peculiarity of the event was perhaps captured by the fact the Haley felt constrained to go out of her way to deny any interest in running against Trump in 2020. Swan offered no theories as to why Haley would be stepping down at this odd juncture, just before a midterm election in which the administrations future will be shaped. The 46-year-old former governor of South Carolina has been the subject of much speculation about a possible future position on a national political ticket. But there are at present no open or Democratic-held statewide positions in South Carolina she could run for, and if shes in line for a different administration position, it would normally be announced along with her resignation. Its all a mystery for now. Get ready to get your binge on!! Making A Murderer is coming back with a season 2 and Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey are still struggling as the story heats up. In the trailer, the two men's team of lawyers are making every attempt to overturn Avery's conviction and close this traumatic chapter in Avery and his family's life. This season also introduces Kathleen Zellner, a prominent post-conviction lawyer who has signed on to help Steven in his quest for justice. In a statement, filmmakers Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos said, "Steven and Brendan, their families and their legal and investigative teams have once again graciously granted us access, giving us a window into the complex web of American criminal justice." All 10 episodes of the series will premiere on Netflix on Oct. 19. 13 US States Now Investigating Catholic Clergy Sex-Abuse Claims Lawyer: '99 percent of the cases are barred by the statute of limitations' At least 13 states have announced they are investigating the clergy sexual-abuse allegations linked to the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. The attorney generals office in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia were contacted by NBC News who found that nearly a third are currently either actively probing allegations of abuse by clergy or about to begin a statewide investigation. Attorney generals have the power to subpoena catholic dioceses for documents of sex-abuse allegations. The list of states so far includes Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont. Steven Kelly, a lawyer with the national firm Sanford Heisler Sharp who represents child sexual-abuse victims by clergy among others in Baltimore, called the growing investigation a step in the right direction in an interview with The Epoch Times. The idea that the attorney general is investigating is I think a very good thing for our state, it gives survivors hope that the church might actually be punished for covering this stuff up, he said. Kelly, like other child abuse lawyers, said the biggest problem is that the statute of limitations blocks prosecutors from having the power to charge someone a certain number of years after a crime is committed. The statute of limitations is different in each state. He said he encounters many [upon] many victims of church abuse. On average, at least three to five survivors per week have called me over the past 10 years and out of that number, 99 percent of the cases are barred by the statute of limitations. The most I can do is help the survivors report the crime and then guide them to counseling resources and so forth, he said. In Maryland, victims have until age 24 to file a lawsuit based on the states statute of limitations. But Kelly, who has been fighting for victims since 1988 after his older sister was raped and murdered, said the law weighs in favors of the perpetrator. Most [church abuse] survivors are just incapable, especially males, of taking the steps they needed to take until they were at least in their 30s, he said. So, the vast majority of survivors in Maryland there is no mop, no financial remedy that they can even get. The latest state to officially initiate such an investigation is Florida. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Oct. 4 during a press conference that their office will immediately start issuing subpoenas to all seven Catholic dioceses in the state. As part of the inquiry, a new tip site was initiated; Florida law enforcement is also assisting with the investigation. Any priest that would exploit a position of power and trust to abuse a child is a disgrace to the church and a threat to society, Bondi said in a statement. She urged victims and anyone else with information to assist them with the ongoing statewide investigation. Some attorney generals, like Floridas, attribute their decision to investigate to the bombshell Pennsylvania grand jury report from August that accused more than 300 predator priests across Pennsylvania of sexual abuse. It also found that Church officials were complicit in a decades-long cover-up of the alleged activity. At least 1,000 child victims were identified. Pope Blames Devil In response to the growing outcry, Pope Francis said that Satan is to blame for the sexual abuse crisis dividing the church. He has since asked Catholics around the globe to recite a special prayer every day in October to beat Satan down. (The Church must be) saved from the attacks of the malign one, the great accuser and at the same time be made ever more aware of its guilt, its mistakes, and abuses committed in the present and the past, Francis said on Sept. 29. But the popes use of the term the great accuser in describing Satan sparked outrage from Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the Vaticans former ambassador to Washington, who accused the pontiff in a scathing 11-page letter of knowing and doing nothing about allegations against then-U.S. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick. In an updated statement, Vigano complained that Francis compared me to the great accuser, Satan, who sows scandal and division in the Church, though without ever uttering my name. Wont Forsake Kelly, who is a practicing Catholic himself, said the churchs growing scandal hasnt made him renounce his faith. I am a practicing Catholic, I have not left the church. I believe that the church does not belong to the people who covered this stuff up, he said. The lawyer instead called for the corrupt and complicit church officials to be removed from their posts. I think those people need to be rooted out of the church and the church needs to be reformed, Kelly said. You may have to bring down and destroy a lot of the church as it is today to really fix this problem. It needs to be done. Although scientists have talked about the importance of getting enough sleep and getting quality sleep, it matters how regular your sleep schedule is as well, the researchers write in Scientific Reports. Irregular sleep patterns are common in people of all ages, said lead author Jessica Lunsford-Avery of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Among older adults who have left the workforce, however, that problem may be exacerbated, she said in a phone interview. Sleep regularity, also called sleep hygiene, is optimal when someone goes to sleep at the same time each night and wakes up at the same time each morning, including on weekends. This helps the bodys circadian rhythm to stay on track and regulate other body functions such as appetite and digestion. Lunsford-Avery and colleagues analyzed the sleep cycles of nearly 2,000 adults with an average age of 69 years by using a new metric called the Sleep Regularity Index. The index looks at sleep variation across a 24-hour day and compares one day to the next to understand regular sleep and wake times as well as midday naps. They used data from participants in a large, long-term study who wore actigraphy wrist devices to record sleep/wake measurements, physical activity, and light exposure. The participants also completed sleep diaries and recorded their daytime sleepiness. Researchers used other data to measure their cardiovascular risk factors and psychiatric health. People with high sleep irregularity tended to go to bed later, to sleep more during the day and less at night than regular sleepers, to have reduced light exposure and higher daytime sleepiness, researchers found. Greater sleep irregularity was also associated with a higher 10-year risk of heart disease as well as greater obesity, hypertension, fasting glucose and diabetes. Sleep irregularity was also tied to greater stress and depression, which are linked to heart disease risk as well. Importantly, African Americans were most likely to have the greatest sleep irregularity, the study authors note. Among the three types of sleep problemsduration, regularity, and timing as a morning lark or night owlsleep regularity was the most consistently and strongly associated with health, Lunsford-Avery said. That underscores the importance of it. Future studies should look at the mechanisms that connect sleep irregularity and disease risks, as well as the cause-and-effect relationships, Lunsford-Avery said. In this ongoing long-term study, she and her colleagues will continue to evaluate disease risk factors as they follow the participants over time. When we think about sleep and health, we think about duration or quality, but not until recently did people look at the regularity, said Andrew McHill of the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences in Portland, who wasnt involved in the study. In particular, people with shift work jobs or late-night social activities may be disrupting their natural circadian cycles, which in turn encourages them to eat more calories and reduces their sugar metabolism, he noted. Keep a regular schedule as much as possible, McHill said in a phone interview. Its understandable that every now and then its not possible, but youve got to be cognizant of it and get yourself back on track. Body-clock misalignment can lead to irregular sleep, irregular eating and increases in blood pressure, hypertension and diabetes, said Frank Scheer, director of the Medical Chronobiology Program at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, who wasnt involved in the current study. The exciting findings include the question, What can we do about it? Scheer told Reuters Health by phone. In the broader sense, a regularity in bedtime and wake time is key, he said. Fundamental mechanisms are at play, so if we can think about ways to get the best sleep and keep a regular bedtime, it may be one of the most important pieces of advice for good sleep hygiene. By Carolyn Crist Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the third day of his confirmation hearing at the Capitol on Sept. 6, 2018. Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court by the Senate on Oct. 6, 2018. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times An Unforgiving Polity Politics, not facts, shaped the hearings of Brett Kavanaugh In the bizarre lions den atmosphere of the Kavanaugh hearings, the full human meaning of partisan politics at the present time has never seemed so clearwe have witnessed what happens when a Christian understanding of justice and mercy no longer guides our leaders. Every human soul is a mix of good and evil, and if you want to see the result when good no longer tempers evil with the spirit of repentance and forgiveness, look at the faces of the protesters outside the U.S. Capitol. Listen to the malicious thrill in the words spoken and written by left-wing reporters covering the event. They are indignant, many enraged. If Justice Bret Kavanaughs accusers were right, he would be a demon. Every woman whos been grabbed and groped, cornered and violated, identifies with them. That means identifying Kavanaugh with their abusers. For Kavanaugh to succeed, to fly through U.S. Senate hearings and take his place in the highest judicial body in the land, is to make them re-experience the sadistic power of their assailants and their own panic and powerlessness, too. Hes going to get away with itagain! Its intolerable. You can almost sympathize with the long-frustrated joy they take in having a target. Of course, though, a big assumption underlies the present fury. I dont mean the assumption of Kavanaughs guilt. Certainly, thats the primary injustice of the proceedings, as any impartial examination of Christine Blasey Fords claims shows. Assumed Guilty Until Proven Innocent Her testimony doesnt provide enough evidence for an investigation to proceed. However, guilty-until-proven-innocent holds in the current dispensation of male guilt. There is another assumption, howeverthat is, that an event in a mans life decades before, when he was a teen, are relevant to present questions of his character and fitness. If a guy acted like a drunken sexist lout when he was a high school senior, does that reflect on his qualifications three-and-a-half decades later? Jeffrey Toobin thinks so: You know what? If you sexually assault someone in high school, your life should be ruined; your life should be pursued. Got that? No forgiveness, no recovery, no redemption. It doesnt matter that a man has compiled a 30-year record of fairness, chastity, respect and even-handed treatment of men and women, not in the eyes of progressives bent on righting historical wrongs or just virtue-signaling. What a blundering and narrow human vision. It doesnt even understand the character of the accused. Any guy who acted like a jerk in his adolescence, sometimes a dangerous one, and who then spends his long adult life as an upright, charitable, decent fellow is a penitent. He allegedly did wrong when was young, and hes done right ever since. A Christian knows the moral meaning of that story. He forgives. If the victim herself is a Christian, but has a hard time forgiving him, she has a moral obligation to allow him to show her his penitence before she takes her revenge. Give him a chance to apologize, to ask you how he can make amends. Why not write him a letter and remind him of what he did? Or, confront him directly, demand an apology, and see how he reacts? I imagine that course of action only irritates many people, as if it were just another way of rationalizing a mans misdeeds and asking woman to accept it. However, a Christian takes that confrontation much more seriously than that. Its not just an Oh, yeah, Im sorry, lets move on kind of thing. To ask someone who has victimized you to apologize is to make him face his sin and confess it to you, to others and to Godand to do penance. The political climate of the present doesnt admit that kind of sorrow and confession. The war is on. Inside the Beltway, people are weapons, not souls. They dont work matters out among themselves. They get lawyers, they plot strategy, they make their move. Process a National Disgrace As the process has been delayed, complicated, extended, discussed, rehearsed and dramatized, the American people have only grown more disgusted and estranged. The voters agree that the process has been a national disgrace, says the co-director of a recent Harvard/Harris poll. Democracy assumes broad and steady attention to and participation in civic affairs on the part of the citizenry, but few people want to get in the middle of this one, not when judgment is so righteous and forgiveness so absent. The spectacle of Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sententiously calling on Kavanaugh himself to stop the process and demand an investigation was hard to stomach. The best cure, however, is to open the Gospels to any chapter and verse and start reading. Mark Bauerlein is a professor of English at Emory College. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, The Washington Post, TLS, and Chronicle of Higher Education. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. IMF Forecast: Chinas GDP Would Be Affected More Than USs in All-Out Trade War In a new economic forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), China is projected to be hit harder than the United States by the effects of a worst-case trade war, with its GDP expected to fall by more than 1.6 percent in 2019, compared to about an 0.9 percent decline for the United States. The estimates were released on Oct. 9 on the Indonesian resort island of Baliwhere the IMF and World Bank annual meetings are being heldas part of an update to IMFs annual World Economic Outlook report. Global growth estimates for this year and next were revised down, to 3.7 percent from the IMFs July forecast of 3.9 percent. IMF chief economist Maurice Obstfeld told a news conference in Bali that amid the trade war, Beijing will face a balancing act between actions to shore up growth and ensure financial stability. The IMF revised its previously-released 2019 growth forecasts for China and the United States after taking into account the trade wars full impact. Chinas 2019 growth forecast was reduced to 6.2 percent from 6.4 percent; the U.S. growth outlook was cut to 2.5 percent from 2.7 percent. The all-out U.S.-China trade war scenario assumes that U.S. President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on the remaining $267 billion worth of Chinese goods imports not already under punitive tariffs and that China retaliates in kind; Trump also imposes a 25 percent duties on all auto and vehicle-component imports; and trading partners also enact retaliatory measures. Such trade war will have a deep impact the global economy, according to the IMFs projections. Aside from the stunting of GDP growth in China and the United States, global GDP would fall by more than 0.8 percent in 2020, and remain roughly 0.4 percent lower in the long-term, compared to a scenario without the effects of a trade war. The international organization also estimates that over the medium-term, growth in China is expected to slow to 5.6 percent, as the economy continues to make the transition to a more sustainable growth path with continued financial de-risking and environmental controls, the report said. Reuters contributed to this report. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) joins a group of bipartisan Congressmen during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol May 20, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Communist Party Backs Sinema in Race for Flakes US Senate Seat Commentary The Communist Party USA is involved in campaigning on behalf of U.S. Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona. According to Joelle Fishman, head of the Communist Partys powerful Political Action Commission, the party has injected itself into races in two states where a Republican seat can be flipped: AZ (Flake open), TX (Cruz). While representing her Phoenix district in recent years, Sinema has portrayed herself as a moderate, even as a slightly conservative Democrat. Sinema, however, is an ardent leftist. During her term in the Arizona state legislature, for example, Sinema was a founder of the leftist Progressive Caucus. Sinema has helped lead numerous leftist national boards, including the Center for Progressive Leadership, Progressive States Network, and the Democratic Socialists of America-affiliated Progressive Democrats of America (as the only state legislator on the board). While angering many of her previous progressive colleagues for her willingness to work with Republicans on occasion, some Arizonans attribute her new image more to ambition than ideological conversion. In a recent profile by a student newspaper at Sinemas alma mater, Arizona State University, political science major Judah Waxelbaum described Sinema as a very progressive Democrat that does a really good job marketing herself as a moderate. I think Kyrsten Sinema is as far to the left as it gets. She is the definition of a modern progressive Democrat. It doesnt get any further to the left, Waxelbaum said. Several profiles have dealt with Sinemas early 2000s flirtation with the Green Party, her peace activism, and her apparent disdain for Israel. However, few have raised an eyebrow with respect to Sinemas demonstrable ties to the Communist Party USA. The Peoples Movement Sinema was a signatory to an advertisement, May Day and Cinco de Mayo greetings, placed in the Communist Party USA paper Peoples Weekly World, on May 4, 2002. Such ads were traditionally placed in the Communist Party paper every May Day, sponsored by local party clubs, members, or supporters. Almost all signatories could be identified as Communist Party USA members. Co-signing the advertisement with Sinema were Communist Party USA members Joe Bernick, Jack Blawis, Lem Harris, Lorenzo Torrez, Anita Torrez, Carolyn Trowbridge, Steven Valencia, the Tucson and East Valley clubs of the Communist Party USA, and party fronts the Arizona Peace Council and the Salt of the Earth Labor College. This support for the communist cause was not a one-off or an aberration. In 2003, Sinema again affixed her name to the Arizona Communist Partys May Day greetings page. Shortly after her election in 2004, Sinema and former state Rep. Steve May formed Arizona Together, the statewide coalition designed to legalize gay marriage in Arizona. In the two years leading up to the 2006 election, Sinema was pivotal in raising almost $3 million and enlisting partners for the effort, which succeeded. Arizona became the first state in the nation to reject a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on Nov. 7, 2006. Tucson-based Arizona Communist Party leader and Arizona Together activist Joe Bernick wrote at the time: Why Arizona? How come voters in more liberal states have voted for similar hateful laws while conservative Arizona voted no? Arizona Together lived up to its name. It was able to defeat 107 because its educational campaign showed working-class Arizonans that this was an attack on working people. Bernick continues to back Sinema. He wrote on the Peoples World website on Sept. 25: Two Congresswomen, Democrat Kyrsten and Republican Martha McSally, are in a race to become Arizonas first woman senator. Arizona is full of retirees from all over, many who were in school during the Vietnam War period. I cant imagine they are very threatened by someone who went to peace demonstrations when in college. It also appears that the national Republican practice this fall is every Democratic candidate for governor or Congress is a socialist, communist, radical, far left, and extreme. Sinema was, indeed, part of the peoples movement, losing her first election running as a Green. The phrase part of the peoples movement is often used in communist publications as a dog whistle for one of us. Currently slightly ahead of her Republican opponent Martha McSally, Sinema is favored to prevail in November. Before the election, Sinema needs to face some hard questions about her well-documented past, and current Communist Party ties. Trevor Loudon is an author, filmmaker, and public speaker from New Zealand. For more than 30 years, he has researched radical left, Marxist, and terrorist movements and their covert influence on mainstream politics. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Globalism: Hybrid Ideology of the 21st Century Commentary Totalitarianism in the 20th century was dominated by two ideologies: communism and fascism. Much to the dismay of those believing communism is the antithesis of fascism, these ideologies are two sides of the same coin. Both were based on absolute control over every aspect of society, from economic to social. The fact that communism directly controls the means of production, whereas fascism indirectly controls this via taxation and regulation, is moot at best. Equally, communists may have focused on class while fascists focused on race, but both used collective consciousness to other the outsider and subordinate the individual to the state. By the second half of the 20th century, fascism was well and truly discredited and defeated as an ideology, becoming the worst of all political pejoratives. In contrast, World War II led to communism taking over the entirety of Eastern Europe and the Balkans, encroaching as far as the eastern part of Germany. In a post-Cold War world, a new ideology has risen to the forefront of the world stage: globalism. Globalism is not a name willingly adopted by those behind it, unlike communists or fascists who took open pride in their identity. Nonetheless, its a useful label to describe the new internationalist order that appeared in the final decade of the 20th century, gaining momentum as the 21st century progressed. When the Cold War ended, this new ideology didnt announce itself to the world in the same way that communism and fascism did, either. This subtlety is, perhaps, its most insidious trait. Communism and Fascism Combined Globalism is a hybrid ideology: neither communism nor fascism, but combining elements of both. Economically, its a form of fascism, derived from the corporatist structure of fascist regimes in the 20th century. Fascists learned from the famine and shortages in Soviet Russia that led to Vladimir Lenins New Economic Policy of 1921also designed to pacify rebellion in the same year. Fascists used corporations as proxies to control the economy: Taxation and regulation bypassed the risks associated with owning the legal title of a business, thus avoiding the problems communists experienced by owning the means of production. Fascism is a form of socialism, albeit different in application to communism. Alas, communist sympathizers have tried to deny that this is the case. Theyve done this by changing the definition of socialism. In a similar vein, no one can be considered left-wing if they arent communists. The end result of this revisionism is that those not advocating every plank of the Communist Manifesto cannot be socialist or left-wing. Prior to World War II, debate ensued over whether communism or fascism was the better route for socialists to take. A 1926 Nazi pamphlet titled Thoughts About the Tasks of the Future stated, We are Socialists, enemies, mortal enemies of the present capitalist economic system with its exploitation of the economically weak, with its injustice in wages, with its immoral evaluation of individuals according to wealth and money instead of responsibility and achievement, and we are determined under all circumstances to abolish this system! It would be easy to mistake this for a Marxist proclamation. Setting aside that some will never accept that fascism is a form of socialism, we can certainly see how willing corporations are to collaborate with governments today, creating a revolving door between elites in the highest echelons of state and business. This kind of mutually beneficial arrangement is sometimes referred to as corporate fascism, in which big business implements state economic policies and, critically, collects revenue. This relationship can be juxtaposed to feudal lords collecting taxes on behalf of the monarchy, benefiting from a close relationship to the royal court. Cultural Marxism Due to communism persistently resulting in economic liberalization to stave off total collapse, globalism adopts the far more pragmatic economic policies of fascism. Socially, however, globalism utterly rejects this ideology. Being internationalist in nature, globalism is completely opposed to nationalism, be it civic or ethnic, and is therefore on par with communism in this regard. Fascism is typically associated with nationalism, but given that it seeks expansion beyond the borders of a nation, its more like an ethnic or racial form of internationalism. Internationalism seeks precisely the same expansionist goal, albeit without emphasis on race or ethnicity. Fascism aspires toward a master race that rules the world. For communism, its a new man that transcends nation, religion, or economic class. Globalism is a postmodern ideology that seeks a world where biological and cultural distinctions no longer exist and therefore is a product of Marxist thinking known as cultural Marxism. As we can see, globalism stems from the same social school of thought as communism, though firmly remaining in the fascist economic camp. This creates a toxic combination that decimates culture and tradition. Globalism cripples economies on a national and local scale, replacing them with corporate monopolies that make countries interdependent and weak. In this economic backdrop, globalism has gradually established supranational and intergovernmental organizations like the European Union and United Nations, surreptitiously expanding them through agreements that are euphemistically presented as international free trade. Socially, globalism attacks any sense of identity on a national scale. On the individual level, it breaks down biology until all that remains is a nihilistic sense of self. Devoid of national or individual identity, people are lured into an endless cycle of social justice group-think that foments Balkanization. Society thus becomes atomized, rootless, and completely vulnerable to globalist convergence. We saw this take place when Britain voted to leave the EU, marking hysterical outbursts by British people who felt more like Europeans than UK citizens. No society can survive without an identity, and no individual can maintain balance if they dont know who they arehence the reason globalism is such a destructive ideology. Cid Lazarou is a blogger, writer, and freelance journalist from the UK. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam attends the opening ceremony of Art Basel Hong Kong in Hong Kong, China on March 27, 2018. (Bobby Yip/Reuters) Hong Kong Leader Declines to Clarify Why British Journalist Forced to Leave HONG KONGHong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Oct. 9 would not explain why authorities rejected a work visa renewal for a prominent British journalist, in an unprecedented case that has tarnished the citys reputation and stoked outrage. Victor Mallet, the Asia editor for the Financial Times newspaper, who has been based in Hong Kong for the past two years, was told last week his work visa would not be renewed. Two months ago, Mallet hosted a luncheon speech at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) by an independence activist, Andy Chan, that Chinese and Hong Kong officials strongly criticized. The FCC, one of Asias leading press clubs, which has hosted Chinese and Hong Kong officials among other prominent speakers, said it neither endorsed nor opposed presenters views, but that was an institution that championed free speech. Hong Kongs leader Carrie Lam, however, addressing the controversy directly for the first time, skirted questions on whether Mallet was being punished for hosting Chan. Lam declined to explain why Mallet has been effectively forced to leave the Asian financial hub. She reiterated the position of other senior officials that authorities would not comment on an individual visa, and that the decision accorded with the law and the specific circumstances of the case. Hong Kong, a former British colony, reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 amid guarantees the territory would enjoy a high degree of autonomy and freedoms under a one country, two systems formula. Critics say Hong Kongs rights landscape has deteriorated in recent years amid a spate of controversies, including the jailing of young activists and disqualifications of pro-democracy lawmakers from the legislature. The diplomatic unease has spread. Mallets case sets a worrying precedent and risks damaging Hong Kongs international standing, Maja Kocijancic, the European Unions spokeswoman for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement. In the absence of a credible alternative explanation from the authorities, the decision appears politically motivated and therefore raises serious concerns about freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Hong Kong. A spokesman for the Australian consulate in Hong Kong told Reuters it was concerned, and urged the Hong Kong government to safeguard freedoms as enshrined in the Basic Law. Lam would not offer specifics on whether other journalists would face repercussions for reporting on the topic of independence or speaking with independence activists. Im sorry, I cannot tell you exactly how journalists should say, or act, or interview. Mallet, who is in Hong Kong on a tourist visa that expires on Oct. 14, thanked supporters, from journalists and lawyers to citizens. More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition for authorities to reverse the decision and allow the journalist to work in the city again. I am very grateful to all those who have signed this petition, particularly those from Hong Kong, which has been home to our family for a total of more than 7 years, he wrote on Facebook. By James Pomfret Flooding Reported on Dauphin Island, Alabama, Ahead of Hurricane Michael Video shows Michael impacting Royal Caribbean cruise ship Dauphin Island, Alabama, already began to feel the effects of Hurricane Michael, which is forecast to hit the Florida Panhandle as a Category 3 storm on Oct. 10. WKRG reported that the west end of the island has started to experience some low-level flooding before the storms landfall. In Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, states of emergency were declared before Hurricane Michael to free up resources for an emergency response. Minor coastal flooding has begun in Dauphin Island, AL along the Gulf Coast, which is seeing the initial impacts of #HurricaneMichael. https://t.co/sDKAZHyetW pic.twitter.com/D32A16s5mq ABC News (@ABC) October 8, 2018 Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Most importantly, heed all warnings and instructions from local authorities. Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier told WKRG that if the storm heads more to the east, the island will experience less flooding. Earlier in 2018, Tropical Storm Gordon brought flooding to the area. Dauphin Island has been hit hard by hurricanes in the past. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan flooded the about a fourth of the island with several feet of water, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 did damage to buildings there. Hurricane Camille in 1969 severely flooded the island. https://twitter.com/SteveWALA/status/1049425968731967488 The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated in its recent update Hurricane Michael will hit the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday before hitting the southeastern United States on Wednesday night and Thursday. Michael is expected to become a major hurricane later today, and remain a dangerous major hurricane through landfall. Significant weakening should occur as the center moves inland over the southeastern United States, but re-strengthening as an extratropical low is expected when the system moves over the western Atlantic, reads a discussion of the storm from the NHC. Hurricane Michael: More Mandatory Evacuations of Florida Counties Top video: Hurricane Michael's effects on Royal Caribbean cruise ship More mandatory evacuations have been ordered in Florida counties ahead of Hurricane Michael, which has 110 mph winds and is slated to make landfall on Oct. 10. The Florida Disaster website on Oct. 9 said that parts or all of Bay County, Citrus County, Franklin County, Dixie County, Gulf County, Jackson County, Levy County, Okaloosa County, Taylor County, Wakulla County, and Walton County have mandatory evacuation orders. Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Pasco County, Madison County, Liberty County Leon County, Hernando County, Gadsden County, and Calhoun County are under voluntary/phased evacuation orders. A list of open shelters can be accessed here. A website that shows the evacuation zones can be accessed here. Locally-ordered evacuations have started ahead of Hurricane Michael in some FL counties. Visit https://t.co/OnxOrhg593 to find your evacuation zone, & follow alerts from your local emergency management center. If you are directed to evacuate, leave, DO NOT WAIT. Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) October 8, 2018 Details of Evacuation Orders Citrus County is under a Local State of Emergency and the declaration has been signed by the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners for the immediate evacuation for the following: Affected Evacuation Areas: Zone A as well as mobile homes, RVs, and manufactured housing countywide. Bay County has mandatory evacuation orders are now in place for zones A, B, and C. Dixie County is has a mandatory evacuation of coastal, zone A, low lying areas, and mobile homes. Gulf County mandatory evacuation areas include all of Cape San Blas, all of Indian Pass, Simmons Bayou, Highland View, Windmark, Port St. Joe areas St. Joseph Bay to Long Avenue, St. Joe Beach and Beacon Hill, and Waterside of Hwy. 98. Those with high profile vehicles, living in mobile homes, low lying areas, or anyone who feels unsafe in their current location must evacuate countywide, the website said. All of these areas must be evacuated within 24 hours of this notice. All of Jackson County is under a mandatory evacuation order. All of Franklin County is under a mandatory evacuation order. Levy County has an evacuation ordered for Coastal Levy County. All of Okaloosa County is under a mandatory evacuation order. All of Taylor County is under a mandatory evacuation order. Wakulla County has a mandatory evacuation order for Zone A (coastal and low lying areas)and Mobile Homes and other weak structures the remainder of Wakulla County will be under a voluntary evacuation order Citizens that are evacuating should evacuate to an area outside of the storms path. Neighboring counties will also be in the storms path and there for at risk. The website warned there are no shelters in Wakulla County. Walton County has mandatory evacuations for Zone A and Zone B. Escambia County has evacuations ordered for Zone A which includes Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach Santa Rosa County has voluntary evacuations for mobile home parks, campsites, low-lying areas, and Navarre Beach. Liberty County has voluntary evacuations for mobile homes, substandard housing, and low lying areas. Leon County has evacuations for mobile homes and low-lying flood-prone areas. Hernando County has a voluntary evacuation order for coastal zone levels A and B for Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m. Gadsden County has a voluntary evacuation for mobile homes and low lying areas. Summary of Warnings and Watches Hurricane Michael is continuing to strengthen, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Centers (NHC) latest 11 a.m. update on Oct. 9. A storm surge warning is in effect for Okaloosa/Walton County Line in Florida to Anclote River in Florida. A storm surge watch is in effect for Anclote River in Florida to Anna Maria Island in Florida, including Tampa Bay. From Indian Pass, Florida, to Cedar Key, Florida, 8 to 12 feet of storm surge could inundate some areas, the agency warned. From Cedar Key to Crystal River, Florida, 6 to 8 feet of storm surge is forecast. From the Okaloosa/Walton County Line, Florida, to Indian Pass, 6 to 9 feet of storm surge could hit. Other places along the Panhandle could see several feet of storm surge. A hurricane warning is in effect for Alabama/Florida border to Suwannee River in Florida. A hurricane watch for the coast of Alabama was discontinued in the 11 a.m. update. Hurricane Michael Update: Mandatory Evacuations Ordered in Gulf, Wakulla, Bay Counties The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Hurricane Michael is a Category 1 storm and is still moving northward and will hit the northwestern coast of Florida. Evacuations were ordered in Gulf County, said local officials on Oct. 8. Evacuations were also ordered in Wakulla County, officials said. Florida State University also said it would cancel classes over the hurricane. The university is expected to resume classes and normal business operations on Monday, Oct. 15, it said in a statement on Oct. 8. FSU is prepared to support students throughout the storm. All university departments are engaged and prepared to respond to student needs. On-campus residence halls and dining facilities will remain open for current residential students during the closure. Mandatory evacuation orders are now in place for zones A, B, and C. The link below will take you to the map to search by address. Residents living in these areas should evacuate before 6 am tomorrow. https://t.co/5E3xgNy1S2 https://t.co/XfnK1Tatfb Bay County FL EM (@BayCountyEM) October 8, 2018 A hurricane watch is in effect for the Alabama-Florida border to Suwannee River Florida, the NHC said in a 2 p.m. update on Oct. 8. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Suwannee River to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay, and a tropical storm watch is also in effect for Alabama-Florida border to the Mississippi-Alabama border. A storm surge watch is in effect for Navarre Florida to Anna Maria Island Florida, including Tampa Bay. The NHC said that a storm surge of 8 to 12 feet could hit Indian Pass, Florida, to Crystal River, Florida. A storm surge of up to 5 to 8 feet could hit the Okaloosa/Walton County Line to Indian River area. Other places on the Florida Panhandle could see several feet of storm surge. A hurricane warning is in effect for Cuban province of Pinar del Rio, and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the Cuban province of the Isle of Youth as well as the coast of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche, including Cozumel. GULF COUNTY RESIDENTS EVACUATION ORDERSMANDATORY EVACUATION:At the 10:00 AM emergency board meeting a mandatory Gulf County, Florida Emergency Management The agency advised: Michael will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday (Oct. 9) and Tuesday night, is expected to move inland over the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday (Oct. 11), and then move northeastward across the southeastern United States Wednesday night and Thursday (Oct. 12). The storm is forecast to strengthen even more as it passes over the warm Gulf waters. Steady to rapid strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and Michael is forecast to become a major hurricane by Tuesday or Tuesday night, the NHC said. HURRICANE MICHAEL UPDATE October 8th 1:30 PMAll residents should monitor conditions and take appropriate steps to Wakulla County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Jared Miller Hurricane Michael will also bring 4 to 8 inches of rain in some places along the Florida Panhandle and the Carolinas, with an isolated 12 inches of rain, the agency forecasted. Two to 4 inches of rain could fall along the Florida Peninsula, Florida Keys, portions of the Mid-Atlantic States, and the southern New England coast. Local amounts of 6 inches could fall in some areas, producing flash floods, the NHC said. Women hold a protest in front of Trump Tower in New York on Oct. 4, 2018 against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) Ill Start Believing All Women When Democrats Do Democrats have defended men accused of sexual assault, rape when they came from their own party The American people were just treated to several weeks of angry demonstrations that demanded they must believe all women who claim they have been sexually assaulted or physically abused. These coordinated protests by political activists began right after the Senate Judiciary Committee concluded hearings on the nomination of now-Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Suddenly, Senate Democrats sprang a surprise they were holding back for more than six weeksa letter from a California professor named Christine Blasey Ford, who claimed that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her 36 years ago when they were both in high school. That turned out to be a mere prelude to a week of ever-escalating assault claims from new accusers that became ridiculously absurdincluding one woman who claimed Kavanaugh was a ringleader of a group who gang-raped numerous women at more than 10 parties. No matter how absurd or thinly supported the escalating claims were, the same cast of characters was on hand to demand that Americans must believe the women. The same people yelling loudly in front of any camera they could find that we must believe all women have a glaring problem with their slogan: They dont believe all women themselves. They dont do what they are screaming for other people to do. What is it that you call someone who loudly and publicly demands other people do something they dont do themselves? Ah yes, a hypocrite. Democrats Are Exempt For the record, in the past, Democrats and their news-media friends didnt believe any of former President Bill Clintons sexual-assault victims. Im not talking here about the various adulterous liaisons he had with several dozen willing women, among them Monica Lewinsky, Gennifer Flowers, and Elizabeth Gracen. I am referring to the women who went public with claims that Clinton sexually assaulted them: Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Jones, and Kathleen Willey. Right now, many of these same people insisting we must believe all women are refusing to believe Karen Monahanor even acknowledge her. Whos Karen Monahan, you ask? She is the former girlfriend of Keith Ellison, the current third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. Last time I looked, Monahan appeared to be a woman. Guess what job Ellison is running for? Its Minnesota attorney general, where hed have oversight of any investigations into himself, including the one Monahan is trying to start by going public with her story. That looks extremely shady, giving up a national post in the Democratic Party in Washington, to run back to Minnesota to grab a state-level job. Hes doing it at a time a woman is coming forward in Minnesota to accuse him of physically abusing her. Unlike Ford, Monahan claims to have actual evidence of her abuse from as recently as just a year ago, in the form of documentary evidencedoctors forms and medical records from a therapistand a video of herself being dragged off of a bed by Ellison. She says she can also provide people she confided in about the abuse, including her sonwho saw the physical marks on her body. Its All About Politics So, on the one hand, political agitators insist we must believe an allegation from more than 35 years ago, even as none of the people Ford claimed could corroborate her story did so. At the same time, they laugh off and ignore Monahan, who at least claims to have evidence and eyewitnesses to the physical marks of the abuse she suffered in 2017 at Ellisons hands. What these mindless yelling protesters really mean is, Before I Know Whether Or Not To Believe This Woman, I Must First Know The Politics Of The Guy Shes Accusing. Hint: If you are basing your decision to believe or not believe a woman who says she has been assaulted based on the politics of the guy shes naming as having done it, not only are you not believing all women, youre engaging in the absolute worst kind of political partisanship. Maybe there was an agreement on the progressive left to memory hole the Duke lacrosse rape scandal and the University of Virginia rape hoax, but the vast majority of Americans made no such agreement. Most Americans are very aware that sometimes women lie about being assaulted, and there are many public examples of just such a thing being discovered, as investigative journalist Nick Monroe helpfully compiled, putting together a list of no fewer than 70 instances where men were falsely accused of rape or sexual assault. So, there are good and valid reasons not to believe all women, no matter how loudly some people yell and stamp their feet about this. Each case must be examined individually; the outcome must never be determined solely on the basis of gender. Heres what conservatives are being confronted with: They got screamed at for doubting the stories told by Tawana Brawley, Jackie Coakley, and Crystal Mangum; they were loudly denounced as rape apologists, and then the same political activists that did all that screaming and denouncing turned around and called Broaddrick, Jones, Willey, and any other woman who dared accuse a top Democrat of being lying bimbos. These political operatives need to stop yelling at people because it simply isnt working. No one is buying the act anymore. Radical feminists just made a play in front of the whole nation to ditch due process and the presumption of innocence. It says a lot more about them that they even tried this than it does about the country that is going to reject their fanatical extremism. Brian Cates is a writer based in South Texas and author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter @drawandstrike. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Indian Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan (L) shakes hand with US Energy Secretary Rick Perry during a press conference in New Delhi on April 17, 2018. (Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images) India Wants US Sanctions Waiver After Cutting Iran Oil Imports: Officials NEW DELHIIndia hopes to secure a waiver from U.S. sanctions on Iran before they take effect on Nov. 4, as it had significantly cut Iranian oil imports before the deadline, officials said on Oct. 8. The United States is imposing new sanctions on Irans oil industry after Washington withdrew from a nuclear deal between Tehran and other global powers. Washington said on Oct. 5 it was considering waivers for nations that were reducing imports of Iranian oil. The announcement, the first indication Washington was considering such waivers, followed a Reuters report that India planned to buy some Iranian oil in November although it has been cutting back on Iranian imports in recent months. Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters that New Delhi was discussing the issue of a waiver with all the authorities concerned. We have to fulfill all our domestic requirements, Pradhan said, confirming the plan to buy some Iranian crude after U.S. sanctions kick in. India, Irans No.2 oil client behind China, does not recognize the U.S. sanctions. But New Delhi needs a waiver to ensure its wider exposure to the U.S. financial system is not affected. India has been curtailing oil imports from Iran since September. India would buy 9 million barrels of Iranian oil in November, equivalent to about 300,0000 barrels per day (bpd), compared to an average of about 658,000 bpd from April to August, according to data available to Reuters. It has been quite a tough process to negotiate, said Sanjay Sudhir, a joint secretary handling international cooperation in the Oil Ministry, in reference to efforts to diversify supplies and reduce Iranian imports. We were trying to balance our relationship with the U.S. and Iran, at the same time keeping our energy and security interest in mind, he added. India had diversified its oil supplies to cushion the impact of sanctions, he said. He said Indian refiners had started importing oil from the United States but purchases were constrained by U.S. infrastructure. As U.S. infrastructure improves, India has a potential to lift more, he said. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in New Delhi that the U.S. administration acknowledged some buyers of Iranian oil would take a little bit of time to unwind their trade with Iran. We expect the global leadership to acknowledge Indias need for Irans oil, Pradhan said, adding that he wanted major oil producers like Saudi Arabia to raise production. Pradhan said he had spoken to Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih two day earlier about the June decision by OPEC and major oil producers to add 1 million bpd to the oil market. Oil should not only be priced from a producers point of view, consumers interest should also be taken care of, he said. Some Indian refiners recently made payments for Iranian oil in rupees, and could use the same mechanism in future to settle trade with Tehran if no other alternatives were found, state-run Indian Oil Company (IOC) Chairman Sanjiv Singh said. By Nidhi Verma Meng Hongwei, president of Interpol, gives an addresses at the opening of the Interpol World Congress in Singapore on July 4, 2017. - The three-day conference on fostering innovation for future security challenges is taking place from July 4 to 6. (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Interpol Ex-Chief, Missing in China, Said to Be Connected to Purged Security Czar Meng Hongwei was promoted by Zhou Yongkang, who received a life sentence in 2015 Interpol has confirmed that Meng Hongwei, who has been missing since his recent return to China, has resigned from his position as president of the international police agency, while the Chinese regime announced that Meng is under investigation. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may have recalled Meng from Europe to avoid an incident similar to that which occurred in 2012, when Chongqing municipal police Chief Wang Lijun escaped to the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, where he turned over sensitive information to U.S. officials. Meng, 64, was Chinas vice minister of public security until Oct. 7, and Interpols president since November 2016. He lived with his family in Lyon, France, where Interpols headquarters is based. Mengs wife, Grace Meng, remains in France with their two children. On Oct. 7, Chinas National Supervision Commission, a Chinese state agency that investigates graft and political disloyalty, posted an online announcement saying that Meng Hongwei, vice minister of public security, is suspected of violating the law and is currently under surveillance and investigation. On Oct. 8, public security minister Zhao Kezhi convened a meeting of senior police officials in Beijing, where he stressed the need to thoroughly eliminate the pernicious influence of Zhou Yongkang, referring to a powerful CCP official who was purged in 2014. Was Meng a Zhou Yongkang Accomplice? Prior to his purging in 2014, Zhou was the third most powerful official in the Chinese regime. His authority reached into Chinas courts, procuratorates, police, paramilitary troops, and intelligence agencies. Zhou is associated with former Politburo member and Chongqing Party chief Bo Xilai, as well as their mutual backers: retired politician Zeng Qinghong and former Party boss Jiang Zemin. Read More 5 Things You Need to Know About Zhou Yongkang In February of 2012, Wang escaped to the U.S. consulate in the city of Chengdu, where, according to analysts, he revealed details of a planned coup by Zhou, Bo, and Zeng. After the trial of Bo in 2013, Zhou was placed under investigation in 2014 and was sentenced to life in prison the following June. Various Chinese-language media have reported that Meng had a close relationship with Zhou. In 2014, when Zhou was minister of public security, he promoted Meng to become his vice minister, making him a key assistant. Current public security minister Zhao Kezhis Oct. 8 statement calling to purge Zhous influence seems to refer to the ties between Meng and Zhou. Several overseas Chinese media have suggested that the Chinese regime was in a hurry to repatriate Meng to prevent him from revealing damning secrets, as Wang had done in 2012. It is unclear if Meng0 passed any sensitive material to his wife, or if she would use it as a bargaining chip in exchange for the safety of her husband and her family. Watch Next: Communists Detail Plans to Subvert U.S. Democratic Party The Communist Party USA explained plans on May 23 to subvert the Democratic Party, alongside socialist and communist organizations. Kavanaugh Nomination Puts Spotlight on Senate Races Brett Kavanaughs nomination to the Supreme Court is now squarely in the rearview mirrorhe is now Justice Kavanaugh, after his swearing-in ceremony Oct. 7, and the dust is beginning to settle after a messy and mostly partisan battle over his confirmation. But as the midterms loom nearer, its not clear that all the partisan rankling has changed voters minds in favor of either party in the Senate. There are nine Republican and 26 Democratic seats in the Senate up for grabs this November, nine of which could swing either way, according to the Cook Political Report. Looking at the numbers in those districts, polling seems to favor Democrats, 54. Of those is incumbent Bill Nelsons (D) seat in Florida, which he is fighting to retain in a race against Florida Governor Rick Scott (R). In a Florida Southern College Center for Polling and Policy Research taken Oct. 1 to 5, Nelson had a 1.5 point lead with a margin of error of 4.5 points. This is almost the same as a Sept. 24 to 27 Mason-Dixon Florida Poll & Research Inc. poll that gave Nelson a one-point lead, and similar to other polls before the Kavanaugh nomination process that had them tied. In Indiana, incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly (D) seems to have gained slightly in the polls against Mike Braun (R) since before the nomination. In a June 11 to July 22 poll, Survey Monkey/Axios showed Braun with a four-point lead among likely voters, but after the Kavanaugh hearings from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2, Donnelly was up by about two points in a Fox News voters poll. Donnelly had a three-point lead over Braun in an Aug. 26 to 29 NBC News/Marist Poll of likely voters. Missouri incumbent Claire McCaskill (D) has been losing ground against Josh Hawley (R), but only slightly, according to several polls. An Aug. 25 to 28 poll by NBC News/Marist Poll gave her a four-point lead among registered and likely voters. A Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 poll by Vox Populi Polling gave Hawley a two-point lead over McCaskill, and a Fox News poll taken Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 of likely voters shows them tied. Incumbent Montana Sen. Jon Tester (D) is now leading Matt Rosendale (R) by four points, according to a Sept. 29 poll by Public Policy Polling. Thats about the same as in July, according to a survey of likely voters by Remington Research Group, which showed Tester with a three-point lead. In North Dakota, incumbent Heidi Heitkamp (D) is down against Republican challenger Kevin Cramer, by nine points with registered voters and 12 points with likely voters, according to a Sep. 29 to Oct. 2 Fox News poll. Heitkamps numbers havent changed drastically in recent months. She was down by 10 points according to a Sep. 17 to 27 poll by Strategic Research Associates, and by five points among registered voters in a June 11 to July 2 poll by SurveyMonkey/Axios. Sen. Jon Kyl (RAriz.), who stepped in to fill the seat left by Sen. John McCain (R) after his death, has chosen not to run for reelection. The race between Democratic nominee Kyrsten Sinema and Republican nominee Martha McSally is close, but polls have fairly consistently showed Sinema in the lead. A YouGov poll of likely voters taken between Oct. 2 and 5 shows Sinema with a three-point lead, and an Axios/SurveyMonkey poll of likely voters between June 11 and July 2 shows her with a five-point lead. In Nevada, Democratic nominee Jacky Rosen is taking on incumbent Sen. Dean Heller (R) with a slight advantage, according to a few polls. In an Aug. 20 to 21 poll of voters, Public Policy Polling gave her a five-point lead over Heller, while an SSRS from Sept. 25 to 29 of likely voters showed her with a four-point lead. In Tennessee, former Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen is now trailing behind incumbent Republican Marsha Blackburn in several polls compared to before the nomination. An Oct. 25 YouGov poll of likely voters shows Blackburn up by eight points. In a Marist College poll taken Aug. 25 to 28 of likely voters, Bredesen had a two-point lead. In Texas, incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has retained a lead over Democratic challenger Beto ORourke, albeit a smaller one of late. An Oct. 1 to 5 Emerson College poll of likely voters has Cruz up by five points. A YouGov poll taken around the same time has him up by six points with likely voters. Another Emerson College poll taken Aug. 22 to 25 had him with a one-point lead with registered voters. While its useful to look at the polls, they arent everything. They inevitably have different samples sizes with different margins of error and use different methods of collecting the data, in addition to asking different questions. What is clear is that Kavanaughs nomination process has put a spotlight on the Senate that will give these races a prominence they may not have had otherwisefor better or for worse. Justin Stumler (L) and Jeremy Hunt broke out of Louisville Metro Corrections Center on Oct 6 and were both apprehended on Oct. 8, 2018. (Louisville Metro Corrections) Kentucky Inmates Who Escaped in Trash Cans Captured Two inmates who escaped in garbage cans from a Kentucky prison have been caught as of about 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 8. The first inmate was apprehended in the morning, and the other, later that afternoon, according to a Facebook post by the Louisville Metro Police Department. The two minimum-security inmates worked in the kitchen at the Louisville Metro Corrections Center. Three other inmates helped them hide inside. *****Update, Both subjects have been captured*****These two subjects were last seen in the area of the Jeffersontown Jeffersontown Police Department The two inmates, Justin Stumler and Jeremy Hunt, escaped from the Louisville Metro Corrections center at around 10 p.m. on Oct. 6. According to a Metro Corrections statement, the pair hid in the food waste trash cans that were then taken outside the facility for disposal, the Courier-Journal reported. Lebanon Daily News reported that someone saw the two inmates climbing out of the garbage bins and called the police. Justin Stumler was arrested on the morning of Oct. 8 near Preston Highway and Indian Trail, about two miles east of Louisville International Airport. Stumler was caught because someone phoned in a tip about his whereabouts to the Louisville Metro Police Department, LMPD spokesman Dwight Mitchell told the Courier-Journal. Jeremy Hunt was caught by LMPD at some point in the late afternoon of Oct. 8. LMPDs Facebook post went up around 4:30 p.m. showing pictures of Hunt sitting on the ground in handcuffs, and a mug shot with the words arrested printed over it in red. The Courier-Journal reported that Hunt was arrested after leading law enforcement on a car chase. No further details of Hunts arrest are available at this time. Security Footage Security camera video shows the loading dock from which the two inmates escaped. In the video, an inmate wheels garbage bins onto the loading dock under the watchful eye of a security officer. Both the inmate and the guard disappear inside the building. Shortly after, another inmate wheels out two more bins, unsupervised. The two escapees, clad in prison-issue orange jumpsuits, climb out from these two bins and run out of sight behind a dumpster. They return wearing civilian clothing and run off into the night. Stumler and Hunt had help from three other inmates: Gary Bradford, 33; Justin Rankin, 28, and Tajuan Burton, 18. Each has since been charged with two counts of facilitation of escape in the second degree. Metro Corrections Director Mark Bolton told the Courier-Journal the escape was a result of a breakdown of basic security protocols. Minimum Security No More Hunt and Stumler were considered minimum security prisoners because they were in jail for non-violent crimes. According to the Courier-Journal, Justin Stumler was arrested by Jeffersontown Police on Aug. 27 on charges of motor vehicle theft, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, felony drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jeremy Hunt had been arrested by the Louisville Metro Police on June 28 for several felony burglary charges. Because they were not considered dangerous, both inmates were allowed to work in the corrections center kitchen. Both were awaiting trial at the time of the escape. Both will now face additional charges after their failed escape attempt. From NTD.tv Watch Next: Why is Falun Gong Persecuted? Although its freely practiced in over 70 countries, doing this in China can lead to unlawful arrest, imprisonment, torture, or even death. Local Gun Groups Flex Muscle in State Politics, Sidestepping the NRA When Missouri Senate Bill 656 was introduced in 2016, it was relatively modest legislation that proposed capping the amount county sheriffs could charge for a concealed handgun permit. By the time it passed, with both houses of the state legislature overturning the governors veto, it had become one of the most expansive gun-rights laws in the country. The gun rights lobby fought hard to pass the bill. The group some lawmakers credited with providing crucial momentum was not so much the National Rifle Association, the powerful national gun rights organization, but rather the Missouri Firearms Coalition, a grassroots operation founded in 2015. With major gun-rights legislation stalled in Washington, much of the action has shifted to the states, where self-described no compromise groups such as the Missouri Firearms Coalition have mobilized activists in favor of pro-gun laws, according to Reuters interviews with gun-rights groups in more than a dozen states, lawmakers, and NRA supporters. In many cases, these groups state they would rather lose a legislative fight on principle than compromise and support a watered-down bill. At times, this can put local groups at odds with the NRA, which some see as too willing to give ground on the strongest pro-gun laws in state legislatures, said Greg Pruett, president of the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, which formed in 2012. Its always kind of interesting when you see a lot of people in the gun control community talk about how radical the NRA is, said Pruett, whose group organized an email and telephone campaign to pass a 2016 Idaho law allowing people to carry concealed handguns without a permit, also known as constitutional carry. Theres an entire movement on the other side of the NRA Were done compromising, he said. Missouri Firearms Coalition political advisor Aaron Dorr says the NRA fought against constitutional carry for years, considering it too much of a longshot, and only came on board once passage was certain. The Missouri law not only authorized constitutional carry, it made Missouri a stand your ground state, where a person no longer has a duty to first try to flee before resorting to lethal self-defense. It was the Missouri Firearms Coalition that was on the ground first with this, said Jered Taylor, a Missouri state representative. Eventually the NRA came on board, but the Missouri Firearms Coalition was the one that pushed it. The NRA contended that it supported Senate Bill 656 from start to finish. The NRA assesses legislation across the states and sometimes opts for incremental victories, spokesman Lars Dalseide said. While the all or nothing approach may sound noble, the fact is you usually end up with nothing, Dalseide said. The other groups may have called for the passage of these bills in the past but they are largely fundraising organizations None of these legislative initiatives moved an inch until the NRA got involved. State Groups Proliferate State-level alternatives to the NRA are active in at least 15 states. Many groups claim tens of thousands of members, citing their own emails lists or social media data. Reuters could not verify the membership. CJ Grisham, who founded Open Carry Texas in 2013, said organizations like his were established to fill a void left by the NRA. I would not have formed Open Carry Texas if the NRA was doing its job, he said. Still, even its critics in the gun-rights movement concede the NRA, with more than 5 million members, is by far the most powerful and well-connected gun rights lobby. In 2005 it shepherded through Floridas landmark stand your ground law, then repeated the feat in nearly half the states. From 2015 to 2017, seven states passed constitutional carry laws, including Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, West Virginia and Missouri, where local groups not affiliated with the NRA claim significant roles in getting the legislation passed. It is now the law in a dozen states. By Daniel Trotta Democrat candidate for governor of Maryland Ben Jealous (L) at New Fortune restaurant in Gaithersburg, MD on Sept. 18, 2018; Republican incumbent and candidate for Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R) in the State House in Annapolis, Maryland on Oct. 8, 2018. (Wei Wu/NTD) Maryland Gubernatorial Candidates Hogan, Jealous Talk Education and Jobs In just under four weeks, Maryland voters will head to the polls to select who will be governor come January. They can either re-elect Republican Larry Hogan to another four-year term, or elect Democrat Ben Jealous, an entrepreneur and former president of the NAACP. Epoch Times media partner NTD sat down with Jealous at a Chinese restaurant in Gaithersburg, where he was meeting with Asian community leaders, and with Hogan, at the State House in Annapolis, for one-on-one interviews. Both candidates were asked about two issues that are of great importance to Americans: education and jobs. Heres what the candidates had to say. Education Both candidates agree a strong educational system is key to Marylands success. Jealous had harsh words for the current governor, saying the states schools have fallen in national rankings over the past four years. Maryland has dropped one place each year in Education Weeks annual rankings since 2014. While in 2014, Maryland ranked second nationally with a score of 83.1, the state has since slipped to sixth in the 2018 report, with a score of 82.4. During his four years in office, Hogan has committed $25 billion to K-12 education, more than any other Maryland governor in history. Maryland currently spends $13,075 per pupil, the 19th-highest in the country. Jealous sees such fixes as raising teacher pay by 29 percent by 2024 and adding pre-kindergarten for all to Maryland schools. Hogan wants to add more accountability. Theres not a lot of accountability at the local level, Hogan said. The state just puts the cash in, but doesnt have the ability to make the improvements at the local level. Last month, Hogan signed an executive order creating the Office of Education Accountability. Hogan said hell push for further accountability in a second term, including legislation that would create a state education investigator generals office. The General Assembly voted down such a measure this year. Jobs A good education should lead to good jobs, and both candidates want to see growth. As an entrepreneur, Jealous sees small businesses, tech startups, and the IT industry as the key to that growth. Jealous claimed the state has lost 50,000 jobs to Virginia, a statistic that The Epoch Times was unable to confirm. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a job gain of 114,000 since January 2014. While Maryland is part of a growing metro-area tech sector, Jealous says the state is losing out to Virginia. In a Kauffman Index report measuring entrepreneurship growth, Virginia ranked first, with Maryland third, even as Marylands rate of startup growth was 10 percent higher. A separate report measuring the rate of new entrepreneurs showed Maryland ranks two spots higher than Virginia. Jealous wants to put more emphasis on tech entrepreneurs by creating an Office of Tech Transfer inside the governors office. His policy proposal seeks to create a one-stop shop for tech-focused entrepreneurs and startups. Maryland currently has a Technology Development Corporation that does something similar, but isnt part of the governors office. Maybe we arent bragging enough, but we actually have more IT companies and more IT jobs than Virginia does, Hogan said. He said Maryland could hire an additional 80,000 to 100,000 IT jobs, but candidates lack the proper training. On the small-business front, Jealous believes extra protections are needed to watch over the owners of those companies. We need to make sure we have a small-business owners bill of rights, so small-business people know Maryland is the best place to grow your business, Jealous said. According to Jealouss policy proposal on his website, it will codify protections and recourse for small businesses against unscrupulous behavior. The proposal offers few details other than promising to create a level playing field. Hogan, who was himself a small-business owner prior to becoming governor, said he believes his tax cuts have helped create a more business-friendly state and created more jobs. Im very proud we are No. 1 in America for small and minority-owned businesses, Hogan said. That is one thing we will continue to focus on. NTD reporter Kitty Wang contributed to this report. Minnesota Teaching Assistant Placed on Leave After Kill Kavanaugh Tweet A Minnesota teaching assistant has been placed on leave by a school district after sending out a message on Twitter calling for the murder of newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The Twitter account Spooky Spam sent out a tweet on Oct. 6 saying, So whose [sic] gonna take one for the team and kill Kavanaugh? The account was later suspended. Tweets from a Minnesota special education teacher calling for someone to kill Justice Kavanaugh. pic.twitter.com/HdtcVtRqLd Beth Baumann (@eb454) October 8, 2018 Superintendent Mark Zuzek of Intermediate School District 917 in Rosemount said in a statement that the district received a complaint regarding the employee who allegedly posted the tweet. The employee has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Pursuant with the data practices act, we are limited to providing additional information regarding this matter, he stated. Zuzek said that the district has received a substantial number of calls as parents and community members learned of the post and the message it forwards, according to KARE 11. According to CBS, the post originated in Ramsey County. The local sheriffs office there is being assisted by FBI agents in the investigation. The teacher was identified as Samanta Ness, reported the Washington Times. KARE 11 noted that Ness deleted all of her social media accounts shortly after the tweet was posted. Minnesota teacher Samantha Ness has been placed on leave and is being investigated by the FBI after she tweeted, "So whose going to take one for the team and kill Kavanaugh?" https://t.co/zNT2g1VnpO pic.twitter.com/SmoW6NIniI Heavy.com (@HeavySan) October 8, 2018 The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also aware of the incident and will follow up as appropriate. Please contact District Superintendent Mark Zuzek at 651-423-8229 for further questions relating to the school districts involvement in the matter. (2/2) Dakota County SO (@DakotaMNSheriff) October 8, 2018 What Investigators Are Looking For Investigators will look at whether the teacher has any past conduct that could be concerning, including purchasing a gun or making statements with a similar sentiment as the message to other people. Theyre going to have to look at other things she has said, other conduct has she mailed letters, made statements to others, purchased a gun, etc.? Debbie Lang, a criminal defense lawyer, told KMSP. Additionally, district officials will look to see whether the paraprofessional breached her contract. Read More White House Holds Second Swearing-In Ceremony for Kavanaugh Each individual employer can establish their own policies. Beyond that, in terms of the school district, theyre going to be looking at her contract parameters theyve set forth to see if she breached her contract with them, Lang said. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune noted that the U.S. Attorneys Office in Minnesota has prosecuted at least two people in recent years for making threats against federal district court judges in the state, with one man being convicted in September and another serving a term of probation after tweeting death threats in 2015. In addition to possible criminal charges, posts like the one Ness made can haunt people moving forward, a job recruiter noted. A post is forever. Thats my mentality, and how Ive been teaching it to people, Paul DeBettignies of Minnesota Headhunter LLC told KARE 11. Most employers welcome conversation, most employers are welcoming to different viewpoints. There are lines, though, likely one shouldnt be crossing. And the physical violence one certainly starts with that. From NTD.tv Officials usher journalists out from the room during a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Oct. 8, 2018. (ANDY WONG/AFP/Getty Images) Pompeos Visit to Beijing Tension-Filled Amid Worsening USChina Relations In a rarity for Beijing diplomacy, no effort was made to disguise the frosty and tense atmosphere encountered by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had come for a one-day visit. The likely cause was the landmark speech given by Vice President Mike Pence a few days ago, which has been likened by many to Winston Churchills Iron Curtain speech in 1946 marking the beginning of the Cold War. On Oct. 8, Pompeo met separately with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission Yang Jiechi. While Pompeo managed to put on a smiling face when shaking hands with Wang Yi in front of the cameras, the latter hardly bothered to show any friendly hospitality as the host. At a joint press conference with Pompeo, Wang said, with a stern face: Recently, as the U.S. side has been constantly escalating trade friction toward China, it has also adopted a series of actions on the Taiwan issue that harm Chinas rights and interests, and has made groundless criticism of Chinas domestic and foreign policies. We believe this has been a direct attack on our mutual trust, and has cast a shadow on ChinaU.S. relations. We demand that the U.S. side stop this kind of mistaken action. Pompeo, who was briefing Wang following his visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, directly addressed areas where the United States and China dont agree, including on the South China Sea and human rights, with a smiling face. The issues that you characterized, we have a fundamental disagreement, he said. Pompeo also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We have great concerns about the actions that China has taken, and I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss each of those today, because this is an incredibly important relationship, he said. Pompeo didnt meet with Chinese regime leader Xi Jinping during this visit. A senior State Department official on the trip said that wasnt unusual, even though top U.S. officials often meet with Chinese heads of state on visits. The United States still expects cooperation from Beijing on efforts to denuclearize North Korea, Pompeo said. Pences Speech Pences speech four days ago on U.S.China relations continues to cause shockwaves among Chinese scholars, observers, dissidents, and ordinary citizens. Some of them liken it to Churchills Iron Curtain speech; some say it is an epoch-marking official call to a new era of U.S.China relations. He Jian, a Chinese commentator said in an opinion article on the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times, that Pences speech marked the end of the era of appeasement policy, and opened up a new era of fighting back against the Chinese Communist Partys vicious and comprehensive infiltration of the United States. He said that the Wests appeasement toward the Chinese Communist Party wasnt all that different from the reaction to Nazi Germany in the 1930s. However, he said, since Trump took office, the United States has awakened. Chinese writer and political commentator Chen Pokong said that the importance of Pences speech cant be overstated: It marks a significant and fundamental turning point in U.S.China relations. Chen said this change, nonetheless, allows for the opportunity for an improved relationship, as expressed in Pences speech toward the end: As our National Security Strategy states: Competition does not always mean hostility. As President Trump has made clear, we want a constructive relationship with Beijing, where our prosperity and security grow together, not apart. While Beijing has been moving further away from this vision, Chinas rulers can still change course, and return to the spirit of reform and opening and greater freedom. The Chinese Communist regime only needs to do three things to improve relations with the United States, Chen said. One is for Beijing to keep promises it made when joining the World Trade Organization, to accept the concept of free and fair trade, and to stop harming the United States. The second is to stop persecuting the Chinese people and to allow them greater freedom. The third is to stop provocative military operations, especially in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. However, Chen said it will be very difficult for the Chinese regime to accomplish, especially allowing people greater freedom. Current affairs commentator Lan Shu noticed that Pence made a very clear distinction between China and the Chinese Communist Party. Pence said Chinese Communist Party seven times while criticizing the regimes behavior, but continually noted the United States goodwill toward China and the Chinese people. Pompeos visit to China followed trips to Japan, North Korea, and South Korea to push forward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. President Donald Trump hinted over the weekend at another summit with Kim, saying on Twitter that he looks forward to seeing the North Korean leader again in the near-future. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) (L) and his wife Kelley Paul at a campaign event in Knoxville, Iowa, on Jan. 29, 2016. (Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) Rand Pauls Wife Says She Sleeps With Gun After Receiving Death Threats The wife of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the official who was attacked last year by a neighbor, revealed that she now sleeps with a loaded gun, after receiving death threats as some Democrat officials and activists call for confronting Republicans everywhere, including inside their homes. Kelley Paul told Breitbart that she and her husband have taken dramatic steps after receiving fresh threats recently. Weve updated all of our security systems at home. I sleep with a loaded gun by my bed. Im home alone a lot, obviously when Rand is [in Washington], and so Ive got deadbolts all around my house so that if someones in my house when I go to bed Im deadbolted in three different levels, Paul said. Its bizarre. Ive never been like this in my whole life. We used to never even lock our doors, and now that has all changed. Even going out to dinner in D.C., last night, you worry. You hope that people arent going to come up and just start screaming at you. Attack on Rand Paul Sen. Paul was attacked by a 59-year-old neighbor, Rene Boucher, in his Kentucky home in November 2017. Boucher was arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree assault. Paul suffered six broken ribs and other injuries from the assault, in what some media outlets claimed was the culmination of a dispute over landscaping. Doug Stafford, Pauls senior adviser, said in a statement that there was no dispute. As to reports of a longstanding dispute with the attacker, the Pauls have had no conversations with him in many years. The first conversation with the attacker came after Sen. Pauls ribs were broken, Stafford said. This was not a fight, it was a blindside, violent attack by a disturbed person. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply uninformed or seeking media attention. Seven neighbors told the Washington Examiner that the Pauls were great neighbors; the outlet also posted three anti-President Donald Trump Facebook posts from Boucher. Paul has defended Trump and later sued Boucher for compensation for his medical care. Fresh Threats Come Amid Democrat Rhetoric The newest threats come among increasingly urgent rhetoric from Democrat officials and activists, and groups confronting Republican officials inside restaurants and other places. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) told a crowd in Los Angeles in June, If you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them theyre not welcome anymore, anywhere. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) urged people to get up in the face of some congresspeople in July. Ian Millhiser, an activist with the Think Progress blog, said in a later-deleted tweet in late September, Tell me again why we shouldnt confront Republicans where they eat, where they sleep, and where they work. A number of other activists have called for killing Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump, and other Republican leaders. Paul said in an op-ed that she was disturbed by the rhetoric, calling it part of a broader effort to intimidate and threaten Republican members of Congress and their families. She cited the threats her family has received along with the recent doxxing of some Republican officials. Earlier this week, Rand was besieged in the airport by activists getting up in his face as you, Senator Booker, encouraged them to do a few months ago, she added. Preventing someone from moving forward, thrusting your middle finger in their face, screaming vitriolis this the way to express concern or enact change? Or does it only incite unstable people to violence, making them feel that assaulting a person is somehow politically justifiable? From NTD.tv Members of the Korea Internet Security Agency check on cyber attacks at a briefing room in Seoul on March 20, 2013. (Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images) South Korea and EU Raise Alarm on Alleged Chinese Cyber Espionage South Korea is on alert after a recent Bloomberg report has revealed that Chinese spy chips have purportedly been mounted on servers made by San Jose-based tech company Supermicro. Business Korea, an English-language business and financial magazine in South Korea, reported widespread use of Supermicro servers among the countrys financial institutions, large corporations, and government-run research institutes, in an article published on Oct. 8. Two government-run institutes are named: the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), one of South Koreas leading institutes in research and development of wireless communication, and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), a government agency that is mainly responsible for the countrys satellite, rocket, and lunar exploration projects. Many private companies also use Supermicro servers, such as South Korean electronics giants Samsung and LG, mobile service provider KT, and the publicly listed steel-making company POSCO. One research institute is identified: Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), which is dedicated to the R&D of research fields such as brain science, robotics, and materials science. According to the Bloomberg report, microchips were inserted into the servers at factories run by Supermicros manufacturing subcontractors in China. The chips would allow cyber attackers to create a stealth doorway into any network that included the altered machines. Bloombergs investigation revealed that the spy chips have affected almost 30 companies, including Amazon and Apple, though both firms have refuted the claims in the Bloomberg article. Supermicro has also denied that it has sold servers containing the chips to customers. Lim Jong-in, a professor at the Graduate School of Information Security at Korea University, pointed out that even if companies were compromised by Chinese spyware, they may not necessarily be able to detect the problem, according to an Oct. 8 by Koreas English-language newspaper Korea Times. Korea has been largely depending on China in the IT area. It would be difficult to refuse to use Chinese products unconditionally without finding clear evidence, Lim said. But if Korea continues to use Chinese products, the nation would lose its credibility with the United States and other countries. Lim suggested that the South Korean government should improve its capability to detect any form of cyberattacks. As for private companies, he suggested that they need to consider consumer protection when choosing partners, rather than considering the price issue only. The alleged spy chip has amplified concerns over Huaweis 5G equipment, according to another report by Business Korea published on Oct. 8. 5G is the next generation of wireless mobile communications technology that is set to revolutionize different industries, including transportation and manufacturing. Huawei is Chinas largest telecommunications service provider. The companys ties to the Chinese militaryand hence, its risks to national securityhave led a number of governments, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, to shut it out of those countries. The spy chip allegations have lent further credibility to the idea that Chinese-manufactured tech parts can be exploited by Beijing to conduct espionage. The concerns over Huawei in South Korea centers around two local mobile service providers, KT and LG Uplus, who have yet to announce which company they will buy their 5G equipment from. SK Telecom, South Koreas largest mobile carrier, has already rejected Huaweis equipment for the companys 5G network. Instead, it has selected Samsung Electronics, Ericsson, and Nokia to supply the gear. While it is unclear if any European company is affected by the spy chip, the European Commission is nonetheless being watchful of potential cyberattacks from China. According to an Oct. 4 article published in Politico, the European Union is set to confront China on increasing cyber espionage linked to Beijing. The EUs executive body, the European Commission, is drafting documents about concerns toward Beijing and possibly coming up with new defensive measures. The drafting process came amid a meeting with governmental experts, foreign affairs officials, and industry lobbyists to discuss a recent study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers. PwC will finalize the report and provide it to the Commission later this month. The study, citing estimates from non-profit think tank the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE), concluded that Europe alone would face a possible loss of 60 billion euros (about $68.7 billion) and roughly 289,000 jobs in 2018 due to cyber theft of trade secrets. Germany is the country most affected by cyber theft among EU member states, according to the study, with 17 percent of all German companies having reported theft of sensitive data between 2015 and 2017. The study raised the example of German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp, a firm focused on industrial engineering and steel production, which had its project data stolen by hackers located in southeast Asia in 2016. SC Magazine UK, a cybersecurity publication, in an article published in December 2016, alleged that Chinese hacking group Winnti was behind the cyberattack on ThyssenKrupp. The PwC study proposed several recommendations, including the creation of a cross-border EU cybersecurity investigative department, that is responsible for prosecuting cyber theft of trade secrets. Another recommendation is for the EU to sign bilateral agreements on countering cyber theft, much like that between the United States and China. In 2015, former U.S. President Barack Obama signed a cyber pact with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, pledging not to conduct intellectual property theft on each other. However, the agreement has not been effective in stopping Chinas economic espionage. A recent report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute concluded that Beijing often violated cyber agreements it had signedincluding the ones it signed with Australia and the United States. China has in fact recently intensified its cyber spying efforts for commercial purposes. US Calls for Thorough Probe on Missing Saudi Journalist The U.S. State Department has called on Saudi Arabia to conduct a thorough probe into the mysterious disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose case sparked international concern over the kingdoms apparent crackdown on dissent. Khashoggi, a regime critic and prominent journalist in Saudi Arabia, was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Officials in Turkey believe he was murdered inside the building, while the Saudis claim he left the building unharmed. Khashoggi also is a Washington Post contributor. In response, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Saudi government to be transparent about the results of any investigation. We have seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, Pompeo said in an Oct. 8 statement. As the President has conveyed, the United States is concerned by his disappearance. Pompeo noted that senior officials in the State Department have connected with Kingdom officials through diplomatic channels regarding the case. We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr. Khashoggis disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation, he said. Khashoggi had entered the consulate to get documents for his forthcoming marriage. The Saudi government has repeatedly claimed that Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, but his fiancee who was waiting outside said he never appeared. President Donald Trump also publicly expressed concern over the reports surrounding Khashoggis disappearance. I am concerned about it. I dont like hearing about it, Trump told reporters at the White House on Oct. 8. Hopefully, that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year, saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy in the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent. Several news organizations have cited anonymous Turkish officials claiming that Khashoggi was the victim of a premeditated murder inside the consulate; Saudi officials have denied those allegations. Vice President Mike Pence echoed the presidents remarks and said the international community deserves answers. Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day, Pence wrote on Twitter. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights. At the same time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia to prove its claim that Khashoggi left the consulate safely. We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. Consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying he has left, Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest, where he is on an official visit. Erdogan, who said hes personally following the case, added that Turkey had no documents or evidence regarding the case. Turkey said it would search Saudi Arabias consulate. Turkeys Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the investigation was continuing intensively. The Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations allows for consulates to be searched by authorities of a host country with consent of the mission chief, he said. The consulate building will be searched in the framework of the investigation, Aksoy said in a written statement. Khashoggi, a familiar face on political talk shows on Arab satellite television networks, had been an adviser to Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States and Britain. Reuters contributed to this report. A U.S. Marine firing detail stands at attention with the Arizona Memorial in background during a memorial service on Dec. 7, 2011, for the 70th anniversary of the attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in 1941. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) The Mystery of Gen. George C. Marshall Where was the Armys chief of staff on the morning of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor? Commentary Gen. George Marshall appeared Dec. 7, 1945, before a joint congressional committee on the subject of the Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, which occurred exactly four years earlier. The legislators had many questions for Marshall, who had been the U.S. Armys chief of staff. When asked about his movements on the evening of Dec. 6, 1941, Marshall replied, I can only account for them by a sort of circumstantial evidence. The committees general counsel, William Mitchell, then asked if Marshall had been to the White House. No, sir, answered Marshall. Not at all. Mitchell then asked where Marshall was on the morning of Dec. 7, when the Japanese were about to attack. Marshall replied, On that particular morning, I presumably had my breakfast at about 8, and following the routine that I had carried out on previous Sundays, I went riding at some time thereafter. Marshall then corrected himself. In response to previous inquiries, he had said he went horseback riding at 8:30. But no, that wasnt right. According to Marshall, discussions with orderlies and also evidence that I have seen of other individuals leads me purely by induction and not by definite memory to think that I must have ridden later. Marshall continued, Just what time I do not know; but between 8 oclock and the time I went to the War Department, I ate my breakfast, I probably looked at the Sunday papers and went for a ride. Probably, he admitted, the horse ride took 50 minutes because I rode at a pretty lively gait, at a trot and a canter and at a full run. Marshall remembered the horse. My recollection beyond that, he continued, is that while I was taking a shower word came to me that Col. Bratton had something important and wished to come out to Fort Myer. I sent word that I was coming to the War Department. From the shower, yes, after trotting, after cantering, and a full gallopyes, purely by induction and not by definite memory, he took a shower. My average time of taking a shower and dressing would be about 10 minutes, possibly less. As to what time I arrived at the War Department is a matter of conjecture; I have no recollection. He remembers only so much, and nothing more. Later in the morning, Bratton met with Marshall and showed him a decoded and translated Japanese diplomatic message intercepted by U.S. intelligence. The message suggested that Japan was about to attack the United States at around 1 p.m. Washington time (8 a.m. Hawaii time). According to the deciphered message, the Japanese embassy was ordered by Tokyo to destroy its code machines, a sure sign that war would begin. The general, who had showered and dressed in 10 minutes, and could ride a horse at a full gallop, suddenly slowed down. He wasnt in a great hurry to pass Brattons intelligence along to Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines or Gen. Walter Short in Hawaii. He did, of course, send warnings to the Philippines, San Francisco, and Panama. But for some reason, a telegram he sent to Hawaii didnt arrive until the Japanese attack was underway. The Mystery Deepens The mystery of Marshalls whereabouts on the night before the Japanese attack, and his failing memory regarding the morning of Dec. 7, had a curious footnote appended by none other than Sen. Joseph McCarthy (some years later). The footnote is from the biography of a communist diplomat named Maxim Litvinoff (also spelled Litvinov), who was appointed Ambassador to the United States in November 1941. Litvinoff was no ordinary diplomat, since he had served as the Soviet foreign minister before the appointment of Vyacheslav Molotov. And Litvinoffs assignment to Washington was no ordinary diplomatic mission. The context of Litvinoffs appointment was as follows: Germany had invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. German troops and tanks were advancing on Moscow. The Soviet armies defending Moscow were being systematically wiped out. So dire was the situation, the Soviet government was in the process of relocating from Moscow to Kuibyshev. From thence, he was given his instructions and loaded on a plane. Of course, his departure was delayed on account of weather. The British and American press even said, at one point, that his plane was missing. On Nov. 17, 1941, Litvinoff and his wife landed in Tehran, Iran, where he attended meetings and received reports not only about the Germans, but about the Japanese. On Nov. 23, Litvinoff flew to Baghdad. Then, inexplicably, his aircraft doubled back across Iran and landed in Calcutta, where he was received at Government House (British India) by Sir Shenton Thomas, who was told by Litvinoff of an imminent Japanese attack on the United States and Britain. (Litvinoff was assured that the Japanese would never reach Calcutta.) On Nov. 30, the Litvinoffs arrived in Manila where they were guests of High Commissioner Francis B. Sayre. They dined at the cool, white palace of the High Commissioner, together with Gen. and Mrs. MacArthur. Litvinoff allegedly warned MacArthur of an impending attack from Japan. On Dec. 2, the Litvinoffs arrived in Guam, and then on Dec. 3 to Wake Island, finally arriving at Honolulu on Dec. 4, 1941. The sly Soviet oracle was the guest of honor at a well-attended reception. The Litvinoffs were then taken to the House of the Governor, where Short and Adm. Husband Kimmel welcomed the newly appointed Soviet ambassador to the United States. As he did in Manila and in Calcutta, Litvinoff warned the two American commanders that a Japanese attack would come at any moment. Someone reportedly said to him, They would be fools to attack us now. Litvinoff smiled and replied, Yes, indeed, they would be fools. But they will attack. According to the Soviet ambassadors biographer, On the morning of Sunday, December 7, Litvinoffs plane arrived at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. where he was received by General Marshall and Admiral King and many other officers and officials. The biographer says Litvinoff was exhausted by the flight and was driven to the Soviet Embassy, where he slept for four hours. At that time, his secretary woke him with the news that Pearl Harbor was under attack. It is disappointing, of course, that Marshall couldnt remember meeting the Soviet ambassadors plane on the morning of Dec. 7. It is, perhaps, also unbelievable that his otherwise famous memory would fail on that day, of all days. At the same time, Litvinoff knew exactly what his movements had been on those fateful days leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of course, from the American perspective, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff might find it inconvenient, under the circumstances of a congressional investigation, to explain why he had met the Soviet ambassadors plane little more than four hours before Japans attack on Pearl Harbor. Was Marshall then colluding with Moscow? There is, as well, the question of giving false answers to a congressional inquiry. Is it conceivable that Marshall had forgotten the details of Dec. 7, 1941? And yet, that is exactly what he told Congress. The famous memory of this supposedly brilliant general wasnt working on the morning Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Is it honest? Is it respectable to give such answers to Congress? Or was it a trick to avoid perjury? The facts are thus, and there is more to say. J.R. Nyquist has been a columnist for WorldNetDaily, SierraTimes, and Financial Sense Online. He is the author of the books Origins of the Fourth World War and The Fool and His Enemy, as well as co-author of The New Tactics of Global War. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Think Tank Calls for Backing Venezuelas Resistance Arms, equipment, support would go to insurgents to defeat Marxist regime The socialist regime in Venezuela has generated the largest mass exodus in Latin American history, and a prominent think tank in Washington, DC, says the time for talk is over. The nonpartisan Center for Security Policy (CSP) issued a statement on October 4 backing U.S. support for Venezuelans to take their country back by themselves from ruler Nicolas Maduro. CSP recommends the United States provide arms and training to worthy Venezuelans, but not start another war of choice. The CSPwhich leans neoconservative and is led by Reagan administration alumnus Frank Gaffneybelieves the Venezuelan regime promotes regional subversion and destabilization. Therefore, CSP staffers contend that US cooperation with regional allies to provide the help that Venezuelans need to solve the problem could generate mutual benefit. The military aid from the United States could be accompanied by complementary forms of support from friendly countries. For example, Venezuelas neighborsnotably Colombia and Brazilcould permit the Venezuelan resistance force to install safe bases and logistics centers in their territories. The CSP also suggests taking appropriate measures against any government or group that opposes the effort. In Line with Trump Administration? President Donald Trumps September 25 speech to the U.N. General Assembly motivated the CSP to release this decision brief. Trump and Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador for the United Nations, called for the restoration of democracy in the South American country and encouraged the Venezuelan opposition to defend their liberties and security. Further, the CSP argues that its proposal is consistent with President Trumps national security strategy and policy. The organization has spoken favorably of the administrations policies and shared ideals, dating back to when he took office in January 2017. The plan to provide arms, equipment, training, intelligence, and logistical support falls short of an outright invasion, while at the same time it seeks a solution to the glaring refugee crisis. Instead of fleeing their homeland in search of opportunities throughout the continent, the CSP believes locals should confront the Marxist regime initiated by the late President Hugo Chavez, in office from 1999 to 2013. Creating programs to provide for the many Venezuelan migrants is not appropriate, according to the CSP, when it does nothing to eradicate the source of the infection. Beyond the Venezuelas domestic crisis, the CSP adds, the regime has problematic relationships with the communist regimes of Cuba, China, Iran, and Russia, and it hosts jihadists and their terrorist groups, like Hezbollah. The CSP wants to narrowly limit any U.S. military action to special operations against foreign actors in Venezuela, along with limited defense or safe haven for the Venezuelan resistance force. The CSP statement highlights that soft-power alternatives have proved fruitless. The Organization of American States (OAS), for instance, has fallen short with criticism but no solutions. Luis Almagro, the OAS secretary general and a former socialist politician, has not even attained a sufficient member votes to apply the democratic charter and suspend Venezuela from the OAS. Calls for Multilateral Action U.S. military intervention has already become a matter of public debate within the political sphere. For example, Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who is a close adviser of Trump on Latin American issues, believes Venezuelas panorama is threatening U.S. and regional security. For Rubio, this is a very strong argument for the United States to intervene in Venezuela and fight against the authoritarian regime. However, Shannon ONeil, a senior fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, opines that a U.S. military intervention is not the best way to achieve political change in Venezuela. Her concern is the large scope of the country: Venezuela isnt Grenada or Panama, the two Latin American countries invaded by the US during the closing days of the Cold War. Political and security consultant James Bosworth is most concerned that the United States not act alone: All of the major countries of the hemisphere, particularly Venezuelas immediate neighbors, need to coordinate and come to an agreement on an appropriate response today and if and how to escalate that response if necessary in the future. Likewise, Colombian President Ivan Duque has shared his opposition towards any unilateral military intervention. His present belief is that Latin Americans do not support a military confrontation with the Chavistas in Venezuela. Duque believes that the most suitable strategy is to isolate the Maduro regime in diplomatic affairs. However, Duque and Trump will hold a meeting in November and will likely discuss how to address this regional concern. Brazil is in the midst of presidential elections, awaiting the runoff, so the foreign-policy inclinations for the coming years could go either way. However, Brazilian Minister of Defense Joaquim Silva e Luna dismissed the notion that his country would back a military intervention in Venezuela. Argentine historian Carlos Sabino, who lived in Venezuela for many years, believes that a military intervention could bring new and more severe problems to Venezuela, although it should not be ruled out. The authoritarian regime that has already turned Venezuela into a devastated country as if it had suffered a war, would likely seize on this event to justify its dictatorship. Sabinos fear is that the Venezuelan regime would appeal to its usual nationalist and anti-imperialist rhetoric. U.S. intervention would in their minds prove that their socialist policies were right: It would be a golden opportunity for Maduro and his cronies to gain the prestige and legitimity that they dont have today. The U.S. flag flies over Chinese shipping containers at the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles County on Sept. 29, 2018. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images) Trump Admin Collecting $4.4 Billion From Tariffs on Steel, Aluminium, China Goods: Report The federal government is starting to cash in on tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on steel, aluminium, and a plethora of goods from China. Importers already owe $4.4 billion on the tariffs, the Washington Examiner reported, citing Homeland Security Department data up to Oct. 2. A majorityover $2.3 billionof those monies is to be paid by steel importers. Another nearly $1.5 billion will come from tariffs on Chinese products, and over $600 million stems from aluminum imports. The numbers come from assessments by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and dont necessarily reflect how much the government has already collected. A lot of money is coming into our coffers, Trump commented on the issue at a Sept. 27 press conference. Trump slapped 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum in the spring. He said dumping of the metals, from countries such as China, decimated domestic producers and Americas falling capability to produce its own steel created a national security risk, he argued. The 10 percent tariff on $250 billion of Chinese goods was a retaliation against Chinas rampant theft of American trade secrets, forced transfer of know-how, and other trade violations. The tariff is slated to increase to 25 percent on Jan. 1, 2019, unless the two countries can come to an agreement. The steel tariffs have rejuvenated the American steel industry, but they have also put producers who depended on imported steel in a tough spot. U.S. companies have filed over 37,000 requests for exemption from the tariffs, forcing the Commerce Department to hire more people to handle them. Zero Tariff End Game The tariffs are part of Trumps carrot-and-stick negotiating strategy, where he mounts pressure on foreign trade partners to lower their trade barriers, but offers to ultimately move to a no-tariff, no-barrier regime on all sides. The approach seems to work as negotiators agreed on Sept. 30 to sign a new trade accordthe U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)which will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). By the way, without tariffs, we wouldnt be talking about a deal, just for those babies out there that keep talking about tariffs. That includes Congress, Trump said during a press conference on the USMCA on Oct. 1. The EU has previously agreed to move toward the no-tariff regime, outside of the auto industry. To get a deal out of China, however, may take some time, Trump said. Battle of China Theyve been ripping us off for so many years. It doesnt happen that quickly. And if, politically, people force it too quickly, youre not going to make the right deal for our workers and for our country, Trump said. China has imposed tariffs on $110 billion worth of American exports, but the country only imported about $130 billion of American goods last year so it doesnt have much room to broaden the tariff base much further. Trump, on the other hand, has ample opportunities to squeeze China even more, as the United States imported over $505 billion worth of goods from China in 2017. Trump already warned that if China retaliates against U.S. farmers and other industries, he would impose tariffs on another $267 billion in Chinese imports. Also, the USMCA contains a clause that bars any of its members from entering into a separate free-trade deal with China. Canada and China had been talking about a possible free-trade deal, and formal negotiations have now been put on hold. The tariff battle doesnt appear to have had a notable impact on the American economy. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in Septemberthe lowest level since December 1969. GDP grew an estimated 4.2 percent in the second quarter, and middle-class income is at its highest on record. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didnt respond to a request for comment. Reuters contributed to this report. Trump Promises to Straighten Out Crime-Ridden Chicago ORLANDOPresident Donald Trump told law enforcement officers on Oct. 8 that hes sending reinforcements to Chicago to straighten it out. I have directed the attorney generals office to immediately go to the great city of Chicago to help straighten out the terrible shooting wave, Trump told the approximately 4,000 law enforcement officers and their families at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) convention in Orlando. Ive told them to work with local authorities to try to change the terrible deal the city of Chicago entered into with the ACLU, which ties law enforcements hands. Trump referenced a consent decree that was proposed for Chicago after its Obama-era federal version was quashed by the Trump administration last year. The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police told Fox News in July that the consent decree is anti-police and needs to be tossed. The consent decree will make the simplest police duties and actions rife with ambiguity, and set up officers for discipline, no matter how professional or appropriate their conduct, Chicago FOP Vice President Martin Preib wrote in a statement to Fox. Trump said he wants Chicago to strongly consider amping up stop-and-frisk, the practice he attributes to the clean-up of a crime-riddled New York City in the 1990s. It went from an unacceptably dangerous city to one of the safest cities in the country and I think the safest big city in the country, Trump said. So it worksits got to be properly appliedbut stop-and-frisk works. Stop-and-frisk or a Terry stop is a policing tactic where an officer stops and questions a person deemed to be suspicious. If the officer believes the person is dangerous, the officer may frisk the person, based on the precedent of the 1968 Supreme Court decision in Terry v. Ohio. So far this year (through Oct. 8), 2,346 people have been shot, according to statistics gathered by the Chicago Tribune. The total is 630 fewer than 2017. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said police can only do so much. We look at crime every day, every hour, and we readjust, readjust, readjust. But there is only so much the police can do, he said at a press conference in August. We cannot be on every street corner of this city, every moment of the day. We just cant. Thats an impossibility. Johnson blamed gang violence, soft punishment for offenders, and an epidemic of illegal guns. Trump said crime in Chicago is a terrible blight on that city and promised his administration will do everything possible to clean it up. I know the law enforcement people in Chicago and I know how good they are. They could solve the problem if they were simply allowed to do their job and do their job properlyand thats what they want to do, he said. So, Chicago, well start working with you as of today. The People of Our Country Love You Trump also reiterated his support for law enforcement, and derided attacks against officers. My administration will always honor, cherish, and support the men and women in blueand we are proud to do it, he said. He said reducing crime starts with respecting law enforcement. For too many years, we have watched politicians escalate political attacks on our courageous police officers. And Ive never seen it more than over the last few years. Its disgraceful, Trump said. Politicians who spread this dangerous, anti-police sentiment make life easier for criminals and more dangerous for law-abiding citizens. And they also make it more dangerous for police. And it must stop, and it must stop now. Trump said in 2016, a law enforcement officer was assaulted on an average of every nine minutes in the United States. Is that even believable? he said. However, the steep surge in violent crime during 2015 and 2016 has abated, according to the latest FBI statistics. The violent crime rateincluding offenses such as murder, robbery, and aggravated assaultdropped by almost 1 percent in 2017. By the end of this year, murders in major cities are estimated to drop by close 10 percent from their levels in 2016, Trump said. Trump paid homage to fallen officers, including two widows in the audience. He mentioned officer Terrence Carraway, who was killed in the line of duty in Florence, South Carolina, on Oct. 3. Six other officers were injured during the incident. When a police officer is assaulted or killed, its a wound inflicted upon our entire nation, Trump said. You dont hear it from the media, but I can tell you the people of our country love you. He said cop killers, after a quick trial, should get the death penalty. Funding for Opioids and School Safety Trump said his administration is adding to the $6 billion allocated last year toward the opioid crisis, which killed more than 48,000 Americans in 2017. Today, Im announcing another $42.4 million for the high-intensity drug trafficking areas program. $6 billion last year to work on opioid problem at every levelincluding helping people, Trump said. He also said funding had been allocated last week to improve school safety. Through Stop School Violence grants, were giving local schools and police departments the resources they need to hire more officers and train more teachers and better detect and address early warning signs of mental illness before its too late. Heroes Trump invited onstage the four finalists for the Target Police Officer of the Year award, whose heroism was listed by the IACP as follows: Officer Taylor Rust of the Plano, Texas, Police Department saved the lives of four civilians when responding to a report of shots fired in a residential neighborhood. Patrol Officer Mark Dallas of the Dixon, Illinois, Police Department stopped an active shooter in a high school before the suspect could harm any of the students. Washington State Patrol Trooper Nathaniel Dawsons involvement in a high-speed vehicle pursuit of two armed suspects led to the confrontation and eventual capture of the suspects. Sergeant Luis Celis of the Doral, Florida, Police Department played a key role in stopping an active-shooter incident at the Trump National Doral Resort, when he pursued and apprehended the shooter. Dallas was announced as the winner of the award after Trump had left the stage. Trump to Announce Pro-Ethanol Rule Ahead of Iowa Visit The Trump administration will propose lifting a ban on the summertime sale of E15 gasoline ahead of President Donald Trumps Oct. 9 visit to Iowa, according to a senior White House official. Up to 97 percent of the gasoline sold in the United States is E10, a mix of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent petroleum. The Environmental Protection Agency, after extensive tests, approved the sale of E15 gasoline, which contains up to 15 percent ethanol, by issuing a pair of waivers in 2010 and 2011. The waivers approved the sale of the gasoline for vehicles made in 2001 and later, but prohibited sales during the summertime driving season between May 1 and Sept. 15. Trumps announcement in Iowa will come with less than a month left until the midterm elections in November. The ethanol industry supports 43,000 jobs throughout the Iowa economy. The president has repeatedly stated the support for the Renewable Fuel Standard program, a senior White House official told reporters in a conference call on Oct. 8. He thinks that its good to have domestically produced energy here. He thinks this will actually be good for the agriculture industry as well as the economy overall. Trumps move will be a boon to farm-belt Republicans in other states as well. Ethanol is made from corn in a process that converts a bushel of corn into 2.8 gallons of ethanol and 17 pounds of protein-rich animal feed. Iowa is the biggest ethanol producer in the United States, churning out roughly a quarter of the total ethanol in the nation, according to the Nebraska Energy Office. The Department of Energy tested E15 gasoline in vehicles running a total of 6 million miles and found no issues, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Congress mandated oil refiners to mix an increasingly larger percentage of renewable fuels into gasoline. Ethanol is the most common ingredient refiners use to meet the obligation. Trump directed EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler to propose the new rule, which will become effective after a public comment period, barring a legal challenge. A senior White House official said that Trump hopes the rule will be approved before next summers driving season. The proposed rule will also include tightened restrictions on the trading of renewable identification numbers (RINs), a type of credit refiners and importers use to meet their minimum renewable fuel volume obligations. The new RIN regulations are meant to limit the manipulation of those credits and provide additional transparency, according to a senior White House official. The price of RINs is closely tied to the renewable fuel obligations. RIN prices more than tripled in 2013 when the EPA imposed a new renewable fuel goal that refiners and importers could no longer meet with E10 gasoline alone. The American Petroleum Institute, the largest U.S. oil group, opposes lifting the ban, which will eat into the industrys market share of gasoline sales. The move also faces bipartisan opposition in Congress. The summer ban on E15 gasoline was put in place as an anti-smog measure, though studies have since shown its environmental benefits are limited. Trump will direct the EPA to write a rule lifting the ban and it would have to be fast-tracked to have it finalized before the next summer driving season. Reuters contributed to this report. The ancient town of Hasankeyf by the Tigris river, which will be significantly submerged by the Ilisu dam being constructed, in southeastern Turkey, on April 29, 2018. (Reuters/Sertac Kayar) Turkish Hydroelectric Dam Will Leave Hundreds Homeless HASANKEYF, TurkeyHundreds of people displaced by a huge dam in southeast Turkey fear they could go homeless because resettlement laws prevent them from moving into a new government-built town above the rising Tigris River waters. The Ilisu dam, which Turkey planned to fill this year, will generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity but has been criticized for water shortages it will create downstream in Iraq and for the tens of thousands of people it will displace in Turkey. For hundreds of residents of the 12,000-year-old town of Hasankeyf and its neighboring village of Kesmekopru, both of which will be submerged, housing laws may also block them from finding new homes on the nearby mountainside. Those regulations bar unmarried adults and people with addresses registered elsewhere from claiming home ownership in the new site, residents and town officials told Reuters. Two Hasankeyf residents affected by the laws, siblings Fatime and Hizrullah Salkan, have filed legal petitions to find new homes when the waters rise and they are forced from their housesbuilt next door to each other by their parents. Fatime, 44, is not married and her 47-year-old brother, a father of four, switched his address to a neighboring province while seeking work there five years ago, meaning they both fail to meet requirements for being rehoused. They told us everything would be perfectthat everyone would own a house, there wouldnt be any problems, Hizrullah said. But now we are doomed to be migrants. Also uprooted by the dam waters will be Hasankeyfs ancient tombs, minarets and monuments, which are being transferred to a tourist park. There wont be anywhere for these people to go Ahmet Akdeniz, president of the local cultural association, said he supports the dam and the new settlement site, and expects Hasankeyfs antiquities to be more easily accessible at their new location. But the home ownership restrictions, he said, are a disaster for hundreds of residents in Hasankeyf. Whoever wrote these laws is brainless, he said. Theyll have to change them. There wont be anywhere for these people to go. Asked whether steps were being taken to address the needs of people deemed ineligible for new housing, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, which is overseeing the Ilisu Dam project, said local authorities had planned to make some homes available for sale but there is no demand. Other state bodies, including the Environment and Urbanization Ministry, which issued the home-ownership laws, declined or did not respond to requests for comment. Turkey briefly started filling the dam in June, but officials said it halted temporarily a week later after complaints from Iraq about reduced water flows in summer. Like Hasankeyf, which it faces across the Tigris River, the village of Kesmekopru will be forced to evacuate once the dams reservoir fills properly. But none of Kesmekoprus more than 600 residents will be allowed to own homes in the new settlement site because it is not considered a neighborhood of Hasankeyf, according to village headman Metin Dezen. By Julia Harte Haley Resigns as Ambassador to UN, to Exit Role at End of Year Nikki Haley, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, has resigned and will step down from her role at the end of the year, President Donald Trump said. Trump, along with Haley, made the announcement at the White House on Oct. 9. The White House will pick a successor in two to three weeks, the president said. Haley said that the post had been the honor of a lifetime, but felt like she needed to step aside after serving six years as the governor of South Carolina and almost two years as the U.N. ambassador. I am such a lucky girl to have been able to lead the state that raised me and to serve a country I love so very much. It has really been a blessing, and I want to thank you for that, Haley told Trump. Trump said Haley told him six months ago she wanted to take a break by years end. Haley, who has served as the U.N. ambassador since the early days of the Trump administration, emphasized the administrations accomplishments over that time, including imposing strict sanctions on North Korea, exiting the Iran nuclear deal, and moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Now, the United States is respected. Countries may not like what we do, but they respect what we do, Haley said. The U.S. is strong again and the U.S. is strong in a way that should make all Americans very proud. Haley didnt say what she wanted to do next, beyond indicating plans to campaign for Trumps reelection in 2020. The president said that Haley got to know the key players at the United Nations and earned their respect. Haley made the ambassador job more glamorous and important for those who want to succeed her, Trump added. We will miss you, Trump said. You have done a fantastic job, and I want to thank you very much. Haley has been an outspoken advocate of Trumps foreign policy. She took tough positions on Iran and North Korea, while staunchly defending Israel. She withdrew the United States from the U.N. Human Rights Council, slamming the organization as a protector of human-rights abusers and a cesspool of political bias. At the White House, Haley thanked the president and praised several White House officials, including senior advisers Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, as well as First Lady Melania Trump. Haley specifically lauded Kushners achievements in fixing the North American Free Trade Agreement and his efforts toward peace in the Middle East. Lawmakers and Trump administration officials showered Haley with praise when the news of her resignation broke. Nikki Haley has a very bright future and will be a key player in both the future of the Republican Party and our nation as a whole for years to come, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote on Twitter. She is a clear, concise voice for American leadership, American values, and has been a true agent of reform when it came to the United Nations. Nikki Haley served our nation with distinction, faithfully advancing President Trumps America First agenda and she will be missed, Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement. Her frank and clear-eyed assessments of global threats, as well as much-needed reforms at the U.N., were in the best tradition of American leadership. Haleys U.N. counterparts described her as charming yet very tough. She saw herself as a fighter. I dont see (my role) as pushing an America First policy, I see it as defending America because every day, I feel like I put body armor on. I just dont know who Im fighting that day, Haley said earlier this year. Haley, 46, is the daughter of Indian immigrants and a mother of two. Asked if she was resigning because of her family or for other reasons, Haley said she was a believer in term limits and felt like she needed to make way for someone else. I was a governor for six years, and we dealt with a hurricane, a thousand-year flood, a church shooting, a school shooting. There was a lot. And then, to come in and do two years of Russia and Iran and North Koreaits been eight years of intense time, and Im a believer in term limits, she said. I think you have to be selfless enough to know when you step aside and allow someone else to do the job. Trump suggested that Haley may come back to his administration in a different role after her break. Were all happy for you, in one way, Trump said. Hopefully, youll be coming back at some point. Maybe in a different capacity. You can have your pick. Reuters contributed to this report. The Financial Times Asia news editor, Victor Mallet (right) speaks with Andy Chan, founder of the Hong Kong National Party, during a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong on Aug. 14, 2018. (AP) UK Says Hong Kong Rejection of Journalists Visa Politically Motivated LONDONBritish Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Oct. 9 that in the absence of any explanation by Hong Kong for its refusal to grant a visa to a senior UK journalist he could only conclude it was politically motivated. Chinese-ruled Hong Kong last week rejected an application to renew the work visa of Victor Mallet, the Asian news editor of the Financial Times who also serves as the vice-president of the citys Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC). It came two months after government officials in China and Hong Kong condemned the FCC for hosting a speech by an independence activist, Andy Chan, reigniting debate about the viability of the citys promised freedoms. Mallet chaired the event. In the absence of an explanation from the authorities we can only conclude that this move is politically motivated, Hunt said in a statement. I urge the Hong Kong authorities to reconsider this decisionconfidence in Hong Kongs rights and freedoms is an essential component of its future success, he added. Mallet, who was traveling away from Hong Kong when his work visa renewal was refused, was allowed back into the city on Oct. 7 but only on a seven-day tourist visa, rather than a six-month visa that is usual for British nationals. The Financial Times said in an editorial from the weekend the incident sends a chilling message to everyone in Hong Kong, highlighting Beijings tightening grip on the territory and the steady erosion of basic rights that are guaranteed in Hong Kongs laws and international agreements. Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a one country, two systems principle, with the guarantee of a high degree of autonomy and freedoms, including freedom of the press, not enjoyed elsewhere in China. But calls for outright independence are a red line for Chinas Communist Party leaders, who deem the global financial hub to be an inalienable part of the nation. Chinas Foreign Ministry has defended Hong Kongs decision to refuse Mallets visa. By Stephen Addison Venezuela Says Jailed Lawmaker Takes Own Life; Opposition Says He Was Killed CARACAS, VenezuelaVenezuelas government said on Oct. 8, that a jailed opposition lawmaker killed himself by jumping from the 10th floor of the state intelligence agency headquarters (SEBIN) where he was being held, but his party said he was murdered by the government. Municipal lawmaker Fernando Alban, 56, was jailed last Friday for alleged involvement in the explosion of two drones during a military parade in August that was led by President Nicolas Maduro, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said. At the moment he was going to be transported to court, while he was in the SEBIN waiting room, he jumped from the window of the building and fell, causing his death, Reverol wrote in a post on Twitter. That account differed from the one by Chief Prosecutor Tarek Saab, who said in televised statements that Alban had asked to use a bathroom and jumped from there. The opposition First Justice party, for which Alban was a Caracas municipal counselor, said he was murdered. With great pain and thirst for justice we tell the people of Venezuela that Councilman Fernando Alban was murdered at the hands of the regime of Nicolas Maduro, the party said. First Justices national coordinator, Julio Borges, said Albans lifeless body was thrown from the SEBINs headquarters on Caracass Plaza Venezuela. He did not provide any evidence and did he say what led him to believe that Alban was killed. The party said that Albans arrest was owing to statements he made at recent United Nations meetings in New York City denouncing humans rights violations in Venezuela. The government had previously given no reason for his arrest. On Monday, Reverol said Alban had also been investigated for destabilizing activities directed from abroad. The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), called on Maduro to explain the reasons for Albans death. Corker was in Caracas on Monday to meet with government officials and the opposition to assess Venezuelas economic crisis. This is disturbing and the government has a responsibility to ensure all understand how that could have happened, Corker, said on Twitter. Today in Venezuela, Fernando Alban, a young opposition leader, died while in the governments custody. This is disturbing and the government has a responsibility to ensure all understand how that could have happened. Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) 9 oktober 2018 The United States imposed new sanctions on several of Maduros top allies last week as President Donald Trump urged UN members to support a restoration of democracy in Venezuela. Albans assistant, Mileidy Blanco, said she had begged him to leave Venezuela with his family. And he didnt do it. He loved the country too much, she said in an interview outside the SEBINs headquarters, known as The Tomb for its underground detention facility. The opposition and rights groups have said that Maduros administration is holding hundreds of political prisoners on trumped-up charges intended to stifle dissent. The United Nations has said detainees are often subjected to ill treatment, including some documented cases that amount to torture. Authorities have arrested at least 30 people linked to the drone explosions on Aug. 2, which injured seven soldiers. The government has denied that it is detaining people as political prisoners and has said that they were fairly jailed. Albans lawyer, Joel Garcia, told reporters that when he last saw Alban on Sunday, He was not beaten, he was fine. He said Alban told him that he had been interrogated but not tortured. The Organization of American States (OAS) condemned Albans death. Direct responsibility of a regime that tortures and murders. This criminal dictatorship must go now from Venezuela, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said on Twitter. By Mayela Armas Victoria Uni Vice-Chancellor Speaks on Controversial Event Cancellation Australia's Confucius Institutes Back in the Spotlight The content is not available due to expiration. New legislation is being proposed to allow federal disaster relief aid to homeowners for fallen trees and debris. In the aftermath of the May 15 tornadoes and macrobusts in western Connecticut, many homeowners got a rude awakening that they would get no assistance from FEMA to clear debris. To make matters worse, many homeowners insurance offered limited damage from fallen trees. On Tuesday morning, U.S. Sen Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro will announce new legislation to end the harmful and unnecessary ban on federal disaster relief aid to homeowners for fallen trees and debris. The announcement will be made in Hamden, one of the hardest hit communities in the state. Clearing fallen trees from a tornado, hurricane, or other major disaster can cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars, but current federal law bars Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. The cost of debris removal cannot currently be included in damage assessments provided by FEMA to the president, making it harder for states to qualify for needed disaster declarations and federal relief. Following the May 15 severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, some Connecticut homeowners faced costs of up to $70,000 for debris and tree removal, not covered by homeowners insurance, Blumenthal and DeLauro said in a release. While Connecticut is receiving federal disaster aid to cover public expenses in Fairfield and New Haven counties, individual property owners have been left to fend for their own. Blumenthal and DeLauro are joined in this effort by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty. In retrospect, it's obvious this was just a matter of time. Every so often, eyebrows are raised when a celebrity such as Olivia Newton-John or Joe Montana -- two people hardly associated with marijuana -- come out in favor of using it. Or when staunch anti-marijuana politicians suddenly flip in their opposition to legalized cannabis. But Jimmy Buffett? That seems about right. Buffet recently announced he is partnering with Surterra Wellness to offer a new brand of marijuana known as Coral Reefer. Thats also the name of Buffetts band. Related: Which Big Consumer Product Companies Really Are Entering the Cannabis Industry? Buffett and marijuana Its hard to understate Buffetts popularity, especially in Florida. In addition to the hit songs, he also is heavily involved in charity work, including the Save the Manatees Club and raising funds for hurricane victims. His song, Fins, is played at Miami Dolphins home games. Anyone who has attended a Buffett concert is well aware that many of his fans, called Parrotheads, are strongly in the yes column when it comes to legalizing marijuana. Buffett himself also has advocated for legalization. He came out in support of the amendment legalizing medical marijuana when Florida voters considered it in 2016, according to the Miami Herald. It won approval. Buffett, based in Palm Beach, is known for his tropics-infused, laid-back musical style. His hits include Margaritaville, Come Monday, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and A Pirate Looks at 40. The latter includes the lyrics: Ive run my share of grass. Related: Baby Boomers Smoking Reefer in Record Amounts Coral Reefer Products The Coral Reefer line of products will be available in 2019. Plans call for vape pens, lotions, edibles and gel caps. They will be marketed worldwide. In a statement on the deal, Buffett said: Finally, the time has come, as the Walrus said. That time being the long overdue recognition of the numerous healing properties of cannabis. Buffett said he has followed with keen interest how medical marijuana has evolved. He said he has reached the common-sense conclusion that cannabis is good medicine. Surterra Wellness is the largest medical marijuana company with a license to sell in Florida. The company currently has 10 locations in the Sunshine State, with more planned in other states in 2019. Buffett is the second Florida-based notable to join Surterra. Beau Wrigley, former CEO of the chewing gum company, recently became a member of the companys board of directors. His West Palm Beach-based investment company recently led a $65 million fundraising round for Surterra. Follow dispensaries.com on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news. Related: Coming Soon to a Dispensary Near You: Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Find an Athlete to Market Your Brand With This Matchmaking App How These Legacy Footwear Brands are Adopting New Trends Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Do you have a caring boss, someone who appears to take an interest in you and watches over you? Look out! There is a fine line between care and control in the workplace, as there is in most human systems and relationships. You may have a boss whom you think is going out of their way to support and encourage you when, in fact, they are really trying to control the hell out of you using covert or psychological power. In 1959, social psychologists John French and Bertram Raven described five forms of social power -- reward, coercive, referent, legitimate and expert. Bertram Raven added a sixth, information power, in 1965. These social powers are overt and in the tradition of transactional leadership where flagrant power is used to influence and incentivize workers. The shift from transactionalism to a more empowered and relational working environment has actuated a shift in the nature of power in the workplace -- it has gone underground to become more subtle and veiled. Covert forms of power can be more corrosive and deadly than overt power because it creeps up on you and makes you feel like an accomplice to the ensuing abuse and control. Here are four telltale signs to look out for that signal you have a controlling, and not caring, boss who is using clandestine forms of psychological power to influence and control you without you even knowing it. Related: Dealing With a Bad Boss? Here's What You Can Do 1. They control your network and reputation. Caring bosses sing your praises, stick up for you and give you credit for your contribution. They help manage your reputation in a positive and caring way that helps build strong networks. A controlling boss will only focus on their own agenda and keep you in the shadow. Bosses who use covert forms of psychological power will reveal their true face if you mess up -- the affirming words and friendly manner will fade away and they will blame and trash you to safeguard their own reputation. 2. They control your development. Controlling bosses presume what you want (very often based on their own personal agendas). Caring bosses ask what you want and create opportunities based on your needs, desires and goals, with a primary objective to help you grow and develop. The controlling boss probes for information in order to divine your vulnerabilities, motivations and allegiances to strengthen their power. 3. They control your workload. Do you find yourself always seeking permission from your boss? A caring boss will give you free rein. A controlling boss will expect you to check in with them on regularly. The controlling boss engineers this dependency over time through subtle forms of micromanagement and micro-iniquities. Related: 6 Ways to Cope With, or Maybe Escape, Corporate Stockholm Syndrome 4. They control your career path. A caring boss will anticipate when it's time for you to move on and encourage and support you. A controlling boss will be highly critical of you for even raising the prospect of moving without their consent. Like the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea, they think they have shaped you and, therefore, may believe they have the right to control you. Toward a fix Much has been written about dealing with coercive power, but what of covert forms of power? Being controlled, whether it is coercively or covertly, leads to pretty much the same set of outcomes where it can undermine productivity, health and well-being. Doing nothing about it should never be an option. Here is an ABC approach to dealing with covert/psychological power. Acknowledge it. This is more difficult than it sounds because people who are sophisticated in the use of psychological power tend to be well connected, know how to manipulate opinion and tend to be liked and respected within the organization. Bosses who use strong coercive power are quickly labeled as dissonant, but psychological power flies under the radar. In the face of this, people who are being covertly controlled may their own instincts and judgments. Build understanding. It's important to understand the nature of psychological/covert power and the effect it can have on you. Resources such as Eric Bernes Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships are essential reading. Keep an events diary over a course of time where you record instances of covert power and the consequences it has on your mental health, productivity and well-being. Confront it. Sadly, the classic avenues to dealing with covert and surreptitious forms of control are limited. In the absence of tangible data such as emails and eyewitnesses, HR may be reluctant to mediate, leaving you isolated with a graver problem. The best thing is to confront the boss. Choose a neutral environment, prepare your case and carefully/rationally outline to the boss what you think is going on. Cite specific examples about the lack of control you feel and the effect it is has on you and your work. Control your emotions, avoid accusation and stick to logic, data, behaviors and your own reality. Many scenarios may play out as a result of this conversation. Maybe the boss doesnt realize how controlling they have been and commits to change. Maybe it will lead to a greater understanding and respect because you have called them out. Maybe it will annoy them and bring the control and abuse to the surface where it can be dealt with by HR. Maybe it will stop. Maybe you will need to find a new job. All of these scenarios are better than suffering in silence at the hands of a manipulative boss who is using covert forms of power to control you. Related: 6 Effective Tactics for Handling a Toxic Boss I wont pretend these steps are as simple as ABC. It requires significant time, effort and personal courage to win back and maintain personal control. Having control over your network, development, workload and career inspires personal empowerment, confidence, independence, self-motivation and personal growth. These attributes are worth fighting for, and no boss has the right to control them. Related: Is Your Boss Controlling You Subtly Without Your Realizing It? 6 Effective Tactics for Handling a Toxic Boss 4 Mistakes to Avoid When You Have to Deliver Bad News Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved NORWALK Commerce took a nosedive at Liberty Square on Monday as the retail centers parking lot was closed for several weeks to accommodate improvements. By 1 p.m., two customers had walked through the doors of Los Molcajetes Mexican Restaurant. Normally, the restaurant would have served about 40 people, according to owner Carlos Vargas. Why close the whole parking? asked Vargas, who would have preferred that the lot be closed in sections. One side and then the other side they can work. (And) they want to stay one month. At Rowlinson Insurance Agency, several doors down, three customers had come through the doors by midday. We dont do a lot of walk-in trade per se, said Jim Blair, an account executive at the agency. A lot of its on the phone. But we probably get 10 people a day. Weve had three, so maybe Ill lose a third of them. The Norwalk Parking Authority plans to keep the roughly 60-space lot closed until Nov. 8 to allow concrete and curbing repairs, lighting, paving, striping, and creation of handicapped ramps and spaces. The $85,000 project, being done by Grasso Construction, also will add pay stations to the lot. The authority had planned to start the improvements Oct. 1 after the Connecticut Department of Transportation completed drainage improvements along Goldstein Place as part of the upcoming replacement of the nearby Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River. But recent rainfall and high tides delayed that schedule and the drainage work continued Monday. Norwalk police guided Liberty Square visitors and employees across Route 136, to and from a temporary parking set up by the parking authority at Veterans Memorial Park. During the early afternoon, 22 vehicles were parked in the temporary lot. While Liberty Square businesses welcome the improvements to their lot, they strongly oppose the parking authoritys plan to add pay stations. Theyre going to drive more people away, Blair said. The parking authority plans to discuss at its Oct. 24 meeting a management plan for the Liberty Square Lot, including fees for tenants and visitors. NORWALK The long-awaited transit-oriented development study for the East Norwalk train station could get underway soon. Transit-oriented development places housing, retail, office space and attractions within walking distance of public transportation facilities. On Tuesday evening, the Norwalk Common Council will consider hiring Harriman Associates, Inc. to conduct a TOD study for the East Norwalk station, using a $125,000 state grant. Over the next several weeks we will refine the Scope of Work with Harriman in anticipation of the approval by the Council at the next available meeting, wrote Norwalk Director of Planning and Zoning Steve Kleppin in a memorandum provided to council members. Work is anticipated to begin in earnest on the study in October. The planning study will analyze existing conditions, opportunities and constraints, develop a clear framework and vision for the future of the area, and establish guidelines for design and development, according to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. An oversight committee will assist with development of the study. Seated on the committee are Kleppin, Council President John Kydes, East Norwalk residents Diane Cece and Deb Goldstein, East Norwalk Business Association Membership Secretary Judith Dominguez, Planning Commissioner Brian Baxendale and Norwalk Department of Public Works Senior Civil Engineer Vanessa Valadares. Harriman was one of seven firms that responded to the citys request for proposals to conduct the feasibility study. After merging with the Cecil Group in 2015, the company worked on a TOD study for the South Norwalk train station, according to officials. As a member of the TOD Study Oversight Committee, I reviewed all of the qualified responses to the RFP, Goldstein wrote in an email Monday. From those, the Committee opted to interview three candidate firms. Harriman was selected. I appeared before the Planning Committee of the Common Council to recommend that they approve the resolution, and if my schedule permits, I will do so at the Council meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). Malloy announced in December 2017 that the city of Norwalk would receive from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management the $125,000 grant to develop a TOD study for the area around the East Norwalk Train Station. The study comes as Spinnaker Real Estate Partners-affiliate 230 East Ave. LLC moves forward with a TOD plan for next to the train station. The approved plan calls for constructing a five-story, 145-unit apartment building with office space along Rowan Street, revamping the old Factory Store into 44 apartments, retail, restaurant and office space, and building a two-story building with first-floor retail and second-floor office space on East Avenue. The first phase will revamp the old factory store into apartment and retail space. Spinnaker Chairman & CEO Clayton H. Fowler said Monday selective demolition of the building interior is imminent, pending the issuance of a demolition permit by the city. Were going to take some pieces of floor out in order to get some more light in for the apartments that were putting in the existing building, Fowler said. We have bids and were still on target for late spring 2019, or by midyear, for delivery of the first units. The development will be named Brim & Crown in recognition of the buildings history as a hat factory, according to Fowler. The Norwalk Zoning Commission approved the plan in April 2018 after review and public input. Some residents maintained that the development was too big for the area and that the city should not have considered it before completion of the state-funded TOD study or completion of Norwalks updated Master Plan of Conservation and Development. Though I would have preferred that this study be undertaken in advance of the POCD process, the opportunity for a study of the area is a welcome one, Goldstein wrote in her email Monday. I look forward to the public input that will be provided in connection with the study, and hope that the City of Norwalk will give due deference to the wants and needs of the neighborhood as the study is incorporated into the final plan for the City. Proponents argue the plan will bring life to a long-vacant building and property next to the train station. Look at it. Its been vacant for years, Carol Gavrielidis, manager of nearby Station House Bar & Grille, said Monday afternoon. Its next to the train station. Its a beautiful spot for commuters. Fowler, reiterating comments made by the development team during review of the plan, predicted the TOD study will comport with Brim & Crown as approved in April. We expect the study will recommend exactly what were doing, Fowler said Monday. I relished the opportunity to see the new version of A Star is Born on the strength of its trailer highlighting some electric chemistry between Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. That idea in and of itself is a blessing when you pause to consider that this movie is a third remake of a Fredric March film from 1937. Kinship-wise, it shares more of its DNA with Barbra Streisands 1976 re-telling, but I would argue to say that its the best attempt thus far, and Cooper totally nails it with his directing debut. His star was already pretty high after three consecutive Best Actor nominations earlier this decade, but here he also co-writes the script and handles producing duties. He might even be credited for helping his co-star to be considered a breakout despite her already having conquered the recording industry to the tune of 27 million albums sold and six career Grammys. Theyre both brilliant in this amazing picture and several supporting performances ground its celebrity story in real lifes authentic way. Given his rep and his artistic hand all over the movie, its easily understandable to think of A Star is Born as Coopers film. In reality, though, his Jackson Maine is a true co-lead who even is at times outshined by the titular star of the movie, Ally (Gaga), an unknown songwriter who catches Jacks eye and heart one night at an open mic event at a drag show. In fact, one of the drag queens approaches Maine with a great line early in the picture when he asks which song to sing for the house. Whatever, baby, as long as you look at me while you do it. That was when I knew this movie had its hooks in me and wasnt going to let go. Jack is at a stalling point in his career where the arenas are still packed for his country-laced rock shows, but the tinnitus and the booze are starting to making performing a lot more like work that any musician ever expects it to be. Hes down to stringing himself along with pills and gin, staying one step ahead of his taskmaster manager/older brother, Bobby (Sam Elliot). And theres the story, one generationally-arranged to give us the hard look at a relationship between a fading star and one whose cache is rising. Smitten with Ally and bringing her on tour to duet with him is medicinal for Jack. He falls for her as fast as she falls for the glamorous lifestyle of their tragic, opposing trajectories. Jack staves off failure when he couples his fortunes with hers. Ally takes off like a rocket due to her pop reinvention, hair color change, and plum SNL performance (kudos for the Alec Baldwin appearance). Its when she becomes a bigger name than him that the old addictions start to return. He cant handle the fame he helped her achieve and falls back to his dirty habits despite some well-intentioned advice from friends old (Dave Chappelle, playing Jacks childhood friend) and new (Andrew Dice Clay, a straight man vision as Allys wannabe crooner father). These two performances are aces for both actors, but sadly too brief to be considered more than amazing cameos that left me wanting more. The music in this movie is all original and a few of the tracks are quite good. They fit the plot nicely, but none have the earworm nature to exist outside of the auditorium. Musicals often do this better, such as City of Stars from La La Land, but that may be the defining reason to consider A Star is Born a great drama first and a musical only secondarily. If the movie is good (and it is), and Cooper is great (for sure!), then the real prize is Lady Gaga. She absolutely brings down the house with a performance that is assured and deft despite being her first fully fleshed out dramatic performance on the big screen. Whatre they going to do next? A Star is Born runs 136 minutes and is rated R for language throughout, some sexuality/nudity, and substance abuse. I give this film three and a half stars out of four. EDWARDSVILLE If it were possible, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Bachelor of Music in musical theater program would take a bow for being named number nine on the Onstage Blogs Top 10 List. This is a great program that equips our students to have a breadth of expertise in music, dance and theater when they graduate, said Marc Schapman, DM, associate professor in CAS Department of Music and director of the musical theater program. OnStage is a blog dedicated to Broadway and community theater show reviews and highlights of famous stage directors, actors and technicians. According to OnStage Blog, people experienced in specific fields determine its rankings. Our research staff includes current and former educators, students, alumni and working professionals in the areas of dance, design and technology, and performing, noted the Blog. Also, as opposed to other college ranking publications, colleges dont pay us to be ranked. These rankings are focused on what is most important to those pursuing a career in the theatrical arts by those who know these industries. Rankings are based on the following criteria: Quality of facilities; Cost and scholarship opportunities; Quality of faculty (terminal degrees, professional experience, and full-time versus adjunct); Admissions, auditions and selectivity; Quality of curriculum; Career and alumni support; Performance opportunities. The Departments of Music and Theater and Dance decided within the last five years to collaborate and set the stage for success for students in the musical theater program, according to Schapman. Our two departments worked well together and did a magnificent job on Summer Showbiz and other collaborative productions, he said. When we did Fame in 2012, we sold out. The students were so excited about it, and we said, lets figure out how to make this work as a degree. We redesigned the curriculum, continued Schapman. In the redesign, courses were added like Broadway style dance, history of American theater and a seminar in audition techniques. Now, students get to work on actual productions, which increases opportunities to perform. In November (7-11), we are doing Chicago. This program is unique. Our professors celebrate our individuality as artists, and we are not trained to be cookie-cutter performers, said senior Zora Vredeveld. I came into this program a completely different person, and I have grown into a much more confident and well-rounded performer. SIUEs musical theater program gives students the opportunity to train in musical theater, as well as opera, modern dance and many other styles. I also entered this program because of the amazing faculty, added Vredeveld. After I graduate in May, I plan to move to New York City to begin my career in performing. 9 hours ago Is Blink Charging or ChargePoint the Better Buy as the Infrastructure Bill Passes? Both companies will play a role in building out an electric vehicle charging network, but which stock is best to own now? Investors are looking at 2022 and positioning their portfolios to capture what is setting up to be a big year for electric vehicle (EV) stocks. Read Article Airport officers transferred over bribes BANGKOK: A police superintendent and three deputy chief inspectors at Don Mueang airport have been transferred as they face a probe in connection with a bribery allegation made against them, said Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner Surachate Hakparn. crimecorruptionimmigrationpolicetourism By Bangkok Post Tuesday 9 October 2018, 08:55AM An alleged scam selling fast track visa handling for B200 is being treated as a possible bribe demand at the Visa On Arrival desk at Don Mueang airport. Photo: Creative Commons / Flickr The four senior officers have been ordered to assist with work at the IB, while a probe has also been ordered to investigate the case, the commissioner said. The four officers were incriminated after a complaint was made via Facebook recently. A Facebook user claimed a Chinese friend had queued for six hours at Don Mueang airport to obtain a visa on arrival. The user alleged that the long wait was because of the fact that they refused to pay B200 to access a special fast track channel at the airport. The Facebook user said the friend has since returned to China. Maj Gen Surachate said an initial investigation has confirmed the allegation, which led to the transfers of the four senior officers to inactive posts. This is something we have warned [the officers] about before, Maj Gen Surachate said. Its like in sports. If one knows what the rules are and yet still violates them, they must be sidelined. The acting commissioner added if the four officers realised they have done wrong and were willing to redeem themselves, they might be allowed back to their jobs, but if not, they would face the consequences. He insisted airports must be free of any kickbacks and the IB will launch swift measures to deal with problems that have been swept under the rug. However, Maj Gen Surachate said the priority now was to install more capable and decent officers to help streamline the IB. The rules for Visa On Arrival are well publicised by the Immigration Bureau. Also yesterday (Oct 8), Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who is in charge of national security, has instructed authorities to ensure safety for tourists and stamp out transnational criminals who come to the country as foreign visitors. Residents, including those in Bangkok, have taken notice of some foreign groups taking up residence in their communities and engaging in suspicious activities, according to Lt Gen Kongcheep. The defence minister has ordered the IB to strictly enforce the law against foreign nationals overstaying their visas and those who remain in the country despite their visas having been revoked. Authorities will also check on nationals who work in Thailand to see if they have the correct permits for the jobs they do. Lt Gen Kongcheep added the foreign nationals identity database has to be integrated with the immigration screening facilities at border checkpoints and airports to help identify more quickly those who might pose as a threat to national security. Meanwhile, Maj Gen Surachate announced the IB will begin to deport visa overstayers of which there are at least 40,000 within a month. The police will also run checks on foreigners who are staying at rented accommodation to see if they have properly reported their places of stay to authorities. Read original story here. Animal remains, spent shells found in park poaching case KANCHANABURI: Wildlife remains have been found in the cooking area of the campsite used by suspected poachers, including a senior district official, detained as they were leaving Sai Yok National Park on Sunday (Oct 7). crimecorruptionanimalspolice By Bangkok Post Tuesday 9 October 2018, 02:49PM The lower jaw of an animal found in the cooking area of the camping site used by the 12 suspected poachers in Sai Yok National Park in Kanchanaburi province. Photo: Piyarach Chongcharoen Numerous spent bullet casings have also been found along the track travelled by the suspects six off-road vehicles as they left the park. The evidence appeared to contradict the suspects claims that four severed paws from a binturong, or Asian bearcat, found in their possession had been purchased from villagers during a pilgrimage to a Buddhist monastery in the forest, assistant park chief Netnapha Ngamnet said today (Oct 9). He believed the spent ammunition had been discarded by the suspects, disposing of the evidence, before they were stopped and searched leaving the park, in Sai Yok district. The search, carried out yesterday (Oct 8), was led by Mr Netnapha and made by park officers, veterinarians, soldiers, police and members of the media. In a forest area known as Pa Khao Thalu, about 1.2 kilometres from where the suspects were detained, 25 spent 9mm bullet casings and six spent .45 casings were found along the track they used to leave the park. They were tagged as evidence. A plastic bag with blood stains was also found about seven metres from where two of the six cars were stopped for a search on Sunday. At Tao Dam monastery, in the same forest zone, the searchers found the lower jaw of a wild animal, black fur in three nearby spots, and bones and animal innards in the cooking area of the campsite believed used by the suspects. Cooking gear, including a chopping board, knives and pots, were also found there. Evidence was collected and samples taken for further examination. Twelve suspects, including Watcharachai Samirak, a deputy chief of Dan Makham Tia district in Kanchanaburi, were detained on Sunday in possession of a rifle fitted with a silencer, a pistol, ammunition and the four binturong paws, which weighed 920 grams. The binturong is a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act. Col Thani Sanguanchin, chief of Sai Yok Police Station, said today that initial questioning of the suspects had been completed. Some had admitted to some charges while denying others. Police planned to take suspects to court this afternoon to seek permission to further detain them. Police would oppose bail, he said. Investigators would also invite Phanatchakon Phothibandit, chief of Sai Yok National Park, in for questioning, and he could formally file a complaint against the alleged poachers. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation spokesman Sompoj Maneerat yesterday voiced his concern that insufficient evidence might lead to all the suspects escaping the charges. Some of the suspects testified that they bought the Asian bearcat paws from villagers along the way, and said that they were not poachers, he said. It was quite challenging for investigators to determine whether the guns and ammunition, and the gear found at the campsite, were used to kill animals or not, he said. Kanchanaburi Governor Jeerakiat Phumsawat said yesterday that Watcharachai had been dismissed from his position in Dan Makham Tia district, and two volunteers in the district had been suspended, pending further investigation. Read original story here. Fake cop arrested for extorting Phuket business owners PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police today announced the arrest of a man who was wanted for pretending to be a policeman and extorting money from Phuket business owners. crimepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 9 October 2018, 06:08PM Suchart Sombutchai, 34, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat (left) is questioned by police ahead of todays press conference. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub According to police, the man, Suchart Sombutchai, 34, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat had also carried out similar crimes in Pattaya but charges against him were later dropped. At 1:30pm today (Oct 9), Phuket Provincial Police held a press conference at the Phuket Provincial Police Station to announce the arrest of Suchart who was wanted on arrest warrant No. 456/2561 issued by the Phuket Provincial Court last Saturday (Oct 6) on charges of Fraud by acting in disguise as another person. Police stated in their press conference that between 2014-2018 Suchart had deceitfully received money from business owners totalling around B500,000 in four provinces; Phuket, Phang Nga, Surat Thani and Chonburi. Suchart would dress as a police officer and go to businesses and collect between B1,000-B10,000 a time for what he said were police activities. He would also threaten the owners if they refused to pay. Suchart has accepted his charge and admitted that he worked alone. However, Phuket Provincial Police will investigate this case further and look for more accounts into the people who may have opened accounts for Suchart for his to syphon his money. This should be a warning for people to check the identification of any person proclaiming to be police or government officials so as to avoid deception, said Phuket Provincial Police commander Maj Gen Wisan Panmanee. Patong Hill crash linked to Phuket murder, say police PHUKET: Police have said that a man who hit a motorcyclist opposite the Patong City sign on Patong Hill yesterday before ploughing his vehicle 30 metres down the hillside is believed to have murdered his wife sometime before the accident. accidentscrimedeathmurderpolicetransportviolence By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 9 October 2018, 10:33AM Bancha Jaichans vehicle ended up 0 etres down the hillside beside Patong Hill. Phoro: Eakkapop Thongtub Police and rescue workers attend the scene of the murder. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The driver of the vehicle is currently is under police watch at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. At 11:30am yesterday (Oct 4), Capt Chalermsak Aksornpein of the Kathu Police received a report that a car had collided with a motorcycle opposite the Patong City sign on Patong Hill and that the car had ended up down the hillside. Capt Chalermsak notified his commander of the incident and coordinated with Kusoldharm rescue workers to investigate the scene. At the scene police found a white Krabi-registered Toyota Vios about 30m down the hillside. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle. Rescue workers removed the man before taking him to Patong Hospital. However, as he was in a coma he was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. Police confirmed that the driver of the vehicle was Bancha Jaichan, 42. At 2pm yesterday, Capt Chalermsak then received a report that a woman had been found dead in her rent room on Soi Bangwad in Kathu. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the body of Watsana Dorlao, 31, from Krabi province lying on the bed with a serious wound to her head. Blood stains were found on the wall close to the womans head. Three plates of food were found beside the body along with two smart phones and a handwritten note. The note read, Dear Mother, sister and children. I did this because my wife had another man (adultery). Police said that a witness told them that Ms Watsana lived with a Bancha Jaichan, 42, from Nan province. The witness saw Bancha drive out of from the house in a Krabi-registered Toyota Vios at 11:17am. According to police, at 1:47pm Ms Watsanas boss came looking for her at the house as she had not turned up for work and was not answering her phone. This is when the body was discovered, so police were called immediately. Capt Chalermsak told The Phuket News, "Bancha is to be charged with murder. "Ms Watsanas head had been hit with a hard instrument but we dont yet know what. Further details of this case cannot be revealed, he concluded. Watertown episode of HBO's 'We're Here' airs Monday After filming an episode of "We're Here" in Watertown this summer, HBO is ready to air the state's first episode Monday. Its our duty to put ourselves to the service of society. Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever Fair & Lovely is the number 1 fairness (skin whitening) cream in India. It says so right on the website of Unilever, the giant consumer products company that owns Ben & Jerrys ice cream and Marmite and Dove and Popsicle and Hellmanns mayonnaise. Ive written previously about the skin whitener, which, the company is quick to say in its defence, is free of bleach in its components. In other words, its less bad than its competitors and recalls, at least for this traveller to India, astonishing television advertisements of weepy young women unable to secure happy jobs/husbands/futures because, they are told, their skin is too dark. Such ads have since been banned. While I wasnt paying attention, Unilever launched the Fair & Lovely Foundation, which hopes to empower 5 million women across Asia and Africa through knowledge, skills and career guidance. Programs include scholarships, seminars, career guidance and online courses. No doubt this is how Unilever intends to craft a surface image of do-goodism while reinforcing the same underlying and corrosive message: lighter skin can pave the way to success. Anand Giridharadas has some questions about that. Two weeks ago, the author of Winners Take All, which I wrote about on Saturday, was a featured speaker alongside Unilever CEO Paul Polman in a panel discussion on conscious capitalism. Unilever under Polman has consistently held itself out as an exemplar for a new world order: eschewing quarterly earnings guidance, getting on board the capitalism-for-the-long-term train, supporting such transparency initiatives as Know the Chain on supply chain disclosure. On Tuesday, the company announced its support for Humane Society Internationals #BeCrueltyFree campaign, an initiative to bring a stop to animal testing in cosmetics. The Dove line was recently certified by PETA as a cruelty-free brand. All good stuff. The company beat back a hostile takeover by Kraft Heinz, which at least temporarily reinforced the responsible-business-is-good-business mantra of Unilever against the perceived relentless cost-cutting image of Kraft Heinzs major shareholders. Looked at through this lens, Unilever under Polman emerged as one of the most powerful agents for change. During the panel discussion, Giridharadas challenged Polman to live up to his corporate reputation. Holding his smartphone aloft, the author played a Fair & Lovely advert, explaining to the audience the commercials story line: distressed father worries that he will never be able to marry off his daughter. Daughter lightens her skin through the miracle of Fair & Lovely. Result: fairer skin and she becomes an air hostess! Then came the challenge: Would you be willing to condemn this product, Giridharadas asked the CEO? To say you want to commit to removing it from your line-up? It was a refreshing moment in what is often an abstract discussion. And Polmans response was dispiriting. Look at the whole cosmetics industry, he responded. Why do you need to put lipstick on? he asked, which is an absurd comparison. Or consumerism more broadly? Why drive a big, fancy car? which is entirely beside the point. If we start to put our own value judgments on each of these brands we will not get there, Polman said. By there I take him to mean the big questions of inequality and how to fix it. The house is burning and youre talking about what faucets were installing in the kitchen? he asked. He equated the skin care example to demanding that all energy companies should go out of business, now. Theres a great deal going on at Unilever. The company has just announced that it intends not to pursue its corporate simplification strategy of moving its headquarters from London to Rotterdam, which would have involved dropping its London share listing and shedding what shareholder rights group Glass Lewis described as an anachronistic dual legal structure. Unilevers plan was meant to advance its transformation into a simpler, agile and more focused business. That plan is now dead, a shareholder vote for later this month has been cancelled, and in the aftermath critics are not looking kindly on the amount of time Polman has devoted to international corporate statesmanship at the expense, some suggest, of being on the job for the company. Are Polmans days numbered? Possibly. His departure, should it come to that, would blow a big hole through the relatively thin ranks of large-scale corporate leaders out to transform capitalism. Which makes his encounter with Giridharadas all the more disappointing. We could stop selling Fair & Lovely tomorrow, Polman said in response to the authors challenge. What then of all of those horrible bleaching products that are there in India, because its so embedded in the culture? Thats a comfortably capitalistic response. A socially conscious one might have been to propose another corporately financed initiative. How about a Mumbai-based Love Your Skin Colour foundation? If Paul Polman really wants to make change before hes out the door, he could think on that. Read more about: CALGARYWith the days dwindling before Calgarians vote on whether they support hosting the 2026 Olympics, many city councillors say they have serious concerns about the still-absent government cost-sharing agreement. City councils Olympic assessment committee chair went so far Tuesday as to say he wouldnt support continuing the planned Nov. 13 plebiscite without assurances about when Calgarians will be able to see how the different orders of government will split the costs of hosting the Winter Games. The Calgary Olympic Bid Corporation estimates the public cost of holding the 2026 Games in Calgary at $3 billion. The city cant determine how much of that cost it will take on until the other orders of government decide what they will do. An updated risk register document Tuesday lists expectations of the citys Olympic engagement process as a high-risk issue, noting that a cost-sharing agreement with the provincial and federal governments must be in place before the citys share of the public costs can be released. And city solicitor Glenda Cole said there still isnt a clear indication of when all the numbers will be available. Ward 8 Councillor and Olympic assessment committee chair Evan Woolley said that while he doesnt foresee the plebiscite being delayed, he isnt in favour of continuing with a vote if Calgarians dont get to see how much hosting in 2026 will cost the city. I will not support moving to a plebiscite without a reasonable amount of time for Calgarians to have that number in front of them, he said. Read more: Canada might have to rescue the Winter Olympics Nenshi wants leak of closed-door Olympic report investigated Treaty 7 chiefs express support for Calgary Olympic bid, but say consultation is crucial A reasonable amount of time is as soon as possible, a.k.a. yesterday. A million ballots have already been printed for the plebiscite, and the city is also in the process of hiring 3,000 workers to help carry out the vote. Calgary, Stockholm, and Milan-Cortina, Italy, got the International Olympic Committees stamp of approval to bid for the 2026 Games at a members vote Tuesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The IOC will accept 2026 bids in January, but also announced Tuesday the election of the successful 2026 host city has been moved up to June in Lausanne, Switzerland, instead of September in Milan. Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the federal government has expressed support for the Calgary bid, but the city has been waiting for financial information for some time now. What frustrates me is that this is not new, he said. We originally wanted the approvals to be in place in the summer. It was at the federal governments request that we pushed it into September because they felt that they couldnt get through their approvals fast enough. Have your say: Ward 7 Councillor Druh Farrell described the changing deadlines as lines in the sand that continue to move. The mayor said that contrary to Calgary Centre MP Kent Hehrs statement last week that the federal government will wait until after the plebiscite to publicly release their numbers, he expects the federal government to offer their numbers before the plebiscite but he questions whether it will be too close to voting day. You can bet that the moment (Hehrs) comment happened, many, many anxious phone calls went to the federal government. Nenshi said he had conversations with federal government officials over the Thanksgiving long weekend to emphasize that Calgary needs the numbers sooner rather than later. The Alberta government has committed to making their share of Olympic hosting costs public at least 30 days ahead of the plebiscite. That deadline is coming up this weekend. Premier Rachel Notley said Tuesday that she expects information from her government to be available very, very soon. But Mayor Nenshi said he worries that number is meaningless without the federal governments contribution, and he would prefer that the province hold off until the feds confirm their share. When asked whether she would consider that, Notley didnt give a definitive yes or no. We are currently looking at releasing our numbers generally, and where the feds are will be released subsequently. But were still in conversations, and well see where that ends up. Ward 13 Councillor Diane Colley-Urquhart said the plebiscite was imposed on the city by the province and given the issues with making financial information public, there may be too much weight on it. Holding a plebiscite was a condition the province set out when they agreed to contribute funds to set up the BidCo, which receives joint funding from the municipal, provincial and federal governments. I worry theres going to be a 20 per cent voter turnout, and what does that mean? Colley-Urquhart said. But I think the sky will not fall on Nov. 13 and we need to be thinking about what our strategy is now heading into that and what the risks are, but also what the plan is going to be after that. With files from Kieran Leavitt and The Canadian Press Read more about: In a three-part series, the Star looks at the rise of white nationalist and right-wing extremist groups in Canada, and what authorities are doing to identify and suppress these threats. This is part 3. To read the first part, click here and to read the second part, click here. OTTAWAOne month after the deadly shooting rampage at the Grande mosquee de Quebec, Canadas spy agency quietly put together a preliminary assessment of the threat far-right extremists pose in Canada. The report, heavily censored and stamped SECRET, noted right-wing extremism and violence is nothing new in Canada in fact, it was present in the earliest days of colonization. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) traces far-right violence back to race riots in Nova Scotia in the 1780s, racial segregation in Ontario schools in the 1840s and violence against Chinese and Japanese immigrants at the turn of the 20th century, not to mention generations of discrimination against Indigenous peoples. At the heart of all right-wing extremism is hatred and fear, CSIS wrote in an analysis obtained by the Star under access to information law. Read more: Part one: Rise of right-wing extremists presents new challenge for Canadian law enforcement agencies Part two: Right-wing extremism not welcome in Canadian Armed Forces but clearly, its in here, says top soldier But in recent years, the report noted, the target appears to have shifted. Within the range of groups is a subset which either overtly, or under the guise of non-violent, cultural or religious preservation, focus their online hate towards Islam, Muslim immigrants, multiculturalism and those Canadian politicians who are seen as supporting Muslim-friendly legislation. The attack at the Quebec mosque in January 2017, which left six people dead and many others injured, prompted CSIS to reopen an ongoing investigation into far-right extremism, just one year after declaring the far right a public order threat to be dealt with by police, rather than a national security threat to be handled by intelligence agencies. The agencys assessment recognizes that Canadas far-right movement is changing. Hate crimes have been steadily rising, primarily targeting Jewish and Muslim communities. While many of the far-right groups identified by CSIS a decade ago have disbanded, numerous incidents of right-wing extremist violence have been recorded since then. And there has been a significant growth of online groups focusing on a broad range of extreme right-wing positions, including white supremacy. CSIS declined multiple interview requests over the past three months, and did not specifically address a number of questions provided by the Star in September. But the agencys findings come as little surprise to researchers and experts who have long warned about a more active and emboldened far-right movement in Canada, the United States and Europe. There is a misconception that the far right is not a threat anymore, and that these groups dont have power anymore, said Ludovica Di Giorgi, an expert on the far right with Moonshot CVE, a U.K.-based counter-extremism and research outfit. These groups have influence and the far right is very much a threat still. For two weeks in September, Moonshot tracked far-right web searches in Canada using the companys own proprietary software, which tracks the internets seamy underbelly. The data, provided exclusively to the Star, provides for the first time a quantitative snapshot of online interest in the far right in Canada. The numbers suggest theres cause for greater attention. Between Sept. 11 and Sept. 25, Moonshot tracked a total of 5,214 far-right searches in Canada. The vast majority roughly 88 per cent focused on neo-Nazi (55 per cent) and white supremacist websites (33 per cent). Search terms included David Duke, the former leader of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States; popular neo-Nazi phrases and code words; extreme right bands; and tattoos of swastikas or other white supremacist imagery. Over the weeks Moonshot tracked, Ontario had the most far-right searches in Canada relative to the population almost 18 searches per 100,000 people. Di Giorgi cautioned that two weeks is a relatively small sample, but said Canada had a higher number of far-right searches per capita over that period than Moonshot typically sees in the U.S. Even after the deadly violence at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017 brought the far right under mainstream scrutiny, Di Giorgi said right-wing extremist groups have had a largely uncontested platform on the internet. On the jihadist side (of extremism), you have no controversy over the fact that their content must be taken down. On the far right, there is controversy over whether that content classifies as content that should be taken down and should not be consumed by audiences across the world, Di Giorgi told the Star in an interview. Their content is still available. Its easy to find. They still have a presence on social media platforms. Theyve even created their own platforms They use them to co-ordinate; they use them to organize, to spread their propaganda. It becomes even more problematic when these spaces are uncontested. What to do about these platforms has become a key question for Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies that, even if they acknowledge the threat right-wing extremism poses, have differing opinions on how to counter it. James Malizia, the RCMPs assistant commissioner of federal policing, suggested that encryption a digital tool that lets citizens, businesses and governments secure their messages, transactions and sensitive data is also providing cover for extremist groups. While police agencies have long argued they must be able to bypass encryption, that may be impossible due to the proliferation of sophisticated encryption programs. Civil liberties advocates and technologists have also argued it would make everyone less safe by creating a back door for hackers or hostile governments. But encryption also undoubtedly makes police investigations more complicated. I think the issue of online activity, where some of it is either conducted on closed chats or encrypted it certainly does not allow us the opportunity to be able to monitor whats going on within those areas, Malizia told the Star in a recent interview. Beyond the technical issues is a broader, philosophical question: Do we really want police and intelligence agencies monitoring civilian conversations online? Should far-right or far-left groups be subjected to that level of scrutiny, however odious their beliefs? On the other side of that question is the fact that two of the worst mass killings in recent Canadian history Alexandre Bissonnettes attack on the Quebec City mosque, and Alek Minassians van rampage in Toronto in April this year involved some connection to the darker corners of the internet. Bissonnettes anti-immigration sentiments appear to have been stoked by far-right figures in the United States. Minassian reportedly identified as involuntarily celibate, or incel, a misogynistic and nihilistic subculture that lives on the same kind of message boards as the extreme right. If radicalization is happening in those spaces, and people are being killed as a result, is that not a national security concern? Canadians need to think long and hard about what we want our national security services to do in this space, said Stephanie Carvin, who researches national security and law at Carleton University. Because I personally am uncomfortable with CSIS patrolling the internet, said Carvin, who previously served as a terrorism analyst at CSIS. That being said, there is no question that the internet does seem to be a necessary but insufficient ingredient in these radicalization and mobilization-to-violence cases. I think going forward, we need to really think about what are the costs of greater national security (presence) in these spaces. OTTAWAConservative Leader Andrew Scheer has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Scheers office says the meeting took place in New Delhi today, as part of the Opposition leaders trip to India to forge economic links and deepen trade with the country. Scheer says he told Modi if he ever becomes prime minister, hell make it easier for Canadian oil and gas to be shipped to India. He says he wants to make Canada a supplier of safe and secure energy to India. He says in a statement that a Conservative government would remove roadblocks to pipeline expansion so Canadian oil and gas can reach new markets. Scheer also held meetings on Sunday with Indias foreign affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, and the minister of state for housing and urban affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri. Read more about: HALIFAX - Nova Scotia's advanced education minister says he was "shocked" by St. Francis Xavier University's mishandling of a reported case of sexual assault, saying he's asked his department to explore options to suspend students accused of sexual violence pending a legal outcome. Labi Kousoulis told the legislature Tuesday he was "disappointed as all Nova Scotians would be" by the case and has spoken with the university's administration. "St. F.X. did acknowledge that they did not put the victim first," he said, referring to a Canadian Press story about a Toronto-area woman's experience reporting an alleged sexual assault to the university. Kousoulis added that the Antigonish, N.S., university has apologized to the family and "refunded all of the student's tuition, and room and board and all expenses paid for the year." The minister said he has also directed departmental staff to examine options to remove students accused of sexual violence from campus pending the outcome of a court process. "Victims should feel safe coming forward," he said. "We want to put the victim first, we want to protect them and we want them to come forward." Read more: St. Francis Xavier University grapples with sex-assault charges against varsity football players Ontario student leaves N.S. university after alleged rapist returns to campus Academias #MeToo movement faces its own challenges amid revelations in Hollywood, media, politics The young woman has said her harrowing experience was exacerbated by St. F.X.'s mishandling of her allegations. Although the school swiftly launched an investigation after the woman came forward and found the accused responsible, it quietly set aside its decision to suspend him for the next academic year without notifying her when he appealed. The woman, whose name is under a publication ban, was devastated to discover him on campus last month and has since left the university. Interim Progressive Conservative Leader Karla MacFarlane told the legislature Tuesday there seems to be "no justice whatsoever" for the complainant. "It's with sadness and frustration this weekend we read news stories about a young woman at St. F.X. who reported a sexual assault, followed all the rules set out by the university, and still felt unsafe at campus," she said. The university administration sought to reassure students in an email to the campus community, reminding students of its zero tolerance policy towards sexual violence. The head of student services encouraged students to use and refer others to resources aimed at sexual violence treatment and awareness. Andrew Beckett also reiterated the school's obligation to balance the interests of students who allege a sexual assault with those who are accused. "Id like to inform you that we were approached by the Canadian Press regarding an alleged sexual assault that occurred last year," Beckett, also vice-president of finance and administration, said in the email. "While we cannot comment on specifics of the case, we were able to clarify and confirm that the file remains active and is currently working its way through the Senate Appeal process," he said. "We were also able to confirm that in cases within the appeal process, a respondent may be permitted to continue to attend classes pending a decision on the file. "It is important to understand that we assess the risk of each claim and put measures in place to mitigate the risk as much as possible, balancing a claimants and respondents right to education and due process until a determination in a case can be made." Court documents show the man was charged criminally with sexual assault last spring. A preliminary inquiry is set for Nov. 29. Pam Rubin, a sexual violence trauma therapist, said the university appears to be using its discretion to protect an alleged perpetrator rather than a complainant. "They could instead use that discretion to prioritize having a safe campus and show they take sexual violence seriously," said Rubin, of the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre and Sexual Assault Services Association. "It takes some moral courage to exact culture change and that comes through the exercise of discretion by powerful institutions." She called it "unspeakably devastating" for a complainant not to be informed that the alleged perpetrator is on campus. "It's piling on top of the original sexual violence trauma; it's secondary trauma through institutional neglect." Keywords: CP-STFX-Sex-Assault Category: News/National Publisher: CP Urgency: Flash Category (wire): Supplementary category (wire): NationalAtlanticEducation Transmission reference: Edit status: Used in (by): No usages Copied by: No copies // Read more about: PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONT.Police say an Ontario teen is facing charges after an alleged swatting incident in the United States. Provincial police in Prince Edward County say they were asked to investigate after an American police department received a false call for an emergency response. Swatting is a harassment tactic in which someone dispatches a police team to a persons address in response to a fake crisis. They say the force that got the call was the Gardner Police Department in Kansas, but provided no other details. Police say the call to American authorities came from an online gaming account belonging to a 17-year-old boy from Picton, Ont. The teen has been arrested and charged with two counts of public mischief and three counts of uttering threats. Read more: Toronto police brass insist guns and gangs unit is a priority VANCOUVER Canadian cities have no plan for how to deal with a potential influx of pot tourists as legalization approaches in mere days and experts say the effects it could have on communities and economies remains a mystery. Meanwhile the market is flooded with weed-centric tours, offering a vast array of services ranging from full-package destinations to cultural relic excursions and theyre anxiously waiting to cash in on legalized cannabis. Neev Tapiero has been courting enthusiastic canna-tourists for six months through his Toronto-based company Canadian Kush Tours, with plans to expand into Vancouver and Ottawa in the near future. It didnt require any kind of government application, he explained in a phone interview. Theres a lot of hurdles to get into the production of cannabis but tourism doesnt require those. Thats because the companies are not required to go through the federal government for licensing, he added. Though Tapiero expects an uptick in stoned tourists, he noted they are at the mercy of regulatory changes and government agencies have yet to offer information on where to consume or purchase cannabis to visitors. The guidebook Lonely Planet posted a checklist on their website in July touting the expected billion dollar tourism industry with a list of must-sees. Though Canada is the first G7 country to legalize marijuana, Uruguay, Portugal, the Netherlands and Mexico are among countries that have already or planning to legalize. As regulations continue to roll out in provinces, there are risks particularly in cities such as Vancouver known globally in cannabis communities as Vansterdam that have an implicit promise of a canna-experience, he said. If theyre too restrictive or a wet blanket on that promise, it will be known to the tourist community as going downhill since legalization, Tapiero said. Some provinces dont have an appetite for this That attitude will trickle down into how the province invites new sources of revenue. The town of Jasper, Alberta will not be limiting the amount of retail shops, which may make the municipality a canna-tourist destination, he noted. The bulk of his clientele comes from across the border and the company focused its marketing attention on New York, Chicago and Washington all of which are a two-hour flight from Toronto. The website offers a variety of packages from cooking classes to full destination tours that pick up and drop off at the airport ranging from $150 to $2,000 for a concierge retainer. The most popular, Tapiero said, are the airport or hotel pickup and vapour lounge tour. And theres been above average interest in bachelor party bookings, which includes a limo service. After the laws around possession and consumption change on Oct. 17, Tapiero said his operations will likely shift. Currently, the website has a disclaimer saying all materials are not included in the dispensary and vapour lounge packages. Both publicly-funded tourism departments and privately-funded tour operators are adopting a wait and see approach. And nobody knows how the matter will play out, said Ty Speer, president of Tourism Vancouver. But the organization will be watching carefully post-legalization. We welcome over 10 million people here and the number of people that would put cannabis in their top shelf motivators for travelling to Vancouver is tiny, he explained. Just because cannabis is legal does not mean it will dramatically change the lifestyle dynamics. Given that the nation is legalizing, each city and region has different things to offer tourists outside of cannabis. Speer compared the industry to Canadian craft beer, which is popular but niche. He does not expect an explosion of pot tourists or angry locals as a result of the soon-to-be legal industry. But in Amsterdam, overtourism has been clogging Dutch streets and the city has been pushing back. Its not just the young visitors arriving via budget airlines, staying at cheap hostels and hotels: Theres also crowds of day-trippers from cruise ships and Airbnb guests rolling suitcases down cobbled streets all of which has been a toxic mix for local residents. Among the many changes Amsterdam enacted was with Airbnb, which agreed to enforce a 60-day-per-year limit on properties and to collect tourist tax for the city from renters as a response to a major housing affordability issue. Bert Nap is a member of dOude Binnestad a community group in Amsterdam. In the last decade, Nap said most of the local businesses converted into tourist shops and residents began voicing concern years ago when the price of housing skyrocketed. All we have left is the supermarket, he said. Its like the city has been robbed by the tourist industry. Across the ocean in Washington, Seattle Tourism is still collecting data on the emerging cannabis industry. A media spokesperson could not provide specific canna-tourism numbers but did note that as of Sept. 2016, sales reached $114 million with taxes reaching $26 million. A Seattle dispensary said in a release they dont gather data on their customers, but noted they see roughly 20 per cent visitors comprised of cruise ship passengers, convention attendants and Canadians. There are iconic marijuana destinations on the West Coast, said Danielle Jackson, owner of CannaTourism tours based in Vancouver. The 53-year-old has operated canna-cultural tours for the past five years and now caters to baby boomers and seniors who are canna-curious. There isnt much for us at all although the demand is there, she said in an interview. If you take away that illegality, they go into an environment where suddenly theyre not the pariah, the outcast or the druggie. Tourism is the most diverse of all the cannabis sectors, she added, because it includes everything. Yet there are challenges in terms of advertising, promotion, public consumption and proper education. Echoing other expert sentiments, Jackson said the industry will have to see what is available after Oct. 17, however as they have before will creatively comply. This is going to be super confusing for us that live here, let alone people that come here, she explained. But we have this amazing opportunity after Oct. 17 that the whole West Coast is legal from Seattle to Alaska. There has been more innovation in the industry over the last five years, than there has been in 40. Read more: Fears of being outed as a cannabis user linger as cybersecurity concerns hang over legalization Meet the B.C. man who has been banned from the U.S. for 40 years because of a cannabis fine Where theres smoke: Cannabis-based products could lead to better sex, say experts With files from Perrin Grauer and The Associated Press Read more about: There was a time in Ontario when workers could be fired for being sick, could be terminated for not taking a last-minute shift and routinely lost thousands of dollars to wage theft. The year was 2017. Its a set of circumstances that north Etobicoke resident Abdullahi Barre calls unacceptable. Our community elected Doug Ford, he said. But we did not support freezing the minimum wage and repealing Bill 148. Premier Ford calls the recent labour reforms a job killer and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has called on the Progressive Conservative government to eliminate them warning of a $23-billion cost challenge to businesses. The bill was enacted by the previous Liberal government after a two-year labour law review concluded Ontario had too many people in too many workplaces who do not receive their basic rights. Read more: One hundred days in, has Premier Doug Ford delivered? Ontarians rally in support of $15 minimum wage: We cannot survive Business group calls for full repeal of Ontarios new workplace protections Research conducted for the review found a province where 1.6 million workers did not have a single unpaid, job-protected sick day. Where workers lost $47 million to wage theft over six years, of which just $19 million was ever recovered by the government. Where workers had almost no protection against erratic scheduling. And where employers were prosecuted in less than 0.2 per cent of cases where they were found guilty of monetary violations. What Bill 148 did was start to make our basic rights a little bit stronger, said Deena Ladd, of the Toronto-based Workers Action Centre. At a mosque on Rexdale Blvd. backing onto an industrial zone buzzing with transport trucks, not all Ford supporters agree with plans to scrap it. Imam Abdirahman Hassan said he voted for Ford, whose man-of-action reputation needs little burnishing in this neighbourhood. The appeal was when he said Im standing for the people, said Hassan. With the difficult situation that the community is facing, I said to myself, maybe he is the right guy. But Hassan believes the ills he sees amongst his congregants have a root cause. People, they work at (temporary help) agencies. Its not a stable job. For that reason a lot of people end up separating and divorcing, he said. Kids up end up on the street and find their own ways. A lot of the crisis in the Somali community, it is because of that problem, of not finding a proper job. Turfing the new legislation will make it easier to invest, start, and grow a business in the province as well as build an economy that connects workers to jobs, Chamber of Commerce president Rocco Rossi said in August. As a prominent leader in Etobicokes Somali community, Hassan sees a different price tag. (People feel) there is no future in this country. Thats what I believe is the cost. In addition to increasing the minimum wage to $14 in 2018 and $15 in 2019, Bill 148 provided two paid, job-protected sick days and 10 emergency leave days for all workers. Previously, employers with fewer than 50 employees did not have to provide any unpaid emergency days. Before Bill 148 came into effect, it was a real challenge to do things like attend a medical appointment, said Danyaal Raza, a family doctor at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto. The two paid sick days have actually helped but are frankly not enough for people who have significant medical concerns and are struggling to make ends meet. When Doug Ford says this is bad for business, when you look at the research, thats simply not the case, he added. The bill also mandated equal pay for temporary, casual, and part-time workers doing the same job as permanent employees. Hassan said hed rather the markups charged by temp agencies on workers hourly wages go to workers themselves. If the business groups are paying the agencies more than $15 (an hour), why dont they give to the hardworking people who are supporting their families to make ends meet? he said. Santha Sivanantham, a mother of three, lives in Markham another Conservative stronghold. She has worked at the same company for two years through a temp agency; while her permanent colleagues have received salary increases, she has never received a raise except through minimum wage increases. Because she juggles two temp agency jobs, she says new scheduling protections in Bill 148 that give employees the right to refuse a last-minute shift without retaliation are crucial. She says the wage bump from $11.60 to $14 has also allowed her to pay her electricity bills and buy snacks for her kids. As temp agency workers, thats the only time we see a raise, she said. If theres no increase in the minimum wage, the temp agency is not going to increase. The legislation also promised to double the number of Ministry of Labour inspectors in an effort to inspect one in 10 Ontario workplaces. Between 2011 and 2014, the ministry found violations in around 75 per cent of all proactive inspections. I think the previous government did a good analyzing of the current situation, said Hassan. The best thing the Ford government can do is to continue. Ladd says even with Bill 148, there is still more work to be done. As it stands, two million workers are still excluded from at least one basic protection from overtime pay to minimum wage because of gaps and exemptions in existing legislation. For example, those working in road maintenance are not entitled to severance pay, rest periods or termination notice. Home-care workers are not entitled to eating periods or overtime. Residential building superintendents are not entitled to minimum wage. Only 24 per cent of workers are fully covered by the Employment Standards Act, she said. Those are not numbers that are made up. That is from the Ministry of Labours own records. When a worker goes to work they should have a full expectation that they will get paid and they can return home to their family at the end of the day and not be injured, she added. Barre, who has four children at home, says he is worried about their future. It is very difficult to find a job. Especially when you are Black, when you are Muslim, and when you live in some neighbourhoods that are dangerous. They are discriminated against to get good jobs. Bill 148, according to Hassan, started to change that. Since the minimum wage changed to $14, a lot of people are relieved. They start contributing to the community and for those in need. And if its changed to $15 it will make it even better, he said. You say, I am going to stand for the people, he said of Ford. And here we are. This is what we are expecting from you. Read more about: Toronto residents and business owners can begin casting their votes for mayor, city council and school boards starting Wednesday morning. Advance polls, for those who would prefer to vote early, will be open daily until Oct. 14. Heres everything you need to know about casting your ballot. Can I vote? If you are a Canadian citizen, 18 years or older, live in the city and you are not prohibited from voting under any law, you can vote. If you live elsewhere but you or your spouse own or rent property in the city, you can also vote in the ward where your property is located. To vote for a school board trustee, you must be an owner or tenant of a residential property in the city. Where do I vote? That depends on where you live. The ward boundaries for the city were recently changed by the province, so your area likely has a new ward number and name. You might now be in a ward you are unfamiliar with. The easiest way to check which ward youre in and where you can vote is by going to myvote.toronto.ca and entering your address. There are two advance polling stations per ward. Anyone can vote at city hall (100 Queen St. West) during the advance voting period. Advance polls are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Do I have to register ahead of time? No. Unlike in the U.S. where most states have a voting registration deadline, you can still vote in Toronto even if you didnt sign up before election day. If you did receive a voter card in the mail, bring it with you to the polling station along with one piece of approved identification showing your name and qualifying address. Having a voter card speeds up the process. If you lost your card, you can print one on the MyVote website. If you didnt get a voter card, the process is still pretty straightforward. Bring your identification and an elections officer at the poll will help you. Examples of acceptable identification are an Ontario drivers licence, a copy of your lease agreement, a utility bill or cable bill. What if I cant make it to an advance poll? You can vote on election day, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check the citys MyVote site to find out where your poll will be on that day as it may be different from the advance polls. Alternatively, you can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. You can have a proxy certified up until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 22. You can get the form by contacting election services at 416-338-1111, voterregistration@toronto.ca or in person at a city clerks office. More details are available on the citys website. OK, Im ready to vote, but who do I vote for? You get to vote for a mayoral candidate, council candidate in your ward and a school trustee depending on your school support (depending on if your taxes go to the English- or French-language public or Catholic school system). There are 35 mayoral candidates, 242 councillor candidates and 224 school board trustee candidates. You can see a list of who is running in your area at the MyVote site and look at a sample ballot. You can also check out the Stars online election coverage for reporting on the candidates and their platforms, including ward profiles and a mayoral promise tracker. When do I find out who won? All poll results, including from advance polls, will be announced on election night. The Star will have live coverage of the winners. Party politics dont usually play a role in municipal elections, but the Don Valley East council race is a rematch of sorts of this years provincial race that saw Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives beat the governing Liberals in June. Denzil Minnan-Wong, Don Valley Easts long-serving councillor who ran for the provincial Tories and narrowly lost to a Liberal in June, is being challenged by David Caplan, a former provincial Liberal cabinet minister who left politics in 2011. Both candidates present themselves as agents of change despite their status as veteran politicians with strong party identification. It is time for some new ideas and some fresh energy at city hall. I have the track record of delivering for Don Valley East, Caplan told a small crowd gathered recently for a candidates forum at a co-op apartment building on Don Mills Rd. Caplan was a school trustee for the area before he was elected MPP. Hes calling for the creation of a local citizens council so our voice can be heard to a far greater degree at city hall and that we can be effective. NEW WARDS. BIG STORIES. Get the scoop on how Torontos 25 new wards impact you. Subscribe to the Star. Minnan-Wong, one of councils most ardent fiscal conservatives, said his extensive resume at city hall including serving as John Torys deputy mayor this term makes him the best candidate. Ill tell you with the reduction of council size, experience is going to matter, said Minnan-Wong, a lawyer who has once again adopted keeping taxes down as his campaign slogan. Theres going to be a lot of reorganization in the governance of the city and I think having someone who knows how to get things done, knows how to navigate city hall, and knows how to get things for this community, its going to matter. Ward watch Ward 16 Don Valley East Boundaries Hwy. 401 to the north, Victoria Park Ave. to the east, Sunrise Ave. and Don River to the south, Don River and Leslie St. to the west and the 401 to the north. Demographics There are 94,579 people with an average age of 41.5. The average household is 2.5 people with a median household income of $60,431. The percentage of visible minorities is 57 per cent. Other representatives MPP Michael Coteau (Liberal) and MP Yasmin Ratansi (Liberal). Read more: What you need to know about Torontos 25 new wards Advance polls for Torontos election open Wednesday. Heres what you need to know More development means more money, thanks to Section 37. Is it an unfair perk for downtown or compensation for endless construction? While there may be changes coming at city hall, there are big changes ahead for Don Valley East too. Major redevelopments are proposed for the Westin Prince hotel area on York Mills Rd. and on the 24-hectare Celestica site on the northwest corner of Don Mills Rd. and Eglinton Ave. E., estimated to bring in thousands of new residents. Highrise buildings are shooting up around the upscale Shops of Don Mills outdoor mall while construction of Torontos Crosstown light rail line continues along Eglinton in Ward 16s southern end. Candidate Stephen Ksiazek, a long-term resident and local business owner who sits on the board of the Don Mills residents association, says new blood is needed to manage the change. Im not partisan, Im not a long-term, lifelong politician, said Ksiazek. Im neither a hard-core right or a hard-core left. Im a pragmatist. A priority, Ksiazek said, will be to ensure development is held in check and that with it comes affordable housing, while employment lands are maintained. You can live, play and work within the community, we need to make sure those aspects of our community continue. Political newbie Michael Woulfe, a lifelong resident and businessman who participates in various community engagement activities, is promising to bring integrity to the political arena along with healthy respect for who really wields the power at city hall. The background that you hear from David or Denzil, theyre the only people that can get things done, no, in fact, theres 56,000 people who work for the city that actually get things done, he said. The councillors manoeuvre and get things done, or direct the city staff to actually get things done, but its actually people behind the scenes who get it done. Woulfe said hes committed to making sure development is reasonable so densities are appropriate for the infrastructure thats in place and were not exacerbating the traffic congestion and safety issues that we have today. Voter Louise Copegog listened to the speeches at the candidates forum and the question-and-answer session that followed. She said she is unimpressed with politicians making promises shes certain they will not keep. They all say when theyre up there theyre going to do this, that and the other and they never really come through with anything, she said at the end of the meeting. Her takeaway from the evening, however, was that it was time to go out with the old and bring in fresh blood. Don Valley East candidates: Aria Alavi, David Caplan, Diane Gadoutsis, Stephen Ksiazek, Pushpalatha Mathanalingam, Denzil Minnan-Wong (councillor), Dimitre Popov and Michael Woulfe. Read more about: NEW YORKFormer New York Rep. Anthony Weiner is set to go free from federal prison three months early due to good behaviour. Weiner who was sentenced to 21 months of hard time for sexting with a minor will be let go on May 14, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Weiner is currently being held in the Federal Medical Center at Devens, a former military facility in Massachusetts. Federal prisoners are not eligible for parole. But they can get as much as 54 days shaved off annually for good behaviour. In September 2017, he broke down in tears as his sentence for sending tawdry messages and pornography to a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina was announced. I was a very sick man for a very long time, he said through tears. Read more: I have a sickness: Former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner pleads guilty in sexting case Anthony Weiner begins serving his prison sentence for sexting with teen girl Anthony Weiner sentenced to 21 months in prison for sexting with teen girl The former Democratic congressman and candidate for mayor asked the girl for naked pictures and to engage in sexually explicit behaviour online, authorities said. Stormy Daniels says she got a little too personal when she described President Donald Trumps genitalia. The porn star said Sunday on 60 Minutes Australia that she feels pretty terrible about her descriptions in her memoir, Full Disclosure, which hit bookstores last week. I was very angry in writing that, and now that the book is out and people are reading about it and its all over the internet, I actually feel pretty terrible about it because in a way its body shaming, she said on the show. I did not want to hurt him. My intention was for people to stop hurting me. In her tell-all, Daniels claims her alleged 2006 affair with the future president was the least impressive sex Ive ever had. In the two-page summary of the evening, she also compared his penis to a toadstool with Yeti pubes and the mushroom character in Mario Kart. Daniels told 60 Minutes Australia that she went into such detail to prove that Im not lying. Read more: Donald, Eric Trump co-ordinated with former lawyer to keep Stormy Daniels quiet Opinion | Vinay Menon: Awkward Trump sex is the least interesting part of Stormy Daniels memoir Judge likely to toss Stormy Daniels defamation suit against Trump I justify it in a way to myself, and even now, saying this is a man who said much worse things about women multiple times, she said. So, heres a taste of your own medicine. She also said she would have chosen somebody way less embarrassing than Donald Trump if she were going to make up a story about an affair with a celebrity. Trump has denied ever having an affair with Daniels, but has admitted that his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid her $130,000 in hush money. Read more about: WASHINGTONIt will take time to overcome the recruiting challenges that caused the U.S. Army to miss its enlistment goal this year, but plans to beef up recruiting and other changes will enable the service to get the recruits it needs in 2019, top Army leaders said Monday. Gen. Mark Milley, Army chief of staff, said the recruiting shortfall was certainly a warning light out there as the Pentagon works to increase the size of the soldier service to 500,000 by 2024. We recognize and acknowledge we did not meet (the goal) for 18, Milley told reporters during an Army conference. We are making some adjustments going forward in our recruiting strategy, our marketing strategy. Were also increasing recruiters. For the first time since 2005, the Army missed its recruiting goal this year, falling short by about 6,500 soldiers, despite pouring an extra $200 million into bonuses and approving some additional waivers for bad conduct or health issues. The Army signed up about 70,000 new active duty recruits in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, well below the 76,500 they needed. The Army National Guard and Army Reserves also fell far short of their goals, by more than 12,000 and 5,000 respectively. Army Secretary Mark Esper said the service is moving recruiters into 20 more cities and upgrading the storefront enlistment stations to entice recruits. Read more: U.S. Army suspends discharges of immigrant recruits for now Fitness app Polar revealed not only where U.S. military personnel worked, but where they lived I think we can and we will do a lot better, he said. Its going to take some time to reposition ourselves. According to the Army, there are about 9,600 recruiters now, and the plan is to increase that to about 10,250 by next summer. Only about 30 per cent of 17- to 24-year-olds meet the physical, mental and moral requirements for the military, and only one in eight are interested in serving. Milley said the Army could have reached the recruiting goal this year but instead focused on taking higher quality recruits, rather than enlisting lower quality young people just to make the numbers. He laid out an ambitious plan to bring in enough soldiers in the coming years to ensure that key operational units are actually staffed above full strength. That way, he said, the military will still have the soldiers they need when some become injured or ill and cant deploy or are out of their jobs for several months. And he said efforts to improve the Armys readiness to go to war are slowly taking hold, as the service recovers from 17 years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Efforts to upgrade equipment, reorganize the force and focus spending on key new programs is helping to make the Army more lethal, Milley said. For years, modernization and other programs were sacrificed in order to get the most critical troops and equipment on the battlefields. We stopped the bleeding and were on an upward swing, Milley said. We have, I think, turned the corner. Were not out of the woods yet. We have a ways to go. NEW DELHIA cascade of allegations of rape, sexual assault and misconduct involving prominent Indian men has flooded social media since Friday, spurring resignations, the closing of a movie production company and public apologies. More than a year after allegations of rape and sexual assault against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein first shook the world, female journalists and writers in India are naming and shaming Indian entertainers, newspaper editors, authors and a politician on social media. Some say Indias #MeToo moment is here at last. Weve faced violence, including verbal violence, all our lives, said Rituparna Chatterjee, a journalist who is documenting and compiling accusations against prominent men. Somewhere, I think, weve snapped. The latest allegations began to appear on social media last week, then turned into a torrent. They began after a former actress, Tanushree Dutta, retold the story of how on a movie set a decade ago, her co-star Nana Patekar, an award-winning actor, had tried to change a dance sequence at the last minute so he could touch her inappropriately. A handful of Bollywood stars spoke out in support of Dutta, triggering a huge backlash on social media, as many challenged and trivialized her account of the incident. In a televised statement Monday, Patekar said his lawyers have advised him not to address the allegations. I would say what I said 10 years back, the truth doesnt change, he said, referencing his denial when Dutta first made the accusations. Read more: Opinion | Caroline Riseboro: Asking the wrong questions on #MeToo movement anniversary Amid Kavanaugh uproar, changes to Congress sexual harassment rules stall India decriminalizes homosexual acts in landmark verdict for worlds largest democracy Duttas allegations coincided with Judge Brett M. Kavanaughs confirmation hearing in Washington and the testimony against him by California professor Christine Blasey Ford. Of course, everyone was discussing that, Chatterjee said. The thing in my mind was, I know this guy. Ive met this guy. Ive met this guy over and over again. To Chatterjee, Ford and Dutta have become symbols of the way womens stories are stifled or ignored. You can have the evidence, she said. But shell never have the power to counter the hate that men have for women who speak up and threaten the status quo. After that, Chatterjee said, The floodgates opened. A number of Indian women started naming well-known men. Among the first accused was a comedian, Utsav Chakraborty, who allegedly sent lewd messages to women and asked a 17-year-old girl for nude photographs. The accusation, made on Twitter on Thursday, prompted a flurry of denials from the comedian, followed by an apology Friday. Its a little too late now but I am sorry. I really am. The past 24 hours were a crucible, Chakraborty tweeted. I faced a very scary personal truth. I cant think of myself as a victim anymore. Please tell me what to do now. How to make things right? I dont want anyone to be hurt anymore. A comedy group that Chakraborty worked with, All India Bakchod, issued a statement severing ties with him. On Monday, #MeToo allegations surfaced against two other comedians from the group. By Tuesday, the group was losing business streaming website Hotstar cancelled production of the third season of its show, and the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image dropped the movie from a film festival lineup. On Twitter, the accusations snowballed. On Monday night, female director Vinta Nanda accused an unnamed actor of rape on her Facebook page. I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly. . . . I hadnt just been raped, I was taken to my own house and had been brutalized, she wrote. Within hours, the actor was identified on social media as Alok Nath, who suggested in an interview with Indian TV channel ABP on Tuesday that Nanda was confusing him with someone else. Other Bollywood bigwigs faced allegations, too. HuffPost revealed Saturday that a famous director, Vikas Bahl, was accused of masturbating on a woman without her consent after pretending to pass out on her bed. Bahls partners issued a statement saying they had previously been made aware of the allegations against him and were ill-advised by lawyers to continue working with him. Their production company was closed Saturday, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Allegations poured out to female journalists in private messages and via online groups. What youre seeing online is only a third of whats happening in the groups and DMs, said Chatterjee, referring to Twitters direct messages feature in which people can talk privately. Many female journalists spoke out about harassment and abuse in their own lives, and named prominent editors and journalists as serial predators. Journalist Priya Ramani reposted an article in Vogue India written in 2017 about an unnamed editor known in media circles as a serial harasser. Youre an expert on obscene phone calls, texts, inappropriate compliments and not taking no for an answer. You know how to pinch, pat, rub, grab and assault, she wrote in the 2017 piece. On Monday, she named the man on Twitter former newspaper editor M.J. Akbar, now a junior minister in Indias Foreign Ministry. Other female journalists followed, accusing Akbar of misconduct. Akbar, who is travelling for work, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other influential newspaper editors and journalists also faced allegations. The political editor of the Hindustan Times, Prashant Jha, was accused of aggressively pursuing a co-worker who had turned down his advances. On Monday, Jha resigned. He did not respond to requests for comment. Gautam Adhikari, a former newspaper editor, was accused of forcefully kissing women without their consent. In an email to The Washington Post, Adhikari said, I would sincerely apologize if I made anyone uncomfortable in my presence, but I deny sexually harassing anyone. There was a sense of unfinished business, said Sandhya Menon, a journalist and author who accused Adhikari and others. We were primed for a leap. India has been hyperaware of rape and sexual abuse since a student was gang raped and murdered in New Delhi in 2012. The incident triggered nationwide protests and calls to make the country safer for women. The Weinstein controversy initially led to a trickle of allegations from India. In 2017, when the #MeToo movement swept the world, student Raya Sarkar compiled and circulated a list of South Asian-origin academics working in universities around the world who had been accused of misconduct by women. Sarkars list caused an uproar and divided feminist groups in India. Some argued that because the allegations were anonymous and unverifiable, they jeopardized the #MeToo movement because they could not be scrutinized. Over the past weekend, a new list of more than 70 powerful men accused of misconduct began making the rounds on social media. Menon referred to a string of highly publicized cases of rape and sexual assault that have dragged on in Indias courts, pointing out how difficult it is for women here to get justice through the courts. Due process is completely broken, she said. Read more about: SEOUL, KOREANorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants Pope Francis to visit the officially atheist country, South Korea said Tuesday. South Koreas presidential office said in a statement that Kim told President Moon Jae-in during their summit last month that the pope would be enthusiastically welcomed in North Korea. Kim has been intensely engaged in diplomacy in recent months in whats seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons program for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure. North Korea strictly controls the religious activities of its people, and a similar invitation for then-Pope John Paul II to visit after a 2000 inter-Korean summit never resulted in a meeting. The Vatican insisted at the time that a papal visit would only be possible if Catholic priests were accepted in North Korea. Moon plans to convey Kims desire for a papal visit when he travels to the Vatican next week. Moon said on Monday that he expects Kim to visit Russia soon and possibly hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Vatican did not comment on the possibility of a papal visit. But immediately after the news, the Vatican press office released a statement confirming that the pope would receive South Koreas president in an audience at the Vatican on Oct. 18. Read more: Pompeo cites progress made with Kim Jong-un on North Korea trip Pompeo seeks allied unity on North Korea denuke effort South Koreans visiting North Korea for summit anniversary Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the audience will come a day after the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, celebrates a Mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula in St. Peters Basilica, where Moon will participate. Francis visited South Korea in August 2014. On the plane ride back to Rome, he expressed hope that the divisions would be overcome, saying the two Koreas are brothers, they speak the same language. When you speak the same language it is because you have the same mother, and this gives us hope, the pope said. The suffering of the division is great, and I understand this and pray that it ends. North Koreas reported overture comes a few weeks after the Vatican signed a landmark deal with Communist China, North Koreas closest ally, over bishop nominations, aimed at ending decades of tensions that contributed to dividing the Chinese church and hampered efforts at improving relations between China and the Vatican. Following an unusually provocative run of weapons tests last year, Kim has been on a diplomatic offensive since the start of this year. He initiated offers for summits with Seoul and Washington, which led to three meetings with Moon and a highly choreographed June summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at which they issued an aspirational goal of a nuclear-free peninsula, without describing how or when it would occur. Kim has presented himself as an international statesman, sharing food, wine and laughs with South Korean officials and appearing thoroughly at ease during his meeting with Trump in Singapore. But post-summit nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States got off to a rocky start, with the North accusing Washington of making gangster-like unilateral demands for denuclearization, and calling for sanctions to be lifted before any further progress in nuclear talks. There are doubts whether Kim is willing to fully relinquish his countrys nuclear weapons, which he may see as a stronger guarantee of survival than whatever security assurances the United States could provide. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Kim in Pyongyang, North Koreas capital, on Sunday for talks on setting up a second summit with Trump. The Vaticans priests were expelled by North Korea long ago and state-appointed laymen officiate services. Estimates of the number of North Korean Catholics range from 800 to about 3,000, compared to more than 5 million in South Korea. Read more about: WASHINGTONA day after the United Nations issued its most urgent call to arms yet for the world to confront the threat of climate change, U.S. President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One for Florida a state that lies directly in the path of this coming calamity and said nothing about it. It was the latest, most vivid example of Trumps dissent from an effort that has galvanized much of the world. While the United Nations warned of mass wildfires, food shortages and dying coral reefs as soon as 2040, Trump discussed his successful Supreme Court battle rather than how rising seawaters are already flooding Miami on sunny days. The presidents isolation is not just from the world: In California, New York, Massachusetts and other states, governments and companies are pushing ahead with regulations and technological innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That bottom-up activism is a source of hope for those who have watched in despair since last year when Trump declared he would pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. But experts say it is no substitute for the worlds largest economy, and second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, turning its back on the fight. You have this enormous discrepancy between the White House and, essentially, everyone else, said Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. The leadership in Washington is really moving against the whole agenda. The UN report paints a far more dire picture of the immediate consequences of climate change than previously thought and says that avoiding the damage requires transforming the world economy at a speed and scale that has no documented historic precedent. Read more: UN report on global warming carries life-or-death warning UN climate change report calls for unprecedented changes in society It describes a world of worsening food shortages and poverty; more wildfires; and a mass die-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040 a period well within the lifetime of much of the global population. Among climate-change scientists, there were increasing fears that Trumps withdrawal from the Paris accord, which at first seemed a lonely act of defiance, may embolden other countries to leave it as well. In Brazil, voters are on track to elect a new president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has vowed to withdraw his country, the worlds seventh-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, from the pact. Trumps announcement last year prompted a show of solidarity from the other 194 countries that signed the accord, not to mention U.S. political and business leaders who rallied under the slogan, We are still in! But to populists like Bolsonaro, Trumps demands that the United States be given a better deal could prove appealing. To the extent that we get these narrow-minded, so-called nationalist, populist leaders, we could have a big problem, said John P. Holdren, who served as U.S. President Barack Obamas chief science adviser. Brazil, with its huge area of forests, is going to suffer terribly from climate change. Beyond the domino effect, Holdren, who is now a professor at Harvards Kennedy School, said there were other immediate costs to what he called the squandering of U.S. leadership on an acute global issue. Trump, who has mocked the science of human-caused climate change, cut the U.S. contribution to a global fund that supports climate mitigation and assistance efforts in developing countries by two-thirds, to $1 billion (U.S.). He has tried to cut government funding of climate-related research an effort that Congress has so far resisted. The White House issued no public response to the UN report, which was issued Monday in South Korea at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists convened by the United Nations to guide world leaders. Not today, said Bill Shine, the White House communications director. Its a Kavanaugh night. After Trump returned Monday from Orlando, Florida, where he spoke to a convention of police chiefs and referred to the hurricane now approaching that state, he attended a White House ceremony to swear in Judge Brett Kavanaugh as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Following the ceremony, Lindsay E. Walters, a deputy press secretary, said, The United States is leading the world in providing affordable, abundant and secure energy to our citizens, while protecting the environment and reducing emissions through job-creating innovation. She noted that carbon dioxide-related emissions declined 14 per cent in the United States from 2005 to 2017, while they rose 21 per cent globally during the same period. On Saturday, a U.S. delegation in South Korea joined more than 180 countries in accepting the reports summary for policymakers, but a statement from the State Department added that it does not imply endorsement by the United States of the specific findings or underlying contents of the report. The report is quite a shock, and quite concerning, said Bill Hare, an author of previous Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports and a physicist with Climate Analytics, a non-profit organization. We were not aware of this just a few years ago. The authors found that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, the atmosphere will warm by as much as 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.5 degrees Celsius, above preindustrial levels by 2040. The Paris accord set a goal of preventing warming of more than 3.6 degrees above preindustrial levels long considered a threshold for the most severe social and economic damage from climate change. But the heads of small island nations, fearful of rising sea levels, had also asked scientists to examine the effects of 2.7 degrees of warming. Without aggressive action, many effects that scientists once expected to happen further in the future will arrive by 2040, and at the lower temperature, the report shows. Its telling us we need to reverse emissions trends and turn the world economy on a dime, said Myles Allen, an Oxford University climate scientist and an author of the report. To prevent 2.7 degrees of warming, the report said, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent from 2010 levels by 2030, and by 100 per cent by 2050. It also found that use of coal as an electricity source would have to drop from nearly 40 per cent today to 1 to 7 per cent by 2050. This report makes it clear: There is no way to mitigate climate change without getting rid of coal, said Drew Shindell, a climate scientist at Duke University and an author of the report. Trump has vowed to increase the burning of coal. It makes me feel angry when I think about the U.S. government, Shindell said. My kids feel like its their future being destroyed. He watched as the grounds of his sons high school in Durham, North Carolina, and the roads around it flooded last month after Hurricane Florence. Allen said there was little question the report will be ignored in Washington. The current administration doesnt seem interested in it all, he said, although he added that as a scientist, he takes the long view. One way or another, he said, the facts do win out. Trump encouraged scientists recently when he nominated Kelvin Droegemeier, a well-respected meteorologist who is an expert on extreme weather, to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The post had been vacant since Trump took office. But it is unlikely that Droegemeier will change the presidents views on climate change, and other influential aides are hardly going to challenge him. For example, the Trump administrations counterterrorism strategy, released last week, made no mention of climate change as a cause for extremism. The Obama administration regularly cited it in threat assessments because of its effect on migration and the competition for food and water. I dont think climate change is a cause of international terrorism, said the national security adviser, John R. Bolton. For all that, scientists said that they saw a few rays of sunshine amid the clouds. A Democratic takeover of the House would raise the odds that Congress would continue blocking cuts to research. And despite his criticism of the Paris accord as very unfair to the United States, Trump has left the door open to staying in the deal, if the terms were improved. I have been of the opinion all along that we can definitely see the U.S. back in the Paris agreement, even under Trump, Rockstrom said. Legally, he noted, the United States cannot formally withdraw from the pact until 2020, and the agreements terms are voluntary. He can sit there in the White House and draw up his own plan, Rockstrom said. Read more about: SOUTHAVEN, MISS.Crystal Walls and Lovetta Green have the easy warmth that comes with working together 23 years, Walls as a waitress and Green in the kitchen of the restaurant where everyone in town seems to gather. They share a fierce loyalty to Dales restaurant, its signature chicken and dressing dish, and to the late owner, Dale Graham, who used to slip Green money to buy her children birthday presents when she was short. But they agree on virtually nothing about politics, side by side in their separate Americas in the city where President Donald Trump lit into Christine Blasey Ford and the #MeToo movement last week, to cheers from the crowd. Walls, 60, who is white, was there with her 16-year-old grandson, rapt. Green, 45, who is black, stayed away from a president she dislikes so much that she grabs the remote whenever he appears on television. I dont like everything to do with him, Green said. The way he was womanizing, talking bad toward women, I cant respect him as a president. When he gets up to talk, I just change the TV. From the gate, he just struck me wrong. Walls verdict on the rally: It was pretty awesome. And on the #MeToo movement: Any woman can say anything. You know as well as I do, they bring it on themselves, to get up the ladder, to destroy somebody they dont care for. I think its something that should be kept personal. Sure theres a lot of bad guys in this world doing a lot of things they shouldnt have been. On cable news and social media, hurling insults across the political divide has become the background noise of American life. But in Southaven, a more intimate and constrained dynamic is playing out. Here two friends do not have the luxury of sealing themselves off from those with opposing views. They navigate their differences as part of their daily shifts. Their lives intersect even as their politics do not. When Green got her job at Dales, Walls had already been there 23 years, having started at the age of 14 working a 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift. The two women lived as children within a few miles of each other in Whitehaven, just across the Tennessee border. (When she was 7, Walls moved to Nesbit, Mississippi, just 9 miles from Southaven.) They both spent years raising their children as single parents. They commiserate about crime and watch their grandchildren like hawks. It took a while for them to open up to each other about politics, but that reticence is long gone. We can talk about it but sometimes it gets heated and we have to bring ourselves down to reality, Green said. Somebody might have to come out of the office and say, What the heck is going on? Take their sparring about Trumps comments about Blaseys testimony. They agreed they couldnt understand why women had waited so long to confront men they accused of assault, whether in the case of Bill Cosby or Brett Kavanaugh. And they both drew a distinction between rape and attempted rape. Walls said her own daughter was raped, beaten and left unconscious in a motel about 20 years ago. That led her to be more skeptical of Blaseys account of continuing trauma and gaps in memory, as well as any explanation that post-traumatic stress disorder might be to blame. PTSD, cmon, get real, she said. Maybe she needs to talk to some servicemen that really understand PTSD. Its not that I dont understand rape, big time. But if it affects you that bad, which it did my daughter, you go to counselling, whatever you need to do. My daughters gone on just fine with her life. So when Trump launched into an imitation of Blaseys testimony, Walls found herself laughing along, if a bit guiltily. Green countered that when Blasey first testified, Trump had told aides he thought she came across as sincere. Then he turned on her at the rally. And he got up there and they say he mocked her when he was at the centre, that just doesnt sit well with me, she said. That means you are flip-flopping on their side. As the president, you shouldnt have mocked her, period, even though Kavanaugh is going up for judge. Walls: Even though what he said was true. Green: Shut up, C. Quit it. See, this is how we get started. But even as they square off, they are careful with each other, reaching out to pat an arm or clutch a hand, sometimes even backing down a bit. Walls told her friend that she agreed it was unseemly for a president to act that way. He should have been quiet, showed a little bit more integrity, she said. But I did laugh, and I agreed, and it sounded from that crowd like everyone agreed. DeSoto County, where Southaven is located, voted overwhelmingly for Trump, 66 per cent to 31 per cent for Hillary Clinton. It was a small hamlet until the 1970s, when the suburban population expanded as courts ordered busing in nearby Memphis. An explosion of Memphis-based freight services like FedEx and Southavens highly-regarded public schools drew more families, black and white. Now Southaven is the third-largest city in Mississippi. Its a place of pleasant, if often treeless, subdivisions and large strip malls, with no central downtown. Dales, which opened in 1966, stands out for its bright pink exterior and is one place friends can find each other, along with church and school. Southaven is 71 per cent white and 22 per cent black, according to the 2010 census. Because most of its housing was developed after the 1970s, neighbourhoods are generally integrated, and so are schools. But political loyalties appear starkly divided by race nearly every white person interviewed in the area backed Trump, and every black person opposed him. Candy Jordan, a black office administrator, blames the president for incidents of racial hostility that she had never experienced before his election. She said her daughters friend was called a racial epithet by an elderly neighbour who accused the teenager of ruining her flower bed. Theres a difference between following a person and following whats right, she said. By contrast, Jill Gregory, who is raising three children in the nearby town of Olive Branch and is white, said, Trump is the only president thats been elected and he doesnt have any other interest than serving the American people. And so it went at Dales, despite the evident affection of the staff for each other. Green said all the Trump supporters she knew were white, prompting an uneasy rejoinder from Melissa Thomas, the general manager. What does that mean? said Thomas, herself a fervent Trump backer. Last week, she and her daughter, Gregory, had made sure to be at the rally site by 6:30 a.m., nine hours before it was scheduled to start. The day after the rally was particularly trying, as Green listened to the exuberant waves of co-workers and patrons who had attended. Just like yall were tired of me talking about Obama when he was in it, Im tired about yall talking about what you did yesterday, she said she told them. And I walked out from the whole conversation. Later she said she realized she may have been too harsh after all, seeing a president was part of history. But that didnt change Greens opinion of Trump, despite the argument of Thomas, the general manager, that he was improving the economy. We got more money in our checks, Thomas told her. Green was having none of it. Do I? How do you know? Youre the boss lady. Really? We dont see a change. Green and Walls differ on almost everything Trump has done the separation of immigrant children from their parents at the border, even his posture toward North Korea. But the two women cannot afford the rage that has consumed partisans these past weeks. They do not want to torpedo an affection that has deepened over the years. And so they were more modulated in their views when they were together than when they spoke separately. We can get into some throwdowns, but five minutes later were talking like were best friends, Walls said. For all her ardent conservatism, Walls has her own qualms about Trump. I got to wait and see how he finishes this before I decide if I vote for him again, she said. Hes a loose cannon in a lot of other ways. But she is unyielding in her belief that the confirmation battle was a Democratic ploy to block a conservative justice. That has made her more determined to vote Republican in the midterm elections next month. Green is equally certain shell vote Democratic and that the country would be better off with a different president. As the two women talked, Thomas drifted in and out, circling the room asking customers how they liked their heaping plates of food. The manager works seven days at week at Dales, which just won the Spirit of Main Street award from the chamber of commerce. I cried, she said. Thinking back over the confirmation battle, listening to Green and Walls joke and joust, she allowed herself a plaintive question. It was about the country as much as the chatter at Dales: How can we both hear the same thing and get something totally different out of it? Read more about: In the past two weeks, two Toronto teenagers have tragically been shot dead. Mackai Bishop Jackson was only 15 when he was murdered on Sept. 25 inside the building where he lived. A week later, on Oct. 3, 18-year-old Elliott Reid-Doyle was killed in front of a pizza shop that was a hangout spot for high school students. Sadly, these brazen shootings in broad daylight are not an anomaly. Theyre part of a larger alarming trend. By Oct. 1, there had been 316 shootings in this city leading to 42 gun deaths. That last figure is up 40 per cent over last year, and puts Toronto on track to match the 52 people who were shot to death in 2005, the so-called year of the gun. Fighting this deadly scourge will take urgent action from all levels of government to reduce the number of guns and the amount of ammunition in Canada. Theres no time to waste. Happily, theres promising action on that front. City council passed a resolution over the summer calling on the federal government to impose a ban on handguns and assault weapons, and asked the province to ban the sale of ammunition. As Mayor John Tory sensibly asked at the time: Why does anyone in this city need to have a gun at all? Then, in September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directed Border Security Minister Bill Blair to lead a study of a full ban on handguns and assault weapons in Canada. Now the Ford government has a chance to show similar leadership by allowing municipalities to ban the sale of handgun ammunition in their communities, as Toronto has requested. Instead, though, the government actually appears set to block a private members bill introduced in the legislature last week by Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter that would do exactly that. After Hunter introduced the bill, Community Safety Minister Michael Tibollo echoed the well-funded gun lobbys spin on the issue when he said: Its not guns that kill people; its the people that have guns illegally that kill people. Nor is Premier Doug Ford taking a constructive view on this pressing issue. He has previously said he doesnt support a handgun ban because it targets lawful owners, not criminals. The comments from Tibollo and Ford show a striking ignorance of the facts around gun violence in this country. First, as Hunter pointed out in an opinion piece she wrote for the Star this summer: Too often legally purchased ammunition ends up in the wrong hands for the wrong reasons, causing death and mayhem in our communities. Second, according to police, Toronto criminals now get half their illicit firearms in Canada from those lawful owners Tibollo and Ford are referring to. They start out as legally owned guns that are stolen in break-ins. Or worse, people lawfully buy them for the sole purpose of selling them to criminals on the black market. Third, its getting easier to steal or buy legally owned guns because the number of legal handguns and semi-automatic rifles has doubled in recent years. Thats because Canada has made it easier, not harder, to buy and amass large stockpiles of guns. If you have twice as many restricted firearms in Canada, its just inevitable that youre going to see more of them end up in the wrong hands, points out Wendy Cukier, president of the Coalition for Gun Control. When Hunter introduced her bill she said: This government can do more, should do more, particularly because of the results we are seeing young people are still dying. Indeed, the deaths of Jackson and Reid-Doyle are testaments to that fact. Banning the sale of handgun ammunition wont stop gun violence, but it will help curb it. And thats a start. The Ford government should support this worthy bill. Read more about: John Badman | The Telegraph ALTON Several local fire departments are among 78 throughout the state of Illinois that will receive grant funding for new equipment under Illinois American Waters Firefighter Grant Program. Alton, Godfrey, Cottage Hills and QEM will receive a portion of the more than $77,000 to be distributed by the company this grant cycle. Since the program was created in 2010, over 500 grants totaling more than $493,000 have been awarded to fire and emergency organizations serving customers in Illinois American Waters service area. ALTON Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, announced Monday it was awarded a $3 million, five-year grant via the State of Illinois and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to promote and develop integrated primary and behavioral health services in Madison County. Centerstone is one of three organizations selected by the state to collaborate on the SAMHSA Promoting Integration of Primary Behavioral Health Care (PIPBHC) grant. Centerstone will use the funds to implement a project expanding fully integrated, co-located collaboration in clinical practice between primary and behavioral healthcare to support improvement of integrated care models and delivery of integrated care. The projects focus population experiences co-occurring physical health conditions and chronic diseases it includes adults with a mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, as well as children and adolescents who have serious emotional disturbances in Madison County, said Janette Heath, LCPC, Centerstones Director of Clinical Excellence. Integrated care services will be offered at the Centerstone facility in Alton, including the evidence-based screening/assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of behavioral health and co-occurring physical health conditions and chronic diseases according to a shared, individualized care plan, as well as outreach, engagement and retention strategies appropriate for the diverse population. The focus population of the integrated primary and behavioral health services will be the Madison County area. The project also hopes to impact the disparities that exist among the targeted population around access to services and health outcomes. Health disparities exist among those we serve which can lead to limited access to primary care, high levels of poverty, increased mental health issues, and poor physical health outcomes. Couple those barriers with the stigma faced by many with mental illness and substance use disorders, and the barriers become even more significant, said Heath. Centerstones integrated care program will reduce disparities in service access/use and outcomes by providing integration and collaboration in clinical practices between primary and behavioral health care to produce positive whole health outcomes among the focus population. Some of the improvements include: scheduling appointments back-to-back to reduce travel to multiple facilities; linking individuals to support services such as childcare and employment services; outreach and training efforts to increase the number of community stakeholders; and increasing awareness of the need to integrate primary and behavioral health care. Partners include Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, area primary care providers, community-based organizations, and social support agencies in the area. Increasing awareness will help reduce stigma around mental illness, seriously emotionally disturbed and substance use treatment, Heath said. The provision of tailored care, integrating primary and behavioral health services, will close the communication gap between providers and improve participant retention and outcomes. Centerstone is very passionate about integrated behavioral and physical health care, said John Markley, CEO of Centerstone. Adults with serious mental illness on average die years sooner than the rest of the population. By coordinating both primary and behavioral health care, we hope to improve the quality of care and life outcomes for those we serve. In any given year, in the United States, one in five adults, which is about 44 million people, experience mental illness and one in 25 adults or 9.8 million people experience a serious mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Adults with mental illness experience higher rates of health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and infectious disease, Markley said. Morbidity and mortality rates are worse among adults with serious mental illness, who die on average 15-25 years earlier than the general population. For children, an estimated 13-20 percent of children in the United States have a mental disorder or illness, with estimates for serious emotional disturbance ranging from 6.8-11.5 percent, according to SAMHSA. Serious emotional disturbances impair development and limit functioning in many aspects of a childs daily activities, including social interactions, family functioning, and school performance, said Heath. When mental illness goes untreated in children, they are more likely to experience negative outcomes such as not graduating from high school, unemployment, and involvement with the justice system. This pattern often continues into adulthood with these individuals using more health care and social services and accruing higher health care costs than the general population. EDWARDSVILLE The fate of the Edwardsville Shop n Save is still undecided and Schnucks officials have said both stores will remain open under the Schnucks name. At this time we will be operating both stores (the Schnucks and Shop n Save) in Edwardsville, Schnucks Spokesperson Paul Simon said. We are anticipating announcing the remaining stores later this week. In early September, the grocery chain announced that it purchased 19 Shop n Save stores in the metro St. Louis area. Shop n Saves stores in Edwardsville, Alton, Wood River, East Alton and Bethalto were purchased by Schnucks. Recently Schnucks announced the closing of nine Shop n Save in Missouri. Simon said the stores will close, be restocked and open under the Schnucks brand. In a press release, Schnucks President and COO Dave Peacock said the turnaround for opening the stores will be quick. We know that customers want to quickly return to their neighborhood store to shop for their families, so our teams will be working around the clock to transition these stores in a period of just 63 hours, Peacock said. While the transition will take place quickly, we want customers to know that on day one they expect to see fully-stocked shelves and friendly, familiar faces. Schnucks announced that the approximately 1,500 Shop n Save union-represented employees will be offered jobs at the Schnucks stores, pending background checks. A visitor to Shop n Save reported Monday limited supplies of milk and yogurt. GRAFTON Rain over the next few days is expected to push the Mississippi River to moderate flood stage in Grafton, with minor flooding above and below the village. According to the National Weather Service, at 9 p.m. Monday the Mississippi River was at 19.1 feet, slightly more than one foot above flood stage. The river is expected to continue to rise to approximately 24.1 feet by Sunday early afternoon, with the possibility of additional rises after that. The warning is based on 2-3 inches of rain received over the past 24 hours, and an additional one inch predicted for the next 48 hours, as well as heavy rain upstream. Local and federal agencies are in a wait and see mode, communicating with each other and monitoring the situation. Sue Casseau, a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in St. Louis, said at this time there is no effect on river traffic. Right now everything is operating as expected, she said, adding that the Corps, the U.S. Coast Guard, the barge industry and others are meeting and talking with each other. At Grafton, according to the NWS most of the impact of the flooding will be felt on the Missouri side of the river until it reaches about 24 feet. At that point, roads within Chataqua and Elsah begin flooding. At Hardin, the Illinois River was at 24.1 feet Monday evening, with flood stage at 25 feet. The river is expected to rise to about 29.4 feet, with minor flooding expected. At the Mel Price Lock and Dam, the river was at 18 feet at 9 p.m. Monday, and expected to rise to about 28.1 feet by Sunday evening, with minor flooding, mostly in Missouri. Casseau said at 24 feet they start preparing the locking equipment for high water. When that does happen the industry will start mooring and fleeting, she said. She noted that river traffic above Grafton will also be impacted by water levels at the Louisiana, Missouri rail bridge. At 20.18 feet, there is not enough room under the bridge for barge traffic to pass. The river is expected to crest at 23 feet on Oct. 13. Alton Fire Chief Bernie Sebold, who also serves as the citys emergency services director, said they are monitoring the situation. Ive actually got a meeting set up later this week with the public works director, he said Tuesday. We will discuss what the projections are. At this time he said they are not moving any equipment. We certainly do watch what happens in Grafton, because thats a gauge for us to what may be coming down the line, he said. Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447. Coordinate supplements for KFM clients. Ensure that content foradverts are done, ready and approved in liaison with the relevantdepartments at MPL. The Head of Sub Office is responsible foreffective and efficient management and implementation of the UN Women programmein the Karamoja sub-region, including the smooth running and management of theMoroto Field Office. She/he provides technical competence on gender equalityand womens empowerment with a holistic approach to development challengesfacing women in Karamoja. The Consultant analyzes political, social andeconomic trends and leads formulation, management, implementation andevaluation of program activities within his/her portfolio and provides policyadvisory services to partners in local government, UN and CSOs. Through theDeputy Country Representative, the Consultant provides analysis for formulationof strategies and briefings to senior management. The Regional Project Officer will work veryclosely with the Regional Director, Regional Programme Coordinator (RPC) as wellas the program staff in Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya,and Somaliland. The incumbent will manage a portfolio of projects and relatedactivities and contribute to further refine the Organizations strategy and itseffective implementation. The RPO has the responsibility to manage theprojects, contribute to the development of its programs and fundraisingactivities, maintaining contact with stakeholders, including donors, members, partnersand others. Writer-producer Vinta Nanda, best known for writing popular soap series of the 90sTarahas accused the most 'sanskari person in the film and television industry' of rape. In a Facebook post, she shares her harrowing experience 20 years ago, where the actor, who was the main male lead of Tara, brutally raped her while she was intoxicated. Though she doesn't directly name the actor in her post, all clues point at actor Alok Nath. Vinta, later confirmed to news agencies, that the actor is Alok Nath. I thought saying 'sanskari' would do the needful, she said. He was an alcoholic, shameless and obnoxious but he was also the television star of that decade, so not only was he forgiven for all his bad behaviour but many of the guys would egg him on to be his worst. My lead female actor was being harassed by him. He would mess with her on the sets and everyone would be silent. When she complained to us, we decided to let him go, she wrote in the lengthy post. Also Read: AIB co-founder Tanmay Bhat to step down amid #MeToo firestorm Recounting her 'worst' experience, she wrote that she left Alok Nath's home after a party at 2am, and that her drinks were mixed. I started to walk home on the empty streets although the distance to my own house was long. Midway I was accosted by this man who was driving his own car and he asked me to sit in it and said he would drop me home. I trusted him and sat in his car. I have faint memory after that. I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly. When I woke up the next afternoon, I was in pain. I hadnt just been raped, I was taken to my own house and had been brutalised, she wrote. Also Read: Won't work with anyone guilty of misconduct: Hrithik Roshan on Vikas Bahl In the powerful post, she calls out to all who have suffered sexual harassment in their lives. I have waited for this moment to come for 19 years. I shout out to each one of you who have suffered at the hands of predators to come out and say it aloud, she wrote. Speak out. Shout out from the top of the roof." The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite... At least six people were killed and 14 injured in a blast at a steel plant at Bhilai in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on Tuesday. The Bhilai plant is operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). The blast took place in a pipeline near the coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai, located around 30km from the state capital Raipur, a local police official told PTI. Police personnel and a rescue team rushed to the steel plant, the official said, adding that the injured were taken to a local hospital. Further details are awaited. According to the SAIL website, the Bhilai Steel Plant is India's sole producer and supplier of world-class rails for the Indian Railways, including 260m-long rails and a major producer of a large variety of wide and heavy steel plates and structural steel. With an annual production capacity of 3.153MT of saleable steel, the plant also specialises in other products such as wire rods and merchant products. In June 2014, six people were killed and more than 30 injured in an explosion at the Bhilai steel plant. Even as thousands of Hindi-speaking migrant workers have left Gujarat in the wake of violence following an alleged rape incident, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati on Tuesday demanded strong action to address the issue. There is no point in accusing each other. North Indians are not foreigners; they are citizens of our country. I appeal to the Gujarat government to take stringent action against the accused instead of doing politics on this matter, she told news agency ANI. It is sad that people who voted and made Modi ji win from Varanasi are being targeted in Gujarat, Mayawati said, while urging the Vijay Rupani-led government to take strict action against those responsible for such attacks. Over 20,000 Hindi-speaking migrants have fled the state in the last one week after a spate of attacks on them following the September 28 rape of a 14-month-old girl in a village near Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district. The accused, a Bihar native working in a local ceramic factory, was arrested the same day. However, the issue snowballed into a political slugfest involving the BJP, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Chief Minister Rupani asked whether Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will take action against his party's "own members who incited violence against the migrants in Gujarat". The BJP has been blaming Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence. Gujarat Home Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja said a total of 533 people were arrested and 61 cases registered so far. Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said top officials from the state were in constant touch with their counterparts in Gujarat and appealed to Biharis living in the western state to stay firmly where they were. Masood Azhar, leader of the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), is reported to be suffering from a life-threatening illness and has been bed-ridden for over a year, according to a Hindustan Times report. The illness is said to have affected his spinal cord and kidneys. Azhar, 50, has been confined to his bed since he underwent treatment for his condition at the Combines Military Hospital in Rawalpindi over a year ago, as per Indian intelligence officials. In Azhar's absence, the terror outfit is believed to be run by his younger brothers Rauf Asghar and Athar Ibrahim. Considered the main accused in the deadly terrorist attack at the Uri military base in 2016, Azhar founded of the JeM a terrorist group which is included in the United Nations' list of banned terrorist groups. Seventeen security personnel were killed in the attack, which has been reported as the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in recent years. Azhar is also identified as the mastermind behind the Pathankot terror attack as well. Seven soldiers were killed in the attack. India's bid to list Azhar as a global terrorist has been repeatedly blocked by veto-wielding China. Other members of the UN Security Council such as the US, UK and France have supported India's bid to designate Azhar a terrorist under the al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee. The eldest daughter of jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Misa Bharti, on Monday acknowledged that there was a rift between her brothers Tej Pratap and Tejashwi, but affirmed the party remained a big family. There have been reports over the past several months that Tej Pratap had been resentful of Tejashwi being made Lalu's successor. Latching onto Bharti's statement, the BJP alleged that the admission of infighting in the RJD would lead to the collapse of the party and its dynasty politics. Addressing RJD workers in Maner on the outskirts of Patna, Bharti asked them to give up bickering and stay united. "Even our family has witnessed a rift between two brothers but where do differences not come up? Five fingers of our hands are not equal. But the RJD is like a big family," Bharti said. "We are not lacking in support base. The challenge is to keep our flock together," she added. However, Bharti later claimed that her call for unity among party workers was presented in a distorted manner. Taking to Twitter, Bharti said, "My appeal to party workers to forget their differences and unite in the larger interest of the party is being distorted and presented out of context. Maner falls under the Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat from where Bharti had made an unsuccessful electoral debut in 2014. She got elected to the Rajya Sabha later. Bharti further warned that no "backstabbing" will be tolerated by any member of the RJD. "The time has come for you all to give up small differences and brace for the bigger challenges and do not give our opponents a chance to exploit the situation," she said. State BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said, "Misa Bharti has admitted what we all know. The RJD will crumble because of the infighting within the family that controls the party." "The BJP has been fighting against the politics of dynastic rule and corruption. The RJD embodies these evils and it will meet its fate," Anand said. Said to be a favourite of Lalu, Tejashwi was appointed the deputy chief minister of Bihar while the elder brother Tej Pratap was given a cabinet berth, after the grand alliance, of which RJD was a part, won the 2015 assembly polls in which the brothers made their electoral debut. At present, Tejashwi, viewed as more suave and savvy among the two brothers, is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly. Tej Pratap, whose mannerisms allegedly remind supporters of Lalu in his heyday, is currently on a pilgrimage in Kurukshetra. In June and July, Tej Pratap had put up posts on social media that hinted he was unhappy at Tejashwi. However, Tej Pratap soon issued clarifications and affirmed his support to Tejashwi and even went on to accuse the BJP and RSS of hacking his social media handles. Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit North Korea and said the pope would be "ardently welcomed". South Korea's president Moon Jae-in will deliver the message to the pope when he meets him during a visit to the Vatican next week. President Moon will visit the Vatican on Oct. 17 and 18 to reaffirm its blessing and support for peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, Moon's spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom, told reporters. "During the meeting with Pope Francis, he (Moon) will relay the message from chairman Kim Jong-un that he would ardently welcome the pope if he visits Pyongyang," the spokesman told a news briefing. The gesture is designed to highlight peace efforts on the Korean peninsula and probably help the two countries form formal diplomatic relations. Kim told Moon of his wish to meet the pope during last months summit of the two leaders, the spokesman added, without elaborating on the timing. The pope has said he wants to visit Japan next year. The Vatican said in a statement that the pope will receive Moon at noon (1000 GMT) on Oct. 17. The day before, in St. Peters Basilica, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and the popes second-in-command, will say a Mass for Peace on the Korean peninsula. Moon will attend the Mass, the Vatican said. North Koreas constitution guarantees freedom of religion as long as it does not undermine the state, but beyond a handful of state-controlled places of worship, no open religious activity is allowed. The invitation to the pope is the first by a North Korean leader since 2000. Although that meeting, proposed by Kims father, Kim Jong-il, never materialised, the plan for Francis to visit is the Norths latest diplomatic initiative this year. Kim held an unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June, and pledged to work toward denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its "all-weather ally" Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media in Beijing reported on Tuesday. The cost of the deal was not revealed. The Wing Loong II, a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role long-endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will also be jointly manufactured, state-run Global Times reported. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon systems to the Pakistan Army. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-17 Thunder, a single-engine multi-role combat aircraft. The announcement by China to permit the sale of high-end military drones comes in the immediate backdrop of India's move to acquire S-400 sophisticated missile defence systems from Russia. The deal was clinched during last week's visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi. The deal for the acquisition of Chinese drones was announced by the Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Global Times report said. It did not reveal the cost of the deal, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong II drones will be delivered. The air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the Wing Loong II drones, the report said. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm when the drone deal was reached. The Wing Loong II drone made its maiden flight in February last year, an earlier report by the state-run Xinhua news agency said. A Xinhua report in December last year said the Wing Loong II drone has already obtained the largest order of Chinese UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight. According to the report, the Wing Loong II system is composed of a ground control station and various numbers of drones. Within 10 months of the maiden flight of the Wing Loong II, multiple live firing tests had been conducted in accordance with the requirement of its customers, including stationary targets, moving targets, time-sensitive targets and air-ground coordination, the report said. A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong II drones, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. It makes sense the Pakistan aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators. The deal is noteworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, Song said. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost. "Chinese UAVs like Caihong series also have clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia," Song added. About the Wing Loong II drone The Wing Loong II drone is believed to have an endurance of up to 20 hours and can carry a payload of at least 500kg, including anti-tank missiles and guided bombs for attack missions. While China did not specify the first buyer, there has been speculation that the Wing Loong II drone was purchased by the UAE after the US declined the sale of armed drones. Chinese drones such as the Wing Loong II have already been used by the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the ongoing conflict in Yem -PTI Sitharaman blames UPA for bad loans, defaulters fleeing country Chennai, Oct 9 (PTI) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Tuesday blamed the Congress-led UPA regime for public and private sector banks facing huge corporate bad loans. Loans were provided without following due diligence and as a result, defaulters fled the country and the banks had no money to lend, Sitharaman said obviously referring to fugitive business barons like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. Sitharaman had also held the portfolios of corporate affairs and finance (Minister of State) and was the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Commerce and Industry. Huge loans were provided by banks at the drop of a hat "when a phone call was made," by the powers that be, the minister said, addressing a BJP traders wing meet here. Since such loans were not paid back till date, the banks faced a crunch and could not lend for new businesses. "Public and private sector banks are all facing difficulty due to this. Though policy allowed banks to provide loans, banks are not prepared to lend as they do not have money. Why this happened? she asked. Loans were provided to "acquaintances" without any assessment, scrutiny or background check to ascertain if the promoters could actually carry on the business and pay back the loan, and it was "crony capitalism," followed by the UPA regime, she alleged. "Under the guise of providing loans to do business, banks were made to lend without assessing factors like repayment capabilities, assets and expertise and they (apparently referring to Vijay Mallya and others) have departed with the money and the banks do not have money," Sitharaman said. Under such circumstances, to achieve 7.5 to 8 per cent growth (GDP) rate, several efforts have been taken by Prime Minister Modi, she said. To tackle the issue of defaulters fleeing the country after cheating banks, an enabling legsislation -The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016- was passed which envisaged attachment of properties, she said. "This law was not brought during their (UPA) regime)," she said. Defaulters fled the country in view of tough action. Still, even if defaulters had fled the country, efforts are being made to bring them back home to justice and attach their properties as well for default, she said. Sitharaman said the BJP-led Centre has given good governance and all welfare schemes have to be taken to the people. If a comparison was made between the 48 years rule of the Congress and other parties at the Centre and the BJP-led NDA for the past 48 months, she said it could be understood that what the Centre has been doing was a "herculean task." "During the 10 years of the UPA regime, they did nothing to give good governance," she said. At that time, even at the cost of "betrayal," of the country, those who held power eyed only things that could be "grabbed," and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not bothered about it even as corruption reigned, she alleged. She blamed the UPA regime for its "corrupt governance," and leaving the economy in a shambles. Sitharaman dwelt about other welfare schemes of the Centre like the 'Ayushman Bharat.' The traders's wing meet was the starting point to the Lok Sabha campaign in Tamil Nadu, she said. PTI VGN BN BN BN Mumbai, Oct 9 (PTI) "Tara" star Navneet Nishan has supported Vinta Nanda's allegations against Alok Nath while confirming the harassment she faced at the hands of the actor. Nishan said she empathises with the "terrible pain" Nanda has gone through. Without naming Nath, she said she also suffered because of this man's "power trip". "I empathise with Vinta for the terrible pain she has gone through; it is unimaginable. I dealt with the four year harassment by slapping the man in question and it is done and dusted. "l suffered the loss of the show and was further shamed by the man through media and I endured that. I fought my battles there and then. I am immensely glad that the power trip and sexual dominance coming from this power is being called out. It is high time," she told PTI. The actor said she supports every woman and man who is standing up for herself/himself in the "Me too" movement. Nanda, in a lengthy Facebook post on Monday night, accused the "most Sanskaari person", as Nath is known, of raping her more than once 19 years ago, the latest expose in the #MeToo movement sweeping India. PTI KKP SHD BK BK BK New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours: FGN23 TRUMP-SAUDI-LD KHASHOGGI US seeks thorough probe into disappearance of Saudi Journalist Khashoggi Washington: The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts. FGN16 TRUMP-2NDLD KAVANAUGH Trump apologises to Kavanaugh family for their 'terrible suffering' Washington: US President Donald Trump has apologised to new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and his family for the "terrible suffering" they had to endure, saying the "fair-minded" judge deserves a "dignified evaluation" and not a campaign based on "lies and deception". FGN14 IMF-INDIA-2NDLD GROWTH IMF projects India's growth at 7.3 per cent in 2018, 7.4 per cent next year Washington: India is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent next year, the IMF said Tuesday, predicting that the country will regain the tag of the world's fastest growing major economy this year, surpassing China with more than 0.7 percentage points. By Lalit K Jha FGN22 CHINA-PAK-LD DRONES China to sell 48 high-end armed drones to Pakistan Beijing: China will sell 48 high-end armed drones to its "all-weather ally" Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media here reported Tuesday. By K J M Varma FGN21 BANGLA-ZIA-HEALTH Khaleda Zia cannot use left hand: doctor Dhaka: Bangladesh's jailed former prime minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia can no longer use her left arm after it was paralysed and bent, her doctor has said. FGN19 CHINA-PAK-CPEC China says different voices coming from Pak on CPEC; plays down reports on investment cut Beijing: China on Tuesday played down reports of Pakistan's plans to cut down a railway project under the multi-billion dollar CPEC by USD 2 billion, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured his support to the various projects under the flagship Belt and Road Initiative. By K J M Varma PTI AMS AMS London, Oct 9 (AFP) One of the two suspects behind the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain was an intelligence operative who was personally decorated as a hero by President Vladimir Putin in 2014, investigative group Bellingcat said on Tuesday. The site said on Monday that the man, who used the alias "Alexander Petrov", was in fact Alexander Mishkin, a trained military doctor employed by Moscow's GRU military intelligence service. Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins and researcher Christo Grozev told reporters at an event in the British parliament Tuesday that they discovered Mishkin had taken part in undercover operations in Ukraine and the breakaway republic of Transnistria. Higgins and Grozev said that Mishkin was made a Hero of the Russian Federation by Putin in the autumn of 2014. People familiar with his family believed it was awarded for activities "either in Crimea or in relation to (former Ukrainian president Viktor) Yanukovych", according to their report. A popular uprising in Ukraine ousted the Moscow-backed Yanukovych, who fled the country in February 2014, and Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea a month later. The investigative group has previously identified GRU colonel Anatoly Chepiga as the other suspect behind the March poisoning attack and said that he too had received Russia's highest award the same year in a secret ceremony in the Kremlin. The two men are accused by British authorities of attempting to murder Skripal and his daughter Yulia with the Soviet-made nerve agent Novichok in the city of Salisbury in southwest England. "The findings of this investigation by Bellingcat add possibly material context to the mission of the two GRU officers to Salisbury," the report concluded. "The inclusion of a trained military doctor on the team implies that the purpose of the mission has been different than information gathering or other routine espionage activities." Using open-source records such as leaked residential, telephone and vehicle databases, the Bellingcat probe found Mishkin was born in the remote village of Loyga in northern Russia in 1979. He graduated in 2003 or 2004 from the Russian military's medical academy in St Petersburg, where he specialised in "deep underwater physiology". The researchers said that he was recruited by the GRU "at some point before 2003" and moved to Moscow in around 2009 where he adopted the identity of Alexander Petrov. Bellingcat said it reached out to hundreds of fellow graduates from the academy, and two recalled Mishkin, but added that all of the class had been contacted recently and told not to speak about him. In contrast to Chepiga, Mishkin's cover identity retained most of his authentic biographical characteristics, such as the same birth date and first names of his parents. Bellingcat said it obtained incomplete border crossing records showing Mishkin travelled -- under his undercover persona of Petrov -- multiple times to Ukraine between 2010 and 2013. They also showed he often crossed by car back and forth from Transnistria, where he stayed for short periods of time, it added. Bellingcat said its Russian investigative partner, The Insider, sent a reporter to the village of Loyga, where at least seven residents recognised photos of Petrov as "our local boy" Mishkin. The journalist heard that his grandmother had shown many villagers a photograph of Putin shaking hands with Mishkin. "The source said the grandmother treasures this photo and does not show it to everyone, and never lets anyone else hold it," the report said. Bellingcat added the reporter was not able to talk directly to the grandmother or see the photograph. Putin insisted last month that the two men identified by British police as being behind the Skripals' poisoning were not members of the GRU. "They are civilians, of course," he said, while his spokesman Dmitry Peskov labelled Bellingcat's identification of the first suspect as Chepiga "fake news". (AFP) SMJ SMJ Istanbul, Oct 9 (AFP) Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to let Turkish authorities search its Istanbul consulate as part of the investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. There has been fierce speculation over what happened to Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who wrote for Arab and Western media, after he vanished last Tuesday following a visit to the consulate to obtain official documents. While Riyadh claimed he had left the consulate after his visit, Turkish police said Khashoggi did not emerge from the building. Government sources said police believe the journalist was killed inside the consulate, claims which Riyadh dismissed as "baseless". "Saudi authorities said they were open to cooperation and that a search can be conducted at the consulate building," the Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement. The search will take place as part of the official investigation, which was being conducted "in an intense manner", he said without giving any date. Turkish police were looking into two private aircraft which landed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport on Tuesday at different times carrying 15 people of interest in the case, as well as the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and taken aboard one of the planes, local media reported. Previously the crown prince told Bloomberg that Riyadh would be ready to welcome Turkish officials to search the premises. Turan Kislakci, a friend of Khashoggi and chief of the Turkish-Arab Media Association, urged the Turkish authorities not to search the consulate. "We ask the consulate and officials to share the footage of his exit. We don't want the search or inspection of the consulate. We don't have such a demand," he told AFP. Ankara sought permission Sunday to carry out a search after the foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time, Turkish television reported. Riyadh's envoy in Ankara was first called to the ministry on Wednesday. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government adviser, had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year fearing possible arrest. He has been critical of some policies of the crown prince and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen. Police also said a team of 15 Saudis were sent to Istanbul and were in the building at the same time as Khashoggi. Turkish security officials were working to identify the 15 individuals, English-language state broadcaster TRT World reported, adding that Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have taken the consulate's CCTV footage with them when they returned to Saudi Arabia. According to pro-government daily Sabah, the team arrived in Istanbul on two private planes, one which landed after 03h00 (0000 GMT) on Tuesday while the second plane landed around 17h00 (1400 GMT) after Khashoggi entered the consulate. The individuals checked into two hotels close to the consulate, the daily said. Both planes later returned to Riyadh with one stopping in Dubai and the other in Egypt, Sabah reported, adding the police were looking into the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped. The planes belonged to a company based in Saudi Arabia which has links to the state. Istanbul police experts were analysing vehicles which entered and left the consulate, some of which were then seen on camera last Tuesday at the consul-general's residence, 200 metres away, the daily said. The newspaper also claimed that Turkish employees at the residence were "hastily" told to take a holiday on the day Khashoggi went missing. US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he was "concerned", adding: "I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully that will sort itself out." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the same day called for "a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results" of the probe. UN rights office spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, on Tuesday echoed calls for "a prompt, impartial and independent investigation of the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to keep the findings public" in comments to journalists in Geneva. "We are 100 percent behind the American position. We expect a thorough investigation and total transparency from the Saudi authorities on what happened," European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters in Lisbon. Meanwhile, in London, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt met the Saudi ambassador on Tuesday to "seek urgent answers", according to a post on Twitter. (AFP) PMS PMS Bhopal, Oct 9 (PTI) Two policemen were compulsorily retired and three officers penalised with salary cuts after an inquiry found them guilty of delaying the registration of FIR in a 2017 case of rape of an IAS aspirant, a senior official said Tuesday. The 19-year-old woman, the daughter of a Railway Protection Force personnel, was gangraped on October 31 last year by four persons near Habibganj railway station here. The woman and her kin were made to run around as officials from Habibganj Police Station and MP Nagar police station could decide not who should register the case based on crime scene jurisdiction. Following an outcry, the state government removed a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer from his post and suspended three police station incharges and two sub- inspectors. Inspector General Jaideep Prasad Tuesday imposed compulsory retirement on Sub-Inspectors Bhawani Prasad Uikey and Ramnath Tirkam, the official said. The action also included a reduction in two increments of Habibganj Police Station Inspector Ravindra Yadav and one increment of MP Nagar Police Station Incharge Sanjay Singh Bais, the official said. Habibganj Railway Police Station Incharge Mohit Saxena's salary was also reduced, the official said. The probe into police negligence was carried out by an SP-rank official, he added. The four accused in the rape case were convicted and sentenced to life in jail by a local court on December 23 last year. PTI MAS ADU BNM AAR Patna, Oct 9 (PTI) A day after Lalu Prasad's eldest daughter Misa Bharti caused a flutter with her comments about "rift" between her two brothers, her younger sibling Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday asserted there was no infighting in his family, even as Tejashwi ducked questions on the issue. While Tej Pratap took to Twitter to categorically deny any right within the family, Tejashwi, former deputy chief minister and currently leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly, was posed with questions by journalists on the comments his sister made in Maner near here on Monday. Yadav, who is normally known to be media savvy, avoided any direct answer and rushed to his car saying, "I do not know anything about this matter. I have nothing to say". Addressing party workers in Maner on the outskirts of Patna, RJD's Rajya Sabha member Bharti had asked them to give up bickering and stay united. "Even our family has witnessed a rift between two brothers but where do differences not come up? Five fingers of our hands are not equal. But the RJD is like a big family," Bharti said. "We are not lacking in support base. The challenge is to keep our flock together," she added. Hours after her comments created a flutter in political circles, Bharti tweeted that her words were being quoted out of context. "I strongly deny the news item (about her acknowledging a rift within the family)," she said. Maner forms part of Patliputra Lok Sabha seat from where Misa Bharti had lost to union minister of state Ramkripal Yadav in 2014 poll. Tej Pratap Yadav, whose cryptic remarks in the recent past have given rise to the speculation that he shared an uneasy relationship with his brother Tejashwi, blamed the opposition parties and the media for the confusion. "The opposition as well as the media immensely enjoy searching for bad blood within the Lalu family. You may live in illusions, we are happy. But you are in for a huge disappointment there is no rift, neither in Lalu family, nor in the bigger RJD family", Yadav tweeted. Facing electoral disqualification following conviction in cases of multi-crore fodder scam, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has been working to establish his children in politics to carry the legacy. Tejashwi is seen by many as Lalu's heir apparent and was deputy chief minister when RJD was in power as part of the grand alliance government in the state and has been leader of opposition after that government collapsed. Tej Pratap, who was health minister in the grand alliance government, is an MLA from Mahua in Vaishali district. Misa Bharti, the eldest of the nine children of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, became a Rajya Sabha member after losing Lok Sabha elections. RJD national vice president Shivanand Tiwary also issued a statement to clarify Bharti's statement, saying "a general remark" by her that "rift was common among brothers in families was made to appear as if she was speaking about her own family". However, BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand took potshots at Bharti with a series of tweets. In one of the tweets, he asked, "Why are you so afraid of your little brother that you have to issue a denial? Had your family not discriminated against its daughters, you would have been the RJD's de facto leader and not Tejashwi Yadav". Sanjay Singh, spokesman of the JD(U) which shares power in the state with the BJP, tweeted, "The infighting in the family will soon spill over and engulf the entire party. The RJD will be divided into several factions headed by Tejashwi, Tej Pratap, Misa and Rabri Devi". PTI NAC SNS BJ BJ New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Recalling the 2009 "underwear bomber", who attempted to blow up a Amsterdam-detroit flight mid-air, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Tuesday terrorists are pushing their "limits" and "underpants" to attack global civil aviation operations. Singh also said closer to home, ensuring security of about 40 small airports and heliports in India is a subject that cannot be "ignored". "The civil aviation sector is highly sensitive and high profile in nature. It also gets worldwide attention when hit by any attack. Often these incidents have geopolitical ramifications," he said after inaugurating a two-day seminar on 'international aviation security' here. "The case of the shoe bomber in 2001, the use of liquid explosives in London in 2006 and the case of the underwear bomber in Amsterdam in 2009, clearly indicate that terrorists are pushing the limits and even their underpants to hit the aviation sector," Singh said. On Christmas Day in 2009, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to blow up a commercial plane for the al-Qaeda, but was badly burned when a bomb sewn into his underwear failed to detonate fully on-board a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Farouk earned the nicknames of underwear bomber and Christmas Day bomber. The minister also asked aviation security agencies in the country to undertake "perspective planning" to thwart possible terror-like threats to aviation facilities. Security agencies such as the CISF should undertake "untiring and sincere efforts to maintain fool-proof security" at airports, which are thronged by lakhs of travellers daily, Singh said. The seminar is being organised by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a federal force that guards 60 civil airports at present. It is being attended by delegates from 18 countries and several airlines. Civil aviation security continues to be an extremely challenging task as the sector remains an important target for terror outfits. Terrorists always look for opportunities to draw maximum attention and media coverage, he said. Subsequently, Singh spoke about the domestic scenario. "There are 40 other operational airports and heliports under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) in India, which are guarded by airport security units carved out from the respective state police forces. "The strength of any claim is determined by the strength of its smallest unit, therefore the security of the smaller airports should never be ignored," Singh said. Officials said while there has been a talk of deploying CISF personnel at airports under the RCS or UDAN scheme, no "final decision" has been taken. These facilities continue to be guarded by state police forces, which are not as professional as the central force, in rendering aviation security duties, they said. The minister said the attacks on the Brussels and Istanbul airports (in 2016) have shown the vulnerability of airports, especially from the city side, and it highlights new threats to aviation facilities. "There have been several terror attacks on the aviation sector till date, the most devastating being the September 2001 attack (in the US) that shocked the world..." he said. Singh said it was essential to innovate and think new to meet evolving threats to aviation security. "We have come up with an adequate set of infrastructure at airports which commensurate with the increased number of air passengers. But, there are still many challenges and vulnerabilities. Therefore, we need perspective planing, more international cooperation and better coordination," he said. "We should adhere to stricter implementation of internationally agreed guidelines and norms, and induction of updated advanced technology in all airports would enhance our security capabilities, Singh said. "The governments and aviation agencies have to increasingly think about newer methods to tackle conventional and un-conventional threats," he added. The home minister spoke about some legal measures taken by his government to ensure safety in the aviation sector. "We have upgraded our anti-hijacking mechanisms since 1999 by refining our strengths and rectifying our weaknesses. Keeping the threat of aircraft hijacking by terrorists in mind, India has reviewed its preparedness towards such exigencies," he said. Singh said the CISF has undertaken untiring and sincere efforts to maintain fool-proof security at the airports under its guard. The 9/11 (2001 attack on the twin towers in the US) and the Kandahar (hijack of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999) have taught us many lessons, he said. The CISF was entrusted with airports security in the 2000, in the aftermath of the Kandahar incident. The force was raised in 1969 and has about 1.45 lakh personnel in its ranks at present. About 22,000 of the total CISF personnel are deployed for airport security duties across the country. The minister advised all stakeholders, especially the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (the national aviation security regulator) and the CISF, to infuse new technology for aviation security and ensure a judicious blend of trained human resources and modern security infrastructure. Fool-proof security warrants cooperation between different stakeholders, he said. PTI NES NES ANB ANB Dholpur/Bharatpur, Oct 9 (PTI) A combative Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging he gave "brooms to the poor" in the name of the 'Swacch Bharat' Mission while allowing his industrialist "friends to clean money from the banks". Gandhi also levelled a slew of allegations at the BJP-led Centre claiming it failed to provide relief to debt-saddled farmers while wreaking havoc on the economy with his demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) moves. He also accused the prime minister of insulting the people by belittling what the country had achieved in the last 70 years. The Congress president began a roadshow from eastern Rajasthan's Dholpur district, considered the home turf of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, aiming to boost his party's prospects in the assembly elections slated for December 7. Beginning the road show in Mania town, which shares border with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress chief levelled allegations against the government on a range of issues ranging from the Rafale deal, law and order, and even the attack on people from other states in Gujarat . Gandhi said it was not a party or a person but the people who by the dint of their hard work made India stand up after independence. "They were your parents and grandparents who put in efforts to make India stand but Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that nothing was done in the last 70 years. He says everything happened only after he came to power. How arrogant this person is," charged Gandhi at a public meeting in Bayana town of Bharatpur during his 150-km long road show. The Congress chief in his public meetings during the road show also said while Modi gave "brooms to the poor and asked them to clean India under Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and at the same time, he asked top 15-20 industrialists to clean money from banks". Attacking the Centre's economic and agricultural polices, he said "not a single rupee of farmers' loans was waived by the Modi government" while the Make-In-India campaign has "failed" with even phones and T-shirts being outsourced from China. The Congress wants phones to be made in India with the tag of 'made in Dholpur,' he said. Gandhi said the prime minister during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls had said he wanted to be a 'chowkidar' but never clarified for whom. "Now people are laughing. He never told that whose chowkidar he wanted to be. They got to know later that Anil Ambani is being protected," alleged Gandhi. Ambani-led Reliance Industries has already rejected Congress' allegations. In Rajasthan, Gandhi alleged that Modi benefitted 15-20 top industrialists of the country instead of the farmers. The Congress president reiterated his allegation on the Rafale deal that the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited was ignored and an "industrialist friend" benefitted from the deal which he claimed was finalised at higher prices compared to rates decided by the former UPA government. He also alleged that people like Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya had benefitted under the present dispensation. Gandhi claimed that Vijay Mallya had alleged he had met Union minister Arun Jaitley before leaving the country. Significantly, Jaitley has rubbished any charges of impropriety. Gandhi claimed the former UPA government waived off farmers' loans worth Rs 70,000 crore but even as bad debt worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore were written off by the present government, not even Rs 1 of farmers was waived. "Former UPA government gave MGNREGA, brought tribal bill, rights of food and information, meal to students in schools, waived off farmers' loan worth Rs 70,000 crore. In Rajasthan, the Ashok Gehlot government introduced free medicine schemes but what Narendra Modi and Vasundhara Raje governments did for the poor? he asked. I went to the prime minster's office only once and that too to raise farmers' issues but the PM remained silent and did not utter a single word, he claimed. "Demonetisation and GST have finished the country's economy," he said continuing the attack. Referring to law and order issues, Gandhi alleged, "A BJP MLA allegedly raped a woman in UP but the prime minister did not utter a word. They say Beti Bachao, they have forgotten Beti Padhao...BJP se Bachao (save from the BJP)," he said taking a jibe. Speaking about attack on migrants in Gujarat, he said youths from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were being attacked and forced to leave. Youth trusted Modi but Modi betrayed their trust, he charged. Gandhi exuded confidence that the Congress would win the assembly elections in Rajasthan. He said the Congress government in the state will work as per people's 'Mann ki Baat'. Gandhi also urged people to form a Congress government at the Centre which would work for the poor, farmers and youths. He said people should try making RSS and BJP understand that there is no benefit in "dividing" the country. Congress state chief Sachin Pilot targeted Raje, saying she announced free electricity to farmers half an hour before the model code of conduct came in force and asked where she was for over four and a half years. Former CM Ashok Gehlot and other leaders were also present. PTI Corr SDA AG ADS ADS New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) The NHRC has sent a notice to the Bihar government and DGP in connection with over 30 girl students being beaten up by a mob after they protested against lewd comments on a wall allegedly written by boys of a neighbouring school in Supaul district. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in a statement Tuesday said it has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports, according to which, the mob had "a free run", vandalising the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), which is exclusively for the girls belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBC and minority communities. "On October 6, at least 34 girl students of in Supaul district of Bihar were brutally beaten up by some local youths when they opposed their routine sexual advances and lewd comments. "Their tormentors included students of the adjacent Middle School and their parents," the rights panel said. The commission said it has issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP) of Bihar, seeking a detailed report in the matter, including status of medical treatment of the injured students, measures taken to step up security at residential schools and action taken against the unruly group of people named in the complaint. "Going by the media reports, it is apparent from the sequence of incident that there is serious security lapse at the girls' school, where the miscreants entered at their free will, committed the brutal act and fled from the spot," the NHRC said. "The administration should have taken timely action when the issue was raised by the girl students regarding routine sexual advances by the local youths. The victim girls have been beaten up when they were in the custody of a government-run hostel school," it said. The incident has raised issue of safety of the girl students studying in the state-run residential schools, the rights panel said. The incident occurred Saturday evening when the girl students of the residential school were playing within the campus. "Both the schools are in the same campus with separate buildings and a common playground. "The boys allegedly wrote some lewd comments on the wall of the girls school, which the minor girls resisted and beat up the boys before chasing them away, Supaul District Magistrate Baidyanath Yadav had earlier said. The Middle School boys, all minors, narrated the incident to their parents, following which their mothers teamed up with other villagers and entered the school premises and attacked the girls, Yadav said. The NHRC said, "The boys called their parents and got the girls beaten up with sticks and rods." "It is mentioned in the news reports that the injured girl students were first taken to primary health centre but they were so badly injured that two of them had to be taken to Supaul Sadar Hospital, while 32 other students of Class 6 to 8 were sent to Triveniganj Referral Hospital," the statement said. The warden alerted the security guard and called up the local administration but the "miscreants were able to flee from the spot," it said. "The Superintendent of Police, Supaul has reportedly stated that KGBV authorities have named nine people in their complaint and two of them have been arrested. Four persons have been detained for interrogation and others are absconding," the statament said. Reportedly, the state's education minister has assured that the Education Department will take steps to ensure the safety of the girls in the school, especially the residential ones, it said. PTI KND ANB ANB New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Karnataka Health Minister Shivanand S Patil Tuesday met his Union Health Minister J P Nadda and urged him to include aplastic anaemia in the PMJAY. The aplastic anaemia disease is rare but a serious blood disorder, in which the bone marrow stops making new blood cells. The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) was recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Jharkhand. In a representation made to the centre, Patil said people suffering from the aplastic anaemia disease are required to undergo bone marrow transplantation or repeated blood transfusion. "Empathising with the patients, I request your good self to include aplastic anaemia in the list of the Ayushman Bharat scheme," he said. With increase in such kind of diseases and growing nuclear family, both the centre and state governments should support the patients, he said. The PMJAY aims to provide a coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10.74 crore poor families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation through a network of empanelled health care providers. PTI LUX LUX ANB ANB Jaipur, Oct 9 (PTI) Holding Congress responsible for migrants' exodus from Gujarat, Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi Tuesday said the party was trying to destroy the social harmony of the country. Chauturvedi's made the allegation after Congress President Rahul Gandhi told a public rally at Mania in Dholpur district that youths from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were being attacked and forced to leave Gujarat. "Gandhi should answer when will the Congress dismiss its MLA Alpesh Thakor who conspired to break the social warp and weft and unity of the country," Chaturvedi asked at a press conference here. Thakor, the Congress MLA from Radhanpur, stoked the fire of parochialism, said the minister, adding he exhorted the Thakor community to agitate for justice for the 14-month-old girl who was allegedly raped in Himmatnagar of Gujarat. A video of Thakor making a provocative speech against migrants had gone viral on social media. Chaturvedi alleged that Thakor attacked poor labourers in a pre-planned manner, while the Congress was watching the entire episode silently. It seems Thakor has the support of his party and his people were perpetrating hate, he added. The Congress president earlier supported those raising 'Bharat Tere Tukde Honge Inshallah Inshallah' slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University and was now sheltering Congress MLA Thakor, who fomenting violence against people of other states, he said. PTI AG RAX RAX (Eds: Adds fresh inputs, reax, background) Chennai, Oct 9 (PTI) A well-known editor of a Tamil weekly was arrested Tuesday following a complaint from the Raj Bhavan over a series of articles that allegedly had damaging references to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, official sources said. Senior journalist R Gopal, who heads the magazine Nakkheeran and had written articles on a sex scandal involving a woman college teacher, was picked up by a police team from the airport here when he was on way to Pune, they said. Gopal was arrested under Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to "assaulting President, Governor etc with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power", the sources said. They said the action was taken on a complaint from the Raj Bhavan over the articles in the magazine since April last related to an assistant professor of a private college in Virudhunagar district allegedly asking girl students to extend sexual favours to officials in return for marks and money. The arrest of Gopal, who shot to limelight when he negotiated with forest brigand Veerappan for the release of Kannada thespian Rajkumar in 2000, was condemned by principal opposition DMK and other parties which alleged that an "undeclared emergency" has been imposed in the state. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan claimed there was a "conspiracy" to "implicate" the Governor in the sex scandal case as several politicians' feared their career could be doomed if the entire truth came out. AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran defended the police action, saying there was no place for "defamatory" writings. Assistant professor Nirmala Devi of the college in Aruppukottai, affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University, was arrested in connection with the case. The scandal came to light in April this year after an audio tape of purported conversation between Nirmala Devi and some students surfaced. Reacting to the professor claiming in her audio that she knew the Governor and had access to him, Purohit had rejected her claim and said he did not know her. The Governor had ordered an inquiry by a retired IAS officer to look into the scandal in his capacity as the chancellor of universities. Condemning the arrest of Gopal, DMK President M K Stalin hit out at the Governor and AIADMK government for "imposing an undeclared Emergency and threatening media freedom." The arrest had been made for writing articles on an arrested professor. "What is happening in Tamil Nadu?" he asked expressing shock over the police action. "Is Tamil Nadu a democratic state? The corrupt AIADMK government and the Governor have imposed an undeclared emergency and threatening media freedom," he alleged. The DMK chief, who called on Gopal at a hospital where he was taken after arrest, sought withdrawal of the case and his release immediately. Leaders of PMK, CPIM, CPI, Makkal Neethi Maiam leader actor Kamal Haasan, MDMK chief Vaiko among others slammed the arrest of Gopal. Talking to reporters in Chennai, Radhakrishnan said: "...there are fears that if the matter came to the light, the political life of many politicians will become a question mark. So there there is a big conspiracy." "There is a big conspiracy to implicate the Governor and make allegations against him," he said. The Minister recalled that a one-man inquiry commission headed by retired IAS officer R Santhanam appointed by Purohit was yet to complete its probe and file a report. Dhinakaran said he saw nothing wrong in the arrest. "I don't feel this is wrong. If someone spreads false charges (against Governor), police has the authority to act against them," he told reporters in Tiruchirappalli. Media was the fourth pillar of democracy, he said, indicating it should use its freedom of expression carefully. The Madras Reporters Guild and Madras Union of Journalists and Chennai Press Club condemned the arrest as "reprehensible, undemocratic and against the canons of free speech and expression." "It is open to the police or government to file a case against any journalist or media organisation. But to arrest a journalist as a first step of the investigation is uncalled for and totally unnecessary," the guild said in a statement. Meanwhile, Vaiko, denied permission to meet Gopal at a police station where the journalist was taken, staged an impromptu dharna against the police. He was later detained and moved to a nearby marriage hall, police said.PTI SA SS VS RCJ Amritsar, Oct 9 (PTI) Senior Akali leader and Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said Tuesday it was necessary for SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to "introspect" in the larger interest of the party. Dhindsa had resigned last month as the SAD secretary general and from the party's core committee, citing health reasons. "Time has come for introspection for party president Sukhbir Singh Badal as it is utmost necessary in the larger interest of party," he told media here. He paid obeisance at Golden Temple here. It was his first visit to Amritsar, ever since he resigned from all party posts, and after skipping the party's rally in Patiala on Sunday. He said Sukhbir should shun "hegemony" and sit with his own partymen to hold talks with them "heart-to-heart". He said the party also needs to take some vital decision as far as Sikh religious affairs are concerned. On the incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in the past, he said the party did what it could, but nobody was aware of the future outcome. PTI JMS VSD CK Ahmedabad, Oct 9 (PTI) Under fire over the attacks on Hindi-speaking migrants in Gujarat, Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor Tuesday shot off letters to the Chief Ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh claiming he or his outfit were not involved in the violence that has triggered an exodus. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been blaming Thakor and his outfit Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence. The outfit's name also figures in some of the FIRs filed in connection with the attacks which started after a native of Bihar was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28. The girl hails from the Thakor community. The letters, having similar content, were addressed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar. Most of the migrants leaving Gujarat after a spate of attacks on them are from these two states. In the letters, Thakor said he was only demanding justice for the rape victim but "some people" have politicised the issue. The Congress legislator claimed people from Bihar and UP were leaving Gujarat by "blindly believing rumours" and termed the attacks as a "well-planned strategy". "North Indians have started leaving Gujarat during the last few days. They are doing as they are blindly believing some rumours. An atmosphere of mistrust is being created. This is not a good sign for a civil society," Thakor said in the letters. "Every person of UP/Bihar, who comes to Gujarat with lots of expectations, are my brothers. Their families are my families," he added. "The entire issue was about rape on a 14-month-old girl. I was only trying to get justice for the daughter of my community. But, the issue was given political colour by some people. Attacks carried out on the people of UP/Bihar as part of a well-planned strategy," the Congress MLA said. Thakor claimed he or members of his outfit were not involved in such attacks. He even invited both the CMs to attend his 'Sadbhavna Upavas' (goodwill fast) here on October 11. "I am of the opinion that action must be taken (against) anyone who was guilty of carrying out (the) attacks. I think the Thakor Sena is wrongfully dragged in this. "Truth is that I or my outfit were not involved in such incidents," Thakor said in the letters. Since the child's rape in a village in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. The BJP has accused the Congress of instigating violence against the migrants and demanded that party chief Rahul Gandhi expel Thakor for his alleged "venomous" speeches to incite locals. Shyam Singh Thakur, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, an outfit of north Indians in Gujarat, said more than 60,000 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers have fled the state so far. PTI PJT PD RSY RHL Bengaluru, Oct 9 (PTI) The ruling Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka Tuesday announced its decision to put up a united fight against the BJP in the November 3 bypolls to three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats. After meeting JDS leaders here late tonight, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said both the parties would conduct a joint campaign and fight the polls to defeat the BJP. "....we will fight the election together and make sure that all the five seats will go in favour of the Congress-JDS alliance," Venugopal, who is in charge of party affairs in Karnataka, told reporters. "Secular parties should come together for defeating the BJP is the message," he said. Former prime minister and JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda, his party secretary general Danish Ali, KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and former chief minister and Congress-JDS coordination committee head Siddaramaiah were present at the meeting. The Congress would fight in Bellary and Shimoga Lok Sabha constituencies and the JDS in Mandya, its traditional stronghold in the Vokkaliga belt in the old Mysuru region. For the assembly bypolls, the Congress will contest from Jamakhandi and the JDS from Ramanagara, which Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had won but gave up after retaining Channapatna, the other segment bagged by him in the Assembly elections. The Election Commission had on Saturday announced the bypolls to Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha constituencies, and to Ramanagara and Jamkhandi assembly segments. Counting of votes will be on November 6. Bypolls were necessitated after BJP's B S Yeddyurappa (Shimoga) and B Sriramalu (Bellary), and C S Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May this year. Bypolls to Jamkhandi assembly seat was caused by the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, while Ramanagara fell vacant after Kumaraswamy gave up the seat preferring Chennapatna. PTI KSU RA AAR Noida (UP), Oct 9 (PTI) A family from Delhi Tuesday accused a private hospital here of negligence in treatment which resulted in the death of their three-year-old child, police said. In a complaint at the Sector 20 police station, the family, residing in New Ashok Nagar, Delhi, said they had taken the child to the Apollo Hospitals in Sector 26, Noida, after he complained of stomach ache and fever on September 7. Diwakar Prasad Singh, the maternal uncle of the child, told PTI that the hospital suggested that the child be kept under observation for two days. "During this period, multiple tests including ultrasound were done but nothing critical was reported. But they were negligent in the use of the needle during treatment which led to the deterioration of his health," he said, and alleged that the child was left thirsty for a long time in the hospital. Claiming negligence in administering injections to the boy, Singh said when the situation worsened, the doctors suggested that child be shifted to the Apollo Hospitals in Jasola, Delhi. "The hospital in Sector 26 did not have ventilator facility so they suggested the move," Singh, a consultant in Information Technology sector, claimed. He said for the next two days the doctors could not specify what was wrong with the child and then the family decided to shift him to Ram Manohar Lohiya (RML) Hospital in Delhi, where he passed away. Apollo Hospitals, however, said the family decided to shift the patient to another facility against their advice. "The child was admitted at our Noida facility and given the condition subsequently transferred to Delhi for management. The family decided to shift the patient to another facility against our medical advice. We condole the passing away of the child and express our emotional solidarity with the family," the hospital said in a statement to PTI. The child's uncle said they had first approached the police in Delhi and were then told to make a complaint in Noida because the hospital where they first took the child is here. The Noida police said the family reached them Tuesday with their complaint and the matter has been referred to the chief medical officer of the district hospital for probe. "In such cases, the matter is first referred to the district hospital where a medical committee determines if the hospital is at fault," Inspector Manoj Kumar Pant, in charge of the Sector 20 police station, told PTI. "We will also submit a report after a preliminary probe," he added. PTI KIS CK I plan to take the 25 per cent tax free lump sum from my pension in the next six months. Do you think the 25 per cent tax free lump sum is at risk in the Budget? If there were changes, when would they come into effect? Can I wait and see what happens in the Budget and still have time to take the lump sum at 25 per cent should it be changed or do I need to take a view now as to whether I need to take action in October to ensure I benefit from the lump sum at 25 per cent? SCROLL DOWN TO FIND OUT HOW TO ASK YOUR PENSION QUESTION Budget risk: Will the Chancellor axe the 25% tax free lump sum in the Budget, and if so will it take effect immediately? Steve Webb replies: Ahead of every Budget there is always speculation that the Chancellor will make major changes to pension tax relief. Given that there have been six separate cuts to the limits for pension tax relief since 2010, this is hardly surprising. But in my view the chance of the Chancellor doing something as radical as scrapping or capping 25 per cent tax free lump sums, especially for those close to retirement, is close to zero. The ability to take a quarter of your pension as a tax free lump sum is one of the most attractive features of the pension system. Steve Webb: Find out how to ask the former Pensions Minister a question about your retirement savings in the box below There is no doubt that the Treasury would be keen to find a way to reduce this tax perk if they could. As long ago as the 1980s the former Chancellor Nigel Lawson admitted in a Budget speech that he had considered taking action. But he told MPs he had decided not to touch what he called 'the much loved but anomalous' tax free lump sum. The reasons for this are mainly to do with politics. Pretty much everyone who is building up a pension can look forward to a tax free lump sum. With nearly ten million more people automatically enrolled into pensions since 2012, there are even more people who are now set to benefit from this option. Although many of these people only have tiny pension pots at the moment, they may be looking forward to a time when they have a bigger pot and the chance of a lump sum, and they would not thank a Chancellor who took it away. At the other end of the age scale, there are those who are coming up to retirement for whom a tax free lump sum is a crucial part of their financial planning. For example, there are many people who still have a balance to pay off on their mortgage, especially if they have an 'interest only' mortgage. The tax free cash may have been earmarked for this purpose and it would be totally unacceptable if the rules were to change at the last minute. Given that the Chancellor only has a majority in Parliament with the aid of the Democratic Unionist Party, only a handful of people on his own back benches voting against a Budget measure would see him lose the vote, and an attack on tax free cash would be sure to generate a rebellion. If there were to be any changes, I think that they would be gradual, and therefore someone such as yourself who was about to draw their tax free cash would be extremely unlikely to be affected. One possibility is that at some point there could be a limit on how much tax free cash you can draw. This is an idea that is starting to be floated by 'think tanks' such as the Resolution Foundation who recently advocated a cap of just 42,000 on tax free lump sums. This sort of figure would cause a political storm and simply will not happen in the short-term. But you could imagine a future Chancellor, perhaps in a different government, introducing some sort of cap on tax free cash. It would probably start relatively high and be set at such a level that it would affect relatively few people. But each year it might be gradually lowered until it made a significant difference. This is, of course, all speculation. In the short term, I think that there is virtually no chance of a major change on tax free cash in the October 2018 Budget. And even if there were, there would almost certainly have to be transitional arrangements to protect those who were already very advanced in their retirement planning. Ultimately you will need to decide when you want to access your lump sum, but my own view would be that there is no need to rush to do so. Anixter International Inc., through its subsidiary, Anixter Inc., distributes enterprise cabling and security solutions, electrical and electronic wire and cable solutions, and utility power solutions worldwide. 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The opportunities for sensory overload are always there: Will the place be too loud? Will the crowd be a little too unruly? Last spring, Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, became the first zoo in the country to earn certification as a Certified Autism Center. The designation, given by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, is awarded to organizations who have completed a training and review process with the goal to better serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs, noted the zoos executive director Al Zone. We are extremely excited to be the first zoo to offer its guests on the spectrum services that are tailored to their needs, Zone said. We know that the interactions our guests have with our animals can be so rewarding; we thank the IBCCES for helping us to extend these same experiences to an under-served community, and theres no doubt that they will truly benefit from this inclusion. In keeping with that mission of consistently offering inclusive events for its guests with special sensory needs, Elmwood Park Zoo will host its first-ever Halloween event geared specifically for guests with special needs on Friday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. Boo Just For You is a sneak preview of the zoos Boo at the Zoo Halloween-themed weekend events, and will feature treat stations, a costume parade, and special animal meet-and-greets. We are excited to be hosting our first ever Boo Just For You for our guests with special needs, said Laura Houston, Director of Education at Elmwood Park Zoo. We understand that Halloween can be a challenging time for children with special needs, so we wanted to provide a unique opportunity for them to celebrate the fun of the holiday in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Thanks to Crazy Aarons Puttyworld, a Norristown business known for manufacturing and supplying its unique Thinking Putty to stores all over the country, the first 100 guests to register online for Boo Just For You can do so free of charge, a press release noted. Crazy Aarons Puttyworld has also donated items to be included in the zoos Sensory Backpacks, which will be filled with useful items tailored for individuals and groups with special needs and will be available at the zoo later this year. Tickets for Boo Just For You are available to purchase online at eventsatepz.com. Personal care attendants and/or one-on-one aids may enter the event free of charge. Following the early Halloween festivities, Elmwood Park Zoo will host the 13th Annual Run Wild 5K & 1 Mile Animal Safari Walk on Sunday, Oct. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. The 5K and 1 Mile Walk Registration fees are $30, adults; $15, ages 7 to 19; free for age 6 and under. Registration for the rain or shine event begins at 8 a.m. To pre-register, visit http://www.runtheday.com/register/detail/run-wild-1 The 5K certified course winds through the surrounding neighborhoods and ends at the zoo. Chip Timing by Run the Day. Free admission to the family-friendly zoo with registration, with free T-shirts to all who register. Proceeds benefit RSVP childrens programs and Zoo Conservation RSVP, a nonprofit organization, provides volunteer opportunities to adults in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties and throughout the region. These activities focus on important community needs, such as helping veterans, the elderly, disadvantaged preschool children and at-risk youth. RSVP volunteers also assist museums, historic sites and other nonprofits throughout the Delaware Valley. For more information visit www.rsvpmc.org. Whether the recent, one-and-only gubernatorial debate between Gov. Tom Wolf and Scott Wagner was actually a debate is well up for debate. Both candidates had very little time to discuss the issues most important to Pennsylvanians: well-paying jobs, access to quality healthcare, excellent schools, a fair tax system, and a government that helps not hinders opportunity. Yet, because Gov. Wolf has refused all other debate invitations, his recent performance along with his campaign ads are all most Pennsylvanians will see of him before the election. This is to his benefit, because on paper and on screen Wolf in many ways seems like a great candidate. He touts policies to empower businesses to grow, enable children to access a great education, help individuals land solid jobs, and spark economic growth. And he claims a record of fiscal responsibility an irony not lost on those who have followed his budgetary antics. Unfortunately, campaign ads can be doctored, and Candidate Wolf is a far cry from Governor Wolf who for nearly four years has road-blocked reforms, handed out taxpayer-funded favors to special interests at the expense of hardworking families, spent beyond the states means, and sought repeatedly to force the private citizens of Pennsylvania to pay for the privileges of the few. Consider, for example, Candidate Wolf the reformer claiming to stand up to lobbyists and special interests. This sounds appealing, but Gov. Wolf has a different record. Since 2013-14, Wolf has accepted nearly $10 million in campaign contributions from government union leaders, whose interests are represented by 90 registered lobbyists in Harrisburg. In fact, Pennsylvanias largest school employee union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, benefits from even greater influence on the governor through his Chief of Staff, a former SEIU union organizer and the spouse of a current PSEA lobbyist. PSEA and SEIU, by the way, are Wolfs two largest single campaign contributors. While enjoying this campaign cash influx, Gov. Wolf consistently sides with these lobbyists on myriad issues, including opposing the expansion of educational opportunities for students, vetoing full liquor privatization, supporting broad based and punitive tax increases, opposing worker freedom to join or not join a union without penalty, and vetoing real pension reform to curb school property tax increases. Meanwhile, Wolf has negotiated billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded contracts with these same special-interest donors all behind closed doors forcing hardworking Pennsylvanians to fund generous benefits union leaders demand, all while taxpayers dont have access to these same health and retirement benefits in the private sector. Or consider Candidate Wolf the small business governor. He takes credit for making it easier for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. A move worthy of praise if only it were true. Far from being a friend to small business, Gov. Wolf has sought to impose higher costs on businesses, even supporting policies that would force businesses to lay off workers or close their doors entirely. In 2016, he imposed a 40 percent retroactive tax on Pennsylvanias vape shops, forcing approximately 100 shops and 100 percent of their employees or nearly one-third of all these businesses in Pennsylvania out of business and out of jobs. Additionally, when recent federal tax cuts helped encourage investment by letting businesses fully deduct new purchases, Gov. Wolfs Department of Revenue passed a rule actively denying Pennsylvania businesses this benefit something no other governor in America tried to do. Then, there is Candidate Wolf the job creator whos made job growth a core of his campaign. But Gov. Wolfs record is quite different. Pennsylvania continues to lag the nation in job growth while consistently maintaining a higher unemployment rate than most states. The Independent Fiscal Office projected Wolfs plan to mandate a higher minimum wage would cost 33,000 jobs. Additionally, a separate analysis found Gov. Wolfs attempt to raise the personal income tax from 3.07 percent to more than 3.30 percent would cost the creation of more than 6,500 jobs. Finally, as a candidate, Wolf has touted his work to combat opioid abuse. Yet, as governor, he vetoed a bill targeting opioid over-prescription after receiving $1.1 million from a group tied to the very lawyers who lobbied against the bill. Soon after Wolfs veto, this same group gave him another $500,000. In many ways, Wolfs slick TV ads present a picture of the governor we wish we had. But its not the governor we do have. Should Wolfs campaign persona earn him a second term, we hope the governor we get is different from the governor weve had the past four years. Because campaign rhetoric may get Wolf through a single 45-minute non-debate and even net an election-night victory, but for all Pennsylvanians to win, we need a governor who works for the people he serves, not for the special interests who fill his campaign coffers and fight reform at every turn. Matthew Brouillette is president and CEO of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs and host of Brews & Views podcast. For more information, visit www.thecommonwealthpartners.com A move by the administration of President Donald Trump to help Midwestern farmers sell more corn could end up making smog more common in the summertime air of New York. The president was expected to announce late Tuesday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will end its ban on the summertime sale of E15, a blend of gasoline and corn ethanol. Up to now, such sales have been barred because E15, which is 15 percent ethanol, compared to the 10 percent in the E10 blend that currently is sold year-round, contributes to more smog during hotter summer months. The change is opposed by an unusual political alliance of environmentalists, who oppose the environmental damage, and the fossil fuel industry, which does not want to see more gasoline displaced with corn ethanol. Some Trump critics see the loosening of ethanol regulations as a bid to help support GOP congressional candidates in Iowa, the nation's largest corn-producing state, and elsewhere in the Midwest. "Sadly, it seems corn is more important than health to this administration, with this move being the latest chapter in their war on our lungs," said Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York, an Albany-based lobbying group. "Not only will this lead to more summertime smog, it will also imperil wildlife, create more algal blooms, and drive up your household energy bill to boot." Ethanol combustion releases elevated levels of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, both of which form smog in the air when exposed to sunlight and high temperatures. Last week, 20 U.S. Senators, many from states with fossil fuel interests, wrote to President Trump to oppose the move, saying it would harm the refinery industry, worsen air quality and potentially damage engines in vehicles and small equipment like lawn mowers that are not designed to use the higher ethanol fuel. Signed by 16 Republicans and four Democrats, that letter said a measure that "favors only one industry stakeholder is misguided." It continued that "millions of vehicles approved for E15 by EPA are susceptible to engine and fuel system damage." EPA has approved E15 for light-duty vehicles since 2001, but some car makers have said use of the fuel could void warranties. During earlier debates on E15 in 2013 and 2015, the American Automobile Association also warned that widespread use of the fuel blend posed a threat to some vehicle engines, especially in older vehicles. In December 2015, AAA President and CEO Marshall Doney said use of E15 "can void (vehicle) warranties and damage vehicles not designed for its use." The national AAA press office had no comment on the Trump administration's expected announcement. On Tuesday, the head of the National Wildlife Federation said the move could be an "overreach" by the President as a potential violation of the federal Clean Air Act, which sets national standards for smog and other forms of air pollution. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Federation President Colin O'Mara said encouraging the use of more corn ethanol will also result in more nitrogen fertilizer runoff, which stimulates harmful algal blooms in waterbodies. The state Department of Environmental Conservation had no immediate reaction to the announcement. Portions of New York, as well as other Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes states, and California and Texas, currently are not within EPA standards for smog formation, which was why the sale of E15 had not been allowed between June and Sept. 15. The long-expected announcement is something of a reward to Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman led a contentious but successful fight to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The veteran Republican lawmaker is the Senate's leading ethanol proponent and sharply criticized the Trump administration's proposed rollback in ethanol volumes earlier this year. At that time Grassley threatened to call for the resignation of the EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, if Pruitt did not support expanded ethanol use. Pruitt later stepped down amid a host of ethics investigations. In May, Republican senators, including Grassley, announced a tentative agreement with the White House to allow year-round E15 sales, but the EPA did not propose a formal rule change. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Whole Foods store in Berkeley filed for a restraining order in an ongoing suit against an animal rights activist organization and its co-founder, according to court records. According to the Guardian, protesters from Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) will no longer be able to step foot in one of Berkeley's Whole Foods stores. The activist group has protested outside of Telegraph Ave. Whole Foods as well as other Bay Area supermarkets over the last several years as a means to call action to the chain's suppliers' alleged animal welfare violations. Albany State officials honored 28 firefighters Tuesday during the 21st annual New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremony. This year's ceremony for firefighters who died in the line of duty was in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center because of construction on the plaza, where the memorial is situated. Among those honored from the greater Capital Region were: Donald J. Urbano, a lieutenant in the Albany Fire Department, who died Nov. 18, 2016, after battling cancer. James S. Foote, a firefighter with the Summit Fire Department in Schoharie County, who died Nov. 18, 2014, after suddenly falling ill at the fire station. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Daniel G. McKenzie, a state forest ranger in Essex County, who died Oct. 6, 1948, shortly after fighting a fire in North Hudson. For more on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial, please visit the website. ALBANY The candidates squaring off to succeed retiring state Sen. Kathy Marchione continued reeling in endorsements this week as their spirited battle for the Senate seat enters its final month. Democrat Aaron Gladd on Monday picked up the endorsement of Roy McDonald, a Republican, who lost the Senate seat after Marchione defeated him in a heated 2012 primary. Republican Daphne Jordan, who has been Marchione's legislative director for six years, announced over the weekend she was endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association of New York State, which represents about 1,200 officers from the park police, state universities, Department of Environmental Conservation and forest rangers. "Like Sen. Marchione, Ms. Jordan's support for families, taxpayers, lawful gun owners, law enforcement and upstate values is exemplary," said Daniel De Federicis, the union's executive director. McDonald and Gladd, 32, both served in the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division, one of the army's most decorated units, and both saw combat Gladd in Afghanistan and McDonald in Vietnam. McDonald said he has known Gladd for a decade and was impressed with how he overcame an impoverished upbringing in Saranac Lake. "Its so rare these days to find young leaders who understand that service to their country, state and community is more important than service to any political party," McDonald said. "We spend a lot of time worrying about whether we are Republicans or Democrats, when we should really be focused on all of us being Americans and New Yorkers." Jordan, 59, a Republican also has also received the endorsement of the state Civil Service Employees Assocation, while Gladd has been endorsed by the state Public Employees Federation and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. "Aaron has ... served in government and worked for leaders in both political parties, perhaps the only candidate in the state that can say that. He is running as a Democrat, but he understands from his own military leadership experience how important it is to work with everybody on the team," said McDonald, who walked away from politics after his 2012 defeat. "Yes, this gentleman is a Democrat, but I'm at the stage of my life we're I'm just going to do what I think is the appropriate thing. I'm not into political parties anymore, all the fighting. I'm going to vote for what I believe in." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. De Federicis, the PBA director, said Jordan's close relationship with Marchione is a benefit. While we will certainly miss the great representation that Sen. Marchione provided, we are relieved to know that Daphne Jordans unparalleled experience working for Sen. Marchione for several years will make the transition seamless," he said. The district spans most of Columbia and Rensselaer counties and portions of Saratoga and Washington counties. A Latham man said he and his wedding party had a terrible experience with the limo company involved in Saturdays fatal crash in Schoharie that killed 20. On Tuesday, Andy LaRose described what he called a bait and switch with Prestige Limousine after he hired the company, which was operating under the name Saratoga Luxury Limousine, to provide transportation at his wedding last October. It was kind of shady to begin with, he said. It was just a really bad experience. LaRose said the driver was repeatedly rude, late and unprofessional. LaRose described the vehicle that picked up his wedding party as falling apart with siding panels that were two different shades of white and taped together with white duct tape. When they opened the trunk, empty beer cans fell out, he said. "It was a piece of junk," he said. "The struts felt like they were going to fall right through." Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the crash, which happened just before 2 p.m. at the intersection of routes 30 and 30A. State Police said the driver, identified by relatives as Scott Lisinicchia, did not have the proper license to drive the modified 2001 Ford Excursion and the vehicle had failed multiple state inspections. The limousine twice failed state inspections during the last year. Police have not officially identified all of the victims, however, most have been identified through friends and family. State Police said Monday they believe the group, most of whom were friends and family from the Amsterdam area, tried to rent a different vehicle for one womans 30th birthday party but that vehicle canceled for some reason. Ommengang Brewery in Cooperstown confirmed Monday that one of the victims of the crash had made a reservation for a party on Saturday. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. State Police have opened a criminal investigation into the company and its owner, Shahed Hussain. Hussain, a former FBI informant, is believed to be in Dubai. Police have seized the remainder of the companys vehicles from its headquarters in Wilton. The New York Times reported that at least one of the victims in Saturdays crash sent a text to a friend complaining about the condition of their limo, saying she thought theyd be deaf by the time the party reached their destination at Ommegang Brewery. The crash was the deadliest transportation incident in the United State since the Feb. 12, 2009, crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in Buffalo, which killed 50 people. LaRose said he repeatedly contacted the companys owners to complain and eventually got a partial refund for his troubles. My heart goes out to those families, he said. I really wish (the owners) had taken me seriously, maybe this couldve been avoided. TROY The Rensselaer County Court House was evacuated Tuesday afternoon after a suspicious envelope for District Attorney Joel E. Abelove was taped to the main door, police said. The Troy Fire Department hazmat unit determined the envelope did not contain any hazardous materials, Assistant Fire Chief Eric McMahon said. The envelope appeared as Republican Abelove is involved in a tough re-election campaign against Democrat Mary Pat Donnelly. At this point were not going to make a comment, and will wait to see what investigators uncover, said Jonathan Desso, a district attorneys spokesman, after conferring with Abelove. Police closed Second Street to traffic and cordoned off the sidewalk on the east side of the street. Court officers and city police were at the courthouse to get court workers out of the building while the letter was examined. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Police Chief Brian Owens said the envelope was apparently addressed to Abelove, and the contents of the envelope were not disclosed. In his first term, Abelove has been criticized for management of his office and criminal cases. He faced indictment on criminal charges by the state attorney generals office for his handling of the investigation of a fatal police-involved shooting in Troy. The charges were dismissed by the judge, and the attorney generals office has appealed. Abelove is also running on the Conservative and Reform parties' line. Donnelly, who stepped down as an East Greenbush town justice to run for district attorney, swept three minor party primaries for district attorney in September, defeating Abelove in a head-to-head contest for the Independence Party line, holding off write-in challengers on the Working Families, Womens Equality parties' lines and securing the Green Party ballot. Ankara, Turkey A week after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul for some routine paperwork, the mystery over his disappearance remains unresolved: Turkish officials allege he was killed in the compound; the Saudis say he left the building unharmed. The case has alarmed human rights activists concerned over Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's crackdown on dissent and strained already-tense relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The United States and other Saudi allies have taken a cautious approach toward Khashoggi's disappearance, expressing concern but refraining from any strong comments against the oil-rich kingdom. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it," President Donald Trump told reporters as he returned to Washington from Florida. "And hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now, nobody knows anything about it." The 59-year-old contributor to The Washington Post spent last year in the U.S. in self-imposed exile after he fled Saudi Arabia amid a crackdown on intellectuals and activists who criticized the policies of Prince Mohammed. He was last seen by his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, entering the consulate to obtain a document needed for their marriage. She and Turkish officials say he never emerged, even though Saudi Arabia insists he left the building. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged the Saudis to back up their claim that Khashoggi left the consulate. "Now when this person enters, whose duty is it to prove that he left or not? It is (the duty) of the consulate officials," Erdogan said during a visit to Hungary. "Don't you have cameras and other things? Why don't you prove it, you have to prove it." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Turkish officials have said the authorities believe that Khashoggi was most likely slain inside the consulate building and that his body was later removed from the premises, though they haven't provided any evidence. Turkey's state-run news agency, quoting police, has said 15 Saudi nationals arrived in Istanbul on board two planes and were inside the consulate building when Khashoggi disappeared. The private DHA agency said the planes, which it identified as a two Gulfstream jets belonging to a Riyadh-based company that hires private aircraft, landed at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport on the day Khashoggi vanished. "With these departures and arrivals there were certain people who came from Saudi Arabia," Erdogan said. "Our relevant agencies, our security forces, our intelligence agency, all of them, the foreign ministry 'work together' and we'll see the reports that our prosecutors prepare." Turkey summoned the Saudi ambassador Sunday to request the kingdom's "full cooperation" in the investigation, a Foreign Ministry official said. The Turkish private television said Ankara asked for permission for its investigators to search the consulate building, but a Foreign Ministry official would not confirm the report. A group of antibiotic resistant bacteria that are becoming more common all over the world, especially in hospitals, may have been a possible associate factor in a eight deaths at University Hospital Limerick between February 2009 and May 2017, a review carried out by the hospital group has revealed. The review process has concluded that there were eight patients where CPE may have been an associative factor in their deaths. No patient died directly from CPE and all eight patients had significant underlying health problems. The hospital group is not releasing details of where the patients came from in the Mid West for patient confidentiality reasons. The bacteria, carbapenemase producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE), was isolated in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in 2009 and the first outbreak in an Irish hospital occurred in UHL in 2011. CPE are found in the gut and the bacteria represent an emerging threat to human health, particularly in hospital settings. CPE have developed the ability to become resistant to powerful last-resort anti-microbials known as carbapenems, which makes them more challenging to treat if they go on to cause infection. The hospital carried out a review into the deaths of 73 CPE-positive patients in the Mid-West. All 73 had been inpatients at UL Hospitals Group between February 2009 and May 2017. The review, which was published this Tuesday, followed HIQA inspections in 2014 and 2015 that led to increased political and media attention on the management of multi-drug resistant organisms in UHL. An internal investigation was initiated by the Chief Clinical Director, UL Hospitals Group, in June 2017. Preliminary work on the internal investigation was already underway by the time the Group was notified in July 2017 that a protected disclosure had been made to the Limerick City Coroner alleging 36 CPE-positive patients had died as a result of wrongdoing by UL Hospitals Group in failing to control the spread of CPE. In October 2017, the UL Hospitals Group Chief Executive Officer commissioned a UK Consultant Microbiologist Dr Robert Spencer to conduct an independent external investigation. Both internal and external investigations are published today along with the overall conclusions of the review process. Key findings of the review process include: - The external review found five cases in which CPE may have been a contributory factor in their death. All five had serious underlying clinical conditions and co-morbidity factors - The internal review, which was conducted independently, found three cases where CPE was found to have contributed directly to the death of a patient and a further 10 in which CPE-acquisition may have played an associative role - In a Supplementary Report requested by UL Hospitals Chief Clinical Director to reconcile the internal and external review findings, Dr Spencer found a total of eight cases in which CPE was an associative factor but no deaths arose directly as a result of CPE-acquisition. The Supplementary Report was received in December 2017 and accepted by the Group - Some shortcomings have been identified in the review process in the documentation of communication to patients/next-of-kin of CPE status. In addition, shortcomings were identified in notifications to the coroner around the HCAI (healthcare-associated infection) status of deceased patients. Both these matters are being improved upon. The findings of the review have been communicated to the next-of-kin and to the patients GPs and treating consultants. Face-to-face meetings are being offered to the next-of-kin of the eight patients and five of these meetings have already taken place. Two families declined a meeting offer and contact has yet to be established in the remaining case. Letters have also been sent to the next-of-kin of patients where CPE was found not to have been involved and a helpline has been set up to answer their questions. The review findings have been shared with the Limerick City Coroner, with the HSE, with the Department of Health and with HIQA. Commenting on the review findings, Prof Paul Burke, Chief Clinical Director, UL Hospitals Group, said: It is the conclusion of the report that CPE was an associated factor in the deaths of eight patients. All these patients also had other significant medical problems, and CPE was only one of a number of factors contributing to their deaths. Differing opinions will always exist between clinicians as to the relative contributions of different conditions to a patients death in those who suffer from multiple medical problems. We believe our conclusions are reasonable, said Prof Burke. Over the timeframe of the review (February 2009 to May 2017), there were 196 new CPE detections from the Department of Microbiology at UHL. UL Hospitals Group was the requesting location for the majority of these samples although this does not mean CPE was acquired in the requesting location in all cases. Indeed, a high number of detections is expected at UL Hospitals Group due to the comprehensive screening programme that is in place. Over 41,000 CPE screens were performed at ULHG over the timeframe of this review. Every positive CPE case detected allows staff to put the appropriate contact and isolation precautions in place. The screening programme is one of a number of measures put in place by the hospital in recent years to manage CPE or other healthcare associated infections. These also include strengthened governance; infrastructural improvements; increased staffing; staff training and education initiatives; improved surveillance and reporting; implementation of new guidelines around antimicrobial prescribing etc. Of the 73 patients subject to the review, it is significant that the majority were colonised with (ie harmlessly carrying) CPE rather than infected with CPE. Similarly, the majority were detected through screening. It is also encouraging that there has not been a CPE bloodstream infection detected at UHL since June 2015. To date there have been three such events at UHL while nationally there have been 50 episodes of bloodstream infection reported since 2014. Prof Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals Group, said: We are conscious in publishing the review today that behind every number, there is a family who has lost a loved one. We know that in revisiting these matters, we may be adding to their distress. We apologise for this but we felt strongly that all next-of-kin should be informed of the review findings. CPE is not an easy thing for people to come to terms with. We would like to reassure patients and to reassure the public that the precautions we take in screening for CPE and in cohorting or isolating CPE contacts or CPE-positive patients are taken to minimise the risks to the most vulnerable patients. We hope that in publishing the report today - together with national initiatives such as the CPE Contacts Communications Programme and the declaration of a national public health emergency by the Minister for Health we can contribute to a better informed public conversation around multi-drug resistant organisms and the real risks they pose to public health, Prof Cowan said. A public protest will be held outside the Civic Offices in Nenagh this Wednesday against Tipperary County Council's rent review. The review was carried out earlier this summer and has led to a backlash against the council from councillors and tenants over the manner in which it was implemented. The review was aimed at harmonising rents in the north and south of the county following the amalgamation of North Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary County Council after the last local elections in 2015. However, the review has meant a substantial increase for some tenants, particularly in the north of the county. A campaign against the rent increases has been spearheaded by Nenagh's Cllr Seamus Morris and Roscrea community activist Mike Edwards, with public meetings being held in both towns. This Wednesday's protest in Nenagh will commence at 10am and last until 1pm. According to organiser Mr Edwards, a number of councillors will attend and one Tipperary TD has confirmed his participation. Presidential candidate Gavin Duffy continued on his campaign itinerary with a busy schedule in Tipperary all day Sunday. During media interviews Mr Duffy committed to a more active, engaging and value-for-money presidency and to utilise his unique skill set and business acumen to help the country meet the challenges of the next seven years in a post-Brexit era. His programme of engagements took him to Tipperary Town, Tipperary Racecourse and Clonmel. He urged the local community to come out in force for the march in Tipp Town on October 20th and to rally behind businesses by supporting them and to assert their influence and not to be defeatist. Im very conscious of the situation in Tipperary town and welcome the march on October 20th when the local community will come out to galvanise their support for their town. The first thing that has to happen for any town centre revival is for people to shop local. Its not that they are necessarily going to other towns but the amount of purchases people make online has shot up so much. I have been involved over the last number of years in Enterprise Towns, going around the country, meeting traders and hearing their issues. I cant and dont want to promise a quick fix in this regard, but having a President that understands rural Ireland, was born on a farm, who still lives on a farm and understands the type of issues is important. I live in County Meath and it suffers exactly the same as you do in other rural areas around the country. Im really getting worried about the growth, particularly of the greater Dublin areas. Its almost getting to the point where the rest of Ireland is being left like a theme park for people who live in large cities to visit now and again during their holidays. For those of us who live in rural Ireland, we want towns like Tipperary to remain vibrant and the one thing I can say is that a Presidents presence in towns like that and supporting the initiatives that breathe life back in to towns is very important. What I dont agree with is shrugging and throwing our hands up and saying the world has changed and this is never going to be fixed. I would say please support the March4Tipp on October 20th and when people come out, you would be amazed what can be achieved if we foster and support our small shops and businesses, urged the presidential candidate, in an interview with presenter Joe Pryce on Tipperary Mid-West Radio. If you dont shop local youll lose your local community, he cautioned. Mr Duffy, accompanied by his wife, Orlaith Carmody took time out to meet and chat with the volunteers involved in the Circle of Friends, Cancer Support Centre in Tipperary Town. The importance and value of a vibrant voluntary ethic is something that both Gavin and Orlaith are acutely aware of and are anxious to encourage. At the Cancer Support Centre they met the founding figure, Jennifer Jones Hickey along with Pat Jones, Tom O Donoghue, Nora Hoare and Mary Teresa O Donnell. In Clonmel Mr Duffy was greeted by an enthusiastic audience at Moyle Rovers GAA Club. Here, Gavin and Orlaith were put through their paces in an On the Couch format and interviewed by Treasa Nic Dhiarmada and they later took a series of questions from the floor. This was familiar territory and home ground to Gavin Duffys Campaign Director, Kate Achenson who was buoyant about the positive reaction her candidate is getting around the county and the country in general. Pledging a different kind of presidency that would make the office work for the people Mr Duffy questioned the stance of the current President on accountability and his broken promises over seeking a second seven year term. Why is he going for a second term? What is he looking to do in a second term? I have no difficulty whatsoever with his age, thats not the issue. The need for more age-friendly and more care for our senior citizens is one of the pillars of my campaign. These are the people who after all built the country which we have today. My problem with the incumbent is that very often people stay too long in a job and lets just say that if he decided to only do one term and keep his promise to the people of Ireland. He promised faithfully to the people of Ireland that he would only do one term and now hes breaking that promise and the question Im asking is why does he want to run again, whats he going to do differently? I fear he has just become accustomed to the pay, the perks, the pension and the pomp of the office and thats why from the outset Ive been questioning the cost of the Aras, said Mr Duffy, offering himself as a more active and engaging presidency. I think its a pity that hes avoiding the media, avoiding debates and keeping the questions he can be asked to the minimum about a large unaudited spend thats being going on in the Aras, he concluded. The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has expressed its deep disappointment at the increase in the tourism VAT rate to 13.5% announced by Minister Donohoe as part of Budget 2019. Aidan Quirke, Chair of the IHF South East branch said the increase is a serious jolt to the tourism industry in Ireland and represents a reckless failure to recognise its economic potential and importance, particularly to rural Ireland. Mr Lennon urged the Minister to defer the increase until there is clarity over Brexit and to allow existing contracts for group bookings to be completed as prices are already agreed. Ireland will now have a higher tourism VAT rate than 26 countries in Europe with which we compete. We are already a very high cost economy by international standards so it is astonishing that the Government is now imposing additional taxes on tourists and making our country less attractive as a destination. Have no doubt, this increase will hurt tourism across the country but rural businesses will be hit the hardest. Regional businesses will bear the brunt, as about 300m of the 466m in additional taxes will be taken from the rural economy, which has been slower to recover from the economic crisis. This is a devastating blow for the many tourism businesses that struggle to break even or stay open outside the peak season. Mr Quirke said the industry is already facing enormous difficulties due to the uncertainty around Brexit and weakened Sterling. UK tour operators, for example, represent up to 30 per cent of the business for many hotels in Dublin and across the country. This business is highly competitive, with Irish hoteliers competing internationally. Margins are slim and vulnerable to any price fluctuation. With bookings made up to two years in advance, prices in many cases are already contracted, meaning hoteliers will have no choice but to pick up the cost of this VAT increase. For some, it may wipe out their margin altogether, he said. Mr Quirke acknowledged the Governments foresight in introducing the 9% VAT rate in 2011. The Government recognised the tourism industrys ability to deliver on jobs across the country and we delivered, year after year, creating over 65,000 new jobs. We achieved this by providing a quality product, high levels of service and competing internationally for business every day. Today the tourism industry supports over 235,000 jobs in every county and town, over 70% of which are outside Dublin, generating over 2 billion in taxes for the exchequer each year. It is deeply disappointing and frustrating that despite the strong response of the tourism industry to the 9% activation measure, its economic contribution and potential is no longer of importance to Government policy. We understand that Government needs to raise taxes to pay for many social demands on the exchequer. However, we have argued that the best way to generate the additional funds needed for public services is to support growth in those business sectors, such as tourism, which are contributing. Time and again, tourism has shown itself to be one of the most effective ways to spread economic prosperity throughout the country and its successful recovery demonstrated its potential. Todays short-term budget fix will have long-term implications for an important indigenous export industry and rural Ireland in particular. Commenting on the VAT report published by Department of Finance during the summer, Mr Quirke said that it failed to take account fully the benefits of tourism to the regions or the serious risks associated with Brexit. It also lacked balance, basing much of its analysis on Irish household spending patterns while choosing to ignore that the vast majority (80%) of revenue generated by tourism comes from out of state visitors he concluded. He called for an immediate introduction of a Tourism Satellite Account within the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to provide a full analysis of the economic activity in the Tourism industry and how much it contributes to each county throughout the country. It will also provide independent verification to assist those who rely on the National Accounts, where tourism is not identified, to inform their deliberations on taxation and economic policy. [October 08, 2018] INVESTIGATION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against Super Micro Computer, Inc. and Encourages Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 to Contact the Firm The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Super Micro Computer, Inc. ("Super Micro" or "the Company") (OTC: SMCI) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. In what is being called the most significant hardware supply chain attack perpetrated on American companies by China, thePeople's Liberation Army was able to plant tiny spying microchips onto Super Micro products assembled by subcontractors in China. The motherboards with spying chips reportedly ended up deployed by 30 prominent companies, major banks, and government contractors. After news of this supply chain attack broke, Super Micro's stock price dropped by more than 40%. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall, or Sherin Mahdavian, of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 424-303-1964, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com. The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181008005830/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] VariFlight: More than 15,000 flights cancelled in East Asia during the 2018 typhoon season HEFEI, China, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- VariFlight, a leading aviation technology provider, has released a report on the 2018 summer typhoon season and airport disruptions in East Asia. The report studies 13 typhoons from July 1st to September 20th and their impact on the operations of 28 major airports in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, and South Korea. The study shows that typhoons caused cancellations of over 15,000 flights and led to the lowest on-time departure rate of 4.47% at Naha Airport, while typhoon Jebi and Mangkhut had the most severe impacts on airports in this region. Typhoons and tropical depressions are a common occurrence in Asia-Pacific during summer and early fall. This year, only in the course of 2.5 months, the region was hit by 13 typhoons and strong storms. Even though not all of those typhoons were as destructive as Jebi or Mangkhut, they still brought about disruptions of transortation including flight cancellations and delays. The airports were analyzed by the following parameters: On-time performance rate Average delay time Flight cancellations Additionally, typhoons were analyzed according to their influence on flight disruptions and cancellations. To read the full report, please click here. About VariFlight Founded in 2005, VariFlight - with a vision of "living on time" - is the leading brand providing aviation technology in the world. Inspired by the goal of addressing the problem of flight delays, VariFlight has spearheaded the realization of flight data transparency. In 2009, the company released the first version of the VariFlight app and achieved the milestone of 100% coverage on China's domestic flights. Since then, VariFlight has scaled across the globe, reaching 94% coverage of the world's commercial flights by May 2017. VariFlight's data is used by over 300 million travelers and thousands of class-leading businesses around the world. Visit us at: www.variflight.com Web: www.VariFlight.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/VariFlight Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/variflight Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/variflight SOURCE VariFlight [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Duco Delivers Global Enterprise Reconciliation and Control Solution to Societe Generale Duco, the enterprise software as a service ( SaaS (News - Alert) ) company today announced an agreement with Societe Generale, the French bank and global provider of financial services to deploy Duco's platform across the group as one of its primary reconciliation and data control systems. Societe Generale will use Duco's innovative platform to automate key reconciliation processes across all business areas, dramatically improving efficiency compared to legacy systems and spreadsheet-based processes. Societe Generale will also use Duco's API to provide external reconciliation services to its clients in its capital markets business, adding value to its trade execution and clearing services. Estelle Letribot, Global Head of Reconciliation Post Trade in Societe Generale Global Banking and Investor Solutions, said, "Innovation and digital transformation are core to Societe Generale's strategy, both internally and for our clients. By working with Duco, we have an opportunity to reinvent our operations, introducing agility, automation and machine learning in a function that has traditionally proved very expensive and time onsuming." Cristobal Conde, Duco advisor and former CEO of SunGard, adds, "This is the first time in more than a decade that a new reconciliation model for financial services firms is emerging and being put to use in a core, mission critical function. The transformation of the reconciliation process from installed point solutions towards Software as a Service and more intelligent user-driven controls is proving compelling from a cost and risk perspective, and is gathering pace." Christian Nentwich, CEO of Duco, said, "The advantages of SaaS and self-service solutions in the reconciliation space are clear and we are glad that Societe Generale shares our vision. With machine learning and cloud-based delivery models now ready for prime time, the industry is rapidly going through a major transformation towards agile services like Duco that mutualise cost and remove unnecessary manual work." About Duco Duco's mission is to make managing data easy. Financial services firms rely on us to reduce costs and dramatically improve efficiency in reconciliation and other data integrity tasks. Our self-service, cloud-based tools empower users to aggregate, normalise and reconcile any type of data on demand. Customers are live in 24 hours, with results in 7 days and tangible business value in 30 days. Headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Luxembourg, Edinburgh, Wroclaw and Singapore, Duco's customers include global banks, brokers, asset managers, exchanges and middle and back office outsourcers. For more information go to www.du.co View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181008005436/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] mdBriefCase Group Inc. Appoints New CEO to Lead Global Expansion SYDNEY, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- mdBriefCase Group Inc. (the "Company" or "mdBriefCase"), the leading global online medical education provider serving general practitioners, specialists, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare professionals in Australia, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, and around the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Flowerday as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). As an executive and an entrepreneur, Flowerday brings more than two decades of industry experience focusing on operations management, business development, and strategy. "I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to lead the world-class team at mdBriefCase," said Flowerday. "With a proven track record created over the past 17 years, and more than 170,000 members worldwide, mdBriefCase is in a great position to deliver new and exciting continuing medical education to improve patient care on a global scale." After the Company was founded in 2001, mdBriefCase Australia was established in 2006 to extend the delivery of interactive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based programs free of charge on its proprietary learning management system. With a membership of over 50,000 Australian healthcare professionals, mdBriefCase continues to innovate with new and engaging product offerings to a growing base of healthcare audiences. This year the Company has expanded its video offering to include interviews and cases presented by respected medical experts to address the growing popularity and consumption of relevant video content. Key to mdBriefCase's success are the strong partnerships it has with prestigious medical organisations and participation by keymedical opinion leaders in Australia and around the world. "mdBriefCase is able to combine the best global education practices with leading Australian medical expertise to demonstrate the impact of its high-quality and engaging medical content," says Suzanne Coutinho, Managing Director of mdBriefcase Australia. "We have expanded our educational library for Specialists, GPs, Pharmacists and Nurses in association with leading organisations in oncology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, and endocrinology to name just a few." Internationally, mdBriefCase has expanded to deliver learning content for healthcare professionals in 16 countries around the world. Alongside programs available in Europe and the United States, mdBriefCase offers programs to members in emerging markets such as Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Asia. "We are fully committed to supporting mdBriefCase as the Company continues its global expansion strategy," added John Trang, Partner at Persistence Capital Partners, private equity partners of mdBriefCase. "I'm excited about Jason's addition to the organisation and what we will achieve together, in partnership with some of the most respected medical organisations in the world." Before joining mdBriefCase, Flowerday held CEO positions at 3D Signatures Inc., a publicly traded, personalised medical software company, Pro Bono Bio Inc., a biotechnology and medical device company based in the United Kingdom and Knight Therapeutics Inc. Previously, he spent over a decade at Bayer Healthcare and Ortho Biotech before co-founding and selling a pair of successful start-ups, which included a digital healthcare medical education company. Flowerday's academic credentials include a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Queen's School of Business. About mdBriefCase Group mdBriefCase Group Inc. specialises in developing online, accredited continuing professional development for healthcare professionals. The company partners with prestigious regional and international medical associations to ensure its innovative education programs reflect the local experiences of healthcare professionals around the world. Its programs are peer-reviewed by clinical specialists to ensure balance and applicability to practice. Over 170,000 healthcare professionals have free access to the latest evidence-based information and guidelines to improve local patient care. For more information, visit the company's website at: www.mdbriefcasegroup.com About Persistence Capital Partners Persistence Capital Partners is Canada's leading private equity fund exclusively focused on high-growth opportunities in the healthcare field. With deep healthcare industry expertise, PCP aims to create significant long-term capital appreciation for its investors by identifying and developing attractive investment opportunities in the Canadian healthcare market. PCP has offices in Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario. www.persistencecapital.com SOURCE mdBriefCase Australia Pty Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] RiskIQ Detects and Mitigates New Magecart Supply Chain Attack Digital Risk Management Leader Helps Shopper Approved Mitigate Damages of Breach SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RiskIQ, the global leader in digital risk management, today reveals it helped mitigate and prevent damages from yet another attempted large-scale supply chain attack by the well-known credit card-skimming gang, Magecart. Magecart is the umbrella term given to seven similar groups implicated in the breaches of Ticketmaster, British Airways, and Newegg. With its internet-scale visibility and its detection algorithms now well-honed on the Magecart skimmer, RiskIQ was automatically alerted to the compromise of Shopper Approved, a customer rating plugin that integrates with thousands of e-commerce sites. As observed in the July Magecart attack against Ticketmaster , this attack did not attempt to breach a single store directly, but rather a widely used third-party that gives attackers access to thousands of sites at once. RiskIQs researchers immediately reached out to Shopper Approved to provide information and assistance with remediation. Since the incident, RiskIQ has been in frequent contact with the company, which removed the skimmer and launched a full-scale internal investigation using a leading forensics firm to determine how the breach happened and which sites were affected. On behalf of Shopper Approved, I want to personally thank the RiskIQ team for the diligence and incredible effort theyve taken in helping us detect and secure our code in such a short amount of time, said Shopper Approved co-founder and CEO Scott Brandley. It is rare when you find a company like RiskIQ who genuinely helps people, simply because it is the right thing to do. RiskIQ helped significantly limit the impact cased by Magecart and for that, we will be forever grateful. While Shopper Approved is active on thousands of websites, due to early mitigation efforts and the fact that the skimmer only appeared on a small percentage of the checkout pages, Magecart impacted only a fraction of these sites. RiskIQ stresses that during this time of heightened Magecart activity, e-commerce sites should be monitoring their checkout pages closely. "If you own an e-commerce company, it's best to remove the third-party code from your checkout pages whenever possible," said Yonathan Klijnsma, Head Researcher at RiskIQ. "Many payment service providers have already taken this approach by prohibiting third-party code from running on pages where customers enter their payment information." As Magecart groups evolveinitial attacks involved low-tier Magento stores and have grown in sophistication to target CDNs, which the threat actors now tune to ensure the only sites they hit are online storesany supplier of functionality to online e-commerce websites is a potential victim. RiskIQ, which detects internet-scale threats, is alerted to new Magecart breaches hourly, a clear indication that the group is extremely active and a genuine threat to all organizations offering online payment facilities. RiskIQ is monitoring all Magecart groups and will continue to report publicly on their activity. For a full analysis of this campaign, including a list of compromised components and IOCs, visit the report here: https://www.riskiq.com/blog/labs/magecart-shopper-approved/ About RiskIQ RiskIQ is the leader in digital threat management, providing the most comprehensive discovery, intelligence, and mitigation of threats associated with an organizations digital presence. With more than 75 percent of attacks originating outside the firewall, RiskIQ allows enterprises to gain unified insight and control over web, social and mobile exposures. Trusted by tens of thousands of security analysts, security teams and CISOs, RiskIQs platform combines advanced internet data reconnaissance and analytics to expedite investigations, understand digital attack surfaces, assess risk and take action to protect the business, brand and customers. Based in San Francisco, the company is backed by Summit Partners, Battery Ventures, Georgian Partners and MassMutual Ventures. Visit https://www.riskiq.com or follow us on Twitter. Try RiskIQ Community Edition for free by visiting https://www.riskiq.com/community/ 2018 RiskIQ, Inc. All rights reserved. RiskIQ is a registered trademark of RiskIQ, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Contact Holly Hitchcock Front Lines Media 805-801-9798 Holly@FrontLines.io [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Gopher Protocol Releases Synopsis and Progress Update of its Technology Next Week to Release a Beta Version 1.0 Web Based Demonstration of the Avant! To give Followers a Flavor of its Technology San Diego, CA, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTCQB: GOPH) ("Gopher), a company specializing in the creation of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence enabled mobile technologies, including a global platform with both mobile and fixed solutions, provide synopsis of technology update, as followings: Concluded an ALPHA Schematic for its MESH system Node component Electrical schematics represent the most detailed category of electronic drawings. They depict every component in a circuit, the component's technical information and how each component is wired into the circuit. Typically, this is the first stage before building an actual prototype for testing. Gopher is in process of developing its electronic circuit based on the drawings. The node is the mobile device that communicates with other nodes, passing along radio signals, in order to extend the range, which is a critical component of the MESH system under development. This unit most important task is to maintain coverage of areas. With the node design, Gopher focused on power consumption, performance, range, antenna, size and the capability to work with or without GPS signal synchronization. Gopher will design a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and build a prototype for physical testing of the unit. After extensive testing, Gopher may improve the design further with the goal of creating a BETA version in order to finalize the device followed by field testing. Completed Alpha prototype PCB of its MESH node, including FW (Firmware) Gopher has successfully completed its Alpha Printed Circuit Board (PCB) prototype of its MESH system node, including its Firmware (FW). Gopher is now going to review the final PCB and test its overall functionality. The node hardware and FW will be tested for power management/consumption, internal operations, temperature control and more. The node prototype was constructed using Digi-Key/Mouser products. We started the firmware software development in order to achieve GPS signal lost mode. This is a significant functionality in order to maintain accurate and updated GEO location even when GPS signal is lost, for example inside tunnels or inside buildings] and next step is to test with the actual Alpha PCB. We also started the implementation of low power modes for sleep/wake system functionality. "This is a major milestone," provided Dr. Danny Rittman, Gopher's Chief Technology Officer. "After a thorough review of the node's PCB we will test it for major topics and overall behavior. We will evaluate its power consumption and management, temperature control and other significant key blocks. I compare this initial testing to a patients vitals check. After verifying the node's overall functionality, it will be ready, in turn, to go to the overall system check. In addition, we started to implement one of the most important features of the system; the sleep/wake sub-systems. These features are crucial to ensure effective battery life and overall system performance. After this phase completion, we are starting with the gateway, following similar design stages." Guardian Patch International PCT patent to be Published in Europe Gophers Guardian Patch application will be officially published in Europe on October 10, 2018. The notice of publication by the European Patent Office for the Patch patent application will be done under publication #: EP3384432. After October 10, 2018, viewers be able to download a copy of the publication at http://worldwide.espacenet.com by typing EP3384432 into the Publication No: field under the Advanced Search tab. Gopher is now the sole owner of the intellectual property rights for Guardian Patch. On September 25, 2018, Gopher entered and closed a Joint Venture Interest Purchase Agreement with Guardian Patch, LLC (Guardian) pursuant to which Gopher purchased Guardians 50% interest in a joint venture (the JV Interest) previously entered between the parties in March 2016 covering the Guardian Patch, Puzpix and Epsilon. In consideration for the JV Interest, Gopher issued Guardian 12,500,000 shares of common stock. The Guardian Patch is a communications device that is self adhesive and can be affixed to any object in order to track it anywhere on Earth. The Guardian Patch can track objects movements, in real time, at any location in the world, indoors, outdoors and underground. The system can establish a location completely passively using its own radio technology. The Guardian Patch enables a whole new range of real-life location analytics. It could track exactly how many miles your object moved, cities/towns visited, velocity of travel, how long the object was at a specific location, altitude and temperature as well as the objects current movement in real time. The system includes its own power source that is expected to last one year. The Guardian Patch was granted as a patent in the USA on July 10, 2018. "The Guardian Patch is one of our most innovative system and we are working to protect it, worldwide. Currently, its US patent was granted on July 10 and we will receive our Europe coverage on October 10, 2018. Parts of the Guardian Patch's technology were already implemented within our Guardian ORB system and now in the works within our MESH system. The Guardian Patch technology is targeted for civil use as well as for military/security applications. In addition, we intend to target this technology for the medicine field in conjunction with our Artificial Intelligence system for what we expect to enable broad range of innovations in the field," stated Dr. Danny Rittman, Gophers Chief Technology Officer. Gopher Preparing to file a Patent in the Deep Nanometer range, 3D Microchip Arena Gopher has commenced working on an advanced patent in the deep nanometer range, 3D microchip field. The microchip is targeted for GopherInsight chipset and for its future, derivatives integrated circuits. The technology is based on new concept microchip's die orientation and the design will be focused on deep nanometer range, 10 nanometers and below. "We have been working on this patent for the past year," said Dr. Rittman. "It is expected to protect a new approach within the integrated circuits arena and targeted for advanced, FinFet nodes. It is our goal for this new microchip design and manufacturing method to open new horizons for growing arsenal of technologies and wafer-fab manufacturing disciplines as mainstream complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes reach their theoretical, practical and economic limits. Using our new concept, which is under development, it is our goal to illustrate that integrated circuit (IC) designers and manufacturers will be able to achieve feature-size reductions, new geometrical transistor structures, higher performance and significantly lower power consumption. Our patent will touch three-dimensional integration of ICs, advanced packaging and holistic system-driven design approaches," Dr. Rittman continued. "For five decades, the industry has enjoyed exponential improvements in the productivity and performance of integrated circuit technology. While the industry has continued to address design and manufacturing challenges, the barriers are getting crucial and a new approach is needed," Dr. Rittman concluded. About Gopher Protocol Inc. Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTCQB: GOPH) (Gopher) (http://gopherprotocol.com/) is a development-stage company which consider itself Native IoT creator, developing Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence enabled mobile technology. Gopher has a portfolio of Intellectual Property that when commercialized will include smart microchips, mobile application software and supporting cloud software. The system contemplates the creation of a global network. The core of the system will be its advanced microchip technology that can be installed in any mobile device worldwide. Gopher envisions this system as an internal, private network between all enabled mobile devices providing shared processing, advanced mobile database management/sharing and enhanced mobile features. Corporate Site: http://gopherprotocol.com Press page/ press kit - http://gopherprotocol.com/?page_id=228 Consumer and product website for Guardian Patch: http://www.guardianpatch.com/. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Companys ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Companys successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Companys products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release. Contact: Dr. Danny Rittman, CTO Gopher Protocol Inc. VM Only 888-685-7336 Media: press@gopherprotocol.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] The Severe Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals is a Key Risk to Our Nation's Security WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The unprecedented demand for well-trained cybersecurity workers continues to grow. Some experts predict that there will be a global shortage of two million cybersecurity professionals by next year. This is critical considering the increase in cyberattacks and the erosion of consumer trust in the ability to protect the internet. Enlisting the next generation of skilled cybersecurity workers and training existing employees will help build stronger defenses and restore confidence among digital citizens. During the second week of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) , an online safety awareness initiative co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, key influencers ? like parents, teachers and employers ? are urged to motivate prospective talent of all ages to pursue this rewarding career. It is important to remember that it's not all about math and tech there is definitely another side to cybersecurity. According to an article in the Harvard Business Review , important attributes of accomplished cybersecurity professionals include curiosity and a passion for learning, problem solving skills, strong ethics and a keen understanding of risks. In addition, job seekers with nontraditional backgrounds may bring new experience and perspectives to the position. And, a variety of industries ? ranging from education, financial institutions and banks to fashion, design and retail are hiring. The bottom line is that the profession is dedicated to helping make our borderless online world safer and more secure for everyone. Although they are often behind the scenes, these experts are truly on the front lines and have a measurable impact in our digital lives. One leading example of a company that prioritizes security and has long invested in hiring top cybersecurity talent is Intel. Security engineers and researchers at Intel not only strengthen the security of its own products, but also learn and share with the broader community to help collectively develop and accelerate the adoption of more secure technologies across the entire computing industry. The bottom line is that the profession is dedicated to helping make our borderless online world safer and more secure for everyone. Parents, caregivers, counselors and teachers can play a significant role in paving the way for children to pursue cybersecurity careers. It's important for these influencers to learn about and have conversations with kids about the breadth of opportunities available. In addition to a focus on STEM ? a curriculum based on educating students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics ? there are quite a few interesting and fun options to explore. Here are a couple of NCSA's top recommendations: GenCyber offers summer cybersecurity camp experiences for K-12 students and teachers. The goal is to help all students understand safe online behavior, grow diversity and interest in cybersecurity and improve teaching methods for delivering content. CyberPatriot focuses on national youth cybersecurity education with three main programs: the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, AFA CyberCamps and the Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative. The Air Force Association developed CyberPatriot to excite students about careers in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines critical to our nation's future. Visit CyberCompEx to learn about Capture the Flag exercises and other age-appropriate challenges that are great ways to expose kids to cybersecurity. Check out the latest NCSAM infographic for more information and inspiration regarding cybersecurity careers. "A highly skilled, motivated and passionate cybersecurity workforce is just as critical to the internet's security as everyone's role in helping to protect it," said Russ Schrader, NCSA's executive director. "Inspiring kids when they're young can propel them into a gratifying career that matches their interests in a specific sector like education, finance or health. In addition, jobs in cybersecurity are highly portable and pay well while doing something good." For adults thinking about a new career or re-entering the job force, consider re-inventing yourself and pursuing various positions in cybersecurity. Technical skills can be acquired through a number of ways, including traditional college courses, vocational training, industry certifications and on-the-job experience. Experts acknowledge that a workforce with diverse expertise and backgrounds has a greater chance of defending our assets. As for veterans who are transitioning back into civilian life, you may already have the training and skills that are extremely advantageous to cybersecurity. In addition to potential practical computing and/or IT skills, according to a recent blog in Information Security , there are a number of highly marketable at "strengths" that you most likely acquired in the armed forces. These may include: Leadership training Ability to work as part of a team Ability to work under pressure and with short deadlines Planning and organizational skills Familiarity with safety and security Understanding of protocols and structures Good work habits High personal drive and pursuit of excellence Personal initiative The blog also indicates that other advanced training may be applicable. And even if you were serving a non-technical role in the military, you may still be a valuable hire based on your security clearance alone. Top Tips for the Cybersecurity Job Seeker Get Credentialed : Four out of five cybersecurity jobs require a college egree. : Four out of five cybersecurity jobs require a college egree. Get Experience : Test the waters through volunteer work and internships; offer to help IT professors at your local college/university or employer to gain insight and experience. Think about becoming a white hat hacker and help top tech companies find bugs within their software. : Test the waters through volunteer work and internships; offer to help IT professors at your local college/university or employer to gain insight and experience. Think about becoming a white hat hacker and help top tech companies find bugs within their software. Get Smart : Keep up with the latest on internet security; follow top cybersecurity personalities on Facebook or Twitter and stay on top of the headlines. Join the conversation #CyberAware on Twitter and Facebook. : Keep up with the latest on internet security; follow top cybersecurity personalities on Facebook or Twitter and stay on top of the headlines. Join the conversation #CyberAware on Twitter and Facebook. Get Ready: A great place to find out if a cybersecurity career is right for you is to start at the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS). From career resources to learning more about jobs in the field, NICCS is a go-to-guide to learning about and joining the ranks of a cybersecurity professional. Learn more at http://niccs.us-cert.gov/ . Advice for Parents, Teachers Counselors Volunteer at school, an after-school program, boys and girls clubs and community workshops to teach kids about online safety and cybersecurity careers. Expose students to opportunities in the field of cybersecurity by hosting an open house at your company to talk about what your cybersecurity department does. Inspire students to learn about cybersecurity by mentoring a team in a cyber challenge or hosting events and afterschool programs. Work with your schools or community-based organizations to create an internship program for hands-on learning. As a parent, learn about the "educational steps" to a career in cybersecurity and about community organizations that host cyber camps to educate kids about internet safety and security. Advice for Companies to Help Tackle the Talent Shortage Re-examine your workforce strategy: Do you know what skills you need today and tomorrow to run a successful security program? Realize that skills and experience can come from a variety of places and adjust your hiring efforts accordingly. Do you know what skills you need today and tomorrow to run a successful security program? Realize that skills and experience can come from a variety of places and adjust your hiring efforts accordingly. Improve your engagement and outreach: Don't limit yourself to the same career fairs and recruiting programs of yesteryear. Get involved in community colleges, P-TECH schools and other educational programs to start building your recruiting base. Don't limit yourself to the same career fairs and recruiting programs of yesteryear. Get involved in community colleges, P-TECH schools and other educational programs to start building your recruiting base. Build a local cybersecurity ecosystem: Connect with government organizations, educational institutions, and other groups. Sponsor Capture the Flag events and work with local middle and high schools to generate interest in the field. These groups are always looking for willing experts and mentors. Connect with government organizations, educational institutions, and other groups. Sponsor Capture the Flag events and work with local middle and high schools to generate interest in the field. These groups are always looking for willing experts and mentors. Have a robust support program for new hires: Mentorships, rotational assignments, shadowing and other opportunities help new cybersecurity hires gain experience and learn. Remember, not everyone knows what they want to do right away. Keep new hires engaged by giving them the creative freedom to work on different projects and explore new technologies and services. Mentorships, rotational assignments, shadowing and other opportunities help new cybersecurity hires gain experience and learn. Remember, not everyone knows what they want to do right away. Keep new hires engaged by giving them the creative freedom to work on different projects and explore new technologies and services. Focus on continuous learning and upskilling: To retain new talent, keep employees current on the latest skill sets through classes, certifications, and conferences. Be open to employees from other areas of your business who express interest in cybersecurity career paths. AI now provides employees with more intelligence and contextual recommendations at a speed and scale previously unimagined, so upskilling your workforce is a completely different ballgame these days. Resources NCSA's Parent Primer for Guiding Kids to Careers in Cybersecurity DHS partners with Hire Our Heroes to encourage transitioning veterans to consider cybersecurity as a future career after their military service ends. Veterans are granted access to the Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) through this program to access online training courses ranging from beginner to advance at no cost to users. CyberCorps : Scholarship for Service is a program sponsored by DHS, National Science Foundation and Office of Personnel Management that provides scholarship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in studying cybersecurity and related degree programs. Qualified participants receive stipends of $22,500 for undergraduate and $34,000 for graduate studies and have access to government internship opportunities throughout the program to gain hands-on experience. : Scholarship for Service is a program sponsored by DHS, National Science Foundation and Office of Personnel Management that provides scholarship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in studying cybersecurity and related degree programs. Qualified participants receive stipends of for undergraduate and for graduate studies and have access to government internship opportunities throughout the program to gain hands-on experience. DHS and the National Security Agency jointly sponsor the prestigious National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) program. Academic institutions are designated as either CAEs in Cyber Defense or Cyber Operations, and have undergone an in-depth assessment and met rigorous requirements in order to garner this designation. From associates to doctorates, interested students can apply to one of the 240+ colleges across the Nation and study cybersecurity disciplines in top CAE schools. Starting the week of Oct. 8 , you can test your cyber know-how by taking a fun quiz developed by global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin. At the end of the quiz, you'll receive tailored resources to help expand your knowledge in this important field. , you can test your cyber know-how by taking a developed by global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin. At the end of the quiz, you'll receive tailored resources to help expand your knowledge in this important field. Check out the Cyber Seek cybersecurity supply/demand heat map to see where the cybersecurity jobs are near you: https://www.cyberseek.org/heatmap.html Events Symantec Webinar : Millions of Rewarding Jobs: Educating For a Career in Cybersecurity , Wednesday, Oct. 10 , 1 p.m. EDT / 10 a.m. PDT ? Join Symantec nonprofit partners YearUp and AAUW to address ways to build the cybersecurity workforce and how to inspire students to seek highly fulfilling cybersecurity careers. Speakers: David Bradbury , Symantec Chief Security Officer; AAUW & YearUp Symantec Career Connection site: https://www.symantec.com/about/corporate-responsibility/your-information/cyber-career-connection : , Join Symantec nonprofit partners YearUp and AAUW to address ways to build the cybersecurity workforce and how to inspire students to seek highly fulfilling cybersecurity careers. Speakers: , Symantec Chief Security Officer; AAUW & YearUp Symantec Career Connection site: EDUCAUSE Live! Webinar: Campus-Wide Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Saturation Campaign, Thursday, October 11 , 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT This presentation by Robert Jorgensen will discuss how Utah Valley University partnered with NCSA to promote the adoption of 2FA for the student population using a multifaceted saturation campaign. https://events.educause.edu/educause-live/webinars/2018/campus-wide-two-factor-authentication-2fa-saturation-campaign This presentation by will discuss how Utah Valley University partnered with NCSA to promote the adoption of 2FA for the student population using a multifaceted saturation campaign. Identity Theft: The Aftermath hosted by Identity Theft Resource Center Thursday, October 18th , Washington D.C. 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at Google HQ with industry experts, media, government and advocates. Identity crimes create more than just a financial impact. Victims experience emotional, behavioral and lost opportunity-costs. Join the ITRC for the release of our Aftermath trend analysis. This half-day morning session will also include insights from victims and expert-led workshops. Full survey results of the Identity Theft: The Aftermath 2018 report will be published in Q2 2019. Registration website: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/aftermath2018/ About National Cybersecurity Awareness Month National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. Now in its 15th year, NCSAM is co-led by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, the nation's leading nonprofit public-private partnership promoting the safe and secure use of the internet and digital privacy. Recognized annually in October, NCSAM involves the participation of a multitude of industry leaders ? mobilizing individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, academia, multinational corporations and governments. Encouraging digital citizens around the globe to STOP. THINK. CONNECT., NCSAM is harnessing the collective impact of its programs and resources to increase awareness about today's ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Visit the NCSAM media room: staysafeonline.org/about-us/news/media-room /. About the National Cyber Security Alliance NCSA is the nation's leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with a broad array of stakeholders in government, industry and civil society. NCSA's primary partners are DHS and NCSA's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from ADP; AT&T Services Inc.; Bank of America; CDK Global, LLC; CertNexus; Cisco; Cofense; Comcast Corporation; ESET North America; Facebook; Google; Intel Corporation; Marriott International; Mastercard; Microsoft Corporation; Mimecast; NXP Semiconductors; Raytheon; Salesforce; Symantec Corporation; Visa and Wells Fargo. NCSA's core efforts include National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October); Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28); STOP. THINK. CONNECT., the global online safety awareness and education campaign co-founded by NCSA and the Anti-Phishing Working Group with federal government leadership from DHS; and CyberSecure My Business , which offers webinars, web resources and workshops to help businesses be resistant to and resilient from cyberattacks. For more information on NCSA, please visit staysafeonline.org/about-us/overview/ . About STOP. THINK. CONNECT. STOP. THINK. CONNECT. is the global cybersecurity education and awareness campaign. The campaign was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, nonprofits and government organizations with leadership provided by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Anti-Phishing Working Group. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Learn how to get involved at stopthinkconnect.org . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-severe-shortage-of-cybersecurity-professionals-is-a-key-risk-to-our-nations-security-300727319.html SOURCE National Cyber Security Alliance [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Maxar Technologies Advances Planned U.S. Domestication Expects to be Incorporated in the United States in January 2019 WESTMINSTER, CO, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Maxar Technologies Ltd. (NYSE and TSX: MAXR) ("Maxar" or the "Company"), a leading global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets, including satellites, Earth imagery, geospatial data and analytics, today announced that it is advancing its domestication into the United States and expects to complete this process in January 2019, subject to securityholder approval. Howard Lance, president and chief executive officer of Maxar, said, "U.S. domestication has been planned for many years as part of the Company's U.S. Access Plan. Today's announcement represents an important milestone for Maxar and will further advance our efforts to service and compete for future U.S. government contracts. U.S. domestication will accelerate our growth trajectory and better position Maxar's corporate structure to support our business strategy." Maxar will continue to list its shares on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Maxar does not anticipate any impact on its employees, customers, suppliers, or other stakeholders as a result of its U.S. domestication. As previously announced, Maxar will transition to U.S. accounting standards and securities filings effective with its U.S. domestication. The Company believes this will make its financial results more transparent to a wider audience of investors and provide increased comparability with U.S. aerospace and defense peer companies. The Company committed to U.S. domestication no later than December 31, 2019 as part of its closing of its acquisition of DigitalGlobe on October 5, 2017. A special meeting (the "Meeting") of securityholders of Maxar (the "Maxar Securityholders") will be held at 11:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) on November 16, 2018 to consider and vote on the proposed plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement"). Maxar Securityholders as of the close of business on October 12, 2018, the record date for the Meeting, will receive notice of and be entitled to vote at the Meeting. The board of directors of Maxar unanimously determined that the U.S. Domestication is in the best interests of Maxar and is fair and reasonable, and unanimously resolved to recommend that Maxar Securityholders vote in favor of the Arrangement. Details of the U.S. Domestication The U.S. Domestication will proceed by way of a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), whereby the ultimate parent company of Maxar will become an entity incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States of America (the "U.S. Domestication"). It is anticipated that the new parent company will be named Maxar Technologies Inc. ("Maxar U.S."). Pursuant to the Arrangement, Maxar U.S. will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Maxar (the "Maxar Shares") in exchange for one share of common stock of Maxar U.S. (the "Maxar U.S. Shares") per Maxar Share. Following completion of the Arrangement and the U.S. Domestication, Maxar U.S. and its subsidiaries will carry on the business currently conducted by Maxar and its subsidiaries. The terms and conditions of the Arrangement will be disclosed in further detail in a mangement information circular to be mailed to Maxar Securityholders in advance of the Meeting. A copy of the management information circular and related documents will be filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and will be available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.maxar.com. In connection with the U.S. Domestication, the Toronto Stock Exchange has conditionally approved, and the New York Stock Exchange is expected to conditionally approve, the listing of the new U.S. parent, Maxar Technologies, Inc., under the symbol "MAXR", the same symbol under which Maxar shares are currently listed. Subject to obtaining required court approvals, as well as the satisfaction of all other conditions precedent, if Maxar Securityholders vote in favor of the Arrangement, it is anticipated that the Arrangement will be completed on or about January 1, 2019. Maxar Securityholders with questions regarding the Meeting are encouraged to contact Maxar's proxy solicitation agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, by telephone at 1-877-452-7184 toll-free in North America or at 416-304-0211 for collect calls outside of North America or by email at assistance@laurelhill.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and other information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. Statements including words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "plan", "potential", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate" or "expect" and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the Arrangement, the U.S. Domestication, the timing of the Meeting, the required approvals and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this press release. Some of the key risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: failure to obtain the required third party approvals in a timely manner; failure of the U.S. Domestication to be completed for any reason (or to be completed in a timely manner); failure to achieve the perceived benefits of the U.S. Domestication, incurrence of costs associated with the U.S. Domestication beyond those estimated; unanticipated adverse tax consequences to Maxar and Maxar U.S. in connection with the U.S. Domestication; and the impact of the announcement of the U.S. Domestication on Maxar's business. For further information with respect to these risks and uncertainties, reference should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov or on the Company's website at www.maxar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this release or other specified date and speak only as of such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation. About Maxar Technologies As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services and systems that unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com. Investor Relations Contact Jason Gursky Maxar Technologies 1-303-684-2207 jason.gursky@maxar.com Media Contact Turner Brinton Maxar Technologies 1-303-684-4545 turner.brinton@maxar.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maxar-technologies-advances-planned-us-domestication-300727457.html SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Carvana Brings Beaumont the New Way to Buy a Car Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), a leading e-commerce platform for buying, financing and selling used cars, launched today in Beaumont, Texas, with as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery. Customers can shop more than 10,000 vehicles on Carvana.com, finance, purchase, and even sell their current vehicle to Carvana, then schedule as-soon-as-next-day delivery in as little as 10 minutes. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005244/en/ Carvana, a leading e-commerce platform for buying, financing and selling used cards, has launched as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery in Beaumont, its sixth Texas market and 80th market to date. (Photo: Business Wire) With the ability toshop for and purchase their next vehicle entirely online, customers save valuable time and money as a result. Carvana's national inventory of more than 10,000 vehicles is Carvana Certified, meaning vehicles have no frame damage, have never been in a reported accident, and have undergone a rigorous 150-point inspection. Features, imperfections and updated information about open safety recalls are listed on the car's vehicle description page. Additionally, every Carvana vehicle comes with a seven-day return policy, giving customers time to ensure the vehicle fits their life. Beaumont residents can also sell their vehicle to Carvana, even if they aren't purchasing a vehicle. Customers can get an offer online in just two minutes, as well as schedule as-soon-as-next-day pickup of that vehicle. "Texas is home to four of our Car Vending Machines and one of our Inspection Centers, so we're proud to be able to bring the new way to buy a car to even more people in the Lone Star State," said Ernie Garcia, founder and CEO of Carvana. "We are eager to grow our presence in the state with as-soon-as-next-day delivery to Beaumont area residents." Carvana now offers as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery in six Texas markets and 80 cities nationwide. About Carvana (NYSE: CVNA) Founded in 2012 and based in Phoenix, Carvana's (NYSE: CVNA) mission is to change the way people buy cars. By removing the traditional dealership infrastructure and replacing it with technology and exceptional customer service, Carvana offers consumers an intuitive and convenient online car buying and financing platform. Carvana.com enables consumers to quickly and easily shop more than 10,000 vehicles, finance, trade-in or sell their current vehicle to Carvana, sign contracts, and schedule as-soon-as-next-day delivery or pickup at one of Carvana's proprietary automated Car Vending Machines. For further information on Carvana, please visit www.carvana.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005244/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] TeleHealth Services Interactive Patient Education Helps Hospitals Address National Opioid Crisis CoxHealth, a six-hospital, community-based, not-for-profit health system, has developed a successful strategy to address opioid misuse through proactive patient education enabled, in part, by using their interactive patient television system from TeleHealth Services. Results from a pilot implementation showed increased patient engagement and improved patient satisfaction, demonstrating success in the strategy that is now being implemented system wide. Over the past two decades, opioid misuse and abuse has become a national health crisis. For hospitals, increased readmissions and prolonged length of stays are among the many adverse and financially burdening ramifications. Hospital administrators must address outdated pain management policies and protocols to align with changing practices in pain management. Proactive patient education about pain treatment from pre-admission to post-discharge at home can help reverse the crisis. Supporting this strategy is an interactive patient engagement and education system from TeleHealth Services to address patient and hospital needs. The system creates clinical workflow efficiencies and optimizes education at the patient point of care. The goal for CoxHealth, an 860-bed system serving a 25-county region of Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas, is to reduce adverse opioid events. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paints an alarming picture for the state of Missouri, with the death rate from opioid overdoses increasing 31.8 percent from 2015 to 2016. In late 2017, hospital leaders shared a sense of urgency in responding to this crisis and assembled a multidisciplinary task force to address opioid misuse. The task force included pharmacists, surgeons, patient educators, staff development nurses, public relations specialists and hospital administrators. The strategy included development of standardized patient communication, including pain management video education delivered at the point of care on patient in-room televisions. TeleHealth Services' interative patient engagement system generates activity reports for staff to review, and measures learning and patient comprehension to assess when additional education is required. Clinical education is automatically documented in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) and can be accessed post-discharge to further reinforce adherence to medications and follow-up care plans. By streamlining the education process and identifying when teach-back strategies are needed to reinforce education, nurses can devote more time to patient-centered care. Patient education videos were developed by Patient Education Coordinator Tina Tarter-Hamlet, MSN, RN, and the pharmacy team. Nurse training included flowcharts to guide them on ideal times for patient education. Joel Daniel, Pharm D, MS, CPPS, system medication safety pharmacist at CoxHealth, said, "Our pilot focused on level-setting patient expectations and increasing the cohesion of pain management communication across the system and between encounters. Thus a target metric was increased patient satisfaction scores centered on pain management." Increasing awareness of pain management and education before surgery was a catalyst for ongoing discussions. Staff were talking more with patients about pain management, and 20 percent of patients initiated discussions about pain management opioid use, including the safe disposal of opioids. In addition, patient satisfaction scores related to pain communication improved from 75% to 83.3%. Kaylyn Lambert, director of patient experience for CoxHealth, said an eight percentage point increase in patient satisfaction scores is significant. She stated, "To see that much of an increase as a direct impact from a pain communication focus really shows the significance that this project has had on our patient population and will continue to have on our system." Tarter-Hamlet added, "Our hope is this new way of teaching people about pain will make a difference for the entire community and help save lives." "Patients are filled with fear and anxiety before surgery, and they want to be educated about their treatment and their care when they go home," said Dan Nathan, president of TeleHealth Services. "Teaching patients and their family members about pain management improves their health and quality of life while also reducing challenges and rising costs burdening hospitals during this national opioid crisis. CoxHealth has designed and implemented a strategy using targeted education that improves outcomes and patient satisfaction." TeleHealth Services will host a webinar on October 11 at 2:00pm EDT where representatives from CoxHealth will provide more details about their multidisciplinary approach to educating patients on pain management and opioid use. About TeleHealth Services TeleHealth Services is driven to enhance the patient experience and positively impact health outcomes across the continuum of care using innovative patient engagement and audiovisual technologies. With 60 years of patient-centered expertise and 2,500+ healthcare clients, the company designs and delivers turnkey solutions that increase patient satisfaction, improve quality of care, and maximize clinical and operational efficiencies. TeleHealth is a division of Telerent Leasing Corporation (TLC). TLC creates unparalleled customer experiences in the use of collaborative communication solutions serving the healthcare market through TeleHealth Services; the corporate market through Avidex Industries; and the public and education markets through Digital Networks Group. TLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITOCHU International Inc. For more information about TeleHealth Services, please visit www.telehealth.com. About CoxHealth A community-based, not-for-profit health system, CoxHealth is headquartered in Springfield, Mo., and is nationally accredited by DNV GL - Healthcare. Established in 1906, the organization serves more than 900,000 people in a 24-county service area in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas, offering a comprehensive array of primary and specialty care including six hospitals and more than 80 clinics in 25 communities. The health system includes Cox (News - Alert) Medical Center South, Cox Medical Center Branson, Cox North Hospital, Meyer Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, Cox Monett Hospital, Cox Barton County Hospital, Oxford HealthCare, Home Parenteral Services (home infusion therapy), CoxHealth Foundation, Cox College, Cox HealthPlans and more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005263/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Huobi Attending San Francisco Blockchain Week SINGAPORE, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Huobi Group, the world's leading blockchain company, will be sending a high-level delegation to San Francisco Blockchain Week between Oct. 9 and Oct. 11. This will mark the first time that Huobi Group has held events in North America as a group. San Francisco's Blockchain Week is focused on innovation, cutting-edge applications of blockchain technology, and the latest development trends. Huobi Group will send representatives of its investment arms (Huobi Capital and Huobi Fund), its blockchain services and partnership branch (Huobi Cloud), and at least one of its exchanges (Huobi NEXT) to the event. Alongside HBUS, Huobi's US-based strategic partner, company officials will host three different events exploring the latest development trends and investment opportunities in North America, where Huobi is on the lookout for possible opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. The event details are as follows: On Oct . 9, Huobi Group will hold a Blockchain Cocktail Night together with JLab and Token Foundry. David Chaum will deliver a keynote speech. Experts, including senior executives of Huobi Group, will be on hand to discuss the latest development trnds and and insights in the crypto-space. 9, Huobi Group will hold a Blockchain Cocktail Night together with JLab and Token Foundry. will deliver a keynote speech. Experts, including senior executives of Huobi Group, will be on hand to discuss the latest development trnds and and insights in the crypto-space. On Oct . 10, Huobi Capital will host a project pitch session. Huobi Capital's Managing Director Li Huo , Draper University's VP Asra Nadeem, TechCrunch's founder Michael Arrington , DDC Capital's founder Adam B. Struck , Danhua Capital's Managing Director Kevin Ding , and Head of Investment of FBG Nathan Li will provide live comments on the projects to be presented. 10, Huobi Capital will host a project pitch session. Huobi Capital's Managing Director , Draper University's VP Asra Nadeem, TechCrunch's founder , DDC Capital's founder , Danhua Capital's Managing Director , and Head of Investment of FBG Nathan Li will provide live comments on the projects to be presented. On Oct . 11, Huobi Group will host a Huobi Silicon Valley Meet Up together with Danhua Capital. Professor Zhang Shoucheng will deliver a keynote speech. Huobi Capital Managing Director Li Huo ; Huobi Eco Fund Head of Investment in North America Will Wang; Managing Director of Danhua Capital Kevin Ding ; founder of Dragonfly Capital Alexander Pack; and Edith Yeung , partner with 500 Startups, will take part in a panel discussion hosted by CoinDesk journalist Leigh Cuen on value-based investment in a bear market. spark discussions on blockchain technology, applications, and innovation and to connect Huobi Capital and Huobi Fund to quality North American projects, thereby creating new value in this industry through investment. For more information on the events: 1. Blockchain Cocktail Night on Oct. 9th: URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blockchain-cocktail-night-tickets-50629049851?aff=ebdssbdestsearch 2. Huobi Capital Project pitch event on Oct. 10th: URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blockchain-pitch-networking-meetup-tickets-50770874051?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing 3. Huobi Silicon Valley Meetup on Oct. 11th: URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/huobi-silicon-valley-meetup-tickets-50629733897?aff=ebdssbdestsearch View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huobi-attending-san-francisco-blockchain-week-300727637.html SOURCE Huobi [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Pharmacy Inventory Management Software Solutions and Cabinets Market Worth $7.16 Billion by 2025: Grand View Research, Inc. SAN FRANCISCO, October 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The global pharmacy inventory management software solutions and cabinets market size is expected to reach USD 7.16 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., exhibiting an 8.6% CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing number of dispensed prescriptions, growing adoption of pharmacy automation systems, and rising incidence of medication errors are some of the key drivers for this market. Technological advancements in automated dispensing cabinets design are also expected to positively impact market growth in the coming years. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg ) Rising number of retail, mail order, and long-term care (LTC) pharmacies propel demand for inventory management software and systems in order to dispense high volume of medications. Rising pressure by governments to minimize medication costs is further expected to drive demand for these software and cabinets, as they aid in reduction of excess inventory costs. Increasing demand for efficient workflow in hospitals and pharmacies is also contributing toward market growth. Demand for automated dispensing cabinets is increasing in retail pharmacies owing to increasing workload on pharmacists, coupled with surging need for effective patient counselling. In addition, rising government initiatives towards improvement in healthcare infrastructure and growing healthcare expenditure in developing countries are positively influencing market growth. Browse full research report with TOC on "Pharmacy Inventory Management Software Solutions and Cabinets Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By End Use, By Mode of Operation (Centralized, Decentralized), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pharmacy-inventory-management-software-solutions-cabinets-market Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest: Pharmacy inventory management systems/cabinets in retail pharmacies emerged as the leading segment in terms of revenue in 2017 owing to rising number of retail pharmacies and growing number of prescritions By mode of operation, decentralized systems/cabinets accounted for the largest revenue share in 2017 owing to rising incidence of medication errors and increasing number of dispensed prescriptions In terms of geography, North America dominated the global market in 2017 in terms of revenue and Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period dominated the global market in 2017 in terms of revenue and is expected to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period Omnicell, Inc.; BD; Talyst, LLC; and ARxIUM are the major players operating in the market. This market is dominated by the presence of both multinational companies and small players. Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Veterinary Software Market - The global veterinary software market size was valued at USD 322.8 million in 2016 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. The global veterinary software market size was valued at in 2016 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. ePharmacy Market - The global ePharmacy market size was valued at USD 33.03 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period. The global ePharmacy market size was valued at in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period. mHealth App Market - The mHealth app market size was valued at USD 4.19 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 44.2% over the forecast period. - The mHealth app market size was valued at in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 44.2% over the forecast period. Healthcare CRM Market - The global healthcare CRM market size was valued at USD 7.7 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. Grand View Research has segmented the global pharmacy inventory management software solutions and cabinets market on the basis of end use, mode of operation, and region: Pharmacy Inventory Management Software Solutions and Cabinets End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Independent pharmacies Software Solutions Cabinets Hospital pharmacies Software Solutions Cabinets Long-term care centers Software Solutions Cabinets Pharmacy Inventory Management Software Solutions and Cabinets Mode of Operation Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Centralized systems Software Solutions Cabinets Decentralized systems Software Solutions Cabinets Pharmacy Inventory Management Software Solutions and Cabinets Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K Germany Asia-Pacific China Japan Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East Africa South Africa Explore the BI enabled intuitive market research database, Grand View Compass, by Grand View Research, Inc. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Top-tier Pharma and Healthcare Organizations to Share Successes at Linguamatics Fall Text Mining Summit BOSTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Linguamatics, the leading natural language processing (NLP) text analytics provider, today announced that multiple top-tier biopharma firms and healthcare organizations will share best practices and present a variety of use cases at the upcoming Linguamatics Fall Text Mining Summit. At the October 15-17, 2018 Summit in New Castle, N.H., Linguamatics clients, staff, and other members of the text mining technology community will exchange ideas, network, discuss industry trends, and explore the latest NLP text mining enhancements. Featured presenters include representatives from Agios Pharmaceuticals, Atrius Health, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxo-SmithKline, Mercy, Novo Nordisk, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, and Secure Exchange Solutions. Use case presentations and training workshops will highlight the wide range of ways organizations are leveraging I2E, Linguamatics' powerful NLP-based AI technoogy, to extract actionable insights from the huge amount of unstructured data available in healthcare and the life sciences. Key use case presentations cover a diverse range of application areas including: Use of NLP to generate actionable insights from medical scientific liaison (MSL) reports and other real-world data NLP mining of large-scale patient populations for Real World Evidence of outcomes for heart failure patient Mining unstructured data in ClinicalTrials.gov to support effective clinical trial design Systematic discovery of new therapeutic indications for drug targets through an integrated text mining approach to research and translational bioinformatics search Mining literature and clinical trial sources to build a GPCR drug discovery resource for developing novel or improved biologics drugs Enhancing identification of clinical care gaps and associated documentation using NLP Using text analytics to support risk management and drug safety in biopharma product development Streamlining the prior authorization and medical review process to improve US healthcare Mining clinical trial information for therapeutic-area trend analysis "There's a real buzz about AI, but finding concrete use cases within the life science industry can be hard. We are excited to host such excellent talks, providing clear examples of the AI technology value that NLP text mining brings to solve big industry challenges, from bench to bedside, in our pharma customer base," said Jane Reed, head of life science at Linguamatics. "Use of NLP to unlock insights from electronic health records continues to expand rapidly, and I2E is being used in some of the most innovative areas in healthcare today. Leading healthcare organizations such as Mercy and Atrius Health will discuss utilizing Real World Evidence to improve clinical outcomes; streamlining prior authorization and medical review workflows; and identifying clinical care gaps," said Simon Beaulah, senior director, healthcare at Linguamatics. For more information, please visit https://www.linguamatics.com/events/linguamatics-text-mining-summit-2018. About Linguamatics Linguamatics transforms unstructured big data into big insights to advance human health and wellbeing. A world leader in deploying innovative natural language processing (NLP)-based text mining for high-value knowledge discovery and decision support, Linguamatics' solutions are used by top commercial, academic and government organizations, including 18 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and leading US healthcare organizations. Linguamatics I2E is used to mine a wide variety of text resources, such as scientific literature, patents, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), clinical trials data, news feeds, social media and proprietary content. I2E can be deployed as an in-house enterprise system, or as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) on the cloud. Linguamatics Media contact: Michelle Ronan Noteboom, Sr. Account Director Amendola Communications + 1 512.426.2870 mnoteboom@acmarketingpr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-tier-pharma-and-healthcare-organizations-to-share-successes-at-linguamatics-fall-text-mining-summit-300727287.html SOURCE Linguamatics [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Ziften Names Noted Entrepreneur, Inventor, and Investor Randall Jamail to Board of Directors AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziften, a PS Ventures company and leader in endpoint protection plus visibility preventing advanced cyber-attacks on enterprise and government organizations, today announced the appointment of Randall Jamail as a member of the Board of Directors from his previous role as an advisor to the Board. A recognized entrepreneur, inventor, and investor, Jamail is the founder and CEO of Justice Records, recently awarded Independent Record Label of the Year by industry trade publication R&R and home to such renowned artists as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and the late Johnny Cash. Jamail is also noted for having invented the patented technology that allows for instant accessing of embedded content and media within DVD's. Continuing his high-profile entrepreneurial activities, Jamail recently founded Pavemint, a Los Angeles-based company whose first-ever parking app transforms private property into public parking opportunities to generate revenues for registered property owners and help cut traffic for drivers. "Ziften has greatly benefitted from Randall's intuitive counsel and we look forward to profiting from his vast business and brand-building expertise as he assumes his new role as a full member on our Boar of Directors," said Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, Ziften. Added Phillip Sarofim, Chief Executive Officer of PS Ventures, a lead investor in Ziften, "Randall is an extraordinary business executive whose many successes throughout his distinguished career have profoundly impacted the industries he has served. As Ziften's newest board member, Randall will play a vital role in contributing toward the company's success as a category leader in enterprise and government endpoint and server protection." About Ziften: We simplify endpoint protection plus visibility. Ziften's cloud-delivered endpoint protection platform prevents attacks on all enterprise endpoints laptops, desktops, servers, and cloud whether on network or off. The low-profile single agent deploys in minutes enabling advanced AV, endpoint detection and response, plus endpoint visibility and hardening. The result is simple, continuous endpoint protection to stop attacks with the people and budget you already have. Learn more at https://ziften.com. Follow Ziften: Ziften Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. About PS Ventures: Founded by investor-entrepreneur Phillip Sarofim, PS Ventures is a privately-held investment firm with an ownership portfolio that encompasses a variety of companies involved in technology, IT management, food manufacturing, lifestyle consumer products, film & television production and child development products. Visit PS Ventures at www.psventures.com. Ziften Media Contact: Zonic Group Public Relations Gregory Cross gcross@zonicgroup.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ziften-names-noted-entrepreneur-inventor-and-investor-randall-jamail-to-board-of-directors-300725083.html SOURCE Ziften [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] NEWCON OPTIK Chosen to Provide Handheld Precision Targeting Solutions to Canada TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - NEWCON OPTIK is proud to announce that it has been awarded an important Department of National Defence (DND) supply contract for its state-of-the-art handheld LRM 3500M laser rangefinder monocular. The initial delivery of rangefinders will provide FOO/JTACs with advanced mission capability requirements and will serve as an additional sensor platform for Canada's Integrated Soldier System Suite. This most recent award builds upon continued success in international defence and security markets as elite military and professional users increasingly turn to NEWCON OPTIK as the supplier of choice for their precision targeting needs. NEWCON OPTIK's LRM 3500M is a fully MIL-SPEC, Made-In-Canada laser rangefinder monocular with a crystal-clear 6.5x magnification, etched mil-dot reticle and in-built compatibility wit ballistic computers and mapping applications. Building on decades of experience in the design and manufacture of military-grade laser rangefinders, NEWCON OPTIK ensured that the LRM 3500M incorporated unsurpassed capabilities such as a 5.5km distance capability, internal compass and inclinometer, Bluetooth wireless communication and advanced interface protocols for use with modern defence GPS and smart soldier systems. The LRM 3500M can accommodate an optional internal GPS for both user and target location, as well as advanced artillery fall-of-shot software. Weighing only 460 grams and small enough to fit in a pocket, the LRM 3500M is the ideal solution for military and law enforcement customers seeking a compact, accurate and reliable rangefinder. NEWCON OPTIK, a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of military-grade electro-optical equipment, is a proudly Canadian, Toronto-based company. Since 1992, NEWCON OPTIK has been trusted by military, law enforcement and commercial end users in over 70 countries to supply cutting edge laser rangefinders, night vision devices, thermal imagers and tactical optics. NEWCON OPTIK also manufactures several variations of laser rangefinder modules for OEM integration. NEWCON OPTIK is a past winner of the Ontario Export Awards and has repeatedly been named by Deloitte as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newcon-optik-chosen-to-provide-handheld-precision-targeting-solutions-to-canada-300726626.html SOURCE Newcon Optik [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] CrowdStrike Report Reveals Cyber Intrusion Trends from Elite Team of Threat Hunters CrowdStrike Inc., the leader in cloud-delivered endpoint protection, today announced the release of its Observations From the Front Lines of Threat Hunting report. The report analyzed threat data from CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch, the company's industry-leading managed threat hunting team that detects intrusions by sophisticated and stealthy adversaries, to reveal insights into attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). The report also leveraged CrowdStrike's industry-leading threat telemetry, which processes 1 trillion security events a week across 176 countries, to provide additional context into the 25,000 attempted intrusions that CrowdStrike OverWatch stops in a year. Overall, 48% of intrusion cases identified involved targeted intrusions from adversaries with a nation-state nexus, while 19% were conducted by eCrime actors. According to the report, the technology, professional services, and hospitality sectors were targeted most often by cyber adversaries. The actors used a variety of novel tactics, demonstrating particular creativity and perseverance in defense-evasion and credential-access TTPs such as the use of Windows Internal tool, Active Directory Explorer, for one-time credential dumping. Notable percentages of intrusion cases by vertical include: Technology : 36% : 36% Professional Services : 17% : 17% Hospitality : 8% : 8% Defense and Federal : 7% : 7% Non-governmental Organizations: 7% "Today's adversaries are persistent in their mission to target and infiltrate all types of industries. Organizations can no longer rely on reactive approaches to stay protected. Instead, they need to start with an assumption that someone might have already breached the perimeter and proactively hunt for them 24/7/365 on systems. This is why CrowdStrike pioneered threat hunting as a service, enabling us to find the needle in the haystack in our customer networks and identify intrusions what would otherwise go unnoticed," said Dmitri Alperovitch, CrowdStrike's chief technology officer and co-founder. Notable findings include: Uptick in Chinese Targeting. OverWatch data identifies China as the most prolific nation-state threat actor during the first half of 2018. Data shows that Chinese adversaries have made targeted intrusion attempts against multiple sectors of the economy, including biotech, defense, mining, pharmaceutical, professional services, transportation, and more. OverWatch data identifies China as the most prolific nation-state threat actor during the first half of 2018. Data shows that Chinese adversaries have made targeted intrusion attempts against multiple sectors of the economy, including biotech, defense, mining, pharmaceutical, professional services, transportation, and more. eCrime Actors are Increasing Interest in Cryptocurrency Mining: OverWatch identified multiple intrusions against victims in the legal and insurance industries where criminal perpetrators gained privileged access to internal networks. In these cases, adversaries pursued post-exploitation financial gain by deploying cryptocurrency miners and employed techniques that allowed them to perform extensive lateral movement, creating as large a foothold as they could to commandeer resources for mining. OverWatch identified multiple intrusions against victims in the legal and insurance industries where criminal perpetrators gained privileged access to internal networks. In these cases, adversaries pursued post-exploitation financial gain by deploying cryptocurrency miners and employed techniques that allowed them to perform extensive lateral movement, creating as large a foothold as they could to commandeer resources for mining. Increased Targeting of the Bioechnology Industry. OverWatch observed continued targeted adversary interest in the biotechnology industry vertical, with industrial espionage likely being the motivation behind multiple attacks. The tactics observed usually occurred from adversaries looking to maintain an ongoing data collection effort against organizations in the sector. OverWatch observed continued targeted adversary interest in the biotechnology industry vertical, with industrial espionage likely being the motivation behind multiple attacks. The tactics observed usually occurred from adversaries looking to maintain an ongoing data collection effort against organizations in the sector. Continued Blurred Lines: A key theme noted in the CrowdStrike 2017 Global Threat Report was the blurring of lines between the TTPs of highly skilled nation-state adversaries and their criminally motivated counterparts. That trend continued as CrowdStrike saw less skilled criminal actors adopt more advanced TTPs used by well-known nation-state actors. One of the key metrics that CrowdStrike OverWatch tracks for all intrusions it identifies is "breakout time" - the time that it takes an intruder to begin moving laterally outside of the initial beachhead to other systems in the network. The current average breakout time is 1 hour and 58 minutes, which means that if defenders are able to detect, investigate and remediate the intrusion within 2 hours, they can stop the adversary before they can cause serious damage. We recommend that all organizations adopt the 1-10-60 rule: Strive to detect a threat in 1 minute on average Investigate the detection in 10 minutes Remediate and contain the attack in 1 hour The deep technical expertise of the OverWatch team and the technology capabilities of the Falcon platform ensure that customers are protected 24/7/367. CrowdStrike technology delivers and unifies next-generation antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), managed threat hunting, IT hygiene, vulnerability management and threat intelligence - all delivered via a single lightweight agent. For additional information, read a blog on Observations From the Front Lines of Threat Hunting report. You can also download the full report. About CrowdStrike CrowdStrike is the leader in cloud-delivered endpoint protection. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), the CrowdStrike Falcon platform offers instant visibility and protection across the enterprise and prevents attacks on endpoints on or off the network. CrowdStrike Falcon deploys in minutes to deliver actionable intelligence and real-time protection from Day One. It seamlessly unifies next-generation AV with best-in-class endpoint detection and response, backed by 24/7 managed hunting. Its cloud infrastructure and single-agent architecture take away complexity and add scalability, manageability, and speed. CrowdStrike Falcon protects customers against all cyber attack types, using sophisticated signatureless AI and Indicator-of-Attack (IOA) based threat prevention to stop known and unknown threats in real time. Powered by the CrowdStrike Threat Graph, Falcon instantly correlates over 1 trillion security events per week from across the globe to immediately prevent and detect threats. There's much more to the story of how Falcon has redefined endpoint protection but there's only one thing to remember about CrowdStrike: We stop breaches. You can gain full access to Falcon Prevent by starting your free trial. Learn more: https://www.crowdstrike.com/ Follow us: Blog | Twitter 2018 CrowdStrike, Inc. All rights reserved. CrowdStrike, CrowdStrike Falcon, CrowdStrike Threat Graph, CrowdStrike Falcon Prevent, Falcon Prevent, CrowdStrike Falcon Insight, Falcon Insight, CrowdStrike Falcon Discover, Falcon Discover, CrowdStrike Falcon Intelligence, Falcon Intelligence, CrowdStrike Falcon DNS, Falcon DNS, CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch, Falcon OverWatch, CrowdStrike Falcon Spotlight and Falcon Spotlight are among the trademarks of CrowdStrike, Inc. Other brands may be third-party trademarks. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005356/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Rgenix Raises $40M in Series C Funding To Support Clinical Stage Oncology Programs Rgenix, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class small molecule and antibody cancer therapeutics, announced that it has raised $40 million in a Series C financing in support of further development of the company's clinical and pre-clinical oncology programs and for general corporate purposes. The Series C financing was led by Lepu Medical, a publicly traded global healthcare firm, and includes Oceanpine Capital and WuXi AppTec's Corporate Venture Fund. Existing investors also participated in the financing round, including Novo Holdings A/S, Sofinnova Partners, Alexandria Venture Investments, LLC, and the Partnership Fund for New York City's Innovate NY Fund and associated entities. The financing will support Phase 1b/2 clinical trials of the lead program RGX-104 in multiple cancer indications, including in checkpoint inhibitor refractory patients. It will also support early clinical development of RGX-202, a first-in-class cancer metabolism program, as well as discovery stage programs arising from the Rgenix target discovery platform. "Lepu Medical is very pleased to make this investment in Rgenix. We truly appreciate Rgenix's unique RNA target discovery approach in identifying various first-in-class cancer targets. We also believe RGX-104 has great potential with checkpoint inhibitors across many important cancer types," said Dr. Zhongjie Pu, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Lepu Medical. "As Lepu Medical has PD-1, PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors and an oncolytic virus in clinical trials, we also look forward to exploring possible collaborative opportunities wih Rgenix as part of our goal to develop further in the oncology market together." "The addition of new investors to our already strong investor base is a testament to the power of our approach to develop first-in-class cancer therapeutics using the innovative Rgenix RNA target discovery platform to identify novel cancer targets," said Masoud Tavazoie, MD, PhD, and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Rgenix. "We are delighted to have the support of these investors and to know that they share our excitement for the work we are doing to develop these new therapies for patients who suffer from cancers of high unmet need." RGX-104 is a first-in-class small-molecule immunotherapy that targets the Liver X Receptor (LXR) and modulates innate immunity by activating the ApoE gene. Data from a Phase 1a dose escalation of RGX-104 in advanced cancer patients demonstrated both immune-stimulatory and anti-tumor activity. Rgenix is currently enrolling patients in the Phase 1b stage of the trial in multiple cancer indications, including in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab. RGX-202 is a small molecule compound that suppresses gastrointestinal cancer progression by inhibiting a novel cancer metabolism pathway involved in supplying energy to cancer cells. Pre-clinical research shows the compound is active as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy considered to be the standard of care. Rgenix expects to launch a Phase 1 trial of RGX-202 in 2018. Rgenix was advised by Jefferies LLC in this Series C financing. About Rgenix Rgenix, Inc., is a privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel cancer drugs that target key pathways in cancer progression. The company is pursuing several first-in-class drug candidates to treat cancers of high unmet need. Rgenix identifies novel cancer targets using a microRNA based target discovery platform originally developed by Rgenix's scientific co-founders at The Rockefeller University and now exclusively licensed to Rgenix. The company brings together distinguished scientific founders, a seasoned Board, and a leadership team comprised of experienced drug developers. The company is funded by leading biotechnology investors, including Novo Holdings A/S, Sofinnova Partners, Lepu Holdings Limited, Oceanpine Capital, WuXi PharmaTech Healthcare Fund I, LP, Alexandria Venture Investments,LLC, and the Partnership Fund for New York City. For more information, please visit www.rgenix.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005388/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Corvium Wins "2018 Outsell Emerging Company of the Year" at Outsell Growth Tank Event BOSTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Food safety trailblazer Corvium, Inc. was named the "2018 Outsell Emerging Company of the Year" at Outsell Inc.'s Signature Event in London yesterday. Presenting alongside other finalist startups working at the intersection of data and information solutions, Corvium impressed the Outsell community with a compelling presentation on the food risk landscape and their work to make the world a safer place to eat. Following its inclusion on the annual Outsell 300 companies to watch list, and later a designation as one of the 50 hottest companies to watch , Corvium was one of just 10 finalists invited to present in the Emerging Company Growth Tank at the Outsell Signature Event this week. Out of this exceptional group of companies, Corvium came away with the event's highest honors, as selected by the audience of CEOs from the world's leading information, data, analytics, and technology companies. Selection criteria included: Potential to shape the future of the industry Uniqueness of approach with an innovative business model Market runway and potential for revenue growth Corvium has quickly risen as an industry innovator, equipping food producers with advanced food safety, intelligence and operational solutions that can reduce food risk and product recalls. In North America alone, Corvium sits at the center of a food safety market worth at least $2.3 billon, and is working to secure the supply chain and ensure quality at every stage - from raw materials and harvesting, through distribution and processing, through restaurant or retail consumption. "Our technology is very much needed in the food industry right now, as foodborne illness and recalls are on the rise," said Dr. Michael Koeris, Corvium co-founder and chief innovation officer. "We were able to demonstrate to the Outsell community how we can lower food safety risks, and this award validates our value proposition. Our customers can avoid expensive production shutdowns and reduce costly brand and supply chain relationship damage - correlating their food safety practices to real ROI that extends to operational improvement and beyond. We are excited to be recognized as the 2018 Outsell Emerging Company of the Year, and to continue our rapid growth and impact on the food industry." "Food touches home for all. The value of the data and insights that Corvium provides has the ability to impact the lives of billions. This is the power of good information, data, and what gets us out of bed every day," said Ben Sampson, VP Product & Head of Outsell for Startups. "We are incredibly excited for the future of Corvium and congratulate them on their well-deserved win of the 2018 Outsell Emerging Company of the Year." Corvium's CONTROL food safety workflow solution reduces risk by accelerating the EMP testing lifecycle and eliminating repetitive, error-prone manual tasks that lead to unplanned adverse financial outcomes such as undetected contamination and recalls. CONTROL enables continuous visualization, monitoring, and up-to-date documentation of food safety testing across multiple production facilities. Corvium's INSIGHTS food intelligence solution works hand in hand with CONTROL to aggregate and visualize all relevant internal and external data, while continuously monitoring data flows and providing tailor-made and up-to-date analysis of food safety performance across multiple production facilities. About Corvium, Inc. For businesses all along the food chain with a vested interest in protecting the health of the public and their brands, Corvium is the food intelligence company that delivers data, insights and superior customer service to ensure that clients' products are safe. Reduce food risk, improve food quality. For more information, visit www.corvium.com. Contact information: Alexandra McInnis Corvium, Inc. alexandra.mcinnis@corvium.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corvium-wins-2018-outsell-emerging-company-of-the-year-at-outsell-growth-tank-event-300727337.html SOURCE Corvium [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Total Brain Honors World Mental Health Day by Offering a One-Year Free Trial of its Brain Performance Monitoring and Training App to Consumers SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Total Brain, provider of the world's first brain performance monitoring and training platform, announced today that, in honor of the World Mental Health Day on October 10, it will offer one-year complimentary access to its digital service. Powered by a scientifically validated digital brain assessment and by the largest standardized neuroscientific database in the world, Total Brain helps individuals assess, rank, screen and train their emotion, feeling, cognition and self-control capacities. In today's world, our brains are hacked. For most of us, 24/7 news feeds, emails, texts and social media make it harder to feel the right emotions, to focus on tasks, to think straight and to develop meaningful social connections. For others, mental conditions like depression and anxiety emerge with 50%1 going undiagnosed or untreated due to a lack of awareness, stigmatization and lack of context for effective screening. By making brain performance its primary user goal, Total Brain creates brain awareness and provides appropriate context (human performance vs. diseases) for effective screening and referrals at scale for depression, general and social anxiety, ADHD, addiction, PTSD and sleep apnea. The application also provides everyone self-directed digital brain training tailored to individual strengths and weaknesses. Training includes digital brain, breathing and meditation exercises that have proven effective in strengthening brain capacities. This free promotion will kick off at Give an Hour's Global Summit on Mental Health Culture Change 2018 in London on October 10 and be valid for one week, through October 17. Anyone seeking to take advantage of this offer can visit www.totalbrain.com/changementalhealth and register for their free, one-year trial. Preeminent mental health advocate, clinical psychologist and founder of Give a Hour, Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph. D said,"We are proud that Total Brain has joined Give an Hour as a sponsor at this year's Global Summit on Mental Health Culture Change and we are grateful for the important gift they are offering to everyone on World Mental Health Day! Total Brain's approach focuses on giving each of us information about ourselves so that we can understand our strengths, our challenges and seek help when needed. This is culture change in action!" "World Mental Health Day calls for worldwide attention on the fact that most of us function sub-optimally in this 'always-on' society. Mental conditions are just another temporary cause of human performance impairment. Functioning at optimum, at-home and at-work, is a universal problem that calls for a universal conversation and solution," said Louis Gagnon, CEO of Total Brain. "We are deeply committed to provide that solution and help people lead happier, more connected and fulfilling lives." Louis Gagnon will speak on a panel with other thought leaders and policy makers at the 2018 Global Summit on Mental Health Culture Change in London. The session called "The Role of Technology in Changing Culture" will be live webcast on October 11 here. 1 NCBI, 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1852925/ Additional Resources: Louis Gagnon , CEO of Total Brain writes on The Rise of Conscious Capitalism in Forbes , CEO of Total Brain writes on The Rise of Conscious Capitalism in Forbes White paper: Improving Employee Mental Fitness and Wellbeing A study: Benefits of Brain Training Video: Total Brain Overview Partnership with TLEX About Total Brain: Total Brain is a fully owned subsidiary of Brain Resource Limited (BRC) based in San Francisco, U.S. and publicly listed in Sydney, AUS (ASX:BRC). BRC is at the forefront of applying clinically validated brain assessment and brain training to improve behavioral health outcomes. Total Brain, formerly called MyBrainSolutions, is the world's first brain performance monitoring and training platform powered by the largest standardized brain database, and has over 600,000 registered users. Its SaaS-based product decreases stress, improves resilience and increases the productivity of individuals, while reducing healthcare costs for employers and insurers across the United States. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Media Contact: Seema Kalra For Total Brain 650.666.5294 seema_kalra@yahoo.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/total-brain-honors-world-mental-health-day-by-offering-a-one-year-free-trial-of-its-brain-performance-monitoring-and-training-app-to-consumers-300727343.html SOURCE Total Brain [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Shaun E. Murphy Joins Freedom Bank of Virginia as Chief Operating and Credit Officer The Board of Directors of Freedom Bank of Virginia (OTCQX: FDVA) is pleased to announce that Shaun E. Murphy has been appointed as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Credit Officer effective October 1, 2018. "We are thrilled to have Shaun Murphy join Freedom Bank in this new and important leadership capacity. He has a proven track record with several well respected companies in loan origination, credit, capital markets, regulatory compliance, operations and workout," said Joe Thomas, President and CEO of Freedom Bank. "The addition of Mr. Murphy brings a fresh leadership structure to the Bank which will guide and integrate all administrative functions in one team to better serve our banking clients and build the foundation for future growth. I would like to thank Sally Siveroni for her service as our Chief Credit Officer over the past five years as she pursues a new chapter in her career out of market," he continued. Mr. Murphy was most recently SEVP and Chief Credit & Risk Officer at City First Bank in Washington DC since 2015. Prior to that, he served as Chief Risk Officer of H Bancorp where he was responsible for all risk and compliance activities and served on the Board of Directors of Bay Bancorp and its bank subsidiary, Bay Bank. Prior to H Bancorp, Mr. Murphy served as Managing Director of Hovde Private Equity Advisors, LLC where he was responsible for risk and due diligence activities surrounding strategic bank investments. "I look forward to joining the talented and experienced staff at Freedom and overseeing the credit, operations, compliance, information technology and enterprise risk management functions at the Bank in an effective and efficient manner. The changes taking place at Freedom will undoubtedly provide exceptional opportunity for growth nd increased shareholder value, making it a very exciting time to be a part of the Freedom Bank team," said Shaun Murphy. Previously, Mr. Murphy served as Chief Operating Officer at CapitalSource Inc. where he was responsible for portfolio administration and operations of the Structured Finance Business. Prior to that, he was the Credit Executive for PNC (News - Alert) Financial Services Corporate Banking and PNC Capital Markets, Inc., responsible for underwriting, portfolio administration, and strategic positioning. Mr. Murphy was also at Allfirst as Chief Regulatory Officer responsible for all compliance functions across the bank and other subsidiaries as well as the bank's BSA Officer, CRA Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Chief Ethics Officer. He began his career at HSBC in New York and holds degrees from The London School of Economics and Political Science (M.Sc.) and Villanova University (B.S.B.A.). About Freedom Bank Freedom Bank is a community-oriented bank headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia with total assets of $512 million and total deposits of $434 million at June 30, 2018. The bank has locations in Fairfax, Reston, Chantilly and Vienna and a mortgage division headquartered in Chantilly. The bank's stock trades on the OTCQX market as FDVA. For information about Freedom Bank's deposit and loan services, visit the Bank's website at www.freedombankva.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements, including our expectations with respect to future events that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations include: fluctuation in market rates of interest and loan and deposit pricing, adverse changes in the overall national economy as well as adverse economic conditions in our specific market areas, maintenance and development of well-established and valued client relationships and referral source relationships, and acquisition or loss of key production personnel. Other risks that can affect the Bank are detailed from time to time in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. We caution readers that the list of factors above is not exclusive. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we may not undertake steps to update the forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of any circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements are made. In addition, our past results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future performance. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005644/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] comScore Validates NinthDecimal's Location and Visit Metrics SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NinthDecimal , the leading omni-channel marketing platform, today announced that its visit metrics and location data have been validated by comScore. Completion of comScores multi-faceted review process validates the accuracy and aptness of NinthDecimals location data, as well as its data hygiene practices. Its increasingly important for advertisers to understand what is driving foot traffic to physical venues so they can optimize their marketing efforts, said David Algranati, senior vice president of product management at comScore. We are pleased to serve as a source of truth for companies like NinthDecimal as they look to validate their metrics." comScore used the following criteria, among others, to validate NinthDecimals visit metrics: Accuracy and freshness of store boundary data Ability to contextualize raw latitude and longitude signals dentification and filtering of false positives The visitation metrics and location data are leveraged by NinthDecimals marketing platform, powering a range of services including audiences, insights and measurement. About NinthDecimal NinthDecimal is the omni-channel marketing platform powering real-world conversions for Fortune 500 brands. Its customer growth engine identifies a brand's best customers and new prospects; activates marketing strategies to drive store visits and sales; and quantifies the impact of advertising across all media. NinthDecimal has the largest real-time engine of consumer behavior based on where you live, work, shop, and play. Its platform is powered by nearly 200M U.S. consumers seen in almost 10 billion locations per day, unlocking AI-driven consumer intelligence not visible through traditional search or social platforms. Follow NinthDecimal on Twitter ( @NinthDecimal ) and like us on Facebook . Learn more at NinthDecimal.com . Media Contacts: Ruben Osorio 415-821-8649 rosorio@ninthdecimal.com [October 09, 2018] Synovus to Announce Third Quarter 2018 Results on October 23, 2018 Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: SNV) will announce third quarter 2018 results on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. An earnings press release will be published prior to the earnings conference call, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET. A live audio webcast and slides will be available with the press release and tables at http://investor.synovus.com/event. A replay will be posted on the company's website approximately one hour after the call ends and will be available with the press release and slides for 12 months. Synovus Financial Corp. is a financial services company based in Columbus, Georgia, with more than $31 billion in assets. Synovus provides commercial and retail banking, investment, and mortgage services thrugh 250 branches in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. Synovus Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Synovus, was recognized as the "Most Reputable Bank" by American Banker and the Reputation Institute in 2017. Synovus is on the web at synovus.com, and on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005373/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Goldbelly Announces Investment From Danny Meyer's Enlightened Hospitality Investments NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldbelly , the popular online food marketplace that connects the most iconic regional and local food providers to consumers around the country, today announced that it has raised $20 million in Series B funding led by Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI), the fund formed by legendary restaurateur Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. Existing investors Intel Capital, 500 Startups and 645 Ventures have also reinvested, demonstrating confidence in the company's business model and connection with its customers. Goldbelly will leverage the new funding to meet increased demand and expand its technology and operations teams in its newly opened New York City headquarters. As a part of the transaction, Meyer, founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and a partner in Enlighted Hospitality Investments, will join the Company's advisory board. Led by founder & CEO Joe Ariel, Goldbelly's team of "food explorers" finds America's most unique, legendary and authentic food experiences and makes them available for national delivery, straight from the source. Their proprietary technology manages e-commerce operations and logistics for 350 of the country's most popular food makers. "We are thrilled to partner with Danny and the team at Enlightened Hospitality Investments and to join ther great portfolio of brands who are unified by shared values of hospitality and a commitment to providing a stronger emotional connection to food," said Ariel. "At Goldbelly, we believe that the country's greatest foods are made by passionate regional food makers and artisans. We've created a platform to empower these iconic local brands to connect with food lovers across the country, and look forward to enabling more people to enjoy these magical food experiences around the country." "Enlightened Hospitality Investments is passionate about finding category disruptors, particularly when their business and culture leverage technology to provide exceptional hospitality," said Meyer. "Goldbelly does just that, conveniently fulfilling nostalgic cravings for hometown favorites. Joe Ariel and his team have created something very special, as evidenced by Goldbelly's devoted following and inspiring culture. We look forward to working together to share the gift of Goldbelly with as many food lovers as possible." Goldbelly's roster of iconic selections includes one-of-a-kind products from regionally renowned purveyors like: New York City's Milk Bar & Russ & Daughters Milk Bar & Russ & Daughters Chicago's Gino's East & Lou Malnati's Pizza Gino's East & Pizza Philadelphia's Pat's King Of Steaks & Tony Luke's Pat's King Of Steaks & Nashville's Prince's Hot Chicken & Loveless Cafe Prince's Hot Chicken & Loveless Cafe Pittsburgh's Primanti Brothers & Prantl's Bakery Primanti Brothers & Prantl's Bakery Texas's Salt Lick & Louie Mueller BBQ For more information about Goldbelly, please visit www.goldbelly.com . About Goldbelly Goldbelly finds America's most unique, creative, and legendary foods from across the country and ships them to your door, anywhere nationwide. Founder & CEO Joe Ariel and his team of "Food Explorers" seek out all kinds of cuisines from sweet to savory, classic to novel, and everything in between to build a selection of the nation's best handmade, small-batch foods. By helping artisan merchants build an e-commerce operation, Goldbelly offers a platform for small businesses to reach new customers and grow their revenue and reach customers outside of their local area. About Enlightened Hospitality Investments Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI) is a value-added strategic investor formed to leverage the brands, businesses and team of Union Square Hospitality Group to identify growth potential and investment opportunities in both internal and outside ventures. EHI partners with portfolio companies to provide strategic direction, operational experience, increased visibility and access to relationships, resulting in significant value creation for all stakeholders. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/goldbelly-announces-investment-from-danny-meyers-enlightened-hospitality-investments-300727498.html SOURCE Goldbelly [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Q2i's New MATRA Technology Enables Earliest Interventions to Improve Recovery from Opioid Use Disorder BOSTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Q2i, a provider of technology that improves patient care by enabling better information exchange between patients and their healthcare teams, today announced that its Opioid Addiction Recovery Support application (OARS) now includes an exclusive feature MATRA that enables healthcare teams to identify various trends in the behavior of patients who are in recovery from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and dynamically predict the likelihood of dropout and/or relapse throughout the continuum of care. Q2i developed MATRA Medication Assisted Treatment Recovery Assessment in conjunction with psychiatrists, clinicians, and data scientists from the University of Massachusetts and Tufts University. MATRA utilizes the data that OARS generates, including patient data, and data generated by machine learning and artificial intelligence, to accurately predict how successful patients will be in their recovery from OUD. This data was previously either unavailable or problematic to obtain. OARS comprises a healthcare team portal and a patient mobile application. It improves the success of Medication-Assisted Tretment (MAT) programs by providing real-time insight, analytics and trend analysis, and improved connection and support between healthcare teams and their patients. The MATRA functionality within OARS evaluates each patient's risk of program dropout and relapse, in real time, based on patient- and healthcare team-supplied data and machine data. This brings high-risk patients to the attention of the healthcare team at the earliest possible time, and enables the team to intervene as soon as possible, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. "The MATRA/OARS solution gives us the tools we need to really understand whether relapse can be predicted," said Dr. Katherine Fitzgerald, Primary Care Physician at a Suboxone/Recovery Clinic in Gardner, MA, who has been using OARS for over a year. "With the Q2i OARS/MATRA solution, we'll be able to help more patients achieve a full recovery from OUD." "Improving recovery outcomes for OUD requires deeper insight into the patient's challenges," said Tony McNamara, CTO of Q2i. "Through data mining, analytics and machine learning, OARS improves a healthcare team's ability to track patient progress while simultaneously providing quicker recognition of risk signs that cannot be discerned otherwise, enabling earlier intervention." About Q2i Q2i collaborates with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, providers and payers to understand and then realize unmet technology needs. We facilitate improvements in patient care by supporting patients with their treatment plans through better connection and information exchange with their healthcare teams. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/q2is-new-matra-technology-enables-earliest-interventions-to-improve-recovery-from-opioid-use-disorder-300727673.html SOURCE Q2i [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Once Upon a Farm Closes $20 Million in Series B Funding Led by CAVU Venture Partners Once Upon a Farm, which provides organic, cold-pressed baby food, applesauce and smoothies, announced today the closing of a $20 million Series B financing round. This investment was led by CAVU Venture Partners, the consumer-focused investment firm founded by consumer product veterans known for building iconic brands, along with several existing investors. CAVU's co-founder and managing partner Brett Thomas, along with Jared Jacobs, will join the company's board. This round of funding will support the company's explosive growth in retail and product innovation. "From day one, our investors have all been tremendous partners for our brand," said John Foraker, CEO and Co-Founder of Once Upon a Farm. "Due to their generous support and this round led by CAVU, Once Upon a Farm has been able to maintain incredible momentum to create a new Fresh Baby category and build a company that is committed to driving social impact for families." Since John Foraker and Jennifer Garner joined the company last September, Once Upon a Farm has achieved historic growth, expanding from 300 retail locations to more than 8,500. Key retail partners include Target (News - Alert) , Whole Foods, Kroger, Publix and Walmart among others. The company will continue placing product in the dairy set where it's seen great success this past year, but will also expand its footprint into the baby ailse with in-line coolers. In addition to retail expansion, the company recently announced a new line of baby food cups, specifically designed for spoon-feeding occasions, that will be in stores early next year. "I am proud of the innovative business that we have built. It is incredibly exciting to see so many families embracing our products," says company co-founder Jennifer Garner. "This latest round of funding allows us to continue to help busy parents give their children the most nutritious foods possible and make life a little bit easier for families across the country." "The baby food category has lacked real product innovation for quite some time," said CAVU Ventures managing partner Brett Thomas. "We're thrilled to partner with John, Jen and the rest of the Once Upon a Farm team to disrupt and lead in this space." Also participating in this round were S2G Ventures, Beechwood Capital and other Series A investors. The Series A round was led by Cambridge SPG in 2017. About Once Upon a Farm Headquartered in Berkeley, California, Once Upon a Farm was founded with the dream of providing yummy and nutritious "farm-to-family" food to children of all ages. The company currently offers lines of baby food, applesauce and smoothies that are cold-pressed (HPP) to better lock in nutrients, taste and color compared to shelf-stable alternatives. Once Upon a Farm is B-Corp certified and committed to nurturing our children, each other, and the earth in order to pass on a healthier and happier world to the next generation. For more information, please visit www.onceuponafarmorganics.com. About CAVU Venture Partners CAVU Venture Partners invests in high growth, iconic consumer brands. CAVU was founded by consumer products veterans and serial entrepreneurs Rohan Oza, Clayton Christopher, and Brett Thomas. CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited) is a pilot term for the best possible flying conditions. Using their deep brand-building and operational expertise, CAVU's partners seek to create the best possible conditions to enable their talented, passionate entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams. Brands include Bai, Health-Ade, One Bar, Bulletproof, Kite Hill, Hippeas and Vital Proteins. For more information, please visit www.cavuventures.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005699/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] E-Discovery Day 2018 Lineup of Educational Webcasts and Networking Events Announced Portland, Oregon, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exterro Inc., the preferred provider of software specifically designed for in-house legal and IT teams at Global 2000 and AmLaw 200 organizations, along with twenty-five supporting organizations today announce the initial webcast and event schedule for the 4 th annual E-Discovery Day on December 4, 2018. E-Discovery Day is an industry-wide, vendor-neutral celebration of e-discoverys vital role in the legal process. There are currently 10 educational webcasts featuring many well-known e-discovery experts, including federal judges, practitioners, and legal tech media. In addition, six in-person networking events are being held in Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York City, Orange County, and Washington D.C. The 26 supporting organizations for E-Discovery Day represent media, educational institutions, membership associations, law firms, service providers, and more: Above the Law Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) Actiance Baylor Law Bloomberg Law Brighttalk Cleveland Marshall Law School Complex Discovery EDRM at Duke Law School Epiq Exterro FTI Consulting GC News Georgetown Law CLE Haystack ILTA Legal IT Morae Global NightOwl Discovery Pinhawk Reed Smith RVM Stout Todays General Counsel University of Florida Levin College of Law Yerra Solutions Baylor Law is thrilled to be a first-time supporter of E-Discovery Day this year. We strongly believe in the importance of educating the legal profession on strategically managing litigation. E-discovery plays a crucial role in that process, and E-Discovery Day is a wonderful opportunity for both law students and practicing attorneys to enhance their skills in this important space, said Elizabeth M. Fraley, associate professor at Baylor Law. Exterro is so pleased to be a part of E-Discovery Day and witness the growth of the celebrations over the past 4 years. It has and continues to provide such a great value to the e-discovery community, I hope that everyone in the legal industry can take part in at least one of the many online and in-person events planned on December 4th, said Bobby Balachandran, CEO at Exterro. Details on current E-Discovery Day events, including topics, speakers, and registration information can be found on e-discoveryday.com . Organizations interested in hosting their own webcasts and/or events should visit the website for instructions on getting their event/webcast listed for free. About Exterro Exterro, Inc. is the preferred provider of e-discovery software specifically designed for in-house legal and IT teams at Global 2000 and Am Law 200 organizations. Built on a simple concept of process optimization, Exterro helps organizations improve and simplify e-discovery activities. With Exterros Orchestrated E-Discovery Suite, traditionally fractured and fragmented e-discovery efforts are mended by orchestrating and automating tasks in a coordinated workflow across the entire e-discovery process, reducing time, cost and risk associated with e-discovery. For more information, visit exterro.com. #### Kristin Kolasinski Marketing Communications & Events Manager Exterro, Inc. kristin.kolasinski@exterro.com (503) 501-5141 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Cloud for Utilities Adds New Advisory Board Member Guerry Waters, Vice President, Industry Strategy, Oracle Utilities WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud for Utilities today announced a new Advisory Board Member, Guerry Waters, Vice President, Oracle Utilities. Joining members from utility companies and leading technology firms, Waters will provide guidance regarding the direction of the Cloud for Utilities organization. "Cloud for Utilities is leading the march to the cloud for the utility industry through education and best practices," said Waters. "With Oracle's commitment to the utility industry and leading the drive for innovation, this alignment was a natural fit. I look forward to helping guide the discussion as the organization continues to grow." "Guerry brings over 30 years of experience in global information technology strategy, organization, architecture, and business-driven IT solutions to the Cloud Advisory Board. We are lucky to have him join us, and we look forward to his continued thought leadership and gidance," said Rick Cutter, Managing Director, Cloud for Utilities. Waters has dedicated his professional career to advancing solutions surrounding the delivery of energy and water to customers and the IT strategies that help utilities meet their goals amid changing customer demands, regulations, and market structures. Prior to Oracle, Waters held senior positions at Southern Company, Gartner and SPL WorldGroup. About Cloud for Utilities Cloud for Utilities is the preeminent resource for cloud business models and digital technologies for the utility industry. The organization focuses on education, supporting career advancement, improving organization success, and driving thought leadership around cloud business models and digital transformations for the utility industry. The second annual Cloud for Utilities Summit will be held November 14 16, 2018 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington DC. Register here. To learn more about Cloud for Utilities, visit CloudForUtilities.org. Contact: Tara Bauer TaraB@cloudforutilities.org View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cloud-for-utilities-adds-new-advisory-board-member-guerry-waters-vice-president-industry-strategy-oracle-utilities-300727805.html SOURCE Cloud for Utilities [October 09, 2018] Houghton College joins the RENEW it NOW NY program BOSTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Renew Energy Partners, a firm that funds, owns and operates energy efficiency and on-site clean energy projects for commercial and institutional building owners, announced today the start of construction for energy efficient LED Lighting upgrades for Houghton College. Houghton College is a Christian liberal arts college in Houghton, NY. JACOMB Lighting, a Rochester, NY based LED lighting firm will be providing the turnkey implementation of this project. The RENEW it Now NY Program is RENEW Energy Partners' energy finance program for NY commercial, industrial and institutional energy users. By participating in the RENEW it Now NY program, Houghton College will receive the LED Lighting upgrades at no up-front cost. Renew is funding, will own and operate the energy conservation measures in exchange for a service fee less than the savings generated. Houghton College not only receives lighting upgrades but will also see an immediate reduction to their operating budget. "We were looking for opportunities to both save on our operating expenses and reduce our environmental impact at the same time," said Dale Wright, the College's VP for Finance. "The JACOMB and RENEW team helped us find the perfect solution to achieve both with no demands on our capital budget. Additionally, the Agreement is flexible enough that other projects can be evaluated and added at a later date." The JACOMB team provided the initial lighting survey and worked with Houghton College's facilities team to determine the best LED design for each space. "Our interests are aligned with Houghton College in that together we are focused on cost-effective, optimal performance of new LED lighting that we are standing behind for the next decade. The ESA model works well fist and foremost for Houghton College, but it also works for our business, and additional service providers with solutions of value," said Bill Gauthier, President of JACOMB Lighting. Under the terms of RENEW's Energy Service Agreement ("ESA"), RENEW funds the installation and is responsible for the ongoing service of the LED lights for the term of the agreement. "RENEW is thrilled to be working with Houghton College to help them upgrade its facilities and meet its sustainability goals. As a mission-driven company, we want to help commercial, industrial and institutional portfolio owners reduce their carbon emissions now," said Charlie Lord, co-founder and principal at RENEW. The project is anticipated to take four months to complete, and by early 2019 Houghton College will see immediate energy savings and an improved operational environment for faculty, staff and students. About RENEW Energy Partners RENEW Energy Partners is a company committed to addressing the challenges of climate change by accelerating the adoption of energy-efficiency solutions. The company has raised a multi-million-dollar capital pool from "impact investors" which it uses, in combination with its turnkey energy-efficiency services and industry partnerships, to fully fund and execute energy-efficiency projects for building owners. For more information, please visit http://www.RenewEP.com About JACOMB lighting JACOMB Lighting is an industry leader in providing their clients with full turnkey energy efficiency solutions. Our services range from LED lighting, lighting controls systems (hardwired and wireless), lighting design services, utility and state run rebates along with project financing. For more information, please visit www.jacomb.net. About Houghton College Houghton College is a liberal arts institution that challenges students to academic excellence - in the context of a relevant Christian community - and empowers them to enrich the world. The college of just under 1,000 students is located in Western New York, just 65 miles from Buffalo and Rochester. For more information, please visit www.houghton.edu. Media Contact: Michael Savage Sales Manager 8889386256 Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12733702 Press release distributed by PRLog View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/houghton-college-joins-the-renew-it-now-ny-program-300727440.html SOURCE Renew Energy Partners [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Metawave Successfully Demonstrates 300 Meter Radar on Infineon Platform Metawave Corporation today announced the first ever industry demonstration of advanced radar that is able to detect automobiles and their speed at 300 meters, and pedestrians and bicycles as far as 180 meters. Integrated with Infineon's 77GHz radar chipset comprising of the RXS8160 MMIC and AURIX microcontroller, along with NVIDIA's (News - Alert) AI Processing Engine, Metawave's development testing platform more than doubles today's existing automotive sensors, which can only detect unidentifiable, often blurry objects at a much shorter 100 meter range. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005331/en/ Metawave 300 meter range demo radar test platform in action on test vehicle (Photo: Business Wire) "We look forward to working with Infineon to develop an advanced platform that gives automotive industry giants the ability to deliver a faster and safer road to autonomous driving," said Tim Curley, Metawave VP of Strategic Alliances. "We're making great strides in demonstrating what smart, advanced radar is capable of achieving using Infineon chipsets - from showing high-resolution automotive 77GHz radar with object tracking, to AI deployment to learn what specifically is ahead of the car, to proving how our platform detects humans and cars at a very long range." According to Research and Markets, the automotive radar market is predicted to exceed $9,475.4 million by 2023. Advanced, smart radar plays a significant role in making autonomous driving safer, especially in challenging weather and operating conditions such as dense fog, heavy storms and dirty roads. Unlike cameras and LiDAR, radar can detect objects at a distance through difficult weather conditions. Today's existing radar is limited in its ability to see high-resolution, making it impossible to determine and learn to classify through AI what is in front of the automobile, especially at 300 meters. WARLORD, Metawave's smart radar platform, uses one antenna and pushes complexity to analog. With WARLORD, the antenna itself shapes and steers the beam, recognizes objects quickly in the analog space and leverages AI to learn as the radar sees. "We are pleased to take our partnership with Metawave to the road," said Ritesh Tyagi, Head of the Infineon Silicon Valley Automotive Innovation Center. "This demonstration shows how Infineon's radar chipset and Metawave's sophisticated antenna technology can be combined to deliver a cutting-edge sensor platform that will advance the safety and future of autonomous driving." Three sensors are fundamental components of the perception system for self-driving cars today: camera, LiDAR and radar. The camera is the highest resolution sensor but cannot see objects beyond 70 meters. LiDAR extends the range to about 180 meters with a fairly high resolution imaging capability. Radar operates at a lower frequency and sees long ranges sooner than any other sensor. Today's radar lacks resolution and canot differentiate objects. These systems require multiple antennas, which are heavy and expensive, and need to analyze every signal in the digital space, which takes time. Visit www.metawave.co, follow us on Twitter @metawavecorp, on Facebook (News - Alert) , or contact us at info@metawave.co. About Infineon Infineon Technologies (News - Alert) AG is a world leader in semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon is the key to a better future. In the 2017 fiscal year (ending 30 September), the Company reported sales of around 7.1 billion with about 37,500 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY). About Metawave Metawave is a wireless technology company that seeks to revolutionize the future of wireless communications and radar sensing. Leveraging adaptive metamaterials and AI, Metawave's primary focus is to build intelligent beam-steering radar for autonomous driving. Changing the way automakers deploy radar, Metawave is building high-performance radars capable of 4D point-cloud imaging, non-line of sight object detection, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, making cars safer, smarter, and connected. In parallel, Metawave is developing smart antenna platforms for Fixed Wireless and 5G cellular networks to provide faster infrastructure and near-instant connectivity for billions of people. Founded in 2017, Metawave is located in Palo Alto (News - Alert) and Carlsbad, CA. Visit the Metawave website at www.metawave.co, follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @metawavecorp, on Facebook, or contact us at info@metawave.co. Metawave is funded by auto industry leaders including DENSO, Toyota AI Ventures, Hyundai Motor Company, Infineon, and Asahi Glass. Additional strategic investors include Motus Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Autotech Ventures, Bold Capital, SAIC Capital, Western Technology Investment, and Alrai Capital. The automotive radar market is predicted to exceed $9,475.4 million by 2023, according to Research and Markets. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005331/en/ [October 09, 2018] CGI to create 300 high-tech jobs in Drummondville focused on digital transformation and innovation New center of excellence expands CGI's global delivery network of services MONTREAL, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) is pleased to announce that it will open a center of excellence in the city of Drummondville, within the Centre-du-Quebec region, before the end of the year. CGI is planning to create approximately 300 high-tech jobs over the next five years within the center, which will specialize in digital transformation and innovation and primarily target the finance, retail and manufacturing sectors. Through the new center, CGI's clients will realize the benefits of cutting-edge expertise and next-generation technological solutions to step up their shift to digital and adapt to emerging trends. "We are extremely proud to welcome CGI to Drummondville," said Alexandre Cusson, Mayor of Drummondville and President of the Drummondville Economic Development Corp. "CGI's decision to set up operations in our new-economy industrial park will have a major impact on the development of the regional economy and the creation of specialized jobs in information technology." "The new center will strengthen our unique client commitment by offering superior qualty while at the same time ensuring a strong local presence for our Quebec clients," said CGI Senior Vice-President Michael Godin. "We are proud to contribute actively to the economic growth of Quebec's regions and communities by creating specialized jobs that foster the development of local expertise." CGI's new center in Drummondville is part of a worldwide network of centers of excellence that focus on key markets and technologies. Through each of these centers, CGI works closely with clients and partners to design leading-edge solutions and services that support our clients' digital transformation, performance, results and growth. The new Drummondville center of excellence is CGI's seventh in Quebec, in addition to centers in Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Quebec City, Shawinigan, Montreal and Gatineau. Within the province, CGI has a network of 7,500 professionals. About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 74,000 professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from IT and business consulting to systems integration, outsourcing services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. With annual revenue of C$10.8 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgi-to-create-300-high-tech-jobs-in-drummondville-focused-on-digital-transformation-and-innovation-300725548.html SOURCE CGI Group Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] AQUA Intelligence Welcomes Former Senior Apple Executive, Chuck Goldman, to Its Advisory Board AQUA Intelligence (www.aquaintel.io), the company bringing clarity to business data and providing a direct connection to consumer loyalty and trust, is announcing the recent addition of tech veteran Chuck Goldman (News - Alert) to its advisory board. AQUA Intelligence is a data driven platform on the blockchain that enables consumers to monetize and validate their personal data. The company recently announced the launch of its Property Management System and integration with Hilton Worldwide. "We are thrilled that Chuck Goldman is joining our advisory board to help faciitate our growth and development," says AQUA Intelligence CEO Anthony Gelman. "With his knowledge and leadership prowess, we know that Mr. Goldman will provide invaluable guidance in supporting AQUA Intelligence and our goal to empower the trust economy." Mr. Goldman has 25 years of senior executive leadership experience in building high-growth technology companies. Chuck is currently Co-Founder and CEO of VUI, Inc., the world's most advanced enterprise Voice+AI platform. Chuck also founded Apperian (News - Alert) , a market leader in Enterprise Mobility Management, and raised $28 million in venture capital. Apperian built the first B2B and B2C mobile platforms for Apple's (News - Alert) largest enterprise customers resulting in 15 Top 10 Apps on the App Store. Prior to Apperian, Chuck was a Senior Director at Apple for 9 years, where he formed an enterprise division at the request of Tim Cook that became one of the fastest growing revenue generating divisions at Apple. "One of my passions is solving complex problems through technology, and that is why I am excited to be joining AQUA Intelligence advisory board," says Chuck Goldman. "AQUA Intelligence is on a mission to transform the hospitality industry through data, and I am looking forward to being a part of AQUA Intelligence's rapid expansion in the next few years." ABOUT AQUA INTELLIGENCE: AQUA Intelligence is a data driven platform on the blockchain that enables consumers to monetize and validate their personal data by creating comprehensive profiles to focus on consumer's attributes and preferences without disclosing underlying private information. This allows businesses to improve their sales, boost operational efficiency, and enhance the customer experience while respecting their right to privacy. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005446/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Alliance Memory to Offer Discontinued Cypress Semiconductor CY62256 Low Power SRAMs With Original Part Numbers Into 2019 SAN CARLOS, Calif., Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today announced that it is collaborating with Cypress Semiconductor Corporation to help ensure ongoing availability of some of the CY62256 series devices for which Cypress issued a product discontinuation notification with a last-time buy date of July 4, 2018. Pursuant to an arrangement between the companies, Alliance Memory will offer the popular devices with their original Cypress part numbers into 2019. Cypress is working with Alliance Memory to minimize the impact of the EOL for this widely used 32k x 8 SRAM, said Sidharth PK, marketing director for Cypress random access memory business unit. We are pleased that Alliance Memory is prepared to continue to support our customers for this device with minimal interruptions. By continuing to offer the CY62256 devices with their original part numbers, we can help ensure that Cypress customers for these devices will continue to be supported after the LTB date and into 2019, said David Bagby, resident and CEO of Alliance Memory. About Alliance Memory Inc. Alliance Memory Inc. is a worldwide provider of legacy memory products for the communications, computing, industrial, and consumer markets. The company supports a full range of asynchronous and synchronous SRAMs, low-power SRAMs, ZMD low-power SRAMs, synchronous DRAMs (SDR) and double data rate synchronous DRAMs (DDR SDRAM). Alliance Memory is a privately held company with headquarters in San Carlos, California, and regional offices in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, and Southeast Asia. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com . Editor resources: Product photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alliancememory/albums/72157696211231080 Agency Contact: Bob Decker Redpines +1 415 409 0233 bob.decker@redpinesgroup.com Alliance Memory Contact: Kim Bagby CFO +1 650 610 6800 kim@alliancememory.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Grower-Owned Data Company Guides Food Industry Leaders WENATCHEE, Wash., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Centricity, a grower-owned technology company, today announced commercial availability of a suite of enterprise ag data connectors and services that power a decentralized data synchronization service for the food industry. The services connect farmers and brands in a way that upholds their values while protecting trade data and identity. "We've been collaborating with the Open Ag Technology & Systems Center (OATS) at Purdue University, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and more than a dozen global brands over the past two years," said Drew Zabrocki, executive officer at Centricity. "The result is an open-source tool, owned by industry, that streamlines requirements to exchange food safety, sustainability, quality and traceability data and eliminates the need to modify existing workflows and processes." "We're tackling the difficult problems and not taking the easy way out," said Aaron Ault, technical officer at Centricity and senior researcher at Purdue University. "Sure, it's easier to build a centralized solution and try to force everyone on to a single platform, but experience shows that sort of non-interoperable approach creates more headaches than it solves for an industry." The open source framework and the enhanced Centricity Enterprise Trellis Connectors offer a new approach for suppliers and buyers to exchange data automatically, regardless of the systems they choose. Once the connections are made, unique trust management keeps proprietary data safe and can also mitigate liability. Because all information can be digitally signed with unique successive signing and selective synchronization, it can be validated, trusted and connected with others cost effectively. This is especially useful given the produce industry's recent challenges with food safety traceability, as well as the continued increase in regulation, such as the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and Walmart, who recently announced blockchain compatibility requirements. "Our customers deserve a more transparent supply chain," Walmart Vice President of Food Safety Frank Yiannas said in a news release. "We felt the one-step-up and one-step-back model of food traceability was outdated for the 21st century." Direct suppliers will need to have one-step-back traceability on the [IBM Food Trust] network by Jan. 31 and end-to-end traceability is xpected by Sept. 30, 2019, according to the letter Walmart sent to suppliers. "The requirement for PTI case labeling and use of electronic advance shipment notifications (ASNs) has been in effect for Walmart's produce suppliers for some time," said Ed Treacy, vice president of supply chain efficiencies at the Produce Marketing Association. "Companies can use the open-source Trellis Framework to automate the movement of audit and other information to any blockchain cost-effectively." "With Centricity's Enterprise Trellis Connectors, we can 'plug-in' existing systems, allowing us to put the information to work in our business quickly," explains Eric Skiles, IT director at Domex Superfresh Growers. Centricity has been working with leading produce companies like Domex Superfresh Growers, Dole, Rainier Fruit Company, Stemilt, Basin Gold and others to unlock the value of compliance data across all suppliers and partners from the field to the dock. Now, they are taking this boots-on-the-ground expertise to connect the rest of the supply chain in a way that protects the farmers' interests while meeting buyer and consumer expectations. "While the compliance requests may seem simple, we're very cautious," Zabrocki states. "This is a new era where data is connected in ways we haven't fully imagined. Printing labels on a case is one thing, but databasing your transactions across systems we don't fully understand could be dangerous without the right protections in place." Centricity has been meeting groups of grower-shippers across North America, facilitating candid talks on the challenges and technical issues experienced in responding to similar requests in the past. "There's been technical and process issues with buyer demands in the past," explains Zabrocki, "but today is a new day. We have an opportunity to shape how the technology supports the sellers and the buyers in an equitable value exchange. We're in full support of a transparent supply chain, provided it upholds the value of all stakeholders equitably." In addition to grower-shipper meetings, Centricity is facilitating discussions with ag chem suppliers and equipment/technology providers (grading/sorting, irrigation, imagery, robotics and AI). With a goal of connecting all stakeholders, Centricity is also negotiating agreements with global certification & standards organizations and software & system integrations companies. Earlier this year, Zabrocki presented at the Blockchain Conference in Seattle and the Consumer Goods Forum GFSI conference in Tokyo where major companies and investors expressed excitement about the open-source, collaborative approach. Later this year, they will announce a global farm audit data exchange that connects leading companies across the globe. "We are especially supportive of Centricity's leadership and inclusiveness in the development of the Trellis Framework, through their collaboration with The Produce Marketing Association, Purdue University's Open Ag Technology & Systems (OATS) Center, The PMA volunteer Trellis Framework Task Force, as well as grower-shippers who volunteered to pilot and validate Trellis," said Treacy. "Drew Zabrocki and the Centricity team understand the demands and challenges for growers and the value that a connected supply chain offers the industry and consumers." Food Industry Partners, including value-added providers and software companies, can register for service online as well as connect to educational and support resources by visiting www.trellis.one. "This is an open ecosystem," explains Ault. "We're here to support your success." Centricity will be on site to answer questions at the Blockchain Village and the Science & Technology Committee Meeting at PMA's Fresh Summit in October as well as several other events this winter. Additional information is also available across web and social channels. For press inquiries, contact Ethan Johnson, CMO, Centricity at social@centricity.us. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grower-owned-data-company-guides-food-industry-leaders-300727683.html SOURCE Centricity [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] PublicRelay Expands Business Operations Internationally TYSONS CORNER, Va., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PublicRelay, the premier provider of PR and business analytics, celebrated the opening of its first European office in Dublin, Ireland, at the DoSpace Building at 23, Trinity Technology & Enterprise Campus. The move strengthens the company's international footprint and offers it a connection to new clients in the EMEA region that will benefit from the company's premium media intelligence solutions that analyze coverage in over 20 languages. This global expansion will also give PublicRelay's existing clients enhanced worldwide services at a speed matching that of the modern, global news cycle. "The decision to expand into Europe was a natural step in our rapid growth as we continue to transform the world of data and analysis," said Eric Koefoot, CEO, PublicRelay. "Since the day we founded PublicRelay, we've strived to deliver clients trusted media, brand and reputation analytics with an extreme focus on customer service. This move will provide our clients with an enhanced ability to react more quickly and effectively based on quality insights." PublicRelay's human-assisted AI approach pairs highly trained analysts with the best technology to quickly deliver the insights companies need to drive action and impact business goals. PR teams across the globe have access to an unprecedented level of insight, capturing perceptions on topics that matter to brands such as message pull-throgh or reputational drivers such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Innovation and Diversity, rather than just counting keywords in their media coverage. Since its founding in 2008, the company has grown significantly and now counts many of the world's leading brands as customers. "Today marks a company milestone as we continue to enhance our operational excellence and ensure that we meet the demands of the complex and growing global media landscape," said Darren Sleeger, SVP of business development and strategy. "Furthermore, we are excited to continue our growth as an international employer with talented professionals to serve the needs of our global clients." The company, which is actively hiring, in addition to its new Dublin office currently has operations in Boston, Denver, San Francisco, San Diego and Charlotte and is headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia. For more information about PublicRelay, visit www.PublicRelay.com. About PublicRelay PublicRelay is the most trusted media analytics solution for communications and marketing professionals at the world's most recognizable consumer and business brands, associations, universities and government agencies. Our clients confidently use our media analysis to plan and measure influencer engagement, reputation management, competitive landscape and message pull-through. Known for its innovation, superior data quality and actionable insights, PublicRelay helps communicators not only understand what they have done but what to do next. Press Contact Leslie Stefanik VP of Marketing Leslie.Stefanik@Publicrelay.com +1(703) 636-3350 Related Links PublicRelay Website PublicRelay Career Page View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/publicrelay-expands-business-operations-internationally-300727860.html SOURCE PublicRelay [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Bank of America to Report Third-Quarter 2018 Financial Results on October 15 As previously announced, Bank of America will report its third-quarter 2018 financial results on Monday, October 15. The results will be released at approximately 6:45 a.m. ET, followed by an investor presentation at 8:30 a.m. ET. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed in the following ways: Bank of America newsroom at https://newsroom.bankofamerica.com. Bank of America Investor Relations website at http://investor.bankofamerica.com. Business Wire's news webpage at http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/news. Investor Conference Call Information For a listn-only connection to the investor presentation, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international). The conference ID is 79795. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Investors can also listen to a live audio webcast of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the "Events & Presentations" section of the company's Investor Relations website. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,400 retail financial centers, including more than 1,700 lending centers, more than 1,900 Merrill Edge investment centers and more than 1,300 business centers; approximately 16,100 ATMs; and award-winning digital banking with more than 36 million active users, including 25 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom. Click here to register for news email alerts. www.bankofamerica.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005387/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] EP Wealth Advisors Acquires Rampart Wealth Advisors EP Wealth Advisors, LLC ("EP Wealth"), a leading independent registered investment adviser ("RIA") that specializes in client-centric financial planning and investment management services, today announced its acquisition of Rampart Wealth Advisors ("Rampart"), which will bolster EP Wealth's presence in the Denver area. Based outside of Denver in Greenwood Village, Colo., Rampart is a collaborative wealth management and financial planning firm born from a merger between David B. Heinz, CFP and Nicholas L. Hatfield, CFP. The firm boasts a combined six decades of experience of bringing clients high-quality service with a focus on helping them meet their financial goals. Heinz and Hatfield will both serve as Vice President and Wealth Advisor at EP Wealth. "We took great care in making this decision to partner with EP Wealth, as our focus has always been on providing our clients with the highest-quality experience," said Heinz. "EP Wealth mirrors our culture and commitment to clients, and through this combination, we are able to establish a long-term legacy and continue to provide clients with the best possible financial advice." "EP Wealth is focused on pursuing partnerships that will allow us to expand our capabilities and resources to improve the client experience, and we are excited to bring Rampart's talent to our Denver office," said Patrick Goshtigian, CFA, President and CEO of EP Wealth. "Our partnership wth Rampart gives us the opportunity to help more clients in the Denver area, and we're looking forward to doing so with a firm that aligns with our client-centric philosophy." Hatfield also commented: "As our firm grew, we devoted more time to administrative and business tasks, but we quickly realized we needed back-office support so we could spend more time with our clients. EP Wealth's extensive resources provide the support we need, and our partnership will allow us to refocus our efforts on what's important: helping clients reach their financial life goals." This is EP Wealth's fourth acquisition in 2018. The firm acquired Caves & Associates, Inc. of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Donnelly Wealth Advisors of San Diego, Calif. and Millie Capital Management of Walnut Creek, Calif., earlier this year. Today's transaction marks EP Wealth's fourth acquisition since partnering with Wealth Partners Capital Group ("WPCG"), a financial services holding company, in July 2017. The $118 million AUM acquisition closed on October 5, 2018 and will enhance the firm's comprehensive financial planning and investment management expertise. Financial and legal terms of the deal will not be disclosed. About EP Wealth Advisors EP Wealth Advisors, LLC ("EP Wealth") is a fee-only registered investment advisor and financial planning firm based in Torrance, Calif., with additional offices in the San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, West Los Angeles and Irvine, Calif., Seattle and Denver. The firm manages over $4 billion in AUM as of July 31, 2018 and provides client-centric financial planning and investment management services to individuals and businesses. EP Wealth is led by co-founders and Managing Directors Derek Holman, CFP, AIF, Brian Parker, CFP and President and CEO Patrick Goshtigian, CFA. For more information, please visit www.epwealth.com. About Wealth Partners Capital Group Wealth Partners Capital Group ("WPCG") is a financial services holding company, which has partnered with EP Wealth Advisors ("EP Wealth"). WPCG enables EP Wealth to grow by identifying and integrating like-minded registered investment advisers who are seeking access to expanded business capabilities, strategic growth and customized transition solutions. The WPCG management team is led by partners John W. Copeland, Rich Gill and Sean Bresnan. For more information, please visit www.wealthpcg.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005758/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Humana's 2019 Medicare Health Plans Emphasize Choice, Affordability and Convenience to Care for the Whole Person Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today that its Medicare plans for 2019 are designed to deliver affordable health benefits and wellness programs with added convenience and a focus on health and well-being for the whole person. Nearly all (97 percent) of Humana's individual Medicare Advantage members will see enhanced or comparable value in their plan's combination of monthly premiums and benefits in 2019, and 2.8 million members will see their monthly premiums decrease or stay the same. Highlights of Humana's 2019 Medicare plans include: Dental, hearing and vision coverage, fitness program memberships, home-delivered meals following an inpatient hospital stay, and an allowance for over-the-counter personal care items, at no additional cost, with most Humana Medicare Advantage plans; Home support and resources for caregivers, virtual doctor visits, telepsychiatry, personal emergency alert devices, rides to medical appointments, and acupuncture with select Humana Medicare Advantage plans; More $0 monthly premium Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans available across the country; And, more Special Needs Plans for dual-eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) members. Humana's concerted effort to enhance members' 2019 benefits, while keeping monthly premium costs stable, can help members overcome barriers to health and well-being. "Humana believes the best way to care for our Medicare members is through care for the whole person," said Alan Wheatley, president, Retail Segment at Humana. "Health goes beyond physical symptoms - it's a state of general well-being that encompasses a healthy body and mind - and our 2019 plans and benefits reinforce our ongoing commitment to support the total care our members need, well beyond the doctor's office." Humana has served Medicare beneficiaries for more than three decades, with more than 8.5 million Medicare members in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, as of June 30, 2018. More than 3.5 million of those members are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, which often provides them with extra coverage, such as prescription drug coverage and dental, hearing and vision benefits. The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and will end on Dec. 7, 2018. During this enrollment period, people with Medicare can choose Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans for the upcoming year. Humana's 2019 Medicare offerings include a range of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, with coverage that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019. Humana also offers Medicare Supplement plans, which can be purchased year-round. Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Advantage (MA) plans include all the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) in addition to offering additional health and wellness benefits and services. Many Medicare Advantage offerings combine medical and prescription drug coverage into one, easy-to-use plan. Humana offers a wide choice of Medicare Advantage plans across the country - from HMOs, to local and regional PPOs and Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans - designed to meet a variety of needs. In 2019, Humana will expand HMO offerings into 97 new counties and introduce PPO plans in 352 new counties - marking a significant opportunity to reach an additional 7 million Medicare-eligible individuals across the country. Many Humana Medicare Advantage plans inclue: Coverage for Medicare Parts A and B, with predictable copayments and no deductibles Part D prescription drug coverage (Medicare Advantage plans without Part D prescription coverage are also available) Benefits for services that Medicare doesn't cover, including routine eye exams, preventive dental care and hearing coverage, including hearing aid coverage options for more than 2.6 million people Maximum out-of-pocket protection (on all Humana Medicare Advantage plans) Programs designed to improve health and manage chronic conditions For 2019, Humana also has continued to expand its virtual visit telemedicine program, offering eligible members phone or Web access to board-certified physicians for non-emergency medical conditions. More than 1.8 million people will have virtual access to care providers through the program. In addition, Humana is expanding transportation benefits. As a result, more than 1.2 million Humana Medicare Advantage members will have access to rides to doctor visits, participating gyms and fitness centers or other health-related appointments. Humana's new digital Medicare enrollment tools for 2019 will also simplify the process for licensed agents and consumers to review, choose and enroll in the right Medicare health and prescription drug plans for them during AEP. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) can help lower prescription drug expenses and protect against higher costs. Humana offers a number of PDP options, including the Humana Walmart Rx Plan (PDP), with plan premiums ranging from $22.20 to $35.70 depending on the state. The co-branded offering from Humana and Walmart is Humana's most popular PDP option, according to enrollment data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It features: In-store copays as low as $1 on Tier 1 Preferred Generic drugs purchased at Walmart, Sam's Club, and Walmart Neighborhood Market pharmacies* Tier 1 mail-order copays as low as $0 for a 90-day supply at Humana Pharmacy, a mail order pharmacy that offers preferred cost sharing No deductible for many covered generic drugs, with more than 1,500 generic prescriptions covered by the plan that may help plan members save money** Health and Well-Being Resources Humana Medicare Advantage members often enjoy a variety of programs and services that foster healthy behaviors and promote lifelong well-being. For example: Go365 TM , a wellness and rewards program designed to motivate and reward members for taking steps to improve and continue their healthy behaviors - available in 2019 to most Humana Medicare Advantage members , a wellness and rewards program designed to motivate and reward members for taking steps to improve and continue their healthy behaviors - available in 2019 to most Humana Medicare Advantage members The SilverSneakers fitness program specially designed for Medicare Advantage members*** The HumanaFirst nurse advice line that offers guidance and answers to non-emergency questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week SmartSummary and SmartSummaryRx, which provide easy-to-read, personalized statements after a member has a claim, show how members use their health plan and what they've spent on health care In addition, eligible Humana Medicare Advantage members who need help remaining independent at home have access to a care manager through Humana At HomeSM. Humana At Home Care Managers will call or visit them regularly and provide personalized education and assistance in accessing resources for medications, transportation and more. Eligible members leaving a hospital who are at high risk to be readmitted, can also get help understanding and accessing the support they need to make the transition back home as smooth as possible. For More Information For more information about Humana's 2019 Medicare offerings, visit www.Humana.com/Medicare or call toll-free 1-877-877-0714 (TTY: 711). Licensed sales agents are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week. *The ability to take advantage of $1 copays for Preferred Generic drugs may be limited in areas where preferred cost-sharing pharmacies are not easily accessible. ** A $415 annual deductible applies to Tiers 3, 4 and 5. ***Not available with all plans. About Humana Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. To accomplish that, we support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools - such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions - combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective. More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at www.humana.com, including copies of: Annual reports to stockholders Securities and Exchange Commission filings Most recent investor conference presentations Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls Calendar of events Corporate Governance information Additional Information Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Humana is also a Coordinated Care Plan with both a Medicare contract and a contract with the applicable state Medicaid agencies. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete listing of benefits. Call 1-877-877-0714 (TTY: 711) for more information. Other Pharmacies are available in our network. Limitations on healthcare, prescription and telepyschiatry services delivered via virtual visits and communications options vary by state. Virtual visit services are not a substitute for emergency care and not intended to replace your primary care provider or other providers in your network. This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. Y0040_GHHKCAFEN_M View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005787/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Knightscope K5 to Be Featured Robot at Wired25 in San Francisco Knightscope, Inc., developer of advanced physical security technologies focused on enhancing U.S. security operations, will showcase its K5 autonomous security robot at Wired25, "a celebration of the ideas, innovations and icons that made the world wired." The K5 will be the focus of a featured spotlight on October 13th at 1pm PDT with WIRED's resident robot expert Matt Simon, who will speak with Knightscope Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, William Santana Li, to discuss the K5's capabilities. The K5 will also be on display at Wired25's Robot Petting Zoo gallery on October 13th from 9am - 6pm. Wired25 takes place October 12th through 15th in San Francisco, California. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005816/en/ Knightscope K5 autonomous security robot featured at Wired25, "a celebration of the ideas, innovations and icons that made the world wired" October 12-15 2018 in San Francisco (Photo: Business Wire) "Every day, the Knightscope K5 is out there fighting crime and delivering on the promise of what can be achieved when robots and humans work together to make America safer," said Li. "The Wired25 event is an opportunity for the public to meet the K5 and see firsthand the leader in scaling fully autonomous security robots nationwide." EVENT DETAILS WHAT Robot Petting Zoo: Spotlight on Knightscope WHO William Santana Li, Chairman and CEO, Knightscope WHERE 3rd Floor Lounge at the Wired25 Hub - The Commonwealth Club, 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) , 94105 WHEN Saturday, October 13, 2018, 1:00pm - 1:20pm Now operating across 16 states in 4 time zones, fully autonomously 24/7, Knightscope crime-fighting robots combine software + hardware + humans to protect people and property. Features include advanced anomaly detection, a deterring autonomous physical presence, live 360-degree video, two-way audio, custom concierge, forensic capabilities, and real-time notifications all delivered through the newly released KSOC v6.0 (Knightscope Security Operations Center) user interface. For more information, visit www.knightscope.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. About Knightscope Knightscope is an advanced security technology company based in Silicon Valley and builds the ultimate in security guards. Our security robots deter, detect and reportautonomously. Our long-term ambitious goal is to make the United States of America the safest country in the world, changing everything for everyone. Learn more at www.knightscope.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005816/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Workz and Truphone Launch Consumer eSIM Solution for Network Operators Workz Group, the Dubai-based mobile & IoT solutions provider, has in partnership with Truphone (News - Alert) , today announced the launch of a new remote SIM provisioning solution for mobile network operators. This solution provides operators with the immediate capability to allow owners of eSIM-enabled devices such as the new iPhone (XS, XS Max and XR) and Apple (News - Alert) Watch to connect to their network without the need for a physical SIM card. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005850/en/ eSIMs or embedded SIMs are a key component of cellular-powered Internet of Things (IoT) networks, enabling devices to have out-of-the-box network connectivity without having to purchase a SIM card separately. Users can simply turn on their devices and download the mobile plan of their choosing. The inclusion of the eSIM technology in this month's launch of the iPhone (News - Alert) XS, XS Max and XR has seen many market analysts predicting a rapid adoption of the technology worldwide. The complete cloud-based solution for mobile network operators is comprised of the provisioning platform and management of subscriber's eSIMs. Commenting on the launch, Workz co-CEO Brad Taylor said, "We're delighted to introduce this ground-breaking new offering in conjunction with our partners Truphone. This solution is a key development in our consumer offerings to manage embedded and removable eSIMs. It means that we can provide a GSMA SAS (News - Alert) -certified cloud-based Consumer solution for immediate market deployment. We have already received significant interest from network operators and we anticipate working on a number of proof of concepts and market launches in the coming months. Our alliance with Truphone creates many rich new opportunities for mobile network operators to collaborate with device manufacturers. The eSIM is probably the biggest development in the history of the SIM card since it was first invented and our solution enables operators to realise the benefits of the new technology and gain far greater control of their SIM provisioning supply chain." About Workz Workz connect people and protect mobile and IoT devices of today and tomorrow by providing secure removable or embedded SIMs and remote provisioning solutions. Since our start in 1997, we have securely managed over 8 billion connections in more than 50 countries all without any data breach. Workz.com * Source (News - Alert) : AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005850/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] InsurCard's Prepaid Card Experience in California Recognized by Workers Compensation Director In April 2018, the California State Fund let InsurCard know that a Bill (SENATE BILL No. 880) had been introduced in the California Legislature to allow debit cards as a method of payment for Workers Compensation (WC) claims. The bill would establish a 5-year pilot program at the State Fund. If the pilot was successful, the program would then be expanded beyond the State Fund to other companies. Bob Mendte, InsurCard's President, was surprised to hear this news and noted, "We have been using debit cards for WC claim payments in California for nine years. In 2008, InsurCard received detailed written approval from the Workers Compensation Director and has offered the debit card in California since that time." InsurCard then contacted the current Workers Compensation Director, George Parisotto, and the Bill's sponsor to make sure they were aware of InsurCard's work and extensive experience in the State. Before they met in May, the Director's staff had reviewed InsurCard's credentials and the fact that its approvals had been confirmed by the State on several occasions beginning in 2008. Th Director affirmed that InsurCard's prior approvals would continue to be honored and he recognized that no complaints have been received by the State in the nine years InsurCard has offered its debit card for WC. InsurCard will continue to offer the program in California, one of the 44 states where it does business. After InsurCard met with the State, the California Legislature changed the bill to allow all payors to use debit cards when the Bill takes effect in January 2019. About InsurCard: InsurCard is a leading provider of prepaid card programs for payment of Workers Compensation benefits. Partnering with specialists in insurance operations, systems and prepaid cards, InsurCard's prepaid card programs are designed to meet the stringent requirements of the insurance industry. InsurCard's "Total Payment Solution" pays Workers Comp benefits to both claimants and healthcare providers with two network-branded cards: a personalized, reloadable plastic prepaid card for Workers Compensation indemnity payments to injured workers; and a virtual prepaid card for payments directly to healthcare providers. Both products have been praised by the industry for making electronic payments simpler, faster and secure. InsurCard's Instant-Issue Property card program lets adjusters deliver benefits to policyholders instantly and is used for property, auto, liability and catastrophe claims. The program is built on an existing, tested platform, ready to deliver in just a few weeks. For information, visit www.insurcard.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005236/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] US to Help Define New International Standard for Consumer Privacy by Design BOSTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Defining international standards for privacy is critical for the future of global commerce. To support this cause, many of America's leading companies and government agencies are collaborating to help define the new international standard for "Consumer Protection: Privacy by Design." The standard will be part of ISO Project Committee 317. As one of 12 countries with Participant status in ISO/PC 317, the United States will be represented by its Technical Advisory Group (TAG), administered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in partnership with the OASIS standards and open source consortium. Members of the U.S. TAG represent America's leading companies and government agencies committed to privacy rights for consumers. "ISO/PC 317 will complement the efforts of the European GDPR standard aiming to aid in the prevention of data breaches while giving consumers more control over the use of their data," said Rik Parker of KPMG, chair of the U.S. TAG to ISO/PC 317. "By being involved from the outset, the U.S. can be sure that this international standard is practical, well-conceived, and adoptable across complex organizations." "The implementation of data privacy principles and data protection requirements into an organization's business processes has become one of the most complex business challenges of the 21st century," said Debra Farber of BigID, vice chair of the U.S TAG to ISO/PC 317. "I consider it a tremendous honor to contribute to the establishment of a global set of regulatory-agnostic guidelines that embed privacy into products and services by design and default." "It's a huge endeavorbut one we have to take on now," added Aris Gkoulalas-Divanis of IBM Watson Health, vice chair of the U.S. TAG to ISO/PC 317. "Every organization that deals wit consumer data is going to be impacted by the standard we produce in ISO/PC 317. State-of-the-art privacy enhancing technologies, including privacy and security controls, should be incorporated into product design to offer end-to-end privacy protection while allowing products to deliver on their intended functionality." In addition to the U.S., 11 other countries, including the U.K., China, Canada, and Korea, have a voice in establishing this global standard. The first meeting of ISO/PC 317 will be held in London, Nov 1-2, 2018. Representation on the U.S. TAG to ISO/PC 317 is open to U.S.-based companies, national and local government agencies, and researchers that digitally collect or process consumer data. More information on the U.S. TAG to ISO/PC 317 is at: https://www.ansi.org/standards_activities/standards_boards_panels/PC317 Support from U.S. TAG members Quotes from American Express, Equifax, MailChimp, Mastercard, OneTrust, Return Path, Uber, Verizon, and WireWheel are at: https://bit.ly/2E9eY4c About ANSI The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. The Institute represents and serves the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations and 30 million professionals worldwide. ANSI is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). www.ansi.org. About OASIS OASIS is one of the most respected, member-driven standards bodies in the world. It offers standards and open source projects a path to recognition in international policy and procurement. OASIS has a broad technical agenda encompassing cybersecurity, privacy, cryptography, cloud computing, IoT, legal, emergency management, augmented reality, and more. http://www.oasis-open.org http://www.oasis-open-projects.org Media inquiries: Carol Geyer 203040@email4pr.com; +1.941.284.0403 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-to-help-define-new-international-standard-for-consumer-privacy-by-design-300728000.html SOURCE OASIS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Walmart and the Walmart Foundation Announce Nearly $4 Million in Grants to Create Innovative Pathways for Lifelong Learning and Training Walmart and the Walmart Foundation today announced nearly $4 million in grants for three organizations working to provide innovative pathways to learning and training to help create mobility for workers: The Foundation for California Community Colleges (the Foundation), Code for America Labs, Inc. and edX.org. Today, nearly 14 million people in the U.S. - 8 percent of the total labor force - are both active workers and formally enrolled in some form of postsecondary education or training according to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. Many working adults, especially those economically challenged, face barriers to learning and career advancement due to high-education costs, conflicting work schedules and a job market with fewer career opportunities while they are in school. In addition, research1 shows that up to one-third of the American workforce may need to develop new skills for different types of jobs by 2030 due to rapid technological advances. "California is pioneering new educational opportunities, and next year, our state launches a first-of-its-kind online community college," said Governor Jerry Brown. "This grant from Walmart will create multiple pathways for working learners and help put certificates and degrees in the hands of those striving to improve their lives." The funding is the latest investment as part of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation's Retail Opportunity Initiative, a five-year, $100 million philanthropic effort aimed at making it easier for frontline employees in retail and adjacent sectors to gain new skills and advance in their careers. To date, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have funded more than $80 million in grants and collaborated with leading nonprofits, employers, government agencies and educational institutions to identify and implement innovations aimed at increasing the economic mobility of retail and related-sector workers. "We're committed to creating a stronger learning and training ecosystem to help workers advance and supporting some of our nation's most innovative launch pads in higher education and training," said Julie Gehrki, vice president of philanthropy at Walmart. "Through work with organizations like the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Code for America and edX.org, we can help make training and education more accessible and affordable for working adults so they advance their careers." The funding will support the following initiatives: Walmart provided a $2,388,430 grant to the Foundation for California Community Colleges to help the California Community College system launch an innovative Online Community College aimed to meet the needs of underserved adult learners. The program will provide an additional option for working learners through a flexible, high-quality and affordable learning program for working adults, providing the skills and credentials needed to improve their social and economic mobility. The college could serve as many as 100,000 learners in the fist two years after its initial program launch in 2019. to help the California Community College system launch an innovative Online Community College aimed to meet the needs of underserved adult learners. The program will provide an additional option for working learners through a flexible, high-quality and affordable learning program for working adults, providing the skills and credentials needed to improve their social and economic mobility. The college could serve as many as 100,000 learners in the fist two years after its initial program launch in 2019. Walmart provided a $1 million grant to edX to support the launch of MicroBachelors programs, a stackable series of courses learners can take to acquire career-relevant knowledge and gain 21st century skills. These programs will remove learning challenges for working adults, such as cost, time and previous educational experience, and enable learners to advance their careers while also pursuing a Bachelor's degree. The first pilot implementation of a MicroBachelors program will be in California. to support the launch of MicroBachelors programs, a stackable series of courses learners can take to acquire career-relevant knowledge and gain 21st century skills. These programs will remove learning challenges for working adults, such as cost, time and previous educational experience, and enable learners to advance their careers while also pursuing a Bachelor's degree. The first pilot implementation of a MicroBachelors program will be in California. A $250,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to Code for America will help the organization explore the role government technology systems can play in improving access to quality jobs in the digital age, and identify opportunities where technology can improve outcomes for job seekers. Code for America will engage users and employers in three cities to develop models of improved workforce systems to be scalable across the country to help working adults, educational providers and employers thrive. In addition, Walmart announced an expansion of its education benefit to include Walmart U.S. eCommerce associates. The company first announced the program in May, which is designed to remove barriers to college enrollment and completion in partnership with Guild Education, a leading education benefits platform. The program will allow Walmart associates to access affordable, high-quality associate's and bachelor's degrees in business or supply chain management. Walmart will subsidize the cost of higher education, beyond financial aid and an associate contribution equivalent to $1 a day. Degrees will be offered through the University of Florida, Brandman University and Bellevue University - nonprofit schools selected for their focus and strong outcomes on serving working-adult learners. For more information on Walmart and the Walmart Foundation's commitment to opportunity, please visit https://corporate.walmart.com/opportunity. About Walmart Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 265 million customers and members visit our more than 11,200 stores under 55 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2018 revenue of $500.3 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook (News - Alert) at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter (News - Alert) at http://twitter.com/walmart. About Philanthropy at Walmart By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. Walmart has stores in 27 countries, employing more than 2.2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate. We are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart's giving, visit foundation.walmart.com. 1 McKinsey Global Institute. "Jobs lost, jobs gained: What the future of work will mean for jobs, skills and wages." November 2017. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006022/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] (ISC)2 Announces Winners of Eighth Annual Information Security Leadership Awards Americas CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (ISC) the world's largest nonprofit association of certified cybersecurity professionals today announced the winners of the 2018 Information Security Leadership Awards (ISLA) Americas. The awards program celebrates the accomplishments of individuals in the private and public sector throughout the Americas, outside of U.S. federal government, who are inspiring change within the field of cybersecurity. Recipients were announced today during the ISLA Americas luncheon at the eighth annual (ISC) Security Congress in New Orleans, LA. "The ISLA Americas ceremony is an inspiring event that showcases what leaders in our field are doing to help us achieve our vision of inspiring a safe and secure cyber world," said (ISC) CEO David Shearer, CISSP. "The winners are enabling positive change within their organizations, communities and the industry at large. We are honored to recognize their achievements in front of more than 1,800 of their peers at our annual Security Congress event." The winners of the 2018 ISLA Americas are: Community Awareness Joseph Carson , CISSP, Chief Security Scientist at Thycotic , CISSP, Chief Security Scientist at Thycotic Project/Initiative: Cyber Security for Dummies Information Security Practitioner Domingo Castillo , CISSP, AVP Regional Information Security Officer at Chubb , CISSP, AVP Regional Information Security Officer at Chubb Project/Initiative: Information Security Technology Convergence Senior Information Security Professional Rinki Sethi , CISSP, Vice President of Information Security at Palo Alto Networks , CISSP, Vice President of Information Security at Palo Alto Networks Project/Initiative: Security Education Growth Initiative The (ISC) President's Award, which recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts over the past year, was presented to Wilson Espana, CISSP. Espana is the deputy manager of information security and fraud prevention at Redbanc and also serves as an official instructor for the CISSP certification. He is a member of the (ISC) Advisory Council in Latin America and is currently president of the (ISC) Chile Chapter. The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the charitable foundation of (ISC), also presented two awards. The first, the Julie Peeler Franz "Do It for the Children" Volunteer Award was presented to Satish Jayaprakash, CISSP, the Global Head of Application Security at Merck Co. & Inc. The Center also honored Engility with its Partnership Award for their CyberWarrior Scholarship program. This year, a judging committee of five members of the (ISC) Advisory Council in North America reviewed the nominations and selected the winners based upon specific criteria and eligibility requirements. For more information on the ISLA Americas program, please visit www.isc2.org/aisla. About (ISC) (ISC) is an international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. Best known for the acclaimed Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, (ISC) offers a portfolio of credentials that are part of a holistic, pragmatic approach to security. Our membership, over 138,000 strong, is made up of certified cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals who are making a difference and helping to advance the industry. Our vision is supported by our commitment to educate and reach the general public through our charitable foundation The Center for Cyber Safety and Education. For more information on (ISC), visit www.isc2.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn. 2018 (ISC) Inc., (ISC), CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CAP, CSSLP, HCISPP, CCFP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISSP-ISSEP, CISSP-ISSMP and CBK are registered marks of (ISC), Inc. Media Contact: Jarred LeFebvre Senior Manager, Corporate Communications (ISC) jlefebvre@isc2.org (727) 316-8129 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isc2-announces-winners-of-eighth-annual-information-security-leadership-awards-americas-300728012.html SOURCE (ISC)2 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Students and researchers at the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres to share historic Budget 2018 funding for science Canada's research community to benefit from largest investment in discovery science in Canadian history TROIS-RIVIERES, QC, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Science is about discovery. When researchers are given the tools to push the boundaries of knowledge, great things happen. These discoveries lead to the innovations that will grow the economy and help ensure Canada has a workforce capable of taking on the challenges of today and tomorrow. Today, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced an investment of more than $1.5 million to support fundamental research at the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres. The funding is part of the more than $558 million announced today by Minister Duncan for institutions across Canada as part of the Government of Canada's plan to attract global talent, promote diversity and provide nearly 4,300 researchers and students with the means to pursue world-leading discovery work. This $558-million investment in researchthe largest one this year from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)includes $70 million in new funding announced in Budget 2018. With this investment, the Government of Canada is delivering on Budget 2018's historic commitment to science by giving more support to researchers and students. At the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, close to 10 researchers will receive Discovery Grants for projects that will benefit Canadians in a variety of areas, including health and computer engineering. Recipient Dr. Mathieu Piche is researching the integration of signals between the human spinal cord and brain to better understand pain mechanisms and improve spinal health. Dr. Loic Boulon, another recipient, is working on ways to adapt fuel cell systems in hybrid electric vehicles to perform better under winter conditions in Canada Quotes "Canada supports science and our talented researchers. Today, we are delivering on our historic investment in research and in the next generation of scientists. These remarkable researchers and students we are celebrating are working to make the world a better place and to secure a brighter future for all Canadians." The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport "Today's announcement is a clear illustration of why we made science a priority in Budget 2018. The investments we are making today in the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres will give researchers and students the foundation they need to explore the new avenues of discovery that will benefit all of us and cement Canada as a world leader in fundamental science and engineering." The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities "The funding commitment outlined in Budget 2018 will provide a very significant increase to the Discovery Program to support science and engineering researchers. Additionally, this investment will contribute critical supplementary funding to launch early career researchers and to support equity, diversity and inclusion." Dr. Pierre Charest, Vice-President, Research Grants and Scholarships Directorate, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada "The Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres welcomes this historic investment in research to support the new generation of researchers and graduate students whose work will help define a better world. UQTR is proud to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in different fields of science." Daniel McMahon, Rector, Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres Quick facts The $558-million research investment announced by Minister Duncan today includes $70 million in new funding from Budget 2018. The grants go toward NSERC discovery programs, graduate and postgraduate scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships, and research tools and instruments. research investment announced by Minister Duncan today includes $70 million in new funding from Budget 2018. The grants go toward NSERC discovery programs, graduate and postgraduate scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships, and research tools and instruments. Among this year's Discovery Grants recipients is the University of Waterloo's Dr. Donna Strickland , winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, who is receiving support for her work on using lasers to better understand matter at the molecular level. Dr. , winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, who is receiving support for her work on using lasers to better understand matter at the molecular level. The $558-million investment also includes $5.4 million in funding to help more than 400 early career researchers in the first year of their Discovery Grants launch their careers. investment also includes in funding to help more than 400 early career researchers in the first year of their Discovery Grants launch their careers. Investments in science are essential to innovation and to the economic strength of a country. Associated links About the Discovery Grants program Overview of NSERC investments across Canada About NSERC NSERC invests over $1.2 billion each year in natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. Our investments deliver discoveriesvaluable world-firsts in knowledge claimed by a brain trust of over 11,000 professors. Our investments enable partnerships and collaborations that connect industry with discoveries and the people behind them. Researcher-industry partnerships supported by NSERC help inform research and development and solve scale-up challenges. NSERC also provides scholarships and hands-on training experience for more than 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows. These young researchers will be the next generation of science and engineering leaders in Canada. Follow @CDNscience on social media for science-related news: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook Follow NSERC on Twitter: @nserc_crsng SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] World's Fastest Tripod: Lumapod Launches Kickstarter Campaign LINZ, Austria, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This ultra-compact tripod sets up in only four seconds Already raised more than $ 400,000 on Kickstarter, 100% funded in 90 minutes. on Kickstarter, 100% funded in 90 minutes. Quick, smooth set-up takes only four seconds. Ultra-compact design allows to have it always in your bag. 2 optimized models: 85cm (weighs 400g) and 120cm (weighs 690g). Lumapod, a dynamic camera gear start-up based in Austria, has announced an ultra-compact travel tripod, which sets up in only four seconds. With the launch of a Kickstarter campaign they bring its patented technology to amateur and professional photographers around the world. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766343/Lumapod_Tripod.jpg ) Lumapod's two tripods have three modes which allow amateur and professional photographers to choose the best option for their needs. Its 85-centimeter model and 120-centimeter model can each become a tripod, monopod, or selfie pole. All of the models and modes are usable for smartphones, GoPro, Mirrorless, DSLR, and more. "At Lumapod,we have developed the fastest and most compact tripod in the world," said Lumapod co-founder and designer Martin Grabner. "Our patented tensioning technology means any photographer can set up a professional-quality tripod in four seconds - and still carry that same tripod in their day pack. Whether you're an international traveler, the family photographer, or a professional who requires speed and compactness, Lumapod can fit your needs." This compact and speedy solution for photographers and videographers has already received endorsements for its set-up speed, stability, and versatility. Leading Austrian travel blogger and photographer LadyVenom (@LadyVenom on Instagram) says that while "my current tripod almost always stays at home" because of its size and bulk, "I'm looking forward to having a product that solves exactly these problems. Then I'll always have a tripod when I'm on the go." Lumapod's Kickstarter campaign runs until October 25. Its two models are currently available for up to 50% off retail sales prices for Kickstarter supporters. Lumapod GmbH is a start-up camera gear company based in Austria. It was founded in 2018 by Eva Ertl and Martin Grabner. An industrial designer by trade, Grabner developed a travel tripod tightening mechanism which received a patent. Lumapod's mechanism provides an ultra-compact design and a four-second setup. Its initial product line has two models and was supported by several funding agencies, including a public-private partnership from the Austrian government's Austria Wirtschaftsservice aws impulse XL grant program. Media Kit: http://www.lumapod.com/pr https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lumapod/lumapod-the-worlds-fastest-tripod https://www.facebook.com/lumapod https://www.instagram.com/lumapod_tripods/ http://www.lumapod.com SOURCE Lumapod [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Children in Milwaukee Receive Free Comprehensive Eye Exams and Prescription Glasses as Part of a School Health Event Milwaukee-area children received free eye screenings and prescription glasses as part of a school eye health event. The exams were conducted by board-certified pediatric screeners from Prevent Blindness Wisconsin at the Augustine Preparatory Academy, and any child with the need for prescription eyewear will receive a free pair of glasses during a follow-up visit. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006058/en/ Courtney Murphy, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, provides a certified vision screening for Damian Cerda (age 4) at Augustine Preparatory Academy. The school health event is part of a grant program from UnitedHealthcare to nonprofits in cities across the country to coordinate free vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses donations. Prevent Blindness Wisconsin received a $5,000 grant for the event (Photo: John Paul Greco). The event is part of a grant program from UnitedHealthcare to nonprofits in cities across the country to coordinate free vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams and glasses donatios. Prevent Blindness Wisconsin has received a $5,000 grant for the local event. About Prevent Blindness Wisconsin Founded in 1958, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is a 501(c)3 agency with a mission to improve the lives of children, adults and families through early detection of eye conditions to prevent blindness and preserve sight. On-going vision screening activities and state-wide public health education lead to a lifetime of healthy vision. The agency provides free vision screenings to preschool children, school-age children and adults. It also provides public and professional education in vision health, vision safety and vision loss prevention. Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is the only nonprofit organization in the state providing these services. Since its founding, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin has vision screened more than 7 million children! With a network of more than 5,000 volunteers and partners, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is supported by voluntary contributions from individuals, corporations, organizations, and special events for its sight saving services. About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.2 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter (News - Alert) . Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006058/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Tom Obermaier named CEO of Rippe & Kingston Rippe & Kingston, a leading provider of financial and practice management software for law firms in the U.S., announced today that it has appointed Tom Obermaier as Chief Executive Officer. ParkerGale, a technology-focused private equity firm based in Chicago, IL, acquired a majority position in Rippe & Kingston in May 2018. Mr. Obermaier is an accomplished leader with a 30-year track record of working with high-growth software and service companies as well as global law firms. He brings a high-energy, collaborative leadership style and a passion for client service and success. Most recently, Mr. Obermaier served as the Chief Executive Officer for Regulatory Data Corp, an industry-leading fintech software company. Prior to RDC, Mr. Obermaier was Chief Risk Officer for Global Transaction Services (News - Alert) at Citigroup. Previously, Mr. Obermaier held senior leadership roles with Deutsche Bank AG, Bankers Trust Company, and was formerly a practicing attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. "We ran a comprehensive search to ensure we found the right partner to collaborate with the existing senior management team as well as lead the company in its rapid growth," said Kristina Heinze, Partner at ParkerGale Capital. "Weare confident Tom is a great fit for the exceptional culture at Rippe and are excited about his executing our shared vision for taking the company to the next level." "I'm extremely excited to join the Rippe & Kingston team," said Mr. Obermaier. "Rippe has a 30-year+ reputation for outstanding focus on the client and for providing high-quality financial management software that allows lawyers to successfully and profitably manage their firms. The company has been investing heavily in its support and services team and product development, and I'm thrilled to be joining the company at such an exciting time." About Rippe & Kingston Rippe & Kingston is recognized as the industry leader in providing Tier 1 financial management software to any size law firm. With over 30 years of law firm specialization, leveraging our roots grounded in the largest CPA and technology consulting firm in the Greater Cincinnati area, the Legal Management System provides law firms with the necessary technology to make firms more efficient and profitable. For more information, please visit www.rippe.com. About ParkerGale Capital ParkerGale Capital is a small private equity fund based in Chicago that buys profitable, founder-owned technology companies and corporate carve-outs where the firm's operating resources can have a meaningful impact on the outcome. ParkerGale also hosts the private equity industry's only podcast, the PEFunCast on iTunes and Google (News - Alert) Play. For more information, please visit www.parkergale.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009005948/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] B'laster Supports Vo-Tech Students on Their 'Rusty Race to SEMA' Four automotive technology students from Freedom, Wisconsin, are in the home stretch of their 'Rusty Race to SEMA.' The dedicated vo-tech students and their instructor, in partnership with B'laster, are working rapidly to finish their latest rat rod project - a 1951 Chevy 5-window pickup truck - in time for the SEMA show in Las Vegas, which kicks off later this month. "The students have been working hard as a team to get this truck ready for its debut at SEMA," said Jay Abitz, Automotive and Collision Repair Instructor at Freedom High School. "Spending their evenings and weekends in the shop is easy for these kids because they love the work and value the opportunity to practice their technical skills. And, of course, exhibiting at SEMA with B'laster is incredibly exciting for them. I'm so proud of the blood, sweat and tears they are putting into this project." The students are restoring the original cab of the 1951 Chevy, which was donated by a community member. In true rat rod fashion, they are adding on modern elements from several other Chevy models for updated and enhanced drivability. The finished project will be on display all week at the B'laster SEMA booth, #53020. The students will also be sharing their experience on Instagram as they take over the B'laster account (@blasterproducts) forthe week. "Supporting vocational-technical education is one of this company's passions," said Randy Pindor, President and Chief Operating Officer of B'laster. "When we met Jay and his students through our B'laster University initiative, we knew the Freedom automotive program was special. This truck proves that. The students' skills and drive are impressive, and we're excited to help them show off their hard work at SEMA." The B'laster SEMA booth will also feature the company's full product line, including the groundbreaking PB Penetrating Grease. Concurrently, B'laster will be exhibiting at AAPEX (booth #3047). About B'laster Corporation Since 1957, B'laster Corporation has manufactured penetrants, lubricants, rust inhibitors and a full line of specialty, highly concentrated formulas for the automotive, industrial and hardware industries. Known for PB B'laster, the #1-selling penetrant, B'laster delivers products born from professional applications where only the strongest survive. As Rust Belt Warriors, we can promise that by the time a B'laster product ends up in your hands, it's only because the pros have confirmed it's the best. About B'laster University B'laster University is a program designed to support the next generation of skilled mechanics and technicians by providing supplementary educational tools. Built by the makers of the #1-selling penetrant, B'laster Corporation proudly extends their mission and core values in a commitment to career education and continued passion. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006090/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] CARBO Schedules Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Call for October 25, 2018 HOUSTON, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CARBO Ceramics Inc. (NYSE: CRR) announced today that it plans to release earnings results for the third quarter of 2018 on Thursday, October 25, 2018, and will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. Central Time (11:30 a.m. Eastern) that day. Gary Kolstad, President and CEO, and Ernesto Bautista, III, Vice President and CFO, will host the call. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120503/MM00528LOGO Due to historical high call volume, the company is offering participants the opportunity to register in advance for the conference through the following link: http://dpregister.com/10125107. Registered participants will immediately receive an email with a calendar reminder and a dial-in number and PIN that will allow them immediate access to the call on October 25, 2018. Participants who do not wish to pre-register for the call may dial in using (877) 232-2832 (for U.S. callers), (855) 669-9657 (for Canadian callers) or (412) 542-4138 (for International callers) and ask for the "CARBO Ceramics" call. The conference call can also be accessed through the company's website, www.carboceramics.com. A telephonic replay of the earnings conference call will be available until November 1, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To access the replay from the U.S., please dial (877) 344-7529 and Canada 855-669-9658; international callers outside North America should dial (412) 317-0088. Please reference conference number 10125107. Interested parties may also access the archived webcast of the earnings teleconference through the company's website approximately two hours after the end of the call. About CARBO CARBO (NYSE: CRR) is a global technology company that provides products and services to the oil and gas and industrial markets to enhance value for its clients. CARBO Oilfield Technologies - is a global leader that provides engineered solutions in its Design, Build, and Optimize the Frac technology businesses, delivering important value to E&P operators by increasing well production and EUR. Oilfield Technologies is the world's largest producer of high quality ceramic proppant, provides one of the industry's most widely used fracture simulation software, has proprietary technology that provides fracture diagnostics and production assurance, and offers consulting services for fracture design and completion optimization. The Company also provides a range of technology solutions for spill prevention and containment. Its products and services are sold to operators of oil and natural gas wells and to oilfield service companies for use in the hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and oil wells. CARBO Industrial Technologies - is a leading provider of high-performance industrial ceramic media products that are engineered to increase process efficiency, improve end-product quality and reduce operating costs. Its products and services are primarily sold to industrial companies that work in manufacturing and mineral processing. For more information, please visit www.carboceramics.com. Investor Contact: Mark Thomas, Director, Investor Relations (281) 921-6400 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carbo-schedules-third-quarter-2018-earnings-call-for-october-25-2018-300728078.html SOURCE CARBO Ceramics Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. Announces Public Offering of Convertible Senior Notes Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: GPMT) (the "Company"), announced today that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of $125 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2023 (the "Notes"), subject to market and other conditions. The Company expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $18.75 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes to cover over-allotments. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to originate or acquire senior floating rate commercial real estate loans and other target assets, consistent with its investment strategies and investment guidelines, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including repayment of indebtedness. The Notes will be unsecured, pay interest semiannually and will be convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company's common stock. The Notes will mature in October of 2023, unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The Company will not have the right to redeem the Notes prior to maturity, but may be required to repurchase the Notes from holders under certain circumstances. Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo (News - Alert) Securities are acting as the joint book-running managers for the offering. JMP Securities, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, and Raymond James are acting as co-managers for the offering. The offering will be made pursuant to the Company's existing shelf registration statement previously filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2018 (Commission File No. 333-226128). The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, copies of which, when available, may be obtained by contacting: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospects Department, 180 Varick Street 2nd floor, New York, NY, 10014; or Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, (Tel: 800-831-9146); or J.P. Morgan, Attention: Prospectus Department, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, (Tel: 866-803-9204); or Wells Fargo Securities, Attn: Equity Syndicate, 375 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10152, (Tel: 800-326-5897). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the Notes or any other securities, nor shall there be any sale of the company's securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. is a Maryland corporation focused on directly originating, investing in and managing senior floating rate commercial mortgage loans and other debt and debt-like commercial real estate investments. Granite Point intends to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Granite Point is headquartered in New York, NY, and is externally managed by Pine River Capital Management L.P. Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include statements and information that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions therein and are included in this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, targets, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance. The forward-looking statements made in this release include, but may not be limited to, expectations regarding the use of proceeds from the offering. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, and they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements and urge you to carefully consider the risks identified under the captions "Risk Factors," "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our public filings with the SEC (News - Alert) , which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All written or oral forward-looking statements that we make, or that are attributable to us, are expressly qualified by this cautionary notice. Except to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations, we undertake no obligations to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Additional Information Stockholders of Granite Point and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the company at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Internet site at www.sec.gov or by directing requests to: Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., 590 Madison Avenue, 38th floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone (212) 364-3200 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006122/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] Ooyala Powers an Award Winning Modern Video Portal and Automates Media Operations for Australia's EnhanceTV Ooyala is powering a modern video portal and automating media operations for Australian-based EnhanceTV with the Ooyala Flex Media Platform, a video content supply chain solution being used by innovative content owners worldwide to automate tasks, simplify workflows and speed up the time-to-market. The solution, deployed on cloud infrastructure, was implemented by Ooyala's Gold partner, Digital Logistics, and most recently won the Innovation in Education category of the ABE Awards in Australia. The Ooyala Flex Media Platform powers the EnhanceTV service from curation, production, ingestion, to distribution and video-on-demand playback. Ooyala's Content Production and Content Distribution solutions automate repetitive tasks, simplify complex processes and deliver content timely to the end-users. The digital video playout solution within the platform provides a modern interface and powerful create and search functions, so users can easily create clips and share them. EnhanceTV, a subsidiary of the not-for-profit organization Screenrights, offers a subscription-based service providing Australian educators in primary and secondary schools with licensed television and film video content, including news, clips and documentaries, for use in the classroom. Educators are able to curate and share content via the service. Screenrights wanted to build a modern and scalable video portal that offers a great user experience and an easy way discover content. They also wanted to establish an automated and scalable process to manage and publish content from their contributors. "We needed a solid and scalable solution to modernize our legacy infrastruture, support our business expansion and to manage our large library of content and complex business rules," said Stefan Savva, Head of EnhanceTV. "The Ooyala Flex Media Platform, with its flexible architecture and strong orchestration capabilities, helps us to increase efficiencies, reduce manual processes, and manage our growing library of content." "One of the biggest pain points faced by content owners today is how to get engaging content to market faster and at a lower cost," said Jonathan Huberman, CEO, Ooyala. "They need leading-edge yet easy-to-use tools that can integrate with their existing systems and produce, manage and distribute content efficiently." "Since Digital Logistics implemented the Ooyala Flex Media Platform for us, we have seen increased engagement and usage from our subscribers and are confident that we can keep growing our business aggressively," said Stefan Savva. "We are delighted to be working with Digital Logistics to power the service for EnhanceTV and deliver cost savings," said Patricio Cummins, Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan region, Ooyala. "With the Ooyala Flex Media Platform automating their workflows and repetitive tasks, the EnhanceTV team can focus on driving usage and revenue, with a future-proof platform." About Ooyala: For over 10 years, Ooyala has been at the forefront of shaping the OTT and media workflow revolutions as a leading provider of software and solutions that optimize the production, distribution and monetization of media. Many of the biggest names in content creation and distribution around the world rely on the Ooyala Flex Media Platform to successfully produce, manage, and distribute media and become more efficient, more open and more extensible to meet the evolving needs of their viewers. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Ooyala has offices in Chennai, Cologne, Dallas, Guadalajara, London, Madrid, New York, Paris, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, and sales operations in many other countries across the globe. For more information, visit www.ooyala.com. For inquiries, contact us or email sales@ooyala.com. About EnhanceTV: EnhanceTV (www.enhancetv.com.au) provides teachers and student with digital resources in the form of a subscription service to an extensive range of broadcast TV content. It is an online service providing a web streaming service - EnhanceTV. EnhanceTV can only be subscribed to by institutions with a Screenrights license. EnhanceTV is a subsidiary of Screenrights, which is a not-for-profit organisation that licenses the use of educational audiovisual content in Australian schools, universities and TAFEs. About Digital Logistics: Digital Logistics is focused on delivering vendor-independent professional services in media and infrastructure consulting and the design, deployment and support of complex media services projects. Its principals bring together over 50 years of experience in the broadcast and digital media markets. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006083/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 09, 2018] U.S. State Department Honors PVH Corp. for Sustainable Operations in Ethiopia PVH Corp. [NYSE:PVH], one of the world's largest apparel companies and owner of iconic brands, including CALVIN KLEIN, TOMMY HILFIGER, Van Heusen, Speedo, Warner's and IZOD, received the 2018 U.S. Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) at the annual ACE ceremony on October 5. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006139/en/ Acting Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Manisha Singh, Under Secretary David Hale and PVH Chairman & CEO Emanuel Chirico at the 2018 U.S. Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence. (Photo: Business Wire) Hosted at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., the ceremony honored two companies for upholding high standards of responsible business conduct. PVH accepted the Sustainable Operations award as lead investor of a best-in-class apparel manufacturing facility in Hawassa, Ethiopia. PVH Chairman and CEO Emanuel Chirico accepted the award before an audience of approximately 125 business leaders, government officials, including Under Secretary David Hale, and several U.S. ambassadors to African nations. While introducing PVH, Acting Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Manisha Singh noted the company's commitment to people, the environment and communities. "PVH's efforts in Hawassa are a model of bilateral cooperation. They're providing a better future for workers, a better future for their families, and responsible industrialization," Ms. Singh said. "We want other companies to look at their model and say, `We should be doing this as well.'" Mr. Chirico said PVH set out to make a blueprint of a state-of-the-art apparel supply chain facility that made financial sense to complement sustainable operations. "We brought like-minded partners together to create a model park designed to spur economic growth without polluting or depleting Ethiopia's natural resources," said Mr. Chirico. "This honor is a testament to our company's unwavering commitment to power industry change - the right way." Established in 1999, the annual Secretary of State Award for Corporate Excellence recognizes U.S. companies represnting American values in their business practices worldwide and contributing to the growth and sustainable development of the local economies in which they work. Receiving an ACE award along with PVH was beauty company Alaffia, which was honored for its efforts in women's empowerment. Read more about ACE here: https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/09/285879.htm. About PVH Corp. With a history going back over 135 years, PVH has excelled at growing brands and businesses with rich American heritages, becoming one of the largest apparel companies in the world. We have over 36,000 associates operating in over 40 countries and nearly $9 billion in annual revenues. We own the iconic CALVIN KLEIN, TOMMY HILFIGER, Van Heusen, IZOD, ARROW, Speedo*, Warner's, Olga and Geoffrey Beene brands, as well as the digital-centric True & Co. intimates brand, and market a variety of goods under these and other nationally and internationally known owned and licensed brands. *The Speedo brand is licensed for North America and the Caribbean in perpetuity from Speedo International Limited. Follow us on Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, and visit PVH.com for more information about the Company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181009006139/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Success in Delivery System Transformation TennCare is seeing positive results from several ambitious changes it has made to how health care is paid for and delivered in Tennessee. These reports from TennCare on its Delivery System Transformation programs provide the most complete picture to date of how the states innovative programs are resulting in improvements in the care that is being received by TennCare members as well as significant savings for Tennessee taxpayers. The three programs are Tennessee Health Link, Patient-Centered Medical Homes, and Episodes of Care. Tennessee's Health Care Innovation Initiative is changing the way health care is paid for in Tennessee, moving from paying for volume to paying for value. Our mission is to reward health care providers for high quality and efficient treatment of medical conditions and help maintaining people's health over time. The Tennessee Health Care Innovation Initiative's three strategies - primary care transformation, episodes of care, and long-term services and supports - are bringing together health care providers and clinicians, employers, major insurance companies, and patients and family members to reform the health care payment and delivery system in our state. Tennessee is leading by example with our TennCare program and our state employees benefits administration, and we are asking other stakeholders to join us in statewide payment and delivery system reform. Contact us at payment.reform@tn.gov for more information. Quail Focal Areas in Tennessee The northern bobwhite quail is Tennessees state game bird and historically was a prominent game bird across the southeastern United States. Unfortunately, due to the large-scale loss of farmland, changes in agriculture, and increases in forest land, quail habitat has been reduced or eliminated. As a result, the northern bobwhite population in the U.S. has been on a decline. The TWRA has designated five of its wildlife management areas (WMAs) to serve as anchors within a quail focal area (see map below.) They are Wolf River WMA (Fayette County), Bark Camp Barrens WMA (Coffee County), Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness WMA (White County), Kyker Bottoms WMA, and Lick Creek Bottoms WMA (Greene County). The anchor areas act as reserves where wildlife management efforts are focused on maximizing ideal habitat and conditions to foster healthy quail populations. As the quail population increases, it should expand out into the surrounding focus area if suitable habitat exists. The focal area is comprised of private and other public lands that have the potential to provide suitable quail habitat. The Wolf River WMA is a focal area for the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative, a multistate initiative of 22 states that are working to increase quail numbers. https://bringbackbobwhites.org/conservation/nbci-focal-area/ Landowners interested in improving their lands for quail should contact their local TWRA or Quail Forever Habitat Biologist. These biologists will meet with landowners or property managers and develop a habitat management plan at no charge and provide other advice, such as programs that can provide financial assistance for creating and managing wildlife habitat. Googles Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have officially arrived, and theyre packed with advanced features, including cameras with super-smart photography tools that could slay the competition. Google launched its new Pixels at an event in New York Oct. 9. Both phones are available to pre-order today (Oct. 9) and go on sale Oct. 19. But which one should you buy? The 3 and 3 XL look similar at first glance, but there are some key differences to consider. Design and Size Placed face down, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are almost identical. Both phones have two-tone matte and glossy glass backs that come in three hues: Just Black, Clearly White and Not Pink (which is, in fact, pink). Both still sport fingerprint sensors for easy unlocking. And both have a single rear lens, which is a rarity in 2018 when every flagship has at least two lenses (if not three). MORE: Pixel 3 Hands-On: Just Right The XL is 6.2 inches long and 3 inches wide, compared to the 5.7 x 2.7-inch Pixel 3. Both phones are ultra-slim at 0.3 inches. The XL is heavier than its little sibling at 6.5 ounces to 5.2 ounces. But when you turn the phones over to admire their screens, youll notice a few big differences. Google Pixel 3 vs Pixel 3XL: Specs Compared Google Pixel 3 Google Pixel 3 XL Price $799 $899 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Screen 5.5-inch 6.3-inch Cameras Rear: 12.2MP lens with f/1.8 aperture with OIS and EIS Front: 8MP Wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture, second 8MP lens with f/1.8 aperture Rear: 12.2MP lens with f/1.8 aperture with OIS and EIS Front: 8MP Wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture, second 8MP lens with f/1.8 aperture Battery 2915 mAh battery, with 18-watt fast charging and Qi wireless charging 3430 mAh battery, with 18-watt fast charging and Qi wireless charging Memory 4GB 4GB Storage 64GB or 128GB 64GB or 128GB Damage Protection IPX8 IPX8 Audio 2 front-firing stereo speakers 2 front-firing stereo speakers Software Android 9 Pie Android 9 Pie Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.0 Special Features Wireless charging, up to 10 watts Wireless charging, up to 10 watts Materials Aluminum frame, hybrid coating Aluminum frame, hybrid coating Colors Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink Weight 5.2 ounces 6.5 ounces Size 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 inches 6.2 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches Display With the Pixel 3 XL, Google has embraced the notch. (Samsung is now the lone hold-out.) The 6.3-inch display extends nearly to the edges of the larger phones frame, though there is still a small bezel along the chin. The smaller Pixel 3 has a 5.5-inch display, which is a big improvement over last years 5-inch Pixel 2. It doesnt have a notch; Google kept bezels at both the top and bottom of the display. This is an interesting move, given that this years iPhone lineup is practically bezel-free. The Pixel 3 XLs larger display makes its aspect ratio larger for enjoying video clips on an 18.5:9 wide-screen display. The smaller Pixels display is 18:9. Both phones have OLED panels, though the XLs screen is quad-HD with 523 pixels-per-inch (ppi) compared the Pixel 3s full-HD screen with 443 ppi. Battery Along with a larger, higher-res screen, the Pixel 3 XL also has a larger battery than the smaller Pixel. The XLs 3,430-mAh pack should outlast the smaller Pixel 3s 2,915-mAh battery on the Toms Guide Battery Test, if last year's results from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are any indication. Google hasnt said how long the new Pixels are expected to last according to the companys internal testing. Price A bigger screen and bigger battery come at a premium: The Pixel 3 XL is $899, $100 more than the $799 Pixel 3. Both phones come in two storage variants, 64GB and 128GB, but just one 4GB RAM option. Bottom Line The Pixel 3 XL looks more like a flagship smartphone circa 2018 than the Pixel 3 does, with an (almost) bezel-free display and, of course, a notch. The Pixel 3s design is slightly stale, with thicker bezels and a smaller screen than weve come to expect from a premium Android device. But few companies are making 5.5-inch smartphones anymore, so the Pixel 3 could appeal to buyers who want the smarts and cameras you can buy in the XL version but in a smaller size for a lower price. Stay tuned for our full review of both Pixels to see which one is worth your money. (Image credit: Google) According to a WSJ report, Googles social media service, Google+, exposed the private profile data of almost 500,000 users for the past three years; however, the company opted not to tell anyone about it, fearing that it would face both reputation damage as well as new regulations. Undisclosed User Data Exposure Google learned in March that a software vulnerability that has existed in its Google+ service since 2015 could have allowed malicious third-party app developers to access users private profile information. The company discovered the issue right when the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal was still fresh on everyones minds. At the time, multiple governments were scrutinizing Facebook over its data practices, and, according to WSJ's report, this seems to be the reason why Google failed to disclose its security issue to the public. A memo by Googles legal and policy team to the companys senior executives and obtained by WSJ said that disclosing the incident would trigger immediate regulatory interest and invite comparison to Facebooks scandal. After an internal committee had already reached the decision not to disclose the privacy and security issue to the public, Googles CEO, Sundar Pichai, was also notified. Google told WSJ that it came to the conclusion not to disclose the issue based on several factors, including whether the company could accurately identify the impacted users, whether there was any evidence of misuse and whether there was any action the users could have taken. The company said that none of those thresholds were met. The internal memo from the legal and policy staff said that the company had no evidence of any attack exploiting this vulnerability, but there was also no way to know for sure. The exposed private profile data included full names, email addresses, birth dates, gender, profile photos, places lived, occupation and relationship status. According to WSJs report, the Google+ privacy issue was due to an API that allowed third-party developers to collect users friends data, even if that data was set to non-public. When a user granted a developer permission to their profile, any of the data related to that profile could be collected by the developer. This is very similar to how Cambridge Analytica was able to collect data on millions of users too. Although its not able to tell whether or not apps misused user data, Google said that up to 438 applications had access to unauthorized Google+ data. Google+ Shuts Down Considering that Google+ has been considered a bit of a ghost town for years already, its not too surprising to see it shut down. However, its still interesting to see the company is making this decision now, after the privacy issue became public. The company told WSJ that shutting down Google+ is part of a recent effort to limit third-party developers access to its users data, including Gmail add-on developers and Android app developers. Google said that only Gmail add-on developers that pass security audits will be allowed to continue accessing users' Gmail accounts, while most third-party Android developers will no longer receive access to users SMS messages, call logs and some additional forms of contact data on Android devices. Previous reports have found that some third-party Gmail add-on developers were reading users emails, supposedly to improve their algorithms. Google CEO to Testify In Congress Googles lawyers advised the companys executives, including its CEO, to avoid public disclosure of this privacy issue because the company was not legally required to do so. Unlike in the EU, where data breach notices are mandatory within three days of the event due to laws such as the recently passed GDPR, the U.S. doesnt yet have federal laws regulating data breach notices. Google also feared that disclosing the Google+ privacy issue would mean that CEO Sundar Pichai would have to testify in Congress, just as Mark Zuckerberg did. In fact, some senators did call for Googles CEO to appear in a data privacy hearing earlier this spring. Pichai has refused to testify multiple times since then, but he recently agreed to testify in the U.S. House in the coming weeks. Kansas City Consequences Ford idles 2,000 Kansas City plant workers as sales fluctuate About 2,000 Ford factory workers at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri will be temporarily laid off from Oct. 22 to Nov. 4. "We match production to consumer demand as we always do," said Kelli Felker, manufacturing and labor communications spokeswoman for the Dearborn-based automaker. Trade War Restructuring Ford planning job cuts as part of reorganization plan Ford Motor Company is planning to cut some of its staff over time as the company begins to reorganize its salaried workforce to become a more fit business. NBC News reported on Monday that the plans are part of Ford's $25.5 billion reorganization plan that intends to cut costs by, among other things, making its staff leaner and reducing layers. Ford Tough Times Redux Ford Plans Major Layoffs Resulting From Trump Tariff Losses Of $1 Billion Ford plans significant layoffs in the wake of a $1 billion loss due to President Donald Trump's tariff situation with China. While the intent of the Trump tariff's is to bring jobs back to the United States and also even out trade agreements with other countries like China, it looks like as many as 24,000, or approximately 12 percent, of the auto company's 202,000 workers may see a pink slip soon, according to an report. The troubled auto maker has thousands of employees in Kansas City who are now at risk as the biz battles with Prez Trump policy.Take a look:Developing . . . New poll: Democrat Laura Kelly holds slight edge on Republican Kris Kobach A new poll completed ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to Kansas affirmed Democrat Laura Kelly leads Republican Kris Kobach in what increasingly appears to be a two-person contest for governor, while GOP nominees in four other statewide races hold significant advantages over Democrats.The poll produced by the right-leaning Remington Research Group indicated Trump, who easily carried the state in 2016, was viewed favorably by 49 percent and unfavorably by 45 percent of Kansans. Juxtaposition: On the same night thatin front of a crowd of thousands . . .The comparison is apt because the Kansas Democrats chose the absolutely least exciting candidate they could find and they're not spending any cash to support her . . . Behind the scenes, they're taking a mulligan on this one and establishment Republicans are already making plans to tame the alt-right Guv.And so . . . This Kansas City polling is accurate and notes that the hopeful granny probably won't overcome a tired election trick and Orman the spoiler. Checkit: Kansas City Rising Tide Flooding closes roads, expected to overtop some farm levees KANSAS CITY, MO (AP) -- Heavy rains are closing dozens of Missouri roads and putting some low-lying homes at risk of flooding. The Missouri Department of Transportation says nearly 70 roads are closed, mostly in the northwest part of the state. They include stretches of U.S. 24 and Missouri 48. Local Flood Warnings Flood warning issued through 4 p.m. today The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning from now through 4 p.m. today for Wyandotte County. Also under the flood warning are Johnson and Miami counties in Kansas, and western Cass County, Clay County, eastern Platte County and Jackson County in Missouri. At 9:54 a.m., local law enforcement reported flooding in several locations... Grid Going Down Over 6000 people in the metro without power A little over 6000 people in the metro are without power tonight. A breaker at one of Kansas City Power & Light's substations locked out sometime around 8:30 p.m. Crews are on the scene but haven't determined a cause for the outages as of yet. Rain Redux Forecast FOX4 Forecast: Stay Weather Aware Keep the rain gear handy as we have more rain in the forecast for today. A Flood Warning is in effect until 4pm for a good portion of the metro. Later today, we will be tracking a cold front that will spark showers & thunderstorms. Some will be on the strong to severe side with the main threats being damaging winds and flooding. Kansas City Confronts Tornadoes Too??? Severe storms, tornadoes possible Tuesday afternoon Scattered severe storms are possible between 2-8 p.m. Tuesday within the Slight Risk area. KMBC 9 News First Alert Meteorologist Nick Bender said there is suffi... Rain over the past few days has flooded basements, streets and a great many parks and trails . . . And so here's more reporting on the topic as the rains continue. Checkit:Developing . . . The question: Why is AG Hawley angry over the Kavanaugh SCOTUS victory??? Josh Hawley: McCaskill's 'Radical' Democrat Party Seeking to Undo 2016 Vote "The confirmation progress of Justice Kavanaugh was an unprecedented smear campaign and unlike anything we've ever seen in American history or in American politics," Hawley told reporters on a Monday press call. "Their attack on the institution of the Supreme Court is an unprecedented effort to delegitimize the basic institutions of American government, an entire branch of American government, Article III of the Constitution." Gonna need our right-wing friends to explain this one because itlike just a constant stream of election whining and self-righteous indignation from Missouri's politicalwho has never liked getting out of his comfort zone and talking to the plebs.McCaskill played a minor role and actually. . . Meanwhile, I'm not really sure the Yale frat party culture war debate resonates with Missouri voters more worried about healthcare & jobs.Here's the party line and let's see if our blog community is capable of any independent thinking outside of partisan hackery. Checkit: BMW has only just taken the wraps off its all-new G30 3-Series sedan at the Paris Motor Show, but what I want to know is what the estate or wagon version of it is going to look like. So in order to not have to wait until next year when BMW will probably reveal the 3 load lugger, Ive made my own digital version of it. The Full Story Trying to imagine what a future BMW will be like is, to be honest, easier than with other manufacturers - even though the new 3 Series has its own personality and doesnt look like a scaled down 5 Series - which is why Im pretty sure this digitally modified version is pretty close to the design of the actual car. Weve already seen the 3 Series Tourings outline in spy shots, albeit covered with heavy camo, so there is some reference to go by. What might be more different on the final, real car are the rear lights as I didnt make any changes to the ones from the sedan and BMW seems to be into that - expect the rear lights to differ slightly, although they may very well not differ; its kind of hard to tell at the moment. The 3 Series Touring could debut next year at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show in March, or in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW has not announced the addition of new versions, but it did say its killing the 3 Series GT, which is a bit of a shame in my book as I was one of the few people who really liked it. Further Reading Read our full review on the 2019 BMW 3 Series. Read our speculative review on the 2020 BMW 3 Series Touring. Japan remains a strategic and important long-term investor in different sectors of the economy both in South Africa and the rest of Africa, says Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Bulelani Magwanishe. Japan has over the years invested in the automotive sector, information and communication technology (ICT) and as South Africa, we will continuously cooperate and work with them for future investments. With that said, there are still vast opportunities for them to invest and collaborate with us in productive sectors like energy, agro-processing, ICT and skills development, said Magwanishe on Monday. The Deputy Minister was speaking during a breakfast engagement with Japanese investors hosted on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial meeting in Tokyo. Magwanishe also congratulated Sumitomo rubber industries on the recent launch of their R970 million truck and bus tyre plant in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. He also extended a congratulatory word on Tokyo Marines acquisition of a 22.2% stake in South Africas Hollard Insurance to the tune of R5 billion. Furthermore, Magwanishe invited potential investors to attend the planned Presidential Investment Conference that will take place later this month. TICAD Magwanishe said TICAD remains important for the African Union, as it has the potential to support African countries to industrialise their economies; create sustainable, inclusive growth and with it, sustainable employment opportunities and a better future for their people. The opening ceremony of TICAD got underway on Saturday. The Meeting focused primarily on the review of progress made by the TICAD process since the conclusion of the 6th TICAD Summit, hosted in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2016, and the TICAD Ministerial Review Meeting, concluded in Maputo, Mozambique in August 2017. TICAD was launched in 1993 by the Japanese government to promote Africas development, peace and security, through the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership. Last month, South Africas Department of Trade and Industry (dti) led a week-long investment mission to the island nation. The mission was part of governments investment drive to attract $100 billion worth of investments in the next five years. Magwanishe was accompanied by Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers, on behalf of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu. Remarks by H.E. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the Closing Session of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your active contribution over the last two days. We could say that we had very fruitful discussions that have paved the way forward toward TICAD 7. The gist of the discussions is outlined in the Co-chairs Summary that has just been distributed to you, but let me briefly go through the highlights. In Plenary 1, we reviewed positive macroeconomic trends and commended recent achievements such as the signing of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as national and regional efforts to improve societal resilience in areas including health, education, and disaster risk reduction. We also saw examples of improved governance such as peaceful power transitions and movements towards peace in some African countries. On the other hand, we recognized that challenges remain in every field, including the issue of debt sustainability. I also reconfirmed the high expectations from Africa for increased private investment to the continent, especially towards Japanese companies. Japan is committed to enhancing public and private partnership with Africa. In Plenary 2, we reaffirmed that economic diversification and value addition are necessary for sustainable development. As potential drivers of economic and social transformation, we identified areas including: modernization of the agricultural sector; fostering of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); and promotion of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). We also reiterated the importance of enhancing the blue economy in tandem with promoting maritime security and the rule of law. We also recognized the need to address some bottlenecks urgently, as unsustainable debts and insufficient business environments hinder public-private investment. From this perspective, I was encouraged by the efforts of African counterparts to promote a fair, open and transparent business environment. In Plenary 3, we identified progress made in the area of human security. We affirmed that the promotion of universal health coverage (UHC) will remain key to enhancing the resilience and productivity of societies. We also emphasized the importance of disaster risk reduction (DRR) as African countries could be the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Issues of rapid urbanization and demographic change were other important topics as well. Furthermore, we reaffirmed our determination to build a peaceful and stable region, placing importance on good governance, rule of law, and human rights. In these respects, it goes without saying that to find African solutions, African voices should be duly heard and reflected. In Plenary 4, we took up the issue of connectivity. We developed our thoughts on how to enhance connectivity in terms of physical connectivity through quality infrastructure, connectivity through digital infrastructure and institutional harmonization, and people-to-people connectivity through exchange of people including in tourism, culture, sport and academia. We agreed that key infrastructure, including international ports, needs to be operated in a fair, open, and transparent manner. In conclusion, I am confident that we are fully committed to working together towards the success of TICAD 7 and realization of Agenda 2063 and SDGs through the TICAD process. Let me thank the co-organizers once again for their hard work and the tremendous amount of time they dedicated to making this meeting a success. I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to every single participant for your great contributions to the meeting. My special gratitude to Rwanda and Egypt, the incumbent and incoming AU chairs. Our next destination is Yokohama. We will gather again next year at the end of August with increased momentum toward materializing our aspirations for development in Africa. We look forward to seeing your Heads of States at the Summit next year. I thank you. Statement by H.E. Mr. Taro Kono at the Opening Ceremony Having attended the United Nations General Assembly last month, I renewed my recognition that the world is facing greater uncertainty than ever before. As we believe Africa would be the most vulnerable region to such a climate, we are fully committed to working shoulder to shoulder with Africa. It is my great pleasure to welcome my African colleagues to this meeting. I visited Maputo to chair the last TICAD Ministerial Meeting. It was one of my first trips as Minister for Foreign Affairs and the warm welcome I received in Maputo made it all the more memorable. Since then, there have been many significant events to enhance ties between Africa and Japan. Take high-level exchanges to begin with. President Rajaonarimanpianina of Madagascar and President Sall of Senegal made official visits to Japan. Five former presidents, H.E. Mr. Chissano, H.E. Mr. Soglo, H.E. Mr. Mkapa, H.E. Chief Obasanjo and H.E. Mr. Mbeki, the Founding fathers of Africa, also came to Tokyo in August to discuss how to realize peace and stability in Africa. And from Japan, Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Economic Revitalization, Mr. Hiroshige Seko, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, and myself visited Africa. We have also been greatly encouraged by a number of touching messages from African friends in relation to the disasters caused by rains, typhoons and earthquakes that hit Japan over the past years. I would like to once again express my gratitude for those messages of solidarity. Thank you so much. Our policies towards Africa have been shaped by our own experiences, which can be expressed in our belief that the strength of a country lies in its people. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which was a turning point for Japan. In the years that followed, Japan established the basis of its democracy and realized significant development, while emphasizing education, human resource development, socio-economic reforms, and the rule of law. We also made a miraculous revival after the World War II, thanks to generous international assistance and with self-help efforts based on the resilience we had built since the Meiji era. Based on this success, as an emerging donor, Japan later applied its unique experience to Asia, which proved to be effective. I would like to reemphasize our firm resolve to further support Africas efforts, while respecting Africas ownership and focusing on empowerment of its people. From this perspective, I would like to reiterate that Japan supports democracy in Africa, but at the same time, we highly value Africas own efforts to find African solutions to African problems in promoting peace and security. Japan appreciates the positive trend in eastern Africa, and stresses the importance of institution building as the foundation for peace and stability. Japan is promoting proactively to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, to connect Africa all the way to the coast of North and South America through Indian Ocean and-Pacific Ocean. We must maintain a free and open maritime order and freedom of navigation based on the rule of law. Any maritime disputes should be resolved in a fair and peaceful manner based on international law, but never by force. It is our wish to share such a world with Africa. On the economic front, we have been promoting African economic transformation with an emphasis on human resource development and technology transfer, in close partnership with our private sector. Reflecting our belief in empowering people, Japanese companies investing in Africa such as TOYOTA and Chiyoda Corporation are training local people in the same manner as they have done in Japan. Looking at some positive developments, Japans foreign direct investment in Africa has increased by more than five times since 2000 and Japanese companies have established more than 800 offices in Africa now. The first Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum was also held in May in Johannesburg and a Public and Private Sector Joint Mission was sent to Rwanda and Zambia in July. It is also encouraging to see the various business side events held yesterday afternoon and this morning, which some of you may have attended. Especially Keidanren, this morning the largest business federation and major Japanese corporations willing to further invest in Africa held a side event. I hope you have attended in the event and talked with Mr. Sakakibara, President of Keidanren about the more investment in your country. On a related point, I would like to reiterate the importance of sound debt management in order to enable sustainable development for Africa with African ownership. International assistance should be provided in accordance with international standards such as transparency, openness, and economic efficiency, in view of life-cycle costs as well as debt sustainability of recipient countries. These principles are crucial components of Japans Quality Infrastructure initiative, based on which Japan is supporting enhanced connectivity throughout the entire African continent and beyond. In keeping with these ideas, Japan encourages African efforts toward economic transformation, as provided for in Agenda 2063. To realize Africas economic transformation, I would like to refer to the importance of free trade. There is increasing uncertainty surrounding the current international world order and widespread use of unilateral actions is eroding multilateralism. Japan, however, remains determined to maintain and develop free and fair multilateral and plurilateral trading systems. Now, let us remind ourselves that our TICAD process is created by all stakeholders, including co-organizers, participating countries, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. Transparency and consistency are both key to this process. I would like to underline Japans determination to maintain and further develop this unique, transparent, and inclusive TICAD framework in close collaboration with the participating parties. Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you all for your cooperation on certain global issues to which Japan also attaches great importance, such as UN Security Council reform and a comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern regarding North Korea, including the abductions, nuclear and missile development. We hope to work continuously with Africa on these challenges to realize a better future for all. Before concluding my speech, I would like to announce that even if a group, which claims itself as a State, which Japan does not recognize, was sitting in this room, this fact does not mean that Japan in any way implicitly or explicitly recognizes it as state. And I would like to make clear that it is not allowed to put any name plate other than African Union, co-host organization and Japan. It is also not allowed to put any flag other than of African Union, co-host organization and Japan in the Plenary room including on the desk. Anybody who disrupts order may be asked to leave the Plenary room. Thank you. Representatives of West African countries are gathering in Burkina Faso to consider their e-commerce future and what needs to be done to realise it. Burkina Faso, Senegal and Togo need far-reaching reforms of their infrastructure and legal systems to benefit from e-commerce, new studies of the West African countries by UNCTAD have revealed. The reports will be presented at a regional e-commerce workshop organized by UNCTAD and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 9-10 October. Studies carried out by UNCTAD show that vast reform projects are needed for Burkina Faso, Senegal and Togo to seize fully the development opportunities offered by e-commerce, and that they will require ambitious actions on the part of governments. UNCTAD is here to help them, UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Isabelle Durant said. This is a win-win strategy, which must be pursued because e-commerce is now a key gateway to foreign markets. The workshop, the first step in the preparation of a regional plan, will be inaugurated by Ms. Durant in the presence of the ECOWAS agriculture, water resources and the environment commissioner Jonas Gbian and Daouda Ouedraogo, a representative of Burkina Fasos commerce, industry and handicrafts ministry. While taking account of each countrys specific circumstances, the UNCTAD evaluations highlighted the common obstacles they face. Although each is committed to building a digital ecosystem, none currently have a dedicated e-commerce strategy. And low-levels of internet accessibility and service quality, due to a lack of competition in the telecommunications sector, is a significant obstacle to the digital growth. Weak and costly hard infrastructure, and logistics services that are not well integrated by operators, make deliveries of consumer good bought or sold online to the last mile often impossible. Despite increased dynamism in the development of electronic payment systems, competition remains limited and online payments remain marginal. Cash payments on delivery are standard. Although legal frameworks comply with ECOWAS regulations, their implementation remains insufficient and takes little account of the emerging aspects of the digital ecosystem. Meanwhile, a significant gap remains between the needs of businesses and the knowledge of students, with schooling oriented towards traditional commerce. Finally, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Togo share difficulties accessing finance to support e-commerce ventures. Burkina Faso: starting start-ups The assessment found that e-commerce expansion is taking place mainly in the informal economy, through private classifieds sites and social networks, while a small number of professional operators have developed platforms covering sectors such as agribusiness, clothing, IT and household appliances. Burkina Faso must capitalize on the strengths identified by the study: the process towards the digitalization of public services, a competitive telecommunications sector, the development of broadband internet infrastructure, a science park and dynamic start-ups. The proposed roadmap will enable us to accelerate the countrys digitization, said Burkina Fasos commerce, industry and handicrafts minister Harouna Kabore. Under the aegis of Burkina Fasos Plan National de Developpement Economique et Social, the Burkina Start-Ups programme financially supports start-ups. But their growth and structuring as companies often remain uncertain. Senegal: relatively dynamic Dakar has become a laboratory of tech start-ups. Fintech players are already trying to penetrate the local market by forming strategic partnerships. The e-commerce sector in Senegal is relatively dynamic, compared to many of its West African neighbours. Internationally renowned firms, such as Jumia, have established a strong presence by relying on the local market and the Senegalese diaspora abroad. Others, on a smaller scale, are trying to find a place in a market destined to grow. However, apart from a small number of operators, e-commerce is developing mainly in the informal economy, through private classified sites, aggregator sites and social networks. The impact of the development of e-commerce in the structural transformation of the Senegalese economy is well established. This is why, thanks to UNCTADs assessment of Senegals readiness for e-trade, efforts will be more focused on mobilizing stakeholders, the state, the private sector and eTrade for all partners to remove obstacles, identify and implement its flagship recommendations, Senegals investment, partnerships and teleservices minister Khoudia Mbaye said. Several factors have contributed to the development of e-commerce: broadband internet (mainly in the big cities), a legal framework set up in 2008, electronic means of payment via mobile telephony, and people trained in information and communications technologies. However, there are several logistical and financial challenges to overcome before these favourable conditions can be exploited. Togo: powerful potential The potential for the development of e-commerce in Togo is limited: there is a weak internet infrastructure, few online payments, and it is difficult to make or receive deliveries outside of the capital Lome. However, tech start-ups are bursting with innovative solutions that make it possible to work around existing problems. My ministry is strongly committed to making e-commerce a powerful engine for economic growth, inclusive trade and job creation in Togo. This new assessment has identified the development of e-commerce as one of the strategic sectors that should promote trade and remove barriers to trade, said Togos commerce minister Essossimna Legzim-Balouki. eTrade for all The German government funded the Rapid eTrade Readiness Assessments as part of its support to UNCTADs eTrade for all initiative. This initiative provides countries with capacity-building solutions for e-commerce and optimizing synergies between different partners. It has 29 partners, seven of whom will participate in the Ouagadougou workshop: the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the International Trade Centre, the World Trade Organization, Universal Postal Union, and the Africa Civil Society for the Information Society. UNCTAD has conducted e-commerce assessments for developing countries since 2016, recognizing that policymaking will need to move quickly if least developed countries are to capitalize on rapidly changing economics. When the classic style of a '73 VW bus is combined with an electric vehicle conversion and an onboard photovoltaic array, you get an eye-catching family-sized clean transport solution. Adding solar modules to the top of an electric vehicle (EV) for self-charging isn't quite feasible for mass-production vehicles (yet), but for those willing to do the work on an aftermarket conversion, a DIY solar EV is certainly a viable option, as this project from Brett and Kira Belen illustrates. This EV conversion project isn't Brett's first, nor is it the Belen's only experience with off-grid solar, but it is the most ambitious, as the ultimate goal will be to travel coast-to-coast, completely on solar electricity. That won't occur until after the next round of upgrades to both the solar array and the battery bank, but the current configuration was sufficient to take the Belens on a 1400-mile roadtrip down the west coast of the US. Brett Belan The Solar Electric VW Bus project takes advantage of the spacious roof of a 1973 VW Transporter as the platform for mounting a 1.22 kW solar array, complete with a hinged mechanism that can tilt the solar panels at up to a 40% angle, which also creates a sleeping loft underneath when deployed (similar to the way stock VW pop-up campers work). A rooftop frame and aluminum racking system supports four 305 W LG solar panels, and a custom canvas 'tent' enclosure, complete with rear window, is attached directly underneath the solar array. The battery bank of this EV is currently a set of 12 Trojan T-1275 lead-acid batteries sitting in a custom battery box under the rear bench seat just in front of the rear wheels, and although this electric 'gas tank' only provides a range of up to 50 miles per charge, the choice of lead-acid batteries was a matter of affordability, according to Brett. "For three times the price, I could have installed some lithium iron phosphate batteries, but I'm trying to make a point about the affordability of such a vehicle," he said. It takes a bit longer than a day to fully charge the battery bank (which also depends on the length of the day and the geographical location), and an average day of charging at the Belens' house in Ashland, Oregon is said to produce a range of about 15-20 miles of city driving. The vehicle can also be charged via grid connection, with a full battery recharge taking about two hours and 20 minutes (using two 20 A chargers). Brett Belan The original EV conversion project set the Belens back about $25,500, including the cost of the bus itself and an interior overhaul, and all of the various electric drive controller and charging system components necessary to create an electric mini-RV. However, the plan is to upgrade in the spring of next year to what they call Phase Two of the solar electric bus project, which will replace the lead-acid battery bank with a 32 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery bank, essentially doubling the onboard storage capacity (and boosting the range per charge to 100 miles) while dropping 500 pounds of weight from the bus. In addition to the new batteries, a new 6 KW folding solar array, made from lighter solar modules, will replace the current array, giving the upgraded vehicle a potential 150 mile solar range per day. The combined costs of upgrading to Phase Two are said to be in the neighborhood of $27,000. Get the full scoop on the project at Solar Electric VW Bus or the Facebook page. It is time that we start doing the right things. -- Paul Romer, Nobel Laureate in Economics The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) just released a special report on the predicted impacts of global warming of 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. The aim is to emphasize that 1.5 C is bad, 2 C is worse, and we must all act now. Shortly after the release of this urgent news, the award of the 2018 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences to the American economists William Nordhaus and Paul Romer was announced. This one-two punch poses a powerful call to action: maybe the combination of messages can motivate change where the consensus of 97% of global climate change research scientists has failed to achieve action in line with the Paris Accord. The IPCC special report Global Warming of 1.5 C starts with good news: a viable pathway to keep average global temperature rise below 1.5 C is still open to us. But the window for action has narrowed to the next 12 years. The report is full of the by now well-known predictions of the ecological damage and economic costs of global climate change, and the results of scientific models evaluating the progress that can be achieved if, and when, certain actions are taken. You can read more details in the many reports on the news, but suffice it to say that this combination of hope and gloom will leave most people feeling helpless to effect real changes with their individual behaviors. And given the current state of political support for the Paris Climate Accord, it is hard not to despair. Announcement of the 2018 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences That's where the work of William Nordhaus and Paul Romer can help. While both great minds have long been expected to be recognized by the Nobel committee, the award to both at once came as a surprise to many. After all, Nordhaus works on how to include the external costs of climate change into macro-economic models while Romer's work addresses the rules of technological change. Recognizing both Nordhaus and Romer together acknowledges the need to start using the power of the market economy to address unsustainable trends and the increasingly apparent reality that we can only achieve the necessary ends through technological advances, many of which do not yet exist. Romer joined the press conference by phone and answered questions. While he observed that many of the questions might have been better put to Nordhaus, he gave a formidable performance, demonstrating how the issues of climate change are not far from his main focus either. Romer pointed out that "once we start to try and reduce carbon emissions, we'll be surprised that it wasn't as hard as we anticipated." He supports this prediction by reflecting on the UN agreements to address substances that were causing an ozone hole, such as chlorofluorocarbons, "there were many people saying this would be enormously expensive and difficult and then once we actually set about reducing emissions of chlorofluorocarbons it was a non-event." Romer warned against alarmist portrayals that it will make people feel hopeless, but emphasized, "it is time that we start doing the right things" to address the threats of climate change. It seems likely that this most recent IPCC report will fall on the same deaf ears and face the same arguments that even if we did act now, the costs are too high for the current generation to bear. But we can hope that this year's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will motivate the people who matter: the policy makers and leaders who can use these tools to rally the power of market economics to drive action. There are a lot of individuals willing to join in support if a plan to multiply their single contributions into a global trend can be set. Nordhaus and Romer show us that good policy for the economy is the same as good policy for promoting the technological advances essential to continued growth of our current economy and the sustainable balances necessary to ensure the future of the global economy and the global environment for the next generations. TRENTON The mayor finally has backup. Yoshi Manale, whose previous professional stops include working for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasios administration and as chief of staff for former New Jersey Sen. Raymond Lesniak, has accepted an offer to become Mayor Reed Guscioras chief of staff. The mayor said his new chief of staff, who agreed to relocate to Trenton as a condition of employment, officially starts next week, on Monday. Gusciora has been without a chief of staff since he took office in July. Former Mayor Eric Jacksons chief of staff, Francis Blanco, who was making about $107,000 annually to serve in that capacity, was among the casualties of the new administration. Manale worked for New York Citys contract services office under DeBlasio until this May, according to his LinkedIn. When asked for the reason Manale left that position, Gusciora said, He wanted to return to the public sector. These guys all bounce around. Manale previously served as township administrator for Bloomfield for two years but resigned from in July 2012 after being forced out by the township council, according to news reports. Manale, who couldnt be reached for comment, told Patch he was dismissed because he wanted more fiscal responsibility from Bloomfield. Gusciora became familiar with Manale during his time as a state assemblyman. The mayor touted Manales ties to New Jersey lawmakers, pointing to his three years with former state Sen. Lesniak, who spent more than three decades in the New Jersey Senate. Manale also worked as director of operations and intergovernmental affairs for Kean University for four years before leaving for New York, according to his LinkedIn. He has a masters degree in public administration from New York University and a bachelors degree in political science from Seton Hall University. There may be one sticking point in Manales appointment. Gusciora said his chief of staffs accepted the position with the understanding his annual salary would jump to about $149,000 if a salary ordinance before council passes. South Ward councilman George Muschal worried the terms of the chief of staffs job may have been worked out under false pretenses. The council voted 5 to 2 last week to advance a salary ordinance change for a public hearing and possible adoption on Oct. 18, with councilmen Muschal and Santiago Rodriguez voting against pushing the measure forward. Everybody should get a raise, but I thought that was just out of the box, Muschal said. I said thats way too much money, especially when were not bringing in any money. As initially proposed, the salary ordnance, which has been amended since first being floated to council, called for annual salary increases in the tens of thousands of dollars for the mayor, directors and municipal judges. The original proposal would have established a range of $168,145 and $195,119 for the mayor in his first year, including hikes over the next two years that could have pushed Guscioras salary to more than $207,000 in 2021 more than Gov. Phil Murphy hauls in. It also called for increasing council members salaries from $20,000 to $35,000. Proposed raises for the mayor and council members were nixed after receiving blowback, the mayor said. The mayor previously told The Trentonian that former Philadelphia fire commissioner Derrick Sawyer, still awaiting state approval before starting his new gig, was willing to roll the dice and accept Trentons fire director position at $108,543 in hopes the salary ordinance would pass and substantially boost his pay. Sawyer made $159,097 in Philly. Ditto for Manale, who would be paid between $136,689 and $171,618 if the salary ordinance passes. Gusciora wasnt too concerned about the two jetting if the ordinance fails. Well cross that bridge when we get to it. he said. laxmi@tribune.com Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 9 The Punjab government has appointed 13 business facilitators at the district level for faster regulatory clearance of private investments worth Rs 60,000 crore that will also help the state improve its ranking in the ease of doing business. These facilitators will hand hold investors and help them in documentation. They will guide them through the 'Business First Portal' that will give regulatory clearances from multiple departments, secure fiscal incentives for the investors and issue them completion certificates. "To facilitate investments, we have also empowered Deputy Commissioner in districts to approve project up to Rs 10 crore. The investor would not be required to travel all the way to Chandigarh," said DPS Kharbanada, Director, Industries & Commerce, Punjab. He said while the 11 business facilitators would serve investors in districts, two will be stationed in Chandigarh. This is one of the initiatives of the state to change its poor image in business ranking, officials said. In the index 2017, released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and World Bank, Punjab slipped to the 20th position from the 12th position it had secured in the previous year. A team from the DIPP is expected to visit the state in mid-November to assess the ground situation that would be factored in the ensuing report of the 'Ease of Doing Business'. The incumbent Congress government has signed 301 MoUs worth Rs 60,000 crore since 2017. "We plan to convert these MoUs into projects on the ground," Kharbanda said. These proposed investment projects are related to manufacturing, agri and food processing, tourism, infrastructure, education, IT/ITeS, health and bio-tech sectors. He also mentioned that the department is training nodal officers of various departments such as housing and urban development, power, pollution control, labour to make them investor-friendly. An investor needs approval from these departments to set up a project. The state has already hired the services of National Informatics Centre to improve its 'Ease of doing business' ranking and a consultancy to implement best practices to woo investors. NIC has already created "Business First" portal for the investors. The state expects that the portal will strengthen delivery of services to investors. While the businessmen can submit their proposals and queries and can see status of their proposal through the portal, the department can monitor the project so that it can get timely clearance and approval. Red carpet welcome for investors editorial@tribune.com Ravneet Singh Tribune News Service Patiala, October 9 At least 10 students associated with the Democratic Students Organisation (DSO) were injured in a clash on the Punjabi University campus here this evening. Those injured have blamed students associated with other student parties, including the Students Association of Punjab (SAP) and the Secular Youth Federation of India (SYFI), and university officials for the violence. Those injured are DSO members Amarjit, Surveer, Ajaib, Jagtar Awara, Harbir, Lalit, Jaspreet, Sanjeev, Rajvir Kaur and Gurmukh. The injured girls Surveer, Rajvir and Jaspreet were sent to Government Rajindra Hospital with other students for treatment. Amarjit, Ajaib and Gurmukh suffered injuries on their head. The attackers also broke doors, windows, tables and other infrastructure in the Vice-Chancellors office complex. Surveer, a DSO leader who was injured, said, More than 100 people attacked us while we were in front of the VCs office. She alleged that students of SAP and the SYFI attacked them. Amarjit, another leader of the DSO who suffered a head injury, said, University officials were also involved in the attack. They were supporting SAP and SYFI students. We will continue our protest. Amandeep Singh, a student of the University College of Engineering and DSO activist, said, Students of SAP, along with those of the Department of Physical Education, attacked us. The university authorities, including GS Batra, Dean, Academics, reached the venue of the clash. He said, We rushed as soon as we got information about the clash. We tried to save the students. He termed the incident unfortunate. DSP, City 2, Sukh Amrit Randhawa, who reached the university, said, A clash took place on the campus. Some students were injured. They have been sent to the hospital for treatment. We will record their statements. He said the police reached the spot after the incident. Responding to the allegations, Lovepreet of SAP said, Students of the Physical Education Department attacked students of the DSO over an altercation with Nishan Singh that took place on Sunday. SAP had nothing to do with the attack. editorial@tribune.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 9 More than nine years after a mentally infirm girl at Ashreya Home was raped and left pregnant, an appeal filed by a convict in the gang rape case has boomeranged. Exercising suo motu power while hearing the appeal against the conviction and sentence, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has enhanced the jail term awarded to convicted security guard Chottu Ram from 10 years to life imprisonment. The High Court refused permission to the accused to withdraw the appeal before delivering the judgment. The ruling came even as the Chandigarh Administration failed to file an appeal. Virtually admonishing the then Public Prosecutor, Justice Jitendra Chauhan recorded with pain its displeasure on the satisfaction recorded by him before the trial court that the accused seemed to have been sentenced adequately. Directing the forwarding of the judgment to the UT Director, Prosecution, to convey the courts pain and anguish to these officers, Justice Chauhan noted that the then Public Prosecutors opinion was subsequently endorsed by the then UT Legal Remembrancer. Drawing a parallel between murder and rape while enhancing the sentence, Justice Chauhan asserted that Chhotu Ram, medically proved to be the biological father of the victims child, ought to have been awarded a stiffer and exemplary sentence, since a rapist degrades and defiles the soul of a helpless female, while a murderer destroys the victims physical frame. Describing the case as a shocking example of the protector turning into a predator and a trustee turning into a tormentor, Justice Chauhan added that the accused committed inhumane and barbaric acts upon the child in their custody. The courts conscience is satisfied that the sentence awarded to the appellant is not commensurate with the conduct and crime. This court feels that this is one of the rare cases where the enhancement of sentence is warranted to do complete justice and to respond to the cries of the victim. The rape came to light after a telephonic message was received at the Sector 26 police station on May 18, 2009. The police were told that the victim had been admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, following rape. Chhotu Ram and his co-accused were chargesheeted for gang rape and other offences under Sections 120-B, 376 (2) (g) and 201 of the IPC after the completion of the investigation. The trial court, subsequently, convicted and sentenced the appellant and the co-accused. The court, during the hearing, issued a notice to the appellant to show cause why the sentence awarded be not modified/enhanced. Justice Chauhan asserted that the court could not lose sight of the fact that the victim was a mentally infirm and destitute child in the care and custody of the accused. They betrayed the trust and confidence by repeatedly subjecting her to gang rape. Ashreya Home rape case The rape of the mentally infirm girl at Ashreya Home came to light after a telephonic message was received at the Sector 26 police station on May 18, 2009. The police were told that the victim had been admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, following rape. Chhotu Ram and his co-accused were chargesheeted for gang rape and other offences under Sections 120-B, 376 (2) (g) and 201 of the IPC after the completion of the investigation. The trial court, subsequently, convicted and sentenced the appellant and the co-accused. editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Zirakpur, October 8 The enforcement wing of the Zirakpur Municipal Council (MC) today carried out an anti-encroachment drive and razed nine illegal commercial buildings near the high grounds boundary wall of the Air Force Station at Bhabat village here. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered the razing of illegal structures and prohibited construction within 100 metres of the high grounds. The MC issued 200 fresh notices to owners of illegal structures. The MC has also been directed by the court to submit a status report during the hearing on October 16. Yesterday, the MC had made arrangements for the drive after it served notices on owners of the structures on Friday. A team of the enforcement wing, led by Manvir Singh Gill, Executive Officer (EO), started the drive around noon. To avoid any untoward incident, the police were deployed. Earlier, tension prevailed in the area as scores of residents and shopkeepers prevented MC officials from demolishing their structures. Area councillor Harpreet Singh lied down before an earth-moving machine. While the owners of the properties, along with residents of the village, protested against the drive, the wife of an owner entered into a scuffle with the police and the enforcement wing staff. The drive was halted for about an hour and a half. Tempers ran high as several residents alleged that the officials ignored their objections. They demanded that the earth-moving machine should not be used as they had filed a plea in the court against it and the hearing was scheduled for tomorrow. Charan Das, a retired CRPF employee, rued that he had all legal documents pertaining to the ownership rights of his shop. Das said he had got the map of the shop approved from the MC in 2013 and had obtained permission for its construction. A part of his shop was demolished. Baljit Singh, another resident, said if it was a restricted area, how did the MC lay sewer and water pipes in the area. If the MC is adamant on its decision, it should acquire land near the IAF boundary wall and give compensation to the affected people, he said. The MC EO said the razing of illegal establishments would continue as per the norms.We have just followed the law, he said. Politicians fail residents Last year, during the Assembly elections, candidates of major parties actively campaigned in the area, assuring residents that their structures would not be demolished. Today, no political leader came to their rescue. The residents felt cheated. Compensation sought Residents of Bhabat village, who were sent notices for the violation, demanded justice from the MC authorities. Those affected said compensation should be provided to them as they had borne the brunt of the civic bodys inefficiency. Meanwhile, a majority of residents have approached the MC, seeking time to produce documents pertaining to their properties. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Tribune News Service Jind, October 8 Harpreet Singh Virk, the son of BJPs Assandh MLA Bakshish Singh Virk, and his friend Harminder Singh were attacked by armed persons in Safidon late Sunday night. They were travelling in an SUV. A shot was fired but the bullet hit the bonnet, said DSP Sunil Kumar. A case has been registered against six unidentified persons under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation) and other sections of the IPC. The MLA said his son and his friend were waylaid by some persons from Dera Gujrakhia village in Assandh subdivision. He claimed neither of the two had enmity with anyone. The police must investigate the case from all angles, he demanded. The lone Sikh BJP legislator had last week sought the resignation of the CMs media adviser, Rajiv Jain, over a press statement after Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar skipped a scheduled visit to a gurdwara in Dachar village on September 28, antagonising local Sikhs. Reports said the CM was advised to keep away in view of the gurdwara displaying a picture of Bhindranwale. While Jain claimed the Sikhs had extended support to the CM, the community leaders announced a meeting to take a final call. editorial@tribune.com Deepender Deswal Tribune News Service Hisar, October 9 After suffering losses due to recent rains, millet farmers are now facing rejection at the hands of procurement agencies over greyish colour of the grain. Farmers said that they were forced to sell their produce at the throwaway prices to private buyers. Farmers said that their produce was lying in the open in the Hisar grain market for the past three-four days. Hafed officials are not ready to procure our crop on some pretext or the other. They say that they want whitish and would not purchase grain with greyish colour, complaint farmers. Satpal, a farmer from Kaimari village, said that he had brought 25 quintals bajra to the grain market six days ago. The grain is of fine quality and has no moisture, but Hafed officials rejected the produce saying it is not fit for purchase, he said. Praveen of Mirzapur village, who was waiting for his turn for the past three days with nearly 52 quintals of bajra, said, The officials are not procuring the produce stating that the grain is damaged. The recent rain seems to have affected the colour of the crop, he said. Rohit, a commission agent, said that millet grain was of good quality, but turned slightly discoloured due to rain. There is no moisture in the millet. About 5,000 quintals of bajra has arrived, but many farmers have to sell their produce at the rate of Rs 1,350 to Rs 1,400 in the open market, he added. Rajender, a resident of Bahbalpur village, who brought 20 quintals to sell, had a heated exchange with Hafed officials who refused to buy the produce stating that it was not as per the specifications of the state government. It would have been better if the entire crop would have damaged in the rains. I would not have to suffer at the hands of these officials who are now denying to purchase the produce, he added. Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Meena said that the procurement was going on smoothly in the district. We are procuring bajra as per the specifications. We will follow the norms to purchase the remaining grain if the government relaxes the specifications, he added. Officials of the Market Committee said that a total of 1,973 quintals of bajra had arrived and the government had procured 562 quintals, while 224 quintals were purchased by private players. editorial@tribune.com Rohtak, October 9 Congress MP from Rohtak Deepender Singh Hooda said the Prime Minister had disappointed residents. He did not announce any new welfare or development scheme, which has disappointed residents, the MP said in a statement. INSO workers held, freed Members of the Indian National Students Organisation (INSO), led by its president Digvijay Singh Chautala, were detained near the Tilyar tourist complex on the outskirts of Rohtak as they were trying to move tos Garhi Sampla. The police said the INSO members were detained and later released. TNS editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Solan, October 9 Pradesh Congress Committee president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu today said the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government had failed to tighten noose around the nefarious drug trade which had led to 10 suicides in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial area this year. He said 28 per cent of the states youth was in grip of drugs. Addressing a rally at Baddi, Sukhu said drug trade was proliferating in the state and despite several cases coming to fore the state government was not serious to curb this menace. He said a delegation of Congress MLAs and office bearers had met Chief Minister before the monsoon session where they had requested him to frame strict laws to check this menace. He rued that the government neither brought a Bill nor initiated any strict action to check the growing drug trade which had lent credence to the fact that the state government was supporting it. While stressing the need for stricter laws, Sukhu said the provision of granting bail to the drug traders should be done away with. He demanded that the government should probe the role of the police and administrative officials who were patronizing this trade. Gurkirat Singh Kotli, secretary, All-India Congress Committee, and co incharge, Himachal, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the drug trade, which was initiated by the Badals in Punjab, had spread its tentacles in this bordering belt of Himachal also. He said the Congress would launch a campaign against this nefarious trade till its booth level by knocking at every doorstep. While addressing the rally, former Doon MLA Ramkumar Chawdhary said at least a dozen-odd people had lost their lives in various heinous crimes in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial belt ever since the BJP came to power. He launched a scathing attack on the local MLA as well as the Shimla MP and said both had failed to address the key issues of deteriorating law and order which was worsening day by day. He said the heroin consumption among the youth was on the rise in this industrial belt and the police was a mere mute spectator. Lakhwinder Rana, MLA, Nalagarh, while speaking on the occasion, said the people would give a befitting reply to the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. He said the Shimla MP had even lost the right to seek votes as he has failed to maintain any contact with the masses ever since he was elected. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Shimla, October 9 The shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff in Himachal Pradesh University will be over within a year, subject to the condition that there is no intervention from the court or the government, says HPU Vice Chancellor Prof Sikander Kumar. Interacting with mediapersons here today, Kumar said the university was running on guest faculty (136) and it was his priority to ensure that the vacant posts of teacher and non-teaching staff were filled and efforts would be made to fill the posts of non-teaching employee in six months. As many as 131 posts of assistant professor and 80 posts of non-teaching staff are lying vacant. Filling of posts would also ensure timely declaration of results and the finance committee of the HPU had cleared 130 posts of teacher and 50 posts of non-teaching employee had been created. A demarcation committee was constituted a day after he joined on August 3 which included a patwari and kanungo and the boundary of the HPU would be demarcated soon, he added. A market complex housing 15-20 shops and two restaurants would come up on the campus, he said, adding that of the two restaurants one would be run by the Himachal Tourism. The committee, constituted for the beautification of the campus, has given 2-3 proposals and the beautification work will be started once the demarcation is over, he said. Kumar also said 80 per cent of the departments were computerised while the remaining would be computerised in a year. Spelling out his vision, the VC said more departments would be opened at the regional centre, Dharamsala, and the Una regional centre would be started with four departments in 2019. We are planning to introduce new undergraduate courses in the HPU like yoga, library science and defence studies and it would be ensured that faculty is approved and infrastructure is developed before introducing new courses or departments, he said. More branches would be added to the University Institute of Information Technology (UIIT) which is running only two courses. He said the campus would be wi-fi by December and e-tender would be awarded in one week. Listing his achievements in the past two months, he said the ICDEOL of HPU would not be derecognised. Union Health and Family Planning Minister JP Nadda had assured of providing financial assistance for the upgrade of the university healthcare centre. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot had agreed to provide funds (Rs 30 crore approx) for the construction of four hostels with a capacity of 250 students each. The proposal would be sent to the Centre for providing separate lift water scheme for the university. More courses likely More departments will be opened at the regional centre, Dharamsala. The Una regional centre will be started with four departments in 2019 Plan to introduce new undergraduate courses such as yoga, library science and defence studies More branches will be added to the UIIT which is running only two courses The proposal will be sent to the Centre for providing separate lift water scheme Prez to attend convocation President Ram Nath Kovind will be the chief guest at the 24th convocation of the HPU slated for October 30 which will be attended by Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, said Prof Sikander. editorial@tribune.com New Delhi, October 9 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed a petitioner, alleging illegal mining activities in the Sutlej river basin, to approach a monitoring committee on the issue. A bench, headed by Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore, said a larger bench of the tribunal had already constituted a committee with detailed terms of reference which included illegal mining activities in the river. Therefore, we direct the applicant to appear before the committee and participate in their meeting for his redressal, the bench said. The committee was formed by the tribunal on July 24, which comprised noted environmental activist Balbir Singh Seechewal, representatives of the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. The panel must have one engineer, one scientist, a member of the Pollution Control Board and a nominee of Urban Development of the state, the bench stated. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Kullu resident Captain Hans Raj Singha (retd), alleging that three persons were carrying out mining without requisite permission in violation of the HP Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015. PTI editorial@tribune.com Ambika Sharma Tribune News Service Solan, October 8 In a judgment which will streamline the municipal solid waste management (MSW) in the state, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted regional monitoring committees with defined timelines to ensure apt implementation of the MSW Rules-2016. While serious deficiencies have been found in the annual implementation reports of various states, including Himachal, the NGT has put in place a tribunal monitored mechanism to streamline the waste management. It also noted that deficiencies in implementing the rules have led to outbreak of serious disease in the past in the judgment, a copy of which was available with The Tribune. An apex monitoring committee headed by former Justice DK Jain has been constituted to coordinate with the regional and state level committees. Rajwant Sandhu, former Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh, will head the regional monitoring committee for north zone. The committee also has Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Punjab as its Member Secretary. Principal Secretaries of Urban Development of Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, NCT Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Union Territory and Chandigarh and Member Secretaries of State Pollution Control Boards of these states and a representative of the Central Pollution Control Board have been included as its other members. As per these directions, action plans for MSW management will have to be submitted by October 31 by each state while its execution will have to be ensured by December 2019. Principal Secretaries of Urban Development and Rural Development will be required to ensure periodic monitoring of the action plans at least once in three months. The committee will ensure that mixing of bio-medical waste with municipal solid waste does not take place as has been the practice in some places. Technical specifications for setting up MSW plants will have to be defined by the Department of Urban Development and adopted by the Local Bodies. CCTV cameras will have to be installed at the dumping sites and the garbage collection vans will be GPS enabled. The NGT has highlighted the need to conduct a detailed study after consultation with the experts for apt management of MSW without any further delay. Action plans will have to be submitted by the state by October 31 while its execution will have to be ensured by December 2019. Principal Secretaries of Urban Development and Rural Development will be required to ensure periodic monitoring of the action plans at least once in three months. The tribunal observed that as per the existing practice the most convenient method adopted is to burn or dump the waste haphazardly and throw them on the hill slopes. A quarterly report will be furnished to the NGT by the committee and the Regional Monitoring Committees shall ensure effective implementation of the Rules, 2016. Streamlining the system sanjiv@tribunemail.com Ambika Sharma Tribune News Service Solan, October 9 To regulate construction in the Kasauli Planning Area and other eco-sensitive hill areas, the principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday restricted the height of buildings to two storeys plus an attic. No new construction of any kind, except in accordance with the Development Plan 2021, will be allowed, the NGT said, while disposing of a writ petition by the Society for Protection of Kasauli and its Environs (SPOKE). It allowed the HP Tourism Development Corporation to go ahead with its tourism project in Kasauli, permitting 32 rooms instead of 42 and excluding the museum from its design. It announced a monitoring committee headed by Justice Surjit Singh, a former judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, to address ecology concerns in the Kasauli Planning Area. Extending the judgment to similar eco-sensitive zones, the NGT directed the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change to frame guidelines with respect to carrying capacity assessment. The ministry has been granted time till November 30 to submit these guidelines along with a list of eco-sensitive zones. Buildings in the Kasauli Planning Area completed prior to this (October 9) order will be regularised on payment of a compensation of Rs 5,000 per square feet for self-occupied residential buildings and Rs 10,000 for commercial buildings. Also, the Kasauli Cantonment Board has been permitted to construct a multi-level parking. However, the parking has been restricted to one-third of the proposed 60 vehicles. A water supply system and a municipal solid waste management system will have to be set up in the Kasauli Planning Area within six months, while a timeline of nine months has been granted for a sewage network. To protect the fragile ecology, the NGT has said that a slope of 45 degrees for construction on a hard subsurface and 35 degrees on a soft rocky area will be allowed. The state will have to ensure strict enforcement of the BIS code for safety against quakes, structural stability and fire protection. A fine of not less than Rs 5 lakh will be imposed for any violation causing damage to forests and for cutting hills. The Town and Country Planning Department has been told to ensure retro fittings in old buildings and quake-resistant technologies in the new. Rainwater harvesting has been mandatory for all buildings. editorial@tribune.com Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, October 9 Consecutive defeats in various key institutions of Kangra district have rattled the BJP high command. Despite the fact that the BJP won 11 out of 15 Assembly segments in Kangra in the last Assembly elections, it has failed to control the vital institutions of the politically significant district. Initially, the BJP tried to take over the Kangra Central Cooperative (KCC) Bank, one the biggest cooperative banks of the state. At least three ministers from the district were deputed to ensure that the BJP-backed candidate was placed as Chairman of the bank. However, the move fizzled out and the state government later dissolved the elected board of the bank. The ousted members of the board went to Himachal High Court. Though the elections for the members of the board of the KCCB were due in September, these could not be held due to pending litigation. The state government has not been able to appoint even a regular Managing Director of the bank as yet. The second setback came the BJP way in the elections for the post of vice chairman of the zila parishad of Kangra. The state government deputed four ministers for the election. The ministers kept camping in Kangra district for more than a week to ensure party win. However, the Congress candidate Vishal Chambial won with a thumping majority. The state government had to cut a sorry figure and the ministers left blaming a party MLA from the district for playing spoilsport. On Monday, the Congress managed to retain the post of Mayor of Dharamsala Municipal Corporation and also weaned away Onkar Nehria, a BJP leader from Dharamsala, into its fold getting him elected as Deputy Mayor. Though the BJP has been maintaining that Onkar was no more with the party, he had contested corporation poll on BJP ticket. Sources here said that consecutive defeats of the party in Kangra have rattled the BJP high command. The national leaders of the party have expressed their disappointment over the defeats in the executive meeting held at Shimla. Sources here said that in the meeting at Palampur some party workers vented their ire against an RSS leader and accused him of consistently interfering in the affairs of the party. Some of the leaders, while speaking on the condition of anonymity, alleged that Kangra had not got its due from the state government. Most of the power in the present government is centred in Mandi district. The ministers from Kangra have comparatively less important portfolios and are being forced to play second fiddle in the government. This was having an adverse impact at the ground level and the Congress was gaining in Kangra barely within 10 months of the formation of new government in the state. The BJP is concerned that this might impact party prospects in the forthcoming parliamentary elections as well. Recent reverses editorial@tribune.com Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, October 9 Though the urban local bodies elections have ended in three districts that went to the polls in the first phase on Monday, large-scale defacement of public property by political parties and Independents continues to make its presence felt in the region. All major walls and public properties, particularly in Jammu district, have been defaced by the use of posters, stickers, and pamphlets with the authorities turning a blind eye to the situation. Locals complained that the election authorities maintained a casual approach while initiating action against the violators who resorted to unmindful defacement of public as well as private property within municipal limits. A single visit to any part within the municipal corporation limits is enough to gauge the level of violations made by the supporters of parties and Independent candidates. Local people would have definitely complained with the authorities concerned who preferred not to act for the reasons best known to them, said Pankaj Sharma, a resident of Kachi Chawni in Jammu city. Samriti Khajuria, a resident of Pacci Dhaki, said, candidates and their supporters did not leave even a single wall in our locality without posters and stickers. Many city areas are looking simply ugly due to defacement of walls. Pertinently, the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), a representative body of traders, had also written to the state Election Commission to look into the matter while expressing displeasure over the defacement of properties. We would like to bring to your notice that we have received numerous complaints from not only from the business community but from public also that the candidates in the ongoing election process for the Jammu municipal corporation (JMC) have literary defaced the whole city by pasting stickers on the walls and gates of private houses and on public property, JCCI president Rakesh Gupta had said in the letter to Chief Electoral Officer Shaleen Kabra. We fail to understand that these candidates who are promising in the election manifesto to keep the city clean and carry on development have resorted to such actions. We feel that this is an open violation of election rules and also bad in law, Gupta had said. All 75 wards of the JMC along with 238 wards spread over three districts in the Jammu region went to the polls in the first phase of the four-phase elections on Monday. Ramesh Kumar, District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, said the authorities had taken cognisance of defacement of public and private property by some candidates. They have been issued notices and necessary action will be initiated against them, Kumar added. Authorities approach casual, say residents vermaajay1968@gmail.com Pervin Malhotra Q. I am studying in second year of BBE. I am very keen to pursue a PG degree in International Relations (MA in International Relations). Is it necessary to have subjects like history and political science in graduation to get admission in the MA course in IR? Should I switch to bachelors in these subjects or in mass communication to be eligible for the masters course or continue with BBA? I am ready to lose one year of my BBA degree for this purpose. Which are the top colleges /universities for masters degree in International Relations in India and what will be the job prospects for me post this degree? Sankalp Dhamija A.International Relations is a field of study that combines political science with the intricacies of globalisation, terrorism, ecological sustainability and global finance. Which means that besides political history your programme in IR will be a dynamic mix of political history, economics, foreign policy, anthropology and sociology with a major focus on nations, states and governments. Although International Relations forms part of the masters in political science programmes offered at a large number of universities, a relatively fewer number of universities offer a specific masters in IR. Selection to most of the reputed university departments is done on the basis of an entrance test. As long as you can tackle that, you should be fine. If youre already in the second year, theres no need to drop a year. Just get hold of the previous years papers and start reading up on the subject. As for career prospects, many top foreign correspondents and political journalists, diplomats, teachers, area study experts, researchers and analysts in MNCs hold a degree in this subject. And as the world becomes smaller and more interconnected place, the field of IR has increased in scope and gained greater significance. As a consequence, those aspiring to work in the areas of Peace & Conflict Resolution, Area Studies, International Justice, International Economic Development, Humanitarian Relief, Human Rights Advocacy, Political and Economic Risk Analysis would also find it useful. Some of the better places to pursue your masters in IR would include: Jawaharlal Nehru University, School of International Studies, New Delhi (www.jnu.ac.in) Course: MA in Politics (specialisation in International Studies). , MA Economics (with specialisation on World Economy) Selection process is very competitive: 2000+ students compete for the 50-odd seats South Asian University (SAU) D/o International Relations (www.sau.int) Course: Masters in International Relations (2-yr) Jadavpur University, Kolkata (www.jadavpur.edu) Jindal School of International Affairs, Jindal global University (www.jgu.edu.in) Course: Masters in Diplomacy, Law & Business (2-yrs) Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra (www.brauagra.ac.in) Course: Masters in International Affairs. Jiwaji University, Gwalior (www.jiwaji.edu) Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam (www.mguniversity.edu) Pondicherry University, Puducherry Pt Deendayal Petroleum University, School of Liberal Studies, Gandhinagar (www.pdpu.ac.in) Course: Masters in political science (with International Relations / English Literature) Stella Maris College, University of Chennai, Chennai Course: Masters in International Relations Scope in insurance sector Q.I will be graduating with a BCom degree next year. I am keen to explore career options in the insurance sector other than actuary, surveyor, etc? What is scope of PG Diploma/MBA in insurance? Which are the good institutes to pursue this course? Deepak Sawant A.Despite being an overpopulated country and one of the fastest growing economies, Indias share of the total global insurance premium is under 2%. But with digitisation combined with insurance distribution going online, much more traction is expected as e-commerce reaches out to Tier-II and Tier-III cities. While this is a small figure in terms of percentage, the size of the market is huge: General insurance: Rs 1,20,000 crore and Life insurance: Rs 1,75,000 crore. Despite there being over 36,000 vacancies in the industry, there are less than 300 insurance management professionals. Typically, PG-level programs in Insurance are offered as a combination with either Banking or with Risk Management. Those graduating from these programs would find openings in Insurance & Re-insurance companies, Banks and Financial Institutions, Insurance Brokers, Credit Companies, and online insurance distribution. Those with Risk Management profiles can also look profiles in general management, IT services and consulting firms. Some of the institutes/universities offering specialised programs in Insurance Management are given below: National Insurance Academy, Pune Course: PGDM in Management (2-yrs) Institute of Insurance & Risk Management, Hyderabad Course: PGDM in Management (2-yrs) Jamia Hamdard, School of Management & Business Studies, Delhi Course: MBA in Insurance, (2-yrs) BIMTECH, Greater Noida Course: PGDM in Insurance Business Management (2-yrs) Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi Course: MBA in Banking and Insurance (2-yrs) traineesubeditor@tribuneindia.com New York, October 9 Priyanka Chopra on Monday said she had faith in her maiden Sikkimese production "Pahuna" ("The Little Visitors") right from the outset. The film, produced under Purple Pebble Pictures, was adjudged Best Film (Jury Choice) and Special Mention by Professional Jury in The International Feature Film Category at SCHLINGEL International Children's Film Festival in Germany. "'Pahuna'. A film I've believed in from the word go! Love the response it's getting worldwide. Can't wait to see what's in store for our film next! Congrats team @PurplePebblePic for winning the 'Best Film (Jury's choice)' and a special mention at the #SchlingelFilmFestival," Priyanka wrote on Twitter. Director Pakhi A Tyrewala, thanked the actor-producer for her unwavering faith in the film. "It's true. Only person who repeatedly told me that I made a good film whenever I doubted it. She always had faith in 'Pahuna'. Thanks @priyankachopra," Pakhi replied to Priyanka's tweet. To this the actor responded saying, "Always @PaakhiATyrewala I truly believe in the power of talent and hard work. And you are exactly that. #Pahuna is an amazing film and I'm so proud of it and you. Congratulations to everyone who worked on it @PurplePebblePic and the cast and crew!" Always @PaakhiATyrewala I truly believe in the power of talent and hard work. And you are exactly that. #pahuna is an amazing film and Im so proud of it and you. Congratulations to everyone who worked on it @PurplePebblePic and the cast and crew ! https://t.co/RgdLSugo6w PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) 9 October 2018 The film revolves around three Nepali children who get separated from their parents, escape the Maoists agitation in Nepal and flee to Sikkim. "Pahuna" had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year. PTI. traineesubeditor@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, October 9 Bollywood veteran Rishi Kapoor, who recently flew to the United States with wife Neetu Kapoor to seek medical treatment, spent quality time with his 'Agneepath' co-star Priyanka Chopra. Taking to Instagram, 'The Sky Is Pink' star shared a picture of the trio, in which a blonde-haired Rishi can be seen sitting on a couch, and Priyanka and Neetu sitting behind him. "Was so good seeing you both @neetu54 #RishiKapoor laughter and smiles as always!!," Priyanka captioned the post. The 'Kapoor and Sons' star also recently met his 'old friend', actor Anupam Kher, in Manhattan, New York. In a cryptic tweet last month, Rishi announced that he was travelling to the US for medical treatment. Before his well-wishers could jump to conclusions, the 'Mulk' actor asked them not to speculate his leave of absence. Hello all! I am taking a short leave of absence from work to go to America for some medical treatment. I urge my well wishers not to worry or unnecessarily speculate. Its been 45 years plusof wear and tear at the movies. With your love and good wishes,I will be back soon! Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) 29 September 2018 "Hello all! I am taking a short leave of absence from work to go to America for some medical treatment. I urge my well-wishers not to worry or unnecessarily speculate. It's been 45 years "plus" of wear and tear at the movies. With your love and good wishes, I will be back soon!" the 66-year-old's tweet read. ANI. shalender@tribune.com Tara star Navneet Nishan has supported Vinta Nandas allegations against Alok Nath while confirming the harassment she faced at the hands of the actor. Nishan said she empathises with the terrible pain Nanda has gone through. Without naming Nath, she said she also suffered because of this mans power trip. I empathise with Vinta for the terrible pain she has gone through; it is unimaginable. I dealt with the four year-harassment by slapping the man in question, and it was done and dusted. l suffered the loss of the show and was further shamed by the man through media, and I endured that. I fought my battles there and then. I am immensely glad that the power trip and sexual dominance coming from this power is being called out. It is high time, she said. The actress added that she supported every woman and man who is standing up in the Me Too movement. PTI Commodore MB Kunte (retd) Commodore MB Kunte (retd) Eileen Savdie, a Mormon from Utah, made Paris her home after marriage. In the early 1960s she spent two years with my wife Anuradha in the University of Sorbonne. After three decades, Eileen was visiting us, enroute to Australia, and was overwhelmed with her first look at India, despite the dismal brush with the visa people and Air India. She was fascinated by the bindi and wore one all the time she was here. If I had meant it as a method of contact with people, I couldnt have done better, she wrote back from Perth. Ill never forget those children, the way they cracked up when they had a look at my face and yelled a huloooooo at me. Children never smile or wave at me. They did in India. Thank you for that magical little packet. Great piece of makeup that thing! The Ayodhya strife was brewing that December and had exploded in the two days between Eileens departure and the scheduled arrival of her grand nephew. But David got stuck in Bangkok because nobody could fly into that angry country of yours, Eileen yelled at us on the phone. So agitated was she that on returning to Paris she wrote at length suggesting a French solution for Ayodhya. An Indian client of mine said to me that a long time ago it was a Hindu temple. It was brought down and a mosque was built on the site. Wouldnt it be a wonderful idea to build a combined temple-mosque in Ayodhya that would symbolise cohabitation and friendship between religions? Eileen added, We have an ecumenical project here that will have no crosses, no paintings, no symbolism. Your building, like the multi-cultural theme enshrined in the architecture of your Presidents Palace, could have both Hindu and Muslim symbolism, and that could be used by each group for three days a week and the seventh would be for maintenance by both groups working to preserve something they built jointly. I think having multi-religious symbolism would be a more dramatic message than le freak thats supposed to be built here in Paris without any at all. What do you think? There must be money in India for such a project? Who would be financing the temple? Surely there are plenty of Muslims and Hindus that could be convinced that a massive inspiring symbol of cohabitation and the sister/brotherhood of humankind would be less costly than tearing each others building down and building another? And imagine the tourists it would draw! And would it not remind the Indians themselves of Gandhis philosophy and efforts towards unity in diversity? One of his quotations could be engraved on a monument, perhaps a statue of him? Do write how things develop in India. Your ever loving ancienne comrade de chamber Eileen. Is it possible that, in memory of the Father of the Nation, the angry people will bury the hatchet one day and synthesise a dream concept to soothe all passions? uttara@tribuneindia.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj refused to answer questions about sexual harassment allegations that were leveled against her deputy, Minister of State MJ Akbar, as the #MeToo ride sweeps across the country. The Tribune pointedly asked Swaraj on the sidelines of her ministrys India for Humanity event what she would do as a woman minister about the allegations that a senior journalist Priya Ramani levelled against Akbar. Instead of answering, Swaraj walked away. Swarajs ministerial colleague also refused to respond to the specific allegation, instead responding generally: The ministry has a stated position that wherever there is a case of sexual misconduct or abuse qualifying for jail term under criminal law for three years or more, there is no deadline within which the complaint must be filed. There must be an investigation into such cases. Reacting on the issue, the Congress demanded that the matter should be investigated. "It is an extremely serious matter and the minister concerned needs to speak up. Silence cannot be a way out. This matter should be investigated. We would like to hear from both the minister in question and the Prime Minister on this issue," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters. In tweets on Monday, Priya Ramani wrote: I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didnt do anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predatormaybe theyll share. Her tweet contained link to an article she had penned for The Vogue last year titled To the Harvey Weinsteins of the world. In the article, written in the form of letter to a Male boss, Ramani recounts an occasion when a former editor reportedly called her to his bedroom at 7 pm when she was a young reporter. Her article however didnt name this Male boss. But when women began sharing their stories as the #MeToo storm swept the country, Ramani revealed the name of her supposed harassersenior journalist MJ Akbar. After her tweet went viral, two more women journalistsShuma Raha and Prerna Singh Bindraaccused Akbar, now a ministerof harassment, all dating back to the days when he was a eminent journalist and editor. It was #MJAkbar. I do not say this lightly. I know the consequences of false accusations and it has been now 17 yrs and I have no concrete proof. But I was young, just made features editor, super impressed with our brilliant editor, sensitive writer(read Riot after Riot), read the first among series of tweets posted by Bindra. Incidentally, in March this year, when former Samajwadi Party leader, Naresh Agarwaal took a sexist jibe at MP Jaya Bachchan for her acting profession soon after he switched to the BJP, Swaraj had severely critcised it. Shri Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable, Swaraj had tweeted. The Tribune asked Akbar for his response on Monday. Akbar is in Abuja in Nigeria for an India-West Africa conclave and is expected to return to Delhi on Wednesday. Sources however say that since the accusations were personal in nature and date back to before he became a minister, either he in personal capacity or the BJPs political leadership should be asked to respond. With agency inputs vinaymishra188@gmail.com New Delhi, October 8 Indias MeToo movement that exploded on Twitter last week claimed its first success on Monday with leaders in the world of media, comedy and films feeling the heat and a minister being publicly named in the matter. Actor Hrithik Roshan spoke up against sexual abuse in Bollywood by issuing a statement seeking harsh action against Vikas Bahl, director of Super 30 in which Roshan is a lead role. Kangana Ranaut has alleged sexual transgressions by Bahl on the sets of Queen. The day also saw famed comedy group All India Bakchod (AIB) asking CEO Tanmay Bhat to quit amid allegations that Bhat did nothing about sexual misconduct charges against former AIB colleague Utsav Chakraborty, despite knowing about it. AIB co-founder Gursimran Khamba, facing sexual harassment accusations, was also sent on temporary leave. The MeToo repercussions were also felt in the world of media with women continuing to allege that senior male leaders made unwelcome sexual advances at them at some point in their careers. Chief of Bureau and Political Editor, Hindustan Times, Prashant Jha was the first journalist to step down from both his roles on Monday in the wake of MeToo allegations while Business Standard placed journalist Mayank Jain, facing similar charges, is under inquiry. The MeToo storm also hit the government with senior journalist Priya Ramani sharing her MJ Akbar story on Twitter. The Tribune sought a response from the office of Akbar, who is currently in Abuja, representing India at the India-West Africa conclave. He is expected to return Wednesday. Ramani tweeted, I began this piece with my MJ Akbar story. Never named him because he didn't do anything. Lots of women have worse stories about this predator maybe theyll share. Ramani also tagged an article in which she narrated her harrowing experience with Akbar without naming anyone. When asked about allegations against MJ Akbar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj refused to comment. When The Tribune persisted, saying she could, as a woman minister in charge of the ministry, order an internal inquiry, Swaraj simply walked away. TNS sanjiv@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 The government today advised calm even as Zika virus cases in Rajasthans Jaipur rose to 29. The load was 22 until yesterday. Health Minister JP Nadda said there was no reason to panic and the situation was under control. India has had two previous outbreaks of Zika, the Rajasthan outbreak being the largest in terms of case load. In February 2017, the WHO first reported Zika outbreak in India on the basis of three lab-confirmed cases in Ahmadabad, Gujarat. In April 2017, the country saw its fourth such case from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu. All patients have since recovered. On Jaipur cases, the Health Ministry today said the detection was due to strong surveillance of outbreaks by the Indian Council of Medical Research. Zika cases have been detected due to strong surveillance systems of the government. Our surveillance is very robust and all such cases get detected. We have standard protocol, and in collaboration with the WHO, we follow them to see whether it is an isolated case or a collective one. The ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and Directorate General of Health Services are constantly monitoring the situation. There is no cause for panic, Nadda said. In Rajasthan, blood samples of 450 persons, including 168 pregnant women, were tested and 29 have shown positive results. This is the third Zika virus outbreak in the country. The Centre has assured all help to the state government in curbing the spread of the virus after Prime Ministers Office yesterday sought a report on the outbreak from the ministry. Nadda said a seven-member team of the Centre is in Jaipur to help the state authorities. The Health Ministry also said that the Bihar Government had been asked to issue advisories to all its district health officers about Zika symptoms because one person who tested positive in Jaipur recently had visited Siwan in Bihar. amansharma@tribunemail.com Ananya Panda Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 In view of "hate attacks" on migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pardesh triggered by the recent rape of a toddler in Gujarat, the Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday warned the Bharatiya Janata Party saying the Poorvanchali voters would avenge the violence against them in Gujarat in the next year's Lok Sabha elections. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take effective steps to resolve the prevailing crisis in his home state saying owing to the prevailing situation in Gujarat there is anger among people from UP and Bihar residing in Delhi. Party's Delhi in-charge Dilip Pandey demanded that the PM should tender an apology and intervene ensuring people from other states, particularly UP and Bihar, don't have to flee Gujarat. Interestingly, the AAP has decided to take out a "Swabiman Yatra" on October 12 in north east Delhi where a major chunk of the electorate comprises Poorvanchalis at a time when one-thirds of the city's population happens to be from the eastern parts of the country. "Our constitution allows the freedom to its citizens to freely reside in any part of the country.... The people from UP and Bihar are being given threats for life and meted out wrong treatment," Pandey told reporters. The AAP leader accused the chief ministers of UP and Bihar- Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar- of being silent on the attacks on people from their states. "Why aren't they questioning the Gujarat government? The MPs elected from the two states are also not speaking up on the issue. The PM who is an MP from Varanasi constituency must apologise for the violence against migrants in Gujarat and immediately intervene," Pandey said. uttara@tribuneindia.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 Three promoters/ directors of the Amrapali group were taken into police custody on Tuesday after the Supreme Court ordered their arrest for their failure to submit some documents for forensic audit. A Bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Uday U Lalit ordered police to detain Anil Sharma, Shivpriya and Ajay Kumar. The court had ordered forensic audit of the groups accounts. All three will be taken to their office and kept in custody until the documents are handed in. Reacting to the development, Noida Extension Flat Owners' Welfare Association counsel Kumar Mihir said this was a much needed order as the Amrapali group promoters/directors have been taking the homebuyers and the court for a ride. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Lucknow/Mumbai/New Delhi, October 9 Sensitive and secret information relating to the countrys security have been found from arrested Brahmos engineer Nishant Aggarwals personal computer, laptop and mobile phone which should not have come out of the defence organisation where he was working, the probe agencies have found. He was arrested yesterday on the suspicion of spying for Pakistans Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). Aggarwal is suspected of falling for a honey trap laid by a Pakistani intelligence operative, who in the guise of a woman got him hooked and part with technical designs pertaining to the missile. The agencies monitoring his profile have found some suspicious women on his friend list. While Aggarwal was arrested in Nagpur, two others were arrested from Kanpur and Agra, respectively. In the court, the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Tuesday said a PDF file had been found on his laptop that contained documents which should not have been there. The documents are highly sensitive in nature and these have been made public through his social media account. The court granted a 3-day transit remand to take him to Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorism Squad Inspector General Aseem Arun said a laptop of the engineer has been seized from his family home in Roorkee (Uttarakhand) which is being brought to Lucknow for further investigation. Aggarwal was posted in Nagpur and working on the integration of the BrahMos missile a hypersonic weapon. The Brahmos Aerospace is joint venture between India and Russia. Aggarwal had been awarded the Young Scientist award in 2017. He had been working with Brahmos Aerospace since July 31, 2013. Spying racket suspected vinaymishra188@gmail.com Tribune Web Desk Gandhinagar, October 9 Even as the exodus of non-Gujaratis from the Prime minister's home state continued, the Congress leader whose agitation against rape of a 14-month-old child had triggered attacks on non-Gujaratis has threatened to shut factories that provide employment to "people from outside". Congress leader Alpesh Thakore who also is a founder of Thakore sena that was instrumental in the attack claimed that crimes by `outsiders had increased and since police had failed to initiate action, the organization had decided to take law into its own hands. Thakore also criticized the police for arresting miscreants who had targeted non Gujaratis following the rape incident. ``The police should release people from my community who have been arrested. If in anger someone has done something then we should forgive him and deal with outsiders with a strong hand. We will hold a meeting and declare what we will do. threatened Thakore. He also issued threats to factor owners employing non Gujaratis. ``We will stop the factories where these people work. We told their owners but so far there has been no action. We have declared halla bol and we will shut the factory. The government and police should declare what action they want to take. he announced. Meanwhile, despite assurances by state DGP Shivanand Jha and appeal by CM Vijay Rupani, a large number of non-Gujarati migrants from Hindi-speaking states continued to make a beeline to the railway stations and bus depots to return to their home states fearing attacks from locals. Nearly 5,000 migrant workers, particularly from Bihar, UP and MP, employed at the industrial clusters in parts of Ahmedabad and some north Gujarat districts have left the state in the past three days. The Gujarat Police, however, continued to be in denial mode claiming that not a single migrant labourer had left Gujarat due to apprehension of attack. Those who have left have gone to celebrate festivals with their relatives and will return as their leave ends, a senior police official claimed. Both the DGP and MoS for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja claimed that there was not even one serious incident of attack on non-Gujaratis. Safety of all residents of Gujarat, including the non-Gujaratis, was the responsibility of the government and it has not failed, Jadeja claimed. PM Narendra Modi, in a call to Rupani and Jadeja, reportedly pulled up the state government for allowing the situation to deteriorate to the extent where the image of Gujarat was eroded. Bihar and UP CMs Nitish Kumar and Yogi Adityanath, respectively, also spoke to Rupani and asked him to ensure safety of their people. Congress Priyanka Chaturvedi said a migrant Lord Krishna from UP's Mathura was welcomed by Gujarat, which is today throwing migrants from three states out She asked the PM: With this happening in your home state, how will you face the people of Rajasthan and the people of UPs Varanasi who elected you with a heavy margin in 2014? sanjiv@tribunemail.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 10 Sections of foreign diplomats posted in India are hoping that the Indian government will revise its visa norms for those with same sex partners. Last month the Supreme Court in its historic ruling read down section 377 and decriminalised gay sex between consenting adults. In wake of the ruling, The Tribune has learnt that countries like Cyprus, Netherlands, Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand, US are keen to seek a change in existing visa norms for their serving homosexual diplomats. The matter could be a tricky area for the Indian government given same sex marriage is still not legally recognised here and remains a taboo for large sections of society. Missions are not willing to give out any specific number of homosexual diplomats posted currently given sensitive nature of the issue.Sources suggest some missions have between half a dozen to one dozen homosexual diplomats at the moment. But unlike other diplomats whose wives or husbands are recognised as spouses and given diplomatic long term derivative visas, same sex partners do not enjoy any diplomatic privileges or immunity. Same sex partners apply for tourist or work visas sometimes without the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) being aware that their partner is posted in India. Sometimes a diplomat may ask visas under domestic household category like for nanny or a cook for their partner, said a senior diplomat. Depending on norms for category of visas applied for, partners then have to travel out of the country to neighbouring destinations like Nepal or Srilanka every few months to seek re-entry whereas the diplomat could be posted here for three to four years at least. In 2014 Nancy Powell submitted her resignation as envoy to India to then US President Obama. She had served as US ambassador in Delhi for nearly two years and had a year left. While political reasons were cited for it, according to some diplomats who attended a select farewell dinner for her, she mentioned that she was also tired with visa complications in India related to her lesbian partner. Incidentally earlier in 2013 in a major setback to LGBT community ,Supreme Court overturned a 2009 judgement of the High Court which had decriminalised same gender sex Dozens of diplomats including from US and Canada had cut short their India posting then said sources. Some foreign missions are now celebrating the latest 377 verdict by the apex court and preparing to lobby with the External Affairs Ministry. Countries like UK have raised the issue with the government privately on occasions. A concerted effort within expats community may not come through given opposition to same sex relations by some conservative countries. The matter has not been raised with us officially yet but we do expect the issue to come up in near future and we will discuss then, said an Indian official. uttara@tribuneindia.com Ravi S Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence over growing attacks on migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in his home state Gujarat. Mayawati, who was speaking at an event held to mark her mentor Kashi Rams death anniversary, held the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party responsible for the attacks, claiming that attacks on Dalits and minorities, their divisive policies were now stoking regionalism. She also questioned Bihar and Uttar Pradesh chief ministers Nitish Kumar and Adityanaths delay in taking up the attacks with their Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani. Bihar has a JD(U)-BJP coalition government, while the BJP rules Uttar Pradesh. Attacks began after the rape of a 14-month old girl in Sabarkantha last week and soo spread to other five districts including Mehsana, forcing several migrant workers to flee in terror. traineesubeditor@tribuneindia.com Kolkata, October 9 Parents of students in a south Kolkata school Tuesday protested before the institution alleging that a minor girl was molested by a male teacher, police said. The police had a tough time to control the angry parents who tried to enter the school. The police had to wield batons to disperse the demonstrators. Deputy Commissioner of Police(South East division) Kalyan Mukherjee said, "We are trying to talk to the guardians and handle the situation." Police, however, said that no complaint had been lodged by the parents of the girl. The school authorities were not available for comments. PTI. editorial@tribune.com New Delhi, October 9 The Congress on Tuesday hit out at the BJP government in Gujarat for allowing the migrant exodus situation blow over and become volatile. Party chief Rahul Gandhi led the charge and blamed the governments poor economic policies. Migrant workforce is critical to economic growth and attacks on them create an environment of fear and insecurity that isnt good for business and our economy. The government must act decisively and do all it can to restore peace, he said. On Facebook, he said in Gujarat, poor economic policies, note ban and poorly executed GST had devastated industry, resulting in the shutting down of factories, leading to massive unemployment. Among the youth there is growing frustration and anger with the governments inability to create jobs. This anger and frustration is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants, across Gujarat. The party later officially asked Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani to follow rajdharma. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said: The PM should follow rajdharma as advised by the late BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee. TNS vinaymishra188@gmail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 8 Close on the heels of the Allahabad High Court penalising three doctors for illegible handwriting in the medico-legal (MLC) reports drafted by them, the governments policy-making NITI Aayog has said it is time to move towards computerised prescriptions and MLC drafting. Speaking to The Tribune, VK Paul, Member, Health, NITI Aayog, and chairman of the Medical Council of Indias Board of Governors, expressed deep concern and anguish at doctors handwriting becoming a matter of judicial intervention. But one is not surprised by the Allahabad HC fining three doctors for illegible medico-legal reports. This would have happened one day anyway when you keep writing what people cannot read. I firmly believe the solution lies in computerising the drafting of prescriptions. We should start by ensuring that medico-legal reports are computer-generated and printed by doctors in charge. This should be the beginning as legal matters are crucial, Paul said today. He said responsible transaction with patients is the most sacred duty of doctors, who should know better, and added that doctors with poor handwriting were incomplete professionals. Expression of a doctors professional advice through prescription or medico-legal reports involves questions of life and death. Its serious business. Doctors are expected to write in a way that their medical opinions are understood as these are meant to be understood. An illegible prescription or report can have devastating consequences, Paul said, adding that a shift is in order and an early debate on the matter was on. The Indian Medical Councils regulations require doctors to write legibly and preferably in capital letters. Rules say prescriptions should mention in detail the medicine name, salts, strength and potency, frequency and dispensing instructions clearly in capital letters. But this rule is followed more in violation than practice. Former president of Punjab Medical Council Gurinder Singh Grewal says some doctors are writing prescriptions in capital letters, but they are a minority. It is time we started mandating computerisation of prescriptions. State medical council leaders also acknowledge they are grappling with bad doctor handwriting for years. We have had complaints where the doctor who wrote the prescription was unable to read his own handwriting later. Penalties have been recommended in the past also, but computerisation is the final solution, says Girish Tyagi, Registrar, Delhi Medical Council. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, October 9 A 50-year-old security guard sustained gunshot injuries after unidentified persons allegedly opened fire at a cash van in an attempt to rob it near DND toll plaza in east Delhis Mayur Vihar, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday night, they said. The cash van belonged to a security agency and three persons, including the security guard, driver and a custodian of the firm, were inside the vehicle during the time of the incident, police said. The injured security guard, Vishambhar, was admitted to a nearby hospital, they said. Three to four men allegedly opened fire at the cash van which was en route to its Noida office after collecting cash from its office in Janakpuri, a senior police official said. The accused fled the spot, leaving behind a car after their attempt to loot failed, he said. A vehicle, suspected to be that of the accused, has been impounded, the official added. Police are scanning through the CCTV footage of the incident to trace the accused and to ascertain the sequence of the incident, the officer said. A case was registered, police said, adding that multiple teams had been formed to trace the accused. PTI editorial@tribune.com Jitendra K Shrivastava Patna, October 9 As attacks on them showed no signs of abating, fear-stricken people from Gujarat took a sigh of relief after returning to their home state Bihar much before the festival of Chhath. Ankit Jha, his wife Seema and their two-year-old daughter arrived in Patna, leaving behind their belongings in Gujarat, following hate attacks on migrant workers. The attacks were triggered by alleged involvement of Bihari migrants in the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28. Jha said: Fear has driven migrant workers, particularly from Bihar, UP and MP, out of Gujarat. We were threatened to leave the state if we wanted to remain safe. Hundreds of migrants have been forced to leave the state. We will stay in Bihar till the situation cools down. Biharis were brutally beaten up and their belongings were thrown out of the house by mob. Even landlords were threatened to get their houses vacated if migrant workers lived on rent. We left in a jam-packed train as we had no option, said Jha who worked at a garment factory in Gujarat. He said they were roughed up even on their way to the railway station. Arjun Rishi, who worked at a paint factory in Gujarat, said: I was hiding inside a factory workshop along with my friends from Bihar. A mob was roaming freely on streets with no fear of security personnel. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has spoken to his Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani. We are keeping a close eye on recent developments in Gujarat. We have urged people not to harbour hatred against everyone. Only the guilty should be punished, he said. Cops flag march, but exodus continues vinaymishra188@gmail.com New Delhi, October 8 It was an emotional reunion of sorts between a teacher and a student. The Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, on Monday invited his drill ustaad Hony Capt Faqir Singh from the time he was at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla (Pune) to the At home function he hosted to mark Air Force Day. A drill ustaad at the NDA is the first teacher of the young boys (17-18 years of age) at the academy. The ustaad instils discipline and teaches them how to be part of a parade. The Chief was commissioned into the IAF in 1978 and during his formative years Capt Faqir Singh trained him at the Echo squadron at the NDA. Capt Faqir Singh, from the 5th battalion of the Sikh Regiment, retired in 1985. Today morning, he stood proud when the IAF Chief announced at the parade at Hindon air base: I have asked my ustaad to judge my parade and he is sitting in the audience. The retired soldier now lives near Adampur, Jalandhar, and at the at home he was accompanied by his kin, all smiles as the IAF Chief posed for pictures. TNS editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 9 Two cash collection agents of Radiant Cash Management Services were shot at by four armed bike-borne men on the Ferozepur road near MBD Mall on Tuesday evening. The assailants decamped with Rs 10.71 lakh. Karanvir Singh (21) and Manpreet Singh (26) of Shimlapuri suffered bullet injuries on the legs. Ashwani Kapoor, DCP, said the agents collected Rs 10.71 lakh from Amazon Transport Service in Bhai Chet Singh Nagar. When they left with the cash on a motorcycle, they were intercepted by four men. During a scuffle with the duo, a toy pistol of one of the assailants fell and was later recovered by the police. The men asked us to hand over the cash at gunpoint, but we grappled with them. Then they fired at us. We were taken to the DMC Hospital by the company manager, the duo told the police. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 9 Amid growing concern within the ruling party over the delay in taking action in sacrilege cases and subsequent police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, CM Capt Amarinder Singh today reviewed the progress of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He also discussed with the Advocate General and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) the status of case regarding interim stay granted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to five policemen, whose names figured in the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report. The states plea for vacation of the stay is coming up for hearing tomorrow. It is learnt the partys top brass has drawn up plans to come out with some action before November so that peoples faith in the Congress was restored. The party wants to use the issue to its advantage in the Lok Sabha polls. A senior government functionary said the presence of hardcore radicals among the gathering at Bargari on October 7 is an area of concern for intelligence agencies. The October 14 gathering to be held at Bargari and Panthic assembly on October 20 and 21 is being closely watched. The CM and the police officers discussed the scheduled gathering of the Panthic leaders on October 14, called to observe the third anniversary of those killed in police firing at Behbal Kalan. The Congress wants to oust Badals from the SGPC, but not allow the radicals to take over, said a senior leader. Earlier in the day, Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Faridkot MLA Kushaldeep Dhillon are learnt to have met the CM seeking timely action against those whose complicity have figured in the Ranjit Singh report. Though both termed the meeting as a courtesy call, it is learnt that they have sought taking the sacrilege cases and subsequent police firing to its logical conclusion. More leaders are expected to meet the CM in the coming days over the issue. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Perneet Singh Tribune News Service Bathinda, October 8 Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) representatives on Monday visited Bathinda, Malout and Abohar markets to make purchases but were shunned by farmers, apparently because the corporation wished to carry out direct purchase and the farmers did not want to antagonise arhtiyas (commission agents). The corporations Bathinda branch head, Brijesh Kasana, admitted the farmers were reluctant to sell their produce to them. Rising cotton prices in the market could be one of the reasons, he pointed out. He stressed they would purchase cotton with moisture content between 8-12 per cent and not beyond. However, Ashok Kapur, a former president of the North India Cotton Association, attributed the farmers reluctance to their long-time association with the arhtiyas. He said the corporation must initiate confidence-building measures and acquaint the farmers with the new system. Interestingly, the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) had staged a protest outside the CCI office here on Saturday, urging it to lift cotton. On the corporations claim that they were getting a lukewarm response in mandis, he called it a mere ploy to dodge purchase. Satish Bansal, a leading commission agent, said they had already taken up the matter with the Union Government, urging that the old practice, under which they were paid 2.5 per cent commission on every cotton purchase by the corporation, be restored. We have been left out completely, he rued. Sukhmandar Singh, a farmer from Jaisinghwala village, who sold cotton at Rs 5,240 per quintal in the Bathinda market on Monday, said: We cannot think of moving away from the old system. We have a strong bond with the arhtiyas, who come to our aid whenever needed. On the other hand, cotton growers in Fazilka complained that the corporation had yet to enter the local market. They said had to sell to private traders at Rs 5,050-5,270 per quintal against the MSP (minimum support price) of Rs 5,350 per quintal. editorial@tribune.com Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 8 At least 1,148 books for the property tax receipts have been found missing in the Amritsar Municipal Corporation records during the ongoing audit by the Grant Thornton on behalf of the Department of Local Government. The property tax is just one of the dozen odd heads showing glaring discrepancies in fund management in the Amritsar and Jalandhar municipal corporations and Improvement Trusts where the audit is currently underway. What is more disturbing is the fact that the audit agency has not yet been supplied at least 70 per cent of the data sought for dealings under specific financial heads of the corporations and trusts. The Amritsar Municipal Corporation witnessed dishonouring of cheques for the property tax worth more than Rs 1 crore and no steps have been taken to recover the tax. Navjot Singh Sidhu, while addressing a press conference in Jalandhar recently, had announced the preliminary findings of discrepancies worth Rs 500 crore during the last 10 years. Sidhu had clearly indicated involvement of big people who were either allowed to encroach or get the land at a throwaway price. The minister said the fraud existed because of misinterpretation of demarcation of properties for local displaced persons (LDPs) to benefit affluent people. The shortcoming list in the audit reads that the account books are not up-to-date. Poorly maintained cashbooks are incomplete. It cannot be ascertained how many bank accounts each body under scrutiny maintained. There is poor recovery of penalties in case of incompletion of projects. The expected figures of the unexplained collections under specified financial heads will be more than 20 times of Rs 500 crore, a senior officer of Grant Thornton handling the audit said. editorial@tribune.com Tribune Reporters Chandigarh/Patiala, Oct 8 The Education Department suspended five protesting teachers late on Monday. They are Hardeep Singh Todarpur, Harvinder Rakhra, Bharat Kumar, Didar Singh and Harjit Singh. Todarpur is the co-convener of the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha Punjab. Government teachers are on an indefinite dharna in Patiala. Under the morchas banner, they are protesting against the state Cabinets decision to regularise the services of 8,886 of them on the monthly basic salary of Rs 15,000. Talking to The Tribune, Director, Public Instruction (Secondary), Sukhjeet Pal Singh said, The Education Minister (OP Soni) had warned them, but they didnt relent. They were asked to join duty, but they didnt do so. Earlier in the day, the teachers did not let AAP leaders share the stage with 11 of their colleagues, who are on a fast-unto-death. Party MP Bhagwant Mann and MLAs Harpal Singh Cheema and Sarvjit Kaur Manuke extended support to the agitation. Davinder Punia, state convener of the morcha, said, AAP leaders are supporting us, but we did not allow them to join the protest. We will not let anyone with a political affiliation share the stage with fasting teachers. Punia added that the teachers agitation would continue despite the suspension orders. editorial@tribune.com Archit Watts Tribune News Service Muktsar, October 9 A day after five protesting teachers were suspended, Education Minister OP Soni today said he was firm on his No work, no pay stand. He also warned the teachers of legal action if students suffered due to their protest. Soni said, These are just 400 teachers of total 1.25 lakh in the state who are making an issue. Ninety-four per cent of 9,000 teachers recruited under the Central Governments schemes like SSA had accepted regular jobs in the Education Department on the salary decided as per the state governments policy. The decision of regularising these teachers, who earlier were under societies being run with funds provided by the Union government, was taken after conducting three decisive meetings with their union leaders. Now, they are misguiding other teachers due to their individual interests, he added. They would get pending salary without any cut as they were getting in the past. After three years, they would get full pay, said Soni. He added, As per the state governments policy, a regular teacher gets Rs 10,300 for first three years of his/her service. They should thank Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh who decided to give them Rs 15,300 per month. Even a fresh PCS officer gets almost the same salary. Meanwhile, he requested the teachers to return to their duties. We are trying hard to raise the graph of education in the state, which dropped in the past 10 years. Though lodging protest is their right under the democracy, they should not let the students suffer. I have no issue if they lodge protest on any non-working day, but if someone will not go to school on a working day, legal action will be taken, warned Soni. rchopra@tribunemail.com Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 9 Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK on Tuesday said he had only handed over the charge to senior vice president Harmeet Singh Kalka and not quit his post. I have not quit my post. It is just that I will be busy in personal matter over the next two weeks, GK told The Tribune on Tuesday morning denying reports in a section of the Punjab media that indicated that he had quit the post. A senior DSGMC official said GK had only handed over the charge to Kalka to protest against the stand of his party, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), on the issue of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. When asked if he had an issue with the party, GK said he was a loyal soldier of the SAD and that the party needed to work on the issue of resignation of senior leaders as it could harm it. Senior leader SS Dhindsa quit the party last week. Sources said GK had not been attending the office for the past four days. The DSGMC is an elected body that controls Sikh affairs in the national capital, including gurdwaras Sisganj Sahib, Bangla Sahib, Rakab Ganj Sahib and Bala Sahib. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 8 Buoyed by the astounding public response to the Bargari march, which was held to express anger at incidents of sacrilege in Punjab, various Panthic organisations are now in the process of constituting a new political outfit and will meet in Amritsar on October 20-21. Sources say a 10-member committee has been formed by former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Kewal Singh to chalk out modalities of the Panthic assembly. The Dal Khalsa and the Simranjit Singh Mann-led Akali Dal (Amritsar), besides Sikh preachers, who have been heading the protest at Bargari (Faridkot district) since June 1, will be part of the deliberations. The Sukhpal Singh Khaira-led AAP faction is yet to decide on the issue. If invited, we will ponder over the matter, he said. But other members in the group claimed efforts were on to include them and the Lok Insaaf Party MLAs in the proposed outfit so as to emerge as a credible alternative to the SAD and Congress in Punjab. It was perhaps, for this reason that Panthic leader Baljit Singh Daduwal raised Hindu-Sikh bhaichara slogans at the Bargari march that drew Hindus and Muslims in good numbers. Intelligence sources claimed these Panthic groups had the support of Sikh leaders in Europe, Canada and the US. It seems the proposed outfit will comprise Panthic leaders with a more secular approach. They seem to have learnt their lesson from the Sarbat Khalsa in Chabba (Amritsar) in November 2015, they noted. Bir Devinder Singh, a former Deputy Speaker, claimed the people were disillusioned with the major parties in Punjab. The aim is to channel the public anger, especially among the Sikhs, into propping up a new Panthic political outfit, he explained. vinaymishra188@gmail.com San Francisco, October 8 Google will shut down the consumer version of its social network Google+ after announcing data from up to 500,000 users may have been exposed to external developers by a bug that was present for more than two years in its systems. The company said in a blog on Monday it had discovered and patched the leak in March this year and had no evidence of misuse of user data or that any developer was aware or had exploited the vulnerability. Information that could be accessed did not include posts, messages or telephone numbers, a spokesperson said. Google did not specify how long the software flaw existed, or why it waited to disclose it. The Wall Street Journal reported that Google executives opted against notifying users earlier because of concerns it would catch the attention of regulators and draw comparisons to a data privacy scandal at Facebook. AFP amansharma@tribunemail.com Washington, October 9 In a sudden move, Indian-American US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley resigned on Tuesday, becoming the latest casualty in the dysfunctional Trump administration just weeks ahead of the crucial mid-term elections. President Donald Trump, who met Haley in the Oval Office Tuesday, said she had done a "fantastic job" and would leave at the end of the year. "She told me probably six months ago," Trump told reporters, "I want to take a little time off." Trump said there are a number of people who would like to do this job and that this is a more glamorous position that it was a couple of years ago, appreciating her work. Haley, considered as a moderate Republican alternative to Trump, in her remarks insisted that she is not going to run for president in 2020 and will campaign for Trump. Haley, 46, was the senior most Indian-American official in the Trump administration. Her resignation just ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in November came as a shock and surprise to the American foreign policy and national security experts who believe it was a big loss to the Trump Administration. She is latest Republican to exit the Trump administration. President Trump had fired his National Security Adviser Lt Gen H R McMaster in April. In March, one of Trump's longest-serving and trusted aides Hope Hicks resigned as the powerful communications director. Also, White House's top economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned over his differences with Trump on trade policy. Trump had sacked his beleaguered Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo in March. In her remarks, Haley said this is an honour of a lifetime to serve in the administration as she listed out the key accomplishments of the Trump Administration at the United Nations and foreign policy in the last two years. Trump told Haley that "you have been very special to me," and that she has done an "incredible job". Lauding her accomplishments on issues ranging from North Korea to China at the United Nations, Trump said: "She got to know the players." "They like her, except for maybe a couple, but that's normal," he said about China, India, and Russia among others. Haley visited India in June on her first visit to the country after becoming the US envoy to the UN. She said she's a "lucky girl" for having been able to serve as South Carolina (governor) and ambassador. She said she is not leaving till the end of the year. In response to questions, Trump said, "many people" and interested in succeeding Haley and a replacement will be named in two or three weeks or maybe sooner. Haley was confirmed as UN Ambassador four days after Trump was inaugurated in January 2017. She had scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration. The daughter of Indian immigrants from Punjab, Haley was the first woman tapped by Trump for a top-level administration post during his transition to the White House. Haley's nomination was a turning point for the Indian-American community which is increasingly playing greater role in American politics. She was critical of Trump during the primary campaign and had backed Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. However, before the general elections, she switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump. Born Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa, Haley is the first minority and female governor of South Carolina, a deeply conservative state with a long history of racial strife. She is the first Indian-American woman Governor and the second Indian-American governor of any State. Prior to becoming governor, she represented Lexington County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Prior to dedicating her life to public service, Haley worked at her family business. Haley and her husband, Michael, a Captain in the Army National Guard and combat veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand Province, have two children, Rena and Nalin. - PTI traineesubeditor@tribuneindia.com Washington, October 9 US President Donald Trump has told reporters that he likes Taylor Swifts music "about 25 per cent less now" that she endorsed a Democrat in a Senate race in Tennessee. Swift on Sunday showed her political stripes in a post on Instagram in which she said she would be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate, reports variety.com. She wrote of the hotly contested Senate race that "as much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me." Blackburn is Bredesen's Republican opponent. "I'm sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything about her," Trump said on Monday. "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 per cent less now." Swift wrote that Blackburn "voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorisation of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. "She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values." The National Republican Senate Committee issued a press release dismissing Swift's endorsement. "If you haven't heard, multimillionaire pop star Taylor Swift came down from her ivory tower to tell hardworking Tennesseans to vote for Phil Bredesen," the committee said. Bredesen's campaign sent out a series of tweets on the endorsement. ".@VoteMarsha, look what you made her do. @taylorswift13 doesn't like your little games and she wants Tennesseans to know that you've been in the swamp long enough. It's time for some fresh air up in Washington," they tweeted. IANS. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Washington, October 9 In a sudden move, Indian-American US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley resigned on Tuesday, becoming the latest casualty in the Trump administration just weeks ahead of the crucial mid-term elections. President Donald Trump, who met Haley in the Oval Office on Tuesday, said she had done a fantastic job and would leave at the end of the year. She told me probably six months ago, Trump told reporters. Trump said there are a number of people who would like to do this job and that this is a more glamorous position that it was a couple of years ago, appreciating her work. Haley, considered as a moderate Republican alternative to Trump, in her remarks insisted that she is not going to run for president in 2020 and will campaign for Trump. Her resignation just ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in November came as a shock and surprise to the American foreign policy and national security experts who believe it was a big loss to the Trump Administration. In her remarks, Haley said that this is an honour of a lifetime to serve in the administration as she listed out the key accomplishments of the Trump Administration at the United Nations and foreign policy in the last two years. Trump told Haley that you have been very special to me, and that she has done an incredible job. Lauding her accomplishments on issues ranging from North Korea to China at the UN, Trump said: She got to know the players. They like her, except for maybe a couple, but that's normal, he said about China, India, and Russia among others. Haley visited India in June on her first visit to the country after becoming the US envoy to the UN. She said shes a lucky girl for having been able to serve as South Carolina (governor) and ambassador. She said she is not leaving till the end of the year. PTI ABBAs final song, on their new album Voyage, is a masterpiece of music and lyrics, which future generations will laud for its absolute brilliance. Freedom means different things to different people. In 2020 and 2021, a contagious virus caused many freedoms in the world to be suspended or taken away. -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Thank you to everyone who commented on my draft itinerary. In the end, I decided to stay with United Airlines because I like their 787s, and I am very close to reaching the 80,000-mile threshold (where I can use my miles to go somewhere interesting). Plus I want to see Sydney again. The main changes I made were to stay overnight in both Melbourne and Brisbane and to fly into Sunshine Coast instead of Brisbane. My final itinerary (already booked) is as follows: 12/21: Fly SFO-SYD 12/23: Arrive SYD, stay one night in CBD (using Sydney Trains to get around) 12/24: Fly SYD-AYQ, rent car, stay three nights at Yulara 12/27: Return car at AYQ, fly AYQ-MEL, stay one night in CBD (using SkyBus and PTV trains to get around) 12/28: Fly MEL-MCY, rent car, visit Mooloolaba and Australia Zoo, stay overnight just outside of Brisbane CBD 12/29: Drive entire coastline from Gold Coast to Tweed Heads, return car at OOL, take SkyBus back to Gold Coast, and stay three nights 1/1: Fly OOL-SYD, and then return home by flying SYD-LAX-SFO on United What do you think? Keep in mind that I have already researched all of these destinations thoroughly (including all major museums). Hi There, I would really appreciate advise on which sights I could visit on a short visit to Australia. I am spending 1-5 Nov in Perth(arrangements are taken care of so I would appreciate suggestions thereafter). Sydney 5-7 arriving after midday booked in Kent street (I would love to do a ferry ride, would I be able to attend Opera House live shows, any suggestions?) Cairns 7-9 arriving by mid morning booked on the esplanade ( the Great Barrier Reef is an interest) Brisbane 9-11 arriving at midday booked at Broad Beach Gold Coast I realize that's a lot of flight time but I don't know if I will get the opportunity to do Australia again. We are nature lovers and young 50's , also interested in historical sights. How can we maximize our time and what form of transport should we use. I Thank You in advance. We are from CA flying in for 2 nights at the falls then driving to Boston to see daughter. Have 2 nights to spend on the drive. Any suggestions on which route to take and sights along the way. We want to see fall colors and have a scenic drive. Thinking of taking the 20? Any help and suggestions on routes, towns to stay in, or places to visit are appreciated. Letchworth state park?Next week Oct 15-22 Hi, I'm wondering if you could help me out with recommendations for airlines that fly from Miami to CR. Since we live in India and have our CR trip coming up in March next year, we need to fly from the US. There are no direct flights from India. We will probably fly to Miami from Delhi, spend a week in Florida and then head to CR. What are the best airlines? Are there direct flights? Would love to hear from fellow travelers who are familiar with this flight. Much thanks! This was my first New Yorker festival but not my first time in New York. I apologize in advance for the length of my trip report, I do hope it will be helpful. DAY 1 I landed at JFK and after reading many transportation posts, I decided on the LIRR (I had already done the taxi and the subway). The extra $5 is definitely worth it. The train is much closer than the subway, I had my ticket on my phone (suggested by someone on this forum) and the ride is also faster. I got a call from a client, I went to a cafe, connected and fixed his issue. I guess that is the closest I will ever be to being a local as I did work in New York, however, as I do not pay rent in New York, I consider myself a tourist and am happy to be a tourist in New York whenever I can. I went to the Drama Book Store, suggested by someone on this forum. I bought books and spent time with Chester the dog mascot. After I left my bag at the hotel I visited Pooh and Friends at the Library. As I had been up since 3am, I took a nap at the hotel. Hotel St. James is older but comfortable and clearly renovated since the posted pictures. The price was right. Unfortunately my nap made it impossible to meet with a TA member who had graciously offered to meet me. I headed out to go to the VSA Theater and walked a stretch of street I had never before, Madison Avenue between 45th and 26th. I had seen the Madison Square Park before but never walked through it. I took a few minutes finding Eataly as I was convinced it was IN Flatiron Building not in the building across the park. I selected Pizza & Pasta. I was sitting next to a young couple who sounded like they were on their first date. You dont have to be a bar to have a conversation with the table next to you. I went to my first New Yorker event, the Happy Prince a new movie about the last years of Oscar Wilde followed by a discussion with Rupert Everett. I liked the movie and Rupert Everett was really nice. DAY 2 I had brunch at Rue 57 and honestly did not like it. I am a huge fan of eggs benedict, I cannot understand what possessed them to put the eggs on a croissant, not an open croissant, just on top of the croissant. Walked to Tiffanys as I had never been inside. Just before I did I had to smile, any fan of Sex and the City will understand: I saw a woman adjusting her ponytail held by a scrunchy before having her picture taken in front of the store. When I walked in, to my great surprise, my eyes welled up. I was overwhelmed for a moment. I walked around and out empty ended but happy for the experience. I attended the Christine Baranski discussion at the Directors Guild, very nice, I have been a fan since her Cybil days so was happy to be there and listen to her talk about her career. After the show I walked to Central Park, down the main alley to my favorite spot in New York, the Bethesda fountain. I love coming this way because she appears from nothing at the end. The cast of characters is always interesting in the park, families, people walking dogs, wedding pictures. It holds a special place in my heart. After the Bethesda fountain I like getting lost in the park. I then ended up at Lincoln Center, stopped at a cafe looking at the David Koch theater where, once again, there was a cast of characters on the balcony. I saw men in suits, little girls in dresses and that odd men wearing sandals and orange shorts. I continued my day with Cafe Fiorello suggested by Risa and loved it. The food was good, the service was attentive, I never felt like I was the forgotten girl at a table. I walked down to see the Jim Carrey New Yorker Festival event and what a show it was. I sat in the front row. When the show ended he shook hands with audience members, including me. What a thrill! The show ended at 8:30pm so I walked around and happened upon the stage door for American Son. I stuck around long enough to get a picture of Kerry Washington. DAY 3 I went Sur La Table because I just love their kitchen accessories and then to the MOMA store for my son, and finally to souvenir shops for trinkets for my nieces. I went back to the hotel for a nap. I stayed in Midtown because of the New Yorker Festival. I have seen a lot of the sights. I was not able to fit in the sights I still wanted such as an opera or Carnegie Hall. The day ended beautifully with an amazing supper at The Mark with a TripAdvisor friend. The food was delicious, the room was classic and my dinner companion was everything I was hoping for and more. As an extra, I saw Vera Wang. We then shared a walk down Madison avenue. I have to go to Barneys soon. DAY 4 Started very early as I had a ticket to be in the audience at Good Morning America, I could not resist getting a ticket since my hotel was literally 3 minutes away. I have been to a few shows before and this was not an enjoyable experience. We were made to wait outside for over 2 hours. And just my luck, George Stephanopoulos was not there and neither was Sarah Haynes. After the show I walked to Grand Central Terminal, then to Lexington where I finally had a bagel and went to Union Square for the first time. I walked back to Midtown and the Brooklyn Dinner. I was told a pastrami sandwich is what we call a smoked meat sandwich in Montreal. It is good but it is different. I walked over to Rockefeller Center (I needed to go to their washroom, theirs are clean) and was happy to see the rink was setup. I did not skate but it was nice to look at. Finally walked to Penn Station with a stop for one last New York pizza slice. I again took the LIRR, followed by the AirTrain and have to say I got to the checkpoint in the airport in less than an hour. This is what I learned from my trip: - When I go to New York I am on vacations, not something easy to do when you are self-employed, as this is not my first or last visit, I dont need to run everywhere I go, I can slow down (as long as I am not slowing down the foot traffic) and even go back to the hotel for a nap - I have stayed in various areas of Midtown. I do feel comfortable there. It is now time to get out of my comfort zone and move towards downtown, my next trip I plan on staying in Chelsea or Tribeca - TripAdvisor can be an amazing community, I am sorry I was unable to accept an invitation but happy I could accept the other. I hope to meet the first person during a subsequent trip and plan on meeting the other one again Are you in need of debt collecting services for your business? Do you know any company you can entrust that with? The chances are that you know one of the companies, but do you know the services it offers plus their contacts? If no, then you are in the right place. Just relax and swipe down as you read to have an insight on the various debt collectors in Kenya. Debt collection can be tedious too. Some debtors are aloof and it may take a lot of time pursuing debts. However, debt collecting agencies have come to the rescue of this dilemma. Recently, debt collection has induced debt related services that have made it more flexible and convenient for financial and commercial institutions to undertake their operations. Here is a list of debt collectors in Kenya. READ ALSO: TALA loans Kenya - application, app and repayment 1. Tebz Debt Solutions Limited Location: Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi P.O Box- 2621- 30200 Nairobi Phone 1- 0732 641 170 Website: www.tebzsolutions.co.ke This is a business to business debt collection agency based in the city. However, it has its branches in the east African countries. Majorly, a tebz debt solution offers debt collection services. Moreover, they engage in skip tracing and debt collection in East Africa through their partner agencies. Visit them in between 8.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays and Saturday, from 8.00am to 2.00pm. The company remains closed on Sundays. 2. Excel Credit Management Solutions Location: Success House, off Moi Avenue, Mombasa P.O Box- 90057- 80100 Mombasa Phone 1- 0725 615705 Phone 2- 0770 399311 Website: www.excel-credit.com This is one of the debt collection firms in Kenya that is located in Mombasa County. It is specialized in friendly debt collection to maintain your customer relations. It does business to business collection of debts to ensure settlement of dues on time. This, in turn, provides a steady cash flow on their clients. 3. Calm Recoveries Limited Location: Nairobi, Kenya Phone 1 - 0724 153 848 Phone 2 - 0790 342 440 P.O. Box-2241-00200 Nairobi Email: info@calmrecoveriesltd.co.ke Website: www.calmrecoveriesltd.co.ke Calm recoveries limited deals with risk debt management to facilitate business growth. It guarantees timely cash flow in an institution from its debtors. Their main services are debt collection and recovery (for commercial, consumer and international), debt risk management training and financial advisory services. 4. Swipe Recoveries Limited Location: Airport View Plaza, Suite 3, Ground floor, Airport North Road, Nairobi P.O Box- 69786- 00400 Nairobi Phone 1- 0702 286 773 Phone 2- 0789 120 433 Phone 3- 020 8164071 Email: info@swipediscoveries.com Website: www.swiperecoveries.com Swipe recoveries limited was established back in 2009. It specializes in the following: Debt collection, Investigation services, skip tracing, asset searching and training of management services READ ALSO: Different Types of Taxes in Kenya 5. Nairobi Private Investigators - kenya Location: Waiyaki way, Westlands, Nairobi Phone 1- 0733772016 Phone 2- 0719360683 Website: www.nairobiprivateinvestigator.com This is one of the international debt collectors in Kenya. It is not only known for its experience in this field of debt collection but also its investigation services. They revolve around persistence in their work to ensure recovery of their clients debts. It offers the following services debt collection, following of bad cheques, due diligence, asset tracking and finding people who owe you money. Its investigative services include catching cheating boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife, dating site scam investigations, data retrieval from computers, telephone tracking, detailed background checks and so on. 6. Glichery Skip-Trace Limited Location: Alpha Centre, Mombasa Road, Nairobi P.O Box-15789-00100 Nairobi Phone 1- 0722 409399 Phone 2- 0773 500080 Email: info@glichery.com Website: www.glichery.biz This firm came to the Kenyan market in the year 2010. Since then, it has been successfully involved in debt collections, debt recovery management, skip tracing and debt recovery management for financial and commercial institutes. Their offices are always open Monday to Friday as from 8.00am to 5.00pm and on weekends as from 9.00am to 2.00pm. 7. Evenrecon Limited Location: Githunguri town, Kiambu County Phone 0723 715 308 Email: evenrecon@gmail.com Website: www.evenrecon.Kbo.co.ke This is another debt collection agency in the country. However, unlike the majority of debt collection agencies located in Nairobi city, Evenrecon provides its services from the outskirts of Nairobi, in Kiambu County. It offers debt collection, debt management, and recovery plus skip tracing financial services. 8. Exceptional debt management services Location: Nairobi, Kenya P.O. Box- 9462-00100, Nairobi Phone number- 0710186790 Website: www.exceptionaldebtmgt.co.ke This is another of the debt collection companies in Kenya. It offers professional services in the collection of debts, management of liabilities, debt recovery and private investigation services to enable their clients to concentrate on their regular business. READ ALSO: This Is Why Kenya Is Living Beyond Its Means 9. Demojie Holdings Limited Location: Nairobi, Kenya P.O Box- 6452-00300 Website: www.demojieholdings.co.ke De-HL provides services in debt collection, skip tracing, debt recovery, debt management and consultancy services for their clients. Their working hours are as from Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm. 10. Lolwe Auctioneers Kenya Location: Harambee Avenue, Nkrumah lane, Nairobi Phone 1- 020 2252015 Phone 2- 0722 862 727 Email: info@lolweauctioneers.com Website: www.lolweauctioneers.com This is one of the most renowned debt collectors in the country. It provides a wide range of services to their clients. Despite debt collection services, this firm gives the following services: Property auctioning services, serving of court cases, private investigation services, property management, art auctions, real estate management, rent collection and recovery, court process services, management of charged immovable securities and chattels, execution of court warrants and eviction orders. They operate in most of the East African countries and can be reached with their contacts above. 11. Reliable Investment Services Location: Kenya Railways Headquarters Premises, Workshop Rd , Kenya P.O Box- 36336-00200 Nairobi, Kenya Phone 1- 0770 366 500 Phone 2 0720 222 428 Located in the city, it delivers service provision in the following: Debt recovery, Skip tracing, Property and real estate management, Loan fund programs training and management, Group mobilization training and Private investigation services. 12. Doncaster Private Investigators Location: Koinange Street, Nairobi P.O. Box- 2204 00100 Nairobi Phone - 0723 342 908 Website: www.kenyaprivateinvestigator.org Doncaster is a leading financial private investigator in the country. It provides various services apart from financial debt collection. They include research work, asset investigation, credit checks, fraud investigation, skip tracing, process serving, credit checks, infidelity investigation, vehicle registration search, company registrations, electronic surveillance, missing persons investigation and Child Custody. Its staff works 24 hours a day on both weekdays and weekends. 13. Stan Ford Company Location: River Road, opposite kobil petrol station, Githaku House, Nairobi Phone 1- 020 508642 Phone 2- 0705 199 233 Email: stanfordcompany.sc@gmail.com Stanford is one of the international debt collection agencies in Kenya. It has branches in 190 countries all over the world. Further, Stan ford company has been in the market for over a decade and boasts of its experience in the field. The company provides the following services: extensive litigation (due to its worldwide network, the firm has specialized in international debt recovery), global skip tracing, international credit reports, debt collection, financial investigations, and foreign private investigation services. They can be contacted with the above contact information. 14. Sinosa Limited Location: Tom Mboya, Nairobi P.O. Box- 13389-00400 Nairobi Phone 1- 020 2587771 Phone 2- 0733 522344 Phone 3- 020 2212962 Email: sinosaltd@gmail.com Website: www.sinosa.co.ke Sinosa limited is one of the leading investigation and debt collection companies in Kenya. It has liaison offices in most of the major towns with its headquarters in Nairobi. It offers the following services: debt collection, credit, and debt management services, debt advisory, investigation services, verifying of information, real estate management, rent collection and skip tracing. 15. Afrimax Debt Management Services Location: Topsel Center 3rd floor, Ngong Road, Nairobi P.O Box- 18679- 00100, Nairobi and Mombasa Phone 1- 0774 309 374 Phone 2- 0720 977 025 Fax; 020 2081784 Email: afrimaxmgt@gmail.com Website: www.afrimaxmgt.com This company has branches in both Nairobi and Mombasa. It mainly offers debt collection services that are aimed to improve cash flow in businesses. Further, it provides skip tracing and investigation services for their clients. 16.Ultimate Debt and Trace Limited Location: Nairobi, Kenya Phone 1- 0722 331 633 Phone 2- 0736 912 520 Email: info@ultimatedtl.com Website: www.ultimatedtl.co.ke This is one of the debt collection agencies in Kenya. Since its establishment, it has accomplished to collect debts from all markets for their clients. Ultimate debt and trace limited specialize in the following services: debt collection, skip tracing of debts, investigation services, consultancy, and property management services. 17. Tropical Retrievers Location: Rahimtulla Trust, Moi Avenue, Nairobi P.O Box- 6565- 00200 city square, Nairobi Phone 1- 020 2319654 Phone 2- 0725 808080 Phone 3- 07354411440 Website: www.tropicalretriever.com This is another leading debt collection firm in Nairobi. Tropical retrievers will do debt collection at a commission of 30% - 40% for their clients. Moreover, this depends on the duration and nature of the debt. In addition, the firm does not charge an upfront fee for debt collection; instead, they charge their clients for the already collected mortgages. However, with investigation services, the company charges an incidental fee to their clients. Tropical retrievers offer the following services: debt collection and management, private investigation and skip tracing. Be sure to contact them as from 10.00am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday. No services offered during Saturday and Sunday. 18. Maina Ngaruiya and company advocates Location: Westland's commercial center, Ring Road, Office Block C4, Nairobi P.O. Box- 13208- 00400, Nairobi Phone 1- 0720 993034 Phone 2- 0700 326870 Phone 3- 020 2169438 Website: www.mainangairuiyalaw.co.ke Though its title sounds different, Maina Ngaruiya and company advocates comprise of young employees who provide financial advisory services. Their services include corporate and commercial debt collection and realization of securities, conveyance and leasing services, banking, finance, and insurance services, intellectual property law, general property litigation and real estate and property management. Visit them as from Monday to Friday between 8.00am and 8.00pm. On weekends, no services are offered by the company. 19. Ultimate Debt and Trace Limited Location: Limuru Road, opposite City Primary, Near Jamhuri School, Nairobi, Kenya P.O. Box- 15789- 00100, Nairobi Phone 1- 0736 912520 Phone 2- 0722 331633 Website: www.ultimatedtl.com Ultimate debt and trace limited are one of the debts collecting agencies in Kenya. They engage in collecting debts in all markets. The good thing about this firm is that they dont charge their clients for unsuccessful debt recovery. They specialize in: skip tracing, debt collection and debt management. Their working hours are as from 7.30am to 5.00pm during weekdays and 8.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday. 20. Trackpol East Africa Limited Location: Athi River Road, near Nyambura stage, Machakos P.O. Box- 78280 00507, Machakos Phone 1- 0736890205 Phone 3- 071592184 Website: www.trackpol.com This company operates on a principle that states NO COLLECTIONS, NO PAYMENT. It will not only ensure that all your demands are met but also help you grow and stabilize by collecting your debts successfully. Trackpol offers services ranging from corporate companies debts (business to business), individual debts to individual/individual debts (consumer to consumer). You can visit their offices on Monday and Friday as from 8.00am to 4.00pm. On weekends, the company remains closed. Due to a large number of debt collectors in Kenya, the firms are competing to offer the best services to their clients. You are therefore left to choose the company to work with depending on the location, services offered and maybe their service charges. Dont forget to use the different company addresses covered here to contact them. Source: Tuko.co.ke - Melida Auma Rangili filed an application seeking to block Obado's bail - She argued releasing Obado will subject her family to more fear and intimidation - The governor had applied for new bail after his initial application was disallowed - Obado was also charged afresh with two counts of murder and will appear in court next on October 12 Distraught mother of slain Rongo University student, Sharon Otieno, has pleaded with the court to reject fresh bail application by Zachary Okoth Obado, arguing releasing the governor will subject her family to more fear. Melida Auma Rangili sought to challenge Obado's renewed push for freedom, claiming her family was already living in deep fear and concerned that Obado's release would make their situation dire. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Video ya maafisa wa GSU wakipimana nguvu na KDF yasisimua maelfu mtandaoni In an affidavit filed on Monday, October 8, Melida Auma Rangili, mother of slain student Sharon Otieno, sough to block release of Governor Okoth Obado on bail. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Governor Okoth Obado arrested, grilled for a second time over Sharon's murder In the affidavit filed on Monday, October 8, she argued the Migori governor was likely to intimidate witnesses and interfere with evidence if granted bail. I plead with the court to balance request for bail against the greater public interest to find the killers of Sharon Otieno and her unborn child. Granting the accused bail will also undermine the ongoing investigation, the mother argued. READ ALSO: DNA test confirms Migori Governor Okoth Obado sired late Sharon Otieno's baby Obado who was taken ill and admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital on Wednesday, October 3, filed a new bail application on Friday, October 5, pleading with the court to free him, citing his frail health as sufficient reason not to continue holding him in remand. In the application, the governor explained to the court he suffered from severe back pain occasioned by a condition known as nerve compression with disc lesion on his spine which he was diagnosed with in 2013. READ ALSO: Okoth Obado suspected slain university girl was cheating on him with his son - Journalist claims Judge Jessie Lessit ruled the governor and two other accused persons be returned to remand until October 12, 2018 for hearing and determination of their bail applications. The court also on Monday consolidated Obado's case with that of his personal assistant Michael Oyamo and Caspal Obiero, who works as a clerk at the Migori County government, and revised charges read to them afresh. Appearing at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, the three accused persons pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder of Sharon and her unborn baby. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Obado to Spend More Days Behind Bars - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - The WTA awards also saw Kenya Airways recognised as best carrier in Africa - This positions Kenya as a preferred tourism destination in the whole of Africa - Famous Maasai Mara National Park was voted as leading national park - Villa Rosa Kempiski floored all other hotels emerging as the leading luxury hotel Kenya's tourism sector has its head and shoulder high after Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa was voted as the best resort in Africa. This emerged during the highly acclaimed World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa and the Indian Ocean recently convened in Durban, South Africa. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Furaha baada ya mtoto wa kiume aliyekuwa ametupwa kichakani Busia kuokolewa Dian beach resort is voted best in Africa. Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Water Resources Management Authority blocks Murang'a governor's school from drilling illegal borehole This continental recognition has seen Kenya maintain its place as most desired tourism hub in Africa, the Standard reported on Monday, October 8. It is the fifth year the country is scooping the high stake award where Diani Beach still ranks the best in Africa. READ ALSO: Wakenya wamtaka Mzee Moi kuzungumza katika sherehe za Moi Day The Resorts Managing Director, Bobby Kamani, attributed the recognition to a highly motivated team, consistent capacity building and upgrading of the facility. ''We are grateful that our efforts in upgrading our product as well as enhancing our service levels have been recognised by clients who have voted for us,'' Kamani said. He added that the facility had the biggest conference center which had given it an edged to compete in the conferencing business. '' In addition, a state of the art of conference facility which is the largest has also been an added benefit to conference delegates visiting the region,'' he said. Another Kenyan company that shined at the ceremony was Kenya Airways (KQ) which was honored for emerging as Africa's leading airline in both business and economy class. Satguru Travel and Tourism was listed as Africa's leading business travel agency while Ol Pajeta Conservancy shined as Africa's leading conservation company. Aberdare County Club emerged as leading Green Hotel while Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club was feted as the continent's leading hotel. READ ALSO: Ugandan MPs forced to deliver baby during impromptu visit to hospital abandoned by doctors Palacina The Residence and Suites was ranked as leading hotel residence while the towering Villa Rosa Kempiski in Nairobi floored all other hotels and emerged as leading luxury hotel. Maasai Mara National Park was voted as leading national park while Olare Mara Kempiski scooped the leading luxury tented camp award. The top award of Africa's leading tour operator was conferred on Pollmans Tours and Safaris while Bonfire Adventure was named Africa's leading travel agency. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Meet HIV Positive Mom Raising HIV Negative Kids | Tuko TV. Source: Tuko - Several Kenyans across the country have offered to support the county boss for the top seat - An online movement dubbed Apende Asipende has been pushing Kibwana to vie for the presidency - The governor has already indicated he is not ready to vie for the top seat - Kivutha's simple actions of humility have won hearts of many Kenyans A majority of Kenyans have insisted Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana should vie for the presidency despite his indication to retire from politics once he finishes his term. In the latest Facebook poll carried out by TUKO.co.ke on Thursday, October 4, 70% of Kenyans believe the county boss should vie for the presidency in the 2022 General Election. READ ALSO: Video ya maafisa wa GSU wakipimana nguvu na KDF yasisimua maelfu mtandaoni A majority of Kenyans believe Governor Kivutha Kibwana should vie for the presidency in 2022. Photo: UGC Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Hawkers surprise Makueni Governor Kibwana with a gift on his birthday In the poll, 2,000 Kenyans were sampled, with a huge majority of them indicating the governor was the right candidate to lead Kenya based on his performance record. The humble actions of the governor have won the hearts of Kenyans leading to a new political movement dubbed Apende Asipende (whether he likes it or not) which is pushing the governor to vie for the presidency. READ ALSO: Makueni county continues to wow Kenyans with yet another first of its kind healthcare plan Kibwana's approach of participatory leadership has seen him engage all types of residents in his county irrespective of their economic level. READ ALSO: Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana disappoints Kenyans who want him to be next president On the other hand 30% of the respondents felt voting for the governor would be a waste of time arguing that the tribal kingpins will mobilise their tribes to ensure he is defeated. Others argued the county boss is too humble to deal with the tough cartels who may end up using him to advance their ideologies. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news Go-To Salad Recipe From Chef Rachel Is Already On Tuko Bites! | Tuko Lifestyle Source: Tuko Growing up, teachers often used to ask us who our mentors were. Most, if not all of us would unanimously say our mothers were. However, as age caught up with us, some of us came to develop a liking for other women who excelled in their various fields of work. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Tell tale signs you could be suffering from deadly breast cancer Growing up, teachers often used to ask us who our mentors were. Most, if not all of us would unanimously say our mothers were. Photo: Margaret Kenyatta Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Kenyans demand for immediate arrest of man caught headbutting lady It is said the most memorable people are the ones that strive to leave a mark in the world. Not for recognition but for the sole purpose of creating a better place for future generations. 1. First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. Nowadays, most female students argue their number one mentor is none other than Kenya's gorgeous and witty First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. READ ALSO: Risks women run by wearing same sanitary towel for more than 8 hours Martha Karua, a vocal advocate of the High Court and a headstrong champion for women's rights is also a favourite among most ladies aspiring to be leaders. Source: Facebook To them, her work ethics are unmatchable and the caring mother and wife has a heart of gold. Margaret's golden moment was when she launched the Beyond Zero campaign which aims at giving proper medical attention to pregnant women, children and mothers throughout the country. READ ALSO: Video ya maafisa wa GSU wakipimana nguvu na KDF yasisimua maelfu mtandaoni The president's wife has been at the forefront of the fight against rampant maternal deaths in the country. 2. Wangari Maathai A huge percentage of women and young girls also strive to walk in the shadow of the late environmentalist and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai. She founded the Green Belt Movement which aimed at raising awareness of the importance of environmental conservation. A huge percentage of women and young girls also strive to walk in the shadow of the late environmentalist and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai. Source: UGC In 2004, the icon became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, something that saw her again worldwide acclamation. Maathai was once an elected member of Parliament and also served as assistant minister for Environment and Natural resources during retired president Mwai Kibaki's era. 3. Martha Karua Martha Karua, a vocal advocate of the High Court and a headstrong champion for women's rights is also a favourite among most ladies aspiring to be leaders. In 2013, she decided to run for the presidency. She is a former long-standing member of parliament for Gichuguc constituency. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Eric Omondi's Tips For Success | Tuko TV Source: Tuko Newspaper - According to the DP, the people calling for the changes were seeking positions in government thus desire to amend the constitution - He argued for as long as they did not get the positions they wanted, they will keep changing it - Ruto, however, noted he will only support changes in the constitution if it will only benefit Kenyans Deputy President William Ruto has once again castigated the push to change the constitution by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) saying the party is after self gratification. The DP claimed he had cautioned against passing the constitution in 2010 before rectifying it but no one listened to him. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: ODM's Ochillo Ayacko takes lead in Migori's by-election Calls for constitutional change are for selfish gains - DP Ruto Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Kenyans hilarious reactions to KICC's design meant to look like donkey's penis Ruto was speaking on Monday, October 8, during the commissioning of the 12km Kimutwa-Makaveti-Kwa Mutisya Road in Machakos County. According to the DP, members of the ODM party were calling for the change of the constitution so as to befit their desires after their party leader Raila Odinga failed to cling the presidential seat in the August 2017 election. "I knew from the start that some people's intentions was not the constitution, their intention was to get positions out it, which they did not get," said Ruto. READ ALSO: Okoth Obado now facing 2 counts of murder, sent back to remand for 4 more days He argued as long as they did not get the positions they want in the government, they will keep changing the law. "That is why they now want to change it again because they did not get the positions they wanted from the constitution...even if we change the constitution a hundred times, if they do not get the positions they want they will still want to change it," he added. The DP reiterated his surprise support for changes in the constitution while maintaining he will only do so if it will be to change the country for the better. READ ALSO: Ochilo Ayacko wins Migori senatorial by-election Raila has been gunning for a constitutional amendment saying there are very fundamental issues that need to be addressed for the country to rid itself of perennial problems. Key among the issues the ODM leader has identified is the need to create an all-inclusive government. But opponents of the plebiscite campaign have expressed fears claiming Raila is looking for re-introduction of a prime minister's post which he wants reserved for him. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news Go-To Salad Recipe From Chef Rachel Is Already On Tuko Bites! | Tuko Lifestyle Source: Tuko - Maribe was taken to Lang'ata Women Prison to await for a mental evaluation - Her boyfriend, Joseph Irungu, was remanded at Industrial Area Prison - Irungu had already undergone a mental assessment and was confirmed ready to stand trial - The pair was accused of murdering business lady Monica Nyawira Kimani in Kilimani, Nairobi Citizen TV anchor Jacque Maribe and her boyfriend, Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie have been remanded for six days to allow for a mental evaluation exercise before the accused can take plea in the murder of business lady Monica Nyawira Kimani. The court directed Maribe be taken to Lang'ata Women's Prison and her co-accused, Irungu, locked up at Industrial Area Remand Prison until Monday, October 15. READ ALSO: Video ya maafisa wa GSU wakipimana nguvu na KDF yasisimua maelfu mtandaoni Citizen TV news anchor Jacque Maribe and boyfriend Joseph Irungu alias Jowie appearing at Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, October 9, to face murder charges. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Jacque Maribe biography: Age, child, boyfriend and career While delivering her ruling at Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, October 9, High Court Judge Jessie Lessit ordered Maribe to undergo a mental assessment at Mathari Mental Hospital to establish if she is fit to face murder charges. The prosecutor informed the court that her co-accused, Irungu, had already undergone the mental assessment test and was ready to stand trial. READ ALSO: Joseph Irungus parents in shock after learning son could be a killer Maribes lawyer, Katwa Kigen, pleaded with the court to let her take plea but her request was denied as the judge insisted the accused could not stand trial before undergoing a mental assessment. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji on Tuesday formally filed charges against Maribe and Irungu in relation to the murder of Monica. READ ALSO: DNA analysis places Jacque Maribe's lover at Monica Kimani's murder scene The DPP said the prosecutors had amassed enough evidenced to charge the TV star and her lover with the murder of the business woman. I am satisfied that there exists a prima facie to warrant criminal prosecutionfor the offence murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code, the statement seen by TUKO.co.ke on Tuesday, read. READ ALSO: Monica Kimani's parents cry foul after mourners stole smart phones, handbags during burial At least 15 people have been questioned over the murder of the business woman and among those summoned were three journalists known to Maribe. Bryan Kassaine, who is neighbor to Irungu and Maribe was also questioned. He was latter arrested after detectives established his illegal gun was used by Irungu to commit an alleged suicide attempt. The slain lady who was found dead in a bathtub inside her house in Kilimani, Nairobi, was laid to rest at her parent's home in Gilgil, Nakuru County on Friday, September 28. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Obado to Spend More Days Behind Bars - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko - The Migori seat fell vacant following death of ex-senator Ben Oluoch on June 18 - The race attracted six candidates with Ayacko and Okech emerging as front runners - Ayacko beat his rivals in seven out of eight constituencies - The mini election was, however, marred by low voter turn out Ex-Cabinet minister and former Rongo MP Ochilo Mbogo Ayacko is the new Migori senator after beating his closest rival in a hotly contested by-election held on Monday, October 8. The ODM candidate garnered 85,234 votes against Federal Party of Kenya's Eddy Okech 60,555 which translates to 57.7% and 40.99 % respectively of all votes cast. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: ODM's Ochillo Ayacko takes lead in Migori's by-election Ochilo Ayacko casting his vote in the just-concluded by-election. He first won parliamentary seat in 1997 on NDP party. Photo: Ochilo Ayacko/Facebook. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Raila Odinga cancels Migori rally after chaos breaks out between rival groups The mini election which saw Ayacko win in seven constituencies except Uriri was, however, marred by low voter turn out with only 38.02% of the total registered voters engaging in the exercise. The cosmopolitan county has 388,633 registered voters and 826 polling stations which opened at 5am on Monday, October 8, and closed at 5pm on the same day. On the voting day, Okech had claimed some ODM politicians were moving around voting centres to bribe the electorate. READ ALSO: All about 27-year-old politician giving Raila, ODM a run for their money in Migori county Officials from the partys headquarters and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) were reported to have swarmed the county and spread across the eight constituencies. Rongo MP Paul Abuor, Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua, Mathare lawmaker Anthony Oluoch and nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga were some of the Orange party agents. The senate seat fell vacant after ex-senator Ben Oluoch died on Monday, June 18 and had attracted six aspirants, four of whom managed to garner less than 1,000 votes in total. This is how the candidates performed: 1. Ochilo Mbogo Ayacko - 85,234 votes. 2. Eddy Gicheru Okech - 60,555 votes. 3. Ogola Dickson Ogola -645 votes. 4. Jabando Peter Asieko -555 votes. 5. Otieno Samuel Otieno - 457 votes. 6. Rugaria Solomon Hodo - 286 votes. Hodo however stepped down in favour of youthful Okech. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Migori Residents Demand The Release of Okoth Obado - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko Kenya - Murang'a governor has demanded that Nairobi pays KSh 2 billion for water - This, he said, is yearly compensation for water drawn from Ndakaini Dam - Water Services Providers Association said his move was illegal and ill advised - The association said companies do not make any profits from supply of water - The water wrangles have resulted in an acute water shortage in Murang'a The Water Services Providers Association (WASPA) has lashed at Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria for demanding compensation for water Nairobi draws from Ndakaini Dam. Antony Ambugo, Association's CEO , said demands by Wa Iria were ill advised adding that no water companies in the country make profits. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Mcheshi Eric Omondi aichapisha picha ya mwanawe Jacque Maribe na kuibua hisia mseto Wa Irai has since demanded for KSh 2 billion (25% share)to be paid to Murang'a as compensation.Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Muranga governor dares Mike Sonko to demolish his houses in Nairobi Speaking on Tuesday, October 9, during a a live interview on Citizen TV, Ambugo said the only charge the companies impose is for facilitating portability of water. " Water in the country is commercialised... no company is making surplus...I can tell you without fear of contradiction. And if you are able to make surplus, then it has to be recouped back in ensuring that you increase service coverage," stated Ambugo. READ ALSO: Muranga Water Company hits governor Wa Iria hard, disconnects water to his school This comes amid a heated tussle between Nairobi and Muranga counties. Governor Wa Iria had claimed the capital city makes huge profits from water it draws from Ndakaini Dam in Gatanga, Murang'a. He has since demanded for KSh 2 billion (25% share of gross water proceeds) to be paid to Murang'a as compensation for the commodity. He even threatened to disconnect water flow to Nairobi at the dam if his demand was not met. The WASPA boss, however, said this will be double taxing Nairobi Water Company as it is currently remitting taxes for water services right from the point of extraction. Murang'a County chief had claimed the Capital City makes huge profits from water it draws from Ndakaini dam. Photo: UGC Source: UGC "You may look at the money and realise that it is big... but if you look at it in-terms of cost reflective, you will realise that there are certain costs Nairobi water is meeting in terms of water resource. In Nairobi, there are also a lot of industries that are supporting and that is why you can see there is high turnover but charging it will now be duplication of levies because Nairobi is paying that," the CEO added. READ ALSO: We don't sell water and have no revenue to share - Governor Mike Sonko tells off Central leaders Ambugo further echoed comments by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko by stating that Ndakaini Dam was fully owned by the capital city. He added Murang'a was just a host of the dam but water originated from Nyandarua and Nyeri counties. Ambugo further echoed comments by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko (pictured) by stating that Ndakaini Dam was fully owned by the Capital City. Photo: UGC Source: Facebook Though the water in lakes, dams, oceans and rivers in the country are under the mandate of the national government, the CEO noted county governments were charged with oversight. "It is the mandate and duty of the county governments to ensure that through public participation, they arrive at a tariff that is cost reflective...that is able to ensure sustainability of the service," said Ambugo. The raging water battle between the two devolved units has seen acute water shortage hit Murang'a county in the recent past. READ ALSO: Water Resources Management Authority blocks Murang'a governor's school from drilling illegal borehole Wa Irai allegedly instructed residents not to pay their water bills and this saw Murang'a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) disconnect water. Wa Irai allegedly instructed residents not to pay their water bills and this saw Murang'a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) disconnect water from them. Photo: UGC Source: UGC Among clients disconnected was a posh schools linked to the county boss, which had accrued water bills of over KSh 300,000. The Edinburg school management resorted to drilling a borehole to forestall a water crisis but Water Resources and Management Authority (WARMA) halted the drilling on Monday, October 8. The Authority said the school lacked proper documentation to execute the drilling. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Kenyans' Reactions to President Uhuru's VAT Bill | Tuko TV. Source: Tuko News - Ruto launched a charm offensive against the referendum in Embu calling on everyone to oppose it - The DP claimed the plebiscite was being championed by people seeking selfish gains - He accused those calling for a constitutional change of spreading propaganda to divide Kenyans - Ruto had earlier indicated he was not opposed to the constitutional amendment but rather the proposed agenda of the referendum Deputy President William Ruto has escalated his charm offensive against push for a new referendum being spearheaded by Opposition leader Raila Odinga who has proposed for a change in the governance structure. The DP took the anti-referendum campaigns to Embu county where he called on Kenyans to reject any attempts to create new positions in government. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mcheshi Eric Omondi aichapisha picha ya mwanawe Jacque Maribe na kuibua hisia mseto Deputy President William Ruto on Monday, October 8, took the anti-referendum campaigns to Embu County where he accused those pushing for constitutional change of dividing Kenyans for selfish gains. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Ruto, Raila clash at devolution conference over proposal to change governance structure Addressing residents of Mbeere South in Embu where he had gone to issue title deeds, Ruto claimed those pushing for the referendum were spreading propaganda and selfish political agenda at the expense of development and service delivery. Those looking for positions and spreading propaganda should know elections ended last year. It is now for us leaders to focus on service delivery," he said on Monday, October 8, in a thin veiled attack on Raila who has been in the forefront in the push for constitutional review. READ ALSO: ODM calls for creation of Prime Minister's post to accommodate Raila The DP accused the proponents of the plebiscite of trying to divide Kenyans in pursuit of selfish political gains. "We, as Kenyans, should not allow some leaders to divide us for their own selfish interests. Political competition ended with the 2017 General Election, he said. READ ALSO: ODM calls for creation of Prime Minister's post to accommodate Raila Ruto had days earlier made it clear he does not have time for the plebiscite talks. He argued there was no point wasting each other's time on the referendum issue and that those advocating for it should meet, agree and then tell Kenyans why they want the Constitution changed. READ ALSO: William Ruto angered by calls for fresh referendum to create new positions in government Raila has been calling for a constitutional review to not only change the structure of governance but also return the position of the prime minister. The push for the return of the PM's office is, however, seen as a political move aimed at accommodating the ODM leader in the government. It is understood Ruto is strongly against any attempts to amend the Constitution, fearing such a move could jeopardise his 2022 presidential ambition. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. When Uhuru, Ruto and Raila Met at State House - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - The two siblings were returning from collecting milk within the neighbourhood when they were hit by the car - They died on the spot and the driver who tried to escape from the scene was intercepted by boda boda riders - According to the family, the driver was drunk at the time of the accident - The driver was arrested but released on a KSh 20,000 bail to go receive treatment following the beating from the riders A family from Mwototo village, Kahumbu Ward in Kigumo constituency, Muranga County is mourning the death of their two children who died in a fatal road accident along the Sabasaba- Kandani- Githembe road. The two were hit by a Toyota Rav4 vehicle on Monday, October 8, as they headed home after collecting milk from a home in the neighbourhood. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mcheshi Eric Omondi aichapisha picha ya mwanawe Jacque Maribe na kuibua hisia mseto David Kimuhu, grandfather to the children who perished in the accident at Mwototo village in Kigumo. Photo: Mar Wachira Source: Original READ ALSO: What it takes to be a successful Real Estate developer Lewis Karanja aged 8 and Abiagel Wanjiru aged 6 were the only children of Mary Nyambura Waweru and pupils at Kahuho primary school where Karanja was in class two pupil while his younger sibling was in nursery. A third child by the name Said Ngugi who had accompanied them, was left with serious injuries and rushed to Maragua hospital but was later transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital. David Kimuhu grandfather to the deceased, who struggled to fight back tears told TUKO.co.ke he received a distress call from his wife while in the farm. READ ALSO: William Ruto takes anti-referendum campaign to Central Kenya Even before I could digest what could have happened, I spotted three boys racing towards me who broke the sad news that Lewis and Abigail had died after being hit by a vehicle that later sped off. I believed after I arrived at the accident scene to find their bodies sprawled on the ground covered in a lesso," the grandfather narrated. The family is now seeking justice while blaming recklessness on part of the driver of the vehicle whom they claimed was drunk at the time of the accident. He was cornered by boda boda riders within Sabasaba town where he was apprehended and taken by officers from Sabasaba police station. READ ALSO: Michael Jackson's promoter seeks spiritual intervention in Nyeri after loosing out on singer's shares I alerted boda boda riders who joined me in the chase but the vehicle stopped after he found another vehicle blocking the road," said a pastor who was among he riders. I then rushed to saba saba police post and alerted the officers as I feared he might be harmed by the irate mob and took him away with him.the pastor added. A lady teacher from a local learning institution was heckled and chased away from the home after her attempts to tender condolences on behalf of the parents to the suspect who caused the accident. READ ALSO: Jubilee leaders praise Eddy Oketchs resilience in Migori senatorial race, say it's a victory for Ruto The parents have not sent me but I felt obliged to come and mourn with you as we come to terms and accept that the accident happened according to Gods plan," the teacher said before she was chased away from the home. "The parents have also disclosed to me that he had officially been handed over the vehicle to run an errand for them at their home and that he did not cause the accident under the influence of alcohol as people claim," she added. The agitated crowd accused her of shielding the driver with others claiming he was earlier in the day spotted taking alcohol at a bar at Gakuyu trading centre a few kilometres away from the scene of the accident. READ ALSO: Mixed reactions from Kenyans after Jaque Maribe and lover are remanded for 6 days The area Member of County Assembly Erick Kamande Kimani urged the respective road agencies to ensure road contractors do not leave the sites before erecting bumps, putting road signs and marking the roads. TUKO.co.ke established after the suspect was arrested, he was handed over to the officers at the traffic department in Maragua police station where he was released on a cash bail of KSh 20,000 to go and seek treatment. Story by Mark Wachira, TUK.co.ke Correspondent Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. When Uhuru, Ruto and Raila Met at State House - On Tuko TV Source: Kenyan Breaking News - Irene Mwihaki has been missing since February 2018 - Her family says she disappeared during her mid-term break - She was a student at AIC Secondary School - The family believe she was abducted by unknown people A family in Kitengela has been having sleepless nights ever since their 15-year-old daughter disappeared without a trace. Irene Mwihaki, a student at AIC Secondary School, went missing in February 2018 during her mid-term break. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mcheshi Eric Omondi aichapisha picha ya mwanawe Jacque Maribe na kuibua hisia mseto A family in Kitengela has been having sleepless nights ever since their 15-year-old daughter disappeared without a trace. Photo: KBC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Jacque Maribe is as good as fired from TV job according to the law According to reports by KBC, the minor left their house in a hurry on one night but never returned. Irene's mother, Lydia Wacuka, believes her daughter went to the shop and was abducted by unknown people. READ ALSO: Joy as baby boy dumped in a thicket in Busia is rescued Irene's mother, Lydia Wacuka, believes her daughter went to the shop and was abducted by unknown people. Photo: KBC Source: UGC According to the distraught woman, her first born child took her dinner before dashing out of the house. "She went to the shop but never came back. I have searched for her everywhere. I have gone to Nairobi and even looked for her here in Kitengela. Sometimes I go out at night to look for her," Wacuka said. TUKO.co.ke learnt Irene's mother and uncle have searched for the girl in hospitals and mortuaries to no avail. The family has called upon the police and government to help them locate the Form Two student. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Kenya News Today: Why Kenyans Love Avocados | Tuko TV: Source: Tuko.co.ke If you are a Kenyan who has been wondering how you will celebrate Moi Day, fret no more as Deputy President William Ruto's wife Rachael has a plan for you. Rachael, on Tuesday, October 9, called upon Kenyans to join her on Wednesday, October 10, for national prayers and fasting. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mcheshi Eric Omondi aichapisha picha ya mwanawe Jacque Maribe na kuibua hisia mseto William Ruto's prayerful wife invited Kenyans for prayers on Moi Day. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter Source: Facebook READ ALSO: William Ruto's wife leads prayers to cleanse Salgaa black spot after endless deadly accidents In a Tweet seen by TUKO.co.ke, she asked Kenyans to spare the date and other coming Wednesdays to specifically pray for a number of items, including the government, businesses, the church and the media. ''Jeremiah 29:12 NKJV. I welcome you to join in fasting and praying tomorrow Wednesday the 10th of October and every other Wednesday from 6am to 6pm,'' Rachael said in a tweet seen by TUKO.co.ke. The prayerful woman accompanied her message with a complete timetable on how the special prayers will roll out. READ ALSO: William Ruto is a true prayer warrior and these photos prove it. READ ALSO: KANU chairman Gideon Moi graduates with First Class honours TUKO.co.ke understands there is no specific venue for the event but Kenyans can pray from wherever they are. He prayer event impressed thousands of Kenyans who lauded her for the effort. It should be noted this is not the first time Rachael is being involved in national prayers. She has incessantly been leading prayers in a number of areas including cleansing prayers at the Salgaa black spot. The DP's wife has also been spotted several times in his prayerful mood and wowed countless Kenyans while at it. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Migori Residents Demand The Release of Okoth Obado - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko - Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said Raila Odinga was responsible for high taxes - According to Washiali, it was Raila who pushed for the passing of the Finance Act 2018 - Washiali said Kenyans should blame the ODM leader for not fighting for them against the punitive taxes The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga is to blame for high taxes President Uhuru Kenyattas administration has slapped Kenyans with, National Assembly Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali has claimed. Washiali also argued Railas historic handshake with Uhuru could have been a calculated move by the ODM leader to kill the Opposition completely. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mcheshi Eric Omondi aichapisha picha ya mwanawe Jacque Maribe na kuibua hisia mseto President Uhuru Kenyatta shakes hands with Raila Odinga at Harambee House. Photo: Raila Odinga. Source: UGC Who told him (Raila) that his presence was required in government? He is busy feasting on leftovers in there. He ought to apologise to Kenyans for plotting to scuttle the Opposition, said Washiali during a fundraiser in aid of boda boda riders in Malava sub-county, Kakamega County. According to the MP, high taxes Kenyans have been subjected to by the Jubilee administration is as a result of the handshake between Uhuru and Raila. You saw what happened in Parliament. John Mbadi, an ODM MP was the one pushing for the passage of Finance Bill 2018, he said. The said Bill was later signed into law by Uhuru, bringing into force the 8% fuel levy and several other taxes. Washiali claimed Raila had embarked on a mission to scuttle Jubilee after his mission to hike taxes sailed through. READ ALSO: Kakamega bodaboda rider confronts priest, demands KSh 2000 funeral offering If the Opposition was as strong as it used to be, Kenyans would not be paying taxes through the nose, they would not be complaining of bad policies weighing them down, he said. However, Washiali backed Raila when he insisted that Kenyans must be allowed to change the constitution through a referendum. Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali echoed the sentiments arguing that it was only through a plebiscite that Kenyans could liberate themselves from punitive levies. Story by Joe Tinga, Kakamega County. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Joseph Irungu and Jacque Maribe in court over the murder of Monica Kimani - Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke Love, or should we say marriage, is a very beautiful thing. This can be attested by people who are in happy relationships and marriages who have enjoyed the fruits first hand. Well, the same is even more awesome when the two parties involved come from two different continents, I mean when one partner is black and the other one white. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: My partner in everything: Ujumbe wa Jacque Maribe kwa Jowie ambao sasa unamtafuna READ ALSO: 13 times Papa Shirandula's actress Shix Kapyenga looked like a snack in a dress Kenya has a couple of celebrities who were blessed to have 'lovers from the other side of the world'. TUKO.co.ke compiled a list of 13 local celebrities who either have Caucasian hubbies or wives; 1. Shaffie Weru 2. DJ Moz 3. Steve Mbogo 4. Madtraxx 5. Jeff Koinange 6. Julie Gichuru READ ALSO: All the men believed to have been in a relationship with TV girl Jackie Maribe 7. Annabel Anyango 8. Gerry Wainana 9. Liz Njaga 10. Akothee READ ALSO: Bahati's baby mama confirms she has moved on and has a new lover, to get married 11. Vanessa Kiuna 12. Abbas Kubaff 13. Stephanie Kiuna Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Shosh Cecilia Story Continues: Shosh Cecilia Gets New Teeth | Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke There are ten main things that Kenyans remember the former president Daniel Arap Moi for. 1. 1982 coup attempt The 1982 Kenyan coup d'etat against Kenya's longest serving president Daniel Moi kicked off at 3am on Sunday, August 1, when a group of soldiers took control of the Eastleigh Air Base in Nairobi. However, the coup failed due to lack of coordination and failure by the leaders to execute their roles as by the plans. Ex-vice president Oginga Odinga was accused of financing the coup and his son Raila Odinga sent to prison for treason. READ ALSO: From maziwa ya nyayo to building gabions: Kenyans mourn retired president Daniel Moi 2. Nyayo torture chambers The chambers was a one dark room where political punishments were admitted to those who opposed Moi. It was set at the basement of Nyayo House in Nairobi. People had their manhood squeezed with pliers to the extent that those who were admitted at the chambers had to be admitted to hospital after their release. READ ALSO: Meet Lena, late wife to retired president Daniel Moi whom they separated in 1974 One notable leader who was completely paralysed by the torture was the late Kenneth Matiba. Raila Odinga also suffered the vagaries of the torture chambers. Nyayo Chambers was a small hell for those who went through torture in the house. Photo: UGC Source: UGC 3. Mlolongo voting system Amid rising Opposition during his leadership, Moi abolished the system of lining up behind aspirants for party primaries. The system was highly characterised with electoral malpractices which made it almost impossible to get the right leaders. Fearing his opposers could rig him out during elections, Moi abolished the system to secure his votes. READ ALSO: Daniel Moi little known daughters who stayed away from limelight Kenyans line up in a mlolongo voting system. Photo: UGC Source: UGC 4. Introduction of multiparty democracy In 1982, Moi declared Kenya a one-party state but the pressure and influence from other African leaders and from within forced him to give in to multiparty democracy. By 1990, strong winds of political democracy were blowing through the African continent and Moi could not withstand the forces of multipartism. In December 1991, Moi allowed for the restoration of multiparty government by repealing article 2 (a) of the Constitution. READ ALSO: Daniel Moi: Famous quotes of Kenya's second president 5. Death of Masinde Muliro In August 14, 1992, Kenyans woke up to a rude shock on learning of the sudden death of renowned freedom fighter and veteran politician Masinde Muliro. The then 70-year-old top Opposition politician died under mysterious circumstances at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) shortly after disembarking from a British Airways plane. His death caused a lot of political uproar in the country with many accusing Moi and his political allies of staging the death. READ ALSO: Daniel Moi: Body of retired president moved to Lee Funeral Home, facility placed under GSU guard 6. Death of Robert Ouko Robert Ouko was considered one of the most brilliant politicians Kenya ever had at the time when the country was suffering from malnutrition of political leadership. He was Kenyas Minister for Foreign Affairs when he disappeared on the night of February 12, 1990, and later found dead at Got Alila hill, near his home. The body had been mutilated and burnt and was found with items including a gun, a diesel can and matches. Public pressure forced Moi to invite British detectives from New Scotland Yard to investigate Oukos death where it was alleged that the politician had been shot before he was burnt. 7. 1992 ethnic clashes In 1992, over 5,000 people were killed and another 75,000 displaced in the then Rift Valley province, with the town of Molo being an epicenter of the violence. The conflict was primarily between the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities with land ownership cited as one of key reasons for the conflict. READ ALSO: Daniel Moi's early life from eyes of a childhood friend 8. 1997 ethnic clashes In 1997, six policemen were killed when local raiders armed with traditional weapons and guns rampaged through Likoni area in Mombasa. A police station and outpost were destroyed, along with many market stalls and offices. Many non-local Kenyans were killed, as the raiders targeted the Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Kikuyu communities. It was estimated that ten police officers and 37 raiders were killed in the clashes based on testimony to the Akiwumi Commission of Inquiry. 9. Maziwa ya Nyayo Moi introduced the fanmous Maziwa ya Nyayo in which primary school students were served with a packet of milk every Friday. The program collapsed with the exit of Moi from leadership in early 2000s. Maziwa ya Nyayo was common during Moi's leadership. Photo: UGC Source: UGC 10. Naming everything after him e.g schools, hospitals, roads, Moi airbase There are numerous institutions, roads and other public facilities that were named after Moi including Moi High School Kabarak, Moi University, Moi avenue in Nairobi among others. Moi was notorious in naming almost all land marks and institutions after him, a common characteristic with many dictators. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko News Kenya News Today: Joseph Irungu and Jacque Maribe in court over the murder of Monica Kimani Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke When government moves the motion to revoke the State of Emergency on Wednesday, they are likely not to receive Opposition support. Speaking at the UNC's press conference today, Opposition Chief Whip David Lee said while many may find it curious that the government would seek to take this action now, it all makes sense when one considers the upcoming elections in Tobago. The delegation of the National Police of Ukraine, which participates in the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police conference, was invited to a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. "The delegation of the National Police of Ukraine, which has been participating in the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police conference already for the third day, was invited to a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump," the press service of the National Police of Ukraine reports. The participants in the meeting touched upon problematic issues of the fight of American police officers against crime, in particular: the growth of violent crimes, the need to combat organized crime groups and counter drug crimes. The issue of injuries among police officers is very painful both for America and Ukraine. According to the U.S. President, an attack on a police officer occurred every 9 minutes in the country in 2016, Chief of the National Police of Ukraine, Serhiy Knyazev noted. He added that American and Ukrainian police experienced similar problems despite the difference in location and strength. ol The Interior Ministry of Ukraine has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the California National Guard on countering weapons of mass destruction. The memorandum was signed by Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Major General David S. Baldwin, California National Guard commander, on October 9, the press service of Ukraines Interior Ministry reports. "Within the framework of the Memorandum, the parties agreed to take part in the activities of the radiation, chemical, biological and nuclear safety program, to exchange experience of the use of rapid response forces amid aggravation of the situation and to conduct joint exercises related to the elimination of the consequences of emergencies through the use of diverse forces and means," the statement reads. Avakov noted that the bilateral exchange of experience within the framework of the radiation, chemical and nuclear safety program is a step forward for experts of both countries. In addition, the Ukrainian Interior Minister proposed to conduct bilateral closed exercises in the Chernobyl zone. In turn, Baldwin emphasized that American specialists would like to visit Ukraine to take part in joint exercises and exchange experience. ol The third annual International Mayors Summit has begun in Kyiv today, October 9. The summit will be attended by mayors, representatives of local government, experts on urban development and innovation communities, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to Jaroslawa Johnson, President and CEO of Western NIS Enterprise Fund, the summit is organized so that to share best practices both domestically and globally. This year, the summit will be focused on finding methods to ensure the economic growth of cities through cooperation with local business, society and other cities, she said. Discussions will be focused on cooperation as a tool of city transformation to respond to the needs of citizens. Three main directions in cooperation will be discussed at the Summit: cooperation with civil society and active citizens, cooperation with business and cooperation between twin cities. The annual summit brings together prominent mayors from all over the world to discuss modern trends in urban development, innovations, best practices and common challenges and solutions in all areas of city life. The summit is supported by the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Mayor of Kyiv. The International Mayors Summit was launched in 2016 as a knowledge exchange platform for local government leaders and representatives of the major stakeholders in local development at global level. iy French Ambassador to Ukraine Isabelle Dumont says that Paris continues to follow the situation around Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko, who was illegally convicted in Russia. We have been following the situation around Roman Sushchenko from the very first days. This issue is raised at all the meetings with Russia. I can assure that we will continue to follow this situation, Dumont said, the Telegraf Ukrainian media outlet reports. As reported, Ukrinform Paris-based correspondent Roman Sushchenko was illegally detained on September 30, 2016 in Moscow, where he arrived on a private trip. On October 7, 2016, he was charged with "espionage." Russia's FSB claimed that Sushchenko is a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The latter denied this allegation. On June 4, 2018, the Moscow City Court sentenced Sushchenko to 12 years in a high-security penal colony. The appeal against the sentence was filed on June 5. The Supreme Court of Russia upheld the verdict on September 12. On October 8, the Consulate of Ukraine in Moscow unofficially confirmed the information on the transfer of Sushchenko to a penal colony. ol For now, given the economic and financial resources of Russia, the Kremlin still prefers to achieve its goals politically, the expert said. Ex-deputy head of the General Staff of the Ukrainian army, Lieutenant-General (Retired), Candidate of Sciences (Military), Doctor of Engineering Science, Prof. Ihor Romanenko predicts Russian President Vladimir Putin will first try to bring pro-Russian forces to power in Ukraine, ensuring that a pro-Russian candidate wins the presidential election and as many pro-Russian members as possible are elected to a new Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. "Now, in my opinion, Putin thinks that it is more efficient and less costly to fulfill his own ambitions as for Ukraine by acting from the inside of our country, in particular, to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, using two electoral processes (presidential and parliamentary) in his own interests, engaging a 'fifth column' and his agents," Romanenko told the Ukrainian news outlet Glavred. Read alsoRussia seeks to thwart Ukraine elections by disinformation, cyber attacks - Poroshenko In his opinion, the Russian leader will continue to focus on this. "He is not yet inclined to act on a large scale," he said. However, the expert predicts, if something goes wrong for the Russian leader in the Ukrainian state, he reserves the right to use his forces that have already been prepared. "There is no reason to calm down, as Putin will simultaneously be preparing for other options to act, he will be preparing his armed forces in a modern way, within the limits of Russia's capabilities. We see it already: he is preparing weapons, training Russian troops, conducting large-scale drills," Romanenko said. "As it is known, Russia needs about 240,000 troops to launch a large-scale offensive against Ukraine. In order to properly train personnel, they regularly conduct military exercises, which necessarily involve long-range military transport aviation to ensure the rapid transfer of military equipment and personnel, railway troops, which also provides a quick redeployment of troops, military assault troops," Romanenko said. He noted such exercises were conducted by Russia both this and last year. "Some actions are being worked out in Syria, some forces (troops) are being deployed in Belarus. So, the preparations are under way. For now, given the economic and financial resources of Russia, the Kremlin still prefers to achieve its goals politically...," the general added. The decision has yet to be confirmed at a plenary meeting. The Committee on Rules of Procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which will submit to the PACE a draft amendment to the rules on the imposition of sanctions against PACE delegations, has supported Ukraine's amendments to the document that make it impossible to "forgive" Russia. Two amendments that eliminate the main risks in the document were proposed by a group of PACE deputies headed by representatives of Ukraine. At the same time, the amendments that were lobbied by a group of pro-Russian deputies have been rejected by an overwhelming majority, Ukraine's news outlet European Pravda said. Read alsoKlimkin warns of risks of granting "indulgences" to Russia in PACE The decision has yet to be confirmed at a plenary meeting, which will consider the resolution. Meanwhile, according to PACE practice, the support of the proposal in the committee significantly increases chances of successful voting on it. The main proposal concerns the principle of voting for sanction-related decisions. The resolution proposes raising the voting threshold to 2/3 of the votes (now it is 1/2), which significantly complicates the imposition of sanctions on Russia. One of the Ukrainian amendments proposes to maintain the 1/2 rule for a number of sanctions, including depriving Russians of their right to vote. The second proposal bars parliamentarians elected in the occupied territories, in particular in Crimea, from participating in the PACE's work. The committee also recommends that the Assembly support the rule that initiates the imposition of additional penalties on the Russian Federation if it, attempting to avoid sanctions, again fails to submit a list of its delegates for participation in the assembly in 2019. The PACE on April 10, 2014, deprived the Russian delegation of its voting rights in the body over Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Russian delegation also lost the rights to be represented in the Bureau of the Assembly, the PACE Presidential Committee, the PACE Standing Committee, and the rights to participate in election-observation missions. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia in June 2017 cancelled its annual payment to the Council of Europe for 2017 after claiming its 18 delegates were being "persecuted" in response to the illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimea. The Russian side warned that no future payments would be made until the rights of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe "are fully restored." The deputy is still a member of the Ukrainian parliament. However, the country's top security official did not disclose the name of the MP in question. The people's deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine was supposed to become the leader of the so-called Bessarabian Peoples Republic back in 2015, as stated by the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Hrytsak who spoke at the Ukrainian Week conference in London. "In April 2015, we were forced to take our armored vehicles group, our spec-op forces, and investigators, and make a 700-kilometer march from Kramatorsk to Odesa overnight, all to make a huge number of simultaneous searches, arrests, and seizures of explosives, etc. They planned to blow up the bridge across the Dniester estuary and also across the Dniester river and declare the creation of the Bessarabian People's Council," said Hrytsak, according to Pryamyi TV Channel. Read alsoSBU assures there are no 'people's republics' in Odesa region The SBU chief noted that it was the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, who is a member of parliament to this day, who was set to get on the helm of the self-styled body. Had those two bridges been blown up, Southern Bessarabia would have been cut off from the main part of Ukraine, and the so-called 'little green men' were supposed to be deployed from the territory of Transnistria. There are thousands of Russian soldiers and officers stationed there. They planned to create a 'Bessarabian People's Council' and from there on, to continue the offensive of the 'Russian Spring' in the depths of Moldova, Romania. We hindered these plans. Few people know about this, but this is our job, said Hrytsak. The head of the SBU did not disclose the name of the candidate for the top post in the "Bessarabian Peoples Council" project. However, according to MP Mustafa Nayem, the man in question is MP Vitaly Barvynenko (Vidrodzhennia deputy group). Read alsoRussia was plotting massive terror attacks in Ukraine: Babchenko discloses previously classified data around life attempt If the SBU chief is not ready to name that deputy, I can do it. This is Vitaly Barvynenko, member of the Vidrodzhennia parliamentary group and the law enforcement committee. As reported earlier, in the spring of 2015, the SBU exposed and blocked in Odesa a large-scale separatist network. The unlawful scenario was foiled at the stage of its preparation. The plot united several anti-Ukrainian projects - the creation of a fake "Odesa People's Republic," the promotion of non-existent, so-called "Bessarabian National Council," "Porto-Franko," and others. In June 2015, the SBU reported that in Odesa region, the Russian security services instigated an attempt to promote a separatist movement called "The People's Rada of Bessarabia." Following the discussion, the draft decision was sent back to the committee. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has not yet collected enough votes to amend the rules, which may complicate the procedure for maintaining sanctions against Russia, according to a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the PACE, Leonid Yemets. In short, today, Russia will not receive any changes to the charter. After a very heated discussion, the issue was sent back to the committee, Yemets wrote on Facebook. The regular delegates stand with us on this, added Yemets. Following the discussion, a Belgian delegate, Petra De Sutter, who is the rapporteur on amending the procedures and rules of the PACE regarding the appeals against the powers of national delegations, suggested returning the report containing the corresponding draft resolution to the relevant committee. A total of 99 MPs voted for the proposal to return the report to the relevant committee, 79 voted no, and 16 abstained. Read alsoPACE committee backs Ukrainian amendments to rules for PACE delegations The move illustrates how difficult and complicated the situation has become, according to De Sutter. In this regard, she noted that the PACE seems fragmented rather than having a consensus. Also, according to the delegate, if the situation inside the Assembly changes, then the debate will be resumed later, at a January session. As UNIAN reported earlier, on Tuesday, PACE was considering changes to the rules and procedures that may complicate the procedure for maintaining sanctions against Russia. In particular, it was planned to increase the share of votes from 50% to 2/3 on the issue of appealing the powers of national delegations, including in the context of the extension of sanctions against the Russian Federation. On October 8, at the opening of the session, PACE President Lilian Mori-Pasquier expressed her support for a constructive, frank and open dialogue with Russian deputies. According to Mori-Pasquier, it is necessary to discuss the introduction of changes in the procedures and rules of the PACE, which may lead to the lifting of sanctions against Russia. Read alsoKlimkin warns of risks of granting "indulgences" to Russia in PACE Earlier, the chairman of the permanent delegation of the Verkhovna Rada in PACE, Volodymyr Ariev, said that the PACE suggested complicating the procedure for imposing sanctions on delegations of countries violating human rights, as well as principles of democracy and the rule of law. In addition, he stated that the planned increase in the share of votes from 50% to 2/3 on the issue of challenging the powers of national delegations could complicate the procedure for the extension of sanctions against Russia, introduced in April 2014 over the illegal annexation of Crimea. According to the relevant resolution, Russian deputies were deprived of the right to vote in PACE, as well as the right to be represented in its governing bodies. Since then, the effect of sanctions against the Russian delegation was extended several times, and in relevant resolutions, the Assembly called on the Kremlin to return Crimea to Ukraine, to stop military aggression in Donbas and to withdraw Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine. The loss is estimated at hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. Ukraine has lost many shells and other types of heavy artillery ammunition, including 122mm rockets for Grad multiple rocket launchers, because of a fire at an ammunition depot near the town of Ichnya in Chernihiv region, Ukraine's north. "A launcher booster a fire an explosion shells are blown apart," Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov described the chain reaction of the incident. The most damaged storage facilities are those storing 120mm mortar shells, which are very valuable and "popular" ammunition, as well as 122mm howitzer shells, 125mm tank shells, and 122mm Grad rockets, he said. Other types of ammunition were not affected. Read alsoThousands evacuated after explosions at ammo depot in Ukraine's north media (Video) "The fire is being extinguished, everything is done from the very first minutes, about 10,000 people were evacuated in the morning, many have departed on their own. It's not necessary to explain them much after ammo explosions in the village of Kalynivka [Vinnytsia region] and the town of Balaklia [Kharkiv region]," the journalist said. He also said the 6th arsenal was considered to be one of the relatively secure warehouses due to its control and trace strip. "There were problems similar those in the army itself inefficient planning, poor personnel policy, the lack of manpower and funding. I have only one theory behind the incident an act of sabotage," Butusov added. There have been no reports on casualties yet. Member of Parliament and adviser to Ukraine's Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko told a TV Channel that the ammunition that exploded in Chernihiv region was Ukraine's strategic reserve and Ukraine does not produce such types of shells and rockets. The loss is estimated at hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars, he said. The detonation of the ammunition led to the fire and destruction of buildings and facilities in the territory of Ichnya, Chernihiv Regional State Administration's civil defense department told UNIAN. The electricity and gas supply was reportedly cut off in the affected area. The Pryluky-Bakhmach railway service was suspended. The evacuation of local residents is under way, 35 buses are involved. About 12,000 people have already been bused. In total, around 20,000 people live in the risk zone. The first ammo depot explosions were reported at 03:30 Kyiv time on October 9. Deputy head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Rodion Tymoshenko said that the fire at the 6th arsenal near the village of Druzhba in Chernihiv region's Ichnya district started with four explosions in a warehouse. "A group of the General Staff that has interviewed duty officers at the posts reports that they have confirmed the fact of explosions in four places in the arsenal," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on October 9. Balukh also asked to fulfill his "last will." Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh, 47, who has been on hunger strike in a Russian-controlled prison in Crimea since March 19, has announced he has suspended his hunger strike during the transfer from the peninsula to a Russian-based colony. "Having used the last chance to find a gap in the occupier's punitive system, where the sprouts of common sense or a hint of honor could be warming, I've decided to stop the hunger strike," Balukh wrote in a letter published by RFE/RL's Krym.Realii media project. He said he would continue the hunger strike upon arrival at the Russian colony. Balukh also asked to fulfill his "last will." "Being aware of the consequences of my effective compliance with the text of this statement, I appeal to you and ask you to fulfill my last will: in case of physical or mental death, do not leave my body in the occupied territory. I leave the right to choose the place of my burial to my family. I would prefer the countryside on the banks of the Dnipro River near Kyiv," the letter says. Read alsoCrimean activist Balukh complains about acute heart pain media As UNIAN reported earlier, the Crimean court on July 5 sentenced Ukrainian political prisoner Volodymyr Balukh to an extra five-year term in a penal colony and a RUB 10,000 fine in the second criminal case opened against him. That second case was based on claims by Valeriy Tkachenko, the head of a detention center in the village of Rozdolne, who stated Balukh had allegedly assaulted him, while the prisoner and his defense insisted that it was Tkachenko who had in fact attacked the defendant. Balukh was detained by Russia's FSB Federal Security Service on December 8, 2016. FSB operatives claimed that they had allegedly found 90 ammunition rounds and several TNT explosives in his attic. On March 14, 2018, the Kremlin-controlled "Supreme Court of Crimea" reviewed Balukh's original verdict and sentenced him to three years and five months in a penal colony settlement and a RUB 10,000 fine. On March 19, Balukh said he would go on hunger strike in response to the verdict. Balukh's defense and human rights activists assert that he is a victim of repression over his public pro-Ukrainian position. Recently, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Akhtem Chiygoz reported that Balukh who was kept in a Simferopol detention center had badly been beaten by the guards and faced death threats. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that evidence of the attack on Balukh would be transferred to courts. As of 17:00 on October 9, the police registered 54 incidents related to the explosions in the settlement of Druzhba 16 km away from the town of Ichnya. First Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine, Vyacheslav Abroskin, says the investigation considers as their main version that a massive fire at a military ammunition depot near Ichnya in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region was a result of subversive actions of the Russian sabotage group. The statement came as Abrosking briefed participants in the situational headquarters meeting on Tuesday, October 9, Ukrayinska Pravda reported, referring to a police official Yaroslav Trakalo. One of the main versions now being considered by Ukrainian law enforcers is the actions of the sabotage group from the Russian Federation, the deputy national police chief said. Read alsoUkraine loses heavy artillery ammunition in recent ammo depot explosion in Chernihiv region At the same time, according to Trakalo, as of 17:00 on October 9, the police recorded 54 incidents that are related to the explosions in the territory of the settlement of Druzhba 16 km away from the town of Ichnya, including six reports of damage and destruction of households. There are also facts of detection of unexploded ordnance and five reports of theft or looting (four of them were not confirmed, while the latter was being verified). As UNIAN reported, in the early hours of Tuesday, October 9, explosions caused a massive fire at the 6th Arsenal of the Ministry of Defense near the village of Druzhba in Ichnya district of Chernihiv region. More than 12,000 people were evacuated from the adjacent territories. A 30-km no-fly zone was established, while railway and motor traffic was suspended. The operational headquarters was set up involving top officials of the State Emergencies Service, the police and the National Guard. The SBU security service is probing a sabotage version. According to the Ministry of Defense, as of 14:00, fire hotspots at the ammunition depots were contained. The head of state believes that all those who ensured the protection of the military warehouse overnight Tuesday when the blasts hit the site should be probed. President Petro Poroshenko heard the report by top security officials on the incident at the ammunition depots near Ichnya, Chernihiv region. According to the Defense Minister of Ukraine, Stepan Poltorak, at 03:20, October 9, three storage facilities of the arsenal exploded simultaneously and in the next 20 minutes, several others exploded as well, the presidential press service reports. Poltorak reported that at the time of the explosion, the depots were filled by 50% while the most scarce and critical ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine was previously relocated from the 6th military arsenal to more protected arsenals and bases. As of 15:00, as a result of detonation, about 30% of the entire depot was on fire, he said. At present, measures are being taken to localize and extinguish the fire. To this end, two firefighting tanks have been deployed to the site. Three more tanks were expected to arrive shortly. Read alsoThousands evacuated after explosions at ammo depot in Ukraine's north media (Video) The Head of State said he expects operative but responsible results of the investigation of the emergency incident. "I want to emphasize separately that I am expecting prompt results of the investigation, and very responsible ones," Petro Poroshenko said, speaking at the meeting with Chief Military Prosecutor of Ukraine Anatoliy Matios and First Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vitaliy Malikov. "Given the proximity to the Russian border, it is not a coincidence that the main version of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Military Prosecutor's Office is sabotage," the Supreme Commander-in-Chief noted. Read alsoUkraine loses heavy artillery ammunition in recent ammo depot explosion in Chernihiv region "I am not trying to order anyone punished for PR purposes," the head of state stressed. But not a single embezzler who allowed this through their negligence will be reinstated in their job, the president added. The head of state believes that all those who ensured the protection of the military warehouse overnight Tuesday when the blasts hit the site should be probed. "We must fully and thoroughly study this experience today in order to prevent the attack of the enemys sabotage and reconnaissance groups from repeating," he said. "Following the results of the investigation, we must make proposals on bringing the perpetrators to justice," said the president. Read alsoRussian sabotage major version in ammo depot fire probeAccording to the Security Service, three versions of the causes of an emergency are currently being considered. The main one is a subversive act of the sabotage group, another one is the violation of the rules of fire safety or storage of ammunition, and the third is deliberate arson aimed at concealing the theft of ammunition. As UNIAN reported earlier, in the early hours of Tuesday, October 9, explosions caused massive fire at the 6th Arsenal of the Ministry of Defense near the village of Druzhba in Ichnya district of Chernihiv region. More than 12,000 people were evacuated from the adjacent territories. A 30-km no-fly zone was established, while railway and motor traffic was suspended. The operational headquarters was set up involving top officials of the State Emergencies Service, the police and the National Guard. The SBU security service is probing a sabotage version. According to the Ministry of Defense, as of 14:00, fire hotspots at the ammunition depots were contained. Five enemy troops were killed and another six were wounded, intelligence reports say. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 36 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with three Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action (WIA). "Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the past day. According to intelligence reports, five occupiers were killed and another six were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update published on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on October 9, 2018. Read alsoFormer Ukraine army specialist analyzes video of Zakharchenko's deadly blast (Video) Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms to attack the defenders of the towns of Avdiyivka, Krasnohorivka, and Maryinka, and the villages of Krymske, Novotoshkivske, Katerynivka, Stepne, Troyitske, Luhanske, Travneve, Pisky, Novomykhailivka, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Vodiane, Lebedynske, and Shyrokyne. In addition, the enemy resorted to 120mm mortars to shell the Ukrainian positions near Krymske, Luhanske, Vodiane, and Lebedynske, while the Ukrainian fortified positions near Krymske, Novotoshkivske, Luhanske, and Travneve came under fire from 82mm mortars. Moreover, the defenders of Shyrokyne were attacked with the use of a ZU-23-2 towed 23mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. Furthermore, the occupiers resorted to cannons of infantry fighting vehicles to fire at the defenders of Novotoshkivske, Troyitske, Vodiane, and Lebedynske. "Since Tuesday midnight, Russian-led forces have mounted two attacks on the Ukrainian positions near Pavlopil and Shyrokyne, using grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms. No heavy weapons were used. No casualties among Ukrainian troops have been reported since the start of the day," reads the report. Intelligence chiefs have told Theresa May that Vladimir Putin wants to make the war-torn North African nation "his new Syria." Russia is moving troops and missiles into Libya in a bid to enforce a new stranglehold on the West, Theresa May has been warned. Intelligence chiefs have told the PM that Vladimir Putin wants to make the war-torn North African country "his new Syria," The Sun wrote. Read alsoBritain has reportedly practiced a cyberattack to send Moscow into total blackout Business Insider And seizing control of the biggest illegal immigration route to Europe is seen as Moscow's primary goal. The Sun can reveal that "dozens" of officers from the GRU military spy service as well as its Spetznaz special forces wing are already on the ground in eastern Libya, initially carrying out training and liaison roles. Two Russian military bases are already now up and running in the coastal towns of Tobruk and Benghazi, using the cover of the controversial Russian private military company the Wagner Group which already has outposts there. Russia's devastating Kalibr anti-ship missiles and state of the art S300 air defence missile systems are also now believed to be on the ground in Libya. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Omani Oil and Gas Minister Mohammad bin Hamad al-Rumhi said on Monday that in spite of the US sanctions, construction project of gas pipeline exporting gas from Iran to his country will continue. TEHRAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Omani Oil and Gas Minister Mohammad bin Hamad al-Rumhi said on Monday that in spite of the US sanctions, construction project of gas pipeline exporting gas from Iran to his country will continue. He said that tender documents for the project were sent to interested companies, adding that Oman is to continue the project. Al-Rumhi added that Oman is still waiting for details of the sanctions. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) five years ago to supply natural gas to Oman directly from seabed in the Persian Gulf. Iran will produce 1.5 million tons natural gas (LNG) and it is annually exporting gas to Oman's LNG installations. Capacity to transfer gas by this pipeline to Oman is 1.5 billion cubic feet daily. Norwegian aluminium group Norsk Hydro said Tuesday it would resume partial production at the world's largest alumina plant in Brazil, one week after a dispute over waste disposal with authorities. Oslo, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Norwegian aluminium group Norsk Hydro said Tuesday it would resume partial production at the world's largest alumina plant in Brazil, one week after a dispute over waste disposal with authorities. The company said it had now agreed with the regional environmental agency to resume production at 50 percent, following approval last Friday by national authorities on the processing of bauxite residues. "This is a highly welcome development to secure thousands of jobs ... as well as securing supply to our global customers and markets," the head of Hydro's Bauxite and Alumina business area, John Thuestad, was quoted as saying in a statement. With a capacity of more than six million tonnes of alumina, or aluminium oxide, per year, the Alunorte facility accounts for about 10 percent of global production, excluding China, of the main component used to make the metal aluminium. The company's announcement last week it would temporarily halt output at the facility caused Norsk Hydro's shares to tumble, but they have since recovered about half of those losses. The shares were up 0.8 percent in morning trading in Oslo. Production should return to half output within two weeks, the company said. The company was ordered to halve production at the Alunorte plant in March after Brazilian authorities accused it of having contaminated the Baracena municipal waters with bauxite residues, which they claimed had overflowed from a deposit basin after heavy rainfall in February. Norsk Hydro has denied any toxic spill took place. The company and Brazilian authorities are still discussing what is needed to open a second basin to hold waste after processing. Qatar Petroleum (QP) state-owned company, which operates all oil and gas projects in the country, is ready to consider any options to strike deals on two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Germany to then reserve their capacities and export its LNG, the company's CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said Tuesday. LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Qatar Petroleum (QP) state-owned company, which operates all oil and gas projects in the country, is ready to consider any options to strike deals on two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Germany to then reserve their capacities and export its LNG, the company's CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said Tuesday. "QP was looking at two LNG terminals in Germany that are being built. We are talking to Germany's LNG and Uniper. We are talking to RWE and Uniper to sell them LNG, and if it is profitable, we will invest into some infrastructure to get them LNG. We will do whatever is needed for our deal when it is needed. We are very open," Kaabi told reporters on the sidelines of the Oil & Money conference in London. In September, media reported, citing Al-Kaabi, that Qatar Petroleum was in talks with German companies Uniper and RWE about possible joint LNG terminal project in Germany. Earlier, it was reported that the final investment decision on the LNG terminal construction project would be made in 2019 after assessing consumer interests. Construction of the terminal may begin in 2020, while LNG supplies may start by 2022. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Punjab Minister for Health Dr. Yasmin Rashid Monday said that lactating women should continue breast feeding to their infant till the age of upto two years. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Punjab Minister for Health Dr. Yasmin Rashid Monday said that lactating women should continue breast feeding to their infant till the age of upto two years. She stated this while making findings of "Nutrition and Breast Feeding Week" public at a press briefing held here on Monday. "During the unique and unprecedented drive, 7 crore 63 lac 50 thousand people were reached," she told. According to details 8,055,263 children were screened of which malnutrition was found in 312,249 children. Similarly, 1,959,428 pregnant and lactating women were examined and 109,107 stunted women were referred to local health centre for treatment. "I am sad to disclose that such a big number of children across the Punjab were found as stunted," she regretted. As many as 757,813 fertile couple were provided free of cost family planning commodities during the awareness week, said Yasmin Rashid. "Now we have smart data regarding stunting and we would start solid initiative to resolve the problem' she said. Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Hanif Khan Pitafi was also present on the occasion. The Health Minister also informed that from October 1 to 6 as many as 2,748,580 stunted children were provided free sachet of vitamins, ORS and zinc supplements' she said. The media were briefed that 1260 health centers across the Punjab were providing diagnostic and treatment facilities to stunted mothers and their infants. DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 09th Oct, 2018) The Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) in Dubai has launched the Rental Good Conduct (RGC) Certificate service, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the world that aims to enhance trust between land lords and tenants and reduce the rates of disputes that may arise between them. Sultan Butti bin Mejren, Director General of Dubai Land Department (DLD), commented: "The RDCs launch of the new RGC Certificate service comes in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to establish a distinguished operational system that elevates Dubais position globally and offers the society facilitated and more convenient services. The RGC Certificate service also enhances the smart transformation of procedures provided to customers, contributing to achieving excellence and providing easily accessible services that ensure customer satisfaction." Bin Mejren added: "Dubai, with its various administrative, legal, and judicial institutions, focuses on establishing a modern and advanced environment where everyone may enjoy safety and security for themselves and their finances. This is one of the main features that enhances Dubais global position as a preferred investment destination and as one of the happiest city in the world." Judge Abdulqader Mousa, Director of the RDC at DLD, said: "The new service implements the initiatives offered by the Centre to reduce rental disputes and was initiated following the monitoring of several cases where a tenant rents a unit and only pays the first instalment of the agreed total cost. At the end of the contract, the same person rents another unit and repeats the act in other properties, exposing the leaser to severe losses. This service will assist real estate management companies in finding rental information of a person they intend to contract with and avoid such mishaps." Mousa added: "There are many benefits to this service - on the one hand, a customer can inquire whether or not a rental case was filed against them to avoid being subjected to a sudden legal implication, travel prevention, or seizure of their accounts and property, and on the other hand it allows leasers to inquire about a person, and whether a rental case was filed against them, allowing them to make their decision on whether or not they want to sign the contract based on accurate information. In addition, it also allows tenants to inquire about the leaser and whether they are known to cause legal problems with tenants." Mousa confirmed that the data is provided without violating the laws of confidentiality. The service provides information according to mechanisms that have been subjected to careful review, and is available to inquire about both individuals and companies. The service can be obtained via phone by following specific steps: Download the RDC application from Apple Store or Play Store, click the RGC Certificate service icon, and then choose one of three options: inquiry on tenant, inquiry on leaser, or inquiry on request status. Mousa concluded: "The main objective for establishing the RDC was to simplify procedures for all parties in regards to the rental contract, spread awareness among them, and reduce disputes, especially by defining each partys duties and rights and how best to comply with relevant laws and legislation. The figures issued by RDC indicate that the number of dispute cases continues to decline which confirms the success of our mission and the achievement of the goals for which RDC was established. It is certain that these initiatives will contribute to the establishment of a transparent and safe real estate environment that supports Dubai Plan 2021 which consolidates the Emirates position as the ideal destination for living, working, visiting, and investing." Hesham Al Qassim, CEO of wasl Asset Management Group, commended this initiative and described it as the ideal solution to address rent violations which subsequently may cause real estate management companies to suffer. Al Qassim added: "We are confident that RDC finds proactive and helpful solutions to create a safe environment that benefits all involved parties, and maintains Dubai's reputation as a happy city and the preferred destination for living and investing." RDCs latest initiative reflects its eagerness to employ artificial intelligence and digital transaction technology (blockchain) in support of our wise leadership's approach to globally position Dubai in the lead across all sectors and make it a happy city capable of shaping the future by reformulating and manufacturing the work methodologies of government agencies. This comes in support of the Dubai 10X initiative that aims to propel Dubai 10 years ahead of other cities around the world through government innovation. Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, led the official UAE delegation to the 35th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF), running in Yerevan on October 8 and 9, on the sidelines of the 17th Francophonie Summit. (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 08th Oct, 2018) YEREVAN, 8th October 2018 (WAM) Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, led the official UAE delegation to the 35th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF), running in Yerevan on October 8 and 9, on the sidelines of the 17th Francophonie Summit. The conference brings together ministers of member states and observer states in the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF). The Conference is held within the framework of the17th Francophonie Summit, which will convene in the Armenian capital on October 11 and12 under the theme "Living together in solidarity, sharing human values ??and respecting diversity: Sources of peace and prosperity for the Francophone space". The notion of "living together" is based on the universal values ??of peace, democracy, respect for human rights and cultural diversity, values that have long been shared by the UAE and the Francophonie. Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal Khan strongly condemned the incident of attack on security forces which left five personnel injured in Qilla Abdullah district on late Monday night. QUETTA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal Khan strongly condemned the incident of attack on security forces which left five personnel injured in Qilla Abdullah district on late Monday night. He said nefarious designs and coward attack of terrorist could not weaken the strong commitment and passion of the nation, said press release issued here on Tuesday. Jam Kamal directed concerned authorities to take all available measures to arrest those elements involved in the incident of Qilla Abdullah district for justice as soon as possible. He ordered the health department to ensure all facilities to the injured during treatment and prayed for early recovery of the victims.. However, the security force personnel were patrolling in a vehicle when a blast was occurred near the vehicle, leaving five personnel injured on the spot. The injured were rushed to Quetta based hospital for medical aid. Clerk of New Saeedabad Degree College Janib Keerio on Monday was sacked from his job by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah for misbehaving with father of a student. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Clerk of New Saeedabad Degree College Janib Keerio on Monday was sacked from his job by Sindh education Minister Syed Sardar Shah for misbehaving with father of a student. The minister had called the victim father and the said clerk in his office, after a video went viral on social media, in which clerk Janib Keerio could be seen misbehaving with Zafarullah Memon, father of a student. The minister expressing his annoyance asked the clerk, Do you think of yourself as a king. Victim Zafarullah apprised the minister that Clerk Janib Keerio had refused to provide M.A form upon which Zafarullah approached the Principal of the college. After which Janib Keerio and other staffers threatened him of serious consequences. The Minister dismissed Clerk Janib Keerio from the job and another Clerk Kamran Khanzada was suspended. Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Monday said that the government had nothing to do with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif's arrest. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Monday said that the government had nothing to do with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif's arrest. Talking to media outside the Parliament House, he said that the case against Shehbaz Sharif was registered in 2017 when PML-N was in power at the centre and he himself was the chief minister of Punjab. He said inquiry against Shehbaz Sharif was not done at the request of PTI. "Similarly, his arrest took place due to NAB investigation and not due to the PTI," he said. The minister said that around 77 suspicious accounts had been identified from where fake transactions were being done adding that people of Pakistan knew, who was doing such transactions. "Everyone knows that money laundering is being done. Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken a clear stance on that. We will bring back the stolen money besides bringing reforms in the institutions as without it the country will not move forward." He said had NAB been under the prime minister's control then half of those, who were delivering speeches would have been facing remands before the judges. "The PTI was, is and will remain a revolutionary party," he said adding that for staging protest on a container, character, support of workers and that of masses was required but the opposition lacked all that. Referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement regarding accountability of those who had looted the country, he said opposition had become furious on that (statement). He said that no case was registered by the PTI government with NAB against anyone. "Our own sitting minister resigned when a case was registered against him in NAB. He did not say injustice had been done to him," he added. He said that those, who had appointed Saif-ur-Rehman as Chairman NAB and who had been asking the then judges as how much sentence should be given to the individuals, were now trying to educate the PTI how to behave. "Don't try to teach us. We will neither victimize anyone nor are in its favour. But despite all your hue and cry the accountability will continue," he added. He said in the past ten years Pakistan's loan had soared from Rs 6,000 billion rupees to 30,000 billion rupees adding that someone should be responsible for such a huge debt increase. He said that the institutions including the PIA, Steel Mills, Water and Power Division could not remain safe from corruption. Fawad Hussain said that people had voted Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf to power and now they were expecting a change from it. He said the powerful plunderers would be brought to task. To a question he said that being the head of the government, Prime Minister would hold meetings with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff, Chairman NAB and all other related people. He said that institutions had their own jurisdiction and they were working under that, and added, NAB was an independent institution and prime minister could not dictate it, however he could hold meetings with the chairman NAB. To another question regarding influence of Shehbaz Sharif's arrest on by-elections, he said that the case was there against him even before the general election, but the Election Commission of Pakistan at that time said that the proceedings on it should not be held before the general election, although principally it was not correct. He said the PTI would sweep the by-elections and after that local body elections would be held. Commenting upon the attitude of opposition he said that it was disconnected with the masses as they (masses) wanted accountability at this time, while it was opposing that. "Opposition becomes worried when we talk about accountability of looters and plunderers." He said the austerity policy of the PTI government had saved around 300 billion rupees. Giving examples for that, he said that when PTI came into power Rs5.8 million were being spent on Chief Minister House Punjab every month, but now that expenditure had reduced to Rs800,000 to Rs1,000,000. He said around Rs600 to Rs700 million were being spent on Prime Minister House annually, but now its per month expenditure stood at around Rs 800,000 to Rs1,000,000. Similarly, the expenditure of governor houses and vehicles of PM House had been significantly reduced, he said and added, the historic measures taken by the government would bring a good news for the people of Pakistan in the next three to six months. (@rukhshanmir) Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday said the Constitution provided equal rights to all citizens irrespective of cast, colour or creed and the government would continue to protect rights of the minorities by ensuring them equal opportunities to participate in the national life. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday said the Constitution provided equal rights to all citizens irrespective of cast, colour or creed and the government would continue to protect rights of the minorities by ensuring them equal opportunities to participate in the national life. He was talking to a delegation of Bishops from various churches of Pakistan, called on him at the PM Office, PM Office media wing in a press release said. During the meeting, the prime minister acknowledged and appreciated the services of non-Muslim communities especially the Christian one in various fields including education, health and social welfare. He emphasized upon the need for promoting inter-faith harmony and working hand-in-hand for the development and prosperity of Pakistan. The delegation felicitated the prime minister on his election as the head of the government and said the Christian community would become a strength for him in translating his vision into reality. The delegation comprised Bishop Irfan Jamil (Lahore), Bishop Alwin Samuel (Sialkot), Arch Bishop Arshad Joseph (Islamabad), Arch Bishop Sebastian Shah (Lahore), Dr. Rev. Qaiser Tulles (Lahore), Dr. Liaqat Qaiser (Lahore), Bishop Leo Paul (Multan), Anthony Lamuel, General Secretary Pakistan Bible Society, Jennifer Jaq Jiwan, ex-director Christian Study Center, Dr Jamil Nasir representative of Penticostal Churches and Rubina Feroz. Member National Assembly Shunila Ruth was also present during the meeting. The delegation apprised the prime minister about some issues concerning the Christian community and also put forth certain suggestions for promoting the inter-faith harmony and addressing the issues faced by the minorities. The delegation thanked the prime minister for the meeting and assured their fullest support in the development agenda of the government. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Tuesday assured that within next two months, Karachi coast including Karachi Port Trust area will be made clean and the movement of cargo vehicles will be streamlined for the ease of the people and to increase the cargo flow at KPT. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Tuesday assured that within next two months, Karachi coast including Karachi Port Trust area will be made clean and the movement of cargo vehicles will be streamlined for the ease of the people and to increase the cargo flow at KPT. "I want clean and green coast. I assure Karachiites, in two months you will see the coast and sea very clean and pollution free along with full security. You will find the best environment to spend your week ends with your families on the beaches. Also port users will be provided with more facilities and incentives," the Minister said, while speaking as the chief guest at seminar in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) 70th Anniversary and World Maritime Day programme at a local hotel. The seminar was organized by Karachi Port Trust in collaboration with Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, United Kingdom and International Nautical Institute- Pakistan Chapter. The Minister said clean, green and prosperous Pakistan for all was the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Prime Minister Imran Khan had already launched "Clean and Green Pakistan" drive. He said God had blessed Pakistan with naturally built long beautiful coast and deep sea. Our maritime sector had big potential. The development of the maritime and information technology sectors in very organized manner, and on scientific and modern lines would bring economic prosperity in the country. He said local and foreign investment in conservation and development of the marine resources would be welcome. PTI government would extend all possible support and facilities to the investors. In the past, many people had made money from the marine resources. Now, it was the right time to re-invest in this potential sector, he asserted. He regretted that the society as collectively had destroyed the beaches and the eco-system of our sea including mangroves and hatcheries of shrimp and other fishes. Around 13000 tones of solid waste and 600 million gallons of untreated water -- sewerage and from industries- from the city was going into the sea untreated every day. He urged the industrialists to set up their treatment plants, which was mandatory for them under the local and international laws. "I am going to launch a public awareness campaign on large scale. We are destroying our precious marine resources, which now the world has named as the blue economy," he announced. About the shipping industry of the country, he said, in the past it had been badly neglected, whereas in other countries it had great charm for the people ; also for the job seekers. Once ship-breaking industry in Pakistan was very organized and a successful venture. Now, we are behind also from Bangladesh. In 1947, Pakistan had 70 ships. Now, it had only nine; of which four were oil tankers. There was great scope for investment in the shipping and the ports. Pakistan had naturally built and the best located sea-ports against Dubai and some other ports in the region. The Minister for Maritime Affairs pledged that pursuing the PTI vision of new and prosperous Pakistan, he would soon give new identity to the ports and shipping industry. "I have a good team of officers and more competent and honest ones shall be added to accomplish this task within shortest possible time," he reaffirmed adding that he had set up camp offices at Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and Karachi Port Trust to better pursue the implementation of the government polices and for the earliest execution of the projects related to the ports and shipping. His doors were open to investors and for all other stakeholders, he re-assured. During a chat with media there, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi said due to traffic congestion in the city KPT was operating at fifty percent of its capacity. Last year, it handled 50,000 tones of cargo against the capacity one hundred thousand tones. We would have to ensure the fast flow of trucks and trailers carrying cargo to and from KPT. The corrective steps would include widening of the Northern Bypass and Lyari Expressway. He said one or two big projects related the ports and shipping would be unveiled soon. He said due to shortage of funds, PNSC could not purchase more ships. These could be acquired on FOB basis through private investors. To a question about the recent increase in gas price, the Minister held the previous government responsible which had left huge amount of losses piled up during its tenure. However, he said, PTI would try to give relief to gas consumers in next couple of months. He also regretted that the country had more than fifty billion trade deficit. This called for a very calculated and targeted change in trade policy for sustained growth in exports. About the government's recent initiative to bring investment from Suadi Arabia at Gwadar and in other sectors, he said Pakistan's investment policy was not country specific. But open for all countries and everybody. "Saudi Arabia is our brotherly Muslim country and its investment would be welcome," he remarked. About the government's decision to get loan from International Monetary Fund, he said there was no option in the pertaining financial and economic situation of the country. " Once, the nation shall have to take this bitter pill," he said. To a question about Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President, Shahbaz Sharif's arrest, the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs said PTI government had not initiated any case against him, but the cases being faced by Shahbaz were registered during PML-N government regime. In his welcome address, KPT Chairman, Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar spoke about the port's operations and the future development projects to make KPT more cost and service efficient and competitive in the region. International Maritime Organization consultant Ms. Nimla Willems-Herrea read out the message from the Secretary General of IMO about the uplift of marine environment. International Chairman, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Unitedkingdom, Theo Collandris underlined the need for professionalism by using information technology applications and automation in a rapidly changing world of shipping and port industry. Mayor of Karachi, Wasim Akhtar, has said that China is our time-tested friend and our relations with her are improving further. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Mayor of Karachi, Wasim Akhtar, has said that China is our time-tested friend and our relations with her are improving further. He expressed these views while speaking in the inaugural ceremony of the Stationery and education Expo Asi 2018 at Expo Centre, said a statement on Tuesday. He said that product of Chinese province Hunan are of good quality and "We are happy to see these products in Karachi." Chinese Consul General to Karachi Wang Yu and other Chinese representatives Guo Chun Shui, Wu Deng Guo, Yang Guang Lin and others were also present on the occasion. He said that the best example of Sino-Pakista is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would help in making Pakistan economy strong and to promote local trade and investment activities in Pakistan. (@FahadShabbir) The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), EMC and Megaplus Pakistan signed an agreement to partner for launching enterprise backup solution project. Hence, NBP will implement Dell EMC's Enterprise Backup Solution for protection of its critical information assets. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), EMC and Megaplus Pakistan signed an agreement to partner for launching enterprise backup solution project. Hence, NBP will implement Dell EMC's Enterprise Backup Solution for protection of its critical information assets. The agreement was inked at a ceremony here at NBP Head Office. President of NBP Tariq Jamali, NBP's IT Group Chief Shahid Saeed, CEO Megaplus Asim Bokhari and Naveed Siraj also attended the event, said a NBP statement on Monday. NBP's SEVP and IT Group Head Shahid Saeed said the bank was making hefty investment in IT to fully adopt IT-based banking as it was playing a unique role in the financial inclusion of the unbanked people. The bank also aimed at improving the quality of services to customers through investing in human resource and technology capacity building. He said the data protection was one of the top priorities of the bank with a stern emphasis to strengthen the protection of its customer's data and ensuring data protection compliance regulations were met. Hence, implementation of an enterprise backup and recovery solution was of utmost priorityfor NBP ITG. (@rukhshanmir) Second International Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System (PACES) Competition Tuesday commenced in Lahore under arrangements of Pakistan Army. RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Second International Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System (PACES) Competition Tuesday commenced in Lahore under arrangements of Pakistan Army. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was the chief guest at the opening ceremony held at Fortress Stadium, which was attended by a large number of spectators, an ISPR press release said. As many as 16 domestic teams from Pakistan Army and 17 foreign teams from eleven countries including Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, South Africa, UAE and UK are participating in the competition. Contingents from seven countries including Egypt, Italy, Myanmar, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan are participating as observers. Welcoming the participants of the competition, the COAS highlighted the significance of physical fitness in undertaking the challenges and hardships associated with soldiering. He said the competition demands a high level of combat skill to meet challenges of modern day warfare. However, the spirit of soldiering and multinational participation is equally if not more important. The competition will continue till October 15. Pakistan and China here on Tuesday signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) worth $ 100 million for mutual investment in Seafood, Agriculture, Steel and Pharmaceutical sectors. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Pakistan and China here on Tuesday signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) worth $ 100 million for mutual investment in Seafood, Agriculture, Steel and Pharmaceutical sectors. Around 14 private companies from both sides signed MoUs for mutual investment and joint ventures to expedite the trade and business between the two countries. The signing ceremony of Pak-China Trade Cooperation Projects was organized by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Ministry of Commerce China. Addressing on the occasion, Economic and Commercial Counselor of China Embassy, Mr. Wang Zhihua said that Chinese Embassy welcome the mutual investment and joint ventures between the private investor companies of both side encourage private sectors to go for more investment in both countries. He said Pakistan is friend country and we believe on peaceful con-existence and cooperation for shared property, adding that since the diplomatic relations start between Pakistan and China, the cooperation between both sides has increases in defence, technology, agriculture, leather and chemicals. In recent years, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under 'One belt one road' has given new height to mutual relations and cooperation between both friend countries. He said that the leadership of both side give prime importance to economic and trade relation which need to be increased. He said that China is working on around forty projects in different sectors including infrastructure, energy and transport where huge employment opportunity is available for local people in Pakistan. Wang Zhihua informed that trade between China and Pakistan has been increased from last five consecutive years besides increase in bilateral cooperation in Agriculture, mineral, chemical and steel. He said that Pakistan and China are negotiating on phase -II of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to increase trade and providing free trade opportunity their markets. He said that Pakistan have huge potential market for international investors and its strategic location gives more comparative advantages to other trading partners. Addressing on the occasion, Additional Secretary ministry of Commerce and Textile, Syed Tariq Huda said that Chinese investment in Pakistan give positive impact to local market of Pakistan. He said that 'One Belt and One Road' initiative also gives vision for inclusions and welfare all region. "We have $ 60 billion Chinese investment in CPEC which includes development projects in Gwadar and also discussing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for increasing trade and economic relations between China and Pakistan. On the occasion, Director General, Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce China, Mr. Liu Changyu welcomed the MoU signed by the private sectors of both side and said that both of the countries have need to further increase in mutual trade for exploiting the economic and trade potential of two sides. Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had no role in the arrest of former chief minister Punjab and president PML-N Shahbaz Sharif in a NAB case. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had no role in the arrest of former chief minister Punjab and president PML-N Shahbaz Sharif in a NAB case. Talking to media outside the Parliament House, he said unfortunately, accountability was labeled as political victimization, adding that political victimization had never been an objective of PTI. He said the entire nation wanted the accountability process to move on in a transparent manner. He said the PTI has not instituted this case against Shahbaz Sharif. He said the institutions were always used for political motives in the past. He said that in this case, both aspects must be brought to media and public. Qureshi said India was avoiding to resume talks with Pakistan, adding that it could be linked with the upcoming general elections in India as the Indian government was confused over holding talks with Pakistan. He said the Indian attitude regarding resumption of dialogue with Pakistan also disappointed the international community desiring resumption of peace talks between the two countries. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the world was acknowledging Pakistan's stance that there was no military solution to Afghanistan issue. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressing his displeasure over the closure of 110 RO plants in Thar for want of funds, has directed the finance department to release Rs336.7 millions today (Monday) and make the RO plants operational immediately. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressing his displeasure over the closure of 110 RO plants in Thar for want of funds, has directed the finance department to release Rs336.7 millions today (Monday) and make the RO plants operational immediately. He issued these directives on Monday while presiding over a meeting regarding closure of RO plants here at the CM House, said a statement. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, Saeed Ghani, Imtiaz Shaikh, CM Advisor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah, Chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro and others. The CM said that there were 600 RO plants in Thar, of them 110 were made non-functional because the contractor has not been released funds. Why funds were not released, he asked the chief secretary. Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah said that the approval of the budget was the main reason behind delay in releasing the funds. The Sindh Assembly has passed budget in the end of last month and now the budget was available and was being disbursed among the departments concerned, he said. The funds for RO plants would be released to the contractor within next three days, he added. The CM Sindh directed him to released funds of Rs336.7 million to the contractor on Monday (today) and also directed the contractor to operationalize the RO plants to-night and start providing water to the people of Thar from Tuesday. Talking to the contractor, the CM Sindh said that they were working with Sindh government from last many years but just for release of funds they preferred to close the RO plants. The contractor told the CM Sindh that due to non-availability of funds they could not pay salaries to their employees from June 2018, therefore employees working at RO plants stopped working. The CM Sindh said the people of Thar have already suffered a lot due to drought situation and the only facility of sweetwater made available to them by the government, he regretted, that was also stopped. Sindh Ministers, Syed Sardar Shah, Imtiaz Shaikh and CM Advisor Murtaza Wahab on the instructions of the chief minister visited Thar on last Sunday and met the people. They also told the CM Sindh that the closure of RO plants was a big issue and must be resolved immediately. The CM Sindh was told that there were 2646 RO plants installed in different districts of the province, of them 2261 were operational. It was pointed out in the meeting that around Rs 4 billion excess payment was made to the contractor. On that the contractor brushed aside the impression of over payment and said their funds were still outstanding against the government. The contractor said that they had taken contracts of all three phases of RO plants installation and solarisation of some RO plants for Rs13.6 billion against which they had received Rs10.5 billion and still their Rs3 billion were outstanding against the government. The CM Sindh directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee with representatives from Sindh Coal Authority, Public Health Engineering and Finance department and reconcile all the expenditures being termed as disputed. This reconciliation must be made within three days, he said. In case the issue of excess payment is not resolved then a well reputed auditors would be hired to audit all payments made so far, he said. (@FahadShabbir) Newly appointed Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Arif Abbasi Monday said that zero tolerance policy would be adopted against corruption in RDA and Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA). RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Newly appointed Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Arif Abbasi Monday said that zero tolerance policy would be adopted against corruption in RDA and Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA). Talking to media persons he said, all out efforts would be made in accordance with the vision of the Prime Minister Imran Khan to eliminate corruption from RDA and WASA. He informed that today he was briefed about performance and development projects of RDA and WASA. The Chairman said, the authorities concerned have been directed to make all possible efforts to facilitate the citizens. He said, the Federal and provincial governments would be requested to help the departments to ensure provision of more facilities to the citizens. The Chairman informed that he would make efforts for one window operation in WASA so that the complaints of the citizens could be addressed within shortest possible time frame. He said, strict action in accordance with the law would be taken against illegal housing societies. To a question, he said, Rawalpindi Metro project completed by former Punjab government at a cost of huge amount should have been delayed as other projects like supply of clean drinking water, ring road, establishment of industrial zones, Lai Expressway, education and health and others which were need of the hour should have been completed first. "We would work hard to facilitate the citizens and restoretheir confidence on the public sector departments like WASA and RDA, "he said. Syrian President Bashar Assad's decree on amnesty for deserters is a step toward national reconciliation, and Moscow welcomes such efforts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Syrian President Bashar Assad's decree on amnesty for deserters is a step toward national reconciliation, and Moscow welcomes such efforts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Assad issued a decree granting general amnesty for those who avoided military service and deserted from the army. "As regards the amnesty for deserters, this is probably a step toward national reconciliation, toward creating conditions that would be acceptable to those refugees who want to return to Syria - not only refugees, but also temporarily displaced persons. We actively support such efforts made by the Syrian government," Lavrov told a press conference. (@FahadShabbir) MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) At least four people were injured in an explosion at an oil refinery in the city of Saint John located in the eastern Canadian province of New Brunswick, local authorities said. On Monday, the Irving Oil energy company said that a "major incident" occurred at its refinery in Saint John. "The fire at the Refinery is under control. Responders remain active on scene and EMO is monitoring. Horizon is treating 4 people for non life threatening injuries. Some roads in the area remain closed. No evacuations are required for residents at this time," the Saint John authorities wrote on Twitter on Monday. According to media reports, the blast occurred in the morning and caused a fire at the refinery. Causes of the incident remain unknown. The planned acquisition of KLX Aerospace Solutions, a leading US distributor of aerospace parts, has been completed, the new parent company Boeing announced in a press release on Monday. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) The planned acquisition of KLX Aerospace Solutions, a leading US distributor of aerospace parts, has been completed, the new parent company Boeing announced in a press release on Monday. "The acquisition positions Boeing to compete and win in the $2.8 trillion, 10-year aerospace services market," the release said. KLX, a major global provider of aviation parts and services in the aerospace industry, currently markets and distributes products for approximately 2,400 manufacturers and offers approximately 1 million catalog items. The company is also a leading supplier of chemicals and composites, the release added. With approximately 2,000 employees, KLX will continue to operate from the US city of Miami with customer service centers located in more than 15 countries, according to the release. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) strategic partnership. BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) strategic partnership. In the message, Li said that China in 2003 acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and is the first country to build a strategic partnership with ASEAN. With the concerted efforts of China and ASEAN countries in the past 15 years, the development of bilateral relations have maintained a healthy and stable momentum, said Li, adding that the two sides have enjoyed deepening political mutual trust, closer economic and trade ties, fruitful mutual-beneficial cooperation and dynamic people-to-people exchanges. The premier said the development of China-ASEAN relations have brought tangible benefits to the 2 billion people of the two sides and promoted regional and global peace, stability and prosperity. Noting that China-ASEAN relations have entered the mature period for quality upgrading and are faced with new opportunities, Li said China has always regarded ASEAN as a priority in its neighboring diplomacy and is willing to be ASEAN's good partner for common development, jointly-building peace, openness and win-win progress, innovation, inclusiveness and mutual learning. China is ready to work with ASEAN to lift their strategic partnership to a higher level, build a stronger community with a shared future and bring their relations to an even brighter future, said Li. Lee, in his message, said that over the past 15 years, the cooperation between the two sides have been deepened and broadened around three pillars, namely political security, economy and trade, social and people-to-people exchanges. The ASEAN and China are committed to enhancing their connectivity and promoting the alignment between the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative, Lee said. The prime minister is looking forward to the adoption of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 at the 21st ASEAN-China Summit, which, he hopes, will set the strategic direction for the future development of bilateral relations. Singapore is now the rotating chair of the ASEAN. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) dismissed Tuesday the appeal of the Lithuanian government against an earlier ECHR ruling in case of Abu Zubaydah, who claimed that Lithuania had provided its territories to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for the setting up of a secret prison, the Lithuanian Justice Ministry told Sputnik on Tuesday. VILNIUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) dismissed Tuesday the appeal of the Lithuanian government against an earlier ECHR ruling in case of Abu Zubaydah, who claimed that Lithuania had provided its territories to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for the setting up of a secret prison, the Lithuanian Justice Ministry told Sputnik on Tuesday. In late May, the ECHR ruled that the Baltic state had violated the provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms with respect to Zubaydah, who claimed he had been held in a CIA secret prison in Lithuania. The court stated that Lithuania should pay Zubaydah 130,000 Euros ($149,100) in compensation. In early September, the Lithuanian authorities filed an appeal against the ECHR ruling before the court. "The board of judges rejected Lithuania's request to submit the case to the Grand Chamber of the European Court [of Human Rights] for revision," Audris Kutrevicius, the spokesman for the Lithuanian Justice Ministry, said. He added that the reasons for the appeal's rejection had not been specified so far. In August 2009, media reported that the Lithuanian officials provided a building in the vicinity of Vilnius to the CIA for the imprisonment of up to eight members of al-Qaeda terrorist group (banned in Russia) there in 2004-2006. The National Security and Defense Committee of the Lithuanian parliament then probed the claims and ruled that the conditions for the establishment of a secret CIA prisons had been created in the country indeed. The committee also found that CIA planes had landed in the country without customs control in 2005-2006. However, the committee's probe has not shed light on whether the prisoners had been transported to the country or not. In June 2016, the Lithuanian authorities made a statement in the ECHR and ruled out the possibility of the imprisonment of CIA terrorist suspects in an alleged CIA detention facility on the territory of the Baltic state. According to the Lithuanian officials, the facility established near the country's capital was a reconnaissance support center, but not a prison. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Milan, Oct 8 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Italy's Eni and Britain's BP on Monday signed a deal with Libya's National Oil Corporation aimed at renewing oil exploration in the war-ravaged country, the companies said. The three businesses signed a letter of intent in London which will see Eni acquire 42.5 percent of BP's Exploration and Production Sharing contracts in Libya in zones A and B (onshore) and C (offshore). BP currently holds 85 percent of the EPSAs for each bloc, while 15 percent is controlled by the Libyan Investment Authority. The onshore blocs are Ghadames North and Ghadames South (southwest of Tripoli) and the offshore bloc is off the coast of Sirte, east of the capital. Eni will replace BP as the blocs' operator, according to the accord. Eni is already involved in production and exploration activities in adjacent areas, allowing for synergies, a statement said. Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi hailed the deal that will help resume EPSA operations suspended since 2014. "It contributes towards creating an attractive investment environment in the country, aimed at restoring Libya's production levels and reserve base by optimising the use of existing Libyan infrastructure," said Descalzi. NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla saluted the deal's "social development guarantee" as a sign of commitment to local communities in the chaos-wracked North African nation. "This agreement is a clear signal and recognition by the market of the opportunities Libya has to offer and will only serve to strengthen our production outlook," Sanalla said. (@rukhshanmir) In a bid to protect its workers from mistreatment and give them a legitimate path to work abroad, the Ethiopian government will officially kick off overseas employment services as of Wednesday. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :In a bid to protect its workers from mistreatment and give them a legitimate path to work abroad, the Ethiopian government will officially kick off overseas employment services as of Wednesday. According to Assefa Yirgalem, spokesman for the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry, preparations have been finalized to allow Ethiopian domestic workers to travel to countries of the middle East starting tomorrow. Five years ago, Ethiopia had banned its citizens from traveling to the region to protect them from mistreatment. The new program will start with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan the three Gulf countries whose governments Ethiopia signed agreements with to enable migrants to work legally, according to the Ethiopian news Agency. On a visit to Saudi Arabia this June, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed scored a diplomatic victory by winning the release of hundreds of Ethiopian prisoners jailed for a variety of offenses in the Gulf state. A solution to the climate change challenge is in the hands of politicians, who should take concrete action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by switching their focus from support of fossil fuel sectors to renewable energy, a leading French non-governmental association for climate change told Sputnik. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) A solution to the climate change challenge is in the hands of politicians, who should take concrete action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by switching their focus from support of fossil fuel sectors to renewable energy, a leading French non-governmental association for climate change told Sputnik. The comments come a day after the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) unveiled a report, calling for drastic action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2030 instead of the 2 degrees Celsius target agreed in Paris in 2015. According to Anne Bringault, a coordinator at France's Reseau Action Climat association and CLER Network for the energy transition, much can be done to reduce CO2 emissions and the government should take the lead in speeding up the energy transition starting from such sectors as housing and transport. "Fossil fuels can be used for different purposes, but not widely for electricity production. In France, for example, it's mostly for mobility and heating. We can have alternative solutions in terms of mobility; it can be public transport or bicycles, or owning electric vehicles or biogas vehicles. We need to accelerate this transformation. For the heating, in order to reduce the consumption of energy it can be 100 percent provided by renewables, heating networks, geothermal energy, heat pumps or wood," Bringault clarified. The activist also called for a concrete ministerial action - such as imposing strict regulations on automobile producers in terms of CO2 emissions. "We need that the European ministers [at the Tuesday meeting] fix very strict norms so that we are moving toward abandoning gas and diesel vehicles and create regulations for the automobile companies. For example the Netherlands have declared that by 2020 no more gas and diesel vehicles would be sold. Here's an example of a very concrete thing. President [Emmanuel Macron] could have decided to not finance construction of new highways, and invest into construction of roads for public transport and bicycles instead," she noted. Bringault suggested that the problem was the lack of political will to change energy and economic approaches. She also stressed that it is still possible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius if the countries act fast. "But political leaders do have the means to make this choice... We need a clear reorientation of politics in favor of this choice ... What's important is the urgency to take radical actions to rapidly phase out fossil energy in order to remain under 1.5 [degrees Celsius], ... We do have solutions to stay under 1.5 degrees, but we need to rapidly change our direction, by 2020 the latest," Bringault argued. RENEWABLES WILL BECOME MORE PROFITABLE THAN FOSSIL FUELS She went on to note that investments in renewables would ultimately pay off and reiterated her call for the government to switch their focus from tax relief measures for big industries to green energy. "So far we have a lot of tax shelters for fossil energy, billions are given at present to fossil energy. The idea is that these billions are no more given to fossil energy, but go to the sectors of the future, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency, such as renovation of housing. So the idea is not spending more money, but reorienting it to activities aimed at energy transition ... Housing renovation, for example, will eventually cost less to the state because it will have tax revenues, will create jobs for those who will be involved in this renovation, VAT revenues, so it is cost-efficient," Bringault said. Bringault suggested that the revenues from the tax on carbon should be redirected to green projects, including creation of public transport infrastructure. DEVELOPED COUNTRIES SHOULD SET EXAMPLE According to Bringault, developed economies bear bigger responsibility for climate change and have to path the way for energy transition that would allow the developing countries to avoid wide use of coal. "Developed countries have historic responsibility because they've been emitting CO2 for much longer time, they have larger financial means, and they have to show the way to these new activities. The developed sates have to move much faster toward energy transition but it's equally important for the developing countries go directly to renewables bypassing the stage of using coal," she concluded. Following the publication of the UN report, multiple prominent non-governmental organizations have joined the call for more ambitious environmental targets, urging Europe, in particular, to demonstrate global leadership on the issue. Germany has boosted the number of repatriations of rejected asylum seekers to Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, Berlin said Monday, following years of diplomatic pressure on the Maghreb states. Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Oct, 2018 ) :Germany has boosted the number of repatriations of rejected asylum seekers to Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, Berlin said Monday, following years of diplomatic pressure on the Maghreb states. "We have managed to improve cooperation with these countries, which has resulted in a rise of repatriations," said an interior ministry spokesman. Between 2015 and last year, repatriations from the biggest EU economy to Algeria rose from 57 to 504, he said. To Morocco, they increased from 61 to 634, and to Tunisia from 17 to 251 over the same period. Immigration and refugee flows became a flashpoint issue in Germany after Chancellor Angela Merkel decided in 2015 to keep borders open to a mass influx of people fleeing war and misery, half of them from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The move earned her praise from liberal commentators but also sparked a xenophobic backlash that a year ago saw the far-right and anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) enter parliament for the first time. Public fears have been heightened by several jihadist attacks -- especially a 2016 truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 and was attributed to Tunisian rejected asylum seeker Anis Amri. Germany has since pushed hard to reduce migrant flows, especially of those deemed to be fleeing poverty rather than conflict. Bild daily quoted unnamed German security sources saying that "intensive negotiations" had improved cooperation with the Maghreb states, especially in exchanging biometric data to identify deportees and issue them new travel documents. Merkel's government has also repeatedly tried to add the three North African states to its list of "safe countries of origin", which would vastly raise the hurdles for asylum requests by its citizens. However, passage of the bill into law has been blocked in the upper house by states ruled by the left-leaning Greens party, which argues the three Maghreb nations cannot be considered "safe" as long as journalists, gays and other minority groups are targets of state persecution there. Indian law enforcement officers have arrested an engineer of the Indian-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace on charges of spying for Pakistan, the police of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh said on Tuesday. NEW DELHI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Indian law enforcement officers have arrested an engineer of the Indian-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace on charges of spying for Pakistan, the police of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh said on Tuesday. "Very sensitive information was found on his personal computer. We found evidence of him chatting on Facebook with Pakistan-based IDs," chief of the anti-terror department of Uttar Pradesh state, Aseem Arun, said, as quoted by the NDTV broadcaster. According to the publication, the person in question is the employee of the technical research section named Nishant Agrawal, who has worked in the company for four years and was characterized by his colleagues as an outstanding engineer. Agrawal was arrested during a joint operation, which was conducted by the Indian military intelligence together with the police of the states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, the broadcaster noted. Agrawal is suspected of transferring classified information to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan, as well as to authorities of a number of other countries. His personal and work computers were seized and are being checked. However, some experts expressed doubts that this employee really had access to confidential data. BrahMos Aerospace has not commented on this information, the news outlet added. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture of Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The company is producing the world's fastest cruise missile BrahMos, named after Brahmaputra and Moscow rivers. The BrahMos missile, which can be launched from land, ships, aircraft or submarines, is capable of hitting targets as much as 300 kilometers (190 miles) away, flying at a speed of 3,400-3,700 kilometer per hour (2,100-2,300 mph). Brussels, Oct 9 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :An Iranian diplomat linked to an alleged bomb plot against an Iranian opposition rally in France has been extradited to Belgium from Germany, prosecutors said on Tuesday. The Vienna-based Iranian, who has previously been identified as Assadollah Assadi, was handed over and will appear before the Belgian judge in charge of the case on Wednesday, the Federal Prosecutor's Office told AFP. Iran last week staunchly denied French accusations that one of its diplomats was involved in the alleged plot that took place just ahead of a visit to Europe by President Hassan Rouhani. The suspected plan to target a gathering of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in a Paris suburb came to light a few days after the June 30 event. Six people were arrested afterwards in coordinated raids by European police forces, including Assadi. The meeting was also attended by leading US figures, including close allies of US President Donald Trump. Iran has accused the opposition group, the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), which Tehran considers a "terrorist" group, of orchestrating the plot to discredit Rouhani. Belgian authorities in July requested the extradition of both Assadi and a man identified as Merhad A., who was detained in Paris. Belgian police believe Merhad A. is an accomplice of a husband and wife team caught in Brussels in possession of 500 grams of the powerful explosive TATP and a detonator. All three are Belgian nationals of Iranian origin. "We deny the accusations and forcefully condemn the Iranian diplomat's arrest and call for his immediate release," the Iran foreign affairs ministry said on October 2 in a statement. But French security services believe the Iranian intelligence ministry was behind the foiled plot. In retaliation, France announced last week it had frozen Assadi's assets for six months. mad-arp/dc/dl Israel will not be able to target the Russian S-300 air defense systems deployed in Syria, Ali Larijani, the Iranian parliament speaker, told RT MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Israel will not be able to target the Russian S-300 air defense systems deployed in Syria, Ali Larijani, the Iranian parliament speaker, told RT. On October 3, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said that the US F-35 fighters of the Israeli Air Force could defeat the newly delivered S-300s, as the former's operational abilities were higher. "I don't think that the Israelis are able to take a serious step, and [I believe] that Russia has the right to deploy the S-300 air defense systems in Syria and to protect its interests, especially after the Israeli attack on the Russian aircraft. This is Russia's lawful right," Larijani said in an interview, commenting on the Israeli official claims that the S-300s could be defeated by Israel's stealth fighters and possibly destroyed on the ground. On September 24, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russia would deliver new S-300 air defense systems to Syria in a move to boost security of the Russian troops in Syria following the fatal crash of the Russian Il-20 plane that the Russian Defense Ministry holds the Israeli Air Force responsible for. The Israeli jets used the Russian aircraft as a shield against Syrian air defense systems, according to Russia's military. On October 2, the delivery has been completed. Just a day later, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that Israel was unhappy about the S-300 delivery to Syria, but could not abandon its military operations in the Arab country. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Italy is working closely with both the United Nations and the United States on the conflict in Yemen and sees a need to relaunch peace talks between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels, Italy's Ambassador to the United States Armando Varricchio told Sputnik on Tuesday. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th October, 2018) Italy is working closely with both the United Nations and the United States on the conflict in Yemen and sees a need to relaunch peace talks between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels, Italy's Ambassador to the United States Armando Varricchio told Sputnik on Tuesday. "We do think that the situation in Yemen cannot stand any longer. It is a dramatic humanitarian situation. There is a need for reinforced efforts by the international community," Varricchio said. "We are working closely with the UN in particular but also with the US, we are discussing this. I think that the Geneva talks have to be resumed. " The UN-mediated talks were scheduled to be held in early September in Geneva, but representatives of the Houthi movement refused to attend, claiming that the Saudi-led coalition, which controls Yemeni air space, would not allow them to leave and return peacefully. According to the coalition, the Houthis were given the green light to leave on time, but did not use the opportunity. Yemen has been gripped by a civil war with the government headed by Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi fighting the Houthi movement. The government is backed by the Saudi-led coalition, which has been carrying out airstrikes targeted at the areas controlled by the Houthis since March 2015. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said on Tuesday that the Belarusian nuclear power plant (NPP) was being built with minimum safety standards, a fact that Vilnius could not accept. VILNIUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said on Tuesday that the Belarusian nuclear power plant (NPP) was being built with minimum safety standards, a fact that Vilnius could not accept. On October 8-20, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is conducting assessment of the emergency preparedness of the NPP. "Lithuania does not tolerate minimum nuclear safety standards. We are constantly striving for Belarus to feel the pressure of the international community and adhere to the highest nuclear safety standards," Linkevicius said, as quoted by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry. According to Linkevicius, Vilnius will use all international mechanisms, including the IAEA, to make sure "Belarusian NPP, which threatens [Lithuania's] national security, environment and public health, does not operate near Lithuania. " Linkevicius said the ministry hoped for an independent assessment by the IAEA and insisted that Belarus should be prevented from launching the plant "without solving safety problems identified by international experts." The Belarusian NPP is being built near the town of Astravyets in Grodno Region. The plant's general contractor is Atomstroyexport, subsidiary of Russia's Rosatom. The nuclear power plant will consist of two power units with a total capacity of up to 2,400 MW. The plant is designed to comply with the most modern, so-called "post-Fukusima" safety standards. The launch of the NPP's first power unit is scheduled for 2019, second is planned to be launched in 2020. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev called Tuesday on the members of the parliament (the Assembly) to back the bill on changing the country's name, as it had been agreed upon with Greece, for the sake of Macedonia's future membership in the European Union and NATO. BELGRADE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev called Tuesday on the members of the parliament (the Assembly) to back the bill on changing the country's name, as it had been agreed upon with Greece, for the sake of Macedonia's future membership in the European Union and NATO. On Monday, the Macedonian government adopted a draft law on renaming the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia following a referendum on the issue, and passed it to the assembly for adoption. The assembly's committee on constitutional matters will have 10 days to review the bill, and then the decision will be announced at a plenary session. "All the lawmakers have a historical duty toward the [Macedonian] citizens to ensure Macedonia's path to stability and economic prosperity. This is a path to NATO and the European Union, which goes through the Macedonian-Greek agreement," Zoev wrote on Facebook. In order to ensure the bill passing, Zaev's ruling party Social Democratic Union of Macedonia will need to secure the support of 80 lawmakers out of 120. Zaev has secured the support of over 70 parliamentarians and is currently engaged in talks with the country's major opposition party Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity, urging it to back the bill. On September 30, Macedonia held a referendum on its renaming, which was prompted by the related agreement signed between Greece and Macedonia in June. According to the State Election Commission, 91.46 percent of those, who cast their ballots, voted in favor of renaming the country, while 5.65 percent voted against. However, the referendum cannot be recognized as valid as the turnout amounted to 36.91 percent instead of the required 50 percent. If the county is renamed, it will be able to seek accession to NATO and the European Union, something which Greece has long been blocking over its concerns that neighboring Macedonia might have territorial claims to Greece's own region of the same name. (@rukhshanmir) Russian and Syrian officials have discussed on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week forum the prospects of restoring the energy sector in Syria, including the modernization of four thermal power stations and the reconstruction of the country's gas transportation system, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday. MILAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Russian and Syrian officials have discussed on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week forum the prospects of restoring the energy sector in Syria, including the modernization of four thermal power stations and the reconstruction of the country's gas transportation system, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday. "We talked with the Syrian Minister of Energy about the cooperation in the energy sector. ... We agreed to move faster in the implementation of these projects. Our Syrian partners are now solving the issue of financing these projects," Novak told reporters. Russian and Syrian officials have discussed on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week (REW) forum the prospects of restoring the energy sector in Syria, including the modernization of four thermal power stations and the reconstruction of the country's gas transportation system, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday. MILAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th October, 2018) Russian and Syrian officials have discussed on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week (REW) forum the prospects of restoring the energy sector in Syria, including the modernization of four thermal power stations and the reconstruction of the country's gas transportation system, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday. "We talked with the Syrian Minister of Energy about the cooperation in the energy sector. ... We agreed to move faster in the implementation of these projects. Our Syrian partners are now solving the issue of financing these projects," Novak told reporters. The official added that Russia and Syria had signed two road maps on energy cooperation earlier this year. One of them envisions electricity projects, and the other is related to oil and gas industry, including the parties' joint work on restoring production facilities, refineries and underground reservoirs. The two countries will cooperate on the energy sector as stipulated in these road maps, Novak said. The civil war in Syria has been raging for over seven years, with the government forces fighting against numerous terrorist groups and opposition factions. The country has recently begun restoring its cities, economy and infrastructure that were destroyed during the war. Moscow is actively assisting Damascus in the restoration efforts. The REW forum was held in Moscow on October 3-6. The Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency was a media partner of the event. Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Tuesday officially declared that a referendum on the constitutional reform would be called in early December amid a corruption scandal in the country's judicial branch. MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Tuesday officially declared that a referendum on the constitutional reform would be called in early December amid a corruption scandal in the country's judicial branch. In September, the Congress of the Republic of Peru approved the reform's project. It includes the creation of a national panel of justice and a national council of judges, the reform of the system of political organizations' financing, the ban on the continuous re-election of parliamentarians and the transition to a bicameral parliamentary system instead of a unicameral congress. "Let the Peruvians determine [the fate of the reform]. We have precisely implemented the legal procedure, respecting the legislative power. We are convening a referendum in two months, on December 9, " Vizcarra said in a statement, as quoted by the Comercio media outlet. At the same time, the president noted that the government did not support the creation of a bicameral parliament. Vizcarra in July proposed to hold a referendum on the reform following a corruption scandal in the country's judicial branch, which resulted in Justice Minister Salvador Heresi stepping down and a state of emergency being declared in the judiciary. The scandal followed the publication in local media of several audio recordings allegedly showing that court sentences were tampered with in exchange for bribes. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, Oct 9 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Oct, 2018 ) :Qatari-bought fuel arrived at the Gaza Strip's only power station after entering through Israel on Tuesday in a bid to alleviate conditions in the Palestinian enclave, a Hamas spokesman and sources said. The delivery could help ease months of protests and clashes along the border between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli blockade for more than a decade. But it was met with criticism by officials close to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, whose rival administration was not involved. UN officials and Egypt have in recent weeks pursued indirect talks between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel. Israeli officials however refused comment on the delivery. A spokesman for the United Nations Secretary General hailed Qatar's $60 million donation for the fuel, which is expected to be spent over several months. "Additional fuel for the Gaza power plant remains the fastest and most immediate way to increase electricity and help alleviate the humanitarian and related public health needs on the ground," Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing in New York. He said two trucks carrying 70,000 litres of fuel had entered, while deliveries were set to increase to 15 trucks daily in the coming days. A Palestinian source at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza -- the only goods crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel -- earlier put the number at six trucks and a far higher number of litres. AFP journalists saw at least one truck arriving at the power station in Gaza City. "The Qatari fuel to the Gaza Strip's power plant today is aimed at partially improving electricity (supply) in Gaza," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP. For months Gaza residents have been receiving only four hours of mains electricity a day on average. The United Nations has warned that Israel's 11-year blockade of the enclave has resulted in a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation. A Qatari official said the supply of fuel was intended to "to avert an escalation in the existing humanitarian disaster from becoming worse." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Abbas was exacerbating Gaza woes and thereby fuelling its residents' aggression toward Israel. "Abu Mazen is strangling them economically and they lash out at Israel," he told a press conference in his Jerusalem office, referring to Abbas by his Arabic nickname. But there have been attempts in recent weeks by UN officials and Egypt to reach a long-term truce between the sides through indirect talks. Much of the international community considers Hamas a terrorist organisation. It has rejected calls for it to disarm and recognise Israel. Israel says its blockade of Gaza is necessary to isolate Hamas. burs/scw/rsc One Turkish servicemen was killed and four more people, including a civilian, were injured in the rocket fire from Iraq's northern areas controlled by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the authorities of Turkey's south-eastern Hakkari province said in a statement on Tuesday. ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) One Turkish servicemen was killed and four more people, including a civilian, were injured in the rocket fire from Iraq's northern areas controlled by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the authorities of Turkey's south-eastern Hakkari province said in a statement on Tuesday. "One of our servicemen was killed as a military base, located in the regional center of Cukurca in our province, was attacked by two rockets launched from the territory of northern Iraq on October 9. Four more people were injured, including one civilian who is in critical condition. Investigation is underway," the statement read. (@ChaudhryMAli88) RHODES (Greece) (UrduPoint news / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) HODES (Greece), October 9 (Sputnik), Ksenia Shakalova - The Dublin RHODES (Greece) (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) egulation, which gives EU member states the right to deport migrants to the first country of entry to the bloc, should be revised before year-end, if possible, in order to ease the burden of such countries as Greece, Italy and Spain, Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Katrougalos told Sputnik in an interview. On Tuesday, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called on the EU member states to agree on a reform for the Dublin Regulation by the end of this year. "So it is completely necessary to have a global solution [to migration issue], if possible, within this year, 2018, that would be accompanied by very thorough revision of the Dublin Treaty . .. And the reform of the Dublin agreement is necessary because, as it is now ... all the burden goes to the first entry countries, like Greece, Italy and Spain," Katrougalos indicated. Since 2015, Europe has been experiencing its worst migration crisis in recent history, struggling to accommodate hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants fleeing hostilities in the middle Eastern and North African countries. Greece, Italy and Spain have become the first-entry countries for thousands of new undocumented arrivals. In May 2016, the European Commission adopted a package of proposals to amend the Dublin Regulation and introduce a fairer migrant resettlement system. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Russia continues to be one of the biggest trade partners of Slovakia among the non-EU states, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak said on Tuesday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) Russia continues to be one of the biggest trade partners of Slovakia among the non-EU states, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak said on Tuesday. "Russia continues to be one of Slovakia's most important trade and investment partners outside the European Union," Lajcak said at a press conference after the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Slovak top diplomat stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation in energy, trade and investment. "Slovakia is interested in developing pragmatic and constructive cooperation with the Russian Federation, which is focused on results with an emphasis on energy, trade investment, tourism and external projects, including cooperation with the regions of the Russian Federation," Lajcak added. The minister also called Russia an indispensable partner in ensuring the international security and stability. The Slovak foreign minister arrived in Moscow on Monday for a two-day working visit. Along with the talks with Lavrov, Lajcak will also deliver a lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). The delegation of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrived in Damascus on Tuesday in order to resume talks on the future of the territories to the east of the Euphrates River, suspended in summer, media reported. DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) The delegation of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrived in Damascus on Tuesday in order to resume talks on the future of the territories to the east of the Euphrates River, suspended in summer, media reported. SDF will hold meetings with the Syrian government and security officials, the al-Mayadeen broadcaster reported, citing a source. The northeastern Syrian regions are controlled by the US-backed SDF, a militia group mostly comprised of Kurds. While SDF is one of the parties engaged in conflict with the Syrian government, and Damascus considers its actions as illegal, it is determined to fight the remaining strongholds of terrorism in the country, just as the central government is. (@ChaudhryMAli88) A Serbian delegation, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, that is on a visit to Kazakhstan signed several inter-governmental agreements on Tuesday. ASTANA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :A Serbian delegation, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, that is on a visit to Kazakhstan signed several inter-governmental agreements on Tuesday. An agreement on cooperation in fight against crime was signed by Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Kazakh FM Kairat Abdrakhmanov. An MoU on youth policy between the Serbian Ministry of Youth and Sport and Kazakhstan's Ministry of Development was signed by Serbian Deputy PM and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic and Kazakh Minister of Social Development Darkhan Kaletayev. Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic and Kazakh Minister of Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek signed a memorandum of cooperation in the construction sector. Mihajlovic and Kassymbek also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of air transport. DOHA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th October, 2018) Around 20 people were injured on Tuesday in the collapse of a residential two-story building in the Bahraini capital's Salmaniya neighborhood, the Interior Ministry of the country said. "More than 11 civil defence vehicles, 15 security patrols, 60 personnel and 19 ambulances are carrying rescue operations of those injured after their two-storey residential building in Salmaniya collapsed. Around 20 individuals with medium and serious injured referred to hospital," the ministry wrote on Twitter. The reason of the collapse is still unclear, although the ministry has said that the building was "dated." Turkey has sent two aircraft loaded with humanitarian aid supplies to the disaster-hit region in Indonesia on Tuesday. PALU, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Oct, 2018 ) :Turkey has sent two aircraft loaded with humanitarian aid supplies to the disaster-hit region in Indonesia on Tuesday. The Turkish Armed Forces sent two C-130 transport aircraft which transferred aid by the country's charity groups in order to meet the needs of the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The aid, which included 1,000 sleeping bags and 250 tents, were transported to the affected regions after the aircraft landed in Palu. Three Turkish Red Crescent and two Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) personnel were also on board. A total of nine personnel from Turkey are currently active in the region. On September 28, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi Island, which triggered a tsunami that towered up to 10 feet (3 meters) high. The disaster has caused over 2,000 deaths, according military authorities in the region on Tuesday. The death toll is feared to rise as at least 5,000 people were still missing, according to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). (@ChaudhryMAli88) The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday urged Caracas to secure transparent probe into the death of opposition activist Fernando Alban, accused by the Venezuelan authorities of attempted assassination of President Nicolas Maduro. GENEVA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday urged Caracas to secure transparent probe into the death of opposition activist Fernando Alban, accused by the Venezuelan authorities of attempted assassination of President Nicolas Maduro. Alban was detained on Friday at Caracas' international airport upon arriving from New York. On Monday, the Venezuelan prosecutor said that the activist had committed suicide. The Venezuelan opposition dismissed the official version of the events and accused the country's authorities of murdering Alban. "We are concerned about news of his death. And also concerned about the fact that he wasn`t presented to a judge within 48 hours, which is the requirement under Venezuelan law. We do indeed call for a transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances of his death," OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said at a press briefing. The spokeswoman noted that the United Nations was aware of conflicting reports about the circumstances of the opposition activist's death. According to the Venezuelan authorities, Maduro faced a failed assassination attempt with use of explosive-carrying drones during his address at a military parade in Caracas on August 4. Maduro was unharmed, but seven soldiers were injured in the incident. The president accused opposition forces and Colombia of having organized the attack on him, adding that some of the assassination perpetrators resided in the United States. Both Bogota and Washington denied any involvement in the incident. NATO's Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has begun supplying US forces with 155mm ammunition, with each shell featuring two independently targeted precision munitions, the US Army announced in a press release on Tuesday. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) NATO's Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has begun supplying US forces with 155mm ammunition, with each shell featuring two independently targeted precision munitions, the US Army announced in a press release on Tuesday. "The US Army is now joining a number of international counterparts deploying this munition, as interest in BONUS continues to grow worldwide," the release stated. The US Army explained that BAE Systems' 155mm BONUS ammunition is produced at the BAE Systems facility in Karlskoga, Sweden. Already qualified by the US Army, the latest version of BONUS defeats heavily armored targets and can be fired from any 155-millimeter artillery system, including M777 lightweight towed howitzers and the M109 self-propelled howitzer family of vehicles, the release said. Because each BONUS shell carries two smart munitions that employ advanced sensors, the weapon can independently seek out and destroy separate targets within a radius of 32,000 square meters, the release added. With the Synod on Young people underway in the Vatican, Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio who is also President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference (S.C.B.C.) shares the concerns of a Church grappling with many expectations. Paul Samasumo Vatican City As he participates in the Synod, Barani Hiiboro Kussala cannot help but think of how the Church in South Sudan is struggling to recover a traumatised generation of young people lost to a relentless armed conflict that started in 2013. Young people in South Sudan need hope The Bishop says it is regrettable that many of South Sudans children and young people are missing out on an education; living in refugee camps; faced with violence, forced conscription from military gangs and are living without hope for the future. The majority in our country are young people. For us in the Church, definitely (one of our major responsibilities) is to orient these (young people) towards values of a human being who respects and who has value, who cares for himself and others and his nation. This is the message we have for young people. We also encourage our country to make sure that nobody is misusing these young people. We are bringing programmes that will integrate them (into society), first of all, to feel the beauty of their country, the (importance) of togetherness and then (we are introducing) skills that can help them have meaning for themselves now and in the future, the South Sudanese prelate told Vatican News. Young people need skills Barani Hiiboro Kussala says the skills that empower young people need not necessarily be formal and learned in a classroom. He cites apprenticeships as a possible avenue for channeling technical and entrepreneurship skills in order for young people to have legitimate means of making ends meet. Empowering young people is a job that cannot be left to the South Sudanese government alone, says the Bishop. Church will never give up on young people In some parts of South Sudan, the Church is the only institution running schools or educational centres . As I speak the Catholic Church in South Sudan has a huge programme of education. (The war notwithstanding), our schools are a huge support to the country. We (even) have the Catholic university that we continually try to empower. The Bishop adds, Youth are the Centre, the nucleus of the community. We dont want to leave them lazing about and feeling completely left out, the Bishop said. Archbishop Bernadito Auza, Holy Sees Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, on Oct. 8 spoke at a meeting of the UN General Assembly on the advancement of women. By Robin Gomes The Holy See condemns all forms of violence against women, including harmful stereotypes that justify violence and promote discrimination against them, said Archbishop Bernadito Auza, addressing a meeting of the UN General Assembly on Advancement of Women. He recalled Pope Francis condemning trafficking in persons as a crime against humanity that must be consistently denounced and fought by all. Archbishop lamented that today, when slavery is thought to be a tragic historical memory, there are in fact more persons enslaved than ever before. The Holy Sees representative praised groups and movements fighting human trafficking, such as Talitha Kum by Catholic nuns, that invest in education and youth employment in order to address some of the deepest causes that make women and girls vulnerable to traffickers. Uncomfortable truth In this regard, Archbishop Auza recalled the observation of Pope Francis regarding an uncomfortable truth that if there are so many young women victims of trafficking who end up on the streets of our cities, it is because many men here young, middle-aged, elderly demand these services. Hence, the Filipino archbishop said that we have a duty in justice to arrest and prosecute traffickers, but we must also remember, if we are to eliminate this evil, that converting hearts, stamping out the demand and drying up the market are indispensable. Vulnerable women leaders The Holy Sees diplomat said that while millions of women participate in public and political life, and more than 10,000 of them serve as parliamentarians to build up communities, more needs to be done to protect them from violence and intimidation. Violence against women cannot be treated as normal according to Pope Francis. Nor can we look the other way while the dignity of women, especially young women, are being trampled upon. Noting a disturbing prevalence of physical, verbal, and even cyber violence against women and girls, Archbishop Auza called for legal measures to protect womens participation in the community, without fear of violence. Family, throwaway culture The Holy See official underscored the importance of the family in the fight against violence against women, saying, when the family becomes a place of violence, the effects are catastrophic for all. Another phenomenon that fuels violence against women is what Pope Francis describes as the throwaway culture, that discards everything that is not useful, such as babies and the elderly. But Archbishop Auza said that society suffers when the elderly, including women, are marginalized. It is the grandmothers who pass on the culture, values and wisdom to younger generation, maintaining a healthy continuity between the past and future. Flowers are placed near a portrait of murdered Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova, Rousse, October 9 (AFP or licensors) Bulgarian authorities say they have detained a suspect in the murder of a journalist which has shocked the nation. Viktoria Marinova was found Saturday after she highlighted high-level corruption with European Union funds. By Stefan J. Bos Crowds have been mourning at Sofia's Saint Nedelia Square as they remember a young woman whose life was cut short by rape and murder. Viktoria Marinova was found Saturday dumped near the Danube River. And many here are convinced that she was targeted because of her work, highlighting suspected government corruption. A senior Bulgarian police officer has now confirmed that a man has been taken into custody in connection with the slaying of a journalist who highlighted suspected government corruption. Teodor Atanassov, a chief police officer of the northern town of Ruse, on Tuesday said police were holding a man for 24 hours for questioning. He identified the individual as a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian descent and said the man had not been formally declared a suspect. Marinova was just 30 years old when she passed away. Her death came shortly after featuring two investigative journalists who were detained for their work on suspected fraud involving European Union funds. CORRUPT NATION Bulgaria has been described by advocacy group Transparency International as one of the most corrupt nations within the EU. She is the third investigative journalist to be killed within the EU in a year. In February, 27-year old Slovak investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his girlfriend were was shot to death. And last year Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Curana Galiyia was killed in a car bomb The latest killing was expected to add to pressure on journalists in especially Eastern Europe, who have faced increasing pressure by authorities for investigating corruption involving billions of euros in EU funding. The President of Turkey has demanded that Saudi Arabia offer proof that a prominent exiled critic is still alive, amid claims that he was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. By Nathan Morley The disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi - who has not been seen since entering the country's consulate in Istanbul Turkey last week - prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to express concern about the situation. Khashoggi had been critical of the Salman government. The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has also become involved in the case. He said Saudi officials should prove that Khashoggi left the building after arriving last Tuesday to get a document for his upcoming marriage to his Turkish fiancee, who waited for him outside the consulate, but said he never emerged from the building. Officials in Turkey maintain that the reporter was murdered inside the diplomatic mission, while Saudi Arabia claims he safely left the building. Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has asked Saudi Arabia to support a thorough, transparent investigation into the disappearance. "We have seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo said. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said last week that Riyadh was ready to welcome the Turkish government to search the building, but it is unclear if that has happened. Listen to Nathan Morley's report We, Editors, Publishers, and senior representatives of the print, broadcast, and digital media in Tamil Nadu, strongly condemn the draconian use of Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code against the Editor and Publisher of Nakkheeran magazine, Mr Nakkeeran Gopal, for publishing in the issue dated April 20-22, 2018 an allegedly offensive article about the Governor of Tamil Nadu. The invocation of Section 124 IPC to attempt to prosecute an Editor for publishing an allegedly objectionable article is unprecedented and unheard of. This section deals with assaulting the President, Governors, etc. with an intent to compel or restrain by criminal force the exercise of any lawful power by them. It is most unfortunate that the office of the Governor sought that a case be registered under Section 124 IPC against Mr Gopal and several others. Pham Do Nhat Vinh - Director, Head of FS Risk Consulting, KPMG Tax and Advisory Limited Since then, KPMG has conducted a number workshops, CRO forums with regulators as well as senior bankers and risk practitioners where stakeholders could share their challenges and ideas on the implementation of the circular, as well as their thoughts on the resources required for such implementation. Maybe an even more important question has been raised about what impacts or changes we might expect to see in the coming years, once the regulation is put in place, and how the banking business will be shaped by the circular. Firstly, we would like to thank all participants for sharing their practical views on the banking industry. Based on these exchanges and our knowledge of the industry, as well as relevant KPMG studies, the aim of this article is to provide an overview of the changes that might happen in the coming time. CAPITAL BUFFERS SHOULD BE THE FIRST PRIORITY Source: KPMG, Risk and ICAAP benchmarking survey 2017 We have seen in recent times that many banks have increased capital due to stricter capital adequacy requirements set by Circular No.41/2016/TT-NHNN, which requires banks to have adequate capital reserved for credit risk, market risk, and operational risk (Pillar 1 risks). When Circular 13 comes into effect, in few years time banks will need to have sufficient capital to cover other material risks, namely Pillar 2 risks. As stated in Circular 13, after performing a stress test, banks will be required to meet minimum a CAR requirements of 8 per cent. Therefore, it is reasonable that banks are incentivised to draw up a capital raising plan for such additional capital need. This projection is also in line with KPMG studies in other markets. In a recent KPMG study on capital impact due to ICAAP, it was seen that almost all banks have increased capital requirements compared to their previous ICAAP. In fact, we have seen capital set aside for Pilar 2 risks in several banks could range from 16 to more than 20 per cent of the banks capital requirements and even account for a proportion which is larger than the sum of capital required to cover both operational and market risks. Banks having a thin capital buffer will likely raise capital quite soon. RADICAL IMPROVEMENT OF BANKING GOVERNANCE Source: KPMG, Never again? Risk management in banking beyond the credit crisis, 2008 Corporate governance in general and banking governance in particular are a crucial foundation to build up and maintain reputation and public trust. In the last five years, many serious events took place, resulting in negative consequences and significant public costs. Such failures could lead the market to lose confidence in the banking system and potentially trigger bank run at a systemic scale, which could disfuctionalise the banking system. Hidden and complicated cross-ownership and poor corporate governance are among the top reasons for such collapses. In short, checks and balances are not appropriately in place. According to KPMG 2008 global survey (Never Again? Risk management in banking beyond the credit crisis), the majority of chief risk officers (CROs), risk professionals, and other senior managers taking the survey acknowledge that the industry as a whole has an inadequate framework for controlling risk. 50 per cent of respondents say poor risk governance contributed to the credit crisis. Almost 10 years later, a KPMG analysis of Risk governance on systemically important banks (SIBs) has also shown that there are more formal assessments of effectiveness at a financial institution with a more-developed approach to risk governance, and risk culture is reported to the Board Risk Committee. Remuneration and risk culture are linked, and there is some co-ordination between the Audit Committee and Risk Committee by means of joint meetings. In isolation, these items are beneficial. Taken together, they improve the overall risk governance of the institution. KPMG, Risk governance: A benchmarking analysis of systemically important banks, 2016 Interestingly, almost all of these aspects are quite well regulated in Circular 13, which implies a clear message to promote a healthy corporate governance and mitigate the risk of conflict of interests. Committees at board level and at executive level should be clearly and separately set up. In order to comply with Circular 13, banks are expected to enhance risk governance in line with international practices, which is a big challenge. As a result, the board should strengthen its oversight and let the executive management team implement and manage its day-to-day business under its oversight. There should be no dual hatting in risk management and it should be independent from other executive functions and business responsibilities. As regulated, banks will need to set up a proper three-line defense and revise important board committees, including risk committee, HR committee, and executive-level councils including ALCO and capital ones. The internal control system will also need to be reshaped. IMPROVED RISK MANAGEMENT ACROSS THE BOARD Undoubtedly, credit risk is still the biggest part of risk management, but since Circular 13 formally put down many requirements for liquidity management and operational management, banks will pay much more attention to these risks. From KPMG Vietnams observations, many banks now want to develop more sophisticated Asset and Liability Management (ALM) as well as a proper operational framework in the near future. Banks are growing more aware of the important contribution of controlling liquidity risks and the necessity to have a good contingent funding plan to maintain their viability in case of crisis. Operational risk, model risk, data security, and business continuity plans should take a higher priority on the agenda of CROs, especially as more IT solutions, automation, and risk models are adapted in banking operations. These things are also mentioned in Circular 13. CHANGING RELATIONSHIP OF 3Cs This relationship among the 3Cs-CEO, CFO, and CRO-will be more integrated. Integration here refers to interdependence of risk appetite, capital plan, and business plan. In addition, changes required for governance structure, working relationship between the Board Risk committee, the Asset Liability Committee (ALCO), and the Capital management council would also lead to several changes of the relationship between the 3Cs. The development of risk appetite needs to be integrated into business and plans for the next three consecutive years. To do this, banks need to enhance their projection capacity and their ability to cope with many what if scenarios. As such, the changing role of the CRO needs to be paid attention to. The CROs role is not limited to traditional tasks such as compliance management, but is expected to see more involvement of risk in strategic business decisions, according to Circular 13, for example the use of risk-adjusted measures for business decisions. In fact, more CROs and CFOs have realised silo management and weak linkages between risk management and financial management. This could potentially lead to many issues, such as data and reporting issues or inefficient investment in banking solutions. RISK-BASED APPROACH IN INTERNAL AUDIT The development of IA should be kept in pace with the development of governance and risk management. Compliance audit is an important purpose, but risk-based audit will be the trend to be seen in the near future, thus motivating banks to enhance the quality and nature of IA activities. Changes in the way that banks develop audit plans driven by analytics and material assessment are to be expected. In conclusion, the implementation of Circular 13 should not be seen as a ticking the box exercise that does not bring any considerable value to banks, but shuold rather be seen as compliance costs. It will take time for the principles mentioned in the regulation to be embedded and operationalised in banking activities. Until then, the changes and impacts outlined above will contribute great value to banks and strengthen their competitive advantages. Accused members of International Gold Trading Joint Stock Company stand trial in Hanoi.-VNA/VNS Photo Kim Anh Of the 11 accused, ten were charged with illegal trading in accordance with Article 159, clause 2 of the 1999 Panel Code. They are Mai Xuan Tu, general director of IG JSC; Luong Tran Hung, director of the Hai Duong branch; Luu Cong Khanh, Luu Trung Kien and Vu Van Thuan, staff of the Thanh Haa branch; Pham Duc Tai, Tran Hong Nhung, Nguyen Ngoc The, Nguyen Ngoc Gioi, staff of IG JSC and Nguyen Doan Hung, director of Nhan Doi Consultancy one member limited company. Pham Duc Tai, Luu Cong Khanh and Vu Dinh Hung were accused of using telecommunications networks and digital devices to illegally appropriate other people property in accordance with Article 226, Clause 4 of the 1999 Panel Code. According to the indictment, from October 2013 to February 2015, Pham Duc Tai set up IG JSC at 165 Thai Ha in Hanois Dong Da District. The company had branch offices in Hai Duong, Thanh Hoa and Thai Nguyen provinces. Tai instructed Khanh to purchase software to trade gold online. Tai and his staff also forged paperwork to create a business license for a fake company called NAPMIG that claimed to specialise in online gold trading. Then they advertised IG as an authorised NAPMIG agency to customers, inviting them to invest in its virtual gold trading floor. Investigators said IG stole over US $2.97 million, equal to about 4,000 taels of gold. They also found that IG JSC did not have a license to raise capital or trade in gold bars or deposits. From April 2012 to August 2013, as director of Nhan Doi Consultancy, Nguyen Doan Hung worked with IG JSC 40 customers to trade gold. Hungs company got VND 98 million ($4,200) in profit while IG earned VND 230 million ($9,860) through the deals. The trial is scheduled to end on October 15. Two months ago, Yim Rom, a villager from a remote area in Kampong Thom province, sold her land to off a paid debt to a microfinance institution. Rom, 57, who now lives in Soung Sang village in Kampong Thom provinces Santuk districts Kraya commune, told VOA Khmer that she borrowed $4,200 from a microfinance institution, or MFI, in May last year to buy a tractor. But I didnt buy it. I spent the money on other necessities, like buying rice and food and my child was also sick, said Rom. A laborer working on the cassava farms, she earns 20,000 Riel (about $5) per day. I was also sick and I needed money for treatment. I couldnt pay for two months and the microfinance agent came to meet me and pressured me to pay, she said in a recent interview with VOA Khmer at her home. They came to ask me to pay money and I was terrified and then I sold my land. First I paid on time, but later I could not pay due to a shortage in basic living necessities and I was sick as well, she added. She decided to sell her land, a plot of about 100 hectares, for $4,000 and after repaying her loan there was little money left. The difference between the debtors actual practices and the plans outlined in loan application forms have become a national concern due to the burdens they place on a large number of Cambodians, particularly those relying on agriculture and vulnerable to floods and price fluctuations. Kea Borann, CEO of AMK Microfinance Institution Plc, and a director at Cambodia Microfinance Association said borrowing money is like a double-edged sword. According to Borann, an estimated 3 million Cambodians owe money to banks and MFIs, with estimates suggesting eight out of ten Cambodians are in debt. Besides commercial and specialized banks, Cambodia has more than 70 microfinance institutions and 170 rural credit operators, according to the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). Microfinance institutions and credit operators lent a total of $3.9 billion to 1.75 million borrowers by 2017, women making up more than three-quarters of those in debt, according to the NBC. In a unique initiative in the tourist city of Shimla in northern India, prisoners are running a popular cafe and a mobile canteen. Anjana Pasricha visited the Himalayan town, the capital of Himachal Pradesh state, to find that convicts get a new lease of life as they reconnect with society. Turkeys president has demanded that Saudi Arabia offer proof that a prominent exiled critic is still alive, amid claims that he was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Jamal Khashoggi was visiting the Istanbul consulate to finalize his marriage to a Turkish national, ahead of taking up a job as columnist at The Washington Post newspaper, but has not been seen since. As Henry Ridgwell reports, his disappearance risks triggering a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Termen Extins: Terre des hommes Moldova este in cautarea unui /unei consultant/e sau a unei echipe de consultanti, care va elabora un program de instruire pentru adolescenti (14 - 18 ani) in domeniul dezvoltarii competentei digitale U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has finished up his visit to Asia with an unusually blunt exchange of views in China, with both sides accusing the others of escalating tensions and harming bilateral ties. The Beijing visit contrasts with Pompeos visit to Pyongyang, which both sides praised as productive and successful, and with his visits to U.S. allies South Korea and Japan. VOAs Cindy Saine has more from Washington. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced plans Monday to meet with the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Fatah later this month to devise new policies toward Israel, the United States and Hamas in the midst of rising tensions with the three countries. In May, U.S. President Donald Trump broke with decades of unofficial policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and announcing plans to move the U.S. embassy there. In September, the U.S. State Department said it would stop funding a United Nations agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees, calling it "irredeemably flawed." Relations between Gaza-based Hamas and Abbas own Fatah have become increasingly tense, as well. After years of the two parties governing their territories as separate governments, Abbas issued an ultimatum Friday following stalled talks: Cede control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority by the end of the month, or the organization's funds will cease flowing into the region. Now, Abbas said it is time to figure out a new way of doing things. "I think what we will see in these meetings are decisions to activate existing resolutions. For example, withdrawing the PLOs recognition of Israel, of renouncing security coordination with Israel, of terminating the security relationship with the United States, and of severing all further PA funding to the Gaza Strip," said Mouin Rabbani, a senior fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies. "But in practice on past performance, I think whats likely is that the only resolution that will actually be implemented are those directed, ironically, against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," said Rabbani. Adding to the strife are concerns that Egypt may broker a truce between Israel and Hamas without the involvement of the PA, further undermining its authority. "The implementation of this agreement, unlike previous proposals, would not be built on the premise of a reunification of Palestinian governance," said Mouin, "but rather on its separation." A human rights campaigner who has been jailed since January in the Russian province of Chechnya has been awarded a prestigious human rights prize by the Council of Europe. The Council's Parliamentary Assembly on Monday awarded the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize to Oyub Titiev, who heads the Chechnya branch of Russian human rights center Memorial. The chairman of Memorial's board accepted the award on Titiev's behalf. Amnesty International called Titiev "one of Russia's most courageous human rights defenders" for his work leading Memorial's office in Chechnya's capital for more than nine years. His predecessor, Natalia Estemirova, was kidnapped and killed in 2009. Titiev is the prize's sixth recipient. In 2016, it went to Yazidi women's advocate Nadia Murad, a co-winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. It will take time to overcome the recruiting challenges that caused the U.S. Army to miss its enlistment goal this year, but plans to beef up recruiting and other changes will enable the service to get the recruits it needs in 2019, top Army leaders said Monday. Gen. Mark Milley, Army chief of staff, said the recruiting shortfall was "certainly a warning light out there'' as the Pentagon works to increase the size of the soldier service to 500,000 by 2024. "We recognize and acknowledge we did not meet (the goal) for '18,'' Milley told reporters during an Army conference. "We are making some adjustments going forward in our recruiting strategy, our marketing strategy. We're also increasing recruiters.'' For the first time since 2005, the Army missed its recruiting goal this year, falling short by about 6,500 soldiers, despite pouring an extra $200 million into bonuses and approving some additional waivers for bad conduct or health issues. The Army signed up about 70,000 new active duty recruits in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, well below the 76,500 they needed. The Army National Guard and Army Reserves also fell far short of their goals, by more than 12,000 and 5,000 respectively. Army Secretary Mark Esper said the service is moving recruiters into 20 more cities and upgrading the storefront enlistment stations to entice recruits. "I think we can and we will do a lot better,'' he said. "It's going to take some time to reposition ourselves.'' According to the Army, there are about 9,600 recruiters now, and the plan is to increase that to about 10,250 by next summer. Only about 30 percent of 17- to 24-year-olds meet the physical, mental and moral requirements for the military, and only one in eight are interested in serving. Milley said the Army could have reached the recruiting goal this year but instead focused on taking higher quality recruits, rather than enlisting lower quality young people just to make the numbers. He laid out an ambitious plan to bring in enough soldiers in the coming years to ensure that key operational units are actually staffed above full strength. That way, he said, the military will still have the soldiers they need when some become injured or ill and can't deploy or are out of their jobs for several months. And he said efforts to improve the Army's readiness to go to war are slowly taking hold, as the service recovers from 17 years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Efforts to upgrade equipment, reorganize the force and focus spending on key new programs is helping to make the Army more lethal, Milley said. For years, modernization and other programs were sacrificed in order to get the most critical troops and equipment on the battlefields. "We stopped the bleeding and we're on an upward swing,'' Milley said. "We have, I think, turned the corner. We're not out of the woods yet. We have a ways to go.'' Joe Biden has said it'll be at least January before he decides whether to enter the 2020 presidential race, but the former vice president is continuing to keep his name prominent in early voting states like South Carolina as voters there go to the midterm polls. On Monday, the Democratic nominee seeking to become South Carolina's state treasurer announced backing from Biden. In a news release, Biden called small business owner Rosalyn Glenn "the real deal." Biden has used the phrase in other states to characterize candidates who have his backing. In Arizona earlier this year, Biden called attorney general candidate January Contreras - a former Obama administration official - "the real deal" in a statement provided to the Arizona Republic. In May, Biden used the same language to refer to U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Florida while stumping on behalf of Murphy's U.S. Senate bid. This is at least the fourth South Carolina race this year into which Biden has waded, although he's had public affiliations with the other two candidates for years. Biden voiced support earlier this year for the state Senate bid of Columbia attorney Dick Harpootlian, a longtime political ally who unsuccessfully tried to persuade Biden to enter the 2016 presidential race. Biden, 75, has also announced support for Democratic gubernatorial nominee James Smith, for whom he'll help raise funds in Charleston later this month. He's also backing Joe Cunningham in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Glenn's campaign didn't immediately return a message seeking information on her ties to the former vice president. Biden's continuing political activity in South Carolina keeps him visible in this early-voting state, where other possible 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are also making the rounds. Later this month, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker is set to headline a Democratic fundraiser in Orangeburg that will include many of the state's most prominent black leaders and activists. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has made several recent trips to the state, including a keynote appearance at the Charleston County Democratic Party's Blue Jam. Rob Godfrey, who was a longtime adviser to former Gov. Nikki Haley and worked with the South Carolina Republican Party during the 2008 cycle, said the lower-tier endorsement primarily serves as a way for Biden to keep his identity alive as activists gear up for the next round of presidential campaigning but potentially cheapens the value of his backing, overall. "This endorsement means more for Joe Biden and Joe Biden's political future in South Carolina than it does for the candidate for treasurer," Godfrey said. "When someone comes in and endorses an entire slate of candidates, it looks as though that person is looking out for himself rather than looking out for the people he's endorsed." The newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, took his seat Tuesday and heard his first arguments, just days after he narrowly won Senate confirmation to fill a vacancy on the country's highest court. A handful of protesters opposed to President Donald Trump's nomination of Kavanaugh to a lifetime appointment to the court gathered outside, chanting, "This isn't over, we're still here." Trump, in a Twitter comment, claimed without evidence that demonstrators against Kavanaugh were hired to protest. But he said that "the paid D.C. protesters are now ready to REALLY protest because they havent gotten their checks - in other words, they werent paid! Screamers in Congress, and outside, were far too obvious - less professional than anticipated by those paying (or not paying) the bills!" Kavanaugh's first Supreme Court case involved arguments over the federal criminal sentencing law and came hours after Trump staged a ceremonial swearing-in for Kavanaugh at the White House. The jurist had already been officially sworn in Saturday soon after the Senate voted 50-48 to confirm his appointment. Kavanaugh's appointment roiled Washington for weeks, after university professor Christine Blasey Ford accused him of sexually assaulting her more than three decades ago when both were teenagers growing up in suburban Washington. Ford told lawmakers she was "100 percent" certain Kavanaugh attacked her, but Kavanaugh forcefully denied he had assaulted her or any other woman. At Monday night's ceremony, Trump declared, "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. You, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent." Kavanaugh said, "Every American can be assured that I will be an independent and impartial justice." As Trump, the other eight court justices and a number of Republican senators crucial to the confirmation process watched, retired Justice Anthony Kennedy administered the judicial oath to Kavanaugh. "The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional. That is now over," Kavanaugh said. He added that the Supreme Court "is not a partisan or political institution," promising to "always be a team player on a team of nine." Hours before the White House ceremony, Trump accused opposition Democrats of plotting to remove Kavanaugh from the bench. Kavanaugh was "caught up in a hoax set up by the Democrats," Trump told reporters, without elaborating. "And now they want to impeach him." Speaking before boarding the Marine One helicopter on the White House south lawn, Trump predicted the attack on Kavanaugh would cost the opposition party in next month's nationwide congressional elections. The president and his fellow Republicans are hoping the confirmation of the 53-year-old conservative jurist will energize their supporters in the midterm voting when political control of Congress is at stake. "The American public has seen this charade, and it was a disgrace. And I think it's really going to show you something come November 6," Trump said. Kavanaugh replaces Kennedy, a conservative jurist who often cast the deciding swing vote on ideologically divisive issues, upholding abortion and gay rights and the use of affirmative action aiding racial minorities in college admissions. Independent court analysts, however, predict Kavanaugh is likely to concur with more conservative interpretations of the law, giving a solid 5-4 ideological edge on the court to those who lean to the right. The newest member of the United States Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, after a bruising confirmation process in the Senate that bitterly divided the nation, is vowing to hear every case with respect and an open mind. "Every American can be assured that I will be an independent and impartial justice," Kavanaugh said in the White House East Room after a ceremonial swearing-in ahead of his first day on the bench Tuesday. The other eight members of the highest court, a number of Republican senators crucial to the confirmation process and President Donald Trump watched Monday as retired Justice Anthony Kennedy administered the judicial oath to Kavanaugh. "The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional. That is now over," declared Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh added that the Supreme Court "is not a partisan or political institution," promising to "always be a team player on a team of nine." Kavanaugh also announced that all four of his law clerks will be women "a first in the history of the Supreme Court." Minutes earlier, Trump alluded to the fierce Democratic Party opposition to the federal circuit court judge he had nominated to the bench who was accused of sexual misconduct in his youth. The allegation by Christine Blasey Ford, now a university professor in California, nearly derailed Kavanaugh's confirmation. Kavanaugh denied the accusation. "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure," Trump said. "You, sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent." The FBI probe into the allegations was not a criminal investigation, however, and its report offered no conclusion of guilt or innocence. Kavanaugh was officially sworn in Saturday, just after the Senate narrowly confirmed him by a vote of 50-48, to the lifetime seat on the country's highest court. Hours before Monday evening's White House event, Trump accused opposition Democrats of already plotting to remove Kavanaugh from the bench. Kavanaugh was "caught up in a hoax set up by the Democrats," Trump told reporters, without elaborating. "And now they want to impeach him." The president, speaking before boarding the Marine One helicopter on the White House south lawn, predicted the attack on Kavanaugh would cost the opposition party in next month's midterm congressional elections. "The American public has seen this charade, and it was a disgrace. And I think it's really going to show you something come November 6," when the midterms are held, Trump added. Trump and his fellow Republicans are hoping the confirmation of the 53-year-old conservative jurist will energize their supporters in the midterm voting when political control of Congress is at stake. The ranking member of the House judiciary committee, Jerry Nadler of New York, has said his party would investigate the sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh if the Democrats reclaim the majority in the chamber. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who sits on the senate's judiciary committee, was asked Sunday in Iowa by Yahoo News about the prospects of a Kavanaugh impeachment. "The reality is, right now, Republicans control the House and the Senate, and there's no way to do even an investigation unless we flip one of the houses," replied Booker, a Democrat seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2020. "So, I think even before you start focusing on questions about his truthfulness before a Senate committee, you've got to focus on the urgency of the work over the next 30 days, and that's where my focus is." Other prominent Democrats indicate they have no immediate intention of pursuing an impeachment of Kavanaugh. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware called impeachment talk "premature," while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said it "would not be my plan" to impeach the justice. Only one U.S. supreme court justice has ever been impeached Samuel Chase, in 1804, who was acquitted by the Senate. When Trump ran for the presidency in 2016, he vowed to appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court, disclosing a list of possible candidates. With Kavanaugh's ascent to the nine-member high court, Trump now has filled two vacancies on the court from his list, including Neil Gorsuch last year. Three weeks preceding the confirmation vote, Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a suburban Washington house party more than three decades ago when both were teenagers. "I thought it was one of the most disgraceful performances I've ever seen," Trump said Monday of the Democrats' fight against Kavanaugh, who replaces Kennedy, a conservative jurist who often cast the deciding swing vote on ideologically divisive issues, upholding abortion and gay rights and the use of affirmative action aiding racial minorities in college admissions. Independent court analysts, however, predict Kavanaugh is likely to concur with more conservative interpretations of the law, given a solid 5-4 ideological edge on the court to those who lean to the right. Bulgarian authorities on Tuesday will release and won't charge a man taken into custody in connection with the slaying of Bulgarian television reporter Viktoria Marinova, whose body was found after she highlighted possible government corruption. The man, who wasn't identified, would be freed "very shortly," said Teodor Atanassov, chief police officer of the northern town of Ruse. He declined to provide further details on the ongoing investigation. Police are investigating the rape and slaying of Marinova, 30, who was strangled. Her body was found Saturday near the Danube River. Marinova hosted a show last month featuring two investigative journalists who were detained for their work on suspected fraud involving European Union funds. The Interior Ministry said late Monday that prosecutors had opened an investigation into GP Group, a large private Bulgarian building company alleged to have misused the EU money, and froze 14 million euros ($16 million) of its assets. Interior Minister Mladen Marinov and Bulgaria's leading organized crime investigator, Ivaylo Spiridonov, are part of the investigating team. While Marinova didn't appear to have been closely involved in the fraud investigation, her show touched on a sensitive subject in Bulgaria, where corruption is endemic. The Balkan nation joined the EU in 2007 and was ranked 71st on Transparency International's corruption list last year. Joining the bloc opened an enormous spigot of possible new EU funding for Bulgarian infrastructure projects or other programs designed to bring the nation up to EU standards. Journalists' groups and European leaders expressed shock at Marinova's murder. Margaritis Schinas, spokesman for European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said Monday that the commission expected "a swift and thorough investigation ... that will bring those responsible to justice and clarify whether this attack was linked to her work." The German government also sharply condemned the slaying, with the Foreign Ministry saying it was imperative "that there's a fast investigation and that this horrible event will be illuminated as comprehensively as possible." Bulgarian Interior Minister Mladen Marinov insisted Monday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to Marinova's work. Marinova was a director of TVN, a TV station in Ruse, and a TV presenter for two investigative programs. Her final show on September 30 was a program about Attila Biro, an investigative journalist with the Rise Project Romania, and Dimitar Stoyanov from the Bulgarian investigative site Bivol.bg. The two men were briefly detained on September 13 south of Sofia as they investigated a tip that documents connected to suspected fraud involving EU funds were being destroyed. Bivol.bg owner Assen Yordanov said he couldn't directly link Marinova's slaying to her work, but noted her show tackled "our very sensitive investigation into the misuse of EU funds." "This is a topic on which no other Bulgarian national media dared to report on," he told The Associated Press. Biro told the AP that he had never met Marinova he said one of her colleagues had interviewed him and Stoyanov about their work. "They are on the right path, but let's see how the investigation proceeds," he said. The Detroit school district will install hydration stations at all its schools after more than half tested positive for high levels of copper and lead in the water. The school board on Tuesday approved $3 million for the installations but said most of the money would come from private donors and community organizations. Tests conducted earlier this year found 57 schools had elevated levels of copper and lead in the water; 17 others are still being tested. There are 106 schools in the Detroit school district. City officials have blamed old fixtures for the contamination. Until the installation is completed, bottled water will be provided to affected schools to "ensure there is no lead or copper in all water consumed by students and staff,'' Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said. The school district will replace more than 800 drinking fountains with the hydration stations, which it said is a long-term solution to the problem. The hydration stations use filtration technology to cool water and remove lead, copper and other contaminants. Vitti said the installation should be complete by the end of next summer. This is not the first time Michigan has been plagued by water contamination. In 2014, the city of Flint switched its water supply to save money. It failed to ensure that water from the Flint River had been treated with anti-corrosion agents, as required by law. The city's old water mains corroded, turning drinking water brown with iron contamination, and lead leached from smaller pipes that carried water into homes. In all, nearly 100,000 people were affected by the contaminated water. Federal health officials found that young children in Flint had significantly higher levels of dangerous lead in their blood. Health officials say elevated exposure to lead can cause health and behavioral problems in children because their developing brains and nervous systems are more sensitive. Exposure to copper can cause gastrointestinal problems in some children. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that it would waive environmental laws so it could build gates between sections of border barriers in South Texas' Rio Grande Valley. The waiver posted online lists 11 locations where the government plans to install gates in existing fencing. DHS has in recent months issued similar waivers of environmental laws for projects elsewhere on the southwest border. The U.S. government already has around 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) of fencing on the southwest border. In far South Texas, segments of fencing stop and start along the levee built next to the Rio Grande, the river separating the U.S. and Mexico. Many parts of the fencing are built a significant distance from the river, in some cases bisecting private property. The proposed gates would seal some of those gaps in Cameron County. U.S. Customs and Border Protection typically grants affected residents access to the gates so they can get to the other side of their land. The government also separately plans to begin building new barriers to fulfill President Donald Trump's signature campaign pledge to build a border wall. Congress earlier this year approved $1.6 billion for new border wall spending, which included funding for 33 miles (53 kilometers) of construction in the Rio Grande Valley. Some of the planned construction would cut through the National Butterfly Center and other environmentally sensitive areas. It may also leave some border town residents on the so-called "Mexican side,'' still on American land but cut off by a wall. The valley is the busiest corridor for illegal border crossings, and U.S. government officials say it is targeted by human and drug traffickers. In the waiver, DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen writes that there is "an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads'' along the border. Nielsen waived regulations under the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and about two dozen other laws. The waiver "continues to chip away at crucial protections for people and wildlife in the Rio Grande Valley,'' said Laiken Jordahl of the Center for Biological Diversity. "They deserve clean air, clean water and the same legal rights as everyone else in the country.'' A former CBP official said in March that the agency wanted to start installing the gates in October. CBP declined Tuesday to confirm that is still the agency's plan. U.S. President Donald Trump says he hasn't read an ominous report by a U.N. panel that warned of a dire future for the planet if global warming is not kept to a minimum. But he said he will. "It was given to me and I want to look who drew it, you know which groups drew it, because I can give you reports that are fabulous and I can give you reports that aren't so good," he said Tuesday at the White House. "But I will be reading it, absolutely." The comments were his first regarding the report released Monday by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report lists how Earth's weather, health and ecosystems would be better off if world leaders could figure out how to limit future human-caused warming to 0.5 degree Celsius (0.9 degree Fahrenheit) between 2030 and 2052, instead of the globally agreed upon goal of 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). In June 2017, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, which sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. His administration has also dismantled emissions reduction policies domestically. According to the U.N. report, some of the benefits of limiting global warming to the lower goal would include: * Half as many people would suffer from lack of water. * There would be fewer deaths and illnesses from heat, smog and infectious diseases. * The West Antarctic ice sheet might not kick into irreversible melting. * It could be enough to save most of the world's coral reefs from dying. The panel met in South Korea recently to finalize the report. The world's governments asked for the report in 2015, when a global pact to tackle climate change was agreed upon. German biologist Hans-Otto Portner, one of the panel members, said some of the panelists were engaged in "wishful thinking" if they thought the gloomy report would encourage governments and people to act quickly and forcefully to counteract the report's predictions. Portner warned, however, "If action is not taken, it will take the planet into an unprecedented climate future." Facebook on Tuesday hosted its first global summit spotlighting a growing Workplace platform launched two years ago as a private social network for businesses. While Facebook would not disclose exact figures, it said Workplace a rival to collaboration services like Slack, Salesforce, and Microsoft has been a hit and that ranks of users have doubled in the past eight to 10 months. The list of companies using Workplace included Walmart, Starbucks, Spotify, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic. "It is growing very fast," Workplace by Facebook vice president Julien Codorniou told AFP. "We started with big companies, because that is where we found traction. It is a very good niche." Workplace is a separate operation from Facebook's main social network and is intended as a platform to connect everyone in a company, from counter or warehouse workers to chief executives, according to Codorniou. Workplace claimed that a differentiator from its competitors is that it connects all employees in businesses no matter their roles, even if their only computing device is a smartphone. "That really resonates with a new generation," Codorniou said of Workplace's "democratic" nature. "Millennials want to know who they work for and understand the culture of the company." He cited cases of top company executives using Workplace to get feedback from workers at all levels, bringing a small company feel to big operations. Workplace is rolled out to everyone in companies, which then pay $3 monthly for each active user. No 'Candy Crush' The software-as-a-service business began as an internal collaboration platform used at Facebook and was launched as its own business in 2016. Workplace is used by 30,000 companies and has its main office in London, according to Codorniou. Interaction with the platform plays off how people use Facebook, and Workplace adopts innovations from the leading social network. But, it is billed as a completely separate product. "This is coming from Facebook Inc., but has nothing to do with Facebook," he said. "You cannot play 'Candy Crush' on Workplace, but people ask. We just take what makes sense." The conference was used to announce new Workplace features including a version of Facebook safety check designed as a way for companies to quickly determine the status and well-being of workers in event of disaster or tragedy. Workplace also introduced the ability to have group voice or video chats with people routinely worked with outside a company. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday he would stick to tough rhetoric in the second round of Brazil's bitterly contested presidential election, after his strong win in first-round voting sent financial markets soaring. Bolsonaro, a former Army captain and veteran lawmaker, nearly won the presidency outright on Sunday, taking 46 percent of votes against leftist Fernando Haddad's 29 percent -- part of a dramatic swing to the right in Latin America's largest nation. As neither candidate won an outright majority, Bolsonaro will face Haddad, the former mayor of Sao Paulo representing the Workers Party (PT), in an Oct. 28 second-round vote. Some Bolsonaro supporters called on him to moderate his message to ensure victory, but the candidate said he would stick to hardline rhetoric on crime and corruption that has resonated with voters. The world's fifth most populous country has been roiled by years of rising crime, recession and graft scandals. "I can't turn into a Little 'Peace and Love' Jair, which would be betraying who I am," Bolsonaro said in a radio interview. "I have to keep being the same person." His words were a thinly veiled swipe at former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who dropped his fiery leftist rhetoric to win the presidency in 2002, dubbing himself the 'Peace and Love' candidate. Lula, who founded the Workers Party and was president until 2010, is serving 12 years in prison for a bribery conviction. Reflecting confidence that he will win the second round, Bolsonaro said he had already begun talks with other lawmakers in Congress to build an eventual governing coalition. That raised expectations of swift, market-friendly reforms. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa stock index jumped 4 percent, led by double-digit gains by state-led oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA and state power companies, which Bolsonaro advisers have said they will privatize. Markets have cheered Bolsonaro's advance toward the presidency since his recent conversion to free-market ideas under the tutelage of University of Chicago-trained economist Paulo Guedes. Signs that Bolsonaro could win enough support in Congress to push through his agenda added to enthusiasm. "Part of the market's excitement comes from the renovation in Congress. Regardless of party, that renovation provides hope," said Pablo Syper, head of trading at Mirae Asset Global Investimentos. Bolsonaro's popularity surged as exasperated Brazilians decided he represents the best chance to turn back a wave of violent crime and dismantle what prosecutors call the world's largest political graft scheme. But his track record of fiery anti-democratic rhetoric, calls for police to kill as many criminals as possible and opposition to legalizing abortion and gay marriage have put others on edge. 'Not Him' Former Ceara Governor Ciro Gomes, who split with the PT and garnered 12 percent of first-round votes with his center-left presidential campaign, stopped short of endorsing Haddad for the second round but said he would "fight to defend democracy." Asked whom he would endorse, Gomes referred to the slogan of anti-Bolsonaro protesters in recent weeks: "Not him, certainly." With the field reduced to two candidates, some analysts see Haddad as the natural inheritor of many of the centrist votes that will be up for grabs. But the scale of Bolsonaro's first-round success means that Haddad will have little room for maneuver. Political analysts said that to have a chance of winning the runoff, Haddad would need to move hard to the center, distance himself from his political mentor and denounce the corruption that flourished during his party's 2003-2016 run in government. At a news conference on Monday, Haddad cast the second round as pitting Bolsonaro's "neoliberalism" against the social programs that the PT has promoted. He did not offer concrete policy concessions for potential allies. Alliances in Congress Brazil's next Congress was also elected on Sunday, and in a seismic shift, Bolsonaro's Social Liberal Party (PSL) was set to become the second-largest force in the legislature. The party would still need alliances to push Bolsonaro's socially conservative policies and free-market reforms through Congress, which was even more deeply fragmented after Sunday's election. Thirty parties won seats in the lower house, up from 25 represented there before the vote. The acting president of the PSL, Luciano Bivar, told Reuters he expected to attract lawmakers converting from other parties, expanding the PSL's ranks to overtake the PT as the largest party in the lower house. "We're going to have a huge caucus, perfectly governable, to pass the bills that the society is demanding -- to conclude the reforms that are underway," Bivar said, referring to stalled efforts to trim public pensions and close a budget deficit. Congressman Onyx Lorenzoni, the main political advisor to Bolsonaro, said his team was targeting individual lawmakers in parties opposed to the PT - including those in parties whose leaders do not yet support the right-winger. "We'll speak with anybody who wishes to talk with us now, which is interesting because many of them did not want to have a dialogue with us before the first-round vote," Lorenzoni said. It was during her first year of high school in rural western Kenya that Mary Kuket says she was "sacrificed to tradition" and her dreams of becoming a doctor shattered forever. With no explanation, the 15-year-old was given away to another family, who forced her to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM), then married her off to their middle-aged son. "I kept asking my parents why I was being taken and begged them not to send me away, but my father pushed me away, saying that soon I would understand," Kuket, now 46, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Baringo county. "They never told me I was going to be cut. They never told me I was going to be married to a 45-year-old man. They never told me that I would not go back to school." From the fear of being ostracized or killed to the prestige associated with entering womanhood, girls in Kenya are under a barrage of societal pressures to undergo FGM, often with a devastating impact on their education, say campaigners. A study by the charity ActionAid Kenya published Monday said despite the fact that FGM is illegal in the east African nation, deep-rooted myths supporting the ancient ritual persist. Violence 'normalized' The survey, based on interviews with almost 400 girls and women in eight Kenyan counties, found that FGM affected not only their health but also their schooling. "Despite efforts to curb FGM, this type of violence against women and girls is so normalized in some communities. Girls are socialized into believing they must undergo the procedure," said Agnes Kola, women's rights coordinator for ActionAid Kenya. "But it is stifling their ability to participate in society, as once they undergo FGM, their schooling is impacted and many never complete their education and progress in life." Girls missed school to recover after the procedure and suffered medical complications and trauma that affected their class attendance and performance, the report said. Seen as a rite of passage in many communities, FGM also acted as a trigger for girls as young as 11 to become sexually active and married off as they were perceived as women often ending with child pregnancy. As a result, fewer girls than boys in Kenya's FGM-prevalent counties were finishing their primary education, and even fewer were transitioning to high school, the study said. While national figures show secondary enrollment of boys and girls in year one to be almost equal, in some FGM-prevalent counties, enrollment of girls in the same group is less than half that of boys, according to government data. 'Ticket for marriage' An estimated 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, which usually involves the partial or total removal of the genitalia, the United Nations says. Despite being internationally condemned, it is practiced in at least 27 African countries and parts of Asia and the Middle East, and is usually carried out by traditional cutters, often with unsterilized blades or knives. In some cases, girls can bleed to death or die from infections. FGM can also cause lifelong painful conditions such as fistula as well as fatal childbirth complications. Kenya outlawed the practice in 2011, but it continues as communities believe it is necessary for social acceptance and increasing their daughters' marriage prospects. One in five females aged 15 to 49 in Kenya has undergone FGM, according to U.N. data. The study in eight counties found fear of being rejected for marriage, ostracized by the community or even killed was pushing girls to undergo FGM. In the eastern county of Garissa, Muslim communities were cited as saying anyone who was not circumcised was not permitted to worship and could easily be killed. "Religiously, we are told that circumcision makes girls to be clean before God, and it is only after undergoing this practice that the girls can be allowed to read the Quran or to worship," said a woman from Garissa, cited in the report. Elsewhere, girls and women said they were expected to undergo FGM to comply with cultural expectations of marriage. "FGM is considered as the community-given ticket for marriage, thus it results in automatic suitors or bidders, which is absolutely the parent's choice," said the report. "Young men will ensure their wives get circumcised at the time of marriage." Progress hindered Soon after being cut, the girls, who are drawn from communities in which up to 98 percent of women and girls have undergone FGM, said they struggled to continue with school. They were absent for weeks to heal and also suffered infections and trauma, according to the report. The practice also provides social sanction for girls to be married off or have sex, often resulting in pregnancy. Tony Mwebia of the Men End FGM campaign said visits to primary schools show that even as early as age 10, there are far fewer girls than boys. "Sometimes it's just one or two girls compared to a whole lot of boys," he said. Campaigners said government and civil society had neglected remote, insecure regions where FGM was most prevalent. They called for specific budgets to be allocated to these areas, using positive messaging to engage with communities, and for better coordination between charities. For Kuket, however, all is not lost. After 20 years of marriage and seven children, she went back to school, finished her secondary education and has enrolled to work toward a degree in community development. She is also a prominent human rights activist in her community in western Tangulbei, where she rescues girls who are being forced to undergo FGM and pushed into child marriage. "I don't want any other girl to go through what I did," she said. "FGM is a barrier to a girl's progress in life it ruins their lives." Greece's Orthodox Church will resist a push by its Russian co-religionists for talks to stop Ukraine's Church breaking away from Moscow's orbit, Greek church officials said on Tuesday, deepening a rift within the global Orthodox Christian community. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church wants to become fully self-governing, or autocephalous, and has sought the support of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of the world's roughly 250 million Orthodox Christians. Seeking to prevent Ukraine's separation, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has written to all the self-governing Orthodox Churches calling for talks about the situation in Ukraine. "The Greek Church examined the letter and will respond shortly," an official of the Greek Church told Reuters, requesting anonymity. Asked what the response would contain, the source said: "It will not be in favor of convening the Orthodox Churches to discuss the issue. It will also underline the need for unity among Orthodox churches. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church also turned down the Russian call last week. The row over Ukraine is threatening a major rupture in Orthodoxy, which wields significant influence in certain countries where it is the dominant religion. The Russian Church last month declared it would no longer take part in structures chaired by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which is expected to decide soon on whether it backs the independence call of the Kyiv Church. "The estimate is that the Ecumenical Patriarchate will examine the issue of autocephaly of Ukraine's church in the coming months, maybe by the end of October," the Greek official said. "After that the Greek Church will decide its stance on the issue". The Ecumenical Patriarch, currently Bartholomew, does not wield the power enjoyed by the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church but is traditionally regarded as the 'first among equals' among the patriarchs of the self-governing Orthodox churches. The Ecumenical Patriarch resides in the Turkish city of Istanbul, the former Constantinople, which has remained the historic seat of Orthodoxy despite its fall to the Muslim Turks in 1453. The Indonesian government says foreign aid workers who traveled to the island of Sulawesi after a devastating earthquake and tsunami last month must leave the country. Foreign aid agencies went to the quake zone after the earthquake on September 28 triggered a tsunami, causing massive destruction. The official death toll is nearing 2,000, with about 5,000 more people missing and presumed dead; 70,000 people have been displaced. Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency (BNBP) issued new regulations for international nongovernmental organizations, saying, "Foreign NGOs who have deployed foreign personnel are advised to retrieve their personnel immediately." The announcement comes days before search efforts are scheduled to end. The Reuters news agency reports the search will be called off from Thursday, with officials citing concern about the spread of disease. Authorities also instructed foreign NGOs to provide aid through the Indonesian Red Cross, although multiple groups said they had trouble obtaining permits to bring in staff and equipment. Aid workers also said the rules governing what help they could provide were confusing. Indonesia has been reluctant to rely on outside help with disaster assistance in the past. The country refused aid when the island of Lombok was hit by earthquakes earlier this year. The government, however, did make an exception following last month's 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on Sulawesi. Observers have said the government may not want to appear incapable and that the decision may have been influenced by elections set for next year. A Serb nationalist who opposes Bosnia as a state won a share of its tripartite presidency, election results showed on Monday, as Serb, Croat and Muslim ethnic parties dominated their regions in voting likely to slow the country's march toward EU integration. The largest parties from Bosnia's Serb, Muslim and Croat communities, which have been in power most of the time since its 1992-95 war ended, mostly entrenched their domination of all layers of Bosnia's complex government. Since the war, which killed 100,000 people, Bosnia has been divided between a Serb Republic and a federation of Croat and Muslim cantons, with a presidency formed of one member from each of the three main groups. The solid grip of ethnic parties has frustrated efforts to reform the economy and win Bosnia admission to Western organizations such as the European Union and NATO. "Yesterday's election, much like previous elections in Bosnia, will serve to perpetuate the political deadlock and make the country's EU and NATO accession difficult," said Marko Attila Hoare, political analyst and Balkan historian. The SNSD party of pro-Russian Serb nationalist Milorad Dodik was on course to be the strongest single party in Bosnia, and, along with coalition partners, set to dominate both the Serb caucus in the national parliament and the parliament of the autonomous Serb Republic. Dodik, who campaigned on the secession of the Serb Republic and integration with Serbia, also won the Serb seat in the tripartite presidency of a country he has repeatedly denounced as an "impossible state." His ally Zeljka Cvijanovic was elected to take over Dodik's former job as president of the Serb region. The largest Muslim Bosniak party SDA secured the most votes in Bosnia's autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation and its Bosniak Muslim-dominated cantons. Its candidate Sefik Dzaferovic won the Bosniak seat in the inter-ethnic presidency. A coalition led by the largest Croat party HDZ won the most votes of Croats in the Federation parliament and in the majority Croat cantons. However, its leader Dragan Covic lost the seat in the presidency to Zeljko Komsic, seen as a more moderate figure, who Covic said won the vote thanks to votes of Bosniaks. "It is not good that one people choose a representative of the other people," Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in Zagreb. Hoare said the election meant "things will get worse before they get better, as the Republika Srpska, where Dodik has won another victory, may eventually make a bid for independence possibly with Russian backing." Institutional crisis looming? More than two decades after the war, the leading Serb, Croat and Muslim Bosniak parties campaigned on nationalist tickets, reviving wartime pledges while failing to offer clearly defined economic or political visions. International election monitors said the vote was generally orderly despite some reported violations. But Mavroudis Voridis, the special coordinator of an observer mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said formation of institutions was uncertain due to a failure of the Bosniak and Croat parties to agree on changes to the election law before the vote. "We expect all political leaders to engage in the formation of the governments at all levels, by working constructively together," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said in a joint statement. Dodik said on Monday his party would clinch a partnership with the HDZ in the Council of Ministers, which is the de facto national government, and in the national parliament. "Bosnia is heading towards the institutional crisis when it comes to the presidency," said Alida Vracic, the executive director of the Populari think tank, referring to the possible disagreement between Dodik and moderate Komsic. But deals will be easier to make at other government levels where the three nationalist parties have ruled together over the years, Vracic added. Advocates of taxing fossil fuels believe their position is stronger now because of an alarming new report on climate change and a Nobel Prize awarded to by two American economists, but neither development is likely to break down political resistance to a carbon tax. Previous alarms about global warming met with resistance from Congress and the White House. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement on climate change last year. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a panel of scientists brought together by the United Nations, warned in a report Monday that droughts, wildfires, coral reef destruction and other climate and environmental disasters could grow worse as soon as 2040, even with a smaller increase in temperatures than used to set the Paris targets. A few hours later, the Nobel Prize in economics went to two Americans, including William Nordhaus of Yale University, who argues that carbon taxes would be the best way to address problems created by greenhouse-gas emissions. A carbon tax is a charge imposed on the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, which produce carbon dioxide. The tax is designed to make users of those fuels pay for the environmental damage they cause. The ultimate goal of some tax backers is to price fossil fuels out of the market and replace them with sources of energy that produce little or no heat-trapping emissions. Coal and oil and gas companies could pass the tax cost along to consumers, which would presumably give a price advantage to energy that is not taxed. That, advocates say, would help renewables such as solar and wind grow more quickly from their current single-digit share of the U.S. electricity market. There is, of course, stark disagreement over the economic effect of a carbon tax. Researchers at Columbia University estimate that a tax of $50 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions would increase average U.S. consumer electricity bills 22 percent by 2030, with amounts varying by region. A Tufts University authority estimates that it would add 45 cents a gallon to the price of gasoline. Both think the impact can be mitigated by distributing the money raised through taxes to households, and that many low- and medium-income families would come out ahead. Opponents argue that a carbon tax would kill manufacturing jobs and hurt family income. A 2014 report by the Heritage Foundation said that a tax of $37 a ton would cut economic output more than $2.5 trillion, or $21,000 per family, by 2030. This year, two dozen conservative groups endorsed an estimate that a carbon tax would cost more than 500,000 manufacturing jobs by 2030. Noah Kaufman, an energy-policy researcher at Columbia and a proponent of carbon taxes, said the terrifying prognosis in Monday's report should highlight the central role of a carbon tax in addressing climate change. But, he acknowledged, such warnings are not new, and political opposition to a tax remains strong. "There are really high political barriers that continue to stand in our way,'' he said. "By far the biggest obstacle in the United States right now is the leadership of the Republican party, which is dead-set against any strong climate-change policy.'' In July, the GOP-controlled House voted for a resolution rejecting carbon taxes as detrimental to the U.S. economy. Almost all Republicans, joined by a few Democrats, voted for the symbolic measure. Prominent opponents of the carbon tax also believe that urgency over addressing climate change is exaggerated. They point out that U.S. carbon emissions have fallen in recent years as abundant natural gas has risen to rival coal in electric generation. Meanwhile, China's emissions grow rapidly, making it the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The scientists who prepared the UN-backed report "are trying to convince us all that there is an imminent crisis when in fact there is a potential long-term problem,'' said Myron Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, who worked on the Trump transition. Carbon taxes, he added, "are political poison once people figure out how much their energy bills are going to go up.'' There are signs that the political ground could shift. A group of former Republican officials and big corporations plan to lobby for a tax of $40 per ton of carbon dioxide produced and to give the money to U.S. taxpayers. Oil giants Exxon Mobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell support the plan, which also would protect them from lawsuits blaming them for climate change. A Republican congressman, Carlos Curbelo of Florida, bucked party leadership this summer by proposing a carbon tax. Voters in Washington state will decide next month whether to adopt a carbon fee. "I am optimistic that the (U.N.-backed) report will make a difference, but I just think we're going to have to get a little distance from where we are right now in the politics,'' said Gilbert Metcalf, an economist at Tufts University and author of an upcoming book advocating a carbon tax. "It's going to take a longer time, a few years.'' Nordhaus, the freshly minted Nobel winner, was also looking beyond the current political leadership in Washington, D.C. He said that outside the United States there is wide acceptance of the science and economics of climate change. "This administration won't last forever,'' Nordhaus said at a news conference. "All I can do is hope that we will get through this without too much damage.'' Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform, another group that lobbied against carbon taxes, said Nordhaus ignored science and history in advocating a carbon tax. "He should look at the history of the last 20 years and see that the United States has been reducing carbon emissions without a carbon tax,'' Norquist said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is formally inviting Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang. Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for South Korean President Moon Jae-in told reporters Tuesday that President Moon will deliver the North Korean leader's invitation when he visits the pontiff on October 17. During their summit in Pyongyang last month, Kim Jong Un told President Moon of his wish for Pope Francis to visit the North. Moon's audience with Pope Francis will occur during a nine-day tour of Europe which includes stops in Denmark, France and Italy. Kim Jong Un's invitation to the bishop of Rome is the latest in a series of overtures he has undertaken this year to bring his impoverished nation out of diplomatic isolation, including three summits with President Moon and his historic meeting in June with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore. Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, invited then-Pope John Paul II to North Korea in 2000, but the meeting never took place. North Korea's constitution allows for freedom of religion, but worship is tightly restricted to state-sanctioned institutions. Nigeria, Singapore and India are among countries fueling the gap between the super-rich and poor, aid agency Oxfam said Tuesday as it launched an index spotlighting those nations doing the least to bridge the divide. South Korea, Georgia and Indonesia were among countries praised for trying to reduce inequality, through policies on social spending, tax and labor rights. Oxfam said inequality had reached crisis levels, with the richest 1 percent of the global population nabbing four-fifths of wealth created between mid-2016 and mid-2017, while the poorest half saw no increase in wealth. The index of 157 countries is being released as finance ministers and central bank chiefs gather in Bali for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings. Nigeria, where 10 percent of children die before their fifth birthday, came in last due to "shamefully low" social spending, poor tax collection and rising labor rights violations, Oxfam said. It said tackling inequality did not depend on a country's wealth, but on political will. Singapore, one of the world's richest countries, came in the bottom 10, partly because of practices which facilitate tax dodging, Oxfam said. The city state, which has no universal minimum wage, also did poorly on labor rights. South Korea, 56 on the list, was praised for bumping its minimum wage up by 16.4 percent last year, and Georgia (49) for boosting education spending by nearly 6 percent more than any other country. Denmark's track record on progressive taxation, social spending and worker protections earned it the top spot, but Oxfam warned that recent administrations had eroded good policies and inequality had risen. China (81) ranked way ahead of India (147), devoting more than twice as much of its budget to health and almost four times as much to welfare spending, the agency said. Oxfam warned that world leaders risked failing on their pledge to reduce inequality by 2030 and urged them to develop plans to close the gap which should be funded by progressive taxation and clamping down on tax dodging. "We see children dying from preventable diseases because of a lack of health-care funding while rich corporations and individuals dodge billions of dollars in tax," Oxfam boss Winnie Byanyima said. "Governments often tell us they are committed to fighting poverty and inequality this index shows whether their actions live up to their promises." The index, which included an indicator on violence against women, said less than half of countries had adequate laws on sexual harassment and rape. The unmasking of a second Russian intelligence officer suspected of carrying out a nerve-agent attack in England earlier this year is prompting behind-the-scenes fury in the Kremlin, which is likely to respond by purging the senior ranks of Russias military intelligence service, the GRU, Russian media is reporting. On Monday, the investigative website Bellingcat identified the second suspect responsible for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia as Alexander Mishkin, a medical doctor working for Russias GRU. WATCH: British investigator The website said it had been able to make the identification after obtaining a scanned copy of his actual passport and confirming the details about the man both with people who knew him and by using other open source information. Last month, Bellingcat, along with its partner investigators at the news-site Insider, identified the other suspected poisoner as special-forces veteran Anatoliy Chepiga, a colonel in the GRU. Chepiga used the alias Ruslan Boshirov and Mishkin used the alias Alexander Petrov. Former British foreign secretary William Hague says the revelations by Bellingcat and others on the GRU assassination attempt have illuminated the duplicity of the endless denials by the Kremlin of any Russian involvement in the murder bid. The eyes of other governments and the wider public will have been opened to what is really going on, Hague said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin officials have dismissed allegations about GRU operatives mounting the murder attempt on Skripal, and they also reject claims of the Russian intelligence services carrying out other so-called active measures in Europe and elsewhere as fantasies. The Kremlin has maintained variously that the Skripal poisoning never happened, that it was carried out by the British spies in order to blame Russia or that murky third parties were responsible. Skripal was a double agent for British intelligence in the 1990s. In December 2004 he was arrested by Russian authorities, tried, convicted of high treason and sentenced to 13 years in prison. He was included in a Cold War-style 2010 spy swap and settled in the English cathedral town of Salisbury. Moscows denials have not been helped by the trail left behind by the would-be GRU assassins. Nor has the Kremlin been helped by other GRU agents in recent Russian espionage operations in Europe, who appeared also weak on the basics of traditional spycraft. Last week, Dutch and British authorities revealed a four-man GRU team attempted earlier this year to hack the computers in the Netherlands of the world's chemical weapons watchdog. The poison used, according to British authorities, was novichok, an especially dangerous nerve agent, and, analysts say, it was almost certainly Mishkins role to apply the poison, which is thought to have been smeared on the handle of Skripals front-door. Dr. Mishkin probably knew, better than most assassins, exactly what he was trying to do, commented Ben Macintyre, a spy historian, in Tuesdays edition of The Times. British lawmaker Bob Seely, a member of the British parliaments foreign affairs committee, said, It is appalling that a medical doctor appears to have been part of a team of GRU operatives. A local woman not connected to the original attack in Salisbury died in July after being exposed to the same toxin, which was contained in a perfume bottle discarded in a trash bin. The British woman, Dawn Sturgess, died after unwittingly spraying the novichok on her wrists. According to Bellingcat, Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin was born in 1979. He studied and graduated from one of Russias elite Military Medical Academies, and was trained as a military doctor for the Russian naval armed forces, Bellingcat says, adding that the GRU recruited him while he was studying medicine and by 2010 had relocated to Moscow, where he received a national ID and travel passport under the alias Alexander Petrov. Curiously, Mishkins cover identity retained a lot of his authentic biography, including his real birth-date, his first and patronymic names, and the first names of his parents. For several years he used, inexplicably say analysts, the address of the GRU headquarters as his home address. British Security Minister Ben Wallace warned Tuesday against underestimating Russian espionage. While recent failings by the GRU had made it easy to mock the spy agency, he said, it would be foolish not to take them seriously. It is easy to laugh at some of the GRU's poor tradecraft and their abilities, but we should not underestimate them nor indeed the dangerous and reckless use of nerve agent on our streets, he said. No one knows exactly why some babies are born prematurely, but some of the smallest premature babies weigh under 1,500 grams. These tiny babies -- called micro preemies -- can't afford to lose an ounce. At Children's National Medical Center in Washington, a team of specialists has come up with a plan to give these babies the best chance to live and thrive. When Vanessa Ohakam gave birth to her son, she was only 24 weeks pregnant. Vanessa was terrified. Her newborn J.C. weighed just a little more than 736 grams or about one and a half pounds. "I couldn't even change a diaper I was so nervous and anxious. He just looked so frail. But the nurses were very supportive and encouraging." Ohakam and J.C. were lucky. J.C. was in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's National Medical Center in Washington during the course of a nutritional study. A team of specialists at the hospital's NICU, the neo-natal intensive care unit, wanted to see if they could help J.C. and other very small pre-term babies boost their weight and improve their chances to thrive. Michelande Ridore is a health care administrator who leads the team. "Preemies, in particular, have high incidents of malnutrition as well as poor development," Ridore said. As Ridore explained, these micro preemies have so little body fat, they can't afford to waste energy. Some are in blanketed incubators to encourage sleep so they don't move around and burn calories. The team focused on what -- and when -- the babies ate. Caitlin Forsythe is the lead nurse on the study. "We noticed that a lot of our practitioners (doctors) and the way that they were providing feedings for very low birth weight babies, those are babies weighing 1500 grams or less, that they were being fed different ways," Forsythe said. The team wanted to standardize the nutrients in what the babies are fed because medical literature shows it helps babies thrive. Wherever possible, Forsythe said the team emphasized mother's milk. "That's what's best for the premature babies. They tolerate it better, and it has great antibodies," Forsythe explained. Judy Campbell, a lactation consultant, says because of the team's success, calls from mothers with preemies has nearly quadrupled. "We know that mother's milk has growth factors in it that can't be replaced with any other substance," Campbell said. The team standardized nutrition practices to include fortified donor breast milk for babies whose mothers couldn't provide their own, fortified mother's milk and formula, depending on each baby's needs. Forsythe said she is pleased with the results so far. "We have been able to put protocols in place so that there's a standardization of care. We've also increased the amount of mother's own milk we've been providing for the babies which is great," Forsythe continued. Ridore said there's a marked improvement in the babies ability to thrive, We were able to improve their weight by 30 percent." The team isn't quite done. They want to tweak the existing nutrition practices to see if they can improve their results. Once they are finished, they will publish the results so other micro-preemies can benefit, too. Two trucks brought fuel across Israel's border into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in a Qatari- and U.N.-backed effort to ease conditions in the enclave and stem any escalation in Palestinian-Israeli violence. The shipment was a potential slap to the Western-backed administration of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which opposed the foreign relief plan. Gaza is controlled by Abbas' rival, the Islamist Hamas group, and the Palestinian president has been using economic pressure in order to wrest back control. Under a blockade by Israel and Egypt designed to isolate Hamas, Gaza has plunged into poverty. Over the last half year, it has seen weekly, often violent Palestinian border protests and lethal counter-fire by the Israeli military. "The Secretary-General expresses his deep appreciation to the Government of Qatar for its $60 million contribution, which made this delivery possible and will allow its continuation for the coming months," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York. Each of the two trucks entering Gaza carried some 35,000 liters of fuel and seven more trucks are expected Wednesday, Dujarric said. Qatar's donation is intended to provide fuel to Gaza's power plant for six months, local sources said. The cash-starved plant has been providing Gazans with only around four hours of electricity daily. The United States' Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, tweeted: "The U.S. appreciates the efforts of the U.N., Egypt, Qatar and Israel to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts to achieve the goal of an enduring ceasefire." 'Palestinian unity' A spokesman for the Abbas-appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, voiced disapproval of the fuel delivery. "Any international financial aid to the Gaza Strip should be through, or with the coordination of, the Palestinian government," he said, in order "to preserve Palestinian unity" and to stop any plans to separate Gaza from the West Bank. A Qatari official, speaking to Reuters on Sunday, said Doha planned to help with Gaza's power crisis "at the request of donor states in the United Nations, to prevent an escalation of the existing humanitarian disaster." Israel's energy minister, Yuval Steinitz, told Reuters on Monday that Qatar "was trying to help" prevent a Gaza flare-up. Steinitz accused Abbas, who has restricted funding for Gaza, of "seeking to make gains on two counts: by encouraging a conflict in which Israel will clobber Hamas and over which he will then be able to clobber Israel on the world stage." Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008. Months of Egyptian-mediated reconciliation talks between Hamas and Abbas have been held up by power-sharing disputes. "Abbas believes that if he keeps the Gaza closure tight, it will make Hamas accept his reconciliation plan, which would give the Abbas government full control or the people in Gaza will launch a revolution against Hamas," said Palestinian political analyst Hani al-Masri. "This is making it easy for others to bypass the Palestinian Authority. ... They are trying to give them [Gazans] a sedative, sometimes through Egypt, and this time through Israel." Palestinians launched the border protests on March 30 to demand an easing of the Gaza blockade and the right of return to lands that Palestinian families fled or were driven from on Israel's founding in 1948. Israeli forces have killed at least 195 Palestinians since. Israel has lost a soldier to a Gaza sniper and tracts of forest and farmland to fires set in cross-border incendiary attacks. A top official in Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign requested proposals from an Israeli company to help defeat Republican primary opponents and Trump's challenger, Hillary Clinton, with online manipulation, The New York Times reported Monday. The Times said there was no evidence that the Trump campaign followed through on the proposals to use social media manipulation and intelligence gathering. Citing interviews and copies of the proposals, the Times said the effort by Rick Gates seemed unrelated to an effort Russia was then escalating to interfere in the US election. U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating those Russian efforts, as well as possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Moscow. Trump has repeatedly denied there was any collusion. Gates is Trump's former deputy campaign chief, and among more than 30 individuals including other ex-administration officials indicted by Mueller. The Times reported that Gates sought a proposal to use bogus personas to target and sway delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention by attacking Senator Ted Cruz, Trump's main opponent at the time. Another proposal described opposition research and "complementary intelligence activities" about Clinton, according to the report. A third proposal by the company Psy-Group, staffed by former Israeli intelligence operatives, outlined a plan to help Trump using social media to reinforce divisions among rivals, the report said. Mueller's team has obtained copies of the proposals and questioned Psy-Group, the Times said, adding it was unclear whether the proposals would have violated laws governing foreign involvement in US elections. In February, Gates pledged to cooperate with Mueller as he pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States by failing to report offshore banking accounts, as well as to one count of lying over his work as a foreign agent for Ukraine. That same month, Mueller indicted 13 Russians and three companies in connection with a wide-ranging, multimillion-dollar enterprise to interfere with and "sow discord" in the American political system using social media. Twelve Russian intelligence officers were then indicted in July over large-scale cyber operations to interfere in the election by hacking Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and the Democratic Party. A week before a crucial election, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik traveled to Russia for a Formula One race not because hes a big fan but for yet another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Footage from the race in Sochi showed Putin wishing Dodik great success in the Bosnian election and the Serb presenting Putin with a Republika Srpska pin, the Serb-controlled autonomous region in Bosnia. The video was a blatant display of Russia influence in one of Europes most sensitive regions the fragile Balkans where the West has sought to encourage reconciliation and reform after a brutal ethnic war in the 1990s. The brief photo opportunity with Putin helped Dodik win the race to fill the Serb seat in Bosnias three-member presidency on Sunday, deepening the ethnic divisions that have held Bosnia back since its devastating 1992-1995 war. Dodik openly advocates having Serbs separate from the rest of Bosnia and has been sanctioned by the U.S. for his policies. But he has proven to be a key ally in Moscows efforts to undermine the Western policies of Balkan integration. While Russian influence is the most obvious in the Balkans, an upsurge of populism in Central Europe has also played into Moscows hands, providing sympathetic political parties and politicians across the continent, including in European Union nations like Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. Pro-Russia forces also did well in another corner of Europe. In Latvia, an opposition party favored by the countrys large ethnic Russian minority got the most votes Saturday in the Baltic nations parliamentary election, although the party is expected to run into difficulties in trying to form a coalition government. Latvias Russian minority is a major domestic political force, accounting for about 25 percent of its nearly 2 million people, a legacy of nearly 50 years of Soviet occupation that ended in 1991. Dodiks victory in Bosnia further strengthened Moscows foothold in the Western Balkans, since he can how block any strategic decision if Putin says so. Russia staunchly opposes any more Balkan countries joining NATO. Western officials have expressed fear that Russia has used its historic Slavic and Orthodox Christian ties in the region to undermine Western policies of integration. Sarajevo-based political analyst Adan Huskic said Moscows influence was also growing in the parts of Europe that dont have those identity links. What these countries have in common are high levels of nepotism, corruption so bonding more closely with Western democracies is by nature, very difficult for them, he said. Russias strategic aim is not to assert authority over the Balkans but to harness and magnify existing tensions, the European Council on Foreign Relations said in a report. In Russian eyes, the EUs approach toward the Western Balkans is neither serious nor systematic, and so offers Moscow opportunities to create leverage, the report added. Russian allies in the Balkans have been actively sowing mistrust in Western democracies, presenting Washington and Brussels as enemies who want to strip nations of their identity and national pride by pushing for EU integration. Dodik is a perfect example. For him, the West and NATO are enemies while Russia is a friend full of respect for the Slavic brethren. Absorbed in own problems the euro debt crisis, immigration or Britains impending Brexit departure the EU for years has neglected the Balkans. Alarmed, some EU officials now fear that Balkans could plunge into renewed conflict unless it's quickly embraced by the 28-nation bloc. If such a complex European region gets an impression that we are not serious with the European perspective, we will experience, sooner rather than later, what we saw in the Balkans during the 1990s, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker recently said. Those fears are not groundless. Tensions between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, have been on the rise despite efforts by the EU to hammer out a lasting solution between the two former war foes. Belgrade raised the combat readiness of its troops two weeks ago over Kosovo special police presence in its Serb-populated north. In Macedonia, U.S. and EU hopes for swift passage of a deal between Macedonia and Greece to change Macedonias name to North Macedonia so it can join NATO suffered a blow when a Sept. 30 referendum on the name saw low turnout. The vote result raised fears of instability in the country that was on the brink of a civil war in 2001. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis saw Russian influence behind some Macedonia and Greek protests against the move. We do not want to see Russia doing (in Macedonia) what they have tried to do in so many other countries, he said last month. Russia has denied meddling in any Balkan or Baltic country. But Russia's soft-power strategy has found fertile ground among Serbs, due to NATOs bombings in 1999 that halted a bloody Serb crackdown on Kosovo and forced Serbs to pull out. In return for Russias support for Serbias claim over Kosovo, Serbia has been a faithful ally even though it formally pursues EU integration and uses millions in Western recovery funds. Two Russian military intelligence operatives operated from Serbia in 2016 when they tried to organize a coup in neighboring Montenegro to stop the former Russian ally from joining NATO. We saw that referendum has not succeeded in Macedonia, said Serbian analyst Bosko Jaksic. We can see it now in Bosnia, where the Republika of Srpska became the bastion of the Russian interest. We saw it before in Montenegro, and we are seeing it in Serbia. This is helping Russians to invest the minimum and get nearly the maximum of their political influence. A suicide blast in southern Afghanistan has killed a parliamentary candidate along with nine supporters, a day after the Taliban insurgent group announced it would disrupt the upcoming national elections with violent attacks. An official said the bomber targeted a campaign office in Lashkargah, capital of the southern Helmand province. Provincial police spokesman Abdul Salam Afghan told VOA that the blast wounded at least 15 people. He identified the slain candidate as Saleh Mohammad Achakzai, who was contesting a seat in the lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga. Witnesses expect the number of casualties to rise because the campaign office was crowed at the time of the attack. Monday, the Taliban said it ordered insurgent fighters to halt the election process by staging attacks on officials and Afghan security forces protecting voters, as well as thousands of polling stations around Afghanistan. The Islamist insurgency denounced the democratic process as an American ploy to bring its "stooges" to the parliament to prolong the "foreign occupation" of the country. The Taliban urged Afghan voters and candidates to boycott the elections. Election officials say more than 2,500 candidates, including over 400 women, are competing for the 249 seats in the Wolesi Jirga. The elections are taking place after a delay of more than three years due to a lack of reforms and security reasons. Intimidation and attacks against candidates, their agents and supporters during the October campaigning period have already killed more than 20 people and wounded dozens more. Candidates, their security guards and relatives were among the victims. Helmand is the largest Afghan province, in which most of the districts are controlled or hotly contested by the Taliban. The insurgents are also entrenched around Lashkargah. US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, a highly visible face of Donald Trump's administration on the world stage, is the latest top official to exit the president's inner circle. Dozens of White House aides from press secretary Sean Spicer to chief of staff Reince Priebus to counsel Don McGahn have either left or been sacked from their posts since Trump took office on January 20, 2017. Here is a sampling of senior departures: UN Ambassador Nikki Haley Haley was a shining star of the administration from the start. Thrust onto the international stage, she quickly became an astute advocate for Trump's foreign policy, using forceful language against North Korea, Syria and Iran. The former South Carolina governor was also unafraid to speak her mind, often in fairly undiplomatic language, and built a reputation for standing up to Trump when she felt it was warranted. Her aggressive criticism of Russia won plaudits, even as she stepped beyond the position held by the White House. Her Tuesday announcement dramatically boosted speculation about her political future. But she quickly denied any plans to challenge her boss in 2020, instead saying it was "time to stand aside" and that she would remain loyal to Trump. Environment chief Scott Pruitt Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt's tenure was beset by scandal, and Trump pushed him out in July. A former Oklahoma attorney general with ties to fossil fuel industries, Pruitt was accused of using his position to enrich his own family's lifestyle in violation of federal law. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Tillerson was fired by Trump in March, ending a rocky tenure for the former Exxon chief executive as the nation's top diplomat. Tillerson was frequently at odds with the mercurial president and Trump said that while the pair got along well, they "disagreed on things" notably the Iran nuclear deal, from which Trump withdrew in May. During his brief stay at Foggy Bottom, Tillerson frequently found himself out of the loop and caught unawares by policy shifts announced in Trump tweets. Chief Strategist Steve Bannon The architect of Trump's nationalist-populist campaign and his election victory, White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was nicknamed the Prince of Darkness and the Shadow President. His economic nationalism became the lynchpin of Trump policies, even as many of Bannon's other ideas were rebuffed by policy rivals. Bannon's constant clashes with other advisors became untenable, as did his ties to the extreme right, which drew accusations that Trump fostered racists. Bannon left in August 2017. Top Economic Advisor Gary Cohn Gary Cohn, a former president of investment bank Goldman Sachs, resigned as Trump's top economic advisor on March 6, 2018 in protest against the president's decision to levy new global trade tariffs. A long-time Democrat, Cohn had always been an uneasy fit in an administration propelled to power by strident nationalism. National Security Advisors Flynn, McMaster Michael Flynn, a retired lieutenant general, was being investigated for his contacts with Russians and eventually pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. He lasted only 22 days as national security advisor, ousted amid concerns he could be compromised by false statements he made over his contacts with Russian officials. Flynn's replacement HR McMaster, also a lieutenant general, lasted barely a year. He never really clicked with the president, who bristled at McMaster echoing the US intelligence establishment consensus that Russia meddled in the 2016 election. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on Saudi Arabia to support a thorough, transparent investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has not been seen since entering the country's consulate in Istanbul last week. Turkish officials have said Khashoggi was murdered inside the diplomatic outpost, while Saudi Arabia says he safely left the building. WATCH: Turkey wants evidence "We have seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo said in a statement late Monday. "State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter." His comments came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern about the situation. "Right now nobody knows anything about it. I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House. Turkey on Monday sought permission to search the Saudi consulate to look for clues. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said last week that Riyadh was "ready to welcome the Turkish government to go and search our premises," because it had "nothing to hide" about the missing journalist. But it was not immediately clear whether Turkish officials were granted access to the consulate after Monday's request. Saudi officials say the Turkish investigators' claim that Khashoggi was murdered are "baseless." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi officials need to prove that Khashoggi left the building after arriving last Tuesday to get a document for his upcoming marriage. His Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who waited for him outside the consulate, said he never came out of the building. "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying, 'He has left,'" Erdogan said on a visit to Budapest. Khashoggi, who had been critical of the Salman government, has been living for a year in self-imposed exile in the United States after a Riyadh crackdown on dissent in the kingdom. Protesters gathered outside the Saudi consulate Monday demanding to know what had happened to Khashoggi. Banners read, "We will not leave without Jamal Khashoggi." U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he and other lawmakers "agree if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government, it would be devastating to the U.S.-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid - economically and otherwise." A Turkish official told the Reuters news agency, "The initial assessment of the Turkish police is that Mr. Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. We believe that the murder was premeditated and the body was subsequently moved out of the consulate." Reuters' Turkish sources did not say how they thought Khashoggi was killed. Police said earlier that about 15 Saudis arrived in Istanbul on two flights last Tuesday and were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi. The Washington Post editorial board said Sunday that Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United States "bear inescapable responsibility" to act in response to Khashoggi's disappearance. The board said Saudi Arabia has to identify the 15 officials who were at the consulate and exactly what happened inside. Turkey, it said, must back up its conclusion Khashoggi was killed by making public any evidence it has. Amnesty Internationals Middle East research director, Lynn Maalouf, said if the reports of Khashoggi's killing are true, it "would be an abysmal new low" and "amount to an extrajudicial execution. This case sends a shockwave among Saudi Arabian human rights defenders and dissidents everywhere, eroding any notion of seeking safe haven abroad." Turkey's Foreign Ministry says authorities will search Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul in connection with the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A ministry statement said Saudi Arabia indicated it was open to cooperation, but there were no details about when the search would take place. Turkey said the investigation is being conducted "in an intense manner." Turkish police are looking into two private aircraft that landed at the Istanbul airport a week ago that were believed to be carrying 15 Saudis of interest in the case, along with the possibility that Khashoggi might have been kidnapped and taken aboard one of the planes. The Turkish daily newspaper Sabah reported that both planes returned to Riyadh, with one stopping first in Dubai and the other in Egypt. The planes belonged to a Saudi company with links to the government. The newspaper said Turkish employees at the consulate were "hastily" told to take a holiday on the day that Khashoggi was there. Khashoggi has not been seen since entering the consulate last week. Turkish officials have said he was murdered there, while Saudi Arabia says he safely left the building and have called the allegations that he was killed "baseless." But the the Saudis have offered no evidence to show he left the building, nor have Turkish officials offered proof that he was killed. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House he plans to talk to the Saudis about the case, but had no information about Khashoggi's fate. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi officials need to prove that Khashoggi left the building after arriving last Tuesday to get a document for his upcoming marriage. His Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who waited for him outside the consulate, said he never came out of the building. "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible. The consulate officials cannot save themselves by simply saying 'he has left,'" Erdogan said Monday on a visit to Budapest. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said last week Riyadh was "ready to welcome the Turkish government to go and search our premises," because it had "nothing to hide" about the missing journalist. Khashoggi, who had been critical of the Salman government, has been living for a year in self-imposed exile in the United States after a Riyadh crackdown on dissent in the kingdom. Protesters have gathered outside the Saudi consulate demanding to know what had happened to Khashoggi. Banners read, "We will not leave without Jamal Khashoggi." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Saudi Arabia to support a thorough, transparent investigation. "We have seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi," Pompeo said in a statement late Monday. "State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter." His comments came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern about the situation. "Right now, nobody knows anything about it.I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House. U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he and other lawmakers "agree if there was any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government, it would be devastating to the U.S.-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid - economically and otherwise." A Turkish official told the Reuters news agency "the initial assessment of the Turkish police is that Mr. Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. We believe that the murder was premeditated and the body was subsequently moved out of the consulate." Authorities in Cameroon are appealing for calm after hundreds of youths marched through the streets of Yaounde, celebrating what they called the victory of their candidate, Maurice Kamtos, in Sunday's presidential election. No results have been released yet from the election, in which eight candidates challenged longtime President Paul Biya. Hundreds of young people demonstrating in the streets of the capital sing songs urging President Paul Biya to step down. They sing that they believe their candidate, Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement Party, won Sunday's presidential election. The demonstration began after Kamto declared victory in the polls, without giving any election results. The ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement organized a news briefing that was broadcast live on state TV to counter the declaration made by Kamto. Party Central Committee Secretary-General Jean Nkuete said Kamto exploited the naivete of the youths and sent them into the streets in an effort to win power at all costs. Nkuete accused Kamto of breaking the law by announcing that he won the election. "We express our surprise, our indignation and worry in the face of such irresponsible declaration that has no foundation. They are doing this in a bid to cause an uprising of the population to defend an imaginary victory," he said. Kamto is not the only candidate claiming victory. Cabral Libii of the opposition Universe Party announced he is leading the vote count. Opposition candidate Garga Haman of the Alliance for Democracy and Development says two candidates want to create social unrest to oust President Paul Biya, who has led Cameroon for 36 years. "Those two candidates are in a hurry to go to Etoudi [to be president]. Not yet my dear friends, not yet. Let us wait for the decision of the constitutional council. There is no reason to go on to the streets. Do not exploit the mentality of the youths," he said. Cameroon's electoral code states election results are proclaimed by the Constitutional Council 15 days after the polls. It forbids the early publication of results. Government spokesman Issa Tchiroma says sanctions are being prepared for Kamto, Libii and anyone who takes it upon himself to publish results. "There is a threat, a threat at home. It is unwise to describe the measures which are already taken and which will be implemented in case any need be [arises], but I invite you as a citizen and lover of your nation to stand against this horrible statement. Measures will be taken. What are they, well, by the efficiency you will notice that they are already taken," said Tchiroma. Sunday's poll was marred by low turnout, especially in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions where armed separatists fighting for independence had vowed the polls will not take place. Despite the turmoil, Biya, one of Africas longest serving leaders, is expected to win in the face of a deeply divided opposition. The U.N. human rights office is calling on the Venezuelan government to release 59 Colombian nationals held without charge for more than two years under horrific conditions. The detainees were picked up during security sweeps by the Venezuelan police and are being held in prisons that are "monstrous beyond belief," according to human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani. "Overcrowding is rife. The infrastructure is infested with rats and insects. Not all detainees have access to natural light and in many detention centers across the country, detainees have limited access to food and water, including drinking water," she said. In addition, many detainees who suffer from very serious illnesses do not get the medical attention they require. Shamdasani says the 59 detainees have been accused of being Colombian paramilitaries, but no evidence or charges have been brought against them. Last November, she says, a Venezuelan judge ruled they should be unconditionally released, but the order has not been respected. "As far as international human rights law is concerned, their detention could very well amount to arbitrary detention and this case has been referred to the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention," Shamdasani said. The U.N. human rights office is calling on Venezuelan authorities to comply with the judge's ruling and to free the men without delay. The Venezuelan government had no comment on the remarks, but at last month's U.N. General Assembly, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed the United States and international media for manufacturing stories to justify intervention in his country. The ongoing conflict in Yemen cannot be resolved militarily, rather efforts should be made by all parties to the conflict to find a political solution, the U.S. ambassador to Yemen told U.S.-funded Alhurra TV last week. "I do believe that we have a path forward with a strong international consensus to continue to push towards a political solution," U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tueller said. He added the U.S remains committed to finding a political solution to the conflict in the war-torn country. "I believe ultimately that Yemenis themselves know that there must be a political solution, Tueller said. Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak, the Yemeni Ambassador to the U.S, told VOA that while his government supports U.S. and U.N. efforts to find a political solution to the war, military pressure is needed. We believe, up until now, that the only solution to the Yemeni conflict is the political solution.We believe also from our experience with the Houthis that they will not come to the negotiation table unless there is a certain level of military pressure," Bin Mubarak said. UN conference The United Nations has been trying to mediate between the warring sides in Yemen to an effort to resolve the conflict. Last month, it convened a three-day conference in Geneva to discuss an end to the conflict, but the Houthis did not attend. We did not manage to get Ansarullah's delegation, the delegation from Sanaa to come here, U.N. special envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said, expressing disappointment over the Houthi boycott of the meeting. But Griffiths showed optimism and said his team will continue to engage all sides. We were engaged throughout these days in discussions and negotiations and arrangements and options and alternatives to get them [Houthis] here," he said. Meanwhile, Ambassador Tueller said Iran played a role in preventing the Houthis from attending the Geneva meeting. "I see in many negotiations, strategies and tactics that Houthis have used throughout numerous negotiations held internationally, they followed tactics that are very familiar to us as we have engaged with Iran, always following a path where negotiations are very difficult," Tueller said. But he said the Houthis are not fully controlled by Iran. "We have to work with these modern elements on the political side of Houthis, who do not want to see Iran or any other country having a role meddling inside Yemen," Tueller added. Worst humanitarian crisis The civil war in Yemen began in 2014 between the government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has the support of a Saudi-led coalition, and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. U.N. and international rights groups are calling the conflict the worst crisis in the world. Yemen is the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. As the conflict enters its fourth year, more than 22 million people, three-quarters of the population, need humanitarian aid and protection, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a donor conference in Geneva earlier this year. Meanwhile, the U.N. World Food Program said the current level of hunger in Yemen is unprecedented. Now, 17 million people in the country are food insecure, meaning they do not have enough food. Of these, 6.8 million -- that is almost 1 in 4 people -- are severely food insecure and rely entirely on external assistance, the U.N. agency said. While calling the Yemen crisis a catastrophe, Michael Page of Human Rights Watch blamed both Iranian-backed Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition for restricting aid to certain areas in Yemen. "Houthis are restricting aid and detaining humanitarian workers," Page said. A substantial amount of blame is on the Saudi-led coalition for the bombing campaign, which has hit or destroyed schools, hospitals and mosques. Extremists As the crisis deeps in Yemen, some rights organizations are concerned that extremists groups could exploit the situation. In an interview with NPR, International Rescue Committee President David Miliband said the conflict in Yemen is in a stalemate stage, breeding not only a humanitarian crisis but also paving the way for other nonstate actors to exploit the situation. In the chaos, other groups are emerging, separatists groups in the south, al-Qaida of the Arab Peninsula in the east and ISIS is growing [in the country] as well, Miliband told Lisa Mullins, the host of NPRs Here & Now show on Monday. At the same time, there is a political emergency, too, because the only side thats gaining from the current stalemate are the extremists of al-Qaida and ISIS and its a country now which is on the verge of meltdown, not just a humanitarian meltdown but a political meltdown, Miliband added, using an acronym for the Islamic State terror group. Regional rivalry Some analysts like Houchang Hassan Yari, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, believe that at the heart of the conflict in Yemen lies the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. "Iranians are using Houthis to fight Saudis, and Saudis are fighting Houthis indirectly to fight Iranians," Yari said." Iranians are showing their muscles in the region as they believe Iran is a power. A senior official of the United Arab Emirates, which is part of the Saudi-led coalition, told VOA that his country and the Saudi-led coalition supports a political solution. "We fully support U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths' efforts and encourage all the relevant parties to engage in a constructive dialogue that could ultimately lead to an end to the conflict," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the media about Yemen. Civilian casualties In addition to displacing millions of people, the conflict has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 10,000 innocent people since it began. Page, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch, blamed both the Houthis and Saudi-led coalition for indiscriminate use of force in Yemen. "The Saudis are not using these weapons precisely, they are sometimes purposely and deliberately targeting an area and indiscriminately killing civilians," Page said. A senior U.S. State Department official told VOA that the U.S. has urged all parties in the conflict to respect the law of armed conflict. "Throughout this conflict, the United States has urged all parties to abide by the Law of Armed Conflict, work to prevent harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, and thoroughly investigate and ensure accountability for any violations," the official said. State Department correspondent Nike Ching contributed to this report. The Justice Department has ruled against a Georgia poultry company in a 7-year-long discrimination case. U.S. attorneys say Mar-Jac Poultry, north of Atlanta, broke federal law when it demanded noncitizens produce Department of Homeland Security documents proving their right to work. The company did not make similar demands to U.S. citizens. U.S. federal law gives all people with work permits, citizens or not, the right to choose which documents they would like to show. It is also illegal for companies to subject employees to what the Justice Department calls "unnecessary documentary demands" solely based on a worker's country of origin. "This case demonstrates the department's commitment to ensuring that all employers implement the employment eligibility verification process in a nondiscriminatory manner," acting assistant attorney general John Gore said. The Justice Department's case against Mar-Jac dates back to 2011. The company must pay $190,000 in civil fines, $1,020 to a refugee it fired for failing to show a work permit, and $24,000 in compensation to other affected employees. Israel has held an American graduate student in detention at its international airport for the past week, accusing her of supporting a Palestinian-led boycott campaign against the Jewish state. Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old American citizen with Palestinian grandparents, landed at Ben-Gurion Airport last Tuesday with a valid student visa. But she was barred from entering the country and ordered deported, based on suspicions that she supports the boycott movement. An Israeli court has ordered that she remain in custody while she appeals. The weeklong detention is the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case. Israel enacted a law last year banning any foreigner who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel." An Israeli Cabinet minister said on Tuesday that Alqasem would be allowed in if she apologizes. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, is resigning. "It has been an honor of a lifetime," said Haley, sitting alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office where they announced her pending departure on Tuesday. "I'm not leaving until the end of the year." "We will miss you," Trump said to Haley. "You have done a fantastic job." Thanking Haley for her service, Trump characterized the diplomat as "very special to me" and someone whom he had teamed with and "solved a lot of problems," citing, in particular, issues with Iran and North Korea. "Hopefully you'll be coming back at some point," added the president, saying "you can have your pick" of other jobs in his administration. "I don't have anything set on where I'm going to go," said Haley. WATCH: Haley says she's not running for president The former governor of the state of South Carolina has been a relatively moderate voice in Trump's cabinet. Her appointment as ambassador to the U.N. was seen as something as a surprise as she had been viewed as a critic of Trump's confrontational style during the 2016 presidential campaign, as well as a proponent of free markets and global trade, in contrast to the president's "America First" policies. "Countries may not like what we do but they respect what we do," Haley said on Tuesday, summarizing her tenure as Trump's envoy to the world body. Asked who he has in mind as Haley's successor, Trump responded: "We have a number of people that would very much would like to do it," adding that Haley had "made it a very glamorous position." The president added that "within the next two or three weeks, maybe sooner" he is likely to announce who he intends to nominate for the post. Haley responded recently to an anonymous opinion article in the New York Times by an unnamed senior official who claimed to be part of a "resistance" inside the Trump administration to thwart parts of the president's agenda "and his "worst inclinations." Haley, writing in The Washington Post, said that she proudly served in Trump's administration and "I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country." As ambassador to the world body, Haley had clashed with her first immediate boss in the Trump administration, Rex Tillerson, who was fired by the president in March and replaced as secretary of state this year to make way for the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Mike Pompeo. "Nikki Haley has been a clear, consistent, and powerful voice for America's interests and democratic principles on the world stage," said Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, quickly reacting to news of the ambassador's impending departure. "She challenged friend and foe to be better. I am saddened that she is leaving the administration, but so grateful for her service." As governor of South Carolina, Haley came to national prominence for taking down the flag of the Confederacy, a symbol of the losing Southern side during America's mid-19th century civil war, which had flown at the Statehouse. Haley, whose parents emigrated from India, is one of six women in Trump's cabinet and is regarded as a potential future Republican Party presidential contender. "No, I'm not running for 2020," Haley told reporters, adding she would be campaigning for Trump's re-election in the next presidential election. Two inmates in Kentucky are back in police custody after escaping jail in trash cans. Posted: Oct 9, 2018 9:28 AM October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and WAAY 31 is taking a closer look at the numbers of domestic violence related crimes in our area. In Limestone County alone, all eight recorded homicides this year stemmed from domestic violence situations, according to the sheriff's office. WAAY 31 talked with officials about how they plan to keep those numbers from growing and how the community can help. Its really, incredibly tragic and probably preventable," said Lauren Kast. That was Kast's reaction after hearing that all eight murders recorded in Limestone County this year stemmed from domestic violence situations. Thats compared to 2017 when only one of the five homicides in the county were domestic violence related. On a family level, it needs to be discussed in schools with kidsboth girls and boyswhat is acceptable treatment, what is an acceptable standard of respect," Kast said. What people really need to know about domestic violence is that its something that escalates over time, almost every time," said Stephen Young with the Limestone County Sheriff's Office. "Its not something that generally gets better. We asked the sheriffs office how they handle these situations. Every report of domestic abuse is taken seriously," Young said. "Our priority is always to prevent victims from being further harmed in any domestic violence situation. Young says the community can help by reporting abuse as soon as they see it, which is something Kast says shell keep in mind. I just really appreciate this is a subject that youre covering on the news and I think that is really the first step to positive change," Kast said. Officials with the Limestone County Sheriffs Office say the best way to prevent domestic abuse is to urge victims to do everything they can to separate themselves from their abuser. Crisis Services of North Alabama will be hosting an event to end domestic violence at Athens State University from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday. The family of a 22-year-old who died from a heroin overdose told WAAY 31 every family in our community needs to be looking out for the warning signs of opioid and heroin addiction in their loved ones. This comes after the dealer who sold their son drugs was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney for north Alabama said law enforcement throughout our area is using a unique way of compiling overdose statistics, which is part of the reason for the increased prosecution of drug dealers. Leigh and Dewayne Scott describe their son Cole as having a kind heart and being a joker. He was slowly introduced to prescription pain killers in high school. He then switched to heroin and ended up going to rehab for the first time at 19-years-old. "He did well for a long time and then he slowly went back into it," said Dewayne Scott. He did another stint in rehab and spent six months in a sober living facility before falling back into using, but his family was unaware, "I didn't know he was in that much of a danger, and I think he didn't tell us because he was probably embarrassed," said Scott. The U.S. Attorney for north Alabama said Cole's dealer continually sent him texts about special deals he had going on for cheaper drugs. The Scott family found that out after the fact, "He had complained about being contacted, because he was struggling and he was trying not to relapse," said Scott. Cole Scott overdosed and died just after Christmas in 2016 and was found by his dad, Dewayne. Once the family felt more comfortable sharing their story, they found they weren't alone, "It wasn't like one or two people. It was everyone at work," said Scott. The U.S. Attorney for north Alabama said we will continue to see an increase in the amount of drug dealers put behind bars as the crackdown on the opioid crisis continues. "I think it will help, but I think there needs to be money for people who are addicted. I think the best money can be spent on trying to prevent," said Scott. He wants kids to be talked to about how easy it is to get addicted, "Children in middle school need to know how dangerous this is," said Scott. The family said they missed warning signs. Their son's friend group suddenly changed, and his interests changed a lot. By sharing their story, they hope other families won't miss those same warning signs. A Georgia man accused of shooting and killing his former girlfriend in 2017 is heading to court Wednesday morning. According to court officials, Carey LaGrant Davis Jr. will appear in front of Judge Glenn Thompson for an arraignment hearing. Back on July 22, 2017, Decatur Police said Davis shot and killed 22-year-old Tiara Cole and left her body in a room at the Quality Inn in Decatur. A member of the housekeeping staff found her body and alerted police. Davis was arrested in Georgia and extradited back to Morgan County. According to court records, Davis stole Coles car and drove it over to Georgia. He was originally held on a $150,000 bond prior to being indicted and charged with capital murder. Because of the nature of the charge, his bond was revoked. Davis arraignment is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday for the District Two City Council runoff election. This comes after Frances Akridge won the most votes in the August election, but she fell short of what she needed to be the district's councilwoman by less than 1%. Monday, Mary Jane Caylor and Akridge spoke to us about what they've done to prepare for the runoff. "I won't go down there with the presumption that I know everything. I want to talk to department heads, other council members, I want to talk to the Mayor and people in business and industry," Caylor said. "There will be $64 million in contracts coming to the City Council. I have the ability coming from business and commercial real estate to evaluate the return on the investment," Akridge said. Akridge is a full-time community advocate. She received 49.8 % of the vote in August. She needed 50.1 % to win the election. Her opponent, Caylor is a former Huntsville City Schools Superintendent and a former member of the Alabama State Board of Education. She received 32.4% of the vote. "People took it for granted in August. 4,875 out of 38,000 registered voters, and people realized they have got to get out and vote," Caylor said. The third candidate who ran received 17.7%. Caylor and Akridge told us they both believe they bring different perspectives to the table that make them qualified. "I don't know why we would want to be stagnant and take us back with an individual that really doesn't know Huntsville and doesn't have the track record I have," Caylor said. "What you see is what you get. I have been vetted through a security background check. A background check to work at NASA. I think that frightens people because I am so well qualified," Akridge said. 16 voter precincts in District Two will be open on Tuesday. The precincts will be open from 7 am to 7 pm. WAAY 31s I-Team takes an in-depth look at worshipers defending their churches. Sadly, people in churches have become targets of shooters. Its happened all too often. Within the past year alone, shooters killed 27 people in two church shootings in Nashville and Sutherland Springs, Texas. A retired Green Beret here in Huntsville is helping churches come up with active shooter plans. Noell Bishop is a retired Army Special Forces officer and drug enforcement agent. He founded Bishop 30 Solutions. "The '30' stands for the thirty great warriors of David, Bishop explained to WAAY 31s Greg Privett. Bishop and his team train worshipers to defend their churches. "You have to have the plan together, he told us. You have to have the trained individuals to implement that plan. If you have both, then you are far above the power curve. And you can save lives that way." Bishop considers this his ministry. "I think that this is what God wants me to do: helping people and churches and businesses be safe." In Morgan Countys Eva community, WAAY 31 was with Bishop while his team trained a group of men at Rock Creek Baptist Church. We just wanted to be prepared, Pastor Brent Colee told us. "With the way things are in our society, there have been a lot of church shootings. The preacher wants to keep his congregation safe. "We have ten or eleven guys that have gone through the training to be able to be prepared for any situation that comes," Colee said. He has support from his congregation. "I think we all hate to come to that realization, Kim Holmes told us. But, I think its become a reality. Holmes knows a shooter targeting a church is a real possibility. I think its a blessing that we have men in our church that have stood up and took on that responsibility. Every church is different. Some churches train their security ministries to use guns. Others choose unarmed security training. Another difference: some churches make their security high-profile. Others dont. WAAY 31 went to a shooting range near Ardmore where folks from a Huntsville church were shooting. That church prefers a lower-profile. No matter what a church chooses, the training is intense. "I've got a series of prerequisites that they have to go through, Bishop explained. One builds on the other. They actually start out with the basic Active Shooter course. And then we get into some basic firearms -- some basic tactics. And then it elevates from there. Preparing for a life or death situation, Bishop puts church security teams through the paces. They practice over and over. "Muscle memory by them actually doing the physical skills that they've got to do, Bishop told us, because you don't want someone to be in a situation and having done the skills for the first time when they're in the bad situation. Back at Rock Creek Baptist Church, Bishops training gives the men in the security ministry the prayer and power to overcome a church shooter. You hope that these guys are never put in that situation and that our church is never put in that situation, Kim Holmes said. But, to be prepared for something like that, Id rather be prepared and never need it, than to need it and not be prepared. Noell Bishop prays that his work will save lives. Preparing you for the worst day of your life, he said. We at Bishop 30 Solutions do that. And we take a lot of pride in that." Click here to go to Bishop 30 Solutions' website. A different kind of career fair is happening in the Shoals in just a few weeks. North AlabamaWorks! is hosting the first Worlds of Works Expo in North Alabama on October 25th and 26th. More than 3,500 eight graders from Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties will fill Northwest Shoals Community College to explore different career paths. Students will get to take part in hands-on learning of the different jobs. More than 100 industries will be participating, like, manufacturing, health care and construction. "We need as many students as possible trained in those positions that are going to be in high demand. Toyota alone is going to be hiring hundreds into the manufacturing facility," said Stephanie McCulloch, Assistant Director at North AlabamaWorks! The students participating will be doing so through their school districts. High School students and their parents will be able to visit the expo Thursday afternoon. For additional information, you are asked to contact Stephanie McCulloch at smculloch@northala-bamaworks.com. Update October 29, 2018 The Wall That Heals will arrive in North Alabama on Tuesday, October 30th. There will be a procession that begins at Redstone Harley-Davidson around 10:40am and will travel through Huntsville to John Hunt Park. Assembly of the Wall will be held on Wednesday, October 31st and the Wall will be open to the public at 8am on Thursday, November 1st. Schedule of Events: November 1st at 5pm Welcoming Ceremony that includes Medal of Honor recipients, Mayor Tommy Battle, Mayor Paul Finley, and Community Leaders. November 3rd at 10am-2pm The 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Lecture Series at the Jaycees Building. Guest speakers include BG(R) Bob Stewart at 10:30am, Famed Vietnam Journalist Joe Galloway at 11:30am, and BG(R) Joe Stringham at 1:30pm November 4th at 2pm Field Service held at the Wall. following the service, the Wall will be dismantled. October 25, 2018 A local company is committing time and resources to bring a Vietnam War Memorial replica to Huntsville. Intuitive Research and Technology Company is a Huntsville based company where Veterans comprise approximately 40% of their total workforce. To support their Veteran initiatives, INTUITIVE has not only partnered with local organizations to bring The Wall that Heals to Huntsville, they have also committed a large volunteer force to assist with the setup of the Wall. The Wall that Heals is a three-quarter replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Shaped like the original Memorial, The Wall That Heals is chevron-shaped and visitors can do name rubbings of service members. There are 140 numbered panels with LED lighting so that The Wall can be read day or night. The Wall is brought in a 53-foot trailer that transforms into an Education Center. Outside, the trailer features a timeline of The War and The Wall. The exhibits give an in depth look at the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a collection of items left at The Wall. INTUITIVE agreed to sponsor The Wall as a way to give back to the Veteran Community of Huntsville and offer a rewarding project for employees to collaborate on. The opportunity to participate in The Wall set up was appealing to many INTUITIVE team members, so many in fact there is now a waiting list for the October 31st event. Participating partners include the City of Huntsville, AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter, the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial, the Commemorative Partner Program of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietname War and hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1067. The Wall That Heals will be open 24-hours a day November 1-3 and until 3pm November 4th at John Hunt Park. Security, Chaplains, and Counselors will be on-site for visitors. WAAY-31 is proud to partner with Intuitive Research and Technology Company to share The Wall That Heals. THE WALL THAT HEALS WEBSITE - CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE WALL THAT HEALS - CLICK HERE EDUCATOR INFORMATION - CLICK HERE 24-27 Oct. British artist and long-term Rome resident Jonathan Hynd hosts Off the Cuff, an exhibition of recent work from 24-27 October. The show, which includes large-scale paintings as well as works on paper, will take place at the artist's studio in Monteverde Vecchio. The exhibition opens on Wednesday 24 October and can be visited over the next three evenings, Thursday-Saturday from 18.00-20.00. Artist Jonathan Hynd In 2016 Hynd was awarded the Laurea ad honorem at Universita Roma Tre, where many of his paintings are part of the university's permanent Contemporary Art Collection.The artist has had many collective and solo exhibitions, and his work is held in numerous private and public collections throughout England, Germany, Italy and the US. Hynd's studio is located on Via di S. Calepodio 5, opposite the train station on Via Quattro Venti. For more details see the artist's website. 11 Oct-9 Dec. The American Academy in Rome hosts Anthorpolaroid, an exhibition of work by Italian artist Paolo Gioli as part of an ongoing series of public events exploring the body as a site of subjectivity and meaning from antiquity to the present. Born in 1942, Gioli was among the first artists to master Polaroid transfers in the early 1970s, marrying the process with handmade pinhole cameras to create timeless images centred on the human body and its fragments. Curated by the Academy's Arts Director, Peter Benson Miller, the exhibition can be visited Fri-Sun 16.00-19.00. The exhibition opens on 11 October, from 19.00-21.00. For full details see academy website. Paintings by Pollock, Kline and Rothko at the Vittoriano in Rome. 10 Oct-5 May. Rome's Vittoriano hosts Pollock e la Scuola di New York, an exhibition dedicated to American Abstract Expressionist painter Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) and his artist peers. The artists belonged to the New York School, an informal movement of avant-garde painters, poets, dancers and musicians active in New York in the 1950s and 1960s. The movement's painters were driven by experimentation and anti-conformism, particularly evident in the action painting of Pollock - known as 'Jack the Dripper' - because of his revolutionary way of applying paint to canvas. The Rome exhibition comprises around 50 paintings and, in addition to Pollock, features the work of major post-war American artists such as Mark Rothko, Adolph Gottlieb, Willem de Kooning, Arshile Gorky, Philip Guston and Franz Kline. Number 27, 1950 by Jackson Pollock. Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York SIAE 2018. A highlight is Pollock's celebrated Number 27, splattered furiously with thick silver, gold, salmon-pink, black, white and yellow; the oil, enamel and aluminium flailed, flung and dripped over a 3-m long canvas. The exhibition is described as "meaningful" and "extraordinary" by David Breslin, curator and director of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, who curated the Rome show along with the Whitney's assistant curator Carrie Springer, and Italian curator Luca Beatrice. Visitors reach the exhibited works by means of a dark corridor whose walls jar with drippy video imagery, ending with archive footage of Pollock working frenetically in his studio. The Frozen Sounds, Number 1 (1951) by Adolph Gottlieb. Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation by SIAE 2018. The exhibition places a heavy emphasis on Pollock despite the relatively few works on display by the artist, who died in a car crash aged 44. Pollock's Number 17 "Fireworks" stands out, a masterful evocation of man-made magic, almost as if Pollock flicked his paint directly into the night sky. Dial, 1956 by Philip Guston. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Other highlights in the show include The Frozen Sounds, Number 1 by Gottlieb; The Betrothal, II by Gorky; Untitled (Blue, Yellow, Green on Red) by Rothko; Door to the River by de Kooning; and Dial by Guston. The exhibition can be visited Mon-Thurs 09.30-19.30, Fri-Sat 09.30-22.00, and Sun 09.30-20.30, until 24 February 2019. For details see Vittoriano website. Andy Devane Cover image: Number 17, 1950 / "Fireworks", 1950 Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York by SIAE 2018. 11 Nov. The Brazilian trio Tribalistas perform at Rome's Auditorium Parco della Musica on 11 November as part of a European tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the band's first album which has sold over three million copies worldwide. For full details see Auditorium website. Italy's national Etruscan museum in Rome's Villa Giulia houses artefacts from pre-Roman Italian antiquity, particularly from the Etruscan era. Located near Villa Borghese, the museum's two floors host a wealth of Etruscan treasures, including funerary artefacts, bronze urns, terracotta, jewellery and weapons. A highlight of the collection is the sixth-century BC Sarcophagus of the Spouses, considered one of the great masterpieces of Etruscan art. Sarcophagus of the Spouses at the National Etruscan Museum in Rome. The nearby Villa Poniatowski houses Etruscan treasures from Latium Vetus and Umbria, its frescoed rooms displaying artefacts dating from the tenth century BC. The building is accessed from the Villa Giulia complex through Villa Strohl-Fern but is only open Sat 15.00-18.00 and Thurs 10.00-13.00. For full visiting details see website. No reason for the resignation was immediately provided. Haley, who has been rumored to be considering a run for office in the future, said at the White House, No Im not running in 2020. She endorsed the president and expressed her support for him when he runs for reelection. Dear Heloise: I keep my cellphone beside me when I'm reading or watching TV. If I come upon a word, phrase or theory I'm not familiar with, I can quickly look it up through one of the many search engines. No group seems to keep statistics on the niche market that is adult tricycles. But shop owners and manufacturers say they are seeing an increase in sales. For example, TerraTrike, which has been making adult trikes since 1996, has seen at least 10 percent growth and as much as 40 percent each year. And three trike brands Catrike, Sun Bicycles and TerraTrike were represented last year on the National Bicycle Dealers Associations list of the top 40 bike brands that specialty bike shops sell. Students in the 14-year-old girls physical education class in the Stafford County Public Schools were shepherded into the girls or boys locker room during the Sept. 28 drill. But the student was prevented from sheltering in either, according to the girls mother and Equality Stafford, a group that advocates for LGBTQ rights in the countys schools. The drill was designed to simulate a lockdown that might happen if the school were threatened. She said she backs Hogan partly because she wants to avoid tax increases and partly because she has little information about Jealous even though she voted for him in the primary. And given the divisiveness in national politics, she said, she feels having a Republican governor and Democratic legislature will be good for the state. If you have only one party in power, you dont always get the checks and balances that you need. On Monday, the Hogan campaign released a 33-second video that highlights three gaffes. In one part of the clip Jealous says he is running to remove Hogan from the White House. In another, Jealous says that if elected he would be the first black president. And in the third segment, recorded at an event on Saturday, Jealous tells union members that with their help youll be looking at the next governor of Virginia. CBS, where Mr. Kopelson was a board member for more than a decade, confirmed the death but did not give a cause. Mr. Kopelson was in the news this past summer when a video he shot of media mogul Sumner Redstone became part of a lawsuit involving CBS and the issue of whether the 95-year-old Redstone was still able to make decisions at his company National Amusements, which controls the television network. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy While this was happening, the police said, a 34-year-old woman was in front of her house and saw the girl with the man. The man struck the woman repeatedly, causing significant injury, the police said. The assailant then forced the woman and the girl into the house, they said. Earlier in the day, Wints attorneys got a slight break after an evidence specialist with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives testified that although the two hairs recovered at the house had DNA that was like Wints, experts could not say whether the hairs came from Wints dreadlocks. Defense attorneys have argued that the hairs came from Wints brother, who often wore a beard. First of all, Id like to address the issue of Afghanistan, she began. After noting that she had covered wars there and that Riggleman was on Diego Garcia, she added: I think the person who believed he was planning those raids was General David Deptula, who was not on Diego Garcia. Also, we know from Michael OHanlon that those planned raids were very unsuccessful, that the bombing didnt become successful until you had Special Forces on the ground calling in airstrikes. Sharon Guindon had largely kept quiet since her only child just 28 years old became the first Prince William officer killed in the line of duty by gunfire since 1990. But as a jury weighs whether to give a death sentence, she swiveled in the witness stand to face the murderer and declared: Ronald Hamilton, you took the one person that meant the world to me. I have an emptiness that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Since the storm will spend two to three days over the Gulf of Mexico, which has very warm water temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions, there is a real possibility that Michael will strengthen to a major hurricane before landfall, Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the Miami-based storm forecasting hub, wrote in an advisory. Attorneys for the five black former students and their parents, who filed the lawsuit in August 2017, said a federal judge has to approve the settlement petition. The lawsuit alleges white school administrators had engaged in discriminatory behavior against the black students, some of whom say they were also discriminated against because they have emotional and behavioral issues. It alleges false criminal charges were filed against several students to cover up alleged physical abuse and excessive force. France's Sarkozy loses first appeal over corruption trial: Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy lost a first appeal against facing trial over influence-peddling and corruption charges and must await a second appeal to know whether he will be sent to court, the Paris prosecutor's office said. Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, is suspected of helping a prosecutor get promoted in return for leaked information about a separate criminal inquiry. Under French law, a suspect is not formally charged with a crime unless he is sent to trial. Guatemalan ex-vice president sentenced in graft case: Former Guatemalan vice president Roxana Baldetti was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for involvement in a fraudulent state contract to decontaminate a major lake. Prosecutors backed by a U.N. anti-corruption commission accused Baldetti and 12 others of conspiring to grant an $18 million contract to clean up Lake Amatitlan to an Israel-based company. The company said it had a special formula that could clean the lake within months, but investigators determined that the substance was merely water, salt and chlorine. Baldetti, found guilty of illegal association, fraud and influence trafficking in the case, also faces drug trafficking charges in the United States. Interpol claims to promote sound law enforcement policies and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but its position regarding China casts doubt on that claim. In recent years, the organization has allowed Beijing to abuse Interpol's Red Notice provisions by which member states are notified that another member is seeking the arrest of one of its citizens. Red Notices are intended for international fugitives from criminal justice, yet Interpol has uncritically accepted Beijing's requests for aid in pursuing Chinese activists around the world, including Dolkun Isa in Germany and Wang Zaigang in the United States. Ultimately, neither was sent back to China, and to Beijing's dismay, Interpol finally deleted the Red Notice against Isa in February. Other authoritarian governments abuse Red Notices as well. Today the rocks are being overturned again. Those who have been arguing that we should pull back from the world and show greater restraint tell us we need to accept the world as it is. But they have no idea what the world as it is really looks like. They grew up inside the bubble of protection provided by U.S. power and the liberal world order it sustained, a world in which other nations were forced to adjust their behavior to those realities of power. Russian behavior was shaped by what Russian leaders believed the United States would or had to tolerate, as well as by their sense of the liberal orders strength and cohesion. The same was true of Chinas behavior, and Irans, and Saudi Arabias, and that of every other nation or nonstate actor that might seek to disrupt or topple the existing order. All would have behaved differently if America had behaved differently, and so would Americas allies and the rest of the world. What was done last night in the White House was a political rally, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee said in an interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour. It further undermined the image and the integrity of the court, and that troubles me greatly. It saddens me because our judicial system has been viewed as one of the main pillars of our constitutional government. Hes been a terrific guy, Trump said of West. He loves what were doing for African American jobs, for so many different things. Median income, as you see, is at an all-time high; poverty level at the best rate, meaning the lowest rate. And Kanye is a smart guy, and he sees that. Aides on Capitol Hill still have no choice but to report abusive behavior through a system that was widely decried last year as favoring lawmakers over employees who allege mistreatment. After lawmakers could not agree on a package of changes, they punted the issue until after the midterm elections which are now shaping up as a battle between the #MeToo movement and Republicans who say many accusations have gone too far. They told us, we will relocate you, we will construct individual house for you, and we will give you rations of five years, said a 22-year-old Rohingya in the Sittwe camp. But after that, what will happen? Wherever we walk, wherever we go, we get into trouble. Will that change? In an interview with The Post, she recounted their love story, as she had for the police earlier in the day. The pair met at a conference in May. Cengiz has an interest in the Persian Gulf states, and she said she had admired Khashoggis work before they met. He was a speaker at the conference, and she had asked him a question. Afterward, she asked if they could talk in more depth. They sat in a corner and chatted. We are seeing record numbers of family units coming across, said one Department of Homeland Security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the trend. The department has not published border arrest totals for September, but the number of parents who arrived with children is expected to significantly exceed the 12,774 family members apprehended in August on the southern border. She was not effective in slowing the tide of retrenchment, and in some cases she was part of the problem, said Stephen Pomper, a senior official at the International Crisis Group who served as a senior White House official under President Barack Obama. The whole path of taking names and using assistance as crude leverage to get votes at the U.N. was misguided. It makes the U.S. look like a nakedly unprincipled actor. My view is that it should not be dismissed out of hand, despite the obvious grounds for deep skepticism, said Paul Seils, director of the conflict-justice and reconciliation program at the European Institute of Peace and a former member of the International Criminal Courts prosecutors office. Instead it should be used as the first stage in a process to measure the reality of the conditions on the ground and the regimes disposition. Long-haul flights half way across the globe are making a comeback even with oil prices close to their highest in four years. About six months after Qantas started a direct service from Perth to London, Singapore Airlines is bringing back its 10,400-mile jump to New York on October 11, pipping Qatar Airways' Doha-Auckland route to reclaim the title of the world's longest commercial flight. Premium economy on new Singapore Airlines A350-900. Advances in technology and the advent of aircraft that guzzle less and carry more fuel are helping make the Singapore route viable again, five years after $US100-a-barrel oil contributed to the demise of the flight, which will take as long as 18 hours and 45 minutes. Last month, Singapore Airlines took delivery of the first of seven A350-900 Ultra Long Range aircraft that it will use on the route as well as for non-stop services to Los Angeles starting in November. Qantas has asked Boeing and Airbus to design planes that can fly even farther-- from Sydney to London or New York. Credit where credit is due: ABC Melbournes Jacinta Parsons and Sami Shah were the star performers in the most recent ratings survey. Between 5.30am to 7.45am, their slice of the radio audience soared by 2.4 percentage points, up from a record low of 7 per cent. No other breakfast program enjoyed a lift this large. This leaves them with a 9.4 per cent share; their precise score in the first survey of this year. Its also short of the 12.6 per cent that former host Red Symons whose ratings never dipped below double digits averaged in 2017. Still, this is an unambiguously good result for the duo. Scientists know genes are responsible for roughly half your chance of having a heart attack, but they didn't know which genes were important. Now, in a huge world-first study, Australian scientists say they have discovered the DNA patterns that can raise our risk. People with high-risk DNA are more than four times more likely to have a heart attack than people with low-risk DNA, their study reveals. Meanwhile, some women with the right DNA are at extremely low risk of having a heart attack even if they have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. And healthy people with a high-risk score have the same chance of having a heart attack as people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol but a low genetic risk score. A man bitten by a reef shark as he dragged it onto a boat spent the night at sea before he was met by paramedics on the central Queensland coast on Tuesday morning and taken to hospital. The 55-year-old suffered a large wound on his upper left arm when he tried to haul the shark aboard at Swains Reef, north-east of Yeppoon, about 5pm on Monday. The bite victim was trying to pull a reef shark aboard his vessel off the Queensland coast. Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Brad Miers said the man was brought back to Rosslyn Bay, about 10 kilometres south-east of Yeppoon, just before 7am on Tuesday. "We had a good chat to the gentleman. He stated that he had caught a large reef shark and as he went to pull it on board, it turned and bit him on the upper arm," Mr Miers said. All Australian churches should be made to open their books to account more thoroughly for their billions of dollars in assets and revenue, a member of the child abuse royal commission has said. Robert Fitzgerald AM, one of the six commissioners who oversaw the five-year royal commission, will call on Wednesday for the scrapping of special exemptions that have until now allowed half of church charities, including much of the Catholic and Anglican church networks, to avoid financial reporting to the charities watchdog, the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission. Commissioners Robert Fitzgerald, Justice Peter McClellan and Commissioner Helen Milroy at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. In an address celebrating the 10th anniversary of the not-for-profit law program of community legal group Justice Connect, Mr Fitzgerald will publicly declare for the first time that the arguments for the exemptions for "basic religious charities" do not hold up. Mr Fitzgerald will explain how the exemptions had sent a "poor signal" to the wider community that some charities deserved special treatment simply because of their religious status. Russia and China are united in one big aim. They want to undermine the West. They want to cut the West down to size so they can increase their own power. It's a very old story in the history of nations. But they have many differences, too. One difference is becoming clearer by the day. While Vladimir Putin's Russia is expert at manipulating the US and its systems, Xi Jinping's China is much more ambitious. The Chinese Communist Party wants to own and control those systems. Russia wants to mess with America's world. China wants America's world. And it's making good progress. Russia wants to mess with America's world. China wants America's world. Credit:Andrew Dyson The latest example was a startling story published last Thursday by a US news service, Bloomberg Businessweek, under the headline "The Big Hack". Bloomberg, which has a solid reputation for professionalism and accuracy, says its staff spent a year working on the report. However the report said any further amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act should only apply to new enrolments. The school would also have to have a publicly available policy outlining its position, and should regard the best interests of the child as the primary consideration of its conduct. The panel also agreed that faith-based schools should have some discretion to discriminate in the hiring of teachers on the basis of religious belief, sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status. In a statement on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: "Our government will consider the details and release our response after it has gone through a proper cabinet process." "We will protect religious freedom, and get the balance right," he said. "Each proposal will be considered carefully and respectfully before any final decisions are taken." The religious freedom review, which was handed to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in May, received more than 15,000 submissions. The panel was chaired by Howard government attorney-general Philip Ruddock and included the Australian Human Rights Commission president Rosalind Croucher, former Federal Court judge Annabelle Bennett, human rights lawyer and priest Frank Brennan and constitutional law professor Nicholas Aroney. Loading The authors rejected several measures demanded by conservatives, including some which were unsuccessfully floated as amendments to the same-sex marriage legislation passed last year. The panel did not accept that businesses should be allowed to refuse services on religious grounds, warning this would unnecessarily encroach on other human rights and may cause significant harm to vulnerable groups. The review also found civil celebrants should not be entitled to refuse to conduct same-sex wedding ceremonies if they became celebrants after it was was legalised. The review does not recommend any changes to the Marriage Act. Nor does it recommend a dedicated Religious Freedom Act - championed by several major Christian churches - which would have enshrined religious organisations exemptions from anti-discrimination laws. Specifically protecting freedom of religion would be out of step with the treatment of other rights, the report found. However it did recommend the government amend the Racial Discrimination Act or create a new Religious Discrimination Act, which would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of a persons religious belief or lack thereof. The panel said it had heard a broad range of concerns about peoples ability to manifest their faith publicly without suffering discrimination. This included wearing religious symbols and dress at school or work, communicating views based on religious understandings, obtaining goods and services and engaging in public life without fear of discrimination. The report also recommends federal legislation to make it clear that religious schools cannot be forced to lease their facilities for a same-sex marriage, as long as the refusal is made in the name of religious doctrine. Loading Mr Morrison last month told Fairfax Media new religious freedom laws were needed to safeguard personal liberty in a changing society. Just because things havent been a problem in the past doesnt mean they wont be a problem in the future, he said. While the panel accepted the right of religious school to discriminate against students on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, it could see no justification for a school to discriminate on the basis of race, disability, pregnancy or intersex status. It said the states should abolish any laws that allowed for discrimination against teachers or students on this basis. Religious schools already enjoy exemptions from discrimination laws when it comes to hiring teachers in all jurisdictions. Some religious groups argued these exemptions should be retained while LGBTI groups - who told the panel of the stress and mental health pressure on teachers forced to hide their identity - called for them to be repealed. (An) example was given of an employee at a religious school who was employed despite being open about being same-sex attracted, the report said. Later, when the leadership of the school changed, that teacher was dismissed on the basis of his sexuality. Last year's same-sex marriage victory triggered the religious freedom review. Credit:AAP The panel found that when it came to employment in religious schools, undoubtedly the most difficult issue was exceptions for sexual orientation and gender identity and marital status in light of the passage of marriage equality. It recommended the Commonwealth law be amended to allow this discrimination, but only if the school had a publicly available policy. For the panel, the key to the maintenance of existing exceptions (to discrimination law) is clarity and transparency. The report also recommends the states ensure existing same-sex teachers are not discriminated against if they get married to a same-sex partner. The panel also found that blasphemy laws are out of step with a modern, tolerant, multicultural society and should be abolished, and said there was an absence of any concrete indications that funding to faith-based charities was under immediate threat. Radio broadcaster Alan Jones has apologised for causing offence over his on-air treatment of Opera House chief executive Louise Herron. "To Louise and those people who've been offended, I apologise," Jones said on his morning 2GB breakfast program on Tuesday. "As I said earlier, I'll be writing to Louise later today and indicate those very same sentiments." Jones said he did not believe his behaviour towards Ms Herron was bullying, but acknowledged there were people who did. But the reporters were able to confirm his identity with a handful of local residents some of whom had seen a picture of the man shaking hands with Putin. The BBC has independently confirmed Bellingcats identification of the suspect as Mishkin. British officials have not disputed the claim, though they have not yet publicly confirmed it. The men appearing as 'Ruslan Boshirov' and 'Alexander Petrov' on the Kremlin-backed RT news network. Credit:RT channel The two men were previously identified by British authorities under the pseudonyms they used to travel to the UK. A short Bellingcat report released on Monday revealed that: Mishkin, 39, graduated from an elite military medical academy and was later recruited by the GRU, which gave him an undercover identity as Alexander Petrov. He used his false identity for several journeys outside Russia, including to Ukraine. The full report, presented by two Bellingcat reporters at Westminster on Tuesday, explained how they had pieced together evidence of the mans identity from scraps of information on the internet, via leaked official databases and using a copy of personal documents, including passport dossiers. Bellingcat worked with Russian investigative group the Insider on their report. It revealed that Mishkin was born in 1979 in the small village of Loyga, north of Moscow. His grandmother was the villages only doctor. He moved to St Petersburg and enrolled at the S Kirov Military Medical Academy, specialising in undersea and hypobaric medicine for the Russian navy and graduating as a senior lieutenant. Around this time he was recruited by the GRU, moved to Moscow and received his undercover identity. Bellingcat said it had incomplete border crossing data showing that from 2010-2013 Mishkin travelled on his Petrov persona several times to Ukraine, and to the Transnistrian Republic. A previous Bellingcat report revealed that Petrov also travelled to Amsterdam in 2016, as well as Kazakhstan, Tel Aviv, London, France and Switzerland and to the UK for the attack on Skripal. Loading In late 2014 Mishkin was given the Hero of the Russian Federation Award, which Bellingcat was told was for activities either in Crimea or in relation to [former Ukrainian president] Yanukovich. Putin has previously revealed his pride in and close personal oversight of the Russian special forces operation that snatched the fleeing pro-Russian Yanukovych out of Ukraine in early 2014 when local authorities were seeking to arrest him. Yanukovich has said Putin saved my life. Bellingcats report said Mishkin moved to an upscale GRU-issued apartment in Moscow after he and Chepiga received their awards. Bellingcat began its investigation with a passport photograph of Petrov, security camera photos and video from his interview on Russian channel RT in which he denied any role in the assassination attempt. They also had a passport dossier of Petrov including an earlier photo. They had noticed that other GRU officers retained their first name, birthdate and place of birth when they were given new identities. The Petrov passport noted the man had a previous passport issued in St Petersburg, and Bellingcat found just one match in St Petersburg databases for a man with the same first name and birth date: Mishkin. That man lived on the campus of the St Petersburg Military Medical Academy. Bellingcat said they spoke to one person who confirmed that Mishkin attended the academy, and had recognised him as Petrov from the RT interview. Loading Bellingcat cross-referenced this information with other leaked databases, including a car insurance database which identified the same man as the driver of a Volvo registered to the GRU headquarters. The investigators obtained a 15-year old passport belonging to Mishkin, and found the picture had a strong resemblance to Petrov. A professor of visual computing at the University of Bradfford used computer software to age the photograph and confirmed unequivocally that Mishkin and Petrov were the same person. At Loyga a reporter with the Insider was able to meet and talk to many residents who all recognised Alexander Petrov as our local boy Alexander Mishkin, the Bellingcat report said. At least 5 different residents told our reporter that Alexander Mishkin, who they knew worked in Murmansk or in Moscow as a military doctor, had received the Hero of Russia several years ago, the report said. One source close to Mishkins grandmother (who is now in her 90s, and as a former doctor is still revered in the village) told us that the reason for the award is top secret, but that the understanding in the village was that it was for Crimea or Yanukovich. The same source told us that Alexander Mishkins grandmother possesses a photograph on which President Putin is bestowing the Gold Star medal (which goes with the award) to Alexander, and shakes his hand. Washington: US President Donald Trump apologised to Brett Kavanaugh for the bitter battle over his confirmation to the Supreme Court and declared him innocent of the sexual assault allegations that nearly derailed his nomination. I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the incredible pain you have been forced to endure, Trump said before a ceremonial swearing-in at the White House on Monday, US time. You sir, under historic scrutiny, were proven innocent. (Kavanaugh was officially sworn in as the 114th judge on the court immediately after a rancorous confirmation process on Saturday.) Earlier, Trump said it was an insult to the American public for Democrats to consider impeaching Kavanaugh and claimed the allegations made against him were a hoax perpetrated by people that are evil. Retired justice Anthony Kennedy, whose place Kavanaugh has taken on the court, administered the oath of office with Trump standing by them. Washington: When a senior official in the Trump administration resigns, it's usually the culmination of an awkward and bitter series of events. First, stories emerge of the official's conflicts with US President Donald Trump, usually accompanied by head-snapping quotes in which the official describes him as an ignorant, impulsive, dangerous halfwit. Then perhaps there are some insulting tweets from the Oval Office, followed by an attempt by the official at some last-minute apologetic bootlicking to demonstrate loyalty. Then the official departs, and Trump boosters enthuse that the great man is finally assembling an appropriately worshipful team. That isn't always how it goes sometimes an official such as Scott Pruitt or Tom Price departs following a scandal that embarrassed the President. But in nearly all cases, we can see it coming from afar. However, that's not what happened with Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations. IT research and consulting firm Information Services Group is aiming to tap into the growing market for blockchain with a new service aimed at improving clients operations through the distributed-ledger technology. Officials at Stamford-based ISG cited their belief in the growth potential of blockchain as a motivator for rolling out the ISG Blockchain Now service. The global market value of blockchain could surpass $300 billion by 2025 and $2 trillion by 2030, the firm estimates. Blockchain is demonstrating its practical application now within enterprises, ISG CEO and Chairman Michael Connors said in a statement. As the technology matures, it has the potential to be the next internet, a decentralized system that will dramatically disrupt all supply chain processes and commercial transactions. Often described as a network that functions as a digital ledger for transactions, blockchain is gaining popularity as a tool to bolster businesses data security and transaction-processing speeds. It plays an increasingly prominent role in financial services including cryptocurrency. But more than half of its uses are outside that sector, according to ISG. ISG Blockchain Now would support businesses through a three-step process that would prepare clients for blockchain, identify operations that could be improved with the technology and then develop and implement blockchain applications. Our clients want to understand where the opportunities are, the value of those opportunities and which technology providers are best able to meet their needs, Connors said. Our ISG Blockchain Now solution will help them answer those important questions, and quickly begin to realize the value of blockchain right now." ISGs operations and revenues have grown significantly in recent years. Second-quarter revenues hit $71 million, up 4 percent from a year ago. The company recorded a $2.4 million profit, compared with a $300,000 loss a year ago. Among recent milestones, ISG opened in May an 18,000-square-foot headquarters at 2187 Atlantic St., in the Harbor Point neighborhood of the citys South End. In the recently renovated 2187 Atlantic, ISG has taken the entire eighth floor, where about 25 are based. The new offices include a tech bar for employees, similar to an Apple stores Genius Bar, a training center for employees and clients and a space where the company can showcase digital services such as robotic process automation involving software bots. RPA technology automates functions including extracting and sending out overdue invoices, allowing workers to focus on other tasks. We wanted to be in a physical space that was vibrant, emerging and growing, Connors said at an opening ceremony for the new headquarters. As we measured and considered alternatives, we felt the Harbor Point area met all of our criteria. ISG had formerly occupied about 9,000 square feet in the downtown office block at 281 Tresser Blvd., its home since its founding. Worldwide, ISG employs about 1,300, including about 500 at its Global Operations Center in Bangalore, India. The company serves some 700 clients in about 20 countries. It does business with about 20 large companies headquartered in Connecticut including Pitney Bowes and Marriott International subsidiary Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide both based in Stamford as well as Norwalk-based Xerox and United Technologies. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott GREENWICH For more than 30 years, the St. Lawrence Society has honored one prominent citizen of Italian descent who then helps to raise the flags outside Greenwich Town Hall on Columbus Day. But some traditions are meant to be changed. For the first time, the St. Lawrence Society on Monday honored two Greenwich residents, John and Sharon Vecchiolla, who shared the honor of raising both the Italian and American flags. She is a former town registrar of voters, and he is a current member of the towns Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals and a past member of the Board of Education. Both have volunteered in the town for decades. Its an extremely nice honor. Im not a person who likes to be recognized usually, but it does say something about my heritage, said John Vecchiolla, who is also an attorney. This was a total surprise to me, and its nice to be honored, Sharon Vecchiolla said. The Vecchiollas were joined at the ceremony by their daughter Michelle Vecchiolla Salomon and their 6-year-old granddaughter, Kate. That meant some time out of school for both: Kate attends Julian Curtiss School, where Michelle is a teacher. Its so beautiful to see this, Vecchiolla Salomon said. Theyve given so much over the years. To watch them be role models for our family and for my daughter is so wonderful. Tod Laudonia, president of the St. Lawrence Society, reminded the crowd that many Italian immigrants have settled in Greenwich over the years, building a community and a rich heritage in town. We all need to remember the sacrifices our ancestors made coming here, Laudonia said. They didnt have the communication benefits that we do today. But they came and assimilated into our American society, and I think they set a great example for all of us. Today, we honor those Italian ancestors. And this team of two raising both the Italian and American flags here at Town Hall emphasizes that spirit of cooperation and communication. Despite overcast sky and light rain, nearly 50 people turned out for the flag-raising. Laudonia said the mission of the St. Lawrence Society had grown and changed around us. It was once made up of 124 people from a town in Calabria, Italy, and now is there to help everyone in the community. We are an inclusive organization, and we want to reach out to everyone and have everyone participate, Laudonia said. Mondays ceremony was also attended by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes; Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei; state Reps. Livvy Floren and Fred Camillo; and several past honorees, including Town Clerk Carmella Budkins, Linda Mosier and Renato Berzolla. This is a red letter day on the Greenwich calendar, Himes said. It really speaks to the incredible strength and cultural heritage that is the Italian community here in Greenwich. And this was extra special, of course, because of the honoring of Sharon and John Vecchiolla. Its hard to think of a couple and a family that have done more for our town. A proclamation was prepared declaring Oct. 8 as Sharon and John Vecchiolla Day in town. Both have been honored in this way previously as individuals, and Tesei joked that they would have to share the honors this time. These are two individuals who really epitomize the strengths of the Greenwich community through faith and their family and giving back to the community through Johns service on many, many levels and Sharon, of course, for being an indomitable presence here in the registrars office for 24 years, Tesei said. The decision to honor the Vecchiollas was planned by her former colleague, Fred DeCaro III. The two worked together for many years, he as the Republican registrar of voters and she as the Democratic registrar. DeCaro said he was excited to see it happen because I think the world of Sharon and John. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com For one Cheshire resident, it pays off to be a vegan. It helps that he's good looking, too. Len Lampel is in the running to be crowned the "sexiest vegan over 50" by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Lampel is currently in the running with five other vegans for the crown. The prize is a trip to northern India. The competition was first started in 2009 to show the health benefits of living a vegan lifestyle, especially for baby boomers. Moira Colley, celebrity media officer for PETA, said there is much more beyond the health benefits of a vegan lifestyle. "The very attractive, fit men and women who entered the contest this year show that going meat- and dairy-free can help you enjoy a sexier, healthier body at any age," said Colley. "As this contest has grown, more and more people are seeing just how sexy compassion is." Lampel first heard about the competition from an animal rights Facebook page. Initially, Lampel found himself shocked to be chosen amongst the finalists, but is happy that he gets to promote the message of PETA on a larger scale. "It's very exciting," Lampel said. "I do believe in the cause and the activism of trying to educate people about the welfare of animals, and the effects of factory farming." Colley added that his enthusiasm is what drives the foundation of PETA, and makes sure that that message is driven home to a larger audience. "His passion to share what he has learned about the abuse and terror that animals experience and the ways everyone can make simple changes in their lives to help stop animals' suffering is inspiring," said Colley. "We're thrilled to have him as one of our finalists." The Southern Californian native was first introduced to the vegan lifestyle a few years back by a friend, who suggested he watch documentaries and animals that depict what is going on behind-the-scenes in the food industry. "People don't think [about] where their food comes from. They just see the steak or the chicken on their plate," said Lampel. "They don't know what happened to these animals in order for them to get there." While only a vegan for a year-and-a-half, Lampel has gone above and beyond for the PETA community, including protesting the practice of animal experimentation at Yale University, and marching in Boston to advocate for the closing of slaughterhouses. When not advocating for PETA, Lampel operates his own photography business for real estate agents and business planners. Lampel lives at home with his two cats, and guinea pigs. WESTPORT The day after Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was sworn into a lifetime appointment to the nations highest court, women, and some men, from across Fairfield County gathered for an event called Survivors Vote Rally for Change. The main messages: 1. To show survivors we support them; 2. Not to despair Kavanaughs confirmation but to rise up and vote Nov. 6, Westport resident Darcy Hicks wrote in an email to Westport News about the events purpose. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Market Overview: Instant noodles have captured a huge chunk of the convenience food market due their popularity and easy to make feature. Market Research Future, a firm which specializes in market reports related to Food, Beverages & Nutrition sector among others, recently published a report on this market. The global instant noodles market is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 5.59% and it is projected to reach USD 5,553.23 million during the period of 2017 to 2023. As convenience foods have become a part and parcel of urban life, instant noodles have successfully garnered a huge chunk of this segment. This is owing primarily to factors such as availability of varieties, low cost per unit, ease of making the product with minimum resources. The market may, however face restraints with regards to the nutritional quality of product and use of additives which may induce negative health effects. Get a Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1841 Latest Industry News: Jan 2018 Symingtons in Leeds, which makes branded meals and snacks for a variety of household names, revealed today it is in detailed discussions to supply its brands including instant noodle product Naked Noodle, in Chinese supermarkets. The move into China is part of Symingtons turnaround strategy to boost sales and increase its customer base. The companys strategy includes boosting exports to countries it already supplies as well as entering new markets in China, the US and India. It is also trying to crack the convenience store market, and plans to grow its online presence. Jan 2018 Bangkok-based Thai President Foods PCL, the maker of the instant noodle brand Mama, has purchased land in the kingdom with the intention of building a factory for the production of its popular noodles. The firm, owned by the Saha Group and Nissin Holdings, is seeking more market opportunities overseas and plans to spend more than $6.19 million to set up instant noodle factories abroad in 2018. The company has already bought a 6,400 square metre plot in Phnom Penh to build a Mama instant noodle factory. Jan 2018 Premier Foods is in talks to sell the soup and noodles brand Batchelors to its biggest shareholder. They are exploring a deal with Nissin Foods, the Japanese inventor of instant noodles. Batchelors is said to be valued at more than 200m. Major Key Players Analysis: With the entry of industry players, a trend of solid, volume-driven growth has been observed in the market with the development of different varieties of product types. Companies are aiming to capture a considerable share of the market segment as early as possible with effective business strategies poised to fill this gap and ensure containment of the dynamics of the competition in the market.The best long-term growth opportunities for this sector can be captured by ensuring ongoing process improvements and financial flexibility to invest in the optimal strategies. The key players profiled in the Instant Noodles Market are Campbell Soup Company (U.S.), Nestle SA (Switzerland), Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Japan), The Unilever Group (Pot Noodles) (U.K.), Nissin Foods Co., Ltd (Hong Kong) to name a few. Industry Segments: Instant noodles market has been segmented on the basis of packaging type which comprises of packets, cups and others. Among all the segments, packet instant noodles accounts the highest market proportion over the past few years and it is projected to dominate the instant noodles market during the forecast period. However, cup instant noodles segment will be expanded at a high growth rate over the forecast period. Instant noodles have been segmented on the basis of broth which includes sea-food, chicken, vegetable, and others. Vegetable segment will witness higher growth rate than the retail customers over the forecast period. Instant noodles have been segmented on the basis of distribution channel which comprises of store based and non-store based. Access Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/instant-noodles-market-1841 Detailed Regional Analysis: The Global Instant Noodles Market is segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world (ROW). Among these, APAC region is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period and will grow at a CAGR of 5.02%. Europe will be the fastest growing region in the instant noodles market, market value will grow at a CAGR of 4.81% and high growth in emerging economies such as China, India, Japan and ASEAN countries. Latin American countries, offers ample opportunities for expansion to major players. The high consumption of processed and convenience food products in growing economies of Asia-Pacific and Latin America and growing demand for ready to eat especially in China and India will support the market growth during the review period. Lillian Rose (Janysek) Bujnoch Audio Article It is with profound sadness that the family of Lillian Rose (Janysek) Bujnoch announce her passing. Lillian passed peacefully, surrounded... James John Kruse Audio Article James John Kruse of Black Hill, Texas, passed away on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at the age of 81. James... Margaret Vega Cresap Audio Article Margaret Vega Cresap passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at the age of 76. She... Teslas stock sank more than seven per cent Friday after its chief executive, Elon Musk, taunted federal regulators days after reaching a settlement with them over accusations of fraud, alleging they had sued him to help his enemies. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/10/2018 (1133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Teslas stock sank more than seven per cent Friday after its chief executive, Elon Musk, taunted federal regulators days after reaching a settlement with them over accusations of fraud, alleging they had sued him to help his enemies. "Just want to (say) that the Shortseller Enrichment Commission is doing incredible work. And the name change is so on point!" he tweeted Thursday, a jeering reference to the Securities and Exchange Commission, with whom hed settled five days earlier. The SEC declined to comment. Tesla did not respond to requests for comment. Musk doubled down on the tweet shortly after. "Why would they be upset about their mission? Its what they do," he said of the SEC. The mocking tweets again raised doubts that the company could rein in its eccentric celebrity billionaire, who pushed the company further into chaos in August when he tweeted that he had the "funding secured" to take the electric-car company private. The SEC sued him, accusing him of misleading investors and pushing to ban him from running any public company. Musk originally refused a settlement but relented on Sept. 29, agreeing to step down as Teslas chairman for three years and pay a US$20 million fine. The settlement mandated that the company must implement "mandatory procedures and controls to oversee all of Elon Musks communications regarding the Company made in any format." The company has declined to provide detail in recent days over what those controls would entail. Musks defiance on Twitter, where he has 22 million followers, could prove risky or unwise; regulators had pushed to bar him from leading the company, and could do so again if they feel Musk or the company have not abided by the deal. But some former SEC officials and legal experts were divided over whether Musks comment had crossed a legal line. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I think it is juvenile and sophomoric and narcissistic, but I dont think it has particular relevance to the subject of the lawsuit against him," said Harvey Pitt, the SEC chairman under former U.S. president George W. Bush. "It is the essence of free speech... He is just belittling the SEC," Pitt added. "It is an indication of impetuousness, but I dont think its a securities law violation. Its just plain bad taste." Musk has frequently sparred with short sellers who have bet against the company, and his tweet suggests he believes the SEC acted to benefit anti-Tesla investors. Tesla stock dropped roughly three per cent in after-hours trading. The tweet came just hours after U.S. District Court Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan ordered Musk and the SEC to submit a joint letter justifying the terms of the settlement by Thursday. The letter should explain why the deal is "fair and reasonable," Nathan said in the court order. Nathan must approve the settlements terms. Over the weekend, Musk fired off another tweet that some took as a subtle jab at the regulators seeking to control him. "Naughty by Nature," he tweeted, including a winking face. Washington Post Saudi Arabias crown prince insisted the stalled plan to sell shares in oil giant Aramco will go ahead, promising an initial public offering by 2021 and sticking to his ambitious view the state-run company is worth US$2 trillion or more. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/10/2018 (1133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Saudi Arabias crown prince insisted the stalled plan to sell shares in oil giant Aramco will go ahead, promising an initial public offering by 2021 and sticking to his ambitious view the state-run company is worth US$2 trillion or more. The comments show 33-year-old Mohammed bin Salmans determination to press ahead with the IPO even after Riyadhs original timetable was undone by skepticism over the companys valuation and a plan for Aramco to buy a controlling stake in the countrys biggest chemical producer. "I believe late 2020, early 2021," he said, discussing the timing of the IPO in an interview at the royal palace in Riyadh. "The investor will decide the price on the day. I believe it will be above US$2 trillion. Because it will be huge." The IPO project was first announced in 2016 as the cornerstone of the princes Vision 2030 plan to modernize the Saudi economy. Officials repeatedly said the deal was "on track, on time" for the second half of 2018, but earlier this year they said it would be delayed into 2019. Soon after, Aramco put the IPO on hold and instead started talks to buy a majority stake in local petrochemical giant SABIC, a deal potentially worth US$70 billion. Speaking late on Wednesday, surrounded by a handful of advisers, Prince Mohammed said the IPO was "100 per cent" in the nations interest. "Everyone heard about the rumours of Saudi Arabia cancelling the IPO of Aramco, delaying that, and that this is delaying Vision 2030," he said. "This is not right." Prince Mohammed said the IPOs delay had its origin in mid-2017, when it became clear that Aramco needed a push into petrochemicals. He said it would have been unfair to go ahead with the listing only to surprise investors soon after with a big deal in chemicals. The Aramco IPO would be a seismic event for financial markets. Prince Mohammed said he hoped to raise a record US$100 billion by selling a five per cent stake, dwarfing the previous record, set in 2014, when Chinese retailer Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. raised US$25 billion. For Wall Street, it would be a money-maker, with banks from JPMorgan Chase & Co. to Citigroup Inc. already working for Aramco. Yet, in a world moving away from oil, the IPO would be a test of the appetite of global investors for fossil fuels. The most recent statements on when the IPO would happen provided considerable room to manoeuvre. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said in August that Saudi Arabia would go ahead with the project "at a time of its own choosing, when conditions are optimum." Prince Mohammed has now given the company and its advisers a new deadline, requiring the completion of the SABIC acquisition and a giant international share sale in less than three years. Management and bankers will take some solace from the fact theyve already made many of the preparations needed for an IPO, but it remains a daunting agenda. Prince Mohammed said the deal between Aramco and SABIC, which he hopes will close next year, was key for the future of the countrys energy industry. The state-owned company can pull it off easily due to its low debt, he said. "If we want to have a really strong future for Aramco after 20, 30, 40 years from today, Aramco has to invest a lot in downstream because we know that the new demand for oil 20 years from now, it will be from petrochemicals," he said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. If Aramco had developed a separate petrochemical business, SABIC would have definitely suffered, Prince Mohammed said, partly because Aramco provides SABIC with the bulk of the fuel it processes into chemicals. Prince Mohammed said that the Saudi government will keep the shares of Aramco after the IPO, rather than transfer them into the sovereign wealth fund as originally planned. Instead, the PIF will receive the US$70 billion from the sale of its stake in SABIC, plus the US$100 billion the country hopes to raise from the Aramco IPO. "So PIF is good, the economic plans in Saudi Arabia is good, and that deal is good for the downstream industry in Saudi Arabia," he added, referring to the Aramco-SABIC deal. Prince Mohammed provided a detailed timetable of his plans for Aramco, saying that after the SABIC deal is completed in 2019, the company would need a full financial year before it can go ahead and sell shares to the public. "So the deal in 2019, one financial year in 2020 and then immediately Aramco will be IPO-ed," he said late Wednesday. "Weve tried to push to IPO it as soon as possible, but this is the timing, based on the situation that we have." Bloomberg Churchill residents are feeling relieved after crews reached a milestone on the way to restoring rail service to their isolated community. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/10/2018 (1133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Churchill residents are feeling relieved after crews reached a milestone on the way to restoring rail service to their isolated community. On Saturday, work crews wrapped up a month-long effort to repair the many washouts on the tracks between Gillam and Churchill. Repair crews and hi-rail trucks are expected to arrive in the coming days to work on final preparations, such as culvert replacements and shoulder reinforcements, for the restoration of rail service. Federal inspections will follow. Its unclear when rail service to the northern community of about 900 people will resume, though Churchill Mayor Mike Spence said the project is nearing completion. "It is our hope that Transport Canada inspections can take place as soon as possible. This is still all weather-dependent, but we are feeling confident," Spence said by email Monday. "It took us a long time to reach this point, but thanks to the support of the federal government, we can now see the light of the end of the tunnel. Were close." Churchill resident Patricia Kinduirin is helping plan a street party to celebrate the trains rolling back to town. There will be food, music and a bonfire so to speak. "I have an Omnitrax banner that I am going to burn at our party," Kinduirin said, referring to the company that formerly owned the railway. "Its the best feeling in the world, knowing we are not cut off anymore from the outside world," she said in a Facebook message. "Those that cannot afford airfare can reconnect with their families again. Our school kids can travel in more school trips, once the passenger train is cleared to travel on the tracks." On Thursday, Arctic Gateway Group, the new owner of the rail line, warned that the company might not be able to restore service until spring because of recent snowfall and a deadly derailment last month that closed a section of the line and killed a 38-year-old worker. In a written statement Sunday, spokesman Murad Al-Katib said hes pleased with the progress, but more work still needs to be done. "We will vigilantly continue the remaining works as quickly as possible, with our minds on the safety of our workforce and the operations of our railway. We are hopeful that weather conditions remain favourable," Al-Katib said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. If the rail line cant be opened this season, Churchill will have to endure a second winter without rail shipments, meaning higher prices on everything from food to fuel. The rail line closed in May 2017 after flooding caused more than a dozen washouts to sections of the track. Arctic Gateway Group which includes members of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, AGT Food and Ingredients Inc., and First Nations consortium Missinippi Rail Limited Partnership took control of the Hudson Bay Railway on Aug. 31. In June 2017, Spence said he believed repairs could be done within two months if the town had some control of the rail line. "We are feeling relieved. It has been a very challenging time," he said Monday, shortly after greeting crews who completed the first inspection of the re-constructed line. "Besides the high costs of goods, many families have not been able to visit loved ones, school trips have been affected and building projects have been postponed. But most of all, economic development opportunities have been missed. With stable ownership, we are looking forward to being able to invest and plan for the future. I expect the whole town will come out and cheer on the first train that arrives." ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.cajessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Winnipeggers may have endured below normal temperatures for the past three weeks, but Manitoba farmers are feeling the real brunt of the bitter weather as they wait for warmer temperatures to harvest the last of their crops. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/10/2018 (1133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Winnipeggers may have endured below normal temperatures for the past three weeks, but Manitoba farmers are feeling the real brunt of the bitter weather as they wait for warmer temperatures to harvest the last of their crops. "This year, (the cold) is particularly noticeable because weve gone three straight weeks now below normal so it just seems like weve been stuck in this cold pattern forever," said Rob Paola, a retired Environment Canada meteorologist living in Winnipeg. "Its especially hard for farmers who are trying to finish their harvest. Theyre having a challenging time." Simon Ellis, a pedigreed seed farmer in Wawanesa, about two-and-a-half hours west of Winnipeg, still has about 200 acres or roughly one-fifth of his crops left to harvest. Soy beans, flax and hemp are the last items hes waiting on. "We havent really harvested anything since the start of September just because of the constant rains and now snow," Ellis said in an interview Monday. "Theres a few farmers that still have wheat and canola left and were quite concerned about those sorts of crops because they might not withstand the weathering quite as well. But crops like soy beans are amazingly resilient and theyll stand a bit of this sort of weather for a while before too much damage is done," he said, adding four more sunny days for harvesting would be ideal. Corn and sunflowers are also among farmers final crops to go. "Mother Nature is the dictator of everything here, so as long as we can get the crops off before the snow starts staying around, then well be happy," Ellis said. Amanda Prysizney, a decision support meteorologist with Environment Canada in Winnipeg, said a significant low pressure system may clip southeastern Manitoba starting Wednesday with potential for some snowfall. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. She called October a "highly variable" month in terms of temperature and snow possibilities, pointing to record highs and lows for this time of year. The record high for Oct. 8 in Winnipeg was 27.4 C recorded in 2003, while the record low was -0.6 C in 1985. That same chilly year, Winnipeg had a record snowfall of 10 centimetres for Oct. 8. By comparison, Mondays high was 7 C. Prysizney doesnt expect October to warm up much more for Winnipeggers, though she said daytime highs may rise to a more normal 12 C. "I would select a warm Halloween costume this year by the looks of things," she said. jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @_jessbu The vast majority of Winnipeggers feel their personal safety is being put at risk due to the rise of methamphetamine use in the city. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/10/2018 (1133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The vast majority of Winnipeggers feel their personal safety is being put at risk due to the rise of methamphetamine use in the city. A Probe Research poll, commissioned by the Free Press and CTV, reveals roughly eight out of 10 residents worry the proliferation and popularity of meth on the streets of Winnipeg will put them in personal danger. "Eighty per cent is almost everybody. To get that kind of number is just remarkable," Probe Research president Scott MacKay said. "Thats widespread anxiety on this issue. People dont want to feel that way. The presence of that anxiety, I think, is going to be enough for people to start screaming for answers." Respondents werent asked if theyre concerned about meth use in the city; rather, they were asked whether they fear it will personally put them at risk. The response was fairly consistent throughout all areas of Winnipeg and from people of all socioeconomic backgrounds with some variation. The highest level of concern was in Winnipegs southwest (82 per cent), while the lowest level was reported in the northwest (75 per cent). Those with a lower socioeconomic status reported feeling most vulnerable. Respondents who earn higher incomes were less concerned. People who make less than $30,000 per year report feeling most insecure (91 per cent); the figure drops to 75 per cent for those who make more than $100,000. "Im not sure we should make too much of that, to be honest. My fear is well lose the big picture, which is that practically everyone is concerned. Its super high among low-income people, and just plain high among everyone else," MacKay said. The Probe poll comes at the tail end of a year in which meth has often been in the headlines. In August 2017, Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Jay Murray told reporters meth had "gripped the city" and was responsible for most of Winnipegs rising property crime. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth said in February the city's meth problem was so bad, it was keeping him awake at night. Six months later, in February 2018, police Chief Danny Smyth said the citys meth problem was getting so bad it was keeping him up at night. Insp. Max Waddell, who works in the organized crime unit, wasnt surprised to see the results of the poll. He says the 11 per cent increase in property crime from 2016 to 2017 is connected with meth use and has "touched people that live in all corners of the city." In addition, he said the highly addictive nature of the drug pushes use into the open. "People will do anything to get that next hit of meth and keep themselves high. They dont care if people are watching them or if its out in the open, that draw and desire is so powerful," Waddell said. Most of Winnipegs meth carries the stamp of Mexican drug cartels. Police believe the drug is smuggled into Canadas West Coast, before being shipped to other provinces. Compared with other drugs, meth poses a greater risk to police and residents because users become unpredictable, Waddell said. "Methamphetamine causes people to come into a state of psychosis, where they really lose control. The simplest trigger or stimulus can cause people to act in a very violent or aggressive manner," Waddell said. "This isnt something were going to be able to arrest our way out of. Those who are addicted to this drug need help." Mayor Brian Bowman admits the meth crisis is a significant challenge for the city, but stresses it isnt unique to Winnipeg. He points to the WPS illicit drug strategy and the proposed Bruce Oake Recovery Centre as being among recent efforts to help tackle the problem. "This isnt something were going to be able to arrest our way out of. Those who are addicted to this drug need help." Insp. Max Waddell, who works in the organized crime unit The mayor also wouldnt rule out the possibility of setting up a supervised injection site, saying "all options need to be kept on the table," with no potential solutions ruled out for "ideological reasons." Bowman said if hes re-elected Oct. 24, hell spearhead a task force that would include representatives from the municipal, provincial and federal governments. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. His main challenger in the municipal election, Jenny Motkaluk, said the results of the poll are an indictment of Bowmans leadership over his first term in office. She doubts Bowman has the ability to address the problem and points to her recent campaign promise of a meth task force as something that would make a tangible impact. "Brian Bowman and his administration are going to be judged on their results. We have seen four years of significant upticks in violent crime and property crime in the city. All of this happened on Brian Bowmans watch," Motkaluk said. Given the poll results, MacKay said its no surprise mayoral candidates have made tackling the meth problem a central plank in their election platforms. "Im certainly not an expert when it comes to methamphetamine," MacKay said, "but from a public opinion perspective, these numbers are just remarkable." ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe A man emailed recently in response to something Id written about street harassment. He was so glad, he said, that his college-age daughter never experienced anything like that. Less than a day later, he wrote again. They had just talked. She told him shed been harassed many, many times including that week. She never shared this, because she wanted to protect him from her pain. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/10/2018 (1133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion A man emailed recently in response to something Id written about street harassment. He was so glad, he said, that his college-age daughter never experienced anything like that. Less than a day later, he wrote again. They had just talked. She told him shed been harassed many, many times including that week. She never shared this, because she wanted to protect him from her pain. For all the stereotypes that linger about women being too fragile or emotional, these past weeks have revealed what many women already knew: a lot of effort goes into protecting men we love from bad things that happen to us. And a lot of fathers are closer to bad things than theyll ever know. "Two of my daughters have told me stories that I had never heard before about things that happened to them in high school," Fox News anchor Chris Wallace mused on air recently, as he urged skeptical viewers to carefully consider the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford. If you are a father who hasnt heard these stories, that doesnt mean they dont exist. Theyve been pouring into my inbox almost every day. To the father of the young woman who was assaulted by the student athlete she was hired to tutor: she never told you because she didnt want to break your heart. But she told me, in a long email, because the memory of it was breaking her own heart and shed spent five years replaying it. To the father of the junior high student who was pinned down and undressed at a gathering 30 years ago: she didnt tell you because she didnt want to see you cry. But she told me that she still remembers every detail. To the father of the teenager who was raped at a party: you dont know about this, because she was certain that if you knew, you would kill her attacker and go to prison, and it would be her fault. To the father of the son who was assaulted by an older man: I wish I could tell you more about what happened to him, but he wouldnt tell me, and he definitely wont tell you, because manliness is important to you, he says. To all the fathers of all the silent victims: your children are quietly carrying these stories, not because they cant handle their emotions but because theyre worried that you cant. They are worried that your emotions will have too many consequences. Or they fear you wont think of them the same way. Or that youll be distraught because you didnt protect them. "It meant I would have to talk about something sexual," one woman wrote me, about why it took her decades to tell her father about an assault at a pool party when she was 10. "And that was a completely taboo subject." I have been thinking lately about taboos, and how many of them exist because women dont want to make men uncomfortable with lady pain a broad spectrum that includes cramps, breastfeeding, the viscera of childbirth, the achiness of menstruation. Some grown men still react to tampons as if theyre grenades, and as a result, many grown women still furtively pass them between ourselves in shadowy corridors, so nobody else feels awkward. Its silly, and we must know this at some level. But if the mention of Tampax makes a man need a fainting couch, is it any wonder we decide hes not ready to hear messier stories? A dear friend shared this week that she was repeatedly molested as a kid. Shes fine now, she said. The only reason she hadnt spoken up publicly was because her father still didnt know; it would devastate him. She saw the irony in this that even in her own recovery, she had been concerned with shielding a man from agony. "But Lord, my dads done an awful lot for me," she wrote. "And I can and will do this for him." This makes sense to me. All of us want to protect our loved ones from painful information. I dont want this womans father to have to deal with it, either. But when I think of my friends valiant secrecy, I want to cry. So, to the rest of you: if you can tell your father in a way that feels safe, and in a way that would bring you comfort, tell your father. Tell your brothers. Let them be uncomfortable; let them share some of your pain. Dont let them be ignorant. If your fathers are going to form beliefs about how victims should act and what perpetrators look like, then force your father to deal with the complication of making those assumptions about someone he loves. And if you yourself are a father, and you believe this would never happen to your daughter how do you know? Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. She might not have told you. But she has told me. A 50-something woman called me this week. She told me her father was the parent she always wanted to impress; disappointing him was the worst thing she could imagine. Thats what was in her mind 40 years ago when a group of neighbourhood boys lured her into a house and assaulted her, one of them watching the door, two of them digitally penetrating her. She was thinking about how she didnt want to disappoint her father. Last week, this woman began feeling like her dad couldnt really know who she was unless she told him about the attack. She called him, and the story came out in a tumble. On the telephone that day, she says, he spoke to her in his "dad voice." Not the adult tone he usually used when they talked now. But in the voice of her childhood, comforting and parental. In his dad voice, he told her she didnt have to share the whole story with him now. But when she was ready, he wanted to listen. Washington Post JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company. It provides financial and investment banking services. The firm offers a range of investment banking products and services in all capital markets, including advising on corporate strategy and structure, capital raising in equity and debt markets, risk management, market making in cash securities and derivative instruments, and brokerage and research. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking, Corporate and Investment Bank, Commercial Banking, and Asset and Wealth Management. The Consumer and Community Banking segment serves consumers and businesses through personal service at bank branches and through automated teller machine, online, mobile, and telephone banking. The Corporate and Investment Bank segment offers a suite of investment banking, market-making, prime brokerage, and treasury and securities products and services to a global client base of corporations, investors, financial institutions, government and municipal entities. The Commercial Banking segment delivers services to U.S. and its multinational clients, including corporations, municipalities, financial institutions, and non profit Read More The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Advisors S.r.l., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe (Services) Limited, AIG Europe Holdings S.a.rl., AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Insurance Company (Switzerland) Ltd, AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG Shared Services Corporation, AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE EOLA LLC, AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American Home Assurance Company Escritorio de Representacao no Brasil Ltda., American International Group Inc., American International Group UK Limited, American International Overseas Association, American International Overseas Limited, American International Realty Corp., American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A., American Security Life Insurance Company Limited, Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Avondhu Limited, Blackboard Customer Care Insurance Services LLC, Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Services LLC, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., Chartis Takaful Enaya B.S.C. (c), Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Fortitude Group Holdings LLC, Fortitude Life & Annuity Solutions Inc., Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd., Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Group Risk Services Limited, Group Risk Technologies Limited, Illinois National Insurance Co., Jefferson Eola Venture LLC, Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, MG Reinsurance Limited, Mt. Mansfield Company Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Private Joint-Stock Company AIG Ukraine Insurance Company, Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SA Affordable Housing LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners Inc., SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., Thai CIT Holding Company Limited, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., Western World Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Group Inc.. John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF's stock was trading at $31.42 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, JHMF stock has increased by 73.1% and is now trading at $54.38. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. There is not enough analysis data for Centennial Mining. 5.0 Community Rank Outperform Votes Centennial Mining has received 57 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Centennial Mining has received 17 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Centennial Mining has received 77.03% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Centennial Mining and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe CTL will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe CTL will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Airbus SE designs, manufactures, and distributes aerospace products and solutions in the Netherlands and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Airbus Defence and Space. The company's Airbus segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial jet aircraft of approximately 100 seats; and regional turboprop aircraft and aircraft components, as well as provides aircraft conversion and related services. Its Airbus Helicopters segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells civil and military helicopters; and provides helicopter related services. The company's Airbus Defence and Space segment designs, develops, delivers, and supports military aircraft, such as combat, mission, transport, and tanker aircraft; and provides unmanned aerial systems and their associated services. It also offers civil and defense space systems for telecommunications, earth observations, navigation, science, and orbital systems; missile systems; and missile and space launcher systems, as well as services around data processing from platforms, secure communication, and cyber security. The company was formerly known as Airbus Group SE and changed its name to Airbus SE in April 2017. Airbus SE was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Amherst Pierpont, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16 Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets). The following companies are subsidiares of D.R. Horton: 10700 Pecan Park Austin Inc., 11241 Slater Avenue NE LLC, 2 C Development Company LLC, 8800 Roswell Road Bldg. B LLC, 91st Avenue & Happy Valley L.L.C., ANN & 215 LLC, Austin Data Inc., BP456 Inc., C. Richard Dobson Builders Inc., CH Funding LLC, CH Investments of Texas Inc., CHI Construction Company, CHM Partners L.P., CHTEX of Texas Inc., CV Mountain View 25 Inv LLC, Cane Island LLC, Continental Homes Inc., Continental Homes of Texas L.P., Continental Residential Inc., Continental Traditions LLC, Crown Operating Company Inc., Cypress Road L.P., D.R. Horton - CHAustin LLC, D.R. Horton - Colorado LLC, D.R. Horton - Crown LLC, D.R. Horton - Emerald Ltd., D.R. Horton - Georgia LLC, D.R. Horton - Hawaii LLC, D.R. Horton - Highland LLC, D.R. Horton - Indiana LLC, D.R. Horton - Iowa LLC, D.R. Horton - MV LLC, D.R. Horton - Nebraska LLC, D.R. Horton - Permian LLC, D.R. Horton - Regent LLC, D.R. Horton - Terramor LLC, D.R. Horton - Texas Ltd., D.R. Horton - WPH LLC, D.R. Horton - Wyoming LLC, D.R. Horton BAY Inc., D.R. Horton CA2 Inc., D.R. Horton CA3 Inc., D.R. Horton CA4 LLC, D.R. Horton Commercial Inc., D.R. Horton Cruces Construction Inc., D.R. Horton Inc. - Birmingham, D.R. Horton Inc. - Chicago, D.R. Horton Inc. - Denver, D.R. Horton Inc. - Dietz-Crane, D.R. Horton Inc. - Greensboro, D.R. Horton Inc. - Gulf Coast, D.R. Horton Inc. - Huntsville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Jacksonville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Louisville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Midwest, D.R. Horton Inc. - Minnesota, D.R. Horton Inc. - NNV, D.R. Horton Inc. - New Jersey, D.R. Horton Inc. - Portland, D.R. Horton Inc. - Torrey, D.R. Horton Inc. Foundation, D.R. Horton Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton LA North Inc., D.R. Horton Life Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company Inc., D.R. Horton Management Company Ltd., D.R. Horton Materials Inc., D.R. Horton Realty LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Atlantic County LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Central Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Delaware LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Georgia Inc., D.R. Horton Realty of Melbourne LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Tampa LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Virginia LLC, D.R. Horton Seabridge Marina Inc., D.R. Horton Serenity Construction LLC, D.R. Horton Urban Renewal LLC, D.R. Horton VEN Inc., D.R. Horton Corpus Christi LLC, DBC54 LLC, DHI Commercial - Lakeview LLC, DHI Commercial - Signal Butte LLC, DHI Commercial - Tamarron LLC, DHI Commercial Inc., DHI Communities Construction LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Arizona LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Colorado LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Florida LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Iowa LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Nevada LLC, DHI Communities Construction of North Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of South Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Texas LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Utah LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Virginia LLC, DHI Communities II LLC, DHI Communities Inc., DHI Engineering LLC, DHI Insurance Inc., DHI Mortgage Company, DHI Mortgage Company GP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company LP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company Ltd., DHI Ranch Ltd., DHI Realty of Alabama LLC, DHI Realty of Mississippi LLC, DHI Title GP Inc., DHI Title LP Inc., DHI Title of Alabama Inc., DHI Title of Arizona Inc., DHI Title of Florida Inc., DHI Title of Minnesota Inc., DHI Title of Nevada Inc., DHI Title of Texas Ltd., DHI Title of Washington Inc., DHI Verandah South Shores Communities LLC, DHIC - Bridges LLC, DHIC - Brittmore LLC, DHIC - Carolina Forest LLC, DHIC - Desert Peak LLC, DHIC - Durbin Creek LLC, DHIC - Freestone LLC, DHIC - Hammock Landing LLC, DHIC - Heritage LLC, DHIC - Horizon Uptown LLC, DHIC - Jacobs Reserve LLC, DHIC - Lakeview LLC, DHIC - Lipoma LLC, DHIC - Minton Cove LLC, DHIC - Mountain Vista LLC, DHIC - Naco LLC, DHIC - Northshore LLC, DHIC - Prairie Village LLC, DHIC - South Creek LLC, DHIC - Tamarron LLC, DHIC - Valley Vista LLC, DHIC - Varina Gateway LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh II LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh III LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh LLC, DHIC - Westridge LLC, DHIC LLC, DHIC Glendale LLC, DHIC Grove West LLC, DHIC South Park LLC, DHIC Westinghouse LLC, DHIR - Aspen Vista LLC, DHIR - Avian Pointe LLC, DHIR - Emerald Lakes LLC, DHIR - Fosters Ridge LLC, DHIR - Gulf Stream LLC, DHIR - Parkview at Lynn Haven LLC, DHIR - Poplar Terrace LLC, DHIR - Properties I LLC, DHIR - Rock Ridge LLC, DHIR - Sunset Village LLC, DHIR - Village at Hickory Street LLC, DRH - ARK LLC, DRH - ASG LLC, DRH - HWY 114 LLC, DRH Cambridge Homes LLC, DRH Capital Trust I, DRH Capital Trust II, DRH Capital Trust III, DRH Colorado Realty Inc., DRH Construction Inc., DRH Energy Inc., DRH FS Mortgage Reinsurance Ltd., DRH Land Opportunities I Inc., DRH Land Opportunities II Inc., DRH Mountain View LLC, DRH Oil & Gas Inc., DRH Opportunities I Inc., DRH Properties Inc., DRH Realty Company Inc., DRH Realty of Iowa LLC, DRH Regrem L LLC, DRH Regrem LI LLC, DRH Regrem LII LLC, DRH Regrem LIII LLC, DRH Regrem LIV LLC, DRH Regrem LV LLC, DRH Regrem VII LP, DRH Regrem XII LP, DRH Regrem XIV Inc., DRH Regrem XIX Inc., DRH Regrem XLIX LLC, DRH Regrem XLV LLC, DRH Regrem XLVI LLC, DRH Regrem XLVII LLC, DRH Regrem XLVIII LLC, DRH Regrem XV Inc., DRH Regrem XVI Inc., DRH Regrem XVII Inc., DRH Regrem XVIII Inc., DRH Regrem XX Inc., DRH Regrem XXI Inc., DRH Regrem XXII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIV Inc., DRH Regrem XXV Inc., DRH Southwest Construction Inc., DRH Tucson Construction Inc., DRHI Inc., Deer Valley Office Park LLC, Desert Ridge Phase I Partners, Emerald Creek No. 4 L.P., Emerald Realty of Alabama LLC, Emerald Realty of Central Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of North Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Encore II Inc., Encore Venture Partners II (California) L.P., Encore Venture Partners II (Texas) L.P., Encore Venture Partners L.P., Express Realty of Central Florida LLC, Express Realty of North Florida LLC, Express Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Forestar Group, Forestar Group Inc., Founders Oil & Gas II LLC, Founders Oil & Gas III LLC, Founders Oil & Gas IV LLC, Founders Oil & Gas LLC, Founders Oil & Gas Operating LLC, GP-Encore Inc., Georgetown Data Inc., Germann & McQueen L.L.C., Grand Title Agency LLC, Grande Realty Incorporated, Grande Realty of Pennsylvania LLC, Greywes LLC, HPH Homebuilders 2000 L.P., Hadian LLC, KDB Homes Inc., Kaomalo LLC, Lexington Homes - DRH LLC, MRLF LLC, Martin Road Lake Forest LLC, McQueen & Willis LLC, Meadows I Ltd., Meadows II Ltd., Meadows IX Inc., Meadows VIII Ltd., Meadows X Inc., Melody Homes Inc., Pacific Ridge - DRH LLC, Rielly Carlsbad LLC, Rielly Homes Madison LLC, SFTEN LLC, SGS Communities at Grand Quay L.L.C, SHA Construction LLC, SHLR of California Inc., SHLR of Nevada Inc., SHLR of Washington Inc., SRHI LLC, SSHI LLC, Schuler Homes of Arizona LLC, Schuler Homes of California Inc., Schuler Homes of Oregon Inc., Schuler Homes of Washington Inc., Summerlin Pkwy & Cimarron LLC, Surprise Village North LLC, The Club at Cobblestone LLC, The Club at Hidden River LLC, Tierra Financial Advisors LLC, Travis County Title Company, Treasure Assets LLC, Venture Management of South Carolina LLC, Vertical Construction Corporation, WPH-Camino Ruiz LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon II LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon LLC, Walker Drive LLC, Western Pacific Brea Development LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Mountaingate L.P., Western Pacific Housing - SDG LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Westlake II L.P., Western Pacific Housing Inc., Western Pacific Housing Management Inc., Western Pacific Housing-Antigua LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Broadway LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Canyon Park LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Carrillo LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Communications Hill LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Copper Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Creekside LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lomas Verdes LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Lyons Canyon Partners LLC, Western Pacific Housing-McGonigle Canyon LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Norco Estates LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Pacific Park II LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue East LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Park Avenue West LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Playa Vista LLC, Western Pacific Housing-River Ridge LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Terra Bay Duets LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Meadows LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Torrey Village Center LLC, Western Pacific Housing-Windemere LLC, and Wilson Parker Homes. The following companies are subsidiares of Global Payments: ACTIVE Network - Communities and Sports, Active Network (HK) Limited, Active Network IPICO (CA) Inc., Active Network IPICO (US) Inc., Active Network IPICO Holdings (US) LLC, Active Network IPICO Holdings (US) LLC, Active Network IPICO Innovation Inc., Active Networks LLC, AdvancedMD, Athlaction Intermediate LLC, Athlaction Topco LLC, AuctionPay, Comercia Global Payments Entidad de Pago S.L., DEBITEK INC, Digital Dining LLC, Dinerware LLC, DolEx Europe S.L., Educational Computer Systems Inc., Ematters Australia Pty Ltd., Equifax Credit Services LLC, Ezi Holdings Pty. Ltd., Ezi Management Pty Ltd., Ezidebit, Ezidebit (NZ) Limited, Ezidebit HK Ltd., Ezidebit Pty Ltd., GP Finance LLC, GPC Financial Corporation, GPS Holding Limited Partnership, GPUK LLP, Global Payment Holding Company, Global Payment Systems Asia-Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd., Global Payment Systems LLC, Global Payment Systems of Canada Ltd., Global Payments - Caixa Acquisition Corporation S.a.r.l., Global Payments - Realex Payments Holding Limited, Global Payments - Servicos de Pagamentos S.A., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 1 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 2 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 3 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 2 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 2 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 3 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 3 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 4 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 6 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 7 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 7 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation HK Holding Limited, Global Payments Acquisition PS 1 C.V., Global Payments Acquisition PS 2 C.V., Global Payments Acquisition PS 3 C. V., Global Payments Acquisition PS1-Global Payments Direct S.e.n.c., Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong Holding) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (India) Private Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Shanghai) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Singapore Holding) Ltd., Global Payments Asia-Pacific Lanka (Private) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Macau Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Maldives Private Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Processing Company Limited, Global Payments Australia Pty 1 Ltd., Global Payments Australia Pty 2 Ltd., Global Payments Canada GP, Global Payments Canada Inc., Global Payments Card Processing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, Global Payments Check Recovery Services Inc., Global Payments Check Services Inc., Global Payments Direct Inc., Global Payments Europe d.o.o. Sarajevo, Global Payments Europe s.r.o., Global Payments Gaming Canada Inc., Global Payments Gaming International Inc., Global Payments Gaming Services Inc., Global Payments Integrated, Global Payments Limited, Global Payments Process Centre Inc., Global Payments South America Brasil-Servicos de Pagamentos S.A., Global Payments UK 2 Ltd., Global Payments UK Ltd., Global Payments s.r.o., Greater Giving Inc., Heartland Acquisition LLC, Heartland Payment Solutions Inc., Heartland Payment Systems, Heartland Payment Systems LLC, Heartland Payroll Solutions Inc., IPICO South Africa (Pty) Ltd., JumpForward LLC, Maximum Solutions LLC, Merchant Services U.S.A. Inc., Modular Data Inc., NDC Holdings (UK) Ltd., NDPS Holdings Inc., PCAmerica LLC, Pay and Shop Limited, PayPros LLC, Payment Processing, Payroll 1 Inc., Realex Payments, SICOM Systems, Sabrir Invest S.L., Sentral Education, Spolecnost pro informacni database a.s., Storman Holdings Pty Ltd., Storman Software Inc., Storman Software Limited, Storman Software Ltd., Storman Software Pty Ltd., TeamPages Inc., The Active Network (Asia) Pte. Ltd, The Active Network (Aus-NZ) Pty. Ltd., The Active Network (EU) Ltd., The Active Network Ltd., The Active Network Ltd. (Chengdu), The Active Network Ltd. (Xian), Total System Services, TouchNet Information Systems Inc., UCS Terminal Joint Stock Company, United Card Service Joint Stock Company, VEPF III AIV VI-C Corp., VEPF IV AIV VII-C Corp., VFF I AIV IV-C Corp., Web Active Corporation Pty Ltd., Xenial, Xpient LLC, eWAY, eWay Europe Limited, eWay Payments Asia Pte Ltd., eWay Payments Inc., eWay Payments New Zealand Limited, eWay Payments North America Inc., and eWay Payments Pty Ltd.. Capital One Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.40 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 1.53%. Capital One Financial has been increasing its dividend for 2 consecutive year(s), indicating that it does not yet have a strong track record of dividend growth. The dividend payout ratio of Capital One Financial is 8.96%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, Capital One Financial will have a dividend payout ratio of 12.49% next year. This indicates that Capital One Financial will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. View Capital One Financial's dividend history. CSS Industries, Inc., a consumer products company, designs, manufactures, procures, distributes, and sells seasonal, gift, and craft products principally to mass market retailers in the United States and Canada. Its craft and gift consumer products include craft ribbons and bows, trims, buttons, sewing patterns, knitting needles, needle arts, kids' crafts, infant products, journals, gift card holders, all occasion boxed greeting cards, memory books, scrapbooks, stationery, stickers, and other gift and craft items, as well as floral accessories, including pot covers, foil, waxed tissue, shred, aisle runners, corsage bags, and other paper and film products. The company's seasonal consumer products comprise Christmas products, such as packaging ribbon and bows, boxed greeting cards, gift wraps, gift bags, gift boxes, gift tags, gift card holders, tissue papers, and decorations; Valentine products consisting of classroom exchange Valentine cards and other related Valentine products; Easter products, including Easter egg dyes and related Easter seasonal products; and back-to-school products, such as teachers' aids and other learning oriented products. CSS Industries, Inc. offers its products principally under the Paper Magic, Berwick, Offray, C.R. Gibson, McCall's, Butterick, Kwik Sew, Vogue Patterns, Markings, Stepping Stones, Tapestry, Seastone, Dudley's, Eureka, Stickerfitti, Favorite Findings, La Mode, Simplicity, Wrights, Boye, Dimensions, and Perler brand names. The company sells its products to mass market retailers, discount department stores, specialty chains, warehouse clubs, drug and food chains, dollar stores, office supply stores, and retail teachers' stores, as well as to independent card, gift, and floral shops through account sales managers, sales representatives, product specialists, and a network of independent manufacturers' representatives. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Read More Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through four strategic business units: Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers chequing, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; loans, lines of credit, student lines of credit, and business and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, investing and wealth, specialty, and international services; correspondent banking and online foreign exchange services; and cash management services. The company serves its customers through its banking centers, as well as direct, mobile, and remote channels. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Federated Investors, Inc. is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, including high net worth individuals, banking or thrift institutions, investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities, and registered investment advisors. Through its subsidiaries, it manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, balanced and money market mutual funds along with separate client-focused equity, fixed income, money market, and balanced portfolios. Through its subsidiaries, the firm invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. It invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap companies. The firm makes its fixed income investments in ultra-short, short-term, and intermediate-term mortgage-backed, U.S. Government, U.S. corporate, high yield, and municipal securities. It employs both fundamental and quantitative analysis to make its equity investments. Federated Investors, Inc. was founded in 1955 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with additional offices in New York City and London, United Kingdom. Read More Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and creditor and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its field sales force, advice centers, and online, as well as through independent insurance advisors and affinity relationships. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset, cash management, transaction banking, and treasury services to institutional clients; correspondent banking and trade finance services for financial institutions; and short-term funding and liquidity management services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, governments, and central banks. Royal Bank of Canada has a strategic partnership with Royal College Of Physicians & Surgeons Of Canada to support the needs of Canada's medical specialists. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of PPG Industries: AIPCF V Texstars Blocker Inc., AkzoNobel, Alermac Inversiones S.A. de C.V., Alpha Coating Technologies LLC, Alpha Coatings Inc., Broad Range Development Limited, Brown Brothers Distribution Limited, CG Holdings Manufacturing Co., Centro de Investigacion en Polimeros S.A. de C.V., Chemfil Canada Limited, Chorlton Trade Paints Limited, Comercial Mexicana de Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Comex, Comex Industrial Coatings S.A. de C.V., Consorcio Comex S.A. de C.V., Cristacol S.A., Cuming Microwave Corporation, Deutek SA, Dexmet Corporation, Dexmet Holding Corporation, Distribuidora Kroma S.A. de C.V., EPIC Insurance Co. Ltd., Eberle Design Inc., Empresa Aga S.A. de C.V., Ennis Canadian Holding Company, Ennis Flint Soluciones Seguras Para Trafico, Ennis Highway Traffic Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Ennis Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Ennis Paint Australia Holding Pty Ltd, Ennis Paint Boya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Ennis Paint Canada ULC, Ennis Paint Germany GmbH, Ennis Paint Netherlands Holdings LLC, Ennis Paint U.K. Holding Company Limited, Ennis Prismo Italio S.r.l., Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions Pty Ltd, Ennis Flint Mexico, Ennis Flint New Zealand, Ennis Flint New Zealand Holding Pty Ltd, Ennis-Flint, Ennis-Flint Africa (Pty) Ltd, Ennis-Flint Inc., Foshan Bairun Chemicals Co. Ltd., Fpu Industrial S.A. de C.V., Grupo Comex S.A. de C.V., Hemmelrath Automotive Coatings (Jilin) Co. Ltd., Hodij Coatings B.V., Homax Products, Industria Chimica Reggiana I.C.R. SPA, Johnstones Paints Limited, Kalon Investment Company Limited, Kalon South Africa Proprietary Limited, Manchester Thermoplastics LLC, Masterwork Paint, MetoKote Canada Limited, MetoKote Corporation, MetoKote Mexico Holding Inc., MetoKote UK Limited, MetoKote de Mexico S. de RL de CV, PPG AC - France SA, PPG ALESCO Automotive Finishes Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PPG AP Resinas S.A. de C.V., PPG Aerospace Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Architectural Coatings (Puerto Rico) Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Canada Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Ireland Limited, PPG Architectural Coatings Italy S.r.l., PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited, PPG Architectural Finishes Inc., PPG Asian Paints Private Ltd., PPG COATINGS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., PPG Canada Inc., PPG Cieszyn S.A., PPG Coatings (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, PPG Coatings (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., PPG Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Thailand) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Wuhu) Company Ltd., PPG Coatings (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings B.V., PPG Coatings Belgium BV, PPG Coatings Danmark A/S, PPG Coatings Deutschland GmbH, PPG Coatings Europe B.V., PPG Coatings Manufacturing SARL, PPG Coatings Nederland BV, PPG Coatings S.A., PPG Coatings South Africa (Pty) Ltd., PPG DYRUP S.A., PPG Deco Czech a.s., PPG Deco Polska sp. z.o.o., PPG Deco Slovakia s.r.o., PPG Deutschland Business Support GmbH, PPG Deutschland Sales & Services GmbH, PPG Distribution S.A.S., PPG Europe B.V., PPG Finance B.V., PPG France Business Support S.A.S., PPG France Manufacturing S.A.S., PPG Guadeloupe SAS, PPG Hellas S.A., PPG Hemmelrath Coatings Inc., PPG Hemmelrath Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Holdco SAS, PPG Holdings (U.K.) Limited, PPG Holdings Argentina USA LLC, PPG Holdings Latin America USA LLC, PPG Iberica S.A., PPG Iberica Sales & Services S.L., PPG Industrial Coatings B.V., PPG Industrial do Brasil - Tintas E. Vernizes - Ltda., PPG Industries (Korea) Ltd., PPG Industries (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PPG Industries (UK) Ltd, PPG Industries Argentina S.R.L., PPG Industries Australia PTY Limited A.C.N. 055 500 939, PPG Industries Colombia Ltda., PPG Industries Czech Republic s.r.o., PPG Industries Delfzijl B.V., PPG Industries Europe Sarl, PPG Industries France S.A.S., PPG Industries International Inc., PPG Industries Italia S.r.l., PPG Industries Kimya a Sanayi VE Ticaret AS, PPG Industries LLC, PPG Industries Lipetsk LLC, PPG Industries Middle East FZE, PPG Industries Netherlands B.V., PPG Industries New Zealand Limited, PPG Industries Ohio Inc., PPG Industries Poland Sp. Z.o.o., PPG Industries Securities LLC, PPG Industries de Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Italia Business Support S.r.l., PPG Italia Sales & Services S.r.l., PPG Japan Ltd., PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes Canada LP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.K. LLP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.S. LLC, PPG Luxembourg Finance S.aR.L., PPG Luxembourg Holdings S.aR.L., PPG Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Packaging Coatings (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Paints Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Performance Coatings (Hong Kong) Limited, PPG Powder Coatings (Shanghai) Limited, PPG Romania S.A., PPG SSC Co. Ltd., PPG Switzerland GmbH, PPG Trilak Kft., PPG Vietnam Co. Ltd., PRC-DeSoto Australia Pty Ltd., PRC-DeSoto International Inc., PT. PPG Coatings Indonesia, Painter's Supply, Paintzen, Peintures de Paris SAS, Plasticos Envolventes S.A. de C.V., Polymeric Systems Inc., Prismo Road Markings Limited, ProCoatings B.V., ProCoatings BV, Protec Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 007 857 392, Reno A&E LLC, Revocoat France SAS, Revocoat Holding SAS, Revocoat Iberica SLU, Revocoat S.A.S, Road Infrastructure Investment Holdings Inc., SEM Products Inc., Sealants Europe SAS, Sierracin Corporation, Sierracin/Sylmar Corporation, Sigma Marine & Protective Coatings Holding B.V., SigmaKalon (BC) UK Limited, SigmaKalon Group, SigmaKalon Middle East B.V., Sikar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Spraylat International Ltd, Texstars LLC, The Crown Group Co., The Crown Group Inc, The Homax Group, Tikkurila Group, Traffic Safety Intermediate LLC, Traffic Safety Parent LLC, United International Business NV, Vanex Inc., Vernisol S.p.A., Versaflex, Viasa S.A. de C.V., Whitford, Whitford B.V., Whitford Corporation, Whitford Jiangmen Ltd., Whitford Ltd. (HK), Whitford Ltd. (UK), Whitford Pte. Ltd., Whitford S.r.l., Whitford Worldwide Company LLC, Worwag Coatings, and Zaganite Industries Pty Ltd. The following companies are subsidiares of ENI: Adriaplin Podjetje za distribucijo, Agenzia Giornalistica Italia SpA, Agip Caspian Sea BV, Agip Energy and Natural, Agip Karachaganak BV, Agip Petroli, Aldro Energy, Banque Eni SA, Burren Energy (Bermuda) Ltd(1), Burren Energy (Egypt) Ltd, Burren Energy Congo Ltd, Burren Energy India Ltd, Burren Energy Plc, Burren Shakti Ltd, D-Service Media Srl, D-Share SpA, D-Share USA Corp., Dhamma Energy Group, Dunastyr Polisztirolgyarto Zartkoruen, Ecofuel SpA, Eni AEP Ltd, Eni Abu Dhabi BV, Eni Abu Dhabi Refining & Trading BV, Eni Abu Dhabi Refining & Trading Services BV, Eni Albania BV, Eni Algeria Exploration BV, Eni Algeria Ltd Sarl, Eni Algeria Production BV, Eni Ambalat Ltd, Eni America Ltd, Eni Angola Exploration BV, Eni Angola Production BV, Eni Angola SpA, Eni Argentina Exploracion, Eni Arguni I Ltd, Eni Australia BV, Eni Australia Ltd, Eni Austria GmbH, Eni BB Petroleum Inc, Eni BTC Ltd, Eni Bahrain BV, Eni Benelux BV, Eni Bukat Ltd, Eni CBM Ltd, Eni Canada Holding Ltd, Eni China BV, Eni Congo SA, Eni Corporate University SpA, Eni Cyprus Ltd, Eni Cote dIvoire Ltd, Eni Denmark BV, Eni Deutschland GmbH, Eni East Ganal Ltd, Eni East Sepinggan Ltd, Eni Ecuador SA, Eni Elgin/Franklin Ltd, Eni Energy Russia BV, Eni Exploration & Production Holding BV, Eni Finance International SA, Eni Finance USA Inc, Eni France Sarl, Eni Fuel SpA, Eni G&P Trading BV, Eni Gabon SA, Eni Ganal Ltd, Eni Gas & Power France SA, Eni Gas & Power LNG Australia BV, Eni Gas Transport Services Srl, Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Ltd, Eni Hewett Ltd, Eni Hydrocarbons Venezuela Ltd, Eni Iberia SLU, Eni India Ltd, Eni Indonesia Ltd, Eni Indonesia Ots 1 Ltd, Eni Insurance DAC, Eni International BV, Eni International NA NV Sarl, Eni International Resources Ltd, Eni Investments Plc, Eni Iran BV, Eni Iraq BV, Eni Ireland BV, Eni Isatay BV, Eni JPDA 03-13 Ltd, Eni JPDA 06-105 Pty Ltd, Eni JPDA 11-106 BV, Eni Kenya BV, Eni Krueng Mane Ltd, Eni LNS Ltd, Eni Lasmo Plc, Eni Lebanon BV, Eni Liberia BV, Eni Liverpool Bay Operating Co Ltd, Eni Lubricants Trading (Shangai) Co Ltd, Eni Marketing Austria GmbH, Eni Marketing Inc, Eni Maroc BV, Eni Mediterranea Idrocarburi SpA, Eni Middle East Ltd, Eni Mineralolhandel GmbH, Eni Montenegro BV, Eni Mozambico SpA, Eni Mozambique Engineering Ltd, Eni Mozambique LNG Holding BV, Eni Muara Bakau BV, Eni Myanmar BV, Eni Mexico S. de RL de CV, Eni Next Llc, Eni North Africa BV, Eni North Ganal Ltd, Eni Oil & Gas Inc, Eni Oil Algeria Ltd, Eni Oil Holdings BV, Eni Oman BV, Eni Pakistan (M) Ltd Sarl, Eni Pakistan Ltd, Eni Petroleum Co Inc, Eni Petroleum US Llc, Eni Portugal BV, Eni RAK BV, Eni RD Congo SA, Eni Rapak Ltd, Eni Rovuma Basin BV, Eni Schmiertechnik GmbH, Eni Sharjah BV, Eni South Africa BV, Eni South China Sea Ltd Sarl, Eni Suisse SA, Eni TNS Ltd, Eni Timor Leste SpA, Eni Trading & Shipping Inc, Eni Trading & Shipping SpA, Eni Transporte y Suministro Mexico , Eni Tunisia BV, Eni Turkmenistan Ltd, Eni UHL Ltd, Eni UK Holding Plc, Eni UK Ltd, Eni UKCS Ltd, Eni ULT Ltd, Eni ULX Ltd, Eni US Operating Co Inc, Eni USA Gas Marketing Llc, Eni USA Inc, Eni USA R&M Co Inc, Eni Ukraine Holdings BV, Eni Ukraine Llc, Eni Ukraine Shallow Waters BV, Eni Venezuela BV, Eni Venezuela E&P Holding SA, Eni Vietnam BV, Eni West Africa SpA, Eni West Ganal Ltd, Eni West Timor Ltd, Eni Yemen Ltd, Eni do Brasil Investimentos em Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo Ltda, Eni gas e luce SpA, EniPower Mantova SpA, EniProgetti Egypt Ltd, EniProgetti SpA, EniServizi SpA, Esacontrol SA, Esain SA, Eurl Eni Algerie, FRI-EL Group, First Calgary Petroleums LP, First Calgary Petroleums Partner Co ULC, First Calgary Petroliums, Floaters SpA, Gas Supply Company Thessaloniki - Thessalia SA, Gazoduc Transtunisien SA - Scogat SA, Ieoc Exploration BV, Ieoc Production BV, Ieoc SpA, LNG Shipping SpA, Lasmo Sanga Sanga Ltd, Liverpool Bay Ltd, Mizamtec Operating Company, Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Nigerian Agip CPFA Ltd, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd, Nigerian Agip Oil Co Ltd, OOO Eni Energhia, OOO Eni-Nefto, Oleoduc du Rhone SA, Petroven Srl, Raffineria di Gela SpA, Resources (Nigeria) Ltd, S. de RL de CV, SEA SpA, SeaPad SpA, Serfactoring SpA, Servizi Aerei SpA, Servizi Fondo Bombole Metano SpA, Societa Petrolifera Italiana SpA, Societe de Service du Gazoduc, Societe pour la Construction du, Tecnoesa SA, Trans Tunisian Pipeline Co SpA, Transtunisien SA - Sergaz SA, Versalis Americas Inc, Versalis Congo Sarlu, Versalis Deutschland GmbH, Versalis France SAS, Versalis International SA, Versalis Kimya Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Versalis Mexico S. de R.L. de CV, Versalis Pacific (India) Private Ltd, Versalis Pacific Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, Versalis Singapore Pte Ltd, Versalis SpA, Versalis UK Ltd, Zetah Congo Ltd, Zetah Kouilou Ltd, and zemeljskega plina doo Ljubljana. ETRACS Linked to the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index ETN Series B's stock was trading at $16.15 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, BDCZ stock has increased by 24.6% and is now trading at $20.12. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Fortis Inc. operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 433,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 98,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,233 megawatts (MW), including 59 MW of solar capacity. The company also sells wholesale electricity to other entities in the western United States; owns gas-fired and hydroelectric generating capacity totaling 65 MW; and distributes natural gas to approximately 1,048,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, it owns and operates the electricity distribution system that serves approximately 572,000 customers in southern and central Alberta; owns 4 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 225 MW; and provides operation, maintenance, and management services to five hydroelectric generating facilities. Further, the company distributes electricity in the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador with an installed generating capacity of 143 MW; and on Prince Edward Island with a generating capacity of 130 MW. Additionally, it provides integrated electric utility service to approximately 67,000 customers in Ontario; approximately 270,000 customers in Newfoundland and Labrador; approximately 31,000 customers on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and approximately 15,000 customers on certain islands in Turks and Caicos. The company also holds long-term contracted generation assets in Belize consisting of 3 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 51 MW; and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility. It also owns and operates approximately 91,000 circuit Kilometers (km) of distribution lines; and approximately 49,500 km of natural gas pipelines. Fortis Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited. TCF Financial Corporation operates as the financial holding company for TCF National Bank that provides various financial products and services in the United States and Canada. It operates through Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Enterprise Services segments. The company offers checking, savings, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; individual retirement accounts; debit and credit cards; and check cashing and remittance services. It also provides investment management and custodial services, trust services, financial and estate planning, and retirement planning and employee benefit programs; residential, consumer, and small business lending products; and consumer real estate secured lending, consumer loans, loans secured by personal property, and unsecured personal loans. In addition, the company offers loans and lines of credit, deposits, cash management, capital market products, international trade finance, letters of credit, foreign exchange management services, and loan syndication services. Further, it provides commercial and industrial, commercial real estate banking, and lease financing; and treasury services comprising investment and borrowing portfolios, as well as manages capital, debt, and market risks. As of December 31, 2020, the company operated 478 branches, including 373 traditional branches, 102 supermarket branches, and three campus branches located in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arizona, and South Dakota; and 1,062 ATMs. TCF Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Read More SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More Imperial Oil Limited explores for, produces, and sells crude oil and natural gas in Canada. It operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen. As of December 31, 2020, this segment had 138 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, as well as blending, distribution, and marketing of refined products. It also transports crude oil to refineries by contracted pipelines, common carrier pipelines, and rail; maintains a distribution system to move petroleum products to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and owns and operates fuel terminals, natural gas liquids, and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. In addition, this segment markets and supplies petroleum products to motoring public through approximately 2,400 Esso and Mobil-branded sites. Further, it sells petroleum products, including fuel, asphalt, and lubricants for industrial and transportation customers, independent marketers, and resellers, as well as other refiners serving the agriculture, residential heating, and commercial markets through branded fuel and lubricant resellers. The Chemical segment manufactures and markets various petrochemicals and polyethylene, such as benzene, aromatic, and aliphatic solvents; plasticizer intermediates; and polyethylene resins. The company was incorporation in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Colgate-Palmolive: 887357 Ontario Inc., COLGALIVE S.A., CP GABA GmbH, CP International Holding C.V., CP West East Investment Limited, Cleaning Dimensions Inc., Colgate (BVI) Limited, Colgate (Guangzhou) Company Limited, Colgate (U.K.) Limited, Colgate Business Services of the Americas S.C., Colgate Flavors and Fragrances Inc., Colgate Global Business Services Private Limited, Colgate Holdings, Colgate Inc., Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals Inc., Colgate Palmolive Ghana Limited, Colgate Palmolive Holding S.Com.P.A., Colgate Palmolive Nouvelle Caledonie Sarl, Colgate Palmolive Tanzania Limited, Colgate Sanxiao Company Limited, Colgate Venture Company Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (America) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Asia) Pte Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive (Blantyre) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Brunei) Sdn Bhn, Colgate-Palmolive (Central America) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Central America) Inc. y Compania Limitada, Colgate-Palmolive (Centro America) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (China) Co. Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive (Costa Rica) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (Dominica) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Dominican Republic) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (East Africa) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Eastern) Pte. Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Egypt) S.A.E., Colgate-Palmolive (Far East) Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive (Fiji) Pte Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Gabon) S.A., Colgate-Palmolive (Guyana) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (H.K.) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Hellas) S.A. I.C., Colgate-Palmolive (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Kazakhstan) L.L.P., Colgate-Palmolive (Latvia) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive (Middle East Exports) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Myanmar) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (New York) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive (Proprietary) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Research & Development) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Romania) SRL, Colgate-Palmolive (Thailand) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (UK) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Uganda) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive (Vietnam) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive (Zambia) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive (Zimbabwe) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive A.B., Colgate-Palmolive A/S, Colgate-Palmolive Adria Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Argentina S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Asia Pacific Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Asia Pacific Treasury Services Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Belgium S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Bolivia Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Caricom Service Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Central European Management Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Chile S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Cia., Colgate-Palmolive Comercial Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Commercial (Hellas) SP LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Commerciale S.A.S., Colgate-Palmolive Commericale S.r.l., Colgate-Palmolive Compania Anonima, Colgate-Palmolive Company Distr. LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Company GmbH, Colgate-Palmolive Cote dIvoire S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Cyprus Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Development Corp., Colgate-Palmolive East West Africa Region (Pty) Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive Enterprises Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Espana S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Europe (Holdings) Sarl, Colgate-Palmolive Europe Sarl, Colgate-Palmolive Finance (UK) plc, Colgate-Palmolive Global Trading Company, Colgate-Palmolive Holding Argentina S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Holding Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Hungary Kft Limited Liability Company, Colgate-Palmolive IHQ Services (Thailand) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Inc. S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Industrial Ltda., Colgate-Palmolive Industriel S.A.S., Colgate-Palmolive International Holding LLC, Colgate-Palmolive International LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Investment Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (BVI) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (PNG) Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Investments (UK) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Investments Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Israel Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Italia S.r.l., Colgate-Palmolive JSC, Colgate-Palmolive Lanka (Private) Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Latin America Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Limited, Colgate-Palmolive Manufacturing (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive Marketing Sdn Bhd, Colgate-Palmolive Maroc S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Mocambique Limitada, Colgate-Palmolive NJ Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Nederland B.V., Colgate-Palmolive Norge A/S, Colgate-Palmolive Participacoes e Investimentos Imobiliarios Lda., Colgate-Palmolive Peru S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Pty Ltd, Colgate-Palmolive Retirement Trustee Limited, Colgate-Palmolive S.A. de C.V., Colgate-Palmolive S.p.A., Colgate-Palmolive Senegal S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Services (Hellas) LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Services (Poland) Sp. z o.o., Colgate-Palmolive Services CEW GmbH, Colgate-Palmolive Services S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Slovensko s.r.o., Colgate-Palmolive Support Services, Colgate-Palmolive Temizlik Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticart S.A., Colgate-Palmolive Transnational Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Ukraine LLC, Colgate-Palmolive Unipessoal Lda, Colgate-Palmolive de Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Colgate-Palmolive de Puerto Rico Inc., Colgate-Palmolive del Ecuador S.A.I.C., Colgate-Palmolive del Peru (Delaware) Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Eeska republika spol. s r.o., Colpal CBS S de R. L. de C. V., Consumer Viewpoint Center Inc., Cotelle S.A., Dimac Development Corp., Dominica Coconut Products Limited, EKIB Inc., ELM Company Limited, Elta MD Holdings Inc., Elta MD Inc., EltaMD, Filorga Americas Inc., Filorga Asia Limited, Filorga Benelux SA, Filorga Cosmetiques Polska, Filorga Middle East DMCC, Filorga Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Filorga RU Limited Liability Company, GABA Europe Holding GmbH, GABA International, GABA International Holding LLC, GABA Schweiz AG, GABA Therwil GmbH, Gamma Development Co. Ltd., Global Trading and Supply LLC, Hamol Ltd., Hello Products, Hello Products LLC, Hills Funding Company, Hills Pet Nutrition (NZ) Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Asia Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Canada Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Denmark ApS, Hills Pet Nutrition Espana S.L., Hills Pet Nutrition GmbH, Hills Pet Nutrition Holding B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Indiana Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition Italia S.r.l., Hills Pet Nutrition Korea Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Ltd., Hills Pet Nutrition Manufacturing B.V., Hills Pet Nutrition Manufacturing s.r.o, Hills Pet Nutrition Norway AS, Hills Pet Nutrition OOO, Hills Pet Nutrition Pty. Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition S.p.A., Hills Pet Nutrition SNC, Hills Pet Nutrition Sales Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition South Africa Proprietary Limited, Hills Pet Nutrition Sweden AB, Hills Pet Nutrition Switzerland GmbH, Hills Pet Nutrition Taiwan Ltd, Hills Pet Nutrition Trading (GZ) Co. Ltd, Hills Pet Nutrition de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hills Pet Nutrition de Puerto Rico Inc., Hills Pet Nutrition s.r.o., Hills Pet Products (Benelux) S.A., Hills Pet Products Inc., Hills Veterinary Companies of America Inc., Hills-Colgate (Japan) Ltd., Hopro Liquidating Corp., Hygiene Systemes et Services SA, IES Enterprises Inc., Inmobiliaria Colpal S. de R.L. de C.V., Inmobiliaria Hills S.A. de C.V., Innovacion Creativa S.A. de C.V., Kolynos Corporation, Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques Espana S.L.U., Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques Italia S.R.L., Laboratoires Filorga Cosmetiques S.A., Laser Brand Toothpaste, Lournay Sales Inc., Mennen Company, Mennen Interamerica Ltd., Mennen Limited, Mennen South Africa Ltd., Mennen de Chile Ltd., Mennen de Nicargua S.A., Mission Hills Property Corporation, Mission Hills S.A. de C.V., Norwood International Incorporated, Olive Music Publishing Corporation, PCA SKIN, Paramount Research Inc., Penny LLC, Pet Chemicals Inc., Physicians Care Alliance LLC, Productos Halogenados Copalven C.A., Purity Holding Company, Purity Music Publishing Corporation, Refresh Company Limited, Samuel Taylor Holdings B.V., Sanex, Sanxiao Company Limited, Services Development Co. Ltd., Societe Generale de Negoce et de Services (GENESE) S.A., The GDN - The Global Distributive Network SAS, The Lournay Company Inc., The MPDP - The Medical and Pharmaceutic Distributive Platform SAS, The Murphy-Phoenix Company, Tom's of Maine, Toms of Maine Holdings Inc., Toms of Maine Inc., Veterinary Companies of America Inc., Vipont Pharmaceutical Inc., and XEB Inc.. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF's stock was trading at $73.25 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EFG shares have increased by 54.2% and is now trading at $112.92. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc.. DowDuPont Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in agriculture, materials science, and specialty products businesses in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company's Agriculture segment produces, and sells hybrid corn seed and soybean seed varieties; sunflowers, wheat, alfalfa, canola, cotton, rice, and sorghum; silage inoculants; and crop protection products that include weed control, disease control, and insect control. Its Performance Materials & Coatings segment manufactures and sells architectural paints and coatings, and industrial coatings; performance monomers and silicones; standalone silicones; and home and personal care solutions. The company's Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment offers ethylene oxides, propylene oxide derivatives, cellulose ethers, redispersible latex powders, and acrylic emulsions; sustainable solutions; and chlorine and caustic soda. Its Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment provides ethylene, and propylene and aromatic products; and polyolefin elastomers and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubbers. The company's Electronics & Imaging segment offers materials and systems for mobile devices, television monitors, personal computers, and electronics. Its Nutrition & Biosciences segment provides specialty ingredients, as well as cellulosic- and alginates-based pharma excipients; and enzymes, biomaterials, biocides, and antimicrobial solutions and process technologies. The company's Transportation & Advanced Polymers segment offers engineering resins, adhesives, lubricants, and parts for transportation, electronics, healthcare, industrial, and consumer end-markets. Its Safety & Construction segment provides engineered products and integrated systems for construction, worker safety, energy, oil and gas, transportation, medical device, and water purification and separation industries. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Midland, Michigan. Read More Permianville Royalty Trust operates as a statutory trust. It engages in the acquisition and holding of net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from certain properties in the states of Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico held by Enduro Resource Partners LLC, for the benefit of the trust unit holders. The company was founded in May 2011 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (Ireland) L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (US) L.P., Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sweden Resi I GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd., LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Insurance Agency (China) Company Ltd., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd., Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy (US) Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. There is not enough analysis data for Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Orchards. 4.3 Community Rank Outperform Votes Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Orchards has received 100 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Orchards has received 54 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Orchards has received 64.94% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Orchards and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe NNUTU will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe NNUTU will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next The following companies are subsidiares of Sealed Air: A.P.S. (Holdings) Limited, AFP Trading (China) Co. Ltd., AFPTOH LTD, APS Automated Packaging Systems GmbH & Co. KG, APS Verwaltungs-GmbH, Air Ride Pallets Hong Kong Limited, Austin Foam Plastics Inc. (dba AFP Inc.), Automated Packaging Systems, Automated Packaging Systems Asia Holding Company Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Comerciale Importacao do Brasil Ltda., Automated Packaging Systems Europe, Automated Packaging Systems LLC, Automated Packaging Systems Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Southeast Asia Co. Ltd., B+ Equipment, B+ Equipment SAS, Beacon Holdings LLC, Biosphere Industries, BluPack (New Zealand), Blue Dot Packaging Pty Ltd., Cactus (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Cryovac (Malaysia) SDN. BHD, Cryovac Brasil Ltda., Cryovac Holdings II LLC, Cryovac International Holdings Inc., Cryovac LLC*, Cryovac Leasing Corporation, Cryovac Londrina Ltda., Cryovac Packaging Portugal Embalagens Ltda., Cryovac-Sealed Air de Costa Rica S.R.L., DELTAPLAM Embalagens Industria e Comercio, Diversey, Diversey J Trustee Limited, Diversey Trustee Limited, Entapack Pty. Ltd., Fagerdala (Chengdu) Packaging Co. Ltd, Fagerdala (Shanghai) Foams Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Shanghai) Polymer Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Suzhou) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Thailand) Limited, Fagerdala (Xiamen) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala Leamchabung Limited, Fagerdala Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Fagerdala Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Mexico Supply Chain S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Packaging Inc. (Indiana), Fagerdala Singapore Pte Ltd, Fagerdala Singapore Pte. Ltd., Getpacking.com GmbH, Invertol S. de R.L. de C.V., JSC Sealed Air Kaustik, KRIS Automated Packaging Systems Holding Company, Kevothermal LLC, Kevothermal Limited, Nelipak Holdings, Pack-Tiger GmbH, Polyrol Limited, Polyrol Packaging Systems LLC, ProAseptic Technologies S.L., Producembal- Producao de Embalagens LTDA, Reflectix Inc., SLD Air Packaging Paketleme Malzemeleri Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Saddle Brook Insurance Company, Sealed Air (Asia) Holdings BV, Sealed Air (Barbados) S.R.L., Sealed Air (Canada) Co./CIE, Sealed Air (Canada) Holdings B.V., Sealed Air (China) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air (China) Limited, Sealed Air (Israel) Ltd., Sealed Air (Korea) Limited, Sealed Air (Latin America) Holdings II LLC, Sealed Air (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sealed Air (New Zealand), Sealed Air (Philippines) Inc., Sealed Air (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Sealed Air (Ukraine) Limited, Sealed Air Africa (Pty.) Limited, Sealed Air Americas Manufacturing S. de R.L. de C.V., Sealed Air Argentina S.A., Sealed Air Australia (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Real Estate Pty Ltd, Sealed Air B.V., Sealed Air Belgium N.V., Sealed Air Central America S.A., Sealed Air Chile SpA, Sealed Air Colombia Ltda., Sealed Air Corporation (US), Sealed Air Cyprus Ltd., Sealed Air Denmark A/S, Sealed Air Finance B.V., Sealed Air Finance II LLC, Sealed Air Finance Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Funding LLC, Sealed Air General Trading LLC, Sealed Air GmbH (Germany), Sealed Air GmbH (Switzerland), Sealed Air Hellas SA, Sealed Air Holding France SAS, Sealed Air Holdings (New Zealand) Pty. Ltd., Sealed Air Holdings South Africa Proprietary Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK I Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK Limited, Sealed Air Hong Kong Limited, Sealed Air Hungary Ltd., Sealed Air Investment and Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Japan G.K., Sealed Air LLC, Sealed Air Limited (Ireland), Sealed Air Limited (UK), Sealed Air Luxembourg (I) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg (II) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Management Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Sealed Air Multiflex GmbH, Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) I B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) II B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands Holdings V B.V., Sealed Air Norge AS, Sealed Air OY, Sealed Air Packaging (India) Private Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Packaging LLC, Sealed Air Packaging Materials (India) LLP, Sealed Air Packaging S.L.U., Sealed Air Peru S.A.C., Sealed Air Polska Sp. Zoo, Sealed Air Pty Limited, Sealed Air S.A S., Sealed Air S.r.l., Sealed Air South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Sealed Air Svenska AB, Sealed Air Taiwan Limited, Sealed Air UK Limited Partnership, Sealed Air US Holdings (Thailand) LLC, Sealed Air Uruguay S.A., Sealed Air Verpackungen GmbH, Sealed Air de Mexico Operations S. de RL. de C.V., Sealed Air de Venezuela S.A., Sealed Air s.r.o., Shanklin Corp, Shanklin Corporation, TTS-Ciptec, TXAFP Asia Pacific Ltd., TXAFP GP LLC, and Trigon Industries. TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines, Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines, and Power and Storage segments. The company builds and operates 93,400 km network of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. It also has regulated natural gas storage facilities with a total working gas capacity of 535 billion cubic feet. In addition, it has approximately 4,900 km liquids pipeline system that connects Alberta crude oil supplies to refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Further, the company owns or has interests in seven power generation facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 4,200 megawatts that are powered by natural gas and nuclear fuel sources located in Alberta, Ontario, QuAbec, and New Brunswick; and owns and operates approximately 118 billion cubic feet of non-regulated natural gas storage capacity in Alberta. The company was formerly known as TransCanada Corporation and changed its name to TC Energy Corporation in May 2019. TC Energy Corporation was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More iShares MSCI Japan ETF shares reverse split before market open on Monday, November 7th 2016. The 1-4 reverse split was announced on Friday, October 14th 2016. The number of shares owned by shareholders was adjusted after the closing bell on Friday, November 4th 2016. An investor that had 100 shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock prior to the reverse split would have 25 shares after the split. North American Construction Group Ltd. provides mining and heavy construction services to the resource development and industrial construction sectors in Canada and the United States The company's Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services. Its Equipment Maintenance Services division provides fuel and lube servicing, portable steaming, equipment inspections, parts and component supply, major overhauls and equipment refurbishment, onsite haul truck brake testing, onsite maintenance support, under carriage rebuild, machining, hose manufacturing, and technical support services, as well as welding, fabrication/repairs, weld certification, and inspection services. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a heavy equipment fleet of 626 units. The company was formerly known as North American Energy Partners Inc. and changed its name to North American Construction Group Ltd. in April 2018. The company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Acheson, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc.. FBL Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, sells individual life insurance and annuity products. The Annuity segment sells various traditional annuity products that primarily consist of fixed rate and indexed annuities, and supplementary contracts. The Life Insurance segment offers whole life, term life, and universal life policies. It also involved in the property-casualty business; and provision of wealth management, investment advisory, and marketing and distribution services for the sale of mutual funds and insurance products, as well as leasing services. The company markets its products to Farm Bureau members, and other individuals and businesses through exclusive agents and agency managers under the consumer brand name of Farm Bureau Financial Services in the Midwestern and Western sections of the United States. The company was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. Read More Telecom Italia S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Europe, South America, and the Mediterranean Basin. The company operates through Domestic, Brazil, and Other Operations segments. It offers fixed and mobile voice and Internet, and public telephony services, as well as products managed and developed for individuals and families; and voice, data, and Internet services and products, and information and communications technology solutions for small and medium-size enterprises, small offices/home offices, the public sector, large accounts, and enterprises in the fixed and mobile telecommunications markets. The company also manages and develops a portfolio of regulated and unregulated wholesale services for fixed and mobile telecommunications operators; provision of infrastructure for housing radio transmission equipment of mobile telephone networks; and development, engineering, building, and operation of network infrastructures, information technology (IT), real estate properties, and plant engineering. In addition, it engages in customer care, operating credit support, loyalty, and retention activities; and staff functions and other support activities. Further, the company offers office products and services for IT sector. The company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy. Read More Utica, N.Y. - The confirmation process of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh may well be the the most remembered Supreme Court confirmation in U.S. history, but will the past few contentious weeks leading up to Kavanaugh's appointment have an impact on next month's election? We sat down with a local political expert to discuss just that. Utica College Professor of Government and Politics Daniel Tagliarina says one thing is clear, more women are expected to hit the voting booths next month, "Thats what I think is going to be most interesting. Seeing where, especially white middle-class suburban women who have recently been supporting Trump but since the start of the Kavanaugh nomination, the drop is something like 11 points in that support." Tagliarina says the past few weeks have also fired up the Republican base, "There is some evidence that the Republicans, who have been facing basically an energy gap who hadn't been as motivated as the Democrats, have seen the fight over confirming Kavanaugh as motivation, something that they have been lacking leading up to the midterms." During questioning by senators during the confirmation process, Kavanaugh was grilled repeatedly over his stance on the Roe v. Wade decision. Tagliarina says he doesn't think the Supreme Court, even now with a conservative majority, will actually look to criminalize abortion by relooking at the Roe v. Wade, "One of the things that we saw Susan Collins (U.S. Senator from Maine) saying that shes going to vote for Kavanaugh, fully believes that he will not overturn Roe. Since 1992, with Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which upheld Roe but fundamentally changed the Court's approach to abortion, this has not been a clear-cut issue. And what we've mostly seen is the Supreme Court peeling back on the access to abortion, again and again and again by upholding challenges, much more so than actually attacking Roe, so the focus on Roe might be misguided." Tagliarina says if the Supreme Court were to take up the abortion issue, it would come in the form of hearing a current case that is making its way through the system. He doesn't believe the court will just up and take up the former decision of Roe v. Wade, but he doesn't completely rule it out either. SHERBURNE A man is in critical condition after he allegedly robbed a gas station in Sherburne and then harmed himself, according to the Chenango County Sheriffs Office. Around 5:07 a.m. Monday, deputies were called to the Mirabito gas station at 84 N. Main St. in the village of Sherburne for a reported robbery. Deputies say the suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Timothy Adams, forcibly stole items and then threw hot coffee in the cashiers face when he fled. He didnt show a weapon during the robbery, but he appeared to have a large knife in a sheath on his waistband. Later that day at 4:50 p.m., deputies and a K9 unit responded to a residence in Sherburne in an attempt to locate Adams. Deputies say just before they arrived, Adams attempted to harm himself with a knife and then fled on foot to a nearby overgrown field. Sheriff's deputies, New York State Police and Sherburne police then searched the area, and the K9 tracked down Adams where he was lying face-down in the field. Law enforcement then administered lifesaving first aid to Adams until Sherburne EMS arrived. Deputies say Adams is currently listed in critical condition at Wilson Memorial Hospital. At the residence where they went to find Adams, deputies say they found several pieces of evidence from the robbery that had been destroyed. When Adams is released from the hospital, he will be charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of stolen property. She didnt have all the confidence in the world she was 19 years old but she was confident that she was going to make something work. She may not have known what it was, but there was no doubt in her mind that she was going to be successful doing something, says Spatz. Sun kept coming back to Spatz for advice, and over time he became her mentor and friend. She used the literal translation of her name, Pocket, as her English name because it was different and would stand out. When I met her as a sophomore, she already knew people would remember her name, he says. Her friend Takami Peemoeller 11 saw both Suns shy side and this blossoming confidence during their time together at William & Mary. They met in Japanese 101. At William & Mary, every so often you get a class where everyone is friends with everyone, and when you go into that class its an awesome part of your day. For some reason that happened in our Japanese 101 class, she says. We started talking through that class, hung out and eventually became close friends. Suns entrepreneurial spirit was already evident as a college student. She took photos of classmates for them to use as their Facebook profile pictures and talked about starting a photography company. She loved singing so she made and sold a CD of her recorded songs. She looks at the world so creatively, and she is willing to just jump out and try things, says Peemoeller. It takes a certain type of personality to go to school in another country, to say Im going to go across the world and try this. By senior year, Sun was surrounded by friends, very active in her clubs and activities and eager to start a career in marketing at a corporation somewhere. She wasnt yet talking about wanting to change the world. We didnt really talk about we have to empower women, but she is an empowering person. Shes always told me you can do whatever you want, you have so much potential, says Peemoeller. She brings that potential out in people. Even now that Sun has become more successful and famous than even she could have imagined, when she and Peemoeller get together, she is still the same supportive, goofy friend Peemoeller remembers from their college days. Out into the wide world Her story is a story of persistence, and of not letting the short-term negatives deter you from doing what you really want to do, says Spatz as he describes the next phase of Suns career. Things didnt always work out exactly as planned for the William & Mary grad. Sun was worried when she started her job hunt that she wouldnt be able to compete for marketing jobs against Americans who didnt need visas and were native English speakers. She started taking any interview she could get, even for jobs she didnt want, just to practice and build connections. Alcoa: Workers United Will never be defeated After 52 days, six picket lines across five sites, and more than 1,500 courageous striking workers, the Alcoa dispute has ended with AWU (Australian Workers Union) members securing the job security provisions they were seeking. The new agreement endorsed last week ensures permanent full-time workers cannot be replaced by contractors, labour hire, casual, or part-time workers. Richard Titelius reports: On September 24 the CPA WA Branch visited the Alcoa picket line in Kwinana. Party President Vinnie Molina delivered a message of solidarity. Workers covered by an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with Alcoa were into the seventh week of their picket outside two bauxite mining sites at Huntley and Willowdale near Pinjarra and three refineries at Pinjarra, Wagerup near Waroona and at Kwinana. The union representing the 1,500 workers, the AWU, began negotiations with Alcoa nearly two years ago. At the time of the Party branch visit, workers were waiting for an outcome of negotiations between their union and Alcoa about the picket and the shape of their conditions and rights. One of the workers, Tony, told me one of the biggest problems the AWU has with the proposal is Alcoas position to strip hard won employment conditions and rights from the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Alcoa also wants to introduce powers for the employer to use forced redundancies and to exclude from being specified in job descriptions. Alcoa would be able to use people to undertake work on lower pay scales to do higher level work with no requirement to pay them according to their knowledge, skill and ability. Alcoa wants to remove all union structures within the Alcoa workforce which currently has a union convenor whose job it is to attend to union business on all work sites at all times. With the abolition of the convenor the situation would revert back to elected delegates who are only allowed to use 16 hours on union business per week. In relation to health and safety workers must be constantly vigilant to the risks and hazards such as chemical exposure from the smelting process. Many workers at the refineries have suffered burns from the caustic soda used in the smelting and cleaning process. Each shift currently has its own Occupational Health Safety and Welfare delegate which is usually a trained union member. The aging infrastructure and exposure to other chemicals and chemical processes also presents hazards including increasing numbers of leaks from corrosion and movement of pipes and tubing. The workers at a mass rally agreed to retain the same EBA with the same structures but with no wage rises for three years. But when the offer was communicated up the chain all the way to the head office of Alcoa in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania it was rejected. The Alcoa workers have been disappointed with the lack of coverage by the mainstream media of their strike, picket lines and rally outside the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in the second week of September, in the Perth CBD, where for four consecutive days the workers were there with their banners and leaflets. Where the dispute did feature, however, was in social media as concerned members of the public uploaded images of the workers rally outside the Fair Work Commission. Tony said the threshold that enables employers to go to the Fair Work Commission in order to shift employees from their Enterprise Bargaining Agreement is quite low. The FWC is seen as an institution set up predominantly to ensure the interests of capital are met: in the last financial year 2016 - 17 Alocas profit was US$1.1 billion. The AWU members took indefinite protected industrial action as Alcoa had applied to the FWC to have their current terms and conditions terminated. The AWU representing the striking workers met with the management in the days leading up to September 28, in an effort to resolve the dispute and protect the conditions and rights attached to their EBA. The Communist Party of Australia joins with ACTU Secretary Sally McManus and the rest of the Australian union movement in congratulating the Alcoa workers and their families on their victory and resolve. The unity and solidarity of the workers and their families demonstrated that the collective strength of the organised working class is the force which can be successful in defending workers rights, wages and conditions. Editorial No march to the drums of war Australias coalition government has allocated $200 billion for military development over 20 years. Although our population is small, were the worlds 19th biggest arms exporter. Our $35 billion military budget is bigger than that of any Southeast Asian nation, and is due to rise to 2 percent of Australias gross domestic product by 2020. Apart from big ticket items like the 72 F-35 fighter aircraft, nine frigates and a new submarine fleet, the governments shopping list includes 211 reconnaissance vehicles, 1,100 lightweight Hawkei armoured vehicles, supply trucks, troop carriers, heavy tanks, drones, helicopter troop carriers, and mobile hospitals. Australian universities are offered contracts to develop training programs in military robotics and autonomous systems. But the government also wants the Defence Department to control the transfer of all research information, not just that relating to the military, from Australian universities to overseas institutions. Military propaganda emphasises defending Australia against foreign aggression. But in the 73 years since WWII weve entered into numerous overseas wars, almost always for the United States. Those wars have involved countries with limited military capabilities. But Michael Shoebridge, Australian Strategic Policy Institute director, recently commented: If [our] army faces an adversary who has transformed its approach to technology, it is very likely that our small army will suffer very large combat losses ... The US no longer has a large technological advantage ... neither do we. The solution, according to the arms industry, is to regain that advantage. However, technologically well-armed nations include nuclear-armed China or Russia. The idea of preparing for war against either of them is insane, but thats the direction of current US and Australian policy. Shoebridge also warns about underdeveloped nations acquiring weapons like low-cost swarming technologies, which could inflict unacceptably high casualty rates on Australian troops. He observed enthusiastically that for Australia much deeper use of semi-autonomous lethal and non-lethal systems in and around the combat front lines ... reduces the need for modern militaries to expose their people in this bleeding edge of combat. But the real enemy, the military industrial complex, is already here. For them, war is a question of military procurement economics. They promote and profit from war and ignore its hideous human cost. Military analyst Richard McGregor recently observed: Australia and other Asian countries are only able to increase their defence spending because they are benefiting from the growth of Chinas economy. In ... order to defend themselves against China they actually need China to succeed. But those who benefit directly from military spending are the military corporations, not the ordinary people of Australia and other Asian nations. Australias Chief of Army, Rick Burr, who acted as Deputy US Army Commander in the Pacific, says Australia constitutes a strategic bridge between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and our military development should focus on north-western Australia. That would facilitate the launch of strikes against North Korea or China by the US. On the strength of promises by US President Trump, North Korea has now eliminated part of its military facilities but the US and its allies still conduct annual war games around its land and maritime borders. Under Trumps administration, Japan and other countries are boosting military spending, and Japan is considering amending its constitution to allow it to invade other nations. The Australian governments massive military spending will now include space and cyber warfare. The Queensland government has set up Defence Industries Queensland to promote military industrial development there. Australias current military development centres on aggression against other countries, rather than defence of this one. The implications are potentially disastrous. Left unchecked, the policy will result in a never-ending state of war with other nations, on-going military and civilian casualties, and the impoverishment of non-military sectors of the national economy, including health and education. Australia hosts the key US tracking facility at Pine Gap, as well as military facilities used by the US in northern Australia. That makes us a strategic target, with potentially catastrophic civilian casualties if were dragged into a US-led war with China, North Korea or Russia. We must dump the coalition and vote in a government with an independent policy dedicated to peaceful development, genuine defence rather than aggression, and above all the pursuit of world peace. Greed unto the grave Why did it happen?, the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry asks in its interim report. Too often, the answer seems to be greed the pursuit of short term profit at the expense of basic standards of honesty. How else is charging continuing advice fees to the dead to be explained, the Commission concludes. The Commission has got to the essence of capitalism the pursuit of private profit no matter what suffering it causes or how corruptly the financial institutions behave. The pubic hearings did reveal a few of the thousands of examples of the suffering the financial institutions have caused through their illegal, corrupt and dishonest practices. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg drew the amazing conclusion that the financial institutions had put profits before people! However, it did not require the spending of millions of dollars of taxpayers money and heart-wrenching public hearings to discover this. The pub test or a reading of Lenins Imperialism: the Highest Stage of Capitalism was all that was needed. Lenins work would also have explained the source of the power of finance capital and hence why the big banks and insurance companies are too big to fail and too big to touch. Profit-driven From the executive suite to the front line, staff were measured and rewarded by reference to profit and sales. The public hearings revealed a litany of horror stories of fraud, dishonesty, of theft of peoples property, of loans that could never be repaid, payment for services that were never delivered and corruption. The law requires them to do all things necessary to ensure that the services they are licensed to provide are provided efficiently, honestly and fairly, the Commission said. Much more often than not, the conduct now condemned was contrary to law. But they have treated the law with contempt; that they have nothing to fear from breaching regulations or the law. As Richard Denniss from the Australia Institute points out, there is nothing to stop our regulators from being as focused on preventing malfeasance in the banking sector as they are when it comes to welfare overpayments. When misconduct was revealed, it either went unpunished or the consequences did not meet the seriousness of what had been done. The conduct regulator, ASIC [Australian Securities and Investments Commission], rarely went to court to seek public denunciation of and punishment for misconduct. The prudential regulator, APRA [Australian Prudential Regulation Authority], never went to court, the report noted, shifting much of the blame onto the enforcer and the financial sector regulator. Much more often than not, when misconduct was revealed, little happened beyond an apology from the entity, a drawn-out remediation program and protracted negotiation with ASIC of a media release, an infringement notice, or an enforceable undertaking that acknowledged no more than that ASIC had reasonable concerns about the entitys conduct. Infringement notices imposed penalties that were immaterial for the large banks. Power of finance capital Labor Treasurer Paul Keating commenced the privatisation of the Commonwealth Bank in 1991 and deregulation of the financial sector. State insurance offices were privatised during the 1990s. This opened the way for a free-for-all for the private sector as well as the newly privatised institutions. Australian banks, as far as returns on equity are concerned, are amongst the most profitable in the world. The finance sector (banking, insurance, investment, etc) holds 56 percent of the wealth of the ASX top 100 Index. (As measured by capitalised value) (S&P/ASX 20 List). The power of finance capital is principally derived from the vast amount of capital it has at its disposal. It can decide what investments go ahead and bankrupt corporations, farmers and individuals. The pubic hearings of the Royal Commission have illustrated how inhumanely it exercises some of its powers against farmers, small businesses and individuals in the pursuit of private profits. What now? The interim report also asks what now, but does not provide solutions to rectify the situation. Instead it asks a host of questions with particular reference to banks, loan intermediaries (eg brokers) and financial advice. Superannuation is not dealt with in this report. One of the themes that comes through is the question of simplifying the law as if this might solve the problem. It wont. It is not the cause. Changing the regulations or law will not eliminate the capitalist profit motive. Far more fundamental change is required. As a first small step, the financial institutions that committed the crimes and the individuals responsible should be subjected to appropriate penalties including jail sentences and massive fines. They should be forced to fully compensate the victims of their crimes for their losses and suffering. APRA and ASIC have proven to be paper tigers. They should be shut down and replaced by new, well-funded bodies with greater powers led by people not afraid to impose the law. But even such measures will not be enough as long as the scourge of private profit remains. People before profits The Communist Party of Australia is calling for the separation of financial advisers, investment managers and banks. Banks should be limited to their banking role as intermediaries handling savings and loans. As a first step towards complete nationalisation of the financial sector, the CPA is also calling for a Peoples Bank, a public insurance office and national superannuation fund. These should be publicly owned and managed with strong social characteristics that focus on services for their clients. They should be run along democratic lines with elected boards, including representatives of trade unions and other community groups. Such institutions would put the interests of their clients/members first and play a progressive role in the community assisting states with loans at reasonable rates for the construction of public housing, schools and other public infrastructure. The Royal Commission invites the public, financial institutions and advocacy groups to make submissions by October 26 in response to its report. Along class lines Howards End Compulsory conciliation and arbitration existed in Australia for over 100 years. In that time there were a number of changes but in essence it remained the same with the same objectives to prevent and settle industrial disputes by conciliation or when that failed, by arbitration and enforcement by an industrial Court governed by industrial law outside of the common law and corporate law systems. Photo: Anna Pha Soon after Federation in 1904 the Australian government on behalf of the ruling class created an arbitration system to control unions and moderate the class struggle (State systems were already in existence). The turbulent time and strike action of the 1890s was firmly in the minds of Australias bosses and rulers. Trade unions had taken a thrashing at the time and also called for a system of compulsory conciliation and arbitration. The Conciliation and Arbitration Act provided for legal registration of trade unions and employer organisations. Arbitration provided centralised awards which were legally binding on trade unions and employers. Awards which tended to cover an industry or occupation eventually contained most of the issues related to wages and working conditions that arose. Despite its role being to prevent and limit strike action, compulsory arbitration from time to time failed in that objective, and in some periods strike action reached high levels. As a consequence the penalties imposed on trade unions for strike action and for failing to observe decisions of the Court, were steadily increased by both Labor and Liberal governments. The Hawke Labor government, elected in 1983 commenced the process of dismantling the centralised award system, a process continued by the Howard governments Workplace Relations Act which limited the scope of awards to 20 allowable matters. Awards are subsequently being stripped and further eroded today. The Hawke government introduced enterprise agreements which broke down the dominance of awards as the basic industrial instrument. The flow-on effect of this movement away from all-encompassing industry agreements was the introduction of individual contracts, Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) by the Howard Coalition government, and an attempt to enshrine this form of individual contract as the primary means of specifying wages and working conditions. Howards WorkChoices laws effectively did this and the Australian people through the union and community campaign for Your Rights at Work were successful in removing the Howard government, largely because of their unpopular industrial legislation. The Accord One of the main features of the Hawke and Keating governments was the advocacy of collaboration between the government, trade unions and the employers. This process which took the form of a Prices and Incomes Accord (the Accord) relied upon removing basic and irreconcilable differences between capital and labour. The process could not achieve this but succeeded in disarming the rank and file of the trade union movement who were withdrawn from struggle, particularly strike actions, while trade union leaderships assumed their place at the table negotiating on behalf of workers under the false illusion that there were common interests between labour and capital. This destructive period of class collaboration resulted in huge decreases in trade union membership density and the loss of wages and working conditions in many areas. The trade union movement is yet to fully recover from this period. The Your Rights at Work campaign was a proven positive influence on trade unions and saw a re-engagement of trade union members in the huge campaign to get rid of the Howard government. The workers who participated were more interested in getting rid of WorkChoices; the removal of the Howard government was necessary to get rid of WorkChoices. Collective to individual The Howard governments Australian Workplace Agreements shifted the move from collective to individual agreements to a new level by making this individual form of employment arrangement the very basis of their industrial relations policy. All governments since the Hawke government have been part of the process of moving away from broader industry type arrangements for workers. The Howard government accelerated the process toward individualism and the exclusion of trade unions in the process of determining wages and working conditions. Successive governments have been implacably opposed to any form of industrial action by trade unions and supported and encouraged the use of the penalty provisions. The Workplace Relations Act and then with WorkChoices, in particular, further increased penalties against trade union activity. Many forms of industrial action were for all intents and purposes banned. The Rudd Labor government signalled its intention of merging and further dismantling awards by reducing them to 10 minimum standards and maintaining them purely as a safety net. The creation of specific forms of state organisation such as the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) under the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act was and is used to control and penalise unions and individual workers in that industry. The formation of a special industrial police force, the ABCC, to monitor trade union activities and to spy on individual workers was implemented by Howard. Your Rights at Work Industrial Relations was the main issue at the federal election in 2007 which saw Rudd become PM, moving many thousands of people to alter their vote and shift to removing Howard and the WorkChoices laws. The Australian people expected to see the removal of WorkChoices with the removal of the Howard government and with the ascension of a Labor government. Many were bitterly disappointed. This is instructive as a federal elections looms in 2019 with Bill Shorten held up as the alternative. CPA proposals The CPA believes we need to continue to campaign around IR issues to eventually see industrial relations legislation enacted which provides working people with the best opportunity to take on the forces of corporate greed prevalent in society today. Healing Hunter, as the GoFundMe campaign is called, raised $18,607 from 246 donors as of Friday afternoon rapidly closing in on its goal of $25,000. The announcement was announced by the South Korean Presidential Office, according to which the invitation to visit Penian will be handed over to the Pontiff by President Moon Jae, who will be in the Vatican next week in the framework of a trip to in Europe. This is not the first time a pope is invited to North Korea. North Korea and the Vatican have no formal diplomatic relations. "During the meeting with Pope Francis, President Moon Jae will hand over the message from President Kim Jong-un, that the Holy Father would be welcome in Penian," Moon spokesman said. And, of course, the invitation is the latest conciliatory jury coming from North Korea. Kim had an unprecedented meeting with US President Donald Trump earlier this year, and three meetings with his southern counterpart were also held. In 2000, Kim Jong's father, Kim Jong-il, invited Pope John Paul II to visit North Korea after the Pope had said it would be a miracle if he could go there. Source: World Bulletin Taken away from their children, dozens of Palestinian women are suffering abuse in Israeli prisons, according to Palestinian activists. In a recent report, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association said Israeli authorities are holding 51 women, including nine injured females and two minors. According to the NGO, Israel has detained 516 women since 2015, of whom 90 women have been arrested since the beginning of this year. Last month, Palestinian female journalist Lama Khater was arrested in an Israeli raid on her home in the West Bank city of Hebron. Dozens of Israeli soldiers surrounded and raided our house before arresting her in front of our children, her husband Hazem Fakhori told Anadolu Agency. A mother of five, Khater is a Palestinian activist, who writes a series of articles in a number of Palestinian dailies. We have lost a big part since she was arrested, Fakhori said. We are missing her terribly; she is not only a mother of our children but is also a friend. Fakhori accused Israeli soldiers of abusing his wife, citing that soldiers have kept shouting at her during detention. She was transferred several times to a doctor, who only gave her some painkillers before sending her back for interrogation, he said. Lamas place is among her family and her kids who need her and miss her, he said, using the first name of his wife. After 34 days of interrogation, Khater was sent to prison waiting for her trail, which will be held on October 10. According to Addameer, Israel had arrested 10,000 Palestinian women since the 1967 Middle East war. There are approximately 6,500 Palestinians currently languishing in prisons throughout Israel, according to Palestinian figures. The Capitalist Crisis - the pretext for the anti-people agenda in Greece At the end of September the CPA was pleased to receive a visit from Comrade Kostas Papadakis, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece, KKE, and member of the European Parliament. Below the Guardian is reprinting a section of his address to a public function held at the MUA in Sydney on Saturday 29th of September. This section of Comrade Papadakis speech focuses on recent political developments in Greece and the KKEs strategy in response to these developments. Comrade Papadakis makes clear the lessons of events in Greece have broad significance for Communist parties worldwide. In this part of his speech he explains the KKEs assessment of the role of SYRIZA and other social democratic and opportunistic forces in the anti-people developments in Greece. Comrade Kostas Papadakis, member of the Central Committee of the KKE. (Full version available in both English or Greek) Dear comrades, trade-unionists, friends of the CPA, cadres of the Australian trade-unions. On behalf of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece [KKE] we want to thank the CC of the Communist Party of Australia for organising this meeting. We hope that this meeting will contribute so that through our exchange of experience we obtain more tools for the struggle we are waging in the two countries. This year, the KKE completes 100 years of life and activity and KNE [Communist Youth of Greece] its 50 years. The Festival of KKE and KNE was just held with over a hundred thousand of participant workers and youth, dedicated to the 100 years of the Party and to the 50 years of KNE. The experience that we have accumulated contributes to the strengthening of internationalist solidarity and common activity, elements very important for the struggle against the capitalist system, the capital and its political representatives, for the great cause that we serve, the struggle for socialism. The KKE has a heroic history. It led the class struggle in the 20s and 30s, it was the organiser and main lifeblood of the National Liberation Front (EAM) and of the Peoples Liberation Army (ELAS) in the Resistance against the Nazi occupation in the armed, class struggle of the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE) 1946-1949, in the decades that followed in conditions of clandestine action and under harsh persecution, during the military dictatorship in 1967-1974, until today. The communists, men and women, in the prison cells and in the exile islands demonstrated great endurance and self-sacrifice that stem from the exalted communist ideals, from the faith in the working class, that is the vanguard force of society. Their contribution was immense, with thousands of honoured dead in the fields of battle and in the execution sites of the bourgeois state, thousands of uncompromising combatants of class struggle. Dear comrades, The developments in Greece have been many times in the forefront of public attention, have generated a lot of debates in the international communist movement, many myths were cultivated and then were torn down during the deep capitalist crisis that began in 2008. We want to underline that the capitalist crisis has been the pretext so that the bourgeois governments voted and applied decisions of the EU that were already set on course regarding the abolition of working class and peoples rights, for the consolidation of Greek and European monopolies in order to be able to cope with the international competition. In Europe and other parts of the globe, as well as in Australia, a whole mechanism of bourgeois, opportunist and Trotskyist forces were set in motion that not only obfuscated the KKEs positions but also slandered them while at the same time presented SYRIZA** as a force of resistance and of social progress. In this campaign of lies and speculation the European Left Party, this opportunist formation, played and continues to play the leading role in which SYRIZA participating. Essentially, a small opportunist party that was under mutation since 2012 into a social democratic party was intended to be presented as a factor of radical change. We remember speeches that were calling on the KKE to cooperate with SYRIZA, to support its policy against the troika, against the right, against neo-liberalism, as they were saying at that time, but these positions went bankrupt. The KKE maintained a principled stance, respecting its history and the interests of our people. We tried to inform on the concrete situation in Greece, with well-founded arguments we underlined that SYRIZA is an establishment party, a pillar of capitalism, a representative of the capital. Abroad there were forces that took to heart the words and actions of the KKE, others that were left behind, cultivated expectations, saying that in Greece the golden recipe was uncovered. A recipe that will resolve the peoples problems and give an example to the rest of the countries. But class struggle has its own laws. After the victory of SYRIZA in the elections and the formation of government with the nationalist party of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) in 2015, SYRIZA showed its real colours. In these four years it has been proved in practice that this government is a government of bourgeois management that ruthlessly uses all available means of misleading and manipulating the workers and the people, and that precisely is why it is the most useful government for the capitalist class, for the USA and the EU. Essentially SYRIZA robbed blind the loot from the hands of the New Democracy Party and took the place of the old social democracy of PASOK. Altogether they voted in favour of the third Memorandum and applied (together) the anti-peoples measures of three Memorandums, (together) they led vast sections of our people, working men and women, poor farmers, small professionals of the cities to poverty. They undermine the future of our youth. Austerity program The current government, as well as the previous ones, is to blame for the dramatic cut-downs in salaries and pensions, for the increase of the retirement age to 67 years of age, for the applying of harsh taxation against the people, for the privatisation of public enterprises of strategic importance such as ports, airports, railroads, the water and electricity networks, natural gas, the giving up of precious public plots of land and even archaeological monuments to private owners for up to 99 years, for the downgrading of health-care and education, for the abolition of the Sunday day-off, for the auctions of peoples houses. The unemployment rate is still very high while the flexible working relations are expanding. It was this government that passed the law in parliament for the limiting of the right to strike and many times has resorted to repression and authoritarian measures against the workers on strike and against demonstrators, against members of the KKE and of KNE that were informing the people, they protected the statue of [former US] president Truman executioner of peoples, the butcher that gave the order to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This government rejected together with the rest of the bourgeois parties a draft law tabled by the deputies of the KKE presenting the positions of 530 trade unions regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreements. The support of big capital with funding, tax exemptions, reducing the taxation of the big companies further underscore the anti-people policy of SYRIZA. Now, with the ebbing out of the capitalist crisis and in view of weak steps towards the recuperation of capitalist economy they are using the argument of fair growth as a trump card, trying to convince with a fairy tale that an economy where the means of production are in the hands of the capitalists and that is functioning with profit as its criterion can resolve the popular problems. It is a method of misguiding the people that is used to hide that, in an unfair, exploitative society there can be no fair development. This past August, officially the financial program of the EU and the IMF ended. Now the government is projecting another myth, of the so called New Era. But, the 700 memorandum application laws remain intact, the total of anti-people measures is here, a new cut-down of pensions is being prepared, a new lowering of the non-taxable income will be put in effect, the supervision of the economy by the EU and the IMF remains. The breadcrumbs that the governments are promising are good only to recycle extreme poverty. * Member Central Committee, KKE ** Social democratic (Labour Party) KKE and CPA strong and enduring bonds The Communist Party of Australia was visited on Saturday October 6 by comrade Kostas Papadakis, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and member of the European Parliament. Comrade Kostas met with members of the Central Committee of the CPA at its headquarters and later attended a welcoming function hosted by the Party at the MUA building. The function also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the KKE and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of its youth organisation, the KNE. At the Party-to-Party meeting, comrade Kostas and CPA General Secretary Bob Briton exchanged views on three broad topics: developments in our two countries and internationally, cooperation between our two parties and issues in the international Communist movement. There was agreement about heightened dangers in our regions and the increasingly aggressive role of the US and its allies, which includes the governments of Greece and Australia. Both leaders highlighted the anti-worker agendas of their national governments and the need for an independent, militant, class-conscious response. This year, the CPA will be sending four representatives to the 20th annual International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties to be held in Athens in late October. Fundraising is currently being conducted within the Party to meet this commitment. Both parties agree that more advantage for coordinated work should be taken of the international meetings. This years meeting will bring together over 70 parties from around the world. Comrade Kostas explained at some length the danger presented by the emergence of SYRIZA, the opportunist party that currently governs in coalition with a right populist party, ANEL. He pointed out that, had the KKE set aside its principled opposition to participation in capitalist governments and joined SYRIZA, it would now be held responsible for the austerity imposed on the people of Greece and the stridently pro-US foreign policy of the Tsipras government. He emphasised the need to build the social alliances and the leading role of the Party. Bob Briton outlined the attacks being made on the trade unions in Australia and the need for the lifting of the ideological consciousness of the fight back against them. He noted good initiatives by Party leaders in the trade union movement and the imminent launch of a CPA campaign within the unions. He also reported growth in membership of the Party among the youth and their eagerness for active engagement. Comrade Kostas and CPA representatives noted the long and strong relationship between their two parties and looked forward to future cooperation. Bob Briton mentioned with satisfaction the outstanding contribution to the Party of members of Greek background. The following statement was distributed by Socialist Equality Party (SEP) supporters at Sundays March against Racism in Montreal. Many immigrants and members of religious minorities, including large numbers of Muslim women, joined the 5,000-strong demonstration to voice their opposition to the right-wing populist Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ). Since winning the Oct. 1 Quebec election, the CAQ has reaffirmed its plans to slash immigration by 20 percent and pass chauvinist legislation banning teachers and others in so-called positions of state authority from wearing the hijab and other religious symbols. At press conferences on consecutive days last week, CAQ leader Francois Legault said he would be ready to use the notwithstanding clause to suspend democratic rights guaranteed under Canadas constitution so as to implement his partys religious symbols ban, and CAQ spokesperson Genevieve Guilbault vowed that those who fail to submit to the anti-democratic ban will be fired. * * * * The democratic rights of refugees, immigrants, and working people as a whole are under assault by Quebecs and Canadas ruling elite. To defeat this assaultin which all of the establishment parties are participantsrequires the independent political mobilization of the working class against capitalist austerity and imperialist war. Such a mobilization can only be prepared through an irreconcilable struggle to expose the official left of the political establishmentthe trade union bureaucracy, the social democrats of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Quebec Solidaire (QS), and the Parti Quebecois-led sovereignist family, of which QS is a proud member. It is the official leftthrough its suppression of the class struggle, complicity in the imposition of job, wage and social spending cuts, and its open or tacit promotion of anti-immigrant chauvinismthat has created the conditions for right-wing populist forces, such as the CAQ in Quebec and Doug Ford in Ontario, to come to power by exploiting popular disaffection with the traditional big business parties. All over the world, the rise of anti-austerity and anti-war sentiment among workers and young people, while yet to find positive political articulation, is rightly perceived by the ruling elite as a threat to the capitalist order. Their response is to incite xenophobia against refugees and immigrants so as to divert attention from the real cause of mounting poverty and economic insecurity: the crisis-ridden capitalist profit system. Thanks to the xenophobic agitation of the establishment parties and big business media, and with active support from the highest levels of the capitalist state, right-wing populist and nationalist forceslike Trump in the United States, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), and the Lega in Italyare being mobilized by the ruling class as part of its preparations to use anti-democratic methods and state repression against growing working class opposition. The working class and the defense of democratic rights This socialist and internationalist analysis of the contemporary rise of chauvinism and xenophobia and its core conclusionthat the world working class is the only social force capable of countering the ruling elites right-wing rampage and that the defence of democratic rights is inseparable from the struggle against capitalism and warare rejected by the organizers of todays march against racism. An amorphous coalition of middle-class anti-racism, immigrant rights, and feminist NGOs and pseudo-Marxist groups like Fightback, the march organizers advance a nationalist, protest program that constitutes a political trap for the working class. Their aim is to protest to the establishment and keep the struggles of the working class confined within the framework of capitalism and the nation-state. This Coalition against racism separates the rise of chauvinism in Quebec from its objective source, the global capitalist crisis, portraying it largely as a Quebec phenomenon, divorced from similar developments in the rest of Canada and around the world. They ignore the close relationship between the rise of the far right and the imposition of brutal austerity and war policies by the traditional leftthe French Socialist Party, the British Labour Party, the German Social Democratic Party, and the union-backed Democratic Party in America. Politically skeptical of the working class, whom they portray as attracted to, if not dominated by, racism, their anti-racist calls are directed to the supposedly liberal sections of the ruling class and the capitalist state. At a press briefing last week, demonstration spokesperson Safa Chebbi endorsed the claims of the big business media that the CAQ swept the Quebec election. This false narrative is aimed at politically intimidating the working class, which will rapidly come into mass opposition with the Francois Legault-led CAQ government and its neo-liberal and chauvinist agenda. Ignoring that only one in four Quebecers voted for the CAQ, and that many of those who did were casting a protest vote against the traditional parties of the Quebec ruling class, the Liberals and the Parti Quebecois, Chebbi argued that the new government was the result of several years of the normalization of racism in the public debate. She thus suggested that racism has captured a large part of the electoratea slander against the working class that was more explicitly featured on the website for the march in its denunciation of the right-wing policies of Legault and his many far-right supporters. At the same press conference, another organizer of the demonstration, Javiera Araya of Solidarity Across Borders, called upon the Montreal police, a bastion of racism and systematic violence against ethnic minorities, to end its collaboration with (Canada) Border Services. A genuine struggle against the Quebec chauvinist right and in defence of the democratic rights of refugees, immigrants, and religious minorities, requires a turn to the working class and the fight to unite Quebec workers with their class brothers and sisters in the rest of Canada, the United States and overseas in the struggle against capitalist austerity and war. The main obstacle to the independent political mobilization of workers is the trade union bureaucracy. For decades, the unions have suppressed worker opposition to the big business offensive on jobs, wages, pensions, and public services. And when social struggles have nonetheless broken outfor example the 2012 Quebec student strike which at its height threatened to become the catalyst for a working-class challenge to austerity, or the 2015 struggle of more than half a million public sector workers against the Quebec Liberal governments concession demandsthe unions quickly intervene to isolate them, confining them within a strictly provincial framework and then suppress them. Quebec Solidaires role in the rise of Quebec chauvinism Quebec Solidaire, the supposedly left-wing party that in the October 1 Quebec elections was the undeserving beneficiary of growing anti-austerity and anti-capitalist sentiment, especially among young people, is a loyal defender of the corporatist unions. Its timid demands for social reforms are derisory in the face of the social catastrophe caused by capitalism, and never go beyond the framework of the profit system. A party of the privileged upper-middle class, QS is hostile to the prosecution of the class struggle by workers. This is evidenced by its role in the 2012 student strike, when it helped the trade unions to harness the mass movement to the big business party, Parti Quebecois (PQ), and its role in the 2015 public sector struggle. In the latter case, QS hailed as a victory a union sell-out that kept in place the massive social spending cuts of the Couillard Liberal government and imposed major contract concessions, including pension and real wage cuts, on public sector workers. QS has played a particularly pernicious role in the rise of virulent Quebec chauvinism over the past decade. Rather than denouncing the reactionary debate over the purported excessive accommodations granted to cultural and religious minorities that was whipped up by the CAQs predecessor, Mario Dumonts Action democratique du Quebec, 10 years ago, QS called it legitimate. Similarly, it did not condemn the Charter of Quebec Values that Pauline Marois PQ minority government introduced in 2013 for targeting minorities, especially Muslim women, working in the public sector; it only criticized the PQ for going too far by extending its ban on religious symbols (crucifixes excepted) to all half-million Quebec public sector workers. Quebec Solidaire then took an ambivalent position on the Couillard Liberals Bill 62 (on state neutrality) that sought to bar Muslim women who wear religious face-coverings from accessing public health care, education and transit services. QS opposed Bill 62 solely on the grounds that the bills wording would make it inapplicable. QS also bears political responsibility for helping pave the way for the CAQs impeding legislation prohibiting so-called representatives of the Statejudges, police officers, prison guards and teachersfrom wearing religious symbols. QS has repeatedly demanded such a measure (except without the inclusion of teachers). To the extent that QS distances itself from the most blatant manifestations of anti-immigrant chauvinism, it is from the standpoint of moral appeals. QS covers up the essential political function of Islamophobia, which is to divide the working class, and justify the imperialist wars launched in the Middle East and elsewhere by Washington with Ottawas full support. On the rare occasions that this provincialist party takes a stand on major international issues such as war, it is to cover up Canadas own imperialist actions with a pseudo-humanitarian veil. QS has not denounced, let alone mounted any campaign against, the federal Liberal governments plans to increase military spending by 70 percent by 2026. Quebec Solidaire does not hide its ambitions to play in the big leagues by becoming ever more integrated into the ruling establishment, including by joining government. They are following in the footsteps of their Greek cousin SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left), which took power by promising to end capitalist austerity, but quickly reneged on its promises, forming a coalition with a right-wing Greek nationalist party and imposing even more draconian social cuts than its predecessors. The central role of QS is to revive the discredited program of Quebec independence. Through the creation of a capitalist Quebec Republic, a faction of the Quebec bourgeoisie hopes to better assert its predatory class interests, including by boosting the competitiveness of Quebec-based corporations on global markets through an intensified assault on the working class, and by fanning nationalism to split Quebec workers from their Canadian and international class brothers and sisters. Under conditions of a resurgence of the class struggle internationally, we call on those opposed to the right-wing, populist CAQ to fuse the opposition to racism and anti-immigrant chauvinism with the working class struggle to win decent jobs and quality health care and education for all. Only through the building of a working-class political movement dedicated to establishing workers power and social equality can democratic rights be defended in the face of the capitalist elites turn to unbridled reaction and war. We encourage everyone who agrees with this program to make contact with the Socialist Equality Party, which is in political solidarity with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). The ICFI is the political heir to the principled and decades-long struggle waged by the Fourth International to forge the international unity of the working class, and fight all forms of national opportunism within the international workers movement such as Stalinism and social democracy. Culture & Life Threats to journalists are now omnipresent Journalists across the globe, and not only those in conflict zones, are increasingly endangered. As we entered the second half of 2018, shocking news came from the United States, the professed home of free speech on earth. A gunman stormed into the newsroom of a Maryland newspaper and killed five media employees, including editors, reporters and a salesperson. The shootings at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis are a reminder that journalists across the globe, not only those in conflict zones, are increasingly endangered. If the grand democracy of the US has recently turned dangerous for scribes, the self-professed worlds largest democracy continues to uphold its status as a hazardous place for journalists. India reported the murder of four journalists in the last six months, a pattern reflected in its troubled neighbour Pakistan where two have been killed in 2018. Bangladesh has seen the murder of one editor-publisher since January 1, whereas other countries on the subcontinent have avoided murders of journalists. India lost three journalists in mysterious accidents within 12 hours in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar states on March 25 and 26. Sandeep Sharma was a dedicated 36-year-old News World reporter in Bhind, deliberately mowed down by a truck in the morning hours. He later succumbed to injuries in hospital. Sandeep used to contribute media reports against the sand mafia and had long received threats. On the previous night, Navin Nischal and Vijay Singh were hit by a luxury vehicle in the Bhojpur locality of Bihar and died on their way to the hospital. The 35-year-old Navin, who used to work for Dainik Bhaskar, and 26-year-old Vijay, who was associated with a Hindi magazine, were riding on a two-wheeler when the accident took place. Then, well-known Kashmiri journalist Syed Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead in Srinagar on June 14 by a group of militants. The proprietor and chief editor of Rising Kashmir, Shujaat earlier faced similar attacks in 2000 and 2006. The brave and outspoken journalist had since been provided government security. But this time, both of his security guards, Hamid Chaudhary and Mumtaz Awan, also died facing the bullets of violent Islamist forces. Starting his career at the Kashmir Times, Shujaat shifted to The Hindu as its Kashmir correspondent. Later he established Kashmir Media House that publishes English daily Rising Kashmir, Urdu-language daily Buland Kashmir and Kashmiri daily Sangarmal. Shujaat left behind his parents, wife and two young children. He was buried on Eid at the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadhan. Pakistan lost Anjum Muneer Raja, who used to work in Urdu daily Qaumi Pukaar, to assailants on March 1. Raja, 40, was shot dead by the miscreants in Rawalpindi locality, while he was on his way home in the late evening. The second case in Pakistan was reported on March 27, when Zeeshan Ashraf Butt, a journalist from another Urdu daily Nawa-i-Waqt, faced bullets. Butt, 29, was allegedly targeted by the chairperson of a local government. Bangladesh saw the murder of Shahzahan Bachchu on June 11 in its Munshiganj locality. Editor of Amader Bikrampur, Bachchu is thought to have been targeted by fundamentalists for his free-thinking comments. Various international rights bodies condemned his murder and urged the authorities to launch a genuine probe to find the culprits. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), over 260 scribes were facing imprisonment in 2017 for their work. Turkey, for the second successive year, emerged as the country with the highest number (73) of reporters imprisoned, followed by China (41). South Asia reported the imprisonment of around 25 media employees, where Bangladesh has 10 people imprisoned followed by five in Myanmar. Besides imprisonment, many media persons are being abused and physically assaulted in different countries for their journalistic activities. While international media rights bodies like Reporters Without Borders (RSF), CPJ and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have called for justice to all slain media persons, the media fraternity in the Indian subcontinent continues to pursue an action plan to safeguard the journalists akin to military, police and doctors on duty. They have raised their arguments loud and clear that if nations want journalists to do risky jobs in the name of public interest, their security along with justice must be ensured. * Nava Thakuria is a journalist who has been covering northeast India for various local, national and international media outlets since 1990. He primarily writes on socio-political and environmental issues in the region, and has developed a special interest in media matters. Third World Resurgence Over the weekend, the print edition of Der Spiegel reported on the government investigation into the extreme right-wing terrorist group Revolution Chemnitz, whose existence was uncovered at the beginning of the month. According to the Office of the Federal Prosecutor, the group was planning armed attacks on foreigners and political dissidents. Analysis of the internet communications of the eight people who were detained shows that the members of this far-right group had made extensive efforts to obtain firearms. An armed action had been planned for the Day of German Unity on October 3. The aim of the group was said to be the use of assassinations to foment an extreme right-wing revolution. If the investigators are correct, they wanted to outdo the series of murders carried out by the National Socialist Underground (NSU), Der Spiegel writes. The magazine notes that most of those arrested have been in the neo-Nazi scene for many years, participating in far-right music festivals, torchlight processions and parades. Such events are being held with increasing frequency, aided and abetted by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is the official opposition in parliament to the grand coalition government. Some of these right-wing terrorists have long been known to the police and the secret service. One of them is Tom W. The 30-year-old already led a right-wing association 12 years ago, spreading fear and terror in central Saxony. His gang of thugs called itself Sturm 34. The name comes from an SA brigade that was stationed in the Mittweida region during the Nazi era. The judiciary in Saxony dragged out proceedings against the group for years and ultimately sentenced the leaders to lenient probation. However, one important detail is left unmentioned in the Spiegel report. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution, as Germanys secret service is called, was involved in the founding of Sturm 34. Broadcaster Sudwest Rundfunk (SWR) revealed in 2009 that one of the co-founders of Sturm 34 was the former police officer Matthias Rott, who worked for the secret service. According to media reports, the Dresden district court had sought access to the CI (Confidential Informant) file on Rott from the Chemnitz-Erzgebirge police department. The file is said to include reports of conspiratorial meetings between Rott and state security officials. However, the Saxony State Interior Ministry refused to pass on the file, claiming that it could be detrimental to the welfare of the Free State of Saxony. Although Sturm 34 met all the criteria for the offence of establishing a criminal organization, the Dresden district court sentenced the defendants to a mere juvenile sentence of three to three-and-a-half years. The judge justified the minimal sentence with the claim that the accused lacked an intellectual inventory. Some years later, however, the Federal Court of Justice filed an appeal, and after delaying proceedings for many years, the Dresden district court had to sentence the five ringleaders, including Tom W., to probation and fines. Broadcaster ARDs programme MONITOR drew attention to the close links between the right-wing terrorists and the AfD. The programme revealed that several members of Revolution Chemnitz were spotted in early September on the so-called funeral marches of the AfD. The authorities claims that the anti-immigrant rampage carried out by neo-Nazis in Chemnitz took them by surprise are not credible. The state government and the security organs must have had some foreknowledge because, since 2013, Revolution Chemnitz has had its own Facebook page. Anti-fascist activists have shown that even in the early stages of the group, a graphic, evidently a design for a group logo, was posted on its Facebook page. In the background can be seen 34 in large numerals, an allusion to Sturm 34. In the Internet Atlas 2014 of the state branch of the secret service, the Facebook page was explicitly cited as belonging to a neo-Nazi group from Chemnitz. A prohibition order of the Saxony Interior Ministry makes it clear that this Facebook page was used by the National Socialists of Chemnitz (NSC), banned in 2014. At that time, this group organized shooting practice, among other things. In July 2017, the website posted an appeal, Lets go to Themar, promoting the largest ever neo-Nazi concert in Germany. Not only was an earlier member of Sturm 34 involved in this, there were also contacts with the NSU. There are indications of several former NSC supporters having links to the National Socialist Underground, the Saxony Interior Ministry document states. The claim that Revolution Chemnitz has only now come to the attention of the investigating authorities is not believable. Rather, it is becoming ever more clear how closely the right-wing extremist and terrorist scene is linked to the AfD and the state apparatus. In an interview with the Tagesspiegel, Robert Claus, an expert on such groups, pointed out the extensive scope and long-standing presence of right-wing extremist networks in Germany. He said, There is a highly dangerous brown Chemnitz network, and it has existed for decades The Identitarian Movement, under observation by the secret service, plays a role in it. This network has been built up in Chemnitz and Saxony since the beginning of the 1990s. The hooligan group Hoonara (an acronym for hooligans, Nazis, racists) was founded by neo-Nazis from Chemnitz, Zwickau and Erfurt and was, until 2007, a leading organization in the region, existing alongside the neo-Nazi music label Blood and Honour. The scene in Chemnitz also had relations with the NSU. Groups broke up, but their members did not disappear. These networks are still organizing today. There has always been an overlap in the personnel of groups such as the National Socialists of Chemnitz, which was banned in 2014. The following picture emerges from the report by Robert Claus: There are few right-wing milieus in Germany that are so closely connected and jointly undertake so much activity. The Chemnitz hooligan scene and the Chemnitz far-right associations have always been linked. This scene is closely related to the right-wing Hools and Ultras from Cottbus. They organize joint outings, fights, celebrations and attacks on political opponents. According to Claus, the hooligan and neo-Nazi circles in Chemnitz and Cottbus have definite contacts with the Nazi party III Weg and the Identitarian Movement, which, in turn, maintains close ties to the AfD. The Empire Fight Team from Leipzig had also been in Chemnitz, according to Claus. That the members know each other and are networked is obvious. Claus writes: It comes from the far-right hooligan scene at Lokomotive Leipzig, including the group Scenario Lok, which was also under observation by the intelligence services. Fighters from the gym also played a role in the attack on the left-wing district Leipzig-Connewitz. The Spiegel report states that the right-wing extremist marches in Chemnitz at the end of August would have affected the far-right groups like a fire accelerator. But that is only half the truth. What has strengthened and encouraged right-wing extremists is the fact that leading politicians and security officials have downplayed the right-wing scene and made the central slogan of the rightForeigners Out!the axis of the refugee policy of the grand coalition, comprised of the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats. Following the far-right riots in Chemnitz, the then-president of the federal secret service, Hans-Georg Maassen, denied that there had been attacks on journalists, immigrants and left-wingers. He provocatively challenged the authenticity of videos showing neo-Nazis hunting down immigrants in Chemnitz. Maassens statements were, as the WSWS wrote, a deliberate political provocation, which aims to strengthen the most right-wing forces in the government and state apparatus. The latest findings regarding right-wing terrorism in Chemnitz fully confirm this assessment. This is an English translation of a statement being distributed by supporters of the Parti de l'egalite socialiste in cities across France for the October 9 day of action called by trade and student unions against the policies of French President Emmanuel Macron. A year after Emmanuel Macron was elected president with European Union support, his policy of police-state repression and all-out austerity is rejected by the overwhelming majority of French people. Well beyond those who are marching today at the call of the trade unions, social anger with revolutionary implications is emerging against the government. Government ministers are leaving in droves, terrified by Macrons collapse in the polls. But Macron is impervious to mass anger. After privatizing the National Railways (SNCF) and cutting railworkers wage levels this spring, he plans to slash pensions, health care, unemployment compensation and public sector wages. The unions perspective of negotiating reforms with him is a trap and an illusion. The choice is between Macrons counterrevolution and a struggle to bring down his government; the question facing workers is how to mount a revolutionary struggle. The key question is unifying the different struggles against Macron and linking them to the growing movement in the working class around the world. In 1935, as workers struggles rose before the French general strike of 1936, Leon Trotsky, the founder of the Fourth International, called for the formation of committees of action. He explained that these rank-and-file organizations, built independently of the union bureaucracies, could be the revolutionary representation of the struggling masses. This is the alternative to the trap posed to the workers by the unions social dialog with Macron, which aims to repudiate all the social and democratic rights won by the struggle of workers in Europe in the 20th century. It is time for a balance sheet of this springs struggle against the privatization of the SNCF and his university reform. Despite opposition to Macrons plans from 95 percent of SNCF workers, the unions only organized rolling strikes which they then stabbed in the back, signing Macrons cuts even as strikes continued. If they organized a defeat against such a weak government despite mass railworkers support, there is no struggle they cannot run into the ground. Despite strikes at Air France, Carrefour and French hospitals, of British railworkers and teachers, of US teachers, and of German and Turkish metalworking and engineering industries, they isolated the rail strike and the student movement against Macron. Even as the youth tried to turn to the working class, the state was left to send in riot police to smash the student blockades at the universities. As for the new Popular Front formed by the New Anti-capitalist Party, Workers Struggle and Unsubmissive France (LFI) this spring, supposedly to help the unions pressure Macron, it exerted no pressure on Macron at all. It simply supported the union bureaucracys disorganization of the struggle and its defence of its own privileges. Now, LFI is inviting right-wing legislators to discuss military strategy at its summer school, and LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon is boasting that he sees common ground with the right in the struggle against Macron. The way forward is a revolutionary struggle carried out independently of the bankrupt French union bureaucracies, which are financed by the state and the employers, and their political allies. Fixated on an anti-Marxist strategy of using working-class discontent only for tactical help in negotiations of social austerity with Macron, they will produce nothing but defeats. Fifty years ago, the French working class took the leadership out of the hands of the unions and the Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF) and launched the May 1968 French general strike, bringing French capitalism to the verge of collapse. Today, however, there will be no outcome like the Grenelle Accords and social concessions, however limited, for the strikers. French capitalism, deindustrialized and financialized over the last half century, has no resources for that: it demands massive tax breaks for the billionaires and hundreds of billions of euros for the army. Faced with the bankruptcy of capitalism, a new generation of workers and youth is preparing around the world to take the road of a struggle for socialism. The support of masses of American youth for socialism and communism, and the desire of a majority of young Europeans to participate in a mass uprising against the existing social order, are so many warning signs of the revolutionary storm that is to come. The struggle to build committees of action is now on the order of the day. In 1935, Trotsky explained in Whither France that these committees were the only means of breaking the anti-revolutionary opposition of the trade union and party apparatus. Comparing them to the soviets formed by Russian workers in 1917, through which the workers took power during the October Revolution under the leadership of the Bolsheviks, he wrote: Committees of Action at their present stage have as their task to unite in a defensive struggle the toiling masses of France and thus imbue these masses with the consciousness of their own power for the coming offensive. Whether matters will reach genuine soviets depends on whether the present critical situation in France will unfold to the ultimate revolutionary conclusions. The Parti de legalite socialiste (Socialist Equality PartyPES), the French section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), urges the broadest discussion of this perspective in workplaces, schools and on the Internet. It calls on those who want to participate in this struggle to join and build the PES. While calling for and assisting in the formation of committees of action by the workers, the PES will struggle for the broadest consciousness of the revolutionary and international character of the developing movement. It will struggle to tie the emergence of strikes to all forms of workers opposition to war, austerity and social inequality, and to develop a socialist and internationalist movement to transfer state power to the working class and reorganize economic life on the basis of social need, not private profit. More than 2,700 hotel workers in Honolulu and Maui walked off the job on Monday, joining Marriott workers who began striking last week in the San Francisco area. Nationwide, 7,700 workers from 23 hotels are now on strike in eight cities. Strikes are ongoing in Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, San Diego and Detroit. Workers are demanding better pay and safer working conditions. While there is growing support for a nationwide strike, the UNITE HERE union has sought to limit and isolate the strikes, negotiating piecemeal with the bosses for separate deals with each hotel. Workers picketed five Marriott hotels in Hawaii: Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Westin Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Maui. About 95 percent of the 3,500 workers in Local 5 authorized a strike last month. However, workers at Waikiki Beach Marriott and the Sheraton Kauai, who voted to strike, were still working on Monday morning. The owners of the Hawaiian hotels, Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, issued a statement the same morning stating the company has implemented contingency plans to continue operating the five hotels on strike while adding there have been some adjustments to staffing levels and services being offered at our properties. The strike in Hawaii comes after months of negotiations over job security, improved wages and work overloads. Workers also want a say in how new technological changes can improve working conditions rather than lead to the elimination of jobs. Jenny Johnson, a dinner cook at Sheraton Waikiki for the last seven years, told Hawaii News Now, Were asking for one job to be enough, adding, We want a fair contract so that our members can work and afford to put food on their table and still be able to sit down and enjoy their dinner with their families. In a news release, the president of UNITE, Donald Taylor, declared that UNITE-HERE union members are going to change the lives of all workers in our industry. In fact, the union is doing everything it can to ensure that workers are isolated and defeated. Hotel workers in Chicago have been scraping by with $300 to $400 a week in strike pay. Hotel workers in Detroit, who began their strike Sunday morning, are not currently receiving strike pay. Taylor and the top executives at UNITE-HERE receive six-figure annual salaries, with Taylor alone making $315,000, more than ten times what hotel workers make on average. Union workers also have to pay almost $700 a year in dues. Now that workers in Hawaii have joined the growing national hotel strike, it is critical that workers break from the isolation imposed on them by UNITE HERE and the trade unions by forming rank-and-file committees. Hotel and service workers face the same issues as UPS and Amazon workers, as well as teachers and nurses who have gone on strike this year. Nothing can be won through isolated, individual strikes. Hotel workers should form independent workplace committees to expand the strikes, linking up the struggles of workers in different cities as part of a broader mobilization of the working class. These committees must formulate demands that meet the real needs of workers for livable wages, full healthcare coverage and job protections. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded Monday that Saudi Arabias monarchical regime prove that the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi left its consulate in Istanbul after entering it a week ago to obtain a document he needed for his intended marriage to a Turkish woman. Erdogans demand came in the wake of reports by Turkish security forces that they have hard evidence Khashoggi was tortured and killed and his body chopped into pieces and taken back to Saudi Arabia after he entered the consulate on October 2. Turkish sources told the Reuters news agency on Saturday that the disappearance was the result of premeditated murder. Friends had attempted to persuade Khashoggi, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States for the past year, that it was too dangerous to go into the Saudi government-controlled facility. He had responded that the regime would not do anything against him in Turkey. On the day he went in, he instructed his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, to call an adviser to Erdogan if he did not reemerge within four hours. The man she called, Yasin Aktay, a former member of parliament for Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), told CNN: Our security officials are investigating the issue in every detail. We have some concrete information; it wont be an unsolved crime. We could determine his entrance but not any exit. Thats confirmed. We asked them [the Saudis], they say, he left, but there is no such thing on the camera footage. Further details and speculation about the disappearance of Khashoggi have filled the Turkish press. The pro-government daily Hurriyat carried a front-page headline: Did they take him out by cutting [the body] into pieces? The paper quoted the head of the Turkish-Arab Media Association, Turan Kslakc, as saying that 15 Saudi agents, who had arrived in Turkey and entered the consulate shortly before Khashoggis disappearance, left shortly after he entered the premises. On that day (October 2), 15 people entered the consulate before Khashoggi and got out an hour later. It is thought that he was killed once he got in and his body was dismembered, distributed to 15 people and taken away, Kslakc said. Other Turkish newspapers reported that the police are searching for several vehicles, including a black minibus with darkened windows that left the consulate shortly after Khashoggi had disappeared. Erdogans statement Monday stressed that Turkish authorities were pursuing their investigation and that the Saudis cannot save themselves by simply saying he has left. If he has left, you must prove this, you will prove this, even if it is with visuals, he said, adding that Turkish police were investigating arrivals and departures of people who came from Saudi Arabia. The visuals described by Erdogan are apparently fairly clear: closed-circuit television footage shows Khashoggi entering the consulate, but never leaving it. Erdogan heads a regime that has jailed more journalists than any other on the planet. His concern over the Khashoggi affair is bound up with the tense relationship between Ankara and Riyadh over a whole number of regional crises, in particular, the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar, with which Turkey is allied. At the same time, the Turkish government is anxious not to provoke a complete severing of ties with Saudi Arabia, which it views as a source of investment under conditions of Turkeys deep economic crisis. Washington has remained circumspect about Khashoggis disappearance. President Donald Trump responded to a shouted question as he left his helicopter on the White House lawn Monday, saying he was concerned. Right now, nobody knows anything about it. But theres some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it, Trump said. The Trump administration has deepened a long-standing relationship with the Saudi monarchy, which, under Obama and previous presidents, has overlooked massive human rights violations in the interests of propping up a dictatorial regime that serves as a linchpin of US imperialist domination of the Middle East. It has also helped prop up US financial interests by guaranteeing the denomination of oil prices in dollars, while providing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of contracts for US arms corporations. To further this relationship, the US ruling class and the corporate media promoted the image of the monarchys de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS)the prime suspect in Khashoggis disappearanceas a reformer. He was feted on a whirlwind tour of the US last April, hosted not only by the Trump administration, but also by the likes of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Apple CEO Tim Cook. If the disappearance of Khashoggi has provoked more attention than Saudi Arabias mass beheadings and the routine execution and imprisonment of anyone who challenges the monarchical dictatorship, it is not only because of the brazenness and brutality of the apparent butchering of a Saudi citizen inside an overseas consulate. Khashoggis journalistic career, which spans more than 30 years, has always been bound up with the interests of the Saudi monarchy and its intelligence services. He was a readily available source for the Western media to interpret the monarchys actions in a favorable light. New York Times foreign affairs correspondent Thomas Friedman, who wrote a series of fawning columns praising MBS as a visionary reformer and savior of the Middle East, identified Khashoggi as one of his sources in a piece published on Monday. Friedman went so far as to say that if the charges of the Saudi regime murdering him were true, it would be worse than Riyadhs war on Yemen, which has killed over 16,000, and threatened millions with starvation. The obscenely sycophantic Friedman concluded that he was praying for Jamal, because if it was true Khashoggi had been murdered by the regime, Western leaders and investors could desert the great reformer, MBS. In addition to his services as an interlocutor with the Western media, Khashoggi was also a longtime aide to Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi intelligence chief and later ambassador to the United Kingdom and the United States. One Turkish newspaper suggested that he had left the kingdom with secret intelligence documents. Khashoggis decision to flee Saudi Arabia for the US came as the Crown Prince consolidated his power and initiated the mass detention last year of leading figures within the royal family and the Saudi ruling class at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, where many were reportedly tortured and forced to fork over significant shares of their fortunes. In the US, Khashoggi was given a column in the Washington Post to express fairly mild criticisms of MBSs rule. The last such column he wrote for the paper, however, criticized Saudi Arabias prosecution of the near-genocidal war against Yemen, backed by indispensable military-logistical support from the Pentagon. The war, aimed by both Riyadh and Washington at precluding any expansion of Iranian influence in the region, has sharply divided the royal family, elements of which have blamed MBS for drawing the kingdom into a quagmire. Whatever Khashoggis services to the Saudi monarchy and US imperialism, his reported torture, murder and butchering at a government consulate in Istanbul, if true, represents an act of savagery that exposes the essence of Washingtons closest ally in the Middle East and, more generally, US policy throughout the region. One only need ask what the reaction would have been had a similar fate befallen a Russian, Iranian or Venezuelan national to understand the unbridled hypocrisy of the human rights pretensions of US imperialism. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on trade that was concluded last week contained a clause which makes clear that one of its essential aims is the economic isolation of China, as the US steps up its trade war against Beijing. The clause, contained in article 32.10 of the agreement, stipulates that: Entry by any Party into a free trade agreement with a non-market country, shall allow the other Parties to terminate this Agreement on six-month notice and replace this Agreement with an agreement as between them (bilateral agreement). China was not specifically named but there is no doubt it is the target, with the US having designated it a non-market economy. International experts have said that nothing like this clause has ever been seen in previous trade deals. According to Gary Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the clause is completely novel in a trade agreement. He described it as the latest strand in the Cold War that the [US] administration has launched against China. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told Reuters the clause was logical and a kind of poison pill. The US insisted upon it during the negotiations with Canada after raising concerns that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was exploring the possibility of a free trade deal with Beijing. The provision is intended to go far beyond Canada and Mexico and become the template for the bilateral trade agreements the US is seeking with its major trading partners, in particular the European Union. In the lead-up to the USMCA deal, the US secured an agreement from both the EU and Japan for bilateral negotiations on trade. Both parties had been reluctant to enter such discussions, fearing that in one-on-one negotiations they would be forced to make major concessions in order to secure access to US markets. However, they dropped their previous insistence on multilateralism after President Donald Trump threatened to invoke auto tariffs of up to 25 percent on national security grounds if they did not agreea threat also used against Canada. Reporting on the non-market economy (NME) clause in the USMCA, the Financial Times cited an unnamed senior White House official who said the US would try to replicate it in other negotiations, including talks that have started with the EU and Japan as well as future talks with the UK after it leaves the EU. Will this be a precedent for the future? Absolutely, the official told the newspaper. Its important that we make sure that any agreements we enter into do not ultimately get undermined and China does not find a backdoor way to gain access to the US market. Asked about a future free trade agreement [FTA] with Britain after it leaves the EU and whether the US would insist on restrictions in dealing with China, the official said: Im not going to say we are absolutely going to put an NME cause in that arrangement [but] if we do enter into an FTA with the UK, are we going to say, you need to work with us on provisions to counter the biggest threat to the global trading system? Absolutely. Arthur Dong, a professor at Georgetown Universitys McDonough School of Business, told the Financial Times the US move to restrict other countries dealings with China marked a very significant departure from the previous US trade posture and were nothing less than an intended strategic reset of the global trade order. Dong said: Should the EU or Japan contemplate a direct trade deal with China, they will have to act cautiously as there will be consequences to such actions. Dan Price, a former senior official in the George W. Bush administration, told the newspaper: This is essentially extending US secondary sanctions architecture through a trade agreement. If you wish to have preferential access to the US market, you may not conclude FTAs with countries we dont like. How far such an extension of US sanctions potentially could go can be seen in the measures initiated by the Trump administration following its repudiation of the nuclear agreement with Iran. Despite every international agency responsible for the agreement having declared that Iran has fully complied with its terms, the US decreed that any corporation buying oil from Iran, or having dealings with its central bank, will be excluded from the US financial system from November 4. While the EU is trying to devise a system to get around the sanctions, significant European corporations, among them the French oil company Total, have announced they will not go ahead with investment projects in Iran. The Trump administrations actions represent a significant escalation of the US trade war, but they are not simply a product of the present-day occupants of the White House. They are a deepening of the Obama administrations policies, even though Trump scrapped its specific measures, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership with Asian countries excluding China, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership covering relations with the EU. The aim of these agreements was, in the words of Obamas Trade Representative Michael Froman, to place the US at the center of a web of arrangements that will provide unfettered access to two-thirds of the global economy. In a Foreign Affairs article in November 2014, entitled The Strategic Logic of Trade, Froman made the connection between trade, national security and military preparedness. These have been the Trump administrations essential themes as it links trade to national security issues. Froman noted that trade policy is national security policy and markets can have as much influence as militaries. He identified the essential driving force of the agenda of US imperialism as it moved to do away with the foundations of the post-war trading order that had been based on multilateral agreements. The US, he wrote, no longer held as dominant a position as it had at the end of World War II, and it must build trade coalitions willing to work toward consensus positions. In other words, the post-war international trading system had undermined the dominance of the US and had to be fundamentally changed. This is the Trump administrations position. It has only put the shift in cruder terms, as it rails against the present trading system as having ripped off the US to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, to the benefit of its old rivals in Europe and Japan and a new one in the form of China. The Trump administration is now lashing out to try to reverse this decline and achieve a consensus and a coalition of the willing to back its objectives through economic warfare against foes and allies and, if necessary, by military means. The intended reset of international trade relations through the NME stipulation in the USMCA is another significant step in this accelerating process. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has expelled a consul of the Hungarian government for what it calls the illegal distribution of Hungarian passports to Ukrainian citizens. In hidden camera footage posted to YouTube in September, Hungarian consular staff in the town of Berehove are shown distributing Hungarian citizenship documents and leading oaths of loyalty to the Hungarian state. Under Ukrainian law, citizens are not permitted to hold dual citizenship. However, in practice, as a multi-ethnic country with a large number of Ukrainians living and working abroad, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens hold passports from Russia, Belarus, Poland, Romania and elsewhere. In retaliation for Ukraines expulsion of its government representative, Hungary announced that it would be kicking out a Ukrainian diplomat currently stationed in Budapest. It also threatened to block Ukraines bid for NATO and EU membership. The escalating tit-for-tat expulsions are a result of deteriorating relations between the two right-wing, nationalist governments over the treatment of ethnic minorities, laws on language rights and geopolitics. Over 200,000 Hungarians live in Ukraine, with the majority residing in the Zakarpattia province. Prior to World War II this region was not considered part of then-Soviet Ukraine. Discrimination against the Hungarian language has been presented by the government of Viktor Orban as the main reason for its increasingly negative attitude towards Kiev. In September of 2017, the Ukrainian government of Petro Poroshenko introduced a new, undemocratic language law that limited the ability of ethnic minorities to be instructed in their native language. It made Ukrainian the required language of instruction for all students in secondary school. While the bill was clearly intended to target the use of Russian language in schools and Ukrainianize the countrys Russian population, it also angered other ethnic minorities. In response to the changes in the language bill, EU members Hungary, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria all filed complaints with the Council of Europe and the OSCE. Hungary said that it will veto any vote in support of Ukrainian membership in the EU and NATO, unless the language bill is changed. The enforced use of Ukrainian has been utilized by the Poroshenko regime and the countrys nationalist thugs to attack ethnic minorities and whip up ethnic hatred of all things anti-Ukrainian. This is part of the now over four-year-long war against the Russian-majority Donbass region of the country, which attempted to break away from Kiev in the wake of the anti-Russian coup that brought Poroshenko to power. In September, the western city of Lviv banned all Russian-language books, movies and other cultural artefacts, despite the fact that a substantial minority of the population uses the Russian language in daily life. Such actions have further emboldened right-wing thugs to attack those speaking languages other than Ukrainian in the public sphere. In September, a McDonalds worker in Kiev was accosted by a right-wing activist for speaking Russian while serving customers. Although language has been the issue most prominently cited by the Western media as the source of tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, there are more fundamental material and strategic issues at play. Despite being both an EU and NATO member, the anti-immigrant, far-right government of Orban has cultivated closer ties with Russia, much to the annoyance of the United States and other EU members. Hungary has been one of the only EU members to voice opposition to EU sanctions against Russia. It has continued to vote for their enforcement in the European Council, so as not to endanger its own status with the EU. Hungary is also one of the few EU countries that has seen its trade increase with Russia, after initially falling as a result of the sanctions. The country expects its trade with Russia to nearly double in the coming year. Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin held face-to-face talks in early September over gas and energy supplies. Russia is set to build a TurkStream oil pipeline that, like the Nordstream pipeline in the Baltic Sea, will allow Russian oil to bypass Ukraine en route to Western Europe. At the summit, Orban admitted that it was no secret that when the gas pipeline from the south comes towards Hungary, we would like it to continue through Hungary. That would be a great opportunity for Hungary. Russia and Hungary also agreed to move forward with the building of two Russian-made nuclear reactors at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant in central Hungary. The inflaming of Hungarian-Ukrainian relations takes place as the Azov Sea has becomes a new flashpoint between the Russian and Ukrainian militaries. Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out aggressive actions against Ukrainian ships in the region and using the waters to supply Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass region. In addition to already announced plans to build a naval base on the Azov Sea, Ukraines Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov declared last week that the country intends to conduct serious drills in the waters of the Azov Sea." For its part, Washington has supplied the Ukrainian navy with patrol boats. Last month Ukraine conducted a series of provocative military exercises throughout the country with the support and involvement of the United States, which has military advisers all over the territory. Ukraines army sent troops towards the Hungarian border during the exercises, in an attempt to intimidate Budapest. Kiev denied that the exercises targeted Hungary, absurdly claiming that the show of force was meant to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine from the west. While Trump is constantly lambasted by the Democratic Party for being insufficiently aggressive towards Russia, he has in fact gone further than former President Barack Obama in support for Kiev, including by sending the country Javelin anti-tank missiles. In September, the US House of Representatives approved the 2019 draft military budget, which increases war funding for Ukraine to $250 million. BEIRUT (AP) Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist who disappeared last week after a visit to his countrys consulate in Turkey, was once a Saudi insider. A close aide to the kingdoms former spy chief, he had been a leading voice in the countrys prominent dailies, including the main English newspapers. Now the 59-year-old journalist and contributor to The Washington Post is feared dead, and Turkish authorities believe he was slain inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, something Saudi officials vehemently deny. The U.S.-educated Khashoggi was no stranger to controversy. A graduate of Indiana State University, Khashoggi began his career in the 1980s, covering the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the decade-long war that followed for the English-language daily Saudi Gazette. He traveled extensively in the Middle East, covering Algerias 1990s war against Islamic militants, and the Islamists rise in Sudan. He interviewed Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan before al-Qaida was formed, then met him in Sudan in 1995. Following bin Ladens rise likely helped cement Khashoggis ties with powerful former Saudi spy chief, Turki Al-Faisal. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared last week after a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) Khashoggi rubbed shoulders with the Saudi royal family and supported efforts to nudge the kingdoms entrenched ultra-conservative clerics to accept reforms. He served as an editor for nine years on the Islamist-leaning al-Madina newspaper and was frequently quoted in the Western media as an expert on Islamic radicals and a reformist voice. However, he was fired from his post as an editor at Al-Watan, a liberal paper founded after the 9/11 terror attacks, just two months after he took the job in 2003. The countrys ultra-conservative clerics had pushed back against his criticism of the powerful religious police and Ibn Taymiyah, a medieval cleric viewed as the spiritual forefather of Wahhabism, the conservative interpretation of Islam that is the founding tenant of the kingdom. Khoshaggi then served as media adviser to Al-Faisal, the former spy chief, who was at the time the ambassador to the United States. Khashoggi returned to Al-Watan in 2007, where he continued his criticism of the clerics as the late King Abdullah implemented cautious reforms to try to shake their hold. Three years later, he was forced to resign again after a series of articles criticizing Salafism, the ultra-conservative Sunni Islam movement from which Wahhabism stems. Holding pictures of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, supporters gather near the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In 2010, Saudi billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal tapped him to lead his new TV station, touted as a rival to Qatari-funded Al-Jazeera, a staunch critic of the kingdom. But the new Al-Arab station, based in Bahrain, was shut down hours after it launched, for hosting a Bahraini opposition figure. Khoshaggis final break with the Saudi authorities followed the Arab Spring protests that swept through the region in 2011, shaking the power base of traditional leaders and giving rise to Islamists, only to be followed by unprecedented crackdowns on those calling for change. Siding with the opposition in Egypt and Syria, Khashoggi became a vocal critic of his own governments stance there and a defender of moderate Islamists, which Riyadh considered an existential threat. This was a critical period in Arab history. I had to take a position. The Arab world had waited for this moment of freedom for a thousand years, Khashoggi told a Turkey-based Syrian opposition television station last month, just days before he disappeared. He also criticized his governments diplomatic break with Qatar and war on Yemen as well as Riyadhs policy toward its archenemy, Iran, whose influence has grown in neighboring Yemen and in Syria. In the Sept. 23 interview, he called Saudi Arabias foreign policy narrow minded, and ridiculed its crackdown on political Islam, urging the kingdom to realign its policy to partner with Turkey, a close Qatar ally. Saudi is the mother and father of political Islam. It is based on political Islam, Khoshaggi said. The only recipe to get Iranians out of Syria it is not Trump or anyone else it is through the support of the Syrian revolution. ... Saudi Arabia must return to supporting the Syrian revolution and partnering with Turkey on this. Eight days later, on Oct. 2, he disappeared while on a visit to the consulate in Istanbul for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancee. The consulate insists the writer left its premises alive, contradicting Turkish officials. Before his disappearance, Khoshaggi had been living since last year in the U.S. in self-imposed exile, after he fled the kingdom amid a crackdown on intellectuals and activists who criticized policies of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. As of now, I would say Mohammed bin Salman is acting like Putin. He is imposing very selective justice, Khashoggi wrote in the Post last year after he fled the kingdom, saying he feared returning home. He described dramatic scenes of arrest of government critics accused of receiving Qatari funding. They included a friend of Khashoggis who had just returned from a trip to the U.S. as part of an official Saudi delegation. That is how breathtakingly fast you can fall out of favor with Saudi Arabia, he wrote. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - It's a big week at Indiana State University as the Sycamores celebrate homecoming. The campus is already buzzing with activities. Some new events were introduced this year. Our crew walked in on a boneless wing competition. Most of the activities are tried and true ISU Homecoming traditions. Organizers say it's as much about alumni as it is about current students. Click here for a schedule of events. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The process to cancel the contract of former superintendent Danny Tanoos is well underway. This is after Marion County prosecutors charged him with three counts of felony bribery. News 10 requested Tanoos' contract using the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. We didn't just get his contract, we also received a letter Tanoos sent to the school board announcing his retirement. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LETTER AND CONTRACT In that letter, Tanoos announced to the board he would step down as superintendent and take an administrative position on July 1st. He also said his salary in this new position would be $60,000 and include several benefits included in his contract. Besides health, dental, and vision benefits, this includes accrued or unused vacation and sick time. His automobile allowance would remain unchanged. Tanoos' contract stipulates the board is to provide him with an automobile for his use. The board also agreed to pay all insurance and all expenses related to this vehicle. Tanoos' contract spelled out an annual salary of $135,000...but online records kept by the state show that Tanoos cleared $220,000 in 2017. We have not heard any updates as far as where the process stands to cancel Tanoos' contract. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Stafford and his successors carefully maintained control of almost all residential real estate, which was rented to a handful of carefully selected voters at incredibly cheap prices. When the California legislature protested that the new city didn't have enough residents, Stafford simply snaked out a tendril and snagged a nearby mental care facility, whose long-term patients counted as residents but tended not to actively participate in elections, for some reason. With a loyal voting base, Stafford ran the "city" as his personal fiefdom. He used to write scripts for the city council meetings. We can only hope that he occasionally got bored and threw in a juicy murder or sudden ice zombie attack. Google Maps They call it "The Manticore." Continue Reading Below Advertisement Why should that matter to you? Well, if you lived in California before 2011, some of your tax dollars went to state redevelopment funds. Those were set aside for city development agencies, which could use them to increase property taxes by sprucing up urban blight. Unfortunately, California makes no legal distinction between cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Industry, even though one of those has a population of 12 hand puppets and some beagles. Starting in the '70s, Industry's redevelopment agency raked in hundreds of millions, even though the project made no sense in a city with virtually no residents. Most of the "redevelopment" involved pointless building on previously unoccupied lots. Meanwhile, Stafford's successor as mayor was paid at least $300 million for various city contracts. California eliminated redevelopment agencies in 2011, in part to deal with abuse like Industry's. So hey, maybe they're also the reason your own town still sucks! Voters in Cameroon's troubled north and southwest regions stayed away from Sunday's elections as violence broke out between security forces and armed separatists, residents told CNN. In the Bamenda capital of the northwest region, where separatists had called on people to boycott the elections, residents said they were afraid to come out from their homes amid gunfire. Africa Armed forces Cameroon Central Africa Continents and regions Elections and campaigns Government and public administration Military Paul Biya Political Figures - Intl Politics Separatism and secession Unrest, conflicts and war "We heard gunshots all through the day. The military was patrolling the streets all day trying to quell the attacks. No one wants to be caught in the gunfire," said Kudi Eric Unji, who lives in Bamenda town, one of the regions the Anglophone secessionists want to turn into another country. Ballot boxes in the southwest were half empty as voters stayed away in droves. A winner must be announced within two weeks, according to the country's electoral commission. Cameroon's President Paul Biya, 85, is contesting for a seventh term and has ruled the country since 1982. He has often recorded a landslide victory in past elections. He was declared the winner of the 2011 elections by the Supreme Court, which found that he got 77% of the vote, beating out 22 other contenders. Violence often erupts in Cameroon's English-speaking provinces, where residents say they have been marginalized by the Francophone-dominated government. Tensions deteriorated into a full-blown crisis last year after protests in the regions turned violent. But Biya maintains his strong grip on the central African country despite the growing secessionist movement, which has worsened security in the nation. Amnesty International, in a report last month, said it had recorded 260 security incidents, including kidnappings of civilians and violence between Cameroon's soldiers and armed Anglophone separatists, this year. The human rights organization said 400 civilians have been killed since January in escalating attacks between armed separatist groups and security forces in Cameroon's English-speaking regions. Biya's government has been accused of using its military to crack down on armed separatists and killing English speakers. Secessionist fighters also stand accused of kidnapping and killing soldiers and civilians. The human rights organization said in a June report that English speakers were being targeted by both the Cameroon military and armed Anglophone separatists in waves of violence that Amnesty describes as "unlawful, excessive and unnecessary." Victims gave harrowing accounts of beatings and allegations of simulated electrocution and torture carried out by the military, as well as attacks on schools and teachers by armed Anglophone separatists. However, an army spokesman dismissed claims of violence and torture as "rumors" and said it was fighting against a bloody insurgency. Didier Badjeck, a spokesman for the army, said: "Since 2016, they have been attacking schools, and we are working against terrorists. The army defends itself against attackers." In the past, Biya has condemned "all acts of violence, regardless of their sources and their perpetrators." This is the 11th presidential election since Cameroon's independence in 1960. In August, the world watched in horror as a Saudi-led coalition airstrike in Yemen claimed the lives of 40 innocent children. The boys, many under the age of 10, were killed when their school bus was bombed during a class trip. The weapon used in that deadly bombing was made in America. It was not the first time. In June, airstrikes hit a cholera treatment center run by Doctors Without Borders, even though it was clearly identified as a medical facility. Accidents, disasters and safety Bombings Continents and regions Disaster relief Government and public administration Government organizations - US Middle East Middle East and North Africa North America Politics Saudi Arabia The Americas United States Unrest, conflicts and war US Congress Yemen In April, 20 civilians, many from a single family, were killed while celebrating a wedding in a village in northwest Yemen. As a result of this conflict, at least 10,000 Yemenis have died, 2 million more are displaced, and 22 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. To make matters worse, a man-made famine has brought nearly 8 million people in Yemen to the brink of starvation. This humanitarian catastrophe didn't happen overnight. For more than three years, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been bombing Yemen as part of a proxy war to counter the Iran-supported Houthi militias. During this period, the United States has been quietly providing intelligence and military advice to the Saudi-led coalition. Our government refuels Saudi coalition warplanes in midair. Our government provides advice and assistance. Our government authorizes the sale of US-made bombs and missiles the coalition uses to conduct this war. There is no doubt that Iran's actions in Yemen are destabilizing. Iran's government supports militias that attack Saudi territory and undermine the internationally recognized central government of Yemen. But we can no longer turn a blind eye to the actions of the Saudi coalition -- or our own role in the suffering of the Yemeni people. There is a growing push in Washington to seek an end to this civil war. In this year's defense authorization bill, Congress threatened to cut off US support for the Saudi-led coalition's operations in Yemen until the Trump administration certified the coalition was making "an urgent and good faith effort" to reduce civilian casualties, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and negotiate an end to the civil war. But rather than using this opportunity as leverage to hold our partners accountable, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rubber-stamped the Saudi-led coalition's actions. Secretary of Defense James Mattis asserted that the coalition was making "every effort" to prevent civilian casualties -- even as the United Nations reported that the coalition was responsible for the majority of the children killed in Yemen last year. The administration's decision to double down on US support for the bombing campaign makes a mockery of congressional oversight authority. Overlooking the Saudi-led coalition's apparent disregard for international norms and laws of armed conflict does nothing to improve US standing in the world. And continuing to support an ill-conceived proxy war in Yemen does not make America safer. The framers of our Constitution believed that the decision to involve ourselves in a conflict like the one in Yemen requires the consent of the people, expressed through their elected representatives. But Congress has never authorized our involvement in this conflict. That's why we have supported bicameral, bipartisan efforts to end the US involvement in Yemen's civil war unless Congress specifically authorizes it. While counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda and its affiliates would continue, support for the Saudi coalition's military operations against the Houthis would stop. The crisis in Yemen is worsening, and the United States can do something about it. We can hold the Saudi coalition accountable. We can demand that all parties cease the violence. We can support UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths' peace negotiations. The Yemeni people are suffering. Instead of supporting more bombing, the United States can help bring peace to the region. Congress has an urgent responsibility to act. Update: 10/09/18 11:14 p.m. Violent crime is an issue U.S. Marshals have been tackling with local law enforcement agencies. In a month-long operation, authorities announced over 250 arrests. Over half of those arrests were gang members, some of which were taken into custody in Tupelo. Operation Triple Beam took over 30 local law enforcement agencies, across 13 counties including the support of state and federal authorities. The Gangster Disciples, the Simon City Royals, the Latin Kings and the Aryan Brotherhood, said Daniel McKittrick, U.S. Marshal for Northern District of Mississippi. In neighborhoods near Lawndale Drive, residents speak of gang violence. In Tupelo, there are gangs here," said Mike Quarels, the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force commander. "All the gangs that the marshals mentioned in the statement there are here. Not only are they here, but theyre advanced and they communicate well. WTVA spotted the street gang graffiti of "LL9" President's Gate Apartments, which is set to be demolished. Fights, guns," said Mack Turner, who used to live at the apartments. He's the president of an organization called United Brothers and Sisters. "Matter fact, my first night here they were shooting below my apartment you know I slept on the floor because I thought they were going to shoot in my apartment," he said. Turner says the crime has gotten a lot better and that he's trying to heal his community. I started talking to people, and started having events in the park and prayer walks to end violence in the community. Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre tells WTVA that suspects who were arrested during Operation Triple Beam claimed gang affiliations. Officials say more operations like it could be seen in the future. See the original post below. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - A month-long joint law enforcement operation aimed to keep North Mississippi clean of crime. "Operation Triple Beam" resulted in the arrests of 255 people in North Mississippi on a variety of criminal charges including homicide, assault, robbery and arson. The operation brought together federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The operation also resulted in the seizure of approximately $52,773 worth of narcotics, $50,565 in cash, and 76 firearms as well as the recovery of 11 stolen vehicles. Operation Triple Beam started on August 13 in Northeast Mississippi and ended on September 14. As a part of the initiative, approximately 150 gang members were arrested or validated by law enforcement, stated the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, almost 200 registered sex offenders living in areas of Northeast Mississippi were checked for compliance with sex offender registration requirements. Compliance checks were also conducted on another 150 moderate and high-risk federal and state probationers. The operation was a combined effort of more than 30 local law enforcement agencies across 13 counties in North Mississippi, along with state and federal law enforcement partners. When law enforcement officers work together, we get results, said U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Again and again, law enforcement in North Mississippi have given the rest of this nation an example of what we can accomplish when we bring together the resource and expertise of our federal officers with the street level intelligence of our state and local partners. Operation Triple Beam was accomplished in partnership with the following agencies: CHEYENNE Three of the four candidates vying to be Wyomings next governor appeared on Cheyenne television Saturday night to lay out their vision for the states economy. But by the end, two of the candidates were exchanging accusations of lies and distortions of records. Republican Mark Gordon, Democrat Mary Throne and Constitution Partys Rex Rammell all participated in the hour-long event that centered primarily on the states fiscal outlook, including economic development, possible changes to the tax code and how to fund the states obligations within the confines of a tightening budget. Libertarian Lawrence Struempf didnt take part in the event. Gordon, the current state treasurer, said Wyoming had to grow its economy while at the same time learning to live within its means to deal with the current financial situation. He said while the state needed to trim waste, now wasnt the time to talk about potential tax increases or other drastic changes to how the state took in revenues. Theres no need for us to be out there talking about tax increases. We do need to spend some time figuring out what our priorities are, getting our spending in line. And we have opportunities to make a sustainable stab at our fiscal situation going forward, Gordon said. Does that mean over time the state might want to consider some conversation about taxes? Weve done it in the past and well probably do it in the future. Gordon said now isnt the time to consider even a modest income tax or other measures. Instead, Wyoming needs to shrink government and look at construction projects and other big expenditures that might not be necessary now, to bring spending down to levels the state can currently afford. Rammell, a veterinarian, continued to expound on the fact he had taken a pledge not to raise taxes at all and tried to hammer both Gordon and Throne for not doing the same. Rammell said the state needs to substantially shrink its government and expand the economy to deal with its fiscal situation. He proposed using the states investment funds to provide small business loans as a way of pumping millions into the state economy. Im the only one who has pledged not to raise taxes out of the three of us, Rammell said. And if the tax question comes up, (Gordon) is always going to say I dont want to talk about it right now. Because I believe in his heart hes willing to do it. The truth is out here. Theres one candidate who will not raise taxes, and thats Rex Rammell and I have pledged that. Rammell said the recent tax cuts passed on the federal level show that low taxes grow the economy. He accused his opponents of using the coded language of tax reform to hide their intentions of raising taxes. Throne, the former minority leader in the state House, said she was the only candidate being honest with voters about the situation the state finds itself in fiscally. She said reports show the states current tax structure is unsustainable and too many important programs like education face cuts. That was why she wanted to look at ways to change the tax system in the future. I didnt get into this race to tell people what they want to hear. I got into this race to tell people what they need to know. And the simple fact of the matter is our future is bleak if we dont tackle the tax issue, Throne said. I have said throughout this campaign that I would not advocate for a state income tax. I think the problem is we get hung up on finding that one magic solution. The truth of the matter is if we do not broaden our economy at the same time we diversify it, we wont solve our fiscal crisis. Throne said the state should look to tax reform to develop a structure that can fund the states obligations and prepare it to take advantage of the potential expansion of the states economy. She also tried to ding Gordon for refusing to discuss taxes and potential changes to the tax structure, and said the Republican wasnt giving real answers on how to solve the states budget woes. Im getting it from both sides, Gordon said after both his opponents brought up his answer to a question on taxes. I guess thats what happens when youre the leader. Both Gordon and Throne said theyd sign a bill giving local governments more power to increase taxes, while Rammell said he would veto any measure that had to do with taxes. Taxes werent the only issue where Rammell tried to take the fight to Gordon. Rammell took multiple opportunities to attack Gordons record, especially when it came to the energy sector. During a discussion on a federal judges decision to stop a planned grizzly bear hunt in Wyoming, which all three candidates disagreed with, Rammell started a line of attack he continued to come back to that Gordon opposed the energy industry because he had donated money to environmental groups and at one point was part of the Sierra Club. These environmental groups are coming into the state of Wyoming and wreaking havoc. And Mr. Gordon has been a strong supporter of nearly every radical environment, are you going to deny this, every radical environment group in the west, Rammell said, directing his comments at Gordon. Youre probably on the board of Wild Earth Guardians. Gordon said he did sit on the board of the Sierra Club in the 1980s, a fact he pointed out has already been discussed during the Republican primary. I was working to put Wyomings agricultural interest first, and I have worked diligently to make sure Wyoming and our agricultural interests are first and foremost, Gordon said. I was part of the Sierra Club way before the Beyond Coal campaign, and I resigned from the Sierra Club before the Beyond Coal campaign. Quit throwing out that stupid stuff. That was just one of several exchanges between the two candidates, who became more heated by the end of the debate. Rammell also used his final remarks to attack Gordon as anti-coal, and said he was the only true conservative in the race. A lawyer for Christine Blasey Ford says shes unable to return home due to the unending death threats shes still receiving after coming forward with allegations of sexual assault against now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Fords lawyer, Debra Katz, said it will be quite some time before the professor and her family will be able to move back to their home in California. I will say, this has been terrifying, Katz told NBCs Kasie Hunt during an interview alongside fellow Ford attorney Lisa Banks. Her family has been through a lot. They are not living at home. Its going to be quite some time before they are able to live at home. The threats have been unending. Its deplorable. Its been very frightening. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's attorneys tell @kasie that Ford is still not living at home and can't for "quite some time." She is still receiving "unending" death threats. pic.twitter.com/u6W5CmW0v8 Kasie DC (@KasieDC) October 7, 2018 Katz added that Ford, 51, has also been receiving extraordinary letters of support and encouragement since she testified under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 27 about being sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh, 53, when she was 15 and he was 17. (Kavanaugh has denied the allegation.) Katz and Banks have reported the death threats against Ford to the FBI, the lawyers said in an email to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September. Fords friend Jim Gensheimer told PEOPLE last week that the death threats prompted Ford and her family to leave their house, with friends taking in her teenage sons so they can stay in school. Story continues Shed been trying to forget this her whole life, Gensheimer said. Now her life is never going to be the same. Katz and Banks also told NBC that Ford was horrified over President Donald Trumps comments mocking her in front of a crowd of supporters at a rally in Mississippi. I think she was as horrified as the rest of us were. Its terrible, its disrespectful, its horrible, Katz said. She was upset by it, Banks added. As any women would be who is the victim of sexual assault, who is mocked and belittled by anyone, nevermind the president of the United States. RELATED VIDEO: Brett Kavanaugh Confirmed to Supreme Court After Fight That Divided America Katz and Banks added that Ford remains certain that Kavanaugh was the one who sexually assaulted her, despite critics suggestions that she could have misidentified her attacker. She knew him, he knew her. She knows exactly who sexually assaulted her on that day, Katz said. Shes never wavered and never questioned her testimony on that point, Banks added. Facing historic opposition, and allegations of sexual assault from Ford and two other women, Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court on Saturday following a 50-48 vote. (He has denied all allegations.) Fords longtime friend Kate DeVarney tells PEOPLE, On behalf of my friend, and all people who have been subjected to sexual assault, political assault, abuse of power, discrimination and bigotry, I feel ashamed of our government and pray that together we can somehow find a way to repair this terrible divide. Meghan McCain returned to The View after taking off several weeks to mourn the death of her father, Arizona Sen. John McCain. The veteran lost his battle with cancer in August. McCain expressed her happiness to be back at the Hot Topics table, but also shed tears as she individually thanked her View co-hosts for their support during her fathers death. She also took time to thank the many people who paid their respects to the senator. I really want to thank all of America for being so kind to my family, McCain said. From the second that my father passed and immediately after he passed the media knew and I had to get in a car in a motorcade behind his hearse and from the very moment I left there were people in the country all races, all age, all creeds out there with American flags waving, saluting, praying, everyone, he would have loved it. McCain also spoke about her fathers lasting legacy. Everyone came out and celebrated him with love and it made me so inspired that the ideals that my father espoused to in his career are the ideals of America and I think there was a lot of talk about what died with him and I am here today to tell you it didnt. It is alive and well. And I need us to remember that. He believed in American exceptionalism. He believed America is the greatest country in the history of the world. He believed that when your candidates opponent says something racist in a rally, you push back. That is John McCain and that is what America is. McCain also took a moment to reference the current political climate in America, urging the audience to keep fighting, as her father taught her. We can never surrender to what is happening in the country right now. I understand how divided and how scared a lot of people are and it looks like the fabric of democracy is fraying. We do not surrender. Im not surrendering. You dont do it either so you have to join me in not surrendering. OK. Because Im still here fighting and I want all of you to fight. Story continues Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Taylor Swift makes rare political statement in support of Tennessee Democratic candidates In the past, Swift has been criticized for saying political silence. In the past, Taylor Swift has been criticized for staying political silent. Now, though, ahead of the November midterms, Swift has publicly endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen and Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper, who are both running in her native Tennessee. Im writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which Ill be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past Ive been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now, began Swift in a lengthy Instagram post. Swift says she bases her vote on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. Marsha Blackburn, the GOPs candidate for Senate in Tennessee, is not a person willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love, Swift argues. She goes on to list several specific issues she has with Blackburns record, including her opposition to the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape, as well as her belief that same sex couples should not be able to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values, explains Swift, which is why she will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. She concludes her post by encouraging her fans to educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. Owner of limo in New York crash that killed 20 was 'warned not to operate the vehicle' (ABC News) Owner of limo in New York crash that killed 20 was 'warned not to operate the vehicle' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The family of the driver of the limousine that crashed in upstate New York, killing 20 people, believe the vehicle "was neither roadworthy or safe," the family's lawyers said. The driver, Scott Lisincchia, 53, died in the accident along with the 17 others inside the car and two pedestrians. Lisincchia's wife released a statement through her lawyers, which said that the Lisincchia family is "devastated by the horrific tragedy" and "prayers go out to all the families that lost loved ones." "They are mourning their husband, father and brother, and they are also grieving for the other innocent souls who lost their lives," the lawyers' statement reads. Scott Lisincchia is described in the statement as "a loving and caring man who never would have knowingly put others in harm's way." "The family believes that unbeknownst to him he was provided with a vehicle that was neither roadworthy nor safe for any of its occupants," the statement reads. The vehicle failed a Sept. 4 safety inspection in part due to an Anti-lock breaking system (ABS) malfunction indicators for the hydraulic brake system, according to records reviewed by ABC News. State transportation officials declined to immediately elaborate on the notation. Such a malfunction could mean that there is a problem either with the brake system or simply with the indicator light connected to said system. The record from the Sept. 4 inspection also notes that there is a violation for failure to correct defects noted on previous inspection report," though it did not detail those prior failures. "The assertion that the limousine was cleared to be on the road following the September inspection is categorically false," according to a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Transportation. "The vehicle was subject to inspections and the owner was warned not to operate the vehicle; the vehicle was placed out of service." Story continues Richard Burke, a spokesperson for the Lisinicchia family, told ABC News that Lisinicchia had previously told his wife about issues with the company's vehicles. Burke said that Lisinicchia's wife "told me that he had complained to her regarding the condition of some of the vehicles. In fact they said that one time he was driving one of the vehicles and a muffler fell off with clients in the car and he had to stop the car, get out of the car, remove the muffler and move it to the side of the roadway." Burke said that Lisinicchia had worked as a driver of trucks, tractor trailers, and dump trucks. "He's a very safe driver. He never had any kind of accident like this," Burke said. Both state and federal authorities are investigating the crash, which is the deadliest transportation accident in the U.S. since August 2009, according to the chief of the National Transportation Safety Board. PHOTO: Family members and friends gather for a candlelight vigil memorial at Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Pedestrian Bridge in Amsterdam, N.Y., Oct. 8, 2018. (Hans Pennink/AP) (MORE: Newlyweds, young couple among 20 killed in New York limousine crash, families say) The NTSB has been on the scene in the upstate New York town of Schoharie since Sunday, the day after the crash, and its investigation is underway. Unanswered questions The safety of the vehicle is inevitably going to be a major part of the investigation, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday the limousine had failed a safety inspection with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles just a month prior to the crash. Additionally, law enforcement sources said the limo driver lacked the proper license to operate the vehicle and officials are looking to see if safety protocols were violated. The license that Lisincchia held, according to a state official, did not qualify him to drive more than 15 passengers. A lawyer for the limousine company said the car failed the safety inspection over minor problems. "As we understand right now, the inspections last month were minor things - windshield wipers, a latch on a window that needed to be fixed - and all those things were fixed," lawyer Lee Kindlon, who represents Prestige Limousines, said on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday. "One of the questions we're trying to help answer, very honestly, [is] any of those safety problems, could those have contributed to the crash? We want to make everybody know right now that we're doing everything we can to answer those questions, along with the state," Kindlon said. Family members of the victims said that the group was headed to a party in Cooperstown, about an hour west of Schoharie, when their stretch limousine flew past a stop sign and slammed into a parked SUV. (MORE: Limo in New York crash that killed 20 had failed inspection and driver didn't have appropriate license: Governor) The brewery that the group was headed to at the time of the crash released a statement confirming that they had a reservation for noon Saturday. "We were incredibly saddened to learn of this horrible tragedy," read a statement on the Facebook page for Ommegang, a brewery in Cooperstown. PHOTO: A family member, who asked not to be identified, mourns during a candlelight vigil for the victims of a limousine accident in upstate New York, in Amsterdam, N.Y., Oct. 8, 2018. (Cindy Schultz/Reuters) The autopsies of the victims have not yet been released, but New York State Police released the names and ages of the victims on Tuesday afternoon. All of the passengers were between 24 and 34 years old. The two male pedestrians were 46 and 70 years old, and Lisinicchia was 53. Investigators are continuing with interviews of witnesses and family members and autopsies of the victims are also still ongoing at Albany Medical Center, the NTSB said in a statement Monday night. Due to the severity of the crash, this process is taking some time. The agency's chief, Robert Sumwalt, said Monday that "some seats were equipped with lap shoulder belts," but he did not specify which. "At this point we're not sure if all seating positions were equipped with seatbelts," Sumwalt said, adding that it is also not clear whether anyone in the limousine wore safety belts. A New York State official said that state law requires seatbelts in the front seat of passenger vehicles, but given the size of this limousine it would be considered a bus. In that case, state law does not require seatbelts for passengers. The limo company, Prestige Limousine, agreed to take its fleet of cars off the road in the wake of the accident, according to a Monday statement. "Prestige Limousine extends its deepest condolences to the family members and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Saturday," the statement said. "We are performing a detailed internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident and the steps we can take in order to prevent future accidents." A community in mourning Hundreds of people gathered Monday night at a park overlooking the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, New York, some holding flowers, small candles and handwritten inspirational notes, to honor the 20 crash victims. Tonight we saw the strength of our Amsterdam community once again -- thousands came together to honor, remember their lives and support their families, New York State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, one of the events organizers, wrote in a statement. The horrific event that claimed the lives of 20 people on Saturday has left us with pain that feels unbearable and unending. Local leaders, clergy members and residents who knew the victims were among the vigil attendees in Amsterdam, which is the hometown of several victims, community members said. PHOTO: Family members sign a banner in memory of their loved ones during a candlelight vigil for the victims of a limousine accident in upstate New York, in Amsterdam, N.Y., Oct. 8, 2018. (Cindy Schultz/Reuters) I know that they have become angels in our eyes and in Jesuss eyes, and Im just really hurt and saddened, and I just really appreciate my family, Shannon Hoogkamp, of Amsterdam, told Albany ABC affiliate WTEN. Karina Halse, whose sister Amanda Halse was a limousine passenger who died in the crash, told "Good Morning America" that officials told her the vehicle "was going down the hill at over 60 miles an hour." Amanda Halse, 26, and her boyfriend, Patrick Cushing, 31, who had been dating for about a year, were traveling with Cushings friends to a party at Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, about an hour west of Schoharie, when the crash happened, Karina Halse told GMA. Newlyweds Erin Vertucci, 34, and Shane McGowan, 30, as well as four young sisters were among the passengers killed, their families told ABC News. Elizabeth Warren cites Kavanaugh battle as she campaigns for Georgia governor nominee Abrams originally appeared on abcnews.go.com In wake of the battle over now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday rallied young voters to help change the political climate as she campaigned for Georgia's gubernatorial Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams. "It's time to turn our pain into power," Warren said, in an example of how Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the anger over Kavanaugh's confirmation. PHOTO: Sen. Elizabeth Warren greets demonstrators protesting US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Oct. 4, 2018, in Washington. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images) The Massachusetts Democrat and potential 2020 presidential candidate called the FBI background investigation of Kavanaugh a "sham." "I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford," Warren added, referring to the California professor who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assaulting her when they were both in high school. Campaigning alongside Warren was Ayanna Pressley, herself a survivor of sexual assault, who defeated all odds and made history by becoming the first African-American woman to represent Massachusetts, overtaking 10-term incumbent Rep. Michael Capuano. She is poised to become the first African-American woman to represent the blue state in Congress. Both Warren and Pressley fired up the crowd for Abrams, touting a need for change in the Trump era. "The system is rigged and Republicans are trying to keep it that way," Warren said, adding, "You have the power to make Stacey Abrams the next governor of Georgia." PHOTO: Brett Kavanaugh (L) is sworn-in as Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court by retired Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy at the White House, Oct. 8, 2018. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) At a rally at Clayton State University on the outskirts of Atlanta, young voters said they see Abrams as the most relatable candidate in the Georgia race, connecting with her own personal story: coming from an impoverished upbringing and growing up as a marginalized African-American woman in what she says was a white male-dominated society. Britney Whaley, a 32-year-old African-American from Georgia, said Abrams represents what Georgia needs. Story continues "When you hear about a woman who faced personal challenges, was not fed with a silver spoon and as an HBCU graduate myself, I understand her," Whaley said. "There are so many different things that I can relate to, I think that other black women can relate to so that we are seen as whole people," she added. Abrams' race for governor has galvanized not only African-American women but supporters from across the political spectrum. "I can relate to her because I've [gone} through some of those same struggles," Darian Drye, a junior at Clayton State University said. "I believe she's making a difference, she's making an impact on the people that need her and who she needs," Chavoris Lawson, also a junior at the school, echoed. "We are in a patriarchal society so people believe the highest position of power should belong to a man, so for a woman to achieve this defeat, it'll be monumental," Drye said. "It'll give other people hope across the nation." Abrams trumpeted that idea. "I'm not running for governor so I can have power, I'm running for governor so we can have power," Abrams said. Abrams is running against Republican and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who leveraged the president's endorsement during Georgia's primary election in May. In efforts to turn Georgia blue, Abrams garnered votes from all but six of Georgia's 159 counties, including rural areas across the state and scored more than 75 percent of the vote. Although she defeated the odds and came out victorious in Georgia's primary election, Abrams still faces the challenges of running in a deep-red, inelastic state. According to FiveThirthyEight, Georgia's electorate is composed solidly of both Democrat and Republican voters, with very few persuadable voters -- resulting in Democrats getting close to the finish line in the Peach State, but not receiving the 50 percent plus one that they need to win. By Georgia's law, candidates must win more than 50 percent of the vote. Abrams, 44, broke barriers and made history in May when she embodied Democratic hopes of becoming the first African-American woman elected governor in U.S. history. After becoming Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Abrams opened up about the struggles she faced as the first potential female African-American governor and her battle to shift the focus from the color of her skin and her gender identity to her policies. Abrams has stressed education, Medicaid expansion and job creation as the issues she thinks matter most to the people of Georgia. (MORE: Joe Biden to campaign with Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams) Its hard to focus on people to focus on [the issues] because I think they're so surprised by how far I have been able to come, despite what they might consider to be both a disqualifier and really interesting fact that sits really nicely on a chyron, Abrams told host Trevor Noah on The Daily Show in August. The female senators who played prominent roles Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation battle could see their support boosted if they decide to take on Donald Trump and run for the White House in 2020 as a result, some political commentators have suggested. The president's nominee divided opinion after Professor Christine Blasey Ford testified that he had sexually assaulted her at a party when they were teenagers. As protests erupted across Capitol Hill, women on both sides of the political divide were forced to decide whether to support the embattled nominee. Those choices have prompted some political analysts to speculate that they will have longstanding consequences that reverberate well into the next election cycle. Here are five women whose impact on the process could influence their success in a 2020 presidential race. Mazie Hirono Mazie Hirono (Getty) From the beginning of the process the Hawaii Democrat was one of the loudest voices to oppose Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation. Prior to Dr Fords accusations becoming public, the senator grilled the justice on whether he had ever committed acts of sexual misconduct. Since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favours or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature? she asked. Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct? Two weeks later, as the allegations against Mr Kavanaugh surfaced, Ms Hirono continued to lead demonstrations against him. She also released confidential emails exposing his views on native Hawaiians. These are the docs Rs don't want you to seebecause they show that Judge Kavanaugh wrongly believes that Native Hawaiian programs are Constitutionally questionable. I defy anyone reading this to be able to conclude that it should be deemed confidential in any way, shape, or form. pic.twitter.com/yj31vDNGia Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) September 6, 2018 These are the docs R(epublicans) dont want you to seebecause they show that Judge Kavanaugh wrongly believes that Native Hawaiian programs are Constitutionally questionable, she tweeted as she posted the 2002 emails on her social media site. I defy anyone reading this to be able to conclude that it should be deemed confidential in any way, shape, or form. Story continues Kamala Harris Senator Kamala Harris - seen here in Washington, DC on June 21, 2017 - could be one of the beneficiaries of California changing its elections calendar (REUTERS/Joshua Roberts) A former top prosecutor, the California Democrat delivered a tough line of questioning during Mr Kavanaughs initial hearings with the Senate Judiciary Committee that instantly went viral online. Ms Harris grilled the judge on whether he had discussed Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russias impact on the 2016 election with any attorneys who work at Kasowitz Benson Torres, a New York firm founded by the presidents personal lawyer, Marc Kasowitz. He appeared to fumble in his answer while evading the question, leading the senator to bluntly respond, I think you are thinking of someone, and you dont want to tell us. My message to sexual assault survivors: Thank you for your courage. Your voices have mattered. pic.twitter.com/nOwUEklBW8 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 6, 2018 When the sexual assault allegations emerged, Ms Harris immediately called for a renewed FBI investigation into Mr Kavanaugh. She also walked out of a vote that advanced his nomination. Her supporters lauded her apparent determination to uncover the truth behind the allegations and her commitment to getting nominees on the record about their alleged wrongdoing. Voters may remember Ms Harris for her similar tough questioning of Jeff Sessions, which helped result in his recusal from all matters related to Russia as the head of the Justice Department under Mr Trump. Amy Klobuchar Amy Kobluchar (Getty) The Minnesota Democrat did not appear to be attempting to draw national headlines when she questioned Mr Kavanaugh on his drinking habits after the allegations against him were brought forward. Ms Kobluchar opened her line of questioning by acknowledging her own familys history with issues surrounding alcoholism, before asking the judge whether he had ever blacked out or forgotten portions of his nights due to drinking. In several interviews with The Independent, law professors across the country cited Ms Kobluchars questioning as the most troubling aspects behind Mr Kavanaughs nomination. He appeared to become filled with anger towards the senator, repeatedly shooting the question back at her and asking if she had ever blacked out. The Democrat, who holds a strong lead over her opponent in an upcoming re-election, denounced Mr Kavanaugh while maintaining an air of calm during a speech in which she announced she would oppose his nomination. At this time in our history, we need a justice who is independent and will serve as a check on other branches of government, she said. Thats what our Founding Fathers set up. Susan Collins (AP) All eyes were on the Maine Republican during the close of the contentious confirmation process, as she announced she would vote to advance Mr Kavanaughs nomination during a procedural vote. Explaining her decision in a later speech, she defended Mr Kavanaughs track record as a judge while attempting to support Dr Fords allegations as well. She stopped just short of believing the judge was the person who assaulted Dr Ford, although this led to a backlash from her Democratic rivals. However, Republicans celebrated Ms Collins decision to vote yes for Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Trump later tweeted his support for the senator after her remarks. Lisa Murkowski US Senator Lisa Murkowski (pictured) and Susan Collins both voted against the repealing of Obamacare, along with John McCain (Getty Images) As the sole Republican to oppose the nomination of Mr Kavanaugh, the Alaska Republican suffered a backlash. However, in her final remarks regarding her decision to reject the embattled judge, Ms Murkowski made it clear she was not afraid of the criticism she would receive. Her decision was hers, and hers alone, she said. I did not come to a decision on this until walking onto the floor this morning. I have been wrestling to really try to know what is fair and what is right, and the truth is, that none of this has been fair, she said, speaking on the House floor ahead of a final vote on Mr Kavanaugh. This has truly been the most difficult evaluation of a decision that I have ever had to make, and Ive made some interesting ones in my career. But I value and respect where my colleagues have come down from in their support for the judge, and I think were at a place where we need to begin thinking about the credibility and integrity of our institutions. The president attacked Ms Murkowski for her decision, saying she will never recover from her decision. However, it remains unclear what impact the decision could ultimately have in her 2022 re-election campaign, or a 2020 presidential bid if she were to launch a bid for the top job. After a whirlwind of testimonies, investigations and protests leading up to Justice Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court on Saturday, the embattled justice now begins his lifetime position ruling on the countrys most contentious cases. While President Donald Trumps pick for the highest court in the land has been scrutinized over how hell vote on issues relating to reproductive rights, climate change and other hot-button issues, the cases Kavanaugh is scheduled or likely to hear this term will give Americans their first insight into how far hell swing the court to the right now that swing voter Justice Anthony Kennedy is out of the picture. Here are five interesting cases in which Kavanaugh could be the deciding vote. Protecting people from being tried for the same crime twice Gamble v. United States, one of the first cases the Supreme Court has agreed to hear, centers on the constitutionality of the separate sovereignty exception to the Fifth Amendments double jeopardy clause. Justice Brett Kavanaugh participates in his ceremonial public swearing-in for the Supreme Court. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) In simpler terms, thats a controversial loophole in the rule that a person cannot be tried for the same crime twice. The exception under question holds that because the federal and state government are separate sovereigns, the double jeopardy clause does not apply. Theres been some speculation that removing the loophole may or may not benefit Trump and others under scrutiny in special counsel Robert Muellers ongoing investigation, but the case centers on a separate incident that could have major implications for the prison system. It was brought to the Supreme Court by Terance Martez Gamble, a man convicted under Alabama state law for being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to one year in prison. When he was later found guilty under federal laws as well and sentenced to another 46 months, Gamble challenged the charge as violating double jeopardy protections and called on the court to re-evaluate its stance that state and federal governments are separate sovereignties over Americans. Story continues The American Civil Liberties Union has long denounced the exception, arguing that the increasing use of joint state-federal task forces increases the risk that states will simply take a first bite at the apple and then hand the file to the feds for a second, among other concerns. Limiting who can be charged under the Armed Career Criminal Act In another case with implications for lengths of prison sentences, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case dealing with which state robbery crimes should be considered violent felonies under the Armed Career Criminal Act, a statute that set a minimum sentence of 15 years for crimes involving firearms if the offender already has three serious or violent felony convictions on their record. Kavanaugh speaks during his ceremonial public swearing-in. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) The case, Stokeling v. United States, was brought forth by Denard Stokeling, who in 2016 received a federal conviction of being a felon in possession of a gun. Hes arguing that an unarmed robbery he was convicted of in Florida in 1997 should not be classified as a violent crime, thus disqualifying him from being sentenced under the ACCA. The Supreme Courts decision is expected to have significant implications for how theft crimes are defined and will provide some clarity on how federal courts should interpret widely varying state definitions of those crimes. Detaining immigrants during deportation proceedings The Supreme Court has also agreed to decide in Nielsen v. Preap, a case that will determine whether thousands of longtime U.S. residents face indefinite detention without a bond hearing. Detained immigrants play soccer behind a barbed wire fence at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, in February 2018. (Photo: Reuters) The class-action lawsuit brought forth by a group of immigrants who have been detained under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that authorizes federal authorities to detain anyone subject to deportation. At issue in this case is whether after being released from imprisonment criminal aliens who have been convicted of certain crimes may be detained in the federal governments custody without bond hearings until their cases are resolved. The policy keeps immigrants in detention for months or years in some cases before theyre ever able to challenge their deportation. Does the statute really deny bond hearings to all of them longtime residents of the U.S. who were convicted of minor offenses 5, 10, 15 or more years ago? The Atlantic wrote in a lengthy exploration into the issue on Monday. What if a person has long ago been released and has returned to a community, established a family and put down roots, and lived a blameless life since that brush with the law? In other words, what if the immigrant would otherwise be a prime candidate for bond? Applying civil rights protections in LGBT discrimination cases One case that may be added to the Supreme Courts docket this term would determine whether the federal civil rights law that bans workplace sex discrimination also applies to sexual orientation. In Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc., a skydiving company asked the Supreme Court to hear an appeal in the case it lost in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit earlier this year. That decision found that the company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it fired him for being gay. Because sexual orientation is a function of sex and sex is a protected characteristic under Title VII, it follows that sexual orientation is also protected, the court ruled. This marks the second time that Altitude Express has asked the Supreme Court to make a higher judgment in its case. Allowing religious symbols on public property Another issue that could be added to the Supreme Courts docket concerns a set of rulings that barred the display of large crosses on public property. In two lawsuits out of Maryland likely to be considered as one case if theyre granted an appeal before the Supreme Court, and a similar one out of Florida whose parties are hoping to bypass lower courts so that it may be considered with the Maryland cases, the Supreme Court may consider how far the government may go in preventing religious symbols on public property. The case could be an interesting test for where this more conservative Supreme Court could land on concerns about the separation of church and state. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Related Coverage All The Lies Brett Kavanaugh Told The Other Things Brett Kavanaugh Stands Accused Of Kavanaugh Confirmed! Brett Kavanaugh Let His Mask Slip Brett Kavanaugh Protests Rage Until The Very End This article originally appeared on HuffPost. (Corrects 4th paragraph to make clear that Washington has been seeking inspection of Yongbyon. North Korea has offered conditionally to close the site, but has not made a public comment on its inspection.) * Pompeo says inspectors to visit nuclear, missile test sites * Says 'pretty close' to agreement on second summit * Upbeat tone from N.Korea a change from last Pompeo visit * Kim expected to visit Russia, Xi to N.Korea soon -Seoul By Hyonhee Shin and David Brunnstrom SEOUL/WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday hailed "significant progress" in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the weekend and said the sides were "pretty close" to agreeing details for a second summit between Kim and President Donald Trump. However, experts questioned what Pompeo had achieved on Sunday on his fourth visit to Pyongyang this year. They said the North Korean leader appeared simply to be repackaging and dragging out past pledges. Pompeo told reporters Kim had said he was ready to allow international inspectors into North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site and the Sohae missile engine test facility as soon as the two sides agreed on logistics. However, Pompeo declined to say whether there had been any movement on North Korea allowing inspectors to visit its Yongbyon site, which produces fuel for nuclear weapons, as the United States has sought. North Korea has said it could permanently close Yongbyon if Washington took "corresponding measures," of which there has so far been no sign. In May, North Korea blew up tunnels at Punggye-ri and called this proof of its commitment to end nuclear testing, but a senior White House official accused Pyongyang at the time of breaking a promise to allow experts to witness dismantlement of the site, which meant there was no one there to verify what actually occurred. Pompeo did not say when inspectors would be allowed to Punggye-ri, and the State Department did not respond when asked if they would be Americans or others from international nuclear bodies. Story continues "There's a lot of logistics that will be required to execute that," Pompeo told a news briefing in Seoul before leaving for Beijing, where the frosty tone of talks will raise worries about China's willingness help maintain a tough U.S.-led sanctions regime on North Korea. "SELLING THE SAME HORSE TWICE" Experts said the offer on inspections amounted to dressing up of an old, unfulfilled pledge as a new concession. "The real takeaway from this Punggye-ri pledge is that Kim has mastered the art of milking a single cosmetic concession for months to burn clock," Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said on Twitter. "We are still talking about Punggye-ri and Sohae 6 months after he pledged to dismantle them. Brilliantly selling the same horse twice." Even so, Pompeo said both sides were "pretty close" to agreement on the details of a second summit, which Kim proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump in a letter last month. "Both the leaders believe there's real progress that can be made, substantive progress that can be made at the next summit," Pompeo said. Trump and Kim held an historic first summit in Singapore on June 12 at which Kim pledged to work toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. However, his actions have fallen short of Washington's demands for a complete inventory of its weapons and facilities and irreversible steps to give up its arsenal. Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea who accompanied Pompeo to Pyongyang, said he offered to meet his counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, "as soon as possible" and they were in discussion over time and place. Pompeo told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday his latest trip to Pyongyang was "another step forward" to denuclearisation, but there were "many steps along the way". INSPECTION At last month's inter-Korean summit, the North expressed its willingness to close Yongbyon if Washington took corresponding action, which Moon said would include a declaration of an end to the 1950-53 Korean War. Moon also said the North would "permanently dismantle" Sohae missile engine testing site in the presence of experts from "concerned countries". Pyongyang's failure to keep its pledge to allow international inspections at Punggye-ri in May fanned criticism that the move could easily be reversed. In July, satellite imagery indicated it had begun dismantling the engine test site, but also without allowing outside verification. The 38 North project said last week that no dismantling activity had been spotted since Aug. 3. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Kim had invited inspectors to visit Punggye-ri to confirm it had been irreversibly dismantled. Sceptics of Trump administration policy said it was difficult to see what Pompeo had achieved. "Did Mike Pompeo go all the way to Pyongyang for party planning purposes?" Daniel Russel, the chief U.S. diplomat for East Asia until last year, said on NBC. "Is this just to set up a yet another summit without a clear understanding of what thats going to generate?" Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency was upbeat. It said on Monday Kim lauded his talks with Pompeo and "explained in detail the proposals for solving the denuclearisation issue." "Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction over the productive and wonderful talks with Mike Pompeo at which mutual stands were fully understood and opinions exchanged," KCNA said. Kim said the bilateral dialogue would continue to develop "based on the deep confidence between the two leaders", and expressed gratitude to Trump for making a sincere effort to implement the agreement made at their June summit, KCNA said. KCNA also said the two sides agreed to hold working negotiations for the second summit as early as possible. But it made no mention of inspections. North Korea had denounced Pompeo on his previous trip to Pyongyang in July for making "gangster-like demands". Pompeo did not meet Kim on that trip. Moon also spoke positively of Pompeo's latest meeting with Kim. He said it set up conditions for another Trump-Kim summit and help denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Moon said Kim was expected to visit Russia soon and that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was also expected to travel to North Korea, but did not elaborate. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had invited Kim to visit, but the time and place had yet to be agreed. (Reporting by Joyce Lee and Hyonhee Shin Editing by Peter Cooney, Michael Perry and Paul Tait) By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia plans to restrict some new migrants from living in its largest cities - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane - for "at least a few years" in an effort to ease urban congestion, a government minister said on Tuesday. With immigration expected to be an issue in the next election, the plan aims to help ease infrastructure problems in cities struggling with population pressures. Critics worry the proposed new visa rules could lead to labor shortages. Nearly 70 percent of the 186,000 migrants who settled in Australia last year arrived on skilled migrant visas, and nearly all moved to Sydney or Melbourne, according to government data. There are currently no limits on where individuals can settle after they receive a skilled migrant visa. The new plan would affect the roughly 40 percent of migrants who have the desired skills and are looking for work on arrival. It would class five cities - Darwin, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra - as regional centers for migrants to settle in. Some regional centers and rural politicians have lobbied for years for more skilled residents to ensure their towns survive. "We aim to ease the population pressure off the three big cities and more rapidly grow the smaller states and regions," Alan Tudge, minister for urban infrastructure and population, said in a speech in Melbourne. Tudge did not provide details on how the policy would be enforced, but he said it could include incentives. "You can also put conditions on people's visas as well to stay in a particular area for at least a few years," he said. An official in Tudge's office, who declined to be named, said migrants could be restricted from settling in the biggest cities for up to five years. It's not clear if the plan would survive a legal challenge. "It's certainly unsustainable to continue with the current model with the bulk of immigrants going to Sydney and Melbourne because it's creating significant pressure," said Tony Matthews, researcher at the Cities Research Institute. However, he added: "I'm not sure its legally viable." ELECTION ISSUE Immigration is expected to be an issue in the next federal election due before May 2019. A ReachTel poll published in September found that 63 percent of Sydney residents surveyed said they supported restrictions on the number of migrants moving to Australia's biggest city. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose center-right coalition is trailing in opinion polls, has adopted a series of populist policies since coming to power in August after a backbench revolt ousted his predecessor. "Any policy that spreads migration will resonate. It will be popular with voters," said Haydon Manning, a political science professor at Flinders University in South Australia state. There are also questions about the business impact in big cities, where job creation is outstripped migration, said James Pearson, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Business and Industry. "We must ensure there is a thorough understanding of the key factors that drive population growth, before implementing policies that have the capacity to negatively impact jobs growth and the economy," Pearson said. Australia's central bank governor said in August an influx of new residents had helped to underpin strong economic growth. "We've had 27 years without a recession. There are a lot reasons for that, but one of those reasons is that the population has been growing, on average, 1.5 per cent a year," Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe said. (The story is refiled to correct day in first paragraph.) (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Darren Schuettler) London (AFP) - Bahrain's main opposition group called Tuesday for a boycott of November parliamentary elections after its members were banned from running. The vote follows waves of unrest since 2011, when security forces in the Sunni-ruled Gulf state crushed protests led by its Shiite majority demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister. Authorities have imprisoned hundreds of dissidents, stripped many of their nationality and outlawed opposition movements including Al-Wefaq, the main movement representing the kingdom's Shiite majority. "We call on all our people from different classes and affiliations to take an inclusive national stance to boycott and refuse to participate in the election," Al-Wefaq said in a statement after a London press conference. A law issued in June bars "leaders and members of political associations dissolved for violating the kingdom's constitution or its laws" from standing in parliamentary elections. A Bahrain court ordered Al-Wefaq's dissolution in 2016 for "harbouring terrorism", inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife. Authorities have also outlawed the main secular opposition group, the National Democratic Action Society or Waad. Opposition parties boycotted the last elections in 2014 -- the first since the 2011 crackdown -- and denounced the vote as a "farce". Bahrain's lower house has the authority to examine and pass legislation proposed by the king or cabinet, but its decisions can be blocked by an upper chamber appointed by the king. The tiny Gulf island, a key ally of the United States and home to the US Fifth Fleet, accuses Shiite Iran of provoking unrest in the kingdom. Iran denies the allegations. Brasilia (AFP) - A surge of support for a far-right presidential candidate in Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, helped swell the ranks of his small party in the country's Congress in general elections. His ultraconservative Social Liberal Party, which had just eight deputies in the 513-seat outgoing lower house picked up dozens more seats in Sunday's vote and will have 52 in the new chamber. In the upper house, the 81-member senate, the party grabbed its first-ever seats: four of them. One of 63-year-old Bolsonaro's five offspring, his eldest son Flavio Bolsonaro, took one of the senate seats. Another, Eduardo Bolsonaro, was easily re-elected to the lower house. The results were a surprise to analysts, who had predicted maybe only a handful of lower-house seats would be added to the party. Although the Social Liberal Party is still a minority grouping, should Bolsonaro win an October 28 runoff to become president he will be able to count on an alliance with dozens of other conservative deputies. Those politicians represent lobbies collectively being called the "BBB," for "beef, bullets and the Bible." They count those fronting for powerful agro-business interests, groups demanding freer gun laws, and evangelicals rallying around the Catholic Bolsonaro. - 'Polarized' congress - They will bolster the former paratrooper's ability to pass legislation along the lines of his manifesto, which calls for a harsh crackdown on crime, a bolstered police force, easier gun possession, a reduction in environmental restrictions, and a family-first approach. The fact that less than half the deputies in the outgoing congress managed to win reelection pointed to a widespread desire to punish the legislature for a long string of political corruption scandals. Bolsonaro, who has been unsullied from the scandals, has promised to clean up graft. "We are witnessing a very strong pro-Bolsonaro wave, a tsunami that has overturned the legislative landscape, with a congress more to the right and more polarized," said Sylvio Costa, who runs the specialized political news site Congresso em Foco. Story continues Bolsonaro sailed through Sunday's first-round presidential election, picking up 46 percent of the vote. That makes him the favorite going into the runoff in three weeks time against leftist candidate Fernando Haddad, a former mayor of Sao Paulo, who got 29 percent. Haddad's Workers Party was one of the losers of the conservative turn. It saw its ranks in congress's lower house drop from 61 to 56, though it remained the chamber's biggest group, just ahead of Bolsonaro's party. In the upper house, the Workers Party dropped from 13 senators to six. It was a sharp rebuke for a party which once rode very high on the back of the popularity of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. But it has since been ravaged by corruption allegations, and Lula himself is in prison for bribery and money laundering. Other traditional parties, the PSDB of another former president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and the MDB of outgoing unpopular President Michel Temer, each lost more than a third of their deputies. Lula's chosen successor Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached as president two years ago for financial wrongdoing, failed in her bid to get elected to the senate. She came fourth, despite surveys suggesting she had been well-placed to win. Far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro fell short of winning an outright majority in the Brazilian election on Sunday. Bolsonaro won just shy of 47% of the vote, short of the 50% needed to avoid a runoff. Nevertheless, his nearest rival trailed him significantly, taking 29%. Bolsonaro will now face leftist Workers Party candidate Fernando Haddad in a runoff election on October 28, where the former is widely expected to win. It will mark the first presidential loss for the leftists since 2002. Bolsonaros party, the Social Liberal Party (PSL), also performed well in Sundays elections and is on the path to becoming the largest party in Brazils Congress. Like Bolsonaro himself, the party has tapped into Brazilians frustration with a recession, violent crime, and corruption, much of which the population increasingly blames on the Workers Party. Using language like Lets make Brazil great! Lets be proud of our homeland again!, Bolsonaro has been seen to have established himself in the mold of U.S. President Donal Trump. Like Trump, Bolsonaro is a frequent user of social media and has not shied away from sparking controversy. Bolsonaro has spoken in favor of dictatorships and has more broadly sought to run on a platform of law and order. While he wants to root out violent crime and has advocated for tough punishments for offenders, Bolsonaro has simultaneously called for a loosening of gun laws. He has also expressed support for torture and the death penalty. Bolsonaro has derided gays, women, and minorities, calling for parents to beat their children to stop them from turning gay and telling minorities to bow to the majority or simply disappear. He called a female member of Congress too ugly to rape and has called immigrants scum. Haddad, meanwhile, only became the Workers Party candidate last minute, after former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was banned from running for office from prison, where he is serving a 12-year sentence for corruption. While Haddad has run on a message of defending democracy and respect for human rights, many voters blame the countrys recent recession on the party and fear it could plunge them back into recession again. Ultimately, many have said they will cast their vote for whomever they believe to be the least worst candidate. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Impetuous, admiring of military men, pro-guns, social media-savvy, accused of misogyny and racism: Brazil's far-right presidential frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro shares more than a few qualities with US leader Donald Trump. But is it a fair comparison? The 63-year-old candidate with the carefully coiffed hair trounced the first round of presidential elections last Sunday, winning 46 percent of the vote. Many Brazilians are taken with his calls to patriotism, his anti-crime rhetoric, and the image he projects as an outsider who wants to drain the swamp. In the second round run-off on October 28 he hopes to ride to victory the conservative wave surging under him to beat Fernando Haddad, the leftist standing in for former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, incarcerated for corruption. For Joao Feres Junior, professor in political science at the University of Rio de Janeiro, the Bolsonaro phenomenon has some points in common with the one that took Trump into the White House. Like Trump, "he's an actor, a candidate who understands nothing about public politics, who talks poorly, but for whatever reason has a fairly inexplicable charisma that attracts a certain type of electorate -- an electorate with fascist tendencies," he said. But Junior noted a major difference in supporters. "A large part of Trump's electorate is made up of poor whites. In Bolsonaro's case, his electorate is more white people from the middle and upper middle class." - Some key differences - Guilherme Casaroes, professor in political science and international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, said "Bolsonaro represents an anti-establishment spirit. In that sense, he resembles Trump a lot." But whereas the American heir to a real estate fortune had no real political experience, and got deferments from military service, Bolsonaro served as an army captain before going on to a long-term political career, sitting in Brazil's congress for the past 27 years. Story continues Bolsonaro also doesn't come close to the wealth attributed to Trump. He has declared assets worth $495,000 which, though detractors say they are far undervalued, are eclipsed by the several billion dollars Trump boasts he has amassed. Bolsonaro doesn't have a private jet or luxurious beach resorts. The political machinery supporting them are also very different. Trump is the figurative head of the United States' big Republican Party, while the Brazilian fronts a little-known small ultra-conservative group, the Social Liberal Party, which he joined in March. "Bolsonaro was welcomed by a very small party and campaigned with little TV time and very little public funding," noted Casaroes. He was also forced off the campaign trail a month before the first-round election when he was stabbed in the abdomen by a lone assailant while waving to a crowd. That attack, however, didn't hurt Bolsonaro's performance. Far from it. Instead, the politician, long chary of speaking to journalists, turned even more intensively to the social media channels he had already been actively using, drumming up support through his seven million Facebook followers and four million Instagram fans. That mirrored Trump's own prolific use of Twitter -- and the US leader's oft-repeated accusation that he was a victim of media bias and "fake" news. - Admiring Trump - It should be no surprise then that Bolsonaro has great admiration for the president of the United States. "Trump is an example for me. I'm aware that distance separates us, but I intend to get closer to him for the good of Brazil and the United States," Bolsonaro said in October 2017 as he made a trip to Florida. There's another connection: In August, Bolsonaro's son Eduardo Bolsonaro -- who was re-elected to congress on Sunday -- met with Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist who recently has been trying to export his brand of far-right nationalism to Europe and elsewhere. Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" also has an echo in Bolsonaro's own appeal to patriotism. "Brazil above everyone, God above all," is the Brazilian's slogan, calibrated to draw in the millions of evangelistic church followers in Latin America's biggest nation. Its a buyers market for talent. Photo: Reuters A majority of Britains small-to-medium enterprises (SME) are finding it difficult to attract the people they need to fulfil the jobs they have. Thats according to a report, Robert Half 2019 Salary Guide, which revealed that 4.7 million UK SMEs, the equivalent to 82%, are struggling to attract the skills they need and are therefore having to fork out higher than originally expected salary packages to recruit the right talent. Over half of those surveyed said that navigating a digitalised business landscape is the reason for finding it hard to recruit the right people as they need to have a combination of data analysis and digital skills, as well as softer skills such as resilience, adaptability to change, and critical thinking. But Brexit is already making this worse as 43% said theyve had to bump with salaries to entice and get the right talent to come on board, as uncertainty over workers rights and visas still hang in the balance during negotiations between the UK and the European Union. Technology and digitalisation is rapidly changing the UK business landscape. This, coupled with uncertainty around Brexit, means that businesses must adapt their recruitment strategies to ensure they are equipped with the right talent to keep up, said Matt Weston, UK managing director at Robert Half in a statement. However, the skills desired within certain roles remain specialist and unobtainable without presenting a competitive offer. The skills required is changing at faster pace than their adoption among the mainstream UK workforce, creating a buyers market for those who possess them. Attracting, securing and retaining the right talent will rely on faster hiring times, flexible recruitment strategies and competitive remuneration packages. Britain will be leaving the EU on March 29, 2019 but the UK and EU have yet to agree on a deal. As the nation pushes closer to severing ties with the bloc, prime minister Theresa May has made it clear that Britain shouldnt be afraid of leaving the EU without a deal. However, that throws into question the issue of migration and rights to work in the UK as being part of the EU gives all member states citizens the right to free movement between countries. Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, has warned in the past about Brexit risks. Photo: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg The Bank of England is sounding rather cocky as the UK is just months away from Brexit. The central banks financial policy committee issued a statement on Tuesday outlining that its banks and financial systems were ready for all the worst-case scenarios related to Brexit. But on the other hand, it was concerned about how the European Union would cope if politicians on both sides are unable to reach a final Brexit deal. The central bank said the EU had not put in place the necessary systems to limit fallout in the financial sector from a messy Brexit on 29 March. There has been considerable progress in the UK to address these risks, but only limited progress in the EU, the Bank of England (BoE) said, noting that there was a pressing need for EU authorities to take action. In the limited time remaining, it is not possible for companies on their own to mitigate fully the risks of disruption to cross-border financial services. The central bank estimates that 41tn ($54tn) of derivatives face legal uncertainty after Brexit if the EU does not move to maintain existing rules. The UK is passing legislation through parliament to allow EU-based financial services firms to continue to serve their UK customers. But the EU has yet to take similar action. Ruth Gregory, a senior UK economist at Capital Economics, called the statement a warning shot to the EU. The BoE said British banks had enough cash at their disposal to cushion the blow, no matter what happens. The UK banking system now has the capacity to absorb, in addition to a disorderly, cliff-edge Brexit, further misconduct costs and stresses that could arise from intensifying trade tensions and a further sharp tightening of financing conditions for emerging markets, it said. Miles Celic, the CEO of the industry group TheCityUK, agreed with the BoE assessment, urging the EU side to provide more support to European businesses. The Bank of England is right that issues like contract continuity in insurance and clearing require additional support from regulators and legislators across the EU, he said. This is critical to ensuring wider European financial stability and for providing certainty to customers and clients across Europe. Story continues The European Commission said on Tuesday it consistently encouraged all stakeholders in financial services to prepare for Brexit, and that it continued to analyse with the European Central Bank possible risks for markets. The European Central Bank acknowledged that a potential cliff-edge Brexit could hurt the regions derivatives markets. In view of the prevailing uncertainty, the private sector is primarily responsible for making adequate arrangements to prepare itself for any scenario, it told Yahoo Finance UK. Last year, the BoE conducted so-called stress tests on UK banks to ensure they could withstand severe financial strains. That included a test to see what would happen if unemployment shot up to 9.5% and home prices fell by 33%. With files from Reuters and the Press Association Ruse (Bulgaria) (AFP) - Bulgaria was under pressure Monday to find the killer of a television journalist whose brutal murder sparked international condemnation, as mourners thronged candlelight vigils in the capital Sofia and the northern town of Ruse where she was killed. The body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova -- who presented a current affairs talk programme called "Detector" for the small private TVN television in Ruse -- was found on Saturday. Several hundred people, many in tears, attended a vigil in Ruse's central square, lighting candles and laying flowers in front of a portrait of Marinova. A similar observance was held in Sofia. In Ruse, many told AFP they had known Marinova personally as she had been active with charities in the town on the Danube. Chief prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov said Monday that investigators were considering "all leads" including possible links to Marinova's professional activity. Authorities in Bulgaria, the EU's poorest member state plagued by rampant corruption, earlier revealed that Marinova had been killed by blows to the head and from suffocation, and had also been raped. "We are in shock. In no way, under any form, never have we received any threats -- aimed at her or the television," a journalist from Marinova's own TVN told AFP on condition of anonymity Sunday, adding that he and his colleagues feared for their safety. UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay condemned the murder, saying: The use of sexual and physical abuse to silence a woman journalist is an outrage against the dignity and basic human rights of every woman." In a statement from the UN cultural agency's headquarters in Paris, Azoulay added: "Attacks on journalists erode the fundamental human right to freedom of expression and its corollaries, press freedom and free access to information." Marinova is the third journalist to be murdered in Europe in the past 12 months after Jan Kuciak in Slovakia in February and Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta in October 2017. Story continues Bulgaria is regarded as a laggard in the EU in matters of press freedom, ranking 111th out of a total 180 in this area, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). "Shocked by the horrendous murder of Victoria Marinova. Again a courageous journalist falls in the fight for truth and against corruption," the EU Commission's vice president Frans Timmermans tweeted late Sunday. - 'A warning'? - Condolences poured in on social media for Marinova, who leaves behind a small child. Some observers believe the murder could be linked to Marinova's work. The first episode of her programme, aired on September 30, featured an investigation into fraud allegations against oligarchs and politicians. She interviewed the reporters behind the probe, investigative journalists Dimitar Stoyanov from the Bivol.bg website and Attila Biro from the Romanian Rise Project. Bivol.bg owner Asen Yordanov told AFP that "Viktoria's death, the brutal manner in which she was killed, is an execution. It was meant to serve as an example, something like a warning." The crime has sparked international outcry, with condemnation from the OSCE and the Committee to Protect Journalists. In Bulgaria, however, national TV networks gave scant air time to the case. And even some of Marinova's fellow journalists were not convinced that she was killed because of her reporting. "The country has a bad image with regard to press freedom, but it's possible that there is no link to this case," said Svetoslav Terziev, opposition media analyst and journalism teacher. At the Ruse vigil, telecoms technician Venelin Rumenov, 27, told AFP: "I don't think that she had been threatened or anything." - Reporting obstacles - Widespread corruption, shady media ownership and suspected collusion between journalists, politicians and oligarchs have made objective reporting a constant obstacle course, according to RSF. The Bulgaria-based Association of European Journalists said reporters from small regional and local media are under particular pressure and even face threats from local businessmen and politicians, often leading to self-censorship. Violence against women has also been widespread in Bulgaria. A UCL report has found that planning for a 2nd Brexit referendum would need to start now. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Contingency planning for a second Brexit referendum must start immediately in order to avoid running out of time to make a vote possible, a new report has found. The study by UCLs Constitution Unit concludes that another public vote is practically possible, but would take at least 22 weeks to plan. Considering that this timetable would make it all but impossible to hold a vote before the official departure date of 29 March 2019, planning would have to begin straight away and Article 50 would need to be extended, or another vote could not feasibly happen. Campaigners calling for a Peoples Vote on any Brexit deal have been gaining prominence in recent weeks, although dispute remains over what the exact terms of the vote would be. How would a second Brexit vote happen? A number of processes would need to be completed in order to hold a second referendum: The Government must pass primary legislation to provide the legal basis for a vote The Electoral Commission must test the question to make sure it is clear and understandable Preparation for the administration of holding a poll must be carried out A regulated period of time for campaigning would need to occur By looking at previous referendums and considering political uncertainties, researchers concluded that 22 weeks is the minimum amount of time required to plan for the country to return to the polls. Campaigners for a second referendum are rising in prominence (Getty Images) Taking in account MPs Christmas break, if the process were to begin today (9 October), the earliest a vote could be held would be 28 March the day before Brexit. The report states that another vote the day before exit would not be possible and so Article 50 would need to be extended a process that is certainly legally possible. What would the question be? There are three viable questions that could be put to the public, the report finds: If Theresa May fails to reach a deal, a binary choice between remain and no deal If a deal is agreed, a binary choice between Theresa Mays deal and remain If a deal is agreed, a three-option vote on no deal, remain and Theresa Mays deal Calls for a second vote have been strengthening in recent weeks as ministers scramble to agree a deal before time runs out. Story continues Details emerged last week of a new Irish border backstop proposal from the PM that could see the whole of the UK stay in a temporary customs union with the EU until a trade agreement can be reached that would not require a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. DUP leader Arlene Foster used a visit to Brussels today to set out her own series of red lines for the agreement that Mrs May must meet in order to guarantee the support of Fosters party. The DUP insists that no new barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK can result from any agreement. The internet can do without Cardi B talking about the Holocaust. A quote from the rappers new interview with W magazine has people fired up at her and the publication. The entertainer (real name: Belcalis Almanzar) is being criticized for even bringing up the genocide, and the mag is being panned for posting just that quote from her full interview which touched on topics ranging from her romance with Offset to the plastic surgery shes had seemingly in hopes of igniting a fury. Cardi B, seen here performing at Global Citizen Concert at Central Park on Sept. 29, is being criticized for bringing up the Holocaust in a new interview. (Photo: Steven Ferdman/WireImage) In the interview, Cardi talked about being enrolled at Borough of Manhattan Community College, where she took courses in political science and history. While she later dropped out to pursue a stripping career, she said she kept up with the subjects by watching the news and documentaries. For some reason, Im really fascinated with the Holocaust, she said. People were so naive back then to believe certain things. But then, we in 2018, and theres people that believe that our problems come from a certain group of people. It just baffles my mind. That quote was featured with a glamour shot of the rapper on the magazines Instagram page, leading to immediate criticism of the star, who has had her fair share of bad press recently this, her arrest for a strip club brawl, and her fight with Nicki Minaj at New York Fashion Week. Okay, queen of history class, one commenter wrote dismissively. Added another: Huh? Sad. This literally makes no sense Im sure this was written verbatim too. And yet another said: To be fascinated with one of the saddest and terrible part of the WWII is just ignorant. Finally she reached rock bottom. Many other comments were along the same lines and some were even ruder: Dumb ugly convict and dump trash. Story continues Some fans tried to explain what Cardi meant. Basically she feels history is slowly repeating itself. Hitler then, Trump now, wrote one. With another person agreeing, EXACTLY!!! Hitler/Jews Trump/Mexicans. There was even more in-depth analysis, including, She is saying that in this day and age, there are actual people that believe issues in the world come from and stem from a race (group of people). just because they are that race. It baffles her that ppl still believe race has anything to do with what makes a person evil. Cardi wasnt the only topic of criticism; there was a lot of finger-wagging at the magazine too. One person asked the magazine to reconsider this cherry-picked, offensively vague, and contextually irrelevant quote for a new caption to this photo. Another message directed at the mag was: Way to disgrace The Holocaust with this vague and irrelevant quote. The rapper didnt seem bothered by the controversy, sharing the cover and writing: I love it. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Chinas foreign minister demanded the US stopped groundless criticism of his countrys policies as American secretary of state Mike Pompeos visit to Beijing got off to a frosty start. Wang Yi accused Donald Trumps administration of constantly escalating trade friction in a direct attack on our mutual trust, in unusually pointed remarks in front of journalists. His comments came at the start of a meeting with Mr Pompeo at the Chinese capitals Diaoyutai Guest House. While the pair also exchanged typical diplomatic pleasantries and emphasised the need for cooperation, Mr Wang's airing of grievances underscored the two countries worsening relations. The foreign minister said: Recently, as the US side has been constantly escalating trade friction toward China, it has also adopted a series of actions on the Taiwan issue that harm Chinas rights, and has made groundless criticism of Chinas domestic and foreign policies. We believe this has been a direct attack on our mutual trust, and has cast a shadow on China-US relations. He added: We demand that the US side stop this kind of mistaken action. Last month Mr Trump escalated the two countries' trade war by slapping a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese products worth $200bn (153bn). Nearly half Chinese imports are now subject to sanctions at a rate which will increase to 25 per cent next year. China responded by hiking sanctions on US goods. Mr Pompeo, who was meeting Mr Wang to brief him on his talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said there was fundamental disagreement between the US and China. We have great concerns about the actions that China has taken, and I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss each of those today because this is an incredibly important relationship, he added. A senior US State Department official said the White House still expected cooperation with Beijing on efforts to denuclearise North Korea, whose chief ally is China. Story continues I would certainly expect so, they added. Thats a very important issue and they recognise that and accept that and realise that. Mr Pompeo and Mr Wang openly disagreed over which side had called off a bilateral security dialogue that had been due to take place in Beijing this month. Last week, US vice-president Mike Pence accused China of malign efforts to undermine Mr Trump's presidency ahead of next months congressional elections. A bronze statue of Christopher Columbus stands in Providence, Rhode Island. (kickstand via Getty Images) I come from Laguna Pueblo and the Yuma Nation, and even in my small reservation border town where many of us children were Pueblo, Apache, Ute and Navajo Columbus Day was taken seriously by my elementary school teachers. We honored the Italian explorer, coloring pictures of the ships Columbus captained to discover our homeland. We took red crayons to the crusader flag, never realizing then that it was the same color as the blood our ancestors shed during colonization at the hands of Columbus and his Spanish conquistadors. Im a Native woman, but my husband is an Italian immigrant born and raised in Italy. Columbus Day is an important federal holiday for many Italian-Americans of the baby boomer generation, and I understand why: Many of them remember a time when their grandparents were considered outsiders in this country and faced violence and oppression as a result. But this federal holiday and the monuments that celebrate Columbus as an uncomplicated hero must go. Few educational texts in this country return to reliable, primary sources when it comes to discussions about Columbus. Biographical depictions of the explorer tend to be subjective and came long after his death. But one historian who knew Columbus personally, Bartoleme de las Casas, published A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies in 1552. He decried the brutality, describing how Columbus and the conquistadors disfigured Native slaves and fed them alive to dogs. Columbus was eventually arrested by the Spanish Crown and stripped of his governorship for executing Spanish citizens without a trial. Ever since Berkeley, California, became the first U.S. city to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day in the early 1990s, Americans have been re-examining the explorers role in our nations history. In blue states especially, communities now recognize Columbus as a slaveholder, rapist and plunderer of gold; a total of 56 cities and four states have followed Berkeleys example. Story continues Its not only Native populations that are harmed when we continue to celebrate Columbus year after year. The first and perhaps most famous Columbus monuments sits in Tower Grove Park in St. Louis. It was commissioned more than 130 years ago by an English-born businessman named Henry Shaw, who was reportedly appalled by the way Italian-Americans were being treated by American society and wanted to help the community integrate and gain acceptance. The monument honoring Columbus has been repeatedly defaced in recent years, particularly since Michael Brown, a black 18-year-old man, was shot and killed by a police officer in nearby Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. Last year around the Columbus Day federal holiday, bright red graffiti across the statue spelled out Black Lives Matter and murderer, calling attention to the atrocities the explorer committed against African slaves. Growing up in Milan, my husbands teachers spoke openly about Columbus brutal past. He doesnt understand why Americans stay so attached to the Genovese explorer when Italian luminaries like Giuseppe Garibaldi, Giordano Bruno and Amatore Sciesa could easily be honored instead. Its not my place to tell Italian-Americans who might replace Columbus as their historical hero. But I can say that he represents a great deal of suffering for us Native Americans. We are not immigrants, yet we remain outsiders on our own land, with voices that are rarely heard. A statue of Christopher Columbus is defaced with red paint in New York City's Central Park. The executive director of Tower Grove Park recently asked protesters white students, Black Lives Matter activists and urban Native professionals to make nonbinding recommendations about whether the statue should be removed from the park entirely or a plaque added to contextualize its history. A community forum will be held this month to discuss the issue. These talks represent progress, though they promise to be heated and theres no assurance that any proposed changes will actually be implemented. I admire Henry Shaw for wanting to help an ostracized people feel more at home in their country. He cared about Italian immigrants when they were reviled by society, and thanks to people like him, their population no longer needs thoughtful inclusion. We can honor Shaws legacy now by turning our attention to another ostracized population: the Native community. Imagine traveling to Europe and seeing statues of Benito Mussolini or Adolf Hitler perched on pedestals. You wouldnt, because these countries recognize their violent histories. Yet here in America, 46 states still celebrate a man who committed unspeakable crimes against humanity. I suggest we revise our nations origin story by forcing ourselves to see it more clearly. We must add proper historical context to our Columbus monuments and put them in museums, rather than public parks. If Italian-Americans wish to continue celebrating their heritage (and they have every right to), there are many other important historical figures to be proud of. Lets consider Native children across the country, whose sense of self and worth would be greatly improved by the renaming of this federal holiday. Columbus Day honors one man with a violent and controversial past; Indigenous Peoples Day honors many who have died and who have survived historic discrimination and violence. Lets make it Indigenous Peoples Day once and for all. Deborah Taffa is an enrolled member of the Yuma Indian Nation and a descendant of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico. She teaches creative nonfiction at Webster University in St. Louis and will be writing season three of the PBS series America From the Ground Up. Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today. Conagra just announced it plans to offer up to $575M worth of stock. The proceeds would be used to fund its deal to buy Pinnacle Foods, the company behind birds eye and other products. Pinnacle warned today its expecting sales to slip going forward, thanks to growing competition. Microsoft is steaming ahead with two big investments. Its putting an undisclosed amount into ride-hailing company Grab, which in turn will put Microsoft products into its operations. Reuters also says that EU officials will sign off on Microsofts $7.5B purchase of GitHub. An official announcement on that deal is expected later this month. Could CBS be looking for a buyout? The stock is moving today amid a report that the company will test the market, as soon as the sexual misconduct investigation into former CEO Les Moonves wraps up. Moonves had been battling lead shareholder Shari Redstone to hold off a potential merger with Viacom. Papa Johns is back in the spotlight amid reports that activist hedge fund Trian is considering a takeover bid. Trian already owns a 13% stake in Wendys. Papa Johns stock jumped more than 16% on the report in the Wall Street Journal. Ousted chairman John Schnatter has also been pursuing ways to re-take control of the pizza chain. He resigned over the summer, after using a racial slur on a conference call. Netflix is making a big bet on New Mexico. The streaming service is buying ABQ studios, in Albuquerque, for its new production hub. Thats where parts of The Avengers was filmed. Netflix says the move will bring a billion dollars in production to the state and create a thousand jobs. In turn, Netflix will get upwards of $15M in government incentives. Berlin (AFP) - Berlin could shut out diesel drivers from major arterial roads next year, after a court Tuesday ordered the German capital to follow in the footsteps of Hamburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart with exclusion zones. A renewed focus on air quality in the wake of Volkswagen's 2015 "dieselgate" scandal -- in which the car giant admitted to cheating regulatory tests on 11 million cars worldwide -- has seen a wave of courtroom action across Germany. In the capital city, "the current clean air plan does not include sufficient measures to meet annual limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2)," the Berlin judges said. City authorities "must order a driving ban for the streets where the threshold is not met," targeting cars up to the Euro 5 emissions standard, they ruled. Local media estimate that this would affect as many as 200,000 cars, some only three or four years old, with some exceptions, including for tradesmen. Definite exclusion zones include 11 stretches of major arteries, and Berlin must also examine whether driving bans are needed on a further 15 kilometres (nine miles) of road, a tiny fraction of its total 5,343 kilometres. "This ruling is a ringing slap in the face" for the government, Greenpeace transport spokesman Benjamin Stephan said. "As long as the car industry is not forced into hardware refits for all dirty diesels in every city, driving bans will be the only effective measure." - 'Good day for clean air' - Tuesday was "a good day for clean air," agreed Juergen Resch, head of the DUH environmentalist group that brought the court case. "In Berlin we have 250,000 people who suffer from asthma, including 50,000 children." Nitrogen oxides (NOx) including NO2 are estimated to cause thousands of premature deaths in Germany each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the gases aggravate asthma and bronchitis symptoms and are linked to cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Story continues In Berlin, annual average levels reach 49 milligrammes per cubic metre -- well above the federal government's 40-milligramme limit -- while in 14 other cities levels exceed 50 milligrammes. Germany is one of a number of countries that have missed European Union deadlines to bring down levels of NOx in urban air, opening them to potential legal action from Brussels. - Powerful auto sector - Chancellor Angela Merkel's "grand coalition" of conservative CDU and centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have wrangled over diesel with one another and with the car industry for a year. The aim: reducing air pollution without loading new costs onto drivers, imposing more driving bans or hobbling the country's vital car industry as it confronts rising challengers from the United States and China. Ministers last week unveiled a plan counting on car drivers to trade in older diesels for newer, less polluting models, or to have them refitted with more effective exhaust treatment systems. But with no legal tools to put the squeeze on carmakers, the politicians said they had to negotiate further with the firms to get them to pay for such modifications. Manufacturers Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler have agreed to at least examine refits, while BMW continues to reject them. All three would prefer to sell millions of new cars with help from "trade-in discounts" of up to 8,000 euros ($9,162). The changes come as several German courts have so far backed environmental campaigners. Port city Hamburg has already closed stretches of two major roads to older diesels, while Stuttgart -- home to Mercedes-Benz and VW subsidiary Porsche -- will ban them from much of its streets from next year. Judges also recently ordered a ban in the city centre of Frankfurt, Germany's financial hub that sees an influx of tens of thousands of commuters each day. MADRID (Reuters) - The two main Catalan secessionist parties on Tuesday voted against each other in the regional parliament for the first time in three years, a sign that tensions over the strategy to adopt toward Spain's central government are becoming more serious. Quim Torra, the Catalan regional head and Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) member, last week threatened to withdraw parliamentary support for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in the national parliament, but coalition ally Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC, Republican Left of Catalonia) did not back the move. ERC leader Oriol Junqueras, who is in jail for his alleged role in organizing an illegal referendum on independence for the Catalonia region last year, said establishing good relations with the Spanish state and finding "dialogue and agreements" was the best way to resolve the secession crisis. While the two parties had so far managed to resolve their tensions internally, they openly split on Tuesday when ERC teamed up with the socialist party to defeat a proposal of JxCat to allow exiled and jailed representatives to vote in the regional parliament. Junqueras and another jailed ERC member, Raul Romeva, had previously agreed to transfer their votes to a member of their party, in line with a ruling from Spain's Supreme Court. It is not yet clear whether those cracks could spell the end of the three-year-old pro-independence coalition, which controls the regional assembly and helped Sanchez win a confidence vote and topple conservative predecessor Mariano Rajoy in June. But the first consequences of the disagreements were immediately felt in the regional parliament, where the pro-independence camp lost two votes on Tuesday, one on reaffirming their claim for self-determination and another one to symbolically protest against a perceived lack of neutrality from Spain's King Felipe VI. Junqueras on Twitter on Tuesday urged the pro-independence coalition to stick together while JxCat said it would hold an extraordinary meeting on Friday to review its strategy. Polls in Catalonia show a relatively even split between those who favor remaining in Spain and those wanting to secede. Sanchez has said he favors dialogue on the region's future but has ruled out any moves toward independence. (Reporting by Andres Gonzalez,; Editing by Julien Toyer, Ed Osmond, Richard Balmforth) Viktoria Marinova, a Bulgarian journalist, was found raped and murdered in a park on Saturday. The television presenter had recently covered a story about the suspected misuse of EU funds by businesses. The 30-year-old is the third journalist to have been murdered in Europe in the past year, following other fatal attacks on investigative reporters in Malta and Slovakia. The killings have led campaigners to warn that press freedom on the continent is danger, as journalists face growing threats, intimidation and violence, in Europe and around the world. And last week, Saudi Arabian dissident and Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi embassy in Istanbul. His disappearance sparked concern among Turkish officials that the 59-year-old had been killed inside the consulate, although this has been denied by the Saudi government, who maintain that he left the building. Mr Khashoggi has lived in self-imposed exile in Washington for the past year fearing retribution for his critical views on Saudi policies. How many journalists have been killed so far in 2018? According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New-York based organisation defending the freedom of the press, at least 43 journalists have been killed in 2018 so far. The figure includes those who died in the line of fire while covering conflicts or on dangerous assignments, as well as those who were murdered. Russian journalists Alexander Rastorguyev, Kirill Radchenko and Orkhan Dzhemal were killed in June while working on a story in the Central African Republic. How many journalists were killed in 2017? Figures released by the CPJ show that 46 journalists were killed in 2017. The victims included Daphne Caruana Galizia, a prominent investigative reporter in Malta, who was killed in a car bombing last October. Ms Caruana Galizia, who ran a blog titled Running Commentary, had written reports about the Panama Papers tax avoidance scandal. Story continues Slovakian journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were shot dead at their home outside Bratislava last February. Mr Kuciak had reported on Slovakian businessmen mentioned in the Panama Papers leak. What were the deadliest years for journalists? Since the CPJs records began in 1992, 2009 was the deadliest year for journalists, with 76 journalists killed worldwide. A total of 74 were killed in 2012, making it the second deadliest year, while 73 were killed in 2015. Which countries are most dangerous for journalists? The most dangerous countries for journalists are Afghanistan, Syria, Mexico and Iraq, according to the non-profit group Reporters without Borders. At least 12 journalists have been killed so far in Afghanistan this year, the CPJ said, with nine of them murdered in twin bomb attacks in Kabul in April. What is causing the rise in journalist deaths? Long-running conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq mean that journalists on the frontline often face being caught in the line of fire. Of the countries not at war, Mexico is the most dangerous for reporters because powerful drug cartels increasingly target journalists who expose organised crime. According to the CPJ, 47 journalists in the north American country have been killed since 1992, with four of these killings taking place this year. HOUSTON (AP) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that it will waive environmental laws so it can build gates between sections of border barriers in South Texas' Rio Grande Valley. The waiver posted online lists 11 locations where the government plans to install gates in existing fencing. DHS has in recent months issued similar waivers of environmental laws for projects elsewhere on the southwest border. The U.S. government already has around 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) of fencing on the southwest border. In far South Texas, segments of fencing stop and start along the levee built next to the Rio Grande, the river separating the U.S. and Mexico. Many parts of the fencing are built a significant distance from the river, in some cases cutting off private property. The proposed gates would seal some of those gaps. U.S. Customs and Border Protection typically grants affected residents access to the gates so they can get to the other side of their land. The government also separately plans to begin building new barriers to fulfill President Donald Trump's signature campaign pledge to build a border wall. Congress earlier this year approved $1.6 billion for new border wall spending, which included funding for 33 miles (53 kilometers) of construction in the Rio Grande Valley. Some of the planned construction would cut through the National Butterfly Center and other environmentally sensitive areas. It may also leave some border town residents on the so-called "Mexican side," still on American land but cut off by a wall. The valley is the busiest corridor for illegal border crossings, and U.S. government officials say it is targeted by human and drug traffickers. In the waiver, DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen writes that there is "an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads" along the border. Nielsen waived regulations under the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and about two dozen other laws. A former CBP official said in March that the agency wanted to start installing the gates in October. CBP declined Tuesday to confirm that is still the agency's plan. Luxembourg (AFP) - EU ministers battled Tuesday over the extent of emission cuts to be imposed on carmakers, in the wake of a warning by UN experts on the dangers of global warming. Auto-making giant Germany in a fierce resistance succeeded in imposing a compromise plan tabled by Austria, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Ministers agreed to a 35 percent CO2 reduction for new cars by 2030 compared to models made for 2021. This target was reduced to 30 percent for vans. "After 13 hours of negotiations, we are relieved... The compromise is in the interest of all member states," Austrian Environment Minister Elisabeth Kostinger told reporters. The deal on cars was greater than the target of 30 percent suggested by the European Commission, the EU executive, but it remained well below the 40 percent cut advocated by the European Parliament in a vote last week. Germany was backed by eastern European member states -- while Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Nordic states had pushed for more ambitious reductions. "This text is worse than what was on the table this morning," said a disappointed Irish Environment Minister Denis Naughton. German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, a social democrat, said that she would have liked to be able to support a more ambitious cut on behalf of Berlin, particularly after the alarm signal sent by IPCC experts. But she admitted that her coalition partner the CDU, the party of Chancellor Angela Merkel, was pushing the tougher line, which she defended at the Luxembourg meeting. Germany -- home to Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW -- is worried that if targets are set too high it would hurt exports and threaten jobs. France, home to Renault and Peugeot, said it had wanted "a 40 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from cars in 2030", but appeared to have accepted the compromise position. The ministerial agreement is now set for tough negotiations with MEPs and the commission, with a first round of talks set for Wednesday. Story continues Countries and NGOs pushing for a more ambitious position pointed the finger directly at Berlin. "Germany and the (eastern European) Visegrad countries fiercely lobbied for no more than a 30 percent cut proposed by the European Commission, aided behind the scenes by European Commissioner (Miguel Arias) Canete," said activist lobby Transport & Environment. "Todays decision ... shows how far the Commission and some member states have shrunk from climate leadership putting carmakers interests first," it added. - 'Positive signal' - Tuesday's meeting also adopted the EU's position at COP24, the UN climate summit to be held in December in Katowice, Poland. On Monday, UN climate experts urged policy makers to adopt "rapid" and "unprecedented" reforms if they want to adequately limit global warming and meet commitments made at the COP21 talks in 2016. At COP21, the EU had committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030, compared to 1990, in all sectors of its economy. In a carefully worded text, ministers on Tuesday agreed that the EU was "ready (...) to communicate or update" its national contributions by 2020 to meet the targets set in Paris. "The main priority was to send a positive signal, not to commit to new EU targets," said a diplomatic source. Avoiding global climate chaos will require a major transformation of society and the world economy that is "unprecedented in scale," the UN said on Monday in a landmark report that warns time is running out to avert disaster. Earth's surface has warmed one degree Celsius - enough to lift oceans and unleash a crescendo of deadly storms, floods and droughts - and is on track towards an unliveable 3C or 4C rise. At current levels of greenhouse gas emissions, we could pass the 1.5C marker as early as 2030, and no later than mid-century, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) reported with "high confidence". "The report shows that we only have the slimmest of opportunities remaining to avoid unthinkable damage to the climate system that supports life as we know it," said Amjad Abdulla, the IPCC board member and chief negotiator for the alliance of small island states. "Historians will look back at these findings as one of the defining moments in the course of human affairs." A Summary for Policymakers of the 400-page tome underscores how quickly global warming has outstripped humanity's attempt to tame it, and outlines paradigm-shift options for avoiding the worst ravages of a climate-addled future. Global warming impacts have come sooner and hit harder than predicted Credit: John Giles/ PA Before the Paris Agreement was inked in 2015, nearly a decade of scientific research rested on the assumption that 2C was the guardrail for a climate-safe world. The IPCC report, however, shows that global warming impacts have come sooner and hit harder than predicted. "Things that scientists have been saying would happen further in the future are happening now," Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director of Greenpeace International, told AFP. To have at least a 50/50 chance of staying under the 1.5C cap without overshooting the mark, the world must, by 2050, become "carbon neutral," according to the report. "That means every tonne of CO2 we put into the atmosphere will have to be balanced by a tonne of CO2 taken out," said lead coordinating author Myles Allen, head of the University of Oxford's Climate Research Programme. Story continues Drawing from more than 6,000 recent scientific studies, the report laid out four "illustrative" pathways to that goal. A #Reasons for hope display set up by Greenpeace activists before the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) in Incheon Credit: AFP The most ambitious would see a radical drawdown in energy consumption coupled with a rapid shift away from fossil fuels and a swift decline in CO2 emissions starting in 2020. It would also avoid an "overshoot" of the 1.5C threshold. A contrasting "pay later" scenario compensates for a high-consumption lifestyles and continued use of fossil fuels with a temporary breaching of the 1.5C ceiling. It depends heavily on the use of biofuels. But the scheme would need to plant an area twice the size of India in biofuel crops, and assumes that some 1,200 billion tonnes of CO2 - 30 years' worth of emissions at current rates - can be safely stocked away underground. "Is it fair for the next generation to pay to take the CO2 out of the atmosphere that we are now putting into it?", asked Allen. "We have to start having that debate." The stakes are especially high for small island states, developing nations in the tropics, and countries with densely-populated delta regions already suffering from rising seas. Limiting global warming to 1.5C comes with a hefty price tag: some $2.4 trillion (2.1 trillion euros) of investments in the global energy system every year between 2016 and 2035, or about 2.5 percent of world GDP. That amount, however, must be weighed against the even steeper cost of inaction, the report says. The path to a climate-safe world has become a tightrope, and will require an unprecedented marshalling of human ingenuity, the authors said. "The problem isn't going to be solved with a silver bullet," Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, director of the University of Queensland's Global Change Institute, told AFP. "We need a hail of silver bullets." The IPCC report was timed to feed into the December UN climate summit in Katowice, Poland, where world leaders will be under pressure to ramp up national carbon-cutting pledges. Matthew Spencer, Oxfam's director of campaigns and policy said: "Climate change has set our planet on fire, millions of people are already feeling the impacts, and the IPCC is clear that things could get much worse without immediate action. "The faster governments phase out coal, embrace the renewable energy revolution and move to protect communities at risk, the more lives and livelihoods will be spared." He warned the world was already seeing the beginning of "massive displacement and a shocking rise in hunger" - and unless temperatures stayed below 1.5C, island nations would disappear beneath rising seas. Rachel Kennerley, climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: "Just like ignoring credit card statements so that repayments only become sharper and steeper, this report shows that weak responses will make it harder in the long-run. "Right now it's difficult, but not impossible, to contain climate chaos, but the window of opportunity will close for good the longer we delay." She warned the predicted loss of all coral reefs if governments could not contain warming would mean a massive loss of fish that people rely on for food and costing lives and livelihoods. She said: "That is the kind of reality we must face if governments don't take notice of this report." Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - The European Court of Human Rights said Tuesday that it had rejected appeals lodged by Lithuania and Romania over its ruling they were complicit in a controversial programme of secret CIA detention centres on their territories. In May the court found that both countries knew two suspects caught after the September 11, 2001, attacks would risk torture while held at the "black sites" from 2004 to 2006. Saudi national Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri claimed he was illegally held and tortured at an undisclosed site in Romania, while suspected Al-Qaeda operative Abu Zubaydah alleged the same while in Lithuania. A 2014 US Senate report determined that both men -- considered "high-level detainees" -- were subject to "enhanced interrogation techniques" including waterboarding while in detention. The ECHR found that in both cases the suspects were effectively within the national jurisdictions of Lithuania and Romania, which were therefore "responsible for the violation" of their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The convention explicitly forbids torture and the death penalty, and both countries were ordered to pay 100,000 euros ($117,000) to each complainant. Nashiri and Zubaydah are now being detained at the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay. Bucharest and Vilnius have steadfastly denied the existence of secret CIA prisons in their countries. But the European court had already condemned Poland in 2014 for allowing both Nashiri and Zubaydah to be held at a CIA site there in 2002 and 2003. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the CIA took suspected Qaeda detainees to several "black sites" around the world to escape US rules on interrogations -- a programme that has since been judged illegal. Other punishments inflicted at the sites included intense sleep deprivation, being crammed into coffin-size boxes and "rectal rehydration" to get suspects to talk. BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Governments in ex-communist states will face growing budgetary pressure from Brussels if they fail to respect rules on judicial independence, the Slovak commissioner who is running to head the EU executive said on Monday. Maros Sefcovic, the vice president for energy who is bidding to be the center-left candidate to replace European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker next year, said his priority would be to intensify dialogue with the likes of Hungary and Poland, which are defying Brussels over constitutional changes. But, the Moscow-educated diplomat told Reuters, states that benefit from EU subsidies - and these are notably in his native east of the bloc - should expect richer countries to impose stiffer conditions linking funding to respect for EU standards. Noting proposals by the Commission to tighten links between funding and democratic norms in the next EU budget, Sefcovic said "net contributors" - principally the wealthiest western EU states - have made clear their demand for even closer controls. "If you want to spend European taxpayers' money, then there should be a 100 percent guarantee that they are properly supervised - that you have independent courts, that you have independent auditors and you have an independent judicial system which is controlling how this money is spent," he said. "I'm sure that this will be beefed up," he added, proposing that funding could be linked to accepting oversight by the new European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO). Poland and Hungary are among five EU member states that have yet to sign up to the new agency, which is intended to combat fraud and corruption affecting EU funds. "My idea would be if you do not accept the jurisdiction of the European prosecutor then be ready for much more scrutiny," Sefcovic said. Disputes between some eastern governments and the EU executive, reflecting broader tensions between Brussels and rising nationalist movements across the continent, pose a threat to European integration. Sefcovic said he is running for the top job - he is so far the only easterner widely cited - to show that it was open to people from all parts of Europe. He urged Europeans not to an accept "an Iron Curtain in our minds" and said he would promote major investment in new technologies in order to keep Europe competitive. Citing the example of his Battery Alliance drive to promote the manufacture of the key new transport technology in Europe - a project he said could in time see 20 new "gigafactories" - Sefcovic said he would like to see "a couple of" super-computers in the EU to compete with those running in the United States. He also said he would like to see less pressure to break up EU firms by competition regulators, in the interest of promoting European companies capable of competing globally. (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald, Alissa de Carbonnel and Peter Maushagen; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Next week, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will embark on an epic two-week trip to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga. (We've already outlined all the need-to-know details, including their full schedule.) In honor of the impending royal tour, we decided to throw it back to Princess Diana's memorable visits Down Underyou know, just in case Markle was looking for some outfit inspo. Princess Diana visited Australia for over a decade, beginning with her first royal tour of the country in 1983 (two years after her wedding) and ending with her final trip in 1996. In between, she seemingly saved her best looks for her Aussie trips, from a very on-trend puff-sleeve dress to a sleek statement coat. Scroll down to see the best outfits Princess Diana wore in Australia and shop the 2018 versions of each look. Princess Diana and Prince Charles posed in front of Ayers Rock in 1983. The People's Princess posed with lifeguards at Terrigal Beach in 1988. Princess Diana was photographed on her 1988 tour of Australia. Princess Diana and Prince Charles took a stroll in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne in 1985. Princess Diana met with school children in Alice Springs, Australia, in 1983. Princess Diana wore a pastel skirt suit during her final trip to Australia in 1996. Princess Diana was photographed at The National Gallery in Melbourne in 1985. Guatemala City (AFP) - A court in Guatemala City on Tuesday sentenced former vice president Roxana Baldetti to 15 years in prison for corruption after a trial lasting four months. Prosecutors said that between 2014 and 2015, a group of officials and business executives directed by Baldetti embezzled around $2.5 million from the poor Central American country's public coffers. The money was part of an $18 million state fund for anti-pollution treatment at Lake Amatitlan, 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the capital Guatemala City. Baldetti "participated in and directed" the criminal network to "defraud the state of Guatemala," said Judge Pablo Xitumul, delivering the sentence. He sentenced Baldetti to 15 years and six months in prison for criminal association, influence trafficking and corruption. Nine other people -- former officials or business executives -- received jail sentences of between three and 15 years for their part in the fraud. Baldetti faces trial in three other corruption cases. Baldetti -- the first woman to serve as vice president of Guatemala -- was deputy to president Otto Perez from 2012-2015. Both Perez and Baldetti have been held in preventive detention since 2015 after being forced to step down in a welter of corruption scandals. They are alleged to be the lynchpins in a corruption network dubbed "La Linea" in which they allegedly received kickbacks from business leaders in exchange for lowering import taxes. After Perez was forced to step down, Jimmy Morales -- a TV comedian with no political experience -- was elected president after running for office on an anti-corruption ticket. Morales himself is being investigated for suspected illegal campaign financing. However, he is currently protected by presidential immunity, after parliament in September voted against lifting it. The immunity waiver was requested in August by the public prosecutor's office and a UN-backed anti-impunity commission set up to investigate state corruption. Lyon (AFP) - French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe urged far-right Italian leader Matteo Salvini on Monday to drop his "posturing" on immigration and help find a European response to the issue. Salvini, Italy's powerful interior minister and deputy premier, has singled out French President Emmanuel Macron for criticism in recent weeks, as well as other EU leaders he considers too soft on immigration. Philippe promised to be "direct" in his conversation with the 45-year-old Italian, head of the far-right League party, over dinner on Monday night in the French city of Lyon where the two men, along with ministers from Britain, Germany, Spain, Poland and Morocco, met for talks on immigration. "I rarely use the same words or the same vocabulary (as Salvini) but that doesn't stop me being direct as well. I hope we'll have a frank and direct exchange," Philippe said. "Beyond the posturing, the issue of immigration cannot be solved with a national response. It requires coordination. It's a complex issue of common interest. "I think you have to tackle it with conviction, with respect for national interests, but also with the desire to build a common position that is the only way to find a solution." Philippe's statement came amid open conflict between the new populist Italian government, led by Salvini and the head of the Five Star movement, Luigi Di Maio, and Macron's centrist administration in Paris. Last week, an aide to the French president accused Salvini of "living off the migrant crisis" and blocking attempts to forge a common EU migration policy. Leaving the dinner, Salvini made no attempt to disguise his differences with the Paris government -- just hours after meeting French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in Rome, whom Macron defeated in last year's presidential election. "I had the pleasure of seeing Marine Le Pen this morning and talking with her about Europe, the future of young people, trade and work," he said. Story continues "I need to work with everyone, but I feel closer to the views of Marine Le Pen," he said. The talks in Lyon were an attempt to bridge differences between hardline anti-immigration EU member states such as Poland and Italy and others like France and Germany that are in favour of accepting refugees. The gathering, which continues for a second day on Tuesday focused on efforts to combat terrorism, precedes a larger meeting of European interior ministers in Luxembourg on Friday. Morocco's interior minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, was also invited to the talks amid rising concern in Europe about the increasing number of migrants heading to Spanish territory via Morocco. Spain has become the biggest port of entry for illegal migration into Europe. The issue of returning Moroccan migrants to their home country, particularly thousands of unaccompanied minors in Spain and France, was discussed on Monday night. "It's in the process of being resolved," Laftit told reporters. Hillary Clinton has condemned "British Tories" who refused to vote against an EU censure of the Viktor Orban's far-right Hungarian government, saying they have come a long way since the days of Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill. The former US presidential nominee also said democracy was in crisis as she accused Donald Trump of spreading corruption and discrediting truth while Russian President Vladimir Putin waged cyber warfare and manipulated social media. Ms Clinton was marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford. In her wide-ranging speech, Mrs Clinton decried the Conservative Party's decision to whip its 19 MEPs in the European Parliament to oppose action against Hungary - making it the only governing conservative party in western Europe to do so. It's disheartening to watch conservatives in Brussels vote to shield Viktor Orban from censure, including British Tories," she said. They have come a long way since the days of Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill. Last month, just three Conservative MEPs voted against triggering an EU sanctions process against Mr Orban's government after reports emerged of press freedom violations and anti-Semitism. Mr Orban eventually lost the vote by 448-197. Mrs Clinton went on: Let's not be fooled by the masquerade that countries like Turkey and Hungary are still real democracies, just illiberal ones. Illiberal democracy is a contradiction in terms. Hungary's election was not enough to qualify it as a democracy, she said, as she called on the EU to resist alleged human rights violations. Mrs Clinton said: [Democracy] also requires free expression and a free press, the rule of law and an independent judiciary. Without these things illiberal democracy is no democracy at all, it is just authoritarianism by another name. I hope the European Union will resist the backsliding we are seeing in the east. Story continues The former First Lady also discussed the state of human rights and democracy in America, criticising what she called Mr Trump's discrediting of truth. Mrs Clinton, who lost the presidential vote to Mr Trump in 2016, told the audience: Even in what we once thought of as sturdy democracies, freedom is under threat, and when freedom is threatened, human rights are vulnerable. The crisis extends to my own country, the world's oldest democracy. Since day one, the Trump administration has shown hostility to civil rights. The president is degrading rule of law, delegitimising our elections, spreading corruption, undermining our national unity, and discrediting truth, facts, and reason itself. Referencing Mr Trump's travel ban, the prevention of trans people from serving in the military and the separation of undocumented families at the border, Mrs Clinton said: The United States is facing a toxic backlash to years of social and economic change. She went on: Our divisions even make us targets for foreign manipulation, which seeks to sow chaos and pit us against each other. New threats are upon us, especially at the intersection of technology and autocracy. The whole world now knows that Putin is waging cyber warfare and manipulating social media to influence elections, and referenda, and to polarise and cripple democracies across the west. It's not just the United States, in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the Baltic countries and beyond, Kremlin-backed hackers and propagandists have sought to inflame divisions and advance an extreme right-wing agenda. Additional reporting by Press Association Hong Kong's leader Tuesday refused to say why the city had denied a visa to a leading Financial Times journalist, despite escalating demands for an explanation of the unprecedented challenge to freedom of the press. Victor Mallet, the FT's Asia news editor and a British national, angered authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong by hosting a speech at the city's press club by Andy Chan, the leader of a tiny pro-independence political party, in August. Chan's party was later banned as Beijing cracks down on any pro-independence sentiment in the semi-autonomous city. An application to renew Mallet's work visa has been refused and on Sunday he was given seven days to leave Hong Kong. Facing questions for the first time since the visa denial emerged last week, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee, said the decision had been handed down by immigration authorities. She said linking it to the Chan talk was "pure speculation". "As a rule -- not only locally, but internationally -- we will never disclose, the immigration department will not disclose, the individual circumstances of the case or the considerations of this decision," Lam told reporters. She refused to directly acknowledge the specifics of the speculation over why Mallet was denied the visa. However, Lam said the government "will not tolerate any advocacy of Hong Kong independence and things that harm national security, territorial integrity and developmental interests". She refused to comment on how Mallet could be linked to any of those potential threats when it was pointed out that he was not an independence advocate but had simply chaired a talk by Chan at the city's Foreign Correspondents' Club, which has also hosted talks by Chinese officials. Asked whether journalists could now be punished for interviewing independence activists or writing about independence, Lam said she could give no guidance but insisted that freedom of reporting and expression were "core values". Story continues - International concern - Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and the press, which are enshrined in an agreement made when the city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. There are growing fears those rights are disappearing. Beijing regularly denies visas to foreign journalists but it has not been a tactic used in Hong Kong. Britain, United States and the European Union have expressed concern and a group of the city's most influential lawyers demanded an explanation Monday. The American Chamber of Commerce warned that curtailing press freedom could damage the city's competitiveness. A journalists' alliance has handed over petitions with more than 15,000 signatures to the government calling for an explanation -- petitions that have now grown to more than 20,000. Political analyst Willy Lam told AFP it was "very likely" that instructions had come from Beijing to penalise those who were seen as advocating independence. "(Carrie Lam) certainly can't contradict orders given by Beijing, including in this case," said Lam, who is a professor of China studies at Chinese University of Hong Kong. Some pro-Beijing figures have publicly welcomed the ousting of Mallet, including well-known commentator Wat Wing-yin who wrote in conservative newspaper Ta Kung Pao: "We only asked you to leave and did not execute you by shooting. That is already the most civilised of protests." A seemingly innocent advertisement of a young couple enjoying their breakfast in bed has seen a hotel accused of gender stereotyping. Lounging out in their bathrobes with a selection of croissants, fruit salad and other baked goods on display, the couple stare lovingly into one anothers eyes but its their reading material that has social media users up in arms. The seemingly innoncent ad caused outrage when their reading materials were brought into question. Image: Instagram/Elizabeth Redman A closer look reveals the woman is half way through a Chanel coffee table book, while the man is catching up on the Financial Review. Elizabeth Redman, a reporter at The Australian, called out the Brisbane hotel on Twitter, writing your breakfast looks delicious just wanted to let you know Im a woman and I also read the Financial Review every day. Of course, the fruit platter is on her side, shed be loathed to touch the baked goods, another wrote. Another suggested the ad looked as if it was straight out of a scene from Mad Men. Sofitel Brisbane responded to Ms Redman and every Twitter user who took offence to the advertisement, ensuring them that they never meant to cause offence and the creative responsible for the ad had been removed from future campaigns. We appreciate you voicing your concerns. There was no intention of portraying a stereotype, but we recognise it & apologise for any offence it has caused, the hotel responded. The creative has been pulled from any future activity. Feel free to send us a DM if youd like to discuss further. Others reached out to the hotel saying they had nothing to apologise for, describing the backlash as unwarranted and over the top. If this is all you have to worry your mind about then you are a very lucky person indeed, geez, one woman responded. Why are people getting so offended by such silly things its just a picture. Why waste your time getting so worked up, this world is crazy, another wrote. Give it a spell, its just an ad, heck, one man wrote. Yahoo has contacted Sofitel for comment. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK. Story continues Read more from Yahoo Style UK: Banana Republic under fire for confusing, sexist ad Twitter reacts to sexist NHS contraception posters University newcomers given a sexist and suggestive toothbrush ad in their orientation boxes BRISBANE, Australia (AP) A whale calf has been freed after becoming tangled in a shark net off the Australian east coast. Experts from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Sea World Gold Coast worked for almost two hours on Tuesday morning to untangle the humpback calf from a net about 500 meters (yards) off Greenmount Beach at Gold Coast city. The nets are suspended from buoys to protect swimmers at Gold Coast beaches from shark attack. "The calf had some superficial wounds form the entanglement, but nothing life threatening, and swam away with its mother when released," Sea World Gold Coast said in a statement. Sea World director of marine sciences Trevor Long said the rescue was a distressing experience. "It was a very, very young calf heavily engaged in the net, it was almost enveloped in the net so quite distressing for the calf and quite distressing for the mother," Long told Australian Broadcasting Corp. "The mother was very close to the calf and very close to us and very interested in what we were doing," he said. "I honestly believe the mother realized we were helping the calf and not injuring the calf and that was why she was calm," he added. Long said the quantity of abrasions on the calf's skin where it had been rubbed raw by the ropes suggested it had been tangled for some time. Someone walking on the beach had spotted the whale early Tuesday and alerted authorities. Panama City (United States) (AFP) - Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida coast on Wednesday as the most powerful storm to hit the southern US state in more than a century as officials warned it could wreak "unimaginable devastation." Michael made landfall as a monstrous Category 4 storm near Mexico Beach, a town about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Panama City, around 1:00 pm Eastern time (1700 GMT), the National Hurricane Center said. As the eye of the hurricane came ashore, winds of up to 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour) and driving rain pounded beachfront communities on the Florida Panhandle, the finger-shaped strip of land along the Gulf of Mexico. "Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in a century," Governor Rick Scott said. Briefing President Donald Trump at the White House, top emergency management official Brock Long said Michael was the most intense hurricane to strike the area since 1851. "Along our coast, communities are going to see unimaginable devastation," Governor Scott said. "The National Hurricane Center is expecting storm surge to be between nine and 13 feet (2.7-3.6 meters)," he added. "Water will come miles in shore and could easily rise over the roofs of houses." Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes and the governor told residents that if they have not already done so it was now too late. "The time to evacuate the coastal areas has come and gone... Hunker down, and be careful," he said. "Don't go out in the middle of this. You are not going to survive it. It's deadly." "This is, unfortunately, a historical and incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation," said Ken Graham, director of the Miami-based NHC. "It's going to be incredibly catastrophic." - Deadly storm surge - Long, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said many Florida buildings were not built to withstand a storm above the strength of a Category 3 hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Story continues As it came ashore, Michael was just shy of a Category 5 -- defined as a storm packing wind speeds of 157 mph or above. "We're going to see a lot of wind damage," Long said, and some residents could expect not to have power restored for weeks. Speaking before the hurricane made landfall, Long said "this is the final call for anybody that needs to get out. "Those who stick around to experience storm surge don't typically live to tell about it unfortunately," he said. Residents of the neighboring state of Georgia should also expect to be heavily impacted by the storm, the FEMA head said. "Citizens in Georgia need to wake up and pay attention," Long said. Mike Thomas, the mayor of Panama City Beach, a resort west of Panama City, said he expected there would be casualties and that emergency personnel would not go out when winds get over 50 miles per hour (80 kph). "It's going to be horrible," Thomas told CNN. "We're going to get some people hurt." An estimated 375,000 people in more than 20 counties were ordered or advised to evacuate. The National Weather Service office in the state capital Tallahassee issued a dramatic appeal for people to comply with evacuation orders. - 'Leave NOW' - "Hurricane Michael is an unprecedented event and cannot be compared to any of our previous events. Do not risk your life, leave NOW if you were told to do so," it said. The NWS said it had found no record of any previous Category 4 hurricanes that made landfall in the Panhandle or the "Big Bend" coastal region. "This situation has NEVER happened before," it said on Twitter. Trump issued an emergency declaration for Florida, freeing up federal funds for relief operations and providing the assistance of FEMA, which has more than 3,000 people on the ground. State officials issued disaster declarations in Alabama and Georgia and the storm is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to North and South Carolina. The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month. It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain. Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the western Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Harvey, which caused a record-equaling $125 billion in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make storms more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. By James Oliphant (Reuters) - During the U.S. Senate debate in Indiana on Monday, it was difficult at times to tell which candidate was the Democrat and which the Republican, as both routinely cited their support of President Donald Trump's agenda. For incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, that reflected the fact that he will need the president's supporters to win reelection in a state that overwhelmingly supported Trump two years ago. Donnelly, a first-term senator, is trying to stave off a challenge from Republican businessman Mike Braun, and in doing so, keep alive Democratic hopes of taking control of the U.S. Senate after the Nov 6. congressional elections. Democrats need a net gain of two Senate seats to take a majority in the upper chamber, which would allow them to more effectively counter Trump's agenda. But doing that not only means winning at least two seats now held by Republicans, but also holding onto seats in conservative states that Trump won, including Indiana, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia. Donnelly has spent much of his campaign touting his record working with Trump on healthcare and veterans' issues. But he came under attack by Braun on Monday for his opposition to the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Braun charged Donnelly was doing the political bidding of liberal Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. He never sticks his neck out, Braun said of Donnelly. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, facing his own reelection fight, was the only Democrat to back Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault while a teenager. Donnelly said he voted against Kavanaugh because of "concerns about his impartiality and concerns about his judicial temperament," apparently referring to the emotional defense Kavanaugh mounted to senators before the confirmation vote. Donnelly also played up his support last year of Trump's first Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, and noted that he had voted in favor of Trump's agenda more than 60 percent of the time. I support President Trumps efforts, Donnelly said during the debate. I want him to be successful. Because when a president is successful that means the United States is successful. Thats what this is supposed to be about. Donnelly even went as far as to adopt the slogan Promises Made, Promises Kept used by Trumps reelection campaign as his own motto during his closing statement. It is a phrase commonly employed by Vice President Mike Pence, a former Indiana governor, at campaign events. Braun, the owner of a logistics company who modeled his own outsider candidacy after Trumps presidential bid, noted that Donnelly had not supported Trumps tax-cut plan in the Senate and was an ardent backer of the Affordable Care Act, former Democratic President Barack Obama's signature domestic achievement, which Trump has sought to repeal. Donnelly has tried to walk a fine line all year. He supported the tariffs that Trump slapped on steel and aluminum imports, saying they benefited Indiana industry, but then opposed tariffs that resulted in retaliation by China that hurt the states farmers. That may be one reason why most polls have shown him holding a slight lead over Braun, who has struggled with name recognition and finding a viable line of attack against Donnelly. If Mondays debate was any sign, Braun believes he has found that in the controversy over Kavanaugh, although he must hope that it still lingers in voters minds a month from now. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Scott Malone and Leslie Adler) Dublin (AFP) - Ireland's finance minister presented a "Brexit-proof" budget on Tuesday, including a 1.5 billion euro ($1.7 billion) "rainy day fund" in case Britain's divorce from the EU sends economic shockwaves through the country. The fund would be supplemented by 500 million euros annually, starting in 2019, under the budget proposed by minister Paschal Donohoe -- which is the last before the scheduled Brexit date of March 29, 2019. "Our ability to withstand economic shocks needs to be stronger," he said. "This is why I am establishing the rainy day fund to increase the state's resilience to larger economic shocks." Donohoe also admitted that the prospect of a no-deal Brexit had been factored into the budget outlined to parliament. Britain and the EU are hoping to reach a deal over trade ties and the Irish border, where disruptive controls will be instated unless compromise is reached. Other budget measures to address Brexit include a 110-million euro fund for steps such as "essential customs requirements". A loan scheme to provide up to 300 million euros for small- and medium-sized enterprises and the agriculture and food sector was also announced. "This budget is very much Brexit-proof," said Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in a video. "First of all it's balanced, which means that if we do have to borrow as a result of a difficult Brexit, we'll have the capacity to do so. "We'll also establish a rainy day fund which weall be able to dip into if weave a difficult Brexit and we need to do things to help out business and farmers, for example." Foreign minister Simon Coveney said that some of the investments "we hope will be wasted money. "Because we hope we'll be able to negotiate an outcome that of course doesn't require a lot of these checks or infrastructure," he told reporters. "The future relationship that Ireland wants is the closest possible relationship with Britain." Story continues The budget is likely to pass. Varadkar's minority Fine Gael government has a working majority through a coalition with independent lawmakers, as well as a confidence and supply agreement with the country's second largest party Fianna Fail. The agreement commits Fianna Fail to backing three government budgets -- of which this will be the last -- but expires at the end of 2018. Varadkar is keen to extend the deal and avoid an election until 2020, to steady the helm as Brexit unfolds. But Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has indicated talks to renegotiate the accord will begin only once the budget has been announced. That means Tuesday's announcement could mark the beginning of a power shift in the country. By Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) - Irving Oil Corp shut its Saint John refinery in the Canadian province of New Brunswick on Monday morning after an explosion and a major fire that followed, with photos showing flames and smoke billowing from the complex. The company said on Twitter it was dealing with a "major incident" at the 320,000 barrel-per-day refinery, but that all of its employees and contractors have been accounted for, none of them seriously injured. Saint John Regional Hospital treated and released five people with minor injuries as a result of the explosion, according to Horizon Health, operator of the hospital. "I heard a loud bang that shook our house and rattled the windows," said Gordon Dalzell, who lives in Saint John near the refinery. He said he and others saw a "very large black sooty plume of smoke" from their street. Energy intelligence service Genscape reported the fire appeared to have occurred near the catalytic reformer. The crude section, catalytic reformer and a cogeneration unit were shut following the incident, Genscape reported, adding that multiple units were already offline for maintenance. The company shut most of the plant for planned maintenance in late September, but the smaller, 25,000 bpd gasoline-making units and the 125,000 bpd crude unit were still running, a source familiar with the plants operations said. The source said he believed the explosion was within the section of the plant that houses the hydrogen unit. More than one-half of the finished products from the refinery are exported to the U.S. Northeast, according to Irving's website. Reports of the fire sparked a rally in futures in refined products; gasoline was up about 2 percent following the reports but subsequently was only 0.4 percent higher. (Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw and Stephanie Kelly in New York and Eileen Soreng and Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Editing by David Gregorio and Steve Orlofsky) Jerusalem (AFP) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he told Russia's vice premier in talks on Tuesday that Israel must continue to hit hostile targets in neighbouring Syria, despite Moscow's decision to equip Damascus with advanced air defence missiles. Netanyahu said at a press conference that he told Maxim Akimov in talks in Jerusalem that Israel would continue to fight what it says are Iranian attempts to entrench itself militarily in Syria and channel advanced weaponry to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. Despite the delivery of the S-300 air defence systems to the Syrian military, Israel was committed as a matter of self-defence to continue its "legitimate activity in Syria against Iran and its proxies, which state their intention to destroy us", Netanyahu said. It was his first publicised meeting with a senior Russian official since the accidental Syrian downing of a Russian plane during an Israeli air strike in Syria, an incident that raised tensions between Israel and Russia. Fifteen Russians were killed in the September 17 incident that Moscow blamed on Israel, accusing its pilots of using the larger Russian plane as cover. Israel disputes the Russian findings and says its jets were back in Israeli airspace when the plane was downed. In response, Moscow announced new measures to protect its military in Syria, including equipping Damascus with S-300 air defence systems. Russia and Israel set up a hotline in 2015 to avoid accidental clashes in Syria, but the new measures have led to concern among Israelis that their strikes will now be limited there. Netanyahu, who met Akimov on the sidelines of meetings of a bilateral economics committee, said he believed that the current dispute with Moscow would be resolved. "I think that with common sense and goodwill we can come to a solution that will allow the continuation of the good coordination between the Russian and Israeli militaries," he said. Story continues At the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss coordination. The leaders have spoken at least three times by phone since the September incident. Both Iran and Hezbollah -- enemies of Israel -- are supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in his country's civil war alongside Russia. Israeli planes have carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets. DETROIT (AP) A senior Israeli cabinet minister sent a letter Monday to the University of Michigan president over campus incidents that the politician described as showing a "vitriolic hatred against the Jewish state." Naftali Bennett, the minister responsible for education and diaspora affairs, admonished university President Mark Schlissel over a lecture last week at the Ann Arbor school. In it, artist Emory Douglas shared his work, including a collage of side-by-side images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler and the phrase "guilty of genocide" across their faces. "The time has come for you as head of the University to make a strong stand against what has clearly become a trend of vitriolic hatred against the Jewish state on your campus," Bennett wrote to Schlissel. School officials declined to comment about the letter but said in a statement that the "school does not control or censor what speakers present" during the Penny Stamps Speaker Series, in which Douglas was featured. They said the program is "intentionally provocative," and that the school makes this clear to students. Douglas was a longtime artist for the Black Panthers and much of the artwork highlighted during his lecture drew on themes of domestic racial and social injustice and oppression. Some of the works featured images and messages supportive of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel. The movement's supporters say that in urging businesses, artists and universities to sever ties with Israel, they are using nonviolent means to resist what they feel are Israel's unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israeli officials say the movement's real aim is to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state. Bennett's letter also criticized a Michigan professor's recent decision not to recommend a student for a study program in Israel, though the school has said it opposes boycotts of Israeli higher education institutions. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that another instructor declined to recommend a second student who was applying to a study-abroad program in Israel. The teaching assistant said her decision wasn't personal, but was born of a pledge to "boycott Israeli institutions as a way of showing solidarity with Palestine." Story continues University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said he could not comment on the situation "because of federal student privacy laws." Meanwhile, Israel has kept an American graduate student detained at Ben-Gurion International Airport for the past week, accusing her of supporting the BDS movement. Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen with Palestinian grandparents, landed there last Tuesday with a valid student visa but was barred from entering the country and ordered deported based on the suspicion that she supports the movement. An Israeli court ordered that she remain in custody while she appeals. The weeklong detention is the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case, and it was not clear Tuesday when a final decision would be made. Alqasem is former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. ___ Jeff Karoub is a member of AP's Race and Ethnicity Team. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jeffkaroub and find more of his work at https://apnews.com/search/jeff%20karoub . Lyon (AFP) - Italy's deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini claimed growing support in the EU for his hardline immigration policies as he called Tuesday for French leader Emmanuel Macron to stop "insulting" him over the vexed issue. The remarks came as international interior ministers met to discuss the migrant crisis in the French city of Lyon, where EU members sought common ground. "I don't understand why Macron accuses me of racism or egotism because today all the ministers around the table agreed that economic migrants can't be welcomed in Europe," Salvini told reporters. The 45-year-old leader, who heads the far-right League party, has engaged in an open war of words with Macron sparked by Italy's decision to close its ports to charity rescue boats in the Mediterranean. Macron accused Salvini of "cynicism and irresponsibility" in June and an aide said last week that the new populist government was "living off" the crisis. The two leaders are positioning themselves ahead of European parliament elections next year, with hardliners like Salvini in one corner and Macron and other centrists endorsing deeper EU integration in the other. When it was pointed out to Salvini that Macron too wanted to reduce the flow of arrivals from Africa to Europe, he suggested they might eventually see eye to eye. "If Macron is on the same line, then we are fighting the same battle," he said. "Perhaps from time to time he could open the border at Ventimiglia (between France and Italy) and stop insulting us," he added. The European Union is riven by tensions over immigration, with many countries refusing to take in any refugees, while attempts to roll out a beefed-up EU border force have also hit snags. "There's no confrontation, there are simply positions that we are trying to... forge into a consensus and find common ground, which is needed in the European Union," Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said. Story continues In a sign of the widely diverging views, Poland's Interior Minister Joachim Brudzinski announced at the end of the meeting that he would recommend that Warsaw quit a landmark UN charter on migration. Hungary has already abandoned the charter, but it is set to be signed by the rest of the EU at a December summit in Morocco. On Monday night over dinner, Brudzinski disappointed some of his counterparts by talking about a "migrant invasion" during his comments, one participant told AFP on condition of anonymity. Brussels (AFP) - Jailed Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, Russia's most famous prisoner, is among three finalists for this year's prestigious Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament announced Tuesday. Also in the running are a group of 11 charities rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean and Nasser Zefzafi, head of a Moroccan protest movement who has been in jail since May 2017. Sentsov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, is serving a 20-year term over an alleged arson plot in Crimea. He started a hunger strike on May 14 demanding the release of all Ukrainian prisoners in Russia, and his deteriorating health provoked an outcry from the international community. Sentsov called off the protest after 145 days last Friday to avoid being force-fed. Like Sentsov, Zefzafi is serving a 20-year sentence, along with three others, convicted of "plotting to undermine the security of the state" in Morocco. His Al-Hirak al-Shaabi movement, based in northern Morocco's mainly Berber Rif region, was sparked by the death of a fisherman who was crushed in a rubbish truck, apparently while trying to retrieve swordfish seized by authorities. Hirak is calling for jobs, development and an end to corruption in the North African country. The third nomination was for 11 humanitarian groups that have been carrying out search and rescue operations to save migrant lives across the Mediterranean since 2015. The most prominent among them are Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children and SOS Mediterranee. The Sakharov Prize, set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every year to individuals or organizations that "have made an important contribution to the fight for human rights or democracy." The winner of the 50,000 euro ($58,000) prize will be announced on October 25. Last year's award went to the democratic opposition in Venezuela. Mike Pompeo calls for investigation into Istanbul disappearance after Trump ends six days of silence from White House Asked for a comment, a state department spokesperson said on Monday: We are not in a position to confirm these reports, but we are closely following the situation. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The US has called on Saudi Arabia to be transparent about the fate of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. After six days of silence from the Trump administration amid reports that Khashoggi may have been abducted or killed by the Saudi regime, the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, issued a statement saying senior US diplomats had spoken to their Saudi counterparts about the case. We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggis disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation, Pompeo said. A few hours earlier, Vice President Mike Pence he said he was deeply troubled and warning that the free world deserves answers. Donald Trumps own remarks to reporters were more tentative, saying he was concerned about some pretty bad stories about what had happened to Khashoggi. Hopefully that will sort itself out, the president said but added: Right now nobody knows anything about it. Jamal Khashoggi is one of the Arab worlds most prominent journalists and commentators. He is an outspoken critic of Saudi Arabia who has dared to defy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto ruler. While living in Saudi Arabia, Khashoggi was told to stop writing or posting on Twitter, where he has more than 1.6 million followers. He moved to the US more than a year ago, where he continued to comment on his country both in print and on television. He wrote columns for the Washington Post and the Guardian. His message struck a nuanced tone in the US, where he tried to acknowledge the reforms undertaken by Bin Salman while also highlighting the flaws. Khashoggi previously had close links with the Saudi royal family, including having served as a media aide to Prince Turki al-Faisal, when the latter was director general of the Saudi intelligence agency. Story continues He is also a former editor of the Saudi newspaper al-Watan and had worked with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a grandson of the first Saudi king who was detained last year as part of what the authorities said was an anti-corruption campaign. Other western allies increased the pressure on Riyadh which has claimed that Khashoggi had left the Istanbul alive, a claim questioned by Turkish officials. The UK foreign office said reports Khashoggi was abducted or killed by the Saudi government were extremely serious allegations. The French foreign ministry said Khashoggi was a recognised and respected Saudi figure. Khashoggi is a US resident and a contributor to the Washington Post, but until Monday afternoon, the state department had stuck to a low-key response, offering only a single-line comment on Khashoggis disappearance that said: We are not in a position to confirm these reports, but we are closely following the situation. Bob Corker, the Republican chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, took the lead in issuing a strongly worded statement. I have raised Jamals disappearance personally with the Saudi ambassador, and while we await more information, know we will respond accordingly to any state that targets journalists abroad, Corker wrote on Twitter. The White House reaction ultimately came in the form of a tweet from Pence, saying he was deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press & human rights. The free world deserves answers, the vice president said. The Trump family in particular the presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner has established a close bond with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. In March 2017, Trump hosted MBS at the White House, breaking protocol to do so as the Saudi was only a deputy crown prince at the time. The president made Riyadh the destination of his first foreign trip and backed the Saudi royals wholeheartedly in their standoff with the Qataris. The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, was last month reported to have overruled his own top advisers to approve the continued supply of arms to Saudi Arabia for its campaign in Yemen, despite the high civilian death toll from aerial bombardment. Pompeos predecessor, Rex Tillerson, downgraded the role of pursuing human rights in the state departments mission. Pompeo has addressed human rights selectively, concentrating on abuses in Iran and Venezuela. Trump has boasted of his strong relationship with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who on Monday demanded that the Saudi monarchy prove Khashoggi left its consulate in Istanbul as Riyadh has claimed. But the relationship has soured over the Turkish detention of an American pastor and Ankaras decision to buy a Russian anti-aircraft system. The US has no ambassador in either Riyadh or Ankara. Normally wed also have an ambassador in Saudi Arabia. We dont. Getting on the phone and having quiet conversations to see if you can get any answers is one way to get it, but were not getting any answers, Ivo Daalder, the former US envoy to Nato, told CNN. Billionaire Japanese tycoon and future space tourist Yusaku Maezawa's training to go the moon should not be too tricky, he joked Tuesday, adding that he planned to use free time from his six-hour work day to squeeze it in. The 42-year-old Maezawa paid an undisclosed sum for a ticket on fellow tycoon Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket around the moon as early as 2023 and the passionate art collector also plans to take around half a dozen artists with him on the trip. "It hasn't been decided yet what training I will need to undergo but Elon Musk has said it shouldn't be too hard," Maezawa jested, adding in Japanese, "I believe English will be a must." Asked how he could fit astronaut training around his already hectic schedule, he said he adhered to his own company policy of working a six-hour day and devoting the rest of the time to personal projects. "I don't go to work from morning to night. I'm there three or four times a week and I try to go home after six hours," Maezawa told a packed news conference in Tokyo. Maezawa will hitch a ride aboard Musk's Big Falcon Rocket (BFR), which SpaceX has acknowledged may not be ready for human flight for at least five years. First announced in 2016 and estimated to cost $5 billion, the BFR was touted as the most powerful rocket in history, even more potent than the Saturn V moon rocket that launched the Apollo missions five decades ago. Maezawa said he had received "safety guarantees" that allowed him to be able to invite the artists along on the trip, although he confirmed he had not yet begun negotiations with potential fellow-travellers. He said he was most looking forward to seeing the entire Earth from space. "I look forward to getting close to the moon. I would like to see the Earth in full view... To see it with my own eyes, just thinking about it now makes tears well up in my own eyes," he said. Maezawa is chief executive of Japan's largest online fashion store and is the 13th richest person in Japan, with an estimated fortune of $2.8 billion, according to business magazine Forbes. He did not deny there were some commercial interests behind his decision to pay for a ticket to the moon, as the exposure has hugely boosted his profile. "I was formerly known as 'Maezawa the fashion guy' and now its been updated to 'Maezawa, who's going to the moon'," he said. Beirut (AFP) - Jihadist factions including Syria's former Al-Qaeda branch have pulled heavy weapons from parts of a planned buffer zone in the country's northwest put forward under a Turkey-Russia deal, a monitor said Monday. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham "and other less influential jihadist groups have withdrawn their heavy weapons from large areas of the demilitarised zone" ringing Idlib province, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. HTS has yet to comment on the reported withdrawal, which quietly began "two days ago", according to Abdel Rahman. "Until now, heavy weapons have been removed from northern Hama and eastern Idlib" located in the proposed zone, he said. Last month's agreement between regime ally Moscow and rebel-backer Turkey is to create a 15- to 20-kilometre (9-12 mile) demilitarised area ringing the Idlib region -- the country's last insurgent bastion. Under the deal, all rebels in the buffer zone must withdraw heavy arms by Wednesday, and radical groups must leave the area by October 15. The Idlib region includes most of the province of the same name, as well as adjacent parts of the Hama and Aleppo provinces. On Monday, the National Liberation Front completed withdrawing heavy arms from the zone, according to Turkish state media. The NLF pullout was confirmed to AFP by spokesman Naji Mustafa. The NLF is the main Turkey-backed rebel alliance in the Idlib region, but jihadist heavyweight HTS and other hardliners hold a large part of the province and the proposed zone. Led by former Al-Qaeda fighters, HTS has yet to announce its stance on the buffer zone deal. By James Oliphant (Reuters) - The bitter fight over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh spilled over into a key U.S. Senate race in Indiana on Monday, as the Republican challenger, Mike Braun squared off against Joe Donnelly, the Democratic incumbent. Braun, a businessman, hammered Donnelly over his opposition to President Donald Trump's latest nomination to the top court, seeking momentum in a race that polls show to be tight a month before Nov. 6 elections that will determine control of Congress. Democrats need to gain a net total of two seats to win control of the Senate, which will require defending seats in several states that voted for Trump in 2016, including Indiana. Control of the Senate would allow them to block moves by Trump, including Supreme Court nominees. Donnelly, who is seeking a second Senate term, has been a top target of Republicans in a state Trump won by almost 20 percentage points two years ago. "I voted against Judge Kavanaugh because of concerns about his impartiality and concerns about his judicial temperament," Donnelly said early in the first debate between the candidates, held in Westville, Indiana, a small town in the northwest corner of the state. Kavanaugh was accused by California university professor Christine Blasey Ford of sexual assaulting her when they were high school students in 1982. He mounted a passionate defense of his innocence in the Senate and was confirmed by 50-48 in a near-party-line vote on Saturday. Braun's campaign has pointed to Donnelly's "no" vote as a lack of support for the Republican president's agenda. On Monday, Braun charged that Donnelly was unwilling to buck his party in opposing Kavanaugh. "Democrats including Joe Donnelly will do or say anything when it comes to their political interests," Braun said. "It is a blood sport." Republicans believe the fight over Kavanaugh has engaged conservative voters who otherwise have not been paying attention to the elections and may make a difference in several close Senate races. WORKING WITH TRUMP Donnelly has emphasized his ability to work with Trump, and he did so again on Monday, saying he had supported the president's agenda the majority of the time. Last year, Donnelly voted to confirm Trump's first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch. He said his vote against Kavanaugh showed independent judgment. "Mike was for Judge Kavanaugh on the first day. If President Trump put up Bugs Bunny, Mike would have said he should go on the court," Donnelly said. "My job is to protect the court and to put people on who are qualified." Braun, who served for three years in the Indiana legislature, repeatedly stressed his Trumpian "outsider" credentials. He criticized Donnelly for failing to support tax overhaul legislation that passed Congress last year and for supporting the Iran nuclear deal crafted by the Obama administration, which Trump has abandoned. Donnelly accused Braun of not supporting insurance coverage for pre-existing healthcare conditions in the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, an attack line that has been a staple of Democratic campaigns. Braun pledged during the debate that he would never support a replacement for Obamacare "unless it covered pre-existing conditions." A Democrat in a Republican-heavy state, Donnelly has shown staying power, with polls largely showing him keeping a slight edge over Braun and Libertarian candidate Lucy Benton, who also participated in Monday's debate. He supported steel and aluminum tariffs the administration placed on imports this year, saying they benefited Indiana industries. Donnelly has criticized other tariffs that have hurt the state's farmers and contended they had gone too far in spurring retaliation by China. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which has long backed Republicans, declined in the summer to endorse anyone in the Senate race, showing the potency of the tariff issue. (Reporting by James Oliphant in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Peter Cooney) By Amanda Ferguson BELFAST (Reuters) - The head of the Northern Irish party that props up Prime Minister Theresa May's government said on Tuesday a Brexit deal was "eminently possible" within weeks, but she would not accept different regulations from the rest of the United Kingdom. In an interview before a meeting with chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, Foster stuck to her rejection of any new regulatory or customs barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland - but said with political will, a deal was possible. "We cannot have the single market of the United Kingdom interfered with in that way and that is the message we will be giving to Michel Barnier today. There cannot be any regulatory barriers between ourselves and the rest of the United Kingdom," she said. "I want to see a deal that works for everyone and I think that is eminently possible if the political will is there to make it happen," Foster told BBC Radio Ulster. The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is the biggest remaining sticking point in Brexit talks between Britain and the European Union, and both sides are trying to work out how to monitor and regulate trade over the frontier. EU sources told Reuters on Thursday that EU negotiators see the outline of a compromise on the Irish border issue, raising hopes that a new British offer could unlock a deal. (Reporting by Amanda Ferguson; Editing by Andrew Heavens) The U.S.s sanctions on Iranian oil come into effect on Nov. 4, but at least one country says it wont be playing ball. Indias oil and natural gas minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, confirmed Monday that two Indian oil companies would be buying Iranian crude in November. Reuters had reported on Friday that India would buy 9 million barrels of Iranian oil next month. India is the worlds third-largest oil importer, and Irans second-biggest oil customer after China. China is reportedly reducing its oil imports from Iran, though its not likely to fully comply with the U.S. demands. The Indian orders have reportedly been placed by Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL). According to CNBC, Pradhan said India may use rupees rather than dollars to buy the oil, in an attempt to skirt the sanctions. The U.S. is imposing the sanctions because Iran has reneged on a 2015 nuclear deala point on which other major powers disagreeand because it wants Iranian forces to pull out of Syria and Iraq. The news of Indias continued importation of Iranian crude had a positive effect on oil prices, with Brent crude down 1.6% to $82.79 at the time of writing on Monday morning. The industry has been worrying that an entirely effective ban on Iranian oil exports would strain supplies. Another factor easing those fears was a Friday Reuters report that cited an unnamed U.S. government official as saying the Trump administration is considering waivers on its sanctions for countries that agree to reduce their imports of Iranian oil. White House National Security Advisor John Bolton said only last week that the administration wanted to avoid all waivers and see Iranian oil and gas exports entirely staunched, but that it might not be able to achieve that aim. Pradhan reportedly said Monday that India does not know if it would get a waiver from the U.S. BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday all political sides had made concessions and he hoped a new government would be formed after President Michel Aoun returns from a trip abroad. In the more than five months since a parliamentary election in May, politicians have been unable to agree a unity government that can get to work on badly needed economic reforms. Lebanon, which has the world's third largest public debt as a proportion of national output, faces an economic crisis if the political stalemate drags on, politicians have said. "There are concessions from all sides, including the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM)," Hariri told reporters after a meeting of his Future Movement party. "We hope for the formation of a government after the return of the president from Yerevan because the economic and social situation calls for a speedy government formation," he said. Aoun is expected to return from Armenia on Friday. Rivalry between the two leading Christian parties - Aoun's FPM, allied to the Shi'ite Islamist Hezbollah movement, and the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces (LF) - is widely seen as the main obstacle to a deal. Hariri said his optimism that a government could be formed soon stemmed from a meeting he had with Aoun last Wednesday. Hariri said on Thursday he believed the government would be formed within a week to 10 days because the economy could not tolerate further delay. The formation of a new government would allow Lebanon to begin the substantial fiscal adjustment that the International Monetary Fund says it needs to improve its debt sustainability. It would also likely unlock more than $11 billion worth of infrastructure investment pledged at a donors' meeting in Paris in April. "We are wrong if we think the world will wait for us to save ourselves. There are loans that won't wait," Hariri said. (Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Robin Pomeroy and Gareth Jones) Prescriptions of antidepressants have doubled in the UK in the last decade - Eddie Mulholland Limpets are being killed due to the rise in antidepressant use which means they struggle to cling onto rocks, scientists have warned. A new study argues that aquatic creatures in and around the UK are now bathing in a soup of the drugs after prescription rates doubled in the last ten years. Experts have called for doctors to consider the effect on the environment before offering medication such as Prozac, saying its presence in the ecosystem can affect everything from a creatures growth and shape to its movement and feeding habits. They also point to research indicating that antidepressants in waste water have caused shrimps to swim towards light, making them more likely to be eaten by predators. Similarly, the chemicals have been linked to aquatic species no longer being able to stick to surfaces such as rocks. It is thought that approximately six million people - around 10 per cent of the population - now take antidepressants regularly. Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the new study calls for an overhaul of the UKs waste water system to bring chemical levels to within legal levels, as well as encouraging patients to return unused medication to pharmacies rather than flushing down the lavatory. Professor Alex Ford, of Portsmouth Universitys Institute of Marine Biology, said: Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications are found everywhere, in sewage, surface water, ground water, drinking water, soil, and accumulating in wildlife tissues. They are found in sea water and rivers and their potential ability to disrupt the normal biological systems of aquatic organisms is extensive. This isnt about a one-off pollutant entering their habitat; wildlife are bathed in drugs for their entire lifecycle. He added: Laboratory studies are reporting changes such as how some creatures reproduce, grow, the rate at which it matures, metabolism, immunity, feeding habits, the way it moves, its colour and its behaviour. Story continues Scientists believe that aquatic organisms can be affected by as little as one nanogramme of the drugs per litre, the equivalent of a few drops of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool. It is thought that, just as antidepressants affect hormones such as serotonin in the human brain, they affect serotonin in invertebrate creatures. Research has also indicated that the drugs affect the species ability to reproduce. Toxicity levels of pharmaceuticals in the environment do not necessarily relate to high concentrations, but to their constant low-level discharge, persistence in ecosystems and highly active biological functions, said Professor Ford in a linked editorial. In this way, pharmaceuticals that are found in relatively low concentrations could be extremely potent and very persistent, and able to significantly affect non-target organisms. The researchers suggest that the increase in antidepressant use is partly due to the difficulty in securing psychological counselling in the UK. They argue that prescribing the drugs should be reduced in favour of counselling as far as is safe for patients. The majority of antidepressants enters the environment having been excreted into the sewage system, with even the most modern plants unable to adequately extract traces from the water. The New York Yankees were hoping Luis Severino would give them an ace-like performance in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Instead, the 24-year-old right-hander was knocked around by a focused Boston Red Sox lineup, setting the stage for the Yankee worst ever postseason loss. Severino allowed six runs (all earned) on seven hits and two walks, while only retiring nine batters. The Yankees never recovered, losing Game 3 of the American League Division Series, 16-1. The Red Sox beat the Yankees, 16-1. That was the worst loss in playoff history for New York. The Yankees might have been worse than Angel Hernandez tonight, which is saying something. Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 9, 2018 The question manager Aaron Boone will now have to answer is why Severino was allowed to start the fourth inning after clearly being on the ropes after three. Severino started the fourth inning by loading the bases on two singles and a walk. Only then did Boone come to get his young ace, but the snowball was already rolling down the hill by then. All three baserunners Severino left behind would cash in once Lance Lynn took over. Then three more scored against Lynn, and another one came against Chad Green. The Red Sox scored seven runs in all during the inning, building a 10-run lead. Luis Severino lasted just three-plus innings and allows six runs in disappointing ALDS Game 3 start for Yankees. (AP) Yankees dismiss issues warming up Apparently there was some miscommunication before the game, which led to Severino only having eight minutes to prepare for first pitch. The situation gained some traction on social media. Especially after this video surfaced. However, both Boone and Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said the situation was being overblown. Talk of Luis Severino's preparation for ALDS Game 3 has been blown out of proportion, says Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild. pic.twitter.com/qvSYnvopAi YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 9, 2018 Luis Severinos postseason struggles Story continues Something thats not being overblown is Severinos postseason struggles. This outing continued that troubling trend for Severino. In six postseason outings, hes only cleared the fifth inning once. This was his second shortest postseason outing after recording only one out in the 2017 wild-card game against the Minnesota Twins. He also created his own unfortunate spot in Yankees postseason history. Luis Severino: 1st pitcher in Yankees history to allow 6+ Runs and 7+ Hits in an outing of 3 IP or fewer in postseason game at Yankee Stadium. Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) October 9, 2018 The Yankees understandably expect more from Severino. But they clearly gave him too much rope in ALDS Game 3. Bullpen provides no relief Perhaps Boone gave Severino too much rope because he didnt have a good feeling about his bullpen. Yankees relievers added gasoline to the fire, with all five who entered allowing at least one run. Three runs were charged to Lance Lynn, who retired just one batter. Chad Green allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings. Jonathan Holder allowed one run in two innings, making him New Yorks most effective pitcher in the game. Stephen Tarpley was touched for three runs in the eighth inning. Then in the ninth, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player in MLB history to pitch during a postseason game. Hell be the answer to a trivia question for that, and also for allowing Brock Holts ninth-inning home run, which wrapped up the first-ever cycle in postseason history. Theres no other way to put it. This was as ugly a game as youll see a team play in the postseason. Fortunately for the Yankees, it only counts as one game. On the downside, theyre now one loss from elimination. More from Yahoo Sports: What was Cowboys coach thinking on 4th-down decision? Kimberley A. Martin: Giants cant avoid OBJ drama Jay Busbee: Freddie Freeman saves Braves from NLDS sweep Whats next for McGregor? A suspension, probably.